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NEWS LETTER

Vol. 15 No. 2 SECOND AIR DIVISION ASSOCIATION June 1977 Keep Those U.S.-British Links (Eastern Daily Press)

Britain's special relationship with she was sorry at the prospect of leav- the library by Miss Joan Benns, princi- America must be maintained if there is ing Britain after only a year in office, pal assistant librarian, and after being to be any hope for the world, Mrs. but added that Mr. Carter's choice of a presented with a library brochure and a Anne Armstrong, US Ambassador to new ambassador to this country indi- book of photographs featuring Victorian Britain, told an audience at the Univer- cated the concern he had for the best and Edwardian Norfolk, she was intro- sity of East Anglia last night. interests of both American and British duced to Lady Mayhew, one of the Educational institutions such as people. founder-governors of the Memorial UEA, with its large American studies She said she was leaving with a feel- Trust. department are vital for strengthening ing of optimism about Britain — At City Hall she emerged from a the ties between the two countries. perhaps greater than anybody else in massive black Cadillac — bearing the Mrs. Armstrong — who is on a two- the country. registration number USA I — resplen- day visit to Norwich — added. "This country has never depended on dent in a salmon-pink ultra-suede suit. In these days of shifting relationships the quantity of natural resources. The the countries' common beliefs of liberty standard of Britain is in the national and order must help combat the ever- character: intelligence, common sense, growing threat from the Soviet Union, tolerance and justice.- she said. 'FITTING' Earlier in the day Mrs. Armstrong toured the American memorial section at Norwich Library and afterwards de- scribed it as a fitting tribute to those United States airmen who served in Norfolk during the last war. She was to have been accompanied by her husband, Tobin — himself a fighter pilot with the in Essex during the war — but he was called away on business at the last minute. • Mrs. Armstrong was introduced to Tom Eaton, Chairman of the Governors, Mr. Tom Eaton. chairman of the gov- introduces Mrs. Armstrong to Lady ernors of the Memorial Trust of the Mayhew, one of the original Governors of Mrs. Armstrong inspecting the Roll of 2nd the Memorial Trust. In the background, Honor in the Library Memorial Room. Air Division USAF, and among left to right, are two other Governors, Mrs. Joan Benns, Principal Assistant those who joined her on the tour of the Li- Commander Cheny, and Mr. Richard brarian, (center) explains a point while Library were: Mr. Richard Gurney, a Gurney, and in between Mrs. Armstrong Mr. Tom Eaton, Chairman of the Gover- former chairman of the governors; Mr. and Mr. Gurney is the Lord Mayor of nors, looks on. N.J.D. Walter, clerk of the governors; Norwich, Mr. Raymond Frostick. "It is absurd to contemplate a Commander M. E. Cheyne, chairman of Norfolk County Council libraries She was introduced to the Lord weakening of this alliance." said Mrs. Mayor of Norwich, Mr. Raymond Fros- Armstrong. committee; Mr. D. P. Mortlock, the She praised President Car- tick, and the Lady Mayoress. Mrs. ter emphasising county librarian; and Mr. J. F. Viles, for what Churchill Claire Frostick and they talked of East termed the divisional librarian. "the special relationship" that Anglia's connections with America be- existed between the United States and fore viewing the city's regalia. Mrs. Britain. IN STYLE Armstrong was presented with a Mrs. Armstrong — who returns to souvenir plate and history book by Mr. the United States next week — said Mrs. Armstrong was shown round Frostick. Second Air Division Association Second Air Division Association By-Laws Eighth Air Force Last year at Valley Forge, a commit- Some of the highlights are: tee of Past Presidents appointed by 1- The purpose of our organization OFFICERS Goodman Griffin submitted to the emphasizes our intention to support fi- President EARL L. ZIMMERMAN 8922 Haverstick Rd., Indianapolis, Ind. 46240 Executive Committee a proposed draft nancially and in every other way, the Vice President J. D. LONG. JR. of a new set of by-laws for the Associ- Memorial Trust of the 2nd Air Divi- 102 Kemp Rd., Greensboro, N.C. 27410 Vice President ation. sion. Membership EVELYN COHEN The draft was gone over with a fine 2- Our membership, in addition to 404 Atrium Apts.. 2555 Welsh Rd. can in- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19114 toothed comb by the Executive Com- regular and associate members Vice President mittee, and the revised draft was read clude Subscribing members, and Hon- Newsletter WILLIAM G. ROBERTIE Membership at the General orary members, the criteria for whom P.O. Drawer B, Ipswich, Mass. 01938 to the Treasurer DEAN E. MOYER Meeting. Comments, criticisms, and are clearly spelled out. 549 East Main St., Evans City, Pa. 16033 changes were sollicited from the mem- 3- The elected officers of our Associ- Secretary MRS. MILTON VEYNAR 4915 Bristow Drive, Annandale. Va. 22003 bership at large to be submitted in writ- ation will consist of President, Execu- ing to the Secretary within sixty days tive Vice President, two operating Vice after the meeting. There being none, Presidents, Secretary, and Treasurer. American Representative, Board of Governors: the revised draft was forwarded to our 4- The Executive committee will con- Memorial Trust JORDAN UTTAL 7824 Meadow Park Drive. Apt. 101 legal counsel, Henry Dietch. Incorporat- sist of the above six elected officers, Dallas. Texas 75230 ing his suggestions, the by-laws are the 2AD Association representative on now in final form for adoption at the the Board of Governors, three im- General Meeting during our Convention mediate past presidents, and three GROUP VICE PRESIDENTS Headquarters WARREN L. BURMAN at Lake Geneva in July. group Vice Presidents selected by the 34225 Pettibone Ave., Solon, Ohio 44139 These by-laws will become effective Nominating Committee — a total of 13 44th BG CHARLES J. WARTH 5709 Walkerton Dr., Cincinnati, Ohio 45238 if approved by two thirds of the regular members. 93rd BG R. J. RHOADES members present and voting at the The revised by-laws will be published 3053 31st Ave.. Columbus, Neb. 68601 following their adop- 361st FG JOHN H. HOFFMAN meeting. We urge you therefore to be in the Newletter 365 N.E. 28th Terr.. Boca Raton. Fla. 33432 present, and make your wishes known. tion. 3898, BG EARL L. ZIMMERMAN 8922 Haverstick Rd., Indianapolis, Ind. 46240 392nd BG...... CO.L ROBERT E. VICKERS. JR iRet 4209 San Pedro N.E. No. 316, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87109 The Hunt Is On Facts— Not Fiction 445th BG DAVID G. PATTERSON 28 Squire Ct., Alamo, California 94507 Henry of the 44th BG travels 446th CLARENCE H HOOKS Pete by John H. Hoffman (361st FG) 7619 Clearwater Road, Hixson Tennessee 37343 quite a bit in the course of his work, 448th BG JOSEPH T MICHALCZYK and when he puts up for the night at a During its tour of operations in the 241 West St., Ludlow, Mass 01056 361st 458th BG CLINTON E WALLACE motel or hotel he takes the time to European Theatre planes of the Box 508, Brutus, Michigan 49716 write a 'Letter to the Editor' of the Fighter Group flew a total of approxi- 466th BG J. M DANIELS mately 16,800 miles. For one airplane 1306W. Woodard, Denison, Texas 75020 local paper or papers in the following 467th BG RAYMOND A. BETCHER manner: to accomplish this it would necessitate 366 Reitman Ct., Rochester. Mich. 48063 a continuous flight of eight years dura- 489th BG COL. CHARLES H. FREUDENTHAL (Ref.) tion: a flight that would encircle the 8421 Berea Dr., Vienna, Va. 22180 To the Editor: 491st BG THEODORE PARKER globe 672 times. 297 Proctor Ave.. Revere, Mass. 02151 The Second Air Division Association 492nd BG SEBASTIAN H. CORRIERE is making every effort to locate anyone 4939 No. 89th St., Milwaukee. Wis. 53225 and everyone who served with the 2nd Air Division of the U.S. 8th Air Force GROUP CHAIRMAN in England during WW II. 453rd BG DONALD J. OLDS All Personnel ever identified with the 1403 Highland, Rolla,Mo. 65401 following Bomb Groups and Fighter * * * * * Groups and attached units are eligible BOARD OF GOVERNORS to join the Association. Bomb Groups MEMORIAL TRUST are 44th, 93rd, 389th, 392nd, 445th, THOMAS C EATON. Chairman 3 Albemarle Rd. 446th, 448th, 453rd, 458th, 466th, 467th, Norwich, Norfolk, England 489th, 491st and 492nd. Fighter Groups ALFRED A JENNER. Vice Chairman 56th, 355th, 361st and 479th. Norfolk News Co. Ltd are 4th, who served at any time with Norwich. Norfolk, England Anyone Approximately 5,381,000 gallons of MRS. MICHAEL BARNE contact one of the above units please gasoline were consumed by the Sofferley Hall (your name and address). The Associa- Beccles. Suffolk, England airplanes of the Group. This is enough CDR MARK EDMONSTONE CHEYNEY tion publishes a quarterly Newsletter to run the average automobile a dis- Ditchingham Lodge and an annual Roster of current names tance of 80,715,000 miles, 3228 times Ditchingham. Bungay. Suffolk, England and addresses. If you want to meet a MR TOM D COPEMAN around the globe at a speed of 40MPH; 3 St. Austins Grove wartime buddy this is the place to do a trip that would require 226 years of Sheringham. Norfolk, England it. continuous traveling. RICHARD 0 GURNEY The next annual reunion will be held Buadeswell Hall Norwich. Norfolk. England at the Playboy Club in Lake Geneva, (ed note: compact or gas guzzler?) N J 0 WALTER Wisconsin in July 1977. Ther were over Castle Chambers 700 in attendance at the 1976 reunion Opie St.. Norwich, Norfolk. England in Valley Forge. (Unquote) LAYD MAYHEW to write a similar letter to the Editor of The Old Manor Farm their local paper. You might find that Framingham Pigot Norwich. Norfolk. England The above has brought excellent re- your next door neighbor served in the MRS FRANK THISTLETHWAITE sults and we urge all of our members 2nd Air Division. Wood Halt Hethersett Norwch. Norfolk. England 2 whose Bank has so conscientiously About the Memorial guarded and nourished our funds. Also lending their good counsel and devoted by Jordan R. Uttal (Hdq.) were happy to learn that the Commis- interest were Mrs. Frank Thistle- sioners have come around to the think- thwaite, and Commander Mark Cheyne, Just before leaving for England in ing expressed above, and our Board is rounding out the members of the February, I wrote a few lines for the now free to carry out the intent of our Board. March issue, but unfortunately the ma- Memorial — to maintain a living tribute We are extremely grateful for the terial arrived in Bill Robertie's hands to the memory of our Comrades who contributions at the annual meeting of after he had already "put the issue to gave their lives defending the freedom Dick Gurney's colleague, Mr. Nobbs, bed." Since than I have attended the we all hold so dearly. who helped us analyze our financial annual meeting of the Board of Gover- Yes, we are making progress towards position — and our devoted friends nors of the Second Air Division Memo- our goal of $50,000 for the Capital from the Library. Joan Benns, Sam rial Trust, and there is so much to be Fund. Thru the end of 1976 we had Nortlock, and Mr. J.F. Viles. Binding said that I can only give you the high- turned over to the Governors $16,000 the whole group together was the ef- lights at this time. I hope to be able to which you had contributed, and at the ficient and energetic Clerk to the Gov- report to you in greater detail at our Convention in July we will announce ernors, Nick Walter whose family and Convention in Lake Geneva this com- the amount of our collections for this legal firm have been such good friends ing July. year. This leads to another interesting of the Association over the years. Let me start by conveying our thanks development that took place at the There are two vacancies on the to all of you who came thru with con- meeting. The members of the Board Board, and two outstanding young men tributions for the Memorial along with look with favor of the proposal we in- were nominated. Their names will be your 1977 dues. I am happy to tell you troduced relative to keeping the funds announced when their acceptances are that we are making progress towards we are currently raising in a separate reported from Norwich. the goal we set in Wilmington in 1974 account in the United States until Several physical improvements were — to raise $50,000 in five years in British currency problems are deemed necessary this year, new carpet order to supplement the Trust's Capital stabilized. This will be gone over in de- tiles, new blinds, and repairs to the Fund. The need for these funds, and tail at Lake Geneva. Memorial fountain. A fund of 1800 the additional annual interest they will Our good friends Tom Eaton and pounds was voted for the use of the produce, is dictated by "old devil Infla- Alfred Jenner were respectively Librarian for these purposes, a sum tion". To maintain the flow of new reelected as Chairman of the Board and quite in excess of the amount of inter- books in our American Memorial Room Vice Chairman. Attending the meeting est that will be generated by our cui - takes twice as much money today as it for the first time, was Col. Robert rent investments which have a total did five years ago. In addition, physical Jenks the Air Attache at the American value at February market values of improvements are needed periodically, Embassy in London. He was most en- 26000 pounds. So, you see the need to and most important, in order to keep thusiastic about his first exposure to increase the capital is obvious. up with modern Library techniques and our unique enterprise. This is only scratching the surface of keep our Memorial indeed a living one, Two of our English Founder Gover- what you should know about your we must branch out into the audio- nors graced the meeting with their Memorial Trust Fund. We hope to be visual field. presence — Lady Beryl Mayhew and able to give you additional details in You may recall mention in the March Mrs. Michael Barne who have both person in July, and in subsequent is- issue that our Board of Governors were given so much of their time and energy sues of the Newsletter. Meanwhile, we having difficulty in securing the ap- since 1945 in our behalf, and, of thank you again for your support, and proval of the Charity Commissioners, course, the presence and the strong we earnestly seek your further help in the body which supervises the adminis- continued interest of Dick Gurney the years to come. tration of all Trusts, to develop with the times. In short, the Commissioners were strongly inclined to keep our ex- penditures confined to physical mainte- NOTICE nance and the purchase of books. To help out in this situation our president Roster When? Earl Zimmerman wrote to the Board as follows: To answer a question being asked by many, a new Roster will be printed "For the record, we approve the about November of this year. The reason we can't come out with one sooner utilization of books, tapes, films, cas- is that we simply can't afford it. settes or any other type of recognized For the past several years we have kept our dues at the current $5.00 figure modern library equipment which may in spite of the rising cost of everything we did, not the least of which is post- be recommended by the Central Libra- age. To put out a Roster at this time means we would have to skip the Sep- rian, and approved by the Governors. tember issue of the Newsletter, and that we don't want to do. We also believe that any material We still have about 200 members who have not, as yet, paid their 1977 dues. which may be deemed surplus by the It would help a great deal if those who have not paid would do so as soon as Librarian be distributed to branch Lib- possible. Again, if you are experiencing financial difficulties please let Evelyn raries in Norwich, or for that matter Cohen know. Our policy of not asking for dues from those members who are throughout Norfolk and Suffolk, the financially strapped is still in force. areas in which our 2nd Air Division One other thing. If your planning on attending the reunion at Lake Geneva this and Fighter bases were lo- July but haven't made your reservation yet please let Evelyn know as soon as cated. However we are not disposed at possible so we will have some idea as to how many are coming. Reun- ions take a lot this time to the utilization of any of of advance planning and you can assist us by declaring your in- tentions our Trust funds for any other activity." now. At the meeting of the Governors, we 3 Remember 5, "There I was I June 10th, 1944? THE BEST OF BOB STEVENS

