Hi All, New Member Gary Dettore, and author of the book, “Screaming Eagle Gliders” about the 321st glider field Artillery Battalion, has sent me some images of a map that has taken him 15 years to acquire from a veteran. Gary wanted to make sure those who have an interest in glider men get to see it. The Map is of the 434th TCG, 74th TCS glider landing locations for the 3 missions they participated in. Chicago, Keokuk, and Galveston. Gary has no idea on why this document is loaded with either white out or white paint. The veteran he received this map from could not recall its purpose. It does appear that some marks and writing come after the white out and Gary believes the 'x' for General Pratts glider was added much later, with probably the vet himself as the placer of the x. A few of the glider teams names are not complete and were covered in white out. Particularly Galveston chalk 8 Col__, and chalk 11 Mc__reath. Gary believes the accuracy of the 'T' glider markings are reasonably accurate and only the guys who do the deep research will be able to confirm that or not. We do know from our previous research that the “X” mark for General Pratts glider is inaccurate. I have only seen one other map like this before, and it was of poor image quality. Has anyone seen maps like this from other Troop Carrier squadrons or Groups ? What do you all think? John
if this map was used/intended to be used for reproduction the white may have been used to mask folds, stains, etc. Works surprisingly well even if the original background is darker than the white out. I've seen this trick used countless times. Works with photocopies and can still be used with modern scanning equipment, although Photoshop is arguably a great alternatie to prevent altering existing documents.
Whoa. That's a very interesting map. I think the Pratt location is incorrect as that puts him around pond field. Chalk #28 of Keokuk interests me as I have a grouping belonging to F/O Devlin. It looks like he landed in the Pond field cluster.
I believe chalk eights crew might not be from the 74th Sqd. It would most interesting for someone with the talent to superimpose the map posted here over a WWII or even current map. The map I have is 1:25,000 scale. Jonesy, I spent many hours over the phone in talking to Devlin's buddy and pilot for the Normandy Invasion-Harold Axelson.
Hi Gary, Thomas Potter from California became friends with Harold Axelson and did a good video interview with him which is now on You Tube. Thomas wrote a great little article on Axelson and devlin's D-Day flight which is a great read. Little did I know that a few months later I'd be acquiring Devlin's flight records, air medal, ribbons etc. Did he mention Devlin much during your conversations with him? Regards, Neil.
Great map John! Looks like it was used to mark up the map on page 100 in 'Utah Beach - Sainte Mere Eglise - Sainte Marie-du-Mont' by Georges Bernage & Dominique Francois with a replicated error in thinking the Horsa we know to be 'Edna' was the Waco in which General Pratt was killed. The term 'The Big Picture' - does this refer to the TV series back in the late 1950s? Regards, Pat
Another item... This is the first time I have seen a location for F/O Lee Stull's crash site...anyone see any sign of it on available aerial cover? Thanks, Pat
Happy to see the landing spot for Nash. met Bill in 2010, shortly before he passed away. Still friends with his daughters. did send them copies, marking their father's landing spot (hope that is OK)
Jonesy, I was so focused on the exploits of the 321st and their interactions with the Holland glider lift-Normandy gliders didn't enter in the conversation. Well, a few Normandy glider pilot stories are in my book just because I couldn't help myself. Axelson did mention Devlin in the Holland lift and I put that in my book. Looking back, I wished my viewfinder was a little wider and could have captured more glider pilot stories but had to keep focused on the project at hand. Many years ago I reached out to the Devlin family and had a small write-up in their local newspaper. Talk later, gj.
Hello John, Thank you for posting the interesting maps. Many thanks to Gary Dettore. Will have to look for his book. Be Well
Chalk #8 Harold A. Moore - Peter A. Cola Chalk #11 John P. Mc Elreath - John S. Huggins Huggins and Mc Elreath are from the 72nd TCS Another thing : the location of the crash site of the tow plane is completely wrong
It's a given that not all the names attributed to the Normandy invasion on this map are from the 74 TCS. We know that pilots were pulled from their respective units and placed where needed. Also, when the GP's returned from Normandy they were asked to place their glider landings on a map. Some we may assume were the best guesses. Others, especially if more than one glider shared the same field could share info and then decide in which field they landed on. In July, 1944 this was the best they could do. So look at it through that lens and let photographic evidence do better. That's why I posted this map here, you folks have this talent. gjd.