Newsletter of the 385th Bombardment Group Memorial Association 1942 - 1945 • Great Ashfield - (Suffolk, England • Station 155 Th e Eighth Vol. 19 Number 3 August, 2001

Villagers ready to show they have winning spirit

A small village with a big heart is in the running for a petition. prestigious award to recognise its community spirit. Chairman of the parish council, Roy Barker, said: “We Great Ashfield, near Bury St Edmunds, has a population went out in 1998 and asked villagers, ‘What do you want to of just over 200, but the villagers are hoping their efforts over do for the Millennium?’ We are doing the same for the recent years will be recognised. Queen’s jubilee next year. The community is in the running for the Village of the “What came back was new church doors, a village party Year award, given by the Suffolk Association of Local like the one for the jubilee in the 1930s, and a Domesday Councils. It is the first time the village has entered the com­ Continued on page 2... Hardlife Herald Table of Contents 385th Bombardment Group (H) Page Federal IRS Tax Exempt Code #501 (C) (19) 52-1068468 1 Great Ashfield Community Spirit Officers 2 Officers & Table of Contents PRESIDENT CHAPLAIN 3 Food & Freedom Proclamation Leo A. LaCasse, Col. Rev. James H. Vance 4 Oregon Gov. 8th AF Week Proclamation USAF, Ret. 10901-176th Circle NE 4911 Hunting Hills Ct. Apartment 3524 5 Presidents Report Roanoke, VA 24014 Redmond, WA 6 Chaplain & Soft Life Side Column [email protected] 98052-7218 [email protected] 7 Column 1ST. VP 8 Air Stories by Frank R. Mays William W. Varnedoe Jr. EDITOR HH 5000 Ketova Way SE Tom Newton 9 Tom Helman Column Huntsville, AL P.O. Box 34 10 The Most Unbelievable Landing of a B-1 7 35803-3702 Dallas, OR 97338-0034 [email protected] 503-623-3935 11 A Tribute to Charles T. Chambers [email protected] 12 Above Continued & Editors Comer 2ND. VP Maurice Nysether SECRETARY 13 Application for Thank-You-America Certificate 424 Cario St. Jerome Mudge 14 Address for French Consulates San Marcos, CA 850 Alder St. 92069-2331 Edmonds, WA 15 Luxembourg, During the Battle of the Bulge [email protected] 98202-3301 16 Letters [email protected] 3RD. VP 17 Letters Arthur Driscoll, Jr. TREASURER 18 Bulletin Board 4500 Post Rd. Apt. H75 Verne D.J. Philips Nashville, TN 37205 PO Drawer 5970 19 Bulletin Board [email protected] Austin, TX 78763 20 Bulletin Board [email protected] 4THVP 21 Selected Statistics - B-17's Chuck Smith 8TH AF HIST. 22 Treasures Report & Bus. meeting minutes P.O. Box 329 CONTACT Alpharetta, GA Jerry Donnelly 23 Taps 30009-0329 10770 SW 46th 24 Application for Membership & Renewal chucksmith© smith Miami, FL 33165 industrialsales.com 305-221-3592

...continued from page 1 Past Presidents book where we have got a record of everything that was going on in the village in the Year 2000. ‘Ruel G. Weikert ‘Frank B. Walls “We raised just over £20,000 for these three projects. A lot of them are now Vincent W. Masters ‘John C. Ford coming to fruition, although we have still got the church doors to do, which are ‘James H. Emmons ‘Paul Schulz going to cost £15,000." ‘Forrest V. Poore William A. Nicholls In the past, the Village of the Year award was given to the best-kept village in ‘Earle Cole Sam Lyke Suffolk, but now that the prize rewards community spirit Great Ashfield decided it ‘Sid Colthorpe ‘Robert C. Smith was worth entering for the first time. Bob Valliere Mike Galllgher The village does not have its own pub or shop, although it has a post office. At Tom Newton the heart of the community are institutions such as the church, village hall, and the airfield, which was used by British and American servicemen in the Second World Honorary Members War. Mr Barker said. “There are so many people who do little things within the vil­ Roger Feller Eldon Nysether lage which are not recognised but which are always being done, like tidying up the Mayor Ferdinand Unsen village hall and around the village sign. People just do it free of charge. Reprinted from the East Anglian Daily Times

2 - Hardlife Herald • August 2001 food and freedom

OPERATION CHOWHOUND iu> - fka MAY IMS 490 BG A TRIBUTE TO "DIE Bu. ARMY AIR FORCE

After the bares winter of 1944-1945 the inhabitants of the still Garman-occupied Western part of the Netherlands waw at the brim of starvation. Having supported the Allies by going on strike the Dutch Railways prevented the enxny from sending troops to the battle rone during Operation Market-Garden in September 1944. In retaliation the Germans denied the people of the Netherlands the seme means of transportation to carry badly needed food from the agricultural cast to the densely populated west of the country. After pleas by Her Majesty Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands to President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and PnmeMinwter Sir Winston Churchill General Dwight D.Eisenhouwer, Supreme Commander Allied Expeditionary Forces was ordered 1 to arrange foi relief Bomber Commend, Royal Air Force and the 8th American Army Air Force were detailed to carry oui miMions of mercy to save the Dutch ^***t*« wntik W« *9 Between 1st and 8th May Boeing B17 Flying Fortresses flew 2189 misions, 38S BG dropping 4,155.8 tons of food at nine drop tones 95 BG

The people of the Netherlands gratefully acknowledge the help provided by the men who fougth to free mankind and who finished their war by bringing salvation rather than destruction Thanks to their efforts millions of people survived in freedom once again.

100 BG 3 Sf

we will never forget.

Bcmhxrd. Prince of Nnttariuuto

388 BG 34 BG

390 BG '*3 nr August 2001 Hardlife Herald - 3 "Mighty 8th Air Force Week"

October 8-14 has been proclaimed Mighty 8th Air Force Week. We need your help to promote Mighty 8th Air Force Week. Contact your local chapter of the 8th Air Force Historical Society and obtain a copy of your State 8th Air Force Proclamation. Have your local paper print the proclamation & feature WWII stories by local 8th Air Force Veterans. 385th member Hal Goetsch, who was our last reunion host in Albuquerque is chair­ man of the public relations and publicity committee of the Historical Society and has been working very dili­ gently on this project. Please refer to his article on page 19, June, 2001 issue of the 8th AF News. If you need a sample copy of a proclamation a copy of the one we are using in Oregon is herewith or

4 - Hardlife Herald August 2001 PRESIDENTS REPORT By Leo A. LaCasse, Col., USAF, Ret.

