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THE PRESIDENTS
CORNER
ratified at Colorado Springs and the slate of
officers listed herein were elected. The main
distinction between the H M G and the 44th
B G V A is that you will n o w have an
E L E C T E D Board of Officers w h o will
manage your organization according to
democratic principles. Further, it is m y vow
that each member will have a front row view
of what is going on within the 44th B G V A
W e l c o m e to Volume One, N u m b e r 1 of 8 Ball during m y term as your president (meaning,
Tails, which will be the official journal of the for instance, vou will, via your vote, take part
N E W 44th B o m b Group Veterans Association in the major decisions affecting your
(44TH B G V A ) . But this is getting a little ahead association and vou will get financial
of our story. If you will pause n o w and read reports).
the boldly titled letter on the cover page, you
will have a feel for the events that have led to I'll close by saying please fill out the
this n e w organization.
membership application herein and send
along your check for $15.00 for '95 dues. I
To many of you that letter is familiar since would
you like to personally shake your hands
were on the 1100 plus n a m e mailing list of those and w e l c o m e each of you to your n e w
w h o have been on the 44th Heritage Memorial organization at San Antonio in '95.
Group as active m e m b e r s for the past 3 years.
T o those seeing the letter for thefirsttime, you Roy W . O w e n , President
represent a large majority of that membership
which, for one reason or other, the H M G has
lost touch. From the standpoint of the 4 4 T H
B G V A w e would like to reestablish contact with
every one of you. W e feel that most of you
share the feeling that there is a lot of life left in
the 44th and rather than just quitting w e want
not only to continue enjoying our reunions and
comradeship, w e want also to continue our
heritage by bringing in our y o u n g e r
generations and pass on to them the proud
history of what their Pops and Grandpops
contributed to the freedom w e enjoy.
Now about the Association. We are off to a
great start! From that first mailing w e have
over 500 m e m b e r s a n d g r o w i n g as
membership forms keep arriving. Of those 500
+ w e have over 100 Life M e m b e r s ($100.) This
issue of 8 Ball Tails will go out to the entire
3000 + names w e have. Hopefully w e will again
have great response. O u r Incorporation as a
Tax Exempt Veterans Organization in the State
of Illinois is complete. T h e s a m e status with
the Internal Revenue Service is u n d e r w a y
along with a bulk mailing permit from the Post
Office. Plans are well under w a y for our first
reunion in San Antonio, Texas in mid-October
1995. W e w a n t y o u t o J O I N U P A N D J O I N U S
IN S A N A N T O N I O !
Our new Constitution and By Laws were
44TH BGVA EXECUTIVE
BOARD
President: Roy W. Owen (506)
6304 Meadowridge Dr.
Santa Rosa, C A 95409
Ph. (707) 5384726 FAX (707) 538-1212
Vice President:: James H. Clements (506)
4124 Calculus Ave.
Dallas, T X 75244
Ph. (214) 243-4657
Secretary: Edward M. Dobson (67)
118 So. 15th Ave. #1
Bozeman, M T 597154130
Ph. OH) (406) 587-2490
(B) (800) 484-1044 Ext.0536
Treasurer: Vacant (acting) see Historian
Historian: C.W. "Will" Lundy (67)
3295 North H St.
San Bernardino, C A 92405-2809
Ph./FAX (909) 882-2441
Membership:: Art Hand (66)
517 Elm St.l
Paris, IL 61944
Ph. (217) 463-5905
44th BG Group Vice Pres. to 2nd AD1V Ass'n.
H. C. "Pete" Henry (66/67)
164 B Portland Lane
Jamesburg, NJ 08831-1536
Ph. "(609) 655-0982
Director: Ed. W. "Mike" Mikoloski (66)
626 Smithfield Rd.. #702
N. Providence, RI 02904
Ph. (401) 354-8695
Director: Raymond R. McNamara (67)
495 Linden St.
Boylston, M A 01505
Ph. (508) 869-2592
Director: Robert J. Lehnhausen (68)
709 W. Meadows PI.
Peoria. IL 61604-3447
Ph. (309) 685-2490
Director: John Milliken (506)
2345 Garden Hwy.
Sacramento. C A 95833
Ph. (916) 925-1700
Director: Albert F Ruby (464)
1106 Rogers St..
Madera, C A 93638-2117
Ph. (209) 674-6961
�FOLDED WINGS
MISCELLANEA
PLOESTI VETERANS
Clement L Boulanger 1978
John R. Huddle 1962
Robert H. Becker 1989
Albert L. Shaffer 1980
Lewis M . Petrie u n k
ALL OTHERS
Charles Cash
unk
506th
Norman A. Ross
Sept 92 66th
Edmond R. Ingram
1972
67th
Wade F. Bond
Oct 92 67th
Robert J. Bauman
Nov 92 506th
Earnest J. Chautier
M a y 90 506th
Charles P Norris
1960s 66th
Raymond E. Scott
unk
67th
John H. Haracz
Jul 91 66th
Theo. F. Zimmerman
Mar 92 506th
Murray Wolfson
Nov 87 506th
Paul Weiss
1970
506th
John F Zettel
Jan 89 67th
Donald E. Slocker 1992
67th
Harold A. Tripp Unk
66th
Marion Williams Jan 93 506th
Thomas Gurry
1983
68th
Earl Hoppie
Mar 75 66th
Louis J Obus
Oct 88
67th
Raymond A. Collier
Unk
506th
William F. Carnell U n k
67/68
William J. Williams Unk 68th
67th
Leo L. McCreery Jan 92
Peter Deisch
1986
66th
67th
Thomas Gatling Unk
John Skutt
Unk
Unk
Selby L.Smith
67th
Earle P Wickle
1978
Unk
Theodore D. Willism
506th
Feb 93 67th
John H. Hess
Oct. 94 506/66
Maurice L. Dyer
Jan 94 464
Charles A. Bottom
This is a partial list of our deceased 44th
comrades that Art H a n d has been able to
trace just recently with the capability of
his C D phone directory. This also explains
s o m e of the long past dates of the passing
of these m e n . W e will continue to catch up
on the list with each issue as well as list
n e w Folded Wings.
REUNION HELP
River Walk, Evening: Squadron Dinners.
W e are going to try a new idea for ourfirstreunion
Oct 22, Sun.: Tour: Institute of Texas Culture,
in San Antonio (see adjacent column ->). Each year, •
Mexican Market, La Villita, Sunken Gardens,
on a rotating basis, one squadron will be
Evening: Reunion Banquet with cash bar and
responsible for organizing and putting on the
Entertainment to follow.
entertainment on the evening of the Reunion
Oct. 23 Mon.: Farewell Buffet Breakfast (your
Banquet. The 1995 program is the responsibilty of •
treasury picks up the tab) 7:30-9:30 a.m. and
the 506th B o m b Squadron. Dick Pederson and Mel
it's C H E C K O U T & M O V E O U T .
Trager, the committee Co-Chairs, are busy getting
plans together as w e speak.. Dick is putting out a • Jim says he can do allthisfor$100. ahead,
call to all 506th membersforsomefinancialhelp
give or take a coupe of bucks, and a hotel room
"so the 50th can put on a program that will
rate of $65. N o w I ask you, is our good ole'VP
set the standard for all reunions to come!" If
doing a great job O R W H A T
you can give the boys s o m e help on the You could really help Jim and his planning if
entertainment expenses please send a check made you could call or drop a note or post card if w e
out to: 506th B.S. Entertainment Fund and mail to: can expect you to attend the '95 Reunion1, and
Richard Pederson, 751 10th St. East, Lot 32, and h o w m a n y family yuu will bring
Palmetto, F L 34221. Dick & Mel say Thank Vail. along. His address and phone # are in the
Executive Board listing
NORWAY MONUMENT
A bronze plaque will soon replace the wooden T H E STARS A N D STRIPES
memorial plaque at Kjeller Air Base, Norway which At our first meeting back in Colorad
commemrated the November 18, 1943 raid on the Springs (you know, where Will Lundy used all those
German held airfield by elements of the 44th, 93rd, proxy votes to ensure he wasn't elected president)
389th and 393nd B o m b Groups. T h e wood we had some discussion about obtaining a new flag
memorial plaque was dedicated to the six B-24 and all the campaign and award colors won by the
crews lost on the raid, four of the six were 44th 44th. Mel
crews. Its bronze replacement was dedicated this Trager is looking into the presentation protocols
month on the 50th anniversary of the raid. To fund while Tony Mastrodone is doing the research at the
the bronze plaque. Ed Dobson, Jr., is seeking non- Air Force Office of Heraldry
deductible donations totaling $700. as soon as on our award and campaign colors..
possible.. $25. + donors will receive and 8x10 print O n the flag. Mike Yuspeh has rung the bell! H e
and information about the dedication. After the contacted Senator J. Bennett Johnston of Louisiana
bronze is paid for, any remaining funds will be used in our behalf, and soon the 44th B o m b Group
to locate and notify next of kin of those KIA on that Veterans Association will be in
mission of the memorial and plaque. Please make possession of a U.S. Flag that has flown atop our
your check to: Edward M . Dobson, Jr. and send it Capitol. W e thank Senator Johnston and w e tip our
tohimatll8So. 15th Ave. #l,Bozeman, MT59715- hat to you Mike. W E L L Done!
4130.
Editor note: You may have noticed that Ed is our
Treasurer. d H e is an attorney and the son of Lt.
Edward M . Dobson. 67th B o m b Sqdn. Lt. Dobson
and crew were lost on the Kjeller raid.
REUNION N E W S
Our Vice President, Jim Clements is Reunion
Chairman for our October 19 - 22, 1995 Reunion in
San Antonio. His only mandate from the Executive
Board was give the members best reunion value
possible at the most reasonable cost you can
negotiate. From his early progress reports it looks
like we've got the right m a n on the job! While he
cautions that the schedule at this point is
necessarily subject to change, it looks like this:
•
Oct. 19, Thur: Registration; 8 Ball Pub opens
(drinks on the house for the duration),
evening Reception with hors d'oeuvres and
cash bar, dinner on your own (if you've got
room).
•
Oct. 20, Fri.: Tour Ft. Sam Houston, Alamo,
Missions, Lunch at Ft. S a m Officers Club.
Evening, Buffet Dinner & 44th B G V A
business meeting.
•
Oct. 21, Sat.: Shuttle Busses for a day on the
�WILL SEZ
About the archives I have; there is a room full of statistics, photos, diaries,
To echo the President, welcome to the first issue of our 8 Ball
Tails. I want to talk about this journal a bit since to m y mind this etc. covering the 31 months of our operations, 1942-45. There are about
periodical is the real glue that will hold our organization together. 90% of all formation sketches of cpmbat missionsflown;most of the Missing
Our national and regional reunions are a bunch of fun and they Air Crew Reports; a smattering of the post-mission Air Crew Interrogation
give us an opportunity for face to face visits, but this is a lot of Reports; a record of each plane and crew lost in combat, what happened to
eating, drinking and B S'ing; historical and a lot to do with our each m a n and a complete listing of all airplanes that flew combat missions
44th heritage yes, but little, if anything on paper for the record. with the 44th. I have also compiled a crew listing for nearly all crews that
So where do w e get the really good stuff? Research of official flew with the 44th, segregated by squadrons and embellished with m u c h
records and archives is, of course, the meat and potatoes of the information gleaned from m y records. All of this data is here in m y h o m e
military historian, but the G R A V Y , the stuff that brings history to available for any research by 44th'ers. All of these records will one day be
life, that brings smiles to your face and tears to your cheeks are transferred to our museum, wherever it isfinallylocated. In regards to our
the personal recollections of those w h o were there and took part records, W e all o w e a big T H A N K Y O U to T O N Y and K A T H Y
when history happened. Whether you realize it or not every 44th'er M A S T R A D O N E for all of their research through the 44 boxes of our group
has an obligation to "tell it like was," to help make the gravy that operational records in the National Archives at Suitland, M D . They were
will make our honorable history a living, lasting, interesting thing instrumental in forcing the Archives Staff to make a search for missing
data which resulted in the "discovery" of two more boxes covering the
for our descendants.
1942 and early '43 operations!
So how do wc fulfill this obligation? Well before CRS really sets in
w e sit down and really think about everything w e can remember We must also thank our Membership Director, ART HAND. He has recently
about every aspect of every mission or m o v e m e n t that you found over 200 "lost" members, and with his new Compact Disk phone
participated in during your time with the 44th. I'm talking loading directory, he is really picking up speed. Art has been doing most of this
bombs, crew chiefing, navigating, packing parachutes, briefing out of his pocket since the H M G was only budgeting a fraction of his
the mission, or sewing up wounded airmen back from a mission, expenses. That's all going to change; if w e can't support the bread & butter
your recollections belong in the gravy! So h o w does this work for of our organization, "What's it all about.Alfie?"
m e , the Group Historian (and acting Treasurer, dammit doesn't
anybody want to be Treasurer?). L E T T E R S F O L K S , Y O U ' V E G O T Please note, we kept this issue slim because we are making this mailing
T O W R I T E L E T T E R S . Here's what happens, I get your letter the entire 3000+ mailing list so w e can stimulate our 44th'ers to get back in
L°lling your "war story," funny, sad, embellished a bit, whatever. Ithe tent. Don't worry, I've got lots of "gravy" for the next issue!
check the archival-historical data I have on the event to paste up Will Lundy
any gaps from your recollection and records, glean anything I
can from your story which willfillany gaps I have and the gravy
gets thicker, so to speak. Of course your letter goes on to the 8
Ball Tails for all to share.
It has been fascinating this 50th anniversary year of D-Day how
much interest in W W II has surfaced. Our kids, the Baby Boomers,
are all of a sudden asking questions like "tell m e again, Dad what
was that airplane you flew in the war?" and "Dad, were you ever
on a ship like the Jeremiah O'Brien?" It really plucks on your
heartstrings! What was really heartwarming was the number of
sons and daughters that accompanied their parents to the Colorado
Springs Reunion. They are hungry to know our history, and w e
owe it to them.
44th B o m b Group
Veterans Association
Address correction requested
Stamp
���about it until three years later. At an air show I was
speaking to a local collector and he indicated that one of
the crew had c o m e from Rochester and had been killed
w h e n the plane was shot d o w n over Dortmund, Germany
January 28, 1945. This was the first information I had.
A year later one of m y patient's husbands saw the
picture in a book about Robert Taylor's paintings and
had realized that I was the owner of the original. H e told
m e s o m e m o r e details about the squadron and
subsequently, Harry Goldbrecht from the 8th Air Force
Association in San Clemen te, California, was kind enough
to give m e the address of Pete Henry in N e w Jersey.
Shortly afterwards, in October of 1993,1 was put in touch
with Will Lundy, w h o you all know as the B o m b Group
historian.
Through Will, I was able to contact George Washburn
and S a m Armour, w h o were the co-pilot and navigator
from Elmer Kohler's crew w h o flew Corky 23 times out of
65 missions. Elmer Kohler, the pilot, had not been seen
since 1947, but eventually, with the help of Art H a n d and
his trusty P C and C D telephone directory we tracked
Elmer d o w n to just outside Los Angeles. Lester (Jim)
Dietz the radio operator, lived in northern California;
quite close to Roy O w e n and Oliver Cardinal. Their
engineer was just across the border in Michigan. Over
the past two years, the following story has been put
together of their remembrances, from the National
Archives in Washington, from Will Lundy's records, also
those from Bill Beitling in Kansas City, and from many
families who's relatives had passed away in the meantime.
O n e of the difficulties is that 50 years later, many of
the people involved are no longer alive, especially those
involved in the last flight of the plane. However, Marylin
O'Brien, who's brother Burt Steinmiller was one of the
gunners from Corky, has been valuable in providing
guidance of m y search, as she remembered m a n y
individuals and their h o m e addresses.
T h e families of Vern Kirkey and Glen Mace, w h o also
did not return from that fatal mission, have been helpful
in providing information including letters and
photographs. BurtSteinmillerandVemKirkey'smothers
are alive at the ages of 95 and 96 respectively.
T h e relatives of Patrick Colosimo, the radio operator,
and Maurice Corwine, the pilot, (both of them survived
the crash) have both provided valuable information in
documenting the story.
T h e G e r m a n Embassy in Ottawa, through Lt. Colonel
Ibrom, were helpful in forwarding m y correspondence
to Germany, though the official records didn't provide
any information. T h e local newspaper in Dortmund
where the plane crashed, provided a wealth of
information from a local aviation expert whojust recently,
in late October, provided the statements from two young
boys w h o actually saw the plane crash.
The story is incomplete as m a n y of the individuals
from m a n y of the crews are not available for interview
having passed away. Also m a n y individuals have promised
information which hasn't yet c o m e available. M a n y
remember in explicit detail; others have only sketchy
memories. T h e official records, I've realized, are never
accurate and one frequently gets conflicting information.
If anyone is left out, it isn't that I wished to do so, but t
in many cases the information just wasn't available. If
anyone has any information that they wish to give, it will
be gratefully received.
This then is the story of Welcome Sight, Corky, E-l 01
B-24 H-21 BT42-51101 was one of the last planes
produced in a block of 149 H model B-24 Liberator
Bombers contracted at the end of August, 1943 and
produced by Douglas Aircraft Corporation at it's Tulsa,
Oklahoma plant from a kit of parts produced by Ford
Motor C o m p a n y at Willowrun, Michigan. T h e plane
came off the assembly line around the end of April, 1944,
the exact date is not clear from the records, but it was
accepted by the U S A A F on the 15th of May, 1944. The
plane did not have ball turret and was one of the first to
have K-6 waist gun mounts. These were the features of
the plane that can be determined from what is available.
She was rather unusual in also having heavier armor
plate around the engine nacelles, though I haven't been
able to confirm this. C o m m e n t s have been m a d e that
the plane was heavier than other H's and this may in fact
be the reason.
H o w she got from Tulsa, Oklahoma to Britain,
whether by the Northern route or Southern route is not
available from the available records at this time.
She shows as having been assigned 68th b o m b
squadron, 44th b o m b group shortly after the beginning
ofjune, 1944.
She was assigned to crew chief, Barton Cramer and
his ground crew of Robert Krueger, Joe Crisman, and
Chuck Wagner. T h e first mission was flown to Angers,
France on the 8th ofjune with subsequent missions
listed as the 10th ofjune, 17th ofjune, all three missions
with Reuben Rickett's crew. W e b b Todd's 68th Squadron
history doesn't show a mission on the 10th ofjune, so
this m a y b e a typographical error, for the 12th ofjune to
Illiers L'Eveque, France.
N o damage was sustained, but on the 20th ofjune
with Arnold Larson's crew, she had 12 flak hits over
Politz. O n the 21st ofjune, with Bonnet's crew, no
damage was sustained, and on the 22nd (Larson's crew)
she sustained one flak hit. O n the 25th, with Ford's crew,
there was no flak damage. However, Arnold Larson and
crew, on their last mission, 29th of June, sustained
numerous hits over Magdeburg. Apparently, the flak on
this mission was one of the worst that the 68th had
encountered. So severe, that the 506 squadron lost two
�O n the 29th ofjuly, E K a n d crew went to Bremen. They
aircraft, with the 68th having 12 damaged.
Robert Knaplein crews flew to Beaumont LeRoger, had lost their magnetic attraction and E 101 returned
France. O n the 6th of July she with Donald's crew, but with no flak damage (a record for them). O n the 31st of
the mission is not listed as to target. 7th ofJuly, Reuben July, T o m m y Kay's crewflewher to Ludwigshafen without
Ricketts again flew her to Darenburg. This was one of the significant damage.
In August, she was flown on the 1st, 3rd and 4th by EK
worst missions that the 68th had to fly; 3 aircraft and
crews were lost and 5 aircrafts received category A / C and crew with the targets being Corbie with medium flak
damage, with 3 category A. Out of 12 aircraft, only 2 had and no damage. O n the 3rd, to Mery-Sur-Oise, the
no damage. O n the 11 th of July, she flew to Munich with weather was bad and the target could not be hit and an
Ford's crew and on the 12th, Knaplein's crew returned alternate was hit with excellent results. Again, there was
again to Munich. Reuben Ricketts crew flew her to no flak damage.
However, on the 4th of August it was a different
Saarbrucken on the 13th ofjuly. N o damage was sustained
matter.
O n this date, the 44th went to Kiel. O n this
as the flak was minimal and inaccurate.
O n the 18th ofjuly she was flown to Thorne, France occasion the group formation was being led by Bill
by Lt. Elmer Kohler. This was the third mission for Cameron as the group lead.
Bill was kind to give m e a commentary of this mission.
Elmer Kohler, but the first for his crew, he having flown
in the usual fashion as co-pilot in his first two missions. H e was c o m m a n d pilot and flew in I for I T E M take off at
Kohler flew Corky 23 missions subsequent to this date in 0955 hours. Apparently there was difficulty forming up
his tour and his crew is recognized as being the one to the full group of 36 aircraft. There was significant
which this aircraft is associated.
congestion in the formation area, however by 12 noon
Earlier to this date, E-l 01 was christened Corky after the wing formation was formed, the 68th being in the low
the infant son of Frank Davido, the 68th squadron position. T h e Frisian Islands were crossed at 1302 with
operations officer. T h e distinctive nose art with the little the 68th closing u p with the green group, with the blue
boy sitting on a b o m b with a m a p of Berlin was painted group being far behind. Shortly after this, a B-24 crashed
on the nose by Bob Krueger, the 68th squadron resident into the sea. T h e cause was not known. T h e formation
artist.
wasjoinedup with P-38's at approximately 1325 at 23500
T h e information on Corky's missions from this point feet, the formation having flown around Heligoland
between 18 July and the end of November, 1944 c o m e without any evidence of flak. By 1444, the 44th had left
from Kohler's crew. Thejuly 18th mission was particularly the target area, the weather was good but there was an
rough, Corky sustaining 6 flak holes, one through the effective smoke screen. Cameron, apparently, was in the
Plexiglas in the Bombardier's window which knocked b o m b bay w h e n the doors were opened, and being
S a m Armour's helmet off. T h e only other causality was without oxygen almost blacked out. T h e flak was also
Richard Calgoro's (tail gunner) chocolate bar, which burstingunderneath, but not close. Theformation then
was hit by a piece of flak. O n the 19th, the 68th was off let down to 18000 feet for the trip h o m e . Several aircraft
to Coblenz, again with E K (Elmer Kohler) O n c e again were in distress and the blue squadron caught the brunt
the flak was heavy, with 4 holes in the plane and the of the flak. P-38 fighters were in close escort and flying
pilot's side window being hit again! T o paraphrase E K , past north ofWilhelmshaven, he 44th saw a squadron of
"Had the left window (less than a foot from m y head) B-17's obliterate an airfield. T h e trip h o m e for the group
blown out, very noisy, very cold, very scary." O n the 20th was uneventful.
ofjuly, she went to Erfurt with Benjamin Ford's crew and
However, it was very eventful for E K and crew. As
on the 21st, Harrock's crew flew her to over usual, the magnetic personality of Kohler's crew became
Oberpappinhoffen. This was a long mission and 44th evident, Corky sustaining 23 holes from flak and the
b o m b group aircraft, including 2 from the 68th, were hydraulics being shot out (again). Coming h o m e she
lost. Apparently, on this mission Corky had to return was steadily losing altitude, partly with E Kflyingher on
because of mechanical problems. Kohler's crew on this the step to try and conserve fuel, but also because of one
mission flying W-224 had their usual attraction to flak, engine being feathered. Also a P-38 with a propeller
with the pilot's window being blown again with the wires feathered came along side and the question is w h o was
to EK's throat microphone being cut. O n the 24th of giving w h o moral support? At one point while crossing
July, flew to St. Lo with Robert Knaplein and Frank the Frisian Island there was some concern as to whether
Davido as c o m m a n d pilot.
or not they would m a k e it h o m e and Lester "Jim" Dietz,
O n the 25th the 68th went to St. Lo again with Elmer the radio operator, transmitted with the trailing wire
Kohler and again the magnetic attraction for flak aerial to give a position report. However, it became
occurred. Five flak holes, n u m b e r 3 engine out, and the evident that the altitude loss was less severe than they'd
pilot's window blown out while bombing at 13,000 feet. thought and the English Coast c a m e u p and anuneventful
4
�landing was made at Shipdham, apart from a second at that time could be very meager or plentiful, depending
engine cutting out on approach. O n the 8th of August, on your situation. Lester Dietz, the radio operator,
having been repaired, 101 was off to La Perth in France headed south to Glasgow for more lively entertainment.
with Ray Mondloh's crew. O n the 9th of August, E K and (In the summer of 1994, while on holiday at home, I
crewflew her to Sindelfingen again; 21 holesflakdamage spent an afternoon up at Aberfoyle. The Baillie Nichol
with bad weather obscuring the primary target on Jarvie is now derelict, being turned into apartments, but
Saarbrucken the secondary target. Apparently the at the local tourist office, the lady there who was 12 year
formation hadn't turned sufficiently to avoid a heavyflak old at the time in 1944, remembered her sister going to
concentration.
dances in the local hall with some Americanflightcrew.)
O n the 12th of August, Kay's crewflew tojuvincourt W h o knows, maybe it was the same crew, we'll never
with meagerflak and no damage. O n the 14th Mondloh's know.
crewflewher to Lyon again with noflakdamage. O n the
This area of Scotland was an area I frequented when
15th and 16th of August, with EK'sflewher to Ardorf and in medical school on weekends, kayaking. Young men in
Kothen with no damage.
their early 20's or late teens have the same interest
O n the 18th of August, the 44thflewto Nancy. O n whether in 1944 or in 1974. I won't elaborate any more!
this mission Elmer Kohler's crew landed at St. Lo due to
This was thefirstconnection that I found to myself
rudder cables having part and landing at a forward and Corky.
fighter's base near St. Lo. This was thefirstlanding of a
O n the 27th of August, while E K and crew were
heavy bomber at an Allied fighter base following the enjoying a well earned rest, Barnhart's crew flew her to
invasion.
Basdof uneventfully. O n September the 5th she was
The mystery here is that the formation map as briefedflown to Karlsruhe by Julian Dayball's crew, suffering
shows Kohler's crewflyingOrange 381, however, opinion minimalflakdamage. O n the 8th she returned to the
is split as to whether or not they were actuallyflyingE-101
same target with Pellow's crew and on the 10th of
that was listed as a reserve aircraft that day. I haven't September,flewto Ulm with Bill Kelly's crew and then to
been able to resolve this as memories are equally split onHanover with Ritter's crew on the 11th. O n the 13th of
this point. Elmer Kohler indicated that he felt it was September, E K and crew again sustained category A
Corky. W h e n the control cables parted, there were damage from flak! Shortly after this, George Washburn,
severe vibrations in the plane and on landing at St. Lo, the co-pilot, was checked out by Frank Davido and
they rolled up the steel runway because of the weight andpronounced to be suitable asfirstpilot (he took over
didn't endear themselves to the combat engineers. A Thurston VanDyke's crew, who'd been injured) and flew
piece offlakhad cut a rudder cable. Thefightergroup hisfirstmission as pilot in command on the 18th of
ground crew took a day or two to repair the damage and September to Best, Holland. This mission was flown at
later E K buzzed thefield,which in retrospect perhaps under 300 feet and the well-known photographs of
wasn't such a good idea, the damage havingjust been Corky that are on display at the U.S. Air Force Museum
and in Martin Bowmans book "Four Miles High", were
repaired.
O n the 24th of August, E K again attracted significant taken from Julian Dayball's plane.
damage from very stiffflak,category A/C. O n the 25th,
having been patched up yet again, they flew to Schwerin
airfield, an 8 hour mission. O n this mission, George
Washburn the co-pilot, was in the b o m b bay when the
b o m b bay doors were open and had a rather interesting
few minutes (being in a rather awkward position). O n
the 26th theyflewto Salzbergen with minimalflakand
no damage. Sam Armour, the navigator, had thefluand
his ears were plugged and had difficulty hearing.
Following this mission theyweresenton leave to Scotland
to the small village of Aberfoyle north of Glasgow. They
stayed at the Baillie Nichol Jarvie Inn, which is a rather
famous and well-known 18/19th coaching inn in a small
Sept. 18, 1944, Corky over Nimejen, Holland,
village just south of the Trossachs which is a very scenic
the low-level supply drop to the 82nd Airborne Di
area in the hills north of Glasgow.
During the week there, they met a fighter pilot who The lightflakon this mission was particularly heavy and
was seldom without a drink from a grateful crew. During there were 15 holes in the aircraft with damage to the gas
this time, they partook of the local entertainment, whichtanks and hydraulics.
®
�W h e n the formation returned to Shipdham, Elmer while the co-pilot was trying to maintain altitude.
Kohler was at the hard stand to watch Washburn and
They came down from 23,000 feet to approximately
crew return. George, who looked much younger than
12,000 feet prior to getting thefireout and then turned
his 21 years, was heard to exclaim, "Elmer, someone
for h o m e having dropped their bombs. Once again they
was trying to kill me," while they were inspecting the
were on their own with only one engine pulling full
damage to the plane.
power and two others on reduced power, heading for
home.
This mission was rather interesting as they were
dropping supplies to the 82nd airborne at Neimegen.
In the meantime, George Washburnflyingjust
Jim Colosimo, the brother of Pat Colosimo, was in fact behind, had prior to this been hit severely, spun out of
with the 82nd airborne in this area and saw the formation formation with control only being regained by use of the
going over.
auto pilot. Washburn and crew returned to Shipdham
M y father's tank unit was also not very far from this with one wheel damaged before Corky and thuspromptly
area, while fighting their way up to the Rhine bridges. closed the main runway landing. Kohler aborted his
Myformer consultant, while I was a medical student, approach to Shipdham and went down to Woodbridge,
was the regimental surgeon with the British Parachute
an RAF emergency station with a long runway. Oliver
Brigade that had dropped at Arhiem. O n the 25th of
Cardinal, the engineer, manually wound down the flap
September, the 68th went to Koblenz, with Leibrich's and they landed without brakes. They were holding off
crew. O n the 30th,
the nose prior to landing
Kohler's crewflewher
to slow up their approach
to H a m m , with no
speed, however, the codamage, and on the
pilot pulled back heavily
30th to H a m m again,
and the nose rose during
the second
time
flare just before the stall
sustaining category A
and the old war-horse
damage. Bill Kelly's
landed with considerable
crew took her to
noise, but with little
Lippstadt on the 5th
forward velocity!!
of October and on the
Sam Armour's map table
6th, Kohler's crew went
was badly holed and he
to Hamburg. O n this
still has a piece of shrapnel
trip, their usual
from this raid. They say
attraction to flak
that one is safe until a
occurred yet again,
bullet with your name on
with them limping
it reaches you. EK had a
The Maurice Corwine crew at Pueblo, CO, 2 Oct. 1944, during
across the north sea on
piece offlakland on his
training. L to R, back row: Lt. Corwine, Lt. Wayne Scott - Nav., Lt.
their own with a P-47 as
leg. The fragment, when
Robert Lough - CP, unidentified; LtoR, middle row: Patrick Colosimo
escort. O n the 12th of
examined later, had the
- Radio, Joseph Walker-Fit. Engr., Wilbert Steinmiller- LW Gunner;
October,
Julian
E K engraved on
L to R front row: Edward Weinman - Tail Gunner, Vernon Kirkey initials
Dayball's crewflewher
it. The damage was so
Nose Gunner, Glenn Mace, Jr. - RW Gunner.
to A c h m e r without
bad that it took 3 weeks to
damage. O n the 14th, 15th, 19th and 25th of October,
repair Corky, including a complete overhaul of hydraulic
EKand crewflew her again, the 14th, 15th and 19th
and braking system, replacement of Number 3 engine
being milk runs with no damage.
and repairs to two others. O n the 5th of November,
O n the 15th of October, for some reason, Corky's Kohler's crew, in the absence of their nowregularaircraft,
call letter was changed from E to H a n d I haven't been flew to Karlsruhe with moderateflak.Minimal damage
able to get any evidence as to why this was done.
was done to the aircraft. The aircraft was 711.
O n the 25th of October, EK and crew went to
Missions assigned on the 18th and 20th of November
Gelsenkirchen, with their reliable, but magnetic aircraft. were canceled, either before take off or during assembly
This was their worst raid up to this point. The flak and it was not until the 26th of November that Dolan's
was intense and accurate andjust before the bombing
crewflew to Bielefeld with no damage sustained. O n the
point, they were hit in the number 3 engine by an
27th the raid to Offenburg.John Vaughn's crew flew her
88mm. shell. This started afire. The co-pilot was flyingwithout damage.
hisfirstmission and on being told that number 3 was
Elmer Kohler's crewflew theirfinalmission in Corky
onfire,E K bent down to select thefireextinguisher,
on the 29th of November to Altenreken. There was
6
�complete cloud cover and radar bombing results were VanDyke's crewflewher, also on the 14th; However, the
unobserved. There was noflak.O n the following day on 14th's mission was aborted due to technical problems.
the 30th of November, 1944, Kohler's crewflying711 O n the 7th the mission was to Landau. O n the 21st of
completed theirfinalmission of their tour. Sam Armour January, Ned Anderson's crew flew her again to
volunteered to stay on and didn't leave the 68th until Heilbronn.
early April, 1945 working in operations. Elmer Kohler,
N o missions wereflownbetween the 22nd and 28th
Lester Dietz and Oliver Cardinal flew with a transport ofjanuary because of bad weather. O n the 28th, the
squadron for a short period during Ardennes offensive. mission was to attack a coking plant outside of Dortmund.
Richard Calgaro, Steven Gilsenen and Frank Tilton, the
The official version of the raid indicated that Corky
nose gunner, were transferred, with William Vafiades was hit byflakwith a direct hit in the b o m b bay shortly
apparently going to a weather observation unit, the before 12:00 just prior to bombs away, she pulled out of
others returning to the U.S.
formation, losingaltitude and exploded several thousand
O n the 4th, 10th and 12th of December, the aircraft feet below. Maurice Corwine, the pilot, and Patrick
was crewed by William Solomon's crew. O n the 4th they Colosimo, the radio operator, were the only two survivors
flew with the 491st b o m b group and I'm not sure of the Three parachutes had been reported from the plane.
reason for this. O n the 10th they flew to Bingen.
These were the official facts in W e b b Todd's book
Apparently on this raid there was a problem and a repeat and much of the official paperwork that I've seen.
pass over the target was required before the bombs were
The crews families were notified in the middle of
away.
February that the aircraft was missing, but little else was
O n the 12th, the mission was to Aschaffenburg. heard till Patrick Colosimo returned to the U.S., with
There was no flak. O n the 18th of December, toKyllburg Maurice Corwine following shortly after in May andjune
with Russell Ericson's crew. The raid was canceled just 8 in 1945. The details of what happened have been pieced
minutes from target because of bad weather, sortie together from Maurice Corwine's wife Delores, from
credit was allowed. There were no flights over Christmas Burt Steinmiller's sister and mother, who's still alive at
by Corky and on the 28th of December, Peter's crewflew 96, Vernon Kirkey's mother and sister (his mother's 95)
her to Kaiserslautern with no damage. However, it was aand the family of Glen Mace, the family of Bob Lough the
bad day for the 68th with 582 D missing in action. co-pilot, also supplied some details; but the remainder of
Another aircraft had to land on the continent with the crews relatives have not been traced to this date.
Trying to track down relatives 50 years after an event
damage, but with the crew being safe; and Corky's stand
partner, Lili Marlene 260P, had to abort due to engine is difficult, however, I had with some luck in knowing
problem in N u m b e r 2, missed the approach and that one of the crewhad come from Rochester. Once the
apparently lost another engine while turning back to theM A C R w a s reviewed and I realized that Burt Steinmiller
runway spun out and crashed. There were no survivors came from Rochester, I found a relative who put m e in
from the Second Lt. Jessie Bledsoe's crew. She's listed astouch with Burt's sister in Florida. Marylin provided
having flown on the 29th of December with Garbades many of the essential details of the crew, particularly
crew, but there's no notification as to the mission. O n Maurice Corwine, Patrick Colosimo and Robert Lough's
the 30th of December, William Solomon's crew again family and also of the Kirkey's and the Mace's.
Unfortunately, Patrick died in 1979; but his story was
took her to Ahrweiller. This was a radar attack due to
complete overcast. Theyearended with Ned Anderson's published in several newspapers. Glen Mace's nephew,
Michael Broshart, provided some newspaper clippings
crew going to Neuwied.
The N e w Year started on the 1st ofjanuary with a raid containing Patrick's story, also the same story was provide
to Koblenz, a railroad bridge over the Moselle. O n this from the local newspaperfrom Plymouth, Massachusetts,
raid the aircraft was piloted by Maurice Corwine and his Vern Kirkey's hometown.
While on the bomb run, Patrick Colosimo had gone
crew.
Glen Mace, one of Corwine's gunners, provides a down off the flight deck to open the bomb doors, as
commentary from his diary. The bomb load was 3-2,000 there apparently had been some technical problems
pound general purpose bombs, the mission time was 7 with one of the doors which was partly stuck open. Glen
hours and the bombs were dropped visually and on Mace had also come forward from his mid ships position
target. The bridge was destroyed and there was moderate and was assisting him in opening the door. The gears
flak, but not too accurate. Bud Steinmiller, the top were apparently stripped and the door on one side was
gunner, had one small piece offlakthrough the Martin only open about a foot. Corwine had told them to leave
turret. The following day, the 68th squadron returned to it and they were going to salvo the bombs later. Glen
Koblenz. Again there was no damage when William Mace was returning to his waist position and Colosimo
Solomon's crewflew the mission. O n the 7th ofjanuary, turned to go back up to the flight deck. At that point, th
�ship shuddered and there was severe heat on his back T h e anti-aircraft batteries hit a silver plane; the right
and flames all around him. His clothes caught on fire, wing which went onfire,broke off, and the plane spun
as he was disconnected from the intercom. H e didn't down. T h e witnesses only saw one parachute, though
know what was said following this and piecing together later information indicated that there were two survivors.
from several sources, apparently he was pushed out by T h e east wind blew the parachute towards Dortmund,
someone else through the b o m b bay. H e was not aware suburb of M e n g d e , and the remains of the plane came
of what happened for a period till he came around, his d o w n in Dortmund-Derne. Colosimo landed on a street
parachute deployed, with no signs of any other called A m A m m e r b a u m . At this point, there was a flak
parachutes, but a large fire on the ground. Patrick
unit 8 8 m m . crewed by m e m b e r s of the Arbeitsdienst
indicated that he had been picked u p by Germans and
(young m e n too young for military service) and 105 m m
thrown into a village prison where the news of his crew battery of the Luftwaffe. There was some argument as to
was variable and was told that 6 were dead and then later w h o should take him prisoner and in the meantime two
that they were all alive. H e was moved to several
police officers arrived and lifted him u p and carried him
different prison camps following this, and on the 5th of approximately 1 1/2 k m . to the local police station. H e
M a y his prison c a m p was liberated coincidentally by the was wounded and bleeding from the head and his right
82nd airborne to which his brother was attached. Being leg was broken. O n the way, they passed a number of
injured, he was shipped out by ambulance to a hospital. civilians w h o were standing on the street, screaming
His brother Jim, only missing him by 20 minutes. H e "murderer" and w h o spat and kicked him. O n e of them
returned to the U.S. in late M a y where he contacted the kicked his broken leg and Patrick screamed. At this
relatives of his crew. Maurice Corwine returned h o m e point, the police officers did not take any action and the
shortly after and his story was basically similar, having witness said that the journey was like (running the
been blown clear of the plane in the explosion and
gauntlet). O n e of the little boys grabbed a heated glove
having been taken prisoner.
that he was carrying. W h e n they reached the police
In early 1995, I was able to get some copies of station, he was left on the steps and the police officers
captured G e r m a n documents, which were the official went inside. T h e two young boys came u p to Patrick and
Luftwaffe communications regarding the crash from a saw that he was covered in sweat and that there were tears
Captain Maas w h o was the engineer in charge of the
running d o w n his face. At that point the local
salvage crew, indicating that there had been 4 identified Ortsgruppen Leiter (local Nazi party official) Franz
bodies; Scott, Steinmiller, Lough and Mace, with 4 Land arrived on his bicycle, ran u p the stairs towards the
unidentifiable bodies at the crash scene. At this point, prisoner. Patrick must have gotten a shock when he saw
there seemed little else in the National Archives from
this real Nazi in his brown uniform coming towards him
the German point of view and on playing a hunch, I after what had happened on his journey from the street.
contacted the Germany Embassy in Ottawa and spoke to However, Land entered the police station and there was
Lt. Colonel Christen Ibrom, the military attache, w h o
a loud argumen t, the basis of which was that the policemen
was extremely helpful in forwarding m y request to the had not carried out their duty to protect the prisoner
German Archives, which did not bring u p any definite w h o had been abused. T h e police officers defended
specific evidence for m e . H e did suggest that I contact themselves saying that Dr. Goerbels had said (no mercy
the local newspaper in Dortmund and they might be for the terrorflyers).Patrick was then carried inside and
able to give additional help. This was done in early put in a detention cell in the basement and the two boys
October and only 2 weeks later I received a letter saw him through a window. H e was moaning, "Help me,
containing the information about the crash.
help me." O n e of the police officers left the police
Unfortunately, because of the closeness to the station and fetched Dr. Hallermann, the local doctor,
promised date of completion some of the details are not w h o came and gave him medical treatment.
available, but to summarize the findings, it will show the
T h e police had informed the local Luftwaffe at
difference in perspective, though the story is remarkably Brackel air base, but it was several days before he was
similar to those of Pat Colosimo.
picked up. T w o soldiers had gone for the prisoner and
I have to thankStephen Klemp of the local newspaper helped him to the front door; however, Patrick dropped
for providing this information and Horst Munter the
the crutches, pushed the soldiers aside and limped down
local aviation enthusiast in Dortmund, w h o collected
the steps. W h e n the back of the truck was opened, he
the information. His information camefrom two sources; found there were several other American air crew in the
H e r m a n Luer and Willy Pietrzak, w h o were young boys truck. His spirits rose and he pulled himself onto the
at the time w h o witnessed the crash.
truck.
T h e story is thatjust before noon on a clear and cold
I spoke to Horst Munter by phone and he, though his
wintry day the American bombersflewover Dortmund. English is limited, and m y G e r m a n is non-existent, we
8
�managed to piece together similar details of the story.
Corky exploded in mid air and the wreckage was spread
over a considerable area. The German records indicated
that it was 9 5 % percent demolished. The wreckage was
cleared by the members of the Luftwaffe, commanded
by Captain Maas and also by an officer called Zebrowski.
Four of the dead were identified at the scene by their
dog tags; Glen Mace, Wayne Scott, Burt Steinmiller and
Robert Lough. The other crew members, Earl Howser,
DATE: 28 January
Joseph Walker, Vern Kirkey, and Edward Weiman were
T A R G E T : Dortmund, Germany
not identified till much later. They were buried in the
main cemetery in Dortmund on the 9th ofjanuary.
The Coking Plant at Dortmund was attacked but
However, it was not until much later in the year, aroundbombing were poor, due to several circumstances
Squadron aircraft crash landed on the continent,
December, that the graves were actually investigated
injuries. One 68th Squadron aircrajt did not retu
and in March of 1946 they were transferred to the
Ardennes National Cemetery, close to Liege in Belgium.
Horst Munter also indicated that, and I may have 68th Squadron A/C #42-51101 H or E CORKY
Missing Air Crew Report #12007
gotten the translation slightly wrong, but apparently a
number of years ago a portion of a propeller and an
engine were found from the crash area, Horst indicated 68th Squadron Crew:
that he will keep in contact with m e to get some more
CORWINE, MAURICED.
Pilot
1st Lt.
details of what happened.
A S N 0-771320
EvadeeP/Returned
The official U.S. Air Force records indicate that
Sedalia, Missouri
there were 3 parachutes, but many of the witnesses from
the 68th b o m b group are no longer alive. However, T o m LOUGH, ROBERTL.
Co-Pilot
Fit Of.
A S N T-l26827
KIA
West the engineer from Solomon's crew saw Corky hit
and his friend, Ray Zgoda who has also died, left a diary West Virginia
with the details in it.
SCOTT, WAYNES.
Navigator
2nd Lt.
N o w 50 years later, memories fade and the number A S N 0-206605
KIA
West Palm Beach, Florida
of individuals associated are few, but Robert Taylor's
painting, Welcome Sight, and the prints that were taken
HOWSER, EARL P.
Radar - Nav.
IstLt.
off the original will hopefully provide a lasting memory A S N 0-864127
KIA
of afinecraft that brought its crew safely home 64 times, Kansas City, Missouri
with fate intervening on the 65th and last mission.
WALKER, JOSEPH H.
Engineer
T/Sgt.
Recognition should also be given to the ground
A S N 14135751
KIA
crew of Barton Cramer, Joe Crisman, Chuck Wagner
Sycamore, Alabama
and Bob Krueger for keeping their plane, and it really
was their plane, flying despite the cold, the wet and m u d COLOSIMO, PATRICKN
Radio Oper.
T/Sgt.
Evadee?/Returned
of an English airfield, gettingup in the early morning to A S N 13061725
prepare her for her missions and then waiting the long Branchton, Pennsylvania
wait till she returned. Then having to repair the damage KIRKEY, VERNON O.
Nose Turret
S/Sgt.
sustained, in addition to the routine servicing, but
A S N 31166867
KIA
Plymouth, Massachusetts
managing to get her ready for the next mission which
often meant working through the night in extremely
MACE, GLENN E. Jr.
R W Gunner
S/Sgt.
severe conditions.
ASN17151925
KIA
The picture, Welcome Sight, provides a lasting
Washington, Iowa
memory to these men, those who returned and those
STEINMILLER, WILBERTR. LW Gunner
S/SgL
who didn't and their aircraft.
A S N 12239759
Rochester, N e w York
KIA
WEINMAN, EDWARD I. Tail Turret
A S N 32828525
Long Island, N e w York
KIA
S/Sgt.
�4TH BOMB G R O U P VETERANS ASSOCIATION
04 Meadowridgr Drive • Santa Rosa. CA 95*09 • 707-538-4726 • Fax 707-538-1212
October 14, 1995
Mr. John Page
6 Meadow Way
Poringland, Norwich
NR14 7LZ
United Kingdom
Dear John:
Please accept this copy of The Second Air Division History as a
token of the great respect and gratitude held for you by the
m e m b e r s of the 44th B o m b Group Veterans Association.
Your long, loyal and dedicated friendship with the 44th over
the years has been displayed in m a n y ways. Most significantly.
with your annual Memorial Day travel to the American
Cemetery at Maddingley to provide a n d place a beautiful
wreath In the n a m e of the 44th B o m b Group to the m e m o r y of
our fallen comrades buried there.
Additionally, the personal contact and guidance you so
untiringly provide to any of our group a n d their families w h e n
visiting the Norwlch-Shlpdham area has deeply endeared you
to the hearts of our 44th family, of which you are a part.
While we can never expect to fully express our gratitude for all
your help a n d loyalty, w e hope this history will give you
pleasure and b e a reminder of h o w m u c h w e treasure your
friendship.
Slnce/ely,
Roy yv'. Owen.
President
John Page at the
American Cemetery,
Maddingley,
May 30, 1994
�FLYING CONTROL
December, 1944
great text about another of our
H e r e is s o m e m o r e
support units. T h e only p r o b l e m here is that I don't
k n o w w h o submitted this report. C a n a n y o n e fill us in o n
w h o w a s the Senior Flying Control Officer?
At the outset it should be made clear that the name Flying
Control is a misnomer. This Section has as its basic function
the safety of the aircraft and crew from time of take-off until
it is safely o n the ground again, whether at this aerodrome or
some other.
Probably a brief resume of the history of Flying Control
and h o w it came into existence in our Air Force is in order.
After the first year of war, Great Britain found that her losses
in aircraft were far greater o n non-operational flights and on
the ground than they were because of actual combat. A study
of the causes of this situation resulted in the establishment of
the Flying Control Organization within the R.A.F. under the
Director of Aircraft Safely, Air Ministry.
Shortly after the entry of the United States into the war,
liaison between our two Air Forces indicated the need for such
a system within our forces. This w a s especially true because
of the expectation that large numbers of our aircraft would be
flying from bases in the U.K. where they would have to comply
with R.A.F. rules and regulations.
T o that end, early in July, 1942, ten officers were sent from
the U.S. to England and placed o n detached service with the
R.A.F. for training in Flying Control. The Senior Flying Control
Officer of this station w a s one of that original group. Since that
time, hundreds of U S A A F officers have received this training
in the R.A.F.
Flying Control is analogous to Base Operations back in
the States, but the similarity divides sharply once w e leave its
fundamental purpose. In the U.S. flying is conducted almost
wholly according to peace time and civilian airline requirements.
Here, w e have only military flying as dictated by the needs of
training in n e w techniques and the d e m a n d s of the strategic
and tactical situation. Thousands of aircraft flying day and
night into, out of, and within a country n o larger than one of
our m e d i u m sized states back h o m e . O u r job is to provide
every humanly possible facility to these aircraft.
Broken d o w n into its major headings, Flying Control is
responsible for: supervision of Aerodrome maintenance,
taxying, take-off and landing instructions for aircraft, local air
traffic control, the provision of certain navigational aids and
facilities, instituting air sea rescue, locating and homing
facilities for aircraft that are lost or in distress, various night
landing light navigational aid facilities, instituting air sea
rescue action through proper channels, routing of nonoperational flights, recognition and identification procedure,
air raid broadcasts.
Early in the Group's operational history, our Flying
Control Section realized that inadequate research and thought
had been given to the problems of bad weather daytime
landings. T h e R.A.F. system of Aerodrome night lights were
excellent for just what they were intended for, but were
useless for aircraft flying in daytime and returning to land
under the worst possible conditions of visibility and ceiling.
The non-existence of what w e considered proper (0865)
11
equipment, together with the shortage of supply of any
equipment and our inability to procure suitable substitutes
presented rather tough obstacles. However, even under these
circumstances, w e did manage to devise a system of runway
lights and lights out in the country to act as pylons for the
planes to m a k e their turns on, which are still second to none
in this country. This is evidenced by the fact that invariably
during really bad visibility, all of our planes will land here, plus
one or more aircraft from other Groups, w h o s a w our lights.
T o date, our system of bad weather Aerodrome landing lights
has been in operational for more than one and a half years and
the n u m b e r of aircraft saved by it is large. T h e British Air
Ministry has twice sent an aircraft d o w n to m a k e d u m m y raids
on it for the purpose of checking u p o n its adoption. The
Senior Flying Control Officer of First B o m b Division has
inspected it with the idea of adopting it so far as practicable
in First Division. Various stations in Second Air Division are
using features of it and one station is building it in its entirety.
O n one occasion, under similar weather conditions, 22 of our
o w n aircraft, plus five from other Second Division stations and
thirty-two B-17's from First Division were landed during very
poor visibility and a heavy s n o w storm in less time than other
stations took to get their o w n aircraft on the ground.
A n y suggestions from flying personnel as to h o w w e can
improve our service to them is welcomed and if practical, put
into effect. A n Alert Crew is always on duty to meet, park and
service visiting aircraft. Since this section has a considerable
number of activities associated with R.A.F. night flying, it is
necessary that there always be a complete staff on duty. Alert
crew, crash crew, flarepath crew, Sandra lights crew, Pundit
crew, Airfield Controller, Airman of the Watch, Radio-telephone
operator, clerks and a duty Flying Control Officer, all maintain
a system of watches throughout the 24 hours of the day.
Realizing that the Aerodrome is the front door to the Base
for most flying personnel and large numbers of passengers,
particular stress has always been placed on neatness, cleanliness
and attractiveness of the Control T o w e r and its grounds. At
considerable personal expense, a beautiful flower garden was
created around the Control T o w e r this past year and it is
expected that this year an even prettier and larger one will be
developed.
The December Monthly Flying Control Report of this
station which goes o n to higher C o m m a n d s , indicates 19
heavy bombers, from other aerodromes, in difficulty or
distress, were given sufficient assistance by this Section to
enable them to m a k e safe landings here. O f this number and
because of the efficiency of the Section and the aids and
facilities provided, six of these aircraft were possibly saved
from crashing. This is a fairly typical month and it is worth
noting that the figure of 19 is exclusive of our o w n aircraft!
(0866)
In conclusion, regardless of w h o s e responsibility a duty
m a y be, this Section has never hesitated to either d o or see that
the job is done. Other Units and Sections o n this base have
been extremely helpful and co-operative with us in the
performance of our duties and our thanks are due them for
such excellent teamwork. (Finis) (0867)
�DOING OUR JOB
Editor: Better have the Kleenex nearby for this great story! After reading three issues of this journal, you must
that communication amongst the 44th family is our primary purpose. Assisting one m e m b e r to find another, finding a family
m e m b e r or crew m e m b e r since deceased, or helping a crew get together after all these years is the high point of doing this job.
You, by now, probably have guessed that occasionally your Editor is sitting at this computer tryingtotype through the tears,
emotional guy that I am. This is one of those days. This story will, no doubt, be the benchmark in rewards for doing our job, and
one you won't soon forget.
Well start with an article authored by staff writer D a w n Drago for the Reading (PA) Eagle/Times on Sunday, M a y 7,1995. The
article concerns Mrs. Lois (Shaeffer) Cianci of Sinking Springs, PA. She responded to an Eagle/Times Commemoration of the
50th anniversary of V E Day plea for copies of letters of love to and from those separated in the war years. Her Letters of Love
were from her father Technical Sergeant Clair P. Shaeffer, 68th B o m b Squadron, 44th B o m b Group (H) Shipdham, England.
�Lois Cianci holds dear the lovedown over France and he was
A feu years ago, she decided to nearly every day we have a short
notes she received as a tot from areported missing in action.
give up nursing to help care for sprinkle. I fully expect to be ship
dashing airman, her father.
Several months later, the infants in the Childhood
within thefollowing three days so
wreckage was found and he was Education Center at the hospital. do not write until you receive my
By Dawn Drago
officially declared dead.
Both of her own children are
new address. I hope it will be
Eagle/Times
Lois went to live with her
grown now, and she has begun to
Denver, Colorado. Keep your
Lois Cianci, 56, of Lower
father's half-sister, w h o was try to track d o w n the exact
Heidelberg Township was a little married with two children of her locadon of her father's grave in fingers crossed for me sweetheart
I am getting along very well
girl during World W a r II, butshe own.
Belgium.
down
here and really like it
got love letters, photos and
"I'm told the cemeteries there
Except for the photos, letters,
tremendously because now I have
trinkets from a dashing airman. his uniform cap, his Bible, his are beaudful," she said.
After he was shot down over
Her husband, who works at
flight
wings
and
his
been introduced to quite afew very
Carpenter Technology, has an
France in 1944, those precious posthumously-awarded Purple
interesting people.
few things were all she had left of Heart, Lois has only dim
acquaintance w h o lives in
Many, many times in the course
memories to remind her of her Belgium, and Cianci said he has
her daddy.
of the day, the memory of my
And her Daddy was all she had. father. A n d , as with most promised to try to locate the
sweetheart back home comes into
In Reading in 1942, Clair P. childhood memories, it's difficult grave.
"I'd like to go there someday, my mind, and I never tire of
Shaeffer was a route salesman for to sort out what she really
remembered and what she was or at least see a picture of it," she showingtheboysyourpicture and
Maier's Bakery, a divorced m a n
telling them about you. They all
said, sitting in her living room
told later.
raising his 3-year-old daughter
She does, however, remember looking over her father's say you must be a grand girl.
alone in an era long before day
the years of her childhood after belongings.
care centers.
I wish I could see you and hear
"But I have lots of things to you talk. Daddy is terribly prou
W h e n he had nowhere to leave her father was killed.
I was often angry at him for remember him by, which I'm
his litde girl during his work
of you. I am looking forward to
hours, he took her with him on leaving me," she acknowledged. sure lots of kids don't have."
your birthday. Imagine, you'll b
the truck. Sometimes, she spent "I kept that picture of him on m y
4yearsold. A realbigyounglady.
the days at her uncle's gas station dresser and one time I got so (3D
Thelights aregoingoffin about
mad, I knocked it on the floor Sept. 9, 1942
in Shillington.
10
minutes so until Daddy comes
Somehow, father and daughter and broke the glass."
home, his love will make the star
"And yet I knew that he would Darling Lois,
managed.
But, then, Shaeffer was called have come back to m e if he had
Daddy is sending afew picturesshine for his little darling Lois
survived."
Daddy
into the Army Air Force, where
ofhimselfand his bunkmates and
For years, she clung with a
he would later be trained as a
a girl by the name of Mary. I am
flightengineerandturretgunner child's faith to die hope that her
From Army Air Force Tech.
veiy glad to hear your whooping
father
wasn't
really
dead.
Sgt. Clair Shaeffer to his 3-yearon a B-24 Liberator bomber and
"I kept thinking maybe he lost cough is getting so much better,
old daughter Lois in Reading.
earn the rank of technical
a leg and he didn't want to come keep that chin up, be a good girl
sergeant.
and we'll lick that easily.
h o m e that way, that maybe he
H e had no alternative other
This is one of the uniforms
than to leave his young daughter stayed (in France)," she said. "I
with a succession of friends as he always thought that one day the Daddy has and the longer he stays
doorbell wouldringand I would in the Army, the prouder he is to
went off to war.
Lois Cianci of Wernersvilled
The friends were good to litde open the door and he would be
wear it.
shared this photograph of her
Lois, but still her father fretted there."
Down here, the rainy seasonfather's air crew. He is standin
She read stories about heroic
from afar, worrying when she got
at the far right
has just commenced and very
whooping cough, sending h o m e nurses who cared
for injured fliers
his pay to cover her room and
board, saving up to buy her a set and decided that
of sturdy bedroom furniture, she would become
aflightnurse so she
which she still has.
His letters to her are tender, could help injured
filled with affection and a streamG.I.'s like her
of pet names - "Dear Snooks," father.
"Ever since I was
"Dear Princess," even "Dear
litde, I wanted to
Crybaby."
H e sent her photos of himself be a nurse - a flight
and his bunkmates, and he wrote nurse," she said.
She did go on to
her often.
a
Once, he sent a large portrait b e c o m e
registered
nurse
of himself in uniform.
The friendsframedit, and Lois and to work for
m a n y years at
kept it on her dresser.
They saved his letters, too, so Reading Hospital.
she would have them when she Along the way, she
married Anthony
got older.
She wasfiveon Jan. 21, 1944, Cianci, and they
when her father's plane was shot had two children.
�We pick the story up with a letter written by Bob Maiden to our own Pete Henryafter being approachedb
at the Reading, PA Air show commemorating the 50th Anniversary of WWII.
June 19, 1995
Mr. H.C. Henry
1648 Portland Lane
Jamesburg, NJ 08831
Dear Mr. Henry
I'm writing this letter on behalf of Lois (Shaeffer) Cianci w h o m I met at the 50th
anniversary W W I I air show in Reading, PA. She approached m e because I was wearing
an 8AFHS cap. After hearing her story, I offered to contact someone through the
Second Air Div. Assn. to see it anyone can reach out to her.
Her father, T/Sgt. Clair P. Shaeffer, was shot down over France 1/21/44; she was 5
at the time. Her only remembrances are photos (copy enclosed), and letters he wrote
to her as his only child.
The particulars are: T/Sgt. Clair P. Shaeffer, 8AF, 44th BG, 68th BS, stationed at
Shipdham, England. His plane was "Nice 'n Naughty." O n the photo he is standing
at the extreme right. Unfortunately, the others are not identified.
In letters some of his crew were referred to as Tommy, Coss, Stinky, Shock and Sammy.
Presumably they perished with him. But there might be some out there who knew this
crew and can provide bits and pieces of info. Mrs. Cianci would be grateful.
Her address is:
Mrs. Lois Cianci
871 North Church Road
Sinking Spring, P A 19608
Thanks for any help you can offer.
I
Cordially,
Bob Maiden
7408 Henry Avenue
Phila., PA 19128-1402
(389th BG, 567th BS, Hethel)
Pete Henry, our Group Vice President to 2nd Air Division, then wrote to WillLundy, our Historian. Will
directly to Lois Cianci by sending her excerpts from The Webb Todd 68th Bomb Sqdn. History concerning
Frank W Sobotka crew on which T/Sgt. Shaeffer served. He also identifiedallofthe Sobotka crew member
photo and provided her with the current addresses of the surviving crew, along with the Missing Air Cre
from the 44th Roll of Honor which he compiled and published.
14
®
�68th Squadron
A / C #42-7501
P
N o Name?
MACR#2360
68th Squadron Crew:
SOBOTKA, FRANK W.Jr.
Pilot
KIA
IstLt.
Flushing, New York
ROSENBLATT, MILTONL.
Co-Pilot
IstLt.
ASN 0-676018
Miami Beach, Florida
POW
TETTEL, ABRAHAM
Bombardier IstLt.
Evadee/Returned
Pasadena, Texas
Engineer
KIA
Wernersville, Pennsylvania
ASN 0-799486
ASN 0-678456
SHAEFFER, CLAIR P.
ASN 33187932
CAPIZZI, THOMAS F.
T/Sgt.
Radio Oper. T/Sgt.
KIA
Bronx, New York
ASN 32533914
SMANLETTO, AUGUSTF.
Ball Turret
Santa Barbara, California
ASN19062047
POW
ROSS, ANDREW J.
R W Gunner S/Sgt.
POW
ASN35663111
SHOCKLEY, CHARLES W. L W Gunner
ASN15332970
POW
REEVES, CLARENCE D.
Tail Turret
KIA
ASN13046428
S/Sgt.
Cold Springs, Kentucky
S/Sgt.
Milan, Indiana
S/Sgt.
Millvale, New Jersey
The M A C R had very little information, "At 1524 hours aircraft #42-7501 was hit by enemy aircraft and the bombs were droppe
immediately. It was observed to circle off to the left and to begin burning, apparendy under control. Enemy aircraft attacks
became so intense at thistimethere was no further chance to observe.
LL Milton L. Rosenblatt, co-pilot, added these comments:
"We were attacked by M e 109's while circling tofindour target. Both engines on the left side were shot out, putting us in a st
left turn and rolling our plane over on its back. With both Frank (Sobotka) and m e on the controls, we managed to right th
plane, but couldn't pull it out of the flat spin it went into. The rudder controls were gone and the instrument panel was sho
out Frank immediately hit the alarm bell switch alerting the crew to bail out.
After a few seconds, I spotted only four chutes descending. The mess in our cabin, due to the rolling ov
Our chest chutes, usually stowed behind our seats/had ended up in the radio compartment. I retrieved the chutes, putting
Frank'sin his lap and buckling mine on. Sgt. Clair Shaeffer was strapped in the top mrret, obviously dead, and our radio operat
Sgt. T o m Capizzi was putting his chute on as well. Frank was yelling at us to jump.
Capizzi and I stood at the end of the bomb bay, so Ijumped and apparendy Capizzi froze up. He and Frank
I have no idea what had happened in the waist or nose sections of the plane, but I know I was the last one out W e were so lo
at the d m e Ijumped that m y chute only oscillated once before I hit the ground.
I came into contact with the Underground about three days after landing. The only information they coul
crew was that Abe Teitel was alive and Frank Sobotka's dog tags were found in the wreckage of the plane. I have never heard
from any of m y crew since then, although on my return to the States, I talked to most of their families and gave them as much
information as I could."
OnJuly25,1995Lois responded to both Pete Henry and WillLundygratefullyacknowledging the help they provided
in Tilling the voidleft in the life ofthislittle fiveyear old girl when thegallant Daddy she knew from the love he
into those letters was lost to her in the terrible finality of a war incomprehensible to a child of five.
15
�July 25, 1995
Mr. Will Lundy
P.O. Box 315
Bridgeport, Ca. 93517
Dear Mr. Lundy,
This will acknowledge your letter ofjuly 19,1995 alongwith the additional information
from the crew log and the briefing check form. All of this has been very helpful in tieing
together the events of that fateful mission. I have now talked to three of the living
survivors on the phone, and I a m eternally grateful for your help in locating them.
I a m enclosing a copy of a newspaper article from our local newspaper from May of
this year which was celebrating the 50th anniversary ofWWII. The reporters were looking
for love letters from the war and I felt mine were certainly letters of love.
I hope you enjoy reading the article as I a m happy to share it with you. This will help
you understand why I was so interested in collecting facts about m y father even after all
these years.
Thanks again for your interest and help.
Sincerely,
Lois M. Cianci
P.S. Would it be possible to send me a copy of your book. "44th Bomb Group - Roll of
Honor and Casualties?"
Thank you for your consideration.
July 25, 1995
Dear Pete,
Received your card requesting information on my father:
Clair P. Shaeffer Ser. F#33187932
68th B o m b Squad (H) Shipdham, England
Aerial Engineer Turret Gunner on Liberator B-24
Reported missing 1/24/44 confirmed 10/44.
Remains never recovered.
Enclosed you will find a copy of a news article printed in May celebrating the 50th
anniversary of W W I I in our local paper.
The reporters were looking for people who had love letters from W W I I . I felt I truly
had letters of love. This will explain m y need tofindsome missing answers to questions I
have had for many years.
Since I last contacted you, I have spoken to another crew member, Charles Shockley
from Knoxville, Tn. by phone and also learned that Andrew Ross from Ky. passed away Feb.,
1995. W e spoke to his wife. W e are trying to locate Abraham Teitel, w h o returned, last
address Brooklyn, NY. Then all the crew will be accounted for. This certainly has been very
exciting and quite emotional. I do hope some day I will be able to travel to Nuepre, Belgium
to the Ardennes American cemetery and visit the W W I I Tablets of the Missing.
Thanks again for your help.
Sincerely,
Lois M. Cianci
A closing word for Lois. We of the 44th Bomb Group, comrades of your Father, will always memorialize hi
member of our family. As you have witnessed, we welcome the opportunity to search the extensive arc
maintained to perpetuate the honor and heritage of our Bomb Group and our comrades alive and deceased. K
in mind that you, also, are a member of our family, please keep in touch. If you need further research as
you have only to ask. Lois, you are a beautifulperson andyou have our sincere thanks for sharing this beaut
with us.
16
�THE PRESIDENT'S CORNER
Isee Will Lundy has done afinejob describing our San Antonio 4. A proposal by the President to Amend the Constitution t
reunion, in the "Will Sez " column, so with that, along with themake the Historian ajull voting member ojthe Executive Board
photos oj the reunion we are printing, there are just a few is pending subject to appropriate notice to the membership
comments on ourfirst44th BGVA reunion that I wish to add. required by the Constitution.
Incidentally, ajter asking you folks to send along your reunion
photographs, I have so many, obviously space won't permit 5. Th£ third quarter financial statement presented by the
publishing them all in this issue, so in the Spring Issue we will
Treasurer and the 1996 budget presented by the President were
pick up where we lejt ojf and publish more of the reunion pix to accepted by the Board for presentation to the membership.
share thejun with those who missed theJunfirst-hand.Thanhs Subsequently accepted.
for your response, it's so darn hard to get around and snap
pictures when there is so much good stuff going on!
6. The nomination of a return to England for the 1997
Reunion was unanimously accepted by the Board. Reunion
While we're in the THANK YOU department, on behalfof all committee to be appointed.
the attendees, we wish, again, to thank our Vice President and
Reunion Chairman, Jim Clements, along with his beautiful The Election Ballots were counted by Vice President Clemen
support system, his wife Nettie and daughter Judy Garrettforthe
verified by President Owen with the results:
overall organization and management of that great affair. You
more than deserve the big Texas tip 'o the ten gallon hat we're
Incumbent MEL TRAGER, elected to represent the Support
Units.
giving you with our thanks.
Candidate Robert I. "Bob" Brown to represent the 67th Bom
In every event like this, in addition to the obvious heroesSquadron.
of the
Candidate Sherman "Bud "Dowett to represent the 506th Bomb
affair, there is a "behind the scenes "person that without whom
the operation could easily spring some serious leaks. This is Squadron.
the
local g%iy or gal who knows who to see, where to go and how to
I will
take care ojorget the myriad of little things you 've overlooked
or close for this issue with a few of the comments, bo
and
that pop up in the middle ojall the activity. Usually most of the in the post-reunion letters we have received: "thefriendl
attendees don't see or are not aware of this "masked rider that"the warmest and most congenial, " "don't remember ever seein
just rode through, " in our case, our unsung hero, Nick Garza,so manyfirst-timersfor a 44th reunion, it was great seeing
did surface to give us the beautiful "blessing and welcome tobuddies from 50 years back!" "everything was great!" and on
Santonio " invocation at the Sunday Banquet. He was otherwise and on. We had a few tight spots, but they were quickly resolv
occupied as the reunion committee "gojer, " running errands,
message here is:Whenyougetthe registration
re-supplying the Hospitality Room, etc., etc. You too, Nick, Ithinkthe
have
details
on
St. Louis in the Spring Issue of the 8 Ball Tails,
our thanks and are included in the big tip 'o the hat!
jump on it andgetyour registration and hotelreservations
early...Ipredict we are going to have a blow-out reunion
Now to the business. At the meeting ojthe Executive Board the
in
Jolbwingimportant pieces ojbusiness were passed, then presented St. Louis when the word gets out on San Antonio.
There will be a cut off date for registration for the
to the general membership Jor vote (does that have a different
upcoming convention. The date has not been determined
ring to it?).
at thistime,but we'll letyou know as soon as it has been
set.
1. The proposal to the Tower Restoration Project contributors
to abandon the project, pay the outstanding obligations and
offer the balance of Junds oj the 44th BGVA treasury was
approved.
2. The proposal Jor the BGVA to accept the offer Jor the transjer
of the balance ojthe Restoration Junds to the 44th BGVA was
passed.
3. The proposal Jor the 44th BGVA to offer to enter into a cost
sharing agreement with the Arrow Air Service, Inc. to construct
a pilots lounge and memorabilia room connected to the Arrow
Air operations center. This addition would incorporate the wall
art transferred Jrom the old 14th CBW Headquarters. This
proposal was passed by the membership.
Roy Owen,
President
�Ho! Ho! Ho!
44th B G V A B U D G E T F O R C A L E N D A R Y E A R 1996
Projected Income:
145 Life Members (allocated @ 12.5%)
720 Regular Members @ $15
Reunion Income (net)
Contributions (estimated, raffle, etc.)
Investment Income (estimated)*
Total:
$1,545
10,800
2,000
1,000
2,400
$17,715
*We have invested $1,050 in rosters & $773 in Caps
Projected Expenditures:
3 Issues of 8-Ball Tails @ $2,250 each
Historian
(8th A F Data Base project plus research)
Unit Historians 4 @ $50
Archive Research (Mastradone)
Membership Search (Hand)
Roster (Shepherd)
Treasurer*
Directors 9 @ $600 (Travel)
President (Administrative & Travel)
Secretary
Arrow Air Project Manger
Equipment purchases (2 fax machines)
Insurance
Total:
$6,750
1,600
Merrif Christmas!
200
200
600
200
500
44th B O M B G R O U P V E T E R A N S ASSOCIATION
BALANCE SHEET
as of September 30,1995
5,400
1,000
200
300
550
115
ASSETS
Current Assets
Tower Fund
First Security Checking
Convention Cash Advance
Investors Service Money Mkt
Total Current Assets
$17,615
$35.80
973.19
1,500.00
13.756.63
$17,715
17.615
$100
Other Assets
*Treasurer invested $125 member dues billing envelopesforprinting.
Roster Books Inventory
W e need 35 new members ($525) to do the VlacDill Plaque.
$16,265.62
Second Air Div. History Books
44th B o m b Group Cap Deposi t
Bulk Mail Deposit
Total Other Assets
Total Asset
$1,050.00
168.50
200.00
335.01
1.753.51
$18,019.13
LIABILITIES & N E T W O R T H
Liabilities
Life Memberships
Memberships Amortized
Bill Strong Memorial Fund
Total Liabilities
Net Worth
Surplus 1/1/95
Adjustment as of 9/30/95
Surplus as of 9/30
r
$14,250.00
-1.743.75
$12,506.25
75.00
$12,581.25
7,370.50
(1.932.62)
5.437.88
'
Total Liabilities and Net Worth
18,019.13
Convention Funds are Separate Account
18
•
�SAN ANTONIO '95 - THE FIRST FOR THE
44TH BOMB GROUP VETERANS ASSOCIATION!
Nettie Clements and daughterJudy Garrett,
helperfirstclass on the reception crew.
Mr. 506th at the head of the Mexican Buffet chow line!
The Candle Lighting Ceremony
The first eve)- 44th General Membership meeting to get
a real Treasurer's report and financial statement.
Charlie Hughes daughter Sandy Symanovich brought her beautiful
American Airlines smile to delight our reunion.
19
®
The Prez with the Bill Strong kids, Becky and Bill, Jr.
�"Mike" Mikoloski, his son Vincent and grandson Evan
being palsy-walsy with Bill Cameron.
Dick and Ardith Butler, Nick and Nancy Garza,
Arlene and Loy Neeper
Our TreasurerJerry Folsom and his guest Bev Winger
doing some great boogie moves.
Nettie Clements, Irene Lundy and Ardith Butler
doing a great job at the Registration table.
(
Our Reunion Chairman about to imbibe in the HR.
Bob Gjestrum and Tom Shepherd doing a great
bartending job in the hospitality room.
20
�Richard and Caroline Bottomley swinging at the
Saturday night dance.
George and Beryl Apgar, a copy of Glenn Miller swingers.
The Mexican dancer's floor show following the
Sunday Banquet.
Norm Kiefer and Joe Milliner sorting out the details of the
Ploesti Raid in the "Benghazi Debriefing."
Mr. 506th himself, Dick Pederson.
The newly elected 67th Sqdn. member of the Executive Board,
Robert I. Brown and our Historian, Will Lundy.
21
�Ills
BEATING THE BUSHES
by Art Hand & Will Lundy
LEONARD
H. LOUBt- Box 1243, Spokane, Washington 992101243. Leonard was afirstpilot in the 67th Sq.; was assigned on 20
December 1944. They completed 28 missions, flew h o m e on 21 May
1945.
Background.
Several years ago, I initiated a column in the old Logbook with
the n a m e of "Beating The Bushes." At that time, I was doing m u c h
of the searching for our people, often on m y own, but usually aided
ROLAND A. NELSON: 8 Cedar Street, Presque Isle, Maine 0476
by Art Hand, Pete Henry and W e b b Todd. W e had only m i n i m u m
H e was a gunner for Lt. W , T. Zerman's crew; transferred to 323 B G
success for all of the effort expended. This all has changed since Art
on 27 September 1944. W a s a 67th Sq. crew.
Hand went ultra modern, purchased new, high tech phone disks
and is doing most of his searching through the use of this system. H e ALBERT F. NEVIN: 21823 NE 137th Street, Woodinville,
is having a high degree of success, locating many new members and Washington 98072-5801. Albert was in the 1287 M P platoon.
unfortunately, learning that many are now deceased.
Currently, Art is searching and locating our former members, CHARLESALBA.-P.OBox 1323, Dania, Florida 33004. Charles wa
a 66th Squadron crew chief.
then sending their addresses to m e so that I can send them
information about their records in the 44th. I try to furnish them
with this data, then requesting them to furnish us with as m u c h data PHILUPJ. QULRK.-42U WestFirstStreet#l, SantaAna, Californ
92703. H e was co-pilot for M a x Mendenhall in the 506th Sq.
about themselves as possible. The 44th B G V A is growing every
month, if not in the organization itself, at least in data about those
who served along side of us.
Art is systematically searching one squadron at atime- has now
completed most of the 66th Squadron and m u c h of the 67th. It is his
intention to continue on through the other two squadrons, as well
as to work with any m e m b e r who wants to search for a friend or
buddy from the war years. Contact Art Hand at the address shown
elsewhere in this issue.
WENDELL C. SWARTZ 6365 SE Mariner Sands Drive, Stuart,
Florida 34997. H e was a gunner on Thomas McKenna crew in the
506th Sq.
RA YMONDA. KLEMMER: 4429 Lajune Drive, Columbus, Georgia
31907. H e was co-pilot on Thames crew in the 67th Sq.
WILLIAM E. MLUCH: 17159 Fulton Road, Marshallville, Ohio
44645-9712. William served as Bombardier on Lt. Steele's crew in
ALBERT J. FLYEN: 1321 East 6th Street, Superior, Wisconsin the 67th Sq.
54880 (715) 398-5694. Albert was the radio operator on 1st Lt.
B. C. FYNBO: 800 South 4th Avenue, Albert Lea, Minnesota 5
George Haag's crew. They transferred in from the 492nd B G in
H e was Radio Operator, also on Jack Steele's crew. 67th Sq.
August, 1944. 67th Sq.
THOMAS A. GRAVEN: Rt. #3, Box 5054, Galena, Missouri 65656 GORMAN HERMINGHAUS: 445 26th Avenue, San Mateo,
(417) 538-2332. IstLt. Graven was co-pilot for Lt. Haag's crew. 67th California 94403. Gorman also served on Jack Steele's crew, a
gunner. 67th Sq.
Sq.
ALBERTGREYHOSKY: 334 South Vaughn Way, Aurora, Colorado
CALVIN A. HINER.V.O. Box 67, Superior, Nebraska 68978. Cal
80012-2441 (303) 366-7170. Albert was co-pilot for C. Henderson's too, was a gunner on Jack Steele's crew. 67th Sq.
crew, 67th Sq. This crew as lost on 01 October 1943 mission to
Weiner Neustadt, with only three surviving to become POW's - He, HERBERT W. TERKHORN: 728 Ash Street, Seymour, Indiana
William Newbold and John Newberry.
47274-2561. H e was the Radio Operator for O'Brien's crew in the
67th Sq.
LEWISS. ENNIS: 101 Willow Drive, Elkton, Maryland 21921. 67th
Sq. Lewis was a gunner, also on George Haag's crew. Haag's crew
DALTONP. BERRIER: 10610 Sagewillow Lane, Houston, Texas
flew about six more missions with the 44th to complete their tour.
77089-30216. Dal ton was Engineer for Robert Schmidt's crew in the
67th Sq.
ROBERTL. VANNESTE:36South Ugstad Road, Proctor, Minnesota
55810-2435. Robert was a gunner on Howard L. Hinman's crew.
KYLE E.JONES: P.O. Box 1143, Pinehurst, North Carolina 283
67th Sq. O n 16 January 1945 he broke his foot after bailing out over
France.
CHARLES A. OVERSTREET:Eox 621, Route 2, Keota, Oklahoma
74941. Charles was a lead pilot, often flew lead for the 491st BG. Was
BERNARD LIPKIN: 500 Iron Forge Court, Royal Palm Beach,
assigned to the 67th Sq. 8c 66di Sq.
Florida 33411. H e was the Navigator/Bombardier, normally assigned
to Lt. Hinman's crew, but was not on the 16 January 45 mission.
JOHN A. TORODE: 213 South Cherry Street, Starke, Honda
32091 J o h n served as co-pilot for Charles Overstreet in the 67th Sq.
JAMESREGAS: #2 Concord Street, Natrona Heights, Pennsylvania
& 66th Sq.
15065. H e was Radio Operator on Lt. Hildebrand's crew. First
mission February 1945. 67th Sq.
In addition to the men listed above as living and located
found several others that were deceased:
JACKG. SVANE: 1010 10th Court, Jupiter, Florida 35477. He was
co-pilot for Roger S. Markle. This crew was assigned to the 67th Sq. FREDSCHErDEGGER.KRn,Box 228,Blanchardville,Wisconsin
on 7 February 1945, flew Mi Akin Ass h o m e at war's end.
53516. Fred folded his wings on 7/26/95. 68th Sq. Crew Chief.
ANTHONYC. YASEVAC.45 Marshall Road, Branford, Connecticut GEORGER HAAG: Ambler, Pennsylvania. DateofDeath unknown.
06405. He, too, was a m e m b e r of Lt. Markle's crew, Radio Operator. 67th Sq. and also served with the 492nd BG.
BENJAMIN D. FORD: 15 Shore Point Road, North Litderock,
Arkansas 72116. Widow: Mildred. Ben was 68th Sq. 1st Pilot
22
�•
May 8, 1995
Dear Will:
Thank you for your letter of20 April last. The documents enclosed were very interesting and very valuable.
Indeed, Til be able to use the informations. Icertainly wish Ihad this type of info on all crew members buried
here. I want you to know that I appreciate your initiative, very much. Ifindthat actually I never know
enough. It's great to have the answer.
You can be sure that the material you gave me will be kept in the 44th BG files, to be available to all who
are interested. Ifeel fortunate to get your cooperation and I think all my colleagues should feel the same
way.
If I can ever be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Yours sincerely.
Roland B. Prieur
This letter arrived in response to a mailing to next of kin telling them that the French people in lllfurth, France were
planning a memorial service during D-Day celebrations and a memorial plaque at the crash site Roland B Prieur. Epinal
Cemetery letter attached, being near the crash site and where some of the crew were buried. I sent him the pages
from m y R O H book covering all the 44thers buried there Ifl had time I'd do the same thing for all I I cemeteries where
our m e n are buried except Madingley. as I donated m y complete book to them. Bill Rendall and I have been working
with Prieur for data about this crew R O H pages 1 54 and 1 55.
EPINAL AMERICAN CEMETERY
KWxeOino/c. trance Tel. Iv.Mlrt.7J Tilccopic 2V K2 2J.7I
AinMoar, Paw (ABM-Cl PSC 116. MO AE U0777 PlKmc *(33)2» 82 111 73 FAX 2') 82 25 711
Esttblnhod by Cona'.K
March. I>J21
7 November
IvOo
H . Henry
04th Boaib Group A s s o c i a t i o n
1 M B P o r t l a n d 1-er.e
JAHESDURC
H-J.
06831
nr
!'<• * r
l hjvc lust learned that a monument will be erected
, „ . „ „ „ - , on 29 January 1996, in lllfurth, France, to
H.ynard's crew, whoso B-24
1904.
al.d i
the 7 victims 01 d o . s e ».
honor
91571 crashed on 29 January
(01-2
on «
Count
near
It will add to the plaque that had been inaugurated
Juno l»9<. This plaque is located in the Ball of the
» House in lllfurth, while the monument Will to erected
the crash sito.
The nnnument is being funded !>y the town of lllfurth,
5 boon the plaque, wouldn't it be oroat if Veterans of •. 1Bomb Croup could attend the ceremony. The people of
4 .it :\
rth would certainly be happy and honored. If no one c.,n
I'll be in attendance, and I'll do ay belt to represent
come , what An honor.
you •
Looking forward to hearing from you,
AS
ha
mn
I remain,
yours sincerely.
Bo land B. Prl*ux
Super i ntondent
JfanyoftKe rubers would liketovo^te^to attend, pleas* .contact you. President, Roy Owen.
23
»
�506th Bomb Sq., 44th Bomb Group (H), 8th Air Force
VOYAGEONTHES.S. CUANTILLYTO ENGLAND
By Ray I. Mamer,Jr.
seem to come on all around the convoy. It was too
dark to really see h o w much damage was being
done, but w e knew it was bad.
Around 3 a m w e heard another explosion and
either a munitions ship or a tanker with high octane
gas was hit and the flames grew larger and larger,
lighting the entire area. The light endangered the
whole convoy, so a British Corvette shelled the ship
The ground echelon of the 506th Bomb Sq.,
and a terrific explosion followed with the flames
44th B o m b Group, consisting of 14 officers and 270
shooting hundreds of feet in the air. The ship then
enlisted men, and under the c o m m a n d of Capt.
quickly sunk.
Green Benton, Jr., boarded the S.S. Chantilly in
In our position at the rear of the convoy, there
N e w York on February 27, 1943.
were three ships behind us and three ships to our
The S.S. Chantilly was an old French ship that
front. At dawn on March 11, 1943, we found that
was taken over by the British in 1940. She was not
in very good repair, and a lot of work was done on her in N e w York w e were alone well behind the rest of the ships. All six ships were
prior to our boarding, but she needed much more. The ship's crew either sunk or some m a y have changed position. W e felt that we
was composed of some British and the rest were Hindu from
were like sitting ducks in this vulnerable position. W e spent the
Calcutta, India. There were approximately 1,000 troops on board next day trying to catch up with the rest of the convoy. Obviously,
including American sailors, marines and infantry men. T h e w e were probably the slowest ship on the seas. Luckily no more
attacks were forthcoming.
Chantilly, carrying the only troops in the convoy, joined the
approximately 74 ships of the convoy in N e w York harbor and
In a letter to Major Ursell P. Harvell, in reply to his request,
sailed on February 28, 1943 for the United Kingdom.
the Dept. of Navy gave the following information: During the
In Ursell P. Harvell's book "Jaws over Europe" it was stated attack by U-boats on March 10, 11,1943, the following ships were
that the S.S. Chantilly was placed in the middle of the convoy to torpedoed and sunk:
give the personnel carrier some protection in case of a U-boat
1. British Cargo T U C U P J N C A ; 2. British Cargo J A M A I C A
attack. This statement was not correct as the Chantilly was
P R O D U C E R ; 3. Norwegian B R U M M C O U N T Y (or B R A N T
centered at the rear of the convoy, with only three ships behind us. C O U N T Y ) ; 4. U.S. Cargo L A W T O N B. E V A N S ; 5. U.S. Cargo
There is also a statement in major Harvell's book as follows: "The A N D R E A F. L U C K E N B A C H . There were other ships in the
shipment of skilled Air Force personnel, sorely needed in the 8th
convoy that were damaged by torpedoes, but did not sink. H M S
Air Force aboard the S.S. Chantilly, a condemned old English
H A R V E S T E R was damaged when she rammed a U-boat. She took
ship, the orders taking seventeen days
on board prisoners from the U-boat,
to cross the Atlantic, was given by
and afterward she sank. It was reported
someone definitely irresponsible and
by German prisoners that there were
came close to the disaster for the 8th
12 U-boats in the vicinity of the
Air Force." A n y aboard the S.S.
convoy. H M S A C O N I T E sank UChantilly would probably agree with
boats No. 432 and No. 442. There
this statement. It was truly a miracle
were many stragglers in this convoy,
that the ground troops of the 506th
scattered because of the high seas and
B o m b Squadron ever got to the
fog, and many left the convoy and
Shipdham Aerodrome.
proceeded to their destination.
Thefirst11 days of our voyage
The S.S. Chantilly remained
were fairly uneventful, aside from very poor sleeping arrangements, at the rear of the main convoy and sailed up the Firth of Clyde, near
seasickness, and probably the worst food any of us had ever eaten. Glasgow on March 15, 1943, going ashore on March 16, 1943.
However, on Ash Wednesday, March 10, 1943, this changed
After a long train ride from Scotland, w efinallyarrived at
dramatically. Around 6:30 p m w e heard an explosion and the
Shipdham Aercdrome on March 17, 1943.
muster bell rang. W e headed up the gangway to the deck in time
A few days after our arrival at the Air Base, I was walking
to see an oil tanker sink and two other ships were damaged. Any
from our living site to the flight line, when a staff car stopped and
ship that sustained damage indicated thisby lighting a red light that offered m e aride.Being a kid of only 20 years and not very military
would be visible to any support craft. W e later learned that our
I piled in the back seat to find then Colonel Leon B. Johnson. I
Captain saw thefirsttorpedo coming toward us and he laid the
guess the General wasn't very military either. H e couldn't have
Chantilly on her side and the torpedo went along our starboard hull been nicer to me. H e wanted to know all about our trip over the
and hit the ship ahead of us on our port side.
Atlantic and all the details of the submarine attack. I will always
The Captain then began to change course every few minutes
remember h o w reassured I felt with this m a n as m y commanding
by rocking the ship from one side to the other and continued this
officer. Top photo. rjfeboat drill on the S.S. Chantilly.
for the rest of the night. H e was rocking the ship as much as 43
Bottom Photo: S.S. Chantilly- This "LuxuryLiner"looks
degrees, which made it very difficult to stay on deck.
like something out of an old Humphrey Bogart-Peter Lorry
Around midnight w e were attacked again and the red lights
movie! The word among the 506th troops is that the S.S.
The following is a piece Ray I. Marner, Jr. wrote.
H e states, most of the stories w e have about our
group are those of the air war over Europe, as they
should be. This story is of the ground echelon of the
506th B o m b Squadron and their problems of just
trying to get there.
24
stood for Sad Skow.
�WILL SEZ
What a great reunion! Weeks later these aviation collectors, displayed afinecollection of uniforms
memories firmly remain: Our guests from
equipment, books, photos, etc. and were on hand morning
England, Janice and Steve Adams, and Paul Wilson and to evening to answer questions, talk with us all, and
how wonderful to see them here in the U. S. for their first provide
trip
securityfor the many other items which our members
ever. This was a golden opportunity for so many of us provided. Thank you gentlemen! Jim Auman, 44th cV
44thers who he has corresponded with over the years to meet466th BG, brought color to the hotel and this display room
him, andfor Steve to get more informationfor his upcoming with his many large decorative hand painted wall posters.
book covering the 66th Sq. history. Paul brought 25 of his
At the end, he generously gave them to anyone who wanted
beautiful hand painted Flying 8 Ball leather patches,one. Jim also provided me with his own account ofa 492nd
suitably adorned with the individual squadron colors -BG crash near the base where two of ourJirefighterswere
even donatedJive of them to us to help with our dwindling killed by exploding frag bombs. Now, to military proof of
finances. Paul and Steve, along with David Morgan, were death and these tioo men will be added to our official Roll
responsible for setting up the mini museum at Arrow Air onof Honor.
a corner of the old Shipdham base.
Obviously, this old 44th historian would remember
First time attendees, many I have never met before butother features ofthe reunion not generally observedby many
have shared information and letters. One of them was MGothers. But for me, I was thrilled because Charles Hughes
William H. Brandon, an original combat man, honored not only attended, but brought along much of his supply of
usfor thefirsttime. He flew "Avenger" over to England as 66th Sq. ORIGINAL
records. He not only brought them, he
gave them to me for my archivalfiles, but some I still have
part ofthe 66th Sq. air echelon. Too, though notfor the first
time, BG John H. Gibson joined with us as well. Most not reviewed as there were other historians who wanted to
welcome, Generals!! 66th Squadron GO. and pilot on borrow them immediately. Steve Adams will get many
copies Jor his book. Between Charles Hughes' papers and
Ploesti, Dexter Hodge was exciting to meet, as were so many
others. Capt. Armstrong and Harold Morrison and I had photos, Dexter Hodge's priceless Ploestiphatos, our ambitiou
younger lads (Steve Adams, Pete Frizzell and Ed Dobson)
a minimeetingto discuss our latestfacts located concerning
D-Day. These two men DID lead the 44th and 14th CBW, got little sleep. At midnight they took a taxi to get photo
copied (yes they located a shop) and worked until 3 a.m.
were the FIRST to bomb the coast that day.
Then, when Joe Goedday arrived, bringing more photos
Happily, I was able to sit in on tiuo meetings organized
alongwith his detailed knowledge of the group's processing
by Ed Dobson in his effort to learn more specifics about the
famous Ploesti mission as well as the second Wiener of mission photos, Steve and Petefailed to get to bed at all.
Neustadt. Because the official records for the 44th BGThose Ploesti photos were examined most thoroughly,
turning up many clues about which planes were in the
covering these attacks aremeageratbest, or entirely missing,
Ed asked for those men who participated in these missionsphotos, which plane took them, targets, where thefilm was
processed and when, etc. Oh, for the energy ofyouth, and
to meet, re-establish as many facts as possible. Norm Kiefer
their priceless interest in our history!
acted as MC, while Pete Frizzell captured the discussions on
Yes, there were several problems which arose, most of
video. Pete, for those who don't know him, has worked long
them
and hard on the entire Ploesti mission - allfivegroups - to due to thefact that the reunion itselfwas so successful
- a sold-out hotel, with limited space - so eating was a
record thefacts. He has videoed as many personal in terviews
problem
at times, etc. But the hotel management did their
ofthese airmen as he can get. Infact, while Irene and I were
in the lobby Monday afternoon waiting for a ride to the utmost to solve problems when they arose, with genuine
airport, Pete and Ed Dobson came dashing through, concern and positive actions. They were kind enough to
carrying equipment to interview General Brandon! As you make several copies ofpapers for me immediately. Busiest
probably know, General Brandon was the 44th BG's lead man there, night and day it seemed, was our Reunion
Chairman, Jim Clements. Toyoujim, and your lovely wife
pilot on Ploesti, Generaljohnson actingas his co-pilot and
Commander aboard Suzy-Q. Trust that they were most Nettie, we all thank you most sincerely...Thanks to all of
you that attended, who made this such a memorable
successful.
ENGLAND!
The "show 6? tell" memorabilia room was very event...On to St. Louis, and then
interesting to those of us thatfound it - it was a bit hidden.
David Webster and his buddy who are American military
25
Will Lundy
�MISCELLAN1A
Heaven is where
the police are IBritisk,
the cooks are Italian,
FOLDED WINGS
the mechanics are ^jerman,
the lovers are French,
Willis D. Abrams
Ned Anderson
Irving A. Barber
Wade F. Bond
Ray Ciesielski
William Dolan
Ivan L. Gildersleeve
Rev. Leroy Holmberg
Peter P. Karipin
K.L. Keesee
John F. King
Carl K. Miller
John D. Money
Joel Peek
Robert E. Rose
Andrew J. Ross
Edward Rumsey
Fred Scheidegger
John Skutt
Jack Tinney
Maurice Welsh
John Wolbarst
'93
Unk
5/84
Unk
'80
Unk
'79
'95
7/95
'72
12/94
9/95
'94
10/95
Unk
2/95
Unk
7/95
Unk
'94
10/95
'87
Unk
68th
68th
67th
Unk
68th
Unk
506th
66th
Unk
68th
506th
506th
67th
68th
68th
67th
68th
Unk
67th
68th
Unk
and it is all organized
•:~*mMMM*
by the Swiss.
\\e\l is where
the chefs are TBntish,
the mechanics are French,
the lovers are Swiss,
the police are ^jerman,
and it is all organized
by the Italians.
o o o
SECOND AIR DIVISION REUNIONS
There will be a Second Air Division Regional Reuni
to be held in Orlando, Florida at the Clarion Plaza
Hotel o n February 3, 1996. T h e hotel will offer
special rates for three nights preceding and three
nights following the reunion for those w h o m a y
want to m a k e a Disney World vacation of it.
Contact:
Lawrence Gilbert, Chairman
1482 Granville Drive
Winter Park, Florida 3 2 7 8 9
Phone: (407) 647-2623
This is a partial list of our deceased 44th
comrades. W e will continue to catch
up on the
list with each issue, as
well as list new Folded
Wings.
The Second Air Division Assn. 49th Annual
Convention will b e held o n June 13 - 16, 1996 in
Milwaukee, Wisconsin at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.
Convention Reservation form and schedule will be
included in the Winter Issue of the Journal.
The Second Air Division of Southern California wil
hold their fifteenth annual regional reunion dinner
at the Marine Corps Air Station, El Toro Officers'
Club, Saturday, Feb. 2 4 , 1 9 9 6 . For further
information, contact either: Dick Baynes (714)
552-3889 or Jay Jeffries (714) 846-1653.
26
�O
O
O
44TH BOMB GROUP HISTORY
o o o
FLYING EIGHT BALL PATCHES
In case you have not submitted your biography an
order for the forthcoming 44th B o m b Group History,
the deadline has been extended to January 4,
1996. If you did not receive the form, call Eric
Parrent of Turner Publishing Co. (502) 443-0121.
This will be a beautiful history, be sure you are
included.
o o o
Paul Wilson of Norwich, England, who many of you
met at the reunion, has donatedfiveof his beautiful
hand-painted, 5 inch diameter leather 8-Ball patches
(any of the squadron colors). The cost to you is $ 12
post paid with all profit going to the 44th B G V A
general treasury. A terrific bargain to put on a n e w Just prior to departure for the reunion, I recei
A-2 jacket! Order from:
a copy of a b o o k entitled Black Hole of
Will Lundy
Wauwilermoos authored by 66th B o m b Sqdn.
3 2 9 5 Morth H Street
m e m b e r Dan Culler. He was unable to attend the
San Bernardino, C A 92405-2809
reunion to display his book, but asked m e to do so
Phone: (909) 882-2441
in his behalf. Many of you saw it and s o m e orders
were placed at the reunion. I have just completed
reading this remarkable account of the USAAF
career of Tech/Sgt. Culler from enlistment through
training and into combat with the 44th B o m b
Group and shoot-down on the Friedrichschafen
mission March 18, 1944. The last chapters recount
his internment in Switzerland and his change in
The Aviation Cadet Alumni Association is compiling
status from internee to civil prisoner after a failed
a listing of former cadets by class. More than
escape attempt. The accounts of his captivity in
31,000 n a m e s are onfile,and printouts by Class
Wauwilermoos are brutal I must warn you. It was a
are available to participants w h o include $2 to
facet of the war that escaped the notoriety it
cover costs. Please send your Flight Class, Primary, deserved. To order the book, m a k e a copy of the
order blank herein and by having 44th written in
Basic and Advance Schools to:
Robert C. White
the lower left corner, Culler will send a dollar of
5 4 Seton Trail
each sale to our Treasury.
O r m o n d Beach, Florida 32176
Reorder form, "Black Hole of Wauwilermoos," book.
Due to the amount of contact and detail involved,
For your personal autograph book, please send check with your name and
Mr. White prefers written requests rather than
address to Dan Culler. 750 S. LaBrisa. Green Valley. A Z 85614-2232.
phone calls.
Please print your
ANOTHER AUTHOR AMONG US
O
O
O
CALLING ALL PILOTS!
o o o
Name
Address or
P.O.Box
City
PLOESTI BOOK AND VIDEO
State ZIP
N a m e of person book(s) is to be personalized to
Price per book $16.50 Plus $3.50 for shipping and handling
The Ploesti book entitled Black Sunday is available
Number of books ordered
@ $16.50 per book—Total _
for $35, $ 1 0 under list price, by calling 1-800-898- Postage @ $3.50 per book
Total _
total for books plus postage
Total _
2124.
The Ploesti video, short title Utah Man, is available
for $29 by calling: 1-800-869-6379.
Thank you
44th
Dan Culler
�GOOD NEIGHBORS
By Roy Owen
There's been a lot said and read lately about
Anglo-American relations. I'm a real Anglophile so
I've been loving it. This story is one of the reasons I
love England and its people; I'm sure it will bring
some smiles and w a r m remembrances to some
506th guys.
We'll start out at
the 44th Reunion of
1 9 9 2 in Norwich
and, of course
Shipdham. O n the
Shipdham Airfield
visitation day, a
bunch of the local
folks got together
with the Arrow Air
Service staff and,
from the 44th
memorabilia they
possess, they found
an original copy of
the Thanksgiving
Dinner m e n u for 1944. Lo and behold those precious
people prepared and served that meal in the remaining
big hangar to the whole reunion! It was beautiful.
During the meal, I fell into a conversation with a
506th guy across the
table from m e (can't
remember n o w w h o
it was) and I asked
him
if
he
r e m e m b e r e d the
farm family that lived
immediately over
the fence from our
Squadron site (see
the accompanying
Site 2 photo) and
h o w the wife did our
laundry,
baked
bread, sold us eggs,
had us to tea and the
small family of three,
in general, looked out for us. H e replied that not only
did he remember, but the wife, Linda Davies (now
Weston) was at the reunion, and, was in fact at the
luncheon. Thereupon he stood up, looked around
28
and pointed her out. There she was, 81 years young,
slender and grey, but head tossing with laughter. I
couldn't believe it! After a minute or two to allow m e
to fight back the emotional tears, Lolly told m e to
approach her and introduce myself. W h e n I did and
w e went through the recognition and getting reacquainted period,
the emotion really
rose and w e had a
jolly reunion. Linda
was accompanied
by her daughter
Beryl and her
husband Ron, with
their
children
Rebecca 12 and
Christopher 9.
Linda's husband Bill
had passed away
sometime after the
war.
That Fall and
Winter of '44-'45 w h e n the Bill Smith crew took up
residence at Site 2 turned out to be the coldest in 30
years. W e took up residence in the quonset huts,
suffered the indignities of double bunks, segmented
mattresses called
"bisquits," separate
no-heat bathroom
buildings called
"ablutions," little
round coke burning
cast iron stoves aptly
n a m e d Slow But
Sure and assigned
one to a hut along
with about two small
wheel barrow loads
of coke per week,
cold always cold,
never
enough
blankets, and plenty
of "C" Ration Stew
in the Mess. O h yes, and the variations of the supply
system. Sometimes our little P X would be out of
cigarettes for three days, but w e had lighter fluid, lots
of lighter fluid and only 10 or 15 cents a bottle. This
�turned out to be a blessing because one crumpled-up bread and supplied us with the Kings fresh eggs and
Stars & Stripes, a shovel full of coke, a bottle of
w e would occasionally form a small group with the
lighter fluid and an accurate tossed lighted match
Davies and m a k e a foray into a Local Shipdham pub
through the open Slow But Sure stove lid and you for a beer and darts party. For a bunch of young
had a rather explosive but pretty sure start of a fire Yanks a long way from America, homesick, sold and
in the stove.
hungry, this relationship with the Davies family was,
Like all of the rookie crews, w e lived and learned, in large part, what got us through that bitter winter
then discovered that little "home away from h o m e " and helped keep a smile on our faces while w e were
just across the
engaged in
fence. Also
the
most
about that
deadly and
time,
we
final g a m e
began to also
any of us had
learn
the
ever before
advantages of
experienced.
a convoluted
This was
supply system
not
an
when it came
isolated
to
food
thing. It went
Shipdham Airbase Site 2, home of the 506th Bomb Sqdn.
The Davies farmhouse on the near side of the fenceDne.
supplies. For
on all over
instance, fresh meat was scarce, S p a m (the mystery the country. They had so little to share, but share it
meat) was plentiful, powdered eggs must have c o m e willingly they did. W a s I impressed? Your d a m n right
in 500 lb. sacks, but here is the surprise; butter, yes,I was impressed, and I'll always love those English
real butter in 2 lb. bricks, w e had P L E N T Y , along
ancestors for making m e feel like one of the family
with peanut butter and jam in those big cans.
w h e n I was a long way from h o m e .
Linda (age 34), her husband Bill (probably about
Linda is n o w 84. After Bill died, she remarried
age 40) and daughter Beyrl (age 13) in spite of
and a few years ago she was widowed again. She
civilian shortages were doing all they could to "take n o w lives in a suburb of Portsmouth. Beryl and her
care of her boys" until the ration coupons were used family reside nearby. She spends each Sunday with
up. It was then that between the "care" packages them. W e have corresponded regularly since the '92
from h o m e and the "long on supply" items that could reunion and she tells m e she is staying healthy so she
be "negotiated for" at the mess, w e could see the can attend another Shipdham reunion. She signs her
letters "Mum," and being one of her "boys." I love it!
wonderful world of barter at work. Linda baked
Saint Louis '96
October 3 - 7
MORE DETAILS & REGISTRATION FORMS IN THE
SPRING '968-BALL TAILS!
"El
29
®
�later in P O W camp and he told m e about it The exact details
have escaped m y mind over the years.)
MAIL CALL
We lost an engine in route to Foggia and had to abo
way back, we dropped our bombs in Bari Harbor. Soon
afterwards, we returned to England and I remained as
Henderson's co-pilot
This comes from:
Ron Chantry
9 Wrestwood Avenue, Eastborne, East Sussex BN22
Tele: 01323 500421
5/13/95
Dear Mr. Watson:
OHA
4) I flew a total of five missions with Henderson.
alongfine.H e was the epitome of what a dedicated pilot
should be. If he hadn't been, I wouldn't be alive today.
5) The 44th returned to Africa in September, ostens
Congratulations and thanks for a well researched history of
aid the Salerno landing in Italy. The Salerno crisis was over by
Ruth-Less and moving account of her last flight H o w sad that
the time we arrived. The mission to b o m b the Folke-Wulf
the ten young m e n perished in such a violent way.
aircraftfactoriesin Wiener Neustadt was the only one scheduled
before our return to England.
Your article is a timely reminder of the debt we owe to them
and the thousands like them who made the ultimate sacrifice.
6) Here's a couple of anecdotes for your information
a) The following happened after the Foggia mission.
Yours sincerely.
Henderson, myself and flight engineer Cooper were ordered
to transfer a B-24 from another squadron to the 44th. (Jack
Benny was going to perform that night at our base.) It was
This letter comes from new member Al Greyhosky, 67th (see
twilight before we took off to return to our base. W e were
"Beating the Bushes " elsewhere in this issue:
about 100 feet high when I smelled smoke in the cockpit Not
wanting to needlessly alarm anyone, I turned and asked
Al Greyhosky
Cooper if he smelled any smoke. Just then, smokefilledthe
334 South Vaughn Way, Aurora, CO 80012
cockpit
(303) 366-7170
5/29/95
The landing gear was already up. I didn't know wheth
Dear Will & Irene:
Henderson was going for altitude or to crash land. I put on my
chute
I was surprised and pleased to hear from you. Let me try preparing to take the wheel if we were going to climb,
in hopes ofjumping out
clarifying some items in your letter.
Henderson decided to crash land. We dove downward a
1) You probably got my story from Navigator Wm. Newbold.
before we hit he pulled back on the wheel and pancaked in.
W e were fellow POW's in Stalag Luft III. Nothing much
I remember the nose wheel coming up through the cockpit
happened in P O W camp except when we were marched away
after
we hit Cooper was knocked unconscious; I crawled out
on a very cold January night because the Russians were
the
window
and onto the fuselage. Henderson got to Cooper
coming. A paperback book and various accounts of that
and
handed
him to m e through thetophatch.
march have been written by others. These accounts are
accurate because I checked them against m y diary of the move
Cooper returned to duty the next day after spending
to Mooseburg, Stalag VIIA (near Munich). Gen. Patton's
in the hospital. Neither Henderson or I were injured.
armyfreedus on 29 April 1945.
Remember how high a B-24's fuselage is? I stood next to the
plane and I could see over it It was compressed over half its
2) I was never contacted by the 44th Bomb Group alumni,
nor did I know it existed until Art Hand contacted m e in April original size. W e had crashed in a muddy salt flat that was our
salvation. It also put out thefire.W e missed Benny's act
of this year.
3) I came to England as a co-pilot on a replacement b)
on Our plane's name was "Count Bruga," although it
Hagers crew. W h e n we got to Shipdham - the 44th was already wasn't painted on at the time of our last mission. M y leather
in Africa. W e flew to Africa and joined the 44th just before the jacket had the name Count Bruga imprinted above the pocket
Ploesti raid. Asa rookie crew with a new B-24-they "grounded"
At my first preliminary interrogation by the Germans
us by taking our plane. W e didn't go on the Ploesti raid.
they looked at m y jacket, and coupled with my name, asked,
"When
did you leave Poland?"
Our crew was scheduled for the Foggia mission. As we were
awaiting take-off, Pimentel(?) ran over to our plane and
informed us that the commander didn't want an "all green" At POW camp my fellow inmates asked me (after severa
days) if I was a Polish "count" I should have lied; it would hav
crewflyingthis mission. That's how I joined Henderson's
crew. Pimentel was killed in what was m y seat (I met m y pilot made a better story. This odd name came from a novel of the
3rj
�same name by Ben Hecht (novelist and Hollywood
screenwriter).
"Bob" Clarence. His military career in Europe was not known
other than he was a tail gunner, shot down and was a prisoner.
It was very interesting to read your information to Aunt
Again, I wish to thank youfor sending the crewlist Memories...
Millie Hohn. I am sorry it has taken so long to reply.
"When you are sorrowful, look again in your heart and you
Uncle Clarence didn't speak of his war years. H e died 4 Nov
shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been 1989 in Pitcaun, PA. H e is survived by his sister Millie Hohn,
your delight"
5 nieces and nephews, 14 great nieces and nephews and 14
Sincerely.
great great nieces and nephews.
M y husband James and I were going to contact Army
P.S. After I returned to the States, I visited Henderson's
personnel in St Louis as we hadjustfound his service number.
parents and his younger brother in Dallas, Texas. His wife was The information that your friends and Organization can
teaching school in N e w Mexico and she wasn't present I told supply would be a most valuable assettoour family history. It
them of the last mission and that I was alive because of his just amazes us that this information would come from such
actions. H e was somebody.
close friends of his in the service.
W e would be very interested in all the information you
could give us about Uncle Clarence and his service years.
Eagerly looking forward to your reply.
This comes from:
Sincerely yours,
James Regas
No. 2 Concord Street, Natrona Heights, PA 15065
7/29/95
Dear Will:
This comes from:
Bill A. Rosser
Thanks a million for your recent letter. It was a welcomed
8121 Countrywood Rd N.E., Albuquerque, NM 87109
surprise. Sorry it took so long for m e to reply, but I was in the
(505) 821-5485
hospital for the c o m m o n old folks ailments. I never thought
8/21/95
I'd grow old, but seems like I wenttobed one night and woke Dear Will:
up old the very next morning.
Fortunately, I just rediscovered the first issue of 8
Thanks for the addresses of my crew members. I wonder
if myany juicy "gravy" to contribute because most of my
haven't
pilot Fred P. Hildebrand is still around? I will never forget amemories are of simple, funny litde incidents. M y memory
mission we flew over Wilhelmshaven on March 30. As soon as banks seem more adapted to those rather than some of the
we dropped bombs, Fred stated, "watch outgrandma." During sheer terror type things. Guess I'm lucky that way.
the flight (after bombs were dropped), I found out his
grandmother still lived at Wilhelmshaven. I never forgot that As latecomers, we arrived at 44th Bomb Group on the d
and it really stuck with m e after all these years. War is not onlythe 200 mission party, so we had a rather distorted vision of
how a war was fought-- beer kegs on every corner with tin cups
hell, but just plain stupid.
attached by strings, no one wearing rank insignia, just one big
Enclosed you'll find a list of missions that we flew.
I really
party!!
Then don't
we woke up in the real world - - somewhat
know how accurate it is, but I searched m y old briefcase and confused, but we made it
came up with this list Thanks again for your letter.
Of my crew, I now have contact only with Al Weaver, ta
Sincerely.
gunner. One of those funny memories occurred late on a
EDITOR: Great letter, James. The "watch out grandma" return from a deep mission. W e were somewhere above the
really got to me. Oneof the cruel twists that came with thehell
Rhine, beginning to wind down a bit when Al shook us up
when he cut loose with his 50's. H e had spotted some barges
of war.
on the Rhine, so he was "strafing" them from 15,000 feet!!
Dear Mr. Lundy:
Leo Austin (wings folded), our bombardier, was riding
nose turret one mission when someone above cleared their
guns and the casings broke the plexiglass on the turret In
getting out Leo nicked his shoulder on a sharp edge. W e were
kidding him about his "wound" and the Major debriefing us
offered Leo a Purple Heart! I doubt that he really put it where
Leo told him, because it would have been painful to his
majorship!!
I a m the niece-in-law of Clarence Swaile. I a m the family
historian and we were most honored to hear about Uncle
On one of our later missions, an ME 262 (?) jet, the f
seen, was mushing along beside our group after our fighters
This comes from:
James & Elaine Swaile
6164 Capshore, Toledo, OH43611-1211
(419) 729-0914
8/2/95
31
�had left Armorer gunner "Kirk" Kirksey (folded wings) decided
to "wake him up" by lobbing a few tracers at him. Boy, could
This comes from:
that thing move! We'd never seen anything like that
Bill A. Rosser
8121 Country Wood RoadN.E.
One rather scary incident happened when we were flying
Albuquerque, NM 87109-5262
squadron leadtoMagdeburg (02/03/45). W e had damage to
(505) 821-5485
#1 engine on the b o m b run, and soon after release I called m y
10/2/95
Deputytotake over as I slid out (Alley) and to the left The call
Dear
Will:
was confirmed by the co-pilot, but the pilot wasflying.However,
he was on intercom and did not hear the message, so when I
Thanks so very much for your letter and list of our
pulled out he stayed on m y wing and much of the squadron
missions. During one of Lee's and m y many moves, a box
tried to follow. W e were a very lucky squadron that day,
containing most of our memorabilia was lost, including the
because it took some excellentflyingby several people to
official log of m y missions. For some unknown reason, my
avoid an incident that could have brought down several
flight
school log book in which I had noted our missions was
planes.
not in that box. Your list and mine are quite similar, and only
the Oct 3 missiontoOffenberg is really different I had made
On the low level resupply mission to Best Holland (09/18/
a
very few comments, which are included.
44), we transferred our marker beacon antenna from below
M yfirstmission was as co-pilot (John J.) on Ryan's crewon
the catwalk to a Dutch haystack. W e were low. I will never
August
24,1944.1 was shipped out immediately after my 35th,
forget the floodedfieldsand the starving animals trapped on
and
was
not allowed to go with m y guys on their 35th. I think
the dikes, and the young girl tending cattle in one of the few
they
may
have arrived back in the U.S. before I did, though,
unfloodedfieldswho saw us coming and waved her white
because
atStone(?),
I was assignedtoa very large group for a
apron at us. I've always hoped that she was cheering us on
large
ship.
However,
that ship was needed for a hospital
rather than asking us not to hurt her. That must have been an
shipment,
so
we
had
to
wait until another large ship was
awesome sight for her.
available. As I recall through 50 years of haze, it wasaboutone
month
We always had a reputation of which were we very proud.
We before such a ship wasfree.W e were not allowed to
challenge
the "logic" that our group could not be broken up
were considered a "lucky" crew, meaning that we seldom had
into
smaller
shipments!
problems. Since we always had one non-crewmember aboard,
I
cannot
recall why or just when we were movedfromthe
we were proud that the guys making up a mission wanted to
fly with our "lucky" crew.
506th to the 66th. I think we were lucky that it happened,
though, because we were billeted with Joe Testa's crew, and
they were
My wife, Lee and I plan to go to the San Antonio Reunion
and a wonderful bunch of m e n who were more
experienced, and we learned much from them.
hope to see you and so many others there.
I mentioned in m y recent letter that we were a "lucky"
crew. There were two occasions in which we might not have
Sincerely yours.
been able to make it all the way home. O n e was Oct 18, when
the fuel transfer p u m p was sprinkled by the engineer who was
relieving himself on Hider when we hit some prop wash and
he missed the bombs. W e usually did not transferfuelfromthe
This comes from:
outboard tanks until needed because an empty tank full of
Ken Adrian
fumes was much more likely to explode from hot shrapnel
2297 Chantalla Avenue, Pueblo, CO 81006
than a full tank. W h e n we landed at a newly liberatedfieldat
9/12/95
Brussels where the only fuel was in Jerry cans, we were not
Dear Will:
particularly welcome, especially when they learned that we
had 450 gallons of gas in our outer tanks. W e were able to
I got your most welcome letter recendy - - thanks fortransfer
the after the p u m p thawed, so that relieved the problem
"Down De Hatch" photo. I had one, but it was small. W e flew to some degree.
roughly 20 to 25 missions in that plane.
W e landed at Orly, as you indicated, on Jan. 16. Had fields
Bob Iverson of Ledger, Montana, the crew chief, kept the on the continent not been available, it is doubtful that the
old beaters going and had over 100 missions without an abort mission could have been completed asflownbecause a great
at one time. H e was a remarkable crew chief and is one of the many planes were low on fuel. I don't remember how many
reasons we completed our tour.
landed at Orly, but there were a lot of them. Someone ran off
I'm glad to get the true figures on our group's KIA (860) the taxi strip into deep m u d and stranded several planes. Since
- w e still have roughly 100 more than the "Bloody 100th". N o w there was no equipment available to free him, we were "stuck1'
I wonder how many POW's we had (528 and 179 Internees). in Paris for three days. Itoldyou we were lucky!
Don't feel obligatedtoanswerrightaway--1 know you are
W e look forward to seeing you in San Antonio. Best
busy. I just enjoy writing letters to good people.
regards.
Sincerely.
�W e made a successful landing on a grassfieldand were
interned for about six months. M y tail gunner, Sgt Stephen
(Zeke) Jones had bailed out shordy after we had been hit, and
was taken prisoner by the Germans. H e was later returned
safely to the United States.
This comes from:
Ralph Golubeck
Pilot, 506th Sq.
13133 Royal Pines Drive
St. Louis, MO 63146-2280
10/3/95
Normally, thatwould have been the end of my story, bu
is more...much more. After returning to the States in
Dear Will:
November, 1944,1 was assigned to LeattAirBase in Belleville,
IL, flying C-47's. I had the duty of airdrom officer, and one day
I would like to congratulate you and all of the others who have
one of my duties wastoinspect the control tower. While in the
done such a great job of re-organizing the 44th BGVA. It was
tower, I heard a pilot call in for landing instructions, but was
very difficult for me, sitting out here on the prairie to
using a very familiar tail number. M y ears perked up! Was this
understand fully what was going on. I gather that there has
the Princess? I requested that he repeat the call sign and type
been a rather bitter split in the organization and thatyou and of aircraft You guessed it! It was the Princess!!
your colleagues have formed this new group to keep the spirit
of the 44th alive. For that and your great newsletter, I I immediately left the tower, jumped into a jeep, and
congratulate you all for a job well done.
over to where the B-24 had just parked. I could not believe my
eyes - it really was the Princess! It had been repaired, flown
back to England and thentothe U.S. and now was on her way
to Arizona to be melted down. H o w sad!
I remembered that I had left my Zippo lighter in the
when we landed in Sweden and wondered if it was still there.
After a complete search of the flight deck, lam sorrytoreport
that it was not there.
The next morning I went down to the flight line very
I have enclosed some pictures of a model of a B-24 "Princess" was hoping to be able to fly the Princess just one more time.
Tail Number 42-63963, call Letter "W," and would liketotell All I wantedtodo was to shoot one more landing. But even as
you the story of the Princess as far as I know it
early as I was, the B-24 pilot was earlier. H e had just left for
Arizona.
Iflew the Princess on many missions as a pilot in the 506th B.S.
I always enjoyedflyingher because, without a nose or belly This should have been the end of my story, but again,
turret, she was a good deal faster than the 'J" or " " models thatHold on - more to come: Fifty years later I was a volunteer at
the rest of the group wereflying.With that lower weight and a flight museum in Dallas Texas at Love Field. O n e day, in late
speed advantage, I always returned from a mission with plenty May of 1994,1 was walking through a window display of about
of fuel. As the length of our missions kept increasing, fuel 20 warbird models when I spotted a B-24. Somehow I instandy
became a critical factor. O n fuel situation, I returned with
knew that it was the Princess, even though I had not seen the
almost 800 gallons of fuel in the tanks. This wasn't necessarily nose art or the tail numbers. I literally ran into the shop and
the result of m y fuel management skills but because the
asked to see that model.
Princess just used less fuel.
I was speechless atfirst,butfinally managed to convey
During one of our missions critiques, Colonel Gibson that I had been the pilot of the original airplane. About this
congratulated m e for excellent fuel management. I thanked time, the owner of the shop appeared and wanted to know
him, but did not tell him that I wasflyinga "D" model.
what was going on. W h e n Itoldhim, I could tell that he really
did not believe my story. H o w could I convince him that my
On what was to have been my 30th and last mission, I story
was was true?
forced to seek refuge in Sweden after bombing the oil plant
atPolitz on 29 May 1944. W e made an emergency landing in It was then that I remembered an old picture of the P
Sweden after sustaining serious battle damage from a twin
that I carried in my wallet Will, I believe that you sent ittom e
engine German fighter (Me-410?). The number one engine
years ago. W h e n I displayed the picture, they immediately
was knocked out and could not be feathered, and fuel tanks believed m y story and insisted that I sign an autograph book
in the port wing were holed, resulting in loss of a large amount which contained autographs of many pilots. I was honored to
of fuel. M y engineer, T/Sgt. Walter Dunlop attempted to
sign, and of course, I bought the model and proudly display
transfer fuel, but was unable to do so. With #1 windmilling, it in my den.
and creating a lot of drag and loss of much fuel, it was
determined that we would be unable to return to England. W e I have always been curious about this airplane and in
in clearing all of its history. Why was it the only "D" model in
had no other choice buttohead for Sweden.
the 506th Squadron? (All others had been lost last of the
3
�"D's.") ("D's" were vulnerable to nose and belly attacks, so all This comes from:
James & Edna Auman
replacement models were J or H models.) Was it on the Ploesti
352 Church Street
Raid? {No, did not arrive until the end of September, 1943.)
Saint Marys, Pennsylvania 15857-1012
Who flew it to the 44th BG? (Unknown, butR.A. Johnson was
10/30/95
thefirsttoflyher in combat - 2 October, 1943.)
Dear
However, I do have a few facts which might help trace
theRoy:
Princess. There were several names on the airplane at the
various crew positions. The only one I remember was Carlton We want to thank you and all the others who put toget
H o m e . H e had transferred from the RAF. Iflewa couple of
wonderful San Antonio Convention, the hotel arrangements,
missions with him and remember him very well. W h e n I
thetours,the Mexican band and dancers and most ofall, those
returned from Sweden, I saw him in the officers club playing good old 44th B o m b Group people. W e came home with
bridge with Major McAtee and two others. Perhaps if he reads dozens of new friends and a million sweet memories.
this letter (or others), he could help me.
You have our total support and warmest regards in all
I think the Princess might have been one of the Ploesti
veterans ventures.
Raiders. In Steve Birdsall's book, "Log of the Liberator," on
page 28, he writes, "Behind him, Princess and all the rest
This comes from:
pinpointed their bombs." (Reference could have been to
Princess Charlotte, though this plane did notflyPloesti
Pete Worby
either).
26 Woodgreen Road
LUTONLUZ8BT
I always thought that only the original 44th BG planes had the
England
logo. Maybe some of this willjog some old memories and I can Dear Pete:
at last know the history of m y "Princess." (No, the Flying
Eightball was painted on the pilot's side for a considerable
You don' t know me yet I am a 37 year-old English "Fr
time after the original "D's" were gone (other than Lemon
the 8th" member. I have been a member for 20 years.
Drop).
It is remembrance day here as I write this letter to
My wife and I are thrilled that the 44th will assemble
in today
my
a m sad
as I remember those that fell and thankful that
home town of St Louis in '96.1 have never before attended a I have never had to experience the horror of war.
reunion, but a m certainly looking forward to attending this
one.
I do appreciate what you guys did to help us free and
will ever be abletofindthe words to thank you all enough. I
On a sadder note, my old friend, John Money, folded his
hopewings
some of us keep all your memories alive, I intend to.
last year. W e were good friends. H e was a 506th Squadron
pilot
Please tell me about yourself, Pete and tell me how m
Keep 'em flying...
send you for a copy of a war time photo of you, as I am most
interested.
EDITOR: Thanks for this amazing story of what seems to be
your destiny with "The Princess" even in the form of a The greatest thing that I wish I could have is to sha
beautiful model! We don't have anything in the roster on
of every U S A A F veteran because we consider all of you as
Carlton Home. You might try Jim McAtee, RR1, Box 134E, honorary English.
Viola, IL 61486. Also,you might wish to getyour own copy of
the 44th BGVA Roster to help in your research. See the note
I saw your page in 2nd AD news about "Petra" (p 11 Sum
on Roster purchase elsewhere in this Issue.
95). Petra is an old temple set into a cliffside. It appears in the
closing shots of thefilm"Indianajones and the Last Crusade"
as the exterior of the temple.
Please can you also tell me how much to send for an o
of 44th Newsletter and if any 44th wanttowritetome, I would
lovetohear from them.
If there is ever anything I can do for you or any 44t
let m e know, as I a m most honored to know you all.
Yours.
EDITOR: He'll have a copy of this issue soon!
34
�THE N E W 44TH ROSTER
44TH BOMB GROUP VETERANS
ASSOCIATION BOARD
Have you ever wished that you had a 44th BGVA
Roster of your own to keep track of your crew and
other buddies? Well, it's here! T h e Board authorized
publishingthe Membership Rosterand w e introduced
it at the San Antonio Reunion. It was a R U S H ! This
first issue Active listing is complete as ofjune 1, and
the deceased list as of June 5. Your order will be
accompanied by an addendum sheet of changes since
those dates.
President: R o y W . O w e n (506th)
6304 Meadowridge Drive
Santa Rosa, California 95409
Phone: (707) 538-4726 Fax: (707) 538-1212
Vice President: James H. Clements (506th)
4124 Calculus Avenue
Dallas, Texas 75244
Phone/Fax: (214) 243-4657
Secretary: Edward M. Dobson (67th)
118 South 15th Avenue, #1
Bozeman, Montana 59715-4130
Phone: (800) 587-2492 (Code 44)
The Roster will be completely updated and repr
biennially on June 30, with an update addendum
June 30 of the between year. T h e cost is $5 plus $2
1st class postage. Place your order with:
Treasurer: Gerald (Jerry) W. Folsom (506th)
Art Hand
954 Lowell Avenue
517 Elm Street
Salt Lake City, Utah 84102-3620
Paris, IL 61994
Phone: (801) 359-6159 Fax: (801) 533-8747
Make checks payable to:
44th B G V A
(In the lower left corner of your check, note
Roster.)
Office Historian: C.W. "Will" Lundy
3295 North "H" Street
San Bernardino, C A 92405-2809
Phone/Fax: (909) 882-2441
44th Group Vice President to 2nd ADA:
H.C. "Pete" Henry (67th/66th)
164B Portland Lane
Jamesburg, N e w Jersey 08831-1536
Phone: (609) 655-0982
SEARCH - ROSTER - MAIL LIST
If you hear of a 44th'er that does not belong
Association, or has passed away, please notify:
Art H a n d
517 Elm Street
Paris, Illinois 61994
Phone/Fax: (217) 463-5905
If you move or change any aspect of your address or
phone number, wife's name, want to stop receiving
the 8 Ball Tails or whatever, please notify:
T o m Shepherd
10597 Cambrooke Cove
Collierville, Tennessee 38017
Phone: (901) 854-6558 Fax: (901) 853-4229
Director: Edw. K. "Mike" Mikoloski (66th)
626 Smithfield Road #702
N. Providence, Rhode Island 02904
Phone: (401) 353-0144
Director: Robert I. "Bob" Brown (67th)
#8 Metairie Court
San Ramon, C A 94583-3824
Phone: (415) 828-4529
Director: Robert J. Lehnhausen (68th)
709 West Meadows Place
Peoria, Illinois 61604-3447
Phone: (309) 685-2490
Director: Sherman N. "Bud" Dowett (506th)
14550 Wolf Road
Grass Valley, C A 95949
Phone: (916) 268-1019
Director: Melvin G. Trager (HQSq.)
2522 Red Oak Trail
Crest Hill, Illinois 60435-3197
Phone: (815) 725-3439
35
���*'<*e0f
ra
8er
�NAMING OF "LEMON DROP"
By Hylan "Hy " Simmons
After the Reg Phillips crew took over the new plane just
less frequently. Pilots Gildart, Stahler, Slaughter and
prior to leaving for England, w e were having a bit of trouble
Marcouillier took turns flying her, with Stahler's miswith it. The plane was having trouble flying to altitude—
sion to Oslo, Norway on 18 November being yet anamong other worrisome things. Then, en route to England,
other tough raid on which the L e m o n Drop brought her
w e had a bad landing at Newfoundland, smashing the belly
crew back safely. Then several of the 66th pilots deof the ship.
cided to get in the act and flew a few raids in her: Miller,
They worked on it there to get it in good enough shape that
Ugarte, Comey, Insley and Irby taking their turns in Dew e could fly it back to the States for repairs at the Air depot
cember '43. Lt. Jewell was scheduled to fly her on 30
in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. After about three weeks of strucDecember, but Lt. Irby took her instead. After a long
tural repairs, w e again left headed for England. W e stopped
rest, Capt. Jansen, with Major Killinor used L e m o n Drop
in N e w Hampshire that first night to gas up. The next mornto lead the entire 44th Group on 8 February '44 to
ing when w e opened the B o m b Bay doors on pre flight, there
Watten, France for her final operational mission.
was gasoline pouring out of the wing into the B o m b Bay. Lt.
Having earned her retirement, she "volunteered" to
Phillips decided it would be best to return to Harrisburg again
show the new, younger replacement aircraft h o w it was
for repairs. W e flew back to the Air Depot with the B o m b
done as she acquired a gaudy new yellow paint job with
Bay doors wide open and gas dripping out. At Harrisburg
vertical encircling black stripes and was put to work as
they went back to work on her again and found that someone
the Assembly Lead Ship. Launching in advance of the
had sabotaged the wing tanks! Lucky that w e didn't blow up
mission aircraft she would climb to assembly altitude
in flight! Finally, repaired again, w e took off for England and
at our Buncher Beacon and start a racetrack pattern firmade it, uneventfully to Newfoundland where w e were once
ing green-green flares until the group was formed and
again delayed by weather. Finally, by way of Iceland w e made
ready to turn on course for the Division Assembly Line
it to Shipdham. By the time w e arrived, w e were several weeks
and on to the bomber stream. L e m o n Drop would then
behind the others from our squadron.
call it a day and return to base, as usual, her assigned
It was at that time that the name "Lemon Drop" was
mission completed.
L e m o n Drop recorded 45 operational missions, some
born. Strange that with such a poor start she survived to be
not only the last of the original aircraft, but she survived the
extremely tough, but she managed always to return from
each. Scattered among her raids were those early diverentire war! I flew m y first five missions in "Lemon Drop."
sions for she was credited with four ducks painted on
First mission? Lt. Phillips on 20 December 1942.
her side along side the fifteen Swastikas indicating vicPilots flying her included Phillips, O'Brien, Garrett, and
tories over German fighters. For all of this, the 68th
Houston who, on 14 M a y 1943 took her to Kiel—and brought
B o m b Squadron, and particularly her C r e w Chief,
her back. In June, 1943 she travelled to North Africa and flew
M A S T E R S E R G E A N T C H A R L E S P I G G are justly
several missions in July, then flew on and returned from the 1
proud.
August '43 Ploesti raid. So she helped us win both of our
Presidential Unit Citations. She also made the second trip to
North Africa in September '43; completed three more missions while there including future 68th
C O . Robert
Lehnhausen taking her to
Weiner-Neustadt and bringing
her back once again. This mission too was a demanding raid
on which the 44th suffered
heavy losses.
U p o n return to England in
early October, old L e m o n Drop
seemed to lose her popularity,
with snide remarks about her
"toothpick props," her aging
condition, her m a n y patches and
repairs, so the missions came
"The Lemon Drop " with Sgts. Huff, Ingram. Banta, Hayes and Gavin in the hack and 2nd Lt. Haw
Capt. Phillips, 2nd Lt. Scarlett and 1st Lt. LaFleur in front. (Photo courtesy of R. H. P
I
�A MISSION WITH A VETERAN
By Sgt. George Lemley, Radio Operator on Lt. Paul Ugarte 's
crew.
26 November 1943—Target: Bremen, Germany.
"The B-24 w e flew on that day w a s called " L e m o n
Drop". T h e n a m e couldn't have been more appropriate. N o demand-type oxygen system, just the
constant supply type with the bladder that filled up
with saliva and froze at altitude. Well, w e were each
presented with at least three of these each. I can still
see the Bombardier with that load over his shoulders. A n d froze they did! Also, that old plane had
those lousy "toothpick" props, which m a d e her a
slow climber.
W e had not been over e n e m y territory very long
until w e encountered short periods of flak and
fighters. However, on nearing the target, the flak
became heavier and the fighters more numerous.
Well, about all the gunners could do was to point
their guns in the direction of the fighters and hope
the tracers would keep them at a distance.
During this period of the war it was rumored Hitler
had a secret weapon which he was sure to use
against us. Well w e did see some strange articles
hurtling in space which looked like ash cans which
might have been empty gas tanks dropped from
G e r m a n fighters; and w e did snicker at some stupid
fireworks which looked like pin wheels trailing
smoke behind them. Shortly after turning for h o m e
our Bombardier and Navigator announced that a
G e r m a n had dropped cable on us. It wrapped
around the grid work of the "green house" and
broke some of the plexiglass which then cut both
m e n up front. W e could see the cable flapping but
fortunately not close to the windshield or the propellers.
Just then some sort of projectile struck our ship,
wounding one of the waist gunners and I saw s o m e
sort of object flaming from both ends on the catwalk in the b o m b bay. T h e pilot surmised that it was
a 2 0 m m slug, probably of the tracer variety. It soon
burned itself out.
The pilot suggested that I go d o w n to the
Bombardier's compartment to see if I could be of
some help there, so with a walk-around bottle, I
struggled through that narrow opening. But the two
of them motioned for m e to go back. There did not
seem to be any immediate danger and both were
doing fine.
Beside having no front turret, this old clunker had
no ball turret, and worst of all it has a caliber .30
machine gun mounted beneath the flight deck near
the A P U — "putt-putt." I was told, in addition to
m y duties of Radio Operator and photographer, I
was to operate this flexible gun. But I had no
intention to take up this position as I returned from
the nose. N o W a y ! After w e dropped our bombs I
was to leave the b o m b bay doors slightly open to
try to photograph the b o m b strikes, but I left
without being told. W h e n I announced to the pilot
that I had left the position, I was told that I should
have left there long before.
Just as w e were preparing to land the pilot instructed m e to start up the "putt-putt." W h e n I
tried, the top of the cylinder came off. Later w e
saw that w e did have a fairly good hit just beneath
the b o m b bay and were damaged. Glad I had the
initiative to leave that area when I did.
A n d so " L e m o n Drop" survived yet another
mission—and m a n y more to come. She finally
was converted to a "formation" ship gaudily
decorated with those stripes so that our 44th
planes could readily identify her and form up
quickly and efficiently.
Roy Owen, President
THE PRESIDENTS CORNER
There's lots to talk about this time, some bragging, some
newsy things, and some head stuff (things to think about).
Let's get the bragging out of the way which is going to
all be about the way the memberships just keep rolling
in. At last count w e are up to 941 total members with 140
of those being Life members. It is so encouraging to see
there are so many w h o refused to lay down and let our
44th fade away. W e thank you for the wonderful sup(continued next page)
�P R E S I D E N T ' S C O R N E R (continued)
portive letters that are pouring in with all the good words
about appreciating our first little 8 Ball Tails and all the work
the "Survival Committee" did to keep us alive. I've said before, it was labor of love for us all, but it sure is nice to get a
pat on the back from you all.
Back to memberships, first for you early supporters w h o sent
in your $5.00 for the last part of '94 dues, don't forget to get
your $15.00 in for '95. We're sending this issue of The Tails
to all of the '94 members, but we'll be trimming the mailing
list to those paid-up members for the next issue. Also, for
those of you that are not members of The Second Air Division Association, I encourage you to join them. Our Constitution pledges affiliation with, and support of the 2nd A D A
and it should be our aim that, once again, the 44th take its
rightful place along side our contemporary Groups w h o served
under the 2nd Air Division C o m m a n d . It follows that w e can
more easily accomplish our goals of perpetuating the heritage of the 44th and honoring our fallen comrades with the
support of 2nd A D A than w e can without them.
The last thing I want to discuss about memberships has its
basis in the research I've been doing on our IRS Tax Exempt
Veterans Organization status. Our constitutional membership
eligibility which extends m e m b e r s h i p to "Spouses,
Widow(er)s and direct descendents of 44th Veterans" is in
perfect accord with the IRS requirements for tax exempt status. Our Constitution also states "each m e m b e r attending an
official meeting will be considered a delegate to that meeting." W h a t this translates to is that by having your wife hold
her o w n membership when you both attend our reunions, and
you itemize deductions, you m a y deduct both of your travel
expensestoan official meeting as delegates. Most importantly
she will be enfranchised with a vote. Let's face it, they all
raise their hands when there is a vote called anyway. W e might
just as well make it official! I just sent $15.00 in for Lolly
after she informed m e that if I expected her to stick stamps
and address labels on these 8 Ball Tails, she was demanding
woman's suffrage!
About the time (hopefully) you are reading this your Executive Board will be having its first meeting in Saint Louis,
M O . , the top of our agenda will be to look at that fair city as
the site for our 1996 reunion.
Also, I have notified the Board of m y intention to appoint a
Treasurertoreplace Will Lundy, our Historian/Acting Treasurer under the authority of Article VI, Section 3 of our Constitution which provides for such appointment. Your new Treasurer will be Gerald W . Folsom (506th) of Salt Lake City.
Gerry has been a career accountant and is presently the treasurer for the Salt Lake County Fish & G a m e Association, a
nonprofit organization. H e has a professional computer accounting system which he will integrate our finances into.
W e should be able to turn Will Lundy back to his Historian
duties full time by the end of April. Again, w e o w e Will a big
T H A N K Y O U for seeing us through this resurrection period
by accepting the Acting Treasurer job and handling the
donations of seed money then the receipt of membership dues, paying the bills and all the attendant banking, all the while answering your letters and m y questions, and passing on materialtom e for the 8 Ball Tails
and the membership information to Art Hand and T o m
Shephard. Will is living proof of the old saw "if you
want something done right, give it to the busiest person
you can find." W h a t amazes m e is when Lolly and I
visited with Will and Irene and he showed m e all of his
archives and historical material I couldn't believe h o w
neatly this m a n does all this. You k n o w — a place for
everything and everything in its place. Hard to believe
for a guy like m e w h o operates like I a m the author of
" H o w to Survive and Function in a Messy Office!"
Speaking of surviving, yourole' Prez needs some help;
I'm finding that the total of the job of president, editor,
publisher has become so near full-time that there's hardly
time to spell retirement, let alone do it! Before you
read "bitchin" into this, let m e say if it wasn't a labor of
love, I wouldn't be doing it. I proudly accepted the job,
knowing it was a lot of work, because, frankly, I wanted
to see our new organization get underway and going
strong to m y satisfaction. Not m y ego satisfaction, just
to see us functioning as a democratic organization
should. N o w the problem is that while I o w n a computer (thanks to Lolly), I a m really far from being computer literate. I manage to peck things out in Microsoft
W O R D , and with the help of m y local Kinko's printer,
I've struggled (almost) through m y second edition of
The Tails, but I do it very inefficiently. W h a t I need is
an 8 Ball'er w h o is really in charge of a computer and is
into desktop publishing, like Pagemaker or similar, to
handle the publishing side of the editor-publisher function. This would serve another purpose besides relieving m e of the design and layout of the publication. I've
found that the cost of printing in the San Francisco region is about 3 0 % above the norm for the rest of the
country. Lolly and I have been doing all of the typing to
save the cost of the printer doing the typesetting, but
still the printing is costly. If w e could print in the vicinity of our publishing function w e could cut costs considerably. S o m e of you "computer heads" step forward
with some ideas and offers to assist m e in giving our
membership a journal w e can be proud of.
See you in San Antonio.
—Roy
IF YOU HAVE A RED SPOT ON YOUR ADDRESS
LABEL, WE DON'T HAVE YOUR '95 DUES OR
LIFE MEMBERSHIP AS OF 3/23/95. YOUR MEMBERSHIP BECAME INACTIVE APRIL I, 1995, T
WILL BE YOUR LAST ISSUE OF THE 8 BALL
TAILS. PLEASE RENEW BY JUNE 1—WE DON'T
WANT TO LOSE YOU!
�WILL SEZ
M a n y of you have written questioning the status of the restoration of the control tower at Shipdham, so let m e
bring you up to date. A s most of you are aware, nothing m u c h has been done with the tower due mostly to the
pressing and urgent need to concentrate on the saving the organization itself. N o w that w e have stabilized our
new 44th B G V A , the subject of further restoration of that building will be a major topic at the 44th B G V A
Executive Board meeting at St. Louis, M O on the 7th and 8th of May.
Work on the old tower was never approved by the 44th H M G Board, so I felt under those circumstances, I
should take on this project personally. At that time nearly 400 of you agreed that something positive should be
done. N o w that w e have a n e w and dedicated leadership, I a m relinquishing m y left field position and will abide
by the concluding decisions of our Executive Board.
Irene and I along with Richard and Ardith Butler will be attending the 2nd A D A V E Day Commemoration
party in Norwich the first week in M a y , and, of course, visit the old Base with our other 44thers. At the St.
Louis meeting the Executive Board will confirm the appointment of Col. Butler and myself as a committee to
investigate the viability of the Shipdham Tower restoration project while w e are there. In that regard, I have
requested and have received an invitation to meet with the owner's agent to discuss options available concerning the tower itself so there should not be any misstatements or misunderstanding of the facts. The results of this
meeting and our discussions with Mr. D o u g Genge, our benefactor in the past, will be presented to our Board
for review and a logical decision will be announced as soon as practical.
Please remember that all of you can contribute to the "gravy" of our heritage by continuing to send in your
stories about your time in the 44th, be it during W W II or up to the present time. The 44th was active for 53
years, so just think of the m a n y experiences our people must have had. We'd love to have any of your experiences that you have the nerve to tell and share with the rest of us. Those w h o took over in 1945 surely must
have many accounts that would be of interest to all. Every 44th'er of every era is invited and encouraged to
share their stories with us. See you in San Antonio,
Our traveling Historian and our new Group Vice President to 2nd ADA
along with their supporting cast Irene and Ardith smiling over our success at Colorado Springs.
4
�FOLDED WINGS
Hany Steele
506th
1/93
Robert "Foots" Lee
68th
ukn
PLOESTI V E T E R A N S
Vincent Huenerberg
67th
3/93
Tom Laskowski
68th
12/94
Bert Johnson
ukn
7/94
Theodore B. Hoffiz
66th
4/92
James R. Perry, Jr
Joseph H. Bonneau
67th
3/93
Morrie Meunitz
ukn
'75
67th
11/94
Willis J.W. Cato
67th
10/66
Frank P. Pacylowsky
ukn
ukn
Walter Cohn
68th
9/92
Joseph Arcangeli
66th
2/95
Conrad Menzel
506th
Harold F. Bergmann
67th
1/95
Carlisle Crutcher
66th
'93
'92
John V. Patton
68th
5/93
Fred E. Fayard, Jr.
ukn
ukn
Sam F. Junrin
506th
2/66
This is a partial list of our deceased
44th comrades that Art H a n d has been
able to trace just recently with the
capability of his C D phone directory.
Wayne M . Rickert
68th
4/93
William F. Zoller
68th
7/93
Frank J. Namiotka
67th
1/89
Robert E Felber
66th
6/93
Robert W . Ryan
67th
1/93
Frederick A. DuBose
506th
12/93
Walter Nealon
68th
George Bryant
68th
Kenneth Moore
68th
John E. Kirby
67th
ukn
ukn
ukn
'93
Harris J. Slutz
John Bass
ukn
ukn
ukn
ukn
ukn
ukn
'81
'87
Cortland Woodruff
66th
5/81
Wilbert Bupp
ukn
Dennis F. Murphy
'87
ukn
ukn
ukn
ukn
Albert Leghorn
66th
Sampson L. Dietz
66th
Ross Carrow
506th
Charles Huntz
506th
Ralph Jorgenson
506th
Lyle Murphy
506th
Robert Petkoff
506th
Irwin Rada
506th
Herman Smith
506th
ALL O T H E R S
Everette Cassells
Edward J. Kamholz
Donald E. Hefner
Marvin G. Jenson
Leslie B. Chisholm
Kenneth D. Kagley
12/90
11/79
1/91
ukn
'83
2/93
ukn
ukn
'93
'93
'93
ukn
ukn
unk
ukn
This also explains some of the long past
dates of the passing of these men. W e
will continue to catch up on the list with
each issue as well as list n e w Folded
Wings.
�MISCELLANEA
A N E W G R O U P V P T O 2 N D AIR DIV
Our long and faithful Group Vice President to
Second Air Division, Pete Henry has been experiencing about a years worth of health problems that
the doctors have been having difficulty defining, but
he describes as "getting too tired too soon during
the day." At any rate, the medics think it best he cut
back on some of his activities and conserve his
strength while they get a handle on his lack of
energy. As far as the 44th is concerned, besides
Pete's health, is that he is vacating the Group Vice
President to 2nd A D . A position he has served so
well since most of us can remember.
To fill this important liaison job , I have nominated
Richard Butler for the job; he has accepted, and will
be confirmed at the Executive Board meeting in St.
Louis May 7 in time to assume his duties at the 2nd
A D I V meeting in Lexington, K Y July 3-4-5, 1995.
W e owe Pete and Mary both our enduring thanks for
shrugging off the problems involved in maintaining
the lines of communication between the two organizations notwithstanding a lack of any support by the
H M G and tirelessly carrying on with the job. W e trust
your full recovery will be soon forthcoming, Pete.
A REPORT ON THE NORWAY MEMORIAL
Dear Mr. Owen:
I am taking this opportunity to thank you and the
44th Veterans Association for the fine support you
gave us, the survivors of the Norway Memorial
Mission, in raising the necessary funds and seeing
the completion of the Norway Memorial that will
be officially presented to the Royal Norwegian Air
Force on May 8, 1995, the anniversary of V E Day
in Norway.
Without the support of members of the 44th B G this
project of three years could not have been successful. W e raised over $800 for the bronze memorial
that I had shipped to Norway on 18 Feb. 1995. It
will arrive in time for the liberation of Europe
ceremonies in Oslo on M a y 8, 1995. The R N A F ,
King Harald and the Norwegian Government have
pledged their support to care for this memorial. It
honors 72 airmen, many from the 44th B G who
were lost on the Norway missions and whose bodies
were found. It is one of the great stories of sacrifice
made in W W II.
I wish to personally thank C.W. L U N D Y , COL.
WILLIAM CAMERON, COL. RICHARD BUTLER, MAJ. R.C. GRIFFITH, BOB
WEATHERWAX, E D W A R D M. DOBSON, JR.
and many others of the 44th for their donations and
support over the past three years. A special thanks
goes to those I have not named due to space limitations. BRIG. G E N . J O H N G I B S O N deserves a
special thanks for his interest and support of this
most important project.
The accounting of the $800 fund was $743 allocated
for the bronze memorial and $55 for shipping and
insurance charges for a total of $798.1 have sent
individual thanks to each contributor and to the 2nd
Air Div. Assn., the 8th A F Historical Society and to
Mrs. D O R O T H Y TINSELY, widow of SGT. JOS E P H GILBERT, one of the 44th men killed in
action on the Norway mission. The 44th can truly
now state with this memorial in Norway that its
heroic achievements in the air war of W W II extend
from the deserts of North Africa to the oilfieldsof
Romania, from Berlin to Benghazi, Norwich to
Norway and more. The 44th has left the world a
rich and varied legacy that will remain eternal in the
hearts of all men and women who cherish freedom.
—FORREST S. CLARK, 44th BG, 67th SQ
EDITOR: You've made us proud with this project,
Forrest. Thank you . Glad we were able to help. I
understand that some more thanks are in order for
BRIG. G E N . G I B S O N who is travelling to Oslo at
his expense to represent the 44th on May 8.
VE DAY COMMEMORATION IN ENGLAND
As a part of the VE Day Commemoration in England, Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth has proclaimed Monday, May 8 as Bonfire Day in the
"Villages." That evening every town and village in
the land will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the
end of World War II with a community celebration
around a bonfire. I suspect there will be a bit of
brown ale a'flowing as well! God bless 'em, it was
the end of a tough, hard war for the English and we
must never forget that what little they had, they
shared with us. W e should all wish to be there to
join in the celebration with our steadfast friends,
they are such wonderful folks!
�66TH SQUADRON MEMBERS ALERT
You've got a great English friend, Steve A d a m s ,
writing your W W II history. H e has asked that w e
again remind you that he is in need of more material
about the squadron for the history. Whether you were
from the 66th or not, and have any remembrances of
incidents that involved the 66th or its personnel that
would be of interest, please write it, copy it, or whatever needs to be done, and send it along to Steve. A s
this will be the last of our squadron histories, Steve
wants it to be the best. Submit what you have to: Steve
A d a m s , 28 Bassingham Road, Norwich, Norfolk N R 3
2 Q T U.K.
A N O T H E R ALERT
Word comes to us that the 2nd A D A Memorial Library
copy of our Ursal P. Harvell, HISTORY OF T H E
44TH B O M B G R O U P "FLYING EIGHT BALLS"
LIBERATORS O V E R E U R O P E was destroyed in the
Norwich Library fire. Can someone among us come
up with another copy to donate? Perhaps in the
memorabilia of one of our deceased 8 Bailers there
might be a copy the family might donate to the library
in the name of their loved one to be on display rather
than gathering dust in the attic. If you can part with a
copy of the history, please call Will Lundy and coordinate shipping it to him at:
3295 North H St., San Bernardino, C A 92405-2809
Phone (909) 882-2441 Will can deliver the history
personally if it reaches him P R I O R to April 30 when
he and Irene will be packing to leave for England.
M a n y Thanks.
50 YEARS LATER , WARBIRDS
WILL FLY AGAIN
From The Air Force Times
Washington— As many as 300 World War II -era
bomber, fighter and transport planes will participate in
a two-week journey across the United States to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of the war.
The aerial armada—called Freedom Flight America—
is expected to be the largest such group of planes assembled since the war. The group will depart from Long
Beach from Long Beach, Calif, on July 31 and stop at
about a dozen cities.
Among the airplanes expected to participate are B-17
Flying Fortress bombers, P-51 Mustang and P-47 Thunderbolt fighters, and C-47 Skytrain cargo planes as well
as vintage Navy, Marine Corps and Allied aircraft.
The trip is the brainchild of Morey Darznieks, 51, a
Latvian immigrant and owner of Lance Aircraft Supply, Inc. of Dallas, a vintage-aircraft parts company.
Darznieks is the founder of the Freedom Flight America
Foundation, also based in Dallas, which is managing
the effort.
"During World War II, he and his family were bombed
out of their home in Riga, Latvia, and after the war the
were sponsored to come to the United States," said
Darznieks' son John. "He has lived the American dream
and the country has been really good to him. This trip is
his way of saying thank you to the veterans that have
made freedom possible."
Darznieks is bankrolling the flight's organizational expense.
To help pay for fuel, maintenance and lodging costs for
participating planes and crews, the foundation is selling $50 certificates signed by Army Air Force veterans,
including retired fighter ace Col. Francis S. Gabreski
and retired Col. Robert K. Morgan, pilot of the "Memphis Belle," the first B-17 to complete 25 bombing missions over Germany and France.
Depending on the size of the aircraft, fuel and maintenance costs can range from $500 to $7,000 per flying
hour.
Now that we have new Treasurer, we have also acquired
a
For information,
call the Freedom Flight Foundation at
new Post Office Box. This address will be used for payment
(214) 247-1214. Here are some of the cities the planes
of dues. Life memberships, donations, etc., and any direct
will visit:
communication with the Treasurer in connection with those
Long Beach, C A , July 28-31
payments. PLEASE D O N O T S E N D Y O U R R E U N I O N
Phoenix, A Z , , July 31-Aug. 1
RESERVATION P A Y M E N T T O THIS BOX. IT G O E S T O
El Paso, T X , Aug. 1 - 2
T H E A D D R E S S O N T H E RESERVATION FORM.
Dallas, T X , Aug. 2 - 3
For payment of dues, etc., make the check out to
Kansas City, M O , Aug. 3 - 4
4 4 T H B G V A and send to:
Aurora, IL, Aug. 4 - 7
44th B G V A
Washington, D.C., Aug. 9-11
P.O. Box 2367
N e w York City, Aug. 11-14
Salt Lake City, U T 84118-2367
~ P g
A N E W 44TH BGVA P.O. BOX
�THE SUPPORT UNITS
W h e n I read this citation I thought about all of the
guys in all of the support units, the medics, the
MPs, the cooks & bakers, supply, personal equipment, engineers, communications,finance,all of the
men and w o m e n who were not directly in touch
with the air and ground crews and aircraft, EXC E P T W H E N W E N E E D E D T H E M , and that was a
lot of times when we weren't aware of what they,
individually, had contributed to the climax of our
(the aircrew's) job on mission days, getting off,
bombing the target, and bringing the aircraft home
if we could. Then I lamented, did I ever really thank
these people? Yeah, we took them on those "Trolley
Missions" right after V E Day to let them see what
we'd been up to on those horrible waiting days
when they stayed behind worrying about us and
anxiously counting the returning aircraft. Specifically, as relates to this citation, I tried to remember
those days when we came down final firing those
flairs indicating battle damage but managed to land
safely with those Crash Rescue Units and Ambulances following down the runway then standing by
until we were out safely. Did I get out of that aircraft and go directly to those guys and thank them
for just being there when and if we needed them. I
hope I did, but I'm not sure. N o w I wish I had said
thanks to the whole wonderful support bunch. There
were some among their ranks that, as with the
aircrews, made the supreme sacrifice.
MULfiHIft
n
AND
HEATER
The Posthumous Award of the Soldiers Medal to
Sgt. M O N R O E A. A T C H L E Y , 35579833, and PVT.
T E D R. B U N A L S K I reads: Sgt Atchley and Pvt.
Bunalski were off duty, eating supper on the night
ofjune 4, 1944 when they heard men yelling a
plane had crashed. They left their meals, ran out to
the road and jumped on thefirsttruck going to the
fire. Upon arrival at the crashed airplane they
immediately began extinguishing the flames engulfing the aircraft in disregard of the burning gasoline
and the warning that there were bombs aboard. Sgt.
Atchley and Pvt. Bunalski lost their lives attempting
to save the aircrew when a bomb exploded in near
proximity to these courageous Crash-Rescue men.
The award of T H E B R O N Z E S T A R to S/SGT
C H A R L E S P R O V E N Z A N O , 32295536, SGT.
A N T O N I O M . SULPRIZIO, 31300102, PFC
A N T O N B A U C , 36658870, PFC M I C H A E L
L A Z A R E W I C Z , 32651944 and T/5 J O H N J.
S C H R A C K , 33717052 reads: On the night of June
4, 1944, these members of a Crash Rescue unit
disregarding the danger of exploding 20 lb. fragmentation bombs aboard a crashed and burning B24, which had killed two of their crash crew, courageously continued to extinguish thefireand rescue
aircrew members until they were ordered to move
back from the fire by the Officer-in-Charge.
All were members of the 2033rd Engineer Aviation
Firefighting Platoon, A A F Station 115, A P O 558
PADIO
A few of the many Support Units
that made life bearable—
and sometimes saved lives.
X
�Left to Right: Norm Chown, Brice Williams, Jim Dietz, Al Martin, Roy Owen, Frank Castelli
HOW ABOUT A SONOMA COUNTY (CA) CHAPTER OF EIGHT BALLERS!
Right after m y return home from Colorado Springs
and being, for thefirsttime, in possession of the
complete 8 Ball Roster as one of the presidential
perquisites, I was surfing through the roster and came
across two 44th'ers besides A L M A R T I N and myself
living in Santa Rosa. I immediately called m y 506th
buddy, Al, and told him about m yfind.Al and I have
lunch together every 2 or 3 months and I suggested we
make contact with F R A N K C A S T E L L I and
N O R M A N C H O W N also both 506th guys. Al volunteered to make contact and call back, which he did,
and we set a date for lunch at m y golf clubhouse last
November. What a day of surprises we had! First,
Frank Castelli, a retired California Highway Patrolman, and Norm Chown, a retired attorney from the
Sonoma County Public Defenders Office immediately
recognized the other from a long professional relationship (adversaries, I might add) in our courts. Neither
had ever discussed wartime service nor realized, even
remotely, that they were not only 44th veterans, but
were both 506th members and served their tours at
exactly the same time! Frank as Nose Gunner on the
E D JARVIS crew and Norm as Waist Gunner,firston
the L O U C O N F E R crew, and when Confer finished
his tour, he joined the M E L P A R R I S H crew until V E
Day. The next surprise was when I found Frank was
with the Jarvis crew and we realized that we had been
on sister crews (I was Co-Pilot on the Bill Smith crew)
throughout O T U training at Mountain Home, Idaho,
had shipped over to England on the He de
France, assigned to the 44th/506th from Stone,
and both crews flew a B-24 home after V E day.
Not long after our initial luncheon, I received a
letter from M E L T R A G E R concerning the flags
he has obtained for us through his V F W Post. In
his letter he mentioned B R I C E W I L L I A M S , a
44th buddy that also resides in Santa Rosa. I
proceeded to contact Brice (he was in the Finance
Office at Shipdham, a very vital part of our
Anglo-American relations efforts with the distaff
side of our English hosts) and he cheerfully
accepted the invitation to join us at our next
luncheon on Feb. 22. About that time I got a call
from JIM DIETZ, a 68th comrade who resides in
Ukiah (about 60 miles north of Santa Rosa). He
was inquiring if I had heard from a Canadian, Dr.
Reid, who had purchased an original oil painting
of the 68th aircraft "Corky" at the Smithonian
and was attempting to contact the crew to develop the war record of the aircraft (Jim was the
Radio Operator). In the course of the conversation, I told Jim about our 44th luncheons and our
Sonoma Chapter once again grew and we all met
on schedule again at the clubhouse appropriately
on George Washington's birthday. Lolly graciously served as our photographer to record that
really enjoyable get-together. There were war
stories and fellowship aplenty!
�"THAT RAGGED OLD FLAG"
I walked through a county court house square
And on a park bench, an old man was sittin' there
I said, "Your old court house has kind of run down. "
He said, "No, it will do for our little town. "
I said, "Yourflag pole has leaned a little bit,
and that's a ragged old flag you 've got hanging on it. "
He said, "Have a seat, " and I sat down.
"Is this thefirsttime you've come to our little town?"
I said, "I think it is. " He said, "I don't to brag,
but we are kind of proud of that ragged old flag.
You see, we got a little hole in that flag there
,
when Washington took it across the Delaware,
and it got a powder burn when Francis Scott Key
sat up watchin'it, writing "Oh Say Can You See. "
And it got a little rip in New Orleans
with Packingham and Jackson tuggin' at the seams,
and it almost fell at the Alamo run,
beside the Texas flag, but she waved on.
It got cut with a sword at Chancellorsville,
got cut again at Shiloh Hill.
There was Robert E. Lee, Beauregard and Bragg,
and the South wind blew hard on that ragged old flag.
On Flanders Field in World War One,
She got a bad hole form a Bertha gun.
She turned blood red in World War Two,
She hung limp and tired by the time that one was through.
She was in Korea and Vietnam,
She went where she was sent by her Uncle Sam.
She waved from our ships upon the briny foam,
and now we 've about quit waving her here back home.
And in her own good land here, she's been abused.
She's been burned, dishonored, denied and refused,
and now the very government for which she stands
is scandalized throughout the land.
and she's getting threadbare and she's wearing kind of thin,
but she's in good shape for the shape she's in.
Because she's been through thefirebefore,
and you can be sure she can take a whole lot more.
So we raise her every morning, and we bring her down slow every night.
We don't let her touch the ground and we fold her up just right.
On second thought, I do like to brag,
Because I'm mighty proud of that ragged old flag. "
"So am I,"
Author
Unknown
10
�MAIL CALL
Just a few words about your letters , we'll do our best
to see that they are all answered and, space permitting,
published. Yes, the good, the bad and the ugly! Because of space limitations, we will exercise some
editorial license in trimming some of the "how is the
weather" and "my arthritis is kicking up again" stuff,
and you are liable to see some paraphrasing of your
original letter here and there for clarity and brevity.
But rest assured the color, and that "gravy" Will wants
will come through. Bear with us, it's a right all editors
reserve along with editorial comment.
44TH'ERS A R E T O U G H !
January 1995
Dear Will,
Thanks to all of you, our new President and new
Board. It's great to know that the 44th will be preserved. I thought it was a shame to give up on one of
Americas greatest B o m b Groups. I have really missed
the last 3 reunions, I have been under the weather for
the past 2 years and I get inspired by guys like D A N
V A L E N T I and B O B K R U E G E R who have beaten the
BigC.
I was the Tail Gunner on KAY'S crew, seven of us are
still alive. W e had 6 show up at the last Rapid City
Reunion and I hope 7 will show up at San Antonio. I
know I'll see you guys there and particularly B O B
L E H N H A U S E N ; it's good to see him active in the
new old group. Very Truly,
K E N N Y SMITH
3500 Division St. Apt. 153
Metairie, L A 70002
EDITOR; I'm looking forward to shaking the hand of
a tough ole' 8 Bailer in San Antone'!
REMEMBER THE DRYING ROOM?
This comes from Lt. E A R L J. GUY, 66th Sq.
1419 Sand Creek Rd., Boggstown, IN 46110
I was the Group Personal Equipment & Air Sea Rescue Officer, with Equipment meaning flying supplies;
suits, parachutes, M a e Wests, Emergency Radio Xmitters, Very Pistols, etc.
As I remember parachutes had to be repacked every
30 days. Flying suits were in very short supply. That's
how I beganflyingon combat missions; to show the
crews that the British heated suits also worked.
At one time, earlier in the war, we used a
grounded Bombardier to travel to all the local
depots to try to con them out of equipment. He
was good too, could talk most anyone out of
anything! Between scrounging and washing and
rewashing we kept 'emflying,but the Flyboys
were not very respectful of their equipment.
Iflewa total of 5 missions until the Captain
grounded me. He said he didn't want to explain
to H Q how he lost a paddlefoot over Germany!
Also, Capt. H A R R O C K S , with w h o m I flew
most, wrote to m y wife to tell her to get m e to
stop.
W e also arranged trips for several crews to
accompany us to Great Yarmouth to go out in the
North Sea to pick up crews forced to ditch en
route back to base. The British had a marvelous
craft, I don't remember the name, which was
larger, but as fast as our P T boats. Anything that
could float was out there to help rescue those
crews.
I had two permanent room mates, Lt. M O R T O N
R. T A Y L O R , who died about age 45, and J O H N
S A L A D I A K after he had tours with the RAF,
R C A F and then was shot down on Ploesti. Other
room mates with w h o m I have lost contact were
M E S S E R S C H M I D T and P E T E R K A R A P I N .
Ours was the only room in the barracks with
running water. I took some valves, lines, connections, etc. from a junk B-24 and we installed it
overnight. Of course the Captain made us believe
he was furious, but he never made us tear it out.
P E T E H E N R Y did photo work in the B o m b
shelter, but I did mine in the room. I invited him
down, but he never took m e up on the offer. M y
enlarger was built from a bomb bay strut, and a
lens given to me by G E N . J O H N S O N .
Our "home town" was Dereham, not Shipdham.
That's because "Sal" married a girl whose father
ran the hotel in Dereham.
EDITOR; Thanks Earl, I've long wondered what
they did with worn out Bombardiers. Also I have
to explain that in the eyes of a B-24 Pilot there
has never been a "junk" Liberator.
Salvage maybe, but never junk! Also, I heartily
agree with the "home town" title for Dereham.
W e seem to give most of our reverence to
Shipdham, but we got a lot of love from, tossed a
lot of darts with, and married into many of the
�wonderful families of Dereham. We've got to let
'em know the 44th still loves them! I'd like to hear
from our Dereham Wives to help m e with ideas to
let the folks of Dereham know that we still feel we
owe a debt of gratitude for the hospitality and care
they extended to the brash young Yanks so far from
home. One last observation; I'm sure the word
scrounge has never appeared in any supply manual,
but guys like our grounded Bombardier certainly
brought it into the lexicon of the military. It occurs
to me, we might still be fighting W W II if nobody
ever scrounged anything! Also Earl, try P E T E R
K A R A P I N at 2780 Durham Rd., York, PA 174023808, Ph. 717-755-0501. W e have no
M E S S E R S C H M I D T in our roster or on our tail at
present, but we'll keep a lookout. Give Art Hand a
first name and M I if you can, he'll get on his trail
like he owes Art money!
The next letter was passed on from Pete Henry to
Will Lundy to me. I am saddened to pass on to you
the news from D O R O T H Y S A L A D I A K that your
roomie "Sal" has passed away.
November 25, 1994
Dear Mr. Henry,
Sadly, I must tell you that m y beloved husband,
J O H N S A L A D I A K , died at home on September 15,
1994 after three years of illness. He suffered courageously and never complained.
W e were married on November 25, 1944 in East
Dereham Parish Church while John was stationed at
Shipdham in Norfolk. I am enclosing a copy of the
biography we sent for the Second Air Division
History. I would like to continue receiving the 2nd
Air Division Journal and will continue paying the
dues.
M I T C H E L L (pilot), D O N A L D D E C K E R (copilot),
JULIO C A S T E L L O T T I (waist gunner), H E N R Y
FLISTER (tail gunner), J A M E S KIPPLE (bombardier), D A V I D C O L L I E (waist gunner), R O B E R T
M c A D A M S (flight engineer). John and all the crew
were interned in Turkey. John was awarded the
Distinguished Flying Cross for the Ploesti mission.
In England he was stationed at Shipdham. He was
married to Dorothy Nelson in East Dereham Parish
Church on Nov. 25, 1944. After returning to the
U.S. in 1945 he stayed in the Air Force until 1948
when he was honorably discharged as a First Lieutenant. Injuries which plagued him for many years
eventually led to the amputation of his right leg.
He graduated from Duquesne University with a B.S.
and worked for about 20 years for the Internal
Revenue Service. He retired in 1984. He enjoyed
travelling in Europe , reading and listening to
classical music.
EDITOR; Dorothy, I trust the inclusions here
convey to you that "Sal" was remembered with love
by his comrades even before his passing. Also, we
would be honored if you would consider remaining
within the 44th family. You are one of us, and
would be a tremendous asset in our efforts in expressing our love and thanks to the folks of your
home town. I would appreciate hearing from you.
ROY
A QUICKIE
Dear Will,
Sending you holiday greetings and many wishes for
the N e w year. Also I wanted to tell you I didn't like
the way they terminated our old group. I wish this
new endeavor great success. It looks good to me.
All the best, Sincerely,
PHIL T E R A B E R Y , (67th), 9212 Clay St., Denver,
C O 80221-5209
Dorothy Saladiak 258 Amity Rd., Glenshaw, PA
15116
EDITOR: Your support looks good to us as well,
Phil. Thanks
John Saladiak, born in Pittsburg, December 10,
1917, earned his wings in the Canadian Air Force in
1941. He served as a navigator with the R C A F ,
RAF, and U S A A F .
He was with the 44th B o m b Group and was navigator on the August 1, 1993 raid on the Ploesti Oil
Fields. O n this raid he flew with E D W A R D
THINGS A R E C O M I N G TOGETHER
IN SANTA ROSA!
Dec. 9, 1995
Dear Will,
I am very glad the 44th Bomb Group is going to
continue as an organization for its members. I really
enjoyed reading the Logbooks. I had only joined the
�44th H M G in December 1992, so I was disappointed
when it was disbanded. I am glad you are going to be
with the new organization. I received a couple of
letters from you when I first joined the Heritage
Group.
I noticed a familiar name in thisfirstissue of 8 Ball
Tails; M E L T R A G E R and I were friends at Shipdham.
As I remember, he was from Chicago. Also, I see
R O Y O W E N lives here in Santa Rosa. I'll have to call
him one of these days.
All the best to you and the new organization.
B R I C E R. W I L L I A M S ,
2623 Canterbury Dr., Santa Rosa, C A 95405
EDITOR; Brice and I have made contact. See the
"Sonoma County Branch of the 44th B G V A " elsewhere in this issue.
FORREST C L A R K
703 Duffer Lane, Kissimmee, FL 34759
EDITOR; Thanks, Forrest, for this letter. I'm
both touched and perplexed; touched by the
nostalgic note yet perplexed by the tone of
finality in your words. I would doubt that any of
the membership of the 44th B G V A are "ready to
close the mission log." W e are just embarking on
the latest chapter of 44th history and heritage,
and unless you have a message that hasn't
reached m e yet, I think we all are looking forward to business as usual. W h e n we lose a comrade, as we often will, we will honor his or her
memory, close ranks and carry on. From your
address I would surmise that you, like me, are a
golfer Forrest. Let's just keep on swinging!
GET O N T H E 44TH H A M RADIO N E T
O N A NOSTALGIC N O T E
(This came to us via Pete Henry)
To 44th Vets Association News (AKA 8 Ball Tails)
W e are nearing thefinalflight, the last mission in
1995. This is written as a final nostalgic retrospective
of the years 1942-45 and afinaltribute to the men of
the 44th.
Dec. 5, 1994
I write this on a warm Florida day, temp. 82 degrees, a
few hours before the dawn of the year 1995. W e have
done all we can to remember those who have passed
before us and we are ready to close the mission log.
I thought this little story might be of interest of
you and the gang. Early last summer, I was told
by a friend who flies from Palwaukee, that a B-24
was parked on the grass at the edge of the field
near the restaurant. I drove out one day and
walked around it and took several pictures. It was
closed up so I made up no attempt to touch it.
Along about late October, m y friend said the
plane was now over by a hangar and he had seen
it with the engines running and he had heard it
was headed for a museum in South Florida.
However, before this, I want to say a word or two of
gratitude for the memories left by the following 44th
men, Major R. C. GRIFFITH, m y pilot; Lt. R O B E R T
T.. W E A T H E R W A X , m y Navigator, and Lt. BILL
T I N S M A N , m y copilot. Also to Gen. L E O N
J O H N S O N , Col. BILL C A M E R O N and those who
touched m y life in the 44th; J A C K H A R M O N , J O H N
G I B B O N E Y , E A R L PARRISH, and for great memories, K E N J E W E L L , H A R O L D PINDER, A B E
SOFFERMAN, and DAVID EDMONDS.
I want to say m y greatest farewell to the men and
crews who died and are memorialized for the 18
November 1943 raid on Kjellar Airfield, Norway,
among them Lt. E D W A R D D O B S O N and others. I
wish to salute Col. R I C H A R D B U T L E R and the men
who were on the ill-fated E m m y Lou II crash and for
their devotion to duty over the years to the 44th B o m b
Group.
The memories cannot die as men do, but live on
eternally in all of us.
Evanston, II
Dear Pete,
I still keep in touch with a number of old 44th'ers
via H a m radio every Tuesday morning at 8:00
a.m. C S T on 7227 kc, then moving to 21460 or
14278 kc to keep in touch with our friend BILL
H O L M E S in Norwich. He is a friend of the 8th
A F and has been very helpful to fellows who
have gone over to England, arranging transportation, Hotels, etc. Among the 44th'ers on our radi
net are: F R E D B R O W N I N G (67th), W A Y N E
H A R V E Y (66th), B U D L A W E R E N C E (506th),
ART H A N D (66th), C A R L H V A M B S A L
(506th), H A L K R A M E R (464 Sub-Depot),
W A L T EICHENSEHR (506th), and myself, also
�several fighter people and one B-17 pilot. I almost
forgot the Ringleader of our net, E D S C H W A R M
(506th). H e acts as net control and keeps order in
the ranks! I had sent E d pictures of the B-24 at
Palwaukee. If you want some , I can make some
prints for you. I a m also going to send a clipping
from the paper.
A little story for you—not fit for publishing! W h e n
I first joined the 44th at Will Rogers Field, as a
green private, I was put on K P with Ward Bond
(now gone) in Sgt Hundley's Mess Hall. H e was a
stickler and w e worked hard 'till Bond decided to
walk around with his Bobbitt hanging out of his
coveralls. W h e n taken to task by Sgt. Hundley, he
said that if he was going to be worked like a horse,
he was going to look like one!
All for now, Best Regards,
G E O R G E HILL
2116 Ewing Ave., Evanston, IL 60201-2004
EDITOR; I wish you had sent along some of your
pictures of the B-24. Has anyone got a clue on the
Florida destination of the Lib? A s for that "little
story," I refer you back to the editorial disclaimer at
the beginning of this section. Besides, if Bond was
equipped as your story suggests, M a n , that was a
"BIG" story, and you left us hanging,. Did Sgt.
Hundley punish Bond for "horsing" around? Don't
keep us in suspense, please carry on with the story!
BRING O N T H E M J O H N N Y REBS
This comes to us from N O R M LINVILLE via Pete
Henry.
Hello Pete, Thought I would drop you a few lines
to let you know where JAMES L. LIVINGSTON
(506th) is. I told him you would get in touch with
him and let him know h o w to join the 2nd A D I V
Ass'n: James L. Livingston, 860 Ziegler Rd.,
Bloomingdale, G A 31302.
W e went to gunnery school and overseas together.
W e met last week—first time in 50 years.
I don't know about this new 44th B o m b Group they
are getting up, as they sure don't have anyone from
the South on the Board of Governors. The next 2nd
A D reunion at Lexington is near m y old stomping
grounds, I'll look you up there. N O R M A N B.
L I N V I L L E , 107 E. Morgan St., Brandon, F L 33510
E D I T O R : C L E M E N T S , take d o w n that Confederate Flag or get an apology from Norm. Besides
being a Rebel state, you've been telling m e that one
Texan on the board was worth two from any other
state. For your info, Norm, our Constitution requires
that w e balance our Board membership by unit
rather than geography except, since w e are incorporated in Illinois, their laws require that at least one
m e m b e r of the Board be from Illinois. Also, while it
is not chiseled in stone, w e attempt to balance the
board geographically. Frankly when w e were
fighting to stay alive w e grabbed the fighters willing
to serve without looking too closely at what part of
the country they lived. In fact w e had two old
southern war horses on our team: R E G C A R P E N T E R ( N C ) 'till his arteries got clogged up and he
had to have some by-pass surgery, and B I L L
S T R O N G (TX) until the surgery on his poor old
head was becoming so frequent his travel was
hampered. N o w that w e are up and running, I
expect we'll get the board composition smoothed
out. For the short term, keep your cool, send in your
$15.00 check for '95 dues, and talk with m e at
Lexington. I'd be happy to hear your ideas. In case
you don't know w h o to look for, the title Editor is
A K A President (look in The Presidents Corner of
this issue).
December 12, 1994
Dear Will,
I have today received Vol. 1, Issue 1 of the 44th
B o m b Group Veterans Ass'n. Journal (8 Ball Tails,
please). It was a joy to receive it and to know that
w e are still not a "Stand D o w n " group, but were
still "Alert." I a m sure the membership at large o w e
you and the other members of the Executive Board
a great deal of T H A N K S for all that you have done
to bring us back to life. I also think the name 44th
B o m b Group Veterans Association is perfect. It is
simple and tells anyone exactly w h o w e are.
Regarding the reunion next October in San Antonio,
I will try to get H E R B Y H A S T I N G S , S W E D E
CARLBERG, ALLEN N O B L E and H A L
PENDLETON to join me there. These are the
remaining members of our crew of fifty years ago.
It is a little early to say if w e can be there, but w e
have it on the list for sure. Thanks again for your
work on our behalf.
Sincerely, Jim
JAMES W. FORREST,
104 Kenwood Place, Lynchburg, VA 24502-2120
�EDITOR: Maybe another crew reunion at our reunion—Man we're on a roll!
cover) the publications produced by both organizations. I look forward to reading publications pro
duced by the 44th B G V A , and hope that it will con
tain memories of events and conditions both in the
air and on the ground.
Dec. 12, 1994
Dear Will,
I wish total success to you and the other members
of the Executive Board.
I'm getting up there (age), but I'm heading for San
Antonio '95. Best to all of you 44th Leaders for
keeping us alive. Within this day I will get a letter off
to Ed Dobson.
Sincerely, Karl G. Grube,
1110 Aspen Court, Kohler, W I 53044
EDITOR: Karl, not only are you welcome, you
and your contemporaries, our progeny, are what
this is all about. The history and heritage of the
44th belongs to you. I'm sure I speak for all the
44th when I say the 8 Ball Tails and its predecessors purpose is not to glorify the deeds of its
veterans. W e wish to bring the experiences we
lived, and died doing, beyond the pure statistical
and factual aspects of our 44th service to tell you,
our sons, daughters and grandkids the personal
color and human aspects of the bittersweet war
we fought. Bitter, obviously, because of the
finality involved when the contest is real; yet
sweet when the shared experience bonds men
and women together in a manner of comradeship
almost undefinable among human relationships.
Your comment on enjoying reading the publications cover to cover hits our purpose square on
the head. The content is really meant for you.
All the best, J A C K G I B S O N , (B. Gen. John H.)
7008 Gateridge, Dallas, T X 75240
Dec. 10, 1995
Dear Will,
Thanks to you and R O Y O W E N and all the others for
keeping the 44th Veterans active. I think you guys are
great.
For your information our old comrade, T O M
L A S K O W S K I (66th, E R W I N ' S crew) passed away
last week. He was a Ploesti survivor and lived in
Binghamton, NY. I'm sure you remember his wife
W A N D A . T o m and her came to many of our 2nd A D
reunions.
Warmest Regards, JIM A U M A N ,
352 Church St., St. Marys, PA 15857-1012
EDITOR: Thanks for the kind words, Jim. That's what
makes the days and days of sitting at this computer all
worthwhile! I'll see that Wanda gets this issue of The
Tails and ask her if she would like to stay in the 44th
Family.
C o m e join us in San Antonio, I want you to meet
our Secretary Ed Dobson, Jr. and some of the
other sons and daughters that are more and more
frequently attending our reunions.
I'm in frequent contact with Col. Bill Cameron,
Commander of the 67th B o m b Squadron; your
Dad, Karl T. was his Executive Officer and
"Right Hand Man." Any commander will tell you
that without a good "Exec" to tend to all the
details he can't find the time to do, and to be his
confidant and advisor in personnel matters,
you've got a commander who's in trouble. Bill
tells m e your Dad was "the best."
ANOTHER W E L C O M E LETTER FROM
A N 8 BALL SON!
Dec. 14, 1994
Dear Will,
This is m y application for membership in your newly
formed 44th B o m b Group Veterans Association. I am
not a veteran of the Group, however m y father was a
member. He was in England for three years; at
Shipdham nearly all the time. I hope that the new 44th
B G V A is not limited to the real thing, and has room
for some of its progeny. M y check is enclosed.
W E JUST C A M E UP WITH THIS ONE
FROM W M . BARRETT TAYLOR
24 JANUARY 1992
Dear Will,
As a result of corresponding with you several years ago,
I signed on with the 2nd Air Division Assn. and the now
defunct 44th H M G . I have enjoyed reading (cover to
Thanks for your letter of Jan. 16. To clarify a
point, the 14th C B W was formed the summer of
15
�1943 just before Col. Johnson and the Air Echelon
of the 44th departed for North Africa. I remained
behind to be Deputy Base C o m m a n d e r under Lt.
Col. Jenkins and to organize and staff the 14th
C B W so it would be ready to function upon Col.
Johnson's return.
their airfield and they would do as they pleased. So
he sent an assistant out to inspect the field and the
assistant ran his little Morris Van over a bomb. It
exploded and blew his foot off. After he recovered,
he stopped to see Griff and I to say he wished Mr.
Brown had followed our advice.
A s most people know, the 14th C B W was located
on the W A A F - Decontamination site (which was
and still is part of Mr. Rix's farm). W e had an
outstanding artist in Wing H Q w h o painted all of
the murals. W h e n I suggested he paint one showing
all of us after the war, he asked that I get someone
to do a sketch and he would copy it. So I wrote to
Wingert, w h o was one of the two top Stars &
Stripes artists, asking that he furnish us with a
sketch. H e did and the result is still on Mr. Rix's
wall. I have the original sketch in m y den in Arlington. The reason those buildings are still standing is
that Mr. Rix said any fool could tear d o w n good
buildings, remove the foundations and get back the
land. But he profited by using them to raise pigs in.
(Note—Mr. Rix is n o w deceased, his son is n o w in
charge).
I a m certain that each of us has at least 20 stories to
relate (some for publication, and some not) but w h y
not ask each of us to send you their five best stories? Even if you don't print them, collectively they
would be important to future historians. W e had
better send them in soon, as time is getting short.
W a r m Regards, B A R R E T T T A Y L O R , 3209 N.
Columbus St., Arlington, V A 22207-2878
E D I T O R : G o o d background, Barrett. I've heard all
kinds of stories on w h o did the murals, n o w we've
heard it from "the M A N . " Re: the bombing, Will
Lundy has c o m e up (maybe you sent them) with a
couple of pictures taken after the attack. They speak
for themselves.
I'll be waiting for yourfive,no, only four stories
now. Thanks.
W H E N ONE FEELS
HE REALLY HAS M A D E A DIFFERENCE
AUGUST 8, 1994
517 Elm St., Paris, IL 61994
D o you remember the time when, on one low
overcast day, a JU-88 dropped Butterfly antipersonnel bombs on the airfield? (Summer '43). Griff
(Goodman Griffin) and I informed Mr. Brown, the
clerk (clock) of the works, not to allow anyone from
his office to go on thefielduntil all bombs had been
located and removed. W e were informed that it was
Dear Mrs. Huenerberg:
I a m very sorry to hear Vincent has passed away. I
do wish w e could have located him as I know he
would have enjoyed the reunions and meeting with
his old friends. W e have been having reunions since
1981 and usually have in the neighborhood of 500
16
�in attendance. Last year was in Dayton O H . This year
we will be in Colorado Springs, C O from October 6 9. Your husband was in the 67th B o m b Squadron and,
as you said, didflywith Reginald Carpenter. A history
was done of the 67th by Will Lundy, our Group Historian. Will has also published a 44th Roll of Honor
listing all of the casualties suffered in W W II. It is
now out of print, but he has plans for a revision if he
has time. Enclosed are a couple of pages from it that
I'm sure will interest you. They are about what happened to the Carpenter crew on the famous mission to
the Ploesti oil complex. Also enclosed are several
pages about that mission from Will's 67th history.
W e now have information or addresses on 3315
former members of the 44th B o m b Group. Below are
the ones we have on the Carpenter crew. If I can help
or give you any more information please let m e know.
Sincerely, A R T H A N D
Reginald L. Carpenter, 48 Beaumont Dr.,
Hendersonville, N C 28739 (704) 697-6041 (Pilot)
E. L. Rumsey, 501 N. Meadows Ave. Manhatten
Beach, C A 90266 (213) 374-3183 (Co-Pilot)
January 6, 1995
Dear Art,
This letter is long overdue. Please forgive me. I want
to thank you for the letter you sent m e in reference to
m y husband, Vincent E. Huenerberg who was in the
67th Squadron, 44th B o m b Group.
M y family and I appreciated your thoughtfulness for
sending m e the history of the 67th Sqdn. I will cherish
this letter as long as I live. I read and reread your
letter. Thank you again so very much.
If Will Lundy ever publishes a revised edition called
44th Roll of Honor and Casualties, I certainly would
appreciate it if you would notify me.
Art, I want to thank you again for your thoughtfulness.
It was deeply appreciated.
Sincerely, Pearl R. Huenerberg,
31 Center St., Watertown, C T 06795
EDITOR: Dear Pearl, I will see that you get a copy of
this 8 Ball Tails if we have to hand address it! You
might notice in this section we made reference to Reg
Carpenter having some bypass surgery last fall. I
talked to him on the phone after he got home. He was
doing fine and was moaning about missing our Colorado Springs reunion. Keep in touch Pearl, you are one
of the 44th family. A R T SAID T O M E "A LET-
TER LIKE THIS ONCE IN AWHILE REALLY
MAKES IT ALL W O R T H THE EFFORT."
PINGS AWAY
27 Dec. 1994
Dear Will,
Just received your Letter. Sorry I didn't get that
Christmas "candle making" story to you in time
for the season. W h e n I dug out the stuff for m y
"Army Life" tale that m y son had requested,
memories of several happenings and events came
flooding back to mind. Wish some of the rest of
m y crew and yours would do the same and get
their stories down on paper. W h e n we're gone, so
are the stories U N L E S S someone takes the time
to write them down. Sure, probably only one of a
hundred experiences might be worth retelling, but
that one might strike a chord in someone who
wants to know what W W II was like, other than
those hyped-up Hollywood versions. Which, by
the way, reminds me of a story!
On our base at Shipdham we had a modest little
P X housed in a Quonset Hut. O n the few shelves
they had, when "in stock" were displayed cigarettes, candy bars, pipe tobacco, razor blades and
chewing gum as the item most in demand.
Trouble was, they seldom had these popular
items in stock when I entered the store.
Word would go out to theflightcrews that a large
consignment of cartons had arrived at the PX.
Cartons bearing such logos as Baby Ruth,
Hershey, Nestle, Lucky Strike, Camel, Chesterfield, Wrigley, etc., etc., were seen being carted
through the P X doorway, immediately followed
by the posting of a sign that read " C L O S E D F O R
I N V E N T O R Y " on the front door. That sign
seemed to stay posted until just moments after the
last plane had taken off for the day's mission. As
the noise of the aircraft faded into the distance
and there seemed little chance of a Recall, another sign would appear on the P X door which
read "Open."
When, and if, we were lucky enough to return,
we would try to hurry through post-mission
interrogation so as to rush for the P X before it
closed to pick up our share of the goodies. O n the
few times I managed to beat the "Closed" sign, I
�found the Cigarette stock reduced to a few sacks of
Bill Durham or Dukes Mixture and, perhaps, a few
packs of H I M Y A R and W I N G S cigarettes. The
chewing g u m space would be completely empty and
the space that once held Clark Bars and Baby Ruths
n o w held a carton or two of " P I N G " bars. That was
it! Anyone w h o bought a Ping bar would seldom (if
in his right mind) buy another one. I'll attempt to
describe a PING.
THE PING BOMBER'S "CANDLE STORY"
11 December 1994
Hi Will,
Recently, I wrote a note to Pete Henry wherein I
lamented the loss of the Logbook and its always
welcome stories and news items. Then a letter
arrived the next day announcing the formation of
the n e w organization, the 44th B o m b Group Veterans Association. From the list of names on the
Executive Board, it sounds like you're off and
running, apparently without missing a step. Wonderful!
Take an oblong rectangle of semi-fossilized white
stuff that the perpetrators boldly called marshmallow, coat it with a dark chocolate colored glaze that
chewed like paraffin and tasted like the dipstick
from a model A Ford that had been run too long and
too hot without an oil change, and you have an
accurate description of a P I N G .
In the letter to Pete, I told of an incident that
occurred just before Christmas in 1944. Since our
family through several generations, always had
lighted candles as part of our Christmas decorations,
I thought it would be appropriate to have some
lighted candles in our barracks on Christmas Eve. I
began gathering all the empty 'K' Rations heavily
waxed outer cartons I could find. Using m y ever
handy G.I. mess kit knife, I scraped enough w a x off
the cartons to make three candles. Using an unraveled shoe lace for a wick, I warmed and kneaded
out the w a x until it was thin and pliable enough to
roll up into a cylinder with the wick inside. Ended
up with three sort of grungy looking candles about
an inch in diameter and four or five inches long.
After about m y fourth or fifth unsuccessful excursion to the P X , I broke d o w n one day and bought
the entire stock (two 24 bar cartons) of Pings at the
going price of a nickel a bar. I salted them away in
m y blue barracks bag until the next days mission
was announced. After pre-mission breakfast, between m y briefcase andflyingsuit, I managed to
store the entire 48 Pings. Just after takeoff w h e n the
b o m b bay doors rolled shut, I tossed the whole lot
into the b o m b bay where they would freeze to cast
iron hardness. In the target area as w e turned at our
I.P. and those doors rolled open, d o w n went our
PX's entire stock of those (expletive deleted) Ping
bars cascading d o w n upon an unsuspecting enemy
below!
Stretching m y luck, I paid a late night visit to the
mess hall where one of the cooks with some Christm a s spirit gave m e a couple tins of evaporated milk,
a couple of one pound tins of bacon, and cartons of
powdered eggs.
Someone on another crew, hearing about m y dropping candy bars into Germany, said I might be
accused of giving aid and comfort to the enemy.
Obviously he had never been reduced to trying to
eat a Ping bar. I think the irony of m y "Ping Drop"
caught on; mysteriously Ping bars came into short
supply in our little P X .
W h e n the gang from m y barracks drifted in that
Christmas Eve, w e got our Sibley stove fired up
with some "borrowed coke" from the "off limits"
coke pile in the 66th area and w h o m p e d up some
mean omelets made with carefully blended powdered eggs, bacon, butter and canned milk. Others
in the barracks broke out carefully cached chocolate
for cocoa, and another found a bottle of liberated
wine for a one round toast.
Will, You and your family have a Very Happy N e w
Year. Meanwhile, I'll look forward to a continuation
of the Eightballers organization into the coming years.
Sincerely,
Rob Fisk, 66th
562 Buckingham Ave., Syracuse, N Y 13210-3318
Editor: Thanks at least 2 cartons for your great
"Pings A w a y " story!
I
18
W h e n those candles were lighted and placed in the
window, w e figured the German Air Force would be
too busy with their o w n Yule Eve to interfere with
ours. Within minutes of the lighting, the barracks
lapsed into almost complete silence as, one by one,
each of us travelled back in time to other Christmas
Eves spent in happier times and places.
�That's about all the story that I told Pete, I'm not sure
if he will use it, but if you wish to add it to the 8 Ball
Tails check with Pete.
Very Sincerely,
Rob Fisk, 66th, Nav. on Howard Hinshaw's crew
562 Buckingham Ave., Syracuse, N Y 13210
EDITOR: I didn't see a trace of this story in the 2
A D A Journal and decided it belonged with the "Pings
Away" story, so you'll just have to come up with
another story for Pete! Boy, do I ever remember that
Christmas Eve! You'll recall all of Europe and the
British Isles had been socked in with dense fog for
days and days and the Battle of Bulge raged on while
we sat grounded by weather and helpless to support
our troops. Then December 24 the weather broke, the
skies were clear and 8th Air Force took to the skies to
make the largest mass bomber attack in the history of
the world attacking every possible supply route to Von
Runstedt's forces. The Bomber Assembly that bright
morning over England was the most awesome sight I
have ever witnessed. There were B-24s and B-17s as
far as the eye could see. The 44th Target was a railway
bridge and tunnel just outside the city of Eiler, Germany. Get this; the IP code for the Primary was
"Merry Christmas," Secondary "SEC. Merry Christmas," and Last Resort was "Santa Claus." That Christmas Eve we were all too tired to do much celebrating,
but I remember thinking that our mission that day
surely sent a Christmas message to our troops fighting
and freezing in Bastogne that help was on the way.
After the war, Daly and his wife separated and
divorced and John married the Warren girl. They
made their home in the Napa Valley and lived
just a short way from m y sister and her husband
who has a vineyard there. Needless to say they
met and m y sister reminded him of the broadcast.
T w o other anecdotes:
The Beer Story—While on one of the trips to
Africa, we received a shipment of canned American beer, Bud, I think. Well there it was 115 in
the shade if you could find any; what were we to
do? Well, the 66th always led the way, so into the
back of old #779 went the beer on a "Test Hop"
up to 18,000 ft. where the beer got cold enough,
quick enough to remain icy cold through decent,
landing and to the shade of the wing. M a n did
that beer taste G O O D ! Shortly, we received a
call from one of the other squadron Operations
Officers and within minutes several more planes
were being "flight tested" at 18,000 ft!
This has been in the files for awhile, but after reading
it through it seemed too good not to share.
The Wine Story—Shortly after the 7th Army
landed in Sicily and was making some headway
inland, one of the 66th planes piloted by J O E
F L A H E R T Y made a forced landing on one of the
captured airstrips. During their stay, the crew
made friends with a Sicilian farmer who had all
of his Sicilian Red Wine underground to prevent
the Germans from taking it. When F L A H E R T Y
returned, he brought with him a full keg of the
aged stuff. What a party we had!
After I left the 44th, I was an air controller at 2n
Air Division. From there I was sent to the U.S.
and went to Westover Field where I was Supervisor of Flying. While there I decided the Regular
Air force was not m y career. I was discharged as
a Lt. Col. and went into the field of Veterinary
Medicine, receiving m y degree in 1951.
Dear Will,
If I think of anything more I will Let you know.
I have gone through m y files and have found very
little of which I feel has any historical value. However,
I will let you decide and am therefore enclosing any of
m y personnel orders which mention other members of
the 66th. I have also included a copy of the broadcast
m y crew made from England.—This is an interesting
side tale—John Daly, the broadcaster, invited m e to
visit him in London whenever I was on leave. So one
evening, Capt. Reed and I did and who was keeping
Mr. Daly company was this beautiful young blonde
who happened to be Judge Earl Warren's daughter.
Truly, Jim Kahl
T H E BIG "FRIDGE" IN T H E S K Y
This comes from Dr. Jim Kahl
578 W . King St., Winona, M n 55987-2975
EDITOR: Cold B e e r — W H Y N O T ? Good stories,
Jim. Sorry I have not included the Daly broadcast;
I was typing away at it, and at about half way
through I decided it was just gobbling up too much
space. I have it saved and am trying to reduce it
somehow. We'll see if we can get it in the next
"Tails."
�THE "RUTHLESS"
FELLOWSHIP
A D-DAY T H A N K Y O U (UPDATED)
As the 50th anniversary of VE-Day is upon us, I
wish to write a special note of thanks, and gratitude to all the m e n and w o m e n , deceased and
living, w h o fought and died in World W a r II.
We sit and view the Sussex Downs,
At grazing sheep, as seagulls cry,
Yet some of us hear other sounds,
For brave young men, destined to fly
It gives m e special pride to have people remember those w h o were in the A r m y Air Corps during
the war. They also fought to keep our country
safe and free. They flew above the ground,
looking down on all the destruction and horror
below—fellow comrades, fighting, suffering and
dying, all for the same cause.
They came tofightbeside the Few,
To ease the burden of our pain,
They were our cousins, staunch and true.
And each day we see them again.
We knew the trouble which they shared,
The engines coughed amid the cloud,
I a m especiallyfilledwith pride as I a m the
daughter of one of these brave men. M y father,
Charles W . Taylor, was a m e m b e r of the 8th Air
Force, 44th Bomber Group. A n aerial gunner in a
B-24 called "The Liberator." A young 18 year old
man, full of fear, but also full of honor.
We hoped their lives would all be spared,
And ardent prayers were said aloud
But "Ruthless" could not make the height,
and through the mist she came to rest
Upon a hill, within our sight,
Fifty years later, this man, m y father, is still that
proud honorable man. H e has taught m e to
believe in m y country, to be proud that I a m an
American. So on the anniversary Monday, let us
stand with pride and remember what these brave
people fought for. Each time you stand and salute
theflag,stand with pride, place your hand on
your heart and feel the life within you. A n d say,
thank you, to all w h o made this possible. W e
have not forgotten you.
And God's hand rose on those he blessed.
They died upon a foreign field,
Defending freedom to the last,
For what the daylight then revealed,
were friends together, hands held fast.
Their youthful spirits walk there still,
Past flowers blooming in the sun,
They smile down from Willingdon Hill,
Jeanne Taylor-Huss
Syracuse
Jeanne, I trust you will forgive m y changing D-Day to
VE-Day in your beautiful piece, it seemed so
appropriate.
aware of duty proudly done
Douglas Thomas, 1995
6 Willow Walk, Eastbourne, E. Sussex, BN22 OSD
20
�44TH B G V A E X E C U T I V E B O A R D
S E A R C H - R O S T E R - M A I L LIST
W e have split the Roster function in two.
Where we had a duplication of effort with both
Tom Shepherd and Art Hand both doing the
same job, i.e., searching for lost members,
keeping the Roster current, and providing a
current mailing list and address labels, then
exchanging data. From now on Art Hand will
concentrate on the Search function. If you hear
of a 44th'er that does not belong, or has passed
away, please notify:
President: Roy W. Owen (506)
6304 Meadowridge Dr.
Santa Rosa, C A 95409
Ph (707) 538-4726 F A X (707)538-1212
Vice President: James H. Clements (506)
4124 Calculus Ave.
Dallas, T X 75244
Ph. (214) 243-4657
Secretary: Edward M . Dobson (67)
118 So. 15th Ave., #1
Bozeman, M T 59715-4130
Ph. (H) (800) 587-2492 (Code: 44)
Ph. (B) (800) 484-1044 Ext. 0536
ART HAND
517 ELM ST.
PARIS, IL 61994
PHONE/FAX (217) 463-5905
Treasurer: Gerald W . Folsom (506)
954 Lowell Ave.
Salt Lake City, U T 84102-3620
Ph.(801)359-6159
If you move or change any aspect of your
address or phone number, wife's name, want
to stop receiving the 8 Ball Tails or whatever,
please notify:
44th Group Vice Pres. to 2nd A D A :
Richard D. Butler (67/506)
16494 Wagon Wheel Dr.
Riverside, C A 92506-5850
Ph (909) 780-7421 F A X (909)780-1459
T O M SHEPHERD
10597 C A M B R O O K E COVE
COLLIERVILLE, TN 38017
PHONE: (901) 854-6558
This will basically leave Art to his search for
members and Tom to keeping the Roster
current.
Director: Ed. W . "Mike" Mikoloski (66)
626 Smithfield Rd. #702
N. Providence, RI 02904
Ph.(401)354-8695
ART JUST RECENTLY RECEIVED N E W UPDATES TO HIS CD-ROM PHONE DISKS, SO
IF Y O U A R E LOOKING FOR A 44TH
B U D D Y OR C R E W M E M B E R CONTACT
ART. W H E N HE LOCATES THE PERSON
FOR YOU, IF THEY ARE NOT A M E M B E R
OF 44TH BGVA TELL 'EM TO C O M E
ABOARD.
Director: Raymond R. McNamara (67)
495 Linden St.
Boylston, M A 01505
Director: Robert J. Lehnhausen (68)
709 W . Meadows PI.
Peoria, IL 61604-3447
Ph. (309) 685-2490
Director: John Milliken (506)
2345 Garden Hwy.
Sacramento, C A 95833
Ph.(916)925-1700
Director: Albert F. Ruby (464)
1106 Rogers St.
Madera, C A 93638-2117
Ph. (508) 869-2592
Roy Owen, Director Mike Mikoloski, Historian Will Lundy,
Secretary Ed Dobson, and Member "Chick" Blakelv right
after the close of our inaugural meeting
at Colorado Springs on October 9.
21
�THE LAST RUN OF "RUTHLESS"
The 44th B o m b Group target for the 2 February 1944
mission looked, for all purposes,tobe a "milk run"
against a coastal Noball (V-l "Buzz B o m b " launch site)
at Watten in the Pas de Calais, France with short penetration and little time in enemy territory. 1st. Lt. James O.
"Augie" Bolin of the 506th B o m b Squadron with a
makeup crew was assigned to fly B-24D # 41-24282
"Ruthless" (named after a former pilot's wife) on this
mission. The makeup crew consisted of just that; several
crewmen flying a last remaining mission to complete
their combat tour.
Unfortunately, the "milk run" mission soon seemed to be
in difficulty; the assembly was difficult due to layered
clouds then the target area weather made a G H (Radar)
b o m b run necessary. Timing at the IP went awry when
Bolin and the lead group were forced to make a second
run when the #2 Group turned inside the IP and were on
a collision course with Bolin's Group over the target.
The second run resulted in a target time twenty two
minutes behind schedule. All of this in moderate, fairly
accurate, predictor control flak. M a n y of the aircraft
suffered minor flak damage and it was on the second
b o m b run that "Ruthless" was hit knocking out its
number 3 inboard engine. Bolin feathered the propeller
and continued the run successfully dropping his bombs
on the Watton target. Coming off the b o m b run, it
became evident that the flak burst that had taken out #3
had also damaged #4 which was losing both oil and
power. Bolin slowly fell behind the formation descending. Bolin reported to the lead aircraft that he had also
lost most of his primary flight instruments and flying
between cloud layers was going to attempt to make
landfall near Beachy Head and make a landing at the
emergency airfield at Friston, near Eastbourne. Bailout
or ditching were ruled out because of the Channel water
temperature. "Ruthless" reached Friston where, for some
reason, Bolin was told he could he could not land at that
moment. Apparently, by this time he had lost another
engine and was attempting a go-around on two engines.
Unable to hold altitude the aircraft crashed on the D o w n s
(hills) on the outskirts of Eastbourne killing all aboard.
From the day of the crash on, the Eastbourne villagers
seemed to feel the crash which took the lives of all ten
airmen aboard "Ruthless" as a personal tragedy. They
researched the history of the crew members and aircraft,
corresponded with the families of those men, and each
year on the anniversary of the crash the villagers walk to
the hillside site of the crash and placefloralmemorials
to the crew.
This homage by the wonderful people has manifested
itself in the creation of a memorial being erected on the
crash site and to be dedicated on M a y 13, 1995 in
connection with the nationwide commemoration of V E
Day the week of M a y 8, 1995. The funding for this
memorial to our comrades was spearheaded by
Eastbourne residents Arthur King, Kevin Watson and
George Dixon and supported by Eastbourne Mayor Ron
Parsons. The Eastbourne efforts have been joined by the
citizens of Fulton County, Pennsylvania, h o m e of
"Ruthless" Waist Gunner S/Sgt. Ralph E. Strait, when
The Fulton County Commissioners set up a Memorial
Fund created to maintain the memorial.
Colonel Richard Butler of the 506th B o m b Squadron and
his wife Ardith, will attend the Memorial dedication
ceremonies in Eastbourne on M a y 13, representing all of
the 44th B o m b Group Veterans.
This letter from Mrs. P. Parsons of Eastbourne seems to
say it all about the personal loss these people feel for our
fallen comrades.
6 A Maxfield Close
Eastbourne,, E. Sussex, B N 2 0 8 P Q
Dear Friend,
I didn't k n o w what to call you, but this would do.
I was one of the mothers pushing a baby carriage out of
St. Elizabeth's that afternoon that the plane came over. I
waved to the dear boys. Little did I think as I went down
Victoria Drive to home, that they all lay dead, G o d rest
their souls. But would you accept a little help for the
memorial fund, I a m sorry it's not more, but I do have a
little remembrance of them though. O n e of m y sons went
up there, he was only about 12 or 13 years. H e brought
h o m e a bit of Perspex (plexiglass) which m y husband
made into a cross which I still wear and have done for
the last 50 years.
I n o w close, Yours Truly
Mrs. P. Parsons
�SAN ANTONIO '95
44TH BOMB GROUP VETERANS ASSOCIATION REUNION OCT. 19-22
THE SCHEDULE
THURSDAY OCT. 19 REGISTRATION ALL DAY
3:00 PM BALLROOM: RECEPTION AND BUSINESS MEETING. HORS D'OEUVRES,
CASH BAR
6:00 PM
HOSPITALITY ROOM OPENS, FREE BAR
DINNER ON YOUR O W N
FRIDAY OCT. 20
9:30 AM
3:00 PM
6:30 TO 8:30
COACH TOUR # 1 * $38.00 per person
HOSPITALITY ROOM OPENS, FREE BAR
BUFFET DINNER IN ATRIUM
SATURDAY OCT. 21
9:30 & 10:30 AM
2:30 & 3:30 PM
3:00 PM
6:30 PM
8:30 PM
SHUTTLE BUSES LEAVE FOR RIVER WALK
SHUTTLE BUSES RETURN TO HOTEL
HOSPITALITY ROOM OPENS, FREE BAR
SQUADRON DINNERS
GROUP DANCE- SPONSORED BY THE 506TH SQ.
SUNDAY OCT. 22
9:00 AM GOLF - FT. SAM HOUSTON
10:00 A M
COACH TOUR #2 " $32.00 per person
3:00 PM
HOSPITALITY ROOM OPENS, FREE BAR
6:30 PM
BANQUET:
PROCEEDED BY COLOR GUARDS AND CANDLE
LIGHTING CEREMONY PRESENTED BY 506TH SQ.
MEXICAN DANCERS FOLLOWING BANQUET
(JACKETS SUGGESTED FOR BANQUET)
MONDAY OCT 23
8:00 AM- 10:00 AM
FAREWELL BUFFET BREAKFAST & CHECKOUT
* TOUR #1 The coach tour includes the Historic Quadrangle, Fort Sam
Houston and the Post Museum. After a break for lunch at Fort Sam Houston
Officers Club, the tour continues on to the Alamo and Long Barracks also a tour of Mission San Jose
"Queen of the Spanish Missions". The Lone Star Brewery is next with a stop at the Buckhorn Bar and the
Hall of Horns. Return to hotel by 4:30 pm.
**TOUR #2 On this tour the San Antonio Botanical Gardens will be first then the Brec
Gardens and a stop at the Mexican Market. Lunch will be Dutch Treat. Next will be the King William
Historical District and La Villita for shopping and history at the Institute of Texas Cultures. Returning by
4:00 p m .
23
�If**
At the time this was taken Lemon Drop had 45 combat missions, 4 diversion
missions and 15 enemy aircraft kills to her credit. Note the narrow prop blade.
Crew Chief Master Sergeant Charles Pigg
••mVHPM
f—#.,***fMj|W*':
•%%%m :/vs
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v*"
;
*
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Lemon Drop on her way to Naples. Note how the camouflage paint makes the near wing disappear into the landscape.
24
�NOTICE
NOTICE
NOTICE
NOTICE
When we started reunion planning, our best heads estimated that for a first
reunion we would do well to have 200 attend. Jim Clements padded that by 50
and made plans with the Holiday Inn accordingly. As the memberships and
enthusiastic indications of attendance rolled in it seemed prudent to up the
expected planning numbers. In the meantime the hotel had booked another
banquet the night of our banquet, thus they can only accommodate 350 of our
people. Rooms are not a problem but feeding over 350 is an absolute cap. W e are
too far along to change hotels so we must apologize for this planning error. On the
other hand we are overwhelmed at the enthusiasm displayed by our members for
coming to San Antonio. It will be first come,firstserve for thefirst350 people to
reserve their attendance. Send your reservation as soon as you can! After 350 we
will keep a standby list for any cancellations in order of receipt.
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT
TO SEND IN YOUR RESERVATIONS EARLY!!!!!!!!!!!!
Upon receipt of registration, you will be mailed a Hotel Reservation Form for
rooms. R E T U R N T H E M D I R E C T L Y T O T H E H O T E L . Hotel rates are $65.00
per night per room.
44th B O M B G R O U P V E T E R A N S ASSOCIATION
1995 Reunion San Antonio , Texas
Reservation Form Total in your party
LAST NAME FIRST NAME SQUADRON _
ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP
WIFE: (FIRST NAME)
GUEST: (LAST NAME) FIRST NAME
REGISTRATION FOR FULL REUNION IS $110.00 per person ( NOT INCLUDING ROOM)
Full refund for cancellation until October 1, 1995 Choice for Banquet: Steak# Chicken#
REGISTRATION $110.00 Would you like a round of golf at Ft. Sam Houston on Sunday?
TOUR#l 35.00
TOUR #2 32.00 How many players Need transportation yes no
TOTAL $
Make checks payable to: 44th Bomb Group Veterans Association
Mail to: Jim Clements 4124 Calculus Ave. Dallas, T X 75244 (phone 214-243-4657)
���67 COMBAT CREWS
Lt.J. Stephens'Crew
Pilot, James H. Stephens, Deceased 10/6/91
Co-Pilot, Gunnard C. Ohlsson, 921 Green Star Drive #902, Colorado Springs, CO 80906-1820
Namgator, James H. Buchanan
Bombardier, Herbert J Wilson, Box 249, New Town, ND 58763-0849
Engineer, Henry Meling, Deceased 11/9/53
Radio Operator, Martin J. Ferrick, 21508 Santa Elena, Lago Vista, TX 78645
Waist Gunner, Kenneth P. Hummel
Waist Gunner, Richard P. Hein, 7870 Trenton, St. Louis, MO 63130
H Gunner, Tom J. Thomas, 2921 Telhurst Ct., Moraine, OH45439-1418
Tail Gunner, Clyde B. Hisel, Deceased
2
�BRIEF HISTORY
AIRCRAFT #42-100411 E
B-24J-100-CO Olive, Drab in Color.
Was assigned to the 67th Squadron prior to 3 March 1944.
The Letters N B were painted on both sides of the rear fuselage behind the waist windows.
Incomplete Listing of Missions Flown:
MONTH
DAY
PILOT
MONTH
DAY
PILOT
March
March
March
March
March
March
March
March
March
March
March
March
March
March
March
March
March
3
4
5
6
8
9
12
15
16
17
18
21
23
24
26
27
31
Thom
Schmidt
Thom
Thom
McCormick
Cookus
McCormick
Thom
Thom
Thom
Thornton
Thom
Thom
Thom
Thom (Spare)
Metts
Thom (Spare)
April
April
April
April
April
April
April
April
April
9
11
12
?
18
19
20
22
27
1
7
8
10
27
28
30
7
19
20
21
Jefferson
Stephens
Stephens
Mueller
Stephens
Stephens
Stephens
Thames
Arnold
Thames
Thames
?
Recalled
Thames
Thames
Thames
Carter
Henry
Henry
Howe
May
May
May
May
May
May
May
June
June
June
June
Aircraft and Crew Lost
9 Prisoners of War
1 Killed
in Action
3
�506TH B O M B S Q U A D R O N
C R E W LOSSES
21 JUNE 1944
42-100411 E
D O W N O N 14TH MISSION F O R C R E W
Pilot, Norman E. Howe, POW, Wife Marian, Box 553, Freeland, WA 98248
Co-Pilot, Gordon W. Henderson, KIA - shot while parachuting
Navigator, David Milton Harris, POW, Son Marc, 300 Mildren Avenue, Apt. 8, Weirton,
Bombardier, Franklin W. Binkley, POW, Park Ridge, IL
Waist Gun Engineer, Robert E. Smith, POW, 702 Shuffleton, St. Sigourmey, I A 52
Radio Operator, Henry D. Faller, POW, 1115 Kingston, Hint, MI 48507
Top Turret Waist Gunner, William L. McConnaughhay, POW, 104 South Joseph, Sulpher, L
Waist Gunner, Frank Stoltz, POW, 2709Pleasant St., Miles City, MT59301
Tail Turret H Gunner, Francis E. Termin, POW, PO Box 13, Glen Hope, PA 16645
21 JUNE 1944
TARGET: BERLIN
GROW (DAVIDO)
A+1800
DAVIS
M+1783
HUNDELT
H I 031
GILBERT
I 1193
HENRY
J 1189
KNOWLES
O | 049
GUNTON
L 1846
DUWE
A 1087
HONMYHR HERRING
K I 314
PI 997
HERMANN
T I 021
CARTER
S 1329
PERETTI
Z 1001
MORRISON
G I 170
PRINCIPE
VI 112
DONALD
F |367
BONNETT
E 1101
SMITH
329
WEAVER
0 1057
EDMONSON
QNS
T22l
ANDERSON
S| 643
FORD
A 1049
CAYMAN
0 1082
RICKETTS
B| 098
MENDENHALL
TI088
WESTCOTT
H 1829
LANDAHL
K I 181
E I 411
DOCKTER
QJ 496
HRUBY
CI616
LEONARD
~Z 016
MCKENNA
L I 177
HOWE
TITER
A1952
TUCKER
Y 1415
MENZEL
R 1034
66TH SQ. LEADS: McCormick F+ 788 & Craig, B+ - 785 to 392nd BG
Mustapa E+ 776 & Yoder L+ 769 to 466th; and
Englehardt C+ 772 to 467th BG
4
MILLIKEN
S 1030
�THE EAST FLIGHT OF E-BAR
By: S/Sgt. William McConnaughhay
The following is a condensation covering his experiences relating to this day, 14 June 1944:
O u r trip to Berlin, our 14th into Germany, was
uneventful, due mosdy to a good cloud cover, with
only isolated pockets of inaccurate anti-aircraft fire.
About forty tofiftymiles out from Berlin, our cloud
cover dissipated and w e could see a light haze
hanging over Berlin. O u r flight plan routed us
southeast to a point approximately twenty miles
south of Berlin, and then due north across the city.
As w e turned north and quickly approached our
target, the whole d a m n sky, almost as far as the eye
could see, was a blazing inferno created by the
hundreds of anti-aircraft guns installed there. Off
to each side, G e r m a n spotter planes were flying at
our exact altitude, relaying this information to the
gun batteries below, increasing their efficiency for
their devastating barrage on our bombers. Although
Myjobas a gunner on the crewwas to operate the
top turret located on top of the aircraft, direcdy over
the flight deck. As I rotated m y turret, I saw some M E
109's closing rapidly from the rear. These fighters
had a 2 0 m m cannon in the nose and three .30
caliber machine guns in each wing. As thefirsttwo
fighters m a d e their pass at us, their cannons m a d e
gaping holes in our left rear stabilizer and the left
wing. W h e n the third plane came in, I was nearly
hypnotized w h e n .30 caliber bullets started
penetrating the fuselage on the top and rear of our
bomber...and they came directly in a line for m y
turret. In what seemed an eternity, .30 bullets came
crashing into m y turret through the plastic bubble!
Although slightly dazed from this experience, I
remembered something had hit m e in the neck and
we tried to ignore it, w e could see bombers ahead of I was convinced it was one of those bullets. I
us falling out of formation, some blowing up, and an immediately had the sensation of blood running
ever increasing n u m b e r of parachutes floating down
d o w n m y neck and a very sticky feeling in m y flight
suit. Instinctively, I followed the fourth fighter
over the city.
Even at thistime,I believe all of us thought w e through his pass and about burned out m y gun
lived a charmed life and were going to m a k e it. But barrels trying to get revenge. H e came right in on
top of us, and just before he turned it over to go
seconds before w e were to drop our bombs, a shell
d o w n and away, he raised his hand and waved!
exploded in the vicinity of our left outboard (#1)
engine. W e dropped out of formation like a ton of Although he was long gone, I remember waving
bricks and continued to lose altitude until we could back at him.
Surveying the damages from m y vantage point,
jettison our b o m b load. With the b o m b s gone, we
I could see that the entire left rear stabilizer was
were able to stabilize our position and were soon
gone and approximately one-third of the left wing.
over the out-skirts of Berlin. A quick check of the
plane revealed our condition not critical, and our It seemed like there were thousands of holes. O u r
plane at thistimewas completely out of control, and
Navigator, Lt. Harris, estimated we could be in
I'm sure that the pilots were far too busy to inform
Sweden in approximately 35 minutes.
the rest of us what w e could expect.
®
�Dazed for a bit by thefire,smoke, exploding
In the confusion that followed, I forgot I had a
ammunition,
I was jarred back to reality by a large
.30 caliber bullet through m y neck and probably was
bleeding to death. T h e n reality came back, positive explosion - probably the gasoline. Ijumped up and
that I was dying, I became hysterical. I remember ran out of the woods, back into the potato field
hollering incoherently, but then, just as quickly, I where I had landed, and then noticed a small green
became calm and at peace with the world. All sorts spot ahead and ran for it - anything was better than
this openfield.T h e green area turned out to be far
of thoughts then poured through m y mind.
better than I had dreamed because it was a hole
I was brought back to reality w h e n the pilot
perhaps 30 feet in diameter, about eight feet deep,
announced over the intercom that he could handle
the plane and w e should all parachute out as quickly a small pond of water in the middle and small trees
as possible. I immediately crawled out of m y turret and shrubs around the entire bank. Soon I was into
the water up to m y armpits, m y head and shoulders
and desperately started looking for m y parachute
that I had so nonchalantiy tossed on m y flight deck well covered by a small tree...
I was captured 10 to 12 days later while trying to
earlier.
Crawling on m y knees, Ifinallyfound it and as I get to Sweden because I got completely lost and
didn'tknowwherelwas. IwassenttoStalagLuft#l.
stood up and started to unbutton m y heated jacket
Sgt. Faller, Radioman, answered a few questions
to snap on m y chute, I noticed several fragments of
also, "As I recall, w e did have a borrowed plane, but
plastic about the size of a dime fall out onto the
I don't remember why. W e received a direct hit
floor. As I continued to unbutton m y jacket, I
realized m y flight suit was soaking wet - with sweat! through #1 enginejust before the b o m b run and fell
out of formation. After salving our bombs, we
It slowly dawned on m e that I had found m y .30
headed cross-country hoping to tap onto some
caliber bullet and the blood.
Crawling over to the b o m b bay, I jumped out, formation, but were hit by about six M E 109's who
following m y plan to free fall as long as possible, but took turns at us. W h e n it became evident that we
suddenly I was in a small, low-flying cloud and could could no longer stay airborne (about 12,000 feet),
not see the ground. I immediately tried to open m y w e bailed out and all became P O W ' s except our copilot, Henderson. H e was killed by civilians when he
chute, but nothing happened. With m y heart
skipping beats, I looked d o w n and there was m y left landed."
hand desperately trying to keep m y right hand from
pulling the rip cord. Under control now, I pulled
the cord for a short ride to earth with m y chute
blossoming above m e .
With all of this activity, I had completely forgotten
about the rest of the crew. Looking up, I quickly
counted eight chutes - all of them crewmen. They
were all in the same general area and still about a
mile up. Breaking almost every rule, I headed on a
dead run for a relatively small wooded area where I
stopped, sat d o w n and became violendy ill at m y
stomach. I had not been there long w h e n I heard
the roar of airplane engines, followed by limbs
being torn off trees, and then a shower of airplane
parts and pieces of trees. Looking up, directly over
m y head and not thirty feet high, a four-engine
bomber was crashing through the trees and finally
came to rest less than a quarter of a mile in front of
me!
�DECISION HUSSION 24
27 JUNE 1944
44 111 B O M B G R O U P 506TH BJS.
Submitted by Robert M. Foust
1725 Grauzvyler #137
Irvingus, Texas 75061
Shipdham Air Base, 3:00 A M , 506th Squadron
Quonset Hut, everyone was asleep, finally. Y A
H O , Y A H O , Y A H O rang out "Time to fly those
Bloody Kites, wake up you fly boys. Docktor's
Crew, Stone's Crew, breakfast in 15 minutes" the
CQhollered. I had been asleep maybe an hour
when he shouted out. I'll probably remember
that sound the rest of m y life. Having slept in m y
flying coveralls, I slipped on m y shoes, grabbed
m y leather jacket and hat and headed for the
trucks to take us to the mess hall, along with the
rest of the crew. Breakfast at 03:15, briefing at
04:00 came the voice over the P A system.
Breakfast was pancakes and bacon for m e .
Then on to briefing. O u r mission was Creil, a
marshalling yards north of Paris. W e were to
carry 12-500 pound G P bombs. The enlisted
m e n were excused from briefing and went on to
get on our flying gear and check our valuables.
Then by the armory to pick up our guns and on
to our aircraft.
T h e crew went about their task of pre-flight on
"ShackRat," our aircraft. As a right waist gunner,
the pilot assigned m e to be in charge of the rear
of the plane. M y duties included starting the
"Putt Putt," the auxiliary power generator. After
installing m y waist gun and starting the A.P.G., I
plugged in m y heated flying suit and m y
headphones, spread out a couple of flak suits on
the ribbed deck and prompdy went to sleep. I
would doze while the engines were run up and
usually during the long period till we joined the
formation to head to our target.
W e had some problems during assembly of our
group, but word from the pilot to test fire our
guns meant we were over the channel and headed
to France. Before w e reached the coast, I was
ordered to start throwing out chaff, anti-radar
strips of tinfoil. Sitting down by the rear hatch
I started dropping the bundles through the
chute provided. I must have gone through 10
boxes of chaff before hearing on the intercom
that we had reached our IP and were turning on
the target.
O n a previous mission, Bill Strange and I had
seen a B-24 pull up beside us in the formation.
You could see fuel streaming from the b o m b bay.
O n board the crew could be seen going back
and forth working on the problem. Painted on
the nose was the n a m e "Tuffey," which was a
nickname w e had given Bill. Fire erupted from
the aircraft and it dove out of our formation and
sailed under and off to the left of us. Bodies
began jumping out on fire as the B-24 burst in
two. Their chutes would open only to be
consumed in flames. Bill looked at m e and said
"If we were ever hit in our fuel tanks, I'm going
to get out before thefirebegins."
"Bomb bay doors open," came the c o m m a n d
and "Bombs away" as the B-24 lunged upward
releasing the bombs. At that moment, flak
bracketed our formation. W e were hit. I felt the
aircraft losing altitude rapidly and the rear of
the plane was full of 100 octane gasoline. Feeling
a tap on m y shoulder, I turned around and Bill,
the o ther waist gunner handed m e m y parachute.
I stood up disconnecting m y oxygen and
intercom and hooked up m y chest pack. Looking
up, I saw Bill open the rear hatch and was going
to bail out also, but w e seemed to be flying okay,
so I decided not to. I think the reason I didn't
was lack of oxygen, having been disconnected
from it for I don't know h o w long.
�T h e intercom was buzzing by now, orders from fuel to m a k e it back to the base?" The answer
the pilot was to turn off all electrical equipment again, "Keep going." T h e pilot announced,
and stand by. I reported that Bill had bailed out "Anyone wishing to bail out over the Channel
can, but I'm going back to Shipdham." W e all
and we were soaking with fuel. Looking toward
the rear I saw Morrie, the tail gunner, sitting in decided to go with him. Coming in on an
emergency approach, the pilot landed on the
his turret looking sadly at m e with gasoline
grass beside the runway to avoid any sparks.
splashing in his face. Meanwhile in the b o m b
bay, they were working to stop the flow of fuel W h e n the B-24 rolled to a stop, w e jumped out
of the rear of the plane and began kissing the
from a p u m p that had been hit. Charlie, our
ground. I think this mission added ten years to
flight engineer, tore a piece of wood from an
a m m o box and with his false teeth chewed a plug m y life.
T h e Crew on this mission: Pilot Fred Stone,
and stopped the leak. By this time things began
to setde down after an engine was feathered and Co-Pilot Merritt Derr, Navigator Andrew
Patrichuck, Radio Operator Sam Ceverella, Nose
the pilot began to take damage reports. H e
Turret Bob Ryan, Upper Turret Charles Brown,
called m e in the waist and asked h o w bad Bill
(right waist gunner) had been hit and did I need Tail Turret Morrie Meunitz, Right Waist Bill
to help with him. During all the excitement, he Strange, Left Waist B o b Foust, Ball Turret
had misunderstood that Bill had been wounded Flegman. All finished their tour and returned to
the States except for Bill Strange, w h o spent the
instead of having bailed out.
A few minutes later Fred Stone, our pilot, got rest of the war in a P.O.W. camp. As of this
on the intercom and told us w e were flying all writing, April, 1995, only Derr, Foust and Strange
right and he was going to try to make it back to are still alive.
the Channel, but if any of the crew wanted to bail
out it was okay. N o one else wanted to and we all EDITOR: Good story, Bob. As to Pilot Stones
decided to ride it out with the "Skipper." Sam, performance, one could conclude that this is wh
the radio operator, remarked later that he would Air Force dropped the plain "Pilot"titleandrenam
never fly another mission with any one else than that crew position "Aircraft Commander, " one
Stone. H e said if it hadn't been for him shouting has and maintains command of the aircraft an
crew. It seems to me that Flight Engineer, C
out commands during the mission, w e would
Brown did a pretty outstanding feat with h
have had it.
choppers; then managing the fuel so precisel
W e had dropped our altitude low enough to
get off oxygen and had picked up fighter support enable you to make it back to Shipdham. You we
back towards England. As a 19 year old, I began fortunate to be on such a solid crew!
to realize what had happened and the shock was
setting in. O n the intercom I could hear the
pilots asking Charlie Brown h o w the fuel supply
was. His answer every time was, "Don't worry, we
have plenty of fuel. Keep going." Over the
Channel the question was, "Do w e have enough
®
�T h e following is taken from the Norfolk News and Weekly Press dated April 10, 1943:
LIFE ON THE BASE
EARLY 1943
Life at the British station of the 44th
Bombardment Group has been well described by
Mr. Lee in the Norfolk News and Daily Press of 10
April 1943.
For some months past, the sight of officers and
m e n of the United States Air Force has been a
familiar feature of the scene in a great m a n y Norfolk
towns and villages. So familiar indeed, that it has
long since ceased to be the matter of curiosity that
it was atfirst.N o w w e accept them - almost, for we
are still East Anglian - as part of our o w n community.
H o w is it that this has happened so quickly in a
country that by tradition is supposed to be slow in
taking to "foreigners?" Partly, I think, because we
East Anglians have been quick to realize that these
Americans are as m u c h a part of Great Britain, to
whose presence w e have become used to since the
war. Pardy, I think, because an innate instinct to
hospitality has been quickened by the thought that
these Americans are in a way relations, however
distandy removed. But mainly, Ifirmlybelieve,
because so m a n y of the "boys" themselves have
shown themselves eager tofitin with our ways, and
have so obviously been delighted w h e n an
Englishman has given one of them the slenderest of
chances to show what really good "mixers" they are.
I found out h o w very good they are at that
"mixing" w h e n in m y turn I became the "invader" - a visitor to an aerodrome in Norfolk that has been
transformed into a bit of the United States in
England. T h e boot was on the other leg. I was an
Englishman a m o n g a large n u m b e r on Americans.
T h e physical surroundings were familiar. Over the
other side of the hedge was a Norfolk farm laborer
driving his American built tractor drilling barley.
But this side of the hedge I was in the United States,
talking to m e n from Kentucky, from Wisconsin,
from Maine and the Carolinas, listening to a variety
of dialects that m a d e a hardened film fad realize
that the accent of the Hollywood studio that I had
learned to k n o w so well must seem to Americans as
affected and strange as "Oxford" does to the blunt
Yorkshireman in this country. But since neither
"Tex" nor "Bud" Yank from Maine, or "Tarheel"
from North Carolina took any noting of m y straight
turns of speech, I too, tried to take things in m y
stride. In any case, I was very quickly m a d e to feel
very m u c h at h o m e .
A SPARTAN LIFE
I had heard a good deal of talk about the lavish
way the American troops in England live. People
had told m e "on the beat authority" -which so often
is the very worst - stories of lavish living that m a d e
a long rationed Englishman's mouth water. Well,
this is certainly one of those things that prove the
soundness of the old advice to believe nothing that
you hear. There was nothing of luxury in anything
I saw. In fact, if there is anything in the American
A r m y regulations that corresponds to the "hard
living" allowance that the British Navy pays for
certain services, both officers and "enlisted m e n " of
this particular bomber squadron of the U S A A F earn
it. They work hard and they live as hard as they work.
As an old soldier of the 1914-18 war, one of the
things that struck m e most about this hard living of
the U S A A F was the narrowness of the distinction
between the conditions of the officers and "enlisted
men." They certainly live up to the democratic idea.
A n officer's servant is a thing u n k n o w n - except
perhaps the one or two very senior officers, though
I don't quite know about that. T h e officer's mess is
a very spartan affair indeed. In fact, I was told from
more than one source that the combat crew's mess
- for the non-commissioned members of the crews
of the giant Liberator bombers - fed more lavishly
and in conditions of greater comfort than the
officers, even including the pilots and the
"bombardiers," w h o incidentally all have to hold
commissioned rank. For the rest of the station, all
the "enlisted m e n " of the ground staff, from "top"
sergeant to the humblest "buck private," mess
together and share the same living quarters.
�EVERY MAN TO HIS JOB
And the United States Army Air Force doesn't
carry any passengers. Every m a n has his job, and
every job - outside the barest m i n i m u m of
administrative, office and cooking staff- makes its
direct contribution to the actual flying operations,
which are the job of the squadron as a whole. I was
particularly struck by the high standard of A TRIBUTE TO
independence of the squadron organization. If a
BRIG. GENERAL R O B E R T L. CARDENAS
machine comes back from operations "all shot up,"
OF T H E 44TH
the station has workshops and craftsmen capable of
tackling all types of repairs. O n e of the Liberators Submitted by:
I saw on the dispersal line was just having a new
Forrest S. Clark ofKissimmee, Florida
enginefitted,it had lost one in afightwith a Jerry
over Holland a day or two before, but on its fuselagePerhaps not sufficiently known to the younger
were painted three of those little silhouettes of
generation is the role played by one of our own 44th
B o m b Group officers in man's conquest of supersonic
planes to show that on different sorties, it had
speed and space.
accounted for three G e r m a n fighters.
That officer is Brig. Gen. Robert L. Cardenas, USAF
Ret, who flew B-24 Liberators with the 44th and was shot
down 13 April 1944 over Germany, escaped into France.
After his distinguished record in World War II, he was
One thing particularly pleased me in the course to add to this record a career as a test pilot.
of m y tour of the station. I saw one or two m e n in the
In October of 1947 he was in charge of the XS-1
R.A.F. uniform about and, knowing that the station supersonic project and pilot of the B-29 that dropped
had been taken over from our o w n Air Force,
Capt. Chuck Yeager into the realm of supersonic flight
remarked about it to m y guide. 'Yes," he said, "but for thefirsttime in the history of mankind. H e was also
they'll soon be going. We've got to stand on our o w n chief pilot on the eight engine Flying Wing YB-49.
During the Korean War, he was at Wright Field and
bottom, you know. Those are the last of a grand
Edwards
AFB testing new jet fighters and bombers for
bunch of fellows. They've taught us a lot. In fact,
combat duty. In the Gulf of Tonkin crisis, he was
everything w e k n o w about air tactics over here and
commander of the 18th Tactical Fighter Wing on
about operations, generally your boys of the R.A.F.
Okinawa.
have taught us."
Gen. Cardenas has been recognized by the USAF
T h e n later I learned — from very
Museum in Wright-Paterson AFB, Dayton, Ohio for his
uncomplimentary and blunt comments m a d e by
accomplishments and was one of the principles in the
the same American on m y o w n deplorable first 1993-94 lecture series at the museum. H e told of his part
"flight" in a Link trainer - that Americans like to say in the team that was assigned to break the sound barrier.
H e maintained an active career in the Air Force and in
what they mean, and usually m e a n what they say. I
industry and government in his post-career years
took the compliment to the R.A.F. as completely
supporting veterans benefits.
sincere.
The 50th anniversary of thefirstsupersonic flight is
I came away from the U S A A F station with a very
approaching
and some fitting memorials and
wholesome regard for their efficiency. They m a y
commemoration of that event are being considered. It
not bother m u c h about "spit and polish." Their
is therefore proper at this time that the 44th Bomb
standards of military discipline m a y seem lax to
Group Veterans Association remember Brig. Gen.
British ideas. But that's just their way of disregarding Cardenas for his distinguished service, not only to the
what they regard as unessentials. It certainly doesn't 44th, but to all of the U S Air Force and the nation.
apply to their keenness in the really big job of work
H e lives in San Diego, California and participates
they are doing as part of the Allied Air Offense over actively in veterans affairs. H e is a member of the Swiss
Internee Association of the United States.
Europe.
FACTS ABOUT THE 44TH BOMB
GROUP
THEIR DEBT TO THE K.A.F.
10
�THE NIGHT WE MIGHT HAVE BLOWN UP SHIPDHAM
ByJohn Wolbarst (464th Sub Depot)
It was sometime in 1944 that I was told to report toand a horrendous crash of rending metal, followed
the 44th B.G. Armament Officer, Major Robert L. by sounds as if someone was hammering on the ship,
Dean. I was the senior N C O in charge of bombsight all mixed with blood curdling yells from Goucher.
and autopilot maintenance for the Group.
I ran back. Smoke was pouring out of the waist
With Major Dean were S/Sgt. Max Goucher, windows, Goucher was jumping up and down.
armorer of the 68th and others I don't remember. Through the waist window we could see a big hole
They were handling an extraordinary piece of
in the roof. W e climbed in the waist hatch. It was
ordnance - a four-barrelflaregun. Four Very pistols clear what had happened.
had been cut down and mounted in a row on an
W h e n the gunfiredthe recoil pushed the barrels
aluminum plate about a foot square.
below the roof. Most of thefireballswere trapped
They were to befiredby a pair of modified bomb inside andflewaround the waist. A piece of roof
rack releases. These devices, cocked with a powerful about 3 foot square was torn loose. The stringer wa
a ruin. Bits of fireballs were still smoldering in
spring, were released electrically; the actuating
arms thenflewaround and hit the firing pins of the corners.
flare pistols.
After putting out the sparks and checking that the
The purpose of the gun was to signal to the rest of ship was secure, we were about to leave when the fi
the Group when thefirstbomb was leaving the lead truck arrived. The crew's remarks were not
ship, so the other bombardiers could toggle off
complimentary.
their loads in a compact pattern.
It was after 10:00 when I found Piela and told him
W e were to mount it in the waist of a 68th ship thatto round up his crew again. They were not happy,
was to lead a mission the next morning. Goucher
but they got to work with a will.
About 11:30 it began to rain steadily. The m e n
and I were to meet S/Sgt. Fred Piela and a sheet
metal crew of the 464th Sub Depot on the line and outside on the roof were getting soaked; they also
began to get shocks from their electrical equipment.
get the thing installed.
As it was late when we got to the plane, we decidedAnguished protestsfilledthe night air.
By midnight the job was done. Goucher loaded
that we would go to evening chow and come back to
do the job. O n the way we warned the control tower the gun, itfiredthe flares high into the wet air an
we went off to bed. As I was dropping off to sleep I
that we would befiringflares.
Piela's m e n worked fast. First they cut a slot in thehad a sudden thought. What if some of those
roof of the plane; then they riveted the top edge of fireballs had landed in the ammunition containers?
Wow!
the plate to a longitudinal stringer so the gun
That night the mission was scrubbed.
barrelsjustprotruded through the roof. Thatwasit.
I thought the setup lookedflimsyand told Piela so.
H e said: "I don't tell you how tofixbombsights.
Don't you tell m e how tofixsheet metal." They left
and Goucher and I strung wire from the
intervalometer in the nose back to the waist. W e
were finished about 9:30.
Goucher loaded and cocked the gun and then got
out onto the hardstand. I went up to the nose to fire
the thing. The plane had a full load of bombs,
ammunition, and gas so I was very careful how I set
and ran the intervalometer. There was a loud bang
11
�The following was taken from the 2nd Air Division Journal:
THE WHITE CLIFFS OF DOVER
By Lyndon C. Allen (44th BG)
N o n e of us m a d e that second mission without m u c h in the same situation. This "Number
O n e " for us was to be the bombing of an airfield
preliminary making that first. But I a m sure
each of us have particular memories of our first,near Nancy-Essy, France. Incidentally, this took
and that's what this is all about - m y specific
place on August 18,1944. After assembling over
memories of ourfirst.T h e White Cliffs of Dover England somewhere, w e headed east. Our plane
was one of the last in the formation and, as I was
play a significant role in these memories.
M y m e m o r y fails m e as to the preliminary of tail gunner, I had no other planes to see and give
this, our, what w e thought to be, a "baptism of m e moral support.
Leaving the English coast was the significant
fire." I a m sure w e fairly well followed the
sequence Louis W . Wust described in the March, aspect, to m e , of ourfirstmission. Ever since I
had geography back in Elementary School, I
1980, issue of the Journal, Page 10. T h e
awakening, usual truck ride or walk to the mess have heard of, and have seen pictures of the
hall, those delicious powdered eggs, the truck White Cliffs of Dover, and there they were,
ride to the flight line; all done thousands of directly below m e ! H o w beautiful; h o w
times by thousands of other Second Air Division magnificent; just as they had been shown in
members. O f course, to us gunners, the briefing pictures! At first I completely forgot the
took on a different aspect from that to which it apprehension of this being ourfirstmission.
But as I watched, those white cliffs starting to
did to pilots and others to w h o m it was so
pertinent. It was more of an occasion of seeing become smaller and smaller, untilfinallythey
where we were going, what to expect along the were gone! That apprehension suddenly came
way, etc. T h e obtaining of our flight cloths was back. What were w e getting into? What did we
very similar to that which Louis described. O n e have to expect before us? Would I ever see those
thinghe left out, though, was that w e were always beautiful cliffs again? I'm not the only one who
ever had that feeling, I know, but with no planes
issued some form of nourishment to take along
to help sustain us on our waiting to get back to
behind m e and the cliffs gone, what next!
the nextmeal. For the longer flights, I'm sure all Well, it turned out to be a milk run; and no flak,
remember those "C" rations w e were issued; for no "Jerries," no nothing. T h e bombing was
the shorter ones w e were usually given candy
good. Ourfirstmission had accomplished its
bars. (For us, "Ping Bars" were the predominant purpose. It was not the "baptism offire"we had
type. N o one on our crew liked them except m e , anticipated; it was just a long eight hour and
so I usually m a d e some pretty good trades and twenty minute flight.
really enjoyed more than m y share of "Ping
Yes, coming back I did get to see those majestic
Bars." Wish I could have one n o w (even with m y cliffs again. I saw them several times later, by the
diabetic condition!) But this was to be a rather way, but never with that apprehension that was
long one, so I presume w e were issued the "C" there on thefirstmission; the apprehension that
rations this time.
was so accentuated by the passing of those White
Our pre-flighting, of course, was different, but Cliffs of Dover over the horizon as w e went east
once w e were in the air I guess w e were all pretty on that first mission.
12
�THE PRESIDENT'S CORNER
We are fast approaching our reunion date and
when we looked around among the membership for further
reservations are still coming in. We will more than likely
help, we found the mainstream of strength existed withi
reach a total of300. This will leave some roomfor those who the old World War II warriors. Naturally, they became t
live around San Antonio to come to the Banquet and/or target ofour appealsfor help. It wasn 't that we didn 't w
Squadron Dinner night selectively. Contact Jim (214)the other eras to help, it was their small numbers and t
243-4657 to make late reservations.
didn't permit us spending a lot of our energy in building
ThereaUy bignews is that The 44th Veterans Association a lot of fight in thefew. So in those appeals, I unabashed
(our short title) is now officially affirmed as a Non-Profit
admit I purposely plucked every patriotic heart string
Veterans Association by the IRS (EIN #68-0351397) and could think of (and maybe a few I conjured up) to fire up
we are presently applying for a bulk mail permit in Salt the old war-horses to join the battle. When it came to
Lake City where we have our business address. There are publishing our journal, again we made the appeal to the
some other notable events: 2nd AD reunion, Executive membership in the same vein, entitling it The 8 Ball Tail
Board meeting, Tower Restoration project that are covered
lean't tell you how many great responses we have had ove
elsewhere in this issue. There is one event, the membership
the format, content and theme ofthe Tails. IlovedoingThe
of Col. Roscoe Moulthrop, although mentioned elsewhere, 8 Ball Tails and I love hearing that you love reading it. S
I want to make the theme of my comments in this issue. it would appear we pushed the right buttons and the 44th
In the announcement of Col. Moulthrop joining us, I BGVA is safely on course.
quoted his willingness to cast himself in the role ofrallying It seems obvious to me now as we, hopefully, have
pointfor veterans ofthe missile era in 44th history tofollow
reached a turning point with the joining of Roscoe
his example in remaining a member of the 44th family by Moulthrop noted above, that we must begin (softly) to
widen our appeal to those who also served their nation
joiningus. Inreality, what we are really talking about here
under the proud colors of the 44th. I can start this wit
is rejoicing in having the beginnings of contemporaries of
our sons and daughters comingaboard to help carry on the publishing any correspondence and stories submitted by th
Bomb and Missile Wing people. I also would be delighte
heritage and history of the 44th.
to change our masthead to include depictions ofB-29, BWhile we have a sprinkling of members from the
Bombardment Wing and Missile Wing
eras, I am 4 7, KC-135 and Minuteman II missile tail sections.
concerned that we don't have continually growing numbers can start seeking out these members at the reunion and
from those times of service with the 44th. We must help getting acquainted by inviting them to join you at the
Roscoe Moulthrop mark the turning point. What we must diningevents. Let's let 'em know we're all family! Speak
do now is not only seek out and make him welcome; we must of family, ours is steadily growing! The right up to
publication numbers are 809 regular and 143 life members
look around us and actively identify those members among
us who are of those eras and tell them how very happy wefor a total of 952. Can we get to 1,000 by reunion time?
are to have them with us to carry on the 44th heritage. I
have several pieces of correspondence which characterize
both theformer and present 44th organizations as a bunch
of old Liberator lovers with little concern for those who
brought us safely through the Cold War. That perception
of the 44th BGVA isn 't going to swell our ranks, so anyone
would notice. While I denounce this characterization as an
unjust generalization, I readily admit to some valid
indications of its truth. First let me say, I think I have a
better grasp than most on understanding how we may give
this impression. Why ? Because I helped in building it.
That beloved old 44th Bomb Group B-24 carried me
through the most perilous (and exciting) period of my life
and is my frame ofreference in defining love of my country.
Thus when the existence ofour Bomb Group Organization
was threatened, I joined others in the battle to save it. Alas,
Roy Owen, President
��The 506th Bomb
Squadron recently lost two ofit
most beloved members:
On April 28 "Big" Bob Mundell suffered a massi
attack while doing the work he loved, branding his
calves on his ranch in Walsh, Colorado. We saw Bo
October attending the Colorado Springs Reunion wi
sonDavid. Both hold 44th BGVA Life Memberships.
photo was taken at the reunion showingBob and David
each side ofa long time friend, Don Chase. Who cou
but love this bigcowboy with thesmilingface that lo
a composite ofall Western cattlemen. Bob is surviv
beloved wife Helen, sons Homer, David and Dan.
FOLDED WINGS
PLOESTI RAIDERS
Robert Mundell, POW 506th
William Strong
506th
2/95
7/95
ALL OTHERS
Frank P. Pacylowsky Ukn
Charles E. Cary
68th
Robert Mundell
506th
Alfred W . Jalovitz
Unk
Dale E. Raucher
Unk
Joseph E. Flaherty
Hq
Spencer Fulp
Unk
George B. Haag
Unk
Benjamin D. Ford
68th
Morton R. Taylor
Unk
Aldo P. LaValle
Unk
William J. Murphy
66 th
Charles Cary
68 th
Leo L. Sharpnack
Unk
Elbert L. Dukate
Unk
William Strong
506th
Robert E. Rose
68th
K L. Keesee
Unk
Ivan L. Gildersleeve
Unk
Otis V. Rogers
68th
Willis D. Abrams
67th
Theodore B. Hoffiz
66th
7/44
6/95
7/95
1/72
8/94
4/94
3/95
Unk
Unk
/70
9/94
10/93
6/95
Unk
4/86
7/95
Unk
Robert Mundell, Don Chase and Dave Mundell
On July 10, Bill Strongfinallylost his valiantfiv
struggle with cerebral cancer. Always cheerful,
doubtful he would win the struggle in spite ofwhat s
endless surgery that ravaged his head and handsomef
Bill passed away quietly with his family present o
Monday. He was interred in Wimberley, Texas on
following Wednesday. Attending were Lt. Col. (Ret
Mrs. James Clements of Dallas, Texas who represente
44th Bomb Group Veterans Association in honoring B
He is survived by his lovely wife Gladys, her sons Da
Paul and his own children Becky and Bill, Jr. from
previously deceased wife Rowena.
12/72
3/79
5/95
4/93
4/92
This is a partial list of our deceased 44th
comrades. W e will continue to catch up on the
list with each issue, as well as list new Folded
Wings.
We
will sorely miss these two valiant Ploesti
Raiders who have now folded wings. In their
honor and memory,
we must once again close
ranks and carry on in the proud tradition of the
44th "FlyingEight-Balls."
BUI Strong and Bill Strong, Jr.
15
m
�BILL STRONG MEMORIAL FUND
Jim McAtee has made a generous donation to start
a memorial fund in the name of Bill Strong. W e
heartily endorse this gesture for the continuing
memory of Bill. At present, Jim has left the
parameters of the fund to be established by the
Board, which we will do at San Antonio. In the
meantime, the Treasurer has set up a separate
account in the general fund to handle donations to
the Bill Strong Memorial. If you wish to donate,
please make your check to The Bill Strong Memorial
Fund, c/o 44th BGVA. Send your donation to: 44th
BGVA, P.O. Box 2367, Salt Lake City, U T 841102367. These funds will remain on deposit until the
Board determines a dispensation appropriate to
Bill's memory.
16
�pretty little town, and we were splendidly welcomed
in the Town Square Bistro by the owner and his
clientele. W e got our cargo and returned to England
the next day (you thought I was going to tell about
S O M E G O O D FEEDBACK F R O M T H E
the pretty Belgium women, right? Another time
" L E M O N D R O P " FEATURE
boys, we are a mixed organization now.)
The irony of this story is that the memories of
Bob Lehnhausen recently got a call from Charlie
Mons, Belgium had all but faded when, as a faculty
Pigg, Crew Chief on "Lemon Drop." H e was not a member of Chico State University in Northern
current member of our 44th B G V A so was unaware California, I was asked to escort a small tour group
of our article on his airplane. Bob sent him a copy to the 40th Anniversary Celebration of D-Day (1984)
of the Tails and Charlie is now on the membership at the Normandy Beaches. Our travels after the Droll. H e went through Lexington during the 2nd
Day Celebration took us to Paris, then to Brussels, to
Air Division reunion and left Pete Henry a message Calais, back to London and H o m e . It was on the
that he had called and missed him. Then, in Charlie road from Paris to Brussels I was referring to a map
Pigg fashion, he kept movin' along. I expect we will when I saw we were nearing Mons, just a short way
see Charlie in San Antonio. In the meantime, if off the motorway. I told my group the P-51 evacuation
anyone would like to make contact, he is located at story and they all insisted we detour over to see
Rte. 5, Box 440, Chandler, N C 28715.
Mons. By thetimewe got to Mons, it seemed our
Welsh bus driver had become swept up in this
unexpected little adventure because he boldly drove
into the narrow streets andtightcorners to the
Town Center I had visited 40 years before. It was
amazing how litde the Town Center had changed.
MONS, BELGIUM REVISITED
W e lunched at the same bistro, talked with some of
the locals who, while they didn't remember our
After doing the "Lemon Drop" feature, I recalled
particular visit, vividly remembered the frightening
that when the Germans were makingrapid advances prospects of recapture by the Germans and the
attempting to reach Amsterdam in the Batde of the evacuation of the Americanfighteroutfit. W h e n it
Bulge, the 44th, among many other groups which came time to continue our journey, we loaded on
had any kind of aircraft that was cargo capable, were the bus. The driver started to back up and attempt
tasked toflyinto a former Germanfighterairfield at to turn around. After 20 minutes of frantic backing
Mons, Belgium to assist in the emergency evacuation and forwarding, it became obvious we simply could
not turn around to exit the way we so boldly came in.
of a P-51 outfit that had moved into the airfield
closely behind Pattons advance. The winds of war To exit in the other direction, it seems the streets
had suddenly shifted and it looked as though the were even more narrow. In fact, the only way we
could squeeze the bus through the streets and
Germans might recapture their airfield. The Bill
Smith crew in, you guess it, "Lemon Drop" had the corners was for the merchants to raise their awnings
job. I'm pretty sure Charlie Pigg and his assistant until we passed. Our exit from Mons was, I'm sure,
went along as Load Master/Maintenance Support. the biggest comedy event there in years! During the
It was pretty exciting. W e landed on a PSP runway turnaround attempt in the Town Square, I told my
group it was beginning to look like I was going to
with (very) recently repaired bomb craters and
several shot-up M E 109's that had been caught on have my second R O N in Mons. It only took us about
the ground. W e got parked and fueled up, but it one and one-half hours and a very red faced bus
driver to get out of town. What can you expect of a
seemed the ground maintenance equipment we
bunch of American tourists!
were to haul would not be ready to load until
morning. What do any good Air Force m e n do when
Roy Owen
they must R O N (Remain Over Night) ? Of course,
they go to town, Von Rundstedt or no! Mons was a
MISCELLANIA
17
®
�IT'S NOT A MESSERSCHMIDT ON OUR
TAIL, IT APPEARS TO BE A
Ploesti, Foggia and Weiner-Neustadt are missions
KLEINSCHMIDT.
most readily associated with the 44th B o m b Group
B E N G H A Z I DEBRIEFING
(H) in North Africa. Unfortunately, these records
are plagued with gaps in the official archives. First,
the Ploesti missionfilehas been missing for several
years from the 44th archival records stored at the
National Archives. Second, m a n y records from the
44th's second tour in North Africa were lost on the
return to England. Third, all three missions resulted
in heavy losses, either Killed In Action or Prisoners
of War, and consequent inadequate debriefing.
All 44th Vets of this era are invited to attend a
Benghazi debriefing on Saturday, October 21 from
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a lunch break, if necessary.
Let's put our heads and our memorabilia together
and begin to create a useful historical record. Along
the way, w e m a y settle s o m e inconsistencies
concerning formations and events.
THE MIGHTY EIGHTH AIR FORCE
HERITAGE C E N T E R
NEWS RELEASE
APRIL 13,1995
Contact: Wayne Corbett
Mr. and Mrs. George Washburn of Montgomery,
Massachusetts recently visited T h e Mighty Eighth
Air Force Heritage M u s e u m in Savannah, Georgia
and received a tour of the construction site and
briefing about the Museum's progress from Lt.
Gen. E.G. Shuler, Jr., U S A F Ret., Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer. George Washburn is a
m e m b e r of the 44th B o m b Group.
Recall the last issue letter from Lt. Earl Guy
he had lost contact with a Shipdham roommate he
recalled as being n a m e d Messerschmidt? W e think
this letter from Lt. Col. (Ret) T.J. "Joe" Feeney
provides the answer for Earl. That's not bad; one
letter and w e are three for three in locating lost
roomies!
This letter comes from:
Lt. Col. (Ret) T.J. Feeney of 57 Devonshire Squ
Mechamcsburg, PA 17055-6873
Dear Will:
This is a belated thank you note for sending m
that "Litho" of "Glory Bee" so prompdy last month.
It arrived in plenty of time for m e to pack it up
and take it to Texas for m y reunion with "Arnie"
Kleinschmidt. Arnie and I had not seen each other
or corresponded with each other since 1945!
Ifinallym a d e contact as a result of information
I got from Steve A d a m s in Norwich, England.
I was Kleinschmidt's tail gunner when we flew
with the 66th Squadron in the 44th B o m b Group.
Glory Bee wasn't the only ship w eflew,but it's the
one I remember best and so did Arnie.
H e and his lovely wife, Margaret, more than
welcomed m e to their ranch in Lexington after
meeting m e in Austin. I can't believe I learned so
m u c h about the cattle business as I did in the three
short days I spent with them. They had some 2,000
plus head of cattle.
They really appreciated getting the litho of Glory
Beeflyingover the tower and that prompted a great
time of reminiscing. Also, the article in the last 8
Ball Tails that I read by Lt. Earl Guy makes m e feel
certain that the "Messerschmidt" he mentioned that
he lost contactwith is m y pilot, Kleinschmidt. W h e n
we got together in Texas, he said that everyone used
to call him "Messerschmidt" at Shipdham.
His address is:
Arnold P. Kleinschmidt
P.O. Box572
Lexington, Texas 78947-0572
I believe that you have him in yourfiles,as he said
he planned to go to the reunion in San Antonio.
Again, thanks for your help and all the work that
you do for the 44th.
Sincerely.
Mr. &Mrs. George Washburn and U. Gen. KG. Shuler, USAF Ret.
�A WELCOME TO
COL. ROSCOE E. MOULTHROP
SOME NOTES REGARDING
THE REUNION
There will be a Registration Desk in the lobby
the hotel that will be m a n n e d all day Thursday and
Friday until noon. It is suggested that attendees
check their Registration Packet at that time to be
assured they have all the requiredtickets.After
Friday noon, there will be information posted on
the bulletin board as to where to receive their
Registration Packets.
A bulletin board will be displayed in the hotel
lobby with a roster of those attending and other
pertinent information.
If there are spaces remaining for the Friday or
Sunday tours, tickets will be available at the
Registration Desk.
Everyone's n a m e tag, guests included, will be
It is indeed apleasure to welcome to our membership designated by their Squadron affiliation and will
Colonel Roscoe E. Moulthrop, the last Active Duty
attend the appropriate Squadron dinner Saturday
Commander of the 44th Strategic Missile Wingup to the
night. Those w h o do not belong to one of the four
July, 1994 retirement of our proud unit from the roll of
active duty combat components of the United States Air Squadrons are free to attend any of their choosing.
T h e dinner sites for each Squadron will be
Force. The deactivation of the 44th S M W under his
command was thefirstdeactivation of a Minuteman II
announced on the bulletin board. After the
weapon system in the Air Force and was accomplished
Squadron dinner, there will be a brief intermission
ahead of schedule, under budget and without incident.
while the preparations are being m a d e for the
Colonel Moulthrop left his last assignment as Chief,
Target Selection Branch, Plans and Policy Directorate, dance.
There will be a Memorabilia room available for
United States Strategic Command, Offutt Air Force
Base, Nebraska to enter retirement in June of this year. the duration of the reunion. Please bring any
The Moulthrop family, Roscoe, wife Julie (both natives pictures, books, records or V C R tapes. As it would
of Missouri), and children Scott and Elizabeth are
be unwise to leave the room unattended, the last
residing at 804 East Elm, Princeton, Missouri 64673.
one to leave at any time should lock the door and
H e started a second career on July 1 with Premium
return
the key to the front desk. T h e key will be
Standard Farms. W e wish him as great success in his
civilian career as he reached in the service of his country available from the front desk at any time to any one
where he shouldered the awesome Cold W a r
with a 44th reunion n a m e tag.
responsibility for the National C o m m a n d Authority
Tickets for individual events will be available at
directed launch of an unimaginable degree of
destruction should we be pre-emptively attacked. It can the Registration Desk for those w h o have m a d e
be truly said, Col. Moulthrop, in large part, has helped reservations for that function. Reservations must be
preserve the peace his 44th predecessors had attained. m a d e with Jim Clements prior to the reunion date,
In myfirstphone conversation with Col. Moulthrop, either by letter or phone. Reservations will be
when he called to inquire about 44th BGVAmembership,
considered confirmed unless notified immediately
I expressed the hope that in his joining us he would
that space does not exist.
represent a rallying point for the veterans of the 44th
Tickets cost:
S M W to follow him in joining with us as part of the 44th
Buffet and Squadron Dinner
$25/Each
family. His reply: "I would certainly like to be involved
and try to generate interest with folks of my generation
Banquet
$30/Each
in the 44th BGVA. As the last commander of the 44th
Monday Breakfast
$15/Each
Missile Wing, I have deep feelings for the organization,
and really believe anyone who served under the 44th
colors is a part of the family. I stand ready in any way I The reunion hotel rates will apply for those
wishing to arrive early or stay in San Antonio
can."
That says it all! Welcome to the family, Roscoejulie,afterwards.
Scott and Elizabeth. W e hope to see you in San Antonio.
�THE SHIPDHAM TOWER REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS
TO: ALL SHIPDHAM T O W E R PROJECT CONTRIBUTORS & 44TH BGVA MEMBERS
dare place our memorabilia, pictures, archival materials,
The 2nd Air Division Reunion in Lexington,
Kentucky on July 3-6 afforded the opportunity for Dick etc.; bringing power and water to the site; and not least,
someone to staff the tower; we
Butler, Will Lundy and m e to meet,
read and discuss their respective
most certainly don't want to enter
into a lease agreement with an
reports on the Shipdham Tower
individual who, according to
Restoration investigation and
m o o d and profit motive could
recommendations.
conceivably let us improve his
In short, they both conclusively
property and then refuse lease
report that the viability of restoring
renewal at his whim.
the Shipdham Tower as a 44th
B G V A project is, at best, a risky
RECOMMENDATIONS
project in which to invest any
further funds accrued to the
1)
Based upon the facts
"Tower Project."
presented by our representatives,
First, although Mr. D o u g
the 44th B G V A Executive Board
Genge, the tenant of the Tower
by a vote of 8 to 1, recommends to the Tower
property, states he is willing to invest his own money into
restoration contributors that the Tower restoration
further restoration, there is question whether he has
be abandoned and, after
any more than a verbal agreement
deduction
of
certain
that he is permitted to occupy the
administrative expenses and
property. This information
refund of any individual
surfaced in a meeting of our
contributions demanded, the
representatives with Mr. Genge
residue of restoration funds be
and Mr. Nick Saffel, representing
offered to the 44th B G V A as a
Mr. Vincent, the property owner
single donation to a Memorial
and father-in-law of Mr. SafFel. The
Fund account. The Tower
point of the discussion was the
contributors must have a floor
question of proceeding with
vote on this recommendation at
restoration if a long term lease
the General
Membership
could be negotiated. In response,
Hth Combat Wing He
One of the walls and mur
Meeting at San Antonio.
Mr. Saffel stated that is was
doubtful that Mr. Vincent would
consent to any lease agreement beyondfiveyears, 2) Next, the B G V A members must be alerted to a
General Membership Meeting floor vote on which
especially if the property was improved to the point that
it had commercial potential. The
the members present can vote
matter of the memorial plaque
yea or nay to accept the transfer
remaining in place was discussed
of the Tower funds to the 44th
with Mr. Saffel stating, "it would
B G V A as specified above. If
be questionable, should he reclaim
approved, Will Lundy can settle
the building, that the plaque would
any outstanding obligations of
be allowed to remain." Also, Mr.
the Tower Restoration Project,
Vincent is a somewhat whimsical
then transfer the balance to the
man and "he (Saffel) would have
B G V A Treasurer by check, closing
to waitfor a time when Mr. Vincent
the books on the Tower
was in a favorable mood before
Restoration Project.
the matter of a lease could be
approached."
3) Also, the Executive Board
In summary, with the other
must describe to the B G V A
attendant problems of accessibility; the cost of bringing
members the alternatives to the Tower Restoration
the building to a climatologic state in which we would
Project and alert them to a floor vote on a choice of
20
�those alternatives, which include tablingany decision B) Duxford Museum. Museum authorities no doubt
on an Association project until an investigation of
would like to have the art work. While this is a fine
other projects can be undertaken.
museum, the wall art would be far removed from the
Shipdham and would be rather insignificant among
ALTERNATIVES
the thousands of items in this predominantly British
oriented museum. This is not a recommended
In conference with a group of Arrow Air members
location.
and management, our representatives visited the old
Combat Wing Headquarters to once again examine the
All of the 44th Bomb Group Veterans
possibility of, in some way, preserving and possibly
Association membership present must be
moving the World War II walls and mural art thereon
prepared for a floor vote at the San Antonio
from the path of certain destruction, since the property
is for sale. All of the group agreed the walls and art work General Meeting on these matters:
should be preserved.
1) To accept the Tower Restoration funds for a
Mr. Nigel Wright, owner and operator of Arrow Air,
B G V A Memorial Funds account.
a charter and flight school operation on Shipdham has
long been a faithful friend and supporter of the 44th
2) To reject the Shipdham Tower Restoration as
(calls the flight school the 8-Ball'ers). H e is in need of
B G V A project with the proviso that, in the event Mr.
an expansion in the form of a pilot's lounge which
Genge continues to occupy and improve the Tower
would also take interior form as a 44th Memorial Room.
to the point it could be made accessible to visitors by
In a meeting of our representatives with Mr. Wright,
contacting his office, we maintain an informal
they pursued the idea of the 44th entering into a cost
arrangement with Mr. Genge that would facilitate
sharing agreement with Arrow Air that would be
such occasional visitations in the future without
coincidental with the desire to conserve the 14th C B W
liability as occupants of the building.
Headquarters walls on which the World War II murals
3) To accept as a 44th BGVA project, within fi
are painted. Mr. Steve Adams (another of our most
limits set by the Executive Board, one of these
ardent supporters) is in contact with a British Historical
projects:
Foundation whose business is the restoration and
a). The Arrow AirCorp. addition with incorporation
transport of historical structures such as the Wing H Q
of the Combat Wing Mural walls.
walls so dear to us all. The plan here would be (once we
b). The relocation of the Mural walls to the
obtain the permission of Mrs. Rix, the owner) to have
Shipdham Cemetery Heritage Center.
this organization remove and restore the two mural
c). The relocation of the Mural walls to the Duxford
walls, then incorporate them into the construction of a
Museum.
new Arrow Air addition. Steve feels certain the cost of
the walls removal and restoration will be borne by the
NOTE: In their report both Butler and Lundy
historical foundation. Obviously, with this plan we
would accomplish two significant projects at the cost of recommend naming Steve Adams, who resides in
one. Further, we would be relieved of the worry of all the Norwich, as On-Site Consultant and Coordinator for
the 44th BGVA, should this project be approved. Steve
negatives mentioned in connection with the tower
has
volunteered to perform these duties without salary,
project. Dick Butler points out that Nigel Wright has an
enthusiastic membership in the Arrow Club who actively butwith reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses. Steve
will beworkingunderthe supervision of a small oversight
support the history and heritage of the 44th and
committee most likely headed by Will Lundy. Since it is
Shipdham. W e would always have a place to go with
obviously much less expensive for Steve to travel here,
someone there to host a visitor.
than to send one of our own back and forth to monitor
I agree with the Butler and Lundy proposal
Two other possible locations to move the walls the
to project,
are:
that the Tower Fund underwrite the costs of his
attendance at the San Antonio Reunion. In the
A) Shipdham Heritage Center. This is a small old
chapel building at the Shipdham Village Cemetery. meantime, he will undertake obtaining release of the
walls by Mrs. Rix and arranging with the agency for their
It is not big enough to accommodate the walls and
restoration.
something would have to be constructed at
considerable cost to protect them. Although much
more accessible, they would be far removed from
Shipdham Airfield. This is not a recommended
location.
�A REPORT ON THE 2ND AIR
DIVISION REUNION
Norwich, England VE Day Parade
Commander Richard Butler
U.S. Flag Bearer Will Lundy
leading all 2nd Air Division Veterans
The 2nd Air Division is down a little, over 400 in
net memberships, i.e. folded wings versus new
memberships. W e can help them here by either
maintaining your membership or, if you are not a
member, joining up with them. Drop a $15 check
to Evelyn Cohn, Vice President, Membership, Apt.
06-410, Delaire Landing Road, Philadelphia, PA
19114.
Two status reports on the Norwich Library 2nd
Air Division Memorial were given. One by Ms.
Phyllis Dubois and the other by Mr. David Hastings,
Vice Chairman of the Memorial Board of Governors.
Both were highly charged with the spirit of survival
and restoration of the library and memorial wing.
The memorial wing is up and running in temporary
quarters and the recovery of salvageable archives, as
well as replacement books, is making solid progress.
OLD FOLKS ARE W O R T H A
FORTUNE
The 2nd Air Division Reunion in Lexington was Remember, old folks are worth a fortune, wi
a good one - - over 700 attending. Pete Henry has in their hair, gold in their teeth, stones in their
decided to stay on as our Group Vice President to kidneys, lead in their feet and gas in their stomachs.
the 2nd Air Division, so Dick Butler (much to his
satisfaction) is back in the ranks providing advice I have become a little older since I saw yo
a few changes have come into my life since then.
and counsel whenever called upon.
The 44th didn't get m u c h in the way of Frankly, I have become quite a frivolous old gal. I
am seeingfivegentlemen every day. As soon as I
recognition, except your of Prez won the golf
tournament low gross with a 74, and I was invited to wake up Will Power helps m e out of bed. Then I go
participate in the candle lighting ceremony and was see John. Then Charlie Horse comes along, and
honored to light the Ploesti candle. Also, we picked when he is here he takes a lot of my time and
attention. W h e n he leaves Arthur Ritis shows up
up a couple of new members (2nd Air Division
and stays the rest of the day. H e doesn't like to stay
members who were not inclined to join the 44th
in one place very long, so he takes m e from joint to
H M G ) . W e were privileged to see the video of the
2nd Air Division celebration and parade for V E Day. joint. After such a busy day, I'm reallytiredand glad
Man, it made your chest swell and the tears roll down to go to bed with Ben Gay. What a life.
your cheeks to see our 44th guys, Dick Butler and
Will Lundy out there leading all of the 2nd Air P.S. The preacher came to call the other da
Division vets. Also, our guys brought back a great said at my age I should think of the hereafter. I told
video record of the Eastbourne Dedication of the him, "Oh, I do all thetime.N o matter where I am,
in the parlor, upstairs, in the kitchen, or down in the
"Ruthless" Memorial. Hopefully we'll give it a
basement I ask myself, now what a m I here after?"
showing in San Antonio.
�EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING
M a y 6-8, 1995
St. Louis, Missouri
Thefirst44th B G V A Executive Board Meeting
convened in St. Louis, Missouri on the weekend of
May 6 at the Holiday Inn - Westpor t. Attending were
President Roy O w e n , Vice President Jim Clements,
Secretary E d Dobson, Treasurer Gerald Folsom,
Director Mike Mikolosky, Director B o b Lehnhausen,
Membership Co-Chairman Art H a n d and M e m b e r
Mel Trager.
After the call to order, Reunion Entertainment
Co-Chair Mel Trager posted the U S Flag presented
to our association by his V F W Post N o . 367 in Joliet,
Illinois. The highlights of the meeting were: (1) T o
review and pass a Financial Year '95 Budget. (2)
Introduce our n e w Treasurer and have him review
the accounting system he intends to pursue in
handling ourfinances.(3) Confirm the appointment
of Richard Butler to replace Pete Henry as Group
Vice President to the 2nd Air Division. (4) Comply
with Article VI of the Constitution by adjusting the
initial terms of the initial elected Board members to
stagger and balance the terms of the elected Board
since all except the Secretary and Treasurer were
elected simultaneously to serve two year terms. (5)
Address the Shipdham Tower Restoration Project
by initially appointing Richard Butler and Will Lundy
as Board Representatives while in England to
investigate once and for all the viability of that
projectfor the Tower Restoration fund contributors
and in turn m a k e recommendations to enable the
Board to make a decision to r e c o m m e n d whether or
not the 44th B G V A should get involved with this
project. (6) Tour St. Louis and the Holiday Inn Westport in terms of
electing St. Louis as the
site for our 1996
Reunion.
Reference: (1) T h e
budget proposed by
President O w e n and
Treasurer Folsom was accepted and passed
unanimously by the Board and appears herein
integrated with a mid-year abbreviated financial
statement. (2) T h e Board reviewed, accepted and
complimented Treasurer Folsom on his financial
accounting system. A full Treasurer's report will be
available for review by any m e m b e r at the General
Meeting in San Antonio. Review of the financial
statements of your B G V A is not a privilege bestowed
upon a few, it the right of all of the membership to
do so at our annual General Meeting. (3) This
appointment became m o o t since at the 2nd Air
Division meetingin Lexington, Pete Henrystated to
those 44th members present, that he felt he could
continue to serve a 44th Group Vice President, was
so nominated, Vice Dick Buder and re-elected. T h e
appointment of Dick Butler by the 2nd Air Division
President was rescinded. (4) After review of Article
VI of the Constitution and considerable discussion,
it was moved, seconded and carried unanimously to
set three Director positions to expire this year and
the seats of the three Directors not present would be
opened for election for a n e w two year term at the
October General Meeting. Board members were to
submit two nominees for each vacancy from which
a Nomination Committee will select a venue of
nominees (2 for each office) to run for election in
October. (5) This was accomplished. Dick Butler
and Will Lundy presented their report to President
O w e n in Lexington. T h e report has been circulated
a m o n g the Board and a summary of the report and
the Board recommendations are presented herein
under separatetitle.(6)
St.
Louis
was
unanimously selected to
host our '96 Reunion,
October 3-7, 1996.
Left to right
Art Hand, Mike Mikoloski, Ed Dobson, Gerald Folsom, Jim
Clements, Roy Owen, Bob Lehnhausen, Mel Trager.
}
23
�67TH B O M B SQUADRON HISTORY
EXCEPT FROM STARS AND STRIPES
DATED THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1943
FEBRUARY 16, 1943
O N E LIB C R E W GETS FIVE NAZIS
These were the stories that came out of the
homecoming of Eighth Air Force bombers
that returned to their bases in Britain today
after dropping hundreds of tons of explosives
on St. Nazaire, one of the biggest Nazi Uboat bases, in a daylight attack. For the
Liberators, it was their second raid in 19
hours, following Monday's visit to Dunkirk.
Fleshman's bullseye was scored on a plane
that m a d e the fatal mistake of exposing a
vulnerable underside as it turned.
The rest of Capt. Price's crew were 2n
Robert E. Forrest of Columbus, Ohio, copilot; 2nd Lt. Morton P. Gross of Denver,
Colorado, bombardier; Sgts. Kenneth
Laughton of Pine Grove, California, radio
Good-naturedly ribbing the Forts, the
operator; Kenneth L. Erhard of Clearfield,
navigator of "Miss Dianne," a Liberator Pennsylvania, waist gunner; and Earl W.
piloted by Capt. Clyde Price of San Antonio, Holton of Mulliken, Michigan, rear hatch
challenged the B-17's to match their record gunner.
of five enemy planes shot down.
NOTE: Crew Chief of "Miss Dianne" is M
The navigator, 2nd Lt. J.A. Augenstene, Sgt.
Jr. George Baccash of the 67th B o m b
of Pittsburgh, also recounted the Squadron. A / C #41-23784.
engagements: "As we were flying in the tailend formations, the Germans would attack
Fortresses flying ahead and below us from
EDITOR: This is such a great feat, it de
the front, circle around, and then come at us repeating. On the other hand, I'm disap
from behind." "The first plane we got," Lt. that I could not find a one ofthe Price crew
Augenstene continued, "was blasted from
membership roster. Itis interestingto no
200 yards away, exploded and went all to
that our beloved historian, Will Lundy,
pieces in the air. The second stalled when it member ofM/Sgt. Baccash's ground crew.
was hit, plummeted straight into the clouds
below, leaving a trail of smoke behind."
Dalton L. Snell of Marked Tree, Arkansas,
top turret gunner, and Sgt. I.C. Wyer, waist
gunner from Clarksburg, West Virginia, each
got two of "Miss Dianne's" victims. Sgt. Lewis
J. Fleshman ofVirginia, the tail turret gunner,
got the fifth.
24
�MAILCAIX
By the way...Did you ever get the-I believe it was the
- Shipdham Tower restored. Sorry I didn't do anything
to help you on that.
Sincerely yours, a m e m b e r of the 44th in war and
peace.
This comes from:
Daniel L. Culler
750 South La Brisa, Green Valley, Arizona 85614
8/25/94
Dear Will:
EDITOR: Good luck on your book, Dan. When you get it
published, we will give it a shot in the 8 Ball Tails.
This comes from:
I'm glad to see your continuing on with the 44th.
William L. Paul
I'm not sure I'll be able to do anything except be a dues
6410 Old Sauk Road, Madison, Wisconsin 53705
paying member; but it's good to belong to a group of
12/12/94
men that put everything on the line for freedom years
Dear Will:
ago.
I have been writing books since I retired in 1983. I'm I enjoyed the first issue of the 8 Ball Tails. This
not an author, just a writer of stories.
is addressed to you as "Historian" because you mayjust
I sent m y last manuscript "Circle of Thorns -The W a r have the information I'm looking for. In the "Folded
Wings" column I saw that Louis J. Obus passed away in
Years," to many publishers and was rejected with their
October, 1988. Jack was our bombardier and I had
usual pre-written stationery with m y n a m e added to the
completely lost contact with him for forty years or more.
top - you know the kind.
Because I feel - as most writers do - that I have a good I would like to contact his family and would hope that
you may have his last known address. If you have an
book with a story to tell; out of desperation, I sent
address, please send it to m e and I will take it from there.
information to Carlton Press, a subsidized publisher
Thanks for your help.
from N e w York. Naturally they requested I sent the
Sincerely.
complete manuscript for a free evaluation.
A week ago they sent m e the evaluation, and a
contract to be signed. I darn near had a heart attack
when they requested $21,560 to do the book. I refused This comes from:
Chuck Taylor
the contract, and will do as I did on m yfirstbook. I had
2120 Detroit Blvd., Sanford, North Carolina 27330
it done by a small publishing house in Tucson for under
12/12/94
$3,000. I'll then take it a step at a time to see h o w it sells.
Dear
Will:
I did have a very unusual war record, with m a n y
things that happened to m e , and m e alone - - a prisoner
in Wauwilermoos was just one example - - and I intent to Got your Newsletter the other day. Re-reading, I
noticed the n a m e of the bombardier of our crew listed
eventually have m y book published, but instead of 1994,
in the "Folded Wings" section. It was very shocking to
it will have to be done in 95, I hope!
m e , as I assume it will be to our other crew members. I
Just thought you might want to k n o w what I was u p
had him on m y mind for so long. H e and I had a very
to, as we haven't had any communication for over four
good relationship while w e were together.
years.
It was so nice to k n o w that you have that kind of
By the way...the Pima Air M u s e u m here in Tucson is
information. I appreciate your efforts even more.
one of the best in the Country. Its only rival is Dayton,
Thanks a lot and have a Happy Holiday.
which no m u s e u m could compete with. It has, in a big
P.S. His n a m e is Louis J. Obus
hanger, one of the best restored B-24s in the U.S.
Enclosed is a copier picture, from the picture of m e in
EDITOR: Amazing, the irony of two queries about Loui
front of it. Because of Davis Air Base here in Tucson, the
Obus dated on the same day. You two must have been on
museum has many, one of a kind, W W I I and later
exactly
the same wave length, December 12, 1994!
planes.
Anyway...Major Louis Jack Obus, USAF (Ret) of the 67th
Tucson wouldn't be a bad place to have a future
Bomb Squadron is survived by:
reunion, except it would have to be in late fall or early
Mrs. Dee Obus
spring to get away from our horrible hot summers.
202 SE Edgewood Drive
I wish the Association all the success, and I trust w e
Stuart, Florida 34996
will all be on this earth long enough to see it become a
He was not a 44th BGVA member. She might be pleased to
great remembrance for W W I I , 44ers.
know he was memorialized in the 8 Ball Tails.
�learn that Ted had passed away. I gave this information
to other groups of people and it never materialized.
This comes from:
Hopefully it will make our next edition.
Charles "Shep " Gordon, 68th Squadron
Keep up the good work.
15 Maybrooke Road, Rochester, New York 14618
Sincerely.
12/12/94
Dear Mr. Lundy:
EDITOR- Thanks foryour support of the 44th BG
we will do our best to serve you.
Your note of 27 Sept 94 was a wonderful surprise,
especially the crew log. It is amazing how 50 years can
disappear so quickly. I can remember 1st phase combat
training in Tucson and 2nd and 3rd phases at Blythe, This comes from:
California. The trip overseas and Thanksgiving in
SMSgt. Carlton D. Pepper, U.S.A.F. (Re
England - unfortunately the sauce had spoiled and
Route 1, Box 241E, Laurel, Delaware 19956
everyone was running all night in the cold English
4/21/95
countryside.
Dear Sir:
I would like to hear about the 44th Veterans
I served with the 44th Bomb Wing at Chennault
Association and would appreciate your sending m e the
Force Base, Lake Charles, Louisianafrom 17jan 58 to 2
information.
H o w was it that you kept the crew log for Bowman? May 60. I was assigned to the 44th Armament and
I would also like to hear your stories about a couple of Electronics Squadron as N C O I C of the Electronic
our missions - I pulled the cotter pin and tag from the Countermeasures Section, was a Master/Sgt. at the
bombs and kept one for each of our missions. The crash time. W e had B-47's.
landing you referred to was on our 6th mission to St.
Aniscourt. W e cracked up and burned on a spitfire base EDITOR: Carlton just joined us and we're migh
near Bristol. Does this correspond with Ken Dropek's
have him. I would like you all to welcome him to t
BGVA. We need to gather in as many of the 44th Bomb
memories? I do remember him.
Thank you so much once again and it will be a great era vets as we can. Hope to see you in San Antonio,
pleasure to continue this correspondence.
Sincerely.
P.S. I flew my 30th mission on D-Day over
Doolittle decided we need 30 strategic - so I flew
more to finish up on 16 July with a mission
Saarbrucken. I was then sent to another Group
Intelligence Officer.
This comes from:
the beach.
Dan Brandt
five
2
Nottingham
Circle,
Bella Vista, Arizona 7
to
12/12/94
as
Dear Will:
Yes, I want to again be part of the 44th Bomb
EDITOR: Shep, we see a listing on our master roster for Alcorn
Thanks for the information in the crew logforwhich
A. Bowman of Colorado Springs; but so far have not had a
I may have an addition. For about the last 12 or 15
membership application. Can you give us a hand?
missions we had a different navigator. If my 50 year
memory is correct, his name was Milton Jobert, a 1st L
I am not sure of thefirstname or the spelling of his l
name, but he became our navigator when we became
This comes from:
the lead crew.
AlexJ. Toth
Over the years, Bob Gunton and I have had
226 Main Street, Tiltonsville, Ohio 43963
infrequent
contact - Xmas cards, visits, phone calls, et
2/15/95
I have had no contact with any of the other crew
Dear Art:
members - I would sure like to hear from them or have
Thanks for the information about my crewmembers. a reunion.
The bombardier that you mentioned probably flewwith
I have often wondered if any sort of a history of th
us as a spare or whatever, don't remember him.
44th B G or the 67th Squadron had been prepared I would like for you to place our pilots name in the books, papers, articles, etc... If so, I sure would like
"Folded Wings" section. Theodore B. Hoffiz, 66th
information as to where I could obtain them.
Squadron Pilot 27 Sept 44 to 15 March 45 passed away
Thanks again for your efforts on behalf of the 44th
April 92. Spoke with his wife, Mary. I was shocked to B o m b Group.
26
Best wishes.
�EDITOR: IseeBob Gunton is a life member, andwewillput
Art Hand on the trail ofLt. Milton Jobert. We don't have him
This comes from:
on our roster and I don H see him listed in the Harvell history
Ed Schwann
of the 44th; but well see if we can help you with that crew
251 Regency Dr., Marstons Mills, Mass. 02648
reunion.
1/16/95
Dear Will:
This comes from:
Wallace R Forman
2161 West County Road B, St. Paul, Minnesota 55113
You can't imagine how happy I was to have you and
the other "right guys" set u p the 44th B G V A . Needless
to say, w e will both be at the San Antonio soiree. W e can
n o w look forward to s o m e great times together. I was
Dear Mr. Owen:
glad to see Pete Henry as a part of the team. H e worked
so hard to get the 2nd A D A and the 44th H M G to work
The enclosed material may be of interest to the
editor ofyour Organization's periodic newsletter, if you together, but was thwarted at every move. W e can n o w
continue by working together, with all of that petty
have one. I ask that you pass this on to that person.
dissension buried behind us.
The up-coming 50th anniversary of the end of World
T h e 2nd A D A amateur radio net continues to
War II is lending popularity to s o m e subjects which are
flourish. With Bill and Shelagh H o l m e s meeting with us
normally not even thought about very often. O n e such
weekly from Norwich and 15-20 of us getting together
thing is World W a r II aircraft nose art, names and
pictures, crewmen used to decorate their planes. It was each Tuesday morning, w e have participants from all
very popular on heavy bombers because their large sides overtheU.S. Ofourabout50members, 10are44thB.G.
members, a real hot-shot bunch. With the sunspot cycle
provided almost a billboard on which to paint nose art.
at the low, propagation is not too reliable, but w e d o get
O n e of m y hobbies has been collecting World W a r
II nose art, particularly from heavy bombers, the B-17's through to England and California most of the time. It
is an 11-year cycle, and things will start getting better in
and B-24's. With almost 5,000 of their pictures and a
about
a year, so w e will hang in there.
data base of names going far beyond that, it is possible
I recently got m y copy of the 2nd Air Division history,
with the computer to drag out s o m e conclusions as to
which nose art names were the most popular, as well as and the article by "Jack" Whittle (Page 70) jogged m y
memory. W h e n Bar-C crashed, I was o n the scene
to list the cutest names.
shortly
after and looked over the plane. They apparently
List #1 has a couple hundred of what I thought were
tried to unfeather two or maybe three props at the same
the cutest and cleverest names, out of lists of almost
time and burned out the single fuse which fed all four
16,000 n a m e d B-17's and B-24's.
feathering
p u m p motors. They again demonstrated
List#2 has a comparison of the most popular names,
that a B-24 will not hold altitude on one engine. I wrote
B-17'svs. B-24's.
to Whittle about this and received an interesting letter
The lists are offered free, should you feel your
back
from William Heyburn II, w h o was the radio
members would enjoy seeing these n a m e s (maybe
operator
that day. It all makes a story which m a y be of
again!). N o strings attached; but, if your unit uses it, I
interest to the 44th gang, so I a m writing it u p for your
would like a complimentary issue ofyour newsletter so
consideration for the 8-Ball Tails. I'll send it to you in a
I may see h o w you used the material. H a p p y nostalgia.
few
weeks.
A hobby shared is a lot m o r e fun than one which just
Thanks again for helping to resurrect the 44th. If I
collects dust on a shelf!
can
be of any help here in the Northeast, please let m e
Sincerely.
know. W e are going to Norwich in May. H o p e to see you
EDITOR: Very interesting offer. I did not include thethere.
lists here
From one 8-Ball to another.
asthey areso extensive. IwillsendMr. Forman a copy ofthis
8 Ball Tails so any of you interested can take advantage ofhis
EDITOR: This comes to us from the ringleader of the 4
offer.
Bomb Group Ham Radio Net.
�This comes from:
Charles H. Wagner, 245 Aronimink Drive
George Insley
Newton Square, Pennsylvania 19073
865 Little Valley Road, Roseburg, Oregon 97470
7/25/95
6/9/95
Dear Roy:
Dear Will:
This comes from:
We just had the All American B-24 and 909 B-17 Congratulations
at
are to be extended to you and
our h o m e town for thefirsttime, though I had seen it in executive board of the 44th B G V A for continuing the
a couple other places.
organization so well. I have read the Spring issue of the
I also took the opportunity to fly to Corvallis with 44th Journal and found it to be fascinating and
them!
reminiscent of those days we spent in Shipdham.
While in Corvallis, I had a fellow ask regarding the
I was with the 68th B o m b Squadron, working on one
44th B G as his father, Ken Caroon served with the 44th. of the many ground crews that were obligated to "keep
So I gave him your address, aswellasgavehim info. His them flying." M y crew chief was M/Sgt. Barton 0.
father had been shot down, was a P O W , and I believe he Craemar. W e had the privilege of working on such
died in the 50's. The son's name was Mike and had not stalwart B-24's as "The Captain and The Kids," "The
known his father as an adult.
Captain and the Kids Ride Again," "Pistol-Packing
Mike Caroon's address is 4144 Durillo Place, Albany, Mama," and the famous "Corky."
O R 97321.
I read with interest the account of the Butterfly
I had hoped to be able to get to the reunion in San bombing of our airfield as told by Barrett Taylor in your
Antonio, but we had made a commitment with tickets recent issue. His story was quite accurate because I was
last Fall on a Special, so guess we will have to try for 1996.
there and can confirm much of his story. I wonder how
W e had three of us 44thers get together here:
Barrett knew it was a JU-88 that dropped the butterfly
N o r m Nutt - Pilot, 66th Sq.
bombs. As I remember, it happened at night, not in t
2210 Egret Court
daytime.
Grants Pass, O R 97526-5993
To the best of my recollection, the RAF was using the
Shipdham runway for night takeoffs and landings;
Alex Ziel (shortened) 66th Sq. Bombardier Evadee
30
therefore,
the runway lights were on. W e were asleep in
Dec. 43 L T C Retired
our barracks at the 68th site when I believe the siren
480 Horizon Lane
alerting us to the presence of enemy aircraft sounded.
Myrtle Creek, O R 97457
Fortunately, our barracks in the 68th site were
adjacent to a b o m b shelter. I blush to tell you what man
Myself, George R. Insley, Pilot, 66th & 506th (Two
of us did at the time. Many of the gallant combat crews
tours).
of the 44th faced danger and death time and time again.
W e had over 20 pilots and crews from all Theatres. From the comparative comfort of our communal site we
W e are getting a lot of retired people here.
never faced similar dangers. This was the only time our
All for now, Thanks.
lives could be in jeopardy, so we flew from our beds and
went into that b o m b shelter.
EDITOR- Thank you George for the information. We hope
I think I remember that the German aircraft flew
you conjoin us in 1996. I have written Mike and given
him
somewhere
over our 68th site on its homeward trek.
information about hisfather, who hadflown with Flaherty
Theinnext morning, we were alerted to stay away from
Africa, Ploesti, again to Africa in Sept 43, bailed
out ofwhile a British demolition team detonated
the airfield
Oakley'splane comingbackfrom Weiner-Neustadt andbecame
all the bombs they could find. The nature of the
a POW.
butterfly b o m b was that it was dropped onto a surface,
but that impact on the ground only armed the bomb.
The next object or person to touch the bomb would be
blown up. The next morning, the British demolition
team would sneak up on a butterfly bomb, place a fuse
adjacent to it, and then from a safe distance would
detonate the bomb. I suppose for several days, theyuse
that process to demolish as many bombs as they could.
Yes, as Barrett Taylor tells the story, a Britain in a sma
van ran over one of the bombs, and it blew his foot off
28
®
�Our 44th group obviously had to suspend operations
until the bombs were cleared away.
Well, I know that the British demol ition crews m issed
at least one b o m b . You k n o w that a taxi strip surrounded
the three runways, and all the B-24's were parked in
dispersals on either side of the taxi strip. O u r dispersal
area was on the northeast end of thefield,not far from
the firing range. Just at the corner where the entrance
to our dispersal intersected the taxi strip, there was a
clump of high grass. W e had m a d e a path through that
high grass from the taxi strip to our dispersal. W e must
have used that path for months after that night attack
and had not noticed that there lay a butterfly b o m b , not
detonated, hardly afoot awayfrom our path. Anyone of
us could have unconsciously detonated that b o m b , but
we missed it. Well, w e often reflect on our good fortune.
I don't recall, but someone or s o m e persons must have
set it off. So n o w I wonder, as the British reclaimed
Shipdhamfield,tore u p the runways and taxi strips, and
converted the field into a field of sugar beets, did
anyone else discover another butterfly b o m b , m u c h to
his or her dismay?
This was m y only exposure to life endangering
combat all through m y nearly four years at Shipdham.
Well, one might say that w e faced other potential
dangers, such as the V-l buzz b o m b approaching in the
night, and we could tell that the engine had cut off.
Laying there in our bunks, in that dead silence between
engine cut off and impact, w e wondered, "Is it headed
for our barracks?" W e heard the explosion, but it was
always some distance away.
M y wife and I would like to join the 44th at San
Antonio, but we have to resolve a conflict in scheduling.
Thank you again for keeping the 44th historically
alive. W e are quite familiar with at least one m e m b e r of
your executive committee. Colonel Robert Lehnhausen
had been our last Squadron C o m m a n d e r at Shipdham,
but nowhe and his good wife, Liz are a m o n g our dearest
friends in the still alive 68th Squadron.
Best regards.
This comes from:
Jim Moos
Rt. 7 Box 142, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514
6/20/95
Dear Will:
There was so much information in the Spring issue
of Eight Ball Tails that I'm still trying to absorb and
process it into responses.
Also m y word processor has gone a little crazy with
the key which moves the cursor to the right quitting on
m e . Fortunately I can work around it.
W a s happy to hear that the Tower project is to be
looked at again by our new organization.
I a m sending Steve A d a m s a couple of chapters of m y
m e m o i r which pertain to m y crew's time in the 66th,
where wefirststarted out. You mentioned also wanting
stories pertaining to the group as a whole. I'll forward
soon the chapters relating to combat and prison camp.
Thank you for the information on Gene Miller. H e
was in the 44th but must have been transferred. I lost
track of him w h e n m y crew went to London on a long
weekend. His crew was shot d o w n and Gene was killed.
I met u p with his pilot in Miami where P O W ' s were
processed and went through medical exams.
T h e story by R o b Fisk and "Pings Away"
is a classic and the one about the Christmas supper and
candles is another. They are as important to our history
as any. O n Mission n u m b e r 23 to Bugbein, we were hit
by nine hundred forty two and a half M e 103's ..." Does
he have more stories to share with us?
That Christmas w e were in prison camp, but you'll
see that w h e n I send the accounts.
Just got the package off to Steve Adams.
I think the problem with m y word processorwas the
high humidity. W e had had a week of rain, downpours
each day: n o w that the humidity is lower, the 'chine is
working fine. However, I believe w e have grown some
condor-size mosquitoes. M y wife has welts all over her
arms and legs, in spite of repellent.
EDITOR: Charles, your great letter reached me just in time
W e understand from Irene O'Dopnnell that the
for this issue ofthe Tails. Man, did you make your old Editor
Ameri can W i n g isup and runningin temporary quarters;
happy! My aim is to print stories that will stimulate others
to
I imagine
at partial speed.
respond with another story. No matter what your assignment O u r family doctor has recommended a British film,
was in that Group, there are stories to be told. Asfor what
you and Glory." Are you familiar with it? It's about
"Hope
seem to feel was an under exposure to "life endangering
a family with three children during the blitz and there
combat"you have no apologies to make. We were all there
are s o m e priceless observations from the younger ones,
doing the job and when you learn about things like E-Bar
a wonderful little film.
fiyingfour back to back missions twice in one month, you know Won't bend your ear any longer, just wanted to say
there were some "Knuckle Busters " working like hell to keep
thanks.
that kind of turnaround rate going. Ifyou asked them about
Best.
d, like as not, you would hear "I'm just doing my job."
29
�This comes from:
This comes from:
Jake T. Elias
Norm Nutt
2210 Egret Court, Grants Pass, Oregon 97526-5993 7 East Union Street, Nanticoke, Pennsylvani
6/16/95
Friday the 16th
Dear Roy:
Hi Will:
I am assuming that you are still President,
Just a short note to say 'Hello' and send a picture.
Last week the B-24 All American and its flying mate, Publisher. Hence, I am enclosing a story for the Tales
the B-17, flew into Roseburg, Oregon on its current entitled "A Prayer For the Living." Also, I would like t
tour. Roseburg is about 70 miles north of Grants Pass. know if you can arrange a review of my new novel, W A R
& W O M E N . The novel tells the story of an air gunner
I had previously called a fellow Vet living in Roseburg
(who helped m e last year when the planes visited Grants a clerk and several characters in a bomb group outside
Pass) to see if they were stopping at Roseburg this year. Dereham. And it follows the adventures of a couple
Sure enough, they were so I went up there for a couple paratroopers in training, overseas in North Africa, Sici
of days to join in the fun.
Italy, Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge. As the ti
Of the many old geezers who came out of the woods discloses, it brings in the w o m e n the men meet during
was George Insley, who I had met the previous year in their years in training and battle, from innocent young
Grants Pass. Hence the picture. I believe he was in the things to experienced babes.
66th Squadron as well as the 506th; when, I don't know.
Definitely, I plan to attend the 44th reunion in Sa
I think that's his original A-2 jacket with the 8-Ball patch.Antone, as my buddy, Ken Smith calls it. After missi
Thought the picture might be of interest to you. There the last two reunions of the 44th through conflicts, I a
was a pretty good crowd to see the planes; but if the anxious to see all my dear friends in person (I picture
weather had been better, I think a lot more would have them often in my mind, and I must confess, conduct
shown up. It was typical Oregon weather, cloudy,
conversation with them in absentia).
showery and cool.
You must note in F O L D E D W I N G S , the death of on
All for now, Will. This computer toy takes up a lot ofof my best friends, Otis Van Rogers. I had a call from
my time. But it's much easier and faster to keep up with daughter in February that he was very sick and she had
my correspondence.
little hope for him. Then two weeks later I got a call f
Please don't feel obligated to answer all m y
his son telling m e he had died. Van was a very religious
ramblings, I know how busy you are!
man and lived according to his beliefs, not pretended.
So far, I have gotten positive responses attending His wife, Esther, is just as noble, and I feel for her,
the San Antonio Reunion from (only) James Marsh, knowing how she must be missing Van. W e lived in the
Bob Godwin and Elmer Kohn of my crew. I'll keep
same hut of the 68th Squadron. Eugene 'Gino' DeWaters
trying.
the engineer of my group, (deceased now several years
M y best to Irene.
once told m e that Van was Bob Lehnhausen's favorite
Sincerely.
engineer. One night he put a twenty millimeter shell i
the hut's stove and it blew the stove apart. After that,
'Gino' was No. 1. At least that was 'Gino's' story. We'
have to ask Bob if that is true.
W e are all proud of the guys who took over and
resurrected the 44th Group and we are willing to give
them our help whenever asked. All the best to all of y
Sincerely.
30
�A S I L E N T P R A Y E R F O R T H E LIVING
ByJ.T. Elias
It was a typical morning in H u t #7 of the 68th B o m b
Back in the hut an hour later w e were still on 'alert',
Squadron. The 'alert' had been posted o n the bulletin
and shortly the crew caller was in through the door. His
board the previous evening, but no crew caller had
eyes were solemn, his voice subdued. 'Your turn to go,
interrupted the night's sleep. Still, with nerves on edge, m e n . Briefing at 1:30."
I and I suspect, most of the guys had one eye open
during the d a m p cold night, twisting and turningunder Then began theusual round of gettingready. "Gino"
their scratchy blankets. But n o door had suddenly
DeWaters, ourengineer; Ken "Sparks" Sprawl, radioman;
opened, cruel bright lights turned on, and the abrasive Bobby Burns, tailgunner; Johnny Shelton and Pete
yell of "up and at 'em" waking the heavy sleepers.
Perrine, waist gunners; myself, nose gunner. From the
other crew cameJoeHofkin, Paul Luthman, Bob Keegan,
About eight o'clock, most of us were up. I turned onVan Rogers, Harry Ricketts, Erwin Summers. Dressed in
the radio, m yfirstacton rising. A few minutes later the our fighting clothes, the ones w e might have to wear if
music stopped, an announcer came on with the news, w e were shot down, w e got on our bikes and headed for
and it was the big one. "Today, June 6th, Allied Forces the briefing room. As w e suspected, w e were going to
stormed onto the shores of N o r m a n d y in France for the
Normandy. This time, though, instead of the usual
long awaited attack of Hitler's Europe."
27,000 feet of altitude, we were to go in at 12,000, just to
m a k e sure w e hit the target, and not our o w n troops.
There was complete silence in the hut. But after a
minute, the routine of the day resumed - the m e n had We went through all the rigmarole attendant on
been expecting the invasion for weeks and they quickly
preparing to fly: picking u p escape kits, flying clothes,
shrugged off the news. W h a t surprised them was that
pistol, seeing our chaplain. T h e n on the truck for the
ride to the side of our plane, "Flak Magnet." There we
they had not flown out to support the invading forces.
threw our jackets and 'chutes on board, sat down with
Some of the men went out to their bikes for the ridethe officers to await the flare from the control tower
down to the mess hall for breakfast. Several of us roused whether or not w e would be operational. "Skipper"
Smith conferred with Al Bogdonas, our crew chief, w h o
the dormantfirein the tinystove sittingin the center of
was so efficient, all "Skipper" had to do was ask if
thehut. Bread was brought out from someone's locker,
everything were okay. It always was, and we never had to
jam and margarine from another's locker. B o b Keegan
put a pot of water on the stove for the coffee. Most of us abort due to mechanical failure.
preferred this simple fare to the unappealing bland
This was the time to work off some of our tenseness
powdered eggs or S.O.S. served in the mess hall.
and fear. Bobby Burns and "Gino" began to wrestle,
while
w e all egged them on. Kenny Sprowl, when the
Outside, the sky was overcast, the air damp, the wind
wrestling was over, grabbed Johnny Shelton's hat and
cold. A typical Norfolk day. W e tramped through the
was chased around the plane. As they rounded the tail,
muddy walk, about eleven o'clock, to the Aero Club
across the road. There we ordered our morning tea and the green flare went up. W e boarded the plane, all
toast, sandwiches, scones. T w o pretty English farm girls smiles gone, all was n o w business.
were behind the counter, taking our orders and smiling
at ourflirtation. They had months of experience fending Assembly wentwell in daylight, once we wentthrough
off all kinds of offers from women-hungry G.I.s, yet they thefirstlayer of clouds, w e were on our way. Around
London, w e watched as it slid by and we wondered if we
liked us and kept coming back for more.
would be lucky enough to go on pass there again. The
We sat down and enjoyed our snack, the comfort of barrage balloons looked like small pearls, the suburban
sitting at tables and chairs instead of benches and long developments like tiny toy houses. T h e n the coast and
rows of tables. Most of the talk was the usual - h o m e , n o w the broad expanse of water. Everywhere the sun
girlfriends, passes to London, bikes, the happenings at glinted on the restless water, and the water seemed to be
the pub in Hingham. Yet, in the back of every mind was painted with ships, small, large, in between, ships
the thought of m e n hitting the beaches in Normandy, of everywhere, one lane going to France, one to England.
friends in the infantry, artillery, paratroops, brothers,
cousins facing bullets and cold steel.
We listened on the intercom as "Skipper" told about
his exploits with the w o m e n in London, Powner and
�Barlow breaking in to tell of the w o m e n they had and
their adventures with them. Were they boasting? W h e n
m e n are facing Death, are facts the only things that
matter?
From my vantage point in the nose, I could see the
gaggles of planes ahead, the vast armada of ships below,
and soon the dark line of land ahead. As we neared, we
could see smoke rising in columns from the earth. At
twelve thousand feet, we would be easy prey for the
sharpshooting flak gunners below. N o w we were over
the shore, now swiftly moving inland. Ahead I could see
the black bursts with their dead red center surrounding
the squadrons in front of us. And seconds later, the
bumps that told us on the toggle to drop the bombs -1
was to switch them out when our lead bombardier
dropped his bombs.
A FEW OF OUR NORWICH AREA
I RIEMLS
focused
The sweat poured down my brow as my eyes
on the planes ahead. When, oh when would he drop
those bombs? The flak surrounded us, the plane shookBy way of introduction for those who have not ha
and stumbled and wiggled. At last, the bombs fell. I the pleasure of meetingpersonally these English friends
flicked the switch, the plane rose momentarily as the of the 44th, the big fellow on the left is John Page who
bomb burden dropped from it. W e turned to the right.has, over the years, done so much in support of the 44th
Then the plane shook almost out of control. "Skipper" there is not space to enumerate. Visibly, besides being
tour guide for any visiting 44th'ers, John and his wife
managed to right it. "Gino's" voice came over the
Janet
have for manyyears annually traveled to Cambridge
intercom: "Number four engine is smoking." I could
not turn around to look, my eyes had to scan the sky for to place the 44th Memorial Wreath at the American
bandits. But moments later "Gino" had thefireunder Cemetery. Next is Paul Wilson, expert cabinet maker
control and soon it was out. Now, with three engines and artist. H e built and installed all the 44th memorabilia
and the shock of the flak, we were out of formation. But display cabinets at Arrow Air. H e had done a great deal
it was only minutes before we were over the coast and out of 8-Ball art work for us, and like John, is a ready
volunteer guide for 44th visitors. In the center is Tony
of harm's way.
North, Master Librarian, recently retired byfailingvision
I looked down at the smoking coast. Down there from manyyears of service in the Memorial Room of the
Norwich Library. Tony probably is the most
were my friends from home. Had they survived? Were
knowledgeable person in England about the history of
they wounded and bleeding to death? Were they
the Second Air Division and is a particular friend of the
prisoners? Were they making headway or were they
44th. Next to Tony is Steve Young, a supporter so
surrounded by the enemy? Were they able to make
steeped
in 44th heritage, he is currently writing the
progress? Were they wet and cold? Were they hungry?
history
of
the 66th B o m b Squadron. Steve will be
All these questions entered my mind. Here was I, up out
of harm's way, going back to a dry bed and hot food, and serving as our on-site consultant and representative for
down there were my friends and relatives, and I did not the Arrow Air Center/44th B o m b Group Pilots LoungeMemorial R o o m project. O n the farrightis David
know how they were faring.
Morgan, the man responsible for setting up the 44th
B o m b Group memorial exhibit at Arrow Air, with Steve
We flew back alone, on three engines. We were
and
Paul they collected (in large part from Bill Cameron)
leaving the action. But down there, they would be in the
the
great
display of 44th history in the existing Arrow Air
thick of action for days, weeks. All the way back I prayed
silently for those poor m e n who were down below, for building. You will be seeing Steve Young, his wife and
Paul Wilson at San Antonio. Kevin Watson, pictured in
those who had died in the assault, and for the living.
the Eastbourne-Ruthless Memorial of which he was the
EDITOR: Thanksjakefor the letter and the Silent driving
Prayerforce,
For will also be making a brief visit with us a
the
reunion.
Be sure to make them feel as welcome as
The Living. You've expressed the feelings we've all had.
they
do
us
when
we visit Shipdham and Norwich.
Lookingforward to seeing you in San Antonio.
32
0
�SEARCH - ROSTER - MAIL LIST
44TH BOMB GROUP VETERANS
ASSOCIATION BOARD
President: Roy W. Owen (506th)
6304 Meadowridge Drive
Santa Rosa, California 95409
Phone: (707) 538-4726 Fax: (707) 538-1212
Vice President: James H. Clements (506th)
4124 Calculus Avenue
Dallas, Texas 75244
Phone: (214) 243-4657
Secretary: Edward M. Dobson (67th)
118 South 15th Avenue, #1
Bozeman, Montona 59715-4130
Phone: (800) 587-2492 (Code 44)
Treasurer: Gerald (Jerry) W . Folsom (506th)
954 Lowell Avenue
Salt Lake City, Utah 84102-3620
Phone: (801) 359-6159 Fax: (801) 533-8747
If you hear of a 44th'er that does not belong
Association, or has passed away, please notify:
Art H a n d
517 Elm Street
Paris, Illinois 61994
Phone/Fax: (217) 463-5905
If you m o v e or change any aspect ofyour address or
phone number, wife's name, want to stop receiving
the 8 Ball Tails or whatever, please notify:
T o m Shepherd
10597 Cambrooke Cove
Collierville, Tennessee 38017
Phone: (901) 854-6558 Fax: (901) 853-4229
ABOUT RECEIVING YOUR
8 BALL TAILS
Although we had the membership/mailinglistprett
well scrubbed, we had a bunch of calls about not
receiving Issue #2 and we had a lot of Address
Correction Requested returns. Both require remails which cost $1.01 to mailfirstclass. This added
to the .50 cents postage due for the return, the $1.90
44th Group Vice President to 2nd ADA:
H.C. "Pete" Henry (67th/66th)
164B Portland Lane
Jamesburg, New Jersey 08831-1536
Phone: (609) 655-0982
per copy publishing cost, and we're looking at $3.71
to put the 8 Ball Tails at your correct address, to say
nothing of the phone costs sometimes to get the
thing straightened out. A lot of it is moving and
failing to send us a change of address card (recendy,
after two long distant calls and two re-mails it turns
out the m e m b e r had been at another address for
three years and had failed to give us a change).
Those of you w h o are "Snowbirds" are our next
biggest problem. You must drop T o m Shepherd a
note w h e n you are makingyour S u m m e r and Winter
moves. Otherwise, w h e n the Spring and Fall issues
go out and w e guess wrong on where you are, we get
the Tails back with 50 cents postage due and with a
sticker on it saying Temporarily Away and we go
through the re-mail exercise again.
Director: Edw. K "Mike" Mikoloski (66th)
400 Narragansett Parkway
Warwick, Rhode Island 02888-4546
Phone: (401) 461-5938
Director: Raymond R. McNamara (67th)
495 Linden Street
Boylston, Maine 01505
Phone: (508) 869-2592
Director: Robert J. Lehnhausen (68th)
709 West Meadows Place
Peoria, Illinois 61604-3447
Phone: (309) 685-2490
Director: John Milliken (506th)
2345 Garden Highway
Sacramento, California 95833
IN THE FUTURE, IF WE GET A RETURN AN
YOU HAVE FAILED TO GIVE US A CHANGE OF
ADDRESS, WE WILL HAVE TO ASK YOU TO PAY
THE RETURN AND RE-MAIL POSTAGE.
HELP US TO SERVE YOU AS REST WE CAN!
Director: Melvin G. Trager (HQSq.)
2522 Red Oak Trail
Crest Hill, Illinois 60435-3197
Phone: (815) 725-3439
33
0
�THE 44TH MAKES ITS M A R K AT LEXINGTON
The 2nd Air Division held its 48th Annual Convention at the beautiful Marriott Griffin Gate
outside of Lexington, KentuckyJuly 3-6,1995. In terms of Group recognition, there's not m u c h of it at 2
Air Division reunions, but notwithstanding our small 26 head representation (wives and all), our "return
to the fold" was m a d e k n o w n to all. First your of Prez took advantage of a beautifully kept, somewhat shor
golf course to shoot a 74 and win their L o w Gross overall championship going away. M o r e significandy,
was invited to participate in the Candle Lighting Ceremony and was afforded the honor of lighting the
Ploesti Candle in the m e m o r y of all ofyour gallant comrades w h o paid the ultimate price for the success
of that amazing feat.
Will Lundy and I also met with Mr. Dave Turner, President of Turner Publishing, w h o did the beautif
2nd Air Division History. W e have agreed to have Turner do a 44th History in a similar format. There will
be more information to you in future 8 Ball Tails, but I must tell you n o w this will, in all probability, be
last comprehensive history of the 44th done in our time, and it will be beautiful. Don't miss the plane o
this one!
Also, Will and I met with Lt. Gen. Buck Schuler, C E O of T h e Mighty Eighth Air Force Heritage Cente
to discuss their request for our participation in developing a master computer data base for every known
person, unit, base and airplane that participated in World W a r II and forward in Eighth Air Force. It wi
take a lot of input, but the day will c o m e w h e n it will be possible to punch a n a m e and see a read out of
entire history of Eighth Air Force service associated with that name.
Also mentioned elsewhere, was the decision by Pete Henry that he wants to continue on with his duties
as our Group Vice President to 2nd Air Division; so the appointment of Dick Buder was rescinded. Dick
will happily return to the ranks and resume his role as one of the "elders" of the clan dispensing his advic
and counsel w h e n requested.
�WILL LUNDY
THE LITTLE GUY WITH THE BIG FLAG
For a change, the 44th B o m b Group had a bit of
knees to lower the flag, but couldn't get low enough. So
leadership in an 2nd Air Division affair. T h e big Sunday desperately, I backed u p a step, got the staff out of the
parade in Norwich on M a y 7th organized in a parking lot pouch holder, and thanks to a thinking gentleman w h o
infrontof the Central Library that burned. OurAmerican dashedforward to help m e carry the lowered flag through
vets were scheduled to bring u p the rear, following the the arch, I could again raise it high and put it back into
Salvation Army's band. That was good (they were
the pouch.
replacements for another band that couldn't m a k e it)
Finally, w e approached the large altar, which proved
because it helped us (at least a few of us) to keep in step. to be a very large stone, rather coffin-like. N o flag
Dick Butler finally stepped in to take on the c o m m a n d
standards, so the priest took m y flag and draped it over
of our members, which was in columns of three (narrow the altar. W a s I through making a spectacle of myself?
streets) and three "squadrons" of about 100 each, maybe No!
a bit less. After the Mayoress gave her speech, the active
About two-thirds through the ceremonies, the two
military and several hundred assorted veterans' groups
of us returned to the altar to retrieve our respective and
marched ahead of us, for quite a distance through the
respectful flags. This professional had a bearer harness
city streets to the Cathedral. Dick Butler was the drill with a metal cup in which he would place the staff. Mine
commander, with m e right behind him carrying the
was a new, white, heavy canvas thing that had been
American flag, with the two other flags (2nd A D A and
stored so long, it was folded closed and difficult to keep
8th AF) on each side of m e . So w e led our 2nd A D A
open while I placed the w o o d staff into it. Well, you
contingent past the city hall, along side the market
already know what happened from the above description.
square, and along the streets, receiving m u c h applause T h e priest lifted m y flag, handed it to m e , and I raised
and cheering. I a m sure all of that noise of appreciation it high, lowered it to the canvas pouch. Naturally it was
was because we were able to walk, not for our marching! partially closed and the flag would not enter. Have you
But for me, at least, it was quite a thrill. It brought tears ever held a heavy flag staff 10 feet long, with a heavy
to my eyes.
metal eagle on top, plus a large flag? Well, neither had
I until then. I tried to hold it all alone with one hand that
However, myjob was notfinished w h e n w e eventually
was attached to an arthritic shoulder and fumbled with
got to the huge Norwich Cathedral, not at all. W e had
to wait because the church people had not opened the the other trying to mate the two. Needless to say, it was
Cathedral as the crowd was so huge, they had to restrict obvious to m a n y hundreds observing it all that I needed
help. T h e pole was getting out of a vertical position,
entrance to invited guests only!! There were m a n y
hundreds of "honored" guests, and so only a few others making it even harder to hold u p in the air, let alone
straight; and m y strength was failing. Embarrassingly,
could find standing room only.
the priest stepped forward, supported the pole until I
And there was m e , alone except for an R A F Union
finally
got the darn thing into that canvas cup, and then
Jack flag bearer. T h e two of us were to be the last to
I
followed
the perfect example ahead of m e back down
enter, slow march, carrying the two flags, side by side. I
the
center
of this huge Cathedral. However, on this
didn't have the least idea of what I was to do except
return
route
I knew about the arch and managed to
watch this other guy at the altar, that proved to be at the
remove
the
staff,
lower it, go through the arch, and with
far end of the Cathedral. However, the aisles were so
exceptional
good
luck, get the pole back into the pouch.
narrow, orfull, that at times I had to fall behind him, and
In
the
center
of the Cathedral, w e both stopped
then follow. It was a bit funny to the observers, I suspect,
again,
separated
and
stood about 15 feet apart. Flags
because I couldn't begin to d o what he did! Have you
were
upraiseduntil
they
played the two national anthems.
ever tried to hold a 10 foot flag staff and a large flag in
T
h
e
English
lowered
their
flag to the floor when the
front of you? You could only see to the sides, not in
American
anthem
was
played,
but I was told not to lower
front. And secondly, here I was, a person w h o can' t walk
mine
for
any
reason.
W
h
e
n
m
y
time came, I held it aloft,
a straight line even cold sober, because of the loss of
hoping
that
I
was
following
the
proper protocol and was
balance in an accident years ago (blood clots in the back
of my head). This guy ahead of m e in perfect beat to the not insulting our hosts.
Finally...the long walk back to the front door. About
music, with a slow, halting step, typically perfect English
100
feet into the courtyard, w e again stopped, separated,
march, and this old, short American faithfully following
him, weavingfrom side to side, not being able to maintain and again stood at attention while the whole
congregationfiledback outside. By then I felt that I was
his balance for that foot up, hesitating step!
married to the flag. It had been so m u c h a part of m e for
In m y wobbling walk, I also caught m y foot on the
at least 2 1 / 2 hours. It truly was an endurance feat and
uneven stone floor and nearly tripped. T h e n further
proved
once again to m e , N E V E R V O L U N T E E R !
along, again following m y perfect guide, but not seeing
him, he lowered his flag in order to pass through the
EDITOR: I just couldn't let this go by!
opening which also was quite low. Naturally, I banged
into the overhead arch before I saw it. I tried to bend m y
35
�Pictured from left, Mayor Ron Parsons, former
Mayor Maurice Skilton, Mayoress Elsie Parsons
and Mrs. Stella Myshrall at the cermeony.
Arthur King unveiling the Memorial
AMERICAN
Stella Myshrall, aged 80, whose
brother, Chester Yurick, died in the crash at t
age of 27, came to England especially for the
Butts Brow ceremony.
The following is taken from the Eastbourne Herald. Saturday, May 20, 1995, reported by Maria Brooks
and pictures by John Wade:
Plaque marks spot where bomber crew died
Americans'
memorial
THE steadfast commitment of
one m a n culminated in a moving
ceremony at Butts Brow in
memory of 10 American airmen
who lost their lives 50 years ago.
Arthur King, who saw the
American bomber Ruth-Less crash
into the Downs from his Victoria
Drive home, never forgot the
tragedy and went to the spot every
year on Remembrance Sunday to
lay flowers in memory of theyoung
m e n who died so far from home.
O n Saturday, May 6, Mr. King
was once again at Butts Brow, but
this time hundreds of people,
including the sister of one of the
crew, were there to see him unveil
a permanent memorial.
The Reverend Roger McAvoy
gave the opening address and the
Bank of the Royal British Legion
played the hymn O Valiant Heart.
Mayor of Eastbourne Ron
Willingdon m a n Kevin Watson,
who had been instrumental in Parsons said he was honoured to
bringing the memorial about, represent the citizens of
described how the crew had failed Eastbourne who had responded
to return safely after a bombing so generously to the memorial
appeal.
raid in Northern France.
The Vicar and Rural Dean of
Colonel Dick Buder, Staff Sgt.
Will Lundy and Sgt. HarryJenkins, Eastbourne Canon Nicholas
who all served in the same squadron Reade read Psalm 121 and the
as the crew, flew over from the crowd sang the Batde H y m n of
United States to pay their respects, the Republic.
As the American and British
as did 80-year-old Stella Myshrall,
whose brother, Chester Yurick, diedNational Anthems were played,
in the crash aged only 27.
16 standards were lowered, and
Thefirstwreath was laid by Lt. the finishing touch to a moving
Col. Thomas Snukis, representing and memorable occasion was
the American Ambassador, who provided byfiveof the Red Arrows,
said it was critical that present who dipped their wings in salute
generations should rememberwhat on a perfectly-timed flypast.
had been done, and how the
sacrifice of many had paved the
way for the freedom we have today.
36
�The following was taken from the English Framlingham
Times. March, 1995:
ONE LIBERATOR AMONG MANY
By Ian Hawkins
A m o n g m y numerous wartime memories is the crashlanding, on Sunday, 20th February 1944, of an American
B-24 Liberator, a four-engine heavy bomber, very near
my h o m e in the small Suffolk Village of Freston, four
miles south of Ipswich, Suffolk, where I spent m y
childhood and part of m y adult years.
engines m a d e the ground tremble.
What impressed me most was the B-24's vast size. How
anything so big and heavy could actually fly was quite
beyond m y comprehension. There was no sign of the
bomber's crew, but someone said they'd been taken to
a nearby house to await transportation back to their
At that time, I was totally unaware that the B-24 was
part
base.
of the 8th USAAF'sfirstmission in the "Big W e e k " series
of operations w h e n General J i m m y Doolittle threw
Following the youngsters, I climbed inside the bombe
down the gauntlet to the Luftwaffe to c o m e u p and
fuselage and vividly recall the dozens of thin, multifight. This the G e r m a n Air Force did, and the resultant colored plastic coated electrical leads extending along
air battles were a m o n g the mostfiercein the history of the interior of the roof and fuselage sides, together with
air warfare.
the distinctive smells of plastic, oil and petrol. Long,
looping belts of .50 calibre ammunition inside the
Having run out of fuel while returning from the mission
cluttered and confined space, heavy machine guns,
to Helmstadt, Germany, the B-24, after taking the tops oxygen bottles, discarded oxygen masks, the odd twisted
off several mature oak trees, then reducing a tall telegraph propeller blade, thick, broken chunks of bullet-proof
pole to matchwood during its gliding approach, was
perspex from the gun turrets, m a n y strips of silver antiwrecked on landingonalargefield between two extensive
radar "chaff and various items of other equipment all
areas of dense woodlands, Cutler's W o o d , Freston and
provided ideal souvenirs which subsequently kept the
Holbrook Park. After crash landing, the 27-ton b o m b e r local "Bobbies" (village policemen w h o m w e all greatly
broke in two halves while slewing round to face the
respected) at full stretch for several weeks afterwards as
they endeavored to track d o w n and confiscate the more
direction of its approach. W e subsequently heard that
dangerous "souvenir" from their schoolboy "owners."
the B-24 had been based at Shipdham, Norfolk.
A few days later the wreckage of the Liberator was h
During those desperate, dramatic and eventful wartime
years, East Anglian youngsters were very familiar with all from the crash site on low-loader trucks, via Freston
Village, around the Ipswich by-pass and on to the vast
the different types of bombers andfightersof both the
Allied and the G e r m a n Air Forces, principally to ensure aircraft "grave-yard" at W o o d b r i d g e Airfield, the
one's own survival in case of low-flying Luftwaffe aircraft, emergency landing runway, for eventual salvage.
but also due to the close proximity of m a n y Royal Air
Force and American 8th A r m y Air Force airfields located Many years went by and it wasn't until October, 1991
that Ifinallyestablished contact in America with two of
near the East Anglian coast, which juts out into the
the surviving crewmen from that Liberator: H e r m a n
North Sea directly opposite the then front-line Luftwaffe
airfields and military bases in occupied Holland, Belgium Glasser, left waist-gunner and David Talbott, pilot. I
subsequently learned that two of the bomber's crewmen,
and northern France, a mere 30-minutes flying time
T/Sgt. George Clausen, top-turret gunner/flight
away.
engineer and S/Sgt. Robert Werning, right-waist gunner
had
been seriously injured during the crash-landing
On arriving at the crash site about half an hour after the
B-24 came down, I found several other local people were and they never flew combat missions again. T h e crew
already clustered around the wreckage. It was the first had been taken to a country house in Holbrook where
the owner's daughterwaspreparingforherforthcoming
time I'd seen a Liberator so close: we'd all seen the
bombers on the occasional day of clear weather, B-24's wedding, but she required suitable material for her
wedding dress. Lt. Talbott solved the problem by giving
and B-27 Fortresses, flying high overhead in precise
formations, appearing like hundreds of distant crosses. her his silken white parachute.
The combined sound of those thousands of aircraft
37
�The 8th and 9th U S A A F lost 26,000 and 1,500 killed
Three weeks later, during the mission to Brunswick,
Germany on 15 March 1944, Lt. Talbott and his crew, respectively between 1942 and 1945. In addition, the
RAF and the 12th and 15th USAAF, operating from
with two replacements, were shot down and forced to
bail out from another B-24 over Zwolle, Holland. Sadly, bases in North Africa and Italy, also suffered grievous
losses.
Lt. Arthur Goldman, (Navigator), and Lt. Clifford
Montgomers, (Bombardier), were killed in action.
However, Lt. Talbott and T/Sgt. Raymond Swick, Radio The records reveal the grim statistics of the
Group: "The Flying Eightballs" lost 153 B-24 Liberators
Operator, evaded capture and escaped. They
subsequently fought alongside resistance organizations missing in action and a further 39 bombers to other
operational losses between September, 1942 and May,
in occupied France until liberated by advancing Allied
forces in August, 1944. The six surviving crewmen, co- 1945.
pilot andfivegunners, were made Prisoners of War in
After the war, Jacob Elias, a former waist gun
Germany and Austria until they were also freed by
44th B o m b Group, returned to what had once been a
advancing Allied Armored Units in May, 1945.
noisy, thriving and bustljng bomber base at Shipdham:
"In 1955 I went back to Shipdham...seams and cracks in
Present day photographs of the crash site near Cutler's
the concrete, sproutingweeds...derelict shells ofwartime
Wood, Freston and of the beautiful country house at
buildings...out on themain runway stood an abandoned
Holbrook, both virtually unchanged since 1944, were
farm machine...Up in the control tower broken glass
taken in November, 1991 by my wife Mary. Copies of
covered the floor, an open door creaked eerily in the
each picture were sent to Herman Gasser and David
Talbott. These were much appreciated and brought
breeze..."
back vivid memories of those dramatic times.
"Faces flitted through my mind, faces of men As 1944 progressed, the quite extraordinary sight
andwho had become m e n before their time. Where
really,
were all those wonderful kids?...Kids who didn't speak of
sound of 1,000 American bombers all heading east,
going to war across the North Sea, was a c o m m o n sight patriotism, love of country, fear of death, but who went
to a generation of East Anglians. A little later the
out, did the best they could - clumsily at times, perfectly
escorting fighters would speedily and noisily follow the sometimes, but always the best they could..."
bomber's lingering conrails to keep their prearranged
and precisely scheduled rendezvous with the bombers
EDITOR: We got this from an English Newspaper.
over mainland Europe.
best we've read perceptions of the air war being wa
East Anglian through the eyes of a young lad who
When those aircraft returned to their bases from
long those years.
through
and often bloody missions in the late afternoon or early
evening, the evidence was clearly visible. The saying,
"Three engines turning...one burning..."was not a
misnomer and was an all too c o m m o n sight to a
generation of East Anglians.
Many severely damaged Allied bombers and fighters
sought the sanctuary of the huge runway at the emergency
landingairfieldatWoodbridge, lOmilesfrom theSuffolk
coast. As many as 50 emergency landings were handled
in any one 24-hour period. As darkness fell, the
temporary silence would again be broken by the sound
of aircraft engines as long streams of Royal Air Force
Bomber C o m m a n d aircraft in the night skies continued
the "round the clock" bombing offensive. The wartime
skies over East Anglia were never still.
However, the cost in young men's lives flying bombing
missions from England was very high. RAF Bomber
C o m m a n d lost 55,000 killed between 1939 and 1945.
38
e
�and, understandably, they were tanks to balance the supply, but
MISSING - ONE EACH NOSE
not happy that their Pilot was in w e were unable to get the
GEAR
the right seat and a guy they available fuel to the needed
didn't know was in the left seat. areas.
This signalled an
By Bob Lehnhausen,68th Squadron
Formyself, Iwasn'thappy either emergency situation.
We
to
be
flying with
an determined that we could not
The Wiener-Neustadt
inexperienced crew w h o m a d e possibly m a k e our planned
mission, thefirstone,flownon
no secret of their dislike for the landing in Tunisia. W e would
August 13, 1943, (I think) was
arrangement. However, I was have to seek an emergency
for us an easy mission for the
thrilled to have the first landing field.
first 8 5 % of the flight. M y
opportunity toflyin the left seat George Kelley gave the
recollections of this mission are
after a five m o n t h "training location and approximate flight
most vivid, for I have always
period" with the 68th.
times to the emergency fields
considered it to be the best bit
T h e B E N I N A M A I N briefing that had been given to us by
of flying that I did during m y Air
for this shutde mission gave Intelligence at our morning
Corps career. For m e , this
s o m e emergency airfield briefing. It was decision making
mission had a lot of unusual
alternatives to the planned time. I opted to try for one of
circumstances. It was the first
landingfieldin Tunisia. Such thefieldsgiven to us, located in
mission that the group flew after
briefing information was usually Sicily. Even though that meant
the August 1, 1943 Ploesti L o w
of secondary importance. an over water flight, I had
Level Mission. It was m y first
However, w e did copy it down, confidence that we could solve
combat mission with the 68th as
never dreaming that we would the fuel transfer problems.
a First Pilot. Although I joined
have need for this intelligence However, prudence required
the unit as a Pilot, I flew all of m y
being cautious.
data.
missions up to this point as a CoW e reported our situation to
M y recollection of the target
Pilot. All of m y four engine
was that w e were bombing an the Squadron Leader and left
training had been as a B-l 7 Pilot.
aircraft assembly facility thatwas the group formation as we left
In fact, our crew flew a B-l 7 to
adjacent to a military airfield. the Italian Coast to head across
England. At Bovingdon, w e
We
T h e military had a training unit the Tyrrhenian Sea.
were transferred to B-24's. I
stationed at thefield.W e could departed the Italian Coast just
flew with Stub Garrett through
anticipate some opposition in south of Naples. M y memory is
the July 2, 1943, Leece, Italy
that this was also the day that
the target area.
mission which ended in our
Mission take off, assembly, Allied troops took the city of
ditching. The Ploesti mission
penetration to target, b o m b run Naples.
was flown as Co-Pilot for
T h efirstbriefed emergency
and withdrawal from target area
Shannon, filling in for George
field
w e approached on the
were all routine and uneventful.
Armstrongwho had become ill.
W e dropped our bombs in clear northern coast of Sicily had been
The Wiener-Neustadt mission
weather and experienced no totally devastated by bombs. It
was flown with Ben Gildart's
enemy opposition. It was a true looked like thefieldhad grown
crew. I flew as Pilot, Gildart as
"milk run," well, until we were a massive case of pocks, so close
Co-Pilot. Frank Davido, w h o
midway across Italy. A routine and so many that the pocks had
was the Co-Pilot for this crew,
check of fuel indicated w e were pocks. N o chance of putting
flew the mission on the flight
very low on one engine and not d o w n there.
deck. Our Squadron Navigator,
At
that
moment
of
in good shape on a second
George Kelley, also was on this
engine. A n attempt was m a d e disappointment, I spotted the
mission with us. It was the first
to transfer fuel from the other glint of sun off an East-West
combat mission for this crew,
39
®
�blacktop runway m a n y miles westerly approach. W e had the whole plane-tail high. The
in the distance, directiy south of 5,000 feet of altitude to lose nose gear had failed to extend.
our position. Itprovedtobethe between base and touchdown. With all the other problems, no
second alternative listed. W e As w e prepared to land, some of one had bothered to check
continued to this second the crew on the flight deck upon it. W e skidded to an abrupt
location. W e were still working discouraged m e with 'You can't stop.
W e shut down everything and
on the fuel transfer system - make it, you can't make it."
As w e turned onto the m a d e a hasty exit.
unsuccessfully.
Such a sad end for one of our
As w e approached the area of approach, w e lost our second
our intended landing, w e lost engine - out of gas. G o d was noble ships. Only after return
and feathered our #3 engine. good to us though. All of the to base did I learn that: 1) the
As thefieldcame into view, it hours of training inflightschool nose gear had been replaced
was apparent that thefieldwas and in four engineflyingcame the night before the mission
in use. A unit of American to fruition. Few can imagine and had not beenflighttested;
fighters was dispersed about thethe thrill of successfully making 2) the #3 engine was a "gas hog";
perimeter of thefield.However, a "spot" landing in such a 3) the crewwhoflewit on Ploesti
the paved strip wasfilledwith situation. To touchdown at had had that problem.
Unfortunately, I have always
b o m b craters and painted empty precisely the point selected as
oil drums stood on end to ideal and to realize that there had the feeling that m y superiors
indicate that it was not in use. would be sufficient space were displeased that we had left
The grassy area of thefieldused between craters to permit that plane in Sicily. It also
by thefighterswas short and m a x i m u m use of the field demonstrates one of the
with m a n y b o m b craters available. It was momentarily situations in life where
perspective m a d e a tremendous
throughout it. To m e there exhilarating.
Having achieved successful difference in the evaluation of
appeared to be a space on the
east end (approach end) of the touchdown, now the challenge the act.
I hope this assists you in
grassy area of thefieldthat may was to get stopped as quickly as
be usable if the width of the possible. W e had gotten the fleshing out the mission report
landing gear was less than the aircraft and the crew safely to a T h e irony of it is that 52 years
distance between two of the briefed alternate airfield, had it after the fact, someone askswhat
b o m b craters. It would permit on the ground, n o w w e had only really happened. I have given
us to make our approach and a limited amount of clear real you a brief account of the vivid
touchdown ahead of the craters estate available to us. W e still recollections of the actions of a
y o u n g pilot in unusual
and then use the grassy area had work to do.
W e immediately lowered the circumstances. Not the best of
beyond for roll and slow down.
In m y judgement, we had no nose to permit early braking missions, but certainly not as
choice, we must try it. It had to and shortening of our landing disastrous as it might have been.
work. There was no opportunity roll. T h e self-satisfaction of the Thank God.
for a go-around. Even if we had successful touchdown was very
EDITOR: Like this article,
had power available, a range of short lived.
T h e forward push on the ageless. His contributions
mountainous foothills off the
west end of thefielddiscouraged control column to put the nose 44th BGVA are too numerous t
wheel onto the field went mention...besides, he would
a go-around.
beyond normal. Lo and behold, lip " me if I did.
For a landing, our line of flight
to the south m a d e it necessary the nose continued its
toflya base leg and turn onto a downward movement and so did
40
®
�44TH B O M B G R O U P VETERANS ASSOCIATION
DRAFT B U D G E T F O R
CALENDAR YEAR 1995
®wmTB
Projected income:
145 Life Members (allocated @ $15)
750 Regular Members @ $15
Reunion Income (net)
Contributions (estimated)
Investment Income (estimated)
$2,175
11,250
2,500
300
500
Projected Expenditures:
3 Issues of 8 Ball Tails @ $2,000
(first issue $2,883)
Historian
Unit Historians 4 @ $150
Archive Research
Membership Search (Hand)
Roster (Shepherd)
Treasurer
Directors 9 @ $500 (travel)
President (Admin & travel)
Secretary
Tax Exempt Status Fee
Bulk Mail Permit
Total
$6,000
(883J
900
600
200
600
200
400
4,500
900
300
465
150
$15,215
(883)
$16,098
$16,725
-16.098
627
W e need another 150 Members @ $15
$2.250
44TH B O M B G R O U P VETERANS ASSOCIATION
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF ACTD/ITY A N D B U D G E T
PERIOD JANUARY 1, 1995 T O JUNE 30, 1995
BUDGET
1995
YEAR TO DATE
INCOME PERIOD OVER
UNDER
1/1/95 - 6/30/9}
BUDGET
INCOME
Life Memberships
145 Projected
Actual 139
Regular Memberships
Reunion Income
Contributions
Investment Income
11,250
2,500
300
500
Totals
16,725 7,409 1,214 10,530
2,175
814
4,685
1,514
396
1,361
6,565
2,500
1.214
104
EXPENDITURES
8 Ball Tails (3 issues)
8 Ball Tails (1 issue)
Historian
Unit Historians
Archive Research
Membership Research
Membership Roster
Treasurer
Directors Travel (9)
President (Adm & Travel)
Secretary
IRS Tax Exempt Filing
Bulk Mail Permit
Capital Equipment
6,000
2,957
957
309
600
200
425
200
900
600
200
600
200
400
591
4,500
1,061
3,439
900
300
465
150
749
151
300
175
443
465
150
287
Totals
15,215
Income Exceeds Expense:
681
43
6,728
287*
1,287
5,774
This abbreviated statement portrays our operating accounts versu
budget. Our reunion income and expenditures are kept in an accoun
from our general operating accounts.
*Fax machine for Treasurer.
41
�©a^©®^m is - %% mm
Thursday 19 October
9:00 a.m
3:30 p.m
5:00 p. m
Registration all day.
Reception, Hors d'oeuvers, cashbar.
Hospitality Room opens, free bar.
Dinner on your own.
Friday 20 October
9:30 a.m Hospitality Tour No. 1.
3:00p.m
Hospitality Room opens, free bar.
6:30p.m
Buffet Dinner in Ballroom, cash bar.
Saturday 21 October
9:30 a.m. & 10:00 a.m Buses leave for River Walk.
2:30p.m. & 3:00p.m
Buses return to hotel.
3:30p.m
Business Meeting in Ballroom.
5:00p.m
Llospitality Room opens, free bar.
6:00 p.m
Squadron Dinners. Dance following.
Sponsored by the 506th Squadron.
Sunday 22 October
8:45 a.m Golf, Ft. Sam., Transport TBA.
10:00 a.m
Hospitality Tour No. 2.
3:00p.m
Hospitality Room opens, free bar.
6:30p.m
Banquet: Preceded by Color Guards and
Candle Light Ceremony presented by 506th Squadro
Mexican dancers to follow.
Monday 23 October
8:00 a.m Farewell Buffet Breakfast
-10:00 a.m.
DON'T WAIT ANY LONGER!
GET YOUR RESERVATIONS IN NOW!
DON'T MISS THE FIRST 44TH BOMB GROUP VETERANS ASSOCIATION REUN
For those ofyou who are driving orare not paiiicularly interested in the tours being offered and
to rent a car for a day to do some adventuring on their own, 44th 'ers Ed and fane Donnelly of Kerrvi
(about 75 miles NWofSan Antonio suggest some touring of the Texas Hill country, which among m
attractions, has the LBJ Ranch. There will be maps and touring information at the reunion regist
guide you through a "do it yourself" tour of this beautiful part of Texas.
42
®
�GENERAL ELECTION
In accordance with Article V, Section 1. (2) the Executive has adjusted the in
three Directors-at-Large to one year to accomplish the staggering of terms. Those
Directorships selected were the Support Group, the 67th Squadron, and the 506th
Squadron. Al Ruby, the elected Director for the Support Group asked to be relieved injune
for health reasons. President O w e n appointed Melvin Trager of H Q . Squadron to complete
that term. Ray McNamara, Director for the 67th declined re-nomination as did John
Milliken, Director for the 506th. The Constitution requires the nominating committee to
submit two candidates for each vacating officer. V O T E F O R O N E C A N D I D A T E F R O M
EACH OF T H E THREE UNITS, O R CHECK T H E B O X GIVING Y O U R PROXY T O T H E
PRESIDENT.
Cut Here
44TH BOMB GROUP VETERANS ASSOCIATION BALLOT
SUPPORT GROUP
£7 MELVIN TRAGER, Incumbent, HQ., CREST HILL, ILLINOIS
D R.H. "PHIL" PHILLIPS, 14TH CBW., LINDSAY, OKLAHOMA
67TH BOMB SQUADRON
D ROBERTI. "BOB" BROWN, 67TH., SAN RAMON, CALIFORNIA
D DONALD CHASE, 67TH, ORLANDO, FLORIDA
506TH BOMB SQUADRON
O SHERMAN "BUD" DOWETT, 506TH, GRASS VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
O
THOMAS "TOM" HOBSON, 506TH, COLUMBUS, OHIO
O I hereby authorize Roy W. Owen, President, 44th BGVA, to cast my vote
judgment in the matter of this election of officers only.
Signature
Date
Unit
Check your selection, and in the case of a proxy, sign above, then either bring your ballot to San Antonio to drop
the ballot box at registration; or prior to October 1, mailyour ballot to:James H. Clements, Vice President, 44th
Group Veterans Association, 4124 Calculus Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75244
����(0
Crew of "Glory Bee" 30 Missions June 6 to Aug 27, 1944
Back row: Harold Bergmann, Engineer; Donald Maul, LW Gunner; Colin
Gregory, RW Gunner; Gene Wood, Tail Gunner; Reynold
Whistler, Radio Operator; Wilbur Moretti, Ball Gun.
Front Row: Wilbur Carter, Pilot; Jack Still, Navigator; Roley Arterburn,
Co-Pilot; Jess Kerr, Bombardier.
Back Row: Donald Maule, Harold Bergmann, Jess Kerr. Front Row: Wilbur Moretti,
Madelyn Carter ~ Pilot's widow, Roley Arterburn.
May 18,1989
3
�DLXON
"Glory Bee" Crew Chief
S/Sgt James H. "Red"Dixon
Norman Nutt Crew, 66th Bomb Squadron, 44th Bomb Group,
Shipdham Airfield, England, Spring 1945.
Back Row: John Grieshammer, Gunner; Norm Nutt, Pilot; Andy Hartung;
James Marsh, Flight Engineer; Elmer Kohn, Radio Operator; Roy Hutchins, Co-Pilot.
Front Row: Carl Sharf, Bombardier; Jack Kesling, Navigator; BUI Jangl, Gunner.
San Antonio Reunion - Oct '95 - Breakfast
Norm Nutt's Crew:
Left to Right: Bob Godwin, James Marsh,
Norm Nutt and Jack Kesling.
Yankee Air Force 'Nose Art' Photo.
"Glory Bee" at Willow Run Airport
It is understood that it was flown to Willow Run after it flew
home from Shipdham in June '45.
4
�ALL ABOUT ENGLAND - THE A R R O W AIR PROJECT
In the last issue of "The Tails" we reported all the details of the decision to abandon the Shipdham Tower
restoration in favor of offering the residue of the T o w e r project funds to M r . Nigel Wright, owner of A r r o w Air
Centre, S h i p d h a m Airfield. This m o n e y would be joined with A r r o w Air funds to construct a n e w Pilot's lounge
and ready room. The decor of this r o o m would be a 44th B o m b G r o u p Memorabilia collection.
On January 23,1996, a letter, over the signature of the President, was sent to Mr. Wright with an offer of a £
contribution to the construction of a n e w pilot's lounge, provided the interior motif of the r o o m w o u l d take the
form of a 44 th B o m b G r o u p Memorabilia/Memorial. W e have a telephone acceptance (enthusiastic) of our offer
and proposal. M r . Wright is at present drawing u p construction plans which will become a part of our limited
partnership agreement. So, it appears that w e are well on our w a y to seeing the reality of a viable perseverance of
the spirit of S h i p d h a m Airfield as the h o m e base of the 44th B o m b Group.
The Shipdham Tower Memorial Plaque
With the abandonment of the Shipdham Tower restoration project, the question of
what, if anything, should be done about the beautiful bronze memorial plaque
donated and placed by R. Lee Aston on the outer wall of the tower during the
1992 Reunion. It w a s agreed by the Board to query Lee as to his desires regarding
the future of the plaque. His answer:
Mr. Will Lundy, Historian Saturday, 25 November 1995
44th Bomb Croup
3295 North "H" Street
San Bernardino, California 92405
^*****^
K
\
Dear Will: ^^^^
Your letter received today concerning my feelings/wishes about the granite memorial
plaque at the Control Tower, Shipdham airfield. I respond immediately.
I am sorry to hear that the prospects for restoration of the Shipdham control tower are so dim, in fact, sound
virtually a stand down. I agree that the granite plaque should be left on thefield.It woidd be inappropriate, or misp
at any other location except on the tower, or at least, thefield.I made it for the tower location.
As long as the tower stands, whether restored, or not, whether used as a historical museum, or not, it was mea
the tower as a historical site. My feeling is that it should remain on the tower as long as the tower stands, and hop
providing (1) that continued access, in perpetuity, i.e., beyond Genge's lease, to the tower may be granted by the
visitors to view, and (2) that should the tower ever be torn down, the memorial plaque would be returned to the prope
persons (the 44th Tower Association or Steve Adams or Nigel Wright's mini-museum) for installation elsewhere on the
The next most appropriate location after the tower would be Arrow Air Centre, or at least, someplace on thefielditse
in the village of Shipdham. I believe the above is accord with the feelings you have expressed to me in your letter.
Sorry that I have not been able to be closer to the activities of the 44 th B. G. for the past couple of years
health as I am infineshape for almost 72 years. I have been concentrating on completing my doctoral research (PhD) at
University of Aston in Birmingham, England, hence, keeping a low profile or "my nose to the grindstone" to try and
complete it in 1996. If I miss congregation in July '96,1 will have to wait until July '97 for graduation. What month i
1997 reunion in England planned fori
Hope this brief note sufficiently answers your letter. What is your fax no. ? You did have one at a previous
so much faster than the mail. My fax no. is 706-283-1337.
With best regards,
R. Lee Aston
5
»
�The Return to England
While we still plan a return to England in '97, our planning now is, rather than a reunion, we will
excellent 44th B o m b Group tour in June '97, to be followed in September by our regular reunion
somewhere in the U S A . Right n o w w e are looking at Savannah, Georgia, in conjunction with a visit to
the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum. The M u s e u m is scheduled to open M a y 13-14 of this year. Vice
President, Jim Clements will be officially representing the 44th B G V A at the M u s e u m opening. While in
Savannah, he will survey that city in terms of desirability for a '97 reunion.
Subject to refinement, this would be the general scheme of the England/France Memorial Tour itinera
•Assemble at a main terminal of our chosen airline for the flight to London.
A
-fj
•A two or three night stay in London (one night at the theatre).
•Then bus to Norwich for three nights (probably at the Lord Nelson)
•A day of leisure to stroll around Norwich and see the rebuilding of the Library (yes, and see if t
Sampson & Hercules is still standing).
•Then a day and evening at Shipdham (more about this later) to visit our friends and to see our Arr
Air Project.
•We would then bus to Cambridge with a brief stop at the beautiful American Cemetery at Maddingly.
•Then on to Duxford for a visit to the new American Air Museum.
•We would then travel South to Portsmouth for a stay to allow a tour of the Overlord Command post
where General Eisenhower directed the D-Day operations and a trip to Eastbourne to visit a memorial
placed just last M a y in the m e m o r y of the James O. Bolin crew, which was killed in the crash of their
506th airplane "Ruthless" (see page 22 of the Spring '95 8-Ball Tails).
The 44th has a standing invitation to visit with the people of Eastbourne, w h o have for 52 years treated
the loss of the "Ruthless" crew as if it were their sons w h o perished in the crash.
Incidentally, we hear from Kevin Watson, coordinator of the memorial, there has been so much interest
in the Ruthless Memorial, the visitors have worn the grass surrounding the memorial to the point the
Committee is making plans to lay a granite walkway surrounding the memorial.
•From Portsmouth, those so wishing, would have the option of returning to London for the return fli
(or extend a London stopover). Otherwise, the tour would continue on with a Channel crossing to
Cherbourg to tour Utah and O m a h a Beaches and pay our respects to our 44th comrades buried at the
most beautiful American Cemetery at O m a h a Beach (something that every American should see).
•Then on to Paris for a three day visit.
•Return to London via Calais.
There will be more information to come as we finalize the tour, and there will be plenty of time fo
make your plans for this great trip. For the time being, pencil "44th Return to England & France" in on
your June, 1997 calendar.
6
�ThE CAPTAJN VERSUS T^E COLONEL
By: James Clements, 506th Bomb Squadron
Editor:
It was an 8th Air Force lead. December 28th, 1944;
Shortly after receiving this story from Jim, I noticed in
Target: Kaiserslautern, Germany: C o m m a n d Pilot:
Force Times obituaries that Lt. Col. Joseph R. Bumbicka had
Colonel Eugene Snavely, C o m m a n d e r 44th B o m b Group died November 30, 1995 (see Folded Wings). He was residing
(H) flying with the Captain James Clements crew.
in Roanoke, VA and was buried at the National Cemetery,
Culpepper, VA.
As we flew to the target, we were atop of a solid
undercast of clouds. Unable to see the ground since
I sadly notified Jim, since I was a "part-time" member of
takeoff.
crew. When I joined the 506th as Co-Pilot on the Bill Smith
crew, the Clements crew were well into their second tourflyi
Approaching the IP, the GH Navigator informed us the only lead missions. When the Smith crew was promoted to
lead status, I became eligible to alternate with Dick Peders
blind bombing equipment was not functioning properly.
flying
ccnpilot forJim, as he had no regular co-pilot. In the
The Colonel, after checking with the Deputy Lead
course of flying six missions with that crew, I was privilege
aircraft, gave the direct order, "Turn over the lead."
to see "Boogie" at work.
Colonel Snavely was one commander especially fond of
having his orders complied with.
Before I had time to react to the order, we were
nearing the target. It was then that cries came up from
the nose compartment, "Don't turn it over, it looks like
the clouds are going to break." It did appear there would
be some breaks, but certainly no assurance the target
would be clear. Joe "Boogie" Bumbicka, our Bombardier
and Dick Boykin, our Navigator kept screaming "the
clouds are going to break. Don't turn over the lead!"
I put my faith in my crew and knowing how much more
effective visual bombing was over instrument bombing,
held the course. At that time, the tense and foreboding
voice of the Colonel came loud and clear, " Y O U G U Y S
BETTER BE RIGHT!"
In all other aspects of his persona, "Boogie" was marching
a different drum. Difficult to know, harder to understand
and loved doing the unexpected; until he went to Mission
Briefing. From the time he walked into Briefing until he lef
Post-Mission debriefing, he was the epitome of the professio
Combat Crew "Team" member. He knew his job and did it.
"Boogie" struck me as a man born to the Norden Bombsight.
He treated it like afineviolin and he performed magical
things with it, as he did that day over Kaiserslautern. He
loved and thrived on those "cliff hanger" bomb runs that to
every bit of his concentration and sometimes most of his
imagination.
Mother Nature was kind to us that day. The clouds
broke at the very last minute and "Boogie" put the
bombs "down the pickle barrel."
As we approached the home field, Colonel Snavely
radioed the photo people to meet the airplane, pick up
the cameras and get the strike film developed with the
greatest dispatch. Later at the Officers Club, he was
proudly showing copies of the strike photos to all.
My memories of most of the missions I flew are not too
clear. However, that mission is firm in mind. I never
stop thinking, "What if the clouds hadn't broken?"
\
�"Ul€ UJ€R€ H G O O D CRCUI": STORV OF R B-24 RCUNION
By: Ann Carpenter Wing
I'd like to begin m y story with a plea. T o those of you into a computer program that has the national
w h o have not recorded your experiences during the phone directory on it. I started with the pilot's name,
war, please do sol It m e a n s so m u c h to future gen- because I had a middle initial, which cut d o w n the
erations. You are an important part of history. 1 can number of entries considerably. After I wrote to
Robert Gunton (Bob), he called m e and gave m e the
tell you from a personal viewpoint that this knowlcomplete list of the crew and their 1944-45 adedge m e a n s a great deal to m e , and to m y children
dresses, but no middle initials. Using the addresses,
and grandchildren. Let m e tell you m y story.
M y n a m e is A n n Carpenter Wing, the wife of Lyle I tried each section of the country, and wrote m a n y
letters to the m e n w h o s e n a m e s c a m e up. Slowly,
Paul Carpenter. H e w a s the flight engineer and the
but surely, one by one, they responded.
top turret gunner of a crew in the 67th Squadron,
W e k n e w of San
44th B o m b Group, and flew
Antonio, so five of the
31 missions over Germany
original crew agreed to
and France from April to
1
meet there with m y
jH
August, 1 944.1 would like to
fNMMtt
children and me.
tell you of his crew, and h o w
I cannot describe the
they finally found each
feelings of anticipation
other after 5 1 years.
ML
«V
and excitement I felt as
W h e n 1 first met Lyle, he
w e waited at the Holiday
had just c o m e back from
Inn for the others to arrive.
overseas, and w a s in a
W e had just spoken to
convalescent hospital in
B o b on the house phone
m y hometown of Nashville,
and were standing at the
Tennessee. W e met in a
i£V' Mifi~i
V^v^u^H^f'
front desk, w h e n a m a n
cafe, a soldier from MichiT
^
asked the clerk to ring
gan and a Southern girl, and
Bob's room. That's h o w
w e started talking. During
^OPV Wy I^M& (NrTlf "^
w
e met the first person
our courtship, he down.
t^^**
^^fccj^^H^E^HHI
from Lyle's crew, Martin
played his role in the war,
Stewart (Marty), his cojokingly saying that he got
The Robert Gunton Crew, 1944
pilot. A few minutes later,
his medal for brushing his
Front Row L to R Daniel Brandt, Bombardier; Martin Stewart, Coin walked Joe Tobiaski,
teeth, or that medal for
Pilot; Robert Gunton, Pilot; Leroy parker, Navigator.
Back Row L to R Kenneth Bradford, Bali Turret; John Krupka, the crew's radio operator.
polishing his shoes. It w a s
Tail Gunner; Lyle Carpenter, Flight Eng. Top Turret; James Cortez,
W e agreed to meet with
only later that he told m e
Nose Gunner; Joe Tobiaski, Radio Operator; Arthur Henshall, Asst.
B o b and the others in the
about his missions and
Eng. Waist Gunner.
hospitality room a few
h o w he felt each one would
minutes later.
be his last. He would leave
Marty. Joe, m y children, and I got off the elevator
his personal belongings with his crew chief to m a k e
to see Bob, Leroy Parker (navigator) and Dan Brandt
sure that his mother would get them if he didn't
(bombardier) waiting for us. Watching those m e n
c o m e back. He spoke with admiration of his pilot,
meet in the hallway, oblivious to all w h o walked by
Robert Gunton, w h o he credited with saving their
us, w a s an emotional experience 1 will never forget.
lives numerous times.
T o imagine them taking leave of each other 51
Later, w e married and had three children. The
war receded into the past, and w e didn't talk about it years before, and to see the years fall away as they
much, except for occasionally getting out the photo b e c a m e that B-24 crew again w a s wonderful to
behold. Hours passed like minutes as the war
album of his buddies and the planes, telling anecdotes of the war days, and showing the children his stories flew - one man's m e m o r y would trigger long
forgotten events experienced by others.
pictures and medals. With the busy day to-day of
Sorely missed were James Cortez (Jim) and
raising a family, there s e e m e d to be no time for
Kenneth Bradford, nose gunner and ball turret
contacting the other m e m b e r s of his crew, w h o
were also in the midst of building iheir lives in cities respectively. Jim w a s ill and could not attend; his funloving antics had m a d e him popular a m o n g the
and towns scattered across the country.
Lyle passed away of a heart attack in l 968, and I crew. (They all remembered that "Cortez" would
often thought of his crew and that time period before immediately fall to the ground and kiss it after each
1 k n e w him. I felt that finding them would have been safe return.) Ken and his wife have a jewelry store
and could not schedule time to come. Also sadly
something Lyle would have liked to have done. So
in 1994,1 decided to tackle the task of being "detec- missed were Arthur Henshall (waist gunner, assistant flight engineer), John Krupka (tail gunner), and of
tive" on his behalf.
course, Lyle, w h o are all deceased.
Lyle had kept a photograph album of his crew
The next day, Bob obtained a private room for
with n a m e s on the back, so I started from there. At
the crew to meet, bringing their pictures, diaries and
the public library, I entered the crewmen's n a m e s
if
wt\i
1 •£*•"
1
1
I1 R
8
•
�records to "debrief." For six hours, they replayed
that had just had bulletproof glass installed in it. The
those critical months, comparing notes and m e m o planes they normally flew did not yet have this
ries and sharing anecdotes. The m e n were
feature. A s they were flying, a fragment of flak hit the
amazed at hearing the stories from their
windshield directly beside the pilot's position. O n
crewmates. During the actual bombing runs, most
returning to base, they found it lacked a fraction of
were too busy doing their particular job or were not
an inch coming all the w a y through the glass. Both
in a position to see what the others were experiencB o b and Marty agreed that had there been regular
ing. Here are s o m e highlights of what w a s told in
glass on the plane that day, B o b would not be here
those hours.
to tell the story. In another incident that Lyle had
All agreed that the most enjoyable, least stressoften described, the tail gunner, Krupka had a close
ful part of their time together w a s the trip from
call. H e w a s leaning out of his seat talking to Hensall
Topeka, Kansas (their point of departure) to
w h e n a bullet zipped by and grazed the tops of his
Shipdham, England via the southern route. It w a s
legs. If he had been sitting in his normal position,
an eye-opening experience for them to see other
he'd have been shot in the stomach. Lyle w a s
countries and cultures. After pre combat training in
called back to administer first aid, and promptly
Ireland, they arrived in Shipdham on May 14, l 944
placed a bandaid over the wound, about which he
and were assigned their plane, the "A-Bar." Thus
always joked.
they b e c a m e part of the "Flying 8 Balls," the insignia
Towards the end of the marathon session, I
of the 44th B o m b Group.
played a cassette tape that Arthur Henshall's wife
A-Bar w a s a part of the D-Day invasion, and flew
sent to me. H e had m a d e this tape in 1 988 in order
on the wing of the C o m m a n d e r , General Leon
to tell s o m e of his war experiences for his
Johnson. Their job w a s to b o m b the coastal installa- grandchildren's benefit. Everyone fell silent as
tions just seconds before the troops landed on the
Arthur's voice told of his memories during their time
beaches. Bob recalled the vivid image of being part
together. They chuckled at s o m e of the lighter
of thousands of gleaming silver planes streaming
m o m e n t s in his remembrances, and with solemn
toward France. Being busy piloting the plane, he did glances, they confirmed the combat events that he
not have a good view of the ocean, and enjoyed
related. A m o m e n t of high emotion w a s felt by all as
hearing the others speak of the waters being full of
he finished with a word of gratitude to his comAllied ships bristling with weaponry.
rades, and special praise for Captain Bob Gunton
T w o of the most dangerous missions were on
w h o brought them all safely h o m e .
June 27 and August 6, l 944. The objective of the
This is just a small part of one crew's story
June mission w a s to b o m b a railroad tunnel. W h e n
during a historical event that has changed the
the crew reached the target, a squadron of JU 88's
world. The pride in the tremendous job done by a
w a s encountered. They hung behind the formation
remarkable generation of m e n is echoed in Arthur
and lobbed missiles at the bombers. O n e of the
Henshall's words, "We were a good crew."
crew recalled tail gunner John Krupka's response
as he looked back, "Hurry up! They're catching up
with us!" Many planes were lost on that mission, and
the formation w a s forced to break up. Because the
formation had dispersed, the crew flew h o m e
alone, a precarious position for a B-24.
The purpose of the August mission w a s to
b o m b the oil refinery in Hamburg, Germany. The
crew recalled exceedingly heavy flak, resulting in
the loss of one engine over the English Channel.
They were forced to jettison all their ammunition
and guns to keep the plane aloft. W h e n they
reached base, a second engine had to be feathered
over the field. S o m e of the crew went as far as to
say that on landing, there w a s only one engine
operating! Everyone gave Gunton praise for saving
their lives that day. Dan Brandt commented, "He just
greased that landing!"
Dan also said that he thought one of the most
important missions militarily w a s the July 25 misThe Gunton crew in San Antonio, 1995.
sion to St. Lo, France, where their job w a s to clear
First Row L to R Daniel Brandt, Martin Stewart, Robert Gunton,
the w a y for Patton's troops to advance toward
Leroy Parker. Back Row: Joe Tobiaski
Germany. The mission w a s extremely successful
and allowed for the continuation of Patton's sweep
across Europe.
S o m e of the most dramatic reminisces were
about brushes with death. B o b recalled having
)
been assigned a plane on one particular mission
�THE PRESIDE*'IT'S CORNER
Coming down to thefinishline, standing in the stirrupsare mandated in our Charter and Constitution. I comand pouring the whip to the Ole' 8-Ball Tails to beat themend your Executive Board for the programmatic and
deadline -1 can make it! I can make it! Some days, sitting
budgetary support they have given to the proposals submitin front of this computer, I say to myself: you've got to ted
be aby your Treasurer and myself. Clinton and Gingrich
STALEMA
TE IN
nut case to go through this scramble every four months, take note: WE HAVE NO BUDGET
44THBGVA!
with all the phone calls, faxes and correspondence to THE
handle. After all-WHO CARES? Then the mail arrives
and there is a heartfelt thanks for helping to put a couple
of have several requests for various commemorat
We do
and memorial projects which I will soon submit to the
long lost 44th guys in touch again or for assisting a
Board
relative tofillin the blank spots in the circumstances of
one for review and prioritizing, if accepted.
of our KIA crews. Those pats on the back are like a reality
check. Everything comes back into focus and I know we are
Noiufor a bit on membership. I am so proud of the work
doing something good. Something that really counts.
our Membership Committee, ART HAND and
TOMMY
Helping to keep a bunch of men and women together who SHEPHERD
are doing!Just look at the numbers in the
shared the experience of serving in one of the most glorious
new "Beating the Bushes " section. What we need now are
air combat groups in World history. Hell, this is what it's
some local "Jollow-up" recruiters that, once Art has locate
all about. I can play golf next week after I get this in the
a 44ther who is not a 44th BGVA member, our local area
mail on the way to the printer!
(or state) recruiter gets on the phone to tell the comrade al
the fun he or she is missing by not being with us at reNow with that bit of personal sentiment out of my head,
unions and trips, etc. We have plans for a professionally
let's get on with keeping you all abreast of what is goingdesigned
on
promotional brochure all about the 44th to assist
in your Association. I think one of the nicest pieces ofneius
our recruiting program as well. Incidentally, we are
is that the 44THIS ONCE AGAIN COMING
OUT OF
wanting sons and daughters to join us also. We must havt
RETIREMENT
TO BE AN ACTIVE AIR FORCE UNIT!
had about 18 with us at San Antonio. And speaking of
We have received a letterfrom the Department of thefamily
Air attendance, see my account of the 2nd Air Division
Force, Air Education and Training Command, statingSouthern California Regional Reunion and our own 44th
that the 381st TRAINING WING is inheriting the honors
Julian Ertz gang! Anyway, get busy and call Art and
and lineage of all of its 44th predecessors. Invitationsbecome
are a 44th drummer!
being sent to all of the livingformer commanders of the
44th to attend the activation ceremony. This doesn 't mean
I'll close up with some GOOD ADVICE. This issue has the
you must have been a former commander to attend. I
initial blast on our ST. LOUIS REUNION. Read all of the
would hope that any 8-Baller, Bomb Wing member, Blackprogram, the registration (both Reunion and Hotel) forms.
Hills Bandit or whatever living in the vicinity of
FILL OUT THE FORMS, MAKE OUT YOUR CHECK,
Vandenburg would attend. Call Major Gregory Ogletree AND SEND THEM IN EARLY. JIM CLEMENTS and
(805) 734-3160 after 5 p. m. for details.
his assistant, GENE MCMAHON
are predicting a
BLOW-OUT...DON'T MISS THIS ONE! See you in
While it may seem a "come down" to be reactivated from
St.a Louis.
first line Ballistic Missile Wing to a Missile Training
Wing, consider this... in this age of budget cuts and the big
draw down of our military forces, it is obvious that the
USAF is doing its best to keep the most illustrious, historically famous combat units alive and active. That the 44th
has again been selected to be one of the diminishing number of active units is testimony to its prestigious ranking
among the finest.
The next pleasing news is our finances. I know some of you
are still adjusting to being privy to ourfinancialstatus on
a regular basis, but please take a look at our 1995 Budget
Analysis and Closing Balance Sheet elsewhere in this issue.
How quickly we have come from nothing but the echoes of
the HMG in the till to some figures that mean we are at the
point where we can really start to budget and expend some
significant funds in the memorial and heritage areas that
1
Roy Owen, President
�The Dollar and Cents
of the
44th Bomb Group
Veterans Association
44th BGVA YEAR END BUDGET ANALYSIS
CALENDAR YEAR 1995
Actual Budget Over Under
Income:
Amortized Life
Memberships 15 Yr s/d
Regular Memberships
Reunion
Donations
Interest Income
Totals
Difference
1703 2175
8180 11250
9082 2500
2524
300
500
1512
23001 16725
- 6276
472
3070
6582
2224
1012
9818 3542
- 6276
44th BOMB GROUP VETERANS ASSOCIATION
BALANCE SHEET
as of December 31, 1995
ASSETS
Other Income (Not Budgeted)
Caps
Rosters
Total Other Income
Total Income for Period $23,867
Expenses (Budgeted)
8 Ball Tails
7179 6000
Historian - W Lundy
562 900
- 600
Unit Historians
- 200
Archive Research
Member Research- A. Hand 696
600
Membership Roster-Shepherd 91
200
1037
Treasurer
400
Directors Travel
3198 4500
1185
President (Adm & Travel
900
Secretary
- 300
Tax Exempt IRS Fee
465
465
150
85
Bulk Mail Permit
14498 15215
Totals
717
Differences
Items Not Budgeted
Membership Mailing
Insurance & Bond
Condolences
Total Other Expense
Total Expense
Income for Period
Unexpended Funds
1179
338
600
200
LIABILITIES
Tower Fund
506 Squadron Fund
Strong Memorial
Life Memberships
Less Amortized Amount
Total Liabilities
96
109
637
1302
285
-
300
65
806.40
14.99
168.50
25.373.73
$37,785.38
9,500.00
429.36
954.00
14,550.00
3.446.71
11.103.29
$21,986.65
SURPL US - EQ ULTYNON COMMITTED FUNDS
Balance 1/1/95
Non-Committed Funds
12/31/95
Total Liabilities 8c Surplus
12/31/95
2197 2914
717
11,319.38
98.38
Banks
Bulk Mail Deposit Balance
Inventories
Roster Books
44th Caps
2nd Air Division Books
First Security Investors Services
Total Current Assets
554
312
866
-
747
105
89
941
7,370.50
8.428.24
15.798.73
37,785.38
The 8-Ball Tails
Official Journal of The 44th Bomb
Group Veterans Association, Inc.,
A Non-Profit Veterans Association
Chartered in the State of Illinois
15439
23867
$8,428
Compiled, written and published ui-yearlyat 6304 Meadowridge Dr., Santa Rosa,
95409. Roy W . Owen, President and Editor. Printed and mailed Bulk Rate at Salt Lake
City, U T under USPS Permit #6923. Generally, the material herein is non-copyright
except when so noted. The text and photos are otherwise reproduced from personal
photographs, diaries,memoirsor official U S A A F and U S A F documents and photoswhich
have been released for publication. Exceptfor copyright material, permission is granted
for the contents of this journal lobe reproduced for personal archives or the journal of
odier incorporated non-profit Veterans organizations so long as this publication is
properly credited.
Those submitting letters, storiesand photos to the Editor or Historian mustdo
understanding that this mate rial will most likely be published asa matter of interest to the
members/subscribers of the Association and this journal. While every attempt will be
made toanswerallof the material received, there is no explicitor implied guarantee that
an answer will be provided or published. Except for specific requests for the return of
original documents and photos, all material submitted will become property of The 44lh
B o m b Group Veterans Association, Inc.
Due to space limitations and to ensure the clarity and brevity of submitted m
Publisher/Editor reserves the editorial license to add, cut or otherwise modify all
submitted material so long as the original context of the material is maintained.
11
�T h e 2 n d A D I V Annual Southern California Regional Reunion
February 2 4 , 1 9 3 6
Your President and wife, Lolly, were pleased to joinincredible success in the movie industry with such
with eight other 8-Ballers at the El Torn MCAS for movies as Marty, Strategic Air Command and
the 15th of these annual affairs. Most impressive
Gathering of Eagles, shot at Beale AFB, California.
was the Julian Ertz family. Along with Julian was wife
His talk was rewarded by a standing ovation.
Paula, daughters Beth, Jill, Bera and husband Don
Bordoni, and son Scott. With Beth doing vocals and Another highlight for your Prez was the attendance
Jill on piano, they were one of the highlights of the of Ed "Casey" Jarvis (506th) and his lovely wife,
Helen. Casey was pilot of the sister crew to our (Bill
program. The featured speaker was former 467th
Smith) crew (OTU'ed together, sailed over on the He
BG pilot and post-war Academy Award winning
de France, etc.). We hadn't seen one another for 51
Producer/Director (Marty) Delbert Mann. Del,
years! Casey and Helen will be joining us again in
accompanied by his lovely wife Ann, gave a
beautifully described account of his training and St. Louis.
combat experience. He then moved onto his
44th'ers at the 2nd ADIV So. California Regional Reunion.
Back Row L to R- Norm Tillner, Roy Owen, Casey Jarvis, John
Milliken. Front Row L to R- Will Lundy, Julian Ertz, Jay Spencer,
John Gately, Mort Weinstein.
Roy & Lolly with Helen iff Casey Jarvis.
Del and Ann Mann
with the Prez.
12
•
�BEATING THE BUSHES
by Art Hand & Will Lundy
LAURENCE
(LARRY) BLITZ, LT.: 76 Dresden Circle, Goshen,
Connecucut06756.67th Sq.NavigatorforSwartz& Monroe. Arrived
Feb. '45.
STILL FINDING 44TH COMRADES
Refer again, if you will to the article "Search-Roster-Mail WILBUR G. BENJAMIN: Box 1794, Estes Park, Colorado 80517
(303) 586-6750. 68th Sq. Navigator on Gildart's crew. Completed
List."
his tour 12 June '44.
Would you believe we are still getting letters CARL
fromA. former
HAMM: 2248 HoneysuckleLane, Sumpter, South Carolina
44th folks who, one way or the other, have just recently 29150 (803) 469-0246. Carl was with us at Barksdale Field, L A in '42.
discovered the existence of any kind of 44th organization
and are eager to join. That, along with the magnificent STANLEY J. GERASIMCZYK: 105-01 Sutter Avenue, Ozone Park,
work Art Hand does with his CD-ROM telephone directory, NewYorkll417 (718) 641-3263. 66th Sq. Bombardier on Lt.Hofhz
crew. Sept. '44/Mar '45.
we are keeping well ahead of our attrition. Time is
marching on and we want tofindthose 44th comrades FRANK PECHACEKJ 15614 Gypsy Street, Corpus Christi, Texas
who still are missing the reunion visits and on-going 78418-6455. 68thSq. Navigatoron Comstock's crew. Arrived in Feb.
friendships we enjoy within the 44th family. What we '45.
need here is some "recruiting" help. Would you believe
CLIFFORD D. POWELL: Box 625, Thompson Falls, Montana
there are (at present) nearly 2,000 former 44th folks 59873. 506th Sq. Gunner on Lt. Lucas' crew. Arrived in Feb '44.
who are very much alive and who have never belonged
to a 44th association of any kind. Art is Finding these BRIAN J. MCKENNA: 190 Buttrick Avenue, Bronx, New York
10465. Associate member - Uncle was James P. McKenna. Lost on 6
people and now we want to appoint some volunteers
Aug '44.
from each state who Art can depend upon to make
contact with these former 44th veterans. Once Art
DAVIDE. SAYLER: 31462 Waltham Drive, Birmingham, Missouri
provides the name, address and phone number, etc., 48025 (810) 646-1458 . 506th Sq. Lead Pilot Arrived Jan '44.
could you help us bring these "lost ones" into the 44th
SAMUEL H. UPTON: P.O. Box 71833, Las Vegas, Nevada 89170
family? Contact Art Hand and give us a hand.
(702) 893-1093. Lt. Lipton transferred from 68th to 66th Sq. Nov.
'44. Photo Interpreter and Radar Officer.
Editor: Beginning with the last issue, we started this
section as sort of a balance for the Folded Wings section
JOHNR. WALSH: 134 NW4th Street, High Springs, Florida 33643.
to introduce you to the comrades we are Finding, as well
68th Sq. Bombardier for Lt. Hamlyn crew. Arrived in time to make
the Sept. 43 trip to Africa; wounded on 2/25/44.
as those to whom we sayfarewell. The amazing numbers
are those many 44thers out there that Art is Finding
FRANKB. SNEFF: P.O. Box 3994, Santa Susana, California 93093
month after month. Here is a breakdown:
Was Radar Navigator for lead crew pilot, Capt. Armstrong.
3,550 in the computer counting deceased St mail
EDWARD R. HARRELL: Route #3, Box 16, Selmer, Tennessee
returned.
38375. Edward was accidentally dropped from an older roster. Was
611 of these are deceased.
contacted again, and will join again.
231 are mail returned.
2,708 are living and on the mailing list.
ORVLLLEP. BALL: 2520 North Island Drive, Shelton, Washington
147 Life Members
98584-9403. Orville located the 2nd A D A and Pete Henry gave us
his address.
6 Widows
1 Honorary
WARRENIGLES, JR.: 1711 Methodist St., Carlyle, Illinois 622
4 Associates
(618) 594-4302. This is Warren's son who gave m e the sad news that
2 Complimentary
his Dad passed away back in 1956. Warren married a Scottish girl.
864 Total Membership
DAVID A. GIORDANO: 7402 Weather Worn Way, Columbia,
Maryland 21046. Tony Mastradone has spent so m u c h time at the
SEARCH REPORT: Last two years: 1,263 total searches.
Archives that he converted one of his contacts there. A n Associate
170 located using phone disks.
- Welcome!
Last six months: 162 searches
39 located.
NEWMEMBERS:
4969 Jos. W . Keebortz 444 Cardinal Avenue
24 located, deceased.
Harrodsburg, Kentucky 40330-2149
65 have not replied.
4971 Robert Hensler
2032 Pleasant Street
South Bend, Indiana 46615
4972 Jeanne B. Chelsea 4112 East 30th Street
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74114
(Widow of Ray Ciesielski)
JOSEPH A. SALHANEY: 732 Cortez Avenue, Lady Lake, Florida 4973 Mrs. Dee Walters Rt. 1 Box 389
Osage Beach, Missouri 65065
32159 (904) 753-3715. 67th Sq. Waist Gunner on Lt. Wards. Arrived
(Sister of Ray Ciesielski mid-1944.
See Folded Wings)
ELLIS R. SEATON: 209 South Grant, Clinton, Illinois 61727
(217)935-6019. 67th Sq. Gunner for Capt. Orthman. From 492nd
B G August '44.
13
�WILL SEZ
use. These types of things m a k e our history c o m e to
life for anyone wanting to learn more about us. So
again, all you 44thers, try to remember m y pleas for
each of you to search your records, if you have any,
or try to recall any events which still remain clear to
you today. Please get these things recorded in any
way convenient, writing, typing, tapes or videos and
Art Hand continues to do a fantastic job of locatingsend them to m e . I cannot do m y work as a historian
properly if I can't get your input. S o again, h o w
m a n y more of our long "lost" friends and buddies, as
about it!!!
you will see elsewhere in this edition. It is sad to
learn that so m a n y have not been found in time, and
I must also tell you that a good friend and former
are n o w listed in the "Folded Wings" section.
C O . of the 66th Squadron, Charles Hughes,
donated nearly all of his official 66th Squadron
Tony and Cathy Mastradone continue to haunt the
Archives, but n o w the Archives have been relocated
records covering the last six months of the war! Also,
he had m a n y great photos which I have n o w added
much closer to their home. This n e w huge complex
to our 44th B G albums. Best of all, he had obtained
is only about five miles from Lanham, but during the
heavy snows earlier this year, it took them nearly two a file covering the Ploesti mission, from the planning
phase through the actual event...some 150 pages,
hours to get home. Thanks to Tony's persistence
including a listing of (nearly) all the n a m e s of m e n
and cooperation, he has become good friends with
w h o participated. Charles obtained this package at a
several of the workers. In fact, one of them has
meeting of all Ploesti P O W Veterans, a copy
become so interested in Tony's efforts, that he has
become an Associate M e m b e r of our 44th BGVA!!
supplied to each m a n attending. This work w a s
Perhaps w e can get the Mastradones to write an
compiled in 1945 and is great due to the fact that our
article about their efforts in locating more of our
entire mission folder for that mission by the 44th is
historical records.
missing from the Archives! It is helping to partially fill
a big void.
Let me again remind you that you can contribute to
the "gravy" of our heritage by continuing to send in
Remember...keep those cards and letters coming.
your stories about your time with the 44th - be it
during World W a r II or up to the present time. SevWill Lundy
eral of you have been good enough to permit m e to
copy your diaries lately, adding to the 44th B G
records. T w o of these diaries were rather extensive
and compiled by ground personnel. Both Ray
Marner and Ted Morgenthaller have enriched our
records with their day to day work and experiences,
both on and off the base. To m e this is priceless, as
it gives m e records and events not included in the
official papers normally microfilmed. Norm Kiefer
utilized s o m e of Ray's diaries in his "Green Nosed
Flying Eightballs" of course; but there is so much
more in it about attacks on the field, or near it, dates
and times that can be very useful for anyone wanting to learn more about daily routines on the base
over two and a half years. Ted, too, has recorded
many events which I had forgotten. H e even has his
daily schedule of train arrivals to and from Thuxton,
Herb Light with Will Lundy in San Antonio. Herb was Bombardier on
the Reg Phillips crew flying Lemon Drop on the Ploesti Mission. One of
as well as various trips on passes, etc. I a m very
our "old timers" he joined the 68th on 8/3/42 finished his tour 8/22/
happy to get them and hope to put them to good
By the time that you read this, it will have been a
long time after Christmas; but, please permit m e to
thank you sincerely for your many Christmas cards
and good wishes. They were appreciated, though I
failed to answer several. Please forgive m e for not
getting back to you.
43. Credited with destroying one FW190. He's a "Senior Beach Boy" now
living in Laguna Beach, CA.
14
�66th Squadron from C. Hughes' files.
Station Headquarters
44th Bombardment Group (H) A A F
AAF115
A P 0 558
A/JHG/15
20 June 1944
SUBJECT: Relief of Combat Crews.
TO: Commanding Officers, 66th, 67th, 68th, 506th Bomb Sq.
1. Your attention is invited to teletype 2BD U-764-B.
2. a. It is anticipated that combat crews can be relieved upon completion of 30 to 35 missions until
flow of replacements operates sufficiently smooth to effect relief at 30 missions.
b. All missions flown between 0001 hours 6 June 1944 and 0001 hours 18 June 1944, are classified
as tactical missions. While sortie credits will be given for these missions, relief from combat will
be based on strategic missions flown. Each tactical mission overfive(5) flown between dates
indicated, will be credited towards completion of tour.
c. It will be necessary in some instances to fly crew members for as many as 35 missions before
relief can be effected. It is not contemplated, however, to fly any crew m e m b e r beyond 30
strategic missions.
d. If flow of replacements is sufficient to maintain minimum crew strength for this group, all
missions performed between 6th and 18th of June will be given full credit towards completion of
an operational tour.
e. Commanders will scrutinize all members of combat crews flying over 30 missions for evidence
of flying fatigue. In such instances, relief from combat will be effected regardless of type of
missions flown.
f. Priority for relief from combat among m e n having equal number of sortie credits will be given to
m e n w h o have been in this theater the longest.
3. It is desired that the policy outlined above be disseminated to all combat crew members of your
command. Emphasis will be placed upon the importance of the present campaign; the desirability
and necessity for maintaining full combat strength and effectiveness at this time, and the difficulty in
securing sufficient replacements during stepped-up operations.
John H. Gibson
Colonel, Air Corps,
Commanding.
15
�66th Squadron from C. Hughes'files(Continued):
* 66th Squadron
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16
�urn mm it GROUP VETERANS
ASSOCLA TLOr\ ROARD
FOLDED WINGS
Allen, John W .
04/20/95
Alvarez, Rafael C.
Unk
Anderson, Ned
11/10/95
Beiber, George
05/23/95
Boyette, Donald
Unk
Bumbicka, Jos. "Boogie" 11/30/95
Cervallera, Samuel M .
Unk
Cicon, Michael J.
02/96
Ciesielski, Ray
'80
*name changed to Chelsea
Cuddeback, Roger E.
2/96
Curry, T o m P.
Unk
Dolan, William
11/10/95
Eichensehr, Walter H.
03/95
Faust, Harold G. Eng Off 12/11/95
Gilliland, J.A.
Unk
Hedinger, Herbert A.
09/28/95
Holbrook, Charles
Unk
Hornberger, W m . H.
06/16/93
Igles, Warren
'56
Jenkins, Harry W .
02/09/96
Kerry, Ronald L.
Unk
Marinos, Jack, M/Sgt.
'95
Miller, Carl
10/01/95
02/04/96
Nugent, George
Patrichuck, Andrew E.
'89
02/21/96
Piatt, Lawrence J.
Ramsey, George K
02/09/96
Rausch, William H.
11/28/94
Ray, Joe
Unk
08/25/95
Smith, Kenneth R.
Unk
Tarzia, Michael
10/04/95
Welsh, Dr. Maurice
Unk
Whitlock, DoyV.
506th
68th
68th
506th
68th
506th
Unk
66th
506th
66th
68th
68th
506th
66th
67th
68/506
66th
68th
Unk
66th
67th
506th
506th
67/506
506th
68th
506th
66/68
Unk
68th
68th
68th
506th
The following FoldedWings were on the
crew (506th):
Robert F. Lucas
Capella, Bernard J. Navigator
Kirchner, Donald E., Bombardier
Bass, John F., Flight Engineer
Hammer, Lloyd W . L W Gunner
DuBail, Arthur W.,B Gunner
Luther, Ernest C , Tail Gunner
Waska, Charles D.,Co-Pilot
'90
Unk
Unk
Unk
Unk
Unk
Unk
This is a partial list of our deceased 44th comrades. We
will continue to catch up [he
on list with each issue, as
well as list new Folded Wings
President: Roy W. Owen (506th)
6304 Meadowridge Drive
Santa Rosa, California 95409
Phone: (707) 538-4726 Fax: (707) 5381 2 1 2
Vice President: James H. Clements (506th)
4124 Calculus Avenue
Dallas, Texas 75244
Phone/Fax: (2 1 4) 243-4657
Secretary: Edward M. Dobson (67th)
1 18 South l 5th Avenue, # l
Bozeman, Montana 597 15-4130
Phone/Fax: (406) 587-2490
Treasurer: Gerald (Jerry) Folsom (506th)
954 Lowell Avenue
Salt Lake City, Utah 84 1 02-3620
Phone: (80 1) 359-6 1 59 Fax: (80 1) 533-8747
Office Historian: C.W. "Will" Lundy
3295 North "H" Street
San Bernardino, California 92405-2809
Phone/Fax: (909) 882-244 1
44th Group Vice President to 2nd ADA:
Richard D.Butler
1 6494 Wagon Wheel Drive
Riverside, California 92506
Phone: (909) 780-742 1 Fax: (909) 7801 459
Director: Edw. K. "Mike" Mikoloski (66th)
626 Smithfield Road #702
N. Providence, Rhode Island 02 904
Phone: (40 1) 3 5 3 0 1 44
Director: Robert 1. "Bob" Brown (67th)
#8MetairieCourt
San Ramon, California 94583-3824
Phone: (5 1 0) 828-4529 Fax: (5 1 0) 8281 55 1
Director: Robert J. Lehnhausen (68th)
709 West Meadows Place
Peoria, Illinois 6 1 604-3447
Phone/Fax: (309) 685-2490
Director: Sherman N. "Bud" Dowett (506th)
14550 Wolf Road
Grass Valley, California 95949
Phone/Fax: (916) 268-1019
Director: Melvin G. Trager (HQ Sq.)
2522 Red Oak Trail
Crest Hill, Illinois 60435-3 1 97
Phone: (8 I 5) 725-3439
�MISCELLANIA
A RED FACE OVER "CORKY"
BACK ISSUES - 8-BALL TAILS
Your President/Editor is obviously not a Journalism
We have a limited supply of all four back issue
major, just a rookie doing his best. I would wager,
The 8-Ball Tails. They will cost you $1 for #1 and
however, that one of the elements of Journalism
$2/each for #2, 3 and 4, plus $ 3 (2nd day) for all
101 is always get the n a m e of a person spelled
four or $ 1.10 postage each individually.
correctly. I really try hard at that, and in spite of the
typo errors you occasionally see, I proofread 'till
I'm blue in the face. Last issue, in fact, I proofread
the "Corky" article with such intensity that I
overlooked the omission of the author's n a m e at
the heading, not a misspelling, I m e a n the whole
n a m e ! I've had a big time case of the red face
Through the good efforts of our Treasurer, the
since. I've m a d e m y apologies to Doctor Robert
B G V A is the owner of one of the 1,000 autographed
"Bob" Reid and a m extending it to our m e m b e r s
lithograph copies of the renowned aviation artist
herewith. Bob, as he prefers to be called, is a 42Robert Taylor painting, "Welcome Sight" which
year old Physician of Nuclear Medicine w h o resides
depicts the return of several 44th B o m b Group Bin London, Ontario, Canada. Since his acquisition
2 4 Liberators from a combat mission on a course
of the original "Welcome Sight" painting and the
taking them over the famous Ely Cathedral. The
resulting quest to Find the crew and the full story of
cathedral was a welcome landmark to the returning
"Corky," Bob has b e c o m e a staunch m e m b e r of the
combat weary crews. The n e w acquisition will be
44th BGVA. For him, the story you read in the last
featured in the 44th B o m b Group display case in
issue is far from being Finished. The search of the
the n e w Mighty Eighth Air Force M u s e u m in
crash site and the fate of the crew is an on-going
Savannah, Georgia sometime in 1997.
quest. Bob returned once more to Dortmand to be
there January 2 8 (the Anniversary of "Corky's" last
Since the distribution of our Winter issue of T
flight.) He has found eye witnesses and ofFicial
Ball Tails featuring "Welcome Sight" on its cover,
documents which bring the factual fate of a downed
w e have had a number of requests asking where
crew never before revealed with such clarity. This
one could obtain one of the 1,000 copies of this
from an amazing m a n whose odyssey began with
beautiful painting. Unfortunately (not for the gallery
the purchase of a piece of art depicting a part of the
with the marketing contract), the entire 1,000
World War II Air War over Europe. The next chapter
have been sold. At this point, they are only to be
of the "Corky" story is in being and will be included
obtained on the secondary market which is very
in the S u m m e r issue of 8-Ball Tails. Stay tuned.
tight. Apparently there were very few speculative
buyers in the initial release. In other words, those
w h o bought intended to keep.
o o o
MORE ABOUT "WELCOME SIGHT"
o o o
During our trip to attend the 2nd ADIV Southern
IF YOU LIKE YOUR 8-BALL TAILS California Reunion, Lolly and I visited the Virginia
Bader Gallery in Costa Mesa, California w h o
marketed the original issue. She informed m e that
If you have a red spot on your address label, we
a very few are available at a market price of about
don't have your '96 dues or Life Membership as
$400. The gallery is located at: The Countryside
of March 1, 1996. Your membership became
Center, 355 Bristol Street, Costa Mesa, California;
inactive on April 1, 1996. This will be your LAST
phone (800) 328-5826; fax (714) 662-3760.
ISSUE of the 8-BaIl Tails.
o o o
Please renew by June 1.
W e don't want to lose you!
•
�M
V
»
issouri Waltz
V
eet Wle In St Louis
so you don t
sing the
»
St Louis I]lues
�44TH BOMB GROUP VETERANS ASSOCIATION
1996 REUNION - October 3 - 7,1996
Holiday Inn Westport
St. Louis, Missouri
REGISTRATION F O R M
SQ # (one only)
SPOUSE
FIRST, (name tag).
LAST NAME
ADDRESS _
CITY
GUESTS _
GUESTS
PHONE # ( .
ZIP
STATE
RELATION
TOTAL TO ATTEND
Q
•
•
•
Option # I
Option # 2
Option # 3
Option # 4
Full Reunion
Thurs, Fri (Sq. Dinner, Sat (Banquet)
Sat (Banquet), Sun (Buffet), Mon (Breakfast)
Saturday Banquet and Dance only
$110.00 per person:
$70.00 per person:
$80.00 per person:
$35.00 per person;
NOJ
NOJ
NOJ
NOJ
J
$
$
$
$13.00 per person: NOJ
St. Louis 8:30-12:30 Friday
$13.00 per person: NOJ
Grant's Farm 1:00-4:30 Friday
Total.
(Please check your arithmetic.)
Meat Selection (Banquet only) O Beef
• Chicken
Sunday Champagne Brunch at Casino St. Charles @ 12:00. I would like to go?• Yes or Q
Q
G
Tour#l:
Tour #2:
$
$
No
How many?
REGISTRATIONS M U S T BE RECEIVED BY SEPTEMBER 16,1996. N O REGISTRATIONS W I L L BE PROCESSED AFTER THAT DATE.
••••NO SHOWS FULL REFUND****
M A I L TO: Jim Clements • 4124 Calculus
Dallas, T X 75244-7311
<v
44TH BOMB GROUP VETERANS ASSOCIATION
1996 REUNION OCTOBER 3-7,1996
Cut on line!
HOTEL RESERVATION F O R M
PHONE# (
FIRST
LAST NAME
STATE
CITY
ADDRESS
# IN ROOM
# OF NIGHT*
•
SHARING ROOM W/
nFPARTIIRFnATF
. ARRIVAL DATE
SMOKING
Q
ZIP
•
NONSMOKING
KING G
2DBL
Check in time is 3:00 p.m.; Check out Noon. Rate: $69 (up to two in room) + Tax 13.224%
CUT OFF DATE: September 9,1996. Reservations received after this date will be processed on a space available basis. Rates are firm for days before
and after reunion.
CANCELLATION:^^ refundable if cancellation is received 48 hours in advance of arrival. Record your cancellation number. Call (314) 434-0100.
TO'CONFIRM YOUR RESERVATION, INCLUDE'FIRST NIGHT'S DEPOSIlB)'CHECKPAYABLETOHOLIDAY INN WESTPORT, OR MAJOR CREDIT CARD INFORMATION.
SIGNATURE
AMOUNT
CREDIT CARD #
< & J
DATE
TYPE
EXP. DATE
Mail to: Holiday Inn W e s t p o r t • 1973 Craigshire • S t Louis, M O 63146
Airport Limousine Available: Call from courtesy phone in lobby.
CHECK # _
�1996 44th BOMB GROUP VETERANS ASSOCIATION
(£2^ REUNION NOTES
It is absolutely imperative that registrations be received by September 16, 1996. No registrations will be processed after that
If there Is some question about being able to attend, send your registration In anyway as all no shows will be refunded. If, however,
you have sent your registration In earlier and lt become apparent you will not be able to attend, please let us k n o w as soon as
possible, so w e oan keep our numbers straight with the hotel.
The options listed on the Reunion Registration Form are designed to make your schedule more suitable and equitable. There can be
no deviations.
The Registration Desk will be open Friday at noon for those arriving on Option #2. For those that selected Option #3, the Regist
Desk will be open from 11:30 to 1:00 Saturday to pick up Registration Envelopes. The Registration Desk will again be open at 9:30
Saturday for those amending on Option #4, at which time late arrivals on Option #3 m a y get their tickets. Please double check your
registration before sending it to ensure you are paying the correct amount.
There will be a large Bulletin Board in the lobby that will have complete information regarding the events of the reunion. Most
questions you might have will be answered on the board. Dress Code: Informal, except Banquet night. Jackets and ties for the
gentlemen and dressy attire for the ladles.
Tour 01: See St. Louis.
For those of you that have not visited St. Louis recently or never have, this tour will give you a chance to become familiar with
The Gateway to the West.
A stop at the Cathedral of St. Louis is inoluded. The Interior contains one of the largest and most beautiful displays of mosaic
In the Western Hemisphere - covering domed ceilings, numerous arches and wall panels.
A narrated tour will acquaint you with the city's downtown/civic area. You'll learn both past and present history of Laclede's
Landing and the historic riverfront.
A stop for picture taking will be made at the magnificent Gateway Arch.
Other interesting sights of the city will be Included as time permits.
Metrolink
For those of you that would like to enjoy some of the other points of Interest, the Metrolink is highly recommended. It will get
you to your destination quicker than you can drive in your car, and with no parking worries. The Hotel will furnish Limo service
to and from the airport Main Station. Fare to any station on the route Is onlyfiftycents. There will be a m a p of the routes on
the Bulletin with all the information you will need to make your trip a success.
TOUS #2: QUANT'S FARM
Located on the estate of the late August Busch, Jr., Grant's Farm is one of the most popular attractions in St. Louis. Built on land
once farmed by Ulysses S. Grant, lt n o w has a miniature zoo, bird and animal shows, a collection of horsedrawn carriages and a
trophy room. Ride through the game preserve on a trackless train where you will see the various animals and a log cabin built
by Grant In 18S4. A visit to the Clydesdale stallion barn is a highlight of this attraction.
Enjoy a lunch or snack on your own In the Bauernhof Courtyard.
Tour No. 1 and Sore so times that you will be able to enjoy both of them; even if it shghtly delays your lunch until approximately 1:30 at the Bauernhof Courtyard at Grant's Farm.
HISTOBTCST, PTTA1T-F*
Founded in 1769 lt Is the oldest city of the Missouri River and was Missouri's first State Capitol. M a n y craft, antique and
speciality gift shops line the cobblestone streets. There are wine gardens of the small Missouri's wineries.
The day we will be there St. Charles will be celebrating Oktoberfest. Oktoberfest Is a citywide celebration of St. Charles' Germa
heritage, featuring a parade, G e r m a n bands, grape stomps, ethnic food, costumes and enjoyment. There will be a free shuttle bus
making the rounds of the activities.
Shuttle buses will start loading at the hotel on Saturday at 1:00, and the last one will leave St. Charles from a designated loca
at 4:30. However, any one can return at any time on our buses.
CASINO ST. CHARLES
On Sundays the Casino features a lavish Champagne Brunch of more than twenty selections of palatable foods for $8.98 (with
discount coupon). There will be free admission to the casino after brunch.
The bus from the Casino will pick up those wishing to go at 12:00, returning at 3:00. As the bug.to being furnished at no charge,
ittonecessary w e have reservations before hand. Therefore, on your registration form, please check the appropriate place.
�44TH BOMB GROUP VETERANS
ASSOCIATION
1996 REUNIOI
HOLIDAY INN WESTPORT
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Kegistration all day.
1'2.-00Mospitallty Koom opens.
4:00 to 5:00 Keception Ballroom.
'Dinner on your own.
8:30 - 12:00 Zour #/. See St. Coin's
10:00Mospitallty Koom opens.
12=30 - 4:00 Zour #2. grants farm
6-.00 Squadron Dinners - ballroom
(Koom assignments to be announced).
9:30 -11:30 general business Meeting
12:00Mospitallty Koom.
1.00 Shuttle buses to St. Charles
4:30 Cast bus returns to hotel
6:00 banquet: Color guards and candle lighting
8:00 - 1 hOO Dance with Air Rational Quard Band
October 6. Sunday
10:00Mospitallty Koom opens.
6:30 Buffet Ballroom - entertainment to follow
October 7, Monday 7.-30 -10.00 farewell Buffet Breakfast in Ballroom.
yu»»»»»»&
�We're looking for memories of
James McKenna...
KEEPING US INFORMED
If you hear of a 44th'er that does not belong to our
Editor: This comes to us from Tom McKenna who, with his
Association, or has passed away, please notify:
son Chris joined us in San Antonio seeking anyone who could
Art Hand
remember his brother, Jim, 66th Pilot, KIA over Hamburg
517 Elm Street
August 6, 1944. We are printing this in hopes that among those
Paris, Illinois 61994.
unable to join us at the reunion, we may get some response from
those who knew Jim McKenna. I'm sure Tom and Chris didn't
Phone/Tax: (217) 463-5905.
reach all the people at the Reunion who may have known some
or all of the 66th Squadron Jim McKenna crew. If you
remember them, get in touch with Tom.
Change of address, please notify:
Tom Shepherd
10597 Cambrooke Cove
Collierville, Tennessee 38017.
Phone: (901) 854-6558
Fax: (901) 853-4229
Letter from Tom McKenna (Brother of James McKenna)
February 2,1996
NOTICE:
If you have a fax or an E-Mail address, drop Art a
note so he can put it in the Roster.
o o o
Will:
I enclose 19 typewritten pages from the Graves Registration
Dept. of the U S Gov't in regards to the death of m y brother, Jim.
A s well as the missing members of his crew - Byrne, Goo, Greno
and Sheldon, I thought you would find this of interest (Very
m u c h so!)
I enclose photos of Jim, his co-pilot Grene and Stanley Sheldo
I have been unable to locate a photo of W m . G o o thus far; but I
will keep trying. I thought you would like to see what the
people looked like that were involved in the tragedy.
44TH BGVA ROSTERS
It took
over 50 years to learn what happened to my brother, Jim
For you late joiners and short memoried long
time
It seems incredible to m e that the U S Gov't knew all along, but
members, we want to remind you that our
did not release this information until required to do so under
membership rosters are still available from Art
F.O.I. 50 years after the fact. In addition, to h o w m y brother
Hand for $7 postpaid. It is a wonderful way to keep died was not contained in his o w n individual deceased
track of your crew and other squadron friends and personnel file!! It was contained in the I.D.P.F. of Capt. Austin
P. Byrne!!
it is kept up-to-date with addenda published
regularly.
Chris and I enjoyed our visit to San Antonio. I believe this is
Send a check made out to 44th BGVA to our
Treasurer (please note ROSTER) in the lower left
corner of your check. Mail your order to:
Gerald W. Folsom, Treasurer
44th BGVA
P.O. Box 2367
Salt Lake City, Utah 84110-2367
where Jim did his training to be a pilot. W e went to several
bases while in the San Antonio area and I recognized one base
from the photos Jim sent h o m e while in training. O n the w a y
back h o m e from San Antonio, Chris pointed out that Percy
Gaudin was in Bay St. Louie, M S on 1-10 and that w e would
pass his h o m e on our return trip. W e , therefore, went in to see
him. H e was delighted. W e talked for four hours.
Unfortunately, he is blind from lack of Vitamin A while in the
P O W camps. I was so pleased to see him after 50 years, as he
had visited our h o m e in May, 1945 for one day after his release
from P O W camp. Therefore, even though I met no one at the
San Antonio Reunion that knew Jim, your membership book for
the 44th B G V A made it possible for us to locate and visit Percy
Gaudin.
The 2nd AD and the 44th BGVA are great organizations,
wonderful people making up both groups. I had to do a report
for m y local 8th Air Force Historical Association in regards to
m y trip to England for V-E Day. I was told it was pretty good,
so I a m sending you a copy. I think the enclosed is sufficient for
the time being. I have more info for you, but unfortunately m y
work does not leave too m u c h spare time. I will write again
w h e n I get a chance.
Tom McKenna (r) with Percy Gaudin, Tail Gunner on the Lt.
Jim McKenna crew - shot down over Hamburg, Germany
Aug. 6, 1944. POW until 5/45.
19
Best regards to you and Irene,
Tom
190 Buttrich Avenue
Bronx, N Y 10465
�We're looking for memories of
James McKenna... (Continued):
Editor: This is reprinted from the December '95 issue of the New
York Southern Wing Chapter of the Eighth Air Force Historical
Society "Voice of the Mighty Eighth in N. Y."
A Brother Returns to East Anglia
Over fifty years had gone by since the death of my
brother on August 6, 1944. Lt James P. McKenna was a
pilot of a B-24 Liberator, who was killed on a mission over
Hamburg, Germany. H e was a member of the 44th B o m b
Group, 66th B o m b Squadron. H e was flying deputy lead
for the 492nd BG, and as a Pathfinder, had special
equipment in the event of clouds over the target The
target was the Schlau Oil Refinery. Almost immediately
after the bombs were dropped, the ship was hit by three or
four antiaircraft shells. H e managed to pull it out of two
separate dives. During this time, ten chutes of a crew of
twelve, were seen leaving the plane. The ship then went
into a tight spin and crashed near the target area. It was
12:10 PM, English time. This was Jim's twenty sixth and
final mission.
I had always wanted to see the base where Jim was
stationed, and meet some of the m e n he served with. All
we ever learned from his letters, was that he was
"Somewhere in England." W h e n the opportunity came
about (through the Second Air Division ) to attend the V E
Day celebration in England, we jumped at the chance. The
experience far exceeded our greatest expectations. M y son
Brian and I flew to London. From there we traveled by bus
to The Nelson Hotel in Norwich. There was a planned
activity most every day. W e had the honor of meeting some
people from the 44th B G and visited the base at
Shipdham. Standing at the air base where Jim was
stationed was awesome. This was the "Somewhere in
England," that Jim had written aboutfiftyyears ago.
W e met with the group from the Arrow Air Service
which has a flying club at the base. Our tour group was
headed by Will Lundy of the 44th BG. W e wish commend
Lt. James McKenna, freshly commissioned from
Aviation Cadets and home on leave, Oct. '45.
him for his excellent work. W e were given a luncheon at
the Club and then the tour group went to a reception at the
town of Shipdham. W e took part in their Memorial
celebration; we could not have been treated better.
There was a service at the Norwich Cathedral which wa
most impressive. However, during the service, the recorded
sound of bombers taking off from East Anglia for their
missions over Europe, resounded throughout the
Cathedral. W h e n I realized that one of these planes could
have been my brother Jim's plane, taking off on the final
mission, it brought a lump to m y throat and shivers up my
spine. I saw some in the Cathedral with tears in their eyes
for the memories of those that never returned.
We visited the 2AD Memorial Library in Norwich. We we
quite impressed with die records that were available to us
and with the graciousness of the staff. In spite of a
devastatingfireto the Library in August of 1994, this
temporary alternative has done a marvelous jobfillingthe
void. The Roll of Honor has been replaced and the records
of all the b o m b groups are available for inspection. A larger
and more beautiful library will arise from the ashes.
We attended a memorial at Maddingly Cemetery in
Cambridge. This was by far the most touching and
emotional experience of our visit to England. T o see all
those names of the m e n missing in action from this terrible
conflict touched a nerve of remembrance, as Jim was M.I.A.
for three years after World War II.
20
This trip was by far the best experience I have ever
There is so much to see in England, and the English people
could not have been more gracious or welcoming. It
became quite apparent during this trip, that they are much
more aware, and appreciative, of the sacrifices made by the
m e n of the Eighth Air Force, than we are in America.
�In the past two issues of 8-Ball Tails, there have been
letters and photos relating to the bombing attack made on
the field. I personally had a story to tell about it - may
appear elsewhere in this issue, but while at San Antonio
Reunion, I was given yet another story, clarifying a couple
items appearing in these accounts.
David Nathanson, who served first as the 67th Squadron's
Ordnance Officer and the later Group Ordnance Officer,
flagged me down to give me a copy of photos of the actual
Butterfly bomb (hope that they will reproduce sufficiently
for use here) as well as the unit that they used to detonate
those bombs when located.
David also hastened to correct the method used to locate
these nasty little antipersonnel bombs. The method used
to locate them was by his personnel, not animals. It took
three sweeps by his men fanned out a few feet apart,
slowly working the entire area, one slow step at a time,
eyes glued to the space ahead of each man, being ever so
careful not to step on those devilish contraptions. David
said that it took three sweeps of the field before it could be
declared fit for operations again.
David's photos show a close-up of one bomb located, and
the second photo shows one method used (instrument
used) to detonate them. At least two others were later
located - one as told by Charles Wagner on Page 28 and
29, Summer 1995, and my own experience.
B»jv} ^^B
Thanks David for your information. Are there any others?
I M'' L 1 K *s
i*T"* *" v L
<
^HHHHI'mJIP Hi
Capt. Nathanson
�Here's a Follow-On Letter from "Corky"
Radio Operator, Lester J. "Jim" Dietz
Hi Roy,
In response to your request for a story connected to "Corky"; while there are vivid memories
incidents, I am sure many other crews had similar experiences and have better "war stories" to tell.
two which I do believe to be one of a kind.
I believe we were the first to land a heavy bomber in France after the invasion and fly it ou
structural damage to the tail section which caused it to vibrate violently. Aluminum parts were cr
control was difficult. We landed at afighterstrip at St. ho, stayed overnight as I recall and flew back
at Shipdham the next day after some repairs by the fighter maintenance crew. Thefighterpeople tried
us there as they felt we would be nailed by enemy groundfireas we took off. We took off without difficu
returned home to complete the bombing mission to an airfield at Nancy, France on 18 Aug. 1944.
The other unique and perhaps "first" happened on apass to London. These passes were utilized
by air crew and other soldiers. Some went to see historical points of interest and sought cultural e
However our crew, for the most part, had an affinity for gin and orange or whatever was available to do
Then there was the search for girls.
On one such foray, Steve Gilsenen and William Vafiadas made acquaintance with two charming la
after a prolonged drinking bout in a pub, decided to leave. Inasmuch as Steve's lady friend found it im
to stand, Steve picked her up and slung her over his shoulder and proceeded for the exit. As he wobbled
hair slid slowly off and hit thefloor,revealing a totally bald head. This was good for a lot of laughs a
of course, and though it has been 52 years, I can still see them laughing as they told the story. I wis
hear it again from them one more time.
Sincerely,
Jim Dietz
Ukiah, California
�A Great Response to the "Corky" Story
Jan. 15, 1996
Dear Will,
19January 1996
I feel compelled to drop you - and the Canadian
physician (Dr. Robert Reid)- a note to express m y
deep appreciation for the very fine and detailed
historical story in the Winter 1995 issue of the 8-Ball
Tails relative to the last mission of "Corky" and it's
crew.
Dear "Bob",
Your very fine letter just arrived here and it
impressed me so much that I feel I must answer it
right away. Thank you very much for including me in
your thanks for that long and interesting article by
This story served to answer perplexing questions
Dr. Robert Reid, even though I had very little to do
that have lingered in m y mind for all these long years
with it, except to provide some data from my
-- since January 28, 1945! Here's why - two of
papers. (The listing of crew, etc. on page 9 is from
"Corky's" air crew - Robert Lough (co-pilot) and
my Roll ofHonor Book.)
Wayne Scott (navigator) were "hut" mates of mine in
Hut 17. I recall that on this fatal date, when all the
guys were straggling back to the hut after evening
chow, that Lough and Scott were absent. I just had
the feeling that something was 'out of kilter' since
these two mates were usually back in the hut way
before bedtime. Then inquiries about their absence
began to produce vague bits of information - i.e.,
they went down over Germany. Some open chutes
were observed...how many: 1, 2, 3 - maybe? Were
there any survivors? If so, who? To these questions
the answers never came - until I read Dr. Reid's
story! What a relief to finally learn all the answers to
the questions that have been locked into m y mind for
so long!
I confess to the same perplexing questions that you
had about what happened to your friends on
Corwin's plane. Like you, these unanswered
questions and concerns, though suppressed, have
been with me ever since the war. When I retired, or
shortly before I retired in 1978,1 learned about the
2nd ADA's Memorial Library in Norwich, and in 1976
Irene and I went back to Norwich for a visit, and to
see the library and their Roll of
Honor. It was after seeing that
large book full ofnames of our
A,
men who were KIA that my old
^MuC/\
dV> questions came back to the front
Lough and Scott were sadly missed in Hut 17. They
* ™ r r < — _ x _ J burner. I have been searching for
were not only "Comrades in Arms" but also our main
source of night time entertainment! Often at night,
those answers ever since.
when we were all hovered around the tiny pot belly
stove trying to thaw out before hitting the sack,
Finally, about 1986,1 had accumulated sufficient
Lough and Scott would put on a little song and
information about nearly all of the 44th BG losses of
dance (follies style) routine for our enjoyment. They
planes and men, that I compiled a book with this
were pretty good at it...and, somewhat comical, for
information and had it published in a local printing
Lough was a giant of a guy who towered way above
firm. However, due to the expense that must be
Scott, who was of average build. W e called them our
"Mutt and Jeff" song and dance duo. Yes, they were
paid in advance, and because it covered so much
certainly missed in more ways than one by their
suffering and death, I had grave doubts ofit selling
hutmates. May God welcome them into his Kingdom
many copies. So I ordered only 150 books,
as they were welcomed into Hut 17!
hardbound. I guessed wrong, as they all sold within
a couple
Again, thanks to the author of the "Corky" story
and ofmonths. When I requested this firm to
honor their commitment, print more at the same
you for putting it into the current issue of 8-Ball
Tails. Now that all m y questions have been
cost to me, they refused; so I dropped it. I've been
answered, my mind is now at ease. Thank you for a
trying to find the time for the past three years to
grand job superbly done!
update the book - have found many more answers,
corrections,
etc. but can't get it done. Even bought a
Sincerely,
new computer, printer, scanner, software, but still
Lewis R. (Bob) Graham, Co-pilot on the Kent
no progress.
Ackerman Crew (68th)
275 Perry Smith Lane
Caryville, TN 37714
(423) 566-0536
23
�Sorry, got carried away there, but what I want to sayI searched in vain for years to locate the two
survivors from Corky in order to get the whole
is that I am, and have been, willing to share this info
story. Now, Dr. Bob Reid has gone me one better,
with everyone who is interested. I often make
got
much more information. He called me night
copies of these individual stories, sent them to
before last to tell me he was departing in a few da
crewmen, families, etc. Will do this until 1 get it all
for Germany because he located a historian in
revised and reprinted. As I was ground crew from
start to almost the finish, I personally saw all thoseGermany who has visited the crash site, has eyewitnesses, etc. He will have the true facts about
planes and crews go off, saw them return and
plane
and crew when he returns. He promised to
wondered about those that did not. When I learned
that all our men listed on that ROH had only their write up his trip when he returns. I hope to get i
a future newsletter.
name, rank and serial number to show for their
lives; that very little else was available anywhere
about what happened, I first tried to get someone If you don't mind, I'd like to submit your let
to do something to remedy that situation. Failing inRoy Owen for a future "Tails" as well, as you can
inform us all about the fine men who lost their li
that, I decided to dig in, look for the facts. Microfilm
that day. We must not forget them.
got me started, and then I couldn't stop - still can't.
I've donated some of those books to the Norwich
Library, recopied them when the library burned in Again, thank you.
Sincerely,
94, and a few are scattered around - like in the Air
Will Lundy
Force library, others in Norwich. Someday, I'll get a
3295
North
"H" Street
bigger and better one done, but not sure when.
San Bernardino, CA 92405
(909) 882-2441
So, if you have anymore questions about what
happened to men or planes of the 68 th - or the
44th, let me know and I'll give you all the
information that I have up to date. OK? I've tried to
get this info out to our people from time to time,
but most people still aren't aware that I have it.
Just this week I got final confirmation about a 492nd
BG plane which crashed six miles from the base. It
was brought to my attention by a man who thought
he observed a collision, watched in horror as the
plane turned over on its back, circled until it landed
on a house. The facts, just confirmed from papers in
the Archives by Tony Mastradone, state that two
planes loaded with bombs in late afternoon,
climbing for altitude at 17,000 feet were on a
collision course, both banked sharply and
apparently missed, but this one plane could not
right itself, nor regain any kind of control - (part of
wing reported broke off) and crashed and burned
with no crew member being able to get out. Fire
trucks from the base attempted to rescue the men
and extinguish the flames. Two of our firemen were
killed when one or more bombs exploded.
We have just added these two men to our official
ROH! Nearly 52years to get it done.
24
�E.J. McKcnncy (66th) writes to Mike Caroon
with some further word on his father, Ken Caroon.
October 13, 1995
Mike Caroon mf
4144 Durillo Place
Albany, O R 97321
m
g
Dear Mr. Caroon:
I saw your name in the letter to Will Lundy from George Insley that was published in the Summer 1995 issue
of 8-Ball Tails (Vol. 1 Issue #3, page 28).
Your father and I were on the same plane on the Weiner-Neustadt mission, October 1, 1943.1 was flying
right seat with Oakley in left. I was hit with a 2 0 m m cannon H E thru the windscreen o n the first pass of
109's between the IP and the target.
The plane was pretty badly damaged and some time later Oakley rang the bell signal to prepare to bail out.
heard later that two m e n in the waist bailed out at that signal. O n e of these was apparently your father. I had
gone to the open b o m b bay ready to roll out w h e n Oakley signaled m e back, thinking w e could m a k e it. H e
did not give the steady ring to abandon the plane.
We made it back to the Foggia area in Italy in about two more hours and crash landed in a grain field. Jam
Young, besides m e , was pretty badly wounded. I saw him later in a hospital in North Africa and he looked
like he was going to recover.
The British had taken the area about four days before and I was taken to a British field hospital in Foggi
That was m y 6th and last combat mission. Also your dad's.
I understand Oakley was killed in a later mission out of Shipdham. I believe my navigator, Franklin D. Pow
was with him. Franklin Power bailed out low and was a P O W for the rest of the war.
I was also told, I forgot by whom, that the 44th sent out 27 planes that morning for Weiner-Neustadt. Two
aborted. Only one plane got back to the base that evening. I don't know h o w m a n y diverted to other fields in
Italy or Sicily but it was a rough day for the 44th (7 lost).
I did not know your father personally, but we did fly on the same plane on Oct. 1, 1943 on that mission.
Another coincidence, the man you met in Roseburg, George Insley was the first pilot of a crew with waist
gunner Frank Bata. Frank was o n m y crew through phase training in the states and in England and North
Africa. After I was no longer able to fly, he was o n George Insley's crew. H e , like Insley, went through two
tours in the 44th. Frank speaks highly of Insley as a pilot. I a m still in touch with Frank, w h o lives in
Thatcher, Arizona.
Sincerely,
E. J. McKenney
1401 Eighth Avenue
Sacramento, C A 9 5 8 1 8
(916) 442-7945
25
»
�FIRST ( M E A T MISSION
Editor: It seemed appropriate that we follow the E.J. protection
McKenney as well as more defense against the fighters
guns shooting at thefighters.)W h e r e did they
letter, which praise the pilot skills of George Insley, with (More
George's
own account of thefirstcombat mission of the Insley crew. attack? Y o u guessed it! In m y corner, low left and last. So
you can see w h y they called it the "purple heart corner."
M y tail gunner, George Federlin, shot u p all of his
Primary: Danzig
a m m o and the waist gunner took m o r e a m m o to him.
Secondary: Gdynia (hit)
T h e fighters shot u p all of their a m m o and landed,
44th had 13 A / C
refueled, and reloaded and c a m e u p again to have
(44th had 6 A / C 392nd had 7 "H"s)
another go at us. I didn't see anyfightersgo down, nor
9 Oct 43
did w e lose any. T h o u g h I saw one engine with a little
G 870 N o N a m e
s m o k e from something damaged.
It was mid Aug, 1943 when we first arrived at the 44th
B o m b Group in Shipdham, England. W e were sent to About 50 miles west of Denmark, the fighters broke off
attacking, going back to their base. Suddenly I felt the
combat training for a couple of weeks and when we
returned, we found most of the group had gone to the ship yaw and I saw the fuel pressure of #4 drop to zero.
Africa area to do some missions with the 15th Air Force. I feathered #4 and called over the intercom about the
It was during their absence that we were sent on our 1st engine emergency. Just then #3 pressure dropped and
mission. Six new crewsjoined forces with anothergroup I feathered that one. T h e n #1 and 2 dropped off- sure
for our "baptism offire."The target in Poland, was the was quiet; but everyone was too busyscramblingas I rang
German (mission #110) battleship or its supply link. M y the emergency bell in preparation for ditching the
plane in the North Sea. T h e engineer dropped out of
position was low left and last in the "Purple Heart
Corner." It was a long mission. I recorded 9:50 hours of the top turret and into the b o m b bay to find the radio
operator there w h o just pointed at the fuel shut off
flight time.
valves and the engineer turned the valves on and we had
power again. W e were going d o w n at 2000' a minute and
The course tookus over the North Sea crossing Denmark
it looked like it was going to be a cold swim. W h a t
and flying over the sea to Poland. In Denmark, the
happened?
T h e engineer had been transferring fuel
antiaircraft gunners were waiting for us. They were
whenthefightersattacked.Aftertheyleftus, theengineer
putting up a wall for us to fly through. Everything was
new to us, the unknown and scary. As soon as I saw the asked the radio operator to shut off the transfer pumps,
flak, my feet were dancing on the rudder pedals and I which were behind the b o m b bay. Instead, he mistakenly
was all over the sky (Who me? Scared?) and yet trying to shut off the fuel shut off valves, which were in the front
stay in formation. The way I was flying, the fighters of the b o m b bay. Thankfully w e didn't have to try our life
couldn't have hit m e if they tried to, and they were going rafts. W e had lost several thousand feet of altitude, as
to try. Well, we flew through those black clouds and on well as distance; so w e never got back to England. That
was thefirstmission of the 48 that w e flew in the 20
to Poland. W e climbed up to our assigned altitude and
began our b o m b run. The flak was larger caliber, bigger months w e were in England. Glad that they weren't all
explosions, blacker smoke. It was right at our altitude. like this one.
They were putting itrightin front of me. The shell
exploded and we instantly hit the smoke, and what a George R. Insley
865 Little Valley Road
noise the explosions made. It was many missions after
this one before I heard flak again, though we had it on
Roseburg, O R 97470
every mission. Those gunners on the battleship were
Editor: The thoughts that strike me here, George, is wi
really top notch.
harrowing beginning, how did you ever convince your crew
to sign up for a second tour? Next, it seems to me with tha
We experienced our lstflak, 1st sound of flak explosions,
and 1stfighterattack, a running battle with twin engine big air to air battle that went on and the ammo expended b
both the bombers and E/A, it is a miracle there were no sh
fighters which zeroed in on our element. The fighters
that came up were black, so we presumed that they were downs. Could it have been that six rookie B-24 crews were,
night fighters. Fortunately, they were not overly
fate, faced by a bunch of rookie German fighter pilots that
aggressive. Here we were two groups, a B-17 and a B-24 day ? Your story was great George, thanks.
flying parallel; so when thefightersshowed up, the B-24
leader slid our formation in under the B-17 for more
�TWO POUYTS OF VIEW
Responsibility
B y 1st L t David F. Parry
8th A.F. Pilot of the Flying Fortress
"Dull Tool"
If enlisted m e n meander
And indulge in rape or slander,
It's their airplane commander
They defame;
If his officers are lazy,
Alcoholically hazy
And, in fact, a little crazy,
He's to blame.
Submitted by Pat C o m m i s a (68th)
The Upstairs Gunner
They get no praise from the public
Their name is never sung,
They only sit up in a bomber
And operate a gun.
If they don't salute their betters,
If they fail to pay their debts,
Or write censurable letters,
Or get stewed;
If they come back late from passes,
Or decline to go to classes,
You can bet it's not their asses
That are chewed.
When the going gets the toughest
And the bullets fall like hail
H o w would you m y dear public
Like to sit up in the tail?
The pilot only chauffeurs,
But when they start the fun
The guy that does the dirty work
Is the guy behind the gun!
For the pilot has his uses.
He's the one who makes excuses,
Answers charges, takes abuses
From them all;
Though a flyer of acumen,
He's considered less than human
If he cannot keep his crewmen
O n the ball.
When they go out on a mission
And the enemy you spot,
Suppose the gunner's nerve would fail
And give the guy a "sitters" shot.
When a gunner's fingers freezes,
Or the navigator sneezes,
Or unprintable diseases
Ground the crews;
It's the pilot's fault they're dying
(If they aren't they should be flying)
And don't argue—for you're lying
In your shoes.
But remember this, my dear public
W h e n that mission is complete
The gunner gets no credit—
There's no glory at his feet.
He has no bars, no pins, no leaves,
no medals on his chest —
H e doesn't have a uniform
To tell him from the rest!
If, returning from a sortie,
W h e n the gas is down to forty,
And die plane's three engines short, he
Brings them down;
Is the crew more understanding?
Sympathetic? Less demanding?
No! They criticize his landing
With a frown.
But upstairs he has the glory,
There are no if's, and's, no but's,
He's the guy in the "hot seat"
He's the guy w h o has the guts!
His life lasts, eighteen minutes!
What a laugh that is to m e ;
W e don't want the dubious glory,
Our job is just to set you free!
So my dear, kind, "fickle" public
You'll never k n o w our n a m e ,
Give the pilots all the honey,
W e don't need the doubtful fame!
~Just another
Gunner-
Yes, it's certainly tough —
For the hero of this ditty,
But don't waste your tears of pity
O n die fool;
For although he's nurse and mother
To Joe Blow and Joe Blow's brother,
He'd uade places with no other,
The dull tool.
27
�Editor: Recall "The Support Units" shallow high-speed dive and went
article in the Spring '95 "Tails"
out of m y line of sight and must
where it recounted the death of
have crashed miles away.
two of our valiant crash-rescue fire
fighters. Here we have an eyeAs the B-24 came down, the
witnesses account of that terrible
engines screamed in what must
evening by Jim Auman. The names
have been a wide open position of the two fire fighters, Sgt. Monthat
sound is still with m e . I also
roe A. Atchley and Pvt. Ted R.
remember
how long it took for the
Bunalski are being added to the
crippled Liberator to hit the
44th Role of Honor.
ground. M y buddy, Harm Krull,
CRASH OF A 492nd BG B-24
was screaming, " G E T OUT...GET
OUT," but no one ever m a d e it.
4 JUNE 1944
"On the evening of 4
June, 1944, m y friend,
Harm, and I were riding
bikes in what m a y have
been south and east of
A A F 115 Station at
Shipdham. The sky was
clear and the sun was low
in the west behind us. W e
were several miles from
the airfield and enjoying
the quiet, still air of the
countryside compared to
the extremely loud roaring
of engines being run-up
at the field.
As w e coasted along, w e became
aware of a heavy bomber lumbering for altitude at what must have
been 20,000 feet. The intense
strain on the four engines w a s
very familiar to m e , and I knew
the aircraft was loaded heavily.
Shortly after identifying the
bomber as a Liberator, I saw two
fighter-type airplanes appear from
the south or west, at least one of
which had a pointed nose and
m a y have been an English Spitfire. As w e kept riding and watching, w e saw the fighters making
passes, w h e n I was not looking, I
heard a crunch-like collision and
saw the bomber with a large
section of its right wing severed.
The bomber then turned on its
back and went into a slow spin
earthward. The fighter went into a
There were no flames or smoke
until the airplane hit upside down
on a building that m a y have been
a farmer's living quarters. The
impact was more like a crunch,
followed by a muffled explosion.
We rode to within about six
hundred feet of the farm yard and
took a position along the roadside. The entire building and
airplane were now a solid ball of
flames. Fire fighters arrived on the
scene in very short order; however, the situation was hopeless.
Another four or five fire fighters
took a position on a thick stone
wall about five feet tall with their
backs to us. Those firemen did
not have enough hoses or water
pressure to do any good in
putting out the flames.
Suddenly, there was an explosion
and w e heard shrapnel ripping
through the branches of the trees
overhead. W h e n w e looked back
at the fire, w e saw two, three, or
four firemen laying on their
backs on our side of the
wall.
I did not write this account
of the collision as a story
form. Rather, I told the
facts as I remembered
them. I a m sure that m y
buddy, Krull, could have
many corrections. W e did
not report this incident to
anyone, as w e were on
alert and the next day,
June 5th, w e were transferred back to the 466th
B G at Attlebridge."
Signed: James O. A u m a n
On June 9, 1944 the 2033
Engineering Aviation Fire Fighting
Platoon, Headquarters at
Shipdham prepared a
recommendation for award of
Soldiers Medal, posthumously to:
Sgt. Monroe A. Atchley 35579833
Pvt. Ted R. Bunalski 32756508
"Sgt. Atchley and Pvt. Bunalski
were off duty and eating supper
on the night of June 4, 1944
w h e n they heard m e n yelling
(that) a plane had crashed. They
It was still daylight when we saw left their meals, ran out on the
the rescue squad pulling what w e
road, and jumped on the first
assumed were bodies from the
truck going to the fire. Upon their
wreckage. There seemed to be
arrival at the crashed plane, they
several smoldering hulks lined up
immediately went to the burning
in the farm yard about fifty feet
plane and proceeded to (attempt)
from the wreckage. The squad
to extinguish the flames., disrewas using long poles to fetch out
the bodies.
28
�garding danger of b o m b s and a
gas tank which w a s burning and
full of gasoline...." The other fire
fighters continued to fight the
burning crashed aircraft (that
was) loaded with 201b fragmentation bombs until moved back by
the officer in charge, in spite of
the fact that two m e m b e r s of the
crash crew had been killed from
one of the bombs exploding."
Mr. Tony Mastradone, 67th
Squadron medic, states:
"I do know something about the
two fire fighters that lost their lives
at the B-24 crash. I drove an
ambulance to the crash with
Captain Worrall and George
Houston, another medic. I have
this written up in m y small diary. I
can still remember an officer
waving his .45 gun at m e and
yelling to George and I that w e
were refusing to fight in the face
of the enemy when w e refused to
attempt to retrieve the bodies of
the two fire fighters while the fire
was still raging. They wanted us
to walk down to where the two
men were laying face d o w n to get
them while the .50 C a L shells
were firing, oxygen tanks exploding and fire everywhere.
So we did crawl down a ditch,
dragging a stretcher to get them,
had to make two trips. W h e n w e
got back to the base, a Chaplain
met us, wanted to know if w e had
administered last rites to them. I
had not, so he showed m e h o w it
was done in the event that it
happened again."
^jS"-]<£fl]B
E H
•LwE't
IMSUNG HERO
This c o m e s to inform you of the death of S/Sgt. Anson Daniels, on Jan. 31,
1996. H e w a s residing with his lovely wife Ann at 8626 G S W 97th Lane Road,
Ocala, FL 34481.
Anson has a very distinguished career. He joined the 44th Bomb Group in May,
1943 and went to North Africa with the Lt. Bunce crew as a Waist Gunner. H e
flew five missions before the August 1, 1943 Ploesti Raid, but w a s medically
grounded for that mission. Sgt. Daniels flew missions with several crews,
including Lt. McAtee, Lt. Landig, Lt. Borkowski and Lt. Clements. H e joined our
crew #53 Lt. Norman Purdy to fly missions in Dec. '43 and '44. W h e n Lt.
Leonard Waine took over Purdy's crew, Jan. 21, 1944, Sgt. Daniels joined with
this crew and flew two missions out of England before transferring with the crew
to the 449th B o m b Group, 719th B o m b Squadron, 15th A.F. in an exchange
program. All of those missions were tough in terms of American losses. Daniels
had only six missions remaining to complete the 25 mission requirement in
effect in the 8th A.F. at that time. The 15th A.F. requirement for completing a
tour w a s 50 missions. H e reached his 50 total with his last mission on April 4,
1944. This mission to Bucharest became ultimately known as "the Greatest Air
Battle in the history of the 449th B o m b Group."
Only those of us who were there can imagine the exhilaration of being the first
combat crew m e m b e r in all of 15th A.F. to complete a combat tour and be
leaving for the U.S.A. Especially with the terrible Four Fours mission (4-4-44,
as it became known) as the climactic finish. That mission also resulted in the
award of the first of two Presidential Unit Citations awarded to the 449th B o m b
Group.
The general order accompanying the first citation read, "As a result of the
repeated and determined attacks, this group lost seven aircraft to enemy
fighters. However, in the air battle, this group performed with such gallantry they
not only delivered their b o m b s on target, they responded to the intense opposition by destroying forty (40), probably destroying thirteen (13) and damaging six
(6) enemy fighters. The extraordinary heroism and superior performance of duty
by the 449th B o m b Group has upheld the highest traditions of the military
service and has reflected great credit upon the Armed Forces of the United
States of America." The Lt. Leonard Waine crew were credited with destroying
six and a half (6-1/2) enemy aircraft that day.
The words in that order of commendation certainly directly apply to S/Sgt.
Anson Daniels and all members of his crew #45, yet this heroic career was,
unfortunately, never completely recognized in terms of awards. His retirement
certificate shows the awards of two (2) Presidential Unit Citations, the Air Medal
with four (4) O L C , but never a recommendation for the Distinguished Flying
Cross.
It is understandable how the 719th Bomb Squadron could be in such disarray
on April 5, 1944 as to overlook, in s o m e cases, the documentation to appropriately award the heroism displayed by their men. It had lost seven crews the
previous day, including it's Operations Officer and four of the original combat
crews. Sadly, as a result of these circumstances, Anson Daniels folded his
wings on January 21, 1996 without the recommendation for award of the
Distinguished Flying Cross so richly deserved. In m y memories, he is proudly
wearing his D F C . H e w a s a dear friend and I shall miss him.
Respectfully yours,
Major Albert A. Martin
U S A F (Ret)
2313 Hidden Valley Drive
Santa Rosa, California 95404-2310
**C^«
29
�MAIL CALL
Editor: I'vejust finished reading Jake Elias' book War
Women. An attention holding fiction novel woven around
lot of personal experiences that Elias has turned into a
great story. This Lewis Robinson letter does a great rev
This comes from:
This warm response comes from:
"Mum"
Linda Weston
Hello Lolly & Roy,
Many thanks for your Journal Magazine regarding the
44th B o m b Group. It delighted both Beryl and me. You
certainly boosted us, but I'm sure many others would have,
I just received a card from
or should have helped young boys miles from home. I'm
Jake Elias. After San Antonio, he returned to England for
sdll a m u m to anyone who wants m y love. Anyhow, thanks a
the umteenth time - no doubt doing researching on War &
lot,
it was great reading. W e are looking forward to you all
W o m e n . Actually, Jake is researching T o m Paine for some
coming
to England, I believe next year.
future book. W e know and love Jake! N o doubt some
bought his book War & W o m e n ; but how many have tried
to author a W W I I novel? It is a very competitive enterprise!Beryl also lives in Portsmouth. I'm in a sheltered hom
15 minutes walking from her and yes, I do almost everydiing
for myself. If I don't feel like doing it, Beryl does. Sh
Perhaps "8-Ball Tails" is an entry for Jake. The story
i
s
a
wonderful
daughter and she sdll has the grand chilcenters around two young m e n who enter die Air Corps in
dren.
Yes,
your
kind words and the one above have made
W W I I and two who join the Army Paratroop Division, dieir
m
e
so
much
better
in health. Thanks a lot D o hope you
experiences in the states and in batde overseas. Not many
had
a
grand
Christmas
and all the best for this year to you
of us remember the women, most of us remember the
both.
batde. Some of us, like m y navigator T o m Appert, were
Love from M u m Linda
married just before takeoff, Topeka, Kansas, July of '44. A
fortunate few returned with an English bride. W e still
"hanger talk" at reunions and look forward to our next in Editor: A warm response from "Mum"Linda Weston after
receiving the last issue of the "Tails."
St. Louis. Let's do promote War & W o m e n . W e all belong
in Jake's story!
About the author: J.T. Elias has had several plays
Speaking of new members, here is a very welcome letter
produced in N e w York; a novel The Shy Nude and previously published short stories and articles in nadonal
magazines. H e was educated and grew up in Wilkes Barre, Our "Letters of Love" Lady
Lois Cianci
PA. H e worked and moved around the country in different
1/12/96
jobs, travelled to Europe many times, finding a wife in
Ireland and has four beaudful children. During WWII, he
flew in B-24's as an air gunner in our 68th B o m b Squad- Dear Roy,
ron, being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple
Heart and air medals. N o w he lives and writes in a small Thank you so much for sending me the copies of the 8Ball Tails. The reprint was great. You did a swell job. I feel
town, Nadchoke, PA.
so proud.
Let's promote one of our own!
I received mail from Joseph Crandell, Groveland, 111.
Bev and I look forward to St. Louis. We enjoyed San containing information on receiving a color lithograph of
die Ardennes Cemetery and its history; also how to obtain
Antonio and will help in St. Louis, if needed.
a
passport free of charge when I make the trip to Belgium.
Thank you.
H
e
lost two brothers. O n e a B-24 pilot in the 44th B o m b
Lewis Robinson
Group
whose endre crew was lost and is buried in the
"Tail Gunner"
Netherlands
Cemetery. The other was a tank commander
"Clean Sweep"
in Patton's 3rd Army. H e is in die Luxembourg Cemetery. I
already had die information he offered, but I was very glad
to hear from him anyway.
30
0
�The other letter I received was from Ralph Golubeck,
St. Louis, Mo., a pilot in the 506th Squadron of the 44th
Bomb Group. H e said he did not know m y dad but
checked hisflightlog and discovered he also had been on
that mission. H e said it was a tough one and losses were
very high. H e was touched by m y dad's letters and wished
he could have read more of the originals widi die picture,
but they did not print well.
I am indeed pleased with your decision to take a
membership in our association. First, it will really keep yo
in the communication loop so far as any follow-up correspondence we receive in connection with your story,
because you will be receiving the 8-Ball Tails directly. Ne
I am beginning plans for a 44th Bomb Group Veterans
Association return trip to England, France and Belgium in
the late Spring (May orJune) of next year that may interest
you and your husband, Anthony. Lois, you may join the
The address you need for Dawn Drago is Reading
Association by merely writing a short note to our Treasurer
Eagle Co., 345 Penn St, Reading, PA 19601. I know she
— name, address, phone, squadron affiliation (68th) and
will appreciate your sending her a copy and a thank you.
send along a check made out to 44th BGVA for $15 and
mail to:
If you receive mail from anyone else in reference to
Gerald Folsom, Treasurer
the article, I would appreciate it if you would forward m e a
44th Bomb Group Veterans Association
P.O. Box2367
copy. I am excited about hearing all these new comments
Salt Lake City, UT 84118-2367
and details. It is really wonderful.
Welcome aboard Lois, and may I pay my respects to
Anthony. I am certain that his pillar of support in your
quest for the facts of your Dad's sacrifice to his country
made your search possible. I will look forward to the day
Lolly and I can meet you both and have the privilege of
introducing
you to the membership (perhaps in St Louis?)
Editor: Ok you 68th guys, how about following Ralph
Sincerely.
Golubeck's letter with some more details of the 21 January
Roy
Owen
1944 mission against the Pas de Calais V-l missile site. The
68th put up seven aircraft and only three returned. I see in
the MACR that the bombing altitude was 12,000 ft. "to
This comes from:
assure better accuracy. "I'd bet those crews puzzled over
I am interested in joining the 44th Bomb Group
Association and would appreciate an application.
Please excuse the tardiness of this reply.
Sincerely.
whose?
Edward R Harrell
Rt. 3, Box 16
Selmer, TN38375
1/11/96
2/16/96
Mrs. Lois Cianci
871 North Church Road
Reading, PA 19608-9734
Dear Will,
Thanks for answering m y letter. I didn't expect an
answer too soon, because I seem to be aware that some of
you travel to England and other places from time to time.
Dear Lois,
Your suggestions as to where to send the issues of the
Your very welcome letter arrived today. I am so happy
Logbook and the lithograph of the Tower was appreciated
that you were pleased with the 8-Ball Tails article. The
and I diink I will send them to those two places.
credit really belongs with Dawn Drago authoring the
beautiful story to begin with. Believe me, the research by
You ask if I was an officer in the service, no I wasn't
Will Lundy and the fill-in story I wrote was the labor of
servicetimewas from 1951 to 1971. The early part of it was
love for a daughter whose faith never faltered that she
a Base Operations Dispatcher, then as a C o m m a n d Post
would find the final chapter of her Daddy's heroic life.
Specialist
Regarding your question on the reactions of others to
I was affiliated widi the 44th when I was at Lake
the story, space does not permit inclusion of the many,
Charles from 1957 to 1960 as a Base Operation Dispatcher.
many compliments we have received on your touching
The nexttimeI heard of the 44th was when an article in
story. I think the comments of Gerald J. Gross, 336 Greens
the Air Force Retiree newsletter written by Major Klaus
Farms Road, Westport, CT 06880-6332 says it best: "Conwanting contact with anyone who was either in the 44th or
gratulations on the excellent Winter '95 issue of the 8-Ball
affiliated with it. I responded and joined on that basis.
Tails. I've read it carefully, and with considerable interest
andpleasure. The Lois Cianci story sure carried a wallop!"
No, I am not giving up on the 44th BGVA. I didn't
Gerry served both in the 68th and the 506th Bomb Squadpursue a membership because I don't think I a m eligible to
rons.
join, having never been a member of the 44th B G / B W .
31
�Just about the moment of b o m b release, there was a
tremendous explosion which seemed to be just outside the
co-pilot's window. At that moment, Lt Scuddy's plane, Q496, ahead of us and on ourright,turned belly up and
went down onfire.W e received numerous hits which
resulted in afirein #3 engine, a large hole in a fuel cell
that poured gasoline into the open b o m b bay, cut hydraulic
Editor: Ed, you 're all paid up and in the roster. Welcome
lines, and sentflakflyingthrough the cockpit W h y we
aboard.
didn't blow up I'll never know, though our prayers may
have had something to do with it
From Lake Charles, I went to Ellsworth AFB. W h e n I
arrived there, the missile silos were being built around the
area. Litde did I know the missile unit would eventually be
named the 44th. S M W .
Thank you again for the letter.
I glanced over my shoulder toward the bomb bay and
die stream of liquid pouring into the b o m b bay reminded
m e of a cow taking a leak. A piece of flak entered the flight
deck from below, lodged in m y armor plated seat, and
literally lifted m e up against m y seatbelt (I still have it)
Another piece entered on the left side of the cockpit, flew
across the instrument panel and out the window on my
side. Had Stone and I not switched jobs at that precise
moment, his hands would have been on the wheel and
would have been shattered.
This comes from:
Merritt E. Derr
153 Smith Road
Gilbertsville, PA 19525-9646
12/8/95
Dear Will,
I immensely enjoy and appreciate the featuring of
individual aircraft of the 44th with each issue of "8-Ball
Tails." It is very interesting and enlightening to learn the
history of aircraft of the 44th; those weflewand those we
didn't fly.
There was debris flying all over the cockpit I feath
#3 and dien hit thefireextinguisher button which killed
thefire.Charlie Brown, ourflightengineer, and Lt
Since you began this feature in Vol. 1, Issue 2, Spring
'95, you featured the aircraft whose tail marking appeared
Herman Flugman, whoflewwith us on this mission,
stopped the flow of petrol from the ruptured fuel cell as
on the heading of that issue, as an example "N" in Vol. 1,
best they could by stuffing clothing into the hole.
Issue 2.
We started losing altitude and the squadron kept goin
The original issue of "8-Ball Tails" featured the tail
farther away from us. Stone called the various positions to
marking Bar A; but no story or history of that aircraft.
determine damage and casualties if any. It was then that we
Because Iflewmost of m y missions in Bar A, I'm curious as
to why no history of that aircraft appeared in Vol. 1, Issue 1. learned from Foust that Strange had bailed out Surprise!
Surprise! N o bail out signal had been given and it was
Will this aircraft be featured in a future issue?
obvious we couldn't go back and pick him up. Realizing
our vulnerability as a straggler, we called for help by our
More from Merritt
"Litde Friends." Along came die most beautiful P-51 I've
ever seen. H e stayed with us to the coast
MORE ON DECISION MISSION 24
The rest of the story is as told by Foust and need no
Having read Bob Foust's "Decision Mission 24" in the repeated here. That night we all went into town, got
Summer '95 issue, pages 7 and 8, of the 8-Ball Tails, I feel thoroughly soused, and nearly suffered casualties by guys
compelled to tell our readers what was happening in the
who rode dieir bicycles into road ditches on our way back
to base.
forward section of that same airplane on that mission. I
know you've seen this account before, but it may be
Yours truly.
interesting to our readers.
Editor: Here's the skinny on the Tail Markings, Merr
I remember our crew - Stone's - was feeling pretty
Will Lundy first suggested 8-Ball Tales as the name of o
cocky by thistimein our tour, maybe even invincible. H o w
journal and I was toying around with some way to use our
stupid that was, we were to leam later in the day. At briefold tail markings in the masthead when I came up with the
ing, I was glad we had been scheduled for this mission. It
play on words Tails for Tales. The selection of Bar F and
looked like it would be an easy mission and it would be one Bar A for Volume 1, Issue #1 was a shot in the dark really
more toward completion of that thirty-five mission tour.
was, at thattime,concerned more with the design than th
A / C Bar W-209 (not Bar A). Also see m y R O H , page 270.
identity of any particular aircraft Then before the seco
It was always customary for Stone to fly the mission to
issue, Will and I talked about making the tail marking
the target, and after "bombs away" for m e toflyus back to
different in each issue with a combat record and some
Shipdham. This mission was no exception. As we apstories from the crew(s) that flew the aircraft Good old
proached the target, flak became very intense and accurate,
"Lemon Drop" was one everyone knew, so she was #1 in
and over the target we were bracketed to it.
terms of a featured aircraft Thanks for the question, an
the "Shack Rat" record. We've got Bill Cameron's "Buzzin
3
�Bear" coming out on the next cover, but you're right, we This comes from:
haven't had a 506th airplane featured; so look for "Shack
Rat" forXmas, ok?
Albert Bernard
(LTC USAFRet)
28923 Bay Tree Place
Zephyrhills, Florida 33344
Some Differences of Opinion about
"Down De Hatch."
Dear Art,
This comes from:
Jack B. Morgan
USAF(Ret)
3309 Cherokee Avenue
Tampa, Florida 33611
1/6/96
Dear Will,
I read the letter from Ken Adrian in the December
issue of 8-Ball Tails about D o w n D e Hatch. I think Mr.
Adrian is confused.
After reviewing the 8-Ball Tails Summer issue, I would
like to go on record to register m y memory of the part that
the crew of the AVAILABLE J O N E S played in the history of
the 44th B o m b Group. W e joined the group as a replacement crew early in June just in time to make the trip to
North Africa. Our operational activity was limited to nine
missions including T H E PLOESTI mission of 1 Aug 43.
The crew on this last mission is as follows:
"Jones, Fred H.
*Dukato, Elbert L.
*Sweet, Adolphus J.
I was the assistant crew chief of Down De Hatch fromBernard, Albert F.
March, 1943 until the end the war. I actuallyflewh o m e in
Spann, Leo G.
Down De Hatch.
*Becker, Robert H.
Paolillo, Michael A.
Bob Iverson was not the crew chief of Down De Hatch.*Savattiere, Anthony J.
Sigle, Michael P.
Staff Sergeant Eugene Salas (better known as Blackie) was
for the entire period the 506th was stationed at Shipdham.
I think it is unfair to Blackie to have someone else given
credit for what Blackie did.
1st Lt.
2nd Lt.
2nd Lt.
2nd Lt.
T/Sgt.
S/Sgt.
T/Sgt.
S/Sgt.
S/Sgt.
