44TH BOMB GROUP VETERANS ASSOCIATION

8 BALL TAILS Vol. 1 - Issue #4 Journal of the ft Winter 1995 44th Bomb Group Non Profit Veterans Organization Veterans Association EIN #68-0351397 "WELCOME SIGHT" A Limited Edition signed by two distinguished WWII Bomber Pilots General Leon Johnson & Major General Ramsay Potts

"WELCOME SIGHT" By Robert Taylor 1000 signed & numbered, 27 1/2" x 20 1/2" B-24 Liberators of the 44th Bomb Group pass over Ely Cathedral, aesthetic role in the story of the US Air Force's war effort in England. The Cambridgeshire, after a mission to occupied Europe. Ely Cathedral, men of the 8th Air Force still fondly recall those stirring moments towering above the East Anglian flatlands, was a welcome landmark for returning from a mission, when they spotted that beautiful old monument the returning US 8th Air Force crews. rising from the flatlands of the Fen country, providing an easily recognizable This classic work by Robert Taylor pays tribute to the men of the 8th Air landmark, and thus a bearing on their home base. The Cathedral has ever Force and in particular the gallant crews of the B-24 Liberator, and the since been regarded by the gallant crews of the B-I 7's and B-24's as 'their' contribution they made to the Allies' success in World War II. Returning Cathedral. from a mission, flying over the beautiful Cambridgeshire landscape with The aircraft centered in the Robert Taylor painting is the 68th Bomb Ely Cathedral in the background, the B-24's make an imposing subject. Squadron's 13-24 Fl E-101 (Corky), which is the featured Liberator of this This magnificent 900 year-old Cathedral in fact played more than an issue CoVut

The Cork Ground Crew Left to Right: Joe Crisman, Chuck Wagner, Crew Chief Barton Cramer, 66t1: Sqdn. Operations Officer Frank David° (whose infant boy "Corky" the plane was namesake), and Robert Krueger.

