OCR-G-PA-452.OCR.Photo.Lab.Tech
4/7/99
Mr. Nevin F. Price
P.O.Box 1786
Rockville MD. 20849-1786
Dear Nevin,
What a pleasant surprise to receive your card requesting verification of my having been in the 397th Bmb Sqd. I plead guilty. My name is Howard M Botnick Address 9005 E. Lehigh Ave Ste. 46 Denver, CO 80237 phone (303) 770 9197. ASN. 12135987.
I was with the 397 when it was formed in Tampa Fla at MacDill field. I was a photo lab. tech processing film taken on practice bombing raids on Avon Park bombing range. The B26 Marauder was called among other things The flying prostitute” having no visible means of support. Very short wing span made it most difficult to fly, hence the saying a plane a day in Tampa bay.
We were shipped to the swamp in Avon park for a short time then on to Hunter Fld Savannah Ga. The day the outfit left for England, I was transfered to Morris Fld in Charlotte N.C which was a training base for gunners. I had a Photo lab built, and we processed the films taken by gun sight aiming cameras which showed the gunners exactly how they were aiming, whether they were leading enough or were off. My lab also did PR photos for our base as well as crash photos and other base needs.
After my discharge I returned to N.J. married, opened a Photo shop in asbury park N.J. which I sold returned to Newark, and evenually moved to Denver, CO. and am now retired. Yes I would love to have any info you might share with me about the old 397th. I was in the 596th Sqd and also in the 599th for a short while.
By the way my grandson noticed you had my rank as CPL. I had to explain that I was promoted to SGT. after the 397th and your records probably were not up to date as your card explained. Please excuse my poor typing I "aint " as young as I used to was, and these old eyes aren't as sharp as they were. Again it was great hearing from you, and I hope this info was helpful!. I have no info on any of of my old buddies but if I can be any help. please don't hesitate to ask.
Howard M. Botnick
|