European Tour 2002 Some members have expressed interest in a mini reunion to Europe in 2002. To arrange a tour slightly dif­ ferent than the 2000 visit to Great Ashfield, Normandy, Paris and Perle has become a nightmare. Many of you have written to me asking for more time in Germany and less time cramped in a bus for long hours. What better way to accomplish this then to plan a Rivers of Europe Boat Cruise from Amsterdam to Vienna. Twelve days on the Rhine, Mainz and Danube Rivers to see many of the cities bombed by the 8th Air Force in WW 11. Unfortunately Grand Circle Tour Agency refused to cooperate in setting up a plan that would allow us to spend the required days at Perle prior to the Cruise. Unable to agree on a solution, the plan was scrapped. Vantage Tour Inc. on the other hand offered a similar Cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest at a lower cost for sixteen days. Unfortunately, the dates to accomplish this Cruise conflicted with the dates we are committed to participate in the European National Memorial Day ceremonies scheduled from Perle. To rearrange the Tour dates with Vantage Tours Inc. would have required nearly six weeks away from home at a prohibitive cost. That plan was also scrapped. But, thanks to Vantage for all their help in trying to get us a wonderful vacation. Now for the plans about to be implemented. Roger Feller from Luxembourg has several ideas to make our Tour 2002 a memorable visit to Perle. Details are not finalized at this writing. First and foremost are the cere­ monies in Perle, i.e. Memorial Services in the Church at Perle, dedication of the Town Center in honor of two 385th Crews who collided over Perle. Ribbon cutting of the new Museum named and honoring the 385th BG, Dedication of a plaque and planting of a tree in Bastogne honoring 385th crew members. There are other cere­ monies planned which I will not go into details at this time. Roger Feller is making plans for a Tour of Luxembourg, a one day cruise on the Moselle River with a visit to a wine factory. A possible bus tour along the Rhine River stopping in Koblenz, Cologne and other cities on the way to Amsterdam where we would depart for the USA. Hopefully, the plans will be completed before the November Now for the difficult part. For me to block 50 to 100 seats on KLM/Northwest I must deposit $100 from each person planning to attend by September 15. That deposit must be sent to me at the address on the cover of the HLH. Once I have made the reservations in your name if you cancel a refund in full amount up to 120 days prior to departure. At 30 days before departure your deposit is refundable but would be mailed to you after the tour flight is completed. (June 2002) After the 30 day limit an administrative fee would be charged. The total cost of this plan is yet unknown. A ball park estimate can be figured by each person planning to attend. Airfare from West Coast $972 plus $73 in taxes U JJ Mid-west $821 JJ U JJ Souther States $817 U JJ u JJ N.E. &S.E. $746 JJ I believe another charge of $160 can be added to this for various port calls. This airfare is a round trip based on 10 or more people departing from each of the Gateway areas, i.e. Mi Detroit or Atlanta. The cost of lodging in the Perle area is $100 per person per night including breakfast and dinner. The Bus and Tour package after Perle is unknown. Mayor Unsen has a Tour Agency and busses which he would provide for the package. We should have costs available by the next HLH. The dates for the 2002 European Tour are, departure from the USA from any of the Gateways will be May 22 arriving in Luxembourg at 11:00AM May 24. Return to the USA not yet established. A good guess would be at least one week after Perle festivities. Arrangements to return to the USA can be made from any major city in Europe in the event some of you would like to be on your own after the Perle visit. “If anyone out there would like to add their two cents worth about what to do next year to make our Tour more enjoyable, please don't hesitate to add your comments when you send in your $100 deposit. I need to know how many are interested in going soonest.” Our next regular scheduled reunion will probably be in Hampton, VA in October 2003.

Thanks, Leo August 2001; — Hardlife Herald - 5 CHAPLAIN SEZ By Rev. James H. Vance

Greetings and Salutations, but one more will not hurt him at you, Tom, and don’t get discour­ Back in 1981 Katherine all. I made this statement in 1993 aged when you are dealing with Hepburn had this to say about but I feel like saying it again in this slow characters like me. growing older. “When you’re my article. One time when Ed was in Another one that deserves age, it’s as if you’re a car. First a Bellevue, Washington, he referred a bouquet is Geri, my wife of 58 tire blows, and you get it fixed. to himself as the “One that years. Man has she put up with a Then a headlight goes out and pestered me for my articles for lot. Being a Ministers wife is a you get that fixed. And then one the Hard Life Herald.” Well he tough life but living with a retired day you drive into a garage and was never a pest because I need­ minister is even tougher. It takes the man says, “Sorry, Miss, they ed to be needled from time to me much longer to prepare a don’t make this kind any more!” time. He did an excellent job of message or doing anything, as A quiet thought to think editing and edifying us about our most wives of retired husbands about, isn’t it. 385th BGM Assoc, and under no know, soooo lets all give our Well anyway, as they say, circumstance was he ever a pest. wives the live bouquets they retired people do not buy green Thanks Ed. deserve or at least the verbals bananas any more. Soooo why But that being said I want to ones they all love. Wives, MEN don’t we give out some flowers throw another bouquet to the new love it too. now while we are still getting Editor of the Hardlife Herald. He That’s my flowers for this repairs and eating green has started out right by ‘needling’ time. God is blessing us all bananas. me for my article for Chaplain (deserving or not) so why not tell One deserving to receive Sez. From what I can understand someone how much you love flowers is Ed. Stern, our retired and see Tom Newton will be them and appreciate what they Editor of our Hard Life Herald. He doing a good job also on the do. has received many such things Hardlife Herald. Blessings on Roses to you all - Jim

