509th Composite Group Yearbook...

[kfields]

I always come away with some interesting things from the Ohio Gun Collectors Association show and today was no different. One of the vendors was selling an original copy of the yearbook for the unit that ended the war with Japan. Like all similar type yearbooks, this is jammed full of photographs and names of the members of the unit. There are special tributes to the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki as one would expect so soon after the war. In reading the book this afternoon, I came away with the distinct impression that all these guys knew they were part of something historically significant and felt compelled to memorialize it with a book like this.

 

I had to pay quite a bit but it was worth it to me. I've not ever seen another one of these so I thought I better grab it. The book is in excellent condition in every respect.

Kim

[Charlie Flick]

That is a great find, Kim. I have seen several of these over the years. The last one was in the $200+ range. Real history.

 

Charlie Flick

[kfields]

Thanks Charlie. I know there is a fairly recent reprint out there of this book. Extremely similar in appearance and even those are going for quite a bit.

This one, I paid $150 for and I was glad to get it. Kim

[Bones]

I purchased a reprint of this book also after I learned that someone I knew was a member of the crew of Laggin Dragon. He is pictured and named in the crew section.

[bobgee]

I purchased a reprint of this book also after I learned that someone I knew was a member of the crew of Laggin Dragon. He is pictured and named in the crew section.

 

Kim........An original copy of this very historical unit history for $150. is an absolute bargain. I think you hit a home run!

Bob

[kfields]

We all were taught that the "Enola Gay" dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima and "Bock's Car" dropped the second one on Nagasaki.

 

I skimmed this book before but this afternoon I sat down with the intention of reading it word for word. I only got to page 3 before I came up with an error and it was a big one at that. It states that the B-29 "The Great Artiste" actually dropped the second bomb on Nagasaki. It mentions some of the crew members names so I'll have to check that out as well. I'm very surprised that the creators of this book got such an important detail wrong. I hope they got the reprint corrected! Kim

[kfields]

I did a little more research and it appears the crew of "the great artiste" switched and flew the "bock's car" on the atomic bomb mission instead. From that change, the misunderstanding and misprints occurred.