Over the past 2-1/2 years, many members of the 68th German aircraft in mid-October, 1939. Bomb Squadron, 44th Bomb Group who served in One of my mother's school friends won the Victoria England during 1944, to early '45 have received calls Cross, the youngest member of the Royal Air Force to do from a Canadian physician with a Scottish acccnt so in 1940, when the remainder of his crew bailed out, he searching for information regarding a B-24 of the 44th helped his pilot bring their crippled bomber home from Bomb Group by the name of Corky. I have told the story Antwerp. Such were the stories that were told in the of my involvement wit h this plane and picture so many evening to a little boy, who, as most are at that age, was imes, that perhaps it's best that I start from the beginning, interested in war planes. so that the 8 bailers, if they are called again, have an In later years, having moved to Canada in 1978, I understanding of the information I seek. learned to fly and in 1980 when I returned home for a My family comes from the small town of Larnark, 30 year, spent many weekends flying out of Prestwick, up miles sow h of Glasgow, Scotland. My mother was in t he and down the west coast of Scotland and over to Ireland. Women's Royal Air Force and in 1944-45 was a flight One of the sights that I will never forget is the crash site controller dealing with B-24 Liberators with the Royal of a B-24 on the Island of Arran, west of Prestwick. The Air Force Coastal Command. wreckage is still visible even today when one travels to My father was in the British Army, Scots Guards, Glasgow on transatlantic flights. Armored Division and later the connection with this In 1987 the picture, Welcome Sight, by the English plane will become more apparent. artist Robert Taylor was published as a limited edition I was brought up in the late 50's and early 60's when print, which had been signed by General Leon Johnson the personal involvement of many people in the events and RamsayPotts. I must admit, at the time I reallydidn't between 1939 and 1945 were common, with the exploits like the print. At that time, I really wasn't a fan of B-24's, of the famous pilots were in magazines, having been being more interested in the Lancaster and B-17. Two brought up on the exploits of pilots such as Douglas years later, however, the original picture was at the Bader, Johnny Johnson and their German counterparts National Aerospace Museum in Washington at an exit ibit of Adolf Galland and Werner Molders. We all knew of Robert Taylor's works. Having been to Washington on about the famous raid to Ploesti and the daylight raids a visit, I viewed the collection. The original Welcome from magazines and from the movies, including 12 Sight was much more impressive. In early November, O'Clock High, The War Lover, etc. The exploits of 1989 I decided to buy it. Glasgow's own Squadron, 602 City of Glasgow, Auxiliary Knowing Robert, I knew this would represent a real Air Force (equivalent of the National Guard). They were aircraft, but, at that point, the pleasure was of having the the early heroes of the war having downed the first picture. I didn't have any further interest in finding out 2 aboutabout itit untiluntil three t h r e e years years later. later .At At ana n airair show s h o w I Iwas w a s TheThe storystory isis incompleteincomplete as as many m a n y ofof the t h e individuals individuals speakingspeaking ttoo aa locall o c a l collector c o l l e c t o r and a n d be h e indicated i n d i c a t e d that t h a tone o n eof o f frofromm manymany ooff thet h e crewsc r e w s area r e notn o t availableavailable forf o r interviewi n t e r v i e w ththee crewc r e w hhad a d comec o m e ffrom r o m RochesterR o c h e s t e r aand n d hadh a d beenb e e n kkilled i l l e d havinhavingg ppassed a s s e d away.a w a y . AlsoA l s o many m a n y individualsi n d i v i d u a l s have h a v eprom p r o m ised i s e d whewhenn tthe h e pplane l a n e wasw a s shots h o t downd o w n overo v e r Dortmund,D o r t m u n d , Germany G e r m a n y informatioinformationn whichwhich hasn'thasn't yetyet comec o m e available.available. ManyMany JanuarJanuaryy 28,2 8 , 1945.1 9 4 5 . ThisT h i s wasw a s thet h e firstf i r s t informationi n f o r m a t i o n II had. h a d . rememberememberr inin explicitexplicit detail;detail; otherso t h e r s haveh a v e onlyonly sketchys k e t c h y A yearyear laterlater oneo n e ofof mym y patient'spatient's husbandsh u s b a n d s sawsaw thethe memoriesmemories.. TheT h e officialofficial records,r e c o r d s , I'veI've realized,r e a l i z e d ,are ar enever n e v e r picturpicturee inin aa bookb o o k aboutabout RobertR o b e r t Taylor'sT a y l o r ' s paintingsp a i n t i n g s anda n d accurataccuratee anda n d oneo n e frequentlygetsf r e q u e n t l y g e t s conflict c o n f l i c ting i n g information. i n f o r m a t i o n . hahadd rrealized e a l i z e d tthat h a t II was w a s the t h e owner o w n e r of o f the t h e original. o r i g i n a l .He H e toldtold IIff anyonea n y o n e isis left l e f tout, o u t it, isn'tit i s nthat ' t t hI awishedt I w i s hto e ddo t o so, d o but s o , that b u t t h a t mmee somesome moremore detailsdetails aboutabout thethe squadronsquadron andand iinn manym a n y casescases thet h e informationi n f o r m a t i o n jjust u s t wasn'tw a s n ' t available.a v a i l a b l e. IfIf subsequentlysubsequently,, HarryH a r r y GoldbrechtG o l d b r e c h t fromf r o m thethe 8th8 t h AirA i r ForceF o r c e anyonanyonee hash a s aany n y iinformation n f o r m a t i o n thatthat theyt h e y wwish i s h tot o give,g i v e , it i twill w i l l AssociatioAssociationn ini n SanS a n Clemente,C l e m e n t e , California, C a l i f o r n i a ,was w a skind k i n enoughd e n o u g h bbee gratefullygratefully received.r e c e i v e d . ttoo givegive mem e thethe addressaddress ofof PeteP e t e HenryH e n r y inin NewN e w Jersey.Jersey. ThisThis thent h e n isis the t h e story s t o r yof o fWelcome W e l c o m eSight, S i g h t Corky,, C o r k yE-101., E - l 0 1 . ShortlyShortly aafterwards, f t e r w a r d s , ini n October O c t o b e r ofo f 1993, 1 9 9 3 ,I1 was w a sput p u tin i ntouch t o u c h B-2B-244 II-21H - 2 1 BT42-51101BT42-51101 waswas oneone ofof thet h e lastlast planesp l a n e s witwithh WillW i l l Lundy,L u n d y , whow h o youy o u allall knowk n o w asas the t h e BombB o m b GroupGroup produceproducedd inin aa blockblock ofof 149149 H modelmodel B-2.4B-24 LiberatorLiberator historianhistorian.. BomberBomberss contractedcontracted atat thethe ende n d ofof August,A u g u s t , 19431943 andand ThrougThroughh WWill, i l l , I Iwas w a sable a b l eto t ocontact c o n t a c Georget G e o r g Washburne W a s h b u r n produceproducedd byby DouglasD o u g l a s AircraftA i r c r a f t CorporationC o r p o r a t i o n atat it'si t ' s Tulsa, T u l s a , andand SamS a m Armour,Armour, whow h o werewere thet h e co-pilotco-pilot anda n d navigatornavigator OklahomOklahomaa plantplant fromf r o m aa kitkit ofo f partsp a r t s producedp r o d u c e d byby FordF o r d frofromm EElmer l m e r KKohler's o h l e r ' s crewc r e w whow h o flewf l e w CorkyC o r k y 2.32 3 timest i m e s outo u t ofo f MotoMotorr CompanyC o m p a n y atat Willownin,W i l l o w r u n , Michigan.M i c h i g a n . TheThe planeplane 6655 missions.m i s s i o n s . ElmerE l m e r KKohler, o h l e r , thet h e pilot,p i l o t ,had h a d not n o tbeen b e e nseen s e e n camcamee ooff f f thet h e assemblya s s e m b l y linel i n e around a r o u n d the t h e end e n d of o f April, A p r i l ,1944, 1 9 4 4 , sincesince 1947,1 9 4 7 , butb u t eventually,e v e n t u a l l y , with w i t hthe t h ehelp h e l pof o fArt A r tHand H a n dand a n d ththee exacte x a c t dated a t e isis notnot clear clear from f r o m thethe records, r e c o r d s ,but b u t iti twas w a s hihiss trustytrusty PCP C andand CDC D telephonetelephone directorydirectory wew e trackedtracked accepteacceptedd byb y thet h e USAAFU S A A F onon thethe 15th15th ofo f MMay, a y , 1944.1 9 4 4 . TheThe ElmeElmerr downd o w n toto justj u s t outsideo u t s i d e LosL o s Angeles.A n g e l e s . LesterLester Jim)(Jim) planplanee ddid i d notn o t haveh a v e ballb a l l turrett u r r e t anda n d wasw a s oneo n e ooff tthe h e firstf i r s t tot o DietDietzz thet h e radioradio operator,o p e r a t o r , livedl i v e d inin northernn o r t h e r n California;California; havhavee K-6K - 6 waistw a i s t gung u n mounts.m o u n t s . TheseT h e s e werew e r e thethe featuresf e a t u r e s ooff quitquitee closeclose toto RoyR o y OwenOwen andand OliverOliver Cardinal.Cardinal. TheirT h e i r thethe pplane l a n e thatt h a t canc a n beb e determinedd e t e r m i n e d fromf r o m whatw h a t isis available. a v a i l a b l e . engineeengineerr wasw a s jjust u s t acrossa c r o s s thet h e borderb o r d e r inin Michigan.M i c h i g a n . OverOver ShShee waswas ratherrather unusualu n u s u a l inin alsoalso havingh a v i n g heavierheavier armorarmor ththee pastpast twotwo years,years, thet h e followingfollowing storystory hashas beenbeen putput platplatee arounda r o u n d thet h e enginee n g i n e nacelles,n a c e l l e s , though t h o u g h I Ihaven't h a v e n ' tbeen b e e n togethetogetherr ofof theirtheir remembrances,remembrances, fromf r o m thethe NationalNational ablablee tot o confirmc o n f i r m this.this. CommentsC o m m e n t s havehave beenb e e n madem a d e thathatt ArchiveArchivess ini n Washington,W a s h i n g t o n , fromf r o m WillW i l l Lundy's L u n d y ' s records, r e c o r d s ,also a l s o ththee pplane l a n e wasw a s heavierh e a v i e r tthan h a n othero t h e r H'sH ' s anda n d thisthis may m a y ini n fact f a c t thosthosee fromf r o m BillBill BeldingB e i t l i n g ini n KansasK a n s a s City,City, anda n d fromf r o m manymany bbee thet h e reason.r e a s o n . familiefamiliess who'sw h o ' s relativesr e l a t i v e s had h a d passed p a s s e d away a w a y in i nthe t h emeantime. m e a n t i m e . HoHoww sheshe gotgot fromfrom Tulsa,Tulsa, OklahomaO k l a h o m a toto Britain,Britain, OnOnee ooff tthe h e difficultiesd i f f i c u l t i e s isis thatthat 50 5 0 years y e a r s later, l a t e r ,many m a n y of o f whethewhetherr bbyy tthe h e NNorthern o r t h e r n router o u t e oorr SSouthern o u t h e r n router o u t e isis notn o t ththee ppeople e o p l e involvedi n v o l v e d area r e non o llonger o n g e r aalive, l i v e , especiallyespecially those t h o s e availablavailablee fromf r o m thethe availablea v a i l a b l e recordsr e c o r d s ata t thist h i s time.t i m e . involveinvolvedd ini n thet h e lastl a s t flight f l i g h t of o f the t h eplane. p l a n e .However, H o w e v e r ,Matylin M a r y l i n SheShe showsshows asas havinghaving beenbeen assignedassigned 68th68th bombbomb O'BrienO'Brien,, who'sw h o ' s brotherb r o t h e r BurtB u r t SteinmillerS t e i n m i l l e r was w a s one o n e ofo f the t h e squadronsquadron,, 44th4 4 t h bombb o m b groupg r o u p shortlys h o r t l y aftera f t e r the t h e beginning b e g i n n i n g gunnersgunners fromfrom Corky,Corky, hash a s beenbeen valuablevaluable inin providingproviding ofjuneof June,, 1944.1 9 4 4 . guidanceguidance ofof mym y search,search, asas sheshe rememberedremembered manymany SheShe wasw a s assigneda s s i g n e d toto crewc r e w chief,c h i e f , BartonBarton CramerC r a m e r anda n d individualindividualss anda n d theirtheir hhome o m e addressesaddresses.. hihiss groundg r o u n d crewcrew ofo f RobertR o b e r t Krueger,K r u e g e r , JoeJ o e Crisman,Crisman, and a n d ThThee ffamilies a m i l i e s ofo f VernV e r n KirkeyK i r k e y anda n d GlenG l e n Mace, M a c e , who w h o also a l s o ChuckChuck WWagner. a g n e r . TheThe firstfirst missionm i s s i o n wasw a s fflown l o w n toto Angers,A n g e r s , diddid nnot o t rreturn e t u r n ffrom r o m tthat h at fatalf a t a l mission, m i s s i o n ,have h a v ebeen b e e nhelpful h e l p f u l FrancFrancee ono n thethe 8th8th ofofjun Junee withwith subsequentsubsequent missionsmissions iinn providingproviding informationinformation includingincluding lettersletters andand listelistedd asa s thet h e 10th1 0 t h ofJune,o f j u n e , 17th 1 7 t h ofJune, o f j u n e ,all al lthree t h r e missionse m i s s i o n s photographsphotographs.. BurtBurtSteinmillerandVemKirkey'smother Steinmillerand Vern Kirkey's motherss witwithh RReuben e u b e n RRickett's i c k e t t ' s crew.c r e w . Webb W e b b Todd'sT o d d ' s 68th 6 8 t h Squadron S q u a d r o n araree alivea l i v e ata t thet h e agesa g e s ofo f 9955 anda n d 969 6 respectively.r e s p e c t i v e l y . historhistoryy doesn'td o e s n ' t shows h o w aa missionm i s s i o n ono n thethe 10th10th ofo f jJune, u n e , sos o ThThee relativerelativess ofo f PatrickP a t r i c k Colosimo, C o l o s i m o , the t h eradio r a d i ooperator, o p e r a t o r , thithiss maym a y be b e aa typographicalt y p o g r a p h i c a l error,e r r o r , for f o rthe t h e12.th 1 2 t hof o fJune j u n eto t o anandd MauriceM a u r i c e Corwine,C o r w i n e , thet h e pilot,p i l o t , (both( b o t h ofo f tthem h e m survivedsurvived IllierIllierss L'L' Eveque, E v e q u e , France. F r a n c e . ththee crash)c r a s h ) haveh a v e bothb o t h providedprovided valuablevaluable informationi n f o r m a t i o n inin NNoo damagedamage wasw a s sustained,s u s t a i n e d , butb u t ono n thethe 20th 2 0 t h ofo f June j u n e documentindocumentingg thethe sstory. t o r y . witwithh ArnoldArnold Larson'sLarson's crew,crew, shes h e hadhad 1212 flakflak hitshits overo v e r TheThe GGerman e r m a n EEmbassy m b a s s y iinn Ottawa.O t t a w a , through t h r o u g h Lt. L t .Colonel C o l o n e l Politz.Politz. OnOn thethe 21st21st ofo f jJune, u n e , withw i t h Bonnet'sBonnet's crew,crew, non o IbromIbrom,, werew e r e helpfulh e l p f u l ini n forwardingf o r w a r d i n g mym y correspondencecorrespondence damagdamagee wasw a s ssustained, u s t a i n e d , anda n d ono n thet h e 2.2nd 2 2 n d (Larson's(Larson's crew) c r e w ) ttoo Germany,G e r m a n y , thought h o u g h thethe officialofficial recordsr e c o r d s ddidn't i d n ' t providep r o v i d e shshee ssustained u s t a i n e d oone n e fflak l a k hit.h i t . On O n thethe 25th,2 5 t h , with w i t h Ford's F o r d ' s crew, c r e w , anyany information.information. TheThe locallocal newspapern e w s p a p e r inin DortmundDortmund thertheree wasw a s non o flakf l a k damage.d a m a g e . However,H o w e v e r , Arnold A r n o l d Larson L a r s o n and a n d wherewhere thethe planeplane crashed,crashed, providedprovided aa wealthwealth ofof crewcrew,, ono n theirtheir lastlast mission,mission, 29th29th ofof June,J u n e , sustainedsustained informatioinformationn ffrom r o m a locall o c a l aviation a v i a t i o n expert e x p e r t whojust w h o j u s t recently, r e c e n t l y , numerounumerouss hhits i t s overo v e r Magdeburg.M a g d e b u r g . Apparently, A p p a r e n t l y , the t h eflak f l a kon o n iinn latel a t e October,O c t o b e r , provided p r o v i d e d the t h estatements s t a t e m e n t sfrom f r o mtwo t w oyoung y o u n g thisthis missionmission waswas oneone ofof thethe worstworst thatthat thethe 68th68th hadhad boyboyss wwho h o actuallyactually saws a w thet h e planep l a n e crash.c r a s h . encounteredencountered.. SoS o severe,s e v e r e , thatthat the t h e 506 5 0 6 squadrons q u a d r o n lostlost two t w o 3 aircraftaircraft,, withw i t h the t h e 68th 6 8 t h having h a v i n g 12 12 damaged. d a m a g e d . OnO n thethe 29th2 9 t h oof f jJuly, u l y , EKE K aand n d crewcrew wentw e n t tot o Bremen. B r e m e n . They T h e y RoberRobertt KnapleinK n a p l e i n crewscrews flewf l e w tot o BeaumontB e a u m o n t LeLeRogerRoger,, hadhad lostlost theirt h e i r magneticm a g n e t i c attractionattraction anda n d EE 101101 returnedreturned FranceFrance.. OnO n thethe 6th6 t h ofo f JJuly u l y shes h e withw i t h Donald'sDonald's crew,c r e w , butb u t witwithh non o fflak l a k ddamage a m a g e (a(a recordr e c o r d forf o r them).t h e m ) . OnO n thethe 31st3 1 s t ofo f ththee missionm i s s i o n isis notn o t listed l i s t e d as a s to t o target. t a r g e t .7th 7t hofJuly, o f J u l y Reuben, R e u b e n JulyJuly,, TommyKay'sT o m m y Kay's crew c r e w flew f l e wher h e r to t o Ludwigshafen L u d w i g s h a f e n without w i t h o u t RickettRickettss againa g a i n flewf l e w herh e r tot o Darenburg.D a r e n b u r g . This T h i s was w a sone o n e of o fthe t h e significantsignificant damage.d a m a g e . worsworstt missionsmissions thatthat thet h e 68th68th hadhad toto fly;fly; 33 aircraftaircraft anda n d IInn August,A u g u s t , she s h e was w a s flown f l o w n on o n the t h e 1st, 1 s t ,3rd 3 r dand a n d4th 4 t byh b EKy E K crewscrews werew e r e lostlost anda n d 55 aircraftsaircrafts receivedreceived categorycategory A/CA/C andand ccrew r e w wwith i t h thet h e targetst a r g e t s beingb e i n g CorbieC o r b i e withw i t h mediumm e d i u m flakf l a k damage,damage, withw i t h 33 categoryc a t e g o r y A.A . OutO u t ofo f 121 2 aircraft,a i r c r a f t , only o n l y 2 2had h a d andand nono damage.damage. OnOn thethe 3rd,3rd, toto Mety-Sur-Oise,Mery-Sur-Oise, thet h e nnoo ddamage. a m a g e . OnO n thethe 1llth1 t h ofJuly,o f J u l y , she s h eflew f l e wto t oMunich M u n i c hwith w i t h weatheweatherr wasw a s badb a d anda n d thethe targett a r g e t couldc o u l d notn o t beb e hith i t anda n d ana n Ford'sFord's crewc r e w aand n d ono n thethe 12th,1 2 t h , Knaplein'sKnaplein's crewc r e w returnedr e t u r n e d alternatealternate wasw a s hhit i t withw i t h excellente x c e l l e n t results.r e s u l t s . Again, A g a i n , there t h e r e was w a s agaiagainn toto Munich.M u n i c h . ReubenReuben RickettsRicketts crewcrew flewflew herher toto nnoo flakflak damage.d a m a g e . SaarbruckenSaarbrucken oonn tthe h e 13th1 3 t h ofo f jJuly. u l y . No N o damaged a m a g e was w a s sustained s u s t a i n e d HoweverHowever,, ono n thethe 4th4th ofof AugustA u g u s t itit was w a s aa differentdifferent aass thet h e flakf l a k wasw a s mminimal i n i m a l anda n d inaccurate.inaccurate. mattermatter.. OnOn thisthis date,d a t e , thet h e 44th4 4 t h wentw e n t toto Kiel.Kiel. OnOn thisthis OnO n thethe 18th1 8 t h ofJulyo f j u l y shes h e wasw a s fflown l o w n tot o Thorne,T h o r n e , FranceF r a n c e occasiooccasionn thethe groupgroup formationformation waswas beingbeing ledled byby BillBill bbyy Lt.Lt. ElmerE l m e r Kohler.Kohler. ThisThis wasw a s thethe thirdthird missionmission forfor CameronCameron asas thet h e ggroup r o u p lead.lead. ElmeElmerr KKohler, o h l e r , butb u t the t h e firstf i r s t for f o r his h i screw, c r e w he, h havinge h a v i n gflown f l o w n BilBilll was w a s kindk i n d to t o give g i v eme m e a acommentary c o m m e n t a r y of o fthis t hi mission.s m i s s i o n . iinn thet h e usualu s u a l fashionf a s h i o n asas cco-pilot o - p i l o t ini n hish i s firstf i r s t twot w o missions.m i s s i o n s . Hliee wasw a s ccommand o m m a n d pilopilott anda n d fflew l e w ini n I forf o r ITEM I T E M taketake off o f f at a t KohleKohlerr fflew l e w CCorky o r k y 232 3 mmissions i s s i o n s ssubsequent u b s e q u e n t ttoo thist h i s dated a t e ini n 09509555 hours.h o u r s . ApparentlyA p p a r e n t l y tthere h e r e wasw a s ddifficulty i f f i c u l t y fforming o r m i n g uupp hishis tourt o u r anda n d hishis crewc r e w isis recognizedrecognized asas being b e i n g thet h e one o n e toto thethe fullfull groupg r o u p ofof 3636 aircraft.aircraft. ThereThere waswas significantsignificant whicwhichh thisthis aircrafta i r c r a f t isis associated. associated. congestiocongestionn inin thet h e formationf o r m a t i o n area,area, howeverh o w e v e r byb y 121 2 noonn o o n EarlieEarlierr ttoo thist h i s date,d a t e , E-I E - l01 0 1was w a schristened c h r i s t e n e dCorky C o r k yafter a f t e r thethe wwingformation i n g f o r m a t i o n wasw a s formed,f o r m e d , the t h e 68th 6 8 t h being b e i n g in i n the t h elow l o w ththee infantinfant sonson ofof FrankFrank Davido,Davido, thethe 68th68th squadronsquadron positionposition.. TheT h e FrisianFrisian IslandsI s l a n d s werew e r e crossedc r o s s e d atat 13021 3 0 2 wwith i t h operationsoperations oofficer. f f i c e r . TheT h e distinctivedistinctive nose n o s e arta r t with w i t h the t h e little little ththee 68th6 8 t h closingc l o s i n g uupp wwith i t h thet h e greeng r e e n group,g r o u p , withw i t h thet h e blue b l u e boboyy sittinsittingg ono n aa bombb o m b witwithh aa mapm a p ofof BBerlin e r l i n wasw a s paintedp a i n t e d groupgroup bbeing e i n g ffar a r behind.b e h i n d . Shortly S h o r t l y aftera f t e r this, t h i s ,a aB-2.4 B - 2 4crashed c r a s h e d onon thet h e nosen o s e bbyy BBob o b Krueger,K r u e g e r , thet h e 68th6 8 t h squadrons q u a d r o n residentresident intintoo thet h e sea.s e a . TheT h e causecause wasw a s notn o t known.k n o w n . TheT h e formationformation artist.artist. wasjoineduwasjoined upp wwith i t h P-38'sP - 3 8 ' s ata t approximately a p p r o x i m a t e l y 1325 1 3 2 5 at a t23500 2 3 5 0 0 ThThee iinformation n f o r m a t i o n ono n Corky'sC o r k y ' s mmissions i s s i o n s ffrom r o m thisthis pointp o i n t feetfeet,, thet h e formationformation havinghaving flownflown aroundaround HeligolandHeligoland betweebetweenn 1818 JulyJ u l y anda n d thethe ende n d ofof November,N o v e m b e r , 19441 9 4 4 comec o m e withouwithoutt anya n y evidencee v i d e n c e ooff fflak. l a k . ByB y 1444,1 4 4 4 , thet h e 44th4 4 t h hadh a d lleft e f t frofromm KKohler's o h l e r ' s crew.c r e w . The T h ej July u l y 18th1 8 t h missionm i s s i o n was w a s particularly p a r t i c u l a r l y ththee targettarget area,a r e a , thet h e weatherw e a t h e r wasw a s goodg o o d butbut theret h e r e wasw a s ana n roughrough,, CorkyC o r k y sustainingsustaining 66 flakf l a k holes,h o l e s , oneo n e throughthrough thethe effectiveffectivee smokes m o k e screen.s c r e e n . Cameron,C a m e r o n , apparently,a p p a r e n t l y , was w a sin i nthe t h e PlexiglaPlexiglass inin thethe Bombardier'sBombardier's windoww i n d o w whichwhich knockedknocked bombombb baybay whenw h e n thethe doorsdoors werewere opened,opened, andand beingbeing SamSam Armour'sA r m o u r ' s hhelmet e l m e t off.off. TheT h e onlyonly oother t h e r ccausality a u s a l i t y wasw a s withouwithoutt oxygeno x y g e n almostalmost blackedb l a c k e d out.out. TheThe flakflak waswas aalso l s o RicharRichardd Calgoro'sCalgoro's (tail(tail gunner)g u n n e r ) chocolatechocolate bar,bar, whichw h i c h burstingunderneathbursting underneath,, butb u t notn o t close.c l o s e . The T h e fformation o r m a t i o n then t h e n wawass hith i t byb y a piecep i e c e ofo f fflak. l a k . OnO n thethe 19tb,19th, thet h e 68th 6 8 t h was w a s offo f f lelett downd o w n toto 18000 1 8 0 0 0 feetf e e t for f o r the t h e trip t r i p home. h o m e .Several Severa laircraft aircraft ttoo Coblenz,C o b l e n z , againa g a i n withw i t h EKE K (Elmer(Elmer KKohler) o h l e r ) OnceOnce againagain werweree ini n distressd i s t r e s s anda n d thet h e blueb l u e squadrons q u a d r o n caughtc a u g h t thet h e bruntb r u n t ththee flakflak wasw a s heavy,heavy, withw i t h 44 holesholes inin thethe planeplane andand thethe ofof tthe h e flak.f l a k . P-38P - 3 8 ffighters i g h t e r s wwere e r e iinn closec l o s e eescort s c o r t aand n d fflying l y i n g pilot'spilot's sides i d e windoww i n d o w beingb e i n g hith i t again! a g a i n !To T o paraphrasep a r a p h r a s e EK', E K , paspastt nnorth o r t h oof f WWilhelmshaven, i l h e l m s h a v e n , heh e 44th4 4 t h saw s a w a a squadrons q u a d r o n ofo f "Ha"Hadd thethe leftleft windoww i n d o w (less(less thant h a n aa footf o o t fromf r o m mym y head)head) B-17'B-I 7'ss obliterateo b l i t e r a t e ana n airfield.a i r f i e l d . The T h e trip tri phome h o m efor f o rthe t h egroup g r o u p blowblownn out,o u t , veryv e r y noisy, n o i s y ,very v e r ycold, c o l d ,very v e r scary."y s c a r y . On" O nthe th 20the 2 0 t h waswas uuneventful. n e v e n t f u l . ofJuly,ofjuly, she s h e went w e n t to t o Erfurt E r f u r twith w i t hBenjamin B e n j a m i nFord's F o r d ' screw c r e wand a n d HoweverHowever,, itit was w a s very very eventfule v e n t f u l forfor EK E K andand crew.crew. As As onon thethe 2.Ist,21st, Harrock'sHarrock's crewcrew flewflew herher toto overover usualusual,, thet h e magnetic m a g n e t i c personalityp e r s o n a l i t y ofo f Kohler'sK o h l e r ' s crew c r e w became b e c a m e Oberpappinhoffen.Oberpappinhoffen. ThisThis wasw a s aa longl o n g missionmission anda n d 44th44th evidentevident,, CorkyC o r k y sustainingsustaining 2323 holesholes fromfrom flakflak anda n d thethe bombombb groupgroup aircraft,aircraft, includingi n c l u d i n g 22 fromf r o m thethe 68111,6 8 t h , werew e r e hydraulichydraulicss beingb e i n g shotshot outo u t (again).(again). ComingComing homeh o m e sheshe lostlost.. Apparently,Apparently, ono n thisthis missionm i s s i o n CorkyCorky hadhad toto returnr e t u r n waswas steadilys t e a d i l y llosing o s i n g aaltitude, l t i t u d e , partlypartly with w i t h EK E K flyingflying herh e r ono n becausbecausee ooff mmechanical e c h a n i c a l problems.p r o b l e m s . Kohler'sKohler's crewc r e w oonn thisthis ththee steps t e p tot o tryt r y anda n d conservec o n s e r v e fuel,f u e l , but b u t also a l s obecause b e c a u s eof o fone o n e missiomissionn flyingflying W-224W - 2 2 4 hadh a d theirtheir uusual s u a l attractionattraction toto fflak, l a k , enginenginee beingbeing feathered.feathered. AlsoAlso aa P-38P-38 withwith aa propellerpropeller witwithh thet h e ppilot's i l o t ' s windoww i n d o w beingb e i n g blownb l o w n againa g a i n with w i t hthe t h e wires w i r e s featherefeatheredd camec a m e alongalong sides i d e anda n d thethe questionq u e s t i o n isis whow h o wasw a s ttoo EK'sE K ' s throatthroat microphonem i c r o p h o n e beingbeing cut.cut. OnO n thethe 24th24th ofof givingivingg wwho h o moralmoral support?s u p p o r t ? AtAt oneo n e pointpoint wwhile h i l e crossingc r o s s i n g JulyJuly,, flewf l e w toto St.St. LoL o withwith RobertRobert KnapleinKnaplein andand FrankFrank ththee FFrisian r i s i a n IslandI s l a n d theret h e r e wasw a s somes o m e concernc o n c e r n asa s tot o whetherw h e t h e r DavidDavid°o asas commandc o m m a n d pilotpilot.. oorr nnot o t theyt h e y wwould o u l d makem a k e itit homeh o m e andand LesterLester "Jim" " J i m " Dietz, D i e t z , OOnn thethe 2.5th2 5 t h thet h e 68th6 8 t h wwent e n t tot o St.S t . Lo L o again a g a i n with w i t h Elmer E l m e r ththee radioradio operator,operator, transmittedt r a n s m i t t e d withwith thethe trailingtrailing wirew i r e KohleKohlerr andand againagain thethe magneticmagnetic attractionattraction forfor flakflak aerialaerial toto givegive aa positionposition report.report. However,However, itit became b e c a m e occurred.occurred. FiveF i v e flakf l a k holes,h o l e s , number n u m b er 33 engine e n g i n e out, o u t ,and a n d the t h e evidenevidentt thatt h a t thet h e altitudea l t i t u d e lossl o s s wasw a s lessless severe s e v e r e than t h a n they'd t h e y ' d pilot'spilot's windoww i n d o w blownb l o w n outout whilew h i l e bombingb o m b i n g atat 13,000 1 3 , 0 0 0 feet.f e e t . thoughthoughtt aand n d thet h e EnglishE n g l i s h CoastC o a s t camec a m e up u p anda n d ana n uuneventful n e v e n t f u l 4 landinlandingg wasw a s madem a d e atat Shipdham,S h i p d h a m , aparta p a r t fromf r o m aa seconds e c o n d atat I that h a t time t i m e could c o u l dbe b every v e r ymeager m e a g e rorplentiful, o r p l e n t i f u ldepending, d e p e n d i n g engineengine ccutting u t t i n g oout u t oonn approach.a p p r o a c h . OnO n thethe 8th8 t h ooff August,A u g u s t , oonn youryour situation.situation. LesterLester Dietz,Dietz, thet h e radioradio operator,o p e r a t o r , havinghaving bbeen e e n repaired,r e p a i r e d , 101 101 was w a s off o f f to t oLa L a Perth P e r t hin i nFrance F r a n c e headeheadedd souths o u t h tot o GlasgowG l a s g o w forf o r more m o r e lively livel yentertainment. e n t e r t a i n m e n t . witwithh RayR a y MMondloh's o n d l o h ' s ccrew. r e w . OnO n thethe 9th9 t h ofo f August, A u g u s t , EK E K and a n d (I(Inn thet h e summers u m m e r ofof 1994,1 9 9 4 , whilewhile on o n holidayholiday at at home, h o m e , I I crewflecrew fleww hher e r tot o Sindelfingen S i n d e l f i n g e n again; a g a i n ;21 2 1holes h o l e flaks flak damaged a m a g e spenspentt ana n afternoona f t e r n o o n upu p atat Aberfoyle. A b e r f o y l e . The T h e Baillie Bailli eNichol N i c h o l withwith badbad weatherweather obscuringobscuring thethe primaryprimary targettarget onon Jarvijarviee isis now n o w derelict, d e r e l i c t ,being b e i n turnedg t u r n e intod i n tapartments,o a p a r t m e n t sbut, b u t SaarbruckeSaarbmckenn thethe secondarysecondary target.target. ApparentlyApparently thethe aatt thet h e local l o c a ltourist t o u r i s toffice, o f f i c ethe, t hladye la there d y t h ewho r e w was h o w12 a s years 1 2 y e a r s formatioformationn hhadn't a d n ' t turnedt u r n e d sufficientlys u f f i c i e n t l y to t o avoid a v o i da aheavy h e a v yflak f l a k ololdd ata t thet h e time t i m e in i n 1944, 1 9 4 4 , remembered r e m e m b e r e d her h e r sister s i s t e rgoing g o i n gto t o concentrationconcentration.. dancedancess ini n the t h e local l o c a lhall h a lwithl w i tsomeh s o m Americane A m e r i c a flightn flight crew.)c r e w . ) OOnn thethe 12.th1 2 t h ooff August,A u g u s t , Kay's K a y ' s crew c r e wflew f l e wto t oJuvincourt j u v i n c o u r t WhWhoo knows,knows, maybe m a y b e itit was was the the same s a m e crew, crew ,we'll we'l lnever n e v e r witwithh meagerflakm e a g e r f l a k anda n d non o damage.d a m a g e . OnO n thet h e 14th1 4 t h Mondloh's M o n d l o h ' s knowknow.. crewcrew flewflew h her e r tot o LyonL y o n again a g a i n with w i t h no n o flak flak damage.d a m a g e .On O n the t h e ThisThis areaa r e a ofo f Scotland S c o t l a n d was w a san a narea! a r e a Ifrequented f r e q u e n t e dwhen w h e n 15t15thh anda n d 16th1 6 t h of o f Augrust, A u g u s t ,wit w i h t hEK's E K ' flew s f l e her w h e rto t Ardorfo A r d o randf a n d iinn medicalm e d i c a l school s c h o o l on o n weekends, w e e k e n d s ,kayaking. k a y a k i n gYoung. Y o u n meng m e inn i n KothenKothen withw i t h non o damage.d a m a g e . theitheirr earlyearly 20's20's oro r latelate teensteens haveh a v e thethe sames a m e interestinterest OnO n thethe 18th1 8 t h ofo f August,A u g u s t , the t h e 44th 4 4 t h flew flew tot oNancy. N a n c y .On O n whethewhetherr iinn 19441 9 4 4 oro r in i n 1974. 1 9 7 4 . I Iwon't w o n ' telaborate e l a b o r a t eany a n ymore! m o r e ! thithiss missionm i s s i o n Elmer E l m e r Kohler'sK o h l e r ' s crew c r e w landed l a n d e d at a tSt. S tLo. L dueo d u toe t o ThisThis wasw a s thet h e firstfirst connectionc o n n e c t i o n thatthat I Ifound f o u n d to t omyself mysel f rudderudderr cablescables havinghaving partpart anda n d landinglanding atat aa forwardf o r w a r d anandd Corky.C o r k y . fighter'fighter'ss baseb a s e nearn e a r St. S t . Lo. L o .This T h i swas w a sthe t h efirst first landingl a n d i n gof o af a OOnn thethe 27th27th ofof August,A u g u s t , whilew h i l e EKE K andand crewcrew werew e r e heavheavyy bomberb o m b e r atat ana n AlliedAllied lighterfighter baseb a s e followingfollowing thet h e enjoyinenjoyingg a wellw e l l earned e a r n e d rest,rest, Barnhart's Barnhart' screw c r e wflew f l e wher h e rto to invasioninvasion.. BasdoBasdoff uneventfully.uneventfully. OnOn SeptemberSeptember thethe 5th5 t h shes h e wasw a s ThThee mmystery y s t e r y hereh e r e is is that t h a tthe t h eformation f o r m a t io mapn m a asp abriefeds b r i e f e dflow flownn toto KarlsruheK a r l s r u h e byb y JJulian u l i a n Dayball'sDayball's crew,c r e w , suffering suffering showsshows Kohler'sK o h l e r ' s crewflying c r e w f l y i n Orange g O r a n g e 381, 3 8 1 ,however, h o w e v e r opinion, o p i n i o n minimaminimall flakflak damage.d a m a g e . OnO n thethe 8th8 t h shes h e returnedr e t u r n e d toto thethe iiss split s p l i tas a sto t whethero w h e t h e orr onotr n otheywecet t h e y w e ractuallyflyinge a c t u a l l y flying E-101E - 1 0 1samesam e targettarget withwith Pellow'sPellow's crewcrew andand onon thethe 10th10th ofof thathatt wasw a s listedlisted asa s aa reserver e s e r v e aircraftaircraft thatt h a t day.d a y . II haven'thaven't SeptemberSeptember,, flew tot o Ulm U l m with w i t hBill Bil lKelly's K e l l y 'crews c r eandw a nthend t h eton t o beebeenn ablea b l e tot o resolve r e s o l v ethis t h i ass a memoriess m e m o r i e ares a requallye e q u a l lsplity s p lon i t o nHanoveHanover r wwith i t h Ritter'sR i t t e r ' s crewc r e w on o n the t h e llth.1 1 t h . On O n thethe 13th 1 3 t h of o f thithiss point.p o i n t . ElmerElmer KohlerK o h l e r indicatedindicated thatthat heh e feltfelt itit was w a s SeptemberSeptember,, EKE K andand crewcrew againagain sustainedsustained categorycategory AA CorkyCorky.. WhenWhen thethe controlcontrol cablescables parted,parted, theret h e r e werew e r e damagdamagee ffrom r o m flak!f l a k ! Shortly S h o r t l y aftera f t e r this, t h i s ,George G e o r g eWashburn, W a s h b u r n , severesevere vibrationsv i b r a t i o n s ini n thet h e planep l a n e anda n d ono n landingl a n d i n g ata t St.St .Lo, L o , ththee co-pilot,co-pilot, was w a s checkedchecked outout byby FrankFrank David°Davido andand thetheyy rolledr o l l e d upu p thet h e steel s t e e lrunway r u n w a ybecause b e c a u s eof o thef t h weighte w e i g handt a n d pronouncepronouncedd toto beb e suitablesuitable asa s firstfirst pilotp i l o t (he ( h e tookt o o k overo v e r didn'tdidn't endeare n d e a r themselvest h e m s e l v e s toto thet h e combatcombat engineers.engineers. AA ThurstonThurston VVanDyke's a n D y k e ' s crew,c r e w , who'd w h o ' d been b e e n injured) i n j u r e d )and a n flewd f l e w piecepiece ooff flakflak hadh a d cutc u t aa rudderr u d d e r cable.c a b l e . The T h e fighterfighter groupg r o u p hihiss firstfirst missionm i s s i o n asas pilotp i l o t inin command c o m m a n d onon thethe 18th18th ofo f groungroundd crewc r e w ttook o o k a dayd a y oro r twot w o to t o repair r e p a i r the t h edamage d a m a g eand a n d SeptembeSeptemberr tot o Best,B e s t , Holland.H o l l a n d .This T h i s mission m i s s i o n was w a s flown f l o w n at at laterlater EKE K buzzedbuzzed thethe field,field, whichw h i c h inin retrospectr e t r o s p e c t perhapsp e r h a p s undeunderr 300300 feetfeet anda n d thethe well-knownwell-known photographsphotographs ofof wasn'wasn'tt suchs u c h aa goodg o o d idea,idea, thethe damage d a m a g e having havingjus justt been b e e n CorkCorkyy tthat h a t area r e on o n displayd i s p l a y at a t the the U.S. U . S .Air A i rForce F o r c Museume M u s e u m repaired.repaired. anandd inin MartinM a r t i n BowmansB o w m a n s bookb o o k "Four" F o u r MilesM i l e s High",H i g h " , werew e r e OnO n thethe 24th2 4 t h ofo f August, A u g u s t , EK E K again a g a i nattracted a t t r a c t e dsignificant s i g n i f i c a n t taketakenn fromf r o m JJulian u l i a n Dayball'sD a y b a l l ' s plane.p l a n e . damagdamagee ffrom r o m veryv e r y stiffs t i f f flak, flak, categotyc a t e g o r y A/C. A / C .On O n the th e25t 2 5 h, t h , havinhavingg bbeen e e n patchedp a t c h e d uupp yyet e t again,a g a i n ,they t h e yflew f l e wto t Schwerino S c h w e r i n -1111_11110e;.--arimiLL._ airfield,airfield, an an 8 8 hour h o u r mission. mission .On On thisthi smission, m i s s i o n ,George G e o r g e 1 WashburWashburnn thethe co-pilot,c o - p i l o t , was w a s in in the t h e bomb b o m b baybay when w h e n the the bombombb bayb a y ddoors o o r s werew e r e openo p e n anda n d hadh a d aa ratherr a t h e r interesting i n t e r e s t i n g fefeww minutesm i n u t e s (being(being ini n aa ratherr a t h e r awkwarda w k w a r d position).position). OnOn ththee 96th2 6 t h theyt h e y flewflew tot o SalzbergenS a l z b e r g e n withw i t h minimalm i n i m a l flakflak anda n d nnoo damage.d a m a g e . SamS a m AArmour. r m o u r , thet h e navigator, n a v i g a t o r ,had h a dthe t h eflu flu anda n d hihiss earsears werewere pluggedplugged andand hadhad difficultydifficulty hearing.hearing. FollowinFollowingg thist h i s mission m i s s i o n theywere t h e y w e r esent s e n ton o nleave l e a v eto t Scotlando S c o t l a n d toto thet h e small s m a l l village v i l l a g eof o fAberfoyle A b e r f o y l enorth n o r t hof o fGlasgow. G l a s g o w They. T h e y stayestayedd ata t thet h e BaillieB a i l l i e NicholN i c h o l jarvie J a r v i e Inn, I n n ,which w h i c his ias rathera r a t h e r famoufamouss aand n d wwell-known e l l - k n o w n 18/19th1 8 / 1 9 t h ccoaching o a c h i n g iinn n n ini n aa small s m a l l villagvillagee justj u s t south s o u t h ofo f the t h e Trossachs T r o s s a c h swhich w h i c h is i sa verya v er scenicy s c e n i c Sept. 18, 18, 1944, 1944, Gorky Corky over Nimejen, over Nimejen, Holland, Holland, areareaa ini n thet h e hillsh i l l s northn o r t h ofo f Glasgow. G l a s g o w . the low-level low-level supply supply drop to thedrop 82nd to Airbornethe 82nd Division. Airborne Division. DurinDuringg thet h e weekw e e k there,t h e r e , they they met m e t a a fighter f i g h t e rpilot p i l o twho w h o TheThe lighlightt flak ono n thisthis mission m i s s i o n was w a s particularly p a r t i c u l a r l yheavy h e a v yand a n d waswas seldoms e l d o m withoutw i t h o u t a a drink d r i n k from f r o m a agrateful g r a t e f u crew.l c r e wDuring. D u r i n g thertheree werew e r e 151 5 holes h o l e s in i nthe t h eaircraft a i r c r a fwitht w i tdamageh d a m a gtoe thet o t gas h e g a s thithiss time,t i m e , they t h e ypartook p a r t o o kof o fthe t h locale l o c aentertainment,l e n t e r t a i n m e n which t , w h i c htanktanks s anda n d hhydraulics. y d r a u l i c s . ® WhenWhen thethe formationf o r m a t i o n returnedr e t u r n e d tot o Shipdham, S h i p d h a m ,Elmer E l m e r whilewhile the t h e co-pilotc o - p i l o t was w a s trying t r y i n g to t o maintain m a i n t a i n altitude. altitude. KohlerKohler was w a s atat the t h e hardh a r d stands t a n d tot o watch w a t c h WashburnW a s h b u r n andand TheyThey camec a m e downd o w n fromf r o m 23,0002 3 , 0 0 0 feet f e e tto t oapproximately a p p r o x i m a t e l y crewcrew return.r e t u r n . George, G e o r g e , who w h o looked l o o k e d much m u c h younger y o u n g e r than t h a n 12,00012,000 feet f e e tprior p r i o rto t ogetting g e t t i n gthe t h efire fire outo u tand a n dthen t h e nturned t u r n e d hishis 21 2 1 years, y e a r s , was w a sheard h e a r d to t oexclaim, e x c l a i m ,"Elmer, " E l m e r ,someone s o m e o n e forfor home h o m e havingh a v i n g dropped d r o p p e d their t h e i rbombs. b o m b s .Once O n c eagain a g a i nthey t h e y waswas tryingt r y i n g tot o kill k i l l me," me," while whil ethey t h e ywere w e r e inspecting i n s p e c t i n g the t h e werewere ono n theirtheir owno w n withwith onlyonly oneo n e engineengine pullingpulling fullfull damagedamage toto the t h e plane.p l a n e . powerpower anda n d twotwo otherso t h e r s ono n reducedreduced power,power, heading heading for for ThisThis missionmissio n was w a s ratherrather interestinginteresting as a s they t h e y werew e r e home.home. droppingdropping suppliess u p p l i e s to to the t h e 82nd 8 2 n d airborne a i r b o r n e at a t Neimegen. N e i m e g e n . InIn thethe meantime,meantime, George G e o r g e WashburnWashburn flyingflying justj u s t JimJim Colosimo,C o l o s i m o , the the brother b r o t h e r of o f Pat P a t Colosimo, C o l o s i m o ,was w a sin i nfact f a c t behind,behind, had h a d prior p r i o r to t othis t h i sbeen b e e nhit hi severely,t s e v e r e l yspun, s p u nout o u oft o f withwith the t h e 82nd 8 2 n d airborne a i r b o r n e in i nthis t hi areas a r eanda a n sawd s aI whe t hformatione f o r m a t i o n formatformatio ionn withw i t h controlc o n t r o l only o n l y being b e i n gregained r e g a i n e dby b yuse u s eof o fthe t h e goinggoing over.o v e r . autoauto pilot.p i l o t . Washburn W a s h b u r n anda n d crewc r e w returnedr e t u r n e d toto Shipdham S h i p d h a m MyMy father'sf a t h e r ' s tank t a n k unit u n i twas w a salso a ls noto n overyt v e rfary f from a r f r othism t h i s withwith oneo n e wheel w h e e l damaged d a m a g e d before b e f o r e Corky C o r k yand a n dthus t h u spromptly p r o m p t l y area,area, while w h i l efighting f i g h t i n gtheir t h e i rway w a yup u pto t theo t h eRhine R h i n ebridges. b r i d g e s . closedclosed thethe mainm a i n runwayrunway landing.landing. KohlerKohler aborteda b o r t e d hish i s Myformerconsultant,Myformer c o n s u l t a n t , while w h i l eI wasI w a as medicala m e d i c astudent,l s t u d e n t , approachapproach toto ShipdhamS h i p d h a m anda n d wentw e n t downd o w n toto Woodbridge,W o o d b r i d g e , waswas thet h e regimentalr e g i m e n t a l surgeons u r g e o n withw i t h thet h e BritishB r i t i s h ParachuteP a r a c h u t e anan RAFR A F emergencyemergency stationstation withw i t h aa longl o n g runway.r u n w a y . Oliver Oliver BrigadeBrigade thatt h a t had h a d droppedd r o p p e d atat Arhiern. A r h i e m . On O n thethe 25th 2 5 t h of o f Cardinal,Cardinal, the the engineer, e n g i n e e r ,manually m a n u a l l ywound w o u n ddown d o w nthe th eflap flap September,September, the the 68th 6 8 t h went w e n t to t o Koblenz, K o b l e n z ,with w i t hLeibrich's L e i b r i c h ' s andand tt hey h e y landedl a n d e d withoutw i t h o u t brakes.b r a k e s . They T h e y werew e r e holdingh o l d i n g offo f f crew.crew. OnOn thethe 30th,3 0 t h , thethe nosen o s e priorp r i o r tot o landingl a n d i n g Kohler'sKohler's crewc r e w flewflew herh e r toto slows l o w upu p theirt h e i r approach a p p r o a c h toto Hamm,H a m m , withwith nono speed,speed, however, h o w e v e r , thet h e co-c o - damage,damage, anda n d onon thethe tpilotpilot pulledp u l l e d backback heavilyh e a v i l y 30th30th toto HammH a m m again,again, andand thet h e nosen o s e roser o s e duringd u r i n g thethe secondsecond Itim imee flare just jus beforet b e f o rthee t hstalle stall sustainingsustaining categorycategory AA andand thethe oldold war-horsewar-horse damage.damage. BillBill Kelly'sK e l l y ' s landedlanded wwith i t h considerablec o n s i d e r a b l e crewcrew tooktook herher toto noisenoise,, butbut withwith littlelittle LippstadLippstadtt ono n thethe 5th5 t h forwarforwardd velocity!!velocity!! ofof OOctober c t o b e r anda n d ono n thet h e SaSamm Armour'sA r m o u r ' s mapm a p ttable a b l e 6th6th,, Kohler's K o h l e r ' s crew c r e wwent w e n t wawass badlybadly holedh o l e d andand hehe ttoo Hamburg.H a m b u r g . OnOn thithiss stilstilll has h a s a a piece p i e c eofshrapnel o f s h r a p n e l triptrip,, theirtheir usualusual frofromm thisthis raid.r a i d . TheyThey ssay a y attractioattractionn toto flakflak thathatt oneo n e isis safesafe untiluntil aa occurreoccurredd yetyet again,again, bullebullett withw i t h your y o u r name n a m e on o n witwithh themthem limpinglimping iitt reaches r e a c h es you. y o u . EKEK hadh a d a a The Maurice Corwine crew at Pueblo, CO, 2 Oct. 1944, during acrosacrosss thet h e nnorth o r t h seas e a ono n The Maurice Corwine crew at Pueblo, CO, 2 Oct. 1944, during piecpiecee ooff flakflak landl a n d ono n hish i s training. L toL R,to backR, back row: row: Lt. Corwine, Lt. Corwine, Lt. Wayne Lt. ScottWayne - Nay.,Scott Li. - Nav., Lt. theitheirr owno w n withw i t h aa P-47 P - 4 7 as a s legleg.. TheT h e ffragment, r a g m e n t , whenw h e n Robert Lough Lough - -CP, CP, unidentified; unidentified; L to R,LtoR, middle middle row: Patrickrow: Patrick Colosimo Colosimo escortescort.. OnO n thethe 12th1 2 t h ooff examined later, had the - Radio,Radio, Joseph Joseph Walker Walker-Fit. - Rt. Engr., Engr., Wilbert Wilbert Steinmiller Steinmiller- - LW Gunner; LW Gunner;examine d later, had t h e OctoberOctober,, JulianJulian initials EK engraved on L to RR frontfront row: row: Edward Edward Weitzman Weinman - Tail- Tail Gunner, Gunner, Vernon Vernon Kirkey Kirkey - initial- s E K engraved on Dayball'Dayball'ss crewc r e w flewflew h her e r NoseNose Gunner, Glenn Mace, Jr. - RW- RW Gunner. Gunner. itit.. TheThe damagedamage waswas sos o ttoo AchmerAchmer withoutwithout babadd tthat h a t itit took t o o k 3 3weeks w e e k sto t o damagedamage.. OnO n ththee 114th, 4 t h , 115th, 5 t h , 119th 9 t h aand n d 225th 5 t h ooff OOctober, c t o b e r , repairepairr CCorky, o r k y , includ i n c l u ding i n g a acomplete c o m p l e t eoverhaul o v e r h a u lof o hydraulicf h y d r a u l i c EKanEK andd crewcrewfle fleww hher e r aagain, g a i n , thethe 14th,1 4 t h , 15th15th anda n d 19th19th anandd brakinbrakingg ssystem, y s t e m , replacementreplacement ofo f Number N u m b e r 33 engine e n g i n e beinbeingg mmilk i l k rruns u n s wwith i t h nnoo ddamage. a m a g e . anandd repairsrepairs tot o twot w o others.others. OnOn thethe 5th5 t h ofof NNovember, o v e m b e r , OOnn ththee 115th 5 t h ooff OOctober, c t o b e r , forfor somes o m e reason,r e a s o n , Corky's Corky's Kohler'Kohler'ss crew,c r e w , in i n the t h e absence a b s e n c e of o ftheir t h e i rnow n o w rregularaircraft, e g u l a r a i r c r a f t , calcalll letterl e t t e r was w a s changed c h a n g e d from f r o m E E to t o andH a n d I haven'tI h a v e n 'beent b e e n flewflew toto Karlsruhe K a r l s r u h e with w i t h moderate m o d e r a t e flak. MinimalM i n i m a l damage d a m a g e ablablee ttoo gget e t aany n y eevidence v i d e n c e aass ttoo wwhy h y thithiss wasw a s done.d o n e . wawass ddone o n e ttoo tthe h e aaircraft. i r c r a f t . TheT h e aircrafaircraftt wasw a s 711.7 1 1 . OOnn thethe 25th25th ofof OOctober, c t o b e r , EKE K anandd crewcrew wwent e n t ttoo MissionMissionss aassigned s s i g n e d ono n thet h e 18th18th anda n d 20th2 0 t h ofo f NovemberN o v e m b e r GelsenkirchenGelsenkirchen,, withw i t h their t h e i r reliable, r e l i a b l e but, bu magnetict m a g n e t iaircraft.c a i r c r a f t . werweree ccanceled, a n c e l e d , eithere i t h e r before b e f o r e take t a k eoff o f for o rduring d u r i n assemblyg a s s e m b l y ThiThiss wasw a s theirtheir worstw o r s t raid r a i d up u p to to this t h i spoint. p o i n t The. T h eflak flak anandd iitt was w a s notn o t untilu n t i l the t h e 26th 2 6 t h ofo f NovemberN o v e m b e r thatthat Dolan's D o l a n ' s wawass iintense n t e n s e aand n d aaccurate c c u r a t e aand n d j ujust s t bbefore e f o r e tthe h e bbombing o m b i n g crewflecrew fleww ttoo BBielefeld i e l e f e l d wwith i t h non o damaged a m a g e sustained.s u s t a i n e d . On O n the t h e pointpoint,, theyt h e y wwere e r e hihitt ini n thethe nnumber u m b e r 3 enginenginee bbyy aann 27t27thh tthe h e rraid a i d ttoo OOffenburg, f f e n b u r g . John J o h n VVaughn's a u g h n ' s ccrew r e w fflew l e w herh e r 88mm88mm.. sshell. h e l l . ThisT h i s starteds t a r t e d a a ffire. i r e . The T h e co-pilot c o - p i l o twas w a sflying flyingwithou withoutt ddamage. a m a g e . hihiss firstfirst missionm i s s i o n anda n d ono n bbeing e i n g ttold o l d thatt h a t numbern u m b e r 3 wasw a s ElmeElmerr KKohler's o h l e r ' s ccrew r e w fflew l e w ttheir h e i r finalfinal missionm i s s i o n ini n CorkyC o r k y oonn fire, fire, E EKK bbent e n t ddown o w n ttoo sselect e l e c t tthe h e fire fire e extinguisher, x t i n g u i s h e r , oonn thethe 29th29th ooff NNovember o v e m b e r ttoo AAltenreken. l t e n r e k e n . ThereThere wwas a s 66 completcompletee cloudc l o u d coverc o v e r anda n d radarradar bombingb o m b i n g resultsresults werew e r e VanDyke'VanDyke'ss crewc r e w flewflew her,h e r , also a l s oon o nthe t h e14th; 1 4 t h However,; H o w e v e rthe, t h e unobservedunobserved.. ThereT h e r e wwas a s non o flak.flak. OnO n thethe followingf o l l o w i n g day d a y on o n 14th'14th'ss missionm i s s i o n wasw a s aborteda b o r t e d dued u e toto technicalt e c h n i c a l problems.p r o b l e m s . ththee 30th3 0 t h ofo f November,N o v e m b e r , 1944,1 9 4 4 , Kohler'sK o h l e r ' s crewc r e w flyingflying 7117 1 1 OnO n thethe 7th7 t h thet h e missionm i s s i o n wasw a s tot o Landau.L a n d a u . OnO n thethe 21st2 1 s t ofo f completedcompleted ttheir h e i r finalfinal missionm i s s i o n ofo f theirt h e i r tour. t o u r .Sam S a mArmour A r m o u r January,January, NedN e d Anderson'sAnderson's crewcrew flewflew herher againagain toto volunteerevolunteeredd toto stays t a y ono n andand didn'tdidn't leavel e a v e thet h e 68th6 8 t h uuntil n t i l HeilbronnHeilbronn.. earlyearly April,A p r i l , 1945 194 5working w o r k i n gin i nopera o p e r t a ions. t i o n sElmer. Elme rKohler, K o h l e r , NNoo missionsmissions werew e r e flown betweenb e t w e e n thet h e 2.2nd 2 2 n d anda n d .2.8th 2 8 t h LesteLesterr DietzD i e t z anda n d OliverOliver CardinalC a r d i n a l flewf l e w withw i t h aa transportt r a n s p o r t ofofjanuar Januatyy becauseb e c a u s e ofo f badb a d weather.w e a t h e r . OnOn thethe 28th,2 8 t h , thethe squadronsquadron ffor o r aa shorts h o r t periodp e r i o d during d u r i n g Ardennes A r d e n n e s offensive. o f f e n s i v e . missionmission wasw a s to t o attack a t t a c ka acoking c o k i n plantg p l a noutsidet o u t s i dofe oDortmund.f D o r t m u n d . RicharRichardd Calgaro,C a l g a r o , Steven S t e v e n Gilsenen G i l s e n e n and a n d Frank F r a n k Tilton, T i l t o n ,the t h e TheThe officialofficial version v e r s i o n of o f the t h eraid r a i d indicated i n d i c a t e d that t h a tCorky C o r k y nosnosee gunner,g u n n e r , werew e r e transferred,transferred, withw i t h WilliamW i l l i a m VafiadesVafiades wawass hith i t byb y flak withw i t h a a direct d i r e c t hit h i t in i n the t h e bomb b o m b baybay shortly s h o r t l y apparentlapparentlyy goinggoing toto aa weatherw e a t h e r observationobservation unit,unit, the t h e beforbeforee 12:001 2 : 0 0 justj u s t prior p r i o r to t obombs b o m b saway, a w a y she, s hpullede p u l l eoutd o uoft o f otherotherss returningr e t u r n i n g tot o thet h e U.S.U . S . formationformation,, losing l o s i n g altitude a l t i t u d e and a n d exploded e x p l o d e dseveral s e v e r a lthousand t h o u s a n d OnO n thethe 4th,4 t h , 10th1 0 t h and a n d 12th 12th of o f December, D e c e m b e r ,the t h eaircraft aircraft feefeett below.b e l o w . MauriceMaurice Corwine,Corwine, thet h e pilot,pilot, and a n d PatrickPatrick wawass crewedc r e w e d byb y WWilliam i l l i a m Solomon'sS o l o m o n ' s crew.c r e w . OnO n thethe 4th4 t h they t h e y Colosimo,Colosimo, thet h e radio r a d i ooperator, o p e r a t o r were, w er thee t honlye o n ltwoy t survivors. w o s u r v i v o r s . flew with wit hthe t h e491st 4 9 1 s tbomb b o m b group g r o u pand a n dI'm I ' mnot n o tsure s u r eof o fthe t h e ThreThreee parachutesp a r a c h u t e s hadh a d beenb e e n reportedr e p o r t e d fromf r o m thethe plane.p l a n e . reasoreasonn forfor this.this. OnOn thethe 10th10th theythey flewflew toto Bingen.B i n g e n . TheseThese werew e r e thet h e officialofficial factsfacts in i n Webb W e b b Todd'sTodd's bookb o o k ApparentlApparentlyy oonn thist h i s raidr a i d there t h e r e was w a sa aproblem p r o b l e mand a n ad repeata r e p e a t andand muchm u c h ofof thet h e officialo f f i c i a l paper p a p e rwork w o r k that tha tI've I ' v e seen. s e e n . paspasss overo v e r the t h e target t a r g e t was w a srequired r e q u i r e dbefore b e f o r ethe t h ebombs b o m b swere w e r e TheThe crewscrews familiesf a m i l i e s werew e r e notifiednotified inin thet h e middlem i d d l e ooff awayaway.. FebruarFebruaryy thatt h a t thet h e aircraft a i r c r a f t was w a s missing, m i s s i n g ,but b u tlittle l i t t lelsee e l was s e w a s OnO n thethe 12th,12th, thet h e missionmission waswas toto Aschaffenburg.A s c h a f f e n b u r g . hearheardd tilltill Patrick Patrick Colosimo C o l o s i m o returned returned to to the t h e U.S., U . S . ,with with TherTheree wasw a s non o flak.f l a k . On O n the th e18th 1 8 t hof o fDecember, D e c e m b e r to, tKyliburg o K y l l b u r g MauricMauricee CCorwine o r w i n e ffollowing o l l o w i n g shortlys h o r t l y after a f t e r ill i nMay M a yand a n dJune j u n e withwith RussellR u s s e l l Ericson'sE r i c s o n ' s crew. c r e w .The T h eraid rai dwas w a canceleds c a n c e l e justd j u s8t 8 inin 1945.1 9 4 5 . TheT h e ddetails e t a i l s ofo f what w h a t happened h a p p e n e d have h a v e been b e e n pieced p i e c e d minuteminutess fromfrom targettarget becausebecause ofof badb a d weather,weather, sorties o r t i e togethertogether fromf r o m MauriceMaurice Corwine'sCorwine's wifewife Delores,Delores, fromfrom credicreditt was w a s allowed. a l l o w e d .There T h e r ewere w e r eno n oflights f l i g ht overs o ve Christmasr C h r i s t m a s BurBurtt Steinmiller'sS t e i n m i l l e r ' s sisters i s t e r anda n d mother,m o t h e r , who's w h o ' sstill stil lalive aliv ate at bbyy CorkyC o r k y anda n d ono n thet h e 28th2 8 t h ofo f December,D e c e m b e r , Peter's P e t e r ' screw c r e wflew f l e w 96,96, VernonV e r n o n Kirkey'sK i r k e y ' s mother m o t h e r and a n d sister siste r(his (hi mother'ss m o t h e r '95)s 9 5 ) heherr tot o KaiserslauternK a i s e r s l a u t e r n with w i t h no n o damage. d a m a g e . However, H o w e v e r ,it wasit w as aandan d tthe h e familyf a m i l y of o f Glen G l e n Mace, M a c e ,the t h efamily f a m i l ofy o Bobf B o Loughb L o u g theh t h e babadd dayday forfor thethe 68th68th withwith 582582 DD missingmissing inin action.a c t i o n . co-pilot,co-pilot, also a l s o supplied s u p p l i e dsome s o m edetails; d e t a i ls but; b uthet t hremaindere r e m a i n d eofr o f AnotheAnotherr aircraftaircraft hadh a d toto landland onon thethe continentcontinent withw i t h ththee crewsc r e w s relativesr e l a t i v e s haveh a v e not n o t been b e e n tracedtraced tot o this t h i s date. date. damagedamage,, butb u t with w i t h the t h e crew c r e w being b e i n g safe; s a f e ;and a n dCorky's C o r k y ' stands s t a n d TryingTrying tot o trackt r a c k down d o w n relatives relative s50 5 0years y e a r afters a f t eanr aeventn e v e n t partnerpartner,, LillLil iMarlene M a r l e n e260P, 2 6 0 P ,had h a dto taborto a b o r duet d u toe tengineo e n g i n e isis difficult, difficult ,however, however I, hadI ha withd wit someh s o m lucke luc ink iknowingn k n o w i n g probleproblemm inin NumberN u m b e r 2,2, missed m i s s e d thethe approachapproach andand thatthat oneo n e ofo f the t h e crew c r e whad h a d come c o m e from f r o m Rochester. R o c h e s t e r .Once O n c ethe t h e apparentlapparentlyy lostl o s t another a n o t h e r engine e n g i n e while w h i l eturning t u r n i n gback b a c tok ttheo t h e MACRwaMACR wass reviewedreviewed anda n d I realized realized that t h a t Burt B u r tSteinmiller S t e i n m i l l e r runwarunwayy spuns p u n outo u t anda n d crashed.c r a s h e d . ThereT h e r e were w e r e no n o survivors s u r v i v o r s camecame ffrom r o m Rochester,Rochester, I Ifound f o u n da arelative r e l a t i v ewho w h oput p u met m ein i n frofromm thet h e SecondS e c o n d LtJessieL t . J e s s i eBledsoe's B l e d s o e ' screw. c r e wShe's. S h e' listeds l i s t as e d a stouchtouc h withwith Burt'sBurt's sistersister ini n Florida.F l o r i d a . MarylinMarylin providedprovided havinhavingg flown ono n thethe 29th2 9 t h ofo f DDecember e c e m b e r wwith i t h GarbadesG a r b a d e s manmanyy ofof thet h e essentialessential detailsd e t a i l s ofo f thethe crew,c r e w , particularlyparticularly crewcrew,, butb u t there's t h e r e ' s no n o notificationnotification as a s to t o the t h e mission. m i s s i o n . On O n MauricMauricee Cot-wine,C o r w i n e , PatrickP a t r i c k Colosimo C o l o s i m o and a n d Robert R o b e r t Lough's L o u g h ' s ththee 30th3 0 t h ofof December,D e c e m b e r , WilliamW i l l i a m Solomon'sS o l o m o n 's crewc r e w againa g a i n familfamilyy anda n d alsoalso ofo f tthe h e Kirkey'sK i r k e y ' s anda n d thet h e Mace's.M a c e ' s . tootookk herh e r tot o Ahrweiller.A h r w e i l l e r . ThisThis was w a s a a radar r a d a r attack a t t a c k due d u e to t o UnfortunatelyUnfortunately,, Patrick P a t r i c k died d i e d in i n1979; 1 9 7 9 ;but b u hist h istorys s t o was r y w a s completcompletee oovercast. v e r c a s t . TheT h e yyear e a r ended e n d e d with w i t h Ned N e d Anderson A n d e r s o n 's ' s publishedpublished ini n severalseveral newspapers. n e w s p a p e r s .Glen Glen Mace's M a c e ' s nephew, n e p h e w , crecreww goingg o i n g tot o Neuwied.N e u w i e d . MichaeMichaell Broshart,B r o s h a r t , providedprovided some s o m e newspaper newspaper clippings c l i p p i n g s TheThe NNewYear e w Y e a r starteds t a r t e d ono n thet h e 1st 1 s t ofJanuary o f j a n u a r y with w i t ha araid r a i d containincontainingg Patrick'sP a t r i c k ' s story, s t o r y ,also a l stheo t hsamee s a mstotye s t owas r y w provided a s p r o v i d e d ttoo Koblenz,K o b l e n z , a arailroad r a i l r o a d bridge b r i d g eover o v e r the t h eMoselle. M o s e l l e .On O n this this frofromm t he h e locall o c a l newspaperfrom n e w s p a p e r f r o m Plymouth, P l y m o u t h ,Massachusetts, M a s s a c h u s e t t s , rairaidd thet h e aircrafta i r c r a f t was w a s piloted p i l o t e d by b y MauriceM a u r i c e CorwineC o r w i n e anda n d hish i s VerVernn Kirkey'sKirkey's hometown.h o m e t o w n . While on the bomb run, Patrick Colosimo had gone crew.crew. While o n t h e b o m b r u n , P a t r i c k C o l o s i m o h a d g o n e GlenGlen Mace,M a c e , oneo n e ofof Corwine'sC o r w i n e ' s gunners,g u n n e r s , providesp r o v i d e s aa dowdownn offoff thet h e flightflight deckd e c k toto openo p e n thethe bombb o m b doors,doors, asas commentarcommentaryy ffrom r o m hishis diary.diary. The T h e bomb b o m b load l o a dwas w a s3-2,000 3 - 2 , 0 0 0 therethere apparentlyapparently hadhad beenbeen somesome technicaltechnical problemsp r o b l e m s pounpoundd generalgeneral purposep u r p o s e bombs,b o m b s , thet h e missionm i s s i o n timet i m e wasw a s 77 witwithh oneo n e ooff thet h e doorsd o o r s which w h i c h was w a s partly p a r t l ystuck s t u c kopen. o p en Glen. G l e n hourhourss anda n d thethe bombsb o m b s werewere droppeddropped visuallyvisually anda n d onon MacMacee hhad a d aalso l s o comec o m e forwardf o r w a r d from f r o m his h i smid m i d ships s h i p sposition p o s i t i o n targettarget.. The T h e bridge b r i d g e was w a sdestroyed d e s t r o y e dand a n dthere t h e r ewas w a moderates m o d e r a t e anandd wasw a s assistinga s s i s t i n g himh i m inin openingo p e n i n g thethe door.d o o r . TheT h e gearsg e a r s flak, but b u tnot n o ttoo to oaccurate. accurate .Bud Bu dSteinmiller, Steinmiller the, t h etop t o p werweree apparentlya p p a r e n t l y strippeds t r i p p e d anda n d thet h e ddoor o o r ono n oneo n e sides i d e wasw a s gunner,gunner, hadh a d oneo n e smalls m a l l piece p i e c e of o f flak throught h r o u g h the t h e Martin M a r t i n onlonlyy oopen p e n abouta b o u t a foot.f o o t . Cot-wine C o r w i n e hadh a d toldt o l d themt h e m toto leave l e a v e turretturret.. TheT h e following f o l l o w i n g day, d a y ,the t h 68the 6 8 tsquadronh s q u a d r o returnedn r e t u r ne tod t o iitt and a n d they they were w e r e going g o i n g to to salvo s a l v o the t h e bombs b o m b s later. later .Glen G l e n KoblenzKoblenz.. AgainA g a i n therethere wasw a s nono damagedamage whenwhen WilliamWilliam MacMacee wasw a s returningr e t u r n i n g tot o hish i s waistw a i s t position p o s i t i o n and a n d Colosimo Colosimo Solomon'Solomon'ss ccrew r e w fflew l e w tthe h e mission.m i s s i o n . On O n thethe 7th7 t h ofo f January, j a n u a r y , turneturnedd ttoo gog o backb a c k up u p to t o the t h eflight f l i g h deck.t d e ck At. Athatt t h apoint,t p o i nthe t , t h e shipship shuddereds h u d d e r e d anda n d therethere wasw a s severesevere heath e a t ono n hishis backb a c k TheThe anti-aircraftanti-aircraft batteriesbatteries hithit aa silversilver plane;p l a n e ; the t h e rightr i g h t andand flames allall arounda r o u n d him.h i m . His His clothes c l o t h e s caught c a u g h t on o n fire,fire, wingwing whichw h i c h wentw e n t ono n fire,fire, brokeb r o k e off,off, anda n d thethe plane p l a n e spun s p u n asas heh e wasw a s disconnectedd i s c o n n e c t e d fromf r o m thethe intercom.i n t e r c o m . HeH e didn'tdidn't down.down. TheThe witnesseswitnesses onlyo n l y saws a w oneo n e parachute,parachute, though t h o u g h knowknow whatw h a t wasw a s saids a i d followingf o l l o w i n g thist h i s anda n d piecingp i e c i n g togethert o g e t h e r laterlater informationi n f o r m a t i o n indicatedi n d i c a t e d thatt h a t there t h e r e were w e r e two t w o survivors. s u r v i v o r s . fromfrom severalseveral sources,s o u r c e s , apparent apparentl lyy he h e was w a s pushed p u s h e d outout by b y TheThe easteast windw i n d blewblew thet h e parachutep a r a c h u t e towardstowards Dortmund,D o r t m u n d , someonesomeone elsee l s e throught h r o u g h thet h e bombb o m b bay.bay. He H e wasw a s notn o t aware a w a r e suburbsuburb ofo f Mengde,M e n g d e , anda n d thethe remainsr e m a i n s ofo f thet h e planep l a n e camec a m e ofof whatw h a t happenedh a p p e n e d forfor a a periodp e r i o d tilltill he h e came c a m e around, a r o u n d ,his his downdown inin DortD o r t mund-Derne. m u n d - D e r n e . ColosimoC o l o s i m o landedl a n d e d ono n aa streets t r e e t parachuteparachute deployed,deployed, withwith nono signssigns ofof anyany otherother calledcalled AmA m AmAmmerbaum merbaurn.. AtAt thisthis point,p o i n t , therethere was w a s a a flak flak parachutes,parachutes, butb u t aa largelarge fire ono n thethe ground.g r o u n d . PatrickPatrick unitunit 88mm.8 8 m m . crewedcrewed byby membersm e m b e r s ofof thet h e ArbeitsdienstArbeitsdienst indicatedindicated thatt h a t heh e hadh a d beenb e e n pickedp i c k e d upu p byby GermansG e r m a n s antia n d (young(young menm e n tootoo yyoung o u n g ffor o r militarym i l i t a r y service) s e r v i c e )and a n d105 1 0 5mm m m thrownthrown intointo aa villagev i l l a g e prisonp r i s o n where w h e r e thet h e news n e w s ofo f his h i s crew c r e w batterybattery ofo f thet h e Luftwaffe.L u f t w a f f e . There T h e r e wasw a s somes o m e argumenta r g u m e n t as a s to t o waswas variablev a r i a b l e and a n d was w a s told t o l d that t h a t 6 6 were w e r e dead d e a d and a n d then t h e n later l a t e r whowho shoulds h o u l d taket a k e himh i m prisonerprisoner anda n d inin thet h e meantimem e a n t i m e twot w o thatthat theythey werewere allall alive.alive. HeHe waswas movedmoved toto severalseveral policepolice officerso f f i c e r s arriveda r r i v e d anda n d liftedlifted him h i m upu p and a n d carried c a r r i e d him h i m differentdifferent prisonp r i s o n campsc a m p s followingf o l l o w i n g this,t h i s , and a n d on o n the t h e 5th 5 t h of o f approximatelyapproximately 11 1/21 / 2 km.k m . tot o thet h e locall o c a l policep o l i c e station.s t a t i o n . He H e MayMay hhis i s prisonp r i s o n camp c a m p wasw a s liberatedl i b e r a t e d coincidentallyc o i n c i d e n t a l l y by b y thet h e waswas woundedw o u n d e d anda n d bleedingb l e e d i n g ffrom r o m thethe headh e a d anda n d hishis rightright 82nd82nd airbornea i r b o r n e tot o whichw h i c h hish i s brother b r o t h e r was w a s attached. a t t a c h e d .Being B e i n g legleg wasw a s broken.b r o k e n . OnO n thethe way,w a y , they t h e y passedp a s s e d aa numbern u m b e r ofo f injured,injured, he h e was w a s shipped s h i p p e d outo u t by b y ambulance a m b u l a n c e to t o a a hospital. h o s p i t a l . civilianscivilians whow h o werewere standingstanding onon thethe street,street, screaming s c r e a m i n g HisHis brotherb r o t h e r JJim, i m , onlyo n l y missingm i s s i n g himh i m byby 202 0 minutes.m i n u t e s . HeHe "murderer""murderer" anda n d wwho h o spatspat anda n d kickedk i c k e d him.h i m . OneO n e ofo f themt h e m returnedreturned tot o thet h e U.S.U . S . inin late l a t e May M a y where w h e r e he h e contacted c o n t a c t e d the t h e kickekickedd hishis brokenb r o k e n legleg anda n d PatrickPatrick screamed.s c r e a m e d . AtAt thisthis relativesrelatives ofo f hish i s crew.c r e w . Maurice Maurice CorwineC o r w i n e returnedr e t u r n e d homeh o m e pointpoint,, thet h e police p o l i c e officers o f f i c e r s did d i d not n o t take t a k eany a n y action a c t i o nand a n d the t h e shortlyshortly aftera f t e r anda n d hishis storys t o r y wasw a s basicallybasically similar,s i m i l a r , havinghaving witnesswitness saidsaid thatthat thethe journeyj o u r n e y waswas likelike (running(running thethe beenbeen blownblown clearclear ofo f thethe planeplane inin thethe explosionexplosion andand gauntlet).gauntlet). OneO n e ooff tthe h e litl i t tle l e boysb o y s grabbed g r a b b e d a a heated h e a t e d glove g l o v e havinghaving beenb e e n takentaken prisoner'.p r i s o n e r . thatthat heh e waswas carrying.carrying. WhenWhen theythey reachedreached thethe policep o l i c e InIn earlyearly 1995,1995, II wasw a s ableable toto getget somes o m e copiescopies ofof stationstation,, heh e was w a s leftleft on o n thethe steps s t e p s and a n d thethe police p o l i c e officers officers capturedcaptured GermanG e r m a n documents,documents, whichw h i c h werew e r e thethe official o f f i c i a l wentwent inside.i n s i d e . TheT h e twot w o yyoung o u n g boysb o y s camec a m e uupp toto PatrickP a t r i c k and a n d LuftwaffLuftwaffee communicationsc o m m u n i c a t i o n s regardingregarding thet h e crashc r a s h fromf r o m aa sasaww tthat h a t heh e wasw a s coveredc o v e r e d ini n sweat s w e a t and a n d that t h a t there t h e r ewere w e r etears t e a r s CaptainCaptain MaasM a a s whow h o waswas thethe engineere n g i n e e r inin chargec h a r g e ofof thet h e runninrunningg downdown hishis face.face. AtAt thatthat pointpoint thethe locallocal salvagesalvage crew,c r e w , indicating i n d i c a t i n g that t h a t there t h e r ehad h a dbeen b e e n4 4identified i d e n t i f i e d OrtsgruppeOrtsgruppenn LeiterLeiter (local(local NaziNazi partyparty official)official) Franz F r a n z bodiesbodies:; Scott,Scott, Steinmiller,S t e i n m i l l e r , LoughL o u g h andand Mace,Mace, withw i t h 44 LanLandd aarrived r r i v e d ono n hish i s bicycle,b i c y c l e , ran r a n up u p the t h estairs s t a i r stowards t o w a r d sthe t h e unidentifiablunidentifiablee bodiesb o d i e s aatt thet h e crashc r a s h scene.s c e n e . AtA t thisthis point,p o i n t , prisonerprisoner.. PatrickP a t r i c k mustm u s t haveh a v e ggotten o t t e n a sshock h o c k wwhen h e n heh e saws a w thertheree seemeds e e m e d littlelittle elsee l s e ini n thet h e NationalN a t i o n a l ArchivesA r c h i v e s fromf r o m thithiss realr e a l Nazi N a z i in i n his h i s brown b r o w n uniformu n i f o r m comingc o m i n g towards t o w a r d s him h i m ththee GermanG e r m a n pointpoint ofo f viewv i e w anda n d onon playingplaying aa hunch,h u n c h , II afterafter whatw h a t hadh a d happenedh a p p e n e d ono n hishis journeyj o u r n e y fromf r o m thet h e street. s t r e e t. contactecontactedd tthe h e GermanyG e r m a n y EmbassyE m b a s s y ini n OttawaO t t a w a anda n d spokes p o k e tot o HoweverHowever,, LandL a n d eentered n t e r e d tthe h e ppolice o l i c e sstation t a t i o n aand n d theret h e r e wasw a s LtU.. ColonelC o l o n e l ChristenChristen Ibrom,I b r o m , thet h e militarymilitary attaché,a t t a c h e , whow h o a lloud o u d argument,a r g u m e n t , the t h ebasis b a s i sof o whichf w h i c wash w a thats t h athet t hpolicemene p o l i c e m e n wawass extremelye x t r e m e l y hhelpful e l p f u l ini n forwardingf o r w a r d i n g mym y requestrequest tot o thet h e hahadd notnot carriedcarried outout theirtheir dutyd u t y toto protectp r o t e c t thet h e prisonerp r i s o n e r GermaGermann Archives,Archives, whichw h i c h diddid notn o t bringb r i n g upu p anyany definited e f i n i t e whwhoo hadhad beenbeen abused.abused. TheThe policepolice officersofficers defendedd e f e n d e d specifispecificc evidencee v i d e n c e ffor o r mme. e . HeH e dididd ssuggest u g g e s t tthat h a t I contactc o n t a c t themselvethemselvess ssaying a y i n g tthat h a t DDr. r . GoerbelsG o e r b e l s hhad a d saidsaid (no( n o mercym e r c y ththee locallocal newspapern e w s p a p e r inin DortmundD o r t m u n d andand theythey mightm i g h t bebe foforr tthe h e tterror e r r o r flyers).flyers). PatrickP a t r i c k wasw a s thent h e n carriedc a r r i e d insidei n s i d e and a n d ablablee toto givegive additionaladditional help.help. ThisThis wasw a s doned o n e inin earlyearl y puputt iinn a ddetention e t e n t i o n cellcell inin thet h e basementb a s e m e n t anda n d thet h e twot w o boys b o y s OctobeOctoberr andand onlyonly 22 weeksweeks laterlater II receivedreceived aa letterletter sasaww hhim i m tthrough h r o u g h a wwindow. i n d o w . HeH e wasw a s moaning,m o a n i n g , "Help" H e l p me, m e , containincontainingg tthe h e iinformation n f o r m a t i o n abouta b o u t thet h e ccrash. r a s h . helhelpp me."me." OneOne ofof thethe policepolice officersofficers leftleft thet h e policep o l i c e UnfortunatelyUnfortunately,, becausebecause ofof thethe closenesscloseness toto thethe statiostationn anda n d fetchedfetched Dr.D r . Hallermann,H a l l e r m a n n , thet h e locallocal ddoctor, o c t o r , promisepromisedd ddate a t e ooff ccompletion o m p l e t i o n somes o m e ooff tthe h e detailsd e t a i l s are a r e not n o t whwhoo camec a m e aand n d gaveg a v e hhim i m medicalmedical ttreatment. r e a t m e n t . availableavailable,, butb u t to t o summarize s u m m a r i z e the t h e findings, f i n d i n g s ,it iwillt w i lshowl s h othew t h e ThThee policepolice hadhad informedinformed thethe locallocal LuftwaffeLuftwaffe atat differencdifferencee iinn perspective,p e r s p e c t i v e , though t h o u g h the t h estory s t o r yis iremarkablys r e m a r k a b l y BrackeBrackell airair base,b a s e , butb u t itit was w a s severalseveral days d a y s beforeb e f o r e heh e wasw a s similasimilarr ttoo thoset h o s e ooff PPat a t CColosimo. o l o s i m o . pickepickedd uup. p . TwoT w o soldiersoldierss hhad a d ggone o n e ffor o r tthe h e pprisoner r i s o n e r aand n d II haveh a v e tot o thank t h a n kStephen S t e p h e n Klemp K l e m p of o f the t h e local l o c a lnewspaper n e w s p a p e r helpehelpedd hhim i m ttoo thet h e frontf r o n t door;d o o r ; however, h o w e v e r , Patrick P a t r i c kdropped d r o p p e d foforr pproviding r o v i d i n g thisthis informationi n f o r m a t i o n anda n d HorstHorst MunterM u n t e r ththee ththee ccrutches, r u t c h e s , pushedp u s h e d thet h e soldiers s o l d i e r s aside a s i d eand a n dlimped l i m p e ddown d o w n localocall aviationa v i a t i o n enthusiastenthusiast inin Dortmund,D o r t m u n d , wwho h o collectedcollected ththee steps.s t e p s . WhenW h e n thethe backb a c k ooff tthe h e ttruck r u c k wwas a s opened.o p e n e d , heh e ththee iinformation. n f o r m a t i o n . HisH i s information i n f o r m a t i o n came c a m e from f r o m two t w o sources; s o u r c e s ; founfoundd tthere h e r e wwere e r e severals e v e r a l othero t h e r AAmerican m e r i c a n airair crewc r e w ini n the t h e HermaHermann LueLuerr aand n d WWilly i l l y PPietrzak, i e t r z a k , whow h o werew e r e youngy o u n g boysb o y s trucktruck.. HisHis spiritsspirits roser o s e aand n d hehe pullepulledd hhimself i m s e l f oonto n t o tthe h e aatt tthe h e ttime i m e wwho h o witnessewitnessedd tthe he ccrash. r a s h . trucktruck.. ThThee sstory t o r y isi s thatt h a t just j u s t before b e f o r e noon n o o n on o n a a clear c l e a rand a n dcold c o l d I spokes p o k e tot o HorstH o r s t Mu M u nnter t e r by b y phone p h o n e anda n d he, h e , though t h o u g h his h i s wintrwintryy dadayy tthe h e AAmerican m e r i c a n bbombers o m b e r sflew flew o over v e r DDortmund. o r t m u n d . EnglisEnglishh isis limited,limited, and a n d mym y GermanGerman isis non-existent, non-existent ,we w e 88 managed to p i e c e t o g e t h e r s i m i l a r d e t a i l s o f t h e story. Corky e x p l o d e d i n m i d air a n d t h e w r e c k a g e w a s s p r e a d over a c o n s i d e r a b l e a r e a . T h e G e r m a n r e c o r d s i n d i c a t e d that it w a s 9 5 % p e r c e n t d e m o l i s h e d . T h e w r e c k a g e w a s cleared b y t h e m e m b e r s o f t h e L u f t w a f f e , c o m m a n d e d by C a p t a i n M a a s a n d a l s o b y a n o f f i c e r c a l l e d Z e b r o w s k i . Four o f t h e d e a d w e r e i d e n t i f i e d a t t h e s c e n e b y t h e i r dog t a g s ; G l e n M a c e , W a y n e S c o t t , B u r t S t e i n m i l l e r a n d Robert L o u g h . T h e o t h e r c r e w m e m b e r s , Earl H o w s e r , DATE: 2 8 J a n u a r y Joseph W a l k e r , V e r n K i r k e y , a n d E d w a r d W e i m a n w e r e TARGET: D o r t m u n d , G e r m a n y not i d e n t i f i e d till m u c h later. T h e y w e r e b u r i e d i n the main cemetery in D o r t m u n d on the 9th ofjanuary. The Coking Plant at Dortmund was attacked but results ojthe However, it w a s n o t u n t i l m u c h later i n t h e y e a r , a r o u n dbombing were poor, due to several circumstances. One 66th December, t h a t t h e graves w e r e actually i n v e s t i g a t e d Squadron aircraft crash landed on the continent, but with no and in M a r c h of 1946 they w e r e transferred to t h e injuries. One 68th Squadron aircrajt did not return. Ardennes N a t i o n a l C e m e t e r y , c l o s e t o L i e g e i n B e l g i u m . Horst M u n t e r also i n d i c a t e d that, and I m a y h a v e 68th Squadron A/C #42-51101 H or E CORKY gotten t h e t r a n s l a t i o n slightl y w r o n g , b u t a p p a r e n t l y a Missing A i r C r e w R e p o r t # 1 2 0 0 7 number of y e a r s a g o a p o r t i o n of a p r o p e l l e r a n d an engine w e r e f o u n d f r o m t h e c r a s h a r e a , H o r s t i n d i c a t e d 68th Squadron Crew: that h e w i l l k e e p in c o n t a c t w i t h m e to g e t s o m e m o r e details o f w h a t h a p p e n e d . CORWINE, MAURICED. Pilot 1st L t . The official U . S . A i r F o r c e records indicate that ASN 0 - 7 7 1 3 2 0 EvadeeP/Returned Sedalia, Missouri there w e r e 3 p a r a c h u t e s , b u t m a n y o f t h e w i t n e s s e s f r o m the 6 8 t h b o m b g r o u p a r e n o l o n g e r a l i v e . H o w e v e r , T o m LOUGH, ROBERTL. Co-Pilot Fit O f . West t h e e n g i n e e r f r o m S o l o m o n ' s c r e w s a w C o r k y hit ASN T - l 2 6 8 2 7 KIA and h i s f r i e n d , R a y Z g o d a w h o h a s a l s o d i e d , left a d i a r y West V i r g i n i a with t h e d e t a i l s in it. SCOTT, WAYNES. Navigator 2nd Lt. Now 5 0 y e a r s later, m e m o r i e s f a d e a n d t h e n u m b e r ASN 0-206605 KIA of i n d i v i d u a l s a s s o c i a t e d are f e w , b u t R o b e r t T a y l o r ' s West P a l m B e a c h , Florida painting, W e l c o m e S i g h t , a n d t h e p r i n t s t h a t w e r e t a k e n HOWSER, EARL P. off t h e o r i g i n a l w i l l h o p e f u l l y p r o v i d e a l a s t i n g m e m o r y Radar - N a v . IstLt. ASN 0-864127 KIA of a finec r a f t t h a t b r o u g h t i t s c r e w s a f e l y h o m e 6 4 t i m e s , Kansas C i t y , Missouri with f a t e i n t e r v e n i n g o n the 6 5 t h a n d last mission. Recognition should also b e given to the g r o u n d WALKER, JOSEPH H. Engineer T/Sgt. crew o f B a r t o n Cramer, J o e Crisman, C h u c k W a g n e r ASN 14135751 KIA Sycamore, A l a b a m a and B o b K r u e g e r f o r k e e p i n g their p l a n e , a n d it really was t h e i r p l a n e , f l y i n g d e s p i t e t h e c o l d , t h e w e t a n d m u d COLOSIMO, PATRICKN Radio O p e r . T/Sgt. of a n E n g l i s h a i r f i e l d , g e t t i n g u p i n t h e e a r l y m o r n i n g t o ASN 13061725 Evadee?/Returned prepare h e r f o r h e r m i s s i o n s a n d t h e n w a i t i n g t h e l o n g Branchton, P e n n s y l v a n i a wait till s h e r e t u r n e d . T h e n h a v i n g t o r e p a i r t h e d a m a g e KIRKEY, VERNON O. Nose T u r r e t S/Sgt. sustained, in addition to the routine servicing, b u t ASN 31166867 KIA managing to g e t h e r r e a d y f o r t h e n e x t m i s s i o n w h i c h Plymouth, M a s s a c h u s e t t s often m e a n t w o r k i n g t h r o u g h the n i g h t in e x t r e m e l y MACE, GLENN E. Jr. severe conditions . R W Gunner S/Sgt. ASN17151925 KIA The picture, W e l c o m e Sight, p r o v i d e s a lasting Washington, I o w a memory to t h e s e m e n , t h o s e w h o returned a n d those who didn't a n d their aircraft. STEINMILLER, WILBERTR. LW G u n n e r S/SgL ASN 12239759 KIA Rochester, N e w Y o r k

