384th Bombardment Group (Heavy) in World War II

Welcome to the 384th Bombardment Group (Heavy) Photo Gallery. This gallery makes available the photographic and documentary portion of the 384th BG record. All content on this gallery is visible to all visitors. Those wishing to enter a comment or contribute images will need to register and log in (links at left of Home page). Please register for an account when you need access beyond viewing gallery content. For additional information about the 384th BG, visit the 384th Bomb Group website⇗.

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According to your website my late grandfather, Corporal James Clayton Smee was a member of the 546th Bombardment Group stationed at Grafton Underwood. In investigating old photographs I see that this information is correct, as he appears in photographs I own of the entire squadron. Yet, according to his United States honourable discharge papers, it lists him as having served in the 822nd Air Squadron. Therefore, I seek to clarify this information, and more importantly discover if there is anyone that recalls his whereabouts, his exact duties, or perhaps could help identify other men in photographs with him. My grandfather would not often speak of the events of WWII, and it wasn't until after his death I actually learned what it was he did. During WWII, he served first as an airplane mechanic and crew chief of B-17's and P-47s, but also received honours and decorations for good conduct and a distinguished unit citation. He had many photos of battles, including arial shots of bombing runs and various fighters, plane crashes, his companions, even the company dog. One aircraft, according to family legend was called The Davey -- so named his firstborn son, which he said was shot down by the Germans in an unknown location. I've been unable to determine if that information is correct or if it was merely just an exciting tale to tell his children. However, I do have a photograph of the plane and him standing next to it with the name painted as "Davey". On October 11th, 1945 the Queen Mary sailed from Southampton, England and of the 11,000 individuals on board, my grandfather would finally return home to his family. I've been excited in scanning some of the photographs on your site. This one in particular: http://www.384thbombgroup.com/gallery/Priesnitz/BOY_S_ON_THE_LINE shows men that I recognize in photographs he brought home after the war. I know that he knew these men, but can't seem to find out anything else. Further: Enclosed is a few photographs that may be useful to your website. photo one: 546th Squadron -- my grandfather James Clayton Smee is located in the second row, starting from the left, he is the 17th man standing there. there are two photographs of the Davey. My grandfather is seated at the top of the plane in one. In another two men and the company dog are standing in front (the dog was popular apparently). On the back, my grandmother states the photo was taken in 1944, and that as crew chief, James Smee named and painted the name on the fighter. It crashed over Germany sometime in 1945. photo four: my grandfather is in the cockpit of a plane. I assume it is not a B-17 but rather a P-47. photo five: he had a lot of photos of plane crashes, this one I could identify by the Triangle-P Other photos of himself and an entire company date the location as being at Atcham, England, presumidly Atcham RAF. I could send those and other photos of crashes if you would like. He also had photographs of Mad Money II, Screaming Eagle, and The Ruthless. You have permission to post these if you would like to do so.

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