Pilot
Century, F L
Co-Pilot
N e w Orleans, L A
Navigator
E Northport, N Y
Bombardier Brooklyn, N Y
Engineer
Chapman, A L
Asst. E n g
Lincoln, N E
Radio O p e r Carona, N Y
Gunner
Brooklyn, N Y
Tail Tur
Clayton, NJ
* Deceased
Patterson, Robert P. 2nd Lt Injured in a ground
accident prior to last mission, returned to duty and comPlease find enclosed a copy of the letter which I have
pleted his tour as Navigator.
written to Ken Adrian regarding his confusion.
Grushkewich, Aaron Asst Radio Operator did not fly the
Ploesti mission, but was KIA on a mission to Norway 18
Nov
Editor: Jack, it seems your memory (or personal record)'43
isafter the group returned to England.
a little skewed as well. "Down De Hatch " arrived at
Shipdham in May, 1944. So you must have been on another According to information provided in previous issues an
from other sources, the record of Folded Wings on the
aircraft from March '43 to May '44.1 talked on the phone
with Capt Jim Meiner, 506th Engineering Officer at the crew of the Available Jones is as follows: Fred Jones, Elbert
time and he confessed to "memory meltdown" as well. I Dukato, Adolphus Sweet, Robert Becker, and Anthony
had a visit with Lt. Ed "Casey"Jarvis on 24 Feb. who flewSavattiere. I would appreciate any information on the
her on several missions, as well as flying her back to themissing members of the crew.
U.S. He, like Ken Adrian, praised the reliability of the
aircraft. The point is all of you "knuckle busters" who Keep up the good work.
Sincerely.
were keeping the old war horse with the none too glamourous name on thejob, carrying the crews and bombs to the
target then coming on home, were doing yourjob. We flew Editor: Al, thanks for the "AvailableJones" data. I'm s
Hand has provided you with the addresses of Spann
your airplane at least twice. I've said it before here inArt
"The
and Paolillo by now. I'm happy to see that all of you are
Tails," and I'll say it again; everytimewe returned, I wish
members of the 44th BGVA.
now I had hugged and thanked each of you grimy guys with
the skinned knuckles who launched us and then and
"sweated us out"tillwe got home. What a helluvajob you
did! I also know how you kept warm in those little huts
alongside the parking stubs (war ain't all bad,right?).The
message for the aircrews here is, Boys, it's not too late to
thank 'em all. In fact, come Banquet Dinner night in St.
Louis, we're going to have our support folks stand up so
we can all say THANKS!
Respectfully.
S
33
�Joseph
A. Andreotta - Radioman & his wife Ceil, 5770 SE
Another Eight-Bailer Out of the Woods...Robert L. Hensler,
a long
Palm Road, Belleview, FL 34420
lost 66th gunner finally reports in with this:
Hobbs Williams - Nose Gunner & his wife Doris, Rt 1
110-E, Hawkins, T X 75765
S/Sgt Robert L. Hensler
AOL Barongrin
2032 Pleasant Street
South Bend, Indiana 46615
(219) 287-5759
Dear Sir,
Eugene S. Root - Waist Gunner and his wife Ginny, 21
Thornberry Circle, Pittsburgh, PA 15234
Robert A. Moore - Tail Gunner and his wife Delores,
Laurel Street, Morgantown, W VA 26505
As a subscriber to the 8th Air Force News, I find your
name in the February, 1995 issue as a contact for the 44th
Melvin R. Coughenour - Engineer and his wife Betty
B o m b Group. Since I served as a gunner on 24's from
unable to attend, 208 Sherman, Sheridan, W Y 82801.
about Nov. 20, 1944 to April 25, 1945, I would like to join
any organization or newsletter of the 44th. Iflewwith the
Hopefully, all of us will be in attendance at our ne
66th Squadron and would be delighted to have a chance to
scheduled reunion at Hobbs Williams' ranch in Texas in
possibly contact some of my old buddies of 50 years ago. I
October, 1995. We've lost track years ago of:
would appreciate any information of any publication that
Willis D. Abrams - Navigator
you author or know of.
Stanley L. Wirth - Waist Gunner
Thank you.
I don't wish to bore you, but at this point, I'm in
Editor: We've sent Bob the 8-Ball Tails and a membership
nostalgic and philosophical mood. Very recendy I visited
form. Glad to have you with us. It amazes me how after all
these years, folks like Bob suddenly, somehow find out the "All America" B-24 when it was here at the Naples
there is a 44th Bomb Group Association. Of course, it'sAirport, Naples, FL. That brought back many memories.
never too late, but it saddens me to think of all the years of
friendship, correspondence and visiting that Bob and On 11/11/94, I reached my 70th birthday. My son
others we have not found could have enjoyed at reunions. Bradley H. Bethel, M D , he practices medicine in
We are trying very hard, and Art Hand is finding people Laurnburg, N C , and his wife Kyle and m y granddaughter
Bryn, visited at thattime.They presented m e with the gift
like Bob almost every day (witness the "Beating the
Bushes" section). Anyway, Bob, let's get you back in the of airfare to and from England; so, Barbara and I plan a
springtime trip there to visit Shipdham and Norwich "one
fold by meeting us in St. Louis. We had a lot of "First
Timers" at San Antonio, and we'll have more like yourselfmoretime."I've found that Brad and many others of his
generation, our descendants, have a sincere interest to
October 3-7.
know what our motivations and efforts were all about
s
That's enough! Best wishes to you and everyone who
have succeeded in bringing the 44th B G V A about
Sincerely yours.
This comes from:
Dr. & Mrs. Raymond W. Bethel
27473 Pelican Ridge Circle
Bonita Springs, Florida 339234550
(813) 495-9613
2/5/95
Dear Will,
I am very happy to learn that the "44th Bomb Group
Veterans Association" has come about. Hopefully my wife,
Barbara and I will attend die 44th B G V A Reunion in San
Antonio, Texas October 19-22.
Editor: This crew flew 15 missions, first with 489t
844th Sq., started their 67th Sq. on 18 Nov '44.1 advis
him about V-E Day ceremonies May 5 to 12th, 2nd ADA
itinerary, Shipdham "party" on 8 May, Bank Holiday
Monday, when the 44thers have their "villages"day. Wro
to both members with "new" addresses, sent copy of 8-Ba
Tails and invited them to join, and also to join us in San
Antonio.
I had the honor and privilege of being pilot for a great
"Mike" Mikoloski presenting
B-24 crew, which was formed at Westover Field, MassachuGeneral Leon Johnson the
proclamation of love, respect and
setts in mid-1944. After being apart many years, our crew
admiration held for him as our
had a wonderful reunion in July, 1993 at Florence, MassaCommander by the membership of
chusetts, near Westover Field. W e met there to honor our
the 44th Bomb Group Veterans
late co-pilot, Joseph H. Bonneau, who passed away 3/14/
Association.
93, 67th and his gracious widow, Elaine Bonneau. Besides
myself, attending that remain were:
34
�This comes from:
Edward "Mike"K Mikoloski
626 Smith Held Road
Unit #702
North Providence, RI02904
11/3/95
This comes from:
Albert Martin
Dear Jerry,
It was real nice seeing you at the 44th Reunion. All in
all, Archie Soltka and I enjoyed all of the activities very
much!
Dear Roy,
Congratulations to Roy Owen and his very capable
Board. Thank you very much for your prompt attention to
My compliments to you for the overall direction and
m y request of our dues for 1996. I'm enclosing a check for
management of the highly successful reunion in San
$45 to cover the dues of:
Antonio. Like you, I too heard many complimentary
Leonard Waine (pilot) Rt 4 Box 1524, Pelatka, FL 32177
comments about the reunion....: "refreshingly different,"
*Anson Daniels, 8626 S W 97th #6, Ocala, FL 34481-4522
"well organized and run," "great to see some of the old
feces," "could not be any better," etc.
Albert A. Martin, 2313 Hidden Valley Drive, Santa Rosa, C A 95404
Sincerely yours.
The "refreshingly different" comment was made in
reference to the business meetings you conducted. So,
congratulations are indeed in order to you.
*SeeFolded Wings and AVs letter in Mail Call.
This comes from:
Walter "Pat" Patrick
66 Sq. Combat - Original Crew
1058 Cottingham Drive
ML Pleasant, SC 29464-3552
3/1/95
I took quite a few photos, but believe the enclosed two
are particularly good, especially the one with m y son and
grandson with Bill Cameron. The one with Generals
Brandon and Gibson are not bad either.
Kindest personal regards.
Dear Will,
I just got the 2nd Air Division Association Spring '95
issue and it reminded m e through Pete Henry's Eightball
article that you folks in the revitalized 44th B G V A of which
I wholeheartedly endorsed owe m e m y "lifetime" membership card...I think myself and Ray Ward were both two of
the early on endorsers and 100 percent backers of your
fight with the "eightballers"...I may add that I sent in m y
check #573 for $105 on Aug. 26, 1994 and that it was made
out to your as the treasurer of the 44th Vets Assn.
This comes from:
Forrest S. Clark
703 Duffer Lane
Kissimmee, FL 34759
(941) 427-0371
To C.W. Lundy
We need crew photos and/or individual crew member
photos of the crews of Lt Houle, Johnson, Mitchell, and
others lost on the 18 Nov. 1943 mission to Oslo-Kjeller,
Norway. W e need data of these crews, mission records,
photos of aircraft they flew on missions and biographical
data on crew members.
This information is needed for the 8th Air Force
Heritage Center Museum in Savannah, Georgia. If you
have such information or know of anyone who does, please
forward it to:
8th A F Heritage Museum
P.O. Box 1992
Savannah, G A 31402
as soon as possible, or call 1 (800) 421-9428.
Will Lundy, processed through channels and returned
to my treasurer (wife - Ha!) and duly misplaced since. End
of sad story. So what's new! I see that m y olde and old
friend and former Navigator Ed Mikolowski routed himself
into a new job with the new board. Please make him "earn
his wings." I know he will because he was an accomplished
determined combat navigator. H e has a great sense of
humor and is a great team player. H e was a basketball
coach at Westover AFB when I worked as his N C O I C of the
base Information-Education Office for two years there soon
after the war was over and he was the one that got m e
started as a sports writer, which was thefirststep into m y
overall Air Force specialty as a writer/editor for 20 years. In
mentioning Ray Ward up there in thefirstbreath, we
laughed and said we expected we should be in the top ten;
but it looks like we'll be lucky to be in thatfirst600 the
article spoke about. Congratulations on that, as I know you
worked hard on that project You should get some sort of a
Distinguished Service Award for that one. With all the bad
weather,fires,earthquakes, etc., I'm surprised that San
Bernardino has survived the onslaught; but a m glad it has
and you along with it...
All the best to you and yours. Hope to be hearing from
you soon.
All the best
���%nd Whm Where Was 0nc
In this issue we are featuring two aircraft, the first, The 44th Bomb Group, consisting at the time of
three Bomb Squadrons, the 66th, 67th and 68th,
B-24D 41-23807 U, "Little Beaver, " one of the nine
original 67th Bomb Squadron assigned aircraft. Her assembled at Shipdham Airfield, designated Station
crew chief was MENNO
UNRUH. The other aircraft is 115, located 16 NM West of Norwich in East Anglia.
B-24D 41-24229 P "Buzzin'Bear, " a direly needed
During the next two months, the crews flew training
replacement which arrived at Station 115 in late April missions and the aircraft were cycled through the
1943.
Lockheed plant near Belfast, Ireland for combat
Inseparable to the record of these two aircraft is the
modification. In late November and early December,
story of the incredible combat career of now retired
Group flew a series of diversion missions in support
COLONEL
BILL
CAMERON.
other 8th Air Force bombing strikes and three bombin
Bill's initial assignment to the 67th Bomb Squadron
missions on December 3, 12 and 20. The "Little
was Co-Pilot on the crew of IT. CHESTER
"GEORGE" Beaver" crew aborted the December 6 mission with
PHILLIPS who, because he habitually called everyone engine problems and did not successfully complete a
n
jeorge" became himself known as "George. "After
mission until the January 3 raid on St. Nazaire,
sto'^ude training at Grenier Field, New Hampshire, theFrance.
crew deployed in their newly named "Little Beaver"for
England on October 4, 1942.
�SISgt. Menno Unruh, Crew Chief of "Little Beaver."
Lt. Chester "George" Phillips
The crew of the "Little Beaver."
Standing: Mike Denny, Engineer; George Brice, Radio; Unknown; Dale Glaubitz, Gunner; Chuck Foreman, Gunner; Bill Cameron, Co Pilot.
Front: Ed Phillips, Assistant Radio; Tom Bartmess, Navigator; Chester "George" Phillips, Pilot; Jim DeVinney, Bombardier.
2SSL&ZL
�crew were lost on the 22 March raid on
Wilhelmshaven. Lt. William A. Roach, Jr.
had just arrived with his new airplane, so
the 67th was again down to three aircraft
and crews. "Suzy Q", "Little Beaver" and
the new "Annie Oakley. "
Turning to experienced co-pilots to
bolster the force, Lt. Bill Cameron quickly
soloed in the "Beaver. " With an American
transfer from the RAF, Lt. Bill Dabney as
Co-Pilot, a new crew was formed and
assigned a newly arrived aircraft, which
was promptly named "Buzzin' Bear, " (Bill
was a product of UC Berkeley, The Golden
Bears).
In a small way of celebrating the
formation of the new crew, they were
granted a three day pass. Cameron and
Dabney accompanied by Howard Moore,
who had taken command on the 67th after
the loss of Major MacDonald, went to
i a t-eOruary 1943, The 44th over Dunkirk Harbor
London. Upon their return to the base in the early
morning hours of 14 May, they learned that the Group
was
preparing for a mission launch against the Krupp
i Bill remained on the Phillips crew through the terrible
months of February, March and April when the daylight Submarine Works in Kiel, Germany. Although it was a
maximum effort mission, the 67th could muster only
bombing attrition decimated the 44th Bomb Group;
especially the 67th Squadron. Of the original roster of three crews. "Suzy Q" was being repaired, so the third
Pilots and Co-Pilots their losses were: Major Donald W.
MacDonald, Squadron Commander and Command
14 May 1943 Shipdham Airfield, "Sweating Out" the return of the Kiel
Raid. The 67th: Three up an empty sky on return.
Pilot shot down with Capt. Art Cullen on the
15 February raid on Dunkirk Harbor to sink
the German Radar Ship TOJO; Lts. Rufus
Oliphant and Co-Pilot Charles Wilkes, also
lost over Dunkirk; Lt.J.B. Long and Co-Pilot
Lt. John McCormick killed in a mid-air
collision with a 66th Squadron aircraft on
the 16 February raid on St. Nazaire; Lts.
Clyde E. Price and Co-Pilot Robert E. Forrest,
along with Lts. Robert W. Blaine and CoPilot Lawrence J. Roetto were simultaneously
shot down on the bomb run over Rouen,
France on March 8.
The "Little Beaver" flew on each of these
tough missions including the TOJO raid on
which Major MacDonald was lost. (See
accompanying story.)
By the 8 March 1943 raid on Rouen, the
67th had lostfiveof its original nine crews.
Jackson Hall had been grounded for medical
reasons. Two weeks later "Bucky " Warne and
�ikWMpHg^
' 1Mr VMn4k
Hjpl|j" ;fLf ;J
1
*f
W g fc.-^f ™ i
• *JM£/
4
W$"***. :f;f' lflE
-1
«
MJSgt. Marion Bagley, Crew Chief on "Buzzin' Bear."
•
M/Sgt. Bagley and his crew.
The Crew of the "Buzzin' Bear" - May 11,1943
Bottom Row: Bill Cameron, Pilot; Bill Dabney, Co-Pilot; Jim DeVinney, Bombardier; Tom Clifford, Navigator (not in photo).
Top Row: Jerry Sparks, Radio Operator; Jerry Grett, Waist Gunner; Gola Gibby, Flight Engineer; LeRoy Winter, Assistant Engineer;
Ernie McCabe, Waist Gunner; Frank Maruszewski, Tail Gunner.
�crew to be piloted by Lt. Robert I. Brown,
Major Moore's Co-Pilot, on his first mission
as Pilot, was forced to fly a replacement
aircraft named "Miss Delores. " This aircraft
had, to this point, a dubious record for
completing missions. The other aircraft and
crews were, of course, Lt. Roach in "Annie
Oakley" and "George"Phillips and Co-Pilot
Lt. Everett W. Wilborn,Jr. For the first
mission the crew was to fly without Bill
Cameron in the right seat. ALL
THREE
CREWS WERE LOST. Robert I. Brown and
Co-Pilot Hartley A. Westbrook and five
others bailed out and were captured. Three
Gunners in the waist and tail went down
with the plane. Hit directly by heavy flak
right after target, Lts. Roach and Co-Pilot
Ross A. Hennery plus six of the crew were
KIA, the Navigator and Bombardier
England-June 1943. Low level Training flight prior to the North
Africa
deployment. #1 "X" 41-23816,68th "Black Jack"; #2 "L" 41
successfully bailed out and were captured. "Little
23817,
67th "Suzy Q"; #3 41-23774,67th, "Hitler's Nightmare."
Beaver" was hit directly under the flight deck at the
same time as "Annie Oakley. " Phillips and Wilborn,
damage occurred on #3 engine from a probable 20mm
along withfiveother crew were KIA, four others
hit that caused a loss of oil pressure and Cameron was
successfully bailed out and were captured. OF THE forced to feather #3. At this point they began to drop
ORIGINAL 67TH PILOTS, NOW THERE
WAS
behind the formation. In addition to the #3 shutdown,
ONE!
they had high cylinder head temperatures from the high
Newly promoted 1st Lt. Cameron had flown his first power settings attempting to stay with the formation.
mission as Pilot on April 4 in "Little Beaver" on a
The high power settings with rich mixture in attempts t
diversion mission along the Dutch Coast. His second keep the engines cool, had depleted their fuel reserve.
crew mission was over Brest, Germany in his new
Additionally, they had lost the two generators. All th
aircraft "Buzzin Bear. " Ed Mikoloski was his Navigator
considered, the decision was made to attempt to reach
on this 16 May raid. On May 17, and again on May
Malta rather than a return to Benghazi. Sometime after
29, Cameron and the Group flew missions to Bordeaux setting course for Malta, they saw land ahead and while
and La Pallice, France. All three missions were without
Navigator Clifford argued it was too early to have
losses and the post-Kiel mission morale took a sudden reached Malta, the fuel situation dictated a landing as
rise. During June, the 44th flew low level practice
soon as possible. With the usual Cameron luck, a long
missions over England and prepared for the Africa
shining strip was sighted on the land which they could
deployment on June 26.
identify as a landing strip. As they turned toward it,
Between "warm-up " raids against Italian targets on one engine quit. Flight Engineer Gibby quickly
July 2, 5, 10 and 15 Cameron flew low level training
transferred fuel and got it restarted. Cameron also
missions in preparation for Ploesti. On June 17,
restarted # 3 engine and proceeded with a straight in
Cameron and Co. took "Buzzin Bear" to Naples.
approach and landing. Prior to that time, the crew had
Instead of the usual light defenses of the Italian targets,donned their May Wests and parachutes and stood by t
this day the Group encountered fierce fighter opposition bail out if things got quiet. A safe landing was made,
comprised of both Italian and German E/A. The
and rolling to a stop, they were met by a British Offic
"Buzzin' Bear" crew wrote a page in history when
in a jeep who informed them that they had landed, not
during some thirty minutes of constant attack, they
on Malta, but Comiso Airfield on Sicily, just a few mil
destroyed three Macci 202's, one ME 109 and one ME
from the front lines. He advised them to remove their
110, all officially confirmed, and no crew injuries.
aircraft as soon as possible, it was a big target!
For thefirsttime with "Buzzin' Bear" enough
�By loading 600 gallons of fuel by hand from British an additional incentive, I was thoroughly enjoying the
low-level flying. So I went.
5 Imperial Gallon Jerry cans most of the day and into
The only other individual that I am aware of who
the twilight, and lacking any food, the Buzzin' Bear
had
also completed his tour (there probably were others)
was back in the air sometime after midnight, enroute to
and volunteered to go was Captain Roland B. "Sam "
Malta. After landing, Cameron, DeVinney and
Houston, one of our best people and an old friend. Sam
Clifford, fortified by two pieces of stale toast and a cup
of tea in the Officers Mess, attempted to sleep in chairs. was killed with crew while followingJim Posey's
formation over Target Blue Five. He bombed
The location of the other crew members remains a
successfully, but went down during assembly for the
mystery.
return. Sam's gunner also shot down the German
Fighter as they were crashing. "
Hying the slot directly behind ColonelJohnson in
"Suzy Q", Bill Cameron was the designated deputy
leader should "Suzy Q" go down. Notwithstanding that
his target had already been mistakenly struck by anothe
flight, Colonel Johnson took his formation through fire
and smoke, attackingfightersand witheringfirefrom
an unexpected Flak Train to deliver their bombs on
target, then turned tofighttheir way homeward until
the enemy, out of fuel and ammunition, gave up the
pursuit. True to form, two aircraft returned to Benina
Main non-stop with four engines running, "Suzy Q"
June 17,1943, The "Buzzin' Bear" crew at the "Self-Serve" station,
and "Buzzin' Bear" piloted by the Bullet Proof Pilot Bill
Comiso Airfield, Sicily.
Cameron.
Two weeks after the Ploesti raid Howard Moore,
A return to Benina Main was accomplished the next
having
completed his combat tour, turned command of
morning. When the near starving Cameron caught up
the 67th Bomb Squadron to the newly promoted Major
with him, Major Moore's greeting was "Where in Hell
Bill
Cameron. Bill was making preparations for the
have you been?"
return of the Group to England when the Group was
In the afternoon of that day, Cameron was
ordered to mount a raid on the airfield at Foggia, Italy
instructed to attend mission briefing for a very
important target. In the briefing he learned that he was So on the 16th of August, one day after taking
command, with great great pride, the new commander,
to lead the Group in "Suzy Q" against transportation
with some new crews having arrived, scheduled seven
targets in Rome. Half of Moore's crew had dysentery
aircraft. There was Jim Hill and Charlie Henderson, the
and "Buzzin' Bear" was undergoing four engine
changes by the ground crew and half of the flight crew. veterans; three new pilots and crews, the Cameron crew
with two new pilots, Lt. Leighton C. Smith and Ht.
Apparently not expecting an attack on the Holy City,
OfficerJoseph S. Milliner (had flown Ploesti with
defenses were light and the mission uneventful except
Henderson)
in "Buzzin' Bear, " and a veteran crew from
that this was Cameron's 26th mission. In his words, we
the 506th, Walter Bunker with Dick Butler, who had
have his thoughts on what was to be his 27th mission,
been transferred to the 67th, as Co-Pilot. Lt. Walter R.
Ploesti:
Bateman
and crew, on theirfirstcombat mission were in
"After the Rome raid, we started practice bombing
"Suzy Qf, and the new crew ofLt. Carl S. Hager were
and flying in larger formations of aircraft at low, very
in
their new plane "Black Sheep. " In his words, Bill
low, altitude. I had actually completed my combat tour
of duty with the Rome raid, and I didn 't believe that Cameron describes that day:
"Because of their experience, I scheduled the former
Howard (Moore) or Colonel Leon Johnson really
506th
crew to lead the 67th. Previous missions to targets
expected me to fly the upcoming mission. I don't know
why I did either. However, it was "high adventure" and in this area, as well as the one I had flown to Foggia,
although I didn't know what the destination would be, I had been made without loss and not much opposition.
So on 16 August, I proudly watched them take off—the
hated to miss out on it. Furthermore, the crew of the
first mission of the Squadron under their new
"Buzzin' Bear" didn't want to go with a new pilot. As
�"Little Beaver."
problems caused by Turbo-supercharger misCommander. It was a heady feeling!
Thefirsthint of trouble came when the veteran lead management, guns freezing up because of inadequate
crew returned early with engine trouble. Later, when it oil, and poor electric heated flying suits, the "Little
was all over, only Hill returned! Our men had run into Beaver" and "Buzzin' Bear" were tireless and reliable.
an estimated seventy-five to a hundred German fighters Neither the Phillips crew or "Buzzin' Bear" ever had a
casualty and Cameron only once shut down an engine,
which had been recently moved down to Italy. Our
and that was precautionary, until the engine was
Squadron lostfiveof the seven planes and crews,
needed for landing and was re-started.
including my own "Bear" and the "Suzy Q. "It was very
In some typically brief remarks at our 44th Bomb
hard to take. From that day on, I never sent a crew out
on a mission that was not absolutely required, or a crew Group Reunion in Rapid City, SD in 1989, General
Leon Johnson stated, "In my view, Bill Cameron is the
that I did not consider tried and ready for combat. "
jinest combat pilot I have ever known. " When one
Bill Cameron signed on for another tour, took the
reflects on the amazing circumstances and puzzling
Squadron back to England, then the return to Africa
relationship of his presence and an imperviousness to
and back to England. He relinquished command of the
67th when he was promoted to Lt. Col. and replaced Bill danger, General Johnson could well have added: and
the luckiest! In the words of Ernie Pyle, it could be said,
Strong as Group Operations Officer where he remained,
with the exception of a stint as Vice Group Commander, "He is a fugitive from the law of average. "
Bill Cameron and your President/Editor have been
until the end of the war. In his post-combat crew service,
friends and Air Force colleagues since those Shipdham
Bill Cameron flew nine more combat missions as
Command Pilot without mishap.
days. Thus Ifeel entitled to say his gentle, polite and
In reading this combat account of two aircraft and
caring demeanor belies that within lives the "finest
a pilot, even a quick mental count of missions, losses combat pilot" our General Johnson knows.
and injuries during the time when the 67th Bomb
Squadron had been mathematically wiped out twice, the
uncanny survival of the two aircraft and one pilot
defies explanation. Then to explain the loss of his
original crew and their airplane thefirsttime they flew
without him, followed by the loss of his own crew and
airplane the veryfirsttime they went into combat with
another pilot. Discounting some early mechanical
#
�The German Ship TOGO
By Steve Adams
August, 1955, Col. Bill Cameron arrives on Guam to take
Command of Hq. 7th Air Force (Advanced). Greeted by Capt.
Roy Owen, Operations Officer. Lt. Col. Dick Butler was also
there serving with SAC's 3rd Air Division.
The morning reconnaissance flight of 15
February 1943 over Dunkirk Harbor showed
indications that the German ship TOJO was
preparing to sail from the harbor. There was
some mystery about this ship, thought to be
a raider, with a puzzling Japanese name. If
the ship were allowed to slip out to sea our
intelligence was that she would be raiding
allied shipping lanes. Crews were called and
hurriedly briefed. The 44th launched 17
planes which rendezvoused with aircraft of
the 329th Squadron of the 93rd Bomb Group.
The formation was led by Capt. Arthur Cullen
of the 67th with Major Donald MacDonald,
67th Commander as C o m m a n d Pilot. This
aircraft and the aircraft of Lt. Rufus Oliphant
were both heavily hit by A A immediately
after bombs away. Major MacDonald and six
of that crew were KIA; all of the Oliphant
crew were lost. Unfortunately the enemy ship
survived.
Later intelligence revealed the ship was
not a raider, but a radar equipped
Nightf ighter control ship and her name was
not TOJO but T O G O and she was being moved
up from the channel ports area to fill a gap
in the Ostmark area. She was equipped with
a Dreh-Freya at the bow. This was an early
warning radar that operated in the 90 to 200
M h z band; the effective range was between
20 and 40 miles over flat terrain or water.
She had two Y lenses amidships and a FuG
Wurzburg-Riese. This was a fighter ground
control radar and height finding system for
air raid warning radars. Fixed installation
and rail mounted. Search capabilities:
Azimuth 360 degrees, elevation -5 to +95
degrees. The R.A.F. Code name for this radar
was "Basket." There is no information as to
what finally became of the ship, or if it was
ever attacked again. The T O G O was renamed
Rudolf Luck in September 1943; she would
keep this name until the end of the War when
she was again renamed Svalbard and was
put back into service as a merchant vessel.
It is thought the name T O G O was shortened
from Togoland, which w a s a G e r m a n
protectorate in Africa before the first World
War, but was taken away from Germany at
the end of that war.
�ENGLAND AND FRANCE IN 97
Here's what you've been waiting for! We have just put together the itinerary
of the return to England next year that you voted on at San Antonio. And w e have gone you on
big extra with an optional extension to France and Belgium.
Here's how we will be doing this:
Day One - May 2 7 To accommodate our members from all parts of the country, w
be using eight gateway cities (San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle,
Cincinnati, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Boston, Miami and JFK N e w York and thre
airlines (Delta, Virgin and British Airways) to have everyone arrive
London (Heathrow or Gatwick) on the same day, May 27. You will be
responsible for your o w n round trip transportation to the Gateway
airport nearest to your home. You will be met at your London arrival
J^c
airport and transferred to our hotel. You will have dinner at the hotel t
evening, otherwise you have the evening free.
Day Two - May 28 Morning; London sightseeing tour with included lunch. Aftern
your choice: Coach 1-K.ew (Royal Botannical) Gardens; Coach 2 Hampton Court; Coach 3 - Hendon R A F Museum. Dinner at Hotel.
Day Three - May 2 9 Free Day - Golf available - Dinner at Hotel.
Day Four - May 30 Travel to Norwich - Check in Hotel - afternoon free to sho
Norwich, Dinner at Hotel.
Day Five - May 31 Free Day - Golf or optional tour to Coast; Cromer & Sherin
Yarmouth and The Broads; alternatively a visit to the Royal Residence
at Sandringham Castle. Dinner at Hotel.
Day Six - June l Visit to Shipdham, visit the Heritage Centre and Church wit
Service at the 44th Memorial. Visit and tour the Airfield and Squadro
Sites. Visit Arrow Air Hangar and new Visitor and Pilot's Lounge. Enjo
a Wine, Beer and Soft Drink Reception with the people of Shipdham a
the hangar followed by a Barbecue and dance music in the hangar.
Day Seven - June 2 Depart Norwich for RAF Duxford and American Air Museum, th
to Eastbourne, Check-in and Dinner at Hotel.
Day Eight-June 3 Optional tour of Sussex historical sights - Pevensey Castle
Country, Bodiam Castle, etc., or Free Day for golf or relaxation.
Day Nine - June 4 Visit to "Ruthless" Memorial on the South Downs and Social
with people of Eastbourne (hopefully a reception with the Lord Mayor)
Day Ten - June 5 The England only group return to London area for last night
at Hotel. (French & Belgian Tour group cross the Channel today, see
addon itinerary.)
Day Eleven - June 6 British Tour only - Transfer to departure airport.
10
�FRENCH AND BELGIAN EXTENSION
Day Ten - June 5 Depart Newhaven for Channel crossing arrive Dieppe 10:15 a.m.
stay in Dieppe before traveling on to Rouen for two night stay. Dinner
at Hotel.
Day Eleven - June 6 After Breakfast travel to Bayeau, pause to see the Tapest
the D-Day American Landing Beaches and the American Cemetery at
Omaha. Return to Rouen. Dinner at Hotel.
Day Twelve - June 7 Leave Rouen, travel to Giverny for visit to the artist Mo
garden before checking into hotel for dinner, staying for two nights.
Day Thirteen - June 8 Completely Free Day. Opportunity for Bateau Mouche on R
visit the Eiffel Tower, The Louvre, or golf can be arranged.
Day Fourteen - June 9 Leaving Paris, travel eastward to Reims and on to Basto
101st Airborne were besieged. Then on to visit the Ardennes
American Cemetary before proceeding to Liege for the night. (Bed and
Breakfast.)
Day Fifteen - June l o Depart for homeward journey making a sightseeing visit
enroute via Calais/Dover to London for overnight. Dinner at Hotel.
Day Sixteen-June l l Transfer to London Gatwick or Heathrow Airport for depart
Costs:
(l) The Members will be responsible for transportation for round trip transpo
nearest Gateway airport from your home.
(2) The average round trip air travel cost from the Gateway City to London an
The England only ground package cost will be $ l ,463. The France/Belgium add-on is $498.
Adding the average round trip airfare, the cost for the England only tour is $2,132. Adding the
round trip airfare to the entire tour is $2,668 per person plus travel costs to the Gateway city
These costs are subject to fluctuations in international monetary exchange rates and in airlin
fuel price adjustments. This is based on double occupancy, includes all breakfasts and dinne
where noted, a couple of lunches and a couple of dinners "on your own." If you desire single
occupancy, there will be a surcharge of $304 for the England portion and $ 160 for the Europ
extension. Otherwise, you will be riding in deluxe, air cooled buses operated by one of the olde
Coach Tour firms in England. Staying in superior hotels with private facilities and our buses wi
be available for side trips of our choice for up to 75 miles (150 miles round trip) deviation fro
our scheduled route daily.
My 44th Friends, it won't get any better than this. We are going to travel wit
and pay our respects to our fallen comrades in a spirit of light hearted enjoyment they would
wish us to have in their memory.
We ore limited to 124 people.
First come, first reserved.
(# 125 and after go on standby.)
u
m
�Fill out the Reservation Form herein, m a k e out a check payable to 44th B G V A in the amount of
$ 3 0 0 per person w h o will be traveling and send to our Treasurer:
Gerald W. Folsom, Treasurer
44th B G V A
P.O. BOX 2 3 6 7
Salt Lake City, U T 8 4 1 10-2367
(Position on list will be determined by postmark or by dote and
time if paid in person at the Reunion.)
Information on cancellation policy and available trip insurance will be
sent by mail after receipt of reservation.
r
44th Bomb Group Veterans Association
R e t u r n to England/France '97 Reservation
• Yes, l want to join the group for the May 26, 1997 England Tour ONLY.
• Yes, 1 want to join the group for the May 2 6, 1997 England Tour and continue on t
trip.
and
1 will be traveling • alone • withmy_
lam enclosing
(Names)
total
.x $ 3 0 0 per person = $.
(Must be mailed to reach 44th BGVA Treasurer by October 15, 1996.
Number of golfers: Pay your own Green Fees:
I I at London I I at Norwich I I at Eastbourne I—Pat Paris
Signature and name printed:
Signature
N a m e Printed
City
Address
Zip
Phone: (
M y Airline Gateway City will be:
•Boston (Virgin)
•Miami (Virgin)
• S a n Francisco (Delta)
•Seattle (British)
• N e w York (British)
• Dallas (British)
• Los Angeles (Delta)
'.
_Youj^lj^ceiuejjij1inej^seru
by mail.
Eastbourne, England, The "Ruthless" memorial placed by the
people of Eastbourne for the 506th James 0. Bolin crew, all lost in
a crash landing at this site 2 February 1942.
12
�Editor: These come to us from
Pat Commisa, 68th Squadron.
BATTLE WEARY
They said he was battle weary.
You could see the look in his eyes.
Which came from sixty five missions.
Thru Italy's trouble blue skies.
His hands never shook nor trembled.
But the calm deliberation,
Of each and every movement,
W a s fraught with determination.
I'd read of battle weary troops,
But what that really meant to m e ,
Was someone overly tired.
And that a little rest would free.
True, that is what it really is,
And also the correct remedy.
But 1 never knew how precious,
Nor hard, that little rest could be.
1 never knew that a stomach,
Could consistently refuse food.
Nor how much a mind can stand,
That can do a little more than brood.
Nor how long human teeth could stand,
Nights of continuous grating.
And the terrible love hunger,
Which seems to know no sating.
Nor the twitching, straining muscles,
As they fight once again in dreams,
And of the groaning and despair,
That ends in a curse or in screams.
Yes, they say he's battle weary,
You could still see it in his eyes.
But you'll never know what it means,
Until at your side he lies.
A poem written by a gunners father who
knows what his own son and also many boys
are going through after doing his tour of
missions is completed, and also what the boys
go through during their tour of operations.
M. P. ETIQUETTE
So you haven't got a hat bud?
Well what do you know,
We've got just the place,
For a sloppy G.I. Joe.
What if you have been overseas,
Your here and don't forget,
There's still some rules and regulations,
Known as military etiquette.
Yes sir you guys got ribbons,
But listen to me bud,
Just because you got used to it,
You can't go around covered in mud.
Now I got it from the Provost,
And he gave it to me straight,
He sez to me, "Lay for those guys,
Who always come sneaking in late."
It's up to us he says,
Who ain't been out of the states,
To let each of these veterans know,
Exactly how they rate.
So if you catch 'em out of line,
Give it to 'em good,
Cause there's a war going on,
And that's to be understood.
So you fellows see where I stand,
I've just got to run you in,
Cause if the Provost finds out,
He'll take it out of my skin.
So start polishing, shining, shaving,
And stay right on the ball,
Cause if your not all shiny,
We won't win this war at all.
�Editor: The following article is the latest episode in b o m b runs. Horst had a list of the crew from Miss
America of the 389th and five of this crew were killed.
the continuing saga of B-24H E-101, "Corky," shot
In the other crash, the information is not as clear, but
down over Dortmund, Germany 28 January 1945.
We featured "Corky" in the Winter issue with a cover five bodies were buried at the s a m e time as the eight
reproduction of the original Robert Taylor painting crew from "Corky" and four from "Miss America."
This partly explains the confusion when Patrick
"Welcome Sight" which depicted "Corky" amidst a
formation of 44th Libs overflying Ely Cathedral on Colosimo, the survivor from Corky, had been told by
a return from a mission. Doctor Robert Reid of the Germans that a number of his crew were still alive.
London, Ontario, Canada owns the painting and has It would seem that the reports were rather fragmented
as to the number of survivors and dead, and in fact it's
become the preeminent historian in the life and
death of the aircraft and fate of her crew. He is a confusing even to this date w h o the survivors were as
member of our Association and is truly an amazing there were reports of two survivors from Miss America
individual. His quest for the facts of the shoot-down being killed by civilians but not being found till after the
and story of each of the crew will probably rank as war. O n e of the families from Corky's crew had been
told that one of Corky's crew had been killed by civilians.
the most thoroughly investigated combat loss in
However, when the local graves registry was reviewed,
the history of 8th Air Force.
only one of the crew from Miss America who was killed
is missing from the burial list from the 9th of February.
All the crew from Corky were listed on this list. It's easy
By Dr. Robert Reid
to see how the reports became confused, particularly
because of the language difficulties.
The witnesses to Corky's crash were mainly older
In the Winter edition of Eight Ball Tails, the Patrick people and young children and youths under the age
Colosimo's capture w a s described by two young boys.
of 16, all the rest of the male population being drafted
In following up with Horst Munte in Dortmund and with
into the army. This means that any witnesses would
Stephen Klemp, the newspaper reporter for the local
either be over 90 now or around 60. This in fact was
newspaper, the story became rather more clear.
very much the distribution that w e found in the telephone
M y father had been ill and I planned a trip to visit reports. The plane exploded in the air and a wing came
him at the end of January. Horst w a s quite persuasive off, the main fuselage broke in two in the region of the
that I c o m e to Dortmund and eventually w e arranged to b o m b bay and wreckage w a s spread over 1/2 a
meet on the 27th of January, which would allow m e to kilometer north and south of the main east and west
be there on the anniversary of the crash.
Autobahn in the north of Dortmund in the area of a small
I arrived in Dusseldorf at 10:30 on a Friday evening suburb known as Altenderne. The first of witnesses on
in the middle of a blizzard. While driving up the Autobahn the scene were a young boy and his sister. H e was
to Dortmund, having passed 20 cars in the ditch, I began around 14 and she w a s around 10 years of age and
to wonder what I w a s letting myself in for as the weather she describes finding a tall blond American lying with a
deteriorated. It w a s with s o m e relief that I pulled into parachute that was partly burnt and damaged. H e was
the gas station where Horst had arranged to meet m e .
dead and her brother apparently cut the parachute off
By this tim^ there was almost eight inches of snow on and they ran away with it, as it was forbidden for civilians
the ground and I w a s beginning to question whether I to go near a crashed enemy bomber or remove anything
was being sensible.
from the crash site. Shortly afterwards, a local farmer
However, after a good night sleep and breakfast, I who's property lay approximately 150-200 meters from
w a s ready to go investigating. Stephen and Horst
the crash site c a m e up and described finding a tall
explained what they found from the telephone calls that American, but without a parachute and another crew
had been m a d e to the newspaper following two articles member laying approximately 50 yards further west who
in November, 1985. There were 16 witnesses, claiming apparently had a gold band on his wrist with the n a m e
to have seen the crash, but on subsequent phone calls, Walker inscribed on it. This subsequently disappeared
several were describing another crash. O n the 28th of and as there w a s no other identification on this airman,
January, 1945 there were in fact three B-24's that
he w a s not identified at the time, though w e now know
crashed in the Dortmund area. "Corky" from the 44th
this w a s Joseph Walker, the engineer on Corky. The
b o m b group, a second B-24 "Miss America" from the
farmer also noted four or five crew members laying close
389th B o m b Group, 566 Squadron and a third from the to the main fuselage. The number and location varies
93rd B o m b Group, 409th Squadron.
according to the witness and it maybe that they had
T h e other two Liberators went d o w n on the
been removed later and gathered close together for
southeast part of Dortmund, having completed their
Corky (Continued)
�Corky Continued:
removal. The tail unit had apparently c o m e down south
of the Autobahn and again the descriptions vary as to
whether one or two of the crew were found in this
location. The wing c a m e d o w n to the north of the
fuselage, almost in the back garden of the farm house,
an engine and several b o m b s were found unexploded
in this area also.
The fuselage apparently burned for a period and
because of the risks of unexploded bombs, a cordon
w a s put around the crash site and non-military
witnesses were strictly limited following this. This story
was given to us by the son of the farmer w h o was 10
years old at that time, his father just having passed away
within the past two years.
Most of the witnesses that called in knew about
Patrick Colosimo, that he had been blown across the
north end of Dortmund coming down in the suburb of
Mengde and being taken into custody by the local police.
H e w a s badly hurt, having been burned, his hair being
singed, being cut also in the head and with a broken
leg.
W e could not, however, find any witnesses to
Maurice Corwine, the pilot, until very recently in early
March w h e n anther witness
called into the n e w s p a p e r
following a follow up article
regarding m y visit and it would
seem that Maurice c a m e down
between the crash site and
M e n g d e as he had exited the
plane at a much lower altitude.
H e apparently c a m e down close
to a flak battery, m a n n e d by
young girls, and the description
was that he had been taken to a
farm house close by which tallies somewhat with the
story given to m e by relatives of the other crew
members.
While this w a s happening at the north of Dortmund,
at the south end, the crew m e m b e r s of the 389 plane,
Miss America, were descending by parachute. Their
plane having suffered a very similar fate of having a
wing blown off by flak and the co-pilot, pilot, engineer
and three gunners managed to get out of the plane and
survive the descent, five of the crew did not survive.
O n e of the five is not listed in the mortuary records in
Dortmund and what happened to him is not clear as he
w a s known to have left the plane.
T o m Riggles - Co-Pilot, Keith Holdrige - Radio
Operator, and Will Crum - one of the Gunners, are all
alive and having contacted them they confirmed s o m e
of the details of the raid that day.
The civilians around Dortmund were particularly
15
upset with U S aircraft and all survivors described having
been fortunate in having been captured by the army of
Luftwaffe. Will Crum describes being escorted by a
Luftwaffe, Sergeant Major Heinrich Fischer, back to the
air base back in Dortmund and Fischer having to
threaten a group of w o m e n with his gun, w h o were intent
on assaulting the prisoner, to keep away.
The survivors from Corky, Miss America and the
other B-24 were gathered together at the air base in
Dortmund over the subsequent few days and Will Crum
remembered Patrick being brought in. Apparently the
Germans had wanted him to be taken to the hospital,
but he declined and wanted to stay with his fellow
survivors. H e was quite badly burned about the head.
H e had several other cuts and a broken ankle. None of
the survivors remember Maurice Corwine well and it's
possible that he wasn't actually brought to the air base
as several other survivors had been taken to local police
stations and then directly transferred to the Prison of
W a r processing center near Frankfurt. The remainder
of survivors from the 28th of January raid, were
transported to Frankfurt by train, four or five days after
the raid and then transferred to the Prisoner of W a r
camp.
Dr. Robert Reid with German Historian
Horst Munte at the site of the "Corky"
crash in the suburbs of Dortmund,
Germany. Note the dark area of grass
where the main fuselage and one wing
came to rest.
With the story from Stephen and
Horst, and the members of Miss
America's crew, what happened to
the crew from Corky w a s almost
completely cleared up. Three
parachutes were reported as
coming out of the aircraft and one of them, I understand
from two other 44 b o m b group observers, had been
caught in the explosion and w a s d a m a g e d . T h e
evidence would suggest that this w a s Robert Lough,
the co-pilot, as he w a s considerably taller than the other
members of the crew as can be seen in the photograph
in the last edition of Eight Ball Tails. The confusion over
whether or not there w a s a parachute is explained by
the removal by the two young witnesses.
H o w the story, that one of them had been killed by
civilians, c a m e about is not clear but what w e suspect
is that this w a s misidentification with one of the other
crew members from one of the other aircraft. The civil
records for that time are fairly complete, though all the
Airfleet 4 documentation from the air base were
destroyed at the end of the war. The local mortuary
records account for all dead, except for one crew
m e m b e r from Miss America, w h o w a s known to have
�Corky Continued:
parachuted safely according to his colleagues, but w a s
not found until after the war. H e m a y be the victim that
had been discussed earlier as a possible casualty due
to civilian maltreatment.
In s o m e of the papers that Horst Munter gave m e ,
there w a s a form signed by 2nd Lieutenant Herbert
Copelan, 3046 Q M C company that investigated the
crash at the end of 1945. Herbert is n o w a physician
living in Florida. His memories of that time are patchy,
but he w a s able to give m e s o m e details about the
investigation. At that time, because of the number of
casualties, investigations were frequently not as in depth
as would probably have been optimal, but he indicated
that the crew from Corky had all perished at the crash
scene.
In early 1946, they were moved from Dortmund, to
the Ardennes National Cemetery in Belgium and later,
all except, Burt Steinmiller, Edward W e i n m a n and
Robert Lough, were removed to the U S for burial in
their hometowns, W a y n e Scott w a s buried at Arlington
National Cemetery in Washington.
After having discussed all the information over
breakfast, Horst and Stephen took m e out to the crash
site. The crash site is traversed by the main east/west
Autobahn. Surprisingly, it's not yet been built on, though
one can see that within the next few years, the houses
will expand out from the town, but at this point it's much
as it w a s in 1945. The fields are still cultivated and
because of this, the farmers are reluctant to allow
anyone to dig on it. The soil contains clay and there's
only a very short period in the spring when the ground
is not frozen or waterlogged to allow a proper search.
Ten or twelve years ago an engine had been found, but
this had been sent for scrap. A propeller had been found
also and blades of this had been given to individuals.
Horst and I later went looking for one of them which
w a s apparently set outside a building in the south end
of Dortmund; however, it had been there three months
before, but w a s gone w h e n w e got there. It had been
removed following renovations to the front of the building
and the owner's weren't helpful.
The other propeller blade w a s in the possession of
a technical sergeant in the G e r m a n airforce and
apparently he had been transferred to Canada (strange
coincidence). In the field where the main fuselage
section had c o m e down, there's a slight change in the
contour of the land and in the color of grass, apparently
related to the fuel and the burning of the soil at the time
of the impact.
It's a very quiet spot with a small road along its
northern boundary, mainly used by families walking
children and surprisingly peaceful despite being so close
to the main Autobahn.
The photographs show the site of impact of the main
fuselage and the point where the tall section c a m e
down.
The wing, engine and apparently five bombs came
d o w n in the field to the north of the lane, close to the
farm house.
The snow on the ground and the weather, according
to the witnesses, were very similar to that 50 years
before. Later that day, Horst and I drove out to the crash
site of Miss America to meet one of his friends who
spent almost four years going up and down the crash
site there and has collected large numbers of parts of
the aircraft, but most are very small, the largest piece
being a hydraulic p u m p and an engine cowel flap.
The following day, which w a s the 51st anniversary
day of the crash, Horst and I went back out to the crash
site at noon, the time of the crash.
The scene w a s very peaceful and didn't belie the
violence that had occurred. It w a s a bright sunny day,
though mildly overcast, very similar to that in 1945.
There were people walking along the lane with small
children from church, several crows and magpies were
flying around, this being the only sound until an aircraft
w a s heard. I have to admit, it rather sent a shiver up m y
spine. It w a s one of the commuter airliners going into
the local airport. It gave m e a rather eerie feeling.
Several people c a m e over to speak to Horst and one
or two knew about the crash and asked what w e were
doing.
O n leaving the crash site, w e drove down to the
cemetery where the crews were initially buried. It's a
quiet place, just across the road from the main cemetery.
The plots were the Allied air crew were buried have not
been used since. The cemetery is dominated by a large
monument to 6,000 Russian workers w h o were killed
in a number of air raids during the war.
A s the weather w a s brightening up, Horst took m e
out to the M o h n D a m where the Royal Air Force used
the famous Bouncing b o m b to blow the d a m up. O n the
south side of the Autobahn about five miles from the
d a m is the crash site of one of the Lancaster's from the
raid. In contrast to the farmer in Dortmund where Corky
crashed, here they had to give up cultivating part of the
farm in the area of this site because of the number of
visitors to the monument that has been placed there in
memory of the crew.
In al,l there were approximately 40 Allied aircraft
crashes in the vicinity of Dortmund during the war. Horst,
since he retired as a teacher, has investigated almost
32 of them and has found artifacts in m a n y of the sites
and also documented the stories of the aircraft. H e still
has m a n y witnesses to see, one of the elderly
gentlemen w h o called the newspaper, w a s one of the
people first on the scene, w a s willing to go with us to
�Corky Continued:
see the crash site. Unfortunately, because the weather
was rather cold he couldn't as he was in frail health. He
said he'd be happy to do it later and I suppose it's an
excuse for another visit to Dortmund. This time to
perhaps comb the field with Horst with his metal detector
to see if he can find any artifacts from Corky.
I would like to thank several individuals for their help
in m y search for information about Corky including Will
Lundy, Pete Henry, all of the members of the crews of
Corky who have corresponded with me, and to Douglas
Howard from the Department of Army Mortuary
Records, Alexandria, Virginia, and Tony Mastradone
who has aided the search for information in the National
Archives.
Frequently, government workers are given little
credit for doing their jobs, but in all m y dealings with
the people in Washington, they've been extremely
helpful and understanding in helping m e get information.
Some more first hand stuff on "Corky"
Dear Will:
In the Volume 1,
Issue 4, the article on
"Corky" is accurate
about
Rueban
Rickett's crew flying
three missions on the
8th, 10th and 17th of
June, 1944.
Webb
Todd's
68th
Squadron
history is in error
(omission) - there
was a mission by the
68th on the 10th of
June. The mission
w a s to Orleans
Buchy, France. I
verified the dates
with m y form 5 flight
records.
O n the 7th of July, Rueban Rickett's crew took the
plane to Bernburg, Germany, not Darenburg. This was
the day of the "Big Shoot." W e could not get fighter cover
because all our fighters were engaged with the German
fighters. W e were attacked by JU-88's coming out of
the sun just as w e prepared to turn on the IP. The
Navigator's window was shot out. The three lead aircraft
(of our Section) were hit - they, in turn, hit each other,
going down in a massive spin, apparently locked to each
other. S o m e chutes were observed coming out but how
many I don't know.
17
Rickett's crew became the lead 68th aircraft at that
time, bombs were dropped by the Navigator, me! S o m e
bombs hit the target, and aircraft plant. But most of them
took out the main road through town.
Rickett's crew flew "Corky" to Saarbrucken on the
16th of July and the mission on the 12th of July was to
Munich. A previous mission to Munich was also m a d e
on the 11th of June, I believe.
All of the above dates are from m y form 5 flight
records and diary.
Rueban Rickett was an excellent pilot. His service
record would show he was an A & E aircraft mechanic
before going to flight school. H e was a rated B-17 pilot
who was taken out of phase training as a B-17 co-pilot
and sent to B-24 transition training. He picked up all his
crew except the Navigator at Wendover Army Air Base
in Utah.
I, as Navigator, joined the crew in phase training at
G o w e n Field Army Air Base at Boise, Idaho in January,
1944.
Any time that w e had aircraft mechanical problems,
Rueban could diagnose the problem and save the
ground crews many hours of hunting. I think that he
w a s one of the best
and safest B-24 pilots
in the Air Force.
January 28,1996,
Dr. Robert Reid overlooking
the crash site of 68th
Squadron Corwin crew
aboard "Corky" shot down
51 years prior over
Dortmund, Germany.
On 12th of July,
1944
we
were
scheduled for a raid
on Saarbrucken, but
had to abort because
of a blown engine.
The weather was so
bad w e had to get to
an auxiliary field to land. W e were directed to
Molesworth, a B-17 group. W h e n Rueban landed, w e
had a full load of bombs and 2300 gallons of fuel. H e
"greased" that B-24 in so smoothly you couldn't feel it
touch down. W h e n I complemented him on the landing,
his reply was, "This is a B-17 field and I don't want them
thinking I'm driving a truck!" H e was proud of the B-24
- so were w e all, the B-17 gets glamorized, but the B24 was the real work horse in all theatres.
Best wishes,
Elwyn A. Meyer, 68th
Idaho Falls, Idaho
�THE PRESIDENT'S C OKMIt
Air Centre or Steve Adams.
Back on the job again! We just returned
from a six week+ vacation to the beautiful Our mail-out of some 1800 letters
44th people who have never belong
Provence region of Southern France, thenformer
a
to a 44th member organization has, to
three night visit in Paris on our way to London
point, provided rather disappointing r
for five days. I put Lolly on a return home
flight on July 9 and I stayed over for a runwith
up only 48 memberships so far. Althou
by using "Address Correction Requested"
to Norwich/Shipdham to complete plans for
have new addresses for a bunch of thos
our 44th BGVA England trip next year. Also,
I met with Steve Adams (our English people, and knowing Art Hand, rest assur
he will keep pounding the beat and that
representative) and Nigel Wright, President
number will grow. Those who have come in
of Arrow Air Centre. In this meeting we came
to an agreement on management and funding the fold after all of these years are ast
that we found them and amazed to find th
of the construction of the Arrow Air Centre
someone still cares enough to make the e
addition which will be the Visitors Centre
to locate them. Most of those newly foun
housing the 44th B.G. museum and the Arrow
members are looking forward to meeting w
Air Heritage collection. While the actual
us in St. Louis.
construction plans were not ready for review,
we went through a verbal description of theYou certainly have observed that for
issue, we have moved the cover picture o
addition and I looked over the site and was
featured aircraft "Buzzin' Bear" to the
impressed. The room will occupy a vacant spot
so we can pay tribute to our Presiden
on the rear of the existing building accessed
Emeritus and Combat Leader
GENERAL
from a hallway that will provide access from
the Pub. The feature of this location is LEON
that W. JOHNSON
on the occasion of hi
the exterior side of the addition looks Ninety
over Second Birthday, September 13.
the airfield and will have large windows that
Should you care to wish him a HAPPY
BIRTHDAY and CONTINUED HEALTH with
will present a view clear across to the old
an individual card, he may be reached at
Control Tower. The draft of the funding and
Belvoir Woods Parkway, Fairfax Apt. 334,
construction agreement is currently being
reviewed by your Board of Directors. Belvoir, VA 22060.
Hopefully this will soon be completed and
signed, funds transferred and construction
See you in St. Louis!
begun. Our dream of preserving and
transferring the wall art from the 14th CBW
walls to the new building will not be possible.
The old Rix farm was recently purchased by
Mr. Andrew Doubleday. He is an ardent
supporter of the 44th and the preservation
of the Shipdham heritage of our outfit. In that
sense, he has denied the removal of the wall
art in the fear it would not survive the transfer.
Instead he has promised renovation of the
buildings to protect that which remains and
will allow access to view the CBW area by
anyone making arrangements through Arrow
�^Beating the Bushes
By Art Hand & Will Lundy
DR. MYRON F. SESIT: Sutton Place South, New York, ELBERTB. "Jim" WALTON: 825 East Belt Boulevard,
N Y 10022 (212) 486-9055. 68th Squadron. Joined 8/3/42; Richmond, V A 23224 and (804) 231-3904. 68th Squadron.
tour to Africa September 1943, etc.
Gunner on Van Dykes crew. In 1/28/45 and home on 5/28/
45. Flew in A/C #42-95021.
FRED HEICHEMER: 42 Lincoln Avenue, Binghamton,
N Y 13905 (607) 723-3157. 68th Squadron. Joined 11/2/
DALE STUFFLEBEAM: 620 East Van Buren Street,
44; C/T on 4/10/45. Co-Pilot for Beckingham. Transferred Washington, IA 52353 and (319) 653-3018. 68th
to 459th BG.
Squadron. In on 1/27/44; C/T on 7/4/44 to 8th AF HQ.
JEROME WILNER: 10209-D Ashbrooke Ct. Oakton, VAROBERT C. SWANK: 2929 East 800 North Ossian, I
22124. 68th Squadron. Bombardier forN. Anderson.
46777-9105. 68th Squadron. Engineer on Kay's crew. In
Joined 10/25/44. Home on 5/28/45.
on 6/23/44. C/T on 11/21/44.
CHESTER F. CRANTZ: Box 36, 293 Main, Vulcan, MIARTHUR C. RVHL: 18375 Ankenytown Road,
49892. 68th Squadron. Gunner on Cary's crew. Joined on Fredericktown, O H 43019 and (614) 694-5203. Gunner for
10/8/43. C/T on 4/1/44.
Kessler crew. Joined on 8/3/43 and C/T on 4/1/44.
JOSEPHE. WAWERNA: 7702 Rosewood Drive, Port
Richey, Florida 34668 and (813) 868-2937. 68th Squadron.
Front Gunner for Gayman. Joined 5/1/44, completed 22
missions.
FRANK A. WILSON: 1904 Oneida Avenue, Muscatine,
IA 52761. 68th Squadron. Returned from ETO 5/22/45 on DARRELL D. BELYEU: 3433 North Dougals Boulevar
Spencer, O K 73084 and (405) 771-5719. 68th Squadron.
A/C #44-50769.
Aircraft Mechanic. To ETO 9/5/42; flew home 5/30/45 A/
MYRONH. LONGAN: 26 Park Lane, Milton, PA 17847 C 42-95001.
and (717) 742-9219. 68th Squadron. Radio Operator on J.
EDWARD W. DANZIGER, III: 1341 Missouri Avenue,
Cary's crew. C/T 4/1/44.
Bndgeville, PA 15017 and (412) 221-6565. 68th
ROBERT C. MANTHEY: 1019 N. Franklin Street, New Squadron. Radio Operator on Kiggins crew. Joined 1/22/
45. Flew home on 5/21/45 via A/C #44-50755.
Ulm, M N 56073 and (507) 354-6692. 68th Squadron.
Gunner for Bravakis crew. Transferred to 458 BG.
EDWARD A. WEDDELL: 1448 Westminster Drive,
Fairfield, C A 94533-1827 and (707) 425-3176. Engineer
RICHARD E. KING: 2517 Henderson, Memphis, TN
on Lt. Honmyhr's crew. In Sq. May, 1944, C/T November,
38127 and (901) 357-7752. 68th Squadron. Joined on 4/
1944.
27/44. To ZOI 5/28/45. Flew home on 42-95021.
GEORGE C. TRIBKE: 102 West Willow Avenue,
Woodstock, IL 60098-2571. 68th Squadron. To ETO
Queen Mary, 9/5/43, returned same way 6/16/45.
ALBERTPSCHIRER: 370 Michigan Avenue, Mansfield
PHILIPL. CARTIER: 382 Ferry Road, Sacp., ME 04072
O H 44905 and (419) 589-6922. 68th Squadron. Engineer
and (207) 284-5709. 68th Squadron. Gunner on Borah's
on Seever's crew. In 7/16/44 and C/T 3/24/45. Had D S to
crew. Joined 6/23/44; C/T 2/14/45.
Belgium November, 1944 into '45.
WILLIAM JACOB: 50 Fairfield Street, Bristol, CT 06010
RICHARD F. COWARD: 119 First Street, Nederland
and (203) 582-4505. 68th Squadron. Was transferred to
77627 and (409) 722-8515. 68th Squadron. Gunner on
231st Hospital (Wymondham) 3/26/44.
Seever's crew. Also in on 7/16/44 C/T 3/24/45.
ROBERTHENSLER: 2032 Pleasant Street, South bend,
CARL C. SHOOK: 9151 South 700 East, St. Paul,
IN 46615. 66th Squadron. In from 391st Squadron, 34th
47272-9512 and (317) 525-6799. 506th Squadron. May
BG.
have been known as "Curtis."
CLYDESILVIS: 156 Beckwith Dr. Battle Creek, MI
49015 and (616) 962-2346. 68th Squadron. (No details on RICHARD A. BOYKIN: P.O. Box 128, Port Haywood,
V A 23138 and (540) 725-5426. 506th Squadron.
him yet.)
19
�Beating the Bushes (Continued):
COL. JAMES G. CARY: Ret. 5580 North Shore Way,
Pensacola, FL 32507 and (904) 492-0423. 68th Squadron.
Pilot of own crew. Arrived 10/8/43 and C/T on 4/1/44.
Transferred to 448th BG.
EDWARD W. ROBARDS: 6476 Halcyondale Road,
Sylvana, G A 30467 and (912) 857-3830. 506 and 67th
Squadrons. Co-Pilot for E.C. Yatkones. Arrived in 67th
Squadron 8 June 1944. C/T November, 1944.
"Joe" the Navigator
A poor downtrodden soul is he.
W h o guides our planes o'er land and sea.
WILLIAM FATUR, SR.: 8201 Sante Fe Drive, #165,
Fogs don't alarm him, clouds or foam.
Littleton, C O 80120. 68th Squadron. Gunner on Borah's
His d/f loop will get them home.
crew. Joined 6/23/44 and C/T 2/10/45.
The gunner on this loop m a y star.
But poor "Joe" tells them where they are.
SIGMUND GOLDMAN: 1670 Huron Terrace, Maitland,
FL 32751. 68th Squadron. Navigator for Beckingham's
The pilot brags, "I dodge the flak."
crew. In on November 2, 1944 and C/T 30 March, 1945.
"Joe" gets him there. "Joe" brings him back.
The bombardier waits his load to drop.
PERCYGAUDIN: P.O. Box 125, Kiln, MS 39556. 66th
At his wireless sits the radio op.
Squadron. Gunner for J. McKenna. P O W 6 August 1944.
The wrist gunner, his lonely vigil keeps.
And o'er them all a deep peace creeps.
LLOYD K THOMPSON: RR #1, Box 145 L, Sedans, KS
While all alone, brow damp with sweat.
67361. 68th Squadron. Gunner for Principe's crew.
The busiest guy you've ever met.
Arrived on 3/5/44 and C/T 8/24/44.
His desk alive with charts and maps.
DANIEL BERGER: 1351 S.W. 125th Street, #314,
Compasses, dividers, a Dalton perhaps.
Pemborke Pines, FL 33027 and (305) 436-5878. No
A sextant, star tables, a few log forms.
details, but listed as 68th Squadron. Todd doesn't have
He's the most crowded soul that was ever born.
him.
And when the results of the raid are read.
Hats off to the gunner (of course he's dead).
TOM REEVES: P.O. Box 511, Clearlake Oaks, CA 95423.
For his part in the marvelous bombing spree.
66th Squadron.
They gave the pilot the D.F.C.
VINCENT V. VRANAS: P.O. Box 41555, Sacramento, CAThe bombardier's aiming the load was hot.
The D.F.C. was the praise he got.
95841-1555. 66th Squadron. Bombardier for Paul
Then
for the navigator, forgotten cuss
Dusossoit. Arrived about February, 1945. Flew 17
The simple admission. "Yeah! H e was with us."
missions.
LOUISA. TEBBE: 523 East Sunset Avenue, Santa Maria,
C A 93454 and (805) 922-2206. 68th Squadron. Nose
Turret for Roy Boggs crew. Joined 8/3/44, C/T and flew
home on 5/28/45 in A/C #42-52643.
HOWARD W. BEAMAN: 3113 Calvary Road, Council
Bluffs, IA 51503-1907. 66th Squadron. Waist Gunner for
Lt. McPhillamey, P O W 26 February 1943.
Art Hand will be taking orders at th
EDWINE. ROSS: Route #4, Box 56B, Eupora, MS
Reunion for felt Group Patches for
39744. Cannot identify.
jackets. Each of the Squadron colors
EDWARD PICARDO: 6532 39th Avenue, N.E., Seattle,
will be available. See Art at you
W A 98115 and (206) 522-5926. 67th Squadron. Tail
Gunner for Jay Spencer. First mission August, 1944 and
convenience.
completed tour 12/31/44 - New Years Eve!!
•o
�»
tssouri wa,
" Meet Wle In Si £ouis
so you don t
sing the
»
Si Louis 13lues
�44TH BOMB GROUP VETERANS ASSOCIATION
1996 REUNION - October 3 - 7,1996
Holiday Inn Westport
St. Louis, Missouri
REGISTRATION F O R M
LAST NAME.
ADDRESS _
CITY
GUESTS _
GUESTS
SQ # (one only)
SPOUSE
FIRST, (name tag).
ZIP
STATE
PHONE # (
).
RELATION
TOTAL TO ATTEND
•
D
Q
•
Option # I
Option # 2
Option # 3
Option # 4
Full Reunion
Thurs, Fri (Sq. Dinner, Sat (Banquet)
Sat (Banquet), Sun (Buffet), Mon (Breakfast)
Saturday Banquet and Dance only
$110.00 per person:
$70.00 per person:
$80.00 per person:
$35.00 per person;
NOJ_
NOJ_
NOJ_
NOJ_
$13.00 per person: NOJ
St. Louis 8:30 -12:30 Friday
$13.00 per person: NOJ
Grant's Farm 1:00 -4:30 Friday
Total.
(Please check your arithmetic.)
Meat Selection (Banquet only) D
Beef
G Chicken
Sunday Champagne Brunch at Casino St. Charles @ 12:00. I would like to go? • Yes
or G
•
Q
Tour #1:
Tour # 2 :
No
H O W many?
REGISTRATIONS M U S T B E RECEIVED BY S E P T E M B E R 16,1996. N O REGISTRATIONS W I L L B E P R O C E S S E D AFTER THAT DATE.
••••NO SHOWS FULL REFUND****
<^D
M A I L T O : Jim C l e m e n t s • 4124 Calculus • Dallas, T X 75244-7311
=v
Cut on line!
44TH BOMB GROUP VETERANS ASSOCIATION
1996 REUNION OCTOBER 3-7,1996
H O T E L RESERVATION F O R M
FIRST
LAST NAME
ADDRESS
PHONE # (
CITY
# OF NIGHTS
# IN ROOM
n
SHARING ROOM W /
STATE
DFPARTIIRF DATF
. ARRIVAL DATE
SMOKING
•
ZIP
•
NONSMOKING
KING G
2DBL
Check in time is 3:00 p.m.; Check out Noon. Rate: $69 (up to two in room) + Tax 13.224%
CUT OFF DATE: September 9,1996. Reservations received after this date will be processed on a space available basis. Rates are firm for days before
and after reunion.
CANCELLATION: Deposit refundable if cancellation is received 48 hours in advance of arrival. Record your cancellation number. Call (314) 434-0100.
TO CONFIRM YOUR RESERVATION, INCLUDE FIRST NIGHT'S DEPOSIT BY CHECK PAYABLE TO HOLIDAY INN WESTPORT, OR MAJOR CREDIT CARD INFORMATION.
SIGNATURE
AMOUNT
TYPE
CREDIT CARD #
^D
DATE
EXP. DATE
Mail to: Holiday Inn W e s t p o r t • 1973 Craigshire • S t Louis, M O 63146
Airport Limousine Available: Call from courtesy phone in lobby.
CHECK # „
�1996 44th BOMB GROUP VETERANS ASSOCIATION
(£&\ REUNION NOTES
RXOISTRATIOIT
&&y
It is absolutely imperative that registrations be received by September 16, JPPC.No registrations will be processed after that
If there Is some question about being able to attend, send your registration In anyway as all no shows will be refunded. If, however,
you have sent your registration In earlier and lt become apparent you will not be able to attend, please let us k n o w as soon as
possible, so w e oan keep our numbers straight with the hotel.
The options listed on the Reunion Registration Form are designed to make your schedule more suitable and equitable. There oan be
no deviations.
The Registration Desk will be open Friday at noon for those arriving on Option #2. For those that selected Option #3, the Regi
Desk will be open from 11:30 to 1:00 Saturday to pick up Registration Envelopes. The Registration Desk will again be open at 8:30
Saturday for those attending on Option #4, at which time late arrivals on Option #3 m a y get their tickets. Please double check your
registration before sending lt to ensure you are paying the correct amount.
There will be a large Bulletin Board in the lobby that will have complete information regarding the events of the reunion. Most
questions you might have will be answered on the board. Dress Code: Informal, except Banquet night. Jackets and ties for the
gentlemen and dressy attire for the ladies.
Tour #1: ,?gg ft, XtO"**.
For those of you that have not visited St. Louis recently or never have, this tour will give you a chance to become familiar wit
The Gateway to the West.
A stop at the Cathedral of St. Louis is inoluded. The Interior contains one of the largest and most beautiful displays of mosalo
In the Western Hemisphere - covering domed ceilings, numerous arches and wall panels.
A narrated tour will acquaint you with the city's downtown/civic area. You'll learn both past and present history of Laclede's
Landing and the historic riverfront.
A stop for picture taking will be made at the magnificent Gateway Arch.
Other interesting sights of the city will be included as time permits.
Metrolink
For those of you that would like to enjoy some of the other points of interest, the Metrolink is highly recommended. It will get
you to your destination quicker than you oan drive in your car, and with no parking worries. The Hotel will furnish Limo service
to and from the airport Main Station. Fare to any station on the route is only fifty cents. There will be a m a p of the routes on
the Bulletin with all the Information you will need to make your trip a success.
TOUR 02: GRANT'S FARM
Located on the estate of the late August Busch, Jr., Grant's Farm is one of the most popular attractions in St. Louis. Built on
once farmed by Ulysses S. Grant, lt n o w has a miniature zoo, bird and animal shows, a collection of horsedrawn carriages and a
trophy room. Ride through the game preserve on a trackless train where you will see the various animals and a log cabin built
by Grant in 18S4. A visit to the Clydesdale stallion barn is a highlight of this attraction.
Enjoy a lunch or snack on your own in the Bauernhof Courtyard.
Tour No. 1 and S are so times that you will be able to enjoy both of them; even if it shghtjy delays your lunch until approximately 1:30 at the Bauernhof Courtyard at Grant's Farm.
HISTORICST,
mAmr*
Bounded in 1769, lt Is the oldest city of the Missouri River and was Missouri's first State Capitol. Many craft, antique and
speciality gift shops line the cobblestone streets. There are wine gardens of the small Missouri's wineries.
The day we will be there, St. Charles will be celebrating Oktoberfest. Oktoberfest is a citywlde celebration of St. Charles' Ger
heritage, featuring a parade, G e r m a n bands, grape stomps, ethnic food, costumes and enjoyment. There will be a free shuttle bus
making the rounds of the activities.
Shuttle buses will start loading at the hotel on Saturday at 1:00, and the last one will leave St. Charles from a designated loc
at 4:30. However, any one can return at any time on our buses.
CASINO ST, crranT.*:.*
On Sundays the Casino features a lavish Champagne Brunch of more than twenty selections of palatable foods for $8.95 (with
discount coupon). There will be free admission to the casino after brunch.
The bus from the Casino will pick up those wishing to go at 12:00, returning at 3:00. As the bus Is being furnished at no oharge
tt Is necessary w e have reservations before hand. Therefore, on your registration form, please check the appropriate plaoe.
�^ ^
ii
/ 44TH BOMB 6R0UP VETERANS \ jifiw
X
ASSOCIATION
» |
1996 REUN1
HOLIDAY INN WESTPORT
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Keg istration all dag.
12:00 Mospitallty Koom opens.
4-.00 to 5:00 Reception Ballroom.
Dinner on your own.
8:30 -12:00 Zour #1. See St. JCouis
10:00Mospitallty Koom opens.
12=30 - 4:00 Zour #2. Grants Jarm
6:00 Squadron Dinners - ballroom
(Koom assignments to be announced).
9:30 -1 h30 General "BusinessMeeting
12:00Mospitallty Koom.
hOO Shuttle buses to St. Charles
4:30 £ast bus returns to hotel
6:00 Banquet: Color guards and candle lighting
3:00 - 1 hOO Dance with Mr National Guard Band
October 6, Sunday
10:00Mospitallty Koom opens.
6:30 Buffet Ballroom - entertainment to follow
October 7. Monday 7.-30 -10.00 Jarewell Buffet Breakfast in Ballroom.
�SOME NOTES ON THE REUNION
RESERVE SEATING FOR THE REUNION BANQUET
ZnThT 'nt^ f°\ the/atur^y Banquet will be implemented by using a Floor Plan of the Dining
"n be numbered Py °" * " ^ " ^ lobby The F1°°r Pla" Wl11 disPlay each
Adjacent to the bulletin board there will be a l.sting of the dining room tables with numbers
spaces to enter names.
To reserve spaces at a table, select one from the Floor Plan and enter the names of those to o
seats on the hst under the table number. D o Not "Ditto". Each space reserved must contain a name
(initials of first name o.k.). There are ten seats at each table
Be sure to check with all those in your party to determine that they have not reserved any other table
Any duplicate seats will be deleted from the list.
roceIduresthiS ammgement * SUCCeSS' wiU dePend uPon each Persons cooperation by adhering to
EASY COME, EASY GO
Simple directions to
*"* WESTPORT
1-270 and Page Avenue
LAMOffl! KltHf«TlCWAl. A I H P O H T
DIRECTIONS: From 1-270. c-xlt
Poao poet to Westoort Drive/
Lockiand Road, which veers
to the right. Turn naht at the
stop llrjht onto Lackland
Road, continue straight thru
ctap liohTs. Rood veers to the
left a n d b e c o m e s CraigshJre.
hotel Is on the right hand side
ot street.
Courtesy van shuttle to a n d from Westport Plaza a n d the airport
12 Minutes from L a m b e r t International Airport
Conveniently l o c a t e d at the center of W e s t C o u n t y business a n d entertainment
For Reservations. Call (314) 434-0100
1-270 o n d P a g e A v e n u e . 1973 Cralashlre. St. Louis. Missouri
25
63146
�WILL SEZ
Although the Turner Publishing Company
announced in their last "Flyer" that August 2, 1996
would be the deadline for reserving your copy(ies) of
the 44th b o m b Group "The Flying Eightballs," it might
not be too late to send in your m o n e y for your copy.
They would like for all of us to participate by sending in
our order for a book as well as your personal
biography. Our book will be larger and better with each
order submitted, and personal accounts of war
experiences, photos, etc. will be welcomed! W e can
have one of their best books published if w e all
contribute.
In the Spring 1996 "Tails," Page 8, Ann Carpenter
Wing began her article with a plea to all of us - one
which I've been nagging at you for s o m e time. She
said, "To those of you w h o have not recorded your
experiences during the war, please do so! It means so
much to future generations. You are an important part
of history. I can tell you from a personal viewpoint that
this knowledge means a great deal to m e and m y
children and grandchildren." She is absolutely correct,
and went on to tell you her story. If you missed it, dig
out your copy and read it.
Your President, as well as all of his Board, are
determined to make this 44th B o m b Group the top
organization of not only the 2nd Air Division, but the
entire 8th Air Force, so far as the recording of our
history is concerned. W e are making progress, but w e
can do so much better if w e can get each and every
one of you to get Y O U R story onto paper and to us to
preserve for you and your family.
It is so disheartening to get a letter from a wife or
child, even a grandchild searching for ANY information
about YOU, the veteran w h o served with us in WWII or
later. Sometimes I a m lucky and manage to dig up
s o m e information for those kinfolks, but all too often i
have so very little that I can give these folks. All too
many of you are far too modest, hiding behind the
words that "I didn't do much, no one will be
interested." Not so, let m e assure you. I've been
bugging you for quite s o m e time, more as a personal
request, but please remember that your o w n family
surely want your stories themselves - first!
If you can't type, write - if you can't write, print.
And if you can't even do that, try using a voice
recorder; talk your story into a tape recorder. But do get
your recollections recorded somehow. O n e of our
combat m e n got his wife to write d o w n his story - not
all at one time, but many evenings during the winter.
H e was an only survivor from his crew, managed to
evade immediate capture, m a d e his way across France,
and with help from French Resistance, crossed the
Pyrenees in winter. W e n o w have it in our archives!
Your time with the 44th is just as important and will
help us with our goal to be the most complete historic
bomber group in the U.S.
In the same vein for those in the 66th Squadron,
Steve A d a m s of Norwich, England still needs much
more data for his 66th Squadron history book which he
is compiling. H e asked m e to thank those of you w h o
have sent in their stories, especially for the first year of
the War, but lately your mail has dried up. He needs
material about all periods of the War, but especially
important at this time is the 1944 period and Spring of
1945. So while each of you are working on your
personal stories, try to remember to help Steve with
any story which he can use for this 66th Squadron
history. H e is a fine young m a n w h o devotes most of
his off-work hours, not only for the 66th Squadron
history, but for the entire organization as well. I can't
say enough good things about this very productive
historian! Please remember him.
Before I wrap this up, I should also caution you with
a few words about your personal photographs. As time
permits, all of us should review those albums, books,
or even shoe boxes to determine what you have, and
try to gather them into s o m e order. And especially
make an effort to identify the place taken, as well as
the names of those in the photos! Most of us can
identify the people in our photos, but strangers would
not. Photos can do a great job of helping us all tell our
stories, but if the personnel in them are identified, it
will complete the story. Try not to write on the reverse
side with a ball point pen - it damages the photo itself.
Best suggestion is to type or write the names on
another piece of paper or adhesive paper which can be
attached on the back.
Just recently I have received two "shoe boxes" of
photos of various sizes to be added to our archival
records. I a m thrilled with all, but all too many are blank
on the reverse side, not identified. They would be so
much more valuable if the people were identified so
that future viewers would know exactly what that
person looked like, which base, which airplane (more
difficult), etc. Yes, it takes s o m e time and mindsearching to remember s o m e names, but the story will
be much better.
While you are reviewing your photos, tie a knot on
your finger to help remind you that I, as your archivist,
need more photos to go along with our stories to
expand our story for the public knowledge as the
years fly by.
Thanks for listening.
Will Lundy
�More on Dan Culler our 66th Squadron Author
Editor. In Vol. 1 Issue #4 Page 27, Winter 1995 of the Tails we did a short article plu
ging Dan Culler's book Black Hole of Wauwilermoos. In his story Dan tells the riveting
account of the savage treatment he suffered after his capture from an escape attempt
whereupon his status was changed from internee to civil prisoner.
After appeals to the Swiss Government, Dan and his wife were invited to Switzerland
by the President of the Swiss Confederation. While the visit resulted in an official apology by the Swiss Government, the return to the sites of his torture and humiliation have
resulted in a relapse to a state of psychological trauma in which the memories of his
torture are affecting his life quality.
Dan has sent us a package of the correspondence he has had with the Swiss and the
Chief of Staff of the USAF. We are including these letters in their entirety Hopefully the
will stimulate your interest in the Dan Culler story. It is a story that needed telling.
may have a change in perception of the "neutral country."
From:
Daniel L. Culler
750 South LaBrisa
Green Valley, Arizona 85614-2232
April 11,1996
Dear Will:
I'm very sorry that I haven't got back to you before, but have been having a rough time
since I returned from Switzerland. Anyone w h o tells you you can go back and relive horrors of
your past are full of baloney.
I appreciate all the information you sent m e , and others have flooded m e with m u c h information, but sorry to say, not the things I really needed. Maybe General Fogleman will be able
to get m e s o m e more. I have sent to every place that anyone has suggested to get duplicates
of m y records, but its the same thing — everything destroyed.
I at least wanted to send you a check for books ordered through the 44th Journal. It seems
not very many interested, so there is very little money to send. I'm sending an extra $10 for
placing the ad in the Journal.
Most of m y orders c a m e from the Swiss Internees and from Switzerland, France, Germany
and Brazil. I have m y book in every state, and many w h o ordered the first one have sent for
reorders. Maybe people are tired of hearing about WWII.
I was just interviewed by our local T V station yesterday, but I have decided after a night of
horror, that will be the last time. It's too hard on m y wife Betty to watch m e have those nightmares and try and bring m e back to reality.
The people w h o ordered the book through the 44th are the following: 2 - Will Lundy; 1 Cliff Powell; 1 - Joseph Crandell; 1 - John Wikle; 1 - Robert Lehnhausen, and I believe 1 - Henr
Baumgardner. That makes seven ordered, so I'll send $7 + $10 to the 44th, so check # 3 0 3 6 will
be for $17.
Thanks for your support.
Enclosed is s o m e information you might be interested in.
Sincerely,
Dan Culler
(520) 625-5581
27
®
�THE PRESIDENT
OF Tilt SWISS CONFEDKRATION
Beme, December 7,1995
CMItr OF si*.,
TCO STATC9 AIN F
WASHINOTON
11 M*r 1996
Mr.
Daniel L. Culler
750 S. La Brisa
Green Valley
U S A - A Z 85614-2232
Dear Mr. Culler
Your story of the trauma and suffering you endured in
Wauwilermoos Is a gripping one - one I'm sure would be of Interest
to military members and retirees. I had my staff research the
requirements for getting your book, Black Holt of Wauwiltrmoos, Into
Air Force exchanges and I am passing that information on to you.
If you will contact the AAFES buyer, Ms. Terl Waters, she will
provide you with the proper procedure to go about getting your book
into the exchange system.
Thank you for
read your compelling story.
Dear Mr. Culler,
Your visit of 30 October 1995 in the Federal House in Berne was not an easy one for
cither of us. For that reason I want specially to express m y gratitude for your friendly
words addressed to m e and our Embassy staff in Washington. I shall remember you as a
person w h o has learned to accept our country without hate - dispite the traumatic
experiences.
Attachments:
1. A A F E S H Q P O C
2. '95 A A F E S Suppliers Handbook
cc:
Ms. Willis, A A F E S H Q
I am pleased your visit did not release just negative feelings but that it made
constructive meetings and pleasant memories possible. I hope this improvement will
intensify during your fuiur visits.
Mr. Daniel Culler
750 S. La Brisa
Green Valley, A Z 85614-2232
Willi best regards to your wife,
HO AAFI-'-S
A T T N : Ms. Turt WUICT.N
Huyt-r, SLaUunury Brunch
P O B>IA A60202
UnlUs. T X 75266-U20Z
(214) 312.323V
Yours sincerely,
Kaspar Villiger,
President of the Swis Confederation
CHIEF OF STAFF
UNITED STATES AIR F O R C E
W A S MINGTON
12 February 1996
Dear Mr. Culler
Thank you for the signed copy of Black Hole of
Wauwilermoos.
I appreciate your kindness and look
forward to reading your book. I just returned from a
long overseas trip, so I haven't had a chance to open it
yet.
I will ask my personnel staff to look into the medals
you mentioned and report back to me. Although it m a y
take some time to research the matter, you will be
hearing from m e again.
Thank you for thinking of me and for taking the
time to write.
General,
Chief of St
Mr. Daniel L. Culler
750 S. La Brisa
Green Valley, A Z 85614-2232
28
�Pinnacle
IU \ Management
Group
The Forgotten Man
Cynthia M. K. Gilliland, Ph. D.. Stephen W. Gilliland, Ph. D., & Associates
Diversity Management • Performance Management
• Innovative Staffing Solutions • Organizational Debriefing
Submitted by 7th PR Gp Assoc Secretary
Richard Brown of Downey, California.
April 4, 1996
Through the history of World Aviation
M a n y names have come to the fore
Great deeds of the past in our memory will last
As they're joined by more and more.
Carla McClain
Citizen Staff writer
Tucson Citizen
PO Box 26767
Tucson, AZ
85726-6767
Dear Ms McClain:
I read what I considered an excellent article in your paper,
When man first started his labour
In his quest to conquer the sky
H e was designer, mechanic and pilot
and he built a machine that could fly.
"Veteran Relives Torment in Switzerland". 1 was concerned and
angered over the retraumatization that Mr Culler experienced as
he returned to the prison where horrific traumas had occurred to
him. I have much respect for the courage it must have taken for
Mr Culler to revisit the scene of so much misery and pain. Few
people can truly appreciate the suffering Mr Culler has endured
The pilot was everyone's hero
H e was brave, he was bold, he was grand
As he stood by his battered old bi-plane
with his goggles and helmet in hand.
while a POW and in the following fifty years. Chronic
posttraumatic stress disorder, such as he has and is
experiencing, is a very serious disorder in which a person
suffers from flashbacks, night terrors, uncontrollable reliving
of the traumas, numbing out, emotional deadness, depression, and
To be sure those pilots all earned it
To fly then you had to have guts
And they blazed their names in the Hall of Fame
O n wings with baling wire struts.
often feelings of going insane.
As a psychological trauma therapist, I have worked with WWII
vets suffering from posttrauma reactions. I agree with Mr Culler
that these wounds need to be healed, assimilated, and a closure
and letting go obtained. I also agree that returning to the
But for each of our flying heroes
There were thousands of little renown
And these were the men w h o worked on the planes
But kept their feet on the ground.
1132 S. Desert Senna Loop Tucson, AZ 85748 (520)298-6824
scenes of the brutality is one way relief can be obtained.
However, the chance of retraumatization is great unless there is
organization, support, predictability, and a gradual
reintroduction to the trauma memories. Psychological trauma is a
reaction to an event which is sudden, overwhelming, fragmenting,
and filled with overpowering emotions. The manner in which he
We all know the name of Lindberg
And we've read of his flight into fame
But think, if you can, of his maintenance m a n
Can you remember his name?
was reintroduced to his prison cell was cruel and inhumane (taken
to the prison at night without warning by a TV crew). Mr
Culler's description of his reaction, "memories of 50 years ago
came rushing through my mind like a bolt of lightening....! fell
against the wall and cried uncontrollably. My legs buckled
And think of our Wartime heroes
Gabreski, Jabara and Scott
Can you tell m e the names of their crew chiefs
A thousand to one you cannot.
beneath me....I wanted no more" says to me that retraumatization
has occurred.
Mr Culler still needs to somehow make peace with his
experiences. I would like to say to Mr Culler that the impact of
PTSD can be lessened; peace can be found. Find an understanding
Now pilots are highly trained people
and wings not easily w o n
But without the work of the maintenance m a n
Our pilots would march with a gun.
and empathic person: a friend, minister, therapist, or physician,
Good luck.
So when you see the mighty aircraft
As they mark their path through the air
The grease-stained m a n with the monkey wrench
Is the m a n w h o put them there.
(Anonymous)
Bob Gilliland, PhD
Trauma Specialist
Pinnacle Management Group
***Editor: We're not going to forget 'em EVER!
and talk through your traumatic memories but do it in small doses
over time. Don't rush into these memories but do talk them out.
29
�FOLDED WINGS
JULY, 1996
James C. Beam
Earl E. Brahmer
Edward M . Burtsavage
Williams S. Aldridge
Joseph L. Cadrin
Richard Castillo
John N. Clark
Sylvester D. Cole
Joseph L. Cumbria
Howard F. Dart
Albert J. D'Anna
James P. Davie
Kenneth S. Dropek
William F. Drumel
Ted R. Fernbach
Robert M . Flake, Jr.
Agrippino P. Gesimondo
Stanley R. Gordon
Don R. Hill
O.K. Kady Hill
Arthur Ingvertsen
Frederick A. Kenyon 68 &
Milton J. Krueger
Edward R. Kupczynski
Bruno W. Lorenzetti
Leon Mascola
James H. McMaster
506
67
67
68
68
68
67
68
68
68
66
68
506
68
66
66
68th
68
506
806
506
66
66
68
506
506
66
Tom McKenna
Howard Mertz
464th
James Musser
Alan F. Oberlin
Frank Orehowsky
Carl Satterlund
Everett D. Smith
George B. Strutz
67
506
506
66
67
George Sweeny, Jr.
Marion Tiemeir
Joe Werenko
68
506
66
7/96
8/20/94
11/95
Navigator
6/26/96
Pilot
Unknown
12/8/95
Howell's Crew
Sq. Exec.
3/21/96
5/31/96
Bowman's-Nichols (Interned) Unknown
Unknown
Armament
Unknown
10/6/95
Kimball's Crew
1992
Bowman's Eng.
1995
Alexander's Crew
3/22/96
Unknown
Unknown
11/30/83
B o m b (Bowmans)
Unknown
2/96
Pilot
Chemical
1983
Unknown
Stahler's
Unknown
Unknown
5/4/96
Marx's Crew Nav P O W Unknown
Gurman's Gunner P O W Unknown
M a y 28, 1944
Assoc (Brother)
4/15/96
SD
Unknown
506th C O .
Titter's Crew
Co-Pilot
Griffith's Gunner
(Intern 3/18/44)
Schaefer's Crew
1986
6/22/96
2/8/96
11/15/92
Unknown
3/9/96
Unknown
Unknown
11/28/95
30
m
Colonel James C. "Seal" Beam
Folds Wings
Funeral Services were held
Monday, M a y 13, 1996 in Gulf
Breeze, Mississippi for retired
U S A F Colonel James Carroll
"Seal" Beam, 78. H e had been a
resident of Gulf Breeze for 17 years.
In World War II, Col. Beam was
C o m m a n d e r of the 506th B o m b
Squadron, 44th B o m b Group. H e
led his Squadron on August 1,1943
when the 44th B o m b Group, flying
B-24 Liberators with three other B24 Groups flying at tree top level
bombed the German oil refinery at
Ploesti, Rumania. For the high level
of success in this daring raid in
which a third of the force was lost
fighting its w a y to the targets
through ferocious anti-aircraft and
enemy aircraft defenses, the 44th
was awarded the Presidential Unit
Citation for Bravery. Col. Beam was
individually
awarded
the
Distinguished Service Cross. H e
was also awarded the Distinguished
Flying Cross and the Air Medal with
three O a k Leaf Clusters. H e had
stated that his proudest moments
were giving the Oath of Office to
his three sons as each graduated
from the Air Force Academy.
Colonel Beam is survived by his
wife, Mary Jeanette Beam, his three
sons, James, Charles and Lance,
nine grandchildren, four stepchildren
and three stepgrandchildren.
�Thankful to Families and Their Interest!
Editor: Sometimes fate seems to step in whether you want her
or not. I had this letter from Frank Orehowsky, my editorial
M a y 28, 1996
reply and an illustrative picture of B-l 7's flying above some B- Dear Sirs;
24 's all ready to go into the last issue. Then we had to cut a few
I a m writing this letter, being the oldest daughter of Frank
pages to allow for our Reunion Centerfold, so I saved the
Orehowsky, w h o passed away February 8, 1996.
Orehowsky piece for this issue. Sadly, we received a letter from
M y father subscribed to your publication, as well as many
his daughter Anne George telling us of her father's passing. I other W W I I periodicals, and was an active member of the Eighth
think her letter certainly tells the kind of 8-Ball guy her Dad Air Force Association.
was. I wouldn 't take any bets that the B-17 versus B-24
M y dad was 18 when he went overseas, and served with the
argument isn t still raging on in the Heavenly Hangar and that 44th B o m b Group, of the 8th Air Force in England as a Flight
Frank is in the middle of it! Thanks Anne for sharing your
Engineer; B-24 Liberator. H e participated in 24 raids over enemy
memories of Frank with us.
held territory, one of which I remember his telling m e many
times as a child; the infamous "Ploesti" bombing mission. H e
Editor: Some good words from Frank Orehowsky of 512
advanced in rank to Staff Sergeant, and received the Air Medal
Montgomery Avenue, Jenkintown, PA 19046.
with three Clusters, Bronze Star and numerous battle ribbons. H e
also was involved in D-Day; going over the English Channel not
12/2/95
once, but twice, as I so well remember his telling me.
It took 50 years for an appropriate organization such as yours to After coming home, m y dad continued to serve his Country,
but as a civilian. H e worked at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard,
surface. Congratulations, it pays fitting tribute to the Libs and the
starting as a Pattern Maker, and retiring as a Senior Project
men who flew in them. Keep up the good work. I dropped out of
Engineer, Submarine Division in 1985.
the 8th A F Historical Society because of their preference to laud
I would feel it an honor to have you mention m y dad in
the B-17 and being indifferent to what Libs and their crews
"Folded Wings," and let any of his buddies that are still around
contributed. The 44th B G Vets Association fills a deep need.
read it in your periodical, as he communicated with many after
G o o d Luck
joining the Association, and rekindling friendships with them.
Frank Orehowsky
Thank you,
50th Sqdn.
Sincerely,
Anne
George
Editor: Thanks Frank; I'm in agreement with you on the 8th
1200
Van
Kirk Street
AFHS B-17 bias. I think if the movie producers had featured a
Philadelphia,
P A 19149
B-24 outfit in a major picture, all of the Liberator crews would
(215)537-4835
have reaped their fair share of Air War Europe fame. Between
"Memphis Belle" and "12 O'clock High " our kids are still
saying "Dad, tell me again, what was the name of that bomber
you flew in combat?" We know though who it was up there
bombing from 4 to 5 thousand feet above us, and (he times
their bombs came whistling down through our formation. Ah,
well that Fortress - Liberator argument
will go on as long as any of us are on our
feet!
The "official" caption on this photo says "(A) Formation of BLiberators shown operation in perfect coordination with B-17 Flying
Fortresses in "Round the Clock Bombing" of industrial and naval nerve
centers of the German War effort. This photo was taken during an
actual operational flight on an unnamed German Target."
Editor: What it looks tike to me is those
Liberator Boys are going to, once again, get to
read the graffiti on the Fortress bombs as they
plummet through the "Lib" formation. Let me
tell you, it's an undescribable rush to read "Up
yours, Adolph"on a 500pounder as it sails
down past the cockpit window!
31
�44TH BOMB GROUP VETERANS
ASSOCIATION BOARD
President: Roy W. Owen (506)
6304 Meadowridge Drive
Santa Rose, CA 95409
Phone: (707) 538-4726 Fax: (707) 538-1212
MMth BGVR Rosters
For you late joiners and short memoried long time
Vice President: James H. Clements (506)
m e m b e r s , w e w a n t to remind y o u that our m e m b e r s h i p
4124 Calculus Avenue
rosters are still available from Rrt H a n d for $ 7 postpaid.
Dallas, TX 75244
It's a wonderful w a y to k e e p track of your c r e w and
Phone/Fax: (214) 243-4657
other squadron friends a n d it is kept u p to date with
Secretary: Edward M. Dobson (67th)
a d d e n d a published regularly. S e n d a c h e c k for $ 7
118 South 15th Avenue #1
m
a d e out to 44th B G V R (please note R O S T E R in the
Bozeman, M T 59715-4130
lower left corner of your check). Mail your order to our
Phone/Fax: (406) 587-2490
M e m b e r s h i p Co-Chair:
Treasurer: Gerald (Jerry) Folsom (506)
Rrt H a n d
954 Lowell Avenue
517 E l m Street
Salt Lake City, UT 84102-3620
Paris,
IL 6199M
Phone: (801) 359-6159 Fax: (801) 533-8747
Office Historian: C.W. "Will" Lundy
3295 North "H" Street
San Bernardino, CA 92405-2809
Phone/Fax: (909) 882-2441
Summer: (619) 932-7349
44th Group Vice President to 2nd ADA
Richard D. Butler
16494 Wagon Wheel Drive
Riverside, CA 92506
Phone: (909) 788-7421 Fax: (909) 780-1459
yyth Bomb Group Veterans Rssociation
Rpplication for
Membership
Name:
Squadron:
Rddress:
City:
State:
Phone:
7ip TnrlP
Fax:
Spouse's N a m e :
Crew N a m e (if applicable)
Director: Edw. K. "Mike" Mikoloski (66th)
626 Smithfield Road #702
Inclusive Dates of Service uuith MMth:
N. Providence, Rl 02904
Phone/Fax: (401) 353-0144
If this a family lineage membership, give parent name:
Director: Robert I. "Bob" Brown (67th)
#8 Metarie Court
San Ramon, CA 94583-3824
Phone: (501) 828-4529 Fax: (510) 828 1551
Mail Check to:
Gerald W . Folsom, Treasurer
LMth BGVR
P.O. Box 2367
Salt Lake City, UT 8M110-2367
Director: Robert J. Lehnhausen (68th)
709 West Meadows Place
Peoria, IL 61604-3447
Phone/Fax: (309) 685-2490
Rnnual Dues: $15
Life Membership, Rge 60+: $100
Life Membership, Rge MO-59: $125
Life Membership, Rge 39: $150
Director: Sherman N. "Bud" Dowsett (506th)
14550 Wolf Road
Grass Valley, CA 95949
Phone/Fax: (916) 268-1019
Director: Melvin G. Trager (HQ Squadron)
2522 Red Oak Trail
Crest Hill, IL 60435-3197
Phone/Fax: (815) 725-3439
32
�W H Y BE A 2ADA MEMBER?
THE JOURNAL ALONE IS WORTH MORE THAN $15 A YEAR!
The Second Air Division in Europe w a s m a d e up of
the Journal and the conventions, where the 44th always
fourteen b o m b groups, five fighter groups, plus other
has its group dinner. The main objection to 2 A D A
attached units, and, for all intents and purposes, these conventions in the past has been the large number of
groups ceased to exist when W W I I ended in May, 1945. people in attendance, and our people have preferred
Luckily for us, that wasn't the end of the Second Air
the smaller, stand-alone 44th conventions. As w e lose
Division. It would take too m u c h space to describe the members to age, w e need to be able to still function as
actions that created the Memorial Trust of the 2nd Air
a group but m a y eventually find it easier to function
Division U S A A F a n d the S e c o n d Air Division
under the umbrella of the Division. The 44th has
Association that have been so closely entwined over
certainly benefited by its independence, but w e lose
the last 45 years. Instead, I urge you to read Jordan nothing and have m u c h to gain by increasing our
Uttal's fine articles on pages 15-21 of Turner's General membership in 2 A D A and our attendance at 2 A D A
History ofThe Second Air Division, USAAF, 1942-1945,functions. It m a y be too expensive or impossible to
to gain an understanding of our roots within the 2nd Air attend both the 2 A D A and the 44th conventions in the
s a m e year, but, when circumstances permit, such as a
Division Association and the importance of the 2 A D A
to the eventual formation and life of the 44th B o m b
2 A D A convention or a regional 2 A D A dinner in your
area, you might find it worthwhile to attend. It will
Group (H) Association. That does not m e a n that
certainly broaden your knowledge of important
relations between the two organizations have always
run smoothly, but there has always been a 2 A D A Vice happenings where the Second Air Division Association
President for the 44th B o m b Group. The big change in is involved: the Norwich Library and our Fulbright
the relationship, to the advantage of the b o m b groups, librarian, Savannah and the 8th A F Heritage M u s e u m ,
was the 1994 change to the 2 A D A bylaws that mandated and the n e w American addition to the Duxford Air
M u s e u m in Cambridge, to mention a few. Less than
six voting Vice President slots in the Executive
Committee instead of three. The effect of the change half of our 44th members belong to the 2ADA, and 44th
has been a shift in control of the Executive Committee attendance at 2 A D A conventions is usually small, but it
to a more democratic board that listens to the needs of will be to our group's, as well as your own, advantage
to increase both. The cost of 2 A D A membership is only
the groups, not always the case in the past.
It is now up to those of us in the b o m b groups to $15 per year, and the Journal alone is worth more to
take advantage of the shift and to become more active you than that. Make your check payable to "2ADA" and
in 2ADA affairs, both in membership and in attendance send to: Evelyn Cohen, 06-410 Delaire Landing Rd.,
at yearly conventions and scheduled regional dinners. Philadelphia, PA 19114. Meanwhile, you and the 44th
Here's why. First, our most important link to history is will continue to be presented by an active 44th Vice
President on the 2 A D A Executive Committee.
the Memorial R o o m in Norwich, and our point of entry
is the 2 A D A representative to the Board of Governors
of the Memorial Trust. Bud Koorndyk holds that position, Ralph Elliott (467th Group VP)
6000 Rafter Circle
and has performed brilliantly in furthering our interests
Tucson,
A Z 85713-4365
there. The disastrous fire that destroyed the Norwich
Library is beginning to b e seen as an opening
opportunity to an unbelievable future for the library and Editor's Note: All you Group VPs should make sure
Ralph's succinct comments appear in your group's
the Memorial R o o m . W e need to be part of that
newsletter,
so that the message reaches the right
endeavor. O n e need only look back to the treatment of
people. If you don't have a newsletter or don't want
the Enola Gay and the end of the war in Japan by the
Smithsonian Air and Space M u s e u m to realize that it's it in there, why don't you get about 10-20 of your
up to us to preserve our history as w e lived it; not as group's 2ADA members to mail say five to ten letter
with a copy to all non-2ADA members? I'll suppl
some juvenile historian rewrites it to suit his liberal,
the
copies free! Just ask!
revisionist theories. The Memorial R o o m will preserve
our history and it needs our wholehearted support. Our
point of contact is through the Second Air Division.
Second, w e probably have another four or five years
as a viable group association. At s o m e point, a reduction
in numbers will likely m a k e it advantageous for us to
regroup within 2ADA, both for the pages w e "own" in 3
�THE MIGHTY 8TH AF MUSEUM OPENING
Article and photographs
by: Forrest Clark
Several memorable events took place
during the opening day of the Mighty 8th
Air Force Heritage M u s e u m that
reminded all of the 8th Air Force veterans
of their proud tradition dating back half a
century.
First there w a s the number of
notables in the W W I I 8th Air Force and
the air war. Second, there were the
ceremonies held throughout a long day
marked by ceremonies; and thirdly, there
were the memorials to the m e n w h o
didn't c o m e back.
A 32-square foot cake measuring 8
feet long and 4 feet wide w a s wheeled
into the huge rotunda for the grand buffet
that was served to 2,000 veterans, their
wives and families. The cake was decorated with a huge 8th Air Force logo and symbol in color. The cake was
cut and 2,000 pieces were served to those present.
Another highlight of the day w a s the introduction of distinguished guests, a m o n g them Col. Paul Tibbetts,
pilot of the B29 that bombed Japan in 1945; Col. Francis "Gabby" Gabreski, W W I I fighter ace and 8th Air Force
writer and historian Roger Freeman whose book the Mighty 8th is a classic in its field.
I had a chance to get to see Gabreski and meet him. H e was delighted in the Heritage M u s e u m and its
exhibits and in the fact that so many were still able to be there on the opening day.
Phyllis DoBois talked with m e and others in the 44th B o m b Group and was very proud of the archival space
at the m u s e u m and the way it was fashioned. She took a glowing report back to the Second Air Division
Memorial Library at Norwich, England.
There were the dedications of the various memorials in the Memorial Garden and tributes to all the groups.
The Glenn Miller concert by the Band of the Air Force Reserve put a fitting conclusion to the day's many
events.
Of special interest to all 44th veterans is the memorial plaque in the rotunda giving the B o m b Group list of
its achievements in WWII.
The atmosphere of remembrance, nostalgia and pride experienced by all w a s outstanding.
So vivid was this atmosphere that for any 8th Air Force veteran it was an easy matter to recall the sights
and sounds, the faces and the figures of the crew members w h o did not return from that air war.
O n e touching m o m e n t was when two men, both veterans of the 8th Air Force stood at attention during the
playing of the Air Force hymn, tears on their faces. Yet they stood erect and proud dressed in their W W I I
uniforms.
Another veteran dressed in full flying gear including a parachute harness and oxygen mask circulated
throughout the crowds of veterans.
To add to the memories were the many friends w h o met at the opening and w h o said as they left and the
final music of Glenn Miller faded away,
"We'll meet again, I don't know where, I
don't know when."
M u s e u m officials said that already
many groups have m a d e reservations to
hold reunions in Savannah and to include
the heritage m u s e u m in their plans. Since
the opening, this number has increased.
Photos:
Top Right: Opening Day, May 13,1996 The 8th Air
Force Heritage Museum in Savannah, GA.
Bottom Left: Dedication Ceremonies at the opening of
the 8th Air Force Heritage Museum.
�By Forrest S. Clark
44th Bomb Group
ACES OF WWII MEET
ANOTHER FORREST CLARK
REMEMBRANCE
The gray haired man with the burly build and postureReturn to Belen
sitting to one side in the crowded rotunda of the new
8th Air Force Heritage Museum was once the most On a recent trip to New Mexico, my wife and I
feared fighter pilots of WWII whose guns claimed 28were on our way down I-25 south of Albuquerque
enemy planes.
when I spied a sign reading "Belen Ahead 2 Miles."
I recognized him immediately as Col. Francis
Immediately something clicked in m y mind and I
"Gabby" Gabreski of the famed 61st Fighter Squadron slowed down to m a k e the exit. There w a s a flashback
inside m e by the n a m e Belen that carried m e back 52
of the 8th Air Force. I asked if I could sit next to him and
I took the one remaining vacant chair. I noticed that years to a spring day in 1943.
I w a s drawn off that interstate highway by a
many old timer pilots of the 8th came up to him, shook
memory stronger than I could resist. M y wife said,
his hand and greeted him warmly.
"What are you doing?" I didn't reply but drove straight
Gabreski not only commanded
one of the most
feared U.S. fighter squadrons of the war in Europe 50through town to the railroad station. As if m y mind
years ago, but was captured and spent some time in a was in a time warp, I immediately recognized the
station. Then the whole story flashed before m e .
German prison camp. His exploits as a persistent fighter
pilot who kept up a relentless battle against the FW190s In the spring of 1943 I w a s stationed at Clovis
and Messerchmidts earned him the admiration of fellow Airbase and received orders to a new assignment at
pilots, but also of many of the Luftwaffe pilots. When ElhePaso, Texas to join a combat crew and later the
44th B o m b Group. I had a 3-day delay enroute to
was captured after crashing his fighter, a German officer
said, "Gabreski we've been looking for you for a longreach El Paso. I took a train westbound from Clovis
and got bumped off the train at a small station 30
time."
miles south of Albuquerque. That town was Belen.
His keen sense of combat and flying record
contributed to making him the leading American fighter Fifty-two years later I found myself in that town
ace, but also helped establish a legend that has and looking at the s a m e railroad station. I went inside
and found a w o m a n at a desk. "I think I w a s here
continued to this day.
It was most appropriate that he should be there before, 52 years ago," I said to her. She smiled and
when the 8th Air Force Heritage Museum was dedicated said, "No. Not another one." I told her how I recalled
sleeping on the floor of the station in the spring of
50 years after the war. He is still a symbol of American
flying in wartime and in the records of history ranks 1943. She reached up to a keyboard, took down an
old rusty key and said, "follow me." W e went into the
with Eddie Rickenbacker of that earlier war, WWI.
station and she unlocked door, opening it into a large
He may walk a little slower and squint a little more,
but those large hands once controlled fighter planes inroom. "Here is where you slept", she said.
Sure enough everything looked the s a m e and I
some of the greatest air war battles of history.
could
see the railroad and hear the sounds of 52
Younger people came to him as he sat near me just
to see him and express their good wishes to him. There years ago. Above one wall w a s a drawing. I looked at
may never be another air war like that in which he it closely and saw, "Kilroy w a s here." Then I felt at
engaged and the bombers also, but the memory is alivehome.
That station is today a historic site occupied by a
in the 8th Air Force Museum
a few miles outside
m
u
s
e u m of s o m e W W I I objects, but above all, it is a
Savannah, Georgia.
place
of memories and overwhelming nostalgia to
One officer summed up the feelings of most of the
air war veterans when he said, "This was our time andme.
we should be proud of it and our part in it."
All of the 44th BG men and their wives present feltEditor: This stirs memories of those warti
Gl troop cars with double deck bunks and Gl
this pride and yet is was tinged with a nostalgic sadness
mess
kitchen cars and those hot, hot trips dow
that so many of their comrades in the air were left behind
through the Southwest. Neat places like Blythe
and never grew up to see this day.
Each man in his own way contributed to that victoryCalifornia; Casa Grande, Arizona; Deming, New
50 years ago, fighter aces, as well as bomber pilots Mexico and Van Horn, Texas.
and their crews.
�Editor: The Ralph Golubeck story on "Princess" (p. 33, Vol. 1, Issue 4) in the Winter '
8-Ball Tails prompted this letter from Richard J. Comey to Ralph.
1 hope the following information is of some benefit to you. My fiance was named Charlotte, so I, in turn
named all of the B-24's I flew "Princess Charlotte." Though I trained in B-24s, the first Princess Charlotte was a
B-17 which I flew across the Atlantic with m y crew.
The first few missions, including Ploesti. I flew with Joe Flaherty, 66th Squadron, 44th BG. He was a singleengine pilot w h o came to the 44th straight out of flight school, and was permanent co-pilot on several missions
until I got there.
He sat on the left side and I sat on the right. It was sort of a cooperative effort between the two of us to get
the plane to the target and back. Our fourth mission (13 July) saw us lose two engines and land at Malta on a
small field. W e left the first B-24 Princess there for repairs. The Princess that went to Ploesti kept her engines
running all the way in and all the way back - for which w e were duly thankful. While several people shot at us,
including a "75", w e were extremely lucky as the Princess only picked up one bullet hole, as I remember it.
W e flew her to England. But immediately after Ploesti I moved to the left seat and m y regular co-pilot, Tom
Drysdale, moved back in to the right.
Back to Ploesti - w e bombed White V, right behind General Johnson. However, so many planes were shot
down, disabled or out of position, it was like w e were all alone after hitting the target on the nose. So w e rejoined another squadron of the 44th and came home.
The 44th made a second trip to Africa (in September) and w e had a mission to Wiener-Neustadt. Besides
losing an engine, w e acquired an unbelievable number of holes in our plane. W e landed near Naples at a British
fighter base and left the plane there. W e rode back to England on a DC-4.
On a later raid (11 December 43) out of England, w e received a direct hit on the nose, right above the
Navigator, Louis Trouve. The force of the explosion knocked him backwards over the nose wheel doors, and out
he went. Fortunately, though wounded, he opened his chute, landed in a bay and was picked up by the Germans.
(Lou and his wife, and Charlotte and 1 got together in N e w York after the War.)
After Lou was gone, w e found flames were licking out of the hole in the nose, so I pressed the alarm button,
"Prepare to Abandon Ship." The Ball Gunner (Neitzel?) saw Lou go by his turret and decided things were really
serious. He tried to get out of his ball, but some empty shells or perhaps a belt or two had jammed the back exit
door. With brute strength - and he was not a very heavily built guy - he pushed the door right off its hinges and
got out. The Bombardier passed out in the nose turret and w e thought he was a goner.
It turned out the flame was fed by a broken oxygen line and when the oxygen was used up, it went out! By
then I was halfway out of m y seat and preparing to signal "Abandon Ship" when I realized things were not so
bad, and finally got things back on keel again. However, w e were now alone and I headed for the Channel, losing
altitude at a rapid pace. W h e n w e reached about 10,000 feet or so, the Bombardier's voice comes on the intercom. He was alive and ok - just passed out from lack of oxygen.
W e very luckily crossed the Channel and returned to Base without encountering any German fighters. The
hydraulic system was shot out, but there was enough pressure still in those spheres to work the brakes. I should
have stopped at the end of the runway and received a hero's welcome, but I taxied back to our pad and coasted
very slowly off the edge of it when the pressure finally ran out.
That "Princess Charlotte" (Really Nice & Naughty) like all the others, got us h o m e ok. W e were blessed with
good fortune as far as the crew was concerned.
I believe I saw her fuselage on the junk heap later. (Yes, she crashed at Shipdham on 4 January 44 while on
take off). I still have the stencil that says "Princess Charlotte" used on some of these planes.
Completed 25 missions in the Princesses - some bore the name in paint, others mind only. S o m e bore two
names, but as far as I was concerned, they were all Princesses and all great. I flew missions for the 66th Squadron, although for Ploesti w e were assigned to another squadron (67th?) to fill out the formation.
Charlotte and I have been married 50 years and are living here in Stowe, Vermont.
Regards,
Richard J. Comey, 66th
36
m
�This is an excerpt from the headquarters monthly log. Probably kept under the watchful eye of
Col. Goodman Griffin, Group Exec. We came by this among some rescued microfilm from the
Norwich library fire. We'll publish some more as we get it.
44TH BOMB GROUP - SHIPDHAM
AUGUST, 1944
Quite a few changes in Officer, assumed command. On N o r m a n A. Vickery, w h o
personnel this month, but we're the same day Major Robert E. completed his operational tour
thankful for no change in Felber, Commanding Officer of as a member of the 66th B o m b
weather. We've had a full month the 67th Bomb Squadron and Squadron, stepped in as Group
of real, honest-to-goodness, sun holder of the Distinguished Bombardier. Lt. Vickery is
shiney weather and we're all Flying Cross with two Oak Leaf holder of the Silver Star, the
campaigning for more. During Clusters and the Air Medal with Distinguished Flying Cross with
the month, 91 Officers and 228 three Oak Leaf Clusters also two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air
Enlisted m e n returned to the returned to the Zone of the Medal with three Oak Leaf
Zone of the Interior by way of Interior for a recuperative Clusters, and the Purple Heart.
different Replacement Depots. leave. Major William R.
On the 19th of the month,
The 44th went on ten missions Cameron, who had been acting Tech./Sgt. Verl T. Marnell, a
into Germany and ten more into as Group Operations Officer in former Group Operations Clerk
France; having done an the absence of Major William H. here, returned to his old
excellent job on most of them. Strong (also DS to the States), stomping grounds. On the 28th,
Two missions went off on the and w h o had formerly been Tech./Sgt. Arthur H. Tillett
4th; the second one being our Commanding Officer of the 67th finally made his way back to
200th operational mission, a B o m b Squadron, resumed his the Homeland.
high reaching goal in the past, old command. Major Cameron (0382)
but n o w an occasion for is holder of the Distinguished
On the 11th of the month,
celebration and an opportune Service Cross, the Distinguished seven days after our 200th
moment to pay tribute to those Flying Cross, and the Air Medal operational mission was flown,
of us w h o could not see it with three Oak Leaf Clusters. the Group took time out to
Lt. Col. John I. Turnbull, formercelebrate the occasion. N o w w e
reached.
The 15th of the m o n t h Group Operations Officer of the shall take time out to glance
brought many changes in key 492nd, has now taken over as over some of the highlights of
personnel. Col. John H. Gibson, Group Operations Officer here. those 200 missions. The Group
On the 2nd of August, Captain began operations on the 7
Group C o m m a n d e r , former
American Airline pilot, and Withers V. Tolbert, Group November, 1942 and completed
holder of the Silver Star, the Bombardier and holder of the its first 100 missions in 16
Distinguished Flying Cross with Distinguished Flying Cross and months. They then went on to
two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air the Air Medal with three Oak complete its second hundred
Medal with three Oak Leaf Leaf Clusters, finally started missions in five more months.
Clusters, and recommended for that long but gratifying trek During this string, the
the Distinguished Service Cross, home. Coincidentally again, organization was twice cited by
returned to the States on DS for Captain Joseph J. Young, a the W a r Department for
a 30-day recuperative leave. former Group Bombardier who distinguished action. The first
Coincidentally, the n a m e of had been on DS to the 492nd, citation came after the attack
Colonel Frederick R. Dent, Jr., and holder of the Distinguished on Kiel on 14 M a y 1943 when
former 44th Group Commander, Flying Cross with one Oak Leaf the Libs were attacked by 120
appeared on the same letter Cluster and the Air Medal with e n e m y aircraft during an
orders from Eighth Air Force, three Oak Leaf Clusters, also unescorted bomb run over the
to return to the States. On this departed for the States by target. They dropped their
day Colonel Eugene H. Snavely, authority of the same special incediaries effectively and in
a former 44th Group Operations orders. On this day, Lieutenant four minutes destroyed 15
37
�enemy fighters. Their total Norway and Holland. They have game between the two leading
score for the mission was 23 bombed three capitals, taking station t e a m s — p o p bottles
German planes destroyed and part in the first aerial attack specially designed for umpires
13 probably destroyed. The on R o m e and striking Paris and supplied to all spectators.
A n d in the evening, the
second citation was for the first Berlin on numerous occasions.
and historic low level attack on The Group also took part in the Carnival moves into Hanger #2.
the Ploesti Oil Refineries in first 8th Air Force Attack on Dice tables, games of chance,
Rumania on 1 August 1943. On Germany proper, w h e n they concessions of all sorts—The
this operation they flew participated in the blow on U S O s h o w "Petticoats," the
and
greatest
through bitter opposition and Wilhelmshaven on 27 January biggest
entertainment spectacle since
over exploding b o m b s of a 1943.
Now, for the celebration, but the Follies of 1918. —Brimming
preceding Group, to drop their
explosives with devastating first w e would like to reprint beakers of beer brewed by
results. Brigadier General Leon for you, the announcement that Britain's best—Luscious hot
W Johnson (then Colonel), w h o came out in our Daily Bulletin dogs so tender they yelp when
you bite into them—Special
was Group Commander and Air on the preceding day.
entertainment by Station
Commander of this mission,
was awarded the Congressional HEAR YE! HEAR YE! HEAR YE I celebrities including the
Medal of Honor for his action
following songs: "Going M y
Way?" by Capt. Vaughn — A
that day. Eleven Distinguished You are invited to step inside
Service Crosses and 16 Silver to the greatest carnival since duet by Lt. Col. Shachtman and
Stars were awarded to other Noah—the 200th mission party Major Barnes entitled "We Got
members of the Group for their of the 44th—on Friday, August Plenty of Nothin" and Capt.
contributions toward the 1 l t h — B e e r — H o t
D o g s - Wright leading his S-2 choir in
successful fulfillment of the Dancing Girls—Games of "It ain't Necessarily So"—
mission.
Chance—The first officer found Its the biggest thing to hit
During those 21 months, the waring insignia of rank to be England since the Blitz: The
Group had operated from Africa shot out of a cannon by the Flying Eightballs" 200th
twice and was credited with the lucky private w h o wins the mission celebration. You can't
destruction of 354 3/4 enemy draw—No rank for the d a y — afford to miss it: It will be
planes. The highest score what there is is reversed— something to keep from your
attained in any one day, was Colonels become Privates and children. Come one, come all: It's
made from a North African base vice versa—Master Sergeants Carnival Time at Shipdham.
when the Group attacked the are reduced to 2nd Lieutenants.
Well, suffice it to say that in
Messerschmidt plant in Austria
Athletics in the morning—the that announcement, you have
on 1 October 1943. Creating a most colossal display of muscles read the story of what
record
that
would
be and grit since David scored a happened, before it happened.
outstanding for even a fighter probable on Goliath—see the It was all that and then some.
Group, our Libs accounted for First Sergeants battle the
To start the day off right, the
51 FW-190's and ME-109's. Privates at volleyball with no boom: of our stubby little
However, the score that was holds barred—Watch Capt. cannon at 1000 hours, signified
probably the most outstanding "Stretch" Weaver and his reveille - a fine time of day for
rung up, w a s m a d e on the "Stringbeans" compete with Sgt. reveille. Anyone who might be
Vegesack attack on 18 March "Fat Stuff" Rosen and his looking toward innovating a
1943, when they were engaged "Pumpkins" in the most p e r m a n e n t change in the
in a vicious air battle, outstanding display of Eighth standard A r m y hour for rising,
destroying 17 enemy aircraft Air Force pin-ups since Mr. could probably find a host or
while losing none themselves. America signed with Minsky.— votes of approval here; although
Editor: Total must be wrong -See Col. Gibson's "All-Brass" w e suggest that this "Gallup
only 330 for total was official.
Softball team take the field Poll" be m a d e w h e n it's all
Eighty-four of their 2 0 0 against Lt. Home's "Single-Bar" "Over, Over There."
missions were to Germany, with boys—Bike races, sack races,
The festivities were opened
the others ranging over France, chin races, horse races—And to with a softball game between
Austria, Italy, Rumania, Poland,top off the afternoon, a softball Col. Gibson and his "All-Brass"
38
�and Lt. H o m e and his "Buckin'- found "impersonating" a Master
One Bars." It was good fast- Sergeant. Before the afternoon
moving game, but H o m e and Co. was half over, the dunkings
pulled a bad bit of strategy by were frequent regardless of
winning the game, although the whether a person was found
score was close, 2-1. They are violating the rules of the day
now known as just "The One I or not. "Baths" were even
1
Bars."
handed out to General Johnson,
Interest then turned toward Col. Gibson, W A C Lt. Luce, our
kegs of beer flowing along the 1 Cryptographic Officer, and
sidelines and other athletic | Phyllis and Sally, our Red Cross
events such as football, 1 girls. Phyllis and Sally were
volleyball, football throwing, dressed in coveralls but they
baseball pitching and a three- had their own clothes soaked
legged race. This last race when two m e n dressed in the
featured the team of Johnson familiar blue skirts, jackets and
and Phillips (General Johnson, hats were also given a "swim."
14th Wing Commander and Lt. A few unfortunate officers,
Col. Phillips, 14th Wing A-3). visiting the post at the wrong
They were doing nicely until time, were thrown into the
just after the turn into the home drink before they had a chance
stretch, when they seemed to to explain. But it only served
make a coordinated duo-swan to get them into the spirit of
dive into the ground. But they I things also.
got back on their three-legs and
In the evening, the carnival
finished in time to congratulate moved to one of the hangers
and the U.S.O. show "Petticoats"
the winners.
One of the most popular featured the entertainment
gestures of the day was General program and w a s heartily
Johnson, holder of the acclaimed by all. Beer was more
Congressional Medal of Honor, than plentiful - five kegs are still
driving to the ball field. In placeunaccounted for - guess
of the usual emblem of rank, someone enjoyed a prolonged
there was a small khaki flag celebration.
Well, a good time was really
adorned with buck-sergeant
stripes. The General was at the had by all - but it ended with
wheel and the sergeant, his the close of day. Operations
regular driver (Mike Fusano), were resumed on a normal keel
was taking his ease in the back and the Group went on to do
an excellent job of bombing on
seat.
All rank and army rule was the following day.
On the 16th of the month,
dispensed with for the day, with
Billy
Conn and his retinue
the exception of the Military
arrived
at this station to put
Police and Lt. Col. Griffin, the
Ground Executive Officer, w h o on a boxing show for the boys.
became an M.P. The rules stated It was a good show and Conn
that any person found wearing showed that he is all we've
rank insignia was to serve beer heard about him.
All in all, it was a good
for five hours. However, in the
course of the events, someone month of living and also a good
decided on a more suitable month of war.
punishment - a dunk in the fish
pond beside the Aero Club. It
all started with Lt. McCaslin, the
Group Training Officer, who was
39
The 8 Ball Tails
Official Journal of The 44th Bomb Group
Veterans Association, Inc.
Compiled, written and published tri yearly at
6304 Meadowridge Dr., Santa Rosa, CA 95409,
Roy W. Owen, President and Editor. Printed and
mailed Bulk Rate at Salt take City, U T under
U S P S Permit #6923. Generally, the material
herein is non-copyright except when so noted.
The text and photos are otherwise reproduced
from personal photographs, diaries, memoirs or
official USAAF and USAF documents and photos
which have been released for publication. Except
for copyright material, permission is granted for
the contents of this journal to be reproduced for
personal archives or the journal of other
incorporated non-profit Veterans organizations so
long as this publication is properly credited.
Those submitting letters, stories and photos
to the Editor or Historian must do so with the
understanding that this material will most likely
be published as a matter of interest to the
members/subscribers of the Association and this
journal. While every attempt will be made to
answer all of the material received, there is no
explicit or implied guarantee that an answer will
be provided or published. Except for specific
requests for the return of original documents and
photos, all material submitted will become the
property of The 44th B o m b Group Veterans
Association, Inc.
Due to space limitations and to ensure the
clarity and brevity of submitted material, the
Publisher/Editor reserves the editorial license to
add, cut or otherwise modify all submitted
material so long as the original context of the
material is maintained.
•
�MAIL CALL
M
This comes from:
George Hill
W9TGN
2116 Ewing Avenue
Evanston, IL 60201-2004
Hi Will,
The enclosed cartoon brought to mind an incident that
I have not written before. So here is a couple short ones
for you.
O n our first trip to Africa (June '43) M/Sgt Bagley
began teasing m e about taking along and eating a full can
of Spam. That was not true, of course, but from then on
until w e returned back to the States in 1945,1 was "Hey,
Spam!! or Hell, Spam.
Later, Our Sgt. W a d e Bond, w h o was a great kidder
and joker, was ripe for retribution. W a d e always had a
caper or story to tell, always working on someone, usually
with one of us winding up the goat. But w e got even with
him one time!
A s you know and remember, most of us carried our
coffee "Cups" with us all the time. After continued usage
and dips in the hot water tubs for cleaning, these cups were
usually mud-colored inside.
One day w e got hold of his cup, unknown to him, and
w e drilled three or four tiny holes in it, just below where
his lips would come while drinking from it. For a week or
so w e had much fun chiding him about being a sloppy
eater, as coffee was dribbling down his chin!
Unfortunately, one day he decided to scrub his cup,
discovered our work.
O n our second trip to Africa (Sept. '43) w e shared an
airfield with a B-17 group just outside of Tunis. Near us
w e could see the ancient aquaduct that the Romans had
built - a short distance away. It has served ancient
Carthage. One day it was announced that a German supply
d u m p had been discovered containing among other things,
a large supply of all kinds of liquor!
Rather than destroy it, a decision was made to divide it
up amongst all of the men. 1 can still remember a fair-sized
box of all kinds of booze coming into the Communications
section for all of us to enjoy. The Commanding Officer of
the field said that he was closing down the field for 24
hours - and for us to "get rid of it!!"
What a party w e had. W e really had a ball. I woke up
the next morning with a big head, but to this day I say,
"Bless that C O . ! " H e was a real wise man.
All is well here. Mary and I took a trip to Alaska last
September and enjoyed it very much. It is a beautiful
country.
Our Radio Net is still going strong, but with the
sunspot cycle at near bottom, w e have not been able to talk
to our English members every week, but conditions should
improve a bit.
A P B S television program called "Nova" had a very
interesting program about a group of m e n (Darryl
Greenamyer - Ex-Lockheed Test Pilot) w h o went up to
northern Greenland to reclaim a B-29 that had been forced
down nearly 50 years ago. What a job! Won't tell you the
story as I taped it and if you haven't seen it, I'll be happy
to loan it to you.
A couple weeks ago I noticed a fellow in line ahead of
m e at the checkout, had a cap on from the 40th Group - a
B-29 outfit from the Pacific. I only got a short chance to
talk to him - a minute or two - but he said that there was a
Squadron in his group that should have belonged to the
44th!!?? (Possibly was the 404th BS, which was borrowed
from the 44th at Will Rogers in July '42, sent to Alaska to
stop the Japanese invasion of the islands??).
Regards to you and Irene
See you in St. Louis!
This comes from:
Albert E. (Ed) Jones
12415 Eagle Point Place
Little Rock, Arkansas 72211
(501) 227-4198
3/4/95
Dear Will,
The reason that I knew Ed Clark was because he was m y
C O . at the Shipdham Control Tower. Before he was there, I
worked for Clifford T Lee w h o was transferred to Germany
some time after Normandy invasion. Ed and I were shipped
back to the States at the same time, had our 30-day furlough,
and went back to Sioux Falls for re-assignment.
Even though he was m y boss, I considered him a good
friend, but w e lost contact until preparations for the 44th B G
Reunion in England in 1992. At that time, I found out about
and joined the 44th B G , 2nd Air Division and 8th A F
organizations. That is h o w I was reunited with Ed, though
w e didn't actually meet until w e were at the Reunion in the
Hotel Nelson in Norwich, England. Since then, Ed and our
wives have attended two 2nd Air Division Mini-Reunions
or Regional Meetings in Dallas.
W e planned to be at the Dallas meeting this year as well
as the 2nd Air Division in Norwich. However, I was forced
to forego both because of the planned cataract surgery on 21
March. Hope that I'll make the next 44th meeting in Texas.
I worked at the Shipdham Tower from about August,
1943 until July, 1945.1 was in charge of the Alert Crew which
worked directly for the control tower, and worked out of a
�front room on the first floor of the tower. The Alert Crew around the area during the War, but I'm sure you are getting
took care of most, if not all, of the "hands-on" duties of the bored, so will hush for now. (No, I'd never get bored by stories
control tower - w e parked, serviced visiting aircraft,
about the good old 44th).
maintained, corrected, updated records of location and
I a m sorry that the old 44th H M G w a s sort of
condition of all B-24s on the base. Pulled them out of the
disappointing, but a m looking forward to meeting with our
mud with a clet-track when they got off the perimeter taxi
new one. Keep up the good work.
strip, and various other duties.
One of m y primary duties was to operate what w e called
the radio jeep. This jeep was equipped to communicate with This comes from:
Donald C. Prater
the tower, as well as with pilots of aircraft. Similar to the
1608 E. Candlestick Drive
checkered van, but much more mobile.
Tempe, Arizona 85283
During bad, foggy weather, I would take the radio jeep
Phone: (602) 820-3838
as far out in thefieldas possible and look for our bombers
Fax: (602) 839-7778
on their cross wind leg, get them turned toward the runway
6/11/96
and above the trees until landing time. Once, when they were To Roy O w e n & Gerald Folsom:
very low on gas - one pass or else - they decided to "Follow Gentlemen:
the Leader" and one make it, all make it, or none. Fortunately,
Thank you for "finding" me. For years I have belonged
they all made it, but they looked like a string of weenies to the Air Force Association and have read each month's
going down the runway. Probably couldn't happen again
magazine carefully searching for some information relative
without a few crashing.
to the 44th B o m b Group. I have never seen a thing. Don't
I learned the area outside the base so well that one of m y know h o w you located m y name but I a m thankful you did.
I definitely a m making plans to attend the 1996 Reunion
jobs was tofindthe bombers that had gone down, radio back
in St. Louis October 3-7. This will be a triple bonus for me.
directions for the ambulances and fire trucks, give
identifications of the plane. Through all of this, of course, First I hope to see some of m y friends from the Korean War
Era (1951-1955), second, I was born and raised in Mexico,
we had to observe radio silence when in effect. O n e of our
Missouri which is only about 1.5 hours drive from St. Louis,
duties was to hand-carry changes in orders to the lead
and
third, the Oktoberfest in St. Charles will be right up m y
commander prior to take off on missions. W e had to enter
alley -1 a m of German-American heritage and love German
the plane and actually hand it to the c o m m a n d pilot.
Incidently, w e had an extra receiver in our radio equipment polka and waltz music. I will bring m y lederhosen, Hut, and
other paraphernalia with me.
and when not too busy, could listen to local broadcasts via
There is a registration form enclosed with your mailing
the earphones.
to me. Should I use this form and go ahead and register, or
Thefiretrucks were housed in a building next to the
tower (east) and the crew on duty had quarters in that building. should I wait to receive m y membership number from you
prior to registering?
However, all tower andfirecrews off duty staff lived in a
Thanks again and I look forward to October in St. Louis.
Nisson Hut directly behind the tower building.
Sincerely,
For much of the time in England, thefirecrews and tower
P
S
.
Wife's
name:
Phyllis C Prater
staff were assigned to the tower from the various squadrons
Military Organizations:
in the 44th B G . I was from the 340th Service Squadron. But
1951-1953
44th
B o m b Wing (44th Air Police Squadron)
finally the Air Force formed squadrons just for their type
1953-1955
806th
A B G , (806th Air Police Squadron)
duties, called Complement Squadrons and to which w e were
•
then assigned. However, I never lived in the squadron area
and can't remember its number.
This comes from:
Since our flights were day missions, our main night duties
Daniel Berger
consisted in landing British bombers who's o w n base was
1351S. W. 125 Avenue #314
too fogged in to land. Our radio jeep was equipped with a
Pembroke Pines, FL 33027
metal stand for one m a n to stand on while directing the
Phone: (305) 436-5878
aircraft where to park. O f course, on these nights, the regular
Wife's Name: Shirley Berger
control tower radio operators were, to say the least, quite
68th Squadron
busy.
6/12/96
Will, I can't remember the names of the guys w h o rode To Gerald Folsom
motorcycles (one was Bill Hawkins) but they were the Air
Sir:
Force MP's. They did spend some time on duty around the
Enclosed please find check in the amount of $15 for
membership
in the organization and future copies of the 8tower a lot, and were our friends. In fact, it was in that setting
Ball
Tails.
that Ifirstlearned to ride a motorcycle - the W W I I Harleys.
Yours truly,
I could tell you lots of things that happened at crash sites 41
�This comes from:
James (Jim) Branson
3908 O'Briant Place
Greensboro, NC27410
Phone: (910) 665-0393
Gerald:
Thanks for your letter of M a y 31, 1996, about the
Association of the 44th Veterans.
Enclosed you will find a check for the annually dues
($15). Below you willfindname, address, phone and wife's
name (Nancy Branson).
Sincerely,
506th B o m b Squadron
This comes from:
Robert J. Stine
2600 Quail Place
Bartlesville, OK 74006
(618) 333-0636
6/11/96
This comes from:
Irvine G. Smith
405 North Columbus Street
Lancaster, OH 43130
Phone: (614) 687-1958 Fax: (614) 654-2509
6/13/96
Dear Roy & Gerald:
Nice to receive letter and information of the October
Reunion.
For the time being...I have enclosed a check for
membership of $15. I hope I can attend the reunion in
October...for the moment, I have a conflict. I will know if
can attend late next month. I will let you know if and
when...and thanks for the registration form.
Information you have asked for:
Wife: Mary Peters Smith. Extra: have two sons both
married with son and daughter each. Names: Frank R.
Smith in business with me...and second son David S.
Smith - Sales Manager for local Lancaster Glass Co.
I was a 1st Lt. with the 80th Chemical Co. stationed
near Norwich with 44th B G .
Will be glad to receive anything in the future relating
to our war efforts.
M a n y thanks,
Dear Roy:
Thanks for your letter of M a y 31, 1996, advising that
the association will hold a reunion in St. Louis in October,
1996.
You indicated that your records do not show that I have
previously belonged to your organization. O n January 3,
1995,1 forwarded to the Association m y Check No. 5539 in
This comes from:
the amount of $ 15 covering the 1995 dues. This check cleared
Raymond Kovach
m y bank on January 9, 1995. Since I received no further
4102 Pershing Avenue
communication from the Association, I assumed it had faded
Parma, OH 44134
away as the 44th Heritage Memorial Group did.
Dear Art:
Consequently, I made no attempt to tender m y dues for 1996.
In the "8-Ball Tails" Issue #5, Spring, 1996, I read the
Since I now know the Association remains active I am, story - "A Brother Returns to East Anglia" by T o m McKenna,
with copy of this letter, sending m y check to Gerald W .
brother of Jim McKenna, 66th Pilot, KIA over Hamburg,
Folsom, Treasurer, to cover m y 1996 dues to the Association. August 6, 1944. T o m M c K e n n a was at the San Antonio
Please enter m y name on the membership list. M y wife's Reunion and asked if any of the crew or anyone who know
name is Wintress C Stine.
Jim, get in touch with him.
So that you will know that I qualify to membership, I
Being on Jim McKenna's crew as Radio Operator and
was assigned to the 68th Squadron in early August, 1942 at Gunner, I wrote to T o m the same day. I had hopes we could
Will Rogers Field as navigator on T o m Holmes crew and
maybe get together some day, or at least write, so I could tel
flew to the U K with the 68th Squadron. I completed 26
T o m what a great guy and Pilot Jim was.
missions with the 68th Squadron. The low level raid on
I received a letter from his wife, Jane with the sad news
Ploesti (August 1, 1943) was m y last mission. I was navigator that Jim died on April 15, 1996 and that he had sent the
on the lead ship of the lights attacking Blue Target flown by
articles and pictures about his brother Jim to the 44th B o m b
Major John Diehl with Col. James Posey as C o m m a n d Pilot
Group Magazine shortly before that. Hearing T o m has died
in the co-pilot's seat.
was a real shock. I felt like I was shot down again! At best,
I returned to the zone of interior in late August, 1943.
w e can say, he found out where and h o w his brother Jim
Sincerely,
died, and I believe he located his body and brought him home!
Art - Percy Gaudin - Tail Gunner on Jim McKenna's
crew - I don't believe has joined the 44th B o m b Group
Veteran's Association. I do not think he was ever contacted.
His address is: Percy Gaudin - Tail Gunner, P.O. Box 125,
Kiln, M S 39556.
42
�PS. Art - If Percy Gaudin is not a member of your group
yet— mail him a copy of Issue #5 of your 8-Ball Tails. But if
he is and has received a copy of Issue #5, put check in treasury
pot.
Thank you,
After a 15 day orientation training period in Ireland
four of the crews were sent to Shipdham. Here they
replaced s o m e of the crews lost during the Ploesti raids for
which the 44th B o m b Group became famous. Colonel
Johnson became a General about this time. D o n mentions
him with great respect. H e said that he, D o n , didn't eat
breakfast and so often missed the bus to briefing. M o r e
This comes from:
than once, the General stopped and picked him up as he
Oliver E. Duerksen
w a s walking d o w n to join the others.
A s to the events of the August mission you asked
Lt. Col (Ret) AF
about, D o n put the date as the 7th of July rather than the
2650 Yale Avenue
9th. It w a s during theirfifthraid into France. Their ship
San Angelo, TX 76904
w a s hit by flak, tearing through the wind screen and
destroying
it. T h e co-pilot (Fred Schuyler) w a s badly
Dear Mr. Folsom:
w o u n d e d in the shoulder. T h e same flak hit D o n in the
Enclosed is my check in the amount of $ 15 for m y annual
belly as he w a s sitting behind the co-pilot. H e said on the
dues.
tape that this w a s his one heroic m o m e n t in life. H e gave
I am one of those w h o did not know your (our)
the co-pilotfirstaid ignoring his o w n wounds. H e added
organization existed. I am proud of whoever started it. There
that he really w a s so shaken by the sight of the other man's
are not so many of us remaining, time and health takes their w o u n d s that he really did not realize he had a problem
toll.
until he had done what he could. Then he realized that his
I was a member of the 66th Squadron, arriving in England flak suit had shorted out and he w a s quite badly burned on
in December, 1944 and Shipdham A A F Station 115) in the stomach and legs. H e carried these scars for his
January, 1945. Capt. Will R. Vahrenkamp was our adjutant
lifetime. After landing, he and the co-pilot were taken to
at that time. W e had trained (B-24) in Mt. Home, Idaho, and the hospital, but he w a s released in a few days and went on
arrived as a crew replacement. Lt. John Muldoon (from
m a n y other raids.
I do remember him telling of the incident of Stanley
Nebraska) was our crew pilot, I was co-pilot, Karl D.
Ducki, though I don't remember his mentioning the name.
Grossman was Navigator.
D o n flew as a replacement on several crews toward the
M y wife, Wilma J. Dougherty Duerksen died April 4,
end
of the war. H e also helped with the radio shack on the
1995. She was from Illinois.
ground
at the base. A s I remember he w a s supposed to be
Thanks for getting in touch,
at the shack or had just left w h e n the accident occurred.
H e often said that he believed the L U C K of the Irish (his
mother w a s a Reiley) w a s working for him.
D o n was, as most of you m e n are, very proud of his
This comes from:
Air Force career, and rightly so. W e had 4 7 happy years
Mrs. Don R. Hill
together, and yet I often thought that he w a s closer to the
311 N. Genessee
m e n of his crew and Group than w e could ever be. O r at
Bellaire, MI 49615
least in a very special w a y that those w h o were not part of
March 28, 1996
the time and place could ever be. I only wish he had been
in touch before he died.
Dear Will,
Thank you for being concerned and doing something
Evidently Art Hand did not tell you that Don died last
about it.
August. I can however give you at least s o m e of the
Sincerely,
information you asked for as he spent most of the early
Marion Hill
s u m m e r making a tape of his most exciting life
experiences.
The following information c o m e s from the tape as
closely as I can report it. D o n joined the crew of James
Collins in Pueblo, Colorado. This crew trained together
there. D o n mentioned that they m a d e an almost unbeatable
volleyball team during training. H e also mentioned,
somewhat boastfully, that since he had been on the pistol
team in college, he helped train his crew in the use of the
automatic colt 45's they were given. T h e y were sent to
Elmer Reinhart, a great old Ploesti Raider turned Beach Boy, living in Waikki.
England on the Q u e e n Elizabeth, arriving in Glasgow on
Here with your Prez on a recent visit to Honolulu. We had lunch and a good
June 6, D-Day.
visit. Hadn't seen each other since Norwich in '92 where he was dating not
one, but two lovely English ladies on alternate evenings!
4
���To start, I must refer you back to Vol. 1 - Issue #4,
From that point on the letters full of anticipation and
the Winter 1995 copy of The 8-Ball Tails page 12, where excitement over our visit began to arrive. They offered
w e did a rewrite of the beautiful article "Letters of Love" assistance, English speaking guides; even a change in
written by Dawn Drago, Staff Writer of the Reading, PA hotel for better accommodations. Most of all they simply
Eagle/Times. The story told of Lois, the little daughter wanted to arrange to visit with and thank us for our part
of her single parent father, Technical Sergeant Clair P. in their liberation from the hated Nazi occupation. Little
Shaeffer, 68th Bomb Squadron and all of the letters he did w e know the wonderful reception that awaited us
had written to her from the time of his entry into the Air wherever they had arranged our visit to a memorial or
Corps until he died in the shoot down of his plane over social reception. If there was any concern among us that
France on January 21,1944.
w e would be faced with a haughty and perhaps
In the conclusion of our story, we told how Lois, inhospitable attitude from the French, they were dashed
attending an Air Show, approached a m a n wearing an 8th from the moment our bus rolled off the ferry at Dieppe!
AF Historical Society cap and inquired how she might It was almost comical; w h e n on our last night in
find information on the death of her father. He in turn Eastbourne, I got a phone call from Joel Huard saying
put her in touch with Pete Henry, who put her in touch that the reception committee was so excited over our
with us and Will Lundy. Doing his usual great work, Will arrival, they could not stand to wait until we reached
provided her with all the information he had and that the hotel in Rouen, so were going to drive to Dieppe to
she had sought since, as a five year old, she was informed meet us and lead the bus to our first scheduled
that her dad was MIA.
ceremony! On with the itinerary.
In a closing letter to Lois, I told her about the 44th
Day 10 - June 5. Even with our early (0700)
BGVA and informed her that she was a part of the 44th departure, w e had a grand farewell with several of our
family and we welcomed her membership. I also noted Eastbourne hosts who had arrived at the hotel in time to
in one of her letters that she hoped, someday, to travel have breakfast with us. We were also bidding farewell to
to Nuepre, Belgium and visit the Ardennes American Kevin and Diana Lundy and Richard and Betty Haft who
Cemetery where her father was named on the Wall of were taking only the England portion of the tour and
Honor. I told her I was in the final stages of planning a were returning to London for a nights rest before flying
44th BGVA tour to England, Prance and Belgium and I home. As partial replacements, we were being joined by
promised if she and her husband would join the tour, I Kevin Watson and his father-in-law, Tony Wood, both of
would route the tour to visit the Ardennes Cemetery.
Eastbourne. Kevin, a Senior Supervising Flight Attendant
Now, the first coincidence; in November, not long after for British Airways, was the individual responsible for
I received a tour reservation from Lois and her husband planning and organizing the "Ruthless" Memorial and all
Tony, I received a letter from two officers of de L' the ceremonies of our Eastbourne visit. Each would
Association Nationale Des Sous-Officers de Reserve de prove to be a great asset to our group in his own right.
French Arme'e de L' Air (ANSA) translated: National
Association of Non-Commissioned Officers of the French
A r m y Air Reserve. It was written by M. Jean-Pierre
Marie, Historian and translated by M. Joel Huard, Public
Relations Officer, respectively, of the Rouen branch of
ANSA. The Association carries on research of the WWII
air war over France, and the letter was an inquiry on
the loss of two 44th BG aircraft on an 8 March 1943 raid
on the railway marshalling yards at Rouen. I sent the
letter on to Will for his research and in m y answer to
them said to expect the information they requested to
be provided by our historian. I also noted it was ironic
we should hear from them, for I was planning a 44th
BGVA trip to England and France and we would be staying
A 44ih B G "ITAIJAN Bobby" (Lou DEBIASIO) ESCApiNq fi»OM LONCION.
in Rouen as a base for a visit to the Normandy Invasion
Rurh AN<) PERRY M O R S E IN TIIE NEXT SEAT.
beaches on 6 June 1997.
2
m
�After a lovely morning tour in our bus to Newhaven,
we boarded, bus and all, a SeaLink ferry for a smooth
crossing in beautiful weather to Dieppe, France. As our
bus came off the ferry and w e quickly went through an
immigration check, w e saw a group of uniformed m e n
holding a sign which welcomed the 44th Bomb Group to
France.
Roy O W E N , Will LuNdy ANC) Bob VANCE MEETiNq MAyoR AlbERT CoEliqNiET
of VillERS ECAIIES, FRANCE IOCATION of The "Miss DJANE" CRAsh siTE.
Another ranking dignitary was Mr. Christian Holle,
Sub Prefect de Seine Maritime and approximately 20 fully
uniformed A N S A members and a military band were also
present. W e were introduced to Mr. Maurice Quillen,
holder of the United States Medal of Freedom awarded
M R . SylvAiN DEZEIEE, PRESJCJENT of TIHE A N S A , NoRMANdiE ASSOCJATION TO
qREET us wiTh A W E I C O M E POSTER AT DiEppE.
by President Eisenhower for his heroic service as leader
of the French Resistance in the Rouen area during the
German occupation. Also we met Mr. Guy Cressant, son
of the Resistance leader in the Cauville Area during the
war.
The next unbelievable coincidence; Guy was age 10
when he and his father found the wreckage of the 68th
Sqdn. Frank Sobotka crew aircraft shot down on the 21
January, 1944 raid against the V-l sites in the Palais de
Calais area. T/Sgt. Clair Shaeffer, Flight Engineer on that
crew was killed over the target and went down with the
plane. He was Lois Cianci's father. This information
surfaced during a period of welcoming and interchange
of greetings between the French hosts and our group
prior to the memorial ceremony we were to attend. After
SylvAiN DEZEIEE ANC! JEAN PIERRE MARJE QREETINQ US AT DiEppE.
being introduced to Guy Cressant, Lois mentioned that
her father had been shot down on January 21, 1944
Those members of the A N S A there to greet us were: somewhere in the area. Guy responded that yes, he knew
Jean Pierre Marie, Joel Huard, and Sylvain DezeIee, of the crash and its location. When asked by Lois if he
President of the ANSA, Normandie Association. After knew of her father w h e n she spoke his name, Guy
hurried greetings, with the French delegation leading in responded that he was not sure but it did sound familiar.
their car, w e set off for Villers Ecalles, a small town He said he could not promise anything, but at his home
outside Rouen, and the first memorial ceremony he was still in possession of some items he and his father
arranged by the ANSA. When w e pulled into what appeared had collected from the crash sites of several U.S. aircraft
to be the parking lot for the town recreation park, w e and he would search through these things. Further, if
were amazed to see about 150 people led by The Honorable the group desired, he would guide us to the crash site if
Mayor, Mr. Albert Coeligniet waiting to greet us.
time could be arranged during our stay.
�With the welcoming over, the entire assembly was
led up a street about a hundred yards to an intersection
with a small park with a flag draped memorial which
marked the (nearby) crash site of the 67th Sqdn. Lt.
Clyde Price crew flying "Miss Diane." They were shot
down on the Rouen Marshalling Yard raid March 8,1943.
After eloquent speeches by Mayor Cloenigniet and
Sub Prefect Holly and the playing of the National Anthems
of France and the U.S., Roy Owen and Will Lundy placed
a memorial wreath at the base of the memorial and were
instructed to unveil the marker which revealed a newly
struck bronze plaque listing the names of the eight
crewmen lost in the crash.
Immediately after the ceremony our group was
surrounded by the French expressing gratitude for our
visit and for the sacrifices by our m e n to restore their
liberty from the German occupation. Then when w e
boarded the bus and were escorted to the Hotel de Ville
(City Hall) to find ourselves guests of the Mayor at a
champagne and hors 'd oeuvres reception did the
magnitude of sincere gratitude and joy being expressed
by the French over our visit begin to sink in. After
another welcome by Mayor Coeligniet, Mr. Sylvain
Dezellee, President of the A N S A 39.45 Association Du
Normande presented the Association Medal of Service
to the 44th Bomb Group and a like medal to Leo 0. Frazier,
Navigator and lone survivor of the 67th Sqdn. Lt. Robert
W. Blaine crew, also shot down on the 8 March 1943
Rouen raid. Leo Frazier was unable to accompany the
tour for reasons of health; Roy Owen accepted the medals
in behalf of the entire 44th Bomb Group and Leo Frazier
(presentation of the Frazier medal in Oakley, Utah on
July 4 is covered on page 14 of this issue). Lois Cianci
was presented a Souvenir Plate from The French Evereux
Air Base in Villers Ecalles by Mr. Le Capitaine Relmy,
Commandant Le Armee De L'Air Information. All of our
m e n were then asked to autograph litho prints of B-24s
for the French.
SiqNiNq B ' 2 4 picruRE pmms AT TIHE M A Y O R ' S RECEpTioN AT THIE
VillERS ESCAIIES H O T E I (JE VillE.
W e were then notified that we were due at another
reception and must again board the bus. We were also
told by our A N S A hosts that after conferring, they had
agreed that if our group concurred, on the morning of
June 7, before our departure to Paris, they would meet
us at the hotel and escort us to the Sobotka crew crash
site for a brief visit. It was unanimously voted to make
that visit.
�ThE TOURiNq EiqhTbAllERS LINE up
f0R ThE CAVJAR AT The M A R m M E
D E P A R T M E N T RECEPTJON iiN R O U E N
(CAilliER, AdRJAIM ANd DovEy
Altt/AyS W E A R TH EJR CApS AT
COcloAils ANd CAVJAR RECEpTJONS).
A short trip took us to the Hotel D u department De
Seine Maritime, a beautiful multi-story building facing
the Seine River, where w e were met by our host the
President D u Conseil General De Seine Maritime, Mr.
Charles Revet in a lovely large reception room. The
entourage was again treated to eloquent expressions of
gratitude for the part the 44th took in the air war that
helped to liberate the country. The elegance of the
reception also rose with the addition of caviar to the
hors d'oeuvres.
The irony of all this was what with our very early
departure from Eastbourne to make the Ferry, we were
expecting to go first to the hotel in Rouen, check-in,
freshen up, change into some appropriate clothing and
then proceed to meet the Mayor of Villers Escalle. The
A N S A party meeting us realized with all the activity they
had scheduled, w e would never make it if w e made the
stop at our hotel. So there w e were in Dockers, short
sleeve shirts, sweaters and jackets; all of the w o m e n in
slacks and everywhere w e went our hosts were in suits
and ties (or uniforms) and the ladies in dresses. In spite
of us really looking like "tourists," our appearance was
politely overlooked and w e were treated as though w e
were formally attired.
When this, our last of the day, reception concluded,
on the way back to our hotel, Jean Pierre Marie and Joel
Huard led our bus to a beautiful vista overlooking most
of Rouen at sunset. Easily in view were the River Seine
and the Railway Marshalling Yard which was the 8 March
1943 target objective of the 44th Bomb Group.
Upon return to our hotel w e were properly checkedin, had plenty of time for shower or, if the preference of
Arnold Dovey, to bathe, dress and after cocktails enjoyed
a great dinner in the hotel joined by Jean Pierre and
Joel.
Day 11 - June 6. To appropriately spend the 53rd
anniversary of D-Day on the Beaches of Normandy was
our plan and w e did it perfectly. On the nice morning trip
from Rouen, w e stopped at mid-morning in Bayeux so
those desiring could visit the William the Conqueror
Center which houses the 231 foot long Bayeux Tapestry
which depicts the 1066 Norman invasion of England by
William the Conqueror or stroll through this lovely small
city.
Jean Pierre and Joel who accompanied us on the bus
this day had arranged for a retired French Army Colonel
who had landed with the Canadians on June 6 to act as
our guide. He was a gentle and patient m a n who led us
along in his car and stopped at each point of interest to
tell us of the significance of the various beach positions
in the height of the landings. W e started at Omaha Beach
which is overlooked by the everlasting beauty of the
American Cemetery. It is often said that each American
owes him or herself a visit to this beautifully serene
piece of United States soil to view the monument to all of
the Servicemen and W o m e n of all branches who paid the
ultimate price for the liberation of Europe and freedom
from the tyranny of Fascism. W e visited Pont du Hoc,
where the Special Forces scaled the cliff and captured
this observation point which commanded a 180 degree
view of the invasion area; w e saw Arromanches where
some of the steel and concrete dock segments which
were floated in and sunk to form a harbor are still visible;
we saw the one gap in the sand cliffs where the U.S.
invasion forces were able to ascend and advance off of
Omaha Beach. We were all the way to Utah Beach and the
Village of Montebourg which changed hands five times
in the first few days of the assault and was left in a pile
of rubble when the U.S. 4th A r m y overran the German
defenses and advanced inland.
�Aside from the ravages of the sustained bombing and
naval shelling of the fortifications on Point du Hoc, there
is little evidence of the massive battles which ensued on
these quiet beaches where the visitors n o w stroll and
the children play on the gently sloping sand. It is difficult
to imagine the scenes that w e have seen on film or
possibly from the air on June 6, 1944 as actually
happening until one returns up the hill and strolls among
the row after row of white cross or Star of David marked
graves of those w e lost. Every Bomb Squadron of the
44th Bomb Group has m e n at rest there. This most
memorable of days finished with a return to our hotel
and a lovely dinner with some of our A N S A friends.
JOEI HuARd ANd JEAN PJERRE MARJE STAysd whit us ANd RETURNEd TO TNE
hoTEl foR diNNER ATTER OUR D'DAy TOUR of ThE JNVASiON bEAchES.
Day 12 - Sunday, June 7. After an early breakfast
and checkout, w e met our A N S A escorts comprised of
about six or seven cars and w e set out for the Sobotka
crash site in a forested hill area called Beaussault near
the village of Gratenoix. After driving a few miles, we
left the paved road and proceeded up a lightly travelled
dirt road until w e reached a suitable area for the bus
and the autos to park. It was a rather cool morning with
some cloud cover and w e departed the bus for a walk of
about 200 yards along a barely discernible road in a
lovely young forest of trees about six to eight inches in
diameter and the ground blanketed with leaves and fir
needles. When w e came to a small sign with some French
wording, w e turned into the forest and had walked about
50 yards when w e came upon a memorial marking the
crash site. The small site was bordered by a shiny metal
chain suspended from white painted cement boundary
posts. Lying on the ground in the center of the chained
area were several sizable fragments of bulletproof glass,
some metal fragments and a small electric actuator
motor from the downed B-24. Tearfully, Lois Cianci bent
over the chain boundary to feel and stroke those pieces
that had fallen from the sky with her father. After two or
three very touching moments, the group was asked to
gather around the marker with Guy Cressant and Lois
standing at the head of the marker whereupon Guy
reached into the inner pocket of his jacket and withdraw
a small notebook and began to speak in French reading
from his notes. In the course of his remarks one could
hear mention of Sobotka and Clair Shaeffer and the date
21 January 1944.
Dick ANd BEny LyNch diNE whir MARy ANd LEE ASTON AT TEIE
HOTEI M E R C U R E iN R O U E N .
D'DAy, pRioR TO dspARTiNq foR TIHE NoRMANdy bEAchES, Roy O W E N ANd
Douq McPkwil joiNEd MARilyN ANd M E I MURRACIC ANd Lois G A N O foR
bREAkfAST AT TIHE HOTEI M E R C U R E iN R O U E N ; Lolly O W E N Took ThE PJCTURE
ANd ToNy WAS WANdERJNq AROUNd wiTh his CAMCORdER.
6
�Translator Jean Pierre Marie related that the 10 year
old Guy and his father, head of the French Resistance,
had reached the crash site before the Germans and were
able to do little more at the time than gather the dog tags
of those they could find, then leave the scene. It was the
practice to send one of the usual pair of dog tags back
via the underground so to reach the military unit of the
deceased. What of the remaining dog tag? It was kept in
the event the other was lost. Guy Cressant again reached
into his jacket and withdraw a small box and presented
it to Lois Cianci. Her hands shaking, she opened the box
to find a dog tag identifying Clair P. Shaeffer, his next of
kin Lois Shaeffer and the address where she resided
with her Aunt. Every person at the scene was awash in
tears.
AT This UNbEliEVAblE M O M E N T 53 YEARS 4 MONTIHS ANd 1 7 dAys AITER
ThE CRAsh, Lois holds hER fAThER's doq TAq TO ITER lips.
Guy CRESSANT hANdiNq Lois ShAEffER CiANci ThE box
coNTAiNJNq ThE CUiR P. ShAsffER doq TAq.
Miraculously at that moment a very
quiet, gentle rain began to fall. Lolly Owen
was heard to say: "It's as though God is
crying with us." After a few moments of
joyful astonishment over this amazing
coincidence, as w e were preparing to
leave, the rain ceased to fall, the sun came
out and a small miracle had come to pass.
Unforeseen, unplanned and unbelievable,
yet there it was 53 years and 4 months
later, a "Missing in Action" father was
joined with his beloved daughter by a
small fire-blackened steel pendant that
had at last fulfilled its purpose.
We bade farewell to our new friends
of the A N S A w h o had, in gratitude and
respect for all the veterans of the 44th
B o m b Group extended the hand of
welcome to us with such sincerity we, on
the departing bus, were somehow silently
saddened for almost 20 minutes, each
thinking over the joys of the past two days
and nights. Happiness soon returned
when w e reached Giverny, the home and
wondrous gardens of the renowned
French impressionist Claude Monet.
There we had lunch and a memorable two
hour stroll through this colorful legacy
to the French people by the artist.
�k
» »
ThE viEW of ThE OMAIIA BEAch C E M E T E R Y fROM iN fRONT of ThE STATUE.
Leaving Giverny, we proceeded to Paris where w e stayed
at a hotel of good name, but of no similarity to the member
of the chain on our stay in Rouen. Operated by Hindu
Management, w e had the worst check-in of any trip I can
recall. I will never forget our members struggling with
their bags when they were dumped in a hallway and w e
were left to either wait for the one bellman or wrestle
your bags to your room on your own. From there it got
worse, so I'll leave it alone except to vow never again
will you hear the name Owen associated with the name
Hotel Relais Mercure in Paris. W e stayed two nights only
with one full day free for everyone to do as they pleased.
This means there are probably almost as many different
adventure stories of who did what as there were on the
trip. W e did all get together to avoid another dinner at
the hotel, and relying on the ingenuity of Keith
Waterhouse our driver (and Waterhouse owner), had a
great fun and reasonably priced dinner at a place he had
utilized before. After dinner, Keith took the whole bus
load to the Montparnasse district where w e went to the
top of one of Paris' taller buildings and had a beautiful
Paris night lights view of the city.
Day 14 - June 9. Leaving Paris we travelled Northeast
toward Liege, Belgium with a rest stop and visit in Reims.
We then continued on to Bastogne for lunch and a walking
tour of the (then small) village where the 101 st Airborne
were encircled during the Battle of the Bulge. When told
to surrender or be killed, General McAuliffe, 101st
commander, answered "nuts!" Traveling on we arrived
at the U.S. Cemetery at Ardennes
Will LuNdy ANd Roy O W E N iN fRONT of ThE OMAIIA BEAch CEMETERY
STATUARY SyMbol Of All ThoSE AMERiCANS AT REST hERE.
We had previously notified them of our arrival and
that w e would be accompanied by Lois Shaeffer Cianci,
daughter of T/Sgt. Clair P. Shaeffer, KIA whose name is
marked on the Cemetery Wall of Honor. She was met by
the Cemetery Superintendent w h o escorted her to the
point on the Wall of Honor where her father's name
appears. It was marked with a beautiful wreath. Taking
her then for a stroll through the grave markers of those
unknown servicemen, the superintendent explained to
Lois that after the war this cemetery had served as one
of the few forensic cemeteries in Europe where last
extensive efforts were made to identify each remains.
�JEAN PJERRE MARJE ANd JOEI HuARd O N ThE NoRMANdy BEAchES TOUR.
J.R. REVHIE AT ThE BASTOqNE MEMORJAI.
As we were leaving the cemetery, Lois, although agai
with eyes reddened with tears, had a look of relief and
quietly told m e she felt, finally, the wondering and
thinking and hoping that someday he would come back
were over. N o w she knows and can go home and tell her
children the true story of the death of their gallant
grandfather. She said she could never begin to tell the
IRENE LuNdy ANd O U R quidE AT O N E of ThE G E R M A N ARTKIERY
buNkERS AT PoiNT du Hoc.
members of the 44th BGVA how profoundly thankful she
is
When this proved impossible, the remains where buried for making this all possible for her.
with the marker reading "Known Only to God." He went M y only wish is that all the membership could have
shared this joyful experience.
on to say that while her fathers remains were not
positively identified, she could rest assured that he was
buried here among those also unknown.
Lois ShAEffER CiANCi AT ThE
ARdENNES NATiONAl
CEMETERY, BslqiuM,
kNEEliNq OVER ThE
WAII of H O N O R MARICER
bEARJNq hER fAThER's NAME.
�Day 15 - June 10. As you might expect, this will be
an anti-climactic finish. W e left Leige, after a splendid
nights rest at the Holiday Inn, on our journey to Calais
with a stopover in Brussels for lunch and some browsing.
IHE PIAZA IN BRUSSEIS
.RBAl.OH tf<
SHA*
SBOfMAK*
>
ThE WREATh ANd MARkER MEMORJAliziNq T/SqT. CUiR P.
ShAEffER, 68Th BoMb SpdN., 44Th BoMb G R O U P .
From Calais we had a much shorter ferry trip to Dover.
After a drop off of Kevin and Terry, it was on to London
and the Kensington Hilton for a last night of farewells.
It was a great ride; one for which every member of the
44th can look upon with i m m e n s e pride, for it
magnificently fulfilled the basic mandate of our charter:
to bring together, physically or spiritually, the family
and comrades of both our deceased and living members.
ThE LinlE LOST Boy iN BRUSSEIS.
MORE
TRAVEL
NewlyWeds Bill Cameron and his lovely Wife Henri
travelled to Norway in early September on What could
be termed a delayed honeymoon.
In Oslo, Bill and Henri Were escorted by USAF (Ret)
Col. Knute Kinne to View! the new stone and bronze
memorial to the American Airmen Who lost their lives
on the 18 November 1943 raid on Kjetlar Airfield. The
new memorial dedicated on 18 November 1993, which
replaced a Wooden marker, Was funded by donations
raised by Ed Dobson, Jr. whose pilot father Was lost,
and Forrest Clark who flew on the mission. Bill and
Henri Were quartered in a Very old farm house Which is
being restored by the Norwegian Air Force. The house
is located on a hillside overlooking the airfield. Bil
reports a number of bomb craters from the raid are stilt
dintinguishable on the hillside.
Col. Bill C A M E R O N ANd his lovEly bRids, H E N R L
10
®
�U.S. 8th Air Force
1943
NORWAY
1993
UNITED STATES
Here, at the site of the American Bombing of 16 Nov. 1943,
W e the Survivors of the 8th Air Force, 44th, 392nd, 93rd '
And 389th Bomb Groups, Dedicate this memorial to the
Brave American Airmen who died on the Missions to
Norway in November 1943. In Remembrance of their
Sacrifice and Devotion to Freedom, we Salute them
And the Courageous Norwegian Allies who fought
Against Nazi tyranny a Half Century ago.
dedicated 18 Nov. 1993
Bill
CAMERON
wirh Col. (RET.) K N U T E KJNNE of Oslo, AT ThE
KJEIIER AiRfisld M E M O R I A I .
ThE KJ'EIIER AiRfiEld M E M O R J A I
Some great poetry from the ranks.
Editor: Our hard working U.K. Representative, Steve Adams came up with this great piece of poetry
from his 66th archives which Cpl. Asa W . D y e dedicated to (then) Lt. Col. Dexter Hodge. H e says Col.
Hodge wanted a poetical resume of the 44th B o m b Group and this w a s his inspiration:
The Forty Fourth B o m b Group
We've pulled our share of
missions,
And we've really had a "go"
A m o n g the first to fly "Old Glory"
Out across the E.T.O.
So with mighty engines roaring,
And a sandwich m a d e of S p a m
W e went out to meet the "Jerry"
With these "Libs" of Uncle Sam.
Then we found we had an airship
That really stood the test
There's a cloud ripped trait behind
And it's fifties blazed a verdict
us
Sending lots of "Jerries" west.
From the " D a m e of Liberty"
W h e n w e kissed good-bye in
Our wings have thrown their
parting,
shadow
With a vow to keep her free.
Over France and Italy,
The
44th has blasted targets
We were glad to see old London,
Over all of Germany.
And hear "Tommy's" Cheerio!
H e admits he'd almost had it,
And w a s glad we'd have a "go."
n
They've heard our engines roaring
from Gibralterto Oran
And R o m m e l will long remember
The fighting "Libs" of Uncle S a m .
Yes, we've blazed a trail of glory
That will end in victory
Then only one more "mission"
For the 44th there will be.
Then we'll all attend a "briefing"
Just to hear the C O . say,
Navigators please, attention,
Plot your course for the U.S.A.!
�/
44TH BOMB GROUP VETERANS ASSOCIATION
Our 1998 Project
6304 Mcadowndqc Drive • Santa Rosa, CA 9S409 • 707-538-4726 • Fax 707-538-1212
At our Salt Lake City Board of Directors, Col.
Dick Butler, our Group Vice President to 2nd
Air Division, briefed the Board on the project
undertaken by 2nd A D to commission the
sculpting of a l/6th scale monumental bronze
B-24 Liberator model to be placed in the
U S A F Academy Honor Court adjacent to the
Academy Chapel at Colorado Springs.
July 25, 1997
Group Captain A. F. 'Bertie' Wallace CBE, DFC, RAF (Ret)
President
Eastbourne Combined Ex-Services Association
c/o Mr. Nigel Whitely MISM
24 Tavistock
Devonshire Place
Eastbourne BN21 4 A G England
Dear Group Captain Wallace:
This letter is purposely overdue in order that I could write, organize and see to the publishing
of our journal which, in the enclosed Summer issue, w e have told the story of the wonderful
visit by a contingent of our 44th B o m b Group Veterans Association to your beautiful city.
Our June 2-5 visit was prompted by reports from our small delegation which were able to
attend the original "Ruthless" Memorial dedication two years ago. From the welcome extended to
those members, w e expected a most hospitable welcome by the caring people of Eastbourne; the
ceremonial events and shower of heartfelt respect and love extended to us by your city was such
an emotional series of events w e were overjoyed and shall never forget our visit with you.
Particularly the lovely buffet luncheon hosted by The Royal Air Force Association at your Club.
This afforded us the opportunity to mix and socialize with some of the wonderful people of
Eastbourne for which w e are most grateful.
The honor, respect and love your citizens showered upon us demonstated, most beautifully, the
bond offriendshipand love between the 44th B o m b Group Veterans Association and the people of
Eastbourne. A bond forged in the flaming wreckage in which ten of our valorous comrades paid
the ultimate pnee for the liberty w e now enjoy. It is our hope this bond will be an enduring one.
W e thank you,
Sinc^Pely,
RoyWnDwen, President
Colonel USAF (Ret)
p.s. Please pass on my personal greetings and thanks to all the members of the Royal British
Legion Band and those members of the vanous branches w h o proudly bore their colors so
impressively to make the "Ruthless" memonal ceremony complete.
707-538-1212
July 24, 1997
Cllr. Beryl Healy
Mayor of Eastbourne
Town Hall Chambers
Grove Road, Eastbourne BN21
East Sussex, England
Dear Mayor Healy:
This letter is purposely overdue in order that I could write, organize and see to the publishing
of our journal which, in the enclosed Summer issue, w e have told the story of the magnificent
visit by a contingent of our 44th B o m b Group to your beautiful city.
1 am not certain that I can properly describe the dimensions of emotion felt by all of the 44th
visitors to have been a part of all the range of heartfelt ceremonial events which you and the
caring people of Eastbourne arranged in honor of our visit. Beginning with your hosting of the
joyous reception and tour of the City Hall; to the solemn and beautiful reverance of the Butts
Brow ceremonies honoring our "Ruthless" crew, then on to the hosted luncheon by the Royal
Air Force Club and the tour of the Redoubt Fortress. Finally, along with the leaders of
Eastbourne, honoring us with your presence at the gala dinner marking the end of our visit to
Eastbourne.
I must say, to all of we American visitors, the welcoming embrace with which your city took us
into their arms was beyond our highest expectations. The honor, respect and love your citizens
showered upon us demonstrated, most beautifully, the bond of friendship and love between the
44th B o m b Group Veterans Association and the people of Eastbourne. A bond forged in the
flaming wreckage in which ten of our valorous comrades paid the ultimate price for the liberty
w e now enjoy. It is our hope this bond will be an enduring one. Please accept our sincere thanks
and when it is opportune pass our gratitude on to all of those w h o participated and made our
visit so memorable.
SirjejSfely,
Roy W/Owen, President
Colonel USAF (Ret)
12
The sculpture, to be done by Robert
Henderson of Canon City, will join bronze
models of the P-40, P-38, P-47, P-51 and, the
most recent addition, a B-17. Henderson is
recognized as the only sculptor to create
monumental bronze airplanes. The gathering
of models of the most famous of the A A F
warbirds of W W I I in the Honor Court is
meant as "The Study Hall" of these aircraft
and will be studied and seen by millions from
all nations and future generations to visit
U S A F grounds each year. Most important of
those to w h o m the Honor Court will truly be
a classroom are our new leaders - our future our Cadets. Failure to have a B-24 in that
study hall would be unconscionable!
In answer to this challenge, your Board has
unanimously approved joining with 2nd A D
in the financing of this project as our major
'98 effort. While 2nd A D will be the ultimate
collection point for the various 2nd A D units,
each unit is free to organize its o w n finding
campaign. Our campaign is on "contribute as
you feel you can" for individual members and
the Board has approved an Association
matching contribution of up to $4,000. This
means for every individual member
contributed dollar, our treasury will donate a
matching dollar until w e reach the "as w e feel
w e can" $4,000. Point. We, of course, would
like our total contribution to reach the $8,000
mark. It is m y understanding that our
Treasurer left the General Membership
meeting with around $1,200, so w e are off to
a typical 44th "go for it" effort. (You guys
make m e so proud to be your leader, I can't
tell you!). I think the most contributed by any
2nd A D unit is $7,500 ~ so what does that tell
you? M A K E Y O U R C H E C K O U T TO: 44th
B G V A and d o w n in the M e m o space write:
Bronze Model Fund. Mail to: 44th BGVA, P.O.
Box 2367, Salt Lake City, U T 84110-2367.
�Our beloved combat commander and President Emeritus, General
Leon W. Johnson passed away quietly in his residence at the Fairfax
in Ft. Belvoir, VA on 10 November 1997.
Memorial services were held on Monday, 17 November 1997 at the
Fort Myers Chapel at 1000 hours followed by interment in Arlington
National Cemetery.
The General shared most of his military career with his wife, the
former Lucille Taylor of San Antonio w h o predeceased him. He is
survived by his two daughters; Sue, w h o is married to Major General
Hoyt S. Vandenberg, Jr. USAF (Ret), and Sarah Abbot Johnson.
Born in Columbia, Missouri he spent his boyhood there and Moline,
Kansas. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy and
commissioned a Second Lieutenant in June 1926. He later received
his Masters Degree in Meteorology at the California Institute of
Technology. After a number of flying assignments and progression in
rank, the entry of our nation into World War II saw him selected as
one of the first four flying officers assigned to the 8th Air Force
when it was activated at Savannah, Georgia. He served as
Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations for that command in its formative period. He accompanied the 8th Air Force to England in June
1942. In January 1943, he assumed command of the 44th Bomb Group. In June of that year, he took the group to North Africa on loan
to the 9th Air Force for the daring low level attack on the Ploesti oil fields in Rumania. For his heroic leadership of that raid, he w a s
awarded the Medal of Honor. On his return to England in September 1943, he organized the 14th Combat Wing and remained its
commander until the end of the war in Europe.
General Johnson went on to a number of command and important staff assignments such as Chief of Personnel Services, Hq. USAF;
Commander 15th Air Force; First Commander of 3rd Air Force Mildenhall, England, Commander Continental Air Command; USAF
Representative, Military Staff Committee, United Nations; U.S. Representative, NATO Military Staff Committee; Air Deputy to the
Supreme Allied Commander, Europe at S H A P E Hq., Paris before his retirement.
During this illustrious career, General Johnson never forgot his combat group, the 44th. Over the years since the 44th had writte
pages of valorous deeds indelibly in the history of the air war over Europe, this heroic leader remained humble, always disclaiming his
role in the Ploesti Raid success as being any more a contribution to the mission as any other. It seemed his happiest act when at an
assemblage of 44th Ploesti veterans, he would mingle among the men wearing the Medal of Honor around his neck and asking, "Would
you care to hold your medal? Please take it in your hand, it belongs to you, I am merely wearing it in your honor."
We will miss you, Sir. It has been a privilege and an honor to have served our Nation with you under the colors of the 44th Bomb
and 14th Combat Wing. M a y God give us more like you. The family requests that memorial remembrances be made to the Air Force Aid
Society in his name. The 44th B o m b Group Veterans Assocation will make a donation on behalf of our members.
13
�1st Lt. Leo Frazier, 66th Squadron is Decorated
In early 1943,1 st Lt. LeoO. Frazier, Lifetime resident of Oakley, Utah, was assigned to the 66th
Squadron, 44th B o m b Group in England as Navigator on the 1 st Lt. Robert W . Blaine crew. O n 8 March
1943 their B-24 aircraft was shot d o w n by German fighters while attacking the railway marshalling yards of
Rouen, France. Lt. Frazier managed to bail out and survive, only to be captured and held in a P O W camp
until the war ended. H e was the lone survivor of the shoot-down.
Leo returned to his Oakley home after the war where he operated a family store, and served his com
as Mayor and Summit County Assessor.
When plans were being made for the 44th BGVA trip to England and France and we had began to
communicate with the National Association of Non-Commissioned Officers of the French Army Air
Reserve regarding our plans to visit the Normandy Beaches using Rouen as a base, they invited us to visit
the crash sites of the two 44th aircraft lost on 8 March 1943. W h e n w e notified them that Leo Frazier, lone
survivor of the Blaine crew was alive, the French extended a most excited invitation for him to accompany
ourtrip so they could honor him. Unfortunately, he did not feel up to the foreign travel. During our visit,
the French Air Reserve Association presented their Medal of Allied Service, commemorating participation
in the liberation of France, to the 44th B o m b Group and individual ly to Lt. L e o O . Frazier. Both medals
were accepted for the Group and for Leo by 44th B G V A President, Roy O w e n .
Upon return home to Salt Lake City (60 miles from Oakley) our Treasurer, Jerry Folsom, unbeknown t
m a d e arrangements with Oakley Mayor Dick Woolstenhulme, Leo's son Blake and local veterans and
Leo's family to attend a surprise presentation of the medal during the intermission of the annual 4th of July
Rodeo in Oakley. The emotional presentation, m a d e before an audience of 5,500 rodeo fans, included a
congratulatory telegram from 44th B G V A m e m b e r Robert I. Brown, w h o was Leo's roommate in the Stalag
Luft III prison camp.
ThE phoroqRAphs couruEsy of S P E N C E R YouNq of THE D E S E R T N E W S , SAIT U k E Chy, UTAH.
14
�15
®
�THE PRESIDENT'S CORNER
where in the museum building sits the SR-71C
M/OW/.' What a shou;.' /t sounds /ike a /of o/
hype after each reunion to keep saying this one which I was privileged to fly and join the ranks o
was greater than the last one, and so on, but thosethose who have flown the Blackbird in excess of
who came will know what I'm saying is our Reunion Mach 3 in level flight, and fewer still, those w
flying career spanned from the B-24 to the SR-71.
Co-Chairmen, Jim Clements and Jerry Folsom
TALKED THE TALK AND WALKED
THE
WALK
We finished our last day of this great reuni
this time! Salt Lake City and our fourth was
with a splendid Italian buffet dinner after whic
REUNION
- BIG TIME. In spite of unexpected were entertained by a 40 man strong Mens
construction on the hotel's third floor and getting
Barbershop choir called The Beehive State Men's
our registration desk stuck in a remote corner ofChorus. They sang for a full hour and really cappe
the Hilton Hotel, everything else was super well off our visit to Salt Lake City. A BIG THANK
YO
planned and executed. The weather intervened JIM AND JERRY - FROM ALL OF US THERE - A
DONE!
causing a change from the Snowbird Tour up in the JOB WELL
10k altitude and flying snow, to a city tour and tripSpeaking of jobs well done, we elected three
to the Kennecott Copper Mine (biggest man made new squadron representatives to the Board. P.H.
hole on the planet). But everyone seemed to enjoy
"Phil" Phillips will replace Mel Trager in the Su
Plan B. Other highlights were the great dance bandUnits seat; Tony Mastradone replaces Robert I.
of Bud Hutchings we had at the banquet (would Brown representing the 67th Squadron; and Michel
you believe folks stayed and danced 'till 11 p.m.
"Mike" Yuspeh is replacing Richard "Dick" Peders
instead of jumping up and running for bed as soonin the 506th seat. To those stepping down, you
as they finished dinner!)
have done a tremendous job in representing your
Sunday morning we were honored guests at the constituencies during this critical period of re
nationwide TV broadcast of the Mormon Tabernacleand getting the Association up and running. You
Choir. The announcer gave a brief combat history
are all loyal, strong and proven men and all kno
of the 44th, then asked us to rise while we were one does not have to occupy a seat on the Board to
honored with a huge ovation. Then after the serve our Association. There will be need for you
broadcast, we were treated with the choir singing
help in the future and I know you will answer the
Battle Hymn of The Republic in our honor. Mighty
call. For those joining the Board, congratulati
touching! That afternoon we bussed out to Hill Air
The membership has given you their trust and
Force Base for a great lunch at the Officers Club confidence and I am looking forward to having yo
followed by a welcome by the Air Force Heritage on the management team as we continue to lead
Foundation of Utah Chairman, Lt. Gen. Marc C.
our Association to new successes.
Reynolds (Ret) and Col. Nathan H. Mazer (Ret) in
LOLLY AND I WISH YOU ALL A VERY
the beautifully restored WWII Chapel of the MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR
museum grounds. While still seated, we were given
- MELE KALIKIMAKA AND HAU'OLI MAKAHIKI
an address written and delivered by Captain
HOU. I will see you in Savannah in Octobe
(Chaplain) Phillip A. Baker, USAF The thrust of
his talk (not sermon) was a thanks to us and others
like us (and his Dad, a WWII Navy veteran) for
refreshing his, and the minds of his generation, of
the sacrifices we made for the precious liberty they
and their children now enjoy. The memorial service
was beautifully closed by the retreat marched to
the haunting strains of Amazing Grace played by a
Bass Drum and Bagpipe trio of young
women
dressed in traditional kilts. They were Misses Jennie
WORTH POLE>
Jensen, Celeste Mahnke and Stephanie Winters,
directed by Ms. Merilee Terry; all from Ben Lomond
High School, Ogden, Utah.
The next excitement for the group (especially
yourPrez) was a walk through their aircraft museum,
16
[
�1997
A REALLY
QREAT
The TREASURER ANC! his LOVE, B E V REAIIV IOVE T O (JANCE!
JIM ANd JEAN C A U I E R "showiNq off.
r
A lot has already been said about the overall program, and the photos below capture the fun and
enjoyment everyone seemed to have at the scheduled events, but I find myself short of pictures taken in that
great unscheduled activity THE HOSPITALITY R O O M . Really, for the first time in our four reunion history, have
we had so many of the wives c o m e in, sit down, and stay to visit. It w a s really great. The atmosphere w a s
friendly, lots of laughter, even a bridge g a m e . The smokers were mindful and stepped outside w h e n they
needed to puff (which had a lot to do with it). There is no question, it w a s the happiest, most fun hospitality
room we've ever had. It taught m e a lesson, w h e n w e negotiate for future reunions, we're going to talk
about a big, comfortable hospitality room as first priority!
Lolly EVEN qor TJHE P R E Z O U T O N TEIE H O O R !
CflARliE ANld C A R O I SiMpSON [iEAdiNq OUT TO dANCE.
Bob MyERS hAd BERyl ApqAR swiNqiN' OUT!
TOM ANd SARAIH
PARSONS REAlly
UNdERSTANd ThE
"Biq BANCJ" sTuff.
"FRiTzi" SEksky TElliNq iT likE iT WAS!
ToNy ANd CAThy MASTRAdoNE ii\i TKIE bAck qROUNd.
17
�NOTICE-NOTICE NOTICE
Just returned from Savannah;
N E W CONFIRMED REUNION DATES:
October 25-28,1998
ctiflnof in '96 Pfumon PL-I
Days Inn/Suite on Riverfront.
Reservation forms will be in Spring Issue of 8 Ball Tails.
PLfflSf ttflltf H O T t
W e recently got word from our Savannah M u s e u m Display Chairman, T o m Parsons, that the expected completion
date for the 44th B G Ploesti Raid display in the Mighty 8th Air Force M u s e u m is August, 1998. The Board agrees
t h e 44 t h memPers should assemble to dedicate and view our display as soon as possible after completion.
Accordingly w e will slip the n e w Orleans reunion to I 999 and plan our '98 reunion for Savannah, G A a n d the
M u s e u m This was unanimously approved The dates available to us for the M u s e u m are October 23, 24 and
25, so w e will follow the usual four day schedule and start the reunion on October 22. Mark your calendars for
October 22 through 25, I 998.
Mike Yuspah, our new Reunion Chairman, will be meeting with me in Savannah on December 2 to make
arrangements for hotel or motel accommodations. Unfortunately w e could not have that information in time for
the 8-Ball Tails deadline which will be in the mail the first week in December. All of the details on the reunion
program and our housing will be forthcoming in the Spring issue of the 8-Ball Tails. In the meantime, at the
bottom of this page there is a Reunion Pre-Registration form. If you are planning to attend this most significant
reunion, it would be a really big help to Mike in his planning for your m a x i m u m enjoyment of this historic area,
to have you fill out the form to the best of your ability and send it to him.
The program and costs will be approximately what we had in Salt Lake City and we will have our usual
schedule. Registration and Reception Thursday; Friday a tour of Savannah and free afternoon for exploring
the River Walk, Squadron Dinners in the evening; Saturday morning, General Membership meeting, lunch
and tour 8th Air Force Museum, evening cocktails and Banquet; Sunday, Buffet Breakfast and farewell.
SEE Y O U IN S A V A N N A H ! Your Prez.
Cut <A—Hrrct
44th B o m b Group Veterans Association
1998 Reunion Registration Form
Please Print:
Last Name First Name: Spouse:
Address
City State Zip Phone: ( )
Guests Total to Attend:
Option #1: Full Reunion
Number
Option #2: Thursday, Friday (Squadron Dinner) Saturday (Banquet) Number
Option #3: Saturday (Banquet), Sunday (Lunch & Buffet) Number
Option #4: Saturday Banquet and Dance Only Number
Mail to: MICHAEL YUSPEH • 7214 Sardonyx Avenue • New Orleans, LA 70124
IS
m
�t
A 1998 44th BGVA Tour
For all of those who were unable to attend the Salt Lake City Reunion, we were getting so many
verbal questions from the membership asking were we going to have another trip like the one we
had last Spring, that w e decided to run a survey at the General Membership Meeting. Not
surprising, I guess, after the first installment of the trip story telling all about our adventures, out of
80 responses (usually representing husband and wife) we had enough "YES" we would want to
travel on the same itinerary as the '97 trip that we already have a bus full, (this doesn't mean that
because someonefilledout a survey that they have reserved places on the bus) so we are going to
be off on another one next June.
There will be some small variations such as having an outlying hotel on our visit
the World Soccer Tournament, but essentially we will visit Norwich, Shipdham, Duxford,
Eastbourne, Rouen, Paris, Bastogne and Brussels. See the Outline Itinerary. W e will befinetuning
the details and have them to you well before the trip dates.
IN THE MEANTIME, FILL OUT AND SEND IN YOUR RESERVATION/DEPOSIT FORM AS SOON AS
YOU CAN. ENGLAND A N D FRANCE WILL BE C R O W D E D THIS S U M M E R BECAUSE OF THE
WORLDS SOCCER TOURNAMENT. W E N E E D T O B O O K OUR HOTEL REQUIREMENTS AS SOON AS
W E CAN T O BEAT T H E WORLD'S SOCCER C R O W D S WHICH WILL
JAM L O N D O N A N D PARIS THIS SUMMER.
(r
44th B o m b Group Veterans Association
1998 England and/or French Tour Outline Itinerary
.. Day 1 Arrive London from New York.
June 6..
.. Day 2
Morning sightseeing tour ojLondon-afternoon Jree.
June 7..
LeaveJar Norwich-afternoon visit to Maddingly Cemetary.
June 8.... Day 3
Free day in Norwich.
June 9.... Day 4
Shipdham tour - picnic lunch and evening bar-b-que.
June 10 .. Day 5
Leave for Eastbourne-Duxford lunchtime visit.
June 11 .. Day 6
Ruthless Memorial Service -1066 Country tour, p. m. tea. Evening, gala dinner hos
June 12 .. Day 7
by the Mayor ofEastbourne and the local member ofParliament.
End of British Tour (depart for USA) or French tour - leave for Normandy - stay in
June 13 .. Day 8
Rouen.
June 14 .. Day 9
Visit to Landing Beaches and Bayeaux.
June 15 .. Day 10 .... Free day in Rouen.
June 16 .. Day 11 .... Leavefor destination near Paris.
June 17 .. Day 12.... Paris sightseeing tour; optional Bateau Mouche cruise on the RiverSeine, option
evening dinner in top city restaurant.
June 18 .. Day 13 .... Day at leisure.
June 19 .. Day 14 .... Leavefor Brussels via Bastogne.
June 20 .. Day 15 .... Leave Brussels for London overnight.
June 21 .. Day 16.... Leave for USA.
The above itinerary is subject to change, depending on local arrangements being made.
19
�44th B o m b G r o u p Veterans Association
1 9 9 8 England and/or French Tour Airline Reservation/Deposit F o r m
Please reserve flights for persons named below from JFK-New York to London on June 5,1998 - Return date . If
you wish to return at a later date Open J a w ticket cost will be given on request. Group fare for tour dates: £359, tax included.
Please Print:
Title Given Name Surname Frequent Flyer #
Number
Lead Name
Phone: (
Address Fax: ( _
City
State
Zip
I wish to pay the deposit of £75 Sterling per person by Credit Card (Visa or MasterCard only) Total amount £ S
Card Number:
Expiration Date:
Deposit Non-refundable. Balance due 8 weeks prior to departure.
<^gT} Signature:
Mail to: One Stop World, 163 Terminus Road, Eastbourne BN21 3NX, England; Attention: Alan Bacon
Inquiries: Roy Owen at (707) 538-4726
WATERHOUSE TOURS
44th Bomb Group England/France, Belgium Tour
Please reserve spaces on ENGLISH TOUR ONLY *£869. OR spaces on the entire ENGLISH/FRENCH TOUR
*£1363. (*Approximate prices subject to adjustment). Group fare for tour dates: £359, tax included.
Please Print:
Last Name First Name:
Address City
State
Zip
Phone: (
)
-
Fax: (
Names of other persons travelling
I wish to pay the deposit of Sterling £200 per person by Credit Card (Visa or MasterCard only) Total amount £
Card Number:
Expiration Date:
Balance due 8 weeks prior to departure.
Signature:
^^ Mail to: Waterhouse Tours, Ltd.,Dillons Road, Polegate, East Sussex BN26 6 JG, England
Inquiries: Roy Owen at (707) 538-4726
20
m
Sterling.
�<+2 Beating the Bushes
^
By Art Hand & Will Lundy
Winter, 1997
DONALD E. CARLSON: 1455 2nd Avenue, Apt. 1314, San Diego, CA 92101. Radio Operator for Lt.
Gerald G. Lindsay. 68th Squadron.
THEODORE "TED" CLICK: 71 Fairway Terrace, Winchester, TN 37398. Tail Gunner for Bill A. Dolan
crew. 68th Squadron.
HARRELL L. GARDNER: 481 East Lydia Highway, Hartsville, SC 29550. Tail Gunner for C.N. Atkin'
crew. 506th Squadron.
ELWOOD "EDDIE" HAIRR: 1530 Rock Spring Street, Greensboro, NC 27405-3716. Turret Gunner on
L. J. Winsatt/JW. Wood crew. This man completed his tour on B-17 Memphis Belle.
WALTER LOCKETT: 103 Castleshoals Drive, Granite Shoals, TX 78654. H.S. Borkowski's crew as
Bombardier. 506th Squadron.
THERESA MURPHYMCKINNEY: 308 Goodwin, Eliot, ME 03903. Daughter of William T. Murphy,
KIA on 18 November 1943 when Lt. J.L. Houle's crew ditched, out of fuel. 67th Squadron.
MARVIN J. REDDICK: 3241 Harbor Beach Drive, Lake Wells, FL 33583. Co-pilot for A.H. Dittmer
(68th Sq. P O W after being shot down on 24 August 1944.)
CHARLES TORNO: 2224 Edwards Street, St. Louis, MO 63110. Engineer for JW. Parks, Jr. on 10 Ma
1944.68th Squadron.
AiNqels CORNER
Just a few days after returning from the Reunion, a short thank you letter arrived in the mai
like this:
Mr. President,
Enclosed you will find a check for two hundred fifty dollars ($250) to be used as needed for the
Thanks for a great reunion, hope to see you in Savannah for another great reunion.
Many Thanks,
Jim Branson, 3908 O'Briant Place, Greensboro, NC 27410
P.S. Roy, give to yourself, your family and the 44th Group the best you can and the best will come
to you,
Branson, 506th
When I read this to Lolly, she said you ought to make an "Angels Corner" for members like Jim
appreciate their Association and let you know it with a generous donation.
y^\x
Thank you very much Jim. You, along with Bill Strong, Jr. ($500) are our first
members of "Angels Corner."
Please note: Since our treasurer and our accounting system are unable to set up, manage and ^
disburse funds from separate accounts required when donations are made by members for specific
memorials, scholarships or projects, the Board has established a policy that all donations are
placed in the general fund to be disbursed in payment of those memorial projects determined
by the Board as most appropriate to perpetuate the heritage of the 44th and the memory of
those valorous men who served our nation under the 44th colors.
21
�Miscellanea
O U R NEWEST - N E W MEiwbER
Like Everything Else,
Dues are going up...
Not much, but up nonetheless. We've been trying to hold the
line as long as w e were able, but most of the increase has been
in the cost of the 8-Ball Tails. W h e n I briefed the board on the cost
increases in layout, pictures and printing, I pointed out that this
left us with number of pages as the only variable available to
reduce costs. In a complimentary burst, the Board members were
kind in taking the position that they were opposed to any
reduction in the quality level of our journal. From the many, many
complimentary and supporting comments about the "Tails" from
the membership attending the reunion, it would seem the
members share the attitude of the Board.
With that, the Board turned to a raise in general membership
dues as the next viable means of keeping up with costs. After
s o m e discussion, the Board settled with a $5 raise to start March
1,1998. This means the annual December 1,1997 billing will go
out invoicing 1998 dues as $15 if paid and in the hands of the
Treasurer by March 1,1998. F R O M THAT DATE O N , DUES WILL BE
M E E T AUSTJN JeffREy STUTZ 7/25/96 G R E A T
$20 PER YEAR BILLED ANNUALLY O N DECEMBER 1.
GRANCISON of JiM & NETTIE CIEMENTS, S O N of Jeff &
Please remember, w e run along pretty good by keeping a close
LisA STUTZ (GRANCI DAUQIHTER) of LiNdou, UTAIT
watch
on our costs versus income, but if you can stick an extra fin
ATTENdiNq his FIRST REUNJOIN.
or sawbuck in the dues envelope, it's always welcome. In fact as
you read through this issue, you c a m e across a n e w section w e are calling "Angels Corner." Stop and
read it and meet our first and second Angels.
Only McAtee is missing from our "Gathering of Leaders."
LEFT T O Riqkr
ChARliE HuqFiEs, 66rh;
Bill C A M E R O N , 67TIH;
JAck GibsoN, 44Th C O ;
GoodMAN GRiffiN, 4 4 T N E X E C ;
Bob LEhNhAusEN, 68Th.
Other Reunions
The Florida Chapter of SECOND AIR DIVISION ASS'N
will hold its annual reunion in Fort Myers, Florida
March 26 - 29,1998 at the Sheraton Harbor Place in
downtown Ft. Myers. For information, contact:
Frank K. McConnell, P.O. Box 482, Cape Coral, FL
33910; telephone: (941) 549-2747.
22
��FOLDED WINGS
October, 1997
Charles N. Atkins
'89
506th
Captain, completed tour gj«
W
9/11/44.
Francis W. Beasley, Sgt 4/26/95 67th Sgt., Aircraft Mechanic, Msgt K.D. Gong's crew.
William K. Bechtold, S/Sgt 8/24/94 506th Left Waist Gunner, Capt. C.N. Atkins crew.
Robert Bohaty '55 Unknown, all we have is an old address. We need
some help on this one.
Robert H. Boney, T/Sgt 4/12/96 66th Came in with the Pathfinder crews. Later sent to
the 392nd BG.
Peter P. Budarf T/Sgt 7/97 68th Radio Operator on Lt. Roy M. Boggs crew, 29
missions, flew home 28 May '45.
Robert J. Bulson, S/Sgt '78 66th Top Turret Gunner on Lt. P.V. Dussoit crew, 17
missions.
Davis L. Brookins, Cpl 1/8/84 67th Came over with the original 67th on the Queen
Mary.
Carl G Carlson, T/Sgt 7/10/97 66th Flight Engineer on Lt. P.V. Dussoits crew, 17
missions.
Norfleet R. Cheek, 2nd Lt '97 464th Sub-Depot Supply Officer.
J. Davis Clark, S/Sgt 8/24/95 66th Tail Gunner on Lt. P.V. Dussoit's crew, 17 missions.
Mark Critchfield, Unk Unknown 66th One of the 44th originals at Mac Dill.
John E. Devich, T/Sgt '85 68th Flight Engineer on Lt. A.H. Dittmer's crew, shot
down 8/24/44; POW until April '45.
Beuford P. Fletcher, T/Sgt. 1/91 506th Radio Operator on Lt. DE. Saylor's crew, completed tour early 1944.
Howard N. Garrett, S/Sgt 1/22/71 68th Waist Gunner on Capt. Gus Konstand's lead crew.
Shot down 12/28/44.
James C Holcomb, 1st Lt Unknown 67th POW Pilot; crew organized Dec. '43 at March
Field, joined 67th June '44, completed combat
tour.
David J. Taylor, T/Sgt 11/26/96 Unknown . Very little in the archives on this man, we need
some help here.
24
�FOLDED WINGS (Continued)
1st Lt. ...2/16/97
Shelby 0. Turner, M.D.,
68th
-.Navigator on Lt. T. Ackerman's crew; 28 combat
missions. Post-War became an MD, rancher.
Preston E. Vaden, 1st Lt
... '96
506th.......Bombardier on the Lt. George Rebich original
506th crews flying Mr. 5x5. Flew Ploesti with
Major J.C. Beam. Completed combat tour.
George Van Son, S/Sgt..
... '95
67th
.... Tail Gunner for Lt. Elmer Reinhart. Shot down
and wounded on Ploesti raid. Internee/POW in
Romania.
Romie C. Vaughn, Sgt. .
...5/21/97
68th
....Aircraft Mechanic. Had two cruises on the Queen
Mary, over on 5 Sept. '42 and returned home on
6/16/45. His wife Martha has joined the 44th
BGVA.
Delbert Hunter, S/Sgt...
... 7/2/94
67th
.... Waist Gunner on Lt. Charles H. Mercer's crew.
Combat tour completed Feb. 1944. First 67th
crew to start and finish with the same ten crew
members.
Warren E. Kline, S/Sgt.
...4/25/75
Arnold P. Kleinschmidt,
Capt.
...6/26/97
66th
Assigned to 66th Feb. 45. Trained and was Flight
Cmdr. of new, Loran equipped B-24J's. Post- War
cattle rancher and Lexington, TX School District
Superintendent for 30 years.
James F. Rowan,
... 5/28/97
464th...
Sub-Depot Instrument Technician.
Unknown
.... Right Waist Gunner on 1st Lt. C.A. Bohnisch s
crew shot down 5/4/44 over Central France. Kline
was the only survivor. Captured & POW.
GAT^EREd AT OJAi, GUifoRNiA foR TIHE siqNJNq,
TIHE fouR ARE picTUREd holdiNq O N E of TIHE
liMJTEd EdiTiON pRiivrs of TIIE pAifMTiNq.
LETT T O RiqhT: Dick BUTIER, ChARliE HuqliES,
Bill BRANdoN ANd Bill C A M E R O N .
NEW PLOESTI PAINTING
Nicholas Trudigan, an oil paint artist well known for his work in landscapes, has turned his interests to
aviation art. His newest work is a rendition ojthe Ploesti raid entitled OPERATION TIDAL WAVE, The Ploe
Mission. Joining artist Nicolas Trudigan in signing his new limited edition of the painting arefour
distinguished 44th Bomb Group pilots who flew the historic raid; Major Gen. William H. Brandon (Ret),
was lead pilot in "Suzy Q" with Group Commander (then) Colonel Leon W. Johnson in the Co-Pilot seat.
Colonel Richard D. "Dick" Butler (Ret)flew as co-pilot with Walter Burke in "Earthquake McGoon." Colon
William R. Cameron (Ret) in his "Buzzin'Bear" was designated deputy lead to Col. Johnson andflew in the
slotposition of the lead element directly behind "Suzy Q." Colonel Charles E. Hughes (Ret) flying "Flo
Flirt" which was badly damaged during the attack but managed to limp into Turkey where he was interne
He later managed to escape to Cyprus in afishing boat thence back to England where he went on to
command the 66th Bomb Squadron.
25
�The 8-Ball Tails
Official Journal of The
44th B o m b Group
Veterans Association, Inc.
Compiled, written and
published tri-yearly at 6304
Meadowridge Dr., Santa Rosa,
CA 95409, Roy W . Owen,
President and Editor. Printed
and mailed Bulk Rate at Salt
Lake City, U T under U S P S
Permit #6923. Generally, the
material herein is non-copyright
except when so noted. The text
and photos are otherwise
reproduced from personal
photographs, diaries, memoirs
or official USAAF and USAF
documents and photos which
have been released for
publication. Except for
copyright material, permission
is granted for the contents of
this journal to be reproduced
for personal archives or the
journal of other incorporated
non-profit
Veterans
organizations so long as this
publication is properly credited.
Those submitting letters,
stories and photos to the Editor
or Historian must do so with
the understanding that this
material will most likely be
published as a matter of
interest to the members/
subscribers of the Association
and this journal. While every
attempt will be made to answer
all of the material received,
there is no explicit or implied
guarantee that an answer will
be provided or published.
Except for specific requests
for the return of original
documents and photos, all
material submitted will become
the property of The 44th Bomb
Group Veterans Association,
Inc.
Due to space limitations and
to ensure the clarity and
brevity of submitted material,
the Publisher/Editor reserves
the editorial license to add, cut
or otherwise modify all
submitted material so long as
the original context of the
material is maintained.
-
•
-,
44TH BOMB GBOUP WTEBANS
ASSOCIATION BOABD
President: Roy W. Owen (506)
6304 Meadowridge Drive
Santa Rosa, C A 95409-5839
Phone: (707) 538-4726 Fax: (707) 538-1212
E-Mail: rowen@sonic.com
Vice President: James H. Clements (506)
4124 Calculus Avenue
Dallas, TX 75244
Phone/Fax: (972) 243-4657
Secretary: Edward M. Dobson (67th)
118 South 15th Avenue #1
Bozeman, M T 59715-4130
Phone/Fax: (406) 587-2490
Treasurer: Gerald (Jerry) Folsom (506)
3582 East Dover Hill Drive
Salt Lake City, UT 84121-5527
Phone: (801) 733-7371 Fax: (801) 942-9988
Historian: C.W. "Will" Lundy (67th)
3295 North "H" Street
San Bernardino, C A 92405-2809
Phone/Fax: (909) 882-2441
P.O. Box 315
Bridgeport, C A 93517 (Summer)
Phone/Fax: (619) 932-7349
44th Group Vice President to 2nd ADA
Richard D. Butler (506/67th)
16494 Wagon Wheel Drive
Riverside, C A 92506
Phone: (909) 780-7421 Fax: (909) 780-1459
Director: Edw. K. "Mike" Mikoloski (66th)
626 Smithfield Road #702
N. Providence, Rl 02904
Phone/Fax: (401) 353-0144
Director: Robert J. Lehnhausen (68th)
709 West Meadows Place
Peoria, IL 61604-3447
Phone/Fax: (309) 685-2490
26
Director: Michel "Mike" Yuspeh (506)
7214 Sardonyx St.
N e w Orleans, LA 70131-8615
Phone: (504) 283-3424 Fax: (504) 283-3425
Director: R. H. "Phil" Phillips (Hq. Sqdn.)
422 Frances
Lindsay, O K 73052
Phone: (405) 756-3220
Membership Co-Chair: Search
Art Hand
517 Elm Street
Paris, IL 61994
Phone/Fax: (217) 463-5905
Membership Co-Chair: Roster
Tom Shepherd
10597 Cambrooke Cove
Collierville, TN 38017
Phone: (901) 854-6558 Fax: (901) 853-4229
E-Mail: sheep@wspice.com
Archivist: Anthony "Tony" Mastradone
9111 Tuckerman Street
Lanham, M D 20706-2709
Phone: (301) 577-1487
U.K. Representative: Steve Adams
28 Bassingham Road
Norwich, England N R 3 2 Q T
Phone/Fax: 011-44-1603-400221
E-Mail: S.P.adams@bt.internet.com
ASSOCIATION MAILING
ADDRESS
44th BGVA
P.O. Box 2367
Salt Lake City, U T 84110-2367-
��The Night I Rode
With Santa
By
Ivo F. DiPiero
The holiday was upon us, and throughout the house rooms were decorated for Christmas. A large box was
brought up from the basement. I knew it was therightone, as it was boldly marked "XMAS
DECORATIONS."
Coming from the kitchen was a wonderful aroma of cooking flowing through every room. On the table was my
favorite fruitcake with a large sign on it which said, "Do Not Tbuch Until Xmas." As I passed by, I slyly put a p
in my mouth. I then noticed my great granddaughter, slowly sliding her hand across the table toward a rack of
cooling cookies.
"What are you doing, Erika?" I asked. Ignoring the question, she said, "I'm having a hard time knowing what
ask Santa to bring for Christmas. Besides, you don't have a fireplace or a chimney for Santa to come down," she
replied.
"Erika," I said, "finish your letter to Santa, then give it to me. I will make sure that Santa will get it. I k
he can get into the house. It's a secret and I can't tell."
"I met Santa a long time ago during World War II." Erika replied, "Oh! Grandpa, not another one of your war
stories!" Turning to Grandma, she asked if I was fibbing her again. Grandma replied, "I did not know him at the
time, but usually he's a pretty honest fellow."
Looking at me, Erika said, "OK Grandpa, when was that?" Sitting at the table next to her and helping myself
another piece of fruitcake and Erika reaching for another cookie, I began my story.
"It was Christmas Eve 1942 and the sky wasfilledwith enemy planes and I was on my way to my plane, The
Lemon Drop. The pilot, Lt. Reggie Phillips, and his crew chief, Charlie Pigg, were close behind. On the way L
Phillips told me, "Ivo, you are going with us on this mission tonight." "Where to?," I replied. He answered, "I w
know until we arrive at the plane."
As we arrived at the plane, I could not believe my eyes. Beside our plane, The Lemon Drop, a B24D, there sto
a sleigh loaded with gift packages and sitting there was Saint Nick. His reindeer were tapping their hooves
impatiently. Saint Nick had flown all the way from the North Pole to Great Britain to deliver gifts to the child
Santa was afraid that his reindeer might be hurt because the enemy was dropping bombs, and there was much noise
from anti-aircraft guns on the ground. The U. S. Air Force gave him permission to fly on their plane, The Lemo
Drop, so he could drop his gifts to the children; children that may never have gifts because of the war.
Everyone was eager to help and all the packages were transferred to the plane. When they werefinished,Santa
and the crew climbed into the plane and quickly took off. I noticed that the plane was flying at an exceedingly
speed and the propellers were not turning. I radioed the pilot and asked what was happening. The pilot responde
"I do not know. There must be magic in the air as I cannot explain the phenomenon."
We kept on with our task and dropped each package out of the plane as Santa handed them to us. Each one,
believe it or not, dropped down therightchimney. As soon as the last package was dropped, our pilot, Lt. Phill
gained control of the plane and we returned safely to base.
Every one said good-bye to Santa, and as he was leaving, we heard him say, "Merry Christmas, and for your
good deeds on this night, I promise you that this plane, The Lemon Drop, and it's crews will always return to b
safely."
The Lemon Drop was the last of the original aircraft to survive World War II.
In 1992 Grandma and I returned again to England, and in the city of Norwich, I looked up into a clear moonli
sky, and I'm sure I saw a shadow of what looked like a B24D. I heard a voice saying, "I kept my promise, and Th
Lemon Drop is still flying."
If you should ever be in Norwich, England on Christmas Eve, look up to the sky. There will be a shadow of a
sleigh with The Lemon Drop close behind.
Looking at my great granddaughter I said, "Erika, I promise you when your list is complete, Santa will recei
it."
28
�W e think of you folks quite often and look forward
to the next time. You are Special!!
MAIL CALL
Love,
Nick & Nan
Editor: Gracias for your most kind words Mi Amigo. I
hope you enjoy the second installment of The Trip-The
Trip in this issue. I'm very happy that reading the
article brought the feeling of pride that we on the trip
experienced. All of the 44th men and women should
rightfully be proud of having served in this valorous
outfit. When we were at Barksdale AFB for the
dedication of our memorial marker, all of the 44th folks
present were in tears of pride listening to the words of
respect and admiration for the 44th spoken by the
active duty Air Force leadership present. Then, once
again, seeing and hearing the expression of gratitude
and respect by our English and French Allies made
us all swell with pride that the heroic performance of
the 44th was so vividly known to our grateful allies.
The 44th wasn't simply given the destiny to lead, our
proud people earned it!
•smmtmBgg^
f;')r)4Mi:»<Jo*"idD''
September 27, 1997
To Our Dear Shipdham Friends, ^^
On this day of Mticn.1 ^!*J*44,S^iw^
L e s s Diana, it was the w, h of the 44
^ ^ profound shoe and
Tleyes of America that *JjJ —£ "^Tto"?
&
for the people of * ^ * h ^ K monarchy than has existed
0ur praye,s
today are for her and with you on this day o, fare.,, to
This comes from:
Erwin Strohmaier
Piedmont Gardens
110-41 Street #1017
Oakland, CA 94611
September 3, 1997
Diana.
Wittftove to you all,
£t^j tc' <&•«*•>*—
Roy v/owen,
President
Gentlemen:
I a m sorry that you had so much trouble that you
did not have m y new address. I had special change of
address postcards printed and sent them to everyone I
could think of.There is always a chance that some could
get lost in the mail. Enclosed is a check for $4 to cover
your expense.
My Good Amigo Roy:
I a m 86 years old and in a wheelchair recovering
from Gullain-Barre syndrome, a paralysis of the motor
nerve system. I now live in Piedmont Gardens at the
TheTrip-TheTrip!! I read it in total, with much
enthusiasm, and Lots of Pride! You m a k e m e very
above address.
proud Col. Owen, and I think I speak for m a n y of us in
I always enjoy reading your publication.
If it w a s not for m y computer and m y fingers coming
the 506th, as well as the entire 44th B o m b Group. I
only wish it could have been possible for us to have
to life, I could not write this letter.
shared these most treasured moments.
Keep up the good work.
Sincerely,
W e hope you and Lolly are well, and, checking
your passports on a more regular basis. I'm still trying
Editor: Dear Erwin, I'm not familiar with Gullain-Barr
to "hang in there," although its somewhat difficult at
syndrome, but it, for sure, doesn't sound like a bunch
times. W e saw Loy and Arlene Neeper two weeks
of fun' I do understand "recovering" and that, for sure,
ago. He looks good, but his malady continues. W e
Pray for him every day!
77iiy comes from:
Nick Garza, San Antonio, one of the "Iron Men" of the
506th. He was the "cog" in the '95 San Antonio
reunion machinery which kept everything running
(meaning we never ran short of booze or bull!)
29
�sounds like you are a fighter who intends to get out ofWell, they wouldn't reject us, so Heaven protect us
And, until all this shooting abates,
the wheelchair. Glad you enjoy reading the 8-Ball
Give us the courage to fight 'em -- one other small item
Tails. Those are the kind of words that make the effort
worthwhile. I'll keep up the good work and you keep - A n escort of P-38's.
answering the bell for the next round. In fact, get on
your computer and write some good "war story" stuff
to put into the "Tails."
This comes from:
Sarah H. Reynolds
August 25, 1997
X
This comes from:
Wade Elliott - 66th/506th
Peterborough, NH
Hello Editor:
This is to request a notice to the membership
concerning the huge omission of the B-24 from the
Editor: Wade Elliott, Peterborough, NH, 66th/506th,special
was issuance of "American Classic Aircraft" stamps
in
July of this year by the U.S. Postal Service. I hope
(with his wife dessie) in the intrepid group of 44th folks
on the England/France Trip. Fishing around in some that the m e m b e r s will join m e with a write-in protest to
WWII personal files, he came up with an old yellowedthe Postmaster General and perhaps there will be a
special issue for just the B-24 forthcoming. Those
copy of Stars & Stripes that carried this bit of poetry
written by a Radio Operator/Gunner before leaving for interested and willing should write a strong letter to:
The Postmaster General
a bomber mission over Italy. It's a "goldie oldie," Wade,
Washington,
D C 20268-6000
Thanks!
Lightnings in the Sky
Thanks!
Oh Hedy Lamar is a beautiful gal and Madeline Carroll
Editor: Dear Sarah, Boy oh Boy! How did I miss
is too,
that? Enough is too much! We've been putting up with
But you'll find if you query, a quite different theory
this looking at the bellies of B-17s for too long. Like
amongst any bomber crew,
For the loveliest thing of which one could sing (this side elsewhere in this issue, we are playing catchup on
getting a bronze model of a B-24 in the Honor Court
of the heavenly gates),
Is no blonde or brunette of the Hollywood set -- But an at the Air Force Academy. Now, here we are left out
of the "American Classic Aircraft" stamp issuance.
escort of P-38's.
How about it-are we going to take another "pie in the
face" or do something about it? I'm with Sarah, let's
Yes, in the days that have past, when the tables were
make 'em put out a special issue stamp picturing the
massed with glasses of scotch and champagne,
It's quite true that this sight was a thing to delight us, Liberator. I'd like to see someone who has been in t
intent upon feeling no pain.
thick of this battle, like Don Chase, sit down and
But no longer the same, nowadays, in this game, when compose a letter of protest over the "American
Classic Aircraft" issuance and a demand for a special
w e head North from Messina Straits, you take the
sparkling wine-every time; just make mine an escort issue featuring the B-24. Then send the letter to me
of P-38's.
and I will put it on the 44th letterhead and send it to
the PMG. Then we can send individual letters to our
Byron, Shelly and Keats ran a dozen dead heats,
Senators and House members. Thanks Sarah. We'll
Describing the view from the hills,
take it from here!
Of the valleys in M a y when the winds gently sway an
Note: Sarah is a 44th daughter; now is that a lot of
army of bright daffodils.
spunk, OR
WHAT?
Take the daffodils, Byron -- the wild flowers, Shelley;
yours is the Myrtle, friend Keats, just reserve one of
those beauties -- American Beauties -- an escort of P38's.
Sure, we're braver than hell; on the ground all is swell;
in the air it's a far different story;
W e sweat out our track through the fighters and flak,
We're willing to split up the glory!
30
�8-IMLL TMLS
Back issues of The 8-Ball Tails available in limite
numbers. $5 per copu plus postage. Contact
Treasurer, "Jerru" Folsom at address listed in the
Board of Directors herein.
This comes from:
Tony Mastradone
9111 Tuckerman St.
Lanham, MD 20706
October 2, 1997
This comes from:
Phyllis Venieti
45 Hartsdale Road
Elmsford, NY 10523
October 5, 1997
Dear Mr. Clements,
I c o m m e n d you and your staff for making the veteran
reunions such memorable occasions! Because of your
efforts, many enjoy visiting new places where they can
reminisce with their buddies, s w a p post-war
experiences, and share child rearing stories.
M y father, Pat Colucci, has m a d e the reunion a focal
point of each year. Being reunited with his fellow flyers
has added something special to his life. Hopefully, he
will be able to take part in this year's reunion.
Two weeks ago he w a s rushed to the hospital with
acute pneumonia. M y father's condition was complicated
by the several other physical problems he bravely
Editor: Tony, I was unaware that you too were doing
survived but took a toll on his body. Delirious, he had
Ploesti research for our Mighty 8th Air Force Museum
only one thought on his mind. "One more reunion...one
display I should have known you would be in the
more reunion," he feverishly mumbled in the emergency
thick of it! Please pass on my personal thanks to Mr.
room.
Giordano for his assistance in the research of the
I believe it w a s m y Dad's determination to get to
Ploesti archives. You know it is my aim to have our
Salt Lake City that helped him to heal more rapidly than
replication of the lead element over the target the
expected. W e will know this week if the doctor will allow
instant prior to bombs away be the defining display in
him to make the trip.
the museum. With you on the team, assisted by
As children, m y siblings and I were aware of m y
friends such as David Giordano, I can see my hopes
father's pride in being part of the Air Force. H e never
becoming reality! We all thank you for all the great
spoke of the war, but instilled in us the love for our
work you are always doing up there in College Park.
Country and the duty to defend her liberties. Recently,
Also, congratulations on your election to the Board he turned into an ambitious writer. H e writes about his
and NO, I'm not going to release you from your
Air Force adventures, delighting his grandchildren with
archivist job, you've heard of wearing two hats?
stories of the heroism of his buddies. Penning the
positive aspects of his life as a soldier has not only
44th Bomb Group-Flying
been an outlet for his creativity, but has also been a
€ightbolls History book
therapeutic tool.
• General history of the 44th Bomb Group. • Hundreds of
The wives of the servicemen also appreciate the
Photos. • Special remembrances and personal stories.
reunions. M y mother has had the opportunity to meet
•Updated roster • Hundreds of biographies of 44th Bomb
wonderful m e n and w o m e n , to form m a n y strong
Group Association Members
friendships.
The camaraderie which sustained the m e n through
Mail your orders to:
many desperate situations, which survived all these
Turner Publishing Company, P.O. Box 3101, Paducoh, KV
years and keeps them coming back to the reunions is
42002-3101 'Phone: (502) 443-0121.
unique. Thanks again for giving so many meaningful
(See order form in Vol. 2 - Issue #3 of the 8 Ball Tails)
and delightful trips to look forward to!
Telephone Orders: 1 (800) 788-3350
Sincerely,
Inquiries: (502) 443-0335
Hello Roy:
In our 44th B o m b Group Veterans Association
publication "8 Ball Tails" S u m m e r edition, I think your
story on the "Progress on the Savannah M u s e u m
Display" was very informative.
As the archivist for the 44th B o m b Group Veterans
Association, I would like to c o m m e n d an archivist at
the College Park Archives in Maryland, Mr. David
Giordano. H e spent extra time and effort in assisting
m e in getting information on the historic bombing mission
of the oil fields in Ploesti, Romania on 1 August 1943.
I know with your leadership and assistance, the
information will be used in an informative way and make
a successful display that our Organization will be proud
of and enjoyed by all.
Will be seeing you in Salt Lake City,
31
���The Kiel attack was an experimental first by the 8th
Air Force planners in the respect that aside from previous
missions where the B-24 forces flew diversion missions
in support of B-17s making strike sorties, the two types
of aircraft had not been assigned to attack the same
target in concert. Kiel was one of the most heavily
defended targets in all of Germany, not only with antiaircraft weapons, but the best of the F W 1 9 0 and
M E 109 forces. The strike plan was for the B-17s to
attackfirstwith 5 0 0 lb. H E bombs followed by the B24s with a new type of 100 lbs. incendiary clusters. In
an attempt to compensate for the differences in aircraft
performance, the briefed assembly called for the 44th
toflybelow and behind the high B-17 lead group. The
capability of the faster airspeed of the B-24 and the
slower climb speed of the B-17
necessitated the B-24 lead to
The narrative that follows was
make wide S's to maintain a
derived from the book Fields of
relative position. Col. Johnson
Little America, author Martin
reported that these maneuvers
B o w m a n , publisher W e n s u m
were satisfactory until the
Books, Ltd., 3 3 Oxford Place,
formation reached 25,000 at
Norwich, England; official 2nd
which point the B-17 lead
Bombardment Wing Critique of
group made a rapid climb to
Mission 107, 14/5/43 (Secret)
28,000 feet and even pulling
declassified per Executive Order
3 8 " M P and 2 3 0 0 RPM, he
1 2 3 5 6 , Section 3.3. and
could not keep up. To avoid
7 4 5 0 0 5 on 2/7/94. General
stringing out his group
Orders N o . 66, 12 July 1944,
attempting to stay up with the
Battle Honors Citation of Units;
^HCCKdltvUe*
lead group, he elected to go
combat crew post mission
below the lowest B-17 group
debriefing reports and missing air
which was flying at 25,000
crew reports ( M A C R ) contained in the 44th B o m b
feet. A s they turned to target, Col. Johnson had to
Group Roll of Honor, C.W. Lundy; and The History of
slide his group to the right of the B-17 group above to
the 68th B o m b Squadron, W e b b Todd, author.
avoid their b o m b drop.
In early 1943, the North Atlantic shipping lanes were The formation had been under attack from the coast in
virtually at the mercy of the German U-boats, which
by an estimated 1 2 0 enemyfighters.When the 44th
preyed on the shipping convoys that were the lifeline
swung right, the attacking fighters then concentrated
of the allied resistance to the German occupation of
their attack on the rear echelons of the 44th. As the
most of Europe. Although the convoys were escorted
44th reached the target, they were required by the
by allied naval destroyers, the escorts were limited in
briefed trajectory of the cluster incendiaries to remain
the protection they could provide without accompanying
on course for an additional two miles. To make matters
long range air patrol to locate the sub-packs. Until the
worse, the released incendiary clusters came apart
long-range patrol gap could be filled, the allied strategy immediately, rather than the 2 0 0 foot clearance for
was directed to destruction of the U-boat construction
which they were fused. With stick incendiaries flying
to slow the relentless "Battle of the North Atlantic"
through the formation, those pilots following, spread
U-Boat campaign to prevent the allied supplies reaching
their formation somewhat to avoid colliding with the
the friendly ports of England and Russia. So important
incendiaries. This further invited enemyfighterattacks.
was the success of this strategy, the heavy bomber forces Five B-24s In the rear echelons were lost in the target
of 8th Air Force were, for thefirsttime,directed to
area and one on withdrawal. The ferocity of the defenses
attack the Kiel complex in daylight.
are evidenced by the 44th being credited with 23 enemy
aircraft destroyed, 13 probables and one damaged. After
b o m b drop by the two B-17 groups preceding the 44th,
Since the episodic story of Col. Bill Cameron and the
terrible decimation of the 67th Squadron in our "And
Then There Was O n e " article in the S u m m e r '96 issue,
it seemed appropriate that w e followed up with a
broader look at the mission for which the 44th B o m b
Group was awarded its first Presidential Unit Citation
and the 67th Squadron was reduced to the last one of
its original nine pilots. Thus, for this issue, w e are
departing from the practice of featuring one of our
aircraft and its combat experience in favor of a more
detailed look at the 44th mission which turned into
one of the greatest aerial battles of the War, when on
14 M a y 1943 the 44th, along with three B-17 groups
of the 1 st Air Division attacked the Krupp submarine
shipbuilding installations and German Navy submarine
pens at Kiel, Germany.
�The dauntless heroism displayed by the 44th crews
against afiercelydefended target on a mission ill fated
by poor planning, mismatched bomber performance,
dissimilar b o m b loads with faulty fusing and tactics which
required the 44th to maintain b o m b run heading alone
and unprotected was characterized by S/Sgt. Richard
M . Castillo, Tail Gunner on A / C # 8 1 9 piloted by Lt.
Malcolm C. Howell and Major James E. O'Brien, 68th
Squadron Commander.
they made an immediate left turn leaving the 44th
alone to stay the course for the incendiary drop. As the
44th turned off target, the B-17 groups throttled back
to allow catch up by the 44th and the groups withdrew,
with the B-24s sandwiched between the higher and the
lower of the two B-17 groups.
On 15 May, the day following the raid, Brig. Gen.
C.G. Hodges of H q 2nd A D I V assembled members of
his staff with Col. Leon Johnson and members of his
staff to critique the Kiel mission. Their comments were: Major O'Brien reported that they had received flak
damage to # 3 and # 4 engines causing a drop in manifold
Conclusions
1) Because of the performance of the B-24 at various pressure and trailing smoke and knocked out intercom
to the rear of the
altitudes is so
aircraft.
The
different from that of
smoking engines
the B-17, it is
made # 8 1 9 prey to
virtually impossible
the enemy fighters.
for B-24s to fly a
According to the Tail
tight formation and
G u n n e r of A / C
maintain the proper
# 8 1 6 ,
relative position with
approximately 15 to
the B-1 7s during
2 0 F W 1 9 0 s had
most
missionsbegun
to concentrate
especially
in
their fire on # 8 1 9 .
emergencies w h e n
A report from the
extreme action must
Waist G u n n e r of
be taken. The B-17
another ship states
evidently has a
that the tail turret of
higher rate of climb
# 8 1 9 was "firing
and
a
slower
"Kiel "MlUAl** '8%tc{C«?
like hell" and he saw
airspeed in the climb
three chutes come from
than the B-24s.
the plane. At this time,
Consequently our units
Lt.
Howell
was
trying
to
get
back
into formation and
do not get sufficient protection from the B-17s and
until we can put up larger formations of B-24s, it is almost succeeded when an overwhelming number of
enemyfightersclosed in on him. Throughout this fierce
extremely dangerous for us to attack heavily defended
attack, the tail guns of # 8 1 9 were in operation and
targets.
firing. N o less than two enemyfighterswere seen to go
2) When elements of a force are carrying bombs of
down
inflamesas a result of hits by Sgt. Castillo. Finally
different dropping angles (i.e., H E versus incendiaries),
the entire formation should continue on the course to his turret was disabled and he suffered an injured foot,
the target until the b o m b release point nearest the target which was wedged in by this a m m o box. This attack
was by two F W 1 9 0 s which pulled up within 30-40
has been reached.
feet and fired at will into the tail section. Three crew
Recommendations:
1) B-24s not be sent on combined operations with B- members pulled Sgt. Castillo out of his turret, pushed
17s until a combat wing of at least two full strength him out of the aircraft and pulled hisripcord, whereupon
groups is available. Missions at this time should consist they bailed out just prior to the entire tail section
of long range attacks on targets wherefighteropposition separating from the fuselage. Lt. Howell apparently was
is not intense (preferably diversion sweeps to aid the B- killed when his chute failed after bail-out, Sgt, Castillo
17s and attacks on shallow targets In the same area as later reports he had norecollectionof his escape from
the aircraft. He remained a P O W until Wars end. H e
the main B-17 effort after the latter is committed).
was last reported living in Springfield, Ohio.
3
�S^ftt. 1£o6e>tirtfouuxttit}and £e*d
&ieoo o£ t&e 44t& SO*H& tyteufi - TCiet &<tid.
Kiel Mission ~ 14 May 1943
66th Squadron
Capt. Robert J. Abemathy/2nd Lt.Spencer H u n n
1st Lt. Rowland M.Gentry/1st Lt.Chas. E. Hughes
Capt. Robert E. Miller/FO Arthur W Callahan
1st Lt. Robert E.Kolliner/lst Lt.Curtis S. Griffin
1st Lt.JohnYReed/lst Lt.Geo.WWinger
1st Lt.Thomas E.Scrivner/2nd Lt. Everett PAnderson
936-J
769-B
811-K
779-G
014-P
778-F
Group Lead
67th Squadron
1st Lt.Rovert I. Brown/lst Lt.Hartley A.Westbrook
Capt. Chester L. Phillips/lst Lt. E. W Wilborn
1st Lt.William A. Roach/lst Lt. Ross A.Tenney
278-Q
807-U
126-T
Lost
Lost
Lost
68th Squadron
Capt. John H. Diehl/Col. John Hayden
1st Lt.Wilmer J. Garrett/1st Lt. Rovert J. Lehnhausen
Capt. Walter J. Holmes/Lt. Willie Baxter Weant
1st Lt. Rowland B. Huston/lst Lt. David W Alexander
1st Lt. Malcolm C. Howell/Major James E. O'Brien
1st Lt. George R.Jansen/lst Lt. Louis VGirard
816-X
094-Bar-E
813-V
699-Bar-P
819-Bar-A
0009-W
506th Squadron
Capt.William N.Anderson/Major James C.Beam
1st Lt.Walter I. Bunker/2nd Lt. Richard D. Butler
1st Lt. Nathaniel H.Graham/lst Lt. Harold J. Laudig
1st Lt.William H.Strong/2nd Lt.Lyle S.Davenport
Capt. John W. Swanson/2nd Lt. Douglas B. Myers
172-Bar-N
234-Bar-U
283-Z
201-Bar-O
295-J
Bailed Out-England
Lost
Lost
�,p4
,s/r;-' ' WAR DBPARTMSXT
^ . f M r t # M $ m * * 6 / ! > i O . " 12 July 1944,
•»..*•'
•-• x ; ^;'^ '•••. !%> : ••
•i • ••" *•••;
BATTLE BONQBS - Citations of units - -
Section
m _tV!«JS-' -*- - - - -*"•' '-• - - XII
* *
XII •- BATTLE
4* As authorised 'by Bxeoutive Order Ho. 9598 (see I, Bui).* 22, TO 1943) superseding Exeoutive Order Mo. 9076 (seo. Ill, Bull 11, TO, 1942) oitatioc of the following unit in General Orders No. 40, 2d Bombardment Division, 29 November 1943, as
approved by the Commanding General, United States Army forces in the European Theater
of Operations, under the provisions of Seotion IT, Circular Ho. 333, liar Department,
1943, in the name of the President of the United States as publio evidence of deserved honor and distinction is confirmed. The citation reads as follows 1 j . ($1?
The 44th BOMBARDMENT GROUP (H), HEADQUARTERS 60th, 67th and 606th BOiffiATOMENT
SQUADRONS (H), have distinguished themselves by outstanding performance of duty in the
attack on the naval and shipbuilding installations at Kiel, Germany, on 14 May 1943
one of the greatest aerial battles of this war.
On this mission a single group was, for the first time^; fully loaded with incendiaries to be dropped after the lead groups had released their high explosive bombs.
Eaoa.ua* of the trial of the inoendiaries the 44th BOMBARDMENT GROUP (Hj, whioh had
been assigned this task, was required to continue its bombing run for some 2 miles
beyond the release point of the other groups in order to bomb effectively. T o a c complish this it nas neoessary to,fly alone, without supporting fire power of other
groups, over one of the most heavily defended areas in Germany with a formation considerably smaller than the minimum for mutual self-protection. The mission was
undertaken with full knowledge of the extreme hs.ia.rds involved. Its successful performance demanded the highest degree of bravery and skill.
With only 19 B-24'a, the 44th BOMBARDMEHT GROUP (H) followed three B-17 groups
to the target. Fierce and determined attacks by some- 120 enemy fighters commenced
at the German coast and continued until after leaving the coast on the return route.
After the B-17's had reached their release point and turned away, the 44th BOMBARDMEHT GROUP (H) proceeded alone in the faoe of continuous attacks b y swarms of enemy
fighters and increasingly concentrated flak. By opening its formation as required
to clear the inoendiaries of ships ahead, it was rendered particularly vulnerable -to
oneray attack. Five of its airplanes were shot down on the approaoh to and over the
target. Despite these losses, the group held the necessary formation and continued
on~its~"run aloner~to~i,t8~'bomb~rele«cse-point;—Bombing-wae-extremely aoourate and the
target was blanketed- with inoendiaries. Widespread fires destroyed or damaged many
enemy installations. One additional airplane was lost after leaving the target.
This small force was officially credited with 23 enemy airoraft destroyed, 13
By order'of
the
Seoretary
probably destroyed,
and
one
"damaged.of W a n
"• • f % 0.
• C . MARSHALL,
Ihe
successful
fulfillment
of
this
highly
dangerous
mission
was
to the
v
OFFICIAL! / r;.v.
v
. ••( Cljief
ofdue
Staff.
extraordinary
courage,
skill,
and
devotion
to
duty
of
all
oonoemed,
whioh
will
J. A . ULIO,
always be worthy
of
emulation.
Such
heroism
refleota
the
greatest
oredit
on
the
Major General,
'.'.-.,
Army Air Foroee.
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Oolonsl Hayden, EoeeutV*
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A Starr, Asst. A-2
Lth*r4ale, 1.0.
Jar Xing, F.L.O.
44th Baabardaent Group
Ool. Johnson, Ocnrnanding Off leer
Lt. Ool. Suavely, 8-J
Cent. Holmes, Pilot
•.
Sgt. Goxrard, Gunner
*
1* Oolonsl Johnson told of the assembly of the 44th with the 1st ling whioh
he said was aseompllahsd without trouble). The 44th, flaring at •JOO* was o»Cr ths
rendoovous point when ths 1st Wing arrived, flying between about 5O00» sad ioOO«.
On ths flight to the target the 44th made wide 8s In order to stay behind ami to
keep up a oomfortable speed. Colonel Johnson said that this wcatod vary
•atisfaotorilor.
'
2. When ths enemy ooeat was reaohed, ths top group of ths B 17s was flying /
at about 23,000' with the 44th just above. Upon crossing the coast, ths 1st Wing
/
ollmbed about 3000» at a very rapid rats. Ths lead ship of the 44th was pulling
I
33" with an HPM of 23OO but eould not keep up with ths B17s as they ollmbed. Bancs '
for fsar of stringing out ths group by pouring on power in order to keep up with
ths B 1?s, the leader of the 44th elected to go below the lowest group sf ths 1st
Wing whioh woa flying at about 25,000 ft. As ths fornatlon was turning to ths left
towards the target it was neoeeeary for the 44th to fly Just to the right of ths
B 17s above it and this subjected the 44th to heavy attacks froa ths B/A whioh had
gathered to ths right of ths formation. However, ths 44th apparently did net* keep
far enough to ths right of the B 17s above them because bcutos of ths 1st Wing were seeto fall between elements of ths 44th. It was also reported that an lnoendlary W
of our own ships hit the nose of another 1 24) snd there was sens disauasion^sV
necessity of pilots taking precaution to olear their sliips of the bombs and qlusv
- when lnoandiariss are dropped in a stepped-down formation.
,
3. Since ths 44th was dropping inoendiaries lt was neoeaoary for our group te
\, litlnuo two sdlse further toward ths target than ths B 17» whioh were dropping
('•». Two groups of ths 1st Wing turned sway from ths target iawedl&taly sits*
/ ping their bombs and this left ths 44th aloes in the target area except fur
\
SEGRET
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lusother group of B f7a which
on ita sua until about the same time .
32* B f7» that bonfesd earlier throttled bank
them 9
the target
andaboyo
the 44th.«worn
oatoh
poaltim
just
w u pable
of Btotfa
e»ft h 5 o r
It wo« hrought out that the ftneror fightf* attack* W O W
ferocious
SheflW^?0» attacked mainly A t e 18 o*ol»* while the
mostly froot 6 o'clock. When dlsonnrlng the> Bcstttiaa of the warieue ,
f otpaatioit of the 44th it van revealed that all of the 5 ahlpa loot ill
area were flying *** the rear part of the fopnetifln*
5, Zn diaouealng uae of ocranurd cation faellitlee, lt Wee brought -Mi thai
en A / 0 <* **» 44th sighted a B 17 down in the Berth Sea and. reported the lboati/m
over the SF/DP channel. The pilot got no reply. lit* Ool. MLLloz said that ha hod
checked with the HF/DF station and found that no signal had boon picked up free) any*
of our A/C. General Bodges dirootod that tlie MP/W equlpoiaat of all ahlpa be tested
for night flying*
6. General Bodges oompltmentod ths 44th on its banking end general oonduot
of the Biaaion In ths faoe of exnremely henry- enemy cnpoeltlon.
QQBraaiQrB.
1. Because the perfoxnenoe of the B 8V at warioua altitudes is so tlttrnvm* from
that, of the B f7s it is virtually iapofslbl* for<*. J U t o J R ^ a tight faanatloa
tee a higher rate of elimh and a lower air speed in the <dimb^jhsn. ttoS » !*••
<yxM*wn*2y our units do not get sufficient protection fwoa the • i7» *ndjwxttt
we oanputup larger formationu of B 24s it is extremely- dangerous tor Us to atts
heavily defended targeta.
2. When elements of a farce ere oaxxying bonbe of different dropping angles
(i.e. H.E. vureus indendiaries) the entire formation should continue on the
course to the target until the bon* release point nearest the target has been
reached.
HXJOMMamM IQW3 .
4 n p^n not n* sent on oot.-ibined operations with B 17s until a sambo* wing of at
leas? S o f ^ ^ r e n g t T g S u p * is Mailable. Kisaione at thie time should ocnedart
o f ^ o n T r e W s l t S s ^ T t a x S t s where fighter opposition is not intense (prefexubly
5 t ^ s ^ t W t h a ? letting is on a shorter rdeaion l n t t o M o j goneralarea),
diveradc^reepB to aid the B 17s and attacks c« shallow targete In the same area
as tho main B 17 effort after the lattor is eamuitted.
WARIEN B . ALBHBSB,
Major,
AD,
ECREf
�66th Bombardment Squadron (H) AAF
OFFICE OF THE OPERATIONS OFFICER
AAF STATION 115
TRAINING SCHEDULE FOR 1 JANUARY 1944
COMBAT CREW AVAILABLE FOR SATURDAY, 1 JANUARY 194
p
CP
N
B
E
AE
R
AR
BG
TG
#203
Jewell
Milliner
Johnson, H.
Foley
Wike
Saperito
Lipczyaski
Guzik
Perrier
McClosky
#236
Harleman
Benedom
Cobane
Sturgeon
Price
Melson
Mirkin
Alexander
Bourque
Carroll, L.
#157
Ugarte
Koontz
Loeffler
Holm
Kokta
Dwyer
Lenley
Forgich
Beauchesne
Dave
TYaining:
This is the set-up for New Year's Day,
Not a ground class is scheduled,
In bed you may stay.
You worked mighty hard the whole of last week,
Stay in bed, Combat man,
If you can,you may sleep.
There may be a mission on this New Year's Day,
If this is the case,
W e are sorry to say,
The crews listed above will be rousted from their sleep,
Under that circumstance,
They have good right to weep.
A very Happy N e w Year w e wish to all you m e n ,
If you're needed at all,
We'll let you know when,
You n o w have the set-up for this N e w Year's day,
Rest and relax is the order,
W e pray!
SPENCER S.HUNN
Captain, Air Corps
Operations Officer
CHARLES L. ARMSTRONG
1st Lt, Air Corps
Ass't Operations Officer
�ENGLAND, FRANCE, BELGIUM TRIP UPDATE
Everything is on schedule; on May 26, forty-three adventuresome 44th Veterans, wives, husbands, s
children, and one grandson will depart for a great 44th BGVA Memorial tour, and it's going to be a GREAT
Leaving from various Gateway cities, we will all assemble in London at the Kensington Hilton for
sightseeing/shopping/theatre or whatever spree. Then on to the Norwich Hotel for three days to includ
shopping, a visit to the Memorial Library, climaxed with a day in Shipdham and the Airfield, and an
reception and barbeque dinner with our local friends at the Arrow Air Hangar.
Next we travel to Eastbourne with a stop at the American Cemetery at Maddingly and the new Ameri
at Duxford. Three days at Eastbourne will include tours of 1066 Country," a leisure day, and a visit to t
Memorial for a Rememberance Ceremony to include the Lord Mayor, a member of Parliament and other ci
dignitaries and citizens who organized and financed the memorial, followed by a Gala dinner with this g
The next day we leave for Rouen for a three night stay. While there, we will be met by members o
Force Reserve who will escort us to the small town of Villiers-Ecalles where we will be met by the Mayor
to visit a memorial marking the crash site of two 44th Liberators downed on a raid on Rouen Airfield. On J
53rd anniversary of "D-Day," we will visit the Normandy Beaches and the Magnificent American Cemete
Omaha Beach.
From Rouen, we travel to Paris for three days of sightseeing, then on to Liege, Belgium for an overnight
visit to theArgonne Cemetery where T/Sgt. Clair Shaeffer, father of Lois Cianci, one of our group, is bu
also stop in Bastogne, site of B/Gen. McAulliffe's famous "NUTS!" reply to the German offer to surrender
troops or be killed. We still stop over in Brussels for lunch and some sightseeing around the famous Plaz
to Calais for the ferry ride to Dover and then to London for the trip home on June 11.
THERE ARE TWO MORE
to
to
D
O
d
i
00
<
Usee
Ul
X
SEATS ON THE BUS\\CALL ROY OWEN
Joan Adrian
Kenneth Adrian
(qeorge Apgar
beryl Apgar
R Lee Aston
Many Aston
lames Caillier
Jean Caillier
Anthony Cianci
Lois Cianci
Cleome Dovey
Arnold Dovey
Louis Deblash
Ann Natilli
(qerald Folsom
Beverly Winger
Cliff l. Fremstad
Vi Fremstad
Knrl (qrute
Marilyn fyube
RJchad Haft
Bettu Haft
k
@ (707) 538-4726, FIRST COME.
Kevin Lundy
Diana Lundy
C Will Lundy
Irene Lundy
Betty Lynch
Richard Lynch
Charles McPhail
Perry Morse
Rufh Morse
Marilyn Murrack
Melvin Murrack.
Roy Owen
Char/ene (Lolly) Omen
Donald Potter
Miriam Potter
James Reville
Loy Vance
Robert Vance
Donald Wells
Gloria Wells
Brice Williams
�to point out a reality and explain the
Once again, I will use the President's Corner as want
a
underlying reason and what I think we must do to
"bully pulpit" to discuss one of my favorite subjects,
fix the problem.
which is also one of my major concerns: The
perpetuation of the 44th as a proud veteran's
association. We, the 44th Bomb Group members, Going back to our battle to save the organizat
are running out of time. While it is true, our we (the Board and Officers) took those tasks we
membership committee co-chairs, Art Hand and Tom recognized as essential, divided them up and
Shepherd, with help from Will Lundy, have in thepressed on. In most cases the allocation of work
past two years kept our membership total ahead ofand responsibilities went well. In the case of t
Presidency, the job is overloaded by the regula
attrition by finding 44th Bomb Group veterans who
administrative and correspondence responsibili
had never belonged to any 44th Veterans
organization and are now members; we have also and the added load of also being editor/publish
of the 8-Ball Tails.
expanded
the membership
to include full
membership (as well as Life Memberships) to the
At the Board meeting in St. Louis, where the m
wives and widows. It doesn't take a rocket scientist
of the Board and Officers began their second ter
to figure out that recruiting within this categorical
I pointed out this situation to the Board with a
universe of people is leading us to that "last person
that they consider the problem and come
standing, drink the bottle of wine and turn out request
the
lights as you leave" ceremony. 1 don't think anyupofwith nominations for a replacement 8-Ball Ta
editor by mid-term (the October, 1997 Salt Lak
us want that to happen.
City Reunion). My recruiting efforts have been
The thing we must do, and must do soon, is to fruitless and I have had no nominations from th
freshen our membership. We must abandon the
Board. At this point, I turn to the membership.
mentality that makes us predominantly a WWII need a volunteer.
Bomb Group organization. We have begun to bring
our progeny into our midst which is really positive.
I think we have the job arranged to be easily
Through them, we can be sure that our W W I I
managed by one person with a computer. We now
heritage will be preserved. The much broader have a "cottage industry" publisher who does a
dimensions of preserving the valorous history ofthe
thetyping, design and layout, contracts the pri
44th in defending our nation in war, cold war andthen does the labeling and mailing. The editor
the preservation of peace is more than we shouldjob is just that, selecting the material, doing
ask exclusively of our sons, daughters and
original writing and submitting the copy to the
grandchildren. Instead we must turn to those whopublisher. Anyone interested, please write or
served under the 44th colors in all its assigned me
roles
at (707) 538-4726 or fax (707) 538-1212. We
and missions. We must not only welcome them can discuss the transition help I will provide.
among us as having honorably served our nation in
want to think about nominating both a President
their individual and organizational assignments,
andwe
8-Ball publisher before the current term exp
must depend upon them to perpetuate the valorous
heritage of the 44th into the future.
See you in Salt Lake City!
There are 44th organizations that exist, such as the
44th Air Refueling Squadron Veterans Association
from the 44th Bomb
Wing era and other
organizations such as The American Missiliers
Association which has many 44th Strategic Missile
Wing veterans in their membership. We should be
communicating
and visiting these groups to
familiarize them with our Association and extend
an invitation to join us.
As your President, I feel strongly that these
expansion efforts are my responsibility. I must say
to you that in fulfilling this part of my job, I have
been remiss. I am not begging forgiveness, but I 10
Roy Owen, President
�France Remembers
Editor: At the present time we have correspondence from three towns in France near which some of our 44th
aircraft shot d o w n over French targets c a m e d o w n and crashed. Apparently the citizens of these towns and
villages feel very emotional about expressing their gratitude for those w h o lost their lives in the battle for French
liberation. This has been manifested by diligent research by these citizens to learn the identity of the deceased
airmen and the memorialization of their sacrifice by funding and building memorial markers naming the crews and
where possible, the circumstances which resulted in the loss of the airplane and crew.
The correspondence package which follows is characteristic of the sincerity we have been seeing when one of
these villages write requesting information which will assist them in establishing a permanent m e a n s of expressing
the gratitude of the entire village or town populace for the sacrifices m a d e by our valorous American Aircrews in
the cause of French freedom. A s usual, Will Lundy is the linchpin in providing our French friends the information
they seek. In this case, it w a s the 5 February 1944 raid on Tours Airdrome in central France. O n e 68th Squadron
aircraft #42-100181 Z "Star Valley" with the 1st Lt. Carl I. Bohnisch crew aboard w a s shot d o w n by e n e m y fighters.
The only survivor w a s R W Gunner Warren E. Klein w h o w a s taken prisoner. It is he that Will is currently trying to
locate.
Roy:
Last summer I got a letter from Chaplain James A. Marvin regarding one of our planes which crashed near Blois o
Feb. 44.1 answered back that it was 68th Sq. Carl A. Bohnisch, with only Warren E. Klein surviving. I planned to have you
run this in the next Tails, but it did not happen. But I asked Art for addresses, got eight of them; but only two with full
names. Wrote to two, one was wrong, the other returned, as it did not have unit number at that address. I did not follow
up, apparently overlooked until now. I've tried to telephone this guy, but get no answers. One hard dude to verify.
In the meantime, I got this letter from P. Canonne of Blois seeking more info on this same crash and crew. Am t
find W. Klein. But I thought that the article telling about the attack and downing of our plane was very interesting, might
go well in Tails, if you have space.
May 19, 1996
Dear Mr. Lundy:
Paydirt! After all this time you don't know how happy I am to get some solid information to send back through
the chain to France. It would be nice if you can locate Warren Klein to know he still lives and even better, if
could pass on some communication from him or even just his present address. Most important though, I think,
from the French villagers' perspective, is just to know that he made it home. The 50th Anniversary celebrations
evidently stirred up a lot of emotions and memories over there.
Enclosed (in translation by my wife) are two documents which describe quite well what happened to that
particular plane and its crew. It would be nice if the families of these dead were to know of the consideration
shown by the French and the Germans alike. Considering how much propaganda was spewed out on both sides to
get us to hate enough to kill, the level of civility shown here gives me hope for us all yet. The fact that the Fre
villagers turned first for information on the surviving American, not to us, but to German friends in their Germa
sister city is even more encouraging.
I hope you can make something of this story for your group Journal "8 Ball Tails." Some of your readers may
have known these men. They certainly knew too many similar to them. It would be nice to think that others of our
dead received such considerate treatment. I, myself, have been shot at a bit and once measured a shrapnel miss
at three inches from my head. I had to periodically write letters home to the families of others who had not bee
so lucky. Not once did I have information like this to give proper closure. This is my belated chance. Please try
do something with it.
Sincerely,
James A. Marvin, Chaplain
1082 East Washington Road
Hillsborough, NH 03244
n
®
�Translation from French to English
by James A. Marvin
St. Leonard in Beauce, Saturday, 5 February, 1944,
10:00 German Time
that the victims had been gotten out of the plane with
the help of the people w h o were there, lined up and
covered with their parachutes. The Mayor had taken
d o w n the identity of the flyers of w h o m the state of
the burns m a d e it possible. H e asked the people of the
village to stay away or to not let their dogs wander
over the plane.
The rising sun illuminating under the planes reflected
After lunch we went with the son of the Mayor to
to earth luminous streaks which m o v e d . T h e
inhabitants had gone out into the street, alerted by the Sigogne to see the place. The wreckage w a s broken
up, a motor w a s pulled off. A propeller w a s lying rather
strength of the roaring of the motors of such quantity
of planes, and this in spite of the altitude of these last far away. Under the detached motor and half buried in
ones. Each one commented on thinking that the place the ground, one noticed a brown leather bag under this
metallic mass. The ground w a s littered with metal,
of the bombing must have been seriously hit.
machine gun cartridges, pieces of organs, such small
electrical
motors used inside this fortress. This visit to
Among the group of neighbors where I found myself, a
the
place
did not last long, for w e noticed a column of
wife of a Spanish lumberman w h o w a s there with his
daughters, following a glance at this aerial parade, in German military c o m e out from the hamlet of Sigogne
where the trucks were parked. With the other curious,
terror cried "fire." All turning at that moment, flames
exiting from the left wing of the one (pair) near the outer w h o like us, wished to m a k e a report on the plane, w e
believed the soldiers at arms coming from Blois.
motor. Several minutes afterwards, the aircraft
reduced its altitude and a little after a parachute w a s
From this moment on, there were no eyewitnesses
seen opening behind the fortress. The fire spreading
for the transfer of the bodies or the salvage of the plane.
rapidly, one then s a w the aircraft start a downward
spiral to the left - the ellipses reducing and in spite of The mature students wanted to help and to decorate
the graves, but they couldn't leave the site.
the reduced speed, the ground w a s soon reached.
Immediately a giant black cloud w a s visible rapidly
following a loud explosion. Flames and smoke were The surviving parachutist, pushed north-east by the
light breeze in the morning, needed his descent close
quickly dissipated. T h e last lines of b o m b e r s
to the farms of La Coudraie, south of the Marchenoir
disappeared to the west, w h e n at very low altitude
road from where, at that time, the path to the cow
and at lightning speed, a fighter plane passed several
meters from the last houses in the direction from south shed went off. The airman, after having rolled his
to north. W a s the pilot the originator of the chute and parachute, approached the houses and went in by the
north entrance at the Leroux-Genty farm. The people
w h o went across to see the result of his shooting?
of the house, not up to date on the events and surprised
Before the last moments, the eyewitnesses put forth
by this presence, had the visitor c o m e in for
s o m e probabilities of where this plane could have
refreshments, but he accepted only s o m e milk. To leave
crashed, to the west past the village of Sigogne.
his n a m e at the French house, which he came to enter,
From afar, the people knowing the region had seen thehe discreetly wrote his n a m e on the back of an almanac
impact not far from the farm of Monchaux. All the taken from a hook on the wall. The German soldiers
eyewitnesses of the unfolding of this catastrophe were from the watch post of Boisseau burst into the house
certainly impacted by that which they c a m e to see. at the s a m e m o m e n t M a d a m e Leroux treated several
Without hesitating, the mayor, Monsieur Redouin, took w o u n d s on his head. This w o m a n and her son died
about 20 years later without having n e w s of the
his bike and in parting said, "It is necessary to look
over the spot immediately." O n returning, he indicated American.
After a white frost, the weather is very calm and the
sky very clear. Coming from the east there appeared
in the sky at a medium altitude a very large formation
of bombers heading west to return to England. The
significance of this Squadron in perfect order m a d e
witness to a sight never seen.
®
�~X
The 8 Ball Tails
City of Blois - Cemetery Service
I undersigned, CRUSSY Henri, Commander of the
Legion of Honor, Mayor of the city of Blois, certify that:
Sunday 6 Feb. at 3 P M the G e r m a n military
authorities carried nine bodies to the city cemetery.
The commanding officer of the detachment declared
that it is a matter of nine servicemen of the American
Army Air Corps fallen over the jurisdiction of the
community of St. Leonard in Beauce. After having
examined the papers, the German servicemen left the
bodies in the hut located behind the caretakers dwelling
and sealed it.
7 Feb. at 5 P M Doctor L A N D of the Field C o m m a n d
at Blois took us to proceed immediately to identify the
bodies and put them in coffins which w e did in the
presence of a German military doctor.
After having removed the seals and opened the
door of the hut, w e certified that the bodies carried no
distinct marks, no papers or objects and that one of
five bodies had a n a m e tag on their clothing. W e
immediately m a d e the following statement:
After this operation w e had the bodies placed in
the coffins furnished by the German supply depot on
the Avenue Chateaudun. The coffins were closed and
numbered, w e placed them, following the orders of the
Feldkommandantur, in the public shelter.
8 Feb. at 10:00 the Feldkommandantur ordered us
to place the coffins in the graves which had been
prepared in the Basse Street City cemetery from the
West along the outer wall.
The graves have been numbered from one to nine
in accordance with the list below.
8 Feb. at 4 P M a detachment from the German
army came to render military honors. Then w e were
given orders to fill the graves.
Drawn up at Blois, the 8th of Feb. 1944
The Mayor
13
®
Official Journal of The 44th B o m b Group Veterans
Association, Inc.
Compiled, written and published tri-yearly at 6304
Meadowridge Dr., Santa Rosa, CA 95409, Roy W. Owen,
President and Editor. Printed and mailed Bulk Rate at Salt
Lake City, U T under U S P S Permit #6923. Generally, the
material herein is non-copyright except when so noted.
The text and photos are otherwise reproduced from
personal photographs, diaries, memoirs or official U S A A F
and USAF documents and photos which have been released
for publication. Except for copyright material, permission
is granted for the contents of this journal to be reproduced
for personal archives or the journal of other incorporated
non-profit veterans organizations so long as this publication
is properly credited.
Those submitting letters, stories and photos to the
Editor or Historian must do so with the understanding
that this material will most likely be published as a matter
of interest to the members/subscribers of the Association
and this journal. While every attempt will be made to
answer all of the material received, there is no explicit or
implied guarantee that an answer will be provided or
published. Except for specific requests for the return of
original documents and photos, all material submitted will
become the property of The 44th Bomb Group Veterans
Association, Inc.
Due to space limitations and to ensure the clarity and
brevity of submitted material, the Publisher/Editor reserves
the editorial license to add, cut or otherwise modify all
submitted material so long as the original context of the
material is maintained.
�"8 Janvier 1997
Dear Mr. H.C. Henry,
I write to you this letter from France in the frame work of a memory I am
writing on "The air war over Loir-et-Cher, 1939-1944" (area of Blois, a town
settled between Orleans and Tours on river Loire, middle France).
The maister of the town is agree with m y project to install a Commemorative
Stone to express our recognition for the Sacrifice of the American Aircrews for
our Liberation.
Therefore, I have to ask you help about two point of my searches:
1 -1 am writing a special memory about the bombing on Blois, the 11 June 1944.
According to american archives one B-24 (PFF) from 44th BG w a s incorporated
in this mission and bombed with others elements of 2nd Air Division.
Please sir, would you be so kind to confirm this aspect of the bombing?
2 - On 5 February 1944, an aircrew attached to 44th BG crashed nearby the village of St. Leonard en Beauce
killing:
Eugene Edgerton, Turret
Kenneth Hall, LW Gunner
Bernrd F. Ohler, Rad Officer
Joseph Morin, Tail Gunner
John Giffin, Co-Pilot
Harold W. Spink, Bombardier
Carl A. Bohnish, Pilot
William F. Levrich, Engineer
Hubert J. Ede, Navigator
Warren E. Klein, R W Gunner
It seems to be after the bombing on Tours.
I would be very pleased, very honoured to correspond with veterans of this Bomber Group or with they
comrads or members of family to relate m e this event.
I know that it is confidential life about a sensitive period and I engage m y word to preserve their memories.
Is it possible to find information to write a little memory to relate their last mission?
Perhaps, if you want, their names would be probably write in the Commemorative Stone for future generations?
In return, I offer my help to you Unit if you have inquiries about missions over France, missing aircrafts, etc.
I am 33 years old and, after studies at the University of Tours (where I specialized in military aeronautical life
of the thirties), I teach History and Geography at Issoudun.
Your reply would be greatly appreciated by the American Air Force enthusiast (being Second Air Force and
8th AF Associate member( I have never ceased to be).
I hope my english understandable.
Thanking you in anticipation...
Sincerely yours,
Philippe Canonne
2, RUE A S S O L A N T
41.00014 BLOIS
F R A®N C E "
�•<•Beating the Bushes
^
By Art Hand & Will Lundy
For the past few months Art Hand has been concentrating his attention again to the
Ursel P. Harvell's Roster in the back of '44th Liberators Over Europe." As a
consequence, several of those located dated back to the early days at
MacDill and Barksdale fields.
MARK PARKINS: P.O. Box 40, Shawnee Mission, K S
66201. Mark is the son of William M . Parkins, Lt. in the
roster, and who folded his wings 5/15/94.
BURDEA. DUNCAN, JR.: 497 Wallace St.,
Northumberland, PA 17857. Served with the 66th and
506th Squadrons. Combat.
CLARENCE C. PRICE: 907 Lancaster St., Rocky
JOHN A. DITONDO: 393 Delta Road #1, Amherst, NY
Mount, N C 27801. Clarence was listed as a Corporal in the 14226. John was assigned to the 66th Squadron and an MP.
roster.
FRANCIS T. BEECHER: 4406 Cherokee Drive,
CURTIS P. BABIN: 670 Mahler St., Houma, LA 70363.
Madison, W I 53711. Served as a medic at Barksdale Field,
1942.
SAMN. BARBER: 1645 L. "B" St., Blackwell, OK
74631. Sam has moved, relocated. 67th Squadron.
ELMER O. BEIGAY: 988 Polk Ave., Franklin Square,
N Y 11010. Elmer served with the 831st and 340
Engineering.
LUEYBARRINGER: 10597 Summitt, Rockford, MI
49341. Luey served with the 464th Sub Depot.
EMIL BURBACK: 19317 NE Pacific St., Portland, OR
RUSSELL I. BROCKHOFF: 309 Miami St., Hiawatha, 97230. No records on Emil. If anyone knows him, let us
know.
KS 66434. Assigned to 66th Squadron, and with Base
Defense Unit.
KENNETH G. BERKMAN: 401 S. Carver, Winthrop,
M N 55396. Kenneth is listed with the 66th Squadron. He
HAROLD E. BRUBAKER: 14722 Mishey Road, Rt.
too was on the Queen Mary in Sept. 1942, ground echelon.
Fredericktown, O H 43109. Harold is listed as a 1st Lt. in
the 66th Squadron.
CHARLES T. CARTER: 605 West Brown Street,
Seymour, IN 47274. Charles served at HQ, Barksdale.
LESTER O. COLLINS: P.O. Box #3, Easton, KS 66020.
Assigned to 68th Squadron (756). Flew home with Lt.
JOSEPHS. DOMINO: 451 Layton Ave., Pittsburgh, PA
Kiggins in A/C #44-50755.
15216. Joseph was originally with the 44th, 68th Squadrons,
but went to the 98th when it split off in 1942.
CURTIS L. BROITZMAN: 117 Vermont Street, Beaver
Dam, WI53916. Served with the 67th Squadron, as well as
GRADYM. BRUCE: 5000 Lake Englewood, Waco, TX
the 491st Bomb Group.
76710. Grady served in the 66th Squadron, was with the
ground
echelon on board the Queen Mary in Sept. 42. He
ROBERTD. EASTERS: 573 Davis St., Elba, AL 36323.
worked with crew chief Robert M. Pugh on #811,
Robert was with us at MacDill Field.
Fascinatin' Witch.
GEORGE R. GOODRICH: Road #2, Box 761,
Morrisville, V T 05661. George was a M/Sgt., served with
headquarters.
LORENL. OSHEL: 26 Holly Drive, Olathe, KS 66062.
Loren was assigned to the 66th Squadron. Instrument
mechanic. He attended Compass School in July, 1944.
BRUCE E. GRALEY: HC 64, Box 784, Ashford, WV HOWARD L. BOREHARDT: 1618 South Rose Farm
Road, Woodstock, IL 60098. Howard served in the 66th
25009. Bruce served with the 506th Squadron.
Squadron also, but data could not be located at this time.
is
®
�Hickam Air Force Base Patriotism Park
By Roy O w e n
In late September last year, I was in Honolulu to attend an annual get-together of a fliers organizatio
belong. I was staying in the V O Q next door to the officers club and had lunch there out on a beautiful lanai that
overlooks the entrance to Pearl Harbor. Having been stationed at Hickam during m y active duty career, I a m
familiar with most of that beautiful base. The previous evening, I had occasion to meet Col. Bruce Brown, the
Base C o m m a n d e r at the club. H e asked m e if I had seen the n e w A L O H A AINA PARK and memorial. I had not.
H e informed m e that the next day was P O W and MIA Remembrance Day and at 12:45 p.m. there would be a
short memorial service and "missing m a n " fly over by the Hawaii Air National Guard in honor of these lost to us.
H e invited m e to attend.
As I finished lunch, I s a w military and civilian people beginning to arrive; they were walking toward an area
overlooking the entrance to Pearl Harbor which was out of m y line of sight. I departed the lanai area and joined
the numbers headed in that direction. As I reached the boundary of the A L O H A 'AINA PARK (Patriotism Park), I
was able to see across the lawn to the most beautiful model of a flight of four jet fighter aircraft in the "missing
man" formation with the number two m a n just pulling up heaven bound to leave that spot vacant. The formation
is set in a three level terraced garden area at the waters edge where the formation will be headed into the sunset
each evening. This is one of the most breathtaking memorials I have seen.
After a brief, poignant, presentation of the meaning of the national POW/MIA Memorial Day by Col. Brown
there followed a touching remembrance of his days as a P O W in Germany by an 8th Air Force veteran. The
program finished with the bugler sounding TAPS and the Hawaii National Guard flying F-15 Falcons making a
spectacular "missing m a n " fly over.
Those of you who know me and are aware of my very low emotional threshold when it comes to memorializin
our lost comrades, can picture m e standing at attention in that beautiful spot listening to the bugle sounding
TAPS with that magnificent aerial tribute to our MIA and P O W comrades overhead. Through m y tears, I felt so
wonderfully proud to be an American and to have served m y Country in the company of those valorous m e n
and w o m e n w e were honoring and remembering that day.
I urge anyone visiting Honolulu to make the trip out to Hickam Air Force Base (it is open to the public
beautiful memorial. T H E BUS (the
n a m e of the city bus system) has an
on-base bus stop across the street
from the front door of the officer's
club. Plan to arrive about 1 1.00 am.
to see the Patriotism Park around
ALOHA AtHA PARK
to the back of the club. Then have
lunch at the club. They put on a
beautiful buffet lunch o n w e e k
days. I promise it will be a
memorable day.
in«Mli Wt N O M M o»» cawx*ot« D M i
m HATH*. m K *«»»*.* WW fc*1*U« M*I
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ALOHA 'AINA PARK
�WILL SEZ
as individual personnel, missions, airplanes, etc.
Computerizing this data, in conjunction with
programs being set up at the 8th Air Force
Museum.
Over the years as I've "worked" in my War Room (as
Pete Henry calls his), I've seen the pages drop off m y
calendars year after year, but keep telling myself that I 8) Committed funds and manpower to develop and
install n e w memorial plaques for the 44th B o m b
am not growing older. Not m e ! But I a m reminded of
Group's m e m o r y at both MacDill and Barksdale Air
an old saying which a fellow worker used to say of his
Fields, where they originated and trained in 1941
work, "The hurrleder I go, the behinder I get." You
and
1942.
know, that is exactly the way I a m feeling these days I must be slowing d o w n because things just are not
9) Most importantly, had our new leadership not taken
getting done like they used to.
the bit in their teeth w h e n the old H M G was
Reflecting on this a few days ago, I decided to take a
trashed, none of the above would have been
look at the things within the 44th BGVA with which I've
accomplished. As a consequence, the 44th BGVA
been involved. As one thing after another popped into
would
not exist to be able to respond to the many
focus, I decided to m a k e a list of these items, events,
requests
which are n o w arriving for data about
business, etc. N o w it seems I have a reason, but not an
husbands, fathers, brothers records...Where he
excuse. Your 44th B o m b Group President and his Board
served? When, h o w did he die? W h o was the crew
have made superb progress since he was elected to
that crashed? H o w can w e contact survivors? etc.,
the new 44th BGVA two and one-quarter years ago. He
etc.
has brought us back from zero finances and no
progress to where w e stand today. Take a look at the
following list to see just h o w far w e have c o m e in such 10) Organized a tour of 45 44th BGVA husbands,
wives, children, grandchildren and friends of the
a short period of time.
44th BGVA leaving May 26, which will be a
memorial trip. The tour will visit Shipdham, the
1) Converted the old Tower Project funds to the
towns
folk and the airfield which will include a
support of a new, larger Reading R o o m and
memorial
service; then to Eastbourne, O m a h a
Museum at Arrow Air Center, Shipdham.
Beach and Ardennes, where w e have 44th
members
buried and w e shall honor them
2) Supported Kevin Watson's project to provide a
according
to our traditions.
memorial near Eastbourne to honor Lt. Bolin's crew
and Ruth-Less.
Just recently, the 44th BGVA was contacted by a
3) Supported a memorial at lllfurth, eastern France, group of French Association Nationale Des SousOfficers De Reserve De L'Armee DeL'Air, w h o live in
for their church and the crash site of Lt. Maynard
the vicinity of Rouen. They wanted information about
and his crew.
two planes which crashed near Rouen on 8 March
1943. N o w that contact has been m a d e and s o m e data
4) OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZED AND SUPPORTED Stephen
furnished, they would like more data on EVERY 44th
Adam's project to compile a 66th Squadron history,
B o m b Group plane which went d o w n in all of France.
as well as to make him our official representative
Too,
learning that the 44th BGVA Tour will stop in
in England.
Rouen in early June, they are begging to honor our
m e n with ceremonies, visit the crash sites, one of
5) Approved a contract with the Turner Publishing
which
has a memorial. Space does not permit the
Company to compile and print a book covering the
possibilities
that this one contact will make.
history of the 44th B o m b Group.
I hope that I've m a d e the point clear...your 44th
BGVA
Board has been very busy making sure that the
6) Committed funds and manpower to develop an
44th
B
o m b Group and their record will never be
exhibit honoring General Johnson and his m e n for
forgotten. Thank you Roy and all.
their famous Ploesti Mission at the n e w 8th Air
Lastly, but certainly Just as important, Is you the
Force M u s e u m near Savannah, Georgia.
members, whose support and funding that makes it
possible for our Organization to continue to grow and
7) Committed funds and manpower to research the
produce results. T H A N K YOU!!
archives at Washington, D.C. and elsewhere to
develop records about the 44th B o m b Group, so far
Will Lundy
�FOLDED WINGS
MARCH, 1997
John T. Altman 66th Squadron. Ploesti veteran as member of Lt Felber's crew. 8/96
Radio Operator.
Ned L. Anderson 68th Squadron Pilot Died several years ago. In 44th Bomb Group
28 October 1944, flew home on May 28, 1945.
Richard E. Bottomley 66th Squadron. One of the originals, worked in the Orderly Room. 2/7/97
Served on 44th HMG
Board
Alvin V. Breeland 506th Squadron Airman. Flew with LL R.L. Hoisington's crew 44-45 12/13/96
Arnold M. Curtzwiler Original 506th Squadron. 12/5/81
Lyman P. Frost Home state, Maine 9/20/89
Eugene E. Gaster 506th - Was one of the original complement at Pueblo, Colorado 11/4/96
John E. Gunnell 506th Squadron Co-Pilot for Wm. Maynor POW 20 Dec. 43 8/10/96
Solomon G. "Sully" Handy Died several years ago. He was a Gunner on Lt. O. Collins,
67th Squadron. Completed tour in early November, 1944.
Ekmer K. Kohler 68th Squadron. Pilot Was co-pilot for B.D. Ford, then 1st Pilot 12/7/96
OftenflewCorky.
Joseph A. Kuklewitz 67th Squadron Pilot Assigned to 44th Bomb Group 7 Sept 1944. 11/20/96
Completed tour 3 March 1945 with 35 missions. Joe attended
several reunions. Laterflewmanyflightsin the Berlin Airlift;
also Flying Tigers Airline.
Charles H. Lain 506th Squadron, Bombardier for Komansinski, bailed out 8-8-44 01/03/97
Evaded until picked up by Patton Army.
Roberts. Lawson
Col USAFR (Ret) CO. 1132nd QM Co.
Clifford MacDougal 67th Squadron Co-Pilot for Kuklewicz. Comp Tour 3 March 45 8/96
Ronald G. McNeeley 806 Chemical 10/29/96
Melvin t Novotny 67th Squadron Gunner on Capt Mueller's crew. Later served 1/5/97
in Engineering Section.
Richard C. O'Brien 66th Squadron Lt assigned to squadron 3 June 1944. 11/96
William M. Parkins 506th Squadron Lt 5/15/94
Otis V.Rogers 68th Squadron Flight Engineer for Zerman. Comp Tour 3/6/95
30 Missions 25 January 45.
Pershing G. Rolfe 66th Squadron. Original crewman at Barksdale in 1942 with 11/96
Capt Adam's crew.
Robert S. Schimke 67th Squadron Navigator on Lt Henderson's crew. Date Unknown
Badly wounded on Ploesti Raid, 1943. Served in Korean War.
Retired as a Lt Colonel
Jacob "Jack" Wind 506th Squadron Pilot First mission 8 April 1944, 10/1/95
completed 33 missions. Served on 44th HMG Board.
Great supporter of 44th Bomb Group.
is
®
2/8/97
�44TH BOMB GBOUP WTEBANS
ASSOCIATION BOABD
President: Roy W. Owen (506)
6304 Meadowridge Drive
Santa Rosa, CA 95409-5839
Phone: (707) 538-4726 Fax: (707) 538-1212
Director: Robert I. "Bob" Brown (67th)
#8 Metarie Court
San Ramon, CA 94583-3824
Phone: (510) 828-4529 Fax: (510) 828-1551
Vice President: James H. Clements (506)
4124 Calculus Avenue
Dallas, TX 75244
Phone/Fax: (972) 243-4657
Director: Robert I. Lehnhausen (68th)
789 West Meadows Place
Peoria, IL 61684-3447
Phone/Fax: (309) 685-2498
Secretary: Edward M. Dobson (67th)
118 South 15th Avenue #1
Bozeman, M T 59715-4130
Phone/Fax: (406) 587-2490
Director: Richard R. Pedersen (506th)
Winter: 75110th Street East Lot 32
Palmetto, FL 34221
Phone/Fax: (941) 723-2030
Summer: 10744 US 27 S Lot 248
Ft. Wayne, IN 46816-3467
Phone/Fax: (219) 639-2173
Treasurer: Gerald (Jerry) Folsom (506)
954 Lowell Avenue
Salt Lake City, UT 84102-3620
Phone: (801) 359-6159 Fax: (801) 533-8747
Historian: C.W. "Will" Lundy
3295 North "H" Street
San Bernardino, CA 92405-2809
Phone/Fax: (909) 882-2441
44th Group Vice President to 2nd ADA
Richard D. Butler
16494 Wagon Wheel Drive
Riverside, CA 92506
Phone: (909) 780-7421 Fax: (909) 780-1459
Director: Edw. K. "Mike" Mikoloski (66th)
626 Smithfield Road #702
N. Providence, Rl 02904
Phone/Fax: (401) 353-0144
Director: Melvin G. Trager (HQ Squadron)
2522 Red Oak Trail
Crest Hill, IL 60435-3197
Phone/Fax: (815) 725-3439
Archivist: Anthony Mastradone
9111 Tuckerman Street
Lanham, M D 20706-2709
Phone: (301) 577-1487
*Jfr
U.K. Representative: Steve Adams
28 Bassingham Road
Norwich, England NR3 2QT
Phone/Fax: 011-44-1603-400221
MEMORIAL DEDICATION AND REGIONAL REUNION
May 3, 1997 - 'Bark^sdak A<pB, Shreveport, LA
At 2:00p.m. on Saturday, 'May 3, the 44th 'Bomb Group Veterans Association wi(l dedicate a 'Memorial''Marker at th
Force M&morialWaS^jJay at the site of the $-24 Liberator Display. This memorial'willcommemorate the World War 11 servic
the 44th at 'Barksdale and be a lasting tribute to the effort we allshared in that conflict. We invite and encourage aft 4
their famides and friends to attend) especially those that were With the group during its 'Barksdale service 15 February
1942.
In the evening there Wittbe a'Regional'Reunionat the Holiday Inn for allattendees. A reception with cash bar at 6:30 p.m
precede the dinner. The price of the dinner is $25. Toy when you sign in at the door.
It is necessary we have reservations for the 'Reunion prior to April20th. We must have names in advance to secure clea
the base andma^e name tags. All 44th members within a 250 mile radius ofShreveport, LA Witt receive an invitation, a
reservation and a hotel reservation form in the mail We have a b(ockj)f rooms set aside for us for Friday andSaturday night
Hobday Inn 'Bossier, 'Bossier City. follow the instructions therein.
MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS BY APRIL 20 AND BE SURE TO INFORM THE HOTEL YOU ARE WITH THE
44TH BOMB GROUP. IF YOU D O NOT RECEIVE AN INVITATION AND WISH TO ATTEND,
CONTACT JIM CLEMENTS BY PHONE: ^ (972) 243-4657
19
�BENJAMIN SMITH. JR.
ATTORNEY AT L A W
POST OFFICE BOX 1586
WAYCROSS. GEORGIA 31502-1586
FAX: (912) 285-9930
PHONE: (912) 265-8040
July 30, 1996
Mr. Roy w. Owens, Editor
B-Ball Tales
6304 Meadow Ridge
95409
Santa Rosa, California
Dear Roy.
I am writing to see if you could run an article about the
"Wall of Valor" in an issue of your newsletter.
The Memorial
Gardens project has really taken off and all concerned with it are
very excited. They will be installing the first four sections of
the wall next week and more orders are coming in every day.
In
addition, the reflecting pool has been installed and some of the
brick walks are in place. Landscaping goes forward.
I have taken the liberty of enclosing a short article which
you can use as well as a copy of our brochure which includes the
order form.
I appreciate your consideration of this request. Please let
me know if you need any other information. Again, thank you for
any assistance you can render in this regard.
Most cordially,
BSjr:ck
Enclosures
Judge Ben Smith
Chairman, Memorial Gardens
Did you serve In the 8RF?
Join the company of valiant 8RF'ers whose names are inscribed on the "Wall of Valor" of the Memorial Gardens at
8th Rir Force M u s e u m In Savannah. Georgia.
Your memorial is 4 x 12" on handsome, indestructible granite. 5end rank, full name, squadron and bomber or fighter group (or
other unit) of 8RF. Cost is $100 for 24 letters. Rdd $1 for each extra letter.
Example:
T S G T CLIFF B R C H M R N
360 S Q 303BG
The quickest w a y is to use Mastercard or Visa. Call 1-800-544-8878 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. or send
check to:
UJall of Valor
Mighty 8th Rir Force M u s e u m
P.O. Box 1992
Savannah, Georgia 31402
There are larger memorials and/or crew memorials available. For information, call us.
Your donation is helping to create the beautiful Memorial Garden and preserve it forever.
Join your 8RF buddies in this great undertaking. It Is our memorial.
20
M
�Waterford Books
P.O. Box 669
Hamilton, VR20159
Rnother author omong us: BIRCH
Be sure to enclose your return mailing
HOLC OF WRUWIL6RMOOS
authored
address.
by 66th Bomb Squadron member Don
Culler.
For your personoi autograph book,
please send check with your name
Rlso Leroy W. Newby. 346 Pineview and address to:
Don Culler
Drive, Venice, FL 34293, hos authored
750
South LoBrisa
TRRG6T PI OCSTI which was the
Military Book Clubs Bottle Classics Green Volley, RZ 85614-2232
November Selection. Price to their $16.50+ $3.50 shipping and
handling per book.
Here is o well recommended book by members $17.95. Those wishing to
o B-24 guy to open our Ruthor's join the Doubleday Military Book Club
Corner:
may call (800) 321-7323.
ssfssn
UJe are the World War II generation
of Rmericans. Mostly born in the
WRR & WOMCN
Roaring Twenties, hardened by the
Ruthored by: Jake Clias
Depression, we carried Rmerica to
7 €ost Union Street
victory. Of the many books written
Nonticoke, PR 18634
about us, none are more moving than
Tele: (717) 735-8730
those written by us. CRC-WDOG is
such a book, written by John Matt.
John flew B-24s with us in the Mighty
8th, the flying unit that suffered more
combat deaths than the entire Marine
Corps in WWII. He lived to tell about
August 2, 1944, Ploesti plus one. Gen. Ent presenting Purple Heart
it, but that is only half the story. Medals to m e n w o u n d e d on the Ploesti Mission. W e need the
n a m e s and squadron of these m e n .
R new enemy confronts our
If you can identify any or all, notify the Editor.
generations, and the Cold War sets
in. CRCWDOG's
weather recon
squadron penetrates hurricanes and
nuclear test bomb clouds ond travels
to the north Pole. John Matt takes us
with him, from the Vietnam of the
1950s to the western edge of the Iron
Curtain, from the mysteries of Saudi
Rrobia to the fall of the Berlin Wall,
this gifted storyteller brings us clarity
ond humor, founded on the Rmerican
idea of freedom.
3Ujvjj^Sj^jjjjjf i$j\]Rjj j)
Learn for yourself why Tom Clancy,
Phyllis DuBois, and Jordan Uttol.
omong others, have nothing but praise
for CRCWDOG
To receive your
hardcover 512-page
copy of
CRCWDOG please make our o check
for $28.95 ($24.95 + $4 postage and
handling) to Waterford Books, ond
send to:
21
&
�More
"Down De Hatch"
follow-up:
12/31/96
Dear Roy Owen:
The Vol. 2 No. 1 8-Ball Tails story and photo of "Down De Hatch" was quite interesting to
myself, not because our crew ever flew in that airplane, but it seemed that we, six enlisted
m e n of the Komasinski crew probably shared a quonset hut in the 506th Squadron site with
those of a crew w h o had finished their tour flying that plane.
A further interest is that after being MIA in France for about a month and then returning to
the 44th and 506th squadron before being sent to the ZOI by the A T C northern route, I had
gone to the supply room and begged for s o m e kind of a w a r m jacket to wear on the way. I was
given a B-10 jacket which is fabric with a fur collar and has a warm lining, much warmer than
an A-2 jacket. That jacket had painted on the back "Down D e Hatch, 30 Times." Later when
examining it further, m y initials and serial number were found on the inside. It had been mine
previous to being MIA and apparently must have been appropriated by one of those m e n in
our hut, but had s o m e h o w been returned to the supply room. I wore it into civilian life until being
worn out; it w a s discarded.
Something otherwise of note, the last issue of "8th Air Force News" Vol. 4, page 14 lists
heavy b o m b groups and number of missions that each flew. The 93rd leads with the 44th
ranking 3rd and the 303rd, a B-17 group having the 2nd most missions flown, with a total of
364.
With the help of Will Lundy, as usual, contact w a s established with the son of one of our
long lost gunners, Coley W . Richardson. H e flew with our crew on the unfortunate mission
when w e bailed out of that burning B-24, "My Peach," 42-100415 on August 8,1944. His story,
as related to his son Bill is included. Bill would very much like to hear from any of his father's
original crew or from any one w h o knew Coley in the 506th Squadron. There is little mention of
him in Norman Kiefer's book. Bill's address is: Bill Richardson, 2451 Cedar Drive, Laurenceville,
G A 30243. H e is also a 44th B G V A m e m b e r and is listed in the membership listing booklet.
A s I had agreed with you at St. Louis, m y story is being prepared and when ready, a copy
will be sent to you. B e aware though that s o m e of it had been previously printed in Joe Warth's
44th Logbook, but there are a number of typos. See the December, 1989, page 9 and Spring,
1991, page 36 and Summer, 1991, page 46 if you want to read any of it.
I had very much enjoyed our reunions at San Antonio and St. Louis too, even though being
stranded at Grant's Farm when the last bus left just as I w a s leaving the gift shop. Hope to get
to Salt Lake City in October too.
Sincerely,
Frank Schaeffer
22
m
�This is Coley W . Richardson's story as related to his
son Bill Richardson in later years.
Anyway, "Here is my fathers account of what happened the day "My-Peach" was shot
down. The story w a s told to m e over the course of m y life with m y Dad, in bits and pieces, so take
that into account w h e n reading the material.
H e said he volunteered for duty on the plane to get out of a detail (guard duty maybe). H e
liked to fly and I think this w a s his 30th flight. Interestingly, he said he frequently flew missions to
escape ground duty!
Backtothat mission, w h e n Coley (Dad) bailed out of the plane on that fateful day, he said, he
pulled his rip cord right away. This slowed his decent down, and he became concerned about
ground fire. H e had never jumped before but had heard that you could partially collapse a chute
and speed your descent. H e tried this and successfully sped up his fall. Unfortunately, he w a s not
as successful about getting it back open. Meanwhile, he noticed ground troops closing in on his
landing area. H e thought they were G e r m a n s so he planned to hit the ground running (not
having been to formal jump training, he said he did not understand the drop and roll technique
to distribute the force). Anyway, w h e n he got his chute back fully open, he w a s just abouttohit
the ground. H e hit the ground hard with the fullforceon one leg because he w a s goingtotry and
run from the people closing in on his location. H e suffered a compound fracture of his left leg.
The ground troops turned outtobe the French underground. W h o , upon seeing the extent of
his injuries and knowing they could not care for him, they advised him to wait and surrender to
the Nazis, which he did (I think he said they liberated his money, rightfully, for their cause).
After capture or being turned over by the French (I'm not clear about this) the Germans put
him into what I think w a s a normal "French" hospital that w a s converted for prisoners. His leg
was pinned back together by the G e r m a n s in this hospital. H e had a story he only told when he
was inebriated, about the doctor not giving him anesthesia and questioning him while he worked
on his leg. D a d said the doctor stopped the drill every few turns and asked him about his unit
(plane count, officers on My-Peach, etc.). Apparently they soon realized h o w tough he was. H e
passed out from pain while reciting his name, rank and service number. His leg had to be reset
and repinned after he w a s liberated.
You could see the end of the replacement pin from both sides of his knee. H e had some
trouble walking after his leg healed, and when he triedtoreenter the service, they would not take
him. This bothered him for a long time, because he had planned a full military career. Although
it healed pretty good, he did die with a slight limp. After the operating room experience, he w a s
apparently well treated by the French nurses.
A letter written by m y uncle states that the A r m e d forces notified his mother that he w a s shot
d o w n and missing; however, before they reported his status, she received a letter from Dad in the
hospital in "France." This doesn't seem possible, but that is the information I have.
Later he w a s liberated and evacuated by the Allies before he w a s completely healed. H e also
talked about giving his leather flight jackettoa soldier w h o carried him on his backformiles to
gettothe liberation point.
23
�MAIL CALL
M
This comes from:
J. T. Elias
7 East Union Street
Nonticoke, PA 18634
Tele: (717) 735-8730
This comes from:
Dear Roy,
Col Bill Cameron
2/13/96
The letter from Dan Culler regretting the lack
Editor: This came to the Lundy s from our man in
interest by the 44th members in his book, BLACK
Carmel, Col. Bill Cameron.
H O L E O F W A U W I L E R N O O S hit a chord in me. I
Dear Will & Irene:
had similar response for m y book W A R & W O M E N .
A s he says, "Maybe people are tired of hearing
I have a story for you that may or may not be of
about WWII." M y literary agent in London told m e
interest. Sometime in 1943 (perhaps I w a s in
that the British people think of WWII as "ancient
London with a few friends), four of us decided to
history." But ancient history is very valuable. So I
visit Soho for lunch. W e found a restaurant that
would tell Dan Culler to keep his chin up and keep
looked interesting (there were m a n y at that time)
beating the bushes for customers. During good
and went in. W e were in our Class A's, as w a s
weather, I spent one day each week visiting
appropriate in wartime. The m e n u w a s of course
bookstores and soliciting orders. Very few turned
very modest, featuring such delicacies as beans
m e down, but most took the book on consignment,
on toast, etc. I don't recall that our fellow customers
paying only upon selling the book. But it keeps
included any other G.l.'s. W h e n our lunches arrived
selling, though slowly.
at the table, w e were quite surprised to see that
each of our four plates w a s the same, presenting
A small publisher does not have the clout of th
us with a large mound of pureed spinach! For s o m e
giant book producers with their large advertising
reason, despite our surprise, w e accepted the
accounts and connections to T V stations and book
dishes, and when one of us attempted to taste it,
reviewers. S o w e small guys must work and sweat
he found that the spinach covered (hid) a juicy
to put our work before the public. Since we are
steak!
retired though, w e are lucky to have the time.
The proprietor came over to our table and
introduced himself. It turned out that he previously Lew Robinson gave my book an excellent writehad a restaurant in Chicago (Greek-American?). up in the s u m m e r issue of the '8 Ball Tails." Dr.
Herbert Wilson of Bismarck, S D wrote to tell me
This w a s his way of greeting fellow Americans.
m y book w a s the best he'd read on World War II.
I looked for the place in 1988. Needless to say,Bob
theLehnhausen phoned m e from Illinois to tell me
h o w much he'd enjoyed the book. These pats on
restaurant and our benefactor were gone, but not
the
back keep a guy going, and I a m very grateful
forgotten.
to them, all very dear friends w h o show their
With very best regards,
friendship in concrete ways.
�Enough of m y story. I had to go to the funeral of a
dear friend and buddy a few weeks ago. I first met
Elvin Scheetz in our hut at the 68th Squadron a
short time after D-Day. His crew had just filled the
empty cots of a crew that had been shot down. Elvin
and his buddies watched us wide-eyed as w e c a m e
from a debriefing after a mission to France. W e
seemed to click right from the start, and ever since,
we had been buddies. Not long after coming to the
68th, Elvin was transferred to a B-25 outfit in Corca,
bombing Germany over the Alps. O n e day their
plane was badly injured, one engine out, and no
way of making it back over the Alps. They managed
to get close enough to Switzerland for all the crew
to parachute into internment. However, the pilot
was too low to bail out after he'd m a d e sure all his
men were out; so he took the plane down. Elvin
landed on a hill and could see the plane crash land
into a field on the G e r m a n side. To his horror, he
saw three German soldiers pull out the pilot and
shoot him in cold blood. That scene had haunted
Elvin ever since.
Since he lived in Allentown, only eighty miles
my home, w e often met for lunch. Elvin was always
outspoken about the good of America, a true patriot
who was not averse to standing up for our Country.
He developed cancer, and when I last saw him in
the hospital, he w a s the ghost of himself, dying
shortly after. At his funeral, the people kept coming
and coming, a tribute to a fine friend and great
American.
This comes from:
Col (Ret) Mike Mikoloski
66th Squadron
2/13/96
Editor: This comes from Col. (Ret.) "Mike" Mikoloski,
Board Member representing the 66th Squadron. There
are some important thoughts about General Leon
Johnson, so focus on what Mike and SMSG Walter
Patrick have to say.
Dear Roy:
Enclosed are a couple of letters from SMSG Walter
Patrick w h o did visit the General after m y strong
urging. Sgt. "Pat," along with Sgt. Walter Hazelton
and I are the lone survivors from the crew of
"JENNY," later renamed " L A D Y LUCK." T o m
Scrivner was our Aircraft Commander and m y close
friend and roommate when I was in the 66th. T o m
and the crew of "Lady Luck" went down over
Ploesti on their 25th mission. For a long time they
were listed as MIA, later listed as KIA. Pat, Hazelton
and I, luckily, had completed our tours that summer
from
and w e have been in touch over all the years since.
Sgt. Pat and I got together at Westover A F B after
the war and we, together, conceived and sponsored
an Information and Education Program that caught
the eye of A F Headquarters and General Johnson,
who, at the time, was Chief, Personnel Services. I
was brought into the Pentagon, rejoined with the
General and stayed on his staff until he retired.
After reading his letter of December 3,1 asked Sgt.
I'd like to make a suggestion. Why not list the Pat
books
if w e could print his letter. H e answered with
of 44th Group members with their prices and where his permission to print the original and his response.
they can be bought? That way you would not only I would like to see them published in The 8-Ball
help 44th men, but help the group itself by spreading Tails, as it may influence other members of the 44th,
the history of which w e were participants. This w h o m a y be in the area, to drop in on General
would take very little space and do a service to both Johnson. I can assure them they will be warmly
authors and people interested in our history.
and graciously welcomed. As for the General, there
is a strong and lasting bond between him and those
Best wishes to you and all our members.
w h o served with the 44th. These visits also give
Sincerely
him a great lift and rejuvenate his mental and
physical faculties. Frankly, except for just a few of
Editor: All of you published authors out there, us
letlike
usSgt. Pat, B/Gen. Jack Gibson, Ed Dobson
and
Bill
Taylor, not many others have paid him a
know where we can find your book(s).
visit. All, if not most of his contemporaries have long
folded their wings, so we, the former members of
his 44th are the only ones left.
Thanks and with kindest personal regards,
�Mt Pleasant, North Carolina
12/3/96
about h o w w e used to babysit his kids before w e
got married...he laughed and said, 'That was a long
time ago!" I w a s pleased that, though w e visited for
over 2 0 minutes, he s e e m e d fairly strong
throughout our stay.
Editor: For all of us who would perhaps feel we were
Besides his kind words about General Johnson in
being intrusive by making a call on General Johnson,
I'm sure you will read here that those feelings arethe 2nd Air Division Journal, Sergeant Cox' story
also brought back an incident that Saterfield and
completely unfounded. And remember, he is 83, we are
were involved in...we were both busted to
fortunate to still have him...so, like SMSGT "Pat, m" eJUST
Private, along with six other combat crew members
DOIT!
for taking a carry-all and driving into Norwich, where
w e parked on a back street...An old English
Dear Col. Mike:
gentleman on a bicycle ran into the vehicle. He
What makes the General great can be revealed by called the M P s and they were waiting for us to return
after removing the distributor cap...Of course, w e
the story about Sgt. Cox 'The Real Flying Eight
Ball" that appeared in the Winter, 1996 issue of the all had to fly again to at least get our Buck Sergeant
Second Air Division Journal, page 11. Incidentally, stripes back...in m y case it m a y have been a life
saving incident, because I volunteered to fly with
I didn't receive m y copy until I got back from
two
other crews, Capt. Miller for one to Vegasack.
Springfield, VA on Dec. 2nd. And, yes, I did get with
the General...It w a s a real emotional meeting for So by the time Ploesti c a m e along, I had 25 plus.
me, at least...Evelyn and I were treated Top Drawer I'm surprised they didn't m a k e m e go anyway, but
by all the staff at the facility...we were offered dinner they didn't. Thank the good Lord for that! Yes,
and dessert but, of course, w e declined. Sergeant Cox w a s right when he said the General
wears his star with authority, and his Medal of Honor
Unfortunately, you were right about the medication
he takes, he w a s very cheerful, but slightly with humility.
All our love,
subdued. W h e n w e arrived he was in the lounge
Pat and Evelyn
having a piece of pumpkin pie and whipped
cream...I kneeled down in front of him and placed
m y hands over his and began m y presentation...I
w a s wearing m y Eight Ball hat and pointed to it
and said, "I don't think you know me, but I flew with
Col. Mikoloski on Jimmy Kahl and T o m m y Scrivners
crews...l went on to say "General, beside wanting
to see you, I wanted you to know that I represent
all the Enlisted m e n w h o ever flew with you or under
your c o m m a n d and w e think you are the greatest,
most brave pilot and leader w h o has ever flown."
H e sort of had a smile on his face and as he
squeezed m y hand he said, "I really do appreciate
your visit and what you are saying...that really got
to me...here he w a s a Four Star General speaking
to a Sergeant. This meant so m u c h to m e since I
had been born and raised in the Army, m y father
being a 30 year Master Sergeant in the Corps of
Engineers...Meeting the General, to me, w a s like
meeting another of m y military heroes, Stonewall
Jackson...to m e they are both the s a m e mold.
Evelyn talked to the General also...She told him
�Dear Will:
Editor: We had answered a previous letterfromDick
I w a s surprised and happy to see "Down D e
inquiring about his cousin S/Sgt. Travis Nash, RadioHatch" as the honored plane on this issue of 8 Ball
Operator on the 506th Squadron Lt. George F. Brown, Tails.
Jr. Crew. Brown and Nash were both killed by flak in You had a question mark on the August 26th
"Tinker Belle " on the 5 April 1945 raid on the Plauen,mission - w e (Wimsatt) had a mission flown to
Germany Transportation network.
Salzbergen Oil on that date. W e probably flew Bar
Z. I have m y records in Wisconsin and could confirm
this. I kept a bomb pin with the ship number w e
This comes from:
flew and the bomb load on each mission. W e did
Dick Martin
fly Bar Z as Deputy Lead on our 19th mission.
ASS Mem #48
O n the 27th, w e had a mission to Berlin
4th FG
scheduled
and flew to Denmark where w e ran into
8AFHS
a tremendous cold front and had to return to base.
Tenn. Chapter of Same
W e were given credit for that one - w e were shot at
12/96
by the 88s. Mission #20 probably in D o w n D e
Hatch, and w e flew Bar Z to Calais on August 30.
Dear Mr. Lundy:
(#21)
Thank you very much for your swift response to
I have found a few articles in m y 1996 "Intercom"
my request. I have requested material from National that you might be interested in. It is the "8 Ball Tails"
Archives and Maxwell A F B as well.
of the A G A (mostly RAF). About eight years ago, I
I did not know this relative existed until 6 to 8 went to one of their conventions in Southport. W e
months ago. This research is as much for Travis' were treated like returning royalty. There w a s a
brother, who is an attorney in Louisville, Ky and his dance each night with a big band. I had a number
91 year old sister in Texas, w h o have never known of meals with Bill Reid (UC) as I had a Grade "A"
exactly the circumstances surrounding his death. dairy farm at the time and he had one in England. (I
Maybe I can, with your and Mr. Owens' help, relay understand that Bill crash landed at Shipdham on
the information to them. N o doubt they will his Victoria Cross mission. True). Bill and I
appreciate it, as do I.
compared notes as to w h o w a s getting the most
Thanks again, and wish you and yours a very welfare from our government. This w a s about the
happy holiday season.
time of the dairy buyouts where you got paid for
Most respectfully,
N O T milking for five years. N o feeding cows, no
manure to haul, no crops to put in to feed the cows.
You just collected about half of your milk check,
then drank beer in the local pub. H e said they
Editor: We got a lot of feedback from the "Down De dumped their surplus butter and cheese into the
ocean to keep from having a surplus, keep the
Hatch "feature. That's the purpose ofthese features...to
prices up.
stir up those old memories and swap stories. This is what
Peter Crouch, a former S&J C o m m a n d e r sat in
Will Lundy calls "the gravy" in the history of a great
on
at
outfit like ours. The first one comes from the 506th 's least one of these sessions. H e was a wheel
in the outfit, now lives in Spain.
own Ken Adrian.
I had intended to go to the Convention in Wales
a few years later, but m y doctor in Missouri decided
This comes from:
I was going to die in about a year - from heart failure.
Ken Adrian (506th)
Thank G o d it w a s a missed diagnosis, as this
2297 Chantala Avenue
happened about five years ago. I have a new doctor,
Pueblo, Colorado 81006
you might guess, as I wasn't ready for the great
12/12/96
runway in the sky.
Cheers,
7
�stone in about 30 seconds. I can't recall this having
Editor: Ken also sends along a couple of contradictory
any effect on the morale of our crew or indeed of
views about how RAF crews flying sub patrol in the B24 viewed the training in "ditching/dinghy drill. anyone
These else that w e knew. However, it did mean
that
cut-outs come from "The Intercom", the publication
of w e had a few extra free afternoons, because
the Air Crew Association, an English association when
of "Ditching Drill" was down on the programme
at
the local baths no-one bothered to go. No doubt
combat airmen.
other ex-Coastal C o m m a n d crew could let us have
their comments.
G S H A K E S P E A R E , A C A 17395"
"THE FORGOTTEN AIRFORCE
The forgotten Airforce (Intercom - S u m m e r '96)
refers to the time available to the crew of a Liberator
to reach the safety of the dinghy, which would have
been inflated, should they have survived ditching
Editor: Francis Peck joins me in my admiration
in the Ocean.
I did a Tour of operations with 357(SD) Ground Crews and Support people. His short letter
Squadron based at CHINA B A Y in Ceylon, flying Will Lundy and Will's reply are two beautiful piece
across the Indian Ocean to drop Gurkhas into correspondence. In his reply, Will answers the que
Malaya. Averaging 19 hours with 16 hours across always had about the stand-offish demeanor ofour Cr
Chief and his men. By the time I arrived, the days o
water meant that w e took our Dinghy-drill very
seriously. Because all but the rear turret had been one crew assigned to an airplane they had named wer
stripped from the aircraft to conserve weight, the long past. We must have flown a half a dozen differe
time estimated to reach the dinghy was 20 seconds. planes among our missions. Ifiguredthe constant mix
Each crewman was allocated a task such as was of crews and airplanes was why we only got barely
acquainted, rather than really friendly with those
necessary to inflate and launch the dinghy and
collect the axe, etc. During the daylight hours, our Now it really makes sense. We felt the same way wi
height was kept at 50 feet above sea-level because the other crews in our quonset after thefirstloss.
our route meant that w e passed close to Jap held
Nicobar Islands and the northern coast of Sumatra This comes from:
and needed to avoid their Radar. Over the dense
Francis J. Peck
jungle of Malaya where the DZs were located, any
2620 South Lamonte Street
thoughts of survival due to engine failure were
Spokane, Washington 99203-2450
alleviated, due to the explicit trust one had in those
1/15/97
4 Pratt & Whitney W a s p engines. If w e had given a
thought that, in the remote possibility, w e would
survive a crash-landing in jungle territory only to Dear Will:
Until I learned that you were of the ground
be beheaded by the Japs - a fact now revealed in
the excellent book by Air Commodore H. Probert personnel, I never gave it much thought of what
called 'The Forgotten Airforce' w e could never have they did. During m y tour of duty as an air crew
member of the 67th Squadron, to m y memory, I
succeeded in playing our part.
STAN SMITH, A C A 10666, 5 MAYFIELD C L O S E , never even recognized the men around the bomber
prior to take off nor on return.
D O R S E T , B H 2 2 9HS"
Now, many times m y thoughts go back to the
mechanics who worked on the aircraft during the
"DITCHING LIBERATORS
The letter by DIC Boissier reminded m e of flying night and many times in inclement weather. The
same for the m e n w h o loaded the bombs and
Liberators when I served in 224 Squadron in
Milltown, Nr. Elgin, Scotland, from October 1944 to ammunition and the technicians who checked the
electronics, etc. Even the guy who used to wake
March 1945.
All our flights were over the sea and at a very us for a mission, the clerks who were responsible
low altitude, as w e were on anti-submarine patrol. for the payroll, etc. I wish I could thank every one of
W e heard very early in the tour that the Liberator them. Hats off to them!
Sincerely,
broke in half on impact with the sea and sank like
�2/2/97
Editor: Next we hear from another of "Down D
Dear Francis:
Hatch's" Mother Squadron, crewmen, Frank N.
Thank you for your recent letter of 15 January, Schaeffer of Montello, WI.
which was waiting for Irene and I when w e returned
from our cruise. W e had taken it to celebrate our This comes from:
Frank N. Schaeffer (506th)
50th.
Montello, WI
Your comments about the ground crew and other
1/25/97
ground personnel were appreciated by me, and I
Dear
Roy
Owen:
a m sure by all the rest of the support people.
You stated that during your tour of duty, that you
never even recognized the m e n around the bomber, You may recall that I had written you recently
neither on the T O . or return. I can't speak for all thewith s o m e information about the B-24 "Down D e
Hatch" since the 8 Ball Tails w a s received. Well, a
others, but there is a reason for this.
bit
more information has surfaced while I had been
For most of us non-combatants, w e were there
for the duration. Most of us went over with the reading an old issue of the Liberator Club's
original combat crews, even training with them, publication, "Briefing" This m a y be old forgotten
lived with them prior to England. So when w e got stuff, but to myself, it proved quite interesting,
into combat, w e started to lose planes and crews. especially to any of the crews that had flown that
W h e n our friends suffered that fate, did not return plane. Included you will find a marked copy of that
from a mission, it w a s like losing a brother, or page with the letter by Bus Badgett, the co-pilot
brothers. After it happened to m e on 8 March 1943 from the 453rd and 389th B o m b Groups. I intend to
- "my" plane went down -1 m a d e a special effort also write him with the combat record of #42-95016,
N O T to get acquainted with any new replacement if you don't mind.
S o m e sad news w a s word of Charles H. Lain
airmen. It w a s bad enough to lose "our" plane
passing away. H e was the bombardier on our crew,
without close friends too.
To avoid all of this, I m a d e a special effort to Bernard Komasinski's. H e had bailed out with us
stay away from you - even so far as not looking at on August 8, 1944, been wounded, but evaded
your faces. W h e n you arrived at the plane set for a capture by hiding out in the forests of France until
mission, or even for the practice flights, I did m y being liberated by Gen. Patton's 3rd Army. Death
job and then got away from the plane a good was on January 3,1997. His h o m e was in O'Fallon,
distance and watched from there, making sure that Missouri. H e is survived by his wife and family.
I'm still planning on getting to Salt Lake City in
the plane was ready for you. S a m e was true when
you returned - w e went immediately to work October.
Sincerely,
examining the plane for visible damage, and then
care of the plane to get it ready for the next mission.WHATEVER HAPPENED TO "DOWN DE HATCH"?
I tried to avoid contacts with you all.
O n April 2, 1944, w e picked up a new B-24 at
So don't feel badly about it - it was more our Hamilton Field, California and flew it to Morrison
fault, not yours. You had a tough job, the enemy Field, Florida. From there w e flew the "Southern
was shooting at you! Ou^s was to make sure that Route" which took us across the Atlantic Ocean
the plane would get you there and back. Sure, it from Natal, Brazil to Dakar, Africa and then on to
was long and miserable at times, but in no way St. Mawgan, England. After another short flight to
could it be compared to yours.
Valley, England, w e were approached by an artist
Things are fine down this way - hope that your w h o had c o m e to negotiate a price for painting
wet and cold winter so far up there hasn't affected something on the side of the aircraft. If m y memory
you too much.
has not misled me, I believe w e were quoted a price
All our best,
of 60 to 80 dollars for the painting of a nude female
Will
29
m
�Association" Magazine. I'll fill you in on why the Z didn't
fly August 25,1944 to September 1,1944.
O n August 24, 1944 our pilot Firman Mack (now
deceased) and crew were given order to fly the B-24
(above mentioned) to Hannover, Germany. The following
are notes from m y diary which I kept at that time:
"Aug. 24,1944
Mission: To b o m b hangars believed to house aircraft
around an airstrip near Hannover, Germany. It had been
bombed before but showed signs of reconstruction.
Results: Our squadron dropped bombs about two miles
short of the runway.
Reason: Because someone got an itchy finger and
dropped bombs too soon. S o m e of our bombs hit a
railroad.
Weather: Raining on takeoff, a little bit hazy over target,
otherwise good.
Bombing Altitude: 22,000 ft.
Fuel Load: 2700 gal. not topped off
Plane: B-24-H, Z, not so good for speed, drawing 56
inches on takeoff. Power setting on the way into target
was 2400 R.P.M., 42 inches of manifold pressure in AutoRich
Flak: S a w flak a few miles inside of Germany, heavy
and very accurate flak after hitting IP. A few rockets
seen but none very near us.
Battle Damage: #2 engine hit in cylinder bank, broke a
rocker-box causing a great oil leak clear from target to
base. M a y need new engine. Right tire hit by flak,
hydraulic leak in actuating cylinder on nose gear, wiring
in bombay cut up by flak, antenna cut off, flaps full of
Editor: Before you read this last letter from Roger
holes. Wings and Fuselage contained approximately 60
Tewksbury on "Down De Hatch, " I must tell you thatflak holes and scars.
about a week after we put that issue in the mail, I got a Had a slight vibration on landing due to right flat tire.
callfrom"Down De Hatch " Crew Chief, Jack Morgan Went off runway stopping on grass turning around facing
wantingfivemore copies for his kids and grand kids.opposite of landing direction. Plane would be out
He said the 8-Ball Tails arrived when they were having
approximately two weeks.
a family get-together so the old Sarge got to tell all theFighters: N o enemy fighters seen or reported, had
family how he and the "Hatch " fought that war! P-47s, P-38s and P-51s for escort."
After checking for flak damage on return to base, I
YOU'RE THE MAN, JACK!
could see a small hole in top of the right wing over the
right tire wheel well. Figuring that the right tire may have
This comes from:
been
damaged Mack landed on the grass so as not to
Roger L. Tewksbury
tie up the runway for others. W h e n the weight of the
57 Owen Drive
aircraft started to settle down on the right landing gear
Littleton, NH 03561
(tire w a s flat) the ship did a 180 degree turn before
1/1/97
coming to a stop. I couldn't blame the crew chief from
Dear Will:
Hope this letter finds you and yours in good health. being disgusted after seeing the aircraft sitting in the
As historian, you might be interested in the B-24 Z grass and all the battle damage.
Trust this information will be of interest to you. Happy
named "Down D e Hatch" appearing on the cover of the
Winter 1996 Issue of the u44th Bomb Group Veteran's N e w Year!
Sincerely,
and a title, not to exceed X number of letters. A nude
female painting would cost in the range of 3 0 to 5 0
dollars. W e pooled our m o n e y and c a m e up with
4 0 dollars. For this w e got a painting of a b o m b
heading for a c o m m o d e with the words " D o w n D e
Hatch."
W e w e r e very proud of our n e w insignia,
thinking it immediately gave the b o m b e r a unique
place in the war with its o w n n a m e . Still another
short flight took us to Worton, England. W e landed
proudly with our newly christened war bird. O u r
elation w a s soon shattered, however, w h e n w e
were told the airplane would remain there to be
fitted with combat modifications such as bullet proof
windows, iron plates, etc. This is where w e left our
"Down D e Hatch" never to see her again. Later w e
flew other planes on combat missions, but, " D o w n
D e Hatch" w a s never o n e of the B-24s assigned to
us. N o w in m y older years, I frequently wonder what
ever happened to " D o w n D e Hatch." Did any of you
ever fly in this aircraft? If so, I would appreciate a
card with any follow-up historical notes to help
satisfy m y curiosity. Thank you very much.
B u s Badgett, Co-Pilot on Ralph Woodard's crew
stationed part time at
"Old Buck" and at Hethel, England
(453rd and 389th B o m b Groups, April-July, 1944)
3467 Mt. Laurence Dr., S a n Diego, C A 9 2 1 1 7
�Announcing a change of dates for our Reunion
Salt Lake City, Utah
Due to a schedule conflict at the Mormon Temple, we must
move our Reunion forward to October 9 - 1 3 , 1997.
Please mark your calendar now.
The program for our meetings and dinners will follow the one we had at our very successful reunion
in St. Louis last year. Those registered for the entire reunion will attend the Reception Thursday
evening, the Squadron Dinner Friday night, the General Business meeting Saturday morning, and the
Gala Banquet that night. Sunday morning they attend the M o r m o n Tabernacle Choir concert and on
to the Hill A F B to tour the museum. That night there will be a buffet dinner with entertainment to
follow.
We will have our traditional Hospitality Room up and running every night.
The same options of last year will be available to those unable to attend the entire Reunion. They wil
be able to attend all functions scheduled for the days they are there.
There will be some very interesting tours for Friday and Saturday afternoon offered as optional. The
tour details, as well as the Reunion registration and hotel reservation forms will be published in the
Summer issue of the 8-Ball Tails. Look for them and mail in early.
Like everyone, we are being squeezed by creeping inflation. These rising costs, along with responding
to the membership requesting a centrally located prime hotel (so the ladies can shop conveniently),
you will see a moderate increase in the cost of the overall Reunion package. W e will still be offering a
super Reunion bargain you can't afford to miss!
i
���assigned to the 67th Squadron. On January 1,1944, T/Sgt. Nelson
and his crew moved to that plane. In March of 1944, the call
letter on this plane was changed to B-Bar and if continued to
notch missions into May. At that time, it was declared warweary and transferred to the 801st Bomb Group. It was replaced
by a shiny new B-24H assembled by ford, #42-95318. Ihe
new aircraft was assigned the same call sign as its predecessor.
Lt. Richard Thornton, who had been flying the previous B-Bar,
picked up where he had left off on 7 May and flew the first
mission in the newly named Iron Corset on 21 May 1944. During
By Will Lundy
this period, Chowanski and Rinn left Nelson to get their own
airplanes and Carl was moved up to be his Assistant. Three
At the rime when Hie Air Echelon departed for England in
new men, Pfcs. frank Sheets, Jim Wright and Pvt. D.W. Carver
late September, 1942, T/Sgt. Odis Nelson was Ihe Flight
filled out the crew. Even with these inexperienced men, Curly
Engineer tor Capt. ttoward W. Moore, flying what was to become
managed to continue his remarkable record for keeping Old
the famous Suzy Q. Sgt. Nelson was given the nickname of
Iron Corset flying.
v
Turly" by Capt. Moore, who often rubbed Odis' nearly bald
head for luck. Capt. Moore was absolutely right; good old Curly
was not only good, but lucky as well! Capt. Moore soon became The Record Grows
The 23 february 1945 mission was the 300th mission for
the 67th Commander and went on to complete his 25 combat
missions prior to Ploesti. Curly was also denied flying at that the 44th and the 105th for Iron Corset without an abort. The
time when severe ear problems resulted in his being grounded Lt. James A. Struthers crew completed their combat tour on
and then assigned as a crew chief in the Engineering Section. this mission in Iron Corset.
Curly took this reassignment very hard, apparently ashamed
that he could no longer fly combat; he also felt badly that he
was displacing the ground crewmen, preventing them from
promotion.
Editor: Not to take anything away from the great combat
crews who shared in the accomplishment of the unparalleled
combat record of Iron Corset by bringing her home 129 times,
but this is a Ground Crew story told by one of the great
"Knucklebusters"ofthe67th, our beloved Historian Will Lundy.
THE EARLY DAW
Replacements Begin to Arrive
In January, 1944, Curly was a M/Sgt. with a five man crew.
tlis Assistant Crew Chief was S/Sgt. frank Chowanski, later to
be promoted to crew chief Second under him was Sgt. L.D.
Rinn, filling out the crew were Sgt. C.C. Hall, Sgt. D.A. Evans and
Sgt. A.H. McCarty. As the number of liberators per squadron
increased, Sgt. Rinn followed Sgt. frank Chowanski to become
one of the new crew chiefs. Sgt. Carl Hall was promoted to
Assistant Crew Chief and remained in that classification until
the wars end in Europe.
A. STRUTTERS is CONQRATUIATE(] by 67ih S<?UA<JRON COMMANCIER,
Col. Bill C A M E R O N AN<J M/SqT. "CuRly" NEISON O N coMplsriNq his
LT. JAMES
LT.
COMbAT TOUR iN "IRON CORSET."
She continued to fly until wars end, racking up 129 missions;
the highest record for B-24's. Iron Corset became an Ace with
five enemy aircraft shoot downs to her credit, four times she
flew five missions back to back. Two of these five were
accomplished in August 1944. In this remarkable combat career,
Changes - New B-24 - New Name
After the Groups two trips to North Africa, they returned
to start building with a rapid arrival of new aircrews and
airplanes. During this time, aircraft #42-72873, Bar-E was
m
�she had only one abort to mar this record. Iron Corset had
Panico got on the intercom and shouted, M The control
completed 109 missions perfectly, but an engine was failing straps are on." In an instant, co-pilot Don Wells pulled the
so Curly "red-lined" it, taking Iron Corset out of service. release. Lee had just enough time to pull the yoke back and
However, due to a m a x i m u m effort called for a mission, the yank us up over the trees at the end of the runway. We caught
Engineering Officer overruled the status and she was launched up with the formation and slipped into our slot without further
on the mission. The engine failed and the perfect string ended. problems. Panico saved our bacon that day!"
Nonetheless, she continued to fly with amazing reliability
until the job was done. Her total of 129 missions statistically Carl and Me
represented 38 percent of the 344 total 44th Bomb Group
Some Afterthoughts
credited missions and she flew these in 11 months of combat.
Carl Hall was inducted on 13 November 1941 in Los Angeles,
the same as I was. This is where w e met. After immediately
The Close Call
joining the Air Corps and selected Aircraft Mechanic training
The entire combat record for Iron Corset nearly ended on to get as close to flying as possible, w e graduated from Biloxi
the 18 April 45 mission to Passau, Czechoslovakia. The story Air Mechanic School in May, 1942 and were taking a physical
comes from the combat diary of Donald G. Potter, Navigator exam to become flight Engineers at the exact same time the
on the Leslie W. Lee crew. Their 31st mission.
rest of our class were in the graduation ceremonies. We both
"The target for today would be Marshalling Yards on the failed. He was too tall and I couldn't pass the vision test.
border of Austria, deep in the SW and slightly south of Three weeks later w e were at Barksdale field, assigned to
Czechoslovakia. We took off in the aircraft Q-Bar. As w e were
CARI HAII, Ed CisiNski ANd C A M N B R O W N
SWEATiNq
OUT O N E of ThE "EARIY" 1 9 4 5 MissioNS.
climbing for altitude over the
English Channel, a piston blew
and w e had to feather the prop
on that engine. We felt that w e
had time to get rid of the
bombs, land and use the standby plane and get back in the
air. As soon as w e were down,
they transferred us to J-Bar
(the call letter for Iron Corset
had been changed on 12
October 44). We were all in a
hurry to get back into the air,
so w e went through our check
lists fasts; TOO FAST.
In a very short time w e
were on the take-off run. About half way down the runway, the 67th Squadron, "acting as mechanics." It seemed w e spent
Waist Gunner Lou Panico happened to look out the window as much time on KP, etc. as w e did "keeping v cm flying."
and saw that the tie-down straps were still in place. The straps
Carl's ASN was just two numbers different from mine; at
were used when the plane is parked to prevent the control wars end, w e flew home in Iron Corset. After a 30 day R&R
surfaces from flapping around in the wind. It also meant the leave, w e reported to Sioux falls, South Dakota for
control surfaces were frozen and the airplane could not get reassignment. W e had too many service "points" to be sent
off the ground!
overseas again, so w e were sent to Albuquerque, New Mexico
�to "work" on B-29's. After VJ day, w e were sent to ft.
McArthur, California for discharge together and became
civilians again at the same time. Most unique! Carl later
rejoined the service, but did not last long. According to his
sister, he died from lead poisoning, believed to be from his
long association with the leaded 115 octane aviation fuel he
used to clean his uniforms and had so much daily contact with
in his maintenance work.
The Race Home
When VE Day finally came, I was fortunate enough to be
selected to join the combat personnel when they flew their
Liberators back to the States. Naturally I selected Iron Corset
to be with Carl Hall and Curly Nelson. It was a very exciting
few days for me, as I'd be home so much more quickly, and to
fly! I just love to fly. Iron Corset was everything I knew she
would be; though patched over patches to cover her war
wounds, she still flew like a proud combat veteran coming
home from the war. In the droves of Liberators and fortresses
streaming out and streaking for home, Iron Corset was the
44th (ironic) plane to take off from Greenland for the final
leg to the States. Which plane, that day, was the first to arrive
over Bradley field, Connecticut? Iron Corset, of course! In those
last hours of flight w e had passed 43 other planes!! W e bade
farewell to our proud lady that afternoon. H o m e was but a
few days away!
129 Credited Missions
Fii/e enemy aircraft
destroyed.
Statistical^ Iron Corset
flew on 38 percent of all
missions flown by tf^e 4 4 ^
durmg tlpe warl
129 divided by 344 = 3 8 %
The 8-Ball Tails
Official Journal of The 44th B o m b Group Veterans
Association, Inc.
Compiled, written and published triyearly at 6304
Meadowridge Dr., Santa Rosa, CA 95409, Roy W. Owen,
President and Editor. Printed and mailed Bulk Rate at Salt
Lake City, U T under U S P S Permit #6923. Generally, the
material herein is non-copyright except when so noted.
The text and photos are otherwise reproduced from
personal photographs, diaries, memoirs or official USAAF
and USAF documents and photos which have been released
for publication. Except for copyright material, permission
is granted for the contents of this journal to be reproduced
for personal archives or the journal of other incorporated
non-profit Veterans organizations so long as this publication
is properly credited.
Those submitting letters, stories and photos to the
Editor or Historian must do so with the understanding
that this material will most likely be published as a matter
of interest to the members/subscribers of the Association
and this journal. While every attempt will be made to
answer all of the material received, there is no explicit or
implied guarantee that an answer will be provided or
published. Except for specific requests for the return of
original documents and photos, all material submitted will
become the property of The 44th Bomb Group Veterans
Association, Inc.
Due to space limitations and to ensure the clarity and
brevity of submitted material, the Publisher/Editor reserves
the editorial license to add, cut or otherwise modify all
submitted material so long as the original context of the
material is maintained.
�67th Squadron
(OLD) IRON CORSET
B-24H-30F0
Natural Metal Finish
42-95318 B
(Call letter changed to ] 12 October 1944)
C O M P L E T E D 129 MISSIONS!!
Returned to USA 29 May 1925
MAY
21st
22nd
23rd
24th
25th
27th
28th
29th
31st
1944
Thornton
Duwe
Thornton
Thornton
Thornton
Thornton
Thornton
Mueller
Duwe
Siracourt G H
Formation flying only
Avord A/F, France
Melun, France
Belfort M / Y
Saarbrucken, Germany - 1 st mission of day.
Zeitz, Germany
Politz Oil, Germany
Brussels, Belgium - Sortie credit with recall.
JUNE
03rd
08th
08th
10th
11th
12th
14th
15th
18th
20th
22nd
23rd
25th
1944
Duwe
Duwe
Gilbert
Gilbert
Duwe
Duwe
Gunton
Duwe
Duwe
Duwe
Starkey
Duwe
Duwe
Calais Area, France V-1
Angers M / Y (am mission)
?? Recalled (pm mission)
Orleans/Bricy A/F, France
Montfort Bridge and T O . Suspension Bridge
llliers L'Eveque A/F, France
Chateaudun A/F, France
Bridge - Tours to La Frilliers, France
Melun A/F, Germany
Politz Oil, Germany
St. Cyr A/F, France
Laon/Anthies A/F, France
Doullens Powerhouse, France
�1ULY
04th
06th
07th
08th
12th
13th
16th
20th
21st
24th
29th
31st
1944
Duwe
Duwe
???
Duwe
Duwe
Hyland
Duwe
Duwe
Duwe
???
Duwe
Honmyer
Beaumont-Le-Roger A/F, France
Kiel, Germany
Bernberg, Germany - no formation sketch
Zuid Beveland R.R. Bridge
Munich, Germany
Saarbrucken M/Y, Germany
Saarbrucken M/Y, Germany
Erfurt North A/F, Germany
Oberfaffenhofen Armament, Germany
St. Lo, France - Bombs not dropped, but Sortie credit
Oslebshausen/Bremen, Germany
Ludwigshafen Chemicals, Germany
AUG
01st
03rd
04th
05th
06th
07th
12th
13th
14th
15th
16th
24th
25th
26th
1944
Honmyhr
Honmyhr
Honmyhr
Honmyhr
Honmyhr
None
Honmyhr
???
Yatkones
Bakalo
Harris
Hurst
Hurst
Phillips
Corbie R.R. Bridge, France?
Mery-Sur-Oise, France
Kiel, Germany
Brunswick, Germany
Hamburg Oil Refinery, Germany
Available as a spare aircraft
Juvincourt A/D, France
Road Junction between Rouen and LeHarve (No F.S.)
Lyons/Bron A/D, France
Ardorf A / D near Wittmundhafer, Germany
Kothen Aircraft Factory, Germany
Langenhagen Airfield near Hanover, Germany
Schwern F W Assembly Plant, Germany
Salzbergen Oil, Germany
SEPT
05th
08th
09th
13th
18th
21st
22nd
26th
27th
30th
1944
Spagnola
Hurst
Hurst
Hurst
Hurst
Hurst
Harris
Struthers
Hurst
Spencer
Karlsruhe M/Y, Germany
Karlsruhe M/Y, Germany
Mainz M / Y and Worms M/Y, Germany
Schwabish/Hall Airfield, Germany
Best, Holland Low Level Troop Supply
Cancelled at take off time (Koblenz)
Kassel M/Y, Germany
H a m m M/Y, Germany
Kassel, Germany
Kassel, Germany
OCT
05th
06th
07th
09th
12th
14th
1944
Hurst
Hurst
Harris
Hurst
Hurst?
Yatkones
Lippstadt Airfield (Appelin Diary)
Hamburg Armament, Germany
Kassel Tank Factory, Germany
Koblenz M / Y (secondary), Germany
Achmer, primary; Osnabruck M/Y, secondary
Kaiserslautern M / Y (Call letter now J).
�15th
17th
18th
19th
25th
30th
Struthers
Kuklewicz
Kuklewicz
Kuklewicz
Kuklewicz
Hurst
NOV
1944
Spagnola
Hurst
01st
02nd
04th
08th
09th
10th
16th
18th
20th
21st
25th
26th
27th
29th
30th
DEC
???
Hurst
Hurst
Kuklewicz
Hurst
Hurst
Bethel
Kuklewicz
Hurst
Hurst?
Hurst
Hurst
Bledsoe
Cologne Ford Motor Works and Gerson M / Y
Nord M / Y at Cologne, Germany
Leverkusen Chemicles, Germany
Gustavaburg Diesel Plant, Germany
Gelsenkirchen Synthetic Oil, Germany
Hamburg/Uterson (TO.) Germany
Gelsenkirchen - Bauer Oil, Germany
Dortmund-Castrop Rauxel Syn. Oil, Germany
N o formation sketch
Enschede - Target of Opportunity
Metz Area - Ground Troop Support
Hanau Airfield near Frankdurt, Germany
Eschweiler - Aachen Ground Support
Mission scrubbed.
Bottrop - Recalled, no Sortie.
Harburg - Crude Oil, Germany
Binger M / Y Germany
Bielefeld Viaduct near Munster (no formation sketch)
Offenburg M/Y, Germany
Altenbecken - railroad viaduct
Neunkirchen M/Y, Germany
04th
10th
11th
12th
18th
24th
1944
Hurst
Bethel
Hurst
Hurst
Hinman
Collins
28th
29th
30th
Collins
Collins
Collins
Wetzlar or Kolschausen, Germany
Bingen M / Y Briefed, but did not bomb
Karlsruhe - Railroad Bridge
Aschaffenburg M / Y Germany
Mission recalled, no Sortie credit
# 2 Target - Pfaszel. 61 A / C bombed 4 targets.
Most for any mission of the war. Battle of Bulge.
Kaiserslautern RR Junction and Roads, Germany
Stadtkyle, Germany
Altenahr - Road/Rail Junction
JAN
1945
Crandell
Crandell
Bledsoe
Collins
Struthers
Collins
Collins
Kuklewicz
Chaille
Pilot's n a m e deleted. W a s aircraft flown?
Landau Ordnance, G e r m a n y
Burg Reuland R R Junction, G e r m a n y
Kaiserslautern M / Y , G e r m a n y
Hemmingstedt Oil Refinery, G e r m a n y
Villa Coublay with Dresden secondary
Dortmund Coking Plant, G e r m a n y
Munster, a target of opportunity
Hallendorf Steel and Blast Furnaces, G e r m a n y
01st
03rd
08th
13th
14th
16th
28th
29th
31st
�FEB
03rd
06th
09th
14th
15th
16th
20th
21st
22nd
23rd
24th
25th
28th
MAR
01st
02nd
03rd
04th
10th
11th
12th
15th
17th
18th
24th
25th
30th
31st
1945
Louik
Collins
Maynard
Collins
Collins
Harris
Collins
Collins
Struthers
Zanoni
Collins
Kuklewicz
Magdeburg M/Y, Germany (Abort with Engineer ill)
Magdeburg - secondary, M / Y
Magdeburg - secondary, M / Y
Magdeburg - secondary, M / Y
Magdeburg- primaryfinallyRothansee Oil Refinery
Kheine M / Y - secondary
Nurnburg- recalled with no Sortie credit
Numburg, Germany
Gottingen M/Y, Germany
Weimar Rail Center (44th's 3 0 0 mission, 106 for Iron Corset)
Misburg Oil, Germany
Aschaffenburg M/Y, Germany
Siegen M/Y, Germany
1945
Kuklewicz
Chaille
Louik
Hildebrand
Maynard
Chaille
Richardson
Richardson
Folland
Markle
Zanoni
Richardson
Richardson
Bledsoe
Ingolstadt M/Y, Germany
Magdeburg M/Y, Germany
Rothansee Oil Refinery near Magdeburg, Germany
Tutlinggen/Aach/Offenberg, Germany
Bielefeld RR Viaduct, Germany
Kiel Sub Pens and Docks, Germany
Wetzlar M/Y, Germany
Zossen Military Headquarters
Munster M/Y, Germany
Berlin, Germany
Stormede Landing Strip (second mission of day)
Hitzacker U G Oil Storage, Germany
Wilhelmshaven Docks, Germany
Brunswick (Sec), Germany
Lee
APRIL
1945
Zanoni
02nd
4th, 5 th, and 7th
08th
Richardson
09th
Lee
10th
Louik
11th
Lee
14th
Manro
16th
Berger
18th
Lee
20th
Swartz
25th
Lee
26th
???
Tirstrop Airdrome, Denmark - but recalled
N o formation sketches found. Cannot verify.
Bayreuth Ordnance Depot, Germany
Leipheim Airfield (Grunszberg) Germany
Parchim Airfield, S/E of Schwerin, Germany
Neumarket M/Y, Germany
Royan Nazi Garrison - French Coast
Landshut M/Y, Germany
Passau M/Y, Czech
Irlaching RR Junction (with) Schwandorf, Germany
Hallein M/Y, Austria - last mission of war
Prague Airfield - scrubbed!!
�THE PRESIDENT'S CORNER
There have been so many great things Gen. Dirk Jameson (Ret), former 44th SMW
happening lately it's hard to believe. The
crew member, 20th AF Commander and Vice
progress on the Savannah Museum display; Commander of Strategic Air Command is
the dedication of the 44th BG Memorial interested in coming to our reunion. This
Marker at Barksdale, the announcement thatmy mind, is the extended hand of friends
the 8th Air Force Museum would like to and recognition that each era of the 44th
repaint theB-24Jin their Air Museum to carry
its various roles and missions, must lo
the 44th BG markings; the news that our the other eras of the 44th heritage to jo
£6000 match fund grant to the Arrow-Air, and gather the strength necessary to stay
Ltd./44th BGVA Shipdham Museum non- We simply won't make it standing alone.
profit partnership has made them eligibleknow
for we can broaden our perspective from a
WWII Bomber outfit to one that shares t
U.K. Lottery and Local Council grants which
pride of having served our country under t
could exceed a million pounds, and finally,
44th colors no matter the mission or
the total success of our 44th BG Trip to
equipment assigned to accomplish the
England, France and Belgium. All of these
We must do whatever is necessary
are covered in separate stories within, mission.
but I
clasp hands and make an association for a
mention them here to illustrate what a great
44th'ers,' change the masthead and title
roll your Association is on. Who was it that
our journal, divide the content into int
said something like: better we close the (44th
areas organized by editors from each er
HMG) organization down rather than have our
Whatever it takes. If we are fortunate eno
widows do it for us?
to have some Missileers or Bomb Wing typ
This brings me back to one of my favorite
join us, grab those guys and wives and ge
Presidents Corner subjects; the perpetuation
of our Organization. My plea to the board'em into the hospitality room and into y
and to you, the members, is for someone toSquadron Dinners and introduce them and
make them welcome to the 44th Family. WE
take a risk and break that first commandment
NEED THEM AND THEY NEED US!
of Soldiering: "Never Volunteer for Anything"
by stepping forward and taking on the 8-Ball
Tails. This would allow me time to visit and
recruit the younger eras of 44th veterans
capable of carrying the 44th colors into the
next millennium. What brought this to mind
was a fax I recently received from Col. Charles
G. Simpson, Executive Director of the
Association of Air Force Missileers, formerly
of the 44th SMWand present member of the
44th BGVA. He and his wife were with us at
San Antonio. He plans to attend our Salt Lake
City Reunion and was requesting information
that he will pass on to several 44th SMW Vets
See you in Salt Lake,
living in the SLC/Ogden area in the hopes they
will attend. Additionally he noted that Lt.
President
�T w o years ago when w e abandoned the restoration of the old Shipdham Tower and the members approved
directing that money (about $11K) into a badly needed pilots lounge at Arrow Air Ltd, you will recall we
drew up a Funding and Construction Agreement to facilitate a £6000 grant from our Non-ProfitTax Exempt
Organization to the Arrow Air, Inc./44th B G V A partnership, with Arrow Air contributing matching funds.
Sometimes a small key will open a lock on a large door of opportunity otherwise inaccessible to t
without the proper credentials. Our little Funding and Construction Agreement, it seems, was the key that
opened the lock on the door to large amounts of grant money available to non-profit organizations. Our
agreement forming the non-profit partnership gave non-profit status to Arrow Air, Inc. and it is begiiining to
look like Pandora's Box has opened to the tune of 1 million plus from sources like the English Lottery, the
European Economic Council and Regional Council.
Arrow Air has contracted with the Owen Bond (not related to Roy and James) Architects of Norwich
design a new training/museum center on the old site which will house not only the Arrow Air fixed base
aviation training center and charter operation, but provide a permanent h o m e for a 44th B o m b Group
Heritage and Research Center. The Regional Council has also indicated they would look favorably upon the
addition of a new (not reconstructed) replica of the original Shipdham Tower as a tourist attraction. The
economic impact of this expansion on the town of Shipdham and the surrounding areaticklesthe imagination.
Especially when the name of the 44th will be indelibly stamped on those economic rewards that accrue to
"our town."
owgylbND
�®
11
Arrow Air Floor Plan
�ffSS 1S3J-SSS SBffl?
By: Roy Owen
I I'tll^i
Trie TOUR G R O U P
AT HAMPTON COURT, HENRY
TrIE EiQrlTrl's UTTIE ptACE \N TrIE COUNTRy.
To all of you unlucky folks who
decided to check your bets on our
England, France, Belgium trip and
stay h o m e or whatever, I'm not
gloating, just saying it is unfortunate
Kneeling L to R: Ken Adrian,
Joan Adrian, Dick Haft, Betty Haft, that you did, because it was the BIG
Terry Hynes, Mary Aston, Lee
ONE!
I must say, in all modesty, I
Aston, Cliff Fremstad.
really worked hard and the trip was
Standing Middle Row: Wade
Elliott, Jessie Elliott, Marilyn well planned, and, as advertised, it
Murrack, Loy Vance, Betty Lynch, was a memorial trip with the
Ruth Morse, Bev Folsom, Jerry
emphasis being travel to our
Folsom, Cloeme Dovey, Vi
beloved Shipdham, Station 115 and
Fremstad, George Apgar, Beryl
to the communities which have
Apgar, Lolly Owen.
established a 44th kinship by
Standing Back Row: Bob Vance, memorializing our comrades whose
Karl Grube, Marilyn Grube, Mel
combat service ended with the
Murrack, Dick Lynch, Roy Owen,
crash of their aircraft in or nearby
Perry Morse, Kevin Lundy, Diana
these villages and towns. Of course,
Lundy, Brice Williams, Arnold
we also visited American National
Dovey, Tony Cianci, Lois Cianci, Cemeteries near our route and the
Will Lundy (behind Irene), Irene Normandy Beaches to pay our
Lundy, Jim Caillier, DougMcPhail. respects, and we had plenty of "do
Not Shown: Lou DeBlasio, Ann
as you please" days, as well as
Natili, Don Wells, Gloria Wells, several day tours. The astounding
J.R. Reville.
part was the unexpected grand
things that happened at each major
stop and put on by the local people
which enhanced each event and
function far beyond what w e had
planned and were expecting.
12
There is so much to tell, and the
space limitations resulting from the
need to publicize our Reunion, this
replay will be done in two
installments. The first, covering the
England portion in this issue, and in
the Winter issue, featuring the
Europe portion of our trip.
Let's get started with m y BIG
B00-B00.1 can't hide from it and
m y skin is getting pretty thick from
all the ribbing I took over the whole
18 days from m y loving travel
mates, so here goes...About a month
or so before departure, I sent a
newsy letter to all m y travellers
full of useful information, like
amounts of luggage allowed, best
guess weather and what to wear,
etc. A N D TO BE CERTAIN
PASSPORTS W E R E IN ORDER.
Lolly, m y grandson, J.R. Reville,
and I took off from San Francisco
on schedule Monday, May 26 for
JFK, where w e were to rendezvous
with several others of the group for
a short layover, then board a Virgin
Air flight for London Heathrow at
7:00 p.m. As we reached the gate, a
young m a n checked our tickets and
passports. He announced that
�Lolly's and m y passports had expired in February. W e
stood helplessly by as they removed us from the flight,
somehow got our checked baggage off the airplane, as
we waved good-bye to m y travel group-me, T H E
LEADER, waving bye-bye to m y troops. Long story
short; Delta Airlines very nicely took responsibility for
not picking up the expiration at SFO. Put us up at the
Holiday Inn, JFK; the next morning early (6:15) we
took a cab into Rockefeller Center, Manhattan ($43).
We managed, after some BIG TIME bureaucratic hurdle
jumping to get new passports issued ($55 each),
expedited processing ($30 each) and got back to the
hotel by 11:30 a.m. (another $43 cab fare). $256 and
24 hours later, w e boarded the same scheduled flight
we were to be on the previous night and got into
London and reached the Kensington Hilton Hotel just
time to check-in, brush our teeth and join the
scheduled tour of Hampton Court with the rest of the
tour group and let the ribbing begin!
REAdy foR A
PASSPORT
when we learned that Marilyn Murrack had been up
most of the night suffering with something stuck in
her throat. Mel took her to an E R and whatever it was
(suspected fish bone), they dislodged and made an
appointment for her to see an ENT Doctor at 9:00 a.m.
So we left without them, and after seeing the doctor,
they came on up to Norwich on the train. She had an
abrasion in the throat which was painful for a couple of
days, then was A-OK for the rest of the trip. N o w this
sounds like an ill fated trip at this point, what with our
passport problem and Marilyn's throat, but not so. The
only other problem w e had the rest of the trip was in
the Mercure Hotel in Rouen, when Arnie Dovey
decided to take a bath and got stuck sitting down in the
narrow tub. He called to Cloeme for help and when she
was unable to dislodge him, she called the front desk
for help and they sent a w o m a n to free him from his
entrapment. Cloeme left the room to come to the bar
for a drink since Arnie was unable to pour and serve.
We never found out how his escape was managed.
When he did appear, he was decidedly
uncommunicative.
Steve Adams, our U.K. Representative, met us at
the hotel to join us as we mounted our bus. The trip to
Cambridge was uneventful and we made a stop at the
always beautiful American Cemetery at Maddingly. All
along the Wall of Missing all of the floral wreaths were
placed appropriately below the unit markers from the
celebration of Memorial Day. The 44th wreath,
annually placed by the long serving John Page, was a
beautiful replica of the Flying Eightball, even to the
Red, White, Green and Yellow striped nose. We boarded
the bus again to complete the trip to Norwich and our
home for three nights, the Norwich Hotel. A great
dinner followed by, you guessed it, a fine Pub session
that put us to bed ready for the next day.
We split about even the next day, some going on the
scheduled bus tour to Sandringham Castle, which our
great bus driver, John, enhanced by taking the coast
route through Kings Lynn and Great Yarmouth. The
rest chose to spend the free day in Norwich. The
ladies shopped and the m e n went to the Temporary
2nd Air Division Memorial Library where librarians
Christine Snowdon and Lesley Fleetwood guided and
assisted our research for a couple of hours. Somehow
we all managed to gather at the Bell Hotel Pub for a
great afternoon lunch and prolonged pub session. In
fact we had one corner of the pub filled and the locals
found that the 44th was back in town! That night after
dinner, the Hotel pub was again filled with 44th'ers and
ChEck
The next morning w e were ready to board the bus for
Norwich via the American Cemetery at Cambridge
3
�locals. We had a big session of our people autographing
B-24 pictures. Also joining us that evening was Chris
Ling, the architect of the new Arrow-Air Complex (See
article on Pages 11 and 12).
The big day we all were waiting for was Sunday. We
loaded onto the bus and left for Shipdham at 10:00 am.
When we arrived at the Shipdham Church for what we
thought was to be a small Memorial Service at our
Memorial Marker in the churchyard, we were greeted
by what appeared to be at least half the town, followed
by a full Sunday Service in the Church. We then exited
to the marker where we had a beautiful laying of
wreathes ceremony with the British Colors born by
Don Dodd of the British Legion and our own Louis
DeBlasio, 506th B.S.
lunches. Mr. Doubleday, a nurseryman, bought the old
Rix farm, not knowing that he had also bought into a
package of WWII history. He has vowed (and has
already repaired all the roof sections that were
allowing the rains to damage building interiors) to
restore the complex to its wartime state as a memorial
to the 14th C B W and 44th BG. We have acquired a new,
and very welcome member of the 44th Family. Our
second surprise of the day!
Following lunch and a tour around the entire
perimeter of the base, we made for the Arrow-Air
Centre for the main event. We had invited some 125
English friends and 44th B G supporters to join us for
an open bar cocktail reception, followed by a U.S.A.
style barbecue and hangar dance. Unfortunately the
late afternoon wind came up forcing us to abandon the
dance, so we concentrated on drinking and eating. I
had asked each member of the tour to bring along a
bottle of wine to be served during the meal. The drinks
and wine flowed freely. The food was gobbled down,
everyone had a big fun time, children included, all paid
for by our Tour Operator, Waterhouse Tours of
Eastbourne. We had an R A F Lancaster fly-by, and the
highlight of the day was a short presentation
ceremony in which your President, on behalf of the
entire 44th Membership, presented a check in the
amount of £6000 ($9,600) to our U.K. Representative,
Steve Adams, as our contribution to the Arrow-Air
Centre, Inc./44th BGVA non-profit matching funds
venture. This is to be applied to a new Training Centre
on the site of the present facility (see the story on
pages 11 and 12). It was a party the likes of which
Shipdham has never before seen-AND T H E Y LOVED IT!
When the new training centre opens, we just may go
over for another one!
After a short visit to the Shipdham Heritage Center
located in the Village Cemetery, we loaded the bus
again with our guide Steve Adams for our tour of all
the squadron and composite sites, conveniently
stopping at the old 14th C B W site at noon for a tour
and box lunch picnic hosted by Mr. Andrew Doubleday
and his son who furnished all the liquid refreshments
and desserts to accompany our Hotel Norwich packed
14
�Roy O W E N QREEHNq UNCIA WATSON,
W e also visited the aircraft reconstruction hangars
where the vintage aircraft are completely taken apart
and rebuilt from square one. Had a great lunch-great
gift/memorabilia shop, and then on to Eastbourne and
the beautiful old Lansdowne Hotel right on the
beachfront promenade. Dinner was the first of daily
fine meals (by this time everyone is hooked on that
GOOD English Bacon for breakfast).
At 10:00 a m the next day, w e went by bus, first for
a tour of Eastbourne which was highlighted by a wine
reception at the City Hall by Her Honor The Mayoress
of Eastbourne. W e then embarked upon a bus tour of
Sussex Herstmonceux Castle where w e had coffee.
ThE 506Tri " M U M . "
June 2, Day 7, w e hit the road, again headed for
Eastbourne via the new American Air Museum at R A F
Duxford. W e spent three hours touring the beautiful
new facility. They are putting the final touches on the
dramatic museum building itself. All of the airplanes
are in place with workers busy doing the last touch up
and positioning.
ThE TOURiSTS AT HERSTMONCEuk CASTIE.
ThE AMERJCAN AiR M U S E U M AT DuxfoRd.
ThE TOURiSTS.
Then on to Hastings where William of Normandy
defeated King Harold II of England in 1066. In the
afternoon, w e visited Bodiam Castle where w e also
were treated to a Cream Tea (sweet clotted cream and
scones).
�On Day 9, June 4, we left the hotel at 9:30 to visit
the "Ruthless" Memorial on the South Downs (beautiful
hills overlooking Eastbourne). There w e had our next
big surprise, as w e were greeted by what must have
been 150 people which included The Honorable Nigel
Waterson, Member of Parliament; The Mayoress Beryl
Healy; Lt. Col. Pat Mullen, USAF, representing the U.S.
Ambassador; a full flight of members of The Royal
British Legion bearing the colors of their units and
representing cities and towns from all of Sussex;
Reverend John Ashby; Mr. Kevin Watson, our staunch
supporter who designed, organized and led the
financing campaign to construct the "Ruthless"
Memorial, and most importantly, 87 year old Mr.
Arthur King, who witnessed the 506th Sqdn. B-24
crash on Butts Brow above his home, and rather than
have the James Bolin crew be forgotten, he faithfully
returned to the site and placed flowers there each
year on the anniversary of their deaths.
M R . ARrhuR KiNq ANCJ his (JATE MouwiNq OUR bus FOR rhE
TRip TO Buns B R O W .
After a welcome and introductory prayer by Rev.
Ashley, your President, assisted by his grandson, JR.
Reville, was honored to place the first of several
beautiful wreathes at the base of the Memorial. The
sounding of TAPS by Major Jimmy Howe was followed
by a minute of silence before The Exhortation was
made by Mr. Frederick Gorusch, President of
Williingdon Branch, Royal British Legion. The 23rd
Psalm was read by Group Captain A. (Bertie) Wallace,
CBE DFC. He was followed by Councillor Ron Parsons,
Mayor of Eastbourne when the Memorial was
dedicated. He gave a very touching memorial address.
This was responded to by Lt. Col. Mullen who paid
tribute on behalf of the USAF for the highest standards
of human service and sacrifice for country set by this
crew for which they will be forever remembered. All
then sang "Mine Eyes Have Seen The Glory" and the
ceremony was closed by a Benediction and the singing
of "The Star Spangled Banner" and "God Save the
Queen."
BEJNq qREETEd by hER H O N O R TIIE MAYORESS BERyl
HEAK/ ANd M P NiqEl WATERSON.
ThE RoyAl BRiTish LEqioN EASTbouRNE iN TIIE IOWER bAckqRouNd.
16
�J.R.
REVUIE
ANd Roy
ON
pkciNq rhE 44rh BoMb
rhE "RuThlEss" MEMORJAI.
OWEN
G R O U P WREATII
The surprises continued as w e mounted the bus
and were taken to the Royal Air Force Association Club
as honored guests for a buffet luncheon. That evening
we donned our jackets, ties and elegant party dresses
to attend a gala dinner hosted by Mayoress Healy and
Her Honor and escort former Mayor Maurice Skilton
and the Owens, receiving the blend of Eastbourne and
44th guests so beautifully announced as they entered
by Toastmaster Thomas F. Crammer in full livery.
TOASTMASTERT.F. CRAMMER.
ThE "RuThlESS MEMORiAl.
17
�O U R TREASURER ANd his bRids BEV,
ToNy CiANci, BEny HArr, Dick HATT ANd Lois CiANci REAdy foR rhE
ThE hoNEyMOON coupUl
GAIADJNNER.
A N N NArili iN ThE NEXT R O W .
After the saying of Grace, the Mayoress proposed a
toast to Her Majesty The Queen. Councillor Ron
Parsons then proposed a toast to our President, then
gave a most complimentary welcome address directed
to our members in which he stated it was the hope that
the bond of friendship that was now forged between
their city and our group would remain a permanent
one in which w e would always be welcome to return.
After response by Colonel Owen, the party turned
to a beautiful four course dinner prepared by the
Lansdowne Hotel staff. The wonderful surprise here
was the elegance of the entire evening. After a cap-off
of after dinner brandy in the bar, the travellers bade
farewell to their Eastboure friends and made off to
rest for the 7:30 a m departure for N e w haven and the
ferry voyage to Dieppe, France.
W e will conclude the highlights (more surprises) of the
Europe portion of the BIG TRIP
in the Winter issue of
The 8-Ball Tails.
Stay Tuned.
LUNCh ANd "P"
srop O N rhE
WAy fROM
LONdON TO
NoRwich.
STEVE AdAiws
AbouT TO qET
O N rhE bus.
18
m
�THE
RUTHLESS
MEMORIAL
Their shadows hover round the stone,
Which signifies their search for truth
They fought for justice far from home,
Without that gentle touch from Ruth.
Young men who came across the sea,
To calm the turbulence which spread,
Across a continent at war,
N o w lie at peace, their armor shed.
Yet every day their spirits rise,
To view this green and scenic land,
They love to walk these ancient hills,
Together still, one faithful band.
They meet with Saxon men of yore,
W h o rest in tumuli close by,
Their spirits bound as brave m e n are,
They float contented in the sky.
When springtime flowers raise their heads,
They smile, at colours white and blue,
The gentle breeze then spreads the scent,
Towards the clouds where young m e n flew.
We men whose lives are nearly spent,
Pass on this knowledge to our breed,
That sacrifices w e recall,
Will live forever like a creed.
Fear not, we guard their memory,
A n d walk the path towards their tomb,
W e b o w our heads and say a prayer,
For cousins resting heath the combe.
19
®
�466Th BoMb G R O U P B-24J ON dispUy AT 8rh AF MUSEUM, BARksdAlE AFB, LA
wirh N E W 44rh BoMb G R O U P MEMORJAI MARkER iN pbvcE.
BARKSDALE MEMORIAL DEDICAT
A group of 62 men and women of the 44th Bomb Group Veterans Association gathered in Shreveport, LA on t
weekend of May 3, 1997, to take part in the dedication of a beautiful granite marker and bronze plaque pla
the 8th Air Force Museum Memory Walk at Barksdale AFB. The memorial marker commemorates the assignment
of the 44th Bomb Group to Barksdale Fieldfrom February until July, 1942 and memorializes our 44th comra
who have made the ultimate sacrifice in their service to our country.
The beautiful ceremony was organized and programmed by the staff of Mr. Harold D. "Buck" Rigg, Direct
Curator of the 8th Air Force Museum and Tech/Sgt. Ray Grillo, Museum NCOIC. Protocol matters were hand
by Staff/Sgt. Candace Wilkinson of 2nd Bomb Wing Headquarters.
20
®
�The Dedication was attended by Lt. Gen. Phillip and Mrs. Ford
and Col. and Mrs. Andrew Smoak. General Ford is 8th Air Force
Commander and Colonel Smoak commands the 2nd Bomb Wing. The
scene of the ceremony was in the Museum briefing room; a replica of
the Nissan Hut briefing rooms familiar to all who served in the WWII
8th Air Force. Appropriately hung over the entrance was our Flying
Eight-Ball Affixed to a 100# "Blue Devil" bomb and next to the podium
was a large layout ofAF Station 115, Shipdham Air Field, England;
wartime base of the 44th Bomb Group.
President Roy Owen opened the ceremony with a welcome and
introduction of the honored guests. After posting of the colors,
Chaplain (Father) Randy Roberts gave the Invocation. Col. Owen
followed with a briefcombat history ofthe 44th B.G. Then introduced
Brig. General John Gibson, one of the two living 44th combat
commanders who made the profferance of the memorial to the 8th
Air Force Museum. After the unveiling by our members Ed "Mike "
Mikoloski, lead navigator on the 14 May 1943 Kiel, Germany mission
and Reginald "Phil" Phillips, pilot on 1 August 1943 low level raid
on the Ploesti, Rumania oil refinery, Colonel Andrew Smoak accepted
the memorial on behalf of 8th Air Force.
Col. C I E M
HAUIMAN AT ENTRANCE TO BRisfiNq R O O M .
Col. Ed Mikoloski ANd "Phil" Phillips
hAviNq JUST uNVEiUd ThE 44rh
MEMORJAI PIAQUE.
On the 44th side of the project, we were most fortunate to have our Colonel (Ret) Clem Haulman, who, al
he lives 200 milesfromShreveport, was our main man on this project. He worked with Will Lundy on the d
the plaque, made all the contacts on Barksdale and saw to the procurement of the granite marker and th
On top ofall that, he wore his complete WWII pinks and green uniform (25 mission crush on the hat as we
really made it possible to manage this projectfromafar was having Captain Jeffrey Swegel, son of our
Bob and Noreen Swegel, a B-52 Instructor pilot and Combat Crew Commander in the 20th Bomb Squadron
Barksdale who volunteered to act as eyes and ears for Clem in taking care to see all ofthe details on the
into place. We owe them both a big THANK
YOU!
21
®
�The element of the ceremony most touching to 44th members present was the obviously displayed admiration a
respect heldfor them by the Active Duty Air Force;firstby the great "Barksdale Welcome " extended to us by t
Base; then by the 44th presence displayed in the Museum, also the placement ofour memorial in the place ofhon
directly infrontof the B-24 on display, but most beautifully articulated by Colonel Andy Smoak in his acce
of the memorial:
"General Ford, General Gibson, General Moore, Colonel Owen, members ofthe 44th Bomb Group
Veterans Association and honored guests. It is my privilege to be apart ofthis momentous occasion.
The 44th left a rich tradition rooted in the ultimate sacrifices ofbrave men who answered the call to
battle to preserve afreeworld. This honorable heritage includes some ofthe mostfamous battles in
history, and helped build the legacy that would become known as "The Mighty Eighth. " We will
never forget you who carry the torch oftheir memory which lights the way ofwe who walk the same
path. May this illumination make it possible for us to walk in your footsteps. This monument is a
testimony to those endeavors, and will preserve their memory for future generations. As 2nd Bomb
Wing Commander, and an heir to that glorious birthright, I am proud to carry on the tradition and
promise to uphold the high standards set so long ago. On behalf of the 8th Air Force Museum, I
thank you, not only for this memorial, but for your sacrifices made in service to your country. God
Bless you all."
TOM HOIMES, R. H. "Phil" Phillips ANd TOM LANdRUM ATTENd ThE SATURdAy EVENiNq
REqioNAl MEEriNq AITER ThE DEdicATioN C E R E M O N Y
LETT TO
Riqk: Col.
G E M HAUIMAN, Col.
Roy
OWEN,
B / G E N . HowARd M O O R E , B / G E N . jAck GibsoN
22
�F E E D B A C K O N T H E KIEL RAID
This letter comes from Harvey C. Compton of Alba, Dear Will:
Texas, who with Robert E. Kolliner were in the Abernethy
I received the latest issue of Eight Ball Tails and the
crew photo on Page 4 of the last issue (Spring, 1997) of Kiel Raid of 14 May, 1943. The photo of Ab's crew is of
the 'TAILS." Compton went with Kolliner w h e n he got his his original crew. They are:
own crew in April. They were on Abernethy's right wing
Back Row: L to R
on the Kiel Raid. The Interrogation Form for the Abernethy
Minder - Bombardier (William H.)
crew lists to the composition of the crew for the Kiel Raid.
Abernethy - Pilot (Robert J.)
The changes were: Col. L E O N W . J O H N S O N , C o m m a n d
Kolliner - Co-Pilot (Robert E.)
Pilot; SPENCER S. H U N N , Co-Pilot, E D MIKOLOSKI,
Toczyl - Navigator (Benjamin R.)
Kneeling: L to R
Navigator, E A R L E. G O O D M A N , Radio, W I L L A R D W .
S/Sgt. Ray Sheldon, Tail Gunner
SCOTT, Engineer,- J O H N A. R O M E O , R. Waist Gun,
S/Sgt. Kirt Jarvis, Waist Gunner
BERNARD G. T R A U G H T , Hatch, H O W A R D M. LUCAS, L
T/Sgt. Harvey Compton, Engineer
Waist Gun, W A L T E R L. S U M M E Y , Tail Gun.
S. Sgt. Kelly Morrison, Waist Gun
T.Sgt Frank Capuano, Radio Operator
Editor: Sorry about the mix up. My "working document
Lt.
Kolliner
was made a 1st pilot in April, 1943 and
listed only the pilots and aircraft. As a "make-up," I've
come by most of the names of the B7th Sq. Personnel who w a s not part of our crew on the Kiel mission. Capt.
were in the "Sweating; It Out" cover photo. Can anyoneAbernethy was leading the formation with Lt. Kolliner on
name the officer standing in the center of the other Ab's right wing (#2), while Lt. Reed was on his left (#3).
Lt. Reed was having a little trouble holding formation
unknowns?
so these two wing m e n switched positions. On the urn in,
Reed's plane was hit in the top turret - must have been by
All 67th Squadron Personnel
a rocket or 20 to 4 0 m m shell. The turret was totally
# 1 Jeep:
demolished and severely wounded Sgt. Wygonic. The radio
Left to Right
operator, Sgt. Perry, put a parachute on T/Sgt. Wygonic
Mike Curtin, standing - Rose Hager, one head,
and
moved him to the catwalk where he sat for a short
unknown,- Charlie Arthur,- sitting: Richard Ward, I
believe, standing,- Officer Voorheese,- two unknowns due time. A short time later he was gone, and I never heard if
he made it or not. (Yes, his chute opened, landed in Kiel
to faintness,- and Joe Bailey. Standing beside jeep and was immediately taken to the hospital and survived.)
George Baccash.
Reed's airplane also was hit in # 2 engine and in the
Officer in-between jeeps - unknown.
left
vertical stabilizer. The top half was sheared off and
# 2 Jeep
the left main gear dropped down. The plane fell off sharply
On hood
to the right, and I thought that they surely were goners.
Left to Right
But after landing and debriefing, w e heard he was coming
Edward Hanley and Freddie Marsh. On hood standing,
in! The crew bailed out and were picked up OK. Lt. Reed
M/Sgt. Line Chief Ralph Illick. Standing against jeep,
had a n e w gunner from the Armament shop. W h e n he
Emery Shimmel. Last unknown.
came up to our CO. Major Hodges, I believe it was, he
See photo on cover page of Spring, 1997
threw
his bundled up parachute down and said, 'There's
^^^^
Vol. 2 Issue 2 for more detail.
your blankity-blank receipt. I quit!!" And he went back to
the Armory. W h o could blame him?
Capt. Robert J. Abernethy's crew that day was: 2nd Lt.
Spencer Hunn, Co-pilot,- Ed Mikolowsi, Navigator, 1st Lt.
William H. Minder, Bombardier,- T/Sgt. Earl E. Goodman,
| Radio, T/Sgt. Willard W Scott, Top Turret, John A. Romeo,
I R.W./ S/Sgt. Bernard G. Traudt, Hatch, S/Sgt. Walter L.
Summey, Tail Gun,- S/Sgt. Howard M. Lucas, L.W., and Col
Leon W Johnson, Command.
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�MORE FEEDBACK F R O M T H E KIEL
RAID
This comes to us from Col. (Ret) Jim
O'Brien
5129 Baptist Road
Pittsburgh, PA 1526-1719
operator, grabbed thefireextinguisher and
redirected thefireenough which enabled him to
use his heel to kick one bomb bay door open about
20 inches. Although heavyfirefilledthe bomb
bay, that small opening provided the only escape
route for the four of us on the flight deck.
T h e Navigator, John Bledsoe and
Bombardier, Norius Crisan, saw that no one was
on the flight deck, and they then parted company
with the aircraft. The boys from the ear of the
aircraft, including Castillo, landed in the water
in Kiel Bay. All were picked up by German shore
patrols, but Harold VanOyen drowned when he
got tangled in his parachute shroud lines. H e
always told m e that he would drown if he landed
in water, because he couldn't swim and was afraid
of water. The six crewmen from thefrontof the
aircraft landed on terra firm about 20 miles
northwest of Kiel. MacHowell's chute opened, but
it had one panel torn from the bottom to the top
of the umbrella. I saw the torn chute and did not
k n o w it was Howell until the German Luftwafe
medic told m e "The little m a n in the yellow suit
is dead." It was a long time before I could believe
that Howell was dead. I concluded that his chute
was hit by some of those 30 caliber shells which
were bouncing off the armor plate of our pilot
seats. For those w h o don't know, w e crewmen
used the British chest pack snap-on chutes which
w e had to store behind our seats while flying. It
w a s pure confusion finding the chutes and
buckling them onto the chest rings.
The top turret gunner, Kenneth McCabe,
should have received the credit for destroying the
G e r m a nfighterswhich were teasing us after w e
left the target area. H e kept shouting through
his oxygen mask, "Lower the wing. Lower the
Wing" while they were flying along side of us. Of
course, Howell and I were trying tofigureout how
long w e were going to last.
The way I have described this story m a y seem
very casual and sober, but believe me, it was pure
panic midst the hellish noise of full R P M on the
two right engines, flak, our 50 caliber guns firing
constantly, G e r m a n shells exploding on the flight
deck and a strong odor of leaking gasoline ready
Dear Roy,
After returning h o m e from m y snowbird
refuge in Arizona, I finally cleaned up m y box of
unforwarded mail and w a s able to read through
the Spring issue of the 8 Ball Tails which featured
the Kiel Raid of 14 M a y 1943. Although I have
played that m e m o r y over m a n y times as a
member of the crew of the "Rugged Buggy" (AC
41-23819, Bar A), I was magnetically drawn to
that narrative of extreme hazards w e
encountered that day. T h e declassified Secret
debriefing reports really confirmed m y o w n
assessment of the mission. I have had m y "There
I Was" story published several times, most
recently under the title, "One Hazard Too Many,"
referring to the broken bundles of incendiaries
coming back through the formation on a negative
trajectory while MacHowell and I were trying to
keep the plane in formation.
It is now ancient history, but I would like to
correct the report on what happened to 819 BarA that day. W h e n flak knocked out our two left
engines, our fate was sealed. Dick Castillo w a s
wounded by M E 109 shells that exploded his
ammunition box, and he was pulled from his rear
turret by the waist gunners, Jim M a c C a m m a n d
and Harold VanOyen. They d u m p e d h i m out of
the plane, pulling his rip cord for him. They and
John Husselton then bailed out because they had
no communication with the pilots. W e five
crewmen up front did not k n o w they had bailed
out, and we continued on over the target dropping
the bomb load and returned with the Group for
home. After about ten minutes, w e soon had
German fighters flying escort, one off the right
wing and one off the left wing. A n M E 109 w a s
sitting right below the tail and giving steady
bursts of cannon and 30 caliber shells and tracers.
As Howell and I fully anticipated, some of those
tracers ignited the fuel leaking in the b o m b bay, to pop.
O n efinalnote on this mission. W e lostfiveB^ d the game was over. The b o m b bay doors were
shut and there was no hydraulic pressure to open 24's over the target and one back in England
them, but dear old Ralph Ernst, the radio i w h e n the crew had to bail out. One B-17 was also
�shot down. One month later, 13 June 1943, the May 17, 1997
mighty B-17's went to the same target and lost
Dear Jim:
20 aircraft without any B-24's to escort them.
Keep up the good work with our Association Thank you for the great letter that reach
yesterday. I want to tell you that your recou
Sincerely,
what was going on in the front of "Rugged Buggy
Jim O'Brien
while you were under that fierce attack is exa
we at
are reaching out for with the format
P.S. One of the original 44th types, still what
flying
age 78...The enclosed photo shows John Bledsoe The 8-Ball Tails. I stated in our third issu
and m e at his home in Tucson last April, 1997. we were going from a reactive editorial pol
where we plead for our members to write in an
John and I and Norius Crisan from Las Vegas
are the only crewmen of the "Rugged Buggy" who tell us their stories, then sit and wait (wit
are left. Dick Castillo died in 1995 at Springfield, meager results), to a format where we feature
Ohio. Ralph Ernst died in 1985 in Jacksonville, aircraft, combat crews, ground crews and supp
A R and Kenneth McCabe died in 1985 in Dekalb, people, hoping that naming names and dates o
IL. I have never heard from Husselton or
aircraft, missions and crews would stimula
M a c C o m m o n d in the 52 years.
memories long tucked away, unshared and, jus
as you have so vividly related, shared with al
comrades the first hand story of what went on
the front of the fatally wounded "Rugged Bugg
Stories like yours are what Will Lundy calls
gravy" that blends together the meat and
potatoes, or the facts and statistics of a co
unit history. What I'm saying here is that yo
made my day!
Many thanks,
Roy
JiM O'BRJEN
(LEIT)
& JohN BIECISOE (Riqk).
Editor: Boy! What I wouldn't give if some of the
rest ofyou guys would loosen up and write letters
like this one to me. I was remarking to Will Lundy,
ifI could get around and tape all of the great "war
stories" that you guys sit around and tell one
another after "honkin' down" a few in the
Hospitality Room at the Reunion, maybe I'd be
able to do more "fill-in" from the Debriefing forms,
'cause most of you go back home and "go off the
air" again.
�^Beating the Bushes
^
By Art Hand & Will Lundy
June, 1997
CLINTON G. FAUST: 12533 Butler Road, Crocker, MO 65435. Clinton served with the 44th at Barks
Field in 1943.66th Squadron.
JEFFREYDIETFRING: 11916 Lakeside Drive, #160, Overland Park, KS 66213. Jeffrey is grandson of
Donald Maule.
HOWARD S. GEISELMAN, JR.: 708 Prospect Avenue, Waynesboro, PA 17268. Howard was with the
44th B G at Barksdale, but was transferred to the 98th B G when that Group was formed out of the 44th.
RALEIGH A. GLASSOCK: RR #8, Mocksville, NC 27028. Raleigh served with the 44th BG at Barksdal
Field.
CLYDE F. GORDON: 2528 Sink Street, Winston Salem NC 27107. Clyde was a radio operator, joined
68th Squadron on October 5,1943.
WILLIAM A. LUNDQUIST: 4003 South Greystone Lane, Spokane, WA 99223. William joined the 68th
Squadron on 2/19/45. He was a pilot, flew with Robert's crew. Flew back to the states in A/C #44-49425.
Progress on the Savannah M u s e u m Display
By Roy O w e n
All of the membership should, by now, be aware that the plan for the 44th Bomb Group display
case at the Mighty 8th Air Force M u s e u m at Savannah is to be a small scale replica of the 44th Lead
Element attacking Target White 5, Columbia Aquila Refinery at Ploesti.
W e commissioned Kieth St. Aubin, a free-lance professional model maker for the movie industry, to
produce four 2 7 inch wing span B-24 D models with the appropriate serial numbers, name, Flying 8Ball logo, and nose art of Suzy Q , Horse Fly, Buzzin' Bear and the borrowed 376th plane which went
over the target in the # 3 position o n Col. Johnsons left wing. Kieth notified m e that the models were
completed and I m a d e a one day flying trip to his h o m e in Canoga Park on Sunday, April 13 to inspect
and accept the models prior to shipment to our display Project Officer, T o m Parsons in Atlanta.
I must say, there is nothing like doing business with a real professional! Just inspecting the models
made m e anxious to see the finished display w e envision. Each of the models is complete in every
authentic detail and will be shipped in its individual custom built container.
As I write this, T o m has received the models and has delivered them to Savannah. H e will n o w go
out for bids for a professional firm to construct a scale model replica of the target area as it looked just
before b o m b release by the lead element; flames, s m o k e and all. T h e model aircraft will be suspended
from the glass top of the display case by monofilament fishing line to position each in its proper
Position during the attack. It is our intent to produce a replica of this most historic m o m e n t for the 44th
which w e intend will be the defining display of the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum. W e will keep you
posted on the progress our project team of T o m Parsons and John McClain are making as they go
along.
27
�overgrowth of brambles, cleaning out the
buildings and making many repairs. He hopes to
restore more building, save the wall art and
What do I say - where can I start? W e have just
perhaps add a mini-museum (if all goes well).
returned from an extra week in England, following
Bless him!
the G R A N D T O U R by s o m e 44thers through
A short visit was m a d e to Maddingly on the way
England, France, Belgium - and a m really suffering
from jet lag, fatigue and so many emotional highs! up to Norwich, and another few hours stop at
Duxford on the way back. Thanks to the efforts of
So many great things happened in so short a time
that I can't get them in order, or get them from m y Steve Adams, not only for our stay in Norwich, but
for the special attention w e got at Duxford. W e
head. IT W A S SUPER! Just like the postcards from
were
given a tour of the n e w 8th AF building,
vacationing friends, "Having a great time - wish
which will be officially opened by the Queen in
you were here" is most appropriate.
August. It is an impressive, unique building, full of
Surely Roy Owen, our Tour Coordinator and
Leader, will tell you all about the Tour, but I can't interesting aircraft and hopefully will some day
include a B-24.
refrain from adding m y viewpoints. So, forgive m e
Two years ago, Kevin Watson managed to honor
for duplicating many experiences. I a m sure that it
our
"Ruthless" plane and the ten m e n from the
will be difficult for Roy to condense all of these
Bolin crew which died in the crash near
emotional events into one issue of the "Tails."
Eastbourne. Mainly by Kevin's efforts, a large
London is still London, loaded with history and
so many famous places to visit. But this time, Irene memorial stone was placed at the crash site and a
very moving ceremony conducted at that site. The
and I were pleased to have our younger son,
Mayor of Eastbourne honored the few of us who
Kevin and his lovely wife, Diana, along to share
were
there by inviting us to the famous city hall
nine of those days with us. During the one day
and a reception.
"on our own," w e four visited the Tower of
Just two years later, Kevin again was the planner
London, enjoying the words from our guide, and
and
leader of another wonderful two days in his
seeing the sights. Naturally the exhibits of the
fair city. And this time our reception was even
many heavily jeweled crowns were well packed
more memorable, like w e were long missing
with tourists like us, but what jewels! The real
family
returning home. The city opened their arms
McCoy! O n to St. Pauls Cathedral which withstood
to us - w e were family. Once again our Lt. Bolin
the bombings of the war, and where a Roll of
crew were honored with a larger memorial service
Honor book displays the names of Americans
killed in action; and finally, the Westminster Abbey up on Butts Brow high above the city. The view
in all its grandeur. W e nearly got lost w h e n trying from there is extraordinary with a wide view of the
city, the Channel, the green fields and rolling hills.
to exit that ancient building. Of course, w e
O n e could not have picked a more suitable site
utilized the "Tube" to get from one place to the
for a memorial marker and a service. It was
other, and did not miss Harrods on the way back
beautiful in all ways.
to the hotel.
Our last evening was capped with a Gala
I a m sure that the good folks of Shipdham have
Banquet, and that truly is what it was. The meal
not been the same after the afternoon and
was
super, many local honored guests were there
evening at Arrow-Air Centre. Over 50 guests were
to join us, toasts were m a d e by many, wine and
invited to join us there in a free bar and a
champagne flowed freely. Another emotional
barbecue, but it seemed there were larger
numbers than that. Too, Kevin Watson and George night.
Our son, Kevin and Diane, along with Dick and
Dixon arrived from Eastbourne to help us
Betty Haft, returned to London and home, while
celebrate the reunion. Earlier in the day, our coach
the
rest of us joined Kevin Watson and his fathertook us to the various old sites on the base,
in-law Tony for the remainder of the tour. W e
stopped at the 14th C B W site to enjoy a lunch and
drinks, thanks to the generosity of Mr. Doubleday. caught an early ferry over to Dieppe, France. As
He is converting that site to a nursery (plants) and soon as w e drove off the ramp in our nice new
coach, w e were flagged down by our new French
is making great progress in clearing the
WILL SEZ
28
m
�friends, JP Marie and Joel Huard. W e were late due
to a late departure from Newhaven, and the
French had many great plans in store for us. They
wanted to take a detour, even before w e reached
our hotel in Rouen to visit a crash site at Villers
Ecalles.
In the months preceding this tour, Roy had been
contacted byJP Marie (through Joel w h o acted as
an interpreter) to obtain data on the 44th BG
plane which had been shot d o w n on 8 March 1943
during an attack on the railway yards in Rouen.
Roy deferred the request on to m e , and as it
turned out, quite appropriately so. The plane was
flown by Capt. C.E. Price. The aircraft's n a m e was
Miss Dianne. Price and seven of his crew were
KIA, including Roy E. Goaline, a ground crewman
who volunteered for combat. Roy was a personal
friend. Miss Dianne was "my" plane, one I had
lovingly cared for since its arrival at Shipdham on
10 October 1942. The three survivors included
Kenny Erhard and Deane Devars, both of w h o m
were volunteers from ground crews. So I had a
deep, vested interested in all of this, and was very
happy to share all of m y information with JP and
Joel, who also was an air war historian.
We were late arriving in the village of Villers
Ecalles, but there, patiently waiting for us was
quite a crowd, many in uniforms, and a lot of
French being spoken. Most of us were
understanding very little of what w a s being said,
wishing we had listened better in our French
classes in school, but managed to get the
message by hand motions and a few words from
Joel that we were to follow the large procession
along a road often filled with m a n y cars.
About a block away from the parking area, w e
came to a halt, spilling out through an intersection
and facing an American flag draped large stone
monument. Here a ceremony w a s to take place,
with at least 200 of us packed in, trying to keep a
lane clear to permit the road traffic to pass on
through. Several speeches were made, with Joel
reading aloud in English. But with the noise of the
traffic, my hearing aid failed to get but a just a few
words into my head. I wasn't "with it" as to what
had been said.
Roy and I were called front, got the idea that w e
should take the wreath to the flag-draped
memorial stone and lay it at the base, m u c h as
had some French dignitaries. W h e n w e turned
away, I could see one m a n gesturing to us,
pointing back to the memorial, but had no idea
what was expected of us. A light finally dawned
that they wanted the American flag removed from
the memorial, so w e both managed to loosen it,
and put to one side. That was the time that the
light really dawned on m e - instead of the large
memorial stone being uncovered, there in all it
glory was a large plaque inscribed with the names
of the crew members!
I knew that this memorial stone had been
installed there many years ago and that
ceremonies were held here annually on their
memorial day, but they had no plaque. I had sent
the crew data to them less than two months
earlier and was sure that insufficient time
remained for them to get a plaque made. It never
entered m y head that w e were there to honor the
plaque which they had s o m e h o w managed to
fabricate and install in such a short time. I could
not have been happier at that moment.
Before w e managed to get to our hotel that
evening, w e were to twice more attend
ceremonies and receptions at both Villers Ecalles
and Rouen. Those French people were making it
quite obvious that w e were more than welcome.
Again, what a day!
O n our coach trip to the Invasion Beaches, w e
were scheduled for a stop in Bayeau to view the
Bayeux Tapestry. I was not all that interested, not
knowing exactly what that was or why I'd want to
view it. Ignorance is bliss. It proved to be an
amazing piece of work that appears to be one of a
kind, dating back to the time of William The
Conqueror -1066. Here is a tapestry nearly 900
years old, still in good shape, telling pictorially, by
threads, of the invasion of England by the French.
The events are told all along the entire length of
this tapestry for a distance which seems at least
100 feet, perhaps more. It seemed a bit
appropriate to have visited here, see the invasion
of England so long ago, and then go to the
invasion beaches to see the results of another
invasion, this time in the opposite direction, from
England to France.
Both JP Marie and Joel Huart accompanied us in
the coach on this day to the beaches, so w e had a
great chance to learn a bit more about each other,
have their help while at the beaches, and while
visiting the huge and beautiful American
�cemetery at O m a h a beach - Normandy. The 44th
BG has 26 m e n buried here, three more on the
Wall of Missing.
Within the past few months, Joel and I have
shared information about 44th BG planes which
had crashed in France. I having specific data about
planes and crewmen, and he having data about
the crash sites. Joel requested data about five
planes which were shot d o w n on 21 January 1944,
four of which were 68th Sq. O n e of the four was
Lt. Sobotka's, the plane on which Clair Shaeffer
was killed, body unidentified. Joel's records gave
us the location of this crash, and he contacted the
Mayor of the closest village and asked if w e could
visit the site. Upon leaving Rouen the next
morning, both Joel and JP Marie again rode with
us to this village. They arranged for our coach to
drive us near it, where several cars from the
village offered transportation back into the woods
- but many of us preferred to walk.
Upon arriving at the site, w e found that the
French citizens of that area had many years ago
placed a memorial marker there, and erected
borders to make the appearance of a burial plot.
In the middle of the plot, they had placed a
portion of the crashed plane - a heavy glass
"window" from either the tail or ball turret.
A solemn ceremony was performed by the local
mayor and priest. Then one of the local m e n w h o
spoke English very well told us about his father
w h o had visited the crash shortly after it
happened. He said that he had a gift for Mrs. Lois
Cianci, something which his father had found and
saved all these years. Upon opening the small
container, she found a "dog tag." Upon closer
inspection, discovered that it was her father's. At
long last, she n o w had one of her father's
personal possessions. What an unbelievable set
of circumstances; so heavily charged with
emotions. W e were all in tears of joy for her.
Finally, she had something real with which to
remember her father. What an almost impossible
event to happen!
After two great days - the weather had been
sunny and warm every day - w e departed Paris
and headed for Belgium via Reims and Bastogne.
W e were behind schedule w h e n w e stopped at
the Ardennes American Cemetery, 5 p m and
normal closing time. However, our good friends
Luc Dewez and Sophie were there waiting for us
along with the Superintendent, Horace Thompson.
A wreath had been placed on the n a m e of Clair P.
Shaeffer which was engraved in the Wall of
Missing in honor of Lois' visit. Later I spoke with
Mr. Thompson about the procedures involved with
MIAs, especially those found in crashed airplanes,
but unable to identify a body. For several years I
have sought this information in general, and
specifically for another 44ther who, like Clair
Shaeffer, went d o w n on 21 January, an engineer,
and body not identified. Never was the subject
fully addressed by any source contacted - until this
day w h e n Mr. Thompson gave m e an answer.
H e stated that this cemetery had well over 700
"Unknown" people whose remains were
unidentifiable after the final processing that took
place in 1949 and 1950. Their remains were buried
here in separate graves, marked as Unknown, and
their names are listed on their Wall of Missing. Of
course there remains a shadow of doubt in
specific instances, but the odds are quite high
that those m e n whose names on the Wall of
Missing might also have their remains buried
there in Unknown graves. So again, finally, w e
n o w have an answer to this important question.
Next of kin can n o w have grounds for accepting
the possibility that this cemetery may be the final
resting place for their loved one.
Incidently, this Ardennes American Cemetery
should remain dear to our 44thers. W e have 74 of
our airmen buried there, with another 28 shown
on the Wall of Missing. W e should include this in
our itinerary, if at all possible, anytime w e are in
Belgium.
Again and again, what a wonderful tour. Kevin
Watson, Tony and our drivers couldn't have done
more for us. They were super.
Anyone want to go again?
�FOLDED WINGS
JUNE, 1997
Dr. George Beckerman 4/7/97 HQ
Adam J. Borkowski
1994
Warren L. Brock
2/11/97
LeeE. Davis
Unknown
Dante R DiGiacnito
Edmund H. Donnelly
William Dorrisey
Frederick A. DuBose
Henry C. Gay
Lewis German
Curtis D. Gerrard
John W. Griffin
JohnE. Gunnell
Jerome (Bob) Hary
Harold P. (Jack) Harmon
Herbert A. Hedinger
Harvey (Gene) Holmes
Adolph J. Hrebar
Gerald N.
Charles
K.Jenniges
Jones
Unknown
2/17/97
6/11/97
12/15/93
Unknown.
7/15/96....
1986
1993
8/10/96
1/4/96
6/90
9/28/95
1/8/97
5/5/97
8/4/97
6/97
Oscar L. Leonard
Charles Marks
Major Albert A. Martin
9/19/96
2/7/96 ...
4/4/97...
William McFadden
William Middlebrooks
Melvin Novotny
Alan F. Oberlin
William H. Parkins
Lewis Robinson
Otis V. Rogers
Fred G. Rowe
3/16/96.
2/13/97
1/20/97.
6/22/96.
6/17/97.
4/3/97...
3/6/95 ...
4/9/96 ...
Warren B.Williamson
Unknown
Unknown
Motor Pool
66th Squadron Cook. To Shipdham
echelon 9/5/42.
Unknown
506th Squadron. POW. Shot down on 23rdMission. Retired
as Lt. Col. USAFR.
67th Harris Waist Gunner
506th Squadron. Fred was a Radio Operator on G. Wescott's
crew when shot down on 29 June 1944. Was a POW.
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
68th Squadron. Co-pilot for Parke H. Jones. Shot down
16 December 1943. Became a POW.
506th, Co-Pilot Maynor Crew, POW
Worked in communications.
67th Gunner, R.C. Griffin, interned Switz. 4/44
68th and 506th Squadrons. Ground crew. To England 9/5/42
on Queen Mary. Transferred to 506th Sqdn. 4/12/43.
68th Operations NCO
66th Radio on Muldoon Crew
66th Gunner on J.N. Williams Crew
. 506th. Flight Engineer on Edkins crew.
. 506th Pilot
.464 Sub-Depot
. 506th Bombardier on Purdy 's and Waines Crew 10/43 to
2/44. Transferred to 15 AF 449 BG,firstB-24 crew to finish
combat tour in 15th AF.
506th
506/67th
. Unknown
. 67th Ground Echelon, Radio Maintenance
. 68th Co-Pilot on Erickson Crew
. Gunner on Ciesielski Crew
. 68th Fit. Eng. on Zerman Crew
. 66th Gunner on Hammer Crew, crew flew PFF Lead
on D-Day.
Unknown
FOR YOUR INFORMATION...
Your Board of Directors voted for the '98 Reunion to be held in:
31
�44TH BOMB GBOUP VETEBA/VS
ASSOCIATION BOABD
President: Roy W. Owen (506)
6304 Meadowridge Drive
Santa Rosa, CA 95409-5839
Phone: (707) 538-4726 Fax: (707) 538-1212
Director: Robert I. Lehnhausen (68th)
709 West Meadows Place
Peoria, IL 61604-3447
Phone/Fax: (309) 685-2490
Vice President: James H. Clements (506)
4124 Calculus Avenue
Dallas, TX 75244
Phone/Fax: (972) 243-4657
Director: Richard R. Pedersen (506th)
Winter: 751 10th Street East Lot 32
Palmetto, FL 34221
Phone/Fax: (941) 723-2030
Summer: 10744 U S 27 S Lot 248
Ft. Wayne, IN 46816-3467
Phone/Fax: (219) 639-6173
Secretary: Edward M. Dobson (67th)
118 South 15th Avenue #1
Bozeman, M T 59715-4130
Phone/Fax: (406) 587-2490
Treasurer: Gerald (Jerry) Folsom (506)
954 Lowell Avenue
Salt Lake City, UT 84102-3620
Phone: (801) 359-6159 Fax: (801) 533-8747
Historian: C.W. "Will" Lundy
3295 North "H" Street
San Bernardino, CA 92405-2809
Phone/Fax: (909) 882-2441
P.O. Box 315
Bridgeport, CA 93517 (Summer)
Phone/Fax: (619) 932-7349
44th Group Vice President to 2nd ADA
Richard D. Butler
16494 Wagon Wheel Drive
Riverside, CA 92506
Phone: (909) 780-7421 Fax: (909) 780-1459
Director: Edw. K. "Mike" Mikoloski (66th)
626 Smithfield Road #702
N. Providence, Rl 02904
Phone/Fax: (401) 353-0144
Director: Robert I. "Bob" Brown (67th)
#8 Metairie Court
San Ramon, C A 94583-3824
Phone: (510) 828-4529 Fax: (510) 828-1551
Director: Melvin G. Trager (HQ Squadron)
2522 Red Oak Trail
Crest Hill, IL 60435-3197
Phone/Fax: (815) 725-3439
Membership Co-Chair: Search
Art Hand
517 Elm Street
Paris, IL 61994
Phone/Fax: (217) 463-5905
Membership Co-Chair: Roster
Tom Shepherd
10597 Cambrooke Cove
Collierville, TN 38017
Phone/Fax: (901) 853-4229
Archivist: Anthony Mastradone
9111 Tuckerman Street
Lanham, M D 20706-2709
Phone: (301) 577-1487
U.K. Representative: Steve Adams
28 Bassingham Road
Norwich, England N R 3 2 Q T
Phone/Fax: 011-44-1603-400221
ASSOCIATION MAILING ADDRESS
44th BGVA
P.O. Box 2367
Salt Lake City, U T 84110-2367
�1996 R6UNION PICWK BOOH
N€UJ 44TH BGVfl SHIRTS!!
UUe had a debut of the new white
The Reunion Picture Book has been
collared shirts on the England trip,
shipped to all that signed for them at so look through the pictures. They
the Reunion. It is a real professionalare a high quality 50% cotton, 50%
memory
book, something to be
polyester with the group logo in
enjoyed for a long time.
embroidery. UJe will have them for
sole at the Reunion for $30, or you
Unfortunately, the printers are unable
can order one by mail from Treasurer
to moke additional copies ot a later Jerry Folsom for an additional $3
Rprill2. 1997
date. Rs there may be those thot were
postage.
not present when orders were taken,
Sizes:
This is relative to the note on Page 5
we have purchased a few additional
Small
of the Spring. 1997 Tails, about where
copies.
(good for little wives <5 grand kids)
to find books written by members. My
Medium
ELUSIVE HORIZONS, which came out
These are available on a "first come"
Large
in hord cover by R. S. Barnes & Co. in
basis.
X-Large
1969, and later in paperback, and
XX-Large
again in paperback by Rvon, January,
To order, mail check for $12 mode out
and a few
1992, is now completely out of print.
to the 44th Bomb Group Veterans
XXX-Large.
Sorry about those who still try to order
Rssociotion to:
it; perhops this will sove us both
Be sure to note on your check
postage since I have been unable to
"Reunion '96 Book."
fill over 50 additional requests.
Jim Clements
4124 Calculus Rvenue
Thanks for your multiple efforts to hold
Dallas. TX 75244
the 44th together.
8-BnLl CflPS
Regards,
Heith C. Schuyler
Pilot/67th Squadron
Cedar Lane
Box 3094-R.D. #3
Berwick, PR 18603
8-3IUL PRTCH€S
The new solid crown 44th Bomb
Group caps will be available at the
Reunion. The caps are solid white
with the Flying 8-Ball logo
embroidered with a multi-colored
nose and cord over the bill denoting
the Squadron color.
Priced at $15.
The beautiful four inch felt Flying 8Vour "cottage industry" publisher
Ball patches with appropriate
sincerely apologizes to those who Squadron colors on the nose ore still
received your Spring, 1997, Vol. 2.available from Rrt Hand. They go for
Issue 2 8-Ball Tails having pages
$ 15. Send your check to:
missing ond pages misplaced. IT you
Rrt Hand, 517 Clm Street
received such an issue, please
Paris, IL 61944-141 7
contact Jerry Folsom @
Mark on your check 8-Ball Patch
P.O. Box 2367
Color
Salt Lake City, UT 84110-2367
(Red, Vellow, White or Green).
ond he will replace it, so you con
fsodon...
Lana Hopecky
Sandy, Utah
33
m
�44TH B O M B G R O U P
Flying Eightballs
HISTORY B O O K
CONTENTS
• General history of the 44th B o m b Group
• Hundreds of photos
• Special remembrances and personal stories
• Updated roster
• Hundreds of biographies of 44th B o m b Group
Association Members
THIS IS A
LIMITED EDITION
QUALITY
Order
TODAY
while the book is
still available
• Hardbound, 9 x 12 inch coffee-table size
* Outstanding quality
• Acid-free double coaled archival paper for
longevity and superior photo reproduction
• Smyth-sewn binding for durability
• 120 pages of historic materia)
• Delivery Scheduled for December 1997
EASY T O ORDER
. I would like
Deluxe Edition copies of the 44lh Bomb Group
Flying Eighthalls history book @ $52.50 each.
. Name Embossing $6.00
Mail your orders to:
Turner Publishing Company
P.O. Box 3101
Paducah.KY 42002-3101
Phone 502-443-0121
. Genuine, Grain Leather, Embossed Edition $89.00
. Kentucky residents please add 6 percent sales tax
. Shipping and handling: $5.00 first book, $3.50 each add'l book
Protective, plastic book cover: $3.00 each
TOTAL
Please make checks payable to Turner Publishing Company
Ship To;
Name
Orders: I-800-788-335(1
Inquiries: 502-443-0121
Fax: 502-443-0335
Address
City
State
Zip
�UTEITTOKY L H R E
UUith this issue, w e ore inougurating o n e w feature in the "Toils" colled " M E M O R Y LANG." The impetus Tor
this is someplace to put the many photos that somehouu accumulate that ore not associated with a particular
story, but the pictures come along with names, places and, sometimes dotes. These snapshots will stir a lot of
memories, ond I'm sure, will generate a lot of fun letters, and that folks is what this publication is all obout. So
look through your memorabilia ond pick out those pictures thot you have names ond o caption to accompany
the snap ond send it (them) olong to your Editor.
UUe'll start off with o picture of o part of Norwich that should be etched in the memory bank of every RedBlooded American w h o served in Castflnglia,The Sampson and Hercules Ball R o o m and the Maids Head
Hotel.
There were a myriad of places where the socialization between the young female population of the
Norwich area ond the American airmen and their Support guys w a s inevitable, but none so famous os "The
Muscle Palace."
aafes
20 Jonuory 1944, Lord Moyor UUilliom J. Finch of Norwich visits Shipdhom. Here Col. Fred Dent is showing
the I M ond his porty through the Red Cross Arrow Club. Con anyone n a m e the Red Cross lody?
35
�was honored to receive a $1,000 scholarship over
four consecutive years. I believe, the only fouryears
of the program. M y Dad had already passed away
by that time, but he would have been mighty proud
of her and his old comrades for their support.
Ashley has since graduated from the University
of Oklahoma with an Honors Degree in Chemical
Engineering. She is now married to 2nd Lt. Matthew
Ylitalo of the Marine Corps 2nd Division Artillery.
They are currently stationed at C a m p Lejune, N.C.
To be a doctor has been Ashley's life long
This comes from:
dream. Last month she w a s notified that she has
H. J. Besarick
been accepted to the Oklahoma University School
54 Nobby Lane
West Yarmouth, MA 02673
of Medicine. I'm not sure how that would have
2/13/97
happened without the 44th H M G Scholarships. W e
Dear Art:
would s o m e h o w like to extend our thanks to those
First - m y apologies for being so slow to thank individuals.
you for all the good stuff you sent me. (A lot of things
I was stationed with the Navy in Scotland and
got out of hand, including an operation on m y knee.) was able to m a k e the trip to Shipdham where Dad
Looking at the issues of '8 Ball Tails,' I want to
was stationed on a couple of occasions. When Mom
congratulate you and the others that have taken it
and Dad c a m e to visit, w e loaded them up and took
from a letter#, to a historical masterpiece.
them down there as well. Needless to say, Day
Keep up the good work! Please call me.
really enjoyed that.
Sincerely,
W e live near Liberal, K S which, I a m sure you
Bez
are aware, was a B-24 training base. They have a
tremendous air m u s e u m and historical library.They
have a section in the m u s e u m on the B-24's and
the raid on Ploesti. I have donated several
publications in m y Dad's name.
This comes from:
I a m sending $30. Please send m e one
Don Ukens
membership and send the other to the:
Box 95
Liberal Air M u s e u m
Hooker, OK 73945
2000 W 2nd
12/8/96
Liberal, K S 67901
(Mark it in Memory of Emil Ukens, 68th
Dear Mr. Folsom,
Squadron, 44th B o m b Group.)
I apologize for m y late response to your mailing
Sincerely,
in M a y of last year. I w a s never sure what
happened to the 44th H M G . I a m a U.S. Navy
veteran, (1967-74) and always enjoyed reading the
publications from that group.
M y Dad, Emil Ukens was in the 68th. While he
w a s living, he and m y Mother Madge, always
enjoyed attending the reunions whenever they
could. The 44th H M G had started a scholarship for
descendants of the 44th and m y daughter Ashley
MAIL CALL
M
�This comes from:
William C. Stewart
Alamo, TN
44th Bomb Group
7/10/96
w a s in the s a m e shape - what to do with it. N o w I a m
glad it has, in s o m e way, found a H O M E . (It has indeed!)
This comes from:
Dear Will:
Portia S. Acker man
You probably think by n o w that you have wasted
your time and money by writing to m e . W h e n I began
(Wife of Don Ackerman 506th Sqdn. Deceased)
looking for the "shoe box" I told T o m m y (Shepherd) that
1371 East Coast Drive
I had, it had vanished!!
Atlantic Beach, Florida 32233-5521
I pulled our drawers and all likely places searching,
May 14,1997
but to no avail!! But at last m y wife c a m e to the rescue
when she ran across the material in a most unlikely
Dear Roy:
place. It was not even in a shoe box. A s m y daughter
Imagine! Opening the Winter 8-Ball Tails and seeing
was looking for pictures for Ruth's and m y 50th wedding Don's n a m e as pilot of two missions aboard "Down D e
anniversary celebration, she c a m e across these.
Hatch."
After that, I needed to get with T o m m y for help in
W h e n I recovered from the excitement, I got his log
getting it packaged and on to you. M y daughter lives in and read his entries for these two dates. Here is what
Memphis, near Tommy, and as w e are no longer able to he wrote:
drive, it took even longer for her to get us there. But "17 Jan '45. Whole crew on a mission to Harburg,
enough of that.
Germany just south of Hamburg. Plenty tough target
W h e n T o m m y saw them he was ecstatic! H e wanted as it's another oil factory. Over Auxhaven lost an engine
to make copies for keep for himself. H e is also making and had to abort. Had old -Z and it was in pretty bad
some copies for m e of pictures and material. I talked to condition. Couldn't stay with the formation altho I w a s
him last night by phone, and he is still working on them! pulling 45" and over 2550 R P M . Really sweated out that
W h e n w e return to Memphis again, hopefully w e can
North Sea with only 3 engines. Hit a lot of flak, accurate
get it all together and its way to you. (Already received.)too, over the Eastern Frisian Island. W e dropped our
I can't tell you h o w m u c h I appreciated you
bombs close to the island and that woke them up.
reminding m e of the seating arrangement on the Queen Expected fighters to attack us but none came. W e
Mary. I can recall looking out the port hole and I w a s prayed plenty."
practically level with the ocean. I, as well as you, sure
remember the double occupancy. M y mates and I "6 Feb'45. Mission to Magdeburg. Flew #6.The weather
huddled up by the smoke stacks for warmth during our w a s fairly good going over and w e had a complete
undercast. Flew -Z, one awful hardship on the controls.
24 hours on deck.
I a m also glad to get a listing of the 66th Squadron It was plenty of work keeping in formation. As w e started
(on the Queen Mary), even though I w a s later changed to climb w e couldn't stay with the leader and the whole
from it to Group Headquarters. The time of arrival in formation was strung out for two or more miles. Finally
Scotland had also gotten away from me. Thanks M A N Y caught them but #3 engine was plenty hot. Encountered
TIMES. I a m making copies also for m y daughter and a little flak but w e didn't get any holes. Coming back w e
ran into some bad weather and the contrails were terrific.
grandchildren.
Tried
as much as I could to stay with the formation but
I hope that when you receive what I've held onto for
over 50 years, it will meet your needs. I apologize for could not, so w e c a m e h o m e alone. Flew instruments
m y writing -1 a m now 87 years of age and m y hands for a while and over the field m a d e an instrument letdown
and broke out of the stuff about 1500! Other ships were
don't seem to work right anymore.
landing and to avoid running in to any on the approach,
Sincerely,
RS. You may wonder how I c a m e in possession of this went around two times. Visibility was very poor and in
material (yes, I did). After R & R and re-assembling at the rain P poor."
Felt this would be of interest to your Association. I
Sioux Falls, I was sent to Great Bend, Kansas Air Base.
do look forward to each issue. Many thanks for your
The 44th B G had also gone there. And, as you can
efforts.
guess, I knew nobody! I w a s assigned to Military
Sincerely,
Intelligence, as I had previously been in England. This
RS.
W
e
lived
at
201
Talbot
Avenue, Santa Rosa for
"material" w a s dumped on m e . I didn't know what to do
only
a
bit,
while
Don
was training.
with it, but those in charge didn't know what else to do
This was early 1944.
with it. So I brought it all h o m e with me, and even here I
�1997 Reunion
Salt Lake City, Utah
October 9 - 12, 1997
VITAL INFORMATION
Please note: The 1997 Reunion will commence on October 9th and end on October 12th.
M a r k your calendar and m a k e your reservations n o w !
The old adage "nothing is certain in this life but taxes and death" has been amended to include "inflation
So don't be too surprised if you find the cost of this reunion slightly higher than the last two. However, we
will be in one of the prime hotels in the middle of Salt Lake. Moreover, w e will guarantee a super reunion.
It is absolutely imperative that registration be received by September 29th. Registrations received after
date will not be processed. If there is a question about being able to attend, send your registration in anyway,
as all no shows will be refunded. If however, you have sent your registration in earlier and it becomes
apparent you will not be able to attend, please notify us so w e can effect a refund and adjust our records.
The same options as last year will be available to those unable to attend the entire reunion. They will be
to attend all functions scheduled for the days they are there. The options listed on the Reunion Registration
are designed to make your schedule more suitable and equitable. There can be no deviations.
The program for our meetings and dinners will follow the one we had at our very successful reunion in St.
Louis last year. Those registered for the entire complete reunion will attend the Reception Thursday afternoon,
the Squadron Dinner Friday night, the General Business Saturday morning, and the Gala Banquet that night.
Sunday morning they attend the M o r m o n Tabernacle Choir concert and on to Hill A F B for lunch and a tour
of the Museum. That night there will be a Buffet Dinner with entertainment to follow.
We will have our traditional Hospitality
R o o m up and running every day.
A Bulletin Board in the Hotel lobby will
have complete information of all events.
Dress code is informal, except for the
Banquet Saturday night, which is to be
jacket and tie.
There will be some very interesting tours
for Friday and Saturday afternoon offered
as optional.
To the right is a map showing the Salt
Lake Hilton and some attractions nearby.
�1997 44th B o m b Group Veterans Association Reunion
Salt Lake Hilton Hotel - Salt Lake City, Utah
What's Going to Happen!!
Thursday, October 9th:
•Registration all day.
•A reception will be held at 4:00 in the Ballroom.
'The Hospitality Room will open at 12:00
•Dinner on your own.
Note: The Registration Desk will be open on Friday and Saturday at times noted on the bulletin board i
Friday, October 10th:
Tour No. I: Park City Silver Mine Adventure
'We will leave the Salt Lake Hilton Hotel for the fabulous Park City Silver Mine Adventure.
•Don a hard hat and a yellow slicker and descend 1500 feet via the Ontario Mine shaft. Ride a mine tra
fascinating tunnels into an actual turn-of-the-century silver mine. Visit rooms carved out of solid r
a simulated mining blast. See actual mining samples and mining equipment. Learn the folk lore of th
Knockers, the Lady in White and more.
•The temperature averages in the low 50s and can be wet at times, so wear a jacket and sturdy shoes
underground tour lasts about two hours. The Tour is wheel chair accessible.
•The tour above ground includes a museum, country store for shopping, a multi-media theater and rest
there is plenty to do and see while waiting your turn to descend in the thirty-two person elevator
approximately every 20 minutes.
•To accommodate every one in the time available, and because of the limited space of the buses res
will have to limit the number to the first 180 to register.
•For those not going on the Silver Mine Tour, there is plenty to see and do in and around Salt Lake Ci
Temple Square, lunch at the Bngham Youth Beehive House, Genealogy Research Center, museums and sho
are all easily accessible by walking, city buses, taxies or rental cars.
•The Hospitality Room will be open all day for you to meet and visit with old and new friends.
Saturday, October 11th:
In the morning, we will have a General Business Meeting in the Ballroom. It will be held from 9:30 u
Tour No. 2: Snowbird Tram.
•Leaving at 12:30, the tour will travel through majestic Wasatch mountains and the scenic Cottonw
up to the heights of the Snowbird Ski Resort. Upon arriving, you will board one of the world's most
tramways and ride to the summit of Hidden Peak. From there you can savor the panoramic view of Salt La
Heber Valley and the Uintah and Oquirrh mountain ranges.
•There are shops to explore and restaurants for lunch or snacks.
•The tour will return to the hotel at 5:00 in time for a quick refreshment in the Hospitality Room a
Banquet.
•The Hospitality Room will be open all afternoon.
•At 6:30 we have our Gala Banquet with the traditional Candle Lighting Service. At 8:30 the Bud Rich
will furnish the music for dancing.
Sunday, October 12th:
•Buses will be furnished for all that would like to attend the choir concert at the Mormon Taberna
leave the hotel promptly at 8:30.
•At 12:00 buses will leave for Hill Air Force Base. We will have lunch served as soon as we arrive. Fo
there will be a short memorial service for those wishing to attend at the Museum's replica of a chapel
the war.
•After inspecting to Museum, the buses will return to the hotel by 5:30.
•The Hospitality Room will be opened at 12:00.
•At 6:30 a Buffet Dinner will be served with entertainment to follow.
���FRONT COVER PNOTO: A T FAR
RiqhT, 44TII A/C
South of Wesel. It w a s a successful, but
costly operation with 5 0 0 m e n killed and
1,250 wounded. The 2nd Air Division lost
fourteen of the nineteen bombers lost that
day.
The Lt. M a x E. Chandler crew of the 506th
B o m b Squadron, 44th B o m b Group, flying B24J, Bar R S O U T H E R N C O M F O R T III, with
DeBlasio and Vance in the Waist Gunners
positions, were assigned to salvo the drop
bundles out of the opening of the removed Ball
Turret Guns. They were flying the left wing of
the left element of the second of three nineship squadrons at approximately 2 0 0 feet.
The 44th dropped 6 0 tons of supplies, while
battling through an intense storm of 2 0 m m
cannons, machine gun and small weapons fire
Upon reaching the drop area, Sgt. Thomas
Clark opened the bulkhead that accessed the
b o m b bay and released his supply bundles.
Lou and Bob shoved theirs through the Sperry
ball opening. The plane w a s banking to get out
of the area w h e n suddenly the entire ship
seemed to stall in midair and shudder. They
had been hit!
Clark w a s the first to see the flames coming
up through the b o m b bay. Louis, right waist
gunner, s a w the flames and shouted, "We've
had it." Then he and Bob assumed the
'ditching position' —flat on the floor of the
waist section on top of the unused flak suits,
hands behind their heads and feet against the
Sperry ball platform bulkhead. A s it
happened, unlike other members of the crew,
neither had removed their flak suits. "That is
what saved us," Louis declared. " W e were
protected from the impact of the crash."
From 2 0 0 feet above, Richard Lynch, nose
gunner in Lt. Lee's aircraft, saw the crash,
and described it as follows: "...I noticed
number four engine on Lt. Chandler's ship
begin to smoke and then noticed the plane hit
the ground with its belly and bottom part of
the rudders, and then bounce up into the air
and maintain level controlled flight at
approximately 100 feet for about a minute and
a half. The plane then, apparently out of
control, bunked sharply to the right, with the
right wing hitting the ground and continued to
revolve to the right in a clockwise direction,
CAII
LETTER BAR R 42-50896, LT. MAX E. CNANCIIER'S B-24.
(Louis & Bob's PIANE.)
phoTO WAS TAI<EN FROM:
"This B 24 WENT ON JNTO TIIE qRouNd + ExplodEd.
CAPTJON FROM AIDUM
CAUSE WAS MACIHNE quN FJRE."
It all happened as a part of Operation
Varsity, the airborne assault planned to help
the Allied ground troops establish and hold a
bridgehead across the Rhine River around the
town of Wesel, Germany.
"The forces under General George Patton
were scheduled to m a k e the river crossing
assault at 9:00 p.m. on March 23, 1945 in his
anxiety to beat his arch rival Ally, British
General Bernard Montgomery, to the crossing,
General Patton launched his attack early and
m a d e the crossing at 10:00 p.m. on March 22.
Nonetheless, Operation Varsity w a s executed
on time in the early morning of March 24.
MARch 24, 1 945 - Low
IEVEI
supply chop.
This w a s the last and biggest one-day airborne
operation of the war. The enormous forces
involved included 3,044 transport planes and
gliders; more than 3,000 fighter sorties and
21,680 troops of the U.S. 1 7th and British 6th
Airborne Divisions. O n e hundred artillery
pieces, along with 109 tons of ammunition
and 6 9 5 vehicles m a d e the flight with the
troops. Following them by about one hour
were 2 4 0 B-24 Liberators with another 5 8 2
tons of air dropped supplies. By 2:00 p.m.
they had taken every objective and linked up
with the Allied ground troops a few miles
2
m
�pivoting on the right wing tip and ending up
skidding along the ground on its belly, 180
degrees to our path of flight."
Fate intervened in a strange way. The plane
split at the waist, and Louis and Bob found
themselves partially thrown clear. Louis' arm
w a s badly injured and his left eye w a s bloody
and beginning to swell. Bob had a deep head
laceration, a fractured clavicle, and had lost
one tooth. Bleeding and in semi-shock, they
crawled away from the plane, minutes before
it exploded. The crash took the life of M a x E.
Chandler, Pilot; Hugh O'Donnell, Co-Pilot;
Engineer Sakis Nedder; Left Waist Gunner
T h o m a s Clark; Radio Gunner Eugene Elliott;
Nose Gunner T h o m a s Cordes and Navigator
Robert T. Dantzler. A second ship, A C #42100314, piloted by Lt. Leonard J. Crandell,
went d o w n also, exploding near the
S O U T H E R N C O M F O R T III. There were no
survivors.
"Knowing the Germans would be watching
to see if anyone got out of the plane, w e
crawled across a field, and hid under a
wagon," Louis remembered. "I bandaged
Bob's bleeding head and he bandaged m y eye.
I never lost consciousness, but due to his head
wound, Bob w a s "incoherent for s o m e time."
They tried to take off their parachute harness,
but weren't able. Bob's right clavicle w a s
fractured, and Louis' left arm w a s practically
non-functional. Neither had the strength nor
coordination to open the buckle.
German soldiers were hiding in the w o o d s
nearby, but they would not c o m e out for fear
of being strafed by our fighters. Instead they
sent civilians to find the survivors.
"Immediately they took our guns. O n e
ordered m e to take mine apart. I took out the
clip and field stripped it," Louis said. "Then
they told m e to put it back together. I
pretended that I didn't k n o w how. I decided
that if they were going to shoot me, it would
not be with m y o w n weapon. They carefully
wrapped the parts in a handkerchief, creating
a little sack. They studied our Escape Kits,
taking the pain pills, chocolate and other
candy. I had five English Pound notes, which
they took out. To m y amazement they
returned them to me.
"Actually, they were surprised to learn that
w e were Americans. They kept asking us if
w e were Canadians, knowing that the British
were operating in that area."
A German officer w h o had been hiding in the
woods, took c o m m a n d of the two, along with
a pilot from a P-47 that had crashed nearby.
The officer spoke a little English, and w a s able
to provide s o m e first aid to their wounds. The
fighter pilot had managed to bail out of his
upward spiraling craft, but had a badly injured
leg. The three prisoners were kept hidden in
the woods, presumably to avoid the
continuous strafing. W h e n night fell, they
were put on a horse drawn w a g o n to be
transported to where? They had no idea.
Both recall the driver's c o m m a n d s to his
horse, shouted out in the darkness, "Hooh
hot."
They woke up the next morning on the
kitchen floor of a farmhouse, with German
guards standing by. Louis' strongest m e m o r y
w a s of suffering from overwhelming thirst;
and with his multiple contusions, could hardly
walk. From there, they were moved to a First
Aid Station where a German doctor ordered a
tetanus shot for both. Because they were
wearing so m a n y clothes, the injection w a s
placed in the pectoral muscle in their chests.
Louis had a grossly abnormal reaction,
tremendous swelling at the needle site and a
case of hives that lasted five days. The
misery of the itch kept him awake for five
nights without relief. Next they were marched
across a field and into the w o o d s to an
artillery unit. Fully expecting to be shot, they
were relieved that their luck continued to hold.
Once again darkness brought another move.
The next morning they woke up on the straw
covered floor of a dance hall, along with other
wounded soldiers, German and Allied side by
side. Bob's m e m o r y upon waking up w a s
seeing a Coca-Cola sign on the wall. It took
him a minute to remember he w a s a P O W .
With the fuel shortage, Germans were using
ambulances to pull other ambulances. Only
later did the two airmen realize that it w a s
because of the rapid speed of American
tanks, that their captors kept moving them
further inland.
3
�The Germans became increasingly kind.
Apparently they were aware that the war was
nearly lost; and saw that they, themselves,
might become prisoners. Repeatedly, they
reminded Louis and Bob that they were being
well treated, and they should tell that to other
Americans.
"Once when w e were being hidden in a
wooded area, w e saw B-24's," Louis recalled,
"which I assumed were enroute to Berlin."
Looking up and seeing so many in formation, I
said to m y guard, "Why do you continue?
Can't you see that you are losing?" His
answer, "We have to keep doing this until w e
get other orders."
Their next stop was a large brick hospital,
where both Louis and Bob got badly needed
medical attention.
"Don't get nervous," the physician
counseled Louis, when he asked for relief from
his hives. "A nun will give you a shot, and you
will have a strange sensation." That was quite
an understatement. "I felt like m y feet were
on fire and the rest of m e promptly followed,"
Louis remembered. "But then I could finally
get some sleep."
The German doctor trimmed and redressed
Bob's head wound. Across the room he
watched other doctors amputate the leg of a
British prisoner, tossing it into a basket. Later,
when the Brit awoke in his ward, he was
furious that they had taken his leg.
The journey ended at a town called Ahlen,
where they were moved to one of several
hospitals housing wounded of many
nationalities —German, French, English and
Americans.
There was a B-24 pilot w h o was very badly
burned. He was really in misery. Bob and Louis
were assigned to different wards. P-47's were
strafing the
town, and
every time
they were
overhead, the
French
patients ran
to the window
and cheered.
4
®
"Later on w e could freely walk around the
wards," Bob remembered, "Once I ran into a
German patient w h o had been m y guard when
I was first captured. Strange that a man who
had been m y captor was now lying in the
same hospital. W e also encountered a British
soldier whose trousers were totally in shreds. I
took off m y flight pants and gave them to
him."
Much of the care was given by nuns, who
were considerate and kind. The Nazi nurses
had no compassion for the wounded
Americans. One nurse took little care in
removing the dressing from Bob's head
wound. He was forced to lower his head to his
knees, to keep from passing out.
"They wanted to put m e to work, but I was
so weak, they had to give up on that," Louis
said. "They ordered m e to peel potatoes. With
only one eye, I had no depth perception, and I
took off too much of the potato. With the
scarcity of food, they promptly gave up on
that idea. They were running out of
everything — n o running water, no heat. The
only food was potato soup and black bread,
which they covered with lard. It was horrible.
W e had to put on the lard to get the bread
down. However, w e could see that the
German guards weren't eating any better."
On the eighth day of their capture, they
heard the welcome rumble of American
Sherman tanks. The Germans in the ward
said, "Tiger Tanks." W e knew better.
On April 1st Louis noticed that the Chaplain
was pulling guns from under the beds of the
German patients and carrying them out of the
ward. Then he saw them hanging white sheets
up to the windows.
"Something's happening," Louis observed.
"Let's walk to the front door and see if anyone
stops us." Nobody did.
Next they walked out the door. Still nobody
paid attention. The three airmen, Louis, Bob
and the P-47 pilot, walked down the street a
short distance and encountered the
Americans roaring into town. The three
airmens' uniforms were so dirty and bloodstained, the driver could not recognize that
they were Americans until they started to
speak English. They quickly learned that
�Ahlen had been declared an 'Open City,' in
Paris; and before long, Louis w a s enroute to
recognition that it w a s an area that housed
the States. Doctors predicted he would never
be able to straighten his left arm, but with
m a n y wounded. Hostilities within the city had
been discontinued.
grit, exercise and daily weight lifting, the arm
became functional.
"What a wonderful sight it was, seeing
The whereabouts of the fighter pilot is still
American Forces roaring into town in jeeps,
unknown. A s the documentation of W W I I
tanks, armored cars and trucks," Bob
unfolded, Bob and Louis learned that their
remembered. "Those guys looked tough and
battle hardened.
crash, and that of the Lt. Crandell's plane
They tossed us
were photographed by Capt. U.P Harvell,
K-Rations,
Intelligence and Photo Officer of the 44th
B o m b Group. Harvell's pictures are considered
cigarettes and
candy. I w a s
unique in the film record of W W I I air battles.
The daring low level flights which supplied the
proud to be an
American."
airborne troops on Rhine Day are regarded as
one of the U.S. Air Force's greatest
A n ambulance
accomplishments,
picked up the
second only to
three airmen
the Ploesti
and transported
tnem to an
AMERICAN G.I.s, HOIIANCI civiliAMs & JEEps. Mission in losses
for a low level
American hospital at Munchen-Gladbach,
mission.
where their w o u n d s were attended. Here they
About a year
got their first decent meal in eight days. The
after
they were
wounded from the Allied Forces were pouring
back in the
in so rapidly, doctors could not take time away
states, Bob and
from the freshly wounded, w h o s e conditions
Louis met again in
were more critical.
Ohio. Then Bob
For the three of them, the war w a s over. At
moved to
this point they were separated. Bob w a s sent
California, and it
to a field hospital in Liege for the night. The
w a s nearly forty
next day he w a s taken to an airfield where he
years until their
boarded a C-47 and w a s flown to Cheltenham,
next reunion.
England, then to the 4 1 5 3 U.S. Hospital in
Louis DEBIASJO & RobERT VANCE
Through
time and
Glouscester. From there he w a s given a pass
AT 1 9 9 7 BOML> G R O U P REUI\HON
space, their
to go back to his base at Shipdham for
JN SAIT LAI<E CiTy.
friendship has
interrogation.
never wained.
Being assigned to an E x - P O W detachment in
W
h e n they are together, the years fall away,
London, he happened to be at Picadilly Circus
and they are again, the two buddies w h o
on M a y 8, 1945, V.E. Day. He described it as
shared an a w e s o m e experience in American
a 'madhouse.' H e remembered people
history.
climbing light poles and bus tops in their
celebration. From there he went to
Southampton to board a transport ship that
sailed in a convoy to Boston, Mass.
Louis w a s sent to a hospital in Paris. From
behind hospital windows on V.E. Day, he
watched Paris celebrate the largest party ever
in its history. The professional staff
considered it unsafe for patients to join the
throng. More w o u n d e d filled the wards in
5
�TU 1998 REM/M SMIMAH $EOR$/A
by Johnny Harris', one of the great barbecue
It was a BIG
rib houses in the country.
B L O W OUT!
H o w else could
you describe it? At our Banquet we were honored with some
descriptions of the Ploesti Raid by T o m m y
The hotel was
Holmes who wears the first Purple Heart medal
sold out, the
awarded
in the 44th Bomb Group. W e were then
lobby was too
entertained by Mr. Cornell Iliescu, a Romanian
small; from
native now living in Costa Mesa, CA. Cornell was
Friday evening
a
six year old boy who lived in Ploesti and
to Sunday
witnessed the raid from his yard. It was a
afternoon, it
unique experience for the Ploesti veterans
was a mad house
present to hear a story from someone in their
with early
bombing target area.
arrivals and
folks who had
not made their The highlight of the reunion, of course, was the
DoRis M C C I A N E wirh TIHE
dedication and prof f erance of the 44th Bomb
G E N . LEON W. JohNSON PORTRAJT.
reservations in
Group display depicting the "Tidal Wave" 44th
time to assure a
Bomb Group lead element over the White IV
room; the registration/hospitality room was too
target
at the instant before bombs away. Brig.
small, the 48 seat restaurant was a joke, service
Gen. Jack Gibson was scheduled to make the
was so slow you would have been served best if
dedication, but was hospitalized in Dallas with
you had placed your order when you sent in your
severe neck pains, thus the presentation was
hotel reservations! W e were forced to cram our
made by President Roy Owen. For the benefit
annual general membership meeting into a
of
those unable to attend, the presentation is
restaurant across the street with no P/A system
repeated in part here:
and the Sunday reception, although in a larger
hospitality room was still so crowded and hot w e
had two people faint, yet, would you believe w e 44th Bomb Group Display Dedication Program
had more on-the-spot compliments and follow-on
Welcome and Introductions: Col. Roy W. Owen,
letters telling us what a wonderful reunion it
President, 44th Bomb Group Veterans
was from beginning to end. Financially we had
less hassle and made more than enough to pay the Association.
Pledge of Allegiance (remain standing).
bills and put some money in the treasury. You
just never know.
Invocation
Because the hotel did not have a banquet room,
Introduction of Brigadier General Jack Gibson,
we had our Ploesti display dedication luncheon
last living Commander of the W W I I 44th Bomb
and Squadron night dinners out at the Mighty
Group
by President O w e n
8th Air Force Museum. W e had our banquet at
the Savannah Convention Center and our closing
night, we had a great Southern Barbecue dinner Good Morning, may I add my welcome to that of
President Owen.
and show out on the banks of the Savannah River
at the Old Fort Jackson which protected the
It is indeed my great honor to be standing here
City of Savannah during the Civil War. W e
in what I feel are rightfully the footsteps of
were protected that evening by a company of
General Leon Johnson who led the 44th through
Confederate soldiers and entertained with
its shining hour in the holocaust over the blazing
Southern banjo music. The dinner was catered
oil refineries of Ploesti on August 1,1943.
6
®
�General Johnson folded his wings the 10th of
November last year. I know as surely as I stand
here in his footsteps that the gentle, brave and
modest leader we loved is proudly watching his
Eightballs commemorate one of the proudest
days in aviation history.
manager. While Keith St. Aubin was completing
the models, Tom commissioned the International
Plastic Modelers Society, Atlanta Chapter to
design and create the scale model of the
Columbia Aquila refinery complex. Historians
Will Lundy and Ed Dobson, Jr. were responsible
for checking all facets of the display for
Our purpose here in Savannah is threefold: first
authenticity.
to unveil and dedicate this magnificent display
to the everlasting glory of every man who flew
I am going to ask this group to unveil the di
or supported the Tidal W a v e mission with a
T o m Parsons, Keith St. Aubin, Jim Elmore,
special prayer of thanks to those who paid the
President Of the International Plastic Modelers
ultimate price for our victory. Second, to
Society, Atlanta Chapter and Director of the
proffer the ownership and care of this display
overall diorama fabrication, and our Historians
to this beautiful Mighty 8th Air Force Heritage
Will Lundy and Ed Dobson, Jr.; but before this
Museum that it will add to the public
long awaited ceremony, a very few words about
this event we commemorate today. To this
understanding of the immense contribution made
by the men and women of the 8th Air Force to
gathering there is no need to repeat so much that
our American way of life.
has been written and filmed about the most
vicious air battle in aviation history which took
Lastly, we are once again gathered in a reunionplace over Ploesti, Romania on 1 August 1943. It
seemed to m e that the poetic verse inspired by
to enable us to see, and enjoy one another in the
the Ploesti experience of Technical Sergeant
spirit of comradeship, love and respect that
Delores R. Brumagin, Radioman on the Lt. Ed
comes to those who have bonded in selfless
Mitchell crew captures the enormity and terror
service to our country.
of the raid.
Before the unveiling, let me give you some brief
Equally fitting to the occasion is that it be
background. S o m e two years ago, the museum
for us by two members of our 44th family who
issued an invitation to all of the current and
are widows of two valorous Ploesti veterans.
former assigned 8th Air Force units to place a
M a y I introduce Fritzie Selasky, wife of
display in the museum. This is a simplification,
Charles J. "Jim" Selasky, Lead Navigator on
of course, but the concept of a display
Colonel Johnson's aircraft "Suzy Q," and June
emblematic of the Ploesti raid was developed
Carpenter, wife of Reginald "Rege" Carpenter,
when Roy O w e n was visiting the Aviation Art
Pilot of "Bewitching Witch" flying on Colonel
Gallery of Virginia Bader in Costa Mesa,
Johnson's left wing.
California. His conversation with Ms. Bader was
overheard by a young artist who introduced
himself as Keith St. Aubin, free-lance model
maker for the movie industry. H e inquired if
Roy was a member of the 44th. H e then opened
a large brief case which stored a beautiful
model of Suzy Q. From that, the idea of
depicting the four ship lead element over the
target the instant before bombs away as being
representative of the entire group crystallized.
Roy briefed the Executive Board which
approved the concept with this admonition: The
44th must be the pre-imminent group display in
the museum. In a very few minutes you will be
the judge. T o m Parsons was appointed project
k>
�Normally these two men were crewmates, but
for this mission Col. Johnson chose Jim Selasky
as his lead navigator. As fate would have it.
"Rege" and "Jim' folded their wings in October,
1996 just 17 days apart.
W e know of no more fitting and beautiful
edifice to entrust the keeping of the glorious
heritage this display represents.
The profference
Blessing ~ Closing thanks by Col. Owen
General Shuler's acceptance noted that it wa
with great pride he accepted on behalf of the
8th Air Force Heritage Museum this
It is with great honor that I introduce these Mighty
two
magnificent emblematic display of one of the
lovely ladies: Fritzie Selasky and June
Carpenter who will alternate reading the
most momentous events in the annals of Air
gripping verses of the Brumagin poem "Ploesti on Warfare. H e also pointed out that in the few
days the display had been on the floor in
the Deck." The Poem is repeated following this
report of the presentation. Thank you ladies, w e preparation for this ceremony, it already had
are in your debt for that touching reading.
become one of the most attended displays in the
museum.
Please be seated.
General Shuler, will you please join me at the Bagpipes play Amazing Grace
podium.
PLOESTI ON THE DECK
*jl
.
Roy O W E N JNTROCIUCES LI. G E N . "Buck" SCIHUIER,
CARMAN
of iht Miqlniy 8rfr A F
MUSEUM.
Bob LTITNIHAUSEN TEIIS ir like ii is TO TIHE 68TIT folks.
General Shuler, on behalf of the 44th Bomb
Group Veterans Association, it is m y great honor
to proffer to The mighty 8th Air Force
Heritage Museum this display depicting the lead
element of the 44th Bomb Group attacking
Target White V of the Ploesti, Romania refinery
complex on the August 1943 "Tidal Wave" low
level strike. The display is representative of
not only the 44th Bomb Group, but additionally
the entire "Tidal Wave" task force which
overcame the worst that the North African
desert and the Ploesti air and ground defenses
had to offer to complete their assigned mission.
GIASS ENCIOSECJ dispUy AT M U S E U M .
8
�By T/Sgt. Delores R. Brumagin, Radioman, Lt. Ed. Mitchell Crew
"This task will be accomplished,
with an 'on the deck' attack,
with every Lib around Benghazi
that'll fly to there and back."
The night before the mission, the
Chaplains blessing gave, and
The message made things brighter
For the soul that God can save.
It was early in the morning
August first was then the date.
Every man and plane was ready
Just to shake the hand of fate.
There was training in the Desert,
There were Twenty-Fours galore;
And flying o'er the sand dunes,
Had sometimes proved a bore.
Now we had a practice target,
Built to scale and bombed for fun;
But we knew the day was coming,
When we'd use it on the "Hun."
We'd been assigned a target,
Ploesti was the name,
General Brereton was commanding
The raid that was to come to fame.
The sun was shining brightly
As we flew across the Med;
With the words of General Brereton
Still droning through head.
The minutes grew to hours
And we crossed the mountains high
Where Yugoslav Guerillas
Were watching us go by.
"It's the most important mission,
Any force has been assigned;
And with quick, complete
destruction,
A victory we will find."
"They need that oil so badly,
the problem here is clear;
we'll bomb it from existence,
though the price we'll pay is dear."
Though the action minutes,
'twas a lifetime to us all.
As we watched the big guns
blasting,
And our planes and comrades fall.
In the distance the target,
And to us a gruesome sight
we lost our thoughts of reverence,
in preparing for the fight.
As the target flew behind us
and through the thickest of the fight
every plane of ours was damaged
and their holes a ghastly sight.
We could see the flaming debris.
Some group had marked it so.
By mistake they'd left their bombs
there.
Why? No man will ever know.
There were many started homeward
But failing to return.
They had crashed up in the
mountains
And were left up there to bum.
The time bombs were exploding
And oil fires were raging high.
W e could see their guns a'blazin'.
It was for us to do or die.
Some fell out with engine trouble
To the "cause" their lives they gave.
When their fuel had been
exhausted
And crashed into the waves.
Our leader knew his duty,
Disregarding fear for life,
Holding course without hesitation,
He led his "Eightballs" to Aquila
And left behind devastation.
Then we streaked across the valley
Rousing peaceful peasants there;
And the roaring of the engines
seemed like thunder cracked the air.
Turning off target from out of
the flame,
they must now fight their way out
on the route which they came.
There was Rumania's golden wheat
fields,
He called his group commanders,
All leaders for the "Day."
And with words that have since
made history,
so proudly did he say,
Our mind's eyes saw a picture of
loved ones we hold dear.
God placed it there to aid us
through all the strife and fear.
but their beauty soon was lost,
with oil fields in the distance and
the Blue Danube as we crossed.
We saw many things distinctly,
As swiftly we flew.
W e saw German gunners.
W e could see them dying too.
The river will be remembered,
The loveliest in the land.
But we used it for a landmark
to know the target was at hand.
The battle was a nightmare,
unreal in every thought, but
be needn't be reminded
how fiercely it was fought.
Then every heart was heavy,
Every eye was open wide,
as we asked the Lord, our maker,
to be our strength and guide.
Of the tempest o'er the target,
no man can tell.
There was shooting, burning, dying,
It was a pure living Hell.
9
There were several airmen
wounded,
But their will surpassed the cost.
They knew they had the vengeance
For the blood that they had lost.
Now in tribute to those heroes
W h o died but not in vain,
Their deeds will be remembered,
Nor forgotten be their names.
They had answered the duty call so
bravely.
Yes, every loving mother's son.
W e thank God for all our airmen
and the victory they had won.
�BEny LyNch ANd C O R N E I I UJESCU qivE us
JNTERNATiONAl pAJR of SMilES.
Did W E ITAVE bEAuriful WEATIHER? H E R E is
RAlph BEckER REUxiNq by
TIHE
pool.
AN
PERRy M O R S E ANd JERRy FOISOM
506TIT SQUAdRON CREWMATES sllARJNq
A Uuqk
Lefr: PERRy M O R S E ,
MikE YuspEh ANd
Dick LyNch AT TITE
bAR.
LETT: Phyllis DuBois,
F O R M E R 2Nd A D
MEMORJAI
LibRARiAN, N O W FREELANCE
RESEARCb LibRARJAN (ANd
fRiENd of TIHE 44TIH) STJII
REsidiNq JN NoRwich.
BEIOW: CORNEII
RUMANJA)
TAkE A
ANd
REST
Ikiscu (foRMERly of
duRJNq TIHE M U S E U M TOUR.
EIENA
Bob
LEITNITAUSEN, PETE FREZZEI, JANICE & STEVE
AdAMs, Roy
Riqln: TRyiNq TO
CAPTURE TIHE
dispUy O N filM.
10
OWEN
ANd Miks Mikoloski
�his time versus his daughter's state of health
and his family concerns. Me said: "Roy, 1 will
not fail the 44th, I love it too much. 1 can and I
will do the job, m y mind tells m e so. O n the
other hand, m y friend, m y heart tells m e I want
to be with m y daughter and I will be m u c h more
comfortable if you will continue to serve and
see m e through this thing. So here w e are, w e
are going to hang tough, hold the course and
keep Mike and family in our prayers.
Well, here w e are again! This was to be an
introduction of your new president, and his first
President's Corner, or whatever he chooses to
call this part of the "Tails," where he shares
with you the "inside stuff" that's going on in
your Association. However, for several
reasons, here I a m , doing business at the same
old stand,
newly reelected
and
thinking
maybe I
do need
a little
psychiatric
attention.
I did make a stipulation in accepting the
nomination, and that was that I could no longer
wear both the president's hat and that of Editor
and publisher of the 8-Ball Tails. Ruth Morse,
aka Mrs. Perry Morse (506th) of York, PA, a
professional writer (see, already more prestige),
has graciously accepted the challenge to keep
our journal alive. She will have her o w n ideas
and there must be s o m e changes. As w e
struggle to bring the other 44th eras into our
association, w e must produce a journal which
will have news and stories that will be of
interest to all. W e will still have our o w n "war
stories" to tell, but w e can't just remain a
bunch of old WWII Liberator Lovers. Give Ruth
your support, she is taking this responsibility in
a time of change and that's always tough.
Mow let
m e tell
you what
really happened. The first thing was Ed
Mikoloski w h o had agreed to accept a
nomination for the presidency, did so
conditionally, because for the last 10 months or
so he has concentrated his attention to
assisting his daughter w h o is fighting for her life
in a battle with cancer. The added
responsibilities of the 44th BGVA presidency to
his consuming concerns for his daughter have
been a nagging worry for us both. To m a k e
matters worse, w e could find no one (and the
nominating committee was searching) willing to
take on the presidency.
For the benefit of you who did not attend the
Savannah reunion (Boy! Did you miss a B L O W
OUT!), here are the changes in the Board:
Vice President, Edw. "Mike" Mikoloski* (66)
Secretary, Nancy Van Epps* (Hq, Sqdn.)
* Indicates an officer who will represent his
squadron along with performing the duties of
the office he/she holds. The Board acted upon
a recommendation by President O w e n and
Director Mikoloski to allow officers to serve in
the office they hold and at the s a m e time,
represent the squadron to which they belong.
This board structure will allow a reduction in
total board m e m b e r s plus m a k e r o o m for the
addition of a Board seat for the 44th S M W .
In our four years experience, w e have not
had an occasion that required a vote by unit.
Should this occur, those officers with dual
representation will cast their unit vote only.
T h e Board voted to phase in this board
structure starting with this term. T h e first
term Squadron Directors elected last year will
The next thing was, about two months ago, an
insubordinate board m e m b e r (who shall remain
unnamed) wrote a letter (postmarked
Collierville, TM) to the other m e m b e r s of the
board in which he threatened physical harm to
any board m e m b e r w h o would accept m y
refusal of nomination for a third term. While 1
did not take this threat seriously, it did prompt
m e to review the projects already underway and
the agenda for the n e w year, then call Mike to
discuss the coming year and the demands on
11
�either become a dual representative officer/
unit representative or be dropped from the
board next election. This restructuring and
reduction in the size of the board resulted in
the retirement of Ed Dobson, Jr. from the
Board. We are grateful to Ed for the fine job
he has done as our Secretary in the two
terms he has served. I'm sure he will see
more service in the Association future.
mm ®@m W9®
IT LOOKS LIKE A GO FOR THE SPRING
1999 TRIP TO ENGLAND.
From the show of hands at the General
M e m b e r s h i p meeting in Savannah, it looks
like w e can plan o n a O N E B U S L O A D
T O U R . S o here is the deal: W e will plan a
Other board actions will be covered in trip for t w o w e e k s (approximate) to leave
on M a y 21 and return o n June 2 (these are
another article elsewhere in this issue. One
plus or m i n u s a day at this point).
very important item is the announcement of
the 1999 Mew Orleans Reunion to take place
at the Mew Orleans Airport Hilton Hotel
September 2 - 6, 1999. Remember the m o b
scene at the Savannah Days Inn/Suites from
Friday night through Sunday noon as all the
folks who had delayed making reservations
were being shuffled off to other hotels for
one or two nights. Don't let it happen to you
in Dew Orleans! Send off the reservation
form provided in this issue. Put it on your
credit card then your room is assured. If it
becomes necessary, you can cancel.
WE WISH EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU
WILL FIND YOUR HOLIDAY STOCKING
C H O C K FULL OF G O O D CHEER AND
HAPPINESS!
ROY AIHDLOLLY OWEN
WE WILL TAKE THE FIRST 44
PEOPLE W H O CALL JERRY
FOLSOM (801-733-7371)
AND MAKE A RESERVATION, FOLLOWED BY A
DEPOSIT FOR THE G R O U N D PACKAGE (YOU
WILL BE INSTRUCTED H O W THE DEPOSIT IS TO
BE MADE W H E N YOU MAKE YOUR
RESERVATIONS).
The itinerary we are planning will be (approxima
• Arrive London leave by bus to hotel for a day and
nights rest.
• Then the tour will proceed up the West side of
England through Stratford-upon-Avon,
Chester, and Liverpool (lunch at Penny Lane),
Blackpool, Glasgow, Edinburgh.
• Then South to York, Lincoln to arrive in Norwich and
Shipdham for the Memorial Day weekend
(Airfield tour, picnic and barbecue party).
• And finish up in London for two nights.
Our Ground package will be handled by Waterhouse
Tours, w h o handled our 1997 tour so successfully.
Our Air travel will be handled by Four Star Travel of
San Jose, Calif.
For those who have Frequent Flyer mileage, or Ai
Employee privileges, you may arrange your o w n
travel to arrive and meet the group in London.
Both agencies are working on costs and finalizing
dates as w e go to press, but you can be certain the
trip will be reasonably priced and will include
breakfast and dinner every day. You will be on your
o w n for lunches.
THE OWENS' PASSPORTS ARE CURRENT CHECK YOURS!
�One Step CloserA Visit With The
Missileers
By Roy Owen
We took a small, but very
important step toward the
realization of our hope to bring
all the eras of the 44th back into
a single family when, at the
invitation of Colonel Charlie
Simpson (Member of our Board),
CEO of the Association ofAir
Force Missileers, Lolly and I
attended their biennial reunion
in Cocoa Beach, Florida, October
21- 24 just preceding our reunion
in Savannah.
While the AAFM is an
organization parallel to the 2nd
Air Division in that its
membership includes Missileers
from all of the USAF missile
units, Charlie was a member of
the 44th Strategic Missile Wing
at Ellsworth AFB in his active
duty years, and shares with me,
not only his allegiance to the
44th, but the desire to see the
Bomb Group, the Bomb Wing
and the Strategic Missile Wing
all together keeping the heritage
and history of the legendary 44th
alive for the generations to come.
With the next AAFM
reunion
not to take place in Colorado
Springs until sometime (dates to
be announced) in 2000, and the
close proximity of our respective
reunions this year, it seemed an
opportunity not to be missed for
me to attend this gathering of
missileers and to extend the hand
of welcome to the 44th SMW
members to join with us to bring
the 44th family together.
Lolly and I, under the wings ofand hasn't missed a reunion or a
Charlie and Carol Simpson, were
Squadron Dinner since. He has
most warmly welcomed and
just been elected as the SMW
positively treated as if I was
member of our Executive Board,
wearing a Missile Badge. I met
and a worthy member he will be.
and got acquainted with Lt.
He, long ago, volunteered to
Gen. Jay Kelley (Ret) the new
assist me in enticing the former
AAFM president, and while there 44th SMW veterans to join us
were only ten 44th SMW
and with his help, I'm certain we
members present, I met them,
will be seeing a lot of new and
including B/Gen. Jim Crouch of
very welcome faces in our midst.
Austin, TX. Each responded
Oh Yes! We are going to need
enthusiastically to my welcome to some help, so don't be surprised i
join with us. "Send me the
you get 'volunteered' to do some
membership information" was
telephone work in the recruiting
the word I got. Additionally,
area.
Charlie has since sent me two
Lolly and I had a great time
requests for membership
with the AAFM. We had to leave
applications from 44th SMW
on Saturday to get on up to our
members who were not present at own reunion, but we got to see
the reunion. They were
one launch to put up a satellite
responding to a Mighty 8th AF
and we got to see the pad all
Ass'n. recommendation that all prepared for the John Glenn
Missileers contact and join their launch when we were on an
predecessors in the Bomb Groups escorted tour of the Kennedy
and Wings, so it looks like we are Space Center. The most awesome
starting to move toward an
feature was an entire Apollo
overarching 44th Heritage
system in the giant Apollo
Group.
Memorial Center. The size of the
Charlie has provided me with
First Stage fuel cell and rocket
a printout of the 165 Missileers
engine boggles ones mind!
in the AAFM who are former
44th SMW members and the first
thing on my agenda for the new
year will be a personal letter to
each of those 44th 'ers to
COME ON IN!
At this point, I want to
say some more about
Charlie Simpson and his
lovely wife Carol. Charlie
was Commander of the
68th Strategic Missile
Squadron and held other
senior staff positions while
with the 44th . He joined
us in the first year of our
rebirth, attended our first
reunion in San Antonio
13
Lolly STANdii\q IJENEATII siAqE #1 of A N
Apollo MOON ORbiTAl vEhicU.
�STIRSTEPi DFTRBF5E PROJECT
The program we have been pumping you up for so
much is up and running!
I have appointed Tom Shepherd as the head of an
implementation team with Tony Mastradone and Will
Lundy to support him in seeing this great program
brought to life as the living history of the 44th. This is
Tom s first report. Read it carefully and you will
understand the dimensions of this great undertaking
we have embarked upon.
The "volunteer cadre" will perform the first-line of input for
all biography material. Whenever the bio material exceeds
maximum limits of data length - the volunteer member will
return the bio material requesting its originator to furnish a
shorter version and kindly resubmit. In simple/minor situations
where the volunteer feels comfortable in accomplishing
required editing he/she will do so - and - send a copy of the
edited version w e (I) will do what can be done to resolve the
matter.
Dear Fellow 44th BGVA Members:
The "volunteer cadre" will use the Internet (operation)
Upload their inputs to a dedicated computer within the C G D
operation. C G D will review the bio material with the Personnel
data (already entered in the database) - thus the highly technical
aspects of data input will be effected with the minimum of
duplication and error.
Reference our MASTER DATABASE PROJECT.
Considerable progress has been made since our Savannah
reunion, and it continues. Here are the highlights:
President Roy O w e n has approved an Ops Plan, covering
Three Phases for the Management and Operation of the Master
Database Project (MDP). He assigned m e the role of Principal. CGD Invoices for work accomplished will be forwarded to
W e will undertake each phase as w e can manage it effectively the President for review and approval processes.
in terms of time, talent and finances. An outline of that plan
To give us - one and all - a sense of the enormous
follows:
magnitude of the M D P (as described above) and what has
Phase One: (a) Input of all available mission interrogation
been accomplished since the Savannah reunion -- the M D P
reports (sortie by sortie), (b) Input all available biography
demonstration model included only 200 sorties. Currently that
material furnished by a member, (c) Input of all collectable figure has doubled; 400 plus. Remember if you will, there are
biography material of the deceased, and, (d) The Lundy Roll 344 missions flown by the 44th. Then consider how many
of Honor and other similar documents. As time provides, w e
individual sorties were flown on those 344 missions. It is
will recirculate each of the sub-phases and enter new and
believed that w e have close to 7,000 of these type entries updated data. N B - this same recirculating operation applies A L O N E ! Thanks to a lot of you and in particular to Will Lundy
to Phases Two and Three.
and Tony Mastradone for accumulating all that hardcopy
material. To Art Hand for organizing the collection of biography
Phase Two: (a) Input all available mission summaries,
material on our deceased. I a m thankful to Arlo Barsch (CGD)
and (b) Statistics: Group, Squadron, Support Units (Statistics in demonstrating his M D P software program, and working with
is a broad title).
us on this immense project of recording "electronically" our
WWII history. W e have begun what for so many of us a few
Phase Three: (a) Major Events (VIP Visits, Stand downs,
months ago was still just a dream! What is it said about dreams
etc), (b) Awards and Decorations - Group, (c) Enemy attacks
and invention?
on Shipdham AF, (d) Photographs (of all types/slides), and (e)
Potpourri.
The 44th BGP is still Out-Front and Leading. Let us keep
Computer Generated Data (CGD), Arlo Bartsch's company,
will directly input hardcopy data furnished them by Will Lundy;
and, import electronic data furnished by the "volunteer cadre."
This centralized operation is designed to ensure that the very
minimum of duplication will ever occur, and the highest level
of competence is achieved. The end product will be a Classic
and a model for other 8th A F units to record their history. It
will be a product you will wish to have of your very own - once
it has become available.
14
it that way! Get your biography in today! Also - if you have
any additional information, photographs, etc., write m e a letter,
or an e-mail: sheep@wspice.com/ and let's see how we might
put it to use to "better record the 4 4 B G P History."
Tom Shepherd-10597 Cambrooke Cove • Collierville, TN
38017-3600. r » M r M j M
�When you have completed this form, if you have no pictures, mail it with $10; if you have two photos or
one photo and an extra page of text (single spaced in 12 point font), mail the form with $15 to44th BQVA. P.O. Box 712287. Salt Lake City. UT 84171-2287
8 th Air Force Military Heritage Database
Personal Biographical Data -- Your "Living M o n u m e n t "
It is our goal to assemble a complete record of all personnel who at one time served with the 8th Air Force dur
World War II. The records of those w h o were on flying status will be obtained from declassified group mission
reports which have been stored in the National Archives. From this, a matrix has been developed which will allow
for the search and retrieval of the following information: w h o flew on what mission, with w h o m , in what plane, to
what target, on what date, enemy opposition, aircraft and personnel losses, and hundreds of cross referenced bits of
detailed information.
To make this database come "Alive," your stories, memories, photos and voice recordings are essential.
Cassette recordings of your memories should be limited to 2 minutes or less per each incident.
Please provide a "Then and N o w " photo of yourself and a Crew photo, if available.
A Master Copy of this multi-media database is now a part of the Eighth Air Force Heritage Museum in Savannah, G
Other copies will be available to M u s e u m s , Libraries, Universities, Schools and on the World Wide W e b Internet.
You may also have your o w n copy of the full database, on a C D , to run on a h o m e computer.