THE SOFT LIFE SIDE By Marian Gallagher

Laughter is infectious! Do apart. The humor of children is so the Pilot.” you remember when you were a lit­ innocent and honest. I pass these “No matter how hard you try, tle girl and, sometimes in church or gems on to you: you can’t baptize a cat,” said Becky in Sunday school, one of your A 6-year-old was overheard to her little brother. friends would start laughing and reciting the Lord’s Prayer at a The Sunday school Teacher you would get the giggles and church service. “And forgive us our asks, “Now, Johnny, tell me the couldn’t stop? Who can ever forget trash passes as we forgive those truth, do you say prayers before the episode of the Mary Tyler who pass trash against us.” eating?” “No Sir,” little Johnny Moore Show when Mary was in the Teri asked her Sunday replies. “I don't have to. My mom is funeral home attending a memorial school class to draw pictures of a good cook.” service for Bozo the Clown? She their favorite Bible story. She was “When your mom is mad at found the service so hilarious she puzzled by Kyle’s picture, which your dad, don’t let her brush your couldn’t stop laughing. showed four people in an airplane. hair! This column was created She asked him which story it was A little girl became restless because Darla and I enjoyed listen­ meant to represent. ‘The flight to as the preacher’s sermon dragged ing to you laugh at our ridiculous Egypt,” said Kyle. “I see... And that on and on. Finally, she leaned over Morning Breakfast Shows. We must be Mary, Joseph and Baby to her mother and whispered, want you to continue laughing with Jesus, Ms. Teri said. “But who’s the “Mommy, if we give him the money us even though we may be far fourth person?” “Oh, that’s Pontius, now, will he let us go?” 6 - Hardlife Herald August 2001 TRUMAN SMITH COLUMN (Author, The Wrong Stuff)

It seems that Edward great comfort to come “home” to It was never proved to be Stern must have been born a an unheated chicken house and punishment, but we returned gentle boy who remained gentle two small - Too Small - cold from a mission one evening to into manhood. Edward Stern, stoves, because there was a find that our bunks were cov­ yet free from sternness, harsh­ shortage of fuel. ered with bundles of mail. “What ness, or violence. I’m sure it didn’t make in hell is this?” The orderly said We met over a half-centu­ Captain Stern happy when we that Captain Stem had ordered ry ago at the 550 Bombardment started chopping up the wooden us to censure the mail. We all Squadron of the 385th walkways that kept us out of the suspected that the “Mother Hen” Bombardment Group, where mud and making kindling of the was exercising authority over Army Air Force Captain Edward inside blackout doors, but we the hen house. Stern was the Executive Officer. had to have some heat. One He was in charge of our home evening a bombardier brought CUT TO THE CHASE: away from home at the Great an incendiary bomb back from a Ashfield Air Station. We were mission to solve our problem. It was about thirty years wayward warriors who had Surely the Germans would not later that Captain Edward Stern come to meet the Hun in that object to us saving just a little became known as "ED" Stern greatest of all conflicts: World heat for ourselves. the Editor of the Hardlife Herald, War Two. It was riot a little heat. It for the entire bomb group, which Captain Stern was not was a GREAT HEAT! It was so pulled we few, we precious few, only senior to most of us, he hot that it crumbled the brick into a band of brothers known was superior to us in manner, insulation of the stove and melt­ as the 385th Bomb Group the exemplar of an officer and a ed away the iron stove itself, Memorial Association, for we gentleman. Our relationship causing the chimney to fall and had become scattered far and could have been improved only leaving a hole in the roof to let in wide. by his getting us enough coal to more cold. All of which left us Such dedication and effort keep from freezing off our with only one little stove. had to be a labor or Love, asses, and fingers and toes. It I’m not saying this was the because nobody HAD to do it. wouldn’t have taken much, fault of Captain Stern, who Yet, it has resulted in our History because we had only two small remained very cool about us that shall remain after we have stoves to heat an uninsulated - making our quarters cooler. all finished out final tour and it well, think of it as a chicken After all there was a war going leaves a conduit for those who house. on and there were shortages follow us. Our task was to spend the that had to be accepted and Thank you Ed Stern from daytime over enemy occupied dealt with. In fact we all all of us and from those who are Europe in temperatures around remained cool as a result of the following. 60 below freezing. So it was no situation. Truman Smith

Send Your E-Mail It has been suggested that we start a page with member’s e-mail address. If you are interested in sharing your e-mail address with other members please e-mail it to [email protected] In subject box identify as 385th e-mail.

August 2001 — Hardlife Herald - 7 Air Stories [385BG] "Off The Record (2)" By Frank R. Mays, Author of “And No Purple Heart”

After all the Basic Training the flight line one afternoon was after the second cartwheel I was sent to Mechanic’s watching a group of B-24s the B-24 flattened out and skid­ School. One of the Instructors return from a combat mission. ded across the grass on the far thought I was good enough I The bombers were flying low side of the field. After sliding a should get some in-flight train­ over the base and many seemed couple hundred feet the B-24 hit ing. He pulled a few strings and to have sustained lots of flak the middle of a one story cin- I was transferred to flight-status. damage. One B-24 set down on derblock maintenance building. It didn’t take long for me to the Ashfield strip with two The B-24 and building disinte­ understand if I put in four hours engines not running. I could not grated, however there was not a in a month I would receive 50% tell what happened but the B-24 sign of fire. of base pay for flying. Thirty- did a wheels-up landing and As the emergency equip­ some dollars extra per month crashed at the far end of the ment raced towards the crash added to my Corporal pay was strip. site I turned and walked to my like a Christmas Present. As I watched a second B- hut. I knew there was nothing I My spare time was spent 24 was attempting to make a could do to help. I later learned at the flight line begging rides on landing. It was coming straight in there were several English anything that flew as an with wings doing a see-saw and grounds caretakers in the build­ “Observer.” There was one light two right engines, No 3 & 4, not ing when the bomber hit and all bomber I refused to ask for a running. Just before the wheels were killed along with the B-24 ride. That airplane was a great touched down a third engine, No crew. low-level bomber - the B-26. I 2., wind-milled making a pop­ After returning to the was led to understand - with ping noise. That was it I The States I flew some in B-24s as a both engines having a problem - right wing dropped hitting the gunnery instructor, but was a B-26 had the aerodynamics of tarmac - sending the B-24 in a always apprehensive. a Brick! cartwheel motion for several Anybody else remember I would rather have not gutwrenching moments. I think it the incident of the B-24 crash? flown in B-24s as they had a similar wing design as the B-26. The “Davis” wing on a B-24 was long and narrow, not providing the lift same as a B-17. Also, I Books Authored by 385th Members had observed a B-24 with a nose wheel problem when land­ ing and it was not a pretty sight. Letters to Hardlife Thomas A. Helman One night recently I heard And No Purple Heart Frank R. Mays Andy Rooney on the History Channel say, “The B-24 could Fear Faith Courage Willard Richards carry a bigger payload and fly further than a B-17 - but going The Wrong Stuff Truman Smith into combat I would rather fly the B-17 because of the rugged Your Editor recommends that every 385th member design and ability to sustain should have a copy of these fine books. They may damage and continue to fly.” be purchased from the author, their address is in Moving along - At Great your 385th BGMA roster. Ashfield in England, I was on

