COMMENTS & NOTES
MEMO 1:
CREW
Crew #1 Aircraft #42 29986 Blue Bird “K” M.A.C.R. #269
Capt Oran E. Petrich P KIA 25 June 1943 Bremen
2nd Lt Bluford B. Mullins CP KIA 25 June 1943 Bremen
1st Lt Edward N. Jones NAV KIA 25 June 1943 Bremen
1st Lt Louis B. Grate BOM NOC
T/Sgt Max P. Brim TTE KIA 25 June 1943 Bremen
S/Sgt Joseph D. Bieu WG KIA 25 June 1943 Bremen
T/Sgt Edward J. Zerblis ROG KIA 25 June 1943 Bremen
S/Sgt Henry H. Rutherford BTG KIA 25 June 1943 Bremen
S/Sgt Pete S. Villalobes, Jr. WG KIA 25 June 1943 Bremen
S/Sgt James M. Strong, Jr. TG KIA 25 June 1943 Bremen
A complete and exact sequence of events on this mission, the first flown by the 100th, is most difficult to determine. Of the 30 men comprising crews #1, 2 and 3, only five survived the mission and, of these, Nick Demchak is the only one who could be located by this writer. (James Brown, 100th Historian)Demchak and I agree that the 100th on this day never completed a proper assembly. At the time of leaving the English coast, the 349th, flying low squadron, was perhaps a mile to the rear of the lead squadron led by Major Flesher of the 418th. Both the lead and high squadrons seemed scattered all over the sky and a true
Group combat formation never existed. The atrocious weather had a part in this situation, but perhaps a larger role was that of the questionable judgment of the Group leader.
At a point a little north of the East Frisian islands, Crew #1, leading the first element, disappeared into the undercast and was not seen again. No doubt it fell victim to enemy fighters as did crews #2 and 3.
Louie Grate, regular bombardier on this crew, for some reason did not fly this first mission. His place was taken by Lt. Stanley Morrison (KIA) who was the regular bombardier of Crew #29 of the
418th Squadron. No further record of Grate's service with the 100th has been found.
MEMO 2:
Hi Michael!
Thank you for the 2 documents-my husband cringed when he saw where Uncle Max’s plane was in the formation.
I am looking at the letters (one to his wife & one to his mother) mentioning the plane name-it’s actually Blue Bird “K”. The dates are June 23 & 24, 1943.
We (the family) are absolutely happy to share a copy of Max’s letters and pictures. It’s a mix of letters to/from his mother, wife and siblings. There are also letters between my great grandmother & family of other crew members, Julia Rutherford, Mrs. BB Mullens, Mrs. Strong Sr., Mrs. Villalobos, T/Sgt A Cooper & Norman Goodwin. I know there was a time where they thought Max had survived and was a prisoner of war.
The letters/pictures are in my Aunt’s possession. I have photocopies right now from many years ago and I want to rescan them-I have much better technology now. We are getting together at the first of the month and I will scan & begin to send them to you. I am attaching my favorite picture of Uncle Max to start.
My Aunt is calling around to other family to see if we can locate any other information/pictures/documents.
Ah, the story of Brim/Brimm. Once upon a time, someone ‘discovered’ the name had been spelled wrong for years. It was discussed among the family and my grandfather dismissed the information as he was not going to change his name. So, all the brothers, save him, went to 1 ‘m’. In my research, I have found it as both on vital records so I really do not know the ‘truth’.
Uncle Max is a great source of pride (and fascination) to my brothers & I. We knew about him, he was Grandpa’s baby brother who never came home from the war but we did not know enough to ask any questions and I am not sure we would have been answered. So I chase any lead I happen upon.
Anyway-more to come-I was not a very good organizer (more of a packrat) when I started collecting family history/pictures so who knows what I will come across. These copies were made after my grandmother’s death so I know I was just in a hurry to get things done.
Kris Brimm
