New to this forum

Leslie · 08-06-2008, 01:30 AM

My name is Leslie (Trotter) Zwingli and I am new to this particular forum. I am currently in the final stages of completion a book of my father's wartime memoirs as a Pathfinder pilot, POW and participant in the 1000 mile Horror/Death march. My father is now 85 years old and while his body is weakening his mind is still extremely sharp and this journey back in time we have taken together has been an amazing one for me. I noticed while reading some of the posts that some members appear to have access to friends who may know of or live close to some of the German crash sites. My father's aircraft, ND969 60Ffor Freddy crashed in the early morning of Aug.12/'13, 1944 near the paper mill in Dhron Neumagen on the return flight from Russelsheim. I know that the 4 crewmembers who perished were buried in communal grave in the village cemetary and are now buried at the Reichswald War Cemetary. I did write the local newspapers to see if there was anyone still alive who might remember this incident but have had no response. Perhaps one of you might be able to assist.
My dad was shot down on his 44th mission and carried on after the war with the RCAF, retiring in 1970 with the rank of LT.Col. During the war he was awarded the DFC and the DFM.
Looking very much forward to reading and posting on this forum.
Thank you for having me.

Leslie

Slipdigit · 08-06-2008, 03:18 AM

Good to have you here, Leslie. Thank your father for surving his country if you would for me. Could we talk you into posting any photos of him?

Leslie · 08-06-2008, 05:09 AM

Thanks for the welcome Jeff

I would love to post some pictures but I am afraid my computer literacy is not that advanced.
If you go to 156 Squadron website, there are a number of photos of my dad, his crew, squadron and some of his story. Just scroll down to F/L Elmer John Trotter DFC, DFM.
If you choose to do this I would love to hear what you think.

Leslie

51highland · 08-06-2008, 06:41 AM

Welcome and enjoy !!!!

Gage · 08-06-2008, 07:38 AM

Welcome to the site, Leslie.
What a fantastically brave man your father is, 44 trips is outstanding. Keep us informed on how the book is going, would love to read it one day.

marcus69x · 08-06-2008, 08:32 AM

Welcome to WW2talk Leslie. Would love to hear some stories of your fathers wartime experiences.

Peter Clare · 08-06-2008, 09:49 AM

Welcome to the forum Leslie. I'd be most interested in reading your fathers stories.

Regards
Peter

NickFenton · 08-06-2008, 10:48 AM

Leslie,

Another good forum, frequented by many Dutch researchers, is RAF Command. Have you tried there?

Nick

Leslie · 08-06-2008, 01:43 PM

Good morning Nick

Thank you for the information. Yes I have probably joined most forums. RAF commands, Bombercrew.com, WWIIforum, Warbirds. I have been introduced to and corresponded with Peter Spoden, Theo Boiten and Claudius Schaarf. I have personally met Canadian airmen who were involved with the Great Escape and I have had part of my father's story published on 156 Squadron website. All through these amazing forums. I continue to be overwhelmed at the responses and information given to me.

Thanks Leslie

NickFenton · 08-06-2008, 10:04 PM

I know, it does become difficult to put down.

Nick

08-06-2008, 01:30 AM	#1 (permalink)
Leslie Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada Posts: 9	New to this forum My name is Leslie (Trotter) Zwingli and I am new to this particular forum. I am currently in the final stages of completion a book of my father's wartime memoirs as a Pathfinder pilot, POW and participant in the 1000 mile Horror/Death march. My father is now 85 years old and while his body is weakening his mind is still extremely sharp and this journey back in time we have taken together has been an amazing one for me. I noticed while reading some of the posts that some members appear to have access to friends who may know of or live close to some of the German crash sites. My father's aircraft, ND969 60Ffor Freddy crashed in the early morning of Aug.12/'13, 1944 near the paper mill in Dhron Neumagen on the return flight from Russelsheim. I know that the 4 crewmembers who perished were buried in communal grave in the village cemetary and are now buried at the Reichswald War Cemetary. I did write the local newspapers to see if there was anyone still alive who might remember this incident but have had no response. Perhaps one of you might be able to assist. My dad was shot down on his 44th mission and carried on after the war with the RCAF, retiring in 1970 with the rank of LT.Col. During the war he was awarded the DFC and the DFM. Looking very much forward to reading and posting on this forum. Thank you for having me. Leslie