Last Name: First: Initial:
Address # I: City: State:
Zip Code: Phones ~ Home: Other: Fax:
E-mail Address:
Date of Birth:
City:
State:
Nickname:
Date Deceased: Date Enlisted: City: State:
Spouse: 8th Air Force Group/s: Squadron/s:
Special Military Training: .
Graduating Class:
State;
Location:
15
m
�Group Rank:
Group Duties:
Ret. Rank:
Your ASN (Serial Number/s):
Occupation Prior to Military:
Occupation After Military and/or Continued Military Service:
Arrival at ETO base:
Arrived From:
Arrived How (Any Details):
Personal Memories. Experiences & Stories:
®
�Specific Mission Comments:
Date Departed ETO:
How:
Destination:
Trip Details:
Military Honors & Decorations:
Stars or
Clusters
Stars or
Clusters
Air Medal:
Purple Heart:
Presidential Unit Citation:
Prisoner of War:
Good Conduct Medal:
Victory W W I I :
European Theater Ribbon:
Congressional Medal Of Honor:
Distinguished Service Cross:
Distinguished Service Medal:
Silver Star:
Legion of Merit:
Distinguished Flying Cross:
Soldiers Medal:
Bronze Star:
Other Awards:
®
�Special Status: Shot D o w n : Q
POW:Q
Evaded:^
MIA:Q
KIA:Q
Ditched:Q
Crashed:^
lnterned:Q
Escaped:Ll Parachuted:^ Wounded:Q Hospitalized:^ Disabled:^ OthenQ
Details:
Ground Crew:Q
Crew Chief:Q
Assistant C C : Q
A & E Mechanic:^
Armorer:^
Radio:H
RadanH
Instruments:^ Sheet Metals:LJ) Refueling:^ Bombsight:G Hydraulics:^ Other:
Duties:
Aircraft You Crewed: (Names and Numbers):
Aircraft Lost or Damaged:
Memories:
Base Operations: Administration:^
Clerical^
Communication:^
Medicaid
Security:^
Engineering:^ MessHalLH Supply:Q Intelligence:^ Other Duties or Assignments: ^__^__
Your Contributions Must Not Be Forgotten, Please Provide Details:
18
Photo Lab:Q
�WILLSEZ
Reunions are always great events. It is wonderful to meet
old friends, as well as to meet new ones. Great, too, in that I as
a historian, often have members bring m e data about our
distinguished history - everything from photos, Orders,
diaries, even a jigsaw puzzle of a B - 2 4 in flight. This reunion
was, once again, all of the above and I got to see and experience
the relatively new Mighty 8th Air Force Museum. It was
disappointing that evidence of the B-24's history was so
difficult to find. Hopefully, the Ploesti diorama will help lessen
this void.
At the Monday night banquet honoring our many Ploesti
veterans, Mary and Ray McNamara, Irene and I were among the
last bussed there, so we were poorly situated far to the rear.
There we shared a table with three couples - Robert Seevers, a
pilot from the 68th Sq., along with two of his crewmen, none of
whom I had had the pleasure of meeting. Shortly, we were old
friends.
During the evening Robert casually told m e that he had kept
a diary of his 30 missions and that he also had taken many
photos of friends and airplanes with his personal camera. Better
still, he had managed to obtain several rolls of color film, used
them to take shots from his plane during flights and missions!
Here was a treasure that I had been searching for during the
past few years since Roger Freeman, author, had contacted me,
requesting color photos of our airplanes. He was compiling a
new book, was requesting color photos of planes from all 8th A F
Groups. Unhappily I could not provide any.
So I suggested to Bob that I would dearly love to borrow his
color slides in order to get copies made for our history. Too, if
he would be so kind, also permit m e to copy his mission
experiences from his diary. He indicated that he would check
when he got home.
About two weeks later, the mail person delivered a mediumsized box to our door, so I hurriedly opened it. True to his word,
Bob had not only sent his diary with his color slides, but he also
included much more, but better than Christmas. It included his
navigator's diary, a photo album of black and white full pictures
of the 68th Sq. site, cities like London and Edinburgh, "flak"
bouse, airplanes in flight, etc. etc. Still more was a portable
slide viewer, a video, " B - 2 4 A View From The Cockpit." One
more jewel was his copy of every mission he flew showing his
crew position in each mission, as well as the dispersal number
of each aircraft that participated in the mission.
Why would such information to important to m e ? Because
H ago1 had created an 8 x 13 inch map of the flight line
showing the exact layout of all dispersal areas, properly
numbered. By using Bob's mission sheets, I could prepare a
daily mission sheet showing all of the aircraft that took part,
as well as the pilots that flew them. By adding the names of the
planes, I had a pictorial view of the location of each dispersal
where each plane was based, but these sheets even show the
layout of how each plane took its position in line for take off. It
is a view of how the base had produced our attacking forces for
that day. It takes a bit of effort, but does tell an interesting
story for the viewer.
These color slides are very rare jewels, must be handled
with great care. One must somehow get copies made, but I've
not done this in many years. I suspect that with the recent
development of technology, especially in the PC area, there
could be some new method to make and store copies. So, could I
ask you readers if you have had any experience with color slides
to reasonably get copies made other than the traditional way? If
you know of any, would you please contact m e ? This is truly
precious history. Seeing our own B-24s flying, in full color is a
rare treat. I suspect that a few of these would make great wall
photos, etc.
I should mention one other rare find during the reunion -that of newly located combat photographer, Robert L. Hooper,
who was attending his first reunion. S/Sgt. Hooper, 66th Sq.
was a member of 1st Lt. Ray Hilliard's crew that was interned
in Spain on 17 May, 1944. Just prior to that mission, 14 May,
"Bob" flew our other famous citation mission to Kiel, as a
"well gunner-photographer" abroad 1st Lt. Robert Kolliner's
plane 4-Q-2. Bob brought along proof that the famous photo
taken of the 44th formation over Kiel was taken by him, N O T a
B-17 formation above them. Proof in a citation dated 12 June,
1943, G.O # 7 4 where Robert L Hooper risked his life to take
the photos in an open bomb bay, awarded the Air Medal. He also
had a letter of commendation from General Hodges and his
famous photo signed by the General. Time was short, so I never
did get to view all of his black and white photos in his album or
to get copies.
Another activity that seldom gets the attention of most of
us in the concerted efforts which John McCIane makes at all of
our reunions. John always brings along his video camera, records
most of the activities when he foregoes his own dinners,
catches flash shots all during the reunions, supplies his own
film. Then he always donates a copy of the entire reunion
activities, sends it to me for our archives. All of this is at his
own expense. W e owe John and Doris a very big thanks - it
would be nice to tell him so next time you meet him or write. In
the meantime, from all of us, John and Doris...
M A N Y T H A N K S FOR A GREAT JOB VERY WELL DONE! £
Will Lundy I
��44TH BOMB GROUP VETERANS ASSOCIATION BOARD
President: Roy W. Owen T506J
6304 Meadowridge Drive
Santa Rosa. CA 95409-5839
Phone: C707J 538-4726 Fax: T707J 538-1212
e-mail: rowen@sonic.net
Director: Michael "Mike" Vuspeh T506J
7214 Sardonyx St.
New Orleans. LA 70124-3509
Phone: T504J 283-3424 Fax: T504J 283-3425
e-mail: mikeyuspeh@worldnet.att.net
Vice President: Edw. K. "Mike" Mikoloski f66J*Membership Co-Chair: Search Art Hand f66j|
626 Smithfield Road # 7 0 2
517 Elm Street
N. Providence. Rl 02904
Paris. IL 61994
Phone/Fax: f40 U 353-0144
Phone/Fax: C217J 463-5905
e-mail: butch@tigerpaw.com
Secretary: Nancy L. Van EPPS fHq. SqdnJ*
Membership Co-Chair: Roster
13922 River Road
Tom Shepherd T66/67J
Pensacola. FL 32507
10597 Cambrooke Cove
Phone/Fax: T850J 492-2041
Collierville, TN 38017
Treasurer: Gerald fJerryJ Folsom T506J
Phone: T901J 854-6558 Fax: f90IJ 853-4229
3582 East Dover Hill Road
e-mail: sheep@wspice.com
Salt Lake City. U T 84121-5527
Director T67J Archivist
Phone T801J 733-7371 Fax: f801J 942-9988
Anthony "Tony" Mastradone
e-mail: 44thbgva@mail.xmission.com
9111 Tuckerman Street
Historian: C.W. "Will" Lundy f67J
Lanham. M D 20706-2709
3295 North " H " Street
Phone/Fax: f301 J 577-1487
San Bernardino. CA 92405-2809
e-mail: mast@clres.com
Phone/Fax: T909J 882-2441
U.K. Representative: Steve Adams
e-mail: willundy@aol.com
28 Bassingham Rd.
P.O. Box 315. Bridgeport. CA 93517 fSumJ
Norwich. England NR3 2QT
Phone/Fax: T760J 932-7349
Phone/Fax: 011-44-1603-400221
e-mail: s.p.adams@btinternet.com
44th Group Vice President to 2nd ADA
Richard D. Butler f506/67J
ASSOCIATION MAILING ADDRESS:
16494 Wagon Wheel Drive
44th BGUA
Riverside. CA 92506
P.O.
Box 712287
Phone T909J 780-7421 Fax: f909J 780-1459
Salt Lake City. U T 84171-2287
Director: Robert J. Lehnhausen T68J
709 West Meadows Place
Peoria. IL 61604-3447
*Dual Representative
Phone/Fax: T309J 685-2490
^XM/u^ia won the bedim 1399
�THE AFA BRONZE MODEL B-24 DEDICATION
On September 24 and 25 some 250 people gathered in Colorado Springs, CO to attend the September 25 Dedication
the Robert Henderson 1/6th scale bronze model sculpture of a B-24J Liberator which is the sixth and last model to
complete the "Bronze Squadron" of World War II combat aircraft. These model aircraft are permanently displayed in the
Air Force Academy Court of Honor, a large concrete and marble paved area adjacent to the beautiful AFA Chapel. The
other aircraft comprising the "Bronze Squadron" are the P-51 Mustang; P-38 Lightning; P-47 Thunderbolt: P-40 Warhawk;
and B-17 Flying Fortress.
The support pedestal of each aircraft contains a bronze plaque enumerating by user group the individuals who
contributed to (in the case of the B-24) the $175,000 cost of the model. Those 44th contributors are:
\Johnson, Leon W. Gen. USAF
Bethel, Raymond W. Lt. U S A A F
Butler, Richard D. Col. U S A F
Clements, James H. LTC U S A F R
Ertz, Julian
Fremstad, Clifford L. Lt. U S A A F
Gunton, Robert J. Capt. U S A A F
Henry, Howard C. Capt. U S A A F
'Houston, Rowland B. Capt. U S A A F
*Lawson, Robert Col. U S A F R
Lipczynski, Stanley F. SSgt U S A A F
Mastradone, Anthony SSgt U S A A F
Owen, Roy W. Col USAF
Schuler, William M. Lt. U S A A F
Tilton, Charles W. Lt. U S A A F
Yuspeh, Michel (Mike)
PART
Gibson, John H. Bgen. U S A F M4th B G Assn.
Brown, Delias A. Col. U S A F
Cameron, William R. Col. U S A F
Dubowsky, Robert
FoIsom, Gerald W. Lt. U S A A F
Griffith, Rockford C. Lt. U S A A F
Hawkins,William F. P F C U S A A F
Hewlett, James A. Lt. U S A A F
Hughes, Charles E. Col. U S A F *Betty Seal, Sister
Lundy, C. Will SSgt U S A A F 'Ruth Lawson
Mansir, Everette W. SSgt U S A A F
Murrack, Melvin C. SSgt U S A A F
Rosen, Eugene D. Capt. U S A A F
Tillner, Norman N. SSgt. U S A A F
Wells, Donald L. Lt. U S A A F
of ThosE AiTENdiNq ThE Didi( ATION:
L TO R, Bob VANCE, Loy VANCE, RUTIT M O R S E , PERRY M O R S E ,
Bill SEAI, BETTY SEAI, ARdirh BUTIER,
MARJA JORCJAN (wiTh CITARNE HuqlrES TAUNC, TIHE PJCTURE),
TITE PREZ AN<J Dick BUTIER.
JERRY FOISOM,
O T H E R S AiTENdiNq:
JAck GibsoN, Loy & ARIENE NEEPER,
MlJRRAck, ANd MARk MoRRis.
MEI
& MARilyN
On Saturday the 25th, the Prez and Jerry FoIsom drove down to Pueblo, Colorado to visit the International B-24 Museum
and to visit the birthplace of our 506th Bomb Squadron. The activation of the 506th is well documented there by Mark
Morris. He is in the process of building an entire display on the 506th. For a town no bigger than Pueblo, the Museum
has a remarkable amount of B-24 artifacts, parts and history. It is only an hours drive down from Colorado Springs.
n
�1999
REUNION
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<ut*e you 'Cifa*tdthat fau* cOzya- a*e not
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<*y*in in t6e <2*eat city o£ Tteui &ilea*t&.
1Hi6e tyttfreA
23
�44th Bomb Group Reunion
September 2-6, 1999
Hilton New Orleans Airport
901 Airline Drive
Kenner, LA 70062
(504) 469-5000 / Reservations Department (9am-5pm)
or 1-800-HILTONS (24 Hours)
Hotel Policies:
•Hotel accepts all major credit cards.
• Check-in time is 3:00pm and Check-out time is 12:00pm.
• Earfy Departure Fee: A $50 early check-out fee will apply to any guest who checks out of the hotel before thei
stated departure date. Guests will have the opportunity to change their departure date at check-in without bei
assessed the $50 fee. Any changes in the departure date after check-in will result in thefee being assessed.
• Parking is complimentary.
• Complimentary Airport Shuttle service available 24-Hours
• Group Rate is $80 and tax is 11.75%
• Cut OffDate for reservations is August 1, 1999.
A credit card guarantee is required to secure a reservation for late arrival (after 4 pm).
• Group rate is available up to 3 days before and after Convention dates.
Reservations must b e received by:
44TH BOMB GROUP VETERANS
ASSOCIATION
SEPTEMBER 2-fi. 1 Q??
Arrival Date:
8/1/99
Time (Circle One)
2-4 p.m. 4-6 p.m
6-0 p.m
8-10 p m
1 0 p m - midnight
after midnight
I'd like to m a k e reservations at the N e w Orleans
Airport Hilton. 901 Airline Hwy.. Kenner. LA 7006?
(504) 469-5000:
Departure Date:
Before 7 a.m.
7-9 a m
.Time (Circle One)
0-11a.m. H a m . 1p.m.
Early Checkout Fee:
La«tNam«
Fhl
A S50 00 Fee will b e applied to your account II you
depart before your stated departure date Revisions
con be m a d e up to time of check-in without penalty
Any changes after check-in w i resjt in the Fee
Assessment
Mddto
Hrm
Please circle Type of Room and Rate Requested:
Street
Cy
stole
KING
DBL/DBL
2p
Guorantood by Credit Cord #
Credit Card
SHARING
WITH
lost N a m e
Exp Date
p,^
NON-SMK
Signature
Midov
24
$80
$80
OR
SMK
�MISCELLANEA
ThE 8TII AF MUSEUM NEECIS VOIUNTEERS
The Sth Air Force Museum at Savannah (remember them?) would Ike to have some volunteers to come to
Savannah and work in the museum for one week (any week). If you are interested, call Mary Beth Barnard at
1-500-421-9425, Ext. 112 or Jack Prescott, Director of Volunteers, at 1-912-745-4699. Wives are included.
Ideally, you might combine it with some vacation time in and around Savannah which is a great place to visit
ANqEls
CORNER
After the appeal for funds we made at the Savannah general membership meeting to get t
5th Air Force Data Base program adopted and off to a start, there was a rustle of checks
that would warm the heart of even a most cynical treasurer (which ours is certainly not).
When out of the ranks stepped our newest ANGEL in the person of Raymond Shirley, 67th
Bomb Sqdn. member and resident of Crosby, Texas with a check for $1,000 in his hand (they
still do things BIG in Texas!).
You have our thanks, admiration and a big tip of the Stetson, Ray, for your very generous
addition to this wonderful program.
For those of you who were not with us in Savannah to witness the demonstration of
the 3th Air Force Heritage Database program. The information is repeated in this
issue, along with the Personal Data entry form which you are to fill out with your
personal data. Follow the instructions carefully. ALSO, THERE IS STILL NEED FOR
FUNDS TO CARRY ON WITH THE PROGRAM AFTER WE GET ALL THE LIVING AND
RECENTLY DECEASED MEMBERS
IN THE DATA3ASE. WE HAVE ALREADY 3EGUN TO
SEARCH OUT THE INFORMATION ON THOSE 44TH'ERS WE LOST IN COMBAT AND THROUGH THE YEARS
5ETWEEN. There's lots of work ahead. Send what you can afford to our Treasurer, 44TH BGVA,
>ox P.O.
7)2257, Salt Lake City, UT &4171-22&7. Many thanks.
The 8-Ball Tails ©
Official Journal of The 44th Bomb Group Veterans Association, Inc. ©
Compiled, written and published tri-yearly at 6304 Meadowridge Dr., Santa Rosa, CA 95409, Roy
Owen, Editor. Printed and mailed Bulk Rate at Salt Lake City, U T under USPS Permit #6923. All
original written material such as letters, stories, excerpts from personal diaries or memoirs, drawi
and photos submitted to this journal will become the property of the 44th Bomb Group Veterans
Association and will be copyright protected except where noted. The text and photos are otherwise
reproduced from official USAAF and V'SAFdocuments and photos which have been released for
publication. Permission is granted for the contents of this journal to be reproduced specifically fo
personal archives. Otherwise, copyright material herein may be reproduced by the journal of other
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permission is granted by the editor.
Those submitting letters, stories and photos to the editor or historian must do so with the
understanding that this material will most likely be published in this journal as a matter of interes
the members/subscribers of the Association and this journal. While every attempt will be made to
answer all of the material received, there is no explicit or implied guarantee that an answer will be
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Due to space limitations and to ensure the clarity and brevity of submitted material, the Pub
Editor reserves the editorial license to add, cut or otherwise modify all submitted material so long
the original context of the material is maintained.
25
�FOLDED WINGS
December, 1998
Most unfortunately, the July reporting of Folded Wings included two serious
errors. Happily, one of these men is still "flying."
Shook. Carl Curtis 506th Squadron. Carl attended the reunion in Savannah and
was very much alive. It seems that he sent a change of address to us, hut somehow
he was included in the Folded Wings listing. My sincere apology for this huge error Carl.
Pendleton. Hal Ltc. (USAF Ret) 67th Sq. Date 04/06/98. Hal was born in Munday, Texas on October 15, 1920.
He graduated from Texas A&M. He joined the E.P. Reynolds crew just as they were finishing their training in
Autumn, 1944. He was a Capt. at that time, a Navigator. At Shipdham, Hal flew with many crews. At war's end,
Hal chose to remain on active dur\: and served in the Korean War. After retiring from the Air Force, he worked
for the Internal Revenue Sen'ice.
The July Folded Wings reported him as Richard H. Pendleton, also a Navigator, also in the 67th Squadron;
but Richard returned home in October of 44, the same period that Hal arrived. It was assumed Hal was Richard
H.
Richard H. Pendleton was a navigator on E.H. Reinhart's crew. Was shot down on the Ploesti mission and
was a POW/lnternee in Romania until released in Sept. 1944. He was killed in an accident in Odessa, TX 1953.
0-661022 ASN.
Addis, Jack L 6/8/98 35915660 506th Sq. Nose Gunner flying with F.B. Mack crew. This
crew departed from U.S. on 4 July, arriving in England on 8 July, was
assigned to the 506th Sq. First mission was flown 11 August 1944 and
their 30th was completed on 25 April 1945. In their position as lead
plane, 15 missions were rated as "Excellent" and three rated "good."
On their 1 March 1945 mission, they were forced to make an
emergency landing at Chievies, Belgium, where the nose wheel
collapsed. Crew returned home on 5 June 1945.
Brown, Norman 1998 0-768430 67th Sq. Lt. Brown flew his first missions as a co-pilot for
Lt. E. G. Holmer during the period from September. 1944 to early
1945. Lt. Brown then became a 1st pilot with his own crew, completed
his tour on 14 April; flew A/C #44-48821 back to the U.S. Exact date
of death not known.
Coddington, James W. 5/9/98 Date of birth 12 January 1924. He served on the CE. Phillips crew
as Radio Operator. This crew flew a total of 35 missions from 5
August, 1944 to 3 January, 1945. Returning to the U.S., he married
Margaret F. Wood on 3 July 1945. After graduating from the
University of Iowa law school, he practiced law for 35 years.
Dovey, Arnold J 10/98 0-808009 Arnold enlisted in 1942 as an Aviation Cadet. He finished
training as a Navigator, arrived at Shipdham on 5 May 1944,
transferring into the 66th Squadron from the 466th BG. Three days
later, while on a PFF training mission with the EM. Musgrave crew,
A
unnamed, they were shot down by an enemy aircraft, crew bailing out.
-f?j
Arnold was seriously injured, but continued on as a special PFF
Navigator after recovering. He participated in 22 major PFF/H2X
Group Leads, 13 of which were with the Nth C.B.W. and six leading
26
�the 2nd Division. During the latter period, he was based at the 14th CB
Wing at Shipdham. He was awarded two D.F.C. medals - for exceptional
bombing results on Hamburg and Bremen targets. He returned to the
U.S. in May, 1945, remained in the Reserves until 1962. He married in
1946, had two sons, Lee and Douglas. After retirement, Arnold remained
very active in his endeavors to make known the very special place PFF
bombing had in winning the war in Europe.
Harmonoski, John J 11/17/98 0-734906 John was a Bombardier on Lt. J.Y. Reeds crew, 66th Sq. when
they went on D.S. to North Africa on 23 June 1943. But John flew with
the J.E. Flaherty crew on all of the missions flown there, including the
famous low-level attack on the Ploesti Oil Fields in Rumania. In recent
years John attended most of the 44th BG reunions including this year at
Savannah where he was honored for being a Ploesti Veteran. John
insisted upon attending although he was in poor health, but had to use a
wheel chair. Shortly after returning home, he suffered a massive heart
attack.
Leitzel, William I. 06/28/98 13028187 67th Sq. Williams was trained as a Radio Operator, was with
the Ground Echelon that went over to England on the Queen Mary in
September, 1942. He had joined the AAF on 18 June 1941 and attended
school prior to this date. He faithfully served in this capacity for 31
months and returned to the U.S. again on the Queen Mary in May, 1945.
After the service, he worked for the Cresline Plastic Company until
retirement and was active with the Amateur Ham Radio Operators of
Harrisburg, PA.
Russell, John E 1998 36377085. John was an original crew member of the J.E. Hill crew, 67th
Sq, having been assigned shortly before the 23 June 1943 departure for
North Africa. This crew participated in most of the missions assigned to
the 44th from Benina Airdrome, including Ploesti, and twice was the only
67th Sq. plane returning to base from a mission! They also returned to
Africa in September for a second D.S., was again the only 67th plane to
return to base from the 1 Oct. 43 attack on Wiener Neustadt. The Hill
crew completed their tour in February, 1944.
Spencer, Edgar J 7/4/98 0-693321 "Jay" was a 1st pilot in the 67th Sq. flew his first mission on 3
August 1944. The crew completed their 35th mission on 12 December
1944, a mission to Koblenz, Germany. Jay and Estelle attended many of
A
the reunions of both the 44th BG and 2nd ADA in recent years even
though Jay was restricted to a wheel chair. They were a courageous
couple.
c
An e-mail with good advice from Larry Herpel:
"...Will, I would like to ask the new editor of the Tails to do something for all of us. I am talking to several young persons
whose fathers served in the 44th. One may be contacting you. I am encouraging them to join the BGVA as associate members.
I believe the Tails needs to have a running article, say down in one of the corners, about joining the BGVA. What the life dues
and yearly dues are and where to send them. Mention needs to be made that if vets have loved ones that are interested in
joining, then this is how to go about it. This should run in every issue.
27
���O U R RED C R O S S LADY
This all began when w e started a n e w feature in the 8Ball Tails w e call "Memory Lane" (Vol. 2, Issue # 3 ) and
used a picture taken in Shipdham at the Red Cross club on
the occasion of a visit to the base by Lord Mayor William
Finch of Norwich. W e asked the membership if anyone
could recall the name of our Red Cross lady. F R A N K BATA
of the 66th B o m b Sqdn. came forth with her name, along
with the story of what a great help she had been keeping
him in touch with his younger brother stationed at
another English base. He also recollected that she was
from Roanoke, VA. With that to go on, w e started on
what turned out to be a sad search. I first asked Art
H A N D , our membership search expert, to give m e a
computer run on any members w e have in Roanoke. He
came up with J A C K RUSSELL, 68th Sqdn. w h o responded
to m y request that he would see what he could find out
about HELEN H O B A C K . In no time at all he sent m e a
copy of the 4-2 I -49 Roanoke Times Obituary page which
noted Helen's death. The notice also listed a surviving
brother named S A M U E L H O B A C K living in Baltimore.
Once again a request to A R T H A N D quickly got m e an
address and telephone number. I called and first got his
wife, and after telling her w h o I was and of m y search for
information about Helen, I was able to make a return call
later. W e made contact that evening and after talking with
her brother Sam. the story began to brighten somewhat. I
found in our search to see where life had led our pretty
44th Red Cross lady that, in the few post-war years of
her life, she was happily fulfilling her dream to be an
actress.
She had moved to Baltimore, found work in a
publishing company which financed her continued studies
in Shakespearean Theatre and was broadening her acting
experience doing summer stock. In the pursuit of her
dream, she never married. Her most successful theatrical
venture was the development of an evening's program of
her adaptations of Shakespeare's heroines in his most
famous plays. With authentic Elizabethean costumes, she
formed a small company of three which included her
brother Sam and another stage hand. They travelled,
giving her solo performances in Boston, N e w York and
N e w Jersey, in what must have been a most happy time
for our blossoming actress. Tragedy struck in the winter of
1947-8 when she slipped on an icy sidewalk and took a
severe blow to her head. A year later she did not survive
surgery undertaken to remove a brain tumor. So the
curtain came d o w n before the career of this developing
actress could reach full bloom. So, as she served her
country and fellow m a n keeping them in touch with h o m e
and what they were fighting for, so she must have
brought the vitality of her persona to her audiences. The
44th B o m b Croup honors her and is thankful for the
precious time in her short life that she gave to us.
�Conwimfe,
Here indeed is the Art of the Forgotten Language. Miss
Hoback's every inflection is perfect and her scanning of the lines
leaving nothing to be desired. She simply holds you entranced with
her magic charm. I can imagine no more pleasant way of spending
an evening than to watch Miss Helen Hoback in her
characterization of "Shakespeare's Heroines."
Percival Vivian,
Weil-Known New York Director
Miss Helen Hoback shows remarkable ability in action. She
has a charming personality and a large general ability.
Binney Gunnison
Dean Emeritus Curry School
Miss Helen Hoback, in "Shakespeare's Heroines," gave us a
delightful evening of entertainment. Her pleasing costumes and fine
acting added much to the enjoyment of the scenes. All students and
lovers ol Shakespeare should especially enjoy her delineation of the
various characters.
Ruth K. Coddington
•
Roanoke and a;
• A Cross
Helen Hoback is an artist of unusual ability. She vividly
presents her Shakespearean portraits in costume. Each personality
steps straight from the story onto the stage. A delightful club
program.
Mrs. George a. Layman
Past President, Roanoke Woman's Club
BEIOW: EARIY 1944 LoNdoN, TbE BusiEST REd C R O S S Club ON TFIE PIANET.
I have heard and seen Miss Hoback in her Shakespearean
program. It was artistically done with much skill and effectiveness
and well received by the audience. It gives me a good deal of
pleasure to commend her program to anyone desiring a splendid
evening of entertainment. She is a young woman of rare beauty and
accomplishment and I predict for her a brilliant future.
G.A. Layman, President
Roanoke City Education Association
3
�more on Rouen, March 8,1943
Editor:You've often read my comments about having a story or letter from one person tickle the
m e m o r y of another w h o will then c o m e in with more to tell about the mission or incident which gives
another view of the same subject. These different subjective views, put together, combine to give us an
objective view of history. In this case w e go back to the last issue of "The Tails" and our story about
our visit to Villers-Ecalles, France. While there, w e were honored to participate in the memorial
ceremonies commemorating the 67th Squadron crew of Lt. Clyde Price, flying "Miss Dianne," w h o were
shot d o w n on the March 8, 1943 raid on the Rouen, France railway marshalling yard and crashed at
the site of the memorial marker where w e were assembled.
This first piece is co-authored by Jean Pierre Marie and Joel Huard, both members of the Noncommissioned Officers of the French Army Air Force Reserve (l'ANSORAA). O n e of their organizational
charters is to carry on research and documentation of the air wars over France in both World Wars. Our
connection and correspondence with them began with an inquiry they m a d e to us seeking information
on the 44th B o m b Group losses on the March 8, 1943 raid.
Though much of their article has its basis from the Missing Aircrew Reports in the Will Lundy Roll of
Honor records, it also offers us a view of the raid from the view of the German fighters defending that
vital rail center. (Stele translated m e a n s m o n u m e n t or memorial marker). This article appeared in
their l'ANSORAA JOURNAL.
O O O
"Stele to the allied aviators of Villiers-Ecalles
note about the destruction of two bombers B24 "LIBERATOR"
Mars 8,1943
On March 8, 1943, at 12h 03, 9 bombers B24
"Liberator" of the 44th Bomber Group, (67th
squadron) of the 8th Air Force, took off from their
base of SHIPDHAM, very near NORWICH. They were
to meet 7 other B24's coming from the 93rd Bomber
Group (329th Squadron), at BEACHY-HEAD, on the
southern coast of England near EASTBOURNE.
The objective assigned to them was the switchyard
of SOTTEV1LLE LES ROUEN. This mission, important
because of the switchyard's strategic position,
consisted of a manoeuvre of diversion which was
supposed to allow 54 other American bombers, B17
Fly Fortress, to simultaneously attack another
switchyard, that of RENNES.
The Captain James O'BRIEN of the 68th Squadron
with major POSEY, 66th Squadron, aboard, w h o was
commanding the whole of the American formation,
were constrained to interrupt their mission.
John HUSSELTON, one of the members of their team,
had passed out because of a lack of oxygen. They
left the formation, notified their base by radio in
order to obtain the help of an ambulance and
landed. John HUSSELTON was taken off the plane.
They took off again immediately with the number of
crew members reduced and caught up with the
formation just above the English Channel.
W h e n captain O'BRIEN was forced to land, captain
Clyde PRICE of the 44th Bomber Group took the
place of the leader of the formation, lieutenant
Robert BLAINE moved up to the second place.
The crew members of lieutenant BLAINE, having had
two wounded during a previous mission, was not
supposed to take part in the mission, but after the
briefing, they succeeded to put together a complete
crew and received authorization to participate.
Sergeant Kenneth L. ERHART, of the weaponry
section, and Roy E. GOSL1NE, of the mechanics
section, volunteered willingly. They occupied, one
and the other, a machine gun position aboard the
B24 number 41 - 23784 to which the crew members
had given the name of "MISS DIANNE." It was one
of the 9 first B24 "Liberator" to arrive in England on
October 10 1942. Will LUNDY was responsible for the
maintenance on the ground of this plane. Today
(May 10 1997) he has become the historian of the
44th B O M B GROUP VETERANS ASSOCIATION.
The 16 bombers crossed the coast of France at 13h
53 at ST VALERY EN CAUX. A few minutes later,
between YERV1LLE and PAV1LLY the pilots were
looking for their fighter planes: some P47
"THUNDERBOLT," expected to replace the 25
"SPITFIRE" of the R.A.F w h o were stopping their
coverage. This was supposed to be the first
�participation of these American fighter planes on an
escort mission since the beginning of the hostilities.
However, delayed by the first attack of the objective
at the north of France, they encountered severe
opposition and were delayed too long by these
combats, they were prevented from coming to ensure
the protection of the "Liberators."
succeeded in jumping from the plane with a
parachute. A prisoner of the German troops, he had
the chance, a few days later, to return to the crash
site. The plane had not exploded, the bombs were
still on board.
Leo FRAZ1ER finished the war at the Stalag LUFT HI.
The crew members of the bombers, for whom the
objective was to last no longer than a few minutes,
were preparing themselves for the attack.
lt was at this moment that 30 FW 190, of the JG 26
"SHLAGETER," of the Luftwaffe, were arriving at 14h.
With the sun behind them, they m a d e a surprise
attack on the American pilots w h o thought they
were seeing their own fighter planes arrive.
Wutz GALLAND, who was leading the patrol of the
F W 190 German fighters, launched his attack on the
bombers: from the front and on the right flanks of the
formation with the help of major Pips PR1LLER.
The "oberlieutenant" Peter CRUMP fired a long round
from his machine guns at one of the airplanes. He
w a s able to see clearly a good number of impacts
around the pilot's position. As he distanced himself
in a long nose dive, he saw with horror that he was
in line with the deballasting of the bombs of a
"liberator." H e escaped by a very tight bend... The
plane that he just hid crashed in the part of a
wooded valley to the north of the Seine...
Their attack was devastating, the leading B24
caught fire, followed by the second bomber. The
other crews were forced to break up the formation.
The leader, captain PRICE and the lieutenant
BLAINE, his second man, were hit by the shot of
numerous German fighter planes. These planes w h o
were commanding the mission, now out of combat,
left the other crews without information needed for
the planned attack.
Without the protection of allied fighters, the crews
had to resolve to set out for the North and rejoin the
fixed rallying point at NEUFCHATEL EN BRAY, then
set themselves out towards the point of passage on
the coast, chosen for the return to B1V1LLE SUR M E R
in between LE TREPORT and DIEPPE.
The plane number 2, piloted by lieutenant Robert W
BLAINE, crashed into French ground at S1ERVELLE.
The sole survivor, lieutenant Leo 0. FRAZ1ER
LT. LEO FRAZJER, 1997
He was the victim of a heart attack in 1995 which
left him in fragile health and he decided not to
participate in the trip of the 44th Bomber-Group
Veterans Association organized to go to Europe from
M a y 27 to June 7 1997...
It is only on February 2,1997 that the point of
impact of this was able to be confirmed thanks to
the help of M. Yves L01SEL, mayor of S1ERV1LLE who,
responding to the request of the author of the
present note, addressed to him a death certificate,
which reads thus: "The 12 Mars 1943, at 18h,
Monsieur Gustave NEMERY, farmer at S1ERV1LLE,
discovered on the plane, hamlet of Plix, the body of
a male individual of which the particulars are the
following: decapitated body, dressed in a khaki
military uniform, possibility wounded by a bullet
just about the ankle. The collar of the jacket had this
inscription: KRE1SS1G - M C ATOR - M A C - DILI FIELD. An identity plate belonged to the deceased
and turned over to the mayor March 20 1943 by a
�member of the occupation army at the moment of
the burial. The plate carried the following
information - OSCAR F KRE1SS1G 110 105 44...
According to every probability, the deceased was the
radio operator on the BLAINE crew fallen at
S1ERV1LLE, 400 meters from the place where the
body was found at the time of an aerial combat
taking place March 8 1943..."
The plane of the leader, "Miss Dianne" that captain
Clyde E. PRICE was flying, was hit by the enemy
fighter planes and by the Flak, seriously hit at the
front and at the fuselage center, the oxygen and
hydraulic circuits destroyed... The plane having
immediately caught fire, the signal to escape was
given ...It is sergeant Kenneth L. ERHART, one of the
two replacement machine gunners w h o gave this
information in the report that he made to the
military authorities after his return to the United
States.
Because of the frontal attack, the personnel at the
piloting position could not evacuate. Kenneth
ERHART helped sergeants Iris WYER and Deane
DEVARS to jump from the machine gun posts of the
right flank. He observed that sergeant FLESHMAN
was already dead, after which, he was also able, he
himself, to get out from the right flank.
Upon touching the ground, he saw lieutenant GROSS
arrive. His abdomen was gashed open. He died in the
arms of Kenneth ERHART under the regard of the
Germans.
"He had asked me to take his watch and to give it to
his mother, but the Germans seized it..." he declared.
Deane DEVARS and Iris WYER, wounded by the Flak
and burned, were captured one or two days later, not
having succeeded in getting themselves away from
the occupants w h o were looking for them.
As for Kenneth ERHART once that he become a
prisoner and that lieutenant GROSS was dead, the
German soldiers turned them over to the troops of
the LUFTWAFFE and he was taken to a hospital. He
never learned of what kind of medicine they used to
treat his burns, but the burns left no scars. He was
taken care of by French doctors and watched over by
German doctors, then he was taken by train to
Stalag-Luft to be interrogated and taken to Stalag
Vll, in M O O S B E R G in Baviere.
Kenneth E R H A R D was a close friend to Will LUNDY,
w h o was responsible for the maintenance on the
ground of the B24 "Miss Dianne" during the war. He
later became the historian of the 44th B O M B GROUP
VETERANS ASSOCIATION. The most part of this
report succeeded in being established with his very
helpful collaboration.
"MISS DIANNE" had exploded above BARENT1N, a
section of the plane in flames fell upon the housing
development of the BAD1N Establishments and
destroyed some houses. The greatest portion of the
plane and the bodies of the 8 victims ended their fall
at V1LLERS ECALLES where a stele was erected in
remembrance of the allied aviators of w h o m the
identity was only able to be established by the
confirmation of the points of impact that each of the
two B24 of the 44th Bomber Group. This
confirmation would only come February 2 1997.
The stele was inaugurated August 22 1948 by Maitre
Andre MARIE, president of the Council (First
Minister) and the mayor of BARENTIN, in the
presence of Monsieur the Consul of the United States
of America. A formal speech was given by Monsieur
RICHARD, author and the one w h o brought the
monument to fruition, adjunct of the mayor of
V1LLERS ECALLES, then a moving exaltation of the
spirit of sacrifice by M. Andre MARIE preceded the
deposit of a wreath of flowers while a plane of the
Aeroclub of Normandy dropped flowers over the
crowd.
Monsieur LEBLOND, the mayor then received the
honored guests at the town hall. Among the
spectators, a young boy of 11 years who dreamed of
becoming an aviator... he became one... and since
M a y 8 1983, a group of non-commissioned officers
of the reserve, members of their national association
(l'ANSORAA) participate each year, at the outskirts
of the municipality, of the former combatants and of
the inhabitants of V1LLERS ECALLES at the
commemoration of the remembrance of the allied
aviators whose names appear ever since on the
monument.
9
�This next piece is a letter sent in by Jim O'Brien in which he relates the mixed emotions of having to
relinquish the lead of the group to save the life of a crew m e m b e r , then, upon rejoining the group,
witness the simultaneous loss of both the Price crew, w h o had assumed the lead, then the Blaine crew
w h o had taken # 2 position.
2921 South Estrella Circle
Mesa, AZ 85202-7842
December 29,1997
Dear Roy,
I wrote a letter to Will Lundy and mentioned how much 1 enjoyed the story of "The Trip" in the
Winter Issue of the "8 Ball Tails." The visit to Rouen, the site of the memorial to the two 67th
aircrews and the account of Lois Cianci receiving her dad's dog tag from Guy Cressant were real
drama.
1 thought 1 would add this postscript to the story of the two 67th Squadron crews that were
shot down on the Rouen mission of 8 March 1943.1 knew Lt. Clyde Price and Lt. Robert Blaine
and some of their crew members very well. Clyde Price was a devoted family m a n w h o always
talked about the day when he could complete his missions and return to his wife. W e had many
conversations together at the Officers club. W e were not connoisseurs of the bar, but w e found
satisfaction in the side chairs listening to the music and news of the BBC broadcasts,
Major Jim Posey, Group Exec, and 1 were the designated Group Leaders for the Rouen mission
flying in m y aircraft "The Rugged Buggy" of the 68th Sq. W e had taken off and assembled the
Group over Shipdham when S/Sgt John Husselton, one of our waist gunners, was reported to
have fainted at his gun position. Jim Posey and 1 concluded that w e would have to give up the
lead position and return Husselton to the base. Price and Blaine then took over as deputy leads
and w e quickly returned Husselton to a waiting ambulance at Shipdham and then took off again
with nine crewmen to catch the 44th just as they were crossing the Channel.
One of the memorable quotes of the day was, "Are Those Spitfires?" from bombardier, Norius
Crisan when w e saw a bunch of fighters about 4000 ft. above us and to the left. The Polish
Spitfire Squadron was to be our escort. They were not Spitfires and soon, from the typical headon position, about 35-40 German ME109s and FWI90s came in at us. The Price and Blaine
aircraft quickly went down under the withering fire. Very few in that formation thought they were
going to survive that German attack, but fortunately the Polish Spitfires showed up in time to
chase them away. The Germans had achieved their purpose because in all of the confusion very
few of our bombs hit the railroad yards.
1 had m a n y experiences in m y 21 missions with the so called "fickle finger of fate," but 1
always felt that I owed John Husselton something for taking us out of that lead position on the
8th of March 1943, although there was no joy in the loss of the two 67th crews. As well stated
by John Muirhead in his book, Those W h o Fall, "it was kind of a Russian roulette that w e played
and w e pulled the trigger as many times as w e could." Another irony was that when John
Husselton returned from his prescribed "R&R", his first mission was the Kiel raid of 5/14/43 when
w e were shot down in the "Rugged Buggy." He was one of our eight crew members w h o survived
as P O W s for two years. 1 have never been able to reach him after the war.
Sincerely,
Jim O'Brien
�The last piece of these views comes to us by letter from Gloria Erhard, widow of S/Sgt. Kenneth I.
Erhard, Waist Gunner on the Capt. Price crew. S/Sgt. Erhard was one of three gunners in the rear of the
airplane who were able to bail out and survived the crash to become POW'S. The story, taken from his
diary and recollections passed on to his wife prior to his death, give us a view of the tragic end of a
tough mission. May 1 add that this mission took place at the height of those early days when the 67th
was suffering terrible aircrew losses and the ground support personnel were asked to volunteer for
aircrew duty. S/Sgt. Erhard from the Armament Section and S/Sgt. Roy E. Gosline from the Engineering
Section were two of those valorous men who took that step forward. S/Sgt. Gosline did not survive the
crash.
SLIGHTLY CONDENSED LETTER FROM GLORIA ERHARD
AFTER VIEWING SOME OF THE PHOTOS TAKEN AT
THE CEREMONIES AT V1LLERS ECALLES, FRANCE,
JUNE 1997, THE MONUMENT. THE FLOWERS, THE
CEREMONIES MUST HAVE BEEN AWESOMELY
BEAUTIFUL TO HAVE BEEN SEEN FOR THE FIRST
TIME, AND SO DEDICATED TO YOUNG. HANDSOME
AMERICAN FLYERS W H O GAVE THEIR LIVES AND
FREEDOM BECAUSE OF THE WHIMS OF A STRANGE
LITTLE MAN W H O M WE KNEW AS HITLER. IT MAKES
ONE ANGRY, SAD, PROUD OF OUR YOUNG MEN
W H O WILLINGLY LAY DOWN THEIR LIVES, THEIR
FREEDOM TO SAVE OUR COUNTRY AND THE WORLD
FROM ONE OF THE "ISMS" WITHIN AN "ISM" OF
OUR O W N WHICH IS CALLED PATRIOTISM.
1 WAS TRYING TO LOOK BEYOND THE PHOTOS TO
WHERE KEN AND THE LIEUT. FROM DENVER
(MORTON P. GROSS) MAY HAVE LANDED. KEN
NEVER SPOKE OF THE FIERY CRASH. PERHAPS HE
DID NOT SEE IT. THEY LANDED NOT TOO FAR FROM
A ROAD WHERE GERMAN SOLDIERS WAITED IN A
PARKED TRUCK. IT TOOK SEVERAL MINUTES TO
COME DOWN IN THEIR PARACHUTES AS THE ENEMY
PLANES "TOYED" WITH THE TWO "CHUTISTS,"
CAUSING THEM TO GO UP AS WELL AS DOWN,
SHOOTING AT THEM ALL THE WHILE. WHEN THEY
LANDED, THE LIEUTENANT CALLED, "KENNY BOY!
KENNY BOY!"
KEN WAS TRYING TO DISENGAGE HIS HARNESS
AND FIGHT OFF THE SOLDIERS W H O WERE
GATHERING AROUND HIM AT THAT TIME. "HANG
ON! I'M TRYING TO GET OVER THERE," KEN YELLED
OUT. HE PUSHED AND SHOVED HIS WAY TO LT.
GROSS BUT FOUND HIM FATALLY WOUNDED,
ALMOST SHOT IN HALF. SO HE GATHERED THE LT. IN
HIS ARMS WHILE BEING TOLD, "TAKE MY WATCH
AND GIVE IT TO MY MOTHER. TELL HER 1 LOVE
HER." HOWEVER, THE WATCH WAS SNATCHED AWAY
BEFORE THE EXCHANGE COULD BE MADE, TAKEN
AWAY BY AN ENEMY SOLDIER. KEN DID NOT KNOW
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BODY OF THE LT. BUT HE
WAS MARCHED TO A BARN WHICH WAS NEARBY.
WHILE RESTING THERE IN SOME HAY, KEN
EXAMINED HIMSELF TO DISCOVER WOUNDS TO HIS
LEGS, FLAK WOUNDS IN HIS NECK. HIS FACE AND
HIS HANDS WERE BURNED WHEN HIS OXYGEN
MASK HAD CAUGHT FIRE. TOO, HIS TORSO
RECEIVED SOME BURNS AND A FEW FLAK
WOUNDS, AND HE WAS HAVING A HARD TIME
BREATHING.
LATER HE WAS LOADED ONTO A TRUCK AND TAKEN
TO A SMALL HOSPITAL WITH FRENCH DOCTORS BUT SUPERVISED BY A GERMAN DOCTOR. THE
FRENCH DOCTOR WHISPERED, "WATCH YOUR
BOOTS —" BUT WAS INTERRUPTED WHEN THE
GERMAN YELLED, "NO TALKING". A SALVE WAS
APPLIED TO HIS BURNS, WHICH AMAZINGLY
HALTED THE PAIN ALMOST IMMEDIATELY THE
WORST FLAK WOUNDS WERE TREATED, BUT THE
REST OF THEM WERE LEFT UNTREATED.
HE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A TRAIN DEPOT AMPLY
COVERED BY SEVERAL GUARDS. THEN ON TO AN
INTERROGATION CENTER WHERE HE WAS HELD
FOR 10 DAYS IN ISOLATION. THERE KEN WAS
QUESTIONED EACH DAY BY THE HAUPTMANN AND
HIS SERGEANTS. HE WAS SHOCKED THAT THE
GERMAN SPY SYSTEM WAS SO GOOD THAT THEY
HAD KEN'S COMPLETE 201 FILE!! CAN YOU
BELIEVE IT! THEY EVEN HAD HIS MOTHER'S
MAIDEN NAME, FATHER'S NAME, KEN'S PREVIOUS
OCCUPATION, CHURCH, ETC.
SIGN THIS PAPER OR YOU'LL NEVER SEE YOUR
FAMILY AGAIN! AND "JOIN US - WE'LL DO BIG
THINGS FOR YOU. DO NOT GIVE YOUR NAME, RANK,
SERIAL NUMBER! W E ALREADY HAVE IT ALL! SIGN
IT OR YOU W O N T GET YOUR MAIL" ETC.
ONE SERGEANT PUT HIS FACE NEXT TO KEN'S AND
THREATENED HIM. KEN SPAT IN HIS FACE, SO OF
COURSE, THE GERMAN HIT HIM IN THE JAW WITH
�HIS RIFLE BUTT AND KEN FOUND HIMSELF ON THE
FLOOR. ONE DAY KEN DECIDED HE HAD HAD
ENOUGH INTERROGATION AND REFUSED TO GET
OFF HIS COT. HE PUT HIS ARM OVER HIS EYES,
HEARD THE GUARD LEAVE, HEARD OTHER
FOOTSTEPS AND NEXT CAME BRUTAL PAIN, NEARLY
THE WORST HE'D EVER FELT. THE HAUPTMANN WAS
BEATING HIS BARE FEET WITH A RIDING CROP! HIS
BOOTS, BY THE WAY, WERE HIDDEN UNDER HIS
COT.
ONE TIME, AFTER JUST CROSSING A BRIDGE AT
L1NZ, GERMANY, THEY WATCHED ALLIED PLANES
STRAFE AND BOMB THAT BRIDGE! ALL IN ALL,
THEY MARCHED 281 MILES TO BRANAU WOODS,
AUSTRIA (HITLER'S BIRTHPLACE) TO REST AND
AWAIT THEIR FATE. A FEW DAYS LATER, THEY WERE
ALLOWED TO SCROUNGE FOR FOOD, THEN AT
NIGHT LIE AWAKE LISTENING TO CREAKING NOISES
WHICH THEY HOPED WOULD BE TANKS MOVING IN
THE VALLEY BELOW.
BUT AFTER THE 10th DAY, KEN WAS SENT TO
STALAG Vll-A, MOOSEBURG, GERMANY WHERE HE
MET OTHER AMERICAN AIRMEN, SOME OF W H O M
REMAINED FRIENDS UNTIL HIS DEATH.
IT WAS ON 2 MAY, 1945 WHEN AN ARMY JEEP
DROVE UP TO THEIR ENCAMPMENT WITH A
CAPTAIN AND A CORPORAL ON BOARD, LOADED TO
THE HILT WITH WEAPONS. THE CAPTAIN STOOD UP
AND SHOUTED, "YOU ARE NOW FREE! CONSIDER
YOURSELF ON ACTIVE DUTY" OR WORDS CLOSE TO
THAT MEANING.
IN SEPTEMBER, 1943, THEY WERE SHIPPED TO
STALAG XV11-B, KREMS, AUSTRIA. HE WAS ONE OF
THE FIRST AMERICAN CONTINGENT THERE, WHERE
THEIR NUMBERS GREW FROM LESS THAN A
THOUSAND TO OVER 4300 IN 1945.
AS THE WAR PROGRESSED, SUPPLIES BECAME
MORE RARE. RED CROSS PARCELS WERE FEW
BECAUSE THE GUARDS STARTED HELPING
THEMSELVES. WHEN THE REGULAR GUARDS WERE
REPLACED BY HOME GUARDS, CONDITIONS
BECAME WORSE. MANY POWs BECAME ILL, BUT THE
HOSPITAL HAD LITTLE MEDICINES FOR TREATMENT.
IT HAD AN X-RAY MACHINE BUT LITTLE ELSE. THERE
WAS AN AMERICAN DOCTOR, MAJOR BEAUMONT,
BUT KEN KNEW VERY LITTLE ABOUT HIM, AND TO
MY KNOWLEDGE, NEVER HEARD ANYTHING ABOUT
HIM AFTER THE WAR.
KEN STAYED IN THE SERVICE FOR AWHILE, E
A PRESIDENTIAL CITATION AWARD (UNIT) FOR
PARTICIPATION IN A B-29 FLY-OVER AT MANILA,
CELEBRATING ITS INDEPENDENCE IN 1947. ALSO
PARTICIPATED IN THE BERLIN AIRLIFT WHEN
RUSSIA CLOSED THAT CITY DOWN IN 1948(7). ALSO
WAS IN A NON-STOP SITUATION THAT BROKE ALL
RECORDS. THROUGHOUT ALL OF THIS, HE KEPT
ASKING HIMSELF THE AGE-OLD QUESTION, "WHY
ME? WHY WAS 1 SPARED WHEN MISS DIANNE'S
CREW PERISHED?"
1 AM POSITIVE GOD HAS SET KEN'S MIND AT
WITH A SUITABLE ANSWER. KEN IS AT REST NOW,
BUT HE LIVES IN MY HEART.
KEN WAS NEVER FURNISHED WITH A UNIFORM OR
SIMILAR CLOTHES, SO HE WAS FORCED TO WEAR
THAT POOR OLD FLIGHT SUIT AND WHATEVER ELSE
HE COULD SCROUNGE. TO KEEP REASONABLY
CLEAN HE'D USE HIS THIN BLANKET, WASH HIS
CLOTHES WHEN WATER WAS AVAILABLE, SHOWER
WHEN HE COULD. FOOD CONSISTED OF SAWDUST
BREAD, GRUEL, ACORN COFFEE AND WHATEVER
ELSE THE RED CROSS PARCELS OFFERED.
IN APRIL, 1945, THE RUSSIANS WERE ADVANCING,
SO THE GERMANS STARTED MARCHING THE POWs
TOWARD THE ALLIED FRONT. THERE WERE ABOUT
4100 POWS WENDING THEIR WAY THROUGH THE
ALPS IN ALL SORTS OF WEATHER. GENERALLY, KEN
WAS IN FRONT, AS THERE WAS SO LITTLE TO EAT
THAT HE WANTED A CHANCE TO FIND ANYTHING.
THEY ATE TREE BARK, ANY LEFTOVER BERRIES,
FIELD MICE, SMALL CHUNKS OF STALE BREAD.
w
�seat of Immediate Past President, it is m y
intent to m a k e the job description one of
"Recruiter at Large" working to bring the
44th elements back together under the
umbrella of a federation wherein each
element maintains it's identity and w e share
a c o m m o n journal and meet annually at a
joint reunion and pay dues to the parent
organization. I a m convinced that if w e wish
to avoid watching each of the 44th elements
wither and die, w e must reach out and join
hands, younger with older, to maintain the
strength to sustain this proud organization
into the next millennium.
Our Bronze B-24 contributions were very
good. Our m e m b e r s contributed
approximately $2,250. (A few sent their
contribution direct to 2nd A D so w e don't
have an exact total) and w e matched that
from our treasury, so w e m a d e a respectable
contribution to the U S A F A Court of Honor
presence of our great old warbird.
With the cancellation of our England/
France trip, I see some room on the schedule
for attendance to the 50th 2nd A D bash at
O a k Hills Resort outside of Chicago M a y 2225. M y golf tournament winner's trophy from
the 48th reunion is getting dusty; maybe I
had better get back there and see if I can get
a n e w one!
Lolly sends her best wishes. She loves
Savannah and is looking forward to seeing
ya'll (that's a Southern You All) there in
October. I can hardly wait to get back to
Johnny Harris'ribhouse!
See you in Savannah
Your Prez.
I can't believe it's 8-Ball Tails time again.
The months are falling off the calendar and
w e will be heading for Savannah before w e
k n o w it! There are all the preliminary
registration forms in the centerfold of this
issue, so be sure to get them filled out and
on the way.
To bring you briefly up to date on the
reunion, Mike Yuspeh, our Reunion
Chairman, is up and running and busy
making final arrangements for all the
dinners, tours, transportation, etc. A n d it all
looks great. You all will recall the centerpiece
of this reunion will the unveiling and
dedication of our 44th B o m b Group display
in the Mighty Eighth Air Force M u s e u m . The
display replicates the four ship lead element,
Suzy Q, Horsefly, Buzzin' Bear and the
borrowed 376th aircraft, at the instant before
b o m b s away over the target at Ploesti. W e
will be commemorating all of the veterans of
the Ploesti attack, additionally, w e will be
honoring those still living. In January, I sent
a personal letter to each k n o w n living Ploesti
veteran inviting them to the reunion and
unveiling and telling each that w e will be
specifically honoring the living Ploesti
veterans. Since this will, most probably, be
the last gathering of this heroic group under
one roof, w e expect it will be an event of
national news media interest and w e don't
want you to miss this historic event. The
response from the Ploesti raiders has been
terrific and w e will have some of the raider
widows joining us as well. If you have not yet
visited the Mighty 8th A F M u s e u m , this
reunion is really a must. I placed a notice of
our reunion in the Air Force Times inviting
44th veterans from the B o m b Wing, the
Strategic Missile Wing and the Air Refueling
Squadron to attend, let's hope w e get some
response.
Looking to the future; w h e n m y term
expires and I m o v e to the n o w vacant Board
10
�Miscellanea
1998 England-France Trip has been cancelled.
Regrettably, every once in awhile, we all make a bad call. It appeared from the survey we conducted at the General
Meeting that w e had more than enough to fill a bus. A strange thing happened on the w a y to the Forum. W h e n it came time to
sign up, w e barely came up with a dozen adventuresome travellers. Perhaps concern over the World Cup Soccer matches in Paris
while w e would have been there, or our own big Reunion this year in Savannah and the 50th Anniversary of 2nd Air Division
Reunion M a y 23-26 in Oak
Brook Hills, Illinois affected
the sign-ups. Whatever, w e
i VILLERSECAILES
are sorry to tell those who
Vf
did make reservations of our
<o9;r
cancellation. You should
have been notified by
^*<£% j
Waterhouse Tours by now. It
is too bad! W e had some
INFOS
MUNICIPAL
wonderful arrangements
made with both our English
and French friends.
As an example of the
excitement displayed by the
French at the prospects of
our return, I have copied the
cover of the January edition
of the Villers Ecalles
Municipal bulletin with
photos of our '97 visit and an
inside story about the plans
for a '93 visit. Well, perhaps
in '99 w e will have occasion
to travel to England to
dedicate the new Arrow Air
Centre, then go on to France
for the occasion of meeting
our friends by those who
missed the last trip.
n
�Our Hard Working U.K. Representative
In early January, Steve Adams, our always onthe-job representative in Norwich, got a call from
Paul Wiatr, a U.S. Navy Reserve member living in the
Chicago area. Paul is the son of, now deceased,
Sgt. Rudolph Wiatr, Tail gunner on the Lt. Leonard
Louik crew which joined the 67th Sguadron in
December, 1944. Paul was soon to arrive in England
on a two week temporary duty tour. He made
contact with the Memorial Library and obtained
Steve's e-mail address. They made contact and
made all the arrangements on the Internet, He
wanted to tour his father's old base, so Steve made
the appropriate contacts and on Saturday, January
17, accompanied by Phyllis DuBois (no doubt she
provided the car), they met Paul at Thorpe Station
and took him to Station 115, Steve reports it was a
bitter cold windy day. They first went to Combat
Wing Hq, where Andrew Doubleday hosted them
with hot coffee and a nice visit before a log fire, then
a tour of all the various rooms. Resuming the tour,
they went to the 67th living site, then to the flight line
where they walked to the end of the main runway
where Paul stood in silence for several minutes. He
then stated that he felt close to his father while he
stood at the very spot his father had started the take
off roll on his combat missions. On with the tour it
was down to the Tower and then to Arrow Air where
Nigel Wright hosted lunch and gave Paul some 8-Ball
Stickers. They lingered, visiting too long and were late
for Paul's train so they had an additional hour of visit.
I wanted to relay this account of a "routine" visit
by even a non-member such as Paul who has an
interest in the 44th and is made to feel so welcome
by "our Man in England." He does this year round,
sometimes taking vacation days from work to see
that 44th visitors visit and leave feeling they have
been treated very special. Steve's address is in the
Board Directory. Take the time to drop him and his
lovely, supporting wife, Janice a note telling him how
much we appreciate all he does for our proud 44th.
Incidentally, Paul asked Steve if it was permissible
for him to join the Association, to which Steve
replied: " You are a lot more entitled to belong to the
44th B o m b Group Veterans Association than I am.
With this, he handed him a membership application.
Editor.
A LATE BREAKING STORY ABOUT OUR MAN IN ENGLAND
THIS BRINGS M E T O W H A T C A N W E D O FOR
I got an E-mail from Steve telling m e he had been
STEVE? ITHINKITISIMPORTANTTHATWE
contacted by C B S in London. He had been referred
HAVE HIM ATTEND O U R SAVANNAH
to them by the Memorial Library (does that sound
familiar) when they called saying they wanted to do a REUNION T O SEE A N D TAKE PART IN THE
UNVEILING OF O U R PLOESTI DISPLAY.
documentary piece on the wartime 2nd A D bases in
East Anglia. They were told Steve had the best photo REMEMBER, HE IS THE 66TH SQDN.
HISTORIAN AS WELL AS BEING O U R UK
archives and was the most knowledgeable man in
REPRESENTATIVE. ADDITIONALLY, I W A N T HIM
the whole area on the B-24s and their bases in
England. They arrived with an entire camera crew and A N D JANICE T O MEET A N D FEEL A PART OF
not one, but two very attractive reporters and spent 5 THE 44TH FAMILY AS A G R O U P A N D N O T
JUST SINGLY O R IN SMALL TRAVEL G R O U P S
hours with Steve touring Shipdham Airfield (what
AS W E VISIT ENGLAND. I A M GOING TO ASK
else!). They had a visit and coffee with Mr.
Doubleday (this is getting to be a regular tour stop), O U R TREASURER T O SET UP AN A D A M S
Arrow Air and all the various sites. This all ended up REUNION A C C O U N T WHICH I WILL OPEN
with them doing an interview with Steve, which will be WITH A $20 CHECK. I W O U L D LIKE THOSE
a part of the documentary. He promises to send us a O F Y O U W H O W A N T T O SAY THANKS, STEVE,
TOSENDALONGA$10OR$20BILLOR
copy of the tape and also not to forget his 8-Ball
C H E C K M A R K E D "THANKS STEVE" TO: 44TH
friends who knew him before he became a star of
television. Isn't this great, our guy is putting the 44th BGVA, P.O. BOX2367, SALTLAKECITY, UT
84110-2367. THEN W E C A N THANK HIM A N D
right in the public eye.
JAN PERSONALLY FOR ALL HE D O E S A N D
ALL THE SUPPORT SHE GIVES HIM. Y O U R
12 PREZ THANKS YOU.
�44th BOMB GROUP
Swiss Internees—We Need Some Help!
This E-Mail from Steve Adams tells the story:
Subject:
Date:
Tuc, 24 Mar 98 19:57:37 G M T
From:
Stephen A d a m s <S.RAdams@btinternet.com>
To: Roy O w e n <rowen@sonic.net>
Hi Boss,
I have been helping an English boy with his research. H e is interested in the aircraft from the 8th
that were interned in Switzerland. I scanned his letter to m e ana tried to send it to you but it was to
big, so I have condensed it a little so I can e-mail it to you. H e is asking if you could put a regues
in the Tails asking if any of the crew m e m b e r s would contact him and answer s o m e guestions
about their time being interned.
"I have enclosed the info on the 9 aircraft of the 44th B G w h o went d o w n in Switzerland during 4345. I have listed them by pilots n a m e , aircraft serial, date and aircraft type.
1. 2nd Lt. Eugene N. Dyer
18-3-44
B-24J
42-109800
2. 1st Lt. George D. Telford
18-3-44
B-24H
42-7618
3. 1st Lt. Robert R. Lucas
18-3-44
B-24J
42-100400
4. 2nd Lt. Winston C. Irwin
18-3-44
B-24H
41-29431
5. 1st Lt. Hollis R. Nichols
18-3-44
42-100112
B-24J
B-24J
6. 1st Lt. R a y m o n d J. L a c o m b e 18-3-44
42-100643
Sack Artists
7. 1st Lt. Rockford C. Griffith
13-4-44
B-24J
42-100330
21-7-44
42-110049
B-24J
8. 1st Lt. John R. Anderson
Mary Harriet
21-7-44
42-95226
B-24H
9. FIO Donald F. Tofte
Channel Hopper
I would like to get in contact with as m a n y of the m e n on these nine crews, so I could ask
guestions about their flight and their time in Switzerland. I have s o m e photos and info. I would b e
willing to swap or pay for anything sent to m e .
Robert Martyr
120 Brendon, Laindon,
Basildon, Essex
SS15 5XN
England
Roy: He is a good kid. I have given him photographs and helped him were I can, but I would n
give out any addresses. If you put it in the tails and they write to him that would b e great. The Swiss
Internees Association have been helping him a lot. M y thanks to anyone w h o can help.
Steve
Editor: This request is to ALL of the crew members
on those crews listed. Please take
the time to make contact with Robert Martyr and contribute copies, I repeat COPIES of
anything you might have with the caveat that you will be given credit for the material
(diaries, photos, etc.) that you provide and will receive a copy of his research
document when completed. This could be a very valuable addition to our own archives.
13
�44TH BOMB GROUP VETERANS ASSOCIATION BOARD
President : Roy W. Owen T506J
6304 Meadowridge Drive
Santa Rosa. CA 95409-5839
Phone: f707J 538-4726 Fax: T707J 538-1212
e-mail: rowen@sonic.net
Director : Michael "Mike" yuspeh T506J
7214 Sardonyx St.
New Orleans. LA 70124-3509
Phone: T504J 283-3424 Fax: T504J 283-3425
e-mail: mikeyuspeh@worldnet.att.net
Vice President : James H. Clements T506J
4124 Calculus Avenue
Dallas. TX 75244
Phone/Fax: T972J 243-4657
Director : Nancy L Van E P P S fHq. SqdnJ
13922 River Road
Pensacola. FL 32507
Phone/Fax: T904J 492-2041
Secretary : Edward M. Dobson T67J
118 South 15th Avenue #1
Bozeman. M T 59715-4130
Phone/Fax: T406J 587-2490
Membersh iP Co-Chair : Search Art Hand f66J
517 Elm Street
Paris. (L 61994
Phone/Fax: T217J 463-5905
e-mail: butch@tigerpaw.com
Treasurer : Gerald fJerryJ FoIsom f506J
3582 East Dover Hill Road
Salt Lake City. U T 84121-5527
Phone T801J 733-7371 Fax: T801J 942-9988
e-mail: 44thbgva@mail.xmission.com
Membership Co-Chair : Roster
Tom Shepherd T66/67J
10597 Cambrooke Cove
Collierville. T N 38017
Phone: T901J 854-6558 Fax: T901J 853-4229
e-mail: sheep@wspice.com
Historian : C.W. "Will" Lundy T67J
3295 North " H " Street
San Bernardino. CA 92405-2809
Phone/Fax: T909J 882-2441
e-mail: willundy@aol.com
P.O. Box 315. Bridgeport. CA 93517 fSumJ
Phone/Fax: T619J 932-7349
Director f67J Archivist
Anthony "Tony" Mastradone
9111 Tuckerman Street
Lanham. M D 20706-2709
Phone/Fax: f301 J 577-1487
44th Group Vice President to 2nd A D A
Richard D. Butler T506/67J
16494 Wagon Wheel Drive
Riverside. CA 92506
Phone T909J 780-7421 Fax: T909J 780-1459
U.K. Representative : Steve Adams
28 Bassingham Rd.
Norwich. England N R 3 2QT
Phone/Fax: 011-44-1603-400221
e-mail: s.P.adams@btinternet.com
Director : Edw. K. "Mike" Mikoloski f66J
626 Smithfield Road #702
N. Providence, R1 02904
Phone/Fax: f401 J 353-0144
ASSOCIATION MAILING ADDRESS:
44th BGUA
P.O. Box 2367
Salt Lake City. U T 84110-2367
Director : Robert J. Lehnhausen f68J
709 West Meadows Place
Peoria. IL 61604-3447
Phone/Fax: T309J 685-2490
14
�WILLSEZ
Back in March, 1995, Lt. Gen. EG. "Buck"
Shuler, Ir. Chairman and C E O of The Mighty
Eighth Air Force Heritage Center wrote to
all organizations connected with the 8th Air
Force of W W #2. His message was that this
new organization had a goal to create and
maintain an electronic data base of
individuals w h o served in the Eighth Air
Force.
Shortly after that, your Prez Roy Owen and
met briefly with Buck at the annual reunion
of the 2nd A D A in Kentucky to discuss his
goals and means to accomplish this
Herculean task. Later, w e also talked with
Mary Beth Barnard, Director of History and
Archives at The Heritage Center w h o was
involved with development of software with
which to record that vast amount of data.
Naturally, both Roy and I were pleased to
cooperate with them, being aware of the
large amount of data which w e in the 44th
B G already had accumulated and the
pressing need to organize it for better usage.
With this goal in mind, we invited Tony
Mastradone into the picture, as he had been
instrumental in working with m e for several
years visiting the archives in Suitland to
obtain m a n y documents which I needed for
our history. Happily, Tony agreed, so w e
decided to begin a project to copy the
interrogation forms stored in our mission
folders.
An Interrogation Report form had been
prepared for each crew participating on
each mission for every mission during our
Operational period in England and Africa,
so this was the obvious way to obtain the
data required for the goal of The Heritage
Center - Data Base for Individuals. These
forms would provide most of the data
required for our combat crewman, but
would entail considerable expenditures to
copy and handle m a n y thousands of forms.
Happily, Tony and I had worked to obtain
m a n y of these forms in order to establish
and confirm m a n y facts regarding our
Operational activities - Roll of Honor,
missions flown, aircraft data and general
history of the Group. W e decided to start
with the end of the war in England, last
mission flown of 25 April, 1945 and work
back to the first in 1942. This was done
because w e had relatively few I.R. previously
copied and w e could pick up more data for
other purposes.
ITony has done an excellent job working
with the staff, fighting his way through the
massive tangle of government w h e n they
moved all of the archival documents in the
Washington, D.C. to the new, huge complex
building closer to his home. He recently
advised m e that his records show that
overall, he has copied over 9.000 forms! His
work has taken him into the records of
early 1944. so he still has quite large
numbers yet to complete. In order to hold
d o w n the expense, he plans his work as
efficiently as possible, telephones ahead,
asks his Archivist friends to "pull" the
mission folders he will need, so that he can
begin work on them immediately upon his
arrival. This will lessen the number of trips
which will ultimately be required. It costs 10
cents per copy for each form w e need, and
expensive to mail, so money has become a
problem so far as our budgets are concerned.
So he has cut back on this work for the
present.
As one can imagine, it also becomes a
problem for m e to organize, separate and
file these forms after I get them. I've been
forced to purchase plastic filing containers,
and n o w have to store them in m y garage as
there is no longer filing space in m y war
room. They must be kept in a safe place
until w e can begin the task of data entry.
Recently, it was learned that the software
being developed by Mary Beth Barnard at
The Heritage Center failed to handle the job
requirements, so they have adopted a new
�program. Procite, which was developed for
use by libraries, and are utilizing it to
compile listings of names only at this time.
Consequently, with precious time slipping
away, it seems necessary that w e take
positive steps to do more than that with all
of this precious store of records. Tennessee
T o m m y Shepherd has offered to develop
some recording forms utilizing the c o m m o n
software which several of us already are
using to be able to m a k e data entry now.
These "golden" years will not last forever, so
bit in teeth, w e plan to forge ahead.
recording what w e feel is essential and
important. Hopefully, w e can m a k e it work
well enough so that other members of the
2nd A D A Groups will join us so that what is
developed can be shared with these other
groups. In that manner, at least the 2nd
Division records will be compatible a m o n g
us all, for whatever purposes.
The 8 Ball Tails ©
Official Journal of The 44th Bomb Group
Veterans Association, Inc. ©
Compiled, written and published tri-yearly
6304 Meadowridge Dr., Santa Rosa, CA 95409,
Roy W. Owen, Editor. Printed and mailed Bulk
Rate at Salt Lake City, UT under USPS Permit
#6923. All original written material such as
letters, stories, excerpts from personal diar
or memoirs, drawings and photos submitted to
this journal will become the property of the
44th Bomb Group Veterans Association and will
be copyright protected except where noted.
The text and photos are otherwise reproduced
from official USAAF and USAF documents and
photos which have been released for
Thanks to all of these efforts, I am now able
publication. Permission is granted for the
to utilize these papers for a multitude of
contents of this journal to be reproduced
specifically for personal archives. Otherwise
purposes including the ability to verify
copyright material herein may be reproduced
missions for our combat m e n and to answer
by the journal of other incorporated non-profi
so m a n y questions regarding missions, w h o
veterans organizations so long as this
flew them, on which planes they flew, etc.
publication is properly credited and prior
They have been a great boon to m y ability to
permission is granted by the editor.
answer questions sent in by next of kin,
Those submitting letters, stories and phot
crew mates, etc. I can serve you all so m u c h
the editor or historian must do so with the
better than in the past in answering your
understanding that this material will most
questions.
likely be published in this journal as a matter
of interest to the members/subscribers of the
Association and this journal. While every
Hopefully our budget and treasury will be
attempt will be made to answer all of the
able to withstand these expenditures. W e
material received, there is no explicit or
will keep you posted with developments.
implied guarantee that an answer will be
Too, if there are others willing to assist us in
provided or published. Except for specific
any way with this project, please don't be
requests for the return of original documents
and photos, all material submitted will become
bashful. Drop a note and tell us what you
the property of the 44th Veterans Association,
think you can do to help. W e will listen very
Inc.,
or its successors.
carefully!
Due to space limitations and to ensure the
clarity and brevity of submitted material, the
Will Lundy
Publisher/Editor reserves the editorial license
to add, cut or otherwise modify all submitted
material so long as the original context of th
material is maintained.
�Savannah Reunion - 44th Bomb Group
Early arrival Saturday, October 24th
• Registration
• Tour Historic Savannah City Tour - Gray Line 11/2 hour (Cost $16)
• # 1 - Leave Hotel 1:00 p.m. - Return 2:30 p.m.
• # 2 - Leave Hotel 3:00 p.m. - Return 4:30 p.m.
Sunday, October 25th
• Registration 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Historic Savannah City Tour with Admission and tour on one of Savannah's Mansions.
Leave Hotel 1:00 p.m. - Return 3:00 p.m. (Cost $20)
• Reception - Days Inn: Cash Bar 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Dinner on your own.
Monday, October 26th
• Registration 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• First shuttle bus leaves Hotel at 9:00 a.m.forMighty 8th Museum.
• Visit Mighty 8th Museum.
• Buffet lunch at 11:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m.
• Program to dedicate Ploesti Exhibit -1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
• Shuttle bus returns to Days Inn at 2:45 p.m.
• Shuttle bus leaves at 5:00 p.m. for Convention Center.
•Banquet at Savannah Convention Center - Buffet and open bar.
-Ceremony
-Bag Pipes and Disk Jockey will provide entertainment.
•Shuttle bus returns to Days Inn 9:30 p.m.
Tuesday, October 27th
Tours
• 9:00 a.m. Board Meeting for 44th Bomb Group Association (Hospitality Room)
• Low Country Tour (plantation site) - Cost $25 - Leaves at 9:00 a.m., returns 12:00 noon.
or Leaves at 1:00 p.m., returns 4:00 p.m.
• Squadron Dinners - Mighty 8th Museum.
Shuttles to begin at 5:30 p.m.
Dinner served at 7:00 p.m.
Shuttles to return at 9:30 p.m.
Wednesday, October 28th
• Annual Meeting 9:00 am. (Whereabouts to be announced)
• Tour on Savannah River Queen. Dock at 1:30 p.m., return at 3:00 p.m. (Cost $17.50)
• Visit to Old Fort Jackson
Shuttles to leave at 6:00 p.m.
Dinner at 6:45 p.m.
Shuttle returns at 9:30 p.m.
Thursday, October 29th
• Leave for home.
17
m
�44th Bomb Group Reunion
October 25 - 29, 1998
Days Inn/ Days Suites • 201 West Bay Street
Savannah, Georgia
(912) 236-4440/Reservations Dept. (9 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.)
Please print or type only. All information must be completed.
Name:
Daytime Phone #:
Address:
City/State/Zipcode:
Spouse or Guest's Name:
Reservation - Accommodation: Send (the 1st Night's Deposit)
Arrival Date:
Departure Date:
Smoking: •
Non-Smoking: •
Room Type: Standard Double: •
Cost + 12% tax - Total *or current tax rate.
1) Standard $62 + 1 2 % tax = $69.44/night
2) Suites $82 + 1 2 % tax = $91.84/night
1 Bdrm Suite: •
lk I st night deposit should be sent to hotel with reservation
prior to 9/25/98!
•^DISCOUNT N O T AVAILABLE T H R O U G H 1-800 NUMBER!
You may send a check or indicate your credit card number and expiration date.
Hotel Policies
-k The hotel accepts credit cards and cash at check-in.
-k Check-in time is 3 p.m. Check-out time is 1 1 a.m.
~k Cancellation is no later than 48 hours prior to arrival.
We offer a cafe on property, open 6:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. , re-opens at 5:30 p.m. u
p.m. the next day.
If you are driving to the hotel, complimentary garage parking is available. Should
taxi service from the airport or Amtrak, the following telephone number may be helpful: Coastal
Shuttle - (912)964-5999.
"^"Please send one copy with payment to the hotel and keep on copy for your recor
(912) 234-0841 Ext. #147 and identify your group for the discounted rate (Monday - Friday 9
a.m. to 4 p.m.)
We look forward to seeing you in OCTOBER, 1998!!!
®
�44th Bomb Group Reunion
October 25 - 29, 1998
Savannah, Georgia
Registration Form
Please print or type only. All information must be completed.
Last Name: First (Name Tag)
Spouse:
Address:
City
Phone (
)
Guests & Relation:
Squadron:
State:
Zipcode:
Total to Attend:
REUNION COST: $ 140 PER PERSON
Tour # l October 24 - Historic Savannah City Tour $16 # Attending: Amount $
Time: o 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
o 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 pm.
Tour #2 - October 25 - Historic Savannah City Tour $20 # Attending: Amount $
w/Mansion admission 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Tour #3 - October 27 - Low Country Tour $25 # Attending: Amount $
Time: o 9:00 a.m. - 12 noon
o 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Tour #4 -October 28-Narrated River Tour $17.50 # Attending: Amount $
Time: l :30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Total Amount: $
Registration must be received by October 11, 1998. No Registration will be processed after tha
Mail To: Mike Yuspeh • 7214 Sardonyx Street • New Orleans, LA 70124-3509
Phone: (504) 283-3424 • Fax: (504) 283-3425 (6 rings to pick up.)
NOTE: If you have sent in previous information, please fill out this form and mail with check
®
�COST OF REUNION - REGISTRATION
Complete Reunion - $140
This price includes:
Registration
Reception Days Inn
Transportation to Mighty 8th Museum
Admission to Museum, Lunch at m u s e u m
Transportation to Banquet, Convention Center, buffet, open bar (45 min.).
Transportation & Squadron Dinner.
Transportation & Old Fort Jackson admission and buffet.
All tours subject to number of people who sign up.
If not enough interest, tour will be cancelled.
20
�THEREUPON
Autumn leaves rustling, together
to the appointed place the old warriors come.
Pilgrims, drifting across the land they fought to preserve.
Where they meet is not so important anymore...They meet
and that's enough for now.
Greetings echo across a lobby.
Hands reach out and arms draw buddies close. Embraces,
that as young m e n they were too uncomfortable to give,
too shy to accept so lovingly.
But deep, within these Indian S u m m e r days they have reached
a greater understanding of life and love.
The shells holding their souls are weaker now,
but hearts and minds grow vigorous remembering.
On a table someone spreads old photographs; a test of recollection.
And friendly laughter echoes at shocks of hair gone gray or white, or merely gone.
The rugged, slender bodies lost forever.
Yet they no longer need to prove their strength.
S o m e are n o w sustained by one of "medicine's miracles",
and even in this fact they manage to find humor.
The w o m e n , all those w h o waited, all those w h o love them,
have watched the changes take place. Now, they observe and listen,
and smile at each other; as glad to be together as the men.
Talk turns to war and planes and foreign lands. Stories are told and told again,
reweaving the threadbare fabric of the past.
Mending one more time the banner of their youth.
They hear the vibrations, feel the shudder of metal as propellers whine and whirl,
and planes come to life.
These birds with fractured wings can see beyond the mist of clouds,
and they are in the air again, chasing the wind,
feeling the exhilaration of flight, close to the heavens;
the wiid and blue yonder of their anthem.
Dead comrades, hearing their names spoken, wanting to share in this time, if only in spirit,
move silently among them. Their presence is felt and smiles appear beneath misty eyes.
Each, in his o w n way, m a y wonder w h o will be absent another year.
The room grows quiet for a time.
Suddenly an ember flames to life. Another memory burns.
The talk m a y turn to other wars and other men, and of futility. So this is how it goes.
The past is so much the present.
In their ceremonies, the allegiances, the speeches, and the prayers, one cannot help but
hear the deep eternal love of country they will forever share.
Finally it is time to leave. Much too soon to set aside this little piece of yesterday, but
the past cannot be held too long for it is fragile.
They say, "Farewell...see you next year, God willing", breathing silent prayers for one another.
Each keeping a little of the others with him forever.
Rachel
Firth
From the
DAEDALUS FLYER, Spnng 1997
21
�FOLDED WINGS
February, 1998
Claudie E.Anglin
11111194
Not data located. Notified by
son, Gary
George Bakantic. Jr. 4/16/88 506th Sq. Pilot assigned on 20 Dec 44. Crash landed on 23 Feb 45
on the continent atA-64, St. Dizier, France. Plane was
salvaged. Last mission flown was 20 April 45. Return to U.S.
Harold A. Barnes 1/97 68th S/Sgt. Barnes was a gunner on Lt. Robert C. Koablein's crew.
Assigned to the 68th Sq. on 29 May 44. Harold completed his
tour on 8 Sept 44.
Norman E. Bartlett 11/26/96 67th Lt. Bartlett was a 1st pilot in the 67th Squadron, assigned with
his crown in June 44, and flew hisfirstmission on 7 July. He
was promoted to 1st Lt. on 1 Aug, and to Capt. on 24 Nov 44.
In his later missions he was flying as a Lead Crew, completing his tour with 32 missions on 12 Dec, and on 19 Dec he
was assigned to the 70th RCDfor return to the U.S.
Herman D. Bowman 3/27/97 Served with the 1132 Quartermaster Corps as a Sgt.
Samuel Bryan. Jr. 12/16/90 66th S/Sgt. Bryan was a tail gunner on the Charles Craven crew.
This crew transferred into the 66th Sq. in Aug 44 from the
492nd BG, flew theirfirstmission 1 Sept 44. They concluded
their tour on 29 Dec 44.
James M. Burton 2/14/97 506th S/Sgt. Burton was a tail gunner on Paul Duretfs crew.
Assigned to the 506th Sq. in July 44 andflewfirst mission on
12 Aug 44. Crew completed their tour in Jan 45 with 35
missions.
John M. Butler 10/30/92 67th Tail Turret gunner on Lt. Harold F. Hess crew. On their 6th
mission to Mont de Marson, France, 27 March 44, their plane
was badly damaged, forcing them to bail out over Spain.
Crew eventually transferred to the 9th AF where they all
completed 50 missions.
James B. Caulfield. Cpl 1/7/98 Arrived Shipdham March 43. Assigned to 506th as communications specialist transferred to 492nd in March 44 returned
to U.S. on 8 July 45.
Carlisle Crutcher 1983 HQ.67,506 50th Station Complement, ASN 0-905334 1st Lt. Crutcher
sailed to England on the Queen Mary in Sept 42. At
Cheddington he was the Group's S-2 Officer. Was promoted to
Captain Dec 42. Capt. Crutcher was Group Public Relations
Officer in April 44, was 67th Sq. Public Relations Officer in
Aug 44 and Oct 44 was transferred to the 50th Station Compl.
Squadron in the same capacity.
22
�Roy C. Cunningham
1994
George B. Davis, ETC
7197
RoyM. Devlin
67th
...He was assigned to the 506th Sq. on 1 Dec 43. Davis served
a co-pilot in the 506th Sq.for both Lts. Dean Miller and John
W. Grow. Jr. Hisfirstmission was 14 Jan 44 and nine more
with Lt. Miller, then 10 more with Lt. Grow. They transferred
to the 66th Squadron in April 44 toflyas a lead crew, finishing
up with 31 total missions on 21 June 44. Stayed in the Air
Force and retired as Lt. Col.
1121197
66168th .
William M. Duffy. Jr.
9/24/97
Robert E. Gjestrum
11126197
Robert G. Godwin
70/97
Gonzales Gomez
Frank T. Goosen
Herbert A. Hastings
Earle V. Hawkins
1972
• •• T/Sgt. Cunningham was the engineer on Lt Fred P.
Hildebrand's crew. They were assigned to the squadron on 24
Jan 45, flew theirfirstmission on 16 Feb 45, completed 23
more before the end of hostilities.
.. Devlin joined the John W. Glow's crew as a navigator in Ap
44 when that crew transferred into the 66th Sq. On Sept 1 he
transferred to the 68th Squadron to join Lt. Torrell's crew. On
5 Oct 44 he was on DS to Ketteringham until 14 Jan 45 when
he was permanently transferred to HQ.
..Lt. Duffy was 1st pilot in the 506th Sq.from Dec 43 to March
44. On 29 Jan 44 he made an outstanding landing returning
from a mission, badly damaged with wounded aboard, and a
ball turret which would not retract, he successfully completed
a tricycle landing without any further damage to the plane or
the turret. His last few missions heflewas Group lead for the
44th BG.
68th
. T/Sgt. Gjestrum served as the engineer for the Richard Dona
crew, which was assigned on 2 June 44. Robert completed his
tour in Sept 44 and transferred to the 12th RCD on 16 Sept 44
to return to the U.S. We last saw Bob at the San Antonio
reunion.
66th
. S/Sgt. Godwin was a gunner on Norm Nutt's crew after being
transferred from Leo Crooks crew. He completed the war with
Norm's crew and flew home on 29 May 45 in the famous
aircraft, Glory Bee. Robert was an active member of the 44th
BGVA, attended the Salt Lake City reunion in October and
suffered a fatal heart attack a day after returning home.
67th
Death was confirmed by Arthur Hand when searching for this
man in Superior, Arizona.
11119174 Unknown Death confirmed by Arthur Hand when searching for this man
in Michigan.
1/30/98
Date
67th T/Sgt. Hastings served as a Radio Operator on the Capt.
Edward Reynold's crew. This crew flew itsfirstmission in Nov
44 and flew missions until the end of the war in 45. They
returned to the States in U-Bar, 42-50539.
Unknown
. Lt. Hawkins joined the 68th Sq. in June 43, served as a copilot for George Martin in Africa including the Ploesti mission
44 and flew missions until the end of the war in 45. They
returned to the States in U-Bar, 42-50539.
23
�Lee E. Howell, Sr.
7/28/94
1132 QM
Lee's rank was Pfc.
Howard Lewis Hinman 12197 67th Lt. Hinman was a 1st pilot in the 67th Squadron in Dec 44. O
16 Jan 45, whileflyingon left wing of Col. Snavely, bot
airplanes were severely damaged byflak,causing both p
to be abandoned just inside Allied territory. Lt. Hin
badly injured and taken offflyingstatus. He was replac
Raymond Maynard.
John R. Jaquis Unknown .... 68th Lt. Jaquis was a navigator on the FIO Donald F. Tofte crew
which joined the 68th Sq. 8 July 44. Theirfirstmission
18 July and on their third mission, 21 July 44, Channe
was severely damaged byflakLeaking fuel, he landed in
Switzerland. Lt. Jaquis was interned, but returned t
on 31 Oct 44.
Albert Ed Jones, Sgt Unknown .... 661340th He served from Sept 42 to June 45. Sgt. Jones was
out on the line, assisting the Tower personnel in hand
operations, meeting and directing visiting aircraft
with emergencies.
John Robert Ki I gore 2/16/98 66th Lt. Kilgore sewed as a navigator for Capt. Louis Mazure
lead crew. On 5 June 44, Capt. Mazure was killed, his
badly damaged, but limped back to southern England w
the crew bailed out. Lt. Kilgore broke both bones in
spent 8 months in hospital for treatment for his sever
The Command Pilot, Col. Vance, 489th BG, was awarded
Medal of Honor for ditching this aircraft, as it had a
on board.
Stephen Kincaid Unknown Still Researching.
Roy E. Kirkland Unknown Still Researching.
James R. Lewis, Lt 7995 506th Lt. Lewis was co-pilot for Lt. FredRawson's crew. They were
assigned to the 506th Sq. on 4 Feb 44,flewtheirfirstmi
on 20 Feb. Their plane was badly damaged, had to be ab
doned over enemy territory. Tail gunner RA Wapensky'
was damaged and partially burned, so Lt. Lewis hoiste
onto his back, jumped while both hanging on tightly,
opening of the chute caused the Sgt. to pull lose, fal
death. Lt. Lewis was a POW until war's end, was recom
mended for a Silver Star.
Dixon C. McEver, Jr. 5/20/97 67th Lt. McEver flew as a co-pilot for the Capt. Joseph Herrma
crew. He was assigned the end of May,firstmission flo
D-Day, 6 June 44. Many of their missions were aboard
less Fosdick. Completed tour of 31 missions on 15 Aug
James H. McEver 5/6/77 506th Lt. James McEver was a brother of Dixon, flew his missions
prior to Dixon's. James was a co-pilot for Lt. Jack M.
crew, which was assigned in April 44. Hisfirstmission
A
May 44, but a collision with a German fighter brought
^-i
down. Luckily, all crewmen survived to become POWs.
24
��~^~7>t7Ters panichure7!^afeTT7ol5Truine POWsr
Lt. Wessinger
was co-pilot
for the FIO
Donald
James
O. Wessinger,
Jr.
Unknown
....
68th Tofte crew
assigned to the 68th Sq. on 8 July 44. While on their third
mission their aircraft was badly damaged byflakand fuel
leaking, landed in Switzerland. Lt. Wessinger was interned.
returned to Shipdham on 27 Oct 44.
NOTE: The three FIO Tofte crew members listed above were confirmed deceased by their crew mate, Albert Brown
Exact dates could not be established.
I WISH I W A S 18 AGAIN
-George BurnsAt a bar down in Dallas
An old m a n chimed in...
and I thought he w a s out of his head...
Just being a young man, I first laughed it off,
when I heard what this old m a n said.
He said "I'll never again turn the young ladies head...
or go running of into the wind...
I'm three-quarters home, from the start to the end...
and I wish I w a s eighteen again.
I wish I was eighteen again, and going where I've never been...
But old oaks and old folks...
standing tall, just pretend,
I wish I was eighteen again.
Now time turns the pages, and life goes so fast...
The years turn the black hairs all gray. I talk to s o m e young folks,
but they don't understand the words
this old man's got to say.
I wish I was eighteen again...and going where I've never been,
but old folks and old oaks, standing tall, just pretend,
I wish I was eighteen again....
Lord, I wish I w a s eighteen again.
26
�January 10,1998
Gerald FoIsom
PO. Box 2365
Salt Lake City, Utah 84102-3620
1 appreciate the tremendous amount of work and effort you and Art Hand and others must have put into producin
the 44th Veterans Association Roster. 1 feel that the least 1 can do is to provide some of the bits and pieces that 1 a m
aware of and let you fill in the big picture.
Dixon and James McEver from Waco, Texas, were both pilots and both served in the 44th. James didn't serve for
very long. On April 8,1944, on the w a y to Brunswick, and on his one and only mission, he met an FW190. The result
was a mid air collision and both planes blew up. Miraculously all crew members survived and became POWs. (Pages
219-220 Lundys ROLL OF H O N O R ) .
1 did not meet James until after the war when we were both students at the University of Houston. James had
saved his money while in the P O W camps (actually, what else could he have done?) On the other hand, being in the
8th Air Force, 1 had very little incentive to save money. However, 1 did have a great time exploring London. After the
war, things changed again. James w a s n o w affluent and sowing his pent up wild oats, and 1 was now broke and also
had a pregnant wife. So, while 1 secretly admired his new life-style, 1 knew 1 could not keep up with him, so w e kind
of drifted apart. The last 1 heard of him w a s that he had accidently drowned one Saturday afternoon at a swank
private party. The date was June 5,1977 in Houston, Texas.
Dixon McEver 1 knew well. In different planes, we sort of skipped along together from Casper, Wyoming in Marc
1944 to Topeka, Kansas, and the 44th in England. W h e n w e arrived at Topeka, our crews were given brand spanking
new B-24s and sent on our way. W e went north by w a y of Lake Erie, N e w England, N e w Foundland and Iceland, and
then on to the 44th in England. W e did get an eight day layover in Iceland because of the horrible weather. W e
utilized the time mainly trying to thaw out. W h e n McEver's crew left Topeka, they headed leisurely for England by
way of the Caribbean and Africa before dropping in on us at Shipdham. W e were proud of the w a y they managed to
handle their rum and coca-cola on their w a y over.
You can believe that all the way over we had heard about what had happened to James. At that time we had no
idea that w e were also headed to the 44th. W h e n w e finally settled down in the 44th, w e heard the details of what
had happened to James. That is w h e n w e realized that the fun and games were over and the war was about to begin
for us - for real.
Dixon is listed in the deceased directory, but James is not. I think we should correct that.
Recently 1 received a new copy of the 44th Bomb Group's Roster and while checking it out to see if my name wa
spelled right, 1 discovered another John Butler listed in San Carlos, California. 1 was getting ready to visit m y
daughter who lives down the road in Cupertino, so 1 called the phone number that was listed. 1 was thinking in terms
of having a cup of coffee and comparing notes. Mrs. Butler answered the phone and told m e he had been deceased
for over four years. W h e n 1 explained w h o 1 was (another John Butler) and w h o 1 had called, she insisted that 1 come
over and look at his collection of mementos. So m y daughter and 1 went over to visit. W e had a very pleasant and
enjoyable visit. Their h o m e is on a large hilltop with a spectacular view of San Francisco Bay. N o w the part that 1 a m
sure will interest Art Hand, John Butler was on the Ploesti Raid. I saw his records of his trips from Shipdham to Africa
and his records of Ploesti. Apparently he w a s one of the few that m a d e it all the w a y back to Africa. Also, at some
point he was transferred to the 15th Air Force in Italy.
Best regards,
John E. Butler
5931 Reamer
Houston, Texas 77074
27
�BeatingtheBushes
^
By Art Hand & Will Lundy
ISAAC ABEYTA: 1107 Harvest Rd, Cherry Hill. NJ 08034. Isaac was in the 66th Squadron, was on
Flaherty's crew, served as a tail gunner, flew the Ploesti mission and many others.
THEODORE H. DOWALO: 127 West Richardson Ave., Langhorne, PA 19047-2827. 67th Sq. Gunner on L
Craig's crew.
MICHELE ANDERSON: 6363 South Fairwind Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah 84084 (801) 963-1387. She
Folsom's daughter.
BERNARD A. GREENFIELD: 322 State Street, Apt. 1, Carthage, NY 13619-1441 (315) 493-2317. Ber
was assigned to the 67th Sq. He worked with the D F Station out on "the line."
THERESA MURPHY McKENNEY: 308 Goodwin Road, Eliot, ME 03903 (207) 439-2866. Theresa is the
daughter of Lt. William t. Murphy, Lt. Houle's crew, lost at sea on 18 Nov 43. See Page 33 herein.
MID AMERICAN AIR MUSEAUM: Liberal, Kansas
DANI SU STRANGE: 9307 Gary, Lubbock, TX 79423. She is the daughter of Fritzi Selasky.
JEAN B. ROBBINS: 9145 Ahmann Ave. Whirtier, CA 90603 (562) 696-4638. Sgt. Robbins served as
turret gunner in the 506th Sq. flew with the Bakanic crew Dec 44 to April 45.
LINDA WESTON: 10 Sydenham Court, Berkshire Close, Portsmouth P01-1RE. Linda and her husband
the farmhouse next to Site 2. She was "mum" to the 506th.
LT. MATT YLITALO, USMC: 176 Glenwood Drive, Hubert, NC 28539. Sent in by Don Ukens.
"New" members, people who had previously been members who dropped out for various reasons, b
"seen the light" and have again joined us, or been located.
WILLIAM BRADY, JR.: 3139 Sam Houston, Forest Road, Lake Charles, LA 70611. 67th Sq. Ploesti,
Suzy Q with Brandon.
CLIFFORD H. BAUER: 833 South Eliseo Drive, Greenbrae, CA 94904 (415) 461-2936. 66th Sq. Wife
DOUGLAS S. EDEN: Route 4, Box 4452 Lot 8 Donna, TX (956) 464-2571.
PAUL JAMES: 287 Starview Drive, Rutherfordton, NC 28139 (704) 287-7513. 66th Sq. Al Graham's
HAROLD A. KRAMER: 7016 North Tahoma Ave., Chicago, IL 60646-1134 (773) 763-7128. 464th SD. W
ADRAIN LANCASTER: 6218 Anglewood Lane, Cottondale, AL 35453 (205) 556-1309.
HARRY H. POWERS: 12400 Oak Leaf Court, Auburn, CA 95603 (916) 823-0610. 68th Squadron.
DOYLE V. SHARRETT: 19301 West Desert Forest Dr., Sun City, AZ 85351 (602) 933-2047. 806th Ch
ARCHIE M. THOMAS: RR #7, Box 7080, Palestine, TX 75801-9111 (903) 729-6779. 67th Squadron. W
28
m
�MEMORY LAME
A fARM JUST Off ThE bASE. ANyONE RECOqMJZE ThE pyRAMid ROOf?
EXCUSE ME,
is This
TITE TRAJN TO
29
BENqhAzi?
��MAIL CALL
editor: This comes from Sue Johnson Vondenberg.
After Gen. Johnson possed a w a y , I sent s o m e
biographical material to Steve fldams a n d asked him
to see that the €nglish Press, especially in Norfolk, got
the material and would "do right" by our General uuith
a nice article. Steve turned it over to Steve Snelling,
veteran reporter of the €astern Daily Press, a n d
between the extensive photo archives Steve fldams
has and the intimate knowledge Steve Snelling has of
the General, both during and post-war, h e authored a
"farewell to a Legend" which w a s a magnificent
tribute to him and w a s given a full p a g e in the
eastern Daily Press published in Norwich.
Steve sent m e a copy to pass on to Sue. UJe
got calls from all over €ngland from English
friends uuho knew or k n e w of General
Johnson. It was so wonderful to see h o w
revered our boss w a s in our beloved England.
Dear Royi,
Thank you so very much for the wonderful
clipping! Steve fldams wrote and told m e it
was a wonderful tribute and I w a s going to
ask you to make m e a copy. It w a s so
thoughtful of you to send m e an original. I
hove one problem with the article—I w o n d e r w h o told
the author that D a d w a s "small"!!! That must have
surprised you too! O h well, I
guess it m a d e a better story!
UJe missed you at the
funeral, but you certainly
couldn't leave such a fine
birthday celebration!
I want to thank the
members of the 44th B G V A
for the donation in Dad's
name to the Air Force Aid
Society. Barrett Taylor, w h o
was such a great help to m e ,
told m e Dad had set up the
program at the behest of
General Arnold after W W I I
It was such an honor to
have so m a n y m e m b e r s of
the 44th at the funeral. I
wish I could have had hours
and hours to talk to
everyone. I heard so m a n y
wonderful stories.
M y husband, Sandy, and I are in the process of
nominating D a d to the National Aviation Hall of Fame. I
a m the portrait artist for the NflHF and I want to draw
his portrait for posterity! I have already done the one
for Sandy's father.
The Farewell to D a d in the 8-Ball Tails w a s
beautiful. Vou all k n e w him the best and really wrote
the very best article.
Thank you again for the news clipping.
Very Sincerely,
Sue
TkE H O N O R A R Y P^U 1>EARERS foR GENERAI JOIINSON, IETT TO RiqfiT: Col.
Ed. "MikE Mikoloski (66TIT), NANcyVoN Epps (14TEI C B W ) , AwihoNy
MASTRAdoiNE (67xh), Col. RickARd D. BUTIER (506TEI), Col. WilliAM
BARRETT TAVIOR (14TIH C B W ) , Col. WilliAM R. C A M E R O N (67TII/HQ.
44Th B G ) , BRiq. GEN. jAck GibsoN (Ho. 44Th).
TkE USAF H O N O R GuARd pREpAREd TO IOWER TEJE CAskET of GENERAI
LEON JOIHNSON iNTO his A R U N Q T O N NATJONAI CEMETERY HNAI RESTJNQ PLACE.
��obout a short talk I gave at the January meeting of
the British Legion. They were interested in the amount
of battle damage w e had to contend with and did w e
have any crash landings. The one I did talk about—but
don't remember the n a m e — w a s the plane which
came in—think a landing gear gave w a y and hanger
#3 (464th sub-dept) replaced the b o m b a y walkway
(temporarily) with a telephone pole. Then it w a s
flown to the Wattan Depot for the actual walkway.
There is an article on this but don't have time to look
it up. I know I had some kind of a job on that plane the
night it was in—they used to put m e on de-icers or
fuel cell replacement.
Oh...I did get on opportunity to m a k e an entry into
my log as the weather cleared one morning and I took
up Piper Cherokee.
UJhile visiting m y in-laws in Shipdham, I had the
privilege of placing a wreath on the 44th B G memorial
located in All Saints church yard. The occasion w a s
"Remembrance Day" Nov. 11th (celebrated on
Sunday, 9 Nov 97). The British Legion conducted their
poppy drive prior to this holiday. At their service, they
remember all their veterans w h o sacrificed their lives
in WLUI, WWII, Lorea and Falkland wars. The n a m e s of
the servicemen from the village w h o never returned
are read and then a prayer is recited.
Regardless of the many years which have passed
since WWII, members of the Shipdham British Legion
never forget the airmen from the 44th B G w h o gave
their lives for their country, as in the past, I went along
that afternoon, with a contingent of the Shipdham
British Legion to place a poppy wreath on the
memorials in Watton, Deophas Green and at Arrow Air
on the Shipdham Base.
Simple as these ceremonies are, it still gives one time
to think and
remember our
friends w h o gave
so much for us.
Sincerely,
AIC.
This touching letter comes from Theresa Murphy
McKenney, daughter of 2nd Lt. William T. Murphy,
Navigator on the 1st Lt. Joseph L. Houle 67th Sqdn.
Crew which, after suffering heavy battle d a m a g e over
Kjellar Airfield, Oslo Norway, on the 18 November
1943 raid, were forced to ditch approximately 50 miles
short of €ngland landfall. The entire crew perished in
the ditched aircraft.
TkERESA MuRphy M C K E N N E Y AT TIHE MEMORIAI M A ^ E R «Ii AnlrnqTON
NATioNA. CEMETERY b . kER M *
2Nd
LT. WJIUAM "T Mu-phy. Sta «
ACCOMPANiEd by kER SON, Rick McKENNEy ANd GRANDSON, MATTK.EW
WilliAM McKENNEy AfTER T k E MEMORIAI SERVJCE iN kis koNOR ON
OcTobER 10,1997.
Dear Mr. Owen:
A memorial service was held at Arlington National
Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia on October-1C 1997
for 2nd Lt. William T. Murphy, a native of Highland
Falls NY. He served in the 8th Air Force 67th Squadron
44th B o m b Group in WWII as a navigator, B-24
iZlTond
w a s awarded the Purple Heart and A,r
Uberator, an
HJstonQn
Alfred Cataldo
4 5 Wianno Rd.
Yarmouth Port, CA
02675-2178
0°rThe
4° h Bomb Group Veterans Assn., for sharing
Ltrmation from his Roll of Honor. To^quote from Mr.
Narway: "€nemy aircraft made attacks both before
33
«>
�the target and again on the return. M a n y ships were
damaged by an unexpected attack out of the sun on
the return, and were lost due to these attacks and by
running out of fuel and having to ditch. The 67th
Squadron lost three ships and 68th lost two..."
S o m e would say "Why have a memorial service
now?" T w o years ago, during the 50th anniversary of
the end of World W a r II, m y grandmother's niece,
w h o m I had never met , contacted m e . She had read
an article in National Geographic about the World W a r
II Cambridge Cemetery in Cambridge, Cngland where
the names of 5,126 Americans w h o gave their lives in
the service of their country but whose remains were
not recovered, are inscribed on a 472 foot wall, the
Tablets of the Missing. The government must have
attempted to let m y mother know of this memorial
when it w a s dedicated in 1956 but she had moved
from the last known address which they had on file as
I'm sure w a s the case with many WWII widows. Only
someone w h o has been through a loss where there is
no tangible place to go to pay h o m a g e can understand
h o w moving this discovery was.
April 1996, this same relative, Kathryn Schoch,
sent m e information that the next of kin could request
a memorial marker be placed at Arlington National
Cemetery for WWII veterans whose remains were not
recovered.
18 November 1997 There were months of phone
colls and sending for forms. W h e n I took the completed
application to the post office. I sent it Certified Moil to
be sure of its receipt. W h e n they stamped the date, it
w a s notable that the date w a s November 18th, the
day he w a s reported missing in action August 1997
The last flying B-24 Liberator flew into the former
Grenier Air Base Manchester, NH (where he had been
stationed). M y M o m read about it after the fact, but I
w a s able to bring the picture of this plane that he w a s
so proud of to show everyone when w e assembled
before the ceremony at Arlington. Next year I'll find
out ahead about the tour and go aboard.
September 1997. Invitations to the memorial
service went out and in the process, I heard from so
many people w h o had known m y Dad in so m a n y
different ways. To quote from a letter I received from
someone in his 67th squadron: "November of 1943
w a s a deadly time in WWII and I salute Lt. Murphy and
all w h o flew with him on those perilous days. I know
because I w a s there also. They indeed "signed the
skies with their honor."
10 October There w a s a room in the
Administration Building for us to gather and the
chaplain came in to meet us. I had brought his pictures
and medals and documents and the rubbing of his
inscription from Cambridge Cemetery. W e followed in
motor procession to the site and 6 young airmen met
us. The pace ot which they moved, and the regard
shown for the flag as they removed it from the car,
unfolded it for the prayers then refolded it to give to
m e , w a s so calming and beautiful and full of respect.
There w a s a 21 gun salute and seeing the m e n in
uniform high on the ridge with the sun outlining each
one w a s a powerful tribute, as w a s the playing of
Taps. The day w a s perfect—warm, sunny, with a
gentle breeze blowing the golden leaves from the
trees. It w a s like nothing else and w e were privileged
to be there to remember him ond pay tribute to him at
last.
M a n y m e m b e r s of the family were able to attend,
while others, unable to travel because of poor health,
sent w a r m letters with information about m y Dad.
One, w h o m I had never met had saved a scrapbook of
clippings which m e a n so much to m e now. In o way, it
makes not having known him more tragic, but I've
learned so much more about him which I can share
with m y children and grandchildren. His great
grandson, Matthew William, w a s among those present
at the memorial service and will be able, like the rest
of us, to return to pay h o m a g e to his great
grandfather in the years to come...to remember him,
to say a prayer and to give thanks for the sacrifice he
m a d e for us oil.
Theresa Murphy McKenney
308 Goodwin Road
€liot, M € 03903
(207) 439-2866
Cditor: Thank you so much, Theresa, for sharing with
your 44th family, the emotional experience of finally,
after 54 years, being able to honor and bid a loving
farewell to your heroic father with your family at your
side.
It is only lately, with witnessing situations like
yours and that of Lois Cianci, where, time
notwithstanding, the loss of o dearly loved one in o
far a w a y conflict in circumstances that prevent
personal involvement in seeing to a final place of rest,
w e are coming to understand that the loved ones left
behind will bear the feeling of on unfulfilled need. This
is a need to have s o m e sort of opportunity to bid a
personal farewell which will be an assurance that the
life of their loved one is truly over. W h e n one comes to
understand that feeling, w e need not ask, "Why have
a memorial service n o w ? "
Theresa, w e are very proud that you have chosen
to remain a part of the 44th family. W e will save a
membership for both Rick and Matthew.
����TIHE SMOICE STACI< AT
So m u c h has been
written about the
Ploesti mission from
m a n y points of view,
it is not our intent to
mark this 55th
anniversary of the
mission with another
rehash of that
legendary operation.
Our purpose is to
briefly examine the
character,
determination and
ingenuity of all those
young Americans
w h o supported,
maintained and
launched the
aircraft and combat
crews on the
mission they would fly into the pages of aviation
history to remain forever.
ColuiubiA
AQUJIA, T^E AIM
poiNT.
24D B o m b groups to Operation Tidal Wave, (code
word for the Ploesti mission) after their support of
Operation Husky, the invasion of Sicily. He left the
decisions of high versus low level attack, launch
from Libya or Tunisia, training and tactics to M /
Gen. Lewis Brereton, Cmdr, 9th Air Force. In his
Brereton Diaries, he states: "Benghazi, Libya, 6
July 1943. Conference on Operation Tidal Wave
with General Ent, the Bomber C o m m a n d staff, and
all the heavy group commanders - Col. John
"Killer" Kane of the 98th, Col. Keith Compton of the
376th, Col. Leon Johnson of the 44th, Col. Jack
W o o d of the 389th, and Lt. Col. Addison Baker of
the 93rd. I announced m y decisions. It would be a
low-level, horizontal bombing attack during
daylight hours. This kind of attack required a
decided change in technique for the Liberators.
The 98th and 397th Groups had carried several
low-level attacks against Italian targets, but here
they were faced with an entirely different problem.
/ Anew that the liberator was definitely not
suited for a low-level attack, but I felt that
the surprise element would weigh heavily in
our favor. It was necessary to assure the heaviest
possible d a m a g e in the first attack Because of the
distance involved, over 2,000 miles (averaged
2250), and the danger of bad weather, I felt that
our formations might get dispersed and not hit the
target so effectively from a high altitude as they
From the onset of WWII, the fact that Germany and
Italy both were dependent upon imported oil to
carry out their dream of conquest from Scandinavia
to North Africa and that a major percentage of the
oil they needed was p u m p e d and refined in an
area surrounding the Rumanian City of Ploesti was
recognized by the Allies. Misunderstood by Allied
Intelligence was that Rumanian oil output was
approximately 5 0 % of its capability which distorted
importance of Ploesti in the priority of strategic
targets. Added to this was the fear that a
breakthrough on the Eastern front by the Russians
might result in loss of the oil fields. Opposed to
striking Ploesti were the British and the RAF in
particular w h o had been, and wanted to continue,
with defensive attacks on aircraft production which
was the root of Goering's air blitzkrieg of England.
while the RAF scoffed at the AAF doctrine of
daylight strategic bombing, they were outspoken in
their opposition to pulling three full B-24 Groups
out of the 8th AF daylight raids notwithstanding
Winston Churchill's support of the Ploesti raid
decision which c a m e out of the Summit Conference
in Washington D.C. in late May, 1943. The decision
to destruct the Ploesti oil production was passed to
Eisenhower w h o approved the application of five B2
�would in a low-level attack. After receiving the
target folders, I studied them for two weeks before
making up m y mind on the low-level attack. /
invited no discussion whatsoever among the
Group Commanders.
While I do not believe
there was a single commander
who would
have not preferred a high altitude attacA,
the decision was accepted by all."
So the scene is set, the cast is filled and the
is undergoing final adjustments for a production
which is the brainchild of a bright colonel assistant
to General Arnold. Over 200 B-24D Liberator
aircraft and crews, with skeleton ground crew and
specialist maintenance personnel were assembled
at airfields near Benghazi, Libya. Augmented by
1100 cooks, bakers, clerks, medics, engineers,
M P s and various other support personnel from 9th
AF resources, they set up tent cities at the various
airfields. They then began to train and carry out
raids against Italian targets in preparation for the
invasion of Sicily and another mission of which
nothing certain could be said except it would be
flown at a very low level.
C o m m a n d already in North Africa. Even, at that
point, without the rationale for the low-level
training, they were gaining new piloting, navigation
and bombing skills at low level.
Like everyone, no matter the crew position, when
the shock of being assigned to B-24's subsided, a
real hatred set in. Lt. Keith Schuyler, 67th Sqdn.,
in his book "Elusive Horizons" describes these
script
emotions perfectly "I hated her guts; I hated
everything about this pot-bellied bitch of an
airplane — If it had to be heavies, why the B-24?
The hate I had developed for big airplanes
squeezed over to admit fear the first time I looked
at a Liberator on the ramp. They never were a
pretty sight at best-those four huge engines tacked
onto a slip of a wing, belly nearly dragging the
concrete, and hognose stuck way too far forward.
And, like pregnant hippopotamuses, they bucked
and snorted their way around the hangars, letting
out an occasional squeak of rubber, their constant
bloat seeming to substantiate the foul odors that
drifted from them.
But n o w she is gone, and 1 swallow a lump
every time I hear one of the heavies going over (his
P O W camp). For, in
between the time I c a m e
to hate and fear her and
the time I jumped from
her flaming bowels (over
enemy territory) I had
c o m e to love and respect
the beast." {Schuyler's
first B-24 Instructor Pilot
prophesied that in 90
hours of flying time he
will have c o m e to love
the Lib)."
So with what turned out
to be a period of just
over two months before
execution; w e find the
entire IX Bomber
LoW'lEVEl foRMAT.ON TRAilNliNq pR.OR TO AfR.CA ckployiviEMT. FliqrHT
C o m m a n d in a serious operational contradiction.
pASSilMq OVER ShipdrHAM, NOTiCE TJHE (tANqARS TO TrHE IEFT.
O n the C o m m a n d and Planning Staff side of the
All of the groups involved had been flying low-leveloperation, w e have a commander and staff
planning to commit 178 Liberators and crews to a
training sorties; the 44th, 93rd and 389th in
mission which will require tactics completely alien
England prior to deployment for detached service
to the purpose for which the aircraft was designed
with 9th AF; and the 98th and 397th of IX Bomber
�and the crews trained. A few three aircraft low
altitude sorties against weakly defended Italian
targets flown by the 376th and a "cowboy" like raid
which launched 13 B-24's on 11 June 1942 from
Fayid, Egypt, and after flying all night, struck the
Ploesti oil refineries at dawn from ten to twelve
thousand feet altitude was the only unorthodox
bombing experience known to the B-24. This early
raid was m a d e by a small provisional b o m b group
led by Col. Harry Halvorsen. The purpose, more
than damaging the oil supply, was a morale builder
in the fashion of the Doolittle raid. Although largely
ineffectual, there were no losses to enemy action;
no doubt because of the complete surprise of an
attack from the south. This, however, bode danger
for the IX C o m m a n d bombers to come, because the
following year saw a great strengthening of fighter
and anti-aircraft defenses in that southern sector.
So the decision to commit the B-24 to this untested
theory of attack was based upon its range, b o m b
load capability, and, in the minds of the planners,
its ability, in formation, to defend itself and fly into
enemy territory unescorted.
On the other hand, we had the "troops" (small t),
the guys w h o were the cast in this production; the
combat and maintenance crews and all of the
support personnel w h o were settling-in for an
unknown period to live, fly combat, keep B-24's
flying, have s o m e fun when low-level training
sorties were resumed; all oblivious to what the staff
in the Secret green, heavily guarded, building were
planning that would require a lowlevel attack The contradiction here
was the difference in the level of
confidence in the B-24 held by the
planners as opposed to the m e n w h o
flew and maintained this "pot-bellied
bitch of an airplane." You see, the
prophesy of Lt. Schuyler's Instructor
Pilot had c o m e to pass. The air and
ground crews had c o m e to love and
respect that tough old slab-sided
airplane with those four dependable
Pratt & Whitney R-1830-43 engines
hung on that "slip of a wing."
68lU SQUAdRON
"MARqiiERJTE A N N "
qETS AN ENqiNE
CrHANqE.
The word "live" in the previous paragraph should
be struck and replaced with "survive." Life in the
Libyan Desert in the s u m m e r is not Life, it is an
exercise in survival. What the "troops"
accomplished in that hell of red sand, daytime
heat, nighttime chill, lousy chow and lousier water,
dysentery, crickets, dust and sand, dust and sand,
and more dust and sand w a s nothing short of
miraculous. The indignities of standing buck
naked in a line with a towel over a shoulder waiting
for a turn to stand under a salvaged aircraft fuel
cell to take a Mediterranean Sea water shower.
And worse, to answer to "Crap Call" and sit on half
of a cut-out 55 gal. drum dug into the sand, trying
to defecate while looking aloof and unconcerned,
while others are waiting their turn.
The abhorrent living conditions notwithstanding,
everyone worked. The cadre of personnel that
c a m e to Benghazi were limited to the crew
m e m b e r s and the number of support personnel
that the B-24 oxygen system could support inflight. This usually meant an extra four people;
Crew Chief, Assistant Crew Chief, a Maintenance
Specialist (Prop., Electrician, Hydraulic, Sheet
metal, etc.) and an administrative or command
person, so everyone had to w o r k The entire
group, except the crews, w a s a skeleton of a home
base unit. Flight Engineers, Radiomen and
Gunners pitched in to assist their ground crew on
�engine and tire changes. There were not enough maintenance specialists, so they were always in d e m a n d
and worked tirelessly; instead of complaints, one was more likely to hear "What the hell, there ain't nothin'
else to do around this stinkin' place!"
Mike Curtain, 67th Sqdn. Crew chief talks about the life in Africa: "We were welcomed by dust, sand,
kids and very hot weather. The toughest thing was the sand, it was terrible. It wouldn't be unusual to
have at least two engine changes after a day of practice flights. W e would trade parts with the 98th B G as
needed - propeller frames, carburetors, etc.
67TIH SpdN.
Mil<E CuRTAiN iN
TIHE "ENqiNE
Shop."
Daytime temperatures were extremely hot, making the handling of tools and equipment rather difficult.
W e knew what tools w e would need, so w e took as many as possible from Shipdham. Replacement parts
were another story. W e had to beg and borrow from the 98th, and what they didn't have, w e would
cannibalize from other out-of-commission aircraft. W h e n a B-24 took off, the clouds of dust and sand
created would cause a twenty minute delay before another aircraft could take the runway. That dust got
into everything...eyes, ears, hair, clothing, tents, and proved to be the principal cause for our engine
problems. The group managed to get about 25 water tank trucks which m a d e a trip to the Mediterranean
Sea each evening to fill with sea water. They would return and c o m m e n c e to water down the runway
about midnight. By morning, the runway would be dried with a hard layer that resembled plaster of paris
and would last through the morning take-offs. To our glee, the engine changes became less frequently
required.
67T)H
SOU Ad RON
GEORqE
BACCASrH
ANd Dick
WARd iN
TIHE
"HANqAR.
68Th SodN. "WiNq ANd A PRAYER" TIHE "PARTS bits."
�To get a cool drink w e would send up our filled
canteens in our planes. W h e n they landed, w e
would bury the frozen canteens in the sand in our
tent for a cool drink later. W e also used to hoard
our ration of one can of beer per day until w e had a
few, then send them up on a test hop like the
canteens.
The four squadrons were fairly widely dispersed.
W e had a Weapons Truck to travel to each
squadron. W e all worked as a team; all four
squadrons worked together where it was needed.
This was especially true immediately before Ploesti.
W e were up day and night right up to take-off. The
claim is true, the work never ended. For that
mission especially, every plane possible had either
n e w engines (as did Suzy Q) or was completely
checked over as "Ready."
One of the great under estimates Hitler made was
his contempt for the young m e n of America being
able to transition from what he perceived as
pampered school boys and pool hall hang-outs to
soldiers and airmen that could ever hope to match
the disciplined young m e n of Germany. However
while the Hitler youth were goose-stepping to the
blind hysteria of the Third Reich, the young m e n of
America were being raised in a society that loves
individual performance, but loves it best in a team
effort. "Let's get one for the Gipper." And they
were, and always will be, tinkerers, ingenious,
curious tinkerers. They were out on the farm
always fixing and running farm equipment or if
they were town kids, they were tinkering with s o m e
fifty dollar Model T. They knew all about blown dual
Stromberg Carburetors and Ruxtel rear ends, and
they could drive, m a n h o w they could drive. For
many, the yearning to fly was swelling in their
chests. W h e n the war came, they answered. And
yes, they were chock-full with patriotism, freedom
and love of country, but deep d o w n in every heart
was not the fear of war, it was the fear that your
buddies were going off to fight and you might be
left behind. So these school boy, farm boy, pool hall
loafer, tinkerer, team player cream of America's
young m e n were turned into soldiers and airmen.
All across Europe they beat the German Tiger
Tanks with an inferior Sherman tank because they
could drive 'em and tinker, making do with what
they had to keep e m running and firing. When
their Sherman tanks were unable to move in the
hedgerows of France, they kicked the Germans out
with platoons and squads of infantry w h o were
raised on team work. Each individual doing his job
and his biggest concern being not to let his squad
buddies down.
Whether it is an infantryman slogging in the mud
tail gunner lifting himself through the aft hatch
preparing to launch on a mission; the crew chief
w h o has completed his preflight and is waiting for
the "cranking # 3 " signal from the cockpit; there is
that haunting fear that you will do or have not done
something that will let your buddies down.
One last thing about the Hitler misconceptions;
ingenuity. The Nazi German mind of that era
(especially) was in lockstep with Nazi fanaticism.
There were hopes but no imagination. Thus Hitler
again under estimated the American fighting man.
Imagine, if you will, the July 31 initial briefing for
the Ploesti raid w h e n General Brereton visited each
of the groups and introduced the low-level attack
mission. In the mind of every pilot was the
thought: given what I've learned in our low-level
training and given the m i n i m u m amount of
maneuvering space I will have in the target area,
what can I do to bring m y crew through this mess
alive? Bill Cameron, Pilot of "Buzzin' Bear," and
full of American ingenuity, had already faced that
question:
"When other aircraft were practicing low level
formations, w e (he and his Co-Pilot, Bill Dabney)
would visit with the British anti-aircraft gunners
that provided protection around Benghazi. We
would ask them, "What aircraft would you shoot at
(in a low-level formation)? They would invariably
say "the highest aircraft." Therefore when w e came
out of the smoke of the Ploesti oil refineries flying at
the assigned altitude of 250 feet, I dove so sharply
that the boys in the rear of the "Bear" were thrown
off their feet. W e leveled off low enough to see
clearly the faces of a number of anti-aircraft
gunners. W e skidded around in our turn to keep
our wings level and just above the ground. W e
stayed at that level until at least 30 minutes out
from the target. Ground gunners could not easily
�aim at us and fighters could not dive on us."
So that small town (Hanford, Calif) young college
(UC, Berkeley) m a n took 'Buzzin' Bear" through
the holocaust following his ingenious plan and
landed at Benghazi, right behind "Suzy Q" with
four engines running and not a crew m e m b e r
scratched!
Now we know how Cameron got his crew and
aircraft through that mess, which supports our
contention about American ingenuity, w e must n o w
ask why. W e must see if his presence on the
mission supports the theorem of bravery
performed, not through fear of death, but fear of
being left behind and letting your crew buddies
down. In his personal diary, Bill commenting on
the Ploesti raid, says this: "After the R o m e raid, w e
started extensive practice bombing and flying in
larger formations of aircraft at low, very low, level. I
had actually completed m y combat tour of duty
with the R o m e raid and 1 don't believe that Howard
(Moore, Cmdr. 67th Sq.) or Col. Johnson really
expected m e to fly it. I don't know why I did.
However, it was 'high adventure' and although I
didn't know where w e were going, I hated to miss
out on it. Furthermore, the crew of 'Buzzin' Bear"
didn't want to go with a new pilot, and as an
additional incentive, I was enjoying the low level
flying! — Bill Dabney was ill before, and during the
entire mission, but wouldn't be left behind." *
So the curtain comes down on this fateful
production, the raid, of course, was the play. It had
a perilous script with a n e w role for the B-24 and
the probability of failure was high. In the
beginning of this feature story w e stated our
intention to avoid covering again the attack itself,
which so m u c h has been previously written. W e
will however, to the m e m o r y of our comrades w h o
lost their lives in the attack, say that even with the
terrible blunders m a d e by the two lead groups, the
44th led by Col. Johnson was the last wave in and
although finding their White V target had already
been struck by s o m e other part of the force, never
faltered from the planned attack on their assigned
target. For the 44th, it was a day w h e n u n c o m m o n
valor was c o m m o n . For Adolf Hitler, it was a
harbinger of what the spoiled young m e n of
America had in store for the Third Reich!
*A tragic note: After the Ploesti mission, Major
Howard Moore departed for the U.S. and Bill
Cameron took c o m m a n d of the 67th Sqdn. Bill
Dabney was sent to the hospital with asthma and
then returned to the U.S. O n 16 August, the 67th
was tasked to put up eight aircraft on a mission to
Foggia, Italy. (Cameron's first mission as its
Commander.) The 67th lost five of the eight
launched. "Buzzin Bear" went d o w n with its crew
on the first mission they had flown without
Cameron. "Suzy Q" also went d o w n with a n e w
crew on its first combat mission.
�ONE RECOLLECTION OF THE PLOESTI MISSION
By Dick Butler
We were in "Earthquake McGoon " and flying as the lead ship in the second element, second (light
Our aiming point was the distillation plant of the Blue Target, CreditultMnier refinery at Brazi. Walt
Bunker was pilot and I was co-pilot. We encountered light flak and machine gun fire continuously
from about halfway between the IP and the target. Off to our right a train was travelling in the same
direction we were. We saw the side of a freight car lower and guns on the car start firing at us. We
flew over a building that had a red cross painted on the top of it. We received fire from there also, As
we approached the target, our bombardier, Henry Zwicker was calling "left, left, left, "so Walt was
skidding our plane to the left. Henry released our bombs and we saw them skip into the still. Just
then we took a hit in the left wing close to the fuselage. We either hit a barrage balloon cable or
received close to a direct flak burst. Number three engine stopped so I pulled the feathering button to
feather that prop. The blast had also damaged some electrical lines, so we lost instrument readings
for both number three and four engines. Walt saw the RPM go to zero on number four, so he hollered
"feather four "Hooked out and number four looked ok to me, sol didn't pull that feathering button.
Walt hollered again and then reached up and pulled it himself. Now we were in really serious
trouble. Two engines feathered or feathering on the same side at an altitude of about one hundred
feet. Walt and 1 had both hands on the wheel trying to keep the right wing up. Other crew members
said later that the wing tip came within about twenty feet of hitting the ground,fltthis time either
Loy Neeper, our flight engineer or I managed to push the number four feathering button in and the
feathering stopped and we regained use of that engine.
George Jansen, who was one of the best pilots I ever knew, was flying "Margaret Ann 11" on our
wing. He said that when we got hit, we slowed down real fast, like we were dragging an anchor. He
said he put down some flaps and lowered the gear momentarily in an effort to stay with us and still
couldn Y. He did all this while we were receiving intense fighter attacks as we left the target. This took
great effort and skill by George. No wonder he went on to a career as a test pilot at Douglas Aircraft
Company. We made it back to Benina on three engines and a shot up hydraulic system, which
necessitated a landing without brakes.
We are proud of the fact that our target was completely destroyed and was not rebuilt for the
ofthewar. Ofthoseofusin "Earthquake" on that day, only four of us still survive. Weare:Bill
Newbold, navigator; loy Neeper, flight engineer; Warren Kooken, waist gunner, and myself, co-pilot.
Henry Zwicker was killed on the I October 1943 Wiener Neustadt mission. Our other crew members
all survived the war but have since passed on.
Editor: After reading Dick's story the thought came to me, it could be titled "As If
Things Weren't Bad Enough!" Also I w a s struck by the heroic determination of
George Jansen to maintain the integrity of the formation to the point where
"Margaret Ann II" w a s about to fall out of the sky w h e n Dick and Loy got # 4 going
again and both aircraft could regain s o m e airspeed. I asked Dick to tell m e
something about the attack on the Blue Target. I appreciate his candor. I'm sure in
all the confusion, excitement and stress of smoke, flames, flak and fighter attacks,
there were m a n y m o r e "close calls" which occurred as a result of s o m e cockpit
confusion and a wrong switch being turned on or off requiring a hairy recovery
from a narrow scrape with death. C o m e on guys, sit d o w n and write 'em down
and send them to m e so w e can add them to the lore of the 44th.
\
8
m
�Pisuiuu fu ifiiti n JIII is
liLiilMffl:
42-40182 R.J. ABERNETHY, PILOT
GEORGE W. BANKSTON
14035406
JOHNV.TOMHAVE
37116222
ROBERT F. McCOY
34079411
DEXTER L HODGE
0-389555
42-40375 JOHN Y REED, PILOT
ROY G.WOOD
11033216
MICHAEL BOGOSTA
12030009
HAROLD G. FAUST
0-854339
G O O D M A N G. GRIFFIN
0-337352
Crew Chief
Asst. Crew Chief
Operations Clerk
Commanding Officer
Crew Chief
Asst. Crew Chief
Engineering Officer
Administration
41 -24015 GEORGE W. WINGER
DELBERT V. SMITH
37148438
ROBERT L JAKUBIAK
36128535
JAMES W.KAHL
0-437414
JAMES H.KOONTZ
13013618
Crew Chief
Asst. Crew Chief
Operations Officer
41-23769 ROWLAND M. GENTRY
EARL MORRIS
13023329
THOMAS M. CARDWELL
13046225
GEORGE R. LATHROP
14048010
JAMES PRINCE
6395417
Crew Chief
Asst. Crew Chief
Armorer
41-23788 CHARLES E.HUGHES
JOSEPH M.MILLER
14039909
THOMAS G.BARBER, JR.
34163105
DURWOOD DICKERSON
38009672
GEORGE R. GOODRICH
11038567
Crew Chief
Asst. Crew Chief
Armorer
Administration
41-23778 THOMAS E. SCRIVNER
ERNEST J. CHARTIER
13027244
WILLIAM S. BARTEET
341 53446
VERNON G. WAGUESPACK
14039868
C.A.JACK
0-433336
Crew Chief
Asst. Crew Chief
Armorer
Capt.
41-23811 ROBERT E. MILLER
ROBERT M. PUGH
GRADY N. BRUCE
J.W.SIMS
JOHNE. NITSCHE
Crew Chief
Asst. Crew C
Armorer
Major
41-24153 HENRY A. LASCO
THOMAS D. HARBOUR
JOHN F. HASSENKAMP
WILLIAM D. GRAHAM
14031552
18063407
14070589
0-23557
^
13032142
14064174
12031443
9
m
Crew Chief
Asst. Crew Chief
Armorer
^
�41-23936 JOSEPH E. FLAHERTY
TROYJ.EAGAN
JOHNW. COMENS
LLOYD KRAGER
MICHAELJ.NERI
14031560
36048709
6899083
0-854195
Crew Chief
Asst. Crew Chief
Line Chief
1 Lt.
42-40764 SHELBY L. IRBY,
WALTER L. PITTS
JAMES H.DIXON
EDWARD G? GOLDSTONE
PILOT
16019369
36308123
36170187
Crew Chief
Asst. Crew Chief
Radio Operator
42-40777 ROBERT E.FELBER
CHARLES S. ALBA
CHARLES W. WHIPPLE
7021772
11046226
Crew Chief
Asst. Crew Chief
•711
41-23817 ROBERT E. KOLLINER
MICHAEL ULOSOVICH
36047434
LEOJ.THUOTTE
31067664
HOWARD W. MOORE
0-402027
ROSE F. HAGER
0-954344
Crew Chief
Instrument Spec.
Commanding Officer
Engineering Officer
42-63761 WORDEN WEAVER
KUND. GONG
ELBERT H. GALLATIN
ANTHONY R. STOWE
Crew Chief
Asst. Crew Chief
Armament
34132946
18060293
13030028
42-40267 REGINALD L. CARPENTER
FRANCIS J. N A M I O T K A
13027363
MARTIN R. A N D E R S O N
39837655
JEAN F. BRESSLER
13031072
CARL J. W A N D
16031072
Crew Chief
Sheet Metal spec.
Armament
Armament
41-23918 E D W A R D R. MITCHELL
G E O R G E N. BACCASH
16013811
MILO C.STRICKLAND
34103811.
G E O R G E R. HILL
16067339
Crew Chief
Asst. Crew Chief
Radio Maint.
42-40371 ELMER H. REINHART
M A L C O L M C.ARTHUR
D O N A L D A. EVANS
RICHARD C. W A R D
11031947
13026126
14038135
Crew Chief
Asst. Crew Chief
Line Chief
42-40780 FRED H.JONES
H O R A C E H. GRISHAM
WILLIE L S W A N K
GILBERT C. HESTER
37100515
18060942
37132854
Crew Chief
Asst. Crew Chief*
Operations Clerk
10
m
�41 -24229 WILLIAM R. C A M E R O N
MARION W. BAGLEY
13024480
T H O M A S E. ROORK
32186276
WILLIAM J. HALL
0-401119
BRUCE A. PAULY
0-434434
Crew Chief
Propeller Spec.
Operations Officer
Group Engineering Of.
41-24232 JAMES E.HILL
MICHAEL F.CHAYKA
JOHN H. CHRISTENSON
H E R M A N WAGENFUHR, JR.
EMERICJ. MICHAUK
Crew Chief
Electrical Spec.
Turret Spec.
Medical
32028950
14064056
18031358
33076905
41-23779 CHARLIE P. HENDERSON, PILOT
JOSEPH E.BAILEY
28044687
E D W A R D P. HAN LEY
6981417
LEO L McCREERY
37139406
N U M A C . HERO, JR.
0-437691
Crew Chief
Aircraft Inspector
Armament
Weather Officer
42-63763 CURTIS S. GRIFFIN
MICHAELA. CURTIN
BENJAMIN G. MARTIN
H O W A R D D. COX
Crew Chief
Asst. Crew Chief
Turret Specialist
19076732
18063342
35275530
sttiiiiiiiii
41-23813 WALTER T. HOLMES, JR.
GEORGE W. BRYANT
341 46071
EUGENE H. SNAVELY
0-22364
HARVEY G. HOLMES
37139906
Crew Chief
Gp. Oper. Officer
Operations Clerk
41 -23816 ROWLAND B. HOUSTON
ALFRED A. BAGDONAS
1 3027644
FRANCIS E. BALZ
6949175
ROBERT L DEAN
0-431615
MILLARD F. SAWYER
140041 51
Crew Chief
Flight Chief
Gp. Armament Officer
Ordnance
42-40094 WILMER J. GARRETT
HAROLD L.HILL
JOSEPH F. M O O N E Y
MILTON FELDMAN
JAMES F. PATTERSON
17037076
32178047
12057764
0-440002
Crew Chief
Instrument Spec
Armament
Chaplain
41-23699 REGINALD H. PHILLIPS
CHARLES C. PIGG
HARRYJ. SINGER
JOHN L.KOCH
HENRY G.V.HART
14052877
12029414
35257034
0-468561
Crew Chief
Electrical Spec.
Sheet Metal
Group Intelligence
11
�41-24225 DAVID W.ALEXANDER
14044294
RICHARD D. WILLIAMS
6265900
YBUR G.CAMPBELL
15083422
MAXE.GOUCHER
W2104151
NELSON T HOLDEN
Crew Chief
Line Chief
Armament
Group Operations
41-23112 WILLIAM D. HUGHES
BARTON D. CRAMER
18089242
HERBERT J. RUSSELL
33119603
LOUGHRIDGEC. MURRELL
18030353
Crew Chief
Inspector
Armament
42-40071 GEORGE R. JANSEN
14043005
CLAUDE E. LEE
0-366917
CHRIS SAND
32173830
RUSSELL HRYNIAK
18101868
AUGUST LBLASCHK!
Crew Chief
Engineering Officer
Asst. Crew Chief
Personnel Clerk
42-40373 EUNICE M. SHANNON, PILOT
FRANCIS M . W O O D
34133012
GEORGE T. CRUMP
14061955
IRVIN E. ROSCHER
37143003
-'
•
'•>
•
•
Crew Chief
Asst. Crew Chief
Armament
41-24211 ROBERT E. PETERSON
HAROLD J. FOLEY
36022088
CECIL A. JOHNSON
18030038
NORMAN L. HALE
6897324
THOMAS R.CRAMER
0-23923
Crew Chief
Propeller Spec
Radio Maint.
Commanding Officer
42-40731 GEORGE P. MARTIN
FREDDY SCHEIDEGGER
16046001
JOHN W. ZARNOSKY
7021651
HOWARD F. DART
38009511
JOHNH.DIEHLJR.
0-427313
Crew Chief
Flight Chief
Armament
Operations Office
mil tuiiiii:
COLONEL LEON W. JOHNSON'S AIRCRAFT:
WILLARD L. MICHAELS
0-730568
HERMAN J. SEIGFELDT
6890587
ALBERT G. KERNS, JR.
39310090
LONNIELACKERMAN
39094739
Asst. Engineering
f
42-401 72 WILLIAM N. ANDERSON
JAMES C. BEAM
0-406217
AUGUST T. GOODMAN
19074334
RUSSELL A. WOLD
39606205
12
®
>qdn. Commanding
Crew Chief
Asst. Crew Chief
�41-24235 WALTER I. BUNKER
LYLEV MURPHY
ARNOLD C. KROHN
39180474
36221318
Crew Chief
Asst. Crew Chief
41-24201 WILLIAM H. STRONG
ROBERT M. IVERSON
19071829
JOHNIER.JANSKI
37108835
JAMES R. PENNER
17040390
LYLE A. M O R T O N
16043305
JAMES E.MEINER, JR.
0-854363
Crew Chief
Asst. Crew Chief
Armament
Operations Clerk
Engineer Officer
42-40606 JAMES A. BUNCEJR.
G O R D O N J. D U N A W A Y
19015172
JOHN W. SCHUESMAN
1 5098433
JOHN A. JOHNSON
32435983
Line Chief
Crew Chief
Asst. Crew Chief
41 -23787 G O R D O N S. STEVENS
STANLEY W. GILBERTSON
39386138
BRADFORD F. BARBER
14107943
ELMER N. VAN BIBBER
19102390
Crew Chief
Armament
Asst. Crew Chief
42-40778 HORACE W. AUSTON,
FREDLAUE
FRANK W. W E N T W O R T H
KELTON P. THROWER
Mechanic
Mechanic
Armament
PILOT
36235562
381 561 59
34333451
42-40370 CHARLES A. WHITLOCK
RALPH C.JORGENSON
39388281
LEONARD K. HOOPER
17020758
JOHN H.TONY
32385073
Crew Chief
Asst. Crew Chief
Turret Spec.
41 -24282 FRANK D. SLOUGH,
EUGENE L.LAMB
CLARENCE M. DOOLEY
HERBERT A. HUFF
ALBERT R.GERE, JR.
Capt
Lt.
Flight Chief
Crew Chief
PILOT
0-443102
0-548179
15075462
38013934
41 -24234 GEORGE REBICH, PILOT
HAROLD W. SMITH
6897842
PERCY L. T H O M A S
39382105
TONY YATES
13088790
41 -24293 JAMES C. McATEE, PILOT
0-388155
OLAF W.ALLISON
0-904783
ALFREDO CARR, JR.
18060189
CHARLES C.JACKSON
38132592
MARVIN M.JACKSON
34196912
CHARLES H. PAYNE
13
m
Crew Chief
Propeller Spec.
Flight Surgeon
Crew Chief
Electrician
Radio Maint.
�FORCE DATA BASE. O N E DAY SOON YOU
O R YOUR DESCENDANTS WILL BE ABLE TO
G O TO THE LOCAL LIBRARY (IF YOU DOM'T
HAVE YOUR O W N COMPUTER) AND CALL UP
THE 8TH AF DATABASE, ENTER YOUR NAME
AND HAVE DISPLAYED O N THE SCREEM
Running late again! I thought after getting YOUR ENTIRE C O M B A T RECORD AND
SIGNIFICANT PARTS OF YOUR SERVICE
the Spring issue of "The Tails" out the door,
CAREER. C O M B A T MISSIONS, WHICH
the "quiet" period would be a good time to
AIRCRAFT Y O U FLEW O N EVERY MISSION,
undertake m y planned change of computer
W H E R E YOU W E R E IN THE FORMATION,
systems from Macintosh to IBM PC. The
reasons for this are (1) m y Mac was small in WHICH AIRCRAFT YOU CREWED OR WHICH
MESS HALL YOU STAFFED. THE DATABASE
capability compared to what's out there
WILL HAVE IT ALL! But remember the most
today; (2) 1 wanted to get in step with the
important computer adage "Garbage in ever growing number of 44th'ers who are
going "on line" in cyberspace with new PC
Garbage out!" Or, nothing in-nothing out!
computers. In fact, I just got an e-mail from There is a lot of data in the archives which
Mike Yuspeh informing m e he has just
we are retrieving, but the personal stuff,
brought our 44th Web Page on line. It is so
stories, family, combat memories, your life
new I haven't had time to give it a visit yet. and work after the war, all has to be your
For those with computers and are on
input, so do a job on it, one that you'll want
Internet, the 44th home page address is:
your family to read with pride!
gnofn.org/~506bgp44. Anyway, back to
reality, I boxed up the Mac, gave it to our
son, and had a whole new system, scanner
and all brought in. Dow between trying to
convert from the Mac O/S to Windows 95
and some 44th BGVA small brush fires (the
usual) to stomp out, Lolly and I both have
been taking classes in W-95 and Microsoft
Word and for an old soldier, it ain't that easy!
Reason number (3), and maybe, at this point,
the most important is our new alliance with
the 8th Air Force Military Heritage Database.
Our Archive/History/Roster and computer
database team (Lundy, Mastradone,
Shepherd) have seen this database system
We are looking forward to the dedication
demonstrated and recommend we adopt it. I ceremonies and unveiling of the bronze B-24
have seen it and must say it is REALLY
model in the Air Force Academy Court of
impressive. My little computer was
Honor on September 24. It is beginning to
overwhelmed, so it was upgrade or get left
look like we will have pretty good
behind. ANYWAY, T O M M Y SHEPHERD HAS
representation from the 44th present. Jack
WRITTEN AN EXCELLENT ARTICLE O N THE
Gibson, Dick Butler, Bill Cameron, Charlie
PROGRAM HEREIN. PLEASE READ IT AND
Hughes, Roy Owen, Jerry FoIsom and Del
Y O U WILL ALSO FIND THE PERSONAL
Brown that we know of at this writing.
BIOGRAPHICAL DATA FORMS. PLEASE,
I want to thank those w h o
PLEASE FILL THESE FORMS OUT AS
responded to the "Thank You Steve"
COMPLETELY AS POSSIBLE. YOUR DATA
plea I m a d e in the last issue. Your
AND STORIES WILL G O INTO THE 44TH
generosity in showing Steve Adams
DATABASE AND THENCE INTO THE 8TH AIR
your appreciation for all he does for
14
�and in the n a m e of the 44th in the
U.K. was great. But there weren't
enough of you! Maybe this is because
the page in m y Presidents Corner that
had m y plea was printed so lightly.
Whatever, the fund stands at about a
third of what w e need to bring Steve
and Jan A d a m s over to be with us at
Savannah, and this just isn't like the
44th w h e n it comes to saying
THANKS for a job well done. It is so
difficult, with the distance involved,
for us to personally express our
gratitude for the many days of his
earned vacation time he takes from
his job and devotes to representing us
at local memorial functions and
making trips to Cambridge to place
the 44th BG Memorial Day wreath he
annually designs for the American
Cemetery Remembrance. Also the
organizing and preparations he makes
express our individual thanks by
making a small contribution to make
it possible for Steve and Jan to be our
guests in Savannah. Please send a
check made out to 44th BGVA, marked
in the m e m o "Thanks Steve." Send it
to: 44th BGVA, P.O. Box 2367, Salt
Lake City, UT 84110-2367. Then at
Savannah you can shake hands and
thank Steve and Jan personally!
And speaking of Thank You; I just
received this e-mail that Steve forwarded to
me. Read it, you will see what I mean.
14 July 1998
Mr. Adams,
My name is Robert C. (Bob) Drake
and I live in Centralia, Missouri. My
father was Frederick J. (Bob) Drake.
Me was the pilot of a B-24 Liberator
named "Bachelor's Delight" 8th Army
Air Force.
I understand from my nephew and
my father's grandson, Michael Anthony
of Atlanta, Georgia, that you have bee
a tremendous help and a load of
inspiration in his quest for informati
regarding his grandfather, tie was ve
excited when you answered his note
that was posted on the B-24 website.
Later this month my family will vis
Michael and his parents in Georgia.
We plan to go through all of the
information that Michael has gathered
at that time. I am sure I will ha ve
questions for you later, but at this ti
all I want to say is TliAriK YOU for you
help, interest and information. We al
really appreciate it.
Sincerely,
Bob Drake
617 Porter St., Centralia, MO 65240
e-mail: rcdnd@socket.net
for visitations by 44th Travel Groups
or by individual and small family
visits. As our U.K. representative, he
keeps the 44th BG recognized as the
preeminent 2nd Air Division B o m b
Group organization active in England
all without pay, and I'm sure, at
considerable personal expense which
he refuses to reveal or discuss. So
with an invitation for Steve and Jan
to come to our reunion from all of us,
w e have the means by which w e can
15
m
�h u m o r and the humility that comes with
Man 0 Man! The time is running d o w n on
heroes and I k n o w the heartbreak when one
m y Presidency; this is m y next to last
of us folds his wings. It was a wonderful
President's Corner! Talk about mixed
experience for m e , truly a labor of love and
emotions. O n the one hand, I'm really
learning why I a m so deeply proud of my
looking forward to reclaiming m y wonderful
country and to have served her with you
retired life with Lolly, playing golf just about
under the colors of the 44th. I don't know
whenever the course beckons (my handicap
what
got m e off on this, but in the words of
has gone from 8 to 15 in these five years
Forrest G u m p "That's all I'm going to say
since w e rose to battle those w h o would have
about that!"
our organization fold its wings). The lack of
Few, if any of you, probably ever read the
physical activity sitting at this computer has
resulted in an insidious gain of forty pounds
disclaimer w e are always obliged to print in
to m y once slender and handsome physique.
every issue of this journal. It's the part in the
O n the other hand, I want you all to know, it box that says "The 8-Ball Tails" Official
has been the labor of love. I have always felt Journal of the 44th, etc., etc., and you would
extremely fortunate for whatever fate it was
otherwise pass it up in this issue, but I want
that placed m e in the 44th B o m b Group to
you to look at it this time and take note of the
serve m y country in WWII. Before I ever
©which m e a n s The 8-Ball Tails is now under
arrived at Shipdham, the 44th had become
copyright and for anyone to use our material,
legend, and m a n y of those w h o had written
they must request our permission. I hope
the pages of that legend with their valorous
you like the material in our "Tails." It appears
deeds were still there as Squadron
there are others out there w h o like it enough
C o m m a n d e r s and Group Staff to lead and
to plagiarize it without as m u c h as giving
teach us the ways of combat. The Bills,
credit to our Journal, thus w e decided to
Cameron and Strong, and names like
apply for copyright, which has been granted
Lehnhousen, Hughes and of course
by the U.S. Patent Office.
Johnson. At wars end, I left the AAF with the
sense that I had mingled and fought with true Signing off now,
heroes, and for the experience I was indelibly
W E H O P E T O SEE Y O U IN SAVANNAH,
marked as a lifetime 44th man. It was that
Your Prez,
intrinsic pride as an 8-Baller that refused to
allow m e to sit idly by and see the demise of
our group; again, perhaps, the s a m e fate that
placed m e at Shipdham, saw m e to become
the first president of our resurrected
Association. Still travelling on m y WWII
inspired pride in the 44th, I was honored to
take the lead. I soon, to m y wonderment,
found that I barely knew the 44th from m y
six months of combat experience. With all
the history, heritage and archives which
documented the real life of the 44th from the
peaks of glory to the depths of despair open
to m e from the advantage of m y office, I truly
began to recognize the fabric of m y pride in
being a m e m b e r of the 44th. I have had the
opportunity to associate with you, read your
letters, write stories for your 8-Ball Tails that
you have told m e first hand. I've seen the
16
�THE 44th GOES FULL ELECTRONICS
By T o m Shepherd
The 44th B G V A has been invited to connect with the
379th B o m b Group (I st Adiv/B-1 7) and the Mighty
Eighth Air Force Heritage M u s e u m ( M 8 A F H M ) in a
Multi-Media Format to record electronically (personal
computer) our history.
For those with World Wide W e b capability, you m a y
visit this program at: http://www.8thairforce.com and
begin to "feel" the excitement of what it will be w h e n
w e are connected as one of the active in the program.
This is History's time to become dynamic. N o w and
into the ions of the future.
This effort actually began several years ago in a letter
from Lt. Gen. Shuler, Chairman, of the M u s e u m to the
44th B G V A and other similar organizations. General
Shuler noted that the 379th BGP, by the energies and
talent of one of its W W I I members, had designed and
developed a multi-media software capability
specifically designed to store an 8th AF-wide history.
Arlo Bartsch (Lt., Pilot) n o w of Milwaukee, W l , holder
of this copyrighted software, has volunteered to attend
our Savannah reunion and demonstrate his program.
A number of 44th'ers attending the recent 2 A D A
Reunion in Chicago were given a demonstration by
Arlo of his program. All have reported strong support
and enthusiasm for its adoption by our Association.
W e are doing this and, as reported in the "Will Sez"
column last issue, Will and our Archivist/67th
Director Tony Mastradone have been busy copying the
combat mission folder data at the National Archives
for several months.
The COMBINED(i) inputs from all known written
records, documents, and squadron/bomb group books
will be a major source of data and written text for
inclusion in this super multi-media program. To give
this effort the strength of the h u m a n quality that it
deserves, there is one major program element
exclusively titled: B I O G R A P H Y Your personal input!
Within this issue is included the key element of the
44th History: Y O U R P E R S O N A L BIOGRAPHICAL
DATA F O R M . Allow some time to complete this form
as accurately as you can. Get out whatever records
you have to substantiate dates and places. O U R
T E A M WILL RESEARCH Y O U R C O M B A T R E C O R D .
The rest is yours.
The National Archives research and copying has
already made a serious dent in our budget (at 10 cents
per copy) and there are many boxes and thousands of
It is expected that by the time October arrives and wepages of data to go, and w e cannot and must not falter
or even think of stopping. The archives at age 53 to 58
convene our reunion, you will be able to "see" for
are becoming brittle and faded after so many years and
yourselves what a marvelous program this is -andbeing handled. They must be copied and put in storage
better yet, understand the excitement it has generated
electronically while there is still time. You will be
in terms of recording our history in such a modern day
pleased to know, once again, your 44th has taken the
media open to everyone all over the world to see and
Division lead in this project. W e are the only Group in
read and marvel as w e "know" it. A lot of work still
the
2nd A D undertaking this project to-date. Arlo
remains to be done. It will take hours upon hours and
Bartsch, w h e n looking at the amount of archival
attendant expense to complete; but oh, what a
material w e have recovered, was amazed at the effort.
marvelous, accessible history w e will have! Even
W
e have our brave and tireless Historian Will Lundy
those w h o do not o w n a computer will be able to go
and his Archivist sidekick, Tony "Bulldog" Mastradone
to their public library, enter the Internet address and
to
thank for this.
the individual name, and in an instant, the personal
combat history of that individual will appear on the
Now, how do we plan to finish the project without
monitor screen! Even pictures and a voice recording.
breaking the bank? Since this is to be an all
A n unbelievable amount of cross referenced data;
encompassing history to include everyone w h o m w e
number of missions, aircraft names and numbers
can find a record of 44th service, and many are gone,
flown, crew members flown with, targets flown
w e once again must turn to the living. While the plan
against for combat crews, for support personnel, jobs,
is to recruit volunteers a m o n g us w h o possess an IBM
promotions, decorations, personal stories, whatever
compatible computer to do the data entry and hold
you put into your data.
17
�d o w n costs, w e still have the data collection costs
past and remaining estimated at $6,000 to $8,000. To
spread these costs with equanimity, there will be a
$ 10 data collection and entry fee to accompany the
Personal Biographical Data Form without photos and of
average length (without extra pages of text), and $ 15
for two photos or one photo and one extra page of text
done in # 12 type single spaced. Follow the
instructions on the Data Form.
We can and we will do this. It is something we have
wanted to do for a long time. It is something w e will
give to our families and the World. Yes - it is about us
and by us -- In a living and dynamic form available in
our homes, libraries, and m u s e u m s all over the world!
We are the # I B-24 Bomb Group on the planet.
Let's keep showing 'em our Tail Turret!
ToMMy ShEpliErid's wcmkskop!
Volunteers - W e need some Volunteers
When the members respond to our historical database program by sending in the completed
biographical forms, w e need some of you w h o are IBM compatible and equipped to help us enter the
data on the member's mailed-in personal data forms into the program. W e cannot afford to have this
data entry done commercially and w e cannot afford to let this opportunity to lead the 2nd AD into the
21st Century slip by us. If w e share the task, w e can do it at minimum cost. You will be thoroughly
trained for the task and it will be something you can sit down to do whenever you have some time to
spare. Here is what it takes to do the job:
Personal skills:
•Average competence with any two of the Microsoft Word Processing systems.
•Average typing skills are essential.
Computer Hardware should be a minimum of:
•Windows 95
• 120 M H z Pentium processor
•16 M B R a m
•2 GB Hard Drive
•3.5 Floppy Drive
•28.8K M o d e m
•Internet and E-Mail capabilities.
• 150 M B of available Hard Drive space
•CD R O M Drive
You will be provided with step by step procedural instructions and a program disk to slip
floppy drive to load the program. Please contact Tom Shepherd at this e-mail address:
sheep@wspice.com. This will be a great way to make a contribution to your B o m b Group heritage!
18
��44th Bomb Group Reunion
October 25 - 29, 1998
Days Inn I Days Suites • 207 West Bay Street
Savannah, Georgia 31401
(912) 236-44407'Reservations Dept. (9 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.)
Pleose print or type only. All information must be completed.
Name:
Daytime Phone #:
Address:
City/State/Zipcode:
Spouse or Guest's N a m e :
Reservation - Accommodation: Send (the 1st Night's Deposit)
Arrival Date:
Departure Date:
Smoking: •
Non-Smoking: •
R o o m Type: Standard Double: •
Cost + 1 2 % tax - Total *or current tax rate.
1) Standard $62 + 1 2 % tax = $69.44/night
2) Suites $82 + 1 2 % tax = $91.84/night
1 Bdrm Suite: •
"klst night deposit should be sent to hotel with reservation
prior to 9/25/98!
^DISCOUNT NOT AVAILABLE THROUGH 1-800 NUMBER!
You may send a check or indicate your credit card number and expiration date.
— —— ——
—
—
—— —— —
—
£f>— —
—
——
—
—
——
—
—
—
Hotel Policies
* The hotel accepts credit cards and cash at check-in.
* Check-in time is 3 p.m. Check-out time is 1 1 a.m.
•k Cancellation is no later than 48 hours prior to arrival.
We offer a cafe on property, open 6:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. , re-opens at 5:30 p.m. until 2:00
p.m. the next day.
If you are driving to the hotel, complimentary garage parking is available. Should you req
taxi service from the airport or Amtrak, the following telephone number m a y be helpful: Coastal
Shuttle ~ (912)964-5999.
^-Please send one copy with payment to the hotel and keep on copy for your records or call
(912) 234-0841 Ext. # 1 4 7 and identify your group for the discounted rate (Monday - Friday 9
a.m. to 4 p.m.) "TUT
We look forward to seeing you in OCTOBER, 1998!
�44th Bomb Group Reunion
October 25 - 29, 1998
Savannah, Georgia
Registration Form
Please print or type only. All information must be completed.
Last Name:
_First (Name Tag)
_Squadron:
Spouse:
Address:
City
Phone (
J
Guests & Relation:
State:
Zipcode:
Total to Attend:
REUNION COST: $140 PER
PERSON
Tour #l- October 24 - Historic Savannah City Tour $16
# Attending:_
Time: o 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
o 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 pm.
Amount $
Tour # 2 - October 25 - Historic Savannah City Tour $20
w/Mansion admission 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Amount $
# Attending:
Tour # 3 - October 27 - L o w Country Tour $25
# Attending:.
Time: o 9:00 a.m. - 12 noon
o 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Tour # 4 - October 28 - Narrated River Tour $ 17.50
# Attending:.
Amount $
Amount $
Time: 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Total Amount:
Registration must be received by October 11, 1998. No Registration will be taken after that date. W e would like to
firm up our reservations as soon as possible. Please send this Registration form with your checkrightaway to:
Mail To: Mike Yuspeh • 7214 Sardonyx Street • New Orleans, LA 70124-3509
Phone: (504) 283-3424 • Fax: (504) 283-3425 (6 rings to pick up.)
NOTE: if you have sent in previous information, please fill out this form and mail with check.
�Savannah Reunion - 44th Bomb Group
Early arrival Saturday, October 24th
•Registration
• Tour Historic Savannah City Tour - Gray Line 11/2 hour (Cost $16)
• # 1 - Leave Hotel 1:00 p.m. - Return 2:30 p.m.
• # 2 - Leave Hotel 3.00 p.m. - Return 4:30 p.m.
Sunday, October 25th
• Registration 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Historic Savannah City Tour with Admission and tour on one of Savannah's
mansions. Leave Hotel 1:00 p.m. - Return 3:00 p.m. (Cost $20)
• Reception - Days Inn: Cash Bar 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Dinner on your own.
Monday, October 26th
• Registration 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• First shuttle bus leaves Hotel at 9:00 a.m. for mighty 8th Museum.
• Visit Mighty 8th Museum.
• Buffet lunch at 11:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m.
• Program to dedicate Ploesti Exhibit -1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
• Shuttle bus returns to Days Inn at 2:45 p.m.
• Shuttle bus leaves at 5:00 p.m. for Convention Center.
•Banquet at Savannah Convention Center - Buffet and open bar.
-Ceremony
-Bag Pipes and Disk Jockey will provide entertainment.
•Shuttle bus returns to Days Inn 9:30 p.m.
Tuesday, October 27th
Tours
• 9 0 0 a m Board Meeting for 44th B o m b Group Association (Hospitality Room)
• Low Country Tour (plantation site) - Cost $25 - Leaves at 9:00 a.m., returns 12:00 noon.
or Leaves at 1:00 p.m., returns 4:00 p.m.
• Squadron Dinners - Mighty 8th Museum.
Shuttles to begin at 5:30 p.m.
Dinner served at 7:00 p.m.
Shuttles to return at 9:30 p.m.
Wednesday, October 28th
• Annual Meeting 9:00 am. (Whereabouts to be announced)
• Tour on Savannah River Queen. Dock at 1:30 p.m., return at 3:00 p.m. (Cost $17.50)
• Visit to Old Fort Jackson
Shuttles to leave at 6:00 p.m.
Dinner at 6:45 p.m.
Shuttle returns at 9:30 p.m.
Thursday, October 29th
• Leave for home.
�When you have completed this form, if you have no pictures, mail it with $10; if you have two photos or
one photo and an extra page of text (single spaced in 12 point font), mail the form with $15 to44thBQV7\.
IT XAI84110-2367
m.i?A7
44th BQVA. P.O. Box 2367. Salt lake
Lake City
City.l UT
8 th Air Force Military Heritage Database
Personal Biographical Data -- Your "Living M o n u m e n t "
It is our goal to assemble a complete record of all personnel who at one time served with the 8th Air Force d
World War II. The records of those w h o were on flying status will be obtained from declassified group mission
reports which have been stored in the National Archives. From this, a matrix has been developed which will allow
for the search and retrieval of the following information: w h o flew on what mission, with w h o m , in what plane, to
what target, on what date, enemy opposition, aircraft and personnel losses, and hundreds of cross referenced bits of
detailed information.
To make this database come "Alive," your stories, memories, photos and voice recordings are essential.
Cassette recordings of your memories should be limited to 2 minutes or less per each incident.
Please provide a "Then and N o w " photo of yourself and a Crew photo, if available.
A Master Copy of this multi-media database is now a part of the Eighth Air Force Heritage Museum in Savannah,
Other copies will be available to M u s e u m s , Libraries, Universities, Schools and on the World W i d e W e b Internet.
You may also have your o w n copy of the full database, on a C D , to run on a h o m e computer.
Last Name: First: Initial:
Address # I: City: State:
Zip Code: Phones — Home: Other: Fax:
E-mail Address:
Date of Birth:
City:
State:
Nickname:
Date Deceased: Date Enlisted: City: State:
Spouse: 8th Air Force Group/s: Squadron/s:
Special Military Training:
Graduating Class:
State:
Location:
19
�Group Rank:
Group Duties:
Ret. Rank:
Your ASN (Serial Number/s):
Occupation Prior to Military:
Occupation After Military and/or Continued Military Service:
Arrival at ETO base:
Arrived From:
Arrived How (Any Details):
*
Personal Memories, Experiences & Stories:
20
m
�Specific Mission C o m m e n t s :
Date Departed ETO:
Destination:
How:
Trip Details:
Military Honors & Decorations:
Stars or
Clusters
Stars or
Clusters
Air Medal:
Purple Heart:
Presidential Unit Citation:
Prisoner of War:
Good Conduct Medal:
Victory W W I I :
European Theater Ribbon:
Congressional Medal Of Honor:
Distinguished Service Cross:
Distinguished Service Medal:
Silver Star:
Legion of Merit:
Distinguished Flying Cross:
Soldiers Medal:
Bronze Star:
Other Award s:
21
�Special Status: Shot D o w n : Q
Escaped:^
Parachuted:^
POW:Q
Evaded:U
Wounded:^
MIA:FJ
KIA:Q
Ditched:Q
Crashed^
lnterned:Q
HospitalizediQ Disabled:^ Other:Q
Details:
Ground Crew:Q
Crew ChieLG
lnstruments:Q
Sheet Metals:G
Assistant C C : Q
Refueling:Q
A G E Mechanic^
Bombsight:G
Armorer:^
Hydraulics:^
Radio:Q
Radar:G
Other:
Duties:
Aircraft You Crewed: (Names and Numbers):
Aircraft Lost or Damaged:
Memories:
Base Operations: Administration:^
Engineering:!^ MessHalLQ
Clerical^
SupplyQ
Communication:^
MedicaLQ
Intelligence:^ Other Duties or Assignments:
Your Contributions Must Not Be Forgotten, Please Provide Details:
22
m
Security:^
Photo Lab:Q
�(data entry) most if not all of the material
which I have been collecting for nearly 25
years. It will also handle photos and audio In the last issue of 8 Ball Tails (Spring such as personal and crew photos, airplanes
98), 1 tried to advise everyone about the
and personal accounts - both written and
efforts being taken to collect all of the
spoken. Better still, the program has been so
Interrogation Reports held in the mission
designed as to have the capability to retrieve
folders in Washington, D.C. and about our
data in most any format. It is so flexible that
efforts to develop a system to m a k e all of
one can access the data bank and have a
this information readily available for our
complete history printed out in book form
members and the general public.
about a person's combat records, etc.
WIIXSEZ
Tommy Shepherd conducted a search for
a software program which could be adapted
to perform this type of recording. In short
order, Tommy m a d e contact with Arlo
Bartsch, a computer expert w h o had
developed such a system which he had used
to record his o w n B-17 B o m b Group, the
379th, 8th AF during W W # 2 . Arlo had served
as a B-17 pilot, so used his o w n experiences
to help pave the way for usage in a very
flexible program. A demonstration model is
available on the Internet address:
http:www.8th airforce.com.
Arlo has agreed to work with us this
s u m m e r to take one month's operational
data (January, 1944) and build it into a
sample presentation at our o w n reunion
d o w n in Savannah this October. This will be
a great opportunity to demonstrate to our
members h o w our entire history could look
if w e can m a k e a complete data entry of our
history. Hopefully, we will have a large
number in attendance so that our members
can see first hand what a treasure this
program will be.
Although I've written only about combat
records above, this program will handle
equally well data about all other phases of
our activities. However, for the most part, all
too little has been preserved in our
microfilm records. To improve this
situation, efforts are being made to provide
a worksheet to be included in this issue of
"Tails" so that each of you can fill in and
return to us, giving us as m u c h personal
information about yourself and your time in
service as practical. The form will be selfexplanatory and will help us develop more
information about each of us individually to
be used in this program's data bank. Please,
all of you, do your best to fill in the blanks
and return it to us so that we can have the
best and most complete database of all
bomber groups.
Hope to see you all in Savannah in
As Arlo and his company is based in
Milwaukee, T o m m y arranged for him to
bring his program to the 2nd Air Division
Association reunion in Chicago for w e
44thers who were attending to view it. Dick
Butler, 44th BG's V P representative on the
2nd ADA's board, announced in their board
meeting that Arlo was making this
presentation and invited everyone to view it
with us. It would be a golden opportunity to
observe and make an appraisal of the
quality of this program for use by the entire
2nd Division.
Arlo made arrangements for a single
viewing of his program on Saturday, but it
proved so popular that he stayed two more
days and made several presentations. The
general consensus of those attending ranged
from quite good to absolutely S U P E R , with
most of us 44thers at the top end of that
scale. Personally, I was ecstatic! Here and
available was a program so powerful and
flexible that it could be utilized to record
October.
Will Lundy
See CPayes 17 an J IS for Troyram Description.
Taaes
23
m
19 tfirouyfi 22 for 'DataBase lorm.
�44TH BOMB GROUP VETE M S ASSOCIATION BOARD
President: Roy W. Owen (506J
6304 Meadowridge Drive
Santa Rosa, CA 95409-5839
Phone: (707J 538-4726 Fax: C707J 538-1212
e-mail: rowen@sonic.net
Director: Michael "Mike" Yuspeh T506J
7214 Sardonyx St.
New Orleans, LA 70124-3509
Phone: T504J 283-3424 Fax: T504J 283-3425
e-mail: mikeyuspeh@worldnet.att.net
Vice President: James H. Clements f506J
4124 Calculus Avenue
Dallas. TX 75244
Phone/Fax: T972J 243-4657
Director: Nancy L. Van EPPS fHq. SqdnJ
13922 River Road
Pensacola. FL 32507
Phone/Fax: T850J 492-2041
Secretary: Edward M. Dobson f67J
118 South 15th Avenue #1
Bozeman. M T 59715-4130
Phone/Fax: f406J 587-2490
Membership Co-Chair: Search Art Hand C66J
517 Elm Street
Paris. IL 61994
Phone/Fax: T217J 463-5905
e-mail: butch@tigerpaw.com
Treasurer: Gerald fJerryJ FoIsom f506J
3582 East Dover Hill Road
Salt Lake City. U T 84121-5527
Phone T80IJ 733-7371 Fax: T80IJ 942-9988
e-mail: 44thb2va@mail.xmission.com
Membership Co-Chair: Roster
Tom Shepherd T66/67J
10597 Cambrooke Cove
Collierville. TN 38017
Phone: T90IJ 854-6558 Fax: f90U 853-4229
e-mail: sheep@wspice.com
Historian: C.W. "Will" Lundy T67J
3295 North " H " Street
San Bernardino. CA 92405-2809
Phone/Fax: T909J 882-2441
e-mail: willundy@aol.com
P.O. Box 315, Bridgeport, CA 93517 fSumJ
Phone/Fax: T760J 932-7349
Director T67J Archivist
Anthony "Tony" Mastradone
9111 Tuckerman Street
Lanham. M D 20706-2709
Phone/Fax: f301J 577-1487
e-mail: mast@clres.com
44th Group Vice President to 2nd ADA
Richard D. Butler T506/67J
16494 Wagon Wheel Drive
Riverside. CA 92506
Phone T909J 780-7421 Fax: C909J 780-1459
U.K. Representative: Steve Adams
28 Bassingham Rd.
Norwich. England NR3 2QT
Phone/Fax: 011-44-1603-400221
e-mail: s.p.adams@btinternet.com
Director: Edw. K. "Mike" Mikoloski C66J
626 Smithfield Road #702
N. Providence. Rl 02904
Phone/Fax: T40IJ 353-0144
ASSOCIATION MAILING ADDRESS:
44th BGVA
P.O. Box 2367
Salt Lake City. UT 84110-2367
Director: Robert J. Lehnhausen f68J
709 West Meadows Place
Peoria, IL 61604-3447
Phone/Fax: T309J 685-2490
24
�MISCELLANEA
AiMqels
CORNER
Our newest Angels are Kobert and Kay Eddings of Westmoreland, TN.
"Bob" served in the 67th Squadron as Aircraft Mechanic for over three
dedicated years out on the "line" helping to keep the planes flying. He did
take time off to find his Scottish bride, Catherine (Kay), and they have
been very staunch supporters of the 67th Squadron and the 44th F3G.
They have contributed generously at every opportunity over the years and
recently donated $ 5 0 0 . More to help cover the cost of completing the
copying of our historical records at the National Archives in Washington
D.C. W E O W E F30F3 A N D K A Y A TIP OF T H E H A T A N D A MIGHTY [31(5
T H A N K Y O U F O R Y O U R G E N E R O U S S U P P O R T OVER T H E Y E A R S . W e
love you guys!
Gem of the Day [credit Chicago co\umr\\5t Zay N. Smith): A T-Shirt spotted in ancient Rome:
'Tatre Troiae X Annos Proeliato Nihil Mihi Datum Nisi Haec Tunicula Pedicuiosa."
Which means, My Father Fought 10 Years at Troy, and All I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt."
O
O
O
^D
The Mailing fiddress Problem Still Goes On
Snowbirds and others who fail to let us know when you move. This last issue we had 11 ret
counting original production, mailing, return and remailing costs us about $4.50 a piece. Please, send a
USPS change of address card to our Association mailing address well in advance of your move so w e can
change our records and you will receive your 8-Ball Tails on the original mailing. W e are also going to cut
costs by mailing only one copy to a household where both husband and wife are paid-up members. W e
hate to deny these couples the luxury of sitting down and each having a personal copy of the "Tails" to
read, but to help cut costs, I'm sure these faithful members will be understanding.
44th BGVA, P.O. Box 2367, Salt Lake City, UT 84110-2367
o o o
Another "Cal" Coolidge Vignette (You m a y recall "Cal" w a s the President w h o , w h e n
being briefed o n the need to e x p a n d the A r m y Air Corps, asked: "Can't w e just b u y one
airplane a n d have the pilots take turns flying it?"
More "Cal" President Calvin Coolidge invited some Vermont friends to dine at the White
House. They w e r e worried about their table m a n n e r s a n d decided to do everything the
President did. T h e m e a l passed smoothly until coffee w a s served. Coolidge poured
^ . his coffee into a saucer. T h e guests followed suit. H e added sugar and cream.
y
The visitors did likewise. T h e n Coolidge leaned over a n d gave his to the cat.
25
�The 44th is on the Internet!
Mike Yuspeh has succeeded in creating and placing a 44th Web Page on the Internet. For those of you
equipped and Modem equipped, the address is: http://www.gnofn.org/~506bgp44. Try it, it is a great start. For the time
being, and properly so, Mike is giving some hoopla to our reunion. Later on we will use the Web page to tell the story of the
44th. Another site you might wish to take a look at is the Ellsworth AFB Web Page. It is at: http://www.ellsworth.af.mil/
~history/44mw.htm.
Our list of members who now have computers is growing. If you are one of these and are on the Inter
your e-mail address to Tom Shepherd, the keeper of our 44th Roster so it can be included in our next revision of the 44th
Directory. Come on in! The water is fine.
o o o
Reunion Notice
T o m Parsons (68th), Vice President of the 8th Air Force Historical Society urges all 44 t h B G V A Members
w h o also belong to the Society to mark your calendar to attend their annual reunion October 13 - 18,
1 9 9 8 at the Hilton Hotel, Cherry Hill, N e w Jersey. All necessary forms and details appear in the M a y
and August issues of your 8th Air Force News.
o o o
1999 TRAVEL WITH ROY & LOLLY OWEN
Before I go to a lot of work planning a trip for the late spring of next year, I would like to get a feel
for how m a n y would like to m a k e a nice visit to the Norwich/Shipdham area with s o m e day trips out
of Norwich, then either North to York and Edinburgh or West to Bath and Wales or South to
Eastbourne and the 1 0 6 6 country.
I have in mind at least one nice 5 5 passenger bus load of 8-Ball'ers on a pretty laid-back tour that
will include your breakfast and dinner every day and lunch on your o w n wherever w e m a y be. A
general itinerary that will allow us to swing off and see something or place that interests us along
the way, and when w e m a k e a major stop, you will be free to do whatever interests you in
the area. M y tour m a n says, for a little extra, w e can m a k e a day trip
over to Dieppe for s o m e big time shopping.
W e will handle the finances through our own treasury and I've got a
good connection that will arrange the hotels and transportation, so
the cost will be quite reasonable.
If this sounds good to you, drop m e a card, letter, e-mail or fax (all
that is in the Board Directory herein) and let m e know if you'd like to
go, how m a n y of you, and which direction you would like to go from
Norwich. This will be a two week trip with add-on, if s o m e would like to
stay over for a few days.
26
�^
27
�Tail End Charley and the Little Black Clouds
By Forrest S. Clark
October, 1943-April, 1944
67th Squadron
It was my first mission, 5 Nov. 1943 and the target was the dreaded Germa
town o/Munster, said to have 400jlak guns around it. I didn't know this at the
takeoff. Somehow that information hadn't reached me from briefing.
We got off all right in the 44th BG formation and rendezvous without majo
The 44th BG that day was relatively far upfront in the formation, so when
position in the tail turret, I had an excellent view of the rest of the entire fo
stacked up behind us. It was a sight to behold indeed and gave me a momentary
elation and a shot of confidence. But that was not to last very long.
We crossed the North Sea headed for the Dutch coast. The sky was a china
as I could see and not a cloud. I marveled at the elements of our bombers flying
looked like a perfect rather close formation. I tried my guns and cracked the
controls to check if everything was working.
At long last I saw the thin ribbon of beach and knew it must be the Dutch
were at medium altitude and all systems had checked out okay. I knew Munster wa
still a couple of hundred miles inland near the Ruhr Valley. What I didn't know
bombers had gone to Munster two weeks before and got the hell shot out of them.
But In my Innocence I even began to enjoy the ride a little. Then I began
black clouds forming off to both sides of the plane. "What do you see back there
the call over the intercom from the pilot upfront. "Oh nothing much, sir, I rep
confidently. "Are you sure?" came the reply. "Nothing but a few small clouds,
time into the intercom pressing the button against my throat. "Small black cl
the answer. "Damn it that's FLAK." The last word, FLAK, had an immediate sharp
to it and from then on we had plenty of it on all sides, sometimes shaking the ai
seemed like we were flying through a sky pock-marked with black clouds. I saw
close ones.
Luckily we got our bombs away and headed for home, but I had learned my le
which stayed with me for the rest of my missions. For the sake of privacy, I won
the name of the pilot; but I knew why he looked at me rather strangely as we ma
way to interrogation.
�FOLDED WINGS
July, 1998
VadisK. Akers
07/22/76
35447356
Waist Gunner for the
Usser J. Mustapa crew. 66th Squadron. This crew was given overseas orders on 5 November 1943
tour began in May, 1944, ended September, 1944 In May 1944
this crew was on D.S. to 93rd BG for Pathfinder work for ten
days. They flew many missions as a Group Lead crew. Last mission to complete tour was 18 September 1944, the low level
supply mission to Best, Holland.
Harold A. Barnes 07/25/97 31283540 68th Squadron. Harold was a Waist Gunner on the
R.C. Knablein crew. This crew joined the 68th Sq. on 29 May
1944 and rapidly completed their tour on 8 September 1944.
Lt. Homer W. Crump 0-678179 Lt. Crump was killed in an airplane accident in Alaska
in the early 1960s. Lt. Crump and his crew were assigned to the
68th Sq. on 4 February 1945. They flew missions until 25 April
1945 and then brought their aircraft #42-51704 back to the
States on 21 May 1945. His bombardier, Charles D. Henry, folded
his wings in 1992. (See below.)
Charlie D. Crutcher 11/18/97 Unable to identify any data concerning this member.
Cabin W. Day 11/09/95 Per wife, Vivian J. Day. Very limited data suggests that Calvin
served with the bomb Wing at Lake Charles in the 1950s.
Charles D. Henry 08/92 0-929136 68th Squadron. The Homer W. Crump crew was assigned to the 68th Squadron on 4 February 1945. Many of their
missions were flown in A/C #42-51704 J, and it also brought the
crew home on 21 May 1945.
RayM. Higgins 02/20/98 Ray served with the 806th Chemical section, working mostly with
the armament crews. He is survived by his wife, Josephine, a son,
Robert and two daughters, Joanne & Maureen.
Charles Huntz Intensive search has not revealed any data about this member.
Edmond R. Ingram 01/06/93 67th Squadron. Sgt. Ingram was the engineer on the A.J.
Helfenbein crew (as was Lt. Nadaud listed below in this report).
This pilot originally flew from Kansas to England via Gander
Lake, Iceland, Nutts Corner and to Shipdham as part of the
Vicker's Provisional Group, was co-pilot to L.J. Parks. When he
became first pilot, his crew was formed in December, 1943. They
flew 27 missions to successfully complete their tour.
29
���T/Sgt. Robert D. Taylor 08/15/97
6919417 Sgt. Taylor was one of the early members of th
Squadron, was with the ground echelon when they went to
on the Queen Mary in September, 1942. He served as Aircr
Inspector, made both trips to Africa in 1943. In Septem
attended AM School. He is survived by his wife, Kathleen
daughter.
S/Sgt. Oliver J. Thomsen .. 08/15/97 17164976 66th Squadron. "O.J. " was born on August 17,
folded his wings on 9 March 1998. Sgt. Thomsen was an armo
waist gunner for Lt. E. B. Hendrick 's crew; was assigned
Squadron in November, 1944. Their first mission was on 3
ber, and their tour was completed on 20 April 1945, with
missions. On the crew's last mission, O.J. calmly rele
bomb that was hung up in the bomb bay, lessening greatly
of afirethere. As O.J. and John Walker were the only mar
j
on the crew, they became close friends while training at
remained close during their time in England in training.
The 8-Ball Tails©
Official Journal of The 44th Bomb Group Veterans Association, Inc. ©
Compiled, written and published tri-yearly at 6304 Meadowridge Dr., Santa Rosa, C
95409, Roy W. Owen, Editor. Printed and mailed Bulk Rate at Salt Lake City, VT
under USPS Permit #6923. All original written material such as letters, stories,
excerpts from personal diaries or memoirs, drawings and photos submitted to this
journal will become the property of the 44th Bomb Group Veterans Association and
will be copyright protected except where noted. The text and photos are otherwise
reproduced from official USAAF and USAF documents and photos which have been
released for publication. Permission is granted for the contents of this journal to be
reproduced specifically for personal archives. Otherwise, copyright material herein
may be reproduced by the journal of other incorporated non-profit veterans
organizations so long as this publication is properly credited and prior permission is
granted by the editor.
Those submitting letters, stories and photos to the editor or historian must do s
with the understanding that this material will most likely be published in this
journal as a matter of interest to the members/subscribers of the Association and
this journal. While every attempt will be made to answer all of the material
received, there is no explicit or implied guarantee that an answer will be provided
or published. Except for specific requests for the return of original documents and
photos, all material submitted will become the property of the 44th Veterans
Association, Inc., or its successors.
Due to space limitations and to ensure the clarity and brevity of submitted mater
the Publisher/Editor reserves the editorial license to add, cut or otherwise modify
all submitted material so long as the original context of the material is maintained.
32
®
����Lt. Col. Robert J. Lehnbausen hesitates to mention it, but
before he flew on B 24's, he had been assigned to B-17's. In a
world of 'Liberator-lovers' he rarely admits that he liked
them. He volunteered for pilot training to avoid a dead-end
assignment in the Coast Artillery. Drafted in Peoria, Illinois
at age 21, Lehnhausen was working in the Regimental Post
Office. His Adjutant, a West Pointer, took him aside one day
and gave him a piece of advice, "If you want to get ahead in
the service, go elsewhere."
Accepting this advice, he responded to an Aviation Cadet
Recruiting Team. Since he was not a college graduate, he
began a series of academic and physical tests at Ft. Bragg,
N.C. He qualified, but began an uneasy wait for assignment.
Pearl Harbor called the 40th Army Unit to be transferred
from North Carolina to Camp M A A R on California's Mojave
Desert. The would be aviator's heart sank, believing that
move would close the door on flight school.
Newly coMMissioiNEd 2N<J LI. RobERT J. LEhisiEiALiSEN,
1942.
C A P T . RobERT J. LEHNHAUSEN'S C R E W ~ PLANE: F L A K A L L E Y
STANdiNq LEFT T O RiqliT: C A P T . G E O R G E E. HulpiAu, BoMDARdiER; LT. RobERT C . PETERSON, NAviqATOR;
LT. Hollis R. Nichols, C O ' P H O T ; C A P T . RobERT J. L E H N H A U S E N , P H O T .
KNEEiiNq LEFT T O RiqHT: S/SqT. D o u q L s R. RATUdqE, ASST. EsqiNEER; T/SqT. WilliAM G . M O R T O N , ENqiNEER;
S/SqT. MicHAEl J. BAUzovich, ASST. RAdio; T/SqT. T H O M A S A. LAskowski, RAdio; S/SqT. C H A R I E S W . R O S S , JR., T A U TURRET.
*
�brand new B17, outfitted with all gear needed
for combat. Then they were ready for the trip to
a combat unit.
To his surprise, after twelve days of desert duty,
orders caught up with him, and his Air Corps
odyssey began. He w a s assigned to a newly
opened Aviation Cadet Reception Center at Williams
Field, Chandler, Arizona. After a few weeks of
ground school, foot drill and calisthenics, he
began the three phase program of pilot training,
completing the program in August, 1942. With
pride and delight, he received his pilot status as
a Second Lieutenant.
"We went the southern route, down to South
America, east to Ascension Island, then to Africa
and finally to England," he remembered.
"Ascension Island was a fifteen square mile
volcanic eruption in the south Atlantic. Peterson,
our navigator, told us to hold the course, and w e
would find it. W e missed it by only 1/4 mile.
Of Lehnhausen's class at Roswell, most were
sent for further training on four engine planes.
Bob went to Geiger Field, W A (Spokane) to train
on B-17's. After a few weeks of intense training,
he was assigned a crew. Together they went to
a new base in Casper, Wyoming. They were
among the first troops in Casper, a cause for
great excitement in the town. "They really rolled
out the 'red carpet' for us," he remembered.
"We went into orientation at Bovingdon, Englan
with 34 other B 17 crews. Members of the RAF
taught us how to deal with anti-aircraft and RAF
radio procedures, also basic courtesies, so w e
could get along with the English people. Then
General Longfellow sent the word that seven
crews would have to go to B 24's. The Colonel
pulled seven numbers from his hat, and I w a s
one. I felt like I was being wrenched from the
graceful 'Queen of the Sky,' but in time I learned
to love the Liberator."
Crew training for eventual combat went very
well, he recalled. Upon completion of this phase,
they went to Salina, Kansas and were issued a
w.
m
PIANE CIOSEST: 42-95260 P W O Li I' MARIENE, 68rh SQUACJRON.
UppER RiqhT: 44-40098 B W O LONE RAINIER - LOST AuqusT, 1 944.
3
®
�"At this time,
March 1943,
the Eighth Air
Force had
only five
bomb groups.
The two B-24
units active
were the 44th
and the 93rd.
These seven
crews being
assigned were
the first
replacement
crews. Five of us went to the 44th, two to the
93rd. Of the five assigned to the 44th, two went
to the 66th, one to the 67th, and two of us went to
the 68th. W e were greeted warmly by a very
weary bunch of combat airmen.
"At that point our crews were broken up. This
permitted two of the Squadrons' original copilots to become first pilots. Four of m y crew
joined Wllmer Garrett; the rest went with BUI
Hughes. In late June, 1943 after several weeks
of practice in low level over the Mounds of East
Anglia, w e were ordered to join the Ninth Air
Force on the Libyan Desert of North Africa. W e
were dispatched there to prepare for and to fly a
special mission, so secret, the troops were
unaware of what would be the target. Ninth Air
Force's two B-24 groups had been bombing
targets supportive of the upcoming Sicilian
invasion."
Upon arrival on the desert, the Ninth Air Force
immediately assigned the three B-24 units from
the Eighth Air Force to the pre invasion attack
effort.
Lehnhausen continued, "Our first mission from
our new base at Benina Main, which w e shared
with Ninth's 98th B o m b Group, w a s on July 2,
1943. The target w a s a German-held airfield at
Lecce, Italy, a
base in the
heel of the
Italian boot.
Although the
mission was
relatively free
of enemy
opposition, it
proved to be
fateful for
Major Tom
Cramer,
Squadron
Commander.
-* »He had chosen
toflyas co pilot with a new crew, and the plane
went down.
I was co pilot for Wilmer Gaffett in Miss Virg
W e did have an attack by enemy aircraft in the
target area. Our gunners exchanged fire with
the attackers, and w e believed our ship was not
badly damaged.
"We dropped our bombs on target and headed to
home base. On the return it became apparent
that some damage had occurred to our fuel
system. W e were running out of petrol. W e
prepared for ditching, throwing everything that
w a s mobile overboard totightenthe aircraft-to
no avail. W e ditched into the Mediterranean.
The B-24 did not have good ditching characteristics.
The ship broke into three major pieces upon
impact with the water. The pilot and I were both
thrown through the windshield. I surfaced
alongside the wing/fuselage junction.
Fortunately, two dinghys stored in the upper
fuselage were within arm's reach. W e released
them, scrambled into them and picked up all the
survivors w h o surfaced. Of a crew of eleven, six
of us survived.
Training and understanding emergency
procedures always pays off. In this tragic
combat action, our radio operator, John Melvln
�Cole, did precisely what he had been trained to
do in a ditching procedure. Upon being told to
"Prepare for Ditching," he sent out the Morse
Code SOS; and after several signals, screwed
down his key to send a continuous signal. His
action saved all who survived the crash.
Ed Walte and I were ambulatory, so we were
sent back to our Squadron. The three who were
more seriously injured were sent to an American
General Hospital in Cairo.
"Back at base our new CO, John DiehL told us h
wanted us to go on leave, relax, enjoy. W e
caught a plane to Cairo. After seeing the local
sights, we appealed to the Cairo based Red Cross
lady for suggestions. She encouraged us to take
the British Army's train from Cairo to Palestine
(Tel Aviv) and see the Holy Land. It departed
each evening at 5:30, traveled the desert in the
cool of night and arrived in Jaffa at 6:00 A.M.
"After several hours in the water, a vessel
appeared on the horizon. W e were so excited! A
few minutes later w e looked again. There was
no vessel. In frustration, one of our crew
ordered 'Let's paddle.' This brought a laugh. W e
had two small dinghys lashed together, four
injured crewmen, two small paddles, an
unconscious navigator; and w e were at least one
hundred miles off the desert coast. Paddle! To
where?
"I purchased the tickets for the three of us.
were comfortably seated in the Lawrence of
Arabia narrow wooden train compartment.
Some time after leaving Cairo, a British master
sergeant who was the train conductor, entered
our compartment to collect the tickets. He was
aghast. Two Yank enlisted men in first class
seats! W e had a spirited conversation. He
demanded that Cole and Waite go to Third Class
where enlisted personnel ride.
"Sometime later the vessel reappeared. It came
closer and closer, but its course was taking it
about twenty degrees from us. The sea was
calm, but the morning was very hazy. Finally I
fired two flares, and the bow of the ship swung
around as if I had it on a string. Then that
vessel grew larger and larger. At that point our
vocal crewman let out an expletive and shouted,
'we get dumped in the Mediterranean, we
survive, they find us, and now the SOB runs over
us!'
"Finally I said, 'Sergeant, you have a problem
Your people sold m e these tickets for First Class
Passage. Either these two men remain with m e
or we allrideThird Class.' In disgust he yielded.
He couldn't tolerate an officerridingThird
Class."
"We were rescued by a British mine layer who
was on a special mission, transporting the
British Army General Staff from Alexandria,
Egypt to Malta in advance of the Sicilian
invasion. They had picked up Cole's radio
transmission, and began a square search for us lucky for us, for there was no air/sea rescue unit
in that area at that time.
The trip to the Holy Land proved to be
educational, enlightening and inexpensive. A
three-day guided bus trip, two nights lodging
and all food cost only two British pounds. ($8 U.S.)
They arrived back at the Squadron on the
Thursday before Ploesti. Lehnhausen was asked
toflythe low level Ploesti mission as co-pilot for
Eunice Shannon.
"We were taken to Malta where we spent five
days in a British General Hospital. Then, in
preparation for the upcoming invasion, the
hospital was evacuated. W e were sent to an
American Field Hospital in Tripoli. Five days
later the radio operator, John Cole; our engineer,
5
®
�"Ploesti was an awesome experience, an
unbelievable panorama of planes, gunfire,
explosions and destruction. W e saw planes
going down around us,flakbuffeted us
mercilessly; but by the grace of God, our aircraft
was unscathed.
The next mission our group flew following
Ploesti was to Wiener Neustadt, August 13,1943,
our target, an aircraft manufacturing facility.
The target was beyond our range, so to make the
attack possible, w e were briefed to land on
bases in Tunis, rather than to attempt returning
to Libya. It was m y first mission as pilot. I w a s
elated, but m y crew was a new crew on their
first mission, and their pilot had to move over to
the co pilot's seat. I wasn't a popular pilot on
this mission, but fortunately, it was an easy one,
little opposition-no fighters. However, our fuel
transfer system fouled up, and w e had to make a
difficult landing on a bombed out fighter base in
Sicily. Happily, w e made it back safely to our
base.
Days later we headed back to Shipdham for a
mere three weeks, and then back to North Africa,
joining the 99th Bomb Group (B-17's) in Tunisia.
W e flew only a few missions, as the rainy season
had moved in. On October 1,1943 they sent us
back to Wiener-Neustadt. This time the Germans
were ready for us. This was the worst
nightmare of any mission I had ever
experienced, and it was one of the group's most
costly. On the return, I looked out to our left.
Dick Butler was sitting out there all alone.
Sometime later I asked why he was alone. His
response was that all other ships in his
formation had been shot down.
Shortly after this difficult mission we were
again ordered back to England. By now Willie
Weant m y original co-pilot, Dave Alexander (a B
17 transfer) and I were the most senior pilots in
the Squadron.
%
V'MAil ChlRiSTMAS CAR(J.
W e had a pause at that time. The weather was
bad. W e had sustained high losses, and new
ideas were being formulated. Most helpful was
the arrival of the P 51. Those daredevil flyers
accompanied us on missions, going after the
Luftwaffe with unbelievable zeal, strafing planes
on the ground and shooting them in the air.
They were truly our 'tittle friends.'
Late in December, George Hulpiau, my original
bombardier; Bob Peterson, m y original
Navigator, and I got back together as a crew.
W e flew three missions together, all Group
Leads. On Dec. 31,1943, w e had a Wing Lead,
with Col. Bill Cameron as our Command Pilot, to
an airfield in southwestern France, St. Jean D'Angly. Flying with m e n of such superior skills
was exhilarating.
By this time I had completed my 35 missions.
Shortly after the January 11,1944 mission, I was
transferred to operations in Group Headquarters
as a Briefing Officer. The balance of m y combat
missions were flown as a Command Pilot,
standing on the flight deck between the pilots.
�Early April, CoL Gibson gave m e the opportunity
of a lifetime. He made m e Commander of m y old
Squadron, the 68th. I held that position from
April, 1944 until w e came home in late May, 1945.
'Being CO. was a great honor and a tremendous
experience. Many of these moments were truly
enjoyable; equally many were sad. W e lost
many, many splendid young patriots. Among
them was m y only brother Edward ('Doc'), who
with his crew, joined our Squadron in mid July
1944. This was only after permission was
granted by higher headquarters. 'Doc' was a
good pilot. W e had a clear understanding of how
we must handle our relationship, and w e
carefully observed this. As it happened, a
German anti-aircraft battery chose his plane to
target; he and his entire crew were lost on
October 18,1944 on a mission to Leverkusen,
Germany.
"Along with 35,000 other 8th and 15th Air Force
members, I was sent to Sioux Falls, South
Dakota. I had 30 days home leave, and was
awaiting reassignment to a B 29 training unit in
preparation for the assault on Japan. And then
the war ended.
long his leadership skills reached into the civic
and political life of Peoria. Together, with other
returning veterans and interested community
leaders, they changed our local government, all
for the better. Their war experience taught them
that if they were old enough and smart enough
to win a war, they were old and smart enough to
govern their hometown.
Lehnhausen and his wife Elizabeth energized
Peoria, intending that their seven children would
be raised in a desirable, secure environment. He
served as a member of the Peoria City Council
for fourteen years, the last four as mayor (196569). Later he was honored to serve in the Cabinet
of the Governor of Illinois. This 39 months was
an enlightening governmental stint. From there
he was invited into the banking world. He
retired in 1985 having served as Vice President/
Treasurer of First Federal Savings of Peoria for
12-1/2 years. He has been a member of the
present Board of the 44th BGVA since its
reorganization, six years ago.
"Sioux Falls became a Separation Center. I was
given the task of presiding at final ceremonies.
Twice a day w e processed about 200 veterans,
thanked them for their service, gave them their
separation documents and saluted each,
individually. To me, it was a great honor to
thank and salute these young m e n who had
expended their youth and vitality, serving until
victory was won."
The population of the base continued to shrink.
When Lehnhausen departed for his separation
on December 22,1945, only 125 military
personnel remained on base.
He went back to Peoria and his sporting goods
sales job. After several weeks, he joined his
father in his retail drapery business. Before
B o b Al\d Liz LEklNEIAUSEN.
®
�This Message Delivered in Absentia:
Roy, in behalf of the 44th BGVA, The Board of Directors and the entire membership... we thank you... and... we
salute you. As a symbol of our appreciation, affection and admiration, we present to you this Global Clock and
Plaque. The engraving on the Plaque reads:
Colonel Roy W, Owen, USAF (Ret)
FIRST PRESIDENT
of the 44th Bomb Group Vet. Assn.
1994-1999
With Gratitude, Admiration and Appreciation for your outstanding executive
leadership and direction in the resurrection and the remarkable growth
and achievements of the 44th Bomb Group Veterans Association.
Your industry, integrity, resourcefulness and unselfish dedication
over the past live (S) years are a continuing source of inspiration and pride to all.
Your presidency will clearly be recognized as the defining period in the
singular success of the 44th Bomb Group Veterans Association.
Presented at the Sixth Annual Reunion of the 44th Bomb Group Vet. Assn.
4 September 1999 in New Orleans, LA.
I
I
N o w we know that behind every 'great guy' is a 'great lady \ and that great lady, of course, is your own 'Lolly'
love, loyalty and support to Roy reaped many benefits, not only to Roy, but also to all members of this Association
Lolly, we thank you. W e send you our love and our compassion. And, as a token of our appreciation, love and
admiration, present you this portable World Clock and Electronic Calculator. The silver inscription reads:
Jerry and Bev Folsom were charged with the task of delivering the
gifts to Roy & Lolly. President Mike called on the audience to gi
standing ovation to the absent and sorely missed two honorees; and
English style, called for three 'Hip, Hip, Hoorays.'
Paraphrasing Winston Churchill, President Mike concluded the
ceremony with "...never in the history of the 44th BGVA have so few
given so much to so many for so long."
BEV
ANd JERRY FOISOM
�November 4, 1999
Dear Members of Zhe 44th Bomb Group Veterans Association,
Were it possible, Colly and J would prefer that we could see each and every one of
you, first to express our profound thanks for giving us the great honor of serving as
your President and first Cody over the past five years. Next, to thank you all for
honoring us with the beautiful World Zime Clock and fantastic electronic calculator
so stunningly mounted in rare wood. Moth with our beloved J lying Sight Kail logo
inscribed with your thank you message.
Zhose wonderful gifts and their message will serve to remind us of the great years
we served with you all to see our Bomb Group Association rise from the ashes of
the Heritage Memorial Group to new heights. Zhen to take it s rightful place as
the lead Group in all of Second Air Division and arguably of Sighth Air force.
]/ou are the greatest of what Zom Brokaw has called "Zhe Greatest Generation. "
Serving with you and for you has truly been a labor of love. Colly and J thank you
for the opportunity and we salute you with pride and love.
Sincerely,
9
�Q&p&m me
Wed
our
The 6th Annual Reunion of the 44th B G V A is
now history, but it will long be remembered as
one of, if not the best, Reunion ever. From
beginning to end (and what an ending!) it was
first class elegance with a program, agenda,
food, music, show and amenities that elicited
rave notices from all. Mike Yuspeh, Martin
Richard, their wives, Rose Fay and Delores, put
on a superbly conceived, efficiently conducted
and greatly enjoyed Reunion. Our compliments
and thanks to them for a job well done.' W e
missed several of our 'regulars', but sincerely
hope they will return with us again in San Diego,
August 31 through September 3, 2000 for
another of Mike's elegant 'extravaganzas.' Roy
O w e n and Mike have concluded arrangements
with an elegant five star hotel from the Westin
Hotel chain where the amenities are equally
elegant as those we enjoyed at the Hilton in
N e w Orleans. Do not miss this one in San
Diego. W e have a program planned that will
please our most discriminating members.
On the 'business' side, we approved a budget
for the year 2000 in the amount of $30,000,
with expenses totalling $27,320, reflecting an
operating surplus of $2,680. In sum, we
continue to operate in the black. I am pleased
to report also, that the Association has paid all
outstanding bills, including the balance of
$5,887 to Computer Generated Data Inc. With
our Treasurer, Jerry Folsom, I am instituting
certain cost control measures and procedures
to insure compliance with our constitution and
by-laws, to keep a lid on our expenditures.
Your Board and I will introduce, subject to you
approval, changes in the structure of the Board
of Directors, to reduce the number from the
present eleven to nine. These steps will enable
us to operate with greater efficiency and
economy. Of course, we have come a long way
since our 'resurrection' six years ago in Colorado
Springs; but we still have a long way to go. This
is the way we have chosen to go:
COURSE #1. Complete the 44th B6VA
Military History Program.
(This is a program divided into three phases)
Phase I. Input Archival/Historical Data.
(Virtually completed.)
8500 Sorties and the 44th "Roll of Honor"
included.
Phase II. Input Personal Biographical
Data. (Now in Process.)
All members are encouraged to complete and
submit their personal 'bios' as soon as
possible, along with their 'then' and 'now'
�photographs. Crew photos are also solicited.
This is the segment that actually provides
the 'personalization' and 'real life' to our
data. This is not so much for our benefit,
but more for benefit of our children and
their children, historians, researchers,
teachers, students from all over the world,
who will be able to access this vital
information via their personal computers
and/or the Internet. One of the greatest
challenges of this phase will be the
research, contacts, compilation and
submission of data on these members of the
44th BG who made the supreme sacrifice
during the great conflict, as well as those
who have left us after surviving W W I I . W e
will need the assistance and cooperation of
all to accomplish this just and final mission.
Today the 44th BGVA is the first B-24 to
computerize its history and archival data
into an electronic database and is today also
computerizing the personal biographies of
its living and deceased members.
Phase III. Enhancement. Expansion,
Embellishment. (Under Active
Consideration.)
This phase includes the vast amount of
personal and historical data in the possession
of Will Lundy, Art Hand, Norm Kieffer, Tom
Shepherd, Steve Adams and others. It
includes letters, diaries, reports, orders,
photos, news articles, etc. from our 44th BG
personnel, as well as from people on the
continent who witnessed our raids, crashes,
survivals, rescues and escapes. W e are in
the process of determining the costs that
will be involved and deciding how much of
these records will be included in the data
bank.
COURSE #2. Increase 44th BGVA
Membership.
As our ranks get progressively thinner, it is
imperative that we seek to increase our
membership through innovative ways. As a
starter, I propose we seek a 1 0 % increase in
our membership through the following ways:
• Every Member Get A Member.
• Every member enrolling one of their
children/grandchildren as members.
• The Board of Directors continue efforts to
enroll members from the 44th strategic
Missile Wing, the 3rd Strategic Air Depot
Group and/or other attached assignee units to the
44th BG.
COURSE #3. Complete Ongoing Projects.
• The Ploesti Diorama at the "Mighty 8th Air
Force Museum" in Savannah - Install hand
rails and voice-over. Today, according to the
Museum's curator, this diorama is the # 1
attraction at the Museum.
• Barksdale B-24 - Replace missing nacelle
covers and repaint in 44th Bomb Group
Markings.
• Cianci Story - refine script and seek out
interested film/TV producers/directors to
whom the 44th BGVA would sell/lease the
rights for production.
COURSE #4. Increase 44* BGVA Financial
Resources.
As most of you probably know, a major
portion of our income is generated from our
Annual and Life Memberships, and this
income barely covers our annual operating
expenses. Therefore, to fund the faster
Data Plan, (Phases II and III) alone, plus the
ongoing projects will require that new and
innovative measures be conceived and
developed. W h e n the Board and I determine
these financial goals, we will select and come
to you with these revenue enhancing ideas
among which are the following:
•Endowments "Appeals
-Bequests
•Donations
-Fund Drives 'Institutional
Solicitation
You will be kept informed about development in
this critical area.
FINAL T H O U G H T :
"Do not let impossibilities
intimidate you; do let possibilities
motivate you."
�8-Ball Tails Editor:
Ruth Davis-Morse
2041 Village Circle East
York, PA 17404
Tele: (717) 846-8948
Fax: (717) 767-6194
e-mail: rewdm@blazenet.net
From
A N AMERICAN M U S E U M
IN TURKEY
the Editor
Did you ever think that someday someone
would declare that the gas chambers ofAuswich
and Dachau were fictional?
From Bill Cameron came the news that Turkey
has an American Museum in Istanbul, and parts o
a Liberator are on display. HADLEYS
HAREM
crashed in the Mediterranean Sea following the
Did you ever think that the day would come
Ploesti Raid. According to Cameron, museum
when some American scholars would criticize our
leaders for dropping the A-Bomb? (Don't forget—it curators have restored the nose section, and ar
planning on raising the rest of the wreckage and
saved a million lives.)
restoring it.
Ploesti is forever in our memories, and
Did you ever think that the Paris Museum
In absentia, the pilot o
would hide the fact that the city was liberated by continues to make news.
st
HADLEYS
HAREM,
1
Lt.
Gilbert B. Hadley was
American troops? Charles DeGaulle showed us his
recently
awarded
the
Distinguished
Flying Cros
ingratitude by that gesture, and his followers
and WWII 50th Anniversary Victory
permitted it. Fortunately, many, many FrenchCommemorative Medal. His brother Bill of
men know the truth.
Bartlesville, Oklahoma accepted the medal from
the U.S. Army,fifty-fouryears after the plane
Did you ever think that Axis Sally and a memwent
down.
ber of the German SS would draw sympathy?
Bill
Cameron describes the RAHMIM. KOC as
Apparently there are those in Europe who are
a
first
class
museum, which any Istanbul taxi
promoting such thoughts! A writer from Belgium,
driver canfind.Bill has a special interest in th
Luc Dewez, answered that E-mail misinformation.
memento of the war. He was on that same raid!
He remembered that his parents fought in the
Belgium Resistance. He remembered how the
people in conquered nations were treated by the
Germans, and he answered the claims to a wide
audience via the Internet. Apparently all over the
world, people are trying to re-write history. Our
thanks to those who are working to set the record
straight.
All of this is happening. Unless those who
served in the war document their stories, WWII
will be rewritten untruthfully. Do your personal
Database. You owe it to yourself and those who
are buried in Cambridge, Ardennes, Normandy
and elsewhere, to record the truth and make it
indisputable.
Please direct questions on membership, address
changes, payments, donations, deaths, etc. to:
44th BGVA • P.O. Box 712287
Salt Lake City, Utah 84171-2287
12
�g-gn» Tails. Vol..?. Issue 2. page 5:
According to Jerry Folsom who snapped the photograph, the identity of the person climbing out
the pond at the 44th Bomb Group's 200th Mission Party was none other than General Johnson. The
scene was at the dingy pond at the 506 Squadron.
Think about this:
Lt. Col. Robert Dubowsky,
(Ret.) 66th Sq., has an interesting idea: Preserve the songs
were sung during those dark and dashing days of the War. He needs lyrics to the tunes that eve
body sang, such as "I bombed Cologne," to the tune of "I'll Walk Alone." He'll put them on tape
make them available to anyone on request. They were a
part of the reality of war. Put on your thinking caps,
fellows, and drop Dubowsky a line: 650 Grant Court,
Satellite Beach, FL 32937- Tel. (407) 773-6604, E-Mail:
RDVB@aol.com.
Word from England:
The Eastern Daily Press reported that the first
major building work started in August in Norwich for
the library, multi-media auditorium, business and
teaming center, tourist & visitor site, as well as cafes,
restaurants and below-ground parking. This will house
the 2nd Air Division's American Room. Will and Irene
Lundy visited the site several months ago, and predict
that a splendid edifice will arise in the coming year.
Nigel Wright, who ran the Arrow Air Services and
the Arrow Air Center at Shipdham Airfield died on May
12. Wright and his wife had dedicated a museum to the
44th BG. His death spelled the end of that era. Memorabilia was preserved by our U. K. Representative,
Steve Adams.
In Hingham, a few miles southeast of the airfield,
the city celebrated the "The American Connection," the
departure of one of their citizens to the New World.
Samuel Lincoln changed the course of history, when he
set forth. His great, great, great, great, grandson was
The Great Emancipator, Abraham Lincoln.
Brian Peel from Norfolk continues to extend good
wishes to the Americans he remembers from his childhood during the war years. He recently wrote, 'Your
boys did a lot for us during the war; and as I have
grown up, I can see we would not be here today if it
were not for the Americans." He enclosed a picture of himself and his 90 year old mother, who di
the laundry for many of the crews at Shipdham.
VUeMAealZAuKAdK.
Go**Uncj AtfoactianA:
MlkoloJut»UieP'^dm^4Uie^Ut^QVA.
Vkeli^aMdUmei-4<^a;^^eaAM*en'GUadei, Si*nftio*t. cmd the. MiMihxte.
13
�QUEEN MARY REVISITED
Nick Garza of the 506 Ordinance boarded the Queen Mary at the Southampton docks
on October 10, 1945 and was assigned to sleep on the Promenade deck. H e was in awe of
the size of the Queen, a floating city. The five day trip was joyous—the war was over.
There was music, live shows and good food. H e was discharged October 16 from Ft. Bliss,
Texas and surprised his parents at 4:00 A.M. when he arrived in Sar\ Antonio. Nick left his
British wife, Sarah Ann Sears, behind. They were separated for a long six months, but
when Sarah came to America, it was via the Queen Mary. Their marriage blessed them
with four girls, one boy, five granddaughters and a grandson.
Nick's return trip was quite a variation from going over on the S.S. Jean. That boat was
small, needed paint, bounced around in the high winds and waves; and nearly collided with
another ship. Then the engine died, and the S.S. Jean had to separate from the convoy for
repairs. They caught up with the convoy in three hours, but soon found themselves under
attack by a German submarine pack. More than 30 ships went down around them, but the
S.S. Jean was spared. For Nick, traveling to war was a fearsome experience. Fortunately,
aboard Queen Mary, life was more peaceful and luxurious.
The Queen Mary has transported the rich and famous, financiers of the world, barons
of industry, dukes
and duchesses; but no
group more important
than the victorious
American Gl's.
SLEEPi'SlG Q U A R T E R S
KEEP, THIS
CARD
QUEEN
MARY...
'Buck' Burton sent
m e a copy of an
Associated Press
report of the Queen
Mary arriving with
14,526 Gl's aboard,
June 21,1945. On
board were general
hospital units and
bombardment groups,
including his late
father, Robert E.
Burton.
Buck remembers
his father's description of his delight of
getting a drink of
milk. H e had not had
any in the three
years he was in
England.
ROOM B
77
N Y FOR •1I-S00/l3«80t>-8-4B-S»277 /</ ' 11^
;• •;' I
Sgt George Apgar (Ifft], Dover, and Cpl. Harold Gondret, Newark^feake
ark^abake hands through portholM a» )
•hip docks.
14
�6oth Anniversary Celebration for the Liberator will be held in San Diego, December 9-12,1999,
hosted by the B-24 Groups Memorial. On December 29,1939 the Consolidated Aircraft
Corporation's staged the maiden flight of the XB24, and nine months later the Army signed the
contract for its construction infivedifferent cities.
Registration is $125 per person. Payment is to Dick Baynes, 71 Nighthawk, Irvine, CA 926043683. Tel. (949) 552-3890. Hotel reservations are at the Town and Country Hotel, 500 Hotel Circl
North, San Diego, CA 92108. Tel. (800) 772-8527 or (619) 291-7131.
Please direct questions on membership, address changes, payments, donations, deaths, etc. to:
44th BGVA, P.O. Box 712287, Salt Lake City, Utah 84171-2287.
From Jerry Folsom,
Treasurer:
»Look for your renewal notices. They have been mailed.
»Please let Jerry know of address changes; the post office is no longer forwarding mail.
'Lithographs of the Shipdham Control Tower are still available for $325°.
•The 1999 Membership Roster has been completed. The price is $750, which includes postage.
'Caps and shirts are no longer available. We had a sell-out in New Orleans.
CONGRATULATIONS are in order to Mike Yupseh
and hie volunteers who put together our recent
44th BGVA reunion in New Orleans. Just a
FANTA5TIC reunion with a great hotel, food,
hospitality room, various tours of New Orleans,
and great Squadron and Group dinners. Mike
saved the best for last — a fabulous Mardi-Gras
masquerade party on Sunday evening. He went all
out to provide us with some of the best music
(40 s style) we have heard in some time. How nice
of the "Andrew Sisters" to sing for us. If it wasn't
them, then they were the next best thing. Let's
not forget the very nice gifts to each of us
attending, including some really great T-shirts
and Tote Bags (stuffed with New Orleans
mementos) both emblazoned with the S> Ball Emblem.
for those ofyou unable to attend this function, you missed the premier reunion of the past six yea
don't know how Mike will be able to top this next year in San Diego, but we will be there for sure to find
know I speak for all the membership who partook of this great reunion, in thanking Mike for all his har
throughout this past year.
Now it'e on to 5an Diego in 2000.
Larry & Georgia Ann Herpel, 44th BGVA
15
®
���NEW ORLEANS AT ITS BEST
The
band
played
and the
44th
Bomb
Group
dipped
and
swirled,
delighted
to be
hearing
the
songs
that they sang a half century ago.
The ball was a romping, stamping
good time for all, inspiring
President Mike Mikoloski to
proclaim that nobody, but nobody,
could party like the 44th B G V A .
Mike
Yuspeh
gave
General
John
Gibson
the
keys to
the
city, with extra keys for President
Mike and Historian Will Lundy.
The candlelight ceremony was
a w e s o m e — a serious moment to
remember those w h o were
missing, some from 54 years back,
some very recently.
O f course, when serious
partying began, chores were
already completed. Mike Yuspeh,
Reunion Chairman hustled behind
the scenes, providing liquid
refreshments, snacks and working
space so registrants could find 8Ball tote bags replete with treats,
T-shirts, goodies and information.
Golf shirts went on sale, and it
was a sell-out. Treasurer Jerry
Folsom stood by, collecting dues;
and a band of organized helpers
managed a busy scene.
transfer from Will Lundy's tower
project. Mikoloski reminded the
m e m b e r s that only here in this
program can the full account of
the group's history be
preserved centuries into the
future.
V
Back in the corner of the
hospitality
room,
small
groups
gathered
around
Arlo
Bartsch's
computer.
From the
Database he could pull up crews,
planes, individuals and missions,
displaying it on the screen, and
giving everyone a chance to find
out what happened to this plane or
that buddy. Those w h o had
completed their personal bios
could find their youthful picture
and a recent one in full color. O n
a wide screen, it was impressive.
Working his
way through a
hefty agenda.
President
Mikoloski
updated the
group on the
financial stability
of the B G , while proceeding with
a very expensive undertaking the
Database. Funding for that was a
18
Memberships became a
universal assignment.
"Enroll kids and grand
kids," the President
entreated. "Time is running
out. Already the B G has
attracted some members
from the Strategic Missile
%;^
Wing, and they are so
welcome." Wiley Noble from the
3rd Strategic Air Depot
Association was present, and his
group was officially invited into
the 44th. "There is no doubt,
twenty years from n o w the 44th
B G V A will have n e w faces, but
the legend will be preserved,"
President Mike reminded
everyone.
Mikoloski named one of the
BG's most popular and admired
gentleman. General Gibson,
President Emeritus of the B G .
With his usual enthusiasm and
vigor, 'Jack' and his wife Ruth
came to the Reunion to share the
joy of reminiscing with old
buddies.
The Masquerade Ball was like a
trip to the Mardi Gras, without the
inconvenience of
crowds. Feathered
masks, a female
impersonator,
headless m a n ,
beggar, pirate,
southern belle,
jester; even a bag lady showed up
to dance to the music of the
students from Tulane University.
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GROUP NAME:
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44th Bomb Group-National Reunion
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MEETING DATES:
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subject to spa;e and rate availability, If the room typerequestedis
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yout group has a range of rites and the rate category requested has
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reservations without penalty prior to 48 hours of m y arrival.
Currently the Mte is 10.5%. Departure dates are confirmed at
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Please guarantee m y reservation with (;heck one):
20
�44TH BOMB GROUP VETERANS ASSOCIATION BOARD
Wsident: Edw. K. "Mike" Mikoloski (66)
626 Smithfield Road #702
N. Providence, Rl 02904
Phone/Fax: (401) 353-0144
e-mail: EKMiko@aol.com
Director: Robert J. Lehnhausen (68)
2540 Benton Court
Peoria, IL 61615-8838
Phone/Fax: (309) 243-1952
Director: Michael "Mike" Yuspeh (506)
7214 Sardonyx St.
President Emeritus: B-Gen. John H. Gibson (Retired)
N e w Orleans, LA 70124-3509
7008 Gateridge
Phone: (504) 283-3424
Dallas, TX 75240-7936
e-mail: mikeyuspeh@worldnet.att.net
Phone: (972) 239-0559
Immediate Past President: Roy W. Owen (506)
6304 Meadowridge Drive
Santa Rosa, CA 95409-5839
Phone: (707) 538-4726 Fax: (707) 538-1212
e-mail: Rowen44bg@aol.com
Secretary: Nancy L. Van Epps (Hq. Sqdn.)
13922 River Road
Pensacola, FL 32507
Phone/Fax: (850) 492-2041
Treasurer: Gerald (Jerry) Folsom (506)
3582 East Dover Hill Road
Salt Lake City, U T 84121-5527
Phone (801) 733-7371 Fax: (801) 942-9988
e-mail: 44thbgva@xmission.com
Historian: C.W. "Will" Lundy (67)
3295 North "H" Street
San Bernardino, CA 92405-2809
Phone/Fax: (909) 882-2441
e-mail: willundy@aol.com
P.O. Box 315, Bridgeport, CA 93517 (Sum)
Phone/Fax: (760) 932-7349
Membership Co-Chair: Search
Art Hand (66)
517 Elm Street
Paris, IL 61944-1417
Phone/Fax: (217) 463-5905
e-mail: butch@tigerpaw.com
Director (67) Archivist
Anthony "Tony" Mastradone
9111 Tuckerman Street
Lanham, M D 20706-2709
Phone/Fax: (301) 577-1487
e-mail: mast@cires.com
Director (44th SMW)
Charles G. Simpson
\
P.O. Box 281
Brechenridge, C O 80424
Lanham, M D 20706-2709
Phone/Fax: (970) 453-0500
e-mail: AFMISSILEERS@compuserve.com
U.K. Representative: Steve Adams
28 Bassingham Rd.
Norwich, England NR3 2QT
Phone/Fax: 011-44-1603-400221
First Vice President: Richard D. Butler (506/67)
e-mail: s.p.adams@btinternet.com
44th Group VP to 2nd A D A
16494 Wagon Wheel Drive
ASSOCIATION MAILING ADDRESS:
Riverside, CA 92506
44th BGVA
Phone (909) 780-7421 Fax: (909) 780-1459
P.O. Box 712287
Salt Lake City, UT 84171-2287
�sources, from Jerry,
from Ruth, from Mike,
and many times from
the next of kin or in
response to letters
that I have written to
members. Too, Art
Hand often comes up
with the names of
deceased in his
valuable work to
locate our long "lost"
members.
P O W for our combat personnel that I
have used in the past two issues.
However, m y CO at this time has not
been updated to add over 200
sorties for the December \dAA
period. Consequently, I could not
come up with exact total of missions
flown for the men who flew missions
during this period. Arlo has finished
entering these sorties so my disk
will be updated as soon as possible;
and it will be more accurate in the
future.
If you fine people out there will
take the time necessary to complete
approaches for the
Y O U R O W N 1310 form and/or forms
next & 3all Tails, I
for your crew buddies, we could build
attempt to get to
up our computer data on BOTH our
work on them, do my best to try to
combat personnel and ALL 0THER5.
find as much appropriate data about
Our ground echelon people, as well as
each of these members as I can. To
do this, it often requires considerable our support organizations, must give
me, us more data about YOU. W e or I
searching into as many sources as I
have but very little data in the
have accumulated over these many
years. All too often, I come up empty official records that I've collected
for the past 2 5 years. I have nothing
or find too little to do justice to the
on the 464 t h Sub-depot personnel,
memory of that member, so it is
8>06 Chemical, 13th Weather,
quite frustrating. Roy Owen, our
Quartermaster, 2 0 3 3 Engineering,
past Prez, often reminded m e that
etc. except what you have sent to me
we must do as much as possible to
via your letters! Y O U R personal
do justice to the memory of our
bios can be an excellent source for
members.
our permanent records that will go
One thing that we have done
into our computer disk and be
lately is to adopt Arlo Bartsch's
available to everyone well into the
computer program and have entered
next millennium. This old man will be
nearly all of our 3 5 0 0 individual
gratefully happy for all the help you
sortie reports. Here is an excellent
can give me! H E A R ?
source of missions flown, wounded,
When deadline
WOUL §11
I have just finished compiling the
Folded Wings data for this issue. I
have had a very difficult time putting
it together. It has too many men
involved and is very difficult to
locate enough and correct data
about our fine men. Too, I have
overheard several comments at the
reunion concerning who wrote it, who
should be contacted to correct or
add to these accounts. I do make
mistakes.
So I would like to advise everyone
that the culprit is m e -1 have been
writing it for several years, perhaps
more. I get the source data from all
7VM JluHdcf,
n
�Gompiled by
Will Luwiy
ANDREOTTA.
JOSEPH A 8/5/99 67" Sq. 12093071 Radio
Operator on Raymond Bethel's crew. He was born on 07/09/18 and
Internment was in Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, Florida. T
Bethel crew flew 15 missions with the 489h BG, 844th BS prior to
transfer to the 44th BG on 18 November 1944. Then Joseph flew
his remaining tour of missions from 21 November 1944 to 4
March, 1945.
BENNETT. GEORGE F. DATE? Retired former Commander of Strategic
Missile Wing. No other data is available at this time.
BRISENDINE. NED H. Date? 506 Sqdn. Ground Personnel
BURTON, ROBERT E. 3/4/90 66* & 5O0h 13042716 Robert was a member of the original compliment of the 66* Sq.
that went to England on the HMS QUEEN MARY in Sept. 1942. He was an Aircraft Mechanic. During this period in
England he serviced ten airplanes including MARGARET
ANN of the 66* and ARIES or RAM IT - DAM IT and TINK
BELLE of the 506h. During the period that the 44th BG was in Africa (summer, 1943) Robert was temporarily assigne
the 479h Anti-submarine Sq. at Newquay and St. Eva! in Cornwall. In the Spring of 1944, he was transferred from t
to the 506* Sq. He returned to the States on the same HMS QUEEN MARY in June of 1945. "Bob" lived his entire
the Washington, D.C. area where, with his wife Mildred, he raised a family of seven children and worked in the l
business. Eventually he ran his own company.
CANTWELL. LAWRENCF Date ? 66* Sq. 16069865. He served as the Radio Operator on the original Shelby L Irby
crew that picked up HELEN B. HAPPY in early Spring and flew it alone over to England. His first mission with th
crew was on 6 March 1943 though he was an original member of the H.A. LASCO crew, flew his first mission with
29 May 1943 and several more in early July. Amoebic Dysentery prevented him from flying with them on the Ploesti
mission of 1 August 1943 when that crew was lost; so he then had to fly with several other crews until his tour of
missions, was completed.
QARLBERG. BERTH 11 Sept. 1999 67h Sq. 0- "Bert" was the original Navigator on the L.J. Crandell crew; flew wit
them on their first mission on 1 January 1945, and several others up until 18 March when he was with the E.P Rey
crew. On 1 March the Crandell's crew were forced to bail out over France when their aircraft ran out of fuel. The
Crandell's crew was lost on 24 March (Bert was not with them), so he completed his remaining missions with the Rey
crew. He was the only member of the original Crandell to survive.
QABEENTER, DALE H. 25 December 1985. Dale served with the 464th Sub-depot on the base at
Shipdham. His wife, BETTYE, stated that he died from cancer.
GABSOfLJJERBERT D. Jr. 12/3/98 67h Sq. 34258795 Herbert was an original member of the
l~C. Smith crew that arrived in north Africa shortly before the Ploesti mission. His pilot, LC.
SMITH was lost on the 16 August 43 mission while flying with another crew, so Herbert was
forced to fly mostly as a spare after that, the SMITH crew having been broken up. He was
Wlth the
D. Brown, Griffith and Thames crews, completing his tour of duty on 24 February
~ ^ l ] Z W L ^ l l v ? i M " a f , e a f Engineer, his last one was flown as a waist gunner.
23
����MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
Your Prez Mike says:
ft
mm MEMKR m A MEMKR
Contact your crew mate, roommate, friend, co-worker, associate and/or
any former m e m b e r of the 44th B o m b Group and urge him/her to join now
to enjoy the m a n y benefits offered by the 44th B o m b Group Veterans
Association.
As you have read about the Master Data Plan elsewhere in this issue,
you k n o w h o w w e are working as fast and as hard as possible to preserve
our heritage. You o w e it to your children and your children's children to be
included in the innovative Master Data Plan.
"Because our ranks (the original members of the 44th Bomb Group) are
diminishing with each passing year, m a n y of our members are enrolling
members of their family including grandchildren, all in the interest of
insuring the perpetual and preservation of the illustrious history of the 44th
B o m b Group and the remarkable contributions of the m e n and w o m e n w h o
served our nation and the free world in the 44th B o m b Group. I, for
instance, have taken out life memberships for m y two sons, one daughter
and one grandson."
60 MEMBERS! 60! 60 MEMBERS! 60!
For your convenience, we have enclosed a membership envelope.
Enclose the $20 membership fee,fillout the other needed information, stamp
toss it in the mail. Let those you love know more about you.
All generations are interested in the stories of
"The Greatest Generation."
<L
WATCH fOK UPCOMING DETAILS!
�DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
AIR FORCE HISTORICAL RESEARCH AGENCY
MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, ALABAMA
8 October 1999
AFHRA/RSA
600 Chennault Circle
Maxwell A F B A L 36112-6424
Col. Richard D. Butler, USAF Retired
Vice President 44" B o m b Group
16494 W a g o n Wheel Drive
Riverside, C A 92506-5550
Dear Col. Butler
Today, your son, Col. Butler delivered and demonstrated the C D R O M to m e It is a very
impressive piece of work. 1 would like to compliment you and other members of the I"4 Air
Division Association for producing and compiling this valuable source of information. Last
year, Mr. Arlo Bartsch donated a C D copy of similar information on the 379th B o m b Group. W e
will include the additional data on the 44li B o m b Group to the collection and make it available to
researchers as soon as posssible.
Once the Commander of the Agency returns from leave, 1 will draft a letter for his
signature endorsing this valuable and timely effort to continue the gathering and compiling of
information on the other World W a r II 8* Air Force units. I will also contact Mr. C. Will Lundy
about donating the source material used in the production of the C D to the Agency
Thanks for thinking of us and we appreciate you and your son, and the 2nd Air Division
Association efforts and interest in the preservation of the heritage of the United States Air Force
and its predecessors.
28
�I Remember...
By: Donald Potter on Lee's Crew, 67th Squadron
Submitted by: Don Wells
With a lifting surge of lightened load,
the destructive eggs of war were sowed,
Down, down, down, they arced,
Shrieking thinly toward their mark.
A flash, a flame, a spouting hazeamidst a twisting patterned maze,
High- High in the wintry sky,
silver glinting specks were seen,
like the figment of a drunken dream.
Men who braved the frigid blue,
looked back - and knew.
That the job was done,
one aid less to the weary Hun.
The ships have landed at their base.
S o m e are sober and some m e n smile,
as they leave their place.
Engines rumble- airships roar,
From England to the fertile Ruhr.
Ships carrying bombs and guns, and m e n
Scurry high o'er clouds and then,
Anxious faces scan cloudy skies
With ever moving watchful eyes,
Fingers fondle and flex each gunA check to see that all is done.
A formation steadies and draws in tight,
ready for the coming flight.
There's the target, approaching clear
Sighted by the Bombardier,
Course is killed
drift set right.
N o w the Flak guns shoot on sight.
A burst ahead,
A burst below,
A shattering impact,
A heavy blow.
Still upStill on they fly,
Ships and m e n to do or die.
Bombs away!
A chance to change, a chance to eat,
a chance to make the rest complete.
Evening tucks her shadows tight drawing close the cloak of night.
Birds - dogs - m e n - ships all sleep.
I pray the Lord, their souls He'll keep.
And - Please
Grant them heavy, restful —- sleep.
29
�f L^-ss-r^
f======: 2 S J
^r-f^^s^l
^ C ! ^ ^ ^ ^ \
y^Zs?;^^^
^ " 7
7
'
' '
J-T. Elias sent m e his book, War
and
Women, a WWII novel based on
his experience as a Tail Gunner, and
his friend w h o was in the Paratroops.
His protagonist, Leo Khouri, an Arab
American suffers his w a y through
contemptuous officers and finally
opts for gunnery school. His
religious and patriotic convictions are constantly
challenged by his friend, Bernard, w h o criticized the military
and political leaders unstintingly.
Jack Daylin, Leo's best friend, is a paratrooper w h o
chutes into Sicily, Salerno, Normandy and Bastogne. The
misfortune of injuries briefly brings the two friends together
in London, but war separates them again.
War and Women is an account of life in America
starting during the Depression days, continuing into the
loss of innocence of America's youth in WWII. Any member
of the 44th BG can identify with the emotional upheavals
in dealing with the battle scenes and female interactions,
as seen through the eyes of a young flier in England.
Alongside the personal trials of Leo and Jack is a
documentation of the status of the war at the same time
that these two young men are facing their personal crises.
Elias researched the opinions of the generals on particular
operations, and the decisions that sometimes led to
disastrous outcomes. He provides an occasional glimpse
at the German side, and the tears shed over there w h e n
war hit one of theirs.
Elias records happy experiences with some Brits,
unfortunate moments with others. He brings the two lead
characters together again in a London hospital. Leo returns
home, unchanged in his moral convictions. Jack and his
comrades part, pondering the value of the outcome
compared to the price. They probably mirror the attitude
of the average Gl on VJ Day.
Elias was a member of the 392nd B o m b Group, 14th
Combat Wing. His 447 page book can be obtained by
writing to: Flying Eightball Productions, 7 E. Union Street,
Nanticoke, PA 18634. The price is $24.95.
A n e w book, Liberator Album, has just been
released by SPECIALTY PRESS, 11481 Kost D a m
Road, North Branch, M N 55056. A hardbound,
192 page, 81/2x11 format features 538 b & w and
29 full color pictures of wartime photographs,
compiled by two men, Mike Bailey and Tony
North, w h o as youngsters watched the B-24's
form and depart for their targets. The price is
$39.95. Contact publisher at (800) 895-4585 or
(612) 583-3239.
30
Warren F. McPherson sent m e his book of
reminisces, The Wild Blue Yonder, a careful
tabulation of his experiences as a Waist Gunner.
The excitement of aviation enthralled him as
m u c h as his unwillingness to kowtow to a
sarcastic draft officer. He enlisted and ultimately
found himself with the James N. Williams crew
in the 44th Group, 66th Squadron.
McPherson's 81/2 x 11 soft cover book details
each of his thirty missions—what went wrong and
w h a t went right, never seeming to lose his
determination to meet his obligations squarely.
His account is a constant reminder of the
mysteries, the dangers, the disappointments in
the wild blue yonder. McPherson later lived out
a lifetime goal—to become a minister.
A m o n g his treasured memories was 'his
shortest sermon.' After the stress of many
missions, seeing planes go down around him,
with frazzled nerves, he answered a bunkmate's
question with some strong profanity. Hours later
a crew m e m b e r unexpectedly landed a powerful
punch in the face, telling him never again to use
those words. H e never did.
Art H a n d ' s research eventually led to
McPherson locating his crew. Five men and their
wives went to their latest crew reunion in Dayton.
It has become an annual event.
The Wild Blue YonderMs available at cost for
$4.60 each. Write Warren F. McPherson, 1016 E.
Rockwood Street, Springfield, M O 65807-5092.
BOOK
REPORTS
�FROM THE NEXT
Written Bvj: Ellen
As I grew up, I was aware that my Dad, Perry
was a tail gunner in a bomber plane while stati
England in World W a r II. H e w a s part of the war and
served his country-that w a s the most that I knew about
my Dad's army-air corps experience. Last year, I had the
opportunity to take a ride in a B-24, courtesy of the
Collings Foundation. It w a s that experience that opened
up a whole n e w appreciation of m y Dad's character and
his loyalty to his country.
The B-24 was noisy and once I w a s strapped in for
takeoff, I realized that I really did not want to unstrap
myself. While sitting there, I could view the ground
directly below m e through the opening between the gun
turret and the rest of the plane. I finally found the
courage to unstrap myself and walk around. I held on
and while walking through, never let m y hands off
objects on the sides of the plane to help keep m y
balance. I visited the tail gunner position and walked on
the cat walk in between the b o m b bay doors. The entire
flight lasted about 30 minutes and it w a s as exciting as
it was stressful. To think that m y Dad flew 35 missions
in that aircraft is something that I cannot even imagine.
The flight was just the beginning. I became so
interested in Dad's war experiences that I rented the
movie, Memphis Belle, and watched with special interest
how a team of soldiers fought and survived the war.
And it did not stop there. I rented the movie, Twelve
O'clock High, as part of a leadership course I w a s taking.
In a period of a few months, I learned of m y Dad's war
experience and could finally k n o w and appreciate his
contribution not only to his country, but to his flight
crew and to his family that he would later establish. I
could not totally know; only those that were there and
lived through the experiences would be able to feel what
that part of their life meant.
After the flight, m y Dad talked about his experiences
and answered the m a n y questions I had. He shared
stories about his flight crew, the missions, the 50 caliber
machine guns, the teamwork, the sorrows, the
friendships he established, and the recent activities of
the 44th B o m b Croup. I'm not sure what his telling of
these stories meant for him, but I do k n o w that it w a s
an opportunity for m e to visit a part of m y Dad's life that
had been distant to m e .
I a m a direct benefactor of m y Dad's army and
National Guard experiences. I a m the good that resulted
from the war and the country's defense activities. I thank
you, Dad, for w h o you are, what you accomplished.
what you stand for, and what you gave m e .
ANOTHER
REASON
TO DO YOUR
DATABASE
The 44th BGVA's database will n o w b
accepted by the Air Force Historical Researc.
Agency. Do your Bio! Researchers and historian:
/
will study W W I I events for centuries
1
Let your story be a part of these pages
Letter to the Editor,
Military Heritage Data Base
Larry Herpel writes to inform us that he has enlisted the
aid of two members of the 44th BGVA to assist him in loading
the personal biographies of those who served in the 44th
Bomb Group, into the 8th AF Military Heritage Data Base.
These two volunteers are Mrs. Ruth Dobbs, who's husband
LTC Sterling L. Dobbs, served with the 68th Bomb Squadron
at Shipdham and Jeffrey Deitering who's grandfather also
served with the 44th BG and the 66th Bomb Squadron. W e
appreciate their volunteering after the call went out for help
from President Mike Mikoloski at our recent reunion in N e w
Orleans.
W e encourage all those veterans that are still holding
their Bio forms and have not sent them to Jerry Folsom, to
please do so, as soon as possible. Please include a recent
photo, a war time photo and a picture of your crew, if
possible. If a war time photo is not available, it is possible to
enlarge and scan your picture from your crew photo. W e
would prefer however, to have a separate picture. Your
pictures will be returned to you.
Our data base is growing with personal biographies, but
w e are still a LONG w a y from gathering information on all our
veterans. If you have not received a form, and wish one,
please call Larry Herpel at 512-376-7780.
"WE NEED YOUR PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS A N D MILITARY
HISTORY WITH THE 44th FOR FUTURE POSTERITY."
Larry Herpel, Master Database Team Chief
���The Saga of Southern ComfortBy Roy Owen
# 7 7 8 , Southern Comfort, in support of the
Sicily invasion. They flew her again on July 13
in support of the Sicily invasion; against the
Marshalling yards at Naples July 17; the Littori
M/yards at R o m e July 19; Ploesti August I and
Weiner Neustadt, Austria August 13. The war
ended for the Lt. Austin crew and the original
Southern Comfort on the 16 August 1943 raid
on North Airfield at Foggia, Italy when, after a
previous raid had experienced light flak and
little in the way of fighter defenses, the
Germans had quickly deployed substantial
numbers of F W 190 and M e 109 fighters. The
44th ran into a fury of fighter defense which
resulted in the loss of seven aircraft which
included SuzyQ, Buzzin' Bear and Southern
Comfort. All of the crew except Lts. Paul S.
Singer, Navigator and Sheldon Finder,
Bombardier successfully bailed out. Although
both Singer and Finder escaped the aircraft,
apparently their parachutes were too badly shot
up to deploy and both were found dead at the
point of impact. All of the remaining crew were
held as prisoners but later m a d e successful
escapes and returned to England.
In our last issue the cover story featured the
March 24, 1945 low-level supply mission to
Wesel, Germany in support of the Rhine River
crossing. The heartbeat of that story was the
ground fire shoot-down of the 506th Squadron
B-24J-5-CO #42-50896 Bar R n a m e d
"Southern Comfort III" and the miraculous
survival of Waist Gunners Louis DeBlasio and
Bob Vance in the fiery crash. Since their aircraft
was the last of four 506th aircraft which bore
the n a m e Southern Comfort, it seemed
appropriate to bring closure to that story with
s o m e background on their airplane and a fill-in
accounting for the three Southern Comfort
predecessors of S C III.
B-24D-95-CO 41-40778, was one of the first
replacement Liberators assigned to the 506th
B o m b Squadron. At deployment from Lincoln,
Nebraska, she was assigned to the 1 st Lt.
Horace W . Austin crew, w h o in deference to
their pilot w h o hailed from Virginia Beach,
Virginia, promptly n a m e d her Southern Comfort
(a revered Southern liquor) and ferried her to
Shipdham, arriving to join the 44th on
14 March 1943. The Austin
crew was one of the first
augmentation crews to the
506th. # 7 7 8 was sent to
Langford Lodge for combat
modifications; they rejoined
the 506th prior to the North
Africa deployment. W e find
no evidence of any combat
mission activity until after
deployment to North Africa.
Presumably the Austin crew
flew s o m e low-level training
missions in preparation for the
Benghazi deployment. O n 6
July 1943, the Austin crew
flew the combat debut of
2
®
�B-24J-125-CO 42-110034
Bar R
Southern Comfort 1 1 (3)
The third aircraft to bear the Southern Comfort
name, as a result of some confusion, had
R o m a n numeral two (II) added to her name.
She arrived at Shipdham about I April 1944.
The Lt. Jack J. Wind crew took her over and
flew 19 of her 31 missions. In her combat
record she struck such important targets as the
Pas de Calais V-l sites in France; the Oil Plants
at Politz, Germany twice; Berlin, the Krupp
Aircraft factory at Magdeburg and the Junkers
Aircraft factory at Bernburg. S C 1 1 met her
demise on 21 July 1944 with the Lt. John W .
Allen crew aboard. The 44th had just attacked
the armaments factory at Oberpfaffenhofen,
Germany in the Munich area and were
withdrawing; at this point the Missing Air Crew
Report becomes confusing. O n e report says S C
II was under attack by a twin engine German
fighter, while Lt. Dan Healy stated the aircraft
was shot down by an A A Battery despite strong
evasive action by Lt. Allen. At any rate, the
aircraft was mortally damaged and all hands
except Radio Operator John J. Kempowicz, Jr.
successfully bailed out and were taken prisoner.
B-24H-1-FO
42-7522S
Bar R Southern Comfort (2)
B-24H-I-FO 42-7522S was transferred from
the 392nd B G but had flown no combat
missions prior to arrival at Shipdham on 9
October 1943. Assigned to the 506th, she was
named Southern Comfort without a suffix #11,
although she was the second 506th aircraft so
named. The 39 combat missions flown by this
Southern Comfort (2) ranked her second
a m o n g her SC sister ships. The crew of 1 st Lt.
John D. Money flew 19 of those missions and
were aboard on their 20th on 4 Nov. 1944
when on the b o m b run against the fiercely
defended Junkers assembly plant at Bernburg,
Germany. The b o m b bay doors were solidly iced
and could not be opened, so they attempted to
drop their load of fragmentation bombs through
the doors. The bombs did not penetrate the
doors and apparently detonated, causing a
raging fire in the b o m b bay. As the aircraft
rolled over before break-up, four crew members
were seen to bail out; however, only Lt. Money
and the two Waist Gunners, S/Sgts. Don Young
and Wallace Kirschner survived and were taken
prisoner.
B-24J-5-CO 42-50896 R
Southern Comfort III (4)
The last of the SC's arrived at Shipdham in
August, 1944. She was flown by a number of
different 506th crews in amassing a total of 4 7
combat missions to lead the SC derby by
10. A m o n g them the Lt. William M . Smith crew,
your author as Co-Pilot flew her twice - once on
2 February 1945 briefed to strike Nuremberg,
Germany which was recalled; and the other on
23 February 1945 (the 300th mission for the
44th) against the rail center at Weimar,
Germany. The targets in the latter stages of the
war were synthetic oil plants, railway
marshalling yards and rail centers, and junctions
to cut off the supply routes supporting the
German counterattack in the Ardennes, and
finally, for Southern Comfort III, the low-level
ThE SECONCI SOUTHERN C O M F O R T , C A I I LETTER S. This phoTO W A S
TAI<EN AFTER A UNdiNq AT ThuRiEiqh, A B'17 B A S E NEAR Bcdiond,
pRobAbly coMJNq oFF A ivtissioN whh
DAd WEAThER AT A F 115.
3
�supply mission to the site of the Allied
forces crossing of the Rhine River into
the G e r m a n homeland at Wesel.
Badly struck by ground fire in the drop
area S C III went out of control and
crashed. The miraculous survival of
Louis DeBlasio and Bob Vance
allowed them the opportunity from
their hospital beds to watch their
G e r m a n captors become American
captives.
The LAST OF ThE SOUTNERN C O M F O R T NAMEd LibeRATORS
M/SqT. RAiph C. JoRqENSON W A S C R E W Chisf ON AII.
In all of the stories we have related in the p
five years that dealt with our combat missions,
w e have lauded our brave combat crews and
those magnificent maintenance m e n I call
"Knucklebusters," (did you ever see one without
a skinned knuckle or two?). We've talked about
the deeds of valor by our aircrews fighting a
vicious high altitude air war and watching in
terror and anguish at seeing comrades being
shot out of the formation and praying for the
bailout and counting the chutes. We've also
talked about those lonely hours after mission
launch that our ground crews go through the
vigil of waiting for the mission return; then the
anxiety of the returning airplane count, looking
for their own. We've talked s o m e about the
relief of seeing their o w n ship coming down
finally, but w e haven't talked m u c h about the
terrible anguish of the wait and the gut
wrenching mixed emotions of hope after the
main force has landed, that she is limping in
late, and fear that she is not coming home, and
you will never again see that beautiful young
crew. In m y conversations over the years with
the Ground Crews that have been through the
combat experience of losing an aircrew and
plane, all have told m e once is enough.
SOUTFIERN C O M F O R T III ENqiNES RUNNJNq,
REAdy TO TAXJ.
ThE SOUTHERN C O M F O R T GROUNCI C R E W .
L TO R
S/SqT. AIEX jANuszyk, SqT. D O N P O W E I I SqT. D O N S W E M
PRESUMAbly, M/SqT. JoRqENSON Took TFIE pJCTURE.
4
�W h e n the s a m e pilot or crew is assigned to one's airplane, a natural bonding takes place which is a
fertile pot for friendship to blossom and grow. The first loss, however, changes that friendly
comradeship and a guarded, impersonal relationship takes its place. Fear of the anguish, should
another loss of a pilot or crew you have c o m e to care for occur, brings d o w n a curtain of
professional relationship and respect but no display of emotion. T h e hurt is too great to take the
risk. "Yes, Sir" and "No, Sir" or " H o w about this, Chief, or Sarge" gets the job done and makes it
easier to keep what might be taken for tender feelings of friendship d o w n deep where they won't
flare up if the going gets scary. I've also talked to s o m e pilots w h o have never figured this out.
You'll hear them say something like: Have you flown Sgt. Brown's airplane? M a n , he is s o m e kind
of grouch! Unless it is something about the airplane, he will hardly give m e the time of day! It is a
strange h u m a n phenomena, but if the pilot or crewman understands it, then all it takes is a w a r m
thank you for an aircraft that performed for you. You can then believe there is a big grin inside that
inner protective shell that is saying thanks, I appreciate that, but I just have trouble showing it.
After four losses, I'm sure M/Sgt. Jorgenson and his ground crew would know what we're talking
about here.
FROM THE
NEWLY APPOINTED EDITOR
Ruth W. Davis-Morse
Roy Owen's desk is overflowing, so please start forwarding your
information to me. Besides, he has more projects going than the CIA.
Everybody has a story worth telling and worth publishing. Send it!
I am holding a beautiful picture of the Queen Mary when she
steamed into N e w York Harbor in 1945 carrying the victorious
veterans home from the War. Can anyone who went over on
the Queen Mary or anyone who came home on her, give m e
a little information about how he/she felt on those
awesome and glorious days?
Ruth W. Davis-Morse
2041 Village Circle East
York, PA 17404
Telephone: (717) 846-8948
Fax: (717) 767-6194
e-mail: R E W D M @ P R O D I G Y . N E T
5
®
�W e have agreed on June 1 as the effective date
for m y resignation and his ascendancy to the
president's chair. This will be confirmed by the
Board in a meeting to be held in conjunction
with the 2nd A D Convention in Austin, Texas
May 29-June 1.
Well, in the language of the Military, I must say:
"Pay attention,
this is no drill!"
I am obliged, in passing the gavel, to discuss
the highlights of our current and near-term past
projects and financial condition relating to those
projects. This summary has been provided in
an earlier report to your Executive Board as m y
closing report.
In the Winter issue President's Corner, I
explained
how it
was that I '
c a m e to
be still
occupying
the seat
of the
president.
It is with
mixed
emotions
that I
now tell
you the time has c o m e to pass the gavel. I
know you all join m e in m y sorrow for Mike
Mikoloski and his family because his daughter
Peggy lost her courageous battle with cancer
last november 30. The outcome of her
struggle, if you will recall, was to determine the
length of m y extended service as your
president.
Starting with the longest on-going project we
called the "Arrow Air," in which w e entered into
an agreement with the Shipdham Airfield
operator to match-fund the construction of an
addition to their facility, which would be a
combination Pilot's lounge/44th B o m b Group
Museum. Under the agreement w e were
obligated to grant $6k to the project. After
almost two years of vague planning and futile
attempts to get outside grant financing, the
facts c a m e to light that Arrow Air was only a
step ahead of bankruptcy (they have since filed)
and the owner of the airfield intended to deny
extension of the airfield lease. In December,
1998, Arrow went out of business. Forewarned,
in October, I directed our Treasurer to withdraw
our funds from the English bank holding the
account and transfer the funds to our U.S.
account in Salt Lake City. That project is
history.
In mid-January I talked with Mike to see how heIn 1997 we received a letter from the
was managing with the sorrow of his loss. After
Shipdham chapter of the British Legion that
talking through the emotions, he seemed
there was a local project afoot to finance and
relieved and I opened the dialogue of when he
install a stained glass window in the Shipdham
might feel ready to assume the responsibilities
church. The British Legion offered to raise the
of the president. The reason I call him "Iron
funds for the window if the window theme
Mike" c a m e shining through when he replied:
would be to memorialize Shipdham Veterans
"Roy, I think it is exactly what I need to direct
killed in W W 1 & II. It was then that the 44th
m y focus away from the tragedy of m y personal
BGVA was approached to participate. In
loss and toward the good of the 44th BGVA,
response, the 44th volunteered to assume
which I love!" Little else can be said except that
1 0 % of the cost ($640.) W e were recently
I feel confident with Mike taking the lead. While
informed that Shipdham has a new, young Vicar
I have s o m e sad feelings about stepping down,
w h o opposes any suggestion of war in the
it has been a great ride, guiding our association
church, thus the Window project is history, and
from near extinction to the strongest B o m b
the allocated $640 awaits in our treasury for reGroup in 2nd Air Division and perhaps in 8th Air
allocation to a future project.
Force.
6
�In early 1997, a 44th delegation went to
Barksdale AFB, LA for the dedication of a
memorial plaque in the 8th Air Force Memorial
Park. While there, w e were invited to take part
in a re-paint of the B-24J 'Laden Maiden' to
mark the aircraft in 44th identity. After almost
two years of inactivity, our project officer Clem
Haulman visited Barksdale and found no
progress had been m a d e on the re-paint and
additionally, two engine cowlings were beyond
repair and needed replacement. O n e side of
the horizontal stabilizer was sagging and was
propped up with a wooden timber. Col.
Haulman also obtained correspondence from
the 8th Air Force Vice C o m m a n d e r which stated
that Air Force budget constraints would not
allow re-hab maintenance on m u s e u m aircraft.
He urged the M u s e u m Director to encourage
the donation of repair funds from "interested
agencies' which, (as concerns the B-24J w e
intend to re-name 'Louisiana Belle,") is the 44th
BGVA. The estimate of $7,000 for
repairs is two years old. I have
recommended to the Board that w e
undertake the repair.
The biggest and, what has become the most
important of our current projects, is the 8th Air
Force Heritage Database w e have written
extensively about in the last two issues of the
Tails." I a m happy to report that our Database
T e a m headed by T o m Shepherd is underway.
One of our early concerns is that our
m e m b e r s have been very slow submitting
their personal biographies. This data is
being entered into the program by our own
m e m b e r volunteers. The archival data
(missions, aircraft numbers, etc.) has been
extracted from the National Archives by Tony
Mastradone and transmitted via Will Lundy to
the contractor for data entry.
As you should rightfully expect, the 44th is
once again the leader of the 2nd A D in
becoming its first group to adopt and undertake
this magnificent 'living history' of 8th
Air Force. While w e felt certain that
between the individual donations so
far m a d e by the members, coupled
with the funds retrieved from the
"Arrow Air" project, w e had m o n e y in
the treasury allocated to fully meet
the original estimate for completing
the entry of the archival data. W e
are, like most projects, experiencing
overruns which are being funded
from our treasury reserves and will
be addressed by the Board.
Help us here
folks, this is our
last chance to
leave our mark
on the pages of
World History.
W e covered the successful
completion and dedication of the
Ploesti display in the Mighty 8th AF
Museum, Savannah, G A in the last
issue of the Tails." Financially, w e
had a $640 overrun on the $3000
estimate for the diorama, and to
our great surprise, a $4600 bill for
the display case, which w e were
told there would be no cost. Both amounts
have been paid by s o m e very skillful reallocation of budgeted funds by our Treasurer.
Immediately after the dedication in Savannah,
w e listened to a recommendation by the
m u s e u m staff that w e put up a guard rail around
the display and provide text panels on opposite
sides of the display which would give an
overview and s o m e statistics on the Ploesti Raid
for the visiting public to better understand the
mission. The m u s e u m staff has completed
plans for this addition with a cost of $2,000,
and w e have instructed the m u s e u m to proceed
with that addition. Except for s o m e thoughts for
a future addition of a voice overlay giving the
details of the mission, that project is complete.
The m u s e u m staff tells us that already, our
Ploesti display is the most popular one in the
museum.
As to funding for the living and recently
deceased 44th Veterans for w h o m w e have
records, w e are covering by collection of a
small fee from each m e m b e r as he submits his
or her Personal Biography. Future search for
44th Veterans with w h o m w e have had no
contact will, no doubt, require additional future
funding. Again w e ask our living membership
to not forget those w h o have gone before us.
W e must do our level best to see that EVERY
44th Veteran dead or alive takes their rightful
place in the "living history" database. W e need
whatever you can give. For those contributing
$100 or more, you will receive your o w n
compact disk containing the 8th Air Force
Military Heritage Database.
�At the very least, w h e n you complete your o w n Personal Biographical Data and send it in with the
applicable $ 1 0 or $ 1 5 data entry fee, send along an additional $ 3 0 to cover a couple of
Biographical forms for those w h o are no longer with us or those w h o can't afford the fee.
Remember, in the historical sense, we in the 44th, will never knowingly leave our dead on the
battlefield. They will always belong to us! The future search for the records of those deceased or
w e have otherwise lost contact will, no doubt, require VA, Social Security, Air Force, Army and
family records search, which will involve telephone calls and correspondence, which all m e a n s more
future funding. Help us here folks, this is our last chance to leave our mark on the pages of World
History.
In closing, I am very pleased to report that our financial condition has (in our resurrected life) co
from the empty cash drawer legacy of the H M G to the best bank balance in our four and a half year
history. W e just emerged from a very successful reunion to the credit of our Reunion Chairman,
Mike Yuspeh. Gratefully, w e are headed for another great reunion under his stewardship in his
h o m e town, N e w Orleans.
1 will continue to serve our Association from the seat of the Immediate Past President. I have
promised m y help, advice and counsel to Mike and to Ruth Morse, your editor of this, her first issue
of your Association journal.
Lolly and I thank you for allowing us the honor of serving you as your President and First Lady. We
love you and will see you in N e w Orleans.
.0**^
I
1
Please note: Hairs are getting grayer and ranks are getting thinner.
the 44th Bomb Grouv needs new members.
Uou've been telling stories to uour children and grandchildren for years; and when uou are gone, the mem
mil dim. Right now the unbelievable experiences oi WWII are a fasriHafinn ior all generations.
Sign up iamilu members !<> the Bomb Ijnmn. and keep the memories alive.
44th BOMB GROUP V€T€RRNS BSSOCIBTION
DUES FOK 1999
•Dues are $20. 'Outside U.S. $25
•Life Membership Dues 60 and over $125 'Life Membership Dues 40 to 59 $150
Join now so you don't miss the next issue of the <5>-F3all Tails!
Name:
Dues Paid:
Address:
Donation Amount:
(Tax Deductible)
Phone:
Fax/e-Mail:
MAIL TO:
44th Bomb Group
Veterans Association
P.O. Box 712287
Salt Lake City, Utah 84171-2287
1
1
8
��Remembering the "Yanks"
Roy Owen
M y first experience with a British post-war demonstration of the admiration
and gratitude they hold for the American armed forces was when Lolly and I
went over for the 40th Anniversary of "D" Day, June 6, 1984.
Our tour was planned, insofar as possible, to follow the invasion path of
the Americans, so w e were scheduled to depart Weymouth on route to our
"invasion" point at Cherbourg. As our tour bus got in the bus line to board
the ferry, looking over to the automobile and truck line, I couldn't believe
m y eyes seeing the assembly of almost every type of vintage WWII U.S. Army
vehicles I had ever seen. Personnel carriers, weapons carriers, jeeps, six-by
trucks, ambulances, staff cars, and motorcycles with side-cars. Except for tanks,
you n a m e it and there seemed to be at least one of everything. Amazing also was
the great shape they were in; almost every one of them looked like it had just left
the motor pool! Equally amazing was almost to the vehicle, they were occupied
with Brits dressed in authentic U.S. Army Uniforms. O n the ambulances were English
w o m e n in U.S. Army Nurses uniforms. Also there were Army W A C s and WAFS. It
truly looked like an invasion force.
We all had an incredible party on the
four hour crossing and admittedly a
rather shaky invasion, as all were
debarked and true to form. There were
s o m e vehicle breakdowns on the
highway climbing the palisade out of
Cherbourg causing a realistic invasion
bog-down.
This spirit is still alive and well, Dick
Butler found out during his November
attendance at the 2nd A D Executive
Board meeting in Norwich. Not only do
they love Americans and their war relics,
but they love the 44th B o m b Group and
its 68th B o m b Squadron, as illustrated by
the photo of Dick and this wonderfully
maintained jeep owned by Keith
T h o m a s , active m e m b e r of The Friends
of 8th Air Force. O n e can be certain it is
a proud Brit w h o owns one of these
cherished vehicles and the uniform to go
with it.
10
�WILL SEZ
Compiling a listing of Folded Wings three
times a year is difficult in more ways than
one. Obviously, time marches on and more
of us "fold" our wings. But it is often times
very hard to locate any data within the
records that I possess to find suitable
material to do justice to any person on the
new listings. Surely there must be some
means to build up our records to permit
anyone to learn more about those that
served with us.
Your bios will m a k e your records c o m e alive.
That is, you will be a person not just for the
present, but for as long as our history is
available for future generations to read and
appreciate what you accomplished before,
during W W I I and afterwards.
One more thought too, before you finish
this column. As evidenced in the Folded
Wings, w e are losing members, m a n y of
them were combat crew members. These
m e n are gone and consequently cannot
prepare a bio for themselves, so w e must
find some way to get it done for them. If you
have ideas h o w to obtain them, please
With the initiation of our recent efforts to
advise us. Until then, I'd like to suggest to
computerize our history, utilizing the
you remaining crew members (or to any
Computer Generated Data Program, w e will
other person w h o has lost 44th friends or
be able to have immediate access to our
buddies) to check your old addresses and try
operational history. That is a huge step in
to contact the widows or their children,
the right direction, but w e still have only
even other crew members, to have them
the names of our members, with little
help prepare a form as completely as
personal data. True, the program has the
possible. They could have photos, diaries.
capacity to accept and produce personal
orders, form 5, etc. with which to obtain
experiences, both by written and spoken
m a n y answers. Each of you crewmen could
words. But again, w e still will k n o w very
offer to help them, too, to help with
little about the m a n himself (or w o m a n ) .
answers.
What we really need from each of you is
data about yourself - and h o w do w e get
that? Why, the Bios form that has been
included in this newsletter in the last two
issues. Hopefully, w e will have the space to
once again m a k e it available to you, and this
time please do not put it aside and forget it.
Remove it from the newsletter and put with
our bill paying drawer or envelope, etc.
THAT'S RIGHT, D O IT NOW!! And I hope that
later you will c o m e back to read w h y it is so
important. It m a y appear to be complicated
and/or extensive, but it really is not. There
is ample space provided for a more
complete response to the question, but
often you can utilize more paper to fully
complete a story or experience. Get your
family or friends to help you if necessary.
BUT. please get it done!
Why is this so important? Because in our
records you are only a name, not a person.
The form need not be complete to be
submitted. Those of us on the Bios team can
attempt to get more answers that m a y be in
our Official Records. W e will do as m u c h
research as our records permit. M a n y
crewmen have submitted diaries and stories
to m e in the past, so these are also available.
If you have, please remind us, so that they
will not be overlooked. Let us m a k e this a
complete team effort -- let us all get involved
so that our 44th B o m b Group can be set up as
a shining example for all to see and admire.
W e have a big job to do, so let us once more
pull together and get it done right.
THANK YOU!
Will Lundy
�44TH BOMB GROUP VETERANS ASSOCIATION BOARD
Director: Michael "Mike" Yuspeh T506J
7214 Sardonyx St.
New Orleans. LA 70124-3509
Phone: T504J 283-3424 Fax: T504J 283-3425
e-mail: mikeyuspeh@worldnet.att.net
President: Roy W. Owen T506J
6304 Meadowridae Drive
Santa Rosa. CA 95409-5839
Phone: f707J 538-4726 Fax: T707J 538-1212
e-mail: rowen@sonic.net
Membership Co-Chair: Search
Vice President: Edw. K. "Mike" Mikoloski f66J*
Art Hand f66J
626 Smithfield Road #702
517 Elm Street
N. Providence. Rl 02904
Paris. IL 61994
Phone/Fax: T40IJ 353-0144
Phone/Fax: (217J 463-5905
Secretary: Nancy L Van EPPS fHq. SqdnJ*
e-mail: butch@tigerpaw.com
13922 River Road
Membership Co-Chair: Roster
Pensacola. FL 32507
Tom Shepherd T66/67J
Phone/Fax: f850J 492-2041
10597 Cambrooke Cove
Treasurer: Gerald CJerryJ Folsom T506J
Collierville. TN 38017
3582 East Dover Hill Road
Phone: T901J 854-6558 Fax: T901J 853-4229
Salt Lake City. UT 84121-5527
e-mail: tshephe I @midsouth.rr.com2
Phone f80IJ 733-7371 Fax: f801J 942-9988
Director T67J Archivist
e-mail: 44thbgva@mail.xmission.com
Anthony "Tony" Mastradone
Historian: C.W. "Will" Lundy f67J
9111 Tuckerman Street
3295 North " H " Street
Lanham. M D 20706-2709
San Bernardino. CA 92405-2809
Phone/Fax: T301J 577-1487
Phone/Fax: f909J 882-2441
e-mail: mast@clres.com
e-mail: willundy@iuno.com
Director f44th SMWJ
P.O. Box 315. Bridgeport. CA 93517 fSumJ
Charles G. Simpson
Phone/Fax: T760J 932-7349
P.O. Box 281
44th Group Vice President to 2nd ADA
Brechenridge. CO 80424
Richard D. Butler f506/67J
Lanham. M D 20706-2709
16494 Wagon Wheel Drive
Phone/Fax: T970J 453-0500
Riverside. CA 92506
e-mail: AFMISSILEERS@comPuserve.com
Phone T909J 780-7421 Fax: T909J 780-1459
U.K. Representative: Steve Adams
Director: Robert J. Lehnhausen T68J
28 Bassingham Rd.
2540 Benton Court
Norwich, England NR3 2QT
Peoria. IL 61615-8838
Phone/Fax: 011-44-1603-400221
Phone/Fax: T309J 243-1952
e-mail: s.p.adams@btinternet.com
ASSOCIATION MAILING ADDRESS:
44th BGVA
P.O. Box 712287
Salt Lake City. UT 84171-2287
*Dual Representative
12
�STATUS REPORT Oil BGVH memBeRSHIP
and
mflSTGR HERITAGE DATABASE PROJECT
By Tommy Shepherd
This report is being presented in a questionnaire format, for it is - YOU - the membership that can best
respond to the core question: Just how much do you really want posterity to know about the men and women of the
44th Bombardment Group during World War II?
Do you know of the thousands upon thousands of hours that over the past FIFTY-SEVEN (57) years such
44thers as: Will Lundy, Art Hand, Tony Mastradone, Webb Todd, Norm Keifer, Jerry Folsom, Arlo Bartsch, Roy Owen,
Steve Adams, Bob Lehnhausen, Bill Cameron, Ursula P. Harvell, and many others, have contributed to recording in
book form YOUR history?
Do you know that because of the efforts of these fellow members that all data from the sorties flown by
OUR groups from 1942 to 1944, inclusive, is already entered in the NM? Do you know that only sorties for 1945
have not yet been entered? BUT - do you know that this data is only the IMPERSONAL data and text of our total
history?
Do you know at this point that we are still waiting for a great many biolgraphies, all of which are important.
Do you know, included in the 8BT edition is, again, the Biography Form awaiting YOUR completion? Certainly you are
not waiting for someone else to complete YOUR biography. Are you? Can anyone else complete as well as you
"Personal Memories, Experiences and Stories", or the other section, "Specific Mission Comments"?
For you attending the New Orleans Reunion there will be special times for your viewing the most up-to-date
version of the @ . Do you want to see what some of your fellow members said about our 44th? How about the
ground support member that said, "My crew busted our butts hour upon hour in the cold and wet Jolly Ole' because
we wanted our airplane to do its BEST for the BEST combat crew buddies; and by God, they did their BEST - even in
North Africa in all that damn sand and wind." Then what Combat Air Crew Pilot said, "I thank God for the opportunity
to fly with some of the bravest people on earth... I feel lucky too, to have made it through without any serious
problems." Do those 'memories' sound like some of yours?
Please note: Art Hand and Norm Nutt are currently working on securing all possible biographies from family
members of those deceased. If you know of a former member, now deceased, and would like to assist Art and
Norm, why don't you pass that information along to them? Let us all pitch in and help this super fine effort.
Don't you feel that all of us have yet One More Duty to Perform, and that is to record for posterity all of our
experiences and memories for generations yet to come, and do it in a form and manner that all can see and read
about our 44th BGP? Well, how about it?
What are you waiting for?
13
�W h e n you have completed this form, if you have no pictures, mail it with $10; if you have two photos or
one photo and an extra page of text (single spaced in 12 point font), mail the form with $15 to:
44th BQVA. P.O. Box 712287. Salt Lake City. UT 84171-2287.
8 th Air Force Military Heritage Database
Personal Biographical Data —
Your "Living M o n u m e n t "
It is our goal to assemble a complete record of all personnel who at one time served with the 8th Air Force du
World W a r II. The records of those w h o were on flying status will be obtained from declassified group mission
reports which have been stored in the National Archives. From this, a matrix has been developed which will allow
for the search and retrieval of the following information: w h o flew on what mission, with w h o m , in what plane, to
what target, on what date, enemy opposition, aircraft and personnel losses, and hundreds of cross referenced bits of
detailed information.
To make this database come "Alive," your stories, memories, photos and voice recordings are essential.
Cassette recordings of your memories should be limited to 2 minutes or less per each incident.
Please provide a "Then and N o w " photo of yourself and a Crew photo, if available.
A Master Copy of this multi-media database is now a part of the Eighth Air Force Heritage Museum in Savannah,
Other copies will be available to Museums, Libraries, Universities, Schools and on the World W i d e W e b Internet.
You may also have your o w n copy of the full database, on a C D , to run on a h o m e computer.
Last Name: First: Initial:
Address # I:
City:
State:
Zip Code: Phones ~ Home: Other: Fax:
E-mail Address:
Date of Birth:
City:
State:
Nickname:
Date Deceased: Date Enlisted: City: State:
Spouse: 8th Air Force Group/s: Squadron/s:
Special Military Training:
Graduating Class:
14
Location:
State:
�Group Rank:
Group Duties:
Ret. Rank:
Your A S N (Serial Number/s):
Occupation Prior to Military:
Occupation After Military and/or Continued Military Service:
Arrival at ETO base:
Arrived From:
Arrived H o w (Any Details):
Personal Memories, Experiences & Stories:
15
�Specific Mission Comments:
Date Departed ETO:
How:
Destination:
Trip Details:
Military Honors & Decorations:
Congressional Medal Of Honor:
Distinguished Service Cross:
Distinguished Service Medal:
Silver Star:
Legion of Merit:
Distinguished Flying Cross:
Soldiers Medal:
Bronze Star:
Air Medal:
Purple Heart:
Presidential Unit Citation:
Prisoner of War:
Good Conduct Medal:
Victory W W I I :
European Theater Ribbon:
Other Awards:
16
�Special Status: Shot D o w n : U
Escaped:^
Parachuted:^
POW:U
Wounded:^
Evaded:Q
MIA:Q
KIA:Q
Ditched:Q
Crashed^
Interned:^
Hospitalized:^ Disabled:^ Other:Q
Details:
Ground Crew:Q
Crew Chief:Q
Instruments:^
Sheet Metals:Q
Assistant C C Q
Refueling:^
A & E Mechanic:^
Bombsight:Q
Armorer:Q
Hydraulics:^
Radio:Q
Radar:Q
Other:
Duties:
Aircraft You Crewed: (Names and Numbers):
Aircraft Lost or Damaged:
Memories:
Base Operations: Administration:^
Engineering:^ MessHalLQ
Clerical^
Communication^
Medicaid
Security:^
Supply:Q Intelligence:^ Other Duties or Assignments:
Your Contributions Must Not Be Forgotten, Please Provide Details:
17
®
Photo Lab:Q
�Here is a wonderful story condensed from a speech by Leo K. Thorsness, a recipient of
the Medal of Honor. It is about United States Air Force, Navy and Marine pilots in the
Hanoi Hilton prisoner of war camp and what the Flag, Freedom and America meant to
them, and Mike Christian in particular. Sadly, after Mike Christian was freed he died in a fire.
I Mike Christians US Flag
You've probably seen the bumper sticker somewhere along the road. It depicts an
American Flag, accompanied by the words 'These colors don't run." I'm always glad to
see this, because it reminds m e of an incident from m y confinement in North Vietnam at
the Hao Lo P O W Camp, or the "Hanoi Hilton," as it became known. Then a Major in the
U.S. Air Force, I had been captured and imprisoned from 1967-1973. Our treatment had
been frequently brutal. After three years, however, the beatings and torture became less
frequent. During the last year, w e were allowed outside most days for a couple of
minutes to bathe. W e showered by drawing water from a concrete tank with a
homemade bucket.
One day, as we all stood by the tank stripped of our clothes, a young Naval pilot
named Mike Christian found the remnants of a handkerchief in a gutter that ran under
the prison wall. Mike managed to sneak the grimy rag into our cell and began
fashioning it into a flag. Over time w e all loaned him a little soap, and he spent days
cleaning the material. W e helped by scrounging and stealing bits and pieces of
anything he could use.
At night, under his mosquito net, Mike worked on the flag. He made red and blue
from ground-up roof tiles and tiny amounts of ink and painted the colors onto the cloth
with watery rice glue. Using thread from his o w n blanket and a homemade bamboo
needle, he sewed on stars.
Early in the morning a few days later, when the guards were not alert, he whispered
loudly from the back of our cell, "Hey gang, look here." He proudly held up this tattered
piece of cloth, waving it as if in a breeze. If you used your imagination, you could tell it
was supposed to be an American flag. W h e n he raised that smudgy fabric, w e
automatically stood straight and saluted, our chests puffing out, and more than a few
eyes had tears.
About once a week the guards would strip us, run us outside and go through our
clothing. During one of those shakedowns, they found Mike's flag. W e all knew what
would happen. That night they came for him. Night interrogations were always the
worst. They opened the cell door and pulled Mike out. W e could hear the beginning of
the torture before they even had him in the torture cell.
They beat him most of the night. About daylight they pushed what was left of him
back through the cell door. He was badly broken, even his voice was gone. Within two
weeks, despite the danger, Mike scrounged another piece of cloth and began another
flag. The Stars and Stripes, our national symbol, was worth the sacrifice to him.
Now, whenever I see the flag, I think of Mike and the morning he first waved that
tattered emblem of a nation. It was then, thousands of miles from h o m e in a lonely
prison cell, that he showed us what it is to be truly free.
1H
�MISCELLANEA
The N E W S F R O M EiMqlANcJ
The 44th Presence At MildeTihall
Mainly through the efforts of our U.K.
Steve Adams contacted M/Sgt. Mark E.
Representative, Steve Adams, we have for
Brotherton, Chief, Logistics Training Flight
some time had a very supportive and
of the 100th ARW, a friend and strong
friendly relationship with the USAF 100th supporter of the 44th BGVA, and requested
Air Refueling Wing and Headquarters 3rd
that he represent us in making the
Air Force based at RAF Mildenhall, the only presentation of our history to the Base
active USAF base remaining in Norfolk.
Library.
You may recall in 1997 the 3rdAF
Pictured below is the presentation with
Headquarters building was dedicated and
L to R, ColonelJeffery Kohler, 100th ARW
named General Leon W. Johnson Hall,
Commander, M/Sgt. Mark Brotherton and
honoring him as the first 3rdAF
Mr. Neil Ahem, Base Librarian. Col.
Commander. Steve Adams furnished most of Kohler and Mr. Ahem have expressed their
the archival photography that now decorates gratitude for embellishing their History
the building interior. After our 44th History
Section with our own. We have likewise
was published, it seemed appropriate that presented a copy of our history to the
our WWII history should be made available
Shipdham Village Heritage Center and 2nd
for the young people of today's Air Force to Air Division Memorial Room, Norwich
help make them aware of the importance of Central Library.
the Norfolk region as the home of the 2nd
Air Division and it's B-24 bases and Bomb
Groups such as Shipdham and the 44th.
19
�More Library N e w s
Back in 1997, Pete Henry stepped d o w n from the position as the
44th Group Vice President to the 2nd Air Division, Dick Butler.
Dick replaced Pete and organized funding of a Memorial Library
endowment to honor Pete for the eighteen years he served both
2nd A D and the 44th B G . The drive netted $2795. A n
endowment was established and the funds invested with the
earned interest were used to perpetuate the purchase of books
pertaining to a better understanding of American history and
culture. Each of the books purchased would bear this bookplate
on its flyleaf:
'Presented To
2nd Air 'Division (USAAJ) 'Memorial %pom
liprwich Central Library
"By 44th 'Bomb group 2nd M)A Members 'With gratitude
In Honor Of
This photo was taken on Remembrance day in the Shipdham
Church yard with Don Dodd, local leader of the Shipdham
chapter of The British Legion assisting Dick with the laying of
the wreath on the 44th Memorial Stone.
& & & ft
M e m o r y Lane
September 18, 1998
Dear Roy,
Have had the enclosed photo for your M e m o r y Lane page
printed from m y old negative. Having a girl friend w h o worked in
'high places' I was able to take the view from an advantage point.
A store called Debenhams had been built on the remains of
the bombed buildings in the bottom foreground in the picture,
when I attended the 1992 reunion in Norwich staying at the Hotel
Nelson with the 44 B G Vets, and where I met Mike Neri again.
Y o u m a y be wondering h o w an Englishman like myself has
come to be so closely associated with the 44 B G . It is not widely k n o w n that all newly constructed airfields for
the U S A A F , even those actually built by the U.S. A r m y Engineers, were initially opened by ground staff of the
R A F . This ensured that when the ground crews of the B o m b Groups arrived, there was accommodation, food
and communications all in place for their use. Flying control was manned by staff w h o had checked out the
recently installed equipment. R A F Signals personnel continued working alongside their newly arrived
counterparts explaining navigational aids, etc., that were already in place. Other staff explained h o w the U K
telephone and teletype network operated and in this respect I got to k n o w Mike Neri and the late Richard
Bottomley. Later I went on a mechanics course and maintained the British teleprinters both at Shipdham and
Wendling.
I can claim that I was at Shipdham first, arriving on 14th August 1942 and leaving on 29 July 1944, after
American made teletypes had replaced the British machines I had maintained.
Hope you have a good reunion with Steve this year with w h o m I a m continually in touch.
Kindest regards to Lolly and yourself, from Olive and m e .
Peter Broadley
5 Station Road • Hampton Wick • Kingston-Upon-Thames • Surrey K T 1 4 H G U K • Telephone: +441819771373
20
m
�INFORMATION NEEDED*
With the closing of Arrow Air, Steve Adams has been
inventorying and retrieving all of the photos, books and
memorabilia that our members have placed in the Arrow Air Pub
and entrance (History Room) over the years. W e don't want these
things to disappear, so Steve will store them until another suitable
archive can be located.
There are a few items which he has been unable to identify the
owner, and he needs help. If you have contributed any items to
Arrow Air, please list them and send that information to Steve
or Will Lundy (both are on the Executive Board) to assist him in
collecting those items.
&
&
&
Can anyone recall CARLTON,_L, HASELEY^ ASM
52506092?
His DOG TAGS have just been found by owner of building
which housed a bicycle shop in Shipdham in wartime, and
given to m e to return if he can be located. If you have any
information, please call (225) 925-0454.
Sincerely,
Strategic Air Depot Association National Headquarters
Wiley Noble, Secretary
7 2 6 6 Goodwood
Eaton Rouge, LA 7 0 0 0 6
�ENGLAND TRIP
CANCELLED
A Trus story and alp
"example «f the.^
British sense 6f hunitir.
This story comes from a United Airlines pilot
on a flight descending into Frankfurt Airport.
The German controllers at Frankfurt Airport
are infamous for being a short tempered lot.
They not only expect you to know your parking
location, but also how to get there without any
assistance from them.
So it was with some amusement that w e
(United 747) listened to the following exchange
between Frankfurt ground control and the pilot
of a British Airways 747 (call sign Speedbird 206).
Speedbird: "Good morning Frankfurt, Speedbird 206,
clear of the active."
Ground: "Guten Morgan, taxi to your gate."
The BA 747 pulls onto the main taxiway and stops.
Ground (brusquely): "Speedbird, do you not know where
you are going?"
Speedbird: "Standby ground, I'm looking up the gate
location now."
Unfortunately w e have had to cancel
the S u m m e r '99 trip to England for lack
of participation. W e only had 14 sign ups.
This w a s really disappointing after the
show of hands at the General Membership
meeting in Savannah of those wanting to
join the trip. W e counted more than
enough to fill one bus.
There are still a few w h o are planning
to go on to Europe on their o w n this
Summer, but it is too bad our group travel
folded. W e put a lot of work and a fair
amount of our treasury money into
planning and promoting the trip all for
naught.
Let's face it, w e haven't got too much
time or endurance left to make overseas
travel, so that m a y have been the last one
w e will attempt. I understand that those
w h o wish to celebrate Y 2 K with travel are
already flooding the travel agents.
I will leave the door open for 2000 only
if those w h o are seriously interested in a
trip, that will first go to France, Belgium
and Germany then have an option to
return to England for a visit to Norwich
and Shipdham before returning home, will
write or e-mail m e a letter of FIRM
intentions (not reservations) to join such
a trip and tell m e where they would prefer
to visit, then if I receive enough responses
to make a trip feasible, I will plan a small
tour to satisfy a consensus of the group
desire. Write early if w e are to get
reservations.
Ground (with typical German impatience): Speedbird 206,
have you never been to Frankfurt before?"
IRoy Owe*t
Speedbird (coolly): "Yes, several times in 1944, but I
didn't stop."
22
�FOLDED WINGS
April, 1999
Appelin, Carl W.
12/98
67th Squadron. T-125238. Carl was a
navigator for the Lt. Frank Hurst crew
that arrived at Shipdham on 19 July,
1944, completed their tour and
departed for the U.S. on 18 May, 1945.
Bata, Frank B 5/28/98 Frank was a gunner assigned to the E.J. McKenney crew when it
arrived at Shipdham in early August, 1943, then immediately flew to
Africa arriving too late for the Ploesti mission. This crew was broken
up at this time. Cannot identify missions flown by Frank without sorti
reports. Later Frank was assigned to the John K. Winchester crew, flew
many missions with them. Then when Lt. George Insley returned to the
44th for his second tour, this time with the 506th Squadron. Frank
joined them as a tail gunner. As this was a lead crew, missions were les
frequent, flown mostly in bad weather. The last identified mission flown
by this crew was 15 Feb, 1945. In essence, Frank flew the equal of two
tours as did most of the Insley crew. They all were exceptionally brave
and patriotic men. Frank remained in service after WWII until he
retired. He was buried in Arlington Cemetery on 7 July, 1998.
Brandt, Daniel F. 11/98 0-701552 67th Squadron. Dan flew as a navigator for the Robert J.
Gunton crew. This crew arrived on 14 May, 1944, quicklyflew34
missions, with most of the crew ending their tour in September, 1944.
Brown, Norman D 08/97 Pilot, 67th Squadron 0-768430. Norman was a co-pilot on the Ernest
G. Holmer crew when they were assigned to the 44th Bomb Group in
August, 1944. Later he was assigned his own crew and flew as a 1st
pilot until April, 1945. He brought his crew back to the States in A/C
#44-48821A.
Fairchild, Kenneth L 03/01/98 67th Squadron S/Sgt. Fairfield was a waist gunner for the Edward C.
Yatkones crew which arrived at Shipdham on 8 June, 1944. This crew
quickly completed their tour in November, 1944 except for the pilot,
who was ill for a short period, his crew flown with other crews.
Falls, Billie D Unknown 67th Squadron S/Sgt. Falls was a tail gunner on Lt. Ralph E. VanEss
crew in early October, 1943. He was part of the echelon on DS to
Africa on 23 Sept. 43. Cannot confirm his combat missions at this time.
Farnham, Dale F. 09/27/98 Dales served with the 1132 QM and the 1646 Ordnance Units.
Reported by his wife, Lorraine.
Folland, George W. 10/05/98 0-823344 George served as a co-pilot for Lt. Condray and then as 1st
pilot on his own crew. The Newton E. Condray crew was assigned to
^^
the 67th Squadron in July, 1944. flew many of their mission in 049 OCj^~\
Bar, Fearless Fosdick. George became a 1st pilot after 32 missions wit
the Condray and Crandell crews and completed his tour of 35 by flying
his last three as a lead crew pilot.
23
m
�Long, BG Robert F.
Unknown
General Long served with the 18th Weather Station on the base at
Shipdham.
McNamara Raymond L... 12/16/98 67th Squadron 11046207. S/Sgt. NcNamara was one of the early ground
crewmen to join the 44th BG at Barksdale Field, LA. He was part of the
ground echelon that sailed to England on the Queen Mary on 5
September, 1942. He served as Assistant Crew Chief on "Suzy Q, " went
to Africa in September, 1943 (second trip) as a Crew Chief on aircraft
#779, "4-Q-2. " Ray returned home in June, 1945. Ray served again in
the Korean War, having been recalled as a reservist. His wife of 51
years, Mary, and he, suffered severe strokes in mid-December, both of
them succumbed within 18 hours of each other.
Petroskv John J. 07/29/98 67th Squadron. He was a tail gunner on Lt. Jefferson's crew. This crew
was listed on the 67 th roster on 28 December, 1943, flew their first
mission on 1 January, 1944. The crew went to a Rest Home for a week
on R&R on 24 April, and completed their tour on 11 May, 1944.
Pauly Bruce H. Unknown 0-434434. He enlisted in the USAAC in 1941 as an Aviation Cadet and
was assigned to the 44th BG at MacDill Field, FL. In December, 1941,
he served as a 44th BG Engineering Officer from February, 1942 to
November, 1943. He was a member of the Flight Echelon,flewto
England as a passenger on A/C U41-23786 piloted by Lt. James Dubard.
He served in S-4 at Shipdham from November, 1943 to April, 1944. He
then became Director of Maintenance, 2nd Air Division from April, 1944
to May, 1945 Maintenance Division at Wright Field, OH, where he
retired in November, 1980.
Pschirer, Albert, Jr. 12/26/98 35217311. 68th Squadron. He was the Flight Engineer on the Robert G.
Seever crew which arrived in the 68th Squadron on 15 August, 1944.
Mission #1 was flown on 25 August, 1944 and their 30th was completed
in April, 1945. Many of their later missions were flown in lead crew
positions.
Sheetz, Elvin N. 10/96 68th Squadron. Cannot confirm his pilot or crew, but 68th Squadron
records reported that he completed his tour of missions on 15 October,
1944.
Strug, Emil J. 12/3/98 02-009015. 67th Squadron Navigator. Lt. Strug flew about half his
missions with Newton E. Condray crew until they finished their tour.
Then he flew with various other crews, including Roger S. Markle and
Norman Brown. He was classified as a PN (Pilotage Navigator).
Stanley, Tyrus J. 11/25/98 17110585. 68th Squadron. He was a Tail Gunner on the Harold C.
Morrison crew. This crew assigned to the 66th Squadron on 28
February, 1944, with Tyrus becoming part of the crew shortly thereafter
He was with them when they were transferred to the 68th Squadron on
20 April, 1944. Luckily, he was not with the crew when it was shot dow
Jfe
on 7 July 1944 on their 35th mission. Harold Morrison had completed
|"^^~|
his 35 mission tour on 4 July, so Lt. Wilson was 1st pilot replacing L
Morrison.
24
�Tomhave, John V.
02/99
37116222. 66th Squadron Crew Chief John was a member of the
ground echelon that went over on the Queen Mary to England in
September, 1942. John was rapidly promoted and by December, 1944
was a Master Sergeant in Flight "A" reporting to M/Sgt. Morton. One of
the planes that he crewed was #42-50761, A+ and later F+, "King
High" which had operational missions from October, 1944 to end of war.
Thompson, Clarence W. ... 01/20/99 "Tommy. " 0-1297615. Navigator on Russell G. Erickson's crew.
Assigned to the 68th Squadron on 25 October, 1945, flew their first
mission on 5 November 1944. This crew flew the last mission of the waron 25 April, 1945 in E - 806, Louisiana Belle, and also flew the same
plane back to the States. Tommy obtained a college degree, was a safety
engineer. Survived by two sons and a daughter.
Van Epps, Elwood A 12/46 (Auto Accident) 506th Squadron. Was a Radio Operator for Lt. John w.
Jones ' crew. On 7 October 1944, when this pilot was very seriously
wounded by enemy action. Elwood probably saved the pilot s life by
quickly applying medication and bandages to stop the bleeding, and
removed him from the pilot s seat, so the wounded co-pilot could have
helpflyingthe plane. He earned the nickname "Doc" for his skillful
actions. Elwood flew his later missions with Lt. Horsley and then
finished his tour with Lt. Zitzman.
Crewmen from the Charles S. Herring Crew:
Lt. Charles S. Herring • 0-813512 • After the war, killed in aircraft accident.
Major James C. Holcolm • 0-761099 • Co-Pilot 1989 Prostate Cancer.
Lt. Bernard L Fisher • 0-699065 • Navigator 1978 Leukemia.
T/Sgt. Frank J. Gerbe • 20251385* Engineer 1984? Heart Attack.
A
The above crew information received from John L Rhodes, tail gunner for the Herring crew.
This crew w a s organized in December, 1943 at March Field, California.
They flew their tour of missions from 18 June to October, 1944.
The 8 Ball Tails©
Official Journal of The 44th Bomb Group Veterans Association, Inc.©
Compiled, written and published tri-yearly at 2041 Village Circle East, York, PA, by Ruth W. Davis-Morse, Editor. Printed and mailed Bulk Rate at Salt Lake City
under USPS Permit #6923. All original written material such as letters, stories, excerpts from personal diaries or memoirs, drawings and photos submitted to this
journal will become the property of the 44th Bomb Group Veterans Association and will be copyright protected except where noted. The text and photos are
otherwise reproduced from official U S A A F and U S A F documents and photos which have been released for publication. Permission is granted for the contents of this
journal to be reproduced specifically for personal archives. Otherwise, copyright material herein may be reproduced by the journal of other incorporated nonprofit
veterans organizations so long as this publication is properly credited and prior permission is granted by the editor.
Those submitting letters, stories and photos to the editor or historian must do so with the understanding that this material will most likely be published in th
as a matter of interest to the members/subscribers of the Association and this journal. While every attempt will be made to answer all of the material received, there
is no explicit or implied guarantee that an answer will be provided or published. Except for specific requests for the return of original documents and photos, all
material submitted will become the property of the 44th Veterans Association, Inc., or its successors.
Due to space limitations and to ensure the clarity and brevity of submitted material, the Publisher/Editor reserves the editorial license to add, cut or otherwi
all submitted material so long as the original context of the material is maintained.
25
�A "Cold" Cold War Story
By Roy O w e n
This story begins in the Summer of 1958
during the great glory days of Strategic Air
C o m m a n d (SAC), the General Curtis E. Le M a y
Cold War answer to the U S S R threat of nuclear
war. I was a young Captain, Aircraft C o m m a n d e r
of a three m a n Combat Crew of a Boeing B-47
Stratojet bomber in the 22nd B o m b Wing at
March AFB, outside of Riverside, California.
Looking back, these were the halcyon days of
m y flying career. I was born and raised in
Southern California, and after a W W I I combat
tour flying B-24 Liberators in the 44th B o m b
Group with 8th Air Force out of England, a
discharge, return to college and a Korean War
recall, I had progressed through the S A C buildup
flying B-29's, B-50's and, in a bomber pilot's
dream fulfilled, along with Captain Mel Cooper,
m y Co-Pilot and Lt. Ron Gingold, m y Radar
Navigator/Bombardier, I was flying our nation's
first line jet bomber. Further, being raised as a
warm weather beach boy, I was close to h o m e and
flying in a climate I loved.
About the airplane; the B-47 was a sleek,
swept wing six engine
beauty that, while not
supersonic, had both the
best characteristics of a
bomber (range and
payload) and a fighter
(speed and
maneuverability). It had
some unforgiving traits
such as twin truck
landing gear in tandem
alignment. A careless
touchdown with the front
truck first, could lead to
a porpoising bounce. A
stall at the top of a
porpoise bounce and a
stalled wing dropping
either way could be fatal.
There was also a high
altitude performance
"coffin corner" where
the wing lift coefficient
26
curve and the altitude curve met wherein the
aircraft was liable to experience a high speed stall
and a state of unaccountability. Aside from these
"Red Caution" areas, the airplane was a joy to fly
and when not carrying auxiliary, long range fuel
tanks hung under the wings, it could perform rolls
and even an Immelmann maneuver well within it's
structural limits. W h e n mated with a KC-97 propdriven tanker, it was tough to air refuel at the
slower speeds required (that is another story), but
mated with a K C - 1 3 5 at higher altitudes and
compatible speeds, it was an air refueling romance.
The United States doctrine in the "Cold War"
was one of a retaliatory nuclear strike in the event
of a pre-emptive attack by Russia. The S A C war
plan of the day was to rotationally maintain a
nuclear trained and equipped wing of S A C
bombers on 9 0 day tours at bases in England,
Spain and G u a m . Each combat crew was assigned
a specific U S S R target on a single sortie
individually launched from it's overseas base on a
programmed generation scheduled to begin at "A"
(Alert) hour.
Thus was our life, fly training missions, keep
current on our assigned target, and deploy about
once a year on a 9 0 day tour to the Wing's
assigned overseas Emergency War Order ( E W O )
launch base. In that summer of 1958, technical
�advances in nuclear weaponry on both sides was
manifested in smaller, more destructive weapons
no longer requiring hours of pre-launch testing
and loading procedures meaning quick reaction
times with weapons able to be pre-launch loaded
on the aircraft. A s Huckleberry Finn mused
"Times', they is a changin'."
For us in the B-47 Combat Crew business w e
began to hear terms like "quick reaction," "Alert
Pad" and " M I T O " (minimum interval take-off)
soon followed by training in positioning aircraft on
what was the formerly named "warm-up pad"
now renamed "Alert Pad" just near the take-off
runway. The aircraft, loaded with training nuclear
weapons, where pre-flighted and pre-take off
checklists were run up to the point of pushing the
first start button at the instant the ground power
unit (GPU) put power on the aircraft main bus.
W e then began to spend 3 or 4 twenty four hour
days in some make-shift buildings near the "Alert
Aircraft." W e trained in fast reaction procedures
by responding to a Klaxon Horn signal like
firemen to the Fire Bell, dressing and scrambling
to our aircraft, quickly climbing aboard donning
helmets already connected and reporting "Ready
to Launch" to the C o m m a n d Post. O u r response
time goal from Klaxon to take-off roll was 15
minutes. The C o m m a n d Post response could be
"This is an 'Alpha Alert' you m a y terminate the
alert, return to the Alert Pad, re-cock your aircraft
and return to quarters" or "This is a 'Bravo Alert/
start engines and report when ready to Taxi, after
call-in terminate," etc. O r "This is a 'Cocoa
Alert,' start engines, taxi to take-off position and
report 'Ready for Take-Off,' then taxi to the first
turn-off and return to the Alert Area and
terminate," etc.
In the remaining S u m m e r months and into
Fall, we trained in these procedures until all the
crews were 15 minute response capable.
Concurrently, w e trained and were tested on the
current Nuclear weapon ( M k 41 B o m b ) w e would
carry and in procedures for an actual E W O launch.
This involved the Wing C o m m a n d Post issuing a
Top Secret coded launch message to be decoded
and authenticated by the crew. O n c e certified in
these procedures the Wing was ready for it's alert
assignment.
During the B-47 era at March A F B (1954-64)
the 320th B o m b Wing (a Korea recalled Air
National Guard outfit from N e w York), also B-47
equipped, shared the base with the 22nd. They
were also "Alert" trained.
Rumor had it the 320th was to be assigned to
Eilson AFB, Fairbanks, Alaska for its alert
commitment (code named Reflex) and the 22nd
was to go to Andersen AFB, G u a m . To a Beach
Boy/Bomber Pilot like me, this sounded like a
perfectly sensible choice. N e w Yorkers were
accustomed to cold and snow and warm blooded
Southern Californians would function well in a
tropical climate.
I have heard that, in the lexicon of Air Force
Planners, it is said "If you don't have a plan, you
have nothing from which to deviate!" Alas, this
proved itself when the alert assignment came
down with both the 22nd and 320th committed
to each place 6 aircraft on alert at Eilson AFB.
For the combat crews this meant approximately
three 2 3 day alert tours year which, with a deploy
and re-deploy day on each end, had a crew on
alert 4 days and off 3 days through three cycles.
M y crew was not scheduled for the first couple of
alert rotations and, while m y m e m o r y is dim on
the exact date of our first rotation, I remember
well that it was November and the Alaska Winter
was in full swing. O n deployment day w e preflighted the aircraft and took off in high 70's
weather, having donned Artie Flight Clothing just
after pre-flight. I landed on a snow-packed
runway at Eilson on a clear day in minus 2 0
degree temperature and about 3 feet of frozen
snow on the ground. 1 was directed to park the
aircraft in a maintenance area on the apron, where
the maintenance team could clear the two or three
minor write-ups I had entered in the Form 1. That
completed, the Weapons Team would load the M k
41 weapon and the Crew Chief would supervise
the installation of the Jet Assisted Take-Off
(JATO) collar. At that point the aircraft would be
positioned in the alert line and I would be called
with m y crew to pre-flight the aircraft and weapon
then "cock" the aircraft; relieve the crew w e were
replacing and assume the alert responsibility for
our E W O target assignment.
The entire Reflex operation was housed in an
immense wooden, arch-roofed flight line building
called the "Birchwood Hangar." The ground floor
housed the C o m m a n d , Maintenance and Admin.
Offices around the inside perimeter. Each of the
27
@
�slow down, the wheels locked and w e went into a
sideways skid headed toward the double engine
pod. I swear, the vehicle accelerated the more I
p u m p e d the brake pedal. I had also lost most of
the steering as the front tires were sliding on the
ice. Aghast, I sat furiously attempting to brake
and steer as w e slid toward what appeared to be
an inevitable crash into a nuclear b o m b loaded
aircraft. Suddenly, at the last split second, the
vehicle m a d e a sliding left turn and stopped in
perfect position to plug in the G P U . M y crew
chief came running forward and with a wild-eyed
look of amazement and shouted "Great job, Sir!"
A s I jumped out of the vehicle and started for the
crew ladder, I think I noticed a bit of a shake of
his head.
A s I was regaining m y breath, I scrambled up
the ladder into the Pilot's seat, grabbed m y
helmet from the control column (where we had
learned to leave it at sunny March A F B in our
practice alerts) and pulled it on and snapped on
m y oxygen mask. It only took an instant to realize
that m y headset ear pads and rubber oxygen mask
were frozen solid. All I could hope was we would
get lucky with an "Alpha" alert and I could report
"Ready to Start" and get released before m y ears
and cheeks also turned to ice. Fortunately this
was the case for our first Reflex alert. Before we
shut power down, I asked on the interphone if
Cooper and Gingold thought it would be a good
idea if w e unplugged our helmets and took them
with us in the Alert vehicle to the warmth of the
"Birchwood Hangar." N o Objections.
W h e n w e got all settled down with the other
crews in the "Rec" room another pilot came over
to us and commented h o w red our ears were; this
brought howls of laughter from the rest. It seems
that on the first Winter alert tour they had all
been through the same torture and it had become
a sort of "rite of passage" into the alert business.
Thus mention of keeping helmets and oxygen
masks in the alert vehicle was not an item to be
covered in alert indoctrination. It was "learn the
hard way!"
S o m e introduction of a warm weather Beach
Boy/Bomber Pilot to Artic Alert. I can attest to
the "Cold W a r " being just that. To this day I
detest a cold climate!
12 Alert Combat Crews had its o w n Weapon
Carrier Vehicle with a ground power unit G P U )
attached to the trailer hitch. These were parked
on the hangar floor in order and in a diagonal line
pointed toward the flight line door. Located on
the second level were the Combat Crew, Crew
Chief and Assistant, sleeping quarters, alert mess
kitchen and dining room, Recreation R o o m and
Reading R o o m and Shower/Latrine facilities.
At the sound of the Klaxon the Alert Combat
and Ground Crews would dress, scramble to their
vehicle, start the G P U then drive out of the
hangar to their aircraft. The aircrew scrambled up
the ladder into their cockpit position while the
Crew Chief and Assistant hooked up the G P U to
the aircraft bus. W h e n power and radios came on
the Aircraft C o m m a n d e r would report in and
await instructions.
O u r first night in the Birchwood Hangar gave
us the opportunity to ask questions and listen to
the other crew members w h o had some
experience with the alert business at minus 2 0
degrees F., such as: n-e-v-e-r touch bare metal
with bare skin. In these conditions there are m a n y
do's and don'ts that are not always covered in
your checklists.
It seemed the natural order of things that
when an alert sounded it would be the Aircraft
Commander w h o would jump into the alert
vehicle drivers seat, start the engine and drive the
crew to the aircraft. There were two very
important things that could not be taught in the
Birchwood Hangar or on the warm March A F B
ramp. The first was to teach a Beach Boy/Bomber
Pilot h o w to drive a Weapons Carrier with a G P U
hitched to the rear in packed snow with a glaze of
ice on the surface. O r how cold an oxygen mask
and ear pads in a jet helmet can get when left
overnight in the cockpit.
W e didn't have long to wait to gain that
experience! About 1 0 0 0 hours the first day of
our Alert duty, the Klaxon sounded and away w e
went! I took the drivers seat and as soon as the
G P U was started and all were aboard, I drove out
into m y first artic day. I was headed for the alert
line in a column of alert vehicles, and as I
approached our aircraft I pulled out of the line
and steered toward the # 4 and 5 engine pod
ready to turn left and pull the G P U close to the
aircraft external receptacle. I put on the brakes to
m
�there will be a warm welcome at the site; Stars and Stripes flying on
the new flagpole (providedby Steve Adams). Last night we both had
a wonderful celebration dinner in Norwich with the 2nd Air Division
as guests of Richard and Ardith Butler who had paid us a visit at
Hillcrest during the day. With kind regards,
Yours Sincerely,
Debra & Andrew Doubleday
Mail Call
More Good News from the
Mother Country.
Dick and Ardith Butler made more good points for the 44th while
Norwich by inviting our good friend Andrew Doubleday and wife
Debra as their guests at the 2nd Air Division Executive Banquet with
many other honored Norwich dignitaries. Andrew, for those w h o
have not had the pleasure of meeting him, is n o w the owner of the
old Rix Farm which has the remains of the 14th Combat Wing
Headquarters. Thanks to our Good Will ambassadors, Dick and
Ardith, here is a letter I received from Andrew just after they had
attended the dinner.
in
DearRoy,
SD
"Pete" Henry, Veterans
Corresponding Official, 44th Bomb Group
Dear Mr. Henry,
Your name and address has been given to me by the Air Attache's
office of the American Embassy in London. I a m trying to find an
American serviceman w h o passed through the air base at
Perranporth in Cornwall UK in 1943/44.
I have learned from the Royal Air Force Museum that the 44th
Bomber group passed through Portreath enroute to North Africa in
1943. At Perranporth the only sighting that I have found is a USAAF
B17 carrying a special courier from North Africa, which landed at
on June 1 st, 1943, having overflown Portreath, and
Since we last met my life has changed for the better, having beenPerranporth
on
my own for some 10 years. I am now living with my partner Debbie departed the following day. I don't know which squadron it belonged to.
I saw Steve Adams about 3 weeks ago when he came over with
Veteran Bob Dubowsky. He gave me the article and kind letter you
sent. Thank you so much.
ofHillcrest. We have both been looking at the article with great
interest and thank you for this and your kindness in your letter.
The reason for my search is that in the summer of 1943 an American
serviceman saved m y sister's life. She w a s six years old, and while
We feelit is a great privilege and honor to own the 14th C.W. Hq. playing in a cove, got her foot trapped under a girder, which w a s used
for sea defenses. The tide was coming in rapidly; and without help,
And will always be pleased to offer hospitality to members of the
she would have drowned. Her only companion w a s me, the baby of
44th B.G. Vet. Assn. through our good mutual friend Steve Adams.
the family, w h o w a s totally unable to lift the girder. I went for help
and found this young serviceman w h o not only listened to a very
When I first purchased the property I had little spare cash and we set
small child, but immediately went down the steep cliff and rescued
about some restoration work on some of the buildings I needed for
her before the water w a s over her head. He may not even have
the business (nursery). There is, however, much to be done just to
realised that he saved her life, but he did. He w a s with other
halt "the ravages of weather" in a few important areas. The most
servicemen w h o just may remember the incident too.
urgent of these is perhaps roof repairs to the old kitchen area behind
the War Room where the wall is, alas, deteriorating fast. We would
It has made a lasting impact on the lives of my sister and myself;
very much like to adapt one of the buildings into a small chapel and
very belatedly, w e would like to thank him. Is it possible that you
museum dedicated to the 44th but this may be some way off as I am
could put this story in a newsletter, if you have one? Any information
sure you will understand that site is primarily our private home and
or help that you can give me, I would be so grateful for.
much effort has been needed this last year to upgrade the house.
Yours sincerely,
I must say here that all our ideas are of a private nature and while
Jan Zuckerman Mather
we hope to see as much of the 44th Veterans Association as
possible, we have no desire to open the site in any way to the
From the Editor: If this letter reaches the right person, or if an
generalpublic. We have enjoyed a good relationship with Steve who
knows the airman who helped the child, please notify Pete Henry,
phones us when he has a visitor. It goes without saying that we
164B Portland Lane, Jamesburg, New Jersey 08831. Please let the
hope you can make much more use of the site at reunion times and
8BTs know, also.
all stay longer on your next visit. We had such little time to prepare
last year (1997). We greatly look forward to seeing you all again and
29
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�44th Bomb Group Reunion ;i
Thursday, September 2
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Friday, September 3
8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
9:00 a.m.
12:00 noon
12:30 p.m.
12:30 p.m.
6:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
Saturday, September 4
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
1:30 p.m.
6:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
Sunday, September 5
10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
6:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
Monday, September 6
Registration Hilton Hotel Airport.
8th Air Force Military Heritage Database
Meeting.
Reception at Hilton Hotel ~ cash bar,
hors d'oeuvres, finger sandwiches.
Dinner on your own.
9
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Board Meeting Hilton Hotel.
City Bus Tour approximately two hours.
First bus leaves Hotel for Country Club.
Ladies Luncheon Chateau Country Club.
Men's Luncheon Hilton Hotel.
Cash Bar.
Squadron Dinners.
Annual Membership Meeting.
Walking Tour French Quarter.
Cash Bar.
Banquet (seated meal) • Present Colors •
Candle Lighting Ceremony • Speaker.
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Tours: 1/2 Day Plantation Visit.
Harbor Tour with visit to Aquarium.
Cash Bar.
Buffet Dinner • Masquerade Dance •
Entertainment by Tulane Students.
Leave for Home.
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Hospitality R o o m Hours
Open: Thursday, Friday, Saturday ~ All Day "Sunday ~ After Annual Meeting
Closing: Closing Time of Hospitality Room is to left up to the
membersincharge.
$175 Registration Fee includes (does not include tours):
Reception; Ladies-Men's Luncheon; Squadron Dinner; Banquet; Masquerade Dinner, Dance, Entertainment;
Tote Bag (1 per couple or if single, 1); T-Shirts (1 for each); and Hospitality Room.
('All tours are not refundable, unless they can be sold to other people. We need at least 20 people to make the tours.)
Bal Masque
Your last evening in New Orleans will be a memorable one. Because New Orleans is identified with festivals, we have
planned a Bal Masque (Masquerade) for the closing banquet. C o m e dressed as anyone you wish; remember while the
temperatures may be warm, the hotel is cool and that is where the event will be held.
W e have an "Andrews Sisters" type trio backed by an eight piece band for your listening and reminiscing pleasure.
You will get a taste of Mardi Gras, coupled with the nostalgia of the 40's for an evening to be remembered.
Martin Richard & Mike Yuspeh, Reunion Co-Chairs
30
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�44th Bomb Group Reunion
S e p t e m b e r 2-5, 1 9 9 9
N e w Orleans, Louisiana
Hilton Airport Hotel (Kenner, L A )
Registration Form
Please Print or Type. All Information Must Be Complete.
Last Name First Name (Tag)
Spouse Squadron
Address
City.
State
Zip Code
Phone
Guests & Relation
Number to Attend: $ 175/each
Tour#1:
Friday, September 3 ~ Complete City Tour by Bus (approximately 3 hours).
Time: Bus leaves hotel 9:00 a.m.
$23
ft Attending:
Amount: $
Tour #2:
Saturday, September 4 ~ French Quarter Walking Tour (approximately 2 miles).
Time: Bus leaves hotel 1:30 p.m.
$ 19
tt Attending:
Amount: $
Tour #3:
Sunday, September 5 ~ 1/2 day Plantation Tour (Oak Alley)
Time: Bus leaves hotel 9:00 a.m.
$36
# Attending:
Amount: $
AL TERNA TE TOUR Tour #4:
Sunday, September 5 ~ Harbor Cruise with Aquarium
Time: • Depart hotel 10:00 a.m. •Aquarium 10:45 a.m. to 12:45 •Boarding Boat 12:45 to 1:15 p.m.
•Cruise Harbor 1:15 to 2:45 p.m. •Board bus for hotel 3:15 p.m.
$35
# Attending:
Amount: $
Total # Attending: Total Amount: $
^T-shirt size and number of each size required: L~ISmall# •Mediumtf DLargetf OX-Large #_
Registration must be received by August 1, 1999. No registration will be taken after that date. We would like to firm u
reservations as soon as possible. Please send this registration form with your check at once to:
Mail to: Mike Yuspeh • 7214 Sardonyx Street • New Orleans, LA 70124-3509
Phone: (504) 283-3424 • Fax: (504) 283-3425 (pick up at 6 rings).
31
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���The 67th Squadron of the 44th B G had been through
three grueling months of daylight bombing. By March 8
enemy aircraft, 13 probables and one damaged.
The tactical side of the mission was carefully studied
they had lost five of their original nine crews. Raids
after the planes came in. Even today, historians pore
over Rouen and Wilhelmshaven cost another two; so on
over the sobering details. However, the human side of the
the morning of May 14, only three aircraft and crews
story was related best by John L. Susan, a Radio
were available for the heavily guarded submarine works in
Operator who became a P O W . His reports starts with a
Kiel. All three were lost. Col. Bill Cameron, who was
prophetic statement by Gilbert A . Wandtke, Engineer:
land-bound that day, was the only one of the 67th
original pilots to remain alive and unscathed.
Kiel was one of the greatest aerial battles of the
War. Both B-17's from the First Air Division and
B-24's from the 8th Air Force were assigned, the first
time both types of aircraft were sent on the same
mission. The B-17's were first to drop 5 0 0 pound H D
bombs, to be followed by 100 pound incendiary clusters
which were transported by the Liberators. Compensating
for differences in aircraft performance, Col. Leon
Johnson's maneuver to avoid the dropping bombs of the
higher altitude B-17's led the 44th to greater exposure
to German fighters. As it happened, the incendiaries of
the B-24's came apart immediately, so pilots following
were forced to spread their formation to avoid colliding
with the incendiaries. The Luftwaffe took full advantage
of the altered pattern, and five B-24's in the rear
echelons were lost in the target area, one on withdrawal.
According to Roy Owen's studied account, the
variant efforts of the B - 2 4 gunners brought down 2 3
/ ^ A T h e crew on "Miss
J Robert 1. (Rye) Brown
• Hartley A. Westbrook
• Robert H. Bishop
• Holden A. Haywood
' Gilbert A. Wandtke
• John L. Susan
• August Ullrich
• Richard E. Cate
" George R. Millhousen
• Roy L. Klinger
Delores" consisted of:
POW
Pilot
Co-Pilot
POW
Navigator
POW
Bombardier
POW
Engineer
POW
Radio Operator POW
POW
Waist Gunner
Waist Gunner
KIA
KIA
Hatch Gunner
Tail Turret
KIA
"Since our original plane, "Suzy-Q" was in for repairs, we
had to use a replacement, "Miss Delores" a plane that had
sat in a dispersal for some time. Our engineer, Gil Wadtke,
had indicated that he would not care to take "Miss Delores"
over a target because he had been jilted by a Delores back in
the States and that "Miss Delores"probably would take us
over the target but not bring us back! "Miss Delores" was
contrary. However, since "Suzy-Q" was out of action, the war
had to go on.
We were briefed early, and took off for a rendezvous
with the B- 17's over the Wash in east Anglia. The rendezvous
was goofed up. Instead of flying above and behind the Forts,
we missed the rendezvous by about 10 or 15 minutes. The
Fort Squadrons were ahead of us, and above the B-24's of
the 44th Bomb Group by at least 10 minutes.
We tried to overtake the BI7s and get above them but
the chase was futile. We could not catch them even though
we were faster. When we got to the target (Kiel), we had
reached a good altitude but the 17s were still ahead of us.
The German gunners had a good track on the BI7s and the
24s coming in on the same track encountered a lot of flak.
"Miss Delores" took a hit and we started to fall behind,
as one of our left side engines was out. "Wing" had recently
declared with a directive that Radio Operators could not man
the top turret, but should man the radio. Gib Wandtke was
operating the top turret on this mission. But the flak burst
had also hit Gib, who had taken metal in his knee. He came
tumbling down out of the turret. He motioned to me that I
should get into the turret - and I did. But unknown to me w
the fact that the flak burst had also knocked out the
Intercom! Everyone, therefore, was on his own.
When I got into the top turret we were already a sitting
duck as we were falling behind the formation due to that los
engine. And my guns would not fire between the two verticl
stabi/ers for some reason. I kept cussing as I would bring th
guns down to shoot at least six following Jerries who were
taking pot shots at us from the rear. I don't know if our tail
turret guns were functioning or not. But soon our left wing
�started on fire • and it was time to get out.
Just when I decided the situation was too precarious,
our pilot, it. Brown tried to give the signal to bail out, but he
could not communicate with the crew to advise them. We
had dropped our bombs and the bomb bay doors were still
open. Gib Wandtke, wound and all, fought his way back to
the rear of the plane to warn the gunners to abandon ship.
When he got back to the flight deck I had found my chest
pack chute and was standing on the catwalk at the front of
the bomb bay. So I tumbled out, and knowing that some
Jerries would attack a chute, I delayed my opening of the
chute for about 60 counts. When I pulled the cord, my
altitude was about 8,000 feet and the feeling was very eerie
• no sound whatsoever. It was a very, very quiet feeling. Only
the wind through the shrouds that could be called a whisper,
was the only sound that could be discerned.
Above, I could see the remaining planes on their way
back from Kiel. Back over the Bay. I could see many chutes
on their way down high above me. Below, I noticed some
boats leaving their wake in the Bay. Shortly thereafter I took
off my bailout bottle, my shoes, and loosened my harness as
we had been instructed to do over water. Hanging onto the
harness by my hands, I approached the water of Kiel Bay.
There is one problem however. How do you know how high
you are off the water? Are the whitecaps you can see six
inches high - or 16 inches high? You have no reference point
on water to judge your altitude. When
I thought I was 6 to 10 feet above the
water I let go of my harness, but I had
miscalculated. Just as I let go, my
feet were already in the water and
the shroud lines came tumbling down
over my head.
As I entered the water I went on
down possibly 10 feet, but being
buoyant, popped right up under my
shroud lines. The parachute canopy
also had dropped over my head and
my fight to free myself began. I
struggled with the shroud lines and
the chute until I thought I would never
get free. Just then a boat came by
and a fisherman took his gaff and
pulled the chute from my head. Then
he gaffed me and pulled me out of the
water like a big fish. He probably
saved my life by being there. Other
members of the crew • if they did not
delay their opening, may have drowned by being blown out to
the mouth of the Bay.
3
The first words uttered by the boat crew were "Fer sie
der krieg ist fertig" • meaning "For you the war is finished."
Later I learned that during the battle, Lt. Hay worth, our
Bombardier, after dropping the bombs, saw a cannon shell
coming toward the front of the plane and covered his head
with his hands. The shell exploded on the plexiglass nose
section and shattered plexiglass burst against him. When he
became a POW, his hands and forehead were peppered with
shrapnel and plexiglass. He no doubt saved his eyes by
shielding them with his hands.
I did not realize that the last three original planes in our
squadron had been hit and downed on this mission until the
crew members of the other B-24's showed up in the prison
camp."
Every mission is a learning experience. It was
recommended that emerged was that the B-17's and B-24's
should not have combined operations until a combat wing of at
least two full strength groups are available. The 44th paid a
heavy price for poor planning, mismatched bomber
performance, dissimilar bomb loads with faulty fusing and
tactics which exposed the group to enemy attacks.
Honoring the airmen on the Kiel Raid cannot be overdone.
That was an awesome mission, unique in the annals of air history.
fl *
RECoqNmoN of Kiel AN<) PIOESTJ RAids AT AJR FORCE MUSEUM.
DAYTON, Ohio.
�GENERAL
JOHN H. GIBSON
A Great Man Who Was There When
He was Needed
By Ruth W. Davis-Morse
The test of any great leader is his
willingness to share danger with his men.
General John H. Gibson proved his mettle
many times, significantly for joining General
Leon Johnson in leading the mission to
Omaha Beach on D-Day. It was one of many
missions he flew, along with the m e n that he
commanded.
Long before W W I I began, "Jack" Gibson
was already looking skyward. H e knew what
he wanted to do—fly.
The General was late for the recent 2nd
Air Division Reunion in M a y and with good
reason. The Senate of the State of Texas was
honoring him, along with the members of the
95th Bomb Group for their W W I I service. The
Resolution was signed by Rick Perry, President
of the Texas Senate, having been affirmed by
the entire Senate on M a y 30,1999. His fame on
the B-17's was well known. N o less colorful
was his career on the B-24 Liberators with the
44th Bomb Group.
Gibson's career as an airman began in 1932
when he attended Randolph/Kelly Fields, at
that time the 'West Point of the Air.' 200
would-be pilots started in his class; 87 finished.
H e envisioned a career as a commercial pilot,
but retained his status in the Air Force
Reserves. In '42 he was called into the service
as a First Lieutenant in the Air Transport
Command.
That was not exciting enough for this avid
young man. H e called an old friend, Curtis
LeMay asking for an assignment with a Bomb
Group. H e said, "I want to see some action."
General LeMay replied, "I've got the job for
you."
The job this eager aviator sought took him
to the 2nd Air Force Headquarters at Geiger
Field, Spokane, Washington. From there he
went to the 95th Bomb Group in August of
1942, and was one of the first five officers
assigned to the newly established 95th Bomb
Group. H e became the Group Operation
Officer (S-3). 'Jack' completed 25 missions
under the command of Col. Kessler. W h e n the
44th Bomb Group opened up, he became
Commander in February of 1944, stationed in
Shipdham, replacing Col. Frederick Dent. By
that time he was a full Colonel.
A short time after arriving, the 44th was
assigned to lead the Division to Brunswick,
Germany, the target—aircraft manufacturing
plants. This was April 8,1944, Easter Saturday.
Gibson chose to be C o m m a n d Pilot in a
formation which included 44 Liberators, an
unusually high number for a raid at that time.
Bob Lehnhausen was Deputy Lead
Commander. Together they rode his staff car
from Shipdham to Hethel, where the lead
planes would take off. It was Lehnhausen's
opportunity to get to know his new
Commander, establishing a lifelong friendship.
�H e said, "I a m seeing a ghost. I saw that
German fighter crash into your plane—head
on.' To this day when w e meet, he reminds m e
of that mission, that he had given m e up for dead."
According to Roger Freeman's book, The
Mighty Eighth Diary, the 2nd Air Division
dispatched 350 planes on that Brunswick
mission; 44 were lost. The 44th Bomb Group
sent up 44 Liberators, with Colonel Gibson
leading. Eleven planes went down with their
crews, the greatest loss of planes and crews the
44th suffered in all W W I I operations.
Lehnhausen describes General Gibson as a
truly unique individual in military leadership.
H e was fiercely loyal to his responsibility, and
his personal courage and gentlemanly ways
never went unnoticed by his men.
Gibson demanded excellence, insisting on
continuous training of both air and ground
crews. H e felt that practice assured better
Xpo7. Q^oAn <2%f (5?e/uon — 19(tb
Lehnhausen recalls that
mission clearly, "I was on the
Right Wing, and just when w e
reached the IP, w e saw a group
of German fighters coming
toward us head on, just to the
right of twelve o'clock. The
frontal attack was truly
vicious, and m y craft was hit
with 2 0 m m fire. As it
happened, our top turret
gunner, managed to get that
fighter, and it crashed into the
plane just behind ours.
General Gibson could see
what was happening out of
the comer of his eye. H e
assumed that it was m y ship going down.
"We were disabled, having lost our entire
electrical system." Lehnhausen continued,
"and our pilot chose to come home 'on the
\pan wnwadu identify the gentleman cilmhina out of the dwn
attAe 200th QMiiMon &wrty of the tfith Vfcomh ^->«w/i?
maintenance of planes and equipment, and a
better survival rate for the airmen. Members of
the 44th frequently boasted that they had the
T>est Group C O in the whole Air Force'.
deck.'
"We did manage to get back to Hethel after
the formation had landed. Colonel Gibson
couldn't believe his eyes when he saw m e at
the briefing, alive and breathing".
5
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�O n e of the 44th's lighter m o m e n t s w a s the
day after they had completed their 200th
Mission. N o b o d y flew that day ... it w a s just
one great big party. It w a s agreed that nobody
would come to the party showing rank. At one
point General Johnson even drove his o w n staff
car, a big old Packard sedan, with his
chauffeur, Mike Fusano, riding the back seat.
"The party w a s near a big pond," the
General recalled. " A young Captain w a s
foolish enough to walk out of his office
wearing his bars. The airmen picked him u p
and threw him in the pond. I guess it w a s so
m u c h fun, they picked up General Johnson and
threw him in. Then it was m y turn to get wet,"
he laughed.
The D-Day mission is forever memorable to
General Gibson. "I was the 44th Leader and
Johnson w a s the 14th Combat Wing
Commander. W e hit the shore line at low
altitude at 5:30 in the morning, bombing the
big guns the Germans had placed along the
cliffs over O m a h a Beach. The General w a s
proud and elated to be a part of the battle that
w a s the turning point in W W I I .
Gibson's last mission with the 44th w a s in
July, w h e n he led the 14th Combat Wing of the
2nd Air Division to an oil refinery in Politz, on
the German/Polish border. It w a s low altitude
flying at 18,000 feet against a barrage of flak.
They encountered fighters over the North Sea.
Of his Combat Wing eleven planes went d o w n ,
but the mission w a s accomplished.
After nine months in Shipdham, he w a s
sent to Washington, to use his expertise at a
higher level. From there he went to the
Mountain H o m e Desert Base, 40 miles south of
Boise, Idaho. This base w a s later destined to be
the testing area for the B Is, F Ills, Refueling
Planes and the D C 10's. It also became a base
for the Strategic Air C o m m a n d .
The war ended on August 15,1945. Gibson
rode a B-17 to Nashville, and three days later
w a s a civilian, ready to resume his peacetime
occupation with American Airlines.
His career as a civilian w a s as colorful as his
war record, and the two sides of his life were
constantly interlacing. By 1935 he had become
a co-pilot, and then flew as a Captain for m a n y
years. H e took time out for the War; but upon
returning to civilian life, remained in the
Reserves. W h e n the Korea W a r came about he
w a s pulled back into the 3rd Air Force, and
w a s sent to Johnson Air Force Base. In
February he w a s assigned to the 8th Air Force
in Carswell, Ft. Worth, Texas as part of the
Strategic Air C o m m a n d .
Gibson's war experience served him very
well in the civilian world. H e set up the
American Airlines Flight Academy, a program
in which their Captains are retrained every six
months, and their Co-pilots every year.
The General was honored by three countries for
valor, leadership and courage: the United State
England and France. Considering the foreign
countries rarely confer high level medals to
foreigners, he stands among the most highly
decorated men of WWII.
Without question, General Gibson, a true
leader and a visionary, helped shape the world
of aviation for the millennium.
General Gibson n o w lives in Dallas with his
wife, Ruth. H e has one daughter, one son and
four grandchildren.
�Mike Mikoloski
Needless to say, I accepted this esteemed position with great
excitement, enthusiasm, expectation and humility. It is, in
...a day that I will long remember as one of my most eventful
my view, both an honor and a challenge which inspired m e
and challenging dates. It was on this day in Austin, Texas, to serve you in this capacity to the best of my ability. It is
where your Executive Board held their semi-annual meeting, also my sincere hope that I will be able to continue on the
and that was the very first transition of the office of the same path of success that has been laid out for us by our
presidency of the 44th BGVA. It was near the end of this fearless leader, and now Immediate Past President Roy
meeting that then President Roy Owen announced the Owen. You perhaps are unaware that I
change-over and inducted m e as the new President of the have served on the Executive Board with
Association.
Roy since its inception at Fort Worth and
Colorado Springs and during this time
participated in and supported the
Sunday, May 30,1999...
�projects, plans and programs developed under Roy's
outstanding leadership and direction. Consequently, I
make you this promise -- that I will continue "to stay on
the course" as defined by Roy and his Board. Of course,
there may be need for an occasional "dog leg" to be taken
for unexpected circumstances, but as all airmen know a
"dog leg" is taken for a specific reason and always returns
back on course.
Our Association has been blessed with the diplomatic,
illustrious and solid leadership of Immediate Past
President Roy Owen and the people he and you chose to
conduct its affairs. Where, I ask, would we be without the
tireless efforts, devotion and dedication of people like Will
Lundy, our Historian; Jim Clements, Reunion Premier;
Tony Mastradone, Archival Researcher Supreme; Jerry
Folsom, Treasurer, 44th's Alan Greenspan; John Gibson
and Bob Lenhausen, our statement and "Delphic Oracles";
Pete Henry and Dick Butler, singularly distinctive
ambassadors from the 44th to the 2nd Air Division; Mel
Trager, Parliamentarian and Royal Master of Roberts Rules
of Order; Ed Dobson, Secretary, Asst. Historian and Ploesti
Cognitatus Extraordinare; Mike Yuspeh, current Reunion
Supremo; Tommy Shepherd and Art Hand, Membership
and Historical Hanchoes; Bob Brown, Director and Chief
Protestor who admonished me at our first meeting since
May 14,1943 with "Mike, you
what did you do
to us at Kiel?" (Bob and five other crews from the 67th
flew tail end Charlie and all were lost on that raid); Steve
Adams, U.K.'s gift to the 44th; Nancy Van Epps, our new
Secretary; Ray McNamara, loyal friend, Director, and
former Asst. Crew Chief on "Suzy Q" and "4Q2" (I flew in
both aircraft to Bourdeaux and Kiel May 14 and 17,1943);
Charlie Simpson, our Missileer Magnifacitatus; John
Milliken, loyal 506th advocate; and of course, all of their
wives, without whose "clearances" their contributions
would not have been possible. Roy and they deserve and
will have our sincerest thanks and eternal gratitude. They
have established a pattern of unselfish, voluntary,
productive and exemplary behavior that will serve as a
model for us to follow and emulate.
In summation, much has been accomplished, but much
remains to be done, among which are the following.
Completion of the Master Database Program (MDP)
For your information, the archival material (344 missions
and 8013 sorties), the Roll of Honor, and the clean-up are
completed. But, now what is urgently needed is for all
members to complete and send in their bio forms for
processing into the database. This is important, so please
let's fill them out and get this critical information into the
database. Incidentally, the 2nd Air Division at their May
Reunion in Austin, Texas endorsed the M D P for adoption
by all fourteen (14) groups and complimented the 44th
BGVA for once again taking the lead in this innovative but
very important endeavor. W e had 33 members from the
BGVA in attendance. Not a bad turnout, but in comparison
with the other thirteen (13) groups, we came in 8th in
attendees. This is not a noteworthy achievement in view
of our renowned reputation as being the leader and front
runner of all the B-24 groups. Hey, even the 93rd, our
longtime arch rival, topped us with a total of 77. It was a
well run and enjoyable function and I would urge you to
try and make at least one of the next 2nd AD affairs. Their
candle lighting memorial ceremony was deeply moving
and impressive and alone "worth the price of admission."
Membership Drive
I need not remind you that our ranks are not increasing.
As a matter of act, a reading of our Folded Wings column
illustrates the diminishing pool of members available. By
strengthening our Membership Committee, I submit we
can increase our membership by a) each member getting
a member (we have in the 44th BGVA Roster a list of 3,000
names, but less than 800 are paying members), b) Each
member enroll his children, grandchildren, relatives and/
or friends. They, in my view, are where our future lies. W e
need more Ed Dobsons, Steve Adams, Larry Herpels, Mark
Copelands, Pete Frizzells, etc. c) Recruit and enroll
members of the 44th S M W , the 44th Air Refueling
Squadron, and any other units attached, assigned or
otherwise connected to the 44th BG.
�Finances
I intend to continue Roy's pattern of Fiscal controls
to insure the financial solvency and stability of our
Treasury. In accordance with our Constitution and
By-Laws, I will appoint an Audit Committee to
conduct an annual audit of our Organization's
financial records and also engage an independent
accounting firm to conduct a biennial audit.
FOR SALE
Memorial/Museums/Displa vs
As you know, our efforts to establish some kind of a
memorial/museum at Shipdham have come to an
end. The Board and I will explore other possibilities
and keep you appraised of developments in this area.
Board Development and Reduction
The Board at its last meeting on May 30, 1999,
upgraded Dick Butler, the 44th group VP to the 2nd
Air Division, to a full voting position. This action,
plus the Constitutional Provision that adds our
Immediate Past President to the Board raises the total
of Board members to eleven (11). As Roy reported at
the General Meeting in Savannah, the Board at my
instigation has under active consideration a proposal
to reduce that total to nine (9) thus effecting greater
efficiency and lower costs.
Before closing, I want to say a few words about our
Immediate Past President, Roy Owen. He has been a
remarkable President. His accomplishments over
these past six (6) years have benefitted and enriched
the entire membership, and these accomplishments
will endure into the next century. He has been a gift
to the 44th BGVA. His are very big shoes to fill. I am
no Roy Owen, but be assured, you will get the best
that Ed "Mike" Mikoloski can give.
Thank you all for the trust, honor and confidence
you have bestowed upon me. See you in New Orleans
where Mike Yuspeh has arranged a fantastic, fabulous
and entertaining reunion.
A n original lithograph, 18" x 24", of the
Control Tower in Shipdham. It will surely bring
back memories of your true delight in seeing it,
time after time, when you m a d e it back
safely across the Channel.
Notify Gerald Folsom @
44th BGUA
P.O. Box 712287
Salt Lake City, UT 84171-2287
if you wish to own this treasure,
a piece of your o w n history.
(£Z]The price is $32.50/each.
9
�F R O M THE E D I T O R
Ruth W. Davis-Morse
Since I have never been in a B-24, and since nobody ever
shot at me, I have been devouring all the literature I can,
hoping to develop the terminology which, hopefully, will earn
me the respect of those experts (heroes) out there.
tfEddie Picardo sent me his book, Tales of a Tail Gunner, a
ocumentation of his fears as he did his job, the relief at
eing the English soil each time, the shock of seeing planes
3$> down around him, and the joy of completing his missions.
ile bombing an oil refinery in Hanover, Germany, a shell
exploded under the tail, so close the impact shoved him
ac ainst the gun handles and knocked the controls out of the
cc -pilot's hands. Thinking it was a direct hit in the tail, the
p«ot c a m e over the Intercom, "Go see what's left of
P/cardo." Fortunately he was fine.
fie
iowever on the return h o m e , he was so tired, he leaned
/sack and let his butt hang out the back end of the turret.
/Despite his heated suit, he was frostbitten. Although Eddie
/ was deeply religious, he admitted that he never saw any
/ guardian angels in the war, but he must have had at least
/ one. He said, "I would like to complain to him about letting
/ m e fall prey to a frostbitten butt."
I An
Anyone interested in getting a copy of Eddie's book can
\ contact
CO
him at P.O. Box 19732, Seattle, W A 98107.
Thanks for the book, Eddie. It gave m e another good
glimpse of life in the 44th.
Historian Will Lundy is updating the Roll of Honor.
Anyone wishing to purchase a copy m a y contact Will.
(See "Will Sez.)"
Q O T h e original hard copy cost was $29/each.
The price of the new one will be announced.
Any profits will be applied to the database.
D
10
m
�BAck Row: JACIV ChitisTy, RayivioNcI Lipptiu,
JAMES AIEXANCIER, WALTER B A N Us ANCI MARVIN JENSON.
FRONT: |j\bAN B R O W N , Gtoitqt Btitqtn,
RobERT JohNSON~PiLoT, ESTJE CuNNJNqhAM
(c'p) ANd MichAEl D'ANqslico, borvib.
Deb W o o d h o u s e of Springdale,
AR is looking for information on
her father's plane, Flak Dodging
Fanny a/k/a Prince, Princ-ass,
Princess. Her father w a s S/Sgt.
Laban W . Brown, 44th B G , 506
Sq. O n e of her father's most
dramatic missions, April 24, 1944,
was to the rail yard in H a m m ,
Germany. Intelligence had
learned that at that site would be
many tank cars full of aviation
fuel. Fanny's crew led the mission and destroyed the fuel. Flames shot well above the plane; and
verification of the success of the
mission w a s in the photographs which her father took.
Deb sent a picture of her father's crew, hoping that any members who see it will contact her. In
addition, she is hoping the plane has survived somewhere. Does anybody have any information?
She can be reached at 5618 Elmore Street, Springdale, A R 72762. Tel. (501) 442-8466; FAX (501)
973-9793; E-mail dgwoodhus@aol.com.
,_
i
TMe 44th Bomb Groun needs new members.
Vlon've been telling stories to uour children and grandchildren for gears: and when gou are gone, the m
dim. Right now the unbelievable experiences oi WWII are a fascination for all generations.
Sign up familg members to the Bomb Group, and beep the memories aline.
44th B O M B GROUP V€T€RRNS ASSOCIATION
NEW MEMBERSHIP
•Dues are $20. 'Outside U.S. $25
•Life Membership Dues 60 and over $125 'Life Membership Dues 4 0 to 5 9 $150
Join now eo you don't miss the next issue of the 8>-F3all Tails!
Name:
Dues Paid:
Donation Amount:,
Address:
(Tax Deductible)
Fax/e-Mail:
Phone:
MAIL TO:
44th B o m b Group Veterans Association
P.O. Box 712287
Salt Lake City, Utah 84171-2287
11
�A new generation
of aviation buffs
has risen in
France. Claude
Helias of western
France, north of
the Bordeaux
area, and a group
of enthusiasts are
locating burial
sites of 44th BG
casualties,
photographing
them, and making
information
available to
inquirers. The
group is
exchanging
information with
historians in
Norwich. Over the last few years they have
pieced together the story of the war, have
researched the RAF and USAAF losses,
collected relics, and now plan to open a
museum. Anyone wishing to contact this group
Tony Mastradone received the picture of the
can write to: Claude Helias, Ty-ArGroas, 2900
Queen from a neighbor who had been in the
Plomelin, France. Tel. 0033 02 98 94 25 61.
68th Sq. After 3 1/2 years overseas, he says
coming into New York Harbor on that
crowded but magnificent ship was a feeling
he will never forget. Nothing was more
touching to him than being back in the good
old U.S.A. and joining his parents.
The U. S. Army Military History Institute is
looking for WWII stories. Remembrances that
you send to me, you can also copy for this
library. Having visited the Carlisle Barracks
Melvin Murrack has been named as a Temporary
Library, I can assure you it is a good repository
Alternate to Dick Butler, for his position on the 2nd Air
of well organized information. It is important to
Division.
the 44th that you fill out the information for the
Database; but when you have done that,
consider also placing your memories at the
Carlisle Barracks, Carlisle, PA 17013-5008. A
Ruth W. Davis-Morse
hundred years from now your great great
2041 Village Circle East
York, PA 17404
grandchildren might be looking you up, and you
Tele: (717) 846-8948 • Fax: (717) 767-6194 should make it easy for them to find you.
e-mail: R E W D M @ P R O D I G Y . N E T
THOUGHTS ON THE
QUEEN MARY
12
�IfotoetTmnQg
July, 1999
Died 12/3/98 67"'Squadron 34258795. Herbert was a
member of the L. C. Smith crew, a gunner,
which arrived in Africa shortly before the Ploes
mission. His pilot became a POW on 16 August
^ SQHerbert then flew with
1943> crm bmkm
various other crews as a spare. His last mission
was with R C. Griffith on 8 April, 1944.
CARSON, HERBERT D. JR
FIELDS, LEEH Died 10/8/87 19180515 66"' Sq. Gunner. Flew first mission
on 30Jan, 1944 with Lt. Eldridge's crew. Later,
on 7"' mission as member of R E. Harleman
crew, was shot down, badly wounded, later
repatriated.
GLASS, ALBERT W. Died 6/3/98 68"' Sq. 0-727333 Lt. Glass was one of the
original combat men, a bombardier, flew his
first mission on 7 Nov. 1942 as a member of the
N. W. Sullivan crew, thefirstmission of the 44th
BG. On 27Jan 1943, this same crew was shot
down, their plane exploded, with Lt. Glass being
the only survivor when his parachute somehow
opened. He was captured, severely wounded,
with a leg having to be amputated. Later he was
repatriated to the U.S. He flew four missions.
HAZELTON, WALTER Died 5/30/99 66"' Sq. 12035280 He was one of this
squadron's original combat gunners, flew his
and the 44"' 'sfirstmission on 7 Nov. 1942 as a
member ofR E. Miller's crew. Hefinishedhis
tour of 25 missions plus four additional ones on
17 July, 1943. Target was to Naples, a member
ofLt. Tom Scrivner's crew.
HINMAN, HOWARD L Died Date Unknown.. 67"' Sq. Lt. Hinman, a 1st Pilot, flew his first
mission on 24 Dec. 1944, the day that the 44"' BG
put up 61 aircraft, the most planes in one mission
On 16 Jan. 1945 he and his crew were forced to
bail out over France, was seriously injured, and
later returned to the U.S. He flew 5 missions in
that period.
, LEONARD H. Died Date Unknown.. 67"'Sq. 0-2057334 Lt. Louik flew his first
mission as a member of J. Steele's crew on 13
Jan, 1945. He flew his last mission and last of
the 44th 's on 25 April 1945, completing 30
missions in his tour..
13
J
�KREBS,
ANDREWJACKSON
Died 6/99.
2nd Lt. 0-699738 68"' Sq. Lt. Krebs was a copilot on the W. H. Barry crew that joined the Group
in mid March, 1944. They were on their first
mission on 8 April when their formation was hit by
a heavy concentration of enemy aircraft, were shot
doivn along with 10 others. This was the worst bss
of the war by the 44"' BG. Lt. Krebs and eight of his
crew survived to become POWs.
MC CAMMOND, JAMES A.
Died
Unknown
68"'
Sq. Date
11040993
Sgt. McCammond flew his first
mission as a gunner on Capt. Cramer's crew on 4
February 1943. James had been a ground crewman
and volunteered for combat. His second mission
proved to be his last when the M. C. Howell crew
was lost on 14 May, 1943 - Kiel. He was captured
and was a POW for the duration.
MC KINNEY, DONALD W.
th
Date Unknown
67Died
Sq. 35662959
Sgt. McKinney was a gunner
on E. F. Taylor's crew when they flew to Africa on 16
Sept. 1943. Hisfirstmission was the fateful
mission to Weiner Neustadt, Austria on 1 October
43. His second and last mission was 20 Oct. 43,
again on Taylor's crew as a belly gunner. He then
was grounded, was assigned the duties of an
armorer and transferred to the 506th Squadron.
MORGAN^THALER, THEODORE J. Died 4/12/99 at the age of 89. 68lh Sq. Ted enlisted in April, 1942, attende
Radio School at Scott Field. His transportation to
England was on the Louis Pasteur ship, landing at
Liverpool. He served in the Ordnance section until
June, 1944 and then transferred to the 50h Station
Complement. He attended an anti-aircraft school in
Cornwall. At war's end he was a passenger in A/C
#44-50612 that departed Shipdham on 22 May,
1945. He was discharged Oct. 13, 1945. Ted was
actively luorking at the time of his death.
SHARRETT, DOYLE V.
Died 12/8/98
806"' Chemical Company (Attached). Survived by
his wife, Ada.
TEBBE, LOUISA.
Died 16 Feb. 1999.
68th Squadron 37148463. Joined the 68h Squadron
on 3 August, 1944 andfleiu hisfirstmission as
Waist Gunner with the Ray Boggs crew on 12
August. Hefleu' his last mission with the W. R.
Eriksen creio on 25 April, 1945, his 26th mission.
He flew home on 28 May 1945 with the Boggs' crew.
WARD, JAMES B. JR.
Died 2/9/99
506"' Sq. 19092289. Gunner for the Leo S.
Bielinski crew. They left Boston on He De France, 5
days to England, unescorted, arriving in Dec. 1944.
This crew, intact, completed about 20 missions with
theirfirstone being 14 Feb. 1945 and last one 25
April, 1945. They return to the U.S. flying A/C 4450500 via the Azores, Gander and to Mitchell Field
in June 1945.
A
14
�44TH BOMB GROUP VETERANS ASSOCIATION BOARD
President: Edw. K. "Mike" Mikoloski f66J*
626 Smithfield Road # 7 0 2
N. Providence. Rl 02904
Phone/Fax: f401J 353-0144
Immediate Past President: Roy W. Owen T506J
6304 Meadowridge Drive
Santa Rosa. CA 95409-5839
Phone: (101) 538-4726 Fax: T707J 538-1212
e-mail: rowen@sonic.net
Secretary: Nancy L Van EPPS fHq. SqdnJ*
13922 River Road
Pensacola. FL 32507
Phone/Fax: T850J 492-2041
Treasurer: Gerald fJerryJ Folsom T506J
3582 East Dover Hill Road
Salt Lake City. U T 84121-5527
Phone f80IJ 733-7371 Fax: f80U 942-9988
e-mail: 44thbgva@mail.xmission.com
Historian: C.W. "Will" Lundy f67J
3295 North " H " Street
San Bernardino. CA 92405-2809
Phone/Fax: T909J 882-2441
e-mail: willundy@Juno.com
P.O. Box 315. Bridgeport. CA 93517 fSumJ
Phone/Fax: T760J 932-7349
44th Group Vice President to 2nd ADA
Richard D. Butler T506/67J
16494 Wason Wheel Drive
Riverside. CA 92506
Phone T909J 780-7421 Fax: T909J 780-1459
Director: Robert J. Lehnhausen T68J
2540 Benton Court
Peoria. IL 61615-8838
Phone/Fax: T309J 243-1952
Director: Michael "Mike" Yuspeh T506J
7214 Sardonyx St.
New Orleans. LA 70124-3509
Phone: T504J 283-3424
e-mail: mikeyuspeh@worldnet.att.net
Membership Co-Chair: Search
Art Hand f66J
517 Elm Street
Paris. IL 61944
Phone/Fax: T217J 463-5905
e-mail: butch@tigerpaw.com
Membership Co-Chair: Roster
Tom Shepherd T66/67J
10597 Cambrooke Cove
Collierville. TN 38017
Phone: f901J 854-6558 Fax: T901J 853-4229
e-mail: tshephe I @midsouth.rr.com2
Director f67J Archivist
Anthony "Tony" Mastradone
91II Tuckerman Street
Lanham. M D 20706-2709
Phone/Fax: f30lJ 577-1487
e-mail: mast@clres.com
Director f44th SMWJ
Charles G. Simpson
P.O. Box 281
Brechenridge. C O 80424
Lanham. M D 20706-2709
Phone/Fax: T970J 453-0500
e-mail: AFMISSILEERS@comPuserve.com
U.K. Representative: Steve Adams
28 Bassingham Rd.
Norwich, England NR3 2QT
Phone/Fax: 011-44-1603-400221
e-mail: s.p.adams@btinternet.com
ASSOCIATION MAILING ADDRESS:
44th BGVA
P.O. Box 712287
Salt Lake City. UT 84171-2287
�by William Robertie that no 44th BG History
book was available to obtain that data. So I
set out on m y o w n to locate military records
of the 44th BG, buying three microfilm rolls
from Maxwell AFB, Alabama.
WILL SEZ
^
^
For this issue, please permit m e to discuss
the history of this B o m b Group and m y
efforts to obtain it. To do this I must explain
h o w I got involved.
I joined the good old 44th BG at Barksdale
Field the last of May. 1942. after completing
an aircraft mechanics school at Keesler
Field. I enlisted in the Army Air Corps with
the intentions of flying in combat via the
back door. I was assigned to a 67th Squadron
on Sgt. George Baccash's crew, and worked
as a mechanic for him for nearly two years.
In early 1943, the Group had lost several
planes and crews without any replacements.
Several combat m e n had also been grounded
from injuries, frostbite, etc. So a call was
m a d e for volunteers from the ground
personnel and I w a s one of those that
answered it. For here was m y opportunity
to take the W a r to the enemy. By this time,
though, it was obvious to all that the chances
of surviving 25 missions was very slim at best.
These volunteers knew it, but went ahead
anyway - True Heroes.
After locating the full names of these m
found further data that was most interesting,
and then concentrated on m y 67th Squadron
history and operations records. This led to
the compiling of a 67th Squadron history
book which I sent to some of m y buddies with
w h o m I had been in contact and they urged
m e to dig out more.
Today I am still at it, but there has to
change! Both W e b b Todd and Norman Kiefer
have produced their books on the history of
their Squadrons, and Steve A d a m s is
working on the final Squadron, the 66th. So
the 44th n o w has one of, if not the best
records of any Liberator group. N o w there is
little else that is available, since Tony
Mastradone had copied all of the Sortie
reports found at the archives in Washington.
DC.
Is our work finished at last?? Not really
W h y ? Because of the world wide web. It
seems that the public has discovered that
they can contact various sites on-line with
information about World War II. leading to
the 44th BG. N o w these family members can
find help in locating data about their dear
Again I was rejected. So finally I had to be ones w h o served with the 44th BG. Larry
Herpel. bless him. is n o w busy fielding these
less than content as a mechanic. Nearly
requests and is using m y Roll of Honor Book
everyone of m y friends that volunteered
to obtain m a n y answers for them.
were lost in combat, with scarcely any that
Occasionally I have additional info not in
survived in P O W camps.
that book, so I furnish it.
In 1972, Irene returned home to Norwich and
But the best part is still to come... No
learned that there w a s a n e w library
w e have entered all of the combat records
containing an American Memorial Room,
from the Sortie Reports - nearly 8,500 of
and that anyone could donate a book or
them, individual data about any combat
books in honor of friends or crewmates.
m a n is n o w just a few clicks away. So is the
W h e n I needed to get correct data about
data about our planes. So w e are off to a good
several of these m e n for the books, I was told
start. Start? Yes!
16
�Arlo's c o m p u t e r p r o g r a m w a s carefully
conceived to permit almost a n unlimited
amount of information a n d data to be m a d e
available, "hanging" or attaching it to any
appropriate spot o n the basic information
data. For instance, data from individual
airman's diary can be attached to this man's
Sortie Report for that mission, a n d for all of
his missions. M y w a r r o o m is filled with
supplemental data such as this. N o w Arlo
furnished us the program which can utilize
all of this.
Back in the late 1980's. I compiled and had
printed 160 copies of the Roll of H o n o r and
Casualties book. I h a d to hold it to that
number as I could not afford to pay for a
larger printing. T h e former 44th H M G Board
refused to finance it even though any profit
would go to them. Ever since that n u m b e r
was sold, I have planned to m a k e a second
printing to correct m a n y errors a n d to add
so m a n y personal a c c o u n t s that y o u
members have supplied to m e over the years.
Jim Hamilton, an associate, recently offered
to help m e with a n e w printing by scanning
the pages of m y old manuscript a n d then
placing it into a n e w format. In addition, he
is underway in scanning m a n y photos of
crashes, etc. to be used in this b o o k as well.
program. Would you prefer paperback over
hard cover? The original printing and
binding was about $27, but surely more with
inflation. Could I ask those of you interested
in that book to send m e a card or letter to
m y s u m m e r address shown in the Board
section of this newsletter? It will help greatly
in helping m e decide h o w to handle these
records n o w on hand.
A related subject is the future of Arlo's
program n o w that w e have our basic data
entered. Of course, this work can be done
only with considerably more money that I
personally think should come from grants
and other sources. You, the members have
financed most of the money so far, either
through dues or donations and it would not
be fair to ask you to dig deeper. Providing
that grant money is received, then I will have
the answer of what to do with your records
that I still retain.
I do not have the time nor the energy to w
m u c h further with our history. I have
neglected m y family far too long already and
would like to have time to do other things like fishing in the lake 200 feet from m y
summer cabin when I get up there in a few days.
Remember those letters!
TVttl Acietdcf,
With the text now in new format and back
into m y computer, I had been planning to
add the m a n y stories that you m e m b e r s have
furnished m e after the first b o o k w e n t to
press. But wait! Wouldn't they go just as well
into Arlo's c o m p u t e r p r o g r a m ? Yes,
obviously, and then that information would
be available worldwide, not just in a book.
Too, the b o o k w o u l d be smaller a n d less
costly.
Now could I ask you to give me some kind of
an idea of the n u m b e r of books to be printed?
H o w m a n y of y o u w o u l d consider
purchasing one if the cost could be held to a
minimum and with any profit being set aside
to help with cost of data entry into Arlo's
rift
Now could I ask you lo give me some kind
of an idea oflhe number of books to be
printed? How many ofyou would consider
purchasing one if the cost could be held to
a minimum and with any profit being set
aside to help with cost of data entry into
Arlo's program? Would you prefer
paperback over hard cover?
�LEFT T O Riqhr: Roy O W E N , IMMECJIATE
P A S T PRESJCJENT; MJCIIAEI Mikoloski,
PREsidENT; CERALCJ FOISOM, TREASURER.
i M
^r^^^w
W
^B
—•—-fl
1
;
*
'
i
SECOND
AIR DIVISION
ASSOCIATION
REUNION
-
Thirty-two members of the 44th BG rubbed shoulders with fellow airmen at an
extravaganza at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Austin, Texas. Alongside the Congress Bridge
where one million six hundred thousand
bats dwell, (yes, bats, and the count is
correct) the 2nd Air Division held their
annual get-together, complete with awards
and certificates of recognition to groups
w h o work to perpetuate the history of this
esteemed organization.
Unceremoniously, President Roy Owen
symbolically 'passed the gavel' to his
successor, Mike Mikolosi. It was
anticlimactic. W h e n there should have been
a standing ovation, there was quiet
conversation. But a new era has dawned.
Mike promised to give ALL to keep the 44th
afloat in the tradition of his predecessor.
At the 44th BG dinner, all members
introduced themselves, and relayed a little
of their history. The last speaker was Col.
Goodman Griffin, w h o brought the house
down with his description of vague and
uncertain assignments at a time when the
country was mobilizing for WWII. It seems
that frequently others knew his destinations
better than he.
Will LuNdy, 44TII BGVA hisTORJAN ANd wirE IRENE.
18
�PERRy M O R S E , WAJST G U N N E R , 506Tk
SoUAdRON STANds UNdER AUSTJN'S
BATMobiU, THE Ciiy's M O N U M E N T TO
ThEIR iNSECT'EATiNq NJqhT HUNTERS.
Six hundred fifty-three airmen and wives, representing fifteen groups, came together to
remember the toughest assignment that was ever given to America's youth. The country C A N N O T
be allowed to forget. The 2nd A D A needs the support of all groups for the monumental projects it
has undertaken to preserve the memory of their great contribution to victory in WWII.
•TOrrTWWWflff
44TH BOMB GROUP (H)
THE B-24 FLYING EIGHTBRLLS
14TH COMBAT WING - 8TH RIB FORCE - WWII
SHIPDHRM, ENGLBND 7 NOD 1942 - ?5 MBY 1945
344 COMBAT MISSIONS - 53B ENEMY R/C DESTROYED
8889 SORTIES DEIIUEBED 18,988 TONS OF BOMBS
WITH 153 B/C LOSSES
TWO PRESIDENTIAl.UNJT CITATIONS
KIFIi GERMANY
14MBY, 1945
PEOESTI.RUMHN.A - I A u S l ^ V . G H T COW LEDEL ATTACK ON OIL REFINERIES
The MacDill Memorial Park
entrance matter original
design sketch for the plaque.
(See next page).
COLONEl LEON W. JOHNSON - MEOBL OF HONOR FOR PLOEST. RAID LEADERSHIP
,™.., ointinnis IRNIIARY 1941 MOUEU 10 BRRKSnHLl
LIBEBRTOBS
19
�The MacDill Memorial
Our "Man in Tampa," Harry Snead, has notified us thatfinally,after two years of
delay for construction of a memorial wall, the dedication ceremonies for the MacDill A
Memorial Park took place on January 19, 1999. Unfortunately, after all of his hard
work in designing, arranging for the casting and placement of our 44th Bomb Croup
Memorial plaque, the Memorial Park Executive Committee failed to give Harry sufficien
notice of me dedication to allow us to form a regional 44th Bomb Croup attendance in
the manner we had for the Barksdale Memorial Dedication. We owe our thanks to Harry
for all his work on the memorial plaque and for representing us all at the dedication
ceremonies.
Harry took pictures of our plaque and the Memorial Park entrance marker and has
sent a copy of the original design sketch so all of us with " weak eyes " can make out the
insignia and text inscribed on the plaque (previous page). Harry will bejoining us in
Mew Orleans, give him a 'thank you'pat on the back.
PROGRAM
Welcome
Capt Jeff Smith
Invocation
Ch (LtCol) John Stefero
National Anthem
SSgt Terr! Flores-Payne
Flyover
6 ARW
The Vision
Col Charles Ohllnger, III
US AF Retired
The Foundation
Col Ron Buchert
US AF Retired
Mr. Joseph Voskerlchian
The Community
Mayor Dick Greco
Closing Remarks
Brig Gen James Soligan
20
MacDill Memonal Park wil be a plac«tomemonalae
ami commemorate ovef fifty years offlyingat MacDHt Air
Force Base. In a park-like setting ot Irees. benches,
and walkways, three aircraft of the type which actually
flew at MacDill are displayed The merit .s to rvghhghi
aircraft from across the many years of flying ".story
Including the post-war/cold war years, the Vietnam War
years, and the Gulf War
AIRCRAFT FLOWN AT MACDILL
1940-4'
1941-May 42
1943-1945
June 1942^*3
B-26 "Marauder" Bombei
1947-48
P/F-51 "Mustang" Fighter
1945-48
B-29 "Superfortress" Bomber
1950-51
B-50 "Superfortress" Bomber
1951-62
KC-97AirRefueler
1951-63
B-47'Stratojet" Bomber
1956
RB-47"Strato(et* Bomber
1962-64
F-84 "Thunderstreak" Fighter
1962-70
T-33 Trainer
1964-82
F-4 "Phantom" Fighter
1968-72
B-57 "Intruder* Bomber
1979-93
F-16 "Falcon' Fighter"
KC-135 •Stralotanker" Air Refueier 1996-Presenl
B-18 "Bolo" Bomber
B-17 "Flying Fortress" Bomber
�THE TIN GOOSE
By
Col. Roy W. Owen, USAF (Ret)
Counting back, the year must have been 1933, and we were living in Burbank,
California. I was nine years old, and in the dawning of what was to be a long love
affair with the airplane.
My life was filled with dreams of aerial dogfights and action filled pictures of
wingers in screaming dives, strafing the Hun with hammering machine guns. Each
week represented six days of suspense until Saturday arrived and I could spend my
dime at the Loma Theater to see the matinee episode of the "Tailspin Tommy"
serial.
Countless times I had hurtled into the air, the engine of
my wooden orange box fighter roaring and the slipstream
whining in the wing struts. Hunched behind the
broomstick barrels of my machine guns, I would meet the
enemy in glorious looping and turning combat (making
machine gun sounds that only boys can duplicate) until,
riddled with holes and trailing smoke, they would spiral
down to the final crash.
Our house on Cedar Street, to my great fortune, was just
a short distance from grand Central Air Terminal. My only
touch with the real world of airplanes was the same then
as it is now; that magic pull in the sound of an overhead
airplane that invariably turns my eyes to the sky. From my
front yard, it was a passing parade as I watched them in
the landing pattern.
One of my favorites was the great transport of the era, the
Ford Tri-motor. Nicknamed "The Tin Goose," there was an
awesome beauty in those broad, sturdy wings, corrugated
metal fuselage and powerful engines as they flew through
the San Fernando Valley sky.
Where had they been? What strange and far-away places
Roy O W E N , AqE 9, AT Edisorg
did they reach when they left? What kind of rich and
GRAMMAR School. BuRbANk, C A
mysterious people were able to travel in that beautiful
1955.
machine? And what of the pilots? What kind of superman would be able to master and fly an airplane with three engines? These
questions burned in my mind as I would watch each slow, graceful turn toward the
final approach to landing.
21
�/ soon came to realize that every afternoon, shortly after my arrival home from school
great airplane would come overhead on the way to landing. To my mind, it was always the
same Tri-Motor, and each day we had a rendezvous over my front lawn. It became a ritual
waving and wonderment for me.
Then came THE DAY, that great day! I was just running from the front door to join the ba
game in the vacant lot across the street, when I heard her coming. I stopped momentarily
wave, by now force of habit, and started again. One stride, and I stopped. For an instant
stood frozen; did I see an arm extended from the pilot's window waving in return? One look
back into the sky told me. There was no mistaking it now; a slow, back and forth wave
Startled for an instant into immobility at this wondrous sight, I then began to wave wildl
return. For a few seconds, the arm continued to wave and I felt a flood of astounded joy
Then the arm was withdrawn into the cockpit and it was over.
I stood transfixed. Did it really happen? There could be no doubt; I had seen it with my
own eyes. For a few sweet
seconds a real pilot in a real
airplane had chosen me, and we
had made silent contact!
Now, with the memories of a
flying career past, that vision
remains. Still warm and vivid, I
bring it out occasionally to savor
again; the pilot of a big "Tin
Goose" waving acknowledgment
(and perhaps encouragement) to a
small fellow pilot. A camaraderie
fully understood only by those
known as Aviator.
Note: After a 30 year U.S. Air
Force career that spanned flying B24's to the SR-71, Col. Owen
retired to Chico, Calif, where he
taught Political Science for 12
years at California State University.
He now resides in Santa Rosa,
Calif, with his wife Lolly where he
writes feature articles on Aviation
History and Public Administration.
Col. Roy O W E N , AqE 46,
suiTEd up FOR A MACH 1 FliqhT m
THE SR-71. OcTobER, 1970,
BEAIE AFB,
CA.
�Ford Trimotor - A Golden Age Classic
One cannot discuss the Golden Age of Aviation with out acknowledging the Ford Trimotor. It was a
key aircraft in the development of modern air travel. July 7,1929 Transcontinental Air Transport
(TAT) later became T W A began transcontinental passenger service from San Diego to N e w York.
They used Ford Trimotors for day travel and passenger trains for night travel, transporting famous
passengers as Charles Lindberg and Amelia Earhart. The Ford Trimotor was based on the general
layout of the highly successful Fokker F.VII/3m (q.v.) three-engine high-wing monoplane, except
that the Ford was all-metal with corrugated metal skinning and was tagged with the nicknamed
'Tin Goose". It's strong construction and flexible design m a d e it a work horse in many countrys and
a variety of power plants in the 300/450 horse power were installed on the Trimotor. It was
originally designed by William B. Stout, who, in 1966, reintroduced the type for production as the
Bushmaster 2000, having modernized the design to meet modern-day requirements in terms of
safety, comfort and operational facilities as a simple and cheap transport aircraft for use from
small grass fields
The above was taken from: http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Lab/4515/ford.htm
The 8-Ball Tails©
Official Journal of The 44th Bomb Group Veterans Association, Inc. ©
Compiled, written and published tri yearly at 2041 Village Circle East, York, PA, by Ruth W. Davis-Morse, Editor. Printed and mailed Bulk Rate at Salt Lake
City, UT under U S P S Permit #6923. All original written material such as letters, stories, excerpts from personal diaries or memoirs, drawings and photos
submitted to this journal will become the property of the 44th Bomb Group Veterans Association and will be copyright protected except where noted. The text
and photos are otherwise reproduced from official U S A A F and USAF documents and photos which have been released for publication. Permission is granted for
the contents of this journal to be reproduced specifically for personal archives. Otherwise, copyright material herein may be reproduced by the journal of other
incorporated nonprofit veterans organizations so long as this publication is properly credited and prior permission is granted by the editor.
Those submitting letters, stories and photos to the editor or historian must do so with the understanding that this material will most likely be published in th
journal as a matter of interest to the members/subscribers of the Association and this journal. While every attempt will be made to answer all of the material
received, there is no explicit or implied guarantee that an answer will be provided or published. Except for specific requests for the return of original documents
and photos, all material submitted will become the property of the 44th Veterans Association, Inc., or its successors.
Due to space limitations and to ensure the clarity and brevity of submitted material, the Publisher/Editor reserves the editorial license to add, cut or otherwi
modify all submitted material so long as the original context of the material is maintained.
23
®
�The Pilot's 23rd Psalm
By Capt. J.D. Olive
1. As the telephone operator wh(
exploits in the air.
(wron^numbers so is he w h o extolleth his
2. H e shall enlarge upon the dahgers of his adventure^, but in m y sleeve shall be heard
the tinkling of silvery laughter.\
3. Let not thy familiarity with airplanes breed contempt, lest thou become exceedingly
careless at a time w h e n great carte is necessary to thy weu-being.
4. My son, obey the law and observe\prudence. Spin thou not lower than 1500 cubits
nor stunt above thine o w n domicile^ for the hand of the law is, heavy and reacheth far
and wide throughout the land.
5. Incur not the wrath of thy Commander by breaking the rules; foij he who maketh right
hand circuits shall be cast out into utter darkness.
6. Let not thy prowess in the air persuade thee that others cannot do as thou doest; for
he that showeth off in public places is an abomination to his fellow pilots.
7. More praiseworthy is heiwho can touch\tail-skid and wheels to earth at one time,
than he w h o loopeth and rolleth till someNJamsel stares in amazement at his daring.
8. He w h o breaketh an undercarriage in a for eq landing, may, in time, be forgiven, but
he w h o taxieth into another plane shall be
>pised forever.
9. Beware the m a n who/taketh off withoutJookinb behind him, fo/t
him, verily I say ujrto/you his days are/lumberea.
alth in
10. Clever m e n take W reproofs of their instructor in the sarne wise, one like unt
another with witty jest, confessing their dumbnle: and^egarding themselves/with
humor. Yet ihey tryjgajjvprofiting/by his wise iounsel and taking not offense at
aught that/has been said.
11. As a postage stamp which lacketh glue, so are the words of cautiorrtef a fool; they
stick not^oing in one ear and put the other, for there is nothiri^between to stop
them.
12. M y son, hearken unto m y teaching and forsake not the/laws of prudence, for the
reckless shall not inhabitthe earth for long.
13. Hear instruction and be vlise, and refusejt^otfthus wilt thou fly safely; length of
days and a life of peace shalU3e_iido^rrunto thee.
�Mail Call
[3D
The Close Call
From: Forrest S. Clark
7 0 3 Duffer Lane
Kissimmee, FL 3 4 7 5 9
We were having a sort of reunion in the officer's club at
Shipdham base. I had just returned to the base from France and
had completed my missions and was awaiting transfer back to
the States.
I had been shot down and had escaped from Switzerland
into France in the closing days of December, 1944.1 got back
to the base in the early days of January, 1945.
My companion was a Lt. Bill Partridge of the 44th who
was a friend from my high school days back in the United
States. He had been assigned to the 44th and it was the first
time we had seen each other since school days.
We had some close calls in the skies over Germany on
missions and w e were both looking forward to completing our
tours and making it back home. Bill and I had been to Alconbury
I believe a few days on a leave.
It was a happy reunion and he had invited me to the
Officer's Club for a celebration over a few drinks and talk of
home.
I recall saying to him that w e would both make it and w e
should plan to meet at a favorite place in the United States. He
pledged he would and said the only thing that could stop him
now was a stray piece of German flak or a fighter.
It was rather late at night by the time w e met after the
long English twilight. There was the usual exchange of drinks
and jokes.
I remember somewhere during the evening w e both decided
to drink a toast to our homecoming. No sooner had we raised
our glasses than out of the darkness came the sound of the
steady put-put of a German buzz bomb.
I can still hear that sound as all who heard the buzz bombs
will never forget. It sounded closer and closer with a frightful
put-put, then it cut off and w e knew it was coming down
somewhere very close to the officer's club. I remember w e ran
outside and flung ourselves flat on the damp English turf. W e
lay there waiting.
There was a tremendous explosion, or so it sounded to us,
and a flash of light. The buzz bomb had landed in a farm field
adjacent to the Club, digging a considerable crater. In a second
it was over.
W e looked at each other and I remember one of us said, "I
guess we will make it after all."
Another 100 feet and that Jerry bomb would have landed
directly on us and the club. I don't recall the date of this
episode, but it must have been in early January, 1945, perhaps
during the period when Hitler was sending the buzz bombs over
England. Records will show some fell near enough to the
vicinity of Norwich to scare many, including some of us at the
44th.
W e did make it despite a Jerry bomb that tried very hard to
spoil our reunion.
(3D
From: Will Lundy, Historian
44th B G V A
Dear Chuck Wagner,
Sure was good to see and read your article in the last issue
of 8-Ball Tails. It is articles like yours that add so much to the
publication, gets more interest. I've admired your contributions
to the 68th Squadron newsletter, and have learned much more
about the 68th Squadron, as well as our time on the base at
Shipdham, and enjoyed your story.
I will enclose a paper covering the attacks on Shipdham
during our 31 months of "occupation" there, which confirm that
Barrett was correct - it was a JU-88 which dropped those
butterfly bombs. Steve Adams, who is busily compiling a
history of the 66th Bomb Sq. was searching through some 2nd
Division microfilm, came across this page, copied it and sent it
to me. The page also tells about one other attack, as well as
one that was in question - much ado and activity, but
evidently, no evidence found about that one attack.
You asked if there might have been any other butterfly
bombs (UXBs) found after the bombing, something similar to
the experience of you 68thers. Must tell you that indeed it did
happen again, and this was in the 67th Squadron area. Like
you, w e were cautioned to walk ONLY on paved surfaces, DO
NOT CROSS open fields between the various dispersal. W e
were most cautious at first, but as time passed, we walked
from our dispersal across to our friends in the adjoining ones.
Later, we forgot about those darned things. But even though
we had searched most of that area closely, we DID MISS one.
Like your's, one of our gang saw something, also in a clump of
weeds, so close to the main taxiway and to the entrance to our
dispersal that each time a plane taxied into or out of that
dispersal entrance, the propellers were cutting the air within
two to three feet of that bomb. At first we thought that it was
�a "dud" because it had not been set off by the noise or
vibrations of the propellers, but I, personally, was most
surprised when the bomb disposal squad placed sandbags
around the bomb, moved back and then shot the darned thing. I
was amazed at the size of the explosion! People could have
been killed it someone had set it off!
I believe that I'll send a copy of this page on to Roy O w e n
for information in case he wants to use the "facts" dug up by
Steve.
Sorry you won't make it to San Antonio - this reunion
should be a good sone.
All the best,
Will Lundy
04:45 hrs 21 April 44.
Action taken to repel attacks: none. E/A flying at probably
8000 ft, weather clear with no moon. There were frequent
alerts during the night. During all clear period, a lone enemy
intruder dropped two canisters of 10 lb anti-personnel bombs in
open ground just outside the gas dump area and dispersals in
the N W part of the airfield (66th and 67th Sqdn. areas). E/A
flying from N W to SE. Both canisters were found a mile or more
from where the bombs dropped. Thirty-two out of 34 exploded
or U X B 7 s have been found. Damage negligible: damage two
land huts, one fragment hole in fuel service trailer. Efficiency of
present defense plans - good. There is no doubt the enemy
knew the location of the airdrome.
Raids on 8th Air Force Stations by German aircraft.
SHIPDHAM STA 115.
2249 hrs - 23rd August 43.
One JU-88 - three 50 KG demolition bombs and three buckets
(64) Butterfly bombs on lighted airdrome. Slight damage to
perimeter track by one Butterfly bomb and lighting on runway
made temporarily unserviceable for 12 hrs. No casualties.
03:40 hrs. 23 May 44.
One E/A believed to be JU 88, flying at an estimated height of
between 500 and 1000 ft w a s seen by a combat crew gunner
to drop what he first thought was a bomb. A moment later it
opened up into what he thought to be a parachute and dropped
about 400 yards to the North. He was unable to communicate
immediate with the control tower as no transportation was
available. About a half hour after the incident, it was reported
to flying control officer, w h o in turn notified the stations
Defense office, the latter called out the alert Defense
Detachment of 50 men and made a very careful search of the
area with no success. T w o hours later 300 men searched the
area finding nothing. The plane was flying now north to south
at an estimated height of 500 to 1000 feet. It was also seen
by three other members of the crews. The sky was mottled
with clouds but not raining. The enemy undoubtedly knows the
location of our station.
This report is based on hearsay evidence of one man and
may not be true. He is very positive that he saw a parachute
open and descend to the ground. A thorough search was made
for a parachute, parachute flare, land mine or any evidence
which would sustain the attack. This search was made by
personnel on this station, Home guard and Civilian authorities.
John WolbARST of i\\i 464TII Sub-DtpoT w'n\\ CANNJSTER ol
"DAisy C U T T E R " boivibs dnoppid ON field, 21 ApRil, 1 9 4 4 .
26
�I have contacted the family of my friend and learned he has
a brother still living in N e w York. Through this brother and a
surviving sister of Sgt. Sofferman I was able to visit his
gravesite in Union Field Cemetery, Long Island, NY. I have since
lost track of Lt. Pinder and do not know if any others on that
crew survived and are still living. If they are I hope they read
this and are able to contact m e with the rest of the story.
There are still unanswered questions that need to be
completed not only for the surviving family of Sgt. Sofferman.
W h y did Pinder and Sofferman not make contact with one of
the existing escape routes at the time?
Perhaps w e shall never know.
SD
Forrest S. Clark
7 0 3 Duffer L a n e
K i s s i m m e e , FL 3 4 7 5 9
To 44th BG News,
A fifty year search recently that took the searcher into the
secret files of the Belgian resistance movement and the
dreaded German S S troops has finally revealed the story of one
8th Air Force crew that parachuted into enemy territory in
January, 1944.
That crew w a s that of Lt. Harold Pinder of the 44th Bomb
Group, 67th Squadron, shot down during the Frankfurt mission
over the Ardennes of Belgium on 29 January 1944. Among the
crew members w a s a very good friend and fellow crewmate of
mine, Sgt. Abe Sofferman, radio operator.
By a twist of fate, I could have been on that mission. Sgt.
Sofferman and I were called to go as radio operators but Sgt.
Sofferman volunteered in m y place and went with Lt. Pinder's
crew. It was a fateful decision. I survived and m y friend went
down. Lt. Pinder's B-24 Liberator w a s shot down by FW-190s
near Wibrin in the Ardennes where later w a s to be one of the
greatest battles of WWII. Pinder and Sofferman parachuted and
survived to be taken into hiding by the resistance forces in that
portion of Belgium. For 32 days they went into hiding from
place to place as the resistance evaded the Germans. The
Belgian resistance fighters were engaged in sabotage of
German facilities at the time. Pinder and Sofferman were with
these forces.
Some date in the last days of February, 1944, an informer
gave away their hiding place to the Germans. Within hours, the
hiding place in a villa or farmhouse w a s surrounded by German
troops and a battle began.
Sgt. Sofferman w a s armed and tried to make an escape
from the hideout but w a s shot down by the Germans and killed
on the spot. Pinder w a s taken prisoner and survived the war.
His hometown was listed as Pittsburgh, PA.
I visited Sofferman's parents in the Bronx, NY in 1945, but
at that time did not know of his fate.
It was not until nearly 50 years later and after repeated
inquiries with contact in Belgium that I received a letter from a
former resistance fighter telling the true story of his death at
the hands of the Germans. Most of this information w a s taken
from the records and secret files of the Belgian partisan army
and various eyewitnesses.
fiD
Deno C. Tulini
5 0 1 14th A v e n u e
R o c k Falls, IL 6 1 0 7 1
Dear Ms. Davis-Morse,
I am writing in regards to the article on the Saga of
Southern Comfort. I w a s a waist gunner on Lt. Jack (Jake) J.
Wind's crew. Out of the original crew there are only four of us
left - Edwin Waldo, Co Pilot; Harold Lightcap, First Flight
Engineer; "Rocky" Stoltenburg, Radio Operator, and myself.
On April 8, 1944, w e flew our first mission to Brunswick
on the plane "Consolidated Mess." The 506th lost five planes
that day. The 44th lost eleven.
On April 18, w e were assigned to Southern Comfort II for
our second mission. Jake Wind piloted her for 29 missions, not
the 19 the article quoted. I flew 29 missions with Jake, and
one as a tail gunner on Smith's (first name escapes me) crew.
The last three missions I flew on I can't remember names of
planes or pilots. Our crew flew 33 missions, then it w a s
increased to 35. They compromised with us and made it 33.
Almost the whole month of July went by between our 30th and
31st mission.
I have a photo of Southern Comfort II with 32 bomb
markings on it (32 missions).
Editor's Note: Deno Tulini started running at age 55, and jus
won his 5th First Place trophy for 70 and older Bix 7 Race in
Davenport, Iowa. At age 78, he has collected a total of eight
trophies.
27
��
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8 Ball Tails
Newsletter
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8 Ball Tails Volume 1 - Issue 1: Winter 1994
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Winter 1994
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Text
�*'<*e0f
ra
8er
�NAMING OF "LEMON DROP"
By Hylan "Hy " Simmons
After the Reg Phillips crew took over the new plane just
less frequently. Pilots Gildart, Stahler, Slaughter and
prior to leaving for England, w e were having a bit of trouble
Marcouillier took turns flying her, with Stahler's miswith it. The plane was having trouble flying to altitude—
sion to Oslo, Norway on 18 November being yet anamong other worrisome things. Then, en route to England,
other tough raid on which the L e m o n Drop brought her
w e had a bad landing at Newfoundland, smashing the belly
crew back safely. Then several of the 66th pilots deof the ship.
cided to get in the act and flew a few raids in her: Miller,
They worked on it there to get it in good enough shape that
Ugarte, Comey, Insley and Irby taking their turns in Dew e could fly it back to the States for repairs at the Air depot
cember '43. Lt. Jewell was scheduled to fly her on 30
in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. After about three weeks of strucDecember, but Lt. Irby took her instead. After a long
tural repairs, w e again left headed for England. W e stopped
rest, Capt. Jansen, with Major Killinor used L e m o n Drop
in N e w Hampshire that first night to gas up. The next mornto lead the entire 44th Group on 8 February '44 to
ing when w e opened the B o m b Bay doors on pre flight, there
Watten, France for her final operational mission.
was gasoline pouring out of the wing into the B o m b Bay. Lt.
Having earned her retirement, she "volunteered" to
Phillips decided it would be best to return to Harrisburg again
show the new, younger replacement aircraft h o w it was
for repairs. W e flew back to the Air Depot with the B o m b
done as she acquired a gaudy new yellow paint job with
Bay doors wide open and gas dripping out. At Harrisburg
vertical encircling black stripes and was put to work as
they went back to work on her again and found that someone
the Assembly Lead Ship. Launching in advance of the
had sabotaged the wing tanks! Lucky that w e didn't blow up
mission aircraft she would climb to assembly altitude
in flight! Finally, repaired again, w e took off for England and
at our Buncher Beacon and start a racetrack pattern firmade it, uneventfully to Newfoundland where w e were once
ing green-green flares until the group was formed and
again delayed by weather. Finally, by way of Iceland w e made
ready to turn on course for the Division Assembly Line
it to Shipdham. By the time w e arrived, w e were several weeks
and on to the bomber stream. L e m o n Drop would then
behind the others from our squadron.
call it a day and return to base, as usual, her assigned
It was at that time that the name "Lemon Drop" was
mission completed.
L e m o n Drop recorded 45 operational missions, some
born. Strange that with such a poor start she survived to be
not only the last of the original aircraft, but she survived the
extremely tough, but she managed always to return from
each. Scattered among her raids were those early diverentire war! I flew m y first five missions in "Lemon Drop."
sions for she was credited with four ducks painted on
First mission? Lt. Phillips on 20 December 1942.
her side along side the fifteen Swastikas indicating vicPilots flying her included Phillips, O'Brien, Garrett, and
tories over German fighters. For all of this, the 68th
Houston who, on 14 M a y 1943 took her to Kiel—and brought
B o m b Squadron, and particularly her C r e w Chief,
her back. In June, 1943 she travelled to North Africa and flew
M A S T E R S E R G E A N T C H A R L E S P I G G are justly
several missions in July, then flew on and returned from the 1
proud.
August '43 Ploesti raid. So she helped us win both of our
Presidential Unit Citations. She also made the second trip to
North Africa in September '43; completed three more missions while there including future 68th
C O . Robert
Lehnhausen taking her to
Weiner-Neustadt and bringing
her back once again. This mission too was a demanding raid
on which the 44th suffered
heavy losses.
U p o n return to England in
early October, old L e m o n Drop
seemed to lose her popularity,
with snide remarks about her
"toothpick props," her aging
condition, her m a n y patches and
repairs, so the missions came
"The Lemon Drop " with Sgts. Huff, Ingram. Banta, Hayes and Gavin in the hack and 2nd Lt. Haw
Capt. Phillips, 2nd Lt. Scarlett and 1st Lt. LaFleur in front. (Photo courtesy of R. H. P
I
�A MISSION WITH A VETERAN
By Sgt. George Lemley, Radio Operator on Lt. Paul Ugarte 's
crew.
26 November 1943—Target: Bremen, Germany.
"The B-24 w e flew on that day w a s called " L e m o n
Drop". T h e n a m e couldn't have been more appropriate. N o demand-type oxygen system, just the
constant supply type with the bladder that filled up
with saliva and froze at altitude. Well, w e were each
presented with at least three of these each. I can still
see the Bombardier with that load over his shoulders. A n d froze they did! Also, that old plane had
those lousy "toothpick" props, which m a d e her a
slow climber.
W e had not been over e n e m y territory very long
until w e encountered short periods of flak and
fighters. However, on nearing the target, the flak
became heavier and the fighters more numerous.
Well, about all the gunners could do was to point
their guns in the direction of the fighters and hope
the tracers would keep them at a distance.
During this period of the war it was rumored Hitler
had a secret weapon which he was sure to use
against us. Well w e did see some strange articles
hurtling in space which looked like ash cans which
might have been empty gas tanks dropped from
G e r m a n fighters; and w e did snicker at some stupid
fireworks which looked like pin wheels trailing
smoke behind them. Shortly after turning for h o m e
our Bombardier and Navigator announced that a
G e r m a n had dropped cable on us. It wrapped
around the grid work of the "green house" and
broke some of the plexiglass which then cut both
m e n up front. W e could see the cable flapping but
fortunately not close to the windshield or the propellers.
Just then some sort of projectile struck our ship,
wounding one of the waist gunners and I saw s o m e
sort of object flaming from both ends on the catwalk in the b o m b bay. T h e pilot surmised that it was
a 2 0 m m slug, probably of the tracer variety. It soon
burned itself out.
The pilot suggested that I go d o w n to the
Bombardier's compartment to see if I could be of
some help there, so with a walk-around bottle, I
struggled through that narrow opening. But the two
of them motioned for m e to go back. There did not
seem to be any immediate danger and both were
doing fine.
Beside having no front turret, this old clunker had
no ball turret, and worst of all it has a caliber .30
machine gun mounted beneath the flight deck near
the A P U — "putt-putt." I was told, in addition to
m y duties of Radio Operator and photographer, I
was to operate this flexible gun. But I had no
intention to take up this position as I returned from
the nose. N o W a y ! After w e dropped our bombs I
was to leave the b o m b bay doors slightly open to
try to photograph the b o m b strikes, but I left
without being told. W h e n I announced to the pilot
that I had left the position, I was told that I should
have left there long before.
Just as w e were preparing to land the pilot instructed m e to start up the "putt-putt." W h e n I
tried, the top of the cylinder came off. Later w e
saw that w e did have a fairly good hit just beneath
the b o m b bay and were damaged. Glad I had the
initiative to leave that area when I did.
A n d so " L e m o n Drop" survived yet another
mission—and m a n y more to come. She finally
was converted to a "formation" ship gaudily
decorated with those stripes so that our 44th
planes could readily identify her and form up
quickly and efficiently.
Roy Owen, President
THE PRESIDENTS CORNER
There's lots to talk about this time, some bragging, some
newsy things, and some head stuff (things to think about).
Let's get the bragging out of the way which is going to
all be about the way the memberships just keep rolling
in. At last count w e are up to 941 total members with 140
of those being Life members. It is so encouraging to see
there are so many w h o refused to lay down and let our
44th fade away. W e thank you for the wonderful sup(continued next page)
�P R E S I D E N T ' S C O R N E R (continued)
portive letters that are pouring in with all the good words
about appreciating our first little 8 Ball Tails and all the work
the "Survival Committee" did to keep us alive. I've said before, it was labor of love for us all, but it sure is nice to get a
pat on the back from you all.
Back to memberships, first for you early supporters w h o sent
in your $5.00 for the last part of '94 dues, don't forget to get
your $15.00 in for '95. We're sending this issue of The Tails
to all of the '94 members, but we'll be trimming the mailing
list to those paid-up members for the next issue. Also, for
those of you that are not members of The Second Air Division Association, I encourage you to join them. Our Constitution pledges affiliation with, and support of the 2nd A D A
and it should be our aim that, once again, the 44th take its
rightful place along side our contemporary Groups w h o served
under the 2nd Air Division C o m m a n d . It follows that w e can
more easily accomplish our goals of perpetuating the heritage of the 44th and honoring our fallen comrades with the
support of 2nd A D A than w e can without them.
The last thing I want to discuss about memberships has its
basis in the research I've been doing on our IRS Tax Exempt
Veterans Organization status. Our constitutional membership
eligibility which extends m e m b e r s h i p to "Spouses,
Widow(er)s and direct descendents of 44th Veterans" is in
perfect accord with the IRS requirements for tax exempt status. Our Constitution also states "each m e m b e r attending an
official meeting will be considered a delegate to that meeting." W h a t this translates to is that by having your wife hold
her o w n membership when you both attend our reunions, and
you itemize deductions, you m a y deduct both of your travel
expensestoan official meeting as delegates. Most importantly
she will be enfranchised with a vote. Let's face it, they all
raise their hands when there is a vote called anyway. W e might
just as well make it official! I just sent $15.00 in for Lolly
after she informed m e that if I expected her to stick stamps
and address labels on these 8 Ball Tails, she was demanding
woman's suffrage!
About the time (hopefully) you are reading this your Executive Board will be having its first meeting in Saint Louis,
M O . , the top of our agenda will be to look at that fair city as
the site for our 1996 reunion.
Also, I have notified the Board of m y intention to appoint a
Treasurertoreplace Will Lundy, our Historian/Acting Treasurer under the authority of Article VI, Section 3 of our Constitution which provides for such appointment. Your new Treasurer will be Gerald W . Folsom (506th) of Salt Lake City.
Gerry has been a career accountant and is presently the treasurer for the Salt Lake County Fish & G a m e Association, a
nonprofit organization. H e has a professional computer accounting system which he will integrate our finances into.
W e should be able to turn Will Lundy back to his Historian
duties full time by the end of April. Again, w e o w e Will a big
T H A N K Y O U for seeing us through this resurrection period
by accepting the Acting Treasurer job and handling the
donations of seed money then the receipt of membership dues, paying the bills and all the attendant banking, all the while answering your letters and m y questions, and passing on materialtom e for the 8 Ball Tails
and the membership information to Art Hand and T o m
Shephard. Will is living proof of the old saw "if you
want something done right, give it to the busiest person
you can find." W h a t amazes m e is when Lolly and I
visited with Will and Irene and he showed m e all of his
archives and historical material I couldn't believe h o w
neatly this m a n does all this. You k n o w — a place for
everything and everything in its place. Hard to believe
for a guy like m e w h o operates like I a m the author of
" H o w to Survive and Function in a Messy Office!"
Speaking of surviving, yourole' Prez needs some help;
I'm finding that the total of the job of president, editor,
publisher has become so near full-time that there's hardly
time to spell retirement, let alone do it! Before you
read "bitchin" into this, let m e say if it wasn't a labor of
love, I wouldn't be doing it. I proudly accepted the job,
knowing it was a lot of work, because, frankly, I wanted
to see our new organization get underway and going
strong to m y satisfaction. Not m y ego satisfaction, just
to see us functioning as a democratic organization
should. N o w the problem is that while I o w n a computer (thanks to Lolly), I a m really far from being computer literate. I manage to peck things out in Microsoft
W O R D , and with the help of m y local Kinko's printer,
I've struggled (almost) through m y second edition of
The Tails, but I do it very inefficiently. W h a t I need is
an 8 Ball'er w h o is really in charge of a computer and is
into desktop publishing, like Pagemaker or similar, to
handle the publishing side of the editor-publisher function. This would serve another purpose besides relieving m e of the design and layout of the publication. I've
found that the cost of printing in the San Francisco region is about 3 0 % above the norm for the rest of the
country. Lolly and I have been doing all of the typing to
save the cost of the printer doing the typesetting, but
still the printing is costly. If w e could print in the vicinity of our publishing function w e could cut costs considerably. S o m e of you "computer heads" step forward
with some ideas and offers to assist m e in giving our
membership a journal w e can be proud of.
See you in San Antonio.
—Roy
IF YOU HAVE A RED SPOT ON YOUR ADDRESS
LABEL, WE DON'T HAVE YOUR '95 DUES OR
LIFE MEMBERSHIP AS OF 3/23/95. YOUR MEMBERSHIP BECAME INACTIVE APRIL I, 1995, T
WILL BE YOUR LAST ISSUE OF THE 8 BALL
TAILS. PLEASE RENEW BY JUNE 1—WE DON'T
WANT TO LOSE YOU!
�WILL SEZ
M a n y of you have written questioning the status of the restoration of the control tower at Shipdham, so let m e
bring you up to date. A s most of you are aware, nothing m u c h has been done with the tower due mostly to the
pressing and urgent need to concentrate on the saving the organization itself. N o w that w e have stabilized our
new 44th B G V A , the subject of further restoration of that building will be a major topic at the 44th B G V A
Executive Board meeting at St. Louis, M O on the 7th and 8th of May.
Work on the old tower was never approved by the 44th H M G Board, so I felt under those circumstances, I
should take on this project personally. At that time nearly 400 of you agreed that something positive should be
done. N o w that w e have a n e w and dedicated leadership, I a m relinquishing m y left field position and will abide
by the concluding decisions of our Executive Board.
Irene and I along with Richard and Ardith Butler will be attending the 2nd A D A V E Day Commemoration
party in Norwich the first week in M a y , and, of course, visit the old Base with our other 44thers. At the St.
Louis meeting the Executive Board will confirm the appointment of Col. Butler and myself as a committee to
investigate the viability of the Shipdham Tower restoration project while w e are there. In that regard, I have
requested and have received an invitation to meet with the owner's agent to discuss options available concerning the tower itself so there should not be any misstatements or misunderstanding of the facts. The results of this
meeting and our discussions with Mr. D o u g Genge, our benefactor in the past, will be presented to our Board
for review and a logical decision will be announced as soon as practical.
Please remember that all of you can contribute to the "gravy" of our heritage by continuing to send in your
stories about your time in the 44th, be it during W W II or up to the present time. The 44th was active for 53
years, so just think of the m a n y experiences our people must have had. We'd love to have any of your experiences that you have the nerve to tell and share with the rest of us. Those w h o took over in 1945 surely must
have many accounts that would be of interest to all. Every 44th'er of every era is invited and encouraged to
share their stories with us. See you in San Antonio,
Our traveling Historian and our new Group Vice President to 2nd ADA
along with their supporting cast Irene and Ardith smiling over our success at Colorado Springs.
4
�FOLDED WINGS
Hany Steele
506th
1/93
Robert "Foots" Lee
68th
ukn
PLOESTI V E T E R A N S
Vincent Huenerberg
67th
3/93
Tom Laskowski
68th
12/94
Bert Johnson
ukn
7/94
Theodore B. Hoffiz
66th
4/92
James R. Perry, Jr
Joseph H. Bonneau
67th
3/93
Morrie Meunitz
ukn
'75
67th
11/94
Willis J.W. Cato
67th
10/66
Frank P. Pacylowsky
ukn
ukn
Walter Cohn
68th
9/92
Joseph Arcangeli
66th
2/95
Conrad Menzel
506th
Harold F. Bergmann
67th
1/95
Carlisle Crutcher
66th
'93
'92
John V. Patton
68th
5/93
Fred E. Fayard, Jr.
ukn
ukn
Sam F. Junrin
506th
2/66
This is a partial list of our deceased
44th comrades that Art H a n d has been
able to trace just recently with the
capability of his C D phone directory.
Wayne M . Rickert
68th
4/93
William F. Zoller
68th
7/93
Frank J. Namiotka
67th
1/89
Robert E Felber
66th
6/93
Robert W . Ryan
67th
1/93
Frederick A. DuBose
506th
12/93
Walter Nealon
68th
George Bryant
68th
Kenneth Moore
68th
John E. Kirby
67th
ukn
ukn
ukn
'93
Harris J. Slutz
John Bass
ukn
ukn
ukn
ukn
ukn
ukn
'81
'87
Cortland Woodruff
66th
5/81
Wilbert Bupp
ukn
Dennis F. Murphy
'87
ukn
ukn
ukn
ukn
Albert Leghorn
66th
Sampson L. Dietz
66th
Ross Carrow
506th
Charles Huntz
506th
Ralph Jorgenson
506th
Lyle Murphy
506th
Robert Petkoff
506th
Irwin Rada
506th
Herman Smith
506th
ALL O T H E R S
Everette Cassells
Edward J. Kamholz
Donald E. Hefner
Marvin G. Jenson
Leslie B. Chisholm
Kenneth D. Kagley
12/90
11/79
1/91
ukn
'83
2/93
ukn
ukn
'93
'93
'93
ukn
ukn
unk
ukn
This also explains some of the long past
dates of the passing of these men. W e
will continue to catch up on the list with
each issue as well as list n e w Folded
Wings.
�MISCELLANEA
A N E W G R O U P V P T O 2 N D AIR DIV
Our long and faithful Group Vice President to
Second Air Division, Pete Henry has been experiencing about a years worth of health problems that
the doctors have been having difficulty defining, but
he describes as "getting too tired too soon during
the day." At any rate, the medics think it best he cut
back on some of his activities and conserve his
strength while they get a handle on his lack of
energy. As far as the 44th is concerned, besides
Pete's health, is that he is vacating the Group Vice
President to 2nd A D . A position he has served so
well since most of us can remember.
To fill this important liaison job , I have nominated
Richard Butler for the job; he has accepted, and will
be confirmed at the Executive Board meeting in St.
Louis May 7 in time to assume his duties at the 2nd
A D I V meeting in Lexington, K Y July 3-4-5, 1995.
W e owe Pete and Mary both our enduring thanks for
shrugging off the problems involved in maintaining
the lines of communication between the two organizations notwithstanding a lack of any support by the
H M G and tirelessly carrying on with the job. W e trust
your full recovery will be soon forthcoming, Pete.
A REPORT ON THE NORWAY MEMORIAL
Dear Mr. Owen:
I am taking this opportunity to thank you and the
44th Veterans Association for the fine support you
gave us, the survivors of the Norway Memorial
Mission, in raising the necessary funds and seeing
the completion of the Norway Memorial that will
be officially presented to the Royal Norwegian Air
Force on May 8, 1995, the anniversary of V E Day
in Norway.
Without the support of members of the 44th B G this
project of three years could not have been successful. W e raised over $800 for the bronze memorial
that I had shipped to Norway on 18 Feb. 1995. It
will arrive in time for the liberation of Europe
ceremonies in Oslo on M a y 8, 1995. The R N A F ,
King Harald and the Norwegian Government have
pledged their support to care for this memorial. It
honors 72 airmen, many from the 44th B G who
were lost on the Norway missions and whose bodies
were found. It is one of the great stories of sacrifice
made in W W II.
I wish to personally thank C.W. L U N D Y , COL.
WILLIAM CAMERON, COL. RICHARD BUTLER, MAJ. R.C. GRIFFITH, BOB
WEATHERWAX, E D W A R D M. DOBSON, JR.
and many others of the 44th for their donations and
support over the past three years. A special thanks
goes to those I have not named due to space limitations. BRIG. G E N . J O H N G I B S O N deserves a
special thanks for his interest and support of this
most important project.
The accounting of the $800 fund was $743 allocated
for the bronze memorial and $55 for shipping and
insurance charges for a total of $798.1 have sent
individual thanks to each contributor and to the 2nd
Air Div. Assn., the 8th A F Historical Society and to
Mrs. D O R O T H Y TINSELY, widow of SGT. JOS E P H GILBERT, one of the 44th men killed in
action on the Norway mission. The 44th can truly
now state with this memorial in Norway that its
heroic achievements in the air war of W W II extend
from the deserts of North Africa to the oilfieldsof
Romania, from Berlin to Benghazi, Norwich to
Norway and more. The 44th has left the world a
rich and varied legacy that will remain eternal in the
hearts of all men and women who cherish freedom.
—FORREST S. CLARK, 44th BG, 67th SQ
EDITOR: You've made us proud with this project,
Forrest. Thank you . Glad we were able to help. I
understand that some more thanks are in order for
BRIG. G E N . G I B S O N who is travelling to Oslo at
his expense to represent the 44th on May 8.
VE DAY COMMEMORATION IN ENGLAND
As a part of the VE Day Commemoration in England, Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth has proclaimed Monday, May 8 as Bonfire Day in the
"Villages." That evening every town and village in
the land will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the
end of World War II with a community celebration
around a bonfire. I suspect there will be a bit of
brown ale a'flowing as well! God bless 'em, it was
the end of a tough, hard war for the English and we
must never forget that what little they had, they
shared with us. W e should all wish to be there to
join in the celebration with our steadfast friends,
they are such wonderful folks!
�66TH SQUADRON MEMBERS ALERT
You've got a great English friend, Steve A d a m s ,
writing your W W II history. H e has asked that w e
again remind you that he is in need of more material
about the squadron for the history. Whether you were
from the 66th or not, and have any remembrances of
incidents that involved the 66th or its personnel that
would be of interest, please write it, copy it, or whatever needs to be done, and send it along to Steve. A s
this will be the last of our squadron histories, Steve
wants it to be the best. Submit what you have to: Steve
A d a m s , 28 Bassingham Road, Norwich, Norfolk N R 3
2 Q T U.K.
A N O T H E R ALERT
Word comes to us that the 2nd A D A Memorial Library
copy of our Ursal P. Harvell, HISTORY OF T H E
44TH B O M B G R O U P "FLYING EIGHT BALLS"
LIBERATORS O V E R E U R O P E was destroyed in the
Norwich Library fire. Can someone among us come
up with another copy to donate? Perhaps in the
memorabilia of one of our deceased 8 Bailers there
might be a copy the family might donate to the library
in the name of their loved one to be on display rather
than gathering dust in the attic. If you can part with a
copy of the history, please call Will Lundy and coordinate shipping it to him at:
3295 North H St., San Bernardino, C A 92405-2809
Phone (909) 882-2441 Will can deliver the history
personally if it reaches him P R I O R to April 30 when
he and Irene will be packing to leave for England.
M a n y Thanks.
50 YEARS LATER , WARBIRDS
WILL FLY AGAIN
From The Air Force Times
Washington— As many as 300 World War II -era
bomber, fighter and transport planes will participate in
a two-week journey across the United States to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of the war.
The aerial armada—called Freedom Flight America—
is expected to be the largest such group of planes assembled since the war. The group will depart from Long
Beach from Long Beach, Calif, on July 31 and stop at
about a dozen cities.
Among the airplanes expected to participate are B-17
Flying Fortress bombers, P-51 Mustang and P-47 Thunderbolt fighters, and C-47 Skytrain cargo planes as well
as vintage Navy, Marine Corps and Allied aircraft.
The trip is the brainchild of Morey Darznieks, 51, a
Latvian immigrant and owner of Lance Aircraft Supply, Inc. of Dallas, a vintage-aircraft parts company.
Darznieks is the founder of the Freedom Flight America
Foundation, also based in Dallas, which is managing
the effort.
"During World War II, he and his family were bombed
out of their home in Riga, Latvia, and after the war the
were sponsored to come to the United States," said
Darznieks' son John. "He has lived the American dream
and the country has been really good to him. This trip is
his way of saying thank you to the veterans that have
made freedom possible."
Darznieks is bankrolling the flight's organizational expense.
To help pay for fuel, maintenance and lodging costs for
participating planes and crews, the foundation is selling $50 certificates signed by Army Air Force veterans,
including retired fighter ace Col. Francis S. Gabreski
and retired Col. Robert K. Morgan, pilot of the "Memphis Belle," the first B-17 to complete 25 bombing missions over Germany and France.
Depending on the size of the aircraft, fuel and maintenance costs can range from $500 to $7,000 per flying
hour.
Now that we have new Treasurer, we have also acquired
a
For information,
call the Freedom Flight Foundation at
new Post Office Box. This address will be used for payment
(214) 247-1214. Here are some of the cities the planes
of dues. Life memberships, donations, etc., and any direct
will visit:
communication with the Treasurer in connection with those
Long Beach, C A , July 28-31
payments. PLEASE D O N O T S E N D Y O U R R E U N I O N
Phoenix, A Z , , July 31-Aug. 1
RESERVATION P A Y M E N T T O THIS BOX. IT G O E S T O
El Paso, T X , Aug. 1 - 2
T H E A D D R E S S O N T H E RESERVATION FORM.
Dallas, T X , Aug. 2 - 3
For payment of dues, etc., make the check out to
Kansas City, M O , Aug. 3 - 4
4 4 T H B G V A and send to:
Aurora, IL, Aug. 4 - 7
44th B G V A
Washington, D.C., Aug. 9-11
P.O. Box 2367
N e w York City, Aug. 11-14
Salt Lake City, U T 84118-2367
~ P g
A N E W 44TH BGVA P.O. BOX
�THE SUPPORT UNITS
W h e n I read this citation I thought about all of the
guys in all of the support units, the medics, the
MPs, the cooks & bakers, supply, personal equipment, engineers, communications,finance,all of the
men and w o m e n who were not directly in touch
with the air and ground crews and aircraft, EXC E P T W H E N W E N E E D E D T H E M , and that was a
lot of times when we weren't aware of what they,
individually, had contributed to the climax of our
(the aircrew's) job on mission days, getting off,
bombing the target, and bringing the aircraft home
if we could. Then I lamented, did I ever really thank
these people? Yeah, we took them on those "Trolley
Missions" right after V E Day to let them see what
we'd been up to on those horrible waiting days
when they stayed behind worrying about us and
anxiously counting the returning aircraft. Specifically, as relates to this citation, I tried to remember
those days when we came down final firing those
flairs indicating battle damage but managed to land
safely with those Crash Rescue Units and Ambulances following down the runway then standing by
until we were out safely. Did I get out of that aircraft and go directly to those guys and thank them
for just being there when and if we needed them. I
hope I did, but I'm not sure. N o w I wish I had said
thanks to the whole wonderful support bunch. There
were some among their ranks that, as with the
aircrews, made the supreme sacrifice.
MULfiHIft
n
AND
HEATER
The Posthumous Award of the Soldiers Medal to
Sgt. M O N R O E A. A T C H L E Y , 35579833, and PVT.
T E D R. B U N A L S K I reads: Sgt Atchley and Pvt.
Bunalski were off duty, eating supper on the night
ofjune 4, 1944 when they heard men yelling a
plane had crashed. They left their meals, ran out to
the road and jumped on thefirsttruck going to the
fire. Upon arrival at the crashed airplane they
immediately began extinguishing the flames engulfing the aircraft in disregard of the burning gasoline
and the warning that there were bombs aboard. Sgt.
Atchley and Pvt. Bunalski lost their lives attempting
to save the aircrew when a bomb exploded in near
proximity to these courageous Crash-Rescue men.
The award of T H E B R O N Z E S T A R to S/SGT
C H A R L E S P R O V E N Z A N O , 32295536, SGT.
A N T O N I O M . SULPRIZIO, 31300102, PFC
A N T O N B A U C , 36658870, PFC M I C H A E L
L A Z A R E W I C Z , 32651944 and T/5 J O H N J.
S C H R A C K , 33717052 reads: On the night of June
4, 1944, these members of a Crash Rescue unit
disregarding the danger of exploding 20 lb. fragmentation bombs aboard a crashed and burning B24, which had killed two of their crash crew, courageously continued to extinguish thefireand rescue
aircrew members until they were ordered to move
back from the fire by the Officer-in-Charge.
All were members of the 2033rd Engineer Aviation
Firefighting Platoon, A A F Station 115, A P O 558
PADIO
A few of the many Support Units
that made life bearable—
and sometimes saved lives.
X
�Left to Right: Norm Chown, Brice Williams, Jim Dietz, Al Martin, Roy Owen, Frank Castelli
HOW ABOUT A SONOMA COUNTY (CA) CHAPTER OF EIGHT BALLERS!
Right after m y return home from Colorado Springs
and being, for thefirsttime, in possession of the
complete 8 Ball Roster as one of the presidential
perquisites, I was surfing through the roster and came
across two 44th'ers besides A L M A R T I N and myself
living in Santa Rosa. I immediately called m y 506th
buddy, Al, and told him about m yfind.Al and I have
lunch together every 2 or 3 months and I suggested we
make contact with F R A N K C A S T E L L I and
N O R M A N C H O W N also both 506th guys. Al volunteered to make contact and call back, which he did,
and we set a date for lunch at m y golf clubhouse last
November. What a day of surprises we had! First,
Frank Castelli, a retired California Highway Patrolman, and Norm Chown, a retired attorney from the
Sonoma County Public Defenders Office immediately
recognized the other from a long professional relationship (adversaries, I might add) in our courts. Neither
had ever discussed wartime service nor realized, even
remotely, that they were not only 44th veterans, but
were both 506th members and served their tours at
exactly the same time! Frank as Nose Gunner on the
E D JARVIS crew and Norm as Waist Gunner,firston
the L O U C O N F E R crew, and when Confer finished
his tour, he joined the M E L P A R R I S H crew until V E
Day. The next surprise was when I found Frank was
with the Jarvis crew and we realized that we had been
on sister crews (I was Co-Pilot on the Bill Smith crew)
throughout O T U training at Mountain Home, Idaho,
had shipped over to England on the He de
France, assigned to the 44th/506th from Stone,
and both crews flew a B-24 home after V E day.
Not long after our initial luncheon, I received a
letter from M E L T R A G E R concerning the flags
he has obtained for us through his V F W Post. In
his letter he mentioned B R I C E W I L L I A M S , a
44th buddy that also resides in Santa Rosa. I
proceeded to contact Brice (he was in the Finance
Office at Shipdham, a very vital part of our
Anglo-American relations efforts with the distaff
side of our English hosts) and he cheerfully
accepted the invitation to join us at our next
luncheon on Feb. 22. About that time I got a call
from JIM DIETZ, a 68th comrade who resides in
Ukiah (about 60 miles north of Santa Rosa). He
was inquiring if I had heard from a Canadian, Dr.
Reid, who had purchased an original oil painting
of the 68th aircraft "Corky" at the Smithonian
and was attempting to contact the crew to develop the war record of the aircraft (Jim was the
Radio Operator). In the course of the conversation, I told Jim about our 44th luncheons and our
Sonoma Chapter once again grew and we all met
on schedule again at the clubhouse appropriately
on George Washington's birthday. Lolly graciously served as our photographer to record that
really enjoyable get-together. There were war
stories and fellowship aplenty!
�"THAT RAGGED OLD FLAG"
I walked through a county court house square
And on a park bench, an old man was sittin' there
I said, "Your old court house has kind of run down. "
He said, "No, it will do for our little town. "
I said, "Yourflag pole has leaned a little bit,
and that's a ragged old flag you 've got hanging on it. "
He said, "Have a seat, " and I sat down.
"Is this thefirsttime you've come to our little town?"
I said, "I think it is. " He said, "I don't to brag,
but we are kind of proud of that ragged old flag.
You see, we got a little hole in that flag there
,
when Washington took it across the Delaware,
and it got a powder burn when Francis Scott Key
sat up watchin'it, writing "Oh Say Can You See. "
And it got a little rip in New Orleans
with Packingham and Jackson tuggin' at the seams,
and it almost fell at the Alamo run,
beside the Texas flag, but she waved on.
It got cut with a sword at Chancellorsville,
got cut again at Shiloh Hill.
There was Robert E. Lee, Beauregard and Bragg,
and the South wind blew hard on that ragged old flag.
On Flanders Field in World War One,
She got a bad hole form a Bertha gun.
She turned blood red in World War Two,
She hung limp and tired by the time that one was through.
She was in Korea and Vietnam,
She went where she was sent by her Uncle Sam.
She waved from our ships upon the briny foam,
and now we 've about quit waving her here back home.
And in her own good land here, she's been abused.
She's been burned, dishonored, denied and refused,
and now the very government for which she stands
is scandalized throughout the land.
and she's getting threadbare and she's wearing kind of thin,
but she's in good shape for the shape she's in.
Because she's been through thefirebefore,
and you can be sure she can take a whole lot more.
So we raise her every morning, and we bring her down slow every night.
We don't let her touch the ground and we fold her up just right.
On second thought, I do like to brag,
Because I'm mighty proud of that ragged old flag. "
"So am I,"
Author
Unknown
10
�MAIL CALL
Just a few words about your letters , we'll do our best
to see that they are all answered and, space permitting,
published. Yes, the good, the bad and the ugly! Because of space limitations, we will exercise some
editorial license in trimming some of the "how is the
weather" and "my arthritis is kicking up again" stuff,
and you are liable to see some paraphrasing of your
original letter here and there for clarity and brevity.
But rest assured the color, and that "gravy" Will wants
will come through. Bear with us, it's a right all editors
reserve along with editorial comment.
44TH'ERS A R E T O U G H !
January 1995
Dear Will,
Thanks to all of you, our new President and new
Board. It's great to know that the 44th will be preserved. I thought it was a shame to give up on one of
Americas greatest B o m b Groups. I have really missed
the last 3 reunions, I have been under the weather for
the past 2 years and I get inspired by guys like D A N
V A L E N T I and B O B K R U E G E R who have beaten the
BigC.
I was the Tail Gunner on KAY'S crew, seven of us are
still alive. W e had 6 show up at the last Rapid City
Reunion and I hope 7 will show up at San Antonio. I
know I'll see you guys there and particularly B O B
L E H N H A U S E N ; it's good to see him active in the
new old group. Very Truly,
K E N N Y SMITH
3500 Division St. Apt. 153
Metairie, L A 70002
EDITOR; I'm looking forward to shaking the hand of
a tough ole' 8 Bailer in San Antone'!
REMEMBER THE DRYING ROOM?
This comes from Lt. E A R L J. GUY, 66th Sq.
1419 Sand Creek Rd., Boggstown, IN 46110
I was the Group Personal Equipment & Air Sea Rescue Officer, with Equipment meaning flying supplies;
suits, parachutes, M a e Wests, Emergency Radio Xmitters, Very Pistols, etc.
As I remember parachutes had to be repacked every
30 days. Flying suits were in very short supply. That's
how I beganflyingon combat missions; to show the
crews that the British heated suits also worked.
At one time, earlier in the war, we used a
grounded Bombardier to travel to all the local
depots to try to con them out of equipment. He
was good too, could talk most anyone out of
anything! Between scrounging and washing and
rewashing we kept 'emflying,but the Flyboys
were not very respectful of their equipment.
Iflewa total of 5 missions until the Captain
grounded me. He said he didn't want to explain
to H Q how he lost a paddlefoot over Germany!
Also, Capt. H A R R O C K S , with w h o m I flew
most, wrote to m y wife to tell her to get m e to
stop.
W e also arranged trips for several crews to
accompany us to Great Yarmouth to go out in the
North Sea to pick up crews forced to ditch en
route back to base. The British had a marvelous
craft, I don't remember the name, which was
larger, but as fast as our P T boats. Anything that
could float was out there to help rescue those
crews.
I had two permanent room mates, Lt. M O R T O N
R. T A Y L O R , who died about age 45, and J O H N
S A L A D I A K after he had tours with the RAF,
R C A F and then was shot down on Ploesti. Other
room mates with w h o m I have lost contact were
M E S S E R S C H M I D T and P E T E R K A R A P I N .
Ours was the only room in the barracks with
running water. I took some valves, lines, connections, etc. from a junk B-24 and we installed it
overnight. Of course the Captain made us believe
he was furious, but he never made us tear it out.
P E T E H E N R Y did photo work in the B o m b
shelter, but I did mine in the room. I invited him
down, but he never took m e up on the offer. M y
enlarger was built from a bomb bay strut, and a
lens given to me by G E N . J O H N S O N .
Our "home town" was Dereham, not Shipdham.
That's because "Sal" married a girl whose father
ran the hotel in Dereham.
EDITOR; Thanks Earl, I've long wondered what
they did with worn out Bombardiers. Also I have
to explain that in the eyes of a B-24 Pilot there
has never been a "junk" Liberator.
Salvage maybe, but never junk! Also, I heartily
agree with the "home town" title for Dereham.
W e seem to give most of our reverence to
Shipdham, but we got a lot of love from, tossed a
lot of darts with, and married into many of the
�wonderful families of Dereham. We've got to let
'em know the 44th still loves them! I'd like to hear
from our Dereham Wives to help m e with ideas to
let the folks of Dereham know that we still feel we
owe a debt of gratitude for the hospitality and care
they extended to the brash young Yanks so far from
home. One last observation; I'm sure the word
scrounge has never appeared in any supply manual,
but guys like our grounded Bombardier certainly
brought it into the lexicon of the military. It occurs
to me, we might still be fighting W W II if nobody
ever scrounged anything! Also Earl, try P E T E R
K A R A P I N at 2780 Durham Rd., York, PA 174023808, Ph. 717-755-0501. W e have no
M E S S E R S C H M I D T in our roster or on our tail at
present, but we'll keep a lookout. Give Art Hand a
first name and M I if you can, he'll get on his trail
like he owes Art money!
The next letter was passed on from Pete Henry to
Will Lundy to me. I am saddened to pass on to you
the news from D O R O T H Y S A L A D I A K that your
roomie "Sal" has passed away.
November 25, 1994
Dear Mr. Henry,
Sadly, I must tell you that m y beloved husband,
J O H N S A L A D I A K , died at home on September 15,
1994 after three years of illness. He suffered courageously and never complained.
W e were married on November 25, 1944 in East
Dereham Parish Church while John was stationed at
Shipdham in Norfolk. I am enclosing a copy of the
biography we sent for the Second Air Division
History. I would like to continue receiving the 2nd
Air Division Journal and will continue paying the
dues.
M I T C H E L L (pilot), D O N A L D D E C K E R (copilot),
JULIO C A S T E L L O T T I (waist gunner), H E N R Y
FLISTER (tail gunner), J A M E S KIPPLE (bombardier), D A V I D C O L L I E (waist gunner), R O B E R T
M c A D A M S (flight engineer). John and all the crew
were interned in Turkey. John was awarded the
Distinguished Flying Cross for the Ploesti mission.
In England he was stationed at Shipdham. He was
married to Dorothy Nelson in East Dereham Parish
Church on Nov. 25, 1944. After returning to the
U.S. in 1945 he stayed in the Air Force until 1948
when he was honorably discharged as a First Lieutenant. Injuries which plagued him for many years
eventually led to the amputation of his right leg.
He graduated from Duquesne University with a B.S.
and worked for about 20 years for the Internal
Revenue Service. He retired in 1984. He enjoyed
travelling in Europe , reading and listening to
classical music.
EDITOR; Dorothy, I trust the inclusions here
convey to you that "Sal" was remembered with love
by his comrades even before his passing. Also, we
would be honored if you would consider remaining
within the 44th family. You are one of us, and
would be a tremendous asset in our efforts in expressing our love and thanks to the folks of your
home town. I would appreciate hearing from you.
ROY
A QUICKIE
Dear Will,
Sending you holiday greetings and many wishes for
the N e w year. Also I wanted to tell you I didn't like
the way they terminated our old group. I wish this
new endeavor great success. It looks good to me.
All the best, Sincerely,
PHIL T E R A B E R Y , (67th), 9212 Clay St., Denver,
C O 80221-5209
Dorothy Saladiak 258 Amity Rd., Glenshaw, PA
15116
EDITOR: Your support looks good to us as well,
Phil. Thanks
John Saladiak, born in Pittsburg, December 10,
1917, earned his wings in the Canadian Air Force in
1941. He served as a navigator with the R C A F ,
RAF, and U S A A F .
He was with the 44th B o m b Group and was navigator on the August 1, 1993 raid on the Ploesti Oil
Fields. O n this raid he flew with E D W A R D
THINGS A R E C O M I N G TOGETHER
IN SANTA ROSA!
Dec. 9, 1995
Dear Will,
I am very glad the 44th Bomb Group is going to
continue as an organization for its members. I really
enjoyed reading the Logbooks. I had only joined the
�44th H M G in December 1992, so I was disappointed
when it was disbanded. I am glad you are going to be
with the new organization. I received a couple of
letters from you when I first joined the Heritage
Group.
I noticed a familiar name in thisfirstissue of 8 Ball
Tails; M E L T R A G E R and I were friends at Shipdham.
As I remember, he was from Chicago. Also, I see
R O Y O W E N lives here in Santa Rosa. I'll have to call
him one of these days.
All the best to you and the new organization.
B R I C E R. W I L L I A M S ,
2623 Canterbury Dr., Santa Rosa, C A 95405
EDITOR; Brice and I have made contact. See the
"Sonoma County Branch of the 44th B G V A " elsewhere in this issue.
FORREST C L A R K
703 Duffer Lane, Kissimmee, FL 34759
EDITOR; Thanks, Forrest, for this letter. I'm
both touched and perplexed; touched by the
nostalgic note yet perplexed by the tone of
finality in your words. I would doubt that any of
the membership of the 44th B G V A are "ready to
close the mission log." W e are just embarking on
the latest chapter of 44th history and heritage,
and unless you have a message that hasn't
reached m e yet, I think we all are looking forward to business as usual. W h e n we lose a comrade, as we often will, we will honor his or her
memory, close ranks and carry on. From your
address I would surmise that you, like me, are a
golfer Forrest. Let's just keep on swinging!
GET O N T H E 44TH H A M RADIO N E T
O N A NOSTALGIC N O T E
(This came to us via Pete Henry)
To 44th Vets Association News (AKA 8 Ball Tails)
W e are nearing thefinalflight, the last mission in
1995. This is written as a final nostalgic retrospective
of the years 1942-45 and afinaltribute to the men of
the 44th.
Dec. 5, 1994
I write this on a warm Florida day, temp. 82 degrees, a
few hours before the dawn of the year 1995. W e have
done all we can to remember those who have passed
before us and we are ready to close the mission log.
I thought this little story might be of interest of
you and the gang. Early last summer, I was told
by a friend who flies from Palwaukee, that a B-24
was parked on the grass at the edge of the field
near the restaurant. I drove out one day and
walked around it and took several pictures. It was
closed up so I made up no attempt to touch it.
Along about late October, m y friend said the
plane was now over by a hangar and he had seen
it with the engines running and he had heard it
was headed for a museum in South Florida.
However, before this, I want to say a word or two of
gratitude for the memories left by the following 44th
men, Major R. C. GRIFFITH, m y pilot; Lt. R O B E R T
T.. W E A T H E R W A X , m y Navigator, and Lt. BILL
T I N S M A N , m y copilot. Also to Gen. L E O N
J O H N S O N , Col. BILL C A M E R O N and those who
touched m y life in the 44th; J A C K H A R M O N , J O H N
G I B B O N E Y , E A R L PARRISH, and for great memories, K E N J E W E L L , H A R O L D PINDER, A B E
SOFFERMAN, and DAVID EDMONDS.
I want to say m y greatest farewell to the men and
crews who died and are memorialized for the 18
November 1943 raid on Kjellar Airfield, Norway,
among them Lt. E D W A R D D O B S O N and others. I
wish to salute Col. R I C H A R D B U T L E R and the men
who were on the ill-fated E m m y Lou II crash and for
their devotion to duty over the years to the 44th B o m b
Group.
The memories cannot die as men do, but live on
eternally in all of us.
Evanston, II
Dear Pete,
I still keep in touch with a number of old 44th'ers
via H a m radio every Tuesday morning at 8:00
a.m. C S T on 7227 kc, then moving to 21460 or
14278 kc to keep in touch with our friend BILL
H O L M E S in Norwich. He is a friend of the 8th
A F and has been very helpful to fellows who
have gone over to England, arranging transportation, Hotels, etc. Among the 44th'ers on our radi
net are: F R E D B R O W N I N G (67th), W A Y N E
H A R V E Y (66th), B U D L A W E R E N C E (506th),
ART H A N D (66th), C A R L H V A M B S A L
(506th), H A L K R A M E R (464 Sub-Depot),
W A L T EICHENSEHR (506th), and myself, also
�several fighter people and one B-17 pilot. I almost
forgot the Ringleader of our net, E D S C H W A R M
(506th). H e acts as net control and keeps order in
the ranks! I had sent E d pictures of the B-24 at
Palwaukee. If you want some , I can make some
prints for you. I a m also going to send a clipping
from the paper.
A little story for you—not fit for publishing! W h e n
I first joined the 44th at Will Rogers Field, as a
green private, I was put on K P with Ward Bond
(now gone) in Sgt Hundley's Mess Hall. H e was a
stickler and w e worked hard 'till Bond decided to
walk around with his Bobbitt hanging out of his
coveralls. W h e n taken to task by Sgt. Hundley, he
said that if he was going to be worked like a horse,
he was going to look like one!
All for now, Best Regards,
G E O R G E HILL
2116 Ewing Ave., Evanston, IL 60201-2004
EDITOR; I wish you had sent along some of your
pictures of the B-24. Has anyone got a clue on the
Florida destination of the Lib? A s for that "little
story," I refer you back to the editorial disclaimer at
the beginning of this section. Besides, if Bond was
equipped as your story suggests, M a n , that was a
"BIG" story, and you left us hanging,. Did Sgt.
Hundley punish Bond for "horsing" around? Don't
keep us in suspense, please carry on with the story!
BRING O N T H E M J O H N N Y REBS
This comes to us from N O R M LINVILLE via Pete
Henry.
Hello Pete, Thought I would drop you a few lines
to let you know where JAMES L. LIVINGSTON
(506th) is. I told him you would get in touch with
him and let him know h o w to join the 2nd A D I V
Ass'n: James L. Livingston, 860 Ziegler Rd.,
Bloomingdale, G A 31302.
W e went to gunnery school and overseas together.
W e met last week—first time in 50 years.
I don't know about this new 44th B o m b Group they
are getting up, as they sure don't have anyone from
the South on the Board of Governors. The next 2nd
A D reunion at Lexington is near m y old stomping
grounds, I'll look you up there. N O R M A N B.
L I N V I L L E , 107 E. Morgan St., Brandon, F L 33510
E D I T O R : C L E M E N T S , take d o w n that Confederate Flag or get an apology from Norm. Besides
being a Rebel state, you've been telling m e that one
Texan on the board was worth two from any other
state. For your info, Norm, our Constitution requires
that w e balance our Board membership by unit
rather than geography except, since w e are incorporated in Illinois, their laws require that at least one
m e m b e r of the Board be from Illinois. Also, while it
is not chiseled in stone, w e attempt to balance the
board geographically. Frankly when w e were
fighting to stay alive w e grabbed the fighters willing
to serve without looking too closely at what part of
the country they lived. In fact w e had two old
southern war horses on our team: R E G C A R P E N T E R ( N C ) 'till his arteries got clogged up and he
had to have some by-pass surgery, and B I L L
S T R O N G (TX) until the surgery on his poor old
head was becoming so frequent his travel was
hampered. N o w that w e are up and running, I
expect we'll get the board composition smoothed
out. For the short term, keep your cool, send in your
$15.00 check for '95 dues, and talk with m e at
Lexington. I'd be happy to hear your ideas. In case
you don't know w h o to look for, the title Editor is
A K A President (look in The Presidents Corner of
this issue).
December 12, 1994
Dear Will,
I have today received Vol. 1, Issue 1 of the 44th
B o m b Group Veterans Ass'n. Journal (8 Ball Tails,
please). It was a joy to receive it and to know that
w e are still not a "Stand D o w n " group, but were
still "Alert." I a m sure the membership at large o w e
you and the other members of the Executive Board
a great deal of T H A N K S for all that you have done
to bring us back to life. I also think the name 44th
B o m b Group Veterans Association is perfect. It is
simple and tells anyone exactly w h o w e are.
Regarding the reunion next October in San Antonio,
I will try to get H E R B Y H A S T I N G S , S W E D E
CARLBERG, ALLEN N O B L E and H A L
PENDLETON to join me there. These are the
remaining members of our crew of fifty years ago.
It is a little early to say if w e can be there, but w e
have it on the list for sure. Thanks again for your
work on our behalf.
Sincerely, Jim
JAMES W. FORREST,
104 Kenwood Place, Lynchburg, VA 24502-2120
�EDITOR: Maybe another crew reunion at our reunion—Man we're on a roll!
cover) the publications produced by both organizations. I look forward to reading publications pro
duced by the 44th B G V A , and hope that it will con
tain memories of events and conditions both in the
air and on the ground.
Dec. 12, 1994
Dear Will,
I wish total success to you and the other members
of the Executive Board.
I'm getting up there (age), but I'm heading for San
Antonio '95. Best to all of you 44th Leaders for
keeping us alive. Within this day I will get a letter off
to Ed Dobson.
Sincerely, Karl G. Grube,
1110 Aspen Court, Kohler, W I 53044
EDITOR: Karl, not only are you welcome, you
and your contemporaries, our progeny, are what
this is all about. The history and heritage of the
44th belongs to you. I'm sure I speak for all the
44th when I say the 8 Ball Tails and its predecessors purpose is not to glorify the deeds of its
veterans. W e wish to bring the experiences we
lived, and died doing, beyond the pure statistical
and factual aspects of our 44th service to tell you,
our sons, daughters and grandkids the personal
color and human aspects of the bittersweet war
we fought. Bitter, obviously, because of the
finality involved when the contest is real; yet
sweet when the shared experience bonds men
and women together in a manner of comradeship
almost undefinable among human relationships.
Your comment on enjoying reading the publications cover to cover hits our purpose square on
the head. The content is really meant for you.
All the best, J A C K G I B S O N , (B. Gen. John H.)
7008 Gateridge, Dallas, T X 75240
Dec. 10, 1995
Dear Will,
Thanks to you and R O Y O W E N and all the others for
keeping the 44th Veterans active. I think you guys are
great.
For your information our old comrade, T O M
L A S K O W S K I (66th, E R W I N ' S crew) passed away
last week. He was a Ploesti survivor and lived in
Binghamton, NY. I'm sure you remember his wife
W A N D A . T o m and her came to many of our 2nd A D
reunions.
Warmest Regards, JIM A U M A N ,
352 Church St., St. Marys, PA 15857-1012
EDITOR: Thanks for the kind words, Jim. That's what
makes the days and days of sitting at this computer all
worthwhile! I'll see that Wanda gets this issue of The
Tails and ask her if she would like to stay in the 44th
Family.
C o m e join us in San Antonio, I want you to meet
our Secretary Ed Dobson, Jr. and some of the
other sons and daughters that are more and more
frequently attending our reunions.
I'm in frequent contact with Col. Bill Cameron,
Commander of the 67th B o m b Squadron; your
Dad, Karl T. was his Executive Officer and
"Right Hand Man." Any commander will tell you
that without a good "Exec" to tend to all the
details he can't find the time to do, and to be his
confidant and advisor in personnel matters,
you've got a commander who's in trouble. Bill
tells m e your Dad was "the best."
ANOTHER W E L C O M E LETTER FROM
A N 8 BALL SON!
Dec. 14, 1994
Dear Will,
This is m y application for membership in your newly
formed 44th B o m b Group Veterans Association. I am
not a veteran of the Group, however m y father was a
member. He was in England for three years; at
Shipdham nearly all the time. I hope that the new 44th
B G V A is not limited to the real thing, and has room
for some of its progeny. M y check is enclosed.
W E JUST C A M E UP WITH THIS ONE
FROM W M . BARRETT TAYLOR
24 JANUARY 1992
Dear Will,
As a result of corresponding with you several years ago,
I signed on with the 2nd Air Division Assn. and the now
defunct 44th H M G . I have enjoyed reading (cover to
Thanks for your letter of Jan. 16. To clarify a
point, the 14th C B W was formed the summer of
15
�1943 just before Col. Johnson and the Air Echelon
of the 44th departed for North Africa. I remained
behind to be Deputy Base C o m m a n d e r under Lt.
Col. Jenkins and to organize and staff the 14th
C B W so it would be ready to function upon Col.
Johnson's return.
their airfield and they would do as they pleased. So
he sent an assistant out to inspect the field and the
assistant ran his little Morris Van over a bomb. It
exploded and blew his foot off. After he recovered,
he stopped to see Griff and I to say he wished Mr.
Brown had followed our advice.
A s most people know, the 14th C B W was located
on the W A A F - Decontamination site (which was
and still is part of Mr. Rix's farm). W e had an
outstanding artist in Wing H Q w h o painted all of
the murals. W h e n I suggested he paint one showing
all of us after the war, he asked that I get someone
to do a sketch and he would copy it. So I wrote to
Wingert, w h o was one of the two top Stars &
Stripes artists, asking that he furnish us with a
sketch. H e did and the result is still on Mr. Rix's
wall. I have the original sketch in m y den in Arlington. The reason those buildings are still standing is
that Mr. Rix said any fool could tear d o w n good
buildings, remove the foundations and get back the
land. But he profited by using them to raise pigs in.
(Note—Mr. Rix is n o w deceased, his son is n o w in
charge).
I a m certain that each of us has at least 20 stories to
relate (some for publication, and some not) but w h y
not ask each of us to send you their five best stories? Even if you don't print them, collectively they
would be important to future historians. W e had
better send them in soon, as time is getting short.
W a r m Regards, B A R R E T T T A Y L O R , 3209 N.
Columbus St., Arlington, V A 22207-2878
E D I T O R : G o o d background, Barrett. I've heard all
kinds of stories on w h o did the murals, n o w we've
heard it from "the M A N . " Re: the bombing, Will
Lundy has c o m e up (maybe you sent them) with a
couple of pictures taken after the attack. They speak
for themselves.
I'll be waiting for yourfive,no, only four stories
now. Thanks.
W H E N ONE FEELS
HE REALLY HAS M A D E A DIFFERENCE
AUGUST 8, 1994
517 Elm St., Paris, IL 61994
D o you remember the time when, on one low
overcast day, a JU-88 dropped Butterfly antipersonnel bombs on the airfield? (Summer '43). Griff
(Goodman Griffin) and I informed Mr. Brown, the
clerk (clock) of the works, not to allow anyone from
his office to go on thefielduntil all bombs had been
located and removed. W e were informed that it was
Dear Mrs. Huenerberg:
I a m very sorry to hear Vincent has passed away. I
do wish w e could have located him as I know he
would have enjoyed the reunions and meeting with
his old friends. W e have been having reunions since
1981 and usually have in the neighborhood of 500
16
�in attendance. Last year was in Dayton O H . This year
we will be in Colorado Springs, C O from October 6 9. Your husband was in the 67th B o m b Squadron and,
as you said, didflywith Reginald Carpenter. A history
was done of the 67th by Will Lundy, our Group Historian. Will has also published a 44th Roll of Honor
listing all of the casualties suffered in W W II. It is
now out of print, but he has plans for a revision if he
has time. Enclosed are a couple of pages from it that
I'm sure will interest you. They are about what happened to the Carpenter crew on the famous mission to
the Ploesti oil complex. Also enclosed are several
pages about that mission from Will's 67th history.
W e now have information or addresses on 3315
former members of the 44th B o m b Group. Below are
the ones we have on the Carpenter crew. If I can help
or give you any more information please let m e know.
Sincerely, A R T H A N D
Reginald L. Carpenter, 48 Beaumont Dr.,
Hendersonville, N C 28739 (704) 697-6041 (Pilot)
E. L. Rumsey, 501 N. Meadows Ave. Manhatten
Beach, C A 90266 (213) 374-3183 (Co-Pilot)
January 6, 1995
Dear Art,
This letter is long overdue. Please forgive me. I want
to thank you for the letter you sent m e in reference to
m y husband, Vincent E. Huenerberg who was in the
67th Squadron, 44th B o m b Group.
M y family and I appreciated your thoughtfulness for
sending m e the history of the 67th Sqdn. I will cherish
this letter as long as I live. I read and reread your
letter. Thank you again so very much.
If Will Lundy ever publishes a revised edition called
44th Roll of Honor and Casualties, I certainly would
appreciate it if you would notify me.
Art, I want to thank you again for your thoughtfulness.
It was deeply appreciated.
Sincerely, Pearl R. Huenerberg,
31 Center St., Watertown, C T 06795
EDITOR: Dear Pearl, I will see that you get a copy of
this 8 Ball Tails if we have to hand address it! You
might notice in this section we made reference to Reg
Carpenter having some bypass surgery last fall. I
talked to him on the phone after he got home. He was
doing fine and was moaning about missing our Colorado Springs reunion. Keep in touch Pearl, you are one
of the 44th family. A R T SAID T O M E "A LET-
TER LIKE THIS ONCE IN AWHILE REALLY
MAKES IT ALL W O R T H THE EFFORT."
PINGS AWAY
27 Dec. 1994
Dear Will,
Just received your Letter. Sorry I didn't get that
Christmas "candle making" story to you in time
for the season. W h e n I dug out the stuff for m y
"Army Life" tale that m y son had requested,
memories of several happenings and events came
flooding back to mind. Wish some of the rest of
m y crew and yours would do the same and get
their stories down on paper. W h e n we're gone, so
are the stories U N L E S S someone takes the time
to write them down. Sure, probably only one of a
hundred experiences might be worth retelling, but
that one might strike a chord in someone who
wants to know what W W II was like, other than
those hyped-up Hollywood versions. Which, by
the way, reminds me of a story!
On our base at Shipdham we had a modest little
P X housed in a Quonset Hut. O n the few shelves
they had, when "in stock" were displayed cigarettes, candy bars, pipe tobacco, razor blades and
chewing gum as the item most in demand.
Trouble was, they seldom had these popular
items in stock when I entered the store.
Word would go out to theflightcrews that a large
consignment of cartons had arrived at the PX.
Cartons bearing such logos as Baby Ruth,
Hershey, Nestle, Lucky Strike, Camel, Chesterfield, Wrigley, etc., etc., were seen being carted
through the P X doorway, immediately followed
by the posting of a sign that read " C L O S E D F O R
I N V E N T O R Y " on the front door. That sign
seemed to stay posted until just moments after the
last plane had taken off for the day's mission. As
the noise of the aircraft faded into the distance
and there seemed little chance of a Recall, another sign would appear on the P X door which
read "Open."
When, and if, we were lucky enough to return,
we would try to hurry through post-mission
interrogation so as to rush for the P X before it
closed to pick up our share of the goodies. O n the
few times I managed to beat the "Closed" sign, I
�found the Cigarette stock reduced to a few sacks of
Bill Durham or Dukes Mixture and, perhaps, a few
packs of H I M Y A R and W I N G S cigarettes. The
chewing g u m space would be completely empty and
the space that once held Clark Bars and Baby Ruths
n o w held a carton or two of " P I N G " bars. That was
it! Anyone w h o bought a Ping bar would seldom (if
in his right mind) buy another one. I'll attempt to
describe a PING.
THE PING BOMBER'S "CANDLE STORY"
11 December 1994
Hi Will,
Recently, I wrote a note to Pete Henry wherein I
lamented the loss of the Logbook and its always
welcome stories and news items. Then a letter
arrived the next day announcing the formation of
the n e w organization, the 44th B o m b Group Veterans Association. From the list of names on the
Executive Board, it sounds like you're off and
running, apparently without missing a step. Wonderful!
Take an oblong rectangle of semi-fossilized white
stuff that the perpetrators boldly called marshmallow, coat it with a dark chocolate colored glaze that
chewed like paraffin and tasted like the dipstick
from a model A Ford that had been run too long and
too hot without an oil change, and you have an
accurate description of a P I N G .
In the letter to Pete, I told of an incident that
occurred just before Christmas in 1944. Since our
family through several generations, always had
lighted candles as part of our Christmas decorations,
I thought it would be appropriate to have some
lighted candles in our barracks on Christmas Eve. I
began gathering all the empty 'K' Rations heavily
waxed outer cartons I could find. Using m y ever
handy G.I. mess kit knife, I scraped enough w a x off
the cartons to make three candles. Using an unraveled shoe lace for a wick, I warmed and kneaded
out the w a x until it was thin and pliable enough to
roll up into a cylinder with the wick inside. Ended
up with three sort of grungy looking candles about
an inch in diameter and four or five inches long.
After about m y fourth or fifth unsuccessful excursion to the P X , I broke d o w n one day and bought
the entire stock (two 24 bar cartons) of Pings at the
going price of a nickel a bar. I salted them away in
m y blue barracks bag until the next days mission
was announced. After pre-mission breakfast, between m y briefcase andflyingsuit, I managed to
store the entire 48 Pings. Just after takeoff w h e n the
b o m b bay doors rolled shut, I tossed the whole lot
into the b o m b bay where they would freeze to cast
iron hardness. In the target area as w e turned at our
I.P. and those doors rolled open, d o w n went our
PX's entire stock of those (expletive deleted) Ping
bars cascading d o w n upon an unsuspecting enemy
below!
Stretching m y luck, I paid a late night visit to the
mess hall where one of the cooks with some Christm a s spirit gave m e a couple tins of evaporated milk,
a couple of one pound tins of bacon, and cartons of
powdered eggs.
Someone on another crew, hearing about m y dropping candy bars into Germany, said I might be
accused of giving aid and comfort to the enemy.
Obviously he had never been reduced to trying to
eat a Ping bar. I think the irony of m y "Ping Drop"
caught on; mysteriously Ping bars came into short
supply in our little P X .
W h e n the gang from m y barracks drifted in that
Christmas Eve, w e got our Sibley stove fired up
with some "borrowed coke" from the "off limits"
coke pile in the 66th area and w h o m p e d up some
mean omelets made with carefully blended powdered eggs, bacon, butter and canned milk. Others
in the barracks broke out carefully cached chocolate
for cocoa, and another found a bottle of liberated
wine for a one round toast.
Will, You and your family have a Very Happy N e w
Year. Meanwhile, I'll look forward to a continuation
of the Eightballers organization into the coming years.
Sincerely,
Rob Fisk, 66th
562 Buckingham Ave., Syracuse, N Y 13210-3318
Editor: Thanks at least 2 cartons for your great
"Pings A w a y " story!
I
18
W h e n those candles were lighted and placed in the
window, w e figured the German Air Force would be
too busy with their o w n Yule Eve to interfere with
ours. Within minutes of the lighting, the barracks
lapsed into almost complete silence as, one by one,
each of us travelled back in time to other Christmas
Eves spent in happier times and places.
�That's about all the story that I told Pete, I'm not sure
if he will use it, but if you wish to add it to the 8 Ball
Tails check with Pete.
Very Sincerely,
Rob Fisk, 66th, Nav. on Howard Hinshaw's crew
562 Buckingham Ave., Syracuse, N Y 13210
EDITOR: I didn't see a trace of this story in the 2
A D A Journal and decided it belonged with the "Pings
Away" story, so you'll just have to come up with
another story for Pete! Boy, do I ever remember that
Christmas Eve! You'll recall all of Europe and the
British Isles had been socked in with dense fog for
days and days and the Battle of Bulge raged on while
we sat grounded by weather and helpless to support
our troops. Then December 24 the weather broke, the
skies were clear and 8th Air Force took to the skies to
make the largest mass bomber attack in the history of
the world attacking every possible supply route to Von
Runstedt's forces. The Bomber Assembly that bright
morning over England was the most awesome sight I
have ever witnessed. There were B-24s and B-17s as
far as the eye could see. The 44th Target was a railway
bridge and tunnel just outside the city of Eiler, Germany. Get this; the IP code for the Primary was
"Merry Christmas," Secondary "SEC. Merry Christmas," and Last Resort was "Santa Claus." That Christmas Eve we were all too tired to do much celebrating,
but I remember thinking that our mission that day
surely sent a Christmas message to our troops fighting
and freezing in Bastogne that help was on the way.
After the war, Daly and his wife separated and
divorced and John married the Warren girl. They
made their home in the Napa Valley and lived
just a short way from m y sister and her husband
who has a vineyard there. Needless to say they
met and m y sister reminded him of the broadcast.
T w o other anecdotes:
The Beer Story—While on one of the trips to
Africa, we received a shipment of canned American beer, Bud, I think. Well there it was 115 in
the shade if you could find any; what were we to
do? Well, the 66th always led the way, so into the
back of old #779 went the beer on a "Test Hop"
up to 18,000 ft. where the beer got cold enough,
quick enough to remain icy cold through decent,
landing and to the shade of the wing. M a n did
that beer taste G O O D ! Shortly, we received a
call from one of the other squadron Operations
Officers and within minutes several more planes
were being "flight tested" at 18,000 ft!
This has been in the files for awhile, but after reading
it through it seemed too good not to share.
The Wine Story—Shortly after the 7th Army
landed in Sicily and was making some headway
inland, one of the 66th planes piloted by J O E
F L A H E R T Y made a forced landing on one of the
captured airstrips. During their stay, the crew
made friends with a Sicilian farmer who had all
of his Sicilian Red Wine underground to prevent
the Germans from taking it. When F L A H E R T Y
returned, he brought with him a full keg of the
aged stuff. What a party we had!
After I left the 44th, I was an air controller at 2n
Air Division. From there I was sent to the U.S.
and went to Westover Field where I was Supervisor of Flying. While there I decided the Regular
Air force was not m y career. I was discharged as
a Lt. Col. and went into the field of Veterinary
Medicine, receiving m y degree in 1951.
Dear Will,
If I think of anything more I will Let you know.
I have gone through m y files and have found very
little of which I feel has any historical value. However,
I will let you decide and am therefore enclosing any of
m y personnel orders which mention other members of
the 66th. I have also included a copy of the broadcast
m y crew made from England.—This is an interesting
side tale—John Daly, the broadcaster, invited m e to
visit him in London whenever I was on leave. So one
evening, Capt. Reed and I did and who was keeping
Mr. Daly company was this beautiful young blonde
who happened to be Judge Earl Warren's daughter.
Truly, Jim Kahl
T H E BIG "FRIDGE" IN T H E S K Y
This comes from Dr. Jim Kahl
578 W . King St., Winona, M n 55987-2975
EDITOR: Cold B e e r — W H Y N O T ? Good stories,
Jim. Sorry I have not included the Daly broadcast;
I was typing away at it, and at about half way
through I decided it was just gobbling up too much
space. I have it saved and am trying to reduce it
somehow. We'll see if we can get it in the next
"Tails."
�THE "RUTHLESS"
FELLOWSHIP
A D-DAY T H A N K Y O U (UPDATED)
As the 50th anniversary of VE-Day is upon us, I
wish to write a special note of thanks, and gratitude to all the m e n and w o m e n , deceased and
living, w h o fought and died in World W a r II.
We sit and view the Sussex Downs,
At grazing sheep, as seagulls cry,
Yet some of us hear other sounds,
For brave young men, destined to fly
It gives m e special pride to have people remember those w h o were in the A r m y Air Corps during
the war. They also fought to keep our country
safe and free. They flew above the ground,
looking down on all the destruction and horror
below—fellow comrades, fighting, suffering and
dying, all for the same cause.
They came tofightbeside the Few,
To ease the burden of our pain,
They were our cousins, staunch and true.
And each day we see them again.
We knew the trouble which they shared,
The engines coughed amid the cloud,
I a m especiallyfilledwith pride as I a m the
daughter of one of these brave men. M y father,
Charles W . Taylor, was a m e m b e r of the 8th Air
Force, 44th Bomber Group. A n aerial gunner in a
B-24 called "The Liberator." A young 18 year old
man, full of fear, but also full of honor.
We hoped their lives would all be spared,
And ardent prayers were said aloud
But "Ruthless" could not make the height,
and through the mist she came to rest
Upon a hill, within our sight,
Fifty years later, this man, m y father, is still that
proud honorable man. H e has taught m e to
believe in m y country, to be proud that I a m an
American. So on the anniversary Monday, let us
stand with pride and remember what these brave
people fought for. Each time you stand and salute
theflag,stand with pride, place your hand on
your heart and feel the life within you. A n d say,
thank you, to all w h o made this possible. W e
have not forgotten you.
And God's hand rose on those he blessed.
They died upon a foreign field,
Defending freedom to the last,
For what the daylight then revealed,
were friends together, hands held fast.
Their youthful spirits walk there still,
Past flowers blooming in the sun,
They smile down from Willingdon Hill,
Jeanne Taylor-Huss
Syracuse
Jeanne, I trust you will forgive m y changing D-Day to
VE-Day in your beautiful piece, it seemed so
appropriate.
aware of duty proudly done
Douglas Thomas, 1995
6 Willow Walk, Eastbourne, E. Sussex, BN22 OSD
20
�44TH B G V A E X E C U T I V E B O A R D
S E A R C H - R O S T E R - M A I L LIST
W e have split the Roster function in two.
Where we had a duplication of effort with both
Tom Shepherd and Art Hand both doing the
same job, i.e., searching for lost members,
keeping the Roster current, and providing a
current mailing list and address labels, then
exchanging data. From now on Art Hand will
concentrate on the Search function. If you hear
of a 44th'er that does not belong, or has passed
away, please notify:
President: Roy W. Owen (506)
6304 Meadowridge Dr.
Santa Rosa, C A 95409
Ph (707) 538-4726 F A X (707)538-1212
Vice President: James H. Clements (506)
4124 Calculus Ave.
Dallas, T X 75244
Ph. (214) 243-4657
Secretary: Edward M . Dobson (67)
118 So. 15th Ave., #1
Bozeman, M T 59715-4130
Ph. (H) (800) 587-2492 (Code: 44)
Ph. (B) (800) 484-1044 Ext. 0536
ART HAND
517 ELM ST.
PARIS, IL 61994
PHONE/FAX (217) 463-5905
Treasurer: Gerald W . Folsom (506)
954 Lowell Ave.
Salt Lake City, U T 84102-3620
Ph.(801)359-6159
If you move or change any aspect of your
address or phone number, wife's name, want
to stop receiving the 8 Ball Tails or whatever,
please notify:
44th Group Vice Pres. to 2nd A D A :
Richard D. Butler (67/506)
16494 Wagon Wheel Dr.
Riverside, C A 92506-5850
Ph (909) 780-7421 F A X (909)780-1459
T O M SHEPHERD
10597 C A M B R O O K E COVE
COLLIERVILLE, TN 38017
PHONE: (901) 854-6558
This will basically leave Art to his search for
members and Tom to keeping the Roster
current.