WEINMAN, EDWARD I. Tail Turret S/Sgt. ASN 32828525 KIA Long Island, N e w Y o r k 4T4THH BOMBB O M B GROUPG R O U P VETERANSV E T E R A N S ASSOCIATIONA S S O C I A T I O N 0Drt4 MeadneiridgeM e a d o w r i d g r DriveDrive •• SantaSanta Rosa.R o s a . CAC A 954099 5 * 0 9 •• /0/.53g-4726 707-538-4726 •• fax Fax Mr-53E1-1212 7 0 7 - 5 3 8 - 1 2 1 2

OctoberOctober 14.14, 19951 9 9 5

Mr.Mr. JohnJ o h n PagePage 6 MeadowM e a d o w WayWay Poringlancl, Norwich PoringlandNR14 712 , N o r w i c h NR1United4 7L KingdomZ United Kingdom Dear John: Please acceptaccept thisthis Copy copy of of The The Second Second Air Air Division Division History History as a as a toketokenn ofof thet h e greatg r e a t respectr e s p e c t aand n d gratitudegratitude heldh e l d forfor yyou o u byb y thethe membermemberss ofof thet h e 44th4 4 t h BombB o m b GrouGroupp VeteransVeterans Association.A s s o c i a t i o n . Your long,long, loyal loyal and and dedicated dedicated friendship friendship with with the 44ththe 44thover over ththee yearsy e a r s hash a s bbeen e e n displayeddisplayed inin manym a n y ways.ways. MostM o s t significantly.significantly. with your annual Memorial Day travel to the American witCemeteryh y o u r a at n n uMaddingley a l Memoria lto D aprovidey trave land t o tplace h e A m ea r ibeautiful c a n Cemeterwreath iny theat Mname a d d i nof g l the e y t44tho p r oBomb v i d e a Group n d plac toe thea beautifu memoryl of ourwreat fallenh In tcomrades h e n a m e oburiedf t h e 4 there. 4 t h B o m b Group to t h e m e m o r y of our fallen c o m r a d e s buried t h e r e . Additionally, the personal contact and guidance you SO Additionally,untiringly provide the to personalany of our contact group andand theirguidance families you when so visitinguntiringl they p rNorwich-Shipdham o v i d e t o a n y of o u r areag r o u phas a n deeplyd their fendeared a m i l i e s whe youn visitinto theg hearts t h e N oof r w our l c h -44th S h l pfamily, d h a m a of r e awhich has dyou e e p larey e a n dpart. e a r e d you tWhileo t h e weh ea rcan t s o neverf o u r 4expect 4 t h f a m ito l y ,fully of wexpress h i c h y oouru a rgratitudee a part. for all Whileyour help we canand neverloyalty, expect we hope to fullythis history express will giveour yougratitude for all youpleasurer h e l p and a n d beloyalty a reminder, w e hop ofe howthis hmuch i s t o r y wewill treasure g i v e y o uyour friendship.pleasure a n d b e a reminder of h o w m u c h w e treasure y o u r friendshipSinc ely, . Slnce/ely,

Roy W,yv'. Owen, Owen. PresidenPresidentt

John Page at the the AmericanAnzetican Cernetny,Cemetery, Maddingley, May 30, 1994.1994

• ,,,,:irx,A,t,t4WWWitWOV.

10 FLYINFLYINGG CCONTROL O N T R O L Decembery1944December, 1 9 4 4 HerHeree isis somes o m e moremore greatgreat texttext aboutabout anotheranother ofof ouro u r equipmentequipment,, togethertogether withwith thethe shortages h o r t a g e ofof supplys u p p l y ofof anya n y supporsupportt units.units. TheT h e onlyo n l y problemproblem herehere isis thatt h a t I don'td o n ' t equipmenequipmentt anda n d ouro u r inabilityi n a b i l i t y tot o procurep r o c u r e suitablesuitable substitutessubstitutes knoknoww wwho h o ssubmitted u b m i t t e d tthis h i s report.r e p o r t . Can C a n anyonea n y o n e fillfill us u s in i n on o n presentepresentedd ratherr a t h e r ttough o u g h obstacles.o b s t a c l e s . However,H o w e v e r , even e v e n underu n d e r theset h e s e whwhoo wasw a s thet h e SeniorS e n i o r FlyingF l y i n g ControlC o n t r o l Officer?Officer? circumstancescircumstances,, wew e didd i d managem a n a g e toto devised e v i s e a a system s y s t e m ofo f runwayr u n w a y lightlightss anda n d lightsl i g h t s outo u t ini n thet h e countryc o u n t r y toto acta c t asa s pylonsp y l o n s forfor thet h e At theAt theoutset outset it it should should bebe made clear clear thatthat the the name name Flying Flying planeplaness tot o makem a k e theirtheir turnst u r n s on,o n , whichw h i c h areare stillstill second s e c o n d toto none n o n e ControlControl isis a misnomer.m i s n o m e r . ThisT h i s SectionS e c t i o n hash a s asa s itsits basicb a s ic function f u n c t i o n iinn thisthis country.c o u n t r y . ThisT h i s isis evidencede v i d e n c e d byb y thet h e factfact thatt h a t invariablyi n v a r i a b l y ththee safetys a f e t y ofo f thet h e aircraftaircraft anda n d crewc r e w fromf r o m timetime ofo f take-offt a k e - o f f untilu n t i l duringduring rreally e a l l y badb a d visibility,visibility ,all a l lof o four o u rplanes p l a n e swill w i llandl l a n here,d h e r eplus, p l u s iitt is is safely s a f e l yon o nthe t h eground g r o u n d again, again ,whether w h e t h e rat a thist t hi aerodromes a e r o d r o m ore o r ononee oror morem o r e aircraftaircraft fromf r o m othero t h e r Groups,G r o u p s , whow h o saws a w ouro u r llights. i g h t s . somsomee other.other. ToTo date,d a t e , ouro u r system s y s t e m ofo f bad b a d weatherw e a t h e r Aerodrome A e r o d r o m e landingl a n d i n g lightsl i g h t s ProbablProbablyy aa briefb r i e f resumer e s u m e ofof thet h e historyh i s t o r y ofo f FlyingF l y i n g ControlC o n t r o l hahass beenb e e n ini n operationalo p e r a t i o n a l forf o r morem o r e thant h a n oneo n e anda n d aa halfh a l f years y e a r s and a n d anandd howh o w itit came c a m e intointo existence existence in i nour o u r AirA i r Force F o r c e is i sin i n order. o r d e r . ththee numbern u m b e r ofof aircrafta i r c r a f t saveds a v e d byby itit isi s large. l a r g e . TheT h e BritishBritish AAir i r AfteAfterr thet h e firstfirst yeary e a r ofo f war,w a r , Great G r e a t BritainBritain found f o u n d thatthat her h e r losses l o s s e s MinistryMinistry hash a s twicet w i c e ssent e n t ana n aircrafta i r c r a f t downd o w n toto makem a k e dummyd u m m y raidsraids iinn aircrafta i r c r a f t werew e r e farfar greaterg r e a t e r ono n non-operationaln o n - o p e r a t i o n a l flightsflights anda n d ono n oonn itit forf o r thet h e purpose p u r p o s e ofof checkingc h e c k i n g upu p ono n itsits adoption.a d o p t i o n . TheT h e ththee groundg r o u n d thanthan theyt h e y wwere e r e bbecause e c a u s e ooff aactual c t u a l combat.c o m b a t . AA studys t u d y SenioSeniorr FlyingFlying ControlControl OfficerOfficer ofof FirstFirst BombB o m b DivisionDivision hash a s ooff thet h e causesc a u s e s ooff tthis h i s situations i t u a t i o n resultedr e s u l t e d ini n the t h e establishmente s t a b l i s h m e n t ofo f inspecteinspectedd itit with w i t h thethe idea i d e a ofo f adopting a d o p t i n g iti tso s ofar f a ras a spracticable p r a c t i c a b l e ththee FlyingF l y i n g ControlC o n t r o l OrganizationO r g a n i z a t i o n withinw i t h i n thethe R.A.F.R . A . F . underu n d e r tthe h e inin FirstFirst DDivision. i v i s i o n . VariousV a r i o u s stationss t a t i o n s ini n SecondS e c o n d AirAir DivisionD i v i s i o n areare DirectoDirectorr ofo f AircraftA i r c r a f t Safely,S a f e l y , AirAir Ministry. M i n i s t r y . usingusing ffeatures e a t u r e s ooff iitt and a n d oneo n e stations t a t i o n is i s building b u i l d i n g it i tin i itsn i tentirety.s e n t i r e t y. ShortlShortlyy afterafter thet h e entryentry ofo f thet h e UnitedU n i t e d StatesStates intoi n t o thet h e war,w a r , OnO n oneone occasion,o c c a s i o n , underu n d e r similars i m i l a r weatherw e a t h e r conditions, c o n d i t i o n s ,22 2 2of o four o u r liaisoliaisonn betweenb e t w e e n ouro u r ttwo w o AirA i r ForcesF o r c e s indicatedi n d i c a t e d thet h e need n e e d forf o r such s u c h owownn aircraftaircraft,, plus p l u s five f i v efrom f r o mother o t h e rSecond S e c o n dDivision D i v i s i o nstations s t a t i o n ands a n d a systems y s t e m withinw i t h i n ouro u r forces.f o r c e s . ThisT h i s wasw a s especiallyespecially truetrue becauseb e c a u s e thirty-twthirty-twoo 13-17'sB - 1 7 ' s fromf r o m FirstFirst DivisionD i v i s i o n werew e r e landedlanded duringd u r i n g veryv e r y ofof thet h e expectatione x p e c t a t i o n thatt h a t largel a r g e numbersn u m b e r s ooff oour u r aaircraft i r c r a f t wouldw o u l d beb e poopoorr vvisibility i s i b i l i t y anda n d aa heavyh e a v y snows n o w stormstorm inin less l e s s time t i m e than t h a n other o t h e r flyinflyingg fromf r o m basesb a s e s ini n the t h e U.K. U . K . where w h e r e they t h e ywould w o u l d have h a v e to t ocomply c o m p l y stationsstations tookt o o k toto get g e t theirt h e i r owno w n aircrafta i r c r a f t ono n thet h e ground.g r o u n d . witwithh R.A.F.R . A . F . rulesr u l e s anda n d regulations.r e g u l a t i o n s . AnAnyy suggestionss u g g e s t i o n s fromf r o m flyingflying personnelp e r s o n n e l asa s tot o howh o w wwee canc a n TToo thathatt end,e n d , early e a r l y in i n July, J u l y ,1942, 1 9 4 2 ten, t eofficersn o f f i c e rweres w e rsente s e nfromt f r o m improvimprovee ouro u r services e r v i c e tot o themt h e m isis welcomedw e l c o m e d andand ifif practical, p r a c t i c a l ,put p u t ththee U.S.U . S . tot o EnglandE n g l a n d anda n d placedp l a c e d ono n detachedd e t a c h e d serviceservice withw i t h thet h e intintoo effect.e f f e c t . An A n Alert A l e r t Crew C r e w isis always a l w a y son o n duty d u t y to t omeet, m e e t ,park p a r kand a n d R.A.FR.A.F.. forf o r training t r a i n i n g in i n Flying F l y i n g Control. C o n t r o l .The T h e Senior S e n i o rFlying F l y i n gControl C o n t r o l serviceservice visitingv i s i t i n g aircraft.aircraft. Since S i n c e thisthis sections e c t i o n hash a s aa considerablec o n s i d e r a b l e OfficeOfficerr ofo f thist h i s station s t a t i o n was w a s one o n e of o f that t h a toriginal o r i g i n a lgroup. g r o u p Since. S i n c ethat t h a t numbenumberr ofof activitiesactivities associateda s s o c i a t e d withwith R.A.F.R.A.F. nightn i g h t flying,flying, iti tis is timetime,, hundredsh u n d r e d s ofo f USAAFU S A A F officersofficers haveh a v e receivedreceived thisthis trainingt r a i n i n g necessarnecessaryy thatt h a t theret h e r e alwaysa l w a y s beb e a completec o m p l e t e staffstaff ono n duty.d u t y . Alert Alert iinn thet h e R.A.F.R . A . F . crewcrew,, crashc r a s h crew,c r e w , flarepathf l a r e p a t h crew,c r e w , SandraS a n d r a lightslights crew,c r e w , PunditP u n d i t FlyinFlyingg ControlC o n t r o l isis analogousa n a l o g o u s toto BaseB a s e OperationsOperations backb a c k iinn crewcrew,, AirfieldA i r f i e l d Controller,C o n t r o l l e r ,Airman A i r m a nof o fthe t h eWatch, W a t c h Radio-telephone, R a d i o - t e l e p h o n e thethe States,S t a t e s , butb u t the t h e similaritys i m i l a r i t y divides d i v i d e s sharply s h a r p l y onceo n c e wew e leavel e a v e its its operatoroperator,, clerksc l e r k s and a n d a a duty d u t y Flying F l y i n g Control C o n t r o l Officer, O f f i c e r ,all al maintainl m a i n t a i n fundamentafundamentall purpose.p u r p o s e . InI n thet h e U.S.U . S . flyingf l y i n g isis conductedc o n d u c t e d almostalmost a systems y s t e m ofof watchesw a t c h e s throughoutt h r o u g h o u t thethe 242 4 hoursh o u r s ofo f thet h e day.d a y . whollwhollyy aaccording c c o r d i n g ttoo peacep e a c e timet i m e anda n d civiliancivilian airline a i r l i n erequirements. r e q u i r e m e n t s . RealizinRealizingg thatt h a t tthe h e AerodromeA e r o d r o m e isis thet h e front f r o n t door d o o r to t o the t h e Base B a s e HereHere,, wew e haveh a v e onlyo n l y militarym i l i t a r y flyingf l y i n g asa s dictatedd i c t a t e d bbyy thet h e needsn e e d s ooff forfor mostm o s t flyingflying personnelp e r s o n n e l anda n d largel a r g e numbersn u m b e r s ofof passengers,p a s s e n g e r s , trainintrainingg iinn newn e w techniquest e c h n i q u e s anda n d thet h e demandsd e m a n d s ofof thet h e strategics t r a t e g i c particularstressparticular s t r e s s has h a s always a l w a y s been b e e n placed p l a c e d on o n neatness, n e a t n e s s ,cleanliness c l e a n l i n e s s andand tacticaltactical situation.situation. ThousandsT h o u s a n d s ofof aircrafta i r c r a f t flyingflying dayd a y anda n d andand attractivenessattractiveness ofo f thet h e ControlC o n t r o l TowerT o w e r anda n d itsits grounds.g r o u n d s . At A t nighnightt into,i n t o , outo u t of, o f ,and a n d within w i t h i na acountry c o u n t r yno n olarger l a r g e rthan t h a none o n e of o f considerableconsiderable ppersonal e r s o n a l expense,e x p e n s e , aa beautifulb e a u t i f u l flowerf l o w e r gardeng a r d e n wasw a s ouourr mediumm e d i u m sizedsized statesstates backb a c k home.h o m e . OurO u r jobj o b isis tot o providep r o v i d e createdcreated aroundaround thethe ControlC o n t r o l TowerT o w e r thisthis pastpast yearyear anda n d itit isis everyevery humanlyh u m a n l y possiblepossible facilityfacility tot o theset h e s e aaircraft. i r c r a f t . expectedexpected thatthat tthis h i s yeary e a r an a n evene v e n prettierprettier and a n d largerlarger one o n e willw i l l be b e BrokeBrokenn downd o w n intointo itsits majorm a j o r headings,h e a d i n g s , FlyingF l y i n g ControlControl isis developed.developed. responsiblresponsiblee for:for: supervision s u p e r v i s i o n ofof AerodromeA e r o d r o m e maintenance,maintenance, ThThee DecemberDecember MonthlyMonthly FlyingFlying ControlControl ReportReport ofof thist h i s taxyingtaxying,, take-offtake-off and a n d landingl a n d i n g instructions i n s t r u c t i o n s for f o r aircraft, a i r c r a f t ,local loca airl a i r stationstation whichwhich goesgoes ono n toto higherh i g h e r Commands,C o m m a n d s , indicatesindicates 191 9 traffitrafficc control,c o n t r o l , thet h e provisionp r o v i s i o n ofo f certainc e r t a i n navigationaln a v i g a t i o n a l aidsa i d s anda n d heavyheavy bombers,bombers, fromfrom otherother aerodromes,aerodromes, inin difficultydifficulty oror facilitiesfacilities,, institutinginstituting airair sea s e a rescue,rescue, locatinglocating andand hominghoming distress,distress, werew e r e givengiven sufficientsufficient assistanceassistance byb y thisthis SectionS e c t i o n ttoo facilitiefacilitiess forf o r aircrafta i r c r a f t thatt h a t area r e lostlost oro r ini n distress, d i s t r e s s , variousvarious night n i g h t enablenablee themt h e m toto makem a k e safesafe landingsl a n d i n g s here.h e r e . OfO f tthis h i s numbern u m b e r anda n d landinlandingg lightlight navigationalnavigational aidaid facilities,facilities, instituting instituting airair sea sea becausbecausee ofof thet h e efficiencye f f i c i e n c y ofof thet h e Section S e c t i o n anda n d thet h e aidsa i d s anda n d rescuerescue actionaction throughthrough properproper channels,channels, routingrouting ofof non-non- facilitiesfacilities provided,p r o v i d e d , sixs i x ofo f theset h e s e aircraftaircraft werew e r e possiblypossibly savedsaved operationaloperational flights,flights, recognition recognition and a n d identification i d e n t i f i c a t i o n procedure, p r o c e d u r e , frofromm crashing.crashing. ThisT h i s isis aa fairlyfairly typicalt y p i c a l monthm o n t h anda n d itit isi s worthw o r t h airair raidr a i d broadcasts.b r o a d c a s t s . notingnoting thatthat thet h e figurefigure ofo f 191 9 isi s exclusivee x c l u s i v e ofo f ouro u r owno w n aircraft!a i r c r a f t ! EarlEarlyy inin thethe Group'sGroup's operationaloperational history,history, ourour FlyingFlying (0866)(0866) ControControll SectionS e c t i o n realizedr e a l i z e d tthat h a t inadequatei n a d e q u a t e researchr e s e a r c h anda n d thoughtt h o u g h t IInn conclusion,c o n c l u s i o n , regardlessr e g a r d l e s s ofo f whosew h o s e responsibilityresponsibility aa dutyd u t y hahadd beenbeen givengiven toto thet h e problemsp r o b l e m s ofof badb a d weatherw e a t h e r daytimedaytime maymay bbe, e , thisthis Section S e c t i o n has h a s never n e v e r hesitated h e s i t a t e d to t o either e i t h e r do d o or o rsee s e ethat t h a t landingslandings.. TheT h e R.A.F.R . A . F . systems y s t e m ofof AerodromeA e r o d r o m e nightnight lightslights werew e r e ththee jobj o b isis done. d o n e . Other O t h e r UnitsUnits and a n d Sections S e c t i o n s on o n this this base b a s e havehave excellenexcellentt forfor justj u s t whatw h a t theythey werewere intendedintended for,for, butb u t werew e r e beebeenn extremelyextremely helpfulhelpful andand co-operativeco-operative withwith usus inin thet h e uselesuselesss forf o r aircrafta i r c r a f t flyingflying inin daytimed a y t i m e andand returningr e t u r n i ng toto landl a n d performancperformancee ofof ouro u r dutiesduties anda n d ouro u r thankst h a n k s area r e dued u e themt h e m ffor o r undeunderr thethe worstw o r s t possiblep o s s i b l e conditionsc o n d i t i o n s ofo f vvisibility i s i b i l i t y anda n d ceiling.c e i l i n g . suchsuch excellentexcellent teamwork.t e a m w o r k . (Finis)(Finis) (0867) ( 0 8 6 7 ) ThThee non-existencenon-existence ofof whatw h a t wew e consideredconsidered properproper (0865)(0865) 1111 DOINGDOING OOUR U R JOBJOB

Editor: Better Better have have the Kleenexthe Kleenex nearby nearby for this for great this story! great After story! reading After three reading issues ofthree this journal,issues youof mustthis havejournal, discerned you must have discerned thatthat communicationc o m m u n i c a t i o n amongsta m o n g s t thet h e 44th4 4 t h familyf a m i l y isis our o u r primary p r i m a r y purpose. p u r p o s e . Assisting A s s i s t i n gone o n emember m e m b e r to to find f i n danother, a n o t h e r ,finding f i n d i n ag familya f a m i l y membermember oro r crewc r e w memberm e m b e r sinces i n c e deceased,d e c e a s e d , or o r helping h e l p i n g a a crew c r e w get g e t together t o g e t h e rafter a f t e rall a lthesel t h e syearse y e a r iss ithes t hhighe h i gpointh p o i of n t doingo f d o ithis n g t job. h i s j o b . You,You, byb y now,n o w , probably p r o b a b l y have h a v e guessed g u e s s e d that t h a toccasionally o c c a s i o n a l l y your y o u r Editor E d i t o r is i ssitting sittin gat a thist t h icomputers c o m p u t etryingr t r y i ntog totypet y pthroughe t h r o u gtheh t tears, h e t e a r s , emotionalemotional guyg u y thatt h a t I Iam. a m .This T h i sis iones o n ofe o thosef t h o sdays.e d a y sThis. T h istorys s to will, r y w i no l l , doubt, n o d o u be b t , the b e benchmarkt h e b e n c h m ain r krewards i n r e wa for r d s doing f o r d oour i n g job, o u r and j o b , a n d oneone youy o u won'tw o n ' t soons o o n forget.f o r g e t .