8 - Hardlife Herald August 2001 Tom Helman Column (Author of “Letter to Hardlife” It's not often one is asked to rubber goose among ‘em. pages of HLH. show off a picture of an old friend However. It was in 1986 that Richey of Army days, plus given the pleas­ Imagine all that love appeal and I, plus our tail gunner Gesser, ure of telling some pretty tall tales, over an airplane becoming lost in met for the first time in over forty all about her. “Her" you say? Yes I the dark when nearly forty years years, at the B-17 fiftieth birthday do. But if ever there be a qualm after that record day of October 10, party in Seattle. It was there we about gender, whether it’s “him” or 1943,1 discovered the Richey crew became 385th BGMA life mem­ “her”, she was one Queen was not flying our darling 230737 bers, and first heard of the HLH. Aeronaut, to all we lucky few who on that day, but indeed “a loaner”. During and after our first flew in her. All this because 737 was grounded crew reunion, appropriately held in Now that beauty queen of from some serious battle wounds Richey’s home state Ohio in our whom I speak is Captain John encountered the day before on the Dayton reunion of 1987, it was Richeys champion B-17, the Ohio Marienburg, Germany mission. Oh agreed we needed a crew record Air Force of the 549th Squadron, my! for all to have and hold. Hence was from our own great Great Ashfield. Needless to say it, but born the book, Letters To Hardlife, I am Tom Helman his most worthy wouldn’t you know that this would aptly so because a goodly percent­ scribe and copilot, - just call me set off a hurry up hunt to who age was just that, Letters to (from) Spinner, please. knows where. I had no clue to this Hardlife. Now if she be Queen of the gallant ship’s name and number. We do have friends some Ball for a season, pay it no mind. From Archives I found on the load very nice ones, I have found. Talk Like a gaggle of geese, all her sis­ list the number 42-5963. And the about a pleasant surprise. It came ters of anywhere were look-a-like Ian McLachlan roster is listed in a letter from a young beauties, and plenty good enough 237963 as Sleepy Time Gal; with Englishman from Bury St for the Army life, mine anyhow. But Bill Varnedoe showing the number Edmunds, over there. He had read more than that I say, she was an F 4237963. the book that was loaned to him by Model. A one letter word it may be. Not that It mattered, but I a neighbor and mutual friend, Ian But our Lady was, believe me, a fox. concluded that Sleepy Time Gal Hawkins, same place. Ian wrote What a treasure are their was the airplane I was seeking, in two great books on the Munster names. To think, ten good men, all spite of the difference in the serial mission. jocks, stuffed in planes like the Big numbers. The numbers 42 merely It seems he liked the book so Gas Bird, to name just one. means a mfg date of 1942. And the well, it had inspired him to build a Howcum I never thought of that numbers most used by everybody model B-17, a duplicate of the one? was the last three digits. In both Ohio Air Force, and he wished to But what’s in a name? Not rosters, the only #963 I could find buy the book for his own. So it was much to that one who has none. was Sleepy Time Gal. right then and there, a deal was Isn’t a B-17 but a B-17, only just an Most interesting to me is that made, one model builder Mark airplane? But to the owner of the #963 was/is the Pease airplane. Bloomfield gets a book Letters to likes of those neat names of the And on the fateful day of the Hardlife, and-we get the picture. So 385th boneyard, it is heavenly Pease/Hutchins collision, the for everybody, it’s a good day. bliss. Everybody loves a name, Richey crew was directly over them If any should wonder why the especially their own. in the high squadron, a saddened particular pose, a right rear view I kid you not, the name Ohio witness. that displays so vividly that beauti- Air Force has the sex appeal of a In the hustle of researching ful-G-on the dorsal, wonder no rubber goose, but who cares, it the names and numbers of our more. How else to identify the was the airplane, F Model, that lovebird the B-17, I soon found plane’s home port. That big G is for brought us home that sunny after­ myself using the pages of Hardlife all to see. Our own Great Ashfield noon, chased from 25,000 feet Herald to find my way around. This home of the 385- th Bomb Group’s over Munster Germany by at least in short time led to more than B-17 Flying Fortress, lots of them! a million nasty jerry gunners, not a occasional anecdotals gracing the August 2001 — Hardlife Herald - 9 The Most Unbelievable Landing of a B-17 by George Ureke, Lt. USAF (ret.) Submitted by Truman Smith