Director: Ed. W . "Mike" Mikoloski (66)
626 Smithfield Rd. #702
N. Providence, RI 02904
Ph.(401)354-8695
ART JUST RECENTLY RECEIVED N E W UPDATES TO HIS CD-ROM PHONE DISKS, SO
IF Y O U A R E LOOKING FOR A 44TH
B U D D Y OR C R E W M E M B E R CONTACT
ART. W H E N HE LOCATES THE PERSON
FOR YOU, IF THEY ARE NOT A M E M B E R
OF 44TH BGVA TELL 'EM TO C O M E
ABOARD.
Director: Raymond R. McNamara (67)
495 Linden St.
Boylston, M A 01505
Director: Robert J. Lehnhausen (68)
709 W . Meadows PI.
Peoria, IL 61604-3447
Ph. (309) 685-2490
Director: John Milliken (506)
2345 Garden Hwy.
Sacramento, C A 95833
Ph.(916)925-1700
Director: Albert F. Ruby (464)
1106 Rogers St.
Madera, C A 93638-2117
Ph. (508) 869-2592
Roy Owen, Director Mike Mikoloski, Historian Will Lundy,
Secretary Ed Dobson, and Member "Chick" Blakelv right
after the close of our inaugural meeting
at Colorado Springs on October 9.
21
�THE LAST RUN OF "RUTHLESS"
The 44th B o m b Group target for the 2 February 1944
mission looked, for all purposes,tobe a "milk run"
against a coastal Noball (V-l "Buzz B o m b " launch site)
at Watten in the Pas de Calais, France with short penetration and little time in enemy territory. 1st. Lt. James O.
"Augie" Bolin of the 506th B o m b Squadron with a
makeup crew was assigned to fly B-24D # 41-24282
"Ruthless" (named after a former pilot's wife) on this
mission. The makeup crew consisted of just that; several
crewmen flying a last remaining mission to complete
their combat tour.
Unfortunately, the "milk run" mission soon seemed to be
in difficulty; the assembly was difficult due to layered
clouds then the target area weather made a G H (Radar)
b o m b run necessary. Timing at the IP went awry when
Bolin and the lead group were forced to make a second
run when the #2 Group turned inside the IP and were on
a collision course with Bolin's Group over the target.
The second run resulted in a target time twenty two
minutes behind schedule. All of this in moderate, fairly
accurate, predictor control flak. M a n y of the aircraft
suffered minor flak damage and it was on the second
b o m b run that "Ruthless" was hit knocking out its
number 3 inboard engine. Bolin feathered the propeller
and continued the run successfully dropping his bombs
on the Watton target. Coming off the b o m b run, it
became evident that the flak burst that had taken out #3
had also damaged #4 which was losing both oil and
power. Bolin slowly fell behind the formation descending. Bolin reported to the lead aircraft that he had also
lost most of his primary flight instruments and flying
between cloud layers was going to attempt to make
landfall near Beachy Head and make a landing at the
emergency airfield at Friston, near Eastbourne. Bailout
or ditching were ruled out because of the Channel water
temperature. "Ruthless" reached Friston where, for some
reason, Bolin was told he could he could not land at that
moment. Apparently, by this time he had lost another
engine and was attempting a go-around on two engines.
Unable to hold altitude the aircraft crashed on the D o w n s
(hills) on the outskirts of Eastbourne killing all aboard.
From the day of the crash on, the Eastbourne villagers
seemed to feel the crash which took the lives of all ten
airmen aboard "Ruthless" as a personal tragedy. They
researched the history of the crew members and aircraft,
corresponded with the families of those men, and each
year on the anniversary of the crash the villagers walk to
the hillside site of the crash and placefloralmemorials
to the crew.
This homage by the wonderful people has manifested
itself in the creation of a memorial being erected on the
crash site and to be dedicated on M a y 13, 1995 in
connection with the nationwide commemoration of V E
Day the week of M a y 8, 1995. The funding for this
memorial to our comrades was spearheaded by
Eastbourne residents Arthur King, Kevin Watson and
George Dixon and supported by Eastbourne Mayor Ron
Parsons. The Eastbourne efforts have been joined by the
citizens of Fulton County, Pennsylvania, h o m e of
"Ruthless" Waist Gunner S/Sgt. Ralph E. Strait, when
The Fulton County Commissioners set up a Memorial
Fund created to maintain the memorial.
Colonel Richard Butler of the 506th B o m b Squadron and
his wife Ardith, will attend the Memorial dedication
ceremonies in Eastbourne on M a y 13, representing all of
the 44th B o m b Group Veterans.
This letter from Mrs. P. Parsons of Eastbourne seems to
say it all about the personal loss these people feel for our
fallen comrades.
6 A Maxfield Close
Eastbourne,, E. Sussex, B N 2 0 8 P Q
Dear Friend,
I didn't k n o w what to call you, but this would do.
I was one of the mothers pushing a baby carriage out of
St. Elizabeth's that afternoon that the plane came over. I
waved to the dear boys. Little did I think as I went down
Victoria Drive to home, that they all lay dead, G o d rest
their souls. But would you accept a little help for the
memorial fund, I a m sorry it's not more, but I do have a
little remembrance of them though. O n e of m y sons went
up there, he was only about 12 or 13 years. H e brought
h o m e a bit of Perspex (plexiglass) which m y husband
made into a cross which I still wear and have done for
the last 50 years.
I n o w close, Yours Truly
Mrs. P. Parsons
�SAN ANTONIO '95
44TH BOMB GROUP VETERANS ASSOCIATION REUNION OCT. 19-22
THE SCHEDULE
THURSDAY OCT. 19 REGISTRATION ALL DAY
3:00 PM BALLROOM: RECEPTION AND BUSINESS MEETING. HORS D'OEUVRES,
CASH BAR
6:00 PM
HOSPITALITY ROOM OPENS, FREE BAR
DINNER ON YOUR O W N
FRIDAY OCT. 20
9:30 AM
3:00 PM
6:30 TO 8:30
COACH TOUR # 1 * $38.00 per person
HOSPITALITY ROOM OPENS, FREE BAR
BUFFET DINNER IN ATRIUM
SATURDAY OCT. 21
9:30 & 10:30 AM
2:30 & 3:30 PM
3:00 PM
6:30 PM
8:30 PM
SHUTTLE BUSES LEAVE FOR RIVER WALK
SHUTTLE BUSES RETURN TO HOTEL
HOSPITALITY ROOM OPENS, FREE BAR
SQUADRON DINNERS
GROUP DANCE- SPONSORED BY THE 506TH SQ.
SUNDAY OCT. 22
9:00 AM GOLF - FT. SAM HOUSTON
10:00 A M
COACH TOUR #2 " $32.00 per person
3:00 PM
HOSPITALITY ROOM OPENS, FREE BAR
6:30 PM
BANQUET:
PROCEEDED BY COLOR GUARDS AND CANDLE
LIGHTING CEREMONY PRESENTED BY 506TH SQ.
MEXICAN DANCERS FOLLOWING BANQUET
(JACKETS SUGGESTED FOR BANQUET)
MONDAY OCT 23
8:00 AM- 10:00 AM
FAREWELL BUFFET BREAKFAST & CHECKOUT
* TOUR #1 The coach tour includes the Historic Quadrangle, Fort Sam
Houston and the Post Museum. After a break for lunch at Fort Sam Houston
Officers Club, the tour continues on to the Alamo and Long Barracks also a tour of Mission San Jose
"Queen of the Spanish Missions". The Lone Star Brewery is next with a stop at the Buckhorn Bar and the
Hall of Horns. Return to hotel by 4:30 pm.
**TOUR #2 On this tour the San Antonio Botanical Gardens will be first then the Brec
Gardens and a stop at the Mexican Market. Lunch will be Dutch Treat. Next will be the King William
Historical District and La Villita for shopping and history at the Institute of Texas Cultures. Returning by
4:00 p m .
23
�If**
At the time this was taken Lemon Drop had 45 combat missions, 4 diversion
missions and 15 enemy aircraft kills to her credit. Note the narrow prop blade.
Crew Chief Master Sergeant Charles Pigg
••mVHPM
f—#.,***fMj|W*':
•%%%m :/vs
''*'**$*,'*'
>»
%m^
._.*v~
v*"
;
*
^(jrr
~"jf^*"
^v0*g&*z***0%
*> i
, * < • »
"a
"
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•
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;V-H<
_
Lemon Drop on her way to Naples. Note how the camouflage paint makes the near wing disappear into the landscape.
24
�NOTICE
NOTICE
NOTICE
NOTICE
When we started reunion planning, our best heads estimated that for a first
reunion we would do well to have 200 attend. Jim Clements padded that by 50
and made plans with the Holiday Inn accordingly. As the memberships and
enthusiastic indications of attendance rolled in it seemed prudent to up the
expected planning numbers. In the meantime the hotel had booked another
banquet the night of our banquet, thus they can only accommodate 350 of our
people. Rooms are not a problem but feeding over 350 is an absolute cap. W e are
too far along to change hotels so we must apologize for this planning error. On the
other hand we are overwhelmed at the enthusiasm displayed by our members for
coming to San Antonio. It will be first come,firstserve for thefirst350 people to
reserve their attendance. Send your reservation as soon as you can! After 350 we
will keep a standby list for any cancellations in order of receipt.
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT
TO SEND IN YOUR RESERVATIONS EARLY!!!!!!!!!!!!
Upon receipt of registration, you will be mailed a Hotel Reservation Form for
rooms. R E T U R N T H E M D I R E C T L Y T O T H E H O T E L . Hotel rates are $65.00
per night per room.
44th B O M B G R O U P V E T E R A N S ASSOCIATION
1995 Reunion San Antonio , Texas
Reservation Form Total in your party
LAST NAME FIRST NAME SQUADRON _
ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP
WIFE: (FIRST NAME)
GUEST: (LAST NAME) FIRST NAME
REGISTRATION FOR FULL REUNION IS $110.00 per person ( NOT INCLUDING ROOM)
Full refund for cancellation until October 1, 1995 Choice for Banquet: Steak# Chicken#
REGISTRATION $110.00 Would you like a round of golf at Ft. Sam Houston on Sunday?
TOUR#l 35.00
TOUR #2 32.00 How many players Need transportation yes no
TOTAL $
Make checks payable to: 44th Bomb Group Veterans Association
Mail to: Jim Clements 4124 Calculus Ave. Dallas, T X 75244 (phone 214-243-4657)
��
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8 Ball Tails
Newsletter
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8 Ball Tails Volume 1 - Issue 2: Spring 1995
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<span>44th Bomb Group Veteran's Association Website (<a class="in-cell-link" target="_blank" href="http://www.8thairforce.com/44thbg" rel="noreferrer noopener">Now Inactive</a>)</span>
Date
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Spring 1995
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https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/65043/archive/files/45424f9f017ba3d6184d5d7146f35b1a.pdf?Expires=1712793600&Signature=I0UUxpoP0jmFyaQMe%7Et4%7Ess0x0kMy7Vr3bDP3lOjcw8WNxFWjmmMyA60MkpWE5ydVU5b8nW4y92ZyUkQ6ZHaNDoPDFk-rDD2NnmK68wNxDxwA868FJqAP2Q%7EASnBJ0cNtsPo%7EcTV4bFPmyUMWPRmaaaCyO0-M0x%7ERmjOfn5eNsx7w%7EVHvyrbQGnqyXMTfWOM7ndF84RG5iB2UwvV1DZwj7fSjblhFgVahB7nuBD7SWDusrbTwidj9hqZTimkcuQbARGMk1fZzpownH%7Emrygq-4EXAZuWpQUHMvUZGKH5ilbM3117lde8pBJrfpHkKdPtWIXHBDJjbw9m89pxYxnPuA__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM
b4f63a2b04271f3628ce608d688fd39e
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Text
�67 COMBAT CREWS
Lt.J. Stephens'Crew
Pilot, James H. Stephens, Deceased 10/6/91
Co-Pilot, Gunnard C. Ohlsson, 921 Green Star Drive #902, Colorado Springs, CO 80906-1820
Namgator, James H. Buchanan
Bombardier, Herbert J Wilson, Box 249, New Town, ND 58763-0849
Engineer, Henry Meling, Deceased 11/9/53
Radio Operator, Martin J. Ferrick, 21508 Santa Elena, Lago Vista, TX 78645
Waist Gunner, Kenneth P. Hummel
Waist Gunner, Richard P. Hein, 7870 Trenton, St. Louis, MO 63130
H Gunner, Tom J. Thomas, 2921 Telhurst Ct., Moraine, OH45439-1418
Tail Gunner, Clyde B. Hisel, Deceased
2
�BRIEF HISTORY
AIRCRAFT #42-100411 E
B-24J-100-CO Olive, Drab in Color.
Was assigned to the 67th Squadron prior to 3 March 1944.
The Letters N B were painted on both sides of the rear fuselage behind the waist windows.
Incomplete Listing of Missions Flown:
MONTH
DAY
PILOT
MONTH
DAY
PILOT
March
March
March
March
March
March
March
March
March
March
March
March
March
March
March
March
March
3
4
5
6
8
9
12
15
16
17
18
21
23
24
26
27
31
Thom
Schmidt
Thom
Thom
McCormick
Cookus
McCormick
Thom
Thom
Thom
Thornton
Thom
Thom
Thom
Thom (Spare)
Metts
Thom (Spare)
April
April
April
April
April
April
April
April
April
9
11
12
?
18
19
20
22
27
1
7
8
10
27
28
30
7
19
20
21
Jefferson
Stephens
Stephens
Mueller
Stephens
Stephens
Stephens
Thames
Arnold
Thames
Thames
?
Recalled
Thames
Thames
Thames
Carter
Henry
Henry
Howe
May
May
May
May
May
May
May
June
June
June
June
Aircraft and Crew Lost
9 Prisoners of War
1 Killed
in Action
3
�506TH B O M B S Q U A D R O N
C R E W LOSSES
21 JUNE 1944
42-100411 E
D O W N O N 14TH MISSION F O R C R E W
Pilot, Norman E. Howe, POW, Wife Marian, Box 553, Freeland, WA 98248
Co-Pilot, Gordon W. Henderson, KIA - shot while parachuting
Navigator, David Milton Harris, POW, Son Marc, 300 Mildren Avenue, Apt. 8, Weirton,
Bombardier, Franklin W. Binkley, POW, Park Ridge, IL
Waist Gun Engineer, Robert E. Smith, POW, 702 Shuffleton, St. Sigourmey, I A 52
Radio Operator, Henry D. Faller, POW, 1115 Kingston, Hint, MI 48507
Top Turret Waist Gunner, William L. McConnaughhay, POW, 104 South Joseph, Sulpher, L
Waist Gunner, Frank Stoltz, POW, 2709Pleasant St., Miles City, MT59301
Tail Turret H Gunner, Francis E. Termin, POW, PO Box 13, Glen Hope, PA 16645
21 JUNE 1944
TARGET: BERLIN
GROW (DAVIDO)
A+1800
DAVIS
M+1783
HUNDELT
H I 031
GILBERT
I 1193
HENRY
J 1189
KNOWLES
O | 049
GUNTON
L 1846
DUWE
A 1087
HONMYHR HERRING
K I 314
PI 997
HERMANN
T I 021
CARTER
S 1329
PERETTI
Z 1001
MORRISON
G I 170
PRINCIPE
VI 112
DONALD
F |367
BONNETT
E 1101
SMITH
329
WEAVER
0 1057
EDMONSON
QNS
T22l
ANDERSON
S| 643
FORD
A 1049
CAYMAN
0 1082
RICKETTS
B| 098
MENDENHALL
TI088
WESTCOTT
H 1829
LANDAHL
K I 181
E I 411
DOCKTER
QJ 496
HRUBY
CI616
LEONARD
~Z 016
MCKENNA
L I 177
HOWE
TITER
A1952
TUCKER
Y 1415
MENZEL
R 1034
66TH SQ. LEADS: McCormick F+ 788 & Craig, B+ - 785 to 392nd BG
Mustapa E+ 776 & Yoder L+ 769 to 466th; and
Englehardt C+ 772 to 467th BG
4
MILLIKEN
S 1030
�THE EAST FLIGHT OF E-BAR
By: S/Sgt. William McConnaughhay
The following is a condensation covering his experiences relating to this day, 14 June 1944:
O u r trip to Berlin, our 14th into Germany, was
uneventful, due mosdy to a good cloud cover, with
only isolated pockets of inaccurate anti-aircraft fire.
About forty tofiftymiles out from Berlin, our cloud
cover dissipated and w e could see a light haze
hanging over Berlin. O u r flight plan routed us
southeast to a point approximately twenty miles
south of Berlin, and then due north across the city.
As w e turned north and quickly approached our
target, the whole d a m n sky, almost as far as the eye
could see, was a blazing inferno created by the
hundreds of anti-aircraft guns installed there. Off
to each side, G e r m a n spotter planes were flying at
our exact altitude, relaying this information to the
gun batteries below, increasing their efficiency for
their devastating barrage on our bombers. Although
Myjobas a gunner on the crewwas to operate the
top turret located on top of the aircraft, direcdy over
the flight deck. As I rotated m y turret, I saw some M E
109's closing rapidly from the rear. These fighters
had a 2 0 m m cannon in the nose and three .30
caliber machine guns in each wing. As thefirsttwo
fighters m a d e their pass at us, their cannons m a d e
gaping holes in our left rear stabilizer and the left
wing. W h e n the third plane came in, I was nearly
hypnotized w h e n .30 caliber bullets started
penetrating the fuselage on the top and rear of our
bomber...and they came directly in a line for m y
turret. In what seemed an eternity, .30 bullets came
crashing into m y turret through the plastic bubble!
Although slightly dazed from this experience, I
remembered something had hit m e in the neck and
we tried to ignore it, w e could see bombers ahead of I was convinced it was one of those bullets. I
us falling out of formation, some blowing up, and an immediately had the sensation of blood running
ever increasing n u m b e r of parachutes floating down
d o w n m y neck and a very sticky feeling in m y flight
suit. Instinctively, I followed the fourth fighter
over the city.
Even at thistime,I believe all of us thought w e through his pass and about burned out m y gun
lived a charmed life and were going to m a k e it. But barrels trying to get revenge. H e came right in on
top of us, and just before he turned it over to go
seconds before w e were to drop our bombs, a shell
d o w n and away, he raised his hand and waved!
exploded in the vicinity of our left outboard (#1)
engine. W e dropped out of formation like a ton of Although he was long gone, I remember waving
bricks and continued to lose altitude until we could back at him.
Surveying the damages from m y vantage point,
jettison our b o m b load. With the b o m b s gone, we
I could see that the entire left rear stabilizer was
were able to stabilize our position and were soon
gone and approximately one-third of the left wing.
over the out-skirts of Berlin. A quick check of the
plane revealed our condition not critical, and our It seemed like there were thousands of holes. O u r
plane at thistimewas completely out of control, and
Navigator, Lt. Harris, estimated we could be in
I'm sure that the pilots were far too busy to inform
Sweden in approximately 35 minutes.
the rest of us what w e could expect.
®
�Dazed for a bit by thefire,smoke, exploding
In the confusion that followed, I forgot I had a
ammunition,
I was jarred back to reality by a large
.30 caliber bullet through m y neck and probably was
bleeding to death. T h e n reality came back, positive explosion - probably the gasoline. Ijumped up and
that I was dying, I became hysterical. I remember ran out of the woods, back into the potato field
hollering incoherently, but then, just as quickly, I where I had landed, and then noticed a small green
became calm and at peace with the world. All sorts spot ahead and ran for it - anything was better than
this openfield.T h e green area turned out to be far
of thoughts then poured through m y mind.
better than I had dreamed because it was a hole
I was brought back to reality w h e n the pilot
perhaps 30 feet in diameter, about eight feet deep,
announced over the intercom that he could handle
the plane and w e should all parachute out as quickly a small pond of water in the middle and small trees
as possible. I immediately crawled out of m y turret and shrubs around the entire bank. Soon I was into
the water up to m y armpits, m y head and shoulders
and desperately started looking for m y parachute
that I had so nonchalantiy tossed on m y flight deck well covered by a small tree...
I was captured 10 to 12 days later while trying to
earlier.
Crawling on m y knees, Ifinallyfound it and as I get to Sweden because I got completely lost and
didn'tknowwherelwas. IwassenttoStalagLuft#l.
stood up and started to unbutton m y heated jacket
Sgt. Faller, Radioman, answered a few questions
to snap on m y chute, I noticed several fragments of
also, "As I recall, w e did have a borrowed plane, but
plastic about the size of a dime fall out onto the
I don't remember why. W e received a direct hit
floor. As I continued to unbutton m y jacket, I
realized m y flight suit was soaking wet - with sweat! through #1 enginejust before the b o m b run and fell
out of formation. After salving our bombs, we
It slowly dawned on m e that I had found m y .30
headed cross-country hoping to tap onto some
caliber bullet and the blood.
Crawling over to the b o m b bay, I jumped out, formation, but were hit by about six M E 109's who
following m y plan to free fall as long as possible, but took turns at us. W h e n it became evident that we
suddenly I was in a small, low-flying cloud and could could no longer stay airborne (about 12,000 feet),
not see the ground. I immediately tried to open m y w e bailed out and all became P O W ' s except our copilot, Henderson. H e was killed by civilians when he
chute, but nothing happened. With m y heart
skipping beats, I looked d o w n and there was m y left landed."
hand desperately trying to keep m y right hand from
pulling the rip cord. Under control now, I pulled
the cord for a short ride to earth with m y chute
blossoming above m e .
With all of this activity, I had completely forgotten
about the rest of the crew. Looking up, I quickly
counted eight chutes - all of them crewmen. They
were all in the same general area and still about a
mile up. Breaking almost every rule, I headed on a
dead run for a relatively small wooded area where I
stopped, sat d o w n and became violendy ill at m y
stomach. I had not been there long w h e n I heard
the roar of airplane engines, followed by limbs
being torn off trees, and then a shower of airplane
parts and pieces of trees. Looking up, directly over
m y head and not thirty feet high, a four-engine
bomber was crashing through the trees and finally
came to rest less than a quarter of a mile in front of
me!
�DECISION HUSSION 24
27 JUNE 1944
44 111 B O M B G R O U P 506TH BJS.
Submitted by Robert M. Foust
1725 Grauzvyler #137
Irvingus, Texas 75061
Shipdham Air Base, 3:00 A M , 506th Squadron
Quonset Hut, everyone was asleep, finally. Y A
H O , Y A H O , Y A H O rang out "Time to fly those
Bloody Kites, wake up you fly boys. Docktor's
Crew, Stone's Crew, breakfast in 15 minutes" the
CQhollered. I had been asleep maybe an hour
when he shouted out. I'll probably remember
that sound the rest of m y life. Having slept in m y
flying coveralls, I slipped on m y shoes, grabbed
m y leather jacket and hat and headed for the
trucks to take us to the mess hall, along with the
rest of the crew. Breakfast at 03:15, briefing at
04:00 came the voice over the P A system.
Breakfast was pancakes and bacon for m e .
Then on to briefing. O u r mission was Creil, a
marshalling yards north of Paris. W e were to
carry 12-500 pound G P bombs. The enlisted
m e n were excused from briefing and went on to
get on our flying gear and check our valuables.
Then by the armory to pick up our guns and on
to our aircraft.
T h e crew went about their task of pre-flight on
"ShackRat," our aircraft. As a right waist gunner,
the pilot assigned m e to be in charge of the rear
of the plane. M y duties included starting the
"Putt Putt," the auxiliary power generator. After
installing m y waist gun and starting the A.P.G., I
plugged in m y heated flying suit and m y
headphones, spread out a couple of flak suits on
the ribbed deck and prompdy went to sleep. I
would doze while the engines were run up and
usually during the long period till we joined the
formation to head to our target.
W e had some problems during assembly of our
group, but word from the pilot to test fire our
guns meant we were over the channel and headed
to France. Before w e reached the coast, I was
ordered to start throwing out chaff, anti-radar
strips of tinfoil. Sitting down by the rear hatch
I started dropping the bundles through the
chute provided. I must have gone through 10
boxes of chaff before hearing on the intercom
that we had reached our IP and were turning on
the target.
O n a previous mission, Bill Strange and I had
seen a B-24 pull up beside us in the formation.
You could see fuel streaming from the b o m b bay.
O n board the crew could be seen going back
and forth working on the problem. Painted on
the nose was the n a m e "Tuffey," which was a
nickname w e had given Bill. Fire erupted from
the aircraft and it dove out of our formation and
sailed under and off to the left of us. Bodies
began jumping out on fire as the B-24 burst in
two. Their chutes would open only to be
consumed in flames. Bill looked at m e and said
"If we were ever hit in our fuel tanks, I'm going
to get out before thefirebegins."
"Bomb bay doors open," came the c o m m a n d
and "Bombs away" as the B-24 lunged upward
releasing the bombs. At that moment, flak
bracketed our formation. W e were hit. I felt the
aircraft losing altitude rapidly and the rear of
the plane was full of 100 octane gasoline. Feeling
a tap on m y shoulder, I turned around and Bill,
the o ther waist gunner handed m e m y parachute.
I stood up disconnecting m y oxygen and
intercom and hooked up m y chest pack. Looking
up, I saw Bill open the rear hatch and was going
to bail out also, but w e seemed to be flying okay,
so I decided not to. I think the reason I didn't
was lack of oxygen, having been disconnected
from it for I don't know h o w long.
�T h e intercom was buzzing by now, orders from fuel to m a k e it back to the base?" The answer
the pilot was to turn off all electrical equipment again, "Keep going." T h e pilot announced,
and stand by. I reported that Bill had bailed out "Anyone wishing to bail out over the Channel
can, but I'm going back to Shipdham." W e all
and we were soaking with fuel. Looking toward
the rear I saw Morrie, the tail gunner, sitting in decided to go with him. Coming in on an
emergency approach, the pilot landed on the
his turret looking sadly at m e with gasoline
grass beside the runway to avoid any sparks.
splashing in his face. Meanwhile in the b o m b
bay, they were working to stop the flow of fuel W h e n the B-24 rolled to a stop, w e jumped out
of the rear of the plane and began kissing the
from a p u m p that had been hit. Charlie, our
ground. I think this mission added ten years to
flight engineer, tore a piece of wood from an
a m m o box and with his false teeth chewed a plug m y life.
T h e Crew on this mission: Pilot Fred Stone,
and stopped the leak. By this time things began
to setde down after an engine was feathered and Co-Pilot Merritt Derr, Navigator Andrew
Patrichuck, Radio Operator Sam Ceverella, Nose
the pilot began to take damage reports. H e
Turret Bob Ryan, Upper Turret Charles Brown,
called m e in the waist and asked h o w bad Bill
(right waist gunner) had been hit and did I need Tail Turret Morrie Meunitz, Right Waist Bill
to help with him. During all the excitement, he Strange, Left Waist B o b Foust, Ball Turret
had misunderstood that Bill had been wounded Flegman. All finished their tour and returned to
the States except for Bill Strange, w h o spent the
instead of having bailed out.
A few minutes later Fred Stone, our pilot, got rest of the war in a P.O.W. camp. As of this
on the intercom and told us w e were flying all writing, April, 1995, only Derr, Foust and Strange
right and he was going to try to make it back to are still alive.
the Channel, but if any of the crew wanted to bail
out it was okay. N o one else wanted to and we all EDITOR: Good story, Bob. As to Pilot Stones
decided to ride it out with the "Skipper." Sam, performance, one could conclude that this is wh
the radio operator, remarked later that he would Air Force dropped the plain "Pilot"titleandrenam
never fly another mission with any one else than that crew position "Aircraft Commander, " one
Stone. H e said if it hadn't been for him shouting has and maintains command of the aircraft an
crew. It seems to me that Flight Engineer, C
out commands during the mission, w e would
Brown did a pretty outstanding feat with h
have had it.
choppers; then managing the fuel so precisel
W e had dropped our altitude low enough to
get off oxygen and had picked up fighter support enable you to make it back to Shipdham. You we
back towards England. As a 19 year old, I began fortunate to be on such a solid crew!
to realize what had happened and the shock was
setting in. O n the intercom I could hear the
pilots asking Charlie Brown h o w the fuel supply
was. His answer every time was, "Don't worry, we
have plenty of fuel. Keep going." Over the
Channel the question was, "Do w e have enough
®
�T h e following is taken from the Norfolk News and Weekly Press dated April 10, 1943:
LIFE ON THE BASE
EARLY 1943
Life at the British station of the 44th
Bombardment Group has been well described by
Mr. Lee in the Norfolk News and Daily Press of 10
April 1943.
For some months past, the sight of officers and
m e n of the United States Air Force has been a
familiar feature of the scene in a great m a n y Norfolk
towns and villages. So familiar indeed, that it has
long since ceased to be the matter of curiosity that
it was atfirst.N o w w e accept them - almost, for we
are still East Anglian - as part of our o w n community.
H o w is it that this has happened so quickly in a
country that by tradition is supposed to be slow in
taking to "foreigners?" Partly, I think, because we
East Anglians have been quick to realize that these
Americans are as m u c h a part of Great Britain, to
whose presence w e have become used to since the
war. Pardy, I think, because an innate instinct to
hospitality has been quickened by the thought that
these Americans are in a way relations, however
distandy removed. But mainly, Ifirmlybelieve,
because so m a n y of the "boys" themselves have
shown themselves eager tofitin with our ways, and
have so obviously been delighted w h e n an
Englishman has given one of them the slenderest of
chances to show what really good "mixers" they are.
I found out h o w very good they are at that
"mixing" w h e n in m y turn I became the "invader" - a visitor to an aerodrome in Norfolk that has been
transformed into a bit of the United States in
England. T h e boot was on the other leg. I was an
Englishman a m o n g a large n u m b e r on Americans.
T h e physical surroundings were familiar. Over the
other side of the hedge was a Norfolk farm laborer
driving his American built tractor drilling barley.
But this side of the hedge I was in the United States,
talking to m e n from Kentucky, from Wisconsin,
from Maine and the Carolinas, listening to a variety
of dialects that m a d e a hardened film fad realize
that the accent of the Hollywood studio that I had
learned to k n o w so well must seem to Americans as
affected and strange as "Oxford" does to the blunt
Yorkshireman in this country. But since neither
"Tex" nor "Bud" Yank from Maine, or "Tarheel"
from North Carolina took any noting of m y straight
turns of speech, I too, tried to take things in m y
stride. In any case, I was very quickly m a d e to feel
very m u c h at h o m e .
A SPARTAN LIFE
I had heard a good deal of talk about the lavish
way the American troops in England live. People
had told m e "on the beat authority" -which so often
is the very worst - stories of lavish living that m a d e
a long rationed Englishman's mouth water. Well,
this is certainly one of those things that prove the
soundness of the old advice to believe nothing that
you hear. There was nothing of luxury in anything
I saw. In fact, if there is anything in the American
A r m y regulations that corresponds to the "hard
living" allowance that the British Navy pays for
certain services, both officers and "enlisted m e n " of
this particular bomber squadron of the U S A A F earn
it. They work hard and they live as hard as they work.
As an old soldier of the 1914-18 war, one of the
things that struck m e most about this hard living of
the U S A A F was the narrowness of the distinction
between the conditions of the officers and "enlisted
men." They certainly live up to the democratic idea.
A n officer's servant is a thing u n k n o w n - except
perhaps the one or two very senior officers, though
I don't quite know about that. T h e officer's mess is
a very spartan affair indeed. In fact, I was told from
more than one source that the combat crew's mess
- for the non-commissioned members of the crews
of the giant Liberator bombers - fed more lavishly
and in conditions of greater comfort than the
officers, even including the pilots and the
"bombardiers," w h o incidentally all have to hold
commissioned rank. For the rest of the station, all
the "enlisted m e n " of the ground staff, from "top"
sergeant to the humblest "buck private," mess
together and share the same living quarters.
�EVERY MAN TO HIS JOB
And the United States Army Air Force doesn't
carry any passengers. Every m a n has his job, and
every job - outside the barest m i n i m u m of
administrative, office and cooking staff- makes its
direct contribution to the actual flying operations,
which are the job of the squadron as a whole. I was
particularly struck by the high standard of A TRIBUTE TO
independence of the squadron organization. If a
BRIG. GENERAL R O B E R T L. CARDENAS
machine comes back from operations "all shot up,"
OF T H E 44TH
the station has workshops and craftsmen capable of
tackling all types of repairs. O n e of the Liberators Submitted by:
I saw on the dispersal line was just having a new
Forrest S. Clark ofKissimmee, Florida
enginefitted,it had lost one in afightwith a Jerry
over Holland a day or two before, but on its fuselagePerhaps not sufficiently known to the younger
were painted three of those little silhouettes of
generation is the role played by one of our own 44th
B o m b Group officers in man's conquest of supersonic
planes to show that on different sorties, it had
speed and space.
accounted for three G e r m a n fighters.
That officer is Brig. Gen. Robert L. Cardenas, USAF
Ret, who flew B-24 Liberators with the 44th and was shot
down 13 April 1944 over Germany, escaped into France.
After his distinguished record in World War II, he was
One thing particularly pleased me in the course to add to this record a career as a test pilot.
of m y tour of the station. I saw one or two m e n in the
In October of 1947 he was in charge of the XS-1
R.A.F. uniform about and, knowing that the station supersonic project and pilot of the B-29 that dropped
had been taken over from our o w n Air Force,
Capt. Chuck Yeager into the realm of supersonic flight
remarked about it to m y guide. 'Yes," he said, "but for thefirsttime in the history of mankind. H e was also
they'll soon be going. We've got to stand on our o w n chief pilot on the eight engine Flying Wing YB-49.
During the Korean War, he was at Wright Field and
bottom, you know. Those are the last of a grand
Edwards
AFB testing new jet fighters and bombers for
bunch of fellows. They've taught us a lot. In fact,
combat duty. In the Gulf of Tonkin crisis, he was
everything w e k n o w about air tactics over here and
commander of the 18th Tactical Fighter Wing on
about operations, generally your boys of the R.A.F.
Okinawa.
have taught us."
Gen. Cardenas has been recognized by the USAF
T h e n later I learned — from very
Museum in Wright-Paterson AFB, Dayton, Ohio for his
uncomplimentary and blunt comments m a d e by
accomplishments and was one of the principles in the
the same American on m y o w n deplorable first 1993-94 lecture series at the museum. H e told of his part
"flight" in a Link trainer - that Americans like to say in the team that was assigned to break the sound barrier.
H e maintained an active career in the Air Force and in
what they mean, and usually m e a n what they say. I
industry and government in his post-career years
took the compliment to the R.A.F. as completely
supporting veterans benefits.
sincere.
The 50th anniversary of thefirstsupersonic flight is
I came away from the U S A A F station with a very
approaching
and some fitting memorials and
wholesome regard for their efficiency. They m a y
commemoration of that event are being considered. It
not bother m u c h about "spit and polish." Their
is therefore proper at this time that the 44th Bomb
standards of military discipline m a y seem lax to
Group Veterans Association remember Brig. Gen.
British ideas. But that's just their way of disregarding Cardenas for his distinguished service, not only to the
what they regard as unessentials. It certainly doesn't 44th, but to all of the U S Air Force and the nation.
apply to their keenness in the really big job of work
H e lives in San Diego, California and participates
they are doing as part of the Allied Air Offense over actively in veterans affairs. H e is a member of the Swiss
Internee Association of the United States.
Europe.
FACTS ABOUT THE 44TH BOMB
GROUP
THEIR DEBT TO THE K.A.F.
10
�THE NIGHT WE MIGHT HAVE BLOWN UP SHIPDHAM
ByJohn Wolbarst (464th Sub Depot)
It was sometime in 1944 that I was told to report toand a horrendous crash of rending metal, followed
the 44th B.G. Armament Officer, Major Robert L. by sounds as if someone was hammering on the ship,
Dean. I was the senior N C O in charge of bombsight all mixed with blood curdling yells from Goucher.
and autopilot maintenance for the Group.
I ran back. Smoke was pouring out of the waist
With Major Dean were S/Sgt. Max Goucher, windows, Goucher was jumping up and down.
armorer of the 68th and others I don't remember. Through the waist window we could see a big hole
They were handling an extraordinary piece of
in the roof. W e climbed in the waist hatch. It was
ordnance - a four-barrelflaregun. Four Very pistols clear what had happened.
had been cut down and mounted in a row on an
W h e n the gunfiredthe recoil pushed the barrels
aluminum plate about a foot square.
below the roof. Most of thefireballswere trapped
They were to befiredby a pair of modified bomb inside andflewaround the waist. A piece of roof
rack releases. These devices, cocked with a powerful about 3 foot square was torn loose. The stringer wa
a ruin. Bits of fireballs were still smoldering in
spring, were released electrically; the actuating
arms thenflewaround and hit the firing pins of the corners.
flare pistols.
After putting out the sparks and checking that the
The purpose of the gun was to signal to the rest of ship was secure, we were about to leave when the fi
the Group when thefirstbomb was leaving the lead truck arrived. The crew's remarks were not
ship, so the other bombardiers could toggle off
complimentary.
their loads in a compact pattern.
It was after 10:00 when I found Piela and told him
W e were to mount it in the waist of a 68th ship thatto round up his crew again. They were not happy,
was to lead a mission the next morning. Goucher
but they got to work with a will.
About 11:30 it began to rain steadily. The m e n
and I were to meet S/Sgt. Fred Piela and a sheet
metal crew of the 464th Sub Depot on the line and outside on the roof were getting soaked; they also
began to get shocks from their electrical equipment.
get the thing installed.
As it was late when we got to the plane, we decidedAnguished protestsfilledthe night air.
By midnight the job was done. Goucher loaded
that we would go to evening chow and come back to
do the job. O n the way we warned the control tower the gun, itfiredthe flares high into the wet air an
we went off to bed. As I was dropping off to sleep I
that we would befiringflares.
Piela's m e n worked fast. First they cut a slot in thehad a sudden thought. What if some of those
roof of the plane; then they riveted the top edge of fireballs had landed in the ammunition containers?
Wow!
the plate to a longitudinal stringer so the gun
That night the mission was scrubbed.
barrelsjustprotruded through the roof. Thatwasit.
I thought the setup lookedflimsyand told Piela so.
H e said: "I don't tell you how tofixbombsights.
Don't you tell m e how tofixsheet metal." They left
and Goucher and I strung wire from the
intervalometer in the nose back to the waist. W e
were finished about 9:30.
Goucher loaded and cocked the gun and then got
out onto the hardstand. I went up to the nose to fire
the thing. The plane had a full load of bombs,
ammunition, and gas so I was very careful how I set
and ran the intervalometer. There was a loud bang
11
�The following was taken from the 2nd Air Division Journal:
THE WHITE CLIFFS OF DOVER
By Lyndon C. Allen (44th BG)
N o n e of us m a d e that second mission without m u c h in the same situation. This "Number
O n e " for us was to be the bombing of an airfield
preliminary making that first. But I a m sure
each of us have particular memories of our first,near Nancy-Essy, France. Incidentally, this took
and that's what this is all about - m y specific
place on August 18,1944. After assembling over
memories of ourfirst.T h e White Cliffs of Dover England somewhere, w e headed east. Our plane
was one of the last in the formation and, as I was
play a significant role in these memories.
M y m e m o r y fails m e as to the preliminary of tail gunner, I had no other planes to see and give
this, our, what w e thought to be, a "baptism of m e moral support.
Leaving the English coast was the significant
fire." I a m sure w e fairly well followed the
sequence Louis W . Wust described in the March, aspect, to m e , of ourfirstmission. Ever since I
had geography back in Elementary School, I
1980, issue of the Journal, Page 10. T h e
awakening, usual truck ride or walk to the mess have heard of, and have seen pictures of the
hall, those delicious powdered eggs, the truck White Cliffs of Dover, and there they were,
ride to the flight line; all done thousands of directly below m e ! H o w beautiful; h o w
times by thousands of other Second Air Division magnificent; just as they had been shown in
members. O f course, to us gunners, the briefing pictures! At first I completely forgot the
took on a different aspect from that to which it apprehension of this being ourfirstmission.
But as I watched, those white cliffs starting to
did to pilots and others to w h o m it was so
pertinent. It was more of an occasion of seeing become smaller and smaller, untilfinallythey
where we were going, what to expect along the were gone! That apprehension suddenly came
way, etc. T h e obtaining of our flight cloths was back. What were w e getting into? What did we
very similar to that which Louis described. O n e have to expect before us? Would I ever see those
thinghe left out, though, was that w e were always beautiful cliffs again? I'm not the only one who
ever had that feeling, I know, but with no planes
issued some form of nourishment to take along
to help sustain us on our waiting to get back to
behind m e and the cliffs gone, what next!
the nextmeal. For the longer flights, I'm sure all Well, it turned out to be a milk run; and no flak,
remember those "C" rations w e were issued; for no "Jerries," no nothing. T h e bombing was
the shorter ones w e were usually given candy
good. Ourfirstmission had accomplished its
bars. (For us, "Ping Bars" were the predominant purpose. It was not the "baptism offire"we had
type. N o one on our crew liked them except m e , anticipated; it was just a long eight hour and
so I usually m a d e some pretty good trades and twenty minute flight.
really enjoyed more than m y share of "Ping
Yes, coming back I did get to see those majestic
Bars." Wish I could have one n o w (even with m y cliffs again. I saw them several times later, by the
diabetic condition!) But this was to be a rather way, but never with that apprehension that was
long one, so I presume w e were issued the "C" there on thefirstmission; the apprehension that
rations this time.
was so accentuated by the passing of those White
Our pre-flighting, of course, was different, but Cliffs of Dover over the horizon as w e went east
once w e were in the air I guess w e were all pretty on that first mission.
12
�THE PRESIDENT'S CORNER
We are fast approaching our reunion date and
when we looked around among the membership for further
reservations are still coming in. We will more than likely
help, we found the mainstream of strength existed withi
reach a total of300. This will leave some roomfor those who the old World War II warriors. Naturally, they became t
live around San Antonio to come to the Banquet and/or target ofour appealsfor help. It wasn 't that we didn 't w
Squadron Dinner night selectively. Contact Jim (214)the other eras to help, it was their small numbers and t
243-4657 to make late reservations.
didn't permit us spending a lot of our energy in building
ThereaUy bignews is that The 44th Veterans Association a lot of fight in thefew. So in those appeals, I unabashed
(our short title) is now officially affirmed as a Non-Profit
admit I purposely plucked every patriotic heart string
Veterans Association by the IRS (EIN #68-0351397) and could think of (and maybe a few I conjured up) to fire up
we are presently applying for a bulk mail permit in Salt the old war-horses to join the battle. When it came to
Lake City where we have our business address. There are publishing our journal, again we made the appeal to the
some other notable events: 2nd AD reunion, Executive membership in the same vein, entitling it The 8 Ball Tail
Board meeting, Tower Restoration project that are covered
lean't tell you how many great responses we have had ove
elsewhere in this issue. There is one event, the membership
the format, content and theme ofthe Tails. IlovedoingThe
of Col. Roscoe Moulthrop, although mentioned elsewhere, 8 Ball Tails and I love hearing that you love reading it. S
I want to make the theme of my comments in this issue. it would appear we pushed the right buttons and the 44th
In the announcement of Col. Moulthrop joining us, I BGVA is safely on course.
quoted his willingness to cast himself in the role ofrallying It seems obvious to me now as we, hopefully, have
pointfor veterans ofthe missile era in 44th history tofollow
reached a turning point with the joining of Roscoe
his example in remaining a member of the 44th family by Moulthrop noted above, that we must begin (softly) to
widen our appeal to those who also served their nation
joiningus. Inreality, what we are really talking about here
under the proud colors of the 44th. I can start this wit
is rejoicing in having the beginnings of contemporaries of
our sons and daughters comingaboard to help carry on the publishing any correspondence and stories submitted by th
Bomb and Missile Wing people. I also would be delighte
heritage and history of the 44th.
to change our masthead to include depictions ofB-29, BWhile we have a sprinkling of members from the
Bombardment Wing and Missile Wing
eras, I am 4 7, KC-135 and Minuteman II missile tail sections.
concerned that we don't have continually growing numbers can start seeking out these members at the reunion and
from those times of service with the 44th. We must help getting acquainted by inviting them to join you at the
Roscoe Moulthrop mark the turning point. What we must diningevents. Let's let 'em know we're all family! Speak
do now is not only seek out and make him welcome; we must of family, ours is steadily growing! The right up to
publication numbers are 809 regular and 143 life members
look around us and actively identify those members among
us who are of those eras and tell them how very happy wefor a total of 952. Can we get to 1,000 by reunion time?
are to have them with us to carry on the 44th heritage. I
have several pieces of correspondence which characterize
both theformer and present 44th organizations as a bunch
of old Liberator lovers with little concern for those who
brought us safely through the Cold War. That perception
of the 44th BGVA isn 't going to swell our ranks, so anyone
would notice. While I denounce this characterization as an
unjust generalization, I readily admit to some valid
indications of its truth. First let me say, I think I have a
better grasp than most on understanding how we may give
this impression. Why ? Because I helped in building it.
That beloved old 44th Bomb Group B-24 carried me
through the most perilous (and exciting) period of my life
and is my frame ofreference in defining love of my country.
Thus when the existence ofour Bomb Group Organization
was threatened, I joined others in the battle to save it. Alas,
Roy Owen, President
��The 506th Bomb
Squadron recently lost two ofit
most beloved members:
On April 28 "Big" Bob Mundell suffered a massi
attack while doing the work he loved, branding his
calves on his ranch in Walsh, Colorado. We saw Bo
October attending the Colorado Springs Reunion wi
sonDavid. Both hold 44th BGVA Life Memberships.
photo was taken at the reunion showingBob and David
each side ofa long time friend, Don Chase. Who cou
but love this bigcowboy with thesmilingface that lo
a composite ofall Western cattlemen. Bob is surviv
beloved wife Helen, sons Homer, David and Dan.
FOLDED WINGS
PLOESTI RAIDERS
Robert Mundell, POW 506th
William Strong
506th
2/95
7/95
ALL OTHERS
Frank P. Pacylowsky Ukn
Charles E. Cary
68th
Robert Mundell
506th
Alfred W . Jalovitz
Unk
Dale E. Raucher
Unk
Joseph E. Flaherty
Hq
Spencer Fulp
Unk
George B. Haag
Unk
Benjamin D. Ford
68th
Morton R. Taylor
Unk
Aldo P. LaValle
Unk
William J. Murphy
66 th
Charles Cary
68 th
Leo L. Sharpnack
Unk
Elbert L. Dukate
Unk
William Strong
506th
Robert E. Rose
68th
K L. Keesee
Unk
Ivan L. Gildersleeve
Unk
Otis V. Rogers
68th
Willis D. Abrams
67th
Theodore B. Hoffiz
66th
7/44
6/95
7/95
1/72
8/94
4/94
3/95
Unk
Unk
/70
9/94
10/93
6/95
Unk
4/86
7/95
Unk
Robert Mundell, Don Chase and Dave Mundell
On July 10, Bill Strongfinallylost his valiantfiv
struggle with cerebral cancer. Always cheerful,
doubtful he would win the struggle in spite ofwhat s
endless surgery that ravaged his head and handsomef
Bill passed away quietly with his family present o
Monday. He was interred in Wimberley, Texas on
following Wednesday. Attending were Lt. Col. (Ret
Mrs. James Clements of Dallas, Texas who represente
44th Bomb Group Veterans Association in honoring B
He is survived by his lovely wife Gladys, her sons Da
Paul and his own children Becky and Bill, Jr. from
previously deceased wife Rowena.
12/72
3/79
5/95
4/93
4/92
This is a partial list of our deceased 44th
comrades. W e will continue to catch up on the
list with each issue, as well as list new Folded
Wings.
We
will sorely miss these two valiant Ploesti
Raiders who have now folded wings. In their
honor and memory,
we must once again close
ranks and carry on in the proud tradition of the
44th "FlyingEight-Balls."
BUI Strong and Bill Strong, Jr.
15
m
�BILL STRONG MEMORIAL FUND
Jim McAtee has made a generous donation to start
a memorial fund in the name of Bill Strong. W e
heartily endorse this gesture for the continuing
memory of Bill. At present, Jim has left the
parameters of the fund to be established by the
Board, which we will do at San Antonio. In the
meantime, the Treasurer has set up a separate
account in the general fund to handle donations to
the Bill Strong Memorial. If you wish to donate,
please make your check to The Bill Strong Memorial
Fund, c/o 44th BGVA. Send your donation to: 44th
BGVA, P.O. Box 2367, Salt Lake City, U T 841102367. These funds will remain on deposit until the
Board determines a dispensation appropriate to
Bill's memory.
16
�pretty little town, and we were splendidly welcomed
in the Town Square Bistro by the owner and his
clientele. W e got our cargo and returned to England
the next day (you thought I was going to tell about
S O M E G O O D FEEDBACK F R O M T H E
the pretty Belgium women, right? Another time
" L E M O N D R O P " FEATURE
boys, we are a mixed organization now.)
The irony of this story is that the memories of
Bob Lehnhausen recently got a call from Charlie
Mons, Belgium had all but faded when, as a faculty
Pigg, Crew Chief on "Lemon Drop." H e was not a member of Chico State University in Northern
current member of our 44th B G V A so was unaware California, I was asked to escort a small tour group
of our article on his airplane. Bob sent him a copy to the 40th Anniversary Celebration of D-Day (1984)
of the Tails and Charlie is now on the membership at the Normandy Beaches. Our travels after the Droll. H e went through Lexington during the 2nd
Day Celebration took us to Paris, then to Brussels, to
Air Division reunion and left Pete Henry a message Calais, back to London and H o m e . It was on the
that he had called and missed him. Then, in Charlie road from Paris to Brussels I was referring to a map
Pigg fashion, he kept movin' along. I expect we will when I saw we were nearing Mons, just a short way
see Charlie in San Antonio. In the meantime, if off the motorway. I told my group the P-51 evacuation
anyone would like to make contact, he is located at story and they all insisted we detour over to see
Rte. 5, Box 440, Chandler, N C 28715.
Mons. By thetimewe got to Mons, it seemed our
Welsh bus driver had become swept up in this
unexpected little adventure because he boldly drove
into the narrow streets andtightcorners to the
Town Center I had visited 40 years before. It was
amazing how litde the Town Center had changed.
MONS, BELGIUM REVISITED
W e lunched at the same bistro, talked with some of
the locals who, while they didn't remember our
After doing the "Lemon Drop" feature, I recalled
particular visit, vividly remembered the frightening
that when the Germans were makingrapid advances prospects of recapture by the Germans and the
attempting to reach Amsterdam in the Batde of the evacuation of the Americanfighteroutfit. W h e n it
Bulge, the 44th, among many other groups which came time to continue our journey, we loaded on
had any kind of aircraft that was cargo capable, were the bus. The driver started to back up and attempt
tasked toflyinto a former Germanfighterairfield at to turn around. After 20 minutes of frantic backing
Mons, Belgium to assist in the emergency evacuation and forwarding, it became obvious we simply could
not turn around to exit the way we so boldly came in.
of a P-51 outfit that had moved into the airfield
closely behind Pattons advance. The winds of war To exit in the other direction, it seems the streets
had suddenly shifted and it looked as though the were even more narrow. In fact, the only way we
could squeeze the bus through the streets and
Germans might recapture their airfield. The Bill
Smith crew in, you guess it, "Lemon Drop" had the corners was for the merchants to raise their awnings
job. I'm pretty sure Charlie Pigg and his assistant until we passed. Our exit from Mons was, I'm sure,
went along as Load Master/Maintenance Support. the biggest comedy event there in years! During the
It was pretty exciting. W e landed on a PSP runway turnaround attempt in the Town Square, I told my
group it was beginning to look like I was going to
with (very) recently repaired bomb craters and
several shot-up M E 109's that had been caught on have my second R O N in Mons. It only took us about
the ground. W e got parked and fueled up, but it one and one-half hours and a very red faced bus
driver to get out of town. What can you expect of a
seemed the ground maintenance equipment we
bunch of American tourists!
were to haul would not be ready to load until
morning. What do any good Air Force m e n do when
Roy Owen
they must R O N (Remain Over Night) ? Of course,
they go to town, Von Rundstedt or no! Mons was a
MISCELLANIA
17
®
�IT'S NOT A MESSERSCHMIDT ON OUR
TAIL, IT APPEARS TO BE A
Ploesti, Foggia and Weiner-Neustadt are missions
KLEINSCHMIDT.
most readily associated with the 44th B o m b Group
B E N G H A Z I DEBRIEFING
(H) in North Africa. Unfortunately, these records
are plagued with gaps in the official archives. First,
the Ploesti missionfilehas been missing for several
years from the 44th archival records stored at the
National Archives. Second, m a n y records from the
44th's second tour in North Africa were lost on the
return to England. Third, all three missions resulted
in heavy losses, either Killed In Action or Prisoners
of War, and consequent inadequate debriefing.
All 44th Vets of this era are invited to attend a
Benghazi debriefing on Saturday, October 21 from
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a lunch break, if necessary.
Let's put our heads and our memorabilia together
and begin to create a useful historical record. Along
the way, w e m a y settle s o m e inconsistencies
concerning formations and events.
THE MIGHTY EIGHTH AIR FORCE
HERITAGE C E N T E R
NEWS RELEASE
APRIL 13,1995
Contact: Wayne Corbett
Mr. and Mrs. George Washburn of Montgomery,
Massachusetts recently visited T h e Mighty Eighth
Air Force Heritage M u s e u m in Savannah, Georgia
and received a tour of the construction site and
briefing about the Museum's progress from Lt.
Gen. E.G. Shuler, Jr., U S A F Ret., Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer. George Washburn is a
m e m b e r of the 44th B o m b Group.
Recall the last issue letter from Lt. Earl Guy
he had lost contact with a Shipdham roommate he
recalled as being n a m e d Messerschmidt? W e think
this letter from Lt. Col. (Ret) T.J. "Joe" Feeney
provides the answer for Earl. That's not bad; one
letter and w e are three for three in locating lost
roomies!
This letter comes from:
Lt. Col. (Ret) T.J. Feeney of 57 Devonshire Squ
Mechamcsburg, PA 17055-6873
Dear Will:
This is a belated thank you note for sending m
that "Litho" of "Glory Bee" so prompdy last month.
It arrived in plenty of time for m e to pack it up
and take it to Texas for m y reunion with "Arnie"
Kleinschmidt. Arnie and I had not seen each other
or corresponded with each other since 1945!
Ifinallym a d e contact as a result of information
I got from Steve A d a m s in Norwich, England.
I was Kleinschmidt's tail gunner when we flew
with the 66th Squadron in the 44th B o m b Group.
Glory Bee wasn't the only ship w eflew,but it's the
one I remember best and so did Arnie.
H e and his lovely wife, Margaret, more than
welcomed m e to their ranch in Lexington after
meeting m e in Austin. I can't believe I learned so
m u c h about the cattle business as I did in the three
short days I spent with them. They had some 2,000
plus head of cattle.
They really appreciated getting the litho of Glory
Beeflyingover the tower and that prompted a great
time of reminiscing. Also, the article in the last 8
Ball Tails that I read by Lt. Earl Guy makes m e feel
certain that the "Messerschmidt" he mentioned that
he lost contactwith is m y pilot, Kleinschmidt. W h e n
we got together in Texas, he said that everyone used
to call him "Messerschmidt" at Shipdham.
His address is:
Arnold P. Kleinschmidt
P.O. Box572
Lexington, Texas 78947-0572
I believe that you have him in yourfiles,as he said
he planned to go to the reunion in San Antonio.
Again, thanks for your help and all the work that
you do for the 44th.
Sincerely.
Mr. &Mrs. George Washburn and U. Gen. KG. Shuler, USAF Ret.
�A WELCOME TO
COL. ROSCOE E. MOULTHROP
SOME NOTES REGARDING
THE REUNION
There will be a Registration Desk in the lobby
the hotel that will be m a n n e d all day Thursday and
Friday until noon. It is suggested that attendees
check their Registration Packet at that time to be
assured they have all the requiredtickets.After
Friday noon, there will be information posted on
the bulletin board as to where to receive their
Registration Packets.
A bulletin board will be displayed in the hotel
lobby with a roster of those attending and other
pertinent information.
If there are spaces remaining for the Friday or
Sunday tours, tickets will be available at the
Registration Desk.
Everyone's n a m e tag, guests included, will be
It is indeed apleasure to welcome to our membership designated by their Squadron affiliation and will
Colonel Roscoe E. Moulthrop, the last Active Duty
attend the appropriate Squadron dinner Saturday
Commander of the 44th Strategic Missile Wingup to the
night. Those w h o do not belong to one of the four
July, 1994 retirement of our proud unit from the roll of
active duty combat components of the United States Air Squadrons are free to attend any of their choosing.
T h e dinner sites for each Squadron will be
Force. The deactivation of the 44th S M W under his
command was thefirstdeactivation of a Minuteman II
announced on the bulletin board. After the
weapon system in the Air Force and was accomplished
Squadron dinner, there will be a brief intermission
ahead of schedule, under budget and without incident.
while the preparations are being m a d e for the
Colonel Moulthrop left his last assignment as Chief,
Target Selection Branch, Plans and Policy Directorate, dance.
There will be a Memorabilia room available for
United States Strategic Command, Offutt Air Force
Base, Nebraska to enter retirement in June of this year. the duration of the reunion. Please bring any
The Moulthrop family, Roscoe, wife Julie (both natives pictures, books, records or V C R tapes. As it would
of Missouri), and children Scott and Elizabeth are
be unwise to leave the room unattended, the last
residing at 804 East Elm, Princeton, Missouri 64673.
one to leave at any time should lock the door and
H e started a second career on July 1 with Premium
return
the key to the front desk. T h e key will be
Standard Farms. W e wish him as great success in his
civilian career as he reached in the service of his country available from the front desk at any time to any one
where he shouldered the awesome Cold W a r
with a 44th reunion n a m e tag.
responsibility for the National C o m m a n d Authority
Tickets for individual events will be available at
directed launch of an unimaginable degree of
destruction should we be pre-emptively attacked. It can the Registration Desk for those w h o have m a d e
be truly said, Col. Moulthrop, in large part, has helped reservations for that function. Reservations must be
preserve the peace his 44th predecessors had attained. m a d e with Jim Clements prior to the reunion date,
In myfirstphone conversation with Col. Moulthrop, either by letter or phone. Reservations will be
when he called to inquire about 44th BGVAmembership,
considered confirmed unless notified immediately
I expressed the hope that in his joining us he would
that space does not exist.
represent a rallying point for the veterans of the 44th
Tickets cost:
S M W to follow him in joining with us as part of the 44th
Buffet and Squadron Dinner
$25/Each
family. His reply: "I would certainly like to be involved
and try to generate interest with folks of my generation
Banquet
$30/Each
in the 44th BGVA. As the last commander of the 44th
Monday Breakfast
$15/Each
Missile Wing, I have deep feelings for the organization,
and really believe anyone who served under the 44th
colors is a part of the family. I stand ready in any way I The reunion hotel rates will apply for those
wishing to arrive early or stay in San Antonio
can."
That says it all! Welcome to the family, Roscoejulie,afterwards.
Scott and Elizabeth. W e hope to see you in San Antonio.
�THE SHIPDHAM TOWER REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS
TO: ALL SHIPDHAM T O W E R PROJECT CONTRIBUTORS & 44TH BGVA MEMBERS
dare place our memorabilia, pictures, archival materials,
The 2nd Air Division Reunion in Lexington,
Kentucky on July 3-6 afforded the opportunity for Dick etc.; bringing power and water to the site; and not least,
someone to staff the tower; we
Butler, Will Lundy and m e to meet,
read and discuss their respective
most certainly don't want to enter
into a lease agreement with an
reports on the Shipdham Tower
individual who, according to
Restoration investigation and
m o o d and profit motive could
recommendations.
conceivably let us improve his
In short, they both conclusively
property and then refuse lease
report that the viability of restoring
renewal at his whim.
the Shipdham Tower as a 44th
B G V A project is, at best, a risky
RECOMMENDATIONS
project in which to invest any
further funds accrued to the
1)
Based upon the facts
"Tower Project."
presented by our representatives,
First, although Mr. D o u g
the 44th B G V A Executive Board
Genge, the tenant of the Tower
by a vote of 8 to 1, recommends to the Tower
property, states he is willing to invest his own money into
restoration contributors that the Tower restoration
further restoration, there is question whether he has
be abandoned and, after
any more than a verbal agreement
deduction
of
certain
that he is permitted to occupy the
administrative expenses and
property. This information
refund of any individual
surfaced in a meeting of our
contributions demanded, the
representatives with Mr. Genge
residue of restoration funds be
and Mr. Nick Saffel, representing
offered to the 44th B G V A as a
Mr. Vincent, the property owner
single donation to a Memorial
and father-in-law of Mr. SafFel. The
Fund account. The Tower
point of the discussion was the
contributors must have a floor
question of proceeding with
vote on this recommendation at
restoration if a long term lease
the General
Membership
could be negotiated. In response,
Hth Combat Wing He
One of the walls and mur
Meeting at San Antonio.
Mr. Saffel stated that is was
doubtful that Mr. Vincent would
consent to any lease agreement beyondfiveyears, 2) Next, the B G V A members must be alerted to a
General Membership Meeting floor vote on which
especially if the property was improved to the point that
it had commercial potential. The
the members present can vote
matter of the memorial plaque
yea or nay to accept the transfer
remaining in place was discussed
of the Tower funds to the 44th
with Mr. Saffel stating, "it would
B G V A as specified above. If
be questionable, should he reclaim
approved, Will Lundy can settle
the building, that the plaque would
any outstanding obligations of
be allowed to remain." Also, Mr.
the Tower Restoration Project,
Vincent is a somewhat whimsical
then transfer the balance to the
man and "he (Saffel) would have
B G V A Treasurer by check, closing
to waitfor a time when Mr. Vincent
the books on the Tower
was in a favorable mood before
Restoration Project.
the matter of a lease could be
approached."
3) Also, the Executive Board
In summary, with the other
must describe to the B G V A
attendant problems of accessibility; the cost of bringing
members the alternatives to the Tower Restoration
the building to a climatologic state in which we would
Project and alert them to a floor vote on a choice of
20
�those alternatives, which include tablingany decision B) Duxford Museum. Museum authorities no doubt
on an Association project until an investigation of
would like to have the art work. While this is a fine
other projects can be undertaken.
museum, the wall art would be far removed from the
Shipdham and would be rather insignificant among
ALTERNATIVES
the thousands of items in this predominantly British
oriented museum. This is not a recommended
In conference with a group of Arrow Air members
location.
and management, our representatives visited the old
Combat Wing Headquarters to once again examine the
All of the 44th Bomb Group Veterans
possibility of, in some way, preserving and possibly
Association membership present must be
moving the World War II walls and mural art thereon
prepared for a floor vote at the San Antonio
from the path of certain destruction, since the property
is for sale. All of the group agreed the walls and art work General Meeting on these matters:
should be preserved.
1) To accept the Tower Restoration funds for a
Mr. Nigel Wright, owner and operator of Arrow Air,
B G V A Memorial Funds account.
a charter and flight school operation on Shipdham has
long been a faithful friend and supporter of the 44th
2) To reject the Shipdham Tower Restoration as
(calls the flight school the 8-Ball'ers). H e is in need of
B G V A project with the proviso that, in the event Mr.
an expansion in the form of a pilot's lounge which
Genge continues to occupy and improve the Tower
would also take interior form as a 44th Memorial Room.
to the point it could be made accessible to visitors by
In a meeting of our representatives with Mr. Wright,
contacting his office, we maintain an informal
they pursued the idea of the 44th entering into a cost
arrangement with Mr. Genge that would facilitate
sharing agreement with Arrow Air that would be
such occasional visitations in the future without
coincidental with the desire to conserve the 14th C B W
liability as occupants of the building.
Headquarters walls on which the World War II murals
3) To accept as a 44th BGVA project, within fi
are painted. Mr. Steve Adams (another of our most
limits set by the Executive Board, one of these
ardent supporters) is in contact with a British Historical
projects:
Foundation whose business is the restoration and
a). The Arrow AirCorp. addition with incorporation
transport of historical structures such as the Wing H Q
of the Combat Wing Mural walls.
walls so dear to us all. The plan here would be (once we
b). The relocation of the Mural walls to the
obtain the permission of Mrs. Rix, the owner) to have
Shipdham Cemetery Heritage Center.
this organization remove and restore the two mural
c). The relocation of the Mural walls to the Duxford
walls, then incorporate them into the construction of a
Museum.
new Arrow Air addition. Steve feels certain the cost of
the walls removal and restoration will be borne by the
NOTE: In their report both Butler and Lundy
historical foundation. Obviously, with this plan we
would accomplish two significant projects at the cost of recommend naming Steve Adams, who resides in
one. Further, we would be relieved of the worry of all the Norwich, as On-Site Consultant and Coordinator for
the 44th BGVA, should this project be approved. Steve
negatives mentioned in connection with the tower
has
volunteered to perform these duties without salary,
project. Dick Butler points out that Nigel Wright has an
enthusiastic membership in the Arrow Club who actively butwith reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses. Steve
will beworkingunderthe supervision of a small oversight
support the history and heritage of the 44th and
committee most likely headed by Will Lundy. Since it is
Shipdham. W e would always have a place to go with
obviously much less expensive for Steve to travel here,
someone there to host a visitor.
than to send one of our own back and forth to monitor
I agree with the Butler and Lundy proposal
Two other possible locations to move the walls the
to project,
are:
that the Tower Fund underwrite the costs of his
attendance at the San Antonio Reunion. In the
A) Shipdham Heritage Center. This is a small old
chapel building at the Shipdham Village Cemetery. meantime, he will undertake obtaining release of the
walls by Mrs. Rix and arranging with the agency for their
It is not big enough to accommodate the walls and
restoration.
something would have to be constructed at
considerable cost to protect them. Although much
more accessible, they would be far removed from
Shipdham Airfield. This is not a recommended
location.
�A REPORT ON THE 2ND AIR
DIVISION REUNION
Norwich, England VE Day Parade
Commander Richard Butler
U.S. Flag Bearer Will Lundy
leading all 2nd Air Division Veterans
The 2nd Air Division is down a little, over 400 in
net memberships, i.e. folded wings versus new
memberships. W e can help them here by either
maintaining your membership or, if you are not a
member, joining up with them. Drop a $15 check
to Evelyn Cohn, Vice President, Membership, Apt.
06-410, Delaire Landing Road, Philadelphia, PA
19114.
Two status reports on the Norwich Library 2nd
Air Division Memorial were given. One by Ms.
Phyllis Dubois and the other by Mr. David Hastings,
Vice Chairman of the Memorial Board of Governors.
Both were highly charged with the spirit of survival
and restoration of the library and memorial wing.
The memorial wing is up and running in temporary
quarters and the recovery of salvageable archives, as
well as replacement books, is making solid progress.
OLD FOLKS ARE W O R T H A
FORTUNE
The 2nd Air Division Reunion in Lexington was Remember, old folks are worth a fortune, wi
a good one - - over 700 attending. Pete Henry has in their hair, gold in their teeth, stones in their
decided to stay on as our Group Vice President to kidneys, lead in their feet and gas in their stomachs.
the 2nd Air Division, so Dick Butler (much to his
satisfaction) is back in the ranks providing advice I have become a little older since I saw yo
a few changes have come into my life since then.
and counsel whenever called upon.
The 44th didn't get m u c h in the way of Frankly, I have become quite a frivolous old gal. I
am seeingfivegentlemen every day. As soon as I
recognition, except your of Prez won the golf
tournament low gross with a 74, and I was invited to wake up Will Power helps m e out of bed. Then I go
participate in the candle lighting ceremony and was see John. Then Charlie Horse comes along, and
honored to light the Ploesti candle. Also, we picked when he is here he takes a lot of my time and
attention. W h e n he leaves Arthur Ritis shows up
up a couple of new members (2nd Air Division
and stays the rest of the day. H e doesn't like to stay
members who were not inclined to join the 44th
in one place very long, so he takes m e from joint to
H M G ) . W e were privileged to see the video of the
2nd Air Division celebration and parade for V E Day. joint. After such a busy day, I'm reallytiredand glad
Man, it made your chest swell and the tears roll down to go to bed with Ben Gay. What a life.
your cheeks to see our 44th guys, Dick Butler and
Will Lundy out there leading all of the 2nd Air P.S. The preacher came to call the other da
Division vets. Also, our guys brought back a great said at my age I should think of the hereafter. I told
video record of the Eastbourne Dedication of the him, "Oh, I do all thetime.N o matter where I am,
in the parlor, upstairs, in the kitchen, or down in the
"Ruthless" Memorial. Hopefully we'll give it a
basement I ask myself, now what a m I here after?"
showing in San Antonio.
�EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING
M a y 6-8, 1995
St. Louis, Missouri
Thefirst44th B G V A Executive Board Meeting
convened in St. Louis, Missouri on the weekend of
May 6 at the Holiday Inn - Westpor t. Attending were
President Roy O w e n , Vice President Jim Clements,
Secretary E d Dobson, Treasurer Gerald Folsom,
Director Mike Mikolosky, Director B o b Lehnhausen,
Membership Co-Chairman Art H a n d and M e m b e r
Mel Trager.
After the call to order, Reunion Entertainment
Co-Chair Mel Trager posted the U S Flag presented
to our association by his V F W Post N o . 367 in Joliet,
Illinois. The highlights of the meeting were: (1) T o
review and pass a Financial Year '95 Budget. (2)
Introduce our n e w Treasurer and have him review
the accounting system he intends to pursue in
handling ourfinances.(3) Confirm the appointment
of Richard Butler to replace Pete Henry as Group
Vice President to the 2nd Air Division. (4) Comply
with Article VI of the Constitution by adjusting the
initial terms of the initial elected Board members to
stagger and balance the terms of the elected Board
since all except the Secretary and Treasurer were
elected simultaneously to serve two year terms. (5)
Address the Shipdham Tower Restoration Project
by initially appointing Richard Butler and Will Lundy
as Board Representatives while in England to
investigate once and for all the viability of that
projectfor the Tower Restoration fund contributors
and in turn m a k e recommendations to enable the
Board to make a decision to r e c o m m e n d whether or
not the 44th B G V A should get involved with this
project. (6) Tour St. Louis and the Holiday Inn Westport in terms of
electing St. Louis as the
site for our 1996
Reunion.
Reference: (1) T h e
budget proposed by
President O w e n and
Treasurer Folsom was accepted and passed
unanimously by the Board and appears herein
integrated with a mid-year abbreviated financial
statement. (2) T h e Board reviewed, accepted and
complimented Treasurer Folsom on his financial
accounting system. A full Treasurer's report will be
available for review by any m e m b e r at the General
Meeting in San Antonio. Review of the financial
statements of your B G V A is not a privilege bestowed
upon a few, it the right of all of the membership to
do so at our annual General Meeting. (3) This
appointment became m o o t since at the 2nd Air
Division meetingin Lexington, Pete Henrystated to
those 44th members present, that he felt he could
continue to serve a 44th Group Vice President, was
so nominated, Vice Dick Buder and re-elected. T h e
appointment of Dick Butler by the 2nd Air Division
President was rescinded. (4) After review of Article
VI of the Constitution and considerable discussion,
it was moved, seconded and carried unanimously to
set three Director positions to expire this year and
the seats of the three Directors not present would be
opened for election for a n e w two year term at the
October General Meeting. Board members were to
submit two nominees for each vacancy from which
a Nomination Committee will select a venue of
nominees (2 for each office) to run for election in
October. (5) This was accomplished. Dick Butler
and Will Lundy presented their report to President
O w e n in Lexington. T h e report has been circulated
a m o n g the Board and a summary of the report and
the Board recommendations are presented herein
under separatetitle.(6)
St.
Louis
was
unanimously selected to
host our '96 Reunion,
October 3-7, 1996.
Left to right
Art Hand, Mike Mikoloski, Ed Dobson, Gerald Folsom, Jim
Clements, Roy Owen, Bob Lehnhausen, Mel Trager.
}
23
�67TH B O M B SQUADRON HISTORY
EXCEPT FROM STARS AND STRIPES
DATED THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1943
FEBRUARY 16, 1943
O N E LIB C R E W GETS FIVE NAZIS
These were the stories that came out of the
homecoming of Eighth Air Force bombers
that returned to their bases in Britain today
after dropping hundreds of tons of explosives
on St. Nazaire, one of the biggest Nazi Uboat bases, in a daylight attack. For the
Liberators, it was their second raid in 19
hours, following Monday's visit to Dunkirk.
Fleshman's bullseye was scored on a plane
that m a d e the fatal mistake of exposing a
vulnerable underside as it turned.
The rest of Capt. Price's crew were 2n
Robert E. Forrest of Columbus, Ohio, copilot; 2nd Lt. Morton P. Gross of Denver,
Colorado, bombardier; Sgts. Kenneth
Laughton of Pine Grove, California, radio
Good-naturedly ribbing the Forts, the
operator; Kenneth L. Erhard of Clearfield,
navigator of "Miss Dianne," a Liberator Pennsylvania, waist gunner; and Earl W.
piloted by Capt. Clyde Price of San Antonio, Holton of Mulliken, Michigan, rear hatch
challenged the B-17's to match their record gunner.
of five enemy planes shot down.
NOTE: Crew Chief of "Miss Dianne" is M
The navigator, 2nd Lt. J.A. Augenstene, Sgt.
Jr. George Baccash of the 67th B o m b
of Pittsburgh, also recounted the Squadron. A / C #41-23784.
engagements: "As we were flying in the tailend formations, the Germans would attack
Fortresses flying ahead and below us from
EDITOR: This is such a great feat, it de
the front, circle around, and then come at us repeating. On the other hand, I'm disap
from behind." "The first plane we got," Lt. that I could not find a one ofthe Price crew
Augenstene continued, "was blasted from
membership roster. Itis interestingto no
200 yards away, exploded and went all to
that our beloved historian, Will Lundy,
pieces in the air. The second stalled when it member ofM/Sgt. Baccash's ground crew.
was hit, plummeted straight into the clouds
below, leaving a trail of smoke behind."
Dalton L. Snell of Marked Tree, Arkansas,
top turret gunner, and Sgt. I.C. Wyer, waist
gunner from Clarksburg, West Virginia, each
got two of "Miss Dianne's" victims. Sgt. Lewis
J. Fleshman ofVirginia, the tail turret gunner,
got the fifth.
24
�MAILCAIX
By the way...Did you ever get the-I believe it was the
- Shipdham Tower restored. Sorry I didn't do anything
to help you on that.
Sincerely yours, a m e m b e r of the 44th in war and
peace.
This comes from:
Daniel L. Culler
750 South La Brisa, Green Valley, Arizona 85614
8/25/94
Dear Will:
EDITOR: Good luck on your book, Dan. When you get it
published, we will give it a shot in the 8 Ball Tails.
This comes from:
I'm glad to see your continuing on with the 44th.
William L. Paul
I'm not sure I'll be able to do anything except be a dues
6410 Old Sauk Road, Madison, Wisconsin 53705
paying member; but it's good to belong to a group of
12/12/94
men that put everything on the line for freedom years
Dear Will:
ago.
I have been writing books since I retired in 1983. I'm I enjoyed the first issue of the 8 Ball Tails. This
not an author, just a writer of stories.
is addressed to you as "Historian" because you mayjust
I sent m y last manuscript "Circle of Thorns -The W a r have the information I'm looking for. In the "Folded
Wings" column I saw that Louis J. Obus passed away in
Years," to many publishers and was rejected with their
October, 1988. Jack was our bombardier and I had
usual pre-written stationery with m y n a m e added to the
completely lost contact with him for forty years or more.
top - you know the kind.
Because I feel - as most writers do - that I have a good I would like to contact his family and would hope that
you may have his last known address. If you have an
book with a story to tell; out of desperation, I sent
address, please send it to m e and I will take it from there.
information to Carlton Press, a subsidized publisher
Thanks for your help.
from N e w York. Naturally they requested I sent the
Sincerely.
complete manuscript for a free evaluation.
A week ago they sent m e the evaluation, and a
contract to be signed. I darn near had a heart attack
when they requested $21,560 to do the book. I refused This comes from:
Chuck Taylor
the contract, and will do as I did on m yfirstbook. I had
2120 Detroit Blvd., Sanford, North Carolina 27330
it done by a small publishing house in Tucson for under
12/12/94
$3,000. I'll then take it a step at a time to see h o w it sells.
Dear
Will:
I did have a very unusual war record, with m a n y
things that happened to m e , and m e alone - - a prisoner
in Wauwilermoos was just one example - - and I intent to Got your Newsletter the other day. Re-reading, I
noticed the n a m e of the bombardier of our crew listed
eventually have m y book published, but instead of 1994,
in the "Folded Wings" section. It was very shocking to
it will have to be done in 95, I hope!
m e , as I assume it will be to our other crew members. I
Just thought you might want to k n o w what I was u p
had him on m y mind for so long. H e and I had a very
to, as we haven't had any communication for over four
good relationship while w e were together.
years.
It was so nice to k n o w that you have that kind of
By the way...the Pima Air M u s e u m here in Tucson is
information. I appreciate your efforts even more.
one of the best in the Country. Its only rival is Dayton,
Thanks a lot and have a Happy Holiday.
which no m u s e u m could compete with. It has, in a big
P.S. His n a m e is Louis J. Obus
hanger, one of the best restored B-24s in the U.S.
Enclosed is a copier picture, from the picture of m e in
EDITOR: Amazing, the irony of two queries about Loui
front of it. Because of Davis Air Base here in Tucson, the
Obus dated on the same day. You two must have been on
museum has many, one of a kind, W W I I and later
exactly
the same wave length, December 12, 1994!
planes.
Anyway...Major Louis Jack Obus, USAF (Ret) of the 67th
Tucson wouldn't be a bad place to have a future
Bomb Squadron is survived by:
reunion, except it would have to be in late fall or early
Mrs. Dee Obus
spring to get away from our horrible hot summers.
202 SE Edgewood Drive
I wish the Association all the success, and I trust w e
Stuart, Florida 34996
will all be on this earth long enough to see it become a
He was not a 44th BGVA member. She might be pleased to
great remembrance for W W I I , 44ers.
know he was memorialized in the 8 Ball Tails.
�learn that Ted had passed away. I gave this information
to other groups of people and it never materialized.
This comes from:
Hopefully it will make our next edition.
Charles "Shep " Gordon, 68th Squadron
Keep up the good work.
15 Maybrooke Road, Rochester, New York 14618
Sincerely.
12/12/94
Dear Mr. Lundy:
EDITOR- Thanks foryour support of the 44th BG
we will do our best to serve you.
Your note of 27 Sept 94 was a wonderful surprise,
especially the crew log. It is amazing how 50 years can
disappear so quickly. I can remember 1st phase combat
training in Tucson and 2nd and 3rd phases at Blythe, This comes from:
California. The trip overseas and Thanksgiving in
SMSgt. Carlton D. Pepper, U.S.A.F. (Re
England - unfortunately the sauce had spoiled and
Route 1, Box 241E, Laurel, Delaware 19956
everyone was running all night in the cold English
4/21/95
countryside.
Dear Sir:
I would like to hear about the 44th Veterans
I served with the 44th Bomb Wing at Chennault
Association and would appreciate your sending m e the
Force Base, Lake Charles, Louisianafrom 17jan 58 to 2
information.
H o w was it that you kept the crew log for Bowman? May 60. I was assigned to the 44th Armament and
I would also like to hear your stories about a couple of Electronics Squadron as N C O I C of the Electronic
our missions - I pulled the cotter pin and tag from the Countermeasures Section, was a Master/Sgt. at the
bombs and kept one for each of our missions. The crash time. W e had B-47's.
landing you referred to was on our 6th mission to St.
Aniscourt. W e cracked up and burned on a spitfire base EDITOR: Carlton just joined us and we're migh
near Bristol. Does this correspond with Ken Dropek's
have him. I would like you all to welcome him to t
BGVA. We need to gather in as many of the 44th Bomb
memories? I do remember him.
Thank you so much once again and it will be a great era vets as we can. Hope to see you in San Antonio,
pleasure to continue this correspondence.
Sincerely.
P.S. I flew my 30th mission on D-Day over
Doolittle decided we need 30 strategic - so I flew
more to finish up on 16 July with a mission
Saarbrucken. I was then sent to another Group
Intelligence Officer.
This comes from:
the beach.
Dan Brandt
five
2
Nottingham
Circle,
Bella Vista, Arizona 7
to
12/12/94
as
Dear Will:
Yes, I want to again be part of the 44th Bomb
EDITOR: Shep, we see a listing on our master roster for Alcorn
Thanks for the information in the crew logforwhich
A. Bowman of Colorado Springs; but so far have not had a
I may have an addition. For about the last 12 or 15
membership application. Can you give us a hand?
missions we had a different navigator. If my 50 year
memory is correct, his name was Milton Jobert, a 1st L
I am not sure of thefirstname or the spelling of his l
name, but he became our navigator when we became
This comes from:
the lead crew.
AlexJ. Toth
Over the years, Bob Gunton and I have had
226 Main Street, Tiltonsville, Ohio 43963
infrequent
contact - Xmas cards, visits, phone calls, et
2/15/95
I have had no contact with any of the other crew
Dear Art:
members - I would sure like to hear from them or have
Thanks for the information about my crewmembers. a reunion.
The bombardier that you mentioned probably flewwith
I have often wondered if any sort of a history of th
us as a spare or whatever, don't remember him.
44th B G or the 67th Squadron had been prepared I would like for you to place our pilots name in the books, papers, articles, etc... If so, I sure would like
"Folded Wings" section. Theodore B. Hoffiz, 66th
information as to where I could obtain them.
Squadron Pilot 27 Sept 44 to 15 March 45 passed away
Thanks again for your efforts on behalf of the 44th
April 92. Spoke with his wife, Mary. I was shocked to B o m b Group.
26
Best wishes.
�EDITOR: IseeBob Gunton is a life member, andwewillput
Art Hand on the trail ofLt. Milton Jobert. We don't have him
This comes from:
on our roster and I don H see him listed in the Harvell history
Ed Schwann
of the 44th; but well see if we can help you with that crew
251 Regency Dr., Marstons Mills, Mass. 02648
reunion.
1/16/95
Dear Will:
This comes from:
Wallace R Forman
2161 West County Road B, St. Paul, Minnesota 55113
You can't imagine how happy I was to have you and
the other "right guys" set u p the 44th B G V A . Needless
to say, w e will both be at the San Antonio soiree. W e can
n o w look forward to s o m e great times together. I was
Dear Mr. Owen:
glad to see Pete Henry as a part of the team. H e worked
so hard to get the 2nd A D A and the 44th H M G to work
The enclosed material may be of interest to the
editor ofyour Organization's periodic newsletter, if you together, but was thwarted at every move. W e can n o w
continue by working together, with all of that petty
have one. I ask that you pass this on to that person.
dissension buried behind us.
The up-coming 50th anniversary of the end of World
T h e 2nd A D A amateur radio net continues to
War II is lending popularity to s o m e subjects which are
flourish. With Bill and Shelagh H o l m e s meeting with us
normally not even thought about very often. O n e such
weekly from Norwich and 15-20 of us getting together
thing is World W a r II aircraft nose art, names and
pictures, crewmen used to decorate their planes. It was each Tuesday morning, w e have participants from all
very popular on heavy bombers because their large sides overtheU.S. Ofourabout50members, 10are44thB.G.
members, a real hot-shot bunch. With the sunspot cycle
provided almost a billboard on which to paint nose art.
at the low, propagation is not too reliable, but w e d o get
O n e of m y hobbies has been collecting World W a r
II nose art, particularly from heavy bombers, the B-17's through to England and California most of the time. It
is an 11-year cycle, and things will start getting better in
and B-24's. With almost 5,000 of their pictures and a
about
a year, so w e will hang in there.
data base of names going far beyond that, it is possible
I recently got m y copy of the 2nd Air Division history,
with the computer to drag out s o m e conclusions as to
which nose art names were the most popular, as well as and the article by "Jack" Whittle (Page 70) jogged m y
memory. W h e n Bar-C crashed, I was o n the scene
to list the cutest names.
shortly
after and looked over the plane. They apparently
List #1 has a couple hundred of what I thought were
tried to unfeather two or maybe three props at the same
the cutest and cleverest names, out of lists of almost
time and burned out the single fuse which fed all four
16,000 n a m e d B-17's and B-24's.
feathering
p u m p motors. They again demonstrated
List#2 has a comparison of the most popular names,
that a B-24 will not hold altitude on one engine. I wrote
B-17'svs. B-24's.
to Whittle about this and received an interesting letter
The lists are offered free, should you feel your
back
from William Heyburn II, w h o was the radio
members would enjoy seeing these n a m e s (maybe
operator
that day. It all makes a story which m a y be of
again!). N o strings attached; but, if your unit uses it, I
interest to the 44th gang, so I a m writing it u p for your
would like a complimentary issue ofyour newsletter so
consideration for the 8-Ball Tails. I'll send it to you in a
I may see h o w you used the material. H a p p y nostalgia.
few
weeks.
A hobby shared is a lot m o r e fun than one which just
Thanks again for helping to resurrect the 44th. If I
collects dust on a shelf!
can
be of any help here in the Northeast, please let m e
Sincerely.
know. W e are going to Norwich in May. H o p e to see you
EDITOR: Very interesting offer. I did not include thethere.
lists here
From one 8-Ball to another.
asthey areso extensive. IwillsendMr. Forman a copy ofthis
8 Ball Tails so any of you interested can take advantage ofhis
EDITOR: This comes to us from the ringleader of the 4
offer.
Bomb Group Ham Radio Net.
�This comes from:
Charles H. Wagner, 245 Aronimink Drive
George Insley
Newton Square, Pennsylvania 19073
865 Little Valley Road, Roseburg, Oregon 97470
7/25/95
6/9/95
Dear Roy:
Dear Will:
This comes from:
We just had the All American B-24 and 909 B-17 Congratulations
at
are to be extended to you and
our h o m e town for thefirsttime, though I had seen it in executive board of the 44th B G V A for continuing the
a couple other places.
organization so well. I have read the Spring issue of the
I also took the opportunity to fly to Corvallis with 44th Journal and found it to be fascinating and
them!
reminiscent of those days we spent in Shipdham.
While in Corvallis, I had a fellow ask regarding the
I was with the 68th B o m b Squadron, working on one
44th B G as his father, Ken Caroon served with the 44th. of the many ground crews that were obligated to "keep
So I gave him your address, aswellasgavehim info. His them flying." M y crew chief was M/Sgt. Barton 0.
father had been shot down, was a P O W , and I believe he Craemar. W e had the privilege of working on such
died in the 50's. The son's name was Mike and had not stalwart B-24's as "The Captain and The Kids," "The
known his father as an adult.
Captain and the Kids Ride Again," "Pistol-Packing
Mike Caroon's address is 4144 Durillo Place, Albany, Mama," and the famous "Corky."
O R 97321.
I read with interest the account of the Butterfly
I had hoped to be able to get to the reunion in San bombing of our airfield as told by Barrett Taylor in your
Antonio, but we had made a commitment with tickets recent issue. His story was quite accurate because I was
last Fall on a Special, so guess we will have to try for 1996.
there and can confirm much of his story. I wonder how
W e had three of us 44thers get together here:
Barrett knew it was a JU-88 that dropped the butterfly
N o r m Nutt - Pilot, 66th Sq.
bombs. As I remember, it happened at night, not in t
2210 Egret Court
daytime.
Grants Pass, O R 97526-5993
To the best of my recollection, the RAF was using the
Shipdham runway for night takeoffs and landings;
Alex Ziel (shortened) 66th Sq. Bombardier Evadee
30
therefore,
the runway lights were on. W e were asleep in
Dec. 43 L T C Retired
our barracks at the 68th site when I believe the siren
480 Horizon Lane
alerting us to the presence of enemy aircraft sounded.
Myrtle Creek, O R 97457
Fortunately, our barracks in the 68th site were
adjacent to a b o m b shelter. I blush to tell you what man
Myself, George R. Insley, Pilot, 66th & 506th (Two
of us did at the time. Many of the gallant combat crews
tours).
of the 44th faced danger and death time and time again.
W e had over 20 pilots and crews from all Theatres. From the comparative comfort of our communal site we
W e are getting a lot of retired people here.
never faced similar dangers. This was the only time our
All for now, Thanks.
lives could be in jeopardy, so we flew from our beds and
went into that b o m b shelter.
EDITOR- Thank you George for the information. We hope
I think I remember that the German aircraft flew
you conjoin us in 1996. I have written Mike and given
him
somewhere
over our 68th site on its homeward trek.
information about hisfather, who hadflown with Flaherty
Theinnext morning, we were alerted to stay away from
Africa, Ploesti, again to Africa in Sept 43, bailed
out ofwhile a British demolition team detonated
the airfield
Oakley'splane comingbackfrom Weiner-Neustadt andbecame
all the bombs they could find. The nature of the
a POW.
butterfly b o m b was that it was dropped onto a surface,
but that impact on the ground only armed the bomb.
The next object or person to touch the bomb would be
blown up. The next morning, the British demolition
team would sneak up on a butterfly bomb, place a fuse
adjacent to it, and then from a safe distance would
detonate the bomb. I suppose for several days, theyuse
that process to demolish as many bombs as they could.
Yes, as Barrett Taylor tells the story, a Britain in a sma
van ran over one of the bombs, and it blew his foot off
28
®
�Our 44th group obviously had to suspend operations
until the bombs were cleared away.
Well, I know that the British demol ition crews m issed
at least one b o m b . You k n o w that a taxi strip surrounded
the three runways, and all the B-24's were parked in
dispersals on either side of the taxi strip. O u r dispersal
area was on the northeast end of thefield,not far from
the firing range. Just at the corner where the entrance
to our dispersal intersected the taxi strip, there was a
clump of high grass. W e had m a d e a path through that
high grass from the taxi strip to our dispersal. W e must
have used that path for months after that night attack
and had not noticed that there lay a butterfly b o m b , not
detonated, hardly afoot awayfrom our path. Anyone of
us could have unconsciously detonated that b o m b , but
we missed it. Well, w e often reflect on our good fortune.
I don't recall, but someone or s o m e persons must have
set it off. So n o w I wonder, as the British reclaimed
Shipdhamfield,tore u p the runways and taxi strips, and
converted the field into a field of sugar beets, did
anyone else discover another butterfly b o m b , m u c h to
his or her dismay?
This was m y only exposure to life endangering
combat all through m y nearly four years at Shipdham.
Well, one might say that w e faced other potential
dangers, such as the V-l buzz b o m b approaching in the
night, and we could tell that the engine had cut off.
Laying there in our bunks, in that dead silence between
engine cut off and impact, w e wondered, "Is it headed
for our barracks?" W e heard the explosion, but it was
always some distance away.
M y wife and I would like to join the 44th at San
Antonio, but we have to resolve a conflict in scheduling.
Thank you again for keeping the 44th historically
alive. W e are quite familiar with at least one m e m b e r of
your executive committee. Colonel Robert Lehnhausen
had been our last Squadron C o m m a n d e r at Shipdham,
but nowhe and his good wife, Liz are a m o n g our dearest
friends in the still alive 68th Squadron.
Best regards.
This comes from:
Jim Moos
Rt. 7 Box 142, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514
6/20/95
Dear Will:
There was so much information in the Spring issue
of Eight Ball Tails that I'm still trying to absorb and
process it into responses.
Also m y word processor has gone a little crazy with
the key which moves the cursor to the right quitting on
m e . Fortunately I can work around it.
W a s happy to hear that the Tower project is to be
looked at again by our new organization.
I a m sending Steve A d a m s a couple of chapters of m y
m e m o i r which pertain to m y crew's time in the 66th,
where wefirststarted out. You mentioned also wanting
stories pertaining to the group as a whole. I'll forward
soon the chapters relating to combat and prison camp.
Thank you for the information on Gene Miller. H e
was in the 44th but must have been transferred. I lost
track of him w h e n m y crew went to London on a long
weekend. His crew was shot d o w n and Gene was killed.
I met u p with his pilot in Miami where P O W ' s were
processed and went through medical exams.
T h e story by R o b Fisk and "Pings Away"
is a classic and the one about the Christmas supper and
candles is another. They are as important to our history
as any. O n Mission n u m b e r 23 to Bugbein, we were hit
by nine hundred forty two and a half M e 103's ..." Does
he have more stories to share with us?
That Christmas w e were in prison camp, but you'll
see that w h e n I send the accounts.
Just got the package off to Steve Adams.
I think the problem with m y word processorwas the
high humidity. W e had had a week of rain, downpours
each day: n o w that the humidity is lower, the 'chine is
working fine. However, I believe w e have grown some
condor-size mosquitoes. M y wife has welts all over her
arms and legs, in spite of repellent.
EDITOR: Charles, your great letter reached me just in time
W e understand from Irene O'Dopnnell that the
for this issue ofthe Tails. Man, did you make your old Editor
Ameri can W i n g isup and runningin temporary quarters;
happy! My aim is to print stories that will stimulate others
to
I imagine
at partial speed.
respond with another story. No matter what your assignment O u r family doctor has recommended a British film,
was in that Group, there are stories to be told. Asfor what
you and Glory." Are you familiar with it? It's about
"Hope
seem to feel was an under exposure to "life endangering
a family with three children during the blitz and there
combat"you have no apologies to make. We were all there
are s o m e priceless observations from the younger ones,
doing the job and when you learn about things like E-Bar
a wonderful little film.
fiyingfour back to back missions twice in one month, you know Won't bend your ear any longer, just wanted to say
there were some "Knuckle Busters " working like hell to keep
thanks.
that kind of turnaround rate going. Ifyou asked them about
Best.
d, like as not, you would hear "I'm just doing my job."
29
�This comes from:
This comes from:
Jake T. Elias
Norm Nutt
2210 Egret Court, Grants Pass, Oregon 97526-5993 7 East Union Street, Nanticoke, Pennsylvani
6/16/95
Friday the 16th
Dear Roy:
Hi Will:
I am assuming that you are still President,
Just a short note to say 'Hello' and send a picture.
Last week the B-24 All American and its flying mate, Publisher. Hence, I am enclosing a story for the Tales
the B-17, flew into Roseburg, Oregon on its current entitled "A Prayer For the Living." Also, I would like t
tour. Roseburg is about 70 miles north of Grants Pass. know if you can arrange a review of my new novel, W A R
& W O M E N . The novel tells the story of an air gunner
I had previously called a fellow Vet living in Roseburg
(who helped m e last year when the planes visited Grants a clerk and several characters in a bomb group outside
Pass) to see if they were stopping at Roseburg this year. Dereham. And it follows the adventures of a couple
Sure enough, they were so I went up there for a couple paratroopers in training, overseas in North Africa, Sici
of days to join in the fun.
Italy, Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge. As the ti
Of the many old geezers who came out of the woods discloses, it brings in the w o m e n the men meet during
was George Insley, who I had met the previous year in their years in training and battle, from innocent young
Grants Pass. Hence the picture. I believe he was in the things to experienced babes.
66th Squadron as well as the 506th; when, I don't know.
Definitely, I plan to attend the 44th reunion in Sa
I think that's his original A-2 jacket with the 8-Ball patch.Antone, as my buddy, Ken Smith calls it. After missi
Thought the picture might be of interest to you. There the last two reunions of the 44th through conflicts, I a
was a pretty good crowd to see the planes; but if the anxious to see all my dear friends in person (I picture
weather had been better, I think a lot more would have them often in my mind, and I must confess, conduct
shown up. It was typical Oregon weather, cloudy,
conversation with them in absentia).
showery and cool.
You must note in F O L D E D W I N G S , the death of on
All for now, Will. This computer toy takes up a lot ofof my best friends, Otis Van Rogers. I had a call from
my time. But it's much easier and faster to keep up with daughter in February that he was very sick and she had
my correspondence.
little hope for him. Then two weeks later I got a call f
Please don't feel obligated to answer all m y
his son telling m e he had died. Van was a very religious
ramblings, I know how busy you are!
man and lived according to his beliefs, not pretended.
So far, I have gotten positive responses attending His wife, Esther, is just as noble, and I feel for her,
the San Antonio Reunion from (only) James Marsh, knowing how she must be missing Van. W e lived in the
Bob Godwin and Elmer Kohn of my crew. I'll keep
same hut of the 68th Squadron. Eugene 'Gino' DeWaters
trying.
the engineer of my group, (deceased now several years
M y best to Irene.
once told m e that Van was Bob Lehnhausen's favorite
Sincerely.
engineer. One night he put a twenty millimeter shell i
the hut's stove and it blew the stove apart. After that,
'Gino' was No. 1. At least that was 'Gino's' story. We'
have to ask Bob if that is true.
W e are all proud of the guys who took over and
resurrected the 44th Group and we are willing to give
them our help whenever asked. All the best to all of y
Sincerely.
30
�A S I L E N T P R A Y E R F O R T H E LIVING
ByJ.T. Elias
It was a typical morning in H u t #7 of the 68th B o m b
Back in the hut an hour later w e were still on 'alert',
Squadron. The 'alert' had been posted o n the bulletin
and shortly the crew caller was in through the door. His
board the previous evening, but no crew caller had
eyes were solemn, his voice subdued. 'Your turn to go,
interrupted the night's sleep. Still, with nerves on edge, m e n . Briefing at 1:30."
I and I suspect, most of the guys had one eye open
during the d a m p cold night, twisting and turningunder Then began theusual round of gettingready. "Gino"
their scratchy blankets. But n o door had suddenly
DeWaters, ourengineer; Ken "Sparks" Sprawl, radioman;
opened, cruel bright lights turned on, and the abrasive Bobby Burns, tailgunner; Johnny Shelton and Pete
yell of "up and at 'em" waking the heavy sleepers.
Perrine, waist gunners; myself, nose gunner. From the
other crew cameJoeHofkin, Paul Luthman, Bob Keegan,
About eight o'clock, most of us were up. I turned onVan Rogers, Harry Ricketts, Erwin Summers. Dressed in
the radio, m yfirstacton rising. A few minutes later the our fighting clothes, the ones w e might have to wear if
music stopped, an announcer came on with the news, w e were shot down, w e got on our bikes and headed for
and it was the big one. "Today, June 6th, Allied Forces the briefing room. As w e suspected, w e were going to
stormed onto the shores of N o r m a n d y in France for the
Normandy. This time, though, instead of the usual
long awaited attack of Hitler's Europe."
27,000 feet of altitude, we were to go in at 12,000, just to
m a k e sure w e hit the target, and not our o w n troops.
There was complete silence in the hut. But after a
minute, the routine of the day resumed - the m e n had We went through all the rigmarole attendant on
been expecting the invasion for weeks and they quickly
preparing to fly: picking u p escape kits, flying clothes,
shrugged off the news. W h a t surprised them was that
pistol, seeing our chaplain. T h e n on the truck for the
ride to the side of our plane, "Flak Magnet." There we
they had not flown out to support the invading forces.
threw our jackets and 'chutes on board, sat down with
Some of the men went out to their bikes for the ridethe officers to await the flare from the control tower
down to the mess hall for breakfast. Several of us roused whether or not w e would be operational. "Skipper"
Smith conferred with Al Bogdonas, our crew chief, w h o
the dormantfirein the tinystove sittingin the center of
was so efficient, all "Skipper" had to do was ask if
thehut. Bread was brought out from someone's locker,
everything were okay. It always was, and we never had to
jam and margarine from another's locker. B o b Keegan
put a pot of water on the stove for the coffee. Most of us abort due to mechanical failure.
preferred this simple fare to the unappealing bland
This was the time to work off some of our tenseness
powdered eggs or S.O.S. served in the mess hall.
and fear. Bobby Burns and "Gino" began to wrestle,
while
w e all egged them on. Kenny Sprowl, when the
Outside, the sky was overcast, the air damp, the wind
wrestling was over, grabbed Johnny Shelton's hat and
cold. A typical Norfolk day. W e tramped through the
was chased around the plane. As they rounded the tail,
muddy walk, about eleven o'clock, to the Aero Club
across the road. There we ordered our morning tea and the green flare went up. W e boarded the plane, all
toast, sandwiches, scones. T w o pretty English farm girls smiles gone, all was n o w business.
were behind the counter, taking our orders and smiling
at ourflirtation. They had months of experience fending Assembly wentwell in daylight, once we wentthrough
off all kinds of offers from women-hungry G.I.s, yet they thefirstlayer of clouds, w e were on our way. Around
London, w e watched as it slid by and we wondered if we
liked us and kept coming back for more.
would be lucky enough to go on pass there again. The
We sat down and enjoyed our snack, the comfort of barrage balloons looked like small pearls, the suburban
sitting at tables and chairs instead of benches and long developments like tiny toy houses. T h e n the coast and
rows of tables. Most of the talk was the usual - h o m e , n o w the broad expanse of water. Everywhere the sun
girlfriends, passes to London, bikes, the happenings at glinted on the restless water, and the water seemed to be
the pub in Hingham. Yet, in the back of every mind was painted with ships, small, large, in between, ships
the thought of m e n hitting the beaches in Normandy, of everywhere, one lane going to France, one to England.
friends in the infantry, artillery, paratroops, brothers,
cousins facing bullets and cold steel.
We listened on the intercom as "Skipper" told about
his exploits with the w o m e n in London, Powner and
�Barlow breaking in to tell of the w o m e n they had and
their adventures with them. Were they boasting? W h e n
m e n are facing Death, are facts the only things that
matter?
From my vantage point in the nose, I could see the
gaggles of planes ahead, the vast armada of ships below,
and soon the dark line of land ahead. As we neared, we
could see smoke rising in columns from the earth. At
twelve thousand feet, we would be easy prey for the
sharpshooting flak gunners below. N o w we were over
the shore, now swiftly moving inland. Ahead I could see
the black bursts with their dead red center surrounding
the squadrons in front of us. And seconds later, the
bumps that told us on the toggle to drop the bombs -1
was to switch them out when our lead bombardier
dropped his bombs.
A FEW OF OUR NORWICH AREA
I RIEMLS
focused
The sweat poured down my brow as my eyes
on the planes ahead. When, oh when would he drop
those bombs? The flak surrounded us, the plane shookBy way of introduction for those who have not ha
and stumbled and wiggled. At last, the bombs fell. I the pleasure of meetingpersonally these English friends
flicked the switch, the plane rose momentarily as the of the 44th, the big fellow on the left is John Page who
bomb burden dropped from it. W e turned to the right.has, over the years, done so much in support of the 44th
Then the plane shook almost out of control. "Skipper" there is not space to enumerate. Visibly, besides being
tour guide for any visiting 44th'ers, John and his wife
managed to right it. "Gino's" voice came over the
Janet
have for manyyears annually traveled to Cambridge
intercom: "Number four engine is smoking." I could
not turn around to look, my eyes had to scan the sky for to place the 44th Memorial Wreath at the American
bandits. But moments later "Gino" had thefireunder Cemetery. Next is Paul Wilson, expert cabinet maker
control and soon it was out. Now, with three engines and artist. H e built and installed all the 44th memorabilia
and the shock of the flak, we were out of formation. But display cabinets at Arrow Air. H e had done a great deal
it was only minutes before we were over the coast and out of 8-Ball art work for us, and like John, is a ready
volunteer guide for 44th visitors. In the center is Tony
of harm's way.
North, Master Librarian, recently retired byfailingvision
I looked down at the smoking coast. Down there from manyyears of service in the Memorial Room of the
Norwich Library. Tony probably is the most
were my friends from home. Had they survived? Were
knowledgeable person in England about the history of
they wounded and bleeding to death? Were they
the Second Air Division and is a particular friend of the
prisoners? Were they making headway or were they
44th. Next to Tony is Steve Young, a supporter so
surrounded by the enemy? Were they able to make
steeped
in 44th heritage, he is currently writing the
progress? Were they wet and cold? Were they hungry?
history
of
the 66th B o m b Squadron. Steve will be
All these questions entered my mind. Here was I, up out
of harm's way, going back to a dry bed and hot food, and serving as our on-site consultant and representative for
down there were my friends and relatives, and I did not the Arrow Air Center/44th B o m b Group Pilots LoungeMemorial R o o m project. O n the farrightis David
know how they were faring.
Morgan, the man responsible for setting up the 44th
B o m b Group memorial exhibit at Arrow Air, with Steve
We flew back alone, on three engines. We were
and
Paul they collected (in large part from Bill Cameron)
leaving the action. But down there, they would be in the
the
great
display of 44th history in the existing Arrow Air
thick of action for days, weeks. All the way back I prayed
silently for those poor m e n who were down below, for building. You will be seeing Steve Young, his wife and
Paul Wilson at San Antonio. Kevin Watson, pictured in
those who had died in the assault, and for the living.
the Eastbourne-Ruthless Memorial of which he was the
EDITOR: Thanksjakefor the letter and the Silent driving
Prayerforce,
For will also be making a brief visit with us a
the
reunion.
Be sure to make them feel as welcome as
The Living. You've expressed the feelings we've all had.
they
do
us
when
we visit Shipdham and Norwich.
Lookingforward to seeing you in San Antonio.
32
0
�SEARCH - ROSTER - MAIL LIST
44TH BOMB GROUP VETERANS
ASSOCIATION BOARD
President: Roy W. Owen (506th)
6304 Meadowridge Drive
Santa Rosa, California 95409
Phone: (707) 538-4726 Fax: (707) 538-1212
Vice President: James H. Clements (506th)
4124 Calculus Avenue
Dallas, Texas 75244
Phone: (214) 243-4657
Secretary: Edward M. Dobson (67th)
118 South 15th Avenue, #1
Bozeman, Montona 59715-4130
Phone: (800) 587-2492 (Code 44)
Treasurer: Gerald (Jerry) W . Folsom (506th)
954 Lowell Avenue
Salt Lake City, Utah 84102-3620
Phone: (801) 359-6159 Fax: (801) 533-8747
If you hear of a 44th'er that does not belong
Association, or has passed away, please notify:
Art H a n d
517 Elm Street
Paris, Illinois 61994
Phone/Fax: (217) 463-5905
If you m o v e or change any aspect ofyour address or
phone number, wife's name, want to stop receiving
the 8 Ball Tails or whatever, please notify:
T o m Shepherd
10597 Cambrooke Cove
Collierville, Tennessee 38017
Phone: (901) 854-6558 Fax: (901) 853-4229
ABOUT RECEIVING YOUR
8 BALL TAILS
Although we had the membership/mailinglistprett
well scrubbed, we had a bunch of calls about not
receiving Issue #2 and we had a lot of Address
Correction Requested returns. Both require remails which cost $1.01 to mailfirstclass. This added
to the .50 cents postage due for the return, the $1.90
44th Group Vice President to 2nd ADA:
H.C. "Pete" Henry (67th/66th)
164B Portland Lane
Jamesburg, New Jersey 08831-1536
Phone: (609) 655-0982
per copy publishing cost, and we're looking at $3.71
to put the 8 Ball Tails at your correct address, to say
nothing of the phone costs sometimes to get the
thing straightened out. A lot of it is moving and
failing to send us a change of address card (recendy,
after two long distant calls and two re-mails it turns
out the m e m b e r had been at another address for
three years and had failed to give us a change).
Those of you w h o are "Snowbirds" are our next
biggest problem. You must drop T o m Shepherd a
note w h e n you are makingyour S u m m e r and Winter
moves. Otherwise, w h e n the Spring and Fall issues
go out and w e guess wrong on where you are, we get
the Tails back with 50 cents postage due and with a
sticker on it saying Temporarily Away and we go
through the re-mail exercise again.
Director: Edw. K "Mike" Mikoloski (66th)
400 Narragansett Parkway
Warwick, Rhode Island 02888-4546
Phone: (401) 461-5938
Director: Raymond R. McNamara (67th)
495 Linden Street
Boylston, Maine 01505
Phone: (508) 869-2592
Director: Robert J. Lehnhausen (68th)
709 West Meadows Place
Peoria, Illinois 61604-3447
Phone: (309) 685-2490
Director: John Milliken (506th)
2345 Garden Highway
Sacramento, California 95833
IN THE FUTURE, IF WE GET A RETURN AN
YOU HAVE FAILED TO GIVE US A CHANGE OF
ADDRESS, WE WILL HAVE TO ASK YOU TO PAY
THE RETURN AND RE-MAIL POSTAGE.
HELP US TO SERVE YOU AS REST WE CAN!
Director: Melvin G. Trager (HQSq.)
2522 Red Oak Trail
Crest Hill, Illinois 60435-3197
Phone: (815) 725-3439
33
0
�THE 44TH MAKES ITS M A R K AT LEXINGTON
The 2nd Air Division held its 48th Annual Convention at the beautiful Marriott Griffin Gate
outside of Lexington, KentuckyJuly 3-6,1995. In terms of Group recognition, there's not m u c h of it at 2
Air Division reunions, but notwithstanding our small 26 head representation (wives and all), our "return
to the fold" was m a d e k n o w n to all. First your of Prez took advantage of a beautifully kept, somewhat shor
golf course to shoot a 74 and win their L o w Gross overall championship going away. M o r e significandy,
was invited to participate in the Candle Lighting Ceremony and was afforded the honor of lighting the
Ploesti Candle in the m e m o r y of all ofyour gallant comrades w h o paid the ultimate price for the success
of that amazing feat.
Will Lundy and I also met with Mr. Dave Turner, President of Turner Publishing, w h o did the beautif
2nd Air Division History. W e have agreed to have Turner do a 44th History in a similar format. There will
be more information to you in future 8 Ball Tails, but I must tell you n o w this will, in all probability, be
last comprehensive history of the 44th done in our time, and it will be beautiful. Don't miss the plane o
this one!
Also, Will and I met with Lt. Gen. Buck Schuler, C E O of T h e Mighty Eighth Air Force Heritage Cente
to discuss their request for our participation in developing a master computer data base for every known
person, unit, base and airplane that participated in World W a r II and forward in Eighth Air Force. It wi
take a lot of input, but the day will c o m e w h e n it will be possible to punch a n a m e and see a read out of
entire history of Eighth Air Force service associated with that name.
Also mentioned elsewhere, was the decision by Pete Henry that he wants to continue on with his duties
as our Group Vice President to 2nd Air Division; so the appointment of Dick Buder was rescinded. Dick
will happily return to the ranks and resume his role as one of the "elders" of the clan dispensing his advic
and counsel w h e n requested.
�WILL LUNDY
THE LITTLE GUY WITH THE BIG FLAG
For a change, the 44th B o m b Group had a bit of
knees to lower the flag, but couldn't get low enough. So
leadership in an 2nd Air Division affair. T h e big Sunday desperately, I backed u p a step, got the staff out of the
parade in Norwich on M a y 7th organized in a parking lot pouch holder, and thanks to a thinking gentleman w h o
infrontof the Central Library that burned. OurAmerican dashedforward to help m e carry the lowered flag through
vets were scheduled to bring u p the rear, following the the arch, I could again raise it high and put it back into
Salvation Army's band. That was good (they were
the pouch.
replacements for another band that couldn't m a k e it)
Finally, w e approached the large altar, which proved
because it helped us (at least a few of us) to keep in step. to be a very large stone, rather coffin-like. N o flag
Dick Butler finally stepped in to take on the c o m m a n d
standards, so the priest took m y flag and draped it over
of our members, which was in columns of three (narrow the altar. W a s I through making a spectacle of myself?
streets) and three "squadrons" of about 100 each, maybe No!
a bit less. After the Mayoress gave her speech, the active
About two-thirds through the ceremonies, the two
military and several hundred assorted veterans' groups
of us returned to the altar to retrieve our respective and
marched ahead of us, for quite a distance through the
respectful flags. This professional had a bearer harness
city streets to the Cathedral. Dick Butler was the drill with a metal cup in which he would place the staff. Mine
commander, with m e right behind him carrying the
was a new, white, heavy canvas thing that had been
American flag, with the two other flags (2nd A D A and
stored so long, it was folded closed and difficult to keep
8th AF) on each side of m e . So w e led our 2nd A D A
open while I placed the w o o d staff into it. Well, you
contingent past the city hall, along side the market
already know what happened from the above description.
square, and along the streets, receiving m u c h applause T h e priest lifted m y flag, handed it to m e , and I raised
and cheering. I a m sure all of that noise of appreciation it high, lowered it to the canvas pouch. Naturally it was
was because we were able to walk, not for our marching! partially closed and the flag would not enter. Have you
But for me, at least, it was quite a thrill. It brought tears ever held a heavy flag staff 10 feet long, with a heavy
to my eyes.
metal eagle on top, plus a large flag? Well, neither had
I until then. I tried to hold it all alone with one hand that
However, myjob was notfinished w h e n w e eventually
was attached to an arthritic shoulder and fumbled with
got to the huge Norwich Cathedral, not at all. W e had
to wait because the church people had not opened the the other trying to mate the two. Needless to say, it was
Cathedral as the crowd was so huge, they had to restrict obvious to m a n y hundreds observing it all that I needed
help. T h e pole was getting out of a vertical position,
entrance to invited guests only!! There were m a n y
hundreds of "honored" guests, and so only a few others making it even harder to hold u p in the air, let alone
straight; and m y strength was failing. Embarrassingly,
could find standing room only.
the priest stepped forward, supported the pole until I
And there was m e , alone except for an R A F Union
finally
got the darn thing into that canvas cup, and then
Jack flag bearer. T h e two of us were to be the last to
I
followed
the perfect example ahead of m e back down
enter, slow march, carrying the two flags, side by side. I
the
center
of this huge Cathedral. However, on this
didn't have the least idea of what I was to do except
return
route
I knew about the arch and managed to
watch this other guy at the altar, that proved to be at the
remove
the
staff,
lower it, go through the arch, and with
far end of the Cathedral. However, the aisles were so
exceptional
good
luck, get the pole back into the pouch.
narrow, orfull, that at times I had to fall behind him, and
In
the
center
of the Cathedral, w e both stopped
then follow. It was a bit funny to the observers, I suspect,
again,
separated
and
stood about 15 feet apart. Flags
because I couldn't begin to d o what he did! Have you
were
upraiseduntil
they
played the two national anthems.
ever tried to hold a 10 foot flag staff and a large flag in
T
h
e
English
lowered
their
flag to the floor when the
front of you? You could only see to the sides, not in
American
anthem
was
played,
but I was told not to lower
front. And secondly, here I was, a person w h o can' t walk
mine
for
any
reason.
W
h
e
n
m
y
time came, I held it aloft,
a straight line even cold sober, because of the loss of
hoping
that
I
was
following
the
proper protocol and was
balance in an accident years ago (blood clots in the back
of my head). This guy ahead of m e in perfect beat to the not insulting our hosts.
Finally...the long walk back to the front door. About
music, with a slow, halting step, typically perfect English
100
feet into the courtyard, w e again stopped, separated,
march, and this old, short American faithfully following
him, weavingfrom side to side, not being able to maintain and again stood at attention while the whole
congregationfiledback outside. By then I felt that I was
his balance for that foot up, hesitating step!
married to the flag. It had been so m u c h a part of m e for
In m y wobbling walk, I also caught m y foot on the
at least 2 1 / 2 hours. It truly was an endurance feat and
uneven stone floor and nearly tripped. T h e n further
proved
once again to m e , N E V E R V O L U N T E E R !
along, again following m y perfect guide, but not seeing
him, he lowered his flag in order to pass through the
EDITOR: I just couldn't let this go by!
opening which also was quite low. Naturally, I banged
into the overhead arch before I saw it. I tried to bend m y
35
�Pictured from left, Mayor Ron Parsons, former
Mayor Maurice Skilton, Mayoress Elsie Parsons
and Mrs. Stella Myshrall at the cermeony.
Arthur King unveiling the Memorial
AMERICAN
Stella Myshrall, aged 80, whose
brother, Chester Yurick, died in the crash at t
age of 27, came to England especially for the
Butts Brow ceremony.
The following is taken from the Eastbourne Herald. Saturday, May 20, 1995, reported by Maria Brooks
and pictures by John Wade:
Plaque marks spot where bomber crew died
Americans'
memorial
THE steadfast commitment of
one m a n culminated in a moving
ceremony at Butts Brow in
memory of 10 American airmen
who lost their lives 50 years ago.
Arthur King, who saw the
American bomber Ruth-Less crash
into the Downs from his Victoria
Drive home, never forgot the
tragedy and went to the spot every
year on Remembrance Sunday to
lay flowers in memory of theyoung
m e n who died so far from home.
O n Saturday, May 6, Mr. King
was once again at Butts Brow, but
this time hundreds of people,
including the sister of one of the
crew, were there to see him unveil
a permanent memorial.
The Reverend Roger McAvoy
gave the opening address and the
Bank of the Royal British Legion
played the hymn O Valiant Heart.
Mayor of Eastbourne Ron
Willingdon m a n Kevin Watson,
who had been instrumental in Parsons said he was honoured to
bringing the memorial about, represent the citizens of
described how the crew had failed Eastbourne who had responded
to return safely after a bombing so generously to the memorial
appeal.
raid in Northern France.
The Vicar and Rural Dean of
Colonel Dick Buder, Staff Sgt.
Will Lundy and Sgt. HarryJenkins, Eastbourne Canon Nicholas
who all served in the same squadron Reade read Psalm 121 and the
as the crew, flew over from the crowd sang the Batde H y m n of
United States to pay their respects, the Republic.
As the American and British
as did 80-year-old Stella Myshrall,
whose brother, Chester Yurick, diedNational Anthems were played,
in the crash aged only 27.
16 standards were lowered, and
Thefirstwreath was laid by Lt. the finishing touch to a moving
Col. Thomas Snukis, representing and memorable occasion was
the American Ambassador, who provided byfiveof the Red Arrows,
said it was critical that present who dipped their wings in salute
generations should rememberwhat on a perfectly-timed flypast.
had been done, and how the
sacrifice of many had paved the
way for the freedom we have today.
36
�The following was taken from the English Framlingham
Times. March, 1995:
ONE LIBERATOR AMONG MANY
By Ian Hawkins
A m o n g m y numerous wartime memories is the crashlanding, on Sunday, 20th February 1944, of an American
B-24 Liberator, a four-engine heavy bomber, very near
my h o m e in the small Suffolk Village of Freston, four
miles south of Ipswich, Suffolk, where I spent m y
childhood and part of m y adult years.
engines m a d e the ground tremble.
What impressed me most was the B-24's vast size. How
anything so big and heavy could actually fly was quite
beyond m y comprehension. There was no sign of the
bomber's crew, but someone said they'd been taken to
a nearby house to await transportation back to their
At that time, I was totally unaware that the B-24 was
part
base.
of the 8th USAAF'sfirstmission in the "Big W e e k " series
of operations w h e n General J i m m y Doolittle threw
Following the youngsters, I climbed inside the bombe
down the gauntlet to the Luftwaffe to c o m e u p and
fuselage and vividly recall the dozens of thin, multifight. This the G e r m a n Air Force did, and the resultant colored plastic coated electrical leads extending along
air battles were a m o n g the mostfiercein the history of the interior of the roof and fuselage sides, together with
air warfare.
the distinctive smells of plastic, oil and petrol. Long,
looping belts of .50 calibre ammunition inside the
Having run out of fuel while returning from the mission
cluttered and confined space, heavy machine guns,
to Helmstadt, Germany, the B-24, after taking the tops oxygen bottles, discarded oxygen masks, the odd twisted
off several mature oak trees, then reducing a tall telegraph propeller blade, thick, broken chunks of bullet-proof
pole to matchwood during its gliding approach, was
perspex from the gun turrets, m a n y strips of silver antiwrecked on landingonalargefield between two extensive
radar "chaff and various items of other equipment all
areas of dense woodlands, Cutler's W o o d , Freston and
provided ideal souvenirs which subsequently kept the
Holbrook Park. After crash landing, the 27-ton b o m b e r local "Bobbies" (village policemen w h o m w e all greatly
broke in two halves while slewing round to face the
respected) at full stretch for several weeks afterwards as
they endeavored to track d o w n and confiscate the more
direction of its approach. W e subsequently heard that
dangerous "souvenir" from their schoolboy "owners."
the B-24 had been based at Shipdham, Norfolk.
A few days later the wreckage of the Liberator was h
During those desperate, dramatic and eventful wartime
years, East Anglian youngsters were very familiar with all from the crash site on low-loader trucks, via Freston
Village, around the Ipswich by-pass and on to the vast
the different types of bombers andfightersof both the
Allied and the G e r m a n Air Forces, principally to ensure aircraft "grave-yard" at W o o d b r i d g e Airfield, the
one's own survival in case of low-flying Luftwaffe aircraft, emergency landing runway, for eventual salvage.
but also due to the close proximity of m a n y Royal Air
Force and American 8th A r m y Air Force airfields located Many years went by and it wasn't until October, 1991
that Ifinallyestablished contact in America with two of
near the East Anglian coast, which juts out into the
the surviving crewmen from that Liberator: H e r m a n
North Sea directly opposite the then front-line Luftwaffe
airfields and military bases in occupied Holland, Belgium Glasser, left waist-gunner and David Talbott, pilot. I
subsequently learned that two of the bomber's crewmen,
and northern France, a mere 30-minutes flying time
T/Sgt. George Clausen, top-turret gunner/flight
away.
engineer and S/Sgt. Robert Werning, right-waist gunner
had
been seriously injured during the crash-landing
On arriving at the crash site about half an hour after the
B-24 came down, I found several other local people were and they never flew combat missions again. T h e crew
already clustered around the wreckage. It was the first had been taken to a country house in Holbrook where
the owner's daughterwaspreparingforherforthcoming
time I'd seen a Liberator so close: we'd all seen the
bombers on the occasional day of clear weather, B-24's wedding, but she required suitable material for her
wedding dress. Lt. Talbott solved the problem by giving
and B-27 Fortresses, flying high overhead in precise
formations, appearing like hundreds of distant crosses. her his silken white parachute.
The combined sound of those thousands of aircraft
37
�The 8th and 9th U S A A F lost 26,000 and 1,500 killed
Three weeks later, during the mission to Brunswick,
Germany on 15 March 1944, Lt. Talbott and his crew, respectively between 1942 and 1945. In addition, the
RAF and the 12th and 15th USAAF, operating from
with two replacements, were shot down and forced to
bail out from another B-24 over Zwolle, Holland. Sadly, bases in North Africa and Italy, also suffered grievous
losses.
Lt. Arthur Goldman, (Navigator), and Lt. Clifford
Montgomers, (Bombardier), were killed in action.
However, Lt. Talbott and T/Sgt. Raymond Swick, Radio The records reveal the grim statistics of the
Group: "The Flying Eightballs" lost 153 B-24 Liberators
Operator, evaded capture and escaped. They
subsequently fought alongside resistance organizations missing in action and a further 39 bombers to other
operational losses between September, 1942 and May,
in occupied France until liberated by advancing Allied
forces in August, 1944. The six surviving crewmen, co- 1945.
pilot andfivegunners, were made Prisoners of War in
After the war, Jacob Elias, a former waist gun
Germany and Austria until they were also freed by
44th B o m b Group, returned to what had once been a
advancing Allied Armored Units in May, 1945.
noisy, thriving and bustljng bomber base at Shipdham:
"In 1955 I went back to Shipdham...seams and cracks in
Present day photographs of the crash site near Cutler's
the concrete, sproutingweeds...derelict shells ofwartime
Wood, Freston and of the beautiful country house at
buildings...out on themain runway stood an abandoned
Holbrook, both virtually unchanged since 1944, were
farm machine...Up in the control tower broken glass
taken in November, 1991 by my wife Mary. Copies of
covered the floor, an open door creaked eerily in the
each picture were sent to Herman Gasser and David
Talbott. These were much appreciated and brought
breeze..."
back vivid memories of those dramatic times.
"Faces flitted through my mind, faces of men As 1944 progressed, the quite extraordinary sight
andwho had become m e n before their time. Where
really,
were all those wonderful kids?...Kids who didn't speak of
sound of 1,000 American bombers all heading east,
going to war across the North Sea, was a c o m m o n sight patriotism, love of country, fear of death, but who went
to a generation of East Anglians. A little later the
out, did the best they could - clumsily at times, perfectly
escorting fighters would speedily and noisily follow the sometimes, but always the best they could..."
bomber's lingering conrails to keep their prearranged
and precisely scheduled rendezvous with the bombers
EDITOR: We got this from an English Newspaper.
over mainland Europe.
best we've read perceptions of the air war being wa
East Anglian through the eyes of a young lad who
When those aircraft returned to their bases from
long those years.
through
and often bloody missions in the late afternoon or early
evening, the evidence was clearly visible. The saying,
"Three engines turning...one burning..."was not a
misnomer and was an all too c o m m o n sight to a
generation of East Anglians.
Many severely damaged Allied bombers and fighters
sought the sanctuary of the huge runway at the emergency
landingairfieldatWoodbridge, lOmilesfrom theSuffolk
coast. As many as 50 emergency landings were handled
in any one 24-hour period. As darkness fell, the
temporary silence would again be broken by the sound
of aircraft engines as long streams of Royal Air Force
Bomber C o m m a n d aircraft in the night skies continued
the "round the clock" bombing offensive. The wartime
skies over East Anglia were never still.
However, the cost in young men's lives flying bombing
missions from England was very high. RAF Bomber
C o m m a n d lost 55,000 killed between 1939 and 1945.
38
e
�and, understandably, they were tanks to balance the supply, but
MISSING - ONE EACH NOSE
not happy that their Pilot was in w e were unable to get the
GEAR
the right seat and a guy they available fuel to the needed
didn't know was in the left seat. areas.
This signalled an
By Bob Lehnhausen,68th Squadron
Formyself, Iwasn'thappy either emergency situation.
We
to
be
flying with
an determined that we could not
The Wiener-Neustadt
inexperienced crew w h o m a d e possibly m a k e our planned
mission, thefirstone,flownon
no secret of their dislike for the landing in Tunisia. W e would
August 13, 1943, (I think) was
arrangement. However, I was have to seek an emergency
for us an easy mission for the
thrilled to have the first landing field.
first 8 5 % of the flight. M y
opportunity toflyin the left seat George Kelley gave the
recollections of this mission are
after a five m o n t h "training location and approximate flight
most vivid, for I have always
period" with the 68th.
times to the emergency fields
considered it to be the best bit
T h e B E N I N A M A I N briefing that had been given to us by
of flying that I did during m y Air
for this shutde mission gave Intelligence at our morning
Corps career. For m e , this
s o m e emergency airfield briefing. It was decision making
mission had a lot of unusual
alternatives to the planned time. I opted to try for one of
circumstances. It was the first
landingfieldin Tunisia. Such thefieldsgiven to us, located in
mission that the group flew after
briefing information was usually Sicily. Even though that meant
the August 1, 1943 Ploesti L o w
of secondary importance. an over water flight, I had
Level Mission. It was m y first
However, w e did copy it down, confidence that we could solve
combat mission with the 68th as
never dreaming that we would the fuel transfer problems.
a First Pilot. Although I joined
have need for this intelligence However, prudence required
the unit as a Pilot, I flew all of m y
being cautious.
data.
missions up to this point as a CoW e reported our situation to
M y recollection of the target
Pilot. All of m y four engine
was that w e were bombing an the Squadron Leader and left
training had been as a B-l 7 Pilot.
aircraft assembly facility thatwas the group formation as we left
In fact, our crew flew a B-l 7 to
adjacent to a military airfield. the Italian Coast to head across
England. At Bovingdon, w e
We
T h e military had a training unit the Tyrrhenian Sea.
were transferred to B-24's. I
stationed at thefield.W e could departed the Italian Coast just
flew with Stub Garrett through
anticipate some opposition in south of Naples. M y memory is
the July 2, 1943, Leece, Italy
that this was also the day that
the target area.
mission which ended in our
Mission take off, assembly, Allied troops took the city of
ditching. The Ploesti mission
penetration to target, b o m b run Naples.
was flown as Co-Pilot for
T h efirstbriefed emergency
and withdrawal from target area
Shannon, filling in for George
field
w e approached on the
were all routine and uneventful.
Armstrongwho had become ill.
W e dropped our bombs in clear northern coast of Sicily had been
The Wiener-Neustadt mission
weather and experienced no totally devastated by bombs. It
was flown with Ben Gildart's
enemy opposition. It was a true looked like thefieldhad grown
crew. I flew as Pilot, Gildart as
"milk run," well, until we were a massive case of pocks, so close
Co-Pilot. Frank Davido, w h o
midway across Italy. A routine and so many that the pocks had
was the Co-Pilot for this crew,
check of fuel indicated w e were pocks. N o chance of putting
flew the mission on the flight
very low on one engine and not d o w n there.
deck. Our Squadron Navigator,
At
that
moment
of
in good shape on a second
George Kelley, also was on this
engine. A n attempt was m a d e disappointment, I spotted the
mission with us. It was the first
to transfer fuel from the other glint of sun off an East-West
combat mission for this crew,
39
®
�blacktop runway m a n y miles westerly approach. W e had the whole plane-tail high. The
in the distance, directiy south of 5,000 feet of altitude to lose nose gear had failed to extend.
our position. Itprovedtobethe between base and touchdown. With all the other problems, no
second alternative listed. W e As w e prepared to land, some of one had bothered to check
continued to this second the crew on the flight deck upon it. W e skidded to an abrupt
location. W e were still working discouraged m e with 'You can't stop.
W e shut down everything and
on the fuel transfer system - make it, you can't make it."
As w e turned onto the m a d e a hasty exit.
unsuccessfully.
Such a sad end for one of our
As w e approached the area of approach, w e lost our second
our intended landing, w e lost engine - out of gas. G o d was noble ships. Only after return
and feathered our #3 engine. good to us though. All of the to base did I learn that: 1) the
As thefieldcame into view, it hours of training inflightschool nose gear had been replaced
was apparent that thefieldwas and in four engineflyingcame the night before the mission
in use. A unit of American to fruition. Few can imagine and had not beenflighttested;
fighters was dispersed about thethe thrill of successfully making 2) the #3 engine was a "gas hog";
perimeter of thefield.However, a "spot" landing in such a 3) the crewwhoflewit on Ploesti
the paved strip wasfilledwith situation. To touchdown at had had that problem.
Unfortunately, I have always
b o m b craters and painted empty precisely the point selected as
oil drums stood on end to ideal and to realize that there had the feeling that m y superiors
indicate that it was not in use. would be sufficient space were displeased that we had left
The grassy area of thefieldused between craters to permit that plane in Sicily. It also
by thefighterswas short and m a x i m u m use of the field demonstrates one of the
with m a n y b o m b craters available. It was momentarily situations in life where
perspective m a d e a tremendous
throughout it. To m e there exhilarating.
Having achieved successful difference in the evaluation of
appeared to be a space on the
east end (approach end) of the touchdown, now the challenge the act.
I hope this assists you in
grassy area of thefieldthat may was to get stopped as quickly as
be usable if the width of the possible. W e had gotten the fleshing out the mission report
landing gear was less than the aircraft and the crew safely to a T h e irony of it is that 52 years
distance between two of the briefed alternate airfield, had it after the fact, someone askswhat
b o m b craters. It would permit on the ground, n o w w e had only really happened. I have given
us to make our approach and a limited amount of clear real you a brief account of the vivid
touchdown ahead of the craters estate available to us. W e still recollections of the actions of a
y o u n g pilot in unusual
and then use the grassy area had work to do.
W e immediately lowered the circumstances. Not the best of
beyond for roll and slow down.
In m y judgement, we had no nose to permit early braking missions, but certainly not as
choice, we must try it. It had to and shortening of our landing disastrous as it might have been.
work. There was no opportunity roll. T h e self-satisfaction of the Thank God.
for a go-around. Even if we had successful touchdown was very
EDITOR: Like this article,
had power available, a range of short lived.
T h e forward push on the ageless. His contributions
mountainous foothills off the
west end of thefielddiscouraged control column to put the nose 44th BGVA are too numerous t
wheel onto the field went mention...besides, he would
a go-around.
beyond normal. Lo and behold, lip " me if I did.
For a landing, our line of flight
to the south m a d e it necessary the nose continued its
toflya base leg and turn onto a downward movement and so did
40
®
�44TH B O M B G R O U P VETERANS ASSOCIATION
DRAFT B U D G E T F O R
CALENDAR YEAR 1995
®wmTB
Projected income:
145 Life Members (allocated @ $15)
750 Regular Members @ $15
Reunion Income (net)
Contributions (estimated)
Investment Income (estimated)
$2,175
11,250
2,500
300
500
Projected Expenditures:
3 Issues of 8 Ball Tails @ $2,000
(first issue $2,883)
Historian
Unit Historians 4 @ $150
Archive Research
Membership Search (Hand)
Roster (Shepherd)
Treasurer
Directors 9 @ $500 (travel)
President (Admin & travel)
Secretary
Tax Exempt Status Fee
Bulk Mail Permit
Total
$6,000
(883J
900
600
200
600
200
400
4,500
900
300
465
150
$15,215
(883)
$16,098
$16,725
-16.098
627
W e need another 150 Members @ $15
$2.250
44TH B O M B G R O U P VETERANS ASSOCIATION
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF ACTD/ITY A N D B U D G E T
PERIOD JANUARY 1, 1995 T O JUNE 30, 1995
BUDGET
1995
YEAR TO DATE
INCOME PERIOD OVER
UNDER
1/1/95 - 6/30/9}
BUDGET
INCOME
Life Memberships
145 Projected
Actual 139
Regular Memberships
Reunion Income
Contributions
Investment Income
11,250
2,500
300
500
Totals
16,725 7,409 1,214 10,530
2,175
814
4,685
1,514
396
1,361
6,565
2,500
1.214
104
EXPENDITURES
8 Ball Tails (3 issues)
8 Ball Tails (1 issue)
Historian
Unit Historians
Archive Research
Membership Research
Membership Roster
Treasurer
Directors Travel (9)
President (Adm & Travel)
Secretary
IRS Tax Exempt Filing
Bulk Mail Permit
Capital Equipment
6,000
2,957
957
309
600
200
425
200
900
600
200
600
200
400
591
4,500
1,061
3,439
900
300
465
150
749
151
300
175
443
465
150
287
Totals
15,215
Income Exceeds Expense:
681
43
6,728
287*
1,287
5,774
This abbreviated statement portrays our operating accounts versu
budget. Our reunion income and expenditures are kept in an accoun
from our general operating accounts.
*Fax machine for Treasurer.
41
�©a^©®^m is - %% mm
Thursday 19 October
9:00 a.m
3:30 p.m
5:00 p. m
Registration all day.
Reception, Hors d'oeuvers, cashbar.
Hospitality Room opens, free bar.
Dinner on your own.
Friday 20 October
9:30 a.m Hospitality Tour No. 1.
3:00p.m
Hospitality Room opens, free bar.
6:30p.m
Buffet Dinner in Ballroom, cash bar.
Saturday 21 October
9:30 a.m. & 10:00 a.m Buses leave for River Walk.
2:30p.m. & 3:00p.m
Buses return to hotel.
3:30p.m
Business Meeting in Ballroom.
5:00p.m
Llospitality Room opens, free bar.
6:00 p.m
Squadron Dinners. Dance following.
Sponsored by the 506th Squadron.
Sunday 22 October
8:45 a.m Golf, Ft. Sam., Transport TBA.
10:00 a.m
Hospitality Tour No. 2.
3:00p.m
Hospitality Room opens, free bar.
6:30p.m
Banquet: Preceded by Color Guards and
Candle Light Ceremony presented by 506th Squadro
Mexican dancers to follow.
Monday 23 October
8:00 a.m Farewell Buffet Breakfast
-10:00 a.m.
DON'T WAIT ANY LONGER!
GET YOUR RESERVATIONS IN NOW!
DON'T MISS THE FIRST 44TH BOMB GROUP VETERANS ASSOCIATION REUN
For those ofyou who are driving orare not paiiicularly interested in the tours being offered and
to rent a car for a day to do some adventuring on their own, 44th 'ers Ed and fane Donnelly of Kerrvi
(about 75 miles NWofSan Antonio suggest some touring of the Texas Hill country, which among m
attractions, has the LBJ Ranch. There will be maps and touring information at the reunion regist
guide you through a "do it yourself" tour of this beautiful part of Texas.
42
®
�GENERAL ELECTION
In accordance with Article V, Section 1. (2) the Executive has adjusted the in
three Directors-at-Large to one year to accomplish the staggering of terms. Those
Directorships selected were the Support Group, the 67th Squadron, and the 506th
Squadron. Al Ruby, the elected Director for the Support Group asked to be relieved injune
for health reasons. President O w e n appointed Melvin Trager of H Q . Squadron to complete
that term. Ray McNamara, Director for the 67th declined re-nomination as did John
Milliken, Director for the 506th. The Constitution requires the nominating committee to
submit two candidates for each vacating officer. V O T E F O R O N E C A N D I D A T E F R O M
EACH OF T H E THREE UNITS, O R CHECK T H E B O X GIVING Y O U R PROXY T O T H E
PRESIDENT.
Cut Here
44TH BOMB GROUP VETERANS ASSOCIATION BALLOT
SUPPORT GROUP
£7 MELVIN TRAGER, Incumbent, HQ., CREST HILL, ILLINOIS
D R.H. "PHIL" PHILLIPS, 14TH CBW., LINDSAY, OKLAHOMA
67TH BOMB SQUADRON
D ROBERTI. "BOB" BROWN, 67TH., SAN RAMON, CALIFORNIA
D DONALD CHASE, 67TH, ORLANDO, FLORIDA
506TH BOMB SQUADRON
O SHERMAN "BUD" DOWETT, 506TH, GRASS VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
O
THOMAS "TOM" HOBSON, 506TH, COLUMBUS, OHIO
O I hereby authorize Roy W. Owen, President, 44th BGVA, to cast my vote
judgment in the matter of this election of officers only.
Signature
Date
Unit
Check your selection, and in the case of a proxy, sign above, then either bring your ballot to San Antonio to drop
the ballot box at registration; or prior to October 1, mailyour ballot to:James H. Clements, Vice President, 44th
Group Veterans Association, 4124 Calculus Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75244
��
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8 Ball Tails
Newsletter
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Summer 1995
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��about it until three years later. At an air show I was
speaking to a local collector and he indicated that one of
the crew had c o m e from Rochester and had been killed
w h e n the plane was shot d o w n over Dortmund, Germany
January 28, 1945. This was the first information I had.
A year later one of m y patient's husbands saw the
picture in a book about Robert Taylor's paintings and
had realized that I was the owner of the original. H e told
m e s o m e m o r e details about the squadron and
subsequently, Harry Goldbrecht from the 8th Air Force
Association in San Clemen te, California, was kind enough
to give m e the address of Pete Henry in N e w Jersey.
Shortly afterwards, in October of 1993,1 was put in touch
with Will Lundy, w h o you all know as the B o m b Group
historian.
Through Will, I was able to contact George Washburn
and S a m Armour, w h o were the co-pilot and navigator
from Elmer Kohler's crew w h o flew Corky 23 times out of
65 missions. Elmer Kohler, the pilot, had not been seen
since 1947, but eventually, with the help of Art H a n d and
his trusty P C and C D telephone directory we tracked
Elmer d o w n to just outside Los Angeles. Lester (Jim)
Dietz the radio operator, lived in northern California;
quite close to Roy O w e n and Oliver Cardinal. Their
engineer was just across the border in Michigan. Over
the past two years, the following story has been put
together of their remembrances, from the National
Archives in Washington, from Will Lundy's records, also
those from Bill Beitling in Kansas City, and from many
families who's relatives had passed away in the meantime.
O n e of the difficulties is that 50 years later, many of
the people involved are no longer alive, especially those
involved in the last flight of the plane. However, Marylin
O'Brien, who's brother Burt Steinmiller was one of the
gunners from Corky, has been valuable in providing
guidance of m y search, as she remembered m a n y
individuals and their h o m e addresses.
T h e families of Vern Kirkey and Glen Mace, w h o also
did not return from that fatal mission, have been helpful
in providing information including letters and
photographs. BurtSteinmillerandVemKirkey'smothers
are alive at the ages of 95 and 96 respectively.
T h e relatives of Patrick Colosimo, the radio operator,
and Maurice Corwine, the pilot, (both of them survived
the crash) have both provided valuable information in
documenting the story.
T h e G e r m a n Embassy in Ottawa, through Lt. Colonel
Ibrom, were helpful in forwarding m y correspondence
to Germany, though the official records didn't provide
any information. T h e local newspaper in Dortmund
where the plane crashed, provided a wealth of
information from a local aviation expert whojust recently,
in late October, provided the statements from two young
boys w h o actually saw the plane crash.
The story is incomplete as m a n y of the individuals
from m a n y of the crews are not available for interview
having passed away. Also m a n y individuals have promised
information which hasn't yet c o m e available. M a n y
remember in explicit detail; others have only sketchy
memories. T h e official records, I've realized, are never
accurate and one frequently gets conflicting information.
If anyone is left out, it isn't that I wished to do so, but t
in many cases the information just wasn't available. If
anyone has any information that they wish to give, it will
be gratefully received.
This then is the story of Welcome Sight, Corky, E-l 01
B-24 H-21 BT42-51101 was one of the last planes
produced in a block of 149 H model B-24 Liberator
Bombers contracted at the end of August, 1943 and
produced by Douglas Aircraft Corporation at it's Tulsa,
Oklahoma plant from a kit of parts produced by Ford
Motor C o m p a n y at Willowrun, Michigan. T h e plane
came off the assembly line around the end of April, 1944,
the exact date is not clear from the records, but it was
accepted by the U S A A F on the 15th of May, 1944. The
plane did not have ball turret and was one of the first to
have K-6 waist gun mounts. These were the features of
the plane that can be determined from what is available.
She was rather unusual in also having heavier armor
plate around the engine nacelles, though I haven't been
able to confirm this. C o m m e n t s have been m a d e that
the plane was heavier than other H's and this may in fact
be the reason.
H o w she got from Tulsa, Oklahoma to Britain,
whether by the Northern route or Southern route is not
available from the available records at this time.
She shows as having been assigned 68th b o m b
squadron, 44th b o m b group shortly after the beginning
ofjune, 1944.
She was assigned to crew chief, Barton Cramer and
his ground crew of Robert Krueger, Joe Crisman, and
Chuck Wagner. T h e first mission was flown to Angers,
France on the 8th ofjune with subsequent missions
listed as the 10th ofjune, 17th ofjune, all three missions
with Reuben Rickett's crew. W e b b Todd's 68th Squadron
history doesn't show a mission on the 10th ofjune, so
this m a y b e a typographical error, for the 12th ofjune to
Illiers L'Eveque, France.
N o damage was sustained, but on the 20th ofjune
with Arnold Larson's crew, she had 12 flak hits over
Politz. O n the 21st ofjune, with Bonnet's crew, no
damage was sustained, and on the 22nd (Larson's crew)
she sustained one flak hit. O n the 25th, with Ford's crew,
there was no flak damage. However, Arnold Larson and
crew, on their last mission, 29th of June, sustained
numerous hits over Magdeburg. Apparently, the flak on
this mission was one of the worst that the 68th had
encountered. So severe, that the 506 squadron lost two
�O n the 29th ofjuly, E K a n d crew went to Bremen. They
aircraft, with the 68th having 12 damaged.
Robert Knaplein crews flew to Beaumont LeRoger, had lost their magnetic attraction and E 101 returned
France. O n the 6th of July she with Donald's crew, but with no flak damage (a record for them). O n the 31st of
the mission is not listed as to target. 7th ofJuly, Reuben July, T o m m y Kay's crewflewher to Ludwigshafen without
Ricketts again flew her to Darenburg. This was one of the significant damage.
In August, she was flown on the 1st, 3rd and 4th by EK
worst missions that the 68th had to fly; 3 aircraft and
crews were lost and 5 aircrafts received category A / C and crew with the targets being Corbie with medium flak
damage, with 3 category A. Out of 12 aircraft, only 2 had and no damage. O n the 3rd, to Mery-Sur-Oise, the
no damage. O n the 11 th of July, she flew to Munich with weather was bad and the target could not be hit and an
Ford's crew and on the 12th, Knaplein's crew returned alternate was hit with excellent results. Again, there was
again to Munich. Reuben Ricketts crew flew her to no flak damage.
However, on the 4th of August it was a different
Saarbrucken on the 13th ofjuly. N o damage was sustained
matter.
O n this date, the 44th went to Kiel. O n this
as the flak was minimal and inaccurate.
O n the 18th ofjuly she was flown to Thorne, France occasion the group formation was being led by Bill
by Lt. Elmer Kohler. This was the third mission for Cameron as the group lead.
Bill was kind to give m e a commentary of this mission.
Elmer Kohler, but the first for his crew, he having flown
in the usual fashion as co-pilot in his first two missions. H e was c o m m a n d pilot and flew in I for I T E M take off at
Kohler flew Corky 23 missions subsequent to this date in 0955 hours. Apparently there was difficulty forming up
his tour and his crew is recognized as being the one to the full group of 36 aircraft. There was significant
which this aircraft is associated.
congestion in the formation area, however by 12 noon
Earlier to this date, E-l 01 was christened Corky after the wing formation was formed, the 68th being in the low
the infant son of Frank Davido, the 68th squadron position. T h e Frisian Islands were crossed at 1302 with
operations officer. T h e distinctive nose art with the little the 68th closing u p with the green group, with the blue
boy sitting on a b o m b with a m a p of Berlin was painted group being far behind. Shortly after this, a B-24 crashed
on the nose by Bob Krueger, the 68th squadron resident into the sea. T h e cause was not known. T h e formation
artist.
wasjoinedup with P-38's at approximately 1325 at 23500
T h e information on Corky's missions from this point feet, the formation having flown around Heligoland
between 18 July and the end of November, 1944 c o m e without any evidence of flak. By 1444, the 44th had left
from Kohler's crew. Thejuly 18th mission was particularly the target area, the weather was good but there was an
rough, Corky sustaining 6 flak holes, one through the effective smoke screen. Cameron, apparently, was in the
Plexiglas in the Bombardier's window which knocked b o m b bay w h e n the doors were opened, and being
S a m Armour's helmet off. T h e only other causality was without oxygen almost blacked out. T h e flak was also
Richard Calgoro's (tail gunner) chocolate bar, which burstingunderneath, but not close. Theformation then
was hit by a piece of flak. O n the 19th, the 68th was off let down to 18000 feet for the trip h o m e . Several aircraft
to Coblenz, again with E K (Elmer Kohler) O n c e again were in distress and the blue squadron caught the brunt
the flak was heavy, with 4 holes in the plane and the of the flak. P-38 fighters were in close escort and flying
pilot's side window being hit again! T o paraphrase E K , past north ofWilhelmshaven, he 44th saw a squadron of
"Had the left window (less than a foot from m y head) B-17's obliterate an airfield. T h e trip h o m e for the group
blown out, very noisy, very cold, very scary." O n the 20th was uneventful.
ofjuly, she went to Erfurt with Benjamin Ford's crew and
However, it was very eventful for E K and crew. As
on the 21st, Harrock's crew flew her to over usual, the magnetic personality of Kohler's crew became
Oberpappinhoffen. This was a long mission and 44th evident, Corky sustaining 23 holes from flak and the
b o m b group aircraft, including 2 from the 68th, were hydraulics being shot out (again). Coming h o m e she
lost. Apparently, on this mission Corky had to return was steadily losing altitude, partly with E Kflyingher on
because of mechanical problems. Kohler's crew on this the step to try and conserve fuel, but also because of one
mission flying W-224 had their usual attraction to flak, engine being feathered. Also a P-38 with a propeller
with the pilot's window being blown again with the wires feathered came along side and the question is w h o was
to EK's throat microphone being cut. O n the 24th of giving w h o moral support? At one point while crossing
July, flew to St. Lo with Robert Knaplein and Frank the Frisian Island there was some concern as to whether
Davido as c o m m a n d pilot.
or not they would m a k e it h o m e and Lester "Jim" Dietz,
O n the 25th the 68th went to St. Lo again with Elmer the radio operator, transmitted with the trailing wire
Kohler and again the magnetic attraction for flak aerial to give a position report. However, it became
occurred. Five flak holes, n u m b e r 3 engine out, and the evident that the altitude loss was less severe than they'd
pilot's window blown out while bombing at 13,000 feet. thought and the English Coast c a m e u p and anuneventful
4
�landing was made at Shipdham, apart from a second at that time could be very meager or plentiful, depending
engine cutting out on approach. O n the 8th of August, on your situation. Lester Dietz, the radio operator,
having been repaired, 101 was off to La Perth in France headed south to Glasgow for more lively entertainment.
with Ray Mondloh's crew. O n the 9th of August, E K and (In the summer of 1994, while on holiday at home, I
crewflew her to Sindelfingen again; 21 holesflakdamage spent an afternoon up at Aberfoyle. The Baillie Nichol
with bad weather obscuring the primary target on Jarvie is now derelict, being turned into apartments, but
Saarbrucken the secondary target. Apparently the at the local tourist office, the lady there who was 12 year
formation hadn't turned sufficiently to avoid a heavyflak old at the time in 1944, remembered her sister going to
concentration.
dances in the local hall with some Americanflightcrew.)
O n the 12th of August, Kay's crewflew tojuvincourt W h o knows, maybe it was the same crew, we'll never
with meagerflak and no damage. O n the 14th Mondloh's know.
crewflewher to Lyon again with noflakdamage. O n the
This area of Scotland was an area I frequented when
15th and 16th of August, with EK'sflewher to Ardorf and in medical school on weekends, kayaking. Young men in
Kothen with no damage.
their early 20's or late teens have the same interest
O n the 18th of August, the 44thflewto Nancy. O n whether in 1944 or in 1974. I won't elaborate any more!
this mission Elmer Kohler's crew landed at St. Lo due to
This was thefirstconnection that I found to myself
rudder cables having part and landing at a forward and Corky.
fighter's base near St. Lo. This was thefirstlanding of a
O n the 27th of August, while E K and crew were
heavy bomber at an Allied fighter base following the enjoying a well earned rest, Barnhart's crew flew her to
invasion.
Basdof uneventfully. O n September the 5th she was
The mystery here is that the formation map as briefedflown to Karlsruhe by Julian Dayball's crew, suffering
shows Kohler's crewflyingOrange 381, however, opinion minimalflakdamage. O n the 8th she returned to the
is split as to whether or not they were actuallyflyingE-101
same target with Pellow's crew and on the 10th of
that was listed as a reserve aircraft that day. I haven't September,flewto Ulm with Bill Kelly's crew and then to
been able to resolve this as memories are equally split onHanover with Ritter's crew on the 11th. O n the 13th of
this point. Elmer Kohler indicated that he felt it was September, E K and crew again sustained category A
Corky. W h e n the control cables parted, there were damage from flak! Shortly after this, George Washburn,
severe vibrations in the plane and on landing at St. Lo, the co-pilot, was checked out by Frank Davido and
they rolled up the steel runway because of the weight andpronounced to be suitable asfirstpilot (he took over
didn't endear themselves to the combat engineers. A Thurston VanDyke's crew, who'd been injured) and flew
piece offlakhad cut a rudder cable. Thefightergroup hisfirstmission as pilot in command on the 18th of
ground crew took a day or two to repair the damage and September to Best, Holland. This mission was flown at
later E K buzzed thefield,which in retrospect perhaps under 300 feet and the well-known photographs of
wasn't such a good idea, the damage havingjust been Corky that are on display at the U.S. Air Force Museum
and in Martin Bowmans book "Four Miles High", were
repaired.
O n the 24th of August, E K again attracted significant taken from Julian Dayball's plane.
damage from very stiffflak,category A/C. O n the 25th,
having been patched up yet again, they flew to Schwerin
airfield, an 8 hour mission. O n this mission, George
Washburn the co-pilot, was in the b o m b bay when the
b o m b bay doors were open and had a rather interesting
few minutes (being in a rather awkward position). O n
the 26th theyflewto Salzbergen with minimalflakand
no damage. Sam Armour, the navigator, had thefluand
his ears were plugged and had difficulty hearing.
Following this mission theyweresenton leave to Scotland
to the small village of Aberfoyle north of Glasgow. They
stayed at the Baillie Nichol Jarvie Inn, which is a rather
famous and well-known 18/19th coaching inn in a small
Sept. 18, 1944, Corky over Nimejen, Holland,
village just south of the Trossachs which is a very scenic
the low-level supply drop to the 82nd Airborne Di
area in the hills north of Glasgow.
During the week there, they met a fighter pilot who The lightflakon this mission was particularly heavy and
was seldom without a drink from a grateful crew. During there were 15 holes in the aircraft with damage to the gas
this time, they partook of the local entertainment, whichtanks and hydraulics.
®
�W h e n the formation returned to Shipdham, Elmer while the co-pilot was trying to maintain altitude.
Kohler was at the hard stand to watch Washburn and
They came down from 23,000 feet to approximately
crew return. George, who looked much younger than
12,000 feet prior to getting thefireout and then turned
his 21 years, was heard to exclaim, "Elmer, someone
for h o m e having dropped their bombs. Once again they
was trying to kill me," while they were inspecting the
were on their own with only one engine pulling full
damage to the plane.
power and two others on reduced power, heading for
home.
This mission was rather interesting as they were
dropping supplies to the 82nd airborne at Neimegen.
In the meantime, George Washburnflyingjust
Jim Colosimo, the brother of Pat Colosimo, was in fact behind, had prior to this been hit severely, spun out of
with the 82nd airborne in this area and saw the formation formation with control only being regained by use of the
going over.
auto pilot. Washburn and crew returned to Shipdham
M y father's tank unit was also not very far from this with one wheel damaged before Corky and thuspromptly
area, while fighting their way up to the Rhine bridges. closed the main runway landing. Kohler aborted his
Myformer consultant, while I was a medical student, approach to Shipdham and went down to Woodbridge,
was the regimental surgeon with the British Parachute
an RAF emergency station with a long runway. Oliver
Brigade that had dropped at Arhiem. O n the 25th of
Cardinal, the engineer, manually wound down the flap
September, the 68th went to Koblenz, with Leibrich's and they landed without brakes. They were holding off
crew. O n the 30th,
the nose prior to landing
Kohler's crewflewher
to slow up their approach
to H a m m , with no
speed, however, the codamage, and on the
pilot pulled back heavily
30th to H a m m again,
and the nose rose during
the second
time
flare just before the stall
sustaining category A
and the old war-horse
damage. Bill Kelly's
landed with considerable
crew took her to
noise, but with little
Lippstadt on the 5th
forward velocity!!
of October and on the
Sam Armour's map table
6th, Kohler's crew went
was badly holed and he
to Hamburg. O n this
still has a piece of shrapnel
trip, their usual
from this raid. They say
attraction to flak
that one is safe until a
occurred yet again,
bullet with your name on
with them limping
it reaches you. EK had a
The Maurice Corwine crew at Pueblo, CO, 2 Oct. 1944, during
across the north sea on
piece offlakland on his
training. L to R, back row: Lt. Corwine, Lt. Wayne Scott - Nav., Lt.
their own with a P-47 as
leg. The fragment, when
Robert Lough - CP, unidentified; LtoR, middle row: Patrick Colosimo
escort. O n the 12th of
examined later, had the
- Radio, Joseph Walker-Fit. Engr., Wilbert Steinmiller- LW Gunner;
October,
Julian
E K engraved on
L to R front row: Edward Weinman - Tail Gunner, Vernon Kirkey initials
Dayball's crewflewher
it. The damage was so
Nose Gunner, Glenn Mace, Jr. - RW Gunner.
to A c h m e r without
bad that it took 3 weeks to
damage. O n the 14th, 15th, 19th and 25th of October,
repair Corky, including a complete overhaul of hydraulic
EKand crewflew her again, the 14th, 15th and 19th
and braking system, replacement of Number 3 engine
being milk runs with no damage.
and repairs to two others. O n the 5th of November,
O n the 15th of October, for some reason, Corky's Kohler's crew, in the absence of their nowregularaircraft,
call letter was changed from E to H a n d I haven't been flew to Karlsruhe with moderateflak.Minimal damage
able to get any evidence as to why this was done.
was done to the aircraft. The aircraft was 711.
O n the 25th of October, EK and crew went to
Missions assigned on the 18th and 20th of November
Gelsenkirchen, with their reliable, but magnetic aircraft. were canceled, either before take off or during assembly
This was their worst raid up to this point. The flak and it was not until the 26th of November that Dolan's
was intense and accurate andjust before the bombing
crewflew to Bielefeld with no damage sustained. O n the
point, they were hit in the number 3 engine by an
27th the raid to Offenburg.John Vaughn's crew flew her
88mm. shell. This started afire. The co-pilot was flyingwithout damage.
hisfirstmission and on being told that number 3 was
Elmer Kohler's crewflew theirfinalmission in Corky
onfire,E K bent down to select thefireextinguisher,
on the 29th of November to Altenreken. There was
6
�complete cloud cover and radar bombing results were VanDyke's crewflewher, also on the 14th; However, the
unobserved. There was noflak.O n the following day on 14th's mission was aborted due to technical problems.
the 30th of November, 1944, Kohler's crewflying711 O n the 7th the mission was to Landau. O n the 21st of
completed theirfinalmission of their tour. Sam Armour January, Ned Anderson's crew flew her again to
volunteered to stay on and didn't leave the 68th until Heilbronn.
early April, 1945 working in operations. Elmer Kohler,
N o missions wereflownbetween the 22nd and 28th
Lester Dietz and Oliver Cardinal flew with a transport ofjanuary because of bad weather. O n the 28th, the
squadron for a short period during Ardennes offensive. mission was to attack a coking plant outside of Dortmund.
Richard Calgaro, Steven Gilsenen and Frank Tilton, the
The official version of the raid indicated that Corky
nose gunner, were transferred, with William Vafiades was hit byflakwith a direct hit in the b o m b bay shortly
apparently going to a weather observation unit, the before 12:00 just prior to bombs away, she pulled out of
others returning to the U.S.
formation, losingaltitude and exploded several thousand
O n the 4th, 10th and 12th of December, the aircraft feet below. Maurice Corwine, the pilot, and Patrick
was crewed by William Solomon's crew. O n the 4th they Colosimo, the radio operator, were the only two survivors
flew with the 491st b o m b group and I'm not sure of the Three parachutes had been reported from the plane.
reason for this. O n the 10th they flew to Bingen.
These were the official facts in W e b b Todd's book
Apparently on this raid there was a problem and a repeat and much of the official paperwork that I've seen.
pass over the target was required before the bombs were
The crews families were notified in the middle of
away.
February that the aircraft was missing, but little else was
O n the 12th, the mission was to Aschaffenburg. heard till Patrick Colosimo returned to the U.S., with
There was no flak. O n the 18th of December, toKyllburg Maurice Corwine following shortly after in May andjune
with Russell Ericson's crew. The raid was canceled just 8 in 1945. The details of what happened have been pieced
minutes from target because of bad weather, sortie together from Maurice Corwine's wife Delores, from
credit was allowed. There were no flights over Christmas Burt Steinmiller's sister and mother, who's still alive at
by Corky and on the 28th of December, Peter's crewflew 96, Vernon Kirkey's mother and sister (his mother's 95)
her to Kaiserslautern with no damage. However, it was aand the family of Glen Mace, the family of Bob Lough the
bad day for the 68th with 582 D missing in action. co-pilot, also supplied some details; but the remainder of
Another aircraft had to land on the continent with the crews relatives have not been traced to this date.
Trying to track down relatives 50 years after an event
damage, but with the crew being safe; and Corky's stand
partner, Lili Marlene 260P, had to abort due to engine is difficult, however, I had with some luck in knowing
problem in N u m b e r 2, missed the approach and that one of the crewhad come from Rochester. Once the
apparently lost another engine while turning back to theM A C R w a s reviewed and I realized that Burt Steinmiller
runway spun out and crashed. There were no survivors came from Rochester, I found a relative who put m e in
from the Second Lt. Jessie Bledsoe's crew. She's listed astouch with Burt's sister in Florida. Marylin provided
having flown on the 29th of December with Garbades many of the essential details of the crew, particularly
crew, but there's no notification as to the mission. O n Maurice Corwine, Patrick Colosimo and Robert Lough's
the 30th of December, William Solomon's crew again family and also of the Kirkey's and the Mace's.
Unfortunately, Patrick died in 1979; but his story was
took her to Ahrweiller. This was a radar attack due to
complete overcast. Theyearended with Ned Anderson's published in several newspapers. Glen Mace's nephew,
Michael Broshart, provided some newspaper clippings
crew going to Neuwied.
The N e w Year started on the 1st ofjanuary with a raid containing Patrick's story, also the same story was provide
to Koblenz, a railroad bridge over the Moselle. O n this from the local newspaperfrom Plymouth, Massachusetts,
raid the aircraft was piloted by Maurice Corwine and his Vern Kirkey's hometown.
While on the bomb run, Patrick Colosimo had gone
crew.
Glen Mace, one of Corwine's gunners, provides a down off the flight deck to open the bomb doors, as
commentary from his diary. The bomb load was 3-2,000 there apparently had been some technical problems
pound general purpose bombs, the mission time was 7 with one of the doors which was partly stuck open. Glen
hours and the bombs were dropped visually and on Mace had also come forward from his mid ships position
target. The bridge was destroyed and there was moderate and was assisting him in opening the door. The gears
flak, but not too accurate. Bud Steinmiller, the top were apparently stripped and the door on one side was
gunner, had one small piece offlakthrough the Martin only open about a foot. Corwine had told them to leave
turret. The following day, the 68th squadron returned to it and they were going to salvo the bombs later. Glen
Koblenz. Again there was no damage when William Mace was returning to his waist position and Colosimo
Solomon's crewflew the mission. O n the 7th ofjanuary, turned to go back up to the flight deck. At that point, th
�ship shuddered and there was severe heat on his back T h e anti-aircraft batteries hit a silver plane; the right
and flames all around him. His clothes caught on fire, wing which went onfire,broke off, and the plane spun
as he was disconnected from the intercom. H e didn't down. T h e witnesses only saw one parachute, though
know what was said following this and piecing together later information indicated that there were two survivors.
from several sources, apparently he was pushed out by T h e east wind blew the parachute towards Dortmund,
someone else through the b o m b bay. H e was not aware suburb of M e n g d e , and the remains of the plane came
of what happened for a period till he came around, his d o w n in Dortmund-Derne. Colosimo landed on a street
parachute deployed, with no signs of any other called A m A m m e r b a u m . At this point, there was a flak
parachutes, but a large fire on the ground. Patrick
unit 8 8 m m . crewed by m e m b e r s of the Arbeitsdienst
indicated that he had been picked u p by Germans and
(young m e n too young for military service) and 105 m m
thrown into a village prison where the news of his crew battery of the Luftwaffe. There was some argument as to
was variable and was told that 6 were dead and then later w h o should take him prisoner and in the meantime two
that they were all alive. H e was moved to several
police officers arrived and lifted him u p and carried him
different prison camps following this, and on the 5th of approximately 1 1/2 k m . to the local police station. H e
M a y his prison c a m p was liberated coincidentally by the was wounded and bleeding from the head and his right
82nd airborne to which his brother was attached. Being leg was broken. O n the way, they passed a number of
injured, he was shipped out by ambulance to a hospital. civilians w h o were standing on the street, screaming
His brother Jim, only missing him by 20 minutes. H e "murderer" and w h o spat and kicked him. O n e of them
returned to the U.S. in late M a y where he contacted the kicked his broken leg and Patrick screamed. At this
relatives of his crew. Maurice Corwine returned h o m e point, the police officers did not take any action and the
shortly after and his story was basically similar, having witness said that the journey was like (running the
been blown clear of the plane in the explosion and
gauntlet). O n e of the little boys grabbed a heated glove
having been taken prisoner.
that he was carrying. W h e n they reached the police
In early 1995, I was able to get some copies of station, he was left on the steps and the police officers
captured G e r m a n documents, which were the official went inside. T h e two young boys came u p to Patrick and
Luftwaffe communications regarding the crash from a saw that he was covered in sweat and that there were tears
Captain Maas w h o was the engineer in charge of the
running d o w n his face. At that point the local
salvage crew, indicating that there had been 4 identified Ortsgruppen Leiter (local Nazi party official) Franz
bodies; Scott, Steinmiller, Lough and Mace, with 4 Land arrived on his bicycle, ran u p the stairs towards the
unidentifiable bodies at the crash scene. At this point, prisoner. Patrick must have gotten a shock when he saw
there seemed little else in the National Archives from
this real Nazi in his brown uniform coming towards him
the German point of view and on playing a hunch, I after what had happened on his journey from the street.
contacted the Germany Embassy in Ottawa and spoke to However, Land entered the police station and there was
Lt. Colonel Christen Ibrom, the military attache, w h o
a loud argumen t, the basis of which was that the policemen
was extremely helpful in forwarding m y request to the had not carried out their duty to protect the prisoner
German Archives, which did not bring u p any definite w h o had been abused. T h e police officers defended
specific evidence for m e . H e did suggest that I contact themselves saying that Dr. Goerbels had said (no mercy
the local newspaper in Dortmund and they might be for the terrorflyers).Patrick was then carried inside and
able to give additional help. This was done in early put in a detention cell in the basement and the two boys
October and only 2 weeks later I received a letter saw him through a window. H e was moaning, "Help me,
containing the information about the crash.
help me." O n e of the police officers left the police
Unfortunately, because of the closeness to the station and fetched Dr. Hallermann, the local doctor,
promised date of completion some of the details are not w h o came and gave him medical treatment.
available, but to summarize the findings, it will show the
T h e police had informed the local Luftwaffe at
difference in perspective, though the story is remarkably Brackel air base, but it was several days before he was
similar to those of Pat Colosimo.
picked up. T w o soldiers had gone for the prisoner and
I have to thankStephen Klemp of the local newspaper helped him to the front door; however, Patrick dropped
for providing this information and Horst Munter the
the crutches, pushed the soldiers aside and limped down
local aviation enthusiast in Dortmund, w h o collected
the steps. W h e n the back of the truck was opened, he
the information. His information camefrom two sources; found there were several other American air crew in the
H e r m a n Luer and Willy Pietrzak, w h o were young boys truck. His spirits rose and he pulled himself onto the
at the time w h o witnessed the crash.
truck.
T h e story is thatjust before noon on a clear and cold
I spoke to Horst Munter by phone and he, though his
wintry day the American bombersflewover Dortmund. English is limited, and m y G e r m a n is non-existent, we
8
�managed to piece together similar details of the story.
Corky exploded in mid air and the wreckage was spread
over a considerable area. The German records indicated
that it was 9 5 % percent demolished. The wreckage was
cleared by the members of the Luftwaffe, commanded
by Captain Maas and also by an officer called Zebrowski.
Four of the dead were identified at the scene by their
dog tags; Glen Mace, Wayne Scott, Burt Steinmiller and
Robert Lough. The other crew members, Earl Howser,
DATE: 28 January
Joseph Walker, Vern Kirkey, and Edward Weiman were
T A R G E T : Dortmund, Germany
not identified till much later. They were buried in the
main cemetery in Dortmund on the 9th ofjanuary.
The Coking Plant at Dortmund was attacked but
However, it was not until much later in the year, aroundbombing were poor, due to several circumstances
Squadron aircraft crash landed on the continent,
December, that the graves were actually investigated
injuries. One 68th Squadron aircrajt did not retu
and in March of 1946 they were transferred to the
Ardennes National Cemetery, close to Liege in Belgium.
Horst Munter also indicated that, and I may have 68th Squadron A/C #42-51101 H or E CORKY
Missing Air Crew Report #12007
gotten the translation slightly wrong, but apparently a
number of years ago a portion of a propeller and an
engine were found from the crash area, Horst indicated 68th Squadron Crew:
that he will keep in contact with m e to get some more
CORWINE, MAURICED.
Pilot
1st Lt.
details of what happened.
A S N 0-771320
EvadeeP/Returned
The official U.S. Air Force records indicate that
Sedalia, Missouri
there were 3 parachutes, but many of the witnesses from
the 68th b o m b group are no longer alive. However, T o m LOUGH, ROBERTL.
Co-Pilot
Fit Of.
A S N T-l26827
KIA
West the engineer from Solomon's crew saw Corky hit
and his friend, Ray Zgoda who has also died, left a diary West Virginia
with the details in it.
SCOTT, WAYNES.
Navigator
2nd Lt.
N o w 50 years later, memories fade and the number A S N 0-206605
KIA
West Palm Beach, Florida
of individuals associated are few, but Robert Taylor's
painting, Welcome Sight, and the prints that were taken
HOWSER, EARL P.
Radar - Nav.
IstLt.
off the original will hopefully provide a lasting memory A S N 0-864127
KIA
of afinecraft that brought its crew safely home 64 times, Kansas City, Missouri
with fate intervening on the 65th and last mission.
WALKER, JOSEPH H.
Engineer
T/Sgt.
Recognition should also be given to the ground
A S N 14135751
KIA
crew of Barton Cramer, Joe Crisman, Chuck Wagner
Sycamore, Alabama
and Bob Krueger for keeping their plane, and it really
was their plane, flying despite the cold, the wet and m u d COLOSIMO, PATRICKN
Radio Oper.
T/Sgt.
Evadee?/Returned
of an English airfield, gettingup in the early morning to A S N 13061725
prepare her for her missions and then waiting the long Branchton, Pennsylvania
wait till she returned. Then having to repair the damage KIRKEY, VERNON O.
Nose Turret
S/Sgt.
sustained, in addition to the routine servicing, but
A S N 31166867
KIA
Plymouth, Massachusetts
managing to get her ready for the next mission which
often meant working through the night in extremely
MACE, GLENN E. Jr.
R W Gunner
S/Sgt.
severe conditions.
ASN17151925
KIA
The picture, Welcome Sight, provides a lasting
Washington, Iowa
memory to these men, those who returned and those
STEINMILLER, WILBERTR. LW Gunner
S/SgL
who didn't and their aircraft.
A S N 12239759
Rochester, N e w York
KIA
WEINMAN, EDWARD I. Tail Turret
A S N 32828525
Long Island, N e w York
KIA
S/Sgt.
�4TH BOMB G R O U P VETERANS ASSOCIATION
04 Meadowridgr Drive • Santa Rosa. CA 95*09 • 707-538-4726 • Fax 707-538-1212
October 14, 1995
Mr. John Page
6 Meadow Way
Poringland, Norwich
NR14 7LZ
United Kingdom
Dear John:
Please accept this copy of The Second Air Division History as a
token of the great respect and gratitude held for you by the
m e m b e r s of the 44th B o m b Group Veterans Association.
Your long, loyal and dedicated friendship with the 44th over
the years has been displayed in m a n y ways. Most significantly.
with your annual Memorial Day travel to the American
Cemetery at Maddingley to provide a n d place a beautiful
wreath In the n a m e of the 44th B o m b Group to the m e m o r y of
our fallen comrades buried there.
Additionally, the personal contact and guidance you so
untiringly provide to any of our group a n d their families w h e n
visiting the Norwlch-Shlpdham area has deeply endeared you
to the hearts of our 44th family, of which you are a part.
While we can never expect to fully express our gratitude for all
your help a n d loyalty, w e hope this history will give you
pleasure and b e a reminder of h o w m u c h w e treasure your
friendship.
Slnce/ely,
Roy yv'. Owen.
President
John Page at the
American Cemetery,
Maddingley,
May 30, 1994
�FLYING CONTROL
December, 1944
great text about another of our
H e r e is s o m e m o r e
support units. T h e only p r o b l e m here is that I don't
k n o w w h o submitted this report. C a n a n y o n e fill us in o n
w h o w a s the Senior Flying Control Officer?
At the outset it should be made clear that the name Flying
Control is a misnomer. This Section has as its basic function
the safety of the aircraft and crew from time of take-off until
it is safely o n the ground again, whether at this aerodrome or
some other.
Probably a brief resume of the history of Flying Control
and h o w it came into existence in our Air Force is in order.
After the first year of war, Great Britain found that her losses
in aircraft were far greater o n non-operational flights and on
the ground than they were because of actual combat. A study
of the causes of this situation resulted in the establishment of
the Flying Control Organization within the R.A.F. under the
Director of Aircraft Safely, Air Ministry.
Shortly after the entry of the United States into the war,
liaison between our two Air Forces indicated the need for such
a system within our forces. This w a s especially true because
of the expectation that large numbers of our aircraft would be
flying from bases in the U.K. where they would have to comply
with R.A.F. rules and regulations.
T o that end, early in July, 1942, ten officers were sent from
the U.S. to England and placed o n detached service with the
R.A.F. for training in Flying Control. The Senior Flying Control
Officer of this station w a s one of that original group. Since that
time, hundreds of U S A A F officers have received this training
in the R.A.F.
Flying Control is analogous to Base Operations back in
the States, but the similarity divides sharply once w e leave its
fundamental purpose. In the U.S. flying is conducted almost
wholly according to peace time and civilian airline requirements.
Here, w e have only military flying as dictated by the needs of
training in n e w techniques and the d e m a n d s of the strategic
and tactical situation. Thousands of aircraft flying day and
night into, out of, and within a country n o larger than one of
our m e d i u m sized states back h o m e . O u r job is to provide
every humanly possible facility to these aircraft.
Broken d o w n into its major headings, Flying Control is
responsible for: supervision of Aerodrome maintenance,
taxying, take-off and landing instructions for aircraft, local air
traffic control, the provision of certain navigational aids and
facilities, instituting air sea rescue, locating and homing
facilities for aircraft that are lost or in distress, various night
landing light navigational aid facilities, instituting air sea
rescue action through proper channels, routing of nonoperational flights, recognition and identification procedure,
air raid broadcasts.
Early in the Group's operational history, our Flying
Control Section realized that inadequate research and thought
had been given to the problems of bad weather daytime
landings. T h e R.A.F. system of Aerodrome night lights were
excellent for just what they were intended for, but were
useless for aircraft flying in daytime and returning to land
under the worst possible conditions of visibility and ceiling.
The non-existence of what w e considered proper (0865)
11
equipment, together with the shortage of supply of any
equipment and our inability to procure suitable substitutes
presented rather tough obstacles. However, even under these
circumstances, w e did manage to devise a system of runway
lights and lights out in the country to act as pylons for the
planes to m a k e their turns on, which are still second to none
in this country. This is evidenced by the fact that invariably
during really bad visibility, all of our planes will land here, plus
one or more aircraft from other Groups, w h o s a w our lights.
T o date, our system of bad weather Aerodrome landing lights
has been in operational for more than one and a half years and
the n u m b e r of aircraft saved by it is large. T h e British Air
Ministry has twice sent an aircraft d o w n to m a k e d u m m y raids
on it for the purpose of checking u p o n its adoption. The
Senior Flying Control Officer of First B o m b Division has
inspected it with the idea of adopting it so far as practicable
in First Division. Various stations in Second Air Division are
using features of it and one station is building it in its entirety.
O n one occasion, under similar weather conditions, 22 of our
o w n aircraft, plus five from other Second Division stations and
thirty-two B-17's from First Division were landed during very
poor visibility and a heavy s n o w storm in less time than other
stations took to get their o w n aircraft on the ground.
A n y suggestions from flying personnel as to h o w w e can
improve our service to them is welcomed and if practical, put
into effect. A n Alert Crew is always on duty to meet, park and
service visiting aircraft. Since this section has a considerable
number of activities associated with R.A.F. night flying, it is
necessary that there always be a complete staff on duty. Alert
crew, crash crew, flarepath crew, Sandra lights crew, Pundit
crew, Airfield Controller, Airman of the Watch, Radio-telephone
operator, clerks and a duty Flying Control Officer, all maintain
a system of watches throughout the 24 hours of the day.
Realizing that the Aerodrome is the front door to the Base
for most flying personnel and large numbers of passengers,
particular stress has always been placed on neatness, cleanliness
and attractiveness of the Control T o w e r and its grounds. At
considerable personal expense, a beautiful flower garden was
created around the Control T o w e r this past year and it is
expected that this year an even prettier and larger one will be
developed.
The December Monthly Flying Control Report of this
station which goes o n to higher C o m m a n d s , indicates 19
heavy bombers, from other aerodromes, in difficulty or
distress, were given sufficient assistance by this Section to
enable them to m a k e safe landings here. O f this number and
because of the efficiency of the Section and the aids and
facilities provided, six of these aircraft were possibly saved
from crashing. This is a fairly typical month and it is worth
noting that the figure of 19 is exclusive of our o w n aircraft!
(0866)
In conclusion, regardless of w h o s e responsibility a duty
m a y be, this Section has never hesitated to either d o or see that
the job is done. Other Units and Sections o n this base have
been extremely helpful and co-operative with us in the
performance of our duties and our thanks are due them for
such excellent teamwork. (Finis) (0867)
�DOING OUR JOB
Editor: Better have the Kleenex nearby for this great story! After reading three issues of this journal, you must
that communication amongst the 44th family is our primary purpose. Assisting one m e m b e r to find another, finding a family
m e m b e r or crew m e m b e r since deceased, or helping a crew get together after all these years is the high point of doing this job.
You, by now, probably have guessed that occasionally your Editor is sitting at this computer tryingtotype through the tears,
emotional guy that I am. This is one of those days. This story will, no doubt, be the benchmark in rewards for doing our job, and
one you won't soon forget.
Well start with an article authored by staff writer D a w n Drago for the Reading (PA) Eagle/Times on Sunday, M a y 7,1995. The
article concerns Mrs. Lois (Shaeffer) Cianci of Sinking Springs, PA. She responded to an Eagle/Times Commemoration of the
50th anniversary of V E Day plea for copies of letters of love to and from those separated in the war years. Her Letters of Love
were from her father Technical Sergeant Clair P. Shaeffer, 68th B o m b Squadron, 44th B o m b Group (H) Shipdham, England.
�Lois Cianci holds dear the lovedown over France and he was
A feu years ago, she decided to nearly every day we have a short
notes she received as a tot from areported missing in action.
give up nursing to help care for sprinkle. I fully expect to be ship
dashing airman, her father.
Several months later, the infants in the Childhood
within thefollowing three days so
wreckage was found and he was Education Center at the hospital. do not write until you receive my
By Dawn Drago
officially declared dead.
Both of her own children are
new address. I hope it will be
Eagle/Times
Lois went to live with her
grown now, and she has begun to
Denver, Colorado. Keep your
Lois Cianci, 56, of Lower
father's half-sister, w h o was try to track d o w n the exact
Heidelberg Township was a little married with two children of her locadon of her father's grave in fingers crossed for me sweetheart
I am getting along very well
girl during World W a r II, butshe own.
Belgium.
down
here and really like it
got love letters, photos and
"I'm told the cemeteries there
Except for the photos, letters,
tremendously because now I have
trinkets from a dashing airman. his uniform cap, his Bible, his are beaudful," she said.
After he was shot down over
Her husband, who works at
flight
wings
and
his
been introduced to quite afew very
Carpenter Technology, has an
France in 1944, those precious posthumously-awarded Purple
interesting people.
few things were all she had left of Heart, Lois has only dim
acquaintance w h o lives in
Many, many times in the course
memories to remind her of her Belgium, and Cianci said he has
her daddy.
of the day, the memory of my
And her Daddy was all she had. father. A n d , as with most promised to try to locate the
sweetheart back home comes into
In Reading in 1942, Clair P. childhood memories, it's difficult grave.
"I'd like to go there someday, my mind, and I never tire of
Shaeffer was a route salesman for to sort out what she really
remembered and what she was or at least see a picture of it," she showingtheboysyourpicture and
Maier's Bakery, a divorced m a n
telling them about you. They all
said, sitting in her living room
told later.
raising his 3-year-old daughter
She does, however, remember looking over her father's say you must be a grand girl.
alone in an era long before day
the years of her childhood after belongings.
care centers.
I wish I could see you and hear
"But I have lots of things to you talk. Daddy is terribly prou
W h e n he had nowhere to leave her father was killed.
I was often angry at him for remember him by, which I'm
his litde girl during his work
of you. I am looking forward to
hours, he took her with him on leaving me," she acknowledged. sure lots of kids don't have."
your birthday. Imagine, you'll b
the truck. Sometimes, she spent "I kept that picture of him on m y
4yearsold. A realbigyounglady.
the days at her uncle's gas station dresser and one time I got so (3D
Thelights aregoingoffin about
mad, I knocked it on the floor Sept. 9, 1942
in Shillington.
10
minutes so until Daddy comes
Somehow, father and daughter and broke the glass."
home, his love will make the star
"And yet I knew that he would Darling Lois,
managed.
But, then, Shaeffer was called have come back to m e if he had
Daddy is sending afew picturesshine for his little darling Lois
survived."
Daddy
into the Army Air Force, where
ofhimselfand his bunkmates and
For years, she clung with a
he would later be trained as a
a girl by the name of Mary. I am
flightengineerandturretgunner child's faith to die hope that her
From Army Air Force Tech.
veiy glad to hear your whooping
father
wasn't
really
dead.
Sgt. Clair Shaeffer to his 3-yearon a B-24 Liberator bomber and
"I kept thinking maybe he lost cough is getting so much better,
old daughter Lois in Reading.
earn the rank of technical
a leg and he didn't want to come keep that chin up, be a good girl
sergeant.
and we'll lick that easily.
h o m e that way, that maybe he
H e had no alternative other
This is one of the uniforms
than to leave his young daughter stayed (in France)," she said. "I
with a succession of friends as he always thought that one day the Daddy has and the longer he stays
doorbell wouldringand I would in the Army, the prouder he is to
went off to war.
Lois Cianci of Wernersvilled
The friends were good to litde open the door and he would be
wear it.
shared this photograph of her
Lois, but still her father fretted there."
Down here, the rainy seasonfather's air crew. He is standin
She read stories about heroic
from afar, worrying when she got
at the far right
has just commenced and very
whooping cough, sending h o m e nurses who cared
for injured fliers
his pay to cover her room and
board, saving up to buy her a set and decided that
of sturdy bedroom furniture, she would become
aflightnurse so she
which she still has.
His letters to her are tender, could help injured
filled with affection and a streamG.I.'s like her
of pet names - "Dear Snooks," father.
"Ever since I was
"Dear Princess," even "Dear
litde, I wanted to
Crybaby."
H e sent her photos of himself be a nurse - a flight
and his bunkmates, and he wrote nurse," she said.
She did go on to
her often.
a
Once, he sent a large portrait b e c o m e
registered
nurse
of himself in uniform.
The friendsframedit, and Lois and to work for
m a n y years at
kept it on her dresser.
They saved his letters, too, so Reading Hospital.
she would have them when she Along the way, she
married Anthony
got older.
She wasfiveon Jan. 21, 1944, Cianci, and they
when her father's plane was shot had two children.
�We pick the story up with a letter written by Bob Maiden to our own Pete Henryafter being approachedb
at the Reading, PA Air show commemorating the 50th Anniversary of WWII.
June 19, 1995
Mr. H.C. Henry
1648 Portland Lane
Jamesburg, NJ 08831
Dear Mr. Henry
I'm writing this letter on behalf of Lois (Shaeffer) Cianci w h o m I met at the 50th
anniversary W W I I air show in Reading, PA. She approached m e because I was wearing
an 8AFHS cap. After hearing her story, I offered to contact someone through the
Second Air Div. Assn. to see it anyone can reach out to her.
Her father, T/Sgt. Clair P. Shaeffer, was shot down over France 1/21/44; she was 5
at the time. Her only remembrances are photos (copy enclosed), and letters he wrote
to her as his only child.
The particulars are: T/Sgt. Clair P. Shaeffer, 8AF, 44th BG, 68th BS, stationed at
Shipdham, England. His plane was "Nice 'n Naughty." O n the photo he is standing
at the extreme right. Unfortunately, the others are not identified.
In letters some of his crew were referred to as Tommy, Coss, Stinky, Shock and Sammy.
Presumably they perished with him. But there might be some out there who knew this
crew and can provide bits and pieces of info. Mrs. Cianci would be grateful.
Her address is:
Mrs. Lois Cianci
871 North Church Road
Sinking Spring, P A 19608
Thanks for any help you can offer.
I
Cordially,
Bob Maiden
7408 Henry Avenue
Phila., PA 19128-1402
(389th BG, 567th BS, Hethel)
Pete Henry, our Group Vice President to 2nd Air Division, then wrote to WillLundy, our Historian. Will
directly to Lois Cianci by sending her excerpts from The Webb Todd 68th Bomb Sqdn. History concerning
Frank W Sobotka crew on which T/Sgt. Shaeffer served. He also identifiedallofthe Sobotka crew member
photo and provided her with the current addresses of the surviving crew, along with the Missing Air Cre
from the 44th Roll of Honor which he compiled and published.
14
®
�68th Squadron
A / C #42-7501
P
N o Name?
MACR#2360
68th Squadron Crew:
SOBOTKA, FRANK W.Jr.
Pilot
KIA
IstLt.
Flushing, New York
ROSENBLATT, MILTONL.
Co-Pilot
IstLt.
ASN 0-676018
Miami Beach, Florida
POW
TETTEL, ABRAHAM
Bombardier IstLt.
Evadee/Returned
Pasadena, Texas
Engineer
KIA
Wernersville, Pennsylvania
ASN 0-799486
ASN 0-678456
SHAEFFER, CLAIR P.
ASN 33187932
CAPIZZI, THOMAS F.
T/Sgt.
Radio Oper. T/Sgt.
KIA
Bronx, New York
ASN 32533914
SMANLETTO, AUGUSTF.
Ball Turret
Santa Barbara, California
ASN19062047
POW
ROSS, ANDREW J.
R W Gunner S/Sgt.
POW
ASN35663111
SHOCKLEY, CHARLES W. L W Gunner
ASN15332970
POW
REEVES, CLARENCE D.
Tail Turret
KIA
ASN13046428
S/Sgt.
Cold Springs, Kentucky
S/Sgt.
Milan, Indiana
S/Sgt.
Millvale, New Jersey
The M A C R had very little information, "At 1524 hours aircraft #42-7501 was hit by enemy aircraft and the bombs were droppe
immediately. It was observed to circle off to the left and to begin burning, apparendy under control. Enemy aircraft attacks
became so intense at thistimethere was no further chance to observe.
LL Milton L. Rosenblatt, co-pilot, added these comments:
"We were attacked by M e 109's while circling tofindour target. Both engines on the left side were shot out, putting us in a st
left turn and rolling our plane over on its back. With both Frank (Sobotka) and m e on the controls, we managed to right th
plane, but couldn't pull it out of the flat spin it went into. The rudder controls were gone and the instrument panel was sho
out Frank immediately hit the alarm bell switch alerting the crew to bail out.
After a few seconds, I spotted only four chutes descending. The mess in our cabin, due to the rolling ov
Our chest chutes, usually stowed behind our seats/had ended up in the radio compartment. I retrieved the chutes, putting
Frank'sin his lap and buckling mine on. Sgt. Clair Shaeffer was strapped in the top mrret, obviously dead, and our radio operat
Sgt. T o m Capizzi was putting his chute on as well. Frank was yelling at us to jump.
Capizzi and I stood at the end of the bomb bay, so Ijumped and apparendy Capizzi froze up. He and Frank
I have no idea what had happened in the waist or nose sections of the plane, but I know I was the last one out W e were so lo
at the d m e Ijumped that m y chute only oscillated once before I hit the ground.
I came into contact with the Underground about three days after landing. The only information they coul
crew was that Abe Teitel was alive and Frank Sobotka's dog tags were found in the wreckage of the plane. I have never heard
from any of m y crew since then, although on my return to the States, I talked to most of their families and gave them as much
information as I could."
OnJuly25,1995Lois responded to both Pete Henry and WillLundygratefullyacknowledging the help they provided
in Tilling the voidleft in the life ofthislittle fiveyear old girl when thegallant Daddy she knew from the love he
into those letters was lost to her in the terrible finality of a war incomprehensible to a child of five.
15
�July 25, 1995
Mr. Will Lundy
P.O. Box 315
Bridgeport, Ca. 93517
Dear Mr. Lundy,
This will acknowledge your letter ofjuly 19,1995 alongwith the additional information
from the crew log and the briefing check form. All of this has been very helpful in tieing
together the events of that fateful mission. I have now talked to three of the living
survivors on the phone, and I a m eternally grateful for your help in locating them.
I a m enclosing a copy of a newspaper article from our local newspaper from May of
this year which was celebrating the 50th anniversary ofWWII. The reporters were looking
for love letters from the war and I felt mine were certainly letters of love.
I hope you enjoy reading the article as I a m happy to share it with you. This will help
you understand why I was so interested in collecting facts about m y father even after all
these years.
Thanks again for your interest and help.
Sincerely,
Lois M. Cianci
P.S. Would it be possible to send me a copy of your book. "44th Bomb Group - Roll of
Honor and Casualties?"
Thank you for your consideration.
July 25, 1995
Dear Pete,
Received your card requesting information on my father:
Clair P. Shaeffer Ser. F#33187932
68th B o m b Squad (H) Shipdham, England
Aerial Engineer Turret Gunner on Liberator B-24
Reported missing 1/24/44 confirmed 10/44.
Remains never recovered.
Enclosed you will find a copy of a news article printed in May celebrating the 50th
anniversary of W W I I in our local paper.
The reporters were looking for people who had love letters from W W I I . I felt I truly
had letters of love. This will explain m y need tofindsome missing answers to questions I
have had for many years.
Since I last contacted you, I have spoken to another crew member, Charles Shockley
from Knoxville, Tn. by phone and also learned that Andrew Ross from Ky. passed away Feb.,
1995. W e spoke to his wife. W e are trying to locate Abraham Teitel, w h o returned, last
address Brooklyn, NY. Then all the crew will be accounted for. This certainly has been very
exciting and quite emotional. I do hope some day I will be able to travel to Nuepre, Belgium
to the Ardennes American cemetery and visit the W W I I Tablets of the Missing.
Thanks again for your help.
Sincerely,
Lois M. Cianci
A closing word for Lois. We of the 44th Bomb Group, comrades of your Father, will always memorialize hi
member of our family. As you have witnessed, we welcome the opportunity to search the extensive arc
maintained to perpetuate the honor and heritage of our Bomb Group and our comrades alive and deceased. K
in mind that you, also, are a member of our family, please keep in touch. If you need further research as
you have only to ask. Lois, you are a beautifulperson andyou have our sincere thanks for sharing this beaut
with us.
16
�THE PRESIDENT'S CORNER
Isee Will Lundy has done afinejob describing our San Antonio 4. A proposal by the President to Amend the Constitution t
reunion, in the "Will Sez " column, so with that, along with themake the Historian ajull voting member ojthe Executive Board
photos oj the reunion we are printing, there are just a few is pending subject to appropriate notice to the membership
comments on ourfirst44th BGVA reunion that I wish to add. required by the Constitution.
Incidentally, ajter asking you folks to send along your reunion
photographs, I have so many, obviously space won't permit 5. Th£ third quarter financial statement presented by the
publishing them all in this issue, so in the Spring Issue we will
Treasurer and the 1996 budget presented by the President were
pick up where we lejt ojf and publish more of the reunion pix to accepted by the Board for presentation to the membership.
share thejun with those who missed theJunfirst-hand.Thanhs Subsequently accepted.
for your response, it's so darn hard to get around and snap
pictures when there is so much good stuff going on!
6. The nomination of a return to England for the 1997
Reunion was unanimously accepted by the Board. Reunion
While we're in the THANK YOU department, on behalfof all committee to be appointed.
the attendees, we wish, again, to thank our Vice President and
Reunion Chairman, Jim Clements, along with his beautiful The Election Ballots were counted by Vice President Clemen
support system, his wife Nettie and daughter Judy Garrettforthe
verified by President Owen with the results:
overall organization and management of that great affair. You
more than deserve the big Texas tip 'o the ten gallon hat we're
Incumbent MEL TRAGER, elected to represent the Support
Units.
giving you with our thanks.
Candidate Robert I. "Bob" Brown to represent the 67th Bom
In every event like this, in addition to the obvious heroesSquadron.
of the
Candidate Sherman "Bud "Dowett to represent the 506th Bomb
affair, there is a "behind the scenes "person that without whom
the operation could easily spring some serious leaks. This is Squadron.
the
local g%iy or gal who knows who to see, where to go and how to
I will
take care ojorget the myriad of little things you 've overlooked
or close for this issue with a few of the comments, bo
and
that pop up in the middle ojall the activity. Usually most of the in the post-reunion letters we have received: "thefriendl
attendees don't see or are not aware of this "masked rider that"the warmest and most congenial, " "don't remember ever seein
just rode through, " in our case, our unsung hero, Nick Garza,so manyfirst-timersfor a 44th reunion, it was great seeing
did surface to give us the beautiful "blessing and welcome tobuddies from 50 years back!" "everything was great!" and on
Santonio " invocation at the Sunday Banquet. He was otherwise and on. We had a few tight spots, but they were quickly resolv
occupied as the reunion committee "gojer, " running errands,
message here is:Whenyougetthe registration
re-supplying the Hospitality Room, etc., etc. You too, Nick, Ithinkthe
have
details
on
St. Louis in the Spring Issue of the 8 Ball Tails,
our thanks and are included in the big tip 'o the hat!
jump on it andgetyour registration and hotelreservations
early...Ipredict we are going to have a blow-out reunion
Now to the business. At the meeting ojthe Executive Board the
in
Jolbwingimportant pieces ojbusiness were passed, then presented St. Louis when the word gets out on San Antonio.
There will be a cut off date for registration for the
to the general membership Jor vote (does that have a different
upcoming convention. The date has not been determined
ring to it?).
at thistime,but we'll letyou know as soon as it has been
set.
1. The proposal to the Tower Restoration Project contributors
to abandon the project, pay the outstanding obligations and
offer the balance of Junds oj the 44th BGVA treasury was
approved.
2. The proposal Jor the BGVA to accept the offer Jor the transjer
of the balance ojthe Restoration Junds to the 44th BGVA was
passed.
3. The proposal Jor the 44th BGVA to offer to enter into a cost
sharing agreement with the Arrow Air Service, Inc. to construct
a pilots lounge and memorabilia room connected to the Arrow
Air operations center. This addition would incorporate the wall
art transferred Jrom the old 14th CBW Headquarters. This
proposal was passed by the membership.
Roy Owen,
President
�Ho! Ho! Ho!
44th B G V A B U D G E T F O R C A L E N D A R Y E A R 1996
Projected Income:
145 Life Members (allocated @ 12.5%)
720 Regular Members @ $15
Reunion Income (net)
Contributions (estimated, raffle, etc.)
Investment Income (estimated)*
Total:
$1,545
10,800
2,000
1,000
2,400
$17,715
*We have invested $1,050 in rosters & $773 in Caps
Projected Expenditures:
3 Issues of 8-Ball Tails @ $2,250 each
Historian
(8th A F Data Base project plus research)
Unit Historians 4 @ $50
Archive Research (Mastradone)
Membership Search (Hand)
Roster (Shepherd)
Treasurer*
Directors 9 @ $600 (Travel)
President (Administrative & Travel)
Secretary
Arrow Air Project Manger
Equipment purchases (2 fax machines)
Insurance
Total:
$6,750
1,600
Merrif Christmas!
200
200
600
200
500
44th B O M B G R O U P V E T E R A N S ASSOCIATION
BALANCE SHEET
as of September 30,1995
5,400
1,000
200
300
550
115
ASSETS
Current Assets
Tower Fund
First Security Checking
Convention Cash Advance
Investors Service Money Mkt
Total Current Assets
$17,615
$35.80
973.19
1,500.00
13.756.63
$17,715
17.615
$100
Other Assets
*Treasurer invested $125 member dues billing envelopesforprinting.
Roster Books Inventory
W e need 35 new members ($525) to do the VlacDill Plaque.
$16,265.62
Second Air Div. History Books
44th B o m b Group Cap Deposi t
Bulk Mail Deposit
Total Other Assets
Total Asset
$1,050.00
168.50
200.00
335.01
1.753.51
$18,019.13
LIABILITIES & N E T W O R T H
Liabilities
Life Memberships
Memberships Amortized
Bill Strong Memorial Fund
Total Liabilities
Net Worth
Surplus 1/1/95
Adjustment as of 9/30/95
Surplus as of 9/30
r
$14,250.00
-1.743.75
$12,506.25
75.00
$12,581.25
7,370.50
(1.932.62)
5.437.88
'
Total Liabilities and Net Worth
18,019.13
Convention Funds are Separate Account
18
•
�SAN ANTONIO '95 - THE FIRST FOR THE
44TH BOMB GROUP VETERANS ASSOCIATION!
Nettie Clements and daughterJudy Garrett,
helperfirstclass on the reception crew.
Mr. 506th at the head of the Mexican Buffet chow line!
The Candle Lighting Ceremony
The first eve)- 44th General Membership meeting to get
a real Treasurer's report and financial statement.
Charlie Hughes daughter Sandy Symanovich brought her beautiful
American Airlines smile to delight our reunion.
19
®
The Prez with the Bill Strong kids, Becky and Bill, Jr.
�"Mike" Mikoloski, his son Vincent and grandson Evan
being palsy-walsy with Bill Cameron.
Dick and Ardith Butler, Nick and Nancy Garza,
Arlene and Loy Neeper
Our TreasurerJerry Folsom and his guest Bev Winger
doing some great boogie moves.
Nettie Clements, Irene Lundy and Ardith Butler
doing a great job at the Registration table.
(
Our Reunion Chairman about to imbibe in the HR.
Bob Gjestrum and Tom Shepherd doing a great
bartending job in the hospitality room.
20
�Richard and Caroline Bottomley swinging at the
Saturday night dance.
George and Beryl Apgar, a copy of Glenn Miller swingers.
The Mexican dancer's floor show following the
Sunday Banquet.
Norm Kiefer and Joe Milliner sorting out the details of the
Ploesti Raid in the "Benghazi Debriefing."
Mr. 506th himself, Dick Pederson.
The newly elected 67th Sqdn. member of the Executive Board,
Robert I. Brown and our Historian, Will Lundy.
21
�Ills
BEATING THE BUSHES
by Art Hand & Will Lundy
LEONARD
H. LOUBt- Box 1243, Spokane, Washington 992101243. Leonard was afirstpilot in the 67th Sq.; was assigned on 20
December 1944. They completed 28 missions, flew h o m e on 21 May
1945.
Background.
Several years ago, I initiated a column in the old Logbook with
the n a m e of "Beating The Bushes." At that time, I was doing m u c h
of the searching for our people, often on m y own, but usually aided
ROLAND A. NELSON: 8 Cedar Street, Presque Isle, Maine 0476
by Art Hand, Pete Henry and W e b b Todd. W e had only m i n i m u m
H e was a gunner for Lt. W , T. Zerman's crew; transferred to 323 B G
success for all of the effort expended. This all has changed since Art
on 27 September 1944. W a s a 67th Sq. crew.
Hand went ultra modern, purchased new, high tech phone disks
and is doing most of his searching through the use of this system. H e ALBERT F. NEVIN: 21823 NE 137th Street, Woodinville,
is having a high degree of success, locating many new members and Washington 98072-5801. Albert was in the 1287 M P platoon.
unfortunately, learning that many are now deceased.
Currently, Art is searching and locating our former members, CHARLESALBA.-P.OBox 1323, Dania, Florida 33004. Charles wa
a 66th Squadron crew chief.
then sending their addresses to m e so that I can send them
information about their records in the 44th. I try to furnish them
with this data, then requesting them to furnish us with as m u c h data PHILUPJ. QULRK.-42U WestFirstStreet#l, SantaAna, Californ
92703. H e was co-pilot for M a x Mendenhall in the 506th Sq.
about themselves as possible. The 44th B G V A is growing every
month, if not in the organization itself, at least in data about those
who served along side of us.
Art is systematically searching one squadron at atime- has now
completed most of the 66th Squadron and m u c h of the 67th. It is his
intention to continue on through the other two squadrons, as well
as to work with any m e m b e r who wants to search for a friend or
buddy from the war years. Contact Art Hand at the address shown
elsewhere in this issue.
WENDELL C. SWARTZ 6365 SE Mariner Sands Drive, Stuart,
Florida 34997. H e was a gunner on Thomas McKenna crew in the
506th Sq.
RA YMONDA. KLEMMER: 4429 Lajune Drive, Columbus, Georgia
31907. H e was co-pilot on Thames crew in the 67th Sq.
WILLIAM E. MLUCH: 17159 Fulton Road, Marshallville, Ohio
44645-9712. William served as Bombardier on Lt. Steele's crew in
ALBERT J. FLYEN: 1321 East 6th Street, Superior, Wisconsin the 67th Sq.
54880 (715) 398-5694. Albert was the radio operator on 1st Lt.
B. C. FYNBO: 800 South 4th Avenue, Albert Lea, Minnesota 5
George Haag's crew. They transferred in from the 492nd B G in
H e was Radio Operator, also on Jack Steele's crew. 67th Sq.
August, 1944. 67th Sq.
THOMAS A. GRAVEN: Rt. #3, Box 5054, Galena, Missouri 65656 GORMAN HERMINGHAUS: 445 26th Avenue, San Mateo,
(417) 538-2332. IstLt. Graven was co-pilot for Lt. Haag's crew. 67th California 94403. Gorman also served on Jack Steele's crew, a
gunner. 67th Sq.
Sq.
ALBERTGREYHOSKY: 334 South Vaughn Way, Aurora, Colorado
CALVIN A. HINER.V.O. Box 67, Superior, Nebraska 68978. Cal
80012-2441 (303) 366-7170. Albert was co-pilot for C. Henderson's too, was a gunner on Jack Steele's crew. 67th Sq.
crew, 67th Sq. This crew as lost on 01 October 1943 mission to
Weiner Neustadt, with only three surviving to become POW's - He, HERBERT W. TERKHORN: 728 Ash Street, Seymour, Indiana
William Newbold and John Newberry.
47274-2561. H e was the Radio Operator for O'Brien's crew in the
67th Sq.
LEWISS. ENNIS: 101 Willow Drive, Elkton, Maryland 21921. 67th
Sq. Lewis was a gunner, also on George Haag's crew. Haag's crew
DALTONP. BERRIER: 10610 Sagewillow Lane, Houston, Texas
flew about six more missions with the 44th to complete their tour.
77089-30216. Dal ton was Engineer for Robert Schmidt's crew in the
67th Sq.
ROBERTL. VANNESTE:36South Ugstad Road, Proctor, Minnesota
55810-2435. Robert was a gunner on Howard L. Hinman's crew.
KYLE E.JONES: P.O. Box 1143, Pinehurst, North Carolina 283
67th Sq. O n 16 January 1945 he broke his foot after bailing out over
France.
CHARLES A. OVERSTREET:Eox 621, Route 2, Keota, Oklahoma
74941. Charles was a lead pilot, often flew lead for the 491st BG. Was
BERNARD LIPKIN: 500 Iron Forge Court, Royal Palm Beach,
assigned to the 67th Sq. 8c 66di Sq.
Florida 33411. H e was the Navigator/Bombardier, normally assigned
to Lt. Hinman's crew, but was not on the 16 January 45 mission.
JOHN A. TORODE: 213 South Cherry Street, Starke, Honda
32091 J o h n served as co-pilot for Charles Overstreet in the 67th Sq.
JAMESREGAS: #2 Concord Street, Natrona Heights, Pennsylvania
& 66th Sq.
15065. H e was Radio Operator on Lt. Hildebrand's crew. First
mission February 1945. 67th Sq.
In addition to the men listed above as living and located
found several others that were deceased:
JACKG. SVANE: 1010 10th Court, Jupiter, Florida 35477. He was
co-pilot for Roger S. Markle. This crew was assigned to the 67th Sq. FREDSCHErDEGGER.KRn,Box 228,Blanchardville,Wisconsin
on 7 February 1945, flew Mi Akin Ass h o m e at war's end.
53516. Fred folded his wings on 7/26/95. 68th Sq. Crew Chief.
ANTHONYC. YASEVAC.45 Marshall Road, Branford, Connecticut GEORGER HAAG: Ambler, Pennsylvania. DateofDeath unknown.
06405. He, too, was a m e m b e r of Lt. Markle's crew, Radio Operator. 67th Sq. and also served with the 492nd BG.
BENJAMIN D. FORD: 15 Shore Point Road, North Litderock,
Arkansas 72116. Widow: Mildred. Ben was 68th Sq. 1st Pilot
22
�•
May 8, 1995
Dear Will:
Thank you for your letter of20 April last. The documents enclosed were very interesting and very valuable.
Indeed, Til be able to use the informations. Icertainly wish Ihad this type of info on all crew members buried
here. I want you to know that I appreciate your initiative, very much. Ifindthat actually I never know
enough. It's great to have the answer.
You can be sure that the material you gave me will be kept in the 44th BG files, to be available to all who
are interested. Ifeel fortunate to get your cooperation and I think all my colleagues should feel the same
way.
If I can ever be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Yours sincerely.
Roland B. Prieur
This letter arrived in response to a mailing to next of kin telling them that the French people in lllfurth, France were
planning a memorial service during D-Day celebrations and a memorial plaque at the crash site Roland B Prieur. Epinal
Cemetery letter attached, being near the crash site and where some of the crew were buried. I sent him the pages
from m y R O H book covering all the 44thers buried there Ifl had time I'd do the same thing for all I I cemeteries where
our m e n are buried except Madingley. as I donated m y complete book to them. Bill Rendall and I have been working
with Prieur for data about this crew R O H pages 1 54 and 1 55.
EPINAL AMERICAN CEMETERY
KWxeOino/c. trance Tel. Iv.Mlrt.7J Tilccopic 2V K2 2J.7I
AinMoar, Paw (ABM-Cl PSC 116. MO AE U0777 PlKmc *(33)2» 82 111 73 FAX 2') 82 25 711
Esttblnhod by Cona'.K
March. I>J21
7 November
IvOo
H . Henry
04th Boaib Group A s s o c i a t i o n
1 M B P o r t l a n d 1-er.e
JAHESDURC
H-J.
06831
nr
!'<• * r
l hjvc lust learned that a monument will be erected
, „ . „ „ „ - , on 29 January 1996, in lllfurth, France, to
H.ynard's crew, whoso B-24
1904.
al.d i
the 7 victims 01 d o . s e ».
honor
91571 crashed on 29 January
(01-2
on «
Count
near
It will add to the plaque that had been inaugurated
Juno l»9<. This plaque is located in the Ball of the
» House in lllfurth, while the monument Will to erected
the crash sito.
The nnnument is being funded !>y the town of lllfurth,
5 boon the plaque, wouldn't it be oroat if Veterans of •. 1Bomb Croup could attend the ceremony. The people of
4 .it :\
rth would certainly be happy and honored. If no one c.,n
I'll be in attendance, and I'll do ay belt to represent
come , what An honor.
you •
Looking forward to hearing from you,
AS
ha
mn
I remain,
yours sincerely.
Bo land B. Prl*ux
Super i ntondent
JfanyoftKe rubers would liketovo^te^to attend, pleas* .contact you. President, Roy Owen.
23
»
�506th Bomb Sq., 44th Bomb Group (H), 8th Air Force
VOYAGEONTHES.S. CUANTILLYTO ENGLAND
By Ray I. Mamer,Jr.
seem to come on all around the convoy. It was too
dark to really see h o w much damage was being
done, but w e knew it was bad.
Around 3 a m w e heard another explosion and
either a munitions ship or a tanker with high octane
gas was hit and the flames grew larger and larger,
lighting the entire area. The light endangered the
whole convoy, so a British Corvette shelled the ship
The ground echelon of the 506th Bomb Sq.,
and a terrific explosion followed with the flames
44th B o m b Group, consisting of 14 officers and 270
shooting hundreds of feet in the air. The ship then
enlisted men, and under the c o m m a n d of Capt.
quickly sunk.
Green Benton, Jr., boarded the S.S. Chantilly in
In our position at the rear of the convoy, there
N e w York on February 27, 1943.
were three ships behind us and three ships to our
The S.S. Chantilly was an old French ship that
front. At dawn on March 11, 1943, we found that
was taken over by the British in 1940. She was not
in very good repair, and a lot of work was done on her in N e w York w e were alone well behind the rest of the ships. All six ships were
prior to our boarding, but she needed much more. The ship's crew either sunk or some m a y have changed position. W e felt that we
was composed of some British and the rest were Hindu from
were like sitting ducks in this vulnerable position. W e spent the
Calcutta, India. There were approximately 1,000 troops on board next day trying to catch up with the rest of the convoy. Obviously,
including American sailors, marines and infantry men. T h e w e were probably the slowest ship on the seas. Luckily no more
attacks were forthcoming.
Chantilly, carrying the only troops in the convoy, joined the
approximately 74 ships of the convoy in N e w York harbor and
In a letter to Major Ursell P. Harvell, in reply to his request,
sailed on February 28, 1943 for the United Kingdom.
the Dept. of Navy gave the following information: During the
In Ursell P. Harvell's book "Jaws over Europe" it was stated attack by U-boats on March 10, 11,1943, the following ships were
that the S.S. Chantilly was placed in the middle of the convoy to torpedoed and sunk:
give the personnel carrier some protection in case of a U-boat
1. British Cargo T U C U P J N C A ; 2. British Cargo J A M A I C A
attack. This statement was not correct as the Chantilly was
P R O D U C E R ; 3. Norwegian B R U M M C O U N T Y (or B R A N T
centered at the rear of the convoy, with only three ships behind us. C O U N T Y ) ; 4. U.S. Cargo L A W T O N B. E V A N S ; 5. U.S. Cargo
There is also a statement in major Harvell's book as follows: "The A N D R E A F. L U C K E N B A C H . There were other ships in the
shipment of skilled Air Force personnel, sorely needed in the 8th
convoy that were damaged by torpedoes, but did not sink. H M S
Air Force aboard the S.S. Chantilly, a condemned old English
H A R V E S T E R was damaged when she rammed a U-boat. She took
ship, the orders taking seventeen days
on board prisoners from the U-boat,
to cross the Atlantic, was given by
and afterward she sank. It was reported
someone definitely irresponsible and
by German prisoners that there were
came close to the disaster for the 8th
12 U-boats in the vicinity of the
Air Force." A n y aboard the S.S.
convoy. H M S A C O N I T E sank UChantilly would probably agree with
boats No. 432 and No. 442. There
this statement. It was truly a miracle
were many stragglers in this convoy,
that the ground troops of the 506th
scattered because of the high seas and
B o m b Squadron ever got to the
fog, and many left the convoy and
Shipdham Aerodrome.
proceeded to their destination.
Thefirst11 days of our voyage
The S.S. Chantilly remained
were fairly uneventful, aside from very poor sleeping arrangements, at the rear of the main convoy and sailed up the Firth of Clyde, near
seasickness, and probably the worst food any of us had ever eaten. Glasgow on March 15, 1943, going ashore on March 16, 1943.
However, on Ash Wednesday, March 10, 1943, this changed
After a long train ride from Scotland, w efinallyarrived at
dramatically. Around 6:30 p m w e heard an explosion and the
Shipdham Aercdrome on March 17, 1943.
muster bell rang. W e headed up the gangway to the deck in time
A few days after our arrival at the Air Base, I was walking
to see an oil tanker sink and two other ships were damaged. Any
from our living site to the flight line, when a staff car stopped and
ship that sustained damage indicated thisby lighting a red light that offered m e aride.Being a kid of only 20 years and not very military
would be visible to any support craft. W e later learned that our
I piled in the back seat to find then Colonel Leon B. Johnson. I
Captain saw thefirsttorpedo coming toward us and he laid the
guess the General wasn't very military either. H e couldn't have
Chantilly on her side and the torpedo went along our starboard hull been nicer to me. H e wanted to know all about our trip over the
and hit the ship ahead of us on our port side.
Atlantic and all the details of the submarine attack. I will always
The Captain then began to change course every few minutes
remember h o w reassured I felt with this m a n as m y commanding
by rocking the ship from one side to the other and continued this
officer. Top photo. rjfeboat drill on the S.S. Chantilly.
for the rest of the night. H e was rocking the ship as much as 43
Bottom Photo: S.S. Chantilly- This "LuxuryLiner"looks
degrees, which made it very difficult to stay on deck.
like something out of an old Humphrey Bogart-Peter Lorry
Around midnight w e were attacked again and the red lights
movie! The word among the 506th troops is that the S.S.
The following is a piece Ray I. Marner, Jr. wrote.
H e states, most of the stories w e have about our
group are those of the air war over Europe, as they
should be. This story is of the ground echelon of the
506th B o m b Squadron and their problems of just
trying to get there.
24
stood for Sad Skow.
�WILL SEZ
What a great reunion! Weeks later these aviation collectors, displayed afinecollection of uniforms
memories firmly remain: Our guests from
equipment, books, photos, etc. and were on hand morning
England, Janice and Steve Adams, and Paul Wilson and to evening to answer questions, talk with us all, and
how wonderful to see them here in the U. S. for their first provide
trip
securityfor the many other items which our members
ever. This was a golden opportunity for so many of us provided. Thank you gentlemen! Jim Auman, 44th cV
44thers who he has corresponded with over the years to meet466th BG, brought color to the hotel and this display room
him, andfor Steve to get more informationfor his upcoming with his many large decorative hand painted wall posters.
book covering the 66th Sq. history. Paul brought 25 of his
At the end, he generously gave them to anyone who wanted
beautiful hand painted Flying 8 Ball leather patches,one. Jim also provided me with his own account ofa 492nd
suitably adorned with the individual squadron colors -BG crash near the base where two of ourJirefighterswere
even donatedJive of them to us to help with our dwindling killed by exploding frag bombs. Now, to military proof of
finances. Paul and Steve, along with David Morgan, were death and these tioo men will be added to our official Roll
responsible for setting up the mini museum at Arrow Air onof Honor.
a corner of the old Shipdham base.
Obviously, this old 44th historian would remember
First time attendees, many I have never met before butother features ofthe reunion not generally observedby many
have shared information and letters. One of them was MGothers. But for me, I was thrilled because Charles Hughes
William H. Brandon, an original combat man, honored not only attended, but brought along much of his supply of
usfor thefirsttime. He flew "Avenger" over to England as 66th Sq. ORIGINAL
records. He not only brought them, he
gave them to me for my archivalfiles, but some I still have
part ofthe 66th Sq. air echelon. Too, though notfor the first
time, BG John H. Gibson joined with us as well. Most not reviewed as there were other historians who wanted to
welcome, Generals!! 66th Squadron GO. and pilot on borrow them immediately. Steve Adams will get many
copies Jor his book. Between Charles Hughes' papers and
Ploesti, Dexter Hodge was exciting to meet, as were so many
others. Capt. Armstrong and Harold Morrison and I had photos, Dexter Hodge's priceless Ploestiphatos, our ambitiou
younger lads (Steve Adams, Pete Frizzell and Ed Dobson)
a minimeetingto discuss our latestfacts located concerning
D-Day. These two men DID lead the 44th and 14th CBW, got little sleep. At midnight they took a taxi to get photo
copied (yes they located a shop) and worked until 3 a.m.
were the FIRST to bomb the coast that day.
Then, when Joe Goedday arrived, bringing more photos
Happily, I was able to sit in on tiuo meetings organized
alongwith his detailed knowledge of the group's processing
by Ed Dobson in his effort to learn more specifics about the
famous Ploesti mission as well as the second Wiener of mission photos, Steve and Petefailed to get to bed at all.
Neustadt. Because the official records for the 44th BGThose Ploesti photos were examined most thoroughly,
turning up many clues about which planes were in the
covering these attacks aremeageratbest, or entirely missing,
Ed asked for those men who participated in these missionsphotos, which plane took them, targets, where thefilm was
processed and when, etc. Oh, for the energy ofyouth, and
to meet, re-establish as many facts as possible. Norm Kiefer
their priceless interest in our history!
acted as MC, while Pete Frizzell captured the discussions on
Yes, there were several problems which arose, most of
video. Pete, for those who don't know him, has worked long
them
and hard on the entire Ploesti mission - allfivegroups - to due to thefact that the reunion itselfwas so successful
- a sold-out hotel, with limited space - so eating was a
record thefacts. He has videoed as many personal in terviews
problem
at times, etc. But the hotel management did their
ofthese airmen as he can get. Infact, while Irene and I were
in the lobby Monday afternoon waiting for a ride to the utmost to solve problems when they arose, with genuine
airport, Pete and Ed Dobson came dashing through, concern and positive actions. They were kind enough to
carrying equipment to interview General Brandon! As you make several copies ofpapers for me immediately. Busiest
probably know, General Brandon was the 44th BG's lead man there, night and day it seemed, was our Reunion
Chairman, Jim Clements. Toyoujim, and your lovely wife
pilot on Ploesti, Generaljohnson actingas his co-pilot and
Commander aboard Suzy-Q. Trust that they were most Nettie, we all thank you most sincerely...Thanks to all of
you that attended, who made this such a memorable
successful.
ENGLAND!
The "show 6? tell" memorabilia room was very event...On to St. Louis, and then
interesting to those of us thatfound it - it was a bit hidden.
David Webster and his buddy who are American military
25
Will Lundy
�MISCELLAN1A
Heaven is where
the police are IBritisk,
the cooks are Italian,
FOLDED WINGS
the mechanics are ^jerman,
the lovers are French,
Willis D. Abrams
Ned Anderson
Irving A. Barber
Wade F. Bond
Ray Ciesielski
William Dolan
Ivan L. Gildersleeve
Rev. Leroy Holmberg
Peter P. Karipin
K.L. Keesee
John F. King
Carl K. Miller
John D. Money
Joel Peek
Robert E. Rose
Andrew J. Ross
Edward Rumsey
Fred Scheidegger
John Skutt
Jack Tinney
Maurice Welsh
John Wolbarst
'93
Unk
5/84
Unk
'80
Unk
'79
'95
7/95
'72
12/94
9/95
'94
10/95
Unk
2/95
Unk
7/95
Unk
'94
10/95
'87
Unk
68th
68th
67th
Unk
68th
Unk
506th
66th
Unk
68th
506th
506th
67th
68th
68th
67th
68th
Unk
67th
68th
Unk
and it is all organized
•:~*mMMM*
by the Swiss.
\\e\l is where
the chefs are TBntish,
the mechanics are French,
the lovers are Swiss,
the police are ^jerman,
and it is all organized
by the Italians.
o o o
SECOND AIR DIVISION REUNIONS
There will be a Second Air Division Regional Reuni
to be held in Orlando, Florida at the Clarion Plaza
Hotel o n February 3, 1996. T h e hotel will offer
special rates for three nights preceding and three
nights following the reunion for those w h o m a y
want to m a k e a Disney World vacation of it.
Contact:
Lawrence Gilbert, Chairman
1482 Granville Drive
Winter Park, Florida 3 2 7 8 9
Phone: (407) 647-2623
This is a partial list of our deceased 44th
comrades. W e will continue to catch
up on the
list with each issue, as
well as list new Folded
Wings.
The Second Air Division Assn. 49th Annual
Convention will b e held o n June 13 - 16, 1996 in
Milwaukee, Wisconsin at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.
Convention Reservation form and schedule will be
included in the Winter Issue of the Journal.
The Second Air Division of Southern California wil
hold their fifteenth annual regional reunion dinner
at the Marine Corps Air Station, El Toro Officers'
Club, Saturday, Feb. 2 4 , 1 9 9 6 . For further
information, contact either: Dick Baynes (714)
552-3889 or Jay Jeffries (714) 846-1653.
26
�O
O
O
44TH BOMB GROUP HISTORY
o o o
FLYING EIGHT BALL PATCHES
In case you have not submitted your biography an
order for the forthcoming 44th B o m b Group History,
the deadline has been extended to January 4,
1996. If you did not receive the form, call Eric
Parrent of Turner Publishing Co. (502) 443-0121.
This will be a beautiful history, be sure you are
included.
o o o
Paul Wilson of Norwich, England, who many of you
met at the reunion, has donatedfiveof his beautiful
hand-painted, 5 inch diameter leather 8-Ball patches
(any of the squadron colors). The cost to you is $ 12
post paid with all profit going to the 44th B G V A
general treasury. A terrific bargain to put on a n e w Just prior to departure for the reunion, I recei
A-2 jacket! Order from:
a copy of a b o o k entitled Black Hole of
Will Lundy
Wauwilermoos authored by 66th B o m b Sqdn.
3 2 9 5 Morth H Street
m e m b e r Dan Culler. He was unable to attend the
San Bernardino, C A 92405-2809
reunion to display his book, but asked m e to do so
Phone: (909) 882-2441
in his behalf. Many of you saw it and s o m e orders
were placed at the reunion. I have just completed
reading this remarkable account of the USAAF
career of Tech/Sgt. Culler from enlistment through
training and into combat with the 44th B o m b
Group and shoot-down on the Friedrichschafen
mission March 18, 1944. The last chapters recount
his internment in Switzerland and his change in
The Aviation Cadet Alumni Association is compiling
status from internee to civil prisoner after a failed
a listing of former cadets by class. More than
escape attempt. The accounts of his captivity in
31,000 n a m e s are onfile,and printouts by Class
Wauwilermoos are brutal I must warn you. It was a
are available to participants w h o include $2 to
facet of the war that escaped the notoriety it
cover costs. Please send your Flight Class, Primary, deserved. To order the book, m a k e a copy of the
order blank herein and by having 44th written in
Basic and Advance Schools to:
Robert C. White
the lower left corner, Culler will send a dollar of
5 4 Seton Trail
each sale to our Treasury.
O r m o n d Beach, Florida 32176
Reorder form, "Black Hole of Wauwilermoos," book.
Due to the amount of contact and detail involved,
For your personal autograph book, please send check with your name and
Mr. White prefers written requests rather than
address to Dan Culler. 750 S. LaBrisa. Green Valley. A Z 85614-2232.
phone calls.
Please print your
ANOTHER AUTHOR AMONG US
O
O
O
CALLING ALL PILOTS!
o o o
Name
Address or
P.O.Box
City
PLOESTI BOOK AND VIDEO
State ZIP
N a m e of person book(s) is to be personalized to
Price per book $16.50 Plus $3.50 for shipping and handling
The Ploesti book entitled Black Sunday is available
Number of books ordered
@ $16.50 per book—Total _
for $35, $ 1 0 under list price, by calling 1-800-898- Postage @ $3.50 per book
Total _
total for books plus postage
Total _
2124.
The Ploesti video, short title Utah Man, is available
for $29 by calling: 1-800-869-6379.
Thank you
44th
Dan Culler
�GOOD NEIGHBORS
By Roy Owen
There's been a lot said and read lately about
Anglo-American relations. I'm a real Anglophile so
I've been loving it. This story is one of the reasons I
love England and its people; I'm sure it will bring
some smiles and w a r m remembrances to some
506th guys.
We'll start out at
the 44th Reunion of
1 9 9 2 in Norwich
and, of course
Shipdham. O n the
Shipdham Airfield
visitation day, a
bunch of the local
folks got together
with the Arrow Air
Service staff and,
from the 44th
memorabilia they
possess, they found
an original copy of
the Thanksgiving
Dinner m e n u for 1944. Lo and behold those precious
people prepared and served that meal in the remaining
big hangar to the whole reunion! It was beautiful.
During the meal, I fell into a conversation with a
506th guy across the
table from m e (can't
remember n o w w h o
it was) and I asked
him
if
he
r e m e m b e r e d the
farm family that lived
immediately over
the fence from our
Squadron site (see
the accompanying
Site 2 photo) and
h o w the wife did our
laundry,
baked
bread, sold us eggs,
had us to tea and the
small family of three,
in general, looked out for us. H e replied that not only
did he remember, but the wife, Linda Davies (now
Weston) was at the reunion, and, was in fact at the
luncheon. Thereupon he stood up, looked around
28
and pointed her out. There she was, 81 years young,
slender and grey, but head tossing with laughter. I
couldn't believe it! After a minute or two to allow m e
to fight back the emotional tears, Lolly told m e to
approach her and introduce myself. W h e n I did and
w e went through the recognition and getting reacquainted period,
the emotion really
rose and w e had a
jolly reunion. Linda
was accompanied
by her daughter
Beryl and her
husband Ron, with
their
children
Rebecca 12 and
Christopher 9.
Linda's husband Bill
had passed away
sometime after the
war.
That Fall and
Winter of '44-'45 w h e n the Bill Smith crew took up
residence at Site 2 turned out to be the coldest in 30
years. W e took up residence in the quonset huts,
suffered the indignities of double bunks, segmented
mattresses called
"bisquits," separate
no-heat bathroom
buildings called
"ablutions," little
round coke burning
cast iron stoves aptly
n a m e d Slow But
Sure and assigned
one to a hut along
with about two small
wheel barrow loads
of coke per week,
cold always cold,
never
enough
blankets, and plenty
of "C" Ration Stew
in the Mess. O h yes, and the variations of the supply
system. Sometimes our little P X would be out of
cigarettes for three days, but w e had lighter fluid, lots
of lighter fluid and only 10 or 15 cents a bottle. This
�turned out to be a blessing because one crumpled-up bread and supplied us with the Kings fresh eggs and
Stars & Stripes, a shovel full of coke, a bottle of
w e would occasionally form a small group with the
lighter fluid and an accurate tossed lighted match
Davies and m a k e a foray into a Local Shipdham pub
through the open Slow But Sure stove lid and you for a beer and darts party. For a bunch of young
had a rather explosive but pretty sure start of a fire Yanks a long way from America, homesick, sold and
in the stove.
hungry, this relationship with the Davies family was,
Like all of the rookie crews, w e lived and learned, in large part, what got us through that bitter winter
then discovered that little "home away from h o m e " and helped keep a smile on our faces while w e were
just across the
engaged in
fence. Also
the
most
about that
deadly and
time,
we
final g a m e
began to also
any of us had
learn
the
ever before
advantages of
experienced.
a convoluted
This was
supply system
not
an
when it came
isolated
to
food
thing. It went
Shipdham Airbase Site 2, home of the 506th Bomb Sqdn.
The Davies farmhouse on the near side of the fenceDne.
supplies. For
on all over
instance, fresh meat was scarce, S p a m (the mystery the country. They had so little to share, but share it
meat) was plentiful, powdered eggs must have c o m e willingly they did. W a s I impressed? Your d a m n right
in 500 lb. sacks, but here is the surprise; butter, yes,I was impressed, and I'll always love those English
real butter in 2 lb. bricks, w e had P L E N T Y , along
ancestors for making m e feel like one of the family
with peanut butter and jam in those big cans.
w h e n I was a long way from h o m e .
Linda (age 34), her husband Bill (probably about
Linda is n o w 84. After Bill died, she remarried
age 40) and daughter Beyrl (age 13) in spite of
and a few years ago she was widowed again. She
civilian shortages were doing all they could to "take n o w lives in a suburb of Portsmouth. Beryl and her
care of her boys" until the ration coupons were used family reside nearby. She spends each Sunday with
up. It was then that between the "care" packages them. W e have corresponded regularly since the '92
from h o m e and the "long on supply" items that could reunion and she tells m e she is staying healthy so she
be "negotiated for" at the mess, w e could see the can attend another Shipdham reunion. She signs her
letters "Mum," and being one of her "boys." I love it!
wonderful world of barter at work. Linda baked
Saint Louis '96
October 3 - 7
MORE DETAILS & REGISTRATION FORMS IN THE
SPRING '968-BALL TAILS!
"El
29
®
�later in P O W camp and he told m e about it The exact details
have escaped m y mind over the years.)
MAIL CALL
We lost an engine in route to Foggia and had to abo
way back, we dropped our bombs in Bari Harbor. Soon
afterwards, we returned to England and I remained as
Henderson's co-pilot
This comes from:
Ron Chantry
9 Wrestwood Avenue, Eastborne, East Sussex BN22
Tele: 01323 500421
5/13/95
Dear Mr. Watson:
OHA
4) I flew a total of five missions with Henderson.
alongfine.H e was the epitome of what a dedicated pilot
should be. If he hadn't been, I wouldn't be alive today.
5) The 44th returned to Africa in September, ostens
Congratulations and thanks for a well researched history of
aid the Salerno landing in Italy. The Salerno crisis was over by
Ruth-Less and moving account of her last flight H o w sad that
the time we arrived. The mission to b o m b the Folke-Wulf
the ten young m e n perished in such a violent way.
aircraftfactoriesin Wiener Neustadt was the only one scheduled
before our return to England.
Your article is a timely reminder of the debt we owe to them
and the thousands like them who made the ultimate sacrifice.
6) Here's a couple of anecdotes for your information
a) The following happened after the Foggia mission.
Yours sincerely.
Henderson, myself and flight engineer Cooper were ordered
to transfer a B-24 from another squadron to the 44th. (Jack
Benny was going to perform that night at our base.) It was
This letter comes from new member Al Greyhosky, 67th (see
twilight before we took off to return to our base. W e were
"Beating the Bushes " elsewhere in this issue:
about 100 feet high when I smelled smoke in the cockpit Not
wanting to needlessly alarm anyone, I turned and asked
Al Greyhosky
Cooper if he smelled any smoke. Just then, smokefilledthe
334 South Vaughn Way, Aurora, CO 80012
cockpit
(303) 366-7170
5/29/95
The landing gear was already up. I didn't know wheth
Dear Will & Irene:
Henderson was going for altitude or to crash land. I put on my
chute
I was surprised and pleased to hear from you. Let me try preparing to take the wheel if we were going to climb,
in hopes ofjumping out
clarifying some items in your letter.
Henderson decided to crash land. We dove downward a
1) You probably got my story from Navigator Wm. Newbold.
before we hit he pulled back on the wheel and pancaked in.
W e were fellow POW's in Stalag Luft III. Nothing much
I remember the nose wheel coming up through the cockpit
happened in P O W camp except when we were marched away
after
we hit Cooper was knocked unconscious; I crawled out
on a very cold January night because the Russians were
the
window
and onto the fuselage. Henderson got to Cooper
coming. A paperback book and various accounts of that
and
handed
him to m e through thetophatch.
march have been written by others. These accounts are
accurate because I checked them against m y diary of the move
Cooper returned to duty the next day after spending
to Mooseburg, Stalag VIIA (near Munich). Gen. Patton's
in the hospital. Neither Henderson or I were injured.
armyfreedus on 29 April 1945.
Remember how high a B-24's fuselage is? I stood next to the
plane and I could see over it It was compressed over half its
2) I was never contacted by the 44th Bomb Group alumni,
nor did I know it existed until Art Hand contacted m e in April original size. W e had crashed in a muddy salt flat that was our
salvation. It also put out thefire.W e missed Benny's act
of this year.
3) I came to England as a co-pilot on a replacement b)
on Our plane's name was "Count Bruga," although it
Hagers crew. W h e n we got to Shipdham - the 44th was already wasn't painted on at the time of our last mission. M y leather
in Africa. W e flew to Africa and joined the 44th just before the jacket had the name Count Bruga imprinted above the pocket
Ploesti raid. Asa rookie crew with a new B-24-they "grounded"
At my first preliminary interrogation by the Germans
us by taking our plane. W e didn't go on the Ploesti raid.
they looked at m y jacket, and coupled with my name, asked,
"When
did you leave Poland?"
Our crew was scheduled for the Foggia mission. As we were
awaiting take-off, Pimentel(?) ran over to our plane and
informed us that the commander didn't want an "all green" At POW camp my fellow inmates asked me (after severa
days) if I was a Polish "count" I should have lied; it would hav
crewflyingthis mission. That's how I joined Henderson's
crew. Pimentel was killed in what was m y seat (I met m y pilot made a better story. This odd name came from a novel of the
3rj
�same name by Ben Hecht (novelist and Hollywood
screenwriter).
"Bob" Clarence. His military career in Europe was not known
other than he was a tail gunner, shot down and was a prisoner.
It was very interesting to read your information to Aunt
Again, I wish to thank youfor sending the crewlist Memories...
Millie Hohn. I am sorry it has taken so long to reply.
"When you are sorrowful, look again in your heart and you
Uncle Clarence didn't speak of his war years. H e died 4 Nov
shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been 1989 in Pitcaun, PA. H e is survived by his sister Millie Hohn,
your delight"
5 nieces and nephews, 14 great nieces and nephews and 14
Sincerely.
great great nieces and nephews.
M y husband James and I were going to contact Army
P.S. After I returned to the States, I visited Henderson's
personnel in St Louis as we hadjustfound his service number.
parents and his younger brother in Dallas, Texas. His wife was The information that your friends and Organization can
teaching school in N e w Mexico and she wasn't present I told supply would be a most valuable assettoour family history. It
them of the last mission and that I was alive because of his just amazes us that this information would come from such
actions. H e was somebody.
close friends of his in the service.
W e would be very interested in all the information you
could give us about Uncle Clarence and his service years.
Eagerly looking forward to your reply.
This comes from:
Sincerely yours,
James Regas
No. 2 Concord Street, Natrona Heights, PA 15065
7/29/95
Dear Will:
This comes from:
Bill A. Rosser
Thanks a million for your recent letter. It was a welcomed
8121 Countrywood Rd N.E., Albuquerque, NM 87109
surprise. Sorry it took so long for m e to reply, but I was in the
(505) 821-5485
hospital for the c o m m o n old folks ailments. I never thought
8/21/95
I'd grow old, but seems like I wenttobed one night and woke Dear Will:
up old the very next morning.
Fortunately, I just rediscovered the first issue of 8
Thanks for the addresses of my crew members. I wonder
if myany juicy "gravy" to contribute because most of my
haven't
pilot Fred P. Hildebrand is still around? I will never forget amemories are of simple, funny litde incidents. M y memory
mission we flew over Wilhelmshaven on March 30. As soon as banks seem more adapted to those rather than some of the
we dropped bombs, Fred stated, "watch outgrandma." During sheer terror type things. Guess I'm lucky that way.
the flight (after bombs were dropped), I found out his
grandmother still lived at Wilhelmshaven. I never forgot that As latecomers, we arrived at 44th Bomb Group on the d
and it really stuck with m e after all these years. War is not onlythe 200 mission party, so we had a rather distorted vision of
how a war was fought-- beer kegs on every corner with tin cups
hell, but just plain stupid.
attached by strings, no one wearing rank insignia, just one big
Enclosed you'll find a list of missions that we flew.
I really
party!!
Then don't
we woke up in the real world - - somewhat
know how accurate it is, but I searched m y old briefcase and confused, but we made it
came up with this list Thanks again for your letter.
Of my crew, I now have contact only with Al Weaver, ta
Sincerely.
gunner. One of those funny memories occurred late on a
EDITOR: Great letter, James. The "watch out grandma" return from a deep mission. W e were somewhere above the
really got to me. Oneof the cruel twists that came with thehell
Rhine, beginning to wind down a bit when Al shook us up
when he cut loose with his 50's. H e had spotted some barges
of war.
on the Rhine, so he was "strafing" them from 15,000 feet!!
Dear Mr. Lundy:
Leo Austin (wings folded), our bombardier, was riding
nose turret one mission when someone above cleared their
guns and the casings broke the plexiglass on the turret In
getting out Leo nicked his shoulder on a sharp edge. W e were
kidding him about his "wound" and the Major debriefing us
offered Leo a Purple Heart! I doubt that he really put it where
Leo told him, because it would have been painful to his
majorship!!
I a m the niece-in-law of Clarence Swaile. I a m the family
historian and we were most honored to hear about Uncle
On one of our later missions, an ME 262 (?) jet, the f
seen, was mushing along beside our group after our fighters
This comes from:
James & Elaine Swaile
6164 Capshore, Toledo, OH43611-1211
(419) 729-0914
8/2/95
31
�had left Armorer gunner "Kirk" Kirksey (folded wings) decided
to "wake him up" by lobbing a few tracers at him. Boy, could
This comes from:
that thing move! We'd never seen anything like that
Bill A. Rosser
8121 Country Wood RoadN.E.
One rather scary incident happened when we were flying
Albuquerque, NM 87109-5262
squadron leadtoMagdeburg (02/03/45). W e had damage to
(505) 821-5485
#1 engine on the b o m b run, and soon after release I called m y
10/2/95
Deputytotake over as I slid out (Alley) and to the left The call
Dear
Will:
was confirmed by the co-pilot, but the pilot wasflying.However,
he was on intercom and did not hear the message, so when I
Thanks so very much for your letter and list of our
pulled out he stayed on m y wing and much of the squadron
missions. During one of Lee's and m y many moves, a box
tried to follow. W e were a very lucky squadron that day,
containing most of our memorabilia was lost, including the
because it took some excellentflyingby several people to
official log of m y missions. For some unknown reason, my
avoid an incident that could have brought down several
flight
school log book in which I had noted our missions was
planes.
not in that box. Your list and mine are quite similar, and only
the Oct 3 missiontoOffenberg is really different I had made
On the low level resupply mission to Best Holland (09/18/
a
very few comments, which are included.
44), we transferred our marker beacon antenna from below
M yfirstmission was as co-pilot (John J.) on Ryan's crewon
the catwalk to a Dutch haystack. W e were low. I will never
August
24,1944.1 was shipped out immediately after my 35th,
forget the floodedfieldsand the starving animals trapped on
and
was
not allowed to go with m y guys on their 35th. I think
the dikes, and the young girl tending cattle in one of the few
they
may
have arrived back in the U.S. before I did, though,
unfloodedfieldswho saw us coming and waved her white
because
atStone(?),
I was assignedtoa very large group for a
apron at us. I've always hoped that she was cheering us on
large
ship.
However,
that ship was needed for a hospital
rather than asking us not to hurt her. That must have been an
shipment,
so
we
had
to
wait until another large ship was
awesome sight for her.
available. As I recall through 50 years of haze, it wasaboutone
month
We always had a reputation of which were we very proud.
We before such a ship wasfree.W e were not allowed to
challenge
the "logic" that our group could not be broken up
were considered a "lucky" crew, meaning that we seldom had
into
smaller
shipments!
problems. Since we always had one non-crewmember aboard,
I
cannot
recall why or just when we were movedfromthe
we were proud that the guys making up a mission wanted to
fly with our "lucky" crew.
506th to the 66th. I think we were lucky that it happened,
though, because we were billeted with Joe Testa's crew, and
they were
My wife, Lee and I plan to go to the San Antonio Reunion
and a wonderful bunch of m e n who were more
experienced, and we learned much from them.
hope to see you and so many others there.
I mentioned in m y recent letter that we were a "lucky"
crew. There were two occasions in which we might not have
Sincerely yours.
been able to make it all the way home. O n e was Oct 18, when
the fuel transfer p u m p was sprinkled by the engineer who was
relieving himself on Hider when we hit some prop wash and
he missed the bombs. W e usually did not transferfuelfromthe
This comes from:
outboard tanks until needed because an empty tank full of
Ken Adrian
fumes was much more likely to explode from hot shrapnel
2297 Chantalla Avenue, Pueblo, CO 81006
than a full tank. W h e n we landed at a newly liberatedfieldat
9/12/95
Brussels where the only fuel was in Jerry cans, we were not
Dear Will:
particularly welcome, especially when they learned that we
had 450 gallons of gas in our outer tanks. W e were able to
I got your most welcome letter recendy - - thanks fortransfer
the after the p u m p thawed, so that relieved the problem
"Down De Hatch" photo. I had one, but it was small. W e flew to some degree.
roughly 20 to 25 missions in that plane.
W e landed at Orly, as you indicated, on Jan. 16. Had fields
Bob Iverson of Ledger, Montana, the crew chief, kept the on the continent not been available, it is doubtful that the
old beaters going and had over 100 missions without an abort mission could have been completed asflownbecause a great
at one time. H e was a remarkable crew chief and is one of the many planes were low on fuel. I don't remember how many
reasons we completed our tour.
landed at Orly, but there were a lot of them. Someone ran off
I'm glad to get the true figures on our group's KIA (860) the taxi strip into deep m u d and stranded several planes. Since
- w e still have roughly 100 more than the "Bloody 100th". N o w there was no equipment available to free him, we were "stuck1'
I wonder how many POW's we had (528 and 179 Internees). in Paris for three days. Itoldyou we were lucky!
Don't feel obligatedtoanswerrightaway--1 know you are
W e look forward to seeing you in San Antonio. Best
busy. I just enjoy writing letters to good people.
regards.
Sincerely.
�W e made a successful landing on a grassfieldand were
interned for about six months. M y tail gunner, Sgt Stephen
(Zeke) Jones had bailed out shordy after we had been hit, and
was taken prisoner by the Germans. H e was later returned
safely to the United States.
This comes from:
Ralph Golubeck
Pilot, 506th Sq.
13133 Royal Pines Drive
St. Louis, MO 63146-2280
10/3/95
Normally, thatwould have been the end of my story, bu
is more...much more. After returning to the States in
Dear Will:
November, 1944,1 was assigned to LeattAirBase in Belleville,
IL, flying C-47's. I had the duty of airdrom officer, and one day
I would like to congratulate you and all of the others who have
one of my duties wastoinspect the control tower. While in the
done such a great job of re-organizing the 44th BGVA. It was
tower, I heard a pilot call in for landing instructions, but was
very difficult for me, sitting out here on the prairie to
using a very familiar tail number. M y ears perked up! Was this
understand fully what was going on. I gather that there has
the Princess? I requested that he repeat the call sign and type
been a rather bitter split in the organization and thatyou and of aircraft You guessed it! It was the Princess!!
your colleagues have formed this new group to keep the spirit
of the 44th alive. For that and your great newsletter, I I immediately left the tower, jumped into a jeep, and
congratulate you all for a job well done.
over to where the B-24 had just parked. I could not believe my
eyes - it really was the Princess! It had been repaired, flown
back to England and thentothe U.S. and now was on her way
to Arizona to be melted down. H o w sad!
I remembered that I had left my Zippo lighter in the
when we landed in Sweden and wondered if it was still there.
After a complete search of the flight deck, lam sorrytoreport
that it was not there.
The next morning I went down to the flight line very
I have enclosed some pictures of a model of a B-24 "Princess" was hoping to be able to fly the Princess just one more time.
Tail Number 42-63963, call Letter "W," and would liketotell All I wantedtodo was to shoot one more landing. But even as
you the story of the Princess as far as I know it
early as I was, the B-24 pilot was earlier. H e had just left for
Arizona.
Iflew the Princess on many missions as a pilot in the 506th B.S.
I always enjoyedflyingher because, without a nose or belly This should have been the end of my story, but again,
turret, she was a good deal faster than the 'J" or " " models thatHold on - more to come: Fifty years later I was a volunteer at
the rest of the group wereflying.With that lower weight and a flight museum in Dallas Texas at Love Field. O n e day, in late
speed advantage, I always returned from a mission with plenty May of 1994,1 was walking through a window display of about
of fuel. As the length of our missions kept increasing, fuel 20 warbird models when I spotted a B-24. Somehow I instandy
became a critical factor. O n fuel situation, I returned with
knew that it was the Princess, even though I had not seen the
almost 800 gallons of fuel in the tanks. This wasn't necessarily nose art or the tail numbers. I literally ran into the shop and
the result of m y fuel management skills but because the
asked to see that model.
Princess just used less fuel.
I was speechless atfirst,butfinally managed to convey
During one of our missions critiques, Colonel Gibson that I had been the pilot of the original airplane. About this
congratulated m e for excellent fuel management. I thanked time, the owner of the shop appeared and wanted to know
him, but did not tell him that I wasflyinga "D" model.
what was going on. W h e n Itoldhim, I could tell that he really
did not believe my story. H o w could I convince him that my
On what was to have been my 30th and last mission, I story
was was true?
forced to seek refuge in Sweden after bombing the oil plant
atPolitz on 29 May 1944. W e made an emergency landing in It was then that I remembered an old picture of the P
Sweden after sustaining serious battle damage from a twin
that I carried in my wallet Will, I believe that you sent ittom e
engine German fighter (Me-410?). The number one engine
years ago. W h e n I displayed the picture, they immediately
was knocked out and could not be feathered, and fuel tanks believed m y story and insisted that I sign an autograph book
in the port wing were holed, resulting in loss of a large amount which contained autographs of many pilots. I was honored to
of fuel. M y engineer, T/Sgt. Walter Dunlop attempted to
sign, and of course, I bought the model and proudly display
transfer fuel, but was unable to do so. With #1 windmilling, it in my den.
and creating a lot of drag and loss of much fuel, it was
determined that we would be unable to return to England. W e I have always been curious about this airplane and in
in clearing all of its history. Why was it the only "D" model in
had no other choice buttohead for Sweden.
the 506th Squadron? (All others had been lost last of the
3
�"D's.") ("D's" were vulnerable to nose and belly attacks, so all This comes from:
James & Edna Auman
replacement models were J or H models.) Was it on the Ploesti
352 Church Street
Raid? {No, did not arrive until the end of September, 1943.)
Saint Marys, Pennsylvania 15857-1012
Who flew it to the 44th BG? (Unknown, butR.A. Johnson was
10/30/95
thefirsttoflyher in combat - 2 October, 1943.)
Dear
However, I do have a few facts which might help trace
theRoy:
Princess. There were several names on the airplane at the
various crew positions. The only one I remember was Carlton We want to thank you and all the others who put toget
H o m e . H e had transferred from the RAF. Iflewa couple of
wonderful San Antonio Convention, the hotel arrangements,
missions with him and remember him very well. W h e n I
thetours,the Mexican band and dancers and most ofall, those
returned from Sweden, I saw him in the officers club playing good old 44th B o m b Group people. W e came home with
bridge with Major McAtee and two others. Perhaps if he reads dozens of new friends and a million sweet memories.
this letter (or others), he could help me.
You have our total support and warmest regards in all
I think the Princess might have been one of the Ploesti
veterans ventures.
Raiders. In Steve Birdsall's book, "Log of the Liberator," on
page 28, he writes, "Behind him, Princess and all the rest
This comes from:
pinpointed their bombs." (Reference could have been to
Princess Charlotte, though this plane did notflyPloesti
Pete Worby
either).
26 Woodgreen Road
LUTONLUZ8BT
I always thought that only the original 44th BG planes had the
England
logo. Maybe some of this willjog some old memories and I can Dear Pete:
at last know the history of m y "Princess." (No, the Flying
Eightball was painted on the pilot's side for a considerable
You don' t know me yet I am a 37 year-old English "Fr
time after the original "D's" were gone (other than Lemon
the 8th" member. I have been a member for 20 years.
Drop).
It is remembrance day here as I write this letter to
My wife and I are thrilled that the 44th will assemble
in today
my
a m sad
as I remember those that fell and thankful that
home town of St Louis in '96.1 have never before attended a I have never had to experience the horror of war.
reunion, but a m certainly looking forward to attending this
one.
I do appreciate what you guys did to help us free and
will ever be abletofindthe words to thank you all enough. I
On a sadder note, my old friend, John Money, folded his
hopewings
some of us keep all your memories alive, I intend to.
last year. W e were good friends. H e was a 506th Squadron
pilot
Please tell me about yourself, Pete and tell me how m
Keep 'em flying...
send you for a copy of a war time photo of you, as I am most
interested.
EDITOR: Thanks for this amazing story of what seems to be
your destiny with "The Princess" even in the form of a The greatest thing that I wish I could have is to sha
beautiful model! We don't have anything in the roster on
of every U S A A F veteran because we consider all of you as
Carlton Home. You might try Jim McAtee, RR1, Box 134E, honorary English.
Viola, IL 61486. Also,you might wish to getyour own copy of
the 44th BGVA Roster to help in your research. See the note
I saw your page in 2nd AD news about "Petra" (p 11 Sum
on Roster purchase elsewhere in this Issue.
95). Petra is an old temple set into a cliffside. It appears in the
closing shots of thefilm"Indianajones and the Last Crusade"
as the exterior of the temple.
Please can you also tell me how much to send for an o
of 44th Newsletter and if any 44th wanttowritetome, I would
lovetohear from them.
If there is ever anything I can do for you or any 44t
let m e know, as I a m most honored to know you all.
Yours.
EDITOR: He'll have a copy of this issue soon!
34
�THE N E W 44TH ROSTER
44TH BOMB GROUP VETERANS
ASSOCIATION BOARD
Have you ever wished that you had a 44th BGVA
Roster of your own to keep track of your crew and
other buddies? Well, it's here! T h e Board authorized
publishingthe Membership Rosterand w e introduced
it at the San Antonio Reunion. It was a R U S H ! This
first issue Active listing is complete as ofjune 1, and
the deceased list as of June 5. Your order will be
accompanied by an addendum sheet of changes since
those dates.
President: R o y W . O w e n (506th)
6304 Meadowridge Drive
Santa Rosa, California 95409
Phone: (707) 538-4726 Fax: (707) 538-1212
Vice President: James H. Clements (506th)
4124 Calculus Avenue
Dallas, Texas 75244
Phone/Fax: (214) 243-4657
Secretary: Edward M. Dobson (67th)
118 South 15th Avenue, #1
Bozeman, Montana 59715-4130
Phone: (800) 587-2492 (Code 44)
The Roster will be completely updated and repr
biennially on June 30, with an update addendum
June 30 of the between year. T h e cost is $5 plus $2
1st class postage. Place your order with:
Treasurer: Gerald (Jerry) W. Folsom (506th)
Art Hand
954 Lowell Avenue
517 Elm Street
Salt Lake City, Utah 84102-3620
Paris, IL 61994
Phone: (801) 359-6159 Fax: (801) 533-8747
Make checks payable to:
44th B G V A
(In the lower left corner of your check, note
Roster.)
Office Historian: C.W. "Will" Lundy
3295 North "H" Street
San Bernardino, C A 92405-2809
Phone/Fax: (909) 882-2441
44th Group Vice President to 2nd ADA:
H.C. "Pete" Henry (67th/66th)
164B Portland Lane
Jamesburg, N e w Jersey 08831-1536
Phone: (609) 655-0982
SEARCH - ROSTER - MAIL LIST
If you hear of a 44th'er that does not belong
Association, or has passed away, please notify:
Art H a n d
517 Elm Street
Paris, Illinois 61994
Phone/Fax: (217) 463-5905
If you move or change any aspect of your address or
phone number, wife's name, want to stop receiving
the 8 Ball Tails or whatever, please notify:
T o m Shepherd
10597 Cambrooke Cove
Collierville, Tennessee 38017
Phone: (901) 854-6558 Fax: (901) 853-4229
Director: Edw. K. "Mike" Mikoloski (66th)
626 Smithfield Road #702
N. Providence, Rhode Island 02904
Phone: (401) 353-0144
Director: Robert I. "Bob" Brown (67th)
#8 Metairie Court
San Ramon, C A 94583-3824
Phone: (415) 828-4529
Director: Robert J. Lehnhausen (68th)
709 West Meadows Place
Peoria, Illinois 61604-3447
Phone: (309) 685-2490
Director: Sherman N. "Bud" Dowett (506th)
14550 Wolf Road
Grass Valley, C A 95949
Phone: (916) 268-1019
Director: Melvin G. Trager (HQSq.)
2522 Red Oak Trail
Crest Hill, Illinois 60435-3197
Phone: (815) 725-3439
35
��
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8 Ball Tails
Newsletter
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8 Ball Tails Volume 1 - Issue 4: Winter 1995
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Winter 1995
-
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PDF Text
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��(0
Crew of "Glory Bee" 30 Missions June 6 to Aug 27, 1944
Back row: Harold Bergmann, Engineer; Donald Maul, LW Gunner; Colin
Gregory, RW Gunner; Gene Wood, Tail Gunner; Reynold
Whistler, Radio Operator; Wilbur Moretti, Ball Gun.
Front Row: Wilbur Carter, Pilot; Jack Still, Navigator; Roley Arterburn,
Co-Pilot; Jess Kerr, Bombardier.
Back Row: Donald Maule, Harold Bergmann, Jess Kerr. Front Row: Wilbur Moretti,
Madelyn Carter ~ Pilot's widow, Roley Arterburn.
May 18,1989
3
�DLXON
"Glory Bee" Crew Chief
S/Sgt James H. "Red"Dixon
Norman Nutt Crew, 66th Bomb Squadron, 44th Bomb Group,
Shipdham Airfield, England, Spring 1945.
Back Row: John Grieshammer, Gunner; Norm Nutt, Pilot; Andy Hartung;
James Marsh, Flight Engineer; Elmer Kohn, Radio Operator; Roy Hutchins, Co-Pilot.
Front Row: Carl Sharf, Bombardier; Jack Kesling, Navigator; BUI Jangl, Gunner.
San Antonio Reunion - Oct '95 - Breakfast
Norm Nutt's Crew:
Left to Right: Bob Godwin, James Marsh,
Norm Nutt and Jack Kesling.
Yankee Air Force 'Nose Art' Photo.
"Glory Bee" at Willow Run Airport
It is understood that it was flown to Willow Run after it flew
home from Shipdham in June '45.
4
�ALL ABOUT ENGLAND - THE A R R O W AIR PROJECT
In the last issue of "The Tails" we reported all the details of the decision to abandon the Shipdham Tower
restoration in favor of offering the residue of the T o w e r project funds to M r . Nigel Wright, owner of A r r o w Air
Centre, S h i p d h a m Airfield. This m o n e y would be joined with A r r o w Air funds to construct a n e w Pilot's lounge
and ready room. The decor of this r o o m would be a 44th B o m b G r o u p Memorabilia collection.
On January 23,1996, a letter, over the signature of the President, was sent to Mr. Wright with an offer of a £
contribution to the construction of a n e w pilot's lounge, provided the interior motif of the r o o m w o u l d take the
form of a 44 th B o m b G r o u p Memorabilia/Memorial. W e have a telephone acceptance (enthusiastic) of our offer
and proposal. M r . Wright is at present drawing u p construction plans which will become a part of our limited
partnership agreement. So, it appears that w e are well on our w a y to seeing the reality of a viable perseverance of
the spirit of S h i p d h a m Airfield as the h o m e base of the 44th B o m b Group.
The Shipdham Tower Memorial Plaque
With the abandonment of the Shipdham Tower restoration project, the question of
what, if anything, should be done about the beautiful bronze memorial plaque
donated and placed by R. Lee Aston on the outer wall of the tower during the
1992 Reunion. It w a s agreed by the Board to query Lee as to his desires regarding
the future of the plaque. His answer:
Mr. Will Lundy, Historian Saturday, 25 November 1995
44th Bomb Croup
3295 North "H" Street
San Bernardino, California 92405
^*****^
K
\
Dear Will: ^^^^
Your letter received today concerning my feelings/wishes about the granite memorial
plaque at the Control Tower, Shipdham airfield. I respond immediately.
I am sorry to hear that the prospects for restoration of the Shipdham control tower are so dim, in fact, sound
virtually a stand down. I agree that the granite plaque should be left on thefield.It woidd be inappropriate, or misp
at any other location except on the tower, or at least, thefield.I made it for the tower location.
As long as the tower stands, whether restored, or not, whether used as a historical museum, or not, it was mea
the tower as a historical site. My feeling is that it should remain on the tower as long as the tower stands, and hop
providing (1) that continued access, in perpetuity, i.e., beyond Genge's lease, to the tower may be granted by the
visitors to view, and (2) that should the tower ever be torn down, the memorial plaque would be returned to the prope
persons (the 44th Tower Association or Steve Adams or Nigel Wright's mini-museum) for installation elsewhere on the
The next most appropriate location after the tower would be Arrow Air Centre, or at least, someplace on thefielditse
in the village of Shipdham. I believe the above is accord with the feelings you have expressed to me in your letter.
Sorry that I have not been able to be closer to the activities of the 44 th B. G. for the past couple of years
health as I am infineshape for almost 72 years. I have been concentrating on completing my doctoral research (PhD) at
University of Aston in Birmingham, England, hence, keeping a low profile or "my nose to the grindstone" to try and
complete it in 1996. If I miss congregation in July '96,1 will have to wait until July '97 for graduation. What month i
1997 reunion in England planned fori
Hope this brief note sufficiently answers your letter. What is your fax no. ? You did have one at a previous
so much faster than the mail. My fax no. is 706-283-1337.
With best regards,
R. Lee Aston
5
»
�The Return to England
While we still plan a return to England in '97, our planning now is, rather than a reunion, we will
excellent 44th B o m b Group tour in June '97, to be followed in September by our regular reunion
somewhere in the U S A . Right n o w w e are looking at Savannah, Georgia, in conjunction with a visit to
the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum. The M u s e u m is scheduled to open M a y 13-14 of this year. Vice
President, Jim Clements will be officially representing the 44th B G V A at the M u s e u m opening. While in
Savannah, he will survey that city in terms of desirability for a '97 reunion.
Subject to refinement, this would be the general scheme of the England/France Memorial Tour itinera
•Assemble at a main terminal of our chosen airline for the flight to London.
A
-fj
•A two or three night stay in London (one night at the theatre).
•Then bus to Norwich for three nights (probably at the Lord Nelson)
•A day of leisure to stroll around Norwich and see the rebuilding of the Library (yes, and see if t
Sampson & Hercules is still standing).
•Then a day and evening at Shipdham (more about this later) to visit our friends and to see our Arr
Air Project.
•We would then bus to Cambridge with a brief stop at the beautiful American Cemetery at Maddingly.
•Then on to Duxford for a visit to the new American Air Museum.
•We would then travel South to Portsmouth for a stay to allow a tour of the Overlord Command post
where General Eisenhower directed the D-Day operations and a trip to Eastbourne to visit a memorial
placed just last M a y in the m e m o r y of the James O. Bolin crew, which was killed in the crash of their
506th airplane "Ruthless" (see page 22 of the Spring '95 8-Ball Tails).
The 44th has a standing invitation to visit with the people of Eastbourne, w h o have for 52 years treated
the loss of the "Ruthless" crew as if it were their sons w h o perished in the crash.
Incidentally, we hear from Kevin Watson, coordinator of the memorial, there has been so much interest
in the Ruthless Memorial, the visitors have worn the grass surrounding the memorial to the point the
Committee is making plans to lay a granite walkway surrounding the memorial.
•From Portsmouth, those so wishing, would have the option of returning to London for the return fli
(or extend a London stopover). Otherwise, the tour would continue on with a Channel crossing to
Cherbourg to tour Utah and O m a h a Beaches and pay our respects to our 44th comrades buried at the
most beautiful American Cemetery at O m a h a Beach (something that every American should see).
•Then on to Paris for a three day visit.
•Return to London via Calais.
There will be more information to come as we finalize the tour, and there will be plenty of time fo
make your plans for this great trip. For the time being, pencil "44th Return to England & France" in on
your June, 1997 calendar.
6
�ThE CAPTAJN VERSUS T^E COLONEL
By: James Clements, 506th Bomb Squadron
Editor:
It was an 8th Air Force lead. December 28th, 1944;
Shortly after receiving this story from Jim, I noticed in
Target: Kaiserslautern, Germany: C o m m a n d Pilot:
Force Times obituaries that Lt. Col. Joseph R. Bumbicka had
Colonel Eugene Snavely, C o m m a n d e r 44th B o m b Group died November 30, 1995 (see Folded Wings). He was residing
(H) flying with the Captain James Clements crew.
in Roanoke, VA and was buried at the National Cemetery,
Culpepper, VA.
As we flew to the target, we were atop of a solid
undercast of clouds. Unable to see the ground since
I sadly notified Jim, since I was a "part-time" member of
takeoff.
crew. When I joined the 506th as Co-Pilot on the Bill Smith
crew, the Clements crew were well into their second tourflyi
Approaching the IP, the GH Navigator informed us the only lead missions. When the Smith crew was promoted to
lead status, I became eligible to alternate with Dick Peders
blind bombing equipment was not functioning properly.
flying
ccnpilot forJim, as he had no regular co-pilot. In the
The Colonel, after checking with the Deputy Lead
course of flying six missions with that crew, I was privilege
aircraft, gave the direct order, "Turn over the lead."
to see "Boogie" at work.
Colonel Snavely was one commander especially fond of
having his orders complied with.
Before I had time to react to the order, we were
nearing the target. It was then that cries came up from
the nose compartment, "Don't turn it over, it looks like
the clouds are going to break." It did appear there would
be some breaks, but certainly no assurance the target
would be clear. Joe "Boogie" Bumbicka, our Bombardier
and Dick Boykin, our Navigator kept screaming "the
clouds are going to break. Don't turn over the lead!"
I put my faith in my crew and knowing how much more
effective visual bombing was over instrument bombing,
held the course. At that time, the tense and foreboding
voice of the Colonel came loud and clear, " Y O U G U Y S
BETTER BE RIGHT!"
In all other aspects of his persona, "Boogie" was marching
a different drum. Difficult to know, harder to understand
and loved doing the unexpected; until he went to Mission
Briefing. From the time he walked into Briefing until he lef
Post-Mission debriefing, he was the epitome of the professio
Combat Crew "Team" member. He knew his job and did it.
"Boogie" struck me as a man born to the Norden Bombsight.
He treated it like afineviolin and he performed magical
things with it, as he did that day over Kaiserslautern. He
loved and thrived on those "cliff hanger" bomb runs that to
every bit of his concentration and sometimes most of his
imagination.
Mother Nature was kind to us that day. The clouds
broke at the very last minute and "Boogie" put the
bombs "down the pickle barrel."
As we approached the home field, Colonel Snavely
radioed the photo people to meet the airplane, pick up
the cameras and get the strike film developed with the
greatest dispatch. Later at the Officers Club, he was
proudly showing copies of the strike photos to all.
My memories of most of the missions I flew are not too
clear. However, that mission is firm in mind. I never
stop thinking, "What if the clouds hadn't broken?"
\
�"Ul€ UJ€R€ H G O O D CRCUI": STORV OF R B-24 RCUNION
By: Ann Carpenter Wing
I'd like to begin m y story with a plea. T o those of you into a computer program that has the national
w h o have not recorded your experiences during the phone directory on it. I started with the pilot's name,
war, please do sol It m e a n s so m u c h to future gen- because I had a middle initial, which cut d o w n the
erations. You are an important part of history. 1 can number of entries considerably. After I wrote to
Robert Gunton (Bob), he called m e and gave m e the
tell you from a personal viewpoint that this knowlcomplete list of the crew and their 1944-45 adedge m e a n s a great deal to m e , and to m y children
dresses, but no middle initials. Using the addresses,
and grandchildren. Let m e tell you m y story.
M y n a m e is A n n Carpenter Wing, the wife of Lyle I tried each section of the country, and wrote m a n y
letters to the m e n w h o s e n a m e s c a m e up. Slowly,
Paul Carpenter. H e w a s the flight engineer and the
but surely, one by one, they responded.
top turret gunner of a crew in the 67th Squadron,
W e k n e w of San
44th B o m b Group, and flew
Antonio, so five of the
31 missions over Germany
original crew agreed to
and France from April to
1
meet there with m y
jH
August, 1 944.1 would like to
fNMMtt
children and me.
tell you of his crew, and h o w
I cannot describe the
they finally found each
feelings of anticipation
other after 5 1 years.
ML
«V
and excitement I felt as
W h e n 1 first met Lyle, he
w e waited at the Holiday
had just c o m e back from
Inn for the others to arrive.
overseas, and w a s in a
W e had just spoken to
convalescent hospital in
B o b on the house phone
m y hometown of Nashville,
and were standing at the
Tennessee. W e met in a
i£V' Mifi~i
V^v^u^H^f'
front desk, w h e n a m a n
cafe, a soldier from MichiT
^
asked the clerk to ring
gan and a Southern girl, and
Bob's room. That's h o w
w e started talking. During
^OPV Wy I^M& (NrTlf "^
w
e met the first person
our courtship, he down.
t^^**
^^fccj^^H^E^HHI
from Lyle's crew, Martin
played his role in the war,
Stewart (Marty), his cojokingly saying that he got
The Robert Gunton Crew, 1944
pilot. A few minutes later,
his medal for brushing his
Front Row L to R Daniel Brandt, Bombardier; Martin Stewart, Coin walked Joe Tobiaski,
teeth, or that medal for
Pilot; Robert Gunton, Pilot; Leroy parker, Navigator.
Back Row L to R Kenneth Bradford, Bali Turret; John Krupka, the crew's radio operator.
polishing his shoes. It w a s
Tail Gunner; Lyle Carpenter, Flight Eng. Top Turret; James Cortez,
W e agreed to meet with
only later that he told m e
Nose Gunner; Joe Tobiaski, Radio Operator; Arthur Henshall, Asst.
B o b and the others in the
about his missions and
Eng. Waist Gunner.
hospitality room a few
h o w he felt each one would
minutes later.
be his last. He would leave
Marty. Joe, m y children, and I got off the elevator
his personal belongings with his crew chief to m a k e
to see Bob, Leroy Parker (navigator) and Dan Brandt
sure that his mother would get them if he didn't
(bombardier) waiting for us. Watching those m e n
c o m e back. He spoke with admiration of his pilot,
meet in the hallway, oblivious to all w h o walked by
Robert Gunton, w h o he credited with saving their
us, w a s an emotional experience 1 will never forget.
lives numerous times.
T o imagine them taking leave of each other 51
Later, w e married and had three children. The
war receded into the past, and w e didn't talk about it years before, and to see the years fall away as they
much, except for occasionally getting out the photo b e c a m e that B-24 crew again w a s wonderful to
behold. Hours passed like minutes as the war
album of his buddies and the planes, telling anecdotes of the war days, and showing the children his stories flew - one man's m e m o r y would trigger long
forgotten events experienced by others.
pictures and medals. With the busy day to-day of
Sorely missed were James Cortez (Jim) and
raising a family, there s e e m e d to be no time for
Kenneth Bradford, nose gunner and ball turret
contacting the other m e m b e r s of his crew, w h o
were also in the midst of building iheir lives in cities respectively. Jim w a s ill and could not attend; his funloving antics had m a d e him popular a m o n g the
and towns scattered across the country.
Lyle passed away of a heart attack in l 968, and I crew. (They all remembered that "Cortez" would
often thought of his crew and that time period before immediately fall to the ground and kiss it after each
1 k n e w him. I felt that finding them would have been safe return.) Ken and his wife have a jewelry store
and could not schedule time to come. Also sadly
something Lyle would have liked to have done. So
in 1994,1 decided to tackle the task of being "detec- missed were Arthur Henshall (waist gunner, assistant flight engineer), John Krupka (tail gunner), and of
tive" on his behalf.
course, Lyle, w h o are all deceased.
Lyle had kept a photograph album of his crew
The next day, Bob obtained a private room for
with n a m e s on the back, so I started from there. At
the crew to meet, bringing their pictures, diaries and
the public library, I entered the crewmen's n a m e s
if
wt\i
1 •£*•"
1
1
I1 R
8
•
�records to "debrief." For six hours, they replayed
that had just had bulletproof glass installed in it. The
those critical months, comparing notes and m e m o planes they normally flew did not yet have this
ries and sharing anecdotes. The m e n were
feature. A s they were flying, a fragment of flak hit the
amazed at hearing the stories from their
windshield directly beside the pilot's position. O n
crewmates. During the actual bombing runs, most
returning to base, they found it lacked a fraction of
were too busy doing their particular job or were not
an inch coming all the w a y through the glass. Both
in a position to see what the others were experiencB o b and Marty agreed that had there been regular
ing. Here are s o m e highlights of what w a s told in
glass on the plane that day, B o b would not be here
those hours.
to tell the story. In another incident that Lyle had
All agreed that the most enjoyable, least stressoften described, the tail gunner, Krupka had a close
ful part of their time together w a s the trip from
call. H e w a s leaning out of his seat talking to Hensall
Topeka, Kansas (their point of departure) to
w h e n a bullet zipped by and grazed the tops of his
Shipdham, England via the southern route. It w a s
legs. If he had been sitting in his normal position,
an eye-opening experience for them to see other
he'd have been shot in the stomach. Lyle w a s
countries and cultures. After pre combat training in
called back to administer first aid, and promptly
Ireland, they arrived in Shipdham on May 14, l 944
placed a bandaid over the wound, about which he
and were assigned their plane, the "A-Bar." Thus
always joked.
they b e c a m e part of the "Flying 8 Balls," the insignia
Towards the end of the marathon session, I
of the 44th B o m b Group.
played a cassette tape that Arthur Henshall's wife
A-Bar w a s a part of the D-Day invasion, and flew
sent to me. H e had m a d e this tape in 1 988 in order
on the wing of the C o m m a n d e r , General Leon
to tell s o m e of his war experiences for his
Johnson. Their job w a s to b o m b the coastal installa- grandchildren's benefit. Everyone fell silent as
tions just seconds before the troops landed on the
Arthur's voice told of his memories during their time
beaches. Bob recalled the vivid image of being part
together. They chuckled at s o m e of the lighter
of thousands of gleaming silver planes streaming
m o m e n t s in his remembrances, and with solemn
toward France. Being busy piloting the plane, he did glances, they confirmed the combat events that he
not have a good view of the ocean, and enjoyed
related. A m o m e n t of high emotion w a s felt by all as
hearing the others speak of the waters being full of
he finished with a word of gratitude to his comAllied ships bristling with weaponry.
rades, and special praise for Captain Bob Gunton
T w o of the most dangerous missions were on
w h o brought them all safely h o m e .
June 27 and August 6, l 944. The objective of the
This is just a small part of one crew's story
June mission w a s to b o m b a railroad tunnel. W h e n
during a historical event that has changed the
the crew reached the target, a squadron of JU 88's
world. The pride in the tremendous job done by a
w a s encountered. They hung behind the formation
remarkable generation of m e n is echoed in Arthur
and lobbed missiles at the bombers. O n e of the
Henshall's words, "We were a good crew."
crew recalled tail gunner John Krupka's response
as he looked back, "Hurry up! They're catching up
with us!" Many planes were lost on that mission, and
the formation w a s forced to break up. Because the
formation had dispersed, the crew flew h o m e
alone, a precarious position for a B-24.
The purpose of the August mission w a s to
b o m b the oil refinery in Hamburg, Germany. The
crew recalled exceedingly heavy flak, resulting in
the loss of one engine over the English Channel.
They were forced to jettison all their ammunition
and guns to keep the plane aloft. W h e n they
reached base, a second engine had to be feathered
over the field. S o m e of the crew went as far as to
say that on landing, there w a s only one engine
operating! Everyone gave Gunton praise for saving
their lives that day. Dan Brandt commented, "He just
greased that landing!"
Dan also said that he thought one of the most
important missions militarily w a s the July 25 misThe Gunton crew in San Antonio, 1995.
sion to St. Lo, France, where their job w a s to clear
First Row L to R Daniel Brandt, Martin Stewart, Robert Gunton,
the w a y for Patton's troops to advance toward
Leroy Parker. Back Row: Joe Tobiaski
Germany. The mission w a s extremely successful
and allowed for the continuation of Patton's sweep
across Europe.
S o m e of the most dramatic reminisces were
about brushes with death. B o b recalled having
)
been assigned a plane on one particular mission
�THE PRESIDE*'IT'S CORNER
Coming down to thefinishline, standing in the stirrupsare mandated in our Charter and Constitution. I comand pouring the whip to the Ole' 8-Ball Tails to beat themend your Executive Board for the programmatic and
deadline -1 can make it! I can make it! Some days, sitting
budgetary support they have given to the proposals submitin front of this computer, I say to myself: you've got to ted
be aby your Treasurer and myself. Clinton and Gingrich
STALEMA
TE IN
nut case to go through this scramble every four months, take note: WE HAVE NO BUDGET
44THBGVA!
with all the phone calls, faxes and correspondence to THE
handle. After all-WHO CARES? Then the mail arrives
and there is a heartfelt thanks for helping to put a couple
of have several requests for various commemorat
We do
and memorial projects which I will soon submit to the
long lost 44th guys in touch again or for assisting a
Board
relative tofillin the blank spots in the circumstances of
one for review and prioritizing, if accepted.
of our KIA crews. Those pats on the back are like a reality
check. Everything comes back into focus and I know we are
Noiufor a bit on membership. I am so proud of the work
doing something good. Something that really counts.
our Membership Committee, ART HAND and
TOMMY
Helping to keep a bunch of men and women together who SHEPHERD
are doing!Just look at the numbers in the
shared the experience of serving in one of the most glorious
new "Beating the Bushes " section. What we need now are
air combat groups in World history. Hell, this is what it's
some local "Jollow-up" recruiters that, once Art has locate
all about. I can play golf next week after I get this in the
a 44ther who is not a 44th BGVA member, our local area
mail on the way to the printer!
(or state) recruiter gets on the phone to tell the comrade al
the fun he or she is missing by not being with us at reNow with that bit of personal sentiment out of my head,
unions and trips, etc. We have plans for a professionally
let's get on with keeping you all abreast of what is goingdesigned
on
promotional brochure all about the 44th to assist
in your Association. I think one of the nicest pieces ofneius
our recruiting program as well. Incidentally, we are
is that the 44THIS ONCE AGAIN COMING
OUT OF
wanting sons and daughters to join us also. We must havt
RETIREMENT
TO BE AN ACTIVE AIR FORCE UNIT!
had about 18 with us at San Antonio. And speaking of
We have received a letterfrom the Department of thefamily
Air attendance, see my account of the 2nd Air Division
Force, Air Education and Training Command, statingSouthern California Regional Reunion and our own 44th
that the 381st TRAINING WING is inheriting the honors
Julian Ertz gang! Anyway, get busy and call Art and
and lineage of all of its 44th predecessors. Invitationsbecome
are a 44th drummer!
being sent to all of the livingformer commanders of the
44th to attend the activation ceremony. This doesn 't mean
I'll close up with some GOOD ADVICE. This issue has the
you must have been a former commander to attend. I
initial blast on our ST. LOUIS REUNION. Read all of the
would hope that any 8-Baller, Bomb Wing member, Blackprogram, the registration (both Reunion and Hotel) forms.
Hills Bandit or whatever living in the vicinity of
FILL OUT THE FORMS, MAKE OUT YOUR CHECK,
Vandenburg would attend. Call Major Gregory Ogletree AND SEND THEM IN EARLY. JIM CLEMENTS and
(805) 734-3160 after 5 p. m. for details.
his assistant, GENE MCMAHON
are predicting a
BLOW-OUT...DON'T MISS THIS ONE! See you in
While it may seem a "come down" to be reactivated from
St.a Louis.
first line Ballistic Missile Wing to a Missile Training
Wing, consider this... in this age of budget cuts and the big
draw down of our military forces, it is obvious that the
USAF is doing its best to keep the most illustrious, historically famous combat units alive and active. That the 44th
has again been selected to be one of the diminishing number of active units is testimony to its prestigious ranking
among the finest.
The next pleasing news is our finances. I know some of you
are still adjusting to being privy to ourfinancialstatus on
a regular basis, but please take a look at our 1995 Budget
Analysis and Closing Balance Sheet elsewhere in this issue.
How quickly we have come from nothing but the echoes of
the HMG in the till to some figures that mean we are at the
point where we can really start to budget and expend some
significant funds in the memorial and heritage areas that
1
Roy Owen, President
�The Dollar and Cents
of the
44th Bomb Group
Veterans Association
44th BGVA YEAR END BUDGET ANALYSIS
CALENDAR YEAR 1995
Actual Budget Over Under
Income:
Amortized Life
Memberships 15 Yr s/d
Regular Memberships
Reunion
Donations
Interest Income
Totals
Difference
1703 2175
8180 11250
9082 2500
2524
300
500
1512
23001 16725
- 6276
472
3070
6582
2224
1012
9818 3542
- 6276
44th BOMB GROUP VETERANS ASSOCIATION
BALANCE SHEET
as of December 31, 1995
ASSETS
Other Income (Not Budgeted)
Caps
Rosters
Total Other Income
Total Income for Period $23,867
Expenses (Budgeted)
8 Ball Tails
7179 6000
Historian - W Lundy
562 900
- 600
Unit Historians
- 200
Archive Research
Member Research- A. Hand 696
600
Membership Roster-Shepherd 91
200
1037
Treasurer
400
Directors Travel
3198 4500
1185
President (Adm & Travel
900
Secretary
- 300
Tax Exempt IRS Fee
465
465
150
85
Bulk Mail Permit
14498 15215
Totals
717
Differences
Items Not Budgeted
Membership Mailing
Insurance & Bond
Condolences
Total Other Expense
Total Expense
Income for Period
Unexpended Funds
1179
338
600
200
LIABILITIES
Tower Fund
506 Squadron Fund
Strong Memorial
Life Memberships
Less Amortized Amount
Total Liabilities
96
109
637
1302
285
-
300
65
806.40
14.99
168.50
25.373.73
$37,785.38
9,500.00
429.36
954.00
14,550.00
3.446.71
11.103.29
$21,986.65
SURPL US - EQ ULTYNON COMMITTED FUNDS
Balance 1/1/95
Non-Committed Funds
12/31/95
Total Liabilities 8c Surplus
12/31/95
2197 2914
717
11,319.38
98.38
Banks
Bulk Mail Deposit Balance
Inventories
Roster Books
44th Caps
2nd Air Division Books
First Security Investors Services
Total Current Assets
554
312
866
-
747
105
89
941
7,370.50
8.428.24
15.798.73
37,785.38
The 8-Ball Tails
Official Journal of The 44th Bomb
Group Veterans Association, Inc.,
A Non-Profit Veterans Association
Chartered in the State of Illinois
15439
23867
$8,428
Compiled, written and published ui-yearlyat 6304 Meadowridge Dr., Santa Rosa,
95409. Roy W . Owen, President and Editor. Printed and mailed Bulk Rate at Salt Lake
City, U T under USPS Permit #6923. Generally, the material herein is non-copyright
except when so noted. The text and photos are otherwise reproduced from personal
photographs, diaries,memoirsor official U S A A F and U S A F documents and photoswhich
have been released for publication. Exceptfor copyright material, permission is granted
for the contents of this journal lobe reproduced for personal archives or the journal of
odier incorporated non-profit Veterans organizations so long as this publication is
properly credited.
Those submitting letters, storiesand photos to the Editor or Historian mustdo
understanding that this mate rial will most likely be published asa matter of interest to the
members/subscribers of the Association and this journal. While every attempt will be
made toanswerallof the material received, there is no explicitor implied guarantee that
an answer will be provided or published. Except for specific requests for the return of
original documents and photos, all material submitted will become property of The 44lh
B o m b Group Veterans Association, Inc.
Due to space limitations and to ensure the clarity and brevity of submitted m
Publisher/Editor reserves the editorial license to add, cut or otherwise modify all
submitted material so long as the original context of the material is maintained.
11
�T h e 2 n d A D I V Annual Southern California Regional Reunion
February 2 4 , 1 9 3 6
Your President and wife, Lolly, were pleased to joinincredible success in the movie industry with such
with eight other 8-Ballers at the El Torn MCAS for movies as Marty, Strategic Air Command and
the 15th of these annual affairs. Most impressive
Gathering of Eagles, shot at Beale AFB, California.
was the Julian Ertz family. Along with Julian was wife
His talk was rewarded by a standing ovation.
Paula, daughters Beth, Jill, Bera and husband Don
Bordoni, and son Scott. With Beth doing vocals and Another highlight for your Prez was the attendance
Jill on piano, they were one of the highlights of the of Ed "Casey" Jarvis (506th) and his lovely wife,
Helen. Casey was pilot of the sister crew to our (Bill
program. The featured speaker was former 467th
Smith) crew (OTU'ed together, sailed over on the He
BG pilot and post-war Academy Award winning
de France, etc.). We hadn't seen one another for 51
Producer/Director (Marty) Delbert Mann. Del,
years! Casey and Helen will be joining us again in
accompanied by his lovely wife Ann, gave a
beautifully described account of his training and St. Louis.
combat experience. He then moved onto his
44th'ers at the 2nd ADIV So. California Regional Reunion.
Back Row L to R- Norm Tillner, Roy Owen, Casey Jarvis, John
Milliken. Front Row L to R- Will Lundy, Julian Ertz, Jay Spencer,
John Gately, Mort Weinstein.
Roy & Lolly with Helen iff Casey Jarvis.
Del and Ann Mann
with the Prez.
12
•
�BEATING THE BUSHES
by Art Hand & Will Lundy
LAURENCE
(LARRY) BLITZ, LT.: 76 Dresden Circle, Goshen,
Connecucut06756.67th Sq.NavigatorforSwartz& Monroe. Arrived
Feb. '45.
STILL FINDING 44TH COMRADES
Refer again, if you will to the article "Search-Roster-Mail WILBUR G. BENJAMIN: Box 1794, Estes Park, Colorado 80517
(303) 586-6750. 68th Sq. Navigator on Gildart's crew. Completed
List."
his tour 12 June '44.
Would you believe we are still getting letters CARL
fromA. former
HAMM: 2248 HoneysuckleLane, Sumpter, South Carolina
44th folks who, one way or the other, have just recently 29150 (803) 469-0246. Carl was with us at Barksdale Field, L A in '42.
discovered the existence of any kind of 44th organization
and are eager to join. That, along with the magnificent STANLEY J. GERASIMCZYK: 105-01 Sutter Avenue, Ozone Park,
work Art Hand does with his CD-ROM telephone directory, NewYorkll417 (718) 641-3263. 66th Sq. Bombardier on Lt.Hofhz
crew. Sept. '44/Mar '45.
we are keeping well ahead of our attrition. Time is
marching on and we want tofindthose 44th comrades FRANK PECHACEKJ 15614 Gypsy Street, Corpus Christi, Texas
who still are missing the reunion visits and on-going 78418-6455. 68thSq. Navigatoron Comstock's crew. Arrived in Feb.
friendships we enjoy within the 44th family. What we '45.
need here is some "recruiting" help. Would you believe
CLIFFORD D. POWELL: Box 625, Thompson Falls, Montana
there are (at present) nearly 2,000 former 44th folks 59873. 506th Sq. Gunner on Lt. Lucas' crew. Arrived in Feb '44.
who are very much alive and who have never belonged
to a 44th association of any kind. Art is Finding these BRIAN J. MCKENNA: 190 Buttrick Avenue, Bronx, New York
10465. Associate member - Uncle was James P. McKenna. Lost on 6
people and now we want to appoint some volunteers
Aug '44.
from each state who Art can depend upon to make
contact with these former 44th veterans. Once Art
DAVIDE. SAYLER: 31462 Waltham Drive, Birmingham, Missouri
provides the name, address and phone number, etc., 48025 (810) 646-1458 . 506th Sq. Lead Pilot Arrived Jan '44.
could you help us bring these "lost ones" into the 44th
SAMUEL H. UPTON: P.O. Box 71833, Las Vegas, Nevada 89170
family? Contact Art Hand and give us a hand.
(702) 893-1093. Lt. Lipton transferred from 68th to 66th Sq. Nov.
'44. Photo Interpreter and Radar Officer.
Editor: Beginning with the last issue, we started this
section as sort of a balance for the Folded Wings section
JOHNR. WALSH: 134 NW4th Street, High Springs, Florida 33643.
to introduce you to the comrades we are Finding, as well
68th Sq. Bombardier for Lt. Hamlyn crew. Arrived in time to make
the Sept. 43 trip to Africa; wounded on 2/25/44.
as those to whom we sayfarewell. The amazing numbers
are those many 44thers out there that Art is Finding
FRANKB. SNEFF: P.O. Box 3994, Santa Susana, California 93093
month after month. Here is a breakdown:
Was Radar Navigator for lead crew pilot, Capt. Armstrong.
3,550 in the computer counting deceased St mail
EDWARD R. HARRELL: Route #3, Box 16, Selmer, Tennessee
returned.
38375. Edward was accidentally dropped from an older roster. Was
611 of these are deceased.
contacted again, and will join again.
231 are mail returned.
2,708 are living and on the mailing list.
ORVLLLEP. BALL: 2520 North Island Drive, Shelton, Washington
147 Life Members
98584-9403. Orville located the 2nd A D A and Pete Henry gave us
his address.
6 Widows
1 Honorary
WARRENIGLES, JR.: 1711 Methodist St., Carlyle, Illinois 622
4 Associates
(618) 594-4302. This is Warren's son who gave m e the sad news that
2 Complimentary
his Dad passed away back in 1956. Warren married a Scottish girl.
864 Total Membership
DAVID A. GIORDANO: 7402 Weather Worn Way, Columbia,
Maryland 21046. Tony Mastradone has spent so m u c h time at the
SEARCH REPORT: Last two years: 1,263 total searches.
Archives that he converted one of his contacts there. A n Associate
170 located using phone disks.
- Welcome!
Last six months: 162 searches
39 located.
NEWMEMBERS:
4969 Jos. W . Keebortz 444 Cardinal Avenue
24 located, deceased.
Harrodsburg, Kentucky 40330-2149
65 have not replied.
4971 Robert Hensler
2032 Pleasant Street
South Bend, Indiana 46615
4972 Jeanne B. Chelsea 4112 East 30th Street
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74114
(Widow of Ray Ciesielski)
JOSEPH A. SALHANEY: 732 Cortez Avenue, Lady Lake, Florida 4973 Mrs. Dee Walters Rt. 1 Box 389
Osage Beach, Missouri 65065
32159 (904) 753-3715. 67th Sq. Waist Gunner on Lt. Wards. Arrived
(Sister of Ray Ciesielski mid-1944.
See Folded Wings)
ELLIS R. SEATON: 209 South Grant, Clinton, Illinois 61727
(217)935-6019. 67th Sq. Gunner for Capt. Orthman. From 492nd
B G August '44.
13
�WILL SEZ
use. These types of things m a k e our history c o m e to
life for anyone wanting to learn more about us. So
again, all you 44thers, try to remember m y pleas for
each of you to search your records, if you have any,
or try to recall any events which still remain clear to
you today. Please get these things recorded in any
way convenient, writing, typing, tapes or videos and
Art Hand continues to do a fantastic job of locatingsend them to m e . I cannot do m y work as a historian
properly if I can't get your input. S o again, h o w
m a n y more of our long "lost" friends and buddies, as
about it!!!
you will see elsewhere in this edition. It is sad to
learn that so m a n y have not been found in time, and
I must also tell you that a good friend and former
are n o w listed in the "Folded Wings" section.
C O . of the 66th Squadron, Charles Hughes,
donated nearly all of his official 66th Squadron
Tony and Cathy Mastradone continue to haunt the
Archives, but n o w the Archives have been relocated
records covering the last six months of the war! Also,
he had m a n y great photos which I have n o w added
much closer to their home. This n e w huge complex
to our 44th B G albums. Best of all, he had obtained
is only about five miles from Lanham, but during the
heavy snows earlier this year, it took them nearly two a file covering the Ploesti mission, from the planning
phase through the actual event...some 150 pages,
hours to get home. Thanks to Tony's persistence
including a listing of (nearly) all the n a m e s of m e n
and cooperation, he has become good friends with
w h o participated. Charles obtained this package at a
several of the workers. In fact, one of them has
meeting of all Ploesti P O W Veterans, a copy
become so interested in Tony's efforts, that he has
become an Associate M e m b e r of our 44th BGVA!!
supplied to each m a n attending. This work w a s
Perhaps w e can get the Mastradones to write an
compiled in 1945 and is great due to the fact that our
article about their efforts in locating more of our
entire mission folder for that mission by the 44th is
historical records.
missing from the Archives! It is helping to partially fill
a big void.
Let me again remind you that you can contribute to
the "gravy" of our heritage by continuing to send in
Remember...keep those cards and letters coming.
your stories about your time with the 44th - be it
during World W a r II or up to the present time. SevWill Lundy
eral of you have been good enough to permit m e to
copy your diaries lately, adding to the 44th B G
records. T w o of these diaries were rather extensive
and compiled by ground personnel. Both Ray
Marner and Ted Morgenthaller have enriched our
records with their day to day work and experiences,
both on and off the base. To m e this is priceless, as
it gives m e records and events not included in the
official papers normally microfilmed. Norm Kiefer
utilized s o m e of Ray's diaries in his "Green Nosed
Flying Eightballs" of course; but there is so much
more in it about attacks on the field, or near it, dates
and times that can be very useful for anyone wanting to learn more about daily routines on the base
over two and a half years. Ted, too, has recorded
many events which I had forgotten. H e even has his
daily schedule of train arrivals to and from Thuxton,
Herb Light with Will Lundy in San Antonio. Herb was Bombardier on
the Reg Phillips crew flying Lemon Drop on the Ploesti Mission. One of
as well as various trips on passes, etc. I a m very
our "old timers" he joined the 68th on 8/3/42 finished his tour 8/22/
happy to get them and hope to put them to good
By the time that you read this, it will have been a
long time after Christmas; but, please permit m e to
thank you sincerely for your many Christmas cards
and good wishes. They were appreciated, though I
failed to answer several. Please forgive m e for not
getting back to you.
43. Credited with destroying one FW190. He's a "Senior Beach Boy" now
living in Laguna Beach, CA.
14
�66th Squadron from C. Hughes' files.
Station Headquarters
44th Bombardment Group (H) A A F
AAF115
A P 0 558
A/JHG/15
20 June 1944
SUBJECT: Relief of Combat Crews.
TO: Commanding Officers, 66th, 67th, 68th, 506th Bomb Sq.
1. Your attention is invited to teletype 2BD U-764-B.
2. a. It is anticipated that combat crews can be relieved upon completion of 30 to 35 missions until
flow of replacements operates sufficiently smooth to effect relief at 30 missions.
b. All missions flown between 0001 hours 6 June 1944 and 0001 hours 18 June 1944, are classified
as tactical missions. While sortie credits will be given for these missions, relief from combat will
be based on strategic missions flown. Each tactical mission overfive(5) flown between dates
indicated, will be credited towards completion of tour.
c. It will be necessary in some instances to fly crew members for as many as 35 missions before
relief can be effected. It is not contemplated, however, to fly any crew m e m b e r beyond 30
strategic missions.
d. If flow of replacements is sufficient to maintain minimum crew strength for this group, all
missions performed between 6th and 18th of June will be given full credit towards completion of
an operational tour.
e. Commanders will scrutinize all members of combat crews flying over 30 missions for evidence
of flying fatigue. In such instances, relief from combat will be effected regardless of type of
missions flown.
f. Priority for relief from combat among m e n having equal number of sortie credits will be given to
m e n w h o have been in this theater the longest.
3. It is desired that the policy outlined above be disseminated to all combat crew members of your
command. Emphasis will be placed upon the importance of the present campaign; the desirability
and necessity for maintaining full combat strength and effectiveness at this time, and the difficulty in
securing sufficient replacements during stepped-up operations.
John H. Gibson
Colonel, Air Corps,
Commanding.
15
�66th Squadron from C. Hughes'files(Continued):
* 66th Squadron
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16
�urn mm it GROUP VETERANS
ASSOCLA TLOr\ ROARD
FOLDED WINGS
Allen, John W .
04/20/95
Alvarez, Rafael C.
Unk
Anderson, Ned
11/10/95
Beiber, George
05/23/95
Boyette, Donald
Unk
Bumbicka, Jos. "Boogie" 11/30/95
Cervallera, Samuel M .
Unk
Cicon, Michael J.
02/96
Ciesielski, Ray
'80
*name changed to Chelsea
Cuddeback, Roger E.
2/96
Curry, T o m P.
Unk
Dolan, William
11/10/95
Eichensehr, Walter H.
03/95
Faust, Harold G. Eng Off 12/11/95
Gilliland, J.A.
Unk
Hedinger, Herbert A.
09/28/95
Holbrook, Charles
Unk
Hornberger, W m . H.
06/16/93
Igles, Warren
'56
Jenkins, Harry W .
02/09/96
Kerry, Ronald L.
Unk
Marinos, Jack, M/Sgt.
'95
Miller, Carl
10/01/95
02/04/96
Nugent, George
Patrichuck, Andrew E.
'89
02/21/96
Piatt, Lawrence J.
Ramsey, George K
02/09/96
Rausch, William H.
11/28/94
Ray, Joe
Unk
08/25/95
Smith, Kenneth R.
Unk
Tarzia, Michael
10/04/95
Welsh, Dr. Maurice
Unk
Whitlock, DoyV.
506th
68th
68th
506th
68th
506th
Unk
66th
506th
66th
68th
68th
506th
66th
67th
68/506
66th
68th
Unk
66th
67th
506th
506th
67/506
506th
68th
506th
66/68
Unk
68th
68th
68th
506th
The following FoldedWings were on the
crew (506th):
Robert F. Lucas
Capella, Bernard J. Navigator
Kirchner, Donald E., Bombardier
Bass, John F., Flight Engineer
Hammer, Lloyd W . L W Gunner
DuBail, Arthur W.,B Gunner
Luther, Ernest C , Tail Gunner
Waska, Charles D.,Co-Pilot
'90
Unk
Unk
Unk
Unk
Unk
Unk
This is a partial list of our deceased 44th comrades. We
will continue to catch up [he
on list with each issue, as
well as list new Folded Wings
President: Roy W. Owen (506th)
6304 Meadowridge Drive
Santa Rosa, California 95409
Phone: (707) 538-4726 Fax: (707) 5381 2 1 2
Vice President: James H. Clements (506th)
4124 Calculus Avenue
Dallas, Texas 75244
Phone/Fax: (2 1 4) 243-4657
Secretary: Edward M. Dobson (67th)
1 18 South l 5th Avenue, # l
Bozeman, Montana 597 15-4130
Phone/Fax: (406) 587-2490
Treasurer: Gerald (Jerry) Folsom (506th)
954 Lowell Avenue
Salt Lake City, Utah 84 1 02-3620
Phone: (80 1) 359-6 1 59 Fax: (80 1) 533-8747
Office Historian: C.W. "Will" Lundy
3295 North "H" Street
San Bernardino, California 92405-2809
Phone/Fax: (909) 882-244 1
44th Group Vice President to 2nd ADA:
Richard D.Butler
1 6494 Wagon Wheel Drive
Riverside, California 92506
Phone: (909) 780-742 1 Fax: (909) 7801 459
Director: Edw. K. "Mike" Mikoloski (66th)
626 Smithfield Road #702
N. Providence, Rhode Island 02 904
Phone: (40 1) 3 5 3 0 1 44
Director: Robert 1. "Bob" Brown (67th)
#8MetairieCourt
San Ramon, California 94583-3824
Phone: (5 1 0) 828-4529 Fax: (5 1 0) 8281 55 1
Director: Robert J. Lehnhausen (68th)
709 West Meadows Place
Peoria, Illinois 6 1 604-3447
Phone/Fax: (309) 685-2490
Director: Sherman N. "Bud" Dowett (506th)
14550 Wolf Road
Grass Valley, California 95949
Phone/Fax: (916) 268-1019
Director: Melvin G. Trager (HQ Sq.)
2522 Red Oak Trail
Crest Hill, Illinois 60435-3 1 97
Phone: (8 I 5) 725-3439
�MISCELLANIA
A RED FACE OVER "CORKY"
BACK ISSUES - 8-BALL TAILS
Your President/Editor is obviously not a Journalism
We have a limited supply of all four back issue
major, just a rookie doing his best. I would wager,
The 8-Ball Tails. They will cost you $1 for #1 and
however, that one of the elements of Journalism
$2/each for #2, 3 and 4, plus $ 3 (2nd day) for all
101 is always get the n a m e of a person spelled
four or $ 1.10 postage each individually.
correctly. I really try hard at that, and in spite of the
typo errors you occasionally see, I proofread 'till
I'm blue in the face. Last issue, in fact, I proofread
the "Corky" article with such intensity that I
overlooked the omission of the author's n a m e at
the heading, not a misspelling, I m e a n the whole
n a m e ! I've had a big time case of the red face
Through the good efforts of our Treasurer, the
since. I've m a d e m y apologies to Doctor Robert
B G V A is the owner of one of the 1,000 autographed
"Bob" Reid and a m extending it to our m e m b e r s
lithograph copies of the renowned aviation artist
herewith. Bob, as he prefers to be called, is a 42Robert Taylor painting, "Welcome Sight" which
year old Physician of Nuclear Medicine w h o resides
depicts the return of several 44th B o m b Group Bin London, Ontario, Canada. Since his acquisition
2 4 Liberators from a combat mission on a course
of the original "Welcome Sight" painting and the
taking them over the famous Ely Cathedral. The
resulting quest to Find the crew and the full story of
cathedral was a welcome landmark to the returning
"Corky," Bob has b e c o m e a staunch m e m b e r of the
combat weary crews. The n e w acquisition will be
44th BGVA. For him, the story you read in the last
featured in the 44th B o m b Group display case in
issue is far from being Finished. The search of the
the n e w Mighty Eighth Air Force M u s e u m in
crash site and the fate of the crew is an on-going
Savannah, Georgia sometime in 1997.
quest. Bob returned once more to Dortmand to be
there January 2 8 (the Anniversary of "Corky's" last
Since the distribution of our Winter issue of T
flight.) He has found eye witnesses and ofFicial
Ball Tails featuring "Welcome Sight" on its cover,
documents which bring the factual fate of a downed
w e have had a number of requests asking where
crew never before revealed with such clarity. This
one could obtain one of the 1,000 copies of this
from an amazing m a n whose odyssey began with
beautiful painting. Unfortunately (not for the gallery
the purchase of a piece of art depicting a part of the
with the marketing contract), the entire 1,000
World War II Air War over Europe. The next chapter
have been sold. At this point, they are only to be
of the "Corky" story is in being and will be included
obtained on the secondary market which is very
in the S u m m e r issue of 8-Ball Tails. Stay tuned.
tight. Apparently there were very few speculative
buyers in the initial release. In other words, those
w h o bought intended to keep.
o o o
MORE ABOUT "WELCOME SIGHT"
o o o
During our trip to attend the 2nd ADIV Southern
IF YOU LIKE YOUR 8-BALL TAILS California Reunion, Lolly and I visited the Virginia
Bader Gallery in Costa Mesa, California w h o
marketed the original issue. She informed m e that
If you have a red spot on your address label, we
a very few are available at a market price of about
don't have your '96 dues or Life Membership as
$400. The gallery is located at: The Countryside
of March 1, 1996. Your membership became
Center, 355 Bristol Street, Costa Mesa, California;
inactive on April 1, 1996. This will be your LAST
phone (800) 328-5826; fax (714) 662-3760.
ISSUE of the 8-BaIl Tails.
o o o
Please renew by June 1.
W e don't want to lose you!
•
�M
V
»
issouri Waltz
V
eet Wle In St Louis
so you don t
sing the
»
St Louis I]lues
�44TH BOMB GROUP VETERANS ASSOCIATION
1996 REUNION - October 3 - 7,1996
Holiday Inn Westport
St. Louis, Missouri
REGISTRATION F O R M
SQ # (one only)
SPOUSE
FIRST, (name tag).
LAST NAME
ADDRESS _
CITY
GUESTS _
GUESTS
PHONE # ( .
ZIP
STATE
RELATION
TOTAL TO ATTEND
Q
•
•
•
Option # I
Option # 2
Option # 3
Option # 4
Full Reunion
Thurs, Fri (Sq. Dinner, Sat (Banquet)
Sat (Banquet), Sun (Buffet), Mon (Breakfast)
Saturday Banquet and Dance only
$110.00 per person:
$70.00 per person:
$80.00 per person:
$35.00 per person;
NOJ
NOJ
NOJ
NOJ
J
$
$
$
$13.00 per person: NOJ
St. Louis 8:30-12:30 Friday
$13.00 per person: NOJ
Grant's Farm 1:00-4:30 Friday
Total.
(Please check your arithmetic.)
Meat Selection (Banquet only) O Beef
• Chicken
Sunday Champagne Brunch at Casino St. Charles @ 12:00. I would like to go?• Yes or Q
Q
G
Tour#l:
Tour #2:
$
$
No
How many?
REGISTRATIONS M U S T BE RECEIVED BY SEPTEMBER 16,1996. N O REGISTRATIONS W I L L BE PROCESSED AFTER THAT DATE.
••••NO SHOWS FULL REFUND****
M A I L TO: Jim Clements • 4124 Calculus
Dallas, T X 75244-7311
<v
44TH BOMB GROUP VETERANS ASSOCIATION
1996 REUNION OCTOBER 3-7,1996
Cut on line!
HOTEL RESERVATION F O R M
PHONE# (
FIRST
LAST NAME
STATE
CITY
ADDRESS
# IN ROOM
# OF NIGHT*
•
SHARING ROOM W/
nFPARTIIRFnATF
. ARRIVAL DATE
SMOKING
Q
ZIP
•
NONSMOKING
KING G
2DBL
Check in time is 3:00 p.m.; Check out Noon. Rate: $69 (up to two in room) + Tax 13.224%
CUT OFF DATE: September 9,1996. Reservations received after this date will be processed on a space available basis. Rates are firm for days before
and after reunion.
CANCELLATION:^^ refundable if cancellation is received 48 hours in advance of arrival. Record your cancellation number. Call (314) 434-0100.
TO'CONFIRM YOUR RESERVATION, INCLUDE'FIRST NIGHT'S DEPOSIlB)'CHECKPAYABLETOHOLIDAY INN WESTPORT, OR MAJOR CREDIT CARD INFORMATION.
SIGNATURE
AMOUNT
CREDIT CARD #
< & J
DATE
TYPE
EXP. DATE
Mail to: Holiday Inn W e s t p o r t • 1973 Craigshire • S t Louis, M O 63146
Airport Limousine Available: Call from courtesy phone in lobby.
CHECK # _
�1996 44th BOMB GROUP VETERANS ASSOCIATION
(£2^ REUNION NOTES
It is absolutely imperative that registrations be received by September 16, 1996. No registrations will be processed after that
If there Is some question about being able to attend, send your registration In anyway as all no shows will be refunded. If, however,
you have sent your registration In earlier and lt become apparent you will not be able to attend, please let us k n o w as soon as
possible, so w e oan keep our numbers straight with the hotel.
The options listed on the Reunion Registration Form are designed to make your schedule more suitable and equitable. There can be
no deviations.
The Registration Desk will be open Friday at noon for those arriving on Option #2. For those that selected Option #3, the Regist
Desk will be open from 11:30 to 1:00 Saturday to pick up Registration Envelopes. The Registration Desk will again be open at 9:30
Saturday for those amending on Option #4, at which time late arrivals on Option #3 m a y get their tickets. Please double check your
registration before sending it to ensure you are paying the correct amount.
There will be a large Bulletin Board in the lobby that will have complete information regarding the events of the reunion. Most
questions you might have will be answered on the board. Dress Code: Informal, except Banquet night. Jackets and ties for the
gentlemen and dressy attire for the ladles.
Tour 01: See St. Louis.
For those of you that have not visited St. Louis recently or never have, this tour will give you a chance to become familiar with
The Gateway to the West.
A stop at the Cathedral of St. Louis is inoluded. The Interior contains one of the largest and most beautiful displays of mosaic
In the Western Hemisphere - covering domed ceilings, numerous arches and wall panels.
A narrated tour will acquaint you with the city's downtown/civic area. You'll learn both past and present history of Laclede's
Landing and the historic riverfront.
A stop for picture taking will be made at the magnificent Gateway Arch.
Other interesting sights of the city will be Included as time permits.
Metrolink
For those of you that would like to enjoy some of the other points of Interest, the Metrolink is highly recommended. It will get
you to your destination quicker than you can drive in your car, and with no parking worries. The Hotel will furnish Limo service
to and from the airport Main Station. Fare to any station on the route Is onlyfiftycents. There will be a m a p of the routes on
the Bulletin with all the information you will need to make your trip a success.
TOUS #2: QUANT'S FARM
Located on the estate of the late August Busch, Jr., Grant's Farm is one of the most popular attractions in St. Louis. Built on land
once farmed by Ulysses S. Grant, lt n o w has a miniature zoo, bird and animal shows, a collection of horsedrawn carriages and a
trophy room. Ride through the game preserve on a trackless train where you will see the various animals and a log cabin built
by Grant In 18S4. A visit to the Clydesdale stallion barn is a highlight of this attraction.
Enjoy a lunch or snack on your own In the Bauernhof Courtyard.
Tour No. 1 and Sore so times that you will be able to enjoy both of them; even if it shghtly delays your lunch until approximately 1:30 at the Bauernhof Courtyard at Grant's Farm.
HISTOBTCST, PTTA1T-F*
Founded in 1769 lt Is the oldest city of the Missouri River and was Missouri's first State Capitol. M a n y craft, antique and
speciality gift shops line the cobblestone streets. There are wine gardens of the small Missouri's wineries.
The day we will be there St. Charles will be celebrating Oktoberfest. Oktoberfest Is a citywide celebration of St. Charles' Germa
heritage, featuring a parade, G e r m a n bands, grape stomps, ethnic food, costumes and enjoyment. There will be a free shuttle bus
making the rounds of the activities.
Shuttle buses will start loading at the hotel on Saturday at 1:00, and the last one will leave St. Charles from a designated loca
at 4:30. However, any one can return at any time on our buses.
CASINO ST. CHARLES
On Sundays the Casino features a lavish Champagne Brunch of more than twenty selections of palatable foods for $8.98 (with
discount coupon). There will be free admission to the casino after brunch.
The bus from the Casino will pick up those wishing to go at 12:00, returning at 3:00. As the bug.to being furnished at no charge,
ittonecessary w e have reservations before hand. Therefore, on your registration form, please check the appropriate place.
�44TH BOMB GROUP VETERANS
ASSOCIATION
1996 REUNIOI
HOLIDAY INN WESTPORT
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Kegistration all day.
1'2.-00Mospitallty Koom opens.
4:00 to 5:00 Keception Ballroom.
'Dinner on your own.
8:30 - 12:00 Zour #/. See St. Coin's
10:00Mospitallty Koom opens.
12=30 - 4:00 Zour #2. grants farm
6-.00 Squadron Dinners - ballroom
(Koom assignments to be announced).
9:30 -11:30 general business Meeting
12:00Mospitallty Koom.
1.00 Shuttle buses to St. Charles
4:30 Cast bus returns to hotel
6:00 banquet: Color guards and candle lighting
8:00 - 1 hOO Dance with Air Rational Quard Band
October 6. Sunday
10:00Mospitallty Koom opens.
6:30 Buffet Ballroom - entertainment to follow
October 7, Monday 7.-30 -10.00 farewell Buffet Breakfast in Ballroom.
yu»»»»»»&
�We're looking for memories of
James McKenna...
KEEPING US INFORMED
If you hear of a 44th'er that does not belong to our
Editor: This comes to us from Tom McKenna who, with his
Association, or has passed away, please notify:
son Chris joined us in San Antonio seeking anyone who could
Art Hand
remember his brother, Jim, 66th Pilot, KIA over Hamburg
517 Elm Street
August 6, 1944. We are printing this in hopes that among those
Paris, Illinois 61994.
unable to join us at the reunion, we may get some response from
those who knew Jim McKenna. I'm sure Tom and Chris didn't
Phone/Tax: (217) 463-5905.
reach all the people at the Reunion who may have known some
or all of the 66th Squadron Jim McKenna crew. If you
remember them, get in touch with Tom.
Change of address, please notify:
Tom Shepherd
10597 Cambrooke Cove
Collierville, Tennessee 38017.
Phone: (901) 854-6558
Fax: (901) 853-4229
Letter from Tom McKenna (Brother of James McKenna)
February 2,1996
NOTICE:
If you have a fax or an E-Mail address, drop Art a
note so he can put it in the Roster.
o o o
Will:
I enclose 19 typewritten pages from the Graves Registration
Dept. of the U S Gov't in regards to the death of m y brother, Jim.
A s well as the missing members of his crew - Byrne, Goo, Greno
and Sheldon, I thought you would find this of interest (Very
m u c h so!)
I enclose photos of Jim, his co-pilot Grene and Stanley Sheldo
I have been unable to locate a photo of W m . G o o thus far; but I
will keep trying. I thought you would like to see what the
people looked like that were involved in the tragedy.
44TH BGVA ROSTERS
It took
over 50 years to learn what happened to my brother, Jim
For you late joiners and short memoried long
time
It seems incredible to m e that the U S Gov't knew all along, but
members, we want to remind you that our
did not release this information until required to do so under
membership rosters are still available from Art
F.O.I. 50 years after the fact. In addition, to h o w m y brother
Hand for $7 postpaid. It is a wonderful way to keep died was not contained in his o w n individual deceased
track of your crew and other squadron friends and personnel file!! It was contained in the I.D.P.F. of Capt. Austin
P. Byrne!!
it is kept up-to-date with addenda published
regularly.
Chris and I enjoyed our visit to San Antonio. I believe this is
Send a check made out to 44th BGVA to our
Treasurer (please note ROSTER) in the lower left
corner of your check. Mail your order to:
Gerald W. Folsom, Treasurer
44th BGVA
P.O. Box 2367
Salt Lake City, Utah 84110-2367
where Jim did his training to be a pilot. W e went to several
bases while in the San Antonio area and I recognized one base
from the photos Jim sent h o m e while in training. O n the w a y
back h o m e from San Antonio, Chris pointed out that Percy
Gaudin was in Bay St. Louie, M S on 1-10 and that w e would
pass his h o m e on our return trip. W e , therefore, went in to see
him. H e was delighted. W e talked for four hours.
Unfortunately, he is blind from lack of Vitamin A while in the
P O W camps. I was so pleased to see him after 50 years, as he
had visited our h o m e in May, 1945 for one day after his release
from P O W camp. Therefore, even though I met no one at the
San Antonio Reunion that knew Jim, your membership book for
the 44th B G V A made it possible for us to locate and visit Percy
Gaudin.
The 2nd AD and the 44th BGVA are great organizations,
wonderful people making up both groups. I had to do a report
for m y local 8th Air Force Historical Association in regards to
m y trip to England for V-E Day. I was told it was pretty good,
so I a m sending you a copy. I think the enclosed is sufficient for
the time being. I have more info for you, but unfortunately m y
work does not leave too m u c h spare time. I will write again
w h e n I get a chance.
Tom McKenna (r) with Percy Gaudin, Tail Gunner on the Lt.
Jim McKenna crew - shot down over Hamburg, Germany
Aug. 6, 1944. POW until 5/45.
19
Best regards to you and Irene,
Tom
190 Buttrich Avenue
Bronx, N Y 10465
�We're looking for memories of
James McKenna... (Continued):
Editor: This is reprinted from the December '95 issue of the New
York Southern Wing Chapter of the Eighth Air Force Historical
Society "Voice of the Mighty Eighth in N. Y."
A Brother Returns to East Anglia
Over fifty years had gone by since the death of my
brother on August 6, 1944. Lt James P. McKenna was a
pilot of a B-24 Liberator, who was killed on a mission over
Hamburg, Germany. H e was a member of the 44th B o m b
Group, 66th B o m b Squadron. H e was flying deputy lead
for the 492nd BG, and as a Pathfinder, had special
equipment in the event of clouds over the target The
target was the Schlau Oil Refinery. Almost immediately
after the bombs were dropped, the ship was hit by three or
four antiaircraft shells. H e managed to pull it out of two
separate dives. During this time, ten chutes of a crew of
twelve, were seen leaving the plane. The ship then went
into a tight spin and crashed near the target area. It was
12:10 PM, English time. This was Jim's twenty sixth and
final mission.
I had always wanted to see the base where Jim was
stationed, and meet some of the m e n he served with. All
we ever learned from his letters, was that he was
"Somewhere in England." W h e n the opportunity came
about (through the Second Air Division ) to attend the V E
Day celebration in England, we jumped at the chance. The
experience far exceeded our greatest expectations. M y son
Brian and I flew to London. From there we traveled by bus
to The Nelson Hotel in Norwich. There was a planned
activity most every day. W e had the honor of meeting some
people from the 44th B G and visited the base at
Shipdham. Standing at the air base where Jim was
stationed was awesome. This was the "Somewhere in
England," that Jim had written aboutfiftyyears ago.
W e met with the group from the Arrow Air Service
which has a flying club at the base. Our tour group was
headed by Will Lundy of the 44th BG. W e wish commend
Lt. James McKenna, freshly commissioned from
Aviation Cadets and home on leave, Oct. '45.
him for his excellent work. W e were given a luncheon at
the Club and then the tour group went to a reception at the
town of Shipdham. W e took part in their Memorial
celebration; we could not have been treated better.
There was a service at the Norwich Cathedral which wa
most impressive. However, during the service, the recorded
sound of bombers taking off from East Anglia for their
missions over Europe, resounded throughout the
Cathedral. W h e n I realized that one of these planes could
have been my brother Jim's plane, taking off on the final
mission, it brought a lump to m y throat and shivers up my
spine. I saw some in the Cathedral with tears in their eyes
for the memories of those that never returned.
We visited the 2AD Memorial Library in Norwich. We we
quite impressed with die records that were available to us
and with the graciousness of the staff. In spite of a
devastatingfireto the Library in August of 1994, this
temporary alternative has done a marvelous jobfillingthe
void. The Roll of Honor has been replaced and the records
of all the b o m b groups are available for inspection. A larger
and more beautiful library will arise from the ashes.
We attended a memorial at Maddingly Cemetery in
Cambridge. This was by far the most touching and
emotional experience of our visit to England. T o see all
those names of the m e n missing in action from this terrible
conflict touched a nerve of remembrance, as Jim was M.I.A.
for three years after World War II.
20
This trip was by far the best experience I have ever
There is so much to see in England, and the English people
could not have been more gracious or welcoming. It
became quite apparent during this trip, that they are much
more aware, and appreciative, of the sacrifices made by the
m e n of the Eighth Air Force, than we are in America.
�In the past two issues of 8-Ball Tails, there have been
letters and photos relating to the bombing attack made on
the field. I personally had a story to tell about it - may
appear elsewhere in this issue, but while at San Antonio
Reunion, I was given yet another story, clarifying a couple
items appearing in these accounts.
David Nathanson, who served first as the 67th Squadron's
Ordnance Officer and the later Group Ordnance Officer,
flagged me down to give me a copy of photos of the actual
Butterfly bomb (hope that they will reproduce sufficiently
for use here) as well as the unit that they used to detonate
those bombs when located.
David also hastened to correct the method used to locate
these nasty little antipersonnel bombs. The method used
to locate them was by his personnel, not animals. It took
three sweeps by his men fanned out a few feet apart,
slowly working the entire area, one slow step at a time,
eyes glued to the space ahead of each man, being ever so
careful not to step on those devilish contraptions. David
said that it took three sweeps of the field before it could be
declared fit for operations again.
David's photos show a close-up of one bomb located, and
the second photo shows one method used (instrument
used) to detonate them. At least two others were later
located - one as told by Charles Wagner on Page 28 and
29, Summer 1995, and my own experience.
B»jv} ^^B
Thanks David for your information. Are there any others?
I M'' L 1 K *s
i*T"* *" v L
<
^HHHHI'mJIP Hi
Capt. Nathanson
�Here's a Follow-On Letter from "Corky"
Radio Operator, Lester J. "Jim" Dietz
Hi Roy,
In response to your request for a story connected to "Corky"; while there are vivid memories
incidents, I am sure many other crews had similar experiences and have better "war stories" to tell.
two which I do believe to be one of a kind.
I believe we were the first to land a heavy bomber in France after the invasion and fly it ou
structural damage to the tail section which caused it to vibrate violently. Aluminum parts were cr
control was difficult. We landed at afighterstrip at St. ho, stayed overnight as I recall and flew back
at Shipdham the next day after some repairs by the fighter maintenance crew. Thefighterpeople tried
us there as they felt we would be nailed by enemy groundfireas we took off. We took off without difficu
returned home to complete the bombing mission to an airfield at Nancy, France on 18 Aug. 1944.
The other unique and perhaps "first" happened on apass to London. These passes were utilized
by air crew and other soldiers. Some went to see historical points of interest and sought cultural e
However our crew, for the most part, had an affinity for gin and orange or whatever was available to do
Then there was the search for girls.
On one such foray, Steve Gilsenen and William Vafiadas made acquaintance with two charming la
after a prolonged drinking bout in a pub, decided to leave. Inasmuch as Steve's lady friend found it im
to stand, Steve picked her up and slung her over his shoulder and proceeded for the exit. As he wobbled
hair slid slowly off and hit thefloor,revealing a totally bald head. This was good for a lot of laughs a
of course, and though it has been 52 years, I can still see them laughing as they told the story. I wis
hear it again from them one more time.
Sincerely,
Jim Dietz
Ukiah, California
�A Great Response to the "Corky" Story
Jan. 15, 1996
Dear Will,
19January 1996
I feel compelled to drop you - and the Canadian
physician (Dr. Robert Reid)- a note to express m y
deep appreciation for the very fine and detailed
historical story in the Winter 1995 issue of the 8-Ball
Tails relative to the last mission of "Corky" and it's
crew.
Dear "Bob",
Your very fine letter just arrived here and it
impressed me so much that I feel I must answer it
right away. Thank you very much for including me in
your thanks for that long and interesting article by
This story served to answer perplexing questions
Dr. Robert Reid, even though I had very little to do
that have lingered in m y mind for all these long years
with it, except to provide some data from my
-- since January 28, 1945! Here's why - two of
papers. (The listing of crew, etc. on page 9 is from
"Corky's" air crew - Robert Lough (co-pilot) and
my Roll ofHonor Book.)
Wayne Scott (navigator) were "hut" mates of mine in
Hut 17. I recall that on this fatal date, when all the
guys were straggling back to the hut after evening
chow, that Lough and Scott were absent. I just had
the feeling that something was 'out of kilter' since
these two mates were usually back in the hut way
before bedtime. Then inquiries about their absence
began to produce vague bits of information - i.e.,
they went down over Germany. Some open chutes
were observed...how many: 1, 2, 3 - maybe? Were
there any survivors? If so, who? To these questions
the answers never came - until I read Dr. Reid's
story! What a relief to finally learn all the answers to
the questions that have been locked into m y mind for
so long!
I confess to the same perplexing questions that you
had about what happened to your friends on
Corwin's plane. Like you, these unanswered
questions and concerns, though suppressed, have
been with me ever since the war. When I retired, or
shortly before I retired in 1978,1 learned about the
2nd ADA's Memorial Library in Norwich, and in 1976
Irene and I went back to Norwich for a visit, and to
see the library and their Roll of
Honor. It was after seeing that
large book full ofnames of our
A,
men who were KIA that my old
^MuC/\
dV> questions came back to the front
Lough and Scott were sadly missed in Hut 17. They
* ™ r r < — _ x _ J burner. I have been searching for
were not only "Comrades in Arms" but also our main
source of night time entertainment! Often at night,
those answers ever since.
when we were all hovered around the tiny pot belly
stove trying to thaw out before hitting the sack,
Finally, about 1986,1 had accumulated sufficient
Lough and Scott would put on a little song and
information about nearly all of the 44th BG losses of
dance (follies style) routine for our enjoyment. They
planes and men, that I compiled a book with this
were pretty good at it...and, somewhat comical, for
information and had it published in a local printing
Lough was a giant of a guy who towered way above
firm. However, due to the expense that must be
Scott, who was of average build. W e called them our
"Mutt and Jeff" song and dance duo. Yes, they were
paid in advance, and because it covered so much
certainly missed in more ways than one by their
suffering and death, I had grave doubts ofit selling
hutmates. May God welcome them into his Kingdom
many copies. So I ordered only 150 books,
as they were welcomed into Hut 17!
hardbound. I guessed wrong, as they all sold within
a couple
Again, thanks to the author of the "Corky" story
and ofmonths. When I requested this firm to
honor their commitment, print more at the same
you for putting it into the current issue of 8-Ball
Tails. Now that all m y questions have been
cost to me, they refused; so I dropped it. I've been
answered, my mind is now at ease. Thank you for a
trying to find the time for the past three years to
grand job superbly done!
update the book - have found many more answers,
corrections,
etc. but can't get it done. Even bought a
Sincerely,
new computer, printer, scanner, software, but still
Lewis R. (Bob) Graham, Co-pilot on the Kent
no progress.
Ackerman Crew (68th)
275 Perry Smith Lane
Caryville, TN 37714
(423) 566-0536
23
�Sorry, got carried away there, but what I want to sayI searched in vain for years to locate the two
survivors from Corky in order to get the whole
is that I am, and have been, willing to share this info
story. Now, Dr. Bob Reid has gone me one better,
with everyone who is interested. I often make
got
much more information. He called me night
copies of these individual stories, sent them to
before last to tell me he was departing in a few da
crewmen, families, etc. Will do this until 1 get it all
for Germany because he located a historian in
revised and reprinted. As I was ground crew from
start to almost the finish, I personally saw all thoseGermany who has visited the crash site, has eyewitnesses, etc. He will have the true facts about
planes and crews go off, saw them return and
plane
and crew when he returns. He promised to
wondered about those that did not. When I learned
that all our men listed on that ROH had only their write up his trip when he returns. I hope to get i
a future newsletter.
name, rank and serial number to show for their
lives; that very little else was available anywhere
about what happened, I first tried to get someone If you don't mind, I'd like to submit your let
to do something to remedy that situation. Failing inRoy Owen for a future "Tails" as well, as you can
inform us all about the fine men who lost their li
that, I decided to dig in, look for the facts. Microfilm
that day. We must not forget them.
got me started, and then I couldn't stop - still can't.
I've donated some of those books to the Norwich
Library, recopied them when the library burned in Again, thank you.
Sincerely,
94, and a few are scattered around - like in the Air
Will Lundy
Force library, others in Norwich. Someday, I'll get a
3295
North
"H" Street
bigger and better one done, but not sure when.
San Bernardino, CA 92405
(909) 882-2441
So, if you have anymore questions about what
happened to men or planes of the 68 th - or the
44th, let me know and I'll give you all the
information that I have up to date. OK? I've tried to
get this info out to our people from time to time,
but most people still aren't aware that I have it.
Just this week I got final confirmation about a 492nd
BG plane which crashed six miles from the base. It
was brought to my attention by a man who thought
he observed a collision, watched in horror as the
plane turned over on its back, circled until it landed
on a house. The facts, just confirmed from papers in
the Archives by Tony Mastradone, state that two
planes loaded with bombs in late afternoon,
climbing for altitude at 17,000 feet were on a
collision course, both banked sharply and
apparently missed, but this one plane could not
right itself, nor regain any kind of control - (part of
wing reported broke off) and crashed and burned
with no crew member being able to get out. Fire
trucks from the base attempted to rescue the men
and extinguish the flames. Two of our firemen were
killed when one or more bombs exploded.
We have just added these two men to our official
ROH! Nearly 52years to get it done.
24
�E.J. McKcnncy (66th) writes to Mike Caroon
with some further word on his father, Ken Caroon.
October 13, 1995
Mike Caroon mf
4144 Durillo Place
Albany, O R 97321
m
g
Dear Mr. Caroon:
I saw your name in the letter to Will Lundy from George Insley that was published in the Summer 1995 issue
of 8-Ball Tails (Vol. 1 Issue #3, page 28).
Your father and I were on the same plane on the Weiner-Neustadt mission, October 1, 1943.1 was flying
right seat with Oakley in left. I was hit with a 2 0 m m cannon H E thru the windscreen o n the first pass of
109's between the IP and the target.
The plane was pretty badly damaged and some time later Oakley rang the bell signal to prepare to bail out.
heard later that two m e n in the waist bailed out at that signal. O n e of these was apparently your father. I had
gone to the open b o m b bay ready to roll out w h e n Oakley signaled m e back, thinking w e could m a k e it. H e
did not give the steady ring to abandon the plane.
We made it back to the Foggia area in Italy in about two more hours and crash landed in a grain field. Jam
Young, besides m e , was pretty badly wounded. I saw him later in a hospital in North Africa and he looked
like he was going to recover.
The British had taken the area about four days before and I was taken to a British field hospital in Foggi
That was m y 6th and last combat mission. Also your dad's.
I understand Oakley was killed in a later mission out of Shipdham. I believe my navigator, Franklin D. Pow
was with him. Franklin Power bailed out low and was a P O W for the rest of the war.
I was also told, I forgot by whom, that the 44th sent out 27 planes that morning for Weiner-Neustadt. Two
aborted. Only one plane got back to the base that evening. I don't know h o w m a n y diverted to other fields in
Italy or Sicily but it was a rough day for the 44th (7 lost).
I did not know your father personally, but we did fly on the same plane on Oct. 1, 1943 on that mission.
Another coincidence, the man you met in Roseburg, George Insley was the first pilot of a crew with waist
gunner Frank Bata. Frank was o n m y crew through phase training in the states and in England and North
Africa. After I was no longer able to fly, he was o n George Insley's crew. H e , like Insley, went through two
tours in the 44th. Frank speaks highly of Insley as a pilot. I a m still in touch with Frank, w h o lives in
Thatcher, Arizona.
Sincerely,
E. J. McKenney
1401 Eighth Avenue
Sacramento, C A 9 5 8 1 8
(916) 442-7945
25
»
�FIRST ( M E A T MISSION
Editor: It seemed appropriate that we follow the E.J. protection
McKenney as well as more defense against the fighters
guns shooting at thefighters.)W h e r e did they
letter, which praise the pilot skills of George Insley, with (More
George's
own account of thefirstcombat mission of the Insley crew. attack? Y o u guessed it! In m y corner, low left and last. So
you can see w h y they called it the "purple heart corner."
M y tail gunner, George Federlin, shot u p all of his
Primary: Danzig
a m m o and the waist gunner took m o r e a m m o to him.
Secondary: Gdynia (hit)
T h e fighters shot u p all of their a m m o and landed,
44th had 13 A / C
refueled, and reloaded and c a m e u p again to have
(44th had 6 A / C 392nd had 7 "H"s)
another go at us. I didn't see anyfightersgo down, nor
9 Oct 43
did w e lose any. T h o u g h I saw one engine with a little
G 870 N o N a m e
s m o k e from something damaged.
It was mid Aug, 1943 when we first arrived at the 44th
B o m b Group in Shipdham, England. W e were sent to About 50 miles west of Denmark, the fighters broke off
attacking, going back to their base. Suddenly I felt the
combat training for a couple of weeks and when we
returned, we found most of the group had gone to the ship yaw and I saw the fuel pressure of #4 drop to zero.
Africa area to do some missions with the 15th Air Force. I feathered #4 and called over the intercom about the
It was during their absence that we were sent on our 1st engine emergency. Just then #3 pressure dropped and
mission. Six new crewsjoined forces with anothergroup I feathered that one. T h e n #1 and 2 dropped off- sure
for our "baptism offire."The target in Poland, was the was quiet; but everyone was too busyscramblingas I rang
German (mission #110) battleship or its supply link. M y the emergency bell in preparation for ditching the
plane in the North Sea. T h e engineer dropped out of
position was low left and last in the "Purple Heart
Corner." It was a long mission. I recorded 9:50 hours of the top turret and into the b o m b bay to find the radio
operator there w h o just pointed at the fuel shut off
flight time.
valves and the engineer turned the valves on and we had
power again. W e were going d o w n at 2000' a minute and
The course tookus over the North Sea crossing Denmark
it looked like it was going to be a cold swim. W h a t
and flying over the sea to Poland. In Denmark, the
happened?
T h e engineer had been transferring fuel
antiaircraft gunners were waiting for us. They were
whenthefightersattacked.Aftertheyleftus, theengineer
putting up a wall for us to fly through. Everything was
new to us, the unknown and scary. As soon as I saw the asked the radio operator to shut off the transfer pumps,
flak, my feet were dancing on the rudder pedals and I which were behind the b o m b bay. Instead, he mistakenly
was all over the sky (Who me? Scared?) and yet trying to shut off the fuel shut off valves, which were in the front
stay in formation. The way I was flying, the fighters of the b o m b bay. Thankfully w e didn't have to try our life
couldn't have hit m e if they tried to, and they were going rafts. W e had lost several thousand feet of altitude, as
to try. Well, we flew through those black clouds and on well as distance; so w e never got back to England. That
was thefirstmission of the 48 that w e flew in the 20
to Poland. W e climbed up to our assigned altitude and
began our b o m b run. The flak was larger caliber, bigger months w e were in England. Glad that they weren't all
explosions, blacker smoke. It was right at our altitude. like this one.
They were putting itrightin front of me. The shell
exploded and we instantly hit the smoke, and what a George R. Insley
865 Little Valley Road
noise the explosions made. It was many missions after
this one before I heard flak again, though we had it on
Roseburg, O R 97470
every mission. Those gunners on the battleship were
Editor: The thoughts that strike me here, George, is wi
really top notch.
harrowing beginning, how did you ever convince your crew
to sign up for a second tour? Next, it seems to me with tha
We experienced our lstflak, 1st sound of flak explosions,
and 1stfighterattack, a running battle with twin engine big air to air battle that went on and the ammo expended b
both the bombers and E/A, it is a miracle there were no sh
fighters which zeroed in on our element. The fighters
that came up were black, so we presumed that they were downs. Could it have been that six rookie B-24 crews were,
night fighters. Fortunately, they were not overly
fate, faced by a bunch of rookie German fighter pilots that
aggressive. Here we were two groups, a B-17 and a B-24 day ? Your story was great George, thanks.
flying parallel; so when thefightersshowed up, the B-24
leader slid our formation in under the B-17 for more
�TWO POUYTS OF VIEW
Responsibility
B y 1st L t David F. Parry
8th A.F. Pilot of the Flying Fortress
"Dull Tool"
If enlisted m e n meander
And indulge in rape or slander,
It's their airplane commander
They defame;
If his officers are lazy,
Alcoholically hazy
And, in fact, a little crazy,
He's to blame.
Submitted by Pat C o m m i s a (68th)
The Upstairs Gunner
They get no praise from the public
Their name is never sung,
They only sit up in a bomber
And operate a gun.
If they don't salute their betters,
If they fail to pay their debts,
Or write censurable letters,
Or get stewed;
If they come back late from passes,
Or decline to go to classes,
You can bet it's not their asses
That are chewed.
When the going gets the toughest
And the bullets fall like hail
H o w would you m y dear public
Like to sit up in the tail?
The pilot only chauffeurs,
But when they start the fun
The guy that does the dirty work
Is the guy behind the gun!
For the pilot has his uses.
He's the one who makes excuses,
Answers charges, takes abuses
From them all;
Though a flyer of acumen,
He's considered less than human
If he cannot keep his crewmen
O n the ball.
When they go out on a mission
And the enemy you spot,
Suppose the gunner's nerve would fail
And give the guy a "sitters" shot.
When a gunner's fingers freezes,
Or the navigator sneezes,
Or unprintable diseases
Ground the crews;
It's the pilot's fault they're dying
(If they aren't they should be flying)
And don't argue—for you're lying
In your shoes.
But remember this, my dear public
W h e n that mission is complete
The gunner gets no credit—
There's no glory at his feet.
He has no bars, no pins, no leaves,
no medals on his chest —
H e doesn't have a uniform
To tell him from the rest!
If, returning from a sortie,
W h e n the gas is down to forty,
And die plane's three engines short, he
Brings them down;
Is the crew more understanding?
Sympathetic? Less demanding?
No! They criticize his landing
With a frown.
But upstairs he has the glory,
There are no if's, and's, no but's,
He's the guy in the "hot seat"
He's the guy w h o has the guts!
His life lasts, eighteen minutes!
What a laugh that is to m e ;
W e don't want the dubious glory,
Our job is just to set you free!
So my dear, kind, "fickle" public
You'll never k n o w our n a m e ,
Give the pilots all the honey,
W e don't need the doubtful fame!
~Just another
Gunner-
Yes, it's certainly tough —
For the hero of this ditty,
But don't waste your tears of pity
O n die fool;
For although he's nurse and mother
To Joe Blow and Joe Blow's brother,
He'd uade places with no other,
The dull tool.
27
�Editor: Recall "The Support Units" shallow high-speed dive and went
article in the Spring '95 "Tails"
out of m y line of sight and must
where it recounted the death of
have crashed miles away.
two of our valiant crash-rescue fire
fighters. Here we have an eyeAs the B-24 came down, the
witnesses account of that terrible
engines screamed in what must
evening by Jim Auman. The names
have been a wide open position of the two fire fighters, Sgt. Monthat
sound is still with m e . I also
roe A. Atchley and Pvt. Ted R.
remember
how long it took for the
Bunalski are being added to the
crippled Liberator to hit the
44th Role of Honor.
ground. M y buddy, Harm Krull,
CRASH OF A 492nd BG B-24
was screaming, " G E T OUT...GET
OUT," but no one ever m a d e it.
4 JUNE 1944
"On the evening of 4
June, 1944, m y friend,
Harm, and I were riding
bikes in what m a y have
been south and east of
A A F 115 Station at
Shipdham. The sky was
clear and the sun was low
in the west behind us. W e
were several miles from
the airfield and enjoying
the quiet, still air of the
countryside compared to
the extremely loud roaring
of engines being run-up
at the field.
As w e coasted along, w e became
aware of a heavy bomber lumbering for altitude at what must have
been 20,000 feet. The intense
strain on the four engines w a s
very familiar to m e , and I knew
the aircraft was loaded heavily.
Shortly after identifying the
bomber as a Liberator, I saw two
fighter-type airplanes appear from
the south or west, at least one of
which had a pointed nose and
m a y have been an English Spitfire. As w e kept riding and watching, w e saw the fighters making
passes, w h e n I was not looking, I
heard a crunch-like collision and
saw the bomber with a large
section of its right wing severed.
The bomber then turned on its
back and went into a slow spin
earthward. The fighter went into a
There were no flames or smoke
until the airplane hit upside down
on a building that m a y have been
a farmer's living quarters. The
impact was more like a crunch,
followed by a muffled explosion.
We rode to within about six
hundred feet of the farm yard and
took a position along the roadside. The entire building and
airplane were now a solid ball of
flames. Fire fighters arrived on the
scene in very short order; however, the situation was hopeless.
Another four or five fire fighters
took a position on a thick stone
wall about five feet tall with their
backs to us. Those firemen did
not have enough hoses or water
pressure to do any good in
putting out the flames.
Suddenly, there was an explosion
and w e heard shrapnel ripping
through the branches of the trees
overhead. W h e n w e looked back
at the fire, w e saw two, three, or
four firemen laying on their
backs on our side of the
wall.
I did not write this account
of the collision as a story
form. Rather, I told the
facts as I remembered
them. I a m sure that m y
buddy, Krull, could have
many corrections. W e did
not report this incident to
anyone, as w e were on
alert and the next day,
June 5th, w e were transferred back to the 466th
B G at Attlebridge."
Signed: James O. A u m a n
On June 9, 1944 the 2033
Engineering Aviation Fire Fighting
Platoon, Headquarters at
Shipdham prepared a
recommendation for award of
Soldiers Medal, posthumously to:
Sgt. Monroe A. Atchley 35579833
Pvt. Ted R. Bunalski 32756508
"Sgt. Atchley and Pvt. Bunalski
were off duty and eating supper
on the night of June 4, 1944
w h e n they heard m e n yelling
(that) a plane had crashed. They
It was still daylight when we saw left their meals, ran out on the
the rescue squad pulling what w e
road, and jumped on the first
assumed were bodies from the
truck going to the fire. Upon their
wreckage. There seemed to be
arrival at the crashed plane, they
several smoldering hulks lined up
immediately went to the burning
in the farm yard about fifty feet
plane and proceeded to (attempt)
from the wreckage. The squad
to extinguish the flames., disrewas using long poles to fetch out
the bodies.
28
�garding danger of b o m b s and a
gas tank which w a s burning and
full of gasoline...." The other fire
fighters continued to fight the
burning crashed aircraft (that
was) loaded with 201b fragmentation bombs until moved back by
the officer in charge, in spite of
the fact that two m e m b e r s of the
crash crew had been killed from
one of the bombs exploding."
Mr. Tony Mastradone, 67th
Squadron medic, states:
"I do know something about the
two fire fighters that lost their lives
at the B-24 crash. I drove an
ambulance to the crash with
Captain Worrall and George
Houston, another medic. I have
this written up in m y small diary. I
can still remember an officer
waving his .45 gun at m e and
yelling to George and I that w e
were refusing to fight in the face
of the enemy when w e refused to
attempt to retrieve the bodies of
the two fire fighters while the fire
was still raging. They wanted us
to walk down to where the two
men were laying face d o w n to get
them while the .50 C a L shells
were firing, oxygen tanks exploding and fire everywhere.
So we did crawl down a ditch,
dragging a stretcher to get them,
had to make two trips. W h e n w e
got back to the base, a Chaplain
met us, wanted to know if w e had
administered last rites to them. I
had not, so he showed m e h o w it
was done in the event that it
happened again."
^jS"-]<£fl]B
E H
•LwE't
IMSUNG HERO
This c o m e s to inform you of the death of S/Sgt. Anson Daniels, on Jan. 31,
1996. H e w a s residing with his lovely wife Ann at 8626 G S W 97th Lane Road,
Ocala, FL 34481.
Anson has a very distinguished career. He joined the 44th Bomb Group in May,
1943 and went to North Africa with the Lt. Bunce crew as a Waist Gunner. H e
flew five missions before the August 1, 1943 Ploesti Raid, but w a s medically
grounded for that mission. Sgt. Daniels flew missions with several crews,
including Lt. McAtee, Lt. Landig, Lt. Borkowski and Lt. Clements. H e joined our
crew #53 Lt. Norman Purdy to fly missions in Dec. '43 and '44. W h e n Lt.
Leonard Waine took over Purdy's crew, Jan. 21, 1944, Sgt. Daniels joined with
this crew and flew two missions out of England before transferring with the crew
to the 449th B o m b Group, 719th B o m b Squadron, 15th A.F. in an exchange
program. All of those missions were tough in terms of American losses. Daniels
had only six missions remaining to complete the 25 mission requirement in
effect in the 8th A.F. at that time. The 15th A.F. requirement for completing a
tour w a s 50 missions. H e reached his 50 total with his last mission on April 4,
1944. This mission to Bucharest became ultimately known as "the Greatest Air
Battle in the history of the 449th B o m b Group."
Only those of us who were there can imagine the exhilaration of being the first
combat crew m e m b e r in all of 15th A.F. to complete a combat tour and be
leaving for the U.S.A. Especially with the terrible Four Fours mission (4-4-44,
as it became known) as the climactic finish. That mission also resulted in the
award of the first of two Presidential Unit Citations awarded to the 449th B o m b
Group.
The general order accompanying the first citation read, "As a result of the
repeated and determined attacks, this group lost seven aircraft to enemy
fighters. However, in the air battle, this group performed with such gallantry they
not only delivered their b o m b s on target, they responded to the intense opposition by destroying forty (40), probably destroying thirteen (13) and damaging six
(6) enemy fighters. The extraordinary heroism and superior performance of duty
by the 449th B o m b Group has upheld the highest traditions of the military
service and has reflected great credit upon the Armed Forces of the United
States of America." The Lt. Leonard Waine crew were credited with destroying
six and a half (6-1/2) enemy aircraft that day.
The words in that order of commendation certainly directly apply to S/Sgt.
Anson Daniels and all members of his crew #45, yet this heroic career was,
unfortunately, never completely recognized in terms of awards. His retirement
certificate shows the awards of two (2) Presidential Unit Citations, the Air Medal
with four (4) O L C , but never a recommendation for the Distinguished Flying
Cross.
It is understandable how the 719th Bomb Squadron could be in such disarray
on April 5, 1944 as to overlook, in s o m e cases, the documentation to appropriately award the heroism displayed by their men. It had lost seven crews the
previous day, including it's Operations Officer and four of the original combat
crews. Sadly, as a result of these circumstances, Anson Daniels folded his
wings on January 21, 1996 without the recommendation for award of the
Distinguished Flying Cross so richly deserved. In m y memories, he is proudly
wearing his D F C . H e w a s a dear friend and I shall miss him.
Respectfully yours,
Major Albert A. Martin
U S A F (Ret)
2313 Hidden Valley Drive
Santa Rosa, California 95404-2310
**C^«
29
�MAIL CALL
Editor: I'vejust finished reading Jake Elias' book War
Women. An attention holding fiction novel woven around
lot of personal experiences that Elias has turned into a
great story. This Lewis Robinson letter does a great rev
This comes from:
This warm response comes from:
"Mum"
Linda Weston
Hello Lolly & Roy,
Many thanks for your Journal Magazine regarding the
44th B o m b Group. It delighted both Beryl and me. You
certainly boosted us, but I'm sure many others would have,
I just received a card from
or should have helped young boys miles from home. I'm
Jake Elias. After San Antonio, he returned to England for
sdll a m u m to anyone who wants m y love. Anyhow, thanks a
the umteenth time - no doubt doing researching on War &
lot,
it was great reading. W e are looking forward to you all
W o m e n . Actually, Jake is researching T o m Paine for some
coming
to England, I believe next year.
future book. W e know and love Jake! N o doubt some
bought his book War & W o m e n ; but how many have tried
to author a W W I I novel? It is a very competitive enterprise!Beryl also lives in Portsmouth. I'm in a sheltered hom
15 minutes walking from her and yes, I do almost everydiing
for myself. If I don't feel like doing it, Beryl does. Sh
Perhaps "8-Ball Tails" is an entry for Jake. The story
i
s
a
wonderful
daughter and she sdll has the grand chilcenters around two young m e n who enter die Air Corps in
dren.
Yes,
your
kind words and the one above have made
W W I I and two who join the Army Paratroop Division, dieir
m
e
so
much
better
in health. Thanks a lot D o hope you
experiences in the states and in batde overseas. Not many
had
a
grand
Christmas
and all the best for this year to you
of us remember the women, most of us remember the
both.
batde. Some of us, like m y navigator T o m Appert, were
Love from M u m Linda
married just before takeoff, Topeka, Kansas, July of '44. A
fortunate few returned with an English bride. W e still
"hanger talk" at reunions and look forward to our next in Editor: A warm response from "Mum"Linda Weston after
receiving the last issue of the "Tails."
St. Louis. Let's do promote War & W o m e n . W e all belong
in Jake's story!
About the author: J.T. Elias has had several plays
Speaking of new members, here is a very welcome letter
produced in N e w York; a novel The Shy Nude and previously published short stories and articles in nadonal
magazines. H e was educated and grew up in Wilkes Barre, Our "Letters of Love" Lady
Lois Cianci
PA. H e worked and moved around the country in different
1/12/96
jobs, travelled to Europe many times, finding a wife in
Ireland and has four beaudful children. During WWII, he
flew in B-24's as an air gunner in our 68th B o m b Squad- Dear Roy,
ron, being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple
Heart and air medals. N o w he lives and writes in a small Thank you so much for sending me the copies of the 8Ball Tails. The reprint was great. You did a swell job. I feel
town, Nadchoke, PA.
so proud.
Let's promote one of our own!
I received mail from Joseph Crandell, Groveland, 111.
Bev and I look forward to St. Louis. We enjoyed San containing information on receiving a color lithograph of
die Ardennes Cemetery and its history; also how to obtain
Antonio and will help in St. Louis, if needed.
a
passport free of charge when I make the trip to Belgium.
Thank you.
H
e
lost two brothers. O n e a B-24 pilot in the 44th B o m b
Lewis Robinson
Group
whose endre crew was lost and is buried in the
"Tail Gunner"
Netherlands
Cemetery. The other was a tank commander
"Clean Sweep"
in Patton's 3rd Army. H e is in die Luxembourg Cemetery. I
already had die information he offered, but I was very glad
to hear from him anyway.
30
0
�The other letter I received was from Ralph Golubeck,
St. Louis, Mo., a pilot in the 506th Squadron of the 44th
Bomb Group. H e said he did not know m y dad but
checked hisflightlog and discovered he also had been on
that mission. H e said it was a tough one and losses were
very high. H e was touched by m y dad's letters and wished
he could have read more of the originals widi die picture,
but they did not print well.
I am indeed pleased with your decision to take a
membership in our association. First, it will really keep yo
in the communication loop so far as any follow-up correspondence we receive in connection with your story,
because you will be receiving the 8-Ball Tails directly. Ne
I am beginning plans for a 44th Bomb Group Veterans
Association return trip to England, France and Belgium in
the late Spring (May orJune) of next year that may interest
you and your husband, Anthony. Lois, you may join the
The address you need for Dawn Drago is Reading
Association by merely writing a short note to our Treasurer
Eagle Co., 345 Penn St, Reading, PA 19601. I know she
— name, address, phone, squadron affiliation (68th) and
will appreciate your sending her a copy and a thank you.
send along a check made out to 44th BGVA for $15 and
mail to:
If you receive mail from anyone else in reference to
Gerald Folsom, Treasurer
the article, I would appreciate it if you would forward m e a
44th Bomb Group Veterans Association
P.O. Box2367
copy. I am excited about hearing all these new comments
Salt Lake City, UT 84118-2367
and details. It is really wonderful.
Welcome aboard Lois, and may I pay my respects to
Anthony. I am certain that his pillar of support in your
quest for the facts of your Dad's sacrifice to his country
made your search possible. I will look forward to the day
Lolly and I can meet you both and have the privilege of
introducing
you to the membership (perhaps in St Louis?)
Editor: Ok you 68th guys, how about following Ralph
Sincerely.
Golubeck's letter with some more details of the 21 January
Roy
Owen
1944 mission against the Pas de Calais V-l missile site. The
68th put up seven aircraft and only three returned. I see in
the MACR that the bombing altitude was 12,000 ft. "to
This comes from:
assure better accuracy. "I'd bet those crews puzzled over
I am interested in joining the 44th Bomb Group
Association and would appreciate an application.
Please excuse the tardiness of this reply.
Sincerely.
whose?
Edward R Harrell
Rt. 3, Box 16
Selmer, TN38375
1/11/96
2/16/96
Mrs. Lois Cianci
871 North Church Road
Reading, PA 19608-9734
Dear Will,
Thanks for answering m y letter. I didn't expect an
answer too soon, because I seem to be aware that some of
you travel to England and other places from time to time.
Dear Lois,
Your suggestions as to where to send the issues of the
Your very welcome letter arrived today. I am so happy
Logbook and the lithograph of the Tower was appreciated
that you were pleased with the 8-Ball Tails article. The
and I diink I will send them to those two places.
credit really belongs with Dawn Drago authoring the
beautiful story to begin with. Believe me, the research by
You ask if I was an officer in the service, no I wasn't
Will Lundy and the fill-in story I wrote was the labor of
servicetimewas from 1951 to 1971. The early part of it was
love for a daughter whose faith never faltered that she
a Base Operations Dispatcher, then as a C o m m a n d Post
would find the final chapter of her Daddy's heroic life.
Specialist
Regarding your question on the reactions of others to
I was affiliated widi the 44th when I was at Lake
the story, space does not permit inclusion of the many,
Charles from 1957 to 1960 as a Base Operation Dispatcher.
many compliments we have received on your touching
The nexttimeI heard of the 44th was when an article in
story. I think the comments of Gerald J. Gross, 336 Greens
the Air Force Retiree newsletter written by Major Klaus
Farms Road, Westport, CT 06880-6332 says it best: "Conwanting contact with anyone who was either in the 44th or
gratulations on the excellent Winter '95 issue of the 8-Ball
affiliated with it. I responded and joined on that basis.
Tails. I've read it carefully, and with considerable interest
andpleasure. The Lois Cianci story sure carried a wallop!"
No, I am not giving up on the 44th BGVA. I didn't
Gerry served both in the 68th and the 506th Bomb Squadpursue a membership because I don't think I a m eligible to
rons.
join, having never been a member of the 44th B G / B W .
31
�Just about the moment of b o m b release, there was a
tremendous explosion which seemed to be just outside the
co-pilot's window. At that moment, Lt Scuddy's plane, Q496, ahead of us and on ourright,turned belly up and
went down onfire.W e received numerous hits which
resulted in afirein #3 engine, a large hole in a fuel cell
that poured gasoline into the open b o m b bay, cut hydraulic
Editor: Ed, you 're all paid up and in the roster. Welcome
lines, and sentflakflyingthrough the cockpit W h y we
aboard.
didn't blow up I'll never know, though our prayers may
have had something to do with it
From Lake Charles, I went to Ellsworth AFB. W h e n I
arrived there, the missile silos were being built around the
area. Litde did I know the missile unit would eventually be
named the 44th. S M W .
Thank you again for the letter.
I glanced over my shoulder toward the bomb bay and
die stream of liquid pouring into the b o m b bay reminded
m e of a cow taking a leak. A piece of flak entered the flight
deck from below, lodged in m y armor plated seat, and
literally lifted m e up against m y seatbelt (I still have it)
Another piece entered on the left side of the cockpit, flew
across the instrument panel and out the window on my
side. Had Stone and I not switched jobs at that precise
moment, his hands would have been on the wheel and
would have been shattered.
This comes from:
Merritt E. Derr
153 Smith Road
Gilbertsville, PA 19525-9646
12/8/95
Dear Will,
I immensely enjoy and appreciate the featuring of
individual aircraft of the 44th with each issue of "8-Ball
Tails." It is very interesting and enlightening to learn the
history of aircraft of the 44th; those weflewand those we
didn't fly.
There was debris flying all over the cockpit I feath
#3 and dien hit thefireextinguisher button which killed
thefire.Charlie Brown, ourflightengineer, and Lt
Since you began this feature in Vol. 1, Issue 2, Spring
'95, you featured the aircraft whose tail marking appeared
Herman Flugman, whoflewwith us on this mission,
stopped the flow of petrol from the ruptured fuel cell as
on the heading of that issue, as an example "N" in Vol. 1,
best they could by stuffing clothing into the hole.
Issue 2.
We started losing altitude and the squadron kept goin
The original issue of "8-Ball Tails" featured the tail
farther away from us. Stone called the various positions to
marking Bar A; but no story or history of that aircraft.
determine damage and casualties if any. It was then that we
Because Iflewmost of m y missions in Bar A, I'm curious as
to why no history of that aircraft appeared in Vol. 1, Issue 1. learned from Foust that Strange had bailed out Surprise!
Surprise! N o bail out signal had been given and it was
Will this aircraft be featured in a future issue?
obvious we couldn't go back and pick him up. Realizing
our vulnerability as a straggler, we called for help by our
More from Merritt
"Litde Friends." Along came die most beautiful P-51 I've
ever seen. H e stayed with us to the coast
MORE ON DECISION MISSION 24
The rest of the story is as told by Foust and need no
Having read Bob Foust's "Decision Mission 24" in the repeated here. That night we all went into town, got
Summer '95 issue, pages 7 and 8, of the 8-Ball Tails, I feel thoroughly soused, and nearly suffered casualties by guys
compelled to tell our readers what was happening in the
who rode dieir bicycles into road ditches on our way back
to base.
forward section of that same airplane on that mission. I
know you've seen this account before, but it may be
Yours truly.
interesting to our readers.
Editor: Here's the skinny on the Tail Markings, Merr
I remember our crew - Stone's - was feeling pretty
Will Lundy first suggested 8-Ball Tales as the name of o
cocky by thistimein our tour, maybe even invincible. H o w
journal and I was toying around with some way to use our
stupid that was, we were to leam later in the day. At briefold tail markings in the masthead when I came up with the
ing, I was glad we had been scheduled for this mission. It
play on words Tails for Tales. The selection of Bar F and
looked like it would be an easy mission and it would be one Bar A for Volume 1, Issue #1 was a shot in the dark really
more toward completion of that thirty-five mission tour.
was, at thattime,concerned more with the design than th
A / C Bar W-209 (not Bar A). Also see m y R O H , page 270.
identity of any particular aircraft Then before the seco
It was always customary for Stone to fly the mission to
issue, Will and I talked about making the tail marking
the target, and after "bombs away" for m e toflyus back to
different in each issue with a combat record and some
Shipdham. This mission was no exception. As we apstories from the crew(s) that flew the aircraft Good old
proached the target, flak became very intense and accurate,
"Lemon Drop" was one everyone knew, so she was #1 in
and over the target we were bracketed to it.
terms of a featured aircraft Thanks for the question, an
the "Shack Rat" record. We've got Bill Cameron's "Buzzin
3
�Bear" coming out on the next cover, but you're right, we This comes from:
haven't had a 506th airplane featured; so look for "Shack
Rat" forXmas, ok?
Albert Bernard
(LTC USAFRet)
28923 Bay Tree Place
Zephyrhills, Florida 33344
Some Differences of Opinion about
"Down De Hatch."
Dear Art,
This comes from:
Jack B. Morgan
USAF(Ret)
3309 Cherokee Avenue
Tampa, Florida 33611
1/6/96
Dear Will,
I read the letter from Ken Adrian in the December
issue of 8-Ball Tails about D o w n D e Hatch. I think Mr.
Adrian is confused.
After reviewing the 8-Ball Tails Summer issue, I would
like to go on record to register m y memory of the part that
the crew of the AVAILABLE J O N E S played in the history of
the 44th B o m b Group. W e joined the group as a replacement crew early in June just in time to make the trip to
North Africa. Our operational activity was limited to nine
missions including T H E PLOESTI mission of 1 Aug 43.
The crew on this last mission is as follows:
"Jones, Fred H.
*Dukato, Elbert L.
*Sweet, Adolphus J.
I was the assistant crew chief of Down De Hatch fromBernard, Albert F.
March, 1943 until the end the war. I actuallyflewh o m e in
Spann, Leo G.
Down De Hatch.
*Becker, Robert H.
Paolillo, Michael A.
Bob Iverson was not the crew chief of Down De Hatch.*Savattiere, Anthony J.
Sigle, Michael P.
Staff Sergeant Eugene Salas (better known as Blackie) was
for the entire period the 506th was stationed at Shipdham.
I think it is unfair to Blackie to have someone else given
credit for what Blackie did.
1st Lt.
2nd Lt.
2nd Lt.
2nd Lt.
T/Sgt.
S/Sgt.
T/Sgt.
S/Sgt.
S/Sgt.
Pilot
Century, F L
Co-Pilot
N e w Orleans, L A
Navigator
E Northport, N Y
Bombardier Brooklyn, N Y
Engineer
Chapman, A L
Asst. E n g
Lincoln, N E
Radio O p e r Carona, N Y
Gunner
Brooklyn, N Y
Tail Tur
Clayton, NJ
* Deceased
Patterson, Robert P. 2nd Lt Injured in a ground
accident prior to last mission, returned to duty and comPlease find enclosed a copy of the letter which I have
pleted his tour as Navigator.
written to Ken Adrian regarding his confusion.
Grushkewich, Aaron Asst Radio Operator did not fly the
Ploesti mission, but was KIA on a mission to Norway 18
Nov
Editor: Jack, it seems your memory (or personal record)'43
isafter the group returned to England.
a little skewed as well. "Down De Hatch " arrived at
Shipdham in May, 1944. So you must have been on another According to information provided in previous issues an
from other sources, the record of Folded Wings on the
aircraft from March '43 to May '44.1 talked on the phone
with Capt Jim Meiner, 506th Engineering Officer at the crew of the Available Jones is as follows: Fred Jones, Elbert
time and he confessed to "memory meltdown" as well. I Dukato, Adolphus Sweet, Robert Becker, and Anthony
had a visit with Lt. Ed "Casey"Jarvis on 24 Feb. who flewSavattiere. I would appreciate any information on the
her on several missions, as well as flying her back to themissing members of the crew.
U.S. He, like Ken Adrian, praised the reliability of the
aircraft. The point is all of you "knuckle busters" who Keep up the good work.
Sincerely.
were keeping the old war horse with the none too glamourous name on thejob, carrying the crews and bombs to the
target then coming on home, were doing yourjob. We flew Editor: Al, thanks for the "AvailableJones" data. I'm s
Hand has provided you with the addresses of Spann
your airplane at least twice. I've said it before here inArt
"The
and Paolillo by now. I'm happy to see that all of you are
Tails," and I'll say it again; everytimewe returned, I wish
members of the 44th BGVA.
now I had hugged and thanked each of you grimy guys with
the skinned knuckles who launched us and then and
"sweated us out"tillwe got home. What a helluvajob you
did! I also know how you kept warm in those little huts
alongside the parking stubs (war ain't all bad,right?).The
message for the aircrews here is, Boys, it's not too late to
thank 'em all. In fact, come Banquet Dinner night in St.
Louis, we're going to have our support folks stand up so
we can all say THANKS!
Respectfully.
S
33
�Joseph
A. Andreotta - Radioman & his wife Ceil, 5770 SE
Another Eight-Bailer Out of the Woods...Robert L. Hensler,
a long
Palm Road, Belleview, FL 34420
lost 66th gunner finally reports in with this:
Hobbs Williams - Nose Gunner & his wife Doris, Rt 1
110-E, Hawkins, T X 75765
S/Sgt Robert L. Hensler
AOL Barongrin
2032 Pleasant Street
South Bend, Indiana 46615
(219) 287-5759
Dear Sir,
Eugene S. Root - Waist Gunner and his wife Ginny, 21
Thornberry Circle, Pittsburgh, PA 15234
Robert A. Moore - Tail Gunner and his wife Delores,
Laurel Street, Morgantown, W VA 26505
As a subscriber to the 8th Air Force News, I find your
name in the February, 1995 issue as a contact for the 44th
Melvin R. Coughenour - Engineer and his wife Betty
B o m b Group. Since I served as a gunner on 24's from
unable to attend, 208 Sherman, Sheridan, W Y 82801.
about Nov. 20, 1944 to April 25, 1945, I would like to join
any organization or newsletter of the 44th. Iflewwith the
Hopefully, all of us will be in attendance at our ne
66th Squadron and would be delighted to have a chance to
scheduled reunion at Hobbs Williams' ranch in Texas in
possibly contact some of my old buddies of 50 years ago. I
October, 1995. We've lost track years ago of:
would appreciate any information of any publication that
Willis D. Abrams - Navigator
you author or know of.
Stanley L. Wirth - Waist Gunner
Thank you.
I don't wish to bore you, but at this point, I'm in
Editor: We've sent Bob the 8-Ball Tails and a membership
nostalgic and philosophical mood. Very recendy I visited
form. Glad to have you with us. It amazes me how after all
these years, folks like Bob suddenly, somehow find out the "All America" B-24 when it was here at the Naples
there is a 44th Bomb Group Association. Of course, it'sAirport, Naples, FL. That brought back many memories.
never too late, but it saddens me to think of all the years of
friendship, correspondence and visiting that Bob and On 11/11/94, I reached my 70th birthday. My son
others we have not found could have enjoyed at reunions. Bradley H. Bethel, M D , he practices medicine in
We are trying very hard, and Art Hand is finding people Laurnburg, N C , and his wife Kyle and m y granddaughter
Bryn, visited at thattime.They presented m e with the gift
like Bob almost every day (witness the "Beating the
Bushes" section). Anyway, Bob, let's get you back in the of airfare to and from England; so, Barbara and I plan a
springtime trip there to visit Shipdham and Norwich "one
fold by meeting us in St. Louis. We had a lot of "First
Timers" at San Antonio, and we'll have more like yourselfmoretime."I've found that Brad and many others of his
generation, our descendants, have a sincere interest to
October 3-7.
know what our motivations and efforts were all about
s
That's enough! Best wishes to you and everyone who
have succeeded in bringing the 44th B G V A about
Sincerely yours.
This comes from:
Dr. & Mrs. Raymond W. Bethel
27473 Pelican Ridge Circle
Bonita Springs, Florida 339234550
(813) 495-9613
2/5/95
Dear Will,
I am very happy to learn that the "44th Bomb Group
Veterans Association" has come about. Hopefully my wife,
Barbara and I will attend die 44th B G V A Reunion in San
Antonio, Texas October 19-22.
Editor: This crew flew 15 missions, first with 489t
844th Sq., started their 67th Sq. on 18 Nov '44.1 advis
him about V-E Day ceremonies May 5 to 12th, 2nd ADA
itinerary, Shipdham "party" on 8 May, Bank Holiday
Monday, when the 44thers have their "villages"day. Wro
to both members with "new" addresses, sent copy of 8-Ba
Tails and invited them to join, and also to join us in San
Antonio.
I had the honor and privilege of being pilot for a great
"Mike" Mikoloski presenting
B-24 crew, which was formed at Westover Field, MassachuGeneral Leon Johnson the
proclamation of love, respect and
setts in mid-1944. After being apart many years, our crew
admiration held for him as our
had a wonderful reunion in July, 1993 at Florence, MassaCommander by the membership of
chusetts, near Westover Field. W e met there to honor our
the 44th Bomb Group Veterans
late co-pilot, Joseph H. Bonneau, who passed away 3/14/
Association.
93, 67th and his gracious widow, Elaine Bonneau. Besides
myself, attending that remain were:
34
�This comes from:
Edward "Mike"K Mikoloski
626 Smith Held Road
Unit #702
North Providence, RI02904
11/3/95
This comes from:
Albert Martin
Dear Jerry,
It was real nice seeing you at the 44th Reunion. All in
all, Archie Soltka and I enjoyed all of the activities very
much!
Dear Roy,
Congratulations to Roy Owen and his very capable
Board. Thank you very much for your prompt attention to
My compliments to you for the overall direction and
m y request of our dues for 1996. I'm enclosing a check for
management of the highly successful reunion in San
$45 to cover the dues of:
Antonio. Like you, I too heard many complimentary
Leonard Waine (pilot) Rt 4 Box 1524, Pelatka, FL 32177
comments about the reunion....: "refreshingly different,"
*Anson Daniels, 8626 S W 97th #6, Ocala, FL 34481-4522
"well organized and run," "great to see some of the old
feces," "could not be any better," etc.
Albert A. Martin, 2313 Hidden Valley Drive, Santa Rosa, C A 95404
Sincerely yours.
The "refreshingly different" comment was made in
reference to the business meetings you conducted. So,
congratulations are indeed in order to you.
*SeeFolded Wings and AVs letter in Mail Call.
This comes from:
Walter "Pat" Patrick
66 Sq. Combat - Original Crew
1058 Cottingham Drive
ML Pleasant, SC 29464-3552
3/1/95
I took quite a few photos, but believe the enclosed two
are particularly good, especially the one with m y son and
grandson with Bill Cameron. The one with Generals
Brandon and Gibson are not bad either.
Kindest personal regards.
Dear Will,
I just got the 2nd Air Division Association Spring '95
issue and it reminded m e through Pete Henry's Eightball
article that you folks in the revitalized 44th B G V A of which
I wholeheartedly endorsed owe m e m y "lifetime" membership card...I think myself and Ray Ward were both two of
the early on endorsers and 100 percent backers of your
fight with the "eightballers"...I may add that I sent in m y
check #573 for $105 on Aug. 26, 1994 and that it was made
out to your as the treasurer of the 44th Vets Assn.
This comes from:
Forrest S. Clark
703 Duffer Lane
Kissimmee, FL 34759
(941) 427-0371
To C.W. Lundy
We need crew photos and/or individual crew member
photos of the crews of Lt Houle, Johnson, Mitchell, and
others lost on the 18 Nov. 1943 mission to Oslo-Kjeller,
Norway. W e need data of these crews, mission records,
photos of aircraft they flew on missions and biographical
data on crew members.
This information is needed for the 8th Air Force
Heritage Center Museum in Savannah, Georgia. If you
have such information or know of anyone who does, please
forward it to:
8th A F Heritage Museum
P.O. Box 1992
Savannah, G A 31402
as soon as possible, or call 1 (800) 421-9428.
Will Lundy, processed through channels and returned
to my treasurer (wife - Ha!) and duly misplaced since. End
of sad story. So what's new! I see that m y olde and old
friend and former Navigator Ed Mikolowski routed himself
into a new job with the new board. Please make him "earn
his wings." I know he will because he was an accomplished
determined combat navigator. H e has a great sense of
humor and is a great team player. H e was a basketball
coach at Westover AFB when I worked as his N C O I C of the
base Information-Education Office for two years there soon
after the war was over and he was the one that got m e
started as a sports writer, which was thefirststep into m y
overall Air Force specialty as a writer/editor for 20 years. In
mentioning Ray Ward up there in thefirstbreath, we
laughed and said we expected we should be in the top ten;
but it looks like we'll be lucky to be in thatfirst600 the
article spoke about. Congratulations on that, as I know you
worked hard on that project You should get some sort of a
Distinguished Service Award for that one. With all the bad
weather,fires,earthquakes, etc., I'm surprised that San
Bernardino has survived the onslaught; but a m glad it has
and you along with it...
All the best to you and yours. Hope to be hearing from
you soon.
All the best
��
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8 Ball Tails
Newsletter
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8 Ball Tails Volume 1 - Issue 5: Spring 1996
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<span>44th Bomb Group Veteran's Association Website (<a class="in-cell-link" target="_blank" href="http://www.8thairforce.com/44thbg" rel="noreferrer noopener">Now Inactive</a>)</span>
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
Spring 1996
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cde82f4f6da91454baa847db3a4dd6fa
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Text
�%nd Whm Where Was 0nc
In this issue we are featuring two aircraft, the first, The 44th Bomb Group, consisting at the time of
three Bomb Squadrons, the 66th, 67th and 68th,
B-24D 41-23807 U, "Little Beaver, " one of the nine
original 67th Bomb Squadron assigned aircraft. Her assembled at Shipdham Airfield, designated Station
crew chief was MENNO
UNRUH. The other aircraft is 115, located 16 NM West of Norwich in East Anglia.
B-24D 41-24229 P "Buzzin'Bear, " a direly needed
During the next two months, the crews flew training
replacement which arrived at Station 115 in late April missions and the aircraft were cycled through the
1943.
Lockheed plant near Belfast, Ireland for combat
Inseparable to the record of these two aircraft is the
modification. In late November and early December,
story of the incredible combat career of now retired
Group flew a series of diversion missions in support
COLONEL
BILL
CAMERON.
other 8th Air Force bombing strikes and three bombin
Bill's initial assignment to the 67th Bomb Squadron
missions on December 3, 12 and 20. The "Little
was Co-Pilot on the crew of IT. CHESTER
"GEORGE" Beaver" crew aborted the December 6 mission with
PHILLIPS who, because he habitually called everyone engine problems and did not successfully complete a
n
jeorge" became himself known as "George. "After
mission until the January 3 raid on St. Nazaire,
sto'^ude training at Grenier Field, New Hampshire, theFrance.
crew deployed in their newly named "Little Beaver"for
England on October 4, 1942.
�SISgt. Menno Unruh, Crew Chief of "Little Beaver."
Lt. Chester "George" Phillips
The crew of the "Little Beaver."
Standing: Mike Denny, Engineer; George Brice, Radio; Unknown; Dale Glaubitz, Gunner; Chuck Foreman, Gunner; Bill Cameron, Co Pilot.
Front: Ed Phillips, Assistant Radio; Tom Bartmess, Navigator; Chester "George" Phillips, Pilot; Jim DeVinney, Bombardier.
2SSL&ZL
�crew were lost on the 22 March raid on
Wilhelmshaven. Lt. William A. Roach, Jr.
had just arrived with his new airplane, so
the 67th was again down to three aircraft
and crews. "Suzy Q", "Little Beaver" and
the new "Annie Oakley. "
Turning to experienced co-pilots to
bolster the force, Lt. Bill Cameron quickly
soloed in the "Beaver. " With an American
transfer from the RAF, Lt. Bill Dabney as
Co-Pilot, a new crew was formed and
assigned a newly arrived aircraft, which
was promptly named "Buzzin' Bear, " (Bill
was a product of UC Berkeley, The Golden
Bears).
In a small way of celebrating the
formation of the new crew, they were
granted a three day pass. Cameron and
Dabney accompanied by Howard Moore,
who had taken command on the 67th after
the loss of Major MacDonald, went to
i a t-eOruary 1943, The 44th over Dunkirk Harbor
London. Upon their return to the base in the early
morning hours of 14 May, they learned that the Group
was
preparing for a mission launch against the Krupp
i Bill remained on the Phillips crew through the terrible
months of February, March and April when the daylight Submarine Works in Kiel, Germany. Although it was a
maximum effort mission, the 67th could muster only
bombing attrition decimated the 44th Bomb Group;
especially the 67th Squadron. Of the original roster of three crews. "Suzy Q" was being repaired, so the third
Pilots and Co-Pilots their losses were: Major Donald W.
MacDonald, Squadron Commander and Command
14 May 1943 Shipdham Airfield, "Sweating Out" the return of the Kiel
Raid. The 67th: Three up an empty sky on return.
Pilot shot down with Capt. Art Cullen on the
15 February raid on Dunkirk Harbor to sink
the German Radar Ship TOJO; Lts. Rufus
Oliphant and Co-Pilot Charles Wilkes, also
lost over Dunkirk; Lt.J.B. Long and Co-Pilot
Lt. John McCormick killed in a mid-air
collision with a 66th Squadron aircraft on
the 16 February raid on St. Nazaire; Lts.
Clyde E. Price and Co-Pilot Robert E. Forrest,
along with Lts. Robert W. Blaine and CoPilot Lawrence J. Roetto were simultaneously
shot down on the bomb run over Rouen,
France on March 8.
The "Little Beaver" flew on each of these
tough missions including the TOJO raid on
which Major MacDonald was lost. (See
accompanying story.)
By the 8 March 1943 raid on Rouen, the
67th had lostfiveof its original nine crews.
Jackson Hall had been grounded for medical
reasons. Two weeks later "Bucky " Warne and
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MJSgt. Marion Bagley, Crew Chief on "Buzzin' Bear."
•
M/Sgt. Bagley and his crew.
The Crew of the "Buzzin' Bear" - May 11,1943
Bottom Row: Bill Cameron, Pilot; Bill Dabney, Co-Pilot; Jim DeVinney, Bombardier; Tom Clifford, Navigator (not in photo).
Top Row: Jerry Sparks, Radio Operator; Jerry Grett, Waist Gunner; Gola Gibby, Flight Engineer; LeRoy Winter, Assistant Engineer;
Ernie McCabe, Waist Gunner; Frank Maruszewski, Tail Gunner.
�crew to be piloted by Lt. Robert I. Brown,
Major Moore's Co-Pilot, on his first mission
as Pilot, was forced to fly a replacement
aircraft named "Miss Delores. " This aircraft
had, to this point, a dubious record for
completing missions. The other aircraft and
crews were, of course, Lt. Roach in "Annie
Oakley" and "George"Phillips and Co-Pilot
Lt. Everett W. Wilborn,Jr. For the first
mission the crew was to fly without Bill
Cameron in the right seat. ALL
THREE
CREWS WERE LOST. Robert I. Brown and
Co-Pilot Hartley A. Westbrook and five
others bailed out and were captured. Three
Gunners in the waist and tail went down
with the plane. Hit directly by heavy flak
right after target, Lts. Roach and Co-Pilot
Ross A. Hennery plus six of the crew were
KIA, the Navigator and Bombardier
England-June 1943. Low level Training flight prior to the North
Africa
deployment. #1 "X" 41-23816,68th "Black Jack"; #2 "L" 41
successfully bailed out and were captured. "Little
23817,
67th "Suzy Q"; #3 41-23774,67th, "Hitler's Nightmare."
Beaver" was hit directly under the flight deck at the
same time as "Annie Oakley. " Phillips and Wilborn,
damage occurred on #3 engine from a probable 20mm
along withfiveother crew were KIA, four others
hit that caused a loss of oil pressure and Cameron was
successfully bailed out and were captured. OF THE forced to feather #3. At this point they began to drop
ORIGINAL 67TH PILOTS, NOW THERE
WAS
behind the formation. In addition to the #3 shutdown,
ONE!
they had high cylinder head temperatures from the high
Newly promoted 1st Lt. Cameron had flown his first power settings attempting to stay with the formation.
mission as Pilot on April 4 in "Little Beaver" on a
The high power settings with rich mixture in attempts t
diversion mission along the Dutch Coast. His second keep the engines cool, had depleted their fuel reserve.
crew mission was over Brest, Germany in his new
Additionally, they had lost the two generators. All th
aircraft "Buzzin Bear. " Ed Mikoloski was his Navigator
considered, the decision was made to attempt to reach
on this 16 May raid. On May 17, and again on May
Malta rather than a return to Benghazi. Sometime after
29, Cameron and the Group flew missions to Bordeaux setting course for Malta, they saw land ahead and while
and La Pallice, France. All three missions were without
Navigator Clifford argued it was too early to have
losses and the post-Kiel mission morale took a sudden reached Malta, the fuel situation dictated a landing as
rise. During June, the 44th flew low level practice
soon as possible. With the usual Cameron luck, a long
missions over England and prepared for the Africa
shining strip was sighted on the land which they could
deployment on June 26.
identify as a landing strip. As they turned toward it,
Between "warm-up " raids against Italian targets on one engine quit. Flight Engineer Gibby quickly
July 2, 5, 10 and 15 Cameron flew low level training
transferred fuel and got it restarted. Cameron also
missions in preparation for Ploesti. On June 17,
restarted # 3 engine and proceeded with a straight in
Cameron and Co. took "Buzzin Bear" to Naples.
approach and landing. Prior to that time, the crew had
Instead of the usual light defenses of the Italian targets,donned their May Wests and parachutes and stood by t
this day the Group encountered fierce fighter opposition bail out if things got quiet. A safe landing was made,
comprised of both Italian and German E/A. The
and rolling to a stop, they were met by a British Offic
"Buzzin' Bear" crew wrote a page in history when
in a jeep who informed them that they had landed, not
during some thirty minutes of constant attack, they
on Malta, but Comiso Airfield on Sicily, just a few mil
destroyed three Macci 202's, one ME 109 and one ME
from the front lines. He advised them to remove their
110, all officially confirmed, and no crew injuries.
aircraft as soon as possible, it was a big target!
For thefirsttime with "Buzzin' Bear" enough
�By loading 600 gallons of fuel by hand from British an additional incentive, I was thoroughly enjoying the
low-level flying. So I went.
5 Imperial Gallon Jerry cans most of the day and into
The only other individual that I am aware of who
the twilight, and lacking any food, the Buzzin' Bear
had
also completed his tour (there probably were others)
was back in the air sometime after midnight, enroute to
and volunteered to go was Captain Roland B. "Sam "
Malta. After landing, Cameron, DeVinney and
Houston, one of our best people and an old friend. Sam
Clifford, fortified by two pieces of stale toast and a cup
of tea in the Officers Mess, attempted to sleep in chairs. was killed with crew while followingJim Posey's
formation over Target Blue Five. He bombed
The location of the other crew members remains a
successfully, but went down during assembly for the
mystery.
return. Sam's gunner also shot down the German
Fighter as they were crashing. "
Hying the slot directly behind ColonelJohnson in
"Suzy Q", Bill Cameron was the designated deputy
leader should "Suzy Q" go down. Notwithstanding that
his target had already been mistakenly struck by anothe
flight, Colonel Johnson took his formation through fire
and smoke, attackingfightersand witheringfirefrom
an unexpected Flak Train to deliver their bombs on
target, then turned tofighttheir way homeward until
the enemy, out of fuel and ammunition, gave up the
pursuit. True to form, two aircraft returned to Benina
Main non-stop with four engines running, "Suzy Q"
June 17,1943, The "Buzzin' Bear" crew at the "Self-Serve" station,
and "Buzzin' Bear" piloted by the Bullet Proof Pilot Bill
Comiso Airfield, Sicily.
Cameron.
Two weeks after the Ploesti raid Howard Moore,
A return to Benina Main was accomplished the next
having
completed his combat tour, turned command of
morning. When the near starving Cameron caught up
the 67th Bomb Squadron to the newly promoted Major
with him, Major Moore's greeting was "Where in Hell
Bill
Cameron. Bill was making preparations for the
have you been?"
return of the Group to England when the Group was
In the afternoon of that day, Cameron was
ordered to mount a raid on the airfield at Foggia, Italy
instructed to attend mission briefing for a very
important target. In the briefing he learned that he was So on the 16th of August, one day after taking
command, with great great pride, the new commander,
to lead the Group in "Suzy Q" against transportation
with some new crews having arrived, scheduled seven
targets in Rome. Half of Moore's crew had dysentery
aircraft. There was Jim Hill and Charlie Henderson, the
and "Buzzin' Bear" was undergoing four engine
changes by the ground crew and half of the flight crew. veterans; three new pilots and crews, the Cameron crew
with two new pilots, Lt. Leighton C. Smith and Ht.
Apparently not expecting an attack on the Holy City,
OfficerJoseph S. Milliner (had flown Ploesti with
defenses were light and the mission uneventful except
Henderson)
in "Buzzin' Bear, " and a veteran crew from
that this was Cameron's 26th mission. In his words, we
the 506th, Walter Bunker with Dick Butler, who had
have his thoughts on what was to be his 27th mission,
been transferred to the 67th, as Co-Pilot. Lt. Walter R.
Ploesti:
Bateman
and crew, on theirfirstcombat mission were in
"After the Rome raid, we started practice bombing
"Suzy Qf, and the new crew ofLt. Carl S. Hager were
and flying in larger formations of aircraft at low, very
in
their new plane "Black Sheep. " In his words, Bill
low, altitude. I had actually completed my combat tour
of duty with the Rome raid, and I didn 't believe that Cameron describes that day:
"Because of their experience, I scheduled the former
Howard (Moore) or Colonel Leon Johnson really
506th
crew to lead the 67th. Previous missions to targets
expected me to fly the upcoming mission. I don't know
why I did either. However, it was "high adventure" and in this area, as well as the one I had flown to Foggia,
although I didn't know what the destination would be, I had been made without loss and not much opposition.
So on 16 August, I proudly watched them take off—the
hated to miss out on it. Furthermore, the crew of the
first mission of the Squadron under their new
"Buzzin' Bear" didn't want to go with a new pilot. As
�"Little Beaver."
problems caused by Turbo-supercharger misCommander. It was a heady feeling!
Thefirsthint of trouble came when the veteran lead management, guns freezing up because of inadequate
crew returned early with engine trouble. Later, when it oil, and poor electric heated flying suits, the "Little
was all over, only Hill returned! Our men had run into Beaver" and "Buzzin' Bear" were tireless and reliable.
an estimated seventy-five to a hundred German fighters Neither the Phillips crew or "Buzzin' Bear" ever had a
casualty and Cameron only once shut down an engine,
which had been recently moved down to Italy. Our
and that was precautionary, until the engine was
Squadron lostfiveof the seven planes and crews,
needed for landing and was re-started.
including my own "Bear" and the "Suzy Q. "It was very
In some typically brief remarks at our 44th Bomb
hard to take. From that day on, I never sent a crew out
on a mission that was not absolutely required, or a crew Group Reunion in Rapid City, SD in 1989, General
Leon Johnson stated, "In my view, Bill Cameron is the
that I did not consider tried and ready for combat. "
jinest combat pilot I have ever known. " When one
Bill Cameron signed on for another tour, took the
reflects on the amazing circumstances and puzzling
Squadron back to England, then the return to Africa
relationship of his presence and an imperviousness to
and back to England. He relinquished command of the
67th when he was promoted to Lt. Col. and replaced Bill danger, General Johnson could well have added: and
the luckiest! In the words of Ernie Pyle, it could be said,
Strong as Group Operations Officer where he remained,
with the exception of a stint as Vice Group Commander, "He is a fugitive from the law of average. "
Bill Cameron and your President/Editor have been
until the end of the war. In his post-combat crew service,
friends and Air Force colleagues since those Shipdham
Bill Cameron flew nine more combat missions as
Command Pilot without mishap.
days. Thus Ifeel entitled to say his gentle, polite and
In reading this combat account of two aircraft and
caring demeanor belies that within lives the "finest
a pilot, even a quick mental count of missions, losses combat pilot" our General Johnson knows.
and injuries during the time when the 67th Bomb
Squadron had been mathematically wiped out twice, the
uncanny survival of the two aircraft and one pilot
defies explanation. Then to explain the loss of his
original crew and their airplane thefirsttime they flew
without him, followed by the loss of his own crew and
airplane the veryfirsttime they went into combat with
another pilot. Discounting some early mechanical
#
�The German Ship TOGO
By Steve Adams
August, 1955, Col. Bill Cameron arrives on Guam to take
Command of Hq. 7th Air Force (Advanced). Greeted by Capt.
Roy Owen, Operations Officer. Lt. Col. Dick Butler was also
there serving with SAC's 3rd Air Division.
The morning reconnaissance flight of 15
February 1943 over Dunkirk Harbor showed
indications that the German ship TOJO was
preparing to sail from the harbor. There was
some mystery about this ship, thought to be
a raider, with a puzzling Japanese name. If
the ship were allowed to slip out to sea our
intelligence was that she would be raiding
allied shipping lanes. Crews were called and
hurriedly briefed. The 44th launched 17
planes which rendezvoused with aircraft of
the 329th Squadron of the 93rd Bomb Group.
The formation was led by Capt. Arthur Cullen
of the 67th with Major Donald MacDonald,
67th Commander as C o m m a n d Pilot. This
aircraft and the aircraft of Lt. Rufus Oliphant
were both heavily hit by A A immediately
after bombs away. Major MacDonald and six
of that crew were KIA; all of the Oliphant
crew were lost. Unfortunately the enemy ship
survived.
Later intelligence revealed the ship was
not a raider, but a radar equipped
Nightf ighter control ship and her name was
not TOJO but T O G O and she was being moved
up from the channel ports area to fill a gap
in the Ostmark area. She was equipped with
a Dreh-Freya at the bow. This was an early
warning radar that operated in the 90 to 200
M h z band; the effective range was between
20 and 40 miles over flat terrain or water.
She had two Y lenses amidships and a FuG
Wurzburg-Riese. This was a fighter ground
control radar and height finding system for
air raid warning radars. Fixed installation
and rail mounted. Search capabilities:
Azimuth 360 degrees, elevation -5 to +95
degrees. The R.A.F. Code name for this radar
was "Basket." There is no information as to
what finally became of the ship, or if it was
ever attacked again. The T O G O was renamed
Rudolf Luck in September 1943; she would
keep this name until the end of the War when
she was again renamed Svalbard and was
put back into service as a merchant vessel.
It is thought the name T O G O was shortened
from Togoland, which w a s a G e r m a n
protectorate in Africa before the first World
War, but was taken away from Germany at
the end of that war.
�ENGLAND AND FRANCE IN 97
Here's what you've been waiting for! We have just put together the itinerary
of the return to England next year that you voted on at San Antonio. And w e have gone you on
big extra with an optional extension to France and Belgium.
Here's how we will be doing this:
Day One - May 2 7 To accommodate our members from all parts of the country, w
be using eight gateway cities (San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle,
Cincinnati, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Boston, Miami and JFK N e w York and thre
airlines (Delta, Virgin and British Airways) to have everyone arrive
London (Heathrow or Gatwick) on the same day, May 27. You will be
responsible for your o w n round trip transportation to the Gateway
airport nearest to your home. You will be met at your London arrival
J^c
airport and transferred to our hotel. You will have dinner at the hotel t
evening, otherwise you have the evening free.
Day Two - May 28 Morning; London sightseeing tour with included lunch. Aftern
your choice: Coach 1-K.ew (Royal Botannical) Gardens; Coach 2 Hampton Court; Coach 3 - Hendon R A F Museum. Dinner at Hotel.
Day Three - May 2 9 Free Day - Golf available - Dinner at Hotel.
Day Four - May 30 Travel to Norwich - Check in Hotel - afternoon free to sho
Norwich, Dinner at Hotel.
Day Five - May 31 Free Day - Golf or optional tour to Coast; Cromer & Sherin
Yarmouth and The Broads; alternatively a visit to the Royal Residence
at Sandringham Castle. Dinner at Hotel.
Day Six - June l Visit to Shipdham, visit the Heritage Centre and Church wit
Service at the 44th Memorial. Visit and tour the Airfield and Squadro
Sites. Visit Arrow Air Hangar and new Visitor and Pilot's Lounge. Enjo
a Wine, Beer and Soft Drink Reception with the people of Shipdham a
the hangar followed by a Barbecue and dance music in the hangar.
Day Seven - June 2 Depart Norwich for RAF Duxford and American Air Museum, th
to Eastbourne, Check-in and Dinner at Hotel.
Day Eight-June 3 Optional tour of Sussex historical sights - Pevensey Castle
Country, Bodiam Castle, etc., or Free Day for golf or relaxation.
Day Nine - June 4 Visit to "Ruthless" Memorial on the South Downs and Social
with people of Eastbourne (hopefully a reception with the Lord Mayor)
Day Ten - June 5 The England only group return to London area for last night
at Hotel. (French & Belgian Tour group cross the Channel today, see
addon itinerary.)
Day Eleven - June 6 British Tour only - Transfer to departure airport.
10
�FRENCH AND BELGIAN EXTENSION
Day Ten - June 5 Depart Newhaven for Channel crossing arrive Dieppe 10:15 a.m.
stay in Dieppe before traveling on to Rouen for two night stay. Dinner
at Hotel.
Day Eleven - June 6 After Breakfast travel to Bayeau, pause to see the Tapest
the D-Day American Landing Beaches and the American Cemetery at
Omaha. Return to Rouen. Dinner at Hotel.
Day Twelve - June 7 Leave Rouen, travel to Giverny for visit to the artist Mo
garden before checking into hotel for dinner, staying for two nights.
Day Thirteen - June 8 Completely Free Day. Opportunity for Bateau Mouche on R
visit the Eiffel Tower, The Louvre, or golf can be arranged.
Day Fourteen - June 9 Leaving Paris, travel eastward to Reims and on to Basto
101st Airborne were besieged. Then on to visit the Ardennes
American Cemetary before proceeding to Liege for the night. (Bed and
Breakfast.)
Day Fifteen - June l o Depart for homeward journey making a sightseeing visit
enroute via Calais/Dover to London for overnight. Dinner at Hotel.
Day Sixteen-June l l Transfer to London Gatwick or Heathrow Airport for depart
Costs:
(l) The Members will be responsible for transportation for round trip transpo
nearest Gateway airport from your home.
(2) The average round trip air travel cost from the Gateway City to London an
The England only ground package cost will be $ l ,463. The France/Belgium add-on is $498.
Adding the average round trip airfare, the cost for the England only tour is $2,132. Adding the
round trip airfare to the entire tour is $2,668 per person plus travel costs to the Gateway city
These costs are subject to fluctuations in international monetary exchange rates and in airlin
fuel price adjustments. This is based on double occupancy, includes all breakfasts and dinne
where noted, a couple of lunches and a couple of dinners "on your own." If you desire single
occupancy, there will be a surcharge of $304 for the England portion and $ 160 for the Europ
extension. Otherwise, you will be riding in deluxe, air cooled buses operated by one of the olde
Coach Tour firms in England. Staying in superior hotels with private facilities and our buses wi
be available for side trips of our choice for up to 75 miles (150 miles round trip) deviation fro
our scheduled route daily.
My 44th Friends, it won't get any better than this. We are going to travel wit
and pay our respects to our fallen comrades in a spirit of light hearted enjoyment they would
wish us to have in their memory.
We ore limited to 124 people.
First come, first reserved.
(# 125 and after go on standby.)
u
m
�Fill out the Reservation Form herein, m a k e out a check payable to 44th B G V A in the amount of
$ 3 0 0 per person w h o will be traveling and send to our Treasurer:
Gerald W. Folsom, Treasurer
44th B G V A
P.O. BOX 2 3 6 7
Salt Lake City, U T 8 4 1 10-2367
(Position on list will be determined by postmark or by dote and
time if paid in person at the Reunion.)
Information on cancellation policy and available trip insurance will be
sent by mail after receipt of reservation.
r
44th Bomb Group Veterans Association
R e t u r n to England/France '97 Reservation
• Yes, l want to join the group for the May 26, 1997 England Tour ONLY.
• Yes, 1 want to join the group for the May 2 6, 1997 England Tour and continue on t
trip.
and
1 will be traveling • alone • withmy_
lam enclosing
(Names)
total
.x $ 3 0 0 per person = $.
(Must be mailed to reach 44th BGVA Treasurer by October 15, 1996.
Number of golfers: Pay your own Green Fees:
I I at London I I at Norwich I I at Eastbourne I—Pat Paris
Signature and name printed:
Signature
N a m e Printed
City
Address
Zip
Phone: (
M y Airline Gateway City will be:
•Boston (Virgin)
•Miami (Virgin)
• S a n Francisco (Delta)
•Seattle (British)
• N e w York (British)
• Dallas (British)
• Los Angeles (Delta)
'.
_Youj^lj^ceiuejjij1inej^seru
by mail.
Eastbourne, England, The "Ruthless" memorial placed by the
people of Eastbourne for the 506th James 0. Bolin crew, all lost in
a crash landing at this site 2 February 1942.
12
�Editor: These come to us from
Pat Commisa, 68th Squadron.
BATTLE WEARY
They said he was battle weary.
You could see the look in his eyes.
Which came from sixty five missions.
Thru Italy's trouble blue skies.
His hands never shook nor trembled.
But the calm deliberation,
Of each and every movement,
W a s fraught with determination.
I'd read of battle weary troops,
But what that really meant to m e ,
Was someone overly tired.
And that a little rest would free.
True, that is what it really is,
And also the correct remedy.
But 1 never knew how precious,
Nor hard, that little rest could be.
1 never knew that a stomach,
Could consistently refuse food.
Nor how much a mind can stand,
That can do a little more than brood.
Nor how long human teeth could stand,
Nights of continuous grating.
And the terrible love hunger,
Which seems to know no sating.
Nor the twitching, straining muscles,
As they fight once again in dreams,
And of the groaning and despair,
That ends in a curse or in screams.
Yes, they say he's battle weary,
You could still see it in his eyes.
But you'll never know what it means,
Until at your side he lies.
A poem written by a gunners father who
knows what his own son and also many boys
are going through after doing his tour of
missions is completed, and also what the boys
go through during their tour of operations.
M. P. ETIQUETTE
So you haven't got a hat bud?
Well what do you know,
We've got just the place,
For a sloppy G.I. Joe.
What if you have been overseas,
Your here and don't forget,
There's still some rules and regulations,
Known as military etiquette.
Yes sir you guys got ribbons,
But listen to me bud,
Just because you got used to it,
You can't go around covered in mud.
Now I got it from the Provost,
And he gave it to me straight,
He sez to me, "Lay for those guys,
Who always come sneaking in late."
It's up to us he says,
Who ain't been out of the states,
To let each of these veterans know,
Exactly how they rate.
So if you catch 'em out of line,
Give it to 'em good,
Cause there's a war going on,
And that's to be understood.
So you fellows see where I stand,
I've just got to run you in,
Cause if the Provost finds out,
He'll take it out of my skin.
So start polishing, shining, shaving,
And stay right on the ball,
Cause if your not all shiny,
We won't win this war at all.
�Editor: The following article is the latest episode in b o m b runs. Horst had a list of the crew from Miss
America of the 389th and five of this crew were killed.
the continuing saga of B-24H E-101, "Corky," shot
In the other crash, the information is not as clear, but
down over Dortmund, Germany 28 January 1945.
We featured "Corky" in the Winter issue with a cover five bodies were buried at the s a m e time as the eight
reproduction of the original Robert Taylor painting crew from "Corky" and four from "Miss America."
This partly explains the confusion when Patrick
"Welcome Sight" which depicted "Corky" amidst a
formation of 44th Libs overflying Ely Cathedral on Colosimo, the survivor from Corky, had been told by
a return from a mission. Doctor Robert Reid of the Germans that a number of his crew were still alive.
London, Ontario, Canada owns the painting and has It would seem that the reports were rather fragmented
as to the number of survivors and dead, and in fact it's
become the preeminent historian in the life and
death of the aircraft and fate of her crew. He is a confusing even to this date w h o the survivors were as
member of our Association and is truly an amazing there were reports of two survivors from Miss America
individual. His quest for the facts of the shoot-down being killed by civilians but not being found till after the
and story of each of the crew will probably rank as war. O n e of the families from Corky's crew had been
told that one of Corky's crew had been killed by civilians.
the most thoroughly investigated combat loss in
However, when the local graves registry was reviewed,
the history of 8th Air Force.
only one of the crew from Miss America who was killed
is missing from the burial list from the 9th of February.
All the crew from Corky were listed on this list. It's easy
By Dr. Robert Reid
to see how the reports became confused, particularly
because of the language difficulties.
The witnesses to Corky's crash were mainly older
In the Winter edition of Eight Ball Tails, the Patrick people and young children and youths under the age
Colosimo's capture w a s described by two young boys.
of 16, all the rest of the male population being drafted
In following up with Horst Munte in Dortmund and with
into the army. This means that any witnesses would
Stephen Klemp, the newspaper reporter for the local
either be over 90 now or around 60. This in fact was
newspaper, the story became rather more clear.
very much the distribution that w e found in the telephone
M y father had been ill and I planned a trip to visit reports. The plane exploded in the air and a wing came
him at the end of January. Horst w a s quite persuasive off, the main fuselage broke in two in the region of the
that I c o m e to Dortmund and eventually w e arranged to b o m b bay and wreckage w a s spread over 1/2 a
meet on the 27th of January, which would allow m e to kilometer north and south of the main east and west
be there on the anniversary of the crash.
Autobahn in the north of Dortmund in the area of a small
I arrived in Dusseldorf at 10:30 on a Friday evening suburb known as Altenderne. The first of witnesses on
in the middle of a blizzard. While driving up the Autobahn the scene were a young boy and his sister. H e was
to Dortmund, having passed 20 cars in the ditch, I began around 14 and she w a s around 10 years of age and
to wonder what I w a s letting myself in for as the weather she describes finding a tall blond American lying with a
deteriorated. It w a s with s o m e relief that I pulled into parachute that was partly burnt and damaged. H e was
the gas station where Horst had arranged to meet m e .
dead and her brother apparently cut the parachute off
By this tim^ there was almost eight inches of snow on and they ran away with it, as it was forbidden for civilians
the ground and I w a s beginning to question whether I to go near a crashed enemy bomber or remove anything
was being sensible.
from the crash site. Shortly afterwards, a local farmer
However, after a good night sleep and breakfast, I who's property lay approximately 150-200 meters from
w a s ready to go investigating. Stephen and Horst
the crash site c a m e up and described finding a tall
explained what they found from the telephone calls that American, but without a parachute and another crew
had been m a d e to the newspaper following two articles member laying approximately 50 yards further west who
in November, 1985. There were 16 witnesses, claiming apparently had a gold band on his wrist with the n a m e
to have seen the crash, but on subsequent phone calls, Walker inscribed on it. This subsequently disappeared
several were describing another crash. O n the 28th of and as there w a s no other identification on this airman,
January, 1945 there were in fact three B-24's that
he w a s not identified at the time, though w e now know
crashed in the Dortmund area. "Corky" from the 44th
this w a s Joseph Walker, the engineer on Corky. The
b o m b group, a second B-24 "Miss America" from the
farmer also noted four or five crew members laying close
389th B o m b Group, 566 Squadron and a third from the to the main fuselage. The number and location varies
93rd B o m b Group, 409th Squadron.
according to the witness and it maybe that they had
T h e other two Liberators went d o w n on the
been removed later and gathered close together for
southeast part of Dortmund, having completed their
Corky (Continued)
�Corky Continued:
removal. The tail unit had apparently c o m e down south
of the Autobahn and again the descriptions vary as to
whether one or two of the crew were found in this
location. The wing c a m e d o w n to the north of the
fuselage, almost in the back garden of the farm house,
an engine and several b o m b s were found unexploded
in this area also.
The fuselage apparently burned for a period and
because of the risks of unexploded bombs, a cordon
w a s put around the crash site and non-military
witnesses were strictly limited following this. This story
was given to us by the son of the farmer w h o was 10
years old at that time, his father just having passed away
within the past two years.
Most of the witnesses that called in knew about
Patrick Colosimo, that he had been blown across the
north end of Dortmund coming down in the suburb of
Mengde and being taken into custody by the local police.
H e w a s badly hurt, having been burned, his hair being
singed, being cut also in the head and with a broken
leg.
W e could not, however, find any witnesses to
Maurice Corwine, the pilot, until very recently in early
March w h e n anther witness
called into the n e w s p a p e r
following a follow up article
regarding m y visit and it would
seem that Maurice c a m e down
between the crash site and
M e n g d e as he had exited the
plane at a much lower altitude.
H e apparently c a m e down close
to a flak battery, m a n n e d by
young girls, and the description
was that he had been taken to a
farm house close by which tallies somewhat with the
story given to m e by relatives of the other crew
members.
While this w a s happening at the north of Dortmund,
at the south end, the crew m e m b e r s of the 389 plane,
Miss America, were descending by parachute. Their
plane having suffered a very similar fate of having a
wing blown off by flak and the co-pilot, pilot, engineer
and three gunners managed to get out of the plane and
survive the descent, five of the crew did not survive.
O n e of the five is not listed in the mortuary records in
Dortmund and what happened to him is not clear as he
w a s known to have left the plane.
T o m Riggles - Co-Pilot, Keith Holdrige - Radio
Operator, and Will Crum - one of the Gunners, are all
alive and having contacted them they confirmed s o m e
of the details of the raid that day.
The civilians around Dortmund were particularly
15
upset with U S aircraft and all survivors described having
been fortunate in having been captured by the army of
Luftwaffe. Will Crum describes being escorted by a
Luftwaffe, Sergeant Major Heinrich Fischer, back to the
air base back in Dortmund and Fischer having to
threaten a group of w o m e n with his gun, w h o were intent
on assaulting the prisoner, to keep away.
The survivors from Corky, Miss America and the
other B-24 were gathered together at the air base in
Dortmund over the subsequent few days and Will Crum
remembered Patrick being brought in. Apparently the
Germans had wanted him to be taken to the hospital,
but he declined and wanted to stay with his fellow
survivors. H e was quite badly burned about the head.
H e had several other cuts and a broken ankle. None of
the survivors remember Maurice Corwine well and it's
possible that he wasn't actually brought to the air base
as several other survivors had been taken to local police
stations and then directly transferred to the Prison of
W a r processing center near Frankfurt. The remainder
of survivors from the 28th of January raid, were
transported to Frankfurt by train, four or five days after
the raid and then transferred to the Prisoner of W a r
camp.
Dr. Robert Reid with German Historian
Horst Munte at the site of the "Corky"
crash in the suburbs of Dortmund,
Germany. Note the dark area of grass
where the main fuselage and one wing
came to rest.
With the story from Stephen and
Horst, and the members of Miss
America's crew, what happened to
the crew from Corky w a s almost
completely cleared up. Three
parachutes were reported as
coming out of the aircraft and one of them, I understand
from two other 44 b o m b group observers, had been
caught in the explosion and w a s d a m a g e d . T h e
evidence would suggest that this w a s Robert Lough,
the co-pilot, as he w a s considerably taller than the other
members of the crew as can be seen in the photograph
in the last edition of Eight Ball Tails. The confusion over
whether or not there w a s a parachute is explained by
the removal by the two young witnesses.
H o w the story, that one of them had been killed by
civilians, c a m e about is not clear but what w e suspect
is that this w a s misidentification with one of the other
crew members from one of the other aircraft. The civil
records for that time are fairly complete, though all the
Airfleet 4 documentation from the air base were
destroyed at the end of the war. The local mortuary
records account for all dead, except for one crew
m e m b e r from Miss America, w h o w a s known to have
�Corky Continued:
parachuted safely according to his colleagues, but w a s
not found until after the war. H e m a y be the victim that
had been discussed earlier as a possible casualty due
to civilian maltreatment.
In s o m e of the papers that Horst Munter gave m e ,
there w a s a form signed by 2nd Lieutenant Herbert
Copelan, 3046 Q M C company that investigated the
crash at the end of 1945. Herbert is n o w a physician
living in Florida. His memories of that time are patchy,
but he w a s able to give m e s o m e details about the
investigation. At that time, because of the number of
casualties, investigations were frequently not as in depth
as would probably have been optimal, but he indicated
that the crew from Corky had all perished at the crash
scene.
In early 1946, they were moved from Dortmund, to
the Ardennes National Cemetery in Belgium and later,
all except, Burt Steinmiller, Edward W e i n m a n and
Robert Lough, were removed to the U S for burial in
their hometowns, W a y n e Scott w a s buried at Arlington
National Cemetery in Washington.
After having discussed all the information over
breakfast, Horst and Stephen took m e out to the crash
site. The crash site is traversed by the main east/west
Autobahn. Surprisingly, it's not yet been built on, though
one can see that within the next few years, the houses
will expand out from the town, but at this point it's much
as it w a s in 1945. The fields are still cultivated and
because of this, the farmers are reluctant to allow
anyone to dig on it. The soil contains clay and there's
only a very short period in the spring when the ground
is not frozen or waterlogged to allow a proper search.
Ten or twelve years ago an engine had been found, but
this had been sent for scrap. A propeller had been found
also and blades of this had been given to individuals.
Horst and I later went looking for one of them which
w a s apparently set outside a building in the south end
of Dortmund; however, it had been there three months
before, but w a s gone w h e n w e got there. It had been
removed following renovations to the front of the building
and the owner's weren't helpful.
The other propeller blade w a s in the possession of
a technical sergeant in the G e r m a n airforce and
apparently he had been transferred to Canada (strange
coincidence). In the field where the main fuselage
section had c o m e down, there's a slight change in the
contour of the land and in the color of grass, apparently
related to the fuel and the burning of the soil at the time
of the impact.
It's a very quiet spot with a small road along its
northern boundary, mainly used by families walking
children and surprisingly peaceful despite being so close
to the main Autobahn.
The photographs show the site of impact of the main
fuselage and the point where the tall section c a m e
down.
The wing, engine and apparently five bombs came
d o w n in the field to the north of the lane, close to the
farm house.
The snow on the ground and the weather, according
to the witnesses, were very similar to that 50 years
before. Later that day, Horst and I drove out to the crash
site of Miss America to meet one of his friends who
spent almost four years going up and down the crash
site there and has collected large numbers of parts of
the aircraft, but most are very small, the largest piece
being a hydraulic p u m p and an engine cowel flap.
The following day, which w a s the 51st anniversary
day of the crash, Horst and I went back out to the crash
site at noon, the time of the crash.
The scene w a s very peaceful and didn't belie the
violence that had occurred. It w a s a bright sunny day,
though mildly overcast, very similar to that in 1945.
There were people walking along the lane with small
children from church, several crows and magpies were
flying around, this being the only sound until an aircraft
w a s heard. I have to admit, it rather sent a shiver up m y
spine. It w a s one of the commuter airliners going into
the local airport. It gave m e a rather eerie feeling.
Several people c a m e over to speak to Horst and one
or two knew about the crash and asked what w e were
doing.
O n leaving the crash site, w e drove down to the
cemetery where the crews were initially buried. It's a
quiet place, just across the road from the main cemetery.
The plots were the Allied air crew were buried have not
been used since. The cemetery is dominated by a large
monument to 6,000 Russian workers w h o were killed
in a number of air raids during the war.
A s the weather w a s brightening up, Horst took m e
out to the M o h n D a m where the Royal Air Force used
the famous Bouncing b o m b to blow the d a m up. O n the
south side of the Autobahn about five miles from the
d a m is the crash site of one of the Lancaster's from the
raid. In contrast to the farmer in Dortmund where Corky
crashed, here they had to give up cultivating part of the
farm in the area of this site because of the number of
visitors to the monument that has been placed there in
memory of the crew.
In al,l there were approximately 40 Allied aircraft
crashes in the vicinity of Dortmund during the war. Horst,
since he retired as a teacher, has investigated almost
32 of them and has found artifacts in m a n y of the sites
and also documented the stories of the aircraft. H e still
has m a n y witnesses to see, one of the elderly
gentlemen w h o called the newspaper, w a s one of the
people first on the scene, w a s willing to go with us to
�Corky Continued:
see the crash site. Unfortunately, because the weather
was rather cold he couldn't as he was in frail health. He
said he'd be happy to do it later and I suppose it's an
excuse for another visit to Dortmund. This time to
perhaps comb the field with Horst with his metal detector
to see if he can find any artifacts from Corky.
I would like to thank several individuals for their help
in m y search for information about Corky including Will
Lundy, Pete Henry, all of the members of the crews of
Corky who have corresponded with me, and to Douglas
Howard from the Department of Army Mortuary
Records, Alexandria, Virginia, and Tony Mastradone
who has aided the search for information in the National
Archives.
Frequently, government workers are given little
credit for doing their jobs, but in all m y dealings with
the people in Washington, they've been extremely
helpful and understanding in helping m e get information.
Some more first hand stuff on "Corky"
Dear Will:
In the Volume 1,
Issue 4, the article on
"Corky" is accurate
about
Rueban
Rickett's crew flying
three missions on the
8th, 10th and 17th of
June, 1944.
Webb
Todd's
68th
Squadron
history is in error
(omission) - there
was a mission by the
68th on the 10th of
June. The mission
w a s to Orleans
Buchy, France. I
verified the dates
with m y form 5 flight
records.
O n the 7th of July, Rueban Rickett's crew took the
plane to Bernburg, Germany, not Darenburg. This was
the day of the "Big Shoot." W e could not get fighter cover
because all our fighters were engaged with the German
fighters. W e were attacked by JU-88's coming out of
the sun just as w e prepared to turn on the IP. The
Navigator's window was shot out. The three lead aircraft
(of our Section) were hit - they, in turn, hit each other,
going down in a massive spin, apparently locked to each
other. S o m e chutes were observed coming out but how
many I don't know.
17
Rickett's crew became the lead 68th aircraft at that
time, bombs were dropped by the Navigator, me! S o m e
bombs hit the target, and aircraft plant. But most of them
took out the main road through town.
Rickett's crew flew "Corky" to Saarbrucken on the
16th of July and the mission on the 12th of July was to
Munich. A previous mission to Munich was also m a d e
on the 11th of June, I believe.
All of the above dates are from m y form 5 flight
records and diary.
Rueban Rickett was an excellent pilot. His service
record would show he was an A & E aircraft mechanic
before going to flight school. H e was a rated B-17 pilot
who was taken out of phase training as a B-17 co-pilot
and sent to B-24 transition training. He picked up all his
crew except the Navigator at Wendover Army Air Base
in Utah.
I, as Navigator, joined the crew in phase training at
G o w e n Field Army Air Base at Boise, Idaho in January,
1944.
Any time that w e had aircraft mechanical problems,
Rueban could diagnose the problem and save the
ground crews many hours of hunting. I think that he
w a s one of the best
and safest B-24 pilots
in the Air Force.
January 28,1996,
Dr. Robert Reid overlooking
the crash site of 68th
Squadron Corwin crew
aboard "Corky" shot down
51 years prior over
Dortmund, Germany.
On 12th of July,
1944
we
were
scheduled for a raid
on Saarbrucken, but
had to abort because
of a blown engine.
The weather was so
bad w e had to get to
an auxiliary field to land. W e were directed to
Molesworth, a B-17 group. W h e n Rueban landed, w e
had a full load of bombs and 2300 gallons of fuel. H e
"greased" that B-24 in so smoothly you couldn't feel it
touch down. W h e n I complemented him on the landing,
his reply was, "This is a B-17 field and I don't want them
thinking I'm driving a truck!" H e was proud of the B-24
- so were w e all, the B-17 gets glamorized, but the B24 was the real work horse in all theatres.
Best wishes,
Elwyn A. Meyer, 68th
Idaho Falls, Idaho
�THE PRESIDENT'S C OKMIt
Air Centre or Steve Adams.
Back on the job again! We just returned
from a six week+ vacation to the beautiful Our mail-out of some 1800 letters
44th people who have never belong
Provence region of Southern France, thenformer
a
to a 44th member organization has, to
three night visit in Paris on our way to London
point, provided rather disappointing r
for five days. I put Lolly on a return home
flight on July 9 and I stayed over for a runwith
up only 48 memberships so far. Althou
by using "Address Correction Requested"
to Norwich/Shipdham to complete plans for
have new addresses for a bunch of thos
our 44th BGVA England trip next year. Also,
I met with Steve Adams (our English people, and knowing Art Hand, rest assur
he will keep pounding the beat and that
representative) and Nigel Wright, President
number will grow. Those who have come in
of Arrow Air Centre. In this meeting we came
to an agreement on management and funding the fold after all of these years are ast
that we found them and amazed to find th
of the construction of the Arrow Air Centre
someone still cares enough to make the e
addition which will be the Visitors Centre
to locate them. Most of those newly foun
housing the 44th B.G. museum and the Arrow
members are looking forward to meeting w
Air Heritage collection. While the actual
us in St. Louis.
construction plans were not ready for review,
we went through a verbal description of theYou certainly have observed that for
issue, we have moved the cover picture o
addition and I looked over the site and was
featured aircraft "Buzzin' Bear" to the
impressed. The room will occupy a vacant spot
so we can pay tribute to our Presiden
on the rear of the existing building accessed
Emeritus and Combat Leader
GENERAL
from a hallway that will provide access from
the Pub. The feature of this location is LEON
that W. JOHNSON
on the occasion of hi
the exterior side of the addition looks Ninety
over Second Birthday, September 13.
the airfield and will have large windows that
Should you care to wish him a HAPPY
BIRTHDAY and CONTINUED HEALTH with
will present a view clear across to the old
an individual card, he may be reached at
Control Tower. The draft of the funding and
Belvoir Woods Parkway, Fairfax Apt. 334,
construction agreement is currently being
reviewed by your Board of Directors. Belvoir, VA 22060.
Hopefully this will soon be completed and
signed, funds transferred and construction
See you in St. Louis!
begun. Our dream of preserving and
transferring the wall art from the 14th CBW
walls to the new building will not be possible.
The old Rix farm was recently purchased by
Mr. Andrew Doubleday. He is an ardent
supporter of the 44th and the preservation
of the Shipdham heritage of our outfit. In that
sense, he has denied the removal of the wall
art in the fear it would not survive the transfer.
Instead he has promised renovation of the
buildings to protect that which remains and
will allow access to view the CBW area by
anyone making arrangements through Arrow
�^Beating the Bushes
By Art Hand & Will Lundy
DR. MYRON F. SESIT: Sutton Place South, New York, ELBERTB. "Jim" WALTON: 825 East Belt Boulevard,
N Y 10022 (212) 486-9055. 68th Squadron. Joined 8/3/42; Richmond, V A 23224 and (804) 231-3904. 68th Squadron.
tour to Africa September 1943, etc.
Gunner on Van Dykes crew. In 1/28/45 and home on 5/28/
45. Flew in A/C #42-95021.
FRED HEICHEMER: 42 Lincoln Avenue, Binghamton,
N Y 13905 (607) 723-3157. 68th Squadron. Joined 11/2/
DALE STUFFLEBEAM: 620 East Van Buren Street,
44; C/T on 4/10/45. Co-Pilot for Beckingham. Transferred Washington, IA 52353 and (319) 653-3018. 68th
to 459th BG.
Squadron. In on 1/27/44; C/T on 7/4/44 to 8th AF HQ.
JEROME WILNER: 10209-D Ashbrooke Ct. Oakton, VAROBERT C. SWANK: 2929 East 800 North Ossian, I
22124. 68th Squadron. Bombardier forN. Anderson.
46777-9105. 68th Squadron. Engineer on Kay's crew. In
Joined 10/25/44. Home on 5/28/45.
on 6/23/44. C/T on 11/21/44.
CHESTER F. CRANTZ: Box 36, 293 Main, Vulcan, MIARTHUR C. RVHL: 18375 Ankenytown Road,
49892. 68th Squadron. Gunner on Cary's crew. Joined on Fredericktown, O H 43019 and (614) 694-5203. Gunner for
10/8/43. C/T on 4/1/44.
Kessler crew. Joined on 8/3/43 and C/T on 4/1/44.
JOSEPHE. WAWERNA: 7702 Rosewood Drive, Port
Richey, Florida 34668 and (813) 868-2937. 68th Squadron.
Front Gunner for Gayman. Joined 5/1/44, completed 22
missions.
FRANK A. WILSON: 1904 Oneida Avenue, Muscatine,
IA 52761. 68th Squadron. Returned from ETO 5/22/45 on DARRELL D. BELYEU: 3433 North Dougals Boulevar
Spencer, O K 73084 and (405) 771-5719. 68th Squadron.
A/C #44-50769.
Aircraft Mechanic. To ETO 9/5/42; flew home 5/30/45 A/
MYRONH. LONGAN: 26 Park Lane, Milton, PA 17847 C 42-95001.
and (717) 742-9219. 68th Squadron. Radio Operator on J.
EDWARD W. DANZIGER, III: 1341 Missouri Avenue,
Cary's crew. C/T 4/1/44.
Bndgeville, PA 15017 and (412) 221-6565. 68th
ROBERT C. MANTHEY: 1019 N. Franklin Street, New Squadron. Radio Operator on Kiggins crew. Joined 1/22/
45. Flew home on 5/21/45 via A/C #44-50755.
Ulm, M N 56073 and (507) 354-6692. 68th Squadron.
Gunner for Bravakis crew. Transferred to 458 BG.
EDWARD A. WEDDELL: 1448 Westminster Drive,
Fairfield, C A 94533-1827 and (707) 425-3176. Engineer
RICHARD E. KING: 2517 Henderson, Memphis, TN
on Lt. Honmyhr's crew. In Sq. May, 1944, C/T November,
38127 and (901) 357-7752. 68th Squadron. Joined on 4/
1944.
27/44. To ZOI 5/28/45. Flew home on 42-95021.
GEORGE C. TRIBKE: 102 West Willow Avenue,
Woodstock, IL 60098-2571. 68th Squadron. To ETO
Queen Mary, 9/5/43, returned same way 6/16/45.
ALBERTPSCHIRER: 370 Michigan Avenue, Mansfield
PHILIPL. CARTIER: 382 Ferry Road, Sacp., ME 04072
O H 44905 and (419) 589-6922. 68th Squadron. Engineer
and (207) 284-5709. 68th Squadron. Gunner on Borah's
on Seever's crew. In 7/16/44 and C/T 3/24/45. Had D S to
crew. Joined 6/23/44; C/T 2/14/45.
Belgium November, 1944 into '45.
WILLIAM JACOB: 50 Fairfield Street, Bristol, CT 06010
RICHARD F. COWARD: 119 First Street, Nederland
and (203) 582-4505. 68th Squadron. Was transferred to
77627 and (409) 722-8515. 68th Squadron. Gunner on
231st Hospital (Wymondham) 3/26/44.
Seever's crew. Also in on 7/16/44 C/T 3/24/45.
ROBERTHENSLER: 2032 Pleasant Street, South bend,
CARL C. SHOOK: 9151 South 700 East, St. Paul,
IN 46615. 66th Squadron. In from 391st Squadron, 34th
47272-9512 and (317) 525-6799. 506th Squadron. May
BG.
have been known as "Curtis."
CLYDESILVIS: 156 Beckwith Dr. Battle Creek, MI
49015 and (616) 962-2346. 68th Squadron. (No details on RICHARD A. BOYKIN: P.O. Box 128, Port Haywood,
V A 23138 and (540) 725-5426. 506th Squadron.
him yet.)
19
�Beating the Bushes (Continued):
COL. JAMES G. CARY: Ret. 5580 North Shore Way,
Pensacola, FL 32507 and (904) 492-0423. 68th Squadron.
Pilot of own crew. Arrived 10/8/43 and C/T on 4/1/44.
Transferred to 448th BG.
EDWARD W. ROBARDS: 6476 Halcyondale Road,
Sylvana, G A 30467 and (912) 857-3830. 506 and 67th
Squadrons. Co-Pilot for E.C. Yatkones. Arrived in 67th
Squadron 8 June 1944. C/T November, 1944.
"Joe" the Navigator
A poor downtrodden soul is he.
W h o guides our planes o'er land and sea.
WILLIAM FATUR, SR.: 8201 Sante Fe Drive, #165,
Fogs don't alarm him, clouds or foam.
Littleton, C O 80120. 68th Squadron. Gunner on Borah's
His d/f loop will get them home.
crew. Joined 6/23/44 and C/T 2/10/45.
The gunner on this loop m a y star.
But poor "Joe" tells them where they are.
SIGMUND GOLDMAN: 1670 Huron Terrace, Maitland,
FL 32751. 68th Squadron. Navigator for Beckingham's
The pilot brags, "I dodge the flak."
crew. In on November 2, 1944 and C/T 30 March, 1945.
"Joe" gets him there. "Joe" brings him back.
The bombardier waits his load to drop.
PERCYGAUDIN: P.O. Box 125, Kiln, MS 39556. 66th
At his wireless sits the radio op.
Squadron. Gunner for J. McKenna. P O W 6 August 1944.
The wrist gunner, his lonely vigil keeps.
And o'er them all a deep peace creeps.
LLOYD K THOMPSON: RR #1, Box 145 L, Sedans, KS
While all alone, brow damp with sweat.
67361. 68th Squadron. Gunner for Principe's crew.
The busiest guy you've ever met.
Arrived on 3/5/44 and C/T 8/24/44.
His desk alive with charts and maps.
DANIEL BERGER: 1351 S.W. 125th Street, #314,
Compasses, dividers, a Dalton perhaps.
Pemborke Pines, FL 33027 and (305) 436-5878. No
A sextant, star tables, a few log forms.
details, but listed as 68th Squadron. Todd doesn't have
He's the most crowded soul that was ever born.
him.
And when the results of the raid are read.
Hats off to the gunner (of course he's dead).
TOM REEVES: P.O. Box 511, Clearlake Oaks, CA 95423.
For his part in the marvelous bombing spree.
66th Squadron.
They gave the pilot the D.F.C.
VINCENT V. VRANAS: P.O. Box 41555, Sacramento, CAThe bombardier's aiming the load was hot.
The D.F.C. was the praise he got.
95841-1555. 66th Squadron. Bombardier for Paul
Then
for the navigator, forgotten cuss
Dusossoit. Arrived about February, 1945. Flew 17
The simple admission. "Yeah! H e was with us."
missions.
LOUISA. TEBBE: 523 East Sunset Avenue, Santa Maria,
C A 93454 and (805) 922-2206. 68th Squadron. Nose
Turret for Roy Boggs crew. Joined 8/3/44, C/T and flew
home on 5/28/45 in A/C #42-52643.
HOWARD W. BEAMAN: 3113 Calvary Road, Council
Bluffs, IA 51503-1907. 66th Squadron. Waist Gunner for
Lt. McPhillamey, P O W 26 February 1943.
Art Hand will be taking orders at th
EDWINE. ROSS: Route #4, Box 56B, Eupora, MS
Reunion for felt Group Patches for
39744. Cannot identify.
jackets. Each of the Squadron colors
EDWARD PICARDO: 6532 39th Avenue, N.E., Seattle,
will be available. See Art at you
W A 98115 and (206) 522-5926. 67th Squadron. Tail
Gunner for Jay Spencer. First mission August, 1944 and
convenience.
completed tour 12/31/44 - New Years Eve!!
•o
�»
tssouri wa,
" Meet Wle In Si £ouis
so you don t
sing the
»
Si Louis 13lues
�44TH BOMB GROUP VETERANS ASSOCIATION
1996 REUNION - October 3 - 7,1996
Holiday Inn Westport
St. Louis, Missouri
REGISTRATION F O R M
LAST NAME.
ADDRESS _
CITY
GUESTS _
GUESTS
SQ # (one only)
SPOUSE
FIRST, (name tag).
ZIP
STATE
PHONE # (
).
RELATION
TOTAL TO ATTEND
•
D
Q
•
Option # I
Option # 2
Option # 3
Option # 4
Full Reunion
Thurs, Fri (Sq. Dinner, Sat (Banquet)
Sat (Banquet), Sun (Buffet), Mon (Breakfast)
Saturday Banquet and Dance only
$110.00 per person:
$70.00 per person:
$80.00 per person:
$35.00 per person;
NOJ_
NOJ_
NOJ_
NOJ_
$13.00 per person: NOJ
St. Louis 8:30 -12:30 Friday
$13.00 per person: NOJ
Grant's Farm 1:00 -4:30 Friday
Total.
(Please check your arithmetic.)
Meat Selection (Banquet only) D
Beef
G Chicken
Sunday Champagne Brunch at Casino St. Charles @ 12:00. I would like to go? • Yes
or G
•
Q
Tour #1:
Tour # 2 :
No
H O W many?
REGISTRATIONS M U S T B E RECEIVED BY S E P T E M B E R 16,1996. N O REGISTRATIONS W I L L B E P R O C E S S E D AFTER THAT DATE.
••••NO SHOWS FULL REFUND****
<^D
M A I L T O : Jim C l e m e n t s • 4124 Calculus • Dallas, T X 75244-7311
=v
Cut on line!
44TH BOMB GROUP VETERANS ASSOCIATION
1996 REUNION OCTOBER 3-7,1996
H O T E L RESERVATION F O R M
FIRST
LAST NAME
ADDRESS
PHONE # (
CITY
# OF NIGHTS
# IN ROOM
n
SHARING ROOM W /
STATE
DFPARTIIRF DATF
. ARRIVAL DATE
SMOKING
•
ZIP
•
NONSMOKING
KING G
2DBL
Check in time is 3:00 p.m.; Check out Noon. Rate: $69 (up to two in room) + Tax 13.224%
CUT OFF DATE: September 9,1996. Reservations received after this date will be processed on a space available basis. Rates are firm for days before
and after reunion.
CANCELLATION: Deposit refundable if cancellation is received 48 hours in advance of arrival. Record your cancellation number. Call (314) 434-0100.
TO CONFIRM YOUR RESERVATION, INCLUDE FIRST NIGHT'S DEPOSIT BY CHECK PAYABLE TO HOLIDAY INN WESTPORT, OR MAJOR CREDIT CARD INFORMATION.
SIGNATURE
AMOUNT
TYPE
CREDIT CARD #
^D
DATE
EXP. DATE
Mail to: Holiday Inn W e s t p o r t • 1973 Craigshire • S t Louis, M O 63146
Airport Limousine Available: Call from courtesy phone in lobby.
CHECK # „
�1996 44th BOMB GROUP VETERANS ASSOCIATION
(£&\ REUNION NOTES
RXOISTRATIOIT
&&y
It is absolutely imperative that registrations be received by September 16, JPPC.No registrations will be processed after that
If there Is some question about being able to attend, send your registration In anyway as all no shows will be refunded. If, however,
you have sent your registration In earlier and lt become apparent you will not be able to attend, please let us k n o w as soon as
possible, so w e oan keep our numbers straight with the hotel.
The options listed on the Reunion Registration Form are designed to make your schedule more suitable and equitable. There oan be
no deviations.
The Registration Desk will be open Friday at noon for those arriving on Option #2. For those that selected Option #3, the Regi
Desk will be open from 11:30 to 1:00 Saturday to pick up Registration Envelopes. The Registration Desk will again be open at 8:30
Saturday for those attending on Option #4, at which time late arrivals on Option #3 m a y get their tickets. Please double check your
registration before sending lt to ensure you are paying the correct amount.
There will be a large Bulletin Board in the lobby that will have complete information regarding the events of the reunion. Most
questions you might have will be answered on the board. Dress Code: Informal, except Banquet night. Jackets and ties for the
gentlemen and dressy attire for the ladies.
Tour #1: ,?gg ft, XtO"**.
For those of you that have not visited St. Louis recently or never have, this tour will give you a chance to become familiar wit
The Gateway to the West.
A stop at the Cathedral of St. Louis is inoluded. The Interior contains one of the largest and most beautiful displays of mosalo
In the Western Hemisphere - covering domed ceilings, numerous arches and wall panels.
A narrated tour will acquaint you with the city's downtown/civic area. You'll learn both past and present history of Laclede's
Landing and the historic riverfront.
A stop for picture taking will be made at the magnificent Gateway Arch.
Other interesting sights of the city will be included as time permits.
Metrolink
For those of you that would like to enjoy some of the other points of interest, the Metrolink is highly recommended. It will get
you to your destination quicker than you oan drive in your car, and with no parking worries. The Hotel will furnish Limo service
to and from the airport Main Station. Fare to any station on the route is only fifty cents. There will be a m a p of the routes on
the Bulletin with all the Information you will need to make your trip a success.
TOUR 02: GRANT'S FARM
Located on the estate of the late August Busch, Jr., Grant's Farm is one of the most popular attractions in St. Louis. Built on
once farmed by Ulysses S. Grant, lt n o w has a miniature zoo, bird and animal shows, a collection of horsedrawn carriages and a
trophy room. Ride through the game preserve on a trackless train where you will see the various animals and a log cabin built
by Grant in 18S4. A visit to the Clydesdale stallion barn is a highlight of this attraction.
Enjoy a lunch or snack on your own in the Bauernhof Courtyard.
Tour No. 1 and S are so times that you will be able to enjoy both of them; even if it shghtjy delays your lunch until approximately 1:30 at the Bauernhof Courtyard at Grant's Farm.
HISTORICST,
mAmr*
Bounded in 1769, lt Is the oldest city of the Missouri River and was Missouri's first State Capitol. Many craft, antique and
speciality gift shops line the cobblestone streets. There are wine gardens of the small Missouri's wineries.
The day we will be there, St. Charles will be celebrating Oktoberfest. Oktoberfest is a citywlde celebration of St. Charles' Ger
heritage, featuring a parade, G e r m a n bands, grape stomps, ethnic food, costumes and enjoyment. There will be a free shuttle bus
making the rounds of the activities.
Shuttle buses will start loading at the hotel on Saturday at 1:00, and the last one will leave St. Charles from a designated loc
at 4:30. However, any one can return at any time on our buses.
CASINO ST, crranT.*:.*
On Sundays the Casino features a lavish Champagne Brunch of more than twenty selections of palatable foods for $8.95 (with
discount coupon). There will be free admission to the casino after brunch.
The bus from the Casino will pick up those wishing to go at 12:00, returning at 3:00. As the bus Is being furnished at no oharge
tt Is necessary w e have reservations before hand. Therefore, on your registration form, please check the appropriate plaoe.
�^ ^
ii
/ 44TH BOMB 6R0UP VETERANS \ jifiw
X
ASSOCIATION
» |
1996 REUN1
HOLIDAY INN WESTPORT
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Keg istration all dag.
12:00 Mospitallty Koom opens.
4-.00 to 5:00 Reception Ballroom.
Dinner on your own.
8:30 -12:00 Zour #1. See St. JCouis
10:00Mospitallty Koom opens.
12=30 - 4:00 Zour #2. Grants Jarm
6:00 Squadron Dinners - ballroom
(Koom assignments to be announced).
9:30 -1 h30 General "BusinessMeeting
12:00Mospitallty Koom.
hOO Shuttle buses to St. Charles
4:30 £ast bus returns to hotel
6:00 Banquet: Color guards and candle lighting
3:00 - 1 hOO Dance with Mr National Guard Band
October 6, Sunday
10:00Mospitallty Koom opens.
6:30 Buffet Ballroom - entertainment to follow
October 7. Monday 7.-30 -10.00 Jarewell Buffet Breakfast in Ballroom.
�SOME NOTES ON THE REUNION
RESERVE SEATING FOR THE REUNION BANQUET
ZnThT 'nt^ f°\ the/atur^y Banquet will be implemented by using a Floor Plan of the Dining
"n be numbered Py °" * " ^ " ^ lobby The F1°°r Pla" Wl11 disPlay each
Adjacent to the bulletin board there will be a l.sting of the dining room tables with numbers
spaces to enter names.
To reserve spaces at a table, select one from the Floor Plan and enter the names of those to o
seats on the hst under the table number. D o Not "Ditto". Each space reserved must contain a name
(initials of first name o.k.). There are ten seats at each table
Be sure to check with all those in your party to determine that they have not reserved any other table
Any duplicate seats will be deleted from the list.
roceIduresthiS ammgement * SUCCeSS' wiU dePend uPon each Persons cooperation by adhering to
EASY COME, EASY GO
Simple directions to
*"* WESTPORT
1-270 and Page Avenue
LAMOffl! KltHf«TlCWAl. A I H P O H T
DIRECTIONS: From 1-270. c-xlt
Poao poet to Westoort Drive/
Lockiand Road, which veers
to the right. Turn naht at the
stop llrjht onto Lackland
Road, continue straight thru
ctap liohTs. Rood veers to the
left a n d b e c o m e s CraigshJre.
hotel Is on the right hand side
ot street.
Courtesy van shuttle to a n d from Westport Plaza a n d the airport
12 Minutes from L a m b e r t International Airport
Conveniently l o c a t e d at the center of W e s t C o u n t y business a n d entertainment
For Reservations. Call (314) 434-0100
1-270 o n d P a g e A v e n u e . 1973 Cralashlre. St. Louis. Missouri
25
63146
�WILL SEZ
Although the Turner Publishing Company
announced in their last "Flyer" that August 2, 1996
would be the deadline for reserving your copy(ies) of
the 44th b o m b Group "The Flying Eightballs," it might
not be too late to send in your m o n e y for your copy.
They would like for all of us to participate by sending in
our order for a book as well as your personal
biography. Our book will be larger and better with each
order submitted, and personal accounts of war
experiences, photos, etc. will be welcomed! W e can
have one of their best books published if w e all
contribute.
In the Spring 1996 "Tails," Page 8, Ann Carpenter
Wing began her article with a plea to all of us - one
which I've been nagging at you for s o m e time. She
said, "To those of you w h o have not recorded your
experiences during the war, please do so! It means so
much to future generations. You are an important part
of history. I can tell you from a personal viewpoint that
this knowledge means a great deal to m e and m y
children and grandchildren." She is absolutely correct,
and went on to tell you her story. If you missed it, dig
out your copy and read it.
Your President, as well as all of his Board, are
determined to make this 44th B o m b Group the top
organization of not only the 2nd Air Division, but the
entire 8th Air Force, so far as the recording of our
history is concerned. W e are making progress, but w e
can do so much better if w e can get each and every
one of you to get Y O U R story onto paper and to us to
preserve for you and your family.
It is so disheartening to get a letter from a wife or
child, even a grandchild searching for ANY information
about YOU, the veteran w h o served with us in WWII or
later. Sometimes I a m lucky and manage to dig up
s o m e information for those kinfolks, but all too often i
have so very little that I can give these folks. All too
many of you are far too modest, hiding behind the
words that "I didn't do much, no one will be
interested." Not so, let m e assure you. I've been
bugging you for quite s o m e time, more as a personal
request, but please remember that your o w n family
surely want your stories themselves - first!
If you can't type, write - if you can't write, print.
And if you can't even do that, try using a voice
recorder; talk your story into a tape recorder. But do get
your recollections recorded somehow. O n e of our
combat m e n got his wife to write d o w n his story - not
all at one time, but many evenings during the winter.
H e was an only survivor from his crew, managed to
evade immediate capture, m a d e his way across France,
and with help from French Resistance, crossed the
Pyrenees in winter. W e n o w have it in our archives!
Your time with the 44th is just as important and will
help us with our goal to be the most complete historic
bomber group in the U.S.
In the same vein for those in the 66th Squadron,
Steve A d a m s of Norwich, England still needs much
more data for his 66th Squadron history book which he
is compiling. H e asked m e to thank those of you w h o
have sent in their stories, especially for the first year of
the War, but lately your mail has dried up. He needs
material about all periods of the War, but especially
important at this time is the 1944 period and Spring of
1945. So while each of you are working on your
personal stories, try to remember to help Steve with
any story which he can use for this 66th Squadron
history. H e is a fine young m a n w h o devotes most of
his off-work hours, not only for the 66th Squadron
history, but for the entire organization as well. I can't
say enough good things about this very productive
historian! Please remember him.
Before I wrap this up, I should also caution you with
a few words about your personal photographs. As time
permits, all of us should review those albums, books,
or even shoe boxes to determine what you have, and
try to gather them into s o m e order. And especially
make an effort to identify the place taken, as well as
the names of those in the photos! Most of us can
identify the people in our photos, but strangers would
not. Photos can do a great job of helping us all tell our
stories, but if the personnel in them are identified, it
will complete the story. Try not to write on the reverse
side with a ball point pen - it damages the photo itself.
Best suggestion is to type or write the names on
another piece of paper or adhesive paper which can be
attached on the back.
Just recently I have received two "shoe boxes" of
photos of various sizes to be added to our archival
records. I a m thrilled with all, but all too many are blank
on the reverse side, not identified. They would be so
much more valuable if the people were identified so
that future viewers would know exactly what that
person looked like, which base, which airplane (more
difficult), etc. Yes, it takes s o m e time and mindsearching to remember s o m e names, but the story will
be much better.
While you are reviewing your photos, tie a knot on
your finger to help remind you that I, as your archivist,
need more photos to go along with our stories to
expand our story for the public knowledge as the
years fly by.
Thanks for listening.
Will Lundy
�More on Dan Culler our 66th Squadron Author
Editor. In Vol. 1 Issue #4 Page 27, Winter 1995 of the Tails we did a short article plu
ging Dan Culler's book Black Hole of Wauwilermoos. In his story Dan tells the riveting
account of the savage treatment he suffered after his capture from an escape attempt
whereupon his status was changed from internee to civil prisoner.
After appeals to the Swiss Government, Dan and his wife were invited to Switzerland
by the President of the Swiss Confederation. While the visit resulted in an official apology by the Swiss Government, the return to the sites of his torture and humiliation have
resulted in a relapse to a state of psychological trauma in which the memories of his
torture are affecting his life quality.
Dan has sent us a package of the correspondence he has had with the Swiss and the
Chief of Staff of the USAF. We are including these letters in their entirety Hopefully the
will stimulate your interest in the Dan Culler story. It is a story that needed telling.
may have a change in perception of the "neutral country."
From:
Daniel L. Culler
750 South LaBrisa
Green Valley, Arizona 85614-2232
April 11,1996
Dear Will:
I'm very sorry that I haven't got back to you before, but have been having a rough time
since I returned from Switzerland. Anyone w h o tells you you can go back and relive horrors of
your past are full of baloney.
I appreciate all the information you sent m e , and others have flooded m e with m u c h information, but sorry to say, not the things I really needed. Maybe General Fogleman will be able
to get m e s o m e more. I have sent to every place that anyone has suggested to get duplicates
of m y records, but its the same thing — everything destroyed.
I at least wanted to send you a check for books ordered through the 44th Journal. It seems
not very many interested, so there is very little money to send. I'm sending an extra $10 for
placing the ad in the Journal.
Most of m y orders c a m e from the Swiss Internees and from Switzerland, France, Germany
and Brazil. I have m y book in every state, and many w h o ordered the first one have sent for
reorders. Maybe people are tired of hearing about WWII.
I was just interviewed by our local T V station yesterday, but I have decided after a night of
horror, that will be the last time. It's too hard on m y wife Betty to watch m e have those nightmares and try and bring m e back to reality.
The people w h o ordered the book through the 44th are the following: 2 - Will Lundy; 1 Cliff Powell; 1 - Joseph Crandell; 1 - John Wikle; 1 - Robert Lehnhausen, and I believe 1 - Henr
Baumgardner. That makes seven ordered, so I'll send $7 + $10 to the 44th, so check # 3 0 3 6 will
be for $17.
Thanks for your support.
Enclosed is s o m e information you might be interested in.
Sincerely,
Dan Culler
(520) 625-5581
27
®
�THE PRESIDENT
OF Tilt SWISS CONFEDKRATION
Beme, December 7,1995
CMItr OF si*.,
TCO STATC9 AIN F
WASHINOTON
11 M*r 1996
Mr.
Daniel L. Culler
750 S. La Brisa
Green Valley
U S A - A Z 85614-2232
Dear Mr. Culler
Your story of the trauma and suffering you endured in
Wauwilermoos Is a gripping one - one I'm sure would be of Interest
to military members and retirees. I had my staff research the
requirements for getting your book, Black Holt of Wauwiltrmoos, Into
Air Force exchanges and I am passing that information on to you.
If you will contact the AAFES buyer, Ms. Terl Waters, she will
provide you with the proper procedure to go about getting your book
into the exchange system.
Thank you for
read your compelling story.