We'llWell starts t a r t withw i t h an a n article a r t i c l e authored a u t h o r e d by b y staff staf fwriter w r i t e rDawn D a w nDrago D r a g ofor f o ther th Readinge R e a d i n (PA)g ( P AEagle/Times) E a g l e / T i m eons oSunday,n S u n d a May y , M a7,y 1995. 7,1995 The. T h e articlearticle concerns c o n c e r n s Mrs. M r s . Lois L o i s (Shaeffer) ( S h a e f f e r )Cianci Cianc iof o Sinkingf S i n k i n Springs,g S p r i n g sPA., P AShe. S hrespondede r e s p o n d etod ant o Eagle/Timesa n E a g l e / T i m Commemoration e s C o m m e m o r a t i oofn theo f t h e 50th50th anniversarya n n i v e r s a r y ofo f VEV E DayDay pleaplea forf o r copies c o p i e s of o fletters l e t t e r sof o lovef l o vtoe tando a n fromd f r othosem t h o sseparatede s e p a r a t eind ithen t hware w ayears.r y e ar Her s . H eLettersr L e t t eof r s Love o f L o v e werewere fromf r o m herh e r fatherf a t h e r TechnicalT e c h n i c a l Sergeant S e r g e a n t ClairC l a i r P. P . Shaeffer, Shaeffer ,68th 6 8 t hBomb B o m bSquadron, Squadron 44th, 4 4 tBombh B o m bGroup Grou (H)p (H Shipdham,) S h i p d h a mEngland., E n g l a n d .

Sergeant Shaeffer, Flight Engineer on the B-24 Liberator "Nice 'n Naughty" was killed in action 21 January 1944 on a mission targeted against a German V-1 Missile complex in the Pas Des Calais Area, France.The 68th Bomb Squadron put up seven aircraft against this target, only three returned. .•, n • L-1

••••••• ,frh. ••C ••••••,;. •

-*"..-E'L!••• • e•"-' • --,1•••'! •

.0. 0 MIMS A 10 IS Prams.... • .0.P. let O. 6,,.:s. ' „S. I t r, • y r,•1 , .4 ..• if r..) ,-,7 ..-,.- ,d••••••••e'q," , • , 4 •14i 1l'

V'l ..•1,,, r ••1r _,,,T47,3 „,,,„._sx-_,•,•,____. ±,-:;:t.,--••,• ,L.,..g-lz,_:,,.,,..7:::•71..„..J,_.,,__.,_,,,•.....,....,_.,•,.i....,..,z,___%,.. ._-7--

: c.....,.,..,,,,,t. -•-•4 5-0•••••4., '---1/ I •-:::4:1;.3:-. 2'.::-.7Z.2.il 4"../711?;41,4J—Z,.-4,4;:•,_ ..,•,.• ,‘„ A • ...th 4,71r ,3

ABO E: Lois Clanci sorts through her father's wartime letters, including the three above right. RIGHT: Clair P. Shaeffer holds his daughter, Lois, in a photo from 1945.

"I kept thinking maybe he lost a leg and he didn't want to come home that way, that maybe he stayed (in France). I always thought that one day the ite04Ie doorbell would ring and I would open the door and he would be there." Lois Gana from a war 511 years ago on the loss of her father in World War!! LoisLois Cianci holds holds dear dear the the love lovedow downn overover FranceFrance andand hehe waswas AA fefewu yearsy e a r s ago,a g o , she s h e decided d e c i d e dto t o nearlynearly every every day day we we have have a short a short notesnotes she she received received as as a tota tot from from a areporte reportedd mmissing i s s i n g iinn action.action. givgivee uupp nnursing u r s i n g ttoo hhelp e l p ccare a r e forfor sprinkle.sprinkle. I fully I fully expect expect to be shipped to be shipped dashing airman, her father. dashing airman, her father. SeveraSeverall monthsmonths later,later, thethe infantinfantss inin thethe ChildhoodChildhood withinwithin the the following following three three days days so so wreckage was found and he was wreckage w a s f o u n d a n d h e w a s EducatioEducationn CCenter e n t e r aatt thet h e hospital. h o s p i t a l . dodo not write until until you you receive receive my my ByBy DawnDawn Drago officiallofficiallyy ddeclared e c l a r e d ddead. e a d . BotBothh ooff hher e r oown w n childrechildrenn aare r e newnew addrm. address. I hopeI hope it itwill will be be Eagle/TimesEagle/Times LoiLoiss wentwent toto livelive withwith herher growgrownn nnow. o w , anda n d shes h e hash a s begun b e g u n to t o Denver,Denver, Colorado.Colorado. Keep Keep your LoiLoiss Cianci,Cianci, 56,56, ofof LowerLower father'father'ss half-sister,half-sister, whow h o waswas trtryy toto tracktrack downdown thethe exactexact fingers crossed for me sweetheart. HeidelberI leidelbergg TTownship o w n s h i p wwas a s a littlel i t t l e marriemarriedd wwith i t h ttwo w o cchildren h i l d r e n ooff hher e r locadolocationn ooff hher e r ffather's a t h e r ' s ggrave r a v e iinn fingers crossed for nte sweetheart. girgirll duringd u r i n g WorldW o r l d War!!,W a r I I ,but b u tshe s h e ownOwn.. BelgiumBelgium.. II amam getting getting along along very very well well gogott lovelove letters,letters, photosp h o t o s andand ExcepExceptt ffor o r thet h e photos,p h o t o s , letters,letters, "I'"I'mm ttold o l d tthe h e cemeteriesc e m e t e r i e s theret h e r e down here here andand really really like like it it trinkettrinketss ffrom r o m a ddashing a s h i n g aairman. i r m a n . hihiss uniformu n i f o r m cap,cap, hish i s Bible,B i b l e , hishis araree bbeautiful," e a u d f u l , " sshe h e said.said. tremendously because because now now I have I have AfteAfterr heh e waswas shotshot downd o w n overover flighflightt wingswings andand hishis HeHerr husband,husband, whow h o worksworks atat been introducedintroduced to toquite quite a few a very few very France in 1944, those precious France in 1 9 4 4 , t h o s e p r e c i o u s posthumously-awardeposthumously-awardedd PurplePurple CarpenteCarpenterr Technology,Technology, hash a s anan interesting people. people. few things were all she had left of Heart. Lois has only dim few t h i n g s w e r e a l l s h e h a d left o f Heart, Lois has only dim acquaintancacquaintancee whowho liveslives inin Many,Many, many timestimes in in the the course course heherr ddaddy. a d d y . memoriememoriess ttoo rremind e m i n d heherr ooff hher e r BelgiumBelgium,, anda n d CianciC i a n c i said s a i d heh e hash a s of the day,day, thethe memorymemory of of mymy AnAndd hher e r DDaddy a d d y wasw a s alla l l she s h e had. h a d . fatherfather.. And,And, asas withwith mostmost promisepromisedd toto trytry toto locatelocate thethe sweetheart back back home home comes comes into into IInn ReadingR e a d i n g inin 1942.1942, ClairC l a i r P.P . childhoochildhoodd mmemories, e m o r i e s , lesdifficultit's d i f f i c u l t gravegrave.. ShaeffeShaefferr wasw a s aa route r o u t e salesman s a l e s m a n for f o r ttoo sortsort outout whatwhat sheshe reallyreally "I'"I'dd llike i k e ttoo ggoo tthere h e r e someday,s o m e d a y , my mind, mind, andand I nevernever tire tire of of Maier'Maier'ss Bakery.B a k e r y , a ddivorced i v o r c e d manm a n remembererememberedd andand whatwhat shes h e wasw a s oorr aatt leastl e a s t see s e e a apicture p i c t u r eof o it,"f it she , " s h e showingtheboysyourpictureshowing the boys your picture and and raisinraisingg hishis 3-year-old3-year-old daughterdaughter toltoldd later.later. saidsaid,, sittings i t t i n g ini n herh e r livingliving roomr o o m telling them them about about you. you. They They all all alonalonee iinn ana n erae r a longl o n g beforeb e f o r e dayd a y ShShee ddoes. o e s , however,h o w e v e r , remember r e m e m b e r lookinlookingg overover herher father'sfather's say youyou mustmust be be a a grand grand girl. girl. carcaree centers.c e n t e r s . ththee yyears e a r s ofo f herh e r childhoodc h i l d h o o d aftera f t e r belongingsbelongings,. I wish II could could see see you you and and hear hear WheWhenn hhee hhad a d nnowhere o w h e r e ttoo leavel e a v e heherr ffather a t h e r wasw a s killed.killed. "Bu"Butt I haveh a v e lotslots ofo f thingsthings tot o you talk. Daddy Daddy is isterribly terribly proud proud his little girl during his work I was often angry at him for his litde girl during his work I w a s often angry at h i m for rememberememberr himhim by.by, whichw h i c h I'mI'm of you. I amam looking looking forward forward to to hours, he took her with him on leavinleavingg mme," e , " shes h e acknowledged.a c k n o w l e d g e d . sursuree llots o t s ofo f kids k i d s don't d o n ' t have." h a v e . " hours, h e took h e r w i t h h i m on your birthday. Imagine, Imagine, you'll you'll be be ththee ttruck. r u c k . Sometimes,S o m e t i m e s , she s h e spent s p e n t ""II keptk e p t that t h a t picture p i c t u r eof o fhim h i mon o nmy m y 4yearsold.4 years old. A Areal realbigyounglady. bigyoung lady. ththee daysd a y s at a t her h e r uncle's u n c l e ' sgas g a stations s t a t i o n dressedresserr anda nd oneone timetime I gotg o t sos o (3D CEJ ThelightsThe lights are aregoingoffin goi ngoffin about about iinn Shillington.S h i l l i n g t o n . madmad,, I knockedk n o c k e d itit ono n thethe floor floor Sept. 9, 9,1942 1942 SomehowSomehow,, fatherf a t h e r and a n d daughter d a u g h t e r anandd brokeb r o k e thet h e glass."glass." 10 minutes so so until until Daddy Daddy comes comes home, hishis love love will will make make the starsthe stars managedmanaged.. "An"Andd yety e t II knew k n e w that tha the h e would w o u l d DarlingDarling Lois,Lois, have come back to me if he had ButBut,, then,t h e n , ShaefferS h a e f f er was w a s called c a l l e d have c o m e b a c k to m e if h e h a d Daddy is sending sending a fewa few pictures picturesshine for his his little little darling darling Lois. Lois. into the Army Air Force, where survived.survived."" into t h e A r m y Air F o r c e , w h e r e of himselfhimselland and his his bunkmates bunkmates and and Daddy hhee wouldwould laterlater beb e trainedtrained asas aa FoForr years,years, shes h e clungclung withwith aa a girl by by the the name name of Mary.of Mary. l am I am flightengineerandturretgunneflightengineerand turret gunnerr child'schild's faithf a i t h to to the d i ehope h o p ethat t h ahert h e r FromFrom Army Army Air Air Force Force Tech.Tech, veiyvery glad glad to tohear hear your your whooping whooping onon a B-24B - 2 4 LiberatorL i b e r a t o r bomberb o m b e r anda n d fathefatherr wasn'tw a s n ' t rreally e a l l y ddead. e a d . Sgt. Clair Clair Shaeffer S h a e f f e r to t o his h i s 3-year- 3 - y e a r - cough is getting so much better, earnearn thethe rankrank ofof technicaltechnical "I"I kept k e p t thinking t h i n k i n g maybe m a y b e he h e lost l o s t cough is getting so much better,olold d daughterd a u g h t e r LoisL o i s ini n Reading.R e a d i n g . sergeant.sergeant. a legl e g anda n d heh e didn'td i d n ' t want w a n t to t o come c o m e keep that that chin chin up, up, be abe good a good girl girl HHee hadhad nono alternativealternative othero t h e r homhomee thatthat way,w a y , thatt h a t maybem a y b e hehe and we'llwe'll lick lick that that easily. easily. thathann tot o leavel e a v e his h i s young y o u n g daughter d a u g h t e r stayedstayed (in(in France),"F r a n c e ) , " shes h e said.s a i d. "I "I This isis one one ofof thethe uniforms uniforms withwith aa successions u c c e s s i o n ofo f friendsf r i e n d s as a she h e alwaysalways thoughtt h o u g h t thatt h a t oneo n e dayd a y thet h e Daddy has andand thethe longer longer he hestays stays wentwent offo f f tot o wan w a r . doorbelldoorbell wouldw o u l d ringring anda n d I would w o u l d in the the Army, Army, the the prouder prouder he heis tois to Lois Cianci of of Wemersvilled Wernersvilled TheThe friendsf r i e n d s werew e r e good g o o d toto little l i t d e openopen thethe doord o o r anda n d heh e wouldw o u l d beb e wear it.it. shared thisthis photograph photograph of of her her Lois,Lois, but b u t stillstill her h e r father father fretted f r e t t e d there."there." Down here, here, the the rainy rainy season seasonfather's air air crew. crew. lie isHe standing is standing fromfrom afar,a f a r , worrying w o r r y i n g when w h e n she s h e got g o t SheShe readr e a d storiesstories abouta b o u t heroich e r o i c has just commenced commenced and and very at thethe far far right. right whoopingwhooping cough,c o u g h , sendings e n d i n g home h o m e nursesnurses whow h o caredcared hishis payp a y toto coverc o v e r herh e r roomr o o m andand forfor injuredinjured fliersfliers board,board, saving saving up u p to to buy b u y her h e ra aset s e t andand decideddecided thatthat ofof sturdysturdy bedroombedroom furniture,furniture, sheshe wouldw o u l d becomeb e c o m e whichwhich shes h e stillstill has. h a s . a flight nursen u r s e so s o she s h e HisHis lettersletters tot o herh e r areare tender,t e n d e r , couldcould helph e l p injuredi n j u r e d filled with wit affectionh a f f e c t iand o n a a n dstream a s t r e a mG.I.'sG.I.' s likelike herher ofof petp e t namesn a m e s -- "Dear " D e a r Snooks."S n o o k s , " father.father. "Dear"Dear Princess,"Princess," eveneven "Dear"Dear "Ever"Ever since!s i n c e I was w a s Crybaby."Crybaby." little,litde, II wanted w a n t e d toto HeH e sentsent herh e r photos p h o t o s of o f himself h i m s e l f bebe aa nurse—a n u r s e - a flight f l i g h t andand hish i s bunkmates, b u n k m a t e s , and a n d he h ewrote w r o t e nurse,"nurse," she s h e said.s a i d . herher often.o f t e n . SheShe didd i d gog o ono n tot o Once,Once, heh e sents e n t aa largel a r g e portraitp o r t r a i t becomebecome a a ofof himselfh i m s e l f in i n uniform. u n i f o r m . registeredregistered nursenurse TheThe friendsf r i e n d s framed it,i t ,and a n dLois L o i s andand toto workwork forfor keptkept iti t on o n her h e r dresser. d r e s s e r . manymany yearsyears atat TheyThey savedsaved hish i s letters, l e t t e r s , too, too ,so so ReadingReading Hospital.Hospital. sheshe wouldw o u l d havehave themt h e m whenw h e n sheshe AlongAlong thet h e way, w a y , she s h e gotgot older.o l d e r . marriedmarried AnthonyAnthony SheShe wasw a s five ono n Jan,J a n . 21, 2 1 , 1944, 1 9 4 4 , Cianci,Cianci, and and theythey whenwhen herh e r father'sf a t h e r ' s plane p l a n e was w a s shot s h o t hadhad twotwo children.c h i l d r e n . WeWe pick the the story story up up with with a letter a letter written written by Bob by Maiden Bob Maiden to our ownto our Pete own Henry Pete after Henryafter being approached being approachedby by Lois Loi> atat the the Reading, Reading, PA PAAir Air show show commemorating commemorating the the50th 50th Anniversary Anniversary of WWIL of WWII.

JuneJune 19, 19, 1995 1995

zt,••:x•• :44 Mr.Mr. H.C. H. Henry Henry 16481648 PortlandPortland Lane Lane lamesburg,Jamesburg, NJ NJ 08831 08831

Dear Nir,M r .lltiu. H e n r y

I'mI'm writingwriting thisthis letter l e t t e r ono n behalfbehalf ofo f LoisL o i s (Shaeffer)( S h a e f f e r ) Cianci C i a n c i whomw h o m II met m e t atat the t h e 50th5 0 t h anniversaryanniversary WWIIW W I I airair show s h o w in i n Reading, R e a d i n g ,PA. PA She. Sh approachede a p p r o a c he med m becausee b e c a u sIe was I w awearings w e a r i n g anan 8AFTIS8 A F H S cap.cap. After A f t e r hearingh e a r i n g herh e r story.s t o r y , I Ioffered o f f e r e d to t ocontact c o n t a c tsomeone s o m e o n e through through the the SecondSecond AirA i r Div.D i v . Assn. A s s n .to t o see s e e it i tanyone a n y o n ecan c a nreach r e a c hout o u tto t oher. h e r .

Her father, T/Sgt. T/Sgt. Clair Clair P. Shaeffer, P. Shaeffer, was shot downwas shot over Francedown over 1/21/44; France she 1/21/44; was 5 she was 5 atat thet h e time. t i m e .Her H e ronly o n l yremembrances r e m e m b r a n c e sare a r ephotos p h o t o (copys ( c o p enclosed),y e n c l o s e d )and, a nlettersd l e t te he rs hwrotee w r o t e toto herh e r asa s hish i s onlyo n l y child.c h i l d .

The particulars are: are: T/Sgt. T/Sgt. Clair ClairP. Shaeffer, P. Shaeffer, 8AF, 44th 8AF,BC. 68th 44th BS, BG, stationed 68th BS, at stationed at Shipdharn,Shipdham, England.E n g l a n d . HisH i s planep l a n e wasw a s ''Nice" N i c e 'n'n Naughty."N a u g h t y . " OnO n thethe photop h o t o heh e isis standing s t a n d i n g aatt thet h e extremee x t r e m e right.r i g h t . Unfortunately, Unfortunately ,the t h e others o t h e r s are a r e not n o t identified. i d e n t i f i e d .

InIn lettersletters some some of his of crew his were crew referred were toreferred as Tommy, to Coss. as Stinky,Tommy, Shock Coss, and Stinky, Sammy Shock and Sammy. PresumablPresumablyy theyt h e y perishedp e r i s h e d withw i t h him.h i m . But B u t there t h e r e might m i g h t be b e some s o m e out o u t there t h e r ewho w h o knew k n e wthis t h i s crecreww anda n d canc a n providep r o v i d e bitsb i t s anda n d piecesp i e c e s of o f info.i n f o .Mrs. M r s .Cianci C i a n c iwould w o u l d be b egrateful. g r a t e f u l .

Her address is: is: MrsMrs.. LoisL o i s CianciC i a n c i 878711 NorthN o r t h ChurchC h u r c h RoadR o a d SinkinSinkingg Spring,S p r i n g , PAP A 1960819608

Thanks for any any help help you you can canoffer. offer.

Cordially,Cordially, Bob Maiden 7408 Henry Avenue Avenue Phila.,Phi la., PA PA 19128-1402 19128-1402 I (389th BG, BG, 567th 567th BS, BS, Italie° Hethel)

PetePete Henry, our our Group Group Vice Vice President President to 2nd to 2ndAir DiAir vision, Division, then wrote then to wrote UN Lundy, to WillLundy, ow Ilistorian. our WillHistorian. responded Will responded directlydirecdy to to Lois Lois Carrel Cianci by sending by sending her excerpts her excerpts from The from Webb The ToddWebb 68thTodd Bomb 68th Sqdn.Bomb History Sqdn. History concerning concerning the Lt. the Lt FrankFrank WW SobotkaSobotka crew on whichwhich T/Sgt. T/Sgt. Shaeffer Shaeffer served. served. He also He identifiedalso identifiedallofthe all of the Sobotka crew Sobotka members crew in members the in the photophoto andand provided provided herher ;41thwith the the current current addresses addresses of the of surviving the surviving crew, along crew, Hith along the Missingwith the Air Missing Crew Report Air Crew Report fromfrom thethe 44th44th Roll Roll of of Honor Honor which which he he compiled compiled and and published. published.

14 ® 68th68th Squadron S q u a d r o n A/CA/C #42-7501# 4 2 - 7 5 01 PP NoNo Name?N a m e ? MACRMACR#236 #23600

68th68th Squadron Squadron Crew.- Crew:

SOBOTKA,SOBOTKA, FRANKFRANK W.W.Jr. Jr. Pilot Pilot 1stIstLt 1.t .flushing, Flushing ,New N e w YorkY o r k ASNASN 0-7994860 - 7 9 9 4 8 6 KIAKIA

ROSENBLATT, MILTONMILTONL. L. Co-PilotCo-Pilot 1stIstLt Li. MiamiMiami Beach. B e a c h , Florida Florida ASNASN 0-6760180 - 6 7 6 0 1 8 POWPOW

TETTEL,TEITEL, ABRAHAM ABRAHAM BombardierBombardier 1stIstLt Lt.. Pasadena,Pasadena, Texas T e x a s ASNASN 0-6784560 - 6 7 8 4 5 6 Evadee/ReturnedEvadee/Returned

SHAEFFER,SH4EITER, CLAIR CLAIR P. P. EngineerEngineer T/Sgt.T/Sgt. Wemersville,Wernersville ,Pennsylvania Pennsylvania ASNASN 331879323 3 1 8 7 9 3 2 MAKIA

CAPIZZI,CAPI771, THOM4S THOMAS F. F. RadioRadio Opel.O p e r . T/Sgt. T/Sgt. Bronx.Bronx, New N e w York Y o r k ASNASN 3253391432533914 KIAKIA

SMANLETTO,SMANIETTO, AUGUSTAUGUSTF. F. BallBall Turret T u r r e t S/Sgt.S/Sgt. SantaSanta Barbara. B a r b a r a , California California ASNASN1906204 190620477 POWPOW

ROSS, ANDREWI ANDREW J. RWR W GunnerGunner S/Sgt.S/Sgt. ColdCold Springs,S p r i n g s , Kentucky K e n t u c k y ASNASN3566311 356631111 POWPOW

SHOCKLEY, CHARLESCHARLES W. W. LW L W GunnerGunner S/Sgt.S/Sgt. Milan,Milan, Indiana Indiana ASNASN1533297 153329700 POWPOW

REEVES, CLARENCE CLARENCE D. D. Tail Tail TurretT u r r e t S/SgtS/Sgt. Millvale,Millvale, New N e w Jersey J e r s e y ASN1304642ASN 130464288 MAKIA

ThThee MMACR A C R hadhad vvery e r y littlelittle information, i n f o r m a t i o n ,"At " A 1524t 1 5 2 hours4 h o u raircrafts a i r c ra #42-7501 f t # 4 2 - 7 5was 0 1 w ahits hby i t enemy b y e n e aircraft m y a i r cr and a f t athe n d bombst h e b o mwere b s w dropped e r e d r o p p e d immediatelyimmediately.. ItI t was w a s observed o b s e r v e d toto circle c i r c l e off o f f to t othe t h e left l e f tand a n dto t obegin b e g i nburning, b u r n i n g apparently, a p p a r e n d undery u n d e control.r c o n t r o lEnemy. E n e maircrafty aircraf attackst a t t a c k s becambecamee soso intensei n t e n s e ata t thisthis time time theret h e r e was w a s no n o further f u r t h er chance c h a n c e to t oobserve. observe.

LLLi MiltonMilton L.L. Rosenblatt, Rosenblatt, co-pilot, co-pilot, added theseadded comments: these comments: "W"Wee wwere e r e aattacked t t a c k e d bbyy MMee 109'I09'ss whilew h i l e circlingc i r c l i n g to t ofind find ouro u rtarget. t a r g e tBoth. B o t enginesh e n g i n eons othen t hlefte lef sidet s were i d e w eshot r e s out, h o t oputting u t , p u t us t i ning au ssteep i n a s t e e p lefleftt turnt u r n and a n d rollingr o l l i n g our o u r planep l a n e overo v e r on o n itsits back. b a c k .With W i t hboth b o t Frankh F r a n k(Sobotka) ( S o b o t k aand) a nmed m one o then th controls,e c o n t r o lwe s , managedw e m a n a g etod rightto righ thet t h e planeplane,, butb u t couldn't c o u l d n ' t pull p u l l it i tout o u tof o fthe t h efiat f l aspint s p iitn iwentt w e ninto.t i n tThe o . T hruddere r u dd controls e r c o n t r owere l s w egone r e g oand n e athe n d thinstrumente i n s t r u m epanel n t p a was n e l wshot a s s h o t ouout,.t FrankF r a n k iimmediately m m e d i a t e l y hihitt thet h e aalarm l a r m bellbell switchs w i t c h aalerting l e r t i n g thet h e ccrew r e w ttoo bbail a i l out.out.

AfterAfter a afew few seconds, seconds, I spotted I spotted only four only chutes four descending. chutes descending. The mess in our The cabin, mess due in toour the cabin,rolling over,due wasto theunbelievable. rolling over, was unbelievable. OuOurr cchest h e s t cchutes, h u t e s , usuallyusually stowed s t o w e d behindb e h i n d ouro u r seats:hads e a t s / h a d endede n d e d upu p inin the t h e radio r a d i o compartment. c o m p a r t m e n t . I I retrieved retrieve dthe t h echutes, c h u t e s ,putting putting Frank'siFrank's inn hI iiss lapl a p and a n d bucklingb u c k l i n g mine m i n e on. o n . Sgt. S g t .Clair C l ai Shaelferwasr S h a e f f e r w astrappeds s t r a p p eind thei n ttop h e tturret, o p m r robviously e t , o b v i o udead, s l y d and e a d , our a n dradio o u r roperator, a d i o o p e r a t o r , SgtSgt.. TomT o m CapizziCapizzi was w a s puttingp u t t i n g hish i s chute c h u t e on o n as a swell. w e l l .Frank F r a n wask wa yellings y e l l i natg aust tou s jump.t o j u m p .

CapizziCapizzi and and I stoodI stood at the at end the of theend bomb of thebay. sobomb I jumped bay, andso apparentlyIjumped andCapizzi apparendy froze up. IleCapizzi and Frank froze rode up. the Heplane and down. Frank rode the plane down. II haveh a v e non o ideai d e a whatw h a t hadh a d happenedh a p p e n e d inin the t h e waist w a i s t or o r nose n o s e sections s e c t i o n sof o fthe th plane,e p l a n e but!, b u tknow! I k n o wasw I wthe a s tlast h e lone a s t oout. n e oWe u t wereW e wer so elow s o l o w aatt thet h e timed m e I jumped j u m p e d thatthat mym y chutechute onlyo n l y oscillatedo s c i l l a t e d once o n c e beforeb e f o r e II hit hi tthe th eground. g r o u n d .

II camecame intointo contact contact with withthe Underground the Underground about threeabout days three after landing.days after The onlylanding. information The only they couldinformation give me aboutthey mycould give me about my crecreww wwas a s tthat h a t AbeA b e TeitelTeitel wasw a s alivea l i v e anda n d FrankF r a n k Sobotka'sS o b o t k a ' s dog d o g tagstags were w e r e found f o u n d in i nthe t h e wreckage w r e c k a g e of o f the t h eplane. p l a n e .I haveI h a vnevere n e v eheardr h e a r d frofromm aany n y ooff mmyy crecreww ssince i n c e tthen, h e n , althougha l t h o u g h ono n mym y returnreturn to t o the t h e States, S t a t e s , I Italked talke tod t mosto m o soft otheirf t h e families i r f a m i l iand e s a gave n d g athem v e t h as e m much as m u c h informatioinformationn aass II could."c o u l d . "

OnJuly25,1995LoisOnjuly 25,1995 Lois responded responded to to bothboth PetePete Henry Hemyand and WillLundygratefullyacknowledgingWil aundygratefullyacknouledging the help theyprosidedthey provided inin Tillingfilling the the void void left left in inthe the life life of this ofthislittle little fiveyear five old year girl old when girl the when gallant the Daddy gallant she Daddy knew she from knew the fromlove hethe poured love he poured intointo those lettersletters was was lost lost to to her her in in the the terrible terrible finality finality of a war of aincomprehensible war incomprehensible to a child to a childof five. of five.

1155 JulJulyy 225, 5 , 19951 9 9 5

Mr. Mr.Will Will Lundy Lundy P.OP.O.. BBox o x 3153 1 5 BridgeportBridgeport,, Ca.Ca. 93517 9 3 5 1 7

DeaDearr MMr r . Lundy,L u n d y , ThiThiss wwill i l l ac ac knowledge k n o w l e d g e your y o u r letter l e t t e rofJuly o f j u l y19, 1 91995 , 1 9 9 5along a l o n wi g w th i t theh t hadditionale a d d i t i o n ainformationl i n f o r m a t i o n frofromm thet h e crewc r e w logl o g anda n d thet h e briefingb r i e f i n g checkc h e c k form.f o r m . All A l lof o fthis t h i hass h a beens b e e veryn v e r helpfuly h e l p f u inl itieingn t i e i n g togethetogetherr thet h e eventsevents ooff thatt h a t fatefulf a t e f u l mission.m i s s i o n . I haveh a v e nown o w talkedtalked toto threet h r e e ooff thet h e livingl i v i n g survivorsurvivorss oonn ththee pphone, h o n e , anda n d I ama m eternallyeternally gratefulg r a t e f u l forf o r your y o u r help h e l p in i n locating l o c a t i n g them. t h e m . I ama m enclosingenclosing aa copyc o p y ofo f a a newspaper n e w s p a p e r articlea r t i c l e from from our o u r locall o c a l newspaper n e w s p a p e r from f r o m May M a y of o f thithiss yeary e a r whichw h i c h was w a s celebrating c e l e b r a t i n g the t h e 50th 5 0 t han an n n iiversary v e r s a r y ofWW11. o f W W I I .The T h ereporters r e p o r t e r weres w e r lookinge l o o k i n g foforr llove o v e lletters e t t e r s fromf r o m thethe war w a r anda n d II felt f e l t mine m i n e were w e r e certainly c e r t a i n l y letters l e t t e r sof o flove. l o v e . I hopeh o p e youy o u enjoye n j o y rreading e a d i n g thet h e articlea r t i c l e as a s I Iam a mhappy h a p p yto t oshare s h a r ite withit w i you. t h y o This u . T hwill i s whelp i l l h e l p yoyouu uunderstand n d e r s t a n d wwhy h y Iwas w a s so s o interestedi n t e r e s t e d ini n collecting c o l l e c t i n g factsf a c t s about a b o u t my m y fatherfather even e v e n after a f t e rall all thesthesee years.y e a r s . ThankThankss againa g a i n forf o r yyour o u r iinterest n t e r e s t aand n d hhelp. e l p .

Sincerely, Sincerely, LoiLoiss MM.. CianciC i a n c i

P.S.P.S. Would Would itit be bepossible possible to send to me send a copy me ofa copyyour book.of your "44th book. Bomb "44th Group Bomb — Roll Group of - Roll of HonoHonorr aand n d CCasualties?" a s u a l t i e s ? " ThanThankk youy o u forf or youry o u r consideration.c o n s i d e r a t i o n .

JulJulyy 25,2 5 , 19951 9 9 5

DearItcar Pete. Pete,

ReceivedReceived your your card card requesting requesting informationinformation on on my my father: father:

Clair P. Shaeffer Ser. ClairF#33187932 P. Shaeffer Ser. F#33187932 68th68th BombB o m b SquadSquad (H)(H) Shipdham,S h i p d h a m , EnglandE n g l a n d AeriaAeriall EngineerE n g i n e e r TurretT u r r e t GunnerG u n n e r ono n LiberatorLiberator B-24B - 2 4 ReportedReported missingmissing 1/24/441 / 2 4 / 4 4 confirmedc o n f i r m e d 10/44.10/44. RemainsRemains nevern e v e r recovered.r e c o v e r e d .