"There I was . .." How many times by Charles Freudent ha!(489th) during the 2nd unpleasantness did yod words followed by an out- From the 489th Group record hear those of you who are "Target was Conches Airfield. Fr- rageous story? Those Magazine ance. Command pilot was Major P.B. in touch with Air Force Woodward, 844th Commander. Twenty know of Bob Stevens' top-rated cartoon seven aircraft were dispatched and 25 feature by "There I was. . ." which attacked the target with good results. has delighted readers for two decades. Bomb load: 1249 100 lb. demolition. Bob's sparkling cartoons of the humor Bombing altitude 20,500 ft. Flak re- and pathos of that great conflict have ported intense and accurate." been described by critics as "the best cartoon book about airmen in print." Lt. Chester S. Weaks, Navigator, Acft. who haven't seen his 42-94759 "Sharon D. Those of you an- "Could have been tough, but wasn't. work have missed the Air Force's Moderate heavy flak at few miles swer to Bill Mauldin. southwest of Caen hit someone's #4 engine. No other flak to mention, and no fighters, although the target was a fighter base. Visibility was pretty good except at the target, which was over- cast. Bombed on Gee. Could see big fires and smoke in Caen, and many Bob's cartoons have been previously fighters milling around below. published in two paperback books .We carried 52 100 pounders in ". . which were best sellers in the aviation At the target they released clusters. combined the best improperly, and many caught in the world. NOW he has shackles, some jamming against control of these two previous books plus new cables. We dropped 46. As a result material, including all those great songs some bombs fell after the doors were and ballads of WW II, into one beauti- closed, and eleven ships came back ful hardbound book which has become with doors torn off or flapping. Bombs an instant success as a Jeppesen Avia- were dropping all the way from the tion Book Club selection. target back to the base. . .We went over the North Sea trying to drop our C12054 SECTION OF THE BOM - get rid of BARDER AND NAVIGATOR WOW ING(') remaining six, but could only Remember the Battle of Buncher 6? four, and had to land with two bombs IN -THE 24's SPACIOUS NOSE 4ECTIO4 hanging in the shackles. Nothing came of it, as they were too tightly stuck to We included a flyer on his book with fall." your last Newletter, but in case you Roger Freeman "The Mighty Eighth" have misplaced it, and for the benefit "The new groups were still having of our new members, we'll give you their trials with formating and assembly the straight poop once again. Cost is and there were also technical difficul- $11.95 with one dollar of that going ties, notably with bomb clusters in the towards the Association's Memorial B-24 racks. Cluster attachments allowed Trust Fund. Send you check or money a greater number of small bombs to be order to THE VILLAGE PRESS, P.O. carried but the attachments and the Box 310, Fallbrook, California 92028. bomb bay gear were not good partners. On June 7th several clusters failed to release and eight fell through the bomb doors as 491st Group aircraft returned any day so far, I think. We were tak- off, so went outside and a lot of over England. Similar trouble was ex- ing exercise this morning when we GIs were running — we found out two perienced by the 489th three days later heard a loud roar of an airplane motor. bombs had landed about fifty or when the Group attempted to bomb We looked up and saw a man in a seventy-five feet from our tent at the Conches. Many clusters of two or three parachute, than another — and kept on back. One hit under a plane's wing. 100 lb. bombs jammed in the shackles. until we saw eight. We thought there They didn't go off, for the pin wasn't Some clusters were not held all that were more and we couldn't see them pulled out before it was dropped. An tightly and by the time the Group ar- for clouds, then we got a call to get American plane dropped it. I think it rived over Halesworth eleven Lib- our guns and get on the trucks. We all was an accident. But it was real close. off erators had their bomb doors torn went to hollering, we thought they We weren't allowed to go closer to clusters fal- and flapping by dislodged were Jerries and we would get some them than our tents for fear they might fell on ling through. Again some bombs action. . . (But) They were Americans go off yet. But they have got them out as Liberators the English countryside; whose plane went wrong. We brought now." sough their bases. . ." them and their parachutes in. Then Pfc. Thomas H. Baker, 328th Station about eleven o'clock this morning we (Note: Anybody have a clue about this? Complement Sqdn. were sitting in our tent when we heard I don't have any record of a 489th air- "We had more excitement today than a noise sound (Sic) like a pistol went craft loss on this date.) 4 earthward into a broken cloud deck far below. No chutes blossomed. At bomb Name Linking A Dog's Life release, Lt. (now Col.) Bob Vincent and crew #24, 753rd, of "A By George A. Reynolds (458th BG) Dog's Church with US Life," dropped and closed the bomb 14 October 1944: bay doors. Moments later, a very Super-maximum ef- (Eastern Daily Press) fort was the brand name going around near-miss removed those doors, as crews were awakened this Saturday knocked out #3 engine and seriously morning. Some were routed out of the injured the , Jess Simpson. In the United Reform Church, sack and sent directly to briefing with- The nose, flew straight up, throwing A Wymondham, are two bronze memorial out chow. Ideal weather accounted for Dog's Life into a hammerhead stall, plaques. Over in the United States a the extra emphasis and haste on this (yeah, they said it couldn't be done) similar plaque can be found in the mission. The briefer identified the and it dropped from 30,000 to about Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis target as Cologne, and stated there 6,000 feet before Vincent and his co- — dedicated to the same man. were 307 guns, guarding the city on the pilot regained control. John Archer, of Earsham, who has Rhine, which would provide seven full Then, on reduced power plus added been researching the subject recently, minutes of flak for the airmen. The drag of the open bomb bay, maintaining told me something of the background to 458th was the last element in a fleet of altitude became a problem. They threw the plaques, and of the man in whose 2,000 heavies scheduled for the target. out all excess weight possible and made memory they are dedicated. Most of the Group got off late and it to the Channel. Now #1 and 2 en- Older members of the Wymondham brought up the rear, as planned. Some gines began losing power. That dread- church may recall the late Chaplain of the ships even lagged behind their ful, uncontrollable and slow sinking had Earl 0. Widen, who served with the own formation, and then observed the returned. There was enough altitude to USAAF at Hethel during the second hell their comrades caught firsthand. In make England, they thought, but con- world war. He was then chaplain for fact, nearly all Groups caught it, for 54 cern arose about the tall towers the men of the 389th Bomb Group, but Libs went down in the accurate, in- at Great Yarmouth. Woodbridge was when he was informed the parishioners tense ground-ire. A beautiful covey of discussed, but the gunner's wounds of the local church were without a rec- 51s and 47s went with their big friends, somehow dictated Horsham, and be- tor he offered to minister to the com- but no enemy fighters came up to chal- sides, all the crew wanted to go home. munity. Each Sunday after that he at- lenge. A Dog's Life eased by the towers at tended the church. eyeball level, then crept by the Cathe- After D-Day, Chaplain Widen con- dral and finally to AFS 123 on a tinued his ministrations in the little straight-in approach spouting red flares. church, but on June 28th, 1944, he 1 Simpson recovered, and A Dog's Life died. was patched up to fly another day. Ac- Spontaneously, a plan was decided tually, "Old Napoleon" (drawing came whereby members of the Bomb Group from a comic strip) galloped over the would place a plaque in his memory in "ditch" several more times before the Wymondham church. But members going down with another crew at Nor- of the congregation wanted to do some- wich 13 February 1945 and was com- thing as well. So they collected money pletely destroyed. for a plaque to be erected. . .in Min- Since the Cologne affair, Bob Vin- neapolis. cent is certain that "Dog's" really was In turn, the Wymondham congrega- a man's best friend. And speaking of tion received a similar plaque from Approaching the objective, a lead friends, Chris Gotts, (FOTE) recently Earl's home B-24 of the church, and thus both 755th, #50864, was hit, sent Bob parts of his old ship salvaged sides of the Atlantic dropped out of formation were joined to- and sailed from their diggings at the crash site. gether in a unique expression.

