scottplen Posted June 30, 2010 #1 Posted June 30, 2010 2nd LT Robert A Whyte Radar operator/Observer Lost on Radar guided nite bombing mission enemy shipping on Mahakam river Borneo, 868th BS was independent Sqr. using radar guided b24s to patrol and attack Japanese shipping Whyte was radar operator /observer I believe radar was in place of belly turret Have a lot of pics!!!!! I think this is a pretty rare unit!! :think:
scottplen Posted June 30, 2010 Author #6 Posted June 30, 2010 more sb24D 44-50397 Hell's Belle Anyone have a better pic of plane???
scottplen Posted June 30, 2010 Author #7 Posted June 30, 2010 Hell's Belle was lost behind enemy line on borneo one crew man escaped and was rescued by natives all others lost KIA Plane was recovered 1950 and all but Whyte buried in Arlington He was buried in Manila American cem. (Leter to father of one of the crew)attached OCR_letter_to_mr_ciak_re_search_2.pdf
scottplen Posted June 30, 2010 Author #8 Posted June 30, 2010 heres another pic thats not a negative!!
dhcoleterracina Posted June 30, 2010 #9 Posted June 30, 2010 fantastic group in incredible condition. Looks like it was put away as soon as it was received by the family.
Robbo Posted June 30, 2010 #10 Posted June 30, 2010 Fantastic! Have you managed to find out about a MACR yet?? If not check this out on footnote MACR Hopefully it works :thumbsup: Rob Forgot to ask. Machine engraved or just a really small, neat hand??
scottplen Posted July 1, 2010 Author #11 Posted July 1, 2010 Robbo MACR on it way! Its Small Blacken type
Jack's Son Posted July 1, 2010 #12 Posted July 1, 2010 Hey Scott, This group looks like fun! There is a lot of information to start with, and his unit is really cool. Have fun, I know you will keep us up to date. Enjoy, JS
h2oman Posted July 1, 2010 #13 Posted July 1, 2010 Hi Scott, I have a Purple Heart to a crew member who was also killed on the same plane. Sgt. Frederick L. Schreckenberg (gunner). I have a copy of his IDPF that I can send you. It might have some additional information that could help you in your research. h2oman
scottplen Posted July 1, 2010 Author #14 Posted July 1, 2010 Hi Scott, I have a Purple Heart to a crew member who was also killed on the same plane. Sgt. Frederick L. Schreckenberg (gunner). I have a copy of his IDPF that I can send you. It might have some additional information that could help you in your research. h2oman Cool thanks joe!!! Ever want to sell let me know!!!! scott
Jim Baker Posted July 6, 2010 #16 Posted July 6, 2010 Hi Scott, It's been a busy month, I must have missed this one. This is an excellent grouping, and as was said earlier, it's all it great condition. Thanks for sharing this one! Pretty cool Joe has one of the other crew. It's a small world.
scottplen Posted July 21, 2011 Author #17 Posted July 21, 2011 I am waiting on getting a PH to F. L. schreckenberg who lost his life with Lt whyte on this mission He was a gunner as soon as it comes in i will post pics!!! :salute:
BEAST Posted July 21, 2011 #19 Posted July 21, 2011 Scott, A very nice grouping! Also a nice tribute that you did on the WWII memorial. Great job on helping others to remember him.
vicjoy1945 Posted July 21, 2011 #20 Posted July 21, 2011 :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: Congrats Scott !! Quite a grouping and a fitting tribute to this gallant flyier !! Vic
Jack's Son Posted July 21, 2011 #21 Posted July 21, 2011 Scott, That is really great that you have been able to match them up! Good luck with the rest of the crew! :thumbsup:
scottplen Posted July 24, 2011 Author #22 Posted July 24, 2011 Heres the Purple heart to Sgt. Frederick L Schreckenberg He was a gunner on Hells Belle and died with Lt Whyte I stand corrected on info according to IDPF Whyte and Lt Grieves were IdEd because of nametags on uniform others had no Ids on them. Hells belle crashed at Posi Posi,Halmahera NEI enemy territory one member of crew was ejected (sgt Rutledge) the only survivor All remains recovered by Guerrilla forces and placed in the church at Posi Posi, Later(1946) turned over to allied forces and the remaining 8 placed in storage in the PI as Unknowns not until 1949 were they Ided and all were place in a Grave at Arlington NC. I can't believe i found another crewman of whyte! There are reunited again!
romeo Posted September 4, 2011 #24 Posted September 4, 2011 I happened on this site yesterday. What a great thing you all are doing collecting these artifacts. My father was a Snooper (radar observer) with the 868th. The Snoopers were indeed a very special group. The 13th Vets Association Historian (now passed) convinced the Pentagon to finally write their history and give them the credit they deserve for their major contribution toward winning the Pacific via their work bombing Japanese shipping, airdromes and refineries. I have estimated there were about 1000 airmen in all. There were approximately 100 crews (replacements) that grew from the original 10 who were sent to Guadalcanal in Aug. '43. From August to December 43 they were part of the 5 Bomb Group 394th Bombardment Squadron. January 1, 1944 they became the Snoopers. There was never a patch but the tail of the plane was a yellow diamond with a large white S. I found a picture of a plane in a bone yard that was posted elsewhere on the web and I have a replica of the tail insignia. If anyone is interested I will look them up and post them. Other groups attempt to call themselves Snoopers but they were not. The 868th men and planes were the only unit called Snoopers. What a fun site. I will spend much time looking around.
scottplen Posted September 5, 2011 Author #25 Posted September 5, 2011 I happened on this site yesterday. What a great thing you all are doing collecting these artifacts. My father was a Snooper (radar observer) with the 868th. The Snoopers were indeed a very special group. The 13th Vets Association Historian (now passed) convinced the Pentagon to finally write their history and give them the credit they deserve for their major contribution toward winning the Pacific via their work bombing Japanese shipping, airdromes and refineries. I have estimated there were about 1000 airmen in all. There were approximately 100 crews (replacements) that grew from the original 10 who were sent to Guadalcanal in Aug. '43. From August to December 43 they were part of the 5 Bomb Group 394th Bombardment Squadron. January 1, 1944 they became the Snoopers. There was never a patch but the tail of the plane was a yellow diamond with a large white S. I found a picture of a plane in a bone yard that was posted elsewhere on the web and I have a replica of the tail insignia. If anyone is interested I will look them up and post them. Other groups attempt to call themselves Snoopers but they were not. The 868th men and planes were the only unit called Snoopers. What a fun site. I will spend much time looking around. would love to see tail insignia!
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