EnclosedEnclosed you you will will find find a copycopy ofof a newsa news article article printed printed in May incelebrating May celebrating the 50th the 50th anniversaryanniversary ofo f WWIIW W I I inin ouro u r locall o c a l paper. paper. TheThe reportersreporter s werew e r e lookingl o o k i n g forf o r peoplep e o p l e whow h o hadh a d lovelove lettersl e t t e r s fromf r o m WWII. W W I I . I I felt fel ttruly I truly hahadd lettersletters ofo f love. l o v e .This T h i swill w i l explainl e x p l a i myn m yneed n e e dto tfindo find somes o m missinge m i s s i nanswersg a n s w e rtos tquestions!o q u e s t i o n s I havhavee hadh a d forfor manym a n y yyears. e a r s . SinceSince Ilast las tcontacted c o n t a c t e dyou.! y o u , haveI h a vspokene s p o k eton tanothero a n o t h ecrewr c r emember,w m e m b e rCharles, C h a r l Shockley e s S h o c k l e y fromfrom Knoxville,K n o x v i l l e , Tn. T n . by b yphone p h o n e and a n dalso a l s olearned l e a r n e dthat t h aAndrewt A n d r e Rossw R o sfroms f r oKy.m K passed y . p a s s away e d a w Feb.. a y F e b . , 19951995.. We W e spokespoke to to his h i s wife. w i f e .We W e are ar etrying t r y i n gto t olocate l o c a t eAbraham A b r a h a m Teitel. Teitel who, w h oreturned, returned last, last addressaddress Brooklyn.B r o o k l y n , NY. N Y . Then T h e n all al lthe t h crewe c r e willw w i lbel baccountede a c c o u n t efor.d for This. T hcertainly i s c e r t a i has n l y hbeen a s b every e n v e r y excitingexciting anda n d quiteq u i t e emotional.e m o t i o n a l . 1(10 I d ohope h o p esomeday s o m e d a y!will I w ibe l l bablee ab to l e travel t o t r ato v e lNuepre, t o N u e pBelgium r e , B e l g i u m toto thet h e ArdennesA r d e n n e s AmericanA m e r i c a n cemeteryc e m e t e r y anda n d visitvisit the t h e WNVII W W I I Tablets Tablet sof o f the t h eMissing. M i s s i n g . ThanksThanks againa g a i n forf o r youry o u r help.h e l p . Sincerely.Sincerely, LoisLois M.M . CianciC i a n c i

A dosingclosing word word for for Lois. Lois. We ofWe theof the44th 44thBomb Bomb Group, Group, comrades comrades of your of Father, your Father, will always will memorialize always memorialize him as a him as a member of of ourour family.family. As As you you have have witnessed, witnessed, we welcome we welcome the opportunity the opportunity to search to searchthe extensive the extensive archives archives maintained to to perpetuate perpetuate the the honor honor and and heritage heritage of our of Bomb our Bomb Group Group and our and comrades our comrades alive and alive deceased. and deceased. Keep Keep in mind mind thatthat you, you, also, also, are aare member a member of our of family, our family, please pleasekeep in keeptouch. in If touch. you need If youfurther need research further assistance, research assistance, you have onlyonly to to ask. ask. Lois, Lois, you youare a are beautiful a beautiful person personand you and have you our have sincere our thanks sincere for thanks sharing for this sharing beautiful this stoly beautiful story with us. us. 1616 THTUEE PRESIDENT'PRESIDENT'SS CORNERC O R N E R I seeseeWill Will Lundy Lundy has has done done afinejob a fine job describing describing our our San San Antonio Antonio 4. AA proposalproposal by by the the President President to Amendto Amend the theConstitution Constitution to to reunion,reunion., in in the the "Will "Will Sez" Sez column, " column, so withso with that, that, along along with withthe themake the HistorianHistorian afidIvoting ajull voting member member of/he ojthe Executive Executive Board Board photos ofoj thethe reunionreunion wewe areare printing,printing, there there are are just just a few a few is pending pending subject subject to toappropriate appropriate notice notice to the to membershipthe membership comments on our first first 44th BGVA reunion reunion that II wish wish to to add. add. required by by the the Constitution. Constitution. Incidentally, after ajter asking asking you you folks folks to send to sendalong along your yourreunion reunion photographs, I Ihave have so so many, many, obviously obviously space space won't won't permit permit 5.5. TheTh£ third third quarter quarter financial statementstatement presented presented by by the the publishing them them all all in in this this issue, issue, so in so the in Spring the Spring Issue Issue we will we willTreasurer and and thethe 1996 1996 budget budget presented presented by bythe thePresident President were were pick up up wherewhere we we leftlejt off ojf and and publish publish more more of theof the reunion reunion pix pixto to accepted by by thethe BoardBoard for presentationpresentation to to the the membership. membership. share the thejun fun with with those those who who missed missed the theJun fun first-hand. first-hand. Thanks Thanhs Subsequently accepted. accepted. for your response,response, it's it's so darn so darn hard hard to get to aroundget around and andsnap snap pictures when when there there is sois much so much good good stuff stuff going going on! on! 6.6. The nomination nomination of of a areturn return to to England England for for the the 1997 1997 Reunion was was unanimously unanimously accepted accepted by by the the Board. Board. Reunion Reunion WhileWhile we're inin the the THANK THANK YOUYOU department, departnient, on on behalfof behalf of all committee to to be be appointed. appointed. the attendees, attendees, we wewish, wish, again, again, to thank to thank our ourVice Vice President President and and Reunion Chairman, Chairman, Jim Clements, Clements, along along withwith hishis beautifulbeautiful TheThe ElectionElection Ballots Ballots were were counted counted by Vice by PresidentVice President Clements, Clements, support system, system, his his wife wife Nettie Nettie and and daughterluely daughter Judy Garrett Garrettforthe for the verified by byPresident President Owen Owen with with the results:the results: overall organization organization and and management management of ofthat that great great affair. affair. You You more than deservedeserve the the big big Texas Texas tip tip 'o the'o theten gallonten gallon hat we're hat we'reIncumbentIncumbent MEL AIEL TRAGER, TRACER, elected elected to torepresent represent the the Support Support giving you withwith ourour thanks. Units. Candidate Robert I.I. "Bob" "Bob" Brown Brown to represent to represent the 67th the Bomb67th Bomb InIn every event event like like this, this, in addition in addition to the obvious to the heroes obvious of the heroesSquadron. of the affair, there there is a is "behind a "behind the scenes" the scenes person "person that without that without whom whomCandidate ShermanSherman. "Bud" "Bud "Dowett Dowell to represent represent the the 506th 506th Bomb Bomb the operation, operation could could easily easily spring spring some some serious serious leaks. leaks. This is This the is Squadron.the local guy g%iy or orgal gal who who knows knows who who to see,to see,where where to go toand go how and tohow to take care care of ojorget or get the the myriad myriad of oflittle little things things you've you overlooked 've overlooked or II willor close close for thisfor issuethis with issue a few with of thea comments,few of the both. comments, verbal both verbal that pop pop upup inin the the middle middle of ojall all the the activity. activity. Usually Usually most of most the of theand in thethe post-reunion post-reunion letters letters we have we havereceived: received: "the friendliest," "thefriendliest," attendees don't don't see see or areor are not not aware aware of thisof this "masked "masked rider rider that that"the warmest warmest and and mostmost congenial," congenial, "don't " "don't remember remember ever ever seeing seeing just roderode through," through, in." inour our case, case, our ourunsung unsung hero, hero, Nick NickGarza, Garza,so manymany first-timers first-timersfor for aa 44th44th reunion, itit waswas greatgreat seeing seeing did surface to to give give us us the the beautiful beautiful "blessing "blessing and welcomeand welcome to tobuddies fromfrom 5050 yearsyears bark!" back!" "everything "everything was was great!" great!" and and on on Santonio"Santonio " invocation invocation at at the the Sunday Sunday Banquet. Banquet. He He was was otherwise otherwise and on. WeWe had a fewfew tight spots, spots, but but they they were were quickly quickly resolved. resolved. occupied as as the the reunion reunion committee committee "gofer," "gojer, running " running errands, errands, re-supplying the the Hospitality Hospitality Room, Room, etc., etc., etc. You etc. too, You Nick, too, have Nick, IthinkthehaveI think the message message here here is:Whenyougetthe is: When you get registrationthe registration our thanks and are included in thethe bigbig tip tip 'o the'o thehat! hat! details on on St.St. Louis Louis in in the the Spring Spring IssueIssue of of the the 8 8 Ball Ball Tails, jump on itit andandgetyour get your registration and and hotelhotel reservations reservations NowNow to to the business.business. At At the the meeting meeting of the ojthe Executive Executive Board Boardthe theearly...I predict predict we we are are going going to to have have a ablow-out blow-out reunion reunion followingJolbwingimportant important pieces of ojbusiness business were were passed, passed, then then presented presentedin St.St. LouisLouis when when the the wordword gets out onon San San Antonio. Antonio. to the the general general membership membership for Jor vote vote (does (does that that have have a different a differentThere will will bebe aa cutcut offoff datedate for for registrationregistration for for thethe ring toto it?). it?). upcoming convention.convention. The datedatehas hasnot not beenbeen determined determined at this time, but but we'llwe'll let let you you know know as as soon soon as as it it has has been been 1.I. The proposal proposal toto the the Tower Tower Restoration Restoration Project Project contributors contributorsset. to abandon abandon the the project, project, pay pay the theoutstanding outstanding obligations obligations and and offer the the balance balance of of funds Junds of oj the the 44th 44th BGVA BGVA treasury treasury was was approved.

2.2. The proposal prop osalfor Jor the the BGVA BGVA to toaccept accept the offerfor the offer the transfer Jor the transjer of the balance balance of ojthe the Restoration Restoration funds Junds to tothe the 44th 44th BGVA BGVA was was passed.

3.3. TheThe proposal proposal forJor the the 44th 44th BGVA BGVA to to offer offer to enter to enterinto a costinto a cost sharing agreement with thethe Anow Arrow AirAir Service,Service, Inc. Inc. to construct to construct a pilots lounge lounge and and memorabilia memorabilia room room connected connected to tothe the AITOW Arrow Air operations center. center. This This addition. addition would would incorporate incorporate the wall the wall art transferredtransferred from Jrom the the old old 14th 14th CBW CBW Headquarters. Headquarters. This This Roy Owen, President proposal waswas passedpassed byby the the membership. membership. Roy Owen, President 44th44th BBGVA G V A BBUDGET U D G E T FORF O R CALENDARC A L E N D A R YYEAR E A R 19961996 Ho!Hot HalHo! HofHo! ProjecteProjectedd Income:I n c o m e : 141455 LifeL i f e MembersM e m b e r s (allocated(allocated 0@ 12.5%)12.5%) $1,54$1,5455 727200 RegularR e g u l a r MembersM e m b e r s @$15 $15 10,8010,8000 ReunioReunionn IncomeI n c o m e (net)(net) 2,0002,000 ContributionContributionss (estimated,(estimated, raffle, raffle ,etc.) etc.) 1,001,0000 InvestmenInvestmentt IIncome n c o m e (estimated)*(estimated)* 2,402.41)00 TotalTotal:: $17,71$17,7155

*WWee haveh a v e investedi n v e s t e d $1,050$ 1 , 0 5 0 ini n rostersr o s t e r s && $773$773 inin CapsC a p s

ProjecteProjectedd Expenditures:E x p e n d i t u r e s : 3 IssuesIssues ofo f 8-Ball 8 - B a l lTails T a i l s0 @ $2,250 $2,25 0each e a c h $6,75$6,7500 HistorianHistorian 1,601.6000 (8t(8thh AFA F DataD a t a BaseB a s e projectp r o j e c t plusp l u s research)r e s e a r c h ) UnitUnit HistoriansH i s t o r i a n s 4 @$50 $50 202000 ArchivArchivee ResearchR e s e a r c h (Mastradone)(Mastradone) 202000 MerrifMerq 6htistmast Christmas! MembershipMembership SearchS e a r c h (Hand)(Hand) 606000 RosteRosterr (Shepherd)( S h e p h e r d ) 202000 Treasurer*Treasurer* 505000 44th44th BOMBB O M B GROUPG R O U P VVETERANS E T E R A N S ASSOCIATIONASSOCIATION DirectorDirectorss 9 @$600 $600 (Travel)( T r a v e l ) 5,4005,400 BALANCBALANCEE SHEETSHEET PresidenPresidentt (Administrative( A d m i n i s t r a t i v e & Travel)Travel) 1,001,0000 aass ofo f SeptemberS e p t e m b e r 30,30,199 19955 SecretarySecretary 200200 ArrowArrow AAir i r ProjectP r o j e c t MangerM a n g e r 300300 ASSETASSETSS EquipmenEquipmentt purchasesp u r c h a s e s (2(2 faxf a x machines) m a c h i n e s ) 555500 CurrentCurrent AssetsA s s e t s InsurancInsurancee 111155 TowerTower FundF u n d $35.80$35.80 FirsFirstt SecurityS e c u r i t y Checking C h e c k i n g 973.19973.19 Total:Total: $17,615$17,615 ConventionConvention CashC a s h AdvanceA d v a n c e 1,500.001,500.00 InvestorInvestorss ServiceS e r v i c e MoneyM o n e y MktM k t 13.756.613 756.633 $17,715$17,715 TotaTotall CurrentC u r r e n t AssetsA s s e t s $16,265.6S16.265.622 17.6117 6155 $100$100 OtherOther AssetsA s s e t s *Treasurer invested invested $125 member $125 member dues billing dues envelopes billing for envelopes printing for printing.RosteRosterr BooksB o o k s InventoryI n v e n t o r y $1,050.0$1,050.000 SecondSecond AirA i r Div.D i v . HistoryHistory Books B o o k s 168.5168.500 WWee needneed 353 5 newn e w membersm e m b e r s ($525)($525) toto do d o the t h e MacDill VlacDill Plaque.P l a q u e . 44di44th BombB o m b GroupG r o u p CapC a p DepositD e p o s i t 200.00200.00 BulkBulk MailM a i l DepositD e p o s i t 335.01335.01 TotaTotall OtherO t h e r AssetsA s s e t s 1.753.51,753.511 TotaTotall AssetA s s e t $18,019.1818,019.133

LIABILITIELIABILITIESS & NETN E T WORTHW O R T H

LiabilitieLiabilitiess LifLifee MembershipsM e m b e r s h i p s $14,250.0$14,250.000 MembershipsMemberships AmortizedA m o r t i z e d -1.743.7-1 743.755 $12,506.2$12,506.255 BillBill Strong S t r o n g Memorial M e m o r i a l Fund F u n d 75.075.000 TotalTotal LLiabilities i a b i l i t i e s $12,581.2$12,581.255

NeNett WorthW o r t h SurpluSurpluss 11 //1/95 1 / 9 5 7,370.57,370.500 AdjustmenAdjustmentt asa s ofo f 9/30/959 / 3 0 / 9 5 (1.932.62(1.932.62)) SurpluSurpluss asa s ofo f 9/309 / 3 0 5.437.85,437.888 r ' TotaTotall LiabilitiesL i a b i l i t i e s anda n d NetN e t WorthW o r t h 18,019.118,019.133

Convention Funds Funds are are Separate Separate Account Account

18 • SASANN AANTONIO N T O N I O ''95 9 5 -- THE T H E FIRST F I R S T FOR F O R THE T H E 44T44THH BBOMB O M B GGROUP R O U P VVETERANS E T E R A N S AASSOCIATION! S S O C I A T I O N !

Nettie Clements Clements and and daughter daughter Judy Judy Garrett,Garrett, Mr. 506th506th atat thethe head head ofof the the Mexican Mexican Buffet Buffet chow chow line! line! helper first first class class on on the the reception reception crew. crew.

The Candle Lighting CeremonyCeremony The firstfirst ever eve)- 44th 44th General General Membership Membership meeting meeting to get to get a realreal Treasurer's Treasurer's report report and andfinancial financial statement. statement.

The Prez with the Bill Strong kids, Becky and Bill, Jr. Charlie Hughes Hughes daughter daughter Sandy Sandy Symanovich Symanovich brought brought her her beautiful beautiful The Prez with the Bill Strong kids, Becky and Bill, Jr. American Airlines smile smile to to delight delight our our reunion. reunion. 1199 ® Dick and Ardith Butler,Butler, Nick Nick and and Nancy Nancy Garza, Garza, "Mike" Mikoloski, his his son son Vincent Vincent and and grandson grandson Evan Evan Arlene and Loy Neeper being paLsy-walsypalsy-walsy with with Bill Bill Cameron. Cameron.

Our Treasurer Jeny Jerry Folsom Folsom and and his his guest guest Bev Bev Winger Winger Nettie Clements, Clements, Irene Irene Lundy Lundy and and Ardith Ardith Butler Butler doing SOWsome great boogie boogie moves. moves. doing a great job job at at the the Registration Registration table. table.

(

Our Reunion Chairman Chairman about about toto imbibe imbibe in in the the HR. HR. Bob GfestrumGjestrum and Tom Tom Shepherd Shepherd doing a great bartending job inin the the hospitality hospitality room. room. 20 Richard and Caroline BottomBottomleyley swinging swinging at at the the George andand BerylBeryl Apgar, Apgar, a acopy copy of of Glenn Glenn Miller Miller swingers. swingers. Saturday night dance.dance.

41111111%t ILBA Norm Kiefer and and Joe Joe Milliner Milliner sorting sorting out out the the details details of the of the The Mexican dancer's dancer's floor floor show show following following the the PloatiPloesti Raid Raid in in the the "Benghazi "Benghazi Debriefing." Debriefing." Sunday Banquet. Banquet.

The newlynewly elected elected 67th 67th Sqdn. Sqdn. member member of of the the Executive Executive Board, Board, Mr. 506th506th himself,himself, Dick Dick Pederion. Pederson. Robert I. I. Brown Brown and and our our Historian, Historian, Will Will Lundy. Lundy. 2121 BEATING THE BUSHES Ills BEATING T H E BUSHES bbyy ArtA r t Hand H a n d && WillWill Lundy L u n d y

Background.Background. LEONARD H. LOU-1KLOUBt- BoxBox 1243,1243, Spokane, S p o k a n e , WashingtonW a s h i n g t o n 99210-99210- 12431243.. LeonardL e o n a r d wasw a s a firstfirst pilotp i l o t ini n thet h e 67th6 7 t h Sq.;S q . ; was w a s assigned a s s i g n e d on o n 20 2 0 SeveraSeverall yearsy e a r s ago. a g o , I Iinitiated initiate ad columna c o l u m nin ithen th olde o lLogbookd L o g b o o withk w i t h DecembeDecemberr 11944. 9 4 4 . TheyT h e y completedc o m p l e t e d 282 8 missions, m i s s i o n s , flew f l e whome h o m e on o n21 2 May1 M a y ththee namen a m e ooff "Beating" B e a t i n g TheT h e Bushes."B u s h e s . " AtA t that t h a t time, t i m e , I wasI w a sdoing d o i n gmuch m u c h 19451945.. ooff thet h e searchings e a r c h i n g forf o r our o u r people. p e o p l e ,often o f t e non o nmy m y own, o w n ,but b u usuallyt u s u a l laidedy a i d e d ROLANDROLAArD A. A.NELSON: NELSON: 8 Cedar 8 Cedar Street, Street, PresquePresque Isle, Isle, Maine Maine 04769. 04769. bbyy ArtA r t Hand,H a n d , PeteP e t e HenryH e n r y anda n d WWebb e b b Todd_T o d d . WeW e hadhad onlyo n l y minimumm i n i m u m HIlee wasw a s a gunnerg u n n e r forf o r Lt. L t .W. W ,T. T .Zerman's Z e r m a n ' crew;s c r ew transferred; t r a n s f e r r etod t323o 3 2BC3 B G successsuccess forf o r all a l lof o fthe t h eeffort e f f o rexpended.t e x p e n d e dThis. T h all i s ahas l l h changed a s c h a n gsince e d s i Art n c e A r t onon 272 7 SeptemberS e p t e m b e r 1944.1944. WasW a s aa 67th 6 7 t h Sq. S q . crew. crew. HandHand wentwent ultraultra modem,m o d e r n , purchasedp u r c h a s e d new,new, highh i g h techtech phonep h o n e disksd i s k s anandd isis doingd o i n g most m o s t of o f his h i ssearching s e a r c h i n gthrough t h r o u g hthe t h euse u s eof o thisf t h isystem.s s y s te Ile m . H e ALBERTALBERT F. F.NEVIN: NEVIN: 21823 21823 NE 137thNE 137th Street, Street, Woodinville, Woodinville, iiss having h a v i n g a a high h i g h degree d e g r e e of o f success, s u c c e s s ,locating l o c a t i n manyg m a n ynew n e wmembers m e m b e r sand a n d WashingtonWashington 98072-5801.9 8 0 7 2 - 5 8 0 1 . AlbertA l b e r t was w a s in i n the t h e 1287 1 2 8 7 MP M P platoon.platoon. unfortunatelyunfortunately,, learninglearning that t h a t many m a n y areare now n o w deceased.d e c e a s e d . CurrentlyCurrently., ArtA r t is i ssearching s e a r c h i n gand a n dlocating locatin gour o u rformer f o r m e rmembers, m e m b e r s , CHARLESALBA.-P.OBoxCHARLES ALBA: P.O. Box1323, 1323, Dania, Dania, Florida Florida 33004.33004. Charles Charles was was thethenn sendingsending theirtheir addressesaddresses toto mem e soso thatthat II canc a n sendsend themthem a 66th6 6 t h SquadronS q u a d r o n crewc r e w cchief. h i e f . informatioinformationn abouta b o u t theirt h e i r recordsr e c o r d s ini n thet h e 44th.4 4 t h . II try t r y to t o furnish f u r n i s h them t h e m witwithh thist h i s data,d a t a , then t h e nrequesting r e q u e s t i n gthem t h e m to t ofurnish f u r n i s ush u withs w it ash amuchs m u c datah d a t a PHILUPJ.PHlt LIU QULRK.-42U QUMK 4211 WestFirstStreet#l, West First Street #1. Santa SantaAna, Ana, California California abouaboutt themselvesthemselves asas possible.possible. TheT h e 44th44th BGVAB G V A isis growingg r o w i n g everyevery 92703.92703. HeH e waswas co-pilotc o - p i l o t forf o r MaxM a x MendenhallM e n d e n h a l l ini n thet h e 506th5 0 6 t h Sq.S q . monthmonth,, iiff notn o t in i n the t h e organization o r g a n i z a t i o n itself, i t s e l f ,at a leastt l e a sint idatan d a tabouta a b o uthoset t h o s e WENDELLIIENDELL C. C.SWARTZ SWARTZ. 6365 6365SE Mariner SE Mariner Sands Sands Drive, Drive, Stuart, Stuart, whwhoo servedserved alonga l o n g sides i d e ooff us.u s . FloridFloridaa 34997.3 4 9 9 7 . HeH e wasw a s a ggunner u n n e r ono n ThomasT h o m a s McKennaM c K e n n a crewc r e w ini n thet h e ArArtt isi s systematically s y s t e m a t i c a l l y searching s e a r c h i n g one o n e squadron s q u a d r o n at a ta atime time - has- h anows n o w 506t506thh Sq.S q . completecompletedd mostm o s t ooff tthe h e 66th6 6 t h Squadron S q u a d r o n anda n d muchm u c h ofo f the t h e 67th. 6 7 t h .It Iist hisi s h i s intention to continue on through the other two squadrons, as well intention t o c o n t i n u e o n t h r o u g h t h e o t h e r t w o s q u a d r o n s , as w e l l RAR,4YMOND YMONDA. KLEMMER:A KLEMMER:4429 4429 Lajune Lajune Drive, Drive. Columbus, Columbus, GeorgiaGeorgia aass tot o workw o r k withwith anya n y memberm e m b e r whow h o wantswants toto searchs e a r c h forfor aa friendfriend oro r 3190731907.. HeH e waswas co-pilotc o - p i l o t ono n ThamesT h a m e s crewc r e w ini n the t h e 67th 6 7 t h Sq. S q . buddybuddy ffrom r o m thethe warw a r years.y e a r s . Contact Contact Art A r t Hand H a n d atat the t h e address a d d r e s s shown s h o w n elsewhereelsewhere ini n thist h i s issue. issue. WILLIAMWILLL4111 E. E. MLUCH: I$IIIJCH. 17159 17159 Fulton Fulton Road, Road, Marshallville, Marshallville, Ohio Ohio 44645-971244645-9712.. WilliamW i l l i a m served served as as Bombardier B o m b a r d i e r ono n LiLt. Steele's Steele' screw c r e win i n ALBERTALBERT J. J. FLYEN:ILYEN: 1321 1321 East East 6th6th Street, Superior. Superior, Wisconsin Wisconsin ththee 67th6 7 t h Sq.S q . 5488054880 (715)(715) 398-5694.3 9 8 - 5 6 9 4 . Albert A l b e r t wasw a s thethe radioradio operatoro p e r a t o r ono n 1st1st Lt.Lt. GeorgeGeorge Haag'sHaag's crew.c r e w . TheyT h e y transferredtransferred inin fromf r o m thethe 492nd4 9 2 n d BCB G inin B.B.C. C. ITNBO: FYNBO: 800800 South South 4th 4th Avenue, Avenue, Albert Albert Lea, Minnesota Lea, Minnesota 56007. 56007. August.August, 1944.1 9 4 4 . 67th6 7 t h Sq.S q . HeH e wasw a s RadioR a d i o Operator,O p e r a t o r , also also on o n Jack J a c k Steele's S t e e l e ' screw. c r e w 67th. 67t Sq.h S q .

THOMASTHOM4S A. AGRAVEN: GRAVEN: Rt. Rt. #3, #3, Box Box 5054,5054, Galena,Galena, Missouri Missouri 65656 65656 GORMANGOR3L4N HERMINGHAUS: HERMINGHAUS: 445 26th 445 Avenue, 26th Avenue,San Mateo, San Mateo, (417)(417) 538-2332. 538-2332. 1st IstLt Li Graven. G r a v e wasn w a co-pilots c o - p i l ofort f Lt. o r LHaag's t . H a a gcrew. ' s c r 67th e w . 6 7 t h CaliforniCaliforniaa 94403.9 4 4 0 3 . GormanG o r m a n alsoalso servedserved onon JackJack Steele'sSteele's crew,c r e w , aa Sq.Sq. gunner.gunner. 67th6 7 t h Sq.S q .

ALBERTGREYHOSKY:ALBERT GREITIOSKY: 334 South334 South Vaughn Vaughn Way, Way, Aurora, Aurora, Colorado Colorado CALVINC4.1.,11EV•4. A. HINER.V.O.HINER:P.O. BoxBox 67.67, Superior. Superior, Nebraska Nebraska 68978 68978. Calvin. Calvin, 80012-24480012-24411 (303)(303) 366-7170. 366-7170 .Albert A l b e r twas w a sco-pilot c o - p i l o fort f oC.r CI. lenderson's H e n d e r s o n ' s tootoo,, was w a s a a gunner g u n n e r on o n Jack J a c k Steele's S t e e l e ' s crew. c r e w .67th 6 7 t hSq. S q . crew,crew, 67th6 7 t h Sq.Sq. ThisT h i s crewc r e w asas lostlost ono n 0101 OctoberOctober 19431943 missionmission toto WeineWeinerr Neustadt„N e u s t a d t , withw i t h only o n l y three t h r e e surviving s u r v i v i n g to t o become b e c o m e POW's- P O W ' s -He. H e , HERBERTHERBERT W. IV.TERKHORN: TERKHORN: 728 Ash 728 Street, Ash Street, Seymour, Seymour, Indiana Indiana WilliaWilliamm NewboldN e w b o l d anda n d JJohn o h n Newberry.N e w b e r r y . 47274-2561.47274-2561. HeH e waswas thet h e RadioR a d i o OperatorO p e r a t o r forf o r O'Brien'sO ' B r i e n ' s crewc r e w ini n the the 67th67th Sq.S q . LEWISS.LEWIS S. ENNIS: ENNIS:101 101 Willow Drive,Drive, Elkton, Elkton, Maryland Maryland 21921. 21921. 67th 67th Sq.Sq. LewisLewis was w a s a a gunner, g u n n e r , also a l s o on o n GeorgeG e o r g e Haag'sH a a g ' s crew. c r e w . Haag's H a a g ' s crew c r e w DALTONP.DALTON BERRIER:P. BERRIER: 10610 10610 Sagewillow Sagewillow Lane, Lane. Houston, Houston, Texas flefleww abouta b o u t sixs i x morem o r e missionsm i s s i o n s withw i t h thet h e 441114 4 t h toto completec o m p l e t e theirt h e ir tour.t o u r . 77089-3021677089-30216.. DaltonD a l t o n was w a s Engineer E n g i n e e r for f o rRobert R o b e r tSchmidt's S c h m i d t ' crews c r e inw ithen t h e 67th67th Sq.S q . ROBERTL.ROBERTI,. VANNESTE: VANNESTE•36South 36 Sou Ugstad th Ugstad Road, Road. Proctor, Proctor. Minnesota Minnesota 55810-2435.55810-2435. RobertR o b e r t wasw a s aa gunnerg u n n e r ono n HowardH o w a r d L.L. Hinman'sH i n m a n ' s crew.c r e w . KYLEKYLE E.JONES: EJONES: P.O. P.O. Box 1143,1143, Pinehurst. Pinehurst, North North Carolina Carolina 28374. 28374. 67th67th Sq.S q . OnO n 1616 January J a n u a r y 1945 1 9 4 5 he h e broke b r o k e his h i s foot f o o tafter a f te bailingr b a i l i noutg o uovert o v e r France.France. CHARLESCIL4RLES A. AOVERSTREET:Eox OIERSTREET: Box621, 621, Route Route 2, 2, Keota, Keota OklahomaOklahoma 74941.74941. CharlesC h a r l e s was w a s a alead l e a dpilot, p i l o toften, o f t eflewn f l eleadw l e aford f other t 491st h e 4 9 1BC. s t BWas G . W a s BERNARDBERNARD LIPKIN: LIPKIN: 500 500 Iron Iron Forge Forge Court, Court, RoyalRoyal Palm Beach, assignedassigned toto thet h e 67th6 7 t h Sq.S q . &8c 66th 6 6 d iSq. S q . FloridFloridaa 33411.3 3 4 1 1 . I Hlee was w a s the t h e Navigator/Bombardier, Navigator/Bombardier normally, n o r m a ll assignedy a s s i g n e d ttoo Lt.L t . Hinman'sH i n m a n ' s crew, c r e w , but bu twas w a snot n o ton o n the th e16 1 6January J a n u a r y45 4 5mission. m i s s i o n . JOHNJOIN A. A. TORODE: TORODE: 213 213South South Cherry Cherry Street, Street, Starke, Starke. FloridaHonda 32091.32091 JJohn o h n serveds e r v e d asa s co-pilot c o - p i l o tfor f o rCharles C h a r l e sOverstreet O v e r s t r ee int ithen t h67the 6 7 Sq. t h S q . JAMESREGAS:JAMES REGAS: #2 #2 Concord Concord Street, Street, Natrona Natrona Heights, Heights, Pennsylvania Pennsylvania& 66th66th Sq.S q . 1506515065.. HeH e waswas RadioRadio OperatorOperator ono n Lt.Lt. Hildebrand'sH i l d e b r a n d ' s crew.crew. FirstF i r s t missionmission FebruaryF e b r u a r y 1945.1945. 67th6 7 t h Sq.S q . InIn additionaddition to tothe the men men listed listed above aboveas living as and living located, and A# located, also Art also found several others others that that were were deceased: deceased: JACKG.JACK G. SVANE: SVANE: 1010 1010 10th 10th Court,Courtjupiter, Jupiter, Florida Florida 35477. 35477. He was He was co-piloco-pilott forf o r Roger R o g e r S. S .Markle. M a r k l e This. T hi crews c re wasw w aassigneds a s s i g n etod ttheo t h67the 6 7 tSq.h S q . FREDSCHErDEGGER.KRn,FREDSCHEIDEGGER:Box RR #1.228,Blanchardville,Wisconsin Box 228, Blanc hardsri Ile, Wisconsin oonn 77 FebruaryF e b r u a r y 1945,1 9 4 5 , flewflew Mi M i Akin Akin Ass A s s home h o m e atat war's w a r ' send. e n d . 53516.53516. FredF r e d foldedf o l d e d hish i s wings w i n g s on o n 7/26/95_ 7 / 2 6 / 9 5 .68th 6 8 t h Sq. S q .Crew C r e w Chief. C h i e f .

ANTHONYC.ANTHONY YASEVAC.45 C. YASEVAC:45 Marshall Marshall Road, Road, Branford, Branford, ConnecticutConnecticut GEORGERGEORGE HAAG: R IL44G: Ambler, Ambler. Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania. DateofDeathDate of Death unknown_unknown. 0640506405.11e,. H e , too, t o o , was w a sa amember m e m b e rof o fLt. L t Markle's. M a r k l e 'crew,s c r e Radio w , R a d Operator. i o O p e r a t o r . 67th67th Sq.S q . anda n d alsoalso serveds e r v e d withw i t h thet h e 492nd4 9 2 n d BC.B G .

BENJAMINBENJAWN D. D. FORD: FORD: 15 15Shore Shore Point Point Road, Road, North North Litderock, Littlerock, ArkansaArkansass 72116,7 2 1 1 6 . Widow:W i d o w : Mildred, M i l d r e d . Ben B e n was w a s 68th 6 8 t h Sq. S q . 1st 1s tPilot. P i l o t 222t2 • ,0,610Coit ,

MayMay 8,8, 19951995

DearDear Will: Will:

ThankThank you you for foryourletterof your letter 20of20 April April last. Thelast. documents The documents enclosed enclosed were very interestingwere very andinteresting very valuable. and very valuable. Indeed,Indeed, Tilbe be able able to to use use the the informations. informations. I certainly Icertainly wish wishThad Ihad this typethis of type info ofoninfo all crew on allmembers crew membersburied buried here.here. II wantwant youyou toto know know that that I Iappreciate appreciate your your initiative, initiative, very much.very much.I f i nd Ithat find actually that actually I never knowI never know enough.enough. It'sIt's great great to to have have the the answer. answer.

YouYou can can be be sure thatthat the the material material you yougave gave me will me bewill kept be in thekept 441h in BGthe files,44th to BG be files,available to to be all available who to all who areare interested.interested. flee! I feel fortunate fortunate to get to yourget your cooperation cooperation and Iand think I thinkall my all colleagues my colleagues should feel should the same feel the same way.way.

IfIf! I cancan everever be be of ofassistance assistance to you, to pleaseyou, please do not hesitatedo not hesitateto contact to me. contact me.

Yours sincerely. Yours sincerely.

Roland B. Prieur Roland B. Prima

ThiThiss lletter e t t e r arnveda r r i v e d inin responser e s p o n s e tot o aa mailingm a i l i n g tot o nextn e x t ofo f kink i n tellingt e l l i n g themt h e m thatthat thet h e FrenchF r e n c h peoplepeople inin Illfurth, l l l f u r t h ,France France were w e r e planninplanningg a mmemorial e m o r i a l sservice e r v i c e dduring u r i n g D-DayD - D a y celebrationsc e l e b r a t i o n s anda n d aa memorialm e m o r i a l plaquep l a q u e ata t thet h e crash c r a s h site s i t eRoland R o l a n d B B Prieur. Prieur .Epinal E p i n a l CemeterCemeteryy letterletter attached,a t t a c h e d , being b e i n g nearnear thet h e crashc r a s h sitesite and a n d wherew h e r e somes o m e ofof the t h ecrew c r e w were w e r e buried. buried .I sentI sen himt h i mthe th pagese p a g e s frofromm mmyy ROHR O H boobookk ccovering o v e r i n g alalll thet h e 444 4 tthers h e r s buried b u r i e d there t h e r e III If lhad h a dtime t i m eId I' dod d theo t hsamee s a m ething t h i nforg f oallr aIl lI cemeteriesI I cemeterie wheres w h e r e ouourr mmen e n aare r e bburied u r i e d excepte x c e p t MMadingley, a d i n g l e y . asa s I Idonated d o n a t e d my m y complete c o m p l e t ebook b o o kto t othem t h e mBill. Bil Rendalll Rendal andl a n Id have I h a been v e b e eworkingn w o r k i n g witwithh PneurPrieur forf o r datad a t a abouta b o u t thisthis crewc r e w ROHROH pagespages I 154 5 4and a n dI 551 5 5 .

EPINAEPINALL AMERICANA M E R I C A N CEMETERYCEMETERY KWxeOino/cD.mg .tome trance TO Tel .2, Iv 12 . M l01 r t .71 7 J telecoprc Tilccopi c29 2V 12 K 2 25 2J.7 71 I Alita,4)AinMoar, Pa P a Nsw ,A215,1C1( A B M - C l PSC P S C 111116 .APO MO AtAE 09777 U 0 7 7 7Moto PlKm c,03129 *(33)2» 8/ 8 204 111 72 FAX7 3 F A21X 122') 258 2 7125 7 1 1

Est3b1sheelEsttblnhod b b yCoe/pest C o n a ' . K Matti.March .1.'21 I>J21

7 NovemberNovember 1995IvOo Mt H. henry n r H. Henry meth04th boobBoaib rfla4Group associationAssociation !bell1MB PortPortlan landd tare1-er.e JAMESSURGJAHESDURC 088)1H-J. 06831

!'<• *r 1 lhjwe hjvc 1,ctlust learned learned thatthat aa monument monument wlwil 11l be be erected erected .1Pd a oauguratret,„.„„„- ,on on lb29 2e055ryJanuary 1911,1996, 1,‘ in IlltUrth.lllfurth, Franco France, to al.d i honor thethe 77 'tact victim imss oI01 Ceorge do.se M.». Maynard's H.ynard's crew,crew, whose whoso 8-24B-24 honor 141-2915/1 crashed on 29 January 1944. (01-2 91571 crashed on 29 January 1904. ItIt will wl 1 1add add to to the the plaque plaque that that had bid been been inaugurated Inaugurated 01, 6 JuneJuno 1 l»9y by thethe towntown of of lllfurth, I Ilfurth, as has 5bent boon the th eplaque. plaque ,Wouldn't wouldn' tit i ttio b egroat oroa tIt i fVet Veteran sssss sof of t •he. 1- A S ha eats bomb Croup could attend the ceremony. The people of 4 . i t :\ Bomb Croup could attend the ceremony. The people of 1 1 1 forthrth would would certainlycertainly be b ehappy happy and and honored. honored . IfIf no no one one c.bn c.,n come,m n I'llI'll beb eit i nattenlance. attendance ,ard and I'llI'll do do my ay butbelt tO to repreeont represent youcom e• ,what what on An honor. honor. you • LookingLoosing forward forward to to hearing hearing from from you, you. I IraMarn remain , ,

Yoursyour sSSMCOrOly. sincerely.

PolandBo l a n dB. B Primer. Prl*ux SuperintendentSuper i n t o n d e n t

:IfJfanyoftK any of tilee membe r u b e es r s wonld w o u l dlike l i kto e volnnteer t o v o ^ t e^ to t oattend, a t t e n d please, p l e a scontact* . c o n t ayone c t y oPresident, u . P r e s i d e-Roy n t , ROwen. o y O w e n .