Flying a bombing mission out speed we didn’t touch down until while sliding straight down the run­ of Foggia, Italy, off of Tortorella US we were halfway down the field. way. As it approached 180 Army Air Field in Italy, during The airplane in front of us degrees, I pushed number 3 and 4 W.W.II, our B-17 caught one hell of made a normal landing and turned throttles full forward. Now we had a lot of flack. All four engines were off at a taxi-strip about five-hun­ “take off” power on all four still running, but ALL flight instru­ dred feet short of the end of the engines. There we were, going ments failed. We had no airspeed runway. That pilot managed to backwards, toward the end of the indicator. Since we were returning land short enough to turn to the runway with all four engines at full from the bombing mission in forma­ left onto that first taxi strip. As he take-off power. tion we didn’t really need flight turned, he looked out his left win­ Well, we stopped right on instruments except for the dow and saw that we were halfway the very end of the runway and approach and landing. When we down the field before we touched immediately started to taxi back to arrived over the base at Tortorella, down. He turned to his copilot and the taxiway we just passed while we peeled off, flying the landing says, “Look out that right window. we were sliding backwards. pattern in trail formation. How to George is going to crash into the You can imagine how scared plan my approach with no air speed gully at the end of the runway.” our navigator, James W Collier, indicator? An idea came to me. (Several British bombers had hit and the bombardier, Lowell E. We’d drop behind the ship in that gully in the past, and they Clifton, were sitting in the nose of front of us, so that on the final blew up.) the airplane, as it approached the approach, we could establish a We finally got the plane on end of the runway and began to rate of closure to ensure that our the mud and I hit the brakes no spin. This maneuver is one that I’m approach would be above stall brakes! (in a B-17, the pilot and sure had never been done previ­ speed. copilot can look out their window ously nor will it ever be done again. Well, in the morning, when and see the wheel on their side). It isn’t something anyone would we took off, the steel mat runway Every time I touched the brakes, want to practice. I can only say that was covered with three inches of the wheels would stop, lock, and on that landing, Ken Goodwin and slimy mud. It had been raining for we’d hydroplane over the mud. I I were both copilots. God was flying weeks. Airplanes, taking off and had one choice, something we’d the airplane on that landing, which landing just pushed the steel mat normally try to avoid. “Ground- is why I call it the most unforget­ deeper into the mud. Every time Ioop” I pulled No. 3 and 4 engines table landing in a B-17. an airplane took off or landed, all the way back. I pushed No. 1 And, you know, we never more and more slimy mud had and 2 throttles forward to take-off heard from anybody. Nobody ever pushed up on top of the steel mat. power, I called for “boosters” and came to ask what had caused us So as we approached the mud- started tapping the right brake (try­ to land backward. All the medals covered runway, there were three ing to ground loop to the right, and we got were for far lesser accom­ or four inches of slippery slime on let centrifugal force tip the left wing plishments. That's why I say, it was top of the mat. But we were not into the ground). We’d damage the God who made that most unbe­ worried (about coming in “hot”), airplane but avoid crashing into lievable landing in a B-17. until I called for flaps. Kenneth D. the gully. Note: If anyone who reads Goodwin, our copilot, replied, “we Normally, the plane would this was one of those in the control don’t have any”. “They’re not com­ turn and leave the runway. But it tower or otherwise saw this land­ ing down”. -And it was too late to was so slimy, the wheels had no ing please contact me: George crank them down by hand. friction to make it turn. The plane Ureke, 20510 Falcons Landing, We weren’t about to go just kept sliding forward. No. 1 and Apt. 1101, Sterling, VA 20165- around again without an airspeed 2 engines at fill take-off power 7596; Phone and Fax: 703-444- indicator. Due to the approach caused the airplane to spin around 6788; email, gureke-aol.com

10 - Hardlife Herald August 2001 A TRIBUTE TO CHARLES THOMAS CHAMBERS By Olga Jones Chambers

I am the widow of Staff Sergeant Charles Thomas Chambers, ball turret gunner on 1st Lt. Robert G. Ritchie’s crew, in the 385th Bomb Group. This is my story: Tommy and I were child­ hood sweethearts. We were married when I was 17 and he was 20, We had a happy, fulfill­ ing marriage that lasted 5 1/2 years and are the parents of two sons, Charles and Thomas. Since Tommy was married with two children, his draft was deferred for many months. There was a great need for good men in the service and the time came for him to go. Tommy was very patriotic Base for about two days, then time we left Gulfport until early and although he really wanted sent up the coast by train to in December of ‘44.” to stay with his family, it was his Camp Kilmer, New Jersey. We He was and still is my time to fulfill his military obliga­ were there for two or three days, hero. I sensed that his job was tion. Once in the service, he vol­ then on a Saturday night before very dangerous. Because of unteered for flying combat mis­ midnight all seven crews of us this, he told me very little about sions. He had heard horror sto­ were taken by ferry boat to New what was required of him. He ries about the danger in flying York docks and boarded the didn’t want me to worry. He had over enemy territory, but there Queen Mary and sailed the next already gotten credit for two was a job to be done and my afternoon. fighters he had shot down. Tommy faced up to that chal­ “It took only five days to On April 4, 1945, I lenge (he was that kind of guy). get from New York to Greenock, received that dreaded notice Tommy told me about his Scotland (near Glasgow); from that he was Missing in Action. It trip overseas in a letter, as fol­ there by train to Eccleshall was a midair collision, off the lows: England, for bomb group coast of Holland; all the men in “When we left Gulfport, we assignment. This took another both planes were lost that day. went to Savannah, Georgia to two days; after that we were The shock of that mes­ Hunter Air Base. We were to get sent to Elmswell (Great sage was devastating. My life new B-17Gs and fly to England, Ashfield), our home base of the has never been the same. In but seven crews didn’t get 385th Bomb Group. Each Bomb one moment I went from being a B17Gs, ours being one that Group had four bomb happily married woman to a didn’t get to fly over. squadrons; ours were the 548th, struggling widow with the sole “Rather than sit around 549th, 559th and the 551th. We care of two young children. and wait for new B-17s, they were assigned to the 548th When the news first came, said we were needed in England Squadron. other loved ones from the other soon. We were at Hunter Air “All this transpired from the crew members and I wrote let­

