12thAF, 57th Bomb Wing, 321st Bomb Group, 447th Bomb Squadron in the MTO - WW II The B-25's that endured, the Men who flew them and the Missions that helped to win the War.

T/Sgt Carl D Hannemann, Radio/Aerial Gunner, was in WW II ,having enlisted in the Army, after basic having being sent to learn Radio at the Army Air Corp Radio Academy at Scott Field, Ill. Then met his life-time friend, Walter Cantrell at Gunnery School, Harlingen TX. Joined the newly formed 321st BG, the 447thBS, in Columbia, S.C. and was one of the originals in the Group. It was discovered that Carl was great at short-hand and like-duties and was kept really busy there for a while ! Carl went to Africa by boat (USS Stanton) to meet up with his Flight Echelon. (Col Bob Knapp's fameous Flight over the Atlantic) Carl was assigned to Lt Ernie Fineman, and flew his 50 Combat Missions mostly in the B 25 Mitchell "Spare Parts" #41-12961… Most all of Carl's Missions were with his regular Crew. He finished up in Africa, with dozens of other Flight Crew, including Walter, they went HOME from Africa to the ZI. in Oct.. 1943. (All on the Empress of Scottland) Carl Hannemann and Walter Cantrell became life-time Family Friends :) Carl also made it into many of the towns and saw all the sights, carried water in Arabic Clay Jugs that would keep the water cool all day, saw outdoor "Movies", etc. Africa was primative by our standardsm but Carl and the men's ingenuity was one of the most amazing parts of their every-day lives.
Carl earned the Air Medal with 8 Oak Leaf Clusters, Good Conduct, EAME Theatre Ribbon with 4 Battle Stars.

Story from Jeanne Hannemann, Walter Cantrell, Walter and Carl Life-Time Friends) and edited by Barbi Ennis Connolly 321st BG Historian and friend of the families. xo -B.