,2323t • » 506th Bomb Bomb Sq., Sq., 44th 44th Bomb Bomb Group Group (11), (H), 8th 8th Air Air Force Force VOYAGEONTHES.S.VOYAGE ON THE S.S. CHANTILLY CUANTILLYTO TO ENGLAND ENGLAND By Ray I. Marrier, Mamer,Jr. Jr. ThThee followingfollowing isis aa piecep i e c e RayR a y I.I. Marner, Marner, Jr. J r .wrote. wrote. seeseemm toto comec o m e ono n allall arounda r o u n d thethe convoy. c o n v o y . It I wast w a stoo t o o HHee states,states, mostm o s t ofof thet h e storiesstories wew e haveh a v e aboutabout ourour V dardarkk toto reallyreally seesee howh o w muchmuch damagedamage waswas beingbeing groupgroup arca r e thoset h o s e ofo f thet h e aira i r warw a r overo v e r Europe,E u r o p e , as a s they t h e y •."11 done,done, butb u t wew e knewk n e w iitt was w a s bad. b a d . shoulshouldd be.b e . ThisT h i s story s t o r y is i s of o f the t h eground g r o u n d echelon e c h e l o nof o fthe t h e ArounAroundd 33 ama m wew e heardheard anotheranother explosione x p l o s i o n anda n d 506t506thh BombB o m b SquadronSquadron andand theirtheir problemsp r o b l e m s ofo f jjust u s t eithereither aa munitionsm u n i t i o n s ships h i p oro r a a tanker t a n k e r with w i t h high h i g hoctane o c t a n e tryinHyingg tot o getg e t there.there. gasgas wasw a s hithit anda n d thethe flamesf l a m e s grewg r e w largerlarger and a n d larger,l a r g e r , j lightinglighting thet h e entiree n t i re area.a r e a . TheT h e lightlight endangerede n d a n g e r e d thet h e The groundThe ground echelon echelon of the of the506th 506th Bomb Bomb Sq., Sq., , wholewhole cconvoy, o n v o y , sos o a a British B r i t i s h Corvette C o r v e t t e shelled s h e l l e dthe t h eship s h i p 44t44thh BombB o m b GGroup. r o u p , consistingc o n s i s t i n g ofo f 14 1 4 officers o f f i c e r s and a n d 270 2 7 0 anandd aa terrifict e r r i f i c explosione x p l o s i o n followedfollowed withwith thethe flamesflames enlisteenlistedd men,m e n , andand underunder thethe commandc o m m a n d ofof Capt.C a p t . shootinshootingg hundredsh u n d r e d s ofo f feetf e e t ini n the t h e air. a i r .The T h e ship s h i pthen t h e n GreeGreenn Benton,Benton, Jr.,Jr., boarded boarded the the S.S. S.S .Chantilly C h a n t i l l y in in quicklquicklyy sunk.sunk. NeNeww YorkYork onon FebruaryFebruary 27,27, 1943.1 9 4 3 . IInn ouro u r positionposition ata t thet h e rearr e a r ofo f thet h e convoy,c o n v o y , there there ThThee S.S.S . S . ChantillyChantilly was w a s an a n oldo l d French F r e n c h ship s h i p that t h a t werweree threethree shipss h i p s behindb e h i n d usu s anda n d threethree shipss h i p s tot o ourour waswas takent a k e n overo v e r byb y thet h e BritishB r i t i s h ini n 1940.1 9 4 0 . She S h e wasw a s notn o t frontfront.. AtA t dawnd a w n onon MarchM a r c h I11 I,, 1943,1 9 4 3 , wew e foundfound that t h a t inin veryv e r y goodg o o d repair,r e p a i r , and a n d a a lot l o tof o fwork w o r kwas w a sdone d o n eon o nher h e rin i Newn N e wYork York wew e werew e r e alonea l o n e wellw e l l behindb e h i n d thet h e restr e s t ofo f the t h e ships. s h i p s .All Al lsix s i xships s h ip weres w e r e priopriorr tot o ouro u r boarding, b o a r d i n g ,but b u tshe s h eneeded n e e d e dmuch m u c h more. m o r e .The T h eship's ship' screw c r e w eithereither sunks u n k oro r somes o m e maym a y havehave changedc h a n g e d position.position. We W e feltfelt thatthat we w e wawass composedcomposed ofof somes o m e BritishBritish andand thethe restrest werew e r e HinduHindu fromfrom werweree likelike sittings i t t i n g ducksd u c k s inin thist h i s vulnerablev u l n e r a b l e position.position. We W e spentspent thethe CalcuttaCalcutta., India.India .There T h e r ewere w e r eapproximately a p p r o x i m a t e l y 1,000 1,00 0troops t r o o p son o nboard b o a r d nexnextt dayd a y ttrying r y i n g ttoo catchc a t c h upu p withw i t h thet h e restr e s t of o f the t h e convoy. c o n v o y .Obviously, Obviously, includinincludingg AmericanAmerican sailors,sailors, marines m a r i n e s andand infantry i n f a n t r y men.men. TheThe wew e werewere probablyp r o b a b l y thethe slowests l o w e s t ships h i p ono n thethe seas.s e a s . LuckilyL u c k i l y non o morem o r e Chantilly,Chantilly, carryingcarrying thethe onlyonly troopstroops inin the t h e convoy,convoy, joinedj o i n e d thethe attacksattacks werew e r e forthcoming.forthcoming. approximatelyapproximately 747 4 shipsships ofo f thet h e convoyc o n v o y inin NewN e w YorkYork harborharbor anda n d IInn aa letterletter tot o MajorM a j o r UrsellUrsell P.P . Harvell, H a r v e l l , in i n reply r e p l y tot o his h i s request, request, sailesailedd ono n FebruaryF e b r u a r y 28,2 8 , 19431 9 4 3 forfor thet h e UnitedU n i t e d Kingdom.Kingdom. thethe Dept.D e p t . ofo f NavyN a v y gavegave thethe followingfollowing information:information: DuringD u r i n g thethe IInn UrsellU r s e l l P.P . Harvell'sHarvell's book b o o k "Jaws "Jaws over o v e r Europe" E u r o p e " it i twas w a sstated stated attackattack byb y U-boatsU - b o a t s ono n MarchM a r c h 10.10, 1 1 1. 1 ,1943, 1 9 4 3 , the t h e following f o l l o w i n gships s h i p weres w e r e thathatt thet h e S.S.S . S . ChantillyChantilly was w a s placedp l a c e d inin the t h e middle m i d d l e ofo f the t h e convoy c o n v o y tot o torpedoedtorpedoed anda n d sunk:sunk: givgivee thethe personnelpersonnel carriercarrier somes o m e protectionprotection inin casec a s e ofo f aa U-boatU-boat 1 .British British CargoCargo TUCURINCA:TUCUPJNCA; 2.2. BritishBritish CargoCargo JAMAICAJAMAICA attackattack.. ThisThis statementstatement waswas notnot correctcorrect asas the t h e ChantillyChantilly wwas a s PRODUCERPRODUCER:; 3.3. NorwegianN o r w e g i a n BRUMMB R U M M COUNTYCOUNTY (or(or BRANTB R A N T centerecenteredd ata t thet h e rear r e a r of o f the t h econvoy, c o n v o y ,with w i t honly o n l threey t h re shipse s h ip behinds b e h i n us.d u s . COUNTY):COUNTY); 4.4. U.S.U . S . CargoC a r g o LAWTONL A W T O N B.B. EVANSE V A N S ; 5. 5 . U.S. U.S .Cargo C a r g o ThereThere isis alsoa l s o a a statement s t a t e m e n t in i n major m a j o r Harvell's H a r v e l l ' s book b o o k as a sfollows: f o l l o w s :"The " T h e ANDREAANDREA F.F. LUCKENBACH.L U C K E N B A C H . ThereThere werewere otherother shipsships inin thet h e shipmenshipmentt ofo f sskilled k i l l e d AirA i r ForceF o r c e personnel,p e r s o n n e l , sorely sorely needed n e e d e d in in the t h e 8th 8 t h convoyconvoy thatthat werew e r e damagedd a m a g e d byby torpedoes,torpedoes, butbut didd i d not not sink. s i n k .EMS H M S AiAirr ForceF o r c e aboardaboard thethe S.S.S.S. Chantilly.Chantilly, aa condemnedc o n d e m n e d oldold EnglishEnglish HARVESTEHARVESTERR waswas damagedd a m a g e d whenw h e n shes h e rammedr a m m e d aa U-boat.U - b o a t . She S h e took t o o k shipship,, the t h e orders o r d e r s taking t a k i n gseventeen s e v e n t e e ndays d a y s oonn boardb o a r d prisonersprisoners fromf r o m thethe U-boat.U - b o a t , toto crossc r o s s thethe Atlantic,Atlantic, was w a s givengiven byb y anandd aafterward f t e r w a r d shes h e sank.s a n k . It I twas w a sreported r e p o r t e d someonsomeonee definitelyd e f i n i t e l y irresponsiblei r r e s p o n s i b l e anda n d t41 bbyy GermanG e r m a n prisonersprisoners thatt h a t theret h e r e were w e r e camecame closeclose tot o thet h e disaster d i s a s t e r forf o r thet h e 8th 8 t h 1122 U-boatsU-boats inin the t h e vicinityvicinity ofof thethe AiAirr Force."Force." AnyA n y aboard a b o a r d thethe S.S.S.S. convoyconvoy.. HMSH M S ACONITE A C O N I T E sanksank UU-- ChantillyChantilly wouldw o u l d probablyp r o b a b l y agreea g r e e withw i t h boatboatss No.N o . 4324 3 2 andand No.No. 442.442. There T h e r e thithiss statement.s t a t e m e n t . It I twas w a struly trul ya amiracle m i r a c l e werewere manym a n y stragglersstragglers ini n this this convoy. c o n v o y , thathatt thet h e groundg r o u n d troopstroops ofo f thet h e 506th5 0 6 t h scatterescatteredd becauseb e c a u s e ofo f the t h e high h i g h seas s e a sand a n d BomBombb SquadronSquadron everever gotgot toto the the fogfog,, anda n d manymany leftleft thet h e convoyc o n v o y andand ShipdharnShipdham Aerodrome.Aerodrome. proceededproceeded toto theirt h e i r destination.destination. ThThee firstfirst 111 1 daysd a y s ofo f oour u r voyagev o y a g e ThThee S.S.S.S. ChantillyC h a n t i l l y remainedr e m a i n e d werweree ffairly a i r l y uneventful,u n e v e n t f u l , aside a s i d efrom f r o mvery v e r ypoor p o o rsleeping s l e e p i n arrangements,g a r r a n g e m e n t s , aatt thet h e rear r e a r of o f the t h emain m a i nconvoy c o n v o yand a n dsailed s a i l e dup u pthe t h eFirth F i rt ofh o Clyde,f C l y d enear, n e a r seasicknessseasickness,, and a n d probably p r o b a b l y the t h e worst w o r s t food f o o d any a n y of o f us u s had h a d ever e v e r eaten. e a t e n . GlasgoGlasgoww onon MarchM a r c h 15.15, 1943, 1 9 4 3 , goinggoing ashoreashore on o n March M a r c h 16.16 ,1943. 1943. HoweverHowever,, ono n Ash A s h Wednesday.Wednesday, MarchM a r c h 10,10, 1943, 1943, thisthis changedchanged AfteAfterr aa longl o n g traintrain ride fromf r o m Scotland,Scotland, wew e finally arriveda r r i v e d at a t dramaticallydramatically.. AroundA r o u n d 6:306:30 pmp m wew e heardh e a r d anan explosionexplosion andand thethe ShipdhamShipdham AeredromeAercdrome ono n MarchM a r c h 17,17, 1943. 1943. mustemusterr bbell e l l rang.r a n g . WeW e headedh e a d e d upu p thethe gangway g a n g w a y toto the t h e deck d e c k inin time t i m e A fewfew daysdays afterafter ouro u r arrivalarrival ata t thet h e AirA i r Base,B a s e , II was w a s walking w a l k i n g ttoo sees e e ana n oiloil tankertanker sinks i n k and a n d twot w o othero t h e r ships s h i p s were w e r e damaged. d a m a g e d . Any A n y frofromm ouro u r livingl i v i n g sites i t e tot o the t h e flight f l i g h t line, line when, w h e na staffa s t a fcarf c astoppedr s t o p p eandd a n d shishipp thatt h a t sustained s u s t a i n e d damage d a m a g e indicatedi n d i c a t e d this t h i sby b y light l i g h ti ng i n g a a red r e d light l i g h tthat t h a t offeredoffered mem e a ride.ride. BeingB e i n g aa kidk i d ooff oonly n l y 202 0 yearsy e a r s and a n d not n o t very v e r y military m i l i t a r y woulwouldd bebe visiblevisible tot o anya n y supportsupport craft.craft. WeW e laterl a t e r learnedl e a r n e d thatthat ouro u r I piledp i l e d inin thet h e backb a c k seatseat tot o findfind then t h e n ColonelC o l o n e l LeonL e o n B.B . Johnson. J o h n s o n . I I CaptaiCaptainn saws a w thethe firstfirst torpedot o r p e d o comingc o m i n g towardtoward usus anda n d hehe laidlaid thet h e guesguesss thet h e GeneralG e n e r a l wasn'twasn't veryv e r y militarymilitary either.either. HeH e couldn'tcouldn't have h a v e ChantillChantillyy ono n herh e r sides i d e and a n d thet h e torpedo t o r p e d o went w e n t along a l o n g our o u r starboard s t a r b o a r d hull h u l l beebeenn nicernicer tot o me.m e . HeH e wantedwanted toto knowk n o w allall abouta b o u t ouro u r triptrip overo v e r thethe andand hithit thet h e ships h i p aheada h e a d ofo f usu s ono n ouro u r portp o r t side.s i d e . AtlantiAtlanticc anda n d allall thet h e details d e t a i l s of o f the t h e submarine s u b m a r i n e attack. attack .I Iwill w i lalwaysl a l w a y s TheThe CaptainCaptain thent h e n beganb e g a n toto changec h a n g e coursec o u r s e everye v e r y fewf e w minutesminutes rememberememberr howh o w reassuredreassured I feltfelt with w i t h this t h i sman m a n as a smy m y commanding commanding bbyy rockingr o c k i n g thet h e ships h i p fromf r o m oneo n e sideside tot o thet h e othero t h e r anda n d continuedc o n t i n u e d tthis h i s officerofficer'. Top Photo:. rjfeboatLifeboat drill on on the the S.S. S.S. Chantilly. Chantilly. forfor thet h e restrest ofo f thet h e night.n i g h t . HeH e wasw a s rockingrocking thet h e ships h i p asa s muchm u c h asas 434 3 Top photo Bottom Photo: S.S. S.S. Chantilly Chantilly- - This This "Lavin', "LuxuryLiner"looks Liner" looks degrees, which made it very difficult to stay on deck. degrees, w h i c h m a d e it v e r y difficult t o s t a y o n deck. like somethitg something Out out ofof an an old old HumphreyHumphrey Bogart-Peter Bogart-Peter Lony Lorry ArounAroundd midnightmidnight wew e werew e r e attackedattacked againa g a i n anda n d thethe redr e d lightsl i g h t s movie! The word among the 506d:506th troopstroops is is that that the the S.S. S.S. 2244 stood for SadSad Skow. WILLWILL SEZS E Z

What aa greatgreat reunion! WeeksWeeks laterlater these these aviation collectors, collectors, displayed displayed a fine a finecollection collection of unifonns, of uniforms, memories firmlyfirmly remain: Our guests fromfrom equipment, books,books, photos, photos, etc. etc. and and were were on hand on hand morning morning England, Janice andand SteveSteve Adams, Adams, and and PaulPaul WilsonWilson and and to eveningevening toto answeranswer questions, questions, talk talk with with us us all, all, and and how wonderful toto see see them them here here in inthe the U.S. U. for S. their for theirfirst trip first providetrip security for for the the many many other other items items which which our weathersour members ever. This This was was a goldena golden opportunity opportunity for for so manyso many of ofus us provided. Thank Thank you you gentlemen!gentlemen! Jim Auman, Auman, 44th 44th &cV 44thers441hers who who he he has has corresponded corresponded with with over over the the years years to meet to meet466th BC,BG, brought color to to the the hotel hotel and and this this display display room room him, andfor and for Steve Steve to to get get more more information information forhis for hisupcoming upcoming with his many many large large decorative decorative hand hand painted painted wall wall posters. posters. book covering covering the the 66th 66th Sq. Sq. history. history. Paul Paulbrought brought 25 of 25 his of hisAt the end, end, he he generously generously gave gave them them to anyoneto anyone who who wanted wanted beautiful hand hand painted painted flying Flying 8 8Ball Ball leather leather patches, patches, one.limone. Jim alsoalso provided provided me me with with his his own own account account of of a 492nd a 492nd suitably adorned adorned with with the the individual individual squadron squadron colors colors - -BG crash crash nearnear thethe base base where where two two of of our our fire Jire fighters fighters were were even donated donated five Jive of of them them to to us us to tohelp help with with our our dwindling dwindling killed by by exploding exploding frog frag bombs. bombs. Now, Now, to tomilitary military proof proof of of finances. Paul Paul and and Steve, Steve, alongwith along with David David Morgan, Morgan, were were death and thesethese two tioo men men will will be addedbe added to ourto ourofficial official Roll Roll responsible for for setting setting up the up minithe mini museum museum at Arrow at Arrow Air onAir onof Honor.Honor. a cornercorner of of the the old old Sh Shipdham ipdh a in base. base. Obviously, this this old old 441h 44th historian historian would would remember remember First time time attendees, attendees, many many I have I have never never met metbefore before but butotherfeaturesother features of of the the reunion reunion not not generally generally observed observedby by many many have shared information information and and letters. letters. One Oneof them of them was wasMG MGothers. But But for for me, me, I wasI was thrilled thrilled because because Charles Charles Hughes Hughes William H.H. Brandon,Brandon, an an originaloriginal combat combat man, man, honored honored not only attended, attended, but but brought brought along along much much of ofhis his supply supply of of us forfor the the first first time. time. He He flew flew "Avenger" "Avenger" over over to Englandto England as as 66th Sq.Sq. ORIGINAL ORIGINAL records. records. He He not not only only brought brought them, them, he he partpail of of the the 66th 66th Sq. Sq. air air echelon. echelon. Too, Too, though though not fornot thefirst for the firstgave them to me me for my my archivalarchival files, files, but butsome some I still I still have have time, BC BG JohnJohn H. H. Gibson Gibson joined joined with with us us as as well. well. Most Most not reviewed as as there there were were other other historians historians who whowanted wanted to to welcome, Generals!! Generals!! 661h 66th Squadron Squadron C.O. GO. and and pilot pilot on on borrow themthem immediately. immediately. Steve Steve Adams Adams will will get get many many Ploesti, Dexter Dexter Hodge Hodge was was exciting exciting to meet, to meet, as were as sowere many so manycopies for Jor his his book. book. Between Between Charles Charles Hughes' Hughes' papers papers and and others. Capt. Capt. Armstrong Armstrong and and Harold Harold Morrison Morrison and and I hadI had photos, Dexter Dexter Hodge' Hodge's s priceless priceless Ploesti Ploestiphatos, photos, our ambitious our ambitious a miniminimeetingto meeting to discuss discuss our our latest latestfacts facts located located concerning concerningyounger lads (Steve (Steve Adams, Adams, Pete Pete biz:ell Frizzell and andEd Dobson)Ed Dobson) D-Day. These These two two men men DIDDID lead lead the the 441h 44th and and 14th 14th CBW, CBW, got little sleep. sleep. At midnight At midnight they tookthey atook taxi a to taxi get photosto get photos were the the FIRST FIRST to to bomb bomb the the coast coast that that day. day. copied (yes (yes they they located located a shop) a shop) and andworked worked until until 3 a.m. 3 a.m. Happily, II was was ableable to to sit sit in onin ontwo tiuo meetings meetings organized organizedThen, whenwhen Joe GoeddayGoedday anived, arrived, bringing bringing more more photos photos by EdEd DobsonDobson inin his his effort effort to learnto learn more more specifics specifics about theabout thealongalongwith with his detailed detailed knowledge knowledge of of the the group's group's processing processing famous Ploesti Ploesti mission mission as as well well as as the the second second Wiener Wiener of missionmission photos, photos, Steve Steve and and Pete Pete failed failed to get to to get bed to at bed all. at all. Neustadt. Because Because the the official official records records for thefor 44ththe 44th BG BGThose PloestiPloesti photos photos were were examined examined most most thoroughly, thoroughly, covering th these ese attacks attacks are aremeageratbest, meager at best, or entirely or entirely missing. missing,turning up many many clues clues about about which which planes planes were were in in the the Ed asked forfor thosethose men men who who participatedparticipated in thesein these missions missionsphotos, which which plane plane took took them, them, targets, targets, where where the film the wasfilm was to meet, meet, re-establish re-establish as many as many fads facts as possible. as possible. Norm Kiefer Norm Kieferprocessed and and when,when, etc. etc. Oh, Oh, for for the the energy energy of youth, of youth, and and acted as as MC, MC, while while Pete Pete Frizzell Frizzell captured captured the discussions the discussions on ontheir priceless priceless interest interest in our in h ouristory! history! video. Pete, Pete, for for those those who who don't don't know know him, him, has workedhas worked long long Yes, there there were were several several problems problems which which arose, arose, most mostof of and hard on.on the entireentire Ploesti Ploesti mission mission - ailfive - all groups five groups to - tothem due to the the fact fact that that the the reunion reunion itselfwas itself so was successful so successful record thefacts. thefacts. He hHe a s hasvideoed videoed as many as many personal personal in terviews in terviews- aa sold-outsold-out hotel, hotel, with with limited limited space space - so eating- so eating was wasa a of these airmen airmen as as he he can can get. get. In Infact,fact, while while Irene Irene and andI were I wereproblem at times,times, etc. etc. But But the thehotel hotel management management did their did their in thethe lobby lobby Monday Monday afternoon afternoon waiting waiting for for a aride ride to tothe the utmost toto solvesolve problems problems when when they they arose, arose, with with genuine genuine airport, Pete Pete and and Ed Ed Dobson Dobson came came dashing dashing through, through, concern andand positive actions. actions. They They were were kind kind enough enough to to canyingcarrying equipment equipment to to interview interview General General Brandon! Brandon! As As you you make several copies copies of ofpapers papers for for me me immediately. immediately. Busiest Busiest probably know, know, General General Brandon Brandon was was thethe 44th 44th BG's BG's lead lead man there, there, night night and and day day it itseemed, seemed, was was our our Reunion Reunion pilot on on Ploesti, Ploesti, Gen Generaljohnson erallohnson acting actingas as his hisco-pilot co-pilot and andChairman,limChairman, Jim Clements. To Toyoujim, youjim, andand youryour lovely lovely wife wife Commander aboard aboard Suzy-Q.Suzy-Q. TrustTrust thatthat theythey were were most most Nettie, we we all all thank thank you you most most sincerely... sincerely...Thanks Thanks to all to of all of successful. you that that attended,attended, who who made made this this such such a amemorable memorable The "show "show & 6? tell" tell" memorabilia memorabilia room room was was very very event...event...On On to to St. St. Louis, Louis, and and then then ENGLAArD! ENGLAND! interesting to thoseto those of us of that us that found found it - it it was - it a bitwas hidden. a bit hidden. David WebsterWebster and his his buddy buddy whowho areare American American militarymilitary Will Lundy Lundy

2255 MISCELLANIAMISCELLAN1A

HHeaveneaven is is where where

the police police are are British, IBritisk, the cooks cooks are are Italian, Italian, FOLDEFOLDEDD WWINGS I N G S the mechanics mechanics are are Sermon, ^jerman, the lovers lovers are are French, French, WilliWilliss D.D . AbramsA b r a m s '93'93 UnkUnk antiand it is is all all organia. organized ed NedNed AndersonA n d e r s o n UnUnkk 68th68th •:~*mMMM* by the Swiss. IrvingIrving A.A . BarberB a r b e r 5/85/844 68th68th by the Swiss. WadeWade F.F. BondB o n d UnLinkk 67th67th RaRayy CCiesielski i e s i e l s k i '8'800 UnkUnk Hell\\e\l is whereis where WilliamWilliam DolanD o l a n UnUnkk 68th68th IvaIvann L.L . GildersleeveG i l d e r s l e e v e '7'799 UnkUnk the chefs chefs are are British, TBntish, RevRev.. LeroLeroyy HHolmberg o l m b e r g '95'95 506th506th the mechanics mechanics are are French, French, PetePeterr P.P . KKaripin a r i p i n 7/97/955 66th66th K.L. KKeesee e e s e e '72'72 UnkUnk the lovers lovers are are Swiss, Swiss, JohJohnn F.F. KingK i n g 12/912/944 68th68th the police police are are erman, ^jerman, CarlCarl K.K . MillerM i l l e r 9/99/955 506th506th and it is is all all organiz. organized ed JohJohnn D.D . MoneyM o n e y '94'94 506th506th by thethe Italians. Italians. JoeJoell PeekP e e k 10/9510/95 67th67th 000 RoberRobertt E.E . RoseR o s e UnUnkk 68th68th o o o AndreAndreww JJ.. RossR o s s 2/92/955 68th68th EdwarEdwardd RumseyR u m s e y UnUnkk 67th67th SECONDSECOND AIR AIR DIVISIONDIVISION REUNIONS REUNIONS FreFredd ScheideggerS c h e i d e g g e r 7/957/95 68th68th JohJohnn SSkutt k u t t UnUnkk UnkUnk There will be be a Seconda Second Air Air Division Division Regional Regional Reunion Reunion JacJackk TTinney i n n e y '94'94 67th67th ttoo beb e heldh e l d inin Orlando,O r l a n d o , FloridaF l o r i d a ata t thet h e ClarionC l a r i o n PlazaP l a z a HoteHotell ono n FebruaryF e b r u a r y 3,3, 1996.1996. TheT h e hotel h o t e l willwill offero f f e r MauricMauricee WWelsh e l s h I10/9 0/955 68th68th speciaspeciall ratesr a t e s forf o r tthree h r e e nightsn i g h t s precedingp r e c e d i n g anda n d threethree JohJohnn WWolbarst o l b a r s t '87'87 UnkUnk nightnightss followingfollowing thethe reunionr e u n i o n forfor thoset h o s e whow h o maym a y wanwantt toto makem a k e aa DisneyDisney WorldWorld vacationvacation ofof it.it. ThisThis isis aa partialpartial listlist of of ouro u r deceaseddeceased 44th44th ContactContact:: comradescomrades.. WeW e willw i l l continue c o n t i n u eto t ocatch c a t c uuphp oonn thet h e LawrenceLawrence Gilbert,Gilbert, ChairmanC h a i r m a n lislistt with w i t h each e a c h issue, issue ,as a wellwels l asa s listl i s t new n e w Folded F o l d e d 14814822 GranvilleGranville DriveDrive WingsWings.. WinteWinterr Park,P a r k , FloridaF l o r i d a 327893 2 7 8 9 PhonePhone:: (407)( 4 0 7 ) 647-26236 4 7 - 2 6 2 3

The SecondSecond Air Air Division Division Assn. Assn. 49th 49thAnnual Annual ConventioConventionn willwill beb e heldh e l d ono n JuneJ u n e 1313 - 16, 16 ,1996 1 9 9 6 in in MilwaukeeMilwaukee,, WisconsinW i s c o n s i n atat thet h e HyattH y a t t RegencyR e g e n c y HHotel. o t e l . ConventioConventionn ReservationReservation fform o r m aand n d sschedule c h e d u l e wilwilll beb e includeincludedd inin thet h e WinterW i n t e r IssueIssue ofo f thet h e Journal.J o u r n a l .

The Second Air Air Division ofof Southern Southern California California will will holholdd ttheir h e i r ffifteenth i f t e e n t h annuala n n u a l rregional e g i o n a l rreunion e u n i o n ddinner i n n e r aatt thet h e MarineMarine CorpsCorps AirAir Station,S t a t i o n , ElE l ToroT o r o Officers'O f f i c e r s ' ClubClub,, Saturday,Saturday, Feb.Feb. 24, 2 4 ,1996. 1 9 9 6 .For Fo furtherr f u r t h e r informationinformation,, contactcontact either:either: DickDick BaynesBaynes (714)(714) 552-388552-38899 oror JJay a y JeffrieJeffriess (714)( 7 1 4 ) 846-1653.8 4 6 - 1 6 5 3 . 2266 O000 O O

44TH44TH BOMB BOMB GROUP GROUP HISTORY HISTORY

InIn casecase you you have have not not submitted submitted your your biography biography and and orderorder ffor o r thet h e forthcomingforthcoming 44th4 4 t h Bomb B o m b GroupG r o u p History, H i s t o r y , ththee deadlinedeadline hashas beenbeen extendedextended toto JanuaryJanuary 4,4, oO 0o 0 o 19961996.. IfIf youy o u diddid notnot receivereceive thethe form,form, callcall EricE r i c ParrenParrentt ofo f TTurner u r n e r PublishingP u b l i s h i n g Co.C o . (502)(502) 443-0121.4 4 3 - 0 1 2 1 . ThiThiss willwill beb e aa beautifulbeautiful history,history, beb e suresure youy o u areare FLYINGFLYING EIGHT EIGHT BALLBALL PATCHESPATCHES includedincluded..

Paul Wilson Wilson of ofNorwich, Norwich, England, England, who whomany many of you of you memett aatt tthe h e reunionreunion,, hash a s donatedd o n a t e d five ofo f hishis beautifulbeautiful o o o 000 hand-paintedhand-painted,, 5 5 inchi n c h diameter d i a m e t e r leather l e a t h e r 8-Ball 8 - B a l lpatches p a t c h e s (any(any ooff ththee squadronsquadron colors).c o l o r s ) . TheT h e costc o s t to t o youy o u is is $12 $ 1 2 ANOTHERANOTHER AUTHOR ALTITIOR AMONG AMONG US US pospostt paidp a i d withwith allall profitp r o f i t goingg o i n g ttoo tthe h e 44th44th BGVABGVA generalgeneral ttreasury. r e a s u r y . AA terrificterrific bargain b a r g a i n to t o put p u t on o n a a new n e w Just priorprior to todeparture departure for thefor reunion, the reunion, I received I received A-A-22 jacketjacket!! OrderO r d e r from:f r o m : a copycopy ofof aa bookbook entitledentitled BlackBlack HoleHole ofof WilWilll LundyL u n d y WauwilermooWauwilermooss authoredauthored byby 66th66th BombBomb Sqdn.Sqdn. 32932955 NorthMorth I-1H StreetStreet membememberr DanDan Culler.Culler. HeH e wasw a s unableu n a b l e tot o attenda t t e n d thet h e SaSann Bernardino,Bernardino, CAC A 92405-280992405-2809 reunioreunionn ttoo ddisplay i s p l a y hhis i s book,book, butb u t aasked s k e d mmee ttoo dod o sos o PhonePhone:: (909)( 9 0 9 ) 882-24418 8 2 - 2 4 4 1 iinn hish i s behalf.b e h a l f . ManyM a n y ofof yyou o u saws a w itit anda n d somes o m e ordersorders werewere placedp l a c e d ata t thet h e reunion.r e u n i o n . II haveh a v e jjust u s t completedc o m p l e t e d readinreadingg thisthis remarkableremarkable accountaccount ofof thethe USAArUSAAF O00 careercareer ooff TTech/Sgt. e c h / S g t . CullerC u l l e r fromf r o m enlistmente n l i s t m e n t through t h r o u g h O O O trainintrainingg andand intointo combatcombat withwith thethe 44th44th BombBomb GrouGroupp andand shoot-downshoot-down onon thethe FriedrichschalenFriedrichschafen CALLINGCALLING ALL PILOTS! ALL PILOTS! missiomissionn MarchM a r c h 18,18, 1944.1944. TheT h e lastl a s t chapters c h a p t e r s recount r e c o u n t hishis internmenti n t e r n m e n t inin SwitzerlandS w i t z e r l a n d andand hishis changec h a n g e inin TheThe AviationAviation Cadet Cadet Alumni Alumni Association Association is compiling is compilingstatusstatu s fromf r o m interneeinternee tot o civilc i v i l prisonerp r i s o n e r aftera f t e r a a failed f a i l e d a listinglisting ofof formerformer cadetscadets byby class.class. More M o r e thanthan escapescapee attempt.attempt. TheT h e accountsaccounts ofof hish i s captivityc a p t i v i t y ini n 31,0031,0000 namesn a m e s areare ono n file,file, anda n d printoutprintoutss bbyy CClass l a s s WauwilermooWauwilermooss area r e brutalb r u t a l II must m u s t warn w a r n you. y o u . ItI twas w a s a a araree availableavailable toto participantsparticipants whow h o includeinclude $2$2 toto facefacett ofof thethe warwar thatthat escapedescaped thethe notorietynotoriety iitt covecoverr costs.c o s t s . Please P l e a s e send s e n d your y o u r Hight F l i g h tClass, C l a s s ,Primary, P r i m a r y , deserveddeserved.. ToT o orderorder thet h e book,b o o k , makem a k e a copyc o p y ofo f tthe h e BasiBasicc anda n d AdvanceA d v a n c e SchoolsS c h o o l s tto: o : ordeorderr blankb l a n k hereinh e r e i n anda n d byby havingh a v i n g 44th4 4 t h writtenwritten iinn RoberRobertt C.C . WhiteW h i t e ththee lowerl o w e r leftleft corner,c o r n e r , CullerC u l l e r willwill sends e n d aa dollardollar ofo f 5544 SetonS e t o n TTrail r a i l eacheach salesale tot o ouro u r Treasury.T r e a s u r y . OrmonOrmondd Beach,Beach, FloridaF l o r i d a 321763 2 1 7 6 DuDuee ttoo tthe h e amounta m o u n t ooff ccontact o n t a c t anda n d detaildetail involved,i n v o l v e d , ReorderReorder form,form, -Black" B l a c k HoleH o l e ofo f Wauwilermoos,"W a u w i l e r m o o s , " book.b o o k . For your personal autograph book, please send check with your name and MrMr.. WhiteWhite prefersprefers writtenwritten requestsrequests ratherrather thanthan For y o u r personal a u t o g r a ph book, p l e a s e s e n d check with your n a m e and addresaddresss toto DanDan Culler‘Culler. 7507 5 0 S.S. LaBrisa.LaBrisa. GreenGreen Valley,Valley. AZA Z 85614-2232. 8 5 6 1 4 - 2 2 3 2 . phonphonee ccalls. a l l s . PleasePlease printprint youryour NameName AddresAddresss oorr o o o O00 P.O.P.O.Bo Boxx CitCityy

PLOESTIPLOESTI BOOK BOOK AND AND VIDEO VIDEO State ZIP ZIP NameName ofof personp e r s o n book(s)book(s) isi s tot o beb e personalizedpersonalized toto Price per book $16.50 Plus $350 for shipping and handling The PloestiPloesti book book entitled entitled Black Black Sunday Sunday is available is availablePrice pe r book $16.50 Plus $3.50 for shipping and handling NumberNumber ofof booksbooks orderedordered $16@ $16.5 500 perper book—Totabook—Totall _ forfor $35,$ 3 5 , $10$10 underu n d e r listl i s t price, p r i c e ,by b ycalling c a l l i n g1-800-898- 1 - 8 0 0 - 8 9 8 - PostagePostage @$3.50 $3.50 perper bookbook TotaTotall _ 21242124.. totatotall forfor booksb o o k s plusplus postagepostage TotaTotall _ Thank you Dan Culler ThThee PloestiP l o e s t i video,v i d e o , short s h o r t title t i t l eUtah U t a hMan, M a n ,is i savailable a v a i l a b l e Thank you Dan Culler foforr $$29 2 9 byb y calling:calling: 1-800-869-6379.1 - 8 0 0 - 8 6 9 - 6 3 7 9 . 44t44thh 27 /,(t GOOGOODD NNEIGHBORS E I G H B O R S By Roy OwenOwen