Dear Mr. Culler,
Your visit of 30 October 1995 in the Federal House in Berne was not an easy one for
cither of us. For that reason I want specially to express m y gratitude for your friendly
words addressed to m e and our Embassy staff in Washington. I shall remember you as a
person w h o has learned to accept our country without hate - dispite the traumatic
experiences.
Attachments:
1. A A F E S H Q P O C
2. '95 A A F E S Suppliers Handbook
cc:
Ms. Willis, A A F E S H Q
I am pleased your visit did not release just negative feelings but that it made
constructive meetings and pleasant memories possible. I hope this improvement will
intensify during your fuiur visits.
Mr. Daniel Culler
750 S. La Brisa
Green Valley, A Z 85614-2232
Willi best regards to your wife,
HO AAFI-'-S
A T T N : Ms. Turt WUICT.N
Huyt-r, SLaUunury Brunch
P O B>IA A60202
UnlUs. T X 75266-U20Z
(214) 312.323V
Yours sincerely,
Kaspar Villiger,
President of the Swis Confederation
CHIEF OF STAFF
UNITED STATES AIR F O R C E
W A S MINGTON
12 February 1996
Dear Mr. Culler
Thank you for the signed copy of Black Hole of
Wauwilermoos.
I appreciate your kindness and look
forward to reading your book. I just returned from a
long overseas trip, so I haven't had a chance to open it
yet.
I will ask my personnel staff to look into the medals
you mentioned and report back to me. Although it m a y
take some time to research the matter, you will be
hearing from m e again.
Thank you for thinking of me and for taking the
time to write.
General,
Chief of St
Mr. Daniel L. Culler
750 S. La Brisa
Green Valley, A Z 85614-2232
28
�Pinnacle
IU \ Management
Group
The Forgotten Man
Cynthia M. K. Gilliland, Ph. D.. Stephen W. Gilliland, Ph. D., & Associates
Diversity Management • Performance Management
• Innovative Staffing Solutions • Organizational Debriefing
Submitted by 7th PR Gp Assoc Secretary
Richard Brown of Downey, California.
April 4, 1996
Through the history of World Aviation
M a n y names have come to the fore
Great deeds of the past in our memory will last
As they're joined by more and more.
Carla McClain
Citizen Staff writer
Tucson Citizen
PO Box 26767
Tucson, AZ
85726-6767
Dear Ms McClain:
I read what I considered an excellent article in your paper,
When man first started his labour
In his quest to conquer the sky
H e was designer, mechanic and pilot
and he built a machine that could fly.
"Veteran Relives Torment in Switzerland". 1 was concerned and
angered over the retraumatization that Mr Culler experienced as
he returned to the prison where horrific traumas had occurred to
him. I have much respect for the courage it must have taken for
Mr Culler to revisit the scene of so much misery and pain. Few
people can truly appreciate the suffering Mr Culler has endured
The pilot was everyone's hero
H e was brave, he was bold, he was grand
As he stood by his battered old bi-plane
with his goggles and helmet in hand.
while a POW and in the following fifty years. Chronic
posttraumatic stress disorder, such as he has and is
experiencing, is a very serious disorder in which a person
suffers from flashbacks, night terrors, uncontrollable reliving
of the traumas, numbing out, emotional deadness, depression, and
To be sure those pilots all earned it
To fly then you had to have guts
And they blazed their names in the Hall of Fame
O n wings with baling wire struts.
often feelings of going insane.
As a psychological trauma therapist, I have worked with WWII
vets suffering from posttrauma reactions. I agree with Mr Culler
that these wounds need to be healed, assimilated, and a closure
and letting go obtained. I also agree that returning to the
But for each of our flying heroes
There were thousands of little renown
And these were the men w h o worked on the planes
But kept their feet on the ground.
1132 S. Desert Senna Loop Tucson, AZ 85748 (520)298-6824
scenes of the brutality is one way relief can be obtained.
However, the chance of retraumatization is great unless there is
organization, support, predictability, and a gradual
reintroduction to the trauma memories. Psychological trauma is a
reaction to an event which is sudden, overwhelming, fragmenting,
and filled with overpowering emotions. The manner in which he
We all know the name of Lindberg
And we've read of his flight into fame
But think, if you can, of his maintenance m a n
Can you remember his name?
was reintroduced to his prison cell was cruel and inhumane (taken
to the prison at night without warning by a TV crew). Mr
Culler's description of his reaction, "memories of 50 years ago
came rushing through my mind like a bolt of lightening....! fell
against the wall and cried uncontrollably. My legs buckled
And think of our Wartime heroes
Gabreski, Jabara and Scott
Can you tell m e the names of their crew chiefs
A thousand to one you cannot.
beneath me....I wanted no more" says to me that retraumatization
has occurred.
Mr Culler still needs to somehow make peace with his
experiences. I would like to say to Mr Culler that the impact of
PTSD can be lessened; peace can be found. Find an understanding
Now pilots are highly trained people
and wings not easily w o n
But without the work of the maintenance m a n
Our pilots would march with a gun.
and empathic person: a friend, minister, therapist, or physician,
Good luck.
So when you see the mighty aircraft
As they mark their path through the air
The grease-stained m a n with the monkey wrench
Is the m a n w h o put them there.
(Anonymous)
Bob Gilliland, PhD
Trauma Specialist
Pinnacle Management Group
***Editor: We're not going to forget 'em EVER!
and talk through your traumatic memories but do it in small doses
over time. Don't rush into these memories but do talk them out.
29
�FOLDED WINGS
JULY, 1996
James C. Beam
Earl E. Brahmer
Edward M . Burtsavage
Williams S. Aldridge
Joseph L. Cadrin
Richard Castillo
John N. Clark
Sylvester D. Cole
Joseph L. Cumbria
Howard F. Dart
Albert J. D'Anna
James P. Davie
Kenneth S. Dropek
William F. Drumel
Ted R. Fernbach
Robert M . Flake, Jr.
Agrippino P. Gesimondo
Stanley R. Gordon
Don R. Hill
O.K. Kady Hill
Arthur Ingvertsen
Frederick A. Kenyon 68 &
Milton J. Krueger
Edward R. Kupczynski
Bruno W. Lorenzetti
Leon Mascola
James H. McMaster
506
67
67
68
68
68
67
68
68
68
66
68
506
68
66
66
68th
68
506
806
506
66
66
68
506
506
66
Tom McKenna
Howard Mertz
464th
James Musser
Alan F. Oberlin
Frank Orehowsky
Carl Satterlund
Everett D. Smith
George B. Strutz
67
506
506
66
67
George Sweeny, Jr.
Marion Tiemeir
Joe Werenko
68
506
66
7/96
8/20/94
11/95
Navigator
6/26/96
Pilot
Unknown
12/8/95
Howell's Crew
Sq. Exec.
3/21/96
5/31/96
Bowman's-Nichols (Interned) Unknown
Unknown
Armament
Unknown
10/6/95
Kimball's Crew
1992
Bowman's Eng.
1995
Alexander's Crew
3/22/96
Unknown
Unknown
11/30/83
B o m b (Bowmans)
Unknown
2/96
Pilot
Chemical
1983
Unknown
Stahler's
Unknown
Unknown
5/4/96
Marx's Crew Nav P O W Unknown
Gurman's Gunner P O W Unknown
M a y 28, 1944
Assoc (Brother)
4/15/96
SD
Unknown
506th C O .
Titter's Crew
Co-Pilot
Griffith's Gunner
(Intern 3/18/44)
Schaefer's Crew
1986
6/22/96
2/8/96
11/15/92
Unknown
3/9/96
Unknown
Unknown
11/28/95
30
m
Colonel James C. "Seal" Beam
Folds Wings
Funeral Services were held
Monday, M a y 13, 1996 in Gulf
Breeze, Mississippi for retired
U S A F Colonel James Carroll
"Seal" Beam, 78. H e had been a
resident of Gulf Breeze for 17 years.
In World War II, Col. Beam was
C o m m a n d e r of the 506th B o m b
Squadron, 44th B o m b Group. H e
led his Squadron on August 1,1943
when the 44th B o m b Group, flying
B-24 Liberators with three other B24 Groups flying at tree top level
bombed the German oil refinery at
Ploesti, Rumania. For the high level
of success in this daring raid in
which a third of the force was lost
fighting its w a y to the targets
through ferocious anti-aircraft and
enemy aircraft defenses, the 44th
was awarded the Presidential Unit
Citation for Bravery. Col. Beam was
individually
awarded
the
Distinguished Service Cross. H e
was also awarded the Distinguished
Flying Cross and the Air Medal with
three O a k Leaf Clusters. H e had
stated that his proudest moments
were giving the Oath of Office to
his three sons as each graduated
from the Air Force Academy.
Colonel Beam is survived by his
wife, Mary Jeanette Beam, his three
sons, James, Charles and Lance,
nine grandchildren, four stepchildren
and three stepgrandchildren.
�Thankful to Families and Their Interest!
Editor: Sometimes fate seems to step in whether you want her
or not. I had this letter from Frank Orehowsky, my editorial
M a y 28, 1996
reply and an illustrative picture of B-l 7's flying above some B- Dear Sirs;
24 's all ready to go into the last issue. Then we had to cut a few
I a m writing this letter, being the oldest daughter of Frank
pages to allow for our Reunion Centerfold, so I saved the
Orehowsky, w h o passed away February 8, 1996.
Orehowsky piece for this issue. Sadly, we received a letter from
M y father subscribed to your publication, as well as many
his daughter Anne George telling us of her father's passing. I other W W I I periodicals, and was an active member of the Eighth
think her letter certainly tells the kind of 8-Ball guy her Dad Air Force Association.
was. I wouldn 't take any bets that the B-17 versus B-24
M y dad was 18 when he went overseas, and served with the
argument isn t still raging on in the Heavenly Hangar and that 44th B o m b Group, of the 8th Air Force in England as a Flight
Frank is in the middle of it! Thanks Anne for sharing your
Engineer; B-24 Liberator. H e participated in 24 raids over enemy
memories of Frank with us.
held territory, one of which I remember his telling m e many
times as a child; the infamous "Ploesti" bombing mission. H e
Editor: Some good words from Frank Orehowsky of 512
advanced in rank to Staff Sergeant, and received the Air Medal
Montgomery Avenue, Jenkintown, PA 19046.
with three Clusters, Bronze Star and numerous battle ribbons. H e
also was involved in D-Day; going over the English Channel not
12/2/95
once, but twice, as I so well remember his telling me.
It took 50 years for an appropriate organization such as yours to After coming home, m y dad continued to serve his Country,
but as a civilian. H e worked at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard,
surface. Congratulations, it pays fitting tribute to the Libs and the
starting as a Pattern Maker, and retiring as a Senior Project
men who flew in them. Keep up the good work. I dropped out of
Engineer, Submarine Division in 1985.
the 8th A F Historical Society because of their preference to laud
I would feel it an honor to have you mention m y dad in
the B-17 and being indifferent to what Libs and their crews
"Folded Wings," and let any of his buddies that are still around
contributed. The 44th B G Vets Association fills a deep need.
read it in your periodical, as he communicated with many after
G o o d Luck
joining the Association, and rekindling friendships with them.
Frank Orehowsky
Thank you,
50th Sqdn.
Sincerely,
Anne
George
Editor: Thanks Frank; I'm in agreement with you on the 8th
1200
Van
Kirk Street
AFHS B-17 bias. I think if the movie producers had featured a
Philadelphia,
P A 19149
B-24 outfit in a major picture, all of the Liberator crews would
(215)537-4835
have reaped their fair share of Air War Europe fame. Between
"Memphis Belle" and "12 O'clock High " our kids are still
saying "Dad, tell me again, what was the name of that bomber
you flew in combat?" We know though who it was up there
bombing from 4 to 5 thousand feet above us, and (he times
their bombs came whistling down through our formation. Ah,
well that Fortress - Liberator argument
will go on as long as any of us are on our
feet!
The "official" caption on this photo says "(A) Formation of BLiberators shown operation in perfect coordination with B-17 Flying
Fortresses in "Round the Clock Bombing" of industrial and naval nerve
centers of the German War effort. This photo was taken during an
actual operational flight on an unnamed German Target."
Editor: What it looks tike to me is those
Liberator Boys are going to, once again, get to
read the graffiti on the Fortress bombs as they
plummet through the "Lib" formation. Let me
tell you, it's an undescribable rush to read "Up
yours, Adolph"on a 500pounder as it sails
down past the cockpit window!
31
�44TH BOMB GROUP VETERANS
ASSOCIATION BOARD
President: Roy W. Owen (506)
6304 Meadowridge Drive
Santa Rose, CA 95409
Phone: (707) 538-4726 Fax: (707) 538-1212
MMth BGVR Rosters
For you late joiners and short memoried long time
Vice President: James H. Clements (506)
m e m b e r s , w e w a n t to remind y o u that our m e m b e r s h i p
4124 Calculus Avenue
rosters are still available from Rrt H a n d for $ 7 postpaid.
Dallas, TX 75244
It's a wonderful w a y to k e e p track of your c r e w and
Phone/Fax: (214) 243-4657
other squadron friends a n d it is kept u p to date with
Secretary: Edward M. Dobson (67th)
a d d e n d a published regularly. S e n d a c h e c k for $ 7
118 South 15th Avenue #1
m
a d e out to 44th B G V R (please note R O S T E R in the
Bozeman, M T 59715-4130
lower left corner of your check). Mail your order to our
Phone/Fax: (406) 587-2490
M e m b e r s h i p Co-Chair:
Treasurer: Gerald (Jerry) Folsom (506)
Rrt H a n d
954 Lowell Avenue
517 E l m Street
Salt Lake City, UT 84102-3620
Paris,
IL 6199M
Phone: (801) 359-6159 Fax: (801) 533-8747
Office Historian: C.W. "Will" Lundy
3295 North "H" Street
San Bernardino, CA 92405-2809
Phone/Fax: (909) 882-2441
Summer: (619) 932-7349
44th Group Vice President to 2nd ADA
Richard D. Butler
16494 Wagon Wheel Drive
Riverside, CA 92506
Phone: (909) 788-7421 Fax: (909) 780-1459
yyth Bomb Group Veterans Rssociation
Rpplication for
Membership
Name:
Squadron:
Rddress:
City:
State:
Phone:
7ip TnrlP
Fax:
Spouse's N a m e :
Crew N a m e (if applicable)
Director: Edw. K. "Mike" Mikoloski (66th)
626 Smithfield Road #702
Inclusive Dates of Service uuith MMth:
N. Providence, Rl 02904
Phone/Fax: (401) 353-0144
If this a family lineage membership, give parent name:
Director: Robert I. "Bob" Brown (67th)
#8 Metarie Court
San Ramon, CA 94583-3824
Phone: (501) 828-4529 Fax: (510) 828 1551
Mail Check to:
Gerald W . Folsom, Treasurer
LMth BGVR
P.O. Box 2367
Salt Lake City, UT 8M110-2367
Director: Robert J. Lehnhausen (68th)
709 West Meadows Place
Peoria, IL 61604-3447
Phone/Fax: (309) 685-2490
Rnnual Dues: $15
Life Membership, Rge 60+: $100
Life Membership, Rge MO-59: $125
Life Membership, Rge 39: $150
Director: Sherman N. "Bud" Dowsett (506th)
14550 Wolf Road
Grass Valley, CA 95949
Phone/Fax: (916) 268-1019
Director: Melvin G. Trager (HQ Squadron)
2522 Red Oak Trail
Crest Hill, IL 60435-3197
Phone/Fax: (815) 725-3439
32
�W H Y BE A 2ADA MEMBER?
THE JOURNAL ALONE IS WORTH MORE THAN $15 A YEAR!
The Second Air Division in Europe w a s m a d e up of
the Journal and the conventions, where the 44th always
fourteen b o m b groups, five fighter groups, plus other
has its group dinner. The main objection to 2 A D A
attached units, and, for all intents and purposes, these conventions in the past has been the large number of
groups ceased to exist when W W I I ended in May, 1945. people in attendance, and our people have preferred
Luckily for us, that wasn't the end of the Second Air
the smaller, stand-alone 44th conventions. As w e lose
Division. It would take too m u c h space to describe the members to age, w e need to be able to still function as
actions that created the Memorial Trust of the 2nd Air
a group but m a y eventually find it easier to function
Division U S A A F a n d the S e c o n d Air Division
under the umbrella of the Division. The 44th has
Association that have been so closely entwined over
certainly benefited by its independence, but w e lose
the last 45 years. Instead, I urge you to read Jordan nothing and have m u c h to gain by increasing our
Uttal's fine articles on pages 15-21 of Turner's General membership in 2 A D A and our attendance at 2 A D A
History ofThe Second Air Division, USAAF, 1942-1945,functions. It m a y be too expensive or impossible to
to gain an understanding of our roots within the 2nd Air attend both the 2 A D A and the 44th conventions in the
s a m e year, but, when circumstances permit, such as a
Division Association and the importance of the 2 A D A
to the eventual formation and life of the 44th B o m b
2 A D A convention or a regional 2 A D A dinner in your
area, you might find it worthwhile to attend. It will
Group (H) Association. That does not m e a n that
certainly broaden your knowledge of important
relations between the two organizations have always
run smoothly, but there has always been a 2 A D A Vice happenings where the Second Air Division Association
President for the 44th B o m b Group. The big change in is involved: the Norwich Library and our Fulbright
the relationship, to the advantage of the b o m b groups, librarian, Savannah and the 8th A F Heritage M u s e u m ,
was the 1994 change to the 2 A D A bylaws that mandated and the n e w American addition to the Duxford Air
M u s e u m in Cambridge, to mention a few. Less than
six voting Vice President slots in the Executive
Committee instead of three. The effect of the change half of our 44th members belong to the 2ADA, and 44th
has been a shift in control of the Executive Committee attendance at 2 A D A conventions is usually small, but it
to a more democratic board that listens to the needs of will be to our group's, as well as your own, advantage
to increase both. The cost of 2 A D A membership is only
the groups, not always the case in the past.
It is now up to those of us in the b o m b groups to $15 per year, and the Journal alone is worth more to
take advantage of the shift and to become more active you than that. Make your check payable to "2ADA" and
in 2ADA affairs, both in membership and in attendance send to: Evelyn Cohen, 06-410 Delaire Landing Rd.,
at yearly conventions and scheduled regional dinners. Philadelphia, PA 19114. Meanwhile, you and the 44th
Here's why. First, our most important link to history is will continue to be presented by an active 44th Vice
President on the 2 A D A Executive Committee.
the Memorial R o o m in Norwich, and our point of entry
is the 2 A D A representative to the Board of Governors
of the Memorial Trust. Bud Koorndyk holds that position, Ralph Elliott (467th Group VP)
6000 Rafter Circle
and has performed brilliantly in furthering our interests
Tucson,
A Z 85713-4365
there. The disastrous fire that destroyed the Norwich
Library is beginning to b e seen as an opening
opportunity to an unbelievable future for the library and Editor's Note: All you Group VPs should make sure
Ralph's succinct comments appear in your group's
the Memorial R o o m . W e need to be part of that
newsletter,
so that the message reaches the right
endeavor. O n e need only look back to the treatment of
people. If you don't have a newsletter or don't want
the Enola Gay and the end of the war in Japan by the
Smithsonian Air and Space M u s e u m to realize that it's it in there, why don't you get about 10-20 of your
up to us to preserve our history as w e lived it; not as group's 2ADA members to mail say five to ten letter
with a copy to all non-2ADA members? I'll suppl
some juvenile historian rewrites it to suit his liberal,
the
copies free! Just ask!
revisionist theories. The Memorial R o o m will preserve
our history and it needs our wholehearted support. Our
point of contact is through the Second Air Division.
Second, w e probably have another four or five years
as a viable group association. At s o m e point, a reduction
in numbers will likely m a k e it advantageous for us to
regroup within 2ADA, both for the pages w e "own" in 3
�THE MIGHTY 8TH AF MUSEUM OPENING
Article and photographs
by: Forrest Clark
Several memorable events took place
during the opening day of the Mighty 8th
Air Force Heritage M u s e u m that
reminded all of the 8th Air Force veterans
of their proud tradition dating back half a
century.
First there w a s the number of
notables in the W W I I 8th Air Force and
the air war. Second, there were the
ceremonies held throughout a long day
marked by ceremonies; and thirdly, there
were the memorials to the m e n w h o
didn't c o m e back.
A 32-square foot cake measuring 8
feet long and 4 feet wide w a s wheeled
into the huge rotunda for the grand buffet
that was served to 2,000 veterans, their
wives and families. The cake was decorated with a huge 8th Air Force logo and symbol in color. The cake was
cut and 2,000 pieces were served to those present.
Another highlight of the day w a s the introduction of distinguished guests, a m o n g them Col. Paul Tibbetts,
pilot of the B29 that bombed Japan in 1945; Col. Francis "Gabby" Gabreski, W W I I fighter ace and 8th Air Force
writer and historian Roger Freeman whose book the Mighty 8th is a classic in its field.
I had a chance to get to see Gabreski and meet him. H e was delighted in the Heritage M u s e u m and its
exhibits and in the fact that so many were still able to be there on the opening day.
Phyllis DoBois talked with m e and others in the 44th B o m b Group and was very proud of the archival space
at the m u s e u m and the way it was fashioned. She took a glowing report back to the Second Air Division
Memorial Library at Norwich, England.
There were the dedications of the various memorials in the Memorial Garden and tributes to all the groups.
The Glenn Miller concert by the Band of the Air Force Reserve put a fitting conclusion to the day's many
events.
Of special interest to all 44th veterans is the memorial plaque in the rotunda giving the B o m b Group list of
its achievements in WWII.
The atmosphere of remembrance, nostalgia and pride experienced by all w a s outstanding.
So vivid was this atmosphere that for any 8th Air Force veteran it was an easy matter to recall the sights
and sounds, the faces and the figures of the crew members w h o did not return from that air war.
O n e touching m o m e n t was when two men, both veterans of the 8th Air Force stood at attention during the
playing of the Air Force hymn, tears on their faces. Yet they stood erect and proud dressed in their W W I I
uniforms.
Another veteran dressed in full flying gear including a parachute harness and oxygen mask circulated
throughout the crowds of veterans.
To add to the memories were the many friends w h o met at the opening and w h o said as they left and the
final music of Glenn Miller faded away,
"We'll meet again, I don't know where, I
don't know when."
M u s e u m officials said that already
many groups have m a d e reservations to
hold reunions in Savannah and to include
the heritage m u s e u m in their plans. Since
the opening, this number has increased.
Photos:
Top Right: Opening Day, May 13,1996 The 8th Air
Force Heritage Museum in Savannah, GA.
Bottom Left: Dedication Ceremonies at the opening of
the 8th Air Force Heritage Museum.
�By Forrest S. Clark
44th Bomb Group
ACES OF WWII MEET
ANOTHER FORREST CLARK
REMEMBRANCE
The gray haired man with the burly build and postureReturn to Belen
sitting to one side in the crowded rotunda of the new
8th Air Force Heritage Museum was once the most On a recent trip to New Mexico, my wife and I
feared fighter pilots of WWII whose guns claimed 28were on our way down I-25 south of Albuquerque
enemy planes.
when I spied a sign reading "Belen Ahead 2 Miles."
I recognized him immediately as Col. Francis
Immediately something clicked in m y mind and I
"Gabby" Gabreski of the famed 61st Fighter Squadron slowed down to m a k e the exit. There w a s a flashback
inside m e by the n a m e Belen that carried m e back 52
of the 8th Air Force. I asked if I could sit next to him and
I took the one remaining vacant chair. I noticed that years to a spring day in 1943.
I w a s drawn off that interstate highway by a
many old timer pilots of the 8th came up to him, shook
memory stronger than I could resist. M y wife said,
his hand and greeted him warmly.
"What are you doing?" I didn't reply but drove straight
Gabreski not only commanded
one of the most
feared U.S. fighter squadrons of the war in Europe 50through town to the railroad station. As if m y mind
years ago, but was captured and spent some time in a was in a time warp, I immediately recognized the
station. Then the whole story flashed before m e .
German prison camp. His exploits as a persistent fighter
pilot who kept up a relentless battle against the FW190s In the spring of 1943 I w a s stationed at Clovis
and Messerchmidts earned him the admiration of fellow Airbase and received orders to a new assignment at
pilots, but also of many of the Luftwaffe pilots. When ElhePaso, Texas to join a combat crew and later the
44th B o m b Group. I had a 3-day delay enroute to
was captured after crashing his fighter, a German officer
said, "Gabreski we've been looking for you for a longreach El Paso. I took a train westbound from Clovis
and got bumped off the train at a small station 30
time."
miles south of Albuquerque. That town was Belen.
His keen sense of combat and flying record
contributed to making him the leading American fighter Fifty-two years later I found myself in that town
ace, but also helped establish a legend that has and looking at the s a m e railroad station. I went inside
and found a w o m a n at a desk. "I think I w a s here
continued to this day.
It was most appropriate that he should be there before, 52 years ago," I said to her. She smiled and
when the 8th Air Force Heritage Museum was dedicated said, "No. Not another one." I told her how I recalled
sleeping on the floor of the station in the spring of
50 years after the war. He is still a symbol of American
flying in wartime and in the records of history ranks 1943. She reached up to a keyboard, took down an
old rusty key and said, "follow me." W e went into the
with Eddie Rickenbacker of that earlier war, WWI.
station and she unlocked door, opening it into a large
He may walk a little slower and squint a little more,
but those large hands once controlled fighter planes inroom. "Here is where you slept", she said.
Sure enough everything looked the s a m e and I
some of the greatest air war battles of history.
could
see the railroad and hear the sounds of 52
Younger people came to him as he sat near me just
to see him and express their good wishes to him. There years ago. Above one wall w a s a drawing. I looked at
may never be another air war like that in which he it closely and saw, "Kilroy w a s here." Then I felt at
engaged and the bombers also, but the memory is alivehome.
That station is today a historic site occupied by a
in the 8th Air Force Museum
a few miles outside
m
u
s
e u m of s o m e W W I I objects, but above all, it is a
Savannah, Georgia.
place
of memories and overwhelming nostalgia to
One officer summed up the feelings of most of the
air war veterans when he said, "This was our time andme.
we should be proud of it and our part in it."
All of the 44th BG men and their wives present feltEditor: This stirs memories of those warti
Gl troop cars with double deck bunks and Gl
this pride and yet is was tinged with a nostalgic sadness
mess
kitchen cars and those hot, hot trips dow
that so many of their comrades in the air were left behind
through the Southwest. Neat places like Blythe
and never grew up to see this day.
Each man in his own way contributed to that victoryCalifornia; Casa Grande, Arizona; Deming, New
50 years ago, fighter aces, as well as bomber pilots Mexico and Van Horn, Texas.
and their crews.
�Editor: The Ralph Golubeck story on "Princess" (p. 33, Vol. 1, Issue 4) in the Winter '
8-Ball Tails prompted this letter from Richard J. Comey to Ralph.
1 hope the following information is of some benefit to you. My fiance was named Charlotte, so I, in turn
named all of the B-24's I flew "Princess Charlotte." Though I trained in B-24s, the first Princess Charlotte was a
B-17 which I flew across the Atlantic with m y crew.
The first few missions, including Ploesti. I flew with Joe Flaherty, 66th Squadron, 44th BG. He was a singleengine pilot w h o came to the 44th straight out of flight school, and was permanent co-pilot on several missions
until I got there.
He sat on the left side and I sat on the right. It was sort of a cooperative effort between the two of us to get
the plane to the target and back. Our fourth mission (13 July) saw us lose two engines and land at Malta on a
small field. W e left the first B-24 Princess there for repairs. The Princess that went to Ploesti kept her engines
running all the way in and all the way back - for which w e were duly thankful. While several people shot at us,
including a "75", w e were extremely lucky as the Princess only picked up one bullet hole, as I remember it.
W e flew her to England. But immediately after Ploesti I moved to the left seat and m y regular co-pilot, Tom
Drysdale, moved back in to the right.
Back to Ploesti - w e bombed White V, right behind General Johnson. However, so many planes were shot
down, disabled or out of position, it was like w e were all alone after hitting the target on the nose. So w e rejoined another squadron of the 44th and came home.
The 44th made a second trip to Africa (in September) and w e had a mission to Wiener-Neustadt. Besides
losing an engine, w e acquired an unbelievable number of holes in our plane. W e landed near Naples at a British
fighter base and left the plane there. W e rode back to England on a DC-4.
On a later raid (11 December 43) out of England, w e received a direct hit on the nose, right above the
Navigator, Louis Trouve. The force of the explosion knocked him backwards over the nose wheel doors, and out
he went. Fortunately, though wounded, he opened his chute, landed in a bay and was picked up by the Germans.
(Lou and his wife, and Charlotte and 1 got together in N e w York after the War.)
After Lou was gone, w e found flames were licking out of the hole in the nose, so I pressed the alarm button,
"Prepare to Abandon Ship." The Ball Gunner (Neitzel?) saw Lou go by his turret and decided things were really
serious. He tried to get out of his ball, but some empty shells or perhaps a belt or two had jammed the back exit
door. With brute strength - and he was not a very heavily built guy - he pushed the door right off its hinges and
got out. The Bombardier passed out in the nose turret and w e thought he was a goner.
It turned out the flame was fed by a broken oxygen line and when the oxygen was used up, it went out! By
then I was halfway out of m y seat and preparing to signal "Abandon Ship" when I realized things were not so
bad, and finally got things back on keel again. However, w e were now alone and I headed for the Channel, losing
altitude at a rapid pace. W h e n w e reached about 10,000 feet or so, the Bombardier's voice comes on the intercom. He was alive and ok - just passed out from lack of oxygen.
W e very luckily crossed the Channel and returned to Base without encountering any German fighters. The
hydraulic system was shot out, but there was enough pressure still in those spheres to work the brakes. I should
have stopped at the end of the runway and received a hero's welcome, but I taxied back to our pad and coasted
very slowly off the edge of it when the pressure finally ran out.
That "Princess Charlotte" (Really Nice & Naughty) like all the others, got us h o m e ok. W e were blessed with
good fortune as far as the crew was concerned.
I believe I saw her fuselage on the junk heap later. (Yes, she crashed at Shipdham on 4 January 44 while on
take off). I still have the stencil that says "Princess Charlotte" used on some of these planes.
Completed 25 missions in the Princesses - some bore the name in paint, others mind only. S o m e bore two
names, but as far as I was concerned, they were all Princesses and all great. I flew missions for the 66th Squadron, although for Ploesti w e were assigned to another squadron (67th?) to fill out the formation.
Charlotte and I have been married 50 years and are living here in Stowe, Vermont.
Regards,
Richard J. Comey, 66th
36
m
�This is an excerpt from the headquarters monthly log. Probably kept under the watchful eye of
Col. Goodman Griffin, Group Exec. We came by this among some rescued microfilm from the
Norwich library fire. We'll publish some more as we get it.
44TH BOMB GROUP - SHIPDHAM
AUGUST, 1944
Quite a few changes in Officer, assumed command. On N o r m a n A. Vickery, w h o
personnel this month, but we're the same day Major Robert E. completed his operational tour
thankful for no change in Felber, Commanding Officer of as a member of the 66th B o m b
weather. We've had a full month the 67th Bomb Squadron and Squadron, stepped in as Group
of real, honest-to-goodness, sun holder of the Distinguished Bombardier. Lt. Vickery is
shiney weather and we're all Flying Cross with two Oak Leaf holder of the Silver Star, the
campaigning for more. During Clusters and the Air Medal with Distinguished Flying Cross with
the month, 91 Officers and 228 three Oak Leaf Clusters also two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air
Enlisted m e n returned to the returned to the Zone of the Medal with three Oak Leaf
Zone of the Interior by way of Interior for a recuperative Clusters, and the Purple Heart.
different Replacement Depots. leave. Major William R.
On the 19th of the month,
The 44th went on ten missions Cameron, who had been acting Tech./Sgt. Verl T. Marnell, a
into Germany and ten more into as Group Operations Officer in former Group Operations Clerk
France; having done an the absence of Major William H. here, returned to his old
excellent job on most of them. Strong (also DS to the States), stomping grounds. On the 28th,
Two missions went off on the and w h o had formerly been Tech./Sgt. Arthur H. Tillett
4th; the second one being our Commanding Officer of the 67th finally made his way back to
200th operational mission, a B o m b Squadron, resumed his the Homeland.
high reaching goal in the past, old command. Major Cameron (0382)
but n o w an occasion for is holder of the Distinguished
On the 11th of the month,
celebration and an opportune Service Cross, the Distinguished seven days after our 200th
moment to pay tribute to those Flying Cross, and the Air Medal operational mission was flown,
of us w h o could not see it with three Oak Leaf Clusters. the Group took time out to
Lt. Col. John I. Turnbull, formercelebrate the occasion. N o w w e
reached.
The 15th of the m o n t h Group Operations Officer of the shall take time out to glance
brought many changes in key 492nd, has now taken over as over some of the highlights of
personnel. Col. John H. Gibson, Group Operations Officer here. those 200 missions. The Group
On the 2nd of August, Captain began operations on the 7
Group C o m m a n d e r , former
American Airline pilot, and Withers V. Tolbert, Group November, 1942 and completed
holder of the Silver Star, the Bombardier and holder of the its first 100 missions in 16
Distinguished Flying Cross with Distinguished Flying Cross and months. They then went on to
two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air the Air Medal with three Oak complete its second hundred
Medal with three Oak Leaf Leaf Clusters, finally started missions in five more months.
Clusters, and recommended for that long but gratifying trek During this string, the
the Distinguished Service Cross, home. Coincidentally again, organization was twice cited by
returned to the States on DS for Captain Joseph J. Young, a the W a r Department for
a 30-day recuperative leave. former Group Bombardier who distinguished action. The first
Coincidentally, the n a m e of had been on DS to the 492nd, citation came after the attack
Colonel Frederick R. Dent, Jr., and holder of the Distinguished on Kiel on 14 M a y 1943 when
former 44th Group Commander, Flying Cross with one Oak Leaf the Libs were attacked by 120
appeared on the same letter Cluster and the Air Medal with e n e m y aircraft during an
orders from Eighth Air Force, three Oak Leaf Clusters, also unescorted bomb run over the
to return to the States. On this departed for the States by target. They dropped their
day Colonel Eugene H. Snavely, authority of the same special incediaries effectively and in
a former 44th Group Operations orders. On this day, Lieutenant four minutes destroyed 15
37
�enemy fighters. Their total Norway and Holland. They have game between the two leading
score for the mission was 23 bombed three capitals, taking station t e a m s — p o p bottles
German planes destroyed and part in the first aerial attack specially designed for umpires
13 probably destroyed. The on R o m e and striking Paris and supplied to all spectators.
A n d in the evening, the
second citation was for the first Berlin on numerous occasions.
and historic low level attack on The Group also took part in the Carnival moves into Hanger #2.
the Ploesti Oil Refineries in first 8th Air Force Attack on Dice tables, games of chance,
Rumania on 1 August 1943. On Germany proper, w h e n they concessions of all sorts—The
this operation they flew participated in the blow on U S O s h o w "Petticoats," the
and
greatest
through bitter opposition and Wilhelmshaven on 27 January biggest
entertainment spectacle since
over exploding b o m b s of a 1943.
Now, for the celebration, but the Follies of 1918. —Brimming
preceding Group, to drop their
explosives with devastating first w e would like to reprint beakers of beer brewed by
results. Brigadier General Leon for you, the announcement that Britain's best—Luscious hot
W Johnson (then Colonel), w h o came out in our Daily Bulletin dogs so tender they yelp when
you bite into them—Special
was Group Commander and Air on the preceding day.
entertainment by Station
Commander of this mission,
was awarded the Congressional HEAR YE! HEAR YE! HEAR YE I celebrities including the
Medal of Honor for his action
following songs: "Going M y
Way?" by Capt. Vaughn — A
that day. Eleven Distinguished You are invited to step inside
Service Crosses and 16 Silver to the greatest carnival since duet by Lt. Col. Shachtman and
Stars were awarded to other Noah—the 200th mission party Major Barnes entitled "We Got
members of the Group for their of the 44th—on Friday, August Plenty of Nothin" and Capt.
contributions toward the 1 l t h — B e e r — H o t
D o g s - Wright leading his S-2 choir in
successful fulfillment of the Dancing Girls—Games of "It ain't Necessarily So"—
mission.
Chance—The first officer found Its the biggest thing to hit
During those 21 months, the waring insignia of rank to be England since the Blitz: The
Group had operated from Africa shot out of a cannon by the Flying Eightballs" 200th
twice and was credited with the lucky private w h o wins the mission celebration. You can't
destruction of 354 3/4 enemy draw—No rank for the d a y — afford to miss it: It will be
planes. The highest score what there is is reversed— something to keep from your
attained in any one day, was Colonels become Privates and children. Come one, come all: It's
made from a North African base vice versa—Master Sergeants Carnival Time at Shipdham.
when the Group attacked the are reduced to 2nd Lieutenants.
Well, suffice it to say that in
Messerschmidt plant in Austria
Athletics in the morning—the that announcement, you have
on 1 October 1943. Creating a most colossal display of muscles read the story of what
record
that
would
be and grit since David scored a happened, before it happened.
outstanding for even a fighter probable on Goliath—see the It was all that and then some.
Group, our Libs accounted for First Sergeants battle the
To start the day off right, the
51 FW-190's and ME-109's. Privates at volleyball with no boom: of our stubby little
However, the score that was holds barred—Watch Capt. cannon at 1000 hours, signified
probably the most outstanding "Stretch" Weaver and his reveille - a fine time of day for
rung up, w a s m a d e on the "Stringbeans" compete with Sgt. reveille. Anyone who might be
Vegesack attack on 18 March "Fat Stuff" Rosen and his looking toward innovating a
1943, when they were engaged "Pumpkins" in the most p e r m a n e n t change in the
in a vicious air battle, outstanding display of Eighth standard A r m y hour for rising,
destroying 17 enemy aircraft Air Force pin-ups since Mr. could probably find a host or
while losing none themselves. America signed with Minsky.— votes of approval here; although
Editor: Total must be wrong -See Col. Gibson's "All-Brass" w e suggest that this "Gallup
only 330 for total was official.
Softball team take the field Poll" be m a d e w h e n it's all
Eighty-four of their 2 0 0 against Lt. Home's "Single-Bar" "Over, Over There."
missions were to Germany, with boys—Bike races, sack races,
The festivities were opened
the others ranging over France, chin races, horse races—And to with a softball game between
Austria, Italy, Rumania, Poland,top off the afternoon, a softball Col. Gibson and his "All-Brass"
38
�and Lt. H o m e and his "Buckin'- found "impersonating" a Master
One Bars." It was good fast- Sergeant. Before the afternoon
moving game, but H o m e and Co. was half over, the dunkings
pulled a bad bit of strategy by were frequent regardless of
winning the game, although the whether a person was found
score was close, 2-1. They are violating the rules of the day
now known as just "The One I or not. "Baths" were even
1
Bars."
handed out to General Johnson,
Interest then turned toward Col. Gibson, W A C Lt. Luce, our
kegs of beer flowing along the 1 Cryptographic Officer, and
sidelines and other athletic | Phyllis and Sally, our Red Cross
events such as football, 1 girls. Phyllis and Sally were
volleyball, football throwing, dressed in coveralls but they
baseball pitching and a three- had their own clothes soaked
legged race. This last race when two m e n dressed in the
featured the team of Johnson familiar blue skirts, jackets and
and Phillips (General Johnson, hats were also given a "swim."
14th Wing Commander and Lt. A few unfortunate officers,
Col. Phillips, 14th Wing A-3). visiting the post at the wrong
They were doing nicely until time, were thrown into the
just after the turn into the home drink before they had a chance
stretch, when they seemed to to explain. But it only served
make a coordinated duo-swan to get them into the spirit of
dive into the ground. But they I things also.
got back on their three-legs and
In the evening, the carnival
finished in time to congratulate moved to one of the hangers
and the U.S.O. show "Petticoats"
the winners.
One of the most popular featured the entertainment
gestures of the day was General program and w a s heartily
Johnson, holder of the acclaimed by all. Beer was more
Congressional Medal of Honor, than plentiful - five kegs are still
driving to the ball field. In placeunaccounted for - guess
of the usual emblem of rank, someone enjoyed a prolonged
there was a small khaki flag celebration.
Well, a good time was really
adorned with buck-sergeant
stripes. The General was at the had by all - but it ended with
wheel and the sergeant, his the close of day. Operations
regular driver (Mike Fusano), were resumed on a normal keel
was taking his ease in the back and the Group went on to do
an excellent job of bombing on
seat.
All rank and army rule was the following day.
On the 16th of the month,
dispensed with for the day, with
Billy
Conn and his retinue
the exception of the Military
arrived
at this station to put
Police and Lt. Col. Griffin, the
Ground Executive Officer, w h o on a boxing show for the boys.
became an M.P. The rules stated It was a good show and Conn
that any person found wearing showed that he is all we've
rank insignia was to serve beer heard about him.
All in all, it was a good
for five hours. However, in the
course of the events, someone month of living and also a good
decided on a more suitable month of war.
punishment - a dunk in the fish
pond beside the Aero Club. It
all started with Lt. McCaslin, the
Group Training Officer, who was
39
The 8 Ball Tails
Official Journal of The 44th Bomb Group
Veterans Association, Inc.
Compiled, written and published tri yearly at
6304 Meadowridge Dr., Santa Rosa, CA 95409,
Roy W. Owen, President and Editor. Printed and
mailed Bulk Rate at Salt take City, U T under
U S P S Permit #6923. Generally, the material
herein is non-copyright except when so noted.
The text and photos are otherwise reproduced
from personal photographs, diaries, memoirs or
official USAAF and USAF documents and photos
which have been released for publication. Except
for copyright material, permission is granted for
the contents of this journal to be reproduced for
personal archives or the journal of other
incorporated non-profit Veterans organizations so
long as this publication is properly credited.
Those submitting letters, stories and photos
to the Editor or Historian must do so with the
understanding that this material will most likely
be published as a matter of interest to the
members/subscribers of the Association and this
journal. While every attempt will be made to
answer all of the material received, there is no
explicit or implied guarantee that an answer will
be provided or published. Except for specific
requests for the return of original documents and
photos, all material submitted will become the
property of The 44th B o m b Group Veterans
Association, Inc.
Due to space limitations and to ensure the
clarity and brevity of submitted material, the
Publisher/Editor reserves the editorial license to
add, cut or otherwise modify all submitted
material so long as the original context of the
material is maintained.
•
�MAIL CALL
M
This comes from:
George Hill
W9TGN
2116 Ewing Avenue
Evanston, IL 60201-2004
Hi Will,
The enclosed cartoon brought to mind an incident that
I have not written before. So here is a couple short ones
for you.
O n our first trip to Africa (June '43) M/Sgt Bagley
began teasing m e about taking along and eating a full can
of Spam. That was not true, of course, but from then on
until w e returned back to the States in 1945,1 was "Hey,
Spam!! or Hell, Spam.
Later, Our Sgt. W a d e Bond, w h o was a great kidder
and joker, was ripe for retribution. W a d e always had a
caper or story to tell, always working on someone, usually
with one of us winding up the goat. But w e got even with
him one time!
A s you know and remember, most of us carried our
coffee "Cups" with us all the time. After continued usage
and dips in the hot water tubs for cleaning, these cups were
usually mud-colored inside.
One day w e got hold of his cup, unknown to him, and
w e drilled three or four tiny holes in it, just below where
his lips would come while drinking from it. For a week or
so w e had much fun chiding him about being a sloppy
eater, as coffee was dribbling down his chin!
Unfortunately, one day he decided to scrub his cup,
discovered our work.
O n our second trip to Africa (Sept. '43) w e shared an
airfield with a B-17 group just outside of Tunis. Near us
w e could see the ancient aquaduct that the Romans had
built - a short distance away. It has served ancient
Carthage. One day it was announced that a German supply
d u m p had been discovered containing among other things,
a large supply of all kinds of liquor!
Rather than destroy it, a decision was made to divide it
up amongst all of the men. 1 can still remember a fair-sized
box of all kinds of booze coming into the Communications
section for all of us to enjoy. The Commanding Officer of
the field said that he was closing down the field for 24
hours - and for us to "get rid of it!!"
What a party w e had. W e really had a ball. I woke up
the next morning with a big head, but to this day I say,
"Bless that C O . ! " H e was a real wise man.
All is well here. Mary and I took a trip to Alaska last
September and enjoyed it very much. It is a beautiful
country.
Our Radio Net is still going strong, but with the
sunspot cycle at near bottom, w e have not been able to talk
to our English members every week, but conditions should
improve a bit.
A P B S television program called "Nova" had a very
interesting program about a group of m e n (Darryl
Greenamyer - Ex-Lockheed Test Pilot) w h o went up to
northern Greenland to reclaim a B-29 that had been forced
down nearly 50 years ago. What a job! Won't tell you the
story as I taped it and if you haven't seen it, I'll be happy
to loan it to you.
A couple weeks ago I noticed a fellow in line ahead of
m e at the checkout, had a cap on from the 40th Group - a
B-29 outfit from the Pacific. I only got a short chance to
talk to him - a minute or two - but he said that there was a
Squadron in his group that should have belonged to the
44th!!?? (Possibly was the 404th BS, which was borrowed
from the 44th at Will Rogers in July '42, sent to Alaska to
stop the Japanese invasion of the islands??).
Regards to you and Irene
See you in St. Louis!
This comes from:
Albert E. (Ed) Jones
12415 Eagle Point Place
Little Rock, Arkansas 72211
(501) 227-4198
3/4/95
Dear Will,
The reason that I knew Ed Clark was because he was m y
C O . at the Shipdham Control Tower. Before he was there, I
worked for Clifford T Lee w h o was transferred to Germany
some time after Normandy invasion. Ed and I were shipped
back to the States at the same time, had our 30-day furlough,
and went back to Sioux Falls for re-assignment.
Even though he was m y boss, I considered him a good
friend, but w e lost contact until preparations for the 44th B G
Reunion in England in 1992. At that time, I found out about
and joined the 44th B G , 2nd Air Division and 8th A F
organizations. That is h o w I was reunited with Ed, though
w e didn't actually meet until w e were at the Reunion in the
Hotel Nelson in Norwich, England. Since then, Ed and our
wives have attended two 2nd Air Division Mini-Reunions
or Regional Meetings in Dallas.
W e planned to be at the Dallas meeting this year as well
as the 2nd Air Division in Norwich. However, I was forced
to forego both because of the planned cataract surgery on 21
March. Hope that I'll make the next 44th meeting in Texas.
I worked at the Shipdham Tower from about August,
1943 until July, 1945.1 was in charge of the Alert Crew which
worked directly for the control tower, and worked out of a
�front room on the first floor of the tower. The Alert Crew around the area during the War, but I'm sure you are getting
took care of most, if not all, of the "hands-on" duties of the bored, so will hush for now. (No, I'd never get bored by stories
control tower - w e parked, serviced visiting aircraft,
about the good old 44th).
maintained, corrected, updated records of location and
I a m sorry that the old 44th H M G w a s sort of
condition of all B-24s on the base. Pulled them out of the
disappointing, but a m looking forward to meeting with our
mud with a clet-track when they got off the perimeter taxi
new one. Keep up the good work.
strip, and various other duties.
One of m y primary duties was to operate what w e called
the radio jeep. This jeep was equipped to communicate with This comes from:
Donald C. Prater
the tower, as well as with pilots of aircraft. Similar to the
1608 E. Candlestick Drive
checkered van, but much more mobile.
Tempe, Arizona 85283
During bad, foggy weather, I would take the radio jeep
Phone: (602) 820-3838
as far out in thefieldas possible and look for our bombers
Fax: (602) 839-7778
on their cross wind leg, get them turned toward the runway
6/11/96
and above the trees until landing time. Once, when they were To Roy O w e n & Gerald Folsom:
very low on gas - one pass or else - they decided to "Follow Gentlemen:
the Leader" and one make it, all make it, or none. Fortunately,
Thank you for "finding" me. For years I have belonged
they all made it, but they looked like a string of weenies to the Air Force Association and have read each month's
going down the runway. Probably couldn't happen again
magazine carefully searching for some information relative
without a few crashing.
to the 44th B o m b Group. I have never seen a thing. Don't
I learned the area outside the base so well that one of m y know h o w you located m y name but I a m thankful you did.
I definitely a m making plans to attend the 1996 Reunion
jobs was tofindthe bombers that had gone down, radio back
in St. Louis October 3-7. This will be a triple bonus for me.
directions for the ambulances and fire trucks, give
identifications of the plane. Through all of this, of course, First I hope to see some of m y friends from the Korean War
Era (1951-1955), second, I was born and raised in Mexico,
we had to observe radio silence when in effect. O n e of our
Missouri which is only about 1.5 hours drive from St. Louis,
duties was to hand-carry changes in orders to the lead
and
third, the Oktoberfest in St. Charles will be right up m y
commander prior to take off on missions. W e had to enter
alley -1 a m of German-American heritage and love German
the plane and actually hand it to the c o m m a n d pilot.
Incidently, w e had an extra receiver in our radio equipment polka and waltz music. I will bring m y lederhosen, Hut, and
other paraphernalia with me.
and when not too busy, could listen to local broadcasts via
There is a registration form enclosed with your mailing
the earphones.
to me. Should I use this form and go ahead and register, or
Thefiretrucks were housed in a building next to the
tower (east) and the crew on duty had quarters in that building. should I wait to receive m y membership number from you
prior to registering?
However, all tower andfirecrews off duty staff lived in a
Thanks again and I look forward to October in St. Louis.
Nisson Hut directly behind the tower building.
Sincerely,
For much of the time in England, thefirecrews and tower
P
S
.
Wife's
name:
Phyllis C Prater
staff were assigned to the tower from the various squadrons
Military Organizations:
in the 44th B G . I was from the 340th Service Squadron. But
1951-1953
44th
B o m b Wing (44th Air Police Squadron)
finally the Air Force formed squadrons just for their type
1953-1955
806th
A B G , (806th Air Police Squadron)
duties, called Complement Squadrons and to which w e were
•
then assigned. However, I never lived in the squadron area
and can't remember its number.
This comes from:
Since our flights were day missions, our main night duties
Daniel Berger
consisted in landing British bombers who's o w n base was
1351S. W. 125 Avenue #314
too fogged in to land. Our radio jeep was equipped with a
Pembroke Pines, FL 33027
metal stand for one m a n to stand on while directing the
Phone: (305) 436-5878
aircraft where to park. O f course, on these nights, the regular
Wife's Name: Shirley Berger
control tower radio operators were, to say the least, quite
68th Squadron
busy.
6/12/96
Will, I can't remember the names of the guys w h o rode To Gerald Folsom
motorcycles (one was Bill Hawkins) but they were the Air
Sir:
Force MP's. They did spend some time on duty around the
Enclosed please find check in the amount of $15 for
membership
in the organization and future copies of the 8tower a lot, and were our friends. In fact, it was in that setting
Ball
Tails.
that Ifirstlearned to ride a motorcycle - the W W I I Harleys.
Yours truly,
I could tell you lots of things that happened at crash sites 41
�This comes from:
James (Jim) Branson
3908 O'Briant Place
Greensboro, NC27410
Phone: (910) 665-0393
Gerald:
Thanks for your letter of M a y 31, 1996, about the
Association of the 44th Veterans.
Enclosed you will find a check for the annually dues
($15). Below you willfindname, address, phone and wife's
name (Nancy Branson).
Sincerely,
506th B o m b Squadron
This comes from:
Robert J. Stine
2600 Quail Place
Bartlesville, OK 74006
(618) 333-0636
6/11/96
This comes from:
Irvine G. Smith
405 North Columbus Street
Lancaster, OH 43130
Phone: (614) 687-1958 Fax: (614) 654-2509
6/13/96
Dear Roy & Gerald:
Nice to receive letter and information of the October
Reunion.
For the time being...I have enclosed a check for
membership of $15. I hope I can attend the reunion in
October...for the moment, I have a conflict. I will know if
can attend late next month. I will let you know if and
when...and thanks for the registration form.
Information you have asked for:
Wife: Mary Peters Smith. Extra: have two sons both
married with son and daughter each. Names: Frank R.
Smith in business with me...and second son David S.
Smith - Sales Manager for local Lancaster Glass Co.
I was a 1st Lt. with the 80th Chemical Co. stationed
near Norwich with 44th B G .
Will be glad to receive anything in the future relating
to our war efforts.
M a n y thanks,
Dear Roy:
Thanks for your letter of M a y 31, 1996, advising that
the association will hold a reunion in St. Louis in October,
1996.
You indicated that your records do not show that I have
previously belonged to your organization. O n January 3,
1995,1 forwarded to the Association m y Check No. 5539 in
This comes from:
the amount of $ 15 covering the 1995 dues. This check cleared
Raymond Kovach
m y bank on January 9, 1995. Since I received no further
4102 Pershing Avenue
communication from the Association, I assumed it had faded
Parma, OH 44134
away as the 44th Heritage Memorial Group did.
Dear Art:
Consequently, I made no attempt to tender m y dues for 1996.
In the "8-Ball Tails" Issue #5, Spring, 1996, I read the
Since I now know the Association remains active I am, story - "A Brother Returns to East Anglia" by T o m McKenna,
with copy of this letter, sending m y check to Gerald W .
brother of Jim McKenna, 66th Pilot, KIA over Hamburg,
Folsom, Treasurer, to cover m y 1996 dues to the Association. August 6, 1944. T o m M c K e n n a was at the San Antonio
Please enter m y name on the membership list. M y wife's Reunion and asked if any of the crew or anyone who know
name is Wintress C Stine.
Jim, get in touch with him.
So that you will know that I qualify to membership, I
Being on Jim McKenna's crew as Radio Operator and
was assigned to the 68th Squadron in early August, 1942 at Gunner, I wrote to T o m the same day. I had hopes we could
Will Rogers Field as navigator on T o m Holmes crew and
maybe get together some day, or at least write, so I could tel
flew to the U K with the 68th Squadron. I completed 26
T o m what a great guy and Pilot Jim was.
missions with the 68th Squadron. The low level raid on
I received a letter from his wife, Jane with the sad news
Ploesti (August 1, 1943) was m y last mission. I was navigator that Jim died on April 15, 1996 and that he had sent the
on the lead ship of the lights attacking Blue Target flown by
articles and pictures about his brother Jim to the 44th B o m b
Major John Diehl with Col. James Posey as C o m m a n d Pilot
Group Magazine shortly before that. Hearing T o m has died
in the co-pilot's seat.
was a real shock. I felt like I was shot down again! At best,
I returned to the zone of interior in late August, 1943.
w e can say, he found out where and h o w his brother Jim
Sincerely,
died, and I believe he located his body and brought him home!
Art - Percy Gaudin - Tail Gunner on Jim McKenna's
crew - I don't believe has joined the 44th B o m b Group
Veteran's Association. I do not think he was ever contacted.
His address is: Percy Gaudin - Tail Gunner, P.O. Box 125,
Kiln, M S 39556.
42
�PS. Art - If Percy Gaudin is not a member of your group
yet— mail him a copy of Issue #5 of your 8-Ball Tails. But if
he is and has received a copy of Issue #5, put check in treasury
pot.
Thank you,
After a 15 day orientation training period in Ireland
four of the crews were sent to Shipdham. Here they
replaced s o m e of the crews lost during the Ploesti raids for
which the 44th B o m b Group became famous. Colonel
Johnson became a General about this time. D o n mentions
him with great respect. H e said that he, D o n , didn't eat
breakfast and so often missed the bus to briefing. M o r e
This comes from:
than once, the General stopped and picked him up as he
Oliver E. Duerksen
w a s walking d o w n to join the others.
A s to the events of the August mission you asked
Lt. Col (Ret) AF
about, D o n put the date as the 7th of July rather than the
2650 Yale Avenue
9th. It w a s during theirfifthraid into France. Their ship
San Angelo, TX 76904
w a s hit by flak, tearing through the wind screen and
destroying
it. T h e co-pilot (Fred Schuyler) w a s badly
Dear Mr. Folsom:
w o u n d e d in the shoulder. T h e same flak hit D o n in the
Enclosed is my check in the amount of $ 15 for m y annual
belly as he w a s sitting behind the co-pilot. H e said on the
dues.
tape that this w a s his one heroic m o m e n t in life. H e gave
I am one of those w h o did not know your (our)
the co-pilotfirstaid ignoring his o w n wounds. H e added
organization existed. I am proud of whoever started it. There
that he really w a s so shaken by the sight of the other man's
are not so many of us remaining, time and health takes their w o u n d s that he really did not realize he had a problem
toll.
until he had done what he could. Then he realized that his
I was a member of the 66th Squadron, arriving in England flak suit had shorted out and he w a s quite badly burned on
in December, 1944 and Shipdham A A F Station 115) in the stomach and legs. H e carried these scars for his
January, 1945. Capt. Will R. Vahrenkamp was our adjutant
lifetime. After landing, he and the co-pilot were taken to
at that time. W e had trained (B-24) in Mt. Home, Idaho, and the hospital, but he w a s released in a few days and went on
arrived as a crew replacement. Lt. John Muldoon (from
m a n y other raids.
I do remember him telling of the incident of Stanley
Nebraska) was our crew pilot, I was co-pilot, Karl D.
Ducki, though I don't remember his mentioning the name.
Grossman was Navigator.
D o n flew as a replacement on several crews toward the
M y wife, Wilma J. Dougherty Duerksen died April 4,
end
of the war. H e also helped with the radio shack on the
1995. She was from Illinois.
ground
at the base. A s I remember he w a s supposed to be
Thanks for getting in touch,
at the shack or had just left w h e n the accident occurred.
H e often said that he believed the L U C K of the Irish (his
mother w a s a Reiley) w a s working for him.
D o n was, as most of you m e n are, very proud of his
This comes from:
Air Force career, and rightly so. W e had 4 7 happy years
Mrs. Don R. Hill
together, and yet I often thought that he w a s closer to the
311 N. Genessee
m e n of his crew and Group than w e could ever be. O r at
Bellaire, MI 49615
least in a very special w a y that those w h o were not part of
March 28, 1996
the time and place could ever be. I only wish he had been
in touch before he died.
Dear Will,
Thank you for being concerned and doing something
Evidently Art Hand did not tell you that Don died last
about it.
August. I can however give you at least s o m e of the
Sincerely,
information you asked for as he spent most of the early
Marion Hill
s u m m e r making a tape of his most exciting life
experiences.
The following information c o m e s from the tape as
closely as I can report it. D o n joined the crew of James
Collins in Pueblo, Colorado. This crew trained together
there. D o n mentioned that they m a d e an almost unbeatable
volleyball team during training. H e also mentioned,
somewhat boastfully, that since he had been on the pistol
team in college, he helped train his crew in the use of the
automatic colt 45's they were given. T h e y were sent to
Elmer Reinhart, a great old Ploesti Raider turned Beach Boy, living in Waikki.
England on the Q u e e n Elizabeth, arriving in Glasgow on
Here with your Prez on a recent visit to Honolulu. We had lunch and a good
June 6, D-Day.
visit. Hadn't seen each other since Norwich in '92 where he was dating not
one, but two lovely English ladies on alternate evenings!
4
��
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8 Ball Tails
Newsletter
Dublin Core
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8 Ball Tails Volume 1 - Issue 6: Summer 1996
Source
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<span>44th Bomb Group Veteran's Association Website (<a class="in-cell-link" target="_blank" href="http://www.8thairforce.com/44thbg" rel="noreferrer noopener">Now Inactive</a>)</span>
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
Summer 1996
-
https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/65043/archive/files/c28326b09de8c9aa3507a0f7dbc6e17c.pdf?Expires=1712793600&Signature=MH-OXoKHlpYqI7LsZMNcs340GtWZ9rxQKKfcImebVVy4umyKzP%7Etx52dwG9qcHwlcw1SCA1Bi-pf%7Epr30LrU8DJaNxzAvSUwKSquUx3pzdHSYMtR0bj25NjZMFpOXOxIudmPV0a7SUgGaXWPrl0NOChHKjMNRLMPz2N6zbjZM-ugNdiowHDbI58Ec3bHhDRiE1f1kt8DKvos7f-VY5-zdqCsYfVpo1nBZaZzu1yZQWkSKaJgwXoWHBYfUyvnUvy-ZuShufpTVciq0nEvm6Sb4rOCSKuyDwcjUB7Gx5PV4EExCRfkqxwM8hr6QyEkzpTHTlmWk6ZY7p2csgWsgRxGUg__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM
cbed80cf99fb30f9264e1b0eb5e866b0
PDF Text
Text
�The Kiel attack was an experimental first by the 8th
Air Force planners in the respect that aside from previous
missions where the B-24 forces flew diversion missions
in support of B-17s making strike sorties, the two types
of aircraft had not been assigned to attack the same
target in concert. Kiel was one of the most heavily
defended targets in all of Germany, not only with antiaircraft weapons, but the best of the F W 1 9 0 and
M E 109 forces. The strike plan was for the B-17s to
attackfirstwith 5 0 0 lb. H E bombs followed by the B24s with a new type of 100 lbs. incendiary clusters. In
an attempt to compensate for the differences in aircraft
performance, the briefed assembly called for the 44th
toflybelow and behind the high B-17 lead group. The
capability of the faster airspeed of the B-24 and the
slower climb speed of the B-17
necessitated the B-24 lead to
The narrative that follows was
make wide S's to maintain a
derived from the book Fields of
relative position. Col. Johnson
Little America, author Martin
reported that these maneuvers
B o w m a n , publisher W e n s u m
were satisfactory until the
Books, Ltd., 3 3 Oxford Place,
formation reached 25,000 at
Norwich, England; official 2nd
which point the B-17 lead
Bombardment Wing Critique of
group made a rapid climb to
Mission 107, 14/5/43 (Secret)
28,000 feet and even pulling
declassified per Executive Order
3 8 " M P and 2 3 0 0 RPM, he
1 2 3 5 6 , Section 3.3. and
could not keep up. To avoid
7 4 5 0 0 5 on 2/7/94. General
stringing out his group
Orders N o . 66, 12 July 1944,
attempting to stay up with the
Battle Honors Citation of Units;
^HCCKdltvUe*
lead group, he elected to go
combat crew post mission
below the lowest B-17 group
debriefing reports and missing air
which was flying at 25,000
crew reports ( M A C R ) contained in the 44th B o m b
feet. A s they turned to target, Col. Johnson had to
Group Roll of Honor, C.W. Lundy; and The History of
slide his group to the right of the B-17 group above to
the 68th B o m b Squadron, W e b b Todd, author.
avoid their b o m b drop.
In early 1943, the North Atlantic shipping lanes were The formation had been under attack from the coast in
virtually at the mercy of the German U-boats, which
by an estimated 1 2 0 enemyfighters.When the 44th
preyed on the shipping convoys that were the lifeline
swung right, the attacking fighters then concentrated
of the allied resistance to the German occupation of
their attack on the rear echelons of the 44th. As the
most of Europe. Although the convoys were escorted
44th reached the target, they were required by the
by allied naval destroyers, the escorts were limited in
briefed trajectory of the cluster incendiaries to remain
the protection they could provide without accompanying
on course for an additional two miles. To make matters
long range air patrol to locate the sub-packs. Until the
worse, the released incendiary clusters came apart
long-range patrol gap could be filled, the allied strategy immediately, rather than the 2 0 0 foot clearance for
was directed to destruction of the U-boat construction
which they were fused. With stick incendiaries flying
to slow the relentless "Battle of the North Atlantic"
through the formation, those pilots following, spread
U-Boat campaign to prevent the allied supplies reaching
their formation somewhat to avoid colliding with the
the friendly ports of England and Russia. So important
incendiaries. This further invited enemyfighterattacks.
was the success of this strategy, the heavy bomber forces Five B-24s In the rear echelons were lost in the target
of 8th Air Force were, for thefirsttime,directed to
area and one on withdrawal. The ferocity of the defenses
attack the Kiel complex in daylight.
are evidenced by the 44th being credited with 23 enemy
aircraft destroyed, 13 probables and one damaged. After
b o m b drop by the two B-17 groups preceding the 44th,
Since the episodic story of Col. Bill Cameron and the
terrible decimation of the 67th Squadron in our "And
Then There Was O n e " article in the S u m m e r '96 issue,
it seemed appropriate that w e followed up with a
broader look at the mission for which the 44th B o m b
Group was awarded its first Presidential Unit Citation
and the 67th Squadron was reduced to the last one of
its original nine pilots. Thus, for this issue, w e are
departing from the practice of featuring one of our
aircraft and its combat experience in favor of a more
detailed look at the 44th mission which turned into
one of the greatest aerial battles of the War, when on
14 M a y 1943 the 44th, along with three B-17 groups
of the 1 st Air Division attacked the Krupp submarine
shipbuilding installations and German Navy submarine
pens at Kiel, Germany.
�The dauntless heroism displayed by the 44th crews
against afiercelydefended target on a mission ill fated
by poor planning, mismatched bomber performance,
dissimilar b o m b loads with faulty fusing and tactics which
required the 44th to maintain b o m b run heading alone
and unprotected was characterized by S/Sgt. Richard
M . Castillo, Tail Gunner on A / C # 8 1 9 piloted by Lt.
Malcolm C. Howell and Major James E. O'Brien, 68th
Squadron Commander.
they made an immediate left turn leaving the 44th
alone to stay the course for the incendiary drop. As the
44th turned off target, the B-17 groups throttled back
to allow catch up by the 44th and the groups withdrew,
with the B-24s sandwiched between the higher and the
lower of the two B-17 groups.
On 15 May, the day following the raid, Brig. Gen.
C.G. Hodges of H q 2nd A D I V assembled members of
his staff with Col. Leon Johnson and members of his
staff to critique the Kiel mission. Their comments were: Major O'Brien reported that they had received flak
damage to # 3 and # 4 engines causing a drop in manifold
Conclusions
1) Because of the performance of the B-24 at various pressure and trailing smoke and knocked out intercom
to the rear of the
altitudes is so
aircraft.
The
different from that of
smoking engines
the B-17, it is
made # 8 1 9 prey to
virtually impossible
the enemy fighters.
for B-24s to fly a
According to the Tail
tight formation and
G u n n e r of A / C
maintain the proper
# 8 1 6 ,
relative position with
approximately 15 to
the B-1 7s during
2 0 F W 1 9 0 s had
most
missionsbegun
to concentrate
especially
in
their fire on # 8 1 9 .
emergencies w h e n
A report from the
extreme action must
Waist G u n n e r of
be taken. The B-17
another ship states
evidently has a
that the tail turret of
higher rate of climb
# 8 1 9 was "firing
and
a
slower
"Kiel "MlUAl** '8%tc{C«?
like hell" and he saw
airspeed in the climb
three chutes come from
than the B-24s.
the plane. At this time,
Consequently our units
Lt.
Howell
was
trying
to
get
back
into formation and
do not get sufficient protection from the B-17s and
until we can put up larger formations of B-24s, it is almost succeeded when an overwhelming number of
enemyfightersclosed in on him. Throughout this fierce
extremely dangerous for us to attack heavily defended
attack, the tail guns of # 8 1 9 were in operation and
targets.
firing. N o less than two enemyfighterswere seen to go
2) When elements of a force are carrying bombs of
down
inflamesas a result of hits by Sgt. Castillo. Finally
different dropping angles (i.e., H E versus incendiaries),
the entire formation should continue on the course to his turret was disabled and he suffered an injured foot,
the target until the b o m b release point nearest the target which was wedged in by this a m m o box. This attack
was by two F W 1 9 0 s which pulled up within 30-40
has been reached.
feet and fired at will into the tail section. Three crew
Recommendations:
1) B-24s not be sent on combined operations with B- members pulled Sgt. Castillo out of his turret, pushed
17s until a combat wing of at least two full strength him out of the aircraft and pulled hisripcord, whereupon
groups is available. Missions at this time should consist they bailed out just prior to the entire tail section
of long range attacks on targets wherefighteropposition separating from the fuselage. Lt. Howell apparently was
is not intense (preferably diversion sweeps to aid the B- killed when his chute failed after bail-out, Sgt, Castillo
17s and attacks on shallow targets In the same area as later reports he had norecollectionof his escape from
the aircraft. He remained a P O W until Wars end. H e
the main B-17 effort after the latter is committed).
was last reported living in Springfield, Ohio.
3
�S^ftt. 1£o6e>tirtfouuxttit}and £e*d
&ieoo o£ t&e 44t& SO*H& tyteufi - TCiet &<tid.
Kiel Mission ~ 14 May 1943
66th Squadron
Capt. Robert J. Abemathy/2nd Lt.Spencer H u n n
1st Lt. Rowland M.Gentry/1st Lt.Chas. E. Hughes
Capt. Robert E. Miller/FO Arthur W Callahan
1st Lt. Robert E.Kolliner/lst Lt.Curtis S. Griffin
1st Lt.JohnYReed/lst Lt.Geo.WWinger
1st Lt.Thomas E.Scrivner/2nd Lt. Everett PAnderson
936-J
769-B
811-K
779-G
014-P
778-F
Group Lead
67th Squadron
1st Lt.Rovert I. Brown/lst Lt.Hartley A.Westbrook
Capt. Chester L. Phillips/lst Lt. E. W Wilborn
1st Lt.William A. Roach/lst Lt. Ross A.Tenney
278-Q
807-U
126-T
Lost
Lost
Lost
68th Squadron
Capt. John H. Diehl/Col. John Hayden
1st Lt.Wilmer J. Garrett/1st Lt. Rovert J. Lehnhausen
Capt. Walter J. Holmes/Lt. Willie Baxter Weant
1st Lt. Rowland B. Huston/lst Lt. David W Alexander
1st Lt. Malcolm C. Howell/Major James E. O'Brien
1st Lt. George R.Jansen/lst Lt. Louis VGirard
816-X
094-Bar-E
813-V
699-Bar-P
819-Bar-A
0009-W
506th Squadron
Capt.William N.Anderson/Major James C.Beam
1st Lt.Walter I. Bunker/2nd Lt. Richard D. Butler
1st Lt. Nathaniel H.Graham/lst Lt. Harold J. Laudig
1st Lt.William H.Strong/2nd Lt.Lyle S.Davenport
Capt. John W. Swanson/2nd Lt. Douglas B. Myers
172-Bar-N
234-Bar-U
283-Z
201-Bar-O
295-J
Bailed Out-England
Lost
Lost
�,p4
,s/r;-' ' WAR DBPARTMSXT
^ . f M r t # M $ m * * 6 / ! > i O . " 12 July 1944,
•»..*•'
•-• x ; ^;'^ '•••. !%> : ••
•i • ••" *•••;
BATTLE BONQBS - Citations of units - -
Section
m _tV!«JS-' -*- - - - -*"•' '-• - - XII
* *
XII •- BATTLE
4* As authorised 'by Bxeoutive Order Ho. 9598 (see I, Bui).* 22, TO 1943) superseding Exeoutive Order Mo. 9076 (seo. Ill, Bull 11, TO, 1942) oitatioc of the following unit in General Orders No. 40, 2d Bombardment Division, 29 November 1943, as
approved by the Commanding General, United States Army forces in the European Theater
of Operations, under the provisions of Seotion IT, Circular Ho. 333, liar Department,
1943, in the name of the President of the United States as publio evidence of deserved honor and distinction is confirmed. The citation reads as follows 1 j . ($1?
The 44th BOMBARDMENT GROUP (H), HEADQUARTERS 60th, 67th and 606th BOiffiATOMENT
SQUADRONS (H), have distinguished themselves by outstanding performance of duty in the
attack on the naval and shipbuilding installations at Kiel, Germany, on 14 May 1943
one of the greatest aerial battles of this war.
On this mission a single group was, for the first time^; fully loaded with incendiaries to be dropped after the lead groups had released their high explosive bombs.
Eaoa.ua* of the trial of the inoendiaries the 44th BOMBARDMENT GROUP (Hj, whioh had
been assigned this task, was required to continue its bombing run for some 2 miles
beyond the release point of the other groups in order to bomb effectively. T o a c complish this it nas neoessary to,fly alone, without supporting fire power of other
groups, over one of the most heavily defended areas in Germany with a formation considerably smaller than the minimum for mutual self-protection. The mission was
undertaken with full knowledge of the extreme hs.ia.rds involved. Its successful performance demanded the highest degree of bravery and skill.
With only 19 B-24'a, the 44th BOMBARDMEHT GROUP (H) followed three B-17 groups
to the target. Fierce and determined attacks by some- 120 enemy fighters commenced
at the German coast and continued until after leaving the coast on the return route.
After the B-17's had reached their release point and turned away, the 44th BOMBARDMEHT GROUP (H) proceeded alone in the faoe of continuous attacks b y swarms of enemy
fighters and increasingly concentrated flak. By opening its formation as required
to clear the inoendiaries of ships ahead, it was rendered particularly vulnerable -to
oneray attack. Five of its airplanes were shot down on the approaoh to and over the
target. Despite these losses, the group held the necessary formation and continued
on~its~"run aloner~to~i,t8~'bomb~rele«cse-point;—Bombing-wae-extremely aoourate and the
target was blanketed- with inoendiaries. Widespread fires destroyed or damaged many
enemy installations. One additional airplane was lost after leaving the target.
This small force was officially credited with 23 enemy airoraft destroyed, 13
By order'of
the
Seoretary
probably destroyed,
and
one
"damaged.of W a n
"• • f % 0.
• C . MARSHALL,
Ihe
successful
fulfillment
of
this
highly
dangerous
mission
was
to the
v
OFFICIAL! / r;.v.
v
. ••( Cljief
ofdue
Staff.
extraordinary
courage,
skill,
and
devotion
to
duty
of
all
oonoemed,
whioh
will
J. A . ULIO,
always be worthy
of
emulation.
Such
heroism
refleota
the
greatest
oredit
on
the
Major General,
'.'.-.,
Army Air Foroee.
V
'
.
.;*%,'
^
1
$
^
^
?
^
"
•
The Adjutant General. '
A TEUEEXERA&C.COpyi^^^
Captain, * '" 1 0
•<
—fat i
5
m
0
�.^hPRoDi'CK.i) AT T;;K N A T I O N A L AKCIIIVKS ;
DECLASSIFIED PER EXECUTIVE ORDER 12356, Section l.^/f/fflQ ?#£&&£!<
MARA Date
*y#fly^
fyJjfrY^
J
A<
V
vSECREi:
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MADQOAEtERfl 2nd Bc«urran^wn»
7
.1
Target I
IWtt *
tt/aAj.
mmT a TWIW
Bib 1°7i
15/5/W
IT
/
Attsndsnes: rrigadlsr General a>4ge» <>•<»•
Oolonsl Hayden, EoeeutV*
yt. Ool. Fearing. *-*
it. Ool. *D£ZnTlU
tl
M_«
SfU
Hsedquarters 2nd Bomb Wing
L*
a_j(ftlBn, Afi3t. A-J
A Starr, Asst. A-2
Lth*r4ale, 1.0.
Jar Xing, F.L.O.
44th Baabardaent Group
Ool. Johnson, Ocnrnanding Off leer
Lt. Ool. Suavely, 8-J
Cent. Holmes, Pilot
•.
Sgt. Goxrard, Gunner
*
1* Oolonsl Johnson told of the assembly of the 44th with the 1st ling whioh
he said was aseompllahsd without trouble). The 44th, flaring at •JOO* was o»Cr ths
rendoovous point when ths 1st Wing arrived, flying between about 5O00» sad ioOO«.
On ths flight to the target the 44th made wide 8s In order to stay behind ami to
keep up a oomfortable speed. Colonel Johnson said that this wcatod vary
•atisfaotorilor.
'
2. When ths enemy ooeat was reaohed, ths top group of ths B 17s was flying /
at about 23,000' with the 44th just above. Upon crossing the coast, ths 1st Wing
/
ollmbed about 3000» at a very rapid rats. Ths lead ship of the 44th was pulling
I
33" with an HPM of 23OO but eould not keep up with ths B17s as they ollmbed. Bancs '
for fsar of stringing out ths group by pouring on power in order to keep up with
ths B 1?s, the leader of the 44th elected to go below the lowest group sf ths 1st
Wing whioh woa flying at about 25,000 ft. As ths fornatlon was turning to ths left
towards the target it was neoeeeary for the 44th to fly Just to the right of ths
B 17s above it and this subjected the 44th to heavy attacks froa ths B/A whioh had
gathered to ths right of ths formation. However, ths 44th apparently did net* keep
far enough to ths right of the B 17s above them because bcutos of ths 1st Wing were seeto fall between elements of ths 44th. It was also reported that an lnoendlary W
of our own ships hit the nose of another 1 24) snd there was sens disauasion^sV
necessity of pilots taking precaution to olear their sliips of the bombs and qlusv
- when lnoandiariss are dropped in a stepped-down formation.
,
3. Since ths 44th was dropping inoendiaries lt was neoeaoary for our group te
\, litlnuo two sdlse further toward ths target than ths B 17» whioh were dropping
('•». Two groups of ths 1st Wing turned sway from ths target iawedl&taly sits*
/ ping their bombs and this left ths 44th aloes in the target area except fur
\
SEGRET
�lefiEPKUIH'CKU AT TiiK NATIONAL ARCHIVES |
DECLASSIFIED PER EXECUTIVE ORDER 12356, Section 3.3,^^0 %$j£&Cb£L
-^tJftRA,
££QB£T
dptote^Bv
lusother group of B f7a which
on ita sua until about the same time .
32* B f7» that bonfesd earlier throttled bank
them 9
the target
andaboyo
the 44th.«worn
oatoh
poaltim
just
w u pable
of Btotfa
e»ft h 5 o r
It wo« hrought out that the ftneror fightf* attack* W O W
ferocious
SheflW^?0» attacked mainly A t e 18 o*ol»* while the
mostly froot 6 o'clock. When dlsonnrlng the> Bcstttiaa of the warieue ,
f otpaatioit of the 44th it van revealed that all of the 5 ahlpa loot ill
area were flying *** the rear part of the fopnetifln*
5, Zn diaouealng uae of ocranurd cation faellitlee, lt Wee brought -Mi thai
en A / 0 <* **» 44th sighted a B 17 down in the Berth Sea and. reported the lboati/m
over the SF/DP channel. The pilot got no reply. lit* Ool. MLLloz said that ha hod
checked with the HF/DF station and found that no signal had boon picked up free) any*
of our A/C. General Bodges dirootod that tlie MP/W equlpoiaat of all ahlpa be tested
for night flying*
6. General Bodges oompltmentod ths 44th on its banking end general oonduot
of the Biaaion In ths faoe of exnremely henry- enemy cnpoeltlon.
QQBraaiQrB.
1. Because the perfoxnenoe of the B 8V at warioua altitudes is so tlttrnvm* from
that, of the B f7s it is virtually iapofslbl* for<*. J U t o J R ^ a tight faanatloa
tee a higher rate of elimh and a lower air speed in the <dimb^jhsn. ttoS » !*••
<yxM*wn*2y our units do not get sufficient protection fwoa the • i7» *ndjwxttt
we oanputup larger formationu of B 24s it is extremely- dangerous tor Us to atts
heavily defended targeta.
2. When elements of a farce ere oaxxying bonbe of different dropping angles
(i.e. H.E. vureus indendiaries) the entire formation should continue on the
course to the target until the bon* release point nearest the target has been
reached.
HXJOMMamM IQW3 .
4 n p^n not n* sent on oot.-ibined operations with B 17s until a sambo* wing of at
leas? S o f ^ ^ r e n g t T g S u p * is Mailable. Kisaione at thie time should ocnedart
o f ^ o n T r e W s l t S s ^ T t a x S t s where fighter opposition is not intense (prefexubly
5 t ^ s ^ t W t h a ? letting is on a shorter rdeaion l n t t o M o j goneralarea),
diveradc^reepB to aid the B 17s and attacks c« shallow targete In the same area
as tho main B 17 effort after the lattor is eamuitted.
WARIEN B . ALBHBSB,
Major,
AD,
ECREf
�66th Bombardment Squadron (H) AAF
OFFICE OF THE OPERATIONS OFFICER
AAF STATION 115
TRAINING SCHEDULE FOR 1 JANUARY 1944
COMBAT CREW AVAILABLE FOR SATURDAY, 1 JANUARY 194
p
CP
N
B
E
AE
R
AR
BG
TG
#203
Jewell
Milliner
Johnson, H.
Foley
Wike
Saperito
Lipczyaski
Guzik
Perrier
McClosky
#236
Harleman
Benedom
Cobane
Sturgeon
Price
Melson
Mirkin
Alexander
Bourque
Carroll, L.
#157
Ugarte
Koontz
Loeffler
Holm
Kokta
Dwyer
Lenley
Forgich
Beauchesne
Dave
TYaining:
This is the set-up for New Year's Day,
Not a ground class is scheduled,
In bed you may stay.
You worked mighty hard the whole of last week,
Stay in bed, Combat man,
If you can,you may sleep.
There may be a mission on this New Year's Day,
If this is the case,
W e are sorry to say,
The crews listed above will be rousted from their sleep,
Under that circumstance,
They have good right to weep.
A very Happy N e w Year w e wish to all you m e n ,
If you're needed at all,
We'll let you know when,
You n o w have the set-up for this N e w Year's day,
Rest and relax is the order,
W e pray!
SPENCER S.HUNN
Captain, Air Corps
Operations Officer
CHARLES L. ARMSTRONG
1st Lt, Air Corps
Ass't Operations Officer
�ENGLAND, FRANCE, BELGIUM TRIP UPDATE
Everything is on schedule; on May 26, forty-three adventuresome 44th Veterans, wives, husbands, s
children, and one grandson will depart for a great 44th BGVA Memorial tour, and it's going to be a GREAT
Leaving from various Gateway cities, we will all assemble in London at the Kensington Hilton for
sightseeing/shopping/theatre or whatever spree. Then on to the Norwich Hotel for three days to includ
shopping, a visit to the Memorial Library, climaxed with a day in Shipdham and the Airfield, and an
reception and barbeque dinner with our local friends at the Arrow Air Hangar.
Next we travel to Eastbourne with a stop at the American Cemetery at Maddingly and the new Ameri
at Duxford. Three days at Eastbourne will include tours of 1066 Country," a leisure day, and a visit to t
Memorial for a Rememberance Ceremony to include the Lord Mayor, a member of Parliament and other ci
dignitaries and citizens who organized and financed the memorial, followed by a Gala dinner with this g
The next day we leave for Rouen for a three night stay. While there, we will be met by members o
Force Reserve who will escort us to the small town of Villiers-Ecalles where we will be met by the Mayor
to visit a memorial marking the crash site of two 44th Liberators downed on a raid on Rouen Airfield. On J
53rd anniversary of "D-Day," we will visit the Normandy Beaches and the Magnificent American Cemete
Omaha Beach.
From Rouen, we travel to Paris for three days of sightseeing, then on to Liege, Belgium for an overnight
visit to theArgonne Cemetery where T/Sgt. Clair Shaeffer, father of Lois Cianci, one of our group, is bu
also stop in Bastogne, site of B/Gen. McAulliffe's famous "NUTS!" reply to the German offer to surrender
troops or be killed. We still stop over in Brussels for lunch and some sightseeing around the famous Plaz
to Calais for the ferry ride to Dover and then to London for the trip home on June 11.
THERE ARE TWO MORE
to
to
D
O
d
i
00
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Usee
Ul
X
SEATS ON THE BUS\\CALL ROY OWEN
Joan Adrian
Kenneth Adrian
(qeorge Apgar
beryl Apgar
R Lee Aston
Many Aston
lames Caillier
Jean Caillier
Anthony Cianci
Lois Cianci
Cleome Dovey
Arnold Dovey
Louis Deblash
Ann Natilli
(qerald Folsom
Beverly Winger
Cliff l. Fremstad
Vi Fremstad
Knrl (qrute
Marilyn fyube
RJchad Haft
Bettu Haft
k
@ (707) 538-4726, FIRST COME.
Kevin Lundy
Diana Lundy
C Will Lundy
Irene Lundy
Betty Lynch
Richard Lynch
Charles McPhail
Perry Morse
Rufh Morse
Marilyn Murrack
Melvin Murrack.
Roy Owen
Char/ene (Lolly) Omen
Donald Potter
Miriam Potter
James Reville
Loy Vance
Robert Vance
Donald Wells
Gloria Wells
Brice Williams
�to point out a reality and explain the
Once again, I will use the President's Corner as want
a
underlying reason and what I think we must do to
"bully pulpit" to discuss one of my favorite subjects,
fix the problem.
which is also one of my major concerns: The
perpetuation of the 44th as a proud veteran's
association. We, the 44th Bomb Group members, Going back to our battle to save the organizat
are running out of time. While it is true, our we (the Board and Officers) took those tasks we
membership committee co-chairs, Art Hand and Tom recognized as essential, divided them up and
Shepherd, with help from Will Lundy, have in thepressed on. In most cases the allocation of work
past two years kept our membership total ahead ofand responsibilities went well. In the case of t
Presidency, the job is overloaded by the regula
attrition by finding 44th Bomb Group veterans who
administrative and correspondence responsibili
had never belonged to any 44th Veterans
organization and are now members; we have also and the added load of also being editor/publish
of the 8-Ball Tails.
expanded
the membership
to include full
membership (as well as Life Memberships) to the
At the Board meeting in St. Louis, where the m
wives and widows. It doesn't take a rocket scientist
of the Board and Officers began their second ter
to figure out that recruiting within this categorical
I pointed out this situation to the Board with a
universe of people is leading us to that "last person
that they consider the problem and come
standing, drink the bottle of wine and turn out request
the
lights as you leave" ceremony. 1 don't think anyupofwith nominations for a replacement 8-Ball Ta
editor by mid-term (the October, 1997 Salt Lak
us want that to happen.
City Reunion). My recruiting efforts have been
The thing we must do, and must do soon, is to fruitless and I have had no nominations from th
freshen our membership. We must abandon the
Board. At this point, I turn to the membership.
mentality that makes us predominantly a WWII need a volunteer.
Bomb Group organization. We have begun to bring
our progeny into our midst which is really positive.
I think we have the job arranged to be easily
Through them, we can be sure that our W W I I
managed by one person with a computer. We now
heritage will be preserved. The much broader have a "cottage industry" publisher who does a
dimensions of preserving the valorous history ofthe
thetyping, design and layout, contracts the pri
44th in defending our nation in war, cold war andthen does the labeling and mailing. The editor
the preservation of peace is more than we shouldjob is just that, selecting the material, doing
ask exclusively of our sons, daughters and
original writing and submitting the copy to the
grandchildren. Instead we must turn to those whopublisher. Anyone interested, please write or
served under the 44th colors in all its assigned me
roles
at (707) 538-4726 or fax (707) 538-1212. We
and missions. We must not only welcome them can discuss the transition help I will provide.
among us as having honorably served our nation in
want to think about nominating both a President
their individual and organizational assignments,
andwe
8-Ball publisher before the current term exp
must depend upon them to perpetuate the valorous
heritage of the 44th into the future.
See you in Salt Lake City!
There are 44th organizations that exist, such as the
44th Air Refueling Squadron Veterans Association
from the 44th Bomb
Wing era and other
organizations such as The American Missiliers
Association which has many 44th Strategic Missile
Wing veterans in their membership. We should be
communicating
and visiting these groups to
familiarize them with our Association and extend
an invitation to join us.
As your President, I feel strongly that these
expansion efforts are my responsibility. I must say
to you that in fulfilling this part of my job, I have
been remiss. I am not begging forgiveness, but I 10
Roy Owen, President
�France Remembers
Editor: At the present time we have correspondence from three towns in France near which some of our 44th
aircraft shot d o w n over French targets c a m e d o w n and crashed. Apparently the citizens of these towns and
villages feel very emotional about expressing their gratitude for those w h o lost their lives in the battle for French
liberation. This has been manifested by diligent research by these citizens to learn the identity of the deceased
airmen and the memorialization of their sacrifice by funding and building memorial markers naming the crews and
where possible, the circumstances which resulted in the loss of the airplane and crew.
The correspondence package which follows is characteristic of the sincerity we have been seeing when one of
these villages write requesting information which will assist them in establishing a permanent m e a n s of expressing
the gratitude of the entire village or town populace for the sacrifices m a d e by our valorous American Aircrews in
the cause of French freedom. A s usual, Will Lundy is the linchpin in providing our French friends the information
they seek. In this case, it w a s the 5 February 1944 raid on Tours Airdrome in central France. O n e 68th Squadron
aircraft #42-100181 Z "Star Valley" with the 1st Lt. Carl I. Bohnisch crew aboard w a s shot d o w n by e n e m y fighters.
The only survivor w a s R W Gunner Warren E. Klein w h o w a s taken prisoner. It is he that Will is currently trying to
locate.
Roy:
Last summer I got a letter from Chaplain James A. Marvin regarding one of our planes which crashed near Blois o
Feb. 44.1 answered back that it was 68th Sq. Carl A. Bohnisch, with only Warren E. Klein surviving. I planned to have you
run this in the next Tails, but it did not happen. But I asked Art for addresses, got eight of them; but only two with full
names. Wrote to two, one was wrong, the other returned, as it did not have unit number at that address. I did not follow
up, apparently overlooked until now. I've tried to telephone this guy, but get no answers. One hard dude to verify.
In the meantime, I got this letter from P. Canonne of Blois seeking more info on this same crash and crew. Am t
find W. Klein. But I thought that the article telling about the attack and downing of our plane was very interesting, might
go well in Tails, if you have space.
May 19, 1996
Dear Mr. Lundy:
Paydirt! After all this time you don't know how happy I am to get some solid information to send back through
the chain to France. It would be nice if you can locate Warren Klein to know he still lives and even better, if
could pass on some communication from him or even just his present address. Most important though, I think,
from the French villagers' perspective, is just to know that he made it home. The 50th Anniversary celebrations
evidently stirred up a lot of emotions and memories over there.
Enclosed (in translation by my wife) are two documents which describe quite well what happened to that
particular plane and its crew. It would be nice if the families of these dead were to know of the consideration
shown by the French and the Germans alike. Considering how much propaganda was spewed out on both sides to
get us to hate enough to kill, the level of civility shown here gives me hope for us all yet. The fact that the Fre
villagers turned first for information on the surviving American, not to us, but to German friends in their Germa
sister city is even more encouraging.
I hope you can make something of this story for your group Journal "8 Ball Tails." Some of your readers may
have known these men. They certainly knew too many similar to them. It would be nice to think that others of our
dead received such considerate treatment. I, myself, have been shot at a bit and once measured a shrapnel miss
at three inches from my head. I had to periodically write letters home to the families of others who had not bee
so lucky. Not once did I have information like this to give proper closure. This is my belated chance. Please try
do something with it.
Sincerely,
James A. Marvin, Chaplain
1082 East Washington Road
Hillsborough, NH 03244
n
®
�Translation from French to English
by James A. Marvin
St. Leonard in Beauce, Saturday, 5 February, 1944,
10:00 German Time
that the victims had been gotten out of the plane with
the help of the people w h o were there, lined up and
covered with their parachutes. The Mayor had taken
d o w n the identity of the flyers of w h o m the state of
the burns m a d e it possible. H e asked the people of the
village to stay away or to not let their dogs wander
over the plane.
The rising sun illuminating under the planes reflected
After lunch we went with the son of the Mayor to
to earth luminous streaks which m o v e d . T h e
inhabitants had gone out into the street, alerted by the Sigogne to see the place. The wreckage w a s broken
up, a motor w a s pulled off. A propeller w a s lying rather
strength of the roaring of the motors of such quantity
of planes, and this in spite of the altitude of these last far away. Under the detached motor and half buried in
ones. Each one commented on thinking that the place the ground, one noticed a brown leather bag under this
metallic mass. The ground w a s littered with metal,
of the bombing must have been seriously hit.
machine gun cartridges, pieces of organs, such small
electrical
motors used inside this fortress. This visit to
Among the group of neighbors where I found myself, a
the
place
did not last long, for w e noticed a column of
wife of a Spanish lumberman w h o w a s there with his
daughters, following a glance at this aerial parade, in German military c o m e out from the hamlet of Sigogne
where the trucks were parked. With the other curious,
terror cried "fire." All turning at that moment, flames
exiting from the left wing of the one (pair) near the outer w h o like us, wished to m a k e a report on the plane, w e
believed the soldiers at arms coming from Blois.
motor. Several minutes afterwards, the aircraft
reduced its altitude and a little after a parachute w a s
From this moment on, there were no eyewitnesses
seen opening behind the fortress. The fire spreading
for the transfer of the bodies or the salvage of the plane.
rapidly, one then s a w the aircraft start a downward
spiral to the left - the ellipses reducing and in spite of The mature students wanted to help and to decorate
the graves, but they couldn't leave the site.
the reduced speed, the ground w a s soon reached.
Immediately a giant black cloud w a s visible rapidly
following a loud explosion. Flames and smoke were The surviving parachutist, pushed north-east by the
light breeze in the morning, needed his descent close
quickly dissipated. T h e last lines of b o m b e r s
to the farms of La Coudraie, south of the Marchenoir
disappeared to the west, w h e n at very low altitude
road from where, at that time, the path to the cow
and at lightning speed, a fighter plane passed several
meters from the last houses in the direction from south shed went off. The airman, after having rolled his
to north. W a s the pilot the originator of the chute and parachute, approached the houses and went in by the
north entrance at the Leroux-Genty farm. The people
w h o went across to see the result of his shooting?
of the house, not up to date on the events and surprised
Before the last moments, the eyewitnesses put forth
by this presence, had the visitor c o m e in for
s o m e probabilities of where this plane could have
refreshments, but he accepted only s o m e milk. To leave
crashed, to the west past the village of Sigogne.
his n a m e at the French house, which he came to enter,
From afar, the people knowing the region had seen thehe discreetly wrote his n a m e on the back of an almanac
impact not far from the farm of Monchaux. All the taken from a hook on the wall. The German soldiers
eyewitnesses of the unfolding of this catastrophe were from the watch post of Boisseau burst into the house
certainly impacted by that which they c a m e to see. at the s a m e m o m e n t M a d a m e Leroux treated several
Without hesitating, the mayor, Monsieur Redouin, took w o u n d s on his head. This w o m a n and her son died
about 20 years later without having n e w s of the
his bike and in parting said, "It is necessary to look
over the spot immediately." O n returning, he indicated American.
After a white frost, the weather is very calm and the
sky very clear. Coming from the east there appeared
in the sky at a medium altitude a very large formation
of bombers heading west to return to England. The
significance of this Squadron in perfect order m a d e
witness to a sight never seen.
®
�~X
The 8 Ball Tails
City of Blois - Cemetery Service
I undersigned, CRUSSY Henri, Commander of the
Legion of Honor, Mayor of the city of Blois, certify that:
Sunday 6 Feb. at 3 P M the G e r m a n military
authorities carried nine bodies to the city cemetery.
The commanding officer of the detachment declared
that it is a matter of nine servicemen of the American
Army Air Corps fallen over the jurisdiction of the
community of St. Leonard in Beauce. After having
examined the papers, the German servicemen left the
bodies in the hut located behind the caretakers dwelling
and sealed it.
7 Feb. at 5 P M Doctor L A N D of the Field C o m m a n d
at Blois took us to proceed immediately to identify the
bodies and put them in coffins which w e did in the
presence of a German military doctor.
After having removed the seals and opened the
door of the hut, w e certified that the bodies carried no
distinct marks, no papers or objects and that one of
five bodies had a n a m e tag on their clothing. W e
immediately m a d e the following statement:
After this operation w e had the bodies placed in
the coffins furnished by the German supply depot on
the Avenue Chateaudun. The coffins were closed and
numbered, w e placed them, following the orders of the
Feldkommandantur, in the public shelter.
8 Feb. at 10:00 the Feldkommandantur ordered us
to place the coffins in the graves which had been
prepared in the Basse Street City cemetery from the
West along the outer wall.
The graves have been numbered from one to nine
in accordance with the list below.
8 Feb. at 4 P M a detachment from the German
army came to render military honors. Then w e were
given orders to fill the graves.
Drawn up at Blois, the 8th of Feb. 1944
The Mayor
13
®
Official Journal of The 44th B o m b Group Veterans
Association, Inc.
Compiled, written and published tri-yearly at 6304
Meadowridge Dr., Santa Rosa, CA 95409, Roy W. Owen,
President and Editor. Printed and mailed Bulk Rate at Salt
Lake City, U T under U S P S Permit #6923. Generally, the
material herein is non-copyright except when so noted.
The text and photos are otherwise reproduced from
personal photographs, diaries, memoirs or official U S A A F
and USAF documents and photos which have been released
for publication. Except for copyright material, permission
is granted for the contents of this journal to be reproduced
for personal archives or the journal of other incorporated
non-profit veterans organizations so long as this publication
is properly credited.
Those submitting letters, stories and photos to the
Editor or Historian must do so with the understanding
that this material will most likely be published as a matter
of interest to the members/subscribers of the Association
and this journal. While every attempt will be made to
answer all of the material received, there is no explicit or
implied guarantee that an answer will be provided or
published. Except for specific requests for the return of
original documents and photos, all material submitted will
become the property of The 44th Bomb Group Veterans
Association, Inc.
Due to space limitations and to ensure the clarity and
brevity of submitted material, the Publisher/Editor reserves
the editorial license to add, cut or otherwise modify all
submitted material so long as the original context of the
material is maintained.
�"8 Janvier 1997
Dear Mr. H.C. Henry,
I write to you this letter from France in the frame work of a memory I am
writing on "The air war over Loir-et-Cher, 1939-1944" (area of Blois, a town
settled between Orleans and Tours on river Loire, middle France).
The maister of the town is agree with m y project to install a Commemorative
Stone to express our recognition for the Sacrifice of the American Aircrews for
our Liberation.
Therefore, I have to ask you help about two point of my searches:
1 -1 am writing a special memory about the bombing on Blois, the 11 June 1944.
According to american archives one B-24 (PFF) from 44th BG w a s incorporated
in this mission and bombed with others elements of 2nd Air Division.
Please sir, would you be so kind to confirm this aspect of the bombing?
2 - On 5 February 1944, an aircrew attached to 44th BG crashed nearby the village of St. Leonard en Beauce
killing:
Eugene Edgerton, Turret
Kenneth Hall, LW Gunner
Bernrd F. Ohler, Rad Officer
Joseph Morin, Tail Gunner
John Giffin, Co-Pilot
Harold W. Spink, Bombardier
Carl A. Bohnish, Pilot
William F. Levrich, Engineer
Hubert J. Ede, Navigator
Warren E. Klein, R W Gunner
It seems to be after the bombing on Tours.
I would be very pleased, very honoured to correspond with veterans of this Bomber Group or with they
comrads or members of family to relate m e this event.
I know that it is confidential life about a sensitive period and I engage m y word to preserve their memories.
Is it possible to find information to write a little memory to relate their last mission?
Perhaps, if you want, their names would be probably write in the Commemorative Stone for future generations?
In return, I offer my help to you Unit if you have inquiries about missions over France, missing aircrafts, etc.
I am 33 years old and, after studies at the University of Tours (where I specialized in military aeronautical life
of the thirties), I teach History and Geography at Issoudun.
Your reply would be greatly appreciated by the American Air Force enthusiast (being Second Air Force and
8th AF Associate member( I have never ceased to be).
I hope my english understandable.
Thanking you in anticipation...
Sincerely yours,
Philippe Canonne
2, RUE A S S O L A N T
41.00014 BLOIS
F R A®N C E "
�•<•Beating the Bushes
^
By Art Hand & Will Lundy
For the past few months Art Hand has been concentrating his attention again to the
Ursel P. Harvell's Roster in the back of '44th Liberators Over Europe." As a
consequence, several of those located dated back to the early days at
MacDill and Barksdale fields.
MARK PARKINS: P.O. Box 40, Shawnee Mission, K S
66201. Mark is the son of William M . Parkins, Lt. in the
roster, and who folded his wings 5/15/94.
BURDEA. DUNCAN, JR.: 497 Wallace St.,
Northumberland, PA 17857. Served with the 66th and
506th Squadrons. Combat.
CLARENCE C. PRICE: 907 Lancaster St., Rocky
JOHN A. DITONDO: 393 Delta Road #1, Amherst, NY
Mount, N C 27801. Clarence was listed as a Corporal in the 14226. John was assigned to the 66th Squadron and an MP.
roster.
FRANCIS T. BEECHER: 4406 Cherokee Drive,
CURTIS P. BABIN: 670 Mahler St., Houma, LA 70363.
Madison, W I 53711. Served as a medic at Barksdale Field,
1942.
SAMN. BARBER: 1645 L. "B" St., Blackwell, OK
74631. Sam has moved, relocated. 67th Squadron.
ELMER O. BEIGAY: 988 Polk Ave., Franklin Square,
N Y 11010. Elmer served with the 831st and 340
Engineering.
LUEYBARRINGER: 10597 Summitt, Rockford, MI
49341. Luey served with the 464th Sub Depot.
EMIL BURBACK: 19317 NE Pacific St., Portland, OR
RUSSELL I. BROCKHOFF: 309 Miami St., Hiawatha, 97230. No records on Emil. If anyone knows him, let us
know.
KS 66434. Assigned to 66th Squadron, and with Base
Defense Unit.
KENNETH G. BERKMAN: 401 S. Carver, Winthrop,
M N 55396. Kenneth is listed with the 66th Squadron. He
HAROLD E. BRUBAKER: 14722 Mishey Road, Rt.
too was on the Queen Mary in Sept. 1942, ground echelon.
Fredericktown, O H 43109. Harold is listed as a 1st Lt. in
the 66th Squadron.
CHARLES T. CARTER: 605 West Brown Street,
Seymour, IN 47274. Charles served at HQ, Barksdale.
LESTER O. COLLINS: P.O. Box #3, Easton, KS 66020.
Assigned to 68th Squadron (756). Flew home with Lt.
JOSEPHS. DOMINO: 451 Layton Ave., Pittsburgh, PA
Kiggins in A/C #44-50755.
15216. Joseph was originally with the 44th, 68th Squadrons,
but went to the 98th when it split off in 1942.
CURTIS L. BROITZMAN: 117 Vermont Street, Beaver
Dam, WI53916. Served with the 67th Squadron, as well as
GRADYM. BRUCE: 5000 Lake Englewood, Waco, TX
the 491st Bomb Group.
76710. Grady served in the 66th Squadron, was with the
ground
echelon on board the Queen Mary in Sept. 42. He
ROBERTD. EASTERS: 573 Davis St., Elba, AL 36323.
worked with crew chief Robert M. Pugh on #811,
Robert was with us at MacDill Field.
Fascinatin' Witch.
GEORGE R. GOODRICH: Road #2, Box 761,
Morrisville, V T 05661. George was a M/Sgt., served with
headquarters.
LORENL. OSHEL: 26 Holly Drive, Olathe, KS 66062.
Loren was assigned to the 66th Squadron. Instrument
mechanic. He attended Compass School in July, 1944.
BRUCE E. GRALEY: HC 64, Box 784, Ashford, WV HOWARD L. BOREHARDT: 1618 South Rose Farm
Road, Woodstock, IL 60098. Howard served in the 66th
25009. Bruce served with the 506th Squadron.
Squadron also, but data could not be located at this time.
is
®
�Hickam Air Force Base Patriotism Park
By Roy O w e n
In late September last year, I was in Honolulu to attend an annual get-together of a fliers organizatio
belong. I was staying in the V O Q next door to the officers club and had lunch there out on a beautiful lanai that
overlooks the entrance to Pearl Harbor. Having been stationed at Hickam during m y active duty career, I a m
familiar with most of that beautiful base. The previous evening, I had occasion to meet Col. Bruce Brown, the
Base C o m m a n d e r at the club. H e asked m e if I had seen the n e w A L O H A AINA PARK and memorial. I had not.
H e informed m e that the next day was P O W and MIA Remembrance Day and at 12:45 p.m. there would be a
short memorial service and "missing m a n " fly over by the Hawaii Air National Guard in honor of these lost to us.
H e invited m e to attend.
As I finished lunch, I s a w military and civilian people beginning to arrive; they were walking toward an area
overlooking the entrance to Pearl Harbor which was out of m y line of sight. I departed the lanai area and joined
the numbers headed in that direction. As I reached the boundary of the A L O H A 'AINA PARK (Patriotism Park), I
was able to see across the lawn to the most beautiful model of a flight of four jet fighter aircraft in the "missing
man" formation with the number two m a n just pulling up heaven bound to leave that spot vacant. The formation
is set in a three level terraced garden area at the waters edge where the formation will be headed into the sunset
each evening. This is one of the most breathtaking memorials I have seen.
After a brief, poignant, presentation of the meaning of the national POW/MIA Memorial Day by Col. Brown
there followed a touching remembrance of his days as a P O W in Germany by an 8th Air Force veteran. The
program finished with the bugler sounding TAPS and the Hawaii National Guard flying F-15 Falcons making a
spectacular "missing m a n " fly over.
Those of you who know me and are aware of my very low emotional threshold when it comes to memorializin
our lost comrades, can picture m e standing at attention in that beautiful spot listening to the bugle sounding
TAPS with that magnificent aerial tribute to our MIA and P O W comrades overhead. Through m y tears, I felt so
wonderfully proud to be an American and to have served m y Country in the company of those valorous m e n
and w o m e n w e were honoring and remembering that day.
I urge anyone visiting Honolulu to make the trip out to Hickam Air Force Base (it is open to the public
beautiful memorial. T H E BUS (the
n a m e of the city bus system) has an
on-base bus stop across the street
from the front door of the officer's
club. Plan to arrive about 1 1.00 am.
to see the Patriotism Park around
ALOHA AtHA PARK
to the back of the club. Then have
lunch at the club. They put on a
beautiful buffet lunch o n w e e k
days. I promise it will be a
memorable day.
in«Mli Wt N O M M o»» cawx*ot« D M i
m HATH*. m K *«»»*.* WW fc*1*U« M*I
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�WILL SEZ
as individual personnel, missions, airplanes, etc.
Computerizing this data, in conjunction with
programs being set up at the 8th Air Force
Museum.
Over the years as I've "worked" in my War Room (as
Pete Henry calls his), I've seen the pages drop off m y
calendars year after year, but keep telling myself that I 8) Committed funds and manpower to develop and
install n e w memorial plaques for the 44th B o m b
am not growing older. Not m e ! But I a m reminded of
Group's m e m o r y at both MacDill and Barksdale Air
an old saying which a fellow worker used to say of his
Fields, where they originated and trained in 1941
work, "The hurrleder I go, the behinder I get." You
and
1942.
know, that is exactly the way I a m feeling these days I must be slowing d o w n because things just are not
9) Most importantly, had our new leadership not taken
getting done like they used to.
the bit in their teeth w h e n the old H M G was
Reflecting on this a few days ago, I decided to take a
trashed, none of the above would have been
look at the things within the 44th BGVA with which I've
accomplished. As a consequence, the 44th BGVA
been involved. As one thing after another popped into
would
not exist to be able to respond to the many
focus, I decided to m a k e a list of these items, events,
requests
which are n o w arriving for data about
business, etc. N o w it seems I have a reason, but not an
husbands, fathers, brothers records...Where he
excuse. Your 44th B o m b Group President and his Board
served? When, h o w did he die? W h o was the crew
have made superb progress since he was elected to
that crashed? H o w can w e contact survivors? etc.,
the new 44th BGVA two and one-quarter years ago. He
etc.
has brought us back from zero finances and no
progress to where w e stand today. Take a look at the
following list to see just h o w far w e have c o m e in such 10) Organized a tour of 45 44th BGVA husbands,
wives, children, grandchildren and friends of the
a short period of time.
44th BGVA leaving May 26, which will be a
memorial trip. The tour will visit Shipdham, the
1) Converted the old Tower Project funds to the
towns
folk and the airfield which will include a
support of a new, larger Reading R o o m and
memorial
service; then to Eastbourne, O m a h a
Museum at Arrow Air Center, Shipdham.
Beach and Ardennes, where w e have 44th
members
buried and w e shall honor them
2) Supported Kevin Watson's project to provide a
according
to our traditions.
memorial near Eastbourne to honor Lt. Bolin's crew
and Ruth-Less.
Just recently, the 44th BGVA was contacted by a
3) Supported a memorial at lllfurth, eastern France, group of French Association Nationale Des SousOfficers De Reserve De L'Armee DeL'Air, w h o live in
for their church and the crash site of Lt. Maynard
the vicinity of Rouen. They wanted information about
and his crew.
two planes which crashed near Rouen on 8 March
1943. N o w that contact has been m a d e and s o m e data
4) OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZED AND SUPPORTED Stephen
furnished, they would like more data on EVERY 44th
Adam's project to compile a 66th Squadron history,
B o m b Group plane which went d o w n in all of France.
as well as to make him our official representative
Too,
learning that the 44th BGVA Tour will stop in
in England.
Rouen in early June, they are begging to honor our
m e n with ceremonies, visit the crash sites, one of
5) Approved a contract with the Turner Publishing
which
has a memorial. Space does not permit the
Company to compile and print a book covering the
possibilities
that this one contact will make.
history of the 44th B o m b Group.
I hope that I've m a d e the point clear...your 44th
BGVA
Board has been very busy making sure that the
6) Committed funds and manpower to develop an
44th
B
o m b Group and their record will never be
exhibit honoring General Johnson and his m e n for
forgotten. Thank you Roy and all.
their famous Ploesti Mission at the n e w 8th Air
Lastly, but certainly Just as important, Is you the
Force M u s e u m near Savannah, Georgia.
members, whose support and funding that makes it
possible for our Organization to continue to grow and
7) Committed funds and manpower to research the
produce results. T H A N K YOU!!
archives at Washington, D.C. and elsewhere to
develop records about the 44th B o m b Group, so far
Will Lundy
�FOLDED WINGS
MARCH, 1997
John T. Altman 66th Squadron. Ploesti veteran as member of Lt Felber's crew. 8/96
Radio Operator.
Ned L. Anderson 68th Squadron Pilot Died several years ago. In 44th Bomb Group
28 October 1944, flew home on May 28, 1945.
Richard E. Bottomley 66th Squadron. One of the originals, worked in the Orderly Room. 2/7/97
Served on 44th HMG
Board
Alvin V. Breeland 506th Squadron Airman. Flew with LL R.L. Hoisington's crew 44-45 12/13/96
Arnold M. Curtzwiler Original 506th Squadron. 12/5/81
Lyman P. Frost Home state, Maine 9/20/89
Eugene E. Gaster 506th - Was one of the original complement at Pueblo, Colorado 11/4/96
John E. Gunnell 506th Squadron Co-Pilot for Wm. Maynor POW 20 Dec. 43 8/10/96
Solomon G. "Sully" Handy Died several years ago. He was a Gunner on Lt. O. Collins,
67th Squadron. Completed tour in early November, 1944.
Ekmer K. Kohler 68th Squadron. Pilot Was co-pilot for B.D. Ford, then 1st Pilot 12/7/96
OftenflewCorky.
Joseph A. Kuklewitz 67th Squadron Pilot Assigned to 44th Bomb Group 7 Sept 1944. 11/20/96
Completed tour 3 March 1945 with 35 missions. Joe attended
several reunions. Laterflewmanyflightsin the Berlin Airlift;
also Flying Tigers Airline.
Charles H. Lain 506th Squadron, Bombardier for Komansinski, bailed out 8-8-44 01/03/97
Evaded until picked up by Patton Army.
Roberts. Lawson
Col USAFR (Ret) CO. 1132nd QM Co.
Clifford MacDougal 67th Squadron Co-Pilot for Kuklewicz. Comp Tour 3 March 45 8/96
Ronald G. McNeeley 806 Chemical 10/29/96
Melvin t Novotny 67th Squadron Gunner on Capt Mueller's crew. Later served 1/5/97
in Engineering Section.
Richard C. O'Brien 66th Squadron Lt assigned to squadron 3 June 1944. 11/96
William M. Parkins 506th Squadron Lt 5/15/94
Otis V.Rogers 68th Squadron Flight Engineer for Zerman. Comp Tour 3/6/95
30 Missions 25 January 45.
Pershing G. Rolfe 66th Squadron. Original crewman at Barksdale in 1942 with 11/96
Capt Adam's crew.
Robert S. Schimke 67th Squadron Navigator on Lt Henderson's crew. Date Unknown
Badly wounded on Ploesti Raid, 1943. Served in Korean War.
Retired as a Lt Colonel
Jacob "Jack" Wind 506th Squadron Pilot First mission 8 April 1944, 10/1/95
completed 33 missions. Served on 44th HMG Board.
Great supporter of 44th Bomb Group.
is
®
2/8/97
�44TH BOMB GBOUP WTEBANS
ASSOCIATION BOABD
President: Roy W. Owen (506)
6304 Meadowridge Drive
Santa Rosa, CA 95409-5839
Phone: (707) 538-4726 Fax: (707) 538-1212
Director: Robert I. "Bob" Brown (67th)
#8 Metarie Court
San Ramon, CA 94583-3824
Phone: (510) 828-4529 Fax: (510) 828-1551
Vice President: James H. Clements (506)
4124 Calculus Avenue
Dallas, TX 75244
Phone/Fax: (972) 243-4657
Director: Robert I. Lehnhausen (68th)
789 West Meadows Place
Peoria, IL 61684-3447
Phone/Fax: (309) 685-2498
Secretary: Edward M. Dobson (67th)
118 South 15th Avenue #1
Bozeman, M T 59715-4130
Phone/Fax: (406) 587-2490
Director: Richard R. Pedersen (506th)
Winter: 75110th Street East Lot 32
Palmetto, FL 34221
Phone/Fax: (941) 723-2030
Summer: 10744 US 27 S Lot 248
Ft. Wayne, IN 46816-3467
Phone/Fax: (219) 639-2173
Treasurer: Gerald (Jerry) Folsom (506)
954 Lowell Avenue
Salt Lake City, UT 84102-3620
Phone: (801) 359-6159 Fax: (801) 533-8747
Historian: C.W. "Will" Lundy
3295 North "H" Street
San Bernardino, CA 92405-2809
Phone/Fax: (909) 882-2441
44th Group Vice President to 2nd ADA
Richard D. Butler
16494 Wagon Wheel Drive
Riverside, CA 92506
Phone: (909) 780-7421 Fax: (909) 780-1459
Director: Edw. K. "Mike" Mikoloski (66th)
626 Smithfield Road #702
N. Providence, Rl 02904
Phone/Fax: (401) 353-0144
Director: Melvin G. Trager (HQ Squadron)
2522 Red Oak Trail
Crest Hill, IL 60435-3197
Phone/Fax: (815) 725-3439
Archivist: Anthony Mastradone
9111 Tuckerman Street
Lanham, M D 20706-2709
Phone: (301) 577-1487
*Jfr
U.K. Representative: Steve Adams
28 Bassingham Road
Norwich, England NR3 2QT
Phone/Fax: 011-44-1603-400221
MEMORIAL DEDICATION AND REGIONAL REUNION
May 3, 1997 - 'Bark^sdak A<pB, Shreveport, LA
At 2:00p.m. on Saturday, 'May 3, the 44th 'Bomb Group Veterans Association wi(l dedicate a 'Memorial''Marker at th
Force M&morialWaS^jJay at the site of the $-24 Liberator Display. This memorial'willcommemorate the World War 11 servic
the 44th at 'Barksdale and be a lasting tribute to the effort we allshared in that conflict. We invite and encourage aft 4
their famides and friends to attend) especially those that were With the group during its 'Barksdale service 15 February
1942.
In the evening there Wittbe a'Regional'Reunionat the Holiday Inn for allattendees. A reception with cash bar at 6:30 p.m
precede the dinner. The price of the dinner is $25. Toy when you sign in at the door.
It is necessary we have reservations for the 'Reunion prior to April20th. We must have names in advance to secure clea
the base andma^e name tags. All 44th members within a 250 mile radius ofShreveport, LA Witt receive an invitation, a
reservation and a hotel reservation form in the mail We have a b(ockj)f rooms set aside for us for Friday andSaturday night
Hobday Inn 'Bossier, 'Bossier City. follow the instructions therein.
MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS BY APRIL 20 AND BE SURE TO INFORM THE HOTEL YOU ARE WITH THE
44TH BOMB GROUP. IF YOU D O NOT RECEIVE AN INVITATION AND WISH TO ATTEND,
CONTACT JIM CLEMENTS BY PHONE: ^ (972) 243-4657
19
�BENJAMIN SMITH. JR.
ATTORNEY AT L A W
POST OFFICE BOX 1586
WAYCROSS. GEORGIA 31502-1586
FAX: (912) 285-9930
PHONE: (912) 265-8040
July 30, 1996
Mr. Roy w. Owens, Editor
B-Ball Tales
6304 Meadow Ridge
95409
Santa Rosa, California
Dear Roy.
I am writing to see if you could run an article about the
"Wall of Valor" in an issue of your newsletter.
The Memorial
Gardens project has really taken off and all concerned with it are
very excited. They will be installing the first four sections of
the wall next week and more orders are coming in every day.
In
addition, the reflecting pool has been installed and some of the
brick walks are in place. Landscaping goes forward.
I have taken the liberty of enclosing a short article which
you can use as well as a copy of our brochure which includes the
order form.
I appreciate your consideration of this request. Please let
me know if you need any other information. Again, thank you for
any assistance you can render in this regard.
Most cordially,
BSjr:ck
Enclosures
Judge Ben Smith
Chairman, Memorial Gardens
Did you serve In the 8RF?
Join the company of valiant 8RF'ers whose names are inscribed on the "Wall of Valor" of the Memorial Gardens at
8th Rir Force M u s e u m In Savannah. Georgia.
Your memorial is 4 x 12" on handsome, indestructible granite. 5end rank, full name, squadron and bomber or fighter group (or
other unit) of 8RF. Cost is $100 for 24 letters. Rdd $1 for each extra letter.
Example:
T S G T CLIFF B R C H M R N
360 S Q 303BG
The quickest w a y is to use Mastercard or Visa. Call 1-800-544-8878 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. or send
check to:
UJall of Valor
Mighty 8th Rir Force M u s e u m
P.O. Box 1992
Savannah, Georgia 31402
There are larger memorials and/or crew memorials available. For information, call us.
Your donation is helping to create the beautiful Memorial Garden and preserve it forever.
Join your 8RF buddies in this great undertaking. It Is our memorial.
20
M
�Waterford Books
P.O. Box 669
Hamilton, VR20159
Rnother author omong us: BIRCH
Be sure to enclose your return mailing
HOLC OF WRUWIL6RMOOS
authored
address.
by 66th Bomb Squadron member Don
Culler.
For your personoi autograph book,
please send check with your name
Rlso Leroy W. Newby. 346 Pineview and address to:
Don Culler
Drive, Venice, FL 34293, hos authored
750
South LoBrisa
TRRG6T PI OCSTI which was the
Military Book Clubs Bottle Classics Green Volley, RZ 85614-2232
November Selection. Price to their $16.50+ $3.50 shipping and
handling per book.
Here is o well recommended book by members $17.95. Those wishing to
o B-24 guy to open our Ruthor's join the Doubleday Military Book Club
Corner:
may call (800) 321-7323.
ssfssn
UJe are the World War II generation
of Rmericans. Mostly born in the
WRR & WOMCN
Roaring Twenties, hardened by the
Ruthored by: Jake Clias
Depression, we carried Rmerica to
7 €ost Union Street
victory. Of the many books written
Nonticoke, PR 18634
about us, none are more moving than
Tele: (717) 735-8730
those written by us. CRC-WDOG is
such a book, written by John Matt.
John flew B-24s with us in the Mighty
8th, the flying unit that suffered more
combat deaths than the entire Marine
Corps in WWII. He lived to tell about
August 2, 1944, Ploesti plus one. Gen. Ent presenting Purple Heart
it, but that is only half the story. Medals to m e n w o u n d e d on the Ploesti Mission. W e need the
n a m e s and squadron of these m e n .
R new enemy confronts our
If you can identify any or all, notify the Editor.
generations, and the Cold War sets
in. CRCWDOG's
weather recon
squadron penetrates hurricanes and
nuclear test bomb clouds ond travels
to the north Pole. John Matt takes us
with him, from the Vietnam of the
1950s to the western edge of the Iron
Curtain, from the mysteries of Saudi
Rrobia to the fall of the Berlin Wall,
this gifted storyteller brings us clarity
ond humor, founded on the Rmerican
idea of freedom.
3Ujvjj^Sj^jjjjjf i$j\]Rjj j)
Learn for yourself why Tom Clancy,
Phyllis DuBois, and Jordan Uttol.
omong others, have nothing but praise
for CRCWDOG
To receive your
hardcover 512-page
copy of
CRCWDOG please make our o check
for $28.95 ($24.95 + $4 postage and
handling) to Waterford Books, ond
send to:
21
&
�More
"Down De Hatch"
follow-up:
12/31/96
Dear Roy Owen:
The Vol. 2 No. 1 8-Ball Tails story and photo of "Down De Hatch" was quite interesting to
myself, not because our crew ever flew in that airplane, but it seemed that we, six enlisted
m e n of the Komasinski crew probably shared a quonset hut in the 506th Squadron site with
those of a crew w h o had finished their tour flying that plane.
A further interest is that after being MIA in France for about a month and then returning to
the 44th and 506th squadron before being sent to the ZOI by the A T C northern route, I had
gone to the supply room and begged for s o m e kind of a w a r m jacket to wear on the way. I was
given a B-10 jacket which is fabric with a fur collar and has a warm lining, much warmer than
an A-2 jacket. That jacket had painted on the back "Down D e Hatch, 30 Times." Later when
examining it further, m y initials and serial number were found on the inside. It had been mine
previous to being MIA and apparently must have been appropriated by one of those m e n in
our hut, but had s o m e h o w been returned to the supply room. I wore it into civilian life until being
worn out; it w a s discarded.
Something otherwise of note, the last issue of "8th Air Force News" Vol. 4, page 14 lists
heavy b o m b groups and number of missions that each flew. The 93rd leads with the 44th
ranking 3rd and the 303rd, a B-17 group having the 2nd most missions flown, with a total of
364.
With the help of Will Lundy, as usual, contact w a s established with the son of one of our
long lost gunners, Coley W . Richardson. H e flew with our crew on the unfortunate mission
when w e bailed out of that burning B-24, "My Peach," 42-100415 on August 8,1944. His story,
as related to his son Bill is included. Bill would very much like to hear from any of his father's
original crew or from any one w h o knew Coley in the 506th Squadron. There is little mention of
him in Norman Kiefer's book. Bill's address is: Bill Richardson, 2451 Cedar Drive, Laurenceville,
G A 30243. H e is also a 44th B G V A m e m b e r and is listed in the membership listing booklet.
A s I had agreed with you at St. Louis, m y story is being prepared and when ready, a copy
will be sent to you. B e aware though that s o m e of it had been previously printed in Joe Warth's
44th Logbook, but there are a number of typos. See the December, 1989, page 9 and Spring,
1991, page 36 and Summer, 1991, page 46 if you want to read any of it.
I had very much enjoyed our reunions at San Antonio and St. Louis too, even though being
stranded at Grant's Farm when the last bus left just as I w a s leaving the gift shop. Hope to get
to Salt Lake City in October too.
Sincerely,
Frank Schaeffer
22
m
�This is Coley W . Richardson's story as related to his
son Bill Richardson in later years.
Anyway, "Here is my fathers account of what happened the day "My-Peach" was shot
down. The story w a s told to m e over the course of m y life with m y Dad, in bits and pieces, so take
that into account w h e n reading the material.
H e said he volunteered for duty on the plane to get out of a detail (guard duty maybe). H e
liked to fly and I think this w a s his 30th flight. Interestingly, he said he frequently flew missions to
escape ground duty!
Backtothat mission, w h e n Coley (Dad) bailed out of the plane on that fateful day, he said, he
pulled his rip cord right away. This slowed his decent down, and he became concerned about
ground fire. H e had never jumped before but had heard that you could partially collapse a chute
and speed your descent. H e tried this and successfully sped up his fall. Unfortunately, he w a s not
as successful about getting it back open. Meanwhile, he noticed ground troops closing in on his
landing area. H e thought they were G e r m a n s so he planned to hit the ground running (not
having been to formal jump training, he said he did not understand the drop and roll technique
to distribute the force). Anyway, w h e n he got his chute back fully open, he w a s just abouttohit
the ground. H e hit the ground hard with the fullforceon one leg because he w a s goingtotry and
run from the people closing in on his location. H e suffered a compound fracture of his left leg.
The ground troops turned outtobe the French underground. W h o , upon seeing the extent of
his injuries and knowing they could not care for him, they advised him to wait and surrender to
the Nazis, which he did (I think he said they liberated his money, rightfully, for their cause).
After capture or being turned over by the French (I'm not clear about this) the Germans put
him into what I think w a s a normal "French" hospital that w a s converted for prisoners. His leg
was pinned back together by the G e r m a n s in this hospital. H e had a story he only told when he
was inebriated, about the doctor not giving him anesthesia and questioning him while he worked
on his leg. D a d said the doctor stopped the drill every few turns and asked him about his unit
(plane count, officers on My-Peach, etc.). Apparently they soon realized h o w tough he was. H e
passed out from pain while reciting his name, rank and service number. His leg had to be reset
and repinned after he w a s liberated.
You could see the end of the replacement pin from both sides of his knee. H e had some
trouble walking after his leg healed, and when he triedtoreenter the service, they would not take
him. This bothered him for a long time, because he had planned a full military career. Although
it healed pretty good, he did die with a slight limp. After the operating room experience, he w a s
apparently well treated by the French nurses.
A letter written by m y uncle states that the A r m e d forces notified his mother that he w a s shot
d o w n and missing; however, before they reported his status, she received a letter from Dad in the
hospital in "France." This doesn't seem possible, but that is the information I have.
Later he w a s liberated and evacuated by the Allies before he w a s completely healed. H e also
talked about giving his leather flight jackettoa soldier w h o carried him on his backformiles to
gettothe liberation point.
23
�MAIL CALL
M
This comes from:
J. T. Elias
7 East Union Street
Nonticoke, PA 18634
Tele: (717) 735-8730
This comes from:
Dear Roy,
Col Bill Cameron
2/13/96
The letter from Dan Culler regretting the lack
Editor: This came to the Lundy s from our man in
interest by the 44th members in his book, BLACK
Carmel, Col. Bill Cameron.
H O L E O F W A U W I L E R N O O S hit a chord in me. I
Dear Will & Irene:
had similar response for m y book W A R & W O M E N .
A s he says, "Maybe people are tired of hearing
I have a story for you that may or may not be of
about WWII." M y literary agent in London told m e
interest. Sometime in 1943 (perhaps I w a s in
that the British people think of WWII as "ancient
London with a few friends), four of us decided to
history." But ancient history is very valuable. So I
visit Soho for lunch. W e found a restaurant that
would tell Dan Culler to keep his chin up and keep
looked interesting (there were m a n y at that time)
beating the bushes for customers. During good
and went in. W e were in our Class A's, as w a s
weather, I spent one day each week visiting
appropriate in wartime. The m e n u w a s of course
bookstores and soliciting orders. Very few turned
very modest, featuring such delicacies as beans
m e down, but most took the book on consignment,
on toast, etc. I don't recall that our fellow customers
paying only upon selling the book. But it keeps
included any other G.l.'s. W h e n our lunches arrived
selling, though slowly.
at the table, w e were quite surprised to see that
each of our four plates w a s the same, presenting
A small publisher does not have the clout of th
us with a large mound of pureed spinach! For s o m e
giant book producers with their large advertising
reason, despite our surprise, w e accepted the
accounts and connections to T V stations and book
dishes, and when one of us attempted to taste it,
reviewers. S o w e small guys must work and sweat
he found that the spinach covered (hid) a juicy
to put our work before the public. Since we are
steak!
retired though, w e are lucky to have the time.
The proprietor came over to our table and
introduced himself. It turned out that he previously Lew Robinson gave my book an excellent writehad a restaurant in Chicago (Greek-American?). up in the s u m m e r issue of the '8 Ball Tails." Dr.
Herbert Wilson of Bismarck, S D wrote to tell me
This w a s his way of greeting fellow Americans.
m y book w a s the best he'd read on World War II.
I looked for the place in 1988. Needless to say,Bob
theLehnhausen phoned m e from Illinois to tell me
h o w much he'd enjoyed the book. These pats on
restaurant and our benefactor were gone, but not
the
back keep a guy going, and I a m very grateful
forgotten.
to them, all very dear friends w h o show their
With very best regards,
friendship in concrete ways.
�Enough of m y story. I had to go to the funeral of a
dear friend and buddy a few weeks ago. I first met
Elvin Scheetz in our hut at the 68th Squadron a
short time after D-Day. His crew had just filled the
empty cots of a crew that had been shot down. Elvin
and his buddies watched us wide-eyed as w e c a m e
from a debriefing after a mission to France. W e
seemed to click right from the start, and ever since,
we had been buddies. Not long after coming to the
68th, Elvin was transferred to a B-25 outfit in Corca,
bombing Germany over the Alps. O n e day their
plane was badly injured, one engine out, and no
way of making it back over the Alps. They managed
to get close enough to Switzerland for all the crew
to parachute into internment. However, the pilot
was too low to bail out after he'd m a d e sure all his
men were out; so he took the plane down. Elvin
landed on a hill and could see the plane crash land
into a field on the G e r m a n side. To his horror, he
saw three German soldiers pull out the pilot and
shoot him in cold blood. That scene had haunted
Elvin ever since.
Since he lived in Allentown, only eighty miles
my home, w e often met for lunch. Elvin was always
outspoken about the good of America, a true patriot
who was not averse to standing up for our Country.
He developed cancer, and when I last saw him in
the hospital, he w a s the ghost of himself, dying
shortly after. At his funeral, the people kept coming
and coming, a tribute to a fine friend and great
American.
This comes from:
Col (Ret) Mike Mikoloski
66th Squadron
2/13/96
Editor: This comes from Col. (Ret.) "Mike" Mikoloski,
Board Member representing the 66th Squadron. There
are some important thoughts about General Leon
Johnson, so focus on what Mike and SMSG Walter
Patrick have to say.
Dear Roy:
Enclosed are a couple of letters from SMSG Walter
Patrick w h o did visit the General after m y strong
urging. Sgt. "Pat," along with Sgt. Walter Hazelton
and I are the lone survivors from the crew of
"JENNY," later renamed " L A D Y LUCK." T o m
Scrivner was our Aircraft Commander and m y close
friend and roommate when I was in the 66th. T o m
and the crew of "Lady Luck" went down over
Ploesti on their 25th mission. For a long time they
were listed as MIA, later listed as KIA. Pat, Hazelton
and I, luckily, had completed our tours that summer
from
and w e have been in touch over all the years since.
Sgt. Pat and I got together at Westover A F B after
the war and we, together, conceived and sponsored
an Information and Education Program that caught
the eye of A F Headquarters and General Johnson,
who, at the time, was Chief, Personnel Services. I
was brought into the Pentagon, rejoined with the
General and stayed on his staff until he retired.
After reading his letter of December 3,1 asked Sgt.
I'd like to make a suggestion. Why not list the Pat
books
if w e could print his letter. H e answered with
of 44th Group members with their prices and where his permission to print the original and his response.
they can be bought? That way you would not only I would like to see them published in The 8-Ball
help 44th men, but help the group itself by spreading Tails, as it may influence other members of the 44th,
the history of which w e were participants. This w h o m a y be in the area, to drop in on General
would take very little space and do a service to both Johnson. I can assure them they will be warmly
authors and people interested in our history.
and graciously welcomed. As for the General, there
is a strong and lasting bond between him and those
Best wishes to you and all our members.
w h o served with the 44th. These visits also give
Sincerely
him a great lift and rejuvenate his mental and
physical faculties. Frankly, except for just a few of
Editor: All of you published authors out there, us
letlike
usSgt. Pat, B/Gen. Jack Gibson, Ed Dobson
and
Bill
Taylor, not many others have paid him a
know where we can find your book(s).
visit. All, if not most of his contemporaries have long
folded their wings, so we, the former members of
his 44th are the only ones left.
Thanks and with kindest personal regards,
�Mt Pleasant, North Carolina
12/3/96
about h o w w e used to babysit his kids before w e
got married...he laughed and said, 'That was a long
time ago!" I w a s pleased that, though w e visited for
over 2 0 minutes, he s e e m e d fairly strong
throughout our stay.
Editor: For all of us who would perhaps feel we were
Besides his kind words about General Johnson in
being intrusive by making a call on General Johnson,
I'm sure you will read here that those feelings arethe 2nd Air Division Journal, Sergeant Cox' story
also brought back an incident that Saterfield and
completely unfounded. And remember, he is 83, we are
were involved in...we were both busted to
fortunate to still have him...so, like SMSGT "Pat, m" eJUST
Private, along with six other combat crew members
DOIT!
for taking a carry-all and driving into Norwich, where
w e parked on a back street...An old English
Dear Col. Mike:
gentleman on a bicycle ran into the vehicle. He
What makes the General great can be revealed by called the M P s and they were waiting for us to return
after removing the distributor cap...Of course, w e
the story about Sgt. Cox 'The Real Flying Eight
Ball" that appeared in the Winter, 1996 issue of the all had to fly again to at least get our Buck Sergeant
Second Air Division Journal, page 11. Incidentally, stripes back...in m y case it m a y have been a life
saving incident, because I volunteered to fly with
I didn't receive m y copy until I got back from
two
other crews, Capt. Miller for one to Vegasack.
Springfield, VA on Dec. 2nd. And, yes, I did get with
the General...It w a s a real emotional meeting for So by the time Ploesti c a m e along, I had 25 plus.
me, at least...Evelyn and I were treated Top Drawer I'm surprised they didn't m a k e m e go anyway, but
by all the staff at the facility...we were offered dinner they didn't. Thank the good Lord for that! Yes,
and dessert but, of course, w e declined. Sergeant Cox w a s right when he said the General
wears his star with authority, and his Medal of Honor
Unfortunately, you were right about the medication
he takes, he w a s very cheerful, but slightly with humility.
All our love,
subdued. W h e n w e arrived he was in the lounge
Pat and Evelyn
having a piece of pumpkin pie and whipped
cream...I kneeled down in front of him and placed
m y hands over his and began m y presentation...I
w a s wearing m y Eight Ball hat and pointed to it
and said, "I don't think you know me, but I flew with
Col. Mikoloski on Jimmy Kahl and T o m m y Scrivners
crews...l went on to say "General, beside wanting
to see you, I wanted you to know that I represent
all the Enlisted m e n w h o ever flew with you or under
your c o m m a n d and w e think you are the greatest,
most brave pilot and leader w h o has ever flown."
H e sort of had a smile on his face and as he
squeezed m y hand he said, "I really do appreciate
your visit and what you are saying...that really got
to me...here he w a s a Four Star General speaking
to a Sergeant. This meant so m u c h to m e since I
had been born and raised in the Army, m y father
being a 30 year Master Sergeant in the Corps of
Engineers...Meeting the General, to me, w a s like
meeting another of m y military heroes, Stonewall
Jackson...to m e they are both the s a m e mold.
Evelyn talked to the General also...She told him
�Dear Will:
Editor: We had answered a previous letterfromDick
I w a s surprised and happy to see "Down D e
inquiring about his cousin S/Sgt. Travis Nash, RadioHatch" as the honored plane on this issue of 8 Ball
Operator on the 506th Squadron Lt. George F. Brown, Tails.
Jr. Crew. Brown and Nash were both killed by flak in You had a question mark on the August 26th
"Tinker Belle " on the 5 April 1945 raid on the Plauen,mission - w e (Wimsatt) had a mission flown to
Germany Transportation network.
Salzbergen Oil on that date. W e probably flew Bar
Z. I have m y records in Wisconsin and could confirm
this. I kept a bomb pin with the ship number w e
This comes from:
flew and the bomb load on each mission. W e did
Dick Martin
fly Bar Z as Deputy Lead on our 19th mission.
ASS Mem #48
O n the 27th, w e had a mission to Berlin
4th FG
scheduled
and flew to Denmark where w e ran into
8AFHS
a tremendous cold front and had to return to base.
Tenn. Chapter of Same
W e were given credit for that one - w e were shot at
12/96
by the 88s. Mission #20 probably in D o w n D e
Hatch, and w e flew Bar Z to Calais on August 30.
Dear Mr. Lundy:
(#21)
Thank you very much for your swift response to
I have found a few articles in m y 1996 "Intercom"
my request. I have requested material from National that you might be interested in. It is the "8 Ball Tails"
Archives and Maxwell A F B as well.
of the A G A (mostly RAF). About eight years ago, I
I did not know this relative existed until 6 to 8 went to one of their conventions in Southport. W e
months ago. This research is as much for Travis' were treated like returning royalty. There w a s a
brother, who is an attorney in Louisville, Ky and his dance each night with a big band. I had a number
91 year old sister in Texas, w h o have never known of meals with Bill Reid (UC) as I had a Grade "A"
exactly the circumstances surrounding his death. dairy farm at the time and he had one in England. (I
Maybe I can, with your and Mr. Owens' help, relay understand that Bill crash landed at Shipdham on
the information to them. N o doubt they will his Victoria Cross mission. True). Bill and I
appreciate it, as do I.
compared notes as to w h o w a s getting the most
Thanks again, and wish you and yours a very welfare from our government. This w a s about the
happy holiday season.
time of the dairy buyouts where you got paid for
Most respectfully,
N O T milking for five years. N o feeding cows, no
manure to haul, no crops to put in to feed the cows.
You just collected about half of your milk check,
then drank beer in the local pub. H e said they
Editor: We got a lot of feedback from the "Down De dumped their surplus butter and cheese into the
ocean to keep from having a surplus, keep the
Hatch "feature. That's the purpose ofthese features...to
prices up.
stir up those old memories and swap stories. This is what
Peter Crouch, a former S&J C o m m a n d e r sat in
Will Lundy calls "the gravy" in the history of a great
on
at
outfit like ours. The first one comes from the 506th 's least one of these sessions. H e was a wheel
in the outfit, now lives in Spain.
own Ken Adrian.
I had intended to go to the Convention in Wales
a few years later, but m y doctor in Missouri decided
This comes from:
I was going to die in about a year - from heart failure.
Ken Adrian (506th)
Thank G o d it w a s a missed diagnosis, as this
2297 Chantala Avenue
happened about five years ago. I have a new doctor,
Pueblo, Colorado 81006
you might guess, as I wasn't ready for the great
12/12/96
runway in the sky.
Cheers,
7
�stone in about 30 seconds. I can't recall this having
Editor: Ken also sends along a couple of contradictory
any effect on the morale of our crew or indeed of
views about how RAF crews flying sub patrol in the B24 viewed the training in "ditching/dinghy drill. anyone
These else that w e knew. However, it did mean
that
cut-outs come from "The Intercom", the publication
of w e had a few extra free afternoons, because
the Air Crew Association, an English association when
of "Ditching Drill" was down on the programme
at
the local baths no-one bothered to go. No doubt
combat airmen.
other ex-Coastal C o m m a n d crew could let us have
their comments.
G S H A K E S P E A R E , A C A 17395"
"THE FORGOTTEN AIRFORCE
The forgotten Airforce (Intercom - S u m m e r '96)
refers to the time available to the crew of a Liberator
to reach the safety of the dinghy, which would have
been inflated, should they have survived ditching
Editor: Francis Peck joins me in my admiration
in the Ocean.
I did a Tour of operations with 357(SD) Ground Crews and Support people. His short letter
Squadron based at CHINA B A Y in Ceylon, flying Will Lundy and Will's reply are two beautiful piece
across the Indian Ocean to drop Gurkhas into correspondence. In his reply, Will answers the que
Malaya. Averaging 19 hours with 16 hours across always had about the stand-offish demeanor ofour Cr
Chief and his men. By the time I arrived, the days o
water meant that w e took our Dinghy-drill very
seriously. Because all but the rear turret had been one crew assigned to an airplane they had named wer
stripped from the aircraft to conserve weight, the long past. We must have flown a half a dozen differe
time estimated to reach the dinghy was 20 seconds. planes among our missions. Ifiguredthe constant mix
Each crewman was allocated a task such as was of crews and airplanes was why we only got barely
acquainted, rather than really friendly with those
necessary to inflate and launch the dinghy and
collect the axe, etc. During the daylight hours, our Now it really makes sense. We felt the same way wi
height was kept at 50 feet above sea-level because the other crews in our quonset after thefirstloss.
our route meant that w e passed close to Jap held
Nicobar Islands and the northern coast of Sumatra This comes from:
and needed to avoid their Radar. Over the dense
Francis J. Peck
jungle of Malaya where the DZs were located, any
2620 South Lamonte Street
thoughts of survival due to engine failure were
Spokane, Washington 99203-2450
alleviated, due to the explicit trust one had in those
1/15/97
4 Pratt & Whitney W a s p engines. If w e had given a
thought that, in the remote possibility, w e would
survive a crash-landing in jungle territory only to Dear Will:
Until I learned that you were of the ground
be beheaded by the Japs - a fact now revealed in
the excellent book by Air Commodore H. Probert personnel, I never gave it much thought of what
called 'The Forgotten Airforce' w e could never have they did. During m y tour of duty as an air crew
member of the 67th Squadron, to m y memory, I
succeeded in playing our part.
STAN SMITH, A C A 10666, 5 MAYFIELD C L O S E , never even recognized the men around the bomber
prior to take off nor on return.
D O R S E T , B H 2 2 9HS"
Now, many times m y thoughts go back to the
mechanics who worked on the aircraft during the
"DITCHING LIBERATORS
The letter by DIC Boissier reminded m e of flying night and many times in inclement weather. The
same for the m e n w h o loaded the bombs and
Liberators when I served in 224 Squadron in
Milltown, Nr. Elgin, Scotland, from October 1944 to ammunition and the technicians who checked the
electronics, etc. Even the guy who used to wake
March 1945.
All our flights were over the sea and at a very us for a mission, the clerks who were responsible
low altitude, as w e were on anti-submarine patrol. for the payroll, etc. I wish I could thank every one of
W e heard very early in the tour that the Liberator them. Hats off to them!
Sincerely,
broke in half on impact with the sea and sank like
�2/2/97
Editor: Next we hear from another of "Down D
Dear Francis:
Hatch's" Mother Squadron, crewmen, Frank N.
Thank you for your recent letter of 15 January, Schaeffer of Montello, WI.
which was waiting for Irene and I when w e returned
from our cruise. W e had taken it to celebrate our This comes from:
Frank N. Schaeffer (506th)
50th.
Montello, WI
Your comments about the ground crew and other
1/25/97
ground personnel were appreciated by me, and I
Dear
Roy
Owen:
a m sure by all the rest of the support people.
You stated that during your tour of duty, that you
never even recognized the m e n around the bomber, You may recall that I had written you recently
neither on the T O . or return. I can't speak for all thewith s o m e information about the B-24 "Down D e
Hatch" since the 8 Ball Tails w a s received. Well, a
others, but there is a reason for this.
bit
more information has surfaced while I had been
For most of us non-combatants, w e were there
for the duration. Most of us went over with the reading an old issue of the Liberator Club's
original combat crews, even training with them, publication, "Briefing" This m a y be old forgotten
lived with them prior to England. So when w e got stuff, but to myself, it proved quite interesting,
into combat, w e started to lose planes and crews. especially to any of the crews that had flown that
W h e n our friends suffered that fate, did not return plane. Included you will find a marked copy of that
from a mission, it w a s like losing a brother, or page with the letter by Bus Badgett, the co-pilot
brothers. After it happened to m e on 8 March 1943 from the 453rd and 389th B o m b Groups. I intend to
- "my" plane went down -1 m a d e a special effort also write him with the combat record of #42-95016,
N O T to get acquainted with any new replacement if you don't mind.
S o m e sad news w a s word of Charles H. Lain
airmen. It w a s bad enough to lose "our" plane
passing away. H e was the bombardier on our crew,
without close friends too.
To avoid all of this, I m a d e a special effort to Bernard Komasinski's. H e had bailed out with us
stay away from you - even so far as not looking at on August 8, 1944, been wounded, but evaded
your faces. W h e n you arrived at the plane set for a capture by hiding out in the forests of France until
mission, or even for the practice flights, I did m y being liberated by Gen. Patton's 3rd Army. Death
job and then got away from the plane a good was on January 3,1997. His h o m e was in O'Fallon,
distance and watched from there, making sure that Missouri. H e is survived by his wife and family.
I'm still planning on getting to Salt Lake City in
the plane was ready for you. S a m e was true when
you returned - w e went immediately to work October.
Sincerely,
examining the plane for visible damage, and then
care of the plane to get it ready for the next mission.WHATEVER HAPPENED TO "DOWN DE HATCH"?
I tried to avoid contacts with you all.
O n April 2, 1944, w e picked up a new B-24 at
So don't feel badly about it - it was more our Hamilton Field, California and flew it to Morrison
fault, not yours. You had a tough job, the enemy Field, Florida. From there w e flew the "Southern
was shooting at you! Ou^s was to make sure that Route" which took us across the Atlantic Ocean
the plane would get you there and back. Sure, it from Natal, Brazil to Dakar, Africa and then on to
was long and miserable at times, but in no way St. Mawgan, England. After another short flight to
could it be compared to yours.
Valley, England, w e were approached by an artist
Things are fine down this way - hope that your w h o had c o m e to negotiate a price for painting
wet and cold winter so far up there hasn't affected something on the side of the aircraft. If m y memory
you too much.
has not misled me, I believe w e were quoted a price
All our best,
of 60 to 80 dollars for the painting of a nude female
Will
29
m
�Association" Magazine. I'll fill you in on why the Z didn't
fly August 25,1944 to September 1,1944.
O n August 24, 1944 our pilot Firman Mack (now
deceased) and crew were given order to fly the B-24
(above mentioned) to Hannover, Germany. The following
are notes from m y diary which I kept at that time:
"Aug. 24,1944
Mission: To b o m b hangars believed to house aircraft
around an airstrip near Hannover, Germany. It had been
bombed before but showed signs of reconstruction.
Results: Our squadron dropped bombs about two miles
short of the runway.
Reason: Because someone got an itchy finger and
dropped bombs too soon. S o m e of our bombs hit a
railroad.
Weather: Raining on takeoff, a little bit hazy over target,
otherwise good.
Bombing Altitude: 22,000 ft.
Fuel Load: 2700 gal. not topped off
Plane: B-24-H, Z, not so good for speed, drawing 56
inches on takeoff. Power setting on the way into target
was 2400 R.P.M., 42 inches of manifold pressure in AutoRich
Flak: S a w flak a few miles inside of Germany, heavy
and very accurate flak after hitting IP. A few rockets
seen but none very near us.
Battle Damage: #2 engine hit in cylinder bank, broke a
rocker-box causing a great oil leak clear from target to
base. M a y need new engine. Right tire hit by flak,
hydraulic leak in actuating cylinder on nose gear, wiring
in bombay cut up by flak, antenna cut off, flaps full of
Editor: Before you read this last letter from Roger
holes. Wings and Fuselage contained approximately 60
Tewksbury on "Down De Hatch, " I must tell you thatflak holes and scars.
about a week after we put that issue in the mail, I got a Had a slight vibration on landing due to right flat tire.
callfrom"Down De Hatch " Crew Chief, Jack Morgan Went off runway stopping on grass turning around facing
wantingfivemore copies for his kids and grand kids.opposite of landing direction. Plane would be out
He said the 8-Ball Tails arrived when they were having
approximately two weeks.
a family get-together so the old Sarge got to tell all theFighters: N o enemy fighters seen or reported, had
family how he and the "Hatch " fought that war! P-47s, P-38s and P-51s for escort."
After checking for flak damage on return to base, I
YOU'RE THE MAN, JACK!
could see a small hole in top of the right wing over the
right tire wheel well. Figuring that the right tire may have
This comes from:
been
damaged Mack landed on the grass so as not to
Roger L. Tewksbury
tie up the runway for others. W h e n the weight of the
57 Owen Drive
aircraft started to settle down on the right landing gear
Littleton, NH 03561
(tire w a s flat) the ship did a 180 degree turn before
1/1/97
coming to a stop. I couldn't blame the crew chief from
Dear Will:
Hope this letter finds you and yours in good health. being disgusted after seeing the aircraft sitting in the
As historian, you might be interested in the B-24 Z grass and all the battle damage.
Trust this information will be of interest to you. Happy
named "Down D e Hatch" appearing on the cover of the
Winter 1996 Issue of the u44th Bomb Group Veteran's N e w Year!
Sincerely,
and a title, not to exceed X number of letters. A nude
female painting would cost in the range of 3 0 to 5 0
dollars. W e pooled our m o n e y and c a m e up with
4 0 dollars. For this w e got a painting of a b o m b
heading for a c o m m o d e with the words " D o w n D e
Hatch."
W e w e r e very proud of our n e w insignia,
thinking it immediately gave the b o m b e r a unique
place in the war with its o w n n a m e . Still another
short flight took us to Worton, England. W e landed
proudly with our newly christened war bird. O u r
elation w a s soon shattered, however, w h e n w e
were told the airplane would remain there to be
fitted with combat modifications such as bullet proof
windows, iron plates, etc. This is where w e left our
"Down D e Hatch" never to see her again. Later w e
flew other planes on combat missions, but, " D o w n
D e Hatch" w a s never o n e of the B-24s assigned to
us. N o w in m y older years, I frequently wonder what
ever happened to " D o w n D e Hatch." Did any of you
ever fly in this aircraft? If so, I would appreciate a
card with any follow-up historical notes to help
satisfy m y curiosity. Thank you very much.
B u s Badgett, Co-Pilot on Ralph Woodard's crew
stationed part time at
"Old Buck" and at Hethel, England
(453rd and 389th B o m b Groups, April-July, 1944)
3467 Mt. Laurence Dr., S a n Diego, C A 9 2 1 1 7
�Announcing a change of dates for our Reunion
Salt Lake City, Utah
Due to a schedule conflict at the Mormon Temple, we must
move our Reunion forward to October 9 - 1 3 , 1997.
Please mark your calendar now.
The program for our meetings and dinners will follow the one we had at our very successful reunion
in St. Louis last year. Those registered for the entire reunion will attend the Reception Thursday
evening, the Squadron Dinner Friday night, the General Business meeting Saturday morning, and the
Gala Banquet that night. Sunday morning they attend the M o r m o n Tabernacle Choir concert and on
to the Hill A F B to tour the museum. That night there will be a buffet dinner with entertainment to
follow.
We will have our traditional Hospitality Room up and running every night.
The same options of last year will be available to those unable to attend the entire Reunion. They wil
be able to attend all functions scheduled for the days they are there.
There will be some very interesting tours for Friday and Saturday afternoon offered as optional. The
tour details, as well as the Reunion registration and hotel reservation forms will be published in the
Summer issue of the 8-Ball Tails. Look for them and mail in early.
Like everyone, we are being squeezed by creeping inflation. These rising costs, along with responding
to the membership requesting a centrally located prime hotel (so the ladies can shop conveniently),
you will see a moderate increase in the cost of the overall Reunion package. W e will still be offering a
super Reunion bargain you can't afford to miss!
i
��
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8 Ball Tails
Newsletter
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8 Ball Tails Volume 2 - Issue 2: Spring 1997
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Spring 1997
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Text
�assigned to the 67th Squadron. On January 1,1944, T/Sgt. Nelson
and his crew moved to that plane. In March of 1944, the call
letter on this plane was changed to B-Bar and if continued to
notch missions into May. At that time, it was declared warweary and transferred to the 801st Bomb Group. It was replaced
by a shiny new B-24H assembled by ford, #42-95318. Ihe
new aircraft was assigned the same call sign as its predecessor.
Lt. Richard Thornton, who had been flying the previous B-Bar,
picked up where he had left off on 7 May and flew the first
mission in the newly named Iron Corset on 21 May 1944. During
By Will Lundy
this period, Chowanski and Rinn left Nelson to get their own
airplanes and Carl was moved up to be his Assistant. Three
At the rime when Hie Air Echelon departed for England in
new men, Pfcs. frank Sheets, Jim Wright and Pvt. D.W. Carver
late September, 1942, T/Sgt. Odis Nelson was Ihe Flight
filled out the crew. Even with these inexperienced men, Curly
Engineer tor Capt. ttoward W. Moore, flying what was to become
managed to continue his remarkable record for keeping Old
the famous Suzy Q. Sgt. Nelson was given the nickname of
Iron Corset flying.
v
Turly" by Capt. Moore, who often rubbed Odis' nearly bald
head for luck. Capt. Moore was absolutely right; good old Curly
was not only good, but lucky as well! Capt. Moore soon became The Record Grows
The 23 february 1945 mission was the 300th mission for
the 67th Commander and went on to complete his 25 combat
missions prior to Ploesti. Curly was also denied flying at that the 44th and the 105th for Iron Corset without an abort. The
time when severe ear problems resulted in his being grounded Lt. James A. Struthers crew completed their combat tour on
and then assigned as a crew chief in the Engineering Section. this mission in Iron Corset.
Curly took this reassignment very hard, apparently ashamed
that he could no longer fly combat; he also felt badly that he
was displacing the ground crewmen, preventing them from
promotion.
Editor: Not to take anything away from the great combat
crews who shared in the accomplishment of the unparalleled
combat record of Iron Corset by bringing her home 129 times,
but this is a Ground Crew story told by one of the great
"Knucklebusters"ofthe67th, our beloved Historian Will Lundy.
THE EARLY DAW
Replacements Begin to Arrive
In January, 1944, Curly was a M/Sgt. with a five man crew.
tlis Assistant Crew Chief was S/Sgt. frank Chowanski, later to
be promoted to crew chief Second under him was Sgt. L.D.
Rinn, filling out the crew were Sgt. C.C. Hall, Sgt. D.A. Evans and
Sgt. A.H. McCarty. As the number of liberators per squadron
increased, Sgt. Rinn followed Sgt. frank Chowanski to become
one of the new crew chiefs. Sgt. Carl Hall was promoted to
Assistant Crew Chief and remained in that classification until
the wars end in Europe.
A. STRUTTERS is CONQRATUIATE(] by 67ih S<?UA<JRON COMMANCIER,
Col. Bill C A M E R O N AN<J M/SqT. "CuRly" NEISON O N coMplsriNq his
LT. JAMES
LT.
COMbAT TOUR iN "IRON CORSET."
She continued to fly until wars end, racking up 129 missions;
the highest record for B-24's. Iron Corset became an Ace with
five enemy aircraft shoot downs to her credit, four times she
flew five missions back to back. Two of these five were
accomplished in August 1944. In this remarkable combat career,
Changes - New B-24 - New Name
After the Groups two trips to North Africa, they returned
to start building with a rapid arrival of new aircrews and
airplanes. During this time, aircraft #42-72873, Bar-E was
m
�she had only one abort to mar this record. Iron Corset had
Panico got on the intercom and shouted, M The control
completed 109 missions perfectly, but an engine was failing straps are on." In an instant, co-pilot Don Wells pulled the
so Curly "red-lined" it, taking Iron Corset out of service. release. Lee had just enough time to pull the yoke back and
However, due to a m a x i m u m effort called for a mission, the yank us up over the trees at the end of the runway. We caught
Engineering Officer overruled the status and she was launched up with the formation and slipped into our slot without further
on the mission. The engine failed and the perfect string ended. problems. Panico saved our bacon that day!"
Nonetheless, she continued to fly with amazing reliability
until the job was done. Her total of 129 missions statistically Carl and Me
represented 38 percent of the 344 total 44th Bomb Group
Some Afterthoughts
credited missions and she flew these in 11 months of combat.
Carl Hall was inducted on 13 November 1941 in Los Angeles,
the same as I was. This is where w e met. After immediately
The Close Call
joining the Air Corps and selected Aircraft Mechanic training
The entire combat record for Iron Corset nearly ended on to get as close to flying as possible, w e graduated from Biloxi
the 18 April 45 mission to Passau, Czechoslovakia. The story Air Mechanic School in May, 1942 and were taking a physical
comes from the combat diary of Donald G. Potter, Navigator exam to become flight Engineers at the exact same time the
on the Leslie W. Lee crew. Their 31st mission.
rest of our class were in the graduation ceremonies. We both
"The target for today would be Marshalling Yards on the failed. He was too tall and I couldn't pass the vision test.
border of Austria, deep in the SW and slightly south of Three weeks later w e were at Barksdale field, assigned to
Czechoslovakia. We took off in the aircraft Q-Bar. As w e were
CARI HAII, Ed CisiNski ANd C A M N B R O W N
SWEATiNq
OUT O N E of ThE "EARIY" 1 9 4 5 MissioNS.
climbing for altitude over the
English Channel, a piston blew
and w e had to feather the prop
on that engine. We felt that w e
had time to get rid of the
bombs, land and use the standby plane and get back in the
air. As soon as w e were down,
they transferred us to J-Bar
(the call letter for Iron Corset
had been changed on 12
October 44). We were all in a
hurry to get back into the air,
so w e went through our check
lists fasts; TOO FAST.
In a very short time w e
were on the take-off run. About half way down the runway, the 67th Squadron, "acting as mechanics." It seemed w e spent
Waist Gunner Lou Panico happened to look out the window as much time on KP, etc. as w e did "keeping v cm flying."
and saw that the tie-down straps were still in place. The straps
Carl's ASN was just two numbers different from mine; at
were used when the plane is parked to prevent the control wars end, w e flew home in Iron Corset. After a 30 day R&R
surfaces from flapping around in the wind. It also meant the leave, w e reported to Sioux falls, South Dakota for
control surfaces were frozen and the airplane could not get reassignment. W e had too many service "points" to be sent
off the ground!
overseas again, so w e were sent to Albuquerque, New Mexico
�to "work" on B-29's. After VJ day, w e were sent to ft.
McArthur, California for discharge together and became
civilians again at the same time. Most unique! Carl later
rejoined the service, but did not last long. According to his
sister, he died from lead poisoning, believed to be from his
long association with the leaded 115 octane aviation fuel he
used to clean his uniforms and had so much daily contact with
in his maintenance work.
The Race Home
When VE Day finally came, I was fortunate enough to be
selected to join the combat personnel when they flew their
Liberators back to the States. Naturally I selected Iron Corset
to be with Carl Hall and Curly Nelson. It was a very exciting
few days for me, as I'd be home so much more quickly, and to
fly! I just love to fly. Iron Corset was everything I knew she
would be; though patched over patches to cover her war
wounds, she still flew like a proud combat veteran coming
home from the war. In the droves of Liberators and fortresses
streaming out and streaking for home, Iron Corset was the
44th (ironic) plane to take off from Greenland for the final
leg to the States. Which plane, that day, was the first to arrive
over Bradley field, Connecticut? Iron Corset, of course! In those
last hours of flight w e had passed 43 other planes!! W e bade
farewell to our proud lady that afternoon. H o m e was but a
few days away!
129 Credited Missions
Fii/e enemy aircraft
destroyed.
Statistical^ Iron Corset
flew on 38 percent of all
missions flown by tf^e 4 4 ^
durmg tlpe warl
129 divided by 344 = 3 8 %
The 8-Ball Tails
Official Journal of The 44th B o m b Group Veterans
Association, Inc.
Compiled, written and published triyearly at 6304
Meadowridge Dr., Santa Rosa, CA 95409, Roy W. Owen,
President and Editor. Printed and mailed Bulk Rate at Salt
Lake City, U T under U S P S Permit #6923. Generally, the
material herein is non-copyright except when so noted.
The text and photos are otherwise reproduced from
personal photographs, diaries, memoirs or official USAAF
and USAF documents and photos which have been released
for publication. Except for copyright material, permission
is granted for the contents of this journal to be reproduced
for personal archives or the journal of other incorporated
non-profit Veterans organizations so long as this publication
is properly credited.
Those submitting letters, stories and photos to the
Editor or Historian must do so with the understanding
that this material will most likely be published as a matter
of interest to the members/subscribers of the Association
and this journal. While every attempt will be made to
answer all of the material received, there is no explicit or
implied guarantee that an answer will be provided or
published. Except for specific requests for the return of
original documents and photos, all material submitted will
become the property of The 44th Bomb Group Veterans
Association, Inc.
Due to space limitations and to ensure the clarity and
brevity of submitted material, the Publisher/Editor reserves
the editorial license to add, cut or otherwise modify all
submitted material so long as the original context of the
material is maintained.
�67th Squadron
(OLD) IRON CORSET
B-24H-30F0
Natural Metal Finish
42-95318 B
(Call letter changed to ] 12 October 1944)
C O M P L E T E D 129 MISSIONS!!
Returned to USA 29 May 1925
MAY
21st
22nd
23rd
24th
25th
27th
28th
29th
31st
1944
Thornton
Duwe
Thornton
Thornton
Thornton
Thornton
Thornton
Mueller
Duwe
Siracourt G H
Formation flying only
Avord A/F, France
Melun, France
Belfort M / Y
Saarbrucken, Germany - 1 st mission of day.
Zeitz, Germany
Politz Oil, Germany
Brussels, Belgium - Sortie credit with recall.
JUNE
03rd
08th
08th
10th
11th
12th
14th
15th
18th
20th
22nd
23rd
25th
1944
Duwe
Duwe
Gilbert
Gilbert
Duwe
Duwe
Gunton
Duwe
Duwe
Duwe
Starkey
Duwe
Duwe
Calais Area, France V-1
Angers M / Y (am mission)
?? Recalled (pm mission)
Orleans/Bricy A/F, France
Montfort Bridge and T O . Suspension Bridge
llliers L'Eveque A/F, France
Chateaudun A/F, France
Bridge - Tours to La Frilliers, France
Melun A/F, Germany
Politz Oil, Germany
St. Cyr A/F, France
Laon/Anthies A/F, France
Doullens Powerhouse, France
�1ULY
04th
06th
07th
08th
12th
13th
16th
20th
21st
24th
29th
31st
1944
Duwe
Duwe
???
Duwe
Duwe
Hyland
Duwe
Duwe
Duwe
???
Duwe
Honmyer
Beaumont-Le-Roger A/F, France
Kiel, Germany
Bernberg, Germany - no formation sketch
Zuid Beveland R.R. Bridge
Munich, Germany
Saarbrucken M/Y, Germany
Saarbrucken M/Y, Germany
Erfurt North A/F, Germany
Oberfaffenhofen Armament, Germany
St. Lo, France - Bombs not dropped, but Sortie credit
Oslebshausen/Bremen, Germany
Ludwigshafen Chemicals, Germany
AUG
01st
03rd
04th
05th
06th
07th
12th
13th
14th
15th
16th
24th
25th
26th
1944
Honmyhr
Honmyhr
Honmyhr
Honmyhr
Honmyhr
None
Honmyhr
???
Yatkones
Bakalo
Harris
Hurst
Hurst
Phillips
Corbie R.R. Bridge, France?
Mery-Sur-Oise, France
Kiel, Germany
Brunswick, Germany
Hamburg Oil Refinery, Germany
Available as a spare aircraft
Juvincourt A/D, France
Road Junction between Rouen and LeHarve (No F.S.)
Lyons/Bron A/D, France
Ardorf A / D near Wittmundhafer, Germany
Kothen Aircraft Factory, Germany
Langenhagen Airfield near Hanover, Germany
Schwern F W Assembly Plant, Germany
Salzbergen Oil, Germany
SEPT
05th
08th
09th
13th
18th
21st
22nd
26th
27th
30th
1944
Spagnola
Hurst
Hurst
Hurst
Hurst
Hurst
Harris
Struthers
Hurst
Spencer
Karlsruhe M/Y, Germany
Karlsruhe M/Y, Germany
Mainz M / Y and Worms M/Y, Germany
Schwabish/Hall Airfield, Germany
Best, Holland Low Level Troop Supply
Cancelled at take off time (Koblenz)
Kassel M/Y, Germany
H a m m M/Y, Germany
Kassel, Germany
Kassel, Germany
OCT
05th
06th
07th
09th
12th
14th
1944
Hurst
Hurst
Harris
Hurst
Hurst?
Yatkones
Lippstadt Airfield (Appelin Diary)
Hamburg Armament, Germany
Kassel Tank Factory, Germany
Koblenz M / Y (secondary), Germany
Achmer, primary; Osnabruck M/Y, secondary
Kaiserslautern M / Y (Call letter now J).
�15th
17th
18th
19th
25th
30th
Struthers
Kuklewicz
Kuklewicz
Kuklewicz
Kuklewicz
Hurst
NOV
1944
Spagnola
Hurst
01st
02nd
04th
08th
09th
10th
16th
18th
20th
21st
25th
26th
27th
29th
30th
DEC
???
Hurst
Hurst
Kuklewicz
Hurst
Hurst
Bethel
Kuklewicz
Hurst
Hurst?
Hurst
Hurst
Bledsoe
Cologne Ford Motor Works and Gerson M / Y
Nord M / Y at Cologne, Germany
Leverkusen Chemicles, Germany
Gustavaburg Diesel Plant, Germany
Gelsenkirchen Synthetic Oil, Germany
Hamburg/Uterson (TO.) Germany
Gelsenkirchen - Bauer Oil, Germany
Dortmund-Castrop Rauxel Syn. Oil, Germany
N o formation sketch
Enschede - Target of Opportunity
Metz Area - Ground Troop Support
Hanau Airfield near Frankdurt, Germany
Eschweiler - Aachen Ground Support
Mission scrubbed.
Bottrop - Recalled, no Sortie.
Harburg - Crude Oil, Germany
Binger M / Y Germany
Bielefeld Viaduct near Munster (no formation sketch)
Offenburg M/Y, Germany
Altenbecken - railroad viaduct
Neunkirchen M/Y, Germany
04th
10th
11th
12th
18th
24th
1944
Hurst
Bethel
Hurst
Hurst
Hinman
Collins
28th
29th
30th
Collins
Collins
Collins
Wetzlar or Kolschausen, Germany
Bingen M / Y Briefed, but did not bomb
Karlsruhe - Railroad Bridge
Aschaffenburg M / Y Germany
Mission recalled, no Sortie credit
# 2 Target - Pfaszel. 61 A / C bombed 4 targets.
Most for any mission of the war. Battle of Bulge.
Kaiserslautern RR Junction and Roads, Germany
Stadtkyle, Germany
Altenahr - Road/Rail Junction
JAN
1945
Crandell
Crandell
Bledsoe
Collins
Struthers
Collins
Collins
Kuklewicz
Chaille
Pilot's n a m e deleted. W a s aircraft flown?
Landau Ordnance, G e r m a n y
Burg Reuland R R Junction, G e r m a n y
Kaiserslautern M / Y , G e r m a n y
Hemmingstedt Oil Refinery, G e r m a n y
Villa Coublay with Dresden secondary
Dortmund Coking Plant, G e r m a n y
Munster, a target of opportunity
Hallendorf Steel and Blast Furnaces, G e r m a n y
01st
03rd
08th
13th
14th
16th
28th
29th
31st
�FEB
03rd
06th
09th
14th
15th
16th
20th
21st
22nd
23rd
24th
25th
28th
MAR
01st
02nd
03rd
04th
10th
11th
12th
15th
17th
18th
24th
25th
30th
31st
1945
Louik
Collins
Maynard
Collins
Collins
Harris
Collins
Collins
Struthers
Zanoni
Collins
Kuklewicz
Magdeburg M/Y, Germany (Abort with Engineer ill)
Magdeburg - secondary, M / Y
Magdeburg - secondary, M / Y
Magdeburg - secondary, M / Y
Magdeburg- primaryfinallyRothansee Oil Refinery
Kheine M / Y - secondary
Nurnburg- recalled with no Sortie credit
Numburg, Germany
Gottingen M/Y, Germany
Weimar Rail Center (44th's 3 0 0 mission, 106 for Iron Corset)
Misburg Oil, Germany
Aschaffenburg M/Y, Germany
Siegen M/Y, Germany
1945
Kuklewicz
Chaille
Louik
Hildebrand
Maynard
Chaille
Richardson
Richardson
Folland
Markle
Zanoni
Richardson
Richardson
Bledsoe
Ingolstadt M/Y, Germany
Magdeburg M/Y, Germany
Rothansee Oil Refinery near Magdeburg, Germany
Tutlinggen/Aach/Offenberg, Germany
Bielefeld RR Viaduct, Germany
Kiel Sub Pens and Docks, Germany
Wetzlar M/Y, Germany
Zossen Military Headquarters
Munster M/Y, Germany
Berlin, Germany
Stormede Landing Strip (second mission of day)
Hitzacker U G Oil Storage, Germany
Wilhelmshaven Docks, Germany
Brunswick (Sec), Germany
Lee
APRIL
1945
Zanoni
02nd
4th, 5 th, and 7th
08th
Richardson
09th
Lee
10th
Louik
11th
Lee
14th
Manro
16th
Berger
18th
Lee
20th
Swartz
25th
Lee
26th
???
Tirstrop Airdrome, Denmark - but recalled
N o formation sketches found. Cannot verify.
Bayreuth Ordnance Depot, Germany
Leipheim Airfield (Grunszberg) Germany
Parchim Airfield, S/E of Schwerin, Germany
Neumarket M/Y, Germany
Royan Nazi Garrison - French Coast
Landshut M/Y, Germany
Passau M/Y, Czech
Irlaching RR Junction (with) Schwandorf, Germany
Hallein M/Y, Austria - last mission of war
Prague Airfield - scrubbed!!
�THE PRESIDENT'S CORNER
There have been so many great things Gen. Dirk Jameson (Ret), former 44th SMW
happening lately it's hard to believe. The
crew member, 20th AF Commander and Vice
progress on the Savannah Museum display; Commander of Strategic Air Command is
the dedication of the 44th BG Memorial interested in coming to our reunion. This
Marker at Barksdale, the announcement thatmy mind, is the extended hand of friends
the 8th Air Force Museum would like to and recognition that each era of the 44th
repaint theB-24Jin their Air Museum to carry
its various roles and missions, must lo
the 44th BG markings; the news that our the other eras of the 44th heritage to jo
£6000 match fund grant to the Arrow-Air, and gather the strength necessary to stay
Ltd./44th BGVA Shipdham Museum non- We simply won't make it standing alone.
profit partnership has made them eligibleknow
for we can broaden our perspective from a
WWII Bomber outfit to one that shares t
U.K. Lottery and Local Council grants which
pride of having served our country under t
could exceed a million pounds, and finally,
44th colors no matter the mission or
the total success of our 44th BG Trip to
equipment assigned to accomplish the
England, France and Belgium. All of these
We must do whatever is necessary
are covered in separate stories within, mission.
but I
clasp hands and make an association for a
mention them here to illustrate what a great
44th'ers,' change the masthead and title
roll your Association is on. Who was it that
our journal, divide the content into int
said something like: better we close the (44th
areas organized by editors from each er
HMG) organization down rather than have our
Whatever it takes. If we are fortunate eno
widows do it for us?
to have some Missileers or Bomb Wing typ
This brings me back to one of my favorite
join us, grab those guys and wives and ge
Presidents Corner subjects; the perpetuation
of our Organization. My plea to the board'em into the hospitality room and into y
and to you, the members, is for someone toSquadron Dinners and introduce them and
make them welcome to the 44th Family. WE
take a risk and break that first commandment
NEED THEM AND THEY NEED US!
of Soldiering: "Never Volunteer for Anything"
by stepping forward and taking on the 8-Ball
Tails. This would allow me time to visit and
recruit the younger eras of 44th veterans
capable of carrying the 44th colors into the
next millennium. What brought this to mind
was a fax I recently received from Col. Charles
G. Simpson, Executive Director of the
Association of Air Force Missileers, formerly
of the 44th SMWand present member of the
44th BGVA. He and his wife were with us at
San Antonio. He plans to attend our Salt Lake
City Reunion and was requesting information
that he will pass on to several 44th SMW Vets
See you in Salt Lake,
living in the SLC/Ogden area in the hopes they
will attend. Additionally he noted that Lt.
President
�T w o years ago when w e abandoned the restoration of the old Shipdham Tower and the members approved
directing that money (about $11K) into a badly needed pilots lounge at Arrow Air Ltd, you will recall we
drew up a Funding and Construction Agreement to facilitate a £6000 grant from our Non-ProfitTax Exempt
Organization to the Arrow Air, Inc./44th B G V A partnership, with Arrow Air contributing matching funds.
Sometimes a small key will open a lock on a large door of opportunity otherwise inaccessible to t
without the proper credentials. Our little Funding and Construction Agreement, it seems, was the key that
opened the lock on the door to large amounts of grant money available to non-profit organizations. Our
agreement forming the non-profit partnership gave non-profit status to Arrow Air, Inc. and it is begiiining to
look like Pandora's Box has opened to the tune of 1 million plus from sources like the English Lottery, the
European Economic Council and Regional Council.
Arrow Air has contracted with the Owen Bond (not related to Roy and James) Architects of Norwich
design a new training/museum center on the old site which will house not only the Arrow Air fixed base
aviation training center and charter operation, but provide a permanent h o m e for a 44th B o m b Group
Heritage and Research Center. The Regional Council has also indicated they would look favorably upon the
addition of a new (not reconstructed) replica of the original Shipdham Tower as a tourist attraction. The
economic impact of this expansion on the town of Shipdham and the surrounding areaticklesthe imagination.
Especially when the name of the 44th will be indelibly stamped on those economic rewards that accrue to
"our town."
owgylbND
�®
11
Arrow Air Floor Plan
�ffSS 1S3J-SSS SBffl?
By: Roy Owen
I I'tll^i
Trie TOUR G R O U P
AT HAMPTON COURT, HENRY
TrIE EiQrlTrl's UTTIE ptACE \N TrIE COUNTRy.
To all of you unlucky folks who
decided to check your bets on our
England, France, Belgium trip and
stay h o m e or whatever, I'm not
gloating, just saying it is unfortunate
Kneeling L to R: Ken Adrian,
Joan Adrian, Dick Haft, Betty Haft, that you did, because it was the BIG
Terry Hynes, Mary Aston, Lee
ONE!
I must say, in all modesty, I
Aston, Cliff Fremstad.
really worked hard and the trip was
Standing Middle Row: Wade
Elliott, Jessie Elliott, Marilyn well planned, and, as advertised, it
Murrack, Loy Vance, Betty Lynch, was a memorial trip with the
Ruth Morse, Bev Folsom, Jerry
emphasis being travel to our
Folsom, Cloeme Dovey, Vi
beloved Shipdham, Station 115 and
Fremstad, George Apgar, Beryl
to the communities which have
Apgar, Lolly Owen.
established a 44th kinship by
Standing Back Row: Bob Vance, memorializing our comrades whose
Karl Grube, Marilyn Grube, Mel
combat service ended with the
Murrack, Dick Lynch, Roy Owen,
crash of their aircraft in or nearby
Perry Morse, Kevin Lundy, Diana
these villages and towns. Of course,
Lundy, Brice Williams, Arnold
we also visited American National
Dovey, Tony Cianci, Lois Cianci, Cemeteries near our route and the
Will Lundy (behind Irene), Irene Normandy Beaches to pay our
Lundy, Jim Caillier, DougMcPhail. respects, and we had plenty of "do
Not Shown: Lou DeBlasio, Ann
as you please" days, as well as
Natili, Don Wells, Gloria Wells, several day tours. The astounding
J.R. Reville.
part was the unexpected grand
things that happened at each major
stop and put on by the local people
which enhanced each event and
function far beyond what w e had
planned and were expecting.
12
There is so much to tell, and the
space limitations resulting from the
need to publicize our Reunion, this
replay will be done in two
installments. The first, covering the
England portion in this issue, and in
the Winter issue, featuring the
Europe portion of our trip.
Let's get started with m y BIG
B00-B00.1 can't hide from it and
m y skin is getting pretty thick from
all the ribbing I took over the whole
18 days from m y loving travel
mates, so here goes...About a month
or so before departure, I sent a
newsy letter to all m y travellers
full of useful information, like
amounts of luggage allowed, best
guess weather and what to wear,
etc. A N D TO BE CERTAIN
PASSPORTS W E R E IN ORDER.
Lolly, m y grandson, J.R. Reville,
and I took off from San Francisco
on schedule Monday, May 26 for
JFK, where w e were to rendezvous
with several others of the group for
a short layover, then board a Virgin
Air flight for London Heathrow at
7:00 p.m. As we reached the gate, a
young m a n checked our tickets and
passports. He announced that
�Lolly's and m y passports had expired in February. W e
stood helplessly by as they removed us from the flight,
somehow got our checked baggage off the airplane, as
we waved good-bye to m y travel group-me, T H E
LEADER, waving bye-bye to m y troops. Long story
short; Delta Airlines very nicely took responsibility for
not picking up the expiration at SFO. Put us up at the
Holiday Inn, JFK; the next morning early (6:15) we
took a cab into Rockefeller Center, Manhattan ($43).
We managed, after some BIG TIME bureaucratic hurdle
jumping to get new passports issued ($55 each),
expedited processing ($30 each) and got back to the
hotel by 11:30 a.m. (another $43 cab fare). $256 and
24 hours later, w e boarded the same scheduled flight
we were to be on the previous night and got into
London and reached the Kensington Hilton Hotel just
time to check-in, brush our teeth and join the
scheduled tour of Hampton Court with the rest of the
tour group and let the ribbing begin!
REAdy foR A
PASSPORT
when we learned that Marilyn Murrack had been up
most of the night suffering with something stuck in
her throat. Mel took her to an E R and whatever it was
(suspected fish bone), they dislodged and made an
appointment for her to see an ENT Doctor at 9:00 a.m.
So we left without them, and after seeing the doctor,
they came on up to Norwich on the train. She had an
abrasion in the throat which was painful for a couple of
days, then was A-OK for the rest of the trip. N o w this
sounds like an ill fated trip at this point, what with our
passport problem and Marilyn's throat, but not so. The
only other problem w e had the rest of the trip was in
the Mercure Hotel in Rouen, when Arnie Dovey
decided to take a bath and got stuck sitting down in the
narrow tub. He called to Cloeme for help and when she
was unable to dislodge him, she called the front desk
for help and they sent a w o m a n to free him from his
entrapment. Cloeme left the room to come to the bar
for a drink since Arnie was unable to pour and serve.
We never found out how his escape was managed.
When he did appear, he was decidedly
uncommunicative.
Steve Adams, our U.K. Representative, met us at
the hotel to join us as we mounted our bus. The trip to
Cambridge was uneventful and we made a stop at the
always beautiful American Cemetery at Maddingly. All
along the Wall of Missing all of the floral wreaths were
placed appropriately below the unit markers from the
celebration of Memorial Day. The 44th wreath,
annually placed by the long serving John Page, was a
beautiful replica of the Flying Eightball, even to the
Red, White, Green and Yellow striped nose. We boarded
the bus again to complete the trip to Norwich and our
home for three nights, the Norwich Hotel. A great
dinner followed by, you guessed it, a fine Pub session
that put us to bed ready for the next day.
We split about even the next day, some going on the
scheduled bus tour to Sandringham Castle, which our
great bus driver, John, enhanced by taking the coast
route through Kings Lynn and Great Yarmouth. The
rest chose to spend the free day in Norwich. The
ladies shopped and the m e n went to the Temporary
2nd Air Division Memorial Library where librarians
Christine Snowdon and Lesley Fleetwood guided and
assisted our research for a couple of hours. Somehow
we all managed to gather at the Bell Hotel Pub for a
great afternoon lunch and prolonged pub session. In
fact we had one corner of the pub filled and the locals
found that the 44th was back in town! That night after
dinner, the Hotel pub was again filled with 44th'ers and
ChEck
The next morning w e were ready to board the bus for
Norwich via the American Cemetery at Cambridge
3
�locals. We had a big session of our people autographing
B-24 pictures. Also joining us that evening was Chris
Ling, the architect of the new Arrow-Air Complex (See
article on Pages 11 and 12).
The big day we all were waiting for was Sunday. We
loaded onto the bus and left for Shipdham at 10:00 am.
When we arrived at the Shipdham Church for what we
thought was to be a small Memorial Service at our
Memorial Marker in the churchyard, we were greeted
by what appeared to be at least half the town, followed
by a full Sunday Service in the Church. We then exited
to the marker where we had a beautiful laying of
wreathes ceremony with the British Colors born by
Don Dodd of the British Legion and our own Louis
DeBlasio, 506th B.S.
lunches. Mr. Doubleday, a nurseryman, bought the old
Rix farm, not knowing that he had also bought into a
package of WWII history. He has vowed (and has
already repaired all the roof sections that were
allowing the rains to damage building interiors) to
restore the complex to its wartime state as a memorial
to the 14th C B W and 44th BG. We have acquired a new,
and very welcome member of the 44th Family. Our
second surprise of the day!
Following lunch and a tour around the entire
perimeter of the base, we made for the Arrow-Air
Centre for the main event. We had invited some 125
English friends and 44th B G supporters to join us for
an open bar cocktail reception, followed by a U.S.A.
style barbecue and hangar dance. Unfortunately the
late afternoon wind came up forcing us to abandon the
dance, so we concentrated on drinking and eating. I
had asked each member of the tour to bring along a
bottle of wine to be served during the meal. The drinks
and wine flowed freely. The food was gobbled down,
everyone had a big fun time, children included, all paid
for by our Tour Operator, Waterhouse Tours of
Eastbourne. We had an R A F Lancaster fly-by, and the
highlight of the day was a short presentation
ceremony in which your President, on behalf of the
entire 44th Membership, presented a check in the
amount of £6000 ($9,600) to our U.K. Representative,
Steve Adams, as our contribution to the Arrow-Air
Centre, Inc./44th BGVA non-profit matching funds
venture. This is to be applied to a new Training Centre
on the site of the present facility (see the story on
pages 11 and 12). It was a party the likes of which
Shipdham has never before seen-AND T H E Y LOVED IT!
When the new training centre opens, we just may go
over for another one!
After a short visit to the Shipdham Heritage Center
located in the Village Cemetery, we loaded the bus
again with our guide Steve Adams for our tour of all
the squadron and composite sites, conveniently
stopping at the old 14th C B W site at noon for a tour
and box lunch picnic hosted by Mr. Andrew Doubleday
and his son who furnished all the liquid refreshments
and desserts to accompany our Hotel Norwich packed
14
�Roy O W E N QREEHNq UNCIA WATSON,
W e also visited the aircraft reconstruction hangars
where the vintage aircraft are completely taken apart
and rebuilt from square one. Had a great lunch-great
gift/memorabilia shop, and then on to Eastbourne and
the beautiful old Lansdowne Hotel right on the
beachfront promenade. Dinner was the first of daily
fine meals (by this time everyone is hooked on that
GOOD English Bacon for breakfast).
At 10:00 a m the next day, w e went by bus, first for
a tour of Eastbourne which was highlighted by a wine
reception at the City Hall by Her Honor The Mayoress
of Eastbourne. W e then embarked upon a bus tour of
Sussex Herstmonceux Castle where w e had coffee.
ThE 506Tri " M U M . "
June 2, Day 7, w e hit the road, again headed for
Eastbourne via the new American Air Museum at R A F
Duxford. W e spent three hours touring the beautiful
new facility. They are putting the final touches on the
dramatic museum building itself. All of the airplanes
are in place with workers busy doing the last touch up
and positioning.
ThE TOURiSTS AT HERSTMONCEuk CASTIE.
ThE AMERJCAN AiR M U S E U M AT DuxfoRd.
ThE TOURiSTS.
Then on to Hastings where William of Normandy
defeated King Harold II of England in 1066. In the
afternoon, w e visited Bodiam Castle where w e also
were treated to a Cream Tea (sweet clotted cream and
scones).
�On Day 9, June 4, we left the hotel at 9:30 to visit
the "Ruthless" Memorial on the South Downs (beautiful
hills overlooking Eastbourne). There w e had our next
big surprise, as w e were greeted by what must have
been 150 people which included The Honorable Nigel
Waterson, Member of Parliament; The Mayoress Beryl
Healy; Lt. Col. Pat Mullen, USAF, representing the U.S.
Ambassador; a full flight of members of The Royal
British Legion bearing the colors of their units and
representing cities and towns from all of Sussex;
Reverend John Ashby; Mr. Kevin Watson, our staunch
supporter who designed, organized and led the
financing campaign to construct the "Ruthless"
Memorial, and most importantly, 87 year old Mr.
Arthur King, who witnessed the 506th Sqdn. B-24
crash on Butts Brow above his home, and rather than
have the James Bolin crew be forgotten, he faithfully
returned to the site and placed flowers there each
year on the anniversary of their deaths.
M R . ARrhuR KiNq ANCJ his (JATE MouwiNq OUR bus FOR rhE
TRip TO Buns B R O W .
After a welcome and introductory prayer by Rev.
Ashley, your President, assisted by his grandson, JR.
Reville, was honored to place the first of several
beautiful wreathes at the base of the Memorial. The
sounding of TAPS by Major Jimmy Howe was followed
by a minute of silence before The Exhortation was
made by Mr. Frederick Gorusch, President of
Williingdon Branch, Royal British Legion. The 23rd
Psalm was read by Group Captain A. (Bertie) Wallace,
CBE DFC. He was followed by Councillor Ron Parsons,
Mayor of Eastbourne when the Memorial was
dedicated. He gave a very touching memorial address.
This was responded to by Lt. Col. Mullen who paid
tribute on behalf of the USAF for the highest standards
of human service and sacrifice for country set by this
crew for which they will be forever remembered. All
then sang "Mine Eyes Have Seen The Glory" and the
ceremony was closed by a Benediction and the singing
of "The Star Spangled Banner" and "God Save the
Queen."
BEJNq qREETEd by hER H O N O R TIIE MAYORESS BERyl
HEAK/ ANd M P NiqEl WATERSON.
ThE RoyAl BRiTish LEqioN EASTbouRNE iN TIIE IOWER bAckqRouNd.
16
�J.R.
REVUIE
ANd Roy
ON
pkciNq rhE 44rh BoMb
rhE "RuThlEss" MEMORJAI.
OWEN
G R O U P WREATII
The surprises continued as w e mounted the bus
and were taken to the Royal Air Force Association Club
as honored guests for a buffet luncheon. That evening
we donned our jackets, ties and elegant party dresses
to attend a gala dinner hosted by Mayoress Healy and
Her Honor and escort former Mayor Maurice Skilton
and the Owens, receiving the blend of Eastbourne and
44th guests so beautifully announced as they entered
by Toastmaster Thomas F. Crammer in full livery.
TOASTMASTERT.F. CRAMMER.
ThE "RuThlESS MEMORiAl.
17
�O U R TREASURER ANd his bRids BEV,
ToNy CiANci, BEny HArr, Dick HATT ANd Lois CiANci REAdy foR rhE
ThE hoNEyMOON coupUl
GAIADJNNER.
A N N NArili iN ThE NEXT R O W .
After the saying of Grace, the Mayoress proposed a
toast to Her Majesty The Queen. Councillor Ron
Parsons then proposed a toast to our President, then
gave a most complimentary welcome address directed
to our members in which he stated it was the hope that
the bond of friendship that was now forged between
their city and our group would remain a permanent
one in which w e would always be welcome to return.
After response by Colonel Owen, the party turned
to a beautiful four course dinner prepared by the
Lansdowne Hotel staff. The wonderful surprise here
was the elegance of the entire evening. After a cap-off
of after dinner brandy in the bar, the travellers bade
farewell to their Eastboure friends and made off to
rest for the 7:30 a m departure for N e w haven and the
ferry voyage to Dieppe, France.
W e will conclude the highlights (more surprises) of the
Europe portion of the BIG TRIP
in the Winter issue of
The 8-Ball Tails.
Stay Tuned.
LUNCh ANd "P"
srop O N rhE
WAy fROM
LONdON TO
NoRwich.
STEVE AdAiws
AbouT TO qET
O N rhE bus.
18
m
�THE
RUTHLESS
MEMORIAL
Their shadows hover round the stone,
Which signifies their search for truth
They fought for justice far from home,
Without that gentle touch from Ruth.
Young men who came across the sea,
To calm the turbulence which spread,
Across a continent at war,
N o w lie at peace, their armor shed.
Yet every day their spirits rise,
To view this green and scenic land,
They love to walk these ancient hills,
Together still, one faithful band.
They meet with Saxon men of yore,
W h o rest in tumuli close by,
Their spirits bound as brave m e n are,
They float contented in the sky.
When springtime flowers raise their heads,
They smile, at colours white and blue,
The gentle breeze then spreads the scent,
Towards the clouds where young m e n flew.
We men whose lives are nearly spent,
Pass on this knowledge to our breed,
That sacrifices w e recall,
Will live forever like a creed.
Fear not, we guard their memory,
A n d walk the path towards their tomb,
W e b o w our heads and say a prayer,
For cousins resting heath the combe.
19
®
�466Th BoMb G R O U P B-24J ON dispUy AT 8rh AF MUSEUM, BARksdAlE AFB, LA
wirh N E W 44rh BoMb G R O U P MEMORJAI MARkER iN pbvcE.
BARKSDALE MEMORIAL DEDICAT
A group of 62 men and women of the 44th Bomb Group Veterans Association gathered in Shreveport, LA on t
weekend of May 3, 1997, to take part in the dedication of a beautiful granite marker and bronze plaque pla
the 8th Air Force Museum Memory Walk at Barksdale AFB. The memorial marker commemorates the assignment
of the 44th Bomb Group to Barksdale Fieldfrom February until July, 1942 and memorializes our 44th comra
who have made the ultimate sacrifice in their service to our country.
The beautiful ceremony was organized and programmed by the staff of Mr. Harold D. "Buck" Rigg, Direct
Curator of the 8th Air Force Museum and Tech/Sgt. Ray Grillo, Museum NCOIC. Protocol matters were hand
by Staff/Sgt. Candace Wilkinson of 2nd Bomb Wing Headquarters.
20
®
�The Dedication was attended by Lt. Gen. Phillip and Mrs. Ford
and Col. and Mrs. Andrew Smoak. General Ford is 8th Air Force
Commander and Colonel Smoak commands the 2nd Bomb Wing. The
scene of the ceremony was in the Museum briefing room; a replica of
the Nissan Hut briefing rooms familiar to all who served in the WWII
8th Air Force. Appropriately hung over the entrance was our Flying
Eight-Ball Affixed to a 100# "Blue Devil" bomb and next to the podium
was a large layout ofAF Station 115, Shipdham Air Field, England;
wartime base of the 44th Bomb Group.
President Roy Owen opened the ceremony with a welcome and
introduction of the honored guests. After posting of the colors,
Chaplain (Father) Randy Roberts gave the Invocation. Col. Owen
followed with a briefcombat history ofthe 44th B.G. Then introduced
Brig. General John Gibson, one of the two living 44th combat
commanders who made the profferance of the memorial to the 8th
Air Force Museum. After the unveiling by our members Ed "Mike "
Mikoloski, lead navigator on the 14 May 1943 Kiel, Germany mission
and Reginald "Phil" Phillips, pilot on 1 August 1943 low level raid
on the Ploesti, Rumania oil refinery, Colonel Andrew Smoak accepted
the memorial on behalf of 8th Air Force.
Col. C I E M
HAUIMAN AT ENTRANCE TO BRisfiNq R O O M .
Col. Ed Mikoloski ANd "Phil" Phillips
hAviNq JUST uNVEiUd ThE 44rh
MEMORJAI PIAQUE.
On the 44th side of the project, we were most fortunate to have our Colonel (Ret) Clem Haulman, who, al
he lives 200 milesfromShreveport, was our main man on this project. He worked with Will Lundy on the d
the plaque, made all the contacts on Barksdale and saw to the procurement of the granite marker and th
On top ofall that, he wore his complete WWII pinks and green uniform (25 mission crush on the hat as we
really made it possible to manage this projectfromafar was having Captain Jeffrey Swegel, son of our
Bob and Noreen Swegel, a B-52 Instructor pilot and Combat Crew Commander in the 20th Bomb Squadron
Barksdale who volunteered to act as eyes and ears for Clem in taking care to see all ofthe details on the
into place. We owe them both a big THANK
YOU!
21
®
�The element of the ceremony most touching to 44th members present was the obviously displayed admiration a
respect heldfor them by the Active Duty Air Force;firstby the great "Barksdale Welcome " extended to us by t
Base; then by the 44th presence displayed in the Museum, also the placement ofour memorial in the place ofhon
directly infrontof the B-24 on display, but most beautifully articulated by Colonel Andy Smoak in his acce
of the memorial:
"General Ford, General Gibson, General Moore, Colonel Owen, members ofthe 44th Bomb Group
Veterans Association and honored guests. It is my privilege to be apart ofthis momentous occasion.
The 44th left a rich tradition rooted in the ultimate sacrifices ofbrave men who answered the call to
battle to preserve afreeworld. This honorable heritage includes some ofthe mostfamous battles in
history, and helped build the legacy that would become known as "The Mighty Eighth. " We will
never forget you who carry the torch oftheir memory which lights the way ofwe who walk the same
path. May this illumination make it possible for us to walk in your footsteps. This monument is a
testimony to those endeavors, and will preserve their memory for future generations. As 2nd Bomb
Wing Commander, and an heir to that glorious birthright, I am proud to carry on the tradition and
promise to uphold the high standards set so long ago. On behalf of the 8th Air Force Museum, I
thank you, not only for this memorial, but for your sacrifices made in service to your country. God
Bless you all."
TOM HOIMES, R. H. "Phil" Phillips ANd TOM LANdRUM ATTENd ThE SATURdAy EVENiNq
REqioNAl MEEriNq AITER ThE DEdicATioN C E R E M O N Y
LETT TO
Riqk: Col.
G E M HAUIMAN, Col.
Roy
OWEN,
B / G E N . HowARd M O O R E , B / G E N . jAck GibsoN
22
�F E E D B A C K O N T H E KIEL RAID
This letter comes from Harvey C. Compton of Alba, Dear Will:
Texas, who with Robert E. Kolliner were in the Abernethy
I received the latest issue of Eight Ball Tails and the
crew photo on Page 4 of the last issue (Spring, 1997) of Kiel Raid of 14 May, 1943. The photo of Ab's crew is of
the 'TAILS." Compton went with Kolliner w h e n he got his his original crew. They are:
own crew in April. They were on Abernethy's right wing
Back Row: L to R
on the Kiel Raid. The Interrogation Form for the Abernethy
Minder - Bombardier (William H.)
crew lists to the composition of the crew for the Kiel Raid.
Abernethy - Pilot (Robert J.)
The changes were: Col. L E O N W . J O H N S O N , C o m m a n d
Kolliner - Co-Pilot (Robert E.)
Pilot; SPENCER S. H U N N , Co-Pilot, E D MIKOLOSKI,
Toczyl - Navigator (Benjamin R.)
Kneeling: L to R
Navigator, E A R L E. G O O D M A N , Radio, W I L L A R D W .
S/Sgt. Ray Sheldon, Tail Gunner
SCOTT, Engineer,- J O H N A. R O M E O , R. Waist Gun,
S/Sgt. Kirt Jarvis, Waist Gunner
BERNARD G. T R A U G H T , Hatch, H O W A R D M. LUCAS, L
T/Sgt. Harvey Compton, Engineer
Waist Gun, W A L T E R L. S U M M E Y , Tail Gun.
S. Sgt. Kelly Morrison, Waist Gun
T.Sgt Frank Capuano, Radio Operator
Editor: Sorry about the mix up. My "working document
Lt.
Kolliner
was made a 1st pilot in April, 1943 and
listed only the pilots and aircraft. As a "make-up," I've
come by most of the names of the B7th Sq. Personnel who w a s not part of our crew on the Kiel mission. Capt.
were in the "Sweating; It Out" cover photo. Can anyoneAbernethy was leading the formation with Lt. Kolliner on
name the officer standing in the center of the other Ab's right wing (#2), while Lt. Reed was on his left (#3).
Lt. Reed was having a little trouble holding formation
unknowns?
so these two wing m e n switched positions. On the urn in,
Reed's plane was hit in the top turret - must have been by
All 67th Squadron Personnel
a rocket or 20 to 4 0 m m shell. The turret was totally
# 1 Jeep:
demolished and severely wounded Sgt. Wygonic. The radio
Left to Right
operator, Sgt. Perry, put a parachute on T/Sgt. Wygonic
Mike Curtin, standing - Rose Hager, one head,
and
moved him to the catwalk where he sat for a short
unknown,- Charlie Arthur,- sitting: Richard Ward, I
believe, standing,- Officer Voorheese,- two unknowns due time. A short time later he was gone, and I never heard if
he made it or not. (Yes, his chute opened, landed in Kiel
to faintness,- and Joe Bailey. Standing beside jeep and was immediately taken to the hospital and survived.)
George Baccash.
Reed's airplane also was hit in # 2 engine and in the
Officer in-between jeeps - unknown.
left
vertical stabilizer. The top half was sheared off and
# 2 Jeep
the left main gear dropped down. The plane fell off sharply
On hood
to the right, and I thought that they surely were goners.
Left to Right
But after landing and debriefing, w e heard he was coming
Edward Hanley and Freddie Marsh. On hood standing,
in! The crew bailed out and were picked up OK. Lt. Reed
M/Sgt. Line Chief Ralph Illick. Standing against jeep,
had a n e w gunner from the Armament shop. W h e n he
Emery Shimmel. Last unknown.
came up to our CO. Major Hodges, I believe it was, he
See photo on cover page of Spring, 1997
threw
his bundled up parachute down and said, 'There's
^^^^
Vol. 2 Issue 2 for more detail.
your blankity-blank receipt. I quit!!" And he went back to
the Armory. W h o could blame him?
Capt. Robert J. Abernethy's crew that day was: 2nd Lt.
Spencer Hunn, Co-pilot,- Ed Mikolowsi, Navigator, 1st Lt.
William H. Minder, Bombardier,- T/Sgt. Earl E. Goodman,
| Radio, T/Sgt. Willard W Scott, Top Turret, John A. Romeo,
I R.W./ S/Sgt. Bernard G. Traudt, Hatch, S/Sgt. Walter L.
Summey, Tail Gun,- S/Sgt. Howard M. Lucas, L.W., and Col
Leon W Johnson, Command.
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�MORE FEEDBACK F R O M T H E KIEL
RAID
This comes to us from Col. (Ret) Jim
O'Brien
5129 Baptist Road
Pittsburgh, PA 1526-1719
operator, grabbed thefireextinguisher and
redirected thefireenough which enabled him to
use his heel to kick one bomb bay door open about
20 inches. Although heavyfirefilledthe bomb
bay, that small opening provided the only escape
route for the four of us on the flight deck.
T h e Navigator, John Bledsoe and
Bombardier, Norius Crisan, saw that no one was
on the flight deck, and they then parted company
with the aircraft. The boys from the ear of the
aircraft, including Castillo, landed in the water
in Kiel Bay. All were picked up by German shore
patrols, but Harold VanOyen drowned when he
got tangled in his parachute shroud lines. H e
always told m e that he would drown if he landed
in water, because he couldn't swim and was afraid
of water. The six crewmen from thefrontof the
aircraft landed on terra firm about 20 miles
northwest of Kiel. MacHowell's chute opened, but
it had one panel torn from the bottom to the top
of the umbrella. I saw the torn chute and did not
k n o w it was Howell until the German Luftwafe
medic told m e "The little m a n in the yellow suit
is dead." It was a long time before I could believe
that Howell was dead. I concluded that his chute
was hit by some of those 30 caliber shells which
were bouncing off the armor plate of our pilot
seats. For those w h o don't know, w e crewmen
used the British chest pack snap-on chutes which
w e had to store behind our seats while flying. It
w a s pure confusion finding the chutes and
buckling them onto the chest rings.
The top turret gunner, Kenneth McCabe,
should have received the credit for destroying the
G e r m a nfighterswhich were teasing us after w e
left the target area. H e kept shouting through
his oxygen mask, "Lower the wing. Lower the
Wing" while they were flying along side of us. Of
course, Howell and I were trying tofigureout how
long w e were going to last.
The way I have described this story m a y seem
very casual and sober, but believe me, it was pure
panic midst the hellish noise of full R P M on the
two right engines, flak, our 50 caliber guns firing
constantly, G e r m a n shells exploding on the flight
deck and a strong odor of leaking gasoline ready
Dear Roy,
After returning h o m e from m y snowbird
refuge in Arizona, I finally cleaned up m y box of
unforwarded mail and w a s able to read through
the Spring issue of the 8 Ball Tails which featured
the Kiel Raid of 14 M a y 1943. Although I have
played that m e m o r y over m a n y times as a
member of the crew of the "Rugged Buggy" (AC
41-23819, Bar A), I was magnetically drawn to
that narrative of extreme hazards w e
encountered that day. T h e declassified Secret
debriefing reports really confirmed m y o w n
assessment of the mission. I have had m y "There
I Was" story published several times, most
recently under the title, "One Hazard Too Many,"
referring to the broken bundles of incendiaries
coming back through the formation on a negative
trajectory while MacHowell and I were trying to
keep the plane in formation.
It is now ancient history, but I would like to
correct the report on what happened to 819 BarA that day. W h e n flak knocked out our two left
engines, our fate was sealed. Dick Castillo w a s
wounded by M E 109 shells that exploded his
ammunition box, and he was pulled from his rear
turret by the waist gunners, Jim M a c C a m m a n d
and Harold VanOyen. They d u m p e d h i m out of
the plane, pulling his rip cord for him. They and
John Husselton then bailed out because they had
no communication with the pilots. W e five
crewmen up front did not k n o w they had bailed
out, and we continued on over the target dropping
the bomb load and returned with the Group for
home. After about ten minutes, w e soon had
German fighters flying escort, one off the right
wing and one off the left wing. A n M E 109 w a s
sitting right below the tail and giving steady
bursts of cannon and 30 caliber shells and tracers.
As Howell and I fully anticipated, some of those
tracers ignited the fuel leaking in the b o m b bay, to pop.
O n efinalnote on this mission. W e lostfiveB^ d the game was over. The b o m b bay doors were
shut and there was no hydraulic pressure to open 24's over the target and one back in England
them, but dear old Ralph Ernst, the radio i w h e n the crew had to bail out. One B-17 was also
�shot down. One month later, 13 June 1943, the May 17, 1997
mighty B-17's went to the same target and lost
Dear Jim:
20 aircraft without any B-24's to escort them.
Keep up the good work with our Association Thank you for the great letter that reach
yesterday. I want to tell you that your recou
Sincerely,
what was going on in the front of "Rugged Buggy
Jim O'Brien
while you were under that fierce attack is exa
we at
are reaching out for with the format
P.S. One of the original 44th types, still what
flying
age 78...The enclosed photo shows John Bledsoe The 8-Ball Tails. I stated in our third issu
and m e at his home in Tucson last April, 1997. we were going from a reactive editorial pol
where we plead for our members to write in an
John and I and Norius Crisan from Las Vegas
are the only crewmen of the "Rugged Buggy" who tell us their stories, then sit and wait (wit
are left. Dick Castillo died in 1995 at Springfield, meager results), to a format where we feature
Ohio. Ralph Ernst died in 1985 in Jacksonville, aircraft, combat crews, ground crews and supp
A R and Kenneth McCabe died in 1985 in Dekalb, people, hoping that naming names and dates o
IL. I have never heard from Husselton or
aircraft, missions and crews would stimula
M a c C o m m o n d in the 52 years.
memories long tucked away, unshared and, jus
as you have so vividly related, shared with al
comrades the first hand story of what went on
the front of the fatally wounded "Rugged Bugg
Stories like yours are what Will Lundy calls
gravy" that blends together the meat and
potatoes, or the facts and statistics of a co
unit history. What I'm saying here is that yo
made my day!
Many thanks,
Roy
JiM O'BRJEN
(LEIT)
& JohN BIECISOE (Riqk).
Editor: Boy! What I wouldn't give if some of the
rest ofyou guys would loosen up and write letters
like this one to me. I was remarking to Will Lundy,
ifI could get around and tape all of the great "war
stories" that you guys sit around and tell one
another after "honkin' down" a few in the
Hospitality Room at the Reunion, maybe I'd be
able to do more "fill-in" from the Debriefing forms,
'cause most of you go back home and "go off the
air" again.
�^Beating the Bushes
^
By Art Hand & Will Lundy
June, 1997
CLINTON G. FAUST: 12533 Butler Road, Crocker, MO 65435. Clinton served with the 44th at Barks
Field in 1943.66th Squadron.
JEFFREYDIETFRING: 11916 Lakeside Drive, #160, Overland Park, KS 66213. Jeffrey is grandson of
Donald Maule.
HOWARD S. GEISELMAN, JR.: 708 Prospect Avenue, Waynesboro, PA 17268. Howard was with the
44th B G at Barksdale, but was transferred to the 98th B G when that Group was formed out of the 44th.
RALEIGH A. GLASSOCK: RR #8, Mocksville, NC 27028. Raleigh served with the 44th BG at Barksdal
Field.
CLYDE F. GORDON: 2528 Sink Street, Winston Salem NC 27107. Clyde was a radio operator, joined
68th Squadron on October 5,1943.
WILLIAM A. LUNDQUIST: 4003 South Greystone Lane, Spokane, WA 99223. William joined the 68th
Squadron on 2/19/45. He was a pilot, flew with Robert's crew. Flew back to the states in A/C #44-49425.
Progress on the Savannah M u s e u m Display
By Roy O w e n
All of the membership should, by now, be aware that the plan for the 44th Bomb Group display
case at the Mighty 8th Air Force M u s e u m at Savannah is to be a small scale replica of the 44th Lead
Element attacking Target White 5, Columbia Aquila Refinery at Ploesti.
W e commissioned Kieth St. Aubin, a free-lance professional model maker for the movie industry, to
produce four 2 7 inch wing span B-24 D models with the appropriate serial numbers, name, Flying 8Ball logo, and nose art of Suzy Q , Horse Fly, Buzzin' Bear and the borrowed 376th plane which went
over the target in the # 3 position o n Col. Johnsons left wing. Kieth notified m e that the models were
completed and I m a d e a one day flying trip to his h o m e in Canoga Park on Sunday, April 13 to inspect
and accept the models prior to shipment to our display Project Officer, T o m Parsons in Atlanta.
I must say, there is nothing like doing business with a real professional! Just inspecting the models
made m e anxious to see the finished display w e envision. Each of the models is complete in every
authentic detail and will be shipped in its individual custom built container.
As I write this, T o m has received the models and has delivered them to Savannah. H e will n o w go
out for bids for a professional firm to construct a scale model replica of the target area as it looked just
before b o m b release by the lead element; flames, s m o k e and all. T h e model aircraft will be suspended
from the glass top of the display case by monofilament fishing line to position each in its proper
Position during the attack. It is our intent to produce a replica of this most historic m o m e n t for the 44th
which w e intend will be the defining display of the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum. W e will keep you
posted on the progress our project team of T o m Parsons and John McClain are making as they go
along.
27
�overgrowth of brambles, cleaning out the
buildings and making many repairs. He hopes to
restore more building, save the wall art and
What do I say - where can I start? W e have just
perhaps add a mini-museum (if all goes well).
returned from an extra week in England, following
Bless him!
the G R A N D T O U R by s o m e 44thers through
A short visit was m a d e to Maddingly on the way
England, France, Belgium - and a m really suffering
from jet lag, fatigue and so many emotional highs! up to Norwich, and another few hours stop at
Duxford on the way back. Thanks to the efforts of
So many great things happened in so short a time
that I can't get them in order, or get them from m y Steve Adams, not only for our stay in Norwich, but
for the special attention w e got at Duxford. W e
head. IT W A S SUPER! Just like the postcards from
were
given a tour of the n e w 8th AF building,
vacationing friends, "Having a great time - wish
which will be officially opened by the Queen in
you were here" is most appropriate.
August. It is an impressive, unique building, full of
Surely Roy Owen, our Tour Coordinator and
Leader, will tell you all about the Tour, but I can't interesting aircraft and hopefully will some day
include a B-24.
refrain from adding m y viewpoints. So, forgive m e
Two years ago, Kevin Watson managed to honor
for duplicating many experiences. I a m sure that it
our
"Ruthless" plane and the ten m e n from the
will be difficult for Roy to condense all of these
Bolin crew which died in the crash near
emotional events into one issue of the "Tails."
Eastbourne. Mainly by Kevin's efforts, a large
London is still London, loaded with history and
so many famous places to visit. But this time, Irene memorial stone was placed at the crash site and a
very moving ceremony conducted at that site. The
and I were pleased to have our younger son,
Mayor of Eastbourne honored the few of us who
Kevin and his lovely wife, Diana, along to share
were
there by inviting us to the famous city hall
nine of those days with us. During the one day
and a reception.
"on our own," w e four visited the Tower of
Just two years later, Kevin again was the planner
London, enjoying the words from our guide, and
and
leader of another wonderful two days in his
seeing the sights. Naturally the exhibits of the
fair city. And this time our reception was even
many heavily jeweled crowns were well packed
more memorable, like w e were long missing
with tourists like us, but what jewels! The real
family
returning home. The city opened their arms
McCoy! O n to St. Pauls Cathedral which withstood
to us - w e were family. Once again our Lt. Bolin
the bombings of the war, and where a Roll of
crew were honored with a larger memorial service
Honor book displays the names of Americans
killed in action; and finally, the Westminster Abbey up on Butts Brow high above the city. The view
in all its grandeur. W e nearly got lost w h e n trying from there is extraordinary with a wide view of the
city, the Channel, the green fields and rolling hills.
to exit that ancient building. Of course, w e
O n e could not have picked a more suitable site
utilized the "Tube" to get from one place to the
for a memorial marker and a service. It was
other, and did not miss Harrods on the way back
beautiful in all ways.
to the hotel.
Our last evening was capped with a Gala
I a m sure that the good folks of Shipdham have
Banquet, and that truly is what it was. The meal
not been the same after the afternoon and
was
super, many local honored guests were there
evening at Arrow-Air Centre. Over 50 guests were
to join us, toasts were m a d e by many, wine and
invited to join us there in a free bar and a
champagne flowed freely. Another emotional
barbecue, but it seemed there were larger
numbers than that. Too, Kevin Watson and George night.
Our son, Kevin and Diane, along with Dick and
Dixon arrived from Eastbourne to help us
Betty Haft, returned to London and home, while
celebrate the reunion. Earlier in the day, our coach
the
rest of us joined Kevin Watson and his fathertook us to the various old sites on the base,
in-law Tony for the remainder of the tour. W e
stopped at the 14th C B W site to enjoy a lunch and
drinks, thanks to the generosity of Mr. Doubleday. caught an early ferry over to Dieppe, France. As
He is converting that site to a nursery (plants) and soon as w e drove off the ramp in our nice new
coach, w e were flagged down by our new French
is making great progress in clearing the
WILL SEZ
28
m
�friends, JP Marie and Joel Huard. W e were late due
to a late departure from Newhaven, and the
French had many great plans in store for us. They
wanted to take a detour, even before w e reached
our hotel in Rouen to visit a crash site at Villers
Ecalles.
In the months preceding this tour, Roy had been
contacted byJP Marie (through Joel w h o acted as
an interpreter) to obtain data on the 44th BG
plane which had been shot d o w n on 8 March 1943
during an attack on the railway yards in Rouen.
Roy deferred the request on to m e , and as it
turned out, quite appropriately so. The plane was
flown by Capt. C.E. Price. The aircraft's n a m e was
Miss Dianne. Price and seven of his crew were
KIA, including Roy E. Goaline, a ground crewman
who volunteered for combat. Roy was a personal
friend. Miss Dianne was "my" plane, one I had
lovingly cared for since its arrival at Shipdham on
10 October 1942. The three survivors included
Kenny Erhard and Deane Devars, both of w h o m
were volunteers from ground crews. So I had a
deep, vested interested in all of this, and was very
happy to share all of m y information with JP and
Joel, who also was an air war historian.
We were late arriving in the village of Villers
Ecalles, but there, patiently waiting for us was
quite a crowd, many in uniforms, and a lot of
French being spoken. Most of us were
understanding very little of what w a s being said,
wishing we had listened better in our French
classes in school, but managed to get the
message by hand motions and a few words from
Joel that we were to follow the large procession
along a road often filled with m a n y cars.
About a block away from the parking area, w e
came to a halt, spilling out through an intersection
and facing an American flag draped large stone
monument. Here a ceremony w a s to take place,
with at least 200 of us packed in, trying to keep a
lane clear to permit the road traffic to pass on
through. Several speeches were made, with Joel
reading aloud in English. But with the noise of the
traffic, my hearing aid failed to get but a just a few
words into my head. I wasn't "with it" as to what
had been said.
Roy and I were called front, got the idea that w e
should take the wreath to the flag-draped
memorial stone and lay it at the base, m u c h as
had some French dignitaries. W h e n w e turned
away, I could see one m a n gesturing to us,
pointing back to the memorial, but had no idea
what was expected of us. A light finally dawned
that they wanted the American flag removed from
the memorial, so w e both managed to loosen it,
and put to one side. That was the time that the
light really dawned on m e - instead of the large
memorial stone being uncovered, there in all it
glory was a large plaque inscribed with the names
of the crew members!
I knew that this memorial stone had been
installed there many years ago and that
ceremonies were held here annually on their
memorial day, but they had no plaque. I had sent
the crew data to them less than two months
earlier and was sure that insufficient time
remained for them to get a plaque made. It never
entered m y head that w e were there to honor the
plaque which they had s o m e h o w managed to
fabricate and install in such a short time. I could
not have been happier at that moment.
Before w e managed to get to our hotel that
evening, w e were to twice more attend
ceremonies and receptions at both Villers Ecalles
and Rouen. Those French people were making it
quite obvious that w e were more than welcome.
Again, what a day!
O n our coach trip to the Invasion Beaches, w e
were scheduled for a stop in Bayeau to view the
Bayeux Tapestry. I was not all that interested, not
knowing exactly what that was or why I'd want to
view it. Ignorance is bliss. It proved to be an
amazing piece of work that appears to be one of a
kind, dating back to the time of William The
Conqueror -1066. Here is a tapestry nearly 900
years old, still in good shape, telling pictorially, by
threads, of the invasion of England by the French.
The events are told all along the entire length of
this tapestry for a distance which seems at least
100 feet, perhaps more. It seemed a bit
appropriate to have visited here, see the invasion
of England so long ago, and then go to the
invasion beaches to see the results of another
invasion, this time in the opposite direction, from
England to France.
Both JP Marie and Joel Huart accompanied us in
the coach on this day to the beaches, so w e had a
great chance to learn a bit more about each other,
have their help while at the beaches, and while
visiting the huge and beautiful American
�cemetery at O m a h a beach - Normandy. The 44th
BG has 26 m e n buried here, three more on the
Wall of Missing.
Within the past few months, Joel and I have
shared information about 44th BG planes which
had crashed in France. I having specific data about
planes and crewmen, and he having data about
the crash sites. Joel requested data about five
planes which were shot d o w n on 21 January 1944,
four of which were 68th Sq. O n e of the four was
Lt. Sobotka's, the plane on which Clair Shaeffer
was killed, body unidentified. Joel's records gave
us the location of this crash, and he contacted the
Mayor of the closest village and asked if w e could
visit the site. Upon leaving Rouen the next
morning, both Joel and JP Marie again rode with
us to this village. They arranged for our coach to
drive us near it, where several cars from the
village offered transportation back into the woods
- but many of us preferred to walk.
Upon arriving at the site, w e found that the
French citizens of that area had many years ago
placed a memorial marker there, and erected
borders to make the appearance of a burial plot.
In the middle of the plot, they had placed a
portion of the crashed plane - a heavy glass
"window" from either the tail or ball turret.
A solemn ceremony was performed by the local
mayor and priest. Then one of the local m e n w h o
spoke English very well told us about his father
w h o had visited the crash shortly after it
happened. He said that he had a gift for Mrs. Lois
Cianci, something which his father had found and
saved all these years. Upon opening the small
container, she found a "dog tag." Upon closer
inspection, discovered that it was her father's. At
long last, she n o w had one of her father's
personal possessions. What an unbelievable set
of circumstances; so heavily charged with
emotions. W e were all in tears of joy for her.
Finally, she had something real with which to
remember her father. What an almost impossible
event to happen!
After two great days - the weather had been
sunny and warm every day - w e departed Paris
and headed for Belgium via Reims and Bastogne.
W e were behind schedule w h e n w e stopped at
the Ardennes American Cemetery, 5 p m and
normal closing time. However, our good friends
Luc Dewez and Sophie were there waiting for us
along with the Superintendent, Horace Thompson.
A wreath had been placed on the n a m e of Clair P.
Shaeffer which was engraved in the Wall of
Missing in honor of Lois' visit. Later I spoke with
Mr. Thompson about the procedures involved with
MIAs, especially those found in crashed airplanes,
but unable to identify a body. For several years I
have sought this information in general, and
specifically for another 44ther who, like Clair
Shaeffer, went d o w n on 21 January, an engineer,
and body not identified. Never was the subject
fully addressed by any source contacted - until this
day w h e n Mr. Thompson gave m e an answer.
H e stated that this cemetery had well over 700
"Unknown" people whose remains were
unidentifiable after the final processing that took
place in 1949 and 1950. Their remains were buried
here in separate graves, marked as Unknown, and
their names are listed on their Wall of Missing. Of
course there remains a shadow of doubt in
specific instances, but the odds are quite high
that those m e n whose names on the Wall of
Missing might also have their remains buried
there in Unknown graves. So again, finally, w e
n o w have an answer to this important question.
Next of kin can n o w have grounds for accepting
the possibility that this cemetery may be the final
resting place for their loved one.
Incidently, this Ardennes American Cemetery
should remain dear to our 44thers. W e have 74 of
our airmen buried there, with another 28 shown
on the Wall of Missing. W e should include this in
our itinerary, if at all possible, anytime w e are in
Belgium.
Again and again, what a wonderful tour. Kevin
Watson, Tony and our drivers couldn't have done
more for us. They were super.
Anyone want to go again?
�FOLDED WINGS
JUNE, 1997
Dr. George Beckerman 4/7/97 HQ
Adam J. Borkowski
1994
Warren L. Brock
2/11/97
LeeE. Davis
Unknown
Dante R DiGiacnito
Edmund H. Donnelly
William Dorrisey
Frederick A. DuBose
Henry C. Gay
Lewis German
Curtis D. Gerrard
John W. Griffin
JohnE. Gunnell
Jerome (Bob) Hary
Harold P. (Jack) Harmon
Herbert A. Hedinger
Harvey (Gene) Holmes
Adolph J. Hrebar
Gerald N.
Charles
K.Jenniges
Jones
Unknown
2/17/97
6/11/97
12/15/93
Unknown.
7/15/96....
1986
1993
8/10/96
1/4/96
6/90
9/28/95
1/8/97
5/5/97
8/4/97
6/97
Oscar L. Leonard
Charles Marks
Major Albert A. Martin
9/19/96
2/7/96 ...
4/4/97...
William McFadden
William Middlebrooks
Melvin Novotny
Alan F. Oberlin
William H. Parkins
Lewis Robinson
Otis V. Rogers
Fred G. Rowe
3/16/96.
2/13/97
1/20/97.
6/22/96.
6/17/97.
4/3/97...
3/6/95 ...
4/9/96 ...
Warren B.Williamson
Unknown
Unknown
Motor Pool
66th Squadron Cook. To Shipdham
echelon 9/5/42.
Unknown
506th Squadron. POW. Shot down on 23rdMission. Retired
as Lt. Col. USAFR.
67th Harris Waist Gunner
506th Squadron. Fred was a Radio Operator on G. Wescott's
crew when shot down on 29 June 1944. Was a POW.
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
68th Squadron. Co-pilot for Parke H. Jones. Shot down
16 December 1943. Became a POW.
506th, Co-Pilot Maynor Crew, POW
Worked in communications.
67th Gunner, R.C. Griffin, interned Switz. 4/44
68th and 506th Squadrons. Ground crew. To England 9/5/42
on Queen Mary. Transferred to 506th Sqdn. 4/12/43.
68th Operations NCO
66th Radio on Muldoon Crew
66th Gunner on J.N. Williams Crew
. 506th. Flight Engineer on Edkins crew.
. 506th Pilot
.464 Sub-Depot
. 506th Bombardier on Purdy 's and Waines Crew 10/43 to
2/44. Transferred to 15 AF 449 BG,firstB-24 crew to finish
combat tour in 15th AF.
506th
506/67th
. Unknown
. 67th Ground Echelon, Radio Maintenance
. 68th Co-Pilot on Erickson Crew
. Gunner on Ciesielski Crew
. 68th Fit. Eng. on Zerman Crew
. 66th Gunner on Hammer Crew, crew flew PFF Lead
on D-Day.
Unknown
FOR YOUR INFORMATION...
Your Board of Directors voted for the '98 Reunion to be held in:
31
�44TH BOMB GBOUP VETEBA/VS
ASSOCIATION BOABD
President: Roy W. Owen (506)
6304 Meadowridge Drive
Santa Rosa, CA 95409-5839
Phone: (707) 538-4726 Fax: (707) 538-1212
Director: Robert I. Lehnhausen (68th)
709 West Meadows Place
Peoria, IL 61604-3447
Phone/Fax: (309) 685-2490
Vice President: James H. Clements (506)
4124 Calculus Avenue
Dallas, TX 75244
Phone/Fax: (972) 243-4657
Director: Richard R. Pedersen (506th)
Winter: 751 10th Street East Lot 32
Palmetto, FL 34221
Phone/Fax: (941) 723-2030
Summer: 10744 U S 27 S Lot 248
Ft. Wayne, IN 46816-3467
Phone/Fax: (219) 639-6173
Secretary: Edward M. Dobson (67th)
118 South 15th Avenue #1
Bozeman, M T 59715-4130
Phone/Fax: (406) 587-2490
Treasurer: Gerald (Jerry) Folsom (506)
954 Lowell Avenue
Salt Lake City, UT 84102-3620
Phone: (801) 359-6159 Fax: (801) 533-8747
Historian: C.W. "Will" Lundy
3295 North "H" Street
San Bernardino, CA 92405-2809
Phone/Fax: (909) 882-2441
P.O. Box 315
Bridgeport, CA 93517 (Summer)
Phone/Fax: (619) 932-7349
44th Group Vice President to 2nd ADA
Richard D. Butler
16494 Wagon Wheel Drive
Riverside, CA 92506
Phone: (909) 780-7421 Fax: (909) 780-1459
Director: Edw. K. "Mike" Mikoloski (66th)
626 Smithfield Road #702
N. Providence, Rl 02904
Phone/Fax: (401) 353-0144
Director: Robert I. "Bob" Brown (67th)
#8 Metairie Court
San Ramon, C A 94583-3824
Phone: (510) 828-4529 Fax: (510) 828-1551
Director: Melvin G. Trager (HQ Squadron)
2522 Red Oak Trail
Crest Hill, IL 60435-3197
Phone/Fax: (815) 725-3439
Membership Co-Chair: Search
Art Hand
517 Elm Street
Paris, IL 61994
Phone/Fax: (217) 463-5905
Membership Co-Chair: Roster
Tom Shepherd
10597 Cambrooke Cove
Collierville, TN 38017
Phone/Fax: (901) 853-4229
Archivist: Anthony Mastradone
9111 Tuckerman Street
Lanham, M D 20706-2709
Phone: (301) 577-1487
U.K. Representative: Steve Adams
28 Bassingham Road
Norwich, England N R 3 2 Q T
Phone/Fax: 011-44-1603-400221
ASSOCIATION MAILING ADDRESS
44th BGVA
P.O. Box 2367
Salt Lake City, U T 84110-2367
�1996 R6UNION PICWK BOOH
N€UJ 44TH BGVfl SHIRTS!!
UUe had a debut of the new white
The Reunion Picture Book has been
collared shirts on the England trip,
shipped to all that signed for them at so look through the pictures. They
the Reunion. It is a real professionalare a high quality 50% cotton, 50%
memory
book, something to be
polyester with the group logo in
enjoyed for a long time.
embroidery. UJe will have them for
sole at the Reunion for $30, or you
Unfortunately, the printers are unable
can order one by mail from Treasurer
to moke additional copies ot a later Jerry Folsom for an additional $3
Rprill2. 1997
date. Rs there may be those thot were
postage.
not present when orders were taken,
Sizes:
This is relative to the note on Page 5
we have purchased a few additional
Small
of the Spring. 1997 Tails, about where
copies.
(good for little wives <5 grand kids)
to find books written by members. My
Medium
ELUSIVE HORIZONS, which came out
These are available on a "first come"
Large
in hord cover by R. S. Barnes & Co. in
basis.
X-Large
1969, and later in paperback, and
XX-Large
again in paperback by Rvon, January,
To order, mail check for $12 mode out
and a few
1992, is now completely out of print.
to the 44th Bomb Group Veterans
XXX-Large.
Sorry about those who still try to order
Rssociotion to:
it; perhops this will sove us both
Be sure to note on your check
postage since I have been unable to
"Reunion '96 Book."
fill over 50 additional requests.
Jim Clements
4124 Calculus Rvenue
Thanks for your multiple efforts to hold
Dallas. TX 75244
the 44th together.
8-BnLl CflPS
Regards,
Heith C. Schuyler
Pilot/67th Squadron
Cedar Lane
Box 3094-R.D. #3
Berwick, PR 18603
8-3IUL PRTCH€S
The new solid crown 44th Bomb
Group caps will be available at the
Reunion. The caps are solid white
with the Flying 8-Ball logo
embroidered with a multi-colored
nose and cord over the bill denoting
the Squadron color.
Priced at $15.
The beautiful four inch felt Flying 8Vour "cottage industry" publisher
Ball patches with appropriate
sincerely apologizes to those who Squadron colors on the nose ore still
received your Spring, 1997, Vol. 2.available from Rrt Hand. They go for
Issue 2 8-Ball Tails having pages
$ 15. Send your check to:
missing ond pages misplaced. IT you
Rrt Hand, 517 Clm Street
received such an issue, please
Paris, IL 61944-141 7
contact Jerry Folsom @
Mark on your check 8-Ball Patch
P.O. Box 2367
Color
Salt Lake City, UT 84110-2367
(Red, Vellow, White or Green).
ond he will replace it, so you con
fsodon...
Lana Hopecky
Sandy, Utah
33
m
�44TH B O M B G R O U P
Flying Eightballs
HISTORY B O O K
CONTENTS
• General history of the 44th B o m b Group
• Hundreds of photos
• Special remembrances and personal stories
• Updated roster
• Hundreds of biographies of 44th B o m b Group
Association Members
THIS IS A
LIMITED EDITION
QUALITY
Order
TODAY
while the book is
still available
• Hardbound, 9 x 12 inch coffee-table size
* Outstanding quality
• Acid-free double coaled archival paper for
longevity and superior photo reproduction
• Smyth-sewn binding for durability
• 120 pages of historic materia)
• Delivery Scheduled for December 1997
EASY T O ORDER
. I would like
Deluxe Edition copies of the 44lh Bomb Group
Flying Eighthalls history book @ $52.50 each.
. Name Embossing $6.00
Mail your orders to:
Turner Publishing Company
P.O. Box 3101
Paducah.KY 42002-3101
Phone 502-443-0121
. Genuine, Grain Leather, Embossed Edition $89.00
. Kentucky residents please add 6 percent sales tax
. Shipping and handling: $5.00 first book, $3.50 each add'l book
Protective, plastic book cover: $3.00 each
TOTAL
Please make checks payable to Turner Publishing Company
Ship To;
Name
Orders: I-800-788-335(1
Inquiries: 502-443-0121
Fax: 502-443-0335
Address
City
State
Zip
�UTEITTOKY L H R E
UUith this issue, w e ore inougurating o n e w feature in the "Toils" colled " M E M O R Y LANG." The impetus Tor
this is someplace to put the many photos that somehouu accumulate that ore not associated with a particular
story, but the pictures come along with names, places and, sometimes dotes. These snapshots will stir a lot of
memories, ond I'm sure, will generate a lot of fun letters, and that folks is what this publication is all obout. So
look through your memorabilia ond pick out those pictures thot you have names ond o caption to accompany
the snap ond send it (them) olong to your Editor.
UUe'll start off with o picture of o part of Norwich that should be etched in the memory bank of every RedBlooded American w h o served in Castflnglia,The Sampson and Hercules Ball R o o m and the Maids Head
Hotel.
There were a myriad of places where the socialization between the young female population of the
Norwich area ond the American airmen and their Support guys w a s inevitable, but none so famous os "The
Muscle Palace."
aafes
20 Jonuory 1944, Lord Moyor UUilliom J. Finch of Norwich visits Shipdhom. Here Col. Fred Dent is showing
the I M ond his porty through the Red Cross Arrow Club. Con anyone n a m e the Red Cross lody?
35
�was honored to receive a $1,000 scholarship over
four consecutive years. I believe, the only fouryears
of the program. M y Dad had already passed away
by that time, but he would have been mighty proud
of her and his old comrades for their support.
Ashley has since graduated from the University
of Oklahoma with an Honors Degree in Chemical
Engineering. She is now married to 2nd Lt. Matthew
Ylitalo of the Marine Corps 2nd Division Artillery.
They are currently stationed at C a m p Lejune, N.C.
To be a doctor has been Ashley's life long
This comes from:
dream. Last month she w a s notified that she has
H. J. Besarick
been accepted to the Oklahoma University School
54 Nobby Lane
West Yarmouth, MA 02673
of Medicine. I'm not sure how that would have
2/13/97
happened without the 44th H M G Scholarships. W e
Dear Art:
would s o m e h o w like to extend our thanks to those
First - m y apologies for being so slow to thank individuals.
you for all the good stuff you sent me. (A lot of things
I was stationed with the Navy in Scotland and
got out of hand, including an operation on m y knee.) was able to m a k e the trip to Shipdham where Dad
Looking at the issues of '8 Ball Tails,' I want to
was stationed on a couple of occasions. When Mom
congratulate you and the others that have taken it
and Dad c a m e to visit, w e loaded them up and took
from a letter#, to a historical masterpiece.
them down there as well. Needless to say, Day
Keep up the good work! Please call me.
really enjoyed that.
Sincerely,
W e live near Liberal, K S which, I a m sure you
Bez
are aware, was a B-24 training base. They have a
tremendous air m u s e u m and historical library.They
have a section in the m u s e u m on the B-24's and
the raid on Ploesti. I have donated several
publications in m y Dad's name.
This comes from:
I a m sending $30. Please send m e one
Don Ukens
membership and send the other to the:
Box 95
Liberal Air M u s e u m
Hooker, OK 73945
2000 W 2nd
12/8/96
Liberal, K S 67901
(Mark it in Memory of Emil Ukens, 68th
Dear Mr. Folsom,
Squadron, 44th B o m b Group.)
I apologize for m y late response to your mailing
Sincerely,
in M a y of last year. I w a s never sure what
happened to the 44th H M G . I a m a U.S. Navy
veteran, (1967-74) and always enjoyed reading the
publications from that group.
M y Dad, Emil Ukens was in the 68th. While he
w a s living, he and m y Mother Madge, always
enjoyed attending the reunions whenever they
could. The 44th H M G had started a scholarship for
descendants of the 44th and m y daughter Ashley
MAIL CALL
M
�This comes from:
William C. Stewart
Alamo, TN
44th Bomb Group
7/10/96
w a s in the s a m e shape - what to do with it. N o w I a m
glad it has, in s o m e way, found a H O M E . (It has indeed!)
This comes from:
Dear Will:
Portia S. Acker man
You probably think by n o w that you have wasted
your time and money by writing to m e . W h e n I began
(Wife of Don Ackerman 506th Sqdn. Deceased)
looking for the "shoe box" I told T o m m y (Shepherd) that
1371 East Coast Drive
I had, it had vanished!!
Atlantic Beach, Florida 32233-5521
I pulled our drawers and all likely places searching,
May 14,1997
but to no avail!! But at last m y wife c a m e to the rescue
when she ran across the material in a most unlikely
Dear Roy:
place. It was not even in a shoe box. A s m y daughter
Imagine! Opening the Winter 8-Ball Tails and seeing
was looking for pictures for Ruth's and m y 50th wedding Don's n a m e as pilot of two missions aboard "Down D e
anniversary celebration, she c a m e across these.
Hatch."
After that, I needed to get with T o m m y for help in
W h e n I recovered from the excitement, I got his log
getting it packaged and on to you. M y daughter lives in and read his entries for these two dates. Here is what
Memphis, near Tommy, and as w e are no longer able to he wrote:
drive, it took even longer for her to get us there. But "17 Jan '45. Whole crew on a mission to Harburg,
enough of that.
Germany just south of Hamburg. Plenty tough target
W h e n T o m m y saw them he was ecstatic! H e wanted as it's another oil factory. Over Auxhaven lost an engine
to make copies for keep for himself. H e is also making and had to abort. Had old -Z and it was in pretty bad
some copies for m e of pictures and material. I talked to condition. Couldn't stay with the formation altho I w a s
him last night by phone, and he is still working on them! pulling 45" and over 2550 R P M . Really sweated out that
W h e n w e return to Memphis again, hopefully w e can
North Sea with only 3 engines. Hit a lot of flak, accurate
get it all together and its way to you. (Already received.)too, over the Eastern Frisian Island. W e dropped our
I can't tell you h o w m u c h I appreciated you
bombs close to the island and that woke them up.
reminding m e of the seating arrangement on the Queen Expected fighters to attack us but none came. W e
Mary. I can recall looking out the port hole and I w a s prayed plenty."
practically level with the ocean. I, as well as you, sure
remember the double occupancy. M y mates and I "6 Feb'45. Mission to Magdeburg. Flew #6.The weather
huddled up by the smoke stacks for warmth during our w a s fairly good going over and w e had a complete
undercast. Flew -Z, one awful hardship on the controls.
24 hours on deck.
I a m also glad to get a listing of the 66th Squadron It was plenty of work keeping in formation. As w e started
(on the Queen Mary), even though I w a s later changed to climb w e couldn't stay with the leader and the whole
from it to Group Headquarters. The time of arrival in formation was strung out for two or more miles. Finally
Scotland had also gotten away from me. Thanks M A N Y caught them but #3 engine was plenty hot. Encountered
TIMES. I a m making copies also for m y daughter and a little flak but w e didn't get any holes. Coming back w e
ran into some bad weather and the contrails were terrific.
grandchildren.
Tried
as much as I could to stay with the formation but
I hope that when you receive what I've held onto for
over 50 years, it will meet your needs. I apologize for could not, so w e c a m e h o m e alone. Flew instruments
m y writing -1 a m now 87 years of age and m y hands for a while and over the field m a d e an instrument letdown
and broke out of the stuff about 1500! Other ships were
don't seem to work right anymore.
landing and to avoid running in to any on the approach,
Sincerely,
RS. You may wonder how I c a m e in possession of this went around two times. Visibility was very poor and in
material (yes, I did). After R & R and re-assembling at the rain P poor."
Felt this would be of interest to your Association. I
Sioux Falls, I was sent to Great Bend, Kansas Air Base.
do look forward to each issue. Many thanks for your
The 44th B G had also gone there. And, as you can
efforts.
guess, I knew nobody! I w a s assigned to Military
Sincerely,
Intelligence, as I had previously been in England. This
RS.
W
e
lived
at
201
Talbot
Avenue, Santa Rosa for
"material" w a s dumped on m e . I didn't know what to do
only
a
bit,
while
Don
was training.
with it, but those in charge didn't know what else to do
This was early 1944.
with it. So I brought it all h o m e with me, and even here I
�1997 Reunion
Salt Lake City, Utah
October 9 - 12, 1997
VITAL INFORMATION
Please note: The 1997 Reunion will commence on October 9th and end on October 12th.
M a r k your calendar and m a k e your reservations n o w !
The old adage "nothing is certain in this life but taxes and death" has been amended to include "inflation
So don't be too surprised if you find the cost of this reunion slightly higher than the last two. However, we
will be in one of the prime hotels in the middle of Salt Lake. Moreover, w e will guarantee a super reunion.
It is absolutely imperative that registration be received by September 29th. Registrations received after
date will not be processed. If there is a question about being able to attend, send your registration in anyway,
as all no shows will be refunded. If however, you have sent your registration in earlier and it becomes
apparent you will not be able to attend, please notify us so w e can effect a refund and adjust our records.
The same options as last year will be available to those unable to attend the entire reunion. They will be
to attend all functions scheduled for the days they are there. The options listed on the Reunion Registration
are designed to make your schedule more suitable and equitable. There can be no deviations.
The program for our meetings and dinners will follow the one we had at our very successful reunion in St.
Louis last year. Those registered for the entire complete reunion will attend the Reception Thursday afternoon,
the Squadron Dinner Friday night, the General Business Saturday morning, and the Gala Banquet that night.
Sunday morning they attend the M o r m o n Tabernacle Choir concert and on to Hill A F B for lunch and a tour
of the Museum. That night there will be a Buffet Dinner with entertainment to follow.
We will have our traditional Hospitality
R o o m up and running every day.
A Bulletin Board in the Hotel lobby will
have complete information of all events.
Dress code is informal, except for the
Banquet Saturday night, which is to be
jacket and tie.
There will be some very interesting tours
for Friday and Saturday afternoon offered
as optional.
To the right is a map showing the Salt
Lake Hilton and some attractions nearby.
�1997 44th B o m b Group Veterans Association Reunion
Salt Lake Hilton Hotel - Salt Lake City, Utah
What's Going to Happen!!
Thursday, October 9th:
•Registration all day.
•A reception will be held at 4:00 in the Ballroom.
'The Hospitality Room will open at 12:00
•Dinner on your own.
Note: The Registration Desk will be open on Friday and Saturday at times noted on the bulletin board i
Friday, October 10th:
Tour No. I: Park City Silver Mine Adventure
'We will leave the Salt Lake Hilton Hotel for the fabulous Park City Silver Mine Adventure.
•Don a hard hat and a yellow slicker and descend 1500 feet via the Ontario Mine shaft. Ride a mine tra
fascinating tunnels into an actual turn-of-the-century silver mine. Visit rooms carved out of solid r
a simulated mining blast. See actual mining samples and mining equipment. Learn the folk lore of th
Knockers, the Lady in White and more.
•The temperature averages in the low 50s and can be wet at times, so wear a jacket and sturdy shoes
underground tour lasts about two hours. The Tour is wheel chair accessible.
•The tour above ground includes a museum, country store for shopping, a multi-media theater and rest
there is plenty to do and see while waiting your turn to descend in the thirty-two person elevator
approximately every 20 minutes.
•To accommodate every one in the time available, and because of the limited space of the buses res
will have to limit the number to the first 180 to register.
•For those not going on the Silver Mine Tour, there is plenty to see and do in and around Salt Lake Ci
Temple Square, lunch at the Bngham Youth Beehive House, Genealogy Research Center, museums and sho
are all easily accessible by walking, city buses, taxies or rental cars.
•The Hospitality Room will be open all day for you to meet and visit with old and new friends.
Saturday, October 11th:
In the morning, we will have a General Business Meeting in the Ballroom. It will be held from 9:30 u
Tour No. 2: Snowbird Tram.
•Leaving at 12:30, the tour will travel through majestic Wasatch mountains and the scenic Cottonw
up to the heights of the Snowbird Ski Resort. Upon arriving, you will board one of the world's most
tramways and ride to the summit of Hidden Peak. From there you can savor the panoramic view of Salt La
Heber Valley and the Uintah and Oquirrh mountain ranges.
•There are shops to explore and restaurants for lunch or snacks.
•The tour will return to the hotel at 5:00 in time for a quick refreshment in the Hospitality Room a
Banquet.
•The Hospitality Room will be open all afternoon.
•At 6:30 we have our Gala Banquet with the traditional Candle Lighting Service. At 8:30 the Bud Rich
will furnish the music for dancing.
Sunday, October 12th:
•Buses will be furnished for all that would like to attend the choir concert at the Mormon Taberna
leave the hotel promptly at 8:30.
•At 12:00 buses will leave for Hill Air Force Base. We will have lunch served as soon as we arrive. Fo
there will be a short memorial service for those wishing to attend at the Museum's replica of a chapel
the war.
•After inspecting to Museum, the buses will return to the hotel by 5:30.
•The Hospitality Room will be opened at 12:00.
•At 6:30 a Buffet Dinner will be served with entertainment to follow.
��
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8 Ball Tails
Newsletter
Dublin Core
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Title
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8 Ball Tails Volume 2 - Issue 3: Summer 1997
Source
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<span>44th Bomb Group Veteran's Association Website (<a class="in-cell-link" target="_blank" href="http://www.8thairforce.com/44thbg" rel="noreferrer noopener">Now Inactive</a>)</span>
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
Summer 1997
-
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PDF Text
Text
�To start, I must refer you back to Vol. 1 - Issue #4,
From that point on the letters full of anticipation and
the Winter 1995 copy of The 8-Ball Tails page 12, where excitement over our visit began to arrive. They offered
w e did a rewrite of the beautiful article "Letters of Love" assistance, English speaking guides; even a change in
written by Dawn Drago, Staff Writer of the Reading, PA hotel for better accommodations. Most of all they simply
Eagle/Times. The story told of Lois, the little daughter wanted to arrange to visit with and thank us for our part
of her single parent father, Technical Sergeant Clair P. in their liberation from the hated Nazi occupation. Little
Shaeffer, 68th Bomb Squadron and all of the letters he did w e know the wonderful reception that awaited us
had written to her from the time of his entry into the Air wherever they had arranged our visit to a memorial or
Corps until he died in the shoot down of his plane over social reception. If there was any concern among us that
France on January 21,1944.
w e would be faced with a haughty and perhaps
In the conclusion of our story, we told how Lois, inhospitable attitude from the French, they were dashed
attending an Air Show, approached a m a n wearing an 8th from the moment our bus rolled off the ferry at Dieppe!
AF Historical Society cap and inquired how she might It was almost comical; w h e n on our last night in
find information on the death of her father. He in turn Eastbourne, I got a phone call from Joel Huard saying
put her in touch with Pete Henry, who put her in touch that the reception committee was so excited over our
with us and Will Lundy. Doing his usual great work, Will arrival, they could not stand to wait until we reached
provided her with all the information he had and that the hotel in Rouen, so were going to drive to Dieppe to
she had sought since, as a five year old, she was informed meet us and lead the bus to our first scheduled
that her dad was MIA.
ceremony! On with the itinerary.
In a closing letter to Lois, I told her about the 44th
Day 10 - June 5. Even with our early (0700)
BGVA and informed her that she was a part of the 44th departure, w e had a grand farewell with several of our
family and we welcomed her membership. I also noted Eastbourne hosts who had arrived at the hotel in time to
in one of her letters that she hoped, someday, to travel have breakfast with us. We were also bidding farewell to
to Nuepre, Belgium and visit the Ardennes American Kevin and Diana Lundy and Richard and Betty Haft who
Cemetery where her father was named on the Wall of were taking only the England portion of the tour and
Honor. I told her I was in the final stages of planning a were returning to London for a nights rest before flying
44th BGVA tour to England, Prance and Belgium and I home. As partial replacements, we were being joined by
promised if she and her husband would join the tour, I Kevin Watson and his father-in-law, Tony Wood, both of
would route the tour to visit the Ardennes Cemetery.
Eastbourne. Kevin, a Senior Supervising Flight Attendant
Now, the first coincidence; in November, not long after for British Airways, was the individual responsible for
I received a tour reservation from Lois and her husband planning and organizing the "Ruthless" Memorial and all
Tony, I received a letter from two officers of de L' the ceremonies of our Eastbourne visit. Each would
Association Nationale Des Sous-Officers de Reserve de prove to be a great asset to our group in his own right.
French Arme'e de L' Air (ANSA) translated: National
Association of Non-Commissioned Officers of the French
A r m y Air Reserve. It was written by M. Jean-Pierre
Marie, Historian and translated by M. Joel Huard, Public
Relations Officer, respectively, of the Rouen branch of
ANSA. The Association carries on research of the WWII
air war over France, and the letter was an inquiry on
the loss of two 44th BG aircraft on an 8 March 1943 raid
on the railway marshalling yards at Rouen. I sent the
letter on to Will for his research and in m y answer to
them said to expect the information they requested to
be provided by our historian. I also noted it was ironic
we should hear from them, for I was planning a 44th
BGVA trip to England and France and we would be staying
A 44ih B G "ITAIJAN Bobby" (Lou DEBIASIO) ESCApiNq fi»OM LONCION.
in Rouen as a base for a visit to the Normandy Invasion
Rurh AN<) PERRY M O R S E IN TIIE NEXT SEAT.
beaches on 6 June 1997.
2
m
�After a lovely morning tour in our bus to Newhaven,
we boarded, bus and all, a SeaLink ferry for a smooth
crossing in beautiful weather to Dieppe, France. As our
bus came off the ferry and w e quickly went through an
immigration check, w e saw a group of uniformed m e n
holding a sign which welcomed the 44th Bomb Group to
France.
Roy O W E N , Will LuNdy ANC) Bob VANCE MEETiNq MAyoR AlbERT CoEliqNiET
of VillERS ECAIIES, FRANCE IOCATION of The "Miss DJANE" CRAsh siTE.
Another ranking dignitary was Mr. Christian Holle,
Sub Prefect de Seine Maritime and approximately 20 fully
uniformed A N S A members and a military band were also
present. W e were introduced to Mr. Maurice Quillen,
holder of the United States Medal of Freedom awarded
M R . SylvAiN DEZEIEE, PRESJCJENT of TIHE A N S A , NoRMANdiE ASSOCJATION TO
qREET us wiTh A W E I C O M E POSTER AT DiEppE.
by President Eisenhower for his heroic service as leader
of the French Resistance in the Rouen area during the
German occupation. Also we met Mr. Guy Cressant, son
of the Resistance leader in the Cauville Area during the
war.
The next unbelievable coincidence; Guy was age 10
when he and his father found the wreckage of the 68th
Sqdn. Frank Sobotka crew aircraft shot down on the 21
January, 1944 raid against the V-l sites in the Palais de
Calais area. T/Sgt. Clair Shaeffer, Flight Engineer on that
crew was killed over the target and went down with the
plane. He was Lois Cianci's father. This information
surfaced during a period of welcoming and interchange
of greetings between the French hosts and our group
prior to the memorial ceremony we were to attend. After
SylvAiN DEZEIEE ANC! JEAN PIERRE MARJE QREETINQ US AT DiEppE.
being introduced to Guy Cressant, Lois mentioned that
her father had been shot down on January 21, 1944
Those members of the A N S A there to greet us were: somewhere in the area. Guy responded that yes, he knew
Jean Pierre Marie, Joel Huard, and Sylvain DezeIee, of the crash and its location. When asked by Lois if he
President of the ANSA, Normandie Association. After knew of her father w h e n she spoke his name, Guy
hurried greetings, with the French delegation leading in responded that he was not sure but it did sound familiar.
their car, w e set off for Villers Ecalles, a small town He said he could not promise anything, but at his home
outside Rouen, and the first memorial ceremony he was still in possession of some items he and his father
arranged by the ANSA. When w e pulled into what appeared had collected from the crash sites of several U.S. aircraft
to be the parking lot for the town recreation park, w e and he would search through these things. Further, if
were amazed to see about 150 people led by The Honorable the group desired, he would guide us to the crash site if
Mayor, Mr. Albert Coeligniet waiting to greet us.
time could be arranged during our stay.
�With the welcoming over, the entire assembly was
led up a street about a hundred yards to an intersection
with a small park with a flag draped memorial which
marked the (nearby) crash site of the 67th Sqdn. Lt.
Clyde Price crew flying "Miss Diane." They were shot
down on the Rouen Marshalling Yard raid March 8,1943.
After eloquent speeches by Mayor Cloenigniet and
Sub Prefect Holly and the playing of the National Anthems
of France and the U.S., Roy Owen and Will Lundy placed
a memorial wreath at the base of the memorial and were
instructed to unveil the marker which revealed a newly
struck bronze plaque listing the names of the eight
crewmen lost in the crash.
Immediately after the ceremony our group was
surrounded by the French expressing gratitude for our
visit and for the sacrifices by our m e n to restore their
liberty from the German occupation. Then when w e
boarded the bus and were escorted to the Hotel de Ville
(City Hall) to find ourselves guests of the Mayor at a
champagne and hors 'd oeuvres reception did the
magnitude of sincere gratitude and joy being expressed
by the French over our visit begin to sink in. After
another welcome by Mayor Coeligniet, Mr. Sylvain
Dezellee, President of the A N S A 39.45 Association Du
Normande presented the Association Medal of Service
to the 44th Bomb Group and a like medal to Leo 0. Frazier,
Navigator and lone survivor of the 67th Sqdn. Lt. Robert
W. Blaine crew, also shot down on the 8 March 1943
Rouen raid. Leo Frazier was unable to accompany the
tour for reasons of health; Roy Owen accepted the medals
in behalf of the entire 44th Bomb Group and Leo Frazier
(presentation of the Frazier medal in Oakley, Utah on
July 4 is covered on page 14 of this issue). Lois Cianci
was presented a Souvenir Plate from The French Evereux
Air Base in Villers Ecalles by Mr. Le Capitaine Relmy,
Commandant Le Armee De L'Air Information. All of our
m e n were then asked to autograph litho prints of B-24s
for the French.
SiqNiNq B ' 2 4 picruRE pmms AT TIHE M A Y O R ' S RECEpTioN AT THIE
VillERS ESCAIIES H O T E I (JE VillE.
W e were then notified that we were due at another
reception and must again board the bus. We were also
told by our A N S A hosts that after conferring, they had
agreed that if our group concurred, on the morning of
June 7, before our departure to Paris, they would meet
us at the hotel and escort us to the Sobotka crew crash
site for a brief visit. It was unanimously voted to make
that visit.
�ThE TOURiNq EiqhTbAllERS LINE up
f0R ThE CAVJAR AT The M A R m M E
D E P A R T M E N T RECEPTJON iiN R O U E N
(CAilliER, AdRJAIM ANd DovEy
Altt/AyS W E A R TH EJR CApS AT
COcloAils ANd CAVJAR RECEpTJONS).
A short trip took us to the Hotel D u department De
Seine Maritime, a beautiful multi-story building facing
the Seine River, where w e were met by our host the
President D u Conseil General De Seine Maritime, Mr.
Charles Revet in a lovely large reception room. The
entourage was again treated to eloquent expressions of
gratitude for the part the 44th took in the air war that
helped to liberate the country. The elegance of the
reception also rose with the addition of caviar to the
hors d'oeuvres.
The irony of all this was what with our very early
departure from Eastbourne to make the Ferry, we were
expecting to go first to the hotel in Rouen, check-in,
freshen up, change into some appropriate clothing and
then proceed to meet the Mayor of Villers Escalle. The
A N S A party meeting us realized with all the activity they
had scheduled, w e would never make it if w e made the
stop at our hotel. So there w e were in Dockers, short
sleeve shirts, sweaters and jackets; all of the w o m e n in
slacks and everywhere w e went our hosts were in suits
and ties (or uniforms) and the ladies in dresses. In spite
of us really looking like "tourists," our appearance was
politely overlooked and w e were treated as though w e
were formally attired.
When this, our last of the day, reception concluded,
on the way back to our hotel, Jean Pierre Marie and Joel
Huard led our bus to a beautiful vista overlooking most
of Rouen at sunset. Easily in view were the River Seine
and the Railway Marshalling Yard which was the 8 March
1943 target objective of the 44th Bomb Group.
Upon return to our hotel w e were properly checkedin, had plenty of time for shower or, if the preference of
Arnold Dovey, to bathe, dress and after cocktails enjoyed
a great dinner in the hotel joined by Jean Pierre and
Joel.
Day 11 - June 6. To appropriately spend the 53rd
anniversary of D-Day on the Beaches of Normandy was
our plan and w e did it perfectly. On the nice morning trip
from Rouen, w e stopped at mid-morning in Bayeux so
those desiring could visit the William the Conqueror
Center which houses the 231 foot long Bayeux Tapestry
which depicts the 1066 Norman invasion of England by
William the Conqueror or stroll through this lovely small
city.
Jean Pierre and Joel who accompanied us on the bus
this day had arranged for a retired French Army Colonel
who had landed with the Canadians on June 6 to act as
our guide. He was a gentle and patient m a n who led us
along in his car and stopped at each point of interest to
tell us of the significance of the various beach positions
in the height of the landings. W e started at Omaha Beach
which is overlooked by the everlasting beauty of the
American Cemetery. It is often said that each American
owes him or herself a visit to this beautifully serene
piece of United States soil to view the monument to all of
the Servicemen and W o m e n of all branches who paid the
ultimate price for the liberation of Europe and freedom
from the tyranny of Fascism. W e visited Pont du Hoc,
where the Special Forces scaled the cliff and captured
this observation point which commanded a 180 degree
view of the invasion area; w e saw Arromanches where
some of the steel and concrete dock segments which
were floated in and sunk to form a harbor are still visible;
we saw the one gap in the sand cliffs where the U.S.
invasion forces were able to ascend and advance off of
Omaha Beach. We were all the way to Utah Beach and the
Village of Montebourg which changed hands five times
in the first few days of the assault and was left in a pile
of rubble when the U.S. 4th A r m y overran the German
defenses and advanced inland.
�Aside from the ravages of the sustained bombing and
naval shelling of the fortifications on Point du Hoc, there
is little evidence of the massive battles which ensued on
these quiet beaches where the visitors n o w stroll and
the children play on the gently sloping sand. It is difficult
to imagine the scenes that w e have seen on film or
possibly from the air on June 6, 1944 as actually
happening until one returns up the hill and strolls among
the row after row of white cross or Star of David marked
graves of those w e lost. Every Bomb Squadron of the
44th Bomb Group has m e n at rest there. This most
memorable of days finished with a return to our hotel
and a lovely dinner with some of our A N S A friends.
JOEI HuARd ANd JEAN PJERRE MARJE STAysd whit us ANd RETURNEd TO TNE
hoTEl foR diNNER ATTER OUR D'DAy TOUR of ThE JNVASiON bEAchES.
Day 12 - Sunday, June 7. After an early breakfast
and checkout, w e met our A N S A escorts comprised of
about six or seven cars and w e set out for the Sobotka
crash site in a forested hill area called Beaussault near
the village of Gratenoix. After driving a few miles, we
left the paved road and proceeded up a lightly travelled
dirt road until w e reached a suitable area for the bus
and the autos to park. It was a rather cool morning with
some cloud cover and w e departed the bus for a walk of
about 200 yards along a barely discernible road in a
lovely young forest of trees about six to eight inches in
diameter and the ground blanketed with leaves and fir
needles. When w e came to a small sign with some French
wording, w e turned into the forest and had walked about
50 yards when w e came upon a memorial marking the
crash site. The small site was bordered by a shiny metal
chain suspended from white painted cement boundary
posts. Lying on the ground in the center of the chained
area were several sizable fragments of bulletproof glass,
some metal fragments and a small electric actuator
motor from the downed B-24. Tearfully, Lois Cianci bent
over the chain boundary to feel and stroke those pieces
that had fallen from the sky with her father. After two or
three very touching moments, the group was asked to
gather around the marker with Guy Cressant and Lois
standing at the head of the marker whereupon Guy
reached into the inner pocket of his jacket and withdraw
a small notebook and began to speak in French reading
from his notes. In the course of his remarks one could
hear mention of Sobotka and Clair Shaeffer and the date
21 January 1944.
Dick ANd BEny LyNch diNE whir MARy ANd LEE ASTON AT TEIE
HOTEI M E R C U R E iN R O U E N .
D'DAy, pRioR TO dspARTiNq foR TIHE NoRMANdy bEAchES, Roy O W E N ANd
Douq McPkwil joiNEd MARilyN ANd M E I MURRACIC ANd Lois G A N O foR
bREAkfAST AT TIHE HOTEI M E R C U R E iN R O U E N ; Lolly O W E N Took ThE PJCTURE
ANd ToNy WAS WANdERJNq AROUNd wiTh his CAMCORdER.
6
�Translator Jean Pierre Marie related that the 10 year
old Guy and his father, head of the French Resistance,
had reached the crash site before the Germans and were
able to do little more at the time than gather the dog tags
of those they could find, then leave the scene. It was the
practice to send one of the usual pair of dog tags back
via the underground so to reach the military unit of the
deceased. What of the remaining dog tag? It was kept in
the event the other was lost. Guy Cressant again reached
into his jacket and withdraw a small box and presented
it to Lois Cianci. Her hands shaking, she opened the box
to find a dog tag identifying Clair P. Shaeffer, his next of
kin Lois Shaeffer and the address where she resided
with her Aunt. Every person at the scene was awash in
tears.
AT This UNbEliEVAblE M O M E N T 53 YEARS 4 MONTIHS ANd 1 7 dAys AITER
ThE CRAsh, Lois holds hER fAThER's doq TAq TO ITER lips.
Guy CRESSANT hANdiNq Lois ShAEffER CiANci ThE box
coNTAiNJNq ThE CUiR P. ShAsffER doq TAq.
Miraculously at that moment a very
quiet, gentle rain began to fall. Lolly Owen
was heard to say: "It's as though God is
crying with us." After a few moments of
joyful astonishment over this amazing
coincidence, as w e were preparing to
leave, the rain ceased to fall, the sun came
out and a small miracle had come to pass.
Unforeseen, unplanned and unbelievable,
yet there it was 53 years and 4 months
later, a "Missing in Action" father was
joined with his beloved daughter by a
small fire-blackened steel pendant that
had at last fulfilled its purpose.
We bade farewell to our new friends
of the A N S A w h o had, in gratitude and
respect for all the veterans of the 44th
B o m b Group extended the hand of
welcome to us with such sincerity we, on
the departing bus, were somehow silently
saddened for almost 20 minutes, each
thinking over the joys of the past two days
and nights. Happiness soon returned
when w e reached Giverny, the home and
wondrous gardens of the renowned
French impressionist Claude Monet.
There we had lunch and a memorable two
hour stroll through this colorful legacy
to the French people by the artist.
�k
» »
ThE viEW of ThE OMAIIA BEAch C E M E T E R Y fROM iN fRONT of ThE STATUE.
Leaving Giverny, we proceeded to Paris where w e stayed
at a hotel of good name, but of no similarity to the member
of the chain on our stay in Rouen. Operated by Hindu
Management, w e had the worst check-in of any trip I can
recall. I will never forget our members struggling with
their bags when they were dumped in a hallway and w e
were left to either wait for the one bellman or wrestle
your bags to your room on your own. From there it got
worse, so I'll leave it alone except to vow never again
will you hear the name Owen associated with the name
Hotel Relais Mercure in Paris. W e stayed two nights only
with one full day free for everyone to do as they pleased.
This means there are probably almost as many different
adventure stories of who did what as there were on the
trip. W e did all get together to avoid another dinner at
the hotel, and relying on the ingenuity of Keith
Waterhouse our driver (and Waterhouse owner), had a
great fun and reasonably priced dinner at a place he had
utilized before. After dinner, Keith took the whole bus
load to the Montparnasse district where w e went to the
top of one of Paris' taller buildings and had a beautiful
Paris night lights view of the city.
Day 14 - June 9. Leaving Paris we travelled Northeast
toward Liege, Belgium with a rest stop and visit in Reims.
We then continued on to Bastogne for lunch and a walking
tour of the (then small) village where the 101 st Airborne
were encircled during the Battle of the Bulge. When told
to surrender or be killed, General McAuliffe, 101st
commander, answered "nuts!" Traveling on we arrived
at the U.S. Cemetery at Ardennes
Will LuNdy ANd Roy O W E N iN fRONT of ThE OMAIIA BEAch CEMETERY
STATUARY SyMbol Of All ThoSE AMERiCANS AT REST hERE.
We had previously notified them of our arrival and
that w e would be accompanied by Lois Shaeffer Cianci,
daughter of T/Sgt. Clair P. Shaeffer, KIA whose name is
marked on the Cemetery Wall of Honor. She was met by
the Cemetery Superintendent w h o escorted her to the
point on the Wall of Honor where her father's name
appears. It was marked with a beautiful wreath. Taking
her then for a stroll through the grave markers of those
unknown servicemen, the superintendent explained to
Lois that after the war this cemetery had served as one
of the few forensic cemeteries in Europe where last
extensive efforts were made to identify each remains.
�JEAN PJERRE MARJE ANd JOEI HuARd O N ThE NoRMANdy BEAchES TOUR.
J.R. REVHIE AT ThE BASTOqNE MEMORJAI.
As we were leaving the cemetery, Lois, although agai
with eyes reddened with tears, had a look of relief and
quietly told m e she felt, finally, the wondering and
thinking and hoping that someday he would come back
were over. N o w she knows and can go home and tell her
children the true story of the death of their gallant
grandfather. She said she could never begin to tell the
IRENE LuNdy ANd O U R quidE AT O N E of ThE G E R M A N ARTKIERY
buNkERS AT PoiNT du Hoc.
members of the 44th BGVA how profoundly thankful she
is
When this proved impossible, the remains where buried for making this all possible for her.
with the marker reading "Known Only to God." He went M y only wish is that all the membership could have
shared this joyful experience.
on to say that while her fathers remains were not
positively identified, she could rest assured that he was
buried here among those also unknown.
Lois ShAEffER CiANCi AT ThE
ARdENNES NATiONAl
CEMETERY, BslqiuM,
kNEEliNq OVER ThE
WAII of H O N O R MARICER
bEARJNq hER fAThER's NAME.
�Day 15 - June 10. As you might expect, this will be
an anti-climactic finish. W e left Leige, after a splendid
nights rest at the Holiday Inn, on our journey to Calais
with a stopover in Brussels for lunch and some browsing.
IHE PIAZA IN BRUSSEIS
.RBAl.OH tf<
SHA*
SBOfMAK*
>
ThE WREATh ANd MARkER MEMORJAliziNq T/SqT. CUiR P.
ShAEffER, 68Th BoMb SpdN., 44Th BoMb G R O U P .
From Calais we had a much shorter ferry trip to Dover.
After a drop off of Kevin and Terry, it was on to London
and the Kensington Hilton for a last night of farewells.
It was a great ride; one for which every member of the
44th can look upon with i m m e n s e pride, for it
magnificently fulfilled the basic mandate of our charter:
to bring together, physically or spiritually, the family
and comrades of both our deceased and living members.
ThE LinlE LOST Boy iN BRUSSEIS.
MORE
TRAVEL
NewlyWeds Bill Cameron and his lovely Wife Henri
travelled to Norway in early September on What could
be termed a delayed honeymoon.
In Oslo, Bill and Henri Were escorted by USAF (Ret)
Col. Knute Kinne to View! the new stone and bronze
memorial to the American Airmen Who lost their lives
on the 18 November 1943 raid on Kjetlar Airfield. The
new memorial dedicated on 18 November 1993, which
replaced a Wooden marker, Was funded by donations
raised by Ed Dobson, Jr. whose pilot father Was lost,
and Forrest Clark who flew on the mission. Bill and
Henri Were quartered in a Very old farm house Which is
being restored by the Norwegian Air Force. The house
is located on a hillside overlooking the airfield. Bil
reports a number of bomb craters from the raid are stilt
dintinguishable on the hillside.
Col. Bill C A M E R O N ANd his lovEly bRids, H E N R L
10
®
�U.S. 8th Air Force
1943
NORWAY
1993
UNITED STATES
Here, at the site of the American Bombing of 16 Nov. 1943,
W e the Survivors of the 8th Air Force, 44th, 392nd, 93rd '
And 389th Bomb Groups, Dedicate this memorial to the
Brave American Airmen who died on the Missions to
Norway in November 1943. In Remembrance of their
Sacrifice and Devotion to Freedom, we Salute them
And the Courageous Norwegian Allies who fought
Against Nazi tyranny a Half Century ago.
dedicated 18 Nov. 1993
Bill
CAMERON
wirh Col. (RET.) K N U T E KJNNE of Oslo, AT ThE
KJEIIER AiRfisld M E M O R I A I .
ThE KJ'EIIER AiRfiEld M E M O R J A I
Some great poetry from the ranks.
Editor: Our hard working U.K. Representative, Steve Adams came up with this great piece of poetry
from his 66th archives which Cpl. Asa W . D y e dedicated to (then) Lt. Col. Dexter Hodge. H e says Col.
Hodge wanted a poetical resume of the 44th B o m b Group and this w a s his inspiration:
The Forty Fourth B o m b Group
We've pulled our share of
missions,
And we've really had a "go"
A m o n g the first to fly "Old Glory"
Out across the E.T.O.
So with mighty engines roaring,
And a sandwich m a d e of S p a m
W e went out to meet the "Jerry"
With these "Libs" of Uncle Sam.
Then we found we had an airship
That really stood the test
There's a cloud ripped trait behind
And it's fifties blazed a verdict
us
Sending lots of "Jerries" west.
From the " D a m e of Liberty"
W h e n w e kissed good-bye in
Our wings have thrown their
parting,
shadow
With a vow to keep her free.
Over France and Italy,
The
44th has blasted targets
We were glad to see old London,
Over all of Germany.
And hear "Tommy's" Cheerio!
H e admits he'd almost had it,
And w a s glad we'd have a "go."
n
They've heard our engines roaring
from Gibralterto Oran
And R o m m e l will long remember
The fighting "Libs" of Uncle S a m .
Yes, we've blazed a trail of glory
That will end in victory
Then only one more "mission"
For the 44th there will be.
Then we'll all attend a "briefing"
Just to hear the C O . say,
Navigators please, attention,
Plot your course for the U.S.A.!
�/
44TH BOMB GROUP VETERANS ASSOCIATION
Our 1998 Project
6304 Mcadowndqc Drive • Santa Rosa, CA 9S409 • 707-538-4726 • Fax 707-538-1212
At our Salt Lake City Board of Directors, Col.
Dick Butler, our Group Vice President to 2nd
Air Division, briefed the Board on the project
undertaken by 2nd A D to commission the
sculpting of a l/6th scale monumental bronze
B-24 Liberator model to be placed in the
U S A F Academy Honor Court adjacent to the
Academy Chapel at Colorado Springs.
July 25, 1997
Group Captain A. F. 'Bertie' Wallace CBE, DFC, RAF (Ret)
President
Eastbourne Combined Ex-Services Association
c/o Mr. Nigel Whitely MISM
24 Tavistock
Devonshire Place
Eastbourne BN21 4 A G England
Dear Group Captain Wallace:
This letter is purposely overdue in order that I could write, organize and see to the publishing
of our journal which, in the enclosed Summer issue, w e have told the story of the wonderful
visit by a contingent of our 44th B o m b Group Veterans Association to your beautiful city.
Our June 2-5 visit was prompted by reports from our small delegation which were able to
attend the original "Ruthless" Memorial dedication two years ago. From the welcome extended to
those members, w e expected a most hospitable welcome by the caring people of Eastbourne; the
ceremonial events and shower of heartfelt respect and love extended to us by your city was such
an emotional series of events w e were overjoyed and shall never forget our visit with you.
Particularly the lovely buffet luncheon hosted by The Royal Air Force Association at your Club.
This afforded us the opportunity to mix and socialize with some of the wonderful people of
Eastbourne for which w e are most grateful.
The honor, respect and love your citizens showered upon us demonstated, most beautifully, the
bond offriendshipand love between the 44th B o m b Group Veterans Association and the people of
Eastbourne. A bond forged in the flaming wreckage in which ten of our valorous comrades paid
the ultimate pnee for the liberty w e now enjoy. It is our hope this bond will be an enduring one.
W e thank you,
Sinc^Pely,
RoyWnDwen, President
Colonel USAF (Ret)
p.s. Please pass on my personal greetings and thanks to all the members of the Royal British
Legion Band and those members of the vanous branches w h o proudly bore their colors so
impressively to make the "Ruthless" memonal ceremony complete.
707-538-1212
July 24, 1997
Cllr. Beryl Healy
Mayor of Eastbourne
Town Hall Chambers
Grove Road, Eastbourne BN21
East Sussex, England
Dear Mayor Healy:
This letter is purposely overdue in order that I could write, organize and see to the publishing
of our journal which, in the enclosed Summer issue, w e have told the story of the magnificent
visit by a contingent of our 44th B o m b Group to your beautiful city.
1 am not certain that I can properly describe the dimensions of emotion felt by all of the 44th
visitors to have been a part of all the range of heartfelt ceremonial events which you and the
caring people of Eastbourne arranged in honor of our visit. Beginning with your hosting of the
joyous reception and tour of the City Hall; to the solemn and beautiful reverance of the Butts
Brow ceremonies honoring our "Ruthless" crew, then on to the hosted luncheon by the Royal
Air Force Club and the tour of the Redoubt Fortress. Finally, along with the leaders of
Eastbourne, honoring us with your presence at the gala dinner marking the end of our visit to
Eastbourne.
I must say, to all of we American visitors, the welcoming embrace with which your city took us
into their arms was beyond our highest expectations. The honor, respect and love your citizens
showered upon us demonstrated, most beautifully, the bond of friendship and love between the
44th B o m b Group Veterans Association and the people of Eastbourne. A bond forged in the
flaming wreckage in which ten of our valorous comrades paid the ultimate price for the liberty
w e now enjoy. It is our hope this bond will be an enduring one. Please accept our sincere thanks
and when it is opportune pass our gratitude on to all of those w h o participated and made our
visit so memorable.
SirjejSfely,
Roy W/Owen, President
Colonel USAF (Ret)
12
The sculpture, to be done by Robert
Henderson of Canon City, will join bronze
models of the P-40, P-38, P-47, P-51 and, the
most recent addition, a B-17. Henderson is
recognized as the only sculptor to create
monumental bronze airplanes. The gathering
of models of the most famous of the A A F
warbirds of W W I I in the Honor Court is
meant as "The Study Hall" of these aircraft
and will be studied and seen by millions from
all nations and future generations to visit
U S A F grounds each year. Most important of
those to w h o m the Honor Court will truly be
a classroom are our new leaders - our future our Cadets. Failure to have a B-24 in that
study hall would be unconscionable!
In answer to this challenge, your Board has
unanimously approved joining with 2nd A D
in the financing of this project as our major
'98 effort. While 2nd A D will be the ultimate
collection point for the various 2nd A D units,
each unit is free to organize its o w n finding
campaign. Our campaign is on "contribute as
you feel you can" for individual members and
the Board has approved an Association
matching contribution of up to $4,000. This
means for every individual member
contributed dollar, our treasury will donate a
matching dollar until w e reach the "as w e feel
w e can" $4,000. Point. We, of course, would
like our total contribution to reach the $8,000
mark. It is m y understanding that our
Treasurer left the General Membership
meeting with around $1,200, so w e are off to
a typical 44th "go for it" effort. (You guys
make m e so proud to be your leader, I can't
tell you!). I think the most contributed by any
2nd A D unit is $7,500 ~ so what does that tell
you? M A K E Y O U R C H E C K O U T TO: 44th
B G V A and d o w n in the M e m o space write:
Bronze Model Fund. Mail to: 44th BGVA, P.O.
Box 2367, Salt Lake City, U T 84110-2367.
�Our beloved combat commander and President Emeritus, General
Leon W. Johnson passed away quietly in his residence at the Fairfax
in Ft. Belvoir, VA on 10 November 1997.
Memorial services were held on Monday, 17 November 1997 at the
Fort Myers Chapel at 1000 hours followed by interment in Arlington
National Cemetery.
The General shared most of his military career with his wife, the
former Lucille Taylor of San Antonio w h o predeceased him. He is
survived by his two daughters; Sue, w h o is married to Major General
Hoyt S. Vandenberg, Jr. USAF (Ret), and Sarah Abbot Johnson.
Born in Columbia, Missouri he spent his boyhood there and Moline,
Kansas. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy and
commissioned a Second Lieutenant in June 1926. He later received
his Masters Degree in Meteorology at the California Institute of
Technology. After a number of flying assignments and progression in
rank, the entry of our nation into World War II saw him selected as
one of the first four flying officers assigned to the 8th Air Force
when it was activated at Savannah, Georgia. He served as
Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations for that command in its formative period. He accompanied the 8th Air Force to England in June
1942. In January 1943, he assumed command of the 44th Bomb Group. In June of that year, he took the group to North Africa on loan
to the 9th Air Force for the daring low level attack on the Ploesti oil fields in Rumania. For his heroic leadership of that raid, he w a s
awarded the Medal of Honor. On his return to England in September 1943, he organized the 14th Combat Wing and remained its
commander until the end of the war in Europe.
General Johnson went on to a number of command and important staff assignments such as Chief of Personnel Services, Hq. USAF;
Commander 15th Air Force; First Commander of 3rd Air Force Mildenhall, England, Commander Continental Air Command; USAF
Representative, Military Staff Committee, United Nations; U.S. Representative, NATO Military Staff Committee; Air Deputy to the
Supreme Allied Commander, Europe at S H A P E Hq., Paris before his retirement.
During this illustrious career, General Johnson never forgot his combat group, the 44th. Over the years since the 44th had writte
pages of valorous deeds indelibly in the history of the air war over Europe, this heroic leader remained humble, always disclaiming his
role in the Ploesti Raid success as being any more a contribution to the mission as any other. It seemed his happiest act when at an
assemblage of 44th Ploesti veterans, he would mingle among the men wearing the Medal of Honor around his neck and asking, "Would
you care to hold your medal? Please take it in your hand, it belongs to you, I am merely wearing it in your honor."
We will miss you, Sir. It has been a privilege and an honor to have served our Nation with you under the colors of the 44th Bomb
and 14th Combat Wing. M a y God give us more like you. The family requests that memorial remembrances be made to the Air Force Aid
Society in his name. The 44th B o m b Group Veterans Assocation will make a donation on behalf of our members.
13
�1st Lt. Leo Frazier, 66th Squadron is Decorated
In early 1943,1 st Lt. LeoO. Frazier, Lifetime resident of Oakley, Utah, was assigned to the 66th
Squadron, 44th B o m b Group in England as Navigator on the 1 st Lt. Robert W . Blaine crew. O n 8 March
1943 their B-24 aircraft was shot d o w n by German fighters while attacking the railway marshalling yards of
Rouen, France. Lt. Frazier managed to bail out and survive, only to be captured and held in a P O W camp
until the war ended. H e was the lone survivor of the shoot-down.
Leo returned to his Oakley home after the war where he operated a family store, and served his com
as Mayor and Summit County Assessor.
When plans were being made for the 44th BGVA trip to England and France and we had began to
communicate with the National Association of Non-Commissioned Officers of the French Army Air
Reserve regarding our plans to visit the Normandy Beaches using Rouen as a base, they invited us to visit
the crash sites of the two 44th aircraft lost on 8 March 1943. W h e n w e notified them that Leo Frazier, lone
survivor of the Blaine crew was alive, the French extended a most excited invitation for him to accompany
ourtrip so they could honor him. Unfortunately, he did not feel up to the foreign travel. During our visit,
the French Air Reserve Association presented their Medal of Allied Service, commemorating participation
in the liberation of France, to the 44th B o m b Group and individual ly to Lt. L e o O . Frazier. Both medals
were accepted for the Group and for Leo by 44th B G V A President, Roy O w e n .
Upon return home to Salt Lake City (60 miles from Oakley) our Treasurer, Jerry Folsom, unbeknown t
m a d e arrangements with Oakley Mayor Dick Woolstenhulme, Leo's son Blake and local veterans and
Leo's family to attend a surprise presentation of the medal during the intermission of the annual 4th of July
Rodeo in Oakley. The emotional presentation, m a d e before an audience of 5,500 rodeo fans, included a
congratulatory telegram from 44th B G V A m e m b e r Robert I. Brown, w h o was Leo's roommate in the Stalag
Luft III prison camp.
ThE phoroqRAphs couruEsy of S P E N C E R YouNq of THE D E S E R T N E W S , SAIT U k E Chy, UTAH.
14
�15
®
�THE PRESIDENT'S CORNER
where in the museum building sits the SR-71C
M/OW/.' What a shou;.' /t sounds /ike a /of o/
hype after each reunion to keep saying this one which I was privileged to fly and join the ranks o
was greater than the last one, and so on, but thosethose who have flown the Blackbird in excess of
who came will know what I'm saying is our Reunion Mach 3 in level flight, and fewer still, those w
flying career spanned from the B-24 to the SR-71.
Co-Chairmen, Jim Clements and Jerry Folsom
TALKED THE TALK AND WALKED
THE
WALK
We finished our last day of this great reuni
this time! Salt Lake City and our fourth was
with a splendid Italian buffet dinner after whic
REUNION
- BIG TIME. In spite of unexpected were entertained by a 40 man strong Mens
construction on the hotel's third floor and getting
Barbershop choir called The Beehive State Men's
our registration desk stuck in a remote corner ofChorus. They sang for a full hour and really cappe
the Hilton Hotel, everything else was super well off our visit to Salt Lake City. A BIG THANK
YO
planned and executed. The weather intervened JIM AND JERRY - FROM ALL OF US THERE - A
DONE!
causing a change from the Snowbird Tour up in the JOB WELL
10k altitude and flying snow, to a city tour and tripSpeaking of jobs well done, we elected three
to the Kennecott Copper Mine (biggest man made new squadron representatives to the Board. P.H.
hole on the planet). But everyone seemed to enjoy
"Phil" Phillips will replace Mel Trager in the Su
Plan B. Other highlights were the great dance bandUnits seat; Tony Mastradone replaces Robert I.
of Bud Hutchings we had at the banquet (would Brown representing the 67th Squadron; and Michel
you believe folks stayed and danced 'till 11 p.m.
"Mike" Yuspeh is replacing Richard "Dick" Peders
instead of jumping up and running for bed as soonin the 506th seat. To those stepping down, you
as they finished dinner!)
have done a tremendous job in representing your
Sunday morning we were honored guests at the constituencies during this critical period of re
nationwide TV broadcast of the Mormon Tabernacleand getting the Association up and running. You
Choir. The announcer gave a brief combat history
are all loyal, strong and proven men and all kno
of the 44th, then asked us to rise while we were one does not have to occupy a seat on the Board to
honored with a huge ovation. Then after the serve our Association. There will be need for you
broadcast, we were treated with the choir singing
help in the future and I know you will answer the
Battle Hymn of The Republic in our honor. Mighty
call. For those joining the Board, congratulati
touching! That afternoon we bussed out to Hill Air
The membership has given you their trust and
Force Base for a great lunch at the Officers Club confidence and I am looking forward to having yo
followed by a welcome by the Air Force Heritage on the management team as we continue to lead
Foundation of Utah Chairman, Lt. Gen. Marc C.
our Association to new successes.
Reynolds (Ret) and Col. Nathan H. Mazer (Ret) in
LOLLY AND I WISH YOU ALL A VERY
the beautifully restored WWII Chapel of the MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR
museum grounds. While still seated, we were given
- MELE KALIKIMAKA AND HAU'OLI MAKAHIKI
an address written and delivered by Captain
HOU. I will see you in Savannah in Octobe
(Chaplain) Phillip A. Baker, USAF The thrust of
his talk (not sermon) was a thanks to us and others
like us (and his Dad, a WWII Navy veteran) for
refreshing his, and the minds of his generation, of
the sacrifices we made for the precious liberty they
and their children now enjoy. The memorial service
was beautifully closed by the retreat marched to
the haunting strains of Amazing Grace played by a
Bass Drum and Bagpipe trio of young
women
dressed in traditional kilts. They were Misses Jennie
WORTH POLE>
Jensen, Celeste Mahnke and Stephanie Winters,
directed by Ms. Merilee Terry; all from Ben Lomond
High School, Ogden, Utah.
The next excitement for the group (especially
yourPrez) was a walk through their aircraft museum,
16
[
�1997
A REALLY
QREAT
The TREASURER ANC! his LOVE, B E V REAIIV IOVE T O (JANCE!
JIM ANd JEAN C A U I E R "showiNq off.
r
A lot has already been said about the overall program, and the photos below capture the fun and
enjoyment everyone seemed to have at the scheduled events, but I find myself short of pictures taken in that
great unscheduled activity THE HOSPITALITY R O O M . Really, for the first time in our four reunion history, have
we had so many of the wives c o m e in, sit down, and stay to visit. It w a s really great. The atmosphere w a s
friendly, lots of laughter, even a bridge g a m e . The smokers were mindful and stepped outside w h e n they
needed to puff (which had a lot to do with it). There is no question, it w a s the happiest, most fun hospitality
room we've ever had. It taught m e a lesson, w h e n w e negotiate for future reunions, we're going to talk
about a big, comfortable hospitality room as first priority!
Lolly EVEN qor TJHE P R E Z O U T O N TEIE H O O R !
CflARliE ANld C A R O I SiMpSON [iEAdiNq OUT TO dANCE.
Bob MyERS hAd BERyl ApqAR swiNqiN' OUT!
TOM ANd SARAIH
PARSONS REAlly
UNdERSTANd ThE
"Biq BANCJ" sTuff.
"FRiTzi" SEksky TElliNq iT likE iT WAS!
ToNy ANd CAThy MASTRAdoNE ii\i TKIE bAck qROUNd.
17
�NOTICE-NOTICE NOTICE
Just returned from Savannah;
N E W CONFIRMED REUNION DATES:
October 25-28,1998
ctiflnof in '96 Pfumon PL-I
Days Inn/Suite on Riverfront.
Reservation forms will be in Spring Issue of 8 Ball Tails.
PLfflSf ttflltf H O T t
W e recently got word from our Savannah M u s e u m Display Chairman, T o m Parsons, that the expected completion
date for the 44th B G Ploesti Raid display in the Mighty 8th Air Force M u s e u m is August, 1998. The Board agrees
t h e 44 t h memPers should assemble to dedicate and view our display as soon as possible after completion.
Accordingly w e will slip the n e w Orleans reunion to I 999 and plan our '98 reunion for Savannah, G A a n d the
M u s e u m This was unanimously approved The dates available to us for the M u s e u m are October 23, 24 and
25, so w e will follow the usual four day schedule and start the reunion on October 22. Mark your calendars for
October 22 through 25, I 998.
Mike Yuspah, our new Reunion Chairman, will be meeting with me in Savannah on December 2 to make
arrangements for hotel or motel accommodations. Unfortunately w e could not have that information in time for
the 8-Ball Tails deadline which will be in the mail the first week in December. All of the details on the reunion
program and our housing will be forthcoming in the Spring issue of the 8-Ball Tails. In the meantime, at the
bottom of this page there is a Reunion Pre-Registration form. If you are planning to attend this most significant
reunion, it would be a really big help to Mike in his planning for your m a x i m u m enjoyment of this historic area,
to have you fill out the form to the best of your ability and send it to him.
The program and costs will be approximately what we had in Salt Lake City and we will have our usual
schedule. Registration and Reception Thursday; Friday a tour of Savannah and free afternoon for exploring
the River Walk, Squadron Dinners in the evening; Saturday morning, General Membership meeting, lunch
and tour 8th Air Force Museum, evening cocktails and Banquet; Sunday, Buffet Breakfast and farewell.
SEE Y O U IN S A V A N N A H ! Your Prez.
Cut <A—Hrrct
44th B o m b Group Veterans Association
1998 Reunion Registration Form
Please Print:
Last Name First Name: Spouse:
Address
City State Zip Phone: ( )
Guests Total to Attend:
Option #1: Full Reunion
Number
Option #2: Thursday, Friday (Squadron Dinner) Saturday (Banquet) Number
Option #3: Saturday (Banquet), Sunday (Lunch & Buffet) Number
Option #4: Saturday Banquet and Dance Only Number
Mail to: MICHAEL YUSPEH • 7214 Sardonyx Avenue • New Orleans, LA 70124
IS
m
�t
A 1998 44th BGVA Tour
For all of those who were unable to attend the Salt Lake City Reunion, we were getting so many
verbal questions from the membership asking were we going to have another trip like the one we
had last Spring, that w e decided to run a survey at the General Membership Meeting. Not
surprising, I guess, after the first installment of the trip story telling all about our adventures, out of
80 responses (usually representing husband and wife) we had enough "YES" we would want to
travel on the same itinerary as the '97 trip that we already have a bus full, (this doesn't mean that
because someonefilledout a survey that they have reserved places on the bus) so we are going to
be off on another one next June.
There will be some small variations such as having an outlying hotel on our visit
the World Soccer Tournament, but essentially we will visit Norwich, Shipdham, Duxford,
Eastbourne, Rouen, Paris, Bastogne and Brussels. See the Outline Itinerary. W e will befinetuning
the details and have them to you well before the trip dates.
IN THE MEANTIME, FILL OUT AND SEND IN YOUR RESERVATION/DEPOSIT FORM AS SOON AS
YOU CAN. ENGLAND A N D FRANCE WILL BE C R O W D E D THIS S U M M E R BECAUSE OF THE
WORLDS SOCCER TOURNAMENT. W E N E E D T O B O O K OUR HOTEL REQUIREMENTS AS SOON AS
W E CAN T O BEAT T H E WORLD'S SOCCER C R O W D S WHICH WILL
JAM L O N D O N A N D PARIS THIS SUMMER.
(r
44th B o m b Group Veterans Association
1998 England and/or French Tour Outline Itinerary
.. Day 1 Arrive London from New York.
June 6..
.. Day 2
Morning sightseeing tour ojLondon-afternoon Jree.
June 7..
LeaveJar Norwich-afternoon visit to Maddingly Cemetary.
June 8.... Day 3
Free day in Norwich.
June 9.... Day 4
Shipdham tour - picnic lunch and evening bar-b-que.
June 10 .. Day 5
Leave for Eastbourne-Duxford lunchtime visit.
June 11 .. Day 6
Ruthless Memorial Service -1066 Country tour, p. m. tea. Evening, gala dinner hos
June 12 .. Day 7
by the Mayor ofEastbourne and the local member ofParliament.
End of British Tour (depart for USA) or French tour - leave for Normandy - stay in
June 13 .. Day 8
Rouen.
June 14 .. Day 9
Visit to Landing Beaches and Bayeaux.
June 15 .. Day 10 .... Free day in Rouen.
June 16 .. Day 11 .... Leavefor destination near Paris.
June 17 .. Day 12.... Paris sightseeing tour; optional Bateau Mouche cruise on the RiverSeine, option
evening dinner in top city restaurant.
June 18 .. Day 13 .... Day at leisure.
June 19 .. Day 14 .... Leavefor Brussels via Bastogne.
June 20 .. Day 15 .... Leave Brussels for London overnight.
June 21 .. Day 16.... Leave for USA.
The above itinerary is subject to change, depending on local arrangements being made.
19
�44th B o m b G r o u p Veterans Association
1 9 9 8 England and/or French Tour Airline Reservation/Deposit F o r m
Please reserve flights for persons named below from JFK-New York to London on June 5,1998 - Return date . If
you wish to return at a later date Open J a w ticket cost will be given on request. Group fare for tour dates: £359, tax included.
Please Print:
Title Given Name Surname Frequent Flyer #
Number
Lead Name
Phone: (
Address Fax: ( _
City
State
Zip
I wish to pay the deposit of £75 Sterling per person by Credit Card (Visa or MasterCard only) Total amount £ S
Card Number:
Expiration Date:
Deposit Non-refundable. Balance due 8 weeks prior to departure.
<^gT} Signature:
Mail to: One Stop World, 163 Terminus Road, Eastbourne BN21 3NX, England; Attention: Alan Bacon
Inquiries: Roy Owen at (707) 538-4726
WATERHOUSE TOURS
44th Bomb Group England/France, Belgium Tour
Please reserve spaces on ENGLISH TOUR ONLY *£869. OR spaces on the entire ENGLISH/FRENCH TOUR
*£1363. (*Approximate prices subject to adjustment). Group fare for tour dates: £359, tax included.
Please Print:
Last Name First Name:
Address City
State
Zip
Phone: (
)
-
Fax: (
Names of other persons travelling
I wish to pay the deposit of Sterling £200 per person by Credit Card (Visa or MasterCard only) Total amount £
Card Number:
Expiration Date:
Balance due 8 weeks prior to departure.
Signature:
^^ Mail to: Waterhouse Tours, Ltd.,Dillons Road, Polegate, East Sussex BN26 6 JG, England
Inquiries: Roy Owen at (707) 538-4726
20
m
Sterling.
�<+2 Beating the Bushes
^
By Art Hand & Will Lundy
Winter, 1997
DONALD E. CARLSON: 1455 2nd Avenue, Apt. 1314, San Diego, CA 92101. Radio Operator for Lt.
Gerald G. Lindsay. 68th Squadron.
THEODORE "TED" CLICK: 71 Fairway Terrace, Winchester, TN 37398. Tail Gunner for Bill A. Dolan
crew. 68th Squadron.
HARRELL L. GARDNER: 481 East Lydia Highway, Hartsville, SC 29550. Tail Gunner for C.N. Atkin'
crew. 506th Squadron.
ELWOOD "EDDIE" HAIRR: 1530 Rock Spring Street, Greensboro, NC 27405-3716. Turret Gunner on
L. J. Winsatt/JW. Wood crew. This man completed his tour on B-17 Memphis Belle.
WALTER LOCKETT: 103 Castleshoals Drive, Granite Shoals, TX 78654. H.S. Borkowski's crew as
Bombardier. 506th Squadron.
THERESA MURPHYMCKINNEY: 308 Goodwin, Eliot, ME 03903. Daughter of William T. Murphy,
KIA on 18 November 1943 when Lt. J.L. Houle's crew ditched, out of fuel. 67th Squadron.
MARVIN J. REDDICK: 3241 Harbor Beach Drive, Lake Wells, FL 33583. Co-pilot for A.H. Dittmer
(68th Sq. P O W after being shot down on 24 August 1944.)
CHARLES TORNO: 2224 Edwards Street, St. Louis, MO 63110. Engineer for JW. Parks, Jr. on 10 Ma
1944.68th Squadron.
AiNqels CORNER
Just a few days after returning from the Reunion, a short thank you letter arrived in the mai
like this:
Mr. President,
Enclosed you will find a check for two hundred fifty dollars ($250) to be used as needed for the
Thanks for a great reunion, hope to see you in Savannah for another great reunion.
Many Thanks,
Jim Branson, 3908 O'Briant Place, Greensboro, NC 27410
P.S. Roy, give to yourself, your family and the 44th Group the best you can and the best will come
to you,
Branson, 506th
When I read this to Lolly, she said you ought to make an "Angels Corner" for members like Jim
appreciate their Association and let you know it with a generous donation.
y^\x
Thank you very much Jim. You, along with Bill Strong, Jr. ($500) are our first
members of "Angels Corner."
Please note: Since our treasurer and our accounting system are unable to set up, manage and ^
disburse funds from separate accounts required when donations are made by members for specific
memorials, scholarships or projects, the Board has established a policy that all donations are
placed in the general fund to be disbursed in payment of those memorial projects determined
by the Board as most appropriate to perpetuate the heritage of the 44th and the memory of
those valorous men who served our nation under the 44th colors.
21
�Miscellanea
O U R NEWEST - N E W MEiwbER
Like Everything Else,
Dues are going up...
Not much, but up nonetheless. We've been trying to hold the
line as long as w e were able, but most of the increase has been
in the cost of the 8-Ball Tails. W h e n I briefed the board on the cost
increases in layout, pictures and printing, I pointed out that this
left us with number of pages as the only variable available to
reduce costs. In a complimentary burst, the Board members were
kind in taking the position that they were opposed to any
reduction in the quality level of our journal. From the many, many
complimentary and supporting comments about the "Tails" from
the membership attending the reunion, it would seem the
members share the attitude of the Board.
With that, the Board turned to a raise in general membership
dues as the next viable means of keeping up with costs. After
s o m e discussion, the Board settled with a $5 raise to start March
1,1998. This means the annual December 1,1997 billing will go
out invoicing 1998 dues as $15 if paid and in the hands of the
Treasurer by March 1,1998. F R O M THAT DATE O N , DUES WILL BE
M E E T AUSTJN JeffREy STUTZ 7/25/96 G R E A T
$20 PER YEAR BILLED ANNUALLY O N DECEMBER 1.
GRANCISON of JiM & NETTIE CIEMENTS, S O N of Jeff &
Please remember, w e run along pretty good by keeping a close
LisA STUTZ (GRANCI DAUQIHTER) of LiNdou, UTAIT
watch
on our costs versus income, but if you can stick an extra fin
ATTENdiNq his FIRST REUNJOIN.
or sawbuck in the dues envelope, it's always welcome. In fact as
you read through this issue, you c a m e across a n e w section w e are calling "Angels Corner." Stop and
read it and meet our first and second Angels.
Only McAtee is missing from our "Gathering of Leaders."
LEFT T O Riqkr
ChARliE HuqFiEs, 66rh;
Bill C A M E R O N , 67TIH;
JAck GibsoN, 44Th C O ;
GoodMAN GRiffiN, 4 4 T N E X E C ;
Bob LEhNhAusEN, 68Th.
Other Reunions
The Florida Chapter of SECOND AIR DIVISION ASS'N
will hold its annual reunion in Fort Myers, Florida
March 26 - 29,1998 at the Sheraton Harbor Place in
downtown Ft. Myers. For information, contact:
Frank K. McConnell, P.O. Box 482, Cape Coral, FL
33910; telephone: (941) 549-2747.
22
��FOLDED WINGS
October, 1997
Charles N. Atkins
'89
506th
Captain, completed tour gj«
W
9/11/44.
Francis W. Beasley, Sgt 4/26/95 67th Sgt., Aircraft Mechanic, Msgt K.D. Gong's crew.
William K. Bechtold, S/Sgt 8/24/94 506th Left Waist Gunner, Capt. C.N. Atkins crew.
Robert Bohaty '55 Unknown, all we have is an old address. We need
some help on this one.
Robert H. Boney, T/Sgt 4/12/96 66th Came in with the Pathfinder crews. Later sent to
the 392nd BG.
Peter P. Budarf T/Sgt 7/97 68th Radio Operator on Lt. Roy M. Boggs crew, 29
missions, flew home 28 May '45.
Robert J. Bulson, S/Sgt '78 66th Top Turret Gunner on Lt. P.V. Dussoit crew, 17
missions.
Davis L. Brookins, Cpl 1/8/84 67th Came over with the original 67th on the Queen
Mary.
Carl G Carlson, T/Sgt 7/10/97 66th Flight Engineer on Lt. P.V. Dussoits crew, 17
missions.
Norfleet R. Cheek, 2nd Lt '97 464th Sub-Depot Supply Officer.
J. Davis Clark, S/Sgt 8/24/95 66th Tail Gunner on Lt. P.V. Dussoit's crew, 17 missions.
Mark Critchfield, Unk Unknown 66th One of the 44th originals at Mac Dill.
John E. Devich, T/Sgt '85 68th Flight Engineer on Lt. A.H. Dittmer's crew, shot
down 8/24/44; POW until April '45.
Beuford P. Fletcher, T/Sgt. 1/91 506th Radio Operator on Lt. DE. Saylor's crew, completed tour early 1944.
Howard N. Garrett, S/Sgt 1/22/71 68th Waist Gunner on Capt. Gus Konstand's lead crew.
Shot down 12/28/44.
James C Holcomb, 1st Lt Unknown 67th POW Pilot; crew organized Dec. '43 at March
Field, joined 67th June '44, completed combat
tour.
David J. Taylor, T/Sgt 11/26/96 Unknown . Very little in the archives on this man, we need
some help here.
24
�FOLDED WINGS (Continued)
1st Lt. ...2/16/97
Shelby 0. Turner, M.D.,
68th
-.Navigator on Lt. T. Ackerman's crew; 28 combat
missions. Post-War became an MD, rancher.
Preston E. Vaden, 1st Lt
... '96
506th.......Bombardier on the Lt. George Rebich original
506th crews flying Mr. 5x5. Flew Ploesti with
Major J.C. Beam. Completed combat tour.
George Van Son, S/Sgt..
... '95
67th
.... Tail Gunner for Lt. Elmer Reinhart. Shot down
and wounded on Ploesti raid. Internee/POW in
Romania.
Romie C. Vaughn, Sgt. .
...5/21/97
68th
....Aircraft Mechanic. Had two cruises on the Queen
Mary, over on 5 Sept. '42 and returned home on
6/16/45. His wife Martha has joined the 44th
BGVA.
Delbert Hunter, S/Sgt...
... 7/2/94
67th
.... Waist Gunner on Lt. Charles H. Mercer's crew.
Combat tour completed Feb. 1944. First 67th
crew to start and finish with the same ten crew
members.
Warren E. Kline, S/Sgt.
...4/25/75
Arnold P. Kleinschmidt,
Capt.
...6/26/97
66th
Assigned to 66th Feb. 45. Trained and was Flight
Cmdr. of new, Loran equipped B-24J's. Post- War
cattle rancher and Lexington, TX School District
Superintendent for 30 years.
James F. Rowan,
... 5/28/97
464th...
Sub-Depot Instrument Technician.
Unknown
.... Right Waist Gunner on 1st Lt. C.A. Bohnisch s
crew shot down 5/4/44 over Central France. Kline
was the only survivor. Captured & POW.
GAT^EREd AT OJAi, GUifoRNiA foR TIHE siqNJNq,
TIHE fouR ARE picTUREd holdiNq O N E of TIHE
liMJTEd EdiTiON pRiivrs of TIIE pAifMTiNq.
LETT T O RiqhT: Dick BUTIER, ChARliE HuqliES,
Bill BRANdoN ANd Bill C A M E R O N .
NEW PLOESTI PAINTING
Nicholas Trudigan, an oil paint artist well known for his work in landscapes, has turned his interests to
aviation art. His newest work is a rendition ojthe Ploesti raid entitled OPERATION TIDAL WAVE, The Ploe
Mission. Joining artist Nicolas Trudigan in signing his new limited edition of the painting arefour
distinguished 44th Bomb Group pilots who flew the historic raid; Major Gen. William H. Brandon (Ret),
was lead pilot in "Suzy Q" with Group Commander (then) Colonel Leon W. Johnson in the Co-Pilot seat.
Colonel Richard D. "Dick" Butler (Ret)flew as co-pilot with Walter Burke in "Earthquake McGoon." Colon
William R. Cameron (Ret) in his "Buzzin'Bear" was designated deputy lead to Col. Johnson andflew in the
slotposition of the lead element directly behind "Suzy Q." Colonel Charles E. Hughes (Ret) flying "Flo
Flirt" which was badly damaged during the attack but managed to limp into Turkey where he was interne
He later managed to escape to Cyprus in afishing boat thence back to England where he went on to
command the 66th Bomb Squadron.
25
�The 8-Ball Tails
Official Journal of The
44th B o m b Group
Veterans Association, Inc.
Compiled, written and
published tri-yearly at 6304
Meadowridge Dr., Santa Rosa,
CA 95409, Roy W . Owen,
President and Editor. Printed
and mailed Bulk Rate at Salt
Lake City, U T under U S P S
Permit #6923. Generally, the
material herein is non-copyright
except when so noted. The text
and photos are otherwise
reproduced from personal
photographs, diaries, memoirs
or official USAAF and USAF
documents and photos which
have been released for
publication. Except for
copyright material, permission
is granted for the contents of
this journal to be reproduced
for personal archives or the
journal of other incorporated
non-profit
Veterans
organizations so long as this
publication is properly credited.
Those submitting letters,
stories and photos to the Editor
or Historian must do so with
the understanding that this
material will most likely be
published as a matter of
interest to the members/
subscribers of the Association
and this journal. While every
attempt will be made to answer
all of the material received,
there is no explicit or implied
guarantee that an answer will
be provided or published.
Except for specific requests
for the return of original
documents and photos, all
material submitted will become
the property of The 44th Bomb
Group Veterans Association,
Inc.
Due to space limitations and
to ensure the clarity and
brevity of submitted material,
the Publisher/Editor reserves
the editorial license to add, cut
or otherwise modify all
submitted material so long as
the original context of the
material is maintained.
-
•
-,
44TH BOMB GBOUP WTEBANS
ASSOCIATION BOABD
President: Roy W. Owen (506)
6304 Meadowridge Drive
Santa Rosa, C A 95409-5839
Phone: (707) 538-4726 Fax: (707) 538-1212
E-Mail: rowen@sonic.com
Vice President: James H. Clements (506)
4124 Calculus Avenue
Dallas, TX 75244
Phone/Fax: (972) 243-4657
Secretary: Edward M. Dobson (67th)
118 South 15th Avenue #1
Bozeman, M T 59715-4130
Phone/Fax: (406) 587-2490
Treasurer: Gerald (Jerry) Folsom (506)
3582 East Dover Hill Drive
Salt Lake City, UT 84121-5527
Phone: (801) 733-7371 Fax: (801) 942-9988
Historian: C.W. "Will" Lundy (67th)
3295 North "H" Street
San Bernardino, C A 92405-2809
Phone/Fax: (909) 882-2441
P.O. Box 315
Bridgeport, C A 93517 (Summer)
Phone/Fax: (619) 932-7349
44th Group Vice President to 2nd ADA
Richard D. Butler (506/67th)
16494 Wagon Wheel Drive
Riverside, C A 92506
Phone: (909) 780-7421 Fax: (909) 780-1459
Director: Edw. K. "Mike" Mikoloski (66th)
626 Smithfield Road #702
N. Providence, Rl 02904
Phone/Fax: (401) 353-0144
Director: Robert J. Lehnhausen (68th)
709 West Meadows Place
Peoria, IL 61604-3447
Phone/Fax: (309) 685-2490
26
Director: Michel "Mike" Yuspeh (506)
7214 Sardonyx St.
N e w Orleans, LA 70131-8615
Phone: (504) 283-3424 Fax: (504) 283-3425
Director: R. H. "Phil" Phillips (Hq. Sqdn.)
422 Frances
Lindsay, O K 73052
Phone: (405) 756-3220
Membership Co-Chair: Search
Art Hand
517 Elm Street
Paris, IL 61994
Phone/Fax: (217) 463-5905
Membership Co-Chair: Roster
Tom Shepherd
10597 Cambrooke Cove
Collierville, TN 38017
Phone: (901) 854-6558 Fax: (901) 853-4229
E-Mail: sheep@wspice.com
Archivist: Anthony "Tony" Mastradone
9111 Tuckerman Street
Lanham, M D 20706-2709
Phone: (301) 577-1487
U.K. Representative: Steve Adams
28 Bassingham Road
Norwich, England N R 3 2 Q T
Phone/Fax: 011-44-1603-400221
E-Mail: S.P.adams@bt.internet.com
ASSOCIATION MAILING
ADDRESS
44th BGVA
P.O. Box 2367
Salt Lake City, U T 84110-2367-
��The Night I Rode
With Santa
By
Ivo F. DiPiero
The holiday was upon us, and throughout the house rooms were decorated for Christmas. A large box was
brought up from the basement. I knew it was therightone, as it was boldly marked "XMAS
DECORATIONS."
Coming from the kitchen was a wonderful aroma of cooking flowing through every room. On the table was my
favorite fruitcake with a large sign on it which said, "Do Not Tbuch Until Xmas." As I passed by, I slyly put a p
in my mouth. I then noticed my great granddaughter, slowly sliding her hand across the table toward a rack of
cooling cookies.
"What are you doing, Erika?" I asked. Ignoring the question, she said, "I'm having a hard time knowing what
ask Santa to bring for Christmas. Besides, you don't have a fireplace or a chimney for Santa to come down," she
replied.
"Erika," I said, "finish your letter to Santa, then give it to me. I will make sure that Santa will get it. I k
he can get into the house. It's a secret and I can't tell."
"I met Santa a long time ago during World War II." Erika replied, "Oh! Grandpa, not another one of your war
stories!" Turning to Grandma, she asked if I was fibbing her again. Grandma replied, "I did not know him at the
time, but usually he's a pretty honest fellow."
Looking at me, Erika said, "OK Grandpa, when was that?" Sitting at the table next to her and helping myself
another piece of fruitcake and Erika reaching for another cookie, I began my story.
"It was Christmas Eve 1942 and the sky wasfilledwith enemy planes and I was on my way to my plane, The
Lemon Drop. The pilot, Lt. Reggie Phillips, and his crew chief, Charlie Pigg, were close behind. On the way L
Phillips told me, "Ivo, you are going with us on this mission tonight." "Where to?," I replied. He answered, "I w
know until we arrive at the plane."
As we arrived at the plane, I could not believe my eyes. Beside our plane, The Lemon Drop, a B24D, there sto
a sleigh loaded with gift packages and sitting there was Saint Nick. His reindeer were tapping their hooves
impatiently. Saint Nick had flown all the way from the North Pole to Great Britain to deliver gifts to the child
Santa was afraid that his reindeer might be hurt because the enemy was dropping bombs, and there was much noise
from anti-aircraft guns on the ground. The U. S. Air Force gave him permission to fly on their plane, The Lemo
Drop, so he could drop his gifts to the children; children that may never have gifts because of the war.
Everyone was eager to help and all the packages were transferred to the plane. When they werefinished,Santa
and the crew climbed into the plane and quickly took off. I noticed that the plane was flying at an exceedingly
speed and the propellers were not turning. I radioed the pilot and asked what was happening. The pilot responde
"I do not know. There must be magic in the air as I cannot explain the phenomenon."
We kept on with our task and dropped each package out of the plane as Santa handed them to us. Each one,
believe it or not, dropped down therightchimney. As soon as the last package was dropped, our pilot, Lt. Phill
gained control of the plane and we returned safely to base.
Every one said good-bye to Santa, and as he was leaving, we heard him say, "Merry Christmas, and for your
good deeds on this night, I promise you that this plane, The Lemon Drop, and it's crews will always return to b
safely."
The Lemon Drop was the last of the original aircraft to survive World War II.
In 1992 Grandma and I returned again to England, and in the city of Norwich, I looked up into a clear moonli
sky, and I'm sure I saw a shadow of what looked like a B24D. I heard a voice saying, "I kept my promise, and Th
Lemon Drop is still flying."
If you should ever be in Norwich, England on Christmas Eve, look up to the sky. There will be a shadow of a
sleigh with The Lemon Drop close behind.
Looking at my great granddaughter I said, "Erika, I promise you when your list is complete, Santa will recei
it."
28
�W e think of you folks quite often and look forward
to the next time. You are Special!!
MAIL CALL
Love,
Nick & Nan
Editor: Gracias for your most kind words Mi Amigo. I
hope you enjoy the second installment of The Trip-The
Trip in this issue. I'm very happy that reading the
article brought the feeling of pride that we on the trip
experienced. All of the 44th men and women should
rightfully be proud of having served in this valorous
outfit. When we were at Barksdale AFB for the
dedication of our memorial marker, all of the 44th folks
present were in tears of pride listening to the words of
respect and admiration for the 44th spoken by the
active duty Air Force leadership present. Then, once
again, seeing and hearing the expression of gratitude
and respect by our English and French Allies made
us all swell with pride that the heroic performance of
the 44th was so vividly known to our grateful allies.
The 44th wasn't simply given the destiny to lead, our
proud people earned it!
•smmtmBgg^
f;')r)4Mi:»<Jo*"idD''
September 27, 1997
To Our Dear Shipdham Friends, ^^
On this day of Mticn.1 ^!*J*44,S^iw^
L e s s Diana, it was the w, h of the 44
^ ^ profound shoe and
Tleyes of America that *JjJ —£ "^Tto"?
&
for the people of * ^ * h ^ K monarchy than has existed
0ur praye,s
today are for her and with you on this day o, fare.,, to
This comes from:
Erwin Strohmaier
Piedmont Gardens
110-41 Street #1017
Oakland, CA 94611
September 3, 1997
Diana.
Wittftove to you all,
£t^j tc' <&•«*•>*—
Roy v/owen,
President
Gentlemen:
I a m sorry that you had so much trouble that you
did not have m y new address. I had special change of
address postcards printed and sent them to everyone I
could think of.There is always a chance that some could
get lost in the mail. Enclosed is a check for $4 to cover
your expense.
My Good Amigo Roy:
I a m 86 years old and in a wheelchair recovering
from Gullain-Barre syndrome, a paralysis of the motor
nerve system. I now live in Piedmont Gardens at the
TheTrip-TheTrip!! I read it in total, with much
enthusiasm, and Lots of Pride! You m a k e m e very
above address.
proud Col. Owen, and I think I speak for m a n y of us in
I always enjoy reading your publication.
If it w a s not for m y computer and m y fingers coming
the 506th, as well as the entire 44th B o m b Group. I
only wish it could have been possible for us to have
to life, I could not write this letter.
shared these most treasured moments.
Keep up the good work.
Sincerely,
W e hope you and Lolly are well, and, checking
your passports on a more regular basis. I'm still trying
Editor: Dear Erwin, I'm not familiar with Gullain-Barr
to "hang in there," although its somewhat difficult at
syndrome, but it, for sure, doesn't sound like a bunch
times. W e saw Loy and Arlene Neeper two weeks
of fun' I do understand "recovering" and that, for sure,
ago. He looks good, but his malady continues. W e
Pray for him every day!
77iiy comes from:
Nick Garza, San Antonio, one of the "Iron Men" of the
506th. He was the "cog" in the '95 San Antonio
reunion machinery which kept everything running
(meaning we never ran short of booze or bull!)
29
�sounds like you are a fighter who intends to get out ofWell, they wouldn't reject us, so Heaven protect us
And, until all this shooting abates,
the wheelchair. Glad you enjoy reading the 8-Ball
Give us the courage to fight 'em -- one other small item
Tails. Those are the kind of words that make the effort
worthwhile. I'll keep up the good work and you keep - A n escort of P-38's.
answering the bell for the next round. In fact, get on
your computer and write some good "war story" stuff
to put into the "Tails."
This comes from:
Sarah H. Reynolds
August 25, 1997
X
This comes from:
Wade Elliott - 66th/506th
Peterborough, NH
Hello Editor:
This is to request a notice to the membership
concerning the huge omission of the B-24 from the
Editor: Wade Elliott, Peterborough, NH, 66th/506th,special
was issuance of "American Classic Aircraft" stamps
in
July of this year by the U.S. Postal Service. I hope
(with his wife dessie) in the intrepid group of 44th folks
on the England/France Trip. Fishing around in some that the m e m b e r s will join m e with a write-in protest to
WWII personal files, he came up with an old yellowedthe Postmaster General and perhaps there will be a
special issue for just the B-24 forthcoming. Those
copy of Stars & Stripes that carried this bit of poetry
written by a Radio Operator/Gunner before leaving for interested and willing should write a strong letter to:
The Postmaster General
a bomber mission over Italy. It's a "goldie oldie," Wade,
Washington,
D C 20268-6000
Thanks!
Lightnings in the Sky
Thanks!
Oh Hedy Lamar is a beautiful gal and Madeline Carroll
Editor: Dear Sarah, Boy oh Boy! How did I miss
is too,
that? Enough is too much! We've been putting up with
But you'll find if you query, a quite different theory
this looking at the bellies of B-17s for too long. Like
amongst any bomber crew,
For the loveliest thing of which one could sing (this side elsewhere in this issue, we are playing catchup on
getting a bronze model of a B-24 in the Honor Court
of the heavenly gates),
Is no blonde or brunette of the Hollywood set -- But an at the Air Force Academy. Now, here we are left out
of the "American Classic Aircraft" stamp issuance.
escort of P-38's.
How about it-are we going to take another "pie in the
face" or do something about it? I'm with Sarah, let's
Yes, in the days that have past, when the tables were
make 'em put out a special issue stamp picturing the
massed with glasses of scotch and champagne,
It's quite true that this sight was a thing to delight us, Liberator. I'd like to see someone who has been in t
intent upon feeling no pain.
thick of this battle, like Don Chase, sit down and
But no longer the same, nowadays, in this game, when compose a letter of protest over the "American
Classic Aircraft" issuance and a demand for a special
w e head North from Messina Straits, you take the
sparkling wine-every time; just make mine an escort issue featuring the B-24. Then send the letter to me
of P-38's.
and I will put it on the 44th letterhead and send it to
the PMG. Then we can send individual letters to our
Byron, Shelly and Keats ran a dozen dead heats,
Senators and House members. Thanks Sarah. We'll
Describing the view from the hills,
take it from here!
Of the valleys in M a y when the winds gently sway an
Note: Sarah is a 44th daughter; now is that a lot of
army of bright daffodils.
spunk, OR
WHAT?
Take the daffodils, Byron -- the wild flowers, Shelley;
yours is the Myrtle, friend Keats, just reserve one of
those beauties -- American Beauties -- an escort of P38's.
Sure, we're braver than hell; on the ground all is swell;
in the air it's a far different story;
W e sweat out our track through the fighters and flak,
We're willing to split up the glory!
30
�8-IMLL TMLS
Back issues of The 8-Ball Tails available in limite
numbers. $5 per copu plus postage. Contact
Treasurer, "Jerru" Folsom at address listed in the
Board of Directors herein.
This comes from:
Tony Mastradone
9111 Tuckerman St.
Lanham, MD 20706
October 2, 1997
This comes from:
Phyllis Venieti
45 Hartsdale Road
Elmsford, NY 10523
October 5, 1997
Dear Mr. Clements,
I c o m m e n d you and your staff for making the veteran
reunions such memorable occasions! Because of your
efforts, many enjoy visiting new places where they can
reminisce with their buddies, s w a p post-war
experiences, and share child rearing stories.
M y father, Pat Colucci, has m a d e the reunion a focal
point of each year. Being reunited with his fellow flyers
has added something special to his life. Hopefully, he
will be able to take part in this year's reunion.
Two weeks ago he w a s rushed to the hospital with
acute pneumonia. M y father's condition was complicated
by the several other physical problems he bravely
Editor: Tony, I was unaware that you too were doing
survived but took a toll on his body. Delirious, he had
Ploesti research for our Mighty 8th Air Force Museum
only one thought on his mind. "One more reunion...one
display I should have known you would be in the
more reunion," he feverishly mumbled in the emergency
thick of it! Please pass on my personal thanks to Mr.
room.
Giordano for his assistance in the research of the
I believe it w a s m y Dad's determination to get to
Ploesti archives. You know it is my aim to have our
Salt Lake City that helped him to heal more rapidly than
replication of the lead element over the target the
expected. W e will know this week if the doctor will allow
instant prior to bombs away be the defining display in
him to make the trip.
the museum. With you on the team, assisted by
As children, m y siblings and I were aware of m y
friends such as David Giordano, I can see my hopes
father's pride in being part of the Air Force. H e never
becoming reality! We all thank you for all the great
spoke of the war, but instilled in us the love for our
work you are always doing up there in College Park.
Country and the duty to defend her liberties. Recently,
Also, congratulations on your election to the Board he turned into an ambitious writer. H e writes about his
and NO, I'm not going to release you from your
Air Force adventures, delighting his grandchildren with
archivist job, you've heard of wearing two hats?
stories of the heroism of his buddies. Penning the
positive aspects of his life as a soldier has not only
44th Bomb Group-Flying
been an outlet for his creativity, but has also been a
€ightbolls History book
therapeutic tool.
• General history of the 44th Bomb Group. • Hundreds of
The wives of the servicemen also appreciate the
Photos. • Special remembrances and personal stories.
reunions. M y mother has had the opportunity to meet
•Updated roster • Hundreds of biographies of 44th Bomb
wonderful m e n and w o m e n , to form m a n y strong
Group Association Members
friendships.
The camaraderie which sustained the m e n through
Mail your orders to:
many desperate situations, which survived all these
Turner Publishing Company, P.O. Box 3101, Paducoh, KV
years and keeps them coming back to the reunions is
42002-3101 'Phone: (502) 443-0121.
unique. Thanks again for giving so many meaningful
(See order form in Vol. 2 - Issue #3 of the 8 Ball Tails)
and delightful trips to look forward to!
Telephone Orders: 1 (800) 788-3350
Sincerely,
Inquiries: (502) 443-0335
Hello Roy:
In our 44th B o m b Group Veterans Association
publication "8 Ball Tails" S u m m e r edition, I think your
story on the "Progress on the Savannah M u s e u m
Display" was very informative.
As the archivist for the 44th B o m b Group Veterans
Association, I would like to c o m m e n d an archivist at
the College Park Archives in Maryland, Mr. David
Giordano. H e spent extra time and effort in assisting
m e in getting information on the historic bombing mission
of the oil fields in Ploesti, Romania on 1 August 1943.
I know with your leadership and assistance, the
information will be used in an informative way and make
a successful display that our Organization will be proud
of and enjoyed by all.
Will be seeing you in Salt Lake City,
31
��
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8 Ball Tails
Newsletter
Dublin Core
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8 Ball Tails Volume 2 - Issue 4: Winter 1997
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<span>44th Bomb Group Veteran's Association Website (<a class="in-cell-link" target="_blank" href="http://www.8thairforce.com/44thbg" rel="noreferrer noopener">Now Inactive</a>)</span>
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Winter 1997
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Text
�O U R RED C R O S S LADY
This all began when w e started a n e w feature in the 8Ball Tails w e call "Memory Lane" (Vol. 2, Issue # 3 ) and
used a picture taken in Shipdham at the Red Cross club on
the occasion of a visit to the base by Lord Mayor William
Finch of Norwich. W e asked the membership if anyone
could recall the name of our Red Cross lady. F R A N K BATA
of the 66th B o m b Sqdn. came forth with her name, along
with the story of what a great help she had been keeping
him in touch with his younger brother stationed at
another English base. He also recollected that she was
from Roanoke, VA. With that to go on, w e started on
what turned out to be a sad search. I first asked Art
H A N D , our membership search expert, to give m e a
computer run on any members w e have in Roanoke. He
came up with J A C K RUSSELL, 68th Sqdn. w h o responded
to m y request that he would see what he could find out
about HELEN H O B A C K . In no time at all he sent m e a
copy of the 4-2 I -49 Roanoke Times Obituary page which
noted Helen's death. The notice also listed a surviving
brother named S A M U E L H O B A C K living in Baltimore.
Once again a request to A R T H A N D quickly got m e an
address and telephone number. I called and first got his
wife, and after telling her w h o I was and of m y search for
information about Helen, I was able to make a return call
later. W e made contact that evening and after talking with
her brother Sam. the story began to brighten somewhat. I
found in our search to see where life had led our pretty
44th Red Cross lady that, in the few post-war years of
her life, she was happily fulfilling her dream to be an
actress.
She had moved to Baltimore, found work in a
publishing company which financed her continued studies
in Shakespearean Theatre and was broadening her acting
experience doing summer stock. In the pursuit of her
dream, she never married. Her most successful theatrical
venture was the development of an evening's program of
her adaptations of Shakespeare's heroines in his most
famous plays. With authentic Elizabethean costumes, she
formed a small company of three which included her
brother Sam and another stage hand. They travelled,
giving her solo performances in Boston, N e w York and
N e w Jersey, in what must have been a most happy time
for our blossoming actress. Tragedy struck in the winter of
1947-8 when she slipped on an icy sidewalk and took a
severe blow to her head. A year later she did not survive
surgery undertaken to remove a brain tumor. So the
curtain came d o w n before the career of this developing
actress could reach full bloom. So, as she served her
country and fellow m a n keeping them in touch with h o m e
and what they were fighting for, so she must have
brought the vitality of her persona to her audiences. The
44th B o m b Croup honors her and is thankful for the
precious time in her short life that she gave to us.
�Conwimfe,
Here indeed is the Art of the Forgotten Language. Miss
Hoback's every inflection is perfect and her scanning of the lines
leaving nothing to be desired. She simply holds you entranced with
her magic charm. I can imagine no more pleasant way of spending
an evening than to watch Miss Helen Hoback in her
characterization of "Shakespeare's Heroines."
Percival Vivian,
Weil-Known New York Director
Miss Helen Hoback shows remarkable ability in action. She
has a charming personality and a large general ability.
Binney Gunnison
Dean Emeritus Curry School
Miss Helen Hoback, in "Shakespeare's Heroines," gave us a
delightful evening of entertainment. Her pleasing costumes and fine
acting added much to the enjoyment of the scenes. All students and
lovers ol Shakespeare should especially enjoy her delineation of the
various characters.
Ruth K. Coddington
•
Roanoke and a;
• A Cross
Helen Hoback is an artist of unusual ability. She vividly
presents her Shakespearean portraits in costume. Each personality
steps straight from the story onto the stage. A delightful club
program.
Mrs. George a. Layman
Past President, Roanoke Woman's Club
BEIOW: EARIY 1944 LoNdoN, TbE BusiEST REd C R O S S Club ON TFIE PIANET.
I have heard and seen Miss Hoback in her Shakespearean
program. It was artistically done with much skill and effectiveness
and well received by the audience. It gives me a good deal of
pleasure to commend her program to anyone desiring a splendid
evening of entertainment. She is a young woman of rare beauty and
accomplishment and I predict for her a brilliant future.
G.A. Layman, President
Roanoke City Education Association
3
�more on Rouen, March 8,1943
Editor:You've often read my comments about having a story or letter from one person tickle the
m e m o r y of another w h o will then c o m e in with more to tell about the mission or incident which gives
another view of the same subject. These different subjective views, put together, combine to give us an
objective view of history. In this case w e go back to the last issue of "The Tails" and our story about
our visit to Villers-Ecalles, France. While there, w e were honored to participate in the memorial
ceremonies commemorating the 67th Squadron crew of Lt. Clyde Price, flying "Miss Dianne," w h o were
shot d o w n on the March 8, 1943 raid on the Rouen, France railway marshalling yard and crashed at
the site of the memorial marker where w e were assembled.
This first piece is co-authored by Jean Pierre Marie and Joel Huard, both members of the Noncommissioned Officers of the French Army Air Force Reserve (l'ANSORAA). O n e of their organizational
charters is to carry on research and documentation of the air wars over France in both World Wars. Our
connection and correspondence with them began with an inquiry they m a d e to us seeking information
on the 44th B o m b Group losses on the March 8, 1943 raid.
Though much of their article has its basis from the Missing Aircrew Reports in the Will Lundy Roll of
Honor records, it also offers us a view of the raid from the view of the German fighters defending that
vital rail center. (Stele translated m e a n s m o n u m e n t or memorial marker). This article appeared in
their l'ANSORAA JOURNAL.
O O O
"Stele to the allied aviators of Villiers-Ecalles
note about the destruction of two bombers B24 "LIBERATOR"
Mars 8,1943
On March 8, 1943, at 12h 03, 9 bombers B24
"Liberator" of the 44th Bomber Group, (67th
squadron) of the 8th Air Force, took off from their
base of SHIPDHAM, very near NORWICH. They were
to meet 7 other B24's coming from the 93rd Bomber
Group (329th Squadron), at BEACHY-HEAD, on the
southern coast of England near EASTBOURNE.
The objective assigned to them was the switchyard
of SOTTEV1LLE LES ROUEN. This mission, important
because of the switchyard's strategic position,
consisted of a manoeuvre of diversion which was
supposed to allow 54 other American bombers, B17
Fly Fortress, to simultaneously attack another
switchyard, that of RENNES.
The Captain James O'BRIEN of the 68th Squadron
with major POSEY, 66th Squadron, aboard, w h o was
commanding the whole of the American formation,
were constrained to interrupt their mission.
John HUSSELTON, one of the members of their team,
had passed out because of a lack of oxygen. They
left the formation, notified their base by radio in
order to obtain the help of an ambulance and
landed. John HUSSELTON was taken off the plane.
They took off again immediately with the number of
crew members reduced and caught up with the
formation just above the English Channel.
W h e n captain O'BRIEN was forced to land, captain
Clyde PRICE of the 44th Bomber Group took the
place of the leader of the formation, lieutenant
Robert BLAINE moved up to the second place.
The crew members of lieutenant BLAINE, having had
two wounded during a previous mission, was not
supposed to take part in the mission, but after the
briefing, they succeeded to put together a complete
crew and received authorization to participate.
Sergeant Kenneth L. ERHART, of the weaponry
section, and Roy E. GOSL1NE, of the mechanics
section, volunteered willingly. They occupied, one
and the other, a machine gun position aboard the
B24 number 41 - 23784 to which the crew members
had given the name of "MISS DIANNE." It was one
of the 9 first B24 "Liberator" to arrive in England on
October 10 1942. Will LUNDY was responsible for the
maintenance on the ground of this plane. Today
(May 10 1997) he has become the historian of the
44th B O M B GROUP VETERANS ASSOCIATION.
The 16 bombers crossed the coast of France at 13h
53 at ST VALERY EN CAUX. A few minutes later,
between YERV1LLE and PAV1LLY the pilots were
looking for their fighter planes: some P47
"THUNDERBOLT," expected to replace the 25
"SPITFIRE" of the R.A.F w h o were stopping their
coverage. This was supposed to be the first
�participation of these American fighter planes on an
escort mission since the beginning of the hostilities.
However, delayed by the first attack of the objective
at the north of France, they encountered severe
opposition and were delayed too long by these
combats, they were prevented from coming to ensure
the protection of the "Liberators."
succeeded in jumping from the plane with a
parachute. A prisoner of the German troops, he had
the chance, a few days later, to return to the crash
site. The plane had not exploded, the bombs were
still on board.
Leo FRAZ1ER finished the war at the Stalag LUFT HI.
The crew members of the bombers, for whom the
objective was to last no longer than a few minutes,
were preparing themselves for the attack.
lt was at this moment that 30 FW 190, of the JG 26
"SHLAGETER," of the Luftwaffe, were arriving at 14h.
With the sun behind them, they m a d e a surprise
attack on the American pilots w h o thought they
were seeing their own fighter planes arrive.
Wutz GALLAND, who was leading the patrol of the
F W 190 German fighters, launched his attack on the
bombers: from the front and on the right flanks of the
formation with the help of major Pips PR1LLER.
The "oberlieutenant" Peter CRUMP fired a long round
from his machine guns at one of the airplanes. He
w a s able to see clearly a good number of impacts
around the pilot's position. As he distanced himself
in a long nose dive, he saw with horror that he was
in line with the deballasting of the bombs of a
"liberator." H e escaped by a very tight bend... The
plane that he just hid crashed in the part of a
wooded valley to the north of the Seine...
Their attack was devastating, the leading B24
caught fire, followed by the second bomber. The
other crews were forced to break up the formation.
The leader, captain PRICE and the lieutenant
BLAINE, his second man, were hit by the shot of
numerous German fighter planes. These planes w h o
were commanding the mission, now out of combat,
left the other crews without information needed for
the planned attack.
Without the protection of allied fighters, the crews
had to resolve to set out for the North and rejoin the
fixed rallying point at NEUFCHATEL EN BRAY, then
set themselves out towards the point of passage on
the coast, chosen for the return to B1V1LLE SUR M E R
in between LE TREPORT and DIEPPE.
The plane number 2, piloted by lieutenant Robert W
BLAINE, crashed into French ground at S1ERVELLE.
The sole survivor, lieutenant Leo 0. FRAZ1ER
LT. LEO FRAZJER, 1997
He was the victim of a heart attack in 1995 which
left him in fragile health and he decided not to
participate in the trip of the 44th Bomber-Group
Veterans Association organized to go to Europe from
M a y 27 to June 7 1997...
It is only on February 2,1997 that the point of
impact of this was able to be confirmed thanks to
the help of M. Yves L01SEL, mayor of S1ERV1LLE who,
responding to the request of the author of the
present note, addressed to him a death certificate,
which reads thus: "The 12 Mars 1943, at 18h,
Monsieur Gustave NEMERY, farmer at S1ERV1LLE,
discovered on the plane, hamlet of Plix, the body of
a male individual of which the particulars are the
following: decapitated body, dressed in a khaki
military uniform, possibility wounded by a bullet
just about the ankle. The collar of the jacket had this
inscription: KRE1SS1G - M C ATOR - M A C - DILI FIELD. An identity plate belonged to the deceased
and turned over to the mayor March 20 1943 by a
�member of the occupation army at the moment of
the burial. The plate carried the following
information - OSCAR F KRE1SS1G 110 105 44...
According to every probability, the deceased was the
radio operator on the BLAINE crew fallen at
S1ERV1LLE, 400 meters from the place where the
body was found at the time of an aerial combat
taking place March 8 1943..."
The plane of the leader, "Miss Dianne" that captain
Clyde E. PRICE was flying, was hit by the enemy
fighter planes and by the Flak, seriously hit at the
front and at the fuselage center, the oxygen and
hydraulic circuits destroyed... The plane having
immediately caught fire, the signal to escape was
given ...It is sergeant Kenneth L. ERHART, one of the
two replacement machine gunners w h o gave this
information in the report that he made to the
military authorities after his return to the United
States.
Because of the frontal attack, the personnel at the
piloting position could not evacuate. Kenneth
ERHART helped sergeants Iris WYER and Deane
DEVARS to jump from the machine gun posts of the
right flank. He observed that sergeant FLESHMAN
was already dead, after which, he was also able, he
himself, to get out from the right flank.
Upon touching the ground, he saw lieutenant GROSS
arrive. His abdomen was gashed open. He died in the
arms of Kenneth ERHART under the regard of the
Germans.
"He had asked me to take his watch and to give it to
his mother, but the Germans seized it..." he declared.
Deane DEVARS and Iris WYER, wounded by the Flak
and burned, were captured one or two days later, not
having succeeded in getting themselves away from
the occupants w h o were looking for them.
As for Kenneth ERHART once that he become a
prisoner and that lieutenant GROSS was dead, the
German soldiers turned them over to the troops of
the LUFTWAFFE and he was taken to a hospital. He
never learned of what kind of medicine they used to
treat his burns, but the burns left no scars. He was
taken care of by French doctors and watched over by
German doctors, then he was taken by train to
Stalag-Luft to be interrogated and taken to Stalag
Vll, in M O O S B E R G in Baviere.
Kenneth E R H A R D was a close friend to Will LUNDY,
w h o was responsible for the maintenance on the
ground of the B24 "Miss Dianne" during the war. He
later became the historian of the 44th B O M B GROUP
VETERANS ASSOCIATION. The most part of this
report succeeded in being established with his very
helpful collaboration.
"MISS DIANNE" had exploded above BARENT1N, a
section of the plane in flames fell upon the housing
development of the BAD1N Establishments and
destroyed some houses. The greatest portion of the
plane and the bodies of the 8 victims ended their fall
at V1LLERS ECALLES where a stele was erected in
remembrance of the allied aviators of w h o m the
identity was only able to be established by the
confirmation of the points of impact that each of the
two B24 of the 44th Bomber Group. This
confirmation would only come February 2 1997.
The stele was inaugurated August 22 1948 by Maitre
Andre MARIE, president of the Council (First
Minister) and the mayor of BARENTIN, in the
presence of Monsieur the Consul of the United States
of America. A formal speech was given by Monsieur
RICHARD, author and the one w h o brought the
monument to fruition, adjunct of the mayor of
V1LLERS ECALLES, then a moving exaltation of the
spirit of sacrifice by M. Andre MARIE preceded the
deposit of a wreath of flowers while a plane of the
Aeroclub of Normandy dropped flowers over the
crowd.
Monsieur LEBLOND, the mayor then received the
honored guests at the town hall. Among the
spectators, a young boy of 11 years who dreamed of
becoming an aviator... he became one... and since
M a y 8 1983, a group of non-commissioned officers
of the reserve, members of their national association
(l'ANSORAA) participate each year, at the outskirts
of the municipality, of the former combatants and of
the inhabitants of V1LLERS ECALLES at the
commemoration of the remembrance of the allied
aviators whose names appear ever since on the
monument.
9
�This next piece is a letter sent in by Jim O'Brien in which he relates the mixed emotions of having to
relinquish the lead of the group to save the life of a crew m e m b e r , then, upon rejoining the group,
witness the simultaneous loss of both the Price crew, w h o had assumed the lead, then the Blaine crew
w h o had taken # 2 position.
2921 South Estrella Circle
Mesa, AZ 85202-7842
December 29,1997
Dear Roy,
I wrote a letter to Will Lundy and mentioned how much 1 enjoyed the story of "The Trip" in the
Winter Issue of the "8 Ball Tails." The visit to Rouen, the site of the memorial to the two 67th
aircrews and the account of Lois Cianci receiving her dad's dog tag from Guy Cressant were real
drama.
1 thought 1 would add this postscript to the story of the two 67th Squadron crews that were
shot down on the Rouen mission of 8 March 1943.1 knew Lt. Clyde Price and Lt. Robert Blaine
and some of their crew members very well. Clyde Price was a devoted family m a n w h o always
talked about the day when he could complete his missions and return to his wife. W e had many
conversations together at the Officers club. W e were not connoisseurs of the bar, but w e found
satisfaction in the side chairs listening to the music and news of the BBC broadcasts,
Major Jim Posey, Group Exec, and 1 were the designated Group Leaders for the Rouen mission
flying in m y aircraft "The Rugged Buggy" of the 68th Sq. W e had taken off and assembled the
Group over Shipdham when S/Sgt John Husselton, one of our waist gunners, was reported to
have fainted at his gun position. Jim Posey and 1 concluded that w e would have to give up the
lead position and return Husselton to the base. Price and Blaine then took over as deputy leads
and w e quickly returned Husselton to a waiting ambulance at Shipdham and then took off again
with nine crewmen to catch the 44th just as they were crossing the Channel.
One of the memorable quotes of the day was, "Are Those Spitfires?" from bombardier, Norius
Crisan when w e saw a bunch of fighters about 4000 ft. above us and to the left. The Polish
Spitfire Squadron was to be our escort. They were not Spitfires and soon, from the typical headon position, about 35-40 German ME109s and FWI90s came in at us. The Price and Blaine
aircraft quickly went down under the withering fire. Very few in that formation thought they were
going to survive that German attack, but fortunately the Polish Spitfires showed up in time to
chase them away. The Germans had achieved their purpose because in all of the confusion very
few of our bombs hit the railroad yards.
1 had m a n y experiences in m y 21 missions with the so called "fickle finger of fate," but 1
always felt that I owed John Husselton something for taking us out of that lead position on the
8th of March 1943, although there was no joy in the loss of the two 67th crews. As well stated
by John Muirhead in his book, Those W h o Fall, "it was kind of a Russian roulette that w e played
and w e pulled the trigger as many times as w e could." Another irony was that when John
Husselton returned from his prescribed "R&R", his first mission was the Kiel raid of 5/14/43 when
w e were shot down in the "Rugged Buggy." He was one of our eight crew members w h o survived
as P O W s for two years. 1 have never been able to reach him after the war.
Sincerely,
Jim O'Brien
�The last piece of these views comes to us by letter from Gloria Erhard, widow of S/Sgt. Kenneth I.
Erhard, Waist Gunner on the Capt. Price crew. S/Sgt. Erhard was one of three gunners in the rear of the
airplane who were able to bail out and survived the crash to become POW'S. The story, taken from his
diary and recollections passed on to his wife prior to his death, give us a view of the tragic end of a
tough mission. May 1 add that this mission took place at the height of those early days when the 67th
was suffering terrible aircrew losses and the ground support personnel were asked to volunteer for
aircrew duty. S/Sgt. Erhard from the Armament Section and S/Sgt. Roy E. Gosline from the Engineering
Section were two of those valorous men who took that step forward. S/Sgt. Gosline did not survive the
crash.
SLIGHTLY CONDENSED LETTER FROM GLORIA ERHARD
AFTER VIEWING SOME OF THE PHOTOS TAKEN AT
THE CEREMONIES AT V1LLERS ECALLES, FRANCE,
JUNE 1997, THE MONUMENT. THE FLOWERS, THE
CEREMONIES MUST HAVE BEEN AWESOMELY
BEAUTIFUL TO HAVE BEEN SEEN FOR THE FIRST
TIME, AND SO DEDICATED TO YOUNG. HANDSOME
AMERICAN FLYERS W H O GAVE THEIR LIVES AND
FREEDOM BECAUSE OF THE WHIMS OF A STRANGE
LITTLE MAN W H O M WE KNEW AS HITLER. IT MAKES
ONE ANGRY, SAD, PROUD OF OUR YOUNG MEN
W H O WILLINGLY LAY DOWN THEIR LIVES, THEIR
FREEDOM TO SAVE OUR COUNTRY AND THE WORLD
FROM ONE OF THE "ISMS" WITHIN AN "ISM" OF
OUR O W N WHICH IS CALLED PATRIOTISM.
1 WAS TRYING TO LOOK BEYOND THE PHOTOS TO
WHERE KEN AND THE LIEUT. FROM DENVER
(MORTON P. GROSS) MAY HAVE LANDED. KEN
NEVER SPOKE OF THE FIERY CRASH. PERHAPS HE
DID NOT SEE IT. THEY LANDED NOT TOO FAR FROM
A ROAD WHERE GERMAN SOLDIERS WAITED IN A
PARKED TRUCK. IT TOOK SEVERAL MINUTES TO
COME DOWN IN THEIR PARACHUTES AS THE ENEMY
PLANES "TOYED" WITH THE TWO "CHUTISTS,"
CAUSING THEM TO GO UP AS WELL AS DOWN,
SHOOTING AT THEM ALL THE WHILE. WHEN THEY
LANDED, THE LIEUTENANT CALLED, "KENNY BOY!
KENNY BOY!"
KEN WAS TRYING TO DISENGAGE HIS HARNESS
AND FIGHT OFF THE SOLDIERS W H O WERE
GATHERING AROUND HIM AT THAT TIME. "HANG
ON! I'M TRYING TO GET OVER THERE," KEN YELLED
OUT. HE PUSHED AND SHOVED HIS WAY TO LT.
GROSS BUT FOUND HIM FATALLY WOUNDED,
ALMOST SHOT IN HALF. SO HE GATHERED THE LT. IN
HIS ARMS WHILE BEING TOLD, "TAKE MY WATCH
AND GIVE IT TO MY MOTHER. TELL HER 1 LOVE
HER." HOWEVER, THE WATCH WAS SNATCHED AWAY
BEFORE THE EXCHANGE COULD BE MADE, TAKEN
AWAY BY AN ENEMY SOLDIER. KEN DID NOT KNOW
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BODY OF THE LT. BUT HE
WAS MARCHED TO A BARN WHICH WAS NEARBY.
WHILE RESTING THERE IN SOME HAY, KEN
EXAMINED HIMSELF TO DISCOVER WOUNDS TO HIS
LEGS, FLAK WOUNDS IN HIS NECK. HIS FACE AND
HIS HANDS WERE BURNED WHEN HIS OXYGEN
MASK HAD CAUGHT FIRE. TOO, HIS TORSO
RECEIVED SOME BURNS AND A FEW FLAK
WOUNDS, AND HE WAS HAVING A HARD TIME
BREATHING.
LATER HE WAS LOADED ONTO A TRUCK AND TAKEN
TO A SMALL HOSPITAL WITH FRENCH DOCTORS BUT SUPERVISED BY A GERMAN DOCTOR. THE
FRENCH DOCTOR WHISPERED, "WATCH YOUR
BOOTS —" BUT WAS INTERRUPTED WHEN THE
GERMAN YELLED, "NO TALKING". A SALVE WAS
APPLIED TO HIS BURNS, WHICH AMAZINGLY
HALTED THE PAIN ALMOST IMMEDIATELY THE
WORST FLAK WOUNDS WERE TREATED, BUT THE
REST OF THEM WERE LEFT UNTREATED.
HE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A TRAIN DEPOT AMPLY
COVERED BY SEVERAL GUARDS. THEN ON TO AN
INTERROGATION CENTER WHERE HE WAS HELD
FOR 10 DAYS IN ISOLATION. THERE KEN WAS
QUESTIONED EACH DAY BY THE HAUPTMANN AND
HIS SERGEANTS. HE WAS SHOCKED THAT THE
GERMAN SPY SYSTEM WAS SO GOOD THAT THEY
HAD KEN'S COMPLETE 201 FILE!! CAN YOU
BELIEVE IT! THEY EVEN HAD HIS MOTHER'S
MAIDEN NAME, FATHER'S NAME, KEN'S PREVIOUS
OCCUPATION, CHURCH, ETC.
SIGN THIS PAPER OR YOU'LL NEVER SEE YOUR
FAMILY AGAIN! AND "JOIN US - WE'LL DO BIG
THINGS FOR YOU. DO NOT GIVE YOUR NAME, RANK,
SERIAL NUMBER! W E ALREADY HAVE IT ALL! SIGN
IT OR YOU W O N T GET YOUR MAIL" ETC.
ONE SERGEANT PUT HIS FACE NEXT TO KEN'S AND
THREATENED HIM. KEN SPAT IN HIS FACE, SO OF
COURSE, THE GERMAN HIT HIM IN THE JAW WITH
�HIS RIFLE BUTT AND KEN FOUND HIMSELF ON THE
FLOOR. ONE DAY KEN DECIDED HE HAD HAD
ENOUGH INTERROGATION AND REFUSED TO GET
OFF HIS COT. HE PUT HIS ARM OVER HIS EYES,
HEARD THE GUARD LEAVE, HEARD OTHER
FOOTSTEPS AND NEXT CAME BRUTAL PAIN, NEARLY
THE WORST HE'D EVER FELT. THE HAUPTMANN WAS
BEATING HIS BARE FEET WITH A RIDING CROP! HIS
BOOTS, BY THE WAY, WERE HIDDEN UNDER HIS
COT.
ONE TIME, AFTER JUST CROSSING A BRIDGE AT
L1NZ, GERMANY, THEY WATCHED ALLIED PLANES
STRAFE AND BOMB THAT BRIDGE! ALL IN ALL,
THEY MARCHED 281 MILES TO BRANAU WOODS,
AUSTRIA (HITLER'S BIRTHPLACE) TO REST AND
AWAIT THEIR FATE. A FEW DAYS LATER, THEY WERE
ALLOWED TO SCROUNGE FOR FOOD, THEN AT
NIGHT LIE AWAKE LISTENING TO CREAKING NOISES
WHICH THEY HOPED WOULD BE TANKS MOVING IN
THE VALLEY BELOW.
BUT AFTER THE 10th DAY, KEN WAS SENT TO
STALAG Vll-A, MOOSEBURG, GERMANY WHERE HE
MET OTHER AMERICAN AIRMEN, SOME OF W H O M
REMAINED FRIENDS UNTIL HIS DEATH.
IT WAS ON 2 MAY, 1945 WHEN AN ARMY JEEP
DROVE UP TO THEIR ENCAMPMENT WITH A
CAPTAIN AND A CORPORAL ON BOARD, LOADED TO
THE HILT WITH WEAPONS. THE CAPTAIN STOOD UP
AND SHOUTED, "YOU ARE NOW FREE! CONSIDER
YOURSELF ON ACTIVE DUTY" OR WORDS CLOSE TO
THAT MEANING.
IN SEPTEMBER, 1943, THEY WERE SHIPPED TO
STALAG XV11-B, KREMS, AUSTRIA. HE WAS ONE OF
THE FIRST AMERICAN CONTINGENT THERE, WHERE
THEIR NUMBERS GREW FROM LESS THAN A
THOUSAND TO OVER 4300 IN 1945.
AS THE WAR PROGRESSED, SUPPLIES BECAME
MORE RARE. RED CROSS PARCELS WERE FEW
BECAUSE THE GUARDS STARTED HELPING
THEMSELVES. WHEN THE REGULAR GUARDS WERE
REPLACED BY HOME GUARDS, CONDITIONS
BECAME WORSE. MANY POWs BECAME ILL, BUT THE
HOSPITAL HAD LITTLE MEDICINES FOR TREATMENT.
IT HAD AN X-RAY MACHINE BUT LITTLE ELSE. THERE
WAS AN AMERICAN DOCTOR, MAJOR BEAUMONT,
BUT KEN KNEW VERY LITTLE ABOUT HIM, AND TO
MY KNOWLEDGE, NEVER HEARD ANYTHING ABOUT
HIM AFTER THE WAR.
KEN STAYED IN THE SERVICE FOR AWHILE, E
A PRESIDENTIAL CITATION AWARD (UNIT) FOR
PARTICIPATION IN A B-29 FLY-OVER AT MANILA,
CELEBRATING ITS INDEPENDENCE IN 1947. ALSO
PARTICIPATED IN THE BERLIN AIRLIFT WHEN
RUSSIA CLOSED THAT CITY DOWN IN 1948(7). ALSO
WAS IN A NON-STOP SITUATION THAT BROKE ALL
RECORDS. THROUGHOUT ALL OF THIS, HE KEPT
ASKING HIMSELF THE AGE-OLD QUESTION, "WHY
ME? WHY WAS 1 SPARED WHEN MISS DIANNE'S
CREW PERISHED?"
1 AM POSITIVE GOD HAS SET KEN'S MIND AT
WITH A SUITABLE ANSWER. KEN IS AT REST NOW,
BUT HE LIVES IN MY HEART.
KEN WAS NEVER FURNISHED WITH A UNIFORM OR
SIMILAR CLOTHES, SO HE WAS FORCED TO WEAR
THAT POOR OLD FLIGHT SUIT AND WHATEVER ELSE
HE COULD SCROUNGE. TO KEEP REASONABLY
CLEAN HE'D USE HIS THIN BLANKET, WASH HIS
CLOTHES WHEN WATER WAS AVAILABLE, SHOWER
WHEN HE COULD. FOOD CONSISTED OF SAWDUST
BREAD, GRUEL, ACORN COFFEE AND WHATEVER
ELSE THE RED CROSS PARCELS OFFERED.
IN APRIL, 1945, THE RUSSIANS WERE ADVANCING,
SO THE GERMANS STARTED MARCHING THE POWs
TOWARD THE ALLIED FRONT. THERE WERE ABOUT
4100 POWS WENDING THEIR WAY THROUGH THE
ALPS IN ALL SORTS OF WEATHER. GENERALLY, KEN
WAS IN FRONT, AS THERE WAS SO LITTLE TO EAT
THAT HE WANTED A CHANCE TO FIND ANYTHING.
THEY ATE TREE BARK, ANY LEFTOVER BERRIES,
FIELD MICE, SMALL CHUNKS OF STALE BREAD.
w
�seat of Immediate Past President, it is m y
intent to m a k e the job description one of
"Recruiter at Large" working to bring the
44th elements back together under the
umbrella of a federation wherein each
element maintains it's identity and w e share
a c o m m o n journal and meet annually at a
joint reunion and pay dues to the parent
organization. I a m convinced that if w e wish
to avoid watching each of the 44th elements
wither and die, w e must reach out and join
hands, younger with older, to maintain the
strength to sustain this proud organization
into the next millennium.
Our Bronze B-24 contributions were very
good. Our m e m b e r s contributed
approximately $2,250. (A few sent their
contribution direct to 2nd A D so w e don't
have an exact total) and w e matched that
from our treasury, so w e m a d e a respectable
contribution to the U S A F A Court of Honor
presence of our great old warbird.
With the cancellation of our England/
France trip, I see some room on the schedule
for attendance to the 50th 2nd A D bash at
O a k Hills Resort outside of Chicago M a y 2225. M y golf tournament winner's trophy from
the 48th reunion is getting dusty; maybe I
had better get back there and see if I can get
a n e w one!
Lolly sends her best wishes. She loves
Savannah and is looking forward to seeing
ya'll (that's a Southern You All) there in
October. I can hardly wait to get back to
Johnny Harris'ribhouse!
See you in Savannah
Your Prez.
I can't believe it's 8-Ball Tails time again.
The months are falling off the calendar and
w e will be heading for Savannah before w e
k n o w it! There are all the preliminary
registration forms in the centerfold of this
issue, so be sure to get them filled out and
on the way.
To bring you briefly up to date on the
reunion, Mike Yuspeh, our Reunion
Chairman, is up and running and busy
making final arrangements for all the
dinners, tours, transportation, etc. A n d it all
looks great. You all will recall the centerpiece
of this reunion will the unveiling and
dedication of our 44th B o m b Group display
in the Mighty Eighth Air Force M u s e u m . The
display replicates the four ship lead element,
Suzy Q, Horsefly, Buzzin' Bear and the
borrowed 376th aircraft, at the instant before
b o m b s away over the target at Ploesti. W e
will be commemorating all of the veterans of
the Ploesti attack, additionally, w e will be
honoring those still living. In January, I sent
a personal letter to each k n o w n living Ploesti
veteran inviting them to the reunion and
unveiling and telling each that w e will be
specifically honoring the living Ploesti
veterans. Since this will, most probably, be
the last gathering of this heroic group under
one roof, w e expect it will be an event of
national news media interest and w e don't
want you to miss this historic event. The
response from the Ploesti raiders has been
terrific and w e will have some of the raider
widows joining us as well. If you have not yet
visited the Mighty 8th A F M u s e u m , this
reunion is really a must. I placed a notice of
our reunion in the Air Force Times inviting
44th veterans from the B o m b Wing, the
Strategic Missile Wing and the Air Refueling
Squadron to attend, let's hope w e get some
response.
Looking to the future; w h e n m y term
expires and I m o v e to the n o w vacant Board
10
�Miscellanea
1998 England-France Trip has been cancelled.
Regrettably, every once in awhile, we all make a bad call. It appeared from the survey we conducted at the General
Meeting that w e had more than enough to fill a bus. A strange thing happened on the w a y to the Forum. W h e n it came time to
sign up, w e barely came up with a dozen adventuresome travellers. Perhaps concern over the World Cup Soccer matches in Paris
while w e would have been there, or our own big Reunion this year in Savannah and the 50th Anniversary of 2nd Air Division
Reunion M a y 23-26 in Oak
Brook Hills, Illinois affected
the sign-ups. Whatever, w e
i VILLERSECAILES
are sorry to tell those who
Vf
did make reservations of our
<o9;r
cancellation. You should
have been notified by
^*<£% j
Waterhouse Tours by now. It
is too bad! W e had some
INFOS
MUNICIPAL
wonderful arrangements
made with both our English
and French friends.
As an example of the
excitement displayed by the
French at the prospects of
our return, I have copied the
cover of the January edition
of the Villers Ecalles
Municipal bulletin with
photos of our '97 visit and an
inside story about the plans
for a '93 visit. Well, perhaps
in '99 w e will have occasion
to travel to England to
dedicate the new Arrow Air
Centre, then go on to France
for the occasion of meeting
our friends by those who
missed the last trip.
n
�Our Hard Working U.K. Representative
In early January, Steve Adams, our always onthe-job representative in Norwich, got a call from
Paul Wiatr, a U.S. Navy Reserve member living in the
Chicago area. Paul is the son of, now deceased,
Sgt. Rudolph Wiatr, Tail gunner on the Lt. Leonard
Louik crew which joined the 67th Sguadron in
December, 1944. Paul was soon to arrive in England
on a two week temporary duty tour. He made
contact with the Memorial Library and obtained
Steve's e-mail address. They made contact and
made all the arrangements on the Internet, He
wanted to tour his father's old base, so Steve made
the appropriate contacts and on Saturday, January
17, accompanied by Phyllis DuBois (no doubt she
provided the car), they met Paul at Thorpe Station
and took him to Station 115, Steve reports it was a
bitter cold windy day. They first went to Combat
Wing Hq, where Andrew Doubleday hosted them
with hot coffee and a nice visit before a log fire, then
a tour of all the various rooms. Resuming the tour,
they went to the 67th living site, then to the flight line
where they walked to the end of the main runway
where Paul stood in silence for several minutes. He
then stated that he felt close to his father while he
stood at the very spot his father had started the take
off roll on his combat missions. On with the tour it
was down to the Tower and then to Arrow Air where
Nigel Wright hosted lunch and gave Paul some 8-Ball
Stickers. They lingered, visiting too long and were late
for Paul's train so they had an additional hour of visit.
I wanted to relay this account of a "routine" visit
by even a non-member such as Paul who has an
interest in the 44th and is made to feel so welcome
by "our Man in England." He does this year round,
sometimes taking vacation days from work to see
that 44th visitors visit and leave feeling they have
been treated very special. Steve's address is in the
Board Directory. Take the time to drop him and his
lovely, supporting wife, Janice a note telling him how
much we appreciate all he does for our proud 44th.
Incidentally, Paul asked Steve if it was permissible
for him to join the Association, to which Steve
replied: " You are a lot more entitled to belong to the
44th B o m b Group Veterans Association than I am.
With this, he handed him a membership application.
Editor.
A LATE BREAKING STORY ABOUT OUR MAN IN ENGLAND
THIS BRINGS M E T O W H A T C A N W E D O FOR
I got an E-mail from Steve telling m e he had been
STEVE? ITHINKITISIMPORTANTTHATWE
contacted by C B S in London. He had been referred
HAVE HIM ATTEND O U R SAVANNAH
to them by the Memorial Library (does that sound
familiar) when they called saying they wanted to do a REUNION T O SEE A N D TAKE PART IN THE
UNVEILING OF O U R PLOESTI DISPLAY.
documentary piece on the wartime 2nd A D bases in
East Anglia. They were told Steve had the best photo REMEMBER, HE IS THE 66TH SQDN.
HISTORIAN AS WELL AS BEING O U R UK
archives and was the most knowledgeable man in
REPRESENTATIVE. ADDITIONALLY, I W A N T HIM
the whole area on the B-24s and their bases in
England. They arrived with an entire camera crew and A N D JANICE T O MEET A N D FEEL A PART OF
not one, but two very attractive reporters and spent 5 THE 44TH FAMILY AS A G R O U P A N D N O T
JUST SINGLY O R IN SMALL TRAVEL G R O U P S
hours with Steve touring Shipdham Airfield (what
AS W E VISIT ENGLAND. I A M GOING TO ASK
else!). They had a visit and coffee with Mr.
Doubleday (this is getting to be a regular tour stop), O U R TREASURER T O SET UP AN A D A M S
Arrow Air and all the various sites. This all ended up REUNION A C C O U N T WHICH I WILL OPEN
with them doing an interview with Steve, which will be WITH A $20 CHECK. I W O U L D LIKE THOSE
a part of the documentary. He promises to send us a O F Y O U W H O W A N T T O SAY THANKS, STEVE,
TOSENDALONGA$10OR$20BILLOR
copy of the tape and also not to forget his 8-Ball
C H E C K M A R K E D "THANKS STEVE" TO: 44TH
friends who knew him before he became a star of
television. Isn't this great, our guy is putting the 44th BGVA, P.O. BOX2367, SALTLAKECITY, UT
84110-2367. THEN W E C A N THANK HIM A N D
right in the public eye.
JAN PERSONALLY FOR ALL HE D O E S A N D
ALL THE SUPPORT SHE GIVES HIM. Y O U R
12 PREZ THANKS YOU.
�44th BOMB GROUP
Swiss Internees—We Need Some Help!
This E-Mail from Steve Adams tells the story:
Subject:
Date:
Tuc, 24 Mar 98 19:57:37 G M T
From:
Stephen A d a m s <S.RAdams@btinternet.com>
To: Roy O w e n <rowen@sonic.net>
Hi Boss,
I have been helping an English boy with his research. H e is interested in the aircraft from the 8th
that were interned in Switzerland. I scanned his letter to m e ana tried to send it to you but it was to
big, so I have condensed it a little so I can e-mail it to you. H e is asking if you could put a regues
in the Tails asking if any of the crew m e m b e r s would contact him and answer s o m e guestions
about their time being interned.
"I have enclosed the info on the 9 aircraft of the 44th B G w h o went d o w n in Switzerland during 4345. I have listed them by pilots n a m e , aircraft serial, date and aircraft type.
1. 2nd Lt. Eugene N. Dyer
18-3-44
B-24J
42-109800
2. 1st Lt. George D. Telford
18-3-44
B-24H
42-7618
3. 1st Lt. Robert R. Lucas
18-3-44
B-24J
42-100400
4. 2nd Lt. Winston C. Irwin
18-3-44
B-24H
41-29431
5. 1st Lt. Hollis R. Nichols
18-3-44
42-100112
B-24J
B-24J
6. 1st Lt. R a y m o n d J. L a c o m b e 18-3-44
42-100643
Sack Artists
7. 1st Lt. Rockford C. Griffith
13-4-44
B-24J
42-100330
21-7-44
42-110049
B-24J
8. 1st Lt. John R. Anderson
Mary Harriet
21-7-44
42-95226
B-24H
9. FIO Donald F. Tofte
Channel Hopper
I would like to get in contact with as m a n y of the m e n on these nine crews, so I could ask
guestions about their flight and their time in Switzerland. I have s o m e photos and info. I would b e
willing to swap or pay for anything sent to m e .
Robert Martyr
120 Brendon, Laindon,
Basildon, Essex
SS15 5XN
England
Roy: He is a good kid. I have given him photographs and helped him were I can, but I would n
give out any addresses. If you put it in the tails and they write to him that would b e great. The Swiss
Internees Association have been helping him a lot. M y thanks to anyone w h o can help.
Steve
Editor: This request is to ALL of the crew members
on those crews listed. Please take
the time to make contact with Robert Martyr and contribute copies, I repeat COPIES of
anything you might have with the caveat that you will be given credit for the material
(diaries, photos, etc.) that you provide and will receive a copy of his research
document when completed. This could be a very valuable addition to our own archives.
13
�44TH BOMB GROUP VETERANS ASSOCIATION BOARD
President : Roy W. Owen T506J
6304 Meadowridge Drive
Santa Rosa. CA 95409-5839
Phone: f707J 538-4726 Fax: T707J 538-1212
e-mail: rowen@sonic.net
Director : Michael "Mike" yuspeh T506J
7214 Sardonyx St.
New Orleans. LA 70124-3509
Phone: T504J 283-3424 Fax: T504J 283-3425
e-mail: mikeyuspeh@worldnet.att.net
Vice President : James H. Clements T506J
4124 Calculus Avenue
Dallas. TX 75244
Phone/Fax: T972J 243-4657
Director : Nancy L Van E P P S fHq. SqdnJ
13922 River Road
Pensacola. FL 32507
Phone/Fax: T904J 492-2041
Secretary : Edward M. Dobson T67J
118 South 15th Avenue #1
Bozeman. M T 59715-4130
Phone/Fax: T406J 587-2490
Membersh iP Co-Chair : Search Art Hand f66J
517 Elm Street
Paris. (L 61994
Phone/Fax: T217J 463-5905
e-mail: butch@tigerpaw.com
Treasurer : Gerald fJerryJ FoIsom f506J
3582 East Dover Hill Road
Salt Lake City. U T 84121-5527
Phone T801J 733-7371 Fax: T801J 942-9988
e-mail: 44thbgva@mail.xmission.com
Membership Co-Chair : Roster
Tom Shepherd T66/67J
10597 Cambrooke Cove
Collierville. T N 38017
Phone: T901J 854-6558 Fax: T901J 853-4229
e-mail: sheep@wspice.com
Historian : C.W. "Will" Lundy T67J
3295 North " H " Street
San Bernardino. CA 92405-2809
Phone/Fax: T909J 882-2441
e-mail: willundy@aol.com
P.O. Box 315. Bridgeport. CA 93517 fSumJ
Phone/Fax: T619J 932-7349
Director f67J Archivist
Anthony "Tony" Mastradone
9111 Tuckerman Street
Lanham. M D 20706-2709
Phone/Fax: f301 J 577-1487
44th Group Vice President to 2nd A D A
Richard D. Butler T506/67J
16494 Wagon Wheel Drive
Riverside. CA 92506
Phone T909J 780-7421 Fax: T909J 780-1459
U.K. Representative : Steve Adams
28 Bassingham Rd.
Norwich. England N R 3 2QT
Phone/Fax: 011-44-1603-400221
e-mail: s.P.adams@btinternet.com
Director : Edw. K. "Mike" Mikoloski f66J
626 Smithfield Road #702
N. Providence, R1 02904
Phone/Fax: f401 J 353-0144
ASSOCIATION MAILING ADDRESS:
44th BGUA
P.O. Box 2367
Salt Lake City. U T 84110-2367
Director : Robert J. Lehnhausen f68J
709 West Meadows Place
Peoria. IL 61604-3447
Phone/Fax: T309J 685-2490
14
�WILLSEZ
Back in March, 1995, Lt. Gen. EG. "Buck"
Shuler, Ir. Chairman and C E O of The Mighty
Eighth Air Force Heritage Center wrote to
all organizations connected with the 8th Air
Force of W W #2. His message was that this
new organization had a goal to create and
maintain an electronic data base of
individuals w h o served in the Eighth Air
Force.
Shortly after that, your Prez Roy Owen and
met briefly with Buck at the annual reunion
of the 2nd A D A in Kentucky to discuss his
goals and means to accomplish this
Herculean task. Later, w e also talked with
Mary Beth Barnard, Director of History and
Archives at The Heritage Center w h o was
involved with development of software with
which to record that vast amount of data.
Naturally, both Roy and I were pleased to
cooperate with them, being aware of the
large amount of data which w e in the 44th
B G already had accumulated and the
pressing need to organize it for better usage.
With this goal in mind, we invited Tony
Mastradone into the picture, as he had been
instrumental in working with m e for several
years visiting the archives in Suitland to
obtain m a n y documents which I needed for
our history. Happily, Tony agreed, so w e
decided to begin a project to copy the
interrogation forms stored in our mission
folders.
An Interrogation Report form had been
prepared for each crew participating on
each mission for every mission during our
Operational period in England and Africa,
so this was the obvious way to obtain the
data required for the goal of The Heritage
Center - Data Base for Individuals. These
forms would provide most of the data
required for our combat crewman, but
would entail considerable expenditures to
copy and handle m a n y thousands of forms.
Happily, Tony and I had worked to obtain
m a n y of these forms in order to establish
and confirm m a n y facts regarding our
Operational activities - Roll of Honor,
missions flown, aircraft data and general
history of the Group. W e decided to start
with the end of the war in England, last
mission flown of 25 April, 1945 and work
back to the first in 1942. This was done
because w e had relatively few I.R. previously
copied and w e could pick up more data for
other purposes.
ITony has done an excellent job working
with the staff, fighting his way through the
massive tangle of government w h e n they
moved all of the archival documents in the
Washington, D.C. to the new, huge complex
building closer to his home. He recently
advised m e that his records show that
overall, he has copied over 9.000 forms! His
work has taken him into the records of
early 1944. so he still has quite large
numbers yet to complete. In order to hold
d o w n the expense, he plans his work as
efficiently as possible, telephones ahead,
asks his Archivist friends to "pull" the
mission folders he will need, so that he can
begin work on them immediately upon his
arrival. This will lessen the number of trips
which will ultimately be required. It costs 10
cents per copy for each form w e need, and
expensive to mail, so money has become a
problem so far as our budgets are concerned.
So he has cut back on this work for the
present.
As one can imagine, it also becomes a
problem for m e to organize, separate and
file these forms after I get them. I've been
forced to purchase plastic filing containers,
and n o w have to store them in m y garage as
there is no longer filing space in m y war
room. They must be kept in a safe place
until w e can begin the task of data entry.
Recently, it was learned that the software
being developed by Mary Beth Barnard at
The Heritage Center failed to handle the job
requirements, so they have adopted a new
�program. Procite, which was developed for
use by libraries, and are utilizing it to
compile listings of names only at this time.
Consequently, with precious time slipping
away, it seems necessary that w e take
positive steps to do more than that with all
of this precious store of records. Tennessee
T o m m y Shepherd has offered to develop
some recording forms utilizing the c o m m o n
software which several of us already are
using to be able to m a k e data entry now.
These "golden" years will not last forever, so
bit in teeth, w e plan to forge ahead.
recording what w e feel is essential and
important. Hopefully, w e can m a k e it work
well enough so that other members of the
2nd A D A Groups will join us so that what is
developed can be shared with these other
groups. In that manner, at least the 2nd
Division records will be compatible a m o n g
us all, for whatever purposes.
The 8 Ball Tails ©
Official Journal of The 44th Bomb Group
Veterans Association, Inc. ©
Compiled, written and published tri-yearly
6304 Meadowridge Dr., Santa Rosa, CA 95409,
Roy W. Owen, Editor. Printed and mailed Bulk
Rate at Salt Lake City, UT under USPS Permit
#6923. All original written material such as
letters, stories, excerpts from personal diar
or memoirs, drawings and photos submitted to
this journal will become the property of the
44th Bomb Group Veterans Association and will
be copyright protected except where noted.
The text and photos are otherwise reproduced
from official USAAF and USAF documents and
photos which have been released for
Thanks to all of these efforts, I am now able
publication. Permission is granted for the
to utilize these papers for a multitude of
contents of this journal to be reproduced
specifically for personal archives. Otherwise
purposes including the ability to verify
copyright material herein may be reproduced
missions for our combat m e n and to answer
by the journal of other incorporated non-profi
so m a n y questions regarding missions, w h o
veterans organizations so long as this
flew them, on which planes they flew, etc.
publication is properly credited and prior
They have been a great boon to m y ability to
permission is granted by the editor.
answer questions sent in by next of kin,
Those submitting letters, stories and phot
crew mates, etc. I can serve you all so m u c h
the editor or historian must do so with the
better than in the past in answering your
understanding that this material will most
questions.
likely be published in this journal as a matter
of interest to the members/subscribers of the
Association and this journal. While every
Hopefully our budget and treasury will be
attempt will be made to answer all of the
able to withstand these expenditures. W e
material received, there is no explicit or
will keep you posted with developments.
implied guarantee that an answer will be
Too, if there are others willing to assist us in
provided or published. Except for specific
any way with this project, please don't be
requests for the return of original documents
and photos, all material submitted will become
bashful. Drop a note and tell us what you
the property of the 44th Veterans Association,
think you can do to help. W e will listen very
Inc.,
or its successors.
carefully!
Due to space limitations and to ensure the
clarity and brevity of submitted material, the
Will Lundy
Publisher/Editor reserves the editorial license
to add, cut or otherwise modify all submitted
material so long as the original context of th
material is maintained.
�Savannah Reunion - 44th Bomb Group
Early arrival Saturday, October 24th
• Registration
• Tour Historic Savannah City Tour - Gray Line 11/2 hour (Cost $16)
• # 1 - Leave Hotel 1:00 p.m. - Return 2:30 p.m.
• # 2 - Leave Hotel 3:00 p.m. - Return 4:30 p.m.
Sunday, October 25th
• Registration 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Historic Savannah City Tour with Admission and tour on one of Savannah's Mansions.
Leave Hotel 1:00 p.m. - Return 3:00 p.m. (Cost $20)
• Reception - Days Inn: Cash Bar 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Dinner on your own.
Monday, October 26th
• Registration 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• First shuttle bus leaves Hotel at 9:00 a.m.forMighty 8th Museum.
• Visit Mighty 8th Museum.
• Buffet lunch at 11:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m.
• Program to dedicate Ploesti Exhibit -1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
• Shuttle bus returns to Days Inn at 2:45 p.m.
• Shuttle bus leaves at 5:00 p.m. for Convention Center.
•Banquet at Savannah Convention Center - Buffet and open bar.
-Ceremony
-Bag Pipes and Disk Jockey will provide entertainment.
•Shuttle bus returns to Days Inn 9:30 p.m.
Tuesday, October 27th
Tours
• 9:00 a.m. Board Meeting for 44th Bomb Group Association (Hospitality Room)
• Low Country Tour (plantation site) - Cost $25 - Leaves at 9:00 a.m., returns 12:00 noon.
or Leaves at 1:00 p.m., returns 4:00 p.m.
• Squadron Dinners - Mighty 8th Museum.
Shuttles to begin at 5:30 p.m.
Dinner served at 7:00 p.m.
Shuttles to return at 9:30 p.m.
Wednesday, October 28th
• Annual Meeting 9:00 am. (Whereabouts to be announced)
• Tour on Savannah River Queen. Dock at 1:30 p.m., return at 3:00 p.m. (Cost $17.50)
• Visit to Old Fort Jackson
Shuttles to leave at 6:00 p.m.
Dinner at 6:45 p.m.
Shuttle returns at 9:30 p.m.
Thursday, October 29th
• Leave for home.
17
m
�44th Bomb Group Reunion
October 25 - 29, 1998
Days Inn/ Days Suites • 201 West Bay Street
Savannah, Georgia
(912) 236-4440/Reservations Dept. (9 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.)
Please print or type only. All information must be completed.
Name:
Daytime Phone #:
Address:
City/State/Zipcode:
Spouse or Guest's Name:
Reservation - Accommodation: Send (the 1st Night's Deposit)
Arrival Date:
Departure Date:
Smoking: •
Non-Smoking: •
Room Type: Standard Double: •
Cost + 12% tax - Total *or current tax rate.
1) Standard $62 + 1 2 % tax = $69.44/night
2) Suites $82 + 1 2 % tax = $91.84/night
1 Bdrm Suite: •
lk I st night deposit should be sent to hotel with reservation
prior to 9/25/98!
•^DISCOUNT N O T AVAILABLE T H R O U G H 1-800 NUMBER!
You may send a check or indicate your credit card number and expiration date.
Hotel Policies
-k The hotel accepts credit cards and cash at check-in.
-k Check-in time is 3 p.m. Check-out time is 1 1 a.m.
~k Cancellation is no later than 48 hours prior to arrival.
We offer a cafe on property, open 6:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. , re-opens at 5:30 p.m. u
p.m. the next day.
If you are driving to the hotel, complimentary garage parking is available. Should
taxi service from the airport or Amtrak, the following telephone number may be helpful: Coastal
Shuttle - (912)964-5999.
"^"Please send one copy with payment to the hotel and keep on copy for your recor
(912) 234-0841 Ext. #147 and identify your group for the discounted rate (Monday - Friday 9
a.m. to 4 p.m.)
We look forward to seeing you in OCTOBER, 1998!!!
®
�44th Bomb Group Reunion
October 25 - 29, 1998
Savannah, Georgia
Registration Form
Please print or type only. All information must be completed.
Last Name: First (Name Tag)
Spouse:
Address:
City
Phone (
)
Guests & Relation:
Squadron:
State:
Zipcode:
Total to Attend:
REUNION COST: $ 140 PER PERSON
Tour # l October 24 - Historic Savannah City Tour $16 # Attending: Amount $
Time: o 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
o 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 pm.
Tour #2 - October 25 - Historic Savannah City Tour $20 # Attending: Amount $
w/Mansion admission 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Tour #3 - October 27 - Low Country Tour $25 # Attending: Amount $
Time: o 9:00 a.m. - 12 noon
o 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Tour #4 -October 28-Narrated River Tour $17.50 # Attending: Amount $
Time: l :30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Total Amount: $
Registration must be received by October 11, 1998. No Registration will be processed after tha
Mail To: Mike Yuspeh • 7214 Sardonyx Street • New Orleans, LA 70124-3509
Phone: (504) 283-3424 • Fax: (504) 283-3425 (6 rings to pick up.)
NOTE: If you have sent in previous information, please fill out this form and mail with check
®
�COST OF REUNION - REGISTRATION
Complete Reunion - $140
This price includes:
Registration
Reception Days Inn
Transportation to Mighty 8th Museum
Admission to Museum, Lunch at m u s e u m
Transportation to Banquet, Convention Center, buffet, open bar (45 min.).
Transportation & Squadron Dinner.
Transportation & Old Fort Jackson admission and buffet.
All tours subject to number of people who sign up.
If not enough interest, tour will be cancelled.
20
�THEREUPON
Autumn leaves rustling, together
to the appointed place the old warriors come.
Pilgrims, drifting across the land they fought to preserve.
Where they meet is not so important anymore...They meet
and that's enough for now.
Greetings echo across a lobby.
Hands reach out and arms draw buddies close. Embraces,
that as young m e n they were too uncomfortable to give,
too shy to accept so lovingly.
But deep, within these Indian S u m m e r days they have reached
a greater understanding of life and love.
The shells holding their souls are weaker now,
but hearts and minds grow vigorous remembering.
On a table someone spreads old photographs; a test of recollection.
And friendly laughter echoes at shocks of hair gone gray or white, or merely gone.
The rugged, slender bodies lost forever.
Yet they no longer need to prove their strength.
S o m e are n o w sustained by one of "medicine's miracles",
and even in this fact they manage to find humor.
The w o m e n , all those w h o waited, all those w h o love them,
have watched the changes take place. Now, they observe and listen,
and smile at each other; as glad to be together as the men.
Talk turns to war and planes and foreign lands. Stories are told and told again,
reweaving the threadbare fabric of the past.
Mending one more time the banner of their youth.
They hear the vibrations, feel the shudder of metal as propellers whine and whirl,
and planes come to life.
These birds with fractured wings can see beyond the mist of clouds,
and they are in the air again, chasing the wind,
feeling the exhilaration of flight, close to the heavens;
the wiid and blue yonder of their anthem.
Dead comrades, hearing their names spoken, wanting to share in this time, if only in spirit,
move silently among them. Their presence is felt and smiles appear beneath misty eyes.
Each, in his o w n way, m a y wonder w h o will be absent another year.
The room grows quiet for a time.
Suddenly an ember flames to life. Another memory burns.
The talk m a y turn to other wars and other men, and of futility. So this is how it goes.
The past is so much the present.
In their ceremonies, the allegiances, the speeches, and the prayers, one cannot help but
hear the deep eternal love of country they will forever share.
Finally it is time to leave. Much too soon to set aside this little piece of yesterday, but
the past cannot be held too long for it is fragile.
They say, "Farewell...see you next year, God willing", breathing silent prayers for one another.
Each keeping a little of the others with him forever.
Rachel
Firth
From the
DAEDALUS FLYER, Spnng 1997
21
�FOLDED WINGS
February, 1998
Claudie E.Anglin
11111194
Not data located. Notified by
son, Gary
George Bakantic. Jr. 4/16/88 506th Sq. Pilot assigned on 20 Dec 44. Crash landed on 23 Feb 45
on the continent atA-64, St. Dizier, France. Plane was
salvaged. Last mission flown was 20 April 45. Return to U.S.
Harold A. Barnes 1/97 68th S/Sgt. Barnes was a gunner on Lt. Robert C. Koablein's crew.
Assigned to the 68th Sq. on 29 May 44. Harold completed his
tour on 8 Sept 44.
Norman E. Bartlett 11/26/96 67th Lt. Bartlett was a 1st pilot in the 67th Squadron, assigned with
his crown in June 44, and flew hisfirstmission on 7 July. He
was promoted to 1st Lt. on 1 Aug, and to Capt. on 24 Nov 44.
In his later missions he was flying as a Lead Crew, completing his tour with 32 missions on 12 Dec, and on 19 Dec he
was assigned to the 70th RCDfor return to the U.S.
Herman D. Bowman 3/27/97 Served with the 1132 Quartermaster Corps as a Sgt.
Samuel Bryan. Jr. 12/16/90 66th S/Sgt. Bryan was a tail gunner on the Charles Craven crew.
This crew transferred into the 66th Sq. in Aug 44 from the
492nd BG, flew theirfirstmission 1 Sept 44. They concluded
their tour on 29 Dec 44.
James M. Burton 2/14/97 506th S/Sgt. Burton was a tail gunner on Paul Duretfs crew.
Assigned to the 506th Sq. in July 44 andflewfirst mission on
12 Aug 44. Crew completed their tour in Jan 45 with 35
missions.
John M. Butler 10/30/92 67th Tail Turret gunner on Lt. Harold F. Hess crew. On their 6th
mission to Mont de Marson, France, 27 March 44, their plane
was badly damaged, forcing them to bail out over Spain.
Crew eventually transferred to the 9th AF where they all
completed 50 missions.
James B. Caulfield. Cpl 1/7/98 Arrived Shipdham March 43. Assigned to 506th as communications specialist transferred to 492nd in March 44 returned
to U.S. on 8 July 45.
Carlisle Crutcher 1983 HQ.67,506 50th Station Complement, ASN 0-905334 1st Lt. Crutcher
sailed to England on the Queen Mary in Sept 42. At
Cheddington he was the Group's S-2 Officer. Was promoted to
Captain Dec 42. Capt. Crutcher was Group Public Relations
Officer in April 44, was 67th Sq. Public Relations Officer in
Aug 44 and Oct 44 was transferred to the 50th Station Compl.
Squadron in the same capacity.
22
�Roy C. Cunningham
1994
George B. Davis, ETC
7197
RoyM. Devlin
67th
...He was assigned to the 506th Sq. on 1 Dec 43. Davis served
a co-pilot in the 506th Sq.for both Lts. Dean Miller and John
W. Grow. Jr. Hisfirstmission was 14 Jan 44 and nine more
with Lt. Miller, then 10 more with Lt. Grow. They transferred
to the 66th Squadron in April 44 toflyas a lead crew, finishing
up with 31 total missions on 21 June 44. Stayed in the Air
Force and retired as Lt. Col.
1121197
66168th .
William M. Duffy. Jr.
9/24/97
Robert E. Gjestrum
11126197
Robert G. Godwin
70/97
Gonzales Gomez
Frank T. Goosen
Herbert A. Hastings
Earle V. Hawkins
1972
• •• T/Sgt. Cunningham was the engineer on Lt Fred P.
Hildebrand's crew. They were assigned to the squadron on 24
Jan 45, flew theirfirstmission on 16 Feb 45, completed 23
more before the end of hostilities.
.. Devlin joined the John W. Glow's crew as a navigator in Ap
44 when that crew transferred into the 66th Sq. On Sept 1 he
transferred to the 68th Squadron to join Lt. Torrell's crew. On
5 Oct 44 he was on DS to Ketteringham until 14 Jan 45 when
he was permanently transferred to HQ.
..Lt. Duffy was 1st pilot in the 506th Sq.from Dec 43 to March
44. On 29 Jan 44 he made an outstanding landing returning
from a mission, badly damaged with wounded aboard, and a
ball turret which would not retract, he successfully completed
a tricycle landing without any further damage to the plane or
the turret. His last few missions heflewas Group lead for the
44th BG.
68th
. T/Sgt. Gjestrum served as the engineer for the Richard Dona
crew, which was assigned on 2 June 44. Robert completed his
tour in Sept 44 and transferred to the 12th RCD on 16 Sept 44
to return to the U.S. We last saw Bob at the San Antonio
reunion.
66th
. S/Sgt. Godwin was a gunner on Norm Nutt's crew after being
transferred from Leo Crooks crew. He completed the war with
Norm's crew and flew home on 29 May 45 in the famous
aircraft, Glory Bee. Robert was an active member of the 44th
BGVA, attended the Salt Lake City reunion in October and
suffered a fatal heart attack a day after returning home.
67th
Death was confirmed by Arthur Hand when searching for this
man in Superior, Arizona.
11119174 Unknown Death confirmed by Arthur Hand when searching for this man
in Michigan.
1/30/98
Date
67th T/Sgt. Hastings served as a Radio Operator on the Capt.
Edward Reynold's crew. This crew flew itsfirstmission in Nov
44 and flew missions until the end of the war in 45. They
returned to the States in U-Bar, 42-50539.
Unknown
. Lt. Hawkins joined the 68th Sq. in June 43, served as a copilot for George Martin in Africa including the Ploesti mission
44 and flew missions until the end of the war in 45. They
returned to the States in U-Bar, 42-50539.
23
�Lee E. Howell, Sr.
7/28/94
1132 QM
Lee's rank was Pfc.
Howard Lewis Hinman 12197 67th Lt. Hinman was a 1st pilot in the 67th Squadron in Dec 44. O
16 Jan 45, whileflyingon left wing of Col. Snavely, bot
airplanes were severely damaged byflak,causing both p
to be abandoned just inside Allied territory. Lt. Hin
badly injured and taken offflyingstatus. He was replac
Raymond Maynard.
John R. Jaquis Unknown .... 68th Lt. Jaquis was a navigator on the FIO Donald F. Tofte crew
which joined the 68th Sq. 8 July 44. Theirfirstmission
18 July and on their third mission, 21 July 44, Channe
was severely damaged byflakLeaking fuel, he landed in
Switzerland. Lt. Jaquis was interned, but returned t
on 31 Oct 44.
Albert Ed Jones, Sgt Unknown .... 661340th He served from Sept 42 to June 45. Sgt. Jones was
out on the line, assisting the Tower personnel in hand
operations, meeting and directing visiting aircraft
with emergencies.
John Robert Ki I gore 2/16/98 66th Lt. Kilgore sewed as a navigator for Capt. Louis Mazure
lead crew. On 5 June 44, Capt. Mazure was killed, his
badly damaged, but limped back to southern England w
the crew bailed out. Lt. Kilgore broke both bones in
spent 8 months in hospital for treatment for his sever
The Command Pilot, Col. Vance, 489th BG, was awarded
Medal of Honor for ditching this aircraft, as it had a
on board.
Stephen Kincaid Unknown Still Researching.
Roy E. Kirkland Unknown Still Researching.
James R. Lewis, Lt 7995 506th Lt. Lewis was co-pilot for Lt. FredRawson's crew. They were
assigned to the 506th Sq. on 4 Feb 44,flewtheirfirstmi
on 20 Feb. Their plane was badly damaged, had to be ab
doned over enemy territory. Tail gunner RA Wapensky'
was damaged and partially burned, so Lt. Lewis hoiste
onto his back, jumped while both hanging on tightly,
opening of the chute caused the Sgt. to pull lose, fal
death. Lt. Lewis was a POW until war's end, was recom
mended for a Silver Star.
Dixon C. McEver, Jr. 5/20/97 67th Lt. McEver flew as a co-pilot for the Capt. Joseph Herrma
crew. He was assigned the end of May,firstmission flo
D-Day, 6 June 44. Many of their missions were aboard
less Fosdick. Completed tour of 31 missions on 15 Aug
James H. McEver 5/6/77 506th Lt. James McEver was a brother of Dixon, flew his missions
prior to Dixon's. James was a co-pilot for Lt. Jack M.
crew, which was assigned in April 44. Hisfirstmission
A
May 44, but a collision with a German fighter brought
^-i
down. Luckily, all crewmen survived to become POWs.
24
��~^~7>t7Ters panichure7!^afeTT7ol5Truine POWsr
Lt. Wessinger
was co-pilot
for the FIO
Donald
James
O. Wessinger,
Jr.
Unknown
....
68th Tofte crew
assigned to the 68th Sq. on 8 July 44. While on their third
mission their aircraft was badly damaged byflakand fuel
leaking, landed in Switzerland. Lt. Wessinger was interned.
returned to Shipdham on 27 Oct 44.
NOTE: The three FIO Tofte crew members listed above were confirmed deceased by their crew mate, Albert Brown
Exact dates could not be established.
I WISH I W A S 18 AGAIN
-George BurnsAt a bar down in Dallas
An old m a n chimed in...
and I thought he w a s out of his head...
Just being a young man, I first laughed it off,
when I heard what this old m a n said.
He said "I'll never again turn the young ladies head...
or go running of into the wind...
I'm three-quarters home, from the start to the end...
and I wish I w a s eighteen again.
I wish I was eighteen again, and going where I've never been...
But old oaks and old folks...
standing tall, just pretend,
I wish I was eighteen again.
Now time turns the pages, and life goes so fast...
The years turn the black hairs all gray. I talk to s o m e young folks,
but they don't understand the words
this old man's got to say.
I wish I was eighteen again...and going where I've never been,
but old folks and old oaks, standing tall, just pretend,
I wish I was eighteen again....
Lord, I wish I w a s eighteen again.
26
�January 10,1998
Gerald FoIsom
PO. Box 2365
Salt Lake City, Utah 84102-3620
1 appreciate the tremendous amount of work and effort you and Art Hand and others must have put into producin
the 44th Veterans Association Roster. 1 feel that the least 1 can do is to provide some of the bits and pieces that 1 a m
aware of and let you fill in the big picture.
Dixon and James McEver from Waco, Texas, were both pilots and both served in the 44th. James didn't serve for
very long. On April 8,1944, on the w a y to Brunswick, and on his one and only mission, he met an FW190. The result
was a mid air collision and both planes blew up. Miraculously all crew members survived and became POWs. (Pages
219-220 Lundys ROLL OF H O N O R ) .
1 did not meet James until after the war when we were both students at the University of Houston. James had
saved his money while in the P O W camps (actually, what else could he have done?) On the other hand, being in the
8th Air Force, 1 had very little incentive to save money. However, 1 did have a great time exploring London. After the
war, things changed again. James w a s n o w affluent and sowing his pent up wild oats, and 1 was now broke and also
had a pregnant wife. So, while 1 secretly admired his new life-style, 1 knew 1 could not keep up with him, so w e kind
of drifted apart. The last 1 heard of him w a s that he had accidently drowned one Saturday afternoon at a swank
private party. The date was June 5,1977 in Houston, Texas.
Dixon McEver 1 knew well. In different planes, we sort of skipped along together from Casper, Wyoming in Marc
1944 to Topeka, Kansas, and the 44th in England. W h e n w e arrived at Topeka, our crews were given brand spanking
new B-24s and sent on our way. W e went north by w a y of Lake Erie, N e w England, N e w Foundland and Iceland, and
then on to the 44th in England. W e did get an eight day layover in Iceland because of the horrible weather. W e
utilized the time mainly trying to thaw out. W h e n McEver's crew left Topeka, they headed leisurely for England by
way of the Caribbean and Africa before dropping in on us at Shipdham. W e were proud of the w a y they managed to
handle their rum and coca-cola on their w a y over.
You can believe that all the way over we had heard about what had happened to James. At that time we had no
idea that w e were also headed to the 44th. W h e n w e finally settled down in the 44th, w e heard the details of what
had happened to James. That is w h e n w e realized that the fun and games were over and the war was about to begin
for us - for real.
Dixon is listed in the deceased directory, but James is not. I think we should correct that.
Recently 1 received a new copy of the 44th Bomb Group's Roster and while checking it out to see if my name wa
spelled right, 1 discovered another John Butler listed in San Carlos, California. 1 was getting ready to visit m y
daughter who lives down the road in Cupertino, so 1 called the phone number that was listed. 1 was thinking in terms
of having a cup of coffee and comparing notes. Mrs. Butler answered the phone and told m e he had been deceased
for over four years. W h e n 1 explained w h o 1 was (another John Butler) and w h o 1 had called, she insisted that 1 come
over and look at his collection of mementos. So m y daughter and 1 went over to visit. W e had a very pleasant and
enjoyable visit. Their h o m e is on a large hilltop with a spectacular view of San Francisco Bay. N o w the part that 1 a m
sure will interest Art Hand, John Butler was on the Ploesti Raid. I saw his records of his trips from Shipdham to Africa
and his records of Ploesti. Apparently he w a s one of the few that m a d e it all the w a y back to Africa. Also, at some
point he was transferred to the 15th Air Force in Italy.
Best regards,
John E. Butler
5931 Reamer
Houston, Texas 77074
27
�BeatingtheBushes
^
By Art Hand & Will Lundy
ISAAC ABEYTA: 1107 Harvest Rd, Cherry Hill. NJ 08034. Isaac was in the 66th Squadron, was on
Flaherty's crew, served as a tail gunner, flew the Ploesti mission and many others.
THEODORE H. DOWALO: 127 West Richardson Ave., Langhorne, PA 19047-2827. 67th Sq. Gunner on L
Craig's crew.
MICHELE ANDERSON: 6363 South Fairwind Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah 84084 (801) 963-1387. She
Folsom's daughter.
BERNARD A. GREENFIELD: 322 State Street, Apt. 1, Carthage, NY 13619-1441 (315) 493-2317. Ber
was assigned to the 67th Sq. He worked with the D F Station out on "the line."
THERESA MURPHY McKENNEY: 308 Goodwin Road, Eliot, ME 03903 (207) 439-2866. Theresa is the
daughter of Lt. William t. Murphy, Lt. Houle's crew, lost at sea on 18 Nov 43. See Page 33 herein.
MID AMERICAN AIR MUSEAUM: Liberal, Kansas
DANI SU STRANGE: 9307 Gary, Lubbock, TX 79423. She is the daughter of Fritzi Selasky.
JEAN B. ROBBINS: 9145 Ahmann Ave. Whirtier, CA 90603 (562) 696-4638. Sgt. Robbins served as
turret gunner in the 506th Sq. flew with the Bakanic crew Dec 44 to April 45.
LINDA WESTON: 10 Sydenham Court, Berkshire Close, Portsmouth P01-1RE. Linda and her husband
the farmhouse next to Site 2. She was "mum" to the 506th.
LT. MATT YLITALO, USMC: 176 Glenwood Drive, Hubert, NC 28539. Sent in by Don Ukens.
"New" members, people who had previously been members who dropped out for various reasons, b
"seen the light" and have again joined us, or been located.
WILLIAM BRADY, JR.: 3139 Sam Houston, Forest Road, Lake Charles, LA 70611. 67th Sq. Ploesti,
Suzy Q with Brandon.
CLIFFORD H. BAUER: 833 South Eliseo Drive, Greenbrae, CA 94904 (415) 461-2936. 66th Sq. Wife
DOUGLAS S. EDEN: Route 4, Box 4452 Lot 8 Donna, TX (956) 464-2571.
PAUL JAMES: 287 Starview Drive, Rutherfordton, NC 28139 (704) 287-7513. 66th Sq. Al Graham's
HAROLD A. KRAMER: 7016 North Tahoma Ave., Chicago, IL 60646-1134 (773) 763-7128. 464th SD. W
ADRAIN LANCASTER: 6218 Anglewood Lane, Cottondale, AL 35453 (205) 556-1309.
HARRY H. POWERS: 12400 Oak Leaf Court, Auburn, CA 95603 (916) 823-0610. 68th Squadron.
DOYLE V. SHARRETT: 19301 West Desert Forest Dr., Sun City, AZ 85351 (602) 933-2047. 806th Ch
ARCHIE M. THOMAS: RR #7, Box 7080, Palestine, TX 75801-9111 (903) 729-6779. 67th Squadron. W
28
m
�MEMORY LAME
A fARM JUST Off ThE bASE. ANyONE RECOqMJZE ThE pyRAMid ROOf?
EXCUSE ME,
is This
TITE TRAJN TO
29
BENqhAzi?
��MAIL CALL
editor: This comes from Sue Johnson Vondenberg.
After Gen. Johnson possed a w a y , I sent s o m e
biographical material to Steve fldams a n d asked him
to see that the €nglish Press, especially in Norfolk, got
the material and would "do right" by our General uuith
a nice article. Steve turned it over to Steve Snelling,
veteran reporter of the €astern Daily Press, a n d
between the extensive photo archives Steve fldams
has and the intimate knowledge Steve Snelling has of
the General, both during and post-war, h e authored a
"farewell to a Legend" which w a s a magnificent
tribute to him and w a s given a full p a g e in the
eastern Daily Press published in Norwich.
Steve sent m e a copy to pass on to Sue. UJe
got calls from all over €ngland from English
friends uuho knew or k n e w of General
Johnson. It was so wonderful to see h o w
revered our boss w a s in our beloved England.
Dear Royi,
Thank you so very much for the wonderful
clipping! Steve fldams wrote and told m e it
was a wonderful tribute and I w a s going to
ask you to make m e a copy. It w a s so
thoughtful of you to send m e an original. I
hove one problem with the article—I w o n d e r w h o told
the author that D a d w a s "small"!!! That must have
surprised you too! O h well, I
guess it m a d e a better story!
UJe missed you at the
funeral, but you certainly
couldn't leave such a fine
birthday celebration!
I want to thank the
members of the 44th B G V A
for the donation in Dad's
name to the Air Force Aid
Society. Barrett Taylor, w h o
was such a great help to m e ,
told m e Dad had set up the
program at the behest of
General Arnold after W W I I
It was such an honor to
have so m a n y m e m b e r s of
the 44th at the funeral. I
wish I could have had hours
and hours to talk to
everyone. I heard so m a n y
wonderful stories.
M y husband, Sandy, and I are in the process of
nominating D a d to the National Aviation Hall of Fame. I
a m the portrait artist for the NflHF and I want to draw
his portrait for posterity! I have already done the one
for Sandy's father.
The Farewell to D a d in the 8-Ball Tails w a s
beautiful. Vou all k n e w him the best and really wrote
the very best article.
Thank you again for the news clipping.
Very Sincerely,
Sue
TkE H O N O R A R Y P^U 1>EARERS foR GENERAI JOIINSON, IETT TO RiqfiT: Col.
Ed. "MikE Mikoloski (66TIT), NANcyVoN Epps (14TEI C B W ) , AwihoNy
MASTRAdoiNE (67xh), Col. RickARd D. BUTIER (506TEI), Col. WilliAM
BARRETT TAVIOR (14TIH C B W ) , Col. WilliAM R. C A M E R O N (67TII/HQ.
44Th B G ) , BRiq. GEN. jAck GibsoN (Ho. 44Th).
TkE USAF H O N O R GuARd pREpAREd TO IOWER TEJE CAskET of GENERAI
LEON JOIHNSON iNTO his A R U N Q T O N NATJONAI CEMETERY HNAI RESTJNQ PLACE.
��obout a short talk I gave at the January meeting of
the British Legion. They were interested in the amount
of battle damage w e had to contend with and did w e
have any crash landings. The one I did talk about—but
don't remember the n a m e — w a s the plane which
came in—think a landing gear gave w a y and hanger
#3 (464th sub-dept) replaced the b o m b a y walkway
(temporarily) with a telephone pole. Then it w a s
flown to the Wattan Depot for the actual walkway.
There is an article on this but don't have time to look
it up. I know I had some kind of a job on that plane the
night it was in—they used to put m e on de-icers or
fuel cell replacement.
Oh...I did get on opportunity to m a k e an entry into
my log as the weather cleared one morning and I took
up Piper Cherokee.
UJhile visiting m y in-laws in Shipdham, I had the
privilege of placing a wreath on the 44th B G memorial
located in All Saints church yard. The occasion w a s
"Remembrance Day" Nov. 11th (celebrated on
Sunday, 9 Nov 97). The British Legion conducted their
poppy drive prior to this holiday. At their service, they
remember all their veterans w h o sacrificed their lives
in WLUI, WWII, Lorea and Falkland wars. The n a m e s of
the servicemen from the village w h o never returned
are read and then a prayer is recited.
Regardless of the many years which have passed
since WWII, members of the Shipdham British Legion
never forget the airmen from the 44th B G w h o gave
their lives for their country, as in the past, I went along
that afternoon, with a contingent of the Shipdham
British Legion to place a poppy wreath on the
memorials in Watton, Deophas Green and at Arrow Air
on the Shipdham Base.
Simple as these ceremonies are, it still gives one time
to think and
remember our
friends w h o gave
so much for us.
Sincerely,
AIC.
This touching letter comes from Theresa Murphy
McKenney, daughter of 2nd Lt. William T. Murphy,
Navigator on the 1st Lt. Joseph L. Houle 67th Sqdn.
Crew which, after suffering heavy battle d a m a g e over
Kjellar Airfield, Oslo Norway, on the 18 November
1943 raid, were forced to ditch approximately 50 miles
short of €ngland landfall. The entire crew perished in
the ditched aircraft.
TkERESA MuRphy M C K E N N E Y AT TIHE MEMORIAI M A ^ E R «Ii AnlrnqTON
NATioNA. CEMETERY b . kER M *
2Nd
LT. WJIUAM "T Mu-phy. Sta «
ACCOMPANiEd by kER SON, Rick McKENNEy ANd GRANDSON, MATTK.EW
WilliAM McKENNEy AfTER T k E MEMORIAI SERVJCE iN kis koNOR ON
OcTobER 10,1997.
Dear Mr. Owen:
A memorial service was held at Arlington National
Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia on October-1C 1997
for 2nd Lt. William T. Murphy, a native of Highland
Falls NY. He served in the 8th Air Force 67th Squadron
44th B o m b Group in WWII as a navigator, B-24
iZlTond
w a s awarded the Purple Heart and A,r
Uberator, an
HJstonQn
Alfred Cataldo
4 5 Wianno Rd.
Yarmouth Port, CA
02675-2178
0°rThe
4° h Bomb Group Veterans Assn., for sharing
Ltrmation from his Roll of Honor. To^quote from Mr.
Narway: "€nemy aircraft made attacks both before
33
«>
�the target and again on the return. M a n y ships were
damaged by an unexpected attack out of the sun on
the return, and were lost due to these attacks and by
running out of fuel and having to ditch. The 67th
Squadron lost three ships and 68th lost two..."
S o m e would say "Why have a memorial service
now?" T w o years ago, during the 50th anniversary of
the end of World W a r II, m y grandmother's niece,
w h o m I had never met , contacted m e . She had read
an article in National Geographic about the World W a r
II Cambridge Cemetery in Cambridge, Cngland where
the names of 5,126 Americans w h o gave their lives in
the service of their country but whose remains were
not recovered, are inscribed on a 472 foot wall, the
Tablets of the Missing. The government must have
attempted to let m y mother know of this memorial
when it w a s dedicated in 1956 but she had moved
from the last known address which they had on file as
I'm sure w a s the case with many WWII widows. Only
someone w h o has been through a loss where there is
no tangible place to go to pay h o m a g e can understand
h o w moving this discovery was.
April 1996, this same relative, Kathryn Schoch,
sent m e information that the next of kin could request
a memorial marker be placed at Arlington National
Cemetery for WWII veterans whose remains were not
recovered.
18 November 1997 There were months of phone
colls and sending for forms. W h e n I took the completed
application to the post office. I sent it Certified Moil to
be sure of its receipt. W h e n they stamped the date, it
w a s notable that the date w a s November 18th, the
day he w a s reported missing in action August 1997
The last flying B-24 Liberator flew into the former
Grenier Air Base Manchester, NH (where he had been
stationed). M y M o m read about it after the fact, but I
w a s able to bring the picture of this plane that he w a s
so proud of to show everyone when w e assembled
before the ceremony at Arlington. Next year I'll find
out ahead about the tour and go aboard.
September 1997. Invitations to the memorial
service went out and in the process, I heard from so
many people w h o had known m y Dad in so m a n y
different ways. To quote from a letter I received from
someone in his 67th squadron: "November of 1943
w a s a deadly time in WWII and I salute Lt. Murphy and
all w h o flew with him on those perilous days. I know
because I w a s there also. They indeed "signed the
skies with their honor."
10 October There w a s a room in the
Administration Building for us to gather and the
chaplain came in to meet us. I had brought his pictures
and medals and documents and the rubbing of his
inscription from Cambridge Cemetery. W e followed in
motor procession to the site and 6 young airmen met
us. The pace ot which they moved, and the regard
shown for the flag as they removed it from the car,
unfolded it for the prayers then refolded it to give to
m e , w a s so calming and beautiful and full of respect.
There w a s a 21 gun salute and seeing the m e n in
uniform high on the ridge with the sun outlining each
one w a s a powerful tribute, as w a s the playing of
Taps. The day w a s perfect—warm, sunny, with a
gentle breeze blowing the golden leaves from the
trees. It w a s like nothing else and w e were privileged
to be there to remember him ond pay tribute to him at
last.
M a n y m e m b e r s of the family were able to attend,
while others, unable to travel because of poor health,
sent w a r m letters with information about m y Dad.
One, w h o m I had never met had saved a scrapbook of
clippings which m e a n so much to m e now. In o way, it
makes not having known him more tragic, but I've
learned so much more about him which I can share
with m y children and grandchildren. His great
grandson, Matthew William, w a s among those present
at the memorial service and will be able, like the rest
of us, to return to pay h o m a g e to his great
grandfather in the years to come...to remember him,
to say a prayer and to give thanks for the sacrifice he
m a d e for us oil.
Theresa Murphy McKenney
308 Goodwin Road
€liot, M € 03903
(207) 439-2866
Cditor: Thank you so much, Theresa, for sharing with
your 44th family, the emotional experience of finally,
after 54 years, being able to honor and bid a loving
farewell to your heroic father with your family at your
side.
It is only lately, with witnessing situations like
yours and that of Lois Cianci, where, time
notwithstanding, the loss of o dearly loved one in o
far a w a y conflict in circumstances that prevent
personal involvement in seeing to a final place of rest,
w e are coming to understand that the loved ones left
behind will bear the feeling of on unfulfilled need. This
is a need to have s o m e sort of opportunity to bid a
personal farewell which will be an assurance that the
life of their loved one is truly over. W h e n one comes to
understand that feeling, w e need not ask, "Why have
a memorial service n o w ? "
Theresa, w e are very proud that you have chosen
to remain a part of the 44th family. W e will save a
membership for both Rick and Matthew.
���
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8 Ball Tails
Newsletter
Dublin Core
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8 Ball Tails Volume 2 - Issue 5: Spring 1998
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<span>44th Bomb Group Veteran's Association Website (<a class="in-cell-link" target="_blank" href="http://www.8thairforce.com/44thbg" rel="noreferrer noopener">Now Inactive</a>)</span>
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
Spring 1998
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2b7239b2867dafd4addebfc175ef61f6
PDF Text
Text
�TIHE SMOICE STACI< AT
So m u c h has been
written about the
Ploesti mission from
m a n y points of view,
it is not our intent to
mark this 55th
anniversary of the
mission with another
rehash of that
legendary operation.
Our purpose is to
briefly examine the
character,
determination and
ingenuity of all those
young Americans
w h o supported,
maintained and
launched the
aircraft and combat
crews on the
mission they would fly into the pages of aviation
history to remain forever.
ColuiubiA
AQUJIA, T^E AIM
poiNT.
24D B o m b groups to Operation Tidal Wave, (code
word for the Ploesti mission) after their support of
Operation Husky, the invasion of Sicily. He left the
decisions of high versus low level attack, launch
from Libya or Tunisia, training and tactics to M /
Gen. Lewis Brereton, Cmdr, 9th Air Force. In his
Brereton Diaries, he states: "Benghazi, Libya, 6
July 1943. Conference on Operation Tidal Wave
with General Ent, the Bomber C o m m a n d staff, and
all the heavy group commanders - Col. John
"Killer" Kane of the 98th, Col. Keith Compton of the
376th, Col. Leon Johnson of the 44th, Col. Jack
W o o d of the 389th, and Lt. Col. Addison Baker of
the 93rd. I announced m y decisions. It would be a
low-level, horizontal bombing attack during
daylight hours. This kind of attack required a
decided change in technique for the Liberators.
The 98th and 397th Groups had carried several
low-level attacks against Italian targets, but here
they were faced with an entirely different problem.
/ Anew that the liberator was definitely not
suited for a low-level attack, but I felt that
the surprise element would weigh heavily in
our favor. It was necessary to assure the heaviest
possible d a m a g e in the first attack Because of the
distance involved, over 2,000 miles (averaged
2250), and the danger of bad weather, I felt that
our formations might get dispersed and not hit the
target so effectively from a high altitude as they
From the onset of WWII, the fact that Germany and
Italy both were dependent upon imported oil to
carry out their dream of conquest from Scandinavia
to North Africa and that a major percentage of the
oil they needed was p u m p e d and refined in an
area surrounding the Rumanian City of Ploesti was
recognized by the Allies. Misunderstood by Allied
Intelligence was that Rumanian oil output was
approximately 5 0 % of its capability which distorted
importance of Ploesti in the priority of strategic
targets. Added to this was the fear that a
breakthrough on the Eastern front by the Russians
might result in loss of the oil fields. Opposed to
striking Ploesti were the British and the RAF in
particular w h o had been, and wanted to continue,
with defensive attacks on aircraft production which
was the root of Goering's air blitzkrieg of England.
while the RAF scoffed at the AAF doctrine of
daylight strategic bombing, they were outspoken in
their opposition to pulling three full B-24 Groups
out of the 8th AF daylight raids notwithstanding
Winston Churchill's support of the Ploesti raid
decision which c a m e out of the Summit Conference
in Washington D.C. in late May, 1943. The decision
to destruct the Ploesti oil production was passed to
Eisenhower w h o approved the application of five B2
�would in a low-level attack. After receiving the
target folders, I studied them for two weeks before
making up m y mind on the low-level attack. /
invited no discussion whatsoever among the
Group Commanders.
While I do not believe
there was a single commander
who would
have not preferred a high altitude attacA,
the decision was accepted by all."
So the scene is set, the cast is filled and the
is undergoing final adjustments for a production
which is the brainchild of a bright colonel assistant
to General Arnold. Over 200 B-24D Liberator
aircraft and crews, with skeleton ground crew and
specialist maintenance personnel were assembled
at airfields near Benghazi, Libya. Augmented by
1100 cooks, bakers, clerks, medics, engineers,
M P s and various other support personnel from 9th
AF resources, they set up tent cities at the various
airfields. They then began to train and carry out
raids against Italian targets in preparation for the
invasion of Sicily and another mission of which
nothing certain could be said except it would be
flown at a very low level.
C o m m a n d already in North Africa. Even, at that
point, without the rationale for the low-level
training, they were gaining new piloting, navigation
and bombing skills at low level.
Like everyone, no matter the crew position, when
the shock of being assigned to B-24's subsided, a
real hatred set in. Lt. Keith Schuyler, 67th Sqdn.,
in his book "Elusive Horizons" describes these
script
emotions perfectly "I hated her guts; I hated
everything about this pot-bellied bitch of an
airplane — If it had to be heavies, why the B-24?
The hate I had developed for big airplanes
squeezed over to admit fear the first time I looked
at a Liberator on the ramp. They never were a
pretty sight at best-those four huge engines tacked
onto a slip of a wing, belly nearly dragging the
concrete, and hognose stuck way too far forward.
And, like pregnant hippopotamuses, they bucked
and snorted their way around the hangars, letting
out an occasional squeak of rubber, their constant
bloat seeming to substantiate the foul odors that
drifted from them.
But n o w she is gone, and 1 swallow a lump
every time I hear one of the heavies going over (his
P O W camp). For, in
between the time I c a m e
to hate and fear her and
the time I jumped from
her flaming bowels (over
enemy territory) I had
c o m e to love and respect
the beast." {Schuyler's
first B-24 Instructor Pilot
prophesied that in 90
hours of flying time he
will have c o m e to love
the Lib)."
So with what turned out
to be a period of just
over two months before
execution; w e find the
entire IX Bomber
LoW'lEVEl foRMAT.ON TRAilNliNq pR.OR TO AfR.CA ckployiviEMT. FliqrHT
C o m m a n d in a serious operational contradiction.
pASSilMq OVER ShipdrHAM, NOTiCE TJHE (tANqARS TO TrHE IEFT.
O n the C o m m a n d and Planning Staff side of the
All of the groups involved had been flying low-leveloperation, w e have a commander and staff
planning to commit 178 Liberators and crews to a
training sorties; the 44th, 93rd and 389th in
mission which will require tactics completely alien
England prior to deployment for detached service
to the purpose for which the aircraft was designed
with 9th AF; and the 98th and 397th of IX Bomber
�and the crews trained. A few three aircraft low
altitude sorties against weakly defended Italian
targets flown by the 376th and a "cowboy" like raid
which launched 13 B-24's on 11 June 1942 from
Fayid, Egypt, and after flying all night, struck the
Ploesti oil refineries at dawn from ten to twelve
thousand feet altitude was the only unorthodox
bombing experience known to the B-24. This early
raid was m a d e by a small provisional b o m b group
led by Col. Harry Halvorsen. The purpose, more
than damaging the oil supply, was a morale builder
in the fashion of the Doolittle raid. Although largely
ineffectual, there were no losses to enemy action;
no doubt because of the complete surprise of an
attack from the south. This, however, bode danger
for the IX C o m m a n d bombers to come, because the
following year saw a great strengthening of fighter
and anti-aircraft defenses in that southern sector.
So the decision to commit the B-24 to this untested
theory of attack was based upon its range, b o m b
load capability, and, in the minds of the planners,
its ability, in formation, to defend itself and fly into
enemy territory unescorted.
On the other hand, we had the "troops" (small t),
the guys w h o were the cast in this production; the
combat and maintenance crews and all of the
support personnel w h o were settling-in for an
unknown period to live, fly combat, keep B-24's
flying, have s o m e fun when low-level training
sorties were resumed; all oblivious to what the staff
in the Secret green, heavily guarded, building were
planning that would require a lowlevel attack The contradiction here
was the difference in the level of
confidence in the B-24 held by the
planners as opposed to the m e n w h o
flew and maintained this "pot-bellied
bitch of an airplane." You see, the
prophesy of Lt. Schuyler's Instructor
Pilot had c o m e to pass. The air and
ground crews had c o m e to love and
respect that tough old slab-sided
airplane with those four dependable
Pratt & Whitney R-1830-43 engines
hung on that "slip of a wing."
68lU SQUAdRON
"MARqiiERJTE A N N "
qETS AN ENqiNE
CrHANqE.
The word "live" in the previous paragraph should
be struck and replaced with "survive." Life in the
Libyan Desert in the s u m m e r is not Life, it is an
exercise in survival. What the "troops"
accomplished in that hell of red sand, daytime
heat, nighttime chill, lousy chow and lousier water,
dysentery, crickets, dust and sand, dust and sand,
and more dust and sand w a s nothing short of
miraculous. The indignities of standing buck
naked in a line with a towel over a shoulder waiting
for a turn to stand under a salvaged aircraft fuel
cell to take a Mediterranean Sea water shower.
And worse, to answer to "Crap Call" and sit on half
of a cut-out 55 gal. drum dug into the sand, trying
to defecate while looking aloof and unconcerned,
while others are waiting their turn.
The abhorrent living conditions notwithstanding,
everyone worked. The cadre of personnel that
c a m e to Benghazi were limited to the crew
m e m b e r s and the number of support personnel
that the B-24 oxygen system could support inflight. This usually meant an extra four people;
Crew Chief, Assistant Crew Chief, a Maintenance
Specialist (Prop., Electrician, Hydraulic, Sheet
metal, etc.) and an administrative or command
person, so everyone had to w o r k The entire
group, except the crews, w a s a skeleton of a home
base unit. Flight Engineers, Radiomen and
Gunners pitched in to assist their ground crew on
�engine and tire changes. There were not enough maintenance specialists, so they were always in d e m a n d
and worked tirelessly; instead of complaints, one was more likely to hear "What the hell, there ain't nothin'
else to do around this stinkin' place!"
Mike Curtain, 67th Sqdn. Crew chief talks about the life in Africa: "We were welcomed by dust, sand,
kids and very hot weather. The toughest thing was the sand, it was terrible. It wouldn't be unusual to
have at least two engine changes after a day of practice flights. W e would trade parts with the 98th B G as
needed - propeller frames, carburetors, etc.
67TIH SpdN.
Mil<E CuRTAiN iN
TIHE "ENqiNE
Shop."
Daytime temperatures were extremely hot, making the handling of tools and equipment rather difficult.
W e knew what tools w e would need, so w e took as many as possible from Shipdham. Replacement parts
were another story. W e had to beg and borrow from the 98th, and what they didn't have, w e would
cannibalize from other out-of-commission aircraft. W h e n a B-24 took off, the clouds of dust and sand
created would cause a twenty minute delay before another aircraft could take the runway. That dust got
into everything...eyes, ears, hair, clothing, tents, and proved to be the principal cause for our engine
problems. The group managed to get about 25 water tank trucks which m a d e a trip to the Mediterranean
Sea each evening to fill with sea water. They would return and c o m m e n c e to water down the runway
about midnight. By morning, the runway would be dried with a hard layer that resembled plaster of paris
and would last through the morning take-offs. To our glee, the engine changes became less frequently
required.
67T)H
SOU Ad RON
GEORqE
BACCASrH
ANd Dick
WARd iN
TIHE
"HANqAR.
68Th SodN. "WiNq ANd A PRAYER" TIHE "PARTS bits."
�To get a cool drink w e would send up our filled
canteens in our planes. W h e n they landed, w e
would bury the frozen canteens in the sand in our
tent for a cool drink later. W e also used to hoard
our ration of one can of beer per day until w e had a
few, then send them up on a test hop like the
canteens.
The four squadrons were fairly widely dispersed.
W e had a Weapons Truck to travel to each
squadron. W e all worked as a team; all four
squadrons worked together where it was needed.
This was especially true immediately before Ploesti.
W e were up day and night right up to take-off. The
claim is true, the work never ended. For that
mission especially, every plane possible had either
n e w engines (as did Suzy Q) or was completely
checked over as "Ready."
One of the great under estimates Hitler made was
his contempt for the young m e n of America being
able to transition from what he perceived as
pampered school boys and pool hall hang-outs to
soldiers and airmen that could ever hope to match
the disciplined young m e n of Germany. However
while the Hitler youth were goose-stepping to the
blind hysteria of the Third Reich, the young m e n of
America were being raised in a society that loves
individual performance, but loves it best in a team
effort. "Let's get one for the Gipper." And they
were, and always will be, tinkerers, ingenious,
curious tinkerers. They were out on the farm
always fixing and running farm equipment or if
they were town kids, they were tinkering with s o m e
fifty dollar Model T. They knew all about blown dual
Stromberg Carburetors and Ruxtel rear ends, and
they could drive, m a n h o w they could drive. For
many, the yearning to fly was swelling in their
chests. W h e n the war came, they answered. And
yes, they were chock-full with patriotism, freedom
and love of country, but deep d o w n in every heart
was not the fear of war, it was the fear that your
buddies were going off to fight and you might be
left behind. So these school boy, farm boy, pool hall
loafer, tinkerer, team player cream of America's
young m e n were turned into soldiers and airmen.
All across Europe they beat the German Tiger
Tanks with an inferior Sherman tank because they
could drive 'em and tinker, making do with what
they had to keep e m running and firing. When
their Sherman tanks were unable to move in the
hedgerows of France, they kicked the Germans out
with platoons and squads of infantry w h o were
raised on team work. Each individual doing his job
and his biggest concern being not to let his squad
buddies down.
Whether it is an infantryman slogging in the mud
tail gunner lifting himself through the aft hatch
preparing to launch on a mission; the crew chief
w h o has completed his preflight and is waiting for
the "cranking # 3 " signal from the cockpit; there is
that haunting fear that you will do or have not done
something that will let your buddies down.
One last thing about the Hitler misconceptions;
ingenuity. The Nazi German mind of that era
(especially) was in lockstep with Nazi fanaticism.
There were hopes but no imagination. Thus Hitler
again under estimated the American fighting man.
Imagine, if you will, the July 31 initial briefing for
the Ploesti raid w h e n General Brereton visited each
of the groups and introduced the low-level attack
mission. In the mind of every pilot was the
thought: given what I've learned in our low-level
training and given the m i n i m u m amount of
maneuvering space I will have in the target area,
what can I do to bring m y crew through this mess
alive? Bill Cameron, Pilot of "Buzzin' Bear," and
full of American ingenuity, had already faced that
question:
"When other aircraft were practicing low level
formations, w e (he and his Co-Pilot, Bill Dabney)
would visit with the British anti-aircraft gunners
that provided protection around Benghazi. We
would ask them, "What aircraft would you shoot at
(in a low-level formation)? They would invariably
say "the highest aircraft." Therefore when w e came
out of the smoke of the Ploesti oil refineries flying at
the assigned altitude of 250 feet, I dove so sharply
that the boys in the rear of the "Bear" were thrown
off their feet. W e leveled off low enough to see
clearly the faces of a number of anti-aircraft
gunners. W e skidded around in our turn to keep
our wings level and just above the ground. W e
stayed at that level until at least 30 minutes out
from the target. Ground gunners could not easily
�aim at us and fighters could not dive on us."
So that small town (Hanford, Calif) young college
(UC, Berkeley) m a n took 'Buzzin' Bear" through
the holocaust following his ingenious plan and
landed at Benghazi, right behind "Suzy Q" with
four engines running and not a crew m e m b e r
scratched!
Now we know how Cameron got his crew and
aircraft through that mess, which supports our
contention about American ingenuity, w e must n o w
ask why. W e must see if his presence on the
mission supports the theorem of bravery
performed, not through fear of death, but fear of
being left behind and letting your crew buddies
down. In his personal diary, Bill commenting on
the Ploesti raid, says this: "After the R o m e raid, w e
started extensive practice bombing and flying in
larger formations of aircraft at low, very low, level. I
had actually completed m y combat tour of duty
with the R o m e raid and 1 don't believe that Howard
(Moore, Cmdr. 67th Sq.) or Col. Johnson really
expected m e to fly it. I don't know why I did.
However, it was 'high adventure' and although I
didn't know where w e were going, I hated to miss
out on it. Furthermore, the crew of 'Buzzin' Bear"
didn't want to go with a new pilot, and as an
additional incentive, I was enjoying the low level
flying! — Bill Dabney was ill before, and during the
entire mission, but wouldn't be left behind." *
So the curtain comes down on this fateful
production, the raid, of course, was the play. It had
a perilous script with a n e w role for the B-24 and
the probability of failure was high. In the
beginning of this feature story w e stated our
intention to avoid covering again the attack itself,
which so m u c h has been previously written. W e
will however, to the m e m o r y of our comrades w h o
lost their lives in the attack, say that even with the
terrible blunders m a d e by the two lead groups, the
44th led by Col. Johnson was the last wave in and
although finding their White V target had already
been struck by s o m e other part of the force, never
faltered from the planned attack on their assigned
target. For the 44th, it was a day w h e n u n c o m m o n
valor was c o m m o n . For Adolf Hitler, it was a
harbinger of what the spoiled young m e n of
America had in store for the Third Reich!
*A tragic note: After the Ploesti mission, Major
Howard Moore departed for the U.S. and Bill
Cameron took c o m m a n d of the 67th Sqdn. Bill
Dabney was sent to the hospital with asthma and
then returned to the U.S. O n 16 August, the 67th
was tasked to put up eight aircraft on a mission to
Foggia, Italy. (Cameron's first mission as its
Commander.) The 67th lost five of the eight
launched. "Buzzin Bear" went d o w n with its crew
on the first mission they had flown without
Cameron. "Suzy Q" also went d o w n with a n e w
crew on its first combat mission.
�ONE RECOLLECTION OF THE PLOESTI MISSION
By Dick Butler
We were in "Earthquake McGoon " and flying as the lead ship in the second element, second (light
Our aiming point was the distillation plant of the Blue Target, CreditultMnier refinery at Brazi. Walt
Bunker was pilot and I was co-pilot. We encountered light flak and machine gun fire continuously
from about halfway between the IP and the target. Off to our right a train was travelling in the same
direction we were. We saw the side of a freight car lower and guns on the car start firing at us. We
flew over a building that had a red cross painted on the top of it. We received fire from there also, As
we approached the target, our bombardier, Henry Zwicker was calling "left, left, left, "so Walt was
skidding our plane to the left. Henry released our bombs and we saw them skip into the still. Just
then we took a hit in the left wing close to the fuselage. We either hit a barrage balloon cable or
received close to a direct flak burst. Number three engine stopped so I pulled the feathering button to
feather that prop. The blast had also damaged some electrical lines, so we lost instrument readings
for both number three and four engines. Walt saw the RPM go to zero on number four, so he hollered
"feather four "Hooked out and number four looked ok to me, sol didn't pull that feathering button.
Walt hollered again and then reached up and pulled it himself. Now we were in really serious
trouble. Two engines feathered or feathering on the same side at an altitude of about one hundred
feet. Walt and 1 had both hands on the wheel trying to keep the right wing up. Other crew members
said later that the wing tip came within about twenty feet of hitting the ground,fltthis time either
Loy Neeper, our flight engineer or I managed to push the number four feathering button in and the
feathering stopped and we regained use of that engine.
George Jansen, who was one of the best pilots I ever knew, was flying "Margaret Ann 11" on our
wing. He said that when we got hit, we slowed down real fast, like we were dragging an anchor. He
said he put down some flaps and lowered the gear momentarily in an effort to stay with us and still
couldn Y. He did all this while we were receiving intense fighter attacks as we left the target. This took
great effort and skill by George. No wonder he went on to a career as a test pilot at Douglas Aircraft
Company. We made it back to Benina on three engines and a shot up hydraulic system, which
necessitated a landing without brakes.
We are proud of the fact that our target was completely destroyed and was not rebuilt for the
ofthewar. Ofthoseofusin "Earthquake" on that day, only four of us still survive. Weare:Bill
Newbold, navigator; loy Neeper, flight engineer; Warren Kooken, waist gunner, and myself, co-pilot.
Henry Zwicker was killed on the I October 1943 Wiener Neustadt mission. Our other crew members
all survived the war but have since passed on.
Editor: After reading Dick's story the thought came to me, it could be titled "As If
Things Weren't Bad Enough!" Also I w a s struck by the heroic determination of
George Jansen to maintain the integrity of the formation to the point where
"Margaret Ann II" w a s about to fall out of the sky w h e n Dick and Loy got # 4 going
again and both aircraft could regain s o m e airspeed. I asked Dick to tell m e
something about the attack on the Blue Target. I appreciate his candor. I'm sure in
all the confusion, excitement and stress of smoke, flames, flak and fighter attacks,
there were m a n y m o r e "close calls" which occurred as a result of s o m e cockpit
confusion and a wrong switch being turned on or off requiring a hairy recovery
from a narrow scrape with death. C o m e on guys, sit d o w n and write 'em down
and send them to m e so w e can add them to the lore of the 44th.
\
8
m
�Pisuiuu fu ifiiti n JIII is
liLiilMffl:
42-40182 R.J. ABERNETHY, PILOT
GEORGE W. BANKSTON
14035406
JOHNV.TOMHAVE
37116222
ROBERT F. McCOY
34079411
DEXTER L HODGE
0-389555
42-40375 JOHN Y REED, PILOT
ROY G.WOOD
11033216
MICHAEL BOGOSTA
12030009
HAROLD G. FAUST
0-854339
G O O D M A N G. GRIFFIN
0-337352
Crew Chief
Asst. Crew Chief
Operations Clerk
Commanding Officer
Crew Chief
Asst. Crew Chief
Engineering Officer
Administration
41 -24015 GEORGE W. WINGER
DELBERT V. SMITH
37148438
ROBERT L JAKUBIAK
36128535
JAMES W.KAHL
0-437414
JAMES H.KOONTZ
13013618
Crew Chief
Asst. Crew Chief
Operations Officer
41-23769 ROWLAND M. GENTRY
EARL MORRIS
13023329
THOMAS M. CARDWELL
13046225
GEORGE R. LATHROP
14048010
JAMES PRINCE
6395417
Crew Chief
Asst. Crew Chief
Armorer
41-23788 CHARLES E.HUGHES
JOSEPH M.MILLER
14039909
THOMAS G.BARBER, JR.
34163105
DURWOOD DICKERSON
38009672
GEORGE R. GOODRICH
11038567
Crew Chief
Asst. Crew Chief
Armorer
Administration
41-23778 THOMAS E. SCRIVNER
ERNEST J. CHARTIER
13027244
WILLIAM S. BARTEET
341 53446
VERNON G. WAGUESPACK
14039868
C.A.JACK
0-433336
Crew Chief
Asst. Crew Chief
Armorer
Capt.
41-23811 ROBERT E. MILLER
ROBERT M. PUGH
GRADY N. BRUCE
J.W.SIMS
JOHNE. NITSCHE
Crew Chief
Asst. Crew C
Armorer
Major
41-24153 HENRY A. LASCO
THOMAS D. HARBOUR
JOHN F. HASSENKAMP
WILLIAM D. GRAHAM
14031552
18063407
14070589
0-23557
^
13032142
14064174
12031443
9
m
Crew Chief
Asst. Crew Chief
Armorer
^
�41-23936 JOSEPH E. FLAHERTY
TROYJ.EAGAN
JOHNW. COMENS
LLOYD KRAGER
MICHAELJ.NERI
14031560
36048709
6899083
0-854195
Crew Chief
Asst. Crew Chief
Line Chief
1 Lt.
42-40764 SHELBY L. IRBY,
WALTER L. PITTS
JAMES H.DIXON
EDWARD G? GOLDSTONE
PILOT
16019369
36308123
36170187
Crew Chief
Asst. Crew Chief
Radio Operator
42-40777 ROBERT E.FELBER
CHARLES S. ALBA
CHARLES W. WHIPPLE
7021772
11046226
Crew Chief
Asst. Crew Chief
•711
41-23817 ROBERT E. KOLLINER
MICHAEL ULOSOVICH
36047434
LEOJ.THUOTTE
31067664
HOWARD W. MOORE
0-402027
ROSE F. HAGER
0-954344
Crew Chief
Instrument Spec.
Commanding Officer
Engineering Officer
42-63761 WORDEN WEAVER
KUND. GONG
ELBERT H. GALLATIN
ANTHONY R. STOWE
Crew Chief
Asst. Crew Chief
Armament
34132946
18060293
13030028
42-40267 REGINALD L. CARPENTER
FRANCIS J. N A M I O T K A
13027363
MARTIN R. A N D E R S O N
39837655
JEAN F. BRESSLER
13031072
CARL J. W A N D
16031072
Crew Chief
Sheet Metal spec.
Armament
Armament
41-23918 E D W A R D R. MITCHELL
G E O R G E N. BACCASH
16013811
MILO C.STRICKLAND
34103811.
G E O R G E R. HILL
16067339
Crew Chief
Asst. Crew Chief
Radio Maint.
42-40371 ELMER H. REINHART
M A L C O L M C.ARTHUR
D O N A L D A. EVANS
RICHARD C. W A R D
11031947
13026126
14038135
Crew Chief
Asst. Crew Chief
Line Chief
42-40780 FRED H.JONES
H O R A C E H. GRISHAM
WILLIE L S W A N K
GILBERT C. HESTER
37100515
18060942
37132854
Crew Chief
Asst. Crew Chief*
Operations Clerk
10
m
�41 -24229 WILLIAM R. C A M E R O N
MARION W. BAGLEY
13024480
T H O M A S E. ROORK
32186276
WILLIAM J. HALL
0-401119
BRUCE A. PAULY
0-434434
Crew Chief
Propeller Spec.
Operations Officer
Group Engineering Of.
41-24232 JAMES E.HILL
MICHAEL F.CHAYKA
JOHN H. CHRISTENSON
H E R M A N WAGENFUHR, JR.
EMERICJ. MICHAUK
Crew Chief
Electrical Spec.
Turret Spec.
Medical
32028950
14064056
18031358
33076905
41-23779 CHARLIE P. HENDERSON, PILOT
JOSEPH E.BAILEY
28044687
E D W A R D P. HAN LEY
6981417
LEO L McCREERY
37139406
N U M A C . HERO, JR.
0-437691
Crew Chief
Aircraft Inspector
Armament
Weather Officer
42-63763 CURTIS S. GRIFFIN
MICHAELA. CURTIN
BENJAMIN G. MARTIN
H O W A R D D. COX
Crew Chief
Asst. Crew Chief
Turret Specialist
19076732
18063342
35275530
sttiiiiiiiii
41-23813 WALTER T. HOLMES, JR.
GEORGE W. BRYANT
341 46071
EUGENE H. SNAVELY
0-22364
HARVEY G. HOLMES
37139906
Crew Chief
Gp. Oper. Officer
Operations Clerk
41 -23816 ROWLAND B. HOUSTON
ALFRED A. BAGDONAS
1 3027644
FRANCIS E. BALZ
6949175
ROBERT L DEAN
0-431615
MILLARD F. SAWYER
140041 51
Crew Chief
Flight Chief
Gp. Armament Officer
Ordnance
42-40094 WILMER J. GARRETT
HAROLD L.HILL
JOSEPH F. M O O N E Y
MILTON FELDMAN
JAMES F. PATTERSON
17037076
32178047
12057764
0-440002
Crew Chief
Instrument Spec
Armament
Chaplain
41-23699 REGINALD H. PHILLIPS
CHARLES C. PIGG
HARRYJ. SINGER
JOHN L.KOCH
HENRY G.V.HART
14052877
12029414
35257034
0-468561
Crew Chief
Electrical Spec.
Sheet Metal
Group Intelligence
11
�41-24225 DAVID W.ALEXANDER
14044294
RICHARD D. WILLIAMS
6265900
YBUR G.CAMPBELL
15083422
MAXE.GOUCHER
W2104151
NELSON T HOLDEN
Crew Chief
Line Chief
Armament
Group Operations
41-23112 WILLIAM D. HUGHES
BARTON D. CRAMER
18089242
HERBERT J. RUSSELL
33119603
LOUGHRIDGEC. MURRELL
18030353
Crew Chief
Inspector
Armament
42-40071 GEORGE R. JANSEN
14043005
CLAUDE E. LEE
0-366917
CHRIS SAND
32173830
RUSSELL HRYNIAK
18101868
AUGUST LBLASCHK!
Crew Chief
Engineering Officer
Asst. Crew Chief
Personnel Clerk
42-40373 EUNICE M. SHANNON, PILOT
FRANCIS M . W O O D
34133012
GEORGE T. CRUMP
14061955
IRVIN E. ROSCHER
37143003
-'
•
'•>
•
•
Crew Chief
Asst. Crew Chief
Armament
41-24211 ROBERT E. PETERSON
HAROLD J. FOLEY
36022088
CECIL A. JOHNSON
18030038
NORMAN L. HALE
6897324
THOMAS R.CRAMER
0-23923
Crew Chief
Propeller Spec
Radio Maint.
Commanding Officer
42-40731 GEORGE P. MARTIN
FREDDY SCHEIDEGGER
16046001
JOHN W. ZARNOSKY
7021651
HOWARD F. DART
38009511
JOHNH.DIEHLJR.
0-427313
Crew Chief
Flight Chief
Armament
Operations Office
mil tuiiiii:
COLONEL LEON W. JOHNSON'S AIRCRAFT:
WILLARD L. MICHAELS
0-730568
HERMAN J. SEIGFELDT
6890587
ALBERT G. KERNS, JR.
39310090
LONNIELACKERMAN
39094739
Asst. Engineering
f
42-401 72 WILLIAM N. ANDERSON
JAMES C. BEAM
0-406217
AUGUST T. GOODMAN
19074334
RUSSELL A. WOLD
39606205
12
®
>qdn. Commanding
Crew Chief
Asst. Crew Chief
�41-24235 WALTER I. BUNKER
LYLEV MURPHY
ARNOLD C. KROHN
39180474
36221318
Crew Chief
Asst. Crew Chief
41-24201 WILLIAM H. STRONG
ROBERT M. IVERSON
19071829
JOHNIER.JANSKI
37108835
JAMES R. PENNER
17040390
LYLE A. M O R T O N
16043305
JAMES E.MEINER, JR.
0-854363
Crew Chief
Asst. Crew Chief
Armament
Operations Clerk
Engineer Officer
42-40606 JAMES A. BUNCEJR.
G O R D O N J. D U N A W A Y
19015172
JOHN W. SCHUESMAN
1 5098433
JOHN A. JOHNSON
32435983
Line Chief
Crew Chief
Asst. Crew Chief
41 -23787 G O R D O N S. STEVENS
STANLEY W. GILBERTSON
39386138
BRADFORD F. BARBER
14107943
ELMER N. VAN BIBBER
19102390
Crew Chief
Armament
Asst. Crew Chief
42-40778 HORACE W. AUSTON,
FREDLAUE
FRANK W. W E N T W O R T H
KELTON P. THROWER
Mechanic
Mechanic
Armament
PILOT
36235562
381 561 59
34333451
42-40370 CHARLES A. WHITLOCK
RALPH C.JORGENSON
39388281
LEONARD K. HOOPER
17020758
JOHN H.TONY
32385073
Crew Chief
Asst. Crew Chief
Turret Spec.
41 -24282 FRANK D. SLOUGH,
EUGENE L.LAMB
CLARENCE M. DOOLEY
HERBERT A. HUFF
ALBERT R.GERE, JR.
Capt
Lt.
Flight Chief
Crew Chief
PILOT
0-443102
0-548179
15075462
38013934
41 -24234 GEORGE REBICH, PILOT
HAROLD W. SMITH
6897842
PERCY L. T H O M A S
39382105
TONY YATES
13088790
41 -24293 JAMES C. McATEE, PILOT
0-388155
OLAF W.ALLISON
0-904783
ALFREDO CARR, JR.
18060189
CHARLES C.JACKSON
38132592
MARVIN M.JACKSON
34196912
CHARLES H. PAYNE
13
m
Crew Chief
Propeller Spec.
Flight Surgeon
Crew Chief
Electrician
Radio Maint.
�FORCE DATA BASE. O N E DAY SOON YOU
O R YOUR DESCENDANTS WILL BE ABLE TO
G O TO THE LOCAL LIBRARY (IF YOU DOM'T
HAVE YOUR O W N COMPUTER) AND CALL UP
THE 8TH AF DATABASE, ENTER YOUR NAME
AND HAVE DISPLAYED O N THE SCREEM
Running late again! I thought after getting YOUR ENTIRE C O M B A T RECORD AND
SIGNIFICANT PARTS OF YOUR SERVICE
the Spring issue of "The Tails" out the door,
CAREER. C O M B A T MISSIONS, WHICH
the "quiet" period would be a good time to
AIRCRAFT Y O U FLEW O N EVERY MISSION,
undertake m y planned change of computer
W H E R E YOU W E R E IN THE FORMATION,
systems from Macintosh to IBM PC. The
reasons for this are (1) m y Mac was small in WHICH AIRCRAFT YOU CREWED OR WHICH
MESS HALL YOU STAFFED. THE DATABASE
capability compared to what's out there
WILL HAVE IT ALL! But remember the most
today; (2) 1 wanted to get in step with the
important computer adage "Garbage in ever growing number of 44th'ers who are
going "on line" in cyberspace with new PC
Garbage out!" Or, nothing in-nothing out!
computers. In fact, I just got an e-mail from There is a lot of data in the archives which
Mike Yuspeh informing m e he has just
we are retrieving, but the personal stuff,
brought our 44th Web Page on line. It is so
stories, family, combat memories, your life
new I haven't had time to give it a visit yet. and work after the war, all has to be your
For those with computers and are on
input, so do a job on it, one that you'll want
Internet, the 44th home page address is:
your family to read with pride!
gnofn.org/~506bgp44. Anyway, back to
reality, I boxed up the Mac, gave it to our
son, and had a whole new system, scanner
and all brought in. Dow between trying to
convert from the Mac O/S to Windows 95
and some 44th BGVA small brush fires (the
usual) to stomp out, Lolly and I both have
been taking classes in W-95 and Microsoft
Word and for an old soldier, it ain't that easy!
Reason number (3), and maybe, at this point,
the most important is our new alliance with
the 8th Air Force Military Heritage Database.
Our Archive/History/Roster and computer
database team (Lundy, Mastradone,
Shepherd) have seen this database system
We are looking forward to the dedication
demonstrated and recommend we adopt it. I ceremonies and unveiling of the bronze B-24
have seen it and must say it is REALLY
model in the Air Force Academy Court of
impressive. My little computer was
Honor on September 24. It is beginning to
overwhelmed, so it was upgrade or get left
look like we will have pretty good
behind. ANYWAY, T O M M Y SHEPHERD HAS
representation from the 44th present. Jack
WRITTEN AN EXCELLENT ARTICLE O N THE
Gibson, Dick Butler, Bill Cameron, Charlie
PROGRAM HEREIN. PLEASE READ IT AND
Hughes, Roy Owen, Jerry FoIsom and Del
Y O U WILL ALSO FIND THE PERSONAL
Brown that we know of at this writing.
BIOGRAPHICAL DATA FORMS. PLEASE,
I want to thank those w h o
PLEASE FILL THESE FORMS OUT AS
responded to the "Thank You Steve"
COMPLETELY AS POSSIBLE. YOUR DATA
plea I m a d e in the last issue. Your
AND STORIES WILL G O INTO THE 44TH
generosity in showing Steve Adams
DATABASE AND THENCE INTO THE 8TH AIR
your appreciation for all he does for
14
�and in the n a m e of the 44th in the
U.K. was great. But there weren't
enough of you! Maybe this is because
the page in m y Presidents Corner that
had m y plea was printed so lightly.
