Sources & Acknowledgements Back To Main Page

In early 2003, I became interested in the World War II service of my Grandfather, Clyde Cleveland Freeman, Jr.  Our family knew the he was a B-17 bomber co-pilot and was a Prisoner of War, but because he never spoke of the time he spent in the endeavor, we never knew much about it.  At the time I was working on my Private Pilot Certificate and I felt a special connection with the aviator in my Grandfather, which led to an intense interest in the mystery of his military service.
 
I began with very little specific information about the subject, but quickly found many clues and leads by searching the Internet.  Between government databases and others' research I was able to begin putting the basic information together.
 
My grandfather was still alive when I started, and he agreed to talk to me about his experiences and to answer any questions I had.  In December 2003, my Grandfather and I sat down and talked for over three hours, and I was able to get most of it on videotape.
 
I have been able to put together the story of my Grandfather's training, his deployment to Deopham Green, his B-17, his missions - including vivid details of his fateful last mission on April 9, 1944 - and his days as a prisoner of war.
 
On May 23, 2004, my Grandfather passed away in Atlanta, Georgia.  To my knowledge, he was one of the last surviving members of the Punchboard crew that was lost that day in 1944My research continues, but the corner-piece of it is the information that he finally gave our family about his wartime experiences.
 
Much of what I present here, and much of the content of my research, was gained through the discussions with my Grandfather.  However, I have also gained from the invaluable research of others around the world.  To these fellow researchers and enthusiasts I am indescribably grateful.
 
On September 7, 2005, I had the honor of discussing these events with Mr. Charles Garrett, the radioman and top-turret gunner aboard Punchboard.  I am grateful for Mr. Garret's time and for the information and accounts, much of which was used to corroborate or fill in missing information in my files.
Below is only a partial list of the Internet and personal sources from which I have drawn information.
 
Clyde C. Freeman, Jr. Interview on December 13, 2003
Charles S. Garrett, Radioman Interview on September 7, 2005
 
Finn Buch and Soren Flensted, Denmark Air War Over Denmark
Fred Preller, United States Mighty Eighth Cross-Reference
Hank North, United States 452nd Bomb Group Association
Steve Mosca, United States Mighty Eighth Message Board
Jerry Penry, United States 452nd Bomb Group
Craig Fuller, United States Aviation Archaeology
Joe Baugher, United States Joe Baugher's Home Page
  Sunrise Serenade / 452nd Bomb Group
  ArmyAirForces.com
  Luftwaffe Experten Message Board
  Kampfgeschwader 200 Internet Site
  National Air and Space Museum, Archives Division
Edouard Reniere, Belgium  
Sune W Nielsen, Denmark  
The information represented here is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge, and to my knowledge, is of the public domain.  However, if any of the information presented here is inaccurate or misrepresented, or is copyrighted or protected, please let me know at billman@gmail.com and I will rectify or remove it right away.