August 2001 ■■■■i ...... ■■■ = Hardlife Herald -11 ters to each other. At first, we tail of the plane right above him. I spent many lonely, fearful were hopeful, but after a few “For some reason Ritchie’s hours, especially while Tommy weeks, when we realized all was aircraft slid forward under was overseas. I never faced the lost, the tone of the letters Crimmins. To decelerate, he reality of his not coming back changed to one of sorrow and raised the nose of his plane. It until that day, April 4, 1945, sympathy for each other. (I still then struck the aircraft right when the official word came. I have those letters.) It indicated above. The impact was either know now that he had to face that all hope was gone. Tommy right at the tail gunner’s position the reality every day that this was never coming home. or slightly forward. The tail sepa­ one might be the one from I later learned that rated from Crimmins’ plane and which he would not return. I Tommy’s death was the result of became embedded in the nose heard of others not making it. a midair collision. The following of the Ritchie plane. The But not my Tommy! This couldn’t is an excerpt from a letter writ­ Crimmins aircraft nosed up for a ever happen to us - but it did. ten by Mike Gallagher, an eye second then went into a spin All was lost. Many wives, witness to the midair collision and went out of sight. Ritchie sweethearts, mothers and which took his life (Tommy was was able to maintain altitude fathers were left behind. I’ve on Ritchie’s crew.). momentarily, but he too went long since lost contact with the “Tim Crimmins was flying into a spin and spiraled down. families, but there was a bond low section lead and Bob “No ‘chutes were sighted from between us. Ritchie was the element lead. either plane.” Tommy Chambers, my one This placed Ritchie directly I’m very proud of our sons. and best love, was one of many below Crimmins and slightly to The older, Charles, was military, unsung heroes, who gave up his rear. So Ritchie positioned retired now after two tours in everything. I’m making sure that himself slightly under and Vietnam. The younger is in his memory will live in my chil­ behind the tail of Crimmins’ Hospital Administration in a dren and grandchildren. plane. He maintained his posi­ large hospital. My grandchildren tion by visual reference to the are successful.

EDITOR’S CORNER

It is of interest to all of us items that I will run in the future the Historical Society. Thanks & who were at Great Ashfield to however I will need more for the good luck Hal. receive the newspaper article next issue of the HLH so keep Tom Newton, Editor (see cover page) about Great sending news items. Ashfield Community spirit. What I do hope you will help pro­ a lively group of citizens they mote “MIGHTY 8TH AIR are. Having been around Roy FORCE WEEK” in your local Barker at several reunions in area. I wish to thank our 385th England and here in the States, member Hal Goetsch, our we all know what an involved Albuquerque reunion host for sparkplug he can be. Lets hope the great job he did for us at our they win the contest. last reunion. Check our financial Thank you all for your sup­ statement and you see the prof­ port in taking my request to it we made at the last reunion heart for the columns, news arti­ which has put the group on a cles, photos, and letters. I really much firmer financial footing. do appreciate the receiving all Now Hal is busy promoting the material. I have a number of Mighty 8th Air Force Week with

12 - Hardlife Herald August 2001 Embassy of France "Thank-You-America Certificate" Please read carefully the attached instructions and return this form to your Veterans Association or nearest Consulate General of France (see list behind):

Recommendation for the Certificate to Recognize the allied Soldiers Who Took Part To The Normandy Landing And Contributed To The Liberation Of France 1944-1945

Last Name: First Name: Middle Initial:

Date of Birth : Street Address:

Town: State: Zip: Telephone:

Major Combat Unit (Army, Division, Naval ship, Coast Guard vessel, Numbered Air Force) :

World War H Serial Number:

Duration of armed services on French territory, airspace or waters during World War H and dates (year, month and day, please attach copy of military records):

Dates of Service — From: Until:

Where did you serve in France?

If this form is prepared by a third person, please indicate your name, address and phone number below:

To be completed by the veteran :

I,, the undersigned, declare on my honor that the information contained on this form and on the attached copies is exact

Done aton , 2000/2001.

Signature of the veteran:

August 2001 " — ■■■ Hardlife Herald -13 “Thank-You-America Certificate”

The french government has announced an award of a “Thank-You-America Certificate” to living veter­ ans who served in French airspace between June 6, 1944 and May 8, 1945. If you wish to receive the cer­ tificate fill out the attached application and mail it with a copy of your military discharge to the French Consulate serving your State. Addresses herewith.

ATLANTA HOUSTON NEW ORLEANS (Alabama, North Carolina, South (Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas) (Louisiana) Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, French Consulate/ ‘Thank-You -America” French Consulate/ ‘Thank-You -America” Tennessee) 777 Post Oak Boulevard The Amoco Building French Consulate/ “Thank-You -America” Suite 600 1340 Poydras Street Prominence in Buckheak Houston, TX 77056 Suite 1710 3475 Piedmont Road, NE New Orleans, LA 70112 Suite 1840 Atlanta, GA 30305 LOS ANGELES (Arizona, California, Colorado, NEW YORK Nevada, New Mexico) (Connecticut, New Jersey, New York) For California send to LA if your Zip Code BOSTON French Consulate/ ‘Thank-You -America” (Maine, Massachusetts, New is under 93400 934 Fifth Avenue Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont) French Consulate/ ‘Thank-You -America” New York, NY 10021 French Consulate/ “Thank-You -America” 10990 Wilshire Boulevard Park Square Building Suite 300 Suite 750 Los Angeles, CA 90024 SAN FRANCISCO 31 Saint James Avenue (Alaska, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Boston, MA 02116 Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, MIAMI Washington State, Wyoming) (Florida) For California send to LA if your Zip Code is above 93400 CHICAGO French Consulate/ ‘Thank-You -America” (North Dakota, South Dakota, Illinois, One Biscayne Tower French Consulate/ ‘Thank-You -America” Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, 17th Floor 540 Bush Street Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, 2 South Biscayne Boulevard San Francisco, CA 94108 Nebraska, Wisconsin) Miami, FL 33131 French Consulate/ “Thank-You -America” 737 North Michigan Avenue WASHINGTON D.C Suite 2020 (Delaware, District of Columbia, Chicago, IL 60611 Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia)

French Consulate/ ‘Thank-You -America” 4101 Reservoir Road Washington, D.C. 20007

