This is a praise report !

[williamlayton]

Some know and some don't.
I did not know my father as he was killed in WWII. Thru the help of a  friend and fellow member here I have found liks to this man and how, where, when he was shot down---this is not what killed him--that is another story.
I have wondered for years as my mother would not talk about him----this also is another side bar.
Blessings

[Brett]

That's pretty cool, glad you were able to get that information to replace some of those question marks you must have due to loosing your dad at a young age.

[williamlayton]

Brett
My emotions have been on a roller coaster for the last 48 hours. It is like I am having a conversation with my dad---one that should have started some 67 years ago.
I am just beginning to see him as a person and not just hearsay.
I have found a picture of the plane That was damaged in the raid over Munich when they took it to Switzerland to land as it was not able to make it back to Italy. The plane was the Naughty Nan and my dad was a photographer assigned to this flight.
The records of his planes damage, as seen by observers in the mission, is amazing in detail and the fact that the planes damage was pretty good and it appeared to be heading for Switzerland.
I still/ my emotions still have not setteled---I am speaking to my dad for the first time.
Blessings

[Doublebass73]

Excellent story William, thank you for sharing. I can't imagine going all those years with so many unanswered questions.

[JonnyReb]

 What an incredible discovery, what a historical stretch back too!  Look forward to your additional posts as the story unfolds.  J

[BBF]

Switzerland wasn't a bad place to sit out the war.

[williamlayton]

He escaped from Switzerland into france with the help of the underground.
The Swiss were neutral in name only.
This is obviously the first link in finding the whole or rest of the story.
Blessings

[KIMBER45]

I understand your emotions. My wife's grandfather was also shot down in WW11. He was the top gunner on a B17. Last they heard, his plane was on fire over the English Channel. The pilot asked for permission to drop bombs . That was the last contact they had. They never found the plane or anyone from the crew. My mother-in-law gets a tear in her eye to this day, when she talks about it.

[williamlayton]

This is the whole story.
My dad was discharged from the AAF 0n Sept. 25th and killed in a car wreck on sept. 26 th. That is said not toe be a tear jerkier or qualify for sympathy---simply what happened and I have learned to live with life.
My dad was a photographer--I did not know that--I was told that his plane flew reconnaissance.
He went into N Africa with the troops in 1943 and moved up tp a place in Spinazzola, Italy in 1944. He was listed on the crew of the Naughty Nan on this mission in sept., 1944 but I doubt he was assigned as a perminent member of the 761st Bomb Sq.--I hope I can find what unit he was assigned too.
It will undoubtly be a support group.
He was photo'ing bomb damage from the raid on Munich when the plane was hit by flak. They could not maintain altitude or make it back to base and opted for Switzerland---which was the observance of a witness in another plane.
Got a picture of the plane on the runway in Switzerland. Left ouside motor appears to have taken a flak hit. There was also a hit in the bomb bay.
He was in the last group flying in the high box.
I am not complaining aboutlife--it happens--but I could have had this conversation with him long ago. It is like I am having it today. Strange feelings.
Blessings