SECOND AIR DIVISION ASSOCIATION 8th Air Force

BOMB GROUP FIGHTER GROUP 44th 445th 458th 491st 4th 56th 355th 93rd 446th 466th 492nd SCOUTING FORCE - FIGHTER GROUP 389th 448th 467th 361st 479th 392nd 453rd 489th OTHER GPS AND ATTACHED UNITS

Over the past few years we have had many requests for a 2nd ADA bumper sticker and now they are available. Ed and Gert Holgate got tired of waiting and had some printed up on their own time and their own expense. Cost is $1.00 each and checks should be sent to Edward N. Holgate, 601 Bowsprit Pt. Rd., Tanoka Harbor, N.J. 08734. BETTER HURRY.

5 Canadian Club. None of them were chur- gium and Holland. All of these were LUKE lish enough to ask how it got there. It was tough but nothing spectacular happened SHOOT there and that answered any and all ques- until the day they hit the biggest of the big leagues — a raid on Germany itself. Submitted by Floyd Mabee (93rd BG) tions. Several raids from this new base saw They knew it was going to be tough, col- but how tough they had no idea. On October 9, 1942 "Shoot Luke" "Luke" come through with flying The trip was uneventful until they (93rd BG) and its crew had one thing ors. No hits, no runs and no errors. the raid reached their altitude about 50 miles off in common. Both were fledglings to the This situation prevailed until the German coast. From then on they art of war in a world at war. Unfortu- on Sousse. the were under constant fighter attack for nately when the day had ended their Nothing much happened over mini one hour and forty five minutes. designation remained the same. On the target and it looked like another however, The run into the target was good, but way to the Group's first target in Lille. milk run. It was not to be. home all as they turned away and headed for France the Navigator became sick and because as they turned for FW 190 got home the fighters began to get warmed they had to turn back while the re- hell broke loose. One formation and up. At one time a mass attack de- mainder of the Group continued on. through the guns of the cannon shells veloped in which about 30 fighters Once on the ground again the crew put a burst of four 20mm of ganged up on their nine ship element. made a solemn vow that never again into "Luke" along with plenty One ship in the element took a hit in would they let the rest of the Group go bullets. spars the #4 engine which began to smoke as on without them — and they never did. The cannon shells severed 8 and made two ribs look like a piece of the pilot eased it out of the formation. cheese cloth. The skin was blown away The pilot of the stricken ship was well destroying the air foil characteristics. known to the crew of "Shoot Luke" as One cannon shell lodged in the fuel he had been their Co-pilot on those cells and started them smoldering. early missions until he obtained a ship Another penetrated the control cabin of his own. A hurried conversation was wounding two of the crew and damag- held over the intercom and to a man ing the hydraulic system and radio. The they voted to go to the aid of their plane limped into Malta with the crew former Co-pilot, Frank Lown. They left praising the consolidated people for formation and took up a position off building a truly rugged aircraft. his right wing. They say there is no rest for the From out of nowhere came a FW weary, and so it proved in the case of 190 and he came in firing his cannons Original Crew #4 of "Shoot Luke" "Luke's— crew. Within a week "Luke" and machine guns. He was soon joined IL to r, back row)- Capt. Ed. F. Janic, Bom- was on his way over Naples and crew by others and they took turns working bardier (deceased); Capt. John Murphy, . Pilot (deceased); Col. (Ret.) Frank D. Lown #4 heard the harps calling again. Two over the two struggling Jr., Co-Pilot; Col. (Ret.) Arch J. Bantala, turrets froze and the crew didn't know T/Sgt. Floyd Mabee was in the path Navigator; (I to r, front row) - S/Sgt. James it until they were attacked by fighters. of an exploding cannon shell and took D. Cowan, Tunnel Gunner; T/Sgt. Arvile D. hits, one in the eye. In spite of Sirmans, Engineer; &Sgt. Paul B. Slankard, They remained under attack for one several Tail Gunner; T/Sgt. William D. Mercer, hour and fifteen minutes. this he continued to fire his guns and Radio (deceased); S/Sgt. Floyd H. Mabee, L. One fighter closed to within 50 feet shot down one of the fighters. In the Waist Gunner; S/Sgt. Mahlon W. Cressey, R. sat there. All the meantime the tail gunner, S/Sgt. Paul Waist Gunner. of the tail and just tail gunner could do was wave his guns Slankard, was having his problems. frozen and Two hits from a 20mm cannon blew "Shoot Luke" and crew #4 received around since they were pilot thumbed him half out of the top of the turret their first baptism of fire on the couldn't fire. The Italian his crew then and for interminable minutes he was Group's next raid which was to the his nose at "Luke" and by an accurate flying 22,500 feet above Germany half submarine pens at Brest. This and the pulled up to be greeted in the in and half out of "Luke". Only the next few raids, while uneventful, built burst from one of the other ships pilot didn't chew fact that his left foot caught in the gun the confidence of the crew in them- formation. Why that controls saved him from being shot, selves and their plane. Their first raid up "Luke" and his crew amazed the incident. projectile fashion, through the turret on Lonent was something else. everybody who witnessed roof. On this one a volley of three flak "Luke" and crew #4 then returned Groups in He tried to crawl back into the turret shells exploded under "Luke's" left to England to join with other Bel- but the winds were too strong. Floyd wing almost turning him over. Luckily the task of softening up France, Mabee, himself badly wounded, crawled the damage consisted of no more than to Slankard's aid and pulled him back several holes in the wing. The journey into the ship where he slapped an aux- back, however, brought a few prob- iary oxygen mask over Slankard's lems. "Shoot Luke" became the target face. Mabee covered Slankard's wounds of several JU 88s and for forty five with sulphur powder then dragged him minutes they were engaged in a running to a hole in the plane's side. They had fight which saw the tail gunner, Paul to stop the bleeding and with outside Slankard, drawing first blood for at 40 to 50 degrees below "Luke" when he shot one down and temperature the wound to this frigid saw it burst into flames before crashing zero exposing was all they could think into the sea. temperature were no narcotics to ease the The first anniversary of Pearl Harbor, Members of "Shoot Luke" Liberator Crew (I of. There to r) - T/Sgt. Floyd H. Mabee, Top-Turret the hypodermic needles December 7, 1942, saw "Luke" and his pain as all Gunner; S/Sgt. Mahlon D. Cressey, Gunner; were frozen and all efforts to thaw crew flying from England to Africa to S/Sgt. Adam J. Hastak, Waist Gunner; mouths proved futile. aid in the fight for control of the Lib- T/Sgt. Wm. D. Mercer, Radio Operator; them in their ian desert. Christmas eve_ found them S/Sgt. James D. Cowan, Tail-Gunner;S,Sgt. The Navigator, although wounded, George W. Foster, Waist Gunner and Luke remained at his post and successfully gathered around a campfire in the desert the "Wog Dog", their mascot that they singing Christmas Carols and drinking brought back from N. Africa. (Continued on page 7) 6 I REMEMBER: A Most Disastrous Mission (Part 2) by It has been described as a beautiful planes over far enough that the bombs Col. Myron H. Keilman (392nd BG) day, and it was. Everything went well from the group above came through the Col. Robert Berger (392nd BG) until we passed the Channel when our right edge of our formation. We collaborated by didn't tail gunner reported the mid-air colli- lose anyone to the bombs, but Col. Vernon Baum gart (392nd BG) as much sion of the two new crews behind us; can't be said for the flak. We Mr. Donald Clover (392nd BG) lost four otherwise, things were going well. The planes, either shot down or scattered loss of the new crews would have been Twenty-one times during the bomb run. Since McDonald a major event on some of our other had had we returned to to hold his drop when we missions; today it was only a starter. made Wendling for a de- the move to the left, he picked On this day we were flying with our up briefing, but on 18 a target at the edge of full crew that had gone through training Friederickshafen March 1944, we — which we think was together. One of the waist gunners had a marshalling never got back to yard. Still in the flak been in the hospital from a flak wound area, tell our story. As we were able to release and start but had returned and the old gang was pulling you have read in back toward the lead formation working together again. of the Group. the disastrous story Col. Bob Burger Our group was now As mentioned in the briefing we were headed toward up to the bomb drop and fighter attack, England, and we were a leading the second formation of twelve long way behind the here is what happened in the second groups ahead of planes, flying low and behind the lead us. We could see specks formation (12 planes) of the 392nd to the right formation. Our bombardier, Lt. Paul front, really more Group and the crew of to the front of us a the Jungle Prin- McDonald, was an old hand at this good cess. distance. They were right in the game and took over the auto control as sun and reflections rather than shapes Our crew had lost the Jungle Prin- we hit the bomb run. After we were were about all we could see. Our for- cess after the 13th mission; she made it into the run, the flak really started mation had pulled together pretty well home one day too shot up to fly again. coming in; it sounded like old wash and, although we were on three en- The name came out of those wonderful tubs were being banged right under us. gines, we were getting on ok. There days of the late thirties. Remember We had had plenty of this before, but were only six of us left out of the Dorothy Lamour and her sarongs? We this time they had us zeroed in. We twelve we had started with that morn- had thought in our training we might be lost one engine and this held us down, ing, an element of three behind and a going in the direction of the Far East. but throwing on more power, we were plane on each wing. Some of the mis- Even after the plane was gone we al- able to hold in on the bomb run. The sing planes may have been stragglers. ways thought of ourselves as members flak was getting worse, and about the The specks mentioned of the J.P. before sud- time we had the power under control, denly turned out to be 109s and FW The crew assembled with the others a round came up in front of the 190s. Our crew thought afterwards that for the briefing in the same old way, windshield between the navigator's there must have been at least 24 of no big deal. We were old timers by bubble and the cockpit. Luckily, it did them. They launched their attack from now, and like the rest, looking for that not explode. It just left a nice five-inch about one-thirty and high, coming in 25th mission with only three more to hole as it passed through. elements of four and five, flying wing go. We were to lead the second forma- When we started the bomb run we tip to wing tip as they sliced through tion of 12 planes as part of the 392nd had 10 planes, flying a nice tight forma- the formation. We had lost both of our effort. The bomb drop was to be by tion. Though the flak was scattering us wing men, and the element behind 12-plane formation; we were follow us to a little, we were still holding in fairly was down to two planes. the lead 12 planes in, pick up the well and were just before bomb release It must have been the third -pass in target and our 12 planes would bomb when the top turret gunner sounded an which we received some solid hits; we on our drop. The rest of the briefing alarm. Another formation had pulled were burning and the fire had spread was routine. We had an extra navigator right over us and had bomb doors into the wing roots and into the bomb with us that day. He was on his first open, ready to drop. They had evi- bay. The fire retardent had been mission for an orientation ride. The dently turned on their bomb run early exhausted, and the fire continued to crew chief was heard telling him how and this had brought them right over spread; there was nothing left to do but lucky he was to be with this crew, as our squadron! It was necessary for Don leave the ship. Again, training paid off it was a good-luck bunch. Even though Clover to take over control of the — every man knew where he was to we never made that debriefing late plane and move the formation to the go and what he was to do. There Saturday, 18 March, we were lucky. left. We were able to get most of the wasn't a hitch in the bail-out. It was timely and the fact that the plane was SHOOT LUKE (Cont.from page 6) they were saying farewell to a metal seen to blow as the last of the crew hillbilly that never let them down. Up had left it attests to the fact that it was navigated the two ships home. "Luke" to that date "Shoot Luke" had carried none too soon. Three men had been and his crew had been badly bruised his crew to targets in France, Belgium, wounded, but their conditions were on this one. Holland, Italy, Tunisia, Sicily, such that it didn't keep them from per- In less than two weeks "Luke", with Tripoli tania and Germany. forming the bail-out procedures. his patched up and glued together The much decorated crew went After we had left the plane, it be- crew, was back in business at the old home, but the much decorated "Shoot came eleven separate stories. We were stand hauling heavy loads of iron to Luke" — with his antique rifle and jug scattered and ended up in different Rotterdam and Antwerp. of sauce — stayed on and continued to prisoner of war camps. Over the years The remaining missions for "Luke" carry other crews to other targets. we have seen each other on occasion, and crew #4, up to the magic 25th, (ed. The above account of "Shoot and the Christmas cards still come were relatively uneventful. Bordeaux Luke" was condensed from the diary of every year. They always remind us of was the last one, and as the pilot and the Pilot, John H. Murphy and submit- the cold, deep snow over Germany that crew slipped out of the ship they knew ted by Floyd Mabee.) 18th of March, 1944. 7 Mission 18 September 1944 Supply Drop - Holland by Annoymous machine gun fire. No effective damage down 30 degrees of flaps of which we to the plane. Left coast at point of could not be certain because the flap Mission normal and routine as briefed penetration. Owing to adverse weather indicator was out. Main gear indicated up to point 'A' just between target and and wounded navigator, plus difficulty locked from the waist — no green light IP. At point 'A' at 1623 hit by enemy in controlling the airplane. we were not on the panel. machine gun and 20 mm fire. Ship hit certain of our position. We called for Approach was fast to insure safety as airspeed decreased and altitude in- fighter escort but could not give him with no airspeed indicator. Touched creased for release of load. Damages our position. down gently on a grass field, ballooned from enemy fire at point 'A' were: Approached unidentified convoy in over the hump in the center of the 1. Direct hit in nose below bombsight channel. Fired colors of the hour and field. At this point the right gear wob- with 20mm. Bombardier wounded cleared to the left. Airplane could not bled and collapsed. Booster pumps and and came up to flight deck unaided be turned to the right and convoy ex- all switches turned off by the co-pilot for first aid. tended out of sight to the right. Con- when the gear collapsed. 2. Direct hit in rear hatch with 20mm. tinuing at altitude of 1000 feet we Plane skidded toward the left and Exploded inside plane. Numerous passed convoy and discovered we were came to a stop on the field without hit- holes in surface. Drop master over Dunkirk which was confirmed by ting any obstructions. Right wing was wounded. First aid given by gun- flak and machine gun fire. now ablaze. Crew which had been in ners. Owing to poor visibility we did not ditching positions left the airplane when 3. Direct hit in starboard airleron see the coast until too late. We re- it stopped. Every one got clear of the 20mm. ceived a direct hit in the bomb bay plane without further injury and the 4. Direct hit in starboard flap and wing with 88mm. We also received numerous wounded were aided by the remainder 20mm. flak fragments one of which damaged of the crew in leaving the airplane and S. Two direct hits in bomb bay catwalk engine #1. Engine smoked profusely. were immediately taken care of by — #3 gas cell leaking — hydraulic Believe the oil line was broken. Propel- medics (RAF). line broken. ler governors inoperative. Radios, in- Right wing and engines #3 and #4 6. Numerous machine gun holes on all terphone. turrets, flap indicator, man- were completely burned. Much personal surfaces of airplane. Radio operator ifold pressure gauges (#1 and #2) and equipment was lost and destroyed as a hit by shrapnel from #5. airspeed indicator inoperative. Vibration result of battle damage, wounds and In the target area the load was sal- increased. extinguishing of fire. voed by the co-pilot and bundles were We decided against bailing over Wounded were placed in the hospital thrown out by the crew. Gasoline con- France because of the wounded aboard. at Canterbury after medical care at air- tainers on the catwalk could not be We decided to head for any field in drome sick quarters. Each member of dropped due to battle damage. England in order to be sure of care for the crew was wounded, seriously or Owing to abnormal and dangerous the wounded and of an intact airfield. slightly, except the pilot and co-pilot. flying characteristics we climbed to We selected Swingfield near Dover On final approach the #4 propeller 1000 feet and turned off target. which was the first we saw. Weather fell off the engine and the engine was Airplane vibrated excessively — slug- was closing in and pieces of the on fire. We were informed later that gish on controls — pulled sharply down airplane were falling off. pieces of the airplane were seen to be and to the left. Required effort of both It was necessary to crank the gear falling as we circled the field. The pilot and co-pilot to control. down and kick out the nose wheel propeller was later retrieved and had We were unable to stay with the which was flat. There was brake pres- several bullet holes in the blades. formation leaving the target. On head- sure in the accumulator. We were able, Another day, another dollar — and a ing out we were hit again by enemy with the co-pilot's hand pump, to put half! News of the 44th Eightballs by Joe Waal'(44110 the bigger the auction will be — there- rolls since the first of the year, space fore — more money for the Memorial in the Newsletter being limited means "Art Sale and Auction" Yes, this Library Fund. we can't list their names, but they will objects be in next roster when published so odd and unusual auction of * * * * * and wartime watch for that old buddy of yesteryear d'art, home crafts Orders are now being taken for the will be conducted by the — he may turn up yet. Its good to add memorabilia "EIGHTBALL" patches. Have you 44th Bomb Group at Lake new members — so welcome back to wives of the sent for yours yet. The initial order has reunion. the 44th. Hope you can attend our Geneva during our annual gone in and the first lucky ones who the reunions. Mrs. Jan Wold will be in charge of ordered them will have them in time to auction and sale and all profits received wear at the Reunion. Don•t delay any * ** ** will be donated to the Memorial Lib- order in. Cost $2.50 longer — get your The "Shipdham Pub" will be open rary Fund — Now — We need your postage — so send each, this includes for drinks and talk all during the Re- help too — If you plan to attend the to me — Joe your order and check union, so plan now to make it your reunion, bring some items to add to the Drive, Cincin- Warth 5709 Walkerton home away from home while you are collection for auction, and just in case All profits received nati, Ohio 45238. at the Playboy. Plans are afoot for a you will be unable to attend the reun- from the sale of the patches is being send Jan Polka contest plus music, lots of talk ion this year — WHY NOT, donated to the Memorial Fund. They to the au- about the good old days of WWII. But something that can be added will look good on a jacket or framed ction. Send your contribution to Mrs. the reunion won't be much fun unless and hung on the wall. your reserva- Jan Wold, 1749 Sun Valley Drive, Be- YOU are there — so get loit, Wisconsin 53511. She has an extra * * * * * tions in to Evelyn NOW. YA at Lake large mail-box and lots of storage room The 44th continues to grow, we have Nuff for now — See — Remember the more you send — added a dozen new members to the Geneva. 8 people and especially 564th Squadron Line Shack News ground crews. Anne Armstrong