14 - Hardlife Herald August 2001 Luxembourg During the Battle of the Bulge

The recent story about the Luxemburg City. We were sent All during the Battle, Mayor and his wife from to help out the 23rd MR&R who General Omar Bradley kept his Luxemburg brought back fond had lost their trucks and equip­ headquarters on the south side memories of the people of ment which was destroyed when of the city. Each morning he Luxembourg. I spent time in the Germans got close. They would dress warmly and crawl both the 8th and 9th Air Forces. were servicing L-4 Piper Cubs into an open Jeep and move While serving in the 10th Depot used by the artillery for spotting. slowly through the streets of the Repair Squadron at what is now The weather had dropped to city. This was done to calm the know as General DeGaulle below zero. We arrived in the fears the people heard that the Airport, three of us were suburb city of Bertrange. The Germans might return and bru­ ordered to report to the 50th 23rd men were quartered in talize them for fraternizing with Mobile Repair and Reclamation civilian homes. We slept on a us Americans. This turned out to Squadron up at Maastrict, bowling alley the first night. The be the best public relations Holland. The 50th were the men next day I was told that a family move during the war. The people who assembled all of the gliders wanted to take in three men. I still remembered 40 years later used in the Invasion at went and made arrangements. and treated Americans royally. I Crookham Common, England. The couple who owned the had some friends who went over 85 men from that outfit were home were something special. there to do family history. When flown back to England to assem­ We were treated like members the people found out they were ble gliders for a proposed inva­ of their family. We were allowed from the States it was hard for sion of Norway. Every 7th man in to take coffee, sugar, powdered them to keep them from taking the 9th Service command was sugar and even coal to give to them to dinner and into their ordered to the 50th. After a cou­ them. After being invited to have homes. They and the Hollanders ple of months with them, 32 of supper with them we decided to have not forgotten what the Air us formed a cadre and sent to purchase meat and bread and Forces had done for them. Rheims to reorganize a new give it to them. They were not Donald J.Kabitzke squadron for a proposed 15th rationed. We alternated buying 309 Cedar Valley Road Army. This fell through when the the food. We then had some Delafield Wi. 53018 Battle of The Bulge came up wonderful suppers. and used up the manpower. We were able to get ice One night at about 10pm cream from a dairy and also had at a movie, the lights went on a theatre to show movies. We “The Cub is the safest air­ and all of the members of the were allowed to share both with plane in the world; it can Airborne Units on the base with the citizens. us were ordered to report to When the 4th Armored just barely kill you.” their orderly rooms right now. By relieved Bastogne, Patton -attributed to Max Stanely, 5 in the morning there was no ordered them back to Northrop test pilot evidence that they had been on Luxemburg. He gave them 24 the base. They were on their hours to repair and lubricate way by truck to Bastogne. their equipment and rest. “If you’re faced with a The next day, the 32 of us The streets of Bertrange forced landing, fly the thing were loaded on trucks headed were solid with tanks and all for Nancy, France We were sorts of military Equipment. We as far into the crash as forced to sleep in a hay mow shared our movies and ice possible.” that night. The next morning 16 cream with them. They were a -Bob Hoover of us boarded trucks headed for great bunch. No friction.

August 2001 - - ...... - Hardlife Herald -15 Letters

Tom, I just read Andy Rooney’s “MY WAR” in which he mentioned the 385th twice. First on Dear Tom, pg. 84 there is a pic of him boarding a 385th Di and I would like to thank the 385th Association for the B-17 in which he claims to have flown a mis­ wonderful reception we received at the Albuquerque Reunion. It sion, second on pg. 190 he refers to a 1 st Lt. was so well organised by Hal and his wife, and by the Executive Earl Mazo who was the 385th PR. Officer Officers, led by yourself. prior to D-Day. If Rooney is still around in ‘03 We welcome the appointment of Leo LaCasse as President he should be invited to the reunion in and look forward to working with him in the next two years. Hampton! In Albuquerque it felt like we were being re-united with Don Baker Family and this is what we want to get across to other ‘next gen­ erations' - the sons, daughters and grandchildren of all you men. Please could you print all of this e-mail in Hard Life Herald to encourage the families of 385th members to become involved in the Association. We were so pleased to meet up with several ‘next genera­ tions’ in Albuquerque, and delighted at the long-term development of the appointment of ‘young’ Chuck Smith, son of Charlie C. Smith, as 4th Executive Vice President. The future of the Association and all the fellowship between nations that it generates, will one day be passed down into younger hands and it would be great if others of our generation and younger would think about coming to reunions both in the USA and in Europe - both with or without their fathers and grand­ fathers. The more youngsters that are involved in reunions, the more tours and meetings that will be put on to help them increase their knowledge of what the 385th means to you guys, to us in Great Ashfield and to Roger Feller and the people of Perle, Luxembourg. So the message of this letter, going out to sons, daughter and grandchildren of all 385th members, is - COME AND JOIN THE 385th FAMILY!! Just a note to let the world know that we do Thank you Tom. have a WWII Memorial and it is on my front All good wishes to you and Darla. lawn in Little River SC. After donating money Sincerely, Roy Barker to Washington Battle Monument Comm, for P.S. a few years and waiting during all the delays Q.: Why was the chicken racing down Route 66 in such a I decided to do it my way. I asked for and hurry? received a refund of some of my donations. A.: To escape the 385th Banquet in Albuquerque! Drew plans and with some help, created a And to all you reading that and not getting the real joke - you Memorial for my front lawn as I promised missed a hilarious time in Albuquerque, so book in for the next Washington. I had an eye operation in July reunion as soon as it is organised! - Roy while building the Monument and it rained almost daily, but I had a mission to complete the Memorial as soon as possible. It was completed on my birthday, July 24th my 84th. I have been getting compliments from “The only time an aircraft has too much fuel on some of my Veteran friends and neighbors. board is when it is on fire.” Same pictures and story also sent to Battle - Sir Charles Knigsford Smith, Monuments Comm, in Washington DC and local news papers. sometime before his death in the 1920’s

Regards, Thomas Gentile Little River, SC 16 - Hardlife Herald Letters If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin’.