There'There'ss beenb e e n aa lotlot said s a i d andand readread latelylately aboutabout anandd pointedp o i n t e d herh e r oout. u t . ThereT h e r e she s h e was, w a s , 81 8 1 years y e a r s young, y o u n g , Anglo-AmericaAnglo-Americann relations.relations. I'mI'm a a real r e a l Anglophile A n g l o p h i l e so s o slendeslenderr anda n d grey,g r e y , butb u t headh e a d tossingtossing withw i t h laughter.laughter. II I'vI'vee beenb e e n lovingloving it.it. This This story s t o r y is i sone o n eof o fthe t h ereasons r e a s o n sI I couldn'couldn'tt believeb e l i e v e it!it !After A f t e ra aminute m i n u t eor o rtwo t w oto t allowo a l lo mew m e lovlovee EnglandE n g l a n d andand itsits people;p e o p l e ; I'mI ' m sures u r e itit willw i l l bringb r i n g toto fightfight backb a c k thet h e emotionale m o t i o n a l tears,tears, Lolly L o l l y toldt o l d mem e tot o somsomee smilessmiles andand warmw a r m remembrancesremembrances toto somesome approacapproachh herh e r anda n d introducei n t r o d u c e myself.m y s e l f . WhenW h e n I Idid d i dand a n d 506t506thh guys.guys. wwee wentwent throughthrough thethe recognitionr e c o g n i t i o n andand gettinggetting re-re- We'lWe'lll starts t a r t outo u t atat acquainteacquaintedd period,period, ththee 44th4 4 t h ReunionR e u n i o n ooff ththee emotionemotion reallyreally 19919922 inin NorwichNorwich rosrosee anda n d wew e hadh a d aa andand,, ofof coursecourse jollyjolly reunion.r e u n i o n . Linda Linda ShipdhamShipdharn.. OnO n thethe wawass accompaniedaccompanied ShipdhaShipdhamm AirfieldAirfield bbyy herher daughterdaughter visitatiovisitationn day,day, aa BeryBeryll andand herher buncbunchh ofof thet h e locallocal husbanhusbandd Ron,Ron, withwith folkfolkss gotgot togethertogether theitheirr childrenchildren witwithh thethe ArrowA r r o w AAir i r RebeccRebeccaa 1212 anda n d ServiceService staffstaff and,a n d , ChristopheChristopherr 9.9. frofromm thethe 44th44th Linda'Linda'ss husbandh u s b a n d BillB i l l memorabiliamemorabilia theythey hahadd passedpassed awayaway possesspossess,, theyt h e y foundfound sometimesometime afterafter thethe anan originaloriginal copyc o p y ofof Davies (Bill Se Linda) warwar.. eryt CI ththee ThanksgivingThanksgiving ThaThatt FallFall anda n d DinneDinnerr menum e n u ffor o r 1944.1 9 4 4 . Lo L o anda n d beholdb e h o l d thoset h o s e precious p r e c i o u s WinteWinterr ofo f ''44-'45 4 4 - ' 4 5 whenw h e n thet h e BillBill SmithS m i t h crew c r e w took t o o k up u p peoplpeoplee preparedp r e p a r e d anda n d serveds e r v e d thatt h a t meal m e a l in i n the t h eremaining r e m a i n i n g residenceresidence ata t SiteS i t e 2 2 turnedt u r n e d outo u t tot o be b e the t h e coldest c o l d e s t in i n30 3 0 bibigg hangarh a n g a r tot o thet h e wholew h o l e reunion!reunion! ItIt was w a s beautiful. b e a u t i f u l . yearsyears.. WeW e tooktook upu p residenceresidence inin thet h e quonset q u o n s e t huts,h u t s, DurinDuringg thet h e meal,m e a l , I fell fel linto i n t oa aconversation c o n v e r s a t i o nwith w i t ha a sufferedsuffered thet h e indignitiesi n d i g n i t i e s ofo f doubled o u b l e bunks,b u n k s , segmenteds e g m e n t e d 506th506th gguy u y aacross c r o s s thet h e mattressemattressess calledcalled tabltablee fromf r o m mem e (can't( c a n ' t "bisquits,""bisquits," separateseparate rememberremember nnow o w whow h o no-heano-heatt bathroombathroom iitt was) w a s ) anda n d II asked a s k e d buildingbuildingss calledcalled hihimm ifif hehe "ablutions,"ablutions,"" littlelittle remembererememberedd thethe rounroundd cokec o k e burningb u r n i n g farfarmm ffamily a m i l y thatt h a t lived l i v e d castcast ironi r o n stoves s t o v e s aptly a p t l y immediatelimmediatelyy overover namednamed SlowSlow ButBut ththee fencefence fromf r o m ouro u r SureSure andand assignedassigned SquadroSquadronn sitesite (see( s e e oneone toto aa huth u t along along ththee accompanyingaccompanying witwithh abouta b o u t twot w o smalls m a l l SitSitee 22 photo)photo) anda n d wheewheell barrowb a r r o w loadsl o a d s hohoww tthe h e wifew i f e didd i d our o u r ofof cokecoke perper week, w e e k , laundrylaundry,, bakedbaked coldcold alwaysalways cold,cold, breadbread,, solds o l d usu s eggs,e g g s , neveneverr enoughenough hahadd usu s tot o teat e a and a n d the t h e blanketsblankets,, and a n d plenty p l e n t y smalsmalll familyf a m i l y of o f three, t h r e e , ofof "C"" C " RationR a t i o n StewS t e w iinn general,g e n e r a l , looked l o o k e d out o u t for f o rus. u s He. H repliede r e p l i e thatd t h anott n oonlyt o n l y iinn thet h e Mess. M e s s . Oh O h yes,y e s , and a n d the t h e variations v a r i a t i o n sof o fthe t h supplye s u p p l y diddid heh e remember,r e m e m b e r , butb u t thet h e wife,w i f e , LindaL i n d a DaviesD a v i e s (now( n o w systemsystem.. SometimesS o m e t i m e s ourour littlelittle PXP X wouldwould bebe outo u t ofof Weston)Weston) wasw a s atat the t h e reunion,r e u n i o n , and, a n d , was w a s inin fact f a c t at a t the t h e cigarettescigarettes forf o r three t h r e e days, d a y s ,but b u twe w ehad h a dlighter lighte fluid,r f l u ilots d , lots luncheonluncheon.. ThereuponT h e r e u p o n heh e stoods t o o d up,u p , lookedl o o k e d aroundaround ofof lighterl i g h t e r fluidf l u i d and a n d only o n l y 10 1 0 or o r 15 1 5 cents c e n t s a a baffle. b o t t l e .This T h i s 2828 turnedturned outo u t tot o be b e a a blessingb l e s s i n g because b e c a u s e oneo n e crumpled-upc r u m p l e d - u p breadbread anda n d suppliedsupplied usu s withw i t h thet h e KingsK i n g s freshf r e s h eggse g g s anda n d StarStarss & Stripes,Stripes, aa shovelshovel fullfull ofo f coke,c o k e , aa bottlebottle ofo f wwee wouldwould occasionallyoccasionally formf o r m aa smalls m a l l groupg r o u p withw i th thet h e lightelighterr fluidfluid anda n d ana n accurateaccurate tossedtossed lightedlighted matchmatch DavieDaviess anda n d makem a k e a forayf o r a y iinto n t o aa Local L o c a l ShipdhamS h i p d h a m pubp u b througthroughh thet h e openo p e n SlowSlow ButB u t SureS u r e stovestove lidlid anda n d youy o u foforr aa beerb e e r anda n d dartsd a r t s party.party. ForF o r aa bunchb u n c h ofof youngy o u n g hahadd aa ratherr a t h e r explosivee x p l o s i v e butb u t prettyp r e t t y sures u r e startstart ofo f aa firefire YankYankss a longl o n g wayw a y ffrom r o m America,A m e r i c a , homesick,h o m e s i c k , sold sold and a n d iinn thethe stove. s t o v e . hungryhungry,, thist h i s relationship r e l a t i o n s h i p with w i t h the t h e Davies D a v i e s family f a m i l y was, w a s , LikLikee allall of o fthe t h erookie r o o k i ecrews, c r e w s ,we w elived l i v e andd a n dlearned, l e a r n e d , iinn largel a r g e part,p a r t , whatw h a t gotg o t us u s through t h r o u g h thatthat bitter b i t t e r winter w i n t e r thethenn discoveredd i s c o v e r e d thatt h a t littlelittle "home" h o m e awaya w a y fromfrom home"h o m e " anandd helpedh e l p e d keepk e e p aa smiles m i l e ono n ouro u r facesf a c e s whilew h i l e wew e werew e r e jusjustt across a c r o s s the t h e ••••-•- engagedengaged inin fencefence.. AlsoAlso ••••. ir,•••••• ••• thethe mostmost •••• abouaboutt thatthat deadlydeadly andand timetime,, wewe finafinall gamegame begabegann tot o alsoa l s o • a.11.s. discd, st-'11V ananyy ooff usu s hadh a d a. MN learnlearn thethe everever beforebefore advantagesadvantages ofo f experienced.experienced. a convolutedconvoluted ThisThis wasw a s supplysupply systems y s t e m nonott anan whewhenn itit came c a m e isolateisolatedd 11-4110'41. ttoo foodfood Shipdham Airbase Site Site 2, 2,home home of theof the 506th 506th Bomb Bomb Seidl,. Sqdn. thing.thing. ItI twent w e n t suppliessupplies.. ForF o r The Davies farmhousefarmhouse onon thethe nearnear side side of of the the fenceline. fenceDne. onon allall over o v e r instanceinstance,, fresh f r e s h meat m e a t was w a s scarce, s c a r c e ,Spam S p a m (the (th emystery m y s t e r y thethe country.c o u n t r y . TheyT h e y hadh a d soso littlelittle tot o share, s h a r e ,but bu tshare s h a r eit it meatmeat)) was w a s plentiful,p l e n t i f u l ,powdered p o w d e r e d eggs e g g smust m u s thave h a v ecome c o m e willinglywillingly theyt h e y did.d i d . Was W a s I Iimpressed? i m p r e s s e d ?Your Y o u rdamn d a m nright right iinn 5005 0 0 lb.lb .sacks, s a c k s ,but b u heret h e r ise ithes t hsurprise;e s u r p r i s butter, e ; butter yes,, y e s ,I was w a s impressed, i m p r e s s e d , and a n d I'llI'll always alway slove lov ethose t h o s eEnglish English reareall butterb u t t e r ini n 22 lb.lb. bricks, b r i c k s , wew e hadh a d PLENTY,P L E N T Y , alongalong ancestorsancestors forf o r makingm a k i n g mem e feelfeel likel i k e oneo n e ofof thet h e familyf a m i l y witwithh peanutp e a n u t butterb u t t e r anda n d jamj a m in i n those t h o s e bigbig cans. c a n s . whewhenn II was w a s a a long l o n g way w a y from f r o m home. h o m e . LindLindaa (age( a g e 34),3 4 ) , herh e r husbandh u s b a n d BillBill (probably( p r o b a b l y about a b o u t LindLindaa isis nown o w 84. 8 4 .After A f t e r Bill Bill died, died ,she s h eremarried r e m a r r i e d agagee 40)40) anda n d daughterd a u g h t e r BeyrlBeyrl (age(age 13) 1 3 ) inin spitespite ofo f anandd aa fewf e w yearsy e a r s agoa g o shes h e was w a s widowedw i d o w e d again_again. She S h e civiliaciviliann shortagess h o r t a g e s werew e r e doingd o i n g allall theyt h e y could c o u l d to t o "take " t a k e nonoww liveslives inin a a suburb s u b u r b ofof Portsmouth. P o r t s m o u t h . Beryl B e r y l and a n d herh e r carecare ofo f herh e r boys"b o y s " untilu n t i l the t h e ration r a t i o n coupons c o u p o n s were w e r e used u s e d familfamilyy resider e s i d e nearby.n e a r b y . SheS h e spendss p e n d s eache a c h SundayS u n d a y withw i t h upup.. ItIt was w a s then t h e n that that between b e t w e e n thethe "care" " c a r e " packages p a c k a g e s them.them. WeW e haveh a v e correspondedc o r r e s p o n d e d regularlyregularly sinces i n c e thet h e '92' 9 2 frofromm homeh o m e anda n d tthe h e "long" l o n g ono n supply"s u p p l y " itemsi t e m s thatt h a t could c o u l d reunioreunionn anda n d shes h e tellst e l l s me m e she s h e is i s staying s t a y i n ghealthy h e a l t h yso s oshe s h e bbee "negotiated"negotiated for"for" ata t thet h e mess, m e s s , wew e couldcould seesee thet h e cacann attenda t t e n d aanother n o t h e r SShipdham h i p d h a m rreunion. e u n i o n . She S h e signss i g n s her h e r wonderfulwonderful worldworld ofof barterb a r t e r atat work.w o r k . LindaLinda bakedbaked letterletterss "Mum,"" M u m , " and a n d beingb e i n g oneo n e ofo f her h e r "boys." " b o y s . " I Ilove l o v eit! it! 44TH BOMB GRoup VETZRANS ASSOCIATION REUNION

Saint Louis Louis '96 '96 October 3 3 - -7 7 MORE DETAILS cc- & REGISTRATION REGISTRATION FORMS FORMS IN THE IN THE SPRING '96'968-BALL 8-BALL TAILS! TAILS! ELAN "EEARLY!l

2299 ® MAIL CALL latelaterr ini n POW P O W campc a m p and a n d he h e told t o l d me m e abouta b o u t it- i t The T h e exact e x a c tdetails d e t a i l s MAIL C A L L havhavee escapede s c a p e d mym y mindm i n d overover thet h e years.)y e a r s . )

WeWe lost lost an an engine engine in routein route to Foggia to andFoggia had toand abort had On to the abort On the wawayy back,back, wew e droppeddropped ourour bombsb o m bs inin BariBari Harbor.Harbor. Soon S o o n afterwardsafterwards,, wew e returnedreturned toto EnglandEngland andand II remainedr e m a i n e d asas This comescomes from: from: Henderson'Henderson'ss cco-pilot. o - p i l o t Ron ChantryChantiy 9 WrestwoodWrestwood Avenue, Eastborne,Eastborne, East East Sussex Sussex BN22 BN22 OHA OHA 4)4) II flew aa total total of fiveof fivemissions missions with Henderson. with Henderson. We got We got Tele: 01323 01323 500421 500421 alongalong fine.fine. HeH e waswas thethe epitomee p i t o m e ofof whatw h a t aa dedicateddedicated pilotp i l o t 5/13/95 shoulshouldd be.b e . IfI f heh e hadn'th a d n ' t been, b e e n , I Iwouldn't w o u l d n ' tbe b ealive a l i vtoday.e today. DeaDearr MMr. r . Watson:W a t s o n :

5)5) The 44th 44th returnedreturned to to Africa Africa in September, in September, ostensibly ostensibly to to Congratulations and and thanks thanks for a forwell aresearched well researched history of history of aiaidd thet h e SalernoS a l e r n o landingl a n d i n g ini n Italy. Italy .The T h eSalerno S a l e r n crisiso crisi wass w over a s o vby e r b y Ruth-LesRuth-Lesss anda n d movingm o v i n g accounta c c o u n t oiliero f h e r last l a s tflight f l i g h tHow H o wsad s a thatd t h a t ththee timetime wew e arrived.arrived. TheT h e missionmission to bombb o m b thethe Folke-WulfF o l k e - W u l f ththee tent e n youngy o u n g menm e n perishedperished ini n suchs u c h a vviolent i o l e n t way.w a y . aircraftfactoriesiaircraft factories inn WWienerNeustadt i e n e r N e u s t a d t was w a s the t h e only o n l yone o n escheduled s c h e d u l e d beforebefore ouro u r returnr e t u r n to England.E n g l a n d . Your articlearticle is a timelyis a timelyreminder reminder of the debt of we the owe debt to them we owe to them anandd thet h e thousandst h o u s a n d s likel i k e them t h e m who w h o made m a d e the t h eultimate u l t i m a t esacrifice. s a c r i f i c e . 6)6) Here'sHere's aa couplecouple of of anecdotes anecdotes for yourfor information:your information: a)a) TheThe followingfollowing happenedh a p p e n e d afterafter thet h e FoggiaF o g g i a mission.m i s s i o n . Yours sincerely. Yours sincerely. HendersonHenderson,, myselfm y s e l f and a n d flight f l i g h tengineer e n g i n e e rCooper C o o p e rwere w e r eordered o r d e r e d to transfer transfer a a B-24 B - 2 4 from f r o m anothera n o t h e r squadron s q u a d r o n toto the t h e 44th. 4 4 t h .(jack (Jack BennBennyy wasw a s goingg o i n g toto performp e r f o r m thatthat nightn i g h t ata t ouro u r base.)b a s e . ) It I twas w a s ThisThis letterletter comes comes from from new membernew member Al Greyhosky, Al Greyhosky, 67th (see 67th (see twilighttwilight beforeb e f o r e wew e took offoff to returnr e t u r n toto ouro u r base.b a s e . We W e werewere "Beating the the Bushes" Bushes elsewhere " elsewhere in this in thisissue: issue: abouaboutt 1001 0 0 feetf e e t high h i g h when w h e n I Ismelled s m e l l e dsmoke s m o k ein i nthe th cockpite c o c k p iNott N o t wantinwantingg to needlesslyneedlessly alarmalarm anyone.anyone, II turnedturned andand askedasked Al Greyhosky Al Creyhosky CoopeCooperr iiff heh e smelled s m e l l e d anya n y smoke. s m o k e . Just J u s tthen, t h e n ,smoke s m o k efilled filled thet h e 334 South VaughnVaughn Way,Way, Aurora, Aurora, CO CO 80012 80012 cockpicockpitt (303) 366-7170 366-7170 5/29/95 TheThe landinglanding geargear was was already already up. up. 1 didn't I didn't know knowwhether whether DeaDearr WWill i l l && IreneIrene:: HendersoHendersonn wwas a s goingg o i n g forf o r altitude a l t i t u d e or o rto t ocrash c r as land.h l a n dI .put I pon u t my o n m y chute preparing to take the wheel if we were going to climb, II waswas surprised surprised and and pleased pleased to hear to fromhear you.from Let you. me Lettry me chuttrye p r e p a r i n g to t a k e t h e w h e e l if w e w e r e g o i n g t o c l i m b , in hopes of jumping out clarifyingclarifying somes o m e itemsi t e m s ini n youry o u r letter.letter. in h o p e s o fj u m p i n g o u t Henderson decided to crash land. We dove downward and just 1)1) YouYou probably probably got got my storymy story from Navigatorfrom Navigator Wm. Newbold. Wm. Newbold.Henderson decided to crash land. We dove downward and just before we hit, he pulled back on the wheel and pancaked in. WWee werewere fellowfellow POW'sP O W ' s inin StalagStalag LuftLuft III.III. Nothing N o t h i n g muchmuch before w e h i t h e p u l l e d b a c k o n t h e w h e e l a n d p a n c a k e d i n . I remember the nose wheel coming up through the cockpit happenehappenedd iinn POWP O W campc a m p excepte x c e p t when w h e n we w e were w e r e marched m a r c h e d away a w a y I r e m e m b e r the n o s e w h e e l c o m i n g u p t h r o u g h the cockpit after we hit. Cooper was knocked unconscious; I crawled out onon aa veryvery coldcold JanuaryJ a n u a r y nightnight becausebecause thethe RussiansRussians werewere after w e h i t C o o p e r w a s k n o c k e d u n c o n s c i o u s ; I c r a w l e d o u t comingcoming.. AA paperbackpaperback bookbook andand variousvarious accountsaccounts ofof thatt h a t ththee windoww i n d o w anda n d ontoo n t o thet h e fuselage. f u s e l a g e .Henderson H e n d e r s o ngot g o tto t Coopero C o o p e r marcmarchh havehave beenbeen writtenwritten byby others.others. These T h e s e accountsaccounts areare anandd handedh a n d e d binsh i m toto mem e throughthrough thethe toptop hatch.h a t c h . accurataccuratee becauseb e c a u s e II checked c h e c k e d them t h e m against a g a i n s tmy m y diary d i a r yof o thef th movee m o v e toto Mooseburg,M o o s e b u r g , StalagStalag VIIAV I I A (near(near Munich).M u n i c h ) . Gen.G e n . Patton'sP a t t o n ' s CooperCooper returned to toduty duty the nextthe daynext after day spending after the spending night the night armarmyy freedfreed usu s ono n 292 9 AApril p r i l 1945.1 9 4 5 . iinn thethe hospital.hospital. NeitherN e i t h e r HendersonHenderson oror II werew e r e injured.injured. RemembeRememberr hhow o w hhigh i g h a BB-24's - 2 4 ' s fuselagef u s e l a g e is? i s ? I Istood s t o o nextd n e x tot ttheo the 2) I waswas never never contacted contacted by the by 44th the Bomb44th GroupBomb Groupalumni, alumni,planplane e anda n d I couldc o u l d see s e e over o v e r iti t It I t was w a scompressed c o m p r e s s e d over o v e rhalf h a l fits i t s nornor ddid i d I know k n o w iti texisted e x i s t e duntil u n t iArtl A rHandt H a n contactedd c o n t a c t emed m ine Aprilin A p r i l originaloriginal size.size. We W e had ha dcrashed c r a s h e din i na amuddy m u d d ysalt sal flatt f lthat a t t hwas a t wour a s o u r ooff thist h i s year. y e a r . salvationsalvation.. It I talso a l s oput p u tout o u tthe t h efire. fire. WeW emissed misse dBenny's B e n n y ' acts a c t

3) II camecame toto England England as as a co-pilota co-pilot on a onreplacement a replacement on b)on Ourb) Ourplane's plane's name name was was "Count "Count Bruga," Bruga, although itit Hager1-lagerss crew.c r e w . When W h e n wew e got g o t to t oShipdham S h i p d h a m- the- t h44the 4 4 twash w aalreadys a l r e a d y wasn'wasn'tt paintedp a i n t e d ono n atat thet h e timet i m e ooff ouro u r lastl a s t mission. m i s s i o n .My M y leather l e a t h e r inin Africa.A f r i c a . We W e flew flew to t oAfrica A f r i canda a n joinedd j o i ne thed t h44the 4 4 tjusth j ubefore s t b e f othe r e t h e jacketjacket hadh a d thet h e name n a m e CountC o u n t Bruga B r u g a imprinted i m p r i n t e d above a b o v e the t h epocket p o c k e t PloestiPloesti raid.r a i d . Asa A s arookie r o o k i ecrew c r e wwith w i t ah newa n e B-24w B - 2- 4they - t h e"grounded"y " g r o u n d e d " usus byb y takingt a k i n g ouro u r plane.p l a n e . WeW e didn'tdidn't go g o on o n the the Ploesti P l o e s t iraid. raid. At myAt firstmy first preliminary preliminary interrogationinterrogation by theby theGermans, Germans, thetheyy lookedl o o k e d ata t mym y jacket,j a c k e t , and a n d coupled c o u p l e dwith w i t hmy m y name, n a m e ,asked, a s k e d , OurOur crewc r e w wasw a s scheduleds c h e d u l e d forf o r thet h e FoggiaF o g g i a mission.m i s s i o n . AsA s we w e were w e r e "Whe"Whenn dididd youy o u leavel e a v e Poland?"P o l a n d ? " awaitingawaiting take-off,take-off, Pimentel(?) P i m e n t e l ( ? ) ranr a n overover toto ouro u r planeplane andand informeinformedd usu s thatt h a t thet h e commander c o m m a n d e r didn'tdidn't want w a n t an a n "all "al lgreen" g r e e n " At POWAt POW camp camp my fellow my fellow inmates inmates asked asked meme (after several several crewcrew flyingflying thist h i s mission.m i s s i o n . That'sT h a t ' s howh o w I joinedj o i n e d Henderson's Henderson's daysdays)) if' i fI wasI w a as Polish a P o l i s"count"h " c o u n tI "should I s h ou have l d h alied; v e l iit e dwould; i t w ohave u l d h a v e crew.crew. Pimentel P i m e n t e l was w a s killed k i l l e d in i n what w h a t was w a s my m y seat s e a t (I ( Imet m e tmy m ypilot p i l o t madmadee a bbetter e t t e r story.s t o r y . This T h i sodd o d d name n a m e came c a m e from from a anovel n o v e lof o thef t h e 3r30j samsamee namename byby BenBen HechtHecht (novelist(novelist andand HollywoodHollywood "Bob""Bob" Clarence.C l a r e n c e . His H i s military m i l i t a r ycareer c a r e e inr i Europen E u r o p wase w anots n oknownt k n o w n screenwriter)screenwriter).. otheotherr thant h a n heh e was w a s a a tail t a i l gunner, g u n n e r shot, s ho downt d o w andn a n wasd wa as prisoner. a p r i s o n e r . ItIt was w a s very v e r y interesting interesting to to read r e a d your y o u r information i n f o r m a t i o n to to Aunt A u n t Again,Again. [wish I wish to thank to youthank for sendingyoufor thesending crew list. the Memories... crewlist Memories...MilliMilliee Hohn.H o h n . I am a m sorrysorry it i thas h a staken t a k e nso s olong l o n gto t oreply. reply. 'When"When youy o u area r e sorrowful,s o r r o w f u l , looklook again a g a i n in i n your y o u r heart, h e a r t and a n d you y o u UnclUnclee ClarenceC l a r e n c e ddidn't i d n ' t speaks p e a k ofo f his h i s war w a ryears. y e a rs He. H diede d ie 4d Nov 4 N o v shallshall see s e e that t h a tin i truthn t r u tyouh yo areu a rweepinge w e e p i nforg f that o r t hwhich a t w hi has c h hbeen a s b e e n 19819899 ini n Pitcaun,P i t c a u n , PA. P A . He H e is i ssurvived s u r v i v e dby b yhis h i sisters siste Millier M i l l iHohn,e H o h n , youyourr delight.'d e l i g h t " 5 niecesnieces anda n d nephews,n e p h e w s , 14 1 4 greatg r e a t nieces n i e c e s anda n d nephewsn e p h e w s anda n d 1414 SincerelySincerely.. greagreatt greatg r e a t nieces n i e c e s and a n d nephews. n e p h e w s . MyMy husbandhusband JamesJames andand II were w e r e goinggoing toto contactcontact ArmyA r m y P.S.P.S. After After I returned I returned to the to States, the States, I visited I Henderson's visited Henderson'spersonnepersonnel l ini n St. S t Louis L o u i s as a swe w ehad h a djust j u s found t f o u n dhis h i services s e r v i cnumber.e n u m b e r . parentparentss arid a n d his h i s younger y o u n g e r brother b r o t h e r in i nDallas, D a l l a sTexas., T e x a sHis. H wife i s w iwas f e w a s TheThe informationinformation thatthat youry o u r friendsf r i e n d s anda n d OrganizationOrganization canc a n teachinteachingg schools c h o o l in i n New N e w Mexico M e x i c o and a n d she s h ewasn't w a s n ' tpresent. p r e s e n tI toldI t o l d supplsupplyy wouldw o u l d beb e a mostm o s t vvaluable a l u a b l e asseta s s e t to to ouro u r family f a m i l y history. h i s t o r y .It It thethemm ofo f thet h e lastl a s t mission m i s s i o n and a n d thatthat I Iwas w a salive aliv ebecause b e c a u s eof o fhis h i s jusjustt amazesa m a z e s usu s thatt h a t thist h i s informationinformatio n would w o u l d come c o m e fromfrom such s u c h actions.actions. He H e was w a s somebody. s o m e b o d y . closclosee friendsf r i e n d s ofo f hish i s in in the t h e service. service. WWee wouldwould bebe veryvery interestedinterested inin allall thet h e informationi n f o r m a t i o n youy o u coulcouldd giveg i v e itsu s abouta b o u t UncleU n c l e ClarenceC l a r e n c e anda n d hishis service servic eyears. y e a r s . EagerlyEagerly lookingl o o k i n g forwardf o r w a r d toto youry o u r reply. reply.

This comes from: This comes from: Sincerely yours, Sincerely yours, James Regas No. 2 Concord Street, Natrona Natrona Heights, Heights, PA PA15065 15065 7/29/95 DeaDearr Will:W i l l : ThisThis comescomes from:from: Bill A. A. Rosser Rosser ThanksThanks aa million million for foryour your recent recent letter. letter.It was a welcomedIt was a welcomed8121 Count7woodCountrywood RdRd N.E.,NE., Albuquerque, Albuquerque, NM NM 87109 87109 surprise.surprise. Sony S o r r y it i ttook t o o kso s olong l o n gfor f o mer m toe to reply, r e p l ybut, b uI wast I win a sthe i n the (505) 821-5485 821-5485 hospitalhospital forf o r the t h e common c o m m o n old old folks f o l k s ailments. a i l m e n t s I. neverI n e v ethoughtr t h o u g h t 8/21/95 I'I'dd grow g r o w old, o l d ,but b u tseems s e e m slike l ik Ie went I w e ntot tobedb eoned o nnighte n i g and h t a woke n d w o k e DeaDearr Will:W i l l : upup oldo l d thet h e veryv e r y next n e x t morning. morning. Fortunately,Fortunately, I just I rediscoveredjust rediscovered the first issue the offirst 8 Ball issueTails. I of 8 Ball Tails. I ThanksThanks forfor the the addresses addresses of my crewof my members. crew members. I wonder ifI mywonderhaven'thaven' if myt anya n y juicyj u i c y "gravy" " g r a v y " to t o contributec o n t r i b u t e becauseb e c a u s e mostm o s t ofo f mym y pilopilott Fred F r e d P. P . Hildebrand H i l d e b r a n dis i stills stil around?l a r o u n dI ?will I wil neverl n e vforget e r f o r a g e t amemoriesmemorie s area r e ofo f simple,s i m p l e , funny funny little litde incidents. i n c i d e n t s .My M y memory memory missiomissionn wew e flewf l e w over o v e r Wilhelmshaven W i l h e l m s h a v e n on o n March M a r c h 30. 3 0 As. A ssoon s o o asn a s banksbanks seems e e m morem o r e adaptedadapted to thoset h o s e ratherr a t h e r thant h a n somes o m e ofof thet h e wwee droppedd r o p p e d bombs,b o m b s , Fred F r e d stated, s t a t e d ,"watch " w a t c hout o u tgrandma." g r a n d m a . "During D u r i n g sheesheerr terrort e r r o r typet y p e things.t h i n g s . Guess G u e s s I'm I ' m lucky lucky that t h a t way. w a y . ththee flightflight (after(after bombsb o m b s werewere dropped).dropped), II foundf o u n d outout hishis grandmothegrandmotherr stilstilll lived l i v e d at a tWilhelmshaven. W i l h e l m s h a v e n .I never I n e v eforgotr f o rg that o t t h a t AsAs latecomers,latecomers, we arrivedwe arrived at 44th at Bomb 44th Group Bomb onGroup the day on of the day of anandd itit really r e a l l y stuck s t u c kwith w i t hme m e after afte allr a lthesel t h e syears.e y e a rWar s . W is a rnot is onlyn o t o n l ytheth e 2002 0 0 missionm i s s i o n party,p a r t y , so so we w e had h a d a a rather r a t h e r distorted d i s t o r t e d vision v i s i o n of o f hellhell,, but b u t just j u s tplain p l a i stupid.n stupid. hohoww a warw a r was w a s fought-- f o u g h t - - beer b e e r kegs k e g son o nevery e v e r ycomer c o r n e withr w i ttinh ti cupsn c u p s attacheattachedd byb y strings,s t r i n g s , no n o one o n e wearing w e a r i n g rank r a n k insignia, i n s i g n i a ,just j us onet o n bige b i g EnclosedEnclosed you'll you'll find afind list of a missions list of that missions we flew. I reallythat don'twe flew.party!party!! I really! Then T h e n wedon'twe wokewok e upup inin thethe realreal worldw o r l d -- - -somewhat s o m e w h a t knoknoww howh o w accuratea c c u r a t e iti t is, is ,but b u tI searchedI s e a r c he myd m oldy ol briefcased b r i e f c a sande a n d confused,confused, but b u t we w e made m a d e it. i t camcamee upu p withw i t h thist h i s list. list Thanks T h a n k s again a g a i nfor f o ryour y o u rletter. letter. SincerelySincerely.. OfOf my crew, I Inow now have have contact contact only only with withAl Weaver, Al Weaver, tail tail gunnergunner.. OneO n e ofof thoset h o s e funnyf u n n y memoriesm e m o r i e s occurredoccurred latelate ono n aa EDITOR:EDITOR: GreatGreat letter, letter, James. James. The The "watch "watch out out grandma" grandma" returnreturn fromfrom aa deepd e e p mission.m i s s i o n . WeW e werewere somewhere s o m e w h e r e above a b o v e the t h e reallyreallygot got tome. to me. One Oneof of the the cruel cruel Nists twists that came that Hith came the with hell thehellRhineRhine, , beginningb e g i n n i n g to windw i n d downd o w n aa bit,b i t whenw h e n AlA l shooks h o o k usu s upu p of war. whewhenn heh e cutc u t loosel o o s e with w i t h his h i s 50's. 5 0 ' s .Ile H ehad h a spottedd s p o t t e somed s o m bargese b a r g e s onon thethe Rhine,R h i n e , so so he h e was w a s "strafing" " s t r a f i n g " them t h e mfrom from 15,000 1 5 , 0 0 0feet!! feet!!

LeoLeo Austin (wings (wings folded), folded), our bombardier, our bombardier, was riding was in theriding in the This comes from: This comes from: nosnosee turretturret oneo n e missionm i s s i o n whenw h e n someones o m e o n e abovea b o v e clearedc l e a r e d theirt h e i r James &Elaine Elaine SKulle Swaile gunsguns anda n d thethe casingsc a s i n g s brokeb r o k e thethe plexiglassp l e x i g l a s s ono n thethe turret_t u r r e t InI n 6164 Capshore,Capshore, Toledo, Toledo, OH OH43611-1211 43611-1211 gettinggetting out,o u t LeoL e o nickedn i c k e d hish i s shoulder s h o u l d e r on o n a a sharp s h a r pedge. e d g e We. W ewere w e r e (419) 729-0914 729-0914 kiddinkiddingg himh i m abouta b o u t hish i s "wound" " w o u n d " and a n d thethe Major M a j o r debriefingd e b r i e f i n g us u s 8/2/95 offeredoffered LeoL e o a PurpleP u r p l e Heart!H e a r t ! I Idoubt d o u b tthat t h a het h reallye r e a l lputy p uitt where i t w h e r e LeLeoo toldtold him,h i m , becauseb e c a u s e itit would w o u l d havehave beenbeen painfulpainful toto hish i s Dear Mr.Mr. Lundy: Lundy: majorship!majorship!!!