by Martin H. Schreck (389th BG) P.S. If any of you still get nostalgic A First about WW II airplanes I heartily rec- ommend a visit to the A.F. Museum at Not since our Memorial Room in the There must be a lot of ex-2nd Air Dayton — but if you really want to Norwich Central Library was dedicated Divisioners whose most dangerous mis- blow you minds visit the Confederate has an American Ambassador taken the sion was the liberty run to Norwich, Air Force at Harlingen, Texas where time to visit it to learn what impact the (ever fall off the tail gate of a 6 x 6 they have at least one of everything in room has had on the people of East while eating fish and chips?) and feel flying condition. Anglia in particular and Anglo-Amer- that they too have a story to tell even ican relations in general. if it was eclipsed by daily events when Before she was replaced by President heroism "above and beyond" was the News of the Carter — not one of his better deci- order of the day. 448th sions — Anne Armstrong took the time from a busy schedule to visit the Larry Schroh's (389/564) mention of by Joseph T. Michalczyk (448th BC) crew chief Tony Mammolite started a Memorial Room to see at first hand what the Memorial Room is and to flood of recollections of faces, situa- Upon my arrival tions, and names dimmed by the ero- learn how the people of Norwich re- home there was a gard it. She was high in her praise for sion of 32 years — but one event does letter from Ron stand out and I'd like to tell it. what the Association has accomplished Kramer awaiting. since the war years. I was part of 564th Squadron Auto He asked me to Pilot Shop (September 43 to September please convey his 45) and on one occasion was faced congratulations to with two test flights in one afternoon George Dupont for (we had to endure practice mission to • the manner in accomplish our A.F.C. Systems tests). which he organized our formal gather- Anyway, my section Chief T/Sgt. ing in the absence of Ken Engelbrecht. Frobase just happened to arrive on Ron also enclosed an outline of duty in time to opt for the best of the suggestions for the Lake Geneva, Wis- two flights leaving me to test hop a consin reunion in 1977. Since that time bird and crew of unknown qualifica- Ron and I have been busy in putting tions. We suited up (Ha-Ha-Ha) with together a short summary of the 448th the most mis-matched-ill fitting as- B.G. history while in Seething, Eng- semblage of hand me down G.I. and land. British flying gear immaginable and I At the present time we have com- swear that if the could've pleted a rough draft of the 448th seen us they'd've been too busy laugh- souvenir booklet. The cover design ing to fight, but off we went to our re- along with charts and graphs are com- spective aircraft. pleted. What remains is to place all in- My aircraft (name and number long formation in their proper sequence to forgotten) preflighted normally and assure an attractive booklet. We antici- being lightly loaded, rotated and was pate at the present time to have the flying in about half the runway length booklet completed in ample time before In addition to visiting and at that critical moment the pilots the Memorial the 2nd Air Division Reunion in July, Room she took a tour of seat catch broke loose and slid full several of the at which time the booklet may be bases in the area escorted back pulling the yoke with him putting by the As- purchased. sociation's pride and joy, and us on the verge of a text book take-off old To all members of the 448th Bomb friend, Roger Freeman, the author and departure stall. Our alert co-pilot of Group: The Mighty Eighth. It was not one threw his entire weight against the con- of As your Vice President I urge the East Anglia's better days being trol column while I grabbed four throt- cold following: and wet, but both 'Mrs. Armstrong tles holding them forward for and dear life. Roger braved the Recovery seemed elements and plunged to take forever and "Don't walk in front of me.. . I may ahead. ultimately we did gain sufficient air not follow. It is to be hoped that speed to climb and the remainder the new Am- of Don't walk behind me. . . I may not bassador takes a page the practice mission out of Mrs. was routine and lead. Armstrong's ANXIOUS. book by paying a visit to Just walk beside me and be my Norwich and the Library The story could end there but there soon after he, friend." or she, is settled. is more — the other B-24 carrying my boss, Sgt. Frobase, had a fuel starva- tion problem at 10,000 feet, lost all 4 engines and crashed the same after- noon. Frobase and most of the crew PAPER WEIGHT OR DESK ORNAMENT bailed out OK but I recall we did lose 2 fine flying officers who couldn't get Leroy J. out. Engdahl is offering a B-24 item which can be used as a paper weight, desk ornament or shelf piece. Ground crews didn't come home with This is a pewter model flight" and is em- many medals — but we did bust our depicted "in bedded in lucite — a beautiful item and a work of art. humps for 300+ missions - and some of Price for by writing us might even have earned the "order this is $10.50 and you can order one 77662. of the brown stain" had there been to Leroy at 1785 Wexford Drive, Vidor, Texas one! I'd like to say "Hi" to all 2nd A.D. 111 9 probably result in more injuries than a RUDE COMMENTS — potential hazardous landing. After circling the field for several A Sandy, Sunny & Salty Sojourn hours to lighten the fuel-load, our super-pilot set that B-24 down like an by Walter Rude (448th) area of Sioux City, Iowa. As all flying old hen squatting down on a clutch of We're leaving beautiful Boise, Idaho personnel will know, it is cockpit pro- hatching eggs. However, when the and heading for the Great Salt Flats cedure to apply the brakes after lift-off weight of the Lib settled down on the area surrounding Wendover Field, and prior to the retraction of the struts and the blown tires, the vibration Utah. landing-gear. Our pilot, though one of became terrific. And where was yours Not much can be said for Wendover. the best, had the bad habit of locking truly? I had been assigned the task of It's primary purpose was to provide the brakes during this sequence. Unfor- getting as many as possible under the facilities for gunnery training, but to tunately, and with brakes locked, we top-turret to support it and prevent it's some of our more pessimistic souls, hit the prop-wash of the aircraft taking breaking loose when the vibration be- being sent to the salt and sand of Wen- off just before us, and the result was came excessive. Needless to say, I was dover was just a fair indication that our our being put back down on the run- far from being ecstatic about being ultimate destination would be North Af- way. then bouncing into the air again. used as a support piece for a flimsily rica or worse. Both main tires blew sounding only too mounted turret. Our living quarters (and I use the much like a couple of 75mm cannon All went well, though, and we finally word living loosely) consisted of one going off. braked down to a very gentle stop. At story, tar-papered shacks, and for fun Then there followed a long-winded that point no one had to give an order and excitement you could hike up to radio contact with a group of experts to evacuate the aircraft. the Stateline Hotel in neighboring gathered in the control tower. What to The only sad part to the entire ex- Nevada and allow yourself the dubious do was the question. Their first decision perience came when a number of us pleasure of being relieved of your was that all aboard (about 32), with the were informed that we would have to hard-earned money by the one-armed exception of the pilot, co-pilot and your remain at dear old Wendover and assist decision, bandits and high-priced drinks. narrator would bail out. This in the replacement of the strut as- The only excitement created at Wen- was discarded when the power in the semblies. dover for your writer came on the day tower came to the conclusion that a Next "COMMENT— — ON TO we were to depart the salt-flats for the mass bail-out of some 29 almost com- SIOUX CITY SUE! Until then — rolling cornbelt, hogs and cattle-feeding pletely inexperienced parachutists would CHEERIO! which dropped lightweight launches in Small Unit — which survivors could make their way 389th back to England. When high seas made Bomb Group Badges Big Operation it too hazardous for the amphibious by John W. Archer patrol planes to set down on the water. A unit which never hit the headlines, The groundwork was laid by Captain but a very important outfit that more Fred W. Graf, controller of the fighter than held its own among the 'big boys' wing which directed air-sea rescue op- of the 2nd Air Division. That was the erations. The unit started with P-47's 5th Emergency Rescue Squadron. and combat-wise fighter pilots whose BOMB GROUP Operating within the 65th Fighter Wing, primary assignment was to act as spot- it was formed in May 44, under the ters of distressed aircraft, and com- The above 389th Bomb Group badge command of Major Robert P. Gerhart municate by radio with planes and was designed and produced by Aaron at Boxted in Essex County. boats of the British rescue unit. Schultz, P.O. Box 18 High Point, The 489th Bomb Group received or- The P-47's also provided cover for North Carolina 27261. ders in November 44 to prepare for re- surface launches which often ranged These badges are 2/12" x 3/12" deployment to the Pacific Theater of dangerously close to the German-held printed on a celluloid material in five operations. Having vacated Halesworth coast. colors and are mounted on a metal (Holton), the 5th E.R.S. moved in to Upon learning the exact postion of a backing with a safety pin back suitable the former B-24 station early in the distressed plane the controller im- for wearing at the 2nd Air Division new year 45. Under their new com- mediately contacted the P-47 spotters reunions. mander, Major E.L. Larson, it was in patrolling the North Sea. These spotters Anyone wishing a limit of two badges constant operation until hostilities flew to the last known position of the please send $.25 each to cover postage ceased in the E.T.O. crippled plane in search of the aircraft and handling directly to Aaron. Aaron It aided in the rescue of hundreds of or survivors. These P-47's were mostly has stated that any donations above the distressed airmen. Close liaison was WW (War Weary) aircraft. A second $.25 postage and handling will be maintained with the R.A.F. upon which call was made to the Catalina's which turned over to the 2nd Air Division the 2nd A.D., and indeed the 8th A.F. were always out on patrol whenever al- Memorial Fund for the purchase of had long been dependent for saving its lied planes were flying a mission. They, books for our Memorial Library in downed flyers from the icy English too, headed for the area where the Norwich. Channel or North Sea. plane was last heard from, and, with Remember, anyone can purchase two With the procurement of Catalinas — the aid of the spotters, located the sur- of the badges, but no more than two patrol aircraft — from the U.S. Navy, vivors, landed on the water, and picked because only 500 were manufactured. and the development of releasable air- them up. borne lifeboats, the 5th E.R.S. were a The P-47's remained in the area dur- after receiving direct word from a P-51 well-drilled rescue unit, locating airmen ing the rescue for other possible sur- on fire with the pilot ready to bail out. in distress and picking them off the vivors. The pilot saw the Catalina coming to- water or providing them with life-saving A record air-sea rescue was estab- wards him while parachuting down to devices. lished near the war's end. A 2/Lt. the North Sea. The 2nd A.D. were In addition to Catalinas, this outfit Donald E. Hicks and his Catalina crew proud to have the 5th E.R.S. within its employed P-47's as spotters, and B-17's got a fighter pilot aboard five minutes ranks. A 'great little' squadron. 