“Never fly the ‘A’model of anything.” - Ed Thompson

Dear Tom, I was in Serafin’s crew...1944 The New Hardlife Herald is great..I am saving it for my scrapbook..it has so much historical facts about the group. I was especially interested in the article about the Tom Newton, bombing attacks because I was there on the night of 23 May 44. We heard this guy prowling around in the dark but Enclosed you will find a picture of Ohio did not think much of it thinking it was one of our guys Air Force the plane (B-17) featured on the doing patrol. Then suddenly that awful ever increasing last Newsletter of the 385th BGMA. Thought crescendo of bombs coming at us until that final BOOM... this might be interesting to the powers that hunks of the hardstand started to come down on the ready be. room where we were changing after briefing for the days This is one of the pictures I took back in mission to Chaumon, France.. 1943, 1944 or 1945 (don’t recall date) of As a bombardier I had dropped tons of them but this Nose Art. time I was on the receiving end..you never forget that Charles A Auston shrieking sound, once you have heard it..I knew what those on the receiving end felt.. Years later my navigator laughingly reminded me about how he from his safe bunker, (never knew we had any) saw me tearing by...heading to safety...I had tried to butt my way through the thick wall of the ready room, Good Morning, Tom! before finding a door to head out. The 385th should be informed that “one The guy was un-lucky in a way because he could of our own” was one of the platform speakers have wiped out the entire personnel had that string of (along with President Bush) at the dedication bombs laid down been just a hundred yards or so more to of the Overlord (D-day) memorial on June 6th. the right of the hanger that he hit. The door of the hanger was broken so that it could not be closed and he had a per­ It was Frank Mays (author of “And No Purple Heart”) fect aiming point..ammunition in the plane went off for a long time after the hit.. hiho - Bob Silver While doing the tour we had heard that a group of 17’s had been wiped out while on the ground in Russia. They had gone on a shuttle flight and German spy plane tailed them and later came the german bombers, .the “Keep thy airspeed up, lest the earth come Russian’s had failed to supply any guns for safety.. Sorry about Mrs. Jumper..she made a re-union trip to from below and smite thee” England with the Colonel..its the last one I attended.. - William Kershner We must also thank Ed Stern for the fine job he did while Editor.. “Never fly in the same cockpit with someone Cordially, Dorn Jordan braver than you.” - Richard Herman Jr. in "Firebreak” = Hardlife Herald -17 August 2001

Floy Barker of Great Ashfield instructing our members at the Albuquerque reunion in the chicken dance. However there were no chickens at the 385th.

Russ took this picture over Germany 1944-1945

Submitted by: Russ Wiesman

Selected Statistics - B-17’s

NUMBER MAX NUMBER MAX MODEL BUILT SPEED RANGE MODEL BUILT S PEED RANGE 229 1 236 3,011 B-17G 8,680 302 3,750 Y1B-17 13 239 2,430 B-17G Built By: Y1-B17A 1 271 ???? Boeing 4,035 B-17B 39 286 3,000 Douglas 2,395 B-17C 38 300 3,400 Vega 2,250 B-17D 42 318 2,540 Total 8.680 B-17E 512 318 3,300 Total Built 12,731 Total 646

B-17F 3,405 325 4,420 Built By Totals: B-17F Built By: Boeing 54.83% 6,981 Boeing 2,300 Douglas 23.56% 3,000 Research and Douglas 605 Vega 21.60% 2,750 complitation by: Vega 500 Total 12.731 Ken Laffoon Total 3,405 12/4/00

August 2001 Hardlife Herald - 21 Minutes of the 385th BGMA Business Meeting 385th Bomb Group Memorial Assoc. BALANCE SHEET April 7, 2001 Albuquerque, NM June, 30, 2001 (Unaudited) The meeting was called to order by President Tom Newton. Mr. Roy Barker of Great ASSETS Ashfield reported on the account of the funds Current Assets: given by the 385th BGMA towards the mainte­ Cash nance of the Church where our Memorial stone is United Heritage - mmkt ckg $7,866.92 located and the Memorial Window and Altar are United Heritage - svg 7,475.91 sheltered. He said that the Funds are well invest­ TOTAL ASSETS 15,342.83 ed and should continue to provide for future main­ tenance needs. Treasurer Verne Philips reported that we are financially sound. President Tom Newton suggested that more income would be LIABILITIES AND CAPITAL needed to support the publishing and mailing of CAPITAL: the Hardlife Herald. The present and future offi­ Retained Earnings 9,675.19 cers of the Association were introduced. Profit for period 5.667.64 President Tom reported an the 2000 Trip to TOTAL LIABILITIES AND CAPITAL 15,342.83 England, France and the 385th Museum at Perle, Luxembourg. The meeting was open for the dis­ cussion of the Dues raise as proposed by the Executive Board to $25 to cover costs of running the Association and Publishing and mailing the STATEMENT OF EARNINGS Hardlife Herald. Also the Life Members were 6-30-01 asked to voluntarily give. A motion was made, seconded and it carried to do so as of January INCOME: Current YTD 1,2002. Nomination of officers followed, for Income - dues 10,005.00 President Leo LaCasse, for 1st.Vice President Income - Schweinfurt Prints 647.50 William W. Varnedoe Jr. for 2nd. Vice President Interest mmkt checking 125.00 Maurice Nysether, for 3rd. Vice President Art Interest - savings 114.29 Driscoll, for Secretary Jerome Mudge and for Income Reunion 3.183.44 Treasurer Verne Philips. It was moved, seconded TOTAL INCOME 14,075.23 and carried to elect the above slate of Officers. Charles Smith reported that the safe of the prints of the Schweinfurt Raid were not going very fast EXPENSES: and that he had 150 of them with him and they Newsletters 7,260.16 were on sale for $25 each. Then a motion was Treasurer Expenses 11.75 made to give Honorary Membership to Mayor Presidents Expenses 1,000.70 Unsen of Rambo, Roger Feller and Eldon Promotions 134.98 Nysether that was seconded and it carried. Leo LaCasse suggested a Possibility of a Tour in 2002 TOTAL EXPENSES: 8,407.59 to England, Holland and a river cruise in Germany. At the Sunday Breakfast Meeting we NET EARNINGS 5,667.64 voted to have at Hampron, Virginia and we elect­ ed Chuck Smith 4th Vice President.

22 - Hardlife Herald' August 2001 Taps

Inscription on a very old tombstone in the ceme­ Donald Collins tery of the 13th Century All Saints Church, Great Ashfield, Suffolk, England, home base for the Roland B. Tanguay, reports the death of 385th Bomb Group during WWII. Bombardier, Lt. Don Collins of the good ship MIS­ FORTUNE, 549th Sq. 385th BG. Don was from

Submitted by Edgar G. Baugh Navigator on Jacobsen’s crew 549th Sq. 12/44 to war’s end

Obituaries

Chester “Chet” Dorn Feb. 2001

James W. Engle Nov. 2000

Glen W. Hubschmidt Dec. 1999

Gordon Stead Dec. 2000

Walter Beauchamp Sept. 1999

Carl “Charlie” Grundler Feb. 2000

Please forward all obituary notices to: Tom Newton PO. Box 34, Dallas, OR 97338-0034

August 2001 Hardlife Herald - 23