I am a m thethe niece-in-lawn i e c e - i n - l a w ofo f ClarenceC l a r e n c e Swaile.Swaile. I I am a m thethe family f a m i l y OnOn oneone °fourof our later later missions, missions, an ME 262 an (?)ME jet, 262 the (?)first wejet, had the firstwe had historianhistorian anda n d wew e werew e r e mostm o s t honoredh o n o r e d to hearh e a r abouta b o u t UncleU n c l e seen,seen, was w a s mushing m u s h i n g along a l o n g beside b e s i d e our o u r group g r o u p after a f t e r our o u r fighters fighters 3131 hadhad left.l e f t Armorergunner"Kirk"Kirksey A r m o r e r g u n n e r " K i r k " K i r k s e y(folded ( f o l d e wings)d w i n g sdecided) d e c i d e d toto "wake " w a k ehim h i m up" u p "by b ylobbing l o b b i n ga afew f e wtracers t r a c e r ats ahim.t h i mBoy,. B o could y , c o u l d thatthat thing t h i n g move! m o v e ! We'd W e ' d never never seen s e e n anything a n y t h i n g like l i k ethat. that ThisThis comes comes from:from: BillBill A. A. Rosser Rosser OneOne ratherrather scary scary incident incident happened happened when when we werewe were flying flying 81218121 CountryCountry WoodWood Road RoadN.E. NE squadronsquadron leadl e a d to MagdeburgM a g d e b u r g (02/03/( 0 2 / 0 3 / 445).We 5 ) . W e had h a d damage d a m a g e to to Albuquerque,Albuquerque, NMNM 87109-5262 *1#1 enginee n g i n e ono n thet h e bomb b o m b run,r u n ,and a n dsoon s o o nafter a f t e rrelease r e l e as Ie called I c a ll my e d m y (505)(505) 821-5485 821-5485 DeputyDeputy to taket a k e over o v e r as a sI slidI s l ioutd o u(Alley)t ( A l l eand y ) a to n d the t o left.t h e lThe e f t Tcall h e c a l l 10/2/9510/2/95 waswas confirmed c o n f i r m e d by b y the t h eco-pilot, c o - p i l ot but, b uthet t hpilote p i lwas o t w flying. a s flying. However,H o w e v e r , DearDear Will:W i l l : hehe was w a s ono n intercomi n t e r c o m anda n d didd i d notn o t hearh e a r thet h e message, m e s s a g e , so s o when w h e n I I pulledpulled out,o u t heh e stayeds t a y e d ono n mym y wingw i n g anda n d muchm u c h ofo f the t h e squadron s q u a d r o n ThanksThanks so veryso very much much for foryour your letter letter andand listlist of of our our triedtried toto follow.follow. We W e werewere aa veryvery luckylucky squadrons q u a d r o n thatthat day, d a y , missions.missions. During D u r i n g oneo n e ofof Lee'sL e e ' s anda n d mym y manymany moves,moves, a a box b o x becausebecause itit took took some s o m e excellent excellent flying flying byb yseveral severa lpeople p e o p l eto t o containingcontaining mostm o s t ofo f ouro u r memorabiliam e m o r a b i l i a wasw a s lost,l o s t , including includin gthe the avoidavoid anan incidentincident thatthat could c o u l d havehave broughtbrought downd o w n severalseveral officialofficial log l o g ofo f my m y missions.missions. For F o r somes o m e unknownu n k n o w n reason,reason, my m y planes.planes. flight school s c h o ologl l obookg b o oink whichi n w h i cI hhad I h noted a d n o t our e d o missions u r m i s s i was o n s w a s notnot ini n that t h a t box. b o x .Your Y o u rlist lis andt a n mined m i n aree a rquitee q u i tsimilar,e s i m i l aand r , a only n d o n l y OnOn the the lowlow level level resupply resupply mission mission to Best, to Holland Best Holland(09/18/ (09/18/thethe Oct. O c t 33 mission m i s s i o n to OffenbergO f f e n b e r g is i sreally r e a l l ydifferent. d i f f e r e nIt had I h made a d m a d e 44),44), we w e transferred transferred our o u r marker m a r k e r beacon b e a c o n antenna a n t e n n a from from below b e l o w a veryv e r y few f e w comments,c o m m e n t s , which w h i c h are a r e included. i n c l u d e d . thethe catwalkc a t w a l k toto aa DutchD u t c h haystack.haystack. We W e werewere low.low. II will wil lnever n e v e r MyM y firstfirst m mission i s s i o n wasw a s as a s co-pilot c o - p i l o t(johni.) ( J o h n J .on) oRyan'sn R y a n crew ' s c ron e w o n forgetforget the t h e flooded f l o o d e d fields fields anda n d the t h estarving s t a r v i n ganimals a n i m a l trappeds t r a p p e ond o n AugustAugust 24,2 4 , 1944. 1 9 4 4 . 1I was w a s shipped s h i p p e d out o u t immediately i m m e d i a t e l y after a f t e rmy m y35th, 3 5 t h , thethe dikes,d i k e s , and a n d the t h e young y o u n g girl g i r ltending tendin cattleg c a t t line ionen on ofe othef t hfewe f e w andand wasw a s notn o t alloweda l l o w e d tot o gog o with w i t h my m y guysg u y s on o n their thei r35th. 3 5 t h I. think I t h i n k unfloodedunflooded fieldsfields whow h o sawsaw usu s coming c o m i n g andand wavedwaved herher whitew h i t e theythey maym a y haveh a v e arriveda r r i v e d backb a c k ini n thet h e U.S.U . S . before before I Idid, d i d though,, though, apronapron atat us. u s . I've I ' v e alwaysa l w a y s hopedh o p e d thatthat she s h e wasw a s cheeringc h e e r i n g usu s ono n becausebecause ata t SStone(?), t o n e ( ? ) , I Iwas w a sassigned a s s i g n e dto to a verya v er largey l a r ggroupe g r o uforp fa o r a ratherrather thant h a n asking a s k i n g us u s not n o t to t ohurt h u r her.t h e rThat. T h amustt m u shavet h a vbeene b e an e n a n largelarge ship.ship. However, H o w e v e r , thatthat ships h i p waswas neededneeded forfor aa hospitalh o s p i t a l awesomeawesome sightsight forf o r her. h e r . shipment,shipment, so s o wew e hadhad toto waitwait untiluntil anothera n o t h e r largelarge ships h i p was w a s available.available. As A s I Irecall r e c a l throughl t h r o u g 50h 5 years0 y e a rofs ohaze,f h az it e ,was it aboutw a s a b one o u t o n e WeWe alwaysalways had had a reputationa reputation of which of werewhich we werevery proud.we very We proud.monthmont Weh before before suchs u c h aa ships h i p wasw a s free.free. WeW e werewere notn o t allowed a l l o w e d to to werweree consideredc o n s i d e r e d a "lucky"" l u c k y " crew, c r e w , meaning m e a n i n g that t h a twe w eseldom s e l d o mhad h a d challengechallenge thet h e "logic"" l o g i c " thatt h a t our o u r group g r o u p could c o u l d not n o tbe b ebroken b r o k e nup u p problemsproblems.. Since S i n c e we w e always a l w a y shad h a done o n enon-crew n o n - c re member w m e m b e r aboard, a b o a r d , intintoo smallers m a l l e r shipments!s h i p m e n t s ! wwee werew e r e proudp r o u d thatthat thet h e guysg u y s makingm a k i n g upu p a missionm i s s i o n wantedw a n t e d tot o I cannot c a n n o t recall r e c a l l why w h y or o rjust j u s twhen w h e nwe w ewere w e r movede m o v e dfrom from thet h e flflyy with w i t h our o u r "lucky" " l u c k y " crew. c r e w . 506th506th to thet h e 66th.6 6 t h . I thinkt h i n k wew e werewere luckylucky thatthat iti t happened. h a p p e n e d , thoughthough,, because because we w e were w e r e billeted billeted with w i t h Joe J o e Testa's T e s t a ' screw, c r ew and, a n d MyMy wife,wife. Lee Lee and! and plan I toplan go toto the go San to Antonio the San Reunion Antonio and Reunionthetheyy werewerande aa wonderfulwonderful bunchbunch ofof menm e n whowho werewere moremore hophopee toto sees e e youy o u anda n d sos o many m a n y othersothers there. there. experiencedexperienced,, and a n d we w e learned l e a r n e d much m u c h fromf r o m them. t h e m . I mentionedm e n t i o n e d inin mym y recentrecent letterl e t t e r thatt h a t we w e were w e r e a a "lucky" "lucky" Sincerely yours. Sincerely yours. crewcrew.. ThereT h e r e were w e r e two t w o occasions o c c a s i o n s in i n which w h i c h we w e mightm i g h t not n o t have h a v e beebeenn ablea b l e tot o makem a k e itit all a l lthe t h waye w a home.y h o m e One. O n wase w a Oms O c 18,t 1 when 8, w h e n ththee fuelf u e l transfer transfer pump p u m p was w a ssprinkled s p r i n k l e dby b ythe t h eengineer e n g i n e e whor w h waso w a s relievinrelievingg hhimself i m s e l f ono n HiderH i d e r whenw h e n wew e hithit some s o m e prop p r o p wash w a s h and a n d hhee mmissed i s s e d tthe h e bombs.b o m b s . We W e usuallyusually did d i d not n o t transfer t r a n s f e rfuel f u e lfrom from thet h e ThisThis comescomes from:from: outboaroutboardd tankstanks untilu n t i l neededn e e d e d becausebecause ana n emptye m p t y tanktank fullf u l l ofof Ken AdrianAdrian fumefumess wasw a s muchm u c h moremore likelylikely tot o explodee x p l o d e from hhot o t shrapnelshrapnel 2297 Chantalla Avenue, Avenue, Pueblo, Pueblo, CO CO 81006 81006 thathann a ffull u l l tank.tank. When W h e n we w e landed l a n d e d at a ta anewly n e w l yliberated l i b e r a t e dfield field at a t 9/12/95 BrusselBrusselss wherewhere thethe onlyo n l y fuelf u e l wasw a s iinn JerryJ e r r y cans, c a n s , we w e were w e r e not not DeaDearr WWill: i l l : particularlparticularlyy welcome,w e l c o m e , especiallye s p e c i a l l y whenw h e n theythey learnedl e a r n e d thatthat we w e hahadd 450450 gallonsg a l l o n s ooff ggas a s ini n ouro u r outero u t e r tanks.t a n k s . WeW e werewere able a b l e to to I gotI got your your most most welcome welcome letter recently recendy - - thanks - - thanks for the fortransfetransfer the r aftera f t e r the t h e pump p u m p thawed,thawed, so s othat t h a trelieved r e l i e v e thed t h probleme p r o b l e m "Dow"Downn DDee HHatch" a t c h " photo.p h o t o . II had h a done, o n e ,but b u itt wasi t w asmall.s s m al We l . W flewe flew ttoo somes o m e ddegree. e g r e e . roughlroughlyy 2200 ttoo 2255 mmissions i s s i o n s iinn thatt h a t plane.p l a n e . WWee landelandedd aatt Orly,O r l y , as a s you y o uindicated, i n d i c a t e d onian., o n J a n16.. 1 Had 6 . H fields a d f i e l d s BoBobb IIverson v e r s o n ooff LLedger. e d g e r , Montana,M o n t a n a , the t h ecrew c r e wchief, c h i e fkept, k e pthet t h e oonn thethe continentc o n t i n e n t nnot o t beenb e e n available,available, itit is i doubtfuls doubtfu thatl tha thet the ololdd beatersb e a t e r s goingg o i n g anda n d hadh a d overo v e r 100 1 0 0 missions m i s s i o n swithout w i t h o u tan a nabort, a b o r t missiomissionn ccould o u l d hhave a v e bbeen e e n ccompleted o m p l e t e d asa s flownflown becauseb e c a u s e a a great g r e a t aatt oneo n e time.t i m e . He H e was w a s a a remarkable r e m a r k a b l e crew c r e w chief c h i e fand a n dis i ones o n ofe o thef t h e manmanyy planeplaness wwere e r e llow o w oonn fuelfuel.. II don't d o n ' tremember r e m e m b e r how h o w many m a n y reasonreasonss wwee ccompleted o m p l e t e d oour u r tour. landelandedd aatt Orly,O r l y , but b u t there t h e r e were w e r e a alot lo tof o fthem. t h em Someone. S o m e o n rane r aoffn o f f I'I'mm gglad l a d ttoo getg e t thet h e true t r u e figures f i g u r e s on o nour o u rgroup's g r o u p ' sKIA K I A(860) ( 8 6 0 ) ththee taxit a x i strip s t r i p into i n t odeep d e e pmud m u d and a n dstranded s t r a n d e dseveral s e v e r a planes.l p l a n e Since s . S i n c e -w--wee stilstilll haveh a v e roughly r o u g h l y 100 1 0 0 more m o r e than t h a n the t h e"Bloody " B l o o d y100th". 1 0 0 t h" Now. N o w thertheree wasw a s non o equipmente q u i p m e n t availablea v a i l a b l e to t o free f r e ehim, h i m we, w weree w er "stuck"e " s t u c k 1' II wonderw o n d e r howh o w manym a n y POW'sP O W ' s wew e hadh a d (528(528 and a n d 179 1 7 9 Internees). I n t e r n e e s ) . iinn PParis a r i s forf o r threet h r e e days.d a y s . I Itold told youy o uwe w ewere w e r elucky! l u c k y ! Don'Don'tt ffeel e e l obligatedo b l i g a t e d to answera n s w e r right awaya w a y --- - I1 know k n o w you y o u are a r e WWee looklook forwardforward toto seeingseeing youy o u iinn SanS a n Antonio.Antonio. BestBest busybusy.. II just j u s tenjoy e n j o ywriting w r i t i n gletters l e t t e r sto t goodo g o o people.d p e o p l e . regardsregards.. SincerelySincerely.. WWee mademade aa successfulsuccessful landinglanding onon aa grassgrass fieldfield anda n d werewere interneinternedd forf o r abouta b o u t sixs i x months.m o n t h s . My M y tailtail gunner, g u n n e r ,Sgt. S g tStephen S t e p h e n This comes comes from: from: (Zeke)(Zeke) Jones J o n e s had h a d bailed b a i l e d out o u t shortly s h o r d yafter a f t e wer w hade h a beend b e e hit,n h i tand, a n d Ralph GolubeckGolubeck wawass takent a k e n prisonerp r i s o n e r byb y thethe Germans.G e r m a n s . HeH e waswas laterlater ,returnedr e t u r n e d Pilot, 506th 506th Sq. Sq. safelysafely tot o thet h e UnitedU n i t e d States.S t a t e s . 13133 Royal Pines Drive Drive St. Louis, Louis, MO MO 63146-2280 63146-2280 Normally, that thatwould would have have been been the end the of endmy story, of mybut story,there but there 10/3/95 iiss more...muchm o r e . . . m u c h more.more. AfterAfter returningreturning toto thethe StatesStates ini n DeaDearr Will:W i l l : NovemberNovember,, 1944,1 9 4 4, I1 was w a s assigned a s s i g n e dto t oLeatt L e at Air t A iBase r B a s ein iBelleville,n B e l l e v i l l e , ILIL,, flyingf l y i n g C-47's. C - 4 7 ' s .I hadI h athed t hdutye d u tofy airdromo f a i r d r oofficer,m o f f ic and e r , aone n d oday n e d a y I would would like like to congratulate to congratulate you and allyou of theand others all whoof thehave others who have oneone ooff mym y dutiesd u t i e s was w a s to to inspecti n s p e c tthe t h econtrol c o n t r o tower.l t o w e rWhile. W h i line thei n t h e dondonee suchs u c h a greatg r e a t jjob o b ofo f re-organizingr e - o r g a n i z i n g the t h e 44th 4 4 t h BGVA. B G V A . It It was w a s towertower., I Iheard h e a r da apilot p i l o tcall cal inl iforn f landing o r l a n d i instructions, n g i n s t r u c t i o nbut s , wasb u t w a s very difficult for me, sitting out here on the prairie to very difficult f o r m e , sitting out here on the prairie to usinusingg aa very v e r y familiar f a m i l i a r tail t ai lnumber. n u m b e rMy. M earsy ear perkeds p e r k eup!d u Was p ! W athiss t h i s understanunderstandd fullyfully whatw h a t wasw a s goingg o i n g on.o n . I gathergather that t h a t there t h e r e has h a s ththee Princess?P r i n c e s s ? I Irequested r e q u e s t e dthat t h a het h repeate r e p e a thet t hcalle c a lsignl s i and g n a type n d t y p e been a rather bitter split in the organization and that you and been a r a t h e r b i t t e r s p l i t i n t h e o r g a n i z a t i o n a n d t h a t y o u a n d ofof aircraft.a i r c r a f t You Y o u guessed g u e s s e d it! it !It Iwast w athes t hPrincess!!e Princess!! youryour colleaguesc o l l e a g u e s have h a v e formed f o r m e d this thi snew n e wgroup g r o u pto t okeep k e e thep t h spirite spirit of the 44th alive. For that, and your great newsletter, I of t h e 44th alive. F o r that and your great newsletter, I II immediatelyimmediately left left the tower,the tower,jumped jumpedinto a jeep, into and a drovejeep, and drove congratulatcongratulatee youy o u allall forf o r a a job j o b well w e l ldone. d o n e . overover tot o where w h e r e the t h e B-24 B - 2 4had h a djust j u s tparked. p a r k e dI. could I c o u lnotd n believe o t b e l i emy v e m y eyeseyes - iti treally reall ywas w a sthe t h ePrincess! P r i n c e s s !It Ihadt h abeend b e erepaired,n repaired flown, flown bacbackk tot o EnglandE n g l a n d anda n d thent h e n to thet h e U.S. U . S .and a n dnow n o wwas w a ons o hern h e wayr w a y to Arizona A r i z o n a to t obe b e melted m e l t e d down. d o w n . How H o w sad! sad!

II rememberedremembered thatthat I hadI had left myleft Zippo my Zippolighter lighterin the plane in the plane whewhenn wew e landedl a n d e d ini n SwedenS w e d e n anda n d wonderedw o n d e r e d iiff iti t was w a sstill s t i lthere.l there. AfteAfterr a a complete c o m p l e t e search s e a r c h of o f the t h e flight f l i g h tdeck, d e ck I, am l a sorrym sorr toy toreportr e p o r t thathatt itit was w a snot n o tthere. t h e r e .

The nextnext morning morning I wentI went down down to the to flight the lineflight very early.line Ivery early. I I have h a v e enclosed e n c l o s e d some s o m e pictures p i c t u r e sof o fa amodel m o d e lof o af B-24a B - 2 "Princess"4 " P r i n c e s s " wawass hhoping o p i n g to beb e ablea b l e tot o flyfly the the Princess P r i n c e s sjust j u s tone o n emore m o r etime. time. TailTail NumberN u m b e r 42-63963,4 2 - 6 3 9 6 3 , call cal lLetter L e t t e "W,"r " W , and" a n wouldd w o u l liked lik toe totellt e l l AlAlll II wanted w a n t e d to to dod o was w a sto t oshoot s h o o tone o n moree m o r elanding. l a n d i n gBut. B uevent e v easn a s yoyouu thet h e storys t o r y ooff tthe h e PrincessP r i n c e s s asa s farf a r as a s I Iknow k n o wit. i t earlyearly asa s I was, was ,the t h e 13-24 B - 2 4 pilot p i l o t was w a searlier. e a r l i e r .He H ehad ha djust j u s leftt lef fort f o r ArizonaArizona.. IflewI flew the the Princess Princess on many on missionsmany missions as a pilot inas the a 506thpilot B.S. in the 506th B.S. I always always enjoyed e n j o y e d flying herh e r because, b e c a u s e ,without withou ta anose n o s eor o rbelly b e l l y This shouldshould have have been been the end the of endmy story, of mybutagain, story, it wasn't_but again, it wasn't turretturret,, she s h e was w a sa agood g o o ddeal d e a fasterl f a s t ethanr t h athen t hII"e 'Jor'"" o r models " " m od that e l s t h a tHolI loldd ono n - mmore o r e toto come:c o m e : FiftyFifty years y e a r s later late rI wasI w aas volunteer a v o l u n t e eatr a t thethe restrest of o f the t h egroup g r o u pwere w e r eflying. flying. WithW i t hthat tha tlower l o w e weightr w e i g h andt a n d a fflight l i g h t museum m u s e u m inin Dallas D a l l a sTexas T e x a sat a Lovet L ov Field.e F i e l dOne. O nday,e d ain y , late i n l a t e speespeedd advantage,a d v a n t a g e , I Ialways a l w a y sreturned r e t u r n e dfrom f r o ma missiona m i s s io withn w i tplentyh p l e n t y MaMayy ooff 1994,1 9 9 4 , I1 was w a s walking w a l k i n g through t h r o u g h a a window w i n d o w display d i s p l a yof o fabout a b o u t ooff fuel.f u e l . As A s the t h elength l e n g t h of o f our o u r missions m i s s i o n skept k e p tincreasing, i n c r e a s i n g ,fuel fuel 2020 warbirdw a r b i r d modelsm o d e l s whenw h e n II spotted s p o t t e da aB-24. B - 24 Somehow. S o m e h o Iw instantly I i n s t a n d y becambecamee aa criticalcritical factor.f a c t o r . OnO n fuelfuel situation.s i t u a t i o n , I Ireturned r e t u r n e d with w i t h knekneww tthat h a t itit was w a sthe t h e Princess, P r i n c e s s even, e v e thoughn t h o u g Ih hadI h anotd n oseent s e ethen t h e almosalmostt 8008 0 0 gallonsg a l l o n s of o f fuel f u e lin i then t htanks.e t a n k sThis. T h iwasn'ts w a s nnecessarily ' t n e c e s s a r i l y nosnosee arta r t oro r the t h e tail tail numbers. n u m b e r s .I literallyI literall rany r ainton i n the t o t shop h e s h oandp a n d ththee resultresult ofo f mym y fuelfuel managementm a n a g e m e n t skillsskills butb u t becausebecause thethe askedasked toto sees e e thatt h a t model.m o d e l . PrincesPrincesss justj u s t used u s e d less les sfuel. f u e l . II waswas speechless speechless at first, atfirst,butfinally but finally managed to managedconvey to Ireneto convey to Irene DuringDuring oneone of ourour missionsmissions critiques, critiques, Colonel Colonel Gibson Gibson thathat!t I had h a d been b e e n the t h epilot p i l o tof o fthe t h eoriginal o r i g i n a lairplane. a i r p l a n eAbout. A b o u thist this congratulatedcongratulated mem e foforr excellente x c e l l e n t fuelf u e l management. m a n a g e m e n t .I Ithanked t h a n k e d timetime,, thet h e ownero w n e r ofo f thet h e shops h o p appeareda p p e a r e d anda n d wantedw a n t e d toto knowk n o w him,him, butb u t did d i d not n o t tell tel lhim h i m that tha tI wasI w a flyings flying a "D"a " Dmodel." m o d e l . whawhatt wasw a s goingg o i n g on.o n . When W h e n I Itold told him.h i m I, could I c o u ltelld t ethat l l t he h a t really h e r e a l l y diddid notn o t believeb e l i e v e mym y story.story. How H o w couldcould I Iconvince c o n v i n c ehim h i mthat tha myt m y OnOn what waswas toto have have been been my my 30th 30th and and last lastmission, mission, I was I storystorwasy wasw a s ttrue? r u e ? forceforcedd tot o seeks e e k refuger e f u g e ini n SwedenS w e d e n afterafter bombingb o m b i n g thethe oilo i l plant p l a n t atPolitat Politzz ono n 292 9 May M a y 1944.1944. We W e made m a d e an a n emergency e m e r g e n c y landing l a n d i n g in i n ItIt was was then then that that I remembered I remembered an old anpicture old ofpicture the Princess of the Princess SwedeSwedenn afterafter sustainings u s t a i n i n g seriouss e r i o u s battleb a t t l e damaged a m a g e fromfrom aa twint w i n thathatt !carriedI c a r r i e d in i nmy m y wallet. w a l l e tWill, W i l lI, believe I b e l i ethatyou v e t h a t ysent o u s it e ntot imet tom e enginenginee GermanG e r m a n fightefighterr (Me-410?).( M e - 4 1 0 ? ) . TheT h e numbern u m b e r oneo n e enginee n g i n e yearyearss ago.a g o . WhenW h e n II displayedd i s p l a y e d thethe picture,picture, they t h e y immediatelyi m m e d i a t e l y wawass knockedk n o c k e d outo u t anda n d couldc o u l d notn o t beb e feathered,f e a t h e r e d , and a n d fuel fue ltanks tanks believebelievedd mym y storystory anda n d insistedinsisted thatt h a t II sign s i g nan a n autograph a u t o g r a p h book b o o k iinn thet h e port p o r t wing w i n g were w e r eholed, h o l e d resulting, r e s u l t i ning ilossn l oofa s s o largef a l a amount r g e a m o u n t whicwhichh containedc o n t a i n e d aautographs u t o g r a p h s ooff mmany a n y pilots.pilots. I Iwas w a shonored h o n o r e dto t o ofof fuel.f u e l . MyM y engineer,engineer, T/SgLT / S g t . WalterW a l t e r DunlopD u n l o p attemptedattempted to sign,sign, and a n d ofo f course, c o u r s e ,I boughtI b o u g hthet t hmodele m o de andl an proudlyd p r o u d ldisplayy d i s p l a y transfetransferr fuel,f u e l , but b u twas w a sunable u n a b l e to to do d oso. so .With W i t h#1 # windmilling,1 w i n d m i l l i n g , iitt in i n my m y den. d e n . andand creatingcreating aa lotlot ofo f dragd r a g andand lossloss ofo f muchm u c h fuel,fuel, itit was w a s determineddetermined tthat h a t wew e wouldw o u l d beb e unableu n a b l e tot o return r e t u r n to t oEngland. E n g l a n d We. W e II havehave always always been been curious curious about thisabout airplane this and airplane interested and interested hahadd non o othero t h e r choicec h o i c e butb u t toto headh e a d forf o r Sweden.S w e d e n . iinn clearingc l e a r i n g alla l l of o f its it shistory. h i s t o r yWhy. Why was was it the it theonly only "D "model "D" model in in the 506th506th Squadron? Squadron? (All (Al lothers o t h e r shad h a dbeen bee nlost, los tlast las tof o fthe t h e 333 "D's.")"D's.") ("D's" ("D's "were w e r vulnerablee v u l n e r a b ltoe tnoseo n o sande a nbellyd b e l attacks, l y a t t a c kso s , all s o all ThisThis comes comes from:from: replacementreplacement modelsm o d e l s were w e r e j J or o r II H models.) m o d e l s . Wasit) Was it on on the the Ploesti Ploesti JamesJames & Edna Aurnan Auman Raid? (No, {No, did d i dnot n o tarrive a r r iv untile u n t ithel t hende e n dof o September,f S e p t e m b e r1943.), 1943.) 352352 ChurchChurch StreetStreet 1172oWho flew it it to to the the 44th 44th BC?(Unknown, BG? (Unknown but, bRA. u t R Johnson . A . J o h n was s o n w a s SaintSaint Malys, Marys, Pennsylvania Pennsylvania 15857-1012 15857-1012 thethe first to to fly herh e r in i n combat c o m b a t - - 2 2October, O c t o b e r ,1943.) 1943.) 10/30/95

However,However, II do do have have a fewa few facts facts which which might mighthelp trace help the traceDearDear the Roy: Princess.Princess. There There were w e r e several severa lnames n a m e s on o n the the airplane a i r p l a n e at a tthe t h e variousvarious crew c r e w positions. p o s i t i o n s .The T h eonly o n l yone o n eI rememberI r e m e m b e wasr wa Carltons C a r l t o n WeWe wantwant toto thank thank you you and and all the all others the whoothers put togetherwho put the together the Horne.Home. HeH e hadh a d transferredtransferred fromf r o m thethe RAF.R A F . II flew flew aa couple c o u p l e of o f wonderfulwonderful SanS a n AntonioA n t o n i o Convention,C o n v e n t i o n , the t h ehotel h o t e larrangements, a r r a n g e m e n t s , missionsmissions withwith himh i m andand rememberremember himhim veryvery well.well. When W h e n II thethe tours, thet h e Mexican M e x i c a n band b a n d and a n d dancers d a n c e r s and a n d most m o s tofall, o f a l lthose, t h o s e returnedreturned fromfrom Sweden,S w e d e n , I Isaw s a whim h i m in i nthe t h eofficers o f f i c e r sclub c l u playingb p l a y i n g goodgood oldold 44th44th BombB o m b GroupGroup people.people. We W e camecame homeh o m e withwith bridgebridge withw i t h Major M a j o r McAtee M c A t e e and a n d two t w o others. o t h e r s .Perhaps P e r h a p sif ihef h readse r e a d s dozensdozens ofo f newn e w friendsf r i e n d s and a n d a a million m i l l i o n sweet s w e e t memories. m e m o r i e s . thisthis letter lette r(or ( o r others), o t h e r s ) ,he h ecould c o u l dhelp h e l pme. m e . YouYou have ourour total total support support and warmest and warmest regards inregards all our 44th in all our 44th II thinkthink the the Princess Princess might might have have been been one oneof the of Ploestithe Ploestiveteransveteran s ventures.v e n t u r e s . Raiders.Raiders. In In Steve S t e v e Birdsall's B i r d s a l l ' sbook, b o o k ,"Log " L o gof o fthe t h eLiberator," L i b e r a t o r , "on o n pagepage 28,28, heh e writes,writes, "Behind " B e h i n d him,him, Princess P r i n c e s s anda n d allall the t h e restr e s t pinpointedpinpointed theirtheir bombs."b o m b s . " (Reference(Reference couldcould havehave beenb e e n to ThisThis comescomes from: from: PrincessPrincess Charlotte,Charlotte, though t h o u g h thisthis planep l a n e diddid notnot flyfly PloestiP l o e s t i Pete Worby Worby either).either). 26 WoodgreenWoodgreen Road Road LUTONLUTONLUZ8BT LUZ8BT II alwaysalways thought thought that thatonly the only original the 44thoriginal BC planes 44th had BG the planes had the England logo.logo. Maybe M a y b e some s o m e of o f this t h i swilljog w i l l j o gsome s o m eold o l memoriesd m e m o r i e ands a n Id can I c a n DearDear Pete:P e t e : atat lastlast knowk n o w thethe historyhistory ofo f mym y "Princess.""Princess." (No,( N o , thet h e FlyingF l y i n g EightbalEightballl wasw a s paintedp a i n t e d ono n thethe pilot'spilot's sideside for f o r a a considerable c o n s i d e r a b l e YouYou don'tdon' knowt know me meyet. yetI am Ia 37am year-old a 37 year-old English "Friends English of "Friends of time afterafter the t h e original o r i g i n a l "D's" " D ' s "were w e r e gone g o n e (other (other than t h a n Lemon L e m o n thethe 8th"8 t h " member.m e m b e r . II have h a v e been b e e n a a member m e m b e r forfor 20 2 0 years. y e a r s . Drop)Drop).. ItIt is is remembrance remembrance day day here here as I writeas I this write letter this to you letter and I to you and I MyMy wifewife and and I areI are thrilled thrilled that the that 44th the will assemble44th will in myassembleamam sadsaind todaytodaymy asa s I Iremember r e m e m b e r those thos ethat t h a tfell f e landl an thankfuld thankfu thatl that homhomee townt o w n ooff St.S t LouisL o u i s ini n '96. ' 9 6 . I1 have h a v e never n e v e r before b e f o r eattended a t t e n d e da a I have h a v e nevern e v e r hadh a d to experiencee x p e r i e n c e thet h e horrorh o r r o r ofo f war.w a r . reunionreunion,, butbut am a m certainlycertainly looking l o o k i n g forward f o r w a r d to to attending a t t e n d i n g this t h i s one.one. II dodo appreciate appreciate what what you guysyou didguys to helpdid usto free help and us no free one and no one wilwilll evere v e r be b e able a b l e to find find thet h e words w o r d s to t o thank t h a n k you y o u all a l lenough. e n o u g h I. I OnOn aasadder sadder note, note, my oldmy friendjohnold friend, Money, John folded Money, his wingsfolded hishophope ewings somes o m e ooff usu s keepk e e p allall your y o u r memories m e m o r i e s alive, a l i v e ,I intendI i n t e nto.d to. laslastt year.y e a r . We W e were wer egood g o o d friends. friends .He H e was wa sa a506di 5 0 6 t hSquadron S q u a d r o n pilopilot.t PleasePlease tell tell me aboutme about yourself, yourself, Pete and Pete tell meand how tell much me to how much to KeeKeepp 'em' e m flying...flying... sensendd yyou o u ffor o r aa copyc o p y ofo f a a war w a r time photo p h o t o ofo f you, y o u , as a sI amI a mostm m o s t interestedinterested.. EDITOR:EDITOR: Thanks Thanks for for thisthis amazing amazing story, story of what of seems what to seems be to be your destinydestiny pith with "The "The Princess" Princess" even even in inthe the form form of ofa a TheThe greatest thing thing that! that wish II could wish have I couldis to shake have the ishand to shake the hand beautiful model! model! We We don't don't have have anything anything in the in rosterthe roster on onooff everye v e r y USAAFU S A A F veteranveteran becauseb e c a u s e wew e considerconsider allall ofo f yyou o u asa s Carlton Horne. Home. You You might might tryJim try Jim McAfee, McAtee, RR!, RR1, Box Box 134E, 134E, honorarhonoraryy EEnglish. n g l i s h . Viola, IL IL 61486. 61486. Also, Also,you you might might kith wish to get to your get own your copy own ofcopy of the 44th44th BGVA BGVA Roster Roster to to help help in yourin your research. research. See the See note the noteII sawsaw your your page page in 2ndin AD2nd news AD newsabout about "Petra" "Petra" (p 11 Summer (p 11 Summer on RosterRoster purchase elsewhere elsewhere in in this this Issue. Issue. 95)95).. PetraP e t r a isis an a n old o l dtemple t e m p l eset s e tinto i n t ao cliffside.a c l i f f s i d eIt. appears It a p p e ain r sthe i n t h e closinclosingg shotss h o t s ofo f the t h e film film "Indiana" I n d i a n aJones j o n e sand a n dthe t h eLast L as Crusade"t C r u s a d e " aass tthe h e eexterior x t e r i o r ooff tthe h e ttemple. e m p l e .

PleasePlease can can you you also also tell me tell how me much how to much send forto ansend old copyfor an old copy ooff 444th 4 t h NewsletterN e w s l e t t e r anda n d ifif any a n y 44th 4 4 t h want w a n t to to writew r i t e to to me,m e ,I wouldI w o u l d lovlovee toto hearh e a r fromf r o m diem.t h e m .

IfIf therethere is ever is anythingever anything I can do Ifor can you door anyfor 44thers, you or please any 44thers, please lelett mem e know,k n o w , as a s I I am a m mostmost honored h o n o r e d to to know k n o w you y o u all. all.

Yours. Yours.

EDITOR:EDITOR-- He'll He'll have a acopy copy of of this this issue issuesoon! soon!

3344 44T44THH BBOMB O M B GROUPG R O U P VETERANSV E T E R A N S THTHEE NEWN E W 444TII 4 T H ROSTERR O S T E R ASSOCIATIOASSOCIATIONN BOARDB O A R D Have you ever wishedwished thatthat you you had had a 44tha 44th BGVA BGVA PresidentPresident:: Roy R o yW. W . Owen O w e n (506th)(506th) RosterRoster ofo f youry o u r owno w n toto keepk e e p tracktrack ofo f yyour o u r crewc r e w anda n d 63063044 MeadowridgeM e a d o w r i d g e DriveD r i v e otheotherr bbuddies? u d d i e s ? WWell, e l l , it's it' shere! h e r e !The T h eBoard B o a r dauthorized a u t h o r i z e d SantaSanta Rosa,R o s a , CaliforniaCalifornia 95409 9 5 4 0 9 publishingthpublishing thee MembershipM e m b e r s h i p RosterR o s t e r and a n d wew e introducedi n t r o d u c e d PhonePhone:: (707)( 7 0 7 ) 538,47265 3 8 - 4 7 2 6 Fax:Fax: (707)( 7 0 7 ) 538-1212 538-1212 iitt at at the t h eSan S a n Antonio A n t o n i o Reunion. R e u n i o n .It I twas w a as aRUSH! R U S H !This T h i s firsfirstt issuei s s u e Active A c t i v e listing l i s t i n g is i scomplete c o m p l e t eas a sof o June f j u n 1,e 1and, a n d Vice President: President: James James H. Clements H. Clements (506th) (506th) 41244124 CalculusC a l c u l u s AvenueA v e n u e ththee deceaseddeceased listlist asa s ofo f JuneJ u n e 5.5. YourY o u r orderorder willwill beb e DallasDallas,, Texas T e x a s 75244 7 5 2 4 4 accompanieaccompaniedd bbyy ana n aaddendum d d e n d u m ssheet h e e t ofo f changesc h a n g e s since s i n c e Phone/FaxPhone/Fax:: (214)( 2 1 4 ) 243-4657 2 4 3 - 4 6 5 7 thosethose ddates. a t e s .

Secretary: Edward M. Dobson (67th) Secretary: Edward M. Dobson (67th) The RosterRosterwill will becompletely be completely updated updated and reprinted and reprinted 111188 SouthS o u t h 15th15th Avenue,A v e n u e , #1# 1 bienniallbienniallyy ono n JuneJune 30,30, withw i t h anan updateupdate addendumaddendum BozemanBozeman,, MontanaM o n t a n a 59715-41305 9 7 1 5 - 4 1 3 0 PhonePhone:: (800)( 8 0 0 ) 587-2492 587-2492 (Code ( C o d e 44) 4 4 ) JunJunee 303 0 ooff tthe h e betweenb e t w e e n year.year. TheT h e costcost is i s$5 $ 5plus p l u s$2 $ 2 1s1stt classc l a s s postage.p o s t a g e . PlaceP l a c e youry o u r ordero r d e r wwith: i t h : Treasurer: Gerald Gerald (Jerry) (Jerry) W. Folsom W. Folsom (506th) (506th) ArArtt handH a n d 959544 LowellL o w e l l AvenueA v e n u e 517517 ElmE l m StreetStreet SalSaltt LakeL a k e City,C i t y ,Utah U t a h84102-3620 8 4 1 0 2 - 3 6 2 0 Paris,Paris, ILI L 61994 6 1 9 9 4 PhonePhone:: (801)( 8 0 1 ) 359-6159 3 5 9 - 6 1 5 9 Fax:F a x : (801)( 8 0 1 ) 533-8747 533-8747

OfficeOffice Historian: Historian: C.W. C.W. "Will" "Will" Lundy Lundy Make checks Makepayable checks to: payable to: 32953295 NorthN o r t h "H"" H " StreetStreet 44t44thh BGVAB G V A SaSann Bernardino,B e r n a r d i n o , CAC A 92405-280992405-2809 (I(Inn thet h e lowerl o w e r leftleft cornercorner ofo f your y o u r check,c h e c k , note note Phone/FaxPhone/Fax:: (909)( 9 0 9 ) 882-2441 882-2441 Roster.)Roster.) 44th44th GroupGroup ViceVice President President to 2nd to ADA:2nd ADA: H.C.H.C. "Pete"" P e t e " HenryH e n r y (67th/66th)(67th/66th) 164B164B PortlandP o r t l a n d LaneL a n e SEARCH - ROSTER - MAIL LIST Jamesburg,Jamesburg, NewierseyN e w J e r s e y 08831-1536 0 8 8 3 1 - 1 5 3 6 SEARCH - R O S T E R - M A I L L I S T PhonePhone:: (609)( 6 0 9 ) 655-09826 5 5 - 0 9 8 2 If you you hear hear of aof 44th'er a 44th'er that doesthat not does belong not tobelong our to our Director:Director: Edw. Edw. K. "Mike"K. "Mike" Mikoloski Mikoloski (66111) (66th) Association,Association, oror has h a s passed p a s s e d away, a w a y , please pleas enotify: n o t i f y : 6262.66 SSmithfield m i t h f i e l d RoadR o a d #702# 7 0 2 ArArtt HandH a n d N.N. Providence,P r o v i d e n c e , RhodeR h o d e IslandIsland 02904 0 2 9 0 4 PhonePhone:: (401)(401) 353-0144 353-0144 515177 ElmE l m StreetStreet ParisParis,, IllinoisIllinois 61994 6 1 9 9 4 Director:Director: Robert Robert I. "Bob" I. "Bob" Brown Brown (67th) (67th) Phone/Fax:Phone/Fax: (217)( 2 1 7 ) 463-59054 6 3 - 5 9 0 5 ##88 MetairieM e t a i r i e CourtC o u r t IIff youy o u movem o v e oro r changec h a n g e anya n y aspecta s p e c t ofo f youry o u r address a d d r e s s or o r SanSan Ramon,R a m o n , CAC A 94583-382494583-3824 phonphonee nnumber, u m b e r , wife'sw i f e ' s name, n a m e , want w a n t to t ostop s t o preceiving r e c e i v i n g Phone:Phone: (415)( 4 1 5 ) 82.84529 828-4529 thethe 8 BallB a l l TailsT a i l s oro r wwhatever, h a t e v e r , pleaseplease notify: n o t i f y : Director:Director: Roberti. Robert Lehnhausen J. Lehnhausen (681h) (68th) TomTom ShepherdShepherd 709709 WWest e s t MeadowsM e a d o w s PlaceP l a c e 1059105977 CambrookeC a m b r o o k e CoveCove PeoriaPeoria,, IllinoisIllinoi s61604-3447 6 1 6 0 4 - 3 4 4 7 Collierville,Collierville, Tennessee T e n n e s s e e 38017 3 8 0 1 7 Phone: (309) 685-2490 Phone: ( 3 0 9 ) 6 8 5 - 2 4 9 0 PhonePhone:: (901)( 9 0 1 ) 854-65588 5 4 - 6 5 5 8 Fax:Fax: (901)( 9 0 1 ) 853-42298 5 3 - 4 2 2 9 Director:Director: Sherman Sherman N. N. "Bud" "Bud" Dowett Dowett (506th) (506th) 1455145500 WWolf o l f RoadR o a d GrassGrass Valley,V a l l e y , CA C A 95949 95949 PhonePhone:: (916)( 9 1 6 ) 268-10192 6 8 - 1 0 1 9

DirectorDirector:: MelvinM e l v i n G. G . Trager T r a g e r (HQ( H Q SSq.) q . ) 25222522 RedR e d OakO a k TTrail r a i l CresCrestt Hill,H i l l , Illinois Illinoi s60435-3197 6 0 4 3 5 - 3 1 9 7 PhonePhone:: (815)( 8 1 5 ) 725-3439 7 2 5 - 3 4 3 9 3535 ‘t1 Going Home-the job is done

31 May 1945 "Glory Bee" R+ 66th Scidn. #42-52.616 taxies out for take-off leaving Valley, Anglesey Wales enroute home to (,140 c the USA. 98 missions from arrival April '44 until April '45.

44th Bomb Group r Bulk Rate 1 Veterans Association U.S. Postage P.O. Box 2367 Paid I Salt Lake City, Utah 84110-2367 Permit #6923 Salt Lake City, UT

Address Correction Requested

• nr.V,zwe-,.0.1r:,:::••••.•••:•:,•••• • •,;5!:,::::1,,,,,,,E„::ii:::M:M.••••••••.7-M:?,:• Reurlion'96 October •-7