08-06-2008, 03:18 AM	#2 (permalink)
Slipdigit The Dixie Division Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Not far enough in the woods Posts: 1,635	Good to have you here, Leslie. Thank your father for surving his country if you would for me. Could we talk you into posting any photos of him? __________________ Warmest Regards, Jeff The Bonnie Blue Flag *

08-06-2008, 06:41 AM	#4 (permalink)
51highland Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ipswich Posts: 756	Welcome and enjoy !!!! __________________ 51 highland www.keep-em-moving.com Là á Bhlàir's math na Càirdean (Friends are good in the day of battle) Na diobair caraid's a charraid (Forsake not a friend in the fray) Cuimhnichibh na suinn nach maireann . Mairidh an cliu beo gu brath. (In memory of the Heroes who are no more. May their Fame live on forever)

08-06-2008, 07:38 AM	#5 (permalink)
Gage Angels one-five Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Somewhere in Time Posts: 1,276	Welcome to the site, Leslie. What a fantastically brave man your father is, 44 trips is outstanding. Keep us informed on how the book is going, would love to read it one day. __________________ 'There I stood at the bar, wearing a Mae West, no jacket, and beginning to leak blood from my torn boot. None of the golfers took any notice of me - after all, I wasn't a member!' Kenneth Lee - after being shot down on the 18th August 1940. In the USAAF in World War II, over three times as many men were killed as wounded. Donald L. Miller. Avatar: SOE (F Section) agent Andree Borrel murdered at Natzweiler Camp 6th July 1944.

08-06-2008, 09:49 AM	#7 (permalink)
Peter Clare Legendary Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Windsor UK Posts: 5,251	Welcome to the forum Leslie. I'd be most interested in reading your fathers stories. Regards Peter __________________ On weald of Kent I watched once more Again I heard that grumbling roar Of fighter planes; yet none were near And all around the sky was clear Borne on the wind a whisper came 'Though men grow old, they stay the same' And then I knew, unseen to eye The ageless Few were sweeping by

08-06-2008, 05:09 AM	#3 (permalink)
Leslie Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada Posts: 9	Thanks for the welcome Jeff I would love to post some pictures but I am afraid my computer literacy is not that advanced. If you go to 156 Squadron website, there are a number of photos of my dad, his crew, squadron and some of his story. Just scroll down to F/L Elmer John Trotter DFC, DFM. If you choose to do this I would love to hear what you think. Leslie

08-06-2008, 08:32 AM	#6 (permalink)
marcus69x I love WW2 meah!!! Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Middlesbrough, UK Posts: 1,457	Welcome to WW2talk Leslie. Would love to hear some stories of your fathers wartime experiences.

08-06-2008, 10:48 AM	#8 (permalink)
NickFenton Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Woking Posts: 93	Leslie, Another good forum, frequented by many Dutch researchers, is RAF Command. Have you tried there? Nick

08-06-2008, 01:43 PM	#9 (permalink)
Leslie Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada Posts: 9	Good morning Nick Thank you for the information. Yes I have probably joined most forums. RAF commands, Bombercrew.com, WWIIforum, Warbirds. I have been introduced to and corresponded with Peter Spoden, Theo Boiten and Claudius Schaarf. I have personally met Canadian airmen who were involved with the Great Escape and I have had part of my father's story published on 156 Squadron website. All through these amazing forums. I continue to be overwhelmed at the responses and information given to me. Thanks Leslie

08-06-2008, 10:04 PM	#10 (permalink)
NickFenton Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Woking Posts: 93	I know, it does become difficult to put down. Nick

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