10 Fields of fields. As well as drawing upon official Centurians U.S.A.A.F. records the Author has Little America also used many stories from the men by Roger A. Freeman (Asso.) who were involved in combat and by Martin Bowman many of these accounts were written A B-24 Liberator that survived 100 down at about the time they occured. trips in the face of Hitler's' flak and ;1112n; LIMA Believe it or not Thus it forms an emotive study of a fighters — to say nothing of the vag- AMERICA but there is now a fighting force that grew from near aries of the north Europeon weather History of the Sec- obscurity alongside the Flying Fort- and the overloads it was continually ond Air Division in resses to a unique and powerful arm of made to lift — deservedly commanded print. The Author, the Eighth Air Force. special respect. It was not until late in Martin Bowman, is It is well known by all of us that the the war that the first 8th AF B-24 a long time As- Liberator, unlike the B-17, was built reached 100 when, all things being rela- sociate member and around the bomb bay and was superior tive, the average combat life of a heavy has been helped in to the fortress in performance, payload bomber in the ETO had nearly trebled, this project by many of our members, and range. The Second Air Division largely due to the demise of the for which he sends his profound survived attempts to re-equip it with Luftwaffe. Thus 30 missions was a sig- thanks. B-17s and so the Liberators and men of nificant milestone early in 1943 al- The Fields of Little America is an il- the Division became an integral part of though divisions of one hundred were lustrated history of the Liberator life in a small corner of eastern Eng- the appropriate point to acclaim a vet- squadrons of the Second Air Division land — Little America. eran. from 1942 to the end of the Second Published June 1977. Size: 11/34" by First 8th AF B-24 to reach the 25 World War. It is the story not only of 8/12". 128 pages. Approx. 120 photo- mission mark has apparently never the combat crews but of the ground graphs. Hardback $9.75. (Add $5.45 been conclusively established although crews and the airfields the B24s flew extra if you require us to post airmail) the chief contender is said to be from in East Anglia. The book contains Orders to: Wensum Books Ltd., "Jerk's Natural", but if not it was cer- a large selection of previously unpub- 33 Orford Place, tainly one of the other early B-24s of lished photographs and includes aerial Norwich, the 93rd BG. First to 50 was views of all the Second Division air- England. "Bomerang" of the 93rd who got there in December 1943. "Duchess", a sister ship, was next in line and unlike "Bomerang" she had achieved the half century without incurring any turnbacks for mechanical reasons, a fact not al- ways considered as important in the early days when lauding an individual aircraft's record. The 8th AF Public Relations people do not appear to have highlighted the Lib that was out in front at the 75 mark which must have occurred sometime in the late spring or early summer of 1944. The reason could be that at this time Command had ordered that publicity only be given to combat aircraft which had put on record numbers of missions without a turnback for mechanical reasons. The purpose was to encourage crew chiefs vying for the leading place to be even more thorough in their maintenance op- erations. For this reason when "Ron- nie" of the 446th BG hit the 100 mark on 30th December 1944 there was no publicity as she had aborted on her 81st trip. "Ronnie" was apparently first to the century mark and although this has been disputed no one has as yet produced conclusive proof for another claimant. "Witchcraft" of the 467th did receive the limelight when she hit 100 on 14th January 1945, having done so without once aborting. This B-24H held its lead until the end of hostilities and 8th AF HQ credited it with a record 130 missions without a turnback. All told some 30 other 8th AF B-24s Air Corps chaps sometimes overdo this ground support stuff!" reached the century mark with and without aborts. The runner up to "Witchcraft" appears to have been a aviators? Little information is available Can any 2nd AD men stake a claim for 446th Lib with 122. on Liberator men who may have the most missions in a B-24? Who But what about the centurian B-24 reached the century or come near to it. was/is the Liberator daddy of them all? 11 The Smithsonian's new National Air & Space Museum by Rick Rokicki (458th) My first visit to the Smithsonian's Air- Northrop Alpha (Trans-World) subishi A5M-6 (Zero) and the "front of- craft Building in Washington. D.C. was in Ford Tri-Motor (American) fice" or cockpit section of the Martin B-26 late '45 shortly after discharge from An- Boeing 247 (United) Marauder known as "Flak Bait." Don't drews Field Air Force Base in nearby Douglas DC-3 (Eastern) fail to see this. Maryland. The building itself was a struc- All above aircraft are suspended from Gallery ture 209 — Aviation not unlike a large Nissen hut and cer- the ceiling in an in-flight attitude. You Billy Mitchell's tainly nothing very impressive. SPAD 16 (two-seater) The value have a choice of viewing them from the and the SPAD 7 that of course, was was I believe used to be in what stored inside. first floor level or the balcony. In either the old museum as Elliot Today, as almost White Springs' everyone knows, that case, when you consider that the building aircraft and the German Fokker "hangar- has taken on new D-7 are a look and height is 82 feet in the exhibit area, you arranged in a WWI setting. The might be rightly called Premier diorama a Show- can get a variety of camera angles that features a capture of the Fokker and an room for Aviation machinery. The facility in- would not be possible if the aircraft were terrogation of the pilot. Very real and Hol- is definitely first class and the same must "on the deck." lywood film-making could learn a thing or be said for the displays and exhibits in- Gallery 103 — Vertical Flight two from this side. set. About a dozen machines that range Other interesting and historical aircraft The building is three (3) blocks long and from the experimental Hiller Flying Plat- include an OX-5 powered Waco 9 of mid- is really eight (8) block segments joined form thru autogyros to helicopters. together by bubble-topped, 20s vintage the German Buecker smoked glass The skylights. Constructed West Gallery contains: Jungmeister aerobatic that was of Tennessee mar- Wright ble, the 40 million Military Flyer. The first air used as an advanced trainer by the dollar National Air & machine Space Museum stands sold to the U.S. Signal Luftwaffe fighter pilots, the Roscoe as an excellent Corps.; credit to proper planning and project man- Turner/Laird "Special" racer, Wiley agement. Staying within its budget with no Post's Lockheed Vega "Winnie Mae" and cost overrun, the facility opened its doors Jimmy D000little's world speed record to the public on July 1, 1976. breaking Curtiss R3C-2 on floats. Charles Once inside the Independence and 6th Lindbergh's Lockheed Sirius "Tingmis- Street entrance, 2 huge wall murals sur- sartoo," Amelia Earhardt's red Lockheed round you with the space program Vega and the "round the world" 1924 achievement. No attempt will be made Douglas World Cruiser #4 "Chicago" are also there. The coast-to-coast record here to cover the space exhibits except to Grumman set- Gulfhawk 11. The only civil- ting flight by military fliers in the giant mention that in several "Galleries,- you ian version of the Navy's carrier Fokker T-2 aircraft powered by a WWI will find the Manned Space Programs from fighter/bomber flown exclusively by Project Mercury thru Apollo 17, artifacts Liberty engine is an unforgettable sight. Major Al Williams for Gulf Oil in the Another very famous aircraft that estab- include Mercury "Freedom 7," Gemeni 7, '30s. Apollo Command Module (Skylab 4), the lished a fantastic land speed record across Lunar Roving Vehicle ( back-up unit to the U.S.A. was the Hughes H-1 Racer, the original) and Lunar Surface Experi- designed, built and flown by Howard ments with 4 types of lunar samples. Hughes. This aircraft set design criteria The aircraft exhibit was my prime target for future military machines that later be- area now, after my 4th visit, I still find came WWII . This mid-30s things I missed the other three times racing aircraft was powered by the Pratt & Whitney around. Although the NASM has over 250 Boeing P-26, The Air Corps Twin-Row Wasp 1830 engine that first all later was aircraft, "only" 64 are presently dis- metal, low wing monoplane that made to power all B-24 Liberators! played. Many aircraft are on loan to other the military biplane obsolete. In Gallery 206, called "Balloons and Airships," you museums, such as the Navy's Pensacola, North American's F86-A of Korean will see the last survivor of the Air Force's Wright-Patterson at Day- conflict fame. a noble experiment by the U.S.Navy dur- ing the ton. Ohio, etc. However, there's more Curtiss P-40E. The WWII aircraft of Fly- 30s. The Curtiss F9C-2 Spar- rowhawk, than enough to keep one fully occupied for ing Tiger and early campaigns in a biplane that was designed several hours. Gallery grouping as the North Africa. with a "skyhook" to engage the trapeze extended below a lighter-than-air diriga- NASM has done seems the best way to list Gallery 203 — Sea-Air Operations the exhibits, so you don't miss an aircraft ble. Known as a "parasite" fighter and Highlighted by a reproduction of an air- used as a scouting airplane over of that particular display. craft ocean op- carrier deck, the exhibit displays a eration, the entire program failed when Gallery 100 — Milestones of Flight Boeing the F4B-4 (1930's), WWII Douglas "mother- ships the Akron and Macon SBD Dauntless di- and Grum- rigables, were destroyed in crashes. Of 9 man FM-1 Wildcat. The Douglas A4C such aircraft, Navy Bureau Skyhawk #9056 is the jet is also included. lone survivor. The restoration of this Special air- effects: standing on the Carrier craft was my "labor of love" for over a "bridge" you will witness a carrier launch three-year period during its rebuilding and retrieve at operation in what appears the Smithsonian's Silver Hill, Maryland three dimentional Wright Brothers' movies. A very good restoration center. Kitty Hawk Flyer exhibit that should not be missed. Samuel P. Langley's Langley Model 5, Other non-aircraft exhibits are the Al- Gallery 205 — WWII Aviation bert Einstein Spacearium (#201) and the No B-24 or B-17 aircraft here, however theater (#215) where films relating to this gallery has a wall mural of a B-17 for- flight are shown. Perhaps the most impor- mation complete with vapor trails that tant thing to those of you who will make looks as real as anyone can remember. I the visit is car parking. You will be happy 11610 watched this mural being painted before to know that the designers of the NASM — N 2 the museum opened and it is a fantastic incorporated an underground car park for Lindbergh's Ryan NYP "Spirit of St. sight. Extremely good lighting and the 400 cars. However, one thing to Louis", keep in strategically placed aircraft (the Italian mind is the length of stay. After the third Bell X-1 and North American's X-I5 Macchi is suspended in flight and appears hour, the rate increases steadily with no rocket powered aircraft. to be attacking the formation), make this maximum. This is intended to keep the Gallery 102 — Air Transportation scene. Other aircraft on display include: all-day parker away. Now that the bi- Pitcairn Mailwing (Eastern Air Trans- North American P-51 Mustang, British centennial rush has somewhat subsided, port) Supermarine Spitfire Mk VII, German why put off visiting the Museum any Fairchild FC-2 (Pan American) Messerschmidt Bf 109G, Japanese Mit- longer?