Whatever, the fund stands at about a
third of what w e need to bring Steve
and Jan A d a m s over to be with us at
Savannah, and this just isn't like the
44th w h e n it comes to saying
THANKS for a job well done. It is so
difficult, with the distance involved,
for us to personally express our
gratitude for the many days of his
earned vacation time he takes from
his job and devotes to representing us
at local memorial functions and
making trips to Cambridge to place
the 44th BG Memorial Day wreath he
annually designs for the American
Cemetery Remembrance. Also the
organizing and preparations he makes
express our individual thanks by
making a small contribution to make
it possible for Steve and Jan to be our
guests in Savannah. Please send a
check made out to 44th BGVA, marked
in the m e m o "Thanks Steve." Send it
to: 44th BGVA, P.O. Box 2367, Salt
Lake City, UT 84110-2367. Then at
Savannah you can shake hands and
thank Steve and Jan personally!
And speaking of Thank You; I just
received this e-mail that Steve forwarded to
me. Read it, you will see what I mean.
14 July 1998
Mr. Adams,
My name is Robert C. (Bob) Drake
and I live in Centralia, Missouri. My
father was Frederick J. (Bob) Drake.
Me was the pilot of a B-24 Liberator
named "Bachelor's Delight" 8th Army
Air Force.
I understand from my nephew and
my father's grandson, Michael Anthony
of Atlanta, Georgia, that you have bee
a tremendous help and a load of
inspiration in his quest for informati
regarding his grandfather, tie was ve
excited when you answered his note
that was posted on the B-24 website.
Later this month my family will vis
Michael and his parents in Georgia.
We plan to go through all of the
information that Michael has gathered
at that time. I am sure I will ha ve
questions for you later, but at this ti
all I want to say is TliAriK YOU for you
help, interest and information. We al
really appreciate it.
Sincerely,
Bob Drake
617 Porter St., Centralia, MO 65240
e-mail: rcdnd@socket.net
for visitations by 44th Travel Groups
or by individual and small family
visits. As our U.K. representative, he
keeps the 44th BG recognized as the
preeminent 2nd Air Division B o m b
Group organization active in England
all without pay, and I'm sure, at
considerable personal expense which
he refuses to reveal or discuss. So
with an invitation for Steve and Jan
to come to our reunion from all of us,
w e have the means by which w e can
15
m
�h u m o r and the humility that comes with
Man 0 Man! The time is running d o w n on
heroes and I k n o w the heartbreak when one
m y Presidency; this is m y next to last
of us folds his wings. It was a wonderful
President's Corner! Talk about mixed
experience for m e , truly a labor of love and
emotions. O n the one hand, I'm really
learning why I a m so deeply proud of my
looking forward to reclaiming m y wonderful
country and to have served her with you
retired life with Lolly, playing golf just about
under the colors of the 44th. I don't know
whenever the course beckons (my handicap
what
got m e off on this, but in the words of
has gone from 8 to 15 in these five years
Forrest G u m p "That's all I'm going to say
since w e rose to battle those w h o would have
about that!"
our organization fold its wings). The lack of
Few, if any of you, probably ever read the
physical activity sitting at this computer has
resulted in an insidious gain of forty pounds
disclaimer w e are always obliged to print in
to m y once slender and handsome physique.
every issue of this journal. It's the part in the
O n the other hand, I want you all to know, it box that says "The 8-Ball Tails" Official
has been the labor of love. I have always felt Journal of the 44th, etc., etc., and you would
extremely fortunate for whatever fate it was
otherwise pass it up in this issue, but I want
that placed m e in the 44th B o m b Group to
you to look at it this time and take note of the
serve m y country in WWII. Before I ever
©which m e a n s The 8-Ball Tails is now under
arrived at Shipdham, the 44th had become
copyright and for anyone to use our material,
legend, and m a n y of those w h o had written
they must request our permission. I hope
the pages of that legend with their valorous
you like the material in our "Tails." It appears
deeds were still there as Squadron
there are others out there w h o like it enough
C o m m a n d e r s and Group Staff to lead and
to plagiarize it without as m u c h as giving
teach us the ways of combat. The Bills,
credit to our Journal, thus w e decided to
Cameron and Strong, and names like
apply for copyright, which has been granted
Lehnhousen, Hughes and of course
by the U.S. Patent Office.
Johnson. At wars end, I left the AAF with the
sense that I had mingled and fought with true Signing off now,
heroes, and for the experience I was indelibly
W E H O P E T O SEE Y O U IN SAVANNAH,
marked as a lifetime 44th man. It was that
Your Prez,
intrinsic pride as an 8-Baller that refused to
allow m e to sit idly by and see the demise of
our group; again, perhaps, the s a m e fate that
placed m e at Shipdham, saw m e to become
the first president of our resurrected
Association. Still travelling on m y WWII
inspired pride in the 44th, I was honored to
take the lead. I soon, to m y wonderment,
found that I barely knew the 44th from m y
six months of combat experience. With all
the history, heritage and archives which
documented the real life of the 44th from the
peaks of glory to the depths of despair open
to m e from the advantage of m y office, I truly
began to recognize the fabric of m y pride in
being a m e m b e r of the 44th. I have had the
opportunity to associate with you, read your
letters, write stories for your 8-Ball Tails that
you have told m e first hand. I've seen the
16
�THE 44th GOES FULL ELECTRONICS
By T o m Shepherd
The 44th B G V A has been invited to connect with the
379th B o m b Group (I st Adiv/B-1 7) and the Mighty
Eighth Air Force Heritage M u s e u m ( M 8 A F H M ) in a
Multi-Media Format to record electronically (personal
computer) our history.
For those with World Wide W e b capability, you m a y
visit this program at: http://www.8thairforce.com and
begin to "feel" the excitement of what it will be w h e n
w e are connected as one of the active in the program.
This is History's time to become dynamic. N o w and
into the ions of the future.
This effort actually began several years ago in a letter
from Lt. Gen. Shuler, Chairman, of the M u s e u m to the
44th B G V A and other similar organizations. General
Shuler noted that the 379th BGP, by the energies and
talent of one of its W W I I members, had designed and
developed a multi-media software capability
specifically designed to store an 8th AF-wide history.
Arlo Bartsch (Lt., Pilot) n o w of Milwaukee, W l , holder
of this copyrighted software, has volunteered to attend
our Savannah reunion and demonstrate his program.
A number of 44th'ers attending the recent 2 A D A
Reunion in Chicago were given a demonstration by
Arlo of his program. All have reported strong support
and enthusiasm for its adoption by our Association.
W e are doing this and, as reported in the "Will Sez"
column last issue, Will and our Archivist/67th
Director Tony Mastradone have been busy copying the
combat mission folder data at the National Archives
for several months.
The COMBINED(i) inputs from all known written
records, documents, and squadron/bomb group books
will be a major source of data and written text for
inclusion in this super multi-media program. To give
this effort the strength of the h u m a n quality that it
deserves, there is one major program element
exclusively titled: B I O G R A P H Y Your personal input!
Within this issue is included the key element of the
44th History: Y O U R P E R S O N A L BIOGRAPHICAL
DATA F O R M . Allow some time to complete this form
as accurately as you can. Get out whatever records
you have to substantiate dates and places. O U R
T E A M WILL RESEARCH Y O U R C O M B A T R E C O R D .
The rest is yours.
The National Archives research and copying has
already made a serious dent in our budget (at 10 cents
per copy) and there are many boxes and thousands of
It is expected that by the time October arrives and wepages of data to go, and w e cannot and must not falter
or even think of stopping. The archives at age 53 to 58
convene our reunion, you will be able to "see" for
are becoming brittle and faded after so many years and
yourselves what a marvelous program this is -andbeing handled. They must be copied and put in storage
better yet, understand the excitement it has generated
electronically while there is still time. You will be
in terms of recording our history in such a modern day
pleased to know, once again, your 44th has taken the
media open to everyone all over the world to see and
Division lead in this project. W e are the only Group in
read and marvel as w e "know" it. A lot of work still
the
2nd A D undertaking this project to-date. Arlo
remains to be done. It will take hours upon hours and
Bartsch, w h e n looking at the amount of archival
attendant expense to complete; but oh, what a
material w e have recovered, was amazed at the effort.
marvelous, accessible history w e will have! Even
W
e have our brave and tireless Historian Will Lundy
those w h o do not o w n a computer will be able to go
and his Archivist sidekick, Tony "Bulldog" Mastradone
to their public library, enter the Internet address and
to
thank for this.
the individual name, and in an instant, the personal
combat history of that individual will appear on the
Now, how do we plan to finish the project without
monitor screen! Even pictures and a voice recording.
breaking the bank? Since this is to be an all
A n unbelievable amount of cross referenced data;
encompassing history to include everyone w h o m w e
number of missions, aircraft names and numbers
can find a record of 44th service, and many are gone,
flown, crew members flown with, targets flown
w e once again must turn to the living. While the plan
against for combat crews, for support personnel, jobs,
is to recruit volunteers a m o n g us w h o possess an IBM
promotions, decorations, personal stories, whatever
compatible computer to do the data entry and hold
you put into your data.
17
�d o w n costs, w e still have the data collection costs
past and remaining estimated at $6,000 to $8,000. To
spread these costs with equanimity, there will be a
$ 10 data collection and entry fee to accompany the
Personal Biographical Data Form without photos and of
average length (without extra pages of text), and $ 15
for two photos or one photo and one extra page of text
done in # 12 type single spaced. Follow the
instructions on the Data Form.
We can and we will do this. It is something we have
wanted to do for a long time. It is something w e will
give to our families and the World. Yes - it is about us
and by us -- In a living and dynamic form available in
our homes, libraries, and m u s e u m s all over the world!
We are the # I B-24 Bomb Group on the planet.
Let's keep showing 'em our Tail Turret!
ToMMy ShEpliErid's wcmkskop!
Volunteers - W e need some Volunteers
When the members respond to our historical database program by sending in the completed
biographical forms, w e need some of you w h o are IBM compatible and equipped to help us enter the
data on the member's mailed-in personal data forms into the program. W e cannot afford to have this
data entry done commercially and w e cannot afford to let this opportunity to lead the 2nd AD into the
21st Century slip by us. If w e share the task, w e can do it at minimum cost. You will be thoroughly
trained for the task and it will be something you can sit down to do whenever you have some time to
spare. Here is what it takes to do the job:
Personal skills:
•Average competence with any two of the Microsoft Word Processing systems.
•Average typing skills are essential.
Computer Hardware should be a minimum of:
•Windows 95
• 120 M H z Pentium processor
•16 M B R a m
•2 GB Hard Drive
•3.5 Floppy Drive
•28.8K M o d e m
•Internet and E-Mail capabilities.
• 150 M B of available Hard Drive space
•CD R O M Drive
You will be provided with step by step procedural instructions and a program disk to slip
floppy drive to load the program. Please contact Tom Shepherd at this e-mail address:
sheep@wspice.com. This will be a great way to make a contribution to your B o m b Group heritage!
18
��44th Bomb Group Reunion
October 25 - 29, 1998
Days Inn I Days Suites • 207 West Bay Street
Savannah, Georgia 31401
(912) 236-44407'Reservations Dept. (9 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.)
Pleose print or type only. All information must be completed.
Name:
Daytime Phone #:
Address:
City/State/Zipcode:
Spouse or Guest's N a m e :
Reservation - Accommodation: Send (the 1st Night's Deposit)
Arrival Date:
Departure Date:
Smoking: •
Non-Smoking: •
R o o m Type: Standard Double: •
Cost + 1 2 % tax - Total *or current tax rate.
1) Standard $62 + 1 2 % tax = $69.44/night
2) Suites $82 + 1 2 % tax = $91.84/night
1 Bdrm Suite: •
"klst night deposit should be sent to hotel with reservation
prior to 9/25/98!
^DISCOUNT NOT AVAILABLE THROUGH 1-800 NUMBER!
You may send a check or indicate your credit card number and expiration date.
— —— ——
—
—
—— —— —
—
£f>— —
—
——
—
—
——
—
—
—
Hotel Policies
* The hotel accepts credit cards and cash at check-in.
* Check-in time is 3 p.m. Check-out time is 1 1 a.m.
•k Cancellation is no later than 48 hours prior to arrival.
We offer a cafe on property, open 6:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. , re-opens at 5:30 p.m. until 2:00
p.m. the next day.
If you are driving to the hotel, complimentary garage parking is available. Should you req
taxi service from the airport or Amtrak, the following telephone number m a y be helpful: Coastal
Shuttle ~ (912)964-5999.
^-Please send one copy with payment to the hotel and keep on copy for your records or call
(912) 234-0841 Ext. # 1 4 7 and identify your group for the discounted rate (Monday - Friday 9
a.m. to 4 p.m.) "TUT
We look forward to seeing you in OCTOBER, 1998!
�44th Bomb Group Reunion
October 25 - 29, 1998
Savannah, Georgia
Registration Form
Please print or type only. All information must be completed.
Last Name:
_First (Name Tag)
_Squadron:
Spouse:
Address:
City
Phone (
J
Guests & Relation:
State:
Zipcode:
Total to Attend:
REUNION COST: $140 PER
PERSON
Tour #l- October 24 - Historic Savannah City Tour $16
# Attending:_
Time: o 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
o 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 pm.
Amount $
Tour # 2 - October 25 - Historic Savannah City Tour $20
w/Mansion admission 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Amount $
# Attending:
Tour # 3 - October 27 - L o w Country Tour $25
# Attending:.
Time: o 9:00 a.m. - 12 noon
o 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Tour # 4 - October 28 - Narrated River Tour $ 17.50
# Attending:.
Amount $
Amount $
Time: 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Total Amount:
Registration must be received by October 11, 1998. No Registration will be taken after that date. W e would like to
firm up our reservations as soon as possible. Please send this Registration form with your checkrightaway to:
Mail To: Mike Yuspeh • 7214 Sardonyx Street • New Orleans, LA 70124-3509
Phone: (504) 283-3424 • Fax: (504) 283-3425 (6 rings to pick up.)
NOTE: if you have sent in previous information, please fill out this form and mail with check.
�Savannah Reunion - 44th Bomb Group
Early arrival Saturday, October 24th
•Registration
• Tour Historic Savannah City Tour - Gray Line 11/2 hour (Cost $16)
• # 1 - Leave Hotel 1:00 p.m. - Return 2:30 p.m.
• # 2 - Leave Hotel 3.00 p.m. - Return 4:30 p.m.
Sunday, October 25th
• Registration 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Historic Savannah City Tour with Admission and tour on one of Savannah's
mansions. Leave Hotel 1:00 p.m. - Return 3:00 p.m. (Cost $20)
• Reception - Days Inn: Cash Bar 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Dinner on your own.
Monday, October 26th
• Registration 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• First shuttle bus leaves Hotel at 9:00 a.m. for mighty 8th Museum.
• Visit Mighty 8th Museum.
• Buffet lunch at 11:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m.
• Program to dedicate Ploesti Exhibit -1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
• Shuttle bus returns to Days Inn at 2:45 p.m.
• Shuttle bus leaves at 5:00 p.m. for Convention Center.
•Banquet at Savannah Convention Center - Buffet and open bar.
-Ceremony
-Bag Pipes and Disk Jockey will provide entertainment.
•Shuttle bus returns to Days Inn 9:30 p.m.
Tuesday, October 27th
Tours
• 9 0 0 a m Board Meeting for 44th B o m b Group Association (Hospitality Room)
• Low Country Tour (plantation site) - Cost $25 - Leaves at 9:00 a.m., returns 12:00 noon.
or Leaves at 1:00 p.m., returns 4:00 p.m.
• Squadron Dinners - Mighty 8th Museum.
Shuttles to begin at 5:30 p.m.
Dinner served at 7:00 p.m.
Shuttles to return at 9:30 p.m.
Wednesday, October 28th
• Annual Meeting 9:00 am. (Whereabouts to be announced)
• Tour on Savannah River Queen. Dock at 1:30 p.m., return at 3:00 p.m. (Cost $17.50)
• Visit to Old Fort Jackson
Shuttles to leave at 6:00 p.m.
Dinner at 6:45 p.m.
Shuttle returns at 9:30 p.m.
Thursday, October 29th
• Leave for home.
�When you have completed this form, if you have no pictures, mail it with $10; if you have two photos or
one photo and an extra page of text (single spaced in 12 point font), mail the form with $15 to44thBQV7\.
IT XAI84110-2367
m.i?A7
44th BQVA. P.O. Box 2367. Salt lake
Lake City
City.l UT
8 th Air Force Military Heritage Database
Personal Biographical Data -- Your "Living M o n u m e n t "
It is our goal to assemble a complete record of all personnel who at one time served with the 8th Air Force d
World War II. The records of those w h o were on flying status will be obtained from declassified group mission
reports which have been stored in the National Archives. From this, a matrix has been developed which will allow
for the search and retrieval of the following information: w h o flew on what mission, with w h o m , in what plane, to
what target, on what date, enemy opposition, aircraft and personnel losses, and hundreds of cross referenced bits of
detailed information.
To make this database come "Alive," your stories, memories, photos and voice recordings are essential.
Cassette recordings of your memories should be limited to 2 minutes or less per each incident.
Please provide a "Then and N o w " photo of yourself and a Crew photo, if available.
A Master Copy of this multi-media database is now a part of the Eighth Air Force Heritage Museum in Savannah,
Other copies will be available to M u s e u m s , Libraries, Universities, Schools and on the World W i d e W e b Internet.
You may also have your o w n copy of the full database, on a C D , to run on a h o m e computer.
Last Name: First: Initial:
Address # I: City: State:
Zip Code: Phones — Home: Other: Fax:
E-mail Address:
Date of Birth:
City:
State:
Nickname:
Date Deceased: Date Enlisted: City: State:
Spouse: 8th Air Force Group/s: Squadron/s:
Special Military Training:
Graduating Class:
State:
Location:
19
�Group Rank:
Group Duties:
Ret. Rank:
Your ASN (Serial Number/s):
Occupation Prior to Military:
Occupation After Military and/or Continued Military Service:
Arrival at ETO base:
Arrived From:
Arrived How (Any Details):
*
Personal Memories, Experiences & Stories:
20
m
�Specific Mission C o m m e n t s :
Date Departed ETO:
Destination:
How:
Trip Details:
Military Honors & Decorations:
Stars or
Clusters
Stars or
Clusters
Air Medal:
Purple Heart:
Presidential Unit Citation:
Prisoner of War:
Good Conduct Medal:
Victory W W I I :
European Theater Ribbon:
Congressional Medal Of Honor:
Distinguished Service Cross:
Distinguished Service Medal:
Silver Star:
Legion of Merit:
Distinguished Flying Cross:
Soldiers Medal:
Bronze Star:
Other Award s:
21
�Special Status: Shot D o w n : Q
Escaped:^
Parachuted:^
POW:Q
Evaded:U
Wounded:^
MIA:FJ
KIA:Q
Ditched:Q
Crashed^
lnterned:Q
HospitalizediQ Disabled:^ Other:Q
Details:
Ground Crew:Q
Crew ChieLG
lnstruments:Q
Sheet Metals:G
Assistant C C : Q
Refueling:Q
A G E Mechanic^
Bombsight:G
Armorer:^
Hydraulics:^
Radio:Q
Radar:G
Other:
Duties:
Aircraft You Crewed: (Names and Numbers):
Aircraft Lost or Damaged:
Memories:
Base Operations: Administration:^
Engineering:!^ MessHalLQ
Clerical^
SupplyQ
Communication:^
MedicaLQ
Intelligence:^ Other Duties or Assignments:
Your Contributions Must Not Be Forgotten, Please Provide Details:
22
m
Security:^
Photo Lab:Q
�(data entry) most if not all of the material
which I have been collecting for nearly 25
years. It will also handle photos and audio In the last issue of 8 Ball Tails (Spring such as personal and crew photos, airplanes
98), 1 tried to advise everyone about the
and personal accounts - both written and
efforts being taken to collect all of the
spoken. Better still, the program has been so
Interrogation Reports held in the mission
designed as to have the capability to retrieve
folders in Washington, D.C. and about our
data in most any format. It is so flexible that
efforts to develop a system to m a k e all of
one can access the data bank and have a
this information readily available for our
complete history printed out in book form
members and the general public.
about a person's combat records, etc.
WIIXSEZ
Tommy Shepherd conducted a search for
a software program which could be adapted
to perform this type of recording. In short
order, Tommy m a d e contact with Arlo
Bartsch, a computer expert w h o had
developed such a system which he had used
to record his o w n B-17 B o m b Group, the
379th, 8th AF during W W # 2 . Arlo had served
as a B-17 pilot, so used his o w n experiences
to help pave the way for usage in a very
flexible program. A demonstration model is
available on the Internet address:
http:www.8th airforce.com.
Arlo has agreed to work with us this
s u m m e r to take one month's operational
data (January, 1944) and build it into a
sample presentation at our o w n reunion
d o w n in Savannah this October. This will be
a great opportunity to demonstrate to our
members h o w our entire history could look
if w e can m a k e a complete data entry of our
history. Hopefully, we will have a large
number in attendance so that our members
can see first hand what a treasure this
program will be.
Although I've written only about combat
records above, this program will handle
equally well data about all other phases of
our activities. However, for the most part, all
too little has been preserved in our
microfilm records. To improve this
situation, efforts are being made to provide
a worksheet to be included in this issue of
"Tails" so that each of you can fill in and
return to us, giving us as m u c h personal
information about yourself and your time in
service as practical. The form will be selfexplanatory and will help us develop more
information about each of us individually to
be used in this program's data bank. Please,
all of you, do your best to fill in the blanks
and return it to us so that we can have the
best and most complete database of all
bomber groups.
Hope to see you all in Savannah in
As Arlo and his company is based in
Milwaukee, T o m m y arranged for him to
bring his program to the 2nd Air Division
Association reunion in Chicago for w e
44thers who were attending to view it. Dick
Butler, 44th BG's V P representative on the
2nd ADA's board, announced in their board
meeting that Arlo was making this
presentation and invited everyone to view it
with us. It would be a golden opportunity to
observe and make an appraisal of the
quality of this program for use by the entire
2nd Division.
Arlo made arrangements for a single
viewing of his program on Saturday, but it
proved so popular that he stayed two more
days and made several presentations. The
general consensus of those attending ranged
from quite good to absolutely S U P E R , with
most of us 44thers at the top end of that
scale. Personally, I was ecstatic! Here and
available was a program so powerful and
flexible that it could be utilized to record
October.
Will Lundy
See CPayes 17 an J IS for Troyram Description.
Taaes
23
m
19 tfirouyfi 22 for 'DataBase lorm.
�44TH BOMB GROUP VETE M S ASSOCIATION BOARD
President: Roy W. Owen (506J
6304 Meadowridge Drive
Santa Rosa, CA 95409-5839
Phone: (707J 538-4726 Fax: C707J 538-1212
e-mail: rowen@sonic.net
Director: Michael "Mike" Yuspeh T506J
7214 Sardonyx St.
New Orleans, LA 70124-3509
Phone: T504J 283-3424 Fax: T504J 283-3425
e-mail: mikeyuspeh@worldnet.att.net
Vice President: James H. Clements f506J
4124 Calculus Avenue
Dallas. TX 75244
Phone/Fax: T972J 243-4657
Director: Nancy L. Van EPPS fHq. SqdnJ
13922 River Road
Pensacola. FL 32507
Phone/Fax: T850J 492-2041
Secretary: Edward M. Dobson f67J
118 South 15th Avenue #1
Bozeman. M T 59715-4130
Phone/Fax: f406J 587-2490
Membership Co-Chair: Search Art Hand C66J
517 Elm Street
Paris. IL 61994
Phone/Fax: T217J 463-5905
e-mail: butch@tigerpaw.com
Treasurer: Gerald fJerryJ FoIsom f506J
3582 East Dover Hill Road
Salt Lake City. U T 84121-5527
Phone T80IJ 733-7371 Fax: T80IJ 942-9988
e-mail: 44thb2va@mail.xmission.com
Membership Co-Chair: Roster
Tom Shepherd T66/67J
10597 Cambrooke Cove
Collierville. TN 38017
Phone: T90IJ 854-6558 Fax: f90U 853-4229
e-mail: sheep@wspice.com
Historian: C.W. "Will" Lundy T67J
3295 North " H " Street
San Bernardino. CA 92405-2809
Phone/Fax: T909J 882-2441
e-mail: willundy@aol.com
P.O. Box 315, Bridgeport, CA 93517 fSumJ
Phone/Fax: T760J 932-7349
Director T67J Archivist
Anthony "Tony" Mastradone
9111 Tuckerman Street
Lanham. M D 20706-2709
Phone/Fax: f301J 577-1487
e-mail: mast@clres.com
44th Group Vice President to 2nd ADA
Richard D. Butler T506/67J
16494 Wagon Wheel Drive
Riverside. CA 92506
Phone T909J 780-7421 Fax: C909J 780-1459
U.K. Representative: Steve Adams
28 Bassingham Rd.
Norwich. England NR3 2QT
Phone/Fax: 011-44-1603-400221
e-mail: s.p.adams@btinternet.com
Director: Edw. K. "Mike" Mikoloski C66J
626 Smithfield Road #702
N. Providence. Rl 02904
Phone/Fax: T40IJ 353-0144
ASSOCIATION MAILING ADDRESS:
44th BGVA
P.O. Box 2367
Salt Lake City. UT 84110-2367
Director: Robert J. Lehnhausen f68J
709 West Meadows Place
Peoria, IL 61604-3447
Phone/Fax: T309J 685-2490
24
�MISCELLANEA
AiMqels
CORNER
Our newest Angels are Kobert and Kay Eddings of Westmoreland, TN.
"Bob" served in the 67th Squadron as Aircraft Mechanic for over three
dedicated years out on the "line" helping to keep the planes flying. He did
take time off to find his Scottish bride, Catherine (Kay), and they have
been very staunch supporters of the 67th Squadron and the 44th F3G.
They have contributed generously at every opportunity over the years and
recently donated $ 5 0 0 . More to help cover the cost of completing the
copying of our historical records at the National Archives in Washington
D.C. W E O W E F30F3 A N D K A Y A TIP OF T H E H A T A N D A MIGHTY [31(5
T H A N K Y O U F O R Y O U R G E N E R O U S S U P P O R T OVER T H E Y E A R S . W e
love you guys!
Gem of the Day [credit Chicago co\umr\\5t Zay N. Smith): A T-Shirt spotted in ancient Rome:
'Tatre Troiae X Annos Proeliato Nihil Mihi Datum Nisi Haec Tunicula Pedicuiosa."
Which means, My Father Fought 10 Years at Troy, and All I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt."
O
O
O
^D
The Mailing fiddress Problem Still Goes On
Snowbirds and others who fail to let us know when you move. This last issue we had 11 ret
counting original production, mailing, return and remailing costs us about $4.50 a piece. Please, send a
USPS change of address card to our Association mailing address well in advance of your move so w e can
change our records and you will receive your 8-Ball Tails on the original mailing. W e are also going to cut
costs by mailing only one copy to a household where both husband and wife are paid-up members. W e
hate to deny these couples the luxury of sitting down and each having a personal copy of the "Tails" to
read, but to help cut costs, I'm sure these faithful members will be understanding.
44th BGVA, P.O. Box 2367, Salt Lake City, UT 84110-2367
o o o
Another "Cal" Coolidge Vignette (You m a y recall "Cal" w a s the President w h o , w h e n
being briefed o n the need to e x p a n d the A r m y Air Corps, asked: "Can't w e just b u y one
airplane a n d have the pilots take turns flying it?"
More "Cal" President Calvin Coolidge invited some Vermont friends to dine at the White
House. They w e r e worried about their table m a n n e r s a n d decided to do everything the
President did. T h e m e a l passed smoothly until coffee w a s served. Coolidge poured
^ . his coffee into a saucer. T h e guests followed suit. H e added sugar and cream.
y
The visitors did likewise. T h e n Coolidge leaned over a n d gave his to the cat.
25
�The 44th is on the Internet!
Mike Yuspeh has succeeded in creating and placing a 44th Web Page on the Internet. For those of you
equipped and Modem equipped, the address is: http://www.gnofn.org/~506bgp44. Try it, it is a great start. For the time
being, and properly so, Mike is giving some hoopla to our reunion. Later on we will use the Web page to tell the story of the
44th. Another site you might wish to take a look at is the Ellsworth AFB Web Page. It is at: http://www.ellsworth.af.mil/
~history/44mw.htm.
Our list of members who now have computers is growing. If you are one of these and are on the Inter
your e-mail address to Tom Shepherd, the keeper of our 44th Roster so it can be included in our next revision of the 44th
Directory. Come on in! The water is fine.
o o o
Reunion Notice
T o m Parsons (68th), Vice President of the 8th Air Force Historical Society urges all 44 t h B G V A Members
w h o also belong to the Society to mark your calendar to attend their annual reunion October 13 - 18,
1 9 9 8 at the Hilton Hotel, Cherry Hill, N e w Jersey. All necessary forms and details appear in the M a y
and August issues of your 8th Air Force News.
o o o
1999 TRAVEL WITH ROY & LOLLY OWEN
Before I go to a lot of work planning a trip for the late spring of next year, I would like to get a feel
for how m a n y would like to m a k e a nice visit to the Norwich/Shipdham area with s o m e day trips out
of Norwich, then either North to York and Edinburgh or West to Bath and Wales or South to
Eastbourne and the 1 0 6 6 country.
I have in mind at least one nice 5 5 passenger bus load of 8-Ball'ers on a pretty laid-back tour that
will include your breakfast and dinner every day and lunch on your o w n wherever w e m a y be. A
general itinerary that will allow us to swing off and see something or place that interests us along
the way, and when w e m a k e a major stop, you will be free to do whatever interests you in
the area. M y tour m a n says, for a little extra, w e can m a k e a day trip
over to Dieppe for s o m e big time shopping.
W e will handle the finances through our own treasury and I've got a
good connection that will arrange the hotels and transportation, so
the cost will be quite reasonable.
If this sounds good to you, drop m e a card, letter, e-mail or fax (all
that is in the Board Directory herein) and let m e know if you'd like to
go, how m a n y of you, and which direction you would like to go from
Norwich. This will be a two week trip with add-on, if s o m e would like to
stay over for a few days.
26
�^
27
�Tail End Charley and the Little Black Clouds
By Forrest S. Clark
October, 1943-April, 1944
67th Squadron
It was my first mission, 5 Nov. 1943 and the target was the dreaded Germa
town o/Munster, said to have 400jlak guns around it. I didn't know this at the
takeoff. Somehow that information hadn't reached me from briefing.
We got off all right in the 44th BG formation and rendezvous without majo
The 44th BG that day was relatively far upfront in the formation, so when
position in the tail turret, I had an excellent view of the rest of the entire fo
stacked up behind us. It was a sight to behold indeed and gave me a momentary
elation and a shot of confidence. But that was not to last very long.
We crossed the North Sea headed for the Dutch coast. The sky was a china
as I could see and not a cloud. I marveled at the elements of our bombers flying
looked like a perfect rather close formation. I tried my guns and cracked the
controls to check if everything was working.
At long last I saw the thin ribbon of beach and knew it must be the Dutch
were at medium altitude and all systems had checked out okay. I knew Munster wa
still a couple of hundred miles inland near the Ruhr Valley. What I didn't know
bombers had gone to Munster two weeks before and got the hell shot out of them.
But In my Innocence I even began to enjoy the ride a little. Then I began
black clouds forming off to both sides of the plane. "What do you see back there
the call over the intercom from the pilot upfront. "Oh nothing much, sir, I rep
confidently. "Are you sure?" came the reply. "Nothing but a few small clouds,
time into the intercom pressing the button against my throat. "Small black cl
the answer. "Damn it that's FLAK." The last word, FLAK, had an immediate sharp
to it and from then on we had plenty of it on all sides, sometimes shaking the ai
seemed like we were flying through a sky pock-marked with black clouds. I saw
close ones.
Luckily we got our bombs away and headed for home, but I had learned my le
which stayed with me for the rest of my missions. For the sake of privacy, I won
the name of the pilot; but I knew why he looked at me rather strangely as we ma
way to interrogation.
�FOLDED WINGS
July, 1998
VadisK. Akers
07/22/76
35447356
Waist Gunner for the
Usser J. Mustapa crew. 66th Squadron. This crew was given overseas orders on 5 November 1943
tour began in May, 1944, ended September, 1944 In May 1944
this crew was on D.S. to 93rd BG for Pathfinder work for ten
days. They flew many missions as a Group Lead crew. Last mission to complete tour was 18 September 1944, the low level
supply mission to Best, Holland.
Harold A. Barnes 07/25/97 31283540 68th Squadron. Harold was a Waist Gunner on the
R.C. Knablein crew. This crew joined the 68th Sq. on 29 May
1944 and rapidly completed their tour on 8 September 1944.
Lt. Homer W. Crump 0-678179 Lt. Crump was killed in an airplane accident in Alaska
in the early 1960s. Lt. Crump and his crew were assigned to the
68th Sq. on 4 February 1945. They flew missions until 25 April
1945 and then brought their aircraft #42-51704 back to the
States on 21 May 1945. His bombardier, Charles D. Henry, folded
his wings in 1992. (See below.)
Charlie D. Crutcher 11/18/97 Unable to identify any data concerning this member.
Cabin W. Day 11/09/95 Per wife, Vivian J. Day. Very limited data suggests that Calvin
served with the bomb Wing at Lake Charles in the 1950s.
Charles D. Henry 08/92 0-929136 68th Squadron. The Homer W. Crump crew was assigned to the 68th Squadron on 4 February 1945. Many of their
missions were flown in A/C #42-51704 J, and it also brought the
crew home on 21 May 1945.
RayM. Higgins 02/20/98 Ray served with the 806th Chemical section, working mostly with
the armament crews. He is survived by his wife, Josephine, a son,
Robert and two daughters, Joanne & Maureen.
Charles Huntz Intensive search has not revealed any data about this member.
Edmond R. Ingram 01/06/93 67th Squadron. Sgt. Ingram was the engineer on the A.J.
Helfenbein crew (as was Lt. Nadaud listed below in this report).
This pilot originally flew from Kansas to England via Gander
Lake, Iceland, Nutts Corner and to Shipdham as part of the
Vicker's Provisional Group, was co-pilot to L.J. Parks. When he
became first pilot, his crew was formed in December, 1943. They
flew 27 missions to successfully complete their tour.
29
���T/Sgt. Robert D. Taylor 08/15/97
6919417 Sgt. Taylor was one of the early members of th
Squadron, was with the ground echelon when they went to
on the Queen Mary in September, 1942. He served as Aircr
Inspector, made both trips to Africa in 1943. In Septem
attended AM School. He is survived by his wife, Kathleen
daughter.
S/Sgt. Oliver J. Thomsen .. 08/15/97 17164976 66th Squadron. "O.J. " was born on August 17,
folded his wings on 9 March 1998. Sgt. Thomsen was an armo
waist gunner for Lt. E. B. Hendrick 's crew; was assigned
Squadron in November, 1944. Their first mission was on 3
ber, and their tour was completed on 20 April 1945, with
missions. On the crew's last mission, O.J. calmly rele
bomb that was hung up in the bomb bay, lessening greatly
of afirethere. As O.J. and John Walker were the only mar
j
on the crew, they became close friends while training at
remained close during their time in England in training.
The 8-Ball Tails©
Official Journal of The 44th Bomb Group Veterans Association, Inc. ©
Compiled, written and published tri-yearly at 6304 Meadowridge Dr., Santa Rosa, C
95409, Roy W. Owen, Editor. Printed and mailed Bulk Rate at Salt Lake City, VT
under USPS Permit #6923. All original written material such as letters, stories,
excerpts from personal diaries or memoirs, drawings and photos submitted to this
journal will become the property of the 44th Bomb Group Veterans Association and
will be copyright protected except where noted. The text and photos are otherwise
reproduced from official USAAF and USAF documents and photos which have been
released for publication. Permission is granted for the contents of this journal to be
reproduced specifically for personal archives. Otherwise, copyright material herein
may be reproduced by the journal of other incorporated non-profit veterans
organizations so long as this publication is properly credited and prior permission is
granted by the editor.
Those submitting letters, stories and photos to the editor or historian must do s
with the understanding that this material will most likely be published in this
journal as a matter of interest to the members/subscribers of the Association and
this journal. While every attempt will be made to answer all of the material
received, there is no explicit or implied guarantee that an answer will be provided
or published. Except for specific requests for the return of original documents and
photos, all material submitted will become the property of the 44th Veterans
Association, Inc., or its successors.
Due to space limitations and to ensure the clarity and brevity of submitted mater
the Publisher/Editor reserves the editorial license to add, cut or otherwise modify
all submitted material so long as the original context of the material is maintained.
32
®
���
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8 Ball Tails
Newsletter
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8 Ball Tails Volume 2 - Issue 6: Summer 1998
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Summer 1998
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Text
�FRONT COVER PNOTO: A T FAR
RiqhT, 44TII A/C
South of Wesel. It w a s a successful, but
costly operation with 5 0 0 m e n killed and
1,250 wounded. The 2nd Air Division lost
fourteen of the nineteen bombers lost that
day.
The Lt. M a x E. Chandler crew of the 506th
B o m b Squadron, 44th B o m b Group, flying B24J, Bar R S O U T H E R N C O M F O R T III, with
DeBlasio and Vance in the Waist Gunners
positions, were assigned to salvo the drop
bundles out of the opening of the removed Ball
Turret Guns. They were flying the left wing of
the left element of the second of three nineship squadrons at approximately 2 0 0 feet.
The 44th dropped 6 0 tons of supplies, while
battling through an intense storm of 2 0 m m
cannons, machine gun and small weapons fire
Upon reaching the drop area, Sgt. Thomas
Clark opened the bulkhead that accessed the
b o m b bay and released his supply bundles.
Lou and Bob shoved theirs through the Sperry
ball opening. The plane w a s banking to get out
of the area w h e n suddenly the entire ship
seemed to stall in midair and shudder. They
had been hit!
Clark w a s the first to see the flames coming
up through the b o m b bay. Louis, right waist
gunner, s a w the flames and shouted, "We've
had it." Then he and Bob assumed the
'ditching position' —flat on the floor of the
waist section on top of the unused flak suits,
hands behind their heads and feet against the
Sperry ball platform bulkhead. A s it
happened, unlike other members of the crew,
neither had removed their flak suits. "That is
what saved us," Louis declared. " W e were
protected from the impact of the crash."
From 2 0 0 feet above, Richard Lynch, nose
gunner in Lt. Lee's aircraft, saw the crash,
and described it as follows: "...I noticed
number four engine on Lt. Chandler's ship
begin to smoke and then noticed the plane hit
the ground with its belly and bottom part of
the rudders, and then bounce up into the air
and maintain level controlled flight at
approximately 100 feet for about a minute and
a half. The plane then, apparently out of
control, bunked sharply to the right, with the
right wing hitting the ground and continued to
revolve to the right in a clockwise direction,
CAII
LETTER BAR R 42-50896, LT. MAX E. CNANCIIER'S B-24.
(Louis & Bob's PIANE.)
phoTO WAS TAI<EN FROM:
"This B 24 WENT ON JNTO TIIE qRouNd + ExplodEd.
CAPTJON FROM AIDUM
CAUSE WAS MACIHNE quN FJRE."
It all happened as a part of Operation
Varsity, the airborne assault planned to help
the Allied ground troops establish and hold a
bridgehead across the Rhine River around the
town of Wesel, Germany.
"The forces under General George Patton
were scheduled to m a k e the river crossing
assault at 9:00 p.m. on March 23, 1945 in his
anxiety to beat his arch rival Ally, British
General Bernard Montgomery, to the crossing,
General Patton launched his attack early and
m a d e the crossing at 10:00 p.m. on March 22.
Nonetheless, Operation Varsity w a s executed
on time in the early morning of March 24.
MARch 24, 1 945 - Low
IEVEI
supply chop.
This w a s the last and biggest one-day airborne
operation of the war. The enormous forces
involved included 3,044 transport planes and
gliders; more than 3,000 fighter sorties and
21,680 troops of the U.S. 1 7th and British 6th
Airborne Divisions. O n e hundred artillery
pieces, along with 109 tons of ammunition
and 6 9 5 vehicles m a d e the flight with the
troops. Following them by about one hour
were 2 4 0 B-24 Liberators with another 5 8 2
tons of air dropped supplies. By 2:00 p.m.
they had taken every objective and linked up
with the Allied ground troops a few miles
2
m
�pivoting on the right wing tip and ending up
skidding along the ground on its belly, 180
degrees to our path of flight."
Fate intervened in a strange way. The plane
split at the waist, and Louis and Bob found
themselves partially thrown clear. Louis' arm
w a s badly injured and his left eye w a s bloody
and beginning to swell. Bob had a deep head
laceration, a fractured clavicle, and had lost
one tooth. Bleeding and in semi-shock, they
crawled away from the plane, minutes before
it exploded. The crash took the life of M a x E.
Chandler, Pilot; Hugh O'Donnell, Co-Pilot;
Engineer Sakis Nedder; Left Waist Gunner
T h o m a s Clark; Radio Gunner Eugene Elliott;
Nose Gunner T h o m a s Cordes and Navigator
Robert T. Dantzler. A second ship, A C #42100314, piloted by Lt. Leonard J. Crandell,
went d o w n also, exploding near the
S O U T H E R N C O M F O R T III. There were no
survivors.
"Knowing the Germans would be watching
to see if anyone got out of the plane, w e
crawled across a field, and hid under a
wagon," Louis remembered. "I bandaged
Bob's bleeding head and he bandaged m y eye.
I never lost consciousness, but due to his head
wound, Bob w a s "incoherent for s o m e time."
They tried to take off their parachute harness,
but weren't able. Bob's right clavicle w a s
fractured, and Louis' left arm w a s practically
non-functional. Neither had the strength nor
coordination to open the buckle.
German soldiers were hiding in the w o o d s
nearby, but they would not c o m e out for fear
of being strafed by our fighters. Instead they
sent civilians to find the survivors.
"Immediately they took our guns. O n e
ordered m e to take mine apart. I took out the
clip and field stripped it," Louis said. "Then
they told m e to put it back together. I
pretended that I didn't k n o w how. I decided
that if they were going to shoot me, it would
not be with m y o w n weapon. They carefully
wrapped the parts in a handkerchief, creating
a little sack. They studied our Escape Kits,
taking the pain pills, chocolate and other
candy. I had five English Pound notes, which
they took out. To m y amazement they
returned them to me.
"Actually, they were surprised to learn that
w e were Americans. They kept asking us if
w e were Canadians, knowing that the British
were operating in that area."
A German officer w h o had been hiding in the
woods, took c o m m a n d of the two, along with
a pilot from a P-47 that had crashed nearby.
The officer spoke a little English, and w a s able
to provide s o m e first aid to their wounds. The
fighter pilot had managed to bail out of his
upward spiraling craft, but had a badly injured
leg. The three prisoners were kept hidden in
the woods, presumably to avoid the
continuous strafing. W h e n night fell, they
were put on a horse drawn w a g o n to be
transported to where? They had no idea.
Both recall the driver's c o m m a n d s to his
horse, shouted out in the darkness, "Hooh
hot."
They woke up the next morning on the
kitchen floor of a farmhouse, with German
guards standing by. Louis' strongest m e m o r y
w a s of suffering from overwhelming thirst;
and with his multiple contusions, could hardly
walk. From there, they were moved to a First
Aid Station where a German doctor ordered a
tetanus shot for both. Because they were
wearing so m a n y clothes, the injection w a s
placed in the pectoral muscle in their chests.
Louis had a grossly abnormal reaction,
tremendous swelling at the needle site and a
case of hives that lasted five days. The
misery of the itch kept him awake for five
nights without relief. Next they were marched
across a field and into the w o o d s to an
artillery unit. Fully expecting to be shot, they
were relieved that their luck continued to hold.
Once again darkness brought another move.
The next morning they woke up on the straw
covered floor of a dance hall, along with other
wounded soldiers, German and Allied side by
side. Bob's m e m o r y upon waking up w a s
seeing a Coca-Cola sign on the wall. It took
him a minute to remember he w a s a P O W .
With the fuel shortage, Germans were using
ambulances to pull other ambulances. Only
later did the two airmen realize that it w a s
because of the rapid speed of American
tanks, that their captors kept moving them
further inland.
3
�The Germans became increasingly kind.
Apparently they were aware that the war was
nearly lost; and saw that they, themselves,
might become prisoners. Repeatedly, they
reminded Louis and Bob that they were being
well treated, and they should tell that to other
Americans.
"Once when w e were being hidden in a
wooded area, w e saw B-24's," Louis recalled,
"which I assumed were enroute to Berlin."
Looking up and seeing so many in formation, I
said to m y guard, "Why do you continue?
Can't you see that you are losing?" His
answer, "We have to keep doing this until w e
get other orders."
Their next stop was a large brick hospital,
where both Louis and Bob got badly needed
medical attention.
"Don't get nervous," the physician
counseled Louis, when he asked for relief from
his hives. "A nun will give you a shot, and you
will have a strange sensation." That was quite
an understatement. "I felt like m y feet were
on fire and the rest of m e promptly followed,"
Louis remembered. "But then I could finally
get some sleep."
The German doctor trimmed and redressed
Bob's head wound. Across the room he
watched other doctors amputate the leg of a
British prisoner, tossing it into a basket. Later,
when the Brit awoke in his ward, he was
furious that they had taken his leg.
The journey ended at a town called Ahlen,
where they were moved to one of several
hospitals housing wounded of many
nationalities —German, French, English and
Americans.
There was a B-24 pilot w h o was very badly
burned. He was really in misery. Bob and Louis
were assigned to different wards. P-47's were
strafing the
town, and
every time
they were
overhead, the
French
patients ran
to the window
and cheered.
4
®
"Later on w e could freely walk around the
wards," Bob remembered, "Once I ran into a
German patient w h o had been m y guard when
I was first captured. Strange that a man who
had been m y captor was now lying in the
same hospital. W e also encountered a British
soldier whose trousers were totally in shreds. I
took off m y flight pants and gave them to
him."
Much of the care was given by nuns, who
were considerate and kind. The Nazi nurses
had no compassion for the wounded
Americans. One nurse took little care in
removing the dressing from Bob's head
wound. He was forced to lower his head to his
knees, to keep from passing out.
"They wanted to put m e to work, but I was
so weak, they had to give up on that," Louis
said. "They ordered m e to peel potatoes. With
only one eye, I had no depth perception, and I
took off too much of the potato. With the
scarcity of food, they promptly gave up on
that idea. They were running out of
everything — n o running water, no heat. The
only food was potato soup and black bread,
which they covered with lard. It was horrible.
W e had to put on the lard to get the bread
down. However, w e could see that the
German guards weren't eating any better."
On the eighth day of their capture, they
heard the welcome rumble of American
Sherman tanks. The Germans in the ward
said, "Tiger Tanks." W e knew better.
On April 1st Louis noticed that the Chaplain
was pulling guns from under the beds of the
German patients and carrying them out of the
ward. Then he saw them hanging white sheets
up to the windows.
"Something's happening," Louis observed.
"Let's walk to the front door and see if anyone
stops us." Nobody did.
Next they walked out the door. Still nobody
paid attention. The three airmen, Louis, Bob
and the P-47 pilot, walked down the street a
short distance and encountered the
Americans roaring into town. The three
airmens' uniforms were so dirty and bloodstained, the driver could not recognize that
they were Americans until they started to
speak English. They quickly learned that
�Ahlen had been declared an 'Open City,' in
Paris; and before long, Louis w a s enroute to
recognition that it w a s an area that housed
the States. Doctors predicted he would never
be able to straighten his left arm, but with
m a n y wounded. Hostilities within the city had
been discontinued.
grit, exercise and daily weight lifting, the arm
became functional.
"What a wonderful sight it was, seeing
The whereabouts of the fighter pilot is still
American Forces roaring into town in jeeps,
unknown. A s the documentation of W W I I
tanks, armored cars and trucks," Bob
unfolded, Bob and Louis learned that their
remembered. "Those guys looked tough and
battle hardened.
crash, and that of the Lt. Crandell's plane
They tossed us
were photographed by Capt. U.P Harvell,
K-Rations,
Intelligence and Photo Officer of the 44th
B o m b Group. Harvell's pictures are considered
cigarettes and
candy. I w a s
unique in the film record of W W I I air battles.
The daring low level flights which supplied the
proud to be an
American."
airborne troops on Rhine Day are regarded as
one of the U.S. Air Force's greatest
A n ambulance
accomplishments,
picked up the
second only to
three airmen
the Ploesti
and transported
tnem to an
AMERICAN G.I.s, HOIIANCI civiliAMs & JEEps. Mission in losses
for a low level
American hospital at Munchen-Gladbach,
mission.
where their w o u n d s were attended. Here they
About a year
got their first decent meal in eight days. The
after
they were
wounded from the Allied Forces were pouring
back in the
in so rapidly, doctors could not take time away
states, Bob and
from the freshly wounded, w h o s e conditions
Louis met again in
were more critical.
Ohio. Then Bob
For the three of them, the war w a s over. At
moved to
this point they were separated. Bob w a s sent
California, and it
to a field hospital in Liege for the night. The
w a s nearly forty
next day he w a s taken to an airfield where he
years until their
boarded a C-47 and w a s flown to Cheltenham,
next reunion.
England, then to the 4 1 5 3 U.S. Hospital in
Louis DEBIASJO & RobERT VANCE
Through
time and
Glouscester. From there he w a s given a pass
AT 1 9 9 7 BOML> G R O U P REUI\HON
space, their
to go back to his base at Shipdham for
JN SAIT LAI<E CiTy.
friendship has
interrogation.
never wained.
Being assigned to an E x - P O W detachment in
W
h e n they are together, the years fall away,
London, he happened to be at Picadilly Circus
and they are again, the two buddies w h o
on M a y 8, 1945, V.E. Day. He described it as
shared an a w e s o m e experience in American
a 'madhouse.' H e remembered people
history.
climbing light poles and bus tops in their
celebration. From there he went to
Southampton to board a transport ship that
sailed in a convoy to Boston, Mass.
Louis w a s sent to a hospital in Paris. From
behind hospital windows on V.E. Day, he
watched Paris celebrate the largest party ever
in its history. The professional staff
considered it unsafe for patients to join the
throng. More w o u n d e d filled the wards in
5
�TU 1998 REM/M SMIMAH $EOR$/A
by Johnny Harris', one of the great barbecue
It was a BIG
rib houses in the country.
B L O W OUT!
H o w else could
you describe it? At our Banquet we were honored with some
descriptions of the Ploesti Raid by T o m m y
The hotel was
Holmes who wears the first Purple Heart medal
sold out, the
awarded
in the 44th Bomb Group. W e were then
lobby was too
entertained by Mr. Cornell Iliescu, a Romanian
small; from
native now living in Costa Mesa, CA. Cornell was
Friday evening
a
six year old boy who lived in Ploesti and
to Sunday
witnessed the raid from his yard. It was a
afternoon, it
unique experience for the Ploesti veterans
was a mad house
present to hear a story from someone in their
with early
bombing target area.
arrivals and
folks who had
not made their The highlight of the reunion, of course, was the
DoRis M C C I A N E wirh TIHE
dedication and prof f erance of the 44th Bomb
G E N . LEON W. JohNSON PORTRAJT.
reservations in
Group display depicting the "Tidal Wave" 44th
time to assure a
Bomb Group lead element over the White IV
room; the registration/hospitality room was too
target
at the instant before bombs away. Brig.
small, the 48 seat restaurant was a joke, service
Gen. Jack Gibson was scheduled to make the
was so slow you would have been served best if
dedication, but was hospitalized in Dallas with
you had placed your order when you sent in your
severe neck pains, thus the presentation was
hotel reservations! W e were forced to cram our
made by President Roy Owen. For the benefit
annual general membership meeting into a
of
those unable to attend, the presentation is
restaurant across the street with no P/A system
repeated in part here:
and the Sunday reception, although in a larger
hospitality room was still so crowded and hot w e
had two people faint, yet, would you believe w e 44th Bomb Group Display Dedication Program
had more on-the-spot compliments and follow-on
Welcome and Introductions: Col. Roy W. Owen,
letters telling us what a wonderful reunion it
President, 44th Bomb Group Veterans
was from beginning to end. Financially we had
less hassle and made more than enough to pay the Association.
Pledge of Allegiance (remain standing).
bills and put some money in the treasury. You
just never know.
Invocation
Because the hotel did not have a banquet room,
Introduction of Brigadier General Jack Gibson,
we had our Ploesti display dedication luncheon
last living Commander of the W W I I 44th Bomb
and Squadron night dinners out at the Mighty
Group
by President O w e n
8th Air Force Museum. W e had our banquet at
the Savannah Convention Center and our closing
night, we had a great Southern Barbecue dinner Good Morning, may I add my welcome to that of
President Owen.
and show out on the banks of the Savannah River
at the Old Fort Jackson which protected the
It is indeed my great honor to be standing here
City of Savannah during the Civil War. W e
in what I feel are rightfully the footsteps of
were protected that evening by a company of
General Leon Johnson who led the 44th through
Confederate soldiers and entertained with
its shining hour in the holocaust over the blazing
Southern banjo music. The dinner was catered
oil refineries of Ploesti on August 1,1943.
6
®
�General Johnson folded his wings the 10th of
November last year. I know as surely as I stand
here in his footsteps that the gentle, brave and
modest leader we loved is proudly watching his
Eightballs commemorate one of the proudest
days in aviation history.
manager. While Keith St. Aubin was completing
the models, Tom commissioned the International
Plastic Modelers Society, Atlanta Chapter to
design and create the scale model of the
Columbia Aquila refinery complex. Historians
Will Lundy and Ed Dobson, Jr. were responsible
for checking all facets of the display for
Our purpose here in Savannah is threefold: first
authenticity.
to unveil and dedicate this magnificent display
to the everlasting glory of every man who flew
I am going to ask this group to unveil the di
or supported the Tidal W a v e mission with a
T o m Parsons, Keith St. Aubin, Jim Elmore,
special prayer of thanks to those who paid the
President Of the International Plastic Modelers
ultimate price for our victory. Second, to
Society, Atlanta Chapter and Director of the
proffer the ownership and care of this display
overall diorama fabrication, and our Historians
to this beautiful Mighty 8th Air Force Heritage
Will Lundy and Ed Dobson, Jr.; but before this
Museum that it will add to the public
long awaited ceremony, a very few words about
this event we commemorate today. To this
understanding of the immense contribution made
by the men and women of the 8th Air Force to
gathering there is no need to repeat so much that
our American way of life.
has been written and filmed about the most
vicious air battle in aviation history which took
Lastly, we are once again gathered in a reunionplace over Ploesti, Romania on 1 August 1943. It
seemed to m e that the poetic verse inspired by
to enable us to see, and enjoy one another in the
the Ploesti experience of Technical Sergeant
spirit of comradeship, love and respect that
Delores R. Brumagin, Radioman on the Lt. Ed
comes to those who have bonded in selfless
Mitchell crew captures the enormity and terror
service to our country.
of the raid.
Before the unveiling, let me give you some brief
Equally fitting to the occasion is that it be
background. S o m e two years ago, the museum
for us by two members of our 44th family who
issued an invitation to all of the current and
are widows of two valorous Ploesti veterans.
former assigned 8th Air Force units to place a
M a y I introduce Fritzie Selasky, wife of
display in the museum. This is a simplification,
Charles J. "Jim" Selasky, Lead Navigator on
of course, but the concept of a display
Colonel Johnson's aircraft "Suzy Q," and June
emblematic of the Ploesti raid was developed
Carpenter, wife of Reginald "Rege" Carpenter,
when Roy O w e n was visiting the Aviation Art
Pilot of "Bewitching Witch" flying on Colonel
Gallery of Virginia Bader in Costa Mesa,
Johnson's left wing.
California. His conversation with Ms. Bader was
overheard by a young artist who introduced
himself as Keith St. Aubin, free-lance model
maker for the movie industry. H e inquired if
Roy was a member of the 44th. H e then opened
a large brief case which stored a beautiful
model of Suzy Q. From that, the idea of
depicting the four ship lead element over the
target the instant before bombs away as being
representative of the entire group crystallized.
Roy briefed the Executive Board which
approved the concept with this admonition: The
44th must be the pre-imminent group display in
the museum. In a very few minutes you will be
the judge. T o m Parsons was appointed project
k>
�Normally these two men were crewmates, but
for this mission Col. Johnson chose Jim Selasky
as his lead navigator. As fate would have it.
"Rege" and "Jim' folded their wings in October,
1996 just 17 days apart.
W e know of no more fitting and beautiful
edifice to entrust the keeping of the glorious
heritage this display represents.
The profference
Blessing ~ Closing thanks by Col. Owen
General Shuler's acceptance noted that it wa
with great pride he accepted on behalf of the
8th Air Force Heritage Museum this
It is with great honor that I introduce these Mighty
two
magnificent emblematic display of one of the
lovely ladies: Fritzie Selasky and June
Carpenter who will alternate reading the
most momentous events in the annals of Air
gripping verses of the Brumagin poem "Ploesti on Warfare. H e also pointed out that in the few
days the display had been on the floor in
the Deck." The Poem is repeated following this
report of the presentation. Thank you ladies, w e preparation for this ceremony, it already had
are in your debt for that touching reading.
become one of the most attended displays in the
museum.
Please be seated.
General Shuler, will you please join me at the Bagpipes play Amazing Grace
podium.
PLOESTI ON THE DECK
*jl
.
Roy O W E N JNTROCIUCES LI. G E N . "Buck" SCIHUIER,
CARMAN
of iht Miqlniy 8rfr A F
MUSEUM.
Bob LTITNIHAUSEN TEIIS ir like ii is TO TIHE 68TIT folks.
General Shuler, on behalf of the 44th Bomb
Group Veterans Association, it is m y great honor
to proffer to The mighty 8th Air Force
Heritage Museum this display depicting the lead
element of the 44th Bomb Group attacking
Target White V of the Ploesti, Romania refinery
complex on the August 1943 "Tidal Wave" low
level strike. The display is representative of
not only the 44th Bomb Group, but additionally
the entire "Tidal Wave" task force which
overcame the worst that the North African
desert and the Ploesti air and ground defenses
had to offer to complete their assigned mission.
GIASS ENCIOSECJ dispUy AT M U S E U M .
8
�By T/Sgt. Delores R. Brumagin, Radioman, Lt. Ed. Mitchell Crew
"This task will be accomplished,
with an 'on the deck' attack,
with every Lib around Benghazi
that'll fly to there and back."
The night before the mission, the
Chaplains blessing gave, and
The message made things brighter
For the soul that God can save.
It was early in the morning
August first was then the date.
Every man and plane was ready
Just to shake the hand of fate.
There was training in the Desert,
There were Twenty-Fours galore;
And flying o'er the sand dunes,
Had sometimes proved a bore.
Now we had a practice target,
Built to scale and bombed for fun;
But we knew the day was coming,
When we'd use it on the "Hun."
We'd been assigned a target,
Ploesti was the name,
General Brereton was commanding
The raid that was to come to fame.
The sun was shining brightly
As we flew across the Med;
With the words of General Brereton
Still droning through head.
The minutes grew to hours
And we crossed the mountains high
Where Yugoslav Guerillas
Were watching us go by.
"It's the most important mission,
Any force has been assigned;
And with quick, complete
destruction,
A victory we will find."
"They need that oil so badly,
the problem here is clear;
we'll bomb it from existence,
though the price we'll pay is dear."
Though the action minutes,
'twas a lifetime to us all.
As we watched the big guns
blasting,
And our planes and comrades fall.
In the distance the target,
And to us a gruesome sight
we lost our thoughts of reverence,
in preparing for the fight.
As the target flew behind us
and through the thickest of the fight
every plane of ours was damaged
and their holes a ghastly sight.
We could see the flaming debris.
Some group had marked it so.
By mistake they'd left their bombs
there.
Why? No man will ever know.
There were many started homeward
But failing to return.
They had crashed up in the
mountains
And were left up there to bum.
The time bombs were exploding
And oil fires were raging high.
W e could see their guns a'blazin'.
It was for us to do or die.
Some fell out with engine trouble
To the "cause" their lives they gave.
When their fuel had been
exhausted
And crashed into the waves.
Our leader knew his duty,
Disregarding fear for life,
Holding course without hesitation,
He led his "Eightballs" to Aquila
And left behind devastation.
Then we streaked across the valley
Rousing peaceful peasants there;
And the roaring of the engines
seemed like thunder cracked the air.
Turning off target from out of
the flame,
they must now fight their way out
on the route which they came.
There was Rumania's golden wheat
fields,
He called his group commanders,
All leaders for the "Day."
And with words that have since
made history,
so proudly did he say,
Our mind's eyes saw a picture of
loved ones we hold dear.
God placed it there to aid us
through all the strife and fear.
but their beauty soon was lost,
with oil fields in the distance and
the Blue Danube as we crossed.
We saw many things distinctly,
As swiftly we flew.
W e saw German gunners.
W e could see them dying too.
The river will be remembered,
The loveliest in the land.
But we used it for a landmark
to know the target was at hand.
The battle was a nightmare,
unreal in every thought, but
be needn't be reminded
how fiercely it was fought.
Then every heart was heavy,
Every eye was open wide,
as we asked the Lord, our maker,
to be our strength and guide.
Of the tempest o'er the target,
no man can tell.
There was shooting, burning, dying,
It was a pure living Hell.
9
There were several airmen
wounded,
But their will surpassed the cost.
They knew they had the vengeance
For the blood that they had lost.
Now in tribute to those heroes
W h o died but not in vain,
Their deeds will be remembered,
Nor forgotten be their names.
They had answered the duty call so
bravely.
Yes, every loving mother's son.
W e thank God for all our airmen
and the victory they had won.
�BEny LyNch ANd C O R N E I I UJESCU qivE us
JNTERNATiONAl pAJR of SMilES.
Did W E ITAVE bEAuriful WEATIHER? H E R E is
RAlph BEckER REUxiNq by
TIHE
pool.
AN
PERRy M O R S E ANd JERRy FOISOM
506TIT SQUAdRON CREWMATES sllARJNq
A Uuqk
Lefr: PERRy M O R S E ,
MikE YuspEh ANd
Dick LyNch AT TITE
bAR.
LETT: Phyllis DuBois,
F O R M E R 2Nd A D
MEMORJAI
LibRARiAN, N O W FREELANCE
RESEARCb LibRARJAN (ANd
fRiENd of TIHE 44TIH) STJII
REsidiNq JN NoRwich.
BEIOW: CORNEII
RUMANJA)
TAkE A
ANd
REST
Ikiscu (foRMERly of
duRJNq TIHE M U S E U M TOUR.
EIENA
Bob
LEITNITAUSEN, PETE FREZZEI, JANICE & STEVE
AdAMs, Roy
Riqln: TRyiNq TO
CAPTURE TIHE
dispUy O N filM.
10
OWEN
ANd Miks Mikoloski
�his time versus his daughter's state of health
and his family concerns. Me said: "Roy, 1 will
not fail the 44th, I love it too much. 1 can and I
will do the job, m y mind tells m e so. O n the
other hand, m y friend, m y heart tells m e I want
to be with m y daughter and I will be m u c h more
comfortable if you will continue to serve and
see m e through this thing. So here w e are, w e
are going to hang tough, hold the course and
keep Mike and family in our prayers.
Well, here w e are again! This was to be an
introduction of your new president, and his first
President's Corner, or whatever he chooses to
call this part of the "Tails," where he shares
with you the "inside stuff" that's going on in
your Association. However, for several
reasons, here I a m , doing business at the same
old stand,
newly reelected
and
thinking
maybe I
do need
a little
psychiatric
attention.
I did make a stipulation in accepting the
nomination, and that was that I could no longer
wear both the president's hat and that of Editor
and publisher of the 8-Ball Tails. Ruth Morse,
aka Mrs. Perry Morse (506th) of York, PA, a
professional writer (see, already more prestige),
has graciously accepted the challenge to keep
our journal alive. She will have her o w n ideas
and there must be s o m e changes. As w e
struggle to bring the other 44th eras into our
association, w e must produce a journal which
will have news and stories that will be of
interest to all. W e will still have our o w n "war
stories" to tell, but w e can't just remain a
bunch of old WWII Liberator Lovers. Give Ruth
your support, she is taking this responsibility in
a time of change and that's always tough.
Mow let
m e tell
you what
really happened. The first thing was Ed
Mikoloski w h o had agreed to accept a
nomination for the presidency, did so
conditionally, because for the last 10 months or
so he has concentrated his attention to
assisting his daughter w h o is fighting for her life
in a battle with cancer. The added
responsibilities of the 44th BGVA presidency to
his consuming concerns for his daughter have
been a nagging worry for us both. To m a k e
matters worse, w e could find no one (and the
nominating committee was searching) willing to
take on the presidency.
For the benefit of you who did not attend the
Savannah reunion (Boy! Did you miss a B L O W
OUT!), here are the changes in the Board:
Vice President, Edw. "Mike" Mikoloski* (66)
Secretary, Nancy Van Epps* (Hq, Sqdn.)
* Indicates an officer who will represent his
squadron along with performing the duties of
the office he/she holds. The Board acted upon
a recommendation by President O w e n and
Director Mikoloski to allow officers to serve in
the office they hold and at the s a m e time,
represent the squadron to which they belong.
This board structure will allow a reduction in
total board m e m b e r s plus m a k e r o o m for the
addition of a Board seat for the 44th S M W .
In our four years experience, w e have not
had an occasion that required a vote by unit.
Should this occur, those officers with dual
representation will cast their unit vote only.
T h e Board voted to phase in this board
structure starting with this term. T h e first
term Squadron Directors elected last year will
The next thing was, about two months ago, an
insubordinate board m e m b e r (who shall remain
unnamed) wrote a letter (postmarked
Collierville, TM) to the other m e m b e r s of the
board in which he threatened physical harm to
any board m e m b e r w h o would accept m y
refusal of nomination for a third term. While 1
did not take this threat seriously, it did prompt
m e to review the projects already underway and
the agenda for the n e w year, then call Mike to
discuss the coming year and the demands on
11
�either become a dual representative officer/
unit representative or be dropped from the
board next election. This restructuring and
reduction in the size of the board resulted in
the retirement of Ed Dobson, Jr. from the
Board. We are grateful to Ed for the fine job
he has done as our Secretary in the two
terms he has served. I'm sure he will see
more service in the Association future.
mm ®@m W9®
IT LOOKS LIKE A GO FOR THE SPRING
1999 TRIP TO ENGLAND.
From the show of hands at the General
M e m b e r s h i p meeting in Savannah, it looks
like w e can plan o n a O N E B U S L O A D
T O U R . S o here is the deal: W e will plan a
Other board actions will be covered in trip for t w o w e e k s (approximate) to leave
on M a y 21 and return o n June 2 (these are
another article elsewhere in this issue. One
plus or m i n u s a day at this point).
very important item is the announcement of
the 1999 Mew Orleans Reunion to take place
at the Mew Orleans Airport Hilton Hotel
September 2 - 6, 1999. Remember the m o b
scene at the Savannah Days Inn/Suites from
Friday night through Sunday noon as all the
folks who had delayed making reservations
were being shuffled off to other hotels for
one or two nights. Don't let it happen to you
in Dew Orleans! Send off the reservation
form provided in this issue. Put it on your
credit card then your room is assured. If it
becomes necessary, you can cancel.
WE WISH EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU
WILL FIND YOUR HOLIDAY STOCKING
C H O C K FULL OF G O O D CHEER AND
HAPPINESS!
ROY AIHDLOLLY OWEN
WE WILL TAKE THE FIRST 44
PEOPLE W H O CALL JERRY
FOLSOM (801-733-7371)
AND MAKE A RESERVATION, FOLLOWED BY A
DEPOSIT FOR THE G R O U N D PACKAGE (YOU
WILL BE INSTRUCTED H O W THE DEPOSIT IS TO
BE MADE W H E N YOU MAKE YOUR
RESERVATIONS).
The itinerary we are planning will be (approxima
• Arrive London leave by bus to hotel for a day and
nights rest.
• Then the tour will proceed up the West side of
England through Stratford-upon-Avon,
Chester, and Liverpool (lunch at Penny Lane),
Blackpool, Glasgow, Edinburgh.
• Then South to York, Lincoln to arrive in Norwich and
Shipdham for the Memorial Day weekend
(Airfield tour, picnic and barbecue party).
• And finish up in London for two nights.
Our Ground package will be handled by Waterhouse
Tours, w h o handled our 1997 tour so successfully.
Our Air travel will be handled by Four Star Travel of
San Jose, Calif.
For those who have Frequent Flyer mileage, or Ai
Employee privileges, you may arrange your o w n
travel to arrive and meet the group in London.
Both agencies are working on costs and finalizing
dates as w e go to press, but you can be certain the
trip will be reasonably priced and will include
breakfast and dinner every day. You will be on your
o w n for lunches.
THE OWENS' PASSPORTS ARE CURRENT CHECK YOURS!
�One Step CloserA Visit With The
Missileers
By Roy Owen
We took a small, but very
important step toward the
realization of our hope to bring
all the eras of the 44th back into
a single family when, at the
invitation of Colonel Charlie
Simpson (Member of our Board),
CEO of the Association ofAir
Force Missileers, Lolly and I
attended their biennial reunion
in Cocoa Beach, Florida, October
21- 24 just preceding our reunion
in Savannah.
While the AAFM is an
organization parallel to the 2nd
Air Division in that its
membership includes Missileers
from all of the USAF missile
units, Charlie was a member of
the 44th Strategic Missile Wing
at Ellsworth AFB in his active
duty years, and shares with me,
not only his allegiance to the
44th, but the desire to see the
Bomb Group, the Bomb Wing
and the Strategic Missile Wing
all together keeping the heritage
and history of the legendary 44th
alive for the generations to come.
With the next AAFM
reunion
not to take place in Colorado
Springs until sometime (dates to
be announced) in 2000, and the
close proximity of our respective
reunions this year, it seemed an
opportunity not to be missed for
me to attend this gathering of
missileers and to extend the hand
of welcome to the 44th SMW
members to join with us to bring
the 44th family together.
Lolly and I, under the wings ofand hasn't missed a reunion or a
Charlie and Carol Simpson, were
Squadron Dinner since. He has
most warmly welcomed and
just been elected as the SMW
positively treated as if I was
member of our Executive Board,
wearing a Missile Badge. I met
and a worthy member he will be.
and got acquainted with Lt.
He, long ago, volunteered to
Gen. Jay Kelley (Ret) the new
assist me in enticing the former
AAFM president, and while there 44th SMW veterans to join us
were only ten 44th SMW
and with his help, I'm certain we
members present, I met them,
will be seeing a lot of new and
including B/Gen. Jim Crouch of
very welcome faces in our midst.
Austin, TX. Each responded
Oh Yes! We are going to need
enthusiastically to my welcome to some help, so don't be surprised i
join with us. "Send me the
you get 'volunteered' to do some
membership information" was
telephone work in the recruiting
the word I got. Additionally,
area.
Charlie has since sent me two
Lolly and I had a great time
requests for membership
with the AAFM. We had to leave
applications from 44th SMW
on Saturday to get on up to our
members who were not present at own reunion, but we got to see
the reunion. They were
one launch to put up a satellite
responding to a Mighty 8th AF
and we got to see the pad all
Ass'n. recommendation that all prepared for the John Glenn
Missileers contact and join their launch when we were on an
predecessors in the Bomb Groups escorted tour of the Kennedy
and Wings, so it looks like we are Space Center. The most awesome
starting to move toward an
feature was an entire Apollo
overarching 44th Heritage
system in the giant Apollo
Group.
Memorial Center. The size of the
Charlie has provided me with
First Stage fuel cell and rocket
a printout of the 165 Missileers
engine boggles ones mind!
in the AAFM who are former
44th SMW members and the first
thing on my agenda for the new
year will be a personal letter to
each of those 44th 'ers to
COME ON IN!
At this point, I want to
say some more about
Charlie Simpson and his
lovely wife Carol. Charlie
was Commander of the
68th Strategic Missile
Squadron and held other
senior staff positions while
with the 44th . He joined
us in the first year of our
rebirth, attended our first
reunion in San Antonio
13
Lolly STANdii\q IJENEATII siAqE #1 of A N
Apollo MOON ORbiTAl vEhicU.
�STIRSTEPi DFTRBF5E PROJECT
The program we have been pumping you up for so
much is up and running!
I have appointed Tom Shepherd as the head of an
implementation team with Tony Mastradone and Will
Lundy to support him in seeing this great program
brought to life as the living history of the 44th. This is
Tom s first report. Read it carefully and you will
understand the dimensions of this great undertaking
we have embarked upon.
The "volunteer cadre" will perform the first-line of input for
all biography material. Whenever the bio material exceeds
maximum limits of data length - the volunteer member will
return the bio material requesting its originator to furnish a
shorter version and kindly resubmit. In simple/minor situations
where the volunteer feels comfortable in accomplishing
required editing he/she will do so - and - send a copy of the
edited version w e (I) will do what can be done to resolve the
matter.
Dear Fellow 44th BGVA Members:
The "volunteer cadre" will use the Internet (operation)
Upload their inputs to a dedicated computer within the C G D
operation. C G D will review the bio material with the Personnel
data (already entered in the database) - thus the highly technical
aspects of data input will be effected with the minimum of
duplication and error.
Reference our MASTER DATABASE PROJECT.
Considerable progress has been made since our Savannah
reunion, and it continues. Here are the highlights:
President Roy O w e n has approved an Ops Plan, covering
Three Phases for the Management and Operation of the Master
Database Project (MDP). He assigned m e the role of Principal. CGD Invoices for work accomplished will be forwarded to
W e will undertake each phase as w e can manage it effectively the President for review and approval processes.
in terms of time, talent and finances. An outline of that plan
To give us - one and all - a sense of the enormous
follows:
magnitude of the M D P (as described above) and what has
Phase One: (a) Input of all available mission interrogation
been accomplished since the Savannah reunion -- the M D P
reports (sortie by sortie), (b) Input all available biography
demonstration model included only 200 sorties. Currently that
material furnished by a member, (c) Input of all collectable figure has doubled; 400 plus. Remember if you will, there are
biography material of the deceased, and, (d) The Lundy Roll 344 missions flown by the 44th. Then consider how many
of Honor and other similar documents. As time provides, w e
individual sorties were flown on those 344 missions. It is
will recirculate each of the sub-phases and enter new and
believed that w e have close to 7,000 of these type entries updated data. N B - this same recirculating operation applies A L O N E ! Thanks to a lot of you and in particular to Will Lundy
to Phases Two and Three.
and Tony Mastradone for accumulating all that hardcopy
material. To Art Hand for organizing the collection of biography
Phase Two: (a) Input all available mission summaries,
material on our deceased. I a m thankful to Arlo Barsch (CGD)
and (b) Statistics: Group, Squadron, Support Units (Statistics in demonstrating his M D P software program, and working with
is a broad title).
us on this immense project of recording "electronically" our
WWII history. W e have begun what for so many of us a few
Phase Three: (a) Major Events (VIP Visits, Stand downs,
months ago was still just a dream! What is it said about dreams
etc), (b) Awards and Decorations - Group, (c) Enemy attacks
and invention?
on Shipdham AF, (d) Photographs (of all types/slides), and (e)
Potpourri.
The 44th BGP is still Out-Front and Leading. Let us keep
Computer Generated Data (CGD), Arlo Bartsch's company,
will directly input hardcopy data furnished them by Will Lundy;
and, import electronic data furnished by the "volunteer cadre."
This centralized operation is designed to ensure that the very
minimum of duplication will ever occur, and the highest level
of competence is achieved. The end product will be a Classic
and a model for other 8th A F units to record their history. It
will be a product you will wish to have of your very own - once
it has become available.
14
it that way! Get your biography in today! Also - if you have
any additional information, photographs, etc., write m e a letter,
or an e-mail: sheep@wspice.com/ and let's see how we might
put it to use to "better record the 4 4 B G P History."
Tom Shepherd-10597 Cambrooke Cove • Collierville, TN
38017-3600. r » M r M j M
�When you have completed this form, if you have no pictures, mail it with $10; if you have two photos or
one photo and an extra page of text (single spaced in 12 point font), mail the form with $15 to44th BQVA. P.O. Box 712287. Salt Lake City. UT 84171-2287
8 th Air Force Military Heritage Database
Personal Biographical Data -- Your "Living M o n u m e n t "
It is our goal to assemble a complete record of all personnel who at one time served with the 8th Air Force dur
World War II. The records of those w h o were on flying status will be obtained from declassified group mission
reports which have been stored in the National Archives. From this, a matrix has been developed which will allow
for the search and retrieval of the following information: w h o flew on what mission, with w h o m , in what plane, to
what target, on what date, enemy opposition, aircraft and personnel losses, and hundreds of cross referenced bits of
detailed information.
To make this database come "Alive," your stories, memories, photos and voice recordings are essential.
Cassette recordings of your memories should be limited to 2 minutes or less per each incident.
Please provide a "Then and N o w " photo of yourself and a Crew photo, if available.
A Master Copy of this multi-media database is now a part of the Eighth Air Force Heritage Museum in Savannah, G
Other copies will be available to M u s e u m s , Libraries, Universities, Schools and on the World Wide W e b Internet.
You may also have your o w n copy of the full database, on a C D , to run on a h o m e computer.
Last Name: First: Initial:
Address # I: City: State:
Zip Code: Phones ~ Home: Other: Fax:
E-mail Address:
Date of Birth:
City:
State:
Nickname:
Date Deceased: Date Enlisted: City: State:
Spouse: 8th Air Force Group/s: Squadron/s:
Special Military Training: .
Graduating Class:
State;
Location:
15
m
�Group Rank:
Group Duties:
Ret. Rank:
Your ASN (Serial Number/s):
Occupation Prior to Military:
Occupation After Military and/or Continued Military Service:
Arrival at ETO base:
Arrived From:
Arrived How (Any Details):
Personal Memories. Experiences & Stories:
®
�Specific Mission Comments:
Date Departed ETO:
How:
Destination:
Trip Details:
Military Honors & Decorations:
Stars or
Clusters
Stars or
Clusters
Air Medal:
Purple Heart:
Presidential Unit Citation:
Prisoner of War:
Good Conduct Medal:
Victory W W I I :
European Theater Ribbon:
Congressional Medal Of Honor:
Distinguished Service Cross:
Distinguished Service Medal:
Silver Star:
Legion of Merit:
Distinguished Flying Cross:
Soldiers Medal:
Bronze Star:
Other Awards:
®
�Special Status: Shot D o w n : Q
POW:Q
Evaded:^
MIA:Q
KIA:Q
Ditched:Q
Crashed:^
lnterned:Q
Escaped:Ll Parachuted:^ Wounded:Q Hospitalized:^ Disabled:^ OthenQ
Details:
Ground Crew:Q
Crew Chief:Q
Assistant C C : Q
A & E Mechanic:^
Armorer:^
Radio:H
RadanH
Instruments:^ Sheet Metals:LJ) Refueling:^ Bombsight:G Hydraulics:^ Other:
Duties:
Aircraft You Crewed: (Names and Numbers):
Aircraft Lost or Damaged:
Memories:
Base Operations: Administration:^
Clerical^
Communication:^
Medicaid
Security:^
Engineering:^ MessHalLH Supply:Q Intelligence:^ Other Duties or Assignments: ^__^__
Your Contributions Must Not Be Forgotten, Please Provide Details:
18
Photo Lab:Q
�WILLSEZ
Reunions are always great events. It is wonderful to meet
old friends, as well as to meet new ones. Great, too, in that I as
a historian, often have members bring m e data about our
distinguished history - everything from photos, Orders,
diaries, even a jigsaw puzzle of a B - 2 4 in flight. This reunion
was, once again, all of the above and I got to see and experience
the relatively new Mighty 8th Air Force Museum. It was
disappointing that evidence of the B-24's history was so
difficult to find. Hopefully, the Ploesti diorama will help lessen
this void.
At the Monday night banquet honoring our many Ploesti
veterans, Mary and Ray McNamara, Irene and I were among the
last bussed there, so we were poorly situated far to the rear.
There we shared a table with three couples - Robert Seevers, a
pilot from the 68th Sq., along with two of his crewmen, none of
whom I had had the pleasure of meeting. Shortly, we were old
friends.
During the evening Robert casually told m e that he had kept
a diary of his 30 missions and that he also had taken many
photos of friends and airplanes with his personal camera. Better
still, he had managed to obtain several rolls of color film, used
them to take shots from his plane during flights and missions!
Here was a treasure that I had been searching for during the
past few years since Roger Freeman, author, had contacted me,
requesting color photos of our airplanes. He was compiling a
new book, was requesting color photos of planes from all 8th A F
Groups. Unhappily I could not provide any.
So I suggested to Bob that I would dearly love to borrow his
color slides in order to get copies made for our history. Too, if
he would be so kind, also permit m e to copy his mission
experiences from his diary. He indicated that he would check
when he got home.
About two weeks later, the mail person delivered a mediumsized box to our door, so I hurriedly opened it. True to his word,
Bob had not only sent his diary with his color slides, but he also
included much more, but better than Christmas. It included his
navigator's diary, a photo album of black and white full pictures
of the 68th Sq. site, cities like London and Edinburgh, "flak"
bouse, airplanes in flight, etc. etc. Still more was a portable
slide viewer, a video, " B - 2 4 A View From The Cockpit." One
more jewel was his copy of every mission he flew showing his
crew position in each mission, as well as the dispersal number
of each aircraft that participated in the mission.
Why would such information to important to m e ? Because
H ago1 had created an 8 x 13 inch map of the flight line
showing the exact layout of all dispersal areas, properly
numbered. By using Bob's mission sheets, I could prepare a
daily mission sheet showing all of the aircraft that took part,
as well as the pilots that flew them. By adding the names of the
planes, I had a pictorial view of the location of each dispersal
where each plane was based, but these sheets even show the
layout of how each plane took its position in line for take off. It
is a view of how the base had produced our attacking forces for
that day. It takes a bit of effort, but does tell an interesting
story for the viewer.
These color slides are very rare jewels, must be handled
with great care. One must somehow get copies made, but I've
not done this in many years. I suspect that with the recent
development of technology, especially in the PC area, there
could be some new method to make and store copies. So, could I
ask you readers if you have had any experience with color slides
to reasonably get copies made other than the traditional way? If
you know of any, would you please contact m e ? This is truly
precious history. Seeing our own B-24s flying, in full color is a
rare treat. I suspect that a few of these would make great wall
photos, etc.
I should mention one other rare find during the reunion -that of newly located combat photographer, Robert L. Hooper,
who was attending his first reunion. S/Sgt. Hooper, 66th Sq.
was a member of 1st Lt. Ray Hilliard's crew that was interned
in Spain on 17 May, 1944. Just prior to that mission, 14 May,
"Bob" flew our other famous citation mission to Kiel, as a
"well gunner-photographer" abroad 1st Lt. Robert Kolliner's
plane 4-Q-2. Bob brought along proof that the famous photo
taken of the 44th formation over Kiel was taken by him, N O T a
B-17 formation above them. Proof in a citation dated 12 June,
1943, G.O # 7 4 where Robert L Hooper risked his life to take
the photos in an open bomb bay, awarded the Air Medal. He also
had a letter of commendation from General Hodges and his
famous photo signed by the General. Time was short, so I never
did get to view all of his black and white photos in his album or
to get copies.
Another activity that seldom gets the attention of most of
us in the concerted efforts which John McCIane makes at all of
our reunions. John always brings along his video camera, records
most of the activities when he foregoes his own dinners,
catches flash shots all during the reunions, supplies his own
film. Then he always donates a copy of the entire reunion
activities, sends it to me for our archives. All of this is at his
own expense. W e owe John and Doris a very big thanks - it
would be nice to tell him so next time you meet him or write. In
the meantime, from all of us, John and Doris...
M A N Y T H A N K S FOR A GREAT JOB VERY WELL DONE! £
Will Lundy I
��44TH BOMB GROUP VETERANS ASSOCIATION BOARD
President: Roy W. Owen T506J
6304 Meadowridge Drive
Santa Rosa. CA 95409-5839
Phone: C707J 538-4726 Fax: T707J 538-1212
e-mail: rowen@sonic.net
Director: Michael "Mike" Vuspeh T506J
7214 Sardonyx St.
New Orleans. LA 70124-3509
Phone: T504J 283-3424 Fax: T504J 283-3425
e-mail: mikeyuspeh@worldnet.att.net
Vice President: Edw. K. "Mike" Mikoloski f66J*Membership Co-Chair: Search Art Hand f66j|
626 Smithfield Road # 7 0 2
517 Elm Street
N. Providence. Rl 02904
Paris. IL 61994
Phone/Fax: f40 U 353-0144
Phone/Fax: C217J 463-5905
e-mail: butch@tigerpaw.com
Secretary: Nancy L. Van EPPS fHq. SqdnJ*
Membership Co-Chair: Roster
13922 River Road
Tom Shepherd T66/67J
Pensacola. FL 32507
10597 Cambrooke Cove
Phone/Fax: T850J 492-2041
Collierville, TN 38017
Treasurer: Gerald fJerryJ Folsom T506J
Phone: T901J 854-6558 Fax: f90IJ 853-4229
3582 East Dover Hill Road
e-mail: sheep@wspice.com
Salt Lake City. U T 84121-5527
Director T67J Archivist
Phone T801J 733-7371 Fax: f801J 942-9988
Anthony "Tony" Mastradone
e-mail: 44thbgva@mail.xmission.com
9111 Tuckerman Street
Historian: C.W. "Will" Lundy f67J
Lanham. M D 20706-2709
3295 North " H " Street
Phone/Fax: f301 J 577-1487
San Bernardino. CA 92405-2809
e-mail: mast@clres.com
Phone/Fax: T909J 882-2441
U.K. Representative: Steve Adams
e-mail: willundy@aol.com
28 Bassingham Rd.
P.O. Box 315. Bridgeport. CA 93517 fSumJ
Norwich. England NR3 2QT
Phone/Fax: T760J 932-7349
Phone/Fax: 011-44-1603-400221
e-mail: s.p.adams@btinternet.com
44th Group Vice President to 2nd ADA
Richard D. Butler f506/67J
ASSOCIATION MAILING ADDRESS:
16494 Wagon Wheel Drive
44th BGUA
Riverside. CA 92506
P.O.
Box 712287
Phone T909J 780-7421 Fax: f909J 780-1459
Salt Lake City. U T 84171-2287
Director: Robert J. Lehnhausen T68J
709 West Meadows Place
Peoria. IL 61604-3447
*Dual Representative
Phone/Fax: T309J 685-2490
^XM/u^ia won the bedim 1399
�THE AFA BRONZE MODEL B-24 DEDICATION
On September 24 and 25 some 250 people gathered in Colorado Springs, CO to attend the September 25 Dedication
the Robert Henderson 1/6th scale bronze model sculpture of a B-24J Liberator which is the sixth and last model to
complete the "Bronze Squadron" of World War II combat aircraft. These model aircraft are permanently displayed in the
Air Force Academy Court of Honor, a large concrete and marble paved area adjacent to the beautiful AFA Chapel. The
other aircraft comprising the "Bronze Squadron" are the P-51 Mustang; P-38 Lightning; P-47 Thunderbolt: P-40 Warhawk;
and B-17 Flying Fortress.
The support pedestal of each aircraft contains a bronze plaque enumerating by user group the individuals who
contributed to (in the case of the B-24) the $175,000 cost of the model. Those 44th contributors are:
\Johnson, Leon W. Gen. USAF
Bethel, Raymond W. Lt. U S A A F
Butler, Richard D. Col. U S A F
Clements, James H. LTC U S A F R
Ertz, Julian
Fremstad, Clifford L. Lt. U S A A F
Gunton, Robert J. Capt. U S A A F
Henry, Howard C. Capt. U S A A F
'Houston, Rowland B. Capt. U S A A F
*Lawson, Robert Col. U S A F R
Lipczynski, Stanley F. SSgt U S A A F
Mastradone, Anthony SSgt U S A A F
Owen, Roy W. Col USAF
Schuler, William M. Lt. U S A A F
Tilton, Charles W. Lt. U S A A F
Yuspeh, Michel (Mike)
PART
Gibson, John H. Bgen. U S A F M4th B G Assn.
Brown, Delias A. Col. U S A F
Cameron, William R. Col. U S A F
Dubowsky, Robert
FoIsom, Gerald W. Lt. U S A A F
Griffith, Rockford C. Lt. U S A A F
Hawkins,William F. P F C U S A A F
Hewlett, James A. Lt. U S A A F
Hughes, Charles E. Col. U S A F *Betty Seal, Sister
Lundy, C. Will SSgt U S A A F 'Ruth Lawson
Mansir, Everette W. SSgt U S A A F
Murrack, Melvin C. SSgt U S A A F
Rosen, Eugene D. Capt. U S A A F
Tillner, Norman N. SSgt. U S A A F
Wells, Donald L. Lt. U S A A F
of ThosE AiTENdiNq ThE Didi( ATION:
L TO R, Bob VANCE, Loy VANCE, RUTIT M O R S E , PERRY M O R S E ,
Bill SEAI, BETTY SEAI, ARdirh BUTIER,
MARJA JORCJAN (wiTh CITARNE HuqlrES TAUNC, TIHE PJCTURE),
TITE PREZ AN<J Dick BUTIER.
JERRY FOISOM,
O T H E R S AiTENdiNq:
JAck GibsoN, Loy & ARIENE NEEPER,
MlJRRAck, ANd MARk MoRRis.
MEI
& MARilyN
On Saturday the 25th, the Prez and Jerry FoIsom drove down to Pueblo, Colorado to visit the International B-24 Museum
and to visit the birthplace of our 506th Bomb Squadron. The activation of the 506th is well documented there by Mark
Morris. He is in the process of building an entire display on the 506th. For a town no bigger than Pueblo, the Museum
has a remarkable amount of B-24 artifacts, parts and history. It is only an hours drive down from Colorado Springs.
n
�1999
REUNION
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<ut*e you 'Cifa*tdthat fau* cOzya- a*e not
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v «MWt to t6**t£ edt o£ you fa* maAiny my fo& eaay. tyou* cooperation and
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<*y*in in t6e <2*eat city o£ Tteui &ilea*t&.
1Hi6e tyttfreA
23
�44th Bomb Group Reunion
September 2-6, 1999
Hilton New Orleans Airport
901 Airline Drive
Kenner, LA 70062
(504) 469-5000 / Reservations Department (9am-5pm)
or 1-800-HILTONS (24 Hours)
Hotel Policies:
•Hotel accepts all major credit cards.
• Check-in time is 3:00pm and Check-out time is 12:00pm.
• Earfy Departure Fee: A $50 early check-out fee will apply to any guest who checks out of the hotel before thei
stated departure date. Guests will have the opportunity to change their departure date at check-in without bei
assessed the $50 fee. Any changes in the departure date after check-in will result in thefee being assessed.
• Parking is complimentary.
• Complimentary Airport Shuttle service available 24-Hours
• Group Rate is $80 and tax is 11.75%
• Cut OffDate for reservations is August 1, 1999.
A credit card guarantee is required to secure a reservation for late arrival (after 4 pm).
• Group rate is available up to 3 days before and after Convention dates.
Reservations must b e received by:
44TH BOMB GROUP VETERANS
ASSOCIATION
SEPTEMBER 2-fi. 1 Q??
Arrival Date:
8/1/99
Time (Circle One)
2-4 p.m. 4-6 p.m
6-0 p.m
8-10 p m
1 0 p m - midnight
after midnight
I'd like to m a k e reservations at the N e w Orleans
Airport Hilton. 901 Airline Hwy.. Kenner. LA 7006?
(504) 469-5000:
Departure Date:
Before 7 a.m.
7-9 a m
.Time (Circle One)
0-11a.m. H a m . 1p.m.
Early Checkout Fee:
La«tNam«
Fhl
A S50 00 Fee will b e applied to your account II you
depart before your stated departure date Revisions
con be m a d e up to time of check-in without penalty
Any changes after check-in w i resjt in the Fee
Assessment
Mddto
Hrm
Please circle Type of Room and Rate Requested:
Street
Cy
stole
KING
DBL/DBL
2p
Guorantood by Credit Cord #
Credit Card
SHARING
WITH
lost N a m e
Exp Date
p,^
NON-SMK
Signature
Midov
24
$80
$80
OR
SMK
�MISCELLANEA
ThE 8TII AF MUSEUM NEECIS VOIUNTEERS
The Sth Air Force Museum at Savannah (remember them?) would Ike to have some volunteers to come to
Savannah and work in the museum for one week (any week). If you are interested, call Mary Beth Barnard at
1-500-421-9425, Ext. 112 or Jack Prescott, Director of Volunteers, at 1-912-745-4699. Wives are included.
Ideally, you might combine it with some vacation time in and around Savannah which is a great place to visit
ANqEls
CORNER
After the appeal for funds we made at the Savannah general membership meeting to get t
5th Air Force Data Base program adopted and off to a start, there was a rustle of checks
that would warm the heart of even a most cynical treasurer (which ours is certainly not).
When out of the ranks stepped our newest ANGEL in the person of Raymond Shirley, 67th
Bomb Sqdn. member and resident of Crosby, Texas with a check for $1,000 in his hand (they
still do things BIG in Texas!).
You have our thanks, admiration and a big tip of the Stetson, Ray, for your very generous
addition to this wonderful program.
For those of you who were not with us in Savannah to witness the demonstration of
the 3th Air Force Heritage Database program. The information is repeated in this
issue, along with the Personal Data entry form which you are to fill out with your
personal data. Follow the instructions carefully. ALSO, THERE IS STILL NEED FOR
FUNDS TO CARRY ON WITH THE PROGRAM AFTER WE GET ALL THE LIVING AND
RECENTLY DECEASED MEMBERS
IN THE DATA3ASE. WE HAVE ALREADY 3EGUN TO
SEARCH OUT THE INFORMATION ON THOSE 44TH'ERS WE LOST IN COMBAT AND THROUGH THE YEARS
5ETWEEN. There's lots of work ahead. Send what you can afford to our Treasurer, 44TH BGVA,
>ox P.O.
7)2257, Salt Lake City, UT &4171-22&7. Many thanks.
The 8-Ball Tails ©
Official Journal of The 44th Bomb Group Veterans Association, Inc. ©
Compiled, written and published tri-yearly at 6304 Meadowridge Dr., Santa Rosa, CA 95409, Roy
Owen, Editor. Printed and mailed Bulk Rate at Salt Lake City, U T under USPS Permit #6923. All
original written material such as letters, stories, excerpts from personal diaries or memoirs, drawi
and photos submitted to this journal will become the property of the 44th Bomb Group Veterans
Association and will be copyright protected except where noted. The text and photos are otherwise
reproduced from official USAAF and V'SAFdocuments and photos which have been released for
publication. Permission is granted for the contents of this journal to be reproduced specifically fo
personal archives. Otherwise, copyright material herein may be reproduced by the journal of other
incorporated non-profit veterans organizations so long as this publication is properly credited and
permission is granted by the editor.
Those submitting letters, stories and photos to the editor or historian must do so with the
understanding that this material will most likely be published in this journal as a matter of interes
the members/subscribers of the Association and this journal. While every attempt will be made to
answer all of the material received, there is no explicit or implied guarantee that an answer will be
provided or published. Except for specific requests for the return of original documents and photos,
material submitted will become the property of the 44th Veterans Association, Inc., or its successor
Due to space limitations and to ensure the clarity and brevity of submitted material, the Pub
Editor reserves the editorial license to add, cut or otherwise modify all submitted material so long
the original context of the material is maintained.
25
�FOLDED WINGS
December, 1998
Most unfortunately, the July reporting of Folded Wings included two serious
errors. Happily, one of these men is still "flying."
Shook. Carl Curtis 506th Squadron. Carl attended the reunion in Savannah and
was very much alive. It seems that he sent a change of address to us, hut somehow
he was included in the Folded Wings listing. My sincere apology for this huge error Carl.
Pendleton. Hal Ltc. (USAF Ret) 67th Sq. Date 04/06/98. Hal was born in Munday, Texas on October 15, 1920.
He graduated from Texas A&M. He joined the E.P. Reynolds crew just as they were finishing their training in
Autumn, 1944. He was a Capt. at that time, a Navigator. At Shipdham, Hal flew with many crews. At war's end,
Hal chose to remain on active dur\: and served in the Korean War. After retiring from the Air Force, he worked
for the Internal Revenue Sen'ice.
The July Folded Wings reported him as Richard H. Pendleton, also a Navigator, also in the 67th Squadron;
but Richard returned home in October of 44, the same period that Hal arrived. It was assumed Hal was Richard
H.
Richard H. Pendleton was a navigator on E.H. Reinhart's crew. Was shot down on the Ploesti mission and
was a POW/lnternee in Romania until released in Sept. 1944. He was killed in an accident in Odessa, TX 1953.
0-661022 ASN.
Addis, Jack L 6/8/98 35915660 506th Sq. Nose Gunner flying with F.B. Mack crew. This
crew departed from U.S. on 4 July, arriving in England on 8 July, was
assigned to the 506th Sq. First mission was flown 11 August 1944 and
their 30th was completed on 25 April 1945. In their position as lead
plane, 15 missions were rated as "Excellent" and three rated "good."
On their 1 March 1945 mission, they were forced to make an
emergency landing at Chievies, Belgium, where the nose wheel
collapsed. Crew returned home on 5 June 1945.
Brown, Norman 1998 0-768430 67th Sq. Lt. Brown flew his first missions as a co-pilot for
Lt. E. G. Holmer during the period from September. 1944 to early
1945. Lt. Brown then became a 1st pilot with his own crew, completed
his tour on 14 April; flew A/C #44-48821 back to the U.S. Exact date
of death not known.
Coddington, James W. 5/9/98 Date of birth 12 January 1924. He served on the CE. Phillips crew
as Radio Operator. This crew flew a total of 35 missions from 5
August, 1944 to 3 January, 1945. Returning to the U.S., he married
Margaret F. Wood on 3 July 1945. After graduating from the
University of Iowa law school, he practiced law for 35 years.
Dovey, Arnold J 10/98 0-808009 Arnold enlisted in 1942 as an Aviation Cadet. He finished
training as a Navigator, arrived at Shipdham on 5 May 1944,
transferring into the 66th Squadron from the 466th BG. Three days
later, while on a PFF training mission with the EM. Musgrave crew,
A
unnamed, they were shot down by an enemy aircraft, crew bailing out.
-f?j
Arnold was seriously injured, but continued on as a special PFF
Navigator after recovering. He participated in 22 major PFF/H2X
Group Leads, 13 of which were with the Nth C.B.W. and six leading
26
�the 2nd Division. During the latter period, he was based at the 14th CB
Wing at Shipdham. He was awarded two D.F.C. medals - for exceptional
bombing results on Hamburg and Bremen targets. He returned to the
U.S. in May, 1945, remained in the Reserves until 1962. He married in
1946, had two sons, Lee and Douglas. After retirement, Arnold remained
very active in his endeavors to make known the very special place PFF
bombing had in winning the war in Europe.
Harmonoski, John J 11/17/98 0-734906 John was a Bombardier on Lt. J.Y. Reeds crew, 66th Sq. when
they went on D.S. to North Africa on 23 June 1943. But John flew with
the J.E. Flaherty crew on all of the missions flown there, including the
famous low-level attack on the Ploesti Oil Fields in Rumania. In recent
years John attended most of the 44th BG reunions including this year at
Savannah where he was honored for being a Ploesti Veteran. John
insisted upon attending although he was in poor health, but had to use a
wheel chair. Shortly after returning home, he suffered a massive heart
attack.
Leitzel, William I. 06/28/98 13028187 67th Sq. Williams was trained as a Radio Operator, was with
the Ground Echelon that went over to England on the Queen Mary in
September, 1942. He had joined the AAF on 18 June 1941 and attended
school prior to this date. He faithfully served in this capacity for 31
months and returned to the U.S. again on the Queen Mary in May, 1945.
After the service, he worked for the Cresline Plastic Company until
retirement and was active with the Amateur Ham Radio Operators of
Harrisburg, PA.
Russell, John E 1998 36377085. John was an original crew member of the J.E. Hill crew, 67th
Sq, having been assigned shortly before the 23 June 1943 departure for
North Africa. This crew participated in most of the missions assigned to
the 44th from Benina Airdrome, including Ploesti, and twice was the only
67th Sq. plane returning to base from a mission! They also returned to
Africa in September for a second D.S., was again the only 67th plane to
return to base from the 1 Oct. 43 attack on Wiener Neustadt. The Hill
crew completed their tour in February, 1944.
Spencer, Edgar J 7/4/98 0-693321 "Jay" was a 1st pilot in the 67th Sq. flew his first mission on 3
August 1944. The crew completed their 35th mission on 12 December
1944, a mission to Koblenz, Germany. Jay and Estelle attended many of
A
the reunions of both the 44th BG and 2nd ADA in recent years even
though Jay was restricted to a wheel chair. They were a courageous
couple.
c
An e-mail with good advice from Larry Herpel:
"...Will, I would like to ask the new editor of the Tails to do something for all of us. I am talking to several young persons
whose fathers served in the 44th. One may be contacting you. I am encouraging them to join the BGVA as associate members.
I believe the Tails needs to have a running article, say down in one of the corners, about joining the BGVA. What the life dues
and yearly dues are and where to send them. Mention needs to be made that if vets have loved ones that are interested in
joining, then this is how to go about it. This should run in every issue.
27
��
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8 Ball Tails
Newsletter
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8 Ball Tails Volume 2 - Issue 7: Winter 1998
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Winter 1998
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Text
�The Saga of Southern ComfortBy Roy Owen
# 7 7 8 , Southern Comfort, in support of the
Sicily invasion. They flew her again on July 13
in support of the Sicily invasion; against the
Marshalling yards at Naples July 17; the Littori
M/yards at R o m e July 19; Ploesti August I and
Weiner Neustadt, Austria August 13. The war
ended for the Lt. Austin crew and the original
Southern Comfort on the 16 August 1943 raid
on North Airfield at Foggia, Italy when, after a
previous raid had experienced light flak and
little in the way of fighter defenses, the
Germans had quickly deployed substantial
numbers of F W 190 and M e 109 fighters. The
44th ran into a fury of fighter defense which
resulted in the loss of seven aircraft which
included SuzyQ, Buzzin' Bear and Southern
Comfort. All of the crew except Lts. Paul S.
Singer, Navigator and Sheldon Finder,
Bombardier successfully bailed out. Although
both Singer and Finder escaped the aircraft,
apparently their parachutes were too badly shot
up to deploy and both were found dead at the
point of impact. All of the remaining crew were
held as prisoners but later m a d e successful
escapes and returned to England.
In our last issue the cover story featured the
March 24, 1945 low-level supply mission to
Wesel, Germany in support of the Rhine River
crossing. The heartbeat of that story was the
ground fire shoot-down of the 506th Squadron
B-24J-5-CO #42-50896 Bar R n a m e d
"Southern Comfort III" and the miraculous
survival of Waist Gunners Louis DeBlasio and
Bob Vance in the fiery crash. Since their aircraft
was the last of four 506th aircraft which bore
the n a m e Southern Comfort, it seemed
appropriate to bring closure to that story with
s o m e background on their airplane and a fill-in
accounting for the three Southern Comfort
predecessors of S C III.
B-24D-95-CO 41-40778, was one of the first
replacement Liberators assigned to the 506th
B o m b Squadron. At deployment from Lincoln,
Nebraska, she was assigned to the 1 st Lt.
Horace W . Austin crew, w h o in deference to
their pilot w h o hailed from Virginia Beach,
Virginia, promptly n a m e d her Southern Comfort
(a revered Southern liquor) and ferried her to
Shipdham, arriving to join the 44th on
14 March 1943. The Austin
crew was one of the first
augmentation crews to the
506th. # 7 7 8 was sent to
Langford Lodge for combat
modifications; they rejoined
the 506th prior to the North
Africa deployment. W e find
no evidence of any combat
mission activity until after
deployment to North Africa.
Presumably the Austin crew
flew s o m e low-level training
missions in preparation for the
Benghazi deployment. O n 6
July 1943, the Austin crew
flew the combat debut of
2
®
�B-24J-125-CO 42-110034
Bar R
Southern Comfort 1 1 (3)
The third aircraft to bear the Southern Comfort
name, as a result of some confusion, had
R o m a n numeral two (II) added to her name.
She arrived at Shipdham about I April 1944.
The Lt. Jack J. Wind crew took her over and
flew 19 of her 31 missions. In her combat
record she struck such important targets as the
Pas de Calais V-l sites in France; the Oil Plants
at Politz, Germany twice; Berlin, the Krupp
Aircraft factory at Magdeburg and the Junkers
Aircraft factory at Bernburg. S C 1 1 met her
demise on 21 July 1944 with the Lt. John W .
Allen crew aboard. The 44th had just attacked
the armaments factory at Oberpfaffenhofen,
Germany in the Munich area and were
withdrawing; at this point the Missing Air Crew
Report becomes confusing. O n e report says S C
II was under attack by a twin engine German
fighter, while Lt. Dan Healy stated the aircraft
was shot down by an A A Battery despite strong
evasive action by Lt. Allen. At any rate, the
aircraft was mortally damaged and all hands
except Radio Operator John J. Kempowicz, Jr.
successfully bailed out and were taken prisoner.
B-24H-1-FO
42-7522S
Bar R Southern Comfort (2)
B-24H-I-FO 42-7522S was transferred from
the 392nd B G but had flown no combat
missions prior to arrival at Shipdham on 9
October 1943. Assigned to the 506th, she was
named Southern Comfort without a suffix #11,
although she was the second 506th aircraft so
named. The 39 combat missions flown by this
Southern Comfort (2) ranked her second
a m o n g her SC sister ships. The crew of 1 st Lt.
John D. Money flew 19 of those missions and
were aboard on their 20th on 4 Nov. 1944
when on the b o m b run against the fiercely
defended Junkers assembly plant at Bernburg,
Germany. The b o m b bay doors were solidly iced
and could not be opened, so they attempted to
drop their load of fragmentation bombs through
the doors. The bombs did not penetrate the
doors and apparently detonated, causing a
raging fire in the b o m b bay. As the aircraft
rolled over before break-up, four crew members
were seen to bail out; however, only Lt. Money
and the two Waist Gunners, S/Sgts. Don Young
and Wallace Kirschner survived and were taken
prisoner.
B-24J-5-CO 42-50896 R
Southern Comfort III (4)
The last of the SC's arrived at Shipdham in
August, 1944. She was flown by a number of
different 506th crews in amassing a total of 4 7
combat missions to lead the SC derby by
10. A m o n g them the Lt. William M . Smith crew,
your author as Co-Pilot flew her twice - once on
2 February 1945 briefed to strike Nuremberg,
Germany which was recalled; and the other on
23 February 1945 (the 300th mission for the
44th) against the rail center at Weimar,
Germany. The targets in the latter stages of the
war were synthetic oil plants, railway
marshalling yards and rail centers, and junctions
to cut off the supply routes supporting the
German counterattack in the Ardennes, and
finally, for Southern Comfort III, the low-level
ThE SECONCI SOUTHERN C O M F O R T , C A I I LETTER S. This phoTO W A S
TAI<EN AFTER A UNdiNq AT ThuRiEiqh, A B'17 B A S E NEAR Bcdiond,
pRobAbly coMJNq oFF A ivtissioN whh
DAd WEAThER AT A F 115.
3
�supply mission to the site of the Allied
forces crossing of the Rhine River into
the G e r m a n homeland at Wesel.
Badly struck by ground fire in the drop
area S C III went out of control and
crashed. The miraculous survival of
Louis DeBlasio and Bob Vance
allowed them the opportunity from
their hospital beds to watch their
G e r m a n captors become American
captives.
The LAST OF ThE SOUTNERN C O M F O R T NAMEd LibeRATORS
M/SqT. RAiph C. JoRqENSON W A S C R E W Chisf ON AII.
In all of the stories we have related in the p
five years that dealt with our combat missions,
w e have lauded our brave combat crews and
those magnificent maintenance m e n I call
"Knucklebusters," (did you ever see one without
a skinned knuckle or two?). We've talked about
the deeds of valor by our aircrews fighting a
vicious high altitude air war and watching in
terror and anguish at seeing comrades being
shot out of the formation and praying for the
bailout and counting the chutes. We've also
talked about those lonely hours after mission
launch that our ground crews go through the
vigil of waiting for the mission return; then the
anxiety of the returning airplane count, looking
for their own. We've talked s o m e about the
relief of seeing their o w n ship coming down
finally, but w e haven't talked m u c h about the
terrible anguish of the wait and the gut
wrenching mixed emotions of hope after the
main force has landed, that she is limping in
late, and fear that she is not coming home, and
you will never again see that beautiful young
crew. In m y conversations over the years with
the Ground Crews that have been through the
combat experience of losing an aircrew and
plane, all have told m e once is enough.
SOUTFIERN C O M F O R T III ENqiNES RUNNJNq,
REAdy TO TAXJ.
ThE SOUTHERN C O M F O R T GROUNCI C R E W .
L TO R
S/SqT. AIEX jANuszyk, SqT. D O N P O W E I I SqT. D O N S W E M
PRESUMAbly, M/SqT. JoRqENSON Took TFIE pJCTURE.
4
�W h e n the s a m e pilot or crew is assigned to one's airplane, a natural bonding takes place which is a
fertile pot for friendship to blossom and grow. The first loss, however, changes that friendly
comradeship and a guarded, impersonal relationship takes its place. Fear of the anguish, should
another loss of a pilot or crew you have c o m e to care for occur, brings d o w n a curtain of
professional relationship and respect but no display of emotion. T h e hurt is too great to take the
risk. "Yes, Sir" and "No, Sir" or " H o w about this, Chief, or Sarge" gets the job done and makes it
easier to keep what might be taken for tender feelings of friendship d o w n deep where they won't
flare up if the going gets scary. I've also talked to s o m e pilots w h o have never figured this out.
You'll hear them say something like: Have you flown Sgt. Brown's airplane? M a n , he is s o m e kind
of grouch! Unless it is something about the airplane, he will hardly give m e the time of day! It is a
strange h u m a n phenomena, but if the pilot or crewman understands it, then all it takes is a w a r m
thank you for an aircraft that performed for you. You can then believe there is a big grin inside that
inner protective shell that is saying thanks, I appreciate that, but I just have trouble showing it.
After four losses, I'm sure M/Sgt. Jorgenson and his ground crew would know what we're talking
about here.
FROM THE
NEWLY APPOINTED EDITOR
Ruth W. Davis-Morse
Roy Owen's desk is overflowing, so please start forwarding your
information to me. Besides, he has more projects going than the CIA.
Everybody has a story worth telling and worth publishing. Send it!
I am holding a beautiful picture of the Queen Mary when she
steamed into N e w York Harbor in 1945 carrying the victorious
veterans home from the War. Can anyone who went over on
the Queen Mary or anyone who came home on her, give m e
a little information about how he/she felt on those
awesome and glorious days?
Ruth W. Davis-Morse
2041 Village Circle East
York, PA 17404
Telephone: (717) 846-8948
Fax: (717) 767-6194
e-mail: R E W D M @ P R O D I G Y . N E T
5
®
�W e have agreed on June 1 as the effective date
for m y resignation and his ascendancy to the
president's chair. This will be confirmed by the
Board in a meeting to be held in conjunction
with the 2nd A D Convention in Austin, Texas
May 29-June 1.
Well, in the language of the Military, I must say:
"Pay attention,
this is no drill!"
I am obliged, in passing the gavel, to discuss
the highlights of our current and near-term past
projects and financial condition relating to those
projects. This summary has been provided in
an earlier report to your Executive Board as m y
closing report.
In the Winter issue President's Corner, I
explained
how it
was that I '
c a m e to
be still
occupying
the seat
of the
president.
It is with
mixed
emotions
that I
now tell
you the time has c o m e to pass the gavel. I
know you all join m e in m y sorrow for Mike
Mikoloski and his family because his daughter
Peggy lost her courageous battle with cancer
last november 30. The outcome of her
struggle, if you will recall, was to determine the
length of m y extended service as your
president.
Starting with the longest on-going project we
called the "Arrow Air," in which w e entered into
an agreement with the Shipdham Airfield
operator to match-fund the construction of an
addition to their facility, which would be a
combination Pilot's lounge/44th B o m b Group
Museum. Under the agreement w e were
obligated to grant $6k to the project. After
almost two years of vague planning and futile
attempts to get outside grant financing, the
facts c a m e to light that Arrow Air was only a
step ahead of bankruptcy (they have since filed)
and the owner of the airfield intended to deny
extension of the airfield lease. In December,
1998, Arrow went out of business. Forewarned,
in October, I directed our Treasurer to withdraw
our funds from the English bank holding the
account and transfer the funds to our U.S.
account in Salt Lake City. That project is
history.
In mid-January I talked with Mike to see how heIn 1997 we received a letter from the
was managing with the sorrow of his loss. After
Shipdham chapter of the British Legion that
talking through the emotions, he seemed
there was a local project afoot to finance and
relieved and I opened the dialogue of when he
install a stained glass window in the Shipdham
might feel ready to assume the responsibilities
church. The British Legion offered to raise the
of the president. The reason I call him "Iron
funds for the window if the window theme
Mike" c a m e shining through when he replied:
would be to memorialize Shipdham Veterans
"Roy, I think it is exactly what I need to direct
killed in W W 1 & II. It was then that the 44th
m y focus away from the tragedy of m y personal
BGVA was approached to participate. In
loss and toward the good of the 44th BGVA,
response, the 44th volunteered to assume
which I love!" Little else can be said except that
1 0 % of the cost ($640.) W e were recently
I feel confident with Mike taking the lead. While
informed that Shipdham has a new, young Vicar
I have s o m e sad feelings about stepping down,
w h o opposes any suggestion of war in the
it has been a great ride, guiding our association
church, thus the Window project is history, and
from near extinction to the strongest B o m b
the allocated $640 awaits in our treasury for reGroup in 2nd Air Division and perhaps in 8th Air
allocation to a future project.
Force.
6
�In early 1997, a 44th delegation went to
Barksdale AFB, LA for the dedication of a
memorial plaque in the 8th Air Force Memorial
Park. While there, w e were invited to take part
in a re-paint of the B-24J 'Laden Maiden' to
mark the aircraft in 44th identity. After almost
two years of inactivity, our project officer Clem
Haulman visited Barksdale and found no
progress had been m a d e on the re-paint and
additionally, two engine cowlings were beyond
repair and needed replacement. O n e side of
the horizontal stabilizer was sagging and was
propped up with a wooden timber. Col.
Haulman also obtained correspondence from
the 8th Air Force Vice C o m m a n d e r which stated
that Air Force budget constraints would not
allow re-hab maintenance on m u s e u m aircraft.
He urged the M u s e u m Director to encourage
the donation of repair funds from "interested
agencies' which, (as concerns the B-24J w e
intend to re-name 'Louisiana Belle,") is the 44th
BGVA. The estimate of $7,000 for
repairs is two years old. I have
recommended to the Board that w e
undertake the repair.
The biggest and, what has become the most
important of our current projects, is the 8th Air
Force Heritage Database w e have written
extensively about in the last two issues of the
Tails." I a m happy to report that our Database
T e a m headed by T o m Shepherd is underway.
One of our early concerns is that our
m e m b e r s have been very slow submitting
their personal biographies. This data is
being entered into the program by our own
m e m b e r volunteers. The archival data
(missions, aircraft numbers, etc.) has been
extracted from the National Archives by Tony
Mastradone and transmitted via Will Lundy to
the contractor for data entry.
As you should rightfully expect, the 44th is
once again the leader of the 2nd A D in
becoming its first group to adopt and undertake
this magnificent 'living history' of 8th
Air Force. While w e felt certain that
between the individual donations so
far m a d e by the members, coupled
with the funds retrieved from the
"Arrow Air" project, w e had m o n e y in
the treasury allocated to fully meet
the original estimate for completing
the entry of the archival data. W e
are, like most projects, experiencing
overruns which are being funded
from our treasury reserves and will
be addressed by the Board.
Help us here
folks, this is our
last chance to
leave our mark
on the pages of
World History.
W e covered the successful
completion and dedication of the
Ploesti display in the Mighty 8th AF
Museum, Savannah, G A in the last
issue of the Tails." Financially, w e
had a $640 overrun on the $3000
estimate for the diorama, and to
our great surprise, a $4600 bill for
the display case, which w e were
told there would be no cost. Both amounts
have been paid by s o m e very skillful reallocation of budgeted funds by our Treasurer.
Immediately after the dedication in Savannah,
w e listened to a recommendation by the
m u s e u m staff that w e put up a guard rail around
the display and provide text panels on opposite
sides of the display which would give an
overview and s o m e statistics on the Ploesti Raid
for the visiting public to better understand the
mission. The m u s e u m staff has completed
plans for this addition with a cost of $2,000,
and w e have instructed the m u s e u m to proceed
with that addition. Except for s o m e thoughts for
a future addition of a voice overlay giving the
details of the mission, that project is complete.
The m u s e u m staff tells us that already, our
Ploesti display is the most popular one in the
museum.
As to funding for the living and recently
deceased 44th Veterans for w h o m w e have
records, w e are covering by collection of a
small fee from each m e m b e r as he submits his
or her Personal Biography. Future search for
44th Veterans with w h o m w e have had no
contact will, no doubt, require additional future
funding. Again w e ask our living membership
to not forget those w h o have gone before us.
W e must do our level best to see that EVERY
44th Veteran dead or alive takes their rightful
place in the "living history" database. W e need
whatever you can give. For those contributing
$100 or more, you will receive your o w n
compact disk containing the 8th Air Force
Military Heritage Database.
�At the very least, w h e n you complete your o w n Personal Biographical Data and send it in with the
applicable $ 1 0 or $ 1 5 data entry fee, send along an additional $ 3 0 to cover a couple of
Biographical forms for those w h o are no longer with us or those w h o can't afford the fee.
Remember, in the historical sense, we in the 44th, will never knowingly leave our dead on the
battlefield. They will always belong to us! The future search for the records of those deceased or
w e have otherwise lost contact will, no doubt, require VA, Social Security, Air Force, Army and
family records search, which will involve telephone calls and correspondence, which all m e a n s more
future funding. Help us here folks, this is our last chance to leave our mark on the pages of World
History.
In closing, I am very pleased to report that our financial condition has (in our resurrected life) co
from the empty cash drawer legacy of the H M G to the best bank balance in our four and a half year
history. W e just emerged from a very successful reunion to the credit of our Reunion Chairman,
Mike Yuspeh. Gratefully, w e are headed for another great reunion under his stewardship in his
h o m e town, N e w Orleans.
1 will continue to serve our Association from the seat of the Immediate Past President. I have
promised m y help, advice and counsel to Mike and to Ruth Morse, your editor of this, her first issue
of your Association journal.
Lolly and I thank you for allowing us the honor of serving you as your President and First Lady. We
love you and will see you in N e w Orleans.
.0**^
I
1
Please note: Hairs are getting grayer and ranks are getting thinner.
the 44th Bomb Grouv needs new members.
Uou've been telling stories to uour children and grandchildren for years; and when uou are gone, the mem
mil dim. Right now the unbelievable experiences oi WWII are a fasriHafinn ior all generations.
Sign up iamilu members !<> the Bomb Ijnmn. and keep the memories alive.
44th BOMB GROUP V€T€RRNS BSSOCIBTION
DUES FOK 1999
•Dues are $20. 'Outside U.S. $25
•Life Membership Dues 60 and over $125 'Life Membership Dues 40 to 59 $150
Join now so you don't miss the next issue of the <5>-F3all Tails!
Name:
Dues Paid:
Address:
Donation Amount:
(Tax Deductible)
Phone:
Fax/e-Mail:
MAIL TO:
44th Bomb Group
Veterans Association
P.O. Box 712287
Salt Lake City, Utah 84171-2287
1
1
8
��Remembering the "Yanks"
Roy Owen
M y first experience with a British post-war demonstration of the admiration
and gratitude they hold for the American armed forces was when Lolly and I
went over for the 40th Anniversary of "D" Day, June 6, 1984.
Our tour was planned, insofar as possible, to follow the invasion path of
the Americans, so w e were scheduled to depart Weymouth on route to our
"invasion" point at Cherbourg. As our tour bus got in the bus line to board
the ferry, looking over to the automobile and truck line, I couldn't believe
m y eyes seeing the assembly of almost every type of vintage WWII U.S. Army
vehicles I had ever seen. Personnel carriers, weapons carriers, jeeps, six-by
trucks, ambulances, staff cars, and motorcycles with side-cars. Except for tanks,
you n a m e it and there seemed to be at least one of everything. Amazing also was
the great shape they were in; almost every one of them looked like it had just left
the motor pool! Equally amazing was almost to the vehicle, they were occupied
with Brits dressed in authentic U.S. Army Uniforms. O n the ambulances were English
w o m e n in U.S. Army Nurses uniforms. Also there were Army W A C s and WAFS. It
truly looked like an invasion force.
We all had an incredible party on the
four hour crossing and admittedly a
rather shaky invasion, as all were
debarked and true to form. There were
s o m e vehicle breakdowns on the
highway climbing the palisade out of
Cherbourg causing a realistic invasion
bog-down.
This spirit is still alive and well, Dick
Butler found out during his November
attendance at the 2nd A D Executive
Board meeting in Norwich. Not only do
they love Americans and their war relics,
but they love the 44th B o m b Group and
its 68th B o m b Squadron, as illustrated by
the photo of Dick and this wonderfully
maintained jeep owned by Keith
T h o m a s , active m e m b e r of The Friends
of 8th Air Force. O n e can be certain it is
a proud Brit w h o owns one of these
cherished vehicles and the uniform to go
with it.
10
�WILL SEZ
Compiling a listing of Folded Wings three
times a year is difficult in more ways than
one. Obviously, time marches on and more
of us "fold" our wings. But it is often times
very hard to locate any data within the
records that I possess to find suitable
material to do justice to any person on the
new listings. Surely there must be some
means to build up our records to permit
anyone to learn more about those that
served with us.
Your bios will m a k e your records c o m e alive.
That is, you will be a person not just for the
present, but for as long as our history is
available for future generations to read and
appreciate what you accomplished before,
during W W I I and afterwards.
One more thought too, before you finish
this column. As evidenced in the Folded
Wings, w e are losing members, m a n y of
them were combat crew members. These
m e n are gone and consequently cannot
prepare a bio for themselves, so w e must
find some way to get it done for them. If you
have ideas h o w to obtain them, please
With the initiation of our recent efforts to
advise us. Until then, I'd like to suggest to
computerize our history, utilizing the
you remaining crew members (or to any
Computer Generated Data Program, w e will
other person w h o has lost 44th friends or
be able to have immediate access to our
buddies) to check your old addresses and try
operational history. That is a huge step in
to contact the widows or their children,
the right direction, but w e still have only
even other crew members, to have them
the names of our members, with little
help prepare a form as completely as
personal data. True, the program has the
possible. They could have photos, diaries.
capacity to accept and produce personal
orders, form 5, etc. with which to obtain
experiences, both by written and spoken
m a n y answers. Each of you crewmen could
words. But again, w e still will k n o w very
offer to help them, too, to help with
little about the m a n himself (or w o m a n ) .
answers.
What we really need from each of you is
data about yourself - and h o w do w e get
that? Why, the Bios form that has been
included in this newsletter in the last two
issues. Hopefully, w e will have the space to
once again m a k e it available to you, and this
time please do not put it aside and forget it.
Remove it from the newsletter and put with
our bill paying drawer or envelope, etc.
THAT'S RIGHT, D O IT NOW!! And I hope that
later you will c o m e back to read w h y it is so
important. It m a y appear to be complicated
and/or extensive, but it really is not. There
is ample space provided for a more
complete response to the question, but
often you can utilize more paper to fully
complete a story or experience. Get your
family or friends to help you if necessary.
BUT. please get it done!
Why is this so important? Because in our
records you are only a name, not a person.
The form need not be complete to be
submitted. Those of us on the Bios team can
attempt to get more answers that m a y be in
our Official Records. W e will do as m u c h
research as our records permit. M a n y
crewmen have submitted diaries and stories
to m e in the past, so these are also available.
If you have, please remind us, so that they
will not be overlooked. Let us m a k e this a
complete team effort -- let us all get involved
so that our 44th B o m b Group can be set up as
a shining example for all to see and admire.
W e have a big job to do, so let us once more
pull together and get it done right.
THANK YOU!
Will Lundy
�44TH BOMB GROUP VETERANS ASSOCIATION BOARD
Director: Michael "Mike" Yuspeh T506J
7214 Sardonyx St.
New Orleans. LA 70124-3509
Phone: T504J 283-3424 Fax: T504J 283-3425
e-mail: mikeyuspeh@worldnet.att.net
President: Roy W. Owen T506J
6304 Meadowridae Drive
Santa Rosa. CA 95409-5839
Phone: f707J 538-4726 Fax: T707J 538-1212
e-mail: rowen@sonic.net
Membership Co-Chair: Search
Vice President: Edw. K. "Mike" Mikoloski f66J*
Art Hand f66J
626 Smithfield Road #702
517 Elm Street
N. Providence. Rl 02904
Paris. IL 61994
Phone/Fax: T40IJ 353-0144
Phone/Fax: (217J 463-5905
Secretary: Nancy L Van EPPS fHq. SqdnJ*
e-mail: butch@tigerpaw.com
13922 River Road
Membership Co-Chair: Roster
Pensacola. FL 32507
Tom Shepherd T66/67J
Phone/Fax: f850J 492-2041
10597 Cambrooke Cove
Treasurer: Gerald CJerryJ Folsom T506J
Collierville. TN 38017
3582 East Dover Hill Road
Phone: T901J 854-6558 Fax: T901J 853-4229
Salt Lake City. UT 84121-5527
e-mail: tshephe I @midsouth.rr.com2
Phone f80IJ 733-7371 Fax: f801J 942-9988
Director T67J Archivist
e-mail: 44thbgva@mail.xmission.com
Anthony "Tony" Mastradone
Historian: C.W. "Will" Lundy f67J
9111 Tuckerman Street
3295 North " H " Street
Lanham. M D 20706-2709
San Bernardino. CA 92405-2809
Phone/Fax: T301J 577-1487
Phone/Fax: f909J 882-2441
e-mail: mast@clres.com
e-mail: willundy@iuno.com
Director f44th SMWJ
P.O. Box 315. Bridgeport. CA 93517 fSumJ
Charles G. Simpson
Phone/Fax: T760J 932-7349
P.O. Box 281
44th Group Vice President to 2nd ADA
Brechenridge. CO 80424
Richard D. Butler f506/67J
Lanham. M D 20706-2709
16494 Wagon Wheel Drive
Phone/Fax: T970J 453-0500
Riverside. CA 92506
e-mail: AFMISSILEERS@comPuserve.com
Phone T909J 780-7421 Fax: T909J 780-1459
U.K. Representative: Steve Adams
Director: Robert J. Lehnhausen T68J
28 Bassingham Rd.
2540 Benton Court
Norwich, England NR3 2QT
Peoria. IL 61615-8838
Phone/Fax: 011-44-1603-400221
Phone/Fax: T309J 243-1952
e-mail: s.p.adams@btinternet.com
ASSOCIATION MAILING ADDRESS:
44th BGVA
P.O. Box 712287
Salt Lake City. UT 84171-2287
*Dual Representative
12
�STATUS REPORT Oil BGVH memBeRSHIP
and
mflSTGR HERITAGE DATABASE PROJECT
By Tommy Shepherd
This report is being presented in a questionnaire format, for it is - YOU - the membership that can best
respond to the core question: Just how much do you really want posterity to know about the men and women of the
44th Bombardment Group during World War II?
Do you know of the thousands upon thousands of hours that over the past FIFTY-SEVEN (57) years such
44thers as: Will Lundy, Art Hand, Tony Mastradone, Webb Todd, Norm Keifer, Jerry Folsom, Arlo Bartsch, Roy Owen,
Steve Adams, Bob Lehnhausen, Bill Cameron, Ursula P. Harvell, and many others, have contributed to recording in
book form YOUR history?
Do you know that because of the efforts of these fellow members that all data from the sorties flown by
OUR groups from 1942 to 1944, inclusive, is already entered in the NM? Do you know that only sorties for 1945
have not yet been entered? BUT - do you know that this data is only the IMPERSONAL data and text of our total
history?
Do you know at this point that we are still waiting for a great many biolgraphies, all of which are important.
Do you know, included in the 8BT edition is, again, the Biography Form awaiting YOUR completion? Certainly you are
not waiting for someone else to complete YOUR biography. Are you? Can anyone else complete as well as you
"Personal Memories, Experiences and Stories", or the other section, "Specific Mission Comments"?
For you attending the New Orleans Reunion there will be special times for your viewing the most up-to-date
version of the @ . Do you want to see what some of your fellow members said about our 44th? How about the
ground support member that said, "My crew busted our butts hour upon hour in the cold and wet Jolly Ole' because
we wanted our airplane to do its BEST for the BEST combat crew buddies; and by God, they did their BEST - even in
North Africa in all that damn sand and wind." Then what Combat Air Crew Pilot said, "I thank God for the opportunity
to fly with some of the bravest people on earth... I feel lucky too, to have made it through without any serious
problems." Do those 'memories' sound like some of yours?
Please note: Art Hand and Norm Nutt are currently working on securing all possible biographies from family
members of those deceased. If you know of a former member, now deceased, and would like to assist Art and
Norm, why don't you pass that information along to them? Let us all pitch in and help this super fine effort.
Don't you feel that all of us have yet One More Duty to Perform, and that is to record for posterity all of our
experiences and memories for generations yet to come, and do it in a form and manner that all can see and read
about our 44th BGP? Well, how about it?
What are you waiting for?
13
�W h e n you have completed this form, if you have no pictures, mail it with $10; if you have two photos or
one photo and an extra page of text (single spaced in 12 point font), mail the form with $15 to:
44th BQVA. P.O. Box 712287. Salt Lake City. UT 84171-2287.
8 th Air Force Military Heritage Database
Personal Biographical Data —
Your "Living M o n u m e n t "
It is our goal to assemble a complete record of all personnel who at one time served with the 8th Air Force du
World W a r II. The records of those w h o were on flying status will be obtained from declassified group mission
reports which have been stored in the National Archives. From this, a matrix has been developed which will allow
for the search and retrieval of the following information: w h o flew on what mission, with w h o m , in what plane, to
what target, on what date, enemy opposition, aircraft and personnel losses, and hundreds of cross referenced bits of
detailed information.
To make this database come "Alive," your stories, memories, photos and voice recordings are essential.
Cassette recordings of your memories should be limited to 2 minutes or less per each incident.
Please provide a "Then and N o w " photo of yourself and a Crew photo, if available.
A Master Copy of this multi-media database is now a part of the Eighth Air Force Heritage Museum in Savannah,
Other copies will be available to Museums, Libraries, Universities, Schools and on the World W i d e W e b Internet.
You may also have your o w n copy of the full database, on a C D , to run on a h o m e computer.
Last Name: First: Initial:
Address # I:
City:
State:
Zip Code: Phones ~ Home: Other: Fax:
E-mail Address:
Date of Birth:
City:
State:
Nickname:
Date Deceased: Date Enlisted: City: State:
Spouse: 8th Air Force Group/s: Squadron/s:
Special Military Training:
Graduating Class:
14
Location:
State:
�Group Rank:
Group Duties:
Ret. Rank:
Your A S N (Serial Number/s):
Occupation Prior to Military:
Occupation After Military and/or Continued Military Service:
Arrival at ETO base:
Arrived From:
Arrived H o w (Any Details):
Personal Memories, Experiences & Stories:
15
�Specific Mission Comments:
Date Departed ETO:
How:
Destination:
Trip Details:
Military Honors & Decorations:
Congressional Medal Of Honor:
Distinguished Service Cross:
Distinguished Service Medal:
Silver Star:
Legion of Merit:
Distinguished Flying Cross:
Soldiers Medal:
Bronze Star:
Air Medal:
Purple Heart:
Presidential Unit Citation:
Prisoner of War:
Good Conduct Medal:
Victory W W I I :
European Theater Ribbon:
Other Awards:
16
�Special Status: Shot D o w n : U
Escaped:^
Parachuted:^
POW:U
Wounded:^
Evaded:Q
MIA:Q
KIA:Q
Ditched:Q
Crashed^
Interned:^
Hospitalized:^ Disabled:^ Other:Q
Details:
Ground Crew:Q
Crew Chief:Q
Instruments:^
Sheet Metals:Q
Assistant C C Q
Refueling:^
A & E Mechanic:^
Bombsight:Q
Armorer:Q
Hydraulics:^
Radio:Q
Radar:Q
Other:
Duties:
Aircraft You Crewed: (Names and Numbers):
Aircraft Lost or Damaged:
Memories:
Base Operations: Administration:^
Engineering:^ MessHalLQ
Clerical^
Communication^
Medicaid
Security:^
Supply:Q Intelligence:^ Other Duties or Assignments:
Your Contributions Must Not Be Forgotten, Please Provide Details:
17
®
Photo Lab:Q
�Here is a wonderful story condensed from a speech by Leo K. Thorsness, a recipient of
the Medal of Honor. It is about United States Air Force, Navy and Marine pilots in the
Hanoi Hilton prisoner of war camp and what the Flag, Freedom and America meant to
them, and Mike Christian in particular. Sadly, after Mike Christian was freed he died in a fire.
I Mike Christians US Flag
You've probably seen the bumper sticker somewhere along the road. It depicts an
American Flag, accompanied by the words 'These colors don't run." I'm always glad to
see this, because it reminds m e of an incident from m y confinement in North Vietnam at
the Hao Lo P O W Camp, or the "Hanoi Hilton," as it became known. Then a Major in the
U.S. Air Force, I had been captured and imprisoned from 1967-1973. Our treatment had
been frequently brutal. After three years, however, the beatings and torture became less
frequent. During the last year, w e were allowed outside most days for a couple of
minutes to bathe. W e showered by drawing water from a concrete tank with a
homemade bucket.
One day, as we all stood by the tank stripped of our clothes, a young Naval pilot
named Mike Christian found the remnants of a handkerchief in a gutter that ran under
the prison wall. Mike managed to sneak the grimy rag into our cell and began
fashioning it into a flag. Over time w e all loaned him a little soap, and he spent days
cleaning the material. W e helped by scrounging and stealing bits and pieces of
anything he could use.
At night, under his mosquito net, Mike worked on the flag. He made red and blue
from ground-up roof tiles and tiny amounts of ink and painted the colors onto the cloth
with watery rice glue. Using thread from his o w n blanket and a homemade bamboo
needle, he sewed on stars.
Early in the morning a few days later, when the guards were not alert, he whispered
loudly from the back of our cell, "Hey gang, look here." He proudly held up this tattered
piece of cloth, waving it as if in a breeze. If you used your imagination, you could tell it
was supposed to be an American flag. W h e n he raised that smudgy fabric, w e
automatically stood straight and saluted, our chests puffing out, and more than a few
eyes had tears.
About once a week the guards would strip us, run us outside and go through our
clothing. During one of those shakedowns, they found Mike's flag. W e all knew what
would happen. That night they came for him. Night interrogations were always the
worst. They opened the cell door and pulled Mike out. W e could hear the beginning of
the torture before they even had him in the torture cell.
They beat him most of the night. About daylight they pushed what was left of him
back through the cell door. He was badly broken, even his voice was gone. Within two
weeks, despite the danger, Mike scrounged another piece of cloth and began another
flag. The Stars and Stripes, our national symbol, was worth the sacrifice to him.
Now, whenever I see the flag, I think of Mike and the morning he first waved that
tattered emblem of a nation. It was then, thousands of miles from h o m e in a lonely
prison cell, that he showed us what it is to be truly free.
1H
�MISCELLANEA
The N E W S F R O M EiMqlANcJ
The 44th Presence At MildeTihall
Mainly through the efforts of our U.K.
Steve Adams contacted M/Sgt. Mark E.
Representative, Steve Adams, we have for
Brotherton, Chief, Logistics Training Flight
some time had a very supportive and
of the 100th ARW, a friend and strong
friendly relationship with the USAF 100th supporter of the 44th BGVA, and requested
Air Refueling Wing and Headquarters 3rd
that he represent us in making the
Air Force based at RAF Mildenhall, the only presentation of our history to the Base
active USAF base remaining in Norfolk.
Library.
You may recall in 1997 the 3rdAF
Pictured below is the presentation with
Headquarters building was dedicated and
L to R, ColonelJeffery Kohler, 100th ARW
named General Leon W. Johnson Hall,
Commander, M/Sgt. Mark Brotherton and
honoring him as the first 3rdAF
Mr. Neil Ahem, Base Librarian. Col.
Commander. Steve Adams furnished most of Kohler and Mr. Ahem have expressed their
the archival photography that now decorates gratitude for embellishing their History
the building interior. After our 44th History
Section with our own. We have likewise
was published, it seemed appropriate that presented a copy of our history to the
our WWII history should be made available
Shipdham Village Heritage Center and 2nd
for the young people of today's Air Force to Air Division Memorial Room, Norwich
help make them aware of the importance of Central Library.
the Norfolk region as the home of the 2nd
Air Division and it's B-24 bases and Bomb
Groups such as Shipdham and the 44th.
19
�More Library N e w s
Back in 1997, Pete Henry stepped d o w n from the position as the
44th Group Vice President to the 2nd Air Division, Dick Butler.
Dick replaced Pete and organized funding of a Memorial Library
endowment to honor Pete for the eighteen years he served both
2nd A D and the 44th B G . The drive netted $2795. A n
endowment was established and the funds invested with the
earned interest were used to perpetuate the purchase of books
pertaining to a better understanding of American history and
culture. Each of the books purchased would bear this bookplate
on its flyleaf:
'Presented To
2nd Air 'Division (USAAJ) 'Memorial %pom
liprwich Central Library
"By 44th 'Bomb group 2nd M)A Members 'With gratitude
In Honor Of
This photo was taken on Remembrance day in the Shipdham
Church yard with Don Dodd, local leader of the Shipdham
chapter of The British Legion assisting Dick with the laying of
the wreath on the 44th Memorial Stone.
& & & ft
M e m o r y Lane
September 18, 1998
Dear Roy,
Have had the enclosed photo for your M e m o r y Lane page
printed from m y old negative. Having a girl friend w h o worked in
'high places' I was able to take the view from an advantage point.
A store called Debenhams had been built on the remains of
the bombed buildings in the bottom foreground in the picture,
when I attended the 1992 reunion in Norwich staying at the Hotel
Nelson with the 44 B G Vets, and where I met Mike Neri again.
Y o u m a y be wondering h o w an Englishman like myself has
come to be so closely associated with the 44 B G . It is not widely k n o w n that all newly constructed airfields for
the U S A A F , even those actually built by the U.S. A r m y Engineers, were initially opened by ground staff of the
R A F . This ensured that when the ground crews of the B o m b Groups arrived, there was accommodation, food
and communications all in place for their use. Flying control was manned by staff w h o had checked out the
recently installed equipment. R A F Signals personnel continued working alongside their newly arrived
counterparts explaining navigational aids, etc., that were already in place. Other staff explained h o w the U K
telephone and teletype network operated and in this respect I got to k n o w Mike Neri and the late Richard
Bottomley. Later I went on a mechanics course and maintained the British teleprinters both at Shipdham and
Wendling.
I can claim that I was at Shipdham first, arriving on 14th August 1942 and leaving on 29 July 1944, after
American made teletypes had replaced the British machines I had maintained.
Hope you have a good reunion with Steve this year with w h o m I a m continually in touch.
Kindest regards to Lolly and yourself, from Olive and m e .
Peter Broadley
5 Station Road • Hampton Wick • Kingston-Upon-Thames • Surrey K T 1 4 H G U K • Telephone: +441819771373
20
m
�INFORMATION NEEDED*
With the closing of Arrow Air, Steve Adams has been
inventorying and retrieving all of the photos, books and
memorabilia that our members have placed in the Arrow Air Pub
and entrance (History Room) over the years. W e don't want these
things to disappear, so Steve will store them until another suitable
archive can be located.
There are a few items which he has been unable to identify the
owner, and he needs help. If you have contributed any items to
Arrow Air, please list them and send that information to Steve
or Will Lundy (both are on the Executive Board) to assist him in
collecting those items.
&
&
&
Can anyone recall CARLTON,_L, HASELEY^ ASM
52506092?
His DOG TAGS have just been found by owner of building
which housed a bicycle shop in Shipdham in wartime, and
given to m e to return if he can be located. If you have any
information, please call (225) 925-0454.
Sincerely,
Strategic Air Depot Association National Headquarters
Wiley Noble, Secretary
7 2 6 6 Goodwood
Eaton Rouge, LA 7 0 0 0 6
�ENGLAND TRIP
CANCELLED
A Trus story and alp
"example «f the.^
British sense 6f hunitir.
This story comes from a United Airlines pilot
on a flight descending into Frankfurt Airport.
The German controllers at Frankfurt Airport
are infamous for being a short tempered lot.
They not only expect you to know your parking
location, but also how to get there without any
assistance from them.
So it was with some amusement that w e
(United 747) listened to the following exchange
between Frankfurt ground control and the pilot
of a British Airways 747 (call sign Speedbird 206).
Speedbird: "Good morning Frankfurt, Speedbird 206,
clear of the active."
Ground: "Guten Morgan, taxi to your gate."
The BA 747 pulls onto the main taxiway and stops.
Ground (brusquely): "Speedbird, do you not know where
you are going?"
Speedbird: "Standby ground, I'm looking up the gate
location now."
Unfortunately w e have had to cancel
the S u m m e r '99 trip to England for lack
of participation. W e only had 14 sign ups.
This w a s really disappointing after the
show of hands at the General Membership
meeting in Savannah of those wanting to
join the trip. W e counted more than
enough to fill one bus.
There are still a few w h o are planning
to go on to Europe on their o w n this
Summer, but it is too bad our group travel
folded. W e put a lot of work and a fair
amount of our treasury money into
planning and promoting the trip all for
naught.
Let's face it, w e haven't got too much
time or endurance left to make overseas
travel, so that m a y have been the last one
w e will attempt. I understand that those
w h o wish to celebrate Y 2 K with travel are
already flooding the travel agents.
I will leave the door open for 2000 only
if those w h o are seriously interested in a
trip, that will first go to France, Belgium
and Germany then have an option to
return to England for a visit to Norwich
and Shipdham before returning home, will
write or e-mail m e a letter of FIRM
intentions (not reservations) to join such
a trip and tell m e where they would prefer
to visit, then if I receive enough responses
to make a trip feasible, I will plan a small
tour to satisfy a consensus of the group
desire. Write early if w e are to get
reservations.
Ground (with typical German impatience): Speedbird 206,
have you never been to Frankfurt before?"
IRoy Owe*t
Speedbird (coolly): "Yes, several times in 1944, but I
didn't stop."
22
�FOLDED WINGS
April, 1999
Appelin, Carl W.
12/98
67th Squadron. T-125238. Carl was a
navigator for the Lt. Frank Hurst crew
that arrived at Shipdham on 19 July,
1944, completed their tour and
departed for the U.S. on 18 May, 1945.
Bata, Frank B 5/28/98 Frank was a gunner assigned to the E.J. McKenney crew when it
arrived at Shipdham in early August, 1943, then immediately flew to
Africa arriving too late for the Ploesti mission. This crew was broken
up at this time. Cannot identify missions flown by Frank without sorti
reports. Later Frank was assigned to the John K. Winchester crew, flew
many missions with them. Then when Lt. George Insley returned to the
44th for his second tour, this time with the 506th Squadron. Frank
joined them as a tail gunner. As this was a lead crew, missions were les
frequent, flown mostly in bad weather. The last identified mission flown
by this crew was 15 Feb, 1945. In essence, Frank flew the equal of two
tours as did most of the Insley crew. They all were exceptionally brave
and patriotic men. Frank remained in service after WWII until he
retired. He was buried in Arlington Cemetery on 7 July, 1998.
Brandt, Daniel F. 11/98 0-701552 67th Squadron. Dan flew as a navigator for the Robert J.
Gunton crew. This crew arrived on 14 May, 1944, quicklyflew34
missions, with most of the crew ending their tour in September, 1944.
Brown, Norman D 08/97 Pilot, 67th Squadron 0-768430. Norman was a co-pilot on the Ernest
G. Holmer crew when they were assigned to the 44th Bomb Group in
August, 1944. Later he was assigned his own crew and flew as a 1st
pilot until April, 1945. He brought his crew back to the States in A/C
#44-48821A.
Fairchild, Kenneth L 03/01/98 67th Squadron S/Sgt. Fairfield was a waist gunner for the Edward C.
Yatkones crew which arrived at Shipdham on 8 June, 1944. This crew
quickly completed their tour in November, 1944 except for the pilot,
who was ill for a short period, his crew flown with other crews.
Falls, Billie D Unknown 67th Squadron S/Sgt. Falls was a tail gunner on Lt. Ralph E. VanEss
crew in early October, 1943. He was part of the echelon on DS to
Africa on 23 Sept. 43. Cannot confirm his combat missions at this time.
Farnham, Dale F. 09/27/98 Dales served with the 1132 QM and the 1646 Ordnance Units.
Reported by his wife, Lorraine.
Folland, George W. 10/05/98 0-823344 George served as a co-pilot for Lt. Condray and then as 1st
pilot on his own crew. The Newton E. Condray crew was assigned to
^^
the 67th Squadron in July, 1944. flew many of their mission in 049 OCj^~\
Bar, Fearless Fosdick. George became a 1st pilot after 32 missions wit
the Condray and Crandell crews and completed his tour of 35 by flying
his last three as a lead crew pilot.
23
m
�Long, BG Robert F.
Unknown
General Long served with the 18th Weather Station on the base at
Shipdham.
McNamara Raymond L... 12/16/98 67th Squadron 11046207. S/Sgt. NcNamara was one of the early ground
crewmen to join the 44th BG at Barksdale Field, LA. He was part of the
ground echelon that sailed to England on the Queen Mary on 5
September, 1942. He served as Assistant Crew Chief on "Suzy Q, " went
to Africa in September, 1943 (second trip) as a Crew Chief on aircraft
#779, "4-Q-2. " Ray returned home in June, 1945. Ray served again in
the Korean War, having been recalled as a reservist. His wife of 51
years, Mary, and he, suffered severe strokes in mid-December, both of
them succumbed within 18 hours of each other.
Petroskv John J. 07/29/98 67th Squadron. He was a tail gunner on Lt. Jefferson's crew. This crew
was listed on the 67 th roster on 28 December, 1943, flew their first
mission on 1 January, 1944. The crew went to a Rest Home for a week
on R&R on 24 April, and completed their tour on 11 May, 1944.
Pauly Bruce H. Unknown 0-434434. He enlisted in the USAAC in 1941 as an Aviation Cadet and
was assigned to the 44th BG at MacDill Field, FL. In December, 1941,
he served as a 44th BG Engineering Officer from February, 1942 to
November, 1943. He was a member of the Flight Echelon,flewto
England as a passenger on A/C U41-23786 piloted by Lt. James Dubard.
He served in S-4 at Shipdham from November, 1943 to April, 1944. He
then became Director of Maintenance, 2nd Air Division from April, 1944
to May, 1945 Maintenance Division at Wright Field, OH, where he
retired in November, 1980.
Pschirer, Albert, Jr. 12/26/98 35217311. 68th Squadron. He was the Flight Engineer on the Robert G.
Seever crew which arrived in the 68th Squadron on 15 August, 1944.
Mission #1 was flown on 25 August, 1944 and their 30th was completed
in April, 1945. Many of their later missions were flown in lead crew
positions.
Sheetz, Elvin N. 10/96 68th Squadron. Cannot confirm his pilot or crew, but 68th Squadron
records reported that he completed his tour of missions on 15 October,
1944.
Strug, Emil J. 12/3/98 02-009015. 67th Squadron Navigator. Lt. Strug flew about half his
missions with Newton E. Condray crew until they finished their tour.
Then he flew with various other crews, including Roger S. Markle and
Norman Brown. He was classified as a PN (Pilotage Navigator).
Stanley, Tyrus J. 11/25/98 17110585. 68th Squadron. He was a Tail Gunner on the Harold C.
Morrison crew. This crew assigned to the 66th Squadron on 28
February, 1944, with Tyrus becoming part of the crew shortly thereafter
He was with them when they were transferred to the 68th Squadron on
20 April, 1944. Luckily, he was not with the crew when it was shot dow
Jfe
on 7 July 1944 on their 35th mission. Harold Morrison had completed
|"^^~|
his 35 mission tour on 4 July, so Lt. Wilson was 1st pilot replacing L
Morrison.
24
�Tomhave, John V.
02/99
37116222. 66th Squadron Crew Chief John was a member of the
ground echelon that went over on the Queen Mary to England in
September, 1942. John was rapidly promoted and by December, 1944
was a Master Sergeant in Flight "A" reporting to M/Sgt. Morton. One of
the planes that he crewed was #42-50761, A+ and later F+, "King
High" which had operational missions from October, 1944 to end of war.
Thompson, Clarence W. ... 01/20/99 "Tommy. " 0-1297615. Navigator on Russell G. Erickson's crew.
Assigned to the 68th Squadron on 25 October, 1945, flew their first
mission on 5 November 1944. This crew flew the last mission of the waron 25 April, 1945 in E - 806, Louisiana Belle, and also flew the same
plane back to the States. Tommy obtained a college degree, was a safety
engineer. Survived by two sons and a daughter.
Van Epps, Elwood A 12/46 (Auto Accident) 506th Squadron. Was a Radio Operator for Lt. John w.
Jones ' crew. On 7 October 1944, when this pilot was very seriously
wounded by enemy action. Elwood probably saved the pilot s life by
quickly applying medication and bandages to stop the bleeding, and
removed him from the pilot s seat, so the wounded co-pilot could have
helpflyingthe plane. He earned the nickname "Doc" for his skillful
actions. Elwood flew his later missions with Lt. Horsley and then
finished his tour with Lt. Zitzman.
Crewmen from the Charles S. Herring Crew:
Lt. Charles S. Herring • 0-813512 • After the war, killed in aircraft accident.
Major James C. Holcolm • 0-761099 • Co-Pilot 1989 Prostate Cancer.
Lt. Bernard L Fisher • 0-699065 • Navigator 1978 Leukemia.
T/Sgt. Frank J. Gerbe • 20251385* Engineer 1984? Heart Attack.
A
The above crew information received from John L Rhodes, tail gunner for the Herring crew.
This crew w a s organized in December, 1943 at March Field, California.
They flew their tour of missions from 18 June to October, 1944.
The 8 Ball Tails©
Official Journal of The 44th Bomb Group Veterans Association, Inc.©
Compiled, written and published tri-yearly at 2041 Village Circle East, York, PA, by Ruth W. Davis-Morse, Editor. Printed and mailed Bulk Rate at Salt Lake City
under USPS Permit #6923. All original written material such as letters, stories, excerpts from personal diaries or memoirs, drawings and photos submitted to this
journal will become the property of the 44th Bomb Group Veterans Association and will be copyright protected except where noted. The text and photos are
otherwise reproduced from official U S A A F and U S A F documents and photos which have been released for publication. Permission is granted for the contents of this
journal to be reproduced specifically for personal archives. Otherwise, copyright material herein may be reproduced by the journal of other incorporated nonprofit
veterans organizations so long as this publication is properly credited and prior permission is granted by the editor.
Those submitting letters, stories and photos to the editor or historian must do so with the understanding that this material will most likely be published in th
as a matter of interest to the members/subscribers of the Association and this journal. While every attempt will be made to answer all of the material received, there
is no explicit or implied guarantee that an answer will be provided or published. Except for specific requests for the return of original documents and photos, all
material submitted will become the property of the 44th Veterans Association, Inc., or its successors.
Due to space limitations and to ensure the clarity and brevity of submitted material, the Publisher/Editor reserves the editorial license to add, cut or otherwi
all submitted material so long as the original context of the material is maintained.
25
�A "Cold" Cold War Story
By Roy O w e n
This story begins in the Summer of 1958
during the great glory days of Strategic Air
C o m m a n d (SAC), the General Curtis E. Le M a y
Cold War answer to the U S S R threat of nuclear
war. I was a young Captain, Aircraft C o m m a n d e r
of a three m a n Combat Crew of a Boeing B-47
Stratojet bomber in the 22nd B o m b Wing at
March AFB, outside of Riverside, California.
Looking back, these were the halcyon days of
m y flying career. I was born and raised in
Southern California, and after a W W I I combat
tour flying B-24 Liberators in the 44th B o m b
Group with 8th Air Force out of England, a
discharge, return to college and a Korean War
recall, I had progressed through the S A C buildup
flying B-29's, B-50's and, in a bomber pilot's
dream fulfilled, along with Captain Mel Cooper,
m y Co-Pilot and Lt. Ron Gingold, m y Radar
Navigator/Bombardier, I was flying our nation's
first line jet bomber. Further, being raised as a
warm weather beach boy, I was close to h o m e and
flying in a climate I loved.
About the airplane; the B-47 was a sleek,
swept wing six engine
beauty that, while not
supersonic, had both the
best characteristics of a
bomber (range and
payload) and a fighter
(speed and
maneuverability). It had
some unforgiving traits
such as twin truck
landing gear in tandem
alignment. A careless
touchdown with the front
truck first, could lead to
a porpoising bounce. A
stall at the top of a
porpoise bounce and a
stalled wing dropping
either way could be fatal.
There was also a high
altitude performance
"coffin corner" where
the wing lift coefficient
26
curve and the altitude curve met wherein the
aircraft was liable to experience a high speed stall
and a state of unaccountability. Aside from these
"Red Caution" areas, the airplane was a joy to fly
and when not carrying auxiliary, long range fuel
tanks hung under the wings, it could perform rolls
and even an Immelmann maneuver well within it's
structural limits. W h e n mated with a KC-97 propdriven tanker, it was tough to air refuel at the
slower speeds required (that is another story), but
mated with a K C - 1 3 5 at higher altitudes and
compatible speeds, it was an air refueling romance.
The United States doctrine in the "Cold War"
was one of a retaliatory nuclear strike in the event
of a pre-emptive attack by Russia. The S A C war
plan of the day was to rotationally maintain a
nuclear trained and equipped wing of S A C
bombers on 9 0 day tours at bases in England,
Spain and G u a m . Each combat crew was assigned
a specific U S S R target on a single sortie
individually launched from it's overseas base on a
programmed generation scheduled to begin at "A"
(Alert) hour.
Thus was our life, fly training missions, keep
current on our assigned target, and deploy about
once a year on a 9 0 day tour to the Wing's
assigned overseas Emergency War Order ( E W O )
launch base. In that summer of 1958, technical
�advances in nuclear weaponry on both sides was
manifested in smaller, more destructive weapons
no longer requiring hours of pre-launch testing
and loading procedures meaning quick reaction
times with weapons able to be pre-launch loaded
on the aircraft. A s Huckleberry Finn mused
"Times', they is a changin'."
For us in the B-47 Combat Crew business w e
began to hear terms like "quick reaction," "Alert
Pad" and " M I T O " (minimum interval take-off)
soon followed by training in positioning aircraft on
what was the formerly named "warm-up pad"
now renamed "Alert Pad" just near the take-off
runway. The aircraft, loaded with training nuclear
weapons, where pre-flighted and pre-take off
checklists were run up to the point of pushing the
first start button at the instant the ground power
unit (GPU) put power on the aircraft main bus.
W e then began to spend 3 or 4 twenty four hour
days in some make-shift buildings near the "Alert
Aircraft." W e trained in fast reaction procedures
by responding to a Klaxon Horn signal like
firemen to the Fire Bell, dressing and scrambling
to our aircraft, quickly climbing aboard donning
helmets already connected and reporting "Ready
to Launch" to the C o m m a n d Post. O u r response
time goal from Klaxon to take-off roll was 15
minutes. The C o m m a n d Post response could be
"This is an 'Alpha Alert' you m a y terminate the
alert, return to the Alert Pad, re-cock your aircraft
and return to quarters" or "This is a 'Bravo Alert/
start engines and report when ready to Taxi, after
call-in terminate," etc. O r "This is a 'Cocoa
Alert,' start engines, taxi to take-off position and
report 'Ready for Take-Off,' then taxi to the first
turn-off and return to the Alert Area and
terminate," etc.
In the remaining S u m m e r months and into
Fall, we trained in these procedures until all the
crews were 15 minute response capable.
Concurrently, w e trained and were tested on the
current Nuclear weapon ( M k 41 B o m b ) w e would
carry and in procedures for an actual E W O launch.
This involved the Wing C o m m a n d Post issuing a
Top Secret coded launch message to be decoded
and authenticated by the crew. O n c e certified in
these procedures the Wing was ready for it's alert
assignment.
During the B-47 era at March A F B (1954-64)
the 320th B o m b Wing (a Korea recalled Air
National Guard outfit from N e w York), also B-47
equipped, shared the base with the 22nd. They
were also "Alert" trained.
Rumor had it the 320th was to be assigned to
Eilson AFB, Fairbanks, Alaska for its alert
commitment (code named Reflex) and the 22nd
was to go to Andersen AFB, G u a m . To a Beach
Boy/Bomber Pilot like me, this sounded like a
perfectly sensible choice. N e w Yorkers were
accustomed to cold and snow and warm blooded
Southern Californians would function well in a
tropical climate.
I have heard that, in the lexicon of Air Force
Planners, it is said "If you don't have a plan, you
have nothing from which to deviate!" Alas, this
proved itself when the alert assignment came
down with both the 22nd and 320th committed
to each place 6 aircraft on alert at Eilson AFB.
For the combat crews this meant approximately
three 2 3 day alert tours year which, with a deploy
and re-deploy day on each end, had a crew on
alert 4 days and off 3 days through three cycles.
M y crew was not scheduled for the first couple of
alert rotations and, while m y m e m o r y is dim on
the exact date of our first rotation, I remember
well that it was November and the Alaska Winter
was in full swing. O n deployment day w e preflighted the aircraft and took off in high 70's
weather, having donned Artie Flight Clothing just
after pre-flight. I landed on a snow-packed
runway at Eilson on a clear day in minus 2 0
degree temperature and about 3 feet of frozen
snow on the ground. 1 was directed to park the
aircraft in a maintenance area on the apron, where
the maintenance team could clear the two or three
minor write-ups I had entered in the Form 1. That
completed, the Weapons Team would load the M k
41 weapon and the Crew Chief would supervise
the installation of the Jet Assisted Take-Off
(JATO) collar. At that point the aircraft would be
positioned in the alert line and I would be called
with m y crew to pre-flight the aircraft and weapon
then "cock" the aircraft; relieve the crew w e were
replacing and assume the alert responsibility for
our E W O target assignment.
The entire Reflex operation was housed in an
immense wooden, arch-roofed flight line building
called the "Birchwood Hangar." The ground floor
housed the C o m m a n d , Maintenance and Admin.
Offices around the inside perimeter. Each of the
27
@
�slow down, the wheels locked and w e went into a
sideways skid headed toward the double engine
pod. I swear, the vehicle accelerated the more I
p u m p e d the brake pedal. I had also lost most of
the steering as the front tires were sliding on the
ice. Aghast, I sat furiously attempting to brake
and steer as w e slid toward what appeared to be
an inevitable crash into a nuclear b o m b loaded
aircraft. Suddenly, at the last split second, the
vehicle m a d e a sliding left turn and stopped in
perfect position to plug in the G P U . M y crew
chief came running forward and with a wild-eyed
look of amazement and shouted "Great job, Sir!"
A s I jumped out of the vehicle and started for the
crew ladder, I think I noticed a bit of a shake of
his head.
A s I was regaining m y breath, I scrambled up
the ladder into the Pilot's seat, grabbed m y
helmet from the control column (where we had
learned to leave it at sunny March A F B in our
practice alerts) and pulled it on and snapped on
m y oxygen mask. It only took an instant to realize
that m y headset ear pads and rubber oxygen mask
were frozen solid. All I could hope was we would
get lucky with an "Alpha" alert and I could report
"Ready to Start" and get released before m y ears
and cheeks also turned to ice. Fortunately this
was the case for our first Reflex alert. Before we
shut power down, I asked on the interphone if
Cooper and Gingold thought it would be a good
idea if w e unplugged our helmets and took them
with us in the Alert vehicle to the warmth of the
"Birchwood Hangar." N o Objections.
W h e n w e got all settled down with the other
crews in the "Rec" room another pilot came over
to us and commented h o w red our ears were; this
brought howls of laughter from the rest. It seems
that on the first Winter alert tour they had all
been through the same torture and it had become
a sort of "rite of passage" into the alert business.
Thus mention of keeping helmets and oxygen
masks in the alert vehicle was not an item to be
covered in alert indoctrination. It was "learn the
hard way!"
S o m e introduction of a warm weather Beach
Boy/Bomber Pilot to Artic Alert. I can attest to
the "Cold W a r " being just that. To this day I
detest a cold climate!
12 Alert Combat Crews had its o w n Weapon
Carrier Vehicle with a ground power unit G P U )
attached to the trailer hitch. These were parked
on the hangar floor in order and in a diagonal line
pointed toward the flight line door. Located on
the second level were the Combat Crew, Crew
Chief and Assistant, sleeping quarters, alert mess
kitchen and dining room, Recreation R o o m and
Reading R o o m and Shower/Latrine facilities.
At the sound of the Klaxon the Alert Combat
and Ground Crews would dress, scramble to their
vehicle, start the G P U then drive out of the
hangar to their aircraft. The aircrew scrambled up
the ladder into their cockpit position while the
Crew Chief and Assistant hooked up the G P U to
the aircraft bus. W h e n power and radios came on
the Aircraft C o m m a n d e r would report in and
await instructions.
O u r first night in the Birchwood Hangar gave
us the opportunity to ask questions and listen to
the other crew members w h o had some
experience with the alert business at minus 2 0
degrees F., such as: n-e-v-e-r touch bare metal
with bare skin. In these conditions there are m a n y
do's and don'ts that are not always covered in
your checklists.
It seemed the natural order of things that
when an alert sounded it would be the Aircraft
Commander w h o would jump into the alert
vehicle drivers seat, start the engine and drive the
crew to the aircraft. There were two very
important things that could not be taught in the
Birchwood Hangar or on the warm March A F B
ramp. The first was to teach a Beach Boy/Bomber
Pilot h o w to drive a Weapons Carrier with a G P U
hitched to the rear in packed snow with a glaze of
ice on the surface. O r how cold an oxygen mask
and ear pads in a jet helmet can get when left
overnight in the cockpit.
W e didn't have long to wait to gain that
experience! About 1 0 0 0 hours the first day of
our Alert duty, the Klaxon sounded and away w e
went! I took the drivers seat and as soon as the
G P U was started and all were aboard, I drove out
into m y first artic day. I was headed for the alert
line in a column of alert vehicles, and as I
approached our aircraft I pulled out of the line
and steered toward the # 4 and 5 engine pod
ready to turn left and pull the G P U close to the
aircraft external receptacle. I put on the brakes to
m
�there will be a warm welcome at the site; Stars and Stripes flying on
the new flagpole (providedby Steve Adams). Last night we both had
a wonderful celebration dinner in Norwich with the 2nd Air Division
as guests of Richard and Ardith Butler who had paid us a visit at
Hillcrest during the day. With kind regards,
Yours Sincerely,
Debra & Andrew Doubleday
Mail Call
More Good News from the
Mother Country.
Dick and Ardith Butler made more good points for the 44th while
Norwich by inviting our good friend Andrew Doubleday and wife
Debra as their guests at the 2nd Air Division Executive Banquet with
many other honored Norwich dignitaries. Andrew, for those w h o
have not had the pleasure of meeting him, is n o w the owner of the
old Rix Farm which has the remains of the 14th Combat Wing
Headquarters. Thanks to our Good Will ambassadors, Dick and
Ardith, here is a letter I received from Andrew just after they had
attended the dinner.
in
DearRoy,
SD
"Pete" Henry, Veterans
Corresponding Official, 44th Bomb Group
Dear Mr. Henry,
Your name and address has been given to me by the Air Attache's
office of the American Embassy in London. I a m trying to find an
American serviceman w h o passed through the air base at
Perranporth in Cornwall UK in 1943/44.
I have learned from the Royal Air Force Museum that the 44th
Bomber group passed through Portreath enroute to North Africa in
1943. At Perranporth the only sighting that I have found is a USAAF
B17 carrying a special courier from North Africa, which landed at
on June 1 st, 1943, having overflown Portreath, and
Since we last met my life has changed for the better, having beenPerranporth
on
my own for some 10 years. I am now living with my partner Debbie departed the following day. I don't know which squadron it belonged to.
I saw Steve Adams about 3 weeks ago when he came over with
Veteran Bob Dubowsky. He gave me the article and kind letter you
sent. Thank you so much.
ofHillcrest. We have both been looking at the article with great
interest and thank you for this and your kindness in your letter.
The reason for my search is that in the summer of 1943 an American
serviceman saved m y sister's life. She w a s six years old, and while
We feelit is a great privilege and honor to own the 14th C.W. Hq. playing in a cove, got her foot trapped under a girder, which w a s used
for sea defenses. The tide was coming in rapidly; and without help,
And will always be pleased to offer hospitality to members of the
she would have drowned. Her only companion w a s me, the baby of
44th B.G. Vet. Assn. through our good mutual friend Steve Adams.
the family, w h o w a s totally unable to lift the girder. I went for help
and found this young serviceman w h o not only listened to a very
When I first purchased the property I had little spare cash and we set
small child, but immediately went down the steep cliff and rescued
about some restoration work on some of the buildings I needed for
her before the water w a s over her head. He may not even have
the business (nursery). There is, however, much to be done just to
realised that he saved her life, but he did. He w a s with other
halt "the ravages of weather" in a few important areas. The most
servicemen w h o just may remember the incident too.
urgent of these is perhaps roof repairs to the old kitchen area behind
the War Room where the wall is, alas, deteriorating fast. We would
It has made a lasting impact on the lives of my sister and myself;
very much like to adapt one of the buildings into a small chapel and
very belatedly, w e would like to thank him. Is it possible that you
museum dedicated to the 44th but this may be some way off as I am
could put this story in a newsletter, if you have one? Any information
sure you will understand that site is primarily our private home and
or help that you can give me, I would be so grateful for.
much effort has been needed this last year to upgrade the house.
Yours sincerely,
I must say here that all our ideas are of a private nature and while
Jan Zuckerman Mather
we hope to see as much of the 44th Veterans Association as
possible, we have no desire to open the site in any way to the
From the Editor: If this letter reaches the right person, or if an
generalpublic. We have enjoyed a good relationship with Steve who
knows the airman who helped the child, please notify Pete Henry,
phones us when he has a visitor. It goes without saying that we
164B Portland Lane, Jamesburg, New Jersey 08831. Please let the
hope you can make much more use of the site at reunion times and
8BTs know, also.
all stay longer on your next visit. We had such little time to prepare
last year (1997). We greatly look forward to seeing you all again and
29
m
�44th Bomb Group Reunion ;i
Thursday, September 2
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Friday, September 3
8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
9:00 a.m.
12:00 noon
12:30 p.m.
12:30 p.m.
6:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
Saturday, September 4
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
1:30 p.m.
6:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
Sunday, September 5
10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
6:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
Monday, September 6
Registration Hilton Hotel Airport.
8th Air Force Military Heritage Database
Meeting.
Reception at Hilton Hotel ~ cash bar,
hors d'oeuvres, finger sandwiches.
Dinner on your own.
9
i
s
Board Meeting Hilton Hotel.
City Bus Tour approximately two hours.
First bus leaves Hotel for Country Club.
Ladies Luncheon Chateau Country Club.
Men's Luncheon Hilton Hotel.
Cash Bar.
Squadron Dinners.
Annual Membership Meeting.
Walking Tour French Quarter.
Cash Bar.
Banquet (seated meal) • Present Colors •
Candle Lighting Ceremony • Speaker.
i
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Tours: 1/2 Day Plantation Visit.
Harbor Tour with visit to Aquarium.
Cash Bar.
Buffet Dinner • Masquerade Dance •
Entertainment by Tulane Students.
Leave for Home.
5
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23
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Hospitality R o o m Hours
Open: Thursday, Friday, Saturday ~ All Day "Sunday ~ After Annual Meeting
Closing: Closing Time of Hospitality Room is to left up to the
membersincharge.
$175 Registration Fee includes (does not include tours):
Reception; Ladies-Men's Luncheon; Squadron Dinner; Banquet; Masquerade Dinner, Dance, Entertainment;
Tote Bag (1 per couple or if single, 1); T-Shirts (1 for each); and Hospitality Room.
('All tours are not refundable, unless they can be sold to other people. We need at least 20 people to make the tours.)
Bal Masque
Your last evening in New Orleans will be a memorable one. Because New Orleans is identified with festivals, we have
planned a Bal Masque (Masquerade) for the closing banquet. C o m e dressed as anyone you wish; remember while the
temperatures may be warm, the hotel is cool and that is where the event will be held.
W e have an "Andrews Sisters" type trio backed by an eight piece band for your listening and reminiscing pleasure.
You will get a taste of Mardi Gras, coupled with the nostalgia of the 40's for an evening to be remembered.
Martin Richard & Mike Yuspeh, Reunion Co-Chairs
30
m
�44th Bomb Group Reunion
S e p t e m b e r 2-5, 1 9 9 9
N e w Orleans, Louisiana
Hilton Airport Hotel (Kenner, L A )
Registration Form
Please Print or Type. All Information Must Be Complete.
Last Name First Name (Tag)
Spouse Squadron
Address
City.
State
Zip Code
Phone
Guests & Relation
Number to Attend: $ 175/each
Tour#1:
Friday, September 3 ~ Complete City Tour by Bus (approximately 3 hours).
Time: Bus leaves hotel 9:00 a.m.
$23
ft Attending:
Amount: $
Tour #2:
Saturday, September 4 ~ French Quarter Walking Tour (approximately 2 miles).
Time: Bus leaves hotel 1:30 p.m.
$ 19
tt Attending:
Amount: $
Tour #3:
Sunday, September 5 ~ 1/2 day Plantation Tour (Oak Alley)
Time: Bus leaves hotel 9:00 a.m.
$36
# Attending:
Amount: $
AL TERNA TE TOUR Tour #4:
Sunday, September 5 ~ Harbor Cruise with Aquarium
Time: • Depart hotel 10:00 a.m. •Aquarium 10:45 a.m. to 12:45 •Boarding Boat 12:45 to 1:15 p.m.
•Cruise Harbor 1:15 to 2:45 p.m. •Board bus for hotel 3:15 p.m.
$35
# Attending:
Amount: $
Total # Attending: Total Amount: $
^T-shirt size and number of each size required: L~ISmall# •Mediumtf DLargetf OX-Large #_
Registration must be received by August 1, 1999. No registration will be taken after that date. We would like to firm u
reservations as soon as possible. Please send this registration form with your check at once to:
Mail to: Mike Yuspeh • 7214 Sardonyx Street • New Orleans, LA 70124-3509
Phone: (504) 283-3424 • Fax: (504) 283-3425 (pick up at 6 rings).
31
m
��
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8 Ball Tails
Newsletter
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8 Ball Tails Volume 3 - Issue 1: Spring 1999
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<span>44th Bomb Group Veteran's Association Website (<a class="in-cell-link" target="_blank" href="http://www.8thairforce.com/44thbg" rel="noreferrer noopener">Now Inactive</a>)</span>
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
Spring 1999
-
https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/65043/archive/files/fcc7864b1dca212d63fffb26696ac573.pdf?Expires=1712793600&Signature=CjlY0eJOp-V0koxSmu5MTYljYlB5vxYrh3tpM0CfhHj4jYfqMWk0r0gwbdtvnezxE4jEeoWoezKt4grvAGvBJk4SPKu6VklPYKmI9PHL01mHvh3%7Ezui4vDxtzoNKuysnjN5Nezlni80zrIQ2FzyCFhJqFTaw3OIhtg2iflFz2p66z7d22%7E4%7E6c4TXTZkj1n1oWTxmXWooz4A4HJYNPNJllNV%7Es-vR5hVeRld-2BEZmSuL1C1ksIF59sj8bvyAxtxZe%7ESz9Oi9ST2aZU6XSdCPorZZctSNJ%7EBnhaxiMdzJT46LFMc3-udrJvF7ebOACNXQ86E7-vZpFNhAz-xvwyskw__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM
3c7e0170a8f142b5d020204bb9be5ade
PDF Text
Text
�The 67th Squadron of the 44th B G had been through
three grueling months of daylight bombing. By March 8
enemy aircraft, 13 probables and one damaged.
The tactical side of the mission was carefully studied
they had lost five of their original nine crews. Raids
after the planes came in. Even today, historians pore
over Rouen and Wilhelmshaven cost another two; so on
over the sobering details. However, the human side of the
the morning of May 14, only three aircraft and crews
story was related best by John L. Susan, a Radio
were available for the heavily guarded submarine works in
Operator who became a P O W . His reports starts with a
Kiel. All three were lost. Col. Bill Cameron, who was
prophetic statement by Gilbert A . Wandtke, Engineer:
land-bound that day, was the only one of the 67th
original pilots to remain alive and unscathed.
Kiel was one of the greatest aerial battles of the
War. Both B-17's from the First Air Division and
B-24's from the 8th Air Force were assigned, the first
time both types of aircraft were sent on the same
mission. The B-17's were first to drop 5 0 0 pound H D
bombs, to be followed by 100 pound incendiary clusters
which were transported by the Liberators. Compensating
for differences in aircraft performance, Col. Leon
Johnson's maneuver to avoid the dropping bombs of the
higher altitude B-17's led the 44th to greater exposure
to German fighters. As it happened, the incendiaries of
the B-24's came apart immediately, so pilots following
were forced to spread their formation to avoid colliding
with the incendiaries. The Luftwaffe took full advantage
of the altered pattern, and five B-24's in the rear
echelons were lost in the target area, one on withdrawal.
According to Roy Owen's studied account, the
variant efforts of the B - 2 4 gunners brought down 2 3
/ ^ A T h e crew on "Miss
J Robert 1. (Rye) Brown
• Hartley A. Westbrook
• Robert H. Bishop
• Holden A. Haywood
' Gilbert A. Wandtke
• John L. Susan
• August Ullrich
• Richard E. Cate
" George R. Millhousen
• Roy L. Klinger
Delores" consisted of:
POW
Pilot
Co-Pilot
POW
Navigator
POW
Bombardier
POW
Engineer
POW
Radio Operator POW
POW
Waist Gunner
Waist Gunner
KIA
KIA
Hatch Gunner
Tail Turret
KIA
"Since our original plane, "Suzy-Q" was in for repairs, we
had to use a replacement, "Miss Delores" a plane that had
sat in a dispersal for some time. Our engineer, Gil Wadtke,
had indicated that he would not care to take "Miss Delores"
over a target because he had been jilted by a Delores back in
the States and that "Miss Delores"probably would take us
over the target but not bring us back! "Miss Delores" was
contrary. However, since "Suzy-Q" was out of action, the war
had to go on.
We were briefed early, and took off for a rendezvous
with the B- 17's over the Wash in east Anglia. The rendezvous
was goofed up. Instead of flying above and behind the Forts,
we missed the rendezvous by about 10 or 15 minutes. The
Fort Squadrons were ahead of us, and above the B-24's of
the 44th Bomb Group by at least 10 minutes.
We tried to overtake the BI7s and get above them but
the chase was futile. We could not catch them even though
we were faster. When we got to the target (Kiel), we had
reached a good altitude but the 17s were still ahead of us.
The German gunners had a good track on the BI7s and the
24s coming in on the same track encountered a lot of flak.
"Miss Delores" took a hit and we started to fall behind,
as one of our left side engines was out. "Wing" had recently
declared with a directive that Radio Operators could not man
the top turret, but should man the radio. Gib Wandtke was
operating the top turret on this mission. But the flak burst
had also hit Gib, who had taken metal in his knee. He came
tumbling down out of the turret. He motioned to me that I
should get into the turret - and I did. But unknown to me w
the fact that the flak burst had also knocked out the
Intercom! Everyone, therefore, was on his own.
When I got into the top turret we were already a sitting
duck as we were falling behind the formation due to that los
engine. And my guns would not fire between the two verticl
stabi/ers for some reason. I kept cussing as I would bring th
guns down to shoot at least six following Jerries who were
taking pot shots at us from the rear. I don't know if our tail
turret guns were functioning or not. But soon our left wing
�started on fire • and it was time to get out.
Just when I decided the situation was too precarious,
our pilot, it. Brown tried to give the signal to bail out, but he
could not communicate with the crew to advise them. We
had dropped our bombs and the bomb bay doors were still
open. Gib Wandtke, wound and all, fought his way back to
the rear of the plane to warn the gunners to abandon ship.
When he got back to the flight deck I had found my chest
pack chute and was standing on the catwalk at the front of
the bomb bay. So I tumbled out, and knowing that some
Jerries would attack a chute, I delayed my opening of the
chute for about 60 counts. When I pulled the cord, my
altitude was about 8,000 feet and the feeling was very eerie
• no sound whatsoever. It was a very, very quiet feeling. Only
the wind through the shrouds that could be called a whisper,
was the only sound that could be discerned.
Above, I could see the remaining planes on their way
back from Kiel. Back over the Bay. I could see many chutes
on their way down high above me. Below, I noticed some
boats leaving their wake in the Bay. Shortly thereafter I took
off my bailout bottle, my shoes, and loosened my harness as
we had been instructed to do over water. Hanging onto the
harness by my hands, I approached the water of Kiel Bay.
There is one problem however. How do you know how high
you are off the water? Are the whitecaps you can see six
inches high - or 16 inches high? You have no reference point
on water to judge your altitude. When
I thought I was 6 to 10 feet above the
water I let go of my harness, but I had
miscalculated. Just as I let go, my
feet were already in the water and
the shroud lines came tumbling down
over my head.
As I entered the water I went on
down possibly 10 feet, but being
buoyant, popped right up under my
shroud lines. The parachute canopy
also had dropped over my head and
my fight to free myself began. I
struggled with the shroud lines and
the chute until I thought I would never
get free. Just then a boat came by
and a fisherman took his gaff and
pulled the chute from my head. Then
he gaffed me and pulled me out of the
water like a big fish. He probably
saved my life by being there. Other
members of the crew • if they did not
delay their opening, may have drowned by being blown out to
the mouth of the Bay.
3
The first words uttered by the boat crew were "Fer sie
der krieg ist fertig" • meaning "For you the war is finished."
Later I learned that during the battle, Lt. Hay worth, our
Bombardier, after dropping the bombs, saw a cannon shell
coming toward the front of the plane and covered his head
with his hands. The shell exploded on the plexiglass nose
section and shattered plexiglass burst against him. When he
became a POW, his hands and forehead were peppered with
shrapnel and plexiglass. He no doubt saved his eyes by
shielding them with his hands.
I did not realize that the last three original planes in our
squadron had been hit and downed on this mission until the
crew members of the other B-24's showed up in the prison
camp."
Every mission is a learning experience. It was
recommended that emerged was that the B-17's and B-24's
should not have combined operations until a combat wing of at
least two full strength groups are available. The 44th paid a
heavy price for poor planning, mismatched bomber
performance, dissimilar bomb loads with faulty fusing and
tactics which exposed the group to enemy attacks.
Honoring the airmen on the Kiel Raid cannot be overdone.
That was an awesome mission, unique in the annals of air history.
fl *
RECoqNmoN of Kiel AN<) PIOESTJ RAids AT AJR FORCE MUSEUM.
DAYTON, Ohio.
�GENERAL
JOHN H. GIBSON
A Great Man Who Was There When
He was Needed
By Ruth W. Davis-Morse
The test of any great leader is his
willingness to share danger with his men.
General John H. Gibson proved his mettle
many times, significantly for joining General
Leon Johnson in leading the mission to
Omaha Beach on D-Day. It was one of many
missions he flew, along with the m e n that he
commanded.
Long before W W I I began, "Jack" Gibson
was already looking skyward. H e knew what
he wanted to do—fly.
The General was late for the recent 2nd
Air Division Reunion in M a y and with good
reason. The Senate of the State of Texas was
honoring him, along with the members of the
95th Bomb Group for their W W I I service. The
Resolution was signed by Rick Perry, President
of the Texas Senate, having been affirmed by
the entire Senate on M a y 30,1999. His fame on
the B-17's was well known. N o less colorful
was his career on the B-24 Liberators with the
44th Bomb Group.
Gibson's career as an airman began in 1932
when he attended Randolph/Kelly Fields, at
that time the 'West Point of the Air.' 200
would-be pilots started in his class; 87 finished.
H e envisioned a career as a commercial pilot,
but retained his status in the Air Force
Reserves. In '42 he was called into the service
as a First Lieutenant in the Air Transport
Command.
That was not exciting enough for this avid
young man. H e called an old friend, Curtis
LeMay asking for an assignment with a Bomb
Group. H e said, "I want to see some action."
General LeMay replied, "I've got the job for
you."
The job this eager aviator sought took him
to the 2nd Air Force Headquarters at Geiger
Field, Spokane, Washington. From there he
went to the 95th Bomb Group in August of
1942, and was one of the first five officers
assigned to the newly established 95th Bomb
Group. H e became the Group Operation
Officer (S-3). 'Jack' completed 25 missions
under the command of Col. Kessler. W h e n the
44th Bomb Group opened up, he became
Commander in February of 1944, stationed in
Shipdham, replacing Col. Frederick Dent. By
that time he was a full Colonel.
A short time after arriving, the 44th was
assigned to lead the Division to Brunswick,
Germany, the target—aircraft manufacturing
plants. This was April 8,1944, Easter Saturday.
Gibson chose to be C o m m a n d Pilot in a
formation which included 44 Liberators, an
unusually high number for a raid at that time.
Bob Lehnhausen was Deputy Lead
Commander. Together they rode his staff car
from Shipdham to Hethel, where the lead
planes would take off. It was Lehnhausen's
opportunity to get to know his new
Commander, establishing a lifelong friendship.
�H e said, "I a m seeing a ghost. I saw that
German fighter crash into your plane—head
on.' To this day when w e meet, he reminds m e
of that mission, that he had given m e up for dead."
According to Roger Freeman's book, The
Mighty Eighth Diary, the 2nd Air Division
dispatched 350 planes on that Brunswick
mission; 44 were lost. The 44th Bomb Group
sent up 44 Liberators, with Colonel Gibson
leading. Eleven planes went down with their
crews, the greatest loss of planes and crews the
44th suffered in all W W I I operations.
Lehnhausen describes General Gibson as a
truly unique individual in military leadership.
H e was fiercely loyal to his responsibility, and
his personal courage and gentlemanly ways
never went unnoticed by his men.
Gibson demanded excellence, insisting on
continuous training of both air and ground
crews. H e felt that practice assured better
Xpo7. Q^oAn <2%f (5?e/uon — 19(tb
Lehnhausen recalls that
mission clearly, "I was on the
Right Wing, and just when w e
reached the IP, w e saw a group
of German fighters coming
toward us head on, just to the
right of twelve o'clock. The
frontal attack was truly
vicious, and m y craft was hit
with 2 0 m m fire. As it
happened, our top turret
gunner, managed to get that
fighter, and it crashed into the
plane just behind ours.
General Gibson could see
what was happening out of
the comer of his eye. H e
assumed that it was m y ship going down.
"We were disabled, having lost our entire
electrical system." Lehnhausen continued,
"and our pilot chose to come home 'on the
\pan wnwadu identify the gentleman cilmhina out of the dwn
attAe 200th QMiiMon &wrty of the tfith Vfcomh ^->«w/i?
maintenance of planes and equipment, and a
better survival rate for the airmen. Members of
the 44th frequently boasted that they had the
T>est Group C O in the whole Air Force'.
deck.'
"We did manage to get back to Hethel after
the formation had landed. Colonel Gibson
couldn't believe his eyes when he saw m e at
the briefing, alive and breathing".
5
m
�O n e of the 44th's lighter m o m e n t s w a s the
day after they had completed their 200th
Mission. N o b o d y flew that day ... it w a s just
one great big party. It w a s agreed that nobody
would come to the party showing rank. At one
point General Johnson even drove his o w n staff
car, a big old Packard sedan, with his
chauffeur, Mike Fusano, riding the back seat.
"The party w a s near a big pond," the
General recalled. " A young Captain w a s
foolish enough to walk out of his office
wearing his bars. The airmen picked him u p
and threw him in the pond. I guess it w a s so
m u c h fun, they picked up General Johnson and
threw him in. Then it was m y turn to get wet,"
he laughed.
The D-Day mission is forever memorable to
General Gibson. "I was the 44th Leader and
Johnson w a s the 14th Combat Wing
Commander. W e hit the shore line at low
altitude at 5:30 in the morning, bombing the
big guns the Germans had placed along the
cliffs over O m a h a Beach. The General w a s
proud and elated to be a part of the battle that
w a s the turning point in W W I I .
Gibson's last mission with the 44th w a s in
July, w h e n he led the 14th Combat Wing of the
2nd Air Division to an oil refinery in Politz, on
the German/Polish border. It w a s low altitude
flying at 18,000 feet against a barrage of flak.
They encountered fighters over the North Sea.
Of his Combat Wing eleven planes went d o w n ,
but the mission w a s accomplished.
After nine months in Shipdham, he w a s
sent to Washington, to use his expertise at a
higher level. From there he went to the
Mountain H o m e Desert Base, 40 miles south of
Boise, Idaho. This base w a s later destined to be
the testing area for the B Is, F Ills, Refueling
Planes and the D C 10's. It also became a base
for the Strategic Air C o m m a n d .
The war ended on August 15,1945. Gibson
rode a B-17 to Nashville, and three days later
w a s a civilian, ready to resume his peacetime
occupation with American Airlines.
His career as a civilian w a s as colorful as his
war record, and the two sides of his life were
constantly interlacing. By 1935 he had become
a co-pilot, and then flew as a Captain for m a n y
years. H e took time out for the War; but upon
returning to civilian life, remained in the
Reserves. W h e n the Korea W a r came about he
w a s pulled back into the 3rd Air Force, and
w a s sent to Johnson Air Force Base. In
February he w a s assigned to the 8th Air Force
in Carswell, Ft. Worth, Texas as part of the
Strategic Air C o m m a n d .
Gibson's war experience served him very
well in the civilian world. H e set up the
American Airlines Flight Academy, a program
in which their Captains are retrained every six
months, and their Co-pilots every year.
The General was honored by three countries for
valor, leadership and courage: the United State
England and France. Considering the foreign
countries rarely confer high level medals to
foreigners, he stands among the most highly
decorated men of WWII.
Without question, General Gibson, a true
leader and a visionary, helped shape the world
of aviation for the millennium.
General Gibson n o w lives in Dallas with his
wife, Ruth. H e has one daughter, one son and
four grandchildren.
�Mike Mikoloski
Needless to say, I accepted this esteemed position with great
excitement, enthusiasm, expectation and humility. It is, in
...a day that I will long remember as one of my most eventful
my view, both an honor and a challenge which inspired m e
and challenging dates. It was on this day in Austin, Texas, to serve you in this capacity to the best of my ability. It is
where your Executive Board held their semi-annual meeting, also my sincere hope that I will be able to continue on the
and that was the very first transition of the office of the same path of success that has been laid out for us by our
presidency of the 44th BGVA. It was near the end of this fearless leader, and now Immediate Past President Roy
meeting that then President Roy Owen announced the Owen. You perhaps are unaware that I
change-over and inducted m e as the new President of the have served on the Executive Board with
Association.
Roy since its inception at Fort Worth and
Colorado Springs and during this time
participated in and supported the
Sunday, May 30,1999...
�projects, plans and programs developed under Roy's
outstanding leadership and direction. Consequently, I
make you this promise -- that I will continue "to stay on
the course" as defined by Roy and his Board. Of course,
there may be need for an occasional "dog leg" to be taken
for unexpected circumstances, but as all airmen know a
"dog leg" is taken for a specific reason and always returns
back on course.
Our Association has been blessed with the diplomatic,
illustrious and solid leadership of Immediate Past
President Roy Owen and the people he and you chose to
conduct its affairs. Where, I ask, would we be without the
tireless efforts, devotion and dedication of people like Will
Lundy, our Historian; Jim Clements, Reunion Premier;
Tony Mastradone, Archival Researcher Supreme; Jerry
Folsom, Treasurer, 44th's Alan Greenspan; John Gibson
and Bob Lenhausen, our statement and "Delphic Oracles";
Pete Henry and Dick Butler, singularly distinctive
ambassadors from the 44th to the 2nd Air Division; Mel
Trager, Parliamentarian and Royal Master of Roberts Rules
of Order; Ed Dobson, Secretary, Asst. Historian and Ploesti
Cognitatus Extraordinare; Mike Yuspeh, current Reunion
Supremo; Tommy Shepherd and Art Hand, Membership
and Historical Hanchoes; Bob Brown, Director and Chief
Protestor who admonished me at our first meeting since
May 14,1943 with "Mike, you
what did you do
to us at Kiel?" (Bob and five other crews from the 67th
flew tail end Charlie and all were lost on that raid); Steve
Adams, U.K.'s gift to the 44th; Nancy Van Epps, our new
Secretary; Ray McNamara, loyal friend, Director, and
former Asst. Crew Chief on "Suzy Q" and "4Q2" (I flew in
both aircraft to Bourdeaux and Kiel May 14 and 17,1943);
Charlie Simpson, our Missileer Magnifacitatus; John
Milliken, loyal 506th advocate; and of course, all of their
wives, without whose "clearances" their contributions
would not have been possible. Roy and they deserve and
will have our sincerest thanks and eternal gratitude. They
have established a pattern of unselfish, voluntary,
productive and exemplary behavior that will serve as a
model for us to follow and emulate.
In summation, much has been accomplished, but much
remains to be done, among which are the following.
Completion of the Master Database Program (MDP)
For your information, the archival material (344 missions
and 8013 sorties), the Roll of Honor, and the clean-up are
completed. But, now what is urgently needed is for all
members to complete and send in their bio forms for
processing into the database. This is important, so please
let's fill them out and get this critical information into the
database. Incidentally, the 2nd Air Division at their May
Reunion in Austin, Texas endorsed the M D P for adoption
by all fourteen (14) groups and complimented the 44th
BGVA for once again taking the lead in this innovative but
very important endeavor. W e had 33 members from the
BGVA in attendance. Not a bad turnout, but in comparison
with the other thirteen (13) groups, we came in 8th in
attendees. This is not a noteworthy achievement in view
of our renowned reputation as being the leader and front
runner of all the B-24 groups. Hey, even the 93rd, our
longtime arch rival, topped us with a total of 77. It was a
well run and enjoyable function and I would urge you to
try and make at least one of the next 2nd AD affairs. Their
candle lighting memorial ceremony was deeply moving
and impressive and alone "worth the price of admission."
Membership Drive
I need not remind you that our ranks are not increasing.
As a matter of act, a reading of our Folded Wings column
illustrates the diminishing pool of members available. By
strengthening our Membership Committee, I submit we
can increase our membership by a) each member getting
a member (we have in the 44th BGVA Roster a list of 3,000
names, but less than 800 are paying members), b) Each
member enroll his children, grandchildren, relatives and/
or friends. They, in my view, are where our future lies. W e
need more Ed Dobsons, Steve Adams, Larry Herpels, Mark
Copelands, Pete Frizzells, etc. c) Recruit and enroll
members of the 44th S M W , the 44th Air Refueling
Squadron, and any other units attached, assigned or
otherwise connected to the 44th BG.
�Finances
I intend to continue Roy's pattern of Fiscal controls
to insure the financial solvency and stability of our
Treasury. In accordance with our Constitution and
By-Laws, I will appoint an Audit Committee to
conduct an annual audit of our Organization's
financial records and also engage an independent
accounting firm to conduct a biennial audit.
FOR SALE
Memorial/Museums/Displa vs
As you know, our efforts to establish some kind of a
memorial/museum at Shipdham have come to an
end. The Board and I will explore other possibilities
and keep you appraised of developments in this area.
Board Development and Reduction
The Board at its last meeting on May 30, 1999,
upgraded Dick Butler, the 44th group VP to the 2nd
Air Division, to a full voting position. This action,
plus the Constitutional Provision that adds our
Immediate Past President to the Board raises the total
of Board members to eleven (11). As Roy reported at
the General Meeting in Savannah, the Board at my
instigation has under active consideration a proposal
to reduce that total to nine (9) thus effecting greater
efficiency and lower costs.
Before closing, I want to say a few words about our
Immediate Past President, Roy Owen. He has been a
remarkable President. His accomplishments over
these past six (6) years have benefitted and enriched
the entire membership, and these accomplishments
will endure into the next century. He has been a gift
to the 44th BGVA. His are very big shoes to fill. I am
no Roy Owen, but be assured, you will get the best
that Ed "Mike" Mikoloski can give.
Thank you all for the trust, honor and confidence
you have bestowed upon me. See you in New Orleans
where Mike Yuspeh has arranged a fantastic, fabulous
and entertaining reunion.
A n original lithograph, 18" x 24", of the
Control Tower in Shipdham. It will surely bring
back memories of your true delight in seeing it,
time after time, when you m a d e it back
safely across the Channel.
Notify Gerald Folsom @
44th BGUA
P.O. Box 712287
Salt Lake City, UT 84171-2287
if you wish to own this treasure,
a piece of your o w n history.
(£Z]The price is $32.50/each.
9
�F R O M THE E D I T O R
Ruth W. Davis-Morse
Since I have never been in a B-24, and since nobody ever
shot at me, I have been devouring all the literature I can,
hoping to develop the terminology which, hopefully, will earn
me the respect of those experts (heroes) out there.
tfEddie Picardo sent me his book, Tales of a Tail Gunner, a
ocumentation of his fears as he did his job, the relief at
eing the English soil each time, the shock of seeing planes
3$> down around him, and the joy of completing his missions.
ile bombing an oil refinery in Hanover, Germany, a shell
exploded under the tail, so close the impact shoved him
ac ainst the gun handles and knocked the controls out of the
cc -pilot's hands. Thinking it was a direct hit in the tail, the
p«ot c a m e over the Intercom, "Go see what's left of
P/cardo." Fortunately he was fine.
fie
iowever on the return h o m e , he was so tired, he leaned
/sack and let his butt hang out the back end of the turret.
/Despite his heated suit, he was frostbitten. Although Eddie
/ was deeply religious, he admitted that he never saw any
/ guardian angels in the war, but he must have had at least
/ one. He said, "I would like to complain to him about letting
/ m e fall prey to a frostbitten butt."
I An
Anyone interested in getting a copy of Eddie's book can
\ contact
CO
him at P.O. Box 19732, Seattle, W A 98107.
Thanks for the book, Eddie. It gave m e another good
glimpse of life in the 44th.
Historian Will Lundy is updating the Roll of Honor.
Anyone wishing to purchase a copy m a y contact Will.
(See "Will Sez.)"
Q O T h e original hard copy cost was $29/each.
The price of the new one will be announced.
Any profits will be applied to the database.
D
10
m
�BAck Row: JACIV ChitisTy, RayivioNcI Lipptiu,
JAMES AIEXANCIER, WALTER B A N Us ANCI MARVIN JENSON.
FRONT: |j\bAN B R O W N , Gtoitqt Btitqtn,
RobERT JohNSON~PiLoT, ESTJE CuNNJNqhAM
(c'p) ANd MichAEl D'ANqslico, borvib.
Deb W o o d h o u s e of Springdale,
AR is looking for information on
her father's plane, Flak Dodging
Fanny a/k/a Prince, Princ-ass,
Princess. Her father w a s S/Sgt.
Laban W . Brown, 44th B G , 506
Sq. O n e of her father's most
dramatic missions, April 24, 1944,
was to the rail yard in H a m m ,
Germany. Intelligence had
learned that at that site would be
many tank cars full of aviation
fuel. Fanny's crew led the mission and destroyed the fuel. Flames shot well above the plane; and
verification of the success of the
mission w a s in the photographs which her father took.
Deb sent a picture of her father's crew, hoping that any members who see it will contact her. In
addition, she is hoping the plane has survived somewhere. Does anybody have any information?
She can be reached at 5618 Elmore Street, Springdale, A R 72762. Tel. (501) 442-8466; FAX (501)
973-9793; E-mail dgwoodhus@aol.com.
,_
i
TMe 44th Bomb Groun needs new members.
Vlon've been telling stories to uour children and grandchildren for gears: and when gou are gone, the m
dim. Right now the unbelievable experiences oi WWII are a fascination for all generations.
Sign up familg members to the Bomb Group, and beep the memories aline.
44th B O M B GROUP V€T€RRNS ASSOCIATION
NEW MEMBERSHIP
•Dues are $20. 'Outside U.S. $25
•Life Membership Dues 60 and over $125 'Life Membership Dues 4 0 to 5 9 $150
Join now eo you don't miss the next issue of the 8>-F3all Tails!
Name:
Dues Paid:
Donation Amount:,
Address:
(Tax Deductible)
Fax/e-Mail:
Phone:
MAIL TO:
44th B o m b Group Veterans Association
P.O. Box 712287
Salt Lake City, Utah 84171-2287
11
�A new generation
of aviation buffs
has risen in
France. Claude
Helias of western
France, north of
the Bordeaux
area, and a group
of enthusiasts are
locating burial
sites of 44th BG
casualties,
photographing
them, and making
information
available to
inquirers. The
group is
exchanging
information with
historians in
Norwich. Over the last few years they have
pieced together the story of the war, have
researched the RAF and USAAF losses,
collected relics, and now plan to open a
museum. Anyone wishing to contact this group
Tony Mastradone received the picture of the
can write to: Claude Helias, Ty-ArGroas, 2900
Queen from a neighbor who had been in the
Plomelin, France. Tel. 0033 02 98 94 25 61.
68th Sq. After 3 1/2 years overseas, he says
coming into New York Harbor on that
crowded but magnificent ship was a feeling
he will never forget. Nothing was more
touching to him than being back in the good
old U.S.A. and joining his parents.
The U. S. Army Military History Institute is
looking for WWII stories. Remembrances that
you send to me, you can also copy for this
library. Having visited the Carlisle Barracks
Melvin Murrack has been named as a Temporary
Library, I can assure you it is a good repository
Alternate to Dick Butler, for his position on the 2nd Air
of well organized information. It is important to
Division.
the 44th that you fill out the information for the
Database; but when you have done that,
consider also placing your memories at the
Carlisle Barracks, Carlisle, PA 17013-5008. A
Ruth W. Davis-Morse
hundred years from now your great great
2041 Village Circle East
York, PA 17404
grandchildren might be looking you up, and you
Tele: (717) 846-8948 • Fax: (717) 767-6194 should make it easy for them to find you.
e-mail: R E W D M @ P R O D I G Y . N E T
THOUGHTS ON THE
QUEEN MARY
12
�IfotoetTmnQg
July, 1999
Died 12/3/98 67"'Squadron 34258795. Herbert was a
member of the L. C. Smith crew, a gunner,
which arrived in Africa shortly before the Ploes
mission. His pilot became a POW on 16 August
^ SQHerbert then flew with
1943> crm bmkm
various other crews as a spare. His last mission
was with R C. Griffith on 8 April, 1944.
CARSON, HERBERT D. JR
FIELDS, LEEH Died 10/8/87 19180515 66"' Sq. Gunner. Flew first mission
on 30Jan, 1944 with Lt. Eldridge's crew. Later,
on 7"' mission as member of R E. Harleman
crew, was shot down, badly wounded, later
repatriated.
GLASS, ALBERT W. Died 6/3/98 68"' Sq. 0-727333 Lt. Glass was one of the
original combat men, a bombardier, flew his
first mission on 7 Nov. 1942 as a member of the
N. W. Sullivan crew, thefirstmission of the 44th
BG. On 27Jan 1943, this same crew was shot
down, their plane exploded, with Lt. Glass being
the only survivor when his parachute somehow
opened. He was captured, severely wounded,
with a leg having to be amputated. Later he was
repatriated to the U.S. He flew four missions.
HAZELTON, WALTER Died 5/30/99 66"' Sq. 12035280 He was one of this
squadron's original combat gunners, flew his
and the 44"' 'sfirstmission on 7 Nov. 1942 as a
member ofR E. Miller's crew. Hefinishedhis
tour of 25 missions plus four additional ones on
17 July, 1943. Target was to Naples, a member
ofLt. Tom Scrivner's crew.
HINMAN, HOWARD L Died Date Unknown.. 67"' Sq. Lt. Hinman, a 1st Pilot, flew his first
mission on 24 Dec. 1944, the day that the 44"' BG
put up 61 aircraft, the most planes in one mission
On 16 Jan. 1945 he and his crew were forced to
bail out over France, was seriously injured, and
later returned to the U.S. He flew 5 missions in
that period.
, LEONARD H. Died Date Unknown.. 67"'Sq. 0-2057334 Lt. Louik flew his first
mission as a member of J. Steele's crew on 13
Jan, 1945. He flew his last mission and last of
the 44th 's on 25 April 1945, completing 30
missions in his tour..
13
J
�KREBS,
ANDREWJACKSON
Died 6/99.
2nd Lt. 0-699738 68"' Sq. Lt. Krebs was a copilot on the W. H. Barry crew that joined the Group
in mid March, 1944. They were on their first
mission on 8 April when their formation was hit by
a heavy concentration of enemy aircraft, were shot
doivn along with 10 others. This was the worst bss
of the war by the 44"' BG. Lt. Krebs and eight of his
crew survived to become POWs.
MC CAMMOND, JAMES A.
Died
Unknown
68"'
Sq. Date
11040993
Sgt. McCammond flew his first
mission as a gunner on Capt. Cramer's crew on 4
February 1943. James had been a ground crewman
and volunteered for combat. His second mission
proved to be his last when the M. C. Howell crew
was lost on 14 May, 1943 - Kiel. He was captured
and was a POW for the duration.
MC KINNEY, DONALD W.
th
Date Unknown
67Died
Sq. 35662959
Sgt. McKinney was a gunner
on E. F. Taylor's crew when they flew to Africa on 16
Sept. 1943. Hisfirstmission was the fateful
mission to Weiner Neustadt, Austria on 1 October
43. His second and last mission was 20 Oct. 43,
again on Taylor's crew as a belly gunner. He then
was grounded, was assigned the duties of an
armorer and transferred to the 506th Squadron.
MORGAN^THALER, THEODORE J. Died 4/12/99 at the age of 89. 68lh Sq. Ted enlisted in April, 1942, attende
Radio School at Scott Field. His transportation to
England was on the Louis Pasteur ship, landing at
Liverpool. He served in the Ordnance section until
June, 1944 and then transferred to the 50h Station
Complement. He attended an anti-aircraft school in
Cornwall. At war's end he was a passenger in A/C
#44-50612 that departed Shipdham on 22 May,
1945. He was discharged Oct. 13, 1945. Ted was
actively luorking at the time of his death.
SHARRETT, DOYLE V.
Died 12/8/98
806"' Chemical Company (Attached). Survived by
his wife, Ada.
TEBBE, LOUISA.
Died 16 Feb. 1999.
68th Squadron 37148463. Joined the 68h Squadron
on 3 August, 1944 andfleiu hisfirstmission as
Waist Gunner with the Ray Boggs crew on 12
August. Hefleu' his last mission with the W. R.
Eriksen creio on 25 April, 1945, his 26th mission.
He flew home on 28 May 1945 with the Boggs' crew.
WARD, JAMES B. JR.
Died 2/9/99
506"' Sq. 19092289. Gunner for the Leo S.
Bielinski crew. They left Boston on He De France, 5
days to England, unescorted, arriving in Dec. 1944.
This crew, intact, completed about 20 missions with
theirfirstone being 14 Feb. 1945 and last one 25
April, 1945. They return to the U.S. flying A/C 4450500 via the Azores, Gander and to Mitchell Field
in June 1945.
A
14
�44TH BOMB GROUP VETERANS ASSOCIATION BOARD
President: Edw. K. "Mike" Mikoloski f66J*
626 Smithfield Road # 7 0 2
N. Providence. Rl 02904
Phone/Fax: f401J 353-0144
Immediate Past President: Roy W. Owen T506J
6304 Meadowridge Drive
Santa Rosa. CA 95409-5839
Phone: (101) 538-4726 Fax: T707J 538-1212
e-mail: rowen@sonic.net
Secretary: Nancy L Van EPPS fHq. SqdnJ*
13922 River Road
Pensacola. FL 32507
Phone/Fax: T850J 492-2041
Treasurer: Gerald fJerryJ Folsom T506J
3582 East Dover Hill Road
Salt Lake City. U T 84121-5527
Phone f80IJ 733-7371 Fax: f80U 942-9988
e-mail: 44thbgva@mail.xmission.com
Historian: C.W. "Will" Lundy f67J
3295 North " H " Street
San Bernardino. CA 92405-2809
Phone/Fax: T909J 882-2441
e-mail: willundy@Juno.com
P.O. Box 315. Bridgeport. CA 93517 fSumJ
Phone/Fax: T760J 932-7349
44th Group Vice President to 2nd ADA
Richard D. Butler T506/67J
16494 Wason Wheel Drive
Riverside. CA 92506
Phone T909J 780-7421 Fax: T909J 780-1459
Director: Robert J. Lehnhausen T68J
2540 Benton Court
Peoria. IL 61615-8838
Phone/Fax: T309J 243-1952
Director: Michael "Mike" Yuspeh T506J
7214 Sardonyx St.
New Orleans. LA 70124-3509
Phone: T504J 283-3424
e-mail: mikeyuspeh@worldnet.att.net
Membership Co-Chair: Search
Art Hand f66J
517 Elm Street
Paris. IL 61944
Phone/Fax: T217J 463-5905
e-mail: butch@tigerpaw.com
Membership Co-Chair: Roster
Tom Shepherd T66/67J
10597 Cambrooke Cove
Collierville. TN 38017
Phone: f901J 854-6558 Fax: T901J 853-4229
e-mail: tshephe I @midsouth.rr.com2
Director f67J Archivist
Anthony "Tony" Mastradone
91II Tuckerman Street
Lanham. M D 20706-2709
Phone/Fax: f30lJ 577-1487
e-mail: mast@clres.com
Director f44th SMWJ
Charles G. Simpson
P.O. Box 281
Brechenridge. C O 80424
Lanham. M D 20706-2709
Phone/Fax: T970J 453-0500
e-mail: AFMISSILEERS@comPuserve.com
U.K. Representative: Steve Adams
28 Bassingham Rd.
Norwich, England NR3 2QT
Phone/Fax: 011-44-1603-400221
e-mail: s.p.adams@btinternet.com
ASSOCIATION MAILING ADDRESS:
44th BGVA
P.O. Box 712287
Salt Lake City. UT 84171-2287
�by William Robertie that no 44th BG History
book was available to obtain that data. So I
set out on m y o w n to locate military records
of the 44th BG, buying three microfilm rolls
from Maxwell AFB, Alabama.
WILL SEZ
^
^
For this issue, please permit m e to discuss
the history of this B o m b Group and m y
efforts to obtain it. To do this I must explain
h o w I got involved.
I joined the good old 44th BG at Barksdale
Field the last of May. 1942. after completing
an aircraft mechanics school at Keesler
Field. I enlisted in the Army Air Corps with
the intentions of flying in combat via the
back door. I was assigned to a 67th Squadron
on Sgt. George Baccash's crew, and worked
as a mechanic for him for nearly two years.
In early 1943, the Group had lost several
planes and crews without any replacements.
Several combat m e n had also been grounded
from injuries, frostbite, etc. So a call was
m a d e for volunteers from the ground
personnel and I w a s one of those that
answered it. For here was m y opportunity
to take the W a r to the enemy. By this time,
though, it was obvious to all that the chances
of surviving 25 missions was very slim at best.
These volunteers knew it, but went ahead
anyway - True Heroes.
After locating the full names of these m
found further data that was most interesting,
and then concentrated on m y 67th Squadron
history and operations records. This led to
the compiling of a 67th Squadron history
book which I sent to some of m y buddies with
w h o m I had been in contact and they urged
m e to dig out more.
Today I am still at it, but there has to
change! Both W e b b Todd and Norman Kiefer
have produced their books on the history of
their Squadrons, and Steve A d a m s is
working on the final Squadron, the 66th. So
the 44th n o w has one of, if not the best
records of any Liberator group. N o w there is
little else that is available, since Tony
Mastradone had copied all of the Sortie
reports found at the archives in Washington.
DC.
Is our work finished at last?? Not really
W h y ? Because of the world wide web. It
seems that the public has discovered that
they can contact various sites on-line with
information about World War II. leading to
the 44th BG. N o w these family members can
find help in locating data about their dear
Again I was rejected. So finally I had to be ones w h o served with the 44th BG. Larry
Herpel. bless him. is n o w busy fielding these
less than content as a mechanic. Nearly
requests and is using m y Roll of Honor Book
everyone of m y friends that volunteered
to obtain m a n y answers for them.
were lost in combat, with scarcely any that
Occasionally I have additional info not in
survived in P O W camps.
that book, so I furnish it.
In 1972, Irene returned home to Norwich and
But the best part is still to come... No
learned that there w a s a n e w library
w e have entered all of the combat records
containing an American Memorial Room,
from the Sortie Reports - nearly 8,500 of
and that anyone could donate a book or
them, individual data about any combat
books in honor of friends or crewmates.
m a n is n o w just a few clicks away. So is the
W h e n I needed to get correct data about
data about our planes. So w e are off to a good
several of these m e n for the books, I was told
start. Start? Yes!
16
�Arlo's c o m p u t e r p r o g r a m w a s carefully
conceived to permit almost a n unlimited
amount of information a n d data to be m a d e
available, "hanging" or attaching it to any
appropriate spot o n the basic information
data. For instance, data from individual
airman's diary can be attached to this man's
Sortie Report for that mission, a n d for all of
his missions. M y w a r r o o m is filled with
supplemental data such as this. N o w Arlo
furnished us the program which can utilize
all of this.
Back in the late 1980's. I compiled and had
printed 160 copies of the Roll of H o n o r and
Casualties book. I h a d to hold it to that
number as I could not afford to pay for a
larger printing. T h e former 44th H M G Board
refused to finance it even though any profit
would go to them. Ever since that n u m b e r
was sold, I have planned to m a k e a second
printing to correct m a n y errors a n d to add
so m a n y personal a c c o u n t s that y o u
members have supplied to m e over the years.
Jim Hamilton, an associate, recently offered
to help m e with a n e w printing by scanning
the pages of m y old manuscript a n d then
placing it into a n e w format. In addition, he
is underway in scanning m a n y photos of
crashes, etc. to be used in this b o o k as well.
program. Would you prefer paperback over
hard cover? The original printing and
binding was about $27, but surely more with
inflation. Could I ask those of you interested
in that book to send m e a card or letter to
m y s u m m e r address shown in the Board
section of this newsletter? It will help greatly
in helping m e decide h o w to handle these
records n o w on hand.
A related subject is the future of Arlo's
program n o w that w e have our basic data
entered. Of course, this work can be done
only with considerably more money that I
personally think should come from grants
and other sources. You, the members have
financed most of the money so far, either
through dues or donations and it would not
be fair to ask you to dig deeper. Providing
that grant money is received, then I will have
the answer of what to do with your records
that I still retain.
I do not have the time nor the energy to w
m u c h further with our history. I have
neglected m y family far too long already and
would like to have time to do other things like fishing in the lake 200 feet from m y
summer cabin when I get up there in a few days.
Remember those letters!
TVttl Acietdcf,
With the text now in new format and back
into m y computer, I had been planning to
add the m a n y stories that you m e m b e r s have
furnished m e after the first b o o k w e n t to
press. But wait! Wouldn't they go just as well
into Arlo's c o m p u t e r p r o g r a m ? Yes,
obviously, and then that information would
be available worldwide, not just in a book.
Too, the b o o k w o u l d be smaller a n d less
costly.
Now could I ask you to give me some kind of
an idea of the n u m b e r of books to be printed?
H o w m a n y of y o u w o u l d consider
purchasing one if the cost could be held to a
minimum and with any profit being set aside
to help with cost of data entry into Arlo's
rift
Now could I ask you lo give me some kind
of an idea oflhe number of books to be
printed? How many ofyou would consider
purchasing one if the cost could be held to
a minimum and with any profit being set
aside to help with cost of data entry into
Arlo's program? Would you prefer
paperback over hard cover?
�LEFT T O Riqhr: Roy O W E N , IMMECJIATE
P A S T PRESJCJENT; MJCIIAEI Mikoloski,
PREsidENT; CERALCJ FOISOM, TREASURER.
i M
^r^^^w
W
^B
—•—-fl
1
;
*
'
i
SECOND
AIR DIVISION
ASSOCIATION
REUNION
-
Thirty-two members of the 44th BG rubbed shoulders with fellow airmen at an
extravaganza at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Austin, Texas. Alongside the Congress Bridge
where one million six hundred thousand
bats dwell, (yes, bats, and the count is
correct) the 2nd Air Division held their
annual get-together, complete with awards
and certificates of recognition to groups
w h o work to perpetuate the history of this
esteemed organization.
Unceremoniously, President Roy Owen
symbolically 'passed the gavel' to his
successor, Mike Mikolosi. It was
anticlimactic. W h e n there should have been
a standing ovation, there was quiet
conversation. But a new era has dawned.
Mike promised to give ALL to keep the 44th
afloat in the tradition of his predecessor.
At the 44th BG dinner, all members
introduced themselves, and relayed a little
of their history. The last speaker was Col.
Goodman Griffin, w h o brought the house
down with his description of vague and
uncertain assignments at a time when the
country was mobilizing for WWII. It seems
that frequently others knew his destinations
better than he.
Will LuNdy, 44TII BGVA hisTORJAN ANd wirE IRENE.
18
�PERRy M O R S E , WAJST G U N N E R , 506Tk
SoUAdRON STANds UNdER AUSTJN'S
BATMobiU, THE Ciiy's M O N U M E N T TO
ThEIR iNSECT'EATiNq NJqhT HUNTERS.
Six hundred fifty-three airmen and wives, representing fifteen groups, came together to
remember the toughest assignment that was ever given to America's youth. The country C A N N O T
be allowed to forget. The 2nd A D A needs the support of all groups for the monumental projects it
has undertaken to preserve the memory of their great contribution to victory in WWII.
•TOrrTWWWflff
44TH BOMB GROUP (H)
THE B-24 FLYING EIGHTBRLLS
14TH COMBAT WING - 8TH RIB FORCE - WWII
SHIPDHRM, ENGLBND 7 NOD 1942 - ?5 MBY 1945
344 COMBAT MISSIONS - 53B ENEMY R/C DESTROYED
8889 SORTIES DEIIUEBED 18,988 TONS OF BOMBS
WITH 153 B/C LOSSES
TWO PRESIDENTIAl.UNJT CITATIONS
KIFIi GERMANY
14MBY, 1945
PEOESTI.RUMHN.A - I A u S l ^ V . G H T COW LEDEL ATTACK ON OIL REFINERIES
The MacDill Memorial Park
entrance matter original
design sketch for the plaque.
(See next page).
COLONEl LEON W. JOHNSON - MEOBL OF HONOR FOR PLOEST. RAID LEADERSHIP
,™.., ointinnis IRNIIARY 1941 MOUEU 10 BRRKSnHLl
LIBEBRTOBS
19
�The MacDill Memorial
Our "Man in Tampa," Harry Snead, has notified us thatfinally,after two years of
delay for construction of a memorial wall, the dedication ceremonies for the MacDill A
Memorial Park took place on January 19, 1999. Unfortunately, after all of his hard
work in designing, arranging for the casting and placement of our 44th Bomb Croup
Memorial plaque, the Memorial Park Executive Committee failed to give Harry sufficien
notice of me dedication to allow us to form a regional 44th Bomb Croup attendance in
the manner we had for the Barksdale Memorial Dedication. We owe our thanks to Harry
for all his work on the memorial plaque and for representing us all at the dedication
ceremonies.
Harry took pictures of our plaque and the Memorial Park entrance marker and has
sent a copy of the original design sketch so all of us with " weak eyes " can make out the
insignia and text inscribed on the plaque (previous page). Harry will bejoining us in
Mew Orleans, give him a 'thank you'pat on the back.
PROGRAM
Welcome
Capt Jeff Smith
Invocation
Ch (LtCol) John Stefero
National Anthem
SSgt Terr! Flores-Payne
Flyover
6 ARW
The Vision
Col Charles Ohllnger, III
US AF Retired
The Foundation
Col Ron Buchert
US AF Retired
Mr. Joseph Voskerlchian
The Community
Mayor Dick Greco
Closing Remarks
Brig Gen James Soligan
20
MacDill Memonal Park wil be a plac«tomemonalae
ami commemorate ovef fifty years offlyingat MacDHt Air
Force Base. In a park-like setting ot Irees. benches,
and walkways, three aircraft of the type which actually
flew at MacDill are displayed The merit .s to rvghhghi
aircraft from across the many years of flying ".story
Including the post-war/cold war years, the Vietnam War
years, and the Gulf War
AIRCRAFT FLOWN AT MACDILL
1940-4'
1941-May 42
1943-1945
June 1942^*3
B-26 "Marauder" Bombei
1947-48
P/F-51 "Mustang" Fighter
1945-48
B-29 "Superfortress" Bomber
1950-51
B-50 "Superfortress" Bomber
1951-62
KC-97AirRefueler
1951-63
B-47'Stratojet" Bomber
1956
RB-47"Strato(et* Bomber
1962-64
F-84 "Thunderstreak" Fighter
1962-70
T-33 Trainer
1964-82
F-4 "Phantom" Fighter
1968-72
B-57 "Intruder* Bomber
1979-93
F-16 "Falcon' Fighter"
KC-135 •Stralotanker" Air Refueier 1996-Presenl
B-18 "Bolo" Bomber
B-17 "Flying Fortress" Bomber
�THE TIN GOOSE
By
Col. Roy W. Owen, USAF (Ret)
Counting back, the year must have been 1933, and we were living in Burbank,
California. I was nine years old, and in the dawning of what was to be a long love
affair with the airplane.
My life was filled with dreams of aerial dogfights and action filled pictures of
wingers in screaming dives, strafing the Hun with hammering machine guns. Each
week represented six days of suspense until Saturday arrived and I could spend my
dime at the Loma Theater to see the matinee episode of the "Tailspin Tommy"
serial.
Countless times I had hurtled into the air, the engine of
my wooden orange box fighter roaring and the slipstream
whining in the wing struts. Hunched behind the
broomstick barrels of my machine guns, I would meet the
enemy in glorious looping and turning combat (making
machine gun sounds that only boys can duplicate) until,
riddled with holes and trailing smoke, they would spiral
down to the final crash.
Our house on Cedar Street, to my great fortune, was just
a short distance from grand Central Air Terminal. My only
touch with the real world of airplanes was the same then
as it is now; that magic pull in the sound of an overhead
airplane that invariably turns my eyes to the sky. From my
front yard, it was a passing parade as I watched them in
the landing pattern.
One of my favorites was the great transport of the era, the
Ford Tri-motor. Nicknamed "The Tin Goose," there was an
awesome beauty in those broad, sturdy wings, corrugated
metal fuselage and powerful engines as they flew through
the San Fernando Valley sky.
Where had they been? What strange and far-away places
Roy O W E N , AqE 9, AT Edisorg
did they reach when they left? What kind of rich and
GRAMMAR School. BuRbANk, C A
mysterious people were able to travel in that beautiful
1955.
machine? And what of the pilots? What kind of superman would be able to master and fly an airplane with three engines? These
questions burned in my mind as I would watch each slow, graceful turn toward the
final approach to landing.
21
�/ soon came to realize that every afternoon, shortly after my arrival home from school
great airplane would come overhead on the way to landing. To my mind, it was always the
same Tri-Motor, and each day we had a rendezvous over my front lawn. It became a ritual
waving and wonderment for me.
Then came THE DAY, that great day! I was just running from the front door to join the ba
game in the vacant lot across the street, when I heard her coming. I stopped momentarily
wave, by now force of habit, and started again. One stride, and I stopped. For an instant
stood frozen; did I see an arm extended from the pilot's window waving in return? One look
back into the sky told me. There was no mistaking it now; a slow, back and forth wave
Startled for an instant into immobility at this wondrous sight, I then began to wave wildl
return. For a few seconds, the arm continued to wave and I felt a flood of astounded joy
Then the arm was withdrawn into the cockpit and it was over.
I stood transfixed. Did it really happen? There could be no doubt; I had seen it with my
own eyes. For a few sweet
seconds a real pilot in a real
airplane had chosen me, and we
had made silent contact!
Now, with the memories of a
flying career past, that vision
remains. Still warm and vivid, I
bring it out occasionally to savor
again; the pilot of a big "Tin
Goose" waving acknowledgment
(and perhaps encouragement) to a
small fellow pilot. A camaraderie
fully understood only by those
known as Aviator.
Note: After a 30 year U.S. Air
Force career that spanned flying B24's to the SR-71, Col. Owen
retired to Chico, Calif, where he
taught Political Science for 12
years at California State University.
He now resides in Santa Rosa,
Calif, with his wife Lolly where he
writes feature articles on Aviation
History and Public Administration.
Col. Roy O W E N , AqE 46,
suiTEd up FOR A MACH 1 FliqhT m
THE SR-71. OcTobER, 1970,
BEAIE AFB,
CA.
�Ford Trimotor - A Golden Age Classic
One cannot discuss the Golden Age of Aviation with out acknowledging the Ford Trimotor. It was a
key aircraft in the development of modern air travel. July 7,1929 Transcontinental Air Transport
(TAT) later became T W A began transcontinental passenger service from San Diego to N e w York.
They used Ford Trimotors for day travel and passenger trains for night travel, transporting famous
passengers as Charles Lindberg and Amelia Earhart. The Ford Trimotor was based on the general
layout of the highly successful Fokker F.VII/3m (q.v.) three-engine high-wing monoplane, except
that the Ford was all-metal with corrugated metal skinning and was tagged with the nicknamed
'Tin Goose". It's strong construction and flexible design m a d e it a work horse in many countrys and
a variety of power plants in the 300/450 horse power were installed on the Trimotor. It was
originally designed by William B. Stout, who, in 1966, reintroduced the type for production as the
Bushmaster 2000, having modernized the design to meet modern-day requirements in terms of
safety, comfort and operational facilities as a simple and cheap transport aircraft for use from
small grass fields
The above was taken from: http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Lab/4515/ford.htm
The 8-Ball Tails©
Official Journal of The 44th Bomb Group Veterans Association, Inc. ©
Compiled, written and published tri yearly at 2041 Village Circle East, York, PA, by Ruth W. Davis-Morse, Editor. Printed and mailed Bulk Rate at Salt Lake
City, UT under U S P S Permit #6923. All original written material such as letters, stories, excerpts from personal diaries or memoirs, drawings and photos
submitted to this journal will become the property of the 44th Bomb Group Veterans Association and will be copyright protected except where noted. The text
and photos are otherwise reproduced from official U S A A F and USAF documents and photos which have been released for publication. Permission is granted for
the contents of this journal to be reproduced specifically for personal archives. Otherwise, copyright material herein may be reproduced by the journal of other
incorporated nonprofit veterans organizations so long as this publication is properly credited and prior permission is granted by the editor.
Those submitting letters, stories and photos to the editor or historian must do so with the understanding that this material will most likely be published in th
journal as a matter of interest to the members/subscribers of the Association and this journal. While every attempt will be made to answer all of the material
received, there is no explicit or implied guarantee that an answer will be provided or published. Except for specific requests for the return of original documents
and photos, all material submitted will become the property of the 44th Veterans Association, Inc., or its successors.
Due to space limitations and to ensure the clarity and brevity of submitted material, the Publisher/Editor reserves the editorial license to add, cut or otherwi
modify all submitted material so long as the original context of the material is maintained.
23
®
�The Pilot's 23rd Psalm
By Capt. J.D. Olive
1. As the telephone operator wh(
exploits in the air.
(wron^numbers so is he w h o extolleth his
2. H e shall enlarge upon the dahgers of his adventure^, but in m y sleeve shall be heard
the tinkling of silvery laughter.\
3. Let not thy familiarity with airplanes breed contempt, lest thou become exceedingly
careless at a time w h e n great carte is necessary to thy weu-being.
4. My son, obey the law and observe\prudence. Spin thou not lower than 1500 cubits
nor stunt above thine o w n domicile^ for the hand of the law is, heavy and reacheth far
and wide throughout the land.
5. Incur not the wrath of thy Commander by breaking the rules; foij he who maketh right
hand circuits shall be cast out into utter darkness.
6. Let not thy prowess in the air persuade thee that others cannot do as thou doest; for
he that showeth off in public places is an abomination to his fellow pilots.
7. More praiseworthy is heiwho can touch\tail-skid and wheels to earth at one time,
than he w h o loopeth and rolleth till someNJamsel stares in amazement at his daring.
8. He w h o breaketh an undercarriage in a for eq landing, may, in time, be forgiven, but
he w h o taxieth into another plane shall be
>pised forever.
9. Beware the m a n who/taketh off withoutJookinb behind him, fo/t
him, verily I say ujrto/you his days are/lumberea.
alth in
10. Clever m e n take W reproofs of their instructor in the sarne wise, one like unt
another with witty jest, confessing their dumbnle: and^egarding themselves/with
humor. Yet ihey tryjgajjvprofiting/by his wise iounsel and taking not offense at
aught that/has been said.
11. As a postage stamp which lacketh glue, so are the words of cautiorrtef a fool; they
stick not^oing in one ear and put the other, for there is nothiri^between to stop
them.
12. M y son, hearken unto m y teaching and forsake not the/laws of prudence, for the
reckless shall not inhabitthe earth for long.
13. Hear instruction and be vlise, and refusejt^otfthus wilt thou fly safely; length of
days and a life of peace shalU3e_iido^rrunto thee.
�Mail Call
[3D
The Close Call
From: Forrest S. Clark
7 0 3 Duffer Lane
Kissimmee, FL 3 4 7 5 9
We were having a sort of reunion in the officer's club at
Shipdham base. I had just returned to the base from France and
had completed my missions and was awaiting transfer back to
the States.
I had been shot down and had escaped from Switzerland
into France in the closing days of December, 1944.1 got back
to the base in the early days of January, 1945.
My companion was a Lt. Bill Partridge of the 44th who
was a friend from my high school days back in the United
States. He had been assigned to the 44th and it was the first
time we had seen each other since school days.
We had some close calls in the skies over Germany on
missions and w e were both looking forward to completing our
tours and making it back home. Bill and I had been to Alconbury
I believe a few days on a leave.
It was a happy reunion and he had invited me to the
Officer's Club for a celebration over a few drinks and talk of
home.
I recall saying to him that w e would both make it and w e
should plan to meet at a favorite place in the United States. He
pledged he would and said the only thing that could stop him
now was a stray piece of German flak or a fighter.
It was rather late at night by the time w e met after the
long English twilight. There was the usual exchange of drinks
and jokes.
I remember somewhere during the evening w e both decided
to drink a toast to our homecoming. No sooner had we raised
our glasses than out of the darkness came the sound of the
steady put-put of a German buzz bomb.
I can still hear that sound as all who heard the buzz bombs
will never forget. It sounded closer and closer with a frightful
put-put, then it cut off and w e knew it was coming down
somewhere very close to the officer's club. I remember w e ran
outside and flung ourselves flat on the damp English turf. W e
lay there waiting.
There was a tremendous explosion, or so it sounded to us,
and a flash of light. The buzz bomb had landed in a farm field
adjacent to the Club, digging a considerable crater. In a second
it was over.
W e looked at each other and I remember one of us said, "I
guess we will make it after all."
Another 100 feet and that Jerry bomb would have landed
directly on us and the club. I don't recall the date of this
episode, but it must have been in early January, 1945, perhaps
during the period when Hitler was sending the buzz bombs over
England. Records will show some fell near enough to the
vicinity of Norwich to scare many, including some of us at the
44th.
W e did make it despite a Jerry bomb that tried very hard to
spoil our reunion.
(3D
From: Will Lundy, Historian
44th B G V A
Dear Chuck Wagner,
Sure was good to see and read your article in the last issue
of 8-Ball Tails. It is articles like yours that add so much to the
publication, gets more interest. I've admired your contributions
to the 68th Squadron newsletter, and have learned much more
about the 68th Squadron, as well as our time on the base at
Shipdham, and enjoyed your story.
I will enclose a paper covering the attacks on Shipdham
during our 31 months of "occupation" there, which confirm that
Barrett was correct - it was a JU-88 which dropped those
butterfly bombs. Steve Adams, who is busily compiling a
history of the 66th Bomb Sq. was searching through some 2nd
Division microfilm, came across this page, copied it and sent it
to me. The page also tells about one other attack, as well as
one that was in question - much ado and activity, but
evidently, no evidence found about that one attack.
You asked if there might have been any other butterfly
bombs (UXBs) found after the bombing, something similar to
the experience of you 68thers. Must tell you that indeed it did
happen again, and this was in the 67th Squadron area. Like
you, w e were cautioned to walk ONLY on paved surfaces, DO
NOT CROSS open fields between the various dispersal. W e
were most cautious at first, but as time passed, we walked
from our dispersal across to our friends in the adjoining ones.
Later, we forgot about those darned things. But even though
we had searched most of that area closely, we DID MISS one.
Like your's, one of our gang saw something, also in a clump of
weeds, so close to the main taxiway and to the entrance to our
dispersal that each time a plane taxied into or out of that
dispersal entrance, the propellers were cutting the air within
two to three feet of that bomb. At first we thought that it was
�a "dud" because it had not been set off by the noise or
vibrations of the propellers, but I, personally, was most
surprised when the bomb disposal squad placed sandbags
around the bomb, moved back and then shot the darned thing. I
was amazed at the size of the explosion! People could have
been killed it someone had set it off!
I believe that I'll send a copy of this page on to Roy O w e n
for information in case he wants to use the "facts" dug up by
Steve.
Sorry you won't make it to San Antonio - this reunion
should be a good sone.
All the best,
Will Lundy
04:45 hrs 21 April 44.
Action taken to repel attacks: none. E/A flying at probably
8000 ft, weather clear with no moon. There were frequent
alerts during the night. During all clear period, a lone enemy
intruder dropped two canisters of 10 lb anti-personnel bombs in
open ground just outside the gas dump area and dispersals in
the N W part of the airfield (66th and 67th Sqdn. areas). E/A
flying from N W to SE. Both canisters were found a mile or more
from where the bombs dropped. Thirty-two out of 34 exploded
or U X B 7 s have been found. Damage negligible: damage two
land huts, one fragment hole in fuel service trailer. Efficiency of
present defense plans - good. There is no doubt the enemy
knew the location of the airdrome.
Raids on 8th Air Force Stations by German aircraft.
SHIPDHAM STA 115.
2249 hrs - 23rd August 43.
One JU-88 - three 50 KG demolition bombs and three buckets
(64) Butterfly bombs on lighted airdrome. Slight damage to
perimeter track by one Butterfly bomb and lighting on runway
made temporarily unserviceable for 12 hrs. No casualties.
03:40 hrs. 23 May 44.
One E/A believed to be JU 88, flying at an estimated height of
between 500 and 1000 ft w a s seen by a combat crew gunner
to drop what he first thought was a bomb. A moment later it
opened up into what he thought to be a parachute and dropped
about 400 yards to the North. He was unable to communicate
immediate with the control tower as no transportation was
available. About a half hour after the incident, it was reported
to flying control officer, w h o in turn notified the stations
Defense office, the latter called out the alert Defense
Detachment of 50 men and made a very careful search of the
area with no success. T w o hours later 300 men searched the
area finding nothing. The plane was flying now north to south
at an estimated height of 500 to 1000 feet. It was also seen
by three other members of the crews. The sky was mottled
with clouds but not raining. The enemy undoubtedly knows the
location of our station.
This report is based on hearsay evidence of one man and
may not be true. He is very positive that he saw a parachute
open and descend to the ground. A thorough search was made
for a parachute, parachute flare, land mine or any evidence
which would sustain the attack. This search was made by
personnel on this station, Home guard and Civilian authorities.
John WolbARST of i\\i 464TII Sub-DtpoT w'n\\ CANNJSTER ol
"DAisy C U T T E R " boivibs dnoppid ON field, 21 ApRil, 1 9 4 4 .
26
�I have contacted the family of my friend and learned he has
a brother still living in N e w York. Through this brother and a
surviving sister of Sgt. Sofferman I was able to visit his
gravesite in Union Field Cemetery, Long Island, NY. I have since
lost track of Lt. Pinder and do not know if any others on that
crew survived and are still living. If they are I hope they read
this and are able to contact m e with the rest of the story.
There are still unanswered questions that need to be
completed not only for the surviving family of Sgt. Sofferman.
W h y did Pinder and Sofferman not make contact with one of
the existing escape routes at the time?
Perhaps w e shall never know.
SD
Forrest S. Clark
7 0 3 Duffer L a n e
K i s s i m m e e , FL 3 4 7 5 9
To 44th BG News,
A fifty year search recently that took the searcher into the
secret files of the Belgian resistance movement and the
dreaded German S S troops has finally revealed the story of one
8th Air Force crew that parachuted into enemy territory in
January, 1944.
That crew w a s that of Lt. Harold Pinder of the 44th Bomb
Group, 67th Squadron, shot down during the Frankfurt mission
over the Ardennes of Belgium on 29 January 1944. Among the
crew members w a s a very good friend and fellow crewmate of
mine, Sgt. Abe Sofferman, radio operator.
By a twist of fate, I could have been on that mission. Sgt.
Sofferman and I were called to go as radio operators but Sgt.
Sofferman volunteered in m y place and went with Lt. Pinder's
crew. It was a fateful decision. I survived and m y friend went
down. Lt. Pinder's B-24 Liberator w a s shot down by FW-190s
near Wibrin in the Ardennes where later w a s to be one of the
greatest battles of WWII. Pinder and Sofferman parachuted and
survived to be taken into hiding by the resistance forces in that
portion of Belgium. For 32 days they went into hiding from
place to place as the resistance evaded the Germans. The
Belgian resistance fighters were engaged in sabotage of
German facilities at the time. Pinder and Sofferman were with
these forces.
Some date in the last days of February, 1944, an informer
gave away their hiding place to the Germans. Within hours, the
hiding place in a villa or farmhouse w a s surrounded by German
troops and a battle began.
Sgt. Sofferman w a s armed and tried to make an escape
from the hideout but w a s shot down by the Germans and killed
on the spot. Pinder w a s taken prisoner and survived the war.
His hometown was listed as Pittsburgh, PA.
I visited Sofferman's parents in the Bronx, NY in 1945, but
at that time did not know of his fate.
It was not until nearly 50 years later and after repeated
inquiries with contact in Belgium that I received a letter from a
former resistance fighter telling the true story of his death at
the hands of the Germans. Most of this information w a s taken
from the records and secret files of the Belgian partisan army
and various eyewitnesses.
fiD
Deno C. Tulini
5 0 1 14th A v e n u e
R o c k Falls, IL 6 1 0 7 1
Dear Ms. Davis-Morse,
I am writing in regards to the article on the Saga of
Southern Comfort. I w a s a waist gunner on Lt. Jack (Jake) J.
Wind's crew. Out of the original crew there are only four of us
left - Edwin Waldo, Co Pilot; Harold Lightcap, First Flight
Engineer; "Rocky" Stoltenburg, Radio Operator, and myself.
On April 8, 1944, w e flew our first mission to Brunswick
on the plane "Consolidated Mess." The 506th lost five planes
that day. The 44th lost eleven.
On April 18, w e were assigned to Southern Comfort II for
our second mission. Jake Wind piloted her for 29 missions, not
the 19 the article quoted. I flew 29 missions with Jake, and
one as a tail gunner on Smith's (first name escapes me) crew.
The last three missions I flew on I can't remember names of
planes or pilots. Our crew flew 33 missions, then it w a s
increased to 35. They compromised with us and made it 33.
Almost the whole month of July went by between our 30th and
31st mission.
I have a photo of Southern Comfort II with 32 bomb
markings on it (32 missions).
Editor's Note: Deno Tulini started running at age 55, and jus
won his 5th First Place trophy for 70 and older Bix 7 Race in
Davenport, Iowa. At age 78, he has collected a total of eight
trophies.
27
��
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8 Ball Tails
Newsletter
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8 Ball Tails Volume 3 - Issue 2: Summer 1999
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Summer 1999
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Text
�Lt. Col. Robert J. Lehnbausen hesitates to mention it, but
before he flew on B 24's, he had been assigned to B-17's. In a
world of 'Liberator-lovers' he rarely admits that he liked
them. He volunteered for pilot training to avoid a dead-end
assignment in the Coast Artillery. Drafted in Peoria, Illinois
at age 21, Lehnhausen was working in the Regimental Post
Office. His Adjutant, a West Pointer, took him aside one day
and gave him a piece of advice, "If you want to get ahead in
the service, go elsewhere."
Accepting this advice, he responded to an Aviation Cadet
Recruiting Team. Since he was not a college graduate, he
began a series of academic and physical tests at Ft. Bragg,
N.C. He qualified, but began an uneasy wait for assignment.
Pearl Harbor called the 40th Army Unit to be transferred
from North Carolina to Camp M A A R on California's Mojave
Desert. The would be aviator's heart sank, believing that
move would close the door on flight school.
Newly coMMissioiNEd 2N<J LI. RobERT J. LEhisiEiALiSEN,
1942.
C A P T . RobERT J. LEHNHAUSEN'S C R E W ~ PLANE: F L A K A L L E Y
STANdiNq LEFT T O RiqliT: C A P T . G E O R G E E. HulpiAu, BoMDARdiER; LT. RobERT C . PETERSON, NAviqATOR;
LT. Hollis R. Nichols, C O ' P H O T ; C A P T . RobERT J. L E H N H A U S E N , P H O T .
KNEEiiNq LEFT T O RiqHT: S/SqT. D o u q L s R. RATUdqE, ASST. EsqiNEER; T/SqT. WilliAM G . M O R T O N , ENqiNEER;
S/SqT. MicHAEl J. BAUzovich, ASST. RAdio; T/SqT. T H O M A S A. LAskowski, RAdio; S/SqT. C H A R I E S W . R O S S , JR., T A U TURRET.
*
�brand new B17, outfitted with all gear needed
for combat. Then they were ready for the trip to
a combat unit.
To his surprise, after twelve days of desert duty,
orders caught up with him, and his Air Corps
odyssey began. He w a s assigned to a newly
opened Aviation Cadet Reception Center at Williams
Field, Chandler, Arizona. After a few weeks of
ground school, foot drill and calisthenics, he
began the three phase program of pilot training,
completing the program in August, 1942. With
pride and delight, he received his pilot status as
a Second Lieutenant.
"We went the southern route, down to South
America, east to Ascension Island, then to Africa
and finally to England," he remembered.
"Ascension Island was a fifteen square mile
volcanic eruption in the south Atlantic. Peterson,
our navigator, told us to hold the course, and w e
would find it. W e missed it by only 1/4 mile.
Of Lehnhausen's class at Roswell, most were
sent for further training on four engine planes.
Bob went to Geiger Field, W A (Spokane) to train
on B-17's. After a few weeks of intense training,
he was assigned a crew. Together they went to
a new base in Casper, Wyoming. They were
among the first troops in Casper, a cause for
great excitement in the town. "They really rolled
out the 'red carpet' for us," he remembered.
"We went into orientation at Bovingdon, Englan
with 34 other B 17 crews. Members of the RAF
taught us how to deal with anti-aircraft and RAF
radio procedures, also basic courtesies, so w e
could get along with the English people. Then
General Longfellow sent the word that seven
crews would have to go to B 24's. The Colonel
pulled seven numbers from his hat, and I w a s
one. I felt like I was being wrenched from the
graceful 'Queen of the Sky,' but in time I learned
to love the Liberator."
Crew training for eventual combat went very
well, he recalled. Upon completion of this phase,
they went to Salina, Kansas and were issued a
w.
m
PIANE CIOSEST: 42-95260 P W O Li I' MARIENE, 68rh SQUACJRON.
UppER RiqhT: 44-40098 B W O LONE RAINIER - LOST AuqusT, 1 944.
3
®
�"At this time,
March 1943,
the Eighth Air
Force had
only five
bomb groups.
The two B-24
units active
were the 44th
and the 93rd.
These seven
crews being
assigned were
the first
replacement
crews. Five of us went to the 44th, two to the
93rd. Of the five assigned to the 44th, two went
to the 66th, one to the 67th, and two of us went to
the 68th. W e were greeted warmly by a very
weary bunch of combat airmen.
"At that point our crews were broken up. This
permitted two of the Squadrons' original copilots to become first pilots. Four of m y crew
joined Wllmer Garrett; the rest went with BUI
Hughes. In late June, 1943 after several weeks
of practice in low level over the Mounds of East
Anglia, w e were ordered to join the Ninth Air
Force on the Libyan Desert of North Africa. W e
were dispatched there to prepare for and to fly a
special mission, so secret, the troops were
unaware of what would be the target. Ninth Air
Force's two B-24 groups had been bombing
targets supportive of the upcoming Sicilian
invasion."
Upon arrival on the desert, the Ninth Air Force
immediately assigned the three B-24 units from
the Eighth Air Force to the pre invasion attack
effort.
Lehnhausen continued, "Our first mission from
our new base at Benina Main, which w e shared
with Ninth's 98th B o m b Group, w a s on July 2,
1943. The target w a s a German-held airfield at
Lecce, Italy, a
base in the
heel of the
Italian boot.
Although the
mission was
relatively free
of enemy
opposition, it
proved to be
fateful for
Major Tom
Cramer,
Squadron
Commander.
-* »He had chosen
toflyas co pilot with a new crew, and the plane
went down.
I was co pilot for Wilmer Gaffett in Miss Virg
W e did have an attack by enemy aircraft in the
target area. Our gunners exchanged fire with
the attackers, and w e believed our ship was not
badly damaged.
"We dropped our bombs on target and headed to
home base. On the return it became apparent
that some damage had occurred to our fuel
system. W e were running out of petrol. W e
prepared for ditching, throwing everything that
w a s mobile overboard totightenthe aircraft-to
no avail. W e ditched into the Mediterranean.
The B-24 did not have good ditching characteristics.
The ship broke into three major pieces upon
impact with the water. The pilot and I were both
thrown through the windshield. I surfaced
alongside the wing/fuselage junction.
Fortunately, two dinghys stored in the upper
fuselage were within arm's reach. W e released
them, scrambled into them and picked up all the
survivors w h o surfaced. Of a crew of eleven, six
of us survived.
Training and understanding emergency
procedures always pays off. In this tragic
combat action, our radio operator, John Melvln
�Cole, did precisely what he had been trained to
do in a ditching procedure. Upon being told to
"Prepare for Ditching," he sent out the Morse
Code SOS; and after several signals, screwed
down his key to send a continuous signal. His
action saved all who survived the crash.
Ed Walte and I were ambulatory, so we were
sent back to our Squadron. The three who were
more seriously injured were sent to an American
General Hospital in Cairo.
"Back at base our new CO, John DiehL told us h
wanted us to go on leave, relax, enjoy. W e
caught a plane to Cairo. After seeing the local
sights, we appealed to the Cairo based Red Cross
lady for suggestions. She encouraged us to take
the British Army's train from Cairo to Palestine
(Tel Aviv) and see the Holy Land. It departed
each evening at 5:30, traveled the desert in the
cool of night and arrived in Jaffa at 6:00 A.M.
"After several hours in the water, a vessel
appeared on the horizon. W e were so excited! A
few minutes later w e looked again. There was
no vessel. In frustration, one of our crew
ordered 'Let's paddle.' This brought a laugh. W e
had two small dinghys lashed together, four
injured crewmen, two small paddles, an
unconscious navigator; and w e were at least one
hundred miles off the desert coast. Paddle! To
where?
"I purchased the tickets for the three of us.
were comfortably seated in the Lawrence of
Arabia narrow wooden train compartment.
Some time after leaving Cairo, a British master
sergeant who was the train conductor, entered
our compartment to collect the tickets. He was
aghast. Two Yank enlisted men in first class
seats! W e had a spirited conversation. He
demanded that Cole and Waite go to Third Class
where enlisted personnel ride.
"Sometime later the vessel reappeared. It came
closer and closer, but its course was taking it
about twenty degrees from us. The sea was
calm, but the morning was very hazy. Finally I
fired two flares, and the bow of the ship swung
around as if I had it on a string. Then that
vessel grew larger and larger. At that point our
vocal crewman let out an expletive and shouted,
'we get dumped in the Mediterranean, we
survive, they find us, and now the SOB runs over
us!'
"Finally I said, 'Sergeant, you have a problem
Your people sold m e these tickets for First Class
Passage. Either these two men remain with m e
or we allrideThird Class.' In disgust he yielded.
He couldn't tolerate an officerridingThird
Class."
"We were rescued by a British mine layer who
was on a special mission, transporting the
British Army General Staff from Alexandria,
Egypt to Malta in advance of the Sicilian
invasion. They had picked up Cole's radio
transmission, and began a square search for us lucky for us, for there was no air/sea rescue unit
in that area at that time.
The trip to the Holy Land proved to be
educational, enlightening and inexpensive. A
three-day guided bus trip, two nights lodging
and all food cost only two British pounds. ($8 U.S.)
They arrived back at the Squadron on the
Thursday before Ploesti. Lehnhausen was asked
toflythe low level Ploesti mission as co-pilot for
Eunice Shannon.
"We were taken to Malta where we spent five
days in a British General Hospital. Then, in
preparation for the upcoming invasion, the
hospital was evacuated. W e were sent to an
American Field Hospital in Tripoli. Five days
later the radio operator, John Cole; our engineer,
5
®
�"Ploesti was an awesome experience, an
unbelievable panorama of planes, gunfire,
explosions and destruction. W e saw planes
going down around us,flakbuffeted us
mercilessly; but by the grace of God, our aircraft
was unscathed.
The next mission our group flew following
Ploesti was to Wiener Neustadt, August 13,1943,
our target, an aircraft manufacturing facility.
The target was beyond our range, so to make the
attack possible, w e were briefed to land on
bases in Tunis, rather than to attempt returning
to Libya. It was m y first mission as pilot. I w a s
elated, but m y crew was a new crew on their
first mission, and their pilot had to move over to
the co pilot's seat. I wasn't a popular pilot on
this mission, but fortunately, it was an easy one,
little opposition-no fighters. However, our fuel
transfer system fouled up, and w e had to make a
difficult landing on a bombed out fighter base in
Sicily. Happily, w e made it back safely to our
base.
Days later we headed back to Shipdham for a
mere three weeks, and then back to North Africa,
joining the 99th Bomb Group (B-17's) in Tunisia.
W e flew only a few missions, as the rainy season
had moved in. On October 1,1943 they sent us
back to Wiener-Neustadt. This time the Germans
were ready for us. This was the worst
nightmare of any mission I had ever
experienced, and it was one of the group's most
costly. On the return, I looked out to our left.
Dick Butler was sitting out there all alone.
Sometime later I asked why he was alone. His
response was that all other ships in his
formation had been shot down.
Shortly after this difficult mission we were
again ordered back to England. By now Willie
Weant m y original co-pilot, Dave Alexander (a B
17 transfer) and I were the most senior pilots in
the Squadron.
%
V'MAil ChlRiSTMAS CAR(J.
W e had a pause at that time. The weather was
bad. W e had sustained high losses, and new
ideas were being formulated. Most helpful was
the arrival of the P 51. Those daredevil flyers
accompanied us on missions, going after the
Luftwaffe with unbelievable zeal, strafing planes
on the ground and shooting them in the air.
They were truly our 'tittle friends.'
Late in December, George Hulpiau, my original
bombardier; Bob Peterson, m y original
Navigator, and I got back together as a crew.
W e flew three missions together, all Group
Leads. On Dec. 31,1943, w e had a Wing Lead,
with Col. Bill Cameron as our Command Pilot, to
an airfield in southwestern France, St. Jean D'Angly. Flying with m e n of such superior skills
was exhilarating.
By this time I had completed my 35 missions.
Shortly after the January 11,1944 mission, I was
transferred to operations in Group Headquarters
as a Briefing Officer. The balance of m y combat
missions were flown as a Command Pilot,
standing on the flight deck between the pilots.
�Early April, CoL Gibson gave m e the opportunity
of a lifetime. He made m e Commander of m y old
Squadron, the 68th. I held that position from
April, 1944 until w e came home in late May, 1945.
'Being CO. was a great honor and a tremendous
experience. Many of these moments were truly
enjoyable; equally many were sad. W e lost
many, many splendid young patriots. Among
them was m y only brother Edward ('Doc'), who
with his crew, joined our Squadron in mid July
1944. This was only after permission was
granted by higher headquarters. 'Doc' was a
good pilot. W e had a clear understanding of how
we must handle our relationship, and w e
carefully observed this. As it happened, a
German anti-aircraft battery chose his plane to
target; he and his entire crew were lost on
October 18,1944 on a mission to Leverkusen,
Germany.
"Along with 35,000 other 8th and 15th Air Force
members, I was sent to Sioux Falls, South
Dakota. I had 30 days home leave, and was
awaiting reassignment to a B 29 training unit in
preparation for the assault on Japan. And then
the war ended.
long his leadership skills reached into the civic
and political life of Peoria. Together, with other
returning veterans and interested community
leaders, they changed our local government, all
for the better. Their war experience taught them
that if they were old enough and smart enough
to win a war, they were old and smart enough to
govern their hometown.
Lehnhausen and his wife Elizabeth energized
Peoria, intending that their seven children would
be raised in a desirable, secure environment. He
served as a member of the Peoria City Council
for fourteen years, the last four as mayor (196569). Later he was honored to serve in the Cabinet
of the Governor of Illinois. This 39 months was
an enlightening governmental stint. From there
he was invited into the banking world. He
retired in 1985 having served as Vice President/
Treasurer of First Federal Savings of Peoria for
12-1/2 years. He has been a member of the
present Board of the 44th BGVA since its
reorganization, six years ago.
"Sioux Falls became a Separation Center. I was
given the task of presiding at final ceremonies.
Twice a day w e processed about 200 veterans,
thanked them for their service, gave them their
separation documents and saluted each,
individually. To me, it was a great honor to
thank and salute these young m e n who had
expended their youth and vitality, serving until
victory was won."
The population of the base continued to shrink.
When Lehnhausen departed for his separation
on December 22,1945, only 125 military
personnel remained on base.
He went back to Peoria and his sporting goods
sales job. After several weeks, he joined his
father in his retail drapery business. Before
B o b Al\d Liz LEklNEIAUSEN.
®
�This Message Delivered in Absentia:
Roy, in behalf of the 44th BGVA, The Board of Directors and the entire membership... we thank you... and... we
salute you. As a symbol of our appreciation, affection and admiration, we present to you this Global Clock and
Plaque. The engraving on the Plaque reads:
Colonel Roy W, Owen, USAF (Ret)
FIRST PRESIDENT
of the 44th Bomb Group Vet. Assn.
1994-1999
With Gratitude, Admiration and Appreciation for your outstanding executive
leadership and direction in the resurrection and the remarkable growth
and achievements of the 44th Bomb Group Veterans Association.
Your industry, integrity, resourcefulness and unselfish dedication
over the past live (S) years are a continuing source of inspiration and pride to all.
Your presidency will clearly be recognized as the defining period in the
singular success of the 44th Bomb Group Veterans Association.
Presented at the Sixth Annual Reunion of the 44th Bomb Group Vet. Assn.
4 September 1999 in New Orleans, LA.
I
I
N o w we know that behind every 'great guy' is a 'great lady \ and that great lady, of course, is your own 'Lolly'
love, loyalty and support to Roy reaped many benefits, not only to Roy, but also to all members of this Association
Lolly, we thank you. W e send you our love and our compassion. And, as a token of our appreciation, love and
admiration, present you this portable World Clock and Electronic Calculator. The silver inscription reads:
Jerry and Bev Folsom were charged with the task of delivering the
gifts to Roy & Lolly. President Mike called on the audience to gi
standing ovation to the absent and sorely missed two honorees; and
English style, called for three 'Hip, Hip, Hoorays.'
Paraphrasing Winston Churchill, President Mike concluded the
ceremony with "...never in the history of the 44th BGVA have so few
given so much to so many for so long."
BEV
ANd JERRY FOISOM
�November 4, 1999
Dear Members of Zhe 44th Bomb Group Veterans Association,
Were it possible, Colly and J would prefer that we could see each and every one of
you, first to express our profound thanks for giving us the great honor of serving as
your President and first Cody over the past five years. Next, to thank you all for
honoring us with the beautiful World Zime Clock and fantastic electronic calculator
so stunningly mounted in rare wood. Moth with our beloved J lying Sight Kail logo
inscribed with your thank you message.
Zhose wonderful gifts and their message will serve to remind us of the great years
we served with you all to see our Bomb Group Association rise from the ashes of
the Heritage Memorial Group to new heights. Zhen to take it s rightful place as
the lead Group in all of Second Air Division and arguably of Sighth Air force.
]/ou are the greatest of what Zom Brokaw has called "Zhe Greatest Generation. "
Serving with you and for you has truly been a labor of love. Colly and J thank you
for the opportunity and we salute you with pride and love.
Sincerely,
9
�Q&p&m me
Wed
our
The 6th Annual Reunion of the 44th B G V A is
now history, but it will long be remembered as
one of, if not the best, Reunion ever. From
beginning to end (and what an ending!) it was
first class elegance with a program, agenda,
food, music, show and amenities that elicited
rave notices from all. Mike Yuspeh, Martin
Richard, their wives, Rose Fay and Delores, put
on a superbly conceived, efficiently conducted
and greatly enjoyed Reunion. Our compliments
and thanks to them for a job well done.' W e
missed several of our 'regulars', but sincerely
hope they will return with us again in San Diego,
August 31 through September 3, 2000 for
another of Mike's elegant 'extravaganzas.' Roy
O w e n and Mike have concluded arrangements
with an elegant five star hotel from the Westin
Hotel chain where the amenities are equally
elegant as those we enjoyed at the Hilton in
N e w Orleans. Do not miss this one in San
Diego. W e have a program planned that will
please our most discriminating members.
On the 'business' side, we approved a budget
for the year 2000 in the amount of $30,000,
with expenses totalling $27,320, reflecting an
operating surplus of $2,680. In sum, we
continue to operate in the black. I am pleased
to report also, that the Association has paid all
outstanding bills, including the balance of
$5,887 to Computer Generated Data Inc. With
our Treasurer, Jerry Folsom, I am instituting
certain cost control measures and procedures
to insure compliance with our constitution and
by-laws, to keep a lid on our expenditures.
Your Board and I will introduce, subject to you
approval, changes in the structure of the Board
of Directors, to reduce the number from the
present eleven to nine. These steps will enable
us to operate with greater efficiency and
economy. Of course, we have come a long way
since our 'resurrection' six years ago in Colorado
Springs; but we still have a long way to go. This
is the way we have chosen to go:
COURSE #1. Complete the 44th B6VA
Military History Program.
(This is a program divided into three phases)
Phase I. Input Archival/Historical Data.
(Virtually completed.)
8500 Sorties and the 44th "Roll of Honor"
included.
Phase II. Input Personal Biographical
Data. (Now in Process.)
All members are encouraged to complete and
submit their personal 'bios' as soon as
possible, along with their 'then' and 'now'
�photographs. Crew photos are also solicited.
This is the segment that actually provides
the 'personalization' and 'real life' to our
data. This is not so much for our benefit,
but more for benefit of our children and
their children, historians, researchers,
teachers, students from all over the world,
who will be able to access this vital
information via their personal computers
and/or the Internet. One of the greatest
challenges of this phase will be the
research, contacts, compilation and
submission of data on these members of the
44th BG who made the supreme sacrifice
during the great conflict, as well as those
who have left us after surviving W W I I . W e
will need the assistance and cooperation of
all to accomplish this just and final mission.
Today the 44th BGVA is the first B-24 to
computerize its history and archival data
into an electronic database and is today also
computerizing the personal biographies of
its living and deceased members.
Phase III. Enhancement. Expansion,
Embellishment. (Under Active
Consideration.)
This phase includes the vast amount of
personal and historical data in the possession
of Will Lundy, Art Hand, Norm Kieffer, Tom
Shepherd, Steve Adams and others. It
includes letters, diaries, reports, orders,
photos, news articles, etc. from our 44th BG
personnel, as well as from people on the
continent who witnessed our raids, crashes,
survivals, rescues and escapes. W e are in
the process of determining the costs that
will be involved and deciding how much of
these records will be included in the data
bank.
COURSE #2. Increase 44th BGVA
Membership.
As our ranks get progressively thinner, it is
imperative that we seek to increase our
membership through innovative ways. As a
starter, I propose we seek a 1 0 % increase in
our membership through the following ways:
• Every Member Get A Member.
• Every member enrolling one of their
children/grandchildren as members.
• The Board of Directors continue efforts to
enroll members from the 44th strategic
Missile Wing, the 3rd Strategic Air Depot
Group and/or other attached assignee units to the
44th BG.
COURSE #3. Complete Ongoing Projects.
• The Ploesti Diorama at the "Mighty 8th Air
Force Museum" in Savannah - Install hand
rails and voice-over. Today, according to the
Museum's curator, this diorama is the # 1
attraction at the Museum.
• Barksdale B-24 - Replace missing nacelle
covers and repaint in 44th Bomb Group
Markings.
• Cianci Story - refine script and seek out
interested film/TV producers/directors to
whom the 44th BGVA would sell/lease the
rights for production.
COURSE #4. Increase 44* BGVA Financial
Resources.
As most of you probably know, a major
portion of our income is generated from our
Annual and Life Memberships, and this
income barely covers our annual operating
expenses. Therefore, to fund the faster
Data Plan, (Phases II and III) alone, plus the
ongoing projects will require that new and
innovative measures be conceived and
developed. W h e n the Board and I determine
these financial goals, we will select and come
to you with these revenue enhancing ideas
among which are the following:
•Endowments "Appeals
-Bequests
•Donations
-Fund Drives 'Institutional
Solicitation
You will be kept informed about development in
this critical area.
FINAL T H O U G H T :
"Do not let impossibilities
intimidate you; do let possibilities
motivate you."
�8-Ball Tails Editor:
Ruth Davis-Morse
2041 Village Circle East
York, PA 17404
Tele: (717) 846-8948
Fax: (717) 767-6194
e-mail: rewdm@blazenet.net
From
A N AMERICAN M U S E U M
IN TURKEY
the Editor
Did you ever think that someday someone
would declare that the gas chambers ofAuswich
and Dachau were fictional?
From Bill Cameron came the news that Turkey
has an American Museum in Istanbul, and parts o
a Liberator are on display. HADLEYS
HAREM
crashed in the Mediterranean Sea following the
Did you ever think that the day would come
Ploesti Raid. According to Cameron, museum
when some American scholars would criticize our
leaders for dropping the A-Bomb? (Don't forget—it curators have restored the nose section, and ar
planning on raising the rest of the wreckage and
saved a million lives.)
restoring it.
Ploesti is forever in our memories, and
Did you ever think that the Paris Museum
In absentia, the pilot o
would hide the fact that the city was liberated by continues to make news.
st
HADLEYS
HAREM,
1
Lt.
Gilbert B. Hadley was
American troops? Charles DeGaulle showed us his
recently
awarded
the
Distinguished
Flying Cros
ingratitude by that gesture, and his followers
and WWII 50th Anniversary Victory
permitted it. Fortunately, many, many FrenchCommemorative Medal. His brother Bill of
men know the truth.
Bartlesville, Oklahoma accepted the medal from
the U.S. Army,fifty-fouryears after the plane
Did you ever think that Axis Sally and a memwent
down.
ber of the German SS would draw sympathy?
Bill
Cameron describes the RAHMIM. KOC as
Apparently there are those in Europe who are
a
first
class
museum, which any Istanbul taxi
promoting such thoughts! A writer from Belgium,
driver canfind.Bill has a special interest in th
Luc Dewez, answered that E-mail misinformation.
memento of the war. He was on that same raid!
He remembered that his parents fought in the
Belgium Resistance. He remembered how the
people in conquered nations were treated by the
Germans, and he answered the claims to a wide
audience via the Internet. Apparently all over the
world, people are trying to re-write history. Our
thanks to those who are working to set the record
straight.
All of this is happening. Unless those who
served in the war document their stories, WWII
will be rewritten untruthfully. Do your personal
Database. You owe it to yourself and those who
are buried in Cambridge, Ardennes, Normandy
and elsewhere, to record the truth and make it
indisputable.
Please direct questions on membership, address
changes, payments, donations, deaths, etc. to:
44th BGVA • P.O. Box 712287
Salt Lake City, Utah 84171-2287
12
�g-gn» Tails. Vol..?. Issue 2. page 5:
According to Jerry Folsom who snapped the photograph, the identity of the person climbing out
the pond at the 44th Bomb Group's 200th Mission Party was none other than General Johnson. The
scene was at the dingy pond at the 506 Squadron.
Think about this:
Lt. Col. Robert Dubowsky,
(Ret.) 66th Sq., has an interesting idea: Preserve the songs
were sung during those dark and dashing days of the War. He needs lyrics to the tunes that eve
body sang, such as "I bombed Cologne," to the tune of "I'll Walk Alone." He'll put them on tape
make them available to anyone on request. They were a
part of the reality of war. Put on your thinking caps,
fellows, and drop Dubowsky a line: 650 Grant Court,
Satellite Beach, FL 32937- Tel. (407) 773-6604, E-Mail:
RDVB@aol.com.
Word from England:
The Eastern Daily Press reported that the first
major building work started in August in Norwich for
the library, multi-media auditorium, business and
teaming center, tourist & visitor site, as well as cafes,
restaurants and below-ground parking. This will house
the 2nd Air Division's American Room. Will and Irene
Lundy visited the site several months ago, and predict
that a splendid edifice will arise in the coming year.
Nigel Wright, who ran the Arrow Air Services and
the Arrow Air Center at Shipdham Airfield died on May
12. Wright and his wife had dedicated a museum to the
44th BG. His death spelled the end of that era. Memorabilia was preserved by our U. K. Representative,
Steve Adams.
In Hingham, a few miles southeast of the airfield,
the city celebrated the "The American Connection," the
departure of one of their citizens to the New World.
Samuel Lincoln changed the course of history, when he
set forth. His great, great, great, great, grandson was
The Great Emancipator, Abraham Lincoln.
Brian Peel from Norfolk continues to extend good
wishes to the Americans he remembers from his childhood during the war years. He recently wrote, 'Your
boys did a lot for us during the war; and as I have
grown up, I can see we would not be here today if it
were not for the Americans." He enclosed a picture of himself and his 90 year old mother, who di
the laundry for many of the crews at Shipdham.
VUeMAealZAuKAdK.
Go**Uncj AtfoactianA:
MlkoloJut»UieP'^dm^4Uie^Ut^QVA.
Vkeli^aMdUmei-4<^a;^^eaAM*en'GUadei, Si*nftio*t. cmd the. MiMihxte.
13
�QUEEN MARY REVISITED
Nick Garza of the 506 Ordinance boarded the Queen Mary at the Southampton docks
on October 10, 1945 and was assigned to sleep on the Promenade deck. H e was in awe of
the size of the Queen, a floating city. The five day trip was joyous—the war was over.
There was music, live shows and good food. H e was discharged October 16 from Ft. Bliss,
Texas and surprised his parents at 4:00 A.M. when he arrived in Sar\ Antonio. Nick left his
British wife, Sarah Ann Sears, behind. They were separated for a long six months, but
when Sarah came to America, it was via the Queen Mary. Their marriage blessed them
with four girls, one boy, five granddaughters and a grandson.
Nick's return trip was quite a variation from going over on the S.S. Jean. That boat was
small, needed paint, bounced around in the high winds and waves; and nearly collided with
another ship. Then the engine died, and the S.S. Jean had to separate from the convoy for
repairs. They caught up with the convoy in three hours, but soon found themselves under
attack by a German submarine pack. More than 30 ships went down around them, but the
S.S. Jean was spared. For Nick, traveling to war was a fearsome experience. Fortunately,
aboard Queen Mary, life was more peaceful and luxurious.
The Queen Mary has transported the rich and famous, financiers of the world, barons
of industry, dukes
and duchesses; but no
group more important
than the victorious
American Gl's.
SLEEPi'SlG Q U A R T E R S
KEEP, THIS
CARD
QUEEN
MARY...
'Buck' Burton sent
m e a copy of an
Associated Press
report of the Queen
Mary arriving with
14,526 Gl's aboard,
June 21,1945. On
board were general
hospital units and
bombardment groups,
including his late
father, Robert E.
Burton.
Buck remembers
his father's description of his delight of
getting a drink of
milk. H e had not had
any in the three
years he was in
England.
ROOM B
77
N Y FOR •1I-S00/l3«80t>-8-4B-S»277 /</ ' 11^
;• •;' I
Sgt George Apgar (Ifft], Dover, and Cpl. Harold Gondret, Newark^feake
ark^abake hands through portholM a» )
•hip docks.
14
�6oth Anniversary Celebration for the Liberator will be held in San Diego, December 9-12,1999,
hosted by the B-24 Groups Memorial. On December 29,1939 the Consolidated Aircraft
Corporation's staged the maiden flight of the XB24, and nine months later the Army signed the
contract for its construction infivedifferent cities.
Registration is $125 per person. Payment is to Dick Baynes, 71 Nighthawk, Irvine, CA 926043683. Tel. (949) 552-3890. Hotel reservations are at the Town and Country Hotel, 500 Hotel Circl
North, San Diego, CA 92108. Tel. (800) 772-8527 or (619) 291-7131.
Please direct questions on membership, address changes, payments, donations, deaths, etc. to:
44th BGVA, P.O. Box 712287, Salt Lake City, Utah 84171-2287.
From Jerry Folsom,
Treasurer:
»Look for your renewal notices. They have been mailed.
»Please let Jerry know of address changes; the post office is no longer forwarding mail.
'Lithographs of the Shipdham Control Tower are still available for $325°.
•The 1999 Membership Roster has been completed. The price is $750, which includes postage.
'Caps and shirts are no longer available. We had a sell-out in New Orleans.
CONGRATULATIONS are in order to Mike Yupseh
and hie volunteers who put together our recent
44th BGVA reunion in New Orleans. Just a
FANTA5TIC reunion with a great hotel, food,
hospitality room, various tours of New Orleans,
and great Squadron and Group dinners. Mike
saved the best for last — a fabulous Mardi-Gras
masquerade party on Sunday evening. He went all
out to provide us with some of the best music
(40 s style) we have heard in some time. How nice
of the "Andrew Sisters" to sing for us. If it wasn't
them, then they were the next best thing. Let's
not forget the very nice gifts to each of us
attending, including some really great T-shirts
and Tote Bags (stuffed with New Orleans
mementos) both emblazoned with the S> Ball Emblem.
for those ofyou unable to attend this function, you missed the premier reunion of the past six yea
don't know how Mike will be able to top this next year in San Diego, but we will be there for sure to find
know I speak for all the membership who partook of this great reunion, in thanking Mike for all his har
throughout this past year.
Now it'e on to 5an Diego in 2000.
Larry & Georgia Ann Herpel, 44th BGVA
15
®
���NEW ORLEANS AT ITS BEST
The
band
played
and the
44th
Bomb
Group
dipped
and
swirled,
delighted
to be
hearing
the
songs
that they sang a half century ago.
The ball was a romping, stamping
good time for all, inspiring
President Mike Mikoloski to
proclaim that nobody, but nobody,
could party like the 44th B G V A .
Mike
Yuspeh
gave
General
John
Gibson
the
keys to
the
city, with extra keys for President
Mike and Historian Will Lundy.
The candlelight ceremony was
a w e s o m e — a serious moment to
remember those w h o were
missing, some from 54 years back,
some very recently.
O f course, when serious
partying began, chores were
already completed. Mike Yuspeh,
Reunion Chairman hustled behind
the scenes, providing liquid
refreshments, snacks and working
space so registrants could find 8Ball tote bags replete with treats,
T-shirts, goodies and information.
Golf shirts went on sale, and it
was a sell-out. Treasurer Jerry
Folsom stood by, collecting dues;
and a band of organized helpers
managed a busy scene.
transfer from Will Lundy's tower
project. Mikoloski reminded the
m e m b e r s that only here in this
program can the full account of
the group's history be
preserved centuries into the
future.
V
Back in the corner of the
hospitality
room,
small
groups
gathered
around
Arlo
Bartsch's
computer.
From the
Database he could pull up crews,
planes, individuals and missions,
displaying it on the screen, and
giving everyone a chance to find
out what happened to this plane or
that buddy. Those w h o had
completed their personal bios
could find their youthful picture
and a recent one in full color. O n
a wide screen, it was impressive.
Working his
way through a
hefty agenda.
President
Mikoloski
updated the
group on the
financial stability
of the B G , while proceeding with
a very expensive undertaking the
Database. Funding for that was a
18
Memberships became a
universal assignment.
"Enroll kids and grand
kids," the President
entreated. "Time is running
out. Already the B G has
attracted some members
from the Strategic Missile
%;^
Wing, and they are so
welcome." Wiley Noble from the
3rd Strategic Air Depot
Association was present, and his
group was officially invited into
the 44th. "There is no doubt,
twenty years from n o w the 44th
B G V A will have n e w faces, but
the legend will be preserved,"
President Mike reminded
everyone.
Mikoloski named one of the
BG's most popular and admired
gentleman. General Gibson,
President Emeritus of the B G .
With his usual enthusiasm and
vigor, 'Jack' and his wife Ruth
came to the Reunion to share the
joy of reminiscing with old
buddies.
The Masquerade Ball was like a
trip to the Mardi Gras, without the
inconvenience of
crowds. Feathered
masks, a female
impersonator,
headless m a n ,
beggar, pirate,
southern belle,
jester; even a bag lady showed up
to dance to the music of the
students from Tulane University.
��THE WESTTN HORTON PLAZA SAN DIEGO
910 Brcad»iv CUxlc, Sao Diego, CA 92101
(619) 239-2200
CONFIRMATION #_
DATE OF FAX:
HOTEL FAX RESERVATION FORM
FAX NUMBER (619) 239-1730
GROUP NAME:
MEETTNG NAME:
44th Bomb Group-National Reunion
44th Bomb Group-National Reunion
MEETING DATES:
Auyiut 31,2000-September4,2000 Requests Must BeReteivecl Uy: August 1, 2000
PLEASE PRINT:
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(One Form per room, P L E A S E )
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Accommodation* may not be available if arrival time is priorto4:00 p m For revisions or cancellations please call: (800) 6VVESTIN.
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JCD, Visa, Mastercard or Discover) - Circle One.
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REQUEST WRITTEN CONFIRMATION SENT T O
A B O V E ADDRESS
,
Checks shoold be sent to (along with a copy of this form):
The W:srin H o n o n Plaza Sin Diego
910 Broadwdy Circle
Reservation forms received beyond the cutoff date listed above are
SaaDie«o, C A 92101
subject to spa;e and rate availability, If the room typerequestedis
not available, the next available roorn type will be assigned, If
I will be charged one night's room and tax which will be deducteo
yout group has a range of rites and the rate category requested has
from m y deposit or billed through m y credit card in the event I
been rilled, then the next available rate will apply. San Diego's
:ane«l within 4S hours of m y arrival 1 m a y cancel nsy
transient occupancy tax wiH apply to the above room rate
reservations without penalty prior to 48 hours of m y arrival.
Currently the Mte is 10.5%. Departure dates are confirmed at
check-in. Departures prior to this date will result in a $50.00
departure fee.
Signature
Reservations must be guaranteed by the first night's room deposit
or an accepted credit card lumber and signature.
Please guarantee m y reservation with (;heck one):
20
�44TH BOMB GROUP VETERANS ASSOCIATION BOARD
Wsident: Edw. K. "Mike" Mikoloski (66)
626 Smithfield Road #702
N. Providence, Rl 02904
Phone/Fax: (401) 353-0144
e-mail: EKMiko@aol.com
Director: Robert J. Lehnhausen (68)
2540 Benton Court
Peoria, IL 61615-8838
Phone/Fax: (309) 243-1952
Director: Michael "Mike" Yuspeh (506)
7214 Sardonyx St.
President Emeritus: B-Gen. John H. Gibson (Retired)
N e w Orleans, LA 70124-3509
7008 Gateridge
Phone: (504) 283-3424
Dallas, TX 75240-7936
e-mail: mikeyuspeh@worldnet.att.net
Phone: (972) 239-0559
Immediate Past President: Roy W. Owen (506)
6304 Meadowridge Drive
Santa Rosa, CA 95409-5839
Phone: (707) 538-4726 Fax: (707) 538-1212
e-mail: Rowen44bg@aol.com
Secretary: Nancy L. Van Epps (Hq. Sqdn.)
13922 River Road
Pensacola, FL 32507
Phone/Fax: (850) 492-2041
Treasurer: Gerald (Jerry) Folsom (506)
3582 East Dover Hill Road
Salt Lake City, U T 84121-5527
Phone (801) 733-7371 Fax: (801) 942-9988
e-mail: 44thbgva@xmission.com
Historian: C.W. "Will" Lundy (67)
3295 North "H" Street
San Bernardino, CA 92405-2809
Phone/Fax: (909) 882-2441
e-mail: willundy@aol.com
P.O. Box 315, Bridgeport, CA 93517 (Sum)
Phone/Fax: (760) 932-7349
Membership Co-Chair: Search
Art Hand (66)
517 Elm Street
Paris, IL 61944-1417
Phone/Fax: (217) 463-5905
e-mail: butch@tigerpaw.com
Director (67) Archivist
Anthony "Tony" Mastradone
9111 Tuckerman Street
Lanham, M D 20706-2709
Phone/Fax: (301) 577-1487
e-mail: mast@cires.com
Director (44th SMW)
Charles G. Simpson
\
P.O. Box 281
Brechenridge, C O 80424
Lanham, M D 20706-2709
Phone/Fax: (970) 453-0500
e-mail: AFMISSILEERS@compuserve.com
U.K. Representative: Steve Adams
28 Bassingham Rd.
Norwich, England NR3 2QT
Phone/Fax: 011-44-1603-400221
First Vice President: Richard D. Butler (506/67)
e-mail: s.p.adams@btinternet.com
44th Group VP to 2nd A D A
16494 Wagon Wheel Drive
ASSOCIATION MAILING ADDRESS:
Riverside, CA 92506
44th BGVA
Phone (909) 780-7421 Fax: (909) 780-1459
P.O. Box 712287
Salt Lake City, UT 84171-2287
�sources, from Jerry,
from Ruth, from Mike,
and many times from
the next of kin or in
response to letters
that I have written to
members. Too, Art
Hand often comes up
with the names of
deceased in his
valuable work to
locate our long "lost"
members.
P O W for our combat personnel that I
have used in the past two issues.
However, m y CO at this time has not
been updated to add over 200
sorties for the December \dAA
period. Consequently, I could not
come up with exact total of missions
flown for the men who flew missions
during this period. Arlo has finished
entering these sorties so my disk
will be updated as soon as possible;
and it will be more accurate in the
future.
If you fine people out there will
take the time necessary to complete
approaches for the
Y O U R O W N 1310 form and/or forms
next & 3all Tails, I
for your crew buddies, we could build
attempt to get to
up our computer data on BOTH our
work on them, do my best to try to
combat personnel and ALL 0THER5.
find as much appropriate data about
Our ground echelon people, as well as
each of these members as I can. To
do this, it often requires considerable our support organizations, must give
me, us more data about YOU. W e or I
searching into as many sources as I
have but very little data in the
have accumulated over these many
years. All too often, I come up empty official records that I've collected
for the past 2 5 years. I have nothing
or find too little to do justice to the
on the 464 t h Sub-depot personnel,
memory of that member, so it is
8>06 Chemical, 13th Weather,
quite frustrating. Roy Owen, our
Quartermaster, 2 0 3 3 Engineering,
past Prez, often reminded m e that
etc. except what you have sent to me
we must do as much as possible to
via your letters! Y O U R personal
do justice to the memory of our
bios can be an excellent source for
members.
our permanent records that will go
One thing that we have done
into our computer disk and be
lately is to adopt Arlo Bartsch's
available to everyone well into the
computer program and have entered
next millennium. This old man will be
nearly all of our 3 5 0 0 individual
gratefully happy for all the help you
sortie reports. Here is an excellent
can give me! H E A R ?
source of missions flown, wounded,
When deadline
WOUL §11
I have just finished compiling the
Folded Wings data for this issue. I
have had a very difficult time putting
it together. It has too many men
involved and is very difficult to
locate enough and correct data
about our fine men. Too, I have
overheard several comments at the
reunion concerning who wrote it, who
should be contacted to correct or
add to these accounts. I do make
mistakes.
So I would like to advise everyone
that the culprit is m e -1 have been
writing it for several years, perhaps
more. I get the source data from all
7VM JluHdcf,
n
�Gompiled by
Will Luwiy
ANDREOTTA.
JOSEPH A 8/5/99 67" Sq. 12093071 Radio
Operator on Raymond Bethel's crew. He was born on 07/09/18 and
Internment was in Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, Florida. T
Bethel crew flew 15 missions with the 489h BG, 844th BS prior to
transfer to the 44th BG on 18 November 1944. Then Joseph flew
his remaining tour of missions from 21 November 1944 to 4
March, 1945.
BENNETT. GEORGE F. DATE? Retired former Commander of Strategic
Missile Wing. No other data is available at this time.
BRISENDINE. NED H. Date? 506 Sqdn. Ground Personnel
BURTON, ROBERT E. 3/4/90 66* & 5O0h 13042716 Robert was a member of the original compliment of the 66* Sq.
that went to England on the HMS QUEEN MARY in Sept. 1942. He was an Aircraft Mechanic. During this period in
England he serviced ten airplanes including MARGARET
ANN of the 66* and ARIES or RAM IT - DAM IT and TINK
BELLE of the 506h. During the period that the 44th BG was in Africa (summer, 1943) Robert was temporarily assigne
the 479h Anti-submarine Sq. at Newquay and St. Eva! in Cornwall. In the Spring of 1944, he was transferred from t
to the 506* Sq. He returned to the States on the same HMS QUEEN MARY in June of 1945. "Bob" lived his entire
the Washington, D.C. area where, with his wife Mildred, he raised a family of seven children and worked in the l
business. Eventually he ran his own company.
CANTWELL. LAWRENCF Date ? 66* Sq. 16069865. He served as the Radio Operator on the original Shelby L Irby
crew that picked up HELEN B. HAPPY in early Spring and flew it alone over to England. His first mission with th
crew was on 6 March 1943 though he was an original member of the H.A. LASCO crew, flew his first mission with
29 May 1943 and several more in early July. Amoebic Dysentery prevented him from flying with them on the Ploesti
mission of 1 August 1943 when that crew was lost; so he then had to fly with several other crews until his tour of
missions, was completed.
QARLBERG. BERTH 11 Sept. 1999 67h Sq. 0- "Bert" was the original Navigator on the L.J. Crandell crew; flew wit
them on their first mission on 1 January 1945, and several others up until 18 March when he was with the E.P Rey
crew. On 1 March the Crandell's crew were forced to bail out over France when their aircraft ran out of fuel. The
Crandell's crew was lost on 24 March (Bert was not with them), so he completed his remaining missions with the Rey
crew. He was the only member of the original Crandell to survive.
QABEENTER, DALE H. 25 December 1985. Dale served with the 464th Sub-depot on the base at
Shipdham. His wife, BETTYE, stated that he died from cancer.
GABSOfLJJERBERT D. Jr. 12/3/98 67h Sq. 34258795 Herbert was an original member of the
l~C. Smith crew that arrived in north Africa shortly before the Ploesti mission. His pilot, LC.
SMITH was lost on the 16 August 43 mission while flying with another crew, so Herbert was
forced to fly mostly as a spare after that, the SMITH crew having been broken up. He was
Wlth the
D. Brown, Griffith and Thames crews, completing his tour of duty on 24 February
~ ^ l ] Z W L ^ l l v ? i M " a f , e a f Engineer, his last one was flown as a waist gunner.
23
����MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
Your Prez Mike says:
ft
mm MEMKR m A MEMKR
Contact your crew mate, roommate, friend, co-worker, associate and/or
any former m e m b e r of the 44th B o m b Group and urge him/her to join now
to enjoy the m a n y benefits offered by the 44th B o m b Group Veterans
Association.
As you have read about the Master Data Plan elsewhere in this issue,
you k n o w h o w w e are working as fast and as hard as possible to preserve
our heritage. You o w e it to your children and your children's children to be
included in the innovative Master Data Plan.
"Because our ranks (the original members of the 44th Bomb Group) are
diminishing with each passing year, m a n y of our members are enrolling
members of their family including grandchildren, all in the interest of
insuring the perpetual and preservation of the illustrious history of the 44th
B o m b Group and the remarkable contributions of the m e n and w o m e n w h o
served our nation and the free world in the 44th B o m b Group. I, for
instance, have taken out life memberships for m y two sons, one daughter
and one grandson."
60 MEMBERS! 60! 60 MEMBERS! 60!
For your convenience, we have enclosed a membership envelope.
Enclose the $20 membership fee,fillout the other needed information, stamp
toss it in the mail. Let those you love know more about you.
All generations are interested in the stories of
"The Greatest Generation."
<L
WATCH fOK UPCOMING DETAILS!
�DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
AIR FORCE HISTORICAL RESEARCH AGENCY
MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, ALABAMA
8 October 1999
AFHRA/RSA
600 Chennault Circle
Maxwell A F B A L 36112-6424
Col. Richard D. Butler, USAF Retired
Vice President 44" B o m b Group
16494 W a g o n Wheel Drive
Riverside, C A 92506-5550
Dear Col. Butler
Today, your son, Col. Butler delivered and demonstrated the C D R O M to m e It is a very
impressive piece of work. 1 would like to compliment you and other members of the I"4 Air
Division Association for producing and compiling this valuable source of information. Last
year, Mr. Arlo Bartsch donated a C D copy of similar information on the 379th B o m b Group. W e
will include the additional data on the 44li B o m b Group to the collection and make it available to
researchers as soon as posssible.
Once the Commander of the Agency returns from leave, 1 will draft a letter for his
signature endorsing this valuable and timely effort to continue the gathering and compiling of
information on the other World W a r II 8* Air Force units. I will also contact Mr. C. Will Lundy
about donating the source material used in the production of the C D to the Agency
Thanks for thinking of us and we appreciate you and your son, and the 2nd Air Division
Association efforts and interest in the preservation of the heritage of the United States Air Force
and its predecessors.
28
�I Remember...
By: Donald Potter on Lee's Crew, 67th Squadron
Submitted by: Don Wells
With a lifting surge of lightened load,
the destructive eggs of war were sowed,
Down, down, down, they arced,
Shrieking thinly toward their mark.
A flash, a flame, a spouting hazeamidst a twisting patterned maze,
High- High in the wintry sky,
silver glinting specks were seen,
like the figment of a drunken dream.
Men who braved the frigid blue,
looked back - and knew.
That the job was done,
one aid less to the weary Hun.
The ships have landed at their base.
S o m e are sober and some m e n smile,
as they leave their place.
Engines rumble- airships roar,
From England to the fertile Ruhr.
Ships carrying bombs and guns, and m e n
Scurry high o'er clouds and then,
Anxious faces scan cloudy skies
With ever moving watchful eyes,
Fingers fondle and flex each gunA check to see that all is done.
A formation steadies and draws in tight,
ready for the coming flight.
There's the target, approaching clear
Sighted by the Bombardier,
Course is killed
drift set right.
N o w the Flak guns shoot on sight.
A burst ahead,
A burst below,
A shattering impact,
A heavy blow.
Still upStill on they fly,
Ships and m e n to do or die.
Bombs away!
A chance to change, a chance to eat,
a chance to make the rest complete.
Evening tucks her shadows tight drawing close the cloak of night.
Birds - dogs - m e n - ships all sleep.
I pray the Lord, their souls He'll keep.
And - Please
Grant them heavy, restful —- sleep.
29
�f L^-ss-r^
f======: 2 S J
^r-f^^s^l
^ C ! ^ ^ ^ ^ \
y^Zs?;^^^
^ " 7
7
'
' '
J-T. Elias sent m e his book, War
and
Women, a WWII novel based on
his experience as a Tail Gunner, and
his friend w h o was in the Paratroops.
His protagonist, Leo Khouri, an Arab
American suffers his w a y through
contemptuous officers and finally
opts for gunnery school. His
religious and patriotic convictions are constantly
challenged by his friend, Bernard, w h o criticized the military
and political leaders unstintingly.
Jack Daylin, Leo's best friend, is a paratrooper w h o
chutes into Sicily, Salerno, Normandy and Bastogne. The
misfortune of injuries briefly brings the two friends together
in London, but war separates them again.
War and Women is an account of life in America
starting during the Depression days, continuing into the
loss of innocence of America's youth in WWII. Any member
of the 44th BG can identify with the emotional upheavals
in dealing with the battle scenes and female interactions,
as seen through the eyes of a young flier in England.
Alongside the personal trials of Leo and Jack is a
documentation of the status of the war at the same time
that these two young men are facing their personal crises.
Elias researched the opinions of the generals on particular
operations, and the decisions that sometimes led to
disastrous outcomes. He provides an occasional glimpse
at the German side, and the tears shed over there w h e n
war hit one of theirs.
Elias records happy experiences with some Brits,
unfortunate moments with others. He brings the two lead
characters together again in a London hospital. Leo returns
home, unchanged in his moral convictions. Jack and his
comrades part, pondering the value of the outcome
compared to the price. They probably mirror the attitude
of the average Gl on VJ Day.
Elias was a member of the 392nd B o m b Group, 14th
Combat Wing. His 447 page book can be obtained by
writing to: Flying Eightball Productions, 7 E. Union Street,
Nanticoke, PA 18634. The price is $24.95.
A n e w book, Liberator Album, has just been
released by SPECIALTY PRESS, 11481 Kost D a m
Road, North Branch, M N 55056. A hardbound,
192 page, 81/2x11 format features 538 b & w and
29 full color pictures of wartime photographs,
compiled by two men, Mike Bailey and Tony
North, w h o as youngsters watched the B-24's
form and depart for their targets. The price is
$39.95. Contact publisher at (800) 895-4585 or
(612) 583-3239.
30
Warren F. McPherson sent m e his book of
reminisces, The Wild Blue Yonder, a careful
tabulation of his experiences as a Waist Gunner.
The excitement of aviation enthralled him as
m u c h as his unwillingness to kowtow to a
sarcastic draft officer. He enlisted and ultimately
found himself with the James N. Williams crew
in the 44th Group, 66th Squadron.
McPherson's 81/2 x 11 soft cover book details
each of his thirty missions—what went wrong and
w h a t went right, never seeming to lose his
determination to meet his obligations squarely.
His account is a constant reminder of the
mysteries, the dangers, the disappointments in
the wild blue yonder. McPherson later lived out
a lifetime goal—to become a minister.
A m o n g his treasured memories was 'his
shortest sermon.' After the stress of many
missions, seeing planes go down around him,
with frazzled nerves, he answered a bunkmate's
question with some strong profanity. Hours later
a crew m e m b e r unexpectedly landed a powerful
punch in the face, telling him never again to use
those words. H e never did.
Art H a n d ' s research eventually led to
McPherson locating his crew. Five men and their
wives went to their latest crew reunion in Dayton.
It has become an annual event.
The Wild Blue YonderMs available at cost for
$4.60 each. Write Warren F. McPherson, 1016 E.
Rockwood Street, Springfield, M O 65807-5092.
BOOK
REPORTS
�FROM THE NEXT
Written Bvj: Ellen
As I grew up, I was aware that my Dad, Perry
was a tail gunner in a bomber plane while stati
England in World W a r II. H e w a s part of the war and
served his country-that w a s the most that I knew about
my Dad's army-air corps experience. Last year, I had the
opportunity to take a ride in a B-24, courtesy of the
Collings Foundation. It w a s that experience that opened
up a whole n e w appreciation of m y Dad's character and
his loyalty to his country.
The B-24 was noisy and once I w a s strapped in for
takeoff, I realized that I really did not want to unstrap
myself. While sitting there, I could view the ground
directly below m e through the opening between the gun
turret and the rest of the plane. I finally found the
courage to unstrap myself and walk around. I held on
and while walking through, never let m y hands off
objects on the sides of the plane to help keep m y
balance. I visited the tail gunner position and walked on
the cat walk in between the b o m b bay doors. The entire
flight lasted about 30 minutes and it w a s as exciting as
it was stressful. To think that m y Dad flew 35 missions
in that aircraft is something that I cannot even imagine.
The flight was just the beginning. I became so
interested in Dad's war experiences that I rented the
movie, Memphis Belle, and watched with special interest
how a team of soldiers fought and survived the war.
And it did not stop there. I rented the movie, Twelve
O'clock High, as part of a leadership course I w a s taking.
In a period of a few months, I learned of m y Dad's war
experience and could finally k n o w and appreciate his
contribution not only to his country, but to his flight
crew and to his family that he would later establish. I
could not totally know; only those that were there and
lived through the experiences would be able to feel what
that part of their life meant.
After the flight, m y Dad talked about his experiences
and answered the m a n y questions I had. He shared
stories about his flight crew, the missions, the 50 caliber
machine guns, the teamwork, the sorrows, the
friendships he established, and the recent activities of
the 44th B o m b Croup. I'm not sure what his telling of
these stories meant for him, but I do k n o w that it w a s
an opportunity for m e to visit a part of m y Dad's life that
had been distant to m e .
I a m a direct benefactor of m y Dad's army and
National Guard experiences. I a m the good that resulted
from the war and the country's defense activities. I thank
you, Dad, for w h o you are, what you accomplished.
what you stand for, and what you gave m e .
ANOTHER
REASON
TO DO YOUR
DATABASE
The 44th BGVA's database will n o w b
accepted by the Air Force Historical Researc.
Agency. Do your Bio! Researchers and historian:
/
will study W W I I events for centuries
1
Let your story be a part of these pages
Letter to the Editor,
Military Heritage Data Base
Larry Herpel writes to inform us that he has enlisted the
aid of two members of the 44th BGVA to assist him in loading
the personal biographies of those who served in the 44th
Bomb Group, into the 8th AF Military Heritage Data Base.
These two volunteers are Mrs. Ruth Dobbs, who's husband
LTC Sterling L. Dobbs, served with the 68th Bomb Squadron
at Shipdham and Jeffrey Deitering who's grandfather also
served with the 44th BG and the 66th Bomb Squadron. W e
appreciate their volunteering after the call went out for help
from President Mike Mikoloski at our recent reunion in N e w
Orleans.
W e encourage all those veterans that are still holding
their Bio forms and have not sent them to Jerry Folsom, to
please do so, as soon as possible. Please include a recent
photo, a war time photo and a picture of your crew, if
possible. If a war time photo is not available, it is possible to
enlarge and scan your picture from your crew photo. W e
would prefer however, to have a separate picture. Your
pictures will be returned to you.
Our data base is growing with personal biographies, but
w e are still a LONG w a y from gathering information on all our
veterans. If you have not received a form, and wish one,
please call Larry Herpel at 512-376-7780.
"WE NEED YOUR PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS A N D MILITARY
HISTORY WITH THE 44th FOR FUTURE POSTERITY."
Larry Herpel, Master Database Team Chief
��
Dublin Core
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Title
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8 Ball Tails
Newsletter
Dublin Core
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Title
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8 Ball Tails Volume 3 - Issue 3: Winter 1999
Source
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<span>44th Bomb Group Veteran's Association Website (<a class="in-cell-link" target="_blank" href="http://www.8thairforce.com/44thbg" rel="noreferrer noopener">Now Inactive</a>)</span>
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
Winter 1999
-
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�44TH BOMB GROUP VETERANS ASSOCIATION BOARD
Official Journal of
President E m e r i t u s : B - G e n . J o h n H . G i b s o n (Retired)
7008 Gateridge
Dallas, T X 7 5 2 4 0 - 7 9 3 6
Phone: (972) 239-0559
Director: Robert J. Lehnhausen (68)
2540 Benton Court
Peoria, IL 61615-8838
Phone/Fax: (309) 243-1952
The 8-Ball Tails©
The 44th Bomb
Group Veterans
Association, Inc. ©
Compiled, written
Immediate Past President: Roy W. Owen (506) Director: Michael "Mike" Yuspeh (506)and published tri7214 Sardonyx St.
6304 Meadowridge Drive
yearly at 2041
New Orleans, LA 70124-3509
Santa Rosa, CA 95409-5839
Village Circle East,
Phone/Fax: (504) 283-3424
Phone: (707) 538-4726 Fax: (707) 538-1212
York, PA, by Ruth
e-mail: mikeyuspeh@worldnet.att.net
e-mail: Rowen44bg@aol.com
W . Davis-Morse,
Editor. Printed and
mailed Bulk Rate
President: Edw. K. "Mike" Mikoloski (66/67) Director (44 SMW)
at Salt Lake City,
Charles G. Simpson
626 Smithfield Road #702
UT under USPS
P.O.
Box
281
N. Providence, Rl 02904
Permit #6923. All
Brechenridge, CO 80424
Phone/Fax: (401) 353-0144
original written
Phone/Fax: (970) 453-0500
e-mail: EKMLIB44@msn.com
material such as
e-mail: AFMISSILEERS@compuserve.com
letters, stories,
First Vice President: Richard D. Butler (506/67)
excerpts from
Historian: C.W. "Will" Lundy (67)
44th Group VP to 2nd ADA
personal diaries or
3295 North "H" Street
16494 Wagon Wheel Drive
memoirs, drawings
San Bernardino, CA 92405-2809
Riverside, CA 92506
and photos
Phone/Fax: (909) 882-2441
Phone (909) 780-7421 Fax: (909) 780-1459
submitted to this
e-mail: willundy@aol.com
e-mail: rdbutler@excelonline.com
journal will become
P.O. Box 315, Bridgeport, CA 93517 (Sum the property of the
Phone/Fax: (760) 932-7349
Treasurer: Gerald (Jerry) Folsom (506)
44th Bomb Group
3582 East Dover Hill Road
Veterans
Membership: Search
Salt Lake City, UT 84121-5527
Association and
Phone (801) 733-7371 Fax: (801) 942-9988
Art Hand (66)
will be copyright
e-mail: 44thbgva@xmission.com
517 Elm Street
protected except
where noted. The
Paris, IL 61944-1417
text and photos
Secretary: Nancy L. Van Epps (Hq. Sqdn.)
Phone/Fax: (217) 463-5905
are otherwise
13922 River Road
e-mail: k9hwp@comwares.net
reproduced from
Pensacola, FL 32507
official USAAF and
Phone/Fax: (850) 492-2041
U.K. Representative: Steve Adams
USAF documents
28 Bassingham Rd.
and photos which
Director (67) Archivist
Norwich, England NR3 2QT
have been released
Anthony "Tony" Mastradone
Phone/Fax: 011-44-1603-400221
for publication.
9111 Tuckerman Street
e-mail: s.p.adams@btinternet.com
Permission is
Lanham, M D 20706-2709
granted for the
Phone/Fax: (301) 577-1487
ASSOCIATION MAILING ADDRESS:
contents of this
e-mail: mast@clres.com
44th BGVA
journal to be
P.O. Box 712287
reproduced
Salt Lake City, UT 84171-2287
specifically for
personal archives.
Otherwise, copyright material herein may be reproduced by the journal of other incorporated non-profit veterans organizations so long as this publication is
properly credited and prior permission is granted by the editor.
Those submitting letters, stories and photos to the editor or historian must do so with the understanding that this material will most likely be publishe
journal as a matter of interest to the members/subscribers of the Association and this journal. While every attempt will be made to answer all of the material
received, there is no explicit or implied guarantee that an answer will be provided or published. Except for specific requests for the return of original documents
and photos, all material submitted will become the property of the 44th Veterans Association, Inc., or its successors.
«
®
�COVER PICTURE (CONT.):
The front plane, formerly Delectable Dorises been renamed Joe, in
honor of the late Joseph P. Kennedy. It's markings are of the 359
Bomb Group, Bethel. Behind it is the All American, bearing the markings of the 453nd Bomb Group, Old Buckingham. Both are from
Second Combat Wing. Young Joe Kennedy died on a mission to
knock out Germany's V 2 rocket launching sites.
Joeis being restored at the Fantasy in Flight Museum, Polk City,
Florida. All American, the last fully restored,flyingLiberator in the world has been renamed
Dragon and his Tail. The Collins Foundation of Stowe, VT is the owner of the plane. Because it
was used in the Pacific, they have renamed it to honor all aircraft and crews that flew in the
Pacific Theater. The original All American wis lost in combat, but holds the record for the most
enemy aircraft shot down.
Wiley Noble is Secretary of the 3rd Strategic Air Depot Association National Headquarters
GOOD N E W S FOR AF STATION 115
Our UK, Representative, Steve A d a m s ,
sends word that Mrs. E. Paterson, owner of the
Shipdham Airfield property occupied by the now
defunct Arrow Air Services, has signed a lease
with the newly formed Shipdham Aero Club. In
her search for a new leasee, she had stipulated
the leasee must maintain a museum in its
facility with a theme that would perpetuate the
history of the wartime 44th F3omb Group. The
new Aero Club whose membership Includes 60
former members of the Arrow Air Services club
enthusiastically agreed to the stipulation. They
have taken occupancy and the clubhouse is
already being repaired and redecorated. Steve
Adams has pined and has been appointed
Historian and M u s e u m Director/Curator. He is
preparing to return all the 44th historical
material which he removed from the Aero Air
facility and had stored in his garage. They will be
back on display at the restored club when the
decoration is completed. While the report was
brief, a lot of enthusiasm from the Aero Club
came shining through. The club owns two airplanes and will be storing other member owned
airplanes. This is a good beginning from which
the operation can grow.
This is great news for those of us who
have always felt strongly that as long as A F 115
could remain open with some kind of flying
activity we would always have our wartime home
to revisit. The historic base has been our link to
perpetuate the love and respect we share with
the people of Shipdham and hope to carry on
through our progeny.
W e will have a more expanded report on
A F Station 115 (hopefully with some pictures)
from Steve in the next 3 F3all Tails.
IRoy Ocue*t
�The Evolution of the 44th BG To Missileer
Charlie Simpson's Story
a maintenance officer
Fourteen years after
throughout the short life
W W I I was over, and the
of the Titan 1.1 was
Cold W a r was 'heating up,'
involved in the acceptance
new weapons and new
procedure for new sites
airmen were taking center
and new missiles, and was
stage. Among those who
involved in the removal of
were part of this
those same missiles and
transition was Charlie
the dismantling of the
Simpson. In his own
same sites three years
words, he describes the
later. The Titan I was
evolutionary process:
probably like the B-24 in
I'm a lifetime member
some ways - it was a large,
of the 44th Bomb Group
complex weapon system
Veterans Association—but
that took a lot of people to
my time in the 44th was a
make it work. W e had as
long time after the unit was
many as 100 folks on a
called a Bomb Group— I
Titan I site to operate,
served in the 68th
maintain, secure and
Strategic Missile Squadron Col. CIIARIES SiivipsoN, COMMANCIER of JUE 44rh
support three nuclear
and the 44th Strategic
C O M I W SuppoRT C R O U P , EllswoRih AFB, S.D. 1981
tipped PA missiles - a big
Missile Wing. Those of us
work force for a small part
who served in the later
of the nuclear deterrence.
version of the 44th had
strong ties to our past—we all knew the
history of the original unit, and felt we had
W h e n the Titan I era ended, most of us
close ties with those of you who flew B-24's
who had served in the system went on to
during the war in Europe.
newer missiles—I headed north and east to
TITAN I
Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota, to become
I started my Air Force career in late
a missile launch officer in the newest ICBM
1959, first as an aircraft maintenance
system, the Minuteman II. The "Deuce" was
officer at Hanscom Field, Massachusetts. In
just becoming part of the inventory of the
early 1961, the Air Force began asking
Strategic Air C o m m a n d — I got to perform
officers and enlisted people to volunteer for
some of the same "acceptance" tasks at
duty in the coming intercontinental ballistic
Grand Forks as I did with the early Titan I.
missiles - an opportunity for those of us who
As a member of the eleventh missile combat
could not fly to become part of a combat
crew, out of 100, to become combat ready, I
organization. I made a quick trip to the
was involved in training those crew members
personnel office as soon as I saw a notice. I
behind m e on an entirely new weapons
was told that in a few weeks I would be
system. I spent my share of missile alerts
going into the missile career field in the
below the North Dakota prairie - we would
brand new Titan I missile at Mountain H o m e
stay on alert for 36 to 48 hours, five or six
AFB, Idaho. I spent the next four years as
times a month in those days, in a concrete
®
�CO OF TOE 0 0 T H
STRATEGIC MISSILE
CApi. CIHARIES SivipsoN
(SEATECJ) AI
DEpury MissioN
C O M M A N C I C O N S O I E VVJIIH EVAIUAIOR C A P T . DANJEI
CREW
Dowi\ii\q. 1 981
enclosure 6 0 feet below ground and between
60 and 120 miles from the air base. The big
difference was that it took about the same
number of people to operate and maintain
150 Minuteman II missiles as it did to keep
nine Titan I missiles on alert. During m y five
years in the 321st Strategic Missile Wing
(a B-25 medium bomber group in the war), I
trained and evaluated missile crews, and
represented the wing twice at the Strategic
Air Command Missile Combat Competition.
In 1969, our team of twelve officers and
N C O s brought back the Blanchard trophy as
the best missile wing in SAC.
Oyer the next seven years, I served in
two S A C Headquarters jobs: First as an
operations evaluator traveling to each of the
nine missile wings to assess their combat
readiness. Then as the chief of the office
that developed the Single Integrated
Operational Plan factors for missile
performance - the specifics of accuracy and
reliability that provided the war planners
the basis for target assignments. In 1977,1
attended Air W a r college. For m y elective
course, I spent three months reading the
histories of the 44th and 321st Strategic
Missile Wings and writing a paper about
those units.
In June 1978,1 reported to the 44th
and immediately took command of the
68th Strategic Missile Squadron. The
68th consisted of 60 young missile launch
officers who manned the five launch
control centers in western South Dakota,
around Sturgis, Spearfish, Belle Fourche,
Newell and other small towns. These five
underground centers controlled fifty
Minuteman II missiles spread over more
than 5,000 square miles of prairie.
On m y first day as commander, the
outgoing commander gave m e a package that
included some important documents - a list
of every commander of the 68th from its
initial activation in 1942 and a history of the
bomb group and bomb wing before it became
a missile unit. In those days, w e had a deep
respect for the history of our units—and
that respect continues today in the
remaining I C B M units. I served as the 68th
commander for almost two years, then
moved to the position of Assistant Deputy
Commander for Operations in the wing.
During that period, we opened the museum
at Ellsworth, with a 44th Bomb Group
display one of the highlights. It shared
center stage with a history of the high
altitude balloon flights conducted in the
mid-1930s from the Black Hills. The opening
ceremonies featured a visit from two of the
scientists from the National Geographic who
were involved in those tests—in 1980, they
were the President and Chairman of the
National Geographic Society.
�I JOHNSON
THE SCENE
In 1983,1 left the 44th for m y first
In M a y 1981,1 took command of the
overseas assignment. I had been selected to
44th Combat Support Group and became the
command a new base in Sicily—a base that
"mayor" of Ellsworth AFB, then the third
wasn't there yet. Oyer the next fourteen
largest community in South Dakota. In 1982,
months, I oversaw the activation and
I had the honor of representing the wing at
construction of a
the 44th Bomb
new ground
Group 40th
launched cruise
Anniversary
missile base—a
reunion in Rapid
task made
City. One of m y
fondest
difficult because
memories is the
we kept digging up
scene of over
U S and British
500 of you
bombs that were
snapping to
dropped during
attention when
the Sicily
General Leon
campaign. The
Johnson entered
base was the
the banquet hall
called Magliocco
at the Howard
Air Base. It was
Johnson's. Osier
captured so
the next few
rapidly that
months, I got to
German bombers
know General
that took off to
Johnson because
bomb Patton's
he visited us
landing troops
again. W e invited
were met by
him to return to
American GIs
talk to our junior
when they
officers about
returned for
the meaning of
refueling and
"officership." H e
rearming. I was
not only talked to
the first person
the young men
to arrive at what
and women of the
we then called
wing and base, he
Comiso Air Base;
made a series of
but when I left
MilNUTEMAN LAUNCEI Al VANdENbERq A F B , CAlifoRI\iA.
videos that summarized his
the following year, w e had
concept of being an officer in our nation's
an operational missile wing and over 1200
military. I also had a great opportunity. I
troops on the base.
was able to sit and talk one-on-one with him
on several occasions about leadership and
command.
*
�I spent the next forty years on bases in
Turkey and Spain as base commander-both
bases were key training locations for our
European fighter units. W e normally had
two or three squadrons of fighters from
bases in Germany or England, using our bomb
ranges and aerial combat areas. I ended my
thirty years at Minot AFB, North Dakota, as
Chief of Staff of the 57th Air Division, the
host organization for the base, with a bomb
wing and missile wing assigned to it.
Interestingly, the 57th had been the 57th
Bomb Wing in the war - and the 321st Bomb
Group (the missile wing at Grand Forks I
served in) was a part of that wing in Europe.
I'm sure that some of the bombs I watched
being dug up at Comiso were delivered by the
B-25's of the 321st in 1943.
O n July 4th, 1994,1 made my last visit
to an active 44th unit - the 44th Missile
Wing, a victim of the Strategic Arms
Reduction treaties, closed on that day.
Veterans from throughout the history of
the 44th Bomb Group, Bomb Wing, Strategic
Missile Wing and Missile Wing (we lost the
"strategic" designation in 1992), stood at
silent attention as the flag of the 44th was
folded for the last time. The memories of
the 44th are well preserved, not only in the
fine museum outside the gates at Ellsworth,
but in the minds of all of those who were a
part of a unit that played a key part in our
nation's defense for over 52 years.
Editor's Note: Charles Simpson is
Executive Director of the
Association of Air Force Missileers.
14" mi SHIP
m MM IHflllfl
Thursday. August 31 - Sunday. September 3
This Year's Attractions:
Visit the beautiful Hotel del Coronado. This is a
historic landmark, a building that is over 100 years
old. It's unique architectural style can only be found
on this building. Browse the 25 boutiques and shops.
The grounds will take your breath away. Since the
buildings were not built at the same time, no one can
understand how it all came together. The story of
construction is worth visiting this structure. It is
located on the Island of Coronado, across the bay
from San Diego. The beautiful sight is worth the visit.
As other people visit the Carrier, you can visit this
magnificent hotel.
The Aircraft Carrier visit will be limited by the numbe
that the Navy will let board at one time. Please check
on your registration if you wish to visit the carrier. This
involves a lot of walking, but the experience is well
worth your effort.
Balboa Park, The Zoo. Inside the park is the Air &
Space Museum. I know the Panda is cute, but as
some one told m e the best kept secret in the Balboa,
as well as the Zoo. Transportation will be furnished to
the park and, stop at the entrance to the Zoo. There
are trams to take you to the museums and other
attractions inside the park. W e left a whole day to visit
San Diego's main attraction.
Make your reservations
and arrangements now!!!
�lt is for the above reasons that your Board and 1
conceived and are sponsoring two (2) drives - one
that is traditional and the other that is innovative.
The former is the Fund Drive for the M D B and the
latter is a Membership Contest.
The Fund Drive was kicked off with my letter of
January 31, 2000 to each of you, appealing for
contributions to support the MASTER DATABASE
P R O G R A M (MDB) in which w e are both the
innovators and the leaders.
The new millennium arrived 'like a lamb' despite
all the pessimistic predictions of temporal or
cosmic problems by the 'gloom and doom' Y2K
Apocalypsians. And so, w e in the 44th BGVA
arrived into the new millennium with pride,
enthusiasm, energy and a spirit of hope, optimism,
innovation and challenge - not unlike the style w e
demonstrated in the war and post-war years that
earned us the reputation as The Greatest
Generation. W e made the commitments, the
sacrifices and the efforts required of us to meet the
challenges confronting us. Then, having overcome
these threats and subduing our adversaries, w e
again demonstrated the finest of human qualities
by providing our adversaries with aid and
encouragement that enabled them to become
productive members of the community of nations.
Never have a people of any generation given more
generously of its blood, sweat and tears, and
shared -- no GAVE - much of its wealth to heal the
wounds of friend and foe alike.
The 44th BGVA is but a microcosm of The Greatest
Generation, and our reincarnation, growth,
stability and success are just causes for our pride.
But, at the same time they present us with a
challenge - a challenge to insure that our sacrifices,
efforts and accomplishments are recorded accurately
and permanently in our electronic MASTER
DATABASE P R O G R A M (MDB) that can be used by
historians, researchers and our children's children.
A challenge also, to insure that all former
members of the 44th BG and its support units are
given every opportunity to join the 44th BGVA and
8
be included in this major undertaking.
As you may perhaps know, we have completed
Phase 1 (Archival information and 8500 Sorties)
and are in the process of implementing Phases 11
(Bios), 111 (340 Mission Summaries) and IV (Will
Lundy's historical data, photos, diaries, etc.).
Financially speaking, Phase 1 is fully paid; Phase
is self funded; Phases 111 and IV, however, require
separate funding that is not available from our
current and/or future operating budgets. Hence
the necessity for the Fund Drive, the first in the
44th BGVA, but a TRADITIONAL method in similar
non-profit organizations.
The EVERY MEMBER GET A MEMBER ("E-M-G-AM") CONTEST was kicked off in the winter issue of
the 8-Ball Tails, although the contest rules are only
being published in this Spring issue. The contest
is crucial to our continued growth and vitality;
because as you know, members are the critical
element of all organizations. Our records indicate
that there are some 2,000 members of the 44th BG
w h o have not joined the 44th BGVA. When you
add to this number the wives, children,
grandchildren, relatives and friends, the pool of
prospective n e w members can easily double or
triple to 4,000 or 6,000.
It is this pool of prospective members we should
try to reach, not only for the obvious benefits to the
44th BGVA, but also for the personal benefit to
each non-member - especially in view of the fact
that the only w a y they can learn about the
MILITARY DATABASE P R O G R A M (MDB) and be
able to record their military records permanently
in the N M P is by joining the 44th BGVA. 1 strongly
�believe it is our responsibility to our Comradesin-Arms to make every effort to contact them or
their families and apprise them of this
opportunity. Time is of the essence, and w e
should not procrastinate any longer. 1 urge all of
you to adopt m y 'Zero Tolerance' attitude.
When you make a donation and enroll a new
member you will be insuring the completion of
M D P and the unprecedented increase in the
growth and vitality of our cherished and beloved
organization.
FINAL THOUGHT
I W O U L D RATHER ATTEMPT TO DO SOMETHING
GREAT A N D FAIL, THAN ATTEMPT
TO DO NOTHING A N D SUCCEED.
EVERY MEMBER GET A MEMBER!
EVERY M E M B E R MAKES A DONATION.
* v*
fT'Stl/AfTOWPN-niEAMDNWIrTOlL!
GFT YOM MOWUY DONE NOW!
Have you done your Database? If not, why not? Nobody is
getting any younger. You might have to rattle around your
attic to find s o m e old pictures—but do it. You were in the
greatest conflict in the history of the world. You helped save the
world from horror beyond imagination. If you don't record it the way it
happened to you personally, future generations will think it was a turkey
shoot.
Larry Herpel is heading up the effort to load the biographies into the Database,
a project that is proceeding smoothly but slowly. Working with him is Ruth Dobbs,
wife of LTC Sterling Dobbs 68th B S and Jeffrey Deitering, w h o had a relative in the
66th. Larry could use another volunteer to enter data. To qualify, you must have basic
knowledge of your computer, and have s o m e experience in W o r d Processing. Call Larry
at (512) 3 7 6 - 7 7 8 0 . You will work in wonderment as you read the reports, that this
generation could have m a d e such a sacrifice.
Filling out forms may seem like a lot of trouble; but you will be glad you did it. Even a
hundred years from now, a grandchild, a historian or a casual researcher will be glad to
find your story. You deserve to have the details of your sacrifice on record.
To quote Tommy Shepherd, "As certain as geese fly south in the winter, we can't outlive
history. Time is of essence and essence is not to be wasted."
If you need forms for your bios, contact:
Jerry Folsom
RO. Box 7 1 2 2 8 7
Salt Lake City, Utah 8 4 1 7 1 - 2 2 8 7
�W U K2
In the past week or so most of
you readers have received a letter
from the Board and signed by our
Prez requesting financial
assistance - a donation - to assist
in the data entry of more of our
history into the new data base
program. Preliminary words have
indicated that many of you have
generously opened your purse
strings so this work can move
ahead.
This "work" that we have been
referring to, in general, resides
here in m y "war" room, but is not
"my" material. No, the fact is
that it is your material. You have
been so helpful to m e by providing
data that can be found nowhere
else. The archives have many
records and material, but it does
not have the personal, "i was
there," data. It is this material or
information about your
experiences, your life, your records
that must not be lost.
Most of us have been privileged
to view Arlo Bartsch's data based
program in action and have
marveled at the amount of
detailed data that can be placed in
this program and made available
immediately. The programming
work is excellent. Naturally, while
B
viewing this program in action,
I've been thinking and hoping that
your material could be added into
the program. So we invited Arlo to
visit, to see what is stored here
and to get his evaluation or his
program to assimilate it.
Richard "Dick" Butler, a
"neighbor," our Vice President and
active Chairman of a 2nd A D A
Committee studying Arlos'
program, kindly agreed to attend
to check out this material too. I
a m greatly relieved to learn that,
after reviewing much of this type
of material on hand, that the
program, indeed, was designed to
accommodate it all!
Once this was determined, the
next step was to ascertain or
prioritize the data entry of it,
What to do first? That proved to
be difficult for which is more
important than the other? It was
a subjective thing for me, being so
closely involved in its accumulation.
Dick and Arlo, having actual
combat experiences, helped with
their evaluation. W e agreed that
we needed to provide data about
the target and an overall summary
for every one of our 3 4 4 missions.
So, this text is now being entered.
10
A very close second task will
require more data entry expenses
due to the volume on hand. These
will be the personal diaries, some
of which are in great detail, day by
day accounts. While others might
be only the recollections of events
on one mission or an event that
you have furnished in a letter.
Another subject that is
important is photographs. A name
is just a name that we see in a
sortie report, or events in a diary,
but a photo changes all of that as
it now becomes a person. When
one accesses a sortie report in the
Program, each m a n is identified
by his name, but if we have his
photo, then his likeness appears in
the upper right corner on the
screen. W e see him, he comes into
view, becomes a person.
Yes, here and on hand are many
good crew photos that can be
utilized to access the photo of each
crew member, but we will need
more, especially in the period later
in the war. W e need to gather
more of them, group or single, for
posterity. The same is true for
personal experiences in the form of
diaries or individual stories that
you have carried all these years
and have not put in writing or
voice tapes. I urge you to get
them recorded by some means and
sent to me.
0
�Yes, data entry costs a great deal of
money; most likely much more than we can
donate. However, Arlo's program is OPEN
ENDED, so data can always be corrected or
added if and when further financing is
obtained. Remember too, that we, the
"44thers", are now the foremost pioneering
bomber group in the Second Air Division
utilizing this program, are number one. We
must maintain the status of having the first
and best available history.
My personal and sincere thanks to all of
you for making all of this possible.
7VM AccHdy
Due to space limitations and to
ensure the clarity and brevity of
submitted material, the Publisher/
Editor reserves the editorial license
to add, cut or otherwise modify all
submitted material so long as the
original context of the material is
maintained.
SILVER WINQS
A cup of gold spills from on high
A n d sunlight paints m y wings;
A cotton quilt, an azure sky,
These are an airman's things.
There is a peace, there is a joy
That moves all those who've flown
As earth unrolls, as lakes deploy,
A n d eye meets tone on tone.
And God comes, too, when spinning blade
Its winding movement stills,
W h e n need portends 'Be not afraid,
But join as one our wills.'
So let me fly on silvery wing
Until m y day runs thin,
A greater skill will surely bring
This airman gently in.
A cup of gold spills from on high
A n d brightly shows the way.
There is no night, no danger rude,
This is a wondrous day.
Have \\o\\ changed your
address, e-mail telephone number!
Please iwiiiif us at:
My course is set for altitude
W h e r e pilots all convene,
For I a m in the Hand of G o d
With flight plan He has seen.
Ray Ward
Read at services for K.J. Kurtenbach,
Stalag 17-B Camp Leader
P0B©* 712287
Salt Lake City, Ul 841 71-2287
n
�ANNOUNCING
THE EVERY-MEMBER-GET-A-MEMBER CONTEST
CASH PRIZES
The Board of Directors is pleased to announce the EVERY-MEMBER-GET-AMEMBER-CONTEST, with cash prizes totaling $700, and many other cash equivalent
prizes that raise this total to over $1,000. In addition to the cash prizes, the contest
^
winners will receive other prizes that include:
Breakfast for two at the The Westin Horton Plaza San Diego
44th BGVA Reunion SHIPDHAM TOWER lithograph
Gold Plated Pen and Pencil Set
Other prizes will be added and announced at the San Diego Reunion.
The Contest began January 1,2000 and terminates September 2,2000 at the 44th BGVA Seventh
Reunion in San Diego. Members may reproduce the entry forms and submit them, individually or
collectively, along with their checks to the following address:
44th B G V A
Attention: "E-M-G-A-M" C O N T E S T
P.O. B o x 712287
Salt Lake City, U T 84171-2287
Entries will be accepted at the Reunion to midday (1200 hours) Saturday, September 2,2000.
All of us become winners whether we win one of the prizes or not, because the end result is an increase
in our membership and the inclusion into our organization some of the 2,000 lost, mis-addressed,
deceased and/or otherwise unaffiliated colleagues and their families. W e owe it to our lost brothers to
bring them back into the fold, so that they, too, may enjoy the benefits of membership in our organization
At minimum, they and their families should be given the opportunity to know about the 44th BGVA, and
to have their records, their valorous deeds and their sacrifices entered into the 44th B G V A Military
Database. Their contributions must be included for their children's and their grandchildren's sake. To
deny them this last chance is unthinkable.
In this crucial undertaking, let us adopt a 'zero tolerance' attitude.
Every member gets a member. Contact and enroll your colleagues today.
XXgfM*"*^
BLUE RIBBON PERFORMANCE
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�EVERY-MEMBER-GET-A-MEMBER CONTEST RULES
Eligibility.
All members in good standing (Life, Regular, Associate, Honorary) of the 44th B o m b
Group Veterans Association are eligible to participate and receive prizes. Officers and
Board Members may participate, but are ineligible to receive prizes.
Method.
Points will be awarded for enrolling former members of the 44th B o m b Group, the 44th S M W , 14th Combat Wing, 44th Air Refueling
Squadron, the 3rd Strategic Air Depot, and Support Elements like Finance, MP, 806th Ordnance, 50th Sta. Complement, 464th SD,
(living or deceased), their families, friends and/or associates. Points will also be earned for re-enrolling former members (and their
families and friends) of the 44th B o m b Group Veterans Association whose memberships have lapsed since the 1998/99 membership
years.
Point Scoring.
Winners will be determined on the basis of points earned according to the following criteria:
Life Membership (40 to 59)
7 points
Life Membership (60 and over)
6 points
Regular, Associate & Abroad
1 point per year
O
/M
Prizes:
First Prize
Second Prize
Third Prize
Fourth Prize
Fifth Prize
Sixth Prize
Seventh Prize
$300
$200
$100
$50
Cross Gold, 10 ct, pen & pencil set
engraved with winner's names.
SHIPDHAM TOWER Lithograph framed.
Breakfast for Two at Westin Hotel, San Diego.
Entry Forms.
• Membership application as printed in 8 Ball Tails.
• Application forms may be reproduced.
• Appropriate dues must accompany forms.
• Forms sent by mail must be postmarked not later than 25 August 2000.
• Forms may be hand delivered at the 44th B G V A Reunion, San Diego, not later than 12:00 noon, 2 September 2000.
Mailing Address:
44th B G V A
Attention: "E-M-G-A-M" C O N T E S T
P.O. Box 712287
Salt Lake City, Utah 84171-2287
Winners not in attendance at San Diego Reunion will have their prizes mailed to them.
Membership Contest Committee:
Chair: Ed "Mike" Mikoloski
Vice: Richard Butler
Treasurer: Jerry Folsom
Members: Robert Lehnhausen
Charles Simpson
All decisions of the Contest Committee will be final.
13
�The 44th Bomb Group Band at
the Officers Club. Seated, Paul
Boensch is fourth from the left.
Major Linck is standing at the
^ ^^^^
Can anyone identify the other ^ WMfiB^te
PAUL BOENSCH AND THE
44TH BOMB GROUP BAND
Learning to be a bombardier at Childress Air Force Base in Texas was a different world for Paul Boensch, who had
studied music, among other things, at the University of Memphis, and had played in many of the Big Bands in the area. He
joined the Bieber crew at Biggs Field, El Paso, Texas, and on D-Day found himself up to his chin in snow in Greenland.
On July 7th the Consolidated Mess w a s carrying them to Bernberg, Munich, and other exciting Nazi hangouts. One day
it occurred to First Lieutenant Boensch, that drinking w a r m beer at the clubs, playing cards or riding a bike to the movie
house were short of ideal entertainment. He started a band.
When he first discussed it with Major Larry Linck, a member of the Permanent Party, in charge of the welfare and
morale of the troops, he found a kindred soul. Linck w a s not only an enthusiast, he also had a great voice, and could be
induced to sing on any occasion. They started talking to a few musicians about organizing a musical group, and the idea
blossomed.
The Major had a very persuasive personality. Maintenance men w h o usually repaired airplanes found time to build
music stands. Electricians set up lights. In a short time Paul w a s off to London to buy the popular music of the day, Don't
Sit Under the Apple Tree, I'll Be With You In Apple Blossom Time, String of Pearls, Tuxedo Junction, In The Mood, and many
more.
"Our best break came when soon after D-Day Major Linck had learned that an entire band of German musicians had
been captured at St. Lo. Twenty four hours later w e had their instruments, all in first class condition. Even their carrying
cases were top of the line, so that when w e carried them in our steam heated buses, they were well protected. Steam
heated buses were a true luxury and rarity; but somehow, the Major managed it."
"We had a string base, piano, drums, trumpets, trombones, alto saxes and tenor saxes. There were fourteen or fifteen
of us," Paul recalled, "ranging in rank from a Corporal w h o played the guitar (when he wasn't cooking for the Ground
Officers Mess); to Major Linck, w h o was the highest ranking officer. Paul w a s the Music Director. Major Linck was the
Front Man, serving also as Vocalist and Manager.
"We started playing in the Officers Club and the Aero Club
where the enlisted men could dance with the w o m e n of the RAF.
Soon w e had many invitations. W e played in lots of places,
including Black Friars Castle, a beautiful edifice that w a s turned
over to servicemen during the war. Of course, w e were still flying,
also; and at one time I climbed out of m y flight suit, and immediately dressed for a performance."
When the thirty-five missions were up, Boench and his fellow
crewmen were happy to get back to the states, and the timing
couldn't have been better. Within a few weeks his wife Helen
presented him with a beautiful baby boy. Everybody w h o w a s sent
to war found his/her o w n method of coping. For Boench, music
was his forte', and he shared it.
_
The 44th B o m b Group Band played at the Aero Club.
�MI nm num - IOOO
M i k e Y u s p e h has put together a schedule
of events that should delight e v e r y o n e — t h e
shoppers, the historical buffs a n d the animal
lovers. T h e Westin Horton Plaza is within
walking distance to great s h o p p i n g areas.
You all have the choice of touring a n
aircraft carrier d o c k e d in S a n D i e g o Bay, or
visit the beautiful historic Hotel Del
C o r o n a d o . A m o n g the planned events is a
trip to the Balboa Park Z o o , o n e of the best
in the world. They recently a n n o u n c e d the
birth of H u a M e i , daughter of Shi Shi a n d
Bai Y u n , three of the world's increasingly
rare P a n d a s .
For those w h o wish to stay over, they can
visit the harbor w h e r e the U. S. Navy,
Marines a n d Coast G u a r d are all stationed.
Seaport Village is a great place to shop, eat,
and listen to local musicians. T h e Transit
Trolley is a time saving inexpensive m o d e of
transportation.
T h e S a n Diego Aerospace M u s e u m is a
dramatic trip through aviation history.
"Lucky Lindy's" Spirit of St. Louis w a s built
there, a n d it g a v e rise to a major aviation
industry. Q u o t e s from aviation heroes, their
portraits a n d their aircrafts deck the walls of
this unique m u s e u m .
Located 12 miles north of the Mexican
border, S a n Diego's population is a blend of
Anglo, Chicano, Asian a n d African-American.
It is the h o m e of California's first mission
built in 1 7 6 9 by Father Serra while it w a s
still under Mexican rule. A gold strike in
1 8 7 0 a n d the arrival of the Santa Fe
Railroad in 1 8 8 5 set the stage for the rise of
this interesting metropolis.
SAN DIEGO REUNION PROGRAM
Saturday. September 2. 2000
9:00 A M to 12:00 Noon: General Membership Meeting at
Hotel.
1:00 PM Tour of the city of San Diego. This is one of only
two tours offered at your expense. Please
reserve early.
6:00 PM to 7:00 PM: Cash Bar.
7:00 PM to 10:00 PM: Banquet will be special. Candle
lighting, live entertainment and
dancing.
Wednesday. August 30. 2000
Board Meeting: Afternoon (time to be announced).
Thursday. August 31. 2000
9:00 A M to 12:00 Noon: Registration.
1:00 PM to 5:00 PM: Registration.
6:00 PM to 7:00 PM: Reception-Snacks and cash bar.
Dinner on your own.
Friday. September 1.2000
10:00 AM: Buses will leave hotel Westin Horton Plaza.
Sunday. September 3. 2000
10:00 A M to 11:30 AM: North Island Naval Air Station
Tour to Balboa Park Zoo - Travel to Park will be furnished
(NAS) Tour.
by
trolley
starting at 10:00 A M and run until 4:00 PM. To enter
11:30 A M to 1:00 PM: Buffet luncheon in Island Club NAS.
the Zoo you must have a ticket. These are listed on the tour
Your choice of Tours: Please check your preference
that the 44th are offering as a group. This ticket also offers you
on the Reunion Registration Form.
other perks in the Park. There are other attractions and
1:15 PM to 2:15 PM: Aircraft Carrier Tour or
museums in the Park.
Famous Hotel Del Coronado Tour.
6:00 PM to 7:00 PM: Cash Bar.
Buses will pick up at Island Club for the above tours and
7:00 PM to 10:00 PM: Casual Buffet with exciting
will return to hotel by 3:00 PM.
entertainment and plenty of dance music.
Ladies: You are located at the Westin Horton Plaza. Lots
of time for shopping at the Mall near the hotel.
San Diego sells itself. It's climate is exemplary and
Squadrons Dinner:
have you in a four diamond luxury hotel surrounded by
6:00 PM to 7:00 PM: Cash Bar.
your favorite shopping spots.
7:00 PM to 10:00 PM: Check bulletin board for your
Squadrons room assignment.
Theme to be announced.
J
V
15
�August 51 - September 5. 2000
Westin Horton Plaza Hotel
San Diego. California
2000
th
44 Bomb Group
REUNION Registration Form
Please Print or Type. All Information Must Be Complete.
Last Name First Name (Tag)
Spouse Squadron
Address
City
State
Phone
E-Mail
Zip Code
Guests & Relation
Number to Attend:
$195/each
Amount $
Tour #1:
Saturday, September 2: Tour Starts 1:00 P M From Hotel
Tour of San Diego provided by Old Town Trolley Tours.
This is a group tour for the 44th.
$24
4ff Attending:
Amount: $
Tour #2:
Sunday, September 3: Ticket for Zoo at Balboa Park.
Trolley all start running 10:00 A M to Balboa Park.
They will make shuttles all day from park to hotel until 4:00 PM.
You can plan your own stay until the last trolley leaves for hotel.
Please choose one: DTour of Aircraft Carrier
tt Attending O R
FITour of Del Coronado Hotel
ft Attending
Total Amount Registration and Tours: $
Registration Includes: Use of Hospitality Room; Reception; North Island Tour; Lunch at Island Club; Transportation to Aircr
Carrier or Tour Del Coronado Hotel; Squadron Dinner; Banquet with entertainment and dancing; Buffet Dinner with entertainment
and dancing; TShirt (one to each person registered) one size fits all. The most important part of this reunion, you will get to be w
friends who you spent the experience with during the trying times of World War II. San Diego is a great place to do this.
1
•
•
•
•
;
•
I
Registration must be received by August 1. 2000. No registration will be taken after that date.
Space is limited, so act at once. Don't be left out!
We would like to firm up reservations as soon as possible. Please send this registration form with your check at once to:
Checks payable to: B G V A
Mail to: Mike Yuspeh • 7214 Sardonyx Street • N e w Orleans, LA 70124-3509
Phone: (504) 283 3424 • Fax: (504) 283-3425 (pick up at 6 rings).
16
3
3
3
®]
�THE WESTIN HORTON PLAZA SAN DIEGO
910 Broadway Circle, San Diego, CA 92101
(619)239-2200
CONFIRMATION
HOTEL FAX RESERVATION FORM
FAX NUMBER (619) 239-1730
44™ Bomb Group National Reunion
44* Bomb Group National Reunion
DATE OF FAX:
GROUP NAME:
MEETING PLACE
M K t T U N G DATES: August 31. 2000 = September 4, 2000
Request* Must be Received by August 1, 2000
PLEASE PRINT:
NAME
ARRIVAL DATE
DEPARTURE DATE
COMPANY/ORGANIZATION
ADDRESS
CITY
STATE
PHONE NUMBER
FAX NUMBER
Additional Person in Room
Yes
Name of Additional Person
[
(One Form Per Room, PLEASE)
ZIP
No
C H E C K DM TIME: 4:W p.m. C H E C K O U T TIME: 12 Noon
Accommodations may not be available if arrival time is prior to 4:00 P M
For revisions or cancellations please call (WW) 6WESTIN
SiMt*
Double
P«>"bk
RATES
$95.00
1 Person
2 persons. 1 bed $95.00
2 persons. 2 beds $95.00
Request Non Smoking Room
Request Accessible Room
, First night's deposit (RECD WITHIN 4 DAYS)
. Credit card (American Express, Diner's Club, En Route,
JCB, Visa, Mastercard or Discover) - Circle One
Credit Card Number
Name on Card
Request Rollaway Crib
Expiration Date
Request Written Confirmation Sent to
Above Address
Checks should be sent to (along with a copy of this form)
The Westin Horton Ptaza San Diego
910 Broadway Circle
Reservation forms received beyond the cutoff date listed above are
San Diego, C A 92101
Subject to space and rate availability. If the room type requested is
Not available, the next available room thype wiD be assigned. If I »ill be charged one night*! room and tax, which will
Your group has a range of rates and the rare category reported has be deducted from my deposit or billed through my
Been filled, then the next available rate will apply. San Diego's
credit card in the event I cancel within 48 hours of my
Transient occupancy tax will apply to the above room rate.
Arrival. I may cancel my reservations without
Currently the rate is 10.5%. Departure dates are confirmed at
pestahy prior to 48 hours of my arrival.
check-in. Departures prior to due date will result in a $50
departure fee.
Signature
Reservations must be guaranteed by the first night's room deposit
or an accepted credit card number and signature.
Please guarantee my reservation with (circle one)
17
�BEATING THE BUSHES
By Art Hand
February, 2000
MORGAN, LONZO (67th) 2152 Chambers Road, McDonough,
GA 31253; (770) 957-7801 67th Squadron aircraft me- "
chanic.
ALBERADO, JOHN A. 58330 Bubba Road, Plaquemine, LA
70765; (504) 687-2509. John is deceased.
DAIGLE, DEWEY R 809 Haring Road, Metairie, LA; (504) 7330850. Dewey's health keeps him house bound.
HOWARD, WILLIAM H. (506th) 1353 West Hwy. 25 #70,
Dandridge, TN 37725; (423) 397-2334.
KAMANIDES, MANUEL L. (506th) 249 Grove Street, Brockton,
MA 02402; (508) 583-6031. Stevens crew and Dines.
NEWSOM, LEMUEL L. (68th) RO. Box 363, Kitty Hawk, NC
27949; (252) 261-3413. 68th Squadron gunner for D. Davis
(492nd) and Keeler crew. Completed tour.
NORTON, JAMES W. (67th) 226 Bluff Street, Kittanning, PA
16201; (724) 548-4872. 67th Squadron. Hansen's crew.
Crew lost on first mission, 11/13/43. POW. Deceased.
KOKTA, FRANK (66th) 4314 Fiexn Drive, Prince George, VA
(504) 733-3676. Deceased 1985. 66th Squardon cook(?).
KOLOBITZ, JOSEPH K. 313 Elm Street, Titusville, PA 16354;
(814) 827-6343. Corporal deceased 1995.
MANZI, FRANCIS E. 88 Westborough Street, Worcester, MA
01604; (508) 754-4531. (This is his daughter's address.)
OLSCHESKE, LOUIS E. (506th) 367 Mahogony Court, Labelle,
FL 33935; (941) 675-3911. 506th Squadron co-pilot for Lt.
Ed Jarvis crew.
PADGETT, ROBERT W. (68th) 3233 Harrison Road, Columbus,
SC 29204; (803) 782-1687. 68th Squadron with the Gayman
crew and A.V. Larson. 32 Missions.
MARTIN, WARD E. 6625 SW 73rd Court, Miami, FL 33143;
(305) 667-5265. Transferred to 98th BG early in 1942.
POOLAS, GEORGE (93rd) 63 James Street, Dover, NJ; (973)
366-8543. From 93rd BG for a short period.
McDANIEL, VESTER L (66th) 2107 Spirit Lake Road, Winter
Haven, FL 33880; (941) 293-9022.
PORTER, GERALD E. (506th) 600 Franklin Heights,
Shippensburg, PA 17257; (717) 532-4740. 506th Squadron
A.V. Larson, Durett and Atkins.
MEEK, NOEL W (67th) 131 Barnes Drive, Paducah, KY
42003; (270) 898-7139. 67th Squadron at MacDill, FL.
RENZI, VICTOR J. (67th Squadron) Baltimore, MD 21206.
Deceased 1989.
MELNIK, ALEX 125 Homewood Avenue, Butler, PA 16001;
(724) 283-4109. Deceased 3/13/98. 1st Lt. Adjutant with
50th Sta. Complement Squardon.
SHOEMAKER, RUSSELL E. 1101 Kent Avenue, Decatur, IL
62526; (217) 872-7115. Russell has Alzheimers.
MEYERRIECKS, WILLIAM J. 987 Sonesta Avenue NE, Palm
Bay, FL 32905-6321; (407) 952-6182 (winter) and 217
Kingston Drive, Ridge, NY 11691-2014; (516) 744-1458
(summer). 67th Squadron pilot, co-pilot.
*
NEAL, LUCIOUS C. 1501 E. Brainerd St., Pensacola, FL
32503; (850) 432-6226. Deceased January 23, 1984.
18
�ART HAND
And His
Unending
Search
Nearly fifty years ago Art Hand set forth to find members of the 44th BG. He started out with a card file and a
tank of gas, wandering through Illinois, Indiana and Missouri, and n o w has a computer disk of '44thers', with
information that he can break d o w n by zip code, state or city. His search never ends. If anyone knows of a
person w h o flew in a '24, let him know. He might be one more piece of the big puzzle that Art is trying to put
together.
Art was a Waist Gunner. He left the States in July of '43, went to Scotland on Trouble, then to Hardwick f
weeks, on by train to Glasgow and then off to Africa on a C54. His crew hopped across north Africa the best
way they could, mostly from town to town on C47s. They stopped off at the 93rd BG on way to the 44th . At
the last minute they needed waist gunners for the Ploesti Raid, so Art and his friend Clarence Hood volunteered.
Clarence went to Turkey and was interned. Art did not know other members of that crew.
Back in England he was a Waist Gunner on the Charles Armstrong Crew of Pathfinders in the 389th Sq. In the
beginning there were only five crews of Pathfinders. With unnamed planes, they flew ahead of the Missions,
leading different b o m b groups. W h e n Col. Gibson asked them if they wanted to go back to the 44th they were
ready. They joined the 66th Sq.
His most vivid memory was the Brunswick Mission. He knew it was a bad one, but was genuinely shocked,
when years later Will Lundy sent him a formation sheet that showed the actual number that was lost. Eleven of
the 44th planes went d o w n over Germany in about 5-10 minutes. The Eighth Air Force lost 45 heavy bombers
and 25 fighters; 88 German fighters went d o w n also.
He recently learned that his plane was the first to drop on Omaha Beach on D-Day. Tony Mastradone unearthe
that piece of information for him.
Because he was in the lead plane, it took 2 I months for him to complete his missions. Going home meant
meeting his 22 month old son, born a month after Art went overseas.
Anyone wishing information about other '44thers' in their locale, or can supply information to Art's searc
contact him at 5 I 7 Elm Street, Paris, IL 61944-1417. Tel. (2 I 7) 463-5905. E-mail: k9hwp@comwares.net. His
search could spark a local reunion in your hometown.
19
�February, 2000
Gompiled by
WlLuvidy
ALBERT, NEVIN F. Pfc- 22 February 1999 ~ No other records located.
BELL, PHILLIP W. 0-742832 - 1991 - 68th Squadron pilot. He joined the
68th Squadron on 31 January 1944. His first mission was 20 February;
followed by one the next day, and on the 24th of February, during "Bi
Week" his aircraft (famous Flak Alley) was shot down with only Phi
and three other crewmen surviving to become POWs.
CHAGNON, PAUL L. 11116914. Early 1991. S/Sgt. 67th Squadron.
was the radio operator on the H.A. Clarey crew. His first mission w
, followed quickly by three more. His fourth and last was on 27 April
when his plane was shot down. Only he and Raymond Shirley survived to become POWs.
CHASKIN, HERMAN -13046320 -1 January 1999 - 66th Squadron - Herman was a member of the Ground Echelon that
went to England on the HMS Queen Mary in September, 1942. He was a member of the R.M. Pugh Aircraft Maintenan
crew until M/Sgt. Pugh became a Flight Chief. No records available beyond that time.
FENTON (FEINSTEIN), MILTON S. 0-735298 66th Squadron -1991 - He served as a Navigator on the G.R. Insley crew
which was assigned on 4 September 1943. Their first mission of two tours was dated 9 October 1943. On April 21 his
tour of duty ended and the entire crew returned to the U.S. However, this dedicated crew signed up for a second to
returned to the 44th BG, were assigned to the 506th Squadron. Flew the first mission of the second tour on 1 August
For most of this second tour this crew was assigned as lead crew, leading the group on many missions, with Milton
the navigating. Their last mission was dated 15 February 1945, completing a total of 46 for the two tours.
FLUGMAN, HERMAN 0. 0-543494 - 506 Squadron -1974 ~ Bombardier on M.D. Mendenhall crew. His first several
missions were with Lt. Mendenhall with 26 March 1944. On May 19th he flew with the Hawkins crew and then with se
other crews including Van Ess, Lincoln and Stone. He completed his tour on 27 July, 1944.
FRETWELL, LLOYD G. 0-662039 - 6 November 1999 ~ 506th Squadron. He was a Navigator on W.H. Strong's crew, an
original combat crew. His first mission was 28 March 1943, a recall. Most of the first tough missions were with
including Kiel, Ploesti and Weiner Neustadt. His last one with the Strong crew was on 3 November, while end of to
mission was on 30 December 1943 with the Capt. Middleton crew.
GALLAGHER, PATRICK W. - 0-748620 -12 October 1999 - 506th Sq. Served as co-pilot for R.A. Parker crew on his
mission 13 November 1943, then several other pilots until 22 December 1943. At that time he became a regular on
Houghtby crew until into February, 1944. On 22 March 1944 he became a 1st pilot. He completed his tour of duty w
missions.
HENSLER, ROBERT L - 66th Squadron - Date unknown ~ Robert was not a regular combat man
but flew one mission, 19 March 1945 with Lt. Hornbreger as a nose gunner/togglier. He wrote
that he thought he had two other missions but with another group. No other records are
available.
KRAMER, HAROLD A. - 6 September 1999 ~ 460 Sub Depot personnel. No records available.
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�POWELL, CLIFFORD D. - 19176411 • 27 September 1999 ~ 506th Sq. He was an original member of the R.R. Lucas
crew that arrived in the 506th Sq. early in 1944. His first few missions were with this crew, then served with several
others as a spare until finishing the last of his 13 missions with the Beiber crew. Cliff suffered from ruptured eardr
was grounded after his 13th mission. He later served with the ground gunnery section, trap range, etc.
PUTNAM, DAVID C. 15338965 - 1969 ~ 68th Squadron. David was the radio operator on the Meador crew that was
transferred from the 392nd BG on 5 October 1943. He was assigned to several crews in his six missions, but was with
the H.C. Palmer crew that was interned in Sweden on 9 April 1944, He returned to base on 16 October 1944.
PUTNAM, HARRY H JR. 0-747139 - 6 February 2000 ~ 506th Squadron navigator. Harry flew his first combat mission
as a member of the Saylor crew on 30 December 1943. His 19th and last mission was completed on 27 March 1944 with
the Home crew. In the middle missions he flew with several other crews including Larson and Purdy's. He was residin
the Air Force Village West at the time of his passing.
SCHROEDER, NORMAN N. 36586895 -1 January 2000 - T/Sgt. Engineer Norman was assigned to the Steele crew for
his first 9 missions. The date of their first mission was 26 August 1944 and his last one with them was 27 September
November 1st he began flying as spare engineer for several pilots until 16 February when he became a "regular" with
Maynard crew until 18 March 1945. He completed his tour of duty with 34 missions flying with the Louik crew on 10 Apr
1945. He was awarded a Certificate of Valor for completing his tour, but never received his D.F.C. medal. Norman al
served with the Navy during W W #2 prior to his tour with the 44th BG, and again in the Korean Conflict. In later lif
was a dedicated volunteer worker for the Collins people on the All American B-24 and with the Yankee Air Force. A true P
STINE, RALPH I. • 19002662 - 68th Squadron - Date unknown ~ Ralph joined the Squadron on 8 March 1942, assigned
to Armament section. He was with the Ground Echelon that arrived at Shipdham on 10 October 1942. Volunteered for
combat on December 6, 1943 and flew his first mission on 16 December 1943. Two of the pilots with whom he flew w
Slaughter and Cary. He was wounded on 9 April 1944 while a nose gunner for Lt. Palmer and was his last of 23 missions.
STEPKA, RAYMOND C. - 5 December 1999 - 66th Sq. co-pilot for the P.V. Dusossoit crew. They were assigned to the
66th Sq. in late February, flew their first mission on 10 March 1945. Except for two missions in mid April, Raymond f
his other 11 missions with the Dusossoit crew. Last mission for them was the last of the war, 25 April, 1945.
TERABERRY, PHILLIP F. - 19101247 - 21 October 1999 - 67th Squadron. Phillip was a tail gunner in the 67th
Squadron, flew his first mission on 17 May 1943 as a replacement. He was assigned to the new C.S. Griffin crew for
Detached Service to North Africa in late June. He flew his first mission with this crew on 5 July 1943, and five more
17 July when the crew was shot down on the attack on Naples, Italy 17 July. Phillip successfully evaded capture and
returned to base, and eventually returned to the U.S.
UVANNI, WILLIAM A. - 33130253 - 19 October 1999 - 506th Squadron radio operator. "Bill" was assigned to the G.M.
Beiber crew, flew to England on 6 June 1944. Arrived at Shipdham on 30 June and flew his first mission on 7 July 1944
This crew's 35th and last mission was on 2 November 1944, target Dortmund, aircraft Joplin Jalopy. Bill compiled a f
diary covering much of his military duty. Half of these missions were flown in "Consolidated Mess."
VRANUS, VINCENT V. - 27 February 1998 - 66th Squadron bombardier. He was a member of the Dusossoit crew that
^.w
flew their first mission on 21 March 1945. His mission total was just six, having arrived so late in the wa
^ B
of them were with the Dusossoit crew, and the remaining four were with Graham, Alderson and Derrick.
E R R O R IN W I N T E R EDITION, 1999-1 a m very happy to report that contrary to the published
statement, Sterling L. Dobbs is alive and doing fine! My sincere apology for misleading everyone.
�ABOUT THE SECOND AIR DIVISION ASSOCIATION
By: Dick Butler
2 A D A Vice President For T h e 44th B o m b Group
"44thers", including Associates, w h o are members of
the Association.
In the Association's early growing days
attendees at the annual conventions were not
identified by individual groups or their Headquarters.
Then in 1971, "44ther" Bill Robertie, w h o became
the longtime editor of the Journal, came up with the
idea of having attendees participate as members of
their respective b o m b groups. Members of our 44th
B o m b Group were the first to do so at the 1971
convention in Williamsburg, Virginia. For many
years, 44th people at the conventions were the most
numerous and led the w a y for the other groups. In
about the mid-1980s, attendance by "44thers"
began to decline, primarily due to the lack of interest
and cooperation by the then leader of our separate
44th organization. At recent 2 A D A conventions,
our 44th delegations were a m o n g those of the
smaller groups' number of attendees. But at the
1999 convention in Austin, Texas, there was a
noticeable increase in the number of our people.
This can be attributed, in part, to the decision of our
then 44th B G V A President, Roy O w e n to hold the
B G V A Board of Directors meeting in conjunction
with the 2 A D A convention. Because of this
increase in our number of attendees. Our current
President, Ed Mikoloski has agreed that future midyear Board meetings m a y be held at the time of the
annual 2 A D A convention, whenever such is
advantageous. This year that convention will be
held 26 - 29 M a y at Tampa, Florida in the Hyatt
Regency Westshore.
W e encourage our 2 A D A members to join our
Board of Director at this convention. It will be a
great one. The location makes it very convenient for
those w h o live in Florida, as well as in other parts of
the southeast U.S. to attend. For the first time, B-24
people w h o are not members of the 2 A D A are
welcome to attend. This is a significant first, so if
you are not a 2 A D A member and would like to
attend, contact me. M y address, phone and fax
numbers, and E-mail address are listed on the
Association Board page of this publication. I will be
glad to send you particulars of the event and a
registration form. Our 2 A D A members have the
foregoing in the Winter issue of the 2 A D A Journal.
Our 44th B o m b Group was one of the fourteen
B-24 groups assigned to the Second Air Division
during World W a r II. In 1948, several people w h o
had been assigned to the Division Headquarters
gathered in Chicago and conceived the idea of the
Second Air Division Association. As the war ended
in Europe, General Kepner, Commanding General of
the Second Air Division, was inspired to collect
funds to establish a Memorial in England to our
approximately 6800 comrades w h o lost their lives in
B-24's while fighting to preserve our liberty.
In a few years after that initial gathering the idea
was generated of establishing our Memorial in
perpetuity in accordance with British law. It is the
Second Air Division Memorial Library in the Central
Library in Norwich, England. In addition to serving
as a Memorial to our fallen comrades, it maintains
our link with the people w e saw on an almost daily
basis during our combat tour and w h o have
supported us over the years; the Board of Governors
whose guidance, cooperation and financial support
have been indispensable. The establishment of the 2
ADA/Fulbright Scholar to represent us in our library
is one of the accomplishments that makes the
Association unique. N o other W W I I veterans'
organization sponsors such a living Memorial to
those w h o fell in combat.
In 1994, the Central Library Building burned and
most of the Second Air Division donated books and
records were destroyed. The British Government,
through its Millennium Commission, is building a
new Central Library at a cost of about sixty million
pounds. It will include the now, expanded, Second
Air Division Memorial Library which will have the
latest electronic data retrieval and Internet access
capability. A Second Air Division Association
convention is planned to be held in Norwich in
November, 2001 for the dedication of the n e w
Memorial room.
Over the years the Association grew in
membership. Today there are about 6447 members,
including Associate Members w h o are relatives of 2
A D people. There are also Subscribing Members
w h o are individuals w h o are interested in the
Association and its activities. W e have about 452
*
22
®
�ROBERT DUBOWSKY
LT. CO. USAF (RET.)
AND HIS DROP FROM
THE SKY
If there is anything more scary than knowing
you have to bail out of a F3-24, it m u s t be not
knowing where you will end up. O n January 16,
1945 F3ob Dubowsky was co-pilot with
Captain Joseph Tesla in the lead plane, with
the Group Commander, Col. Eugene F. Snavely
riding along. This w a s Bob's 33rd Mission. The
destination was Berlin, with Dresden as the alternate
target. Fourteen miles from the IF! they turned south
toward the Marshalling Yards at Dresden, meeting only
moderate flak and no enemy fighters.
On the bomb run, things got worse. Flak w a s heavy and
accurate, and before bombs away, they took a hit in
number two engine. It caught fire immediately.
They left the formation, and the deputy lead took over.
To put out the flames in number two engine, Tesla put the
aircraft in a steep dive. A t about 16,000 feet the prop
froze. It couldn't be feathered because all the oil in the
feathering system w a s gone due to the flak. But the fire
went out.
Murphy's law prevailed, of course. If something goes bad,
it doesn't stop until the situation becomes a total debacle!
Tesla was able to hold altitude on three engines until
they passed near Nurenberg, when number four engine
suffered an oil pressure drop and had to be feathered. Not
able to hold altitude with only two engines, the plane
dropped to 10,000 feet and proceeded on at 120 mph.
Out the window went 60 caliber ammunition, 5 0 calibre
guns, bomb sight, radios, flak suits, escape kits—everything that could be detached. All alone over hostile
territory and 150 miles to go, they continued on, crossing
the Rhine River between Strasbourg and Haguenau.
Ill fortune continued. W h e n crossing the Rhine, they ran
into a gun emplacement, which peppered them with flak.
There w a s a large hole in the right wing flap, which meant
that a shell had pierced the flap and did not explode. The
explanation for that bit for fortune w a s that the shells
were time fused, preset to go off at a certain altitude, and
they were flying too low for the timing device to work. If
that wasn't enough, the number one engine w a s hit. Only
number three was functional. It w a s bail out time. Capt.
Tesla and Col. Snavely were last out.
Editor's Note: Historians are learning that slave laborers
deliberately sabotaged some weapons, in the hope that
Germany would lose. Perhaps dob's wing flap benefited
from their efforts.
23
Bob hit a snow covered ground Into a
crowd of eager watchers. They were Alsatians,
carrying the FFI medallion (Free French Interior),
and celebrating the departure of the Germans.
He shared his parachute with the Alsatian
women, keeping the packing history card, fhe
Resistance workers offered him schnaaps, and
before long an American Jeep provided him a
safe trip through the mine field in which he had
landed. Minor wounds were attended, and 10
hours after the mission started, he had the joy
of returning to Shipdham.
Gratefully, Bob promptly looked up the parachute rigger
whose initials Indicated he had packed Bob's chute. With
much delight the Englishman accepted his thanks and the
stunning sum of sixteen dollars (almost double his weekly
salary).
Bob flew two more missions to complete his 35, but
none so dramatic as the day he dropped into the frozen
land of Alsace-Lorraine.
Editors Note:
Incidentally, Bob is still looking for improvised words f
WWII songs. He seriously intends to put them on an audio
tape, so they will be preserved. If anyone remembers any,
send them to 650 Grant Court. Satellite Beach, FL 32937.
E-Mail: RDVB@aol.com.
Roy Owen writes: "At the last minute before bailing out,
Col. Snavely tossed his "50 mission hat" into the plane's
interior. (This is ironic). We, the William M. Smith crew,
along with many other crews on that Dresden mission, saw
the lead aircraft go down over the target. We were certain
we would be reporting our Commander's loss upon return to
Homebase. However, due to the length of the mission and
adverse winds we were forced to land at Orly Airport outside
of Paris, short of fuel. There were so many such recoveries
it took us three days to get fuel so we could fly on to
Shipdham. On the second or third night, one of our two crew
"sentries" left to guard the aircraft made a social excursio
to a nearby bistro. While there he met an American Gl fresh
from the front who was telling our man about his observing
the crew of a crippled bomber bail out and the airplane
crash a couple of days ago. At the crash site he had found
this "50 Mission Hat" which bore Snavely's name. I'm not
sure what kind of negotiation it took for our Gunner Fred
Marzolph to get the cap after he identified the owner as our
Group Commander, but he came back with the cap and upon
our return to Shipdham, the next day he went to the
Colonel's quarters and personally returned the cap. As I
recall, there was no reward proffered. Imagine that! One da
he goes down over the target, they recover with enough
altitude and power to limp back to friendly territory before
having to bail out. In the process he loses his precious cap
and four days later he is back safe and sound and behold his
cap is returned. How do you figure that?"
�Liberators on the assembly line.
CELEBRATING
SAN DIEGO
Everyone who
gathered at the B24's International
Celebration had a
special story to tell.
Two members of the
44th were
highlighted -- B/G
Robert Cardenas.
and Dick Butler.
Louis DeBlasio. Ann
Natilli, Julian and
Paul Ertz: John
Gately: T o m &
Sarah Parsons;
Frank Schaeffer,
Perry Morse and
your editor were in
attendance. San
Diego was the home
of C O N S O L I D A T E D AIRCRAFT C O R P O R A T I O N .
where the first B-24 was built 60 years ago.
Speakers cite familiar statistics: the B-24 was
the first mass-produced bomber: while, in combat.
its nominal bombing altitude was two or three
thousand feet below the B-17: it could carry two to
four thousand pounds more bombload faster and
further than the B-17 with an estimated 7 5 % less
publicity fedJ: was produced in higher numbers, was
used in every theatre. It was the first U.S. airplane
casualty at Pearl Harbor when one was destroyed on
the ground burning the attack, and was the last
downed in Europe just before OE Day. Ten states and
a million people were involved in its production.
One of the designers pointed out that after Pearl
Harbor. C O N S O L I D A T E D braced itself for a
Japanese attack. They disguised the Plant and roads
to it. They built a foxhole, had a gun emplacement
and a runway. Fortunately, these precautions proved
to be unnecessary.
Two assemblers at the Plant-school teachers by
occupation-described their experiences: the male
workers were given instructions on how to deal with
women. " N o cursing-ifs too upsetting: reprimand
24
gently-as w o m e n are inclined to be emotional."
Each worker worked on a single section on the
assembly line. When they went to lunch, the line
moved with a strange groaning sound. A frequently
stated Policy was that they must never cover U P a
mistake. S o m e of the girls wrote their name and
address on parts, which sometimes led to
correspondence with maintenance men.
Maintaining uniformity with the many companies
producing the Liberator was difficult. The Johnstown
Flood slowed the flow of materials. CONVAIR made
their own rivets: L O C K H E E D bought the wrong size.
At the F O R D M O T O R PLANT, discrepancies arose.
C O N S O L I D A T E engineers went to check their
assembly line, and found that it took a right angle
turn. Why? Because if they moved it straight it would
go into the next county, and F O R D would have to pay
additional taxes.
Bob Cardenas reported on the glider program.
going over the head of the military to get glider
pilots from D U P O N T . H e got to England in January
of '44: and by March was shot down. [The dramatic
story of Bob Cardenas' career will appear in a later
issuej Bob Miller f44th BG. later Commander
389thJ described arriving in England before the
Shipdham base was completed. Of all the crews that
flew at that time, not one crew finished the tour.
They flew with no fighter support, and a scarcity of
%
�bombers. In the mission to St. Nazaire. they off
loaded fuel to add bombs, using sight gauges, which
were not accurate: and the inevitable happened:
some Planes ran out of fuel.
Dick Butler served on two panel discussions. He
described the Kiel mission. May 14. 1943. This
mission, which was against the fiercely defended
submarine pens, was also the 8th Air Force first
experiment with mixing B-17 and B-24 groups
against the same target with non-compatible bomb
loading. The combination of differing performance
between the Liberator and the Fortress coupled with
unique tactics associated with the incendiary bombs
carried by the 44th requiring a two mile extension of
the bomb run meant disaster for the 44th. The B17*s. after dropping their 500 lb. H E bombs, turned
left for withdrawal which separated the formation
and left the B-24's singularly exposed to the target
area A A as they continued on the extended bomb
run. The post target separation allowed the
defending enemy fighters to down six 44th aircraft,
heavily damage several others and wound or kill
numerous crewmen. The 44th was awarded its first
Presidential Unit Citation for the Kiel Raid and never
again were these two aircraft joined together in a
strike against the same target. On a later panel
discussion. Dick read "Ode To The Men of Ploesti"
by Richard Allen Haft, a member of the 44th BG.
The accuracy of that poem was good enough for
Dick, a Pilot on that awesome mission, to present it
to the 500 participants at the San Diego Celebration.
Pat R a m m . an Englishman on the panel, was
eleven years old in 1944. He remembers the
children who hung around the Shipdham airfield did
not wish their names printed on the bombs being
loaded, for fear Hitler would come to England to get
them.
The experiences of the B-24 in WWII cover the
Planet. One airman claimed that he was standing of
the island of Okinawa when he saw an amazing cloud
rise to the west-Hiroshima. One week later he
stated that his crew could Pinpoint the next atomic
drop site-Nagasaki. Pacific bomb crews described
their assignments: fly one day. rest the next.
maintenance the third day. Fly again. They loaded
their own bombs, saved rain water for basic needs.
tolerated typhoons and bad food. The Japanese took
no Prisoners, so they had no parachutes, no booze,
no washing machine: but fortunately, no flak. If they
happened to get some beer, they dangled it in the
bomb bay. took the plane to 10.000 feet and let it
rapidly cool.
An amazing report came from the Carpetbaggers.
which were air commandos. They traveled as
individual planes, not in squadrons, chose their own
routes: dropped agents, a m m o and supplies to the
French and Belgium Underground: and answered
directly to 'Wild Bill Donovan.' Director of the O S S .
Information about this group was classified until
very recently. A similar organization flew out of
Africa, and its activities are still classified.
San Diego opened its arms to a group of
veterans, hailed as heroes. 60 years later, reports of
the B-24's dramatic escapades continue to unfold
and unfold and unfold.
Che original lithoaraph (18 1/2" x 24") of the
Control lower in Shipdham is still available for
$32.50. Remember, half a century ago, how happn
you were to see it when you made it back saiely
across the Channel?
lo order rontart:
PO Rox 71223, Salt Lahe City, HI 84171-2287
44th W%\\\
goli shirts and raps mil
be available at our San
Riego Reunion.
Ihe 44th RQVA Roster oi Members' names are
available for $7.50, including postage.
25
�HERITM
MUSEUM
A new wall of names is being erecteairTtneTlemorial Garden. Anyone
wishing to be remembered on a wall can contact the Museum.
IP—JJLi,
VOLUNTEERING AT THE
MIGHTY EIGHTH MUSEUM
By Ruth W. Davis-Morse
The Mighty Eighth
M u s e u m has lots of
volunteers, but Perry and I
were the only t w o w h o
traveled 8 0 0 miles to have the
privilege. W e spent the first
day with "Bud" Porter,
Director of Volunteers; but w e
didn't do any work. W e did a
lot of wandering around in our
blue coats, gawking at the
displays w e had seen on our
first visit. It is still a w e s o m e .
The plates with the Ploesti
story were not yet finished.
However, the Historian took
six groups of school children
through, and told the story
very well. The M u s e u m
works with the local school
system, and the goals of the
program are truly admirable.
A m o n g the projects is the
restoration of a B-47 which
w a s rapidly degenerating into
a m u d d y heap. They m o v e d
it to the M u s e u m , and school
children are joining the 165th
Airlift Wing of the Georgia
National Guard in returning it
to its formal glory. W h e n the
job is completed, the plane
will be rolled to the front of
the M u s e u m , in clear view
from I-95.
"Bud" schedules
volunteers a month in
advance; and he declares,
'this place could not operate
without us.' Various 'blue
coats' talk about their pay
increases —nothing times
nothing equals their increase.
However, there are
26
advantages to being a
volunteer—free coffee,
discounts in the gift shop and
cafeteria, and a free necktie
for Perry. W e appreciated all
that, but w e wanted to do
s o m e work.
One guide told of a group
that c a m e over from Germany,
all with limited skills in
English. The children could
read the German writings, and
were appalled at what they
learned about Hitler. None of
that information had ever
been taught in Germany. The
M u s e u m is considering
softening the display, to be
less horrifying. Perry and I
said "Don't change it. The
truth must be told."
®
�Most of the volunteers w e
met had flown in B-17's. W e
met a pilot of a Marauder,
w h o went to great lengths to
tell the unbelievable value of
that fast plane over all others.
Perry dropped a few arguments
on the value of the '24, only
to be shot d o w n in each
instance. The gentleman did
disclose that all pilots of
Marauders were crazy!!! (His
words — n o t mine)
Raymond Reirson of the
92nd B G , 1st Air Division,
drives about 4 0 miles to
volunteer, three or four days
each month. After people
view the mission b o m b run on
the video, he describes his
experiences —shot d o w n over
Germany, interned in Stalag
5 8 2 in Poland, and forced to
march west in the dead of
winter, as the Russians were
advancing from the east.
Even w h e n everyone k n e w
Germany w a s losing, Hitler
held onto American airmen,
hoping to use them as
"bargaining chips."
Phil Sellers, Public
Relations Director, gave Perry
the job of organizing his
working materials. I ran off
5,000 pieces of stationery on
their printer. Apparently there
is an ongoing need for
stationery, as the fund raising
department is constantly
doing mailings. Judy Walker,
Director of Development,
explained that entrance fees
can never cover operating
expenses.
On our last day we worked
at organizing their archival
materials. Perry clipped, and I
pasted. That task does not
require m u c h thought, but
every good institution keeps
its o w n historical records —
and it's time consuming. W e
didn't get finished, so the
next volunteer w h o s h o w s up
can pick up where w e left off.
It was an interesting four
days, and w e would like to go
back, but never again on a
Superbowl Weekend. Getting
back to York from ice-covered
Atlanta w a s another interesting
story.
LET'S GET SERIOUS
When the subject of another European tour arises, everybody
nods their head that they are interested. Then it is forgotten
until the next Reunion.
Larry Herpel
Larry Herpel will put a trip together, if the 44th wants to go. The
215 S. Medina
Museum in Norwich is planning a grand opening in 2001. Why
Lockhart, TX
not go for that auspicious event, then plot a course across
(512) 376-7780
Europe, ending up in Germany? Let me, know if you are
<lherpel@juno.com>
seriously interested, and the 44th BGVA will make it happen.
27
�From the Editor:
GDMail & E-Mail^
The 44th BGVA is one group you can join and be CERTAIN your name will not be sold to any commercial
organization. Jerry Folsom, Treasurer, guarantees that
all names, addresses and phone numbers are kept in
total confidentiality.
<^
From the diary of the late Bill Uvanni, Radioman on the
George Bieber Crew on the Consolidated Mess:
July 7,1944 - Bemberg, Germany. "On the wall-map of
Europe a red line was stretched all the way from England
to Bernberg deep in Germany. W e were briefed to expect
fighters, as this is in a fighter region; and also to expect
heavy flak ... About 5 minutes before target time w e were
hit by fighters. W e flew in the lead element and were
right up front. Approximately 60 fighters lined 15 abreast
came in at us from one o'clock and slightly high. They
fired as they came in, and you could see orange millimeter shells as they came through the air. None of the
planes from our squadron were hit, but an entire squadron (12 aircraft) were knocked out on the first pass.
S o m e blew up and others went into dives and never
came out. S o m e of the crew saw several chutes come
out of these planes... the Germans were strafing the
airmen hanging in their chutes.
Editor's Note: The Consolidated Mess had 200 holes,
but nobody was hurt. This was the crew's first
mission.
Magdeburg. I was on Lt. Westcott's crew, and the ship
flying off our left wing was Lt. Landall's crew, and both got
it at the same time when due to a flak hit, Landall lost
control and altitude, dropping right on top of Westcotts.
Three of us from Westcott's and six from Landahl's
survived. It made m e realize once again, that it was
divine intervention that any of us survived.
The family of Penny Porter Cool of Glasco, KS, waited
three generations to find out what happened to her uncle,
James M. Porter. She had been told that his crew had
made a pact, never to become P O W s ; but rather, go
down with the plane. Will Lundy was able to connect
her with John Dayberry, a life member of the 44th
BGVA, and let her know of others that survived the crash.
Peter Loncke, First Sergeant in the Belgium Air Force,
has spent the past twenty years locating crash sites,
making videos and contacting relatives of those who
were lost, both American & British. He has been in touch
with Will Lundy, who told him how to contact Bob
Vance. Loncke found two crash sites in the area of
Wesel, Germany, and was delighted to learn that Bob
and Louis DeBlasio had survived the crash of the Southem Comfort.
Editor's Note: Because of Bob's & Louis's colorful
description of the Fighter Pilot that went down on the
same day, I have made a constant effort to find him.
They did not know his name. Peter Loncke thinks he
will soon have him identified.
<^
Forwarded from the Internet Walter Lawrence to
T o m m y Shepherd:
... I was in the barbershop and noticed a video that had
pictures of B-24's on it. O n further inspection I discovered the first part of the film entitled the mission, featuring
the 44th with Gen. Johnson narrating. The amazing thing
was that it included a good shot of My Everlasting Gal the
ship w e flew most all of our missions in, and even the last
one where (due to no fault of hers) she let us down with a
big bang right after bombs away; June 29 over
From Bob Norsen (68th Sq.): "My first ride in a B-24 was
with eight other pilots as passengers. Major Curtis
LeMay was pilot. He fought that airplane like he was
wrestling alligators. I think w e helped by walking in
unison from front to back in the waist section while he
was in the pattern. I wondered at the time - This B-24 will
take M U S C L E ! It turned out that it was easy and fun to fly...
The instructors were about a week ahead of the pilots
being assigned. O n m y initial check out the instructor
kept showing m e how to steer with brakes- engines and
m
�rudder as w e used up runway. Ahead they were extending the runway with a paving machine covered with
workmen. W h e n he said "follow m e on the throttles," I
firewalled them. At the last minute w e both pulled us off
the runway, and w e mushed over the paver, men jumping
off and running for life."
"My check out lasted 15 minutes. Nothing was said, but I
think w e both learned that runway behind is in the wrong
place!"
From Kevin Watson, England: Dignitaries honored the
lost crew of the American Bomber RuthLess at Butts
Brow, a hill above the town of Eastbourne. O n R e m e m brance Sunday, Deputy Mayor Olive Woodall laid a poppy
at the foot of the memorial in the place of Mayor Beryl
Healy. The plane was named for the wife of the pilot,
Ruth. Flying without her, he was RuthLess.
Forwarded from T o m m y Shepherd, the sad news that
Father Fabian Harshaw, 62, a Benedictine monk, died
recently. Born 1906, Harshaw was ordained a priest on
May 21,1932. From 1942-46 he served as Chaplain in
the Army Air Corps, the first monk from St. Benedicts to
become a chaplain in WWII. He achieved the rank of
captain before leaving the service.
He is fondly remembered by many. Mike Yuspeh said it
succinctly: "We wouldn't fly until Father Harshaw blessed
us .... Father Harshaw furnished the wine w e men of
Jewish faith used in our weekly religious services..."
Shepherd stated, "To me, Father Harshaw is one of the
quiet, meek and genuine men (of the cloth), the best of
the best— kind of a living Beatitudes. The 44th was
definitely 'blessed'... its Commanding officers, Staff,
Support Unit Personnel, Air Crews, Ground Crews and
Administrative Personnel. I can still 'see' that lil' m a n with
the Cross Insignia on his blouse lapels. I can remember
his blessings at Reconciliation - at - oh so many times
when w e would 'meet and pass.' As a Catholic by conversion, I feel blessed by knowing this Fine Man of God."
Three years ago an entourage from the 44th BG visited
the crash site of the RuthLess, and were in awe of the
ceremony which the community of Eastbourne held on
that momentous occasion. It is nice to know that over
there, they recognize the sacrifice of Americans to help
free the world of evil that was of unimaginable proportions.
Mike Yuspeh invites one to check the New Orleans Web
Site. Great information available there:
(Gnofn.org/~506bgp44).
From Mel Trager, gunner, 506 Sq.:"... I and many Jewish
veterans would be grateful if, in addition to the Christian
Cross in F O L D E D W I N G S , w e could also
have the Star of David. I a m enclosing a
picture of the War Memorial here in Joliet
(Illinois) that I planned and built. The Cross
and Star of David were made to specification of overseas cemeteries. The Poppies
were sent to m e from the Mayor of Dunkar,
Flanders Field.
War Memorial
at Joliet, IL
1999
29
�Eastern Daily Press, England The Millennium Library in
Norwich is taking shape, and by the turn of the year it will
be rising above ground. According to Robin Hall, chief
executive of the Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Company, the shell is due to be completed in June. "We aim
to have construction complete by December, 2000, and
then w e start the major job of stocking the library with
books and installing information technology."
From Jan J. Van der Veer in Friesland, a province in
Holland: Jan was a fifteen year old in 1943; and to avoid
being sent to Germany for slave labor, he went underground. He has been very helpful to Will Lundy in
supplying information about planes that went down in his
area.
One of Jan's reports was about the late Thijs Westra, a
Resistance Leader who 'dealt' in Allied Airmen. O n e B24 Waist Gunner hiding in Friesland learned to speak
Frisian without any foreign accent. He was provided with
a faked passport; and even the local Frisians did not
know that he was an American airman.
Editor's Note: Would that airman like to identify
himself, and describe his life at that time?
Describing the German Occupation, Jan wrote "All of us
knew that our lives depended on the whim of the first
German police chap that came along. All of us were
waiting for the night at last there would be that screeching
of car brakes and the thudding of rifle butts on the front
door and the shouting of 'Open up, German Police' They
might shoot you right away. They might arrest you and
torture you and try to make you talk about Resistance
secrets."
From Tony Mastradone, a piece of history—Washington
Post, October 10,1911: "For the first time in the history
of aviation, actual bomb dropping from an aeroplane took
place at College Park yesterday afternoon." Lt. Thomas
De Witte Milling, operating an army biplane, took up
former Lt. Scott, inventor of the bomb-carrying device and
on two successive trips released a 25 pound steel shell
from the chassis of the aeroplane while the machine was
flying at 41 miles an hour...It. Milling said, "With the
device Lt. Scott has invented, I a m sure it will not be long
before the army will be able to destroy any large fortress
... in the world. A fleet of rapidly moving aeroplanes at
the height of 2,000 feet, could drop each a 250 pound
bomb of nitroglycerin ... and escape unharmed, while the
shells would wreak death and destruction."
Editor's Note: Obviously, in 1917 nobody could have
even imagined the Ploesti Raid.
^5
E-Mail—DSC to Jack:
I was a Pan A m 727 FE waiting for start clearance in
Munich, Germany. I was listening to the radio, since I
was the junior crew member. This was the conversation I
overheard: Lufthansa: (in German) "Ground, what is our
start clearance time?" Ground: (in English) "If you want
an answer you must speak English. (In English) "I a m a
German, flying a German airplane in Germany. W h y must
I speak English? Beautiful English Accent: (before ground
could answer) "Because you lost the bloody war!" I was
laughing all the way back to Berlin!!!
Will and Irene visited Jan and his wife Rink ten years
ago, and it was an impressive visit. Jan has since
passed away, but his legacy of stories is in the files of
Will Lundy.
&
€>
�Everyone has a story worth telling and
worth publishing. PLEASE Send it!
Ruth w. Davis-Morse, Editor
2041 village Circle East
York, PA 17404
Telephone: (717) 846-8948
Fax:(717)846-6688
e-Mail: REWDM@BLAZENET.NET
^5
Chris Clark of Manassas, VA is trying to find information
about his Uncle Charles Franklin Clark, 506 BS. He was
a nose gunner on the Confer crew. He also flew with the
George W. Smith and Robert McMahon crew in the
489th. He flew eight missions with the 44th, and received
the D F C and 3 O L C s from General Johnson.
Chris, a Liberator buff, questions where this picture of his
uncle was taken. Also, does anybody remember Charles
Clark? Can you tell him any interesting experience you
may have had with his uncle?
Call (703) 392-9437 or write 8427 Willow Glen Ct.,
Manassas, VA 20110-4639.
Charles F. Clark 33205104 506BS 44BG
JOIN US IN SAN DIEGO
AT THE
BALBOA PARK ZOO!
HUA MEI,
DAUGHTER OF
SHI SHI A N D BAI Y U N
IS BEING PATIENT
AWAITING YOUR
ARRIVAL!
A m o n g the planned events is a trip to the Balboa Park Zoo, one of the best in the
world. They recently announced the birth of H u a Mei, daughter of Shi Shi and Bai
Yun, three of the world's increasingly rare Pandas.
SI
���44TH BOMB GROUP VETERANS ASSOCIATION BOARD
Official Journal of
President Emeritus: B-Gen John H. Gibson (Retired)
7008 Gateridge
Dallas, TX 75240-7936
Phone: (972) 239-0559
Compiled, written
Immediate Past President: Roy W. Owen (506)
6304 Meadowridge Drive
Santa Rosa, CA 95409-5839
Phone: (707) 538-4726 Fax: (707) 538-1212
e-mail: Rowen44bg@aol.com
Director: Robert J. Lehnhausen (68)
2540 Benton Court
Peoria, IL 61615-8838
Phone/Fax: (309) 243-1952
The 8-Ball Tails©
The 44th Bomb
Group Veterans
Association, Inc.©
Director: Michael "Mike" Yuspeh (506)
7214 Sardonyx St.
N e w Orleans, LA 70124-3509
Phone/Fax: (504) 283-3424
e-mail: mikeyuspeh@worldnet.att.net
and published triyearly at 2041
Village Circle East,
York, PA, by Ruth
W . Davis-Morse,
Editor. Printed and
Director (44 SMW)
mailed Bulk Rate
President: Edw. K. "Mike" Mikoloski (66/67)
at Salt Lake City,
Charles G. Simpson
626 Smithfield Road #702
U T under U S P S
P.O. Box 281
N. Providence, Rl 02904
Permit #6923. All
Breckenridge, C O 80424
Phone/Fax: (401) 353-0144
original written
Phone/Fax: (970) 453-0500
e-mail: EKMLIB44@msn.com
material
such as
e-mail: AFMISSILEERS@compuserve.com
letters,
stories,
First Vice President: Richard D. Butler (506/67)
excerpts from
Historian: C.W. "Will" Lundy (67)
44th Group VP to 2nd ADA
personal diaries or
3295 North "H" Street
16828 Mitchell Circle
memoirs, drawings
San Bernardino, CA 92405-2809
Riverside, CA 92518
and photos
Phone/Fax: (909) 882-2441
Phone (909) 780-7421 Fax: (909) 780-1459
submitted to this
e-mail: willundy@aol.com
e-mail: rdbutler@excelonline.com
journal will become
P.O. Box 315, Bridgeport, CA 93517 (Sum) the property of the
Phone/Fax: (760) 932-7349
Treasurer: Gerald (Jerry) Folsom (506)
44th Bomb Group
3582 East Dover Hill Road
Veterans
Membership: Search
Salt Lake City, UT 84121-5527
Association and
Art Hand (66)
Phone (801) 733-7371 Fax: (801) 942-9988
will be copyright
517 Elm Street
e-mail: 44thbgva@xmission.com
protected except
Paris, IL 61944-1417
where noted. The
text and photos
Phone/Fax: (217) 463-5905
Secretary & 8 Ball Tails Editor: Ruth W. Davis-Morse
are otherwise
e-mail: k9hwp@comwares.net
2041 Village Circle East
reproduced from
York, PA 17404
official U S A A F and
U.K. Representative: Steve Adams
Phone (717) 846-8948 Fax: (717) 846-6688
USAF documents
e-mail: REWDM@BLAZENET.NET
28 Bassingham Rd.
and
photos which
Norwich, England NR3 20J
have
been released
Phone/Fax: 011-44-1603-400221
Director (67) Archivist
for
publication.
e-mail: s.p.adams@btinternet.com
Anthony 'Tony" Mastradone
Permission is
9111 Tuckerman Street
granted for the
ASSOCIATION MAILING ADDRESS:
Lanham, M D 20706-2709
contents of this
44th BGVA
Phone/Fax: (301) 577-1487
journal to be
P.O. Box 712287
e-mail: mast@clres.com
reproduced
Salt Lake City, UT 84171-2287
specifically for
personal archives.
Otherwise, copyright material herein m a y be reproduced by the journal of other incorporated non-profit veterans organizations so long as this publication is
properly credited and prior permission is granted by the editor.
Those submitting letters, stories and photos to the editor or historian must do so with the understanding that this material will most likely be published in t
journal as a matter of interest to the members/subscribers of the Association and this journal. While every attempt will be made to answer all of the material
received, there is no explicit or implied guarantee that an answer will be provided or published. Except for specific requests for the return of original documents
and photos, all material submitted will become the property of the 44th Veterans Association, Inc., or its successors.
�ROBERT R£ASON£R'S AOUENTURES
WHILE EARNING PURPLE HEARTS
SqT. Robem
REASONER \N
1942.
FiPiy-flvE ytAns AFTER BAT O U T of Hbll CRAshed NEAR HAVERfoRdwEsi, WAIES,
(1 9 9 8 ) R E A S O N E R REiuRNEd TO TEIE CRASFI siiE TO Uy A WREATEI O N TEIE
MONUMENI TO Flis FAIIEIN CREWMEN. ThIE pRESidENT of IIHE PEMF>ROl<ESEliRE
AviAiioN G R O U P , M A I C O I M CUIIEN, A R R A N G ^ A fliqliT O V E R TEIE D E N A N I AREA
FOR B o b ANd B E R N K E R E A S O N E R iN A C E S S N A AS PART of TEIE MEMORJAI
CElEbRAlioN ANd EXpRESSiON of TEIE qiiAmudE of TEIE WEISCEI pEOpU.
The German Luftwaffe w a s not the only problem the crew of
Bat Out of He/I encountered when the 68th Squadron set off
for the submarine pens at St. Nazaire, France on Sunday,
January 3,1943. B-24s followed the B-17 formations,
dropped their bombs and continued following them out over
the ocean and back toward England. Returning home,
Reasoner's plane made it across the Channel to Wales, but
Pilot Lt. Roy Erwin had no gas to continue. At 600 feet the
plane dived straight down into a cabbage patch. Fortunately,
without gas, it did not explode. Reasoner w a s one of the
lucky ones that survived the crash. The impact w a s so
powerful, his shoes flew off-still untied, and he sustained an
injury to his heel. For that crash he earned Purple Heart #1.
Less fortunate was Clark Swanson, co-pilot, who died
instantly. Roy Erwin died two days later in the hospital; and
on January 8th, T h o m a s Davenport, Navigator, passed
away. Reasoner lived to fly again.
"After spending a week in the hospital, I w a s sent back to
Shipdham. At first they didn't have anything for m e to do. I
just hung around, doing nothing. Finally they sent m e to
Lancashire to Turret Maintenance School." Reasoner enjoyed
that for about a month, but the easy life w a s short-lived. In
March they assigned him to the crew of Pilot George Jansen
on Margaret Ann, and on M a y 14th, he w a s on his way to the
Sub Pens at Kiel, Germany.
Fighters and anti-aircraft weapons protected the Krupp
Submarine Plant, where 17 B-24s followed 109 Fortresses.
The B-17s were dropping high explosives, some of which
were falling through the Liberator's formation. To avoid this
menace, the lead pilots maneuvered away from the B-17
bomber column, becoming easy targets for the German
fighters. The 100 lb. incendiaries dropped by the Liberators
broke open immediately, so the pilots in the rear planes had to
fly in loose formation to avoid the masses of incendiary sticks
from the lead planes. The 44th lost five planes, one w a s
abandoned, 9 damaged, 12 men wounded and 51 MIA.
Among the wounded was Reasoner, whose head met a .30
cal. bullet. This earned him Purple Heart #2.
"From my position in the tail turret, I was shooting at the
fighter and watching the tracers. He w a s coming right at
me," Reasoner recalled. "All of a sudden I found myself
looking straight up at the top of the plane." He could feel the
warm blood seeping out of his wound, matting his hair.
Our of C,AS, BAI OLI of Htll< KASITLC! iN W A I E S .
�With four wounded men on board and a plane that had been
badly damaged, Lt. George Jansen managed to get them
safely back to Shipdham, succeeding in making a perfect
landing. When the 44th w a s awarded a Unit Citation for the
Kiel Mission, Reasoner was still recovering from his wound.
With the upcoming attack on Sicily, Reasoner joined the
44th's flight to Benghazi in late June, 1943. From this
airfield they bombed Italian and Sicilian fortifications, in
preparation for General Patton's and Montgomery's entry
onto the island. This w a s the prelude to the attack on
mainland Europe. They carried their bombs to Foggia, Naples
and Rome; and when the decision was made to cut off the
German oil supply at Ploesti, the Margaret Ann, Jansen's
plane was among the attacking force. This w a s another Unit
Citation mission.
"It turned out that our assignment to Benghazi was for the
low level attack on the Ploesti oil fields. After some low level
flying over England and over the desert of Libya, the day
arrived for the low level mission. W e took off at dawn for the
target," Reasoner stated.
"It was a long mission. We were in the air a total of 13 hours
and 5 minutes. W e had to fight off fighters and fly through
heavy flak before entering the fire, smoke, and explosions in
the target area to deliver our bombs. W e came through with
only a few small holes in our aircraft, but I saw several planes
go down. W e had a lot of small arms fire over the target."
August 1, 1943 is recognized as one of the most costly
missions in the War, in terms of loss of men and aircraft, and
also men captured.
"As a reward for this mission, we were given a three day pass
and a plane to carry us to Jerusalem, which w a s at that time,
a part of Palestine. Then w e set out for England.
"Spain was a neutral country, so we couldn't fly over it.
Instead w e went over Gibralter into the open Atlantic. I
looked out the window and saw a stream of oil coming from
under the plane. Another plane signaled to us that w e had a
problem, so w e turned back to North Africa, this time landing
in Marrakesh, French Morocco. It took ten days to get the
plane repaired, so when w e returned to England, w e flew solo.
"Two weeks later we got word that the Army was holed up at
Anzio and needed help to break through. By the time w e got
there, they had made the break, so they were ready to send
us back to England. Then came the Mission to Wiener-Neustadt
in Austria. It was a Messerschmidt plant.
&
C A N ANybody idENiify TEIESE T W O STRATEqisTs w h o ARE poiNiii
OUT TEIE ROUTE iN ANd OUT of PloESTi?
"The first time w e went to Wiener-Neustadt on August 13,
1943, the Germans were unprepared, thinking our planes
could not fly that far. W e had very little resistance. T w o
months later, on m y 21st mission, October 1,1943, they
were ready. This time I w a s with Lt. Coleman Whitaker's
crew on the Blackjack. I thought it would be a milk run, and
going across the mountains of Yugoslavia, I was wondering
what I should do after I finished m y last three missions-go
back to the states, join a maintenance crew, or what? As it
happened, m y decision w a s made for me."
The ME 109's came straight toward the formation. These
were experienced fighters - 60 or 70 of them. Then came
the heavy flak. It hit the bomb bay and set it afire. The plane
fell back, peeled to the left, losing altitude. At that point
there w a s no radio contact among the crew. Blackjack
passed under another aircraft, and three crew members bailed
out. Reasoner walked through fire with his eyes closed to
find an exit. The bombardier's camera w a s occuppying the
camera hatch, so he leaped out the waist window, intending
to open his parachute when he hit the clouds below. However,
drifting out of consciousness, he woke up in the clouds with
the chute opened. The plane drifted to the left, passing over
the top of another plane in the formation. T w o more crew
members emerged. At that point the plane turned right and
broke into two pieces, taking the lives of Coleman Whitaker,
Pilot; Francis Badman, Radio Operator; Wilson Riche, Asst.
Engineer; Robert Smith, Gunner and Anthony Domico,
Assistant Radio Operator. Seven planes from the 44th went
down that day. Reasoner earned his third Purple Heart.
"My parachute got caught in a tree, a few feet from the
ground," Reasoner remembered. "By that time I was totally
blind, and the Germans pulled m e from the tree.
®
�"Since I w a s sent to a hospital and not interrogated, I w a s
not legally a POW," he continued. "I w a s in a room with five
Germans with an Austrian doctor taking care of me. If the
other patients were present, he did not talk. When they were
out, he spoke very kindly in perfect English and w a s
extremely gentle in the painful procedures he had to do in
caring for m y burns.
"He told me that I needed a great deal of work done on my
face, and that he had a friend in Vienna w h o w a s a plastic
surgeon. 'Would I like to see him?' Of course I wanted
anything! that would make m y life better, so he promised to
make the arrangements. I had been in the hospital four
months, most of them in total blackness. N o w I could see a little."
During that period, kindness came from unexpected sources.
Reasoner w a s 'adopted' by some southern EuropeansSerbians and Croations. They saluted him with great respect;
and even though they had no common language, they talked.
They came in different numbers-two, three or four, and they
each brought him the same treat, apples, sugar cubes or cigarettes.
"One evening an aide came and told me to come with him to
get some clothes, that I w a s going to Vienna. I w a s outfitted
with German infantry pants, ill fitting Gl shoes and an old
jacket, and at 5:00 A.M. I w a s off on a bus to a ski resort
doubling as a medical facility.
"That doctor assured me that I needed a lot of plastic
surgery. He told m e to go back to m y hospital and he would
send for m e when he had room. I never saw him again.
"Back at the hospital we had a new doctor who was very
stern. I could hear him coming down the hall, 'Heil Hitler' to
everyone he met.
"Several days later they repeated the call to get clothes to go
to Vienna. This time, instead of the hospital, I ended up in a
large warehouse filled with a collection of laboring P O W s . W e
were transported to 17-A, which w a s mostly an English
camp. I w a s treated great. S o m e of the P O W s had been
captured at Dunkirk, and I was the first American they had seen.
"After about a month I was sent to Frankfurt-on-Main to be
interrogated and w a s assigned to Stalag Luft VI prison camp.
I expected a lengthy questioning, but it w a s very brief. When
the German folded up the paper he w a s writing on, I said, 'Is
that all? He assured m e he already knew all about m e and m y
crew, and did not need to question m e further."
There w a s a rumor in Luft VI prison camp that in accordance
with the Geneva Convention, wounded prisoners could apply
for repatriation. A prisoner, an English doctor, acted as
advisor as to w h o might qualify. He advised Reasoner to apply.
"I had to pass a long table with doctors from many
nationalities w h o were supposed to be neutral in their
evaluation-German, Swiss and Swedish. Each of them just
passed m e along, and the last one said, 'Sergeant Reasoner,
you may go home.'
'Go home! Go home! It was almost too good to be true.'
This was the beginning of a long period of hospitalization for
Reasoner. He had more skin grafts than he could remember
at the Newton D. Baker Hospital in Martinsburg, West
Virginia. When that closed, he went to Valley Forge Hospital
in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. The surgeons created new eyelids
for him, and rebuilt ears which were almost totally burned away.
Returning to civilian life was difficult, as he was self-consci
about his appearance. However he went on to get a degree in
Botany at the University of Miami, becoming a landscape
architect. In time he landed a job with the Department of
Agriculture in Miami, Florida, and
has been retired for 20 years.
He and his wife Bernice reside in
Mountville, South Carolina.
DECORATIONS
Distinguished Flying Cross
Bronze Star
Air Medal w/3 OLC
Distinguished Unit Citation w/l OLC
P O W Medal
European Theater of Operations Medal w/4 Battle Stars
Three Purple Hearts
C R E W of
TEIE MARqARET A N N
KNEEUNQ
L-R:
FRANCTS BAUMAN,
Louis CiRARd,
Piloi 1 si LT.
CEORqE JANSEN,
Bob
REASONER
SiANdiNq L-R:
CIARENCE SiRAwdbERq,
CORtt/iN Huff,
EuqtNE VickERy,
CEORqE KEISEY,
CEORqE GuilfoRd,
RODERT S»mh.
�fiv
44th BGVA Board Masting
At the 44th B G V A Board Meeting, Mike Yuspeh reported
that the site for the 2001 Reunion will probably be in
Barksdale, as that group is working very hard to complete
the B-24, n o w under reconstruction. The plane will be
renamed Louisiana Belle, and will have the serial number and
stripes of the 44th.
to the 506th B o m b S q u a d r o n
Roy O w e n is organizing a team of members to make
personal calls to inactive members of the 44th in an effort
to increase membership.
O n July 10, 2000 the
506th Bomb Squadron
lost its wartime
"Mum," when Mrs.
Linda Weston, age 89,
quietly passed away at
her home in
Portsmouth, England.
Linda, her husband Bill
"B"eryT 944
(Davies), and daughter
lived in the farmhouse just over the fence of
A A F 1 1 5 , Site 2, home of the 506th. W e
featured the Davies family in our Winter 1995
issue of the 8-Ball Tails.
Following the meeting. O w e n is going to Savannah to
inspect the diorama of the Ploesti Mission at the Mighty
Eighth Museum. He is also invited to Shipdham to speak to
a group about 44th activities during W W I I .
By-law change: The Nominating Committee is required to
submit only one nominee for each office. Each Squadron
will have a representative, but a Unit vote is not required.
The number of representatives is unchanged.
Board membership: Tony Mastradone has agreed to continue
as Archivist. Mike Yuspeh wishes to go off the Board after
this year, but will work with his replacement.
44tb Bomb Group Vetenans
Association Reunion
August 31 - Septemben 3, 2000
San Diego, California
Linda was the surrogate mother to all the
506th guys. She laundered our underwear
baked us bread,
welcomed us into
her home and
laughed her way
into our hearts. W e
last saw her at our
Shipdham barbeque
party on the England
trip in '97. She was a
faithful member of
ooT^nT
44thBQVAandis
survived by her daughter Beryl, son-in-law,
Ron and their children Rebecca, 20, and son,
Christopher 17, W e will miss her smiling face
and the care she so willingly gave to the lads
across the fence w h o were so far from home.
If you haven't registered (or the L\L)th BGVA
Reunion, you'll be missing a tot of fun. Mike l/uspeh
has taken great pains to see that it vOill be another
unforgettable eOent. The NaOal Air Stations,
Aircraft Carrier, Balboa Zoo, the shops around
Westin Plaza and the historic Hotel bet Coronado
are alt on parade in this multi-culture metropolis.
Located a short distance from the Mexican border,
San Diego is one of the most exciting cities in the
country.
There are no bonds tike the bonds of War buddies.
Don't pass up this opportunity to be together in a
unique, sometimes quaint location.
6
�2nd AIR DIVISION REUNION
The 53rd Convention of the 2nd
Air Division Association m e t at
display and murals on the wall
the Hyatt Regency Hotel in
that tell the story of the war.
Tampa, Florida. Along with the
As a special consideration to t
flurry of old friends greeting
2 AD memPersand expression of
each other in a hotel, which is
their
gratitude, Norwich has
famous for its splendor, there
extended an ancient Put valuaPle
were Poat trips, shopping
designation: status of Freedom
opportunities and a trip to the
of
Norwich Award. This gives 2
Fantasy of Flight Museum.
PERRy M O R S E ANd JsuRy F O I S O M AdMiRE TEIE icE
The Pig event after the Buffet
AD members the right to have
SCulpTURE of A LibERATOR OUTsidE TEIE BANQUET
Dinnerwasafilm presentation
riotous parades through the city,
HAII AT 2 AD REUNJON.
"Music at Theater Royal
complete with Pannersand loud
Norwich; a footstomping, rip
music. Also the right to raise
roaring, tear jerking presentation of an American
within
the city
limits. six
Long range planssheep
include
a Memorial
Garden,
show which many of the 44th had enjoyed on one
studv areas for historians and researchers, a B-24
of their English tours. The Stars and Stripes never
simulator and a 'Mission Room: He announced
looked Petter than they did on that English stage.
thata banner will be displayed for everygroup
At the Banquet on Sunday evening, David Hastings,
that flew from there.
vice Chairman of the Memorial Trust Board of
The 2 AD presented Hastings with a check for
Governors of the Norwich Museum/UPrary,
$10,000. At present there are 499 reservations for
reported on progress in the Puilding program. He
the
tour to the Grand Opening in NovemPer, with
stated that this library will be unique in the world,
a waiting list of 25-30.
and it honors the 6,700 American airmen from the
2 A D w h o died in W W H .
The candle lighting service honored those lost
"This is the finest Puilding in Norwich," he
particular missions, the ground crews w h o
declared, "it is Pecause of your vision that w e
maintained the planes and those w h o have passed
have this living memorial, it promotes a unique
away in later years. T w o memPers of the 44th
bond of friendship Petween our two countries."
participated in the lighting ceremony—BoP
Lehnhausen and Will Lundy.
in addition to the library, there will be a
restaurant, a heritage attraction center in which
the history of Norwich is told and the 2 AD
honored. There will be a model of a B-24 on
Will LuNdy ANd Dick BUTIER.
LiqlrTiNq TEIE CANdks foR IOST buddiss.
�This story is dedicated to two young men, William F. Coll of Park Hall, Maryland, and Robert Zoller of Longmont, Colorado. Their
uncles flew on B-24 # 4 1 - 2 3 7 7 8 F of the 44th B o m b Group. Both are new members of the 44th BGVA.
THE FIGHTING LADf: fi-24 #41-2377$ F
By: M/Sgt. Walter M. Patrick, U S A F (Ret.)
G U N N E R AboARd LAdy Luck TEIAT
W E N T do«/N O N TEIE Auqusi 1 6,
-
ENqiNEER O N ScRAppy II,
1 945 FoqqiA MissioN W A S
I/Sqr. WilliAM L. Coll, KIA AT PIOESTL
S/Sqi. H A R P E R F. ZOIIER.
This is the story of a fighting lady. Her official name was # 4 1 23778 F, but she also had several other stand-ins, namely
Jenny and Lady Luck. As a member of the 66th Squadron,
44th Bomb Group, she carried approximately 30 young men into
battle over the skies of Europe, namely France, Germany and
Italy, from December 6, 1942 until August 16, 1943.
Jenny appeared over the skies of Abbeyville, France with Lt.
Jimmy Kahl at the controls on December 6, 1942; and on
August 16, 1943, that same B-24, Lady Luck, made her final
exit at Foggia, Italy with Lt. Rocco A. Curelli in the left-side
seat. This account is about the trials and tribulations of # 4 1 23778, the men who flew her, their
exploits in the air, their leisure time,
and a few of the men's post-war
adventures.
The initial crew of Jenny was put
together at Barksdale Field, Louisiana
during July and August, 1942. They
were: Pilot: Lt. Jimmy Kahl; Co-Pilot:
Lt. T h o m a s S. Scrivner; Navigator:
Lt. Edward Mikoloski; Bombardier:
Lt. Edward Brennan; Engineer:
T/Sgt. William L. Coll; Radio Operator:
T/Sgt. Channing Satterfield; Right Waist Gunner;
S/Sgt. Hank Balsley; Left Waist Gunner:
S/Sgt. Walter Hazelton; and Tail Gunner: T/Sgt. George DeLacy.
The two well gunners joined the Jenny crew during the fall of
1942. Sgt. Harold Samuelian, who had some early contact
with the Jenny crew at Barksdale, was assigned in September,
1942.1 was assigned in October, 1942. I had arrived earlier in
England, in May 1942, with the 15th Bombardment Squadron.
The 15th was an A-20 outfit that made the first attack on
Europe by Americans when w e hit airdromes in Holland. It was
a low-level attack in conjunction with the Royal Air Force. I was
one of a few 44th gunners to have attended gunnery school
with the RAF. Because of losses to combat and other attrition,
I quickly moved up the ranks, so to speak, from well gunner to
waist gunner to tail gunner.
The Jenny's first mission took place on December 12, 1942.
Like most 44th crews, w e flew our first mission to the FW-190
Yellow Nose base at Abbeyville on the French coast. The first
crew loss was suffered on a mission to Romilly Sur Seine, eight
days later on December 20, 1942, when tail gunner
T/Sgt. George DeLacy's fingers froze while working on
malfunctioning guns. This injury ended his combat career;
and he would later be returned to the States.
PICTURED
C R E W of JENNy (lj\dy Luck) # 4 1 ' 2 5 7 7 8 TEIAT WENT TO WJIEIEIMSEIAVEN, GERMANy ON jANUARy 26, 1 945.
TlrEy ARE FROM IEIT, sTANdiNq S/Sqi. HANk
BAISIEY, TAU G U N N E R ; LT. JiMiviy KAIHI,
Pilor; LT. EdwARd Mikoloski, NAviqAioR;
T/Sqi. D O N SisbERT, ENqiNEER; LT. Ed
B R E N N A N , BovibARdiER; SqT. WAITER
PATRick, Riqlri WAJST G U N N E R ; ANd T/Sqi.
CbANNiNq SATTERfiEld, RAdio OPERATOR.
FRONT ROW kNEEliNq TROM IETT ARE LT.
TEIOMAS SCRJVNER, Co'piloT; Sqi. H A R O W
SAMUEIJAN, ASST. ENqiNEER; S/Sqi. WAITER
HAZEITON, LETT WAisi G U N N E R ; ANd REAR
WEII G U N N E R , S/Sqi. JAMES YouNq.
The Jenny's fifth mission took place on January 26, 1943, and
proved to be a real zinger. As all of the crews gathered in the
briefing room to get the "poop" from the briefing officer,
Captain William F. Strong, w e immediately noticed that
something was different. The route to the target was covered
with a sheet. "Why?" w e wondered. Captain Strong made his
pitch. "Gentlemen," he said, "we have finally come to the point
of why w e are here, and" - his hand flipped the sheet off "here it is." A lot of "ooohs" and "ahhhhs" answered our
question. The Jenny, along with many others, was going bigtime. The string of the flight path reached a long way, all the
way from Shipdham, England to Wilhelmshaven, Germany. This
was bound to be quite an experience. And for the crew of Jenny it was.
®
�W e were hit with everything they
had. The German fighters were
so thick, it was like w e had an
1-1.i .~~
r
r-
KIA AI
plofs,i WAS
_. qi;
CHANNiNq
FW-190 escort from the German
N
border all the way to Wilhelmshaven SAITERNE^,
and all the way back to the
Radio
North Sea and beyond.
OPERATOR O N "jENNy," "LAdy
Lut k," ANd 'ScRAppy II."
Anti-aircraft fire was intense,
especially over the target area. Over the target itself, w e had
trouble with hung-up bombs in the b o m b bay. It was at this
point that Radio Operator T/Sgt. Channing Satterfield became
a real hero. He went into the b o m b bay and managed to get
the stuck bombs to drop. Also over the target area there was
real sweating by Jenny crew members when the B-24 off our
right wing was decapitated. A German FW-190 fighter pilot
flew his plane into the B-24 amidships. Both went down in
flames.
After leaving the German coast, it was determined that our
aircraft had undergone serious damage. The crew was told
that there would probably be a crash landing upon reaching
base. No "probably" about it. With no hydraulics and no
brakes, the future looked bleak; and the crash landing took
place. But Pilot Jimmy Kahl and his flight deck crew really
came through in true heroic style. When that heavy landing
gear finally fell safely into the down-and-lock position (there
was no hydraulic fluid to operate it), I could not believe it. It
was still "sweat-time" at landing. Most of the crew gathered
back around the waist area to take their crash positions. But
on landing Jennybe\d together; and w e made it. That was just
one of many miracles performed that day by the 44th.
"Thanks" go to Pilot Jimmy Kahl and yes, to Don Siebert, also.
Flight Engineer T/Sgt. Don Siebert told Waist Gunner Walter
Hazelton a number of years later that he didn't think anybody
aboard expected to see England again. He said Lt. Kahl, the
pilot, did a masterful job taking the battered but still reliable
Liberator back home.
PiloT of ScRAppy II, C A P T . T H O M A S
E. ScRivNER (IETT) ANd his C O '
piloT, LT. EVERETTE P. ANdERSON
WERE KIA WEIEN TIHEJR plANE CAME
OUT of TEIE SMOkE ANd FlRE AT
TElEiR TARqET, WEliTE FiVE AT TEIE
ColoMbiA AouiU REfiNERy.
The battle report of damage to
Jenny from m y Combat Crew
Report said that the ship was
badly shot up. Over twohundred holes were found in the fuselage, controls were cut,
landing gear was damaged, there was no hydraulic system
and no brakes. W e would stand down for approximately a
month. In the mean time, some drastic changes took place
related to crew assignments. Lt. Kahl moved on to Jenny II,
and Lt. Thomas Scrivner moved over from the right seat to
become pilot of Lady Luck, the new name for #42-23778.
The new co-pilot would be Lt. Everett R Anderson, a transfer
from the RAF Eagle Squadron. For quite a spell there would
be new well gunners on every mission. The well gunners
continued to change until w e got to Benghazi.
Upon return from that January 26, 1943 mission to
Wilhelmshaven, the flight crews found that the ever-loving
ground crews had taken all of the regular buses to town and
left the flight crew boys stranded at home base. Not to be left
behind, some of the flight crew boys, myself included, decided
that a weapons carrier would work as well as a bus, and off
we went to town. In town w e hid the weapons carrier in an
alley so the MP's wouldn't see it. S o m e time afterwards, an
elderly English gentleman pedaled his bicycle around the
corner and into the alley, crashing headlong into the truck.
Upon returning to the scene of the crash later that night, w e
flight crew boys, discovered that the Englishman had reported
the presence of the truck to the MP's. The MP's had then
confiscated the distributor cap of the truck, thus grounding us
and making us easy prey for the lurking MP's. Within several
days, at least six airmen were reduced to privates. It was
General Johnson's policy that you had to be at least a buck
sergeant to fly combat, so this was well and good with the
bicycle casualties. W e all volunteered to fly again.
In my case, I flew several more missions before Lady Luck
was scheduled to fly again. The extra missions I flew may have
been life-saving for me. By the time the mission to Ploesti
came around, I had amassed 2 7 missions and was not
required to make that fateful trip.
That first Wilhelmshaven raid was a turning point for a lot of
things. It was at this time that the Lady Luck crew was
selected to do some US War Bonds work. The crew was
directed to report to the B-17 base for a radio broadcast
back to the USA. This was about a five-day assignment. After
many rehearsals with John Daly, we were ready for the presentation,
we thought. Our parents and friends in the States were alerted
to the big broadcast. Everybody I spoke with afterwards
swore that w e were reading from a script. Ha! Ha!
Following the January 6 mission to Wilhelmshaven, Lady Luck
went to Kiel, the Friesian Islands, Dunkirk, Rowen, Brest, and
back to Wilhelmshaven again. At this time, some of the crew
�was a man and a woman; two children were hanging on to the
parents' legs. Between the plane and the farmhouse was a
wheat field.
members volunteered for extra missions. So when the March
18, 1943 mission to Vegesack rolled around, both Balsley and
I flew with other crews. This proved to be the undoing of
Balsley. He took a hit through the stomach while flying with
Major William H. Brandon on the Suzy Q. He was the first Lady
Lucku&N member killed - until Ploesti. I flew that day with
Capt. Robert E. Miller's crew. I volunteered for the mission to
Vegesack in order to get my sergeant stripes back following
the infamous attack of the Englishman's bicycle.
The target area itself was as pictured in many photos that I
would later see. It was definitely an oil refinery area. In the
dream I clearly saw all of the installations: cracking plants,
storage areas, etc. It was a mess, bombs exploding all around
us and fires raged. In the dream I didn't see any other planes
nearby (although later facts revealed that Lt. Henry Lasco,
flying in Sad Sack, had also crashed in the general area.) What
I saw in the dream was as if a snapshot had been taken of the
crashed plane, the dead crew, the target area in the midst of
being bombed, and Hazelton and I standing there at the
scene of the crash. As it turned out, Hazelton and I were the
only survivors. W e did not go on the Ploesti mission.
On May 17th, the illustrious mission to Bordeaux, France was
pulled off with beautiful results. Enormous damage was done
to the submarine pens there by Lt. James DeVinney, 67th
Squadron Bombardier. Lt. Edward Mikoloski, the old Jenny
Navigator, was the mission's lead Navigator aboard
Maj. Howard W Moore's plane "Suzy <?"co-piloted by Colonel
Leon W. Johnson. Also aboard was Brig. General James R Hodges,
2nd Air Division, Commanding General.
Life was not all flying, and we had some leisure time for crew
leave to London. Needless to say we had some great stories
to tell our barracks buddies when we returned. On one
London trip Hazelton and I brought back a phonograph and a
big stack of records. W e had purchased all of the latest hits
of the early 1940's: Green Eyes, Blue Champagne, Chattanooga
Choo-Choo and'Amopolo, just to name a few. These records
were played and replayed in the barracks prior to our
departure to Benghazi.
During this time in late 1942 and early 1943, we fought some
terrific battles over Germany, missions to Rotterdam, Brest,
Antwerp, Belgium, and H a m m , Germany. W e also managed to
drink lots of swell beer. And the English folks, especially the
young ladies, treated the Yanks with respect. Low level training
began around June 15th, 1943. W e all knew that this foretold
something special further down the line.
It was about this time that I had my perceptive dream. I'm not
sure if I was partially awake when it occurred, but one thing is
for sure, that dream was embedded deeply into my mind, and
it is still there today. During this time I was Lady Luck's third
tail gunner, and Walter Hazelton was the right waist gunner.
The dream picture is as follows: Although I didn't see myself
on the in-going flight, I did see that our plane had crashed in
the target area. Walter Hazelton and I were outside the plane
looking in. We saw that everyone else on board was dead. I
could see a small stucco farmhouse a bit off to the left of
where I was standing by the nose compartment of the
crashed plane. Standing in the doorway of the farmhouse
When we went out to Lady Luck'in the early morning hours of
August 1 st, 1943 to board, Lt. Scrivner noticed profuse
leakage of gasoline from the wing tanks. He decided on the
spot that the plane was inoperable for the mission to Ploesti.
So he and the crew were transferred to another bomber
parked nearby, Scrappy II. Hazelton and I had already flown
the required twenty-five missions (in both cases twenty-seven
missions), and were not required to go on the Ploesti raid. As
the crew was boarding the plane Lt. Scrivner asked me, "Pat,
are you going with us on this mission?" I was undecided and
for some reason did not even remember the dream.
"Lt. Scrivner, this is what I'm gonna do. I'm gonna flip a coin.
'Heads' I go, 'tails' I stay." The coin turned up "tails" and I
stayed. I don't know why Hazelton decided to stay. The crew
was cut from eleven to nine, going without well gunners, and a
new tail gunner took m y place.
In 1854 at Balaclava,
which is very near
Ploesti, the famous
Charge of the Light
Brigade under Lord
Caridigan took place.
There the English light
calvary ran headlong
into Russian artillery.
Loses were staggering.
PIAQUE HONORiNq CAPT. THOMAS E. SCRJVNER, Pilor O N Scrwppy II 'HAT
WENT dowN AT PloEsii O N AuqusT 1, 1 945 is dispUysd by foRMER
CREWMATES WAITER M . PATRick (IETT) ANd Col. EdwARd Mikoloski. TEIE
plAQUE WAS pRESENIEd IIN TEIE NAME of C O I O N E I "Miks" AT TEIE MiqHTy
EiqHTh AiR FORCE M U S E U M duRiNq TEIE 4 4 T H BoMb GROUP'S AMNUAI
10
REUNioN AI SAVANNAH, GA.
/j\
�Similar to the Light Brigade's losses in 1854, were the losses
suffered by American forces during the August 1 air raid on
Ploesti in 1943. The percentage losses were the same. So
the crew of Lady Luck now aboard Scrappy IIm\\\ Tom
Scrivner in the pilot's seat, dashed headlong into the 44th's
target code-named White Five, the Colombia Aquila Refinery at
Ploesti. It was there that they ran into the German
command's most prized air defense secret: the deadly Q Train.
It racked the attackers with vengeance, and possibly took out
Sad Sack II, piloted by Henry A. Lasco, with the same blast of fire
that brought down Scrappy II.
That night Major Jimmy Kahl drove up to our tent, and asked
Walt and m e to get into his jeep so he could take us for a ride.
W e rode out to the parking area and sat as Jim told us what
actually happened to our comrades. Captain Robert E. Miller
had led his flight into the White Five target, which was already
on fire when he got there. When he emerged from the fire
and smoke, both of his wingmen were gone. One of the
wingmen, Captain Thomas E. Scrivner, did come out of the
smoke, the plane in flames and the pilots were seen fighting
gallantly for a crash landing. They managed to crash land into
a farmer's wheat field, but before the plane had ground to a
halt the aircraft exploded, killing all nine m e n aboard.
LETT WAisi G U N N E R O N ScRAppy II AT
PloEsii WAS
Sqr. TfiOMAS F. SchAppERT,
Also KIA.
Riqhr WAisi G U N N E R O N ScRAppy II
w h o WAS KIA AT PloESTi WAS
SqT. M A R V I N R. MickEy.'*"
In a letter to former /e/7/7/gunner Sgt. Harold Samuelian,
former Squadron Commander of the 66th Squadron, Major
Dexter Hodge, wrote, "I was leading seven planes from the
66th. Thomas Scrivner was on m y right wing and Lasco was
on m y left wing. Between the IP and the target area I saw
flames coming over the right wing of Tom's plane. He was still
flying when w e went into the smoke and explosions at our
target. I think I saw his plane crash but a m not sure. All crew
members were killed."
The Scrappy II'crew was: Pilot: Lt. Thomas Scrivner, Co-Pilot:
Lt. Everett R Anderson, Navigator: Lt. Philip R Phillips, Jr.,
Bombardier: 2nd Lt. Robert E. Young, engineer:
T/Sgt. William F. Coll, Radio Operator: S/Sgt. Channing N.
Satterfield, Left Waist Gunner: Sgt. Marvin R. Mickey, Right
Waist Gunner: Sgt. Thomas F. Schappert, and Tail Gunner:
S/Sgt. Hugh J. Malone. With the exception of T o m m y Scrivner,
the entire crew has been interned at the National Cemetery at
Jefferson Barracks, Missouri.
Between the time I experienced the dream and the day of the
fateful raid, I never told Hazelton or anyone else about it. But
I certainly had thoughts about it when I sat in on the mission
briefing the night before that last mission. Sitting there that
night I again recalled the events of m y dream from several
months before. The next day I knew in m y heart and without a
doubt that as Hazelton and I sat around waiting for the planes
to return, our crew wouldn't make it. They never did.
As he spoke about the last moment before the plane exploded,
it seemed like that was the exact same time Hazelton and I
showed up in the dream. I was so deeply touched by this
mission that I mourned for m y lost comrades. Even now they
are remembered in m y prayers. I a m sure that most of the
survivors of that particular era will say the same. I never told
Hazelton about the dream until just recently when w e got back
in touch. I do not know what his feelings are about m y story,
but I will swear on a stack of Bibles that this is the whole truth
so help m e God. As a result of the great air battle at Ploesti,
five Congressional Medal of Honor were awarded. Three were
awarded posthumously. Another went to Colonel Johnson,
commander of the 44th B o m b Group (he would eventually
achieve the rank of General), and the fifth Congressional
Medal of Honor went to Colonel John R. Kane, commander of
the 98th B o m b Group.
Following the Ploesti debacle, all combat crews of the 44th
were sent on one to two weeks of Rest and Recuperation in
Telaviv. What a treat that was to enjoy fresh sheets and
wonderful food. Following R&R, all w h o had completed twentyfive missions were started for the States via Cairo and then
back to Shipdham for a few days. After Shipdham w e left for
Prestwick where we caught the jump-off flight to the good ol' USA.
Just before leaving for the States, the 66th Squadron Adjutant
called Hazelton and m e into his office and presented us with
T/Sgt. Chevrons. "Well deserved," he said. W e then hung out
at the Red Cross center and presented the Red Cross girls
with the phonograph machine and the records. While at the
Red Cross club, I met T/Sgt. Tauno Metsa, Engineer on Lt.
Walter Hughes' plane. When w e got back stateside, Metsa and
I were assigned to the Standardization Board at Westover Field,
Massachusetts. W e would be roommates, as well as fly together
on Standardization Board missions, until Victory Day in Europe.
�were able to escape from Italian P O W camps. I met a number
of POW's while stationed at Westover, MA, who had waltzed
away after as little as a week in captivity.
The final curtain for #41-23778 (viz. Jenny and Lady Luck)
came August 16, 1943, two weeks and two days after the
Ploesti debacle. Lt. Rocco A. Curelli from the 66th Squadron
flew Lady Luck with the 67th Squadron on a bombing mission
to the Italian port city of Foggia. This was an all-new crew
flying on their second mission. The 44th Bomber Group had
already visited Foggia prior to the Ploesti mission on July 15th,
1943, and had lost quite a few planes. This second visit
proved however, a bigger disaster than the first. Seven B-24's
were lost including old faithful, Lady Luck. All of the crew
except Radio Operator T/Sgt. Wesley L. Zimmerman, was
killed. Zimmerman was taken prisoner and was only a P O W for
five weeks when he escaped the Italian P O W camp and made
his way back to the 44th. After the war he returned to his
hometown in Winston Salem, N.C. He married his hometown
sweetheart, Gladys Hege, in June of 1943 prior to going
overseas. After the war he worked for AT&T out of Winston
Salem and was issued his "Folded Wings" in 1991. Of the 25
planes dispatched to Foggia, only 13 returned to Benghazi.
As usual the 67th Squadron was the big loser followed by the
506th and the 68th. The 66th escaped without a loss.
The four survivors of the more than thirty crew members who
flew in # 4 2 - 2 3 7 7 8 include Dr. Jimmy Kahl, pilot of Jenny. He
resigned as Major to attend the University of Kansas, School
of Veterinary, then opened up a flourishing business in his
hometown of Winona, Minnesota. He still practices there today.
President of the 44th Bomb Group Veterans Association,
Colonel Edward Mikoloski, is another. Colonel Mikoloski stayed
in the service after the war and spent a great deal of time on
the staff of General Johnson. He spent time in posts around
the world, from England to the Pentagon, and retired in 1968.
The Jenny's first well gunner, Harold Samuelian, is still wit
When the war ended, he returned to his home in Fresno,
California. Harold has been a prominent member of the
merchant's community for years and years in Fresno. If you
need a good bargain, he is the one to see!
I remained in the service after the war and served with then
Captain Mikoloski at Westover Field for several years. We
pioneered the concept of l&E presentations that prevailed for
years. I went on to serve in Germany, Japan and Panama, and
retired a Senior Master Sergeant with 28 years service in
1969. I then spent time working on a monthly magazine for
the US Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C. for 15
years before coming to my present home in Mt. Pleasant, SC.
The crew members of Lady Luck on her not so lucky day were:
Pilot: Lt. Rocco A. Curelli; Co-Pilot: John G. Papadopulos;
Navigator: Lt. Walt Rossi; Bombardier: Lt. Victor T. Torrou;
Engineer: Sgt. John H. Grinde; Radio Operator: Sgt. Wesley L
Zimmerman (POW and only survivor); Gunner: DeForest L.
Ela; Gunner: Sgt. Raymond C. Shafer; Gunner: Sgt. John R.
Hughes; Tail Gunner: Sgt. Harper F. Zoller.
Coincidentally, Lady Luck A Foggia and Scrappy ll'at Ploesti,
were flying in similar positions: the right wing slot off the
element leader. Another coincidence is that Lady Luck's radio
operator at Foggia, Wesley Zimmerman (POW), and Walter
Hazelton; who completed twenty-seven missions and was an
original crew member of Lady Luck, passed away during the
90's and were the last two crew men of # 4 1 - 2 3 7 7 8 to "Fold
their Wings."
Another casualty of the Foggia raid that made a number of
important missions including Ploesti, prior to Foggia was
Lt. Leighton Smith, pilot of Buzzin'Bear, a real warrior. Half
of his crew lost their lives at Foggia; the other half became
POW'S. Suzy-Q also went down at Foggia. She had carried
General Johnson and Major William Brandon to glory at
Ploesti. Southern Comfort-of the 506th was lost; two of the
crew died, but the remaining eight members of Lt. Horace A.
Austin's Southern Comfort were taken captive. Another
veteran of the Ploesti raid, Lt. Austin, escaped from the Italian
P O W camp. It seemed to be in vogue that American airmen
The story of #41-23778 cannot end without the mentioning
of her happy-go-Lucky shadow, Mr. Bob Hope and his USO
troupe that among others, included the very talkative Martha
Ray. Bob first showed up at Shipdham shortly before the 44th
went to Libya. Then several days prior to Ploesti he appeared
again at Benina-Main. W e thought we had seen the last of the
comedian at Benghazi, but when we boarded the C-54 at
Prestwick headed for the States, who should show up but Mr.
Bob Hope himself. W e had a continuous poker game going
from Prestwick to Iceland, and Bob kept wanting to join in; but
we kept telling him that enlisted personnel were not allowed to
gamble with officers, and in his case, civilians.
Near the end of hostilities in Europe, I was finally able to
the real life and blood Jenny. I was stationed at Westover
Field, MA, at the time and was surprised one day out in the
parking lot in front of Base Operations to hear my name
called. It was the now Major Jimmy Kahl, the first pilot of
#41-23778. He had just been assigned to base operations.
12
�He introduced m e to his most gracious wife, Jenny. Of course
it was a real honor to have met the lady that was the
namesake of the plane in which I flew a number of exciting
missions. To this day I stay in contact with Jimmy, the
courageous pilot w h o carried us through the Wilhelmshaven
mission.
One of my most momentous experiences related to the 44th
B o m b Group came around Thanksgiving 1996. Colonel
Mikoloski had asked m e if I would drop in on General Johnson
at his nursing home near m y daughter's home in Springfield,
Virginia, when he found out I was going up there for the
holiday. I was taken aback at this request. Why would a
retired Master Sergeant be visiting a four-star General - no
matter what the circumstances? But I would give it m y best try.
My wife of over fifty years and I were warmly and graciously
welcomed by both the staff and by the General. I wore m y
eight-ball hat.
The General was sitting in the den having a piece of pumpkin
pie with whip cream. I knelt down in front of him and said,
"General, I know you don't know me, but I flew with Colonel
Mikoloski on Jenny and Lady Luck. I just wanted you to know
that I represent all the enlisted m e n w h o served under you.
W e thought you were the best B-24 pilot on the face of the
earth, and the bravest and most dedicated leader any of us
has ever met." He smiled his heart warming smile and said,
"Sergeant, you don't realize how your words bring back to m e
just how proud of the m e n of the 44th I am."
We went on to talk about the old days; and my wife told him
how w e used to baby sit Colonel Mike's children when w e were
stationed at Westover
Field during the early
50's. "Yes", he said, "that
was a long time ago." I
may have been the last
enlisted man to visit him
before his death.
In closing out this article about Jenny and Lady Luck, I'd like to
tell about an unusual event that happened to m e at Westover
Field in early 1945. I was taking a shower one morning when
a runner from an orderly room called m y name to inform m e
that I was to report to the Base Commander's office at 1:00
P M sharp. The big sweat began - what had I done now?
Upon arrival I was rushed into Colonel U.G. Jones' office. After
the proper protocol he said, "Sgt. Patrick, you have been
recommended for promotion to Master Sergeant, but by your
record I see that you spent some time behind prison bars."
"Yes, sir", I said, "I was a guard at a North Carolina State
Prison and entered the service a day after Pearl Harbor."
He smiled about his humor and then asked, "What does your
father do?" I told him that he was a retired Master Sergeant
with 30 years service, mostly in the Corps of Engineers, and
that I was an "Army Brat." "Where were some of the places
you grew up?" the Colonel continued. I mentioned Fort Bragg
in 1926 - 1927. "Oh, is that right? For your information I
was a 2nd Lieutenant there and was probably your school
teacher in the first grade." Wow! Was Lady Luck shining on
me! He went on to tell m e that his son, w h o had graduated
from West Point, where else, I thought, was serving with
General Patton in Europe.
Ten years after that promotion, as Lady Luck continued to
shine on me, I would be privileged to photograph and
document the retirement of Colonel Jones, Inspector General
of the Atlantic Division of MATS there at Westover Field.
Several days later I presented the Colonel a nice album of all
the important events of his retirement ceremony. I doubt that
he knew who I was, and I didn't say anything about m y
"promotion interview"
with him ten years earlier.
I should have said,
"Thanks. You were a very
good teacher."
LT. CUREIIJ ANd C R E W
(TEIE 2Nd C R E W of "LAdy
REAR Row:
Luck" #41-25778)
NAviqAioR, LT. WAITER Rossi JR.;
Piloi, LT. R O C C O A. C U R E I H ;
FRONT R O W : GUNNER, S/Sqr.
HARPER F. ZOIIER;
GUNNER, S/SqT. DETOREST L. EIA;
ENqiNEER, S/Sqi. JohN H. GRiNdE;
FJOMDARdiER, Lr. VJCTOR T. TORROU;
GvpiloT, b. JohN G PADAdopubs;
RAclb OpenAiOR, WealEy L ZMMEHMAN.
G U N N E R RAyMONd C SfwfER
(NOT iN piCTURE).
GUNNER, S/SC,T. JohN R. HuqhES.
13
�mEmoRiES O F n uuiRTimE TEEDJIGER
Cynthia Ledger Harmonowski went back to Norfolk to visit a
family member. While she was there, she and her 28 year old
son set out to find the Control Tower at Shipdham. At that tune,
1983. it was not easy to find. They climbed through nettles and
other weeds, passed mechanical works, climbed the winding
steps and looked out over the airfield.
"It really took me back in time," she stated. "I had stood up
there in 1945 and watched the American planes take offfor
home, one by one. Reliving it. almost 40 years later, was absolutely tearful. I was so glad my son, Simon, could be with me. I
always wanted him to know what it was like in England during
the war, the lost lives, the shortages, the fear of the bombings,
and the young American flyers who came to help us.
Among her clearest memories is that before departing for home, ground personnel were treated
to Trolley Runs. It was an opportunity for them to fly over the areas where the air and ground
battles had taken place. Working in administration, she had become friendly with many of the
personnel, so an officer offered to slip her aboard a Trolley Run. With all the enthusiasm of a
nineteen year old. she accepted, even though she did not qualify for the privilege. Fitted with
gear and parachute, she was ready for the big moment when another officer stepped aboard
and said, "Skip, you can't go." So she climbed off and walked back to her work station.
Realizing her disappointment, one of her American co-workers got her a pass to ride in a military
vehicle and took her to London. On Charlotte Street, the officer knocked on a small manhole
cover, and an Italian man emerged. He led them down a set of steps, and there, below the London street was a cache of black market liquor.
"The officer bought some and took me to a restaurant where we ate and drank champagne. To
me, it was just amazing. It was the first time I had ever eaten in a restaurant," she recalled. "All
of these memories came back to me when I was looking out of the Control Tower."
Cynthia met her husban?, the Late
Al.flehnA. 'Harmonowski in a
railway station, and they rapidly
became sweethearts. £he foil the
less when he lefo twiceforthe
missions in /Xfoica. /in? when the
war was ever, she knew he was
acneforeoer.^J-ate intervene?,
heweoer, an? years later they act
together in /America an? were marrie?
Qohn j health beganfoilingseveral
years age, but when he knew the
suroioors e£ the ploesti %ai? were
be recognize? in ^aoannah, he was
?etermine? te go. /4t the ?e?icalio
the ?iorama at the/Highly Eighth
/tiuseum, /}ehn rosefoemhis
wheelchair te be recognize? as one
ha? foewn en the awesome mission.
n^-hree weeks later he passe? away
CyNihiA LsdqER
(HARMONOWski)
LT. JohN HARMONOWski
1944
1944
M
�O n e of m y recent actions also involved Ruth Morse
w h e n Nancy Van Epps notified President Mike that
Hugh, her husband w h o has been long suffering with
deterioration of the vertebrae in his neck, had
reached the point that he was in too m u c h pain for
any significant amount of travel. Thus she submitted
her resignation as our Board Secretary. O u r solution
was, since the Board had recently invited Ruth Morse
to attend the Board meetings in order that she could
properly report the board proceedings in the
management of our association in the 8-Ball Tails, it
was a short step to appointing her to replace Nancy
Van Epps and also take the minutes of the meetings
as our Secretary. This proposal was submitted to the
board, unanimously approved and the appointment
accepted by Ruth Morse.
Corner
This column should be entitled The President Pro
Tempore (for the time being) Corner for sadly our
President is, once again, suffering the anguish of
losing a beloved family m e m b e r to cancer. You will
recall on November 30, 1998 his daughter Peggy lost
her fierce battle with the disease. Death c a m e again
to Mike's door on Sunday, M a y 14, to take his
precious wife and love Yelena. She finally had to
seek Heaven's rest from her struggle to survive the
cancer that was taking her from him.
Other significant activities by your PPT were a post
T a m p a Board meeting trip to Savannah to visit and
see the progress on our Ploesti display in the Mighty
8th Air Force M u s e u m . Also a visit to Shipdham
which I tacked onto a
personal trip to attend a
memorial ceremony in
Aston Clinton, England.
Both of these activities,
along with other
agenda items from the
Board meeting are
covered elsewhere in
ThE NEW TOp ON ThE PloESTi
this issue.
I hope that all of the 44th family will keep Mike in
their personal prayers as he bears the enormous
burden of grief he suffers from the loss of his loved
ones. W e hope you will find peace from your
sorrow and return to us soon, Mike.
Meanwhile, to bring you up to date on who is
minding the store, w h e n Mike decided to m o v e
Yelena to a Houston cancer treatment center, he
asked m e to assume his duties as President Pro-Tern
since Dick Butler, our Vice -President, was deeply
involved with his responsibilities as our Group Vice
President to the 2nd Air Division. So, here w e are,
back in the saddle again. I a m able to do this because
of Ruth Morse taking over publication of the 8-Ball
Tails has m a d e it
possible. I wish
to also point out
that Ruth is
doing a
commendable
job with the
"Tails."
ViswiNq rhE 44TIH B o M b G R O U P
dispiAy iN SAVANNAh.
I want to close with telling you, Lolly and I will be
attending the San Diego reunion, along with several
new, first reunion, members and some former
members we've recovered contact with, polished up
and have all p u m p e d up over getting active in the
44th family again. It will be a wonderful reunion and
w e would like your support in showing both the n e w
and re-tread members what they have been missing
w h e n the family gets together. Your attendance will
also give us the opportunity to thank you personally
for the beautiful gifts you bestowed upon us in
absentia at N e w Orleans marking our retirement as
your President and First Lady, i
COMMEMO'
RATivE PIAQUE AT M A C D I I I AFB, MAy 2 6 ,
2 0 0 0 duRiNq Ths 2Nd AiR DivisioN
REUNiON. L TO R: JERRy FOISOM, Bob
LEEINhAUSEN, M E I MuRRAck, HARRy SNEAd,
Will LuNdy, ANd Roy O W E N bEhiNd TIHE
1fir£jjf
CAMERA.
15
�A Quick Visit to Shipdham
By Roy Owen
Taking advantage of an invitation to attend a June 4
memorial dedication honoring a 406th Bomb Squadron (Carpetbagger) crew piloted by an old friend that
crashed on January 3,1945 killing the entire crew at
Aston Clinton, England, I tacked on a visit to Norwich
and Shipdham. Phyllis Dubois was involved in assisting the Aston Clinton committee in locating family
and friends of the deceased crew and traveled from
Norwich to attend the ceremony. Thus she was able
to transport m e to Norwich and also graciously
provide and drive her car to facilitate m y visit to AF
115 to visit the new Aero Club and pay m y respects
for the 44th BGVA to Mrs. Eileen Paterson and Mr.
Andrew Doubleday, owner of the old 14th Combat
Wing Hq. Site.
dham Aero Club and I found the old Aero Air complex
completely cleaned up, freshly painted and the
Museum R o o m being decorated by Steve Adams, the
pub bar all refinished and the pub room being
refurnished. The kitchen is newly painted and the
installation of new kitchen equipment is forthcoming.
Best of all, the main hangar has all been cleaned up
and they are hangaring eight aircraft including a
beautiful twin engine Beech. The club is open from
Friday afternoon to Sunday sundown. The underground fuel tanks and refueling system have been
repaired and certified and the main runway has
been resurfaced and CAA certified. Steve Adams has
joined the club, is in charge of decorating and takes
his turn operating the club on occasional weekends.
Contrary to an unsubstantiated report by a former
44th H M O member (and emphatically denied by our
representative, Steve Adams) that the airfield w a s
closed and fenced off, the main runway was closed
and the buildings and main hangar were a
shambles. As I had previously reported that Mrs.
Paterson had leased the airfield to the new Ship-
So in spite of what the naysayers report, it is obvio
that our desire to see our old "Home Base" is still
alive and firmly in the flying business keeping the
doors open and the Welcome mat out when w e wish
to revisit AAF 115. Mrs. Paterson says, as far as she
is concerned, this is the w a y it will remain.
MikE KiNq of TEIE A E R O Club, M R S . E. PATERSON ANd STEVE
ANdREw DoublEdAy ANd STEVE AdAMs iN fnoNi of 14ih C B W
HEAdQUARTERS. NoiE ThE SlARS ANd SlRipES FlyilMq ATOP TEIE TOWER iN
hoNOR of My visii.
siANdiNq by ThE Flyirsiq 8'BAII MARkER iN TRONT of TEIE A E R O Club
16
�wheel trailer to haul all of these boxes of records, as well
as the computer, copier, FAX, printer, etc.
First, let m e express m y thanks to you, one and all, for
your generous support of our appeal for more funds to
keep the data entry work going, adding more data into
our basic data needs for your historyl I don't have the
exact amount of funds contributed so far, as money
continues to arrive; but I do know that we now have
additional funds to continue on with this work.
My old computer that I leave up here now will no longer
be adequate to utilize the C D - R O M on which all of our
history is stored. So a new one is vital and is expected
any day. Yesterday I drove to the "big" city of
Bridgeport to use their library computer to access m y email. Would you believe I had 4 3 messages waitingl
Except for three days in early April, 1945, all individual
sorties have been entered into our history base. Tony
Mastradone continues to work with the personnel at the
Archives to first locate these missing files, then copy so
we can have the data entry team complete this work.
Yes, some of it was personal, but the bulk of it covered
appeals from relatives or friends of our combat personnel
asking if I, we, have any data about this man who served
with us. These requests come not only from the U.S.,
but from Europe as well. One from northern Ireland, one
from Sweden, from England, etc.
Arlo Bartsch's team has also continued work to enter
summary reports of each of these 3 4 4 missions in
support of all the individual sorties already in the data
base. At last count they were well past the half way
point with these brief summaries.
We still need to locate and add the many names of our
members other than combat personnel who supported
our operational activities as they all contributed to the
results that brought us final victory in Europe. Basically,
these are the men who supported the 44th B G itself units like the M.Rs, Weather, SOth Station Complement,
Quartermaster, etc. If any of you out there have rosters
or data about these support units, could you please copy
and send to m e ? W e want to make sure that we give
credit to each and all that served with us.
People are using their computers to surf the Internet and
are finding W E B sites with data about World War # 2 .
They are learning that AFTER ALL OF THESE M A N Y
YEARS, it now may be possible to get answers that were
denied to them during that war. They are searching now
to get those answers, and we now are in position to get
those answers for them.
Before we found Arlo with his great data entry program,
I found it difficult to come up with these answers. To do
so took many hours of digging, checking, and frustration,
as I did not have sortie reports for reference and
particulars. But now with an adequate computer and a
few key strokes, I (or anyone with this C D - R O M ) can
quickly find and copy all of the missions flown in
summary or in great detail for every mission!
Surely many of you readers may wonder why we are
trying so hard to collect fhe data to enter it all into the
computer program and wonder what it will accomplish.
Perhaps I can better illustrate the good that it is doing
already by telling you of m y experience this past month
while making m y annual relocation of residence from
San Bernardino up to Twin Lakes, here in the High
Sierras. To do so over the past ten years or so, it was
necessary for m e to box up as many of m y paper records,
books, photos, etc. in order to respond to the requests
for data about our history. It required a fair sized two-
The volume of requests continue to rise. So much so
that Larry Herpel has volunteered to assist with this
work, and is taking quite a load off me. At times there
are requests that go beyond our combat men, sorties,
etc. W e work together on them. Some are referred to m e
so I can possibly answer them from the other records
compiled by our other historians Webb Todd with the
68th Sq. and Norm Kiefer with his 506th Sq. book. Also,
Steve Adams, our representative in England, does his
share of work with the 66th Sq. history, as well as
fielding many requests over there.
9
®
�E-mail is instant action, instant answers, whether in
State or in Europe. Snail mail is almost obsolete, but is
necessary to send the data we get from our CD-ROM
back to those requesting. We find the data, then print it
out on excellent forms developed by Arlo Bartsch so
these people will finally have a hard copy to answer their
questions, and keep for family records.
Larry H e r p e l
215 S. Medina
Lockhart, TX
(512) 376-7780
<lherpel@juno.com>
A 44TH BG 2001
Even at present, it is possible to send much of this data
back via e-mail or downloading it. But surely, as the
EUROPE-ENGLAND TRIP IS ON!
public obtains more computers and becomes more
proficient, answers will be sent to them computer to
computer.
Be not discouraged that the 2nd A D Norwich trip for
next year is full; Larry Herpel is fine tuning the
I cannot say this often enough or more sincerely. The itinerary for a 44th B G V A trip for September 2001
program developed by Arlo Bartsch has provided the
when the weather is pretty.
means for our great history to be made available to the
public. It is alive, very vibrant and open ended. Now, it Generally, this tour will start in Amsterdam or
Brussels followed by a visit to the Rhine seeing
can be AVAILABLE IMMEDIATELY, as long as computers
Cologne,
Karlsruhe and Wesel, then on to the Battle of
are utilized. It should be the answer to every Air Force
the Bulge area and on to Paris or through the Belgian
historian of W W # 2 . We urge them to join with us in
coastal area on the way to Rouen and the Normandy
this endeavor.
Beaches. W e will then cross the Channel and make
our way to Norwich for a visit to the N e w Library. W e
will spend a day at Shipdham where w e will have a
picnic at the 14th C B W Headquarters followed by a
tour of the Base and an evening cocktail party and
Bar-B-Que with our friends in Shipdham before
leaving for home.
P r e s i d e n t M i k e ' s r e q u e s t for
d o n a t i o n s is m o v i n g forward/
but m o r e f u n d s are still needed.
A n y donation of a n y size will b e
helpful
to c o m p l e t e t h e
m o n u m e n t a l goals which the
44th is undertaking to preserve
the glorious history of this very
special group of veterans. T h e
goal is $50,000. Don't delay.
Your place in history is at stake.
For any who wish to stay over to visit more of Europe
or England, Larry can arrange an extension as an "add
on" to the group travel plan. A detailed itinerary will be
ready for study in the next issue of the 8-Ball Tails and
at the San Diego Reunion (meaning we've cut ourselves
a little slack for reasonable adjustments before finalizing).