12 phone call one night from Ralph Morrow up Dear Bill, Denver, Co. way. I haven't had contact with I received the December issue of the Letters him since the waning days of the WWII con- News Letter on schedule. I read through it, Dear Bill: flict. It was like old times again conversing with put it away for future reference and haven't I just returned from three weeks in England. him and he told me about the Second AD As- been able to find it since. While there I met a business associate of the sociation. In it there was an article requesting help people my Wife and I stayed with, Charles Hal- Enclosed please find check for $10.00 for with membership, locating potential mem- liday. membership application in the Association. I bers, etc. I should like to volunteer to do I have copies of all correspondence to Al hope this will cover the application. If any is left what I can to help this individual. I should Blanco and other regarding Lt. Clarey. over, please place in the Association fund. like to ask one of two things of you. Could I contacted General Hoffman, Commanding Thanking you, I remain you either send him my name and address General of Marine Corps. base here. He has Sincerely yours, or could you send me another copy of the some friends who will do a little research in William F. Dillon News Letter and I could write to him my- D.C. for us. 467th/801st./492nd BG self. Either way would serve my purpose I did not know of the Association and would Dear Evelyn, very well. like the necessary forms to join. If you can help me in either of these two I was in the 93rd Bomb Group — 329th This time of year has come up too fast for me. ways, it would be very much I did not want to be appreciated. Squadron — February, 1944 to September, late with the dues. My wife and I do plan on attending the 1944 when I completed my 30 missions. Had Have enclosed a $20.00 check, $10.00 for the reunion the last part of July. both Bombardier and Navigator classifications. Memorial fund, $5.00 for my dues and $5.00 for Sincerely, a new member, — he was My old field at Harwich still has all three I hope a good friend Maj. Leo L. Mower, Ret. — 466 runways, and my old Nissen Hut was still of mine overseas, have not seen him since. Last standing in a very dilapidated condition. heard from him in 1970. I would like to see him Dear Miss Cohen: Sincerely, as one of our members and I think once he gets I was visiting with Bob McGuire, Secre- Bob Shaffer the Newsletter he will enjoy it and want to be- tary of the Liberator Club yesterday, and he long to our 2nd Air Div. Assoc. His address is showed me a copy of your Newsletter. I on the back page. expressed my surprise that an organization Dear Bill: Hope you had an enjoyable holiday season existed of the Division in which I flew 30 This is to advise that I am in receipt of both and wish you a good year for 1977. combat missions — with the 491st Bomb films that you sent me; one the "Mission" film Mary and I are planning to be at the reunion Group. that Harvel put together and the other the at Lake Geneva this year. It could not be more I am interested in joining if you would be Memorial Room film which was made in 1963. convenient. Our last reunion was at Colorado kind enough to tell me what the dues are. As mentioned in a previous letter, I will take Springs and we surely enjoyed it, so we are Thank you much care of these films and return them after it has looking forward to seeing everyone again this Lin Hendrix, Editor been used for the purpose of showing same in year. Hangar Flyers Liars Association this area. At this time I am waiting for the Pope Allen Welters for Aviation and Space AFB to send me the necessary information so 855B Woodlawn Ave. that I might secure a copy of the "Polesti" film Dear Evelyn: Chula Vista, Calif. 92011 from them. Thank you for changing my room reserva- (Ed: What's the hangar flyers liars associa- When I receive this film from the Pope AFB I tions to one day earlier, I do appreciate this. tion Lin? Sounds like we could all belong!) will make a showing here in High Point, then I Do you remember this from Wilmington, will get together with J.D. Long for a showing N.C. (picture)? Dear Evelyn, in Greensboro. After that if it is feasible, will Best wishes, I am, As you know, I gave up my job in Nov get together with Willie Elder in Burlington for Sincerely, '74 and took a showing there. an early retirement, I'm happy I am advising Richmond Henre Dugger,Jr. to say, my health has improved considera- you of my intentions so that )ed note: We bly; you will know that I am holding this film until I remember. What we can't figure since then. can get it all together for a complete showing. out is how you still manage to get into it!) When I learned that Ed Goldsmith 407th - Will keep you posted as to my progress on Skokie, Ill.) was going to be at the Valley this project. Dear Evelyn, Forge Reunion, I drove down on that Satur- Aaron Schultz Needless to say, I want to be with "The day, and got there in time for your business Gang", if at all possible . . .Sorry I am so meeting, the films etc. Goldsmith slept ac- Hi Evelyn, tardy, but trust you will appreciated the fact it ross the aisle from me in a Nissen hut at I had a very nice summer which included four took me 32 years to line up this gang (via Air Rackheath! I couldn't get over how little he weeks in Britain: a week total in London, a Force Magazine.) I am looking forward to this changed in 30 years!! Norfolk, the more than you can possibly imagine. I was in I stayed with Goldsmith until it was time week in then through north with the original group, and believe I was five days at the Edinburgh Festival, four in In- the first for the cocktail hour and dinner dance; I got original member of the 577th squadron to back to Westport (Conn.) by eleven that verness and the Highlands and back to London finish. I flew the very first mission to Abbeville, for the flight home. nite, with a warm feeling inside! (Sep. 9, 1943), and wound up on May 8, 1944. Sorry I didn't get a chance to have a chat I hired a car for the three weeks out of the Many thanks for your help, and I am looking city, so was able to drive out to Old Buckin- with you, but time ran out on me. forward to meeting you. Looks like we might have an early Spring, gham and the old 453rd B.G. site. Not much Best regards, there, it's a big farming operation, but the man- sure hope so. Bob Beatson Keep up the good work, its appreciated. ager saw me at the gate looking out over the old (Ex-Navigator) runways and hardstands and invited me in to Warmest Regards, Walt Laughlin drive around—which I did. The main runway is Dear Bill: still there, somewhat battered and weed- I did get the copies I requested — and Dear Evelyn & Bill: bestrewn after 30-plus years and is used as a thank you for your prompt response. I must Received our copy of the Newsletter and road for tractors, farm machinery and the like say that all my correspondence with the 2nd as always read it from cover to cover. Little . . . couldn't help but wonder if! really took off AD Ass'n has been promptly and accurately item on page 7, saying dues, dues, dues, from that decrepit strip on 35 combat missions answered. So — don't think you're losing caught our eye, sure enough upon checking and a goodly number of practice flights and test your marbles. . .you and the others do a ter- discovered we hadn't paid ours. Some hops. rific job. Amen. people you have to hit in the head. Driving out I was somewhat amused to note Walter P. McHugh Over Christmas we did some checking on that about where the old Officers' Club was, some of Al's crew members, some were re- there is now a bustling "Chubby Chicken" pro- Thanks Evelyn, turned for various reasons, several answered cessing factory!, Keep up the good work. I am one of the and several no word at all. One which we Really loved the visit and have revived totally disabled veterans but I still enjoy enclose (and hope you will print) made us thoughts of possibly retiring in Britain perma- hearing from some of the old crew I met realize what a great blessing we share with nently after my second and last retirement from and flew with. I might be considered one of the other members of the 2nd A.D.A. that my school teaching job. I just might . .. the lucky ones, but the pain still persists. I many will never have the pleasure of shar- Best wishes for the coming year. have already sent you all the names and ad- ing. Every year our reunions get bigger and Don C. Baldwin dress of all my crew members that are still better (thanks to you all on that end, and alive. Hope you recruited some of them. our past presidents), and we should be Dear Ms. Cohen, Wish I could make the trip but am mostly thankful each year we are still able to at- After some thirty-odd years now,I am glad to wife hunting now — as my mate died Dec. tend. find out there is still interest being maintained in 1974 Sincerely our former units in the ETO. As ever, Albert and Emma Franklin (44th B.G.) A couple of weeks ago, I received a tele- Charles B. Holley (Ed: Read on Emma)

13 Dear Albert, (Franklin) as I have been living in Saudi Arabia for the Dear Miss Cohen, Was so happy to hear from an old friend last 25 years working for an oil company. My wife Gladys passed away on Dec. 26, of Ken's from his service days! Ken died of I am enclosing $5.00 for membership. she had been sick for several years. a heart attack on Nov. 5, 1958 while hunting I am also writing my pilot, who just left She really never got over the shock of deer on our place. It was a terrible shock here on his way back to Detroit. He proc- losing our oldest son Frederick who flew a and loss to us! We had been married in laimed interest in the 8th. We were with the B24, as he used to tell us about in his let- 1945 just before his discharge, and had thir- 458th when it was formed. We got shot ters, as he said in the best, the 44-66th. teen great years together. Ken's pride and down and were interned in Switzerland, but Sincerely, joy were his children — Melody, now a escaped after 6 months. Frederick M. Ritter thirty year old mother of two, and Mick, Unfortunately, I can not make the reunion who just became the father of a little boy at Lake Geneva, Wis. in July as we still are Dear Evelyn, whom he named Kenneth Ryan after his getting ourselves adjusted to returning here. Enclosed is our payment for the reunion dad. Sincerely, at Lake Geneva. It will be my first, as I did Twelve years ago I was diagnosed as hav- Ralph T. Ritter (458th BG) not have prior knowledge of the existence of ing Multiple Sclerosis and have now been in ex-First Lt. Bombardier your organization. We are looking forward a wheelchair for 7 years. Am very glad that 754th Squadron to this affair. Ken didn't have to see me this way. You will notice that I list the 392nd as my Mick said he wished he could go to the Dear Bill, group. However, I was originally assigned to reunion and meet some of the guys who After receiving the last news letter. I de- the 93rd upon my arrival in the ETO. Our knew his dad. He was only seven when his cided to look at some of my old pictures. crew joined the 93rd during their stay in dad died, and would like to be able to talk After looking at them, I thought that these North Africa, arriving just after the disastr- to some fellow who had shared some war might bring back some memories to some- ous Ploesti mission. Upon their return to memories with Ken. one who served with the 446th at Flixton. England our crew was reassigned to the Had so often heard Ken talk about you 392nd to help bring their strength up to the and Joe Flaherty. Would you, by any required level. chance, have any pictures taken during Upon completion of our combat tour our those years? I would love to see something crew was dispersed and reassigned to vari- like that! ous groups until after D-day. I was sent to Please look us up if you're ever in Min- the 448th for about three months. So I can nesota and thanks so much for writing — technically be at home with any of the three Ken would have been so thrilled! groups. Sincerely, Looking forward to meeting you at Lake Erla Caroon (Mrs. Kenneth Caroon) Geneva. Hinckley, Minn. 55037 Sincerely Yours. Vernon A. Baumgart Dear Ms. Cohen: I recently learned of the Second Air Divi- Dear Ms. Cohen, sion Association in my V.F.W. magazine We have been planning on sending this lit- and wrote to Don Olds, who sent me a very tle note of appreciation. You and your informative letter, including a Sept. 76 One picture is an aerial view of Flixton committee did a marvelous job — all of Newsletter. I intend to answer him as soon Castle. I went to see the old air drome in your efforts were not in vain. Our visit to the as I receive addresses of some of our crew summer of 1973. I had to shed a tear Valley Forge last summer was the first from my former pilot Capt. "Mike" Boyd. because the top two floors of this magnifi- Reunion we have attended and you can be Having served as aerial engineer with the cent building were removed because of the sure all future reunions will have the Eks in high taxes. All 453 B.G. and 732nd Squadron. I would like grounds are now used to attendance. grow to receive an application for membership at vegetables because a farm combine Enclosed find check covering our small this late date, and, needless to say, I am now owns the estate. donation to the Memorial Trust and also a sorry I had not heard of this organization check covering Membership Dues for Allen years ago. Ek — 453rd & Elaine E. Ek (Wife) and Enclosed is $5.00 dues and also a check proud to be an Associate Member. of $25 for the Memorial Library. Reservations for Playboy will be for- Thanking you in advance. I remain warded later. Very truly yours, Allen Ek Anthony C. Corbo (453rd BG) Dear Evelyn; Dear Sir; Sorry about the long time lapse since the The other day my wife was reading the re-union but you must forgive me — Busy Denver Post and she asked me what bomb group 1 was with in England. I told her I I probably have the youngest family in the was with the 489th Bomb Group, and she The other picture is the ship that I ser- 2nd AD — The children are 14 - 13 - 10 - 7 said to me "why that number is here in the viced as part of a ground crew in the 705th. - I am just about to open a new restaurant open forum of our Denver Post." Boy, did I This picture was taken on April 5, 1944, just in the Montgomary Mall (The Sherlock ever jump up to see the paper. For all these after she came back from a mission. This is Holmes) — So you can see — I'm Busy. years I had never ever heard of my Group, Q — Queenie with a flak hole in her name. Anyway, enclosed is a check for 50.00. and I must say there were a swell bunch of Maybe this will bring back some memories Use 5.00 for my dues and the rest for any guys in the 489th Bomb Group. I am 71 to someone who served on the ground crew guys who might want to pay the dues but years old now and I was the oldest guy in or flew her. can't afford it — or anything. the bomb group. There should be a lot of Sincerely. God Bless, the men still living for they were all so Homer VanFleteren Lee Lowenthal (44 BG) young. I was a truck master and I was there 446th B.G. 705th. Great Job at Valley Forge every time when a mission would come (Ed: That's a wonderful gesture on your back and the boys would need a truck to Dear Evelyn, part Lee as we do have members who can- get to their place so they could change their Even though my buddy and I arrived not afford the dues. Good luck with your pants, guess you would know what I mean. Saturday P.M. at V.F., we enjoyed our- new restaurant.) Thanks Sir. selves very much and hope to see you at Mr. Anthony Teichman (489th BG) Lake Geneva. Gentlemen: 3310 E. Mexico Ave. I'm sorry I didn't know about these re- Please tell me the procedure to follow in Denver, Colo. 80210. unions in '75 because I'm a native of Scot- becoming a member of your association. (Ed: Welcome aboard Tony and I hope all land and could have visited my relatives I was in the 453rd Bomb Group, 735th our members take note of the fact that you over there. When is the next one in Nor- Bomb Squadron near Attleborough. England read about us in your local paper. Those wich? My cousin, Sir Matt Busby, lives in during World War Two. "letters to the editor" listing all the Bomb Manchester, England. He is general manager After my separation I stayed in the Air Groups DO pay off) of the soccer club, winner of several Euro- Force Reserve and will be retiring from the pean titles. Air Force this 2 May 1977. Dear Evelyn: Thank you for such a fine organization. Yours very truly. I received a letter from Clinton E. Wal- Good luck. John M. Roth (453rd) lace, as a result of a letter I wrote to the James Mathie (Ed. The procedure is easy John. Just send 8th AF Historical Society. I didn't know 407 Calif. Ave. us your $5.00 dues check and your home there was the 2nd Air Division Association Pittsburgh, Pa. 15202 free.) 14 Dear Mr. Robertie, members please ask them to write: Joseph Dear Evelyn: I am writing to you hoping you can help Errante, 5020 Oceanview Ave. Brooklyn, I am a past member of 2nd Air Div. — I me out with my problem. A Mr. T. Allonby New York, 11224 and ask them to write me have not paid my dues since about 1973 or of Sheffield, Yorkshire recommended you to and to answer the following questions: 74 — I do wish to reenstate, inclosed is my me. I am trying to trace a crew member of 1) Name & Rank and Duty check for $21.00 (don't know if dues still a liberator which crashed, this man was the 2) Position 3.00 per year) Please advise and also how only survivor, so you can see why I am 3) Type of craft you've flown or serviced long this will pay me up to as I do not wish looking for him. 4) Most dangerous and/or memorable mis- to drop out again. Here is all the information I have so far sions, leaves, experiences. A few years ago we moved from Illinois I hope you can help me out, to Texas. Here is my new address. I miss B-24H-F0 Liberator 42-94841 Thank you very much the 2nd div. news. 857th B.S., 492nd B.G. Base — Harrington, Joseph Errante Thank You, Northamptonshire, England Dan W. Underwood Crashed — 9th October 1944, Holme Moss, Dear Ms. Cohen: 400 No. Wisconsin near Holrnfirth, Huddersfield, Yorkshire. Recently I attended a meeting in Denver League City, Texas 77573 Staff Sergeant Curtiss B. Anderson is the of Lee Enterprises marketing people. One man I am searching for, I know he was re- night a group of us went to dinner at the Dear Evelyn: turned stateside owing to his injuries. The 94th Aero Squadron restaurant, located adja- I wish to join the Association; year's dues only clue I have to his state, is that just cent to Stapleton Field in Denver and built enclosed. after the crash he kept saying "I come from with a decor to resemble Eddie Rickenback- I was pilot on B-24s with the 704th Bomb California." er's famed squadron facilities of WWI vin- Squadron of the 446th Bomb Group Here is another incident which some of tage. stationed near Bungay, Suffolk, England. your members might remember. 1st Lt. E.D. Naturally, the talk turned to flying and I My time with the 446th was from about Pitsenbarger crashed B24 44-40146 Coded was interested to hear that the fellow sitting July 25 to October 25 of 1944; termination 5Z-M of the 856th B.S. 492nd B.G. at North next to me, Ray Carlson of the Davenport after twenty missions due to a severe crash Pickenham, 6th August 1944. Newspapers had been a 8-24 Navigator in at Aimsdale near Liverpool, in which my It is said in this crash he stalled and hit the 8th AF. By co-incidence, it happened copilot was killed. We were riding as pas- the ground, killing one crew member. that I was also in the 8th in B-24s. . .but in sengers on our way to a standard mid-tour Details on the rest of the crew — Flying a different group — the 93rd (409th Squad- rest leave. officer Frank Cser came from New Jersey, ron). As you can imagine, we had a lot of I have orders and other papers supporting 1st Lt. Pitsenbarger came from Iowa. Cpl C. stories to swap. my status in the Group, should you desire. Watson was on the strength of the 36th Ray was good enough to alert me to the Mr. Henry asked for a copy of the recent Bomber Squadron at the time of the crash. existence of the 2nd Air Division and since Denver Post article which seems to have This is all the information I have amassed we returned home, has sent me a couple of elicited a fine response. I enclose one. over the years. If you can help me in any your newsletters and information of your Regrettably, I cannot attend the 1977 way at all I would be most grateful. up-coming convention. I've found all the Reunion. Faithfully yours, pieces extremely interesting and am enclos- My present address: Lloyd G. Furthmyer R. Ives ing my check for membership dues. I'm 2307 Oak sorry to say that it probably will be impos- Hays, KS 67601 Dear Ms. Cohen sible to attend the annual convention despite Dear Mr. Eaton: Hope to see you in Lake Geneva and glad the proximity of it being held at Lake (Tom Eaton, Chairman, Board of to be aboard. Geneva. . .only about 70 miles from Madi- Governors) It sure was nice of you to Thank you very much for making it possi- use "JERK'S" son. My wife and I have relatives coming ble for NATURAL 824 picture in that me to visit the Second Air Division this months same week from California and Memorial at News Letter. I helped Vic with making it, Alabama for a the Norwich Central Library reunion. . .but if the chance last week. It made me realize so you could use it. He started me out with presents itself, I'll certainly try to break how deeply the association. rooted good British-American relations are in away for a day to attend. East I was supply Tec with the 470 Sub My Anglia, and how much persons like Depot, tour of duty in the ETO started in the yourself have done which was part of the 467 BG. In fact we summer of 1944 (after to make that so. I know D-Day) and ended Mr. Armstrong has good were one of the first ones there, to get the abruptly in Jan. '45 on the 20th mission memories of his base ready for time in East Anglia, and the members of the them. It was a fine group to when we had to force land at Bulltofta and Second have been part of. were interned in Sweden. Division who founded and have I had lost my helped maintain the Will always remember when it arrived. original crew after 11 missions and Memorial must feel very was fly- much the same. I only regret Lord HA HA welcomed it to Rackheath on ing as pilotage navigator on lead crews — Mr. Armstrong was not able to be with me in Norwich: the BBC, that was some day. heading for the magic number of 25. My he Was transferred would have enjoyed visiting the Memorial. to the la during the MOS was 1035 — Bombardier, but as you Many Bulge like a lot of us were. Made know we had all thanks also for the fascinating book it out been checked out in navi- on Victorian and OK. Signed up with the Reserves and by gation too in the ETO. Edwardian Norfolk: I was luck was with the able to use it immediately to help me decide first Troop Carrier outfit I'm looking forward anxiously to more of what called up, the 437th of Chicago the kind I most wanted to see in Norwich, and to go to of news and information I've al- it will be a Japan and Korea. ready noted in your newsletter. permanent memento of a very I have two pictures of Witchcraft Cordially, pleasant visit. the 824 I know a little of the 467BG which made over 100 missions Karl Eisele (93rd) of your problems, and of without turning back. the plans you have for making the Memorial Sincerely, Dear Bill: an even more significant element in the life of the people Jack F. Rothschild (467 BG) Reading Earl of Norfolk. I wish you every F. Zimmermans "Hethel success in your efforts. Highlights" in the March 76 newsletter Sincerely, brought back Dear Evelyn Cohen, vivid memories of seeing that Anne particular 8-24 break formation Armstrong My name is Joseph Errante (pronounced with black Ambassador E-ran-t). I am a member of the 8th Air smoke pouring from it. Force Historical Society. I am wondering if I remember the aircraft finished about two you can help me. I am looking for former meters from some trees shielding quite a members and information on a unit assigned hollow in the ground. to the 2nd Air Division during 15, Sep- Thanks Earl. tember (then with 2nd BD) till VE Day Sincerely, (from Jan 1, 1945 under 2nd control). David Sergeant The unit was 5th Emergency Rescue 329 Parkland Cres Squadron. I hope you can contact some Laingtom. 2641. former members of this unit or anyone with Albury. N.S.W., Australia any information pertaining to the 5th Emergency Rescue Squadron (formerly the Dear Evelyn, Air Sea Rescue Squadron under 8th FC, Our crew was shot down Sept. 12, 1944. 65th Fighter Wing Control under 15 Sep- We were captured — only two were killed. tember when re-designated 5th Emergency To the fellows who flew in our Squadron Rescue Squadron under 2nd AD control) No. 577 the same day on the same raid, we I need this information for research for an made it ok. Thanks for the help — moving article that I hope to write. I really hope out of the way when we bailed out. "Let's make a clean break and start all you can help me. If you do contact former Henry F. Jurgens over again." —Cpl. John W. Murphey 15 - -4 41.11.4

truck. Everyone With the home began by troop train's arrival phase of the trip gradually Clyde, in Greenock, or The first sites on the base the first phase of on the Firth of look as now familiar leaving next the trip home took a last shows a convoy phase would be comes to an end. The distance. This photo control by boat — the faded in the a deserted Elizabeth. This Queen Mary or then empty hangar and photo shows men the Hardwick with the board one of the on the ferry going background. Queens. The out to tower in the was cool, weather? Sorry damp, windy and you asked! It The same with occasional as it was upon bursts of drizzle. some. arrival almost three years earlier for

LOOKING BACK

Photo of medal purchased for 10 shillings by Bob Coleman (93rd) and designed specifically for the folks Maj. Ramsay Potts left examines shell back home honoring the next-of-kin in the fragment he picked up in his plane which service. Actual size from bow knot to sported the same serial number as his bottom is IN inches. A nice memento. plane — 985. Coincidence or fate? The next best thing to being home for Christmas — opening the packages. The wrappings and cartons also provided fuel for the fire!

The first of the new models B-24 with the nose turret arrives at Hardwick. Not only were the flexible nose guns gone but there were many other improvements and modifications.

British ladies do their bit. Not only were This is not something out of the dark they good but they were pretty also. They ages. It's a British steamroller circa 1942, Sacks of cement make for relaxation and could handle a shovel as well as any man and a mighty steamroller it was when it comfort during noon break for this civil- — and better than most! came to smoothing out those runways. ian worker.