In the meantime, for information on making a
reservation and deposit, call Larry at 1-888-317-7483
during business hours (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CST), or
at h o m e in the evening at 512-376-7780. His e-mail
address is: lherDel@iuno.com.
THIS WILL B E A G R E A T TRIP!
Better save the number of seats you'll need by making
your reservations and a deposit with Larry early.
18
®
�Deja vu
^tf, ^ o y Qcue*t>
CIAIR P. SEIAEHER holds
his (IAU(,EIIER, Lois, iN A
phoio fROM I 9 4 J.
January 21,1944, the 44th Bomb Group was targeted to strike the
German V-l missile sites at Escalles-Sur-Buchy in the Pas de Calais
area of France. Being a part of Hitler's array of secret weapons
intended to bring England to her knees, the area was strongly
defended by fighters and AA. It was not only a heavily protected
complex, the small dispersed sites were so difficult to hit from
normal bombing altitude, the attack was made at 12 thousand feet.
Lower clouds in the target area further made it necessary for second
passes over the missile sites to ensure any effective bombing results. All in all, what was
expected to be a rather routine mission, turned into a terribly costly raid. Especially for the 68th
Bomb Squadron which launched seven aircraft to have only three return.
One of those losses; the 1st Lt. Frank W. Sobotka crew with T/Sgt. Claire P. Shaeffer
as Flight Engineer was documented in the Winter 1995 issue of the 8-Ball Tails. This poignant
story came to our attention because T/Sgt. Shaeffer was, in that era, a rarity being a single parent.
His death on that raid left an orphaned four year old daughter who, after 51 years of never having
been informed of the details of her father's death, made contact with us. That story came to a
dramatic and emotional climax when Lois Cianci (Claire's daughter) and her husband Tony
accompanied us on the 1998 trip to England and France where she visited the crash site of her
father's aircraft and was presented one of hisfireblackened ID "Dog" Tags recovered by the
French Resistance.
Back in February this year, I received a letter from Oklahoma City
written by a Mrs. Jackie Ostenson Roberts which was an impassioned
request for any information about her father S/Sgt. Jack Ostenson.
68th Bomb Squadron, 44th Bomb Group, killed on January 21, 1944.
Something was jogging m y memory as I was turning the pages of the
Will Lundy Roll of Honor to the Missing Aircrew Reports ( M A C R ) of
21 January. Lo and behold, on the page facing the M A C R of the
Sobotka Crew was the M A C R of the 7s/ Lt. Gary Mathisen crew on
which her father, S/Sgt. Jack N. Ostenson was Left Waist Gunner.
Referring back to her letter I read that she was born January 30, 1944
to her Mother, Wilburta, in Boise, Idaho and her father Jack, killed
only nine days earlier along with T/Sgt. Claire Shaeffer of the 68th,
both leaving fatherless daughters.
JACIOE O S T E N S O N 6 MONths old.
So, as with Lois Shaeffer Cianci, we havefilledthe void left by the scanty information of the
M I A notification and later KIA confirmation given to her Mother. Jackie since has excitedly
joined our 44th B G V A family as a Life Member. She "can hardly wait" to join us at our reunion
in San Diego. H E R E F O R T H E FIRST TIME, SHE A N D LOIS CIANCI WILL MEET. W H A T
A N E M O T I O N A L EXPERIENCE F O R A L L T H A T W I L L S U R E L Y BE!
19
�BEATING THE BUSHES
By Art Hand
July, 2000
BAUC, ANTON R. 1016 Cora Street, JBliet, IL 60435; (815) 722-6047.
68th Squadron fire fighter. Deceased February, 2000 (See F.W.).
ifev
Note: Art's doctor has instructed him to
do no more work at the present time
COLL, WILLIAM RO. Box 269, Pari Hall, MD 20667; e-mail:
w.coll@erols.com. Association, William is nephew of William Coll who was
KIA on 1 August, 1943, Ploesti while an engineer on Lt. Scrivner's crew.
due to an irregular heart beat.
Otherwise, this listing would be more
extensive. Let us all wish Art a QUICK
SENFT, ELMER T. 2339 Redwood Road, York, PA 17404-3942; (717)
764-6678. Our only listing shows that Elmer was a Pfc. from York, PA.
recovery.
miLHA5BEmRETURnED,FORWftRDinGORDER EXRIRED.hO SUCH ADDRE55 OR MARKED UnKriOWnnfT1E5
WEHflVELI5TEDTHELfl5TKnOWnflDDRE550F50nEOFTHE5EinDIVDUflL5.
CmYOUHELRU5LOCfTTETHEM?
Lawrence H. Massey
No Street Number
Seth, West Virginia
William A. Croft
120 West Hillcrest Dr.
Carlisle, Pa 17013
Harold J. B r u m m
406 21st Ave. S W
Rochester, Minnesota 55902
Earl A. Burns
10704 Decatur St.
Omaha. Nebraska 68164
Wallace Penny
3623 Taluga Dr.
Miami, Florida 32129
Stanley Reich
1111 Alvarado Ave.
Davis, Calif. 95616
Phillip Fanning
1534 SE 15* St.
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 33316
William S. Strange
RFD # 3 Box 489
Marshall, Texas 75670
William R. Brady
3139 Sam Houston Forest Rd.
Moss Bluff. Lousiana 70611
Hal D. Farmer
1681 Greenbrier Dr.
Huntsville, Texas 77340
James E. Keith
14919 Redwood Cove
Houston, Texas 77062
Albert T. Wheaton
13209 Oak Park Blvd.
GarfieldHeights, Ohio
Kenneth L. Buchner
669 E. Oakland Pk Blvd
Oakland Park, Florida 33334
William H. Martin
3781 Goldfinch St.
San Diego, CA 92103-3911
James E. Keith
Houston, Texas
IF 50, FLEPI5E COTITftCT U5 m P.O BOX 71^87. 5rULAKE CITY, UT 8171-^87. TOE (801) 733-7371
20
�folded
Wings
July, 2000
Gowpiled by
Will Lundy
BARLOW, ARCHIE D. T/Sgt. 14151313 68th Sqdn. FW on 23 April
2000. Archie served as an Engineer on the H. R. Howington crew
which joined the 44th BG on 5 October 1943. He flew 9 missions from 5
November 1943 to 21 January 1944. On January 21st this crew was
shot down, with Archie and four others from this crew managing to
successfully evade capture and eventually returned to duty. Deta
of this evasion can be read in Webb Todd's book, History of the
68th Squadron. Four crew members were KIA while one was
captured and became a POW.
BAUC, ANTON R. Pic. 36658870 68th Squadron. FW in February, 2000. He served
as a Fire Fighter, primarily involved with aircraft crashes on or near the Shipdham Base.
June 1944, a B-24 from another base crashed several miles away, but Shipdham crews responded. Explosions killed tw
of these fire fighters, but Anton and four others continued to search for survivors. For this action Anton was awar
Bronze Star.
CHAFFEE. THOMAS L. 1st Lt. 0-704147 67th Sqdn. FW in September, 1999. He served as a Navigator on the George
B. Haag crew while assigned to the 492nd BG and then transferred to the 67th Sqdn. in August 1944. His first 44th
mission was on 14 August 1944 and last one was dated 25 August, completing his tour of duty of 25 (?) missions. On
September 1944 he was transferred to the 12th RCD to return to the U.S.
CHANDLER, JAMES A. 17010687 68th Sqdn. FW on 10 February 2000. He joined the Squadron on 12/10/42, assigned
to Ordnance. On 5/28/44 he was promoted to Munition Worker and on 2/5/45 was promoted to 905. He returned to the
U.S. on the Queen Mary in June, 1945.
CRANE, JAMES J. 12074922 66th Sqdn. FW in February, 1992. He served as a gunner on the R. £ Harleman crew tha
flew their first mission on 21 February 1944 and last one on 27 March 1944. On this date they were shot down near th
Spanish border after bombing their target. It was their eighth mission. James was one of the four crew men who su
the ditching to become a POW.
COX, HOWARD D. 35275530 67th Sqdn. FW on 4/10/2000 reported by Mrs. April C. Nicola. Howard was a Pvt. when h
went over to England on the Queen Mary in Sept. 1942. Unable to identify his activities while he served with us whi
based at Shipdham.
DOMINO, JOSEPH S. FW on 17 September 1999. Last contact was made with him on 2/1/90. He was
an early member of the 44th BG, but was transferred to the 98th BG in early 1942 at Barksdale Field, LA.
FITCH, ALLEN A. 13047486 67th Sqdn-FW on 13 February 2000. Allen was a member of the
Ground Echelon that went to England on the Queen Mary, departing NYC on 5 Sept. 1942. He
served first as an Aircraft Mechanic until promoted to Assistant Crew Chief from H Grisham's
crew. He was on S. Calloway's crew, Sgt. in January 1945 until returning to the U.S. in
June, 1945. He returned in 1981 after 41 years of working at the Penn Tech Paper Mill.
21
�GALLATIN, ELBERT H. 18060293 67th Sqdn. FW on 9 January 2000. As with Allen Fitch above, was a member of the
Ground Echelon that went to England on the Queen Mary in September, 1942. He, too, was an aircraft mechanic, serve
a line crew. By January, 1944, he had been promoted to an Assistant Crew Chief on the KD. Gong crew, and continue
serve in that capacity with Sgt. Gong until the 44th BG returned to the U.S. in June, 1945. (See KD. Gong below.)
GONG, KUN D. 34132986 67th Sqdn. FW on 24 December 1999. "KD" was an early member of the 67th Sq, was assigned
as an engineer on "Blue Goose", piloted by G. W. Warne on 29 May 1942. He was part of a three plane unit selected t
perform secret photographic work of NE Canada, Greenland and Iceland. In late September joined the 67th Sqdn. to fl
England. "KD" became a Crew Chief, assigned to Flight "C", promoted to M/Sgt. As with most ground personnel, he,
returned to the U.S. after victory in Europe, flew home with his combat crew.
INDORF, FRANK E. 0-694877 66th Sqdn. Navigator-PFF-Radar. FW on 9 May 2000. Frank's first mission occurred on
June 1944, with H.D. Stanhope's crew and several more. His last of 29 was flown with the Elmer W. Smith crew, date
February 1945.
MAHANEY, FRANCIS X. 33198065 506th Sqdn. Tail Turret Gunner. FW on 25 August, 1999 at age of 78. Francis flew
first mission (of two) on April 1, 1944 with the E.A Herzing crew. But his second one was the terrible 8 April one w
were shot down along with ten other 44th BG ships and crews. Happily, though, all ten men on board survived to bec
POWs. Aircraft flown was Rubber Check.
MORAN, JOHN V. ASN#? 506th Sqdn. FW on 4/1/2000.
MYERS, DOUGLAS B. 0-730575 Co-pilot 506th Sqdn. FW in 1999. Lt. Myers was one of the original members of the 5
Squadron. He served as co-pilot for Capt. Swanson, flew to England in early 1943 via the southern route, south Amer
Africa, etc. He flew five missions, his first being on 22 March 1943, and his last one was 14 May, 1943 (Kiel). T
was awarded a Unit Citation for this one. This crew was shot down by swarms of fighters, with only four men surviv
become POWs.
NESBITT, FLOYD M. ASN ?? 506th Sqdn. FW on 1 April 2000. Floyd served as Engineer on the P. J. Durett crew. Th
departed the U.S. on 6 June 1944. He flew his first 34 missions with Lt. Durett on 7August and ending 31 December.
then flew his final mission of his tour with Lt. Confer's crew.
PICK, RICHARD S. 0-747102 66th Sqdn. FW on 29 December 1999. Richard flew many of his early missions with the
McCormick crew as Navigator-GEE. But with that classification, he flew mostly in cloudy weather and with lead cre
served with various crews. He completed his tour of duty on 7 October 1944 flying lead with the Lt. C. C. McDonnell c
SAFOS, VANGELO STEPHEN 0-795302 67th Sqdn. FW in July 1994. Vangelo flew his first of five missions while in n
Africa on 25 Sept. 1943 serving as Navigator for the J.D. Kessler crew. His next was a very tough mission to Wiener
Neustadt on 1 Oct. 1943 with this same crew. His fifth mission was with the W.S. Aldridge crew on 4 Jan 1944 to Kie
Germany. Later, on 12 April 1944, he transferred to the 50th Station Complement Squadron. Later still, he transfe
491st BG. He remained in service, retired as a Major.
SCHROEDER,
^^
*j&_^
I]
<i
JAMES A. 0-678513 68th Sqdn. FW on 16 May 1990. James served as a Navigator on the Philip W. Bell
crew which was assigned to the 68th Sq. on 1/31/44. He flew his first mission on 20 Feb. 44. Crew had
abort on Feb. 21, but flew their second mission on 24 February. Just after bombing their plane was
attacked and shot down. Six crewmen were KIA, with four men being captured and made
POWs. Lt. Schroeder was seriously injured, apparently, as he later was repatriated.
»
®
�THOMPSON, RALPH WILLIAM 0-706012 67th Sqdn. Pilot F W 1 March 2000. Lt. Thompson flew his 30 missions as copilot on the W.F Gilbert crew. First mission completed on 30 May 1944, with his final one of his tour completed on 3 August
WILLIAMS, RICHARD 14044924 68th Sqdn. FW on 11 March 2000. Richard served as a Flight Chief, M/Sgt. He was with
the Ground echelon that departed NY Harbor in Sept. 1942, was with the 68th Engineering until departing England again
for the U.S. on 16 June 1945. He was with the men on Temporary assignment to North Africa, departed 6/26/43 for
Benghazi. In late August, returned to Shipdham. But again, on 16 September, returned to Africa, to Tunis, until shortly
1 October 1943.
WOLFSON, MURRAY R. ASN 506th Sqdn. FW in 1992 Murray flew his first mission as Radio Operator with the V.J.
Scherzberg crew on 27 February 1945. His remaining missions were flown with the LG. Pyle crew. His 8th and last
mission was flown on 25 April 1945, the last mission of the war for the 44th BG.
M $ Escape
by T/S Forrest S. dark
67th Squadron 4 4 B G
Swiss internee on mission to Lec(;fefo,Ger.
3 Awrif 1 9 4 4 —
by armed guards and there were mines
to cross. There was also a risk that
we might be captured or shot by
snipers in German holdout pockets or
I took many risks in my fife out one ofresistance or be mistaken for the
tr>e greatest, if not tl?e most dangerous,
enemy by the Trench waguis.
happened in the closing days and
weeks of W W I I when as a young
We walked at night over the Alps
airman I attempted to escape into
from Geneva to the border. It took
liberated Trance. I attempted this as a t^ree days. W e hid by day in abanrisk with another airman because we
doned farm ouifdmgs. It was bitterly
wanted to get back to the U.S. by
cold and snowing most of t^e way.
Christmas.
It was all a gamble to see if we could
We eluded our Swiss armed guards at make it. W e were waging into a
the Bern railway station and mixed
confused wartime situation where
with the crowds on the city streets.
nobody trusted t(?e other and even the
Dressed as civilians we got a taxi to guides could not always be trusted.
tv>e legation disguised as Swiss.
But we went on.
We hid in the American Legation in
Bern, Switzerland, and were taken to
W> border with Trance and turned
over to a Trench freedom filter guide
to get us across the border. It was
risky oecause the oorder was patroffed
on the farmhouse's huge wooden door.
A Trenchman answered and welcomed
us. But w e cou(d not wait, so the next
morning at first light we started
walking again toward a sma(( village.
As w e did so w e were apprehended by
a U S army patrol. The colonel on the
patrol to(d us w e were waging in the
direction of a mine field and there
were snipers aoout.
Our risk taking had paid off this time
and we did make it l^ome a few days
after Christmas 1944. It was then w e
learned that there had been a great
battle to the north of us. That battle
was the Battle of the Bulge, the last
great German offensive of W W I I .
After that my life was never the
Tinally we got to the border, crossed same, if I ^ad faifed that risk I likely
would not be here to te(( the story. I
under some barbed wire, avoided the
(earned that there is nothing so strong
patrofs and waded across an icy
as the desire to return home, to one's
stream. W e were told to go to an
isolated farmhouse just inside Trance. country, and it is worthtakingrisks for.
W e did as we were told and knocked
23
�From the Editor:
(3DMail & E-MaM
Bob Vance and our newfound Belgium friend, Peter Loncke are
keeping a stream of information flowing about Operation Varsity. In
addition to Peter finding the Southern Comfort-Bob and Louis
DeBlasio's plane- he has located the Fighter Pilot who went
down the same day. His name is John Delaney, and he lives in
Asbury, N e w Jersey. N o w Louis, Bob and John have an information
exchange communication going; and interestingly, their memories of
events differ a great deal. Each refreshes the other's memory.
A B O U T THE OTHER QUEEN
Sgt. Lyle Latimer returned from England on the Queen Elizabeth in
October, 1944. To Latimer, the trip home was a wonderful
experience. Four of his group shared the B-Deck of that luxurious
liner enjoying every comfort.
To dodge a storm the Queen E took a southern route, so when they
came to the East Coast of the U.S., they got an off-shore view
from Florida to N e w York Harbor. When they swung into landing
position, the Queen was in the middle of various seagoing vessels
that blew whistles and horns at and for the returning veterans. The
people on board waved and cheered them from all sides as they
came into the last phase of landing.
"There was a WAC Dance Band ashore, waving and playing modern
American style music," he recalled. "We had time to watch others
leave the ship, and also, to observe the various items involved in
Joseph Crandell of Groveland, Illinois wrote that his brother, 1st Lt.unloading a ship of that size. For a farm-boy, it was especially
informative.
Leonard Crandell piloted the other plane that went down at
Wesel, as shown on the Harvel film. That plane is about 75 yards
"At Camp Shanks, NY we were delighted all over again. We found
from the Southern Comfort, and the depression is still there in the
fresh American bread, T-bone steaks and fresh milk!" He and his
ground where it crashed and exploded. The entire crew was KIA.
buddies rode a Troop Train to Jefferson Barracks, M O , an unforgetJoseph is contacting Peter to learn more details about his findings.
table ride, because it was GOING H O M E .
Peter is in contact with veteran groups from the RAF, New Zealand
and Australia, helping them locate planes, lay memorial wreaths,
and find burial plots.
Can anybody identify these three cheerful
gentlemen? I assume the picture was
taken in a pub in England.
Editor's Note: Latimer's first bomb run was on DDay to the
invasion targets of Caen. He flew with the crew of 2nd Lt. Joseph
Hermann, pilot. Latimer said that as the tail gunner, he did not
care where they went, but did like to see where they had been!"
Paul Oberlin to Will Lundy:... (describing a European vacation)
"Steve (Adams) met us in Norwich, and w e drove to Shipdham.
For me, the biggest best highlight was to see and go in the Control
Tower, as m y Dad had spent a lot of time there...
Would you like an artist's rendering of our plane? John Bills, the
son of a Liberator flyer, will do individual pictures, complete with
insignia, nose art, serial numbers, battle damage, tail identification.
The price is reasonable. The samples are impressive. Call
770-346-9517 or E-Mail john7linda@mindspring.com.
Dear American Friends,
I would like to wish you a great Independence Day 2000.
I hope that the Veterans will receive a lot of attention from the
youngsters.
If you think they do not pay enough respect to your fight for the
cause of freedom, be sure that in the other side of the Atlantic
ocean, at least one Belgian guy does.
®
�May they never have to pay the price for their easy-going way of
life. The less you care about freedom, the more you risk to lose it.
have memories of friends, drinking buddies, guys in the next chair
at briefings, etc. who did not make it. It is sad to say that my
memory of some of my close friends who did not make it has faded.
Thank you for MY freedom.
Your dedicated friend from over here, waiting eagerly to be over
there with you.
Luc Dewez
e£
I always look forward to receiving m y copy of the 8 Ball Tails. The
picture on the front page of the Spring 2000 edition showing the
"Delectable Doris" (now renamed "Joe"), and the "All American"
(now renamed "The Dragon and his Tail") flying together, are a very
pretty sight indeed. When reading your comments on page 3
regarding these two planes however, you state the "All American",
the last fully restored, flying Liberator in the world....".
I would take issue a bit with this statement. The Confederate Air
Force's "Diamond Lil" a completely restored B-24 has been in
continuous service since it came off the assembly line in the Spring
of 1940. It carries serial number 18. Almost certainly Diamond LIL
is the longest continuously serving World War II era aircraft flying today.
Some people do not consider LIL a true B-24 because in appearance
it does not have the cowling of turbocharged engines and the
exhaust stacks are on top like a PBY. Additionally, the plane is
about 9 feet shorter than a D Model. From a non cosmetic
standpoint, LIL is significantly different from later model B-24s
However it is and was a B-24A. It also was designated an LB-30A
Liberator I, under its original lend lease purchase order.
There have been times when the airplane underwent repairs and
restoration, but it has never missed a scheduled tour season with
the CAF. It did not go out on tour last summer because the aircraft
it flies with, a B-29 " FIFI", did not go out on tour, and the two
planes always travel together. Although the LIL was having new
fuel tanks installed, and other maintenance performed, it could have
been put together to go on tour last summer had FIFI been in a
position to go. Today, LIL is coming together nicely and will probably
be undergoing recurrency flights within the month of May.
Larry Herpel < lherpellgljuno.com >
(30
SIX SETS OF INITIALS
by Jack Butler (44th)
Let me tell you about 6 men to the 44th Bomb Group... All I know
about them is that on six separate occasions, prior to May, 1944,
each of them took off into the wild blue yonder. They were headed
east into the rising sun over Germany. They never returned. I never
met them and never knew them, yet I can never forget them. Let m e
tell you why I can never forget them.
All of us members of the 2nd Air Division had a lot in common. We
are survivors. Would you be reading this otherwise? Most of us
Why then do I have such a vivid recollection of these six whom I d
not know?
Well, in May, 1944, when I arrived at the 44th Bomb Group as a
replacement navigator, I was assigned to an empty sack in a four
man room. It was in a permanent building with inside plumbing.
There were two double deck bunk beds. The vacant bed was a
lower bunk. I thought this was great, but a little strange that the
upstairs guys had not claimed it. They had not claimed it because
they knew that there were six sets of initials burned into the rails
below the upper bunk. Each set of initials had marks burned by
cigarettes which counted completed missions. As I recall, the
completed missions ranged from 3 to 14.1 distinctly remember one
set of markers showed the last completed mission as 12. Obviously
he had not completed his number 13.
From May until December of 1944, the last thing I saw before I
went to sleep were those initials burned into the bed rail above me.
Not until recently did I realize those initials were also burned into
m y memory.
Is it possible that those six guys got together and put in a good
word for #7? All I know is that I made it OK, but there were several
occasions when I, and m y various crews, needed and had incredibly
good luck at the right time.
Editor's Note: To locate which of the two Jack Butlers sent this
message, I searched the Database AND COULDN'T FIND HIM!
However, I learned by e-mail that he was John £ Butler and his
new address is 12704 Transit Cove, Austin, TX 78727-5118. Phone
(5121833-7643.
EmailJackB839@aol.com.
Jack was in both the 66th and 67th Squadrons. He went over with
Bob Knowles and Howard Robb, and sometimes flew with
others. He was over there from May, 1944 to December, 1944.
The news of his life is that he has two German great granddaughters, thanks to his grandson who took a German bride after serving
in the Gulf War. Jack was visited by the German grandmother of his
two great grandchildren. A resident of Hamburg, she is unable to
discuss the war events which occurred when she was ten years old.
Among the tidbits ofinformation which Jack learned is that
600,000 women and children were evacuated from the city during
the summer of '43. The 44th was bombing oil refineries, but before
the War was over, most of the homes were destroyed.
Through cyberspace, Jack's grandson informed him that a 1 kilo ton
bomb was found in the middle of Stuttgart. The authorities evacuated
half the city to diffuse it. Apparently they find an unexploded bomb
over there from time to time. The memory of WWII does not go
away for either side.
�3D
A REOUEST FOR HELP!
John L. Milliken reported that four members of his crew Darrel
Larsen, Morris Larkin, Leon Allen and Irwin Stovroff have not
received the DFC; even though they all completed their combat tour
together, and were shot down on the 31st, 13 August 1944.
Milliken, Martin Richard and Robert Bertoli received their DFC
on General Order 193, 2nd Bomb Division 17 August 44. Kenneth
Beckwith received his GO 212, 31 August 44. Milliken received an
additional DFC on GO 226, (3 2nd BD dated 14 September 44.
Milliken is wondering if someone in the 44th might have the GO's,
which could help the four in his crew to receive the decoration
which they earned.
saluted American officers. The tankers had no time to take
prisoners, and so the meek-looking medics were still there
when Brig. Gen. I.D. White bustled in for a staff conference in
front of the town hall, still there when the tankers gassed up
and still there when they rolled out again under cover of night.
Editor's Note: Nobody was happier to see the armed vehicles
enter Ahlen than Louis DeBlasio, Bob Vance and John
Delaney, all POWs in a German hospital in Ahlen.
&
Another Request for HELP!
As a school project, two teenagers in Holland are looking for
Editor's Note: Roy Owen advises those who have not received
stories about the liberation of their land in 1945, and any
their DFC to write Air Force Personnel Headquarters, Decorations expressions of kindness, gratitude and courage which the
Department, Randolph Field, Texas.
Dutch people showed to their liberators. Their address is:
Evelien aan de Wiel, Wittenstein 183, 3328 M V Dordrecht,
3D
the Netherlands.
From the Stars and Stripes comes the memory of General
Patton's push through Germany, forwarded by Bob Vance:
Fritzi Selasky of Lubock, Texas has donated her husband's me
HELL ON WHEELS' ROLLS HELL BENT THROUGH REICH
Injured Foe, Medics, 30,000 Civilians
Welcome End of W a r for Them
AHLEN, GERMANY, March 31 (delayed), - German Army
medics and civilians alike lined the streets of this hospital
town-"the first open city" in Germany left thus far by the
retreating Wehrmacht -and cheered and waved at the Second
Army Div. tankers rolling through today on the road to Berlin.
Col. Sidney Hinds of Nashville, Tenn., who has led his CCB
across 36 miles of the Reich in less than two days, was in the
first vehicle to reach the town, as forward elements bypassed it to slice through to the Autobahn, northeast of Hamm.
Surrender
At the entrance of Ahlen, his jeep was halted by a pot-bellied,
bemedalled Nazi colonel, commandant of the town's dozen
hospitals, which held more than 2,000 German wounded
soldiers. The commandant offered him the surrender of the
town, the soldiers and his own medics and 30,000 civilians
who were still here.
to the WWII Memorial in her town. Ground breaking will begin by
Veterans Day in November. Lt. James Selasky was a navigator
with the 67th Squadron, and was among the survivors of the raid
to Ploesti, flying with Colonel Leon Johnson in the lead plane. In
Lubock, Fritzi has dedicated her efforts to educating young people
to the tragedies and triumphs of WWII.
OOPS!
For those of you who remember a Captain Joseph Testa, but
never heard of a Captain Tesla, your memory is accurate. His name
was Testa. In the article ROBERT DUBOWSKY'S DROP FROM
THE SKY, Spring issue of the 8 BTs, the Editor got it wrong.
Dubowsky is still searching for parodies to WWII songs. Even
only remember part of the song, send it to him. A long time from
now, in a WWII Museum, some young people will feel the spirit of
the young flyers who risked all to make a better world. His address
is 650 Grant Court, Satellite Beach, FL 32937; e-mail irdud(5)aol.com.
Everyone has a story worth telling and worth publishing.
PHASE Send it!
As Col. Hinds followed the Nazi bigwig's car into the town, at
first the civilians responded with a perfunctory "Heil Hitler!"
Ruth W. Davis-Morse, Editor
They then spotted American vehicles and out went the bed
2041 Village Circle East
sheets and tablecloths of surrender.
York, PA 17404
No Time for Prisoners
Telephone: (717) 846-8948 • Fax: (717) 846-6688
Dozens of Wehrmacht medics, in regular uniforms with Red
e-Mail:
REWDM@BLAZENET.NET
Cross arm bands, were among the crowd and some of them
joined in the waving. A couple of German Army doctors
26
*
-v
�sD
Memories of Bill Atkins, 67/506: ...there are four missions that I
remember well: the first, over Rhein Marshalling Yard w a s supposed
to be at high level mission, then changed at the last moment to low
level. They gave us a master briefing on a whole lot of flak w e
could expect. W e did make it through without picking up any extra
holes. Then there w a s the trip to Berlin, which seemed to me, went
right into the center of town.
Another awesome experience was the mission with Napalm to Fortde-Royan near Bordeaux, France. I w a s also on the flight to Wesel
with Major Harvel. I transferred his movie to VCR, and it has been
the mainstay of m y annual report to U.S. history classes. However,
the best mission I remember w a s after VE Day, and w e took the
political folks from Shipdham for a flight up the Rhine River, looking
at the towns that were still standing but had no roofs or floors.
QD
E-Mail from Fritz-Peter Linden,
Stadtkyll, Germany to Will Lundy:
We are putting together a magazine this year, celebrating four
important dates in the history of our town, including the events of
WWII. I a m the editor of the "official celebration magazine" and
with your information, I w a s able to translate the U.S. Air Force
assessment of the bombings in late 44/early 45.
On behalf of everybody here, I thank you very much for your help.
And if it weren't for you and all the other American soldiers back
then, I probably wouldn't be able to write this little e-mail to you.
This is the first time I can actually say thank you to one of the men
who w a s actually there.
Editor's Note: Could anybody imagine that there would ever be a
letter of gratitude from the enemy country? The recognized value of
the sacrifices of WWII keep growing in every part of the globe.
fiD
George Wright, from Wylde Green, England, started a hobby of
making models of WWII planes, and as a tribute to the 50,000
Americans w h o served in the 2 AD, he is placing them on permanent loan to the Memorial Library in Norwich. The aircrafts
represented are older planes used as markers for the division's 14
bomb groups to move into formation over the North Sea, ready to
start their missions into Germany. Lemon Drop and other colorful
lead planes will be on display.
(3D
Have you lost your medals, and want them replaced? All honorably
discharged veterans are entitled to a one time, free of charge
replacement set of their authorized medals and ribbons from the
U.S. Government. Submit request in writing to: National Personnel
Records Ctr., Attn: NRPMF, 9700 Page Ave., St. Louis, M 0 36132-5100.
®
Include your full name, service or social security number, branch of
service and dates of service. Request must be signed by the veteran.
If deceased, next of kin can sign the request. Be sure the request is
legible. It is also helpful to attach a copy of the discharge certificate, but not required. Allow 90-120 days for processing.
ABOUT THE DATABASE PROJECT,
ARE YOU LISTENING?
Speaking as the Editor of the 8 Ball Tails, I can't help
wondering whether 44thers do not submit their
Database information because the project has not been
clearly defined. Here is the plan: the entire history of
the 44th B o m b Group - the missions, the sorties, the
planes, the crews and the flyers - is being compiled
and computerized. This information will be available to
every library, high school and m u s e u m in the country
and some places overseas, not just now but 100 years
from now.
How will future generations know what happened in
WWII if the people who lived it do not tell their story?
Historians, researchers, archivists and family members
will have access to Y O U R history, but only if you put it
on record. EVERY SINGLE JOB W A S IMPORTANT. IT
T O O K FULL EFFORT TO WIN T H E W A R . R E C O R D
Y O U R CONTRIBUTION TO VICTORY.
Is it so difficult to dig in your old boxes and pull out a
handful of information and photographs about
yourself? Is it so difficult to talk into a tape recorder or
put it in writing, the harrowing moments you lived
through, the ways you coped with tough times, the
funny things you did with your buddies?
As Editor of the 8 Ball Tails, when I try to get details
about a particular person for an article, and can't find
his bio, I shake m y head sadly. I want ALL of you to be
remembered.
Write to us for your preprinted bio form:
44th B G V A Bios
PO Box 712287
Salt Lake City, UT 84171-2287
���44TH BOMB GROUP VETERANS ASSOCIATION BOARD
Official Journal of
President Emeritus: B-Gen. John H. Gibson (Retired)
7008 Gateridge
Dallas, TX 75240-7936
Phone: (972) 239-0559
Director: Robert J. Lehnhausen (68)
2540 Benton Court
Peoria, IL 61615-8838
Phone/Fax: (309) 243-1952
The 8-Ball Tails©
The 44th Bomb
Group Veterans
Association, Inc.©
Compiled, written
Immediate Past President: Roy W. Owen (506)
6304 Meadowridge Drive
Santa Rosa, CA 95409-5839
Phone: (707) 538-4726 Fax: (707) 538-1212
e-mail: Rowen44bg@aol.com
Director: Michael "Mike" Yuspeh (506)
7214 Sardonyx St.
New Orleans, LA 70124-3509
Phone/Fax: (504) 283-3424
e-mail: mikeyuspeh@worldnet.att.net
and published triyearly at 2041
Village Circle East,
York, PA, by Ruth
W . Davis-Morse,
Editor. Printed and
mailed Bulk Rate
Director
(44
SMW)
President: Edw. K. "Mike" Mikoloski (66/67)
at Salt Lake City,
Charles
G.
Simpson
626 Smithfield Road #702
U T under U S P S
P.O. Box 281
N. Providence, Rl 02904
Permit #6923. All
Breckenridge,
C
O
80424
Phone/Fax: (401) 353-0144
original written
Phone/Fax: (970) 453-0500
e-mail: EKMLIB44@msn.com
material such as
e-mail: AFMISSILEERS@compuserve.com
letters, stories,
First Vice President: Richard D. Butler (506/67)
excerpts from
Historian: C.W. "Will" Lundy (67)
44th Group VP to 2nd ADA
personal diaries or
3295 North "H" Street
16828 Mitchell Circle
memoirs, drawings
San Bernardino, CA 92405-2809
Riverside, CA 92518
and photos
Phone/Fax: (909) 882-2441
Phone (909) 697-5875 Fax: (909) 697-2908
submitted to this
e-mail: willundy@aol.com
e-mail: rdb24@earthlink.net
journal will become
P.O. Box 315, Bridgeport, CA 93517 (Sum) the property of the
Phone/Fax: (760) 932-7349
44th Bomb Group
Treasurer: Gerald (Jerry) Folsom (506)
Veterans
3582 East Dover Hill Road
Membership: Search
Association and
Salt Lake City, UT 84121-5527
will be copyright
Art
Hand
(66)
Phone (801) 733-7371 Fax: (801) 942-9988
protected except
517
Elm
Street
e-mail: 44thbgva@xmission.com
where noted. The
Paris, IL 61944-1417
text and photos
Phone/Fax:
(217)
463-5905
Secretary & 8 Ball Tails Editor: Ruth W. Davis-Morse
are otherwise
e-mail:
k9hwp@comwares.net
2041 Village Circle East
reproduced from
York, PA 17404
official U S A A F and
U.K. Representative: Steve Adams
Phone (717) 846-8948 Fax: (717) 846-6688
U S A F documents
28 Bassingham Rd.
e-mail: rewdm@blazenet.net
and photos which
Norwich, England NR3 2QT
have been released
Phone/Fax: 011-44-1603-400221
Director (67) Archivist
for publication.
e-mail: s.p.adams@btinternet.com
Anthony 'Tony" Mastradone
Permission is
9111 Tuckerman Street
granted for the
ASSOCIATION MAILING ADDRESS:
Lanham, M D 20706-2709
contents of this
44th BGVA
Phone/Fax: (301) 577-1487
journal to be
P.O. Box 712287
e-mail: mast@clres.com
reproduced
Salt Lake City, UT 84171-2287
specifically for
personal archives.
Otherwise, copyright material herein m a y be reproduced by the journal of other incorporated non-profit veterans organizations so long as this publication is
properly credited and prior permission is granted by the editor.
Those submitting letters, stories and photos to the editor or historian must do so with the understanding that this material will most likely be published in this
journal as a matter of interest to the memberslsubscribers of the Association and this journal. While every attempt will be made to answer all of the material
received, there is no explicit or implied guarantee that an answer will be provided or published. Except for specific requests for the return of original documents
and photos, all material submitted will become the property of the 44th Veterans Association, Inc., or its successors.
�—r — y — y — r
I
3AMT01, SCtl A
GSATERll W A D t,v
- ^
% S S H l'
Frank Schaeffer avoided the
Army draft by joining the Army
Air Corps in 1942, but after his
sixth mission from Shipdham, he
found himself climbing into back
rooms and hiding in pits to
elude marauding Germans and
wondering what was the
difference. After enlisting, he
had to wait six months before he
Soon attacks of pneumonia and rheumatic fever
separated Schaeffer from his buddies. When he got back
on his feet, he was assigned Engineer on Lt. B. J. Komasinski's
crew. His memory of working with his new crew in Pueblo,
Colorado was harrowing, exciting and coupled with bouts
of air sickness-problems that passed when the serious
business of war came to them. When their training was
over, they set out for the trip on the Queen Elizabeth to
the Firth of Clyde in Scotland.
Fi^Nk SchAEfftR 1945
was inducted. So he took the opportunity to
take night school courses at the
local vocational school along with flying lessons. When the
call came to report, he rode the Northeastern Railroad
through a snowstorm, to arrive on time at the 8th Street
Theater in Chicago.
Unfortunately, his dream to be a pilot faded, and he was
sent to Sheppard Field to study Airplane Mechanics,
where the biggest irritant was the CQ who wakened them
in the morning, "Drop your —- and grab your socks."
When he finished A M School, he went to Tyndall Field for
Gunnery School; where he moved up to Buck Sergeant.
To celebrate the completion of that program, and the
rank that went with it, Schaeffer drank many beers and
smoked a cigar. It didn't sit well. He barfed all over one
of his roommate's foot locker!
From
Shipdham
Schaeffer
BAR P, OIE Cock, 42-1 10024 f|ew j n
a
fROM HARRY STEEIE'S COIIECNON.
succession
of planes: Ole Cock, Bar-P,Bar-L, and
My Gal Sal, each time getting back
safely, notwithstanding holes in the
planes. [My Gal Sal crashed on take-off
several weeks later, but Schaeffer was
not on board.)
HARRY STEEIE, CREW
chiEf of "OIE Cock,"
42-110024
August 8, 1944 was a foggy morning, delaying take-off
on the mission to the German airdome near L'Perthe,
France. Komasinski's plane, My Peach, had a substitute
gunner, Coley Richardson, w h o was on his last mission.
As it turned out, it was the last for all of them.
Trouble Beginning
Until the plane reached the IP, Schaeffer remembers littl
flak activity. When they reached the b o m b run to the
target, the # 2 engine began to speed, and he could not
bring it back to cruising speed with the synchronizing
switch. The rpms increased, and he could not slow them.
FRONT LETT TO RK,III: BERNARCI J. KontAsiNski, piloT; W . SCOTT Gippmi,
co-pilot; EdqAR W . M K I I A E U , NAVIGATOR; CIIARIES H. LAJN, boMDARdicR.
STANdiNq: STANIEY J. HuUwicz, TAU quNNER; FRANK LAFAZJA, DAII TURRET;
JohN H. M c K n , RAdio OPERATOR; N E U O N E. BROTT, IEFT WAJST quN;
WAITER E. JACOD, RiqhT WAIST quN;
FRANK N. SchAEffER, FliqhT ENqiNEER ANd Top TURRET.
"We had a runaway propeller!!" he recalled. "She really
howled and went to 4,500 rpm. Our co-pilot, W. Scott
Gippert operated the feathering button, and the throttle
was closed, but the propeller refused to feather.
�"Quickly I gathered the folds in my arms, but with so much
air rushing through the open bays, more folds kept
spilling, and I had m y hands full gathering them together.
It was all I could do to keep m y arms around that bundle
of silk. I recall seeing one of the fellows drop from the
nose wheel door, and our pilot urging John McKee, radio
operator, to get going.
"Meanwhile I had gone into the forward end of the b o m b
bay to turn off the # 2 fuel selector valve. The fuel
booster p u m p switch was also turned off, as well as the
generator for that engine; but with everything off, it
continued to run wild. Lt. Gippert asked m e to replace the
feathering fuse, but I shouted 'No fuse. Circuit breakers
here' and pointed to four little red buttons. He pressed
on the button, but that was useless because the breaker
had not popped. Oil pressure was at zero, which
probably made any further feathering efforts useless."
Schaeffer took a minute to weigh his options...whether to
change chutes or risk exiting in his disheveled pile of silk.
Komasinski, seeing his indecision, bailed out, leaving
Schaeffer alone on the plane. He worked himself forward
to the front end of the rear b o m b bay, crouched and
rolled out.
By that time Schaeffer figured out that the freezing
temperature had made the oil in the propeller spinner cold
and thick, causing failure of the propeller to feather.
Meanwhile the engine continued to howl and the cowling
shook so violently, he expected the propeller to come
flying off, possibly into the fuselage. In desperation he
tried to replace the supercharger amplifier, but didn't
depress the retainer catch, so it would not come out of
it's receptacle.
The chute was pulled out of his arms with a jerk that
jammed him painfully down in his harness, and he found
himself swinging in 180 degree arcs, with the chute
nearly collapsing with each swing. Watching My Peach
from his billowing chute, he saw it follow the formation as
though a pilot was still at the controls. (When the
formation took a right turn, the plane continued forward
until it was out of sight.)
With all this excitement going on, they reached the target
and Charles Lain, bombardier released the bombs;
delaying a little, as the plane had fallen behind in their
formation.
Jump?
At that point, Schaeffer released his flak suit, took off his
oxygen mask, headset, throat mic, helmet and gloves, and
unplugged the heated suit. He saw his co-pilot doing the
same thing, so he signaled Nelson Brott, to come down
from the top turret.
Schaeffer could see other parachutes, but could not make
voice contact. His hands were freezing cold, having
jumped at 20,000 feet; his harness was cutting into his
crotch; and the air was so thin, he just dangled weakly
until the air got warmer. Then he could look down and
see the French landscape, knowing he was coming into
German Occupied Territory.
Meeting the Underground
One shot rang out and missed him, and soon he found
himself surrounded by French people who seemed to
want to help him. S o m e locals were so afraid of the
Germans, they refused to permit him into their home.
Others risked death to provide him with civilian clothing,
food and transport into a wooded area where they hid
him in a deep hole. He was accompanied by different
members of the FFI (French Underground) from time to
time, leading him to an unknown destination which
hopefully would provide safety. His companions did not
speak English, and he did not know French. With no idea
Standing on the catwalk, he suddenly realized that he had
not been given the signal to jump, so he swung out and
around the right side of the forward b o m b rack, and back
onto the catwalk behind it. Since he was wearing a chest
pack parachute, he could not have gotten through the
center of the b o m b bay between the b o m b racks. But in
swinging around the rack, his parachute rip cord handle
snagged on a b o m b shackle and pulled out about 3/4
inch. Immediately he pushed it back in, but the damage
was done. The chute suddenly began to spill while he was
getting into position on the catwalk.
V
4
�where they
were
headed, he
followed
them
through
woods, over
hills, fields,
swamps
and dozens BEINHER FAMily ~ LuciENEE, COIEEIE, GASTON, CRANdMoifiFr
BIANCEIE, lEAN-PiERRE, ANd ANdRE
of barbed
wire fences. Ultimately he ended up at the Benier home at
Orbais L'Abbaye, which is
south of Reims. It was the
residence of an elderly
woman and her two adult
children, who were kind
enough to feed him and
provide quarters where he
could reside in relative
safety. He could not leave
the house, but sometimes sat
in the back yard, which was
surrounded by a high wall.
Frwrxk EVAdiNq iN I+IE BENIER bAckyARd.
In time he learned that Richardson,
gunner, was badly injured, and was
under German control; and McKee,
radio operator, became a POW. The
rest of the crew hid in the woods
and traveled at night, protected by
HENRY
the FFI.
stung him. Cigarettes were $3.60/
pack, but Shorty solved the problem
by buying a pound of black market
tobacco in Paris; and in return for
rolling them, Schaeffer had a regular
supply for himself.
Looking out the family's front room,
Schaeffer could see German convoys
passing, trucks piled with straw, men
riding the fenders, on motorcycles and
afoot. German planes went over; and
some days he could see American
bombers in tight formations, too high
to see what kind they were. From the
radio, which the family played only once
a day, they learned that the Americans
were approaching Paris.
Louis GuyoiMARd
(ShoRTy) ~
ScllAEffER's
spy rRiENd.
On August 28 the Patton's Third Army arrived at Orlais
L'Abbaye. The town people brought out homemade flags,
greeting the soldiers and throwing flowers at the tanks.
Every time the convoy stopped, someone would run out
with a glass and bottle of wine and pass it to a soldier,
who swallowed it with a gulp and returned the glass for
the next soldier. This continued until the convoy moved on.
MEYSONET, FFI FRiENd.
This is WIIERE
ScllAEffER
A French spy called Shorty, working for the English,
befriended Schaeffer and shared the same bed. He
proudly displayed his working materials- batteries,
weapons, and equipment for communicating across the
Channel. Only a few trusted people knew that Shorty and
Schaeffer were residing at the Beniers.
Sometimes Schaeffer would help Shorty with his radio
transmissions. Other times he helped Andre pitch hay in
the barn or help care for the honey bees, which frequently
wATchEcl 5 A R M Y
T R O O P S ENTER
ORDAIS
The FFI came out, wearing the Cross of
Lorrain inside a V on their arm bands The people of the
town were delirious with delight. Coincidental^, on an
effort to find someone called Bill, another evader who the
family had come to know, Schaeffer passed his own crew
who were already on trucks headed toward the coast,
enroute England. Schaeffer returned with Bill, joining the
family in a champagne party. He dug out his old clothes
_y
�and shared them with Bill, so both had some semblance
of a uniform. (Bill Weatherwax was a B-17 pilot who had lived
with the Beniers, but later moved into the forest with the FFI.)
J\ PLEfl FOR
The next day was a day of revelry, traveling from home to LOST RECORDS
home and celebrating with families that pulled out
champagne that had been stashed away years before,
awaiting their day of liberation.
Many Germans were hiding in the woods, more afraid of
the FFI than of the Americans. American troops pressed
forward at a rapid rate, taking no time to pick up lurking
German soldiers, so the Underground sought them out,
showing little consideration to the invaders who had been
occupying their homeland.
On October 18, Schaeffer boarded a C-54 ATC in
Scotland, and eighteen hours later, was joyfully back in the
USA. He has taken the time to write a detailed account of
his experiences, and to look up members of his crew.
His work experience after the
war had been in a chemical
laboratory; then with General
Electric Company, making
X-rays; with the Chrysler
Corporation, making
outboard motors; and he is
still working two days a week
in a machine shop.
There are 8,085 Sondes entered into
the Database, but ((Jill Lundy has
diseouened that repents are missing
from IDay 8, 1944 to April 7, 1945.
Is there any chance that members
might haue them in their files, or in
boxes in the attic? Please eheek; and if
so, please get them totflill.nobody is
working harder to complete the 44th
history for future generations than ((Jill
If you can, please giue him a hand.
PAULA ERTZ,ATRAGIC L O S S
T O T H E 44™ B G V A
FRANk ScflAEffER Al
SAN DiEqo REUNION
2000.
MARVEL'S BOOK
Things become more precious as lime goes on, but
only in fhe right hands. Do you have Marvel's Liberators
Over Europe or fhe History of fhe 44th Bomb Group?
Do you know anybody who does, who would be willing
io donate it fo the Historical Library in Barksdale,
Louisiana? Barksdale, the home of many 44thers at
one time, is building a research library, and these items
would be greatly appreciated.
After enjoying the company of
Paula and Julian Ertzoverthe run
of our San Diego reunion, news
reached us that on the following
Friday they were involved in a serious automobile"
accident thattookthe life of Paula while Julian
escaped with minor injuries. Besides Julian, Paula
is survived by daughters Beth Ertz and Bera
Dordoni, sons Gary and Scott Ertzand
grandchildren Christopher, Jarron and Ashley Ertz.
Paula had just begun to devote some of her multifaceted talents to the intra communication among
long-lost members mission of the 44th B G V A She
and Julian, a semi-retired attorney, were also
assisting in finding a producer for our own "Lois
Cianci Story" as a movie. N o doubt she would have
contributed substantially. W e will miss the amazing
lady, and send ourloveand support to Julian.
�their invaluable help. Also, our appreciation to Cathy
Mastradone w h o w a s instrumental in obtaining the
Cambridge Cemetery photograph that w a s presented to
Jackie Roberts. N o easy task under the best of circumstances
but completed brilliantly through Cathy's, and Tony's
resourcefulness, perseverance and invaluable contacts in
Washington.
^
FIRST A N D F O R E M O S T , I thank you for the
beautifully fitting floral tribute, the m a n y kind
letters, faxes, e-mails, notes, telephone calls and
other w a r m expressions of compassion, concern, and
sympathy on the recent loss of m y precious and
beloved wife, Yelena.
I am especially grateful to Roy Owen who readily
and willingly stepped in to carry on the duties and
responsibilities of the office of your President — this
he did despite the personal problems he and Lolly
were struggling with as an aftermath of the death of
Lolly's father.
Congratulations to the
EVERY MEMBER GET d
MEMBER CONTEST"
(EMGfiM) winners!
It is during difficult days like these that you find your
true friends and sincere supporters very m u c h like
your o w n family...and family you are indeed to m e ,
and one I a m extremely proud of and love dearly.
•
Now to the business at hand. Our San Diego
Reunion hit another n e w high with Five Star
accommodations, elegant amenities T h e Presidential
Suite as our Hospitality R o o m ) , gourmet cuisine,
terrific tours, nostalgic music for dancing and a floor
s h o w that captivated and energized all of us,
especially, Charlie H u g h e s w h o impressed all
present with his tepsichorean talents as he responded
to the enticing calls of the alluring and energetic
vocalist to join her on the dance floor. Great
Reunions are becoming a habit with our Reunion
"Impressario", M i k e Yuspeh and I urge all members
to m a k e plans N O W for Mike's next Reunion in
Shreveport/Barksdale, L A . In m y congratulatory
message to Mike, I paraphrased a quotation from the
Greek Philosopher, Aristotle, w h o wrote, " W e are
what w e repeatedly do. E X C E L L E N C E , therefore, is
not an act but a habit." Thanks M i k e and "thanks"
to the fine and beautiful ladies mentioned in Mike's
M Y S E N I O R M O M E N T S (page 21) article for
Pictured Above: Fritzie Selasky ($300); Cynthia
Harmonowski ($200),- Robert Dunlop ($100),
Alex Toth ($50). Not Pictured: Col. Larry R. Hue}
(Cross gold pen & pencil set),- William H . Sims and
D o n Wells (Cross gold pens). The success of this
"first ever" contest m a y dictate its repetition.
The M A S T E R D A T A B A S E F U N D D R I V E is of)
to an eventful start v»ttb our members generously
"opening their wallets^ and hearts to the'tune of
some $16,000 as of this writing. Our goal of -,
$50,000 remains a valid objective tojimeet the Jong
and short term requirements Of entering the personal
data on A L L members of the 44th B o m b Qroup "(H)
living and deceased. This, undoubtedly, is one of the
mostriobleprojects undertaken by this Association
and I amfOtally committed to reaching our goal.
�M y thanks to those w h o have not yet made their
contribution. Remember that A L L donations are tax
deductible, so please G ' V E and Q E T a tax deduction.
A s an incentive to your future donations, I a m
endeavoring to establish a C H A L L E N G E C / R A N T
F U N D which will M A T C H dollar for dollar any
donations made by the members.
Donations to the MASTER DATA BASE FUND
can be mailed to:
Gerald Folsom, 44th B G V A
°/o M D B F U N D
P O Box 712287
Salt Lake City, U T 84171-2287
The personal BIOGRAPHICAL forms are still
arriving slowly and I urge all members to submit
their data as soon as possible. W e especially need
biographies on our deceased and ground support
personnel. Their data and contributions are critical to
insure the thoroughness and the completion of the
illustrious history of the 44th B o m b Group (H) in
the World W a r that Ended All World Wars.
Your Board of Directors approved Shreveport/Barksdale
A F B , Louisiana as the site of the next Reunion of
the 44th B G V A during the month of October,
2001. The firm dates will be announced as soon as
final arrangements are consummated by our
Reunion Chairman, Michael Yuspeh. M a k e your
plans N O W to attend this Reunion which promises
to top them all. Shreveport/Barksdale A F B is the
home of Eighth Air Force, 2nd B o m b Wing, the
Eighth Air Force M u s e u m and the B-24 J, and the
Eighth Air Force M u s e u m Curator are jointly restoring
and repainting with the 44th Bomb Group Markings.
Members are advised the CDs of the Master Data
Base are available at a cost of $150 of which $50
goes into the Master Data Base Fund. The C D s
come with two (2) free upgrades from Computer
Generated Data Co. (CGD). All purchases and
payments are to be made through our Treasurer,
Gerald Folsom by writing him at the following
address:
Gerald Folsom, 44,h B G V A
o/o M D B C D
P O Box 712287
Salt Lake City, U T 84171-2287
I am pleased to announce the appointment of Robert
Lehnhausen as Chairman of the n e w A W A R D S
Lastly, on behalf of the members and personally
C O M M I T T E E . Bob has already proposed several
send our sincerest expressions of sympathy and
innovative ideas that the Board will consider for
compassion to Julian Ertz on the tragic loss of his
implementation at their next meeting.
dear and beloved wife, Paula, in an automobile
accident shortly after their attendance at the San
Your Board of Directors and I continue to maintain
Diego Reunion. O u r thoughts and prayers are with
the financial stability and solvency of the Association
Julian and his family.
under the astute and financial wizardry of our highly
professional Treasurer, Gerald Folsom. His SemiAnnual Financial Report for Calendar Year 2000, as
of 30 June 2000, showed T O T A L A S S E T S at
$52,106.05,- T O T A L LIABILITIES at $33,014.34
and a N E T W O R T H at $19,091.71. Copies of this
report and one ending on December 31, 1999 were
distributed to the members attending the General
Meeting in San Diego. M y Budget for Calendar
Year 2001 lists I N C O M E at $32,500 and
E X P E N S E S at $28,080 with an expected S U R P L U S
of $4,420.
My closing thought is a tribute to our ladies.
"When you educate a man,
you educate an individual.
W h e n you educate a w o m a n ,
you educate a whole family."
�2001
EUROPEAIT
TOUR
Larry Herpel is still
France. Belgium. Germany and England.
l
th fojMstoric cities in
Ey6riTaty has an ex..,
eled
experience in our history. buJaTso the grandeurbtnafi
ar
Manorial at Caen, the beaches ot Normandy^ouerrTuv.
us to the
S H A P E H Q ot General^isenhdwer. W e wMvi$it the muse
.. and view a
newly found 44thBG
— crash•site
— « in•»Wirbin.
»»•••#•••.Belgium
uvicmii,where fl
win we ^Memorial dedication. From
Luxembourg we will visit the charming Town Squares-ofjner and BernfcasMTong the Mosel
River.
^^
From Koblenz we will cruise the Rhine to Cologne, enjoying fhe many sites along fhe way. From
Cologne and its beautiful cathedrals, we will go on to Wesel. where Louis DeBlasio. Bob Vance and
our new member. John Delaney f Fighter Pilot. 513 Sq.. 401 GroupJ. were housed as P O W s until
Patron's army came through and liberated them.
In Wesel we will inspect another crash site of one of our fallen aircraft from the 67th Sq. Here
we will have the opportunity to meet Peter Loncke. a member of fhe Belgium Air Force, who has
dedicated himself to locating crash sites and enlightening Americans. British and N e w Zealanders
of his finds. Our Belgium friend and WWII researcher. Luc Dewez, will be Joining us also.
Our trip to Liege will extend to Neuville-en-Condros home of fhe American War Memorial
f Ardennes J. 103 of our 44*" BG are honored here, including Clair Shaeffer. father of Lois Cianci.
W e will tour the beautiful city of Brussels with its wonderful architecture, then the medieval towns
of Ghent and Brugges for some great shopping and sight seeing. From Calais w e cross the Channel
to England and on to Norwich, home of fhe Memorial Library. Of course the trip will include
ShiPdham and surrounding areas, so clearly remembered as the 14th C B W Hq. A special day is
scheduled around many activities while visiting that familiar site. The tour continues to Duxford
and a visit to that fabulous Air Museum. The tour concludes in London. There are provisions for
those who wish to stay over. Contact Larry for details: Phone f512J 376-7780: E-Mail
ascoftfravel@fhriffy.net.
From the Editor: We have a limit of 48 people. Please send your deposit ($150 per person) to Larry
Herpel. 215 So. Medina, Lockhart, TX 78644. We have 42 paid applications, and others who have
expressed an interest, but have not reserved a seat. Of course, we will accept names for a stand-by
list, as this tour is still 12 months away. However, because of the negotiations involved in setting
the best Price. Larry needs to be certain we can fill the bus. More information will be forthcoming
to those who have signed UP. and will be announced in the nest issue of the 8 Ball Tails.
���saying "No, I a m a survivor. The heroes didn't come back"
were blessed with eight grandchildren. Three of the
Mikoloski surviving children and one grandson are life
members of the 44th
BGVA.
Mike's leadership commitment is firm: he wants to build
on the 44th past glory, and continue the bomb group's
winning tradition into the new Millennium.
On Thanksgiving Day,
1986, Mike married the
former Yelena
Krasnochekova, a
Russian actress, who
he met in Moscow.
Tragically, Yelena passed away several months ago, after
a lingering illness. Mike has expressed sincere gratitude
to members of the 44th, whose messages of condolence
continue to help him through this difficult time.
Editor's Note: General Johnson's and Mike's moments of
danger extended beyond wartime Europe. In 1952 they
flew to Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania in an Army
transport plane to attend a Governor's Day Celebration.
The plane crashed while attempting to land, bursting into
flames. One crew member sustained minor injuries; all
other occupants escaped unharmed.
Great Moments in President Mike's Career
After his retirement Mike took post graduate courses at
American International College, Springfield, N M and
Nichols College, Dudley, M A in Business Law, Cost
Accounting, Management and Computer Technology. H e
was owner and operator of a calculator and office
equipment company in Webster, M A before joining
T R I G O N E L E C T R O N I C S of California as their
manufacturers representative for England, Ireland and
the Eastern United States.
With all of the ceremonious occasions that Mike had
attended in his military career, his rise to the Presidency
of the 44th B o m b Group had no pomp and no ceremony.
He simply took the gavel from outgoing President Roy
O w e n in Austin, Texas, and the job began. Then, being
eager to credit his renowned predecessor for his
outstanding accomplishments in a beautiful and wellorchestrated event in N e w Orleans, Mike ended up doing
it in absentia. Roy and Lolly couldn't make it to the
Reunion. (Editor's Note: because of Mike's need to be
with Yelena during her lengthy illness and ultimate death,
Owen consented to serve as President pro tern.)
PAST PREsidENi Roy O W E N
&
PREsidENi MikE Mikoloski
JN S A N DiEqo.
Mike's granddaughter recently interviewed him for a class
project, and when she learned his history, she exclaimed,
"Grandpa, you were a hero." This he stoutly denied,
r->\
12
M A J O R G E N E R A I L E O N W . JOEINSON
GENERAI CuRiis LEMAy
ANd
ANd
CAPTAJN "MikE" Mikoloski II
MAJOR 'MikE' Mikoloski II
AWARDS & DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit, Hq. Dept. USAF Dec. 30,1966
D F C w/l O L C , 8th Air Force June 12,1943
A M w/3 O L C , 8th Air Force, April, 1943
A F Commendation Medal, 8th Air Force, Feb. 1,1968
American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaign Medal
WWII Victory Medal
Medal for H u m a n e Action (Berlin Airlift)
National Defense Service Medal
Occupation Medal (Germany)
A F L S A w/3 Silver O L C
Distinguished Unit Citation w/2 O L C
French Croix de Guerre w/2 Silver Palme
�Lois CiANCi pRESENIS IEIE C.0I0R
lilEIOqRApEI of TEIE NAliONAl
GEMEIERy AT O M A E I A
BEACEI,
FRANCE TO JACWE OSTENSON
RobERTS AS A WElcOME TO IEIE
44TEI BoMb G R O U P FAMily.
WELCOME
TO THE
44™
F30MF3
GROUF
FAMILY
By Roy Owen
Roy
OWEN,
Lois
GAINO,
JAckiE RobEius
Another highly emotional event took place on Banquet Night at our National Reunion
In 'dan Diego when the two daughters who were orphaned by the loss of their
respective 6£>th f3omb Squadron fathers on the January 21,1944 raid against the
German V-1 missile launch sites at Escalles-Sur-f3uchy, France met personally for the
first time.
We told the related events of leading up to this tragically beautiful meeting in the
last (Summer 2 0 0 0 ) issue of thefi>-F3allTails.
To mark the event with Lois Cianci, our first orphaned daughter of that raid,
welcoming Jackie Roberts Into the 44th BGVA Family, Tony and Cathy Mastradone
acquired from the American Battle Monuments Commission a stunning 15"x 24" color
lithograph of the central memorial statue in the Omaha Beach National Cemetery.
They framed the litho beautifully and shipped it to the Westin Hotel for the ceremony.
The point of this was the remains of S/Sgt. Jack Ostenson, Jackie's father, were
never recovered. Thus his name is Inscribed on the marble "Wall of Honor" and a white
marble cross has been placed over the burled remains of one of those unidentified
which states "Here rests in honored glory A N A M E R I C A N SOLDIER known but to God.
Jackie, in a tearful acceptance of the beautiful gift, gave the gathering of members
her heartfelt thanks for providing all the Information she had been seeking about her
Dad In her lifetime. Looking at the members through tear filled eyes she said "You all
are now m y family, and I love you for all you have done to bring me to this momentl"
�The Reunion ~ San Diego, 2000
There are few cities quite like San Diego; and Mike Yuspeh managed to show the best of it to the 44
Lunch at the Island Club at the North Island Naval Air Station was bountiful and luxurious, and the bus
driver's account of the way navy men looked at housing three major aircraft carriers was whimsical- the
ConsteUation, a standard carrier, the John C. Stennis nuclear carrier, and soon will be hosting the Ronald
Reagan, also nuclear. They call them the Connie, the Johnnie and the Ronnie!
The Westin Hotel is a block from Horton Plaza, a shopping mall that looks like it was designed by
Disney. Architecturally dramatic shops are connected top and bottom, side to side by escalators, bridges,
and ramps. Prices weren't bad and food choices demonstrated the many cultures that inhabit that area.
Toiviy CiANci
Squadron Dinners at the Westin Hotel were a golden opportunity to catch up with old friends and old accounts
of war experiences. Will there be a time when buddies can get together and run out of memories of amazing
events? Never.
Touring the USS John C. Stennis was an athletic adventure. The deck is three football fields long,
catapults for accelerating the speed of outgoing planes, and hooks for grabbing them when they return. It
is very easy to see that the huge craft was designed to flourish in the global arena. Those who felt ambitious
climbed the seven steep stairways to the Bridge, and were surprised to learn that
the mammoth vessel housed another seven decks below. The 97,000 ton floating
city is complete with galleys capable of feeding 5,000 members of the crew, a
photo laboratory, aircraft repair shop,
ship repair shop, fuel tanks for planes
EMWEM ^ «
jou c ''^Vjz^vJ^M''' and escorts, and all the amenities to
STENNIS
&•' permit it to stay at sea for years, if
The Candle Lighting Ceremony
and the Banquet were special, replete
necessary.
with dashing young men who made up the Honor Guard. It was
here that the 44th met our newly-found orphan of the war-Jackie
Roberts. The 50 year search that this young lady made to locate
someone who could tell her about her father, S/Sgt. Jack Ostenson, is a dramatic saga which will be told in
the next issue. Ostenson's plane went down on January 21,1944, the same day, same
mission in which Lois Cianci lost her father. Were there any dry eyes when Lois handed
the lithograph of the Omaha Beach Memorial to Jackie? I don't think so. Welcoming
Jackie and her husband Lowell into the Bomb Group was a solemn moment for all.
Should anybody go to San Diego and miss the Pandas? Perry and I waited in line 40
minutes to see the new baby that hung in the tree and ignored everyone. The guide
explained that it's metabolism is so slow, it sleeps 20 hours every day. The rest of
the time, it eats. Fortunately, the zoo has no shortage of bamboo for the three exotic
critters, father, mother and baby, all on loan from the People's Republic of China.
14
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PART
15
��55 YEAKS AMV THE
AVWNTURE CONTINUES
Clay Roberts saw a picture in The crew suffered no casualties, only 22 years old. Needless to
the 2nd Air Division Magazine, but the radio operator saved his say, they were treated like royalty.
asking identities of a crew-his o w n life b y breaking from
crew. H e immediately identified procedure. H e held the b o m b bay When they were broken up as a
them, which led to a search for doors lever in the open position crew at Sioux Falls, S D in 1945,
all members. Five met in Sanfrom the IP to bombs away. His they went in ten different
Diego at the 44th B G Reunion. radio compartment was blown directions. Some made efforts
out by flak.
to contact others, but were not
"We came together as a heavy
able. Clay Roberts located Joe
bomber, B-24 Liberator crew in Their last flight as a crew wasStewart in Providence, RI, but
1944. W e delivered a B-24-J from in M a y , 1 9 4 5 w h e n they he passed away before they could
Mitchell Field, N Y via Bangor departed for Bradley Field, C T get together. Bob Dunlap had
Field, M a i n e and Goose Bay via Bluie West One, Greenland. submitted the picture to the 2 A D
Labrador to Valley, Wales. W e After flying up a fiord with wing Journal, which triggered a series
were assigned to the 68 th B o m b tips brushing rock walls, they of events that culminated in the
Squadron, 44 t h BG, and flew landed with a flat main gear tire. five surviving members making
bombing sorties over Europe."
contact and meeting in San Diego.
Fuel
shortage
"This reuniting and meeting
necessitated after over a half century
an
surpassed all our expectations,"
instrument Roberts reported. "The feelings of
landing
comradeship, the rush of emotions
100 foot
and bonding have been intense.
ceiling
W e are in daily to monthly
and 1 mile contact, and are committed to
visibility not losing contact again. W e are
at the Air scattered across the country. It
Transport almost seems that w e were
C o m m a n d destined to reunite in the year 2000,
(ATC)
because for the past 12 years I
ShipdhAM, ENC,LAN<I 1 9 4 4 :
STANdiNq: K E N Aiviitk (FLiqhT EN(,JNEIR/
field, Mingan, Quebec. They
have passed within five miles of
quNNER, John C R O S S (quNNER), Bob
were the first heavy bomber to Stockbridge, M A d o m e of Art
D U N I A P (quNNER), EdqAR F L O W E R S
land there throughout the war. Aronoff); and w e both travel the
(qUNNER) ANd JoIlN BoilEAU (RAcllO OpERATOR).
Station personnel could not
Massachusetts Turnpike at least
SirriNq: J O E S T E W A R T (boMDARdiER),
C U y RobERTS (piloT), JohN "JUNIOR"
believe that they were so
twice monthly.
RoblRTS (qUNNER), Bill LuNdouisT (toyoung, and that the pilot was
piloT) ANd A R T A R O N O F F (NAviqATOR).
17
�SAN Disqo, CAiifoRNiA 2 0 0 0
An October 27
Update on John
McClane
For those of you w h o were unable
to be with us in San Diego, w e
announced that John W . McClane
and wife, Doris had sent word they
were unable to join us because John
Sini(\q: B o b D U N L A P (quNNER).
STANdiNq: ART A R O N O T T (NAviqATOR), "JUINIOR" RobERTS
w a s facing surgery to remove a
(quiNNER), Bill LuiNdQuisT (co-piloT) ANtJ C U y RobERTS (piloT).
malignant tumor next to his right ear.
That w a s done, but sadly, it w a s
"We are the newest members of the Association
necessary to remove the entire ear.
and understand that we may be the crew with
Further diagnosis has revealed
the most surviving members. (Editor's Note: This presence of a malignancy in the lower
statement will undoubtedly be disputed in future back of his skull, which, due to the
proximity to his spine, precludes
mailings!) Our coming together this late in life
radiation therapy. H e w a s to have
has brought new meaning into all our lives at a
another polyp removed from his neck
time when we thought meaningful experiences
before Chemotherapy could be
were behind us. Our reuniting in San Diego
started.
was the' Mother of Experience' and the feeling
In spite of all this John was in good
was unanimous that we 'wouldn't have missed
spirits. H e said he w a s still driving
it for the world!' W h a t we felt and experienced
and, all things considered, feeling
is beyond description and regrettably cannot
pretty good. H e sent thanks for all the
be shared with others-especially family. W e
Best Wishes and Get Well cards,
are all 'chomping at the bit' to meet again at
letters and faxes from the 44th Family.
the 2001 Reunion in Shreveport.
It w a s a wonderful feeling, he said,
knowing he had so m a n y friends, and
said
he really missed being there to
"We regret and are sorrowed that five of our
videotape the reunion as he always
crew have passed on, but are grateful and
does. John and Doris are two of our
overjoyed that our 55 years of waiting and
most steadfast m e m b e r s ; a "Best
wondering have finally come to an end."
Wishes" card from their 44th Family
will surely m a k e this ordeal easier to
(Editor's Note: Robert's description of his crew's
for them to bear.
gathering is the best evidence that every effort
John & Doris McClane
must be made to hold the 44th BGVA tightly
together; and also, to record every detail of its120 N. Wolfe Road
history. WWH
was a unique experience in Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
human history, and must be recorded for future
generations to know.)
18
�~>
THE STORY THAT KEEPS UNFOLDING
Only a few years ago, Lois Cianci knew nothing about her
father, Clair Shaeffer, Engineer on the Sobatka crew that
hit the V-l sites in the Pas Des Calais Area at Escalles-SurBuchy. Just before the San Diego Reunion, she visited with
her father's Turret Gunner, August Smanietto and his wife,
Elaine in Santa Barbara. Later, at the Westin Hotel, getting
on the elevator, she and Milton Rosenblatt, Co-Pilot and his
wife Lila met and exchanged hugs. Milt had a long-time
memory
of Lois
that he
shared
with her.
When
Sobatica's
started
its trip to
the UK, it
was
discovered
that there
were
problems
with the
fuel
p u m p , so they stopped in Boston, Massachusetts for repair.
Given 3-4 days leave, Clair and Milt informed Lois's aunt of
his whereabouts. She and another lady brought the five
year old child to LaGuardia Airport, where they had a brief
visit. Lois has no m e m o r y of the event, but Milt remembered
it clearly. For years Lois has had a picture of Clair holding
her. N o w she knows when it was taken.
Phoio org LETT:
Lois CiANci ANd M H I O N RosENbUn.
VINTAGE
MODEL
AIRCRAFT
NORTH AMERICAN
TRAINER TURNED FIGHTER
Milt shared another piece of interest to Lois: The first time
the crew got together for practice, they were so excited,
they all rushed to the cockpit to watch the take-off.
Unbalanced, the plane never m a d e it off the ground, and
had to be sent out for repairs. He also told her about "Trim
Tab", a floppy eared, furry mutt that rode with them. Such
minute details become pieces of gold to a girl w h o has
known nothing about the father she lost for more than fifty years.
Through Will Lundy she had been able to make her first
contact with s o m e surviving crew members, Smanietto and
Rosenblatt. O n the European trip in 1997, her search for
knowledge of Clair's demise culminated at Gratenoix,
France, where the 44 th tour group visited his crash site.
19
l t m M
..
From Mark Morris, Gunner on
OLDCROW,5Q6BS:
"The March cover of Aviation
History has Keith Ferris' beautiful
painting of OLDCROW, but the
nose art is wrong. The aircraft is
mis-identified as Prince-Ass, as it
was years ago on an Air Force
calendar, and still is mislabeled in
the 8th Air Force Museum. Plainly
visible is the Ser #124283 and the
Prince-Ass wasn't delivered to the
ETO until September, 1943. Also,
on the museum plaque, Reinhart's
name is misspelled. He was the
pilot of the A/C on our left and was
shot down. The artist's conception
is really of Lt. James McAfee with
OLDCROmeatiinQ RUTH-LESS
and G.I.GALonto target blue."
�About the time that all equipment was
gone, a large formation of German fighters
approached the plane, and with no means
of protection, they waited for the blast that
would take them out of the sky. It never
came. So they limped along to Sweden
where Swedish aircrafts-old P-35's picked
them up and escorted them to the town of
Malmo. Taking no chances, a Swedish
fighter, seeing their open b o m b bay doors,
flew under to look for bombs. His radio
antenna smashed against the Princess's
damaged wing; but nevertheless, they flew
on to a safe landing.
MEETING AGAIN IN
SAN DIEGO
In friendly hands, Fitzsimmons and his
crew m e m b e r s were escorted to a King's
Palace where they were interred in the same
dwelling as German airmen.
What a place to be a POW! They ate well
in the palace, had no guards and could go
into the city any time they wished. According
to s o m e international agreement, English
P O W s were not permitted such freedom. In
the restaurants of Stockholm, American and
German airmen ate together, conversing
freely in English. They sat out the war
together and were repatriated at the same
time.
Sidney Paul and William Fitzsimmons,
shook hands for the first time in 56 years at
the Westin Hotel in San Diego. The fortunes
of life had taken them in two different
directions, and they lived to tell about it.
Both had the experience of flying in a
Liberator-- Paul as a pilot, Fitzsimmons, a
bombardier (506)- sharing some missions,
not all, and on different time tables.
By the time all of this happened, Sidney
had finished his missions and was back in
the States. He took an Instructor Flying
Course at Bryan Field, Texas, then went to
Langley Field, Virginia where he flew for
Navigator Classes.
Fitzsimmons, Bombardier on Ralph
Golubock's plane, the Princ-ess, was on a
mission to Poland on May 29, 1944. The
target was an oil refinery. Golubock reported
that they were hit by a lone fighter w h o
sprayed at the formation and happened to
hit the #1 engine and the fuel cells in the
left wing. They lost gas at a rapid rate, and
could not feather the engine. With great
effort Golubock kept the ship in flying
position; Sgt. Walter Dunlop, engineer,
transferred enough fuel for them to continue
flying. Overboard went all the heavy
materials-machine guns, ammunition, even
the treasured Norden Bombsight, plus the
Tail Gunner, w h o chose to bail out. He spent
his time in a German prison camp.
"After that I took a teaching position in a
junior high school, and two years later I
joined the National Guard. W h e n the Korean
War came about, our group was federalized,
and I was in the service for the next 21
months."
At this point Paul decided to stay in the
service. In 1952 he was assigned to Tufts
College in Massachusetts as part of the
R O T C Staff. From there he had the
20
�(
opportunity to s p e n d a year in Thule,
Greenland, an experience that he
r e m e m b e r s rather fondly.
MY SENIOR MOMENTS
by Mikfi Yuspeb
Later, at Westover Air Force Base in
Massachusetts, Paul m e t a n d married an
Air Force nurse, Catherine Elizabeth Fields,
a lady w h o shares his life a n d enthusiasm
for b o m b g r o u p reunions. (Editor's Note:
Sid believes that he and Elizabeth may be
the only 44th couple in the 44th BGVA.) In
the mid-1 950's she w a s stationed at Lake
Charles, L A in the 4 4 t h Hospital. H e says
that m a k e s her a bonafide m e m b e r .
Nobody will dispute her membership,
but
I'll bet there are other couples who are
invited to come forward and
proclaim
their dual bonafide
memberships.)
At the Reunion J had a Senior Moment. ?or those of y
who don't know what a senior moment is.- J forgot someth
When J spoke at the general Meeting J did not acknowledg
all the people who helped with the Reunion. J hope to co
that now.
Tirst Roy and Colly Owen who, with Rose ?ay, helped
the hotel. Roy and Colly had researched the place befor
Rose 9dy and J arrived. Zhey could not have picked a bet
place. Roy arranged for the aircraft carrier. Jt took m
telephone calls, but he got it done.
Dick Butler did a marvelous job getting the color g
With schools closed for the holiday, he twisted arms an
persuaded them to come. Zhe young men were excellent, a
they enjoyed visiting with us during dinner. J can't gi
enough thanks to "Mike" Mikoloski, who helped to get peo
to attend. Me had a telephone glued to his ear. Roy Owe
called all of the people on the west coast, and Zommy
Shepherd woke up his £-Mail group. Zhe letter {ferry
Msom got out was great. J thank all of them for the help
without which there would have been no reunion. Again R
came through and bought all the refreshments we had in
1613 at discount prices from the military commissary.
T>ick jCynch and Perry Morse, to whom we have given the
title of Bartenders of the 44th B(JVA, have served you wdl
theyears.
In 1967 Paul retired from the service to
r e s u m e his teaching career in Chicopee,
Massachusetts. Thirteen years later he left
teaching and b e g a n volunteering. N o w he
helps out at the Springfield Science
M u s e u m and Baystate Medical Center in
Springfield.
For a short period in their WWII
experiences, Paul a n d Fitzsimmons k n e w
and felt the s a m e fears a n d exhilaration
of flying missions together and surviving.
Fifty six years later, in San Diego they
caught u p with the rest of their stories.
On registration day, without the help of the follow
would still be waiting in line at San'Diego:Bob Schaper,
Sstelle Voelker, Rose Jay IJuspeh, Cathy Mastradone,
Morse and Zony Mastradone. At the other table we had
Bev Msom and Colly Owen working with Jerry Msom
and following up on membership. Perry Morse and Sstelle
Voelker also helped out with getting people on buses, a
making sure everyone was aboard before leaving the hote
Ruth Davis-Morse was all over the place, using her new
camera, so that everyone could be seen in the 8 Ball Zai
Zhanks to Sam Miceli and his wife Sdith, who stored and
brought both '8 Ball golf shirts and caps to the reunion
Zhey are our PX. Handling the reunion is not a one perso
job. Zhe chairman coordinates and makes decisions; but
without the help of a lot of people, this can not happen.
Zhanks to all of you for your support.
J hope to see you in Shreveport/Barksdale Tieldin O
2001. We wdl'doour utmost tomake thisanothergnatreuni
GERAICJ FOISOM ANd MikE YllSpEEl CONVERsil\q.
V
21
^
�When you submit your bio, write your story. Each one is different. Jerry gets applications from members who
record their birthplace, and the place where they were inducted, but little else. Only family members will care
about those details 100 years from now. However, your personal experiences, the moments of fear, the
moments of joy, the exhilaration of victory-those are the stories of WWII that must be recorded.
WWII is a unique period in human history. That rattling old B-24 that carried you into Nazi Germany is a
museum piece, (unless it w a s among those ground up, recycled and n o w sold as aluminum foil). The things
that happened when you were flying on those missions will never
again be replicated. Write about those events. You have no idea who
r
will be
&H& te.'/HO,
^-1
searching
.1*.
%
for that
Item
Price Postage
information,
'tetf/Z
2,* ym%$y^
Shirts
$25
$3
long after
Caps
$15
$2
you have
Pins
$5
$1
T h e 44 th B o m b Qroup Database is on-line.
Send to:
gone to the
Search: 8lh Air Force. Then 8lh Air Force
Sam Miceli
big hangar
Military Heritage Database. Then click Personal
6398 Dawson Blvd.
in the sky.
Biography or All Missions. Then put in your
Mentor, OH 44060-3648
name.
If your biography w a s submitted, you
Somebody
* * * * * * * * * * * • * * # * *
will find your pictures, then and n o w
will.
Patches
$15 $1
l.i
and your crew's picture.
it
(t
,i.i\Va>'
Roster
$20 $2
th
8 Air Force Military Heritage
Database Disk $150 $2
Send to:
44th BGVA
P.O. Box 712287
Salt Lake City, UT 84171-2287
%
W
If you don't find it - get
busy and submit it. Y o u are
not going to live forever,
-Dick Butler%
22
e^U^;
J
�^\
N O W THE WHOLE STORY CAN BE TOLD
by Estelle Voelker
During his lifetime, m y husband, E. Jay Spencer told this story m a n y times,
sometimes with minor variations, depending upon w h o his listeners were. H e did not
want it to appear in print, however, because he feared being court-martialled.
(Lt. Spencer passed away July 4,1998.)
It was December 11, 1944, when Jay found himself flying "S-bar" to bomb a railroad
bridge at Karlsrhue, Germany. They were loaded with four 2000 pound bombs. At
the target, three of the bombs dropped, but the fourth hung up in the b o m b bay.
W h e n they got over the channel on their return trip, the crew tried kicking it out. Jay
also tried to dislodge it by putting the plane in a nose dive and then pulling up
quickly. Nothing worked. They also heard over the radio other planes in the same
predicament being directed to the crash field. Well, Jay thought thatfieldwas aptly
1ST LT. EdqAii J. SPENCER
named ~ you went there you were likely to crash. Besides, they had already been
there and done that on another mission w h e n their hydraulics had been shot out. So
Jay inquired of his armament gunner, Al Abercrombie (Schofield's replacement) if
the b o m b could be disarmed. It could. To be sure, Jay asked him to verify it by showing him the manual. So
the crew went about disarming the beast. They even stuffed their handmade mufflers from h o m e in it. In the
meantime, Jay also inquired of his radioman, Henry Fishbone, if he had his usual burned out fuses in his
pocket. H e did. So Jay instructed him to listen only, and not to send. A n d as soon as they touched d o w n at
Shipdham, he was to replace good fuses with burned out ones in the radio.
As soon as they landed and Jay put on the brakes, the bomb let loose and skidded down the runway ahead of
them, sparks flying, until it rolled off into a ditch. All of the people standing along the runway to watch the
returning planes dove for cover, thinking that it would explode at any moment.
Jay proceeded to his hard stand as if nothing happened. However, General Johnson was not amused, and
arrived at the hard stand in short order. A s Jay wasfillingout his forms required of every pilot, he could hear
the General bawling out Abercrombie. Then Jay calmly descended from the plane through the b o m b bay,
stood up between the two, saluted General Johnson, and inquired, "is there any message you wish m e to
convey to m y crew?" The general sputtered, "Your radio was out." It sounded more like an order than a
question. "Yes sir!" Jay replied. General Johnson turned and left as quickly as he had arrived.
They had gotten away with being the only air crew to
drop a b o m b on the Shipdham runway!
TIIE SPENCER CREW
FRONT Row L'R:
S/SqT. H E N R Y FisbboNE, Radio OPERATOR; SqT. Eddii PicARdo,
TAJI quNNER; SqT. TIIOMAS (TOMMy) STEWART, A R M A M E N T quNNtit;
SqT. RobERT (Bob) Bimdick, billy TURRET quNNER; (Bimdick
did NOT fly wiTh This C R E W , AS TITE belly TURRETS W E R E NOT ussd
AT TIIAT TIME.) S/SqT. PETER (PETE) Moskovrris, ENGINEER; SqT.
C-EORqE SchorMd, WAIST qUNNER.
BAck Row L-R:
F/O JohN BEAVERS, NAviqATOR; 2*d LT. FHANI< (Mike) COIEIIA,
co-piloT; 1ST LT. EdqAR (JAy) SPENCER, piloT; 2Nd LT. W U U A M
(Bill) CREAN, DOMDARdiER.
�From the 2nd Air Division Journal
this report from R. D. (Dick Butler):
Kevin Watson of Eastbourne, England, a good friend of many 44th Bomb Group veterans, bas recently completed
and published a book entitled "RUTH LESS" and Far from Home. "RUTH-LESS" w a s a B-24D, one of the original 506th
Bomb Squadron aircraft. The original pilot and the m a n who named the plane after his wife w a s Frank Slough.
"RUTH-LESS" was flown on m a n y vital missions, including those of Kiel, 14 M a y 1943, the low level Ploesti mission of
1 August 1943, and the mission to Kjeller Airfield near Oslo, Norway on 18 November 1943. On February 2, 1944,
"RUTH LESS" crashed on Butts Brow, a hill above Eastbourne. The aircraft had received severe flak damage on a
mission to Watten in the Pas de Calais area and was attempting an emergency landing at a small airfield at Firston.
The pilot, 1st Lt James "Augie" Bolin, and the other nine crew members were aU killed.
As a young boy in 1971, Kevin Watson played in the area where the plane crashed, and discovered m a n y pieces
of the wreckage. Then in 1994, Kevin read in the local newspaper, The Eastbourne Herald, that an elderly gentleman
named Arthur King had, for the pastfiftyyears in all kinds of weather, climbed the hill to Butts Brow on every
Remembrance Sunday to lay flowers at the crash site. This inspired Kevin to seek out Mr. King and to subsequently
start a fund drive to raise money to place a permanent memorial at the site. Kevin's effort w a s successful, and on 13
M a y 1995, an impressive ceremony was held at the crash site and the granite memorial w a s dedicated. Kevin's
involvement in raising the funds and his research of "RUTH-LESS" and the m e n w h o flew it led him to write this book.
In his book, the author traces the history of the original crew from its training days at Pueblo Army Air Field, the
acquiring of the new B-24D at Saline AAF, and theflightoverseas to Shipdham. He relates "RUTH-LESS" crew expert
ences on the missions mentioned above as well as m a n y others. This book is truly a historical masterpiece and no
doubt will be used for story and research material for generations to come. With Kevin's permission, the following
poem is quoted from his book:
THE "RUTH LESS" FELLOWSHIP
We sit and view the Sussex Downs,
At grazing sheep, as seagulls cry,
Yet some of us hear other sounds,
For brave young men, destined to fly.
But "RUTH-LESS" could not make the height,
And through the mist she came to rest,
Upon a hill within our sight,
And God's hand rose on those he blessed.
They came to fight beside the Few,
To ease the burden of our pain,
were our cousins, staunch and true,
And each day we saw them again.
They died upon a foreign field,
Defending freedom to the last,
For what the daylight then revealed,
Were friends together, hands held fast.
We knew the trouble which they shared,
The engines coughed amid the cloud,
We hoped their lives would all be spared,
And ardent prayers were said aloud.
Their youthful spirits walk there still,
Past flowers blooming in the sun,
They smile down from Willingdon Hill,
Aware of duty proudly done.
-Doug Thomas, 1995
This soft-cover book is available from Kevin Watson at 29 Downs Valley Road, Lower Willingdon, Eastbourne, E
Sussex, BN20 9QG, England. The price, including postage, is $20 U.S. It is also available through Amazon.com.UK.
The "RUTH LESS" W e b site can be found at AOL. The address is: www.hometown.aol.com/kpwats7. There is also
more information there about "RUTH-LESS" and the book.
24
�OLD LIBERATORS NEVER DIE
By: H I . Watkins, Jr.
44th B o m b Group, 67th Squadron
..ENGLAND.... 1944:
General Ike has asked 8th Air Force, to load up and bomb Berlin;
Our Skipper is from Texas, age nineteen and highly skilled;
old Adolph Hitler has, no doubt, p
ed him off again.
his records say he's twenty one - that he trained at Randolph Field.
They've awakened us at four A.M., but we're still half asleep;
For more Texans on our team, are a group of teenage men,
that's our driver honking for us, just outside there, in his jeep.
who were trained as aerial gunners, way down south in Harlingen.
He drives us to the mess hall, where the coffee ain't the best;
we chow-down and fill our bellies, piggin' out on S.O.S.
Then it's onward to the briefing, where I'll wager you a maybe,
we'll be told this trip's a milk-run; "like taking candy from a baby."
Our co-pilot is an Okie - a full-blooded Cherokee;
he was also trained at Randolph; born and raised in Muskogee.
The bombardier's a Yankee, who hails from Bangor, Maine,
and our radioman's from Omaha: Dit-Dot is his nickname.
Our Chaplains always pray for us; asking God for a safe day,
and we take a precious moment; time to bow our heads and pray,
that we'll all come back this afternoon, without a loss of blood;
as a member of a bomber crew, you're in a close-knit brotherhood.
Our navigator is a lady's man, who loves 'em, leaves 'em, makes 'em c
he's now playing with his sextant, mapping out the route we'll fly.
Our engineer, age twenty five, is called Pappy on this crew;
we all met in Arizona, in September 'Forty Two.
Next, we slip into our heated suits, and draw a parachute;
we'll load lots of ammunition, 'cause today we're sure to shoot.
The crew believes that this trip, like our last one to Berlin,
Will be a real bitch-mission - we'll draw fighters going in.
Our Liberator bomber wears the name: THE TEXAS DUDE,
she's a mean four engine war machine, who has an attitude.
Crouched inside of her ball turret, rides a man before his time;
at four foot eight and age sixteen, he weighs just ninety nine.
ve flown all of 8th's bitch-missions, dating back a year or so;
and if you think I'm braggin', we've ten Purple Hearts to show.
We have also been the lead-ship, guiding less experienced crews;
we are often held on standby, but our missions w e can't choose.
He's suspended down beneath the plane, and calls it outer-space;
it's his office during business trips, and the Luftwaffe calls him Ace.
Our twin window gunners, age eighteen, are John and Tommy Klyne;
they've each scored quadruple kills with us - all M.E. One-O-Nines.
een flare from the tower, arcs the sky before it drops;
th
the pilot says it's time to fly, and winds up all four props.
roceed onto the runway, where we're first in line to roll;
e have radar in our airplane, and our bombs will take their toll.
Our tail gunner needs but one more kill, and he'll be a double Ace;
as he sits there riding backwards, he's in an advantageous place.
He sure boogered-up two Fokkers on our last trip, going in;
they have armor-plated bellies, Mates, and their pilots play to win.
I our radar MICKEY; it guides our bombs down through the clouds;
it sure p
es off the Germans, which in turn makes us feel proud.
|0ur bombardier is well equipped, and MICKEY works like magic;
in conjunction with his bombsight, the results are always tragic.
He gets mean as hell in combat; men who've challenged him are dead;
when engaging him and Shorty, Luftwaffe pilots fear to tread.
They have served as our protectors, and today's their final bout;
we have never lost in combat, 'cause they've always whipped the Krauts.
|High above the English Channel, where there's no more blinkin' fog,
the air up here is silky smooth, and we'll note it in our log.
|Jhere'll be time to take a puff or two, while the bombers group together;
then it's onward to our target, hidden from us by foul weather.
As we cross the German border, every man is well aware,
the Messerschmitts and Focke Wulfs, soon will join us in the air.
We'll face Hitler's finest pilots; one will wear his Iron Cross;
when they see our bomber's name-plate, they'll salute and call her Boss.
gtj|he Channel is behind us; o're the Netherlands we pass;
the navigator grabs his nose: "Who the hell is passin' gas?"
The bombardier defends himself: "You smell hydraulic fluid."
The pilot jokes that both of them, are in a childish mood.
Our gunners say they're ready, and quite anxious for a fight,
so they'll have a real good story, whilst we sip a few tonight,
Warm English beer works wonders, on an airman's weary body,
and Scotch whiskey mixed with coffee, blends a belly-warming toddy.
here'll be a bottle on our table, while the crew critiques the mission
our gunners get the first drink - it's our pilot's own tradition.
He sure looks out for our shooters, which with us is quite OK;
there will be no crew objections, if they save our butts today.
mig east into the rising sun, the pilot shades his eyes;
our first attack will come up-front; head-on in clear blue skies.
The Luftwaffe pilots orders are: "TAKE THE MICKEY LEADER OUT!"
To carry out their orders, will require a bunch of clout.
25
�As expected, comes the Luftwaffe; everybody on your toes;
there comes a pair of Messerschmitts, diving straight toward our nose.
Sitting tall in our positions, our adrenaline soars high;
they're engaging us both front and rear, and some of them will die.
Now the fighters have retreated, but the sky ahead is black;
as we turnonto the b o m b run, all we see up-front is flak.
Our bombardier is set to drop, and the pilot says OK;
he will interrupt the silence, to announce "OUR B O M B S AWAY."
Up front in the nose turret, a young sergeant fires a burst;
to eliminate the fighter's edge, he simply downs it first.
POOF! The Messerschmitt exploded; we saw tracers hit its tank;
our nose gunner just became an Ace, and he'll soon move up in rank.
Though our bombs have hit their target, our last mission's not complete;
it's a long flight back to England, and the Krauts despise defeat.
Their pilots have returned to base, to reload arms and gas;
they'll be back to hit the cripples, and we'll kick more Nazi ass.
The twin sergeants at the window guns, will have a chance to fight;
yonder comes a swarm of Messerschmitts, so get them in your sights.
Down goes another fighter; our old engineer got lucky...
he was feared back home by tax men; he brewed moonshine in Kentucky.
There are stragglers close behind us; some are shot up really bad;
parachutes are popping open, and there's several engines dead.
Junior pilots will come this time, and they'll get an education;
our Ace gunners are their teachers, and they ain't here on vacation.
A lone Focke Wulf high above us, lingers just beyond our range;
we all know who's in her cockpit, and his tactics never change.
Wulfgang Shroeder fears our gunners; he's engaged them twice before;
our tail gunner sent him earthward, in his parachute, both scores.
We respect the German pilots, in this game of win or die;
It's a fighter/bomber-gunner duel, we've played out in Europe's skies.
Perhaps in God's near-hereafter, we will meet them face-to-face;
we have proven they are mortals, not Der Fuehrer's master race.
His win record speaks quite well for him - a hundred ten, they say;
but the Texas Dude's still flyin', so he'll try again today.
Adolph Hitler loves his pilots; awards his best The Iron Cross;
Shroeder's sure to get his second, should his win be our first loss.
Our tour of duty is completed; we'll move to another base;
way out in the vast Pacific, the Isle of Tinian is the place.
W e thank God for His protection, while we fought in Europe's skies,
and please bless the Luftwaffe pilots, who dared challenge us, and died.
The Focke Wulf is now poised to strike; just watch her engine smoke;
our machine guns simply tickle her, as her belly mold they stroke.
'fore she dove toward her target, on her backside she did roll,
and her armor-plated belly, doesn't show a single hole.
Their senior pilots took a beating, and their ranks are growing thin,
we have grounded six more Aces, who will never fly again.
but the ack-ack gunners on the ground, surely showed a lot of guts;
them mean, kraut-eatin' bastards, really kicked our Yankee butts.
Major Schroeder max'd her engine out, as she closed in from behind,
but her power plant got riddled; our tail gunner blew her mind.
Her propeller separated, and its hub was spinning bare;
she belched out a puff of black smoke, and exploded in thin air.
Our old airplane's shot to pieces, and resembles a huge sieve;
but we've earned no Purple Hearts today, and God's decreed we'll live.
This great lady will be grounded - she's served us proud, THE TEXAS DUDE;
but, OLD LIBERATORS NEVER DIE, my friend, they just become un-crewed.
Her late pilot was unlucky; thrice he's lost to our tail gunner;
but this kill will surely haunt him; 'tis a real bitch-mission, bummer.
Ace will see his eyes in nightmares, as he did 'fore Schroeder died;
he saluted his assailant, and deep inside the victor cried.
From the Editor:
With great regret I must tell the 4 4 * WrVA that Will lund/s column and Folded Wings will not appear
in this issue. Will whose dedication to the history of this illustrious organization, is moving to a more
convenient location, taking with him the mountains of correspondence and historical documents which he
has dutifully preserved for all these years after WWII. At the rate at which veterans are passing on.
Wills work expands, and his dedication never wains. W e can only wish him the best in his newest
venture into a n e w home.
26
�(3D
From the Editor:
It is no secret that the Flying 8 Ball looks like a pool ball turned into
a personalized bomb. Of course, nobody in the pool game wants to
be behind an "8" ball. W h o originated the name, and had it assigned
to the 44th Bomb Group? Does anybody know?
SDMail & E-Mail:
Everyone has a story worth telling an J worth publishing.
PLEASE Send it!
Ruth W. Davis-Morse, Editor
2041 Village Circle East
York, PA 17404
Telephone: (717) 846-8948 • Fax: (717) 846-6688
e-mail:
REWOM@BLAZENET.HET
Bob Reasoner's picture of the two strategists tracking the
mission to Ploesti brought some interesting replies.
f
(V
(3D
CAPT. Alfred C. CARR
i
~ MAJOR HENRY G.V.
From James Boyer, crew chief of My Gal Sal, comes this picture of
his beloved plane. The Komasinski crew rode this plane on their 4th
mission to Brunswick. Jim Boyer's recollection of his delight at
receiving the new J series was dampened when, after the 14th
mission, she crashed on take-off, with him onboard, for what was
to be an errand to London. Although nobody was injured, he writes
with regret, that the plane had to be scrapped.
HART
Joseph Milliner suggested Captain Schmid on the left, an
older navigation expert that had finished his missions, but
wanted to help. On the right, General Ent. For further
consideration, he included pictures of Gen. Ent, Gen.
Brereton (who was never without his 'swagger stick'), and
Col. Kane, thinking it might be one of them.
The person I am betting on for accuracy is T/Sgt. Jean
Bressler (S 2 Section of the 44th). He says he knows it was
Captain Alfred Carr and Major H.G.V. Hart. Bressler was in
Benghazi when the picture was taken. He worked with them,
and remembers them both well.
Late report on the picture of the Ploesti strategists. Col. G.C.
'My GAI SAI.
Griffin was Group Ground Executive Officer; and was present
at the briefing. He, too, names Capt. Alfred C. Carr on the left;
Sam and Edith Miceli sold pins, hats and shirts at the Reunion. You
Major Henry G.V. Hart on the right. These were Operations
can still buy them. Here are the bargains:
Officers and Intelligence Officers w h o performed briefings for
Shirts-$25 + $3 Postage
missions.
Caps-$15+$2 Postage
Pins--$5 + $1 Postage
Editor's Note: Enjoy Millner's pictures. They are a page out of
Send to: Sam Miceli • 6398 Dawson Blvd.
history.
Mentor, OH 44060-3648
w
The $5 pin is the best buy you can find
in quality memorabilia jewelry. One inch
in diameter and in five colors-red,
yellow, gold, black and green, it has a
green nosed Flying Eight Ball, circled by
the words '44th Bomb Group, The
Flying 8-Balls'.
LEFT TO Riqhr:
G E N . ENT
GEN. BRERETON
Col. KANE
27
ml
m
���The 8 Ball Tails©
President Emeritus: B-Gen. John H. Gibson
(Retired)
7008 Gateridge
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Phone: (972) 239-0559
Director: Robert J. Lehnhausen (68)
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Phone/Fax: (309) 243-1952
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Veterans Association,
Inc.©
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Compiled, written and
published tri-yearly at
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W. Davis-Morse, Editor.
Director (44 SMW): Charles G. Simpson
Printed and mailed Bulk
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UT under USPS Permit
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#6923. All original
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written material such
e-mail: EKMLIB44@msn.com
Historian: C.W. "Will" Lundy (67)
as letters, stories,
2519WestvilleTrl
First Vice President: Richard D. Butler (506/67)
excerpts from personal
Cool, C A 95614-2008
44th Group V P to 2nd A D A
diaries or memoirs,
Phone/Fax: (530) 886-8636 (Winter)
16828 Mitchell Circle
drawings and photos
e-mail: willundy@aol.com
Riverside, C A 92518
P.O. Box 315, Bridgeport, C A 93517 (Summer)
submitted to this
Phone (909) 697-2908 Fax: (909) 697-5875
Phone/Fax: (760) 932-7349
e-mail: rdb24@earthlink.net
journal will become the
property of the 44th
Membership, Search: Art Hand (66)
Treasurer: Gerald (Jerry) Folsom (506)
Bomb Group Veterans
517 Elm Street
3582 East Dover Hill Road
Association and will be
Paris, IL 61944-1417
Salt Lake City, U T 84121 -5527
Phone/Fax: (217) 463-5905
copyright protected
Phone (801) 733-7371 Fax: (801) 942-9988
e-mail: k9hwp@comwares.net
e-mail: 44thbgva@xmission.com
except where noted.
The text and photos are
U.K. Representative: Steve Adams
Secretary & 8 Ball Tails Editor:
otherwise reproduced
28 Bassingham Rd.
Ruth W . Davis-Morse
from official USAAF
Norwich, England N R 3 2 Q T
2041 Village Circle East
Phone/Fax: 011-44-1603-400221
and USAF documents
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e-mail: s.p.adams@btinternet.com
Phone (717) 846-8948 Fax: (717) 846-6688
and photos which have
e-mail: rewdm@blazenet.net
been released for
publication. Permission
Director (67) Archivist
is granted for the
A S S O C I A T I O N MAILING A D D R E S S :
Anthony "Tony" Mastradone
44th B G V A
9111 Tuckerman Street
contents of this journal
P.O. Box 712287
Lanham, M D 20706-2709
to be reproduced
Salt Lake City, U T 84171 -2287
Phone/Fax: (301) 577-1487
specifically for personal
e-mail: mast@clres.com
archives. Otherwise,
copyright material
herein may be reproduced by the journal of other incorporated non-profit veterans organizations so long as this publication is
Immediate Past President: Roy W. Owen (506)
6304 Meadowridge Drive
Santa Rosa, C A 95409-5839
Phone: (707) 538-4726 Fax: (707) 538-1212
e-mail: Rowen44bg@aol.com
properly credited and prior permission is granted by the editor.
Those submitting letters, stories and photos to the editor or historian must do so with the understanding that this material will most
likely be published in this journal as a matter of interest to the members/subscribers of the Association and this journal. While every
attempt will be made to answer all of the material received, there is no explicit or implied guarantee that an answer will be provided
or published. Except for specific requests for the return of original documents and photos, all material submitted will become the
property of the 44th Veterans Association, Inc., or its successors.
�w i u ^msmw wmm>mMMM
If you had to name a living member of the 44th
BGVA, whose name has made it around the globe
most frequently and consistently, Historian Will
Lundy would be high on the list. From France,
Germany, Belgium and England, and particularly
here in the U S A , the Assistant Crew Chief at
Shipdham has left a mark on W W I I air war
history that will resound through the next
millennium.
"When I realized that nobody was recording the
events of my Squadron, the 67th, I started
collecting information. "I put a book together,
made 100 copies, and gave it to members of the
67th Squadron. Later I discovered there was no
record of those who died in combat," he
continued. "I thought their families should know
what happened to them. If one or two men
escaped a crash, I would look up their hometown
and see if they still lived there. Or I would try to
find somebody who knew them. Sometimes it was
pure luck. I also got access to official documents,
the briefings of those who made it back. I put it
all together in a book, which I called The Roll of
Honor and Casualties. Then I found a printer and
made 160 copies of this book. (Ed. Note: Will did
this at his own expense.)
Lundy's history of the 67th Squadron is long out
of print and old copies are eagerly sought. One
recently sold on e-Bay for $150. His Roll of Honor
augments most of the stories that appear in the 8
Ball Tails. His early recognition of the historical
value of pictures led him to start what is possibly
one of the biggest collections of W W I I aviation
memorabilia in the world. Even when he is looking
for a safe repository for his collection,
photographs, diaries and government records, he
is using it almost daily to answer one more
question from someone who is requesting
information about a long lost cousin, father, uncle
or brother. Most of the documentary information
in the Database came directly from his files; and
as much as he wants to take time to enjoy other
facets of his life, he continues to research and
respond to every e-mail that comes onto his
computer.
Will never started out to be a
historian. H e wanted to be a
pilot. To his dismay, he
learned that he couldn't enlist
in any branch of the service
because of visual limitations.
A student at UCLA working on
a degree in Psychology and
Anthropology, he saw his
classmates taking flying
lessons. H e was the only one
C. Will LuNdy - 1955
who did not become a pilot.
W h e n he was drafted in
1942, he wanted to be as close to a plane as
possible, so he applied for Aircraft Mechanics
School after Basic at Keesler Field, Mississippi.
Will AT A.M. School, KEESIER FiEld - 1 942
Will crossed the Atlantic on the Queen Mary.
With his buddies, he shared his awe at seeing
Lady Liberty on Ellis Island; but before long, he
realized that the Queen was all alone in that big
ocean, with no escort service. That was a little bit
sobering. Nevertheless, they made it safely to
Ireland, then Scotland, then England.
He remembers sunken ships in the harbor at
Firth, seeing Scottish children look at them in
wonderment and riding in a 'toy train', (big enough
for troops, but much smaller than American
versions). " W e got off the train around 2:00 A.M.
and walked through total blackness to a GI truck.
W e all stayed in line by hanging onto the shoulder
of the man ahead of him.
�" W e got to England before our combat crews who
flew over later, so to keep us busy, they had us
march up and down dirt lanes. W e marched so
long, we actually wore out our boots. Fortunately,
my buddy and I had stashed a pair of civilian
shoes in our bags, so at night we went to town and
visited a pub. W e enjoyed the company of Polish
flyers who were in the RAF, even though neither
spoke the other's language."
The realities of war came soon enough for Sgt.
Lundy. Twelve times he watched his plane Miss
bianne take off and eagerly awaited its return. On
8 March 1943, the mission was to the marshalling
yards on the west bank of the Seine River, south
of Rouen. The bombers flew unprotected, and two
were lost. Seventeen men from the Clyde Price
and Robert Blain crew were KIA; four became
POWs.
Will saw so many
brave young men
take off, never to
return, he
maintained his
equilibrium by
backing away from
strong friendships
with the combat
crews. The pain of
losing friends was
too unbearable.
In 1944, he recalls
waiting for his plane.
"In the cul-de-sac
there are the usual
Will LuNdy AT ShipdhAM
post-mission
WINTER, 194?
activities of gassing
up, patching flak
holes and/or bullet holes, engine checks, covering
up, etc., fully underway. But here — my plane is
missing! I've sweated out each plane that landed
hastily, identifying, then looking for the next. But
the ships are now all in and unloaded. M y pleas to
the adjacent departing combat crews for any sign
of its fate resulted in merely that it had been hit,
feathered # 2 engine, and fell behind. The many
stories of stragglers being jumped by enemy
aircraft continued to send chills up my spine. And
hope was almost gone.
"Too upset to leave the line, I kept busy moving
things around, making sure everything was in
readiness for her return; kicking the weeds,
watching the sky, and then the Jeeps and power
wagons as they busily traveled the perimeter,
returning the crews for debriefing. Then suddenly
one of the Jeeps turned in and screeched to a
halt. The line chief yelled, 'They're safe!! They
landed on the coast with just an engine out." I
almost needed a parachute to bring m e safely
back to earth."
A traveling maintenance crew patched up the
unnamed plane, and managed to get it safely
across the Channel, past the White Cliffs of
Dover to Friston Air Base, an R A F Fighter Base.
Will joined his crew chief, George Baccash, in
driving to southern England to ready the plane for
its return to Shipdham, then back to combat.
With Lt. Knapp at the controls, the ship's return
was an awesome experience for the eager aircraft
mechanic who volunteered to serve as engineer on
the flight. Adding to the problems of getting a
bomber off a fighter air strip, the experience was
heightened with "Doodle Bugs" (V-l Rockets)
passing overhead.
Pre-f lighted, we taxied out across the iron mats
that served as a short runway for the Spitfires,
then on down to the far south corner of this
rough, grassy plateau. It is a pretty view to see
the ocean a couple hundred feet down the
chalk-white cliffs through the co-pilot's window.
But the view back diagonally across this "airfield,"
the long way, wasn't all that inviting because it
really wasn't long. So it doesn't take much grey
matter to understand why we got as far away
from those buildings as possible. I took up a
position between and just behind the pilot and
co-pilot as they set the brakes, then fully
advanced the four throttles, then the superchargers until the full power of those spinning
propellers shook and bounced us, straining every
nut, bolt and rivet. Suddenly, brakes off and I was
hanging on for dear life as we jumped forward,
gaining momentum with each turn of the wheels.
W e are soon rapidly accelerating, crossing the
metal landing strip and off, but not up. N o w a
bump and we are airborne. No! back on the grass
again. The rough terrain keeps bounding us up, but
down we come.
����BRIGADIER GENERAL ROBERT L CARDENAS
Tesf P//of,
Combat Leader
and More
Bpoat
LEFT: B/GEN. RobERT CARdENAS
llAS floWN MORE TIHAN 6 0 diffERENT AiRCRA
i
—
JN IHIS CAREER.
«
Riqhi: CliMbiNq OUT of TIHE
XB'45'jETB0MbER.
Lt. Cardenas wrote to Mr. Dupont, I told him, "Fine thing. You raised
Brigadier General Robert L.
telling him that if he had $5,000, me from a pup, and now you're
"Bob" Cardenas, Commander of
leaving me."He replied, "If you
he would be able to get five
the 44th Bomb Group, began his
gliders and begin teaching men to ever get to England, I'll get you
military career in the Coast
into a group."
Artillery, then became a pilot as abe glider pilots.
Cadet in the Army Air Corps. He
was commissioned in July, 1941. Two weeks later a C-47 arrived To England
and out stalked a very tall Colonel. Later Cardenas went to England
In August, 1941, he was an
as 3rd pilot to deliver equipment.
"Who's in command here?" he
instructor at Kelly Field. His
section leader asked "has anyone asked. "I guess I am. I'm the only He jumped ship in London and
here flown a glider?" According to military man here." "Step around called Colonel Dent, reminding
him of his promise. Cardenas
here, son," he ordered, and we
Cardenas, "being a 2nd Lt., and
urged, saying, 'I believe a
walked
to
the
back
of
the
plane.
not knowing better, I raised my
superior's
word is his bond.'
He introduced himself as Colonel
hand before asking - why?" He
wound up being sent to 29 Palms, Fred Dent, and said he was in
"All right," Dent replied, "but y
California to establish an Army Aircharge of the Glider Program.
fly every mission." This suited
Corps Glider School.
"Didyou go to West Point?" "No." Captain Cardenas just fine. He
"Then I'll forgive you, but don't was assigned to the 506 Sq. After
29 Palms was a
four missions as co-pilot, he
contractor-operated facility, and ever
Lt. write to a civilian over the
moved to the left seat and Sidney
head of your Commanding
Cardenas was the only military
Pauljoined him in the right. He
person there. He had no gliders, Officer. "After the lecture, the Col.
pilotedPrince/PrincAss/Princess,
wrote
out
a
check
for
$5,000,
and
but it was expected that the
Baldy and His Brood, I'll Be Back
the Glider Program began.
government would supply them.
and
ConsolidatedMess, each tour
However, at Glider Meetings he
taking him deeper into enemy
had become acquainted with Mr. This opened the door for
territory. L A. Sefranekco-piloted
Cardenas's new assignment. He
Richard Dupont, a gentleman who
with him into Berlin, Eustice
was
sent
to
Wright
Field
where
he
had been named 'Glider Czar'by
Hawkins,
into Brandenburg and
tested
P-38's,
B-24's,
B-17's,
President Roosevelt, so he
Dean
Miller,
to an Aircraft
LB-30 Testing AB24's. The testing
decided to use this contact to
Components and Assembly Plant
was going fine, and then his
change the situation.
mentor, Col. Dent, was ordered to in Fredrichshaven, Germany. That
was on March 16,1944.
England for combat duty.
8
�To Switzerland
"I had to swear, practically in
the Operations Officer and the
Two days later, on a return to
blood, that I would not use this
Command Pilot of the B-29 that
Fredrichshafen, his 17th mission, opportunity to escape in one of
launched Chuck Yeager in the X-1
he flew as Command Pilot, with these planes," Cardenas
into the realm of supersonic flight.
1st Lt. Raymond J. Lacombeat
remembered. "However, the
In 1948 he was assigned Officer in
the controls. Chief& Sack Artists freedom to move around made it
Charge of Flight Test Division
sustained flak damage, causing
possible for me to make contact
projects at Muroc AFB and Chief
one engine to catch fire. Damage with the Underground. During his Air Force Test Pilot of the YB-49
to the left wing caused the aircraftinternment at Camp Maloney at
Flying Wing program. After
to descend at a 45 degree angle.
Adelboden, he made friends with completion of the Performance
Skillfully manipulating the
a Capt. Stolz, who joined him in
Phase II, he checked out Captain
controls, Lt. Lacombe succeeded an escape plan that led back to
Glen Edwards after the crash of
in righting his aircraft and
England.
the B-49 and loss of the crew, to
regaining his position in the
complete the Stability and Control
formation to complete a second
"In Geneva the train
bomb run. Additional flak damage station had one track that
set fire to a second engine,
accompanied trains
severed fuel and hydraulic lines, traveling IN-COUNTRY
and rendered the electrical system and another track for trains
inoperative.
traveling OUT-OFCOUNTRY. My contacts
With several of his crew badly arranged for me to hide in
wounded and the uncontrollable a Cafe'on the island
aircraft on fire, Lt. Lacombe flew between the two tracks. At
close to the Switzerland border
the appointed time I
where the entire crew parachuted donned a waiter's apron,
to safety, including Captain
walked out on the island
Cardenas. (For his outstanding
and jumped into a freight
skill, courage and judgement, 1st train headed out of the
TttE YB'49, JN which CARdENAS SET A SpEEd
Lt. Raymond Lacombe was
country into France. I was
RECORd iN l 949.
awarded the Oak Leaf Cluster to
accompanied by Capt. Stolz.
his Distinguished Flying Cross.
When the train slowed down near program in the remaining B-49. By
Grenoble, we jumped and were
1949, Cardenas flew the YB-49
Cardenas's chute dropped him in contacted by personnel from the
from Muroc AFB to Andrews AFB
Lake Constance, a border lake
French Underground. After D-Day, to set a transcontinental record of
between Germany & Switzerland. we were flown out in a black C-47 4 hours, 05 minutes, covering
A piece of flak clipped off part of back to England. Somewhere I
2,258 miles at a speed of 511.2
his scalp, but he was able to swim have a photograph of Capt. Stolz
mph. (Muroc has been renamed
into the neutral country.
and me with our contact in her
EdwardsAFB.)
Chalet near Geneva. I have never
At that time the Swiss governmentshown this photograph to make
was concerned with the B-17s and sure she was not placed
B-24s which were in plain view to in jeopardy."
any overhead German flight crew.
Testing
They contacted the U. S.
Returning to the States,
government, requesting an
instructor to teach their pilots howCardenas attended and
graduated from the Flight
to fly them to the safety of a
mountain airfield. "You already Performance School. He
participated in the flight
have an instructor-Captain
Cardenas," they replied. Thus the test evaluation of the
internee became the instructor of German ME-262 and the
ARADO
234-Germany's
his captors'pilots.
first jet bomber. He was This W A S A G E R M A N JET BoMbER which CARdENAs EVAluAisd.
�The Governor then appointed
became Commander of the A ir
Korea & Vietnam
General Cardenas to the Board in
Force Special Operations Force.
During the Korean War, Col.
1987 where he was elected to a
Cardenas was working on the
Next he was assigned in Europe
policymaking body for the
cutting edge with new jet fighters as Vice Commander of the 16th
and bombers. He was then
Air Force at the Torrejon Air Base, California Department of Veterans
Commander of the 51st Fighter
Spain. It was here that he had the Affairs, and to which he became
Interceptor Wing in Okinawa,
dubious honor of negotiating the
Chairman in March, 1990. He left
flying the F-86D. Later, he was withdrawal of U.S. armed forces in in 1993 to serve as Chairman of
Commander of the 18th Tactical Libya with Muhmar Quadafi.
the San Diego County United
Fighter Wing on Okinawa during
Veterans Council and as a
the Gulf of Tonkin crisis. For the "After that I became the U.S.
Director on the Board of the
next two years, he flew the F-105 Deputy to LIVE OAK at SHAPE
Veterans Memorial Center &
in combat operations over
(Supreme Headquarters Allied
Museum.
Vietnam.
Powers in Europe) in Mons,
Belgium." One of my jobs was to
On April 15,1993, the University
He returned to the U.S. to
tell the Soviete 'NYET when they of New Mexico honored him for
command the 835 Air Division at would try to close the roads, trainshis Outstanding Professional
McConnell AFB, training F-105
and/or airways into Berlin. At
Contributions and Leadership.
crews for combat in Vietnam.
SHAPE, which was the
The USAF Test Pilot School at
From there he went on to Air War
headquarters SACEUR (Supreme
Edwards AFB honored the
College, and on graduation was
Allied Commander Europe), they General on December 10,1994
assigned Chief of the Aircraft &
called us 'the tripwire' to WWIII."as a "Distinguished Alumnus"and
Missile Programs Division in the
in September, 1995, he was
Pentagon.
Prior to his retirement in June of
inducted into the "Aerospace Walk
1973, General of Honor" at Lancaster, California.
Cardenas
The Sigma Chi Fraternity awarded
served as the
the General the Sigma Chi
Chief of the JL "Significant Sig" medal during
Division of the their June 1995 national convention
Joint Strategic in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Target
Planning Staff Currently, he serves as a member
(JSTPS)
of the San Diego Advisory Board
where he was
and a Director on the Board of the
responsible for Veterans Memorial Center &
the Joint
Museum (VMC). He started a
Strategic
"Living History" library at the VMC
Target List of
so the little guys will not be
the U.S.
forgotten. The group acquired 16
Nuclear War
computers and established a
Plan.
computer school for veterans to
prepare
them better for a job and
AboVE: CoMMANdER of TITE
In 1983, he was appointed to the keep them from becoming
l 8TIT TACTJCAI FiqhTER WiNq ii\i
White House as the California
homeless. They just started a
O W N A W A , K O R E A ANd ThAilANd.
Coordinator for President
committee that works with the City
Reagan's Southwest Border
Public Administrator to provide
CARdENAs HEW F' 105's OVER
Economic Action Group. He
VIETNAM.
dignified burial and honors for
resigned in 1985 and accepted an unclaimed homeless veterans.
International Assignments
appointment by the Governor
Toward that end, the VMC is in the
From the Pentagon, he was made Dukemejian as Chairman of the
process of acquiring cemetery
Chief of the Special Operations
Juvenile Justice and Delinquency acreage from civilian cemeteries
Division at U.S. Strike Command Prevention Advisory Group, as
to be operated as Satellites of
HQ in Tampa, Florida. He rose to well as a member of the California Rosecrans National Cemetery,
the rank of Brigadier General, and Council of Criminal Justice.
since Roscrans is full!
10
��r
The 44th BG's Tour Didn't Happen
September 11, 2001 Began a New Era
It was defined in the resounding words of President George W. Bush
"We will not tire. We will not falter. We will not fail."
Larry Herpel made every effort to bring the trip about, but with every hour,
the sobering truth became more clear. Newark airport was closed!!! Othe
hyjackers were suspected to be in the area.
It will take some time for him to unwind the 16 day tour in which he had
placed so much time and energy. He asks for forbearance from all ofus who
are waiting to be reimbursed.
FACING A NEW ENEMY
The world has seen rubble before. The attack on the World Trade Center in
New York was, in a single strike, a ghost of the many nightly raids in London with
the V- 1s, and later the V-2s.
Our new enemy, the terrorists, had the advantage of total surprise. Early in
the War, the British were able to take advantage of a new invention-radar. Located
along the English Channel, they provided early warning of an upcoming
bombardment.
"I was in London, helping an English family clean their fireplace equipment,
Sgt. Perry Morse recalled. "I could barely hear the V-1 motors because the air raid
sirens were so loud. It was scary to me, but the family had become so accustomed
to the bombings, they hardly paid attention. One of the rockets dropped on the
Railroad Station, and that caused quite a bit of damage, but it rapidly got cleared
up and the trains continued to run. "
The V-2 was more destructive. This rocket powered engine revealed itself as a red flash in the sky.
explosion was powerful, and the shock wave was truly violent. Wiping out those sites had to become a
priority if England was to survive. No wonder the 44th was deployed to Pas Des Calais area at
Escalles-Sur-Buchy and other areas on the French side of the Channel to knock out this ghastly threat.
England survived; and along with the United States, determined that civilization and morality must
prevail. It still must.
President Mikoloski sums up the American situation succinctly: "The World Trade Center, America's
most visible symbol of economic freedom and flourishment, was
reduced to ashes with the greatest single day's loss of lives in our
history; the Pentagon, Bastion of the Free World's most powerful
military force, blasted by a hijacked commercial airliner with the loss of
nearly 200 precious lives...
On 7 December 1941, our generation did not know how we would
win WWII, but we knew we had to win. Now the banner has been
handed to another generation. Advanced technology has made great
weapons available.
With their strength and determination and our prayers,
America will again prevail.
W "IT
�Winbrin, Belgium 17 September 2001
Hamminkeln, Germany 19 September 2001
WINBRIN, BELGIUM
September 17,2001
Events we were
scheduled to attend
on our tour.
The 44th BGs tour was to take us to the Memorial
Site, where a monument to the Pinder crash was
unveiled. Although we could not be present, a
memorable event took place, captured photographical
and relayed to us by E-Mail, courtesy of Sgt. Peter
Loncke of the Belgian Air Force.
PhoToqRAplns kii\dly subiviiTTEd by KARI-HEJINZ G A N S E I
I!
389
392
445
Wnhdccp»ppreciKj<jnloilKciu2«oo(H«Knii4«\«loifflD.«.»o
memorial plamie dedicated to the USAf m «ho s»vt itatoa oo-Ovo»»»'<
p « and c o m e together to honor! these Pn
-" aMlftienita of the B-24 crews.
MEMORIAI PIAQUE
PJNCIER CRASIT SITE
DEdicATioiN C E R E M O N Y
This message from Peter Loncke:
Sgt. Forrest S. Clark had a special interest in that
crash. He was personally aggrieved that his close
I just returned from my mission to Winbrin.
friend, T/Sgt. Abe Sofferman, had been lost. In
What can I say, all went perfect!!! All +/-100
honor of this friendship, he had a plaque erected in
people attending were impressed by the
his honor. In Clark's words, "It took 56 years and
ceremony and memorial!!! Mission
many months of research to put this story together
accomplished!
...Belgian aviation researchers recently unearthed
I started the ceremony with one minute of
parts of a B-24 bomber buried deep in an Ardennes
silence to remember those killed at the terrorist pine forest...
attack from last Tuesday. I introduced
"The date (of the mission) was 29 January 1944
the different guest speakers. The
and the target, the city of Frankfurt, Germany. The
unveiling of the memorial was done by
pilot of that bomber was Lt. Harold Pinder, and in th
Colonel USAF Tunstall from the
crew was T/Sgt. Sofferman. I was to be on that
American Embassy, together with the
bomber, but he chose to go to get his missions done."
Mayor of Houffalize and a Belgian War
Somewhere over southern Belgium an FW190A of
veteran who was too fragile to mount
JG26 shot down the bomber. It crashed in the pine
the steps, but stayed below. Five
forests near the tiny village of Winbrin in the
flower wreaths were laid. The last post Ardennes, about 100 miles south of Brussels. The
was played and two minutes of
FW190 guns set one wing afire.
silence. The schoolchildren had stood
It was one of 863 heavy bombers dispatched on
all this time around the memorial and
that mission. Twenty-four B-17s and five B-24s failed
at the end sang a song in French, very
to return. The FW190s of the 4th Staff el ofJG26 took
moving and nice. The 44th BG was
off at 1010 hours and intercepted the B-24 formation.
represented by the Crandell family,
On most of the mission, the bombers were flying
brother of Lt. Crandell, KIA on 24
without fighter support.
March 1945.
13
�Some of the crew died in the crash and some
parachuted, among them, Lt. Pinder and Sgt.
Sofferman. They managed to get out of the badly
damaged craft before it went into a steep downward
spiral and crashed.
Fragments and some of the ammo have been dug
up at the site. The forest hid much of the plane, but
recently with the aid of metal detectors, pieces of
fuselage, shell casings and other artifacts pointed to
the plane's identity, B-24 #42-7547, Sky Queen, 67
Sq., 44BG.
Clark's research continued, "The rest of the story is
PETER E M M E R Y
one of hardship, courage and overwhelming odds.
Clark
expressed
his
deep devotion to his friend by
The surviving members of the crew were taken in by
paying for a plaque in his memory. It can be seen at
the
Winbrin, along with the monument which the city ha
Belgian
partisan
erected.
Sgt. Peter Loncke found the crash site. After muc
army and
inquiry among the villagers, a burgomaster led him
hidden in
the pine forest where the plane had gone down.
various
locations According to Loncke, the impact hole was still visi
Some of the resistance fighters were still living
in the
vicinity of could relate the events.
Winbrin
for about
30 days.
PIAQUE uNVEiUd.
Some of
the local
resistance fighters and a couple of postmen saw the
parachutes coming down. They took Sofferman and
Pinder to the hideout of the partisan resistance army
known as Armee Blanche. The area was heavily
honeycombed with German occupation troops, all
armed and ready to kill. They were under strict orders
to seek out and destroy downed allied airmen. But
the partisans kept one jump ahead of the Germans." Thanks to the research of Will Lundy, Peter
In one of the coldest winters in Europe's history,
the and many others, the crash site was
Loncke
partisan's struggled to get the airmen and some discoveredand theplane was identified.
Russian
Loncke arranged the unveiling.
escaped
prisoners to the
Comete Line,
an established
escape route,
but apparently
their presence
was made
known to the
The CEREMONY pRoqREssss.
German
police.
Unbelievable as it may seem, a Russian defector to
the German army, Gen. Vlassov, led an attack on the
partisans. Rather than risk capture and abuse from
the Nazis because of being Jewish, T/Sgt. Sofferman
chose to try evading. He was shot.
"^'li> arm"! yon io Wir W o A f "
14
�Hamminkeln, Germany
19 September 2001
A bridge was
indeed an
built between the
emotional moment
USAF, the family
for Joe and his
and friends of nine
^^^F JP '.
family and
B-24 groups and
ourselves when
the city of this
he put fresh
German town. The
flowers on the
Mayor of
site, a wreath of
1
•
^
Hamminkeln
artificial flowers
received a
with two American
PETER sTANdiiNC, dimiNc, spEEch m TITE TOWN HAII
Memorial plate
flags and a
commemorating the crews of "Operation Varsity,"
plastic-covered display holding the photograph of th
along with a painting of the planes which are now
crew and the story of the crash. He had brought
hanging in City Hall.
some sand with him from his hometown in Illinois to
On 24 March 1945, the 67th and 506 Sqs. had
scatter around the crash site. The empty sand pot, h
been assigned to drop supplies to British
then filled with soil, together with some just falle
paratroopers who had just crossed the Rhine. The
leaves from the oak tree which grows on the site. It
planes were loaded, and the guns had been
was indeed a moving experience.
removed, to make more room for materials of war.
"We traveled on to the village of Hamminkeln. We
They flew at treetop level over the little town of
set up our Memorial plate and covered it with an
Hamminkeln.
American flag. We went back downstairs where Joe
Two planes from the 44th BG went down. Everyone
met Peter Emmerich, the German FLAK operator
on the crew of Leonard Crandell were KIA. Two
who had shot down the Crandell plane. This was
survived the crash of Max Chandler's crew: Robert
indeed an emotional moment for both men."
Both Germans and Americans contributed to the
Vance and Louis DeBlasio. Sgt. Anibal Diaz on AC
Memorial plate. Along with the contributors, two
#42-50535,506 Sq., was swept out of the plane
German fighter pilots attended the ceremony. Also
when his parachute spilled open and out the ball
turret well. The force of the air pulled him into the well
present
and out of the plane. The Germans later reported him was a
mixedparty
dead. John Delaney, flying a P-47 dived at anti
from
aircraft guns and his plane crashed also.
Holland
and
America.
The group
met with
the Mayor
in a big
Council
Room. The
L TO R: P. LOINCI<E, P. E M M E R Y , JOE CRANdAtl,
M A Y O R , CONNJE, BARDARA CRANdEll, PETER, JOE, PETER EMMERIC^
Memorial
CEORqE A(\id TERRY BOETCITER (1 5 AF), ANd
M A Y O R of HAMMiNkElN.
plate and
The memorial event was orchestrated by Peter
painting
Loncke, who described the events of the day.
were presented. Contributors names and addresses
He picked up Joe, Barbara and Connie Crandell at
their hotel in Lommel. Joe was the brother of Capt. were listed on the back of the painting.
Leonard Crandell. Along with a Belgian friend, they Fifty-four years ago, nobody would ever have
dreamed that such a gathering between friends and
traveled to Hamminkeln.
Peter wrote, "We drove to the crash site which is enemies could have taken place. We of the 44th are
situated next to the crash site ofLt. Chandler. It wastruly grateful to Peter for building this bridge.
15
��down, my efforts will be devoted to
insuring that the TRUTH prevails and
that the reputation and gallant
character of our esteemed leader
and the brave men he led are duly
honored, protected and preserved.
Stay Tuned.
My closing quotation "He who slings mud loses
ground."
Edward K. MikoloskLT3resident
(Ed. Note: The courage and ski/I of
men in the Ploestimission will forever
stand as a measuring block for the
glory and irrepressible spirit of airmen
everywhere.)
The Eighth Memory
The English girls loved you
The German cities hated you
You littered Europe with bombs and fallen comrades
You learned to like the bitters and the weather
The cold was always there but so was the hope
I still see you there, children in leather and green
So much younger than you seem
Adapting, adjusting and bringing about death
Certain and doubtful all in one breath
Odds are against you, what do you have to lose?
But lose you will, if not your own life then someone you knew
Your livelihood riding cold on dedicated ground crew and never
turning back
Life in a tin can, work in a freezer shot at day by day
Boredom and terror never far away
From the Editor:
Fighters and flak stalking your every move
Members, please do not keep your
Pubs and English lovers never there long enough to soothe
change of addresses a secret. If you change Lives that ended too soon, terror that lasted too long
locations, phone number or E-Mail address, Your being there, now written on an airfield in marble stone
let us know. It will save Jerry Folsom, Art
In November they bring you poppies, hoping somewhere you're well
Hand, Roy Owen, Will Lundy and your crew
Remembering the good times, remembering your hell
members a lot of time trying to locate you.
They see you in their memories
The 44th BG is a tight band of men, families
and friends with a unique history. Let's stick They visit your mates at Maddingley
Remembering your presence, remembering your fight
together by staying in touch.
Have you visited the 44th Bomb Group's They remember you most, as those who fought in broad daylight
Web Site? If you are online, search http:// They call you "our lad's" in villages and in dales, from Norwich to Lavenham
www.44thbombgroup.com. You will love
what you see-all the information about this
From Framlingham to Deenthorpe the story is passed down
great organization, the list of planes that
Of the day the Yanks brought new hope to town
flew, the upcoming events and much more.
From Fortresses, Liberators and Mustangs the stories live
As time goes on, more information will be
In small churches, pubs and in village halls
added.
To that most sacred of places behind the altar of St. Paul's
Do you have any photos or information
You who fought without hate
about your airplane, or one that you worked
You those immortal young men of the American Mighty Eighth
on? Do not let it yellow in your attic. If you
are saving it for your children, copies can be
made at any reliable office supply
store-Kinkos, Staples, etc. (Not on a
standard photocopy machine. It doesn't
bring out details.) If you send originals, they
Write to:
will be copied and returned.
44th B o m b Group
Have you done your Database? Do it. No effort is too small to
Veterans Association
record. Hitler's Thousand Year Reich ended in six years because of
P.O. Box 712287
you. Write it, so the world will never forget the sacrifices that were
Salt
Lake
City, Utah 84171-2287
made to bring him down.
17
�Col. Griffin Goodman is best known by most members of the 44th B G V A for his droll humor, coupled by
his delightful southern accent. He passed away March 22,2001, at his home in Ft. Walton Beach. Col.
Edward K. "Mike" Mikoloski attended the funeral service. President Mike remembers that, "More than
anyone else, Colonel Griffin provided the continuity and 'sense of mission' of the 44th B o m b Group, since
he'served continuously as the E X E C U T I V E OFFICER to all of the C O M M A N D I N G O F F I C E R S of the
group, from Col. Frank Robinson at Barksdale A F B and Will Rogers A F B through Colonels Robinson,
Johnson, Posey, Dent, Gibson, Snavely and Smith at Shipdham."
In a tribute written in the 2 AD Journal, Lt. Col. Richard Butler referred to the Group Executive Office
as "Mr. 44." Butler reported, "He w a s the right hand m a n for all of the men w h o served as group
commanders at Shipdham. Griff remained in the Air Force after W W I I and served with distinction in
numerous important assignments, retiring with the grade of Colonel. He attended virtually all of our 44th
reunions and most 2nd Air Division Association conventions. He once served as President of the
Association."
As CO. of the 68th, Lt. Col. Robert Lehnhausen had little contact with 'Griff, but he was aware that as
the ranking officer on the ground side, he w a s a skilled administrator. Lehnhausen stated, "Our troops
were seldom shorted by the distribution channels of food, clothing, combat supplies and pay. It may not
have satisfied their every want, but the group policies were not onerous or unbearable.
"Some of our folks didn't understand that our Base was a part of the 'Lend Lease' arrangement with the
British. They were our landlords. Griffin's demeanor of grace and gentle persuasion, his tactful manner
in dealing with the British "Clerk of the Works" and our Norfolk neighbors, made life for the seven
commanding officers for w h o m he served much easier and pleasant. Our 44th personnel also shared in
this rapport-without knowing why. It is unusual that one gentleman should serve so long in such a
position of great responsibility. He maintained his leadership role because he w a s a valued aide to each
of those seven commanders.
"I really got to know him through visits together at the Reunions. He possessed an amazing memory of
the happenings of the 44th, both big and small. A great part of m y admiration of this humorous, talented
officer w a s his huge respect and the concern he displayed for our enlisted men and their welfare. Colonel
Goodman G. Griffin was a splendid officer and a gentleman."
Editor's Remembrance: One of Col. Goodman's recollections was about the time he was riding on an
eastbound train full of soldiers who were under his command. When he opened his orders to learn his
destination, he discovered that fact had been omitted by his commanding officer. While riding along,
pondering this omission, he questioned his First Sergeant, only to learn that he knew all the answers. He
laughingly reported, "Iliad to ask my First Sergeant where I was going!!!" (He was going to England.)
%
18
�The site of the
American Bombing of
18 November 1943
From Col. Richard "Dick" Butler:
RicliARd ANd Audirln BUTIER
O n 18 November 1943, B-24 aircraft of four groups, the 44th, the 93rd, the 389th, and the 392nd
bombed the German motor works at Kjeller Airfield near Oslo, Norway. The bombing was excellent, but
the 44th lostfiveaircraft and the crews of four of them. The 67th Squadron lost three planes and their
crews. These were piloted by Edward Dobson, Joseph Houle and Earl Johnson. The 68th Squadron lost
two aircraft, one being that piloted by Edward Mitchell. This crew was lost. The other 68th plane,
piloted by Baxter Weant with Lt. Col. William Brandon as c o m m a n d pilot, had extensive damage and
landed in Sweden. Two gunners on planes that returned to Shipdham were deceased due to fatal gun
shot wounds.
In 1993, Forrest Clark, assisted by Ed Dobson, son of the lost pilot, led an effort to rais
place a memorial at Kjeller Airfield to honor our fellow crew members w h o were lost on the mission.
On this past 30 June, my wife, Ardith, and I arrived in Oslo, Norway to start a cruise. Beca
that mission of 18 November 1943 and lost some very good friends, I wanted to see the memorial to
them. So on 1 July, Ardith and I journeyed out to the Royal Norwegian Air Force installation at Kjeller
Airfield to view the monument. W e were escorted to the site and I a m pleased to report that the
monument is in perfect condition. It and an adjacent R N A F monument are maintained by the RNAF.
The brass plaque on the stone reads below the Eighth Air Force Insignia:
U.S. nth Air Force
1343
1333
NORWAY
UNITED STATES
Here at the site of the American Bombing of 18 November 1343,
We, the Survivors of the 8th Air Force, 44th. 332nd. 33rd
And 383th Bomb Groups. Dedicate this memorial to the
Brave American Airmen who died on the Mission to
Norway in November 1343. In Remembrance of their
Sacrifice and Devotion to Freedom, w e Salute them
And the Courageous Norwegian Allies who fought
Against Nazi tyranny a Half Century ago.
...dedicated 18 November 1333
In the photo, Ardith and I are standing behind the monument. The object to our left is a split five
hundred pound b o m b casing from the mission. It is well maintained also. It was an emotional
experience for me. I a m glad w e went to Kjeller Airfield.
I might add that the Coastal Steamer cruise is wonderful. Norway is such a beautiful country
clean. The ship is a working ship and stops at numerous towns and villages. W e went all the way up into
the Arctic Circle to Kirkenes at the very northeast tip of Norway where it adjoins Russia and Finland. I
went to the Russian border. Ardith and I strongly recommend the cruise.
J
19 6
�Flying 8 Ball Patches - $14 + $2 postage.
Back copies of 8Ball Tails -• $5
Write 44th BGVA, P.O. Box 712287, Salt Lake City, U T 84171 -2287
Flying 8 Ball Shirts -- $25 + $3 postage
Flying 8 Ball Caps—$15 + $2 postage
Pins - $ 5 + $2 postage
Write S a m Miscelli, 6398 Dawson Blvd. Mentor, O H 44060-3648
Kevin Watson's book Ruth-Less and Far From Home is the story of the tragic crash of the A/C
#41-24282,506 Sq. It is available through Amazon.com; signed copies can be obtained through
hometown.aol.com/kpwats7. The cost is $20. His book is a tribute to the J a m e s Bolin crew of Ruthless.
The 44th Tour Group in 1997 will remember Kevin for graciously traveling with the group through
France and Belgium and shopping for amenities to make the members more comfortable on the bus.
Watson arranged for an awesome ceremony on Butts Brow, the hillside crash site of the Ruth/ess;
and later, the meeting at the Eastbourne Courthouse with Mayoress Beryl Hea/y
44th BOMB GROUP, The Flying Eightballs, a 115 page documentary of the 44th BG is available for
$55 from Turner Publishing Company, 412 Broadway, P.O. Box 3101, Paducah, KY 42002-3101. This
hardbound 9 x 11 book has 128 pages of historical material, and biographies of many veterans. A
good reference book for new members seeking information.
THE WILD BLUE YONDER is a chronology of the James hi. Williams crew, (66th BS) as recorded by
Warren F. McPherson. McPherson's detailed report tells the story from induction to his last
mission, concluded by a kiss on solid soil. The Tail Gunner w h o later became a minister presents a
lively and accurate account of the life of an N C O in the maelstrom of war. Cost $10 for a soft cover,
32 page ringed book. Write 1016 E Rockwood Street, Springfield, M O 65807-5092.
_
PURSUIT IN THE PYRENEES, by Archie Barlow, Jr., is an account of a three month effort of
evading the enemy in German-occupied France, 1944. The price is $20. Write L. B. Wright, 3911
Black Locust Drive, Houston, T X 77088-6904. Tel. 281-931-1932. E-mail Wrightfaljuno.com.
The Angel and the Eagle, by Joseph E Milliner is a personal story, written in 3rd person, of his
experiences as a pilot, a family man and a distraught father whose son, a helicopter pilot, tragically
disappeared in Laos during the Vietnam War. Milliner describes the fury of the Ploesti Raid, target
White V in dramatic detail. Then there w a s Foggia, where Buzzin Bear crashed, and four of the crew
were lost. According to Joe, his ever faithful Guardian Angel J O S E P H saved him from parachuting
into the flaming plane. Milliner's signed hardcover book is available for $ 11.95, (postage incl.). Write
281 Fincastle Way, Shepherdsville, KY 40165. E-mail MackieOI 26@aol.com.
I
20
�S/Sgt. Robert Reasoner Remembers
Kiel Germany
shooting at the fighter; and when sighting
through thegunsight, Ihad to bend forwardand
May 14,1943
stoop slightly. The bullet had just broken the sk
on my head. It felt just like a hard blow with a
// was a good day for a bombing mission, as hard club. The bullet had torn a slit in my helmet,
the sky was clear except for a few scattered
clippedmy headset and continued on into the
clouds below us. Soon after we crossed the
aircraft structure. My imagination took over and
coastline and were over the continent, we begancould feel the bloodseeping on my head. Ididn't
to see German fighters rising in the distance. dare
We check then, but it turned out to be my
began to have fighter attacks at irregular
imagination, because the bloodhad remainedin
intervals before we reached the target city. As the area where the bullet struck me.
we reached the outskirts ofKiel, the fighter
Even after the bombardier had dropped our
attacks intensifiedand became almost constant.
bombs, the fighters continued to attack in large
At about that time, I saw Capt. O'Brien's ship numbers. It seemed they wouldnever stop their
drop out offormation and lag behind. He was
attacks. By this time, Ihad just aboutgiven up
under heavy attack and the fighters werejust and wondered why Capt. Jansen had not rung
swarming around them. I was unable to observe the bail out bell. I looked in the waist section to
any parachutes drop from theplane because of see ifthe othergunners were still there. I could
the large number offighters in the area.
see they were still firing theirguns and it looke
As we were nearing the target, we had
like they were up to their ankles in spent 50
become "tail end Charlie "because ofthe loss ofcaliber cartridges.
Capt. O'Brien's ship. (I think we were flying #2 As the fighters had begun theirattacks rathe
position and O'Brien was#3J. Capt. Jansen hadslowly, they ended their attacks abruptly. I
calledme over the intercom and said "let me
wondered why and lookedaround for a reason.
know when the bast— are coming in!" When I
The tail gunner is the last to know! There below
calledand said "here they come!", he then
was the coastline ofthe North Sea. The timing
slipped up under the leadership ofour formationwas perfect for us. My rightgun was out of
and didsuch evasive action, that the gunners ofammo and the leftgun had a strip about
the leadship said they couldalmost touch us. At eighteen inches long.
the home base, they were worried that Capt
The safety from the fighters as we reached
Jansen wouldcut the bottom out oftheirship
the North Sea gave us a chance to lookaround
with hisprops.
for the first time. When we saw all the holes in
It seemed the fighters wouldnever stop
our plane, we thought ofthe new danger ofthe
coming in on us. Most ofthe attacks were from 6 cold waterbelow and how long we couldsurvive
o 'clockhigh and were mostly FWigO's that linedif we had to bail out or crash-landin the water.
up one behind the other and came in. Their
Also how long before we could expect to be
tracer bullets coming at me appeared to be like picked up and wouldit be in time?
little streaks of light that flashed on and off. On Anyway, Capt. Jansen kept MARGARET
one attack, Isuddenly foundmyself hanging on ANN going with her #3 engine feathered. Allot
my back out ofthe tail turret. Ididn 'tknow whatus in the waist kept a sharp lookout forany other
had happened untilI got back inposition in the signs offailure, but none appearedand we
turret. At that time Isaw a bullet hole in the arrivedback at our base at Shipdham. The
turret-plexiglass at eye level just above the engineer shot a redflare indicating "wounded
bulletproof glass on the rear ofthe turret. The aboard, "and we were cleared to land
bullet wouldhave hit me in the center ofthe
immediately. Capt. Jansen made a perfect
forehead, but I was saved because I was
landing - he held the plane on the left main
21
_v
�(
A VIEW FROM AN EAST ANGLIAN
Roger Freeman
landing wheel, as the right tire had been
flattenedby a 20mm armor piercing shell.
"I have m y own memories of you good people. I remember
When theplane slowed tillhe couldnot holdityou on your bicycles, the laughter, the singing and the shouting,
offthe right wheelany longer, he let it touchh o w you would go to the local pubs, complain bitterly about the
wet, warm English beer and then drink the pubs dry. I recall
down andmade a curve offthe runway onto
your generosity with the local children, how you would give
the beautiful green grass and soft earth of
them sweets, make a fuss of them and arrange parties for them.
England. The exit ofthe crew from
I think most of us in England remember those cheerful young
MARGARET ANN must have set some kind of
men that you were.
a record. MARGARET ANN was riddled. The
I have other memories and I make no excuses for changing
ground crew told us later that we had250
the m o o d here. These are some of m y memories that I have and
major holes (1/2 inch or bigger) in our aircraft.
they're true.
Most ofthe fuel tanks hadbeen punctured, but
"I remember being terrified as a B-24 Liberator spiraled
down
luckily the hits were above the gas line. There with one wing aflame and I was down there on the
were 3 holes in the tail turret. One hit me on ground, and s o m e equally terrified, or far more frightened
young men, were parachuting down from that blazing bomber.
the head, one came in at a slight angle and
.. I recall watching the pilot of a P-38 Lightning being literally
knocked the handle offtheplexiglass door
lifted out of his cockpit because he was so cold and numb after
behindme (an early modification to keep the
a long fighter escort mission to Berlin. "I remember seeing a
coldair offthe tailgunner), and one came
B-I7 Flying Fortress in a cloudless s u m m e r sky limping home
through the bottom ofthe turret and nearly cutfrom a raid with a shattered tail and with holes so large blown
the toes out ofmy G.I. shoes stored under thethrough both wings, you could see daylight through them.
catwalk behind the turret. In the turret, I wore
W h e n this bomber finally came in to land at the local airfield, I
silk socks coveredby wool socks and fleece recall seeing the h u m p s on the stretchers being carried to the
lined flying boots. The ground crew traced thewaiting ambulances.
"I also remember those bitter winter days in England,
bullet that hit me and presentedme with the
watching
the ground crews working on the engines. Their
steel point of a.30 calipre armor piercing
hands must have been as n u m b as they could possibly be
bullet.
because you couldn't wear gloves for some of the intricate jobs
I'm sure those ofus that stillsurvive will
they had to perform...
always remember the firstAmerican raid on
"And I remember a burning mass in an English field which,
Kiel. Allotus in the rear ofthe plane had beena few seconds previously, had been a P-51 Mustang fighter...
slightly wounded. Besides me, the two waist and I knew that somewhere in that mass was a charring body
gunners hadbeen hit by20mm explosive shell that had once been a human being ...
"I also recall the noise as I lay in m y bed early in the
fragments. The bottom gunnerhadreceived
morning.
The constant noise which you couldn't escape from
internal injuries and died on the way back to
anywhere
in East Anglia in those days as the bombers and
Shipdham.
fighters
were
warming up, taking off and going to war.
S/Sgt. Leo V. McCready was hit by a .30
"I recall the contrails in the skies as hundreds upon
cal. machine gun bulletin his stomach and
hundreds of your bombers flew out... all heading eastwards.
died the next day. M/Sgt. Robert M. Smith
And one day, when you couldn't see the sky because of an
had20mm shell fragments in his right leg, and overcast, I can recall seeing the colored assembly flares slowly
S/Sgt. RichardJ. Butler was wounded in his dropping through.
right hand, right arm and chest from.30 cal.
"I also remember the fighters sweeping back in the late
afternoons, the colors of their heraldry flashing in the sunlight...
bullets.
and the bombers coming home, some limping, but usually in
Ed. Note: S/Sgt. RobertReasoner's story good formation.
"These are m y memories... I know there are memories
was featuredin the Summer issue ofthe Eight
which you have that I cannot share ... although I know what
Ball Tails. Reasoner has the singular
they are..."Such things as the flak clouds over Berlin... over
distinction of acquiring three Purple Hearts.
Merseburg ... over H a m m ... Such things as the smell of
smoke and human sweat in the oxygen systems. Such things as
the tired grip of an oxygen mask on your face for ten hours...
the vibration and the noise of riding those bombers... Such
terrible things as seeing your comrades, w h o you probably had
22
breakfast with that morning, go down in the plane next to you
®
�r
and being helpless to do anything about it... and perhaps
worst of all, those empty beds which had been full the night
before...
These are also your memories and they are just a small part
of the story of the 8th Air Force. The 8th Air Force ... I'll
May, 2001
remind you again, the largest air striking force in history ever
committed to battle... the supreme realization of the
In this issue I would like to address a question to
American dream of daylight strategic bombardment. Yes, a
all of you combat m e n w h o could have flown the
great force indeed.
"I know that the men of the 9th Air Force bled as freely .. mission of 8 M a y 1944 and then the short period
of 4 through 7 April 1945. W e need your data if
. those of the 15th Air Force died as cruelly ... and all the
other air forces of that war have their pride, and rightly so. you participated in any of these missions, as these
five mission folders are missing or misplaced in
But no one can take away from you a record that is
unsurpassed in courage and endeavor... And the evidence is the National Archives! Tony Mastradone has m a d e
there... 47,000 men killed or missing by the end of the
several trips there asking for searches to be m a d e
Second World War... half the top awards for bravery earned for these folders, but until this time they are still
by the American Air Forces were for the 8th Air Force... so missing! Tony did find a 67th Squadron
that speaks for itself.
Engineering paper listing those 67th Sq. crews that
"Sadly, today there are people, some of them young, who
flew the mission of 8 M a y 1944 (to Brunswick), so
would scoff at all this. They would say that you have come
w e can prepare sortie reports for them, but w e
here to wallow in old glories... to gloat over a victory over
must attempt to identify the crews from the other
another nation ... that you achieved nothing ... that your
three
Squadrons for that date A N D all crews that
comrades who are not here with you died in vain, and in any
flew
any
of the four days in April 1945 (4, 5, 6 and
case they are forgotten ... Well, it goes without saying that
7 in April 1945).
there are men here tonight, with mental and physical scars
obtained during those dark days, who could tell any
'Peace-Nik' far better than I could, that there is no glory in war.
If any of you combat men remember or recall
"Of course you're not here to gloat over a victory over an participating in any of these five missions, could
old enemy... I have German friends and I'm sure some of
you please drop a note to m e with that
you do. No, you're here because you take an honest pride,
information. If you can remember the names of
and I think, if you won't admit this, it is probably the basic your crew mates, great! If not, w e m a y have to
element of your all being here. You have an honest pride of
resort to your regular crew names to show on the
being part of the 8th Air Force... indeed you do.
sortie report. A/C n a m e would be most valuable if
And as for having achieved nothing ... that is nonsense.
k n o w n or found in your o w n records.
You were part of the decisive victory over the worst tyranny
WILL SEZ
that man has ever known ... and you should be proud of it.
Your courage and endeavor are not forgotten... neither are the We are so close to completing our data entry files
people who died. Any young life is a wasted life, but nobody for all sorties flown by the 44th - well over 8000 that w e must do everything that w e can find the
died in vain. All those boys whom you lost died in a damn
good cause.
answers to these last few. So, if you have kept any
"I mentioned honest pride; if you want to keep faith with records of your missions covering these two
the sacrifice of your buddies of years gone by, there is no
periods, please take the time to check out any
better way than to promote that pride. Pride in the 8th Air
records you m a y have to determine if you were
Force ... the greatest Air Force your country has ever
involved. W e must be as accurate as possible in
produced and one of the most famous fighting units in history our historical records. T H A N K Y O U !
... Cherish that pride.
"Most of you wear the 8th Air Force symbol in some form
Secondly, a personal request to each of you
or another, either in the badge of this society or sister
non-combat personnel. The story about the 44th's
societies. I say to you, gentlemen, you have every right to
efforts
during W W #2 will never be complete
wear that with pride ... wear it with pride and so keep the
courage and endeavor of the 8th Air Force shining brightly for unless you people let m e , us, k n o w about what
each of you did at Shipdham. M u c h of what the
future generations.
(Ed Note: Roger Freeman is the foremost authority of combat
the
m e n did was recorded and saved in
history of the 8th Air Force in England during WWII. He official
is
records. But for the support personnel there
the author of "The Mighty Eighth" and other historical is very little, indeed.
writings of the era.)
®
�If you will do nothing else to help, would E A C H of
you drop m e a note (my address is on the inside
front page) to tell m e what job Y O U P E R F O R M E D .
If you don't write anything else, PLEASE give m e
your "job." Then, if you care to include more
about yourself or particular events, names of m e n
you worked with and w h o you worked for, I will
be most grateful! Look at it this way, it took at least
an average of 10 of us to keep one combat m a n
flying. For the most part our work w a s routine, but
very important to the war effort. W e might not
have had direct effect with the combat m e n or the
B-24s, but the sum total resulted in victory in
Europe. There still is a free world. A n d yes, I w a s
ground crew, too.
Truly, I cannot emphasize this enough. For all
practical purposes, all that n o w exists in our
records is your name, and even these did not
c o m e from the official records. By writing to m e
you will confirm that w e have your n a m e and get
it spelled correctly. I, we, do not have any
monthly reports of personnel from any section,
either. Nor are there any monthly reports of
Squadron Operational personnel except the one I
kept personally for the 67th Squadron for April
1945. W o u l d any of you have kept such reports in
your memorabilia? If you do, could you please
copy and send to m e ? They are priceless n o w .
Will you help m e with these records?
w h o could have served in W W #2, and then
telling them just h o w proud he w a s of us, and
most of all, to thank us for our sacrifices. H e said
that the American public have not expressed their
appreciation of their veterans as m u c h as they
should, so he w a s doing his best to seek out and
to personally express his sincere thanks to as many
veterans as he could.
He then firmly shook my hand, patted me on my
back and walked away! It took m e a bit to believe
what had just transpired, but it left a w a r m spot in
m y heart. I a m n o w relating this experience to you
in case you have never experienced such a
personal experience like this. It had happened to
m e , but in reality it w a s meant for all of you. So I
wanted to tell you about it so that you will know
that your efforts to save the free world is still much
appreciated by our people w h o still remember
your sacrifices.
FRgro
sorr>econeRg.
•d C M S L A M D
CHe
67tk
SGlU/\DRpNl
Now on a personal note, I'd like to tell you about
an incident that happened to Irene and m e while
shopping at a large grocery store a couple months
ago. As w e were pushing our large shopping cart,
a m a n of about 60 years old walked up to us,
pardoned himself for interrupting our shopping,
and asked m e if I was a World W a r veteran! It w a s
a very unusual question, so I hesitated for a
m o m e n t trying to guess what his motive was.
W h e n I finally told him that yes, I was, he then
told m e that he had been watching us for a couple
minutes, noticed our erect posture and friendly
ways, decided to stop us and ask. H e said he w a s
sure because of the look in m y eyes, but I don't
k n o w for sure what that meant.
So we chatted for a few minutes about my time in
service, about the 8th Air Force, the Liberator, etc.
Then he told m e that he often visited markets and
public places, m a d e a point of looking for m e n
V
24
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�September, 2001
Prepared by:
OfAS/>
COLUCC1, PATRICK Date ? 506th Sq. Gunner
Pat was a member of the T.G. Waters crew that arrived in
the 506th Squadron on 28 June 1944. They flew their first
mission on 1 August and he flew most of them with this
crew. The T.G. Water crew completed their tour on 2
January 1945, but Pat had missed a few, so completed his
33rd on 14 January with the V.J. Scheerzberg crew. During
most of his missions, he was a waist gunner. Both Pat and
Ginny were frequent attendees at the annual reunions. They
will be missed, indeed.
ARRAJ, ROBERT
located.
1/8/90 Not combat, no records
DAVISON, WILLIAM R. 1/29/97 13013634 68th Sq. 1st
Sgt. He joined the 68th Sq. on 6/20/42 and was promoted to
First Sergeant on 14 July 1942. He made both trips over
and back on the Queen Mary,firstin Sept. 1942 and return
on 16 June 1945.
BRADFORD, KENNETH No date 66 and 67th
DIXON, WILLARD E. 3/1/87 Cannot identify.
Squadrons. Kenneth was a gunner, both waist and nose
turret for the seven missions that he flew between 31 May
FAHEY, DONALD F. 2/28/69 37506294 68th Sq. Radio
1944 to 15 October. He flew two with R.J. Gunton, threeOperator for the T.L. Weaver crew. Donald joined the Sq.
with H.C. Henry, and two with C.R. Hinshaw.
on 5/5/44, flew their first mission on 5/21/44. This crew
was shot down on 7 July 44 while on their 21st mission.
CAMPBELL, WALTER D. 1/92 68th Sq. 39331274
Donald was one of the last crewman to bail out; was taken
Walter joined this Sq. on 21 May 1944 as a member of thePrisoner of War. He was released at war s end, departed
R.C. Ricketts crew. He served as a ball turret and waist
Europe on 3 June, arriving at the U.S. on 11 June 1945. On
gunner from 29 May 1944 to 30 December 1944 to
one of his missions, he was credited with saving the life o
complete 30 missions. He dropped from the Ricketts crewone of his crew, Sgt. Harrison.
during that summer and then flew with other crews. Late
in November, he joined the H.J. Eckstein crew and flew FUNKS, ROBERTD. 3/01 506th Sq.
with them until 30 Dec. 1944.
He was Radio Operator for the T.G. Waters crew that
arrived in the 506th Sq. on 28 June 1944. Robert and
CHANDLER, LAWRENCE W. 11/24/00 36427258 68th
Patrick Colucci (above) were crew mates. He flew 28
Sq. Engineer. He was a member oftheA.A. Starring crewmissions, most of them with T.G. Waters, but he did not
that arrived in this Sq. on 8 December 1943. Their first
finish his tour until 25 March 1945. His last three mission
combat mission was 21 January 1944, when they were
were with the W.M. Smith crew.
shot down over France. Four crewmen became POWs,
but Lawrence managed to evade capture until he returned
GAURONSKAS, EDWARD C. No date 16042233 68th
to the base four months later. Two days later he Squadron. Edward served as an Aircraft Mechanic. He was
was on his way back to the U.S.
with the Ground Echelon that made the voyage to England
on the Queen Mary in September 1942. His line crew is not
identified, but he served in this capacity until 16 June
1945, when he returned to the U.S., once again aboard the
famous Queen Mary.
25
��^9 MAIL & E-MAIL ^
^3
Feeney supplied a bit of historical trivia: When were Serial
Numbers discarded for Social Security Numbers? Joe
made that suggestion at a Pay Conference in 1968. The
idea was adopted. He believes he is holding the last card
that has both his Serial & S S # . They were to turn them
in, but he couldn't part with his.
qQ3
From Norfolk, England: Brian Peel, longtime friend and
admirer of the 44th BG, is sad to report that his mother,
Doris Peel passed away on April 11,2001 at the age of 100
years, six months. As a civilian, Mrs. Peel was involved in
the war effort, providing tea for English soldiers in the
area, housing soldiers' wives and evacuees from London.
Her efforts brought her acclaim from many dignitaries,
Stephen E. Ambrose: "It would be an exaggeration to say
including the British Secretary of State. When the
that the B-24 w o n the war for the Allies. But don't ask
Americans took over the airfield at Shipdham, she
how they could have won the war without it." (A quote
provided laundry services for men of all ranks. Brian was
from his new book, The WildBlue.)
a teenager when B-24s were flying from his hometown. He
has many w a r m memories of his associations with both
On May 2,1945,70 airmen and staff members were
flyers and maintenance crew. The 8 Ball Tails extends
honored by the French Government. Gen. Leon W
warmest condolences to him for the loss of his mother.
Johnson, commander of the 14th Wing was decorated by
Maj. Gen. Kepner. He was presented the Legion of Honor,
Order of Chevalier and Croix de Guerre with Palm. The
following members of the 44th were awarded the Croix de
A School Boy's Memory: "I was about nine years old,
Guerre with Palm: Lt. Col. William H. Brandon, Lt. Col.
living in Peterborough, England, attending All Soul's
Walter I. Bunker; Lt. Col. William R. Cameron; Lt. Col.
School. There was an American airfield nearby. At 11:00
Robert J. Lehnhausen; Lt. Col. William H. Strong. N o w
A.M. we were out in the school yard and w e heard a whole
the French Government wants to express gratitude to
lot of planes roaring overhead, still climbing. They were
E V E R Y O N E who was in or over French soil from D-Day to
two engine cargo planes with long steel cables pulling
V E Day. Monsieur Perry A. Morse recently received a
gliders. When school was out at 3:00 PM., w e heard the
lovely 'Diplome', worthy of framing, along with a letter of
roar again. The planes were coming back, with the long
appreciation. Applications are available at Veteran
cables twirling behind them. The gliders were gone. It was Administration offices.
D-Day.
James Keane, York, Pennsylvania
From Paul A. Trouve, son of Louis V Trouve, comes a
letter that solves a puzzle for Will Lundy. Louis expired 17
March 1977. His son found this letter from R. J. Convey to
A question from your editor:
Ralph Golubock, explaining w h y the plane Princess
Who named the B-24 Cadet Nurse, and for w h o m was it
C/zarMte kept showing up in unexplained ways:
named? I have read that it was in honor of a Cadet in the
nursing program at Memorial Hospital, Johnstown, PA.
LETTER FROM R. J. Comey to Ralph Golubock
That was m y school of nursing. I would surely know this
66th Squadron
lady, as it was a program that ran for only three years.
M y fiance was named Charlotte, so I named all of the
B-24s I flew Princess Charlotte. Though I trained in B24s, the first Princess Charlotte was a B-17 which I flew
across the Atlantic with m y crew.
Mike Fusano's story about chauffeuring General Leon
The first few missions, including Ploesti, I flew with
Johnson brought back a memory to Joe Feeney. Joe was
Joe Flaherty, 66th Squadron, 44th BG. He w a s a singleone of those who was picked up by the General and
engine pilot who came to the 44th straight out of flight
transported to his destination. A m o n g the General's
school, and was a permanent co-pilot on several missions
questions was whether w e were getting enough to eat. "We until I got there. He sat on the left side and I sat on the
were," Joe affirmed.
<33
<^3
^3
<^3
27
j
�base without encountering any German fighters. The
right. It was sort of a cooperative effort between the two
hydraulic system w a s now out, but there w a s enough
of us to get the plane to the target and back. Our fourth
pressure still in those spheres to work the brakes. I should
mission (13 July) saw us lose two engines and land at
have stopped at the end of the runway and received a
Malta on a small field. W e left the first B-24 there for
repairs. The Princess that went to Ploesti kept her engines hero's welcome, but I taxied back to our pad and coasted
running all the way in and all the way back - for which w e very slowly off the edge of it when the pressure finally ran
out.
were duly thankful. While several people shot at us,
The "Princess Charlotte" (really Nice & Naughty) like
including a "75," w e were extremely lucky as The Princess
all the others, got us home OK. W e were blessed with good
only picked up one bullet hole, as I remember it.
fortune as far as the crew w a s concerned.
W e flew her back to England. But immediately after
I believe I saw her fuselage on the junk heap later.
Ploesti, I moved to the left seat and m y regular co-pilot,
(Yes,
she crashed at Shipdham on 4 Jan 44 while on
Tom Drysdale, moved back into the right. Back to Ploesti.
takeoff). I still have the stencil that says "Princess
W e bombed White V, right behind General Johnson.
Charlotte"used on some of these planes.
However, so many planes were shot down, disabled or out
Completed 25 missions in The Princess - some bore
of position, it was like w e were all alone after hitting the
target on the nose. So w e rejoined another squadron of the the name in paint, others in mind only. Some bore two
names, but as far as I w a s concerned, they were all
44th and came home.
The 44th made a second trip to Africa (in September)
Princesses, and all great. Iflewmissions for the 66th
and w e had a mission to Wiener-Neustadt. Besides losing
Squadron, although for Ploesti, w e were assigned to
an engine, w e acquired an unbelievable number of holes in another squadron (67th?) to fill out the formation.
our plane. W e landed near Naples at a British fighter base,
Charlotte and I have been married 50 years and are
and left the plane there. We rode back to England on a DC-4. living here in Stowe, Vermont.
In a later raid (11 Dec. 43) to Emden, Germany out of Regards, 9 ^ /
England, w e received a direct hit on the nose, right above
the navigator, Louis Trouve. The force of the explosion
A Search
knocked him backwards, over on the nose wheel doors,
and out he went. Fortunately, though wounded, he opened
This letter from Gerhard Walter from Erding, Germany,
his chute, landed in a bay, and was picked up by the
near Munchen, translated by Robert Chombard:
Germans. (Lou and his wife, Charlotte, and I got together
in N e w York after the war.)
At the end of April, beginning of May, 1944,1 was flying
After Lou was gone, w e found flames were licking out
single engine aircraft FW-190, located at Werneuchen,
of the hole in the nose, so I pressed the alarm button,
about 22 miles N.E. Berlin.
"Prepare to Abandon Ship." The ball gunner (Neitzel?)
saw Lou go by his turret and decided things were really A little before noon this day, the sirens screamed. Some
serious. He tried to get out of his ball, but some empty
minutes later, w e heard the engines of a bomber formation
shells or perhaps a belt or two had jammed the back exit
N.E. of our base. When the formation w a s at about 11/2
door. With brute strength - and he was not a very heavily- miles from our base, w e suddenly heard a terrible machine
built guy - he pushed the door right off it's hinges and got gun fire exchange, followed by the noise of over running
out. The bombardier passed out in the nose turret and w e
engines. Little after, approximately 10 or 14 B-17s or B-24s
thought he w a s a goner.
fell in flames. None of them bombed, and thus was no
It turned out the flame w a s fed by a broken oxygen
bombs left in the wrecks, this meaning that the planes
line, and when the oxygen was used up, it went out! By
were on their return trip after having attacked their
then I was half way out of m y seat and preparing to signal target. Suddenly a plane came down at low altitude,
"abandon ship" when I realized things were not so bad,
through the clouds. W h e n the aircraft w a s at about 250
and finally got things back on keel again. However, w e
feet, the crew parachute jumps. Few minutes later, many
were now alone and I headed for the Channel, losing
came out of the clouds and ????? toward Werheuchen.
altitude at a rapid pace. When w e reached about 10,000
The same day I piloted m y F W 1 9 0 over the neighborhood,
feet or so, the bombardier's voice comes on the intercom.
when suddenly I noticed a parachute in the branches of a
H e was alive and O K - just passed out from lack of oxygen. tree. Immediately I thought, "I will go and get him for
W e very luckily crossed the Channel and returned to
myself." After landing, I rode a bike toward this forest.
28~
�c
There I saw the tree, climbed it and cut the ropes. I just
finished putting the parachute in m y bag and was ready to
ride my bike again, when I heard someone telling m e
"Hello." I was at first astonished, then I saw at about 30
feet, under a tree, a m a n in pilot's uniform. He waved his
hand and showed m e his leg, apparently wounded, but no
open wound. He was probably wounded at landing. As I
did not speak English, and himself obviously no German,
we communicated by signs. Then he offered m e a
chewing-gum tablet. I then wondered, "How will I bring
this lad to our base?" As good as had, I sat him on the seat
of the bike and pushed it out the road to the base. W h e n w e
arrived to a village, w e stopped at a brewery and w e both
drank a beer from there. I phoned to the base and asked for
a car. To start, I had some difficulties to convince them I
was not joking. After an half hour wait, I went out to take
a look. To m y great astonishment, there were several
people around with sticks w h o asked m e to give them the
pilot. Of course, m y reply w a s showing them m y pistol. "If
you dare to come too near, I will shoot." I told them, "I a m
myself a pilot, and I would not like to be mistreated by a
gang of civilians if I was shot down in enemy territory."
Fortunately, no one moved. As no vehicle w a s in sight, I
continued with m y American on the bike. After another
half mile, a Kubelwagen arrived with a driver and a
meteorologist who spoke English. W e had a brief
conversation, and I heard that m y m a n w a s a pilot of a
B-24 unit. I asked him if I could have his insignia with
wings, but he told m e he would still need it to prove his
identity. Then the car went. This history touched the life of
two young men during WWII, but each one on opposite
sides. Ed. Note: If the American pilot reads this story,
Gerhard Walter would like to be in touch. The 8 BTs would
like to bear the rest of the story.
The following photos are from the PAAB Book. Mark
states, "I wish w e had some photos of the 506 crews that
trained at Pueblo, but w e don't. Nor do w e have any
aircraft with crews -just A/C in the air. W e have no
information on others w h o may have trained at Pueblo as
crews only. W e have a lot of photos in the book, but all are
later than when 44BG members would be in them. These
people in these photos are unknown except for Jinx
Falkenberg. The others at the party are unknown."
The Band at Pueblo took time to refuel. Can anyone
identify this enthusiastic group of musicians?
^3
From Mark Morris, Pueblo, CO: A new publication, Pueblo
Army Air Base History, written by Dr. Ray Sisson, is n o w
available at the Pueblo Historical Aircraft Society, located
at the Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum, 31001 Magnuson
Ave., Pueblo, C O 81001. Dr. Sisson is a retired professor
from the University of Southern Colorado. Members of the
506 Sq. will find this book appealing, as their squadron
was formed at the P A A B in 1942. They will also enjoy the
museum, which houses interesting and well preserved
memorabilia from 59 years ago. The book costs $19.95 +
$3.00 S & H. Contact the Museum or write Mark:
marksan@iex.net or P W A M @ I E X . N E T .
From Ted Stamos: I a m trying to track down information
about m y cousin, 1st Lt. Robert G. Stamos, who died as a
co-pilot on a raid over Bernberg, Germany on April 11,
m
�<^3
1944. The pilot was 1st Lt. John D. Money, who wrote an
account of the incident... having to break out the window
Bob Norsen (68th BS) to Will Lundy: "I had just finished
on the co-pilot side to escape. Robert was dead in his seat
B-17 school as a 'qualified' 1st pilot, B-17. There they tried
of flak wounds. The last contact from John Money in the
to get us to land tail wheel first. Some did at great
44th B G V A records was in 1992. The plane was, I believe, expense. The main gear came down so hard, the drag strut
Southern Comfort II, 506 B. Sq. Only three survived, John would part, laying the plane on one wheel, a wing tip and
Money, Don Young, Wallace Kirchner. I a m trying to find
one engine.
somebody who might have known Robert, and could tell
"Early instructions on the B-24 were to land three point.
m e anything... anything at all about him. (Lt. Col.)
Some did. The result collapsed the nose gear, left the tail
Richard Butler sent m e copies of his combat record. H e
pointing at the sky (at Ft. Myers). Of course, the right way
suggested contacting the 8 B A L L TAILS, to see if anybody to land both airplanes is on the main gear with the tail
remembers Robert. M y home address is: Ted Stamos, 4423 low but not dragging. The planes fly much alike. They can
Arden View Ct, St. Paul, M N . Phone 651 633-7067. E-Mail: fly in formation easily. Same altitude. Same speed. "Lemon
ststamos@ties.kl2.mn.us.
Drop w a s one of the originals, flown across by m y close
Ed Note: The target for this mission was Junkers Aircraft friend Reginal Phillips. Phil named it that because it had
Assembly Plant. The right bomb bay doors failed to open. some defects originally that caused Phil and crew some
When approaching the target, they received a direct hit in delay to get the defects fixed. "I didn't get into the terrible
the bomb bay setting the plane afire. It flew on a short trouble on missions that many did. Many times close, but I
distance, then winged over and spht in two at the waist section.
never came back with serious damage, and only once with
an injury on board. I didn't fly a full 35 missions. Between
an operations job and then engineering modifications for
the B-24 after m y crew w a s lost, flying with another pilot,
I flew when needed as a substitute pilot. In that situation,
I seldom got to go. I remember flying for Johnny Diehl on
a H a m m Raid. Nearly frozen controls...working so hard
with stiff controls, I had the window open, drenched in
sweat. B-17s wereflyingback through our formation,
engines out, etc. "I recall one mission while the main
group did Ploesti. I stayed down to bring down another
flight, when the 'promised new crews' showed up. W e ran
training missions of semi-real missions with long and
complete briefing, then careful debriefing to review the
'mission'. The idea w a s to become so familiar with combat
mean, we both lose a lens at the same time?"
details, the new crews would be as safe as possible for
themselves and for the rest of the team. O n one of several
such missions, a diversion, m y plane w a s head-on
attacked by a twin engine Messerschmitt that launched
From David E. Sayler, Birmingham, MI:
the first rockets I had seen. "Back in the States w e had
The identities in the photo showing the 14th C B W War
mentally practiced quick evasive action. Just as they
Room are: Seated is Lt. William Church; Standing is Capt.
'stand still' out there, do a quick dive.' I did. The rockets
David Sayler, Lt. Harry Jacobs and Capt. Robert Morton.
smoked a few feet overhead. Slight rudder damage..."
"Our (stateside) experience in Sub Patrol paid off in
Europe. I w a s Operations duty one night, planning an
ordered 44th mission to Danzig (a Polish port on the
Baltic Sea at the mouth of the Vistula River), a flight well
over twice as far as Berlin. W e had not gotten back all
planes on missions to Berlin because of fuel shortage.
Using what I learned about stretching miles, flying like w e
did Sub Patrol, w e got the entire 44thflightto Danzig and
returned with fuel to spare.
<33
®
30
�posted on the bulletin board. Later, the men were able to
salvage a liaison set and were thus supplied with ready
news and entertainment. During the summer, a club w a s
From the Web Page, Aaron Williams, a relative of Capt.
set up for the Americans and Russian officers. Here, liquid
Chester L. Phillips, Jr., 67th Sq., pilot of Little Beaver
refreshments were available in the form of cognac, wines,
writes: It appears that a college prank w a s the impetus
a lager type of beer, and that "power-plus" vodka. (They
for Capt. Phillips to choose to become a combat airman:
say that the stuff can be used as lighter fluid.) The men
Williams describes an event in which the rivalry between
worked in teams with the Russians supplying labor to be
Phillips's school, Texas State Agriculture College (now
supervised by the Americans. The language w a s very
Univ. of Texas at Arlington, Texas) and Tarleton State U.
difficult to learn and very few knew enough to converse to
in Stephenville, Texas. Phillips took his o w n plane to his
the natives, although some of the Russian officers could
rivals, intending to taunt their pre-game celebration.
speak English well enough to make themselves
Unfortunately, Tarleton w a s pre-warned; a student threw
understood.
The Americans had very little opportunity to
a big board in the air, hitting the propeller and causing the
observe outside life since the Russians are hard-living,
plane to crash. Chester's punishment w a s that he could
hard-working, and hard-fighting people and such things
not complete his education. Williams believes this
as transportation for pleasure purposes are absolutely
humiliation w a s the driving force for Phillips to request
unheard of. Theirs is an all out effort to terminate the war.
combat duty. His plane went down on the Kiel Raid, 14
May, 1943. Seven of the crew were KIA, four became P O W s . However, the men did have an opportunity to observe the
operation of a small nearby village. The village functions
Williams wrote: "I want to thank all of you who sent me on a cooperative basis, with all the natives living in the
information about Capt. Phillips. Some of you remembered village and going out to work the land each day. O n certain
him as "George." I checked with the family to see what the days, they hold a bazaar at which they trade items they do
origin of "George" might be. (It w a s the name of his dog)... not buy and sell. This entire cooperative system is worked
more or less since there are no government authorities
I hope to see and meet many of you in Shreveport.
there to supervise. It w a s quite an experience to those
men, but they did welcome the opportunity to return since
the simply clean, hard life and that Russians lead is so
very strange to us. The men left there in October and
From the Archives
returned by the long circuitous route, as they had gone.
<?33
^3
Does anybody remember this?
MCMCftieS ©F A
tlSTAif WAB
8th Air Force 3rd Anniversary
Office of the Station Commander
January 28,1945
During the first part of the month, a couple of old faces
reappeared on the station after an absence of nine months.
They belonged to two enlisted members of the Chemical
Company, who, in March 1944, were transferred to the
Eastern C o m m a n d and stationed in Russia to service
bombers on shuttle missions. They reached their
destination, the southeastern part of Russia, by a
circuitous route, coming up through Persia. They found
only makeshift quarters on a barren site and in a dry
climate. Their food consisted of U.S. A r m y rations which
were flown in from the Persian Gulf Command. All other
supplies, including regular Post Exchange rations were
alsoflownin from here. N e w s w a s supplied by incoming
crews and translated Russian communiques, which were
31
���r
The 8-Ball Tails ©
President Emeritus: B-Gen. John H. Gibson
(Retired)
7008 Gateridge
Dallas, T X 75240-7936
Phone: (972) 239-0559
Director: Robert J. Lehnhausen (68)
2540 Benton Court
Peoria, IL 61615-8838
Phone/Fax: (309)243-1952
Official Journal of The
44th Bomb Group
Veterans Association,
Inc. ©
Director: Michael "Mike" Yuspeh (506)
7214 Sardonyx St.
N e w Orleans, LA 70124-3509
Phone/Fax: (504) 283-3424
e-mail: mikeyuspeh@worldnet.att.net
Compiled, written and
published tri-yearly at
2041 Village Circle
East, York, PA, by Ruth
W. Davis-Morse, Editor.
Director (44 SMW): Charles G. Simpson
Printed and mailed Bulk
President: Edw. K. "Mike" Mikoloski (66/67)
P.O. Box 281
Rate at Salt Lake City,
626 Smithfield Road #702
Breckenridge, C O 80424
UT under USPS Permit
N. Providence, Rl 02904
Phone/Fax: (970) 453-0500
#6923. All original
Phone/Fax: (401) 353-0144
e-mail: AFMISSILEERS@compuserve.com
e-mail: EKMLIB44@msn.com
written material such
Historian: C.W. "Will" Lundy (67)
as letters, stories,
First Vice President: Richard D. Butler (506/67)
2519 Westville Trl
excerpts from personal
44th Group V P to 2nd A D A
Cool, C A 95614-2008
diaries or memoirs,
16828 Mitchell Circle
Phone/Fax: (530) 886-8636 (Winter)
drawings and photos
Riverside, C A 92518
e-mail: willundy@aol.com
Phone (909) 697-2908 Fax: (909) 697-5875
P.O. Box 315, Bridgeport, C A 9 3 5 1 7 (Summer)
submitted to this
e-mail: rdb24@earthlink.net
Phone/Fax: (760) 932-7349
journal will become the
property of the 44th
Treasurer: Gerald (Jerry) Folsom (506)
Membership, Search: Art Hand (66)
Bomb Group Veterans
3582 East Dover Hill Road
517 Elm Street
Association and will be
Salt Lake City, U T 84121-5527
Paris, IL 61944-1417
Phone (801) 733-7371 Fax: (801) 942-9988
Phone/Fax: (217) 463-5905
copyright protected
e-mail: 44thbgva@xmission.com
e-mail: k9hwp@comwares.net
except where noted.
The text and photos are
Secretary & 8 Ball Tails Editor:
U.K. Representative: Steve Adams
otherwise reproduced
Ruth W . Davis-Morse
28 Bassingham Rd.
2041 Village Circle East
from official USAAF
Norwich, England N R 3 2 Q T
York, PA 17404
Phone/Fax: 011-44-1603-400221
and USAF documents
Phone (717) 846-8948 Fax: (717) 846-6688
e-mail: s.p.adams@btinternet.com
and photos which have
e-mail: rewdm@blazenet.net
been released for
publication. Permission
Director (67) Archivist
Anthony 'Tony" Mastradone
is granted for the
A S S O C I A T I O N MAILING A D D R E S S :
9111 Tuckerman Street
44th B G V A
contents of this journal
Lanham, M D 20706-2709
P.O. Box 712287
to be reproduced
Phone/Fax: (301) 577-1487
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specifically for personal
e-mail: mast@clres.com
archives. Otherwise,
copyright material
herein may be reproduced by the journal of other incorporated non-profit veterans organizations so long as this publication is
properly credited and prior permission is granted by the editor.
Immediate Past President: Roy W. Owen (506)
6304 Meadowridge Drive
Santa Rosa, C A 95409-5839
Phone: (707) 538-4726 Fax: (707) 538-1212
e-mail: Rowen44bg@aol.com
Those submitting letters, stories and photos to the editor or historian must do so with the understanding that this material will most
likely be published in this journal as a matter of interest to the members/subscribers of the Association and this journal. While every
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or published. Except for specific requests for the return of original documents and photos, all material submitted will become the
property of the 44th Veterans Association, Inc., or its successors.
�LOUISIANA BELLE
By Roy O w e n
In preceding issues w e have described our
later with twenty seven new B24-D Liberators,
negotiations with the 8th Air Force M u s e u m to
the paint was on hand and the artist was aschange the 466th B o m b Group B-24J Laden
signed his most important assignment to date,
Maiden identifying markings to that of a 44th
"Put the insignia on each of our planes."
B G aircraft. The n a m e of the aircraft, so
appropriately chosen was our Louisiana Belle;
The echoing cry from the 44th was, "The
the rationale being, the 466th was never
FLYING EIGHTBALLS of the 44th B o m b
stationed at Barksdale, while the 44th, after
Group were ready to give the Jerries a go."
being activated at MacDill Field, Florida on 15
January 1941, was the first B-24 B o m b Group
Now about the airplane: B-24J 42-50806-SH
assigned to Barksdale on 7 February 1941.
c a m e off the Ford Willow Run plant assembly
The 44th remained at Barksdale until 26 July
line in September, 1944 in the serial group 421942 during which time it trained the 90th, 93rd
50760 to 42-51076. These were the first to be
and 98th B o m b Groups before it 'graduated' to
equipped with H 2 X AN/APS-15 which operated
combat-ready and left for England to join the
on X band for radar bombing. H 2 X was the
8th Air Force.
American development of the British H2S,
known as 'Mickey' APS-15A. Thus what was to
The change of markings was totally supported
be 42-50806 E A W Q when she reached
by the 8th Air Force m u s e u m staff, the civic
Shipdham and the 68th
leaders of Shreveport and Bossier City and
B o m b Squadron of the
their Chambers of Commerce. It was approved
44th was, it could be
by the C o m m a n d e r of the 8th A F and
said, born to lead!
forwarded to H Q U S A F for final approval,
which it recently gave. Thus, the Louisiana
Wood ANd DEIU ON T^EIR
Belle will bring to Barksdale and the 8th A F
u/EddiNq dAy, M A R C E I 1 8,
Museum all the glorious heritage of one of the
1 9 4 4 iN FiNsbuRy PARI<,
most illustrious combat histories in the annals
N. LofNidoN.
of air combat, 'The Flying 8 Balls.'
STKI ElAppily MARRJEd,
W o o d y Aivd D E I REsidE iN
The answer to the question of who named the
44th B G "The Flying Eightballs," was found in
Will Todd's book, History of the 68th Bomb
Squadron. The story goes that the 44th picked
up the n a m e at Will Rogers Field. Col. Frank
W. Robison, the C O was talking with Captain
Goodman C. Griffin regarding the upcoming
shipment to an overseas base. Robinson said
he could not understand how this Air Force
could even think that he could go into combat
with this group of misfits, ninety
day wonders and odd balls. H e
has never seen such a bunch of
eightballs in his entire military
career.
By the time the combat crews
landed at Shipdham a few weeks
NATCEIEZ, M S .
When she arrived at
Shipdham, she was
assigned to veteran
Crew Chief M/Sgt.
Francis M. 'Woody' W o o d and his assistant,
'Romie' Vaughn on September 26,1944. W e
rightfully associate the word veteran with
M/Sgt. Wood, since in his total of 33 months
overseas he crewed four different B-24s before
getting 806 E, and had been awarded the
Bronze Star by Col. Leon Johnson for his
launch of 96 missions without a mechanical
abort. H e remained with 806 E until war's end,
and flew h o m e aboard her. His most precious
acquisition during his tour in England was his
FiwiNcis M Wood lovely British-born wife Delia.
�W h e n 806 arrived at A F 115, she w a s
unnamed and with no regular combat crew
assigned. W o o d took advantage of this
opportunity to n a m e 'his' plane. H e w a s proud
to title her after his birthplace, a 2,000 acre
pre-Civil W a r plantation n a m e d Belle, located
on the banks of the Tensas Northeast River in
Louisiana. The newly n a m e d Louisiana Belle
flew 57 combat missions, sustaining only one
abort after losing an engine well before target,
forcing the crew to return. She flew 52 of her
missions as lead aircraft. A m o n g the targets
she struck were tough, heavily defended sites,
such as the Kiel Sub-Pens, Dortmund,
Magdeburg, Berlin (twice) and Bottrop, where
over the target she took an 88 m m burst
directly under the plane. Her determined crew
pressed on to the target, and she returned with
over 200 flak holes to patch and two fuel cell
changes in the left wing for W o o d and his crew
to repair. Louisiana Belle flew as lead aircraft
for all three B o m b Groups in the 14th Combat
Wing. Being a lead aircraft, W o o d and his
ground crew were required, if possible, to have
her combat ready every day. Her record shows
several stretches of three and four back-toback missions.
ON TITE RAYip AT
Willow R U N ARE
TITE dispkyEd
B'24s. SECONd
iN UNE is 8 0 6 E
LOUISIANA BEIIE
In late May,
1945
Louisiana
Belle departed
Shipdham for
the U.S.
Ironically she
w a s flown by
1st Lt.
Russell G.
Erickson and
his crew of
nine, plus ten passengers; the s a m e crew w h o
had flown her over in September '44. After
arrival back in the U.S., Louisiana Belle had
LOUISIANA BEIIE
CAII LETTER "E"
one more duty to
perform: the Ford
Willow Run plant,
in a gesture of
thanks to their work
force, had a family
day and arranged
to have several of
the Ford built
aircraft on display.
Four of these aircraft were from the 44th.
The refurbished and re-painted B-24 we will
see and dedicate during the Reunion in
October is the result of the hard work and
determination of Mr. 'Buck' Rigg and his
assistant, C/M Sgt. Grillo, working with the Air
Force side; and our overall Project Officer,
Clem Haulman. Clem orchestrated all the
various efforts, working with Dick Butler, who,
after acquiring the drawings of the B-24-J
engine cowlings and other parts of the airplane
which were in need of repair, herded through
re-manufacture and shipment to Barksdale.
O n arrival, Mr. Rigg arranged for volunteer
active duty Air Force personnel to m a k e the
repairs and do the re-painting. Certainly, not
the least of the contributions necessary to the
success of this project w a s done by Mike
Yuspeh. By virtue of his o w n community
service contributions in the region, Mike has
been able to solicit funding through a number
of sources: the city governments and
Chambers of C o m m e r c e of Shreveport and
Bossier City, the Louisiana state government,
and our hotel, the Isle of Capri Hotel. Through
Mike's efforts and contacts, the entire
Louisiana Belle w a s m a d e possible.
Every member of the 44th BGVA can stand
proud of the placement of the Louisiana Belle
at Barksdale A F B . She will not only serve as a
commemorative of the glorious combat record
established by the 44th B o m b Group as a
W W I I part of the Mighty 8th Air Force, but will
also e m b o d y the history of our service to the
mission of this historic base in its wartime role.
�^Besk of our
President
Even though w e celebrated it last year, the new millennium
more accurately began THIS YEAR on January 1. It is m y
fondest wish that each and every one of you, and your
loved ones, are blessed with a healthy, prosperous, and
joyful year in this new millennium.
And, as is our custom, all new years are ushered in with
toasts and resolutions. M y toast therefore, though belated,
is "May the hinges of friendship never rust and may the
wings of love never never lose a feather. M a y your right
hand always be stretched out in friendship; but, never in
want." M y resolution is to increase m y donations to our
M A S T E R DATA BASE F U N D (MDBF) throughout this year
simply by adopting the age-old theorem of "CHARITY
BEGINS AT H O M E " W e are all literally deluged weekly, if
not daily, by mail, phone, TV, e-mail, etc. for donations to
hundreds of charitable, medical, organizational,
educational, political, international and myriad of other
worthy causes that are too numerous to mention. W e all
have our favorite charities, and rightly have supported
them over the many years of our lives because w e are a
caring generous and giving generation - truly the greatest.
But, NOW, TO-DAY w e have a need to support a noble and
worthy cause in the MDBF, conceived and designed to
preserve for posterity the illustrious history of the 44th BG
and the heroic contributions and sacrifices of the men and
women, many of w h o m made the S U P R E M E SACRIFICE
for the causes of freedom and liberty.
To date, the archival information (344 Missions and the
8085 sorties including the names of the aircrews and the
aircraft they flew) is already entered into the computer
system. Currently, w e are in the process of inserting the
personal biographies of our air, ground and support
personnel, as well as much of the information Will Lundy
has assembled. But, the more difficult and costly phase of
the M D B is to search, locate and contact the wives,
children, relatives, friends, neighbors and/or public record
centers to solicit information on our deceased colleagues
so that their gallant service and sacrifices may be included
in the computerized data base. This phase of the M D B
Project will require much time, hard work, many volunteers
and the assistance of professional researchers and/or
historians, public officials, governmental agencies,
veterans organizations and other record-keeping
institutions. And, it is this Phase that will require the
expenditure of funds that are not available from our
operating budget.
Last year your Board and I embarked on the MDB FUND
DRIVE Through your kind and generous response to my
letter of January 31, 2000, w e raised $16,000.00 with
donations still coming in, but slowing. W e must integrate
our efforts. To those w h o contributed, you have my
compliments and deepest gratitude and hope for your
continued support with this campaign.
Now, it is my sincere hope that all members will be
enjoined/inspired to build on this auspicious start by also
making a new year's resolution to donate, to our own
M D B F DRIVE, funds that you normally and regularly would
contribute to other fund drives this year. This being
consistent with the aforementioned principle of "CHARITY
BEGINS AT H O M E " I hasten to point out here that none of
my remarks/suggestions are applicable to the support you
provide your respective church, synagogue, mosque or any
other place of worship. This support should continue under
any and all circumstances.
You are reminded that all contributions to our MDBF DRIVE
are tax deductible; hence, both you and the Fund benefit by
your donation. All donations should be made out to "44th
BGVA M D B F U N D " and mailed to 44th BGVA, R0. Box
712287, Salt Lake City, Utah 84171-2287.
CLOSING THOUGHT FOR THE DAY ON GIVING.
"Some give their might; Others give with their mite;
And, some don't give w h o might."
0 0 ^
Let's all of us give a mite.
Edward K. Mikoloski, President
�ALGENEKEY
COMMANDING OFFICER OF THE 66TH SQ.; AVIATION PIONEER
Early flights out of Shipdham did not
enjoy the luxury of accompaniment by
the 'Little Friends,' and the Luftwaffe
took full advantage. Life always hung
on the expertise of every crew member.
The courage of those who flew, despite
overwhelming odds, can never be
overstated.
From Will
Lundy's
record of the
66th Sq.
comes a
memory of
the late
AlgeneKey,
CO. of the
66th
Squadron,
early
pioneer in
aviation, and
valorous
participant
in W W H .
Long before
the Japanese
undertook to
start the
War at Pearl Harbor, Algene and his
brother Fred set an endurance record,
flying 653 hours and 27 minutes on a
noisy trip around their hometown that
took 27 days. (That record was never
beaten until the Astronauts took off.)
The people of Meridian, Mississippi were
strongly supportive of their first
attempt, but their enthusiasm waned
with continued efforts. On the third
attempt, the droning sounds of the
overhead plane that continued through
the nights became a real irritant; and
their air-to-air refueling was a novelty
at first, but less impressive as Vie Miss'
rattled on.
Their friend, James Keeton, brought fuel
and supplies to the brothers, early proof
that air-to-air refueling was possible.
Fred sometimes dazzled the spectators
by walking on the wing, and straddling
the engine to inspect gas lines—with no
parachute.
When the record was broken and the
plane came down, it was the biggest
celebration Meridian ever held. 30,000
people gathered at the airport to watch
the plane come in, and reporters from
all over the country flocked to the tiny
airport which had just been renamed
Key Field.
Those barnstorming pioneers and others
like them ignited the spirit of aviation in
the youth of America. When W W H
began, adventurous young men were
eager to fling themselves into that
colorful sphere. Among those whose
goals were shaped by those early airmen
was Rob Lehnhausen. "As a new pilot,
when I found myself in the same
Squadron and in the same room with m y
boyhood hero, Algene Key, it was
unbelievable to me," he recalled.
Even before the war began, both Key
brothers engaged in training airmen in
the National Guard. The move from
barnstormers to military was not a
difficult transition, and when the Guard
was activated, Fred and Al went to
Langley Field, Virginia for B-17 training.
They distinguished themselves in the
Pacific Theatre in bomb runs and Zero
kills. When McArthur departed from
Java, the Key brothers assisted in
evacuating him, troops and many
civilians to Australia. Fred's mission
numbers were completed, and he
assumed administrative and teaching
positions in this country. Later, when Al
was assigned to B-29's, it was his
brother who checked him out.
J
�According to historian Stephen Owen,
when W W I I came, Fred and Algene had
more flying time than any two pilots on
earth. Despite that, they were almost
rejected from the service, as both were
colorblind! Interestingly, their bombing
skill was heightened because of this
disadvantage. W h e n they were over
enemy territory, shapes of objects stood
out, uncluttered by colored objects
around them. Honoring the plane that
brought them world recognition, Fred
called his plane Ole Miss II, Al's was Ole
maneuvering room; then did something
only the most skilled and courageous
pilot would and could do: H e threw his
huge bomber directly into the path of
the fighters and forced them off their
course of attack and into position where
scores of Liberator guns were able to get
direct hits.' Though the bullet-riddled
airplane was nearly uncontrollable, Al
and his crew managed to salvo their
bombs over the target and limp the
crippled plane, Princess Charlotte/Sure
Shot, back over the Channel to England."
Miss m.
Algene's last mission was January 3,
1943 to St. Nazaire on the Avenger.
Apparently the dangers of his four
missions became a wake-up call to
higher authorities. Algene was too
important to the war effort to place him
in further danger, so he was taken off
combat and transferred out of the group.
H e was awarded the Distinguished
Flying Cross (the first m e m b e r of the
44th to receive this honor), Distinguished
Continuing his loyalty to his first plane, Service Cross, British Distinguished
his B-24 became Ole Miss JLH. H e arrived
Flying Cross and seven Bronze Stars.
in England during a time w h e n missions
Despite Key's aggressive spirit in the air,
were scrubbed because of bad weather
President Mike remembers him as a shy
and mechanical failures. Nevertheless,
and humble m a n on the ground, with
opportunity came, and his skill and
genuine consideration for those under
courage were exemplified on his fourth
his command.
mission. In his book A FLIGHT TO
REMEMBER,
Steven Owens described the
The Avenger, piloted by Algene Key, was
event:
the last mission of S/Sgt. Wilmer Lund,
Engr/Top Turret Gunner, w h o was KIA.
"On a sortie in a joint raid with Flying
It was his third mission.
Fortresses on January 20, 1942 on
Romilly-Sur-Seine while attacking
While under attack from enemy fighters,
German positions in France, he
a 20 m m shell penetrated the waist
encountered a direct enemy attack by
position area and exploded, seriously
two German fighters. They nose dived
wounding Sgt. Frank R. Steers, Waist
his ship coming from the sun. A writer
Gunner and S/Sgt. Charles E. Cunningham,
said of the incident: Machine gun bullets
Radio
Operator/Gunner
and cannon shell poured into Major
Key's ship like hailstones, mortally
S/Sgt. Wilmer Lund was killed instantly.
wounding his right waist gunner (S/Sgt.
He was the first m a n in the 44th B G to
Wilmer G. Lund). At the first glimpse of
lose his life to enemy action. His parents
the fighters straight ahead, Key took a
received word of his death just before
quick survey of the other Liberators
Christmas.
around him and saw that he had
Among the early ones at Barksdale
Field, Louisiana was Al Key. H e was
assigned to fly antisubmarine patrol in
the Gulf of Mexico, mostly at night, from
Florida to Texas. Captain Key was
Commander of the 66th Squadron. H e
was promoted to Major about the time
the 44th was transferred to Will Rogers
Field, Oklahoma.
�If you haven't signed up for the European trip, D O IT
N O W You will see those places that ring so clearly in
your memory. You will be traveling with that great
bunch of guys w h o joined you in slapping Nazi
Germany into submission. Larry Herpel has laid out a
fantastic itinerary. You will see the peaceful side of
France and Germany, peaceful because of your courage
and sacrifice. Peter Loncke in Belgium and Steve
Adams in England are helping arrange meaningful
events; and our European friends are waiting for the
opportunity to thank you—once again—for helping
them through the worst happening of the century.
The dates are September 11-26, leaving from New
Jersey. From Newark, w e fly into beautiful Paris, get a
half day tour, then off to your choice of sights. The City
of Lights has sights and structures that are unique
in the world: the Eiffel Tower, Arc D'Triumphe,
Notre Dame, W W I I Museum, the Louvre... your
choice of wonders.
By bus w e will travel to Caen (the 'milkrun' that
brought down the Passion Pit), Normandy (where
Jackie Roberts can read her father's name on the
Wall of Honor) and Rouen. On the 5th day w e will
leave for Luxembourg, (the safest city in the world
from invasion, until airplanes were invented.) W e
will stop by Reims and Verdun. In Reims w e will
visit Eisenhower's S H A P E Headquarters. From
there to Bastogne, where General McAuliffe uttered
that famous word, "Nuts." (He held out until the
weather cleared, then help came from the sky.)
In Wibrin, Peter Loncke has orchestrated a
memorial service for the Pinder crew, whose
plane crashed there January 29,1944. This
enthusiastic Belgium airman has become a
self-appointed investigator of crash sites,
and has been helpful to many American,
English and Australian families, informing
them of the circumstances of the crash.
From Belgium, w e cross the Rhine
River, near the most challenging
engineering feat in history—
building a bridge into Germany
while under constant enemy
fire. Here w e visit Cologne,
Wesel, Maastricht and
Liege. In Wesel w e will
visit the graves of the
Crandell and Chandler crews. Crash sites for these
two planes were located by our Belgian friend, Peter.
Louis DeBlasio and Bob Vance are the lone survivors of
those two crashes. John Delaney, a fighter pilot on a P47 dived down to strafe the anti-aircraft guns which
brought down the two Liberators, and he crashed. He
shared the P O W experience with Bob and Louis.
We will visit the Ardennes Cemetery, where Lois
Cianci's father is memoralized on the Tablet of the
Missing, then to Brussels, through Dunkirk to Calais,
then across the Channel past the White Cliffs of Dover.
By bus, we'll go to Norwich, where w e have a day to
explore before heading to Shipdham. Friends will be
waiting for us: Steve Adams, our British Board Member,
Brian Peel, an admirer of the 44th since boyhood,
Phyllis Dubois and others w h o have never been shy
to express their gratitude to the Americans. W e will
visit the Memorial Library, the Aero Club, Shipdham
Airfield and the 14th Combat Wing Hq. Then Steve
Adams and Roy O w e n have a reception and barbecue
set up where w e will visit and picnic with Andrew
Doubleday, our friends and civic leaders of Shipdham
and the members of the Shipdham Areo Club.
will visit the magnificent Duxford Imperial War
Museum where the B-52 dwarfs all other planes on
display, even the B-24, which is still under repair. At
Cambridge w e will visit the American Cemetery and
Memorial with its Wall of Honor a sight that is not
easily forgotten. W e have a day in London to
browse; then filled with joyous memories, w e leave
the following day.
get the best prices, we need a full bus. Don't
pass up this opportunity to have the trip of a
lifetime. Every happening on the trip has been
orchestrated to give you the most for your
money. Larry Herpel will assist everybody in
getting the best price to Newark the gateway city.
Reservations can still be made by calling
Ascot Travel, at this toll free number: 1888-317-7483.
E-MaiI:ascottravel@thriftynet
Please note: The price for these 15
days is $2,685. It includes 14
breakfasts, 10 dinners. Travel
insurance is not included. If you
wish to have that precaution.
the price is an additional
$49.
BUST
�">
DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS
SOCIETY
Going to the DFC Society meeting is an experience in humility. There
are airmen from all plane positions (mostly pilots) and from every
type of aircraft that flew in W W I I , Korea, Viet N a m , Gulf W a r and
Kosovo. A gab session is an invitation to hear wild adventure stories,
providing n e w insight into the w a y W W I I w a s won. M a n y commercial
pilots had s o m e hilarious accounts to relate.
We met one pilot from the 9th Air Corps who had flown to Ploesti on that awesome
mission 8/1/43. Also, fighter pilots from the 15th Air Corps, w h o accompanied
bombers on later missions. Les Howard, Past President of the H u m p Pilots Society
reminisced about the flights over the Himalayas from India to China, supplying General
Issimo Chiang Kai Chek with needed materials.
A PMB Navy Pilot remembered listening to Tokyo Rose, who played American music.
She spoke directly to the m e n on his ship, concluding her broadcast with a promise to
'get your ship tomorrow.' They did. The Japanese planes struck it, but could not take it
down. It limped into Pearl Harbor for repair.
A tour to Lackland Air Force Base brought memories of Basic Training to many of the
members, Perry included, particularly a notorious hill between the two fields that they
had to climb. They have a B-17, Mosquito and Blackbird on display there, and are
looking for old photos to go into their Air C o m m a n d M u s e u m . The newer Kelly Field is
alongside Lackland.
Perry heard a statement that he finds hard to believe: One flyer said that his plane
went d o w n in friendly territory, and a group of w o m e n went after his parachute. H e
claims he held them off at gunpoint; as if he had lost his chute, he would have had to
pay $ 3 0 0 for the loss, since he had gone d o w n in friendly territory. (Is this true?)
The government gave away thousands
of DFC's during and in later wars, for
completing missions or flying on
especially dangerous assignments.
There is no list of w h o received them.
Anyone w h o deserves a D F C , but did
not receive it, m a y contact the Society
at 6 9 2 0 Miramar Road, Suite 207-D,
San Diego, C A 92121-2642.
MIKE VUSPEH HAS
8 BALL T-SHIRTS,
SIZE LARGE,
AS WERE PRESENTED IN SAN DlEGO.
THE COST is %7, INCLUDING POSTAGE.
SEND CHECK TO:
MIKE VUSPEH
7ai4 SARDONYX STREET
NEW ORLEANS, U 7 0 i a 4 - 3 5 0 9
_y
�44th Bomb Group Veterans Assn.
Reunion Agenda
Bossier City - Barksdale AFB - Shreveport, Louisiana
October 15,16,17,18, 2001 - Isle of Capri Hotel
Monday, Oct. 15
9:00 A M to 12:00 P M
1:00 P M to 5:00 P M
1:00 P M to 5:00 P M
Registration
Registration
Board meeting
6:00 PM
7:00 P M
DELI BUFFET. Cash Bar.
Buffet (Cold Cuts, etc.)
Tuesday, Oct. 16
7:30 A M to 9:00 A M
9:00 A M To 10:30 A M
11:15 A M
3:30 P M
Breakfast Buffet
Registration
L U N C H Officers Club Barksdale Field - First bus leaves hotel. Speaker at
lunch will be Colonel Steve DePyssler (Ret.) Two buses will shuttle from hotel
to Barksdale Field. After lunch at approximately 1:45 w e will walk over to
m u s e u m where the dedication of the restored B-24 "Louisiana Belle," will
take place. Military as well as local dignitaries will be introduced and make
remarks. Approximately 3:30 first bus will leave for return to Hotel.
6:00 PM
7:00 P M
S Q U A D R O N DINNERS (location to be posted). Cash
Sit down dinner.
1:45 PM
*2/y>*'
Wednesday, Oct. 17
7:30 A M to 9:00 A M
9:00 A M to 12:00 P M
1:00 P M
BANQUET. Cash bar.
Dinner will be served.
Candlelight Ceremony
C o m b o will play for dancing.
6:00 P M
7:00 PM.
Thursday, Oct. 18
7:30 A M to 9:00 A M
8:30 AM
6:00 P M
7:00 P M
Breakfast Buffet.
Annual Membership Meeting - (location to be posted)
Tour of the City of Shreveport
Leave hotel for those members w h o purchased tickets for Tour #1.
Breakfast Buffet
Today is a free day
Tour of Natchitoches and Lunch.
Leave hotel for those members w h o purchased tickets for Tour #2.
BUFFET. Cash bar.
Dinner - barbecue with all the trimmings.
You can dance the night away with a big 17 piece band with the "Glenn
Miller" sound.
Yes, you will have a room in which to meet and visit with your buddies
every day from after breakfast until 5:00 PM.
10
��(
Thursday, October 18
8:30 AM Depart hotel
TOUR #2
9:45 AM Natchitoches, Louisiana
Founded in 1714, Natchitoches was settled before New Orleans and is the oldest settlement in
the Louisiana Purchase. You m a y remember this
intriguing little city from the movie Steel Magnolias,
which w a s filmed here. Full of French, Spanish,
Native American, African and Anglo influence,
Natchitoches retains a colorful palette of ethnic
traditions, gracious hospitality and tremendous
pride in the past that residents eagerly share with
visitors. Our eccentric step-on guide/actress clad in
costume correct to the time of early Natchitoches entertains us with her assumption of the
personalities of historical characters discussed in her unique presentation of fact and folklore
5
(ffwTT
10:30 AM Cane River Country
Lined with the cotton fields and mansions of working antebellum plantations, oak alleys,
churches and old cemeteries, scenic Cane River inspires a celebration of antebellum life like few
areas in the South.
11:00 AM Beau Fort Plantation Tour and Luncheon
An avenue of Live Oaks guides us into the exquisite garden of this working cotton plantation on
the site of historic Fort Charles, c.1760, where w e will, weather permitting, revel in the splendor
of an absolutely charming luncheon experience on the grounds. Before enjoying a fine meal
served on china with crystal, w e will tour the home. Our d o w n to earth Creole cuisine lunch
today will be two Natchitoches Meat Pies served with Dirty Rice Dressing, French Creole Beans,
Apple-Raisin Slaw, Mini Buttered Biscuits, Tea and Coffee and Pecan Pie for dessert.
12:30 PM Depart Beau Fort
12:45 PM Melrose
A National Historic Landmark Plantation, Melrose is a unique complex of nine buildings dating
back to c.1796. The plantation is rich in history and legends of courage and creativity that began
with the legendary Marie Therese Coincoin. The Souths foremost primitive artist, Clementine
Hunter, created renowned paintings here of the life and times of Cane River Country. In African
House on the plantation grounds, Hunter created with his brush what is called "the most
colorful room in Louisiana." She died on N e w Year's Day, 1988, shortly before her 102nd birthday
and is entombed in the mausoleum at St. Augustine. Guests will have the opportunity to
purchase mementos of Natchitoches and Cane River Country here at the gift shop.
2:15 PM Depart Melrose
3:45 PM Return to hotel; tour ends.
�44th Bomb Group Veterans
o<>^ Assn. Reunion - 2001
Xfi
Isle of Capri Hotel - Bossier City, LA
Barksdale AFB
October 15,16,17, & 18, 001
Reunion Registration Form
Please print or type. All Information must be complete:
First N a m e (Tag)
Last N a m e
Spouse
Squadron #
Life Member
Address
City
State
Phone
E-Mail
Zip Code
Guests & Relation
Number to Attend
@ $215.00 Each
Amount $
Tour #1- City Tour of Shreveport
Number on Tour
@ $25.00 Per Person
Amount $
Tour # 2- Tour of Natchitoches & Lunch
Number on Tour
@ $55.00 Per Person
Amount $
Total Amount Remitted
Check #
Amount $
Description of tours are in this issue of the 8 Ball Tails.
Registration Includes: Everything on agenda except tours as listed above.
Registration must be received by September 10, 2001.
Hotel registration must be made directly with Isle Of Capri Hotel & Casino by phone only
Toll free (800) 843-4753. See copy of hotel form in this issue.
Check Made Payable to: 44th Bomb Group Veterans Association (44th BGVA)
Mail to: Mike Yuspeh - 7214 Sardonyx Street - N e w Orleans, LA 70124-3509
Phone: (504)283-3424 Fax: (504) 283-3425 (Picks up on 6th ring)
E-Mail: Mikeyuspeh@juno.com
13
��BGVA 2001 Reunion
Isle Of Capri Hotel
PHONE RESERVATIONS ONLY!
711 Isle Of Capri Blvd. (Exit 20 Off of I 20)
Bossier City, LA 71171-5637
Phone: (318) 678-7777 Fax: (318) 425-4617
You must call (800) 843-4753 for reservation.
Reservation can only be m a d e by phone.
Reservation Method: Individual Call-in.
x
y ^ l S l C
01
lapiiiTriasino
^ S
r
(i\^S&
W
^
Hotel
BOSSIER CITY, LA
Reservations for this event will be m a d e by individual attendees directly with the Hotel's
Reservation Department by calling (800) 843-4753. To assure the Group Rate, attendees must
identify the group name, 44th B o m b Group Veterans Assn, Inc., and their reservation will be
accepted at the special group rate. Guests will be accommodated on a SPACE A N D RATE
AVAILABLE BASIS. The check in time is 4:00 P M and check out time is N O O N . Hotel will
accommodate any early arrivals on a space available basis.
Guaranteed Reservations: Guarantees are required for guest arriving after 4:00 PM. To
guarantee a reservation, they require a deposit equal to one nighf s room and tax at the time
reservation is made. The deposit is refundable only if reservation is canceled 4 8 hours prior to
the day of arrival. Guarantee m a y be m a d e with a check or credit card.
This is the information that you will need when making the call.
Date Of Call: Confirmation #:
Name:
Arrival Date
Departure Date:
Organizatiori: 44th B o m b Group Veterans Association
Time Of Arrival
Address:
City:
Phone:
Additional Person in room:
Zip:
State:
Fax#:
• Yes
E Mail Address:
QNO
N a m e Of Additional Person:
Rates: $89.27 Including Tax (Single/Double Each Night)
Credit Card: American Express, Visa, MASTERCARD, Discover Card
Credit card Number - Expiration Date - N a m e O n Card.
Reunion Dates: October 15,16,17,18 Year 2001
15
�PASSION PiT C R E W
F R O M L-R: JACI< BARTOH, NAviqATOR;
iRwiM SlOVROff, BoMDARdiER;
Johi\ MillikEM, PHOT.
BAck: DARREI LARSEIN, ErgqiiviEER;
MARTIN RichARd, RAdio O P E R A T O R ;
WilliAM MANJERRE, C O ' P H O T ; KENNETII
BEckwiih, GUNNER; ANd MORRJS LARION, TAI'I GUNNER.
THE
PASSION
PIT
The Times-Picayune in N e w Orleans highlighted
the John Milliken crew for having seven
members present at the 44th B G Reunion, and
their story has resounded through a number of
veteran publications. The Passion Pit
went down at the Falais Pocket near
Caen on August 13, 1944. Every
member of the crew had an
experience that was unique, none
more so than that of Bombardier,
Irwin J. Stovroff.
Stovroff recalls it thus: "It was to be our last
scheduled mission; w e were to complete our
tour. Together w e had flown very dangerous
missions, many of which were deep into
Germany. This trip was just over the Channel,
the Falais Pocket in France, a 'milk run.'
"We were on a straight run, and were to drop
our bombs on three sites, one third each time.
Then B O O M ! W e got a direct hit at the first
target. Numbers one and two engines were on
fire. W e all bailed out, right into the German
front lines. O n the way down I threw away m y
dog tags, not wanting them to know I was
Jewish.
taken out for continued interrogations. The
German officer, m y interrogator, asked m e
questions I could not and would not answer. I
gave him the usual name, rank and serial
number, and told him that was all I had to give,
and knew very little else. O n m y third trip with
him, he said, "I know w h o you are and what you
are (meaning Jewish). H e told m e he could save
m y life, then proceeded to name m y father,
mother, brother, sister, the grammar and high
school I had attended, even the name of a
former girl friend. H e then said he lived on
Ashland Avenue, next to the girl I was dating,
pre-war. H e had lived on the next street-Claremont Avenue in Buffalo, N e w York. H e
said he remembered being in class with m y older
sister, and had c o m e to Germany to be with his
grandmother, and stayed. H e again said he
would help m e , and he put a question mark on
m y records next to religion.
Later in Stalag Luft #\, I was separated from the
main compound of prisoners because I was
Jewish. I know the reason w e were not killed was
because of the courageous speeches of Col.
Zehmke and Col. Spicer, w h o warned the
German commander that if any American
officers were harmed, they would be held
responsible. Col. Spicer was put in solitaire and
sentenced to death for his speech. H e survived
until the end of the war.
"Within a week's time we were taken to a major
interrogation center outside of Frankfort,
Germany. I think it was called Wetzler. W e were
separated and placed in solitaire, and individually
16
�When I finally got home after VE Day, I went to
keep them pinned until Patton could get there
where this German traitor lived, but his parents hadfrom Cherbourg. The Passion Pit was flying on
moved.
the right wing of the c o m m a n d ship. W e had
one long b o m b run to reach three road intersecAfter this Dulag Luft (interrogation), I later
tions. W e were at about 15,000 feet when antifound myself with m y co-pilot Bill Manierre in a
aircraft fire hit us. The flak came through the
large room. Bill pointed out a beat up and dirty
b o m b bay doors, cutting the hydraulic lines.
P O W w h o was staring at us. Did I know w h o it
O u r bombs would not drop, and the plane was
on fire.
was? I looked at the man and said 'no.' Bill said,
'he must know you,' and I replied, 'I can't
figure out w h o he is.'
Suddenly Bill exclaimed, "My God! THAT'S
M Y B R O T H E R . " His brother immediately
recognized Bill, and they met and embraced.
The Germans were flabbergasted when they
found out this was happening. Major Cy
Manniere was a West Point graduate w h o had
been dropped into France, and was working
with the French Underground when captured
and tortured. H e told Bill and m e to repeat his
story, that he was a member of the Air Corps,
had been shot down and picked up by the
French Underground. If the Germans knew the
truth, he could have been shot as a spy. They
believed him, and he was sent to the same camp
as Bill and I. Their mother received two telegrams on the same day, 1:00 A M , 1:00 P M on
both sons—Missing in Action. "Fact is greater
than fiction."
l_j?
PASSJON PIT
qoiiNq dow/N.
"I gave the order to 'Bail Out', and when I
thought everyone was out, I let go of the controls and jumped. At first I didn't pull the
ripcord. I just lay on m y back, counting 'chutes.
W h e n I finally pulled the cord, I was so close that
I hit the ground in thirty seconds. I followed
procedure-rolled up the chute and hid it, and I
knew which way was north, so I started hiding
and walking. But the Germans got me. First
they put m e and a British airman in a farm house
with a concrete cellar. In one place it had soft
cement, so I started digging. But they came for
us before w e could get out. They took us to a
courtyard where I met up with the rest of m y
crew. Next they ushered us onto a German
personnel truck with a canvas top."
Stovroff is now a volunteer National Service
Officer at West Palm Beach V A Center, working
only with ex-POWs to help get pensions and
compensations. H e has met six ex-POWs that
were in his camp. A n d stranger than fiction, his
next door neighbor in Florida was in the same
barracks as Stovroff when he was in Stalag Luft
#1 "segregated." This man's family owned
K A T Z DELICATESSEN in N e w York whose
slogan was "Send a Salami to a Soldier in the
Army."
Milliken's Evasion
John Milliken, pilot, intended to get this 'milk
run' over, then sign up again. H e was captured,
but fortunately, was able to escape. "The German army was trapped, and w e were trying to
17
At that point Americans had total command of
the air, so the truck moved at night with no
lights to avoid being strafed. Milliken was at the
front of the truck, and he noticed a loose flap.
He pointed it out to his crew, suggesting that he
®
�go first, and they should follow. He bailed out
and rolled into a ditch, but nobody followed.
He considers it pure luck that he wasn't caught,
as there were two armed guards on the tail gate.
cfaom,
.j/os/tff/w/s'e est Gsip&z/it/. ^/
/
Milliken walked to a farm house, and explained
his circumstance in his best French. The w o m a n
who answered quickly ushered him to another
site, as Germans were sleeping in her house. She
provided him with a worker's shirt, cap and a
loaf of bread.
Then, using his Boy Scout knowledge, he headed
north, using the North Star as his guide, sleeping
in the bushes by day. The next night was foggy,
so he just laid low. O n the third day, hiding
under bushes alongside a stream, he woke to find
a Tiger Tank headed toward him, cutting bushes
for German soldiers to use as camouflage. So he
ran again.
"By this time I was really hungry, and I saw
something great—a cow with an udder full of
milk. So I enjoyed that. Then a bullet whizzed
by. I thought, 'four days of running, and they
got m e again.' But to m y relief, it was the Canadian First Army. I ripped off m y shirt; and with
delight, showed them m y uniform."
F r o m the Editor:
He spent a couple of days in their camp, then
hitched a ride back to London. He ran into a
bombardier from his group, w h o turned white
when he saw him.. "I thought you were dead,"
he exclaimed. (Small wonder. The Passion Pit
turned into a fireball, minutes after the crew had
exited.) All ten members of Milliken's crew had
made it safely to the ground.
Where is your Database? You write me
letters (for which I a m so grateful), but
w h e n I try to find you in the Database,
you are not there! W h y ? Your Database
is the last thing you can fling into the
future. Your children and grandchildren
are asking questions about W W I I . Y o u
have magnificent stories of an event that
cannot ever be replicated. W h a t will
happen w h e n you are not there to answer
the questions?
In two weeks after meeting the Canadians,
Milliken was back in the United States. He never
saw many of his crew again until the 44th B G V A
Reunion in N e w Orleans, 1999. Seven of the
ten joined him: Martin Richard, Engineer/
Gunner; Darrel Larsen, Gunner; Kenneth
Beckwith, Radio Operator: Jack Bertoli, Navigator; Morris Larkin, Tail Gunner and Irwin
Stovroff, Bombardier. O n e member of the crew
is dead. T w o others could not attend because of
health problems.
DO IT FOR YOUR EDITOR.
DO IT FOR YOUR CHILDREN.
DO IT FOR YOUR GRANDCHILDREN.
DO IT NOW!
%.
18
�44th B o m b Group Military Heritage Database
Personnel Information Form
Check Enclosed $.
No. of Pictures
Last Name:
No. of Audio Cassettes.
First:
Initial
Present Address:
.City:
Home Phone:
State:
.Zip:
E-mail:
Date of Birth:
City:
Date enlisted/drafted:
Date Deceased:
.Nickname:
. State:
City:
Spouse:
State:
KIAQ
Place of Interment/Burial
8th Air Force Group/s_
.Squadron/s or Unit/s
Special Military Training
Graduating Class:
Group Rank,
Date:
Group Duties.
Your A S N (Serial Number/s)_
Occupation prior to Military _
Occupation after Military and/or continued Military service:
Location:
State:
Ret. Rank.
/
�Date arrived at E T O base:__
Arrived from:
Date arrived at Shipdham: Arrived from:
Arrived how (any details):
Personal memories, experiences & stories: (These stories are a vitally important part of these "Living
Monuments." Please add additional pages if needed)
R & R Leave/s.
When?
Where'7
2
�Special Status: Shot Down 3
POW 3
MIA 3
Evaded 3
Ditched 3
Crashed 3
Escaped • Parachuted 3 Wounded 3 Hospitalized 3 Disabled • Other 3
Where. When & How
Ground Crew •
Crew Chief •
Assistant C C •
A & E Mechanic •
Armorer Q
Radio Q
Radar •
Instrument • Sheet Metals G Bombsight • Quartermaster • Motor Pool • Ordinance •
Fire Control • Control Tower • Other:
What were your duties:
Base Operations: Administration •
Clerical •
Communication •
Medical •
Security •
Photo Lab • Engineering • Mess Hall • Supply • Intelligence • Personel • Finance •
Other Duties or Assignments: . .
3
�To complete your history it would be nice to list your descendants. Space is provided below.
Descendent Relationship Address Phone
Date Departed E T O :
Destination:
How:
Trip Details:
Military Honors & Decorations:
Stars
or Clusters
Stars
or Clusters
Distinguished Service Cross
•
Air Medal
Distinguished Service Medal
•
Purple Heart
a
a
Silver Star
a
Presidential Unit Citation
•
Legion of Merit
a
Prisoner of W a r
•
Distinguished Flying Cross
•
Victory Medal W W I I
•
Bronze Star
3
European Theater Ribbon
•
Other Awards: (Including Foreign)
Please include additional pages for other thoughts, memories or stories you m a y wish to contribute:
Prepared by: Relationship:
Address & Phone:
4
�44th B o m b Group Military Heritage Database
Personal Information Data - Your "Living Monument"
It is our goal to assemble a complete record of all personnel who at one time served with
Air Force during World War II in the 44th B o m b Group.
The records of those who were on flying status have been obtained from declassified group
sion reports which have been stored in the National Archives. From this, a matrix has been developed which will allow for the search and retrieval of the following information: W h o flew what
mission, with w h o m , in what plane, to what target, on what date, enemy opposition, aircraft and
personnel losses and hundreds of cross referenced bits of detailed information.We need information, biographies, and stories of Ground Crew and Personnel also.
To make the database come "Alive", your stories, memories, photographs
and voice recordings are essential.
Cassette recordings of your memories are welcome and should be limited to
two (2) minutes per incident.
Please provide a "then and now" photo of yourself and a crew photo if available.
A Master Copy of this multi-media database in now a part of the Eighth Air Force Heritage
M u s e u m in Savannah, Georgia. Other copies will be available to museums, libraries, universities, schools and on the World Wide W e b Internet. You m a y also purchase your o w n copy of the
full database on a C D to run on a home computer from the 44th B G V A ( $ 150.00 which includes
3 future updates).
Please fill out the form carefully so that the person entering your data into the databas
pret what you have written. It is important to include your special memories. These are an important part of the database, "your memories" saving them for posterity. Should enough space not
be provided, please add additional pages.
Return completed form with $10.00 donation* if you have no photographs. If you have includ
ed photos, please submit $15.00 donation* with your form, and mail to:
44th BGVA, P.O. Box 712287, Salt Lake City, UT 84171-2287
Photos will be returned on request.
* Donations are encouraged to help cover costs of processing. However, please donate what
you can up to the suggested amount. Thank You.
,
�IT TOOK FIFTY SIX YEARS
BUT
SHI
FOUND
US
Waist
Gunner
Ostenson
and six other
The story of Jackie Roberts's
56 year effort to trace her
o w n heritage is a lesson in
perseverance. This newly adopted
daughter of the 44th BG, has finally
unraveled the facts of her father's
death. For years, the little she knew of
S/Sgt. Jack Ostenson, she learned from
her mother Wilberta: that he had red
curly hair and had a true zest for life.
Jackie was born nine days after his
death.
crewmen were killed; three became
POW's.
The plane was flying alongside the one
in which Clair Sheaffer (Lois Cianci's
father) went down. (It has been
speculated that the same burst of flak
brought both planes to the ground.)
"Nobody can imagine what life is like
w h e n you don't k n o w your o w n
ancestry," Jackie explained. "I got tired
of explaining to the medical
Wilberta, Jackie's mother, tried to learn
details of Jack's death, but government professionals, that I knew nothing
about m y father. If one of m y children
records were difficult to obtain. For a
became ill, the doctor would want to
while she corresponded with Jack's
k n o w the diseases that ran in our
sister, w h o w a s kind enough to send
Jackie a birthday gift every year.
W h e n she died, there w a s no further
connection to Jack's family until years
JAckJE AINld LOWEU RobERTS AT T^E
later w h e n Jackie resumed the search.
BGVA SAN Disqo REUNION.
She had assumed that there were no
other family members.
Gary Mathisen's craft went down
January SI, 1944 on a mission to
Escalles sur Buchy, a low level bombing
assignment against the V-l missiles
that were already leveling the
buildings in London. From Will
Lundy's Roll of Honor, Jackie learned
that Jack flew with the 68th Squadron
on this mission which had been
considered relatively 'safe.' Bombing
altitude was at 12,000 feet.
Seven B-24's left Shipdham, and only
three returned. E n e m y fighters were
fierce in their attacks, and on their
sixth onset, Mathisen's plane was
reported to be burning at the waist.
24
�alive. Her grandson ran a search for
Clearys on the Internet, finding 50 in
the USA. Jackie wrote 50 letters,
trying to locate John. Then a Mrs.
Cleary from Florida called to say that
although she was not the one being
sought, that she could help her. She
gave the number of a government
agency, which ultimately led her to
family. It was difficult for them to
imagine that I really didn't know
ANYTHING about m y father.
"Every time I would hear somebody
say the words 'World War II', I would
go up and question them," she
continued. "Then when they started to
question me, I had to admit that I
knew nothing, and didn't know how to
find anything out."
Roy Owen.
"It was so wonderful to find people
Knowing that Jack had come from St. who wanted to help me." she
exclaimed. "It was a new world that
George, Utah, Jackie and her husband
opened to me. Roy and Will Lundy
Lowell decided to search the Mormon
were eager to supply information about
records to see what they could learn
the mission and the plane. Sharing
about his family To her surprise,
experiences with Lois Cianci was
there were several brothers and a
wonderful. The entire Bomb Group has
sister that could be tapped for
been so kind—it's like I found a new
knowledge. She called the sister, only
family."
to learn that the lady passed away the
previous month. However, her
Jackie and her husband Lowell have
husband, Jackie's uncle, brought the
been married 42 years. They raised two
couple to his house, and she learned
children, both adults. Lowell is a retired
that she had lots of cousins, all of
government employee, now in business
whom remembered her father. Her
as a security specialist for upscale homes.
uncle had a big picture of Jack; and
when she looked at it, she realized that
Jackie studied Reflexology, Zone
he had a living replica, her daughter
Therapy and Herbalology, and will soon
Kim. She had inherited his features,
have her PhD. degree.
especially his eyes.
Next she found the daughter of the
aunt who had remembered her
birthday throughout her childhood
years. This cousin's s opening
statement was, "Where have you been
for the past fifty years?" She
presented Jackie her father's picture,
his Purple Heart and other
memorabilia, adding, "We always knew
that some day we would find you."
(Editor's Note: The value of 44th
BGVA's mission to preserve history
could not be better demonstrated than
in the stories of Lois Cianci
and Jackie Roberts.
It justifies all the of
efforts of those who
are working hard to
see that the past is
available to future
generations.)
From her new-found family she
learned that the Navigator, John
Cleary, had been a POW, and was still
25
�MEMORIES OF
T/SGT. JEAN BRESSLER
ARMY INTELLIGENCE, 14™ WING
Jean Bressler didn't fly to Ploesti, but the memory of it still
haunts him. He helped with the debriefing of those that returned.
It was the most painful and unforgettable assignment of his war
career.
"I was the only enlisted m a n from Intelligence that got sent
to Benghazi," he recalled. "Ordinarily I never went to the debriefings, but this w a s so emotion-packed, Major Hart called
and said, 'Grab your forms and get down here,' so with typewriter
in m y arms, I went. Those reports were absolutely awesome. I
can only imagine that those crews had to be haunted by that
memory for years.
"The Intelligence Building at Benina Main w a s metal. All
other building were tents, white for officers, brown for N C O S .
W e were hot in the daytime, cold at night. They warned us to
shake our shoes in the morning before w e put them on, as
centipedes climbed in to get warm. Those nasty creatures had
two pinchers that could inject poison into your skin. Then there
were the scorpions with the tail that could flip up and stab you
with poison. The kangaroo rats weren't so bad; except that at
night, you could step into one of their holes and twist your ankle.
"The Arab natives would hold up delicious-looking grapes
and try to sell them to you. If you ate them, you were certain to
get dysentery. There was a locust plague while w e were there.
The damn things would hide in the drums, and when you lifted
the lid, out they would fly.
"We had an interesting contraption for a shower. The frame
of an Italian plane was erected vertically, and a gas tank w a s
placed over top. A garden hose with a stop valve gave you a
good flow of water. A Tarpaulin around it provided privacy; but
also, protection from the cold air, if you were showering at night.
At noon the water was over 100 degrees, at
night it cooled off. If you got there at the right
time, you could have a nice warm shower.
"One night Col. Leon Johnson came into
the building where I w a s working and sat
down. I asked him, 'Colonel, are w e ever
going to get out of this place?' H e answered,
T h e 9th Air Corps wants to keep us.'
"After that Captain Howard Moore went
26
to the States to talk about our future. General Arnold decided
to send us back to England. Then Captain Hero, our
Weatherman saw the monsoon season coming. He told us to
leave now or w e wouldn't get out at all.
"Those B-24's were dusty and full of sand, barely able to
squeak over the Marrakech Mountains of French Morocco. If
w e had waited one more day, the ground would have been so
wet, the planes could not have taken off. W h e n w e got to
England, w e kissed the ground w e landed on.
Bresser believes the fortunes of war were kind to him. H e
enlisted before Pearl Harbor in 1941 so he could choose the Air
Corps, rather than be 'stuck' in the Infantry. He was stationed at
Keesler Field in Biloxi, Mississippi, studying the mechanics of
the B-24. W h e n word came for him to be transferred, he was
out of reach. His friends in the barracks packed his bags, and
on his return he started out through a blackout to the loading
area. The bags were so heavy, he could hardly drag them along.
All of a sudden a very large man, a total stranger, grabbed
his bags, rushed him to the loading area and threw the bags on
the truck. Bressler climbed aboard, and off they went to South
Bend, Indiana where he w a s trained to repair Bendix Turrets.
Bresser smiled, remembering his unbelievable fortune: those
w h o missed the truck were sent to repair planes in Alaska.
Except for serious study and long hours, life in South Bend
was luxurious. Being the first Gl's to arrive for training, the town
opened its doors and its heart. Everything was free—movies,
food, even beer.
Despite his turret training, Bresser ended up in Intelligence,
which he considered an ideal position. H e w a s given a Tech
Sergeant rating; and in the three years he w a s there, he
developed close friendships with m a n y of his English
counterparts. Having musical skills, he became the organist for
a local church.
The airmen left soon after V E day, but Bresser's group was
the last to leave England. Leaving his friends and co-workers
was truly an emotional experience. These friendships have
continued for the past 56 years, with visits to and from both
sides of the ocean.
�MEMORIES OF SHIPDHAM
From Bob Lehnhausen comes a picture and vivid memory of "Shipdham-in-the Mud." According
to Lehnhausen, m e n and machines shared the misery of soft soil, lots of rain and the d e m a n d s of
military activity.
Pictured here are shoes, boots, galoshes outside barracks, evidence
of the hellish aspects of early life o n a newly occupied air base in
England. M u d w a s
everywhere.
\*
"It w a s bad e n o u g h for the
individual to navigate the
ooze of the m u d , but to get
one of our big birds off the
hard surface of a runway,
taxi strip or a hardstand
w a s truly trouble," h e
remembered.
W-
(Editor'sNote: Despite the obstacles, the B-24s got
airborne from airstrips that would be unthinkable in
2001.)
Alex Toth's Memory of a Lucky Day
Every airman can remember anxious moments, and
declaring the need for an emergency landing because of
S/Sgt. Alex Toth's (66th Sq.) story will bring 44thers
low fuel. A W A A F told him to stand by, but Hoffiz replied,
memories of similar events.
"We're coming in. Clear the runway."
"I was the Right Waist Gunner on Ted Hoffiz's plane.
When the plane touched the ground, w e all gave a
I can't even remember the mission. It must have been a
rousing cheer. A jeep led us to a resting place, and an
long flight into Germany, as w e were getting low on fuel. I American Captain gave us a shot of American whiskey.
heard Hoffiz ask the Engineer for a fuel reading. It was
Earth never felt so good. The tank reading when w e
low. As Assistant Engineer, they asked me to verify his
landed indicated w e had only five minutes of fuel."
reading. It was low. We were over France.
Low fuel has been the source
"Next the pilot asked the Navigator to find the nearest of many anxious moments;
airfield, and we set out for San Quenton in France. When sometimes causing ditching;
we broke through the clouds to 2,000 feet and buzzed the
other times bringing a crew to
airport, we found it was full of bomb craters. It was so
the brink of death then sparing
bombed out, we couldn't possibly land.
them. Toth's crew was among
"The next closest was across the Channel at Manston.
the lucky ones.
Out the hatches we tossed all flak suits, ammo, guns,
When he goes to a bomb
everything that was expendable; and then sat there
group reunion and shares stories
silently, each with his own thoughts and prayers.
with others who did not fare so
well, he knows how lucky he was.
"Hoffiz gave the day's code word to the air tower,
27
�Dick Butler: A message
from
England
to the 2nd Air Division.
THE FREEDOM OF THE CITY OF NORWICH
I thought you would like to know that I have just returned home from the City Hall in Norwich,
after having been invited by the Leader of The Council to attend the meeting at which the
Freedom of the City was awarded to the 2nd Air Division U S A A F Association. It was a very
moving occasion that I will always remember.
The Lord Mayor was very gracious in his greeting, as were the many other Councillors with
w h o m I had worked during m y two years as Chairman of the neighbouring Authority in
Broadland.
Your Award was the first item on the Agenda; and Nick Williams, the Leader of the Council
made a deeply moving proposal. This was seconded by Councillor Ian Couzens, the Leader of
the Liberal Democrats, w h o again made a very impressive speech. H e was then followed by
Councillor Martin Verran w h o spoke at length about your bravery and sacrifice and the great
friendship that had been formed in the Forties and continued to the present day. The great debt
that the City and County o w e to the 2nd Air Division U S A A F was stressed, as was the
appreciation for your wonderful gift of the unique 2nd Air Division Memorial Library and the
huge support given to the Library by the 2nd Air Division Association over many years. Also
the joy of the Council that you will be returning to Norwich in November.
The proposal was then formally moved by The Lord Mayor and carried unanimously with
acclamation. After the meeting ended, all the Councillors I spoke to expressed their delight at
the award and h o w they look forward to meeting you later this year and their intention to make
it a memorable visit. Brenda Ferris (The Lord Mayor at the V E D a y Parade in 1995) in particular
asked m e to send you her best wishes and congratulations.
So the dream that we began in 1995, when we first discussed the possibility of obtaining the
Freedom of the City for you at a V E Parade Committee Meeting at the City Hall, has n o w
become a reality this evening and you will receive the Scroll in November at the Civic Reception
on the Tuesday evening.
Well Done, you all deserve this rare award. Indeed you are the only members of the 8th Air
Force to receive such a high honor. W e are all so proud of you.
Best wishes for the New Year.
David J Hastings, Vice Chairman
28
�T H E PINCIER C R A S H :
LT. HAROW PIIMCIER 67TIT SQ.,
WENT
piloiEd TIHE B'24 TIIAI
dowN iiN Wibmi\, BElqiuM, JANUARY 2 9 , 1 9 4 4 .
JAck PAYTON (Riqhi) fouNd ihis picTURE iN his COIIECTJON.
CAN ANyOINE idENTify ThE TWO qENTlEMEN
O N IEFT ANd MiddlE?
PiNdER qAVE This STATEMENT T O Will LuNdy foR TIHE Roll
of ItONOR: "WE W E R E M E T O N TIHE COAST O N ANd iN by
boTh M E 109s ANd F W 1 90s. Ai Aboui 1 1 0 2 houRs,
WE dROppEd OUT of CONTROI AhER AboUT TE1REE SEpARATE
ENEMy PASSES. W E TOok 2 0 M M HOTS UNdER TIHE fliqln
dEck TIHAT CUT TIHE C O N T R O I CAblES....
"ThE AJRCRAb doVE OUT of CONTROL I REMEMbER TIHE
wiNq AHRE, ANd AT IEAST TIHE # 4 ENqiNE kNOckEd OUT.
TIHE followiNq is A lisTiNq of TIHE C R E W ANd whAT
hAppENEd TO EAch of ThEM:
M^ - TM
AlviN Siubbs, BoMbARdiER, RobERT LAUCAMP, BAII
TURRET G U N N E R ; JAck RobisoN, R W G U N N E R ANd
WilliAM
P A X T O N , TAJI G U N N E R W E R E AII
KIA.
HAROUJ
PiNdER,PiloT, L A W R E N C E G R O N O , Co'piloT, DoNAld
B O O M E R , NAviqATOR, T/Sqr. E A R I H A I I , ENqiNEER;
ANd M i L s G R E E N , L W G U N N E R bECAME P O W s . A b s
SOFFERMAN,
RAdio O P E R A T O R , MANAqEd T O EVAdE, buT
WAS IATER SIHOT
by TIHE SECRET PolicE.
FOREST E. CLARI< WROTE This MEMORJAI TO SoffERMAN:
" H E W A S My bEST hu'ENd iN ThE 44Th B G . H E ANd I
WERE ON ThE SAME CREW All TflROUqh TRAJNJNq ANd iNTO
ThE MJSSiONS. I kNEW hiM AS AN ENERqEUC, sTudious
CERTfflCATE OF APPRECIATION
Tin Govuniiml of Franco is awardtao a
Gorlincalo of Annotation TO al U .
mttary personnel win served hi Franco
durtao the Normandy bnotao on Juno E, U 4 4
and tho fotowtao conflkt untJ tin Aeration
of Franco.
youNq M A N , full of ThE IOVE of lifE, of his fAMily, ANd
dEVOTEd TO ThE CAUSE of his NATJON." UpON his RETURN
TO
ThE STATES, ClARk visiTEd SoffERMAN's fAMily, shARiNq
ThE SORROW Of ThEJR MUTUAl loss.
OuoTiNq ThE BElqiAN PARUSAN RESJSTANCE fiqhTERs,
ClARk SAid of SoffERMAN, " H E hAd ThE A P P E A R A N C E of
AN iNTElliqENT MAN, A STudENT." Books hAVE bEEN
doNATEd TO ThE 2 A D M E M O R J A I LibRARy iN hoNOR of
SoffERMAN ANd OThERS W his CREW w h o WERE loST.
ThE TOWN of WibRJN hAS RECENTly dEcidsd TO plACE A
MEMORiAl plAQUE AT ThE CRAsh SiTE, AN AREA whERE ThE
44rh will bE vishiNq iN ThE upcoMJNq TOUR iiN
To Oman tho cortntooto, one must prove
that ha was ki Franco durtao W W ! and
supply a record of service and honorable
separation. Certificates w l not bo Issued
posttannusly. Send you 1 roquost atanp
wtth a copy of your otacharoa and service
record showtao your service hi Normandy
and tho ETO, to tho nearest French
Consutata Office hi tho ILS.
SEPTEMDER, 2001.
>
�WILLSEZ
so many of these great people will not have an adequate
story in the Folded Wings column this issue. Hopefully, I
will be able to research more of them and have it ready
for the next issue. I a m not yet up to speed these days.
February, 2001
Also, I think you readers should know about the great
efforts of one of our Associate Members, Pete Frizzell.
Pete is one of the top researchers of the famous low level
attack on Ploesti Oil Fields on 01 August 1943. He has
helped us verify much data about the 44th BG's
participation, both in text and photo; and has attended
s o m e of our reunions.
Have any of you "visited" Arlo Bartsch's Web Site at
http://www.8thairforce.com to view just how much 44th
BG's history data can be found there? If you haven't tried
it yet, set aside a little time to give it a try to learn more
about it and see the possibilities there for a great deal of
our history. However, do keep in mind that there are only
samplings available at this time. In fact, that is all that is
intended at this time. It is designed to offer only a taste of
the great volume of data that actually could be placed
there, not to show it all.
Pete found some 44th BG photos up for auction on the
Internet from eBay and bid successfully on a few of them
He alerted Steve Adams, w h o also was a successful
bidder on several. But when he learned from the seller
that there were large quantities, more scheduled for
bidding, he offered to purchase the lot. However, when
the seller found that he was getting very high bids on
some specific photos, he refused to honor a flat bid upon
which he had agreed. W h e n Pete learned that the photos
were from the Harvell/Robertie collection, he contacted
m e to advise us of this great collection, wanted to help us
save the great photos of our people and history.
The reason for this type of sampling is to show the viewer
what type of data is available and to what depth it can
provide. Arlo has spent well over $100,000 of his firm's
money developing the program to make this type of
information available. W e , the 44th BGVA, have also spent
an additional large sum for data entry of our history so
far. For that reason, w e cannot put all of our history out
on the Internet as free. Like most W e b Sites, they were
set up to sell a product or service, not to give it away.
Our Prez, Ed Mikoloski, made arrangements to meet Pete
at a nearby airport (Pete lives in Florida) and Ed drove
them up to Maine. They contacted this dealer w h o
permitted Pete to use his camera and film to make copies
of those photos sold but not yet mailed, and successfully
made a deal to purchase all remaining photos. Many of
these photos are originals that Capt. Harvell used in his
first book, "44th BG Liberators Over Europe" so the
collection is priceless so far as our photo history is
concerned.
Having said that, Arlo has advised me that he intends to
make all of our bio data available to the public, but only
the first page. So anyone w h o wishes to view his bio or to
see how many others have produced theirs, you can find
them now at his W e b Site. While you are on the Internet,
you might also like to see what our Treasurer, Jerry
Folsom, is developing on our own 44th BG Site at http://
www.44thbombgroup.com. It is only in the developmental
stage but should be quite interesting to everyone.
When the copying and printing is completed by Pete,
You may have noticed in the last issue of 8 Ball Tails that I these photos will be added to the present collection of
photos that I've gathered over the years. W e will have a
not only did not write this column, but I also failed to
much more complete collection for our history and
produce the Folded Wings section. The cause for these
hopefully more crew photos to add to our data base. Had
omissions is that Irene and I have moved out of Southern
it not been for Pete and his strong desire to help, these
California to the Northern portion of the state, east of
photos would n o w be scattered all over the world. He
Sacramento. This was our first move in 40 years, so it
most willingly spent his o w n money and many days of his
has been a labor intensive experience from which w e are
still suffering. There simply was no time to do the work
time in this great effort. I can't say enough good things
and m y equipment and records were not available.
about him. W e are greatly in debt to you, Pete. Our
sincere thanks is not enough.
As a consequence, the Folded Wings list has grown
considerably, thanks to the efforts of our Treasurer Jerry
o
and his aide, Lana Kopecky. They produced and mailed a
large number of letters to the addresses of our members
w h o had not renewed their membership for some time.
As feared, many of these former members are deceased,
30
�February, 2001
Prepared by:
AMBLER, JAMES C. - 6 April 1989 - 39107032 T/Sgt.
Engineer & Top Turret Gunner. 66th Squadron. James
was a member of the H. E. Etheridge crew that flew
their first mission on 30 January 1944. He was with
this same crew and on his seventh mission when they
were attacked and shot down on 24 February 1944,
target Gotha, Germany. James was one of nine
crewmen who successfully parachuted to become a
POW.
AMICK, KENNETH C. - T/Sgt. Engineer Died 1950 or
1951. Stayed in Air Force. W a s killed in crash in bad
weather. Kenneth was the Engineer/Top Turret Gunner
on the C.R. Roberts crew. They were assigned to the
68th Squadron on 19 February 1945, flew their first
mission on 10 March 1945. Their 12th and last
mission was dated 18 April 1945. Kenneth and this
crew returned to the U S in late May, flying home on A/
C #4449425
BARLOW, ARCHIE R. - 23 April 2000 -14151313 68th
Squadron T/Sgt. Engineer and top turret gunner for the
H. R. Howington crew. Archie joined the 68th
Squadron on 5 October 1943, flew his first combat
mission on 5 November 1943. While on his ninth
mission, 21 January 1944 he and his crew were shot
down over France. Four of this crew were KIA, two
became P O W s , and Archie was one of the five
crewmen to successfully evade capture. He was with
the French Underground until 23 April 1944, began his
attempt to gain freedom through the Pyrnees. He was
interned in Spain until 31 May 1944, made his way to
London, England arriving there on 1 June 1944, back
to Shipdham on the 4th and later returned to the US.
BECTON, W E N D E L L R. SR. 1 March 2000 - Cannot
locate any data for him.
BENEDICT, ROBERT L. - 29 August 1997 - 67th Sq.
Gunner on the E. C. Yatkones crew that arrived in the
67th Squadron on 8 June 1944. This crew flew their
first mission on 12 June. Robert flew various
positions as Gunner for most of his mission until 16
August 1944. He flew but three more with them,
ending with the one dated 5 November. His last of 19
mission was completed on 18 March 1945 with the R.
E. Markle crew.
BALLA, WALLACE J. - May, 2000 - 0-819292 1st Lt.
Wallace joined the 68th Squadron on 6 July 44, flew
his first mission with the Clair Hill crew. Following
that, he flew with many 68th Sq. crews,
including Sterling Dobbs, Kay, Dimpfl, etc.
, He completed his tour of 30 mission on 24
(| ^ P k X December 1944 as co-pilot for the Jack
Liebrick crew.
BETZ, HENRY C. - Henry was a member of the 464th
Sub Depot but we have no specifics about his
contributions except he was a Sergeant.
BLACK, H A R R Y - December, 1991 No data can be
located for this man.
31
�BOILEAU, JOHN 'JACK' - May, 1993 - 68th Squadron
32951768 Sgt. Radio Operator on the C. Roberts crew.
This crew joined the 68th Squadron on February 19,
1945, flew their first mission on 10 March. They
completed their 12th mission on 18 April, and flew
home on 21 May 1945 in A/C #44-49425.
BOWE, DONOVAN K. - Approx . 1993 - Listed on our
current roster as 68th Squadron but cannot locate
anything about him in the 68th Squadron records.
BURRESS, WILLIE JOE -10 November 2000 - 67th
Squadron M/Sgt|Crew Chief. "Tex" was the first
assistant crew chief on the George Baccash ground
crew back at Barksdale Field in early 1942. He was a
member of the ground echelon that went to England on
the H M S Queen Mary in Sept. 1942. Later he was
promoted to Crew Chief, and held that position to the
end of the war. His last assigned aircraft was #4448821 A-Bar, unnamed. Tex refused to allow it to be
named, citing it as bad luck.
CAMPBELL, ROBERT P. -1992 - M/Sgt. No records
can be located.
COSBY, EARL BELL - February, 1997 - He served
in the service for four years and nine months.
Cannot locate records.
COX, H O W A R D D. -10 April 2000 - 67th Squadron.
Howard was one of the ground echelon who went to
England in 1942 on the H M S Queen Mary. Cannot
identify his classification while in the 67th Sq.
CRANE, JAMES J. - February, 1992 - 66th Squadron.
12074922. James flew a total of 8 missions, first dated
21 February, 1944 with R.J. Comey crew. He was a
gunner, S/Sgt. His last one was 27 March 1944 with the
R.E. Harleman crew, was shot down, injured in the
ditching and became a POW.
CROSS, WILLIAM S. - 5 April 1988 - 68th Squadron S/Sgt. Left Waist gunner on Robert Clayton crew.
Completed 12 missions beginning on 10 March 1945
and ending on 18 April 1945. Crew not scheduled again
before the last group mission of 25 April 1945.
DALTON, ROBERT J. - 24 May 2000 - 67th Squadron.
111115102. Robert was the Radio Operator who flew
six combat missions, two with R. C. Griffith, two with
Dines, and his last one with Lt. Scarborough on 12
March 1944. There are no further missions or data
covering this Sgt.
CHAFFEE, T H O M A S L. - September, 1999 - 0-70417
1st Lt. Navigator|Thomas first served with the 492nd
BG in 1944, w a s ! member of the George B. Haag, Jr.
crew. They had completed 19 missions with them prior
DOMINO, JOSEPH S -17 September 1999 - No data
to being transferred to the 44th BG in early August,
1944. They flew ftieir first mission with the 44th on 14 can be found at this time.
August, quickly completing their 6th and last of their
tour on 25 Augustfl945. They were rotated back to the U.S. DEHANN, BEN F. - 8 December 1996.
CHAPMAN, WILLIAM A - 28 July 1997 - Apparently
not combat. Cannot locate this man on any squadron
roster.
DOEPKER, CHARLES L. - 22 October 2000 - 66th
Squadron S/Sgt. Gunner on the W. E. Ogden crew. This
crew was originally assigned to the 492nd BG, flew
approximately 24 missions with that group. This crew
CHRISTOPHER, ANTHONY J - 20 December 1997 was transferred to the 44th Group in July, 1944,
31037024 67th Squadron Engineer and Top Turret
assigned to the 66th Squadron. They flew their first and
gunner for the H. Hess crew. They flew their first
only one with the 44th BG on 31 July 1944, which
mission on 16 March 1944 and then four more quickly
apparently completed their tour of operations. Charles
until the 27th March when they were interned in Spain.
was a Canadian, born in Ottawa on January 22,1922,
Several months later they returned to England and
was 78 years old.
finally transferred to the 15th AF in Italy to complete
DUNKERLEY, GAYLE - No data found.
their tour.
A
COOMES, T H O M A S L. -15 November 1999 DUNLAP, ROBERT L. - No date found 68th Squadron.
506 and 66th. Apparently not combat and cannot
locate any data.
EDGEWORTH, WALTER - 28 September 1999.
�EDMUNDS, EARL A. -19 March 1999 HQ. & 506th
Squadron.
Laudig, Clements, and Money. He completed
A
his tour of duty on 23 March 1944, changing
c
seats with Lt. Money to fly as 1st pilot on that
last mission.
ESPER, WILLIAM D. SR. - 8 October 2000 68th
Squadron.
HESS, HOWARD -12 January 1988 - 66th Squadron.
EYDENBERG, MONTE - 22 January 1999.
HICKERSON, GLEN C. -1 June 2000 - 506th
Squadron.
FAVIM, ROBERT A. - No date given.
FEINSTEIN ( FENTON), MELTONS.-1991.
HIGGINS, WADE W. - 506th Squadron with James
Clements.
FLESBER, ISSAC A. - August 1998 68th Squadron.
HUFF, HERBERT A.-4 June 1997.
FLOWERS, EDGAR I. JR. -1988 S/Sgt. Right Waist
Gunner.
INDORF, FRANK - 9 May 2000.
FOREHAND, CHARLES C. -14 February 2000.
INDRI, VALERO -1 April 2000
F
IRISH, ARVINL. -17 April 2000.
FRANK, ERNEST F. - No date given.
GENTILE, LED T. -10 July 1990.
GOODMAN,«,AUGUST
nuuuoiT.i - 7 January 1987.
JEDLOWSKI, HAROLD J. -19 January 1998. 67th
Squadron.
JEWELL, KENNETH - No date given. 66th Squadron
Pilot.
JOHN2000
D. Jr.
GORHAK,
27
November
- 66th
Squadron.
JONES, JOHN T. - 9 February 1978 - Age of 57 cancer.
GOSSETT, ERNEST E. -16 November 2000 - 0-442695 506th Squadron Ordnance.
Pilot. Captairi Ernest Gossett and his crew flew most of
their mission! while assigned to the 492nd BG. When
JONES, PAULA.-25 August 1998.
that group wis taken off combat status, this crew was
KARAPIN, EDWARD F. - No date given
transferred to the 506 Squadron on 13 August 1944.
They flew thlr 1st mission with the 44th BG the very
next day. T h w flew eight more missions as lead crew, MCCULLOUGH, HAL -14 February 1999.
and completed their tour on 6 December, 1944.
MCDONALD, ROBERT M. -1985.
GRUEBER, ARNOLD H. - October, 1998.
MCKENNA, THOMAS J. -17 November 2000 - Pilot
HALL, FRED 1. - 26 May 2000 - 68th Squadron.
506th and 66th Squadrons.
HANDY, PAUL-27 February 1989.
MARNELL, VERL-12 April 1998.
HANNUKSELA, WAINO W. - 9 January 2001 - 506th
Squadron Pilot Waino was the co-pilot for the Charles
Conner crew that arrived in the 506th Squadron on 30
August 1943. He flew his first mission with the
McAfee crew on 7 September and many others
later. He also was co-pilot to other crews including
MICKEY, COL. WILLIAM B. - 23 August 1998 - 66th
Squadron and HQ.
MISER, VERNON - November, 1996 - 404th and 464th
Sub-Depot.
MORAN, JOHN V. -1 April 2000.
33
j
�MORTON, SAM M. - 8 June 1990.
STRANGE, WILLIAM S. - Mid-June, 2000.
MULDOON, LEWIS J. - No date given.
STRUG, EMIL-1997.
NATHANSON, DAVID - 31 October 2000. Captain 67th
Squadron and HQ. Ordnance.
TAYLOR, LT. COL. JOHN B. - 27 August 2000 - Age
79. Co-pilot for John Mueller.
NICHOLS, DERISE L. - 21 March 2000.
TERABERRY, PHILLIP F. - 21 October 1999.
NEWBOLD, ELDRED-1995.
TRUSLOW, WILLIAM B. -17 June 1999.
PARSHALL, RAYMOND H. - 26 Jan. or June 2000 of
pneumonia.
PETRIK, GEORGE A. - 25 March 2000.
PRICKETT, JOE W. - No date given.
TUTTLE, ROBERT M. - 31 July 1991.
WALSH, JAMES H. - 7 November 2000 - Evadee in
Spain 506th Squadron.
\
REECE, CHARLES E. - No date given. 506th Squadron
ground crew. \
WAWERNA, JOSEPH - 25 December 1999 - Age 84.
WEIHS, GORDON - January, 1999.
ROSCHIE, WILLIAM E. - No date given. 67th and
506th Squadrons ground crew. Musician.
RUMRILL, DEWLIN - No date. 464th Sub-Depot.
RUSSELL, GEORGE E. -14 April 1996 - 66th
Squadron Combat Engineer.
WHEATLEY, J. C. -12 August 2000.
WILLIAMS, RICHARD -11 March 2000.
v
WILKERSON, LESLIE A. - 29 June 2000 - Bio.
SAPORITO, SAM S. - 4 September 2000 - 66th
Squadron.
44th Items for Sale
'\
SCHIMKE, ROBERT S. - 27 December 1996.
Item
Shirts
Caps
Pins
Send to:
SIMMONS, HYLAN V. - 25 September 1999 - T/Sgt.
66th SquadronCrew Chief on Lemon Drop.
SLED, NOAH -|\lo date given.
STERNBACK, tAWTON L -11 November 1997.
STEWART, JOSEPH - December, 1993 - 0-2063204
Bombardier.
Shipping
$25
$15
$5
$3
$2
$1
I
S a m Miceli
6398 Dawson Blvd.
Mentor, O H 44060-3648
Patches
$15
$1
$2
I
Roster
$20
addresses
and
phone
numbers.
4,000 names,
8th A F Military $150
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Heritage Database
Past Issues of
8 Ball Tails $5
$0
Send to:
44th B G V A
P O Box 712287
Salt Lake City, U T 84171-2287 ,
STOKELUM, PAT P. - No date given.
A
Cost
r
.,
| From the Editor: Kevin Watson's book
| "Ruth-less" can be purchased through
I Amazon.co.uk. Signed copies are
I available through Kevin's website:
I KPWats7@aol.com (put in the key
I words hometown.aol.com/kpwats7).
34
�«33 MAIL & E-MAIL ^5
A new and eager member, William Ennis, son of
Donald E. Ennis, Tail Gunner in the 68th Sq, has
joined and is planning to bring his father to the
Barksdale Reunion. Ennis's last seven missions
were on the Louisiana Belle, so it will be an especially meaningful event. (Editor's Note: If there are
any of his crew reading this—come and have a Crew
Reunion).
M u s e u m . Although Pueblo is the h o m e of m a n y B24 pilots, they do not have a B-24. W e can be all
the more grateful for the efforts being made to
preserve the Louisiana Belle.
From Jerry Folsom, Treasurer of 44th BGVA:
M a n y thanks for the cards and kind messages.
(Jerry is so overwhelmed with the 44th 's business—
getting out statements, checking on lost members
and answering requests for information, he can only
give a blanket 'Thank You' to all who have sent him
greetings.)
From Col. and Mrs. Clem Haulman we received
news that their son David R. Haulman, Director of
Public Works at the U.S. A r m y Engineers Research
and Development Center, has been selected for
promotion to full Colonel is assigned to the U.S. Air
Force Reserves.
CAIN ANVONE
idENTify This SERqEANT SEU/iNq STRipES?
Haulman is the commander of the 917th Civil
Engineer Squadron at Barksdale Air Force Base, La.
He has more than six years of active duty with the
Air Force, during which he piloted supersonic
trainers and KC-135 jet tankers, performing air-toair refueling missions in Europe, Southeast Asia and
over the North Pole. H e has also served 15 years in
the Reserves as an engineer officer.
He received his bachelor's degree in civil
engineering from the University of Southwestern
Louisiana, a master's in systems management from
the University of Southern California and a master's
in civil engineering from Mississippi State
University. H e is a registered professional engineer
in Mississippi and Louisiana.
<£3
David's identical twin, Daniel, has a Ph.D. in
History from Auburn University, and is a Research
Historian at the U S A F Historical Research Center at
Maxwell A F B , Montgomery, Alabama. Both sons
are Members of the 44th B G V A .
From T o m m y Shepherd: Can't w e do something to
urge everyone to do their Database? The W a r was
such an amazing experience, and everybody has a
story that should be told. I have memories of going
with the flight surgeon on short arm inspections. I
saw and smelled the men's experiences. I remember some of these m e n riding their bicycles from
site to site, 115 to Shipdham, to East Dereham, from
pub to pub, to fish and chips, falling off their bikes
drunk as a skunk, writing letters for the Ole M a n to
send to the next of kin and helping pack up their
personal effects. It should all be on record.
<33
From the Pueblo Historic Aircraft Society, their
publication, B-24 Airscoop: The city & county of
Pueblo, and a number of foundations have c o m e up
with the funds, and a ground-breaking ceremony has
been held for a new hangar to shelter the Aircraft
35
®
�^3
^3
F r o m E l w y n A . M e y e r 68th Squadron to Will Lundy
This is meant to be a tribute to all World War II
B o m b e r Crews, A r m y Air Corps, Marines, Navy and
especially to pilots of the Big Birds of the Army Corps
From Francis J. Peck, 67th Sq.: one of the most
memorable missions of the 34 that 1 pulled was a low
level supply drop to our paratroopers in Holland,
September, 1944. Our drop was just beyond a city of
which I cannot recall the name. Our load was
ammunition. There were several wooden boxes
strapped on the catwalk. M y job as Radio Operator/
Gunner was to cut the straps and kick the boxes off
the catwalk. While flying over the city, I heard the
nose gunner yell, "Pull 'er up, Pull 'er up, you're
going to hit the church steeple. Holding on for dear
life, I swear I could have reached d o w n and touched
that church steeple.
Almost all bomber combat crews trained as a team
before entering the combat theatre. Each member
learned their duty stations through special training
prior to their assignment to crew training. They also
knew their duty lay in putting their combat loads on
the target regardless of the enemy defenses.
Much "to do" is made of the macho image of the
fighter pilots "one on one" battles. However they
always had the choice to engage or disengage at will.
They never really had to fly into the flak shrouded
targets. I don't m e a n to say the bomber crews didn't
welcome their "little friends" presence. They saved
m a n y bombers and contributed m u c h to the success of
the European Air War.
As I cut the straps holding the boxes of ammo and
kicked them out, I saw ever so m u c h ground fire from
the Germans hiding in the brush. A s w e pulled up
and banked to get out of there, w e were being
peppered by ground fire rifles. W h e n I got to m y
radio seat, I noticed a hole in it, and the bullet had
exited just behind the pilot. The next day w e learned
that the Germans recovered most of the supplies our
group had dropped.
Bomber crews had no choice, regardless of the enemy
defenses, they had to bore in, enduring enemy flak
and fighter attacks. I k n o w of no bomber forces that
(Editor's Note: But the bullet missed both Francis and
were ever turned back from a specified target due to
his pilot, so it was a pretty good day.)
enemy defenses.
<S3
As a navigator, I was able to observe and note the
actions of our combat crews and see our losses and
successes.
Joseph E. Milliner wrote an interesting book, The
Angel and the Eagle, in which he describes his
experiences as Joe, protected by his Guardian Angel,
J O S E P H . His accounts are colorful and dynamicparticularly about the Ploesti mission. (Sections of
this chapter will be reported in another issue.)
I would like to talk about a special person who was
the pilot and commander of our crew. His name was
Rueban C. Ricketts from Danville, Virginia.
Rueban, or "Rick" as we called him, had been an
A r m y Air Corps A & E mechanic before going to pilot
Having survived the war, Milliner is living through training. H e graduated, transitioned into B-17's and
the tragedy of knowing his co-pilot son, William,
was assigned as a co-pilot in a B-17 group. Just prior
flying in a Cobra Helicopter into Laos, crashed. H e
to his group leaving for overseas, he was pulled out
believes the boy survived, but has never been
and sent to B-24 transition school. U p o n completion
repatriated. The injustice of that atrocious happening
of his training, he was m a d e a first pilot and given a
has turned the life of him and his wife Mary, into an
crew without a navigator and sent to a replacement
ongoing effort to influence the U.S. Government to
training center.
intervene. All members of the 44th B G V A can offer
prayers in William's behalf.
I was assigned to Rueban's crew as the navigator just
after m y graduation from navigation training. They
were starting the second phase of their training.
36
�>
Rueban and I had our differences at times as to w h o
should be the navigator-pilots always liked to be in
command. W e worked out our differences after going
over long water flights and coming h o m e alone in the
clouds where no "railroad tracks" were around. You
had to learn to trust your crew members. H e did.
The group turned off the target area and then flew out
over the Cuxhaven G e r m a n naval base. That's where
they nailed us. I believe they were sighting individual
aircraft as there was no heavy barragefireflak. Navy
gunners were good. W e lost two engines; the vertical
fin was shot off above the horizontal stabilizer and
the elevator, and elevator trim tabs were damaged. A
I had faith and trust in Rick's ability as a pilot. One
huge hole was blasted out of the left side between the
reason was his attention to and use of the aircraft
window and tail. The damage was reported by the top
check off sheet. Because of his previous mechanic's
turret and waist gunners.
background, he k n e w his aircraft and it's problems.
The crew chiefs liked Rick to fly their "birds" because Rick hit the bail out bell because he only had two
he could usually tell them where to look for a problem
engines and possible control damage. H e thought at
and its possible solution. This saved them m u c h time
the time it was best. A s navigator I called him on the
in getting the ship ready for the next mission. If w e
intercom and asked for the exact condition of the ship
had mechanical trouble in flight, he and the crew
and said, "If this bird is stillflying,I would rather
engineer could confer and try to solve the problem.
chance ditching than spend time in a P.W. camp."
Almost instantly six other voices came on saying
He was Mr. Safety First on the B-24. I always felt he "ditto" or words to that effect.
was a disappointed B-17 pilot and never trusted the
B-24. H e believed that the B-24 was unforgiving of
Rick said, "okay, let's try it." We had already lost t
any mistakes.
formation, they couldn't wait for us. H e took the
course I gave him out over the North Sea, jockeyed
He never made a takeoff or landing that he didn't
the B-24 on to the course, and put it in a shallow
sweat through his flight clothes. H e would always
descent slow enough to maintainflightspeed. H e sent
carry an extra jacket to change into against the
theflightengineer to assess any control cable
altitude cold. H e said flying the B-24 was real work,
damage, he reported none. Ted Sassano, the radio
especially on takeoffs and landings. H e was an
operator, gave position reports to the British Air-Sea
excellent formation flyer regardless of which side of
rescue people every 10 minutes until w e crossed the
the flight element w e were on. H e flew good tight
coast. The co-pilot, W m . Sims, was busy helping
smooth formations.
Rick maintainflightcontrol of the aircraft. Porter
Branfort, theflightengineer and Rick were in
Our worst flight catastrophe occurred on the 6th of constant contact addressing problems as they arose.
August, 1944 on the H a m b u r g mission. Our target
The gunners remained at their stations throughout.
was an oil refinery. A s w e approached the target, the
Everyone was busy, busy. W e started at about 22,000
flak cloud over the target just got blacker; probably
ft. altitude and crossed the English coast at Great
the box barrage type. Y o u could see the cloud from
Yarmouth at less than 1,000 ft. Rick called the field
50 miles away. W e had been briefed that over 300
and was cleared straight in. Luckily the wind
heavy guns could be on you at all times. The cloud
direction was right and our course was in line with the
cover was from about 18,000 feet to over 30,000 feet
main runway. Rick had been continuously trying to
in altitude. I looked through the astro d o m e at Rick
restart one of the engines. Just before crossing the
and could see the sweat running from his forehead
coast, it restarted. W e were over an hour late in
onto his oxygen mask. A s w e flew deeper into the
returning. H e greased it in with "nary a bump," used
cloud, you could smell the exploding gases from the
all the runway, turned on to the taxi strip and all
flak; the shrapnel sounded like hail as it fell causing
engines quit.
minor damage. W e bombed the target with good
results. You could see the burning gas generator plant
The airplane crew chief came out, climbed on top of
and other facilities. W e lost one ship there (J.P. McKenna's). the wing, opened the fuel ports, put his fuel dip stick
in and pulled it out dry. All tanks were empty. Later
37
®
�the South Pacific to work on our tans, or were w e
going to the Aleutians and freeze our butts, or were
w e going to England to assist the Piccadilly
Commandos.
w e learned there were over 300 holes in the tanks and
flaps. The crew chief was ready to cry. It was his
second ship he had lost. This was this B-24's first
mission. Rick comforted him by saying, "don't cry,
it's a d a m n fine airplane, it got us home." I believe
that it was later junked. After looking at the damage, I
wondered if I was wrong to want toflyback. I do not
know h o w Rick flew that plane, but he did-he knew
his job. It must have been "hell" on him both
physically and mentally. H e did it on pure grit and
stubbornness, I guess. H e was a top m a n with courage
and strength to do what had to be done. I do think that
day he really developed a love for the B-24 (he
wouldn't admit it).
Remember, all this was highly confidential rumors.
But finally it dawned on someone that as confidential
as this information was, they ought to at least confide
in the navigator, which they did. Confiding in m e
probably was not the worst mistake our esteemed
authorities ever made. Anyway, they had to tell m e
where I was supposed to go and hopefully h o w to get
there. So they told m e the day before w e left Topeka.
They said, "Okay, take this nice, new and shiny B-24
and try not to screw it up. W h e n you leave Topeka,
You can listen to people talk about the courage of head sort of northeast until you find this here Air base
in N e w England." This sounded good to m e and they
"fighter jocks," but the bomber pilots and their crews
were also nice enough to give m e some maps
had the real raw courage it took to fly into hell and
(charts?). Just out of curiosity I decided to look at
out, and they did. The pilots were the glue that made
these charts. You never can tell when you might learn
the difference. They deserve some of the cheers and
something useful.
respect they never seemed to get. Without them, w e
m a y have lost the war.
Boy, did I learn something useful! I discovered that
would be flying along the shores of Lake Erie from
I salute each of them, they were true leaders. Especially
one 1st Lt. Reuban G. Ricketts from Danville, Virginia. Toledo to Buffalo and would be over the N e w York
M y kind of pilot!
Central Railroad in Cleveland, Ohio at noon. I had
worked for the Railroad for over three years before I
went into the Air Force. M y father had worked there
for over 40 years before he retired. A n d there were at
This confession from John E. "Jack" Butler,
least 2,000 other railroad employees there also. I felt
Navigator. Jack flew with the 67th until shortly after
that I could trust m y sainted mother not to alert the
D-Day, then finished his 30 missions with the 66th.
German Luftewaffte that I would beflyingover the
H e flew in many different planes, but his favorites
Collinwood Locomotive Yard in Cleveland, Ohio at
were the Glory Bee and Southern Comfort.
noon April 15, 1944.1 have felt terrible for almost 55
years that I was unable to resist making that phone
Low Level Raid on the Collinwood Locomotive Yards. call alerting m y Mother that if a shiny n e w B-24
This highly successful low level B-24 bombing raid in
circled the N e w York Central Railroad Yard at noon
April, 1944 was one of the best kept stories of W W 2 .
April 15, 1944, it would be m e . I suspect that m y
A s a result, none of us participants received any of the
mother must have told m y old man, which would
usual medals, but better yet, none of us was court
explain w h y at least 1,000 people were cheering us on
martialled either.
as w e roared by at a very low altitude.
<^3
During April, 1944 a few of us were still young,
d u m b and enthusiastic. I understand there were
several others besides m e w h o were planning on
winning the war single handed if necessary. At any
rate, a bunch of us eager beavers had finally arrived at
Topeka, Kansas for the purpose of picking up a bright,
shiny, brand new B-24. N o w our only problem was to
pick out which rumor w e liked best. Were w e going to
Now about the Low Level Bombing of the Collinwood
Locomotive Yards. There are two gigantic smoke
stacks ideally located for a practice b o m b run. W e had
made one run over the railroad shop at about 1,000
foot altitude. Since every one on the ground knew
what was going on, w e naturally had a terrific
reception. Every one in the Air Force was by n o w
familiar with the genuinely historic L o w Level Raid
38
�r
over Ploesti so w e didn't have too m u c h trouble
convincing the crew that w e probably would never
have a better opportunity for a realistic practice run.
So w e made the b o m b run with excellent results. So
after congratulating the bombardier on his great job, I
reminded him that there were two smokestacks and
w h y not make a great day out of it. So w e did. So far
w e were having a great day. N o w w e were cruising
smoothly d o w n the shores of Lake Erie, headed more
or less toward Buffalo. At this point Knowles, our
pilot calls m e on the intercom and asks m e , "Hey
Butler, don't w e go some where near Niagra Falls?" I
was embarrassed to have to inform him that I was
already a little off course, and that if I didn't make a
correction soon, w e would be right over Niagra Falls
in about 12 minutes. H e said, " H o w long will it take
you to figure the new course?" About 12 minutes I
said. W h e n w e circled Niagra Falls w e didn't drop
below 1,000 feet and only circled
twice.
(Editor's Note: Jack waited 54
years before he would release this
tale.)
<33
From B o b Vance - this reprint of
a editorial by Gordon Sinclair of
Toronto, Canada.
The Marshall Plan and the Truman Policy pumped
billions of dollars into discouraged countries. N o w
newspapers in those countries are writing about the
decadent, warmongering Americans. I'd like to see
just one of those countries that is gloating over the
erosion of the United States dollar build its o w n
airplane. Does any other country in the world have a
plane to equal the Boeing Jumbo Jet, the Lockheed
Tri-Star, or the Douglas D C 10? Is so, w h y don't they
fly them? W h y do all the International lines except
Russia fly American Planes?
Why does no other land on earth even consider
putting a m a n or w o m a n on the m o o n ? You talk about
Japanese technocracy, and you get radios. You talk
about German technocracy, and you get automobiles.
You talk about American technocracy, and you find
m e n on the m o o n - not once, but several times - and
safely h o m e again.
You talk about scandals, and the Americas put theirs
right in the store window for everybody to look at.
Even their draft-dodgers are not pursued and
hounded. They are here on our streets, and most of
them, unless they are breaking Canadian laws, are
getting American dollars from m a and pa at h o m e to
spend here.
When the railways of France, Germany and India
"This Canadian thinks it is time to were breaking d o w n through age, it was the
speak up for the Americans as the
Americans w h o rebuilt them. W h e n the
most generous and possibly the
Pennsylvanian Railroad and the N e w York Central
least appreciated people on all the
went broke, nobody loaned them an old caboose.
earth. Germany, Japan and, to a
Both are still broke.
lesser extent Britain and Italy,
were lifted out of the debris of war
I can name you 5000 times when the Americans raced
by the Americans w h o poured in
to the help of other people in trouble. Can you n a m e
billions of dollars and forgave
m e even one time when someone else raced to the
other billions in debts. None of
Americans in trouble? I don't think there was outside
these countries is today paying
help even during the San Francisco earthquake.
even the interest on its remaining
debts to the United States.
Our neighbors have faced it alone, and I'm one
Canadian w h o is tired of hearing them get kicked
W h e n France was in danger of collapsing in 1956, it
around. They will c o m e out of this thing with their
was the Americans w h o propped it up, and their
flag high. A n d when they do, they are entitled to
reward was to be insulted and swindled on the streets
thumb their nose at the lands that are gloating over
of Paris. I was there. I saw it when earthquakes hit
their present troubles. I hope Canada is not one of
distant cities, it is the United States that hurries in to
those."
help. This spring, 59 American communities were
Stand proud, America! Wear it proudly!
flattened by tornadoes. Nobody helped.
Randy Howard - California Institute of Technology
39
��������Sneaking to the Channel and Freedom
sigh of relief. I didn't have to talk to them I just
"We continued down the path until we were
reached Into my pocket and showed it to them.
stopped near the beach. Two German soldiers
They looked it over, seemed satisfied and moved on.
were on sentry duty walking back and forth. They
walked toward each other and when they met
"When we arrived at our destination which was a
would exchange a few words, turn around and
small town on the coast of Brittany, we were met
walk back. When they were far enough away, the
by a truck (there were about eight of us on the
guide in front of our column would tap three or
train) that took us to a farmhouse about a mile
four of us to sneak by and slide down the cliff to
inland. W e went into a large barn next to the
the beach before the sentries turned around to
house. Straw on the floor was pushed aside to
come back. When we were all down, we waited for
uncover a trap door built into the floor. W e were
the Corvette to come in and pick us up. (Twenty
led down a ladder into a large room in which there
years later, m y wife and I had a chance to go
were about thirty escapees. W e were all happy to
back there; and all I can say is that I was glad it
see each other and shook hands all around, gave
was a dark night, because I don't see how we all
our names and told our stories. W e were told
made it down without casualties. I never would
that an English Corvette would come to take us
have tried it in the day light.) W e were told to
across the Channel as soon as there was a new
take off our shoes and put our socks in them, tie
moon which would occur in two days. In the
the laces together and put them around our neck
meantime we were given food and wine. In the
and roll our pants up over our knees. The
evening we were given blankets and pads on which
Corvette launched three row boats toward the
we slept.
beach and we walked out to meet them. Little did
it help to roll our pants up. W e were up to our
"The night we were to leave finally arrived. We were
waist before we knew it.
given strict instructions on how we were to
proceed to the coast. W e were warned that the
We boarded the "Corvette", were treated royally
coast was heavily guarded and we should be
by the crew and cruised to England, interrogated
perfectly quiet while we walked in single file toward
thoroughly and eventually returned to our group.
the beach. It was dark as pitch when we started.
Not a light was seen. W e headed toward the
"My wife and I did go back, and I followed the
coast single file as instructed. W e went down a
s a m e route I had taken twenty years earlier.
dirt path bordered by four foot hedgerows on
Every one I met remembered me; and at every
each side. W e had gone no further than fifty
place I stopped, friends and neighbors were
yards when one of our guides came running back
invited in, and we had party after party. I still
whispering to us to jump over the hedgerow and
have many friends in France that I correspond
hide quietly behind it. It seemed to m e that we
with to this day and we go back to see them
made one hell of a commotion jumping over the
quite often."
bushes and landing on one another before we
settled down, but a few minutes later two men
came strolling by chatting to each other and not
even realizing that just a few feet from them
about forty men were waiting for them to pass.
L TO R: ToNy Aud Lois CiAi\ci, LiU Af\d M U T O N RosENbUn
M U T W A S to-piloT oi\ T(TE PIANE ii\ wEiicEi Lois's TATEIER, CIAI'R SEIAETTER W A S killed.
#
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"ANOTHER O N E of My jobs W A S TO FiElp WRJTE phoNEy
idENTifiCATiON CARds. WE WOuld EIAVE PHOTOS TAI<EN AN(j
ATTACEI ThHEIVI TO ThlE CARds. WE Also MAdE Up TRAVEl pERMiTS.
I STill EIAVE ThlE ONES I MAdE foR MVSElf."
Department
dcs Cctes-du-Ncrd
CART'E'^IDENTITE:
^
Nationally _yi*tau*£o<L>*
i Lv\u»t
Ne kAjf
de O^AAjkvJiL^
TESTATION
!•*•
w* -#//
BESCHEINIGUNG
SIGNALEMENT
r; 6t
Cneveux
Bousaignl, Moire de
Der Unterraii hoete, BargenrieisH
^/Uu*4
tifie, afill de pouvoir se rendre en lone intwditi de U region totieti,
hcin'igt turn Zwecke der Einreise in die Kusuagprrzoae
. Monsieur, M u H m r . Madinnii i IK- \) 'J&tft e—
^<-Ci^~-^
,n,>l
Herr. Frau, Fr»ttlei»
" '•' I1""111" 'Nairn- u \ornamf
Signes Poi
Le Tit
#
)fession IBI nil (.lot<^7i lieu de natassance ffeburtotag a. Orl)
icilie i 6HUL,. • ™(- ' numei..
bnhafi in
on domicile legal — <rr residenoe habituelle
ien Kren Wohnsiu seinen ihren gewoebnlichan AofenlhaU
AAM4L*+MjfoL, a feuJuAuU^ hat.
table jusqu'an '•' Af*. l1&Ct
A faire p r o r o g e r
t o u s les six m o i s .
CERTIFICAT DE TRAVAIL
IM I
delivre sous la responsabilite de :
"»%V*
^«V
> "amiable,^ poor passer en xone Interdite
AVIS I M P O R T A N T . — Cette attMtatld
Ixloo est on posaeosion d u n s
Am lo r*rji(in ootlare. qua si la p *
frhie.
CJJ le d'ld«ntlM oflloiclle m u n i * d'un*"*
ZUR BEACHTUNO. - Dies* Booohelnlgung b*r*cht1g nur in Verbindung mit elnem
arotllchen Llchtbildauawels *ur EinrelBe in die Kilste aspen-zone.
Quahte :
Imp Modcrrn - Si Briem Li I U4I1I
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TROpUTAIPl1|uo
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M *M*> u
�<3frem itje
^ e s k nf our
President
Last month (May 30) I completed m y prescribed two (2) years as
President of this thriving organization that m y predecessor, Colonel
Roy W. Owen, presided over for five years. You put m e in charge of a
remarkable organization and a strong Executive Board, broad and deep
enough, to fulfill our mission of perpetuating our illustrious history,
honoring the memories of our deceased comrades and providing the
compassion, beneficence and friendship to the families of our fallen
colleagues. I thank all of you for giving m e this opportunity to
represent and serve you in this capacity which I consider to be a
profound privilege and unique pleasure.
I inherited from Colonel Owen a number of initiatives that he had
tendered and that would come to fruition on m y watch. One of the
greatest of these is the Master Historical Data Base ( M H D B ) that will
not only computerize the archival exploits of the 44th Bomb Group but
also the personal histories of every man or w o m a n w h o served with
the 44th in WWII.
Much has been accomplished but much remains to be done and we
cannot rest on past laurels.
As you know, the MHDB program requires funding that is clearly
above our normal operating budget that averages in the area of $30 $35,000 per annum. It is for this reason that I established the special
M H D B Fund and appealed to you for donations to insure its success
and perpetuity. To those w h o responded with your donations I thank
you for your generosity and to those w h o have not yet made their
contributions I appeal once again for whatever you can donate. Let's
make this year the year "CHARITY BEGINS AT H O M E " and, instead of
responding to those appeals w e are "deluged" with almost daily by
mail, phone, fax, e-mail, etc., send your donation this year to the
M H D B FUND, 44th BGVA, R0. Box 712287, Salt Lake City, Utah
84171-2287.
Also, when I assumed the office as your President, I committed to
insuring the financial stability of the association and the growth of
our membership. I a m pleased to let you know that according to our
Treasurer's Annual Report for the period ending December 31, 2000,
w e are financially stable and have been showing an annual surplus for
the past two years.
Our membership also continues to grow despite the ever growing
attrition due to deaths that are occurring with ever increasing
frequency. As of this writing our membership stands at 1,065
members and it is m y goal that with the membership drives still in
effect and/or planned, this number will continue to grow. Many of you
are enrolling members of your family which I believe is one of the best
"gifts" you can give your children and/or grandchildren. It is their key
to the record of your service and contribution to that great victory
over totalitarianism that made you one of those referred to by Tom
Brokaw as "The Greatest Generation." Keep enrolling them and urge
your fellow crewmen/colleagues to do the same.
Thanks to Jerry Folsom's efforts, our 44th BGVA Web Site is now up
and running and the "hits" are growing daily. Keep in mind that it is
new and w e will be making improvements as needed. Also, our newly
appointed A W A R D C O M M I T T E E under the Chairmanship of Robert
Lehnhausen received Board approval to inaugurate THE G E N E R A L
E O N W. J O H N S O N DISTINGUISHED SERVICE A W A R D this year. This
award will become an annual event and the Year 2001 Honoree will be
announced and receive this award at the Shreveport Reunion
scheduled for October 15-18, 2001. Make your reservations N O W for
another one of Mike Yuspeh's fantastic reunions. W e will visit the 8th
Air Force Headquarters, dedicate the B-24J with dignitaries from the
state of Louisiana, city of Shreveport and 8th Air Force, tour
Shreveport, dine and dance to the Big Band Music in the mode of the
one and only GIENN MILIER. RESERVE EARLY!
Congratulations to Robert "Lee" Aston on his belated award of the
DFC and two Oak Leaf Clusters to his Air Medal. He w a s notified on
M a y 15, 2001 of these awards by the Air Force Board for Correction
of Military Records for "...extraordinary achievement while serving as
Navigator on B-24 airplanes on many missions over enemy occupied
Continental Europe" on January 11 and 12, 1945 (Air Medals) and
March 15, 1945 (DFC). "Lee and Chris Spagnola are contacting their
other crew members to meet and renew their friendships at the
Shreveport Reunion in October. Other crews are also planning to
attend, including Bob Dunlop's crew, and those few that are still
remaining from m y original crew in the 66th - Jimmy, Pat, Sam,
George are you listening? I a m counting on Bill Coil's uncle and some
of "Buster" Hazelton's children to be there. See you in Shreveport.
I close with another one of my favorite quotations:
"When the Love of Power exceeds the Power of Love
Take Heed."
Edward K. Mikoloski, President
®
�1
BACI< R o w L TO R:
LEON DEI CRANdE, C O ' P H O T ,
; A j*Yj
C A N ANyoNE idENTify TTIE
CREWMEN JN T1HE fRONT ROW?
•
LT. Edu/ARd COIE,
LT
CRAiq
HAVENS,
ANd
LT. JAMES ZAicEk.
MsSMffi
•
—
ANOTHER RIDDLE RESOLVED
The mission to Zwickau, Germany on April 21,1944 was recalled, but not in time to
prevent the crash of A/C #41-29418 (68th 5q.) at Teverham Mill Lake, near
Norwich, England. Five members of the crew perished: James Zajicek, Navigator;
Edward Cole, Bombardier; Leonard Lambert, Engineer; George Houchens, Radio
Operator; Hal Wood, Ball Turret Gunner; Russell Taylor, Tail Gunner. Pilot Forrest
Havens and Co-Pilot Leon Del Grande survived, but were injured.
Very recently a police diving team found the wreckage with incomplete
lettering on the Poppy's Chillin. The explanation of the crash was rime
ice. The plane was flying into formation, travelling at 144-160 M P H
through overcast, icy conditions. W h e n it reached 14,000 feet, the
aircraft lurched violently and started swerving to the right. The pilots
could not control the ship, and it swerved back to the left, then
CIEMANS
started to spin tightly toward the ground. The plane
then turned on its back and the right wing and tail were torn off by
the violent maneuvers. The two pilots were thrown into the top of
the cockpit, the cabin ripped apart, and they were thrown clear of
the wreckage.
Just recently, fifty seven years later, a memorial stone was laid
in honor of the crew, led by a U S Air Force Guard of Honor. Cole's
sister, Elizabeth Clemans, traveled to the site. Representing the
44th at the Memorial Ceremony was President Mike Mikoloski and
U.K. Representative, Steve
Adams.
This MEMORiftl WAS
dEdiCATEd IN
TAVETihAM, OUTsidE of
Norwich, SATimdAy.
M R M E N F R O M TIHE bASE hoNOR quARd fold TITE A M E R I C A N FUq SATURdAy
duRilMC, A CEREMONy AT TAVERHAM trONORiNq AN AlWERiCAN boNlbER CREW
ThAT CRAshEd NEAR ThE TOWN 5 7 yEARS EARliER. TlHE fUq WAS pRESENTEd TO
Bsny C I E M A N S , rhE SISTER of TIIE boivibARdiER w h o pERishsd irM TEIE cRAsh.
10
�MIKE FUSANO AND THE GENERAL
"I was the
going in or out.
first one to
W h e n nothing
was happening,
see the
the man sat in a
Medal of
little cubby hole
Honor after
and pulled a
it was given
blanket over
to General
himself.
The
Leon
General jested
Johnson,"
that perhaps
said Mike
they should get
Fusano. "I
him a teepee."
congratulated
him on
From his position
receiving it,
as driver, Mike
and he
could enjoy some
immediately
of the hospitality
said, 'Don't
of great leaders.
congratulate
Miks ANd Col. JohNSON
Once
when
me. I am only
General
Johnson
the custodian of the Medal. This is for the boys
went to Hingham to visit Lord Ironside a British
who did all the work.' That was so typical of the
General, the maid came out to the car to serve
General's humility. H e was the greatest man I
Mike tea and crumpets. Lord Ironside had been
have ever known."
relieved of his command after the disastrous
Mike had the unique pleasure of being the driver battle of Dunkirk, so he returned to his special
interest of growing a variety of apples. W h e n
for the great General. Drafted from his family's
Mike would meet him on the streets, he was
olive grove in California, he went to Wichita Falls,
always
greeted warmly; and each time Lord
Texas for his Boot Camp experience, then to
Ironside
wanted a report on how the General was
Shreveport, Louisiana, where he became a member
doing.
of the 44th Bomb Group. In Barksdale he
remembers being just another Dog Face.' From
"I was directed to pick up any walking soldier,"
there he became a member of the motor pool in
Mike remembered. "The General would use that
Ft. Myers, Florida, right in the Everglades. The
opportunity
to find how things were going on the
advantage of that assignment was that they could
base.
One
night
we picked up a Master Sergeant
sometimes go to San Carlos Bay and watch the
going
off
duty
at
midnight. H e stated that there
porpoises leap about.
was rarely any food in the mess hall at that hourjust odds and ends. That was because the men on
"When we went to England,
Liberty Runs got there first
our priest, Father Lamb went
and ate it all.
with us, and I was his driver.
W h e n he got transferred to
the 1st Division, I became a
full-time driver for General
Johnson. H e had a wonderful
sense of humor. W h e n w e
would leave the base, there
was an Indian from Oklahoma
on guard duty. It was his job
to stop and challenge anyone
"That didn't ever happen
again," Mike declared. "The
General changed that,
immediately making
provisions for those going
off duty to eat.
11
�"When the 44th was going on an especially
hazardous assignment, the General would tell m e
to get his parachute, he was going along. H e would
say, 'This is going to be tough. I have to go along
to take responsibility.' O n base he drove himself,
and I drove him when he went to other bases.
Sometimes we would leave at 2:00 a.m., but he
would always insist that I get back for some
sleep, or catch up on a meal. W h e n I wasn't
driving, I had to take care of the car, a 1935
Custom Packard." O n the celebration of the 44ths
200th mission, the General took the wheel and
drove Mike through the base.
WILLIAM MENGES
ARMY COMBAT,
44TH BOMB
GROUP &
MISSILEER
1955
Nam Menges, AF Retiree, got 100 free hours
from ATT, so he called to tell m e his war
experiences. He also called Jerry Folsom to chat.
HE H A S N O T YET D O N E HIS DATABASE, but
promises to do it soon.
Menges started out with the CCC, an organization
created during the Great Depression for young
men w h o couldn't find jobs. In 1942 he was
drafted, and found himself in the 3rd Army,
manning the anti-aircraft search lights in the
Ardennes for General Patton. Later, as a combat
engineer, Menges built bridges for the advancing
army in Luxemburg and Pruuen, Germany.
Look who is dRiviNq MikE FUSANO
Mike had the great experience of being on the
same plane with General Johnson for the Trolley
Run, and heard him explain the details of
everything that had been done. It was truly a
moment of pride for everyone who had
contributed to the war effort.
When the War was over, he took advantage of the
G.I. Bill to study radio, then enlisted in the Air
Corps and was assigned to the 44th BG at Rapid
City, S.D. (He claims to be among the first to don
the Air Force blue uniform.) At Ellsworth he
became a Radar Mechanic. When the 44th had its
transformation into the Missileers, Menges was
there on Permanent Staff. His next assignment
was Expediter on the ICBM and Minuteman
Missiles.
The friendship between the two men continued
until the General's death. If Johnson was in Los
Angeles, Mike and his wife Kaye would visit with
him; and in the latter days of his life, they visited
him in the nursing home in
Fairfax, Virginia.
Menges speaks with true enthusiasm of the high
points of his service experiences. He says in
England he danced with Col. Leon Johnson's
wife, and at Geiger Field he worked with Captain
Chuck Yeager. He says he has four Battle Stars
and some Oak Leaf Clusters. Straddling three
branches of the service in one short lifetime has
been a heady experience for M/Sgt. William
Menges.
When the War was over,
Mike returned to growing
olives and making oil in
Sylmar, California, where
he resides with his wife,
Catherine. H e regards his
time spent with General
Johnson as some of the
brightest moments of his
life.
Mikr FUSANO
12
�SOME THINGS ONLY HAPPEN ONCE ... THE EUROPEAN TOUR
September, 2001 44th BGVA Europe/England Trip (A perfect trip to share with a child or grandchild.)
The trip will be a step back in time and a look into the
Day 6 takes us to Bastogne, Belgium, where an
progressive world that Y O U made possible by your
American tank is the centerpiece in the two square.
valiant sacrifice, fifty seven years ago. Not only will you Our Belgium friend, Peter Loncke will be joining us at
see the cities where you helped wipe out Nazi
the towns of Wibrin and Haufalize, where local people
strongholds, but also
will dedicate a
visit shrines and
memorial at the
cathedrals that
crash site of the
survived from
Pindercrew. From
medieval times to the
there we move to a
present. From
medieval tour, Trier,
September 11-26, you
Germany on the
will barely have time
Mosel River for
to see the wonders
dinner and our
that lie ahead, and the
evening stay. The
history that Y O U
next day's adventure
helped make. Did you
will be a 4-1/2 hour
know the Parisians cut
cruise on the Rhine
the cables of the Eiffel
River.
Tower when the city
The Gothic
fell, so the Germans
Cathedral in
could not use it as a
Cologne is still a
radio tower? It remajestic sight, even
W A R R O O M of TITE 14-TLt WiNq Hp. C A N ANyoNE idENTify TIHESE sTRATEqisTS?
though
the entire city
opened after V-E Day,
was devastated by the bombing. At Wesel we will visit
with free rides for any
the crash site of Louis DeBlasio's and Bob Vance's
G.I. who happened along. Did you know a day at the
Louvre is not nearly long enough to see the work of the plane, then later to the cemetery where their crewmen
are buried, then on across the Channel, past the White
Old Masters? You might get through one section.
At Caen the Wehrmacht was desperately holding onto Cliffs of Dover and on to Norwich. W e will see the
Memorial Library, the Shipdham Airfield and the 14th
the city, acting on Hitler's mistaken idea that the main
invasion would be at Pas de Calais. N o w Caen's biggest Combat Wing Hq., and have an opportunity to meet
our special guests from Shipdham Village and the
attraction is a Memorial M u s e u m for Peace, honoring
British Legion. Too soon we will say good-bye to Steve
those who fought both w a r s - W W I and WWII. At
Adams, Phyllis DuBois, Peter Loncke, Luc
Normandy, even those who have previously seen the
Dewez, Andrew Doubleday and all our
exhibits and cemetery will again marvel at the
other
friends; then on to Duxford,
awesome undertaking of that landing, assisted by B-24
Cambridge and London. Coming
bombers that cut off German support of the troops at
home, our heads may be swimming,
the coast. Enemy cannons still protrude from cement
but our hearts will be brimming at
bunkers, testimony of the deadly battle that ensued.
We will have lunch in Reims, a 2000 year old city and the memories of a holiday that can
never be replicated.
scene of Napoleon's last victorious battle. Reims is
Take
a young family member.
now famous for its champagne, and the home of
It's a great lesson in history.
General Eisenhower's SHAPE headquarters. From
Call Larry HerpeI at
there, we will see Verdun and Luxembourg.
1-888-317-7483.
13
��f~
PHASES Of
THI
RESIORAnON
OFTHI
"LOUISIANA
BELLE
i**#
JOIN US IN E
BARKSDALE!
V
15
�44th B o m b Group
Veterans
Assn. Reunion - 2001
€?
mm
le of Capri Hotel - Bossier City, LA
Barksdale AFB
October 15,16,17, & 18, 2001
Reunion Registration Form
Please print or type. All Information must be complete:
First N a m e (Tag)
Last N a m e
Spouse
Squadron #
Life M e m b e r
Address
City
State
Phone
E-Mail
Zip Code
Guests & Relation
Number to Attend
@ $215.00 Each
Amount $
Tour #1- City Tour of Shreveport
Number on Tour
@ $25.00 Per Person
Amount $_
Tour # 2- Tour of Natchitoches & Lunch
Number on Tour
@ $55.00 Per Person
Amount $_
Total Amount Remitted
Check #
Amount $
Description of tours are in last issue of the 8 Ball Tails.
Registration Includes: Everything on agenda except tours as listed above.
Registration must be received by September 10,2001.
Hotel registration must be m a d e directly with Isle Of Capri Hotel & Casino by phone only
Toll free (800) 843-4753.
Check M a d e Payable to: 44th B o m b Group Veterans Association (44th BGVA)
Mail to: Mike Yuspeh - 7214 Sardonyx Street - N e w Orleans, LA 70124-3509
Phone: (504)283-3424 Fax: (504) 283-3425 (Picks up on 6th ring)
E-Mail: Mikeyuspeh@juno.com
16
�MAJOR URSEI HARVEII ANC! T^E
Wolf P A C L
MARCIH 10, 1945
"This bit of history
w a s m a d e aboard
an old French
passenger vessel
that had seen
better days, the
Chantilly. It could
have been
considered a luxury
liner twenty years
ago, that is, in the
Indian Ocean trade.
The British took
her over and
ordered her to
England via N e w York. W e went aboard her there for the
memorial crossing of the North Atlantic, a normal crossing in
that ship w a s a feat without the menace of the jerry wolfpacks.
Concrete gun turrets and gun emplacements had added
considerably to the weight of the upper structure which m a y
have interfered with the ship's balance on its usual run from
Capetown, Durban to Suez on the East Coast of Africa, but one
look at this tub and the calendar w a s enough to forecast the
type of crossing w e had ahead.
survivors, and the escort w a s entirely too busy. As I
contemplated these things, one by one the big red lights on the
mast head would disappear leaving only the small red lights
moving up and down on the heavy swells, gradually
disappearing astern. I began to move about to get w a r m and
ordered the m e n to move around, but stay in the vicinity of their
assigned boat stations. I suddenly realized that I hadn't checked
the top side boats to see if the native members of the crew
(Lascars of India) had not already found refuge in them. I had
been ordered to shoot them if necessary to keep them out. I
moved forward a little uncertainly at first with legs that seemed
tired on a deck that never seemed level. Glancing into the
blackness of the life boats w a s a mere routine, knowing full
well that the boats could never be launched anyway. I looked
out to port, hoping that I couldn't see the nearest ship, but in
vain, as its full outline w a s visible to me, black against lighter
sky. I felt m y heart quicken a little as the realization of
periscopic sighting dawned on me.
My nerves had settled down a little bit and my hopes had risen
some as w e had made a turn since the last attack. I had just
ducked into a gangway to light a cigarette, and w a s coming
back on deck when a terrific explosion off our port b o w nearly
lifted our ship out of the water. At first I thought it w a s our
We ran into foul weather about the 8th of March, the a/c carrier ship and I listened for the alarm bell, but the red light on the
turned back the 10th, about 4:40 p.m., the taffrail boom w a s
ship nearest to us told m e it w a s not yet our time. This little
dipping the water with every roll, chairs and tables were lashed
freighter started to settle very fast and seemed to settle to its
down; then at 6:30, just two hours after the main escort had
watery grave even before w e had fully passed it. There were
turned back, the most terrifying sub attack you've ever read
more little red lights in the water, more gripping of the railing,
about hit us. First to go w a s the deputy commodore starboard
yes, yes, and more prayers. In quick succession two more ships
to forward, then a freighter directly opposite us, starboard,
were torpedoed beyond the point where the freighter had just
which saved us the first time, by taking the torpedo which w a s
been hit. I could also hear depth charges going off in that
intended for us. Our silhouette w a s much higher on the surface
direction and thought that it w a s about time somebody started
than the smaller vessels around us and having the
to fight back and could feel a little warmth stealing through m y
characteristics of a troopship w a s naturally the prize target for
veins from anger. Anger at the Navy at so little defense, anger
the Hun. I felt sorry for the little fellows w h o unknowingly were at the enemy for operating on such a night not giving a m a n a
running interference for us and paying with their lives. Another
chance, anger at the Army for putting skilled troops in an eight
tanker further to starboard w a s hit and sunk without burning.
knot convoy, and anger at yourself for standing there unable to
Then it became quiet. I clenched the railing at m y station
do anything but watch the slaughter. Then again, farther to
expecting the deck to heave up in m y face any moment. I
starboard, this time two more ships put up red lights. All w a s
glanced out at the red light that always goes on at top mast
quiet once more. An hour went by and nothing more happened.
when a ship w a s hit. There were three such distress signals and It w a s then midnight.
dozens of little red lights around each ship. I knew they were
attached to m e n w h o could live only a few minutes in that
I went below to the main lounge to see what was going on
Arctic water. Convoys never slow down or stop to pick up
below. There were twelve Dutch fliers from Java, an American
17
���formally open this n e w facility, which will be the finest American Memorial Library of its kind
in the world and a fitting tribute to the debt that w e o w e to the United States Air Force. At the
m o m e n t w e have over 690 U S Veterans and their families flying over for this historical
occasion. This week the Norwich City Council formally approved the rare award of the
Freedom of the City to the 2nd Air Division U S A A F Association, the only unit of the U S Air
Force to ever receive this honour.
Keeping the records of the 8th Air Force has been one of our essential tasks and we
were all so delighted w h e n w e first saw the Military Heritage Database project and realized
the massive benefits. Last year at the 2nd A D A Convention at Tampa, w e and our archivist
looked at it in more detail and c a m e away convinced that this is the most unique record w e
have ever seen. Indeed the Memorial Trust has agreed to help the project financially
because of the importance. Here is a chance for future generations to see, learn and
understand what happened in those days and a vital part of our records.
However, as I began my letter, time is against us, for unless we can get these records,
histories, stories and people on the database now, m a n y items will be lost forever in the next
year or so. Here in the U K that database will be a vital part of the Memorial Library as I a m
sure it must be in your American Air Force Memorial. Therefore m a y I end with this heartfelt
plea that you can support this database project as a most urgent item, for this understanding
and detailed record of history needs to be available both in the U S A and the U K as well as
elsewhere, so that future generations will never forget the debt that they o w e to the United
States Air Force.
In Norfolk we have a saying about the 2nd Air Division USAAF, "They came as friends,
they stayed as friends, they have remained friends and w e and future generations will
always remember them with pride and affection." This unique database will play a great part
in that appreciation.
Finally, I hope you will not object to me writing to you, but we realize that your support is
vital to the success of this outstanding project. W e do hope you will be able to m a k e the
dream become a reality.
Yours sincerely,
David J. Hastings
Vice Chairman
Editor's Note: The information on the Database will be used on both sides of the Atlantic. Do
you biography now. Your story is important.
*
20
�VIVID MEMORIES OF T. J. FEENEY, LTC USA (Ret)
66th Squadron 44th B G (Staff Sgt. Tail Gunner)
ThlE KlEJNSclHMidT CREW
BAck ROW: KlEiNSchMidT"PiloT,
SpOVER"CO'Piloi, R0SSEVELT"NAViqAT0R.
FRONT R O W : DiqqiNS"ENqiNEER,
ThoMAS"WAisT G U N N E R ,
GonshAlU'WAisT & BAII TURRET G U N N E R ,
FEENEy"TAil TURRET G U N N E R ,
GROwdEN"NosE G U N N E R & ToqqlEER,
GoRNEn^RAciio OPERATOR.
T h o m a s J. Feeney "Joe" volunteered for Aerial
Gunnery School when he learned that with a problem
of depth perception, he could not be a pilot. H e
became a Tail Gunner at Tyndall Field, Florida, then
went to Lincoln, Nebraska to join his crew. From
there it was O T U at G o w a n Field, Boise, ID, then on
to Shipdham to join the 66th Sq. of the 44th B o m b
Group.
"Our first three missions were to Magdeburg, where
w e encountered the most flak of all the missions w e
went on," he recalled. Equally disconcerting was the
ominous briefing on the morning their crew was
assigned to fly over Cologne. It still rings in Feeney's
memory: "If you hit the Cathedral, don't bother to
come back." Pilot Lt. Arnold P. Kleinschmidt, on the
Glory Bee was flying lead. They flew past the famous
Cathedral and hit their target-the Deutch Bridge
which was a primary artery for the German supply
lines, and they did c o m e back. Forty nine years later,
Feeney was pleasantly surprised to see the photograph
that had been shot at 22,000 feet by their bomb-sight
camera appear in National Geographic.
The Glory Bee and the German Jet
"On April 25, 1945 we were on a mission to
Swabische Halle. Our photo interpretation people had
spotted an airfield there with elongated runways. They
21
figured it was a jet base, so w e were sent to b o m b it.
However, in looking up, I saw one diving straight
d o w n at us from 12:00 o'clock. I turned m y turret up
and then watched as the jet went straight d o w n
through our formation. It was traveling so fast, m y
guns were always behind him as I tried to track him;
and so close, I could see the German pilot's face as he
passed by. I often thought (mistakenly) I could have
hit him with a rock instead of trying to get that turret
to m o v e fast enough to get him. However, the mission
was successful.
Bomb Stuck in Bomb Bay
Feeney and William H. Diggins, Engineer, are the
last surviving members of the Kleinschmidt crew.
Previously they had written recollections to each
other, all treasures in Feeney's book of memories.
Kleinschmidt wrote, " O n one mission w e had
dropped our bombs and realized w e had a b o m b hung
in the b o m b bay. The bombs were attached to a
shackle by a cable which activated the b o m b as it left
the b o m b bay. This one didn't leave. The engineer
crawled out with a pair of pliers and seven minutes of
oxygen at 22,000 feet to cut the wire. H e had to crawl
out on the catwalk in the bottom of the ship over the
open b o m b doors. H e did it. If he hadn't, the b o m b
could have detonated and blown us out of the sky."
�had enough altitude to m a k e it home. W h e n w e got
Feeney's eyes followed the dropping missile. "As w e
there w e were at 250 feet and the tower told us to go
moved away from the release point, the b o m b left a
trail of smoke until it hit the middle of a large; solitary around. W e didn't go around and that liner held."
farm house in the middle of a huge German field. W e
The crew remembers one more interesting facet of
were unable to assess the damage w e inflicted on this
that adventure. "As w e continued back across the
'no choice target'."
Channel and losing altitude rapidly, Kleinschmidt
ordered us to ditch everything including our machine
Remembering Frankfurt
guns, a m m o and our A-3 bags. Our A-3 bags! They
contained
our escape kits, mainly stocked with
In Feeney's records he found this report by his pilot
in
cigarette and silk stockings." (Editor'sNote: While
correspondence with L T C M a u r y Dyer, another
Kleinschmidt worried about getting them back to
friend w h o served in the 66th Sq. (deceased).
Shipdham safely, Feeney was thinking of the loss of
"I guess the worst situation I was ever in was when Ibargaining power, tossing cigarettes and silk
stockings.)
lost two engines in a snow storm over Germany.
"We were flying blind on a mission to the interior ofDelivering the Gas
Germany when I got hit by flak and lost an engine.
When the War was nearing the end, Patton's Third
The rest of the squadron flew off and left m e . W e
A r m y was swiftly and forcefully breaking through
could see the black shells exploding all around us and
w e were losing altitude. I got out of the main flight
enemy defenses. They ran short of gasoline for their
tanks, and the 44th was one of the groups that
pattern and tried to restart the engine," he said.
" W h e n I tried the engine, I lost oil pressure in another supplied them. This was a very low level drop.
Feeney remembers dropping 50 gallon drums of
engine and saw the prop of the second engine fly off
past the window into space."
gasoline at tree top level.
"Now we were down to two engines. We were out of
the Frankfurt flak area, and I called in code for fighter
help. W e were losing 200 feet per minute and I had
only a 17-mile corridor to fly through to try to make it
to a safe landing place. W e got our fighter escort and
he took us across the b o m b line where the ground
fighting was taking place in France and then broke
radio code by saying, 'Sweetheart, I'm home. You can
make it now.' That was a big no-no.
"I did not see any of them spill or shatter," he
recalled. "The reason they didn't, was the wooden
construction shaped like an hourglass with rounded
wooden tops and bottoms that permitted the drums to
roll w h e n dropped." They did not encounter flak on
this mission, but did contend with small arms fire.
One memory of that mission continues to haunt him.
H e saw a flyer from his o w n outfit hung up with his
chute draped over the rudder of another B-24.
"Sure enough, the Germans heard him. I told the crew
to watch for them and here they came. W e headed for
Encountering a 'Maverick'
the overcast 9,000 below. A s the nose gunner turned
his turret to fire, the door flew off the turret and struck
On one of our missions we were forced to abort just
the wing between the two engines and ripped a gash
short of our target and return to England. O n the
in the wing. I could see the latex liner swell out of the
return flight w e had no fighter cover. I spotted a single
gas tank on the right wing. If it broke, that was it. W e
fighter above us directly approaching our tail. I fired
were in a high-speed stall and almost shaking apart.
above him so he could see m y tracers. H e continued
But I dropped the nose and w e were okay again.
and I fired below him. Since he continued in I zeroed
in on him and forced him to turn off. The Martin
"I was trying to contact the British to get permission
Turret also fired on him. H e radioed our craft and
to land on the crash strip just across the Channel
pulled parallel to us but out of range. H e identified
when w e broke out of the overcast and I thought w e
himself as a P-51 fighter and wanted to k n o w why w e
�were firing on him. Needless to say w e kept him well
covered and he eventually pulled off and disappeared.
employed by Fairfax County, V A as Deputy Director
of Assessments until 1976.
The matter was the subject of much discussion among Feeney and his wife, Mildred, the former Mildred
our crew. W h e n w e were debriefed w e were told it
Caverly of Toronto, Canada, live in Mechanicsburg,
may well have been a P-51 but it was not one of ours.
Pennsylvania. The couple celebrated their 51 st
W e were also told that w e had no aircraft in the area
anniversary in this past March. Mildred n o w a U.S.
and the marking were unknown to our intelligence
citizen, served in the R.C.A.F., the Women's Division
people. W e were told w e did the right thing in firing
at Air Force bases in Canada and England from 1942on the craft.
46. Feeney joined the Keystone Capital Chapter of
the Retired Officers' Association, and continues to
In June, 1994 the USAF Historical Agency at
serve as its Treasurer. H e assists in fund drives to help
Maxwell A F B , A L advised m e that they had no
the Hospice Unit of the Lebanon, P A Veterans
record of downed P-51 's being rebuilt by the
Administration Medical Center.
Germans. Then in July, 1994 I learned from
L T C Maury Dyer U S A F (Ret) that when he
flew with the 44th, he was informed that the
Germans did use cannibalized parts from
aircraft that crashed or were forced to land
in Germany. H e said that "what got our
people's attention was that w e could be shot
down by one of them."
They were called 'Mavericks.'
Before the war, Feeney was attending
Northeastern University in Boston, M A .
Following discharge, he returned to the
University, earning a B S in Business
Administration. Shortly thereafter he
reenlisted in the army in CIC. After training at Ft.
Holabird, M D and serving as an agent in Washington
D C , he received a direct commission in the Finance
Corps. H e served with the A r m y Audit Agency and
held a number of General Staff assignments in
Alaska, the U.S. and Korea.
JOE ANC! MildREd FEENEY W'T^ Col. Roy DEVEcchio
AWARDS and DECORATIONS
The army decided to send him to the University of
Colorado where he earned his M B A in 1962. His last
foreign duty was a Comptroller Advisor to the Iranian
Forces and their S C S ( D O D equivalent). H e was
stationed with A R M I S H M A A G Hqs. in Tehran, Iran.
(The Shah was still ruling at that time, and the
relations with American personnel were very good.
After Feeney left, his replacement was murdered, and
matters continued to go d o w n hill after that.) His last
assignment was a Chief Pay Systems, Office Chief of
Finance, D.A. H e also served as chairman of the D O D
Military Pay Conference Committee. H e retired in
November, 1968. Following retirement he was
23
Legion of Merit, Hq. Dept. of Army, July 31, 1968
A M w/1 O L C , 8th Air Force, 1945
D O D Joint Service Commendation Army Medal,
11 March 1965
D A Army Commendation Medal. 11 March 1965
Army G C
American Campaign Medal
Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaign Medal
w/4 Battle Stars
World War II Victory Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Armed Forces Reserve Medal
Imperial Iranian Forces Commendation,
November 18, 1967
�COLLECTING OUR HISTORY
In the last issue of 8 Ball Tails under Will
Sez I complimented and congratulated
our Prez, Ed Mikoloski and Pete Frizzell
for working so hard and successfully to
salvage many of our 44th BG's photos.
Pete had made a long flight from Florida
to Massachusettes to meet Ed Mikoloski
and a quick drive to southern Maine.
These two men managed to get great
cooperation from Rick Becker, a dealer,
to copy many photos already sold on the
Internet and to purchase the remaining
44th B G photos on hand at a bargain
basement price.
At that time we were sure that we had
obtained all of the photos that Bill
Robertie had accumulated after the war,
having worked with Capt. HarveII, our
official photographic officer, for years to
get copies of all that HarveII had in his
44th collection. I had contacted Bill
Robertie's widow, Hazel, verified that she
would donate all those photos remaining
in her possession. She said that she had
placed them all in a medium sized box
and would be mailing them to m e shortly,
as she was moving that next weekend.
Two weeks later the box arrived with
numerous photos, but most of them were
nose art of other groups, along with some
fine photos used in Harvell's book. But
there were no crew photos! Disappointed
with the lack of those precious photos, I
wondered if perhaps they did not take or
at least keep copies of our later 1944 and
1945 crews? It was a mystery.
But shortly afterwards Deja Vu came into
the picture. Yes, again, many beautiful
44th B G crew photos were up for bid on
the Internet! Astounding and frustrating!
H o w can that be -- where had they c o m e
from? Had w e not got all that Hazel had
in her basement? No! It was soon learned
that again, Rick Becker had many more
of our crew photos up for sale! Source?
Again, it was from Robertie's basement.
And again it was Pete Frizzell rushing to
his airport in Florida with all of his camera
equipment, flying up to meet Prez Ed,
and driving back to South Berwick, Maine
to try again to make a deal with Rick.
This is a story up to date. Surely now
there will not be a third "appearance" of
new Harvell/Robertie photos. But I can't
emphasize enough how extremely lucky
w e have been to have the interest and
support of Pete Frizzell. Without his alert
But this time it was different because the searches of the Internet, as well as his
taking time off work and having the
m a n who had purchased all of the
photographic equipment on hand,
remaining things in Hazel's basement -dropping all activities, w e surely would
things she could not take with her -- had
have lost forever a large portion of our
learned the value of old photographs after
photographic
history. Rick Becker was so
his first sale to Rick. This time it cost Rick
impressed
with
his character that he fully
$3,000, so there was no way the 44thers
trusted
Pete
with
complete control of
could afford to purchase his remaining
those precious photos. Rick even took
photos. Instead, Rick was good enough
Pete to dinner! Rick himself, deserves the
to permit Pete to take his own photos of
thanks
and appreciation of all of us. He,
his originals -- approximately 200 of
too,
helped
make it possible.
them. W e did not get the originals back
but w e did not lose those rare crew
In retrospect, our problems resulted from
photos that had eluded our efforts over
assuming that Mrs. Robertie was fully
the past 10 years. I a m sure that in the
aware of the records that Bill had
approximate 200 "new" crew photos, I
accumulated over the years. Obviously,
have very few in my collection. Now,
she did not because several years ago
when those negatives are converted to
she told m e that there were N O photos in
pictures, w e will have photos of so many
her basement. Too, Hazel was deep into
of our combat m e n available to add into
the confusion of moving. I can relate to
our data base.
that problem having just moved for the
Steve Adams was able to outbid others to first time in 40 years. She was having to
pack herself alone and time was running
obtain several of these photos, but for the
out.
So she elected to call for help to
most part, one bidder, Huckleberryduck
dispose of what remained in her
has outbid almost all others. Per Steve's
basement as she had no need for it.
arithmetic, he has already spent over
$2,200 for those that he has acquired.
Although it was a difficult situation,
And there will be many more on which to
nevertheless, w e all should give our
bid. Fortunately, too, two other m e n w h o
sincere
thanks to the Robertie family for
were very interested in these photos,
the years that they served in the 2nd A D A
managed to successfully bid on several
and for their treasure trove of 44th B G
of them. W h e n contacted by Steve
historical material.
Adams, both m e n volunteered to provide
copies for us. O n e asked to join our
organization. He is most welcome, of
v.
®
course, and he even suggested that as a
m e m b e r he might donate all of his
originals later in his life. Great! Some
wonderful things have resulted even
through the bad luck we've experienced.
24
�happened to him/them on THAT DAY. It then would
seem to be more like a book, adding the many
interesting and appropriate information to bring out
the personal touch. If there were additional diaries
written covering this same mission, how much greater
May, 2001
the scope of the "picture" could be. This data could
include the b o m b load, time of takeoff, altitude,
I suspect that most of you 44thers are aware that I temperatures, types and number of aircraft attacks,
have been working at the "job" of 44th BG Historian for type and severity of enemy actions, on to events that
many years. So I should have and did accumulate a
occurred in this or other planes that day. With so much
goodly number of your personal diaries and your
of this type of information already collected, there
accounts of personal experiences. Many of these I
surely must be some way to utilize it.
used in m y old book, Roll of Honor and Casualties, and
A few days after writing that letter I got a phone call
some of these could have made their way into the data
from our great friend, Arlo, reminding m e that he had
base for those connected with the loss of our planes
foreseen this need when he developed the program
and crews. For the most part, however, they had not
been processed, but should have. The main reason that and already had it available. He had m e turn on m y
they are not yet data entered is their condition and cost computer and then "walked" m e through it! Yes,
indeed, his program was up and running, needed only
to process. So many of them were handwritten, and
to be provided the stories! So, the program is already
are now scattered through out all of m y inept file
there, the stories and diaries are here, then the next
system.
step, of course, would be to get a move on, have them
Obviously, here in these personal stories and diaries data entered.
there are considerably more elements of our history
Arlo had an answer to that eventually, as well. I must
tied up, both large and short, that should be added to
our data base. I have saved them for years in the hopes first "dig" them out, and that is almost literal, to make
them available to a data entry team. Hopefully, there
that we could get them into other books, or hopefully,
into a computer program. But much to m y amazement, could be volunteers found out there among our
members w h o would be willing to type the stories onto
I have learned that it truly is possible! I have
a
computer disk in a uniform way. If sufficient
mentioned these diaries to Arlo Bartsch on several
occasions in the past two years but never in any detail. volunteers cannot be found, then we should pay for
this service. Then Arlo need only to get the disks to
He would always assure m e that it could be done and
transfer the data to the proper places in the data base.
that he had foreseen the value of them and wrote
IF w e get enough volunteer cooperation on this
programs to do that type of data entry.
project, w e could save money on data entry costs and
A few days ago I got serious with that subject, wrote a
w e could make our current funds go so much further,
letter to Arlo describing m y hopes and including some
enriching our data base history. In other words, it
forms and suggestions and sent them to him. Earlier I
could furnish the readers with so many more
had given him two very good diaries for him to read so
interesting and factual details about the way this war
that he could appreciate how valuable they were for
was fought and won in the air.
our history, and hoped that he might try to find a
For those of you who haven't already obtained one of
solution to get them entered. It had not happened and
Arlo's CDs let m e try to detail for you how these diaries
therefore I had incorrectly assumed that it could not be
and stories could be located in the data base. See the
done. Perhaps m y hopes that these diary stories could
following instructions, but please bear with m e as I
not be made readily available to the reader straight
have little knowledge of the proper computer
from the sortie reports that have already been entered.
terminology to use in such a procedure.
If they could, then our readers would be able to view
the sortie reports and know immediately if any crew
II u( ^£4/nay
member had recorded his experiences of what
WILL SEZ
25
�HOW TO USE THE DISK FOR PERSONAL STORIES AND DIARIES IN ARLO'S 44TH BGVA
MILITARY HERITAGE DATA BASE PROGRAM
1 - Bring up the 44th BG Data Base Program from Start Up.
2 • CLICK on LOAD SEIECTED G R O U P in the upper left section • 44th BG • it is the default Bomb Group already
loaded and waiting.
3 • On this Main Menu Screen CLICK on PERSONAL MILITARY R E C O R D S (top left block).
4 • This will bring up the Personal Selection Form. In 'FIND W H O ' type in the Block Space the last name of the
person you are checking and CLICK on SEIECT.
5 • This will bring up the 44th BG's complete listing of personnel, but specifically to the ALPHA area of the
name that you selected. Find the specific full name of your search, move cursor to this person's line, then
CLICK on it E F T SIDE BLOCK to darken it, and CLICK on the top right hand box, SEIECT.
This will bring up a summary listing of all missions flown by this person, in date sequence.
6 • Also available here are buttons to obtain Personal Biography and Crew Photos.
Move the cursor to the Mission Number desired or date or mission target and CLICK on the small box, left side.
It will darken. Then move cursor to bottom of page.
CLICK on box S H O W CREW. A FULL SCREEN SORTIE REPORT will appear for that mission. Select the name of
the crew member that has an incident or story to tell. Move the cursor to the small box to the left of his
name and CLICK on it. This will highlight that box, then move cursor down to bottom of page to the box
labeled VIEW PRINTOUT, and CLICK on that box.
This will bring up a new full screen, again with some mission data but set up only for this airman and his story
or account of this mission. It will show his full name, Rank and Duty. Below this line and for the
remainder of the page is space available for this crewman's complete story. If the story is extensive, it
will continue on to another page. Or it might show only some basic facts, such as bomb load, time of
takeoff, degree of flak, etc.
If other crew members also have personal accounts, they, too, can be accessed by the same procedure.
To return to the Flight Crew Report for this mission, CLICK on the "X" box, top right corner.
DISKS ARE AVAILABIE FOR $153. WRITE:
44th Bomb Group Veterans Association, RO. Box 71228, Salt Lake City, UT 84171-2287
hbombgrou p.com
1. .sv**: ^a&pre
v_
%
26
�February, 2001
Prepared by:
and his final one with the V. J. Scherburg crew. Pat
was a devoted member of the 44th BGVA, once getting
out of his sick bed to attend another reunion.
CRITTENDEN, CHARLES A. - Date Unknown - Mail
Returned. He appears to have been a member in the
early 1950's.
DUNKERSLEY, GAYLE J. - Date Unknown - 0-688006.
He was a Navigator on the E. A. Herzing crew that was
assigned to the 506th Squadron in March, 1944. They
flew their first mission on 1 April and their second and
last one on 8 April 1944. All crew members became
Prisoners of War for 13 months.
BEEBE, TRAVIS -17 August 1997 - He was a
member of the 806 Chemical Company that worked
closely with the Ordnance sections of the four
Squadrons.
FEINSTEIN, (FENTON) MILTON S. -1991 - 0-735298.
Navigator. 66th Squadron. He flew his first mission
with the G.R. Insley crew on 27 September 1943. This
crew completed their tour on 20 April 1944, returned
to the US for R&R. But these dedicated men returned
to the 44th again, and were assigned to the 506th
Squadron. Flew their first mission of the second tour
on 1 August 1944, many times flying in A/C Southern
Comfort. Capt. Feinstein completed his 47th mission
on 25 April 1945, the last mission of the war.
CHANDLER, LAWRENCE W. - 24 November 2000 36427258. 68th Squadron. He served as Engineer of
the A. A. Starring crew that arrived at Shipdham on 8
December 1943. This crew was involved with
learning many of the RAF lessons about the German
A.F. tactics and several practice flights. On 21
January 1944 they flew their first and last mission,
were shot down by enemy aircraft. They were one of
the four planes and crews lost by the 68th Sq. that
day. Lawrence was the only crewman to evade
capture, had many dangerous moments before he
successfully made his way back to London on 20
May. He spent two days at Shipdham before
returning to the US on 23 May 1944.
COLIC, PATRICK L. - Date Unknown - 506th
Squadron. "Pat" was a gunner on the T. G. Water's
crew that arrived in the 44th BG in June, 1944, and
the last of his tour on 14 January 1945. His
last mission with the Waters crew came on 2
January 1945, flown as Right Waist Gunner.
t Included in these last few missions were
those with the crews of H. C. Tyree, Ogden
FLESHER, ISAAC A. - August, 1998 (incorrectly shown
as Flesber in Spring issue). 16053266. Joined the 68th
Squadron on 3/31/42. Was with the ground echelon
that departed NYC in September, 1942 on board the
Queen Mary. Was a Radio Operator, transferred over to
combat, flew his first mission 27 January 1943 with
the W.T. Holmes crew. He was wounded on the Kiel
mission 14 May 1943. He also flew the Ploesti mission
on 1 August 1943 with the J. H. Diehl crew and
completed his tour of 25 missions with the Hughes
crew on 18 November 1943. He continued to serve on
DS and finally returned to the US on 14 April 1944.
27
�r FOREHAND, CHARLES C. -14 February 2001 - 67th
NORTHFELT, W A L L A C E D. - Date Unknown 506th Squadron. He served as Navigator on the
W.C. Irwin crew that was assigned to the 506th
Squadron on 27 February 1944. Their first and only
mission was 18 March 1944, when badly damaged by
flak, were forced to land in Switzerland, interned.
Squadron. He flew his first mission on the first 44th
BG mission of 7 November 1942, but with the 68th Sq.
crew of J. D. Dubard, Waist Gunner. His last mission
on Kiel raid, 14 May 1943 was with the C.L. Phillips
crew, 67th Squadron. The airplane was shot down,
with Charles and three others becoming P O W s . He had
a total of eleven missions.
PETERSON, WOODROW W. - 4 April 2001 - 67th
Squadron. Woodrow was a Radio Operator on the W. F.
Gilbert crew which flew their first mission on 30 May
1944. Included in his missions was the first mission on
D-Day, June 6th. He concluded his tour of duty - 30
missions - on 3 August 1944.
JENNEY, THELO - 5 July 2000. He was a member of
the 464th Sub-Depot.
LIGHT, HERBERT M. -11 March 2001. 0-727354. He
joined the 68th Squadron on 8/3/42, arrived in England
on 10/2/42 as the Bombardier on the J. H. Diehl crew.
He was a member of the R. Phillips crew that attacked
the Ploesti Oil Fields on 1 August 1943. Completed his
tour of duty on 22 August 1943 and transferred to the
2nd Air Division in mid-September, 1943. He was
credited with shooting down one enemy aircraft, F W
190 on 3/18/43.
PINO, PIETRO - 5 March 2001 - 0-807042. Co-pilot for
the W. L. Wahler crew that was assigned to the 67th
Squadron on 3 February 1944. First mission was flown
on 25 February, and last one dated 31 July 1944. On 8
April 1944, their aircraft was badly damaged by fighter
attacks but managed to get back to the base. There,
most of the crew bailed out before the two pilots
skillfully landed their B-24 without further damages or
injuries. Pietro's last few missions were flown with
different 1st pilots.
McCLANE, JOHN W - Date Unknown - 0-814368. 68th
Squadron. John was a Navigator on the C. D. Peretti
crew that arrived at Shipdham AAF Base on 14 April
SUDDRETH, RAY-16 November2000-0-817861 Lt.
1944. In a very short period he flew his first of 29
Suddreth joined the 68th Squadron on 3/5/44 and
missions on 22 April. And again in less than a week
completed
his tour on 10/3/44. His early missions
attacked Berlin. John seemed to consider Lili Marlene
as their aircraft. This crew was sent to a rest home for were flown as co-pilot for the J. W. Principe crew
starting on 5/23/44, and flew two of the three missions
a week on 13 September 1944. John completed his
of D-Day with that crew. On 9/10/44 he flew his first
tour on 2 October 1944 and was transferred to the
mission of many others as 1st Pilot.
70th Replacement Depot on 9 October 1944 to be
returned to the US. John was very active in his work
WILSON, ALFRED R. - 5 February 2001 - 0-753096 with the 44th BG. He served on the Board in the early
Bombardier. Alfred flew his first mission as a member
44th H M G for many years. Too, he was their official
of the D. H. Dines crew on 26 April 1944. He flew many
video technician, recording all of their reunions,
of his early missions with the R. E. Van Ess crew,
recording many interviews during these reunions even
including one on D-Day. Then, was with several
in England and every banquet in their entirety. He
different 506th Squadron crew until he completed his
seldom was able to enjoy a hot meal at any of these
tour of duty on 2 November 44 with the G. M. Beiber
affairs. John also absorbed all of the video expenses
crew.
and donated the film records to the 44th BG archives.
John also compiled three booklets of his experiences
from training and all through each of his missions.
John had the great courage to tell one and all about his
personal fears during many of these missions and in
detail. He had the courage to donate these
booklets to our archives so that everyone will
know just how difficult these missions were
for our airmen. W e salute you, John.
28
�From
Bob Laas,
this poem by
Roger
Freeman
September, 1996
D o you remember Little Joe, a guy just five feet one?
But he stood as tall as any man when up against the Hun.
He'd swing that ball and deal out lead, and most times make a kill;
He never seemed to have a care. H e thought the war a thrill.
O n e day he flew with another crew, the ship got hit and blew;
The ball was seen to spin away, and what could poor Joe do?
He had no chute inside that thing; He never had a chance.
There wasn't much to bury at a cemetery in France.
Or am I wrong? I get confused. Was Joe some other guy?
M y memories get muddled as the years go rolling by.
D o you remember Little Joe, a forty seven Ace?
A grin that went from ear to ear across his youthful face.
He knocked them down at quite a rate when up there in the blue.
It seemed like he had a winning streak that wasn't going to break.
But Joe got overconfident and made the big mistake.
He made a second strafing pass across a Jerry base.
The flak just blew his plane to bits and spread it round the place.
Or am I wrong? 1 get confused. Was Joe some other guy?
M y memories get muddled as the years go rolling by.
D o you remember Little Joe? W a s he the e.m.s. cook
With Brooklyn brogue and olive skin? His was that Latin look.
He always had a cheery word and fed us best he could,
Yet guys bitched about the chow, and never understood,
He had to work with what he had. The rations were so tight,
For oranges and eggs were saved for m e n w h o had to fight.
He didn't get a Purple Heart when knocked down by a truck,
A n d yet he served country well 'til running out of luck.
Or am I wrong? I get confused. Was Joe some other guy?
M y memories get muddled as the years go rolling by.
D o you remember Little Joe, a six foot four inch guy?
A bombardier w h o was the tops when up there in the sky.
In sighting in his targets, he never seemed to fail.
H e knew that Norden inside out, and hit them on the nail.
The flak would burst around his ship, and Messerschmidts attack,
But Joe would never leave his sight until he had a shack.
For twenty seven missions, he gave his very best;
A n d then a Jerry 2 0 mil exploded in his chest.
Or am I wrong? I get confused. Was Joe some other guy?
M y memories get muddled as the years go rolling by.
D o you remember Little Joe? I'm not sure that I do.
If tall or short, or dark or blond, brown eyes, or were they blue?
A pilot or an engineer? A sergeant or major?
A novice in the task of war? A vet', a real old stager?
I only know that he was young, a kid become a man,
Exuberant and sure he'd win to live life's full span.
I guess he was ten thousand guys w h o didn't see it through,
For cause and county matter not, he did what he must do
To make this world a better place, the challenge of his day,
T o give the whole darn human race more time to find its way.
29
�r
*39
^33 MAIL & E-MAIL ^
The 44th has sustained another tragic loss. Col
G o o d m a n Griffin passed away at his home in Ft
Walton Beach, Florida. Not only was he an
invaluable administrative officer during the war but
was a uniquely funny speaker at 44th Reunions. The
information about this beloved member is not
available for this issue. A report of his life will
appear in the next 8 Ball Tails.
The 8 Ball Tails notes the passing of a devoted
friend of the 44th B o m b Group, Salli JohnsonAbbott, youngest daughter of General Leon
Johnson. Services were held at Faith Chapel Funeral H o m e , Pensacola, Florida. President Mikoloski, longtime friend of the Johnson family, attended the funeral, February 28. Our condolences go
out to her two sons, Leon Barnes and Nathan
Abbott.
Jackie Robert's story of the search for her father,
Jack Ostenson, 68th Sq. brought this unexpected
response from Mrs. Mary C. Hoke, widow of John
L. Dickinson, Engineer on the flight that brought
d o w n A/C #42-7514. She read the Jackie's story and
called her, learning for the first time that John's
name is on the Wall of the Missing at the Ardennes
Cemetery.
Editor's Note: It is amazing to me. The number of
44th members with connections to the mission to
Escalles-Sur-Buchy, all in one issue: Milton
Rosenblatt; Lois Cianci, daughter of Clair Sheajfer;
Jackie Roberts, daughter of Jack Ostenson; Archie
Barlow; and now, our newest member, Mary Hoke.
Like ripples in a pond, every deadly mission slashed
into the lives of many people.
From Michael O'Neil, Vice President of the
Distinguished Flying Cross Society: The 8 Ball
Tails carried misleading information regarding this
organization, which he wishes to have corrected.
First, the D F C S can only advise deserving veterans
h o w to go about getting an earned D F C award. They
do not issue them. If any airman feels he has earned
the D F C but did not receive it, he should contact his
C o m m a n d i n g Officer or ex-Awards and Decorations
Officer. Only these officers can recommend the
Award. O'Neil further states that the D F C was
awarded only w h e n a m e m b e r of any and all U.S.
Military Forces "distinguishes himself by heroism
and extraordinary achievement while participating
in aerial flight."
From Denis Davison: On page 35 of Volume 3 Issue #7 - Spring, 2001 is a picture of a sergeant
sewing stripes.
I a m very proud to say that
this m a n is m y father. First
Sergeant William Robert
Davison.
It warmed m y heart w h e n
m y mother showed m e his
picture had been printed in
this newsletter.
I have this original picture here at home along
with others that I will soon send to all of you as
soon as I can get them sorted and scanned.
I regret to inform the group that m y father passed
away on January 29, 1997. H e was a wonderful man
<^9
From Luc Dewez in Belgium: "My godfather, Luc
Vansammilliette, died at the age of 65." The two had
a very close relationship. Luc V told his godchild
about the death of close friends and family when
Belgium accepted defeat; of the four year German
occupation; and in '44, the arrival of the Americans.
In return, Luc D dazzled his godfather, telling him
about the bomber stories which he had collected.
These conversations were undoubtedly the
inspiration for young Luc, a m e m b e r of the
44th B G , to write books about W W I I .
and I a m very proud of him.
®
30
��������44 TH
BOMB GROUP
VETERANS ASSOCIATION BOARD
2002
Official Journal of The
President Emeritus: B/Gen. John H. Gibson
(Ret)
7008 Gateridge Drive
Dallas, T X 75254
Phone (972) 239-0559
U.K. Representative: Steve A d a m s
28 Bassingham Rd.
Norwich, England N R 3 2 Q T
Phone/Fax: 011-44-1603-400221
e-mail: s.p.adams@btinternet.com
Compiled, written and
President: Gerald (Jerry) Folsom (506)
3582 East Dover Hill Road
Salt Lake City, U T 84121-5527
Phone (801) 733-7371 Fax: (801) 942-9988
e-mail: 44thbgva@xmission.com
Historian: Roger Fenton
4311 East Sunrise Drive
Phoenix, A Z 85044-1010
Phone: (480) 893-3761
e-mail: lomadanger@aol.com
First Vice President: Roy W. Owen (506)
6304 Meadowridge Drive
Santa Rosa, C A 95409-5839
Phone: (707) 538-4726 Fax: (707) 538-1212
e-mail: Rowen44bg@aol.com
Secretary & 8 Ball Tails Editor:
Ruth W . Davis-Morse
2041 Village Circle East
York, PA 17404
Phone (717) 846-8948 Fax: (717) 846-6688
e-mail: rewdm@blazenet.net
Treasurer: Richard Lynch (67)
Box 518
Conrad, IA 50621-0518
Phone: (641)366-2414
e-mail: r_blynch@netins.net
Immediate Past President:
Edw. K. "Mike" Mikoloski (66/67)
626 Smithfield Road #702
N. Providence, Rl 02904
Phone/Fax: (401) 353-0144
e-mail: E K M L I B 4 4 @ m s n . c o m
The 8 Ball Tails©
44th Bomb Group
Veterans Association,
Inc.©
published tri-yearly at
2041 Village Circle
East, York, PA, by Ruth
W. Davis-Morse, Editor.
Printed and mailed Bulk
Archivist: C.W. "Will" Lundy (67)
Rate at Salt Lake City,
2519 WestvilleTrl
UT under USPS Permit
Cool, C A 95614-2008
#6923. All original
Phone/Fax: (530) 886-8636 (Winter)
e-mail: willundy@aol.com
written material such
P.O. Box 315, Bridgeport, C A 93517 (Summer) as letters, stories,
Phone/Fax: (760) 932-7349
excerpts from personal
diaries or memoirs,
Membership, Search: Art Hand (66)
drawings and photos
517 Elm Street
Paris, IL 61944-1417
submitted to this
Phone/Fax: (217) 463-5905
journal will become the
e-mail: k9hwp@comwares.net
property of the 44th
Bomb Group Veterans
Director: Robert Lee Aston (67)
Association
and will be
830 Cardinal Drive
Elberton, G A 30635-2606
copyright protected
Phone/Fax: (706) 283-1337
except where noted.
e-mail: leeaston@negia.net
The text and photos are
otherwise reproduced
Director: Robert Paul Kay (Paul) (68)
10411 Brook Lane S W
from official USAAF
Tacoma, W A 98499
and USAF documents
Phone: (253) 584-4420
and photos which have
ASSOCIATION MAILING ADDRESS: been released for
publication. Permission
44th B G V A
is granted for the
P.O. Box 712287
Salt Lake City, U T 84171-2287
contents of this journal
to be reproduced
specifically for personal
archives. Otherwise,
Visit our website @ www.44thbombgroup.com
j
copyright material herein may be reproduced by the journal of other incorporated non-profit veterans organizations so long as this
publication is properly credited and prior permission is granted by the editor.
Those submitting letters, stories and photos to the editor or historian must do so with the understanding that this
most likely be published in this journal as a matter of interest to the members/subscribers of the Association and this journal. While
every attempt will be made to answer all of the material received, there is no explicit or implied guarantee that an answer will be
provided or published. Except for specific requests for the return of original documents and photos, all material submitted will
become the property of the 44th Veterans Association, Inc., or its successors.
�r
Another took At Europe
There W A S time to \&u$h; * time to crvj,
A time to be inspired A time to remember.
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Kneeling: Larry Herpel. First Row (standing): Left to Right: Sidney Paul, Elizabeth Paul; Jack Schiffer, Delores Shipley, Jackie Roberts,
Mary Aston, Marie Hughes, Ruth Morse, Ann Natilli, Louis DeBlasio, Carole Amato, Frank Amato. Back Row: Jerry Folsom, Bill Kelly,
Norman Powell, Beverly Folsom, Charlotte Huntley, Lee Aston, Russell Huntley, Perry Morse, Lois Cianci, Tony Cianci, Charlie Hughes,
Will Lundy, Irene Lundy, Rose Maglione, Larry Maglione, Lowell Roberts.
Larry Herpel is probably one of the great optimists
of this century. Imagine trying to put another trip
together after the cancellation on Nine-Eleven!
Grounded in N e w Orleans for four days, he had to
cancel the first trip by phone, begging those he
could contact to notify others. H e managed hotel
and guide cancellations, sent refunds; and then
worked on the next adventure. In late M a y the
entourage reassembled and Paris was waiting.
Walking steps d o w n the Eiffel Tower is a bit
laborious, but there is lots of trivia to be learned
along the way. The French flag was taken d o w n in
June, 1940, when France fell. Lucien Sarniquet
carried it back up August 25, 1944, when Paris
was liberated, but at his o w n peril. A lingering
German shot at him. (Until then, the Germans
were loving Paris. They hated to give it back to
the French.)
The City of Lights was celebrating Liberation Day
with a ceremony at the Arch of Triumph and a
parade of well groomed horses and riders in stately
uniforms. W e couldn't get near the Arch, as
dignitaries were everywhere.
The Castle at Versailles was breathtakingly
beautiful, but its beauty was overshadowed by bad
weather. T o see the rail car where the Treaty of
Versailles was signed, and where Hitler danced in
triumph when France fell, required a longer
journey. We'll see that on the next trip.
j
3
�Jackie Roberts and the
Administrator at
Normandy.
At Normandy, Jackie Roberts found her father's
n a m e on the Wall of Honor; and w h e n the
Administrator learned that the daughter of a
missing airman was present, he hurriedly grabbed
wet sand and highlighted Jack Ostenson's name, so
it photographed clearly. Although most of us have
been to Normandy previously, and had seen the
monument and endless rows of graves; it is no less
awesome on a return trip. It truly is hallowed
ground.
Our Belgium friend, Peter Loncke, led us to the
monument at Winbrin, honoring the Pinder crew.
O n hand for a beautiful ceremony were Joseph
Lafalize, the Burgomaster and his wife, Marleen,
w h o donated the land for the monument. It is
located only about 100 yards from the crash site of
A C #42-7547 X-Bar. This gentleman was mayor at
the time of the crash. M a n y of the local people
came to the event. S o m e remember January 29,
1944, w h e n the plane went down; and many have
a very clear m e m o r y of G e r m a n occupation. A
representative of the current mayor delivered a
stirring speech of appreciation to Americans. Peter
read his p o e m of gratitude (printed on Page 6),
and called for a m o m e n t of silence, in memory of
those w h o perished at that site.
Along with the plaque naming the crew, is a
smaller plaque inspired by Forrest S. Clark, in
honor of his friend A b e Sofferman. Wishing to
complete his tour, Sofferman flew that mission in
place of Clark, forfeiting his life for this decision.
Sidney Paul
at
Normandy.
Peter Loncke, Jerry Folsom, Joseph Hofalize and a dignitary from the local villag
honored the members of the Pinder Crew.
�The next day, Peter led the bus to the T o w n Hall
at Hamminkeln, Germany. Here a mayor's
representative and a capable interpreter honored
the members of the Crandell and Chandler crews;
w h o crashed in nearby Wesel. While enjoying tea,
coffee, soft drinks and snacks, 44th B G members
listened to declarations of gratitude for peace
between our countries. In the audience was Peter
Emmerich, the anti-aircraft gunner whose careful
aim brought d o w n K-Bar from the 67th Squadron;
and Southern Comfort from the 506 Squadron; and
according to the records, two from another group.
Bastogne stands as one of the most ferocious
battles in Europe, and it took place in the coldest
winter that the Continent had ever known. Called
'Hitler's Last Gamble,' it was the Fuhrer's last
ditch effort to turn back the tide of Allied soldiers
that were painfully but steadily advancing toward
the Fatherland. A well preserved Sherman Tank
sits in the T o w n Square, and the M u s e u m tells the
story of the grit and determination of Americans to
prevail. A look-out tower, shaped like a five point
star, provides a view of the distant town.
The names of all the 48 states are listed, all
credited for contributing to the victory which
Americans call "The Battle of the Bulge."
Europeans call it "The Ardennes Battle." General
George Patton was assigned to bring relief to
General McAuliffe's beleaguered troops.
In his earthy way, General Patton sized up
the situation. H e said, "This time the
Kraut has stuck his head in a meat
grinder; and this time I've got the
handle." W h e n Patton arrived and when
the skies cleared, the planes unleashed
furor on the enemy and supplies to our
soldiers. Hitler's last gamble was a loser.
Division. Doubleday's efforts to preserve and
enhance the complex were very apparent. W e
wandered through the old buildings, trying to
imagine their uses 57 years ago. It is a farm again,
but the land shows traces of its glorious history.
Our British friend John Page accompanied us to
the Control Tower, n o w tragically dilapidated. Its
owner sells construction cranes all over the world.
From the tower, you can look across at the Aero
Club. There are lines of light green amid the dark
green plantings. Those are traces of the 44ths
runways. The asphalt was removed years ago, but
still shows evidence of past glory. The members of
Shipdham Aero Club prepared a reception and
dinner for the group that was magnificent. Mike
Artherton, Vice Chairman, had told m e on the
previous night, that they were planning a festive
event. It was truly delightful, climaxed by inviting
Jerry Folsom to cut the ribbon to a beautiful
newly-constructed deck.
Mike gave Jerry and me a tour of the changes
which have been made, and his aspirations for the
future. The Club is eager for an on-going
relationship between their members and the
families of the 44th; and they have m u c h to offer
When we crossed the Channel and saw
that historically welcome sight, the White
Cliffs of Dover, w e remembered the song,
and w e sang it. In Norwich, Steve A d a m s
joined us at the 2nd Air Division
Memorial Library. For those w h o had not
seen it before, it was absolutely
captivating. N o matter h o w long anybody
stays there, it is never long enough.
Andrew Doubleday, his wife Debbie, neighbors
and friends joined together in hosting a spacious
setting of delightful treats in the complex where
B/Gen. Leon Johnson commanded the 14th Air
Will Lundy climbed to the top of the tower he worked so valiantly
to preserve. Unfortunately, time and circumstances have brought
the tower to almost complete ruin.
�for the arrangement. They plan to expand
the M u s e u m and strengthen the sixty year
old structures which were hurriedly
constructed to meet the immediate needs of
the War. Mike is in charge of the grounds,
and envisions a Memorial Garden. (Editors
Note: Do you have any ideas of how the
Club should be preserved? What should go
into the Memorial Garden ? They would
like to hear from the 44th. Do you have a
child or grandchild who is interested in
flying? The Aero Club would like an
exchange program with American and
British children. What a fantastic
arrangement that could be.)
Lois Cianci, Charlie Hughes and Lee
Aston took advantage of the invitation to
fly. Lois rode in a glider, and was given
the opportunity to sit at the controls. What
a joy for her, looking d o w n on the same
runways her father had looked upon long
ago. The Aero Club has 75 members w h o
fly, plus their families and 30 social
members. Currently there are fourteen
planes and five gliders based there. Are
you interested in a contact? Mike Atherton
can be reached at M.Artherton@Netcom.co.uk
The history of the 44th is tied to the
Shipdham Aero Club. All of the members,
plus Mrs. Paterson, owner, want to
maintain an on-going contact with
Americans. It is a relationship that w e
cannot allow to wither. The planes at
Duxford, the graves at Cambridge, the
monuments in London are all part of our
history and our psyche. W e know it, and
so do the English people.
When we were ready to go home, Beverly
Folsom summed up the trip very succinctly.
She said, " W e thought the 1997 trip could
never be equaled, but w e were wrong. This
one was just as amazing."
To all Aircrew of the United States
A r m y Air Force who flew in WWII.
By Peter Loncke
Sgt. Belgium Air Force
Boys of then,
w h o are m e n today,
turned in their civvies
to free m y land.
volunteers they were,
these aircrew chaps,
w h o gave the Hun
no place of fun.
Belgian people in those days
would listen carefully to their voice,
the voice of their engine
w h o night and day boasted their morale
in a magnificent way.
No one else
as those involved,
will ever understand
the meaning of it all.
A song of freedom high above,
w h o would bring relief
for the people
I so dearly love.
My father and mother,
and many more,
have prayed for you
to win the war.
We think of them,
these magnificent m e n
of the united States Air Force,
w h o served and died to free m y land.
�Vhoto Album
44* B G V A ~ Trip of Europe 2002
In Belgium: At the Wall of Honor, Jackie Roberts and Lois
Cianci pay tribute to T/Sgt. Clair P. Schaeffer, Lois's
father, whose plane piloted by Frank Sobotka, was lost
January 21,1944.
1
In Shipdham: John Page, longtime friend of the 44th
BGVA, and Peter Bovell, Chairman of the Shipdham Aero
Club, discuss the Club's future.
Steve and Jan Adams. Steve has made
major contributions to preservation of the
history of the 44th, both at the Aero Club
and in the Memorial Library of the 2nd Air
Division in Norwich.
The bus driver w a s able to wind his way to the little village of Gratenoix
and to the wooded area w e had visited in 1997. The scenery at
Beaussault looked different. Trees had been cut and the dirt road was
widened. Nevertheless, w e found it, the monument to the crash site of
the Sobotka Crew. It had been recently painted; and to Lois's delight, she
saw that the townspeople had placed a fresh bouquet of flowers on the
monument. It reminded us that the tragedy of the Sobatka Crew was not
forgotten. Lois posted a tiny flag into the bouquet, honoring her father
and letting the local people know w e had been there.
®
�r
Jerry Folsom and Mike Atherton look over the
area where a Memorial Garden is proposed.
Mike's enthusiasm spills over when he
discusses his plans for developing the
Shipdham Aero Club into a functional, living
monument to the 44th Bomb Group.
Larry Herpel stands at the entrance to the 506
Squadron Headquarters, honoring his uncle, 1st Lt.
Virgil R. Fouts. Fouts was pilot of the A/C Cactus,
which went down off the coast of Holland. There
were no survivors. It was the crew'sfirstmission
and the 506 Squadron'sfirstloss. Virgil Fouts is
recognized on the Wall of Missing at Cambridge.
It is not possible to walk into the area, as noisy dogs
provided a secure barricade. However, in the interest
of protecting against the epidemic of animal
infections, a posted sign requested that nobody enter
without carefully de-contaminating their shoes.
Andrew Doubleday points to old buildings which he is
working to preserve on his historic farm, former
headquarters of the 14th Combat Wing.
Brian Peel and Perry
Morse renew an old
friendship that started
57 years ago.
*e V*M
�In Germany: Peter Loncke, Louis DeBlasio and Jerry Folsom listen attentively to the moving ceremony in the Mayor's
office in Hamminkeln, Germany. The hospitality w a s truly gracious. Orchestrated by Peter, the Mayor's representative
delivered a beautiful statement of gratitude for peace. A piece of art depicting B 24s at nearby Wesel, painted by a
Belgium artist, hangs on the wall of the Mayor's office, a reminder of a time when the skies were less peaceful.
The restoration staff at
the air m u s e u m at
Duxford, England are
optimistic that they will
find the necessary parts
to rebuild a very old, very
dilapidated B 24.
Ready to debark from
the Rhine cruise are
Lois Cianci, Jerry
Folsom, Tony Cianci,
Larry Herpel and
Beverly Folsom.
�Shipdham. H e is irreplaceable, a
real treasure himself. Thank G o d
his work is being saved."
"Thank you for calling on me for
this most worthy cause, Will
Lundy's valuable and dedicated
work. It is very important that it
be preserved. I would like to
think that historians will look
back 200 years from n o w and
find our story of the Greatest
Generation."
"Thank you for the decal and
trying to preserve this collection
of stories. Please accept m y
donation in m e m o r y of m y Dad."
"Sending this donation in memory
of m y Uncle."
The 2,500 letters which were sent
out several months ago brought in
a sizable donations in the amount
of $13,400.00, which will be used
to record volumes of information
about our W a r experience onto
our database. Thankfully, it also
brought 40-45 new members w h o
never before belonged to the 44th
B o m b Group Veterans
Association.
Unfortunately, some letters came
back stamped "Deceased." Those
m e n were once with us, and n o w
they are gone, along with their
recollections of the War.
Many of the responses came from
widows and children of members
of the 44th. Their messages were
so gratifying, I feel that I should
share some with our readers:
"Thank God for Will Lundy!! He
answered m y plea for help in
locating m yfirsthusband's
military records and his time at
"Pleased to send this donation in
m e m o r y of m y beloved husband,
w h o gave his all."
"Sending this donation; wish I
could do more."
"Donating my first month's pay."
There are many letters written in
this vein. I wish I had saved some
of thefirst,but I never expected
such a flow of memorial letters. It
does tell m e that W W I I is still
very much a part of the awareness
of the families w h o still want to
know about those w h o fought.
The Military Heritage Database
will have true value, long after all
of us are gone.
I want to personally thank all
w h o supported this project
Gerald Folsom, President
Introducing...
Roger Fenton
44th Bomb Group Veterans
Association Board Historian
With the approval of the Board I
have, with his assent, appointed
Roger Fenton tofillthe vacancy
of our Historian left when our
long serving, beloved W i U
L u n d y stepped d o w n in order to
direct his attention to entering
the remaining archives into the
Military Heritage Database, and
update and add to his Roll of
Honor and Casualties book.
Roger began as a researcher for
families seeking information
about the 44th B G V A . H e works
with the Internet, database, and
frequent discussions with Will
Lundy, Archivist par excellent,
researching for relatives seeking
information of someone that was
in the 44th. At last count, Roger
has responded to over 200 requests.
Roger is a Member of the
Association. His father, Milton
Feinstein (Fenton)flewtwo
complete tours with the 44th B G .
Milton passed away in 1991.
(Editors Note: Getting help from
the offspring of a veteran is a
blessing to the 44th. Our history
is so complex, and technology is
so challenging, the value of
Fenton's help cannot be overstated.)
�Operation Varsity Revisited
"They told us it w a s a 'milk
run'/' Louis DeBlasio stated,
recalling March 24, 1945. It was
a low level drop of supplies for
the British Paratroopers w h o
had established a bridgehead
across the Rhine River, 2-1/2
miles W N W of the little town
of Wesel. DeBlasio had been
R W Gunner of the Chandler
crew. The recollections of Sgts.
DeBlasio and Robert Vance,
Tail Gunner, were documented
in Vol. 1, Issue 7 Winter, 1998 of
the 8 Ball Tails. Returning to
Wesel on the recent trip to
Europe sparked n e w interest in
the details of that crash.
Fourteen of the nineteen
bombers dispatched by the 2nd
Air Division did not return.
The 506 Squadron, 44th B o m b
Group led the 14th Wing on the
mission. O n the previous night
there was a leaflet-dropping
operation by other B-24 Units
and British Mosquitoes. O n the
24th, sixty-nine tons of supplies
were loaded onto the B-24's,
with each plane carrying 2-1/2
tons of over 20 bundles. Twelve
bundles were stashed in the
b o m b bay, six around the
Sperry ball turret aperture and
three in the emergency hatch in
the Tail, displacing Vance from
his tail position. This m a d e the
plane tail heavy; so to compensate,
the guns and ammunition were
removed from the aft section of
the plane.
scattered about were abandoned
parachutes left by the
advancing paratroopers. The
planes dropped to 300 feet as
they crossed the Rhine to
assure pinpoint accuracy. The
bell rang, and the two gunners
shoved out the supply bundles.
In the recent trip to Wesel,
DeBlasio was amazed to learn
that w h e n the plane stopped
burning, a teenage boy entered
the wreckage, and he was able
to fire one of the guns stowed
in the front of the plane. Crew
members had been told they
dared not to fire them, for fear
of hitting their allies.
Then, looking out the waist
window, to their horror, they
saw a m a n fall from the aircraft
flying alongside, and watched
as he hit the ground. H e had
become entangled in some
parachute shrouds, and was
pulled from the aircraft with
the supply drop. (This was Sgt.
Anibal Diaz, L W Gunner, on
Lt. Leonard Pyle's crew.)
Most of the crew had not
bothered taking their 'flak'
suits; but Vance and DeBlasio
decided to prepare for the
worst. Their decision to take
the suits saved their lives. This
was the 8th mission for the
Chandler Crew on the Southern
Comfort IV,
Sitting at an anti-aircraft gun
was a Peter Emmerich, age 16.
Peter was doing as he w a s
told-shooting at American
planes. H e shot d o w n four. Just
as the Southern Comfort was
pulling from the drop zone
and banking to the left,
Emmerich's ammunition
struck the plane, causing it to
Leading the formation, the 506 stall momentarily and shudder.
crossed the North Sea at 1,000
Sgt. T h o m a s Clark, L W
feet, and w h e n they reached the Gunner, w h o was in the waist
coast of Holland, they descended
with DeBlasio and Vance,
to 500 feet. The progress of the
helped them open the
war was apparent as the planes
bulkhead door to the b o m b
plowed eastward. Cologne and
bay; but they had to close it
other cities, bridges and docks
immediately. N u m b e r three
were almost completely
engine was afire.
destroyed. A s they approached
Wesel, they could see Allied
DeBlasio and Vance assumed
gliders on the fields, some
ditching positions; the plane
smashed into each other, and
went d o w n , then bounced
�upward. It flew another 100
feet, went d o w n again, circled
and split. DeBlasio and Vance
rolled out. Clark stumbled to
the split; but the plane
exploded before he could exit,
and he died with Chandler;
H u g h O'Donnell, Co-pilot;
Robert Dantsler, Navigator;
T h o m a s Cordes, Bombardier;
Eugene Elliott, Radio
Operator; and Sarkice Nedder,
Engineer and Top Turret Gunner.
J
9
J\
m B 1
l""i
•« igSr'v^
Sgt. Robert Vance returning to Shipdham after
his crash and P O W experience.
A member of Leslie Lee's
Crew, flying
second only to Ploesti in
as nose
losses for a low level
gunner,
mission.
Richard
Lynch,
Meeting the man who
watched the
shot him d o w n w a s an
destruction
awesome experience for
of both
Louis DeBlasio and his
Crandell's
family. Peter Emmerich
and
explained that he was 16
Chandler's
years old w h e n he w a s
planes.
pulled from
Nineteen
school and
Thomas Cordes, Bombardier on
m e n to the
taught to
Southern Comfort KIA at Wesel.
44th died on
shoot the
that mission.
anti-aircraft
DeBlasio and Vance survived
gun. With Peter
and were rescued ten days later
Loncke
by the advancing 2nd U.S.
interpreting,
Armored Division, along with
Peter talked
John Delaney, a P-47 pilot w h o
eagerly to Louis;
crashed after diving at the A A
and later,
guns and dropping white
presented him
phosphorus.
with a gift of a
Through Internet activities of
Peter Loncke, Thomas Cordes's
family has recently become
interested in this crash. It was
awesome for them to learn that
this task force supply drop
suffered all of the B-24 losses. A
total of 22 A / C went d o w n ,
was long gone. Contrary to the
assumption that the plane's
wing had been caught on a
tree, he learned that an electric
power pole had caused it to
circle and split at the fuselage.
That m a d e it possible for the
two gunners to roll to safety,
just minutes before the plane
burst into flames. With Peter
Loncke interpreting, Peter
Emmerich eagerly told his
story; and even w h e n there
w a s no interpreter, he
continued explaining his
experiences in W W I I .
Living in the area is an elderly
gentleman w h o also watched
the plane go down; but being
in ill health, he could not be
present. His wife and several of
the townspeople came to meet
us; and through their gestures,
w e felt their goodwill and
friendship.
hand-carved
wooden
cannon. The
Peter Emmerich and Louis DeBlasio
crash site did
meet 57 years after their
first encounter.
not look
familiar to
Louis—the rows of corn were
replaced with hay; the w a g o n
he and Robert Vance hid under
From a film m a d e
by Ursel Harvel,
Loncke was able
to locate the crash
site and then find
Emmerich and
others w h o had
been present in
1945. A s it
happened, the
negative had been
turned upside
down; so by
watching the
screen in the
mirror, he was
able to locate the
site.
�Russell Huntley's Games With
The Romanian Guards
good tunnel
going, but then
there w a s a big
rainstorm. Our
tunnel collapsed.
The guards
started checking
out our tunnels;
and each time
they sent a m a n
in, he c a m e back
saying that it
ended in dirt.
They just couldn't
figure out w h y
w e did that."
If the German
and Romanian
guards of the
Ploesti P O W s
spend any time
reminiscing
about prisoners
w h o were a
'pain in the
neck', I'll bet
Russell Huntley at Bern Castle.
they can't forget
Russell Huntley,
"At one point, the Romanians asked us if
67th BS. He laughs w h e n he describes his
any of us would like to work for them, in
six escape antics, all of which brought him
exchange for better food, more freedom, etc.
back to interrogations, solitary confinement
W e would be asked to sign a paper that w e
and considerable discomfort.
would not try to escape. I don't k n o w
"As prisoners, we were allowed to play
baseball, and sometimes the ball would go
over the fence. A guard with a gun would
permit one of us to climb the fence and
retrieve it, so the g a m e could go on. Once I
climbed the fence, and the group created
great excitement so the guard wouldn't
notice that I ran away. They soon caught
me, and a very polite German officer said,
'We won't punish you if you tell m e h o w you
did it.' Of course, I w a s not able to tell the
truth, so I told him I escaped through a drain
pipe. They sent a m a n through the rusty
pipe, and it broke. The officer accused m e of
lying, so I reminded him that they sent a
heavier man. He must have believed m e , as I
didn't get punished that time."
"Another time, a group of us started digging.
W e dug and dug and dug. After a long time,
w e realized that effort w a s hopeless. W e
were just tunneling up and d o w n under a big
mountain. Another time, w e had a pretty
®
whether any Americans would have
accepted; but w e would have threatened
anyone w h o might have considered it. W h y
should w e help our enemies win the war?"
Operation Tidal Wave, which targeted
Ploesti, w a s Sgt. Russell Huntley's 7th
mission. The crew of 1st Lt. Elmer H.
Reinhart, A/C 42-40371 G named G. I. Gal,
w a s following Lt. Col. Posey to Target Blue,
the Nazi's source for aviation fuel. It w a s
totally destroyed.
G.L Gal was the last ship away from Blue
Target. With part of a wing shot off, the
plane emerged into criss-cross ships, and the
pilot w a s unable to catch up with his
formation, making him an easy target for the
M E 109's. They shot a w a y most of the tail
turret, but, miraculously, George Van Son
crawled away alive. Waist gunners Alfred A.
M a s h and Robert Wolfe were injured; radio
operator Huntley gave them first aid.
j
13
�Engineer Frank Garrett reported, "Gas w a s
pouring out of a hole near #3 engine; the
tunnel w a s a wreck; the tail turret hanging
by a thread. The left vertical and horizontal
stabilizers were almost shot off; the left
ailron w a s practically gone, and there w a s a
big hole under the #1 engine with oil
streaming out."
Reinhart tried to gain altitude. The crew put
on their parachutes as the plane heaved and
quivered from nose to tail. At 3,600 feet, he
turned on the automatic pilot and hit the bail
out button. Gerald Totten, Navigator;
Richard Pendleton, Bombardier; and Charles
Starr, Co-pilot, joined the rest of the crew in
the d o w n w a r d plunge. Apparently Starr's
chute did not open properly; and it w a s later
reported that in his misery, he asked to be
shot. He w a s listed as KIA.
Huntley was interned for thirteen months at
Timis de Just, 17 k m south of Brasov, North
Romania. A m o n g his interesting recollections
w a s on August 1, 1944, a group of soldiers
c a m e with wine and cheese, celebrating the
happy event of 'defeating the American Air
Force.' Circumstance rapidly refuted their
dubious celebration. Only about a month
later, the Germans were evicted from the
area, and the Americans were set free.
Flying in a B-17 decorated with American
flags, they were transported to Bari, Italy.
Huntley's post-POW experience was no less
dramatic. He w a s sent to Atlantic City for
redistribution, and w a s hoping to become a
cadet, and ultimately a pilot. A psychiatrist
politely told him 'that he w a s proud of him;
but after his combat and P O W experience,
he needed R & R, and w a s to be sent to
Florida for 120 days. Immediately thereafter,
Huntley had another physical, and twenty
minutes later sat before the s a m e
psychiatrist. This time he w a s declared in fit
condition, and w a s to be sent to the Pacific,
flying in a B-29. Huntley called the m a n
s o m e unpleasant names, and did not go to
the Pacific.
Next he w a s told that he would become a
Master Sergeant, and w a s about to be sent
to Almagordo, N e w Mexico, as a Gunnery
Instructor. "I told them the only thing I knew
about guns w a s h o w to shoot a 50 caliber
out the nose of a B-24. They assured m e I
would do fine; and all I had to do w a s pass
this test. I took the test; and every answer
that I knew, I deliberately answered
incorrectly. Those that I didn't know, I left
blank. The next day I w a s congratulated for
doing so well on m y test!!!"
Huntley got out of that assignment by
signing up for Radar School. He w a s
assigned to a c a m p in Truax, Wisconsin,
along with a group of combat crew
returnees. The first morning a corporal c a m e
in and ordered them, all sergeants, to m o p
the floor and clean the barracks. A n uproar
ensued; the corporal ran off to report their
disobedience, and a kindly major from W W I
c a m e in and alleviated the situation. The
travails of being a returnee and e x - P O W
continued; and finally Huntley got
discharged.
He gave himself time to think it over, and
decided to re-enlist. He attended O C S ,
became a Second Lieutenant, and worked
his w a y up to Major, specializing in
electronics. His last position w a s head of
Communications for the S A C Headquarters
in O m a h a , Nebraska. After his discharge in
1965, he started a business selling Blue
Gold, a non-hazardous cleaning substance.
His customers are Pratt Whitney, Rolls
Royce and other notable corporations.
Russell's wife Charlotte started a business,
selling vitamins and herbal substances. They
retired recently, and are traveling to all the
reunions that they missed by keeping their
noses to the grindstone.
(Editors Note: It would be interesting to
know what the Romanian guards talk about,
when they remember the War. I wonder if
they still think Americans dug useless
tunnels for recreation!)
�Sgt. Dale Lee's Saga of
Evasion
(continued)...
Sgt. Dale Lee (506 Sq.) survived the Ploesti Raid, but
his plane, Southern Comfort, went down after a
successful mission to Foggia. Captured and harassed
by civilians, along with six other detainees, Lee broke
from the Italian stronghold and set forth on a harrowing
trip back to Africa, then England, then home.
The day before they managed to break out, the
Germans planned to move the prisoners into Germany.
A commotion among the guards gave the prisoners the
opportunity to use their crude tools, smash through a
brick wall, and make their escape.
"We ran like hell, as far as w e could that first night," he
recorded. "When w e could run no more, w e slid off the slope
of a steep mountain road." Straddling trees or any kind of
brush, they leaned against the mountain and took a brief rest.
Years later, with his wife Alice, Lee retraced his escape route,
and learned that they had run 18 k m that first day; and had
climbed 4,000 feet up the mountain.
They headed for Italy's high mountains, resting and
planning by day; walking at night, using the North Star as their
guide. They headed for the boot of Italy, figuring the allied
invasion would come from that direction.
The Unending Quest For Food
For food, they stole figs, grapes and garden vegetables.
One man traded his jacket for cheese that was absolutely
delicious. Unfortunately, when morning came, they saw what
was in the cheese--T)ig fat worms." " W e ate it anyway," he
recalled, "flicking the worms aside when they crawled out."
Having been told that garlic was a good blood purifier, Lee
ate three big cloves, hoping it would clear up the infected
shrapnel wounds in his legs. Its biggest effect was to give him
bad breath. Their search for food was unending and generally
unsuccessful. Every sound was threatening-even a falling leaf.
Finally, two Canadians from the British 8th Army arrived in a
4 wheel drive vehicle; and out-running Germans, w h o lobbed
shells at them, they arrived with joy at a British camp, where
food and hot coffee awaited them. Later the driver of the jeep
drove them through a rainstorm to a Red Cross station where
they enjoyed the luxury of sleeping on dry cots. From there
they made their way to the 47th Fighter Group (P-40's), who
helped them to the next camp, the 101st Airborne.
Lee's most vivid recollection of that brief encounter was a
rollicking battle with an Italian P O W over his right to have
second portions of the dinner. The m e n of the 101st cheered
Left to Right: General Jimmy Doolittle, Joe Jett, Tom Pursell, Dale Lee.
(Editors Note: Years later Doolittle autographed this picture right under his
nose, but the writing could not be picked up photographically.)
him on, as pots and pans clattered around from the skirmish.
The m e n of the 101st are forever endeared in his memory, for
supporting his right to more food.
Getting Back Into The System
After that, they got a flight to Africa, near Tunis. By then they
looked so totally disreputable, nobody could believe they were
American airmen. Only when the major at the base found their
names on the list of those who were to receive the DFCs, by
virtue of their mission to Ploesti, did he believe they were
telling the truth. They were finally back in the system.
The D F C medals were pinned on them by none other than
General Jimmy Doolittle, who was genuinely interested in
their experiences at Ploesti, and also their experiences as
escapees. H e gave them secret orders for their return to
England.
Frustrating moments continued, and tolerance was in short
supply with these escapees. At the air base near Tunis, a
mess sergeant refused to feed them because they didn't have
a mess kit. They went to the Supply Sergeant, who upbraided
them for losing their mess kits. Finally, Joe Jett, normally a
quiet, gentlemanly sort, grabbed the Supply Sergeant by the
throat and pounded his head against the wall, shouting, "When
I bailed out of that G-- D - plane on fire, the last thing I
thought about was m y mess kit." Immediately there was no
further arguing about mess kits.
The 8th Air Force in London interrogated the group, then
sent them to various camps to speak to the troops about their
experiences behind enemy lines. In time for Christmas, 1943,
they m a d e it home.
�This cartoon from the collection of Lt. James Tomblin (66th Squadron) from his account
"There I was, Story #45,001"
�Will Sez
It seems appropriate at this time to advise
everyone that earlier this year I found it absolutely
necessary to ask that I be dropped from the job of
44th B G Historian as it w a s taking nearly all of m y
available time. For years I have been attempting
to correct, update and add to m y Roll of Honor
and Casualties book as the first edition w a s
printed in 1987. Since that time I've learned of
many errors in it that needed corrections. M a n y
more events have been located that should be
added to that text to better describe what took
place in m a n y of these incidents.
The Board acted on this request, dropped me
from that position and put Roger Fenton into it.
Roger accepted the offer and n o w is busy doing a
great job of responding to the m a n y people
asking for data about our m e n w h o served during
WWII. I a m sure that he will perform with
excellence. Perhaps this will start a trend to have
more, younger people to step in, take over to
lead our Croup into the future.
Another younger man, Jim Hamilton, became
acquainted with the 44th B G w h e n he was
researching for his book. T h e Writing 69th, (now
in print). H e kindly offered to re-design m y book,
and then to m a k e the actual corrections and
additions into that book. Photos will be added, as
well, but due to all of this, it will be necessary to
produce two books. The first is nearing
completion and will cover the time period from
mid 1942 through 31 D e c e m b e r 1943. T h e
second, of course, will span the period of 1 Jan
1944 to June, 1945. If possible, w e will have a
manuscript available at our reunion in O m a h a for
examination by you that attend.
M y hope is that as soon as this change in
Historian permits, I will be able to m o v e along
more quickly with the book revision. As soon as
the text is completed, it can be transferred into
the Master Data Base. Also it can help m a k e
progress in moving more of our archival material
into the Master Data Base.
Arlo Bartsch is now well underway in his plans to
place more emphasis on our Roll of Honor, m a k e
it more prominent in his program. Jerry Folsom is
relaying m u c h of this material to his secretary,
Brenda, w h o processes it, makes it ready for data
entry.
Of course we are limited in the extent of this
work depending upon these costs. But m y hopes
are that s o m e h o w , someway, s o m e o n e will locate
donors w h o see that it is needed for the future
generations to learn. It seems very important to
m e that w e d o our best to keep the deeds
performed by our C o m b a t M e n forever readily
available. These deeds against terrible odds
managed to hold the advances of Hitler's might
away from England until others arrived to help us
take the war back to Germany.
The Military Heritage Database
To help your children and grandchildren
I when they ask questions about WWII, we
have an opportunity to make sure you are
- always there to answer them, and they are
learning YOUR version of the story
Order your Military Heritage Database disk now Make sure
you and all of your comrades of WWII have included their
contribution to the history of the 44th Bomb Group. \bu ha
Wliat will happen when you are not there to answer the
questions?
For more information regarding biographies, please
contact Jerry Folsom @ P.O. Box 712287, Salt
Lake City, Utah 84171-2287. H e has the necessary
forms to be submitted for this database. H e also
has details for ordering your very o w n disk. E-mail:
44thbgva@xmission.com
Do It Now!
§
17
�COMMEMORATIVE AIR FORCE SPONSORS SEMINAR ON "PLOESTI" WITH
44TH BOMB GROUP VETERANS ASSOCIATION PARTICIPATION.
The names of Colonel William R. Cameron and
T o m Holmes, Jr., will long be remembered in
Midland, Texas, where these two distinguished
members of the 44th B o m b Group Veterans
Association captivated the 150-200 members and
guests of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF)
attending the P L O E S T I Seminar sponsored by that
organization and the American Air Power Heritage
M u s e u m on Saturday, June 15, 2002. (Editors
Note: The Commemorative Air Force was formerly
known as The Confederate Air Force of Midland,
Texas.)
These two veterans of the daring low-level raid
on the oil fields in Ploesti, Romania, related their
personal experiences and observations of this
dangerous but vital mission in their typical low
key, sensitive but thorough, accurate and nonjudgmental manner. Both, Colonel Cameron and
T o m m y Holmes, had completed their combat
experience and leadership on this hazardous
mission. Colonel Cameron, as pilot of "Buzzin
Bear," led the six plane element on General
Johnson's wing serving as the Deputy Group
Leader. Their target was the Colombia Aquila
(White V ) target that was already ablaze having
been mistakenly bombed earlier by aircraft of the
93rd B o m b Group, w h o following the mission
leading 376th B o m b Group, turned at the wrong IP
(Initial Point), missing their assigned targets and
selecting "targets of opportunity." " T o m m y "
Holmes, as pilot of "A Wing and a Prayer," flew
in a separate 21 plane formation led by Colonel
James Posey against the Creditul Minier at Brazi,
(Blue Target) which they destroyed completely.
The focused, attentive and appreciative
audience responded to the presentations with long
and loud applause followed by an animated
"Question and Answer" session that reflected their
intense interest, respect and appreciation.
Also attending were Colonel Edward K.
Mikoloski, Nida Holmes and Fritzi Selasky.
18
Bill Coombes, the S E M I N A R M O D E R A T O R ,
opened the program by introducing and
acknowledging "Fritzi" Selasky as the person most
responsible for bringing this seminar to fruition.
H e stated that it was Mrs. Selasky w h o wrote him
several months ago when she heard of the monthly
seminar programs the C A F were conducting, and
suggested that they consider sponsoring one of the
"greatest air battles of all times," PLOESTI. After
several exchanges of letters and numerous
telephone calls, the program became a reality.
Among others invited, but unable to attend
were the following veterans of PLOESTI: Lt. Gen.
K.K. Compton, 376th B G and Mission
Commander, M / G e n William H . Brandon, Group
Ops 44th B G and Pilot of "SUZY Q", Colonel
Richard Butler, Reginald Philips, Robert
Lehnhausen, Henry Lasco, Charles Hughes,
William Dabney and Colonel Dexter Hodge.
Bill Coombes, in his letters to us, referred to
the affair as "...a G R E A T seminar series
program!" and also the following, "The many,
many regular attendees of these programs came to
m e and said that it was an outstanding event." Mr.
Coombes also expressed his thanks to the
participants for the unique L O N D O N C L O C K
presented to him and his wife, which they will
place in a position of honor in Bill's office with an
inscribed placard listing the 44th B G V A and
names of the donors.
Members of the 44th BGVA have a standing
invitation from the C A F to visit their Museum,
Memorial Gardens, Annual Air Show and Seminar
Programs.
(Editors Note: This report was written by the
44th 's Immediate Past President, "Mike"
Mikoloski. In his customary modesty, he failed to
mention that he was also the principle speaker at
this event. His topic was a glowing history of the
44th Bomb Group.)
�LT. ROCKFOKD C. GRIFFITH'S AMAZING FEAT
As preserved in a yellowed, updated
newspaper from the collection of
Dale Lee:
"While the parachutes of their crew
dotted the horizon, the pilot and copilot landed a "junk heap" Liberator
bomber at 150 miles an hour-saving
the life of the wounded ball turret
gunner w h o could not bail out.
"A crowd of 500 airmen and ground
crews gathered to greet returning
raiders, w h o watched in awed
silence, and broke into thunderous
cheers when the landing w a s
completed.
"The pilot w a s Second Lieutenant
Rockford C. Griffith, a twenty-three
year old farm boy from Oklahoma.
Damaged controls forced Griffith,
with the aid of his co-pilot, Second
Lieutenant Lawrence W Grono, to
hit the runway with only one wheel.
The bomber roared along on the
wheel; then one wing touched the
ground, and the Liberator s w u n g
around, skidded backwards 300
yards of the runway, and came to
rest, right side up.
Floating all around the airfield were
seven members of the crew ordered
to jump because the plane w a s
unmanageable. All landed safely.
Twice on the w a y home from Norway,
Griffith's bomber fought off attacks by
F W 190's and Ju 88's, which raked
the bomber from nose to tail with
cannon and machine-gun fire. This
knocked out two engines, destroyed
the hydraulic system and reduced the
plane to a flying junk heap. "I k n e w I
had to bring her in because of the ball
turret gunner. H e couldn't get out."
(Editors Note: The date was
November 18,1943. Can anybody
name the turret gunner whose life
was saved byLt's. Griffith and
Grono's courage and expertise?)
44th BOMB GROUP VETERANS ASSOCIATION
44th B o m b Group
Veterans Association
P.O. Box 712287
Salt Lake City, Utah 84171-2287
•
•
•
n Yes, Count me In!
Annual Membership Dues for year 2003 $25.00
Life Membership Dues 60 and over
$125.00
Life Membership Dues 40 to 59
$150.00
Join u s now eo y o u don't m i s s the next cVBall Tails.
Name
Spouse
Address
City
State
Tele:
Fax:
Zip.
E-Mail Address:
Group:
Associate:
Donation;
Crew of:
Squadron:
Relative of:
Thank you for joining usl
Due to increased costs, the Board of Directors at the annual meeting, authorized an increase of dues
to $25.00. T h e last increase w a s five years ago. Membership in the 44th B o m b Group Veterans's
Association is still a bargain in today's world.
19
�Lt. David Saylor
44ther
Discovered in
British
Columbia
This past July
Photo Identification Needed!
who served from October '43 to
November '44. He completed his 35
missions with his crew piloted by Lt.
David Saylor. AMAZING! to run into
a fellow 44ther on holiday in Canada.
Warren said he had had no contact
with his former crew members and
didn't know about our 44th BGVA.
28, Mary and
Lee Aston had
He would like to know if any of them
an amazing
are still alive. C A N A N Y OF YOU A L L
chance meeting
H E L P HIM FIND HIS C R E W
with a lost 44th
M E M B E R S ? If anyone can, write
Bomb Group air
Warren Rohrer at 1321 Cherry St.,
crewman,
Wellington, Kansas 67152; or
Warren Rohrer,
telephone at (620) 325-3222.
in the Butchart
Gardens, Victoria, B.C., while both
were touring the Pacific Coast of
Are you a Veteran who flew the low
Canada and Alaska. While walking
level mission to Ploesti?
the gardens, Lee stopped to rest on a
bench and puff on his pipe as Mary
From Luc Dewez, our Belgian friend:
went to the gift shop. Lee turned to
"For years I have been collecting
see a man that was sitting on a bench
memories of the veterans who flew
behind. Lee could hardly believe his
the low level mission to Ploesti.
eyes. The man was wearing a blue,
Recently I have been working with an
baseball-style cap with lettering that
editor, a 100th B G Veteran; and w e
read "44" Bomb Group."
are now seeking a publisher. I would
be so grateful to hear from 44th B G
veterans who were on that mission,
and who would share their
experiences, anecdotes, official
documents, photographs -- any
information that would describe the
awesome event."
•;,- -:.- -.'.- -.'.- -.'.- -.'.- •:: -.'.- -;.- -;.- -;,- •.'.- -:.- •/.- -/.- •;.- -,*.- -.'.--:,--.•.- •;.- -:.- * * *
From Steve Adams, another Ursel
Harvel's photograph: Can anyone
identify any of these men, believed to
be the cooks for the 68th Squadron?
.'..•..<.-•..<-.•..•- .•..-..'. .•..
Arthur V Cullen Crew!
Tim Mackey,
nephew of 2nd Lt.
John L. Mackey,
67th Squadron, is
hoping to find
someone who
remembers his
uncle. Lt. Mackey,
Navigator on the
John L. Mackey
Arthur V Cullen
crew He was killed on his 5th
mission to Dunkirk, France, February
15,1943. A/C #41-23783 Betty Anne/
Gallopin Ghost was brought down by
enemy fighters. Seven airmen were
killed, including Donald MacDonald,
Command Pilot.
Tim Mackey can be reached at 80
Hollow Woods Drive, Pequea, PA
17565; telephone: (717) 284-4414.
Warren Rohrer, 506 Squadron, and Lee
Aston meet in Victoria, British Columbia.
Luc is making a serious effort to
inform young people in his country,
Lee immediately moved over to sit bythe awesome experience of WWII. He
is the author of Cruel Skies, a studied
the man and introduce himself.
account of the air war in Europe. Luc
Pointing to his own 44th B G V A cap
can be contacted at 8 Paul Pastur
with the 8 Ball logo, Lee gave his
Street, 5190 Han-sur-San, Belgium.
name and discovered Warren Rohrer,
a B-24 gunner from the 506 Squadron E-mail: luc.dewez@skynet.be
•k-k
�FOLDED
MINOS
September,
2002
BURKE, RICHARD
M. Date unknown.
31170058 68th Sq.
He joined the
Squadron on 1 9 June
1943 and flew his first
mission on 13 August as a
Waist Gunner on the R. J.
Lehnhausen crew. His next one was with B.
H. Gildart on 1 October and most of his total
of 31 with that crew. He completed his tour
on 22 April 1944.
Prepared by:
*******
AYERS, EDWARD
1 May 2002. Not in 44th
BG. Was brother of man KIA only.
BILLMAN, ROBERT J. 23 March 2002 68th
Sq. 37137220. Joined the Squadron on 5
March 1942, arrived in England on 2 October as
an Engineer for the R.E. Erwin crew. He flew
five missions, the first being 7 Nov. 1942 with
M.V. Sullivan; and the fifth on 13 March 1943
flew with M. C. Howell. Possibly transferred to
the 389th BG later.
BLAINE, HAROLD E. Date unknown.
31110213. Harold first served with the 806th
Chemical, later transferred to the 67th Sq.
where he worked in Tech Supply.
BOLGER, JAMES M.
June, 2002. 506th Sq.
Flight Engineer with the James Clement's crew
for many of his missions. He arrived in England
in January 1943. He flew his first mission on 18
October, 1943 with the Bunce crew and his
third with J. Clements. He was on his second
tour at end of war when he completed his 38th
mission dated 18 April 1945. He was
discharged in September, 1945. DFC medal.
BRUMM, HAROLD J. 29 June 2001 506th Sq.
Harold was a Flight Engineer, flew his first
mission on 25 May 1944 as a member of the J.
C. Titter crew. He completed his tour of 35
missions on 9 August 1944, apparently all of
them with the J. C. Titter crew.
CANNETTI, DOMINICK Date Unknown
32626523 He joined the 68th Sq. on 14 April
1944 as a member of the C. D Peretti crew.
They flew their first mission on 22 April
1944, he as a Tail Gunner. Their last of 31
missions was completed on 2 October 1944.
The crew transferred to the 70 RCD on 9
October for assignment back to the U.S.
CARPENTER, WILLIAM W. 18 January 2000 T
129133 67th Sq. He flew his first mission on 6
November 1944 as Navigator on the J. M.
Bledsoe crew. This crew flew their last mission
of the war on 25 April 1945, with Lt. Carpenter
finishing with 30 missions or more. They
returned to the U.S. flying A/C #42-50741.
CLAESSEN, KENNETH 5 March 2001 67th Sq.
Cannot identify any data.
CLARK, CLETUS C. 9 February 2002 17157054
506th Sq. He served as Aerial Engineer on the R.
J. Hruby crew. Their first mission was dated 20
April 1944. On their sixth, 29 April, the crew
made an amazing safe ditching in the North Sea
with no injuries. They completed their 32nd and
last mission on 12 July 1944.
CLIFT, REESE R. 4 Sept. 1999 14071610
68th Sq. Aircraft Mechanic. Like most of the
ground personnel in the Engineering Sections,
Reese made both trips, to England and return, on
the Queen Mary. The "cruise" over in early
September 1942 and the return in late June, 1945.
COINER, MAYO L Date Unknown 0-678688
67th Sq. Lt. Coiner, Navigator, flew his first
mission on 21 September 1943 with the W . S.
Aldridge crew and most of his 33 missions. His
last few were flown with different PFF crews
serving as Navigator-GEE. His final mission of his
tour was with the T. L. Harrocks crew.
j
21
�COSTELLO, GEORGE B. Date Unknown
36216016 506th Sq. Aerial Engineer. George
was a regular member of the J. S. Gurman
crew, flew his first mission on 19 May 1944.
But on their fifth mission, 28 May, their aircraft
was shot down, and the entire crew became
Waist for H. W . Moore on 17 May, and Tail
Gunner on E. R. Mitchell on 29 May 1943.
His tour ended when he was Interned in
Switzerland on 18 March 1943, Tail Gunner for
R. J. Lacombe.
POWs.
GARRISON, EDWIN 13 February 2002. Cannot
identify at this time.
f
CURRIE, THOMAS
10/17/01. 12175210 67th
Sq. Thomas served as Aerial Engineer on the C.
C. Spagnola crew which completed their first
mission on 26 August 1944. He completed his
35th and last mission on 6 February 1945.
DAMBACHER, ALBERT N. July, 1995. 67th
Sq. Al was a replacement Waist Gunner on the
John J. Mueller crew. This crew started their
tour on 1 April 1944, while Al completed his
first mission on 24 February 1944 with the G.
W . Johnson crew as a Gunner. His next few
were with various pilots until his 9th when he
joined the Mueller crew on 19 April. He
completed his tolr on 25 July 1944 serving as a
Waist Gunner.
DELACY, GEORGE W. June, 2002. 66th Sq.
George was onepof the original and oldest of the
66th Sq. combat gunners at Barksdale Field. He
was the Tail Gunner on the aircraft Jenny/Lady
Luck on the first^missions flown by the 44th BG.
Unfortunately, he suffered severe frostbite on
12 December 1942 that ended his combat
career. He was 97 years old at the time of his
passing.
DOWD, JOHN Fi 2/11/01 2011 3596 68th Sq.
John was a Gunner on the D. F. Tofte crew that
joined the 68th Sq. on 8 July 1944. Their first
mission was flown on 18 July, second on 19th,
and last on 21st|July. Badly damaged by flak,
they crashlanded in Switzerland, and all of crew
were Interned. John escaped twice, was badly
treated, and finally was repatriated back to the U.S.
GILSENAN, HOWARD STEVE 3 May 2001 68th
Sq. (Difference in spelling) Gunner for the E. K.
Kohler crew that joined the Sq. in early July
1944. They flew their first mission on 16 July
most of them with the aircraft "Corky." They
spent a week in Scotland at a Rest Home, for R
& R, (3 to 10 Sept.) and continued their
missions through to 30 November 1944,
completing 34 missions for Gilsenan. On 13
December they rotated to 70th RCD to return to
the U.S.
GRALEY, BRUCE 16 April 2002 506th
Squadron Ordnance. No further data located yet.
GRAY, ARNOLD 12 June 2001 506th Sq.
Arnold was a Navigator, flew his first three
missions with different crews. His first one was
9 September 1943 with the L. S. Davenport
crew; second with H.J. Laudig on 21
September; and his third on 24 September with
J. A. Bunce. Apparently, he was assigned to the
W . M. Maynor crew, as his last four were with
this crew. They were: 5 November, 18
November, 26 November and his 11th mission
came on 20 December 1943 when they were
shot down, became POWs.
HADDOCH, SAMMY W. 1993. 14181734 66th
Sq. Sammy was a Ball Turret gunner on the D.
R. Talbott crew that flew their first mission on
30 January 1944. On 20 February, this crew
made a rough crashlanding. Then on 15 March,
on their 10th mission, they were attacked and
forced to bail out over Holland. Sammy became
a POW.
FINK, ROBERT D. 31 July 2001. Served in 44th
Headquarters.
HICKMAN, F. JACKSON October 1996 67th Sq.
Ground Crew. "Jack" was an Aircraft Mechanic.
FLISTER, HENRY ODELL Date Unknown
He was a member of Ground Echelon that went
36232737 67th Sq. He flew his first
mission as Tail Gunner for the newly
to England on the Queen Mary in early
arrived W . A. Roach crew on 1 May 43.
September, 1942. He first served on the M.
v£ In succession he then flew as Tail
Bagley crew, but later, he became an Assistant
Crew Chief on the R. D. Davis crew. He returned
Ul ^ r c Gunner for R. I. Brown on 4 May, Left
22
�to the States in May, 1945 with orders for a
month furlough and then return to duty.
However, orders were changed, most of the
men had too many "points' for further overseas
duty, so were assigned to bases near home.
HOBSON, THOMAS B. 11 July 2002. 506th
Sq. 0-791426.?Tom was one of the original
506th Sq. pilots that joined the 44th BG in
England in late February, 1943. He served as
Co-pilot for G. Rebich on their first mission on
31 March and on until after Ploesti. On 21
September 1943, he flew his first mission as 1st
Pilot after he and his crew were transferred to
the 66th Sq. His plane was damaged badly by
fighters, most If crew bailed out, and he was
captured to become a P O W on 1 Oct 1943. That
was his 21st mission. Tom was recalled into the
Army during the Korean War. He then retired as
an Army Colonel.
HUGHES, WILLIAM D. 1987 0-727993 68th Sq.
Pilot. Joined the 68th Sq. on 8 March 1942. He
arrived in England on 2 October 1942 with the
68th Sq. Air Echelon. He was co-pilot for Lt.
Cramer; then became a 1st Pilot on D S to Africa,
flew both tough missions to Ploesti and Weiner
Neustadt. Completed his tour of 25 on 18 Nov. 1943.
HURLEY, DAVID G. Date Unknown 35330744
68th Sq. Aircraft Mechanic. W a s a passenger on
A/C #42-109805 on 25 May 1945 upon return
to the U.S.
JACOBS, L. G. Date Unknown 67th Sq,
16146649. Radio Operator for the J. A. Struthers
crew. He flew his first and all 37 of his missions
with this crewlMission #1 dated 18 August
1944 and mission #37 dated 23 February 1945.
Crew returned jo the U.S. on 19 April 1945.
JOHNSON, NORMAN B. Date unknown.
39454377 68th Sq. Gunner on the H. C. Palmer
crew. Flew his first mission on 3 March 1944
and his 14th and last on 9 April 1944. Crew
was force to land in Sweden on 3 March. He
was released on 16 October 1944 and returned
to base.
JONES, CLARENCE R. 9 February 2002
12096377 68th Sq. He joined the
Squadron on 8 July 1944 as an Aerial
Engineer on the D. F. Tofte crew.
They flew their 1st mission on 18 July and
their 31st on 21 July 1944. On this last
mission they were force to land in Sweden and
Interned. Later, on 19 October, they returned to base.
KRYSZCZUK, CHESTER J. May, 1998. 506th
Sq. Chester was the nose turret gunner on the
A. R. Rockman crew that flew their 1st mission
on 1 November 1944. They completed their tour
of 30 missions plus on 11 April 1945.
KIRMSE, ROBERTS Sept. 2000 68th Sq. 0699530. Bombardier on the A. V. Larson crew,
when on their first mission dated 21 May 1944.
Then he flew missions with several different
crews. From 16 August, he was assigned to the
S. L. Dobbs crew, a PFF crew. He completed his
tour of 33 missions on 15 October 1944.
MILLER, ALLEN W. 18 May 2002 67th Sq. "Bill"
served as a Gunner on the Roger S. Markle crew
from February to May, 1945. He flew his first
mission on 12 March and his last on 18 April
1945. He is credited with at least nine missions,
but could have flown more during early April. He
is survived by his wife, Marcella and two sons.
McFARLANE, ROBERTS 30 November 2001 0
885100 68th Sq. Served as Assistant Armament
Officer in the 68th Squadron.
NELSON, OD/S E. (Curly) 23 January 2002
18085241 67th Sq. "Curly" was an Aerial
Engineer for the Capt. Howard W . Moore crew,
one of the first crews in the 67th Sq. On 5
October 1942 they departed from Gander Lake,
destination England. He flew five combat
missions with this crew from 6 Dec. 42 to 16
Feb. 43, but was "grounded" due to severe ear
problems. Reassigned to Crew Chief, he soon
established exceptional records of missions
flown without an "abort" or early return due to
mechanical problem. He and his assistant, Carl
Hall, crewed Old Iron Corset, recorded at least
129 missions with no early returns. It completed
the war, and I was proud to have flown back to
the States with these two mechanics. On the
last leg of the flights. Old Iron Corset took off
45th from Greenland and was first over the base
in Connecticut. Old and war-worn, but still one
of the fastest and best. Curly was exceptionally
popular and one of the best!
23
�NUTTER, KENT 30 May 2002. 13071509 68th
Sq. Kent joined the 68th Sq. on 26 Oct. 44 as a
Tail Gunner on the H. M. Garbade crew. Their
first mission was dated 29 November 1944.
Their last of 26 or more was dated 18 April
1945. (PossibJy flew one or more in early April,
reports missing) They returned to the U.S. flying
A/C #44-40276 ih late May, 1945.
O'BRIEN, JAMES
1ES E. 2002, 0-435700 68th Sq.
Pilot. Jim flew his first mission and first for the
44th BG on 7 November 1942. His second was
on 9 November. On 14 May 1943 he was flying
as Major and 68th Sq. Commanding Officer.
They were shot down and Jim became a P O W .
Jim was very active, attended reunions and
wrote several very good recollections of his
wartime experiences.
REED, JOHN y.|l6 May 2002 0-660004 66th
Sq. Pilot Lt. Reed flew his first mission on 12
December 1942 as a co-pilot for R. J. Abernethy.
Following that, he continued to serve as co-pilot
for several pilots, including Bill McCoy, T. E.
Scrivner, and RJE. Miller. On 4 April 1943 he
flew his first mission as a 1st Pilot. He took part
in the difficult 14 May raid on Kiel, and then on
to North Africa. Wohn completed his tour of 25
missions on 21 August 1943 in Africa.
PARTRIDGE, WILLIAM R. February, 2002 0
685953 66th and 68th Squadrons. Lt. Partridge
was a Navigatorlon the W . 0. Peterson crew
that had transferred into the 44th from the 446
BG. They had already completed ten missions
with that Group. He flew his first mission in the
44 BG as a Radar Navigator for the W . 0.
Peterson crew on 5 June 1944. On 10 October
he was transferred to the 68th Sq. and
completed his tour as a Radar Navigator on 22
February 1945 with the H.M. Garbade crew.
RAY, CHARLES W. May 2001. 14170302 67th
Sq. He was a Gunner, flew his first mission with
the D. H. Dines crew on 24 February 1944 as a
Waist Gunner. His second one was with the W .
E. Wahler crew, also as a Waist Gunner. Then
he served with several other crews . He finished
his 29th mission with the E. C. Holmer crew
on 30 December 1944.
24
ROSENGREN, ROBERT E. 19 March 2002
506th Sq. Robert was a Gunner. He flew his
first mission as Waist Gunner with the G. S.
Stevens crew. His second was with the J.
Clements crew, Belly Gunner on 30 November.
His third and fourth were as a Hatch Gunner for
the N. Purdy crew on 11 January and 14
January 44. He then joined the L. Waine crew,
flew two missions with them. Then, the entire
crew was transferred to the 15th A.F. in Italy
where they completed their tour total of 50.
SMITH, FREDERICK J. 26 January 1991
3031080 68th Sq. Sheet Metal worker. He was
a member of the Ground Echelon, Engineering
Section, that went to England in early
September 1942 and returned to the States
with them in late June, 1945. He also was one
of the men who was on D.S. to Africa in the
middle of 1943 to attack Ploesti, Weiner
Neustadt and many other targets.
SNYDER, BETHEL A. Date unknown. Service
data also unknown.
STIEFEL, MAX A. 1 June 2002 0-801102 66th
Sq. Max was a Navigator on the R. E. Felber
crew when he flew his first mission on 13
August 1943. He then transferred to the R. W .
Bridges crew, flew with them on 16 and 19
August; then 7 and 15 September. On his ninth
mission, 1 October 1943, the Bridges crew was
shot down and he became a P O W .
TAYLOR, WILLIAM Date Unknown. Cannot
locate him in our records.
THOMPSON, MOODY E. 29 June 2001
18085261 67th Sq. Moody was a member of
the 67th Ground Echelon that went to England
in early September 1942. He served there until
June 1945, when he returned back to the
States on the same Queen Mary. His job
classification cannot be located at this time.
TITKEMEYER, CHARLES W. 1 7 July 2002 0796626 66th Sq. Lt. Titkemeyer was the
Navigator on the R. E. Felber crew that joined
the 66th Squadron in June, 1943 and very soon
assigned to D.S. in North Africa. His first
mission was to the Oil Fields of Ploesti, 1
August 1943, by far the toughest. With but two
exceptions, he continued to fly as Navigator
with the Felber crew until late December, when
�they became a Lead crew. As a Lead Navigator,
he occasionally flew with other crews, until he
finished his tour of 28 missions on 12 March
1944. Charles kept a fine, detailed log of his
missions that he donated for our history.
TUREK, BENJAMIN J. 1988 67th Sq. Ground
Personnel, Engineering Section. Ben served as
Aircraft Inspector during 1943, later he was
promoted to T/Sgt. in charge of Tech. Supply.
He returned to the U.S. on board the Queen
Mary in late June, 1945.
TODD, MARK or MACK 13 March 2002 68th
Sq. Cannot identify
lent
VILLEMEZ, LAWRENCE
R. May, 1999
\WI
18062086 68th Crew Chief. Lawrence was one
of the Ground Echelon personnel w h o sailed to
England in ear[y September, 1942. He served in
that capacity until he returned to the U.S. by
flying home on A/C #44-49397, piloted by 1st
Lt. T. R. Williams. He also served in N. Africa on
D.S. in September and early October, 1943.
WAGNER, CHARLES H. Date Unknown
13029488 68th Sq. Aircraft Mechanic He, too,
was a member of the Ground Echelon that went
to England on board the Queen Mary in early
September 1942. But he returned to the U.S. in
late May 1945 as a passenger on A/C #4295021.
WHITWORTH, JOHN L. 2 January 2002
34448789 68th Sq. John served as Left Waist
Gunner on the W . H. Barry crew that was shot
down on its very first mission, 8 April 1944.
John kindly supplied his recollections of that
mission and how the crew parachuted to
become POWs.
WOOD, FRANCIS M. 1 8 May 2002 341 3301 2
68th Sq. M/Sgt. Crew Chief. He was a member
of the Ground Echelon that sailed to England in
early September, 1943. He also served in Africa
on the two Detached Service assignments in
1943. He flew back to the U. S. on 26 May,
1945 on his aircraft number 42-50806 E,
Louisiana Belle, piloted by R. G. Erikson.
ZEE, WALTER J. (Zubowicz) 7 August 2002
67th Sq. Sgt. Zee flew his first mission on 24
February 1944 as a crewmen on the R.C.
Griffith crew. He also flew as Gunner on the G.
J. Thorn crew. Later, he joined the Charles H.
Mercer crew that flew their first mission on 21
March 1944. His last of 30 missions was flown
on 6 June 1944, D-Day. Awarded the DFC medal.
DUBOIS, PHYLIS 24 April 2002 Phylis, our
great friend and former supervisor of the
American Room in the main library of Norwich,
has folded her wings. She has been a faithful
worker for that library and for our 44th BG as
well. Even after being relieved of her duties in
that American Room some years ago, she
continued her efforts to assist us in every way
possible. She was particularly concerned with
the official Roll of Honour and attempted to help
all of us to get it as accurate as possible. W e
miss her and owe her a great debt of gratitude.
Bless you, Phylis.
The 44th B o m b Group's PX
Making friends is as easy as
pointing at your cap!
"The man was wearing a blue, baseball-style cap with
lettering that read "44" Bomb Group."
Flying 8 Ball Patches $15 + $1 Postage
(Indicate Squadron: 66th, 67th, 68th, 506th w/
nose color of squadron. Also available
headquarters service squadron, all colors.)
Blue Liberator Shirts $30 + $3 Postage
Flying 8 Ball Shirts $25 + $3 Postage
Flying 8 Ball Caps $15 + $2 Postage
Pins (Specify Squadron) $5 + $1 Postage
Write: Sam Miceli
6398 Dawson Blvd.
Mentor, O H 44060-3648
WILTERDINK DONALD J. No date. No
records can be located for this man.
25
�» » «
(
^
mm
® s-jtAft
B-24 Plaque at Hill Air Field
on 8th Air Force Memorial.
From Jerry Folsom:
A Plaque with 44th B o m b Group Markings has been
installed on the 8>th Air Force Memorial near the Hill
Field Aero Space Museum at Hill Field, Roy, Utah.
Two years ago, the 44th B G V A board allocated the
money for this distinction.
The Hill Field Aero Space Museum is unique in that
it has a B-24 that was salvaged from an Aleutian
Island, being restored. Completion is expected in the
next couple months.
They have on display a 4000 pound piece of rock
from the White Cliffs of Dover with a emulated
emergency landing field that was on top of the cliff.
This is nostalgic to many crews who flew from
England.
July 31-August 1, 2 0 0 3 . The Ploesti stories are so
awesome, a new generation of B-24 buffs are eager
to meet the men who flew that mission.
&
Setting the Record Straight:
From Ed Mazer, Radio Operator and Gunner on the
Lt. William Wahler Crew, 67th Squadron: "The
bombardier who helped Tail Gunner Joseph Meskinis
was Lt. Tom Murray. The mission was to the
Langenhagen Airdrome in Germany. Wahler was able
to bring Judy's Buggy safely across the Channel
before crashing. Murray placed Meskinis in his
parachute from his turret and placed him in his
parachute harness, only to learn later that
Meskinis's chute did not open. All other members of
the crew balled out and survived. Besides Wahler,
Murray, and Mazer, the following crew members were
on that fateful mission, April b, 1944: Pietro Pino,
Co-Pilot; Grover C. Trumbo, Navigator; Clyde Bickel,
Engineer; Carl Hager, Radio Operator; Charles
Harmeyer, Ball Turret Gunner; Charles Ray, Waist
Gunner; and James Warren, Waist Gunner. (An
error in Lt. Murray9s name wae In Vol. 4, Issue #3,
Spring 2002 issue of the & Ball Tails.)
In a telephone call, I learned why Ed Mazer did not
fly with his crew on that mission. April 8,1944, was
Passover, a Jewish holiday. "A Catholic Chaplain
came to our barracks that morning. Because I was
Jewish, he gave m e a pass to London" Carl Wager
flew in his place.
Mazer read Frank Stegbauer's account in the 3
Ball Tails about his friend, the late Charles Kay,
According to Stegbauer, Ray was shot twice while
overseas; then 'shot by a friend while quail hunting.'
Mazer said, "I was a friend, but I didn't shoot him. I
shot past him at a bird, and just missed his head.
It almost scared me to death, that I came that
close."
(Editors Note: it had to be rather sobering for
Charles Kay, also.)
Attn: Ploesti Participants and Buffs: Flans are
underway for a 60th Anniversary Celebration of the
Ploesti Mission in Salt Lake City, Utah. The date is
�From Marge
Beiber, widow
of the late
George Beiber.
July 14th is Bastille Day in France, ending centuries
of rule by monarchy. July 21st is Independence Day
in Belgium. Do you know the country from which they
were liberated?
Answer: Holland.
&
From Forrest 5. Clark:
I enjoyed the
article about
Georges co-pilot, 'Jerry' Folsom. Unfortunately,
George's last name was not spelled correctly in the
article. (Editor acknowledges error). Beiber was the
beloved pilot on the Consolidated Mess and
sometimes on Joplin Jalopy, and his crew can never
praise him too highly.
George Beiber
Paul Boench, Bombardier, describes him as a man
with great concern for his crew, a good listener, and
a man with a great sense of responsibility. Boench's
happiest memory with Beiber was returning home on
the S S Brazil. "We played checkers the whole way
home," he recalled, "using a pocket-size set we had
gotten from the Red Cross."
Waist Gunner Harold Maggard considered beiber
the best pilot in the 6th Air Force; and his
reputation must have resounded through the 5 0 6
Squadron. Many unassigned airmen, needing a few
more missions to complete their tour, wanted to fly
with him. Tail Gunner Perry Morse remembers him
fondly for many reasons, including that Beiber
loaned him his officer's jacket. Navigator Willis
Edgecomb loaned his to Harold Maggard. They used
it for entry into the Officers Club to watch the
performance of their Bombardier Paul Boensch, a
member of the 44th B o m b Group Band. Lt. George
Beiber passed away M a y 23,1995.
&
From Dick Butler:
The name of the pilot who had to abandon a beloved
plane, Earthquake McGoon, in Bari, Italy, after a
harrowing scene at Wiener Neustadt, was William S.
Aid ridge.
"I was the radio operator on a B-24 of the 44th
BG. W e had dropped our bomb load and were
heading as fast as we could for home base. A s we
did so, the formation loosened up considerably. It
usually did. It was a scramble to "get the hell out of
there" W e were deep over Nazi Germany.
"I recall suddenly looking up from the top turret;
and there, to m y surprised eyes was another B-24,
bomb bay doors open and bombs clearly visible. It
looked like it was only 100 feet above us, but I know
it must have been more.
"Someone on our crew blasted over the
intercom, "Watch out, B-24 above us." Immediately
the pilot dove down and out of the way, leaving In a
hurry. A few minutes later the B-24 peeled away
and dropped out of our sights. If those bombs had
gone, we would have been blown to bits.
"Was it an intruder that had Infiltrated our
loose formation or was it an illusion? W e had been
briefed that the Germans were employing captured
American bombers to infiltrate our formations, and
in a suicide mission, try to collide with or drop
bombs.
"When we got back at Interrogation, the officers
told us they had reports of captured B-24's
intruding into our formations. Then the question
follows: Were there any German pilots trained to fly
B-24's? Answer: There were"
(Editors Note: Clark is trying to contact the
members of the K.C. Griffith crew, (67th Squadron)
including Lt. Bob Weatherwax; Co-Pilot Bill Tinsman
and Bombardier, Lt. David Edonds. Any information
about experiences with this crew would be
appreciated. Write 703 Duffer Lane, Kissimmee, FL
34759-4114; telephone (363) 427-0371; e-mail
B24vet@aoi.com).
��
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8 Ball Tails
Newsletter
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8 Ball Tails Volume 3 - Issue 4: Spring 2000
Source
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<span>44th Bomb Group Veteran's Association Website (<a class="in-cell-link" target="_blank" href="http://www.8thairforce.com/44thbg" rel="noreferrer noopener">Now Inactive</a>)</span>
Date
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Spring 2000
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https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/65043/archive/files/bf65d7f98d38eb02edba448922c39759.pdf?Expires=1712793600&Signature=ZdxPwRTHeKJ9%7EVfoblEq6hy-Zo4Ww3WoTCnYPRnAmnJAtPP83%7ECQBZiDBfHRzTRpTomQjGHtJ%7Exn4QculNp0cYv1wDbsd6h5QjmSLuoJgnxE7zNeYQerJL8lfUU9UHHtqpdK2vYxc-y8x9c2h22QrW44NNW6nhcAA6wsA8rfduddZXSgId2VnpSuDqMz%7E0tVe8jGHe5w65O6OlXHl8yMVdmW-hsQMleqc2Mjz2ZvtIb4eu6neaPhgwtaRPUHeioSK9ovJ7IzW5dpk4p8A0Z80VeQiYsvMQeg4e2nagJgg9oZvTKGJgZe0M-Wft5sGmyQORicSlg-YUb9kSKZn%7ETHow__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM
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Text
�44TH BOMB GROUP VETERANS ASSOCIATION BOARD
Official Journal of
President Emeritus: B-Gen John H. Gibson (Retired)
7008 Gateridge
Dallas, TX 75240-7936
Phone: (972) 239-0559
Compiled, written
Immediate Past President: Roy W. Owen (506)
6304 Meadowridge Drive
Santa Rosa, CA 95409-5839
Phone: (707) 538-4726 Fax: (707) 538-1212
e-mail: Rowen44bg@aol.com
Director: Robert J. Lehnhausen (68)
2540 Benton Court
Peoria, IL 61615-8838
Phone/Fax: (309) 243-1952
The 8-Ball Tails©
The 44th Bomb
Group Veterans
Association, Inc.©
Director: Michael "Mike" Yuspeh (506)
7214 Sardonyx St.
N e w Orleans, LA 70124-3509
Phone/Fax: (504) 283-3424
e-mail: mikeyuspeh@worldnet.att.net
and published triyearly at 2041
Village Circle East,
York, PA, by Ruth
W . Davis-Morse,
Editor. Printed and
Director (44 SMW)
mailed Bulk Rate
President: Edw. K. "Mike" Mikoloski (66/67)
at Salt Lake City,
Charles G. Simpson
626 Smithfield Road #702
U T under U S P S
P.O. Box 281
N. Providence, Rl 02904
Permit #6923. All
Breckenridge, C O 80424
Phone/Fax: (401) 353-0144
original written
Phone/Fax: (970) 453-0500
e-mail: EKMLIB44@msn.com
material
such as
e-mail: AFMISSILEERS@compuserve.com
letters,
stories,
First Vice President: Richard D. Butler (506/67)
excerpts from
Historian: C.W. "Will" Lundy (67)
44th Group VP to 2nd ADA
personal diaries or
3295 North "H" Street
16828 Mitchell Circle
memoirs, drawings
San Bernardino, CA 92405-2809
Riverside, CA 92518
and photos
Phone/Fax: (909) 882-2441
Phone (909) 780-7421 Fax: (909) 780-1459
submitted to this
e-mail: willundy@aol.com
e-mail: rdbutler@excelonline.com
journal will become
P.O. Box 315, Bridgeport, CA 93517 (Sum) the property of the
Phone/Fax: (760) 932-7349
Treasurer: Gerald (Jerry) Folsom (506)
44th Bomb Group
3582 East Dover Hill Road
Veterans
Membership: Search
Salt Lake City, UT 84121-5527
Association and
Art Hand (66)
Phone (801) 733-7371 Fax: (801) 942-9988
will be copyright
517 Elm Street
e-mail: 44thbgva@xmission.com
protected except
Paris, IL 61944-1417
where noted. The
text and photos
Phone/Fax: (217) 463-5905
Secretary & 8 Ball Tails Editor: Ruth W. Davis-Morse
are otherwise
e-mail: k9hwp@comwares.net
2041 Village Circle East
reproduced from
York, PA 17404
official U S A A F and
U.K. Representative: Steve Adams
Phone (717) 846-8948 Fax: (717) 846-6688
USAF documents
e-mail: REWDM@BLAZENET.NET
28 Bassingham Rd.
and
photos which
Norwich, England NR3 20J
have
been released
Phone/Fax: 011-44-1603-400221
Director (67) Archivist
for
publication.
e-mail: s.p.adams@btinternet.com
Anthony 'Tony" Mastradone
Permission is
9111 Tuckerman Street
granted for the
ASSOCIATION MAILING ADDRESS:
Lanham, M D 20706-2709
contents of this
44th BGVA
Phone/Fax: (301) 577-1487
journal to be
P.O. Box 712287
e-mail: mast@clres.com
reproduced
Salt Lake City, UT 84171-2287
specifically for
personal archives.
Otherwise, copyright material herein m a y be reproduced by the journal of other incorporated non-profit veterans organizations so long as this publication is
properly credited and prior permission is granted by the editor.
Those submitting letters, stories and photos to the editor or historian must do so with the understanding that this material will most likely be published in t
journal as a matter of interest to the members/subscribers of the Association and this journal. While every attempt will be made to answer all of the material
received, there is no explicit or implied guarantee that an answer will be provided or published. Except for specific requests for the return of original documents
and photos, all material submitted will become the property of the 44th Veterans Association, Inc., or its successors.
�ROBERT R£ASON£R'S AOUENTURES
WHILE EARNING PURPLE HEARTS
SqT. Robem
REASONER \N
1942.
FiPiy-flvE ytAns AFTER BAT O U T of Hbll CRAshed NEAR HAVERfoRdwEsi, WAIES,
(1 9 9 8 ) R E A S O N E R REiuRNEd TO TEIE CRASFI siiE TO Uy A WREATEI O N TEIE
MONUMENI TO Flis FAIIEIN CREWMEN. ThIE pRESidENT of IIHE PEMF>ROl<ESEliRE
AviAiioN G R O U P , M A I C O I M CUIIEN, A R R A N G ^ A fliqliT O V E R TEIE D E N A N I AREA
FOR B o b ANd B E R N K E R E A S O N E R iN A C E S S N A AS PART of TEIE MEMORJAI
CElEbRAlioN ANd EXpRESSiON of TEIE qiiAmudE of TEIE WEISCEI pEOpU.
The German Luftwaffe w a s not the only problem the crew of
Bat Out of He/I encountered when the 68th Squadron set off
for the submarine pens at St. Nazaire, France on Sunday,
January 3,1943. B-24s followed the B-17 formations,
dropped their bombs and continued following them out over
the ocean and back toward England. Returning home,
Reasoner's plane made it across the Channel to Wales, but
Pilot Lt. Roy Erwin had no gas to continue. At 600 feet the
plane dived straight down into a cabbage patch. Fortunately,
without gas, it did not explode. Reasoner w a s one of the
lucky ones that survived the crash. The impact w a s so
powerful, his shoes flew off-still untied, and he sustained an
injury to his heel. For that crash he earned Purple Heart #1.
Less fortunate was Clark Swanson, co-pilot, who died
instantly. Roy Erwin died two days later in the hospital; and
on January 8th, T h o m a s Davenport, Navigator, passed
away. Reasoner lived to fly again.
"After spending a week in the hospital, I w a s sent back to
Shipdham. At first they didn't have anything for m e to do. I
just hung around, doing nothing. Finally they sent m e to
Lancashire to Turret Maintenance School." Reasoner enjoyed
that for about a month, but the easy life w a s short-lived. In
March they assigned him to the crew of Pilot George Jansen
on Margaret Ann, and on M a y 14th, he w a s on his way to the
Sub Pens at Kiel, Germany.
Fighters and anti-aircraft weapons protected the Krupp
Submarine Plant, where 17 B-24s followed 109 Fortresses.
The B-17s were dropping high explosives, some of which
were falling through the Liberator's formation. To avoid this
menace, the lead pilots maneuvered away from the B-17
bomber column, becoming easy targets for the German
fighters. The 100 lb. incendiaries dropped by the Liberators
broke open immediately, so the pilots in the rear planes had to
fly in loose formation to avoid the masses of incendiary sticks
from the lead planes. The 44th lost five planes, one w a s
abandoned, 9 damaged, 12 men wounded and 51 MIA.
Among the wounded was Reasoner, whose head met a .30
cal. bullet. This earned him Purple Heart #2.
"From my position in the tail turret, I was shooting at the
fighter and watching the tracers. He w a s coming right at
me," Reasoner recalled. "All of a sudden I found myself
looking straight up at the top of the plane." He could feel the
warm blood seeping out of his wound, matting his hair.
Our of C,AS, BAI OLI of Htll< KASITLC! iN W A I E S .
�With four wounded men on board and a plane that had been
badly damaged, Lt. George Jansen managed to get them
safely back to Shipdham, succeeding in making a perfect
landing. When the 44th w a s awarded a Unit Citation for the
Kiel Mission, Reasoner was still recovering from his wound.
With the upcoming attack on Sicily, Reasoner joined the
44th's flight to Benghazi in late June, 1943. From this
airfield they bombed Italian and Sicilian fortifications, in
preparation for General Patton's and Montgomery's entry
onto the island. This w a s the prelude to the attack on
mainland Europe. They carried their bombs to Foggia, Naples
and Rome; and when the decision was made to cut off the
German oil supply at Ploesti, the Margaret Ann, Jansen's
plane was among the attacking force. This w a s another Unit
Citation mission.
"It turned out that our assignment to Benghazi was for the
low level attack on the Ploesti oil fields. After some low level
flying over England and over the desert of Libya, the day
arrived for the low level mission. W e took off at dawn for the
target," Reasoner stated.
"It was a long mission. We were in the air a total of 13 hours
and 5 minutes. W e had to fight off fighters and fly through
heavy flak before entering the fire, smoke, and explosions in
the target area to deliver our bombs. W e came through with
only a few small holes in our aircraft, but I saw several planes
go down. W e had a lot of small arms fire over the target."
August 1, 1943 is recognized as one of the most costly
missions in the War, in terms of loss of men and aircraft, and
also men captured.
"As a reward for this mission, we were given a three day pass
and a plane to carry us to Jerusalem, which w a s at that time,
a part of Palestine. Then w e set out for England.
"Spain was a neutral country, so we couldn't fly over it.
Instead w e went over Gibralter into the open Atlantic. I
looked out the window and saw a stream of oil coming from
under the plane. Another plane signaled to us that w e had a
problem, so w e turned back to North Africa, this time landing
in Marrakesh, French Morocco. It took ten days to get the
plane repaired, so when w e returned to England, w e flew solo.
"Two weeks later we got word that the Army was holed up at
Anzio and needed help to break through. By the time w e got
there, they had made the break, so they were ready to send
us back to England. Then came the Mission to Wiener-Neustadt
in Austria. It was a Messerschmidt plant.
&
C A N ANybody idENiify TEIESE T W O STRATEqisTs w h o ARE poiNiii
OUT TEIE ROUTE iN ANd OUT of PloESTi?
"The first time w e went to Wiener-Neustadt on August 13,
1943, the Germans were unprepared, thinking our planes
could not fly that far. W e had very little resistance. T w o
months later, on m y 21st mission, October 1,1943, they
were ready. This time I w a s with Lt. Coleman Whitaker's
crew on the Blackjack. I thought it would be a milk run, and
going across the mountains of Yugoslavia, I was wondering
what I should do after I finished m y last three missions-go
back to the states, join a maintenance crew, or what? As it
happened, m y decision w a s made for me."
The ME 109's came straight toward the formation. These
were experienced fighters - 60 or 70 of them. Then came
the heavy flak. It hit the bomb bay and set it afire. The plane
fell back, peeled to the left, losing altitude. At that point
there w a s no radio contact among the crew. Blackjack
passed under another aircraft, and three crew members bailed
out. Reasoner walked through fire with his eyes closed to
find an exit. The bombardier's camera w a s occuppying the
camera hatch, so he leaped out the waist window, intending
to open his parachute when he hit the clouds below. However,
drifting out of consciousness, he woke up in the clouds with
the chute opened. The plane drifted to the left, passing over
the top of another plane in the formation. T w o more crew
members emerged. At that point the plane turned right and
broke into two pieces, taking the lives of Coleman Whitaker,
Pilot; Francis Badman, Radio Operator; Wilson Riche, Asst.
Engineer; Robert Smith, Gunner and Anthony Domico,
Assistant Radio Operator. Seven planes from the 44th went
down that day. Reasoner earned his third Purple Heart.
"My parachute got caught in a tree, a few feet from the
ground," Reasoner remembered. "By that time I was totally
blind, and the Germans pulled m e from the tree.
®
�"Since I w a s sent to a hospital and not interrogated, I w a s
not legally a POW," he continued. "I w a s in a room with five
Germans with an Austrian doctor taking care of me. If the
other patients were present, he did not talk. When they were
out, he spoke very kindly in perfect English and w a s
extremely gentle in the painful procedures he had to do in
caring for m y burns.
"He told me that I needed a great deal of work done on my
face, and that he had a friend in Vienna w h o w a s a plastic
surgeon. 'Would I like to see him?' Of course I wanted
anything! that would make m y life better, so he promised to
make the arrangements. I had been in the hospital four
months, most of them in total blackness. N o w I could see a little."
During that period, kindness came from unexpected sources.
Reasoner w a s 'adopted' by some southern EuropeansSerbians and Croations. They saluted him with great respect;
and even though they had no common language, they talked.
They came in different numbers-two, three or four, and they
each brought him the same treat, apples, sugar cubes or cigarettes.
"One evening an aide came and told me to come with him to
get some clothes, that I w a s going to Vienna. I w a s outfitted
with German infantry pants, ill fitting Gl shoes and an old
jacket, and at 5:00 A.M. I w a s off on a bus to a ski resort
doubling as a medical facility.
"That doctor assured me that I needed a lot of plastic
surgery. He told m e to go back to m y hospital and he would
send for m e when he had room. I never saw him again.
"Back at the hospital we had a new doctor who was very
stern. I could hear him coming down the hall, 'Heil Hitler' to
everyone he met.
"Several days later they repeated the call to get clothes to go
to Vienna. This time, instead of the hospital, I ended up in a
large warehouse filled with a collection of laboring P O W s . W e
were transported to 17-A, which w a s mostly an English
camp. I w a s treated great. S o m e of the P O W s had been
captured at Dunkirk, and I was the first American they had seen.
"After about a month I was sent to Frankfurt-on-Main to be
interrogated and w a s assigned to Stalag Luft VI prison camp.
I expected a lengthy questioning, but it w a s very brief. When
the German folded up the paper he w a s writing on, I said, 'Is
that all? He assured m e he already knew all about m e and m y
crew, and did not need to question m e further."
There w a s a rumor in Luft VI prison camp that in accordance
with the Geneva Convention, wounded prisoners could apply
for repatriation. A prisoner, an English doctor, acted as
advisor as to w h o might qualify. He advised Reasoner to apply.
"I had to pass a long table with doctors from many
nationalities w h o were supposed to be neutral in their
evaluation-German, Swiss and Swedish. Each of them just
passed m e along, and the last one said, 'Sergeant Reasoner,
you may go home.'
'Go home! Go home! It was almost too good to be true.'
This was the beginning of a long period of hospitalization for
Reasoner. He had more skin grafts than he could remember
at the Newton D. Baker Hospital in Martinsburg, West
Virginia. When that closed, he went to Valley Forge Hospital
in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. The surgeons created new eyelids
for him, and rebuilt ears which were almost totally burned away.
Returning to civilian life was difficult, as he was self-consci
about his appearance. However he went on to get a degree in
Botany at the University of Miami, becoming a landscape
architect. In time he landed a job with the Department of
Agriculture in Miami, Florida, and
has been retired for 20 years.
He and his wife Bernice reside in
Mountville, South Carolina.
DECORATIONS
Distinguished Flying Cross
Bronze Star
Air Medal w/3 OLC
Distinguished Unit Citation w/l OLC
P O W Medal
European Theater of Operations Medal w/4 Battle Stars
Three Purple Hearts
C R E W of
TEIE MARqARET A N N
KNEEUNQ
L-R:
FRANCTS BAUMAN,
Louis CiRARd,
Piloi 1 si LT.
CEORqE JANSEN,
Bob
REASONER
SiANdiNq L-R:
CIARENCE SiRAwdbERq,
CORtt/iN Huff,
EuqtNE VickERy,
CEORqE KEISEY,
CEORqE GuilfoRd,
RODERT S»mh.
�fiv
44th BGVA Board Masting
At the 44th B G V A Board Meeting, Mike Yuspeh reported
that the site for the 2001 Reunion will probably be in
Barksdale, as that group is working very hard to complete
the B-24, n o w under reconstruction. The plane will be
renamed Louisiana Belle, and will have the serial number and
stripes of the 44th.
to the 506th B o m b S q u a d r o n
Roy O w e n is organizing a team of members to make
personal calls to inactive members of the 44th in an effort
to increase membership.
O n July 10, 2000 the
506th Bomb Squadron
lost its wartime
"Mum," when Mrs.
Linda Weston, age 89,
quietly passed away at
her home in
Portsmouth, England.
Linda, her husband Bill
"B"eryT 944
(Davies), and daughter
lived in the farmhouse just over the fence of
A A F 1 1 5 , Site 2, home of the 506th. W e
featured the Davies family in our Winter 1995
issue of the 8-Ball Tails.
Following the meeting. O w e n is going to Savannah to
inspect the diorama of the Ploesti Mission at the Mighty
Eighth Museum. He is also invited to Shipdham to speak to
a group about 44th activities during W W I I .
By-law change: The Nominating Committee is required to
submit only one nominee for each office. Each Squadron
will have a representative, but a Unit vote is not required.
The number of representatives is unchanged.
Board membership: Tony Mastradone has agreed to continue
as Archivist. Mike Yuspeh wishes to go off the Board after
this year, but will work with his replacement.
44tb Bomb Group Vetenans
Association Reunion
August 31 - Septemben 3, 2000
San Diego, California
Linda was the surrogate mother to all the
506th guys. She laundered our underwear
baked us bread,
welcomed us into
her home and
laughed her way
into our hearts. W e
last saw her at our
Shipdham barbeque
party on the England
trip in '97. She was a
faithful member of
ooT^nT
44thBQVAandis
survived by her daughter Beryl, son-in-law,
Ron and their children Rebecca, 20, and son,
Christopher 17, W e will miss her smiling face
and the care she so willingly gave to the lads
across the fence w h o were so far from home.
If you haven't registered (or the L\L)th BGVA
Reunion, you'll be missing a tot of fun. Mike l/uspeh
has taken great pains to see that it vOill be another
unforgettable eOent. The NaOal Air Stations,
Aircraft Carrier, Balboa Zoo, the shops around
Westin Plaza and the historic Hotel bet Coronado
are alt on parade in this multi-culture metropolis.
Located a short distance from the Mexican border,
San Diego is one of the most exciting cities in the
country.
There are no bonds tike the bonds of War buddies.
Don't pass up this opportunity to be together in a
unique, sometimes quaint location.
6
�2nd AIR DIVISION REUNION
The 53rd Convention of the 2nd
Air Division Association m e t at
display and murals on the wall
the Hyatt Regency Hotel in
that tell the story of the war.
Tampa, Florida. Along with the
As a special consideration to t
flurry of old friends greeting
2 AD memPersand expression of
each other in a hotel, which is
their
gratitude, Norwich has
famous for its splendor, there
extended an ancient Put valuaPle
were Poat trips, shopping
designation: status of Freedom
opportunities and a trip to the
of
Norwich Award. This gives 2
Fantasy of Flight Museum.
PERRy M O R S E ANd JsuRy F O I S O M AdMiRE TEIE icE
The Pig event after the Buffet
AD members the right to have
SCulpTURE of A LibERATOR OUTsidE TEIE BANQUET
Dinnerwasafilm presentation
riotous parades through the city,
HAII AT 2 AD REUNJON.
"Music at Theater Royal
complete with Pannersand loud
Norwich; a footstomping, rip
music. Also the right to raise
roaring, tear jerking presentation of an American
within
the city
limits. six
Long range planssheep
include
a Memorial
Garden,
show which many of the 44th had enjoyed on one
studv areas for historians and researchers, a B-24
of their English tours. The Stars and Stripes never
simulator and a 'Mission Room: He announced
looked Petter than they did on that English stage.
thata banner will be displayed for everygroup
At the Banquet on Sunday evening, David Hastings,
that flew from there.
vice Chairman of the Memorial Trust Board of
The 2 AD presented Hastings with a check for
Governors of the Norwich Museum/UPrary,
$10,000. At present there are 499 reservations for
reported on progress in the Puilding program. He
the
tour to the Grand Opening in NovemPer, with
stated that this library will be unique in the world,
a waiting list of 25-30.
and it honors the 6,700 American airmen from the
2 A D w h o died in W W H .
The candle lighting service honored those lost
"This is the finest Puilding in Norwich," he
particular missions, the ground crews w h o
declared, "it is Pecause of your vision that w e
maintained the planes and those w h o have passed
have this living memorial, it promotes a unique
away in later years. T w o memPers of the 44th
bond of friendship Petween our two countries."
participated in the lighting ceremony—BoP
Lehnhausen and Will Lundy.
in addition to the library, there will be a
restaurant, a heritage attraction center in which
the history of Norwich is told and the 2 AD
honored. There will be a model of a B-24 on
Will LuNdy ANd Dick BUTIER.
LiqlrTiNq TEIE CANdks foR IOST buddiss.
�This story is dedicated to two young men, William F. Coll of Park Hall, Maryland, and Robert Zoller of Longmont, Colorado. Their
uncles flew on B-24 # 4 1 - 2 3 7 7 8 F of the 44th B o m b Group. Both are new members of the 44th BGVA.
THE FIGHTING LADf: fi-24 #41-2377$ F
By: M/Sgt. Walter M. Patrick, U S A F (Ret.)
G U N N E R AboARd LAdy Luck TEIAT
W E N T do«/N O N TEIE Auqusi 1 6,
-
ENqiNEER O N ScRAppy II,
1 945 FoqqiA MissioN W A S
I/Sqr. WilliAM L. Coll, KIA AT PIOESTL
S/Sqi. H A R P E R F. ZOIIER.
This is the story of a fighting lady. Her official name was # 4 1 23778 F, but she also had several other stand-ins, namely
Jenny and Lady Luck. As a member of the 66th Squadron,
44th Bomb Group, she carried approximately 30 young men into
battle over the skies of Europe, namely France, Germany and
Italy, from December 6, 1942 until August 16, 1943.
Jenny appeared over the skies of Abbeyville, France with Lt.
Jimmy Kahl at the controls on December 6, 1942; and on
August 16, 1943, that same B-24, Lady Luck, made her final
exit at Foggia, Italy with Lt. Rocco A. Curelli in the left-side
seat. This account is about the trials and tribulations of # 4 1 23778, the men who flew her, their
exploits in the air, their leisure time,
and a few of the men's post-war
adventures.
The initial crew of Jenny was put
together at Barksdale Field, Louisiana
during July and August, 1942. They
were: Pilot: Lt. Jimmy Kahl; Co-Pilot:
Lt. T h o m a s S. Scrivner; Navigator:
Lt. Edward Mikoloski; Bombardier:
Lt. Edward Brennan; Engineer:
T/Sgt. William L. Coll; Radio Operator:
T/Sgt. Channing Satterfield; Right Waist Gunner;
S/Sgt. Hank Balsley; Left Waist Gunner:
S/Sgt. Walter Hazelton; and Tail Gunner: T/Sgt. George DeLacy.
The two well gunners joined the Jenny crew during the fall of
1942. Sgt. Harold Samuelian, who had some early contact
with the Jenny crew at Barksdale, was assigned in September,
1942.1 was assigned in October, 1942. I had arrived earlier in
England, in May 1942, with the 15th Bombardment Squadron.
The 15th was an A-20 outfit that made the first attack on
Europe by Americans when w e hit airdromes in Holland. It was
a low-level attack in conjunction with the Royal Air Force. I was
one of a few 44th gunners to have attended gunnery school
with the RAF. Because of losses to combat and other attrition,
I quickly moved up the ranks, so to speak, from well gunner to
waist gunner to tail gunner.
The Jenny's first mission took place on December 12, 1942.
Like most 44th crews, w e flew our first mission to the FW-190
Yellow Nose base at Abbeyville on the French coast. The first
crew loss was suffered on a mission to Romilly Sur Seine, eight
days later on December 20, 1942, when tail gunner
T/Sgt. George DeLacy's fingers froze while working on
malfunctioning guns. This injury ended his combat career;
and he would later be returned to the States.
PICTURED
C R E W of JENNy (lj\dy Luck) # 4 1 ' 2 5 7 7 8 TEIAT WENT TO WJIEIEIMSEIAVEN, GERMANy ON jANUARy 26, 1 945.
TlrEy ARE FROM IEIT, sTANdiNq S/Sqi. HANk
BAISIEY, TAU G U N N E R ; LT. JiMiviy KAIHI,
Pilor; LT. EdwARd Mikoloski, NAviqAioR;
T/Sqi. D O N SisbERT, ENqiNEER; LT. Ed
B R E N N A N , BovibARdiER; SqT. WAITER
PATRick, Riqlri WAJST G U N N E R ; ANd T/Sqi.
CbANNiNq SATTERfiEld, RAdio OPERATOR.
FRONT ROW kNEEliNq TROM IETT ARE LT.
TEIOMAS SCRJVNER, Co'piloT; Sqi. H A R O W
SAMUEIJAN, ASST. ENqiNEER; S/Sqi. WAITER
HAZEITON, LETT WAisi G U N N E R ; ANd REAR
WEII G U N N E R , S/Sqi. JAMES YouNq.
The Jenny's fifth mission took place on January 26, 1943, and
proved to be a real zinger. As all of the crews gathered in the
briefing room to get the "poop" from the briefing officer,
Captain William F. Strong, w e immediately noticed that
something was different. The route to the target was covered
with a sheet. "Why?" w e wondered. Captain Strong made his
pitch. "Gentlemen," he said, "we have finally come to the point
of why w e are here, and" - his hand flipped the sheet off "here it is." A lot of "ooohs" and "ahhhhs" answered our
question. The Jenny, along with many others, was going bigtime. The string of the flight path reached a long way, all the
way from Shipdham, England to Wilhelmshaven, Germany. This
was bound to be quite an experience. And for the crew of Jenny it was.
®
�W e were hit with everything they
had. The German fighters were
so thick, it was like w e had an
1-1.i .~~
r
r-
KIA AI
plofs,i WAS
_. qi;
CHANNiNq
FW-190 escort from the German
N
border all the way to Wilhelmshaven SAITERNE^,
and all the way back to the
Radio
North Sea and beyond.
OPERATOR O N "jENNy," "LAdy
Lut k," ANd 'ScRAppy II."
Anti-aircraft fire was intense,
especially over the target area. Over the target itself, w e had
trouble with hung-up bombs in the b o m b bay. It was at this
point that Radio Operator T/Sgt. Channing Satterfield became
a real hero. He went into the b o m b bay and managed to get
the stuck bombs to drop. Also over the target area there was
real sweating by Jenny crew members when the B-24 off our
right wing was decapitated. A German FW-190 fighter pilot
flew his plane into the B-24 amidships. Both went down in
flames.
After leaving the German coast, it was determined that our
aircraft had undergone serious damage. The crew was told
that there would probably be a crash landing upon reaching
base. No "probably" about it. With no hydraulics and no
brakes, the future looked bleak; and the crash landing took
place. But Pilot Jimmy Kahl and his flight deck crew really
came through in true heroic style. When that heavy landing
gear finally fell safely into the down-and-lock position (there
was no hydraulic fluid to operate it), I could not believe it. It
was still "sweat-time" at landing. Most of the crew gathered
back around the waist area to take their crash positions. But
on landing Jennybe\d together; and w e made it. That was just
one of many miracles performed that day by the 44th.
"Thanks" go to Pilot Jimmy Kahl and yes, to Don Siebert, also.
Flight Engineer T/Sgt. Don Siebert told Waist Gunner Walter
Hazelton a number of years later that he didn't think anybody
aboard expected to see England again. He said Lt. Kahl, the
pilot, did a masterful job taking the battered but still reliable
Liberator back home.
PiloT of ScRAppy II, C A P T . T H O M A S
E. ScRivNER (IETT) ANd his C O '
piloT, LT. EVERETTE P. ANdERSON
WERE KIA WEIEN TIHEJR plANE CAME
OUT of TEIE SMOkE ANd FlRE AT
TElEiR TARqET, WEliTE FiVE AT TEIE
ColoMbiA AouiU REfiNERy.
The battle report of damage to
Jenny from m y Combat Crew
Report said that the ship was
badly shot up. Over twohundred holes were found in the fuselage, controls were cut,
landing gear was damaged, there was no hydraulic system
and no brakes. W e would stand down for approximately a
month. In the mean time, some drastic changes took place
related to crew assignments. Lt. Kahl moved on to Jenny II,
and Lt. Thomas Scrivner moved over from the right seat to
become pilot of Lady Luck, the new name for #42-23778.
The new co-pilot would be Lt. Everett R Anderson, a transfer
from the RAF Eagle Squadron. For quite a spell there would
be new well gunners on every mission. The well gunners
continued to change until w e got to Benghazi.
Upon return from that January 26, 1943 mission to
Wilhelmshaven, the flight crews found that the ever-loving
ground crews had taken all of the regular buses to town and
left the flight crew boys stranded at home base. Not to be left
behind, some of the flight crew boys, myself included, decided
that a weapons carrier would work as well as a bus, and off
we went to town. In town w e hid the weapons carrier in an
alley so the MP's wouldn't see it. S o m e time afterwards, an
elderly English gentleman pedaled his bicycle around the
corner and into the alley, crashing headlong into the truck.
Upon returning to the scene of the crash later that night, w e
flight crew boys, discovered that the Englishman had reported
the presence of the truck to the MP's. The MP's had then
confiscated the distributor cap of the truck, thus grounding us
and making us easy prey for the lurking MP's. Within several
days, at least six airmen were reduced to privates. It was
General Johnson's policy that you had to be at least a buck
sergeant to fly combat, so this was well and good with the
bicycle casualties. W e all volunteered to fly again.
In my case, I flew several more missions before Lady Luck
was scheduled to fly again. The extra missions I flew may have
been life-saving for me. By the time the mission to Ploesti
came around, I had amassed 2 7 missions and was not
required to make that fateful trip.
That first Wilhelmshaven raid was a turning point for a lot of
things. It was at this time that the Lady Luck crew was
selected to do some US War Bonds work. The crew was
directed to report to the B-17 base for a radio broadcast
back to the USA. This was about a five-day assignment. After
many rehearsals with John Daly, we were ready for the presentation,
we thought. Our parents and friends in the States were alerted
to the big broadcast. Everybody I spoke with afterwards
swore that w e were reading from a script. Ha! Ha!
Following the January 6 mission to Wilhelmshaven, Lady Luck
went to Kiel, the Friesian Islands, Dunkirk, Rowen, Brest, and
back to Wilhelmshaven again. At this time, some of the crew
�was a man and a woman; two children were hanging on to the
parents' legs. Between the plane and the farmhouse was a
wheat field.
members volunteered for extra missions. So when the March
18, 1943 mission to Vegesack rolled around, both Balsley and
I flew with other crews. This proved to be the undoing of
Balsley. He took a hit through the stomach while flying with
Major William H. Brandon on the Suzy Q. He was the first Lady
Lucku&N member killed - until Ploesti. I flew that day with
Capt. Robert E. Miller's crew. I volunteered for the mission to
Vegesack in order to get my sergeant stripes back following
the infamous attack of the Englishman's bicycle.
The target area itself was as pictured in many photos that I
would later see. It was definitely an oil refinery area. In the
dream I clearly saw all of the installations: cracking plants,
storage areas, etc. It was a mess, bombs exploding all around
us and fires raged. In the dream I didn't see any other planes
nearby (although later facts revealed that Lt. Henry Lasco,
flying in Sad Sack, had also crashed in the general area.) What
I saw in the dream was as if a snapshot had been taken of the
crashed plane, the dead crew, the target area in the midst of
being bombed, and Hazelton and I standing there at the
scene of the crash. As it turned out, Hazelton and I were the
only survivors. W e did not go on the Ploesti mission.
On May 17th, the illustrious mission to Bordeaux, France was
pulled off with beautiful results. Enormous damage was done
to the submarine pens there by Lt. James DeVinney, 67th
Squadron Bombardier. Lt. Edward Mikoloski, the old Jenny
Navigator, was the mission's lead Navigator aboard
Maj. Howard W Moore's plane "Suzy <?"co-piloted by Colonel
Leon W. Johnson. Also aboard was Brig. General James R Hodges,
2nd Air Division, Commanding General.
Life was not all flying, and we had some leisure time for crew
leave to London. Needless to say we had some great stories
to tell our barracks buddies when we returned. On one
London trip Hazelton and I brought back a phonograph and a
big stack of records. W e had purchased all of the latest hits
of the early 1940's: Green Eyes, Blue Champagne, Chattanooga
Choo-Choo and'Amopolo, just to name a few. These records
were played and replayed in the barracks prior to our
departure to Benghazi.
During this time in late 1942 and early 1943, we fought some
terrific battles over Germany, missions to Rotterdam, Brest,
Antwerp, Belgium, and H a m m , Germany. W e also managed to
drink lots of swell beer. And the English folks, especially the
young ladies, treated the Yanks with respect. Low level training
began around June 15th, 1943. W e all knew that this foretold
something special further down the line.
It was about this time that I had my perceptive dream. I'm not
sure if I was partially awake when it occurred, but one thing is
for sure, that dream was embedded deeply into my mind, and
it is still there today. During this time I was Lady Luck's third
tail gunner, and Walter Hazelton was the right waist gunner.
The dream picture is as follows: Although I didn't see myself
on the in-going flight, I did see that our plane had crashed in
the target area. Walter Hazelton and I were outside the plane
looking in. We saw that everyone else on board was dead. I
could see a small stucco farmhouse a bit off to the left of
where I was standing by the nose compartment of the
crashed plane. Standing in the doorway of the farmhouse
When we went out to Lady Luck'in the early morning hours of
August 1 st, 1943 to board, Lt. Scrivner noticed profuse
leakage of gasoline from the wing tanks. He decided on the
spot that the plane was inoperable for the mission to Ploesti.
So he and the crew were transferred to another bomber
parked nearby, Scrappy II. Hazelton and I had already flown
the required twenty-five missions (in both cases twenty-seven
missions), and were not required to go on the Ploesti raid. As
the crew was boarding the plane Lt. Scrivner asked me, "Pat,
are you going with us on this mission?" I was undecided and
for some reason did not even remember the dream.
"Lt. Scrivner, this is what I'm gonna do. I'm gonna flip a coin.
'Heads' I go, 'tails' I stay." The coin turned up "tails" and I
stayed. I don't know why Hazelton decided to stay. The crew
was cut from eleven to nine, going without well gunners, and a
new tail gunner took m y place.
In 1854 at Balaclava,
which is very near
Ploesti, the famous
Charge of the Light
Brigade under Lord
Caridigan took place.
There the English light
calvary ran headlong
into Russian artillery.
Loses were staggering.
PIAQUE HONORiNq CAPT. THOMAS E. SCRJVNER, Pilor O N Scrwppy II 'HAT
WENT dowN AT PloEsii O N AuqusT 1, 1 945 is dispUysd by foRMER
CREWMATES WAITER M . PATRick (IETT) ANd Col. EdwARd Mikoloski. TEIE
plAQUE WAS pRESENIEd IIN TEIE NAME of C O I O N E I "Miks" AT TEIE MiqHTy
EiqHTh AiR FORCE M U S E U M duRiNq TEIE 4 4 T H BoMb GROUP'S AMNUAI
10
REUNioN AI SAVANNAH, GA.
/j\
�Similar to the Light Brigade's losses in 1854, were the losses
suffered by American forces during the August 1 air raid on
Ploesti in 1943. The percentage losses were the same. So
the crew of Lady Luck now aboard Scrappy IIm\\\ Tom
Scrivner in the pilot's seat, dashed headlong into the 44th's
target code-named White Five, the Colombia Aquila Refinery at
Ploesti. It was there that they ran into the German
command's most prized air defense secret: the deadly Q Train.
It racked the attackers with vengeance, and possibly took out
Sad Sack II, piloted by Henry A. Lasco, with the same blast of fire
that brought down Scrappy II.
That night Major Jimmy Kahl drove up to our tent, and asked
Walt and m e to get into his jeep so he could take us for a ride.
W e rode out to the parking area and sat as Jim told us what
actually happened to our comrades. Captain Robert E. Miller
had led his flight into the White Five target, which was already
on fire when he got there. When he emerged from the fire
and smoke, both of his wingmen were gone. One of the
wingmen, Captain Thomas E. Scrivner, did come out of the
smoke, the plane in flames and the pilots were seen fighting
gallantly for a crash landing. They managed to crash land into
a farmer's wheat field, but before the plane had ground to a
halt the aircraft exploded, killing all nine m e n aboard.
LETT WAisi G U N N E R O N ScRAppy II AT
PloEsii WAS
Sqr. TfiOMAS F. SchAppERT,
Also KIA.
Riqhr WAisi G U N N E R O N ScRAppy II
w h o WAS KIA AT PloESTi WAS
SqT. M A R V I N R. MickEy.'*"
In a letter to former /e/7/7/gunner Sgt. Harold Samuelian,
former Squadron Commander of the 66th Squadron, Major
Dexter Hodge, wrote, "I was leading seven planes from the
66th. Thomas Scrivner was on m y right wing and Lasco was
on m y left wing. Between the IP and the target area I saw
flames coming over the right wing of Tom's plane. He was still
flying when w e went into the smoke and explosions at our
target. I think I saw his plane crash but a m not sure. All crew
members were killed."
The Scrappy II'crew was: Pilot: Lt. Thomas Scrivner, Co-Pilot:
Lt. Everett R Anderson, Navigator: Lt. Philip R Phillips, Jr.,
Bombardier: 2nd Lt. Robert E. Young, engineer:
T/Sgt. William F. Coll, Radio Operator: S/Sgt. Channing N.
Satterfield, Left Waist Gunner: Sgt. Marvin R. Mickey, Right
Waist Gunner: Sgt. Thomas F. Schappert, and Tail Gunner:
S/Sgt. Hugh J. Malone. With the exception of T o m m y Scrivner,
the entire crew has been interned at the National Cemetery at
Jefferson Barracks, Missouri.
Between the time I experienced the dream and the day of the
fateful raid, I never told Hazelton or anyone else about it. But
I certainly had thoughts about it when I sat in on the mission
briefing the night before that last mission. Sitting there that
night I again recalled the events of m y dream from several
months before. The next day I knew in m y heart and without a
doubt that as Hazelton and I sat around waiting for the planes
to return, our crew wouldn't make it. They never did.
As he spoke about the last moment before the plane exploded,
it seemed like that was the exact same time Hazelton and I
showed up in the dream. I was so deeply touched by this
mission that I mourned for m y lost comrades. Even now they
are remembered in m y prayers. I a m sure that most of the
survivors of that particular era will say the same. I never told
Hazelton about the dream until just recently when w e got back
in touch. I do not know what his feelings are about m y story,
but I will swear on a stack of Bibles that this is the whole truth
so help m e God. As a result of the great air battle at Ploesti,
five Congressional Medal of Honor were awarded. Three were
awarded posthumously. Another went to Colonel Johnson,
commander of the 44th B o m b Group (he would eventually
achieve the rank of General), and the fifth Congressional
Medal of Honor went to Colonel John R. Kane, commander of
the 98th B o m b Group.
Following the Ploesti debacle, all combat crews of the 44th
were sent on one to two weeks of Rest and Recuperation in
Telaviv. What a treat that was to enjoy fresh sheets and
wonderful food. Following R&R, all w h o had completed twentyfive missions were started for the States via Cairo and then
back to Shipdham for a few days. After Shipdham w e left for
Prestwick where we caught the jump-off flight to the good ol' USA.
Just before leaving for the States, the 66th Squadron Adjutant
called Hazelton and m e into his office and presented us with
T/Sgt. Chevrons. "Well deserved," he said. W e then hung out
at the Red Cross center and presented the Red Cross girls
with the phonograph machine and the records. While at the
Red Cross club, I met T/Sgt. Tauno Metsa, Engineer on Lt.
Walter Hughes' plane. When w e got back stateside, Metsa and
I were assigned to the Standardization Board at Westover Field,
Massachusetts. W e would be roommates, as well as fly together
on Standardization Board missions, until Victory Day in Europe.
�were able to escape from Italian P O W camps. I met a number
of POW's while stationed at Westover, MA, who had waltzed
away after as little as a week in captivity.
The final curtain for #41-23778 (viz. Jenny and Lady Luck)
came August 16, 1943, two weeks and two days after the
Ploesti debacle. Lt. Rocco A. Curelli from the 66th Squadron
flew Lady Luck with the 67th Squadron on a bombing mission
to the Italian port city of Foggia. This was an all-new crew
flying on their second mission. The 44th Bomber Group had
already visited Foggia prior to the Ploesti mission on July 15th,
1943, and had lost quite a few planes. This second visit
proved however, a bigger disaster than the first. Seven B-24's
were lost including old faithful, Lady Luck. All of the crew
except Radio Operator T/Sgt. Wesley L. Zimmerman, was
killed. Zimmerman was taken prisoner and was only a P O W for
five weeks when he escaped the Italian P O W camp and made
his way back to the 44th. After the war he returned to his
hometown in Winston Salem, N.C. He married his hometown
sweetheart, Gladys Hege, in June of 1943 prior to going
overseas. After the war he worked for AT&T out of Winston
Salem and was issued his "Folded Wings" in 1991. Of the 25
planes dispatched to Foggia, only 13 returned to Benghazi.
As usual the 67th Squadron was the big loser followed by the
506th and the 68th. The 66th escaped without a loss.
The four survivors of the more than thirty crew members who
flew in # 4 2 - 2 3 7 7 8 include Dr. Jimmy Kahl, pilot of Jenny. He
resigned as Major to attend the University of Kansas, School
of Veterinary, then opened up a flourishing business in his
hometown of Winona, Minnesota. He still practices there today.
President of the 44th Bomb Group Veterans Association,
Colonel Edward Mikoloski, is another. Colonel Mikoloski stayed
in the service after the war and spent a great deal of time on
the staff of General Johnson. He spent time in posts around
the world, from England to the Pentagon, and retired in 1968.
The Jenny's first well gunner, Harold Samuelian, is still wit
When the war ended, he returned to his home in Fresno,
California. Harold has been a prominent member of the
merchant's community for years and years in Fresno. If you
need a good bargain, he is the one to see!
I remained in the service after the war and served with then
Captain Mikoloski at Westover Field for several years. We
pioneered the concept of l&E presentations that prevailed for
years. I went on to serve in Germany, Japan and Panama, and
retired a Senior Master Sergeant with 28 years service in
1969. I then spent time working on a monthly magazine for
the US Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C. for 15
years before coming to my present home in Mt. Pleasant, SC.
The crew members of Lady Luck on her not so lucky day were:
Pilot: Lt. Rocco A. Curelli; Co-Pilot: John G. Papadopulos;
Navigator: Lt. Walt Rossi; Bombardier: Lt. Victor T. Torrou;
Engineer: Sgt. John H. Grinde; Radio Operator: Sgt. Wesley L
Zimmerman (POW and only survivor); Gunner: DeForest L.
Ela; Gunner: Sgt. Raymond C. Shafer; Gunner: Sgt. John R.
Hughes; Tail Gunner: Sgt. Harper F. Zoller.
Coincidentally, Lady Luck A Foggia and Scrappy ll'at Ploesti,
were flying in similar positions: the right wing slot off the
element leader. Another coincidence is that Lady Luck's radio
operator at Foggia, Wesley Zimmerman (POW), and Walter
Hazelton; who completed twenty-seven missions and was an
original crew member of Lady Luck, passed away during the
90's and were the last two crew men of # 4 1 - 2 3 7 7 8 to "Fold
their Wings."
Another casualty of the Foggia raid that made a number of
important missions including Ploesti, prior to Foggia was
Lt. Leighton Smith, pilot of Buzzin'Bear, a real warrior. Half
of his crew lost their lives at Foggia; the other half became
POW'S. Suzy-Q also went down at Foggia. She had carried
General Johnson and Major William Brandon to glory at
Ploesti. Southern Comfort-of the 506th was lost; two of the
crew died, but the remaining eight members of Lt. Horace A.
Austin's Southern Comfort were taken captive. Another
veteran of the Ploesti raid, Lt. Austin, escaped from the Italian
P O W camp. It seemed to be in vogue that American airmen
The story of #41-23778 cannot end without the mentioning
of her happy-go-Lucky shadow, Mr. Bob Hope and his USO
troupe that among others, included the very talkative Martha
Ray. Bob first showed up at Shipdham shortly before the 44th
went to Libya. Then several days prior to Ploesti he appeared
again at Benina-Main. W e thought we had seen the last of the
comedian at Benghazi, but when we boarded the C-54 at
Prestwick headed for the States, who should show up but Mr.
Bob Hope himself. W e had a continuous poker game going
from Prestwick to Iceland, and Bob kept wanting to join in; but
we kept telling him that enlisted personnel were not allowed to
gamble with officers, and in his case, civilians.
Near the end of hostilities in Europe, I was finally able to
the real life and blood Jenny. I was stationed at Westover
Field, MA, at the time and was surprised one day out in the
parking lot in front of Base Operations to hear my name
called. It was the now Major Jimmy Kahl, the first pilot of
#41-23778. He had just been assigned to base operations.
12
�He introduced m e to his most gracious wife, Jenny. Of course
it was a real honor to have met the lady that was the
namesake of the plane in which I flew a number of exciting
missions. To this day I stay in contact with Jimmy, the
courageous pilot w h o carried us through the Wilhelmshaven
mission.
One of my most momentous experiences related to the 44th
B o m b Group came around Thanksgiving 1996. Colonel
Mikoloski had asked m e if I would drop in on General Johnson
at his nursing home near m y daughter's home in Springfield,
Virginia, when he found out I was going up there for the
holiday. I was taken aback at this request. Why would a
retired Master Sergeant be visiting a four-star General - no
matter what the circumstances? But I would give it m y best try.
My wife of over fifty years and I were warmly and graciously
welcomed by both the staff and by the General. I wore m y
eight-ball hat.
The General was sitting in the den having a piece of pumpkin
pie with whip cream. I knelt down in front of him and said,
"General, I know you don't know me, but I flew with Colonel
Mikoloski on Jenny and Lady Luck. I just wanted you to know
that I represent all the enlisted m e n w h o served under you.
W e thought you were the best B-24 pilot on the face of the
earth, and the bravest and most dedicated leader any of us
has ever met." He smiled his heart warming smile and said,
"Sergeant, you don't realize how your words bring back to m e
just how proud of the m e n of the 44th I am."
We went on to talk about the old days; and my wife told him
how w e used to baby sit Colonel Mike's children when w e were
stationed at Westover
Field during the early
50's. "Yes", he said, "that
was a long time ago." I
may have been the last
enlisted man to visit him
before his death.
In closing out this article about Jenny and Lady Luck, I'd like to
tell about an unusual event that happened to m e at Westover
Field in early 1945. I was taking a shower one morning when
a runner from an orderly room called m y name to inform m e
that I was to report to the Base Commander's office at 1:00
P M sharp. The big sweat began - what had I done now?
Upon arrival I was rushed into Colonel U.G. Jones' office. After
the proper protocol he said, "Sgt. Patrick, you have been
recommended for promotion to Master Sergeant, but by your
record I see that you spent some time behind prison bars."
"Yes, sir", I said, "I was a guard at a North Carolina State
Prison and entered the service a day after Pearl Harbor."
He smiled about his humor and then asked, "What does your
father do?" I told him that he was a retired Master Sergeant
with 30 years service, mostly in the Corps of Engineers, and
that I was an "Army Brat." "Where were some of the places
you grew up?" the Colonel continued. I mentioned Fort Bragg
in 1926 - 1927. "Oh, is that right? For your information I
was a 2nd Lieutenant there and was probably your school
teacher in the first grade." Wow! Was Lady Luck shining on
me! He went on to tell m e that his son, w h o had graduated
from West Point, where else, I thought, was serving with
General Patton in Europe.
Ten years after that promotion, as Lady Luck continued to
shine on me, I would be privileged to photograph and
document the retirement of Colonel Jones, Inspector General
of the Atlantic Division of MATS there at Westover Field.
Several days later I presented the Colonel a nice album of all
the important events of his retirement ceremony. I doubt that
he knew who I was, and I didn't say anything about m y
"promotion interview"
with him ten years earlier.
I should have said,
"Thanks. You were a very
good teacher."
LT. CUREIIJ ANd C R E W
(TEIE 2Nd C R E W of "LAdy
REAR Row:
Luck" #41-25778)
NAviqAioR, LT. WAITER Rossi JR.;
Piloi, LT. R O C C O A. C U R E I H ;
FRONT R O W : GUNNER, S/Sqr.
HARPER F. ZOIIER;
GUNNER, S/SqT. DETOREST L. EIA;
ENqiNEER, S/Sqi. JohN H. GRiNdE;
FJOMDARdiER, Lr. VJCTOR T. TORROU;
GvpiloT, b. JohN G PADAdopubs;
RAclb OpenAiOR, WealEy L ZMMEHMAN.
G U N N E R RAyMONd C SfwfER
(NOT iN piCTURE).
GUNNER, S/SC,T. JohN R. HuqhES.
13
�mEmoRiES O F n uuiRTimE TEEDJIGER
Cynthia Ledger Harmonowski went back to Norfolk to visit a
family member. While she was there, she and her 28 year old
son set out to find the Control Tower at Shipdham. At that tune,
1983. it was not easy to find. They climbed through nettles and
other weeds, passed mechanical works, climbed the winding
steps and looked out over the airfield.
"It really took me back in time," she stated. "I had stood up
there in 1945 and watched the American planes take offfor
home, one by one. Reliving it. almost 40 years later, was absolutely tearful. I was so glad my son, Simon, could be with me. I
always wanted him to know what it was like in England during
the war, the lost lives, the shortages, the fear of the bombings,
and the young American flyers who came to help us.
Among her clearest memories is that before departing for home, ground personnel were treated
to Trolley Runs. It was an opportunity for them to fly over the areas where the air and ground
battles had taken place. Working in administration, she had become friendly with many of the
personnel, so an officer offered to slip her aboard a Trolley Run. With all the enthusiasm of a
nineteen year old. she accepted, even though she did not qualify for the privilege. Fitted with
gear and parachute, she was ready for the big moment when another officer stepped aboard
and said, "Skip, you can't go." So she climbed off and walked back to her work station.
Realizing her disappointment, one of her American co-workers got her a pass to ride in a military
vehicle and took her to London. On Charlotte Street, the officer knocked on a small manhole
cover, and an Italian man emerged. He led them down a set of steps, and there, below the London street was a cache of black market liquor.
"The officer bought some and took me to a restaurant where we ate and drank champagne. To
me, it was just amazing. It was the first time I had ever eaten in a restaurant," she recalled. "All
of these memories came back to me when I was looking out of the Control Tower."
Cynthia met her husban?, the Late
Al.flehnA. 'Harmonowski in a
railway station, and they rapidly
became sweethearts. £he foil the
less when he lefo twiceforthe
missions in /Xfoica. /in? when the
war was ever, she knew he was
acneforeoer.^J-ate intervene?,
heweoer, an? years later they act
together in /America an? were marrie?
Qohn j health beganfoilingseveral
years age, but when he knew the
suroioors e£ the ploesti %ai? were
be recognize? in ^aoannah, he was
?etermine? te go. /4t the ?e?icalio
the ?iorama at the/Highly Eighth
/tiuseum, /}ehn rosefoemhis
wheelchair te be recognize? as one
ha? foewn en the awesome mission.
n^-hree weeks later he passe? away
CyNihiA LsdqER
(HARMONOWski)
LT. JohN HARMONOWski
1944
1944
M
�O n e of m y recent actions also involved Ruth Morse
w h e n Nancy Van Epps notified President Mike that
Hugh, her husband w h o has been long suffering with
deterioration of the vertebrae in his neck, had
reached the point that he was in too m u c h pain for
any significant amount of travel. Thus she submitted
her resignation as our Board Secretary. O u r solution
was, since the Board had recently invited Ruth Morse
to attend the Board meetings in order that she could
properly report the board proceedings in the
management of our association in the 8-Ball Tails, it
was a short step to appointing her to replace Nancy
Van Epps and also take the minutes of the meetings
as our Secretary. This proposal was submitted to the
board, unanimously approved and the appointment
accepted by Ruth Morse.
Corner
This column should be entitled The President Pro
Tempore (for the time being) Corner for sadly our
President is, once again, suffering the anguish of
losing a beloved family m e m b e r to cancer. You will
recall on November 30, 1998 his daughter Peggy lost
her fierce battle with the disease. Death c a m e again
to Mike's door on Sunday, M a y 14, to take his
precious wife and love Yelena. She finally had to
seek Heaven's rest from her struggle to survive the
cancer that was taking her from him.
Other significant activities by your PPT were a post
T a m p a Board meeting trip to Savannah to visit and
see the progress on our Ploesti display in the Mighty
8th Air Force M u s e u m . Also a visit to Shipdham
which I tacked onto a
personal trip to attend a
memorial ceremony in
Aston Clinton, England.
Both of these activities,
along with other
agenda items from the
Board meeting are
covered elsewhere in
ThE NEW TOp ON ThE PloESTi
this issue.
I hope that all of the 44th family will keep Mike in
their personal prayers as he bears the enormous
burden of grief he suffers from the loss of his loved
ones. W e hope you will find peace from your
sorrow and return to us soon, Mike.
Meanwhile, to bring you up to date on who is
minding the store, w h e n Mike decided to m o v e
Yelena to a Houston cancer treatment center, he
asked m e to assume his duties as President Pro-Tern
since Dick Butler, our Vice -President, was deeply
involved with his responsibilities as our Group Vice
President to the 2nd Air Division. So, here w e are,
back in the saddle again. I a m able to do this because
of Ruth Morse taking over publication of the 8-Ball
Tails has m a d e it
possible. I wish
to also point out
that Ruth is
doing a
commendable
job with the
"Tails."
ViswiNq rhE 44TIH B o M b G R O U P
dispiAy iN SAVANNAh.
I want to close with telling you, Lolly and I will be
attending the San Diego reunion, along with several
new, first reunion, members and some former
members we've recovered contact with, polished up
and have all p u m p e d up over getting active in the
44th family again. It will be a wonderful reunion and
w e would like your support in showing both the n e w
and re-tread members what they have been missing
w h e n the family gets together. Your attendance will
also give us the opportunity to thank you personally
for the beautiful gifts you bestowed upon us in
absentia at N e w Orleans marking our retirement as
your President and First Lady, i
COMMEMO'
RATivE PIAQUE AT M A C D I I I AFB, MAy 2 6 ,
2 0 0 0 duRiNq Ths 2Nd AiR DivisioN
REUNiON. L TO R: JERRy FOISOM, Bob
LEEINhAUSEN, M E I MuRRAck, HARRy SNEAd,
Will LuNdy, ANd Roy O W E N bEhiNd TIHE
1fir£jjf
CAMERA.
15
�A Quick Visit to Shipdham
By Roy Owen
Taking advantage of an invitation to attend a June 4
memorial dedication honoring a 406th Bomb Squadron (Carpetbagger) crew piloted by an old friend that
crashed on January 3,1945 killing the entire crew at
Aston Clinton, England, I tacked on a visit to Norwich
and Shipdham. Phyllis Dubois was involved in assisting the Aston Clinton committee in locating family
and friends of the deceased crew and traveled from
Norwich to attend the ceremony. Thus she was able
to transport m e to Norwich and also graciously
provide and drive her car to facilitate m y visit to AF
115 to visit the new Aero Club and pay m y respects
for the 44th BGVA to Mrs. Eileen Paterson and Mr.
Andrew Doubleday, owner of the old 14th Combat
Wing Hq. Site.
dham Aero Club and I found the old Aero Air complex
completely cleaned up, freshly painted and the
Museum R o o m being decorated by Steve Adams, the
pub bar all refinished and the pub room being
refurnished. The kitchen is newly painted and the
installation of new kitchen equipment is forthcoming.
Best of all, the main hangar has all been cleaned up
and they are hangaring eight aircraft including a
beautiful twin engine Beech. The club is open from
Friday afternoon to Sunday sundown. The underground fuel tanks and refueling system have been
repaired and certified and the main runway has
been resurfaced and CAA certified. Steve Adams has
joined the club, is in charge of decorating and takes
his turn operating the club on occasional weekends.
Contrary to an unsubstantiated report by a former
44th H M O member (and emphatically denied by our
representative, Steve Adams) that the airfield w a s
closed and fenced off, the main runway was closed
and the buildings and main hangar were a
shambles. As I had previously reported that Mrs.
Paterson had leased the airfield to the new Ship-
So in spite of what the naysayers report, it is obvio
that our desire to see our old "Home Base" is still
alive and firmly in the flying business keeping the
doors open and the Welcome mat out when w e wish
to revisit AAF 115. Mrs. Paterson says, as far as she
is concerned, this is the w a y it will remain.
MikE KiNq of TEIE A E R O Club, M R S . E. PATERSON ANd STEVE
ANdREw DoublEdAy ANd STEVE AdAMs iN fnoNi of 14ih C B W
HEAdQUARTERS. NoiE ThE SlARS ANd SlRipES FlyilMq ATOP TEIE TOWER iN
hoNOR of My visii.
siANdiNq by ThE Flyirsiq 8'BAII MARkER iN TRONT of TEIE A E R O Club
16
�wheel trailer to haul all of these boxes of records, as well
as the computer, copier, FAX, printer, etc.
First, let m e express m y thanks to you, one and all, for
your generous support of our appeal for more funds to
keep the data entry work going, adding more data into
our basic data needs for your historyl I don't have the
exact amount of funds contributed so far, as money
continues to arrive; but I do know that we now have
additional funds to continue on with this work.
My old computer that I leave up here now will no longer
be adequate to utilize the C D - R O M on which all of our
history is stored. So a new one is vital and is expected
any day. Yesterday I drove to the "big" city of
Bridgeport to use their library computer to access m y email. Would you believe I had 4 3 messages waitingl
Except for three days in early April, 1945, all individual
sorties have been entered into our history base. Tony
Mastradone continues to work with the personnel at the
Archives to first locate these missing files, then copy so
we can have the data entry team complete this work.
Yes, some of it was personal, but the bulk of it covered
appeals from relatives or friends of our combat personnel
asking if I, we, have any data about this man who served
with us. These requests come not only from the U.S.,
but from Europe as well. One from northern Ireland, one
from Sweden, from England, etc.
Arlo Bartsch's team has also continued work to enter
summary reports of each of these 3 4 4 missions in
support of all the individual sorties already in the data
base. At last count they were well past the half way
point with these brief summaries.
We still need to locate and add the many names of our
members other than combat personnel who supported
our operational activities as they all contributed to the
results that brought us final victory in Europe. Basically,
these are the men who supported the 44th B G itself units like the M.Rs, Weather, SOth Station Complement,
Quartermaster, etc. If any of you out there have rosters
or data about these support units, could you please copy
and send to m e ? W e want to make sure that we give
credit to each and all that served with us.
People are using their computers to surf the Internet and
are finding W E B sites with data about World War # 2 .
They are learning that AFTER ALL OF THESE M A N Y
YEARS, it now may be possible to get answers that were
denied to them during that war. They are searching now
to get those answers, and we now are in position to get
those answers for them.
Before we found Arlo with his great data entry program,
I found it difficult to come up with these answers. To do
so took many hours of digging, checking, and frustration,
as I did not have sortie reports for reference and
particulars. But now with an adequate computer and a
few key strokes, I (or anyone with this C D - R O M ) can
quickly find and copy all of the missions flown in
summary or in great detail for every mission!
Surely many of you readers may wonder why we are
trying so hard to collect fhe data to enter it all into the
computer program and wonder what it will accomplish.
Perhaps I can better illustrate the good that it is doing
already by telling you of m y experience this past month
while making m y annual relocation of residence from
San Bernardino up to Twin Lakes, here in the High
Sierras. To do so over the past ten years or so, it was
necessary for m e to box up as many of m y paper records,
books, photos, etc. in order to respond to the requests
for data about our history. It required a fair sized two-
The volume of requests continue to rise. So much so
that Larry Herpel has volunteered to assist with this
work, and is taking quite a load off me. At times there
are requests that go beyond our combat men, sorties,
etc. W e work together on them. Some are referred to m e
so I can possibly answer them from the other records
compiled by our other historians Webb Todd with the
68th Sq. and Norm Kiefer with his 506th Sq. book. Also,
Steve Adams, our representative in England, does his
share of work with the 66th Sq. history, as well as
fielding many requests over there.
9
®
�E-mail is instant action, instant answers, whether in
State or in Europe. Snail mail is almost obsolete, but is
necessary to send the data we get from our CD-ROM
back to those requesting. We find the data, then print it
out on excellent forms developed by Arlo Bartsch so
these people will finally have a hard copy to answer their
questions, and keep for family records.
Larry H e r p e l
215 S. Medina
Lockhart, TX
(512) 376-7780
<lherpel@juno.com>
A 44TH BG 2001
Even at present, it is possible to send much of this data
back via e-mail or downloading it. But surely, as the
EUROPE-ENGLAND TRIP IS ON!
public obtains more computers and becomes more
proficient, answers will be sent to them computer to
computer.
Be not discouraged that the 2nd A D Norwich trip for
next year is full; Larry Herpel is fine tuning the
I cannot say this often enough or more sincerely. The itinerary for a 44th B G V A trip for September 2001
program developed by Arlo Bartsch has provided the
when the weather is pretty.
means for our great history to be made available to the
public. It is alive, very vibrant and open ended. Now, it Generally, this tour will start in Amsterdam or
Brussels followed by a visit to the Rhine seeing
can be AVAILABLE IMMEDIATELY, as long as computers
Cologne,
Karlsruhe and Wesel, then on to the Battle of
are utilized. It should be the answer to every Air Force
the Bulge area and on to Paris or through the Belgian
historian of W W # 2 . We urge them to join with us in
coastal area on the way to Rouen and the Normandy
this endeavor.
Beaches. W e will then cross the Channel and make
our way to Norwich for a visit to the N e w Library. W e
will spend a day at Shipdham where w e will have a
picnic at the 14th C B W Headquarters followed by a
tour of the Base and an evening cocktail party and
Bar-B-Que with our friends in Shipdham before
leaving for home.
P r e s i d e n t M i k e ' s r e q u e s t for
d o n a t i o n s is m o v i n g forward/
but m o r e f u n d s are still needed.
A n y donation of a n y size will b e
helpful
to c o m p l e t e t h e
m o n u m e n t a l goals which the
44th is undertaking to preserve
the glorious history of this very
special group of veterans. T h e
goal is $50,000. Don't delay.
Your place in history is at stake.
For any who wish to stay over to visit more of Europe
or England, Larry can arrange an extension as an "add
on" to the group travel plan. A detailed itinerary will be
ready for study in the next issue of the 8-Ball Tails and
at the San Diego Reunion (meaning we've cut ourselves
a little slack for reasonable adjustments before finalizing).
In the meantime, for information on making a
reservation and deposit, call Larry at 1-888-317-7483
during business hours (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CST), or
at h o m e in the evening at 512-376-7780. His e-mail
address is: lherDel@iuno.com.
THIS WILL B E A G R E A T TRIP!
Better save the number of seats you'll need by making
your reservations and a deposit with Larry early.
18
®
�Deja vu
^tf, ^ o y Qcue*t>
CIAIR P. SEIAEHER holds
his (IAU(,EIIER, Lois, iN A
phoio fROM I 9 4 J.
January 21,1944, the 44th Bomb Group was targeted to strike the
German V-l missile sites at Escalles-Sur-Buchy in the Pas de Calais
area of France. Being a part of Hitler's array of secret weapons
intended to bring England to her knees, the area was strongly
defended by fighters and AA. It was not only a heavily protected
complex, the small dispersed sites were so difficult to hit from
normal bombing altitude, the attack was made at 12 thousand feet.
Lower clouds in the target area further made it necessary for second
passes over the missile sites to ensure any effective bombing results. All in all, what was
expected to be a rather routine mission, turned into a terribly costly raid. Especially for the 68th
Bomb Squadron which launched seven aircraft to have only three return.
One of those losses; the 1st Lt. Frank W. Sobotka crew with T/Sgt. Claire P. Shaeffer
as Flight Engineer was documented in the Winter 1995 issue of the 8-Ball Tails. This poignant
story came to our attention because T/Sgt. Shaeffer was, in that era, a rarity being a single parent.
His death on that raid left an orphaned four year old daughter who, after 51 years of never having
been informed of the details of her father's death, made contact with us. That story came to a
dramatic and emotional climax when Lois Cianci (Claire's daughter) and her husband Tony
accompanied us on the 1998 trip to England and France where she visited the crash site of her
father's aircraft and was presented one of hisfireblackened ID "Dog" Tags recovered by the
French Resistance.
Back in February this year, I received a letter from Oklahoma City
written by a Mrs. Jackie Ostenson Roberts which was an impassioned
request for any information about her father S/Sgt. Jack Ostenson.
68th Bomb Squadron, 44th Bomb Group, killed on January 21, 1944.
Something was jogging m y memory as I was turning the pages of the
Will Lundy Roll of Honor to the Missing Aircrew Reports ( M A C R ) of
21 January. Lo and behold, on the page facing the M A C R of the
Sobotka Crew was the M A C R of the 7s/ Lt. Gary Mathisen crew on
which her father, S/Sgt. Jack N. Ostenson was Left Waist Gunner.
Referring back to her letter I read that she was born January 30, 1944
to her Mother, Wilburta, in Boise, Idaho and her father Jack, killed
only nine days earlier along with T/Sgt. Claire Shaeffer of the 68th,
both leaving fatherless daughters.
JACIOE O S T E N S O N 6 MONths old.
So, as with Lois Shaeffer Cianci, we havefilledthe void left by the scanty information of the
M I A notification and later KIA confirmation given to her Mother. Jackie since has excitedly
joined our 44th B G V A family as a Life Member. She "can hardly wait" to join us at our reunion
in San Diego. H E R E F O R T H E FIRST TIME, SHE A N D LOIS CIANCI WILL MEET. W H A T
A N E M O T I O N A L EXPERIENCE F O R A L L T H A T W I L L S U R E L Y BE!
19
�BEATING THE BUSHES
By Art Hand
July, 2000
BAUC, ANTON R. 1016 Cora Street, JBliet, IL 60435; (815) 722-6047.
68th Squadron fire fighter. Deceased February, 2000 (See F.W.).
ifev
Note: Art's doctor has instructed him to
do no more work at the present time
COLL, WILLIAM RO. Box 269, Pari Hall, MD 20667; e-mail:
w.coll@erols.com. Association, William is nephew of William Coll who was
KIA on 1 August, 1943, Ploesti while an engineer on Lt. Scrivner's crew.
due to an irregular heart beat.
Otherwise, this listing would be more
extensive. Let us all wish Art a QUICK
SENFT, ELMER T. 2339 Redwood Road, York, PA 17404-3942; (717)
764-6678. Our only listing shows that Elmer was a Pfc. from York, PA.
recovery.
miLHA5BEmRETURnED,FORWftRDinGORDER EXRIRED.hO SUCH ADDRE55 OR MARKED UnKriOWnnfT1E5
WEHflVELI5TEDTHELfl5TKnOWnflDDRE550F50nEOFTHE5EinDIVDUflL5.
CmYOUHELRU5LOCfTTETHEM?
Lawrence H. Massey
No Street Number
Seth, West Virginia
William A. Croft
120 West Hillcrest Dr.
Carlisle, Pa 17013
Harold J. B r u m m
406 21st Ave. S W
Rochester, Minnesota 55902
Earl A. Burns
10704 Decatur St.
Omaha. Nebraska 68164
Wallace Penny
3623 Taluga Dr.
Miami, Florida 32129
Stanley Reich
1111 Alvarado Ave.
Davis, Calif. 95616
Phillip Fanning
1534 SE 15* St.
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 33316
William S. Strange
RFD # 3 Box 489
Marshall, Texas 75670
William R. Brady
3139 Sam Houston Forest Rd.
Moss Bluff. Lousiana 70611
Hal D. Farmer
1681 Greenbrier Dr.
Huntsville, Texas 77340
James E. Keith
14919 Redwood Cove
Houston, Texas 77062
Albert T. Wheaton
13209 Oak Park Blvd.
GarfieldHeights, Ohio
Kenneth L. Buchner
669 E. Oakland Pk Blvd
Oakland Park, Florida 33334
William H. Martin
3781 Goldfinch St.
San Diego, CA 92103-3911
James E. Keith
Houston, Texas
IF 50, FLEPI5E COTITftCT U5 m P.O BOX 71^87. 5rULAKE CITY, UT 8171-^87. TOE (801) 733-7371
20
�folded
Wings
July, 2000
Gowpiled by
Will Lundy
BARLOW, ARCHIE D. T/Sgt. 14151313 68th Sqdn. FW on 23 April
2000. Archie served as an Engineer on the H. R. Howington crew
which joined the 44th BG on 5 October 1943. He flew 9 missions from 5
November 1943 to 21 January 1944. On January 21st this crew was
shot down, with Archie and four others from this crew managing to
successfully evade capture and eventually returned to duty. Deta
of this evasion can be read in Webb Todd's book, History of the
68th Squadron. Four crew members were KIA while one was
captured and became a POW.
BAUC, ANTON R. Pic. 36658870 68th Squadron. FW in February, 2000. He served
as a Fire Fighter, primarily involved with aircraft crashes on or near the Shipdham Base.
June 1944, a B-24 from another base crashed several miles away, but Shipdham crews responded. Explosions killed tw
of these fire fighters, but Anton and four others continued to search for survivors. For this action Anton was awar
Bronze Star.
CHAFFEE. THOMAS L. 1st Lt. 0-704147 67th Sqdn. FW in September, 1999. He served as a Navigator on the George
B. Haag crew while assigned to the 492nd BG and then transferred to the 67th Sqdn. in August 1944. His first 44th
mission was on 14 August 1944 and last one was dated 25 August, completing his tour of duty of 25 (?) missions. On
September 1944 he was transferred to the 12th RCD to return to the U.S.
CHANDLER, JAMES A. 17010687 68th Sqdn. FW on 10 February 2000. He joined the Squadron on 12/10/42, assigned
to Ordnance. On 5/28/44 he was promoted to Munition Worker and on 2/5/45 was promoted to 905. He returned to the
U.S. on the Queen Mary in June, 1945.
CRANE, JAMES J. 12074922 66th Sqdn. FW in February, 1992. He served as a gunner on the R. £ Harleman crew tha
flew their first mission on 21 February 1944 and last one on 27 March 1944. On this date they were shot down near th
Spanish border after bombing their target. It was their eighth mission. James was one of the four crew men who su
the ditching to become a POW.
COX, HOWARD D. 35275530 67th Sqdn. FW on 4/10/2000 reported by Mrs. April C. Nicola. Howard was a Pvt. when h
went over to England on the Queen Mary in Sept. 1942. Unable to identify his activities while he served with us whi
based at Shipdham.
DOMINO, JOSEPH S. FW on 17 September 1999. Last contact was made with him on 2/1/90. He was
an early member of the 44th BG, but was transferred to the 98th BG in early 1942 at Barksdale Field, LA.
FITCH, ALLEN A. 13047486 67th Sqdn-FW on 13 February 2000. Allen was a member of the
Ground Echelon that went to England on the Queen Mary, departing NYC on 5 Sept. 1942. He
served first as an Aircraft Mechanic until promoted to Assistant Crew Chief from H Grisham's
crew. He was on S. Calloway's crew, Sgt. in January 1945 until returning to the U.S. in
June, 1945. He returned in 1981 after 41 years of working at the Penn Tech Paper Mill.
21
�GALLATIN, ELBERT H. 18060293 67th Sqdn. FW on 9 January 2000. As with Allen Fitch above, was a member of the
Ground Echelon that went to England on the Queen Mary in September, 1942. He, too, was an aircraft mechanic, serve
a line crew. By January, 1944, he had been promoted to an Assistant Crew Chief on the KD. Gong crew, and continue
serve in that capacity with Sgt. Gong until the 44th BG returned to the U.S. in June, 1945. (See KD. Gong below.)
GONG, KUN D. 34132986 67th Sqdn. FW on 24 December 1999. "KD" was an early member of the 67th Sq, was assigned
as an engineer on "Blue Goose", piloted by G. W. Warne on 29 May 1942. He was part of a three plane unit selected t
perform secret photographic work of NE Canada, Greenland and Iceland. In late September joined the 67th Sqdn. to fl
England. "KD" became a Crew Chief, assigned to Flight "C", promoted to M/Sgt. As with most ground personnel, he,
returned to the U.S. after victory in Europe, flew home with his combat crew.
INDORF, FRANK E. 0-694877 66th Sqdn. Navigator-PFF-Radar. FW on 9 May 2000. Frank's first mission occurred on
June 1944, with H.D. Stanhope's crew and several more. His last of 29 was flown with the Elmer W. Smith crew, date
February 1945.
MAHANEY, FRANCIS X. 33198065 506th Sqdn. Tail Turret Gunner. FW on 25 August, 1999 at age of 78. Francis flew
first mission (of two) on April 1, 1944 with the E.A Herzing crew. But his second one was the terrible 8 April one w
were shot down along with ten other 44th BG ships and crews. Happily, though, all ten men on board survived to bec
POWs. Aircraft flown was Rubber Check.
MORAN, JOHN V. ASN#? 506th Sqdn. FW on 4/1/2000.
MYERS, DOUGLAS B. 0-730575 Co-pilot 506th Sqdn. FW in 1999. Lt. Myers was one of the original members of the 5
Squadron. He served as co-pilot for Capt. Swanson, flew to England in early 1943 via the southern route, south Amer
Africa, etc. He flew five missions, his first being on 22 March 1943, and his last one was 14 May, 1943 (Kiel). T
was awarded a Unit Citation for this one. This crew was shot down by swarms of fighters, with only four men surviv
become POWs.
NESBITT, FLOYD M. ASN ?? 506th Sqdn. FW on 1 April 2000. Floyd served as Engineer on the P. J. Durett crew. Th
departed the U.S. on 6 June 1944. He flew his first 34 missions with Lt. Durett on 7August and ending 31 December.
then flew his final mission of his tour with Lt. Confer's crew.
PICK, RICHARD S. 0-747102 66th Sqdn. FW on 29 December 1999. Richard flew many of his early missions with the
McCormick crew as Navigator-GEE. But with that classification, he flew mostly in cloudy weather and with lead cre
served with various crews. He completed his tour of duty on 7 October 1944 flying lead with the Lt. C. C. McDonnell c
SAFOS, VANGELO STEPHEN 0-795302 67th Sqdn. FW in July 1994. Vangelo flew his first of five missions while in n
Africa on 25 Sept. 1943 serving as Navigator for the J.D. Kessler crew. His next was a very tough mission to Wiener
Neustadt on 1 Oct. 1943 with this same crew. His fifth mission was with the W.S. Aldridge crew on 4 Jan 1944 to Kie
Germany. Later, on 12 April 1944, he transferred to the 50th Station Complement Squadron. Later still, he transfe
491st BG. He remained in service, retired as a Major.
SCHROEDER,
^^
*j&_^
I]
<i
JAMES A. 0-678513 68th Sqdn. FW on 16 May 1990. James served as a Navigator on the Philip W. Bell
crew which was assigned to the 68th Sq. on 1/31/44. He flew his first mission on 20 Feb. 44. Crew had
abort on Feb. 21, but flew their second mission on 24 February. Just after bombing their plane was
attacked and shot down. Six crewmen were KIA, with four men being captured and made
POWs. Lt. Schroeder was seriously injured, apparently, as he later was repatriated.
»
®
�THOMPSON, RALPH WILLIAM 0-706012 67th Sqdn. Pilot F W 1 March 2000. Lt. Thompson flew his 30 missions as copilot on the W.F Gilbert crew. First mission completed on 30 May 1944, with his final one of his tour completed on 3 August
WILLIAMS, RICHARD 14044924 68th Sqdn. FW on 11 March 2000. Richard served as a Flight Chief, M/Sgt. He was with
the Ground echelon that departed NY Harbor in Sept. 1942, was with the 68th Engineering until departing England again
for the U.S. on 16 June 1945. He was with the men on Temporary assignment to North Africa, departed 6/26/43 for
Benghazi. In late August, returned to Shipdham. But again, on 16 September, returned to Africa, to Tunis, until shortly
1 October 1943.
WOLFSON, MURRAY R. ASN 506th Sqdn. FW in 1992 Murray flew his first mission as Radio Operator with the V.J.
Scherzberg crew on 27 February 1945. His remaining missions were flown with the LG. Pyle crew. His 8th and last
mission was flown on 25 April 1945, the last mission of the war for the 44th BG.
M $ Escape
by T/S Forrest S. dark
67th Squadron 4 4 B G
Swiss internee on mission to Lec(;fefo,Ger.
3 Awrif 1 9 4 4 —
by armed guards and there were mines
to cross. There was also a risk that
we might be captured or shot by
snipers in German holdout pockets or
I took many risks in my fife out one ofresistance or be mistaken for the
tr>e greatest, if not tl?e most dangerous,
enemy by the Trench waguis.
happened in the closing days and
weeks of W W I I when as a young
We walked at night over the Alps
airman I attempted to escape into
from Geneva to the border. It took
liberated Trance. I attempted this as a t^ree days. W e hid by day in abanrisk with another airman because we
doned farm ouifdmgs. It was bitterly
wanted to get back to the U.S. by
cold and snowing most of t^e way.
Christmas.
It was all a gamble to see if we could
We eluded our Swiss armed guards at make it. W e were waging into a
the Bern railway station and mixed
confused wartime situation where
with the crowds on the city streets.
nobody trusted t(?e other and even the
Dressed as civilians we got a taxi to guides could not always be trusted.
tv>e legation disguised as Swiss.
But we went on.
We hid in the American Legation in
Bern, Switzerland, and were taken to
W> border with Trance and turned
over to a Trench freedom filter guide
to get us across the border. It was
risky oecause the oorder was patroffed
on the farmhouse's huge wooden door.
A Trenchman answered and welcomed
us. But w e cou(d not wait, so the next
morning at first light we started
walking again toward a sma(( village.
As w e did so w e were apprehended by
a U S army patrol. The colonel on the
patrol to(d us w e were waging in the
direction of a mine field and there
were snipers aoout.
Our risk taking had paid off this time
and we did make it l^ome a few days
after Christmas 1944. It was then w e
learned that there had been a great
battle to the north of us. That battle
was the Battle of the Bulge, the last
great German offensive of W W I I .
After that my life was never the
Tinally we got to the border, crossed same, if I ^ad faifed that risk I likely
would not be here to te(( the story. I
under some barbed wire, avoided the
(earned that there is nothing so strong
patrofs and waded across an icy
as the desire to return home, to one's
stream. W e were told to go to an
isolated farmhouse just inside Trance. country, and it is worthtakingrisks for.
W e did as we were told and knocked
23
�From the Editor:
(3DMail & E-MaM
Bob Vance and our newfound Belgium friend, Peter Loncke are
keeping a stream of information flowing about Operation Varsity. In
addition to Peter finding the Southern Comfort-Bob and Louis
DeBlasio's plane- he has located the Fighter Pilot who went
down the same day. His name is John Delaney, and he lives in
Asbury, N e w Jersey. N o w Louis, Bob and John have an information
exchange communication going; and interestingly, their memories of
events differ a great deal. Each refreshes the other's memory.
A B O U T THE OTHER QUEEN
Sgt. Lyle Latimer returned from England on the Queen Elizabeth in
October, 1944. To Latimer, the trip home was a wonderful
experience. Four of his group shared the B-Deck of that luxurious
liner enjoying every comfort.
To dodge a storm the Queen E took a southern route, so when they
came to the East Coast of the U.S., they got an off-shore view
from Florida to N e w York Harbor. When they swung into landing
position, the Queen was in the middle of various seagoing vessels
that blew whistles and horns at and for the returning veterans. The
people on board waved and cheered them from all sides as they
came into the last phase of landing.
"There was a WAC Dance Band ashore, waving and playing modern
American style music," he recalled. "We had time to watch others
leave the ship, and also, to observe the various items involved in
Joseph Crandell of Groveland, Illinois wrote that his brother, 1st Lt.unloading a ship of that size. For a farm-boy, it was especially
informative.
Leonard Crandell piloted the other plane that went down at
Wesel, as shown on the Harvel film. That plane is about 75 yards
"At Camp Shanks, NY we were delighted all over again. We found
from the Southern Comfort, and the depression is still there in the
fresh American bread, T-bone steaks and fresh milk!" He and his
ground where it crashed and exploded. The entire crew was KIA.
buddies rode a Troop Train to Jefferson Barracks, M O , an unforgetJoseph is contacting Peter to learn more details about his findings.
table ride, because it was GOING H O M E .
Peter is in contact with veteran groups from the RAF, New Zealand
and Australia, helping them locate planes, lay memorial wreaths,
and find burial plots.
Can anybody identify these three cheerful
gentlemen? I assume the picture was
taken in a pub in England.
Editor's Note: Latimer's first bomb run was on DDay to the
invasion targets of Caen. He flew with the crew of 2nd Lt. Joseph
Hermann, pilot. Latimer said that as the tail gunner, he did not
care where they went, but did like to see where they had been!"
Paul Oberlin to Will Lundy:... (describing a European vacation)
"Steve (Adams) met us in Norwich, and w e drove to Shipdham.
For me, the biggest best highlight was to see and go in the Control
Tower, as m y Dad had spent a lot of time there...
Would you like an artist's rendering of our plane? John Bills, the
son of a Liberator flyer, will do individual pictures, complete with
insignia, nose art, serial numbers, battle damage, tail identification.
The price is reasonable. The samples are impressive. Call
770-346-9517 or E-Mail john7linda@mindspring.com.
Dear American Friends,
I would like to wish you a great Independence Day 2000.
I hope that the Veterans will receive a lot of attention from the
youngsters.
If you think they do not pay enough respect to your fight for the
cause of freedom, be sure that in the other side of the Atlantic
ocean, at least one Belgian guy does.
®
�May they never have to pay the price for their easy-going way of
life. The less you care about freedom, the more you risk to lose it.
have memories of friends, drinking buddies, guys in the next chair
at briefings, etc. who did not make it. It is sad to say that my
memory of some of my close friends who did not make it has faded.
Thank you for MY freedom.
Your dedicated friend from over here, waiting eagerly to be over
there with you.
Luc Dewez
e£
I always look forward to receiving m y copy of the 8 Ball Tails. The
picture on the front page of the Spring 2000 edition showing the
"Delectable Doris" (now renamed "Joe"), and the "All American"
(now renamed "The Dragon and his Tail") flying together, are a very
pretty sight indeed. When reading your comments on page 3
regarding these two planes however, you state the "All American",
the last fully restored, flying Liberator in the world....".
I would take issue a bit with this statement. The Confederate Air
Force's "Diamond Lil" a completely restored B-24 has been in
continuous service since it came off the assembly line in the Spring
of 1940. It carries serial number 18. Almost certainly Diamond LIL
is the longest continuously serving World War II era aircraft flying today.
Some people do not consider LIL a true B-24 because in appearance
it does not have the cowling of turbocharged engines and the
exhaust stacks are on top like a PBY. Additionally, the plane is
about 9 feet shorter than a D Model. From a non cosmetic
standpoint, LIL is significantly different from later model B-24s
However it is and was a B-24A. It also was designated an LB-30A
Liberator I, under its original lend lease purchase order.
There have been times when the airplane underwent repairs and
restoration, but it has never missed a scheduled tour season with
the CAF. It did not go out on tour last summer because the aircraft
it flies with, a B-29 " FIFI", did not go out on tour, and the two
planes always travel together. Although the LIL was having new
fuel tanks installed, and other maintenance performed, it could have
been put together to go on tour last summer had FIFI been in a
position to go. Today, LIL is coming together nicely and will probably
be undergoing recurrency flights within the month of May.
Larry Herpel < lherpellgljuno.com >
(30
SIX SETS OF INITIALS
by Jack Butler (44th)
Let me tell you about 6 men to the 44th Bomb Group... All I know
about them is that on six separate occasions, prior to May, 1944,
each of them took off into the wild blue yonder. They were headed
east into the rising sun over Germany. They never returned. I never
met them and never knew them, yet I can never forget them. Let m e
tell you why I can never forget them.
All of us members of the 2nd Air Division had a lot in common. We
are survivors. Would you be reading this otherwise? Most of us
Why then do I have such a vivid recollection of these six whom I d
not know?
Well, in May, 1944, when I arrived at the 44th Bomb Group as a
replacement navigator, I was assigned to an empty sack in a four
man room. It was in a permanent building with inside plumbing.
There were two double deck bunk beds. The vacant bed was a
lower bunk. I thought this was great, but a little strange that the
upstairs guys had not claimed it. They had not claimed it because
they knew that there were six sets of initials burned into the rails
below the upper bunk. Each set of initials had marks burned by
cigarettes which counted completed missions. As I recall, the
completed missions ranged from 3 to 14.1 distinctly remember one
set of markers showed the last completed mission as 12. Obviously
he had not completed his number 13.
From May until December of 1944, the last thing I saw before I
went to sleep were those initials burned into the bed rail above me.
Not until recently did I realize those initials were also burned into
m y memory.
Is it possible that those six guys got together and put in a good
word for #7? All I know is that I made it OK, but there were several
occasions when I, and m y various crews, needed and had incredibly
good luck at the right time.
Editor's Note: To locate which of the two Jack Butlers sent this
message, I searched the Database AND COULDN'T FIND HIM!
However, I learned by e-mail that he was John £ Butler and his
new address is 12704 Transit Cove, Austin, TX 78727-5118. Phone
(5121833-7643.
EmailJackB839@aol.com.
Jack was in both the 66th and 67th Squadrons. He went over with
Bob Knowles and Howard Robb, and sometimes flew with
others. He was over there from May, 1944 to December, 1944.
The news of his life is that he has two German great granddaughters, thanks to his grandson who took a German bride after serving
in the Gulf War. Jack was visited by the German grandmother of his
two great grandchildren. A resident of Hamburg, she is unable to
discuss the war events which occurred when she was ten years old.
Among the tidbits ofinformation which Jack learned is that
600,000 women and children were evacuated from the city during
the summer of '43. The 44th was bombing oil refineries, but before
the War was over, most of the homes were destroyed.
Through cyberspace, Jack's grandson informed him that a 1 kilo ton
bomb was found in the middle of Stuttgart. The authorities evacuated
half the city to diffuse it. Apparently they find an unexploded bomb
over there from time to time. The memory of WWII does not go
away for either side.
�3D
A REOUEST FOR HELP!
John L. Milliken reported that four members of his crew Darrel
Larsen, Morris Larkin, Leon Allen and Irwin Stovroff have not
received the DFC; even though they all completed their combat tour
together, and were shot down on the 31st, 13 August 1944.
Milliken, Martin Richard and Robert Bertoli received their DFC
on General Order 193, 2nd Bomb Division 17 August 44. Kenneth
Beckwith received his GO 212, 31 August 44. Milliken received an
additional DFC on GO 226, (3 2nd BD dated 14 September 44.
Milliken is wondering if someone in the 44th might have the GO's,
which could help the four in his crew to receive the decoration
which they earned.
saluted American officers. The tankers had no time to take
prisoners, and so the meek-looking medics were still there
when Brig. Gen. I.D. White bustled in for a staff conference in
front of the town hall, still there when the tankers gassed up
and still there when they rolled out again under cover of night.
Editor's Note: Nobody was happier to see the armed vehicles
enter Ahlen than Louis DeBlasio, Bob Vance and John
Delaney, all POWs in a German hospital in Ahlen.
&
Another Request for HELP!
As a school project, two teenagers in Holland are looking for
Editor's Note: Roy Owen advises those who have not received
stories about the liberation of their land in 1945, and any
their DFC to write Air Force Personnel Headquarters, Decorations expressions of kindness, gratitude and courage which the
Department, Randolph Field, Texas.
Dutch people showed to their liberators. Their address is:
Evelien aan de Wiel, Wittenstein 183, 3328 M V Dordrecht,
3D
the Netherlands.
From the Stars and Stripes comes the memory of General
Patton's push through Germany, forwarded by Bob Vance:
Fritzi Selasky of Lubock, Texas has donated her husband's me
HELL ON WHEELS' ROLLS HELL BENT THROUGH REICH
Injured Foe, Medics, 30,000 Civilians
Welcome End of W a r for Them
AHLEN, GERMANY, March 31 (delayed), - German Army
medics and civilians alike lined the streets of this hospital
town-"the first open city" in Germany left thus far by the
retreating Wehrmacht -and cheered and waved at the Second
Army Div. tankers rolling through today on the road to Berlin.
Col. Sidney Hinds of Nashville, Tenn., who has led his CCB
across 36 miles of the Reich in less than two days, was in the
first vehicle to reach the town, as forward elements bypassed it to slice through to the Autobahn, northeast of Hamm.
Surrender
At the entrance of Ahlen, his jeep was halted by a pot-bellied,
bemedalled Nazi colonel, commandant of the town's dozen
hospitals, which held more than 2,000 German wounded
soldiers. The commandant offered him the surrender of the
town, the soldiers and his own medics and 30,000 civilians
who were still here.
to the WWII Memorial in her town. Ground breaking will begin by
Veterans Day in November. Lt. James Selasky was a navigator
with the 67th Squadron, and was among the survivors of the raid
to Ploesti, flying with Colonel Leon Johnson in the lead plane. In
Lubock, Fritzi has dedicated her efforts to educating young people
to the tragedies and triumphs of WWII.
OOPS!
For those of you who remember a Captain Joseph Testa, but
never heard of a Captain Tesla, your memory is accurate. His name
was Testa. In the article ROBERT DUBOWSKY'S DROP FROM
THE SKY, Spring issue of the 8 BTs, the Editor got it wrong.
Dubowsky is still searching for parodies to WWII songs. Even
only remember part of the song, send it to him. A long time from
now, in a WWII Museum, some young people will feel the spirit of
the young flyers who risked all to make a better world. His address
is 650 Grant Court, Satellite Beach, FL 32937; e-mail irdud(5)aol.com.
Everyone has a story worth telling and worth publishing.
PHASE Send it!
As Col. Hinds followed the Nazi bigwig's car into the town, at
first the civilians responded with a perfunctory "Heil Hitler!"
Ruth W. Davis-Morse, Editor
They then spotted American vehicles and out went the bed
2041 Village Circle East
sheets and tablecloths of surrender.
York, PA 17404
No Time for Prisoners
Telephone: (717) 846-8948 • Fax: (717) 846-6688
Dozens of Wehrmacht medics, in regular uniforms with Red
e-Mail:
REWDM@BLAZENET.NET
Cross arm bands, were among the crowd and some of them
joined in the waving. A couple of German Army doctors
26
*
-v
�sD
Memories of Bill Atkins, 67/506: ...there are four missions that I
remember well: the first, over Rhein Marshalling Yard w a s supposed
to be at high level mission, then changed at the last moment to low
level. They gave us a master briefing on a whole lot of flak w e
could expect. W e did make it through without picking up any extra
holes. Then there w a s the trip to Berlin, which seemed to me, went
right into the center of town.
Another awesome experience was the mission with Napalm to Fortde-Royan near Bordeaux, France. I w a s also on the flight to Wesel
with Major Harvel. I transferred his movie to VCR, and it has been
the mainstay of m y annual report to U.S. history classes. However,
the best mission I remember w a s after VE Day, and w e took the
political folks from Shipdham for a flight up the Rhine River, looking
at the towns that were still standing but had no roofs or floors.
QD
E-Mail from Fritz-Peter Linden,
Stadtkyll, Germany to Will Lundy:
We are putting together a magazine this year, celebrating four
important dates in the history of our town, including the events of
WWII. I a m the editor of the "official celebration magazine" and
with your information, I w a s able to translate the U.S. Air Force
assessment of the bombings in late 44/early 45.
On behalf of everybody here, I thank you very much for your help.
And if it weren't for you and all the other American soldiers back
then, I probably wouldn't be able to write this little e-mail to you.
This is the first time I can actually say thank you to one of the men
who w a s actually there.
Editor's Note: Could anybody imagine that there would ever be a
letter of gratitude from the enemy country? The recognized value of
the sacrifices of WWII keep growing in every part of the globe.
fiD
George Wright, from Wylde Green, England, started a hobby of
making models of WWII planes, and as a tribute to the 50,000
Americans w h o served in the 2 AD, he is placing them on permanent loan to the Memorial Library in Norwich. The aircrafts
represented are older planes used as markers for the division's 14
bomb groups to move into formation over the North Sea, ready to
start their missions into Germany. Lemon Drop and other colorful
lead planes will be on display.
(3D
Have you lost your medals, and want them replaced? All honorably
discharged veterans are entitled to a one time, free of charge
replacement set of their authorized medals and ribbons from the
U.S. Government. Submit request in writing to: National Personnel
Records Ctr., Attn: NRPMF, 9700 Page Ave., St. Louis, M 0 36132-5100.
®
Include your full name, service or social security number, branch of
service and dates of service. Request must be signed by the veteran.
If deceased, next of kin can sign the request. Be sure the request is
legible. It is also helpful to attach a copy of the discharge certificate, but not required. Allow 90-120 days for processing.
ABOUT THE DATABASE PROJECT,
ARE YOU LISTENING?
Speaking as the Editor of the 8 Ball Tails, I can't help
wondering whether 44thers do not submit their
Database information because the project has not been
clearly defined. Here is the plan: the entire history of
the 44th B o m b Group - the missions, the sorties, the
planes, the crews and the flyers - is being compiled
and computerized. This information will be available to
every library, high school and m u s e u m in the country
and some places overseas, not just now but 100 years
from now.
How will future generations know what happened in
WWII if the people who lived it do not tell their story?
Historians, researchers, archivists and family members
will have access to Y O U R history, but only if you put it
on record. EVERY SINGLE JOB W A S IMPORTANT. IT
T O O K FULL EFFORT TO WIN T H E W A R . R E C O R D
Y O U R CONTRIBUTION TO VICTORY.
Is it so difficult to dig in your old boxes and pull out a
handful of information and photographs about
yourself? Is it so difficult to talk into a tape recorder or
put it in writing, the harrowing moments you lived
through, the ways you coped with tough times, the
funny things you did with your buddies?
As Editor of the 8 Ball Tails, when I try to get details
about a particular person for an article, and can't find
his bio, I shake m y head sadly. I want ALL of you to be
remembered.
Write to us for your preprinted bio form:
44th B G V A Bios
PO Box 712287
Salt Lake City, UT 84171-2287
��
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8 Ball Tails
Newsletter
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8 Ball Tails Volume 3 - Issue 5: Summer 2000
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Summer 2000
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https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/65043/archive/files/e6a067c4c6aa87acf725a8bf63648bc7.pdf?Expires=1712793600&Signature=QXSiWJCHkSWQfte7p80%7EcGJZDER3guiF7Xjdy4-clxVjZ6AYJ9zYGpZQ8IajHmKCx6CkqfUidKYhJcHrzd3mJJcH6WLHJFWLg3C0o9wKi0f0kujajZpdcxAccQN-8L3%7EJuVOpUXbBhY%7Efl0DSswQKszn2CtDa0CJWBGK-J7F7rhnjBD390LIBZP29Z%7E7XIb9zRNrR7kpZP28G7AhdBPQcY8Hq8HyWoyJ9boMtqhZCbkQplRQBizByskcoTZCH8I-a7CC4dg0NKdbCS5hDM92%7E-dTY7jt9iytnSVqGONKAT-Qsi2ZP2NbIpbEZqzx4-jkdSM7emHxibSOeadTRHz4JQ__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM
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�44TH BOMB GROUP VETERANS ASSOCIATION BOARD
Official Journal of
President Emeritus: B-Gen. John H. Gibson (Retired)
7008 Gateridge
Dallas, TX 75240-7936
Phone: (972) 239-0559
Director: Robert J. Lehnhausen (68)
2540 Benton Court
Peoria, IL 61615-8838
Phone/Fax: (309) 243-1952
The 8-Ball Tails©
The 44th Bomb
Group Veterans
Association, Inc.©
Compiled, written
Immediate Past President: Roy W. Owen (506)
6304 Meadowridge Drive
Santa Rosa, CA 95409-5839
Phone: (707) 538-4726 Fax: (707) 538-1212
e-mail: Rowen44bg@aol.com
Director: Michael "Mike" Yuspeh (506)
7214 Sardonyx St.
New Orleans, LA 70124-3509
Phone/Fax: (504) 283-3424
e-mail: mikeyuspeh@worldnet.att.net
and published triyearly at 2041
Village Circle East,
York, PA, by Ruth
W . Davis-Morse,
Editor. Printed and
mailed Bulk Rate
Director
(44
SMW)
President: Edw. K. "Mike" Mikoloski (66/67)
at Salt Lake City,
Charles
G.
Simpson
626 Smithfield Road #702
U T under U S P S
P.O. Box 281
N. Providence, Rl 02904
Permit #6923. All
Breckenridge,
C
O
80424
Phone/Fax: (401) 353-0144
original written
Phone/Fax: (970) 453-0500
e-mail: EKMLIB44@msn.com
material such as
e-mail: AFMISSILEERS@compuserve.com
letters, stories,
First Vice President: Richard D. Butler (506/67)
excerpts from
Historian: C.W. "Will" Lundy (67)
44th Group VP to 2nd ADA
personal diaries or
3295 North "H" Street
16828 Mitchell Circle
memoirs, drawings
San Bernardino, CA 92405-2809
Riverside, CA 92518
and photos
Phone/Fax: (909) 882-2441
Phone (909) 697-5875 Fax: (909) 697-2908
submitted to this
e-mail: willundy@aol.com
e-mail: rdb24@earthlink.net
journal will become
P.O. Box 315, Bridgeport, CA 93517 (Sum) the property of the
Phone/Fax: (760) 932-7349
44th Bomb Group
Treasurer: Gerald (Jerry) Folsom (506)
Veterans
3582 East Dover Hill Road
Membership: Search
Association and
Salt Lake City, UT 84121-5527
will be copyright
Art
Hand
(66)
Phone (801) 733-7371 Fax: (801) 942-9988
protected except
517
Elm
Street
e-mail: 44thbgva@xmission.com
where noted. The
Paris, IL 61944-1417
text and photos
Phone/Fax:
(217)
463-5905
Secretary & 8 Ball Tails Editor: Ruth W. Davis-Morse
are otherwise
e-mail:
k9hwp@comwares.net
2041 Village Circle East
reproduced from
York, PA 17404
official U S A A F and
U.K. Representative: Steve Adams
Phone (717) 846-8948 Fax: (717) 846-6688
U S A F documents
28 Bassingham Rd.
e-mail: rewdm@blazenet.net
and photos which
Norwich, England NR3 2QT
have been released
Phone/Fax: 011-44-1603-400221
Director (67) Archivist
for publication.
e-mail: s.p.adams@btinternet.com
Anthony 'Tony" Mastradone
Permission is
9111 Tuckerman Street
granted for the
ASSOCIATION MAILING ADDRESS:
Lanham, M D 20706-2709
contents of this
44th BGVA
Phone/Fax: (301) 577-1487
journal to be
P.O. Box 712287
e-mail: mast@clres.com
reproduced
Salt Lake City, UT 84171-2287
specifically for
personal archives.
Otherwise, copyright material herein m a y be reproduced by the journal of other incorporated non-profit veterans organizations so long as this publication is
properly credited and prior permission is granted by the editor.
Those submitting letters, stories and photos to the editor or historian must do so with the understanding that this material will most likely be published in this
journal as a matter of interest to the memberslsubscribers of the Association and this journal. While every attempt will be made to answer all of the material
received, there is no explicit or implied guarantee that an answer will be provided or published. Except for specific requests for the return of original documents
and photos, all material submitted will become the property of the 44th Veterans Association, Inc., or its successors.
�—r — y — y — r
I
3AMT01, SCtl A
GSATERll W A D t,v
- ^
% S S H l'
Frank Schaeffer avoided the
Army draft by joining the Army
Air Corps in 1942, but after his
sixth mission from Shipdham, he
found himself climbing into back
rooms and hiding in pits to
elude marauding Germans and
wondering what was the
difference. After enlisting, he
had to wait six months before he
Soon attacks of pneumonia and rheumatic fever
separated Schaeffer from his buddies. When he got back
on his feet, he was assigned Engineer on Lt. B. J. Komasinski's
crew. His memory of working with his new crew in Pueblo,
Colorado was harrowing, exciting and coupled with bouts
of air sickness-problems that passed when the serious
business of war came to them. When their training was
over, they set out for the trip on the Queen Elizabeth to
the Firth of Clyde in Scotland.
Fi^Nk SchAEfftR 1945
was inducted. So he took the opportunity to
take night school courses at the
local vocational school along with flying lessons. When the
call came to report, he rode the Northeastern Railroad
through a snowstorm, to arrive on time at the 8th Street
Theater in Chicago.
Unfortunately, his dream to be a pilot faded, and he was
sent to Sheppard Field to study Airplane Mechanics,
where the biggest irritant was the CQ who wakened them
in the morning, "Drop your —- and grab your socks."
When he finished A M School, he went to Tyndall Field for
Gunnery School; where he moved up to Buck Sergeant.
To celebrate the completion of that program, and the
rank that went with it, Schaeffer drank many beers and
smoked a cigar. It didn't sit well. He barfed all over one
of his roommate's foot locker!
From
Shipdham
Schaeffer
BAR P, OIE Cock, 42-1 10024 f|ew j n
a
fROM HARRY STEEIE'S COIIECNON.
succession
of planes: Ole Cock, Bar-P,Bar-L, and
My Gal Sal, each time getting back
safely, notwithstanding holes in the
planes. [My Gal Sal crashed on take-off
several weeks later, but Schaeffer was
not on board.)
HARRY STEEIE, CREW
chiEf of "OIE Cock,"
42-110024
August 8, 1944 was a foggy morning, delaying take-off
on the mission to the German airdome near L'Perthe,
France. Komasinski's plane, My Peach, had a substitute
gunner, Coley Richardson, w h o was on his last mission.
As it turned out, it was the last for all of them.
Trouble Beginning
Until the plane reached the IP, Schaeffer remembers littl
flak activity. When they reached the b o m b run to the
target, the # 2 engine began to speed, and he could not
bring it back to cruising speed with the synchronizing
switch. The rpms increased, and he could not slow them.
FRONT LETT TO RK,III: BERNARCI J. KontAsiNski, piloT; W . SCOTT Gippmi,
co-pilot; EdqAR W . M K I I A E U , NAVIGATOR; CIIARIES H. LAJN, boMDARdicR.
STANdiNq: STANIEY J. HuUwicz, TAU quNNER; FRANK LAFAZJA, DAII TURRET;
JohN H. M c K n , RAdio OPERATOR; N E U O N E. BROTT, IEFT WAJST quN;
WAITER E. JACOD, RiqhT WAIST quN;
FRANK N. SchAEffER, FliqhT ENqiNEER ANd Top TURRET.
"We had a runaway propeller!!" he recalled. "She really
howled and went to 4,500 rpm. Our co-pilot, W. Scott
Gippert operated the feathering button, and the throttle
was closed, but the propeller refused to feather.
�"Quickly I gathered the folds in my arms, but with so much
air rushing through the open bays, more folds kept
spilling, and I had m y hands full gathering them together.
It was all I could do to keep m y arms around that bundle
of silk. I recall seeing one of the fellows drop from the
nose wheel door, and our pilot urging John McKee, radio
operator, to get going.
"Meanwhile I had gone into the forward end of the b o m b
bay to turn off the # 2 fuel selector valve. The fuel
booster p u m p switch was also turned off, as well as the
generator for that engine; but with everything off, it
continued to run wild. Lt. Gippert asked m e to replace the
feathering fuse, but I shouted 'No fuse. Circuit breakers
here' and pointed to four little red buttons. He pressed
on the button, but that was useless because the breaker
had not popped. Oil pressure was at zero, which
probably made any further feathering efforts useless."
Schaeffer took a minute to weigh his options...whether to
change chutes or risk exiting in his disheveled pile of silk.
Komasinski, seeing his indecision, bailed out, leaving
Schaeffer alone on the plane. He worked himself forward
to the front end of the rear b o m b bay, crouched and
rolled out.
By that time Schaeffer figured out that the freezing
temperature had made the oil in the propeller spinner cold
and thick, causing failure of the propeller to feather.
Meanwhile the engine continued to howl and the cowling
shook so violently, he expected the propeller to come
flying off, possibly into the fuselage. In desperation he
tried to replace the supercharger amplifier, but didn't
depress the retainer catch, so it would not come out of
it's receptacle.
The chute was pulled out of his arms with a jerk that
jammed him painfully down in his harness, and he found
himself swinging in 180 degree arcs, with the chute
nearly collapsing with each swing. Watching My Peach
from his billowing chute, he saw it follow the formation as
though a pilot was still at the controls. (When the
formation took a right turn, the plane continued forward
until it was out of sight.)
With all this excitement going on, they reached the target
and Charles Lain, bombardier released the bombs;
delaying a little, as the plane had fallen behind in their
formation.
Jump?
At that point, Schaeffer released his flak suit, took off his
oxygen mask, headset, throat mic, helmet and gloves, and
unplugged the heated suit. He saw his co-pilot doing the
same thing, so he signaled Nelson Brott, to come down
from the top turret.
Schaeffer could see other parachutes, but could not make
voice contact. His hands were freezing cold, having
jumped at 20,000 feet; his harness was cutting into his
crotch; and the air was so thin, he just dangled weakly
until the air got warmer. Then he could look down and
see the French landscape, knowing he was coming into
German Occupied Territory.
Meeting the Underground
One shot rang out and missed him, and soon he found
himself surrounded by French people who seemed to
want to help him. S o m e locals were so afraid of the
Germans, they refused to permit him into their home.
Others risked death to provide him with civilian clothing,
food and transport into a wooded area where they hid
him in a deep hole. He was accompanied by different
members of the FFI (French Underground) from time to
time, leading him to an unknown destination which
hopefully would provide safety. His companions did not
speak English, and he did not know French. With no idea
Standing on the catwalk, he suddenly realized that he had
not been given the signal to jump, so he swung out and
around the right side of the forward b o m b rack, and back
onto the catwalk behind it. Since he was wearing a chest
pack parachute, he could not have gotten through the
center of the b o m b bay between the b o m b racks. But in
swinging around the rack, his parachute rip cord handle
snagged on a b o m b shackle and pulled out about 3/4
inch. Immediately he pushed it back in, but the damage
was done. The chute suddenly began to spill while he was
getting into position on the catwalk.
V
4
�where they
were
headed, he
followed
them
through
woods, over
hills, fields,
swamps
and dozens BEINHER FAMily ~ LuciENEE, COIEEIE, GASTON, CRANdMoifiFr
BIANCEIE, lEAN-PiERRE, ANd ANdRE
of barbed
wire fences. Ultimately he ended up at the Benier home at
Orbais L'Abbaye, which is
south of Reims. It was the
residence of an elderly
woman and her two adult
children, who were kind
enough to feed him and
provide quarters where he
could reside in relative
safety. He could not leave
the house, but sometimes sat
in the back yard, which was
surrounded by a high wall.
Frwrxk EVAdiNq iN I+IE BENIER bAckyARd.
In time he learned that Richardson,
gunner, was badly injured, and was
under German control; and McKee,
radio operator, became a POW. The
rest of the crew hid in the woods
and traveled at night, protected by
HENRY
the FFI.
stung him. Cigarettes were $3.60/
pack, but Shorty solved the problem
by buying a pound of black market
tobacco in Paris; and in return for
rolling them, Schaeffer had a regular
supply for himself.
Looking out the family's front room,
Schaeffer could see German convoys
passing, trucks piled with straw, men
riding the fenders, on motorcycles and
afoot. German planes went over; and
some days he could see American
bombers in tight formations, too high
to see what kind they were. From the
radio, which the family played only once
a day, they learned that the Americans
were approaching Paris.
Louis GuyoiMARd
(ShoRTy) ~
ScllAEffER's
spy rRiENd.
On August 28 the Patton's Third Army arrived at Orlais
L'Abbaye. The town people brought out homemade flags,
greeting the soldiers and throwing flowers at the tanks.
Every time the convoy stopped, someone would run out
with a glass and bottle of wine and pass it to a soldier,
who swallowed it with a gulp and returned the glass for
the next soldier. This continued until the convoy moved on.
MEYSONET, FFI FRiENd.
This is WIIERE
ScllAEffER
A French spy called Shorty, working for the English,
befriended Schaeffer and shared the same bed. He
proudly displayed his working materials- batteries,
weapons, and equipment for communicating across the
Channel. Only a few trusted people knew that Shorty and
Schaeffer were residing at the Beniers.
Sometimes Schaeffer would help Shorty with his radio
transmissions. Other times he helped Andre pitch hay in
the barn or help care for the honey bees, which frequently
wATchEcl 5 A R M Y
T R O O P S ENTER
ORDAIS
The FFI came out, wearing the Cross of
Lorrain inside a V on their arm bands The people of the
town were delirious with delight. Coincidental^, on an
effort to find someone called Bill, another evader who the
family had come to know, Schaeffer passed his own crew
who were already on trucks headed toward the coast,
enroute England. Schaeffer returned with Bill, joining the
family in a champagne party. He dug out his old clothes
_y
�and shared them with Bill, so both had some semblance
of a uniform. (Bill Weatherwax was a B-17 pilot who had lived
with the Beniers, but later moved into the forest with the FFI.)
J\ PLEfl FOR
The next day was a day of revelry, traveling from home to LOST RECORDS
home and celebrating with families that pulled out
champagne that had been stashed away years before,
awaiting their day of liberation.
Many Germans were hiding in the woods, more afraid of
the FFI than of the Americans. American troops pressed
forward at a rapid rate, taking no time to pick up lurking
German soldiers, so the Underground sought them out,
showing little consideration to the invaders who had been
occupying their homeland.
On October 18, Schaeffer boarded a C-54 ATC in
Scotland, and eighteen hours later, was joyfully back in the
USA. He has taken the time to write a detailed account of
his experiences, and to look up members of his crew.
His work experience after the
war had been in a chemical
laboratory; then with General
Electric Company, making
X-rays; with the Chrysler
Corporation, making
outboard motors; and he is
still working two days a week
in a machine shop.
There are 8,085 Sondes entered into
the Database, but ((Jill Lundy has
diseouened that repents are missing
from IDay 8, 1944 to April 7, 1945.
Is there any chance that members
might haue them in their files, or in
boxes in the attic? Please eheek; and if
so, please get them totflill.nobody is
working harder to complete the 44th
history for future generations than ((Jill
If you can, please giue him a hand.
PAULA ERTZ,ATRAGIC L O S S
T O T H E 44™ B G V A
FRANk ScflAEffER Al
SAN DiEqo REUNION
2000.
MARVEL'S BOOK
Things become more precious as lime goes on, but
only in fhe right hands. Do you have Marvel's Liberators
Over Europe or fhe History of fhe 44th Bomb Group?
Do you know anybody who does, who would be willing
io donate it fo the Historical Library in Barksdale,
Louisiana? Barksdale, the home of many 44thers at
one time, is building a research library, and these items
would be greatly appreciated.
After enjoying the company of
Paula and Julian Ertzoverthe run
of our San Diego reunion, news
reached us that on the following
Friday they were involved in a serious automobile"
accident thattookthe life of Paula while Julian
escaped with minor injuries. Besides Julian, Paula
is survived by daughters Beth Ertz and Bera
Dordoni, sons Gary and Scott Ertzand
grandchildren Christopher, Jarron and Ashley Ertz.
Paula had just begun to devote some of her multifaceted talents to the intra communication among
long-lost members mission of the 44th B G V A She
and Julian, a semi-retired attorney, were also
assisting in finding a producer for our own "Lois
Cianci Story" as a movie. N o doubt she would have
contributed substantially. W e will miss the amazing
lady, and send ourloveand support to Julian.
�their invaluable help. Also, our appreciation to Cathy
Mastradone w h o w a s instrumental in obtaining the
Cambridge Cemetery photograph that w a s presented to
Jackie Roberts. N o easy task under the best of circumstances
but completed brilliantly through Cathy's, and Tony's
resourcefulness, perseverance and invaluable contacts in
Washington.
^
FIRST A N D F O R E M O S T , I thank you for the
beautifully fitting floral tribute, the m a n y kind
letters, faxes, e-mails, notes, telephone calls and
other w a r m expressions of compassion, concern, and
sympathy on the recent loss of m y precious and
beloved wife, Yelena.
I am especially grateful to Roy Owen who readily
and willingly stepped in to carry on the duties and
responsibilities of the office of your President — this
he did despite the personal problems he and Lolly
were struggling with as an aftermath of the death of
Lolly's father.
Congratulations to the
EVERY MEMBER GET d
MEMBER CONTEST"
(EMGfiM) winners!
It is during difficult days like these that you find your
true friends and sincere supporters very m u c h like
your o w n family...and family you are indeed to m e ,
and one I a m extremely proud of and love dearly.
•
Now to the business at hand. Our San Diego
Reunion hit another n e w high with Five Star
accommodations, elegant amenities T h e Presidential
Suite as our Hospitality R o o m ) , gourmet cuisine,
terrific tours, nostalgic music for dancing and a floor
s h o w that captivated and energized all of us,
especially, Charlie H u g h e s w h o impressed all
present with his tepsichorean talents as he responded
to the enticing calls of the alluring and energetic
vocalist to join her on the dance floor. Great
Reunions are becoming a habit with our Reunion
"Impressario", M i k e Yuspeh and I urge all members
to m a k e plans N O W for Mike's next Reunion in
Shreveport/Barksdale, L A . In m y congratulatory
message to Mike, I paraphrased a quotation from the
Greek Philosopher, Aristotle, w h o wrote, " W e are
what w e repeatedly do. E X C E L L E N C E , therefore, is
not an act but a habit." Thanks M i k e and "thanks"
to the fine and beautiful ladies mentioned in Mike's
M Y S E N I O R M O M E N T S (page 21) article for
Pictured Above: Fritzie Selasky ($300); Cynthia
Harmonowski ($200),- Robert Dunlop ($100),
Alex Toth ($50). Not Pictured: Col. Larry R. Hue}
(Cross gold pen & pencil set),- William H . Sims and
D o n Wells (Cross gold pens). The success of this
"first ever" contest m a y dictate its repetition.
The M A S T E R D A T A B A S E F U N D D R I V E is of)
to an eventful start v»ttb our members generously
"opening their wallets^ and hearts to the'tune of
some $16,000 as of this writing. Our goal of -,
$50,000 remains a valid objective tojimeet the Jong
and short term requirements Of entering the personal
data on A L L members of the 44th B o m b Qroup "(H)
living and deceased. This, undoubtedly, is one of the
mostriobleprojects undertaken by this Association
and I amfOtally committed to reaching our goal.
�M y thanks to those w h o have not yet made their
contribution. Remember that A L L donations are tax
deductible, so please G ' V E and Q E T a tax deduction.
A s an incentive to your future donations, I a m
endeavoring to establish a C H A L L E N G E C / R A N T
F U N D which will M A T C H dollar for dollar any
donations made by the members.
Donations to the MASTER DATA BASE FUND
can be mailed to:
Gerald Folsom, 44th B G V A
°/o M D B F U N D
P O Box 712287
Salt Lake City, U T 84171-2287
The personal BIOGRAPHICAL forms are still
arriving slowly and I urge all members to submit
their data as soon as possible. W e especially need
biographies on our deceased and ground support
personnel. Their data and contributions are critical to
insure the thoroughness and the completion of the
illustrious history of the 44th B o m b Group (H) in
the World W a r that Ended All World Wars.
Your Board of Directors approved Shreveport/Barksdale
A F B , Louisiana as the site of the next Reunion of
the 44th B G V A during the month of October,
2001. The firm dates will be announced as soon as
final arrangements are consummated by our
Reunion Chairman, Michael Yuspeh. M a k e your
plans N O W to attend this Reunion which promises
to top them all. Shreveport/Barksdale A F B is the
home of Eighth Air Force, 2nd B o m b Wing, the
Eighth Air Force M u s e u m and the B-24 J, and the
Eighth Air Force M u s e u m Curator are jointly restoring
and repainting with the 44th Bomb Group Markings.
Members are advised the CDs of the Master Data
Base are available at a cost of $150 of which $50
goes into the Master Data Base Fund. The C D s
come with two (2) free upgrades from Computer
Generated Data Co. (CGD). All purchases and
payments are to be made through our Treasurer,
Gerald Folsom by writing him at the following
address:
Gerald Folsom, 44,h B G V A
o/o M D B C D
P O Box 712287
Salt Lake City, U T 84171-2287
I am pleased to announce the appointment of Robert
Lehnhausen as Chairman of the n e w A W A R D S
Lastly, on behalf of the members and personally
C O M M I T T E E . Bob has already proposed several
send our sincerest expressions of sympathy and
innovative ideas that the Board will consider for
compassion to Julian Ertz on the tragic loss of his
implementation at their next meeting.
dear and beloved wife, Paula, in an automobile
accident shortly after their attendance at the San
Your Board of Directors and I continue to maintain
Diego Reunion. O u r thoughts and prayers are with
the financial stability and solvency of the Association
Julian and his family.
under the astute and financial wizardry of our highly
professional Treasurer, Gerald Folsom. His SemiAnnual Financial Report for Calendar Year 2000, as
of 30 June 2000, showed T O T A L A S S E T S at
$52,106.05,- T O T A L LIABILITIES at $33,014.34
and a N E T W O R T H at $19,091.71. Copies of this
report and one ending on December 31, 1999 were
distributed to the members attending the General
Meeting in San Diego. M y Budget for Calendar
Year 2001 lists I N C O M E at $32,500 and
E X P E N S E S at $28,080 with an expected S U R P L U S
of $4,420.
My closing thought is a tribute to our ladies.
"When you educate a man,
you educate an individual.
W h e n you educate a w o m a n ,
you educate a whole family."
�2001
EUROPEAIT
TOUR
Larry Herpel is still
France. Belgium. Germany and England.
l
th fojMstoric cities in
Ey6riTaty has an ex..,
eled
experience in our history. buJaTso the grandeurbtnafi
ar
Manorial at Caen, the beaches ot Normandy^ouerrTuv.
us to the
S H A P E H Q ot General^isenhdwer. W e wMvi$it the muse
.. and view a
newly found 44thBG
— crash•site
— « in•»Wirbin.
»»•••#•••.Belgium
uvicmii,where fl
win we ^Memorial dedication. From
Luxembourg we will visit the charming Town Squares-ofjner and BernfcasMTong the Mosel
River.
^^
From Koblenz we will cruise the Rhine to Cologne, enjoying fhe many sites along fhe way. From
Cologne and its beautiful cathedrals, we will go on to Wesel. where Louis DeBlasio. Bob Vance and
our new member. John Delaney f Fighter Pilot. 513 Sq.. 401 GroupJ. were housed as P O W s until
Patron's army came through and liberated them.
In Wesel we will inspect another crash site of one of our fallen aircraft from the 67th Sq. Here
we will have the opportunity to meet Peter Loncke. a member of fhe Belgium Air Force, who has
dedicated himself to locating crash sites and enlightening Americans. British and N e w Zealanders
of his finds. Our Belgium friend and WWII researcher. Luc Dewez, will be Joining us also.
Our trip to Liege will extend to Neuville-en-Condros home of fhe American War Memorial
f Ardennes J. 103 of our 44*" BG are honored here, including Clair Shaeffer. father of Lois Cianci.
W e will tour the beautiful city of Brussels with its wonderful architecture, then the medieval towns
of Ghent and Brugges for some great shopping and sight seeing. From Calais w e cross the Channel
to England and on to Norwich, home of fhe Memorial Library. Of course the trip will include
ShiPdham and surrounding areas, so clearly remembered as the 14th C B W Hq. A special day is
scheduled around many activities while visiting that familiar site. The tour continues to Duxford
and a visit to that fabulous Air Museum. The tour concludes in London. There are provisions for
those who wish to stay over. Contact Larry for details: Phone f512J 376-7780: E-Mail
ascoftfravel@fhriffy.net.
From the Editor: We have a limit of 48 people. Please send your deposit ($150 per person) to Larry
Herpel. 215 So. Medina, Lockhart, TX 78644. We have 42 paid applications, and others who have
expressed an interest, but have not reserved a seat. Of course, we will accept names for a stand-by
list, as this tour is still 12 months away. However, because of the negotiations involved in setting
the best Price. Larry needs to be certain we can fill the bus. More information will be forthcoming
to those who have signed UP. and will be announced in the nest issue of the 8 Ball Tails.
���saying "No, I a m a survivor. The heroes didn't come back"
were blessed with eight grandchildren. Three of the
Mikoloski surviving children and one grandson are life
members of the 44th
BGVA.
Mike's leadership commitment is firm: he wants to build
on the 44th past glory, and continue the bomb group's
winning tradition into the new Millennium.
On Thanksgiving Day,
1986, Mike married the
former Yelena
Krasnochekova, a
Russian actress, who
he met in Moscow.
Tragically, Yelena passed away several months ago, after
a lingering illness. Mike has expressed sincere gratitude
to members of the 44th, whose messages of condolence
continue to help him through this difficult time.
Editor's Note: General Johnson's and Mike's moments of
danger extended beyond wartime Europe. In 1952 they
flew to Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania in an Army
transport plane to attend a Governor's Day Celebration.
The plane crashed while attempting to land, bursting into
flames. One crew member sustained minor injuries; all
other occupants escaped unharmed.
Great Moments in President Mike's Career
After his retirement Mike took post graduate courses at
American International College, Springfield, N M and
Nichols College, Dudley, M A in Business Law, Cost
Accounting, Management and Computer Technology. H e
was owner and operator of a calculator and office
equipment company in Webster, M A before joining
T R I G O N E L E C T R O N I C S of California as their
manufacturers representative for England, Ireland and
the Eastern United States.
With all of the ceremonious occasions that Mike had
attended in his military career, his rise to the Presidency
of the 44th B o m b Group had no pomp and no ceremony.
He simply took the gavel from outgoing President Roy
O w e n in Austin, Texas, and the job began. Then, being
eager to credit his renowned predecessor for his
outstanding accomplishments in a beautiful and wellorchestrated event in N e w Orleans, Mike ended up doing
it in absentia. Roy and Lolly couldn't make it to the
Reunion. (Editor's Note: because of Mike's need to be
with Yelena during her lengthy illness and ultimate death,
Owen consented to serve as President pro tern.)
PAST PREsidENi Roy O W E N
&
PREsidENi MikE Mikoloski
JN S A N DiEqo.
Mike's granddaughter recently interviewed him for a class
project, and when she learned his history, she exclaimed,
"Grandpa, you were a hero." This he stoutly denied,
r->\
12
M A J O R G E N E R A I L E O N W . JOEINSON
GENERAI CuRiis LEMAy
ANd
ANd
CAPTAJN "MikE" Mikoloski II
MAJOR 'MikE' Mikoloski II
AWARDS & DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit, Hq. Dept. USAF Dec. 30,1966
D F C w/l O L C , 8th Air Force June 12,1943
A M w/3 O L C , 8th Air Force, April, 1943
A F Commendation Medal, 8th Air Force, Feb. 1,1968
American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaign Medal
WWII Victory Medal
Medal for H u m a n e Action (Berlin Airlift)
National Defense Service Medal
Occupation Medal (Germany)
A F L S A w/3 Silver O L C
Distinguished Unit Citation w/2 O L C
French Croix de Guerre w/2 Silver Palme
�Lois CiANCi pRESENIS IEIE C.0I0R
lilEIOqRApEI of TEIE NAliONAl
GEMEIERy AT O M A E I A
BEACEI,
FRANCE TO JACWE OSTENSON
RobERTS AS A WElcOME TO IEIE
44TEI BoMb G R O U P FAMily.
WELCOME
TO THE
44™
F30MF3
GROUF
FAMILY
By Roy Owen
Roy
OWEN,
Lois
GAINO,
JAckiE RobEius
Another highly emotional event took place on Banquet Night at our National Reunion
In 'dan Diego when the two daughters who were orphaned by the loss of their
respective 6£>th f3omb Squadron fathers on the January 21,1944 raid against the
German V-1 missile launch sites at Escalles-Sur-f3uchy, France met personally for the
first time.
We told the related events of leading up to this tragically beautiful meeting in the
last (Summer 2 0 0 0 ) issue of thefi>-F3allTails.
To mark the event with Lois Cianci, our first orphaned daughter of that raid,
welcoming Jackie Roberts Into the 44th BGVA Family, Tony and Cathy Mastradone
acquired from the American Battle Monuments Commission a stunning 15"x 24" color
lithograph of the central memorial statue in the Omaha Beach National Cemetery.
They framed the litho beautifully and shipped it to the Westin Hotel for the ceremony.
The point of this was the remains of S/Sgt. Jack Ostenson, Jackie's father, were
never recovered. Thus his name is Inscribed on the marble "Wall of Honor" and a white
marble cross has been placed over the burled remains of one of those unidentified
which states "Here rests in honored glory A N A M E R I C A N SOLDIER known but to God.
Jackie, in a tearful acceptance of the beautiful gift, gave the gathering of members
her heartfelt thanks for providing all the Information she had been seeking about her
Dad In her lifetime. Looking at the members through tear filled eyes she said "You all
are now m y family, and I love you for all you have done to bring me to this momentl"
�The Reunion ~ San Diego, 2000
There are few cities quite like San Diego; and Mike Yuspeh managed to show the best of it to the 44
Lunch at the Island Club at the North Island Naval Air Station was bountiful and luxurious, and the bus
driver's account of the way navy men looked at housing three major aircraft carriers was whimsical- the
ConsteUation, a standard carrier, the John C. Stennis nuclear carrier, and soon will be hosting the Ronald
Reagan, also nuclear. They call them the Connie, the Johnnie and the Ronnie!
The Westin Hotel is a block from Horton Plaza, a shopping mall that looks like it was designed by
Disney. Architecturally dramatic shops are connected top and bottom, side to side by escalators, bridges,
and ramps. Prices weren't bad and food choices demonstrated the many cultures that inhabit that area.
Toiviy CiANci
Squadron Dinners at the Westin Hotel were a golden opportunity to catch up with old friends and old accounts
of war experiences. Will there be a time when buddies can get together and run out of memories of amazing
events? Never.
Touring the USS John C. Stennis was an athletic adventure. The deck is three football fields long,
catapults for accelerating the speed of outgoing planes, and hooks for grabbing them when they return. It
is very easy to see that the huge craft was designed to flourish in the global arena. Those who felt ambitious
climbed the seven steep stairways to the Bridge, and were surprised to learn that
the mammoth vessel housed another seven decks below. The 97,000 ton floating
city is complete with galleys capable of feeding 5,000 members of the crew, a
photo laboratory, aircraft repair shop,
ship repair shop, fuel tanks for planes
EMWEM ^ «
jou c ''^Vjz^vJ^M''' and escorts, and all the amenities to
STENNIS
&•' permit it to stay at sea for years, if
The Candle Lighting Ceremony
and the Banquet were special, replete
necessary.
with dashing young men who made up the Honor Guard. It was
here that the 44th met our newly-found orphan of the war-Jackie
Roberts. The 50 year search that this young lady made to locate
someone who could tell her about her father, S/Sgt. Jack Ostenson, is a dramatic saga which will be told in
the next issue. Ostenson's plane went down on January 21,1944, the same day, same
mission in which Lois Cianci lost her father. Were there any dry eyes when Lois handed
the lithograph of the Omaha Beach Memorial to Jackie? I don't think so. Welcoming
Jackie and her husband Lowell into the Bomb Group was a solemn moment for all.
Should anybody go to San Diego and miss the Pandas? Perry and I waited in line 40
minutes to see the new baby that hung in the tree and ignored everyone. The guide
explained that it's metabolism is so slow, it sleeps 20 hours every day. The rest of
the time, it eats. Fortunately, the zoo has no shortage of bamboo for the three exotic
critters, father, mother and baby, all on loan from the People's Republic of China.
14
�!$£% i
SMAII TOUR
qRoup EMERqiNq fROM
TIHE SUPERSTRUCTURE O N T O TIHE
fliqfiT dEck.
The CARRJER TOUR qRoup REAdy TO
bREAk'up iNTO SMAIIER qRoups ANd
qo AboARd WJTIH TEIE NAvy
CREWpERSON GuidES.
BEIOW: Roy O W E N ON TIHE Br<id(,E AT TIHE H E I M .
'-•' -«w
• **. \M
•
'•••.
•
*
.
*
•
•
.
'
%
KJ^^s^b
0 i
>'/**•»<''
of TITE qRoup iN TIHE S A N DiEqo TRollEy
duRiNq TFIE NORTIT IsiANd N A V A I AiR STATJON
T O U R . JUUAN ANd PAUI ERTZ O N TFTE Riqfn. This
COuld DE TEIE lAST pflOTO of P A U U ANd JuliAN
bsfoRE ITER TRAqic dEATh TITE followiNq FRidAy.
PART
15
��55 YEAKS AMV THE
AVWNTURE CONTINUES
Clay Roberts saw a picture in The crew suffered no casualties, only 22 years old. Needless to
the 2nd Air Division Magazine, but the radio operator saved his say, they were treated like royalty.
asking identities of a crew-his o w n life b y breaking from
crew. H e immediately identified procedure. H e held the b o m b bay When they were broken up as a
them, which led to a search for doors lever in the open position crew at Sioux Falls, S D in 1945,
all members. Five met in Sanfrom the IP to bombs away. His they went in ten different
Diego at the 44th B G Reunion. radio compartment was blown directions. Some made efforts
out by flak.
to contact others, but were not
"We came together as a heavy
able. Clay Roberts located Joe
bomber, B-24 Liberator crew in Their last flight as a crew wasStewart in Providence, RI, but
1944. W e delivered a B-24-J from in M a y , 1 9 4 5 w h e n they he passed away before they could
Mitchell Field, N Y via Bangor departed for Bradley Field, C T get together. Bob Dunlap had
Field, M a i n e and Goose Bay via Bluie West One, Greenland. submitted the picture to the 2 A D
Labrador to Valley, Wales. W e After flying up a fiord with wing Journal, which triggered a series
were assigned to the 68 th B o m b tips brushing rock walls, they of events that culminated in the
Squadron, 44 t h BG, and flew landed with a flat main gear tire. five surviving members making
bombing sorties over Europe."
contact and meeting in San Diego.
Fuel
shortage
"This reuniting and meeting
necessitated after over a half century
an
surpassed all our expectations,"
instrument Roberts reported. "The feelings of
landing
comradeship, the rush of emotions
100 foot
and bonding have been intense.
ceiling
W e are in daily to monthly
and 1 mile contact, and are committed to
visibility not losing contact again. W e are
at the Air scattered across the country. It
Transport almost seems that w e were
C o m m a n d destined to reunite in the year 2000,
(ATC)
because for the past 12 years I
ShipdhAM, ENC,LAN<I 1 9 4 4 :
STANdiNq: K E N Aiviitk (FLiqhT EN(,JNEIR/
field, Mingan, Quebec. They
have passed within five miles of
quNNER, John C R O S S (quNNER), Bob
were the first heavy bomber to Stockbridge, M A d o m e of Art
D U N I A P (quNNER), EdqAR F L O W E R S
land there throughout the war. Aronoff); and w e both travel the
(qUNNER) ANd JoIlN BoilEAU (RAcllO OpERATOR).
Station personnel could not
Massachusetts Turnpike at least
SirriNq: J O E S T E W A R T (boMDARdiER),
C U y RobERTS (piloT), JohN "JUNIOR"
believe that they were so
twice monthly.
RoblRTS (qUNNER), Bill LuNdouisT (toyoung, and that the pilot was
piloT) ANd A R T A R O N O F F (NAviqATOR).
17
�SAN Disqo, CAiifoRNiA 2 0 0 0
An October 27
Update on John
McClane
For those of you w h o were unable
to be with us in San Diego, w e
announced that John W . McClane
and wife, Doris had sent word they
were unable to join us because John
Sini(\q: B o b D U N L A P (quNNER).
STANdiNq: ART A R O N O T T (NAviqATOR), "JUINIOR" RobERTS
w a s facing surgery to remove a
(quiNNER), Bill LuiNdQuisT (co-piloT) ANtJ C U y RobERTS (piloT).
malignant tumor next to his right ear.
That w a s done, but sadly, it w a s
"We are the newest members of the Association
necessary to remove the entire ear.
and understand that we may be the crew with
Further diagnosis has revealed
the most surviving members. (Editor's Note: This presence of a malignancy in the lower
statement will undoubtedly be disputed in future back of his skull, which, due to the
proximity to his spine, precludes
mailings!) Our coming together this late in life
radiation therapy. H e w a s to have
has brought new meaning into all our lives at a
another polyp removed from his neck
time when we thought meaningful experiences
before Chemotherapy could be
were behind us. Our reuniting in San Diego
started.
was the' Mother of Experience' and the feeling
In spite of all this John was in good
was unanimous that we 'wouldn't have missed
spirits. H e said he w a s still driving
it for the world!' W h a t we felt and experienced
and, all things considered, feeling
is beyond description and regrettably cannot
pretty good. H e sent thanks for all the
be shared with others-especially family. W e
Best Wishes and Get Well cards,
are all 'chomping at the bit' to meet again at
letters and faxes from the 44th Family.
the 2001 Reunion in Shreveport.
It w a s a wonderful feeling, he said,
knowing he had so m a n y friends, and
said
he really missed being there to
"We regret and are sorrowed that five of our
videotape the reunion as he always
crew have passed on, but are grateful and
does. John and Doris are two of our
overjoyed that our 55 years of waiting and
most steadfast m e m b e r s ; a "Best
wondering have finally come to an end."
Wishes" card from their 44th Family
will surely m a k e this ordeal easier to
(Editor's Note: Robert's description of his crew's
for them to bear.
gathering is the best evidence that every effort
John & Doris McClane
must be made to hold the 44th BGVA tightly
together; and also, to record every detail of its120 N. Wolfe Road
history. WWH
was a unique experience in Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
human history, and must be recorded for future
generations to know.)
18
�~>
THE STORY THAT KEEPS UNFOLDING
Only a few years ago, Lois Cianci knew nothing about her
father, Clair Shaeffer, Engineer on the Sobatka crew that
hit the V-l sites in the Pas Des Calais Area at Escalles-SurBuchy. Just before the San Diego Reunion, she visited with
her father's Turret Gunner, August Smanietto and his wife,
Elaine in Santa Barbara. Later, at the Westin Hotel, getting
on the elevator, she and Milton Rosenblatt, Co-Pilot and his
wife Lila met and exchanged hugs. Milt had a long-time
memory
of Lois
that he
shared
with her.
When
Sobatica's
started
its trip to
the UK, it
was
discovered
that there
were
problems
with the
fuel
p u m p , so they stopped in Boston, Massachusetts for repair.
Given 3-4 days leave, Clair and Milt informed Lois's aunt of
his whereabouts. She and another lady brought the five
year old child to LaGuardia Airport, where they had a brief
visit. Lois has no m e m o r y of the event, but Milt remembered
it clearly. For years Lois has had a picture of Clair holding
her. N o w she knows when it was taken.
Phoio org LETT:
Lois CiANci ANd M H I O N RosENbUn.
VINTAGE
MODEL
AIRCRAFT
NORTH AMERICAN
TRAINER TURNED FIGHTER
Milt shared another piece of interest to Lois: The first time
the crew got together for practice, they were so excited,
they all rushed to the cockpit to watch the take-off.
Unbalanced, the plane never m a d e it off the ground, and
had to be sent out for repairs. He also told her about "Trim
Tab", a floppy eared, furry mutt that rode with them. Such
minute details become pieces of gold to a girl w h o has
known nothing about the father she lost for more than fifty years.
Through Will Lundy she had been able to make her first
contact with s o m e surviving crew members, Smanietto and
Rosenblatt. O n the European trip in 1997, her search for
knowledge of Clair's demise culminated at Gratenoix,
France, where the 44 th tour group visited his crash site.
19
l t m M
..
From Mark Morris, Gunner on
OLDCROW,5Q6BS:
"The March cover of Aviation
History has Keith Ferris' beautiful
painting of OLDCROW, but the
nose art is wrong. The aircraft is
mis-identified as Prince-Ass, as it
was years ago on an Air Force
calendar, and still is mislabeled in
the 8th Air Force Museum. Plainly
visible is the Ser #124283 and the
Prince-Ass wasn't delivered to the
ETO until September, 1943. Also,
on the museum plaque, Reinhart's
name is misspelled. He was the
pilot of the A/C on our left and was
shot down. The artist's conception
is really of Lt. James McAfee with
OLDCROmeatiinQ RUTH-LESS
and G.I.GALonto target blue."
�About the time that all equipment was
gone, a large formation of German fighters
approached the plane, and with no means
of protection, they waited for the blast that
would take them out of the sky. It never
came. So they limped along to Sweden
where Swedish aircrafts-old P-35's picked
them up and escorted them to the town of
Malmo. Taking no chances, a Swedish
fighter, seeing their open b o m b bay doors,
flew under to look for bombs. His radio
antenna smashed against the Princess's
damaged wing; but nevertheless, they flew
on to a safe landing.
MEETING AGAIN IN
SAN DIEGO
In friendly hands, Fitzsimmons and his
crew m e m b e r s were escorted to a King's
Palace where they were interred in the same
dwelling as German airmen.
What a place to be a POW! They ate well
in the palace, had no guards and could go
into the city any time they wished. According
to s o m e international agreement, English
P O W s were not permitted such freedom. In
the restaurants of Stockholm, American and
German airmen ate together, conversing
freely in English. They sat out the war
together and were repatriated at the same
time.
Sidney Paul and William Fitzsimmons,
shook hands for the first time in 56 years at
the Westin Hotel in San Diego. The fortunes
of life had taken them in two different
directions, and they lived to tell about it.
Both had the experience of flying in a
Liberator-- Paul as a pilot, Fitzsimmons, a
bombardier (506)- sharing some missions,
not all, and on different time tables.
By the time all of this happened, Sidney
had finished his missions and was back in
the States. He took an Instructor Flying
Course at Bryan Field, Texas, then went to
Langley Field, Virginia where he flew for
Navigator Classes.
Fitzsimmons, Bombardier on Ralph
Golubock's plane, the Princ-ess, was on a
mission to Poland on May 29, 1944. The
target was an oil refinery. Golubock reported
that they were hit by a lone fighter w h o
sprayed at the formation and happened to
hit the #1 engine and the fuel cells in the
left wing. They lost gas at a rapid rate, and
could not feather the engine. With great
effort Golubock kept the ship in flying
position; Sgt. Walter Dunlop, engineer,
transferred enough fuel for them to continue
flying. Overboard went all the heavy
materials-machine guns, ammunition, even
the treasured Norden Bombsight, plus the
Tail Gunner, w h o chose to bail out. He spent
his time in a German prison camp.
"After that I took a teaching position in a
junior high school, and two years later I
joined the National Guard. W h e n the Korean
War came about, our group was federalized,
and I was in the service for the next 21
months."
At this point Paul decided to stay in the
service. In 1952 he was assigned to Tufts
College in Massachusetts as part of the
R O T C Staff. From there he had the
20
�(
opportunity to s p e n d a year in Thule,
Greenland, an experience that he
r e m e m b e r s rather fondly.
MY SENIOR MOMENTS
by Mikfi Yuspeb
Later, at Westover Air Force Base in
Massachusetts, Paul m e t a n d married an
Air Force nurse, Catherine Elizabeth Fields,
a lady w h o shares his life a n d enthusiasm
for b o m b g r o u p reunions. (Editor's Note:
Sid believes that he and Elizabeth may be
the only 44th couple in the 44th BGVA.) In
the mid-1 950's she w a s stationed at Lake
Charles, L A in the 4 4 t h Hospital. H e says
that m a k e s her a bonafide m e m b e r .
Nobody will dispute her membership,
but
I'll bet there are other couples who are
invited to come forward and
proclaim
their dual bonafide
memberships.)
At the Reunion J had a Senior Moment. ?or those of y
who don't know what a senior moment is.- J forgot someth
When J spoke at the general Meeting J did not acknowledg
all the people who helped with the Reunion. J hope to co
that now.
Tirst Roy and Colly Owen who, with Rose ?ay, helped
the hotel. Roy and Colly had researched the place befor
Rose 9dy and J arrived. Zhey could not have picked a bet
place. Roy arranged for the aircraft carrier. Jt took m
telephone calls, but he got it done.
Dick Butler did a marvelous job getting the color g
With schools closed for the holiday, he twisted arms an
persuaded them to come. Zhe young men were excellent, a
they enjoyed visiting with us during dinner. J can't gi
enough thanks to "Mike" Mikoloski, who helped to get peo
to attend. Me had a telephone glued to his ear. Roy Owe
called all of the people on the west coast, and Zommy
Shepherd woke up his £-Mail group. Zhe letter {ferry
Msom got out was great. J thank all of them for the help
without which there would have been no reunion. Again R
came through and bought all the refreshments we had in
1613 at discount prices from the military commissary.
T>ick jCynch and Perry Morse, to whom we have given the
title of Bartenders of the 44th B(JVA, have served you wdl
theyears.
In 1967 Paul retired from the service to
r e s u m e his teaching career in Chicopee,
Massachusetts. Thirteen years later he left
teaching and b e g a n volunteering. N o w he
helps out at the Springfield Science
M u s e u m and Baystate Medical Center in
Springfield.
For a short period in their WWII
experiences, Paul a n d Fitzsimmons k n e w
and felt the s a m e fears a n d exhilaration
of flying missions together and surviving.
Fifty six years later, in San Diego they
caught u p with the rest of their stories.
On registration day, without the help of the follow
would still be waiting in line at San'Diego:Bob Schaper,
Sstelle Voelker, Rose Jay IJuspeh, Cathy Mastradone,
Morse and Zony Mastradone. At the other table we had
Bev Msom and Colly Owen working with Jerry Msom
and following up on membership. Perry Morse and Sstelle
Voelker also helped out with getting people on buses, a
making sure everyone was aboard before leaving the hote
Ruth Davis-Morse was all over the place, using her new
camera, so that everyone could be seen in the 8 Ball Zai
Zhanks to Sam Miceli and his wife Sdith, who stored and
brought both '8 Ball golf shirts and caps to the reunion
Zhey are our PX. Handling the reunion is not a one perso
job. Zhe chairman coordinates and makes decisions; but
without the help of a lot of people, this can not happen.
Zhanks to all of you for your support.
J hope to see you in Shreveport/Barksdale Tieldin O
2001. We wdl'doour utmost tomake thisanothergnatreuni
GERAICJ FOISOM ANd MikE YllSpEEl CONVERsil\q.
V
21
^
�When you submit your bio, write your story. Each one is different. Jerry gets applications from members who
record their birthplace, and the place where they were inducted, but little else. Only family members will care
about those details 100 years from now. However, your personal experiences, the moments of fear, the
moments of joy, the exhilaration of victory-those are the stories of WWII that must be recorded.
WWII is a unique period in human history. That rattling old B-24 that carried you into Nazi Germany is a
museum piece, (unless it w a s among those ground up, recycled and n o w sold as aluminum foil). The things
that happened when you were flying on those missions will never
again be replicated. Write about those events. You have no idea who
r
will be
&H& te.'/HO,
^-1
searching
.1*.
%
for that
Item
Price Postage
information,
'tetf/Z
2,* ym%$y^
Shirts
$25
$3
long after
Caps
$15
$2
you have
Pins
$5
$1
T h e 44 th B o m b Qroup Database is on-line.
Send to:
gone to the
Search: 8lh Air Force. Then 8lh Air Force
Sam Miceli
big hangar
Military Heritage Database. Then click Personal
6398 Dawson Blvd.
in the sky.
Biography or All Missions. Then put in your
Mentor, OH 44060-3648
name.
If your biography w a s submitted, you
Somebody
* * * * * * * * * * * • * * # * *
will find your pictures, then and n o w
will.
Patches
$15 $1
l.i
and your crew's picture.
it
(t
,i.i\Va>'
Roster
$20 $2
th
8 Air Force Military Heritage
Database Disk $150 $2
Send to:
44th BGVA
P.O. Box 712287
Salt Lake City, UT 84171-2287
%
W
If you don't find it - get
busy and submit it. Y o u are
not going to live forever,
-Dick Butler%
22
e^U^;
J
�^\
N O W THE WHOLE STORY CAN BE TOLD
by Estelle Voelker
During his lifetime, m y husband, E. Jay Spencer told this story m a n y times,
sometimes with minor variations, depending upon w h o his listeners were. H e did not
want it to appear in print, however, because he feared being court-martialled.
(Lt. Spencer passed away July 4,1998.)
It was December 11, 1944, when Jay found himself flying "S-bar" to bomb a railroad
bridge at Karlsrhue, Germany. They were loaded with four 2000 pound bombs. At
the target, three of the bombs dropped, but the fourth hung up in the b o m b bay.
W h e n they got over the channel on their return trip, the crew tried kicking it out. Jay
also tried to dislodge it by putting the plane in a nose dive and then pulling up
quickly. Nothing worked. They also heard over the radio other planes in the same
predicament being directed to the crash field. Well, Jay thought thatfieldwas aptly
1ST LT. EdqAii J. SPENCER
named ~ you went there you were likely to crash. Besides, they had already been
there and done that on another mission w h e n their hydraulics had been shot out. So
Jay inquired of his armament gunner, Al Abercrombie (Schofield's replacement) if
the b o m b could be disarmed. It could. To be sure, Jay asked him to verify it by showing him the manual. So
the crew went about disarming the beast. They even stuffed their handmade mufflers from h o m e in it. In the
meantime, Jay also inquired of his radioman, Henry Fishbone, if he had his usual burned out fuses in his
pocket. H e did. So Jay instructed him to listen only, and not to send. A n d as soon as they touched d o w n at
Shipdham, he was to replace good fuses with burned out ones in the radio.
As soon as they landed and Jay put on the brakes, the bomb let loose and skidded down the runway ahead of
them, sparks flying, until it rolled off into a ditch. All of the people standing along the runway to watch the
returning planes dove for cover, thinking that it would explode at any moment.
Jay proceeded to his hard stand as if nothing happened. However, General Johnson was not amused, and
arrived at the hard stand in short order. A s Jay wasfillingout his forms required of every pilot, he could hear
the General bawling out Abercrombie. Then Jay calmly descended from the plane through the b o m b bay,
stood up between the two, saluted General Johnson, and inquired, "is there any message you wish m e to
convey to m y crew?" The general sputtered, "Your radio was out." It sounded more like an order than a
question. "Yes sir!" Jay replied. General Johnson turned and left as quickly as he had arrived.
They had gotten away with being the only air crew to
drop a b o m b on the Shipdham runway!
TIIE SPENCER CREW
FRONT Row L'R:
S/SqT. H E N R Y FisbboNE, Radio OPERATOR; SqT. Eddii PicARdo,
TAJI quNNER; SqT. TIIOMAS (TOMMy) STEWART, A R M A M E N T quNNtit;
SqT. RobERT (Bob) Bimdick, billy TURRET quNNER; (Bimdick
did NOT fly wiTh This C R E W , AS TITE belly TURRETS W E R E NOT ussd
AT TIIAT TIME.) S/SqT. PETER (PETE) Moskovrris, ENGINEER; SqT.
C-EORqE SchorMd, WAIST qUNNER.
BAck Row L-R:
F/O JohN BEAVERS, NAviqATOR; 2*d LT. FHANI< (Mike) COIEIIA,
co-piloT; 1ST LT. EdqAR (JAy) SPENCER, piloT; 2Nd LT. W U U A M
(Bill) CREAN, DOMDARdiER.
�From the 2nd Air Division Journal
this report from R. D. (Dick Butler):
Kevin Watson of Eastbourne, England, a good friend of many 44th Bomb Group veterans, bas recently completed
and published a book entitled "RUTH LESS" and Far from Home. "RUTH-LESS" w a s a B-24D, one of the original 506th
Bomb Squadron aircraft. The original pilot and the m a n who named the plane after his wife w a s Frank Slough.
"RUTH-LESS" was flown on m a n y vital missions, including those of Kiel, 14 M a y 1943, the low level Ploesti mission of
1 August 1943, and the mission to Kjeller Airfield near Oslo, Norway on 18 November 1943. On February 2, 1944,
"RUTH LESS" crashed on Butts Brow, a hill above Eastbourne. The aircraft had received severe flak damage on a
mission to Watten in the Pas de Calais area and was attempting an emergency landing at a small airfield at Firston.
The pilot, 1st Lt James "Augie" Bolin, and the other nine crew members were aU killed.
As a young boy in 1971, Kevin Watson played in the area where the plane crashed, and discovered m a n y pieces
of the wreckage. Then in 1994, Kevin read in the local newspaper, The Eastbourne Herald, that an elderly gentleman
named Arthur King had, for the pastfiftyyears in all kinds of weather, climbed the hill to Butts Brow on every
Remembrance Sunday to lay flowers at the crash site. This inspired Kevin to seek out Mr. King and to subsequently
start a fund drive to raise money to place a permanent memorial at the site. Kevin's effort w a s successful, and on 13
M a y 1995, an impressive ceremony was held at the crash site and the granite memorial w a s dedicated. Kevin's
involvement in raising the funds and his research of "RUTH-LESS" and the m e n w h o flew it led him to write this book.
In his book, the author traces the history of the original crew from its training days at Pueblo Army Air Field, the
acquiring of the new B-24D at Saline AAF, and theflightoverseas to Shipdham. He relates "RUTH-LESS" crew expert
ences on the missions mentioned above as well as m a n y others. This book is truly a historical masterpiece and no
doubt will be used for story and research material for generations to come. With Kevin's permission, the following
poem is quoted from his book:
THE "RUTH LESS" FELLOWSHIP
We sit and view the Sussex Downs,
At grazing sheep, as seagulls cry,
Yet some of us hear other sounds,
For brave young men, destined to fly.
But "RUTH-LESS" could not make the height,
And through the mist she came to rest,
Upon a hill within our sight,
And God's hand rose on those he blessed.
They came to fight beside the Few,
To ease the burden of our pain,
were our cousins, staunch and true,
And each day we saw them again.
They died upon a foreign field,
Defending freedom to the last,
For what the daylight then revealed,
Were friends together, hands held fast.
We knew the trouble which they shared,
The engines coughed amid the cloud,
We hoped their lives would all be spared,
And ardent prayers were said aloud.
Their youthful spirits walk there still,
Past flowers blooming in the sun,
They smile down from Willingdon Hill,
Aware of duty proudly done.
-Doug Thomas, 1995
This soft-cover book is available from Kevin Watson at 29 Downs Valley Road, Lower Willingdon, Eastbourne, E
Sussex, BN20 9QG, England. The price, including postage, is $20 U.S. It is also available through Amazon.com.UK.
The "RUTH LESS" W e b site can be found at AOL. The address is: www.hometown.aol.com/kpwats7. There is also
more information there about "RUTH-LESS" and the book.
24
�OLD LIBERATORS NEVER DIE
By: H I . Watkins, Jr.
44th B o m b Group, 67th Squadron
..ENGLAND.... 1944:
General Ike has asked 8th Air Force, to load up and bomb Berlin;
Our Skipper is from Texas, age nineteen and highly skilled;
old Adolph Hitler has, no doubt, p
ed him off again.
his records say he's twenty one - that he trained at Randolph Field.
They've awakened us at four A.M., but we're still half asleep;
For more Texans on our team, are a group of teenage men,
that's our driver honking for us, just outside there, in his jeep.
who were trained as aerial gunners, way down south in Harlingen.
He drives us to the mess hall, where the coffee ain't the best;
we chow-down and fill our bellies, piggin' out on S.O.S.
Then it's onward to the briefing, where I'll wager you a maybe,
we'll be told this trip's a milk-run; "like taking candy from a baby."
Our co-pilot is an Okie - a full-blooded Cherokee;
he was also trained at Randolph; born and raised in Muskogee.
The bombardier's a Yankee, who hails from Bangor, Maine,
and our radioman's from Omaha: Dit-Dot is his nickname.
Our Chaplains always pray for us; asking God for a safe day,
and we take a precious moment; time to bow our heads and pray,
that we'll all come back this afternoon, without a loss of blood;
as a member of a bomber crew, you're in a close-knit brotherhood.
Our navigator is a lady's man, who loves 'em, leaves 'em, makes 'em c
he's now playing with his sextant, mapping out the route we'll fly.
Our engineer, age twenty five, is called Pappy on this crew;
we all met in Arizona, in September 'Forty Two.
Next, we slip into our heated suits, and draw a parachute;
we'll load lots of ammunition, 'cause today we're sure to shoot.
The crew believes that this trip, like our last one to Berlin,
Will be a real bitch-mission - we'll draw fighters going in.
Our Liberator bomber wears the name: THE TEXAS DUDE,
she's a mean four engine war machine, who has an attitude.
Crouched inside of her ball turret, rides a man before his time;
at four foot eight and age sixteen, he weighs just ninety nine.
ve flown all of 8th's bitch-missions, dating back a year or so;
and if you think I'm braggin', we've ten Purple Hearts to show.
We have also been the lead-ship, guiding less experienced crews;
we are often held on standby, but our missions w e can't choose.
He's suspended down beneath the plane, and calls it outer-space;
it's his office during business trips, and the Luftwaffe calls him Ace.
Our twin window gunners, age eighteen, are John and Tommy Klyne;
they've each scored quadruple kills with us - all M.E. One-O-Nines.
een flare from the tower, arcs the sky before it drops;
th
the pilot says it's time to fly, and winds up all four props.
roceed onto the runway, where we're first in line to roll;
e have radar in our airplane, and our bombs will take their toll.
Our tail gunner needs but one more kill, and he'll be a double Ace;
as he sits there riding backwards, he's in an advantageous place.
He sure boogered-up two Fokkers on our last trip, going in;
they have armor-plated bellies, Mates, and their pilots play to win.
I our radar MICKEY; it guides our bombs down through the clouds;
it sure p
es off the Germans, which in turn makes us feel proud.
|0ur bombardier is well equipped, and MICKEY works like magic;
in conjunction with his bombsight, the results are always tragic.
He gets mean as hell in combat; men who've challenged him are dead;
when engaging him and Shorty, Luftwaffe pilots fear to tread.
They have served as our protectors, and today's their final bout;
we have never lost in combat, 'cause they've always whipped the Krauts.
|High above the English Channel, where there's no more blinkin' fog,
the air up here is silky smooth, and we'll note it in our log.
|Jhere'll be time to take a puff or two, while the bombers group together;
then it's onward to our target, hidden from us by foul weather.
As we cross the German border, every man is well aware,
the Messerschmitts and Focke Wulfs, soon will join us in the air.
We'll face Hitler's finest pilots; one will wear his Iron Cross;
when they see our bomber's name-plate, they'll salute and call her Boss.
gtj|he Channel is behind us; o're the Netherlands we pass;
the navigator grabs his nose: "Who the hell is passin' gas?"
The bombardier defends himself: "You smell hydraulic fluid."
The pilot jokes that both of them, are in a childish mood.
Our gunners say they're ready, and quite anxious for a fight,
so they'll have a real good story, whilst we sip a few tonight,
Warm English beer works wonders, on an airman's weary body,
and Scotch whiskey mixed with coffee, blends a belly-warming toddy.
here'll be a bottle on our table, while the crew critiques the mission
our gunners get the first drink - it's our pilot's own tradition.
He sure looks out for our shooters, which with us is quite OK;
there will be no crew objections, if they save our butts today.
mig east into the rising sun, the pilot shades his eyes;
our first attack will come up-front; head-on in clear blue skies.
The Luftwaffe pilots orders are: "TAKE THE MICKEY LEADER OUT!"
To carry out their orders, will require a bunch of clout.
25
�As expected, comes the Luftwaffe; everybody on your toes;
there comes a pair of Messerschmitts, diving straight toward our nose.
Sitting tall in our positions, our adrenaline soars high;
they're engaging us both front and rear, and some of them will die.
Now the fighters have retreated, but the sky ahead is black;
as we turnonto the b o m b run, all we see up-front is flak.
Our bombardier is set to drop, and the pilot says OK;
he will interrupt the silence, to announce "OUR B O M B S AWAY."
Up front in the nose turret, a young sergeant fires a burst;
to eliminate the fighter's edge, he simply downs it first.
POOF! The Messerschmitt exploded; we saw tracers hit its tank;
our nose gunner just became an Ace, and he'll soon move up in rank.
Though our bombs have hit their target, our last mission's not complete;
it's a long flight back to England, and the Krauts despise defeat.
Their pilots have returned to base, to reload arms and gas;
they'll be back to hit the cripples, and we'll kick more Nazi ass.
The twin sergeants at the window guns, will have a chance to fight;
yonder comes a swarm of Messerschmitts, so get them in your sights.
Down goes another fighter; our old engineer got lucky...
he was feared back home by tax men; he brewed moonshine in Kentucky.
There are stragglers close behind us; some are shot up really bad;
parachutes are popping open, and there's several engines dead.
Junior pilots will come this time, and they'll get an education;
our Ace gunners are their teachers, and they ain't here on vacation.
A lone Focke Wulf high above us, lingers just beyond our range;
we all know who's in her cockpit, and his tactics never change.
Wulfgang Shroeder fears our gunners; he's engaged them twice before;
our tail gunner sent him earthward, in his parachute, both scores.
We respect the German pilots, in this game of win or die;
It's a fighter/bomber-gunner duel, we've played out in Europe's skies.
Perhaps in God's near-hereafter, we will meet them face-to-face;
we have proven they are mortals, not Der Fuehrer's master race.
His win record speaks quite well for him - a hundred ten, they say;
but the Texas Dude's still flyin', so he'll try again today.
Adolph Hitler loves his pilots; awards his best The Iron Cross;
Shroeder's sure to get his second, should his win be our first loss.
Our tour of duty is completed; we'll move to another base;
way out in the vast Pacific, the Isle of Tinian is the place.
W e thank God for His protection, while we fought in Europe's skies,
and please bless the Luftwaffe pilots, who dared challenge us, and died.
The Focke Wulf is now poised to strike; just watch her engine smoke;
our machine guns simply tickle her, as her belly mold they stroke.
'fore she dove toward her target, on her backside she did roll,
and her armor-plated belly, doesn't show a single hole.
Their senior pilots took a beating, and their ranks are growing thin,
we have grounded six more Aces, who will never fly again.
but the ack-ack gunners on the ground, surely showed a lot of guts;
them mean, kraut-eatin' bastards, really kicked our Yankee butts.
Major Schroeder max'd her engine out, as she closed in from behind,
but her power plant got riddled; our tail gunner blew her mind.
Her propeller separated, and its hub was spinning bare;
she belched out a puff of black smoke, and exploded in thin air.
Our old airplane's shot to pieces, and resembles a huge sieve;
but we've earned no Purple Hearts today, and God's decreed we'll live.
This great lady will be grounded - she's served us proud, THE TEXAS DUDE;
but, OLD LIBERATORS NEVER DIE, my friend, they just become un-crewed.
Her late pilot was unlucky; thrice he's lost to our tail gunner;
but this kill will surely haunt him; 'tis a real bitch-mission, bummer.
Ace will see his eyes in nightmares, as he did 'fore Schroeder died;
he saluted his assailant, and deep inside the victor cried.
From the Editor:
With great regret I must tell the 4 4 * WrVA that Will lund/s column and Folded Wings will not appear
in this issue. Will whose dedication to the history of this illustrious organization, is moving to a more
convenient location, taking with him the mountains of correspondence and historical documents which he
has dutifully preserved for all these years after WWII. At the rate at which veterans are passing on.
Wills work expands, and his dedication never wains. W e can only wish him the best in his newest
venture into a n e w home.
26
�(3D
From the Editor:
It is no secret that the Flying 8 Ball looks like a pool ball turned into
a personalized bomb. Of course, nobody in the pool game wants to
be behind an "8" ball. W h o originated the name, and had it assigned
to the 44th Bomb Group? Does anybody know?
SDMail & E-Mail:
Everyone has a story worth telling an J worth publishing.
PLEASE Send it!
Ruth W. Davis-Morse, Editor
2041 Village Circle East
York, PA 17404
Telephone: (717) 846-8948 • Fax: (717) 846-6688
e-mail:
REWOM@BLAZENET.HET
Bob Reasoner's picture of the two strategists tracking the
mission to Ploesti brought some interesting replies.
f
(V
(3D
CAPT. Alfred C. CARR
i
~ MAJOR HENRY G.V.
From James Boyer, crew chief of My Gal Sal, comes this picture of
his beloved plane. The Komasinski crew rode this plane on their 4th
mission to Brunswick. Jim Boyer's recollection of his delight at
receiving the new J series was dampened when, after the 14th
mission, she crashed on take-off, with him onboard, for what was
to be an errand to London. Although nobody was injured, he writes
with regret, that the plane had to be scrapped.
HART
Joseph Milliner suggested Captain Schmid on the left, an
older navigation expert that had finished his missions, but
wanted to help. On the right, General Ent. For further
consideration, he included pictures of Gen. Ent, Gen.
Brereton (who was never without his 'swagger stick'), and
Col. Kane, thinking it might be one of them.
The person I am betting on for accuracy is T/Sgt. Jean
Bressler (S 2 Section of the 44th). He says he knows it was
Captain Alfred Carr and Major H.G.V. Hart. Bressler was in
Benghazi when the picture was taken. He worked with them,
and remembers them both well.
Late report on the picture of the Ploesti strategists. Col. G.C.
'My GAI SAI.
Griffin was Group Ground Executive Officer; and was present
at the briefing. He, too, names Capt. Alfred C. Carr on the left;
Sam and Edith Miceli sold pins, hats and shirts at the Reunion. You
Major Henry G.V. Hart on the right. These were Operations
can still buy them. Here are the bargains:
Officers and Intelligence Officers w h o performed briefings for
Shirts-$25 + $3 Postage
missions.
Caps-$15+$2 Postage
Pins--$5 + $1 Postage
Editor's Note: Enjoy Millner's pictures. They are a page out of
Send to: Sam Miceli • 6398 Dawson Blvd.
history.
Mentor, OH 44060-3648
w
The $5 pin is the best buy you can find
in quality memorabilia jewelry. One inch
in diameter and in five colors-red,
yellow, gold, black and green, it has a
green nosed Flying Eight Ball, circled by
the words '44th Bomb Group, The
Flying 8-Balls'.
LEFT TO Riqhr:
G E N . ENT
GEN. BRERETON
Col. KANE
27
ml
m
��
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8 Ball Tails
Newsletter
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8 Ball Tails Volume 3 - Issue 6: Fall 2000
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�r
The 8-Ball Tails ©
President Emeritus: B-Gen. John H. Gibson
(Retired)
7008 Gateridge
Dallas, T X 75240-7936
Phone: (972) 239-0559
Director: Robert J. Lehnhausen (68)
2540 Benton Court
Peoria, IL 61615-8838
Phone/Fax: (309)243-1952
Official Journal of The
44th Bomb Group
Veterans Association,
Inc. ©
Director: Michael "Mike" Yuspeh (506)
7214 Sardonyx St.
N e w Orleans, LA 70124-3509
Phone/Fax: (504) 283-3424
e-mail: mikeyuspeh@worldnet.att.net
Compiled, written and
published tri-yearly at
2041 Village Circle
East, York, PA, by Ruth
W. Davis-Morse, Editor.
Director (44 SMW): Charles G. Simpson
Printed and mailed Bulk
President: Edw. K. "Mike" Mikoloski (66/67)
P.O. Box 281
Rate at Salt Lake City,
626 Smithfield Road #702
Breckenridge, C O 80424
UT under USPS Permit
N. Providence, Rl 02904
Phone/Fax: (970) 453-0500
#6923. All original
Phone/Fax: (401) 353-0144
e-mail: AFMISSILEERS@compuserve.com
e-mail: EKMLIB44@msn.com
written material such
Historian: C.W. "Will" Lundy (67)
as letters, stories,
First Vice President: Richard D. Butler (506/67)
2519 Westville Trl
excerpts from personal
44th Group V P to 2nd A D A
Cool, C A 95614-2008
diaries or memoirs,
16828 Mitchell Circle
Phone/Fax: (530) 886-8636 (Winter)
drawings and photos
Riverside, C A 92518
e-mail: willundy@aol.com
Phone (909) 697-2908 Fax: (909) 697-5875
P.O. Box 315, Bridgeport, C A 9 3 5 1 7 (Summer)
submitted to this
e-mail: rdb24@earthlink.net
Phone/Fax: (760) 932-7349
journal will become the
property of the 44th
Treasurer: Gerald (Jerry) Folsom (506)
Membership, Search: Art Hand (66)
Bomb Group Veterans
3582 East Dover Hill Road
517 Elm Street
Association and will be
Salt Lake City, U T 84121-5527
Paris, IL 61944-1417
Phone (801) 733-7371 Fax: (801) 942-9988
Phone/Fax: (217) 463-5905
copyright protected
e-mail: 44thbgva@xmission.com
e-mail: k9hwp@comwares.net
except where noted.
The text and photos are
Secretary & 8 Ball Tails Editor:
U.K. Representative: Steve Adams
otherwise reproduced
Ruth W . Davis-Morse
28 Bassingham Rd.
2041 Village Circle East
from official USAAF
Norwich, England N R 3 2 Q T
York, PA 17404
Phone/Fax: 011-44-1603-400221
and USAF documents
Phone (717) 846-8948 Fax: (717) 846-6688
e-mail: s.p.adams@btinternet.com
and photos which have
e-mail: rewdm@blazenet.net
been released for
publication. Permission
Director (67) Archivist
Anthony 'Tony" Mastradone
is granted for the
A S S O C I A T I O N MAILING A D D R E S S :
9111 Tuckerman Street
44th B G V A
contents of this journal
Lanham, M D 20706-2709
P.O. Box 712287
to be reproduced
Phone/Fax: (301) 577-1487
Salt Lake City, U T 84171-2287
specifically for personal
e-mail: mast@clres.com
archives. Otherwise,
copyright material
herein may be reproduced by the journal of other incorporated non-profit veterans organizations so long as this publication is
properly credited and prior permission is granted by the editor.
Immediate Past President: Roy W. Owen (506)
6304 Meadowridge Drive
Santa Rosa, C A 95409-5839
Phone: (707) 538-4726 Fax: (707) 538-1212
e-mail: Rowen44bg@aol.com
Those submitting letters, stories and photos to the editor or historian must do so with the understanding that this material will most
likely be published in this journal as a matter of interest to the members/subscribers of the Association and this journal. While every
attempt will be made to answer all of the material received, there is no explicit or implied guarantee that an answer will be provided
or published. Except for specific requests for the return of original documents and photos, all material submitted will become the
property of the 44th Veterans Association, Inc., or its successors.
�LOUISIANA BELLE
By Roy O w e n
In preceding issues w e have described our
later with twenty seven new B24-D Liberators,
negotiations with the 8th Air Force M u s e u m to
the paint was on hand and the artist was aschange the 466th B o m b Group B-24J Laden
signed his most important assignment to date,
Maiden identifying markings to that of a 44th
"Put the insignia on each of our planes."
B G aircraft. The n a m e of the aircraft, so
appropriately chosen was our Louisiana Belle;
The echoing cry from the 44th was, "The
the rationale being, the 466th was never
FLYING EIGHTBALLS of the 44th B o m b
stationed at Barksdale, while the 44th, after
Group were ready to give the Jerries a go."
being activated at MacDill Field, Florida on 15
January 1941, was the first B-24 B o m b Group
Now about the airplane: B-24J 42-50806-SH
assigned to Barksdale on 7 February 1941.
c a m e off the Ford Willow Run plant assembly
The 44th remained at Barksdale until 26 July
line in September, 1944 in the serial group 421942 during which time it trained the 90th, 93rd
50760 to 42-51076. These were the first to be
and 98th B o m b Groups before it 'graduated' to
equipped with H 2 X AN/APS-15 which operated
combat-ready and left for England to join the
on X band for radar bombing. H 2 X was the
8th Air Force.
American development of the British H2S,
known as 'Mickey' APS-15A. Thus what was to
The change of markings was totally supported
be 42-50806 E A W Q when she reached
by the 8th Air Force m u s e u m staff, the civic
Shipdham and the 68th
leaders of Shreveport and Bossier City and
B o m b Squadron of the
their Chambers of Commerce. It was approved
44th was, it could be
by the C o m m a n d e r of the 8th A F and
said, born to lead!
forwarded to H Q U S A F for final approval,
which it recently gave. Thus, the Louisiana
Wood ANd DEIU ON T^EIR
Belle will bring to Barksdale and the 8th A F
u/EddiNq dAy, M A R C E I 1 8,
Museum all the glorious heritage of one of the
1 9 4 4 iN FiNsbuRy PARI<,
most illustrious combat histories in the annals
N. LofNidoN.
of air combat, 'The Flying 8 Balls.'
STKI ElAppily MARRJEd,
W o o d y Aivd D E I REsidE iN
The answer to the question of who named the
44th B G "The Flying Eightballs," was found in
Will Todd's book, History of the 68th Bomb
Squadron. The story goes that the 44th picked
up the n a m e at Will Rogers Field. Col. Frank
W. Robison, the C O was talking with Captain
Goodman C. Griffin regarding the upcoming
shipment to an overseas base. Robinson said
he could not understand how this Air Force
could even think that he could go into combat
with this group of misfits, ninety
day wonders and odd balls. H e
has never seen such a bunch of
eightballs in his entire military
career.
By the time the combat crews
landed at Shipdham a few weeks
NATCEIEZ, M S .
When she arrived at
Shipdham, she was
assigned to veteran
Crew Chief M/Sgt.
Francis M. 'Woody' W o o d and his assistant,
'Romie' Vaughn on September 26,1944. W e
rightfully associate the word veteran with
M/Sgt. Wood, since in his total of 33 months
overseas he crewed four different B-24s before
getting 806 E, and had been awarded the
Bronze Star by Col. Leon Johnson for his
launch of 96 missions without a mechanical
abort. H e remained with 806 E until war's end,
and flew h o m e aboard her. His most precious
acquisition during his tour in England was his
FiwiNcis M Wood lovely British-born wife Delia.
�W h e n 806 arrived at A F 115, she w a s
unnamed and with no regular combat crew
assigned. W o o d took advantage of this
opportunity to n a m e 'his' plane. H e w a s proud
to title her after his birthplace, a 2,000 acre
pre-Civil W a r plantation n a m e d Belle, located
on the banks of the Tensas Northeast River in
Louisiana. The newly n a m e d Louisiana Belle
flew 57 combat missions, sustaining only one
abort after losing an engine well before target,
forcing the crew to return. She flew 52 of her
missions as lead aircraft. A m o n g the targets
she struck were tough, heavily defended sites,
such as the Kiel Sub-Pens, Dortmund,
Magdeburg, Berlin (twice) and Bottrop, where
over the target she took an 88 m m burst
directly under the plane. Her determined crew
pressed on to the target, and she returned with
over 200 flak holes to patch and two fuel cell
changes in the left wing for W o o d and his crew
to repair. Louisiana Belle flew as lead aircraft
for all three B o m b Groups in the 14th Combat
Wing. Being a lead aircraft, W o o d and his
ground crew were required, if possible, to have
her combat ready every day. Her record shows
several stretches of three and four back-toback missions.
ON TITE RAYip AT
Willow R U N ARE
TITE dispkyEd
B'24s. SECONd
iN UNE is 8 0 6 E
LOUISIANA BEIIE
In late May,
1945
Louisiana
Belle departed
Shipdham for
the U.S.
Ironically she
w a s flown by
1st Lt.
Russell G.
Erickson and
his crew of
nine, plus ten passengers; the s a m e crew w h o
had flown her over in September '44. After
arrival back in the U.S., Louisiana Belle had
LOUISIANA BEIIE
CAII LETTER "E"
one more duty to
perform: the Ford
Willow Run plant,
in a gesture of
thanks to their work
force, had a family
day and arranged
to have several of
the Ford built
aircraft on display.
Four of these aircraft were from the 44th.
The refurbished and re-painted B-24 we will
see and dedicate during the Reunion in
October is the result of the hard work and
determination of Mr. 'Buck' Rigg and his
assistant, C/M Sgt. Grillo, working with the Air
Force side; and our overall Project Officer,
Clem Haulman. Clem orchestrated all the
various efforts, working with Dick Butler, who,
after acquiring the drawings of the B-24-J
engine cowlings and other parts of the airplane
which were in need of repair, herded through
re-manufacture and shipment to Barksdale.
O n arrival, Mr. Rigg arranged for volunteer
active duty Air Force personnel to m a k e the
repairs and do the re-painting. Certainly, not
the least of the contributions necessary to the
success of this project w a s done by Mike
Yuspeh. By virtue of his o w n community
service contributions in the region, Mike has
been able to solicit funding through a number
of sources: the city governments and
Chambers of C o m m e r c e of Shreveport and
Bossier City, the Louisiana state government,
and our hotel, the Isle of Capri Hotel. Through
Mike's efforts and contacts, the entire
Louisiana Belle w a s m a d e possible.
Every member of the 44th BGVA can stand
proud of the placement of the Louisiana Belle
at Barksdale A F B . She will not only serve as a
commemorative of the glorious combat record
established by the 44th B o m b Group as a
W W I I part of the Mighty 8th Air Force, but will
also e m b o d y the history of our service to the
mission of this historic base in its wartime role.
�^Besk of our
President
Even though w e celebrated it last year, the new millennium
more accurately began THIS YEAR on January 1. It is m y
fondest wish that each and every one of you, and your
loved ones, are blessed with a healthy, prosperous, and
joyful year in this new millennium.
And, as is our custom, all new years are ushered in with
toasts and resolutions. M y toast therefore, though belated,
is "May the hinges of friendship never rust and may the
wings of love never never lose a feather. M a y your right
hand always be stretched out in friendship; but, never in
want." M y resolution is to increase m y donations to our
M A S T E R DATA BASE F U N D (MDBF) throughout this year
simply by adopting the age-old theorem of "CHARITY
BEGINS AT H O M E " W e are all literally deluged weekly, if
not daily, by mail, phone, TV, e-mail, etc. for donations to
hundreds of charitable, medical, organizational,
educational, political, international and myriad of other
worthy causes that are too numerous to mention. W e all
have our favorite charities, and rightly have supported
them over the many years of our lives because w e are a
caring generous and giving generation - truly the greatest.
But, NOW, TO-DAY w e have a need to support a noble and
worthy cause in the MDBF, conceived and designed to
preserve for posterity the illustrious history of the 44th BG
and the heroic contributions and sacrifices of the men and
women, many of w h o m made the S U P R E M E SACRIFICE
for the causes of freedom and liberty.
To date, the archival information (344 Missions and the
8085 sorties including the names of the aircrews and the
aircraft they flew) is already entered into the computer
system. Currently, w e are in the process of inserting the
personal biographies of our air, ground and support
personnel, as well as much of the information Will Lundy
has assembled. But, the more difficult and costly phase of
the M D B is to search, locate and contact the wives,
children, relatives, friends, neighbors and/or public record
centers to solicit information on our deceased colleagues
so that their gallant service and sacrifices may be included
in the computerized data base. This phase of the M D B
Project will require much time, hard work, many volunteers
and the assistance of professional researchers and/or
historians, public officials, governmental agencies,
veterans organizations and other record-keeping
institutions. And, it is this Phase that will require the
expenditure of funds that are not available from our
operating budget.
Last year your Board and I embarked on the MDB FUND
DRIVE Through your kind and generous response to my
letter of January 31, 2000, w e raised $16,000.00 with
donations still coming in, but slowing. W e must integrate
our efforts. To those w h o contributed, you have my
compliments and deepest gratitude and hope for your
continued support with this campaign.
Now, it is my sincere hope that all members will be
enjoined/inspired to build on this auspicious start by also
making a new year's resolution to donate, to our own
M D B F DRIVE, funds that you normally and regularly would
contribute to other fund drives this year. This being
consistent with the aforementioned principle of "CHARITY
BEGINS AT H O M E " I hasten to point out here that none of
my remarks/suggestions are applicable to the support you
provide your respective church, synagogue, mosque or any
other place of worship. This support should continue under
any and all circumstances.
You are reminded that all contributions to our MDBF DRIVE
are tax deductible; hence, both you and the Fund benefit by
your donation. All donations should be made out to "44th
BGVA M D B F U N D " and mailed to 44th BGVA, R0. Box
712287, Salt Lake City, Utah 84171-2287.
CLOSING THOUGHT FOR THE DAY ON GIVING.
"Some give their might; Others give with their mite;
And, some don't give w h o might."
0 0 ^
Let's all of us give a mite.
Edward K. Mikoloski, President
�ALGENEKEY
COMMANDING OFFICER OF THE 66TH SQ.; AVIATION PIONEER
Early flights out of Shipdham did not
enjoy the luxury of accompaniment by
the 'Little Friends,' and the Luftwaffe
took full advantage. Life always hung
on the expertise of every crew member.
The courage of those who flew, despite
overwhelming odds, can never be
overstated.
From Will
Lundy's
record of the
66th Sq.
comes a
memory of
the late
AlgeneKey,
CO. of the
66th
Squadron,
early
pioneer in
aviation, and
valorous
participant
in W W H .
Long before
the Japanese
undertook to
start the
War at Pearl Harbor, Algene and his
brother Fred set an endurance record,
flying 653 hours and 27 minutes on a
noisy trip around their hometown that
took 27 days. (That record was never
beaten until the Astronauts took off.)
The people of Meridian, Mississippi were
strongly supportive of their first
attempt, but their enthusiasm waned
with continued efforts. On the third
attempt, the droning sounds of the
overhead plane that continued through
the nights became a real irritant; and
their air-to-air refueling was a novelty
at first, but less impressive as Vie Miss'
rattled on.
Their friend, James Keeton, brought fuel
and supplies to the brothers, early proof
that air-to-air refueling was possible.
Fred sometimes dazzled the spectators
by walking on the wing, and straddling
the engine to inspect gas lines—with no
parachute.
When the record was broken and the
plane came down, it was the biggest
celebration Meridian ever held. 30,000
people gathered at the airport to watch
the plane come in, and reporters from
all over the country flocked to the tiny
airport which had just been renamed
Key Field.
Those barnstorming pioneers and others
like them ignited the spirit of aviation in
the youth of America. When W W H
began, adventurous young men were
eager to fling themselves into that
colorful sphere. Among those whose
goals were shaped by those early airmen
was Rob Lehnhausen. "As a new pilot,
when I found myself in the same
Squadron and in the same room with m y
boyhood hero, Algene Key, it was
unbelievable to me," he recalled.
Even before the war began, both Key
brothers engaged in training airmen in
the National Guard. The move from
barnstormers to military was not a
difficult transition, and when the Guard
was activated, Fred and Al went to
Langley Field, Virginia for B-17 training.
They distinguished themselves in the
Pacific Theatre in bomb runs and Zero
kills. When McArthur departed from
Java, the Key brothers assisted in
evacuating him, troops and many
civilians to Australia. Fred's mission
numbers were completed, and he
assumed administrative and teaching
positions in this country. Later, when Al
was assigned to B-29's, it was his
brother who checked him out.
J
�According to historian Stephen Owen,
when W W I I came, Fred and Algene had
more flying time than any two pilots on
earth. Despite that, they were almost
rejected from the service, as both were
colorblind! Interestingly, their bombing
skill was heightened because of this
disadvantage. W h e n they were over
enemy territory, shapes of objects stood
out, uncluttered by colored objects
around them. Honoring the plane that
brought them world recognition, Fred
called his plane Ole Miss II, Al's was Ole
maneuvering room; then did something
only the most skilled and courageous
pilot would and could do: H e threw his
huge bomber directly into the path of
the fighters and forced them off their
course of attack and into position where
scores of Liberator guns were able to get
direct hits.' Though the bullet-riddled
airplane was nearly uncontrollable, Al
and his crew managed to salvo their
bombs over the target and limp the
crippled plane, Princess Charlotte/Sure
Shot, back over the Channel to England."
Miss m.
Algene's last mission was January 3,
1943 to St. Nazaire on the Avenger.
Apparently the dangers of his four
missions became a wake-up call to
higher authorities. Algene was too
important to the war effort to place him
in further danger, so he was taken off
combat and transferred out of the group.
H e was awarded the Distinguished
Flying Cross (the first m e m b e r of the
44th to receive this honor), Distinguished
Continuing his loyalty to his first plane, Service Cross, British Distinguished
his B-24 became Ole Miss JLH. H e arrived
Flying Cross and seven Bronze Stars.
in England during a time w h e n missions
Despite Key's aggressive spirit in the air,
were scrubbed because of bad weather
President Mike remembers him as a shy
and mechanical failures. Nevertheless,
and humble m a n on the ground, with
opportunity came, and his skill and
genuine consideration for those under
courage were exemplified on his fourth
his command.
mission. In his book A FLIGHT TO
REMEMBER,
Steven Owens described the
The Avenger, piloted by Algene Key, was
event:
the last mission of S/Sgt. Wilmer Lund,
Engr/Top Turret Gunner, w h o was KIA.
"On a sortie in a joint raid with Flying
It was his third mission.
Fortresses on January 20, 1942 on
Romilly-Sur-Seine while attacking
While under attack from enemy fighters,
German positions in France, he
a 20 m m shell penetrated the waist
encountered a direct enemy attack by
position area and exploded, seriously
two German fighters. They nose dived
wounding Sgt. Frank R. Steers, Waist
his ship coming from the sun. A writer
Gunner and S/Sgt. Charles E. Cunningham,
said of the incident: Machine gun bullets
Radio
Operator/Gunner
and cannon shell poured into Major
Key's ship like hailstones, mortally
S/Sgt. Wilmer Lund was killed instantly.
wounding his right waist gunner (S/Sgt.
He was the first m a n in the 44th B G to
Wilmer G. Lund). At the first glimpse of
lose his life to enemy action. His parents
the fighters straight ahead, Key took a
received word of his death just before
quick survey of the other Liberators
Christmas.
around him and saw that he had
Among the early ones at Barksdale
Field, Louisiana was Al Key. H e was
assigned to fly antisubmarine patrol in
the Gulf of Mexico, mostly at night, from
Florida to Texas. Captain Key was
Commander of the 66th Squadron. H e
was promoted to Major about the time
the 44th was transferred to Will Rogers
Field, Oklahoma.
�If you haven't signed up for the European trip, D O IT
N O W You will see those places that ring so clearly in
your memory. You will be traveling with that great
bunch of guys w h o joined you in slapping Nazi
Germany into submission. Larry Herpel has laid out a
fantastic itinerary. You will see the peaceful side of
France and Germany, peaceful because of your courage
and sacrifice. Peter Loncke in Belgium and Steve
Adams in England are helping arrange meaningful
events; and our European friends are waiting for the
opportunity to thank you—once again—for helping
them through the worst happening of the century.
The dates are September 11-26, leaving from New
Jersey. From Newark, w e fly into beautiful Paris, get a
half day tour, then off to your choice of sights. The City
of Lights has sights and structures that are unique
in the world: the Eiffel Tower, Arc D'Triumphe,
Notre Dame, W W I I Museum, the Louvre... your
choice of wonders.
By bus w e will travel to Caen (the 'milkrun' that
brought down the Passion Pit), Normandy (where
Jackie Roberts can read her father's name on the
Wall of Honor) and Rouen. On the 5th day w e will
leave for Luxembourg, (the safest city in the world
from invasion, until airplanes were invented.) W e
will stop by Reims and Verdun. In Reims w e will
visit Eisenhower's S H A P E Headquarters. From
there to Bastogne, where General McAuliffe uttered
that famous word, "Nuts." (He held out until the
weather cleared, then help came from the sky.)
In Wibrin, Peter Loncke has orchestrated a
memorial service for the Pinder crew, whose
plane crashed there January 29,1944. This
enthusiastic Belgium airman has become a
self-appointed investigator of crash sites,
and has been helpful to many American,
English and Australian families, informing
them of the circumstances of the crash.
From Belgium, w e cross the Rhine
River, near the most challenging
engineering feat in history—
building a bridge into Germany
while under constant enemy
fire. Here w e visit Cologne,
Wesel, Maastricht and
Liege. In Wesel w e will
visit the graves of the
Crandell and Chandler crews. Crash sites for these
two planes were located by our Belgian friend, Peter.
Louis DeBlasio and Bob Vance are the lone survivors of
those two crashes. John Delaney, a fighter pilot on a P47 dived down to strafe the anti-aircraft guns which
brought down the two Liberators, and he crashed. He
shared the P O W experience with Bob and Louis.
We will visit the Ardennes Cemetery, where Lois
Cianci's father is memoralized on the Tablet of the
Missing, then to Brussels, through Dunkirk to Calais,
then across the Channel past the White Cliffs of Dover.
By bus, we'll go to Norwich, where w e have a day to
explore before heading to Shipdham. Friends will be
waiting for us: Steve Adams, our British Board Member,
Brian Peel, an admirer of the 44th since boyhood,
Phyllis Dubois and others w h o have never been shy
to express their gratitude to the Americans. W e will
visit the Memorial Library, the Aero Club, Shipdham
Airfield and the 14th Combat Wing Hq. Then Steve
Adams and Roy O w e n have a reception and barbecue
set up where w e will visit and picnic with Andrew
Doubleday, our friends and civic leaders of Shipdham
and the members of the Shipdham Areo Club.
will visit the magnificent Duxford Imperial War
Museum where the B-52 dwarfs all other planes on
display, even the B-24, which is still under repair. At
Cambridge w e will visit the American Cemetery and
Memorial with its Wall of Honor a sight that is not
easily forgotten. W e have a day in London to
browse; then filled with joyous memories, w e leave
the following day.
get the best prices, we need a full bus. Don't
pass up this opportunity to have the trip of a
lifetime. Every happening on the trip has been
orchestrated to give you the most for your
money. Larry Herpel will assist everybody in
getting the best price to Newark the gateway city.
Reservations can still be made by calling
Ascot Travel, at this toll free number: 1888-317-7483.
E-MaiI:ascottravel@thriftynet
Please note: The price for these 15
days is $2,685. It includes 14
breakfasts, 10 dinners. Travel
insurance is not included. If you
wish to have that precaution.
the price is an additional
$49.
BUST
�">
DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS
SOCIETY
Going to the DFC Society meeting is an experience in humility. There
are airmen from all plane positions (mostly pilots) and from every
type of aircraft that flew in W W I I , Korea, Viet N a m , Gulf W a r and
Kosovo. A gab session is an invitation to hear wild adventure stories,
providing n e w insight into the w a y W W I I w a s won. M a n y commercial
pilots had s o m e hilarious accounts to relate.
We met one pilot from the 9th Air Corps who had flown to Ploesti on that awesome
mission 8/1/43. Also, fighter pilots from the 15th Air Corps, w h o accompanied
bombers on later missions. Les Howard, Past President of the H u m p Pilots Society
reminisced about the flights over the Himalayas from India to China, supplying General
Issimo Chiang Kai Chek with needed materials.
A PMB Navy Pilot remembered listening to Tokyo Rose, who played American music.
She spoke directly to the m e n on his ship, concluding her broadcast with a promise to
'get your ship tomorrow.' They did. The Japanese planes struck it, but could not take it
down. It limped into Pearl Harbor for repair.
A tour to Lackland Air Force Base brought memories of Basic Training to many of the
members, Perry included, particularly a notorious hill between the two fields that they
had to climb. They have a B-17, Mosquito and Blackbird on display there, and are
looking for old photos to go into their Air C o m m a n d M u s e u m . The newer Kelly Field is
alongside Lackland.
Perry heard a statement that he finds hard to believe: One flyer said that his plane
went d o w n in friendly territory, and a group of w o m e n went after his parachute. H e
claims he held them off at gunpoint; as if he had lost his chute, he would have had to
pay $ 3 0 0 for the loss, since he had gone d o w n in friendly territory. (Is this true?)
The government gave away thousands
of DFC's during and in later wars, for
completing missions or flying on
especially dangerous assignments.
There is no list of w h o received them.
Anyone w h o deserves a D F C , but did
not receive it, m a y contact the Society
at 6 9 2 0 Miramar Road, Suite 207-D,
San Diego, C A 92121-2642.
MIKE VUSPEH HAS
8 BALL T-SHIRTS,
SIZE LARGE,
AS WERE PRESENTED IN SAN DlEGO.
THE COST is %7, INCLUDING POSTAGE.
SEND CHECK TO:
MIKE VUSPEH
7ai4 SARDONYX STREET
NEW ORLEANS, U 7 0 i a 4 - 3 5 0 9
_y
�44th Bomb Group Veterans Assn.
Reunion Agenda
Bossier City - Barksdale AFB - Shreveport, Louisiana
October 15,16,17,18, 2001 - Isle of Capri Hotel
Monday, Oct. 15
9:00 A M to 12:00 P M
1:00 P M to 5:00 P M
1:00 P M to 5:00 P M
Registration
Registration
Board meeting
6:00 PM
7:00 P M
DELI BUFFET. Cash Bar.
Buffet (Cold Cuts, etc.)
Tuesday, Oct. 16
7:30 A M to 9:00 A M
9:00 A M To 10:30 A M
11:15 A M
3:30 P M
Breakfast Buffet
Registration
L U N C H Officers Club Barksdale Field - First bus leaves hotel. Speaker at
lunch will be Colonel Steve DePyssler (Ret.) Two buses will shuttle from hotel
to Barksdale Field. After lunch at approximately 1:45 w e will walk over to
m u s e u m where the dedication of the restored B-24 "Louisiana Belle," will
take place. Military as well as local dignitaries will be introduced and make
remarks. Approximately 3:30 first bus will leave for return to Hotel.
6:00 PM
7:00 P M
S Q U A D R O N DINNERS (location to be posted). Cash
Sit down dinner.
1:45 PM
*2/y>*'
Wednesday, Oct. 17
7:30 A M to 9:00 A M
9:00 A M to 12:00 P M
1:00 P M
BANQUET. Cash bar.
Dinner will be served.
Candlelight Ceremony
C o m b o will play for dancing.
6:00 P M
7:00 PM.
Thursday, Oct. 18
7:30 A M to 9:00 A M
8:30 AM
6:00 P M
7:00 P M
Breakfast Buffet.
Annual Membership Meeting - (location to be posted)
Tour of the City of Shreveport
Leave hotel for those members w h o purchased tickets for Tour #1.
Breakfast Buffet
Today is a free day
Tour of Natchitoches and Lunch.
Leave hotel for those members w h o purchased tickets for Tour #2.
BUFFET. Cash bar.
Dinner - barbecue with all the trimmings.
You can dance the night away with a big 17 piece band with the "Glenn
Miller" sound.
Yes, you will have a room in which to meet and visit with your buddies
every day from after breakfast until 5:00 PM.
10
��(
Thursday, October 18
8:30 AM Depart hotel
TOUR #2
9:45 AM Natchitoches, Louisiana
Founded in 1714, Natchitoches was settled before New Orleans and is the oldest settlement in
the Louisiana Purchase. You m a y remember this
intriguing little city from the movie Steel Magnolias,
which w a s filmed here. Full of French, Spanish,
Native American, African and Anglo influence,
Natchitoches retains a colorful palette of ethnic
traditions, gracious hospitality and tremendous
pride in the past that residents eagerly share with
visitors. Our eccentric step-on guide/actress clad in
costume correct to the time of early Natchitoches entertains us with her assumption of the
personalities of historical characters discussed in her unique presentation of fact and folklore
5
(ffwTT
10:30 AM Cane River Country
Lined with the cotton fields and mansions of working antebellum plantations, oak alleys,
churches and old cemeteries, scenic Cane River inspires a celebration of antebellum life like few
areas in the South.
11:00 AM Beau Fort Plantation Tour and Luncheon
An avenue of Live Oaks guides us into the exquisite garden of this working cotton plantation on
the site of historic Fort Charles, c.1760, where w e will, weather permitting, revel in the splendor
of an absolutely charming luncheon experience on the grounds. Before enjoying a fine meal
served on china with crystal, w e will tour the home. Our d o w n to earth Creole cuisine lunch
today will be two Natchitoches Meat Pies served with Dirty Rice Dressing, French Creole Beans,
Apple-Raisin Slaw, Mini Buttered Biscuits, Tea and Coffee and Pecan Pie for dessert.
12:30 PM Depart Beau Fort
12:45 PM Melrose
A National Historic Landmark Plantation, Melrose is a unique complex of nine buildings dating
back to c.1796. The plantation is rich in history and legends of courage and creativity that began
with the legendary Marie Therese Coincoin. The Souths foremost primitive artist, Clementine
Hunter, created renowned paintings here of the life and times of Cane River Country. In African
House on the plantation grounds, Hunter created with his brush what is called "the most
colorful room in Louisiana." She died on N e w Year's Day, 1988, shortly before her 102nd birthday
and is entombed in the mausoleum at St. Augustine. Guests will have the opportunity to
purchase mementos of Natchitoches and Cane River Country here at the gift shop.
2:15 PM Depart Melrose
3:45 PM Return to hotel; tour ends.
�44th Bomb Group Veterans
o<>^ Assn. Reunion - 2001
Xfi
Isle of Capri Hotel - Bossier City, LA
Barksdale AFB
October 15,16,17, & 18, 001
Reunion Registration Form
Please print or type. All Information must be complete:
First N a m e (Tag)
Last N a m e
Spouse
Squadron #
Life Member
Address
City
State
Phone
E-Mail
Zip Code
Guests & Relation
Number to Attend
@ $215.00 Each
Amount $
Tour #1- City Tour of Shreveport
Number on Tour
@ $25.00 Per Person
Amount $
Tour # 2- Tour of Natchitoches & Lunch
Number on Tour
@ $55.00 Per Person
Amount $
Total Amount Remitted
Check #
Amount $
Description of tours are in this issue of the 8 Ball Tails.
Registration Includes: Everything on agenda except tours as listed above.
Registration must be received by September 10, 2001.
Hotel registration must be made directly with Isle Of Capri Hotel & Casino by phone only
Toll free (800) 843-4753. See copy of hotel form in this issue.
Check Made Payable to: 44th Bomb Group Veterans Association (44th BGVA)
Mail to: Mike Yuspeh - 7214 Sardonyx Street - N e w Orleans, LA 70124-3509
Phone: (504)283-3424 Fax: (504) 283-3425 (Picks up on 6th ring)
E-Mail: Mikeyuspeh@juno.com
13
��BGVA 2001 Reunion
Isle Of Capri Hotel
PHONE RESERVATIONS ONLY!
711 Isle Of Capri Blvd. (Exit 20 Off of I 20)
Bossier City, LA 71171-5637
Phone: (318) 678-7777 Fax: (318) 425-4617
You must call (800) 843-4753 for reservation.
Reservation can only be m a d e by phone.
Reservation Method: Individual Call-in.
x
y ^ l S l C
01
lapiiiTriasino
^ S
r
(i\^S&
W
^
Hotel
BOSSIER CITY, LA
Reservations for this event will be m a d e by individual attendees directly with the Hotel's
Reservation Department by calling (800) 843-4753. To assure the Group Rate, attendees must
identify the group name, 44th B o m b Group Veterans Assn, Inc., and their reservation will be
accepted at the special group rate. Guests will be accommodated on a SPACE A N D RATE
AVAILABLE BASIS. The check in time is 4:00 P M and check out time is N O O N . Hotel will
accommodate any early arrivals on a space available basis.
Guaranteed Reservations: Guarantees are required for guest arriving after 4:00 PM. To
guarantee a reservation, they require a deposit equal to one nighf s room and tax at the time
reservation is made. The deposit is refundable only if reservation is canceled 4 8 hours prior to
the day of arrival. Guarantee m a y be m a d e with a check or credit card.
This is the information that you will need when making the call.
Date Of Call: Confirmation #:
Name:
Arrival Date
Departure Date:
Organizatiori: 44th B o m b Group Veterans Association
Time Of Arrival
Address:
City:
Phone:
Additional Person in room:
Zip:
State:
Fax#:
• Yes
E Mail Address:
QNO
N a m e Of Additional Person:
Rates: $89.27 Including Tax (Single/Double Each Night)
Credit Card: American Express, Visa, MASTERCARD, Discover Card
Credit card Number - Expiration Date - N a m e O n Card.
Reunion Dates: October 15,16,17,18 Year 2001
15
�PASSION PiT C R E W
F R O M L-R: JACI< BARTOH, NAviqATOR;
iRwiM SlOVROff, BoMDARdiER;
Johi\ MillikEM, PHOT.
BAck: DARREI LARSEIN, ErgqiiviEER;
MARTIN RichARd, RAdio O P E R A T O R ;
WilliAM MANJERRE, C O ' P H O T ; KENNETII
BEckwiih, GUNNER; ANd MORRJS LARION, TAI'I GUNNER.
THE
PASSION
PIT
The Times-Picayune in N e w Orleans highlighted
the John Milliken crew for having seven
members present at the 44th B G Reunion, and
their story has resounded through a number of
veteran publications. The Passion Pit
went down at the Falais Pocket near
Caen on August 13, 1944. Every
member of the crew had an
experience that was unique, none
more so than that of Bombardier,
Irwin J. Stovroff.
Stovroff recalls it thus: "It was to be our last
scheduled mission; w e were to complete our
tour. Together w e had flown very dangerous
missions, many of which were deep into
Germany. This trip was just over the Channel,
the Falais Pocket in France, a 'milk run.'
"We were on a straight run, and were to drop
our bombs on three sites, one third each time.
Then B O O M ! W e got a direct hit at the first
target. Numbers one and two engines were on
fire. W e all bailed out, right into the German
front lines. O n the way down I threw away m y
dog tags, not wanting them to know I was
Jewish.
taken out for continued interrogations. The
German officer, m y interrogator, asked m e
questions I could not and would not answer. I
gave him the usual name, rank and serial
number, and told him that was all I had to give,
and knew very little else. O n m y third trip with
him, he said, "I know w h o you are and what you
are (meaning Jewish). H e told m e he could save
m y life, then proceeded to name m y father,
mother, brother, sister, the grammar and high
school I had attended, even the name of a
former girl friend. H e then said he lived on
Ashland Avenue, next to the girl I was dating,
pre-war. H e had lived on the next street-Claremont Avenue in Buffalo, N e w York. H e
said he remembered being in class with m y older
sister, and had c o m e to Germany to be with his
grandmother, and stayed. H e again said he
would help m e , and he put a question mark on
m y records next to religion.
Later in Stalag Luft #\, I was separated from the
main compound of prisoners because I was
Jewish. I know the reason w e were not killed was
because of the courageous speeches of Col.
Zehmke and Col. Spicer, w h o warned the
German commander that if any American
officers were harmed, they would be held
responsible. Col. Spicer was put in solitaire and
sentenced to death for his speech. H e survived
until the end of the war.
"Within a week's time we were taken to a major
interrogation center outside of Frankfort,
Germany. I think it was called Wetzler. W e were
separated and placed in solitaire, and individually
16
�When I finally got home after VE Day, I went to
keep them pinned until Patton could get there
where this German traitor lived, but his parents hadfrom Cherbourg. The Passion Pit was flying on
moved.
the right wing of the c o m m a n d ship. W e had
one long b o m b run to reach three road intersecAfter this Dulag Luft (interrogation), I later
tions. W e were at about 15,000 feet when antifound myself with m y co-pilot Bill Manierre in a
aircraft fire hit us. The flak came through the
large room. Bill pointed out a beat up and dirty
b o m b bay doors, cutting the hydraulic lines.
P O W w h o was staring at us. Did I know w h o it
O u r bombs would not drop, and the plane was
on fire.
was? I looked at the man and said 'no.' Bill said,
'he must know you,' and I replied, 'I can't
figure out w h o he is.'
Suddenly Bill exclaimed, "My God! THAT'S
M Y B R O T H E R . " His brother immediately
recognized Bill, and they met and embraced.
The Germans were flabbergasted when they
found out this was happening. Major Cy
Manniere was a West Point graduate w h o had
been dropped into France, and was working
with the French Underground when captured
and tortured. H e told Bill and m e to repeat his
story, that he was a member of the Air Corps,
had been shot down and picked up by the
French Underground. If the Germans knew the
truth, he could have been shot as a spy. They
believed him, and he was sent to the same camp
as Bill and I. Their mother received two telegrams on the same day, 1:00 A M , 1:00 P M on
both sons—Missing in Action. "Fact is greater
than fiction."
l_j?
PASSJON PIT
qoiiNq dow/N.
"I gave the order to 'Bail Out', and when I
thought everyone was out, I let go of the controls and jumped. At first I didn't pull the
ripcord. I just lay on m y back, counting 'chutes.
W h e n I finally pulled the cord, I was so close that
I hit the ground in thirty seconds. I followed
procedure-rolled up the chute and hid it, and I
knew which way was north, so I started hiding
and walking. But the Germans got me. First
they put m e and a British airman in a farm house
with a concrete cellar. In one place it had soft
cement, so I started digging. But they came for
us before w e could get out. They took us to a
courtyard where I met up with the rest of m y
crew. Next they ushered us onto a German
personnel truck with a canvas top."
Stovroff is now a volunteer National Service
Officer at West Palm Beach V A Center, working
only with ex-POWs to help get pensions and
compensations. H e has met six ex-POWs that
were in his camp. A n d stranger than fiction, his
next door neighbor in Florida was in the same
barracks as Stovroff when he was in Stalag Luft
#1 "segregated." This man's family owned
K A T Z DELICATESSEN in N e w York whose
slogan was "Send a Salami to a Soldier in the
Army."
Milliken's Evasion
John Milliken, pilot, intended to get this 'milk
run' over, then sign up again. H e was captured,
but fortunately, was able to escape. "The German army was trapped, and w e were trying to
17
At that point Americans had total command of
the air, so the truck moved at night with no
lights to avoid being strafed. Milliken was at the
front of the truck, and he noticed a loose flap.
He pointed it out to his crew, suggesting that he
®
�go first, and they should follow. He bailed out
and rolled into a ditch, but nobody followed.
He considers it pure luck that he wasn't caught,
as there were two armed guards on the tail gate.
cfaom,
.j/os/tff/w/s'e est Gsip&z/it/. ^/
/
Milliken walked to a farm house, and explained
his circumstance in his best French. The w o m a n
who answered quickly ushered him to another
site, as Germans were sleeping in her house. She
provided him with a worker's shirt, cap and a
loaf of bread.
Then, using his Boy Scout knowledge, he headed
north, using the North Star as his guide, sleeping
in the bushes by day. The next night was foggy,
so he just laid low. O n the third day, hiding
under bushes alongside a stream, he woke to find
a Tiger Tank headed toward him, cutting bushes
for German soldiers to use as camouflage. So he
ran again.
"By this time I was really hungry, and I saw
something great—a cow with an udder full of
milk. So I enjoyed that. Then a bullet whizzed
by. I thought, 'four days of running, and they
got m e again.' But to m y relief, it was the Canadian First Army. I ripped off m y shirt; and with
delight, showed them m y uniform."
F r o m the Editor:
He spent a couple of days in their camp, then
hitched a ride back to London. He ran into a
bombardier from his group, w h o turned white
when he saw him.. "I thought you were dead,"
he exclaimed. (Small wonder. The Passion Pit
turned into a fireball, minutes after the crew had
exited.) All ten members of Milliken's crew had
made it safely to the ground.
Where is your Database? You write me
letters (for which I a m so grateful), but
w h e n I try to find you in the Database,
you are not there! W h y ? Your Database
is the last thing you can fling into the
future. Your children and grandchildren
are asking questions about W W I I . Y o u
have magnificent stories of an event that
cannot ever be replicated. W h a t will
happen w h e n you are not there to answer
the questions?
In two weeks after meeting the Canadians,
Milliken was back in the United States. He never
saw many of his crew again until the 44th B G V A
Reunion in N e w Orleans, 1999. Seven of the
ten joined him: Martin Richard, Engineer/
Gunner; Darrel Larsen, Gunner; Kenneth
Beckwith, Radio Operator: Jack Bertoli, Navigator; Morris Larkin, Tail Gunner and Irwin
Stovroff, Bombardier. O n e member of the crew
is dead. T w o others could not attend because of
health problems.
DO IT FOR YOUR EDITOR.
DO IT FOR YOUR CHILDREN.
DO IT FOR YOUR GRANDCHILDREN.
DO IT NOW!
%.
18
�44th B o m b Group Military Heritage Database
Personnel Information Form
Check Enclosed $.
No. of Pictures
Last Name:
No. of Audio Cassettes.
First:
Initial
Present Address:
.City:
Home Phone:
State:
.Zip:
E-mail:
Date of Birth:
City:
Date enlisted/drafted:
Date Deceased:
.Nickname:
. State:
City:
Spouse:
State:
KIAQ
Place of Interment/Burial
8th Air Force Group/s_
.Squadron/s or Unit/s
Special Military Training
Graduating Class:
Group Rank,
Date:
Group Duties.
Your A S N (Serial Number/s)_
Occupation prior to Military _
Occupation after Military and/or continued Military service:
Location:
State:
Ret. Rank.
/
�Date arrived at E T O base:__
Arrived from:
Date arrived at Shipdham: Arrived from:
Arrived how (any details):
Personal memories, experiences & stories: (These stories are a vitally important part of these "Living
Monuments." Please add additional pages if needed)
R & R Leave/s.
When?
Where'7
2
�Special Status: Shot Down 3
POW 3
MIA 3
Evaded 3
Ditched 3
Crashed 3
Escaped • Parachuted 3 Wounded 3 Hospitalized 3 Disabled • Other 3
Where. When & How
Ground Crew •
Crew Chief •
Assistant C C •
A & E Mechanic •
Armorer Q
Radio Q
Radar •
Instrument • Sheet Metals G Bombsight • Quartermaster • Motor Pool • Ordinance •
Fire Control • Control Tower • Other:
What were your duties:
Base Operations: Administration •
Clerical •
Communication •
Medical •
Security •
Photo Lab • Engineering • Mess Hall • Supply • Intelligence • Personel • Finance •
Other Duties or Assignments: . .
3
�To complete your history it would be nice to list your descendants. Space is provided below.
Descendent Relationship Address Phone
Date Departed E T O :
Destination:
How:
Trip Details:
Military Honors & Decorations:
Stars
or Clusters
Stars
or Clusters
Distinguished Service Cross
•
Air Medal
Distinguished Service Medal
•
Purple Heart
a
a
Silver Star
a
Presidential Unit Citation
•
Legion of Merit
a
Prisoner of W a r
•
Distinguished Flying Cross
•
Victory Medal W W I I
•
Bronze Star
3
European Theater Ribbon
•
Other Awards: (Including Foreign)
Please include additional pages for other thoughts, memories or stories you m a y wish to contribute:
Prepared by: Relationship:
Address & Phone:
4
�44th B o m b Group Military Heritage Database
Personal Information Data - Your "Living Monument"
It is our goal to assemble a complete record of all personnel who at one time served with
Air Force during World War II in the 44th B o m b Group.
The records of those who were on flying status have been obtained from declassified group
sion reports which have been stored in the National Archives. From this, a matrix has been developed which will allow for the search and retrieval of the following information: W h o flew what
mission, with w h o m , in what plane, to what target, on what date, enemy opposition, aircraft and
personnel losses and hundreds of cross referenced bits of detailed information.We need information, biographies, and stories of Ground Crew and Personnel also.
To make the database come "Alive", your stories, memories, photographs
and voice recordings are essential.
Cassette recordings of your memories are welcome and should be limited to
two (2) minutes per incident.
Please provide a "then and now" photo of yourself and a crew photo if available.
A Master Copy of this multi-media database in now a part of the Eighth Air Force Heritage
M u s e u m in Savannah, Georgia. Other copies will be available to museums, libraries, universities, schools and on the World Wide W e b Internet. You m a y also purchase your o w n copy of the
full database on a C D to run on a home computer from the 44th B G V A ( $ 150.00 which includes
3 future updates).
Please fill out the form carefully so that the person entering your data into the databas
pret what you have written. It is important to include your special memories. These are an important part of the database, "your memories" saving them for posterity. Should enough space not
be provided, please add additional pages.
Return completed form with $10.00 donation* if you have no photographs. If you have includ
ed photos, please submit $15.00 donation* with your form, and mail to:
44th BGVA, P.O. Box 712287, Salt Lake City, UT 84171-2287
Photos will be returned on request.
* Donations are encouraged to help cover costs of processing. However, please donate what
you can up to the suggested amount. Thank You.
,
�IT TOOK FIFTY SIX YEARS
BUT
SHI
FOUND
US
Waist
Gunner
Ostenson
and six other
The story of Jackie Roberts's
56 year effort to trace her
o w n heritage is a lesson in
perseverance. This newly adopted
daughter of the 44th BG, has finally
unraveled the facts of her father's
death. For years, the little she knew of
S/Sgt. Jack Ostenson, she learned from
her mother Wilberta: that he had red
curly hair and had a true zest for life.
Jackie was born nine days after his
death.
crewmen were killed; three became
POW's.
The plane was flying alongside the one
in which Clair Sheaffer (Lois Cianci's
father) went down. (It has been
speculated that the same burst of flak
brought both planes to the ground.)
"Nobody can imagine what life is like
w h e n you don't k n o w your o w n
ancestry," Jackie explained. "I got tired
of explaining to the medical
Wilberta, Jackie's mother, tried to learn
details of Jack's death, but government professionals, that I knew nothing
about m y father. If one of m y children
records were difficult to obtain. For a
became ill, the doctor would want to
while she corresponded with Jack's
k n o w the diseases that ran in our
sister, w h o w a s kind enough to send
Jackie a birthday gift every year.
W h e n she died, there w a s no further
connection to Jack's family until years
JAckJE AINld LOWEU RobERTS AT T^E
later w h e n Jackie resumed the search.
BGVA SAN Disqo REUNION.
She had assumed that there were no
other family members.
Gary Mathisen's craft went down
January SI, 1944 on a mission to
Escalles sur Buchy, a low level bombing
assignment against the V-l missiles
that were already leveling the
buildings in London. From Will
Lundy's Roll of Honor, Jackie learned
that Jack flew with the 68th Squadron
on this mission which had been
considered relatively 'safe.' Bombing
altitude was at 12,000 feet.
Seven B-24's left Shipdham, and only
three returned. E n e m y fighters were
fierce in their attacks, and on their
sixth onset, Mathisen's plane was
reported to be burning at the waist.
24
�alive. Her grandson ran a search for
Clearys on the Internet, finding 50 in
the USA. Jackie wrote 50 letters,
trying to locate John. Then a Mrs.
Cleary from Florida called to say that
although she was not the one being
sought, that she could help her. She
gave the number of a government
agency, which ultimately led her to
family. It was difficult for them to
imagine that I really didn't know
ANYTHING about m y father.
"Every time I would hear somebody
say the words 'World War II', I would
go up and question them," she
continued. "Then when they started to
question me, I had to admit that I
knew nothing, and didn't know how to
find anything out."
Roy Owen.
"It was so wonderful to find people
Knowing that Jack had come from St. who wanted to help me." she
exclaimed. "It was a new world that
George, Utah, Jackie and her husband
opened to me. Roy and Will Lundy
Lowell decided to search the Mormon
were eager to supply information about
records to see what they could learn
the mission and the plane. Sharing
about his family To her surprise,
experiences with Lois Cianci was
there were several brothers and a
wonderful. The entire Bomb Group has
sister that could be tapped for
been so kind—it's like I found a new
knowledge. She called the sister, only
family."
to learn that the lady passed away the
previous month. However, her
Jackie and her husband Lowell have
husband, Jackie's uncle, brought the
been married 42 years. They raised two
couple to his house, and she learned
children, both adults. Lowell is a retired
that she had lots of cousins, all of
government employee, now in business
whom remembered her father. Her
as a security specialist for upscale homes.
uncle had a big picture of Jack; and
when she looked at it, she realized that
Jackie studied Reflexology, Zone
he had a living replica, her daughter
Therapy and Herbalology, and will soon
Kim. She had inherited his features,
have her PhD. degree.
especially his eyes.
Next she found the daughter of the
aunt who had remembered her
birthday throughout her childhood
years. This cousin's s opening
statement was, "Where have you been
for the past fifty years?" She
presented Jackie her father's picture,
his Purple Heart and other
memorabilia, adding, "We always knew
that some day we would find you."
(Editor's Note: The value of 44th
BGVA's mission to preserve history
could not be better demonstrated than
in the stories of Lois Cianci
and Jackie Roberts.
It justifies all the of
efforts of those who
are working hard to
see that the past is
available to future
generations.)
From her new-found family she
learned that the Navigator, John
Cleary, had been a POW, and was still
25
�MEMORIES OF
T/SGT. JEAN BRESSLER
ARMY INTELLIGENCE, 14™ WING
Jean Bressler didn't fly to Ploesti, but the memory of it still
haunts him. He helped with the debriefing of those that returned.
It was the most painful and unforgettable assignment of his war
career.
"I was the only enlisted m a n from Intelligence that got sent
to Benghazi," he recalled. "Ordinarily I never went to the debriefings, but this w a s so emotion-packed, Major Hart called
and said, 'Grab your forms and get down here,' so with typewriter
in m y arms, I went. Those reports were absolutely awesome. I
can only imagine that those crews had to be haunted by that
memory for years.
"The Intelligence Building at Benina Main w a s metal. All
other building were tents, white for officers, brown for N C O S .
W e were hot in the daytime, cold at night. They warned us to
shake our shoes in the morning before w e put them on, as
centipedes climbed in to get warm. Those nasty creatures had
two pinchers that could inject poison into your skin. Then there
were the scorpions with the tail that could flip up and stab you
with poison. The kangaroo rats weren't so bad; except that at
night, you could step into one of their holes and twist your ankle.
"The Arab natives would hold up delicious-looking grapes
and try to sell them to you. If you ate them, you were certain to
get dysentery. There was a locust plague while w e were there.
The damn things would hide in the drums, and when you lifted
the lid, out they would fly.
"We had an interesting contraption for a shower. The frame
of an Italian plane was erected vertically, and a gas tank w a s
placed over top. A garden hose with a stop valve gave you a
good flow of water. A Tarpaulin around it provided privacy; but
also, protection from the cold air, if you were showering at night.
At noon the water was over 100 degrees, at
night it cooled off. If you got there at the right
time, you could have a nice warm shower.
"One night Col. Leon Johnson came into
the building where I w a s working and sat
down. I asked him, 'Colonel, are w e ever
going to get out of this place?' H e answered,
T h e 9th Air Corps wants to keep us.'
"After that Captain Howard Moore went
26
to the States to talk about our future. General Arnold decided
to send us back to England. Then Captain Hero, our
Weatherman saw the monsoon season coming. He told us to
leave now or w e wouldn't get out at all.
"Those B-24's were dusty and full of sand, barely able to
squeak over the Marrakech Mountains of French Morocco. If
w e had waited one more day, the ground would have been so
wet, the planes could not have taken off. W h e n w e got to
England, w e kissed the ground w e landed on.
Bresser believes the fortunes of war were kind to him. H e
enlisted before Pearl Harbor in 1941 so he could choose the Air
Corps, rather than be 'stuck' in the Infantry. He was stationed at
Keesler Field in Biloxi, Mississippi, studying the mechanics of
the B-24. W h e n word came for him to be transferred, he was
out of reach. His friends in the barracks packed his bags, and
on his return he started out through a blackout to the loading
area. The bags were so heavy, he could hardly drag them along.
All of a sudden a very large man, a total stranger, grabbed
his bags, rushed him to the loading area and threw the bags on
the truck. Bressler climbed aboard, and off they went to South
Bend, Indiana where he w a s trained to repair Bendix Turrets.
Bresser smiled, remembering his unbelievable fortune: those
w h o missed the truck were sent to repair planes in Alaska.
Except for serious study and long hours, life in South Bend
was luxurious. Being the first Gl's to arrive for training, the town
opened its doors and its heart. Everything was free—movies,
food, even beer.
Despite his turret training, Bresser ended up in Intelligence,
which he considered an ideal position. H e w a s given a Tech
Sergeant rating; and in the three years he w a s there, he
developed close friendships with m a n y of his English
counterparts. Having musical skills, he became the organist for
a local church.
The airmen left soon after V E day, but Bresser's group was
the last to leave England. Leaving his friends and co-workers
was truly an emotional experience. These friendships have
continued for the past 56 years, with visits to and from both
sides of the ocean.
�MEMORIES OF SHIPDHAM
From Bob Lehnhausen comes a picture and vivid memory of "Shipdham-in-the Mud." According
to Lehnhausen, m e n and machines shared the misery of soft soil, lots of rain and the d e m a n d s of
military activity.
Pictured here are shoes, boots, galoshes outside barracks, evidence
of the hellish aspects of early life o n a newly occupied air base in
England. M u d w a s
everywhere.
\*
"It w a s bad e n o u g h for the
individual to navigate the
ooze of the m u d , but to get
one of our big birds off the
hard surface of a runway,
taxi strip or a hardstand
w a s truly trouble," h e
remembered.
W-
(Editor'sNote: Despite the obstacles, the B-24s got
airborne from airstrips that would be unthinkable in
2001.)
Alex Toth's Memory of a Lucky Day
Every airman can remember anxious moments, and
declaring the need for an emergency landing because of
S/Sgt. Alex Toth's (66th Sq.) story will bring 44thers
low fuel. A W A A F told him to stand by, but Hoffiz replied,
memories of similar events.
"We're coming in. Clear the runway."
"I was the Right Waist Gunner on Ted Hoffiz's plane.
When the plane touched the ground, w e all gave a
I can't even remember the mission. It must have been a
rousing cheer. A jeep led us to a resting place, and an
long flight into Germany, as w e were getting low on fuel. I American Captain gave us a shot of American whiskey.
heard Hoffiz ask the Engineer for a fuel reading. It was
Earth never felt so good. The tank reading when w e
low. As Assistant Engineer, they asked me to verify his
landed indicated w e had only five minutes of fuel."
reading. It was low. We were over France.
Low fuel has been the source
"Next the pilot asked the Navigator to find the nearest of many anxious moments;
airfield, and we set out for San Quenton in France. When sometimes causing ditching;
we broke through the clouds to 2,000 feet and buzzed the
other times bringing a crew to
airport, we found it was full of bomb craters. It was so
the brink of death then sparing
bombed out, we couldn't possibly land.
them. Toth's crew was among
"The next closest was across the Channel at Manston.
the lucky ones.
Out the hatches we tossed all flak suits, ammo, guns,
When he goes to a bomb
everything that was expendable; and then sat there
group reunion and shares stories
silently, each with his own thoughts and prayers.
with others who did not fare so
well, he knows how lucky he was.
"Hoffiz gave the day's code word to the air tower,
27
�Dick Butler: A message
from
England
to the 2nd Air Division.
THE FREEDOM OF THE CITY OF NORWICH
I thought you would like to know that I have just returned home from the City Hall in Norwich,
after having been invited by the Leader of The Council to attend the meeting at which the
Freedom of the City was awarded to the 2nd Air Division U S A A F Association. It was a very
moving occasion that I will always remember.
The Lord Mayor was very gracious in his greeting, as were the many other Councillors with
w h o m I had worked during m y two years as Chairman of the neighbouring Authority in
Broadland.
Your Award was the first item on the Agenda; and Nick Williams, the Leader of the Council
made a deeply moving proposal. This was seconded by Councillor Ian Couzens, the Leader of
the Liberal Democrats, w h o again made a very impressive speech. H e was then followed by
Councillor Martin Verran w h o spoke at length about your bravery and sacrifice and the great
friendship that had been formed in the Forties and continued to the present day. The great debt
that the City and County o w e to the 2nd Air Division U S A A F was stressed, as was the
appreciation for your wonderful gift of the unique 2nd Air Division Memorial Library and the
huge support given to the Library by the 2nd Air Division Association over many years. Also
the joy of the Council that you will be returning to Norwich in November.
The proposal was then formally moved by The Lord Mayor and carried unanimously with
acclamation. After the meeting ended, all the Councillors I spoke to expressed their delight at
the award and h o w they look forward to meeting you later this year and their intention to make
it a memorable visit. Brenda Ferris (The Lord Mayor at the V E D a y Parade in 1995) in particular
asked m e to send you her best wishes and congratulations.
So the dream that we began in 1995, when we first discussed the possibility of obtaining the
Freedom of the City for you at a V E Parade Committee Meeting at the City Hall, has n o w
become a reality this evening and you will receive the Scroll in November at the Civic Reception
on the Tuesday evening.
Well Done, you all deserve this rare award. Indeed you are the only members of the 8th Air
Force to receive such a high honor. W e are all so proud of you.
Best wishes for the New Year.
David J Hastings, Vice Chairman
28
�T H E PINCIER C R A S H :
LT. HAROW PIIMCIER 67TIT SQ.,
WENT
piloiEd TIHE B'24 TIIAI
dowN iiN Wibmi\, BElqiuM, JANUARY 2 9 , 1 9 4 4 .
JAck PAYTON (Riqhi) fouNd ihis picTURE iN his COIIECTJON.
CAN ANyOINE idENTify ThE TWO qENTlEMEN
O N IEFT ANd MiddlE?
PiNdER qAVE This STATEMENT T O Will LuNdy foR TIHE Roll
of ItONOR: "WE W E R E M E T O N TIHE COAST O N ANd iN by
boTh M E 109s ANd F W 1 90s. Ai Aboui 1 1 0 2 houRs,
WE dROppEd OUT of CONTROI AhER AboUT TE1REE SEpARATE
ENEMy PASSES. W E TOok 2 0 M M HOTS UNdER TIHE fliqln
dEck TIHAT CUT TIHE C O N T R O I CAblES....
"ThE AJRCRAb doVE OUT of CONTROL I REMEMbER TIHE
wiNq AHRE, ANd AT IEAST TIHE # 4 ENqiNE kNOckEd OUT.
TIHE followiNq is A lisTiNq of TIHE C R E W ANd whAT
hAppENEd TO EAch of ThEM:
M^ - TM
AlviN Siubbs, BoMbARdiER, RobERT LAUCAMP, BAII
TURRET G U N N E R ; JAck RobisoN, R W G U N N E R ANd
WilliAM
P A X T O N , TAJI G U N N E R W E R E AII
KIA.
HAROUJ
PiNdER,PiloT, L A W R E N C E G R O N O , Co'piloT, DoNAld
B O O M E R , NAviqATOR, T/Sqr. E A R I H A I I , ENqiNEER;
ANd M i L s G R E E N , L W G U N N E R bECAME P O W s . A b s
SOFFERMAN,
RAdio O P E R A T O R , MANAqEd T O EVAdE, buT
WAS IATER SIHOT
by TIHE SECRET PolicE.
FOREST E. CLARI< WROTE This MEMORJAI TO SoffERMAN:
" H E W A S My bEST hu'ENd iN ThE 44Th B G . H E ANd I
WERE ON ThE SAME CREW All TflROUqh TRAJNJNq ANd iNTO
ThE MJSSiONS. I kNEW hiM AS AN ENERqEUC, sTudious
CERTfflCATE OF APPRECIATION
Tin Govuniiml of Franco is awardtao a
Gorlincalo of Annotation TO al U .
mttary personnel win served hi Franco
durtao the Normandy bnotao on Juno E, U 4 4
and tho fotowtao conflkt untJ tin Aeration
of Franco.
youNq M A N , full of ThE IOVE of lifE, of his fAMily, ANd
dEVOTEd TO ThE CAUSE of his NATJON." UpON his RETURN
TO
ThE STATES, ClARk visiTEd SoffERMAN's fAMily, shARiNq
ThE SORROW Of ThEJR MUTUAl loss.
OuoTiNq ThE BElqiAN PARUSAN RESJSTANCE fiqhTERs,
ClARk SAid of SoffERMAN, " H E hAd ThE A P P E A R A N C E of
AN iNTElliqENT MAN, A STudENT." Books hAVE bEEN
doNATEd TO ThE 2 A D M E M O R J A I LibRARy iN hoNOR of
SoffERMAN ANd OThERS W his CREW w h o WERE loST.
ThE TOWN of WibRJN hAS RECENTly dEcidsd TO plACE A
MEMORiAl plAQUE AT ThE CRAsh SiTE, AN AREA whERE ThE
44rh will bE vishiNq iN ThE upcoMJNq TOUR iiN
To Oman tho cortntooto, one must prove
that ha was ki Franco durtao W W ! and
supply a record of service and honorable
separation. Certificates w l not bo Issued
posttannusly. Send you 1 roquost atanp
wtth a copy of your otacharoa and service
record showtao your service hi Normandy
and tho ETO, to tho nearest French
Consutata Office hi tho ILS.
SEPTEMDER, 2001.
>
�WILLSEZ
so many of these great people will not have an adequate
story in the Folded Wings column this issue. Hopefully, I
will be able to research more of them and have it ready
for the next issue. I a m not yet up to speed these days.
February, 2001
Also, I think you readers should know about the great
efforts of one of our Associate Members, Pete Frizzell.
Pete is one of the top researchers of the famous low level
attack on Ploesti Oil Fields on 01 August 1943. He has
helped us verify much data about the 44th BG's
participation, both in text and photo; and has attended
s o m e of our reunions.
Have any of you "visited" Arlo Bartsch's Web Site at
http://www.8thairforce.com to view just how much 44th
BG's history data can be found there? If you haven't tried
it yet, set aside a little time to give it a try to learn more
about it and see the possibilities there for a great deal of
our history. However, do keep in mind that there are only
samplings available at this time. In fact, that is all that is
intended at this time. It is designed to offer only a taste of
the great volume of data that actually could be placed
there, not to show it all.
Pete found some 44th BG photos up for auction on the
Internet from eBay and bid successfully on a few of them
He alerted Steve Adams, w h o also was a successful
bidder on several. But when he learned from the seller
that there were large quantities, more scheduled for
bidding, he offered to purchase the lot. However, when
the seller found that he was getting very high bids on
some specific photos, he refused to honor a flat bid upon
which he had agreed. W h e n Pete learned that the photos
were from the Harvell/Robertie collection, he contacted
m e to advise us of this great collection, wanted to help us
save the great photos of our people and history.
The reason for this type of sampling is to show the viewer
what type of data is available and to what depth it can
provide. Arlo has spent well over $100,000 of his firm's
money developing the program to make this type of
information available. W e , the 44th BGVA, have also spent
an additional large sum for data entry of our history so
far. For that reason, w e cannot put all of our history out
on the Internet as free. Like most W e b Sites, they were
set up to sell a product or service, not to give it away.
Our Prez, Ed Mikoloski, made arrangements to meet Pete
at a nearby airport (Pete lives in Florida) and Ed drove
them up to Maine. They contacted this dealer w h o
permitted Pete to use his camera and film to make copies
of those photos sold but not yet mailed, and successfully
made a deal to purchase all remaining photos. Many of
these photos are originals that Capt. Harvell used in his
first book, "44th BG Liberators Over Europe" so the
collection is priceless so far as our photo history is
concerned.
Having said that, Arlo has advised me that he intends to
make all of our bio data available to the public, but only
the first page. So anyone w h o wishes to view his bio or to
see how many others have produced theirs, you can find
them now at his W e b Site. While you are on the Internet,
you might also like to see what our Treasurer, Jerry
Folsom, is developing on our own 44th BG Site at http://
www.44thbombgroup.com. It is only in the developmental
stage but should be quite interesting to everyone.
When the copying and printing is completed by Pete,
You may have noticed in the last issue of 8 Ball Tails that I these photos will be added to the present collection of
photos that I've gathered over the years. W e will have a
not only did not write this column, but I also failed to
much more complete collection for our history and
produce the Folded Wings section. The cause for these
hopefully more crew photos to add to our data base. Had
omissions is that Irene and I have moved out of Southern
it not been for Pete and his strong desire to help, these
California to the Northern portion of the state, east of
photos would n o w be scattered all over the world. He
Sacramento. This was our first move in 40 years, so it
most willingly spent his o w n money and many days of his
has been a labor intensive experience from which w e are
still suffering. There simply was no time to do the work
time in this great effort. I can't say enough good things
and m y equipment and records were not available.
about him. W e are greatly in debt to you, Pete. Our
sincere thanks is not enough.
As a consequence, the Folded Wings list has grown
considerably, thanks to the efforts of our Treasurer Jerry
o
and his aide, Lana Kopecky. They produced and mailed a
large number of letters to the addresses of our members
w h o had not renewed their membership for some time.
As feared, many of these former members are deceased,
30
�February, 2001
Prepared by:
AMBLER, JAMES C. - 6 April 1989 - 39107032 T/Sgt.
Engineer & Top Turret Gunner. 66th Squadron. James
was a member of the H. E. Etheridge crew that flew
their first mission on 30 January 1944. He was with
this same crew and on his seventh mission when they
were attacked and shot down on 24 February 1944,
target Gotha, Germany. James was one of nine
crewmen who successfully parachuted to become a
POW.
AMICK, KENNETH C. - T/Sgt. Engineer Died 1950 or
1951. Stayed in Air Force. W a s killed in crash in bad
weather. Kenneth was the Engineer/Top Turret Gunner
on the C.R. Roberts crew. They were assigned to the
68th Squadron on 19 February 1945, flew their first
mission on 10 March 1945. Their 12th and last
mission was dated 18 April 1945. Kenneth and this
crew returned to the U S in late May, flying home on A/
C #4449425
BARLOW, ARCHIE R. - 23 April 2000 -14151313 68th
Squadron T/Sgt. Engineer and top turret gunner for the
H. R. Howington crew. Archie joined the 68th
Squadron on 5 October 1943, flew his first combat
mission on 5 November 1943. While on his ninth
mission, 21 January 1944 he and his crew were shot
down over France. Four of this crew were KIA, two
became P O W s , and Archie was one of the five
crewmen to successfully evade capture. He was with
the French Underground until 23 April 1944, began his
attempt to gain freedom through the Pyrnees. He was
interned in Spain until 31 May 1944, made his way to
London, England arriving there on 1 June 1944, back
to Shipdham on the 4th and later returned to the US.
BECTON, W E N D E L L R. SR. 1 March 2000 - Cannot
locate any data for him.
BENEDICT, ROBERT L. - 29 August 1997 - 67th Sq.
Gunner on the E. C. Yatkones crew that arrived in the
67th Squadron on 8 June 1944. This crew flew their
first mission on 12 June. Robert flew various
positions as Gunner for most of his mission until 16
August 1944. He flew but three more with them,
ending with the one dated 5 November. His last of 19
mission was completed on 18 March 1945 with the R.
E. Markle crew.
BALLA, WALLACE J. - May, 2000 - 0-819292 1st Lt.
Wallace joined the 68th Squadron on 6 July 44, flew
his first mission with the Clair Hill crew. Following
that, he flew with many 68th Sq. crews,
including Sterling Dobbs, Kay, Dimpfl, etc.
, He completed his tour of 30 mission on 24
(| ^ P k X December 1944 as co-pilot for the Jack
Liebrick crew.
BETZ, HENRY C. - Henry was a member of the 464th
Sub Depot but we have no specifics about his
contributions except he was a Sergeant.
BLACK, H A R R Y - December, 1991 No data can be
located for this man.
31
�BOILEAU, JOHN 'JACK' - May, 1993 - 68th Squadron
32951768 Sgt. Radio Operator on the C. Roberts crew.
This crew joined the 68th Squadron on February 19,
1945, flew their first mission on 10 March. They
completed their 12th mission on 18 April, and flew
home on 21 May 1945 in A/C #44-49425.
BOWE, DONOVAN K. - Approx . 1993 - Listed on our
current roster as 68th Squadron but cannot locate
anything about him in the 68th Squadron records.
BURRESS, WILLIE JOE -10 November 2000 - 67th
Squadron M/Sgt|Crew Chief. "Tex" was the first
assistant crew chief on the George Baccash ground
crew back at Barksdale Field in early 1942. He was a
member of the ground echelon that went to England on
the H M S Queen Mary in Sept. 1942. Later he was
promoted to Crew Chief, and held that position to the
end of the war. His last assigned aircraft was #4448821 A-Bar, unnamed. Tex refused to allow it to be
named, citing it as bad luck.
CAMPBELL, ROBERT P. -1992 - M/Sgt. No records
can be located.
COSBY, EARL BELL - February, 1997 - He served
in the service for four years and nine months.
Cannot locate records.
COX, H O W A R D D. -10 April 2000 - 67th Squadron.
Howard was one of the ground echelon who went to
England in 1942 on the H M S Queen Mary. Cannot
identify his classification while in the 67th Sq.
CRANE, JAMES J. - February, 1992 - 66th Squadron.
12074922. James flew a total of 8 missions, first dated
21 February, 1944 with R.J. Comey crew. He was a
gunner, S/Sgt. His last one was 27 March 1944 with the
R.E. Harleman crew, was shot down, injured in the
ditching and became a POW.
CROSS, WILLIAM S. - 5 April 1988 - 68th Squadron S/Sgt. Left Waist gunner on Robert Clayton crew.
Completed 12 missions beginning on 10 March 1945
and ending on 18 April 1945. Crew not scheduled again
before the last group mission of 25 April 1945.
DALTON, ROBERT J. - 24 May 2000 - 67th Squadron.
111115102. Robert was the Radio Operator who flew
six combat missions, two with R. C. Griffith, two with
Dines, and his last one with Lt. Scarborough on 12
March 1944. There are no further missions or data
covering this Sgt.
CHAFFEE, T H O M A S L. - September, 1999 - 0-70417
1st Lt. Navigator|Thomas first served with the 492nd
BG in 1944, w a s ! member of the George B. Haag, Jr.
crew. They had completed 19 missions with them prior
DOMINO, JOSEPH S -17 September 1999 - No data
to being transferred to the 44th BG in early August,
1944. They flew ftieir first mission with the 44th on 14 can be found at this time.
August, quickly completing their 6th and last of their
tour on 25 Augustfl945. They were rotated back to the U.S. DEHANN, BEN F. - 8 December 1996.
CHAPMAN, WILLIAM A - 28 July 1997 - Apparently
not combat. Cannot locate this man on any squadron
roster.
DOEPKER, CHARLES L. - 22 October 2000 - 66th
Squadron S/Sgt. Gunner on the W. E. Ogden crew. This
crew was originally assigned to the 492nd BG, flew
approximately 24 missions with that group. This crew
CHRISTOPHER, ANTHONY J - 20 December 1997 was transferred to the 44th Group in July, 1944,
31037024 67th Squadron Engineer and Top Turret
assigned to the 66th Squadron. They flew their first and
gunner for the H. Hess crew. They flew their first
only one with the 44th BG on 31 July 1944, which
mission on 16 March 1944 and then four more quickly
apparently completed their tour of operations. Charles
until the 27th March when they were interned in Spain.
was a Canadian, born in Ottawa on January 22,1922,
Several months later they returned to England and
was 78 years old.
finally transferred to the 15th AF in Italy to complete
DUNKERLEY, GAYLE - No data found.
their tour.
A
COOMES, T H O M A S L. -15 November 1999 DUNLAP, ROBERT L. - No date found 68th Squadron.
506 and 66th. Apparently not combat and cannot
locate any data.
EDGEWORTH, WALTER - 28 September 1999.
�EDMUNDS, EARL A. -19 March 1999 HQ. & 506th
Squadron.
Laudig, Clements, and Money. He completed
A
his tour of duty on 23 March 1944, changing
c
seats with Lt. Money to fly as 1st pilot on that
last mission.
ESPER, WILLIAM D. SR. - 8 October 2000 68th
Squadron.
HESS, HOWARD -12 January 1988 - 66th Squadron.
EYDENBERG, MONTE - 22 January 1999.
HICKERSON, GLEN C. -1 June 2000 - 506th
Squadron.
FAVIM, ROBERT A. - No date given.
FEINSTEIN ( FENTON), MELTONS.-1991.
HIGGINS, WADE W. - 506th Squadron with James
Clements.
FLESBER, ISSAC A. - August 1998 68th Squadron.
HUFF, HERBERT A.-4 June 1997.
FLOWERS, EDGAR I. JR. -1988 S/Sgt. Right Waist
Gunner.
INDORF, FRANK - 9 May 2000.
FOREHAND, CHARLES C. -14 February 2000.
INDRI, VALERO -1 April 2000
F
IRISH, ARVINL. -17 April 2000.
FRANK, ERNEST F. - No date given.
GENTILE, LED T. -10 July 1990.
GOODMAN,«,AUGUST
nuuuoiT.i - 7 January 1987.
JEDLOWSKI, HAROLD J. -19 January 1998. 67th
Squadron.
JEWELL, KENNETH - No date given. 66th Squadron
Pilot.
JOHN2000
D. Jr.
GORHAK,
27
November
- 66th
Squadron.
JONES, JOHN T. - 9 February 1978 - Age of 57 cancer.
GOSSETT, ERNEST E. -16 November 2000 - 0-442695 506th Squadron Ordnance.
Pilot. Captairi Ernest Gossett and his crew flew most of
their mission! while assigned to the 492nd BG. When
JONES, PAULA.-25 August 1998.
that group wis taken off combat status, this crew was
KARAPIN, EDWARD F. - No date given
transferred to the 506 Squadron on 13 August 1944.
They flew thlr 1st mission with the 44th BG the very
next day. T h w flew eight more missions as lead crew, MCCULLOUGH, HAL -14 February 1999.
and completed their tour on 6 December, 1944.
MCDONALD, ROBERT M. -1985.
GRUEBER, ARNOLD H. - October, 1998.
MCKENNA, THOMAS J. -17 November 2000 - Pilot
HALL, FRED 1. - 26 May 2000 - 68th Squadron.
506th and 66th Squadrons.
HANDY, PAUL-27 February 1989.
MARNELL, VERL-12 April 1998.
HANNUKSELA, WAINO W. - 9 January 2001 - 506th
Squadron Pilot Waino was the co-pilot for the Charles
Conner crew that arrived in the 506th Squadron on 30
August 1943. He flew his first mission with the
McAfee crew on 7 September and many others
later. He also was co-pilot to other crews including
MICKEY, COL. WILLIAM B. - 23 August 1998 - 66th
Squadron and HQ.
MISER, VERNON - November, 1996 - 404th and 464th
Sub-Depot.
MORAN, JOHN V. -1 April 2000.
33
j
�MORTON, SAM M. - 8 June 1990.
STRANGE, WILLIAM S. - Mid-June, 2000.
MULDOON, LEWIS J. - No date given.
STRUG, EMIL-1997.
NATHANSON, DAVID - 31 October 2000. Captain 67th
Squadron and HQ. Ordnance.
TAYLOR, LT. COL. JOHN B. - 27 August 2000 - Age
79. Co-pilot for John Mueller.
NICHOLS, DERISE L. - 21 March 2000.
TERABERRY, PHILLIP F. - 21 October 1999.
NEWBOLD, ELDRED-1995.
TRUSLOW, WILLIAM B. -17 June 1999.
PARSHALL, RAYMOND H. - 26 Jan. or June 2000 of
pneumonia.
PETRIK, GEORGE A. - 25 March 2000.
PRICKETT, JOE W. - No date given.
TUTTLE, ROBERT M. - 31 July 1991.
WALSH, JAMES H. - 7 November 2000 - Evadee in
Spain 506th Squadron.
\
REECE, CHARLES E. - No date given. 506th Squadron
ground crew. \
WAWERNA, JOSEPH - 25 December 1999 - Age 84.
WEIHS, GORDON - January, 1999.
ROSCHIE, WILLIAM E. - No date given. 67th and
506th Squadrons ground crew. Musician.
RUMRILL, DEWLIN - No date. 464th Sub-Depot.
RUSSELL, GEORGE E. -14 April 1996 - 66th
Squadron Combat Engineer.
WHEATLEY, J. C. -12 August 2000.
WILLIAMS, RICHARD -11 March 2000.
v
WILKERSON, LESLIE A. - 29 June 2000 - Bio.
SAPORITO, SAM S. - 4 September 2000 - 66th
Squadron.
44th Items for Sale
'\
SCHIMKE, ROBERT S. - 27 December 1996.
Item
Shirts
Caps
Pins
Send to:
SIMMONS, HYLAN V. - 25 September 1999 - T/Sgt.
66th SquadronCrew Chief on Lemon Drop.
SLED, NOAH -|\lo date given.
STERNBACK, tAWTON L -11 November 1997.
STEWART, JOSEPH - December, 1993 - 0-2063204
Bombardier.
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| From the Editor: Kevin Watson's book
| "Ruth-less" can be purchased through
I Amazon.co.uk. Signed copies are
I available through Kevin's website:
I KPWats7@aol.com (put in the key
I words hometown.aol.com/kpwats7).
34
�«33 MAIL & E-MAIL ^5
A new and eager member, William Ennis, son of
Donald E. Ennis, Tail Gunner in the 68th Sq, has
joined and is planning to bring his father to the
Barksdale Reunion. Ennis's last seven missions
were on the Louisiana Belle, so it will be an especially meaningful event. (Editor's Note: If there are
any of his crew reading this—come and have a Crew
Reunion).
M u s e u m . Although Pueblo is the h o m e of m a n y B24 pilots, they do not have a B-24. W e can be all
the more grateful for the efforts being made to
preserve the Louisiana Belle.
From Jerry Folsom, Treasurer of 44th BGVA:
M a n y thanks for the cards and kind messages.
(Jerry is so overwhelmed with the 44th 's business—
getting out statements, checking on lost members
and answering requests for information, he can only
give a blanket 'Thank You' to all who have sent him
greetings.)
From Col. and Mrs. Clem Haulman we received
news that their son David R. Haulman, Director of
Public Works at the U.S. A r m y Engineers Research
and Development Center, has been selected for
promotion to full Colonel is assigned to the U.S. Air
Force Reserves.
CAIN ANVONE
idENTify This SERqEANT SEU/iNq STRipES?
Haulman is the commander of the 917th Civil
Engineer Squadron at Barksdale Air Force Base, La.
He has more than six years of active duty with the
Air Force, during which he piloted supersonic
trainers and KC-135 jet tankers, performing air-toair refueling missions in Europe, Southeast Asia and
over the North Pole. H e has also served 15 years in
the Reserves as an engineer officer.
He received his bachelor's degree in civil
engineering from the University of Southwestern
Louisiana, a master's in systems management from
the University of Southern California and a master's
in civil engineering from Mississippi State
University. H e is a registered professional engineer
in Mississippi and Louisiana.
<£3
David's identical twin, Daniel, has a Ph.D. in
History from Auburn University, and is a Research
Historian at the U S A F Historical Research Center at
Maxwell A F B , Montgomery, Alabama. Both sons
are Members of the 44th B G V A .
From T o m m y Shepherd: Can't w e do something to
urge everyone to do their Database? The W a r was
such an amazing experience, and everybody has a
story that should be told. I have memories of going
with the flight surgeon on short arm inspections. I
saw and smelled the men's experiences. I remember some of these m e n riding their bicycles from
site to site, 115 to Shipdham, to East Dereham, from
pub to pub, to fish and chips, falling off their bikes
drunk as a skunk, writing letters for the Ole M a n to
send to the next of kin and helping pack up their
personal effects. It should all be on record.
<33
From the Pueblo Historic Aircraft Society, their
publication, B-24 Airscoop: The city & county of
Pueblo, and a number of foundations have c o m e up
with the funds, and a ground-breaking ceremony has
been held for a new hangar to shelter the Aircraft
35
®
�^3
^3
F r o m E l w y n A . M e y e r 68th Squadron to Will Lundy
This is meant to be a tribute to all World War II
B o m b e r Crews, A r m y Air Corps, Marines, Navy and
especially to pilots of the Big Birds of the Army Corps
From Francis J. Peck, 67th Sq.: one of the most
memorable missions of the 34 that 1 pulled was a low
level supply drop to our paratroopers in Holland,
September, 1944. Our drop was just beyond a city of
which I cannot recall the name. Our load was
ammunition. There were several wooden boxes
strapped on the catwalk. M y job as Radio Operator/
Gunner was to cut the straps and kick the boxes off
the catwalk. While flying over the city, I heard the
nose gunner yell, "Pull 'er up, Pull 'er up, you're
going to hit the church steeple. Holding on for dear
life, I swear I could have reached d o w n and touched
that church steeple.
Almost all bomber combat crews trained as a team
before entering the combat theatre. Each member
learned their duty stations through special training
prior to their assignment to crew training. They also
knew their duty lay in putting their combat loads on
the target regardless of the enemy defenses.
Much "to do" is made of the macho image of the
fighter pilots "one on one" battles. However they
always had the choice to engage or disengage at will.
They never really had to fly into the flak shrouded
targets. I don't m e a n to say the bomber crews didn't
welcome their "little friends" presence. They saved
m a n y bombers and contributed m u c h to the success of
the European Air War.
As I cut the straps holding the boxes of ammo and
kicked them out, I saw ever so m u c h ground fire from
the Germans hiding in the brush. A s w e pulled up
and banked to get out of there, w e were being
peppered by ground fire rifles. W h e n I got to m y
radio seat, I noticed a hole in it, and the bullet had
exited just behind the pilot. The next day w e learned
that the Germans recovered most of the supplies our
group had dropped.
Bomber crews had no choice, regardless of the enemy
defenses, they had to bore in, enduring enemy flak
and fighter attacks. I k n o w of no bomber forces that
(Editor's Note: But the bullet missed both Francis and
were ever turned back from a specified target due to
his pilot, so it was a pretty good day.)
enemy defenses.
<S3
As a navigator, I was able to observe and note the
actions of our combat crews and see our losses and
successes.
Joseph E. Milliner wrote an interesting book, The
Angel and the Eagle, in which he describes his
experiences as Joe, protected by his Guardian Angel,
J O S E P H . His accounts are colorful and dynamicparticularly about the Ploesti mission. (Sections of
this chapter will be reported in another issue.)
I would like to talk about a special person who was
the pilot and commander of our crew. His name was
Rueban C. Ricketts from Danville, Virginia.
Rueban, or "Rick" as we called him, had been an
A r m y Air Corps A & E mechanic before going to pilot
Having survived the war, Milliner is living through training. H e graduated, transitioned into B-17's and
the tragedy of knowing his co-pilot son, William,
was assigned as a co-pilot in a B-17 group. Just prior
flying in a Cobra Helicopter into Laos, crashed. H e
to his group leaving for overseas, he was pulled out
believes the boy survived, but has never been
and sent to B-24 transition school. U p o n completion
repatriated. The injustice of that atrocious happening
of his training, he was m a d e a first pilot and given a
has turned the life of him and his wife Mary, into an
crew without a navigator and sent to a replacement
ongoing effort to influence the U.S. Government to
training center.
intervene. All members of the 44th B G V A can offer
prayers in William's behalf.
I was assigned to Rueban's crew as the navigator just
after m y graduation from navigation training. They
were starting the second phase of their training.
36
�>
Rueban and I had our differences at times as to w h o
should be the navigator-pilots always liked to be in
command. W e worked out our differences after going
over long water flights and coming h o m e alone in the
clouds where no "railroad tracks" were around. You
had to learn to trust your crew members. H e did.
The group turned off the target area and then flew out
over the Cuxhaven G e r m a n naval base. That's where
they nailed us. I believe they were sighting individual
aircraft as there was no heavy barragefireflak. Navy
gunners were good. W e lost two engines; the vertical
fin was shot off above the horizontal stabilizer and
the elevator, and elevator trim tabs were damaged. A
I had faith and trust in Rick's ability as a pilot. One
huge hole was blasted out of the left side between the
reason was his attention to and use of the aircraft
window and tail. The damage was reported by the top
check off sheet. Because of his previous mechanic's
turret and waist gunners.
background, he k n e w his aircraft and it's problems.
The crew chiefs liked Rick to fly their "birds" because Rick hit the bail out bell because he only had two
he could usually tell them where to look for a problem
engines and possible control damage. H e thought at
and its possible solution. This saved them m u c h time
the time it was best. A s navigator I called him on the
in getting the ship ready for the next mission. If w e
intercom and asked for the exact condition of the ship
had mechanical trouble in flight, he and the crew
and said, "If this bird is stillflying,I would rather
engineer could confer and try to solve the problem.
chance ditching than spend time in a P.W. camp."
Almost instantly six other voices came on saying
He was Mr. Safety First on the B-24. I always felt he "ditto" or words to that effect.
was a disappointed B-17 pilot and never trusted the
B-24. H e believed that the B-24 was unforgiving of
Rick said, "okay, let's try it." We had already lost t
any mistakes.
formation, they couldn't wait for us. H e took the
course I gave him out over the North Sea, jockeyed
He never made a takeoff or landing that he didn't
the B-24 on to the course, and put it in a shallow
sweat through his flight clothes. H e would always
descent slow enough to maintainflightspeed. H e sent
carry an extra jacket to change into against the
theflightengineer to assess any control cable
altitude cold. H e said flying the B-24 was real work,
damage, he reported none. Ted Sassano, the radio
especially on takeoffs and landings. H e was an
operator, gave position reports to the British Air-Sea
excellent formation flyer regardless of which side of
rescue people every 10 minutes until w e crossed the
the flight element w e were on. H e flew good tight
coast. The co-pilot, W m . Sims, was busy helping
smooth formations.
Rick maintainflightcontrol of the aircraft. Porter
Branfort, theflightengineer and Rick were in
Our worst flight catastrophe occurred on the 6th of constant contact addressing problems as they arose.
August, 1944 on the H a m b u r g mission. Our target
The gunners remained at their stations throughout.
was an oil refinery. A s w e approached the target, the
Everyone was busy, busy. W e started at about 22,000
flak cloud over the target just got blacker; probably
ft. altitude and crossed the English coast at Great
the box barrage type. Y o u could see the cloud from
Yarmouth at less than 1,000 ft. Rick called the field
50 miles away. W e had been briefed that over 300
and was cleared straight in. Luckily the wind
heavy guns could be on you at all times. The cloud
direction was right and our course was in line with the
cover was from about 18,000 feet to over 30,000 feet
main runway. Rick had been continuously trying to
in altitude. I looked through the astro d o m e at Rick
restart one of the engines. Just before crossing the
and could see the sweat running from his forehead
coast, it restarted. W e were over an hour late in
onto his oxygen mask. A s w e flew deeper into the
returning. H e greased it in with "nary a bump," used
cloud, you could smell the exploding gases from the
all the runway, turned on to the taxi strip and all
flak; the shrapnel sounded like hail as it fell causing
engines quit.
minor damage. W e bombed the target with good
results. You could see the burning gas generator plant
The airplane crew chief came out, climbed on top of
and other facilities. W e lost one ship there (J.P. McKenna's). the wing, opened the fuel ports, put his fuel dip stick
in and pulled it out dry. All tanks were empty. Later
37
®
�the South Pacific to work on our tans, or were w e
going to the Aleutians and freeze our butts, or were
w e going to England to assist the Piccadilly
Commandos.
w e learned there were over 300 holes in the tanks and
flaps. The crew chief was ready to cry. It was his
second ship he had lost. This was this B-24's first
mission. Rick comforted him by saying, "don't cry,
it's a d a m n fine airplane, it got us home." I believe
that it was later junked. After looking at the damage, I
wondered if I was wrong to want toflyback. I do not
know h o w Rick flew that plane, but he did-he knew
his job. It must have been "hell" on him both
physically and mentally. H e did it on pure grit and
stubbornness, I guess. H e was a top m a n with courage
and strength to do what had to be done. I do think that
day he really developed a love for the B-24 (he
wouldn't admit it).
Remember, all this was highly confidential rumors.
But finally it dawned on someone that as confidential
as this information was, they ought to at least confide
in the navigator, which they did. Confiding in m e
probably was not the worst mistake our esteemed
authorities ever made. Anyway, they had to tell m e
where I was supposed to go and hopefully h o w to get
there. So they told m e the day before w e left Topeka.
They said, "Okay, take this nice, new and shiny B-24
and try not to screw it up. W h e n you leave Topeka,
You can listen to people talk about the courage of head sort of northeast until you find this here Air base
in N e w England." This sounded good to m e and they
"fighter jocks," but the bomber pilots and their crews
were also nice enough to give m e some maps
had the real raw courage it took to fly into hell and
(charts?). Just out of curiosity I decided to look at
out, and they did. The pilots were the glue that made
these charts. You never can tell when you might learn
the difference. They deserve some of the cheers and
something useful.
respect they never seemed to get. Without them, w e
m a y have lost the war.
Boy, did I learn something useful! I discovered that
would be flying along the shores of Lake Erie from
I salute each of them, they were true leaders. Especially
one 1st Lt. Reuban G. Ricketts from Danville, Virginia. Toledo to Buffalo and would be over the N e w York
M y kind of pilot!
Central Railroad in Cleveland, Ohio at noon. I had
worked for the Railroad for over three years before I
went into the Air Force. M y father had worked there
for over 40 years before he retired. A n d there were at
This confession from John E. "Jack" Butler,
least 2,000 other railroad employees there also. I felt
Navigator. Jack flew with the 67th until shortly after
that I could trust m y sainted mother not to alert the
D-Day, then finished his 30 missions with the 66th.
German Luftewaffte that I would beflyingover the
H e flew in many different planes, but his favorites
Collinwood Locomotive Yard in Cleveland, Ohio at
were the Glory Bee and Southern Comfort.
noon April 15, 1944.1 have felt terrible for almost 55
years that I was unable to resist making that phone
Low Level Raid on the Collinwood Locomotive Yards. call alerting m y Mother that if a shiny n e w B-24
This highly successful low level B-24 bombing raid in
circled the N e w York Central Railroad Yard at noon
April, 1944 was one of the best kept stories of W W 2 .
April 15, 1944, it would be m e . I suspect that m y
A s a result, none of us participants received any of the
mother must have told m y old man, which would
usual medals, but better yet, none of us was court
explain w h y at least 1,000 people were cheering us on
martialled either.
as w e roared by at a very low altitude.
<^3
During April, 1944 a few of us were still young,
d u m b and enthusiastic. I understand there were
several others besides m e w h o were planning on
winning the war single handed if necessary. At any
rate, a bunch of us eager beavers had finally arrived at
Topeka, Kansas for the purpose of picking up a bright,
shiny, brand new B-24. N o w our only problem was to
pick out which rumor w e liked best. Were w e going to
Now about the Low Level Bombing of the Collinwood
Locomotive Yards. There are two gigantic smoke
stacks ideally located for a practice b o m b run. W e had
made one run over the railroad shop at about 1,000
foot altitude. Since every one on the ground knew
what was going on, w e naturally had a terrific
reception. Every one in the Air Force was by n o w
familiar with the genuinely historic L o w Level Raid
38
�r
over Ploesti so w e didn't have too m u c h trouble
convincing the crew that w e probably would never
have a better opportunity for a realistic practice run.
So w e made the b o m b run with excellent results. So
after congratulating the bombardier on his great job, I
reminded him that there were two smokestacks and
w h y not make a great day out of it. So w e did. So far
w e were having a great day. N o w w e were cruising
smoothly d o w n the shores of Lake Erie, headed more
or less toward Buffalo. At this point Knowles, our
pilot calls m e on the intercom and asks m e , "Hey
Butler, don't w e go some where near Niagra Falls?" I
was embarrassed to have to inform him that I was
already a little off course, and that if I didn't make a
correction soon, w e would be right over Niagra Falls
in about 12 minutes. H e said, " H o w long will it take
you to figure the new course?" About 12 minutes I
said. W h e n w e circled Niagra Falls w e didn't drop
below 1,000 feet and only circled
twice.
(Editor's Note: Jack waited 54
years before he would release this
tale.)
<33
From B o b Vance - this reprint of
a editorial by Gordon Sinclair of
Toronto, Canada.
The Marshall Plan and the Truman Policy pumped
billions of dollars into discouraged countries. N o w
newspapers in those countries are writing about the
decadent, warmongering Americans. I'd like to see
just one of those countries that is gloating over the
erosion of the United States dollar build its o w n
airplane. Does any other country in the world have a
plane to equal the Boeing Jumbo Jet, the Lockheed
Tri-Star, or the Douglas D C 10? Is so, w h y don't they
fly them? W h y do all the International lines except
Russia fly American Planes?
Why does no other land on earth even consider
putting a m a n or w o m a n on the m o o n ? You talk about
Japanese technocracy, and you get radios. You talk
about German technocracy, and you get automobiles.
You talk about American technocracy, and you find
m e n on the m o o n - not once, but several times - and
safely h o m e again.
You talk about scandals, and the Americas put theirs
right in the store window for everybody to look at.
Even their draft-dodgers are not pursued and
hounded. They are here on our streets, and most of
them, unless they are breaking Canadian laws, are
getting American dollars from m a and pa at h o m e to
spend here.
When the railways of France, Germany and India
"This Canadian thinks it is time to were breaking d o w n through age, it was the
speak up for the Americans as the
Americans w h o rebuilt them. W h e n the
most generous and possibly the
Pennsylvanian Railroad and the N e w York Central
least appreciated people on all the
went broke, nobody loaned them an old caboose.
earth. Germany, Japan and, to a
Both are still broke.
lesser extent Britain and Italy,
were lifted out of the debris of war
I can name you 5000 times when the Americans raced
by the Americans w h o poured in
to the help of other people in trouble. Can you n a m e
billions of dollars and forgave
m e even one time when someone else raced to the
other billions in debts. None of
Americans in trouble? I don't think there was outside
these countries is today paying
help even during the San Francisco earthquake.
even the interest on its remaining
debts to the United States.
Our neighbors have faced it alone, and I'm one
Canadian w h o is tired of hearing them get kicked
W h e n France was in danger of collapsing in 1956, it
around. They will c o m e out of this thing with their
was the Americans w h o propped it up, and their
flag high. A n d when they do, they are entitled to
reward was to be insulted and swindled on the streets
thumb their nose at the lands that are gloating over
of Paris. I was there. I saw it when earthquakes hit
their present troubles. I hope Canada is not one of
distant cities, it is the United States that hurries in to
those."
help. This spring, 59 American communities were
Stand proud, America! Wear it proudly!
flattened by tornadoes. Nobody helped.
Randy Howard - California Institute of Technology
39
��
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8 Ball Tails
Newsletter
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8 Ball Tails Volume 3 - Issue 7: Spring 2001
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Spring 2001
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Text
������Sneaking to the Channel and Freedom
sigh of relief. I didn't have to talk to them I just
"We continued down the path until we were
reached Into my pocket and showed it to them.
stopped near the beach. Two German soldiers
They looked it over, seemed satisfied and moved on.
were on sentry duty walking back and forth. They
walked toward each other and when they met
"When we arrived at our destination which was a
would exchange a few words, turn around and
small town on the coast of Brittany, we were met
walk back. When they were far enough away, the
by a truck (there were about eight of us on the
guide in front of our column would tap three or
train) that took us to a farmhouse about a mile
four of us to sneak by and slide down the cliff to
inland. W e went into a large barn next to the
the beach before the sentries turned around to
house. Straw on the floor was pushed aside to
come back. When we were all down, we waited for
uncover a trap door built into the floor. W e were
the Corvette to come in and pick us up. (Twenty
led down a ladder into a large room in which there
years later, m y wife and I had a chance to go
were about thirty escapees. W e were all happy to
back there; and all I can say is that I was glad it
see each other and shook hands all around, gave
was a dark night, because I don't see how we all
our names and told our stories. W e were told
made it down without casualties. I never would
that an English Corvette would come to take us
have tried it in the day light.) W e were told to
across the Channel as soon as there was a new
take off our shoes and put our socks in them, tie
moon which would occur in two days. In the
the laces together and put them around our neck
meantime we were given food and wine. In the
and roll our pants up over our knees. The
evening we were given blankets and pads on which
Corvette launched three row boats toward the
we slept.
beach and we walked out to meet them. Little did
it help to roll our pants up. W e were up to our
"The night we were to leave finally arrived. We were
waist before we knew it.
given strict instructions on how we were to
proceed to the coast. W e were warned that the
We boarded the "Corvette", were treated royally
coast was heavily guarded and we should be
by the crew and cruised to England, interrogated
perfectly quiet while we walked in single file toward
thoroughly and eventually returned to our group.
the beach. It was dark as pitch when we started.
Not a light was seen. W e headed toward the
"My wife and I did go back, and I followed the
coast single file as instructed. W e went down a
s a m e route I had taken twenty years earlier.
dirt path bordered by four foot hedgerows on
Every one I met remembered me; and at every
each side. W e had gone no further than fifty
place I stopped, friends and neighbors were
yards when one of our guides came running back
invited in, and we had party after party. I still
whispering to us to jump over the hedgerow and
have many friends in France that I correspond
hide quietly behind it. It seemed to m e that we
with to this day and we go back to see them
made one hell of a commotion jumping over the
quite often."
bushes and landing on one another before we
settled down, but a few minutes later two men
came strolling by chatting to each other and not
even realizing that just a few feet from them
about forty men were waiting for them to pass.
L TO R: ToNy Aud Lois CiAi\ci, LiU Af\d M U T O N RosENbUn
M U T W A S to-piloT oi\ T(TE PIANE ii\ wEiicEi Lois's TATEIER, CIAI'R SEIAETTER W A S killed.
#
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"ANOTHER O N E of My jobs W A S TO FiElp WRJTE phoNEy
idENTifiCATiON CARds. WE WOuld EIAVE PHOTOS TAI<EN AN(j
ATTACEI ThHEIVI TO ThlE CARds. WE Also MAdE Up TRAVEl pERMiTS.
I STill EIAVE ThlE ONES I MAdE foR MVSElf."
Department
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tifie, afill de pouvoir se rendre en lone intwditi de U region totieti,
hcin'igt turn Zwecke der Einreise in die Kusuagprrzoae
. Monsieur, M u H m r . Madinnii i IK- \) 'J&tft e—
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Herr. Frau, Fr»ttlei»
" '•' I1""111" 'Nairn- u \ornamf
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ien Kren Wohnsiu seinen ihren gewoebnlichan AofenlhaU
AAM4L*+MjfoL, a feuJuAuU^ hat.
table jusqu'an '•' Af*. l1&Ct
A faire p r o r o g e r
t o u s les six m o i s .
CERTIFICAT DE TRAVAIL
IM I
delivre sous la responsabilite de :
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> "amiable,^ poor passer en xone Interdite
AVIS I M P O R T A N T . — Cette attMtatld
Ixloo est on posaeosion d u n s
Am lo r*rji(in ootlare. qua si la p *
frhie.
CJJ le d'ld«ntlM oflloiclle m u n i * d'un*"*
ZUR BEACHTUNO. - Dies* Booohelnlgung b*r*cht1g nur in Verbindung mit elnem
arotllchen Llchtbildauawels *ur EinrelBe in die Kilste aspen-zone.
Quahte :
Imp Modcrrn - Si Briem Li I U4I1I
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�<3frem itje
^ e s k nf our
President
Last month (May 30) I completed m y prescribed two (2) years as
President of this thriving organization that m y predecessor, Colonel
Roy W. Owen, presided over for five years. You put m e in charge of a
remarkable organization and a strong Executive Board, broad and deep
enough, to fulfill our mission of perpetuating our illustrious history,
honoring the memories of our deceased comrades and providing the
compassion, beneficence and friendship to the families of our fallen
colleagues. I thank all of you for giving m e this opportunity to
represent and serve you in this capacity which I consider to be a
profound privilege and unique pleasure.
I inherited from Colonel Owen a number of initiatives that he had
tendered and that would come to fruition on m y watch. One of the
greatest of these is the Master Historical Data Base ( M H D B ) that will
not only computerize the archival exploits of the 44th Bomb Group but
also the personal histories of every man or w o m a n w h o served with
the 44th in WWII.
Much has been accomplished but much remains to be done and we
cannot rest on past laurels.
As you know, the MHDB program requires funding that is clearly
above our normal operating budget that averages in the area of $30 $35,000 per annum. It is for this reason that I established the special
M H D B Fund and appealed to you for donations to insure its success
and perpetuity. To those w h o responded with your donations I thank
you for your generosity and to those w h o have not yet made their
contributions I appeal once again for whatever you can donate. Let's
make this year the year "CHARITY BEGINS AT H O M E " and, instead of
responding to those appeals w e are "deluged" with almost daily by
mail, phone, fax, e-mail, etc., send your donation this year to the
M H D B FUND, 44th BGVA, R0. Box 712287, Salt Lake City, Utah
84171-2287.
Also, when I assumed the office as your President, I committed to
insuring the financial stability of the association and the growth of
our membership. I a m pleased to let you know that according to our
Treasurer's Annual Report for the period ending December 31, 2000,
w e are financially stable and have been showing an annual surplus for
the past two years.
Our membership also continues to grow despite the ever growing
attrition due to deaths that are occurring with ever increasing
frequency. As of this writing our membership stands at 1,065
members and it is m y goal that with the membership drives still in
effect and/or planned, this number will continue to grow. Many of you
are enrolling members of your family which I believe is one of the best
"gifts" you can give your children and/or grandchildren. It is their key
to the record of your service and contribution to that great victory
over totalitarianism that made you one of those referred to by Tom
Brokaw as "The Greatest Generation." Keep enrolling them and urge
your fellow crewmen/colleagues to do the same.
Thanks to Jerry Folsom's efforts, our 44th BGVA Web Site is now up
and running and the "hits" are growing daily. Keep in mind that it is
new and w e will be making improvements as needed. Also, our newly
appointed A W A R D C O M M I T T E E under the Chairmanship of Robert
Lehnhausen received Board approval to inaugurate THE G E N E R A L
E O N W. J O H N S O N DISTINGUISHED SERVICE A W A R D this year. This
award will become an annual event and the Year 2001 Honoree will be
announced and receive this award at the Shreveport Reunion
scheduled for October 15-18, 2001. Make your reservations N O W for
another one of Mike Yuspeh's fantastic reunions. W e will visit the 8th
Air Force Headquarters, dedicate the B-24J with dignitaries from the
state of Louisiana, city of Shreveport and 8th Air Force, tour
Shreveport, dine and dance to the Big Band Music in the mode of the
one and only GIENN MILIER. RESERVE EARLY!
Congratulations to Robert "Lee" Aston on his belated award of the
DFC and two Oak Leaf Clusters to his Air Medal. He w a s notified on
M a y 15, 2001 of these awards by the Air Force Board for Correction
of Military Records for "...extraordinary achievement while serving as
Navigator on B-24 airplanes on many missions over enemy occupied
Continental Europe" on January 11 and 12, 1945 (Air Medals) and
March 15, 1945 (DFC). "Lee and Chris Spagnola are contacting their
other crew members to meet and renew their friendships at the
Shreveport Reunion in October. Other crews are also planning to
attend, including Bob Dunlop's crew, and those few that are still
remaining from m y original crew in the 66th - Jimmy, Pat, Sam,
George are you listening? I a m counting on Bill Coil's uncle and some
of "Buster" Hazelton's children to be there. See you in Shreveport.
I close with another one of my favorite quotations:
"When the Love of Power exceeds the Power of Love
Take Heed."
Edward K. Mikoloski, President
®
�1
BACI< R o w L TO R:
LEON DEI CRANdE, C O ' P H O T ,
; A j*Yj
C A N ANyoNE idENTify TTIE
CREWMEN JN T1HE fRONT ROW?
•
LT. Edu/ARd COIE,
LT
CRAiq
HAVENS,
ANd
LT. JAMES ZAicEk.
MsSMffi
•
—
ANOTHER RIDDLE RESOLVED
The mission to Zwickau, Germany on April 21,1944 was recalled, but not in time to
prevent the crash of A/C #41-29418 (68th 5q.) at Teverham Mill Lake, near
Norwich, England. Five members of the crew perished: James Zajicek, Navigator;
Edward Cole, Bombardier; Leonard Lambert, Engineer; George Houchens, Radio
Operator; Hal Wood, Ball Turret Gunner; Russell Taylor, Tail Gunner. Pilot Forrest
Havens and Co-Pilot Leon Del Grande survived, but were injured.
Very recently a police diving team found the wreckage with incomplete
lettering on the Poppy's Chillin. The explanation of the crash was rime
ice. The plane was flying into formation, travelling at 144-160 M P H
through overcast, icy conditions. W h e n it reached 14,000 feet, the
aircraft lurched violently and started swerving to the right. The pilots
could not control the ship, and it swerved back to the left, then
CIEMANS
started to spin tightly toward the ground. The plane
then turned on its back and the right wing and tail were torn off by
the violent maneuvers. The two pilots were thrown into the top of
the cockpit, the cabin ripped apart, and they were thrown clear of
the wreckage.
Just recently, fifty seven years later, a memorial stone was laid
in honor of the crew, led by a U S Air Force Guard of Honor. Cole's
sister, Elizabeth Clemans, traveled to the site. Representing the
44th at the Memorial Ceremony was President Mike Mikoloski and
U.K. Representative, Steve
Adams.
This MEMORiftl WAS
dEdiCATEd IN
TAVETihAM, OUTsidE of
Norwich, SATimdAy.
M R M E N F R O M TIHE bASE hoNOR quARd fold TITE A M E R I C A N FUq SATURdAy
duRilMC, A CEREMONy AT TAVERHAM trONORiNq AN AlWERiCAN boNlbER CREW
ThAT CRAshEd NEAR ThE TOWN 5 7 yEARS EARliER. TlHE fUq WAS pRESENTEd TO
Bsny C I E M A N S , rhE SISTER of TIIE boivibARdiER w h o pERishsd irM TEIE cRAsh.
10
�MIKE FUSANO AND THE GENERAL
"I was the
going in or out.
first one to
W h e n nothing
was happening,
see the
the man sat in a
Medal of
little cubby hole
Honor after
and pulled a
it was given
blanket over
to General
himself.
The
Leon
General jested
Johnson,"
that perhaps
said Mike
they should get
Fusano. "I
him a teepee."
congratulated
him on
From his position
receiving it,
as driver, Mike
and he
could enjoy some
immediately
of the hospitality
said, 'Don't
of great leaders.
congratulate
Miks ANd Col. JohNSON
Once
when
me. I am only
General
Johnson
the custodian of the Medal. This is for the boys
went to Hingham to visit Lord Ironside a British
who did all the work.' That was so typical of the
General, the maid came out to the car to serve
General's humility. H e was the greatest man I
Mike tea and crumpets. Lord Ironside had been
have ever known."
relieved of his command after the disastrous
Mike had the unique pleasure of being the driver battle of Dunkirk, so he returned to his special
interest of growing a variety of apples. W h e n
for the great General. Drafted from his family's
Mike would meet him on the streets, he was
olive grove in California, he went to Wichita Falls,
always
greeted warmly; and each time Lord
Texas for his Boot Camp experience, then to
Ironside
wanted a report on how the General was
Shreveport, Louisiana, where he became a member
doing.
of the 44th Bomb Group. In Barksdale he
remembers being just another Dog Face.' From
"I was directed to pick up any walking soldier,"
there he became a member of the motor pool in
Mike remembered. "The General would use that
Ft. Myers, Florida, right in the Everglades. The
opportunity
to find how things were going on the
advantage of that assignment was that they could
base.
One
night
we picked up a Master Sergeant
sometimes go to San Carlos Bay and watch the
going
off
duty
at
midnight. H e stated that there
porpoises leap about.
was rarely any food in the mess hall at that hourjust odds and ends. That was because the men on
"When we went to England,
Liberty Runs got there first
our priest, Father Lamb went
and ate it all.
with us, and I was his driver.
W h e n he got transferred to
the 1st Division, I became a
full-time driver for General
Johnson. H e had a wonderful
sense of humor. W h e n w e
would leave the base, there
was an Indian from Oklahoma
on guard duty. It was his job
to stop and challenge anyone
"That didn't ever happen
again," Mike declared. "The
General changed that,
immediately making
provisions for those going
off duty to eat.
11
�"When the 44th was going on an especially
hazardous assignment, the General would tell m e
to get his parachute, he was going along. H e would
say, 'This is going to be tough. I have to go along
to take responsibility.' O n base he drove himself,
and I drove him when he went to other bases.
Sometimes we would leave at 2:00 a.m., but he
would always insist that I get back for some
sleep, or catch up on a meal. W h e n I wasn't
driving, I had to take care of the car, a 1935
Custom Packard." O n the celebration of the 44ths
200th mission, the General took the wheel and
drove Mike through the base.
WILLIAM MENGES
ARMY COMBAT,
44TH BOMB
GROUP &
MISSILEER
1955
Nam Menges, AF Retiree, got 100 free hours
from ATT, so he called to tell m e his war
experiences. He also called Jerry Folsom to chat.
HE H A S N O T YET D O N E HIS DATABASE, but
promises to do it soon.
Menges started out with the CCC, an organization
created during the Great Depression for young
men w h o couldn't find jobs. In 1942 he was
drafted, and found himself in the 3rd Army,
manning the anti-aircraft search lights in the
Ardennes for General Patton. Later, as a combat
engineer, Menges built bridges for the advancing
army in Luxemburg and Pruuen, Germany.
Look who is dRiviNq MikE FUSANO
Mike had the great experience of being on the
same plane with General Johnson for the Trolley
Run, and heard him explain the details of
everything that had been done. It was truly a
moment of pride for everyone who had
contributed to the war effort.
When the War was over, he took advantage of the
G.I. Bill to study radio, then enlisted in the Air
Corps and was assigned to the 44th BG at Rapid
City, S.D. (He claims to be among the first to don
the Air Force blue uniform.) At Ellsworth he
became a Radar Mechanic. When the 44th had its
transformation into the Missileers, Menges was
there on Permanent Staff. His next assignment
was Expediter on the ICBM and Minuteman
Missiles.
The friendship between the two men continued
until the General's death. If Johnson was in Los
Angeles, Mike and his wife Kaye would visit with
him; and in the latter days of his life, they visited
him in the nursing home in
Fairfax, Virginia.
Menges speaks with true enthusiasm of the high
points of his service experiences. He says in
England he danced with Col. Leon Johnson's
wife, and at Geiger Field he worked with Captain
Chuck Yeager. He says he has four Battle Stars
and some Oak Leaf Clusters. Straddling three
branches of the service in one short lifetime has
been a heady experience for M/Sgt. William
Menges.
When the War was over,
Mike returned to growing
olives and making oil in
Sylmar, California, where
he resides with his wife,
Catherine. H e regards his
time spent with General
Johnson as some of the
brightest moments of his
life.
Mikr FUSANO
12
�SOME THINGS ONLY HAPPEN ONCE ... THE EUROPEAN TOUR
September, 2001 44th BGVA Europe/England Trip (A perfect trip to share with a child or grandchild.)
The trip will be a step back in time and a look into the
Day 6 takes us to Bastogne, Belgium, where an
progressive world that Y O U made possible by your
American tank is the centerpiece in the two square.
valiant sacrifice, fifty seven years ago. Not only will you Our Belgium friend, Peter Loncke will be joining us at
see the cities where you helped wipe out Nazi
the towns of Wibrin and Haufalize, where local people
strongholds, but also
will dedicate a
visit shrines and
memorial at the
cathedrals that
crash site of the
survived from
Pindercrew. From
medieval times to the
there we move to a
present. From
medieval tour, Trier,
September 11-26, you
Germany on the
will barely have time
Mosel River for
to see the wonders
dinner and our
that lie ahead, and the
evening stay. The
history that Y O U
next day's adventure
helped make. Did you
will be a 4-1/2 hour
know the Parisians cut
cruise on the Rhine
the cables of the Eiffel
River.
Tower when the city
The Gothic
fell, so the Germans
Cathedral in
could not use it as a
Cologne is still a
radio tower? It remajestic sight, even
W A R R O O M of TITE 14-TLt WiNq Hp. C A N ANyoNE idENTify TIHESE sTRATEqisTS?
though
the entire city
opened after V-E Day,
was devastated by the bombing. At Wesel we will visit
with free rides for any
the crash site of Louis DeBlasio's and Bob Vance's
G.I. who happened along. Did you know a day at the
Louvre is not nearly long enough to see the work of the plane, then later to the cemetery where their crewmen
are buried, then on across the Channel, past the White
Old Masters? You might get through one section.
At Caen the Wehrmacht was desperately holding onto Cliffs of Dover and on to Norwich. W e will see the
Memorial Library, the Shipdham Airfield and the 14th
the city, acting on Hitler's mistaken idea that the main
invasion would be at Pas de Calais. N o w Caen's biggest Combat Wing Hq., and have an opportunity to meet
our special guests from Shipdham Village and the
attraction is a Memorial M u s e u m for Peace, honoring
British Legion. Too soon we will say good-bye to Steve
those who fought both w a r s - W W I and WWII. At
Adams, Phyllis DuBois, Peter Loncke, Luc
Normandy, even those who have previously seen the
Dewez, Andrew Doubleday and all our
exhibits and cemetery will again marvel at the
other
friends; then on to Duxford,
awesome undertaking of that landing, assisted by B-24
Cambridge and London. Coming
bombers that cut off German support of the troops at
home, our heads may be swimming,
the coast. Enemy cannons still protrude from cement
but our hearts will be brimming at
bunkers, testimony of the deadly battle that ensued.
We will have lunch in Reims, a 2000 year old city and the memories of a holiday that can
never be replicated.
scene of Napoleon's last victorious battle. Reims is
Take
a young family member.
now famous for its champagne, and the home of
It's a great lesson in history.
General Eisenhower's SHAPE headquarters. From
Call Larry HerpeI at
there, we will see Verdun and Luxembourg.
1-888-317-7483.
13
��f~
PHASES Of
THI
RESIORAnON
OFTHI
"LOUISIANA
BELLE
i**#
JOIN US IN E
BARKSDALE!
V
15
�44th B o m b Group
Veterans
Assn. Reunion - 2001
€?
mm
le of Capri Hotel - Bossier City, LA
Barksdale AFB
October 15,16,17, & 18, 2001
Reunion Registration Form
Please print or type. All Information must be complete:
First N a m e (Tag)
Last N a m e
Spouse
Squadron #
Life M e m b e r
Address
City
State
Phone
E-Mail
Zip Code
Guests & Relation
Number to Attend
@ $215.00 Each
Amount $
Tour #1- City Tour of Shreveport
Number on Tour
@ $25.00 Per Person
Amount $_
Tour # 2- Tour of Natchitoches & Lunch
Number on Tour
@ $55.00 Per Person
Amount $_
Total Amount Remitted
Check #
Amount $
Description of tours are in last issue of the 8 Ball Tails.
Registration Includes: Everything on agenda except tours as listed above.
Registration must be received by September 10,2001.
Hotel registration must be m a d e directly with Isle Of Capri Hotel & Casino by phone only
Toll free (800) 843-4753.
Check M a d e Payable to: 44th B o m b Group Veterans Association (44th BGVA)
Mail to: Mike Yuspeh - 7214 Sardonyx Street - N e w Orleans, LA 70124-3509
Phone: (504)283-3424 Fax: (504) 283-3425 (Picks up on 6th ring)
E-Mail: Mikeyuspeh@juno.com
16
�MAJOR URSEI HARVEII ANC! T^E
Wolf P A C L
MARCIH 10, 1945
"This bit of history
w a s m a d e aboard
an old French
passenger vessel
that had seen
better days, the
Chantilly. It could
have been
considered a luxury
liner twenty years
ago, that is, in the
Indian Ocean trade.
The British took
her over and
ordered her to
England via N e w York. W e went aboard her there for the
memorial crossing of the North Atlantic, a normal crossing in
that ship w a s a feat without the menace of the jerry wolfpacks.
Concrete gun turrets and gun emplacements had added
considerably to the weight of the upper structure which m a y
have interfered with the ship's balance on its usual run from
Capetown, Durban to Suez on the East Coast of Africa, but one
look at this tub and the calendar w a s enough to forecast the
type of crossing w e had ahead.
survivors, and the escort w a s entirely too busy. As I
contemplated these things, one by one the big red lights on the
mast head would disappear leaving only the small red lights
moving up and down on the heavy swells, gradually
disappearing astern. I began to move about to get w a r m and
ordered the m e n to move around, but stay in the vicinity of their
assigned boat stations. I suddenly realized that I hadn't checked
the top side boats to see if the native members of the crew
(Lascars of India) had not already found refuge in them. I had
been ordered to shoot them if necessary to keep them out. I
moved forward a little uncertainly at first with legs that seemed
tired on a deck that never seemed level. Glancing into the
blackness of the life boats w a s a mere routine, knowing full
well that the boats could never be launched anyway. I looked
out to port, hoping that I couldn't see the nearest ship, but in
vain, as its full outline w a s visible to me, black against lighter
sky. I felt m y heart quicken a little as the realization of
periscopic sighting dawned on me.
My nerves had settled down a little bit and my hopes had risen
some as w e had made a turn since the last attack. I had just
ducked into a gangway to light a cigarette, and w a s coming
back on deck when a terrific explosion off our port b o w nearly
lifted our ship out of the water. At first I thought it w a s our
We ran into foul weather about the 8th of March, the a/c carrier ship and I listened for the alarm bell, but the red light on the
turned back the 10th, about 4:40 p.m., the taffrail boom w a s
ship nearest to us told m e it w a s not yet our time. This little
dipping the water with every roll, chairs and tables were lashed
freighter started to settle very fast and seemed to settle to its
down; then at 6:30, just two hours after the main escort had
watery grave even before w e had fully passed it. There were
turned back, the most terrifying sub attack you've ever read
more little red lights in the water, more gripping of the railing,
about hit us. First to go w a s the deputy commodore starboard
yes, yes, and more prayers. In quick succession two more ships
to forward, then a freighter directly opposite us, starboard,
were torpedoed beyond the point where the freighter had just
which saved us the first time, by taking the torpedo which w a s
been hit. I could also hear depth charges going off in that
intended for us. Our silhouette w a s much higher on the surface
direction and thought that it w a s about time somebody started
than the smaller vessels around us and having the
to fight back and could feel a little warmth stealing through m y
characteristics of a troopship w a s naturally the prize target for
veins from anger. Anger at the Navy at so little defense, anger
the Hun. I felt sorry for the little fellows w h o unknowingly were at the enemy for operating on such a night not giving a m a n a
running interference for us and paying with their lives. Another
chance, anger at the Army for putting skilled troops in an eight
tanker further to starboard w a s hit and sunk without burning.
knot convoy, and anger at yourself for standing there unable to
Then it became quiet. I clenched the railing at m y station
do anything but watch the slaughter. Then again, farther to
expecting the deck to heave up in m y face any moment. I
starboard, this time two more ships put up red lights. All w a s
glanced out at the red light that always goes on at top mast
quiet once more. An hour went by and nothing more happened.
when a ship w a s hit. There were three such distress signals and It w a s then midnight.
dozens of little red lights around each ship. I knew they were
attached to m e n w h o could live only a few minutes in that
I went below to the main lounge to see what was going on
Arctic water. Convoys never slow down or stop to pick up
below. There were twelve Dutch fliers from Java, an American
17
���formally open this n e w facility, which will be the finest American Memorial Library of its kind
in the world and a fitting tribute to the debt that w e o w e to the United States Air Force. At the
m o m e n t w e have over 690 U S Veterans and their families flying over for this historical
occasion. This week the Norwich City Council formally approved the rare award of the
Freedom of the City to the 2nd Air Division U S A A F Association, the only unit of the U S Air
Force to ever receive this honour.
Keeping the records of the 8th Air Force has been one of our essential tasks and we
were all so delighted w h e n w e first saw the Military Heritage Database project and realized
the massive benefits. Last year at the 2nd A D A Convention at Tampa, w e and our archivist
looked at it in more detail and c a m e away convinced that this is the most unique record w e
have ever seen. Indeed the Memorial Trust has agreed to help the project financially
because of the importance. Here is a chance for future generations to see, learn and
understand what happened in those days and a vital part of our records.
However, as I began my letter, time is against us, for unless we can get these records,
histories, stories and people on the database now, m a n y items will be lost forever in the next
year or so. Here in the U K that database will be a vital part of the Memorial Library as I a m
sure it must be in your American Air Force Memorial. Therefore m a y I end with this heartfelt
plea that you can support this database project as a most urgent item, for this understanding
and detailed record of history needs to be available both in the U S A and the U K as well as
elsewhere, so that future generations will never forget the debt that they o w e to the United
States Air Force.
In Norfolk we have a saying about the 2nd Air Division USAAF, "They came as friends,
they stayed as friends, they have remained friends and w e and future generations will
always remember them with pride and affection." This unique database will play a great part
in that appreciation.
Finally, I hope you will not object to me writing to you, but we realize that your support is
vital to the success of this outstanding project. W e do hope you will be able to m a k e the
dream become a reality.
Yours sincerely,
David J. Hastings
Vice Chairman
Editor's Note: The information on the Database will be used on both sides of the Atlantic. Do
you biography now. Your story is important.
*
20
�VIVID MEMORIES OF T. J. FEENEY, LTC USA (Ret)
66th Squadron 44th B G (Staff Sgt. Tail Gunner)
ThlE KlEJNSclHMidT CREW
BAck ROW: KlEiNSchMidT"PiloT,
SpOVER"CO'Piloi, R0SSEVELT"NAViqAT0R.
FRONT R O W : DiqqiNS"ENqiNEER,
ThoMAS"WAisT G U N N E R ,
GonshAlU'WAisT & BAII TURRET G U N N E R ,
FEENEy"TAil TURRET G U N N E R ,
GROwdEN"NosE G U N N E R & ToqqlEER,
GoRNEn^RAciio OPERATOR.
T h o m a s J. Feeney "Joe" volunteered for Aerial
Gunnery School when he learned that with a problem
of depth perception, he could not be a pilot. H e
became a Tail Gunner at Tyndall Field, Florida, then
went to Lincoln, Nebraska to join his crew. From
there it was O T U at G o w a n Field, Boise, ID, then on
to Shipdham to join the 66th Sq. of the 44th B o m b
Group.
"Our first three missions were to Magdeburg, where
w e encountered the most flak of all the missions w e
went on," he recalled. Equally disconcerting was the
ominous briefing on the morning their crew was
assigned to fly over Cologne. It still rings in Feeney's
memory: "If you hit the Cathedral, don't bother to
come back." Pilot Lt. Arnold P. Kleinschmidt, on the
Glory Bee was flying lead. They flew past the famous
Cathedral and hit their target-the Deutch Bridge
which was a primary artery for the German supply
lines, and they did c o m e back. Forty nine years later,
Feeney was pleasantly surprised to see the photograph
that had been shot at 22,000 feet by their bomb-sight
camera appear in National Geographic.
The Glory Bee and the German Jet
"On April 25, 1945 we were on a mission to
Swabische Halle. Our photo interpretation people had
spotted an airfield there with elongated runways. They
21
figured it was a jet base, so w e were sent to b o m b it.
However, in looking up, I saw one diving straight
d o w n at us from 12:00 o'clock. I turned m y turret up
and then watched as the jet went straight d o w n
through our formation. It was traveling so fast, m y
guns were always behind him as I tried to track him;
and so close, I could see the German pilot's face as he
passed by. I often thought (mistakenly) I could have
hit him with a rock instead of trying to get that turret
to m o v e fast enough to get him. However, the mission
was successful.
Bomb Stuck in Bomb Bay
Feeney and William H. Diggins, Engineer, are the
last surviving members of the Kleinschmidt crew.
Previously they had written recollections to each
other, all treasures in Feeney's book of memories.
Kleinschmidt wrote, " O n one mission w e had
dropped our bombs and realized w e had a b o m b hung
in the b o m b bay. The bombs were attached to a
shackle by a cable which activated the b o m b as it left
the b o m b bay. This one didn't leave. The engineer
crawled out with a pair of pliers and seven minutes of
oxygen at 22,000 feet to cut the wire. H e had to crawl
out on the catwalk in the bottom of the ship over the
open b o m b doors. H e did it. If he hadn't, the b o m b
could have detonated and blown us out of the sky."
�had enough altitude to m a k e it home. W h e n w e got
Feeney's eyes followed the dropping missile. "As w e
there w e were at 250 feet and the tower told us to go
moved away from the release point, the b o m b left a
trail of smoke until it hit the middle of a large; solitary around. W e didn't go around and that liner held."
farm house in the middle of a huge German field. W e
The crew remembers one more interesting facet of
were unable to assess the damage w e inflicted on this
that adventure. "As w e continued back across the
'no choice target'."
Channel and losing altitude rapidly, Kleinschmidt
ordered us to ditch everything including our machine
Remembering Frankfurt
guns, a m m o and our A-3 bags. Our A-3 bags! They
contained
our escape kits, mainly stocked with
In Feeney's records he found this report by his pilot
in
cigarette and silk stockings." (Editor'sNote: While
correspondence with L T C M a u r y Dyer, another
Kleinschmidt worried about getting them back to
friend w h o served in the 66th Sq. (deceased).
Shipdham safely, Feeney was thinking of the loss of
"I guess the worst situation I was ever in was when Ibargaining power, tossing cigarettes and silk
stockings.)
lost two engines in a snow storm over Germany.
"We were flying blind on a mission to the interior ofDelivering the Gas
Germany when I got hit by flak and lost an engine.
When the War was nearing the end, Patton's Third
The rest of the squadron flew off and left m e . W e
A r m y was swiftly and forcefully breaking through
could see the black shells exploding all around us and
w e were losing altitude. I got out of the main flight
enemy defenses. They ran short of gasoline for their
tanks, and the 44th was one of the groups that
pattern and tried to restart the engine," he said.
" W h e n I tried the engine, I lost oil pressure in another supplied them. This was a very low level drop.
Feeney remembers dropping 50 gallon drums of
engine and saw the prop of the second engine fly off
past the window into space."
gasoline at tree top level.
"Now we were down to two engines. We were out of
the Frankfurt flak area, and I called in code for fighter
help. W e were losing 200 feet per minute and I had
only a 17-mile corridor to fly through to try to make it
to a safe landing place. W e got our fighter escort and
he took us across the b o m b line where the ground
fighting was taking place in France and then broke
radio code by saying, 'Sweetheart, I'm home. You can
make it now.' That was a big no-no.
"I did not see any of them spill or shatter," he
recalled. "The reason they didn't, was the wooden
construction shaped like an hourglass with rounded
wooden tops and bottoms that permitted the drums to
roll w h e n dropped." They did not encounter flak on
this mission, but did contend with small arms fire.
One memory of that mission continues to haunt him.
H e saw a flyer from his o w n outfit hung up with his
chute draped over the rudder of another B-24.
"Sure enough, the Germans heard him. I told the crew
to watch for them and here they came. W e headed for
Encountering a 'Maverick'
the overcast 9,000 below. A s the nose gunner turned
his turret to fire, the door flew off the turret and struck
On one of our missions we were forced to abort just
the wing between the two engines and ripped a gash
short of our target and return to England. O n the
in the wing. I could see the latex liner swell out of the
return flight w e had no fighter cover. I spotted a single
gas tank on the right wing. If it broke, that was it. W e
fighter above us directly approaching our tail. I fired
were in a high-speed stall and almost shaking apart.
above him so he could see m y tracers. H e continued
But I dropped the nose and w e were okay again.
and I fired below him. Since he continued in I zeroed
in on him and forced him to turn off. The Martin
"I was trying to contact the British to get permission
Turret also fired on him. H e radioed our craft and
to land on the crash strip just across the Channel
pulled parallel to us but out of range. H e identified
when w e broke out of the overcast and I thought w e
himself as a P-51 fighter and wanted to k n o w why w e
�were firing on him. Needless to say w e kept him well
covered and he eventually pulled off and disappeared.
employed by Fairfax County, V A as Deputy Director
of Assessments until 1976.
The matter was the subject of much discussion among Feeney and his wife, Mildred, the former Mildred
our crew. W h e n w e were debriefed w e were told it
Caverly of Toronto, Canada, live in Mechanicsburg,
may well have been a P-51 but it was not one of ours.
Pennsylvania. The couple celebrated their 51 st
W e were also told that w e had no aircraft in the area
anniversary in this past March. Mildred n o w a U.S.
and the marking were unknown to our intelligence
citizen, served in the R.C.A.F., the Women's Division
people. W e were told w e did the right thing in firing
at Air Force bases in Canada and England from 1942on the craft.
46. Feeney joined the Keystone Capital Chapter of
the Retired Officers' Association, and continues to
In June, 1994 the USAF Historical Agency at
serve as its Treasurer. H e assists in fund drives to help
Maxwell A F B , A L advised m e that they had no
the Hospice Unit of the Lebanon, P A Veterans
record of downed P-51 's being rebuilt by the
Administration Medical Center.
Germans. Then in July, 1994 I learned from
L T C Maury Dyer U S A F (Ret) that when he
flew with the 44th, he was informed that the
Germans did use cannibalized parts from
aircraft that crashed or were forced to land
in Germany. H e said that "what got our
people's attention was that w e could be shot
down by one of them."
They were called 'Mavericks.'
Before the war, Feeney was attending
Northeastern University in Boston, M A .
Following discharge, he returned to the
University, earning a B S in Business
Administration. Shortly thereafter he
reenlisted in the army in CIC. After training at Ft.
Holabird, M D and serving as an agent in Washington
D C , he received a direct commission in the Finance
Corps. H e served with the A r m y Audit Agency and
held a number of General Staff assignments in
Alaska, the U.S. and Korea.
JOE ANC! MildREd FEENEY W'T^ Col. Roy DEVEcchio
AWARDS and DECORATIONS
The army decided to send him to the University of
Colorado where he earned his M B A in 1962. His last
foreign duty was a Comptroller Advisor to the Iranian
Forces and their S C S ( D O D equivalent). H e was
stationed with A R M I S H M A A G Hqs. in Tehran, Iran.
(The Shah was still ruling at that time, and the
relations with American personnel were very good.
After Feeney left, his replacement was murdered, and
matters continued to go d o w n hill after that.) His last
assignment was a Chief Pay Systems, Office Chief of
Finance, D.A. H e also served as chairman of the D O D
Military Pay Conference Committee. H e retired in
November, 1968. Following retirement he was
23
Legion of Merit, Hq. Dept. of Army, July 31, 1968
A M w/1 O L C , 8th Air Force, 1945
D O D Joint Service Commendation Army Medal,
11 March 1965
D A Army Commendation Medal. 11 March 1965
Army G C
American Campaign Medal
Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaign Medal
w/4 Battle Stars
World War II Victory Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Armed Forces Reserve Medal
Imperial Iranian Forces Commendation,
November 18, 1967
�COLLECTING OUR HISTORY
In the last issue of 8 Ball Tails under Will
Sez I complimented and congratulated
our Prez, Ed Mikoloski and Pete Frizzell
for working so hard and successfully to
salvage many of our 44th BG's photos.
Pete had made a long flight from Florida
to Massachusettes to meet Ed Mikoloski
and a quick drive to southern Maine.
These two men managed to get great
cooperation from Rick Becker, a dealer,
to copy many photos already sold on the
Internet and to purchase the remaining
44th B G photos on hand at a bargain
basement price.
At that time we were sure that we had
obtained all of the photos that Bill
Robertie had accumulated after the war,
having worked with Capt. HarveII, our
official photographic officer, for years to
get copies of all that HarveII had in his
44th collection. I had contacted Bill
Robertie's widow, Hazel, verified that she
would donate all those photos remaining
in her possession. She said that she had
placed them all in a medium sized box
and would be mailing them to m e shortly,
as she was moving that next weekend.
Two weeks later the box arrived with
numerous photos, but most of them were
nose art of other groups, along with some
fine photos used in Harvell's book. But
there were no crew photos! Disappointed
with the lack of those precious photos, I
wondered if perhaps they did not take or
at least keep copies of our later 1944 and
1945 crews? It was a mystery.
But shortly afterwards Deja Vu came into
the picture. Yes, again, many beautiful
44th B G crew photos were up for bid on
the Internet! Astounding and frustrating!
H o w can that be -- where had they c o m e
from? Had w e not got all that Hazel had
in her basement? No! It was soon learned
that again, Rick Becker had many more
of our crew photos up for sale! Source?
Again, it was from Robertie's basement.
And again it was Pete Frizzell rushing to
his airport in Florida with all of his camera
equipment, flying up to meet Prez Ed,
and driving back to South Berwick, Maine
to try again to make a deal with Rick.
This is a story up to date. Surely now
there will not be a third "appearance" of
new Harvell/Robertie photos. But I can't
emphasize enough how extremely lucky
w e have been to have the interest and
support of Pete Frizzell. Without his alert
But this time it was different because the searches of the Internet, as well as his
taking time off work and having the
m a n who had purchased all of the
photographic equipment on hand,
remaining things in Hazel's basement -dropping all activities, w e surely would
things she could not take with her -- had
have lost forever a large portion of our
learned the value of old photographs after
photographic
history. Rick Becker was so
his first sale to Rick. This time it cost Rick
impressed
with
his character that he fully
$3,000, so there was no way the 44thers
trusted
Pete
with
complete control of
could afford to purchase his remaining
those precious photos. Rick even took
photos. Instead, Rick was good enough
Pete to dinner! Rick himself, deserves the
to permit Pete to take his own photos of
thanks
and appreciation of all of us. He,
his originals -- approximately 200 of
too,
helped
make it possible.
them. W e did not get the originals back
but w e did not lose those rare crew
In retrospect, our problems resulted from
photos that had eluded our efforts over
assuming that Mrs. Robertie was fully
the past 10 years. I a m sure that in the
aware of the records that Bill had
approximate 200 "new" crew photos, I
accumulated over the years. Obviously,
have very few in my collection. Now,
she did not because several years ago
when those negatives are converted to
she told m e that there were N O photos in
pictures, w e will have photos of so many
her basement. Too, Hazel was deep into
of our combat m e n available to add into
the confusion of moving. I can relate to
our data base.
that problem having just moved for the
Steve Adams was able to outbid others to first time in 40 years. She was having to
pack herself alone and time was running
obtain several of these photos, but for the
out.
So she elected to call for help to
most part, one bidder, Huckleberryduck
dispose of what remained in her
has outbid almost all others. Per Steve's
basement as she had no need for it.
arithmetic, he has already spent over
$2,200 for those that he has acquired.
Although it was a difficult situation,
And there will be many more on which to
nevertheless, w e all should give our
bid. Fortunately, too, two other m e n w h o
sincere
thanks to the Robertie family for
were very interested in these photos,
the years that they served in the 2nd A D A
managed to successfully bid on several
and for their treasure trove of 44th B G
of them. W h e n contacted by Steve
historical material.
Adams, both m e n volunteered to provide
copies for us. O n e asked to join our
organization. He is most welcome, of
v.
®
course, and he even suggested that as a
m e m b e r he might donate all of his
originals later in his life. Great! Some
wonderful things have resulted even
through the bad luck we've experienced.
24
�happened to him/them on THAT DAY. It then would
seem to be more like a book, adding the many
interesting and appropriate information to bring out
the personal touch. If there were additional diaries
written covering this same mission, how much greater
May, 2001
the scope of the "picture" could be. This data could
include the b o m b load, time of takeoff, altitude,
I suspect that most of you 44thers are aware that I temperatures, types and number of aircraft attacks,
have been working at the "job" of 44th BG Historian for type and severity of enemy actions, on to events that
many years. So I should have and did accumulate a
occurred in this or other planes that day. With so much
goodly number of your personal diaries and your
of this type of information already collected, there
accounts of personal experiences. Many of these I
surely must be some way to utilize it.
used in m y old book, Roll of Honor and Casualties, and
A few days after writing that letter I got a phone call
some of these could have made their way into the data
from our great friend, Arlo, reminding m e that he had
base for those connected with the loss of our planes
foreseen this need when he developed the program
and crews. For the most part, however, they had not
been processed, but should have. The main reason that and already had it available. He had m e turn on m y
they are not yet data entered is their condition and cost computer and then "walked" m e through it! Yes,
indeed, his program was up and running, needed only
to process. So many of them were handwritten, and
to be provided the stories! So, the program is already
are now scattered through out all of m y inept file
there, the stories and diaries are here, then the next
system.
step, of course, would be to get a move on, have them
Obviously, here in these personal stories and diaries data entered.
there are considerably more elements of our history
Arlo had an answer to that eventually, as well. I must
tied up, both large and short, that should be added to
our data base. I have saved them for years in the hopes first "dig" them out, and that is almost literal, to make
them available to a data entry team. Hopefully, there
that we could get them into other books, or hopefully,
into a computer program. But much to m y amazement, could be volunteers found out there among our
members w h o would be willing to type the stories onto
I have learned that it truly is possible! I have
a
computer disk in a uniform way. If sufficient
mentioned these diaries to Arlo Bartsch on several
occasions in the past two years but never in any detail. volunteers cannot be found, then we should pay for
this service. Then Arlo need only to get the disks to
He would always assure m e that it could be done and
transfer the data to the proper places in the data base.
that he had foreseen the value of them and wrote
IF w e get enough volunteer cooperation on this
programs to do that type of data entry.
project, w e could save money on data entry costs and
A few days ago I got serious with that subject, wrote a
w e could make our current funds go so much further,
letter to Arlo describing m y hopes and including some
enriching our data base history. In other words, it
forms and suggestions and sent them to him. Earlier I
could furnish the readers with so many more
had given him two very good diaries for him to read so
interesting and factual details about the way this war
that he could appreciate how valuable they were for
was fought and won in the air.
our history, and hoped that he might try to find a
For those of you who haven't already obtained one of
solution to get them entered. It had not happened and
Arlo's CDs let m e try to detail for you how these diaries
therefore I had incorrectly assumed that it could not be
and stories could be located in the data base. See the
done. Perhaps m y hopes that these diary stories could
following instructions, but please bear with m e as I
not be made readily available to the reader straight
have little knowledge of the proper computer
from the sortie reports that have already been entered.
terminology to use in such a procedure.
If they could, then our readers would be able to view
the sortie reports and know immediately if any crew
II u( ^£4/nay
member had recorded his experiences of what
WILL SEZ
25
�HOW TO USE THE DISK FOR PERSONAL STORIES AND DIARIES IN ARLO'S 44TH BGVA
MILITARY HERITAGE DATA BASE PROGRAM
1 - Bring up the 44th BG Data Base Program from Start Up.
2 • CLICK on LOAD SEIECTED G R O U P in the upper left section • 44th BG • it is the default Bomb Group already
loaded and waiting.
3 • On this Main Menu Screen CLICK on PERSONAL MILITARY R E C O R D S (top left block).
4 • This will bring up the Personal Selection Form. In 'FIND W H O ' type in the Block Space the last name of the
person you are checking and CLICK on SEIECT.
5 • This will bring up the 44th BG's complete listing of personnel, but specifically to the ALPHA area of the
name that you selected. Find the specific full name of your search, move cursor to this person's line, then
CLICK on it E F T SIDE BLOCK to darken it, and CLICK on the top right hand box, SEIECT.
This will bring up a summary listing of all missions flown by this person, in date sequence.
6 • Also available here are buttons to obtain Personal Biography and Crew Photos.
Move the cursor to the Mission Number desired or date or mission target and CLICK on the small box, left side.
It will darken. Then move cursor to bottom of page.
CLICK on box S H O W CREW. A FULL SCREEN SORTIE REPORT will appear for that mission. Select the name of
the crew member that has an incident or story to tell. Move the cursor to the small box to the left of his
name and CLICK on it. This will highlight that box, then move cursor down to bottom of page to the box
labeled VIEW PRINTOUT, and CLICK on that box.
This will bring up a new full screen, again with some mission data but set up only for this airman and his story
or account of this mission. It will show his full name, Rank and Duty. Below this line and for the
remainder of the page is space available for this crewman's complete story. If the story is extensive, it
will continue on to another page. Or it might show only some basic facts, such as bomb load, time of
takeoff, degree of flak, etc.
If other crew members also have personal accounts, they, too, can be accessed by the same procedure.
To return to the Flight Crew Report for this mission, CLICK on the "X" box, top right corner.
DISKS ARE AVAILABIE FOR $153. WRITE:
44th Bomb Group Veterans Association, RO. Box 71228, Salt Lake City, UT 84171-2287
hbombgrou p.com
1. .sv**: ^a&pre
v_
%
26
�February, 2001
Prepared by:
and his final one with the V. J. Scherburg crew. Pat
was a devoted member of the 44th BGVA, once getting
out of his sick bed to attend another reunion.
CRITTENDEN, CHARLES A. - Date Unknown - Mail
Returned. He appears to have been a member in the
early 1950's.
DUNKERSLEY, GAYLE J. - Date Unknown - 0-688006.
He was a Navigator on the E. A. Herzing crew that was
assigned to the 506th Squadron in March, 1944. They
flew their first mission on 1 April and their second and
last one on 8 April 1944. All crew members became
Prisoners of War for 13 months.
BEEBE, TRAVIS -17 August 1997 - He was a
member of the 806 Chemical Company that worked
closely with the Ordnance sections of the four
Squadrons.
FEINSTEIN, (FENTON) MILTON S. -1991 - 0-735298.
Navigator. 66th Squadron. He flew his first mission
with the G.R. Insley crew on 27 September 1943. This
crew completed their tour on 20 April 1944, returned
to the US for R&R. But these dedicated men returned
to the 44th again, and were assigned to the 506th
Squadron. Flew their first mission of the second tour
on 1 August 1944, many times flying in A/C Southern
Comfort. Capt. Feinstein completed his 47th mission
on 25 April 1945, the last mission of the war.
CHANDLER, LAWRENCE W. - 24 November 2000 36427258. 68th Squadron. He served as Engineer of
the A. A. Starring crew that arrived at Shipdham on 8
December 1943. This crew was involved with
learning many of the RAF lessons about the German
A.F. tactics and several practice flights. On 21
January 1944 they flew their first and last mission,
were shot down by enemy aircraft. They were one of
the four planes and crews lost by the 68th Sq. that
day. Lawrence was the only crewman to evade
capture, had many dangerous moments before he
successfully made his way back to London on 20
May. He spent two days at Shipdham before
returning to the US on 23 May 1944.
COLIC, PATRICK L. - Date Unknown - 506th
Squadron. "Pat" was a gunner on the T. G. Water's
crew that arrived in the 44th BG in June, 1944, and
the last of his tour on 14 January 1945. His
last mission with the Waters crew came on 2
January 1945, flown as Right Waist Gunner.
t Included in these last few missions were
those with the crews of H. C. Tyree, Ogden
FLESHER, ISAAC A. - August, 1998 (incorrectly shown
as Flesber in Spring issue). 16053266. Joined the 68th
Squadron on 3/31/42. Was with the ground echelon
that departed NYC in September, 1942 on board the
Queen Mary. Was a Radio Operator, transferred over to
combat, flew his first mission 27 January 1943 with
the W.T. Holmes crew. He was wounded on the Kiel
mission 14 May 1943. He also flew the Ploesti mission
on 1 August 1943 with the J. H. Diehl crew and
completed his tour of 25 missions with the Hughes
crew on 18 November 1943. He continued to serve on
DS and finally returned to the US on 14 April 1944.
27
�r FOREHAND, CHARLES C. -14 February 2001 - 67th
NORTHFELT, W A L L A C E D. - Date Unknown 506th Squadron. He served as Navigator on the
W.C. Irwin crew that was assigned to the 506th
Squadron on 27 February 1944. Their first and only
mission was 18 March 1944, when badly damaged by
flak, were forced to land in Switzerland, interned.
Squadron. He flew his first mission on the first 44th
BG mission of 7 November 1942, but with the 68th Sq.
crew of J. D. Dubard, Waist Gunner. His last mission
on Kiel raid, 14 May 1943 was with the C.L. Phillips
crew, 67th Squadron. The airplane was shot down,
with Charles and three others becoming P O W s . He had
a total of eleven missions.
PETERSON, WOODROW W. - 4 April 2001 - 67th
Squadron. Woodrow was a Radio Operator on the W. F.
Gilbert crew which flew their first mission on 30 May
1944. Included in his missions was the first mission on
D-Day, June 6th. He concluded his tour of duty - 30
missions - on 3 August 1944.
JENNEY, THELO - 5 July 2000. He was a member of
the 464th Sub-Depot.
LIGHT, HERBERT M. -11 March 2001. 0-727354. He
joined the 68th Squadron on 8/3/42, arrived in England
on 10/2/42 as the Bombardier on the J. H. Diehl crew.
He was a member of the R. Phillips crew that attacked
the Ploesti Oil Fields on 1 August 1943. Completed his
tour of duty on 22 August 1943 and transferred to the
2nd Air Division in mid-September, 1943. He was
credited with shooting down one enemy aircraft, F W
190 on 3/18/43.
PINO, PIETRO - 5 March 2001 - 0-807042. Co-pilot for
the W. L. Wahler crew that was assigned to the 67th
Squadron on 3 February 1944. First mission was flown
on 25 February, and last one dated 31 July 1944. On 8
April 1944, their aircraft was badly damaged by fighter
attacks but managed to get back to the base. There,
most of the crew bailed out before the two pilots
skillfully landed their B-24 without further damages or
injuries. Pietro's last few missions were flown with
different 1st pilots.
McCLANE, JOHN W - Date Unknown - 0-814368. 68th
Squadron. John was a Navigator on the C. D. Peretti
crew that arrived at Shipdham AAF Base on 14 April
SUDDRETH, RAY-16 November2000-0-817861 Lt.
1944. In a very short period he flew his first of 29
Suddreth joined the 68th Squadron on 3/5/44 and
missions on 22 April. And again in less than a week
completed
his tour on 10/3/44. His early missions
attacked Berlin. John seemed to consider Lili Marlene
as their aircraft. This crew was sent to a rest home for were flown as co-pilot for the J. W. Principe crew
starting on 5/23/44, and flew two of the three missions
a week on 13 September 1944. John completed his
of D-Day with that crew. On 9/10/44 he flew his first
tour on 2 October 1944 and was transferred to the
mission of many others as 1st Pilot.
70th Replacement Depot on 9 October 1944 to be
returned to the US. John was very active in his work
WILSON, ALFRED R. - 5 February 2001 - 0-753096 with the 44th BG. He served on the Board in the early
Bombardier. Alfred flew his first mission as a member
44th H M G for many years. Too, he was their official
of the D. H. Dines crew on 26 April 1944. He flew many
video technician, recording all of their reunions,
of his early missions with the R. E. Van Ess crew,
recording many interviews during these reunions even
including one on D-Day. Then, was with several
in England and every banquet in their entirety. He
different 506th Squadron crew until he completed his
seldom was able to enjoy a hot meal at any of these
tour of duty on 2 November 44 with the G. M. Beiber
affairs. John also absorbed all of the video expenses
crew.
and donated the film records to the 44th BG archives.
John also compiled three booklets of his experiences
from training and all through each of his missions.
John had the great courage to tell one and all about his
personal fears during many of these missions and in
detail. He had the courage to donate these
booklets to our archives so that everyone will
know just how difficult these missions were
for our airmen. W e salute you, John.
28
�From
Bob Laas,
this poem by
Roger
Freeman
September, 1996
D o you remember Little Joe, a guy just five feet one?
But he stood as tall as any man when up against the Hun.
He'd swing that ball and deal out lead, and most times make a kill;
He never seemed to have a care. H e thought the war a thrill.
O n e day he flew with another crew, the ship got hit and blew;
The ball was seen to spin away, and what could poor Joe do?
He had no chute inside that thing; He never had a chance.
There wasn't much to bury at a cemetery in France.
Or am I wrong? I get confused. Was Joe some other guy?
M y memories get muddled as the years go rolling by.
D o you remember Little Joe, a forty seven Ace?
A grin that went from ear to ear across his youthful face.
He knocked them down at quite a rate when up there in the blue.
It seemed like he had a winning streak that wasn't going to break.
But Joe got overconfident and made the big mistake.
He made a second strafing pass across a Jerry base.
The flak just blew his plane to bits and spread it round the place.
Or am I wrong? 1 get confused. Was Joe some other guy?
M y memories get muddled as the years go rolling by.
D o you remember Little Joe? W a s he the e.m.s. cook
With Brooklyn brogue and olive skin? His was that Latin look.
He always had a cheery word and fed us best he could,
Yet guys bitched about the chow, and never understood,
He had to work with what he had. The rations were so tight,
For oranges and eggs were saved for m e n w h o had to fight.
He didn't get a Purple Heart when knocked down by a truck,
A n d yet he served country well 'til running out of luck.
Or am I wrong? I get confused. Was Joe some other guy?
M y memories get muddled as the years go rolling by.
D o you remember Little Joe, a six foot four inch guy?
A bombardier w h o was the tops when up there in the sky.
In sighting in his targets, he never seemed to fail.
H e knew that Norden inside out, and hit them on the nail.
The flak would burst around his ship, and Messerschmidts attack,
But Joe would never leave his sight until he had a shack.
For twenty seven missions, he gave his very best;
A n d then a Jerry 2 0 mil exploded in his chest.
Or am I wrong? I get confused. Was Joe some other guy?
M y memories get muddled as the years go rolling by.
D o you remember Little Joe? I'm not sure that I do.
If tall or short, or dark or blond, brown eyes, or were they blue?
A pilot or an engineer? A sergeant or major?
A novice in the task of war? A vet', a real old stager?
I only know that he was young, a kid become a man,
Exuberant and sure he'd win to live life's full span.
I guess he was ten thousand guys w h o didn't see it through,
For cause and county matter not, he did what he must do
To make this world a better place, the challenge of his day,
T o give the whole darn human race more time to find its way.
29
�r
*39
^33 MAIL & E-MAIL ^
The 44th has sustained another tragic loss. Col
G o o d m a n Griffin passed away at his home in Ft
Walton Beach, Florida. Not only was he an
invaluable administrative officer during the war but
was a uniquely funny speaker at 44th Reunions. The
information about this beloved member is not
available for this issue. A report of his life will
appear in the next 8 Ball Tails.
The 8 Ball Tails notes the passing of a devoted
friend of the 44th B o m b Group, Salli JohnsonAbbott, youngest daughter of General Leon
Johnson. Services were held at Faith Chapel Funeral H o m e , Pensacola, Florida. President Mikoloski, longtime friend of the Johnson family, attended the funeral, February 28. Our condolences go
out to her two sons, Leon Barnes and Nathan
Abbott.
Jackie Robert's story of the search for her father,
Jack Ostenson, 68th Sq. brought this unexpected
response from Mrs. Mary C. Hoke, widow of John
L. Dickinson, Engineer on the flight that brought
d o w n A/C #42-7514. She read the Jackie's story and
called her, learning for the first time that John's
name is on the Wall of the Missing at the Ardennes
Cemetery.
Editor's Note: It is amazing to me. The number of
44th members with connections to the mission to
Escalles-Sur-Buchy, all in one issue: Milton
Rosenblatt; Lois Cianci, daughter of Clair Sheajfer;
Jackie Roberts, daughter of Jack Ostenson; Archie
Barlow; and now, our newest member, Mary Hoke.
Like ripples in a pond, every deadly mission slashed
into the lives of many people.
From Michael O'Neil, Vice President of the
Distinguished Flying Cross Society: The 8 Ball
Tails carried misleading information regarding this
organization, which he wishes to have corrected.
First, the D F C S can only advise deserving veterans
h o w to go about getting an earned D F C award. They
do not issue them. If any airman feels he has earned
the D F C but did not receive it, he should contact his
C o m m a n d i n g Officer or ex-Awards and Decorations
Officer. Only these officers can recommend the
Award. O'Neil further states that the D F C was
awarded only w h e n a m e m b e r of any and all U.S.
Military Forces "distinguishes himself by heroism
and extraordinary achievement while participating
in aerial flight."
From Denis Davison: On page 35 of Volume 3 Issue #7 - Spring, 2001 is a picture of a sergeant
sewing stripes.
I a m very proud to say that
this m a n is m y father. First
Sergeant William Robert
Davison.
It warmed m y heart w h e n
m y mother showed m e his
picture had been printed in
this newsletter.
I have this original picture here at home along
with others that I will soon send to all of you as
soon as I can get them sorted and scanned.
I regret to inform the group that m y father passed
away on January 29, 1997. H e was a wonderful man
<^9
From Luc Dewez in Belgium: "My godfather, Luc
Vansammilliette, died at the age of 65." The two had
a very close relationship. Luc V told his godchild
about the death of close friends and family when
Belgium accepted defeat; of the four year German
occupation; and in '44, the arrival of the Americans.
In return, Luc D dazzled his godfather, telling him
about the bomber stories which he had collected.
These conversations were undoubtedly the
inspiration for young Luc, a m e m b e r of the
44th B G , to write books about W W I I .
and I a m very proud of him.
®
30
�������
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8 Ball Tails
Newsletter
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8 Ball Tails Volume 4 - Issue 1: Summer 2001
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Summer 2001
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Text
�The 8 Ball Tails©
President Emeritus: B-Gen. John H. Gibson
(Retired)
7008 Gateridge
Dallas, TX 75240-7936
Phone: (972) 239-0559
Director: Robert J. Lehnhausen (68)
2540 Benton Court
Peoria, IL 61615-8838
Phone/Fax: (309) 243-1952
Official Journal of The
44th Bomb Group
Veterans Association,
Inc.©
Director: Michael "Mike"Yuspeh (506)
7214 Sardonyx St.
N e w Orleans, LA 70124-3509
Phone/Fax: (504) 283-3424
e-mail: mikeyuspeh@worldnet.att.net
Compiled, written and
published tri-yearly at
2041 Village Circle
East, York, PA, by Ruth
W. Davis-Morse, Editor.
Director (44 SMW): Charles G. Simpson
Printed and mailed Bulk
President: Edw. K. "Mike" Mikoloski (66/67) P.O. Box 281
Rate at Salt Lake City,
Breckenridge, C O 80424
626 Smithfield Road #702
UT under USPS Permit
Phone/Fax: (970) 453-0500
N. Providence, Rl 02904
#6923. All original
e-mail: AFMISSILEERS@compuserve.com
Phone/Fax: (401) 353-0144
written material such
e-mail: EKMLIB44@msn.com
Historian: C.W. "Will" Lundy (67)
as letters, stories,
2519WestvilleTrl
First Vice President: Richard D. Butler (506/67)
excerpts from personal
Cool, C A 95614-2008
44th Group V P to 2nd A D A
diaries or memoirs,
Phone/Fax: (530) 886-8636 (Winter)
16828 Mitchell Circle
drawings and photos
e-mail: willundy@aol.com
Riverside, C A 92518
P.O. Box 315, Bridgeport, C A 93517 (Summer)
submitted to this
Phone (909) 697-2908 Fax: (909) 697-5875
Phone/Fax: (760) 932-7349
e-mail: rdb24@earthlink.net
journal will become the
property of the 44th
Membership, Search: Art Hand (66)
Treasurer: Gerald (Jerry) Folsom (506)
Bomb Group Veterans
517 Elm Street
3582 East Dover Hill Road
Association and will be
Paris, IL 61944-1417
Salt Lake City, U T 84121 -5527
Phone/Fax: (217) 463-5905
copyright protected
Phone (801) 733-7371 Fax: (801) 942-9988
e-mail: k9hwp@comwares.net
e-mail: 44thbgva@xmission.com
except where noted.
The text and photos are
U.K. Representative: Steve Adams
Secretary & 8 Ball Tails Editor:
otherwise reproduced
28 Bassingham Rd.
Ruth W . Davis-Morse
from official USAAF
Norwich, England N R 3 2 Q T
2041 Village Circle East
Phone/Fax: 011-44-1603-400221
and USAF documents
York, PA 17404
e-mail: s.p.adams@btinternet.com
Phone (717) 846-8948 Fax: (717) 846-6688
and photos which have
e-mail: rewdm@blazenet.net
been released for
publication. Permission
Director (67) Archivist
is granted for the
A S S O C I A T I O N MAILING A D D R E S S :
Anthony "Tony" Mastradone
44th B G V A
9111 Tuckerman Street
contents of this journal
P.O. Box 712287
Lanham, M D 20706-2709
to be reproduced
Salt Lake City, U T 84171 -2287
Phone/Fax: (301) 577-1487
specifically for personal
e-mail: mast@clres.com
archives. Otherwise,
copyright material
herein may be reproduced by the journal of other incorporated non-profit veterans organizations so long as this publication is
Immediate Past President: Roy W. Owen (506)
6304 Meadowridge Drive
Santa Rosa, C A 95409-5839
Phone: (707) 538-4726 Fax: (707) 538-1212
e-mail: Rowen44bg@aol.com
properly credited and prior permission is granted by the editor.
Those submitting letters, stories and photos to the editor or historian must do so with the understanding that this material will most
likely be published in this journal as a matter of interest to the members/subscribers of the Association and this journal. While every
attempt will be made to answer all of the material received, there is no explicit or implied guarantee that an answer will be provided
or published. Except for specific requests for the return of original documents and photos, all material submitted will become the
property of the 44th Veterans Association, Inc., or its successors.
�w i u ^msmw wmm>mMMM
If you had to name a living member of the 44th
BGVA, whose name has made it around the globe
most frequently and consistently, Historian Will
Lundy would be high on the list. From France,
Germany, Belgium and England, and particularly
here in the U S A , the Assistant Crew Chief at
Shipdham has left a mark on W W I I air war
history that will resound through the next
millennium.
"When I realized that nobody was recording the
events of my Squadron, the 67th, I started
collecting information. "I put a book together,
made 100 copies, and gave it to members of the
67th Squadron. Later I discovered there was no
record of those who died in combat," he
continued. "I thought their families should know
what happened to them. If one or two men
escaped a crash, I would look up their hometown
and see if they still lived there. Or I would try to
find somebody who knew them. Sometimes it was
pure luck. I also got access to official documents,
the briefings of those who made it back. I put it
all together in a book, which I called The Roll of
Honor and Casualties. Then I found a printer and
made 160 copies of this book. (Ed. Note: Will did
this at his own expense.)
Lundy's history of the 67th Squadron is long out
of print and old copies are eagerly sought. One
recently sold on e-Bay for $150. His Roll of Honor
augments most of the stories that appear in the 8
Ball Tails. His early recognition of the historical
value of pictures led him to start what is possibly
one of the biggest collections of W W I I aviation
memorabilia in the world. Even when he is looking
for a safe repository for his collection,
photographs, diaries and government records, he
is using it almost daily to answer one more
question from someone who is requesting
information about a long lost cousin, father, uncle
or brother. Most of the documentary information
in the Database came directly from his files; and
as much as he wants to take time to enjoy other
facets of his life, he continues to research and
respond to every e-mail that comes onto his
computer.
Will never started out to be a
historian. H e wanted to be a
pilot. To his dismay, he
learned that he couldn't enlist
in any branch of the service
because of visual limitations.
A student at UCLA working on
a degree in Psychology and
Anthropology, he saw his
classmates taking flying
lessons. H e was the only one
C. Will LuNdy - 1955
who did not become a pilot.
W h e n he was drafted in
1942, he wanted to be as close to a plane as
possible, so he applied for Aircraft Mechanics
School after Basic at Keesler Field, Mississippi.
Will AT A.M. School, KEESIER FiEld - 1 942
Will crossed the Atlantic on the Queen Mary.
With his buddies, he shared his awe at seeing
Lady Liberty on Ellis Island; but before long, he
realized that the Queen was all alone in that big
ocean, with no escort service. That was a little bit
sobering. Nevertheless, they made it safely to
Ireland, then Scotland, then England.
He remembers sunken ships in the harbor at
Firth, seeing Scottish children look at them in
wonderment and riding in a 'toy train', (big enough
for troops, but much smaller than American
versions). " W e got off the train around 2:00 A.M.
and walked through total blackness to a GI truck.
W e all stayed in line by hanging onto the shoulder
of the man ahead of him.
�" W e got to England before our combat crews who
flew over later, so to keep us busy, they had us
march up and down dirt lanes. W e marched so
long, we actually wore out our boots. Fortunately,
my buddy and I had stashed a pair of civilian
shoes in our bags, so at night we went to town and
visited a pub. W e enjoyed the company of Polish
flyers who were in the RAF, even though neither
spoke the other's language."
The realities of war came soon enough for Sgt.
Lundy. Twelve times he watched his plane Miss
bianne take off and eagerly awaited its return. On
8 March 1943, the mission was to the marshalling
yards on the west bank of the Seine River, south
of Rouen. The bombers flew unprotected, and two
were lost. Seventeen men from the Clyde Price
and Robert Blain crew were KIA; four became
POWs.
Will saw so many
brave young men
take off, never to
return, he
maintained his
equilibrium by
backing away from
strong friendships
with the combat
crews. The pain of
losing friends was
too unbearable.
In 1944, he recalls
waiting for his plane.
"In the cul-de-sac
there are the usual
Will LuNdy AT ShipdhAM
post-mission
WINTER, 194?
activities of gassing
up, patching flak
holes and/or bullet holes, engine checks, covering
up, etc., fully underway. But here — my plane is
missing! I've sweated out each plane that landed
hastily, identifying, then looking for the next. But
the ships are now all in and unloaded. M y pleas to
the adjacent departing combat crews for any sign
of its fate resulted in merely that it had been hit,
feathered # 2 engine, and fell behind. The many
stories of stragglers being jumped by enemy
aircraft continued to send chills up my spine. And
hope was almost gone.
"Too upset to leave the line, I kept busy moving
things around, making sure everything was in
readiness for her return; kicking the weeds,
watching the sky, and then the Jeeps and power
wagons as they busily traveled the perimeter,
returning the crews for debriefing. Then suddenly
one of the Jeeps turned in and screeched to a
halt. The line chief yelled, 'They're safe!! They
landed on the coast with just an engine out." I
almost needed a parachute to bring m e safely
back to earth."
A traveling maintenance crew patched up the
unnamed plane, and managed to get it safely
across the Channel, past the White Cliffs of
Dover to Friston Air Base, an R A F Fighter Base.
Will joined his crew chief, George Baccash, in
driving to southern England to ready the plane for
its return to Shipdham, then back to combat.
With Lt. Knapp at the controls, the ship's return
was an awesome experience for the eager aircraft
mechanic who volunteered to serve as engineer on
the flight. Adding to the problems of getting a
bomber off a fighter air strip, the experience was
heightened with "Doodle Bugs" (V-l Rockets)
passing overhead.
Pre-f lighted, we taxied out across the iron mats
that served as a short runway for the Spitfires,
then on down to the far south corner of this
rough, grassy plateau. It is a pretty view to see
the ocean a couple hundred feet down the
chalk-white cliffs through the co-pilot's window.
But the view back diagonally across this "airfield,"
the long way, wasn't all that inviting because it
really wasn't long. So it doesn't take much grey
matter to understand why we got as far away
from those buildings as possible. I took up a
position between and just behind the pilot and
co-pilot as they set the brakes, then fully
advanced the four throttles, then the superchargers until the full power of those spinning
propellers shook and bounced us, straining every
nut, bolt and rivet. Suddenly, brakes off and I was
hanging on for dear life as we jumped forward,
gaining momentum with each turn of the wheels.
W e are soon rapidly accelerating, crossing the
metal landing strip and off, but not up. N o w a
bump and we are airborne. No! back on the grass
again. The rough terrain keeps bounding us up, but
down we come.
����BRIGADIER GENERAL ROBERT L CARDENAS
Tesf P//of,
Combat Leader
and More
Bpoat
LEFT: B/GEN. RobERT CARdENAS
llAS floWN MORE TIHAN 6 0 diffERENT AiRCRA
i
—
JN IHIS CAREER.
«
Riqhi: CliMbiNq OUT of TIHE
XB'45'jETB0MbER.
Lt. Cardenas wrote to Mr. Dupont, I told him, "Fine thing. You raised
Brigadier General Robert L.
telling him that if he had $5,000, me from a pup, and now you're
"Bob" Cardenas, Commander of
leaving me."He replied, "If you
he would be able to get five
the 44th Bomb Group, began his
gliders and begin teaching men to ever get to England, I'll get you
military career in the Coast
into a group."
Artillery, then became a pilot as abe glider pilots.
Cadet in the Army Air Corps. He
was commissioned in July, 1941. Two weeks later a C-47 arrived To England
and out stalked a very tall Colonel. Later Cardenas went to England
In August, 1941, he was an
as 3rd pilot to deliver equipment.
"Who's in command here?" he
instructor at Kelly Field. His
section leader asked "has anyone asked. "I guess I am. I'm the only He jumped ship in London and
here flown a glider?" According to military man here." "Step around called Colonel Dent, reminding
him of his promise. Cardenas
here, son," he ordered, and we
Cardenas, "being a 2nd Lt., and
urged, saying, 'I believe a
walked
to
the
back
of
the
plane.
not knowing better, I raised my
superior's
word is his bond.'
He introduced himself as Colonel
hand before asking - why?" He
wound up being sent to 29 Palms, Fred Dent, and said he was in
"All right," Dent replied, "but y
California to establish an Army Aircharge of the Glider Program.
fly every mission." This suited
Corps Glider School.
"Didyou go to West Point?" "No." Captain Cardenas just fine. He
"Then I'll forgive you, but don't was assigned to the 506 Sq. After
29 Palms was a
four missions as co-pilot, he
contractor-operated facility, and ever
Lt. write to a civilian over the
moved to the left seat and Sidney
head of your Commanding
Cardenas was the only military
Pauljoined him in the right. He
person there. He had no gliders, Officer. "After the lecture, the Col.
pilotedPrince/PrincAss/Princess,
wrote
out
a
check
for
$5,000,
and
but it was expected that the
Baldy and His Brood, I'll Be Back
the Glider Program began.
government would supply them.
and
ConsolidatedMess, each tour
However, at Glider Meetings he
taking him deeper into enemy
had become acquainted with Mr. This opened the door for
territory. L A. Sefranekco-piloted
Cardenas's new assignment. He
Richard Dupont, a gentleman who
with him into Berlin, Eustice
was
sent
to
Wright
Field
where
he
had been named 'Glider Czar'by
Hawkins,
into Brandenburg and
tested
P-38's,
B-24's,
B-17's,
President Roosevelt, so he
Dean
Miller,
to an Aircraft
LB-30 Testing AB24's. The testing
decided to use this contact to
Components and Assembly Plant
was going fine, and then his
change the situation.
mentor, Col. Dent, was ordered to in Fredrichshaven, Germany. That
was on March 16,1944.
England for combat duty.
8
�To Switzerland
"I had to swear, practically in
the Operations Officer and the
Two days later, on a return to
blood, that I would not use this
Command Pilot of the B-29 that
Fredrichshafen, his 17th mission, opportunity to escape in one of
launched Chuck Yeager in the X-1
he flew as Command Pilot, with these planes," Cardenas
into the realm of supersonic flight.
1st Lt. Raymond J. Lacombeat
remembered. "However, the
In 1948 he was assigned Officer in
the controls. Chief& Sack Artists freedom to move around made it
Charge of Flight Test Division
sustained flak damage, causing
possible for me to make contact
projects at Muroc AFB and Chief
one engine to catch fire. Damage with the Underground. During his Air Force Test Pilot of the YB-49
to the left wing caused the aircraftinternment at Camp Maloney at
Flying Wing program. After
to descend at a 45 degree angle.
Adelboden, he made friends with completion of the Performance
Skillfully manipulating the
a Capt. Stolz, who joined him in
Phase II, he checked out Captain
controls, Lt. Lacombe succeeded an escape plan that led back to
Glen Edwards after the crash of
in righting his aircraft and
England.
the B-49 and loss of the crew, to
regaining his position in the
complete the Stability and Control
formation to complete a second
"In Geneva the train
bomb run. Additional flak damage station had one track that
set fire to a second engine,
accompanied trains
severed fuel and hydraulic lines, traveling IN-COUNTRY
and rendered the electrical system and another track for trains
inoperative.
traveling OUT-OFCOUNTRY. My contacts
With several of his crew badly arranged for me to hide in
wounded and the uncontrollable a Cafe'on the island
aircraft on fire, Lt. Lacombe flew between the two tracks. At
close to the Switzerland border
the appointed time I
where the entire crew parachuted donned a waiter's apron,
to safety, including Captain
walked out on the island
Cardenas. (For his outstanding
and jumped into a freight
skill, courage and judgement, 1st train headed out of the
TttE YB'49, JN which CARdENAS SET A SpEEd
Lt. Raymond Lacombe was
country into France. I was
RECORd iN l 949.
awarded the Oak Leaf Cluster to
accompanied by Capt. Stolz.
his Distinguished Flying Cross.
When the train slowed down near program in the remaining B-49. By
Grenoble, we jumped and were
1949, Cardenas flew the YB-49
Cardenas's chute dropped him in contacted by personnel from the
from Muroc AFB to Andrews AFB
Lake Constance, a border lake
French Underground. After D-Day, to set a transcontinental record of
between Germany & Switzerland. we were flown out in a black C-47 4 hours, 05 minutes, covering
A piece of flak clipped off part of back to England. Somewhere I
2,258 miles at a speed of 511.2
his scalp, but he was able to swim have a photograph of Capt. Stolz
mph. (Muroc has been renamed
into the neutral country.
and me with our contact in her
EdwardsAFB.)
Chalet near Geneva. I have never
At that time the Swiss governmentshown this photograph to make
was concerned with the B-17s and sure she was not placed
B-24s which were in plain view to in jeopardy."
any overhead German flight crew.
Testing
They contacted the U. S.
Returning to the States,
government, requesting an
instructor to teach their pilots howCardenas attended and
graduated from the Flight
to fly them to the safety of a
mountain airfield. "You already Performance School. He
participated in the flight
have an instructor-Captain
Cardenas," they replied. Thus the test evaluation of the
internee became the instructor of German ME-262 and the
ARADO
234-Germany's
his captors'pilots.
first jet bomber. He was This W A S A G E R M A N JET BoMbER which CARdENAs EVAluAisd.
�The Governor then appointed
became Commander of the A ir
Korea & Vietnam
General Cardenas to the Board in
Force Special Operations Force.
During the Korean War, Col.
1987 where he was elected to a
Cardenas was working on the
Next he was assigned in Europe
policymaking body for the
cutting edge with new jet fighters as Vice Commander of the 16th
and bombers. He was then
Air Force at the Torrejon Air Base, California Department of Veterans
Commander of the 51st Fighter
Spain. It was here that he had the Affairs, and to which he became
Interceptor Wing in Okinawa,
dubious honor of negotiating the
Chairman in March, 1990. He left
flying the F-86D. Later, he was withdrawal of U.S. armed forces in in 1993 to serve as Chairman of
Commander of the 18th Tactical Libya with Muhmar Quadafi.
the San Diego County United
Fighter Wing on Okinawa during
Veterans Council and as a
the Gulf of Tonkin crisis. For the "After that I became the U.S.
Director on the Board of the
next two years, he flew the F-105 Deputy to LIVE OAK at SHAPE
Veterans Memorial Center &
in combat operations over
(Supreme Headquarters Allied
Museum.
Vietnam.
Powers in Europe) in Mons,
Belgium." One of my jobs was to
On April 15,1993, the University
He returned to the U.S. to
tell the Soviete 'NYET when they of New Mexico honored him for
command the 835 Air Division at would try to close the roads, trainshis Outstanding Professional
McConnell AFB, training F-105
and/or airways into Berlin. At
Contributions and Leadership.
crews for combat in Vietnam.
SHAPE, which was the
The USAF Test Pilot School at
From there he went on to Air War
headquarters SACEUR (Supreme
Edwards AFB honored the
College, and on graduation was
Allied Commander Europe), they General on December 10,1994
assigned Chief of the Aircraft &
called us 'the tripwire' to WWIII."as a "Distinguished Alumnus"and
Missile Programs Division in the
in September, 1995, he was
Pentagon.
Prior to his retirement in June of
inducted into the "Aerospace Walk
1973, General of Honor" at Lancaster, California.
Cardenas
The Sigma Chi Fraternity awarded
served as the
the General the Sigma Chi
Chief of the JL "Significant Sig" medal during
Division of the their June 1995 national convention
Joint Strategic in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Target
Planning Staff Currently, he serves as a member
(JSTPS)
of the San Diego Advisory Board
where he was
and a Director on the Board of the
responsible for Veterans Memorial Center &
the Joint
Museum (VMC). He started a
Strategic
"Living History" library at the VMC
Target List of
so the little guys will not be
the U.S.
forgotten. The group acquired 16
Nuclear War
computers and established a
Plan.
computer school for veterans to
prepare
them better for a job and
AboVE: CoMMANdER of TITE
In 1983, he was appointed to the keep them from becoming
l 8TIT TACTJCAI FiqhTER WiNq ii\i
White House as the California
homeless. They just started a
O W N A W A , K O R E A ANd ThAilANd.
Coordinator for President
committee that works with the City
Reagan's Southwest Border
Public Administrator to provide
CARdENAs HEW F' 105's OVER
Economic Action Group. He
VIETNAM.
dignified burial and honors for
resigned in 1985 and accepted an unclaimed homeless veterans.
International Assignments
appointment by the Governor
Toward that end, the VMC is in the
From the Pentagon, he was made Dukemejian as Chairman of the
process of acquiring cemetery
Chief of the Special Operations
Juvenile Justice and Delinquency acreage from civilian cemeteries
Division at U.S. Strike Command Prevention Advisory Group, as
to be operated as Satellites of
HQ in Tampa, Florida. He rose to well as a member of the California Rosecrans National Cemetery,
the rank of Brigadier General, and Council of Criminal Justice.
since Roscrans is full!
10
��r
The 44th BG's Tour Didn't Happen
September 11, 2001 Began a New Era
It was defined in the resounding words of President George W. Bush
"We will not tire. We will not falter. We will not fail."
Larry Herpel made every effort to bring the trip about, but with every hour,
the sobering truth became more clear. Newark airport was closed!!! Othe
hyjackers were suspected to be in the area.
It will take some time for him to unwind the 16 day tour in which he had
placed so much time and energy. He asks for forbearance from all ofus who
are waiting to be reimbursed.
FACING A NEW ENEMY
The world has seen rubble before. The attack on the World Trade Center in
New York was, in a single strike, a ghost of the many nightly raids in London with
the V- 1s, and later the V-2s.
Our new enemy, the terrorists, had the advantage of total surprise. Early in
the War, the British were able to take advantage of a new invention-radar. Located
along the English Channel, they provided early warning of an upcoming
bombardment.
"I was in London, helping an English family clean their fireplace equipment,
Sgt. Perry Morse recalled. "I could barely hear the V-1 motors because the air raid
sirens were so loud. It was scary to me, but the family had become so accustomed
to the bombings, they hardly paid attention. One of the rockets dropped on the
Railroad Station, and that caused quite a bit of damage, but it rapidly got cleared
up and the trains continued to run. "
The V-2 was more destructive. This rocket powered engine revealed itself as a red flash in the sky.
explosion was powerful, and the shock wave was truly violent. Wiping out those sites had to become a
priority if England was to survive. No wonder the 44th was deployed to Pas Des Calais area at
Escalles-Sur-Buchy and other areas on the French side of the Channel to knock out this ghastly threat.
England survived; and along with the United States, determined that civilization and morality must
prevail. It still must.
President Mikoloski sums up the American situation succinctly: "The World Trade Center, America's
most visible symbol of economic freedom and flourishment, was
reduced to ashes with the greatest single day's loss of lives in our
history; the Pentagon, Bastion of the Free World's most powerful
military force, blasted by a hijacked commercial airliner with the loss of
nearly 200 precious lives...
On 7 December 1941, our generation did not know how we would
win WWII, but we knew we had to win. Now the banner has been
handed to another generation. Advanced technology has made great
weapons available.
With their strength and determination and our prayers,
America will again prevail.
W "IT
�Winbrin, Belgium 17 September 2001
Hamminkeln, Germany 19 September 2001
WINBRIN, BELGIUM
September 17,2001
Events we were
scheduled to attend
on our tour.
The 44th BGs tour was to take us to the Memorial
Site, where a monument to the Pinder crash was
unveiled. Although we could not be present, a
memorable event took place, captured photographical
and relayed to us by E-Mail, courtesy of Sgt. Peter
Loncke of the Belgian Air Force.
PhoToqRAplns kii\dly subiviiTTEd by KARI-HEJINZ G A N S E I
I!
389
392
445
Wnhdccp»ppreciKj<jnloilKciu2«oo(H«Knii4«\«loifflD.«.»o
memorial plamie dedicated to the USAf m «ho s»vt itatoa oo-Ovo»»»'<
p « and c o m e together to honor! these Pn
-" aMlftienita of the B-24 crews.
MEMORIAI PIAQUE
PJNCIER CRASIT SITE
DEdicATioiN C E R E M O N Y
This message from Peter Loncke:
Sgt. Forrest S. Clark had a special interest in that
crash. He was personally aggrieved that his close
I just returned from my mission to Winbrin.
friend, T/Sgt. Abe Sofferman, had been lost. In
What can I say, all went perfect!!! All +/-100
honor of this friendship, he had a plaque erected in
people attending were impressed by the
his honor. In Clark's words, "It took 56 years and
ceremony and memorial!!! Mission
many months of research to put this story together
accomplished!
...Belgian aviation researchers recently unearthed
I started the ceremony with one minute of
parts of a B-24 bomber buried deep in an Ardennes
silence to remember those killed at the terrorist pine forest...
attack from last Tuesday. I introduced
"The date (of the mission) was 29 January 1944
the different guest speakers. The
and the target, the city of Frankfurt, Germany. The
unveiling of the memorial was done by
pilot of that bomber was Lt. Harold Pinder, and in th
Colonel USAF Tunstall from the
crew was T/Sgt. Sofferman. I was to be on that
American Embassy, together with the
bomber, but he chose to go to get his missions done."
Mayor of Houffalize and a Belgian War
Somewhere over southern Belgium an FW190A of
veteran who was too fragile to mount
JG26 shot down the bomber. It crashed in the pine
the steps, but stayed below. Five
forests near the tiny village of Winbrin in the
flower wreaths were laid. The last post Ardennes, about 100 miles south of Brussels. The
was played and two minutes of
FW190 guns set one wing afire.
silence. The schoolchildren had stood
It was one of 863 heavy bombers dispatched on
all this time around the memorial and
that mission. Twenty-four B-17s and five B-24s failed
at the end sang a song in French, very
to return. The FW190s of the 4th Staff el ofJG26 took
moving and nice. The 44th BG was
off at 1010 hours and intercepted the B-24 formation.
represented by the Crandell family,
On most of the mission, the bombers were flying
brother of Lt. Crandell, KIA on 24
without fighter support.
March 1945.
13
�Some of the crew died in the crash and some
parachuted, among them, Lt. Pinder and Sgt.
Sofferman. They managed to get out of the badly
damaged craft before it went into a steep downward
spiral and crashed.
Fragments and some of the ammo have been dug
up at the site. The forest hid much of the plane, but
recently with the aid of metal detectors, pieces of
fuselage, shell casings and other artifacts pointed to
the plane's identity, B-24 #42-7547, Sky Queen, 67
Sq., 44BG.
Clark's research continued, "The rest of the story is
PETER E M M E R Y
one of hardship, courage and overwhelming odds.
Clark
expressed
his
deep devotion to his friend by
The surviving members of the crew were taken in by
paying for a plaque in his memory. It can be seen at
the
Winbrin, along with the monument which the city ha
Belgian
partisan
erected.
Sgt. Peter Loncke found the crash site. After muc
army and
inquiry among the villagers, a burgomaster led him
hidden in
the pine forest where the plane had gone down.
various
locations According to Loncke, the impact hole was still visi
Some of the resistance fighters were still living
in the
vicinity of could relate the events.
Winbrin
for about
30 days.
PIAQUE uNVEiUd.
Some of
the local
resistance fighters and a couple of postmen saw the
parachutes coming down. They took Sofferman and
Pinder to the hideout of the partisan resistance army
known as Armee Blanche. The area was heavily
honeycombed with German occupation troops, all
armed and ready to kill. They were under strict orders
to seek out and destroy downed allied airmen. But
the partisans kept one jump ahead of the Germans." Thanks to the research of Will Lundy, Peter
In one of the coldest winters in Europe's history,
the and many others, the crash site was
Loncke
partisan's struggled to get the airmen and some discoveredand theplane was identified.
Russian
Loncke arranged the unveiling.
escaped
prisoners to the
Comete Line,
an established
escape route,
but apparently
their presence
was made
known to the
The CEREMONY pRoqREssss.
German
police.
Unbelievable as it may seem, a Russian defector to
the German army, Gen. Vlassov, led an attack on the
partisans. Rather than risk capture and abuse from
the Nazis because of being Jewish, T/Sgt. Sofferman
chose to try evading. He was shot.
"^'li> arm"! yon io Wir W o A f "
14
�Hamminkeln, Germany
19 September 2001
A bridge was
indeed an
built between the
emotional moment
USAF, the family
for Joe and his
and friends of nine
^^^F JP '.
family and
B-24 groups and
ourselves when
the city of this
he put fresh
German town. The
flowers on the
Mayor of
site, a wreath of
1
•
^
Hamminkeln
artificial flowers
received a
with two American
PETER sTANdiiNC, dimiNc, spEEch m TITE TOWN HAII
Memorial plate
flags and a
commemorating the crews of "Operation Varsity,"
plastic-covered display holding the photograph of th
along with a painting of the planes which are now
crew and the story of the crash. He had brought
hanging in City Hall.
some sand with him from his hometown in Illinois to
On 24 March 1945, the 67th and 506 Sqs. had
scatter around the crash site. The empty sand pot, h
been assigned to drop supplies to British
then filled with soil, together with some just falle
paratroopers who had just crossed the Rhine. The
leaves from the oak tree which grows on the site. It
planes were loaded, and the guns had been
was indeed a moving experience.
removed, to make more room for materials of war.
"We traveled on to the village of Hamminkeln. We
They flew at treetop level over the little town of
set up our Memorial plate and covered it with an
Hamminkeln.
American flag. We went back downstairs where Joe
Two planes from the 44th BG went down. Everyone
met Peter Emmerich, the German FLAK operator
on the crew of Leonard Crandell were KIA. Two
who had shot down the Crandell plane. This was
survived the crash of Max Chandler's crew: Robert
indeed an emotional moment for both men."
Both Germans and Americans contributed to the
Vance and Louis DeBlasio. Sgt. Anibal Diaz on AC
Memorial plate. Along with the contributors, two
#42-50535,506 Sq., was swept out of the plane
German fighter pilots attended the ceremony. Also
when his parachute spilled open and out the ball
turret well. The force of the air pulled him into the well
present
and out of the plane. The Germans later reported him was a
mixedparty
dead. John Delaney, flying a P-47 dived at anti
from
aircraft guns and his plane crashed also.
Holland
and
America.
The group
met with
the Mayor
in a big
Council
Room. The
L TO R: P. LOINCI<E, P. E M M E R Y , JOE CRANdAtl,
M A Y O R , CONNJE, BARDARA CRANdEll, PETER, JOE, PETER EMMERIC^
Memorial
CEORqE A(\id TERRY BOETCITER (1 5 AF), ANd
M A Y O R of HAMMiNkElN.
plate and
The memorial event was orchestrated by Peter
painting
Loncke, who described the events of the day.
were presented. Contributors names and addresses
He picked up Joe, Barbara and Connie Crandell at
their hotel in Lommel. Joe was the brother of Capt. were listed on the back of the painting.
Leonard Crandell. Along with a Belgian friend, they Fifty-four years ago, nobody would ever have
dreamed that such a gathering between friends and
traveled to Hamminkeln.
Peter wrote, "We drove to the crash site which is enemies could have taken place. We of the 44th are
situated next to the crash site ofLt. Chandler. It wastruly grateful to Peter for building this bridge.
15
��down, my efforts will be devoted to
insuring that the TRUTH prevails and
that the reputation and gallant
character of our esteemed leader
and the brave men he led are duly
honored, protected and preserved.
Stay Tuned.
My closing quotation "He who slings mud loses
ground."
Edward K. MikoloskLT3resident
(Ed. Note: The courage and ski/I of
men in the Ploestimission will forever
stand as a measuring block for the
glory and irrepressible spirit of airmen
everywhere.)
The Eighth Memory
The English girls loved you
The German cities hated you
You littered Europe with bombs and fallen comrades
You learned to like the bitters and the weather
The cold was always there but so was the hope
I still see you there, children in leather and green
So much younger than you seem
Adapting, adjusting and bringing about death
Certain and doubtful all in one breath
Odds are against you, what do you have to lose?
But lose you will, if not your own life then someone you knew
Your livelihood riding cold on dedicated ground crew and never
turning back
Life in a tin can, work in a freezer shot at day by day
Boredom and terror never far away
From the Editor:
Fighters and flak stalking your every move
Members, please do not keep your
Pubs and English lovers never there long enough to soothe
change of addresses a secret. If you change Lives that ended too soon, terror that lasted too long
locations, phone number or E-Mail address, Your being there, now written on an airfield in marble stone
let us know. It will save Jerry Folsom, Art
In November they bring you poppies, hoping somewhere you're well
Hand, Roy Owen, Will Lundy and your crew
Remembering the good times, remembering your hell
members a lot of time trying to locate you.
They see you in their memories
The 44th BG is a tight band of men, families
and friends with a unique history. Let's stick They visit your mates at Maddingley
Remembering your presence, remembering your fight
together by staying in touch.
Have you visited the 44th Bomb Group's They remember you most, as those who fought in broad daylight
Web Site? If you are online, search http:// They call you "our lad's" in villages and in dales, from Norwich to Lavenham
www.44thbombgroup.com. You will love
what you see-all the information about this
From Framlingham to Deenthorpe the story is passed down
great organization, the list of planes that
Of the day the Yanks brought new hope to town
flew, the upcoming events and much more.
From Fortresses, Liberators and Mustangs the stories live
As time goes on, more information will be
In small churches, pubs and in village halls
added.
To that most sacred of places behind the altar of St. Paul's
Do you have any photos or information
You who fought without hate
about your airplane, or one that you worked
You those immortal young men of the American Mighty Eighth
on? Do not let it yellow in your attic. If you
are saving it for your children, copies can be
made at any reliable office supply
store-Kinkos, Staples, etc. (Not on a
standard photocopy machine. It doesn't
bring out details.) If you send originals, they
Write to:
will be copied and returned.
44th B o m b Group
Have you done your Database? Do it. No effort is too small to
Veterans Association
record. Hitler's Thousand Year Reich ended in six years because of
P.O. Box 712287
you. Write it, so the world will never forget the sacrifices that were
Salt
Lake
City, Utah 84171-2287
made to bring him down.
17
�Col. Griffin Goodman is best known by most members of the 44th B G V A for his droll humor, coupled by
his delightful southern accent. He passed away March 22,2001, at his home in Ft. Walton Beach. Col.
Edward K. "Mike" Mikoloski attended the funeral service. President Mike remembers that, "More than
anyone else, Colonel Griffin provided the continuity and 'sense of mission' of the 44th B o m b Group, since
he'served continuously as the E X E C U T I V E OFFICER to all of the C O M M A N D I N G O F F I C E R S of the
group, from Col. Frank Robinson at Barksdale A F B and Will Rogers A F B through Colonels Robinson,
Johnson, Posey, Dent, Gibson, Snavely and Smith at Shipdham."
In a tribute written in the 2 AD Journal, Lt. Col. Richard Butler referred to the Group Executive Office
as "Mr. 44." Butler reported, "He w a s the right hand m a n for all of the men w h o served as group
commanders at Shipdham. Griff remained in the Air Force after W W I I and served with distinction in
numerous important assignments, retiring with the grade of Colonel. He attended virtually all of our 44th
reunions and most 2nd Air Division Association conventions. He once served as President of the
Association."
As CO. of the 68th, Lt. Col. Robert Lehnhausen had little contact with 'Griff, but he was aware that as
the ranking officer on the ground side, he w a s a skilled administrator. Lehnhausen stated, "Our troops
were seldom shorted by the distribution channels of food, clothing, combat supplies and pay. It may not
have satisfied their every want, but the group policies were not onerous or unbearable.
"Some of our folks didn't understand that our Base was a part of the 'Lend Lease' arrangement with the
British. They were our landlords. Griffin's demeanor of grace and gentle persuasion, his tactful manner
in dealing with the British "Clerk of the Works" and our Norfolk neighbors, made life for the seven
commanding officers for w h o m he served much easier and pleasant. Our 44th personnel also shared in
this rapport-without knowing why. It is unusual that one gentleman should serve so long in such a
position of great responsibility. He maintained his leadership role because he w a s a valued aide to each
of those seven commanders.
"I really got to know him through visits together at the Reunions. He possessed an amazing memory of
the happenings of the 44th, both big and small. A great part of m y admiration of this humorous, talented
officer w a s his huge respect and the concern he displayed for our enlisted men and their welfare. Colonel
Goodman G. Griffin was a splendid officer and a gentleman."
Editor's Remembrance: One of Col. Goodman's recollections was about the time he was riding on an
eastbound train full of soldiers who were under his command. When he opened his orders to learn his
destination, he discovered that fact had been omitted by his commanding officer. While riding along,
pondering this omission, he questioned his First Sergeant, only to learn that he knew all the answers. He
laughingly reported, "Iliad to ask my First Sergeant where I was going!!!" (He was going to England.)
%
18
�The site of the
American Bombing of
18 November 1943
From Col. Richard "Dick" Butler:
RicliARd ANd Audirln BUTIER
O n 18 November 1943, B-24 aircraft of four groups, the 44th, the 93rd, the 389th, and the 392nd
bombed the German motor works at Kjeller Airfield near Oslo, Norway. The bombing was excellent, but
the 44th lostfiveaircraft and the crews of four of them. The 67th Squadron lost three planes and their
crews. These were piloted by Edward Dobson, Joseph Houle and Earl Johnson. The 68th Squadron lost
two aircraft, one being that piloted by Edward Mitchell. This crew was lost. The other 68th plane,
piloted by Baxter Weant with Lt. Col. William Brandon as c o m m a n d pilot, had extensive damage and
landed in Sweden. Two gunners on planes that returned to Shipdham were deceased due to fatal gun
shot wounds.
In 1993, Forrest Clark, assisted by Ed Dobson, son of the lost pilot, led an effort to rais
place a memorial at Kjeller Airfield to honor our fellow crew members w h o were lost on the mission.
On this past 30 June, my wife, Ardith, and I arrived in Oslo, Norway to start a cruise. Beca
that mission of 18 November 1943 and lost some very good friends, I wanted to see the memorial to
them. So on 1 July, Ardith and I journeyed out to the Royal Norwegian Air Force installation at Kjeller
Airfield to view the monument. W e were escorted to the site and I a m pleased to report that the
monument is in perfect condition. It and an adjacent R N A F monument are maintained by the RNAF.
The brass plaque on the stone reads below the Eighth Air Force Insignia:
U.S. nth Air Force
1343
1333
NORWAY
UNITED STATES
Here at the site of the American Bombing of 18 November 1343,
We, the Survivors of the 8th Air Force, 44th. 332nd. 33rd
And 383th Bomb Groups. Dedicate this memorial to the
Brave American Airmen who died on the Mission to
Norway in November 1343. In Remembrance of their
Sacrifice and Devotion to Freedom, w e Salute them
And the Courageous Norwegian Allies who fought
Against Nazi tyranny a Half Century ago.
...dedicated 18 November 1333
In the photo, Ardith and I are standing behind the monument. The object to our left is a split five
hundred pound b o m b casing from the mission. It is well maintained also. It was an emotional
experience for me. I a m glad w e went to Kjeller Airfield.
I might add that the Coastal Steamer cruise is wonderful. Norway is such a beautiful country
clean. The ship is a working ship and stops at numerous towns and villages. W e went all the way up into
the Arctic Circle to Kirkenes at the very northeast tip of Norway where it adjoins Russia and Finland. I
went to the Russian border. Ardith and I strongly recommend the cruise.
J
19 6
�Flying 8 Ball Patches - $14 + $2 postage.
Back copies of 8Ball Tails -• $5
Write 44th BGVA, P.O. Box 712287, Salt Lake City, U T 84171 -2287
Flying 8 Ball Shirts -- $25 + $3 postage
Flying 8 Ball Caps—$15 + $2 postage
Pins - $ 5 + $2 postage
Write S a m Miscelli, 6398 Dawson Blvd. Mentor, O H 44060-3648
Kevin Watson's book Ruth-Less and Far From Home is the story of the tragic crash of the A/C
#41-24282,506 Sq. It is available through Amazon.com; signed copies can be obtained through
hometown.aol.com/kpwats7. The cost is $20. His book is a tribute to the J a m e s Bolin crew of Ruthless.
The 44th Tour Group in 1997 will remember Kevin for graciously traveling with the group through
France and Belgium and shopping for amenities to make the members more comfortable on the bus.
Watson arranged for an awesome ceremony on Butts Brow, the hillside crash site of the Ruth/ess;
and later, the meeting at the Eastbourne Courthouse with Mayoress Beryl Hea/y
44th BOMB GROUP, The Flying Eightballs, a 115 page documentary of the 44th BG is available for
$55 from Turner Publishing Company, 412 Broadway, P.O. Box 3101, Paducah, KY 42002-3101. This
hardbound 9 x 11 book has 128 pages of historical material, and biographies of many veterans. A
good reference book for new members seeking information.
THE WILD BLUE YONDER is a chronology of the James hi. Williams crew, (66th BS) as recorded by
Warren F. McPherson. McPherson's detailed report tells the story from induction to his last
mission, concluded by a kiss on solid soil. The Tail Gunner w h o later became a minister presents a
lively and accurate account of the life of an N C O in the maelstrom of war. Cost $10 for a soft cover,
32 page ringed book. Write 1016 E Rockwood Street, Springfield, M O 65807-5092.
_
PURSUIT IN THE PYRENEES, by Archie Barlow, Jr., is an account of a three month effort of
evading the enemy in German-occupied France, 1944. The price is $20. Write L. B. Wright, 3911
Black Locust Drive, Houston, T X 77088-6904. Tel. 281-931-1932. E-mail Wrightfaljuno.com.
The Angel and the Eagle, by Joseph E Milliner is a personal story, written in 3rd person, of his
experiences as a pilot, a family man and a distraught father whose son, a helicopter pilot, tragically
disappeared in Laos during the Vietnam War. Milliner describes the fury of the Ploesti Raid, target
White V in dramatic detail. Then there w a s Foggia, where Buzzin Bear crashed, and four of the crew
were lost. According to Joe, his ever faithful Guardian Angel J O S E P H saved him from parachuting
into the flaming plane. Milliner's signed hardcover book is available for $ 11.95, (postage incl.). Write
281 Fincastle Way, Shepherdsville, KY 40165. E-mail MackieOI 26@aol.com.
I
20
�S/Sgt. Robert Reasoner Remembers
Kiel Germany
shooting at the fighter; and when sighting
through thegunsight, Ihad to bend forwardand
May 14,1943
stoop slightly. The bullet had just broken the sk
on my head. It felt just like a hard blow with a
// was a good day for a bombing mission, as hard club. The bullet had torn a slit in my helmet,
the sky was clear except for a few scattered
clippedmy headset and continued on into the
clouds below us. Soon after we crossed the
aircraft structure. My imagination took over and
coastline and were over the continent, we begancould feel the bloodseeping on my head. Ididn't
to see German fighters rising in the distance. dare
We check then, but it turned out to be my
began to have fighter attacks at irregular
imagination, because the bloodhad remainedin
intervals before we reached the target city. As the area where the bullet struck me.
we reached the outskirts ofKiel, the fighter
Even after the bombardier had dropped our
attacks intensifiedand became almost constant.
bombs, the fighters continued to attack in large
At about that time, I saw Capt. O'Brien's ship numbers. It seemed they wouldnever stop their
drop out offormation and lag behind. He was
attacks. By this time, Ihad just aboutgiven up
under heavy attack and the fighters werejust and wondered why Capt. Jansen had not rung
swarming around them. I was unable to observe the bail out bell. I looked in the waist section to
any parachutes drop from theplane because of see ifthe othergunners were still there. I could
the large number offighters in the area.
see they were still firing theirguns and it looke
As we were nearing the target, we had
like they were up to their ankles in spent 50
become "tail end Charlie "because ofthe loss ofcaliber cartridges.
Capt. O'Brien's ship. (I think we were flying #2 As the fighters had begun theirattacks rathe
position and O'Brien was#3J. Capt. Jansen hadslowly, they ended their attacks abruptly. I
calledme over the intercom and said "let me
wondered why and lookedaround for a reason.
know when the bast— are coming in!" When I
The tail gunner is the last to know! There below
calledand said "here they come!", he then
was the coastline ofthe North Sea. The timing
slipped up under the leadership ofour formationwas perfect for us. My rightgun was out of
and didsuch evasive action, that the gunners ofammo and the leftgun had a strip about
the leadship said they couldalmost touch us. At eighteen inches long.
the home base, they were worried that Capt
The safety from the fighters as we reached
Jansen wouldcut the bottom out oftheirship
the North Sea gave us a chance to lookaround
with hisprops.
for the first time. When we saw all the holes in
It seemed the fighters wouldnever stop
our plane, we thought ofthe new danger ofthe
coming in on us. Most ofthe attacks were from 6 cold waterbelow and how long we couldsurvive
o 'clockhigh and were mostly FWigO's that linedif we had to bail out or crash-landin the water.
up one behind the other and came in. Their
Also how long before we could expect to be
tracer bullets coming at me appeared to be like picked up and wouldit be in time?
little streaks of light that flashed on and off. On Anyway, Capt. Jansen kept MARGARET
one attack, Isuddenly foundmyself hanging on ANN going with her #3 engine feathered. Allot
my back out ofthe tail turret. Ididn 'tknow whatus in the waist kept a sharp lookout forany other
had happened untilI got back inposition in the signs offailure, but none appearedand we
turret. At that time Isaw a bullet hole in the arrivedback at our base at Shipdham. The
turret-plexiglass at eye level just above the engineer shot a redflare indicating "wounded
bulletproof glass on the rear ofthe turret. The aboard, "and we were cleared to land
bullet wouldhave hit me in the center ofthe
immediately. Capt. Jansen made a perfect
forehead, but I was saved because I was
landing - he held the plane on the left main
21
_v
�(
A VIEW FROM AN EAST ANGLIAN
Roger Freeman
landing wheel, as the right tire had been
flattenedby a 20mm armor piercing shell.
"I have m y own memories of you good people. I remember
When theplane slowed tillhe couldnot holdityou on your bicycles, the laughter, the singing and the shouting,
offthe right wheelany longer, he let it touchh o w you would go to the local pubs, complain bitterly about the
wet, warm English beer and then drink the pubs dry. I recall
down andmade a curve offthe runway onto
your generosity with the local children, how you would give
the beautiful green grass and soft earth of
them sweets, make a fuss of them and arrange parties for them.
England. The exit ofthe crew from
I think most of us in England remember those cheerful young
MARGARET ANN must have set some kind of
men that you were.
a record. MARGARET ANN was riddled. The
I have other memories and I make no excuses for changing
ground crew told us later that we had250
the m o o d here. These are some of m y memories that I have and
major holes (1/2 inch or bigger) in our aircraft.
they're true.
Most ofthe fuel tanks hadbeen punctured, but
"I remember being terrified as a B-24 Liberator spiraled
down
luckily the hits were above the gas line. There with one wing aflame and I was down there on the
were 3 holes in the tail turret. One hit me on ground, and s o m e equally terrified, or far more frightened
young men, were parachuting down from that blazing bomber.
the head, one came in at a slight angle and
.. I recall watching the pilot of a P-38 Lightning being literally
knocked the handle offtheplexiglass door
lifted out of his cockpit because he was so cold and numb after
behindme (an early modification to keep the
a long fighter escort mission to Berlin. "I remember seeing a
coldair offthe tailgunner), and one came
B-I7 Flying Fortress in a cloudless s u m m e r sky limping home
through the bottom ofthe turret and nearly cutfrom a raid with a shattered tail and with holes so large blown
the toes out ofmy G.I. shoes stored under thethrough both wings, you could see daylight through them.
catwalk behind the turret. In the turret, I wore
W h e n this bomber finally came in to land at the local airfield, I
silk socks coveredby wool socks and fleece recall seeing the h u m p s on the stretchers being carried to the
lined flying boots. The ground crew traced thewaiting ambulances.
"I also remember those bitter winter days in England,
bullet that hit me and presentedme with the
watching
the ground crews working on the engines. Their
steel point of a.30 calipre armor piercing
hands must have been as n u m b as they could possibly be
bullet.
because you couldn't wear gloves for some of the intricate jobs
I'm sure those ofus that stillsurvive will
they had to perform...
always remember the firstAmerican raid on
"And I remember a burning mass in an English field which,
Kiel. Allotus in the rear ofthe plane had beena few seconds previously, had been a P-51 Mustang fighter...
slightly wounded. Besides me, the two waist and I knew that somewhere in that mass was a charring body
gunners hadbeen hit by20mm explosive shell that had once been a human being ...
"I also recall the noise as I lay in m y bed early in the
fragments. The bottom gunnerhadreceived
morning.
The constant noise which you couldn't escape from
internal injuries and died on the way back to
anywhere
in East Anglia in those days as the bombers and
Shipdham.
fighters
were
warming up, taking off and going to war.
S/Sgt. Leo V. McCready was hit by a .30
"I recall the contrails in the skies as hundreds upon
cal. machine gun bulletin his stomach and
hundreds of your bombers flew out... all heading eastwards.
died the next day. M/Sgt. Robert M. Smith
And one day, when you couldn't see the sky because of an
had20mm shell fragments in his right leg, and overcast, I can recall seeing the colored assembly flares slowly
S/Sgt. RichardJ. Butler was wounded in his dropping through.
right hand, right arm and chest from.30 cal.
"I also remember the fighters sweeping back in the late
afternoons, the colors of their heraldry flashing in the sunlight...
bullets.
and the bombers coming home, some limping, but usually in
Ed. Note: S/Sgt. RobertReasoner's story good formation.
"These are m y memories... I know there are memories
was featuredin the Summer issue ofthe Eight
which you have that I cannot share ... although I know what
Ball Tails. Reasoner has the singular
they are..."Such things as the flak clouds over Berlin... over
distinction of acquiring three Purple Hearts.
Merseburg ... over H a m m ... Such things as the smell of
smoke and human sweat in the oxygen systems. Such things as
the tired grip of an oxygen mask on your face for ten hours...
the vibration and the noise of riding those bombers... Such
terrible things as seeing your comrades, w h o you probably had
22
breakfast with that morning, go down in the plane next to you
®
�r
and being helpless to do anything about it... and perhaps
worst of all, those empty beds which had been full the night
before...
These are also your memories and they are just a small part
of the story of the 8th Air Force. The 8th Air Force ... I'll
May, 2001
remind you again, the largest air striking force in history ever
committed to battle... the supreme realization of the
In this issue I would like to address a question to
American dream of daylight strategic bombardment. Yes, a
all of you combat m e n w h o could have flown the
great force indeed.
"I know that the men of the 9th Air Force bled as freely .. mission of 8 M a y 1944 and then the short period
of 4 through 7 April 1945. W e need your data if
. those of the 15th Air Force died as cruelly ... and all the
other air forces of that war have their pride, and rightly so. you participated in any of these missions, as these
five mission folders are missing or misplaced in
But no one can take away from you a record that is
unsurpassed in courage and endeavor... And the evidence is the National Archives! Tony Mastradone has m a d e
there... 47,000 men killed or missing by the end of the
several trips there asking for searches to be m a d e
Second World War... half the top awards for bravery earned for these folders, but until this time they are still
by the American Air Forces were for the 8th Air Force... so missing! Tony did find a 67th Squadron
that speaks for itself.
Engineering paper listing those 67th Sq. crews that
"Sadly, today there are people, some of them young, who
flew the mission of 8 M a y 1944 (to Brunswick), so
would scoff at all this. They would say that you have come
w e can prepare sortie reports for them, but w e
here to wallow in old glories... to gloat over a victory over
must attempt to identify the crews from the other
another nation ... that you achieved nothing ... that your
three
Squadrons for that date A N D all crews that
comrades who are not here with you died in vain, and in any
flew
any
of the four days in April 1945 (4, 5, 6 and
case they are forgotten ... Well, it goes without saying that
7 in April 1945).
there are men here tonight, with mental and physical scars
obtained during those dark days, who could tell any
'Peace-Nik' far better than I could, that there is no glory in war.
If any of you combat men remember or recall
"Of course you're not here to gloat over a victory over an participating in any of these five missions, could
old enemy... I have German friends and I'm sure some of
you please drop a note to m e with that
you do. No, you're here because you take an honest pride,
information. If you can remember the names of
and I think, if you won't admit this, it is probably the basic your crew mates, great! If not, w e m a y have to
element of your all being here. You have an honest pride of
resort to your regular crew names to show on the
being part of the 8th Air Force... indeed you do.
sortie report. A/C n a m e would be most valuable if
And as for having achieved nothing ... that is nonsense.
k n o w n or found in your o w n records.
You were part of the decisive victory over the worst tyranny
WILL SEZ
that man has ever known ... and you should be proud of it.
Your courage and endeavor are not forgotten... neither are the We are so close to completing our data entry files
people who died. Any young life is a wasted life, but nobody for all sorties flown by the 44th - well over 8000 that w e must do everything that w e can find the
died in vain. All those boys whom you lost died in a damn
good cause.
answers to these last few. So, if you have kept any
"I mentioned honest pride; if you want to keep faith with records of your missions covering these two
the sacrifice of your buddies of years gone by, there is no
periods, please take the time to check out any
better way than to promote that pride. Pride in the 8th Air
records you m a y have to determine if you were
Force ... the greatest Air Force your country has ever
involved. W e must be as accurate as possible in
produced and one of the most famous fighting units in history our historical records. T H A N K Y O U !
... Cherish that pride.
"Most of you wear the 8th Air Force symbol in some form
Secondly, a personal request to each of you
or another, either in the badge of this society or sister
non-combat personnel. The story about the 44th's
societies. I say to you, gentlemen, you have every right to
efforts
during W W #2 will never be complete
wear that with pride ... wear it with pride and so keep the
courage and endeavor of the 8th Air Force shining brightly for unless you people let m e , us, k n o w about what
each of you did at Shipdham. M u c h of what the
future generations.
(Ed Note: Roger Freeman is the foremost authority of combat
the
m e n did was recorded and saved in
history of the 8th Air Force in England during WWII. He official
is
records. But for the support personnel there
the author of "The Mighty Eighth" and other historical is very little, indeed.
writings of the era.)
®
�If you will do nothing else to help, would E A C H of
you drop m e a note (my address is on the inside
front page) to tell m e what job Y O U P E R F O R M E D .
If you don't write anything else, PLEASE give m e
your "job." Then, if you care to include more
about yourself or particular events, names of m e n
you worked with and w h o you worked for, I will
be most grateful! Look at it this way, it took at least
an average of 10 of us to keep one combat m a n
flying. For the most part our work w a s routine, but
very important to the war effort. W e might not
have had direct effect with the combat m e n or the
B-24s, but the sum total resulted in victory in
Europe. There still is a free world. A n d yes, I w a s
ground crew, too.
Truly, I cannot emphasize this enough. For all
practical purposes, all that n o w exists in our
records is your name, and even these did not
c o m e from the official records. By writing to m e
you will confirm that w e have your n a m e and get
it spelled correctly. I, we, do not have any
monthly reports of personnel from any section,
either. Nor are there any monthly reports of
Squadron Operational personnel except the one I
kept personally for the 67th Squadron for April
1945. W o u l d any of you have kept such reports in
your memorabilia? If you do, could you please
copy and send to m e ? They are priceless n o w .
Will you help m e with these records?
w h o could have served in W W #2, and then
telling them just h o w proud he w a s of us, and
most of all, to thank us for our sacrifices. H e said
that the American public have not expressed their
appreciation of their veterans as m u c h as they
should, so he w a s doing his best to seek out and
to personally express his sincere thanks to as many
veterans as he could.
He then firmly shook my hand, patted me on my
back and walked away! It took m e a bit to believe
what had just transpired, but it left a w a r m spot in
m y heart. I a m n o w relating this experience to you
in case you have never experienced such a
personal experience like this. It had happened to
m e , but in reality it w a s meant for all of you. So I
wanted to tell you about it so that you will know
that your efforts to save the free world is still much
appreciated by our people w h o still remember
your sacrifices.
FRgro
sorr>econeRg.
•d C M S L A M D
CHe
67tk
SGlU/\DRpNl
Now on a personal note, I'd like to tell you about
an incident that happened to Irene and m e while
shopping at a large grocery store a couple months
ago. As w e were pushing our large shopping cart,
a m a n of about 60 years old walked up to us,
pardoned himself for interrupting our shopping,
and asked m e if I was a World W a r veteran! It w a s
a very unusual question, so I hesitated for a
m o m e n t trying to guess what his motive was.
W h e n I finally told him that yes, I was, he then
told m e that he had been watching us for a couple
minutes, noticed our erect posture and friendly
ways, decided to stop us and ask. H e said he w a s
sure because of the look in m y eyes, but I don't
k n o w for sure what that meant.
So we chatted for a few minutes about my time in
service, about the 8th Air Force, the Liberator, etc.
Then he told m e that he often visited markets and
public places, m a d e a point of looking for m e n
V
24
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�September, 2001
Prepared by:
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COLUCC1, PATRICK Date ? 506th Sq. Gunner
Pat was a member of the T.G. Waters crew that arrived in
the 506th Squadron on 28 June 1944. They flew their first
mission on 1 August and he flew most of them with this
crew. The T.G. Water crew completed their tour on 2
January 1945, but Pat had missed a few, so completed his
33rd on 14 January with the V.J. Scheerzberg crew. During
most of his missions, he was a waist gunner. Both Pat and
Ginny were frequent attendees at the annual reunions. They
will be missed, indeed.
ARRAJ, ROBERT
located.
1/8/90 Not combat, no records
DAVISON, WILLIAM R. 1/29/97 13013634 68th Sq. 1st
Sgt. He joined the 68th Sq. on 6/20/42 and was promoted to
First Sergeant on 14 July 1942. He made both trips over
and back on the Queen Mary,firstin Sept. 1942 and return
on 16 June 1945.
BRADFORD, KENNETH No date 66 and 67th
DIXON, WILLARD E. 3/1/87 Cannot identify.
Squadrons. Kenneth was a gunner, both waist and nose
turret for the seven missions that he flew between 31 May
FAHEY, DONALD F. 2/28/69 37506294 68th Sq. Radio
1944 to 15 October. He flew two with R.J. Gunton, threeOperator for the T.L. Weaver crew. Donald joined the Sq.
with H.C. Henry, and two with C.R. Hinshaw.
on 5/5/44, flew their first mission on 5/21/44. This crew
was shot down on 7 July 44 while on their 21st mission.
CAMPBELL, WALTER D. 1/92 68th Sq. 39331274
Donald was one of the last crewman to bail out; was taken
Walter joined this Sq. on 21 May 1944 as a member of thePrisoner of War. He was released at war s end, departed
R.C. Ricketts crew. He served as a ball turret and waist
Europe on 3 June, arriving at the U.S. on 11 June 1945. On
gunner from 29 May 1944 to 30 December 1944 to
one of his missions, he was credited with saving the life o
complete 30 missions. He dropped from the Ricketts crewone of his crew, Sgt. Harrison.
during that summer and then flew with other crews. Late
in November, he joined the H.J. Eckstein crew and flew FUNKS, ROBERTD. 3/01 506th Sq.
with them until 30 Dec. 1944.
He was Radio Operator for the T.G. Waters crew that
arrived in the 506th Sq. on 28 June 1944. Robert and
CHANDLER, LAWRENCE W. 11/24/00 36427258 68th
Patrick Colucci (above) were crew mates. He flew 28
Sq. Engineer. He was a member oftheA.A. Starring crewmissions, most of them with T.G. Waters, but he did not
that arrived in this Sq. on 8 December 1943. Their first
finish his tour until 25 March 1945. His last three mission
combat mission was 21 January 1944, when they were
were with the W.M. Smith crew.
shot down over France. Four crewmen became POWs,
but Lawrence managed to evade capture until he returned
GAURONSKAS, EDWARD C. No date 16042233 68th
to the base four months later. Two days later he Squadron. Edward served as an Aircraft Mechanic. He was
was on his way back to the U.S.
with the Ground Echelon that made the voyage to England
on the Queen Mary in September 1942. His line crew is not
identified, but he served in this capacity until 16 June
1945, when he returned to the U.S., once again aboard the
famous Queen Mary.
25
��^9 MAIL & E-MAIL ^
^3
Feeney supplied a bit of historical trivia: When were Serial
Numbers discarded for Social Security Numbers? Joe
made that suggestion at a Pay Conference in 1968. The
idea was adopted. He believes he is holding the last card
that has both his Serial & S S # . They were to turn them
in, but he couldn't part with his.
qQ3
From Norfolk, England: Brian Peel, longtime friend and
admirer of the 44th BG, is sad to report that his mother,
Doris Peel passed away on April 11,2001 at the age of 100
years, six months. As a civilian, Mrs. Peel was involved in
the war effort, providing tea for English soldiers in the
area, housing soldiers' wives and evacuees from London.
Her efforts brought her acclaim from many dignitaries,
Stephen E. Ambrose: "It would be an exaggeration to say
including the British Secretary of State. When the
that the B-24 w o n the war for the Allies. But don't ask
Americans took over the airfield at Shipdham, she
how they could have won the war without it." (A quote
provided laundry services for men of all ranks. Brian was
from his new book, The WildBlue.)
a teenager when B-24s were flying from his hometown. He
has many w a r m memories of his associations with both
On May 2,1945,70 airmen and staff members were
flyers and maintenance crew. The 8 Ball Tails extends
honored by the French Government. Gen. Leon W
warmest condolences to him for the loss of his mother.
Johnson, commander of the 14th Wing was decorated by
Maj. Gen. Kepner. He was presented the Legion of Honor,
Order of Chevalier and Croix de Guerre with Palm. The
following members of the 44th were awarded the Croix de
A School Boy's Memory: "I was about nine years old,
Guerre with Palm: Lt. Col. William H. Brandon, Lt. Col.
living in Peterborough, England, attending All Soul's
Walter I. Bunker; Lt. Col. William R. Cameron; Lt. Col.
School. There was an American airfield nearby. At 11:00
Robert J. Lehnhausen; Lt. Col. William H. Strong. N o w
A.M. we were out in the school yard and w e heard a whole
the French Government wants to express gratitude to
lot of planes roaring overhead, still climbing. They were
E V E R Y O N E who was in or over French soil from D-Day to
two engine cargo planes with long steel cables pulling
V E Day. Monsieur Perry A. Morse recently received a
gliders. When school was out at 3:00 PM., w e heard the
lovely 'Diplome', worthy of framing, along with a letter of
roar again. The planes were coming back, with the long
appreciation. Applications are available at Veteran
cables twirling behind them. The gliders were gone. It was Administration offices.
D-Day.
James Keane, York, Pennsylvania
From Paul A. Trouve, son of Louis V Trouve, comes a
letter that solves a puzzle for Will Lundy. Louis expired 17
March 1977. His son found this letter from R. J. Convey to
A question from your editor:
Ralph Golubock, explaining w h y the plane Princess
Who named the B-24 Cadet Nurse, and for w h o m was it
C/zarMte kept showing up in unexplained ways:
named? I have read that it was in honor of a Cadet in the
nursing program at Memorial Hospital, Johnstown, PA.
LETTER FROM R. J. Comey to Ralph Golubock
That was m y school of nursing. I would surely know this
66th Squadron
lady, as it was a program that ran for only three years.
M y fiance was named Charlotte, so I named all of the
B-24s I flew Princess Charlotte. Though I trained in B24s, the first Princess Charlotte was a B-17 which I flew
across the Atlantic with m y crew.
Mike Fusano's story about chauffeuring General Leon
The first few missions, including Ploesti, I flew with
Johnson brought back a memory to Joe Feeney. Joe was
Joe Flaherty, 66th Squadron, 44th BG. He w a s a singleone of those who was picked up by the General and
engine pilot who came to the 44th straight out of flight
transported to his destination. A m o n g the General's
school, and was a permanent co-pilot on several missions
questions was whether w e were getting enough to eat. "We until I got there. He sat on the left side and I sat on the
were," Joe affirmed.
<33
<^3
^3
<^3
27
j
�base without encountering any German fighters. The
right. It was sort of a cooperative effort between the two
hydraulic system w a s now out, but there w a s enough
of us to get the plane to the target and back. Our fourth
pressure still in those spheres to work the brakes. I should
mission (13 July) saw us lose two engines and land at
have stopped at the end of the runway and received a
Malta on a small field. W e left the first B-24 there for
repairs. The Princess that went to Ploesti kept her engines hero's welcome, but I taxied back to our pad and coasted
running all the way in and all the way back - for which w e very slowly off the edge of it when the pressure finally ran
out.
were duly thankful. While several people shot at us,
The "Princess Charlotte" (really Nice & Naughty) like
including a "75," w e were extremely lucky as The Princess
all the others, got us home OK. W e were blessed with good
only picked up one bullet hole, as I remember it.
fortune as far as the crew w a s concerned.
W e flew her back to England. But immediately after
I believe I saw her fuselage on the junk heap later.
Ploesti, I moved to the left seat and m y regular co-pilot,
(Yes,
she crashed at Shipdham on 4 Jan 44 while on
Tom Drysdale, moved back into the right. Back to Ploesti.
takeoff). I still have the stencil that says "Princess
W e bombed White V, right behind General Johnson.
Charlotte"used on some of these planes.
However, so many planes were shot down, disabled or out
Completed 25 missions in The Princess - some bore
of position, it was like w e were all alone after hitting the
target on the nose. So w e rejoined another squadron of the the name in paint, others in mind only. Some bore two
names, but as far as I w a s concerned, they were all
44th and came home.
The 44th made a second trip to Africa (in September)
Princesses, and all great. Iflewmissions for the 66th
and w e had a mission to Wiener-Neustadt. Besides losing
Squadron, although for Ploesti, w e were assigned to
an engine, w e acquired an unbelievable number of holes in another squadron (67th?) to fill out the formation.
our plane. W e landed near Naples at a British fighter base,
Charlotte and I have been married 50 years and are
and left the plane there. We rode back to England on a DC-4. living here in Stowe, Vermont.
In a later raid (11 Dec. 43) to Emden, Germany out of Regards, 9 ^ /
England, w e received a direct hit on the nose, right above
the navigator, Louis Trouve. The force of the explosion
A Search
knocked him backwards, over on the nose wheel doors,
and out he went. Fortunately, though wounded, he opened
This letter from Gerhard Walter from Erding, Germany,
his chute, landed in a bay, and was picked up by the
near Munchen, translated by Robert Chombard:
Germans. (Lou and his wife, Charlotte, and I got together
in N e w York after the war.)
At the end of April, beginning of May, 1944,1 was flying
After Lou was gone, w e found flames were licking out
single engine aircraft FW-190, located at Werneuchen,
of the hole in the nose, so I pressed the alarm button,
about 22 miles N.E. Berlin.
"Prepare to Abandon Ship." The ball gunner (Neitzel?)
saw Lou go by his turret and decided things were really A little before noon this day, the sirens screamed. Some
serious. He tried to get out of his ball, but some empty
minutes later, w e heard the engines of a bomber formation
shells or perhaps a belt or two had jammed the back exit
N.E. of our base. When the formation w a s at about 11/2
door. With brute strength - and he was not a very heavily- miles from our base, w e suddenly heard a terrible machine
built guy - he pushed the door right off it's hinges and got gun fire exchange, followed by the noise of over running
out. The bombardier passed out in the nose turret and w e
engines. Little after, approximately 10 or 14 B-17s or B-24s
thought he w a s a goner.
fell in flames. None of them bombed, and thus was no
It turned out the flame w a s fed by a broken oxygen
bombs left in the wrecks, this meaning that the planes
line, and when the oxygen was used up, it went out! By
were on their return trip after having attacked their
then I was half way out of m y seat and preparing to signal target. Suddenly a plane came down at low altitude,
"abandon ship" when I realized things were not so bad,
through the clouds. W h e n the aircraft w a s at about 250
and finally got things back on keel again. However, w e
feet, the crew parachute jumps. Few minutes later, many
were now alone and I headed for the Channel, losing
came out of the clouds and ????? toward Werheuchen.
altitude at a rapid pace. When w e reached about 10,000
The same day I piloted m y F W 1 9 0 over the neighborhood,
feet or so, the bombardier's voice comes on the intercom.
when suddenly I noticed a parachute in the branches of a
H e was alive and O K - just passed out from lack of oxygen. tree. Immediately I thought, "I will go and get him for
W e very luckily crossed the Channel and returned to
myself." After landing, I rode a bike toward this forest.
28~
�c
There I saw the tree, climbed it and cut the ropes. I just
finished putting the parachute in m y bag and was ready to
ride my bike again, when I heard someone telling m e
"Hello." I was at first astonished, then I saw at about 30
feet, under a tree, a m a n in pilot's uniform. He waved his
hand and showed m e his leg, apparently wounded, but no
open wound. He was probably wounded at landing. As I
did not speak English, and himself obviously no German,
we communicated by signs. Then he offered m e a
chewing-gum tablet. I then wondered, "How will I bring
this lad to our base?" As good as had, I sat him on the seat
of the bike and pushed it out the road to the base. W h e n w e
arrived to a village, w e stopped at a brewery and w e both
drank a beer from there. I phoned to the base and asked for
a car. To start, I had some difficulties to convince them I
was not joking. After an half hour wait, I went out to take
a look. To m y great astonishment, there were several
people around with sticks w h o asked m e to give them the
pilot. Of course, m y reply w a s showing them m y pistol. "If
you dare to come too near, I will shoot." I told them, "I a m
myself a pilot, and I would not like to be mistreated by a
gang of civilians if I was shot down in enemy territory."
Fortunately, no one moved. As no vehicle w a s in sight, I
continued with m y American on the bike. After another
half mile, a Kubelwagen arrived with a driver and a
meteorologist who spoke English. W e had a brief
conversation, and I heard that m y m a n w a s a pilot of a
B-24 unit. I asked him if I could have his insignia with
wings, but he told m e he would still need it to prove his
identity. Then the car went. This history touched the life of
two young men during WWII, but each one on opposite
sides. Ed. Note: If the American pilot reads this story,
Gerhard Walter would like to be in touch. The 8 BTs would
like to bear the rest of the story.
The following photos are from the PAAB Book. Mark
states, "I wish w e had some photos of the 506 crews that
trained at Pueblo, but w e don't. Nor do w e have any
aircraft with crews -just A/C in the air. W e have no
information on others w h o may have trained at Pueblo as
crews only. W e have a lot of photos in the book, but all are
later than when 44BG members would be in them. These
people in these photos are unknown except for Jinx
Falkenberg. The others at the party are unknown."
The Band at Pueblo took time to refuel. Can anyone
identify this enthusiastic group of musicians?
^3
From Mark Morris, Pueblo, CO: A new publication, Pueblo
Army Air Base History, written by Dr. Ray Sisson, is n o w
available at the Pueblo Historical Aircraft Society, located
at the Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum, 31001 Magnuson
Ave., Pueblo, C O 81001. Dr. Sisson is a retired professor
from the University of Southern Colorado. Members of the
506 Sq. will find this book appealing, as their squadron
was formed at the P A A B in 1942. They will also enjoy the
museum, which houses interesting and well preserved
memorabilia from 59 years ago. The book costs $19.95 +
$3.00 S & H. Contact the Museum or write Mark:
marksan@iex.net or P W A M @ I E X . N E T .
From Ted Stamos: I a m trying to track down information
about m y cousin, 1st Lt. Robert G. Stamos, who died as a
co-pilot on a raid over Bernberg, Germany on April 11,
m
�<^3
1944. The pilot was 1st Lt. John D. Money, who wrote an
account of the incident... having to break out the window
Bob Norsen (68th BS) to Will Lundy: "I had just finished
on the co-pilot side to escape. Robert was dead in his seat
B-17 school as a 'qualified' 1st pilot, B-17. There they tried
of flak wounds. The last contact from John Money in the
to get us to land tail wheel first. Some did at great
44th B G V A records was in 1992. The plane was, I believe, expense. The main gear came down so hard, the drag strut
Southern Comfort II, 506 B. Sq. Only three survived, John would part, laying the plane on one wheel, a wing tip and
Money, Don Young, Wallace Kirchner. I a m trying to find
one engine.
somebody who might have known Robert, and could tell
"Early instructions on the B-24 were to land three point.
m e anything... anything at all about him. (Lt. Col.)
Some did. The result collapsed the nose gear, left the tail
Richard Butler sent m e copies of his combat record. H e
pointing at the sky (at Ft. Myers). Of course, the right way
suggested contacting the 8 B A L L TAILS, to see if anybody to land both airplanes is on the main gear with the tail
remembers Robert. M y home address is: Ted Stamos, 4423 low but not dragging. The planes fly much alike. They can
Arden View Ct, St. Paul, M N . Phone 651 633-7067. E-Mail: fly in formation easily. Same altitude. Same speed. "Lemon
ststamos@ties.kl2.mn.us.
Drop w a s one of the originals, flown across by m y close
Ed Note: The target for this mission was Junkers Aircraft friend Reginal Phillips. Phil named it that because it had
Assembly Plant. The right bomb bay doors failed to open. some defects originally that caused Phil and crew some
When approaching the target, they received a direct hit in delay to get the defects fixed. "I didn't get into the terrible
the bomb bay setting the plane afire. It flew on a short trouble on missions that many did. Many times close, but I
distance, then winged over and spht in two at the waist section.
never came back with serious damage, and only once with
an injury on board. I didn't fly a full 35 missions. Between
an operations job and then engineering modifications for
the B-24 after m y crew w a s lost, flying with another pilot,
I flew when needed as a substitute pilot. In that situation,
I seldom got to go. I remember flying for Johnny Diehl on
a H a m m Raid. Nearly frozen controls...working so hard
with stiff controls, I had the window open, drenched in
sweat. B-17s wereflyingback through our formation,
engines out, etc. "I recall one mission while the main
group did Ploesti. I stayed down to bring down another
flight, when the 'promised new crews' showed up. W e ran
training missions of semi-real missions with long and
complete briefing, then careful debriefing to review the
'mission'. The idea w a s to become so familiar with combat
mean, we both lose a lens at the same time?"
details, the new crews would be as safe as possible for
themselves and for the rest of the team. O n one of several
such missions, a diversion, m y plane w a s head-on
attacked by a twin engine Messerschmitt that launched
From David E. Sayler, Birmingham, MI:
the first rockets I had seen. "Back in the States w e had
The identities in the photo showing the 14th C B W War
mentally practiced quick evasive action. Just as they
Room are: Seated is Lt. William Church; Standing is Capt.
'stand still' out there, do a quick dive.' I did. The rockets
David Sayler, Lt. Harry Jacobs and Capt. Robert Morton.
smoked a few feet overhead. Slight rudder damage..."
"Our (stateside) experience in Sub Patrol paid off in
Europe. I w a s Operations duty one night, planning an
ordered 44th mission to Danzig (a Polish port on the
Baltic Sea at the mouth of the Vistula River), a flight well
over twice as far as Berlin. W e had not gotten back all
planes on missions to Berlin because of fuel shortage.
Using what I learned about stretching miles, flying like w e
did Sub Patrol, w e got the entire 44thflightto Danzig and
returned with fuel to spare.
<33
®
30
�posted on the bulletin board. Later, the men were able to
salvage a liaison set and were thus supplied with ready
news and entertainment. During the summer, a club w a s
From the Web Page, Aaron Williams, a relative of Capt.
set up for the Americans and Russian officers. Here, liquid
Chester L. Phillips, Jr., 67th Sq., pilot of Little Beaver
refreshments were available in the form of cognac, wines,
writes: It appears that a college prank w a s the impetus
a lager type of beer, and that "power-plus" vodka. (They
for Capt. Phillips to choose to become a combat airman:
say that the stuff can be used as lighter fluid.) The men
Williams describes an event in which the rivalry between
worked in teams with the Russians supplying labor to be
Phillips's school, Texas State Agriculture College (now
supervised by the Americans. The language w a s very
Univ. of Texas at Arlington, Texas) and Tarleton State U.
difficult to learn and very few knew enough to converse to
in Stephenville, Texas. Phillips took his o w n plane to his
the natives, although some of the Russian officers could
rivals, intending to taunt their pre-game celebration.
speak English well enough to make themselves
Unfortunately, Tarleton w a s pre-warned; a student threw
understood.
The Americans had very little opportunity to
a big board in the air, hitting the propeller and causing the
observe outside life since the Russians are hard-living,
plane to crash. Chester's punishment w a s that he could
hard-working, and hard-fighting people and such things
not complete his education. Williams believes this
as transportation for pleasure purposes are absolutely
humiliation w a s the driving force for Phillips to request
unheard of. Theirs is an all out effort to terminate the war.
combat duty. His plane went down on the Kiel Raid, 14
May, 1943. Seven of the crew were KIA, four became P O W s . However, the men did have an opportunity to observe the
operation of a small nearby village. The village functions
Williams wrote: "I want to thank all of you who sent me on a cooperative basis, with all the natives living in the
information about Capt. Phillips. Some of you remembered village and going out to work the land each day. O n certain
him as "George." I checked with the family to see what the days, they hold a bazaar at which they trade items they do
origin of "George" might be. (It w a s the name of his dog)... not buy and sell. This entire cooperative system is worked
more or less since there are no government authorities
I hope to see and meet many of you in Shreveport.
there to supervise. It w a s quite an experience to those
men, but they did welcome the opportunity to return since
the simply clean, hard life and that Russians lead is so
very strange to us. The men left there in October and
From the Archives
returned by the long circuitous route, as they had gone.
<?33
^3
Does anybody remember this?
MCMCftieS ©F A
tlSTAif WAB
8th Air Force 3rd Anniversary
Office of the Station Commander
January 28,1945
During the first part of the month, a couple of old faces
reappeared on the station after an absence of nine months.
They belonged to two enlisted members of the Chemical
Company, who, in March 1944, were transferred to the
Eastern C o m m a n d and stationed in Russia to service
bombers on shuttle missions. They reached their
destination, the southeastern part of Russia, by a
circuitous route, coming up through Persia. They found
only makeshift quarters on a barren site and in a dry
climate. Their food consisted of U.S. A r m y rations which
were flown in from the Persian Gulf Command. All other
supplies, including regular Post Exchange rations were
alsoflownin from here. N e w s w a s supplied by incoming
crews and translated Russian communiques, which were
31
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8 Ball Tails
Newsletter
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8 Ball Tails Volume 4 - Issue 2: Winter 2001
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Text
�44 TH
BOMB GROUP
VETERANS ASSOCIATION BOARD
2002Historian: C.W. "Will" Lundy (67)
President: Gerald (Jerry) Folsom (506)
3582 East Dover Hill Road
Salt Lake City, U T 84121-5527
Phone (801) 733-7371 Fax: (801) 942-9988
e-mail: 44thbgva@xmission.com
The 8-Ball Tails©
Official Journal of The
44th Bomb Group
Veterans Association,
2519 WestvilleTrl
Inc.®
Cool, C A 95614-2008
Phone/Fax: (530) 886-8636 (Winter)
Compiled, written and
e-mail: willundy@aol.com
published tri-yearly at
P.O. Box 315, Bridgeport, C A 93517 (Summer)
2041 Village Circle
Phone/Fax: (760) 932-7349
First Vice President: Roy W. Owen (506)
East, York, PA, by Ruth
6304 Meadowridge Drive
Membership,
Search:
Art
Hand
(66)
Santa Rosa, C A 95409-5839
W . Davis-Morse, Editor.
517 Elm Street
Phone: (707) 538-4726 Fax: (707) 538-1212
Printed and mailed Bulk
Paris, IL 61944-1417
e-mail: Rowen44bg@aol.com
Rate at Salt Lake City,
Phone/Fax: (217) 463-5905
UT under USPS Permit
e-mail: k9hwp@comwares.net
Secretary & 8 Ball Tails Editor:
#6923. All original
Ruth W . Davis-Morse
Director:
Lee
Aston
(67)
2041 Village Circle East
written material such
830 Cardinal Drive
York, P A 17404
as letters, stories,
Elberton, G A 30635-2606
Phone (717) 846-8948 Fax: (717) 846-6688
excerpts from personal
e-mail: leeaston@popoinetia.net
e-mail: rewdm@blazenet.net
diaries or memoirs,
Director:
Robert
Paul
Kay
(Paul)
(68)
drawings and photos
Treasurer: To be determined.
10411 Brook Lane S W
submitted to this
Tacoma, W A 98499
Immediate Past President:
journal will become the
Phone: (206) 584-4420
Edw. K. "Mike" Mikoloski (66/67)
property of the 44th
626 Smithfield Road #702
Bomb Group Veterans
Director: Richard Lynch (67)
N. Providence, Rl 02904
Box
518
Association and will be
Phone/Fax: (401) 353-0144
Conrad,
IA
50621-0518
e-mail: E K M L I B 4 4 @ m s n . c o m
copyright protected
Phone:(515)366-2414
except where noted.
e-mail: jeanjim@pockemnil.com
U.K. Representative: Steve Adams
The text and photos are
28 Bassingham Rd.
otherwise reproduced
Director: To be determined.
Norwich, England N R 3 2 Q T
Phone/Fax: 011-44-1603-400221
from official USAAF
e-mail: s.p.adams@btinternet.com
and USAF documents
and photos which have
A S S O C I A T I O N MAILING A D D R E S S :
been released for
44th B G V A
publication. Permission
P.O. Box 712287
Salt Lake City, U T 84171-2287
is granted for the
contents of this journal
to be reproduced
specifically for personal
archives. Otherwise,
^
copyright material
herein may be reproduced by the journal of other incorporated non-profit veterans organizations so long as this publication is
properly credited and prior permission is granted by the editor.
Visit our website @ www.44thbombgroup.com
Those submitting letters, stories and photos to the editor or historian must do so with the understanding that this material will most
likely be published in this journal as a matter of interest to the members/subscribers of the Association and this journal. While every
attempt will be made to answer all of the material received, there is no explicit or implied guarantee that an answer will be provided
or published. Except for specific requests for the return of original documents and photos, all material submitted will become the
property of the 44th Veterans Association, Inc., or its successors.
�Shreveport and the 44th B G V A Reunion
President "Mike"
Mikoloski
Shreveport
w a s an
emotional
* ^HP
roller
coaster
and a
continuous
celebration
^H
of happy
times,
W m
^H ^V ^|
coupled
with
somber
recollections of lost friends.
September 11th w a s still
clearly in our memories. After
a monumental effort on
many fronts, the Louisiana
Belle was ready for its
unveiling; a long awaited
Distinguished Flying Cross
was awarded; the first Leon
Johnson Distinguished
Service Award w a s
presented; a bevy of nine
ladies were recognized for
their contributions to the
group; Lois Cianci received a
flag that had flown over the
U.S. Capitol; three Directors
moved off the Board,
replaced by three new faces;
and 'Jerry Folsom' became
the new President.
For many, it w a s a return visit
to the s a m e airfield,
Barksdale, where President
Bush was flown when
terrorism first raised its ugly
head. All other gatherings
except the 44th had been
immediately canceled. O n
the bus ride through the
base, it was easy to
see that the airmen at
Barksdale were major
players in the new War.
The Isle of Capri &
Casino provided
spacious quarters for
notable happenings
and a short walkway where
anyone w h o wished could
take a chance at the Slots,
Roulette and Black Jack
tables. More of the
participants reported losses
than gains. Were they
keeping the gains a secret?
Mike Yuspeh and later Roy
O w e n arranged tours into
the heart of this onceConfederate stronghold,
including a trip to
Natchitoches, Cane River
Country, and two amazing
plantations, complete with
tour guides w h o sometimes
spoke as though the old
South was still alive and
perking.
Squadron Dinners were truly
times of remembrance.
President 'Mike' Mikoloski's
Aircraft Commander, Dr.
James Kahl, revealed the
truth about Mike, his
Navigator: After the worst of
the b o m b runs, when all
members of the crew were a
bedraggled mess, Mike still
looked 'spit & polished.' (Ed.
Note: H e still is.)
Col. William Cameron lit the
candle for the 68th Squadron.
Candle Lighting Service
A candelabra created by Art
Hand, Membership & Search
Chairman, was used for the
first time. Representing their
respective groups were: 66th
Dr. James Kahl; 67th Col.
William R. Cameron; 68th
Lt. Col. Robert Lehnhausen;
506th J a m e s Clements;
Hqtrs. Louis Rabesa; P O W ,
William Newbold; Ploesti,
T o m Holmes; Kiel, R. H.
'Phil'Phillips; 9/11, B/G
Delos Burks.
The General Meeting and
Election brought new faces
to the Board: Lee Aston,
Paul Kay, and Richard
Lynch, Directors.
Lt. Col. Robert Lehnhausen,
Chairman of the Awards
Committee, passed out
medallions and gifts to the
ladies w h o were deemed
deserving, by virtue of
service to the organization:
Mary Aston, Ardith Butler,
Beverly Folsom, Elizabeth
Lehnhausen, Irene Lundy,
Kathy Mastradone (absent),
Ruth Morse, Lolly O w e n and
Estelle Voelker.
�e
d
^
,0*^ a#
Below: The General Leon
Johnson Distinguished
Service Award as presented
to Will Lundy.
Will Lundy
W h e n the General Leon
Johnson Distinguished
Service Award w a s
presented to Will Lundy, it
brought a standing ovation.
The presentation w a s m a d e
by the grandson of the great
General, Leon Abbott. (Ed.
Note: It w a s totally
coincidental that Will had
been featured in the previous
8 Ball Tails, but there is a
general recognition that he
deserves all the accolades
that c o m e his way.)
The N e w B G V A Board
Left: The n e w members
of the Board take office,
Roy O w e n , n o w V.P;
Jerry Folsom, President:
Dick Lynch. Lee Aston,
Paul Kay, Directors and
Julian Ertz, appointee to
represent the 44th to the
Second Air Division.
The new President!
President Edward 'Mike'
Mikoloski read the Mission
Statement of the 44th B G , a
firm reminder of w h y
everybody w a s present: ...to
perpetuate the history...
remember the
deceased...provide
friendship and comfort to the
family survivors...to provide
an information network... It
w a s a sobering
remembrance. Then he
passed the gavel and the
responsibility to the next m a n
to carry this heavy burden.
Treasurer and n o w
President, Gerald 'Jerry'
Folsom.
Congratulations to the
new President.
Lois and Milt
A closing event of the
evening w a s the
presentation of a flag that
had flown
over the
Capitol to
Lois Cianci
by Milton
Rosenblatt,
in honor of
her father,
the late
Clair
Shaeffer.
After m a n y years and a
lifetime search, Lois met Milt,
her father's co-pilot, and the
Reunions have become a
great place to renew their
friendship.
�Everyone who
flew in the
Louisiana Belle,
everyone who
helped with its
rebuilding.
It's financing
and the
Dedication
stepped
forward for the
great moment.
Shreveport and the 44th BGVA
Photographs
Reunion
After the Board Meeting: Bob
Lehnhausen, "Mike" Mikoloski, Roy
O w e n and Ruth Morse.
Lunch at Melrose
Col.
Richard
Butler, MC
at the
506th Sq.
Dinner.
Dr. James Kahl &
Mrs. Jenny Kahl.
Enjoying the banquet.
Jack Schiffer
(66th Sq.) and
Delores Shipley.
B/Gen. Burks (left)
and daughter,
Marsha Burks
Megehee (below).
President ""Mike" with
son Stanley at the 67th
Sq. Dinner.
3*k
Leon Abbott, grandson of
General Leon Johnson.
1
�7
c4<K%*«tV §%**nA&
to our Immediate Past President
Edward "Mike" Mikoloski
from
Gerald "Jerry" Folsom:
Since the decision at the Shreveport reunion by our
President Mike Mikoloski to step down from the office
and appoint m e to succeed him, w e were unable to
pass the gavel with the customary ceremonies.
While we plan to honor his service and contribution
to our Association during the forthcoming O m a h a
reunion. I do not anticipate any less fervor in our gratitude to Mike in this delay.
However, for the time being, m a y I say, in behalf of the membership, a few
words to tell him how much w e care.
Mike, to my mind, the defining benchmark of your leadership is the
eloquence of your representation of the Association and the enthusiasm you
demonstrate in doing so. For those fortunate enough to be present at the
dedication of our B-24J "Louisiana Belle" at our Shreveport reunion and hear
your address, all felt their hearts swell with pride for being a m e m b e r of our
Association. It was the shining hour of your presidency.
Further, your "Let's go for it!" manner is catching and has buoyed the
support of the members for the goals and programs you have established to
fulfill our mandate of keeping the 44th "family" together and interactive.
While in your time in office, you have suffered the grief of losing your most
loved family ones and personal health problems, you have always gone to the
well of your inner strength and heroism where you put on your "game face"
and carry on demonstrating the s a m e brand of valor you gave to your country
in combat.
We are in your debt for your service and
to you, Sir, we Present Arms!
�life memberships. This makes
a total of 1,087 members of
the 44th B o m b Group
Veteran's Association as of
October 1,2001.
6)Qe <Mzd
To begin iuithf I hope
everyone hod on enjoyable
holidoY seoson ond o happy
N e w Veor, ond thot you m o d e
o N e w Veor's resolution thot
you ore going to keep. Vou
did, didn't you? I would like
totakethis opportunity to
thonk you for the Christmos
cords, letters, phone colls,
ond emoils I received
congratulating m e on m y
assignment as President of
the 44th Bomb Group Veteran's
Association. I will endeavor to
uphold your confidence, and
trust I can persevere with
your help.
It may be well to review
this past year's operations
briefly. Our current membership
Ira increased by 147
members, which includes 31
Our website on the
internet has proven to be
interesting and successful
with responses beyond
expectations. Many widows,
brothers, sisters, nieces,
nephews, ond grandchildren
are writing in to ask about
their husband, father, brother,
and uncle. Generally w e con
find s o m e information on the
Heritage Database to send to
them.
We have contacted many
widows of members
regarding their husband's
biography. Many had not
heard about the Heritage
Database. This remains an
on-going project. Our next
step is to contact children
and relatives of the deceased
members regarding
biographies. This is also
proving successful. UUe ore
n o w in the process of
recording diaries, Lundy's
Roll of Honor, and the Folded
Wings into the database for
preservation. W e intend to
then move on into the stories,
letters, ond pictures thot Will
lundy has accumulated over
the years.
hove not sent yours in, please
do before it's too late. If you
need o form, let our office
know. Please use the form
when submitting your
biography. It is the format by
which it is entered in the
database; otherwise, someone
has to transfer it on to the
form before it is entered.
In regards to the 2001
Barksdale Reunion, it w a s
successful and everyone
appeared to enjoy it and have
a good time. It w a s said by
some to be the best yet. Ves,
they continue to get better
each year! As one wrote w h o
w a s at the reunion for the
first time, "I hate to think
what I have been missing. It
w a s like o big family
reunion."
My objectives are to:
1) Continue to find new
members. This includes
searching for our lost
members and to continue
to encourage the young
relatives of our members
to join.
2) I will also continue to
encourage our members,
past and present, to
submit their biographies
and preserve their history.
The biographies are
coming in-slowly. If you
7
®
�Alvin Thorson 's Second Mission
According to Will Lundy's
ROLL OF HONOR, the month
of
April, 1944 was the 44th
Alvin Thorson, his son Al,
BG's most disastrous month,
and grandson Kyle treated
costing the loss of the most
themselves to a great
planes and casualties than any
experience. They attended
other period in the War. April
the 44th B G V A Reunion for
8th was the worst single day.
the first time, enjoying the
The entire crew of Lt. William
dedication of A C B-24J-42M. Richardson (66th Sq.) was
50806, the Louisiana Belle,
KIA. The 67th Sq. lost the crew
and all the comraderie of
of Lt. Robert A. Mayes (one
being with that great group of
survivor); on Lt. George J.
44th members. The last time
Thorn's plane. "Thorn was
Sgt. Thorson was on a B-24,
seriously wounded." Despite
he was a Right Waist Gunner
having both #3 and #4 engines
on Rubber Check. That was
shot out and other serious
April 8, 1944. The mission
battle damage, Lt. William
was to an airdrome in
Wahler was able to bring
Langenhagen, Germany. M e
Judy's Buggy back to Beccles,
109s hit them in a flashing
England, where he found an
pass, knocking out #1 and #2
Sgt. Alvin Thorson
emergency airfield and bailed
engines. Moments later, #3
out five of his crew near the
engine caught fire, and soon
airfield where he m a d e a successful crash
the whole right wing was engulfed.
landing. All survived but the tail gunner, St.
Sitting in the top turret, Sgt. John J.
Joseph
Meskinis, who, after being extricated
Brown, Jr., Engineer, could see what was
from his almost totally demolished turret, fitted
happening. H e reported this information to his
into his parachute harness and successfully
pilot, Lt. Ernest Herzing and co-pilot, Lt. Virgil
bailed out by Bombardier, Lt. T o m Murphy; he
Fillbach. This was only the second mission for
was found nearby with his chute unopened.
this crew. The two officers debated for only a
Apparently confused, he had his heated suit
minute, then Herzing ordered "Salvo the
cord in his hand and the rip cord still stowed.
bombs," then rang the Bail Out bell signaling
The
68th Sq. lost three planes and crews, Lt.
the crew to bail out.
William Altermus, Lt. Warren Barry and Lt.
April 8 was a black day for the Flying
R a y m o n d Townsend. Of the thirty m e n in the
Eightballs. The raid on the Langenhagen
68th, eighteen survived to become P O W s .
Airdrome in Germany was a Target of
The highest losses were sustained by the
Opportunity, as the Primary Target. Brunswick,
506 Sq. Lt. G u y Johnson was KIA. T w o
was obscured by a successful smoke screen.
members were wounded. All others became
The 44th B G lost eleven aircraft, five from the
P O W , one of w h o m escaped and returned to
506 Squadron. Sgt. Alvin L. Thorson, Right
duty. The entire crew of Robert H. Marx
Waist Gunner on A C #42-110023, saw a plane
survived and became P O W s ; Lt. Dallas
beside Rubber Check explode before his eyes.
Sprinkle's crew lost six members (KIA), four
Minutes later he was joining all other members
survived and were captured, two of w h o m were
of the Herzing crew on a downward drop via
injured; all ten of the crew of Jack M. Winn
parachute. All became P O W s . This mission
survived
and were captured. Lt. John
was the most devastating of all missions in the
McCaslin managed to bring Gallavantan' Gal
War for the 'Flying Eightballs.'
back to England, but the co-pilot was KIA. This
was the first mission for many of the m e n w h o
8 were replacements for earlier crews.
®
�According to Lt. McCaslin, the 506 Sq. w a s
leading the 44th, and the 44th w a s leading the
2nd Air Division. Lt. Col. Robert Lehnhausen
w a s flying on the right wing of Col. John
Gibson. Flak and fighters took a heavy toll on
all squadrons.
" W e had P-51s accompanying us, but w h e n
they left, the G e r m a n s m o v e d in." Thorson
recalled. "I s a w a plane beside m e blow up.
Then our plane w a s hit. It all happened so fast,
w e didn't have time to get scared. I w a s the
last one off the plane. Shortly after I jumped,
the plane blew up. G e r m a n soldiers quickly
rounded us up and took us to Dulag Luft for
interrogation.
"Then w e were sent to Stalag 17B, Krems
on the Danube in Austria. W e were not badly
treated, but the food w a s terrible. It w a s a
starvation diet." T h e GIs sometimes a m u s e d
themselves by teasing the guards. Fortunately,
the g a m e did not b e c o m e so annoying as to
bring strong retaliation. " W e were always
anxious," Thorson recalled, "never sure what
w a s going to happen next."
V E Day gave Thorson a return trip h o m e on
the U.S.S. LeJeune. In thirteen days he
regained thirteen of the pounds he had lost in
prison. H e went back to his life of farming in
Illinois. Later, he b e c a m e an equipment
mechanic, then a building finisher, and
assembler of heavy equipment. H e retired in
1986. His wife Delores passed away in 1999.
During the Vietnam War, son Al followed his
father's interest in planes. H e volunteered
before he finished high school, and received
his Draft Notice while he w a s in Basic Training.
H e w a s stationed in G u a m , later Thailand,
loading munitions on B-52s and other aircraft.
After serving four years in the AAF, Al b e c a m e
a licensed private pilot. H e works as a Safety
Training Instructor for a Public Utilities company.
Twenty-five year old Kyle w a s interested
enough in his grandfather's great stories, he
went to visit a B-24 w h e n it c a m e to town. For
his occupation, he chose to b e c o m e a chef and
declares that if drafted, he would like to cook
for the servicemen, anywhere he is stationed.
Three generations of
Thorsons
Kyle, Alvin, and Al
(2002)
Lt. Col. Robert
Lehnhausen's Memory
It was Easter Sunday, 1944, and Langenhagen
became the Mission. "The 44th BG put up 44
planes that day. We lost eleven.
The 44th was the lead group of the 2nd Air
Division in what was a maximum effort. This
mission was Col. John Gibson's first as CO of the
44th. The two lead aircraft were (PFF) Pathfinder
Aircraft of the 389th Group. I flew as Command
Pilot of the Deputy Lead Plane. The 506 Squadron
was the day's Lead Squadron.
The attack by 50-75 German fighters penetrated our fighter escort in a head on attack
(12.30 high) with devastating results - eleven
losses. (We also lost eleven in Ploesti.)"
BGVA POSITION
AVAILABLE
Announced by: Gerald Folsom, President
The 44th Bomb Group Veteran's
Association needs a new Treasurer.
You should have accounting
experience, have a computer and
accounting software.
Phone: (801) 733-7371
Fax: (801) 942-9988
EMail: 44thbgva@xmission.com
�r
4K Irene Karnes Lirntly %k
44th 'Rtvm'h Group hLormree
When members of the 44th B G V A see Historian
Will Lundy, they can be sure that Irene is
somewhere nearby. A post-war bride w h o w a s
willing to be transplanted from her native home
in Norwich, England. Irene has been a quiet
supporter of goals and projects of the Bomb
Group, and can always be counted on to help out
at any Reunion.
Irene's father, like other members of his family,
Irene Haines,
, ,,
•
,
, • ,,
••,., c
Irene Lundy,
a teenager in
had been involved in the military tor many
Shreveport, 2001
England.
generations. At that time the 'Sun never set on
the British Empire.' He married Irene's mother, also from a military
family, who had been born in Rangoon. The couple had four children, Irene being the youngest. She
had three older brothers. Her father died when she was two years old. Then her mother married a
widower with two boys and a girl, providing new siblings for the family w h o w a s living in
Norwich, 20 miles from the North Sea. She remembers happy times, swimming in the Wensom
River and in the Bath, a swimming hole that was a part of the River.
Irene was fifteen years old when England went to war. "The War changed everything," she
remembered. "Soon after it started, w e got ration cards. Sugar, clothing, petrol and many other
items were immediately in short supply. Bananas and oranges were available only for children
under 14. W e survived on fish and chips.
Irene got a job at the Caley Chocolate Shop in Norwich. She considered joining the Naval Wrens
but decided against it after she met Will at St. Andrews Hall. He w a s there with three of his
buddies from Shipdham. She and Will dated at every opportunity, but never talked of marriage
during that time. Whenever they could get together, they frequented Castle Gardens and enjoyed
the local shows and dances.
When Will left for a furlough at his home in Lancaster, California, it was good-bye forever, t
thought. He had every expectation of being sent to the Pacific Theater, as the Marines had not yet
cleared all the islands that were to be the stepping stones to Japan. Mercifully, the War ended
before he was reassigned. He asked Irene for her hand in marriage; then after her consent, as a
true gentleman, he wrote to Irene's mother, asking permission to marry her. Her engagement ring
came by mail, but she had to wait 1-1/2 years to get across the ocean for the wedding.
®
10
�If Irene and Will had been married in England, she could have easily gotten transportation. Since
she was single, she had to apply to the Embassy in London for a Visa, proving first that she w a s
in good health and had no criminal record. A travel agent helped her finally get a flight, taking
advantage of a cancellation. She got a four (4) day notice, and on January 18,1947, flew from
London to Nova Scotia. There an engine went out, so she was delayed for two days. W h e n a new
engine was installed, they flew to N e w York and were held two more days because of weather.
She arrived in Los Angeles, along with the other sleepy passengers, and found that Will was not
there to meet her. He had not been notified that the plane was leaving N e w York. Long after all
her fellow passengers had departed from the airport, Irene finally met the m a n she had waited so
long to see. Five days later, they were married.
Will helped her through her homesickness, and his family was very considerate. Life w a s good.
They bought a house and raised a family ~ two boys and a girl, and now have a step
granddaughter. In 1950, five years after V E Day, Irene visited her family in England, along with
her nine month old baby. To her surprise, she
learned that she had to get a ration card for each
of them to be able to get food. England w a s still
suffering from the War.
After one trip to her homeland, Irene told Will
that the Norwich Library (which later burned to
the ground) w a s collecting the history of the 2
AD. It inspired him to seriously pursue his
historical search for the 44th. This two-nation
marriage w a s beneficial to accumulation of
information which still crowds the files in his
office, but is gradually moving onto the Military
Heritage Database.
One of the luxuries which the Lundys have
enjoyed is a cabin formerly owned by his family,
located in Bridgeport, California at Twin Lakes.
They purchased it, rebuilt much of it, expanded
Irene and Will Lundy2001
the living space, and now enjoy their summers
there. Last year they sold their home of 40 years
in San Bernardino, California and moved farther
north to Cool. Their biggest adjustment from the move w a s to find space for Will's
stacks of information. He has catalogued a great deal, and a permanent repository is
being sought. The burden of maintaining these records has been gracefully born by
this very loyal and patriotic couple. W h e n they were both honored at the Reunion in
Shreveport, the applause w a s resounding.
1
it*
J
11
�f
XU JVsTflTl
^v
W7manian7> ?v/i:ia asnss
Fifty six
years after 1st
Lt. Lee Aston
earned the
Distinguished
Flying Cross, it
w a s awarded at
Barksdale. H e
completed his
B/General Koziol congratulates
combat
tour in
Lee Aston.
February, 1945,
and w a s told that he would receive the award
in March. Unfortunately, like m a n y other
veterans, he had the misfortune of learning
that his records have been destroyed in the St.
Louis fire.
A s 67th Sq. Deputy Navigator, Aston flew
with the Spagnola crew. His pilot received
D F C the following December. Aston spent the
next fifty five years, writing and inquiring about
his medal. Finally, with documentation by
Spagnola and one other officer, the Air Force
informed him that he w a s to receive
the D F C and three additional Air
Medals for flying other exceptional
combat missions, and for flying ten
additional combat missions over the
required number.
The presentation was m a d e at
8th Air Force Headquarters,
Barksdale Air Force Base,
Louisiana, in conjunction with the
dedication of the Louisiana Belle.
The two events were highlighted by
a fly-over by a B-52. B/General John
C. Koziol, Vice C o m m a n d e r of the
8th Air Force, stated that awarding
this prestigious Medal to a W W I I *
veteran was a 'humbling experience.' H e
recalled his father's description of entering
Europe soon after D-Day as a young soldier,
and knew that every medal was hard-earned.
*
B/Gen. Koziol reminded the
group that the first D F C had gone
to Richard Lindberg. Later, Admiral
Byrd received one for his journey
to the North Pole. The General
reiterated the qualifications for
receiving this award ... for valorous and
exceptional courage and achievement in
combat with the 8th Air Force during World
W a r II. In addition to the D F C , Aston was
awarded three O a k Leaf Clusters.
After returning to the States, Aston became
an Air Force single engine pilot. In civilian life,
he is a Georgia and Virginia attorney-at-law
and Adjunct Professor of Mining Law and
Environmental L a w at U M R .
In attendance at the ceremony were
Aston's wife, Mary; two of their five children,
Laurel Aston Burnes and Roger Aston, as well
as four m e m b e r s of his flight crew.
Lee Aston's crew and family members.
12
�67th SQUADRON #5128 HAS FIRST CREW REUNION
56 YEARS AFTER COMBAT TOUR
Standing: Co-pilot Robert J. Keyes, pilot Chris C.
Spagnola, bombardier V. Curt Silverthorne,
navigator Robert Lee Aston.
Kneeling: Sgts. Harry Sierk, radio operator; T o m
Currie, flight engineer; George Chagaris, waits
gunner; (Pondfield didn't finish tour with crew);
and Norman Sutherland, tail gunner; John Gately,
waist gunner (was on sick call the day the picture
was made, thus, missing from picture).
The 67th Squadron aircrew #5128,
Lt. Chris C . Spagnola airplane
commander, reunited for its first
reunion at the 44th B o m b Group
Veterans Association annual meeting
at Barksdale, La. in October 2001,
since they separated 56 years ago at
Shipdham on February 19, 1945.
Lts. Spagnola and Aston completed
their combat missions ahead of the
rest of their crew and were returned
to Stateside.
Lts. Spagnola and Aston, along with
67th Squadron Lead pilot, Capt. E .
C. Holmer (of Reno, Nevada), were
shipped back to the States from
Liverpool, England, aboard the
Dutch luxury liner Nieu Amsterdam.
Lt. Spagnola went to Air Transport
C o m m a n d ( A T C ) for further training
and flying. Lt. Aston was trained as
a single engine pilot. Other crew
members, Co-pilot, Lt.
Robert J. Keyes,
Bombardier; Lt. V.
Curt Silverthorne, S/
Sgts. Harry Sierk,
Radio Operator;
T h o m a s Currie,
Aircraft Engineer and
Top Turret Gunner;
George J. Chagaris,
Waist Gunner; N o r m a n
Sutherland, Tail
Gunner; and John
Gately, Waist Gunner,
finished their combat
tours shortly afterward.
Re-entering civilian life
after the War, 1st Pilot
Spagnola returned to his
family-owned iron
foundry business in
Auburn, N e w York.
Chris married a former
W W I I nurse from N e w
York and has been happily married
to his wife, Dutch, for a bit over a
half-century mark. Chris is still
active in his foundry business, but
n o w finds more time to enjoy golf
and for him and Dutch to visit their
daughters, grandchildren and
relatives around the country. Dutch
was an added
treat to the
crew's
reunion.
Co-Pilot Bob Keyes spent his life
doing law enforcement with the
N e w York City police, as did T o m
Currie, also of N e w York City. Bob
is n o w retired. Bob's wife, Marie, a
former N e w York City school
teacher, very educated and
entertaining, accompanied Bob to the
Barksdale reunion.
Little is known of George Chagaris,
waist gunner, w h o was of Gastoria,
North Carolina. George died in 1987
leaving his wife, Alice in Charlotte,
North Carolina, and one son, n o w a
lawyer in Davidson, North Carolina.
Nothing is known of Harry Sierk,
radio operator of Minnesota, w h o
reportedly died in 1973.
John Gately, waist gunner, on return
to Stateside, went through O C S and
received a commission as a 2nd Lt.
just before being separated from
service. John Gately attended college
after the war and graduated with a
degree in Chemical Engineering and
worked in the ceramics industry.
Though retired, he still does some
consulting.
V. Curt Silverthorne, Bombardier; Bob Keyes, co-pilot; Chris Spagnola, pilot;
Lee Aston, navigator; and John Gately, waist gunner. Photo taken in 2001.
13
�John, formerly of Rockaway Beach, Long Island, N e w York, and his wife,
Bernadette, had four sons and one daughter. The Gatelys moved to
Huntington Beach, California, in their mid-life and are near several of their
children which translates to enjoying seeing grandchildren and children. The
Gatelys celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in June, 2001, with an
extravagant party at Las Vegas, Nevada, with some 50 family members and
close friends.
Norman Sutherland, our "Ridge Runner" from Rural Retreat in Southwest
Virginia, has been "lost" to all crew members. A recent search failed to
locate him. W e are hoping he is just "lost" and has not yet folded his wings.
Nothing had been heard from our bombardier, Curt Silverthorne, since the
War. Silverthorne was from Wisconsin. A search revealed he had moved to
Nashville, Tennessee, in 1947, where he has remained to date. Curt is
married, no children, but attended the reunion alone, as his wife of many
years was physically unable to travel. Curt is still a handsome fellow, but his
former head of curly hair has turned snow white.
Pre-Barkdale
contact with
T o m Currie, as
late as July,
2001, indicated
he planned to
join the crew for
its reunion. T o m
spent a life in
law enforcement
as a N e w York
City policeman.
H e had retired
from Titusville,
Florida. W e all
were looking for
Spagnola Crew at Squadron Dinner
T o m at the
2001
meeting, but he
didn't show...
After the meeting, an email from Tom's youngest son, Tim of Orlando,
Florida, advised T o m had died on October 17, 2001, the day after our 67th
Squadron reunion dinner at Barksdale. W e missed you T o m G o d Bless
You.
Lt. Robert Lee Aston, after 51 years as a Mining and Geological Engineer
and attorney-at-law, and still actively practicing law, had five children. T w o
of them, Laurel and Roger, attended the Barksdale reunion to see their
father receive his long awaited Distinguished Flying Cross presented to him
at the 8th Air Force Ceremonies, Barksdale, A F B . Lee discovered his wife
Mary, at the University of Missouri while he was teaching law as an Adjunct
Professor. Mary also served at the 44th B G C A registration desk. Lt
Spagnola's crew #5128 was featured at the 67th Squadron night on Tuesday
H e showed a series of photo projections of pictures taken during the crew's
training period in early 1944 at Casper Air Force Base, W y o m i n g , through
their months stationed at Shipdham airfield during combat missions
V
Introduction of fellow crew
members and wives, and Aston's
two children, followed. The
crew made a presentation of a
Certificate of Appreciation to
their aircraft commander, Chris
Spagnola, for his excellence as a
pilot in getting his crew safely
through their tour of combat.
So, Spagnola's aircrew is now
reduced tofive.All five
survivors appear to be in fairly
good health; not quite as fast as
w e used to be, but reliable.
We're looking forward to
gathering again at forthcoming
44th B G V A annual meetings for
quite a few years!
WHEN YOU
HAVE
CHANGES
In your:
Mailing Address, Email
phone number, area code
or zipcode,
please let us know at:
44th BGVA
P.O. Box 712287
SLC, UT 84171-2287
44thbgva@xmission. com
�44th Bomb Group 2002 Reunion
Wing/Strat. Missile Wing
October 7, 8, 9, 10 & 11,2002
, w , w ,
Holiday Inn, Omaha Central 1-80 - Omaha, Nebraska
Hotel Reservation Form W^a™
OMAHA CENTRAL 1-60
Reservations m a y only be m a d e by telephone directly with the Hotel's Reservation Department by
calling (402) 393-3950. To receive the contract rate, the attendees should identify themselves as being
with the 44th B o m b Group. All reservations should be m a d e by September 6, 2002. After this date, the
hotel will release the remainder of our room block. Additional reservation requests will be honored on a
space and room available basis.
Guaranteed Reservations. Rooms can be guaranteed for late arrival to an individual's credit car
advance deposit equal to one night's room and tax at the time of reservation. The deposit will be credited to the attendee's account. Check in time is 4:00 p.m. on reserved date, or refunds will be m a d e only
if the reservation is cancelled 48 hours prior to the scheduled day of arrival. Guarantee m a y be m a d e by
check or credit card.
Guaranteed Group Rates: $90.00 tax included, Single or Double
Please fill out this information prior to making your reservation call. It will serve as your r
will be given a confirmation number by the reservation person.
Confirmation #:
Name:
Arrival Date:
Organization: 44th B o m b Group Veterans Association
Address:
City: State: Zip code:
Additional Person in Room: DYes
D
No Name of additional person
Credit Cards: American Express, MasterCard, DiscoverCard, and VISA
Credit Card Number: Expiration Date:
Name of Credit Card: „
Your account is due upon conclusion of your stay and must be reviewed
and paid at the front desk at departure.
J
15
�0 s©
a careless word
WWII Poster ot Barksdale Museum.
The kids at Shipdham w h o have not forgotten the 44th 6G.
Shoveling the Runway in 1943.
16
�44th Bomb Group 2002 Reunion
October 7-11, 2002
Holiday Inn, Omaha Central 1-80 • Omaha, Nebraska
Registration Form
Please print or type. All information must be completed.
Last Name: First Name (Tag):
Spouse:
Squadron (Circle one): 66th 67th 68th 506th Hq or
Address:
City:
State:
Zip code:.
Phone: Fax: Email:
Guest(s) & Relation:
Number to attend Reunion @ $210.00/each Amount $_
Tour #1: Monday, October 7 - Omaha Historical Tour $ 19.00 per person
Time: Bus leaves hotel at 1:00 p.m. An exciting and informative escorted historical tour of Omaha.
Number to attend Tour @ $19.00/each Amount $.
Tour #2: Tuesday, October 8 - Exit 426 Tour
$36.00 per person
Time: Buses leave hotel at 9:00 a.m. return at 3:00 p.m. First we will visit the Strategic Air and Space Museum. The newest and one of the large
military museums in the U.S. W e will have an included buffet lunch at Mahoney State Park Lodge, which overlooks the scenic Platte River. After
lunch we will visit the Lee Simmons Wildlife Safari Park. W e will see a variety of wild animals in natural habitats.
Number to attend Tour @ $36.00/each Amount $
Tour #3: Wednesday, October 9 - Omaha Heritage and Art Tour
$ 23.00 per person
Time: Buses leave hotel at 10:00 a.m. A look at Omaha's glorious past! We'll split our day between the Druham Western Heritage Museum,
former main terminal of the Union Pacific Railroad and then shuttle to the Grand Dame of Omaha's art galleries. You will have lunch on your own
in the Old Market District, center of the restored original city center. Buses return to the hotel at 2:30 - 3:00 p.m.
Number to attend Tour @ $23.00/each Amount $
Tours #4 and #5: Wednesday, October 9 and Thursday, October 10
$16 per person
Lunch at the Offutt AFB Officer's Club and tour of the Commander U.S. Strategic Forces Command Center.
Time: Both days, the buses will depart the hotel at 11:00 a.m. A rare opportunity to see where the planning for the application of our nuclear
forces takes pace and the command center which would direct and control them. Whether you go on Wednesday or Thursday will be dependent
on the earliest receipt of your Registration Form for the tour. The first 84 received go Wednesday and so on. See Reunion Schedule of Activities.
Number to attend Tour @ $16.00/each Amount $
Total of Registration and Tours enclosed by Check: Amount $
Registration must be received by August 1, 2002. No registrations will be taken after that date.
Mail a copy of this Registration with your check to:
R o y W . O w e n • 6 3 0 4 M e a d o w r i d g e Drive • Santa Rosa, California 95409-5839
Phone (707) 538-4726 • Fax (707) 538-1212
v^
BE PROMPT!
17
�GROUP
2002 REUNION
October 7-11, 2002
Omaha, Nebraska
18
�44th Bomb Group 2002 Reunion
October 7-11
Holiday Inn • Omaha, Nebraska • Schedule of Activities
Monday, October 7
9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m
9:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m
1:00 p.m.- 3:00 p.m
12:00 noon - 5:00 p.m
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m
8:30 p.m.- 11:00 p.m
8:30 p.m.- ?
Tuesday, October 8
7:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m Cornhusker Breakfast Buffet
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m
Registration
11:00 a.m
Tour Buses to Strategic Air C o m m a n d Museum,
Lunch on your own at Museum.
3:00 p.m
Buses return to hotel.
4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m
Hospitality R o o m Open
7:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m
Squadron Dinners
9:00 p.m.- 11:00 p.m
Hospitality R o o m Open
Wednesday, October 9
7:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m Cornhusker Buffet Breakfast
10:00 a.m
Bus leaves for Joslyn Art Museum and Old Market
Area (Bus will shuttle between the Market area and the Museum).
2:30/3:00 p.m
Buses return to hotel.
11:00 a.m
2 Buses leave for Offutt A F B (42 people each).
11:30 a.m
Bus #1 Group to O'Club for lunch.
11:30 a.m
Bus #2 Group to Strategic Command. Underground
C o m m a n d Center tour.
1:00 p.m
Bus #1 Group to Strategic Command. Underground
C o m m a n d Center tour.
1:00 p.m
Bus #2 Group to O'Club for lunch.
2:30 p.m
Buses leave for hotel.
3:00 p.m.- 5:00 p.m
Hospitality R o o m Open
6:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m
Cash Bar at Banquet
7:00 p.m.- 7:30 p.m
Post Colors; Pledge of Allegiance, Candle Lighting
& present Awards.
8:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m
Grand Banquet
9:00 p.m.- 11:00 p.m
Dance, Visit & Have Fun.
Thursday, October 10
7:00 p.m.- 9:00 a.m Cornhusker Breakfast Buffet
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m
General Membership Meeting
12:00 noon
Those not on tours, lunch on your own.
11:00 a.m
Bus #1 Group to O'Club for Lunch.
11:30 a.m
Bus #2 Group to Strategic C o m m a n d Ctr Tour
1:00 p.m
Hospitality R o o m Open
1:00 p.m
Bus #1 Group to Strategic C o m m a n d Ctr Tour.
1:00 p.m
Bus #2 Group to O'Club for Lunch.
2:30 p.m
Buses leave for hotel.
5:00 p.m
Hospitality R o o m Open
6:00 p.m
Cash Bar Cocktails
7:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m
Dinner, Entertainment & Dancing in Hotel.
Friday, October 11
Check-Out, Farewell, Safe Journey Home, Be seeing you in 2003!
19 I
Registration
Board Meeting
Board Meeting
Guided Tour of O m a h a (Optional)
Hospitality R o o m Open
Reception (Finger Food & Cash Bar)
Hospitality R o o m Open
Hotel shuttle to Casino
�gone. The site of the 506th Squadron
freedom of the GtyRword
is nearly intact, but in poor repair.
The highest honor that Norwich can
S o m e of the huts are now gone. Only a
offer on organization is the Freedom
concrete slab is left of the 67th Sq.
of the City Award. Councillor Keith
H Q . and the 68th Sq. is totally gone. R
Ratcliffe, Lord Mayor did the
presentation on Tuesday, November6 few of the buildings remain of the
in St. Andrews Hall. The scroll read, 506th Sq. at Site 2. T w o buildings
remain in Site 6, h o m e of the 66th, 50
"In recognition of the close historic
M
f e end Weathermen.
ties between the City and the Second
Air Division Association, and to mark
the Contribution the 2 A D has m a d e to
the City, in particular the Second Air
Division Memorial Library... (The
2RD Association was therein admitted
to the freedom of the City of
Norwich.) St. Andrews Hall is
connected to Black Friars Hall, where
food and wine were generously
dispensed. Prayers for those w h o died Steve Rdams <S John Page Norwich &
Shipdham TourGuides
in the September 11 th tragedy
The 2nd Air Division Association
accompanied speeches of gratitude to
coupled their annual Reunion with the the survivors of the War, w h o defied
Many of the communal sites are
Opening of the 2AD Memorial Library the terrorism threat, and came for the private property, closed to visitors.
in Norwich, Cngland, November 3-9. It Dedication of the Library. With
The 14th Combat Wing H Q remains in
was a week of ceremony, nostalgia
unbelievable grace and efficiency, our good condi tion, and the 464 Sub Depot
and grandeur. Cvelyn Cohen, VP of
hosts were able to feed and provide
is intact, except for the loss of a few
Membership of the 2AD and David
beverages for all 550+ guests.
Nissan huts. These are privately
Hastings, Vice Chairman of the 2 A D
owned, and permission must be
Memorial Trust, covered all bases in
gained for entrance.
arranging an amazing week. Twenty
W h e n Brian Peel and Perry Morse
two members of the 44th m a d e the
began re-hashing the Shipdham days,
transoceanic leap, and our hosts m a d e
they came to the realization that they
it all worthwhile.
had probably met before. Twelve yeor
Three buses transported the group
old Brian w a s a m o n g the Cnglish
to the cemetery in Cambridge, the
'kids' w h o frequented Gl barracks,
burial ground for the brave airmen
and used that familiar phrase, "any
Julian €rtz <S Mrs. Peterson
who*gave all." From there w e went
gum, chum?'
ot the airfield.
on to Duxford, where American fighter
The Shipdham Aero Club greeted us
planes swingfromthe ceiling, various Shipdham
fondly. Mrs. Paterson, owner, wos
planes were spread across the floor,
there, along with other members. The
all in the shadow of that gigantic B- It was interesting to see the new walls were bedecked with aviation
52. A memorial plaque names the
look at the Shipdham Airfield. The site history, ond cabinets were filled with
airmen w h o were lost in the cause for of the original 44th B G Hospital is
freedom. Is it possible to visit these now W y m o n d h a m College. John Page
hallowed places without shedding
shared his historical knowledge of all
tears for the brave young m e n w h o
the changes. The old Control Tower
bodies lie beneath the memorial
still stands partially repaired, a tragic
markers?
reminder of a glorious era. The site of
Perry Morse <5 Brian Peel.
the 67th Squadron Ground Crews is
Friends again after
68yeas.
Norwich
aud the
Memorial
JCibrary
20
�photos and memorabilia of the 44th's
past glory. Daniel Butler (son of Col.
Richard and Ardith) and Will Lundy
laid a poppy wreath on the monument,
but the weather w a s rapidly turning
vicious, so w e did not linger. Only two
runways remain of thosefromwhich
the '24s took off. Lunch w a s at the
Golden Dog in Shipdham, a familiar
hang-out to many young airmen.
Andrew Doubleday and his wife
Debbie opened their doors and their
hearts to their
home, former 14th
Wing
Headquarters.
W h e n he purchased
thefarm,he had no
idea that he w a s
purchasing a piece
FhdrewDod^eday of history. The
dwelling is enlarged and beautifully
preserved, and the art work on the
back walls is still there. Although the
images arefading,there is a plan to
preserve them.
Alongside the drawings will b e a
photo of their original grandeur. (6d.
Note: Perhaps the artist of those
beautiful female images would like to
contact the 8 BT and claim credit for
his creations.)
Cnglish weather w a s at its best
until w e started for Shipdham. W e had
snow, high winds, fifteen minutes of
bright sunshine, then sleet and cold.
Between the winds and cold, wet
deluges, Daniel Butler and Will Lundy
laid a poppy wreath on the Shipdham
memorial.
the 6 7 0 0 airmen w h o lost their lives in
the cause of freedom.
Daniel Butler carried the Roll of
Honorfromthe Cathedral to the
Forum. Government and church
leaders, clad in fine robes, conducted
a magnanimous Dedication Ceremony.
Major General Kenneth Hess, son of a
WWII airman w h o flew out of Hethel,
arranged for afly-overby two Jaguars
followed by a Tanker. That w a s fast
but dramatic; in one "whoosh," they
Bock to Norwich
were gone. The Band of the Dragoon
Steve A d a m s led us to the
Guards provided stirring music - The
monument of Poppy's Chillun,
Star Spangled Banner and G o d Save
alongsideTaverham Mill Lake. The
the Queen. There were glowing
plane still lies underwater,
speeches
- some serious, some
surrounded by a peaceful countryside.
whimsical. Paul King, chairman of the
It w a s a wet day, but the bus
proceeded as close to the Memorial as Memorial Trust, drew attention to a
w a s feasible. Later, with Steve outside difference in Cnglish and American
directing, John Page in the back of the thinking: "In €nglish, 100 years is a
long time."
bus, interpreting his signals and the
The messagefromPresident George
driver dutifully followed their counsel,
W . Bush, referring to the m e n w h o
he backed out of a precariously
were being memorialized: 'They gave
narrow and muddy road and the trip
their lives in the defense offreem e n
continued.
everywhere."
From Q u e e n Clizabeth: "All of us
The Grand Opening
The buses taking us to the big event will remember with everlasting
gratitude their bravery and sacrifice
were given magnificent clearance police escorts. Traffic w a s held up for in the defense of freedom during this
^
country's hour of
our passage. W e traveled
'.-SMN
need. I hope their
the wrong w a y on one w a y
entire visit to
streets, ignoring red
tit. ,*» A
sm&i
_
Norfolk will b e a
lights; and every mile of
• * P^^fl
happy one,
the way, people were
h9Ri.~jX. •
strengthening
still
cheering. They waved from
<i
further the unique
doorways, on the
bond of friendship
sidewalks and from inside
between our two
their cars and trucks.
. .1 ^ '
countries."
A moving ceremony at
SA*
More than 800
': •
the beautiful Norwich
people attended the
Cathedral preceded the
Banquet, both
trip to the Forum, site of
Cnglishand
the Library. Organ music
>
American. Speakers
thundered through the
reiterated the chain
beautiful church, soprano
, '*
Daniel
Butler
carried
the
Roll
of events leading to
voices rang in jubilance,
of Honor from the Cathedral the Grand Opening
Dan Butler Si UUHI Lundy placed a wreath and the Bishop prayed for
to the Forum.
on the memorial at Shipdham.
W^r&lj?-'-;
ifc
i
4 '-i
< * •
Hfem
21
�of the Library. Already it is a resource for students from
local high schools and collegesforresearch about
America. It is all there - the story of America, its history,
folklore, customs, geography and much more. By computer
a student can find information in the 44ths database.
Books about W W I I cany pictures of our heroes, with
descriptions of their combat histories.
The Americans' presence in W W I I Cngland is called,
"The Friendly Invasion." Time after time w e were
reminded of their deep gratitude. The 2AD's brochure
responded succinctly: " W e came asfriends;w e stayed as
friends; w e have remained friends."
O n e tragedy accompanied all the happiness of the UK
trip. Frank Drake, son-in-law of Dick and Ardith Butler,
became ill and w a s hospitalized in Norwich. H e flew h o m e
several days after the group's return, and passed a w a y
several weeks later. Our sympathies g o out to his wife Kay
and the entire Butler family.
Colorful dignitaries
at the Forum.
Congratulations are in Order
v
'
I
With no fanfare whatsoever, Col. Richard Butler was
elevated to a position of distinction: executive Vice
President to the 2nd Air Division. It is no secret that
attending the Grand Opening and Dedication of the
Memorial Library is the culmination of a great dream for
Dick. The 8 Ball Tails salutes Col. Butler and the 2 A D for
bringing a great dream to fruition.
Representing the 44th B G to the 2 A D is Julian S. €rtz,
whose title will b e group Vice President of the 44th B G .
22
�fc«
XV«M ^
-
*
Oq0l
et
»
I
Pointing by T/Sgt. Ludwig Lund
Planes in Flight
George & Beryl Apgar
.
~**^A
* :
;
1 ^ f; Amy
: |
i
(•
- ; 1
Col. Jomes Si Marion UUright
Ltc. Robert Dubowsky and Irma
23
�FOR SALE
Flying 8 Ball Shirts - $25 + $3 Postage
Flying 8 Ball Caps - $15 + $2 Postage
Pins - $5 + $1 Postage
Flying 8 Ball Patches - $15 + $1 Postage
(Please specify Squadron)
Back Issues of 8 Ball Tails - $5
Write: Sam Miceli
6398 Dawson Blvd.
Mentor, O H 44060-3648
Write: 44th BGVA
P.O. Box 712287
Salt Lake City, UT 84171-2287
Memories of "a Young Yank"
by Julian S. Ertz
In 1990\ my wife and daughters and I attended
the 2 ADA reunion in Norwich.
We 44th attendees were hosted by English
families at a Sunday dinner in Shipdham. The Ertz
family was hosted by a lovely young lady named
Sandra Howson and her then 10 year old daughter,
Karen. I invited Sandra to attend our banquet at our
November, 2000 reunion. Also I visited her
daughter's home. When I was ready to leave for the
Jarvis Hotel, I had trouble getting up out of a soft
large chair. Young Karen offered to help me, but I
told her I thought I could make it. Her clear and
Julian Ertz and Sandra Howson
cute response to this over 80 year old was, "Oh,
that's okay. We like to help you good looking young
It is a small world. Immediately before WWII, I
Yanks."
attended Temple University in Philadelphia. And, as
we often observe, the world gets smaller. At the 44th
Recent months have been most enjoyable with
reunion in Louisiana, I met and enjoyed visiting with
attendance at the 44th BG reunion at Shreveport,
Sidney Paul. Sid and I attended Temple University at
Louisiana in October, and the Second ADA at
Norwich in November. Those responsible deserve the the same time. He and his wife, Elizabeth, now live
greatest credit. My hats are off to Mike Yuspeh, Royin Chicopee, Massachusetts. In Norwich, I ran
across Leon (Lee) Lowenthal who also attended
Owen, Mike Mikoloski, Jerry Folsom, Dick Butler,
Temple University when I did. In fact, we were both
the marvelous Evelyn Cohen, and, of course, our
wonderful English friends, David and Jean Hastings, varsity athletes at the same time - he as a fencer
and I as a football player.
John Page, Steve Adams and others.
24
�ttfa
REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY IN
EASTBOURNE
If a veteran ever feels lonely and unappreciated,
a trip to Eastbourne, England would clear up
the problem. Eight members from the 44th
accepted the kind invitation of Kevin Watson;
and following the festivities at Norwich, took a
three day sojourn to south England.
Transported in an oversized van, Kevin gave us
a running account of all that happened in the
beautiful countryside through which w e
traveled, including a glimpse at the estate of
the one and only Winston Churchill.
\
Htl
He added that he hoped the memorial would
attract Americans to visit that beautiful city;
and in fact, it did.
Will Lundy carried the Stars and Stripes in The
Remembrance Day Parade, walking alongside
an English flag bearer with the Union Jack.
Remembrance Day coincides with American's
Veterans Day, November 11. (It cannot be
forgotten that on the 1 1th hour of the 1 1th day
of the 11th month, the Treat of Versailles w a s
signed, ending W W I ) . All Veterans, English and
American, w h o gave their lives fighting for
their country, were remembered, as were the
victims of the
September 11th tragedy.
We arrived in time to keep a 4:00 p.m.
appointment with Mayor Stevens and
Mayoress Jane Stevens, and receive a
comprehensive report on government policies.
"Mr. Mayor," as he is always addressed, is a
representative of the Queen. Other Councillors Perry Morse, marching
elect him, rather than directly by the populace. directly behind Mayor
David Stevens, laid a
W h e n he is addressing the Councillors, he
wreath on the town
wears a sweeping red robe and two ornate
gold chains that drape across his shoulders. H e monument for the
Americans w h o died in
is always
WWII. Every group of
preceded by an
marchers, 25 Veterans
aide w h o
Associations, honored
carries The
their lost members
Mace. This is a
also. W h e n the event
Mayor DavidStevens
heavy Gold
displays
his gold chains,
w
a
s
over,
the
Gilt rod with a
presented by the Duke of
monument at the
crown at the
Devonshire.
Square w a s ablaze
top, a reminder
with poppy wreaths.
that the Mayor
Irene Lundy and your editor marched in the
always
represents the
Queen.
Kevin UUatson Si Dick Butler
_. A ...
at the RBF Club.
The Auxiliary of
the Royal Air Force hosted a luncheon in our
behalf, a golden opportunity for their airmen to
exchange stories about their wartime
experiences. That evening w e dined at the
Nelson Hotel with many of our English friends,
including Councillor and Mrs. Ron Parsons,
Dan <S Dick Butler lay the flowers on the Ruth-less.
former Mayor of Eastbourne. Mayor Parsons
Butler had down this plane at times.
was influential in the creation of the Ruth-less
monument on Butts Brow. (This c a m e about 25
by the urging and assistance of Kevin Watson.)
�procession, and were amazed to find that
w e were applauded by the spectators all
along the block to the R A F Club.
At the conclusion of a lively night of
entertainment, poppy petals showered
d o w n on the Eastbourne Silver Band. Band
m e m b e r s were literally blanked in red. It
w a s a breathtaking finale to an amazing
celebration.
Then we jumped into Kevin's car for the ride
up Butts Brow to the Ruth-less Memorial. It
w a s beautiful. Again, Will
(Ed. Note: The
Lundy carried the flag,
holding it erect w h e n the
Remembrance
Sunday
English groups dipped theirs
celebration is an annual
in honor of the moment.
event in Eastbourne.
Dick Butler and son Danny
Anyone who wishes to
laid an American flag m a d e
assemble a group to
of flowers on the
attend this event can
monument. Kevin pointed
contact Kevin Watson.
out that grass surrounds
He can provide
the monument, but no
transportation and all
other vegetation,
amenities for a truly
Farewells outside the RAF Club
presumably the effect of the
exhilarating experience.
fuel that splattered w h e n
Kevin can be reached
the plane hit the ground.
at 29 Downs Valley
Road, Eastbourne BN 20 9 QG, or by
More than 1,000 people attended the
e-mail; KPWats7@aol.com).
Festival of Remembrance at the Congress
Theater that evening. Again, Will Lundy
rtfo
carried Old Glory. There w a s a standing
ovation w h e n the Americans were
recognized. Light comedy
preceded the serious part of
the musical performance. The
Real Dad's A r m y w a s a takeoff of older members of the
For Sole $6
community w h o were
which includes shipping ond handling.
assigned the task of guarding
Contact:fllanSenior
the coastline. They showed
610 Salerno Street
up with brooms, m o p s and a
Sugar land, 7X77478
medieval spear, ready to ward
Telephone: (281) 494-2445 • €mail: sralan@att.net
off the Nazis. W h e n they
were issued guns, they shot
madly in all directions, but
before long, they had shaped
up as a fitting group of
warriors - all except one. He
fell asleep w h e n the drilling
began, and w a s finally
aroused w h e n the curtain
closed on their act.
Commemorative Poster
26
�>
An Eighth Air ?orce liberator Station, England
15 June 1944
The Hruby Crew
1st Row.
Bob Petkoff (Tail Gunner)
w/dog named Mai-Function;
Bartley Twins (Waist Gunners),
Cletus Clark (Engineer).
2nd Row: David H. Appenzellar
(Unknown Assignment),
Ed Rosenberg (Navigator),
Thomas Smith (Co-Pilot),
Richard Hruby (Pilot),
Herman Flugman (Temporary
Bombardier),
Euclide Blanchard (Radio Operator).
Missing from photo: Everette Foster,
(Ball Turret Gunner).
Flying in the waist of the Liberator with twin
brothers Fount B. "Boyd" and Thomas L. "Loyd'
Bartley of Keystone, Oklahoma, manning the waist
guns, I saw the blue pre-dawn haze of England end
as the colorful landscape dipped into the English
Channel. Later the equally peaceful appearing
countryside of France rose from the waters
apparently belying the fact that the greatest military
clash of history w a s taking place on the placid
looking beaches and fields. The skies too, were
calm and quiet except for the h u m of the Allied
bombers as the aerial force of the invasion crossed
into the Continent of Europe. Not long afterward, the
first sign that e n e m y planes were about broke suddenly w h e n a ship, which the keener eyes of the
Liberator gunners identified as a FW-190,
plummeted down from a height of well over fifteen
thousand feet, spinning and twisting out of sight into
a low cloud.
A s Lt. Hruby continued on his course into
France, 2nd Lt. Herman C. Flugman of 504 Grand
Street, N e w York City, the bombardier, announced
over the interphone that there were repeated 2 0 m m
bursts directly ahead. Approximately ten minutes
later, the staccato bursts of Liberator gunners to our
right gave notice that e n e m y fighters were sweeping
to the attack. Pulling on past the Liberator formations
and to the front once more, five or six Focks-Wulfes
turned and started back through the flight of heavy
bombers again. This time they headed toward Lt.
Hruby's ship and as canon bursts exploded beneath
the numbers one and two engines, Sgt. Lark
Brad Wallingford, nephew of Thomas Bartley,
sent this report to Art Hand. Fount and T h o m a s
Bartley were twins and both waist gunners on the
crew of Lt. Richard J. Hruby. It w a s written by II
Sgt. David H. Appenzeller, June 15, 1944.
(Editor's speculation: This mission must have been
a bridge in Tours, France, only one of three by the
author of this article. His descriptions are so poetic,
he must have been sent on the mission as a writer.)
The Luftwaffe served notice today that it w a s
not going to give the Allied Air Force freedom of the
skies over France. Focks Wulfe 190's swept into
Liberator formations and cascaded 2 0 m m shells
into flights of the heavy bombers as they attacked
military targets in eastern France. I flew in a plane
piloted by 2nd Lt. Richard J. Hruby of 1 Marlin
Green, Washington, D.C., and, while the youthful
pilot put his Liberator through violent evasive
action, watched the bullets from the top-turret guns
of T/Sgt. Cletus C. Clark of Roswell, South Dakota,
turn one F W - 1 9 0 into a smoke-trailing,
uncontrollable loss to the Laftwaffe. In other
sections of the French skies, I s a w furious
dogfights between U.S. P-51 Mustangs and
German fighters with at least one of the e n e m y
ships hurtling d o w n to destruction.
The mirror-clear June day m a d e the skies an
arena of incredible beauty as the planes continually
clashed in violent battles. The opposition failed to
interrupt the b o m b runs and I watched the heavy
explosives speed d o w n toward their objectives in
patterns that were the acme of symmetry and accuracy.
11
�opened fire and riddled the attacking fighters. Boyd
Bartley at the left waist gun and S/Sgt. Robert
Petkoffoi Carnegie, Oklahoma, the tail gunner,
also sprayed bullets into the damaged aircraft as it
sped by. The Liberator shook and groaned as the
vibration of fifty calibre guns took effect. None of
the gunners had the opportunity to watch the finish
of the attacking Nazi, as they opened fire again on
the second of the two planes.
During the period of this attack, Lt. Hruby put
the Liberator into evasive action that mauled and
pushed us around the waist of the ship. The Bartley
twins w h o seemed to work in a perfect coordination
that could anticipate the move of the other though
their backs were turned, clung to their guns, and
while I w a s thrown against the side of the ship, I
heard the clatter of Boyd Bartley's gun rattle on
undisturbed. Shortly after this, Mustangs and
Thunderbolts engaged the enemy planes and also,
though the Focke-Wulfes remained in evidence, no
further attacks were m a d e on our formation. After
seeing our bombs drop on the target, w e watched,
in a period of comparative quiet, the explosions
caused by other formations of bombers. Mustangs
and Thunderbolts hovered about in protective
groups as w e m a d e our way back. A Liberator with
one engine knocked out and another smoking, fell
to the rear of the formation and four Thunderbolts
fell back with it as support for the return trip.
From a town to the left, as Lt. Hruby guided the
Liberator back, brilliant flashes appeared as antiaircraft batteries opened fire. In the sky, the
explosions appeared as puffs of wispy, black
smoke that seemed slight and harmless. As they
continued however, the clusters of sooty patches
hung motionless in the air and took on a forbidding
atmosphere. Finally the welcome blue waters of the
English Channel appeared once more and with the
break of tension c a m e jocular and raucous chatter
over the interphone.
The patchwork of the English fields never
appeared so lovely and serene as when they passed
smoothly beneath us on the return to base. As w e
neared our airfield, w e looked down and silhouetted
upon the light, half-transparent clouds w a s the
show of our Liberator completely circled by a
perfect rainbow of the most brilliant reds, blues and
yellows. The entire crew watched it with m e ,
forgetting n o w the earlier encounters, the deadly
guns and the load of destruction that had been our
cargo as w e left the base s o m e hours earlier. The
shadow and rainbow glided along beside us,
disappearing finally as the airfield pushed into view.
Lt. Hruby slowly let the bomber down as w e
headed in to land.
28
The Queen Honored Us
After September 11, Queen Elizabeth
joined a group outside Buckingham
Palace, singing the Star Spangled
Banner. S h e knew the words. Perhaps
w e should know their anthem. The
tune is a familiar one,
"America."
God sa\/e our precious Queen
Long live our noble Queen
God save the Queen!
Send her victorious
Happy and glorious
Long to reign over us,
God save the Queen.
Not on this land alone
But be God's mercies known
From shore to shore.
Lord, make the nations see
That men should brothers be
And form one family!
The wide world o'er.
�^3 MAIL & E-MAIL ^5
Before the ceremonies preceding the
Dedication of the Library, the police
swept the Church, searching for bomb
After that it was locked and guarded
until Remembrance Sunday.)
Only the General Complained
A reminder of the past, a reproduced Norwich
RATION B O O K was distributed to each guest,
entitling the weekly ration of: Bacon 4 ozs;
Butter 4 ozs; Sugar 12 ozs; Tea 2 ozs; Meat 6p
per week; Dried egg powder 4 ozs. (when
obtainable).
B/General Robert Cardenas's article had an
error. H e was never C o m m a n d e r of the 44th
B o m b Group. Nobody else noticed the misinformation. Thanks General Cardenas, for
pointing it out.
<^3
Interesting quotes from Norwich: O n e m e m b e r
of the arriving party at Heathrow asked the bus
driver whether he stopped at Stop
Signs. Answer: "Not Very Often."
STOP
A verse by Rudyard Kipling,
speaking as the British soldiers w h o
^^^^
were mortally wounded in battle:
"When you go home, tell them of us, and say,
Tor your tomorrow, w e gave our today."
Speaking of Churchill, Kevin Watson told of a
quote from those w h o knew this great leader:
"It is said that he had 100 ideas a day for
winning the War, but only about four were any
good!"
In the Memorial Library, a quote from an
unnamed Italian engineer w h o is working in the
Norwich area: "I was born in Venice, Italy. Even
though our house was bombed, w e still prayed
the Americans would win. Thank you for
fighting the War. W e have a good life because
you won the War."
In the Nelson Hotel, a quote from George F.
Wright: "I was building a few airplane models
for fun. W h e n I c a m e across Roger Freeman's
book, "The Mighty Eighth," I became really
interested in the Formation Planes. W h e n the
word got around, veterans sent m e pictures of
planes. I liked the Lemon Drop used at
Shipdham, with its yellow and black stripes. In
due time members of 2nd Air Division became
interested in m y models, so I kept making
them." (Ed Note: WrighVs Formation Assembly
Planes line the walls of the Library in a most
creative way. He has preserved an intricate
part of WWII history.)
On Butts Brow in Eastbourne, two middle aged
men: "We were on the mountain when the
plane struck. W e had cut school that day, and
the a w e s o m e sight has never been lost from
our memory."
<^3
It Wasn't Miss Diane
In the Cathedral, a mother carrying a child,
"When I was a young girl, I c a m e to the
American planes on your airfields. The
American airmen were wonderful to the
children. N o w I a m praying for the safety of
our American and Canadian friends. (Ed. Note:
The English share our concerns for terrorists.
29
The cover picture on the Winter 2001
magazine was labeled Miss Diane, an
assumption based on the fact that it was
presented to the 44th tour when visiting
Rouen. Actually, it was Suzy O, General
Johnson's plane; the scene was Ploesti. Roy
O w e n suspected that the picture was
mislabeled; Dick Butler confirmed it. H e has
the original piece of art.
�<39
bomber across the Atlantic and they didn't
need our services anymore.
Did You K n o w This?
Now that we had gone to gunnery school,
John Cole, Adolph Brzozowy, Oscar Kreissig,
If the Liberator crews felt they were outshone by
Goodman, Don Bowie and I volunteered for
the Fortresses, look at how the 15th A F felt toward
combat duty and were assigned to Hardwick, a
the 8th. The tune is "As Time Goes by."
B-25 and B-26 Base. The twin tailed B-25 is
It's still the same old story,
the same plane that Doolittle flew on the
The Eighth gets all the glory
^ ^ - ^
famous Tokyo raid in 1942. I enjoyed flying on
While w e go out and die.
J~ tfjfo
the B-25, but the B-26 was another story. The
The fundamental things apply
L J I ^ S
B-26 had stubby wings, and I always felt
As flak goes by.
***"
uneasy when flying in it because it took off and
landed so fast. N o w I read in The World War II
Quiz and Facts Book by Timothy Benford that,
"The Martin Marauder B-26, a medium weight
From the diary of T/Sgt. Clarence W.
bomber was known as the Flying Prostitute
Strandberg: Will Lundy found some
because it had no visible means of support. It
unanswered questions. He knew that when the
was also called the Widow Maker for a time
Air Echelon departed Will Rogers Field in
after it began service in 1942 because it was
Oklahoma, they picked up new B-24DS to fly
to England. At that time they were headed for
said to be unsafe."
combat, but it was stated that they were short
several Radio Operators. However, Will never
3 February 1943
came across any documents that showed how
Our next assignment was to Shipdham Airfield
or from where these m e n arrived to fill these
near Norwich. Shipdham was headquarters for
very important vacancies until he came to page
the 68th Squadron of the 44th B o m b Group
7 of Strandberg's diary.
and w e would be flying our combat missions on
the B-24 Liberator bomber. A few days after we
May 1942 BUSH PARK, HYWYCOMBE AND
arrived, I became part of Major Norsen's crew
SHIPDHAM, E N G L A N D
that was going to fly up to an altitude of about
One day a notice appeared on the bulletin
30,000 feet to test the viscosity of different oils
board that volunteers with radio experience
on the nine 50 caliber machine guns that w e
were needed to go to a radio and gunnery
carried. At that altitude the temperature can be
school to learn English radio procedure. The
anywhere from 20 to 50 degrees below zero
promise was that w e would have ham and
and it would be suicide to have our guns freeze
eggs in the morning and mutton in the evening.
up and not be able to return the fire of enemy
The plan was to fly the trained radio operators
aircraft in combat. W e had reached altitude
back to the States where w e would have ham
and the performance of the machine guns was
and eggs. After breakfast each radio operator
being tested. The oil on two of the guns
was to board a different plane which would be
became so heavy and sticky from the cold that
the lead plane in a formation of bombers flying
they would not fire. W e noted the type of oil
to England. As English trained radio operators,
used on the seven guns that fired and how well
w e would have the know-how and equipment
they performed.
to guide the formation on a radio beam to an
English airfield where w e would get our mutton
About this time, I had the urge to relieve myse
dinner. Well, to make a long story short, by the
and went over to the pee tube, I found that the
time our radio and gunnery course was over,
air hose to m y oxygen mask was too short to
every Tom, Dick and Harry was flying his own
reach over there. Instead of finding and
®
�hooking up to a portable oxygen bottle, I
foolishly reasoned that I could hold m y breath
for two minutes. Well, the project took longer
than two minutes and when I ran out of breath
and inhaled, I fell forward in a heap. M y good
friend Adolph Brzozowy quickly reconnected
m y oxygen mask to the air supply hose and
then he straddled m e as he pushed the mask
firmly against m y face. W h e n I c a m e to, I
yelled, "What are you doing? You're hurting
me! Get off!" A s I looked up at him, the
moisture from his breath had formed white
hoar-frost around his helmet and oxygen mask,
and he looked like m y guardian angel, which
he was, for he saved m y life.
could not be revived and died, Henry
Krustsch. If mother nature's call hadn't been
so urgent, and if the pilot hadn't been so quick
and heroic, none of us would be alive to tell the
story.
A
Our pilot, Major Robert Norsen had turned
the controls of the plane over to his co-pilot
with instructions not to fly above 33,000 feet.
Norsen was on a portable oxygen bottle in
the rear of the plane with us monitoring the
performance of the firing machine guns. W h e n
Norsen saw m e collapse, he moved quickly
back up front. There he found the co-pilot
unconscious and the plane on automatic pilot,
with the ailerons trimmed up to gain altitude.
W h e n Captain Norsen seated himself at the
controls, the altimeter read 40,000 feet. H e
immediately dove the plane down at 10,000
feet per minute. W e leveled out over an
English airfield and since it w a s an emergency,
put the plane down there.
Most of the combat crews were at Shipdham
and had all flown and trained together in the
States and had developed close friendships.
John Cole, Oscar Kreissig, Adolph Brzozowy,
G o o d m a n , Don Bowie and I had none of that
background and did not belong to a combat
crew. O n days when combat missions were
scheduled, the six of us reported to the briefing
r
oom and were put on a standby status. Since
w e were all trained, in both radio and
gunner, w e could fill either position when
someone else was sick. And believe m e ,
there were always sick radio operators and
gunners.
Vf
A tour of duty consisted of twenty-five
completed combat missions. Being anxious to
get in m y twenty-five missions so that I could
go back h o m e to the States, kept m e
volunteering for every mission.
The Germans and British flew their bombing
missions under the protection of darkness.
W h e n the Americans c a m e and announced
that w e would be flying our missions in the
daytime, the English thought w e were crazy
and that w e would never succeed because our
casualties of both m e n and bombers would be
too heavy. They were sure that w e would be
sitting ducks for the experienced pilots of the
Luftwaffe under the c o m m a n d of Herman
Goering. Many of the German pilots were
Aces, which meant that they had already shot
down five planes or more. As a matter of Honor
and Distinction, and also probably to instill fear
in us, each Ace had a bright yellow spinner in
the center of his propellers. And believe m e ,
the yellow spinners were very visible as the
fighter planes m a d e their many passes through
our bomber formations.
Later, when w e were interrogated and asked
how high w e had flown, Norsen said, "40,000
feet." The interrogator said, "Are you sure?
because the plane is designed to go no higher
than 33,000 feet." Norsen said, "All I know is
that when I took over the controls, the altimeter
read 40,000 feet." W h e n asked h o w fast he
dove the plane, he said, "10,000 feet per
minute." The interrogator said, "Impossible,
the wings would have fallen off." Norsen said,
"According to the instruments, I know I dove
the plane down at 10,000 feet per minute."
Eddie Waite, our engineer, the co-pilot, and I
all passed out but were revived and survived.
O n e of the two m e n in the nose of the plane
From the Shipdham Airfield, I flew a total of t
missions over Germany, Holland, Belgium and
31
�France. The British were right in assuming that
our losses would be heavy, but what they
probably didn't realize w a s that Uncle S a m had
large reserves of bombers and m e n to sacrifice
for the war effort. Life didn't m e a n very much,
for w e were all expendable. You could be here
today, and gone tomorrow and replaced,
without a tear, by a young man, w h o would be
replaced by a young man, w h o would be
replaced by a young man. By the time I w a s
shot down, there had been 400 percent
replacement of the flying personnel in our
outfit. The night before a bombing mission,
there would be twenty-four guys sleeping in our
quonset hut type barracks. The night after the
mission, there could be as few as twelve m e n
in the barracks. All the rest were either dead,
prisoners of war, or in the hospital. But not to
worry, for in a few days, the n e w replacements
from the States would arrive and the barracks
would be full again. O n e crew left the United
States, and after a days rest, they went on a
bombing mission and were shot down. S o for
that unlucky crew, it w a s only three days from
the time they left the States until they were
either killed or prisoners of war.
WILL LUNDY'S FOLLOW UP REPORT:
His diary goes on, but to get back to the Radio Operators,
Strandberg flew 10 missions, including Kiel and Ploesti. But on
16 August 1943, he went down as a member of Lt. Shannon's
crew that w a s shot down over Foggio. Captured, he later
escaped and returned to duty.
The other five Radio Operators were: Adolph Brzozowy, Donald
Bowie, Melvin John Cole, Oscar Kreissig and August T.
Goodman. They, too, paid a high price. Briefly, here is their
record:
BOWIE, Donald- 66th Squadron - Joined Capt. Adam's crew.
Flew seven missions with them; first w a s on 12 December
1942, and the last one w a s 26 February 1943, when he was
KIA, along with nine others.
BRZOZOWY, Adolph E. - 68th Squadron • Flew his first mission
with the Cramer crew on 2 February 1943. His 19th was with
the Lt. Garrett crew, with Robert Lehnhausen, forced to ditch
in the M e d and w a s injured. He is n o w a Life Member of the
44th Bomb Group Veterans Association.
COLE, Melvin John - 68th Squadron - Completed nine missions,
starting with the 2 July 1943, ditching with the Garrett/
Lehnhausen crew, when he w a s injured in the chest. He
recovered sufficiently to fly the Ploesti Low Level Raid. His last
mission w a s again with Lt. Lehnhausen on 20 October 1943.
From the Editor:
KREISSIG, Oscar - 67th Squadron • His first mission was on 15
February 1943 as a member of the Damron crew.
Unfortunately, his eighth mission was on 8 March 1943, with
the Blaine crew. He w a s killed when they crashed in France.
As a publicist, I try very hard
not to highlight the same
people repeatedly. However,
the happenings in this
publication were so awesome,
the stories could not be
related, without showing the
people involved. Many of the
same members of the 44th
Bomb Group Veteran's
Association were at all the
events, to their delight and
great joy
GOODMAN, EarlE • 66th Squadron • Earl's first of several
missions w a s with Capt. McCoy's crew in December, 1942.
After McCoy w a s killed in a training accident, Earl went on
with other pilots and had finished his tour but volunteered to
fly his 26th mission with the Lt. Herbert Gentry crew on 1
August 1943 Ploesti raid flying ForkylL They were in the last
wave over target "White Five" and after suffering Anti-Aircraft
fire damage during entry; when reaching the target explosions
took out two engines and killed two gunners. Withdrawing
from the target they were attacked and shot down by three
ME-109s and left burning in a cornfield. The only survivor was
Waist Gunner Charles Bridges w h o staggered out of the
burning wreckage seconds before Forkyll exploded. He was
taken P O W .
32
�Will Sez
During the first week in
November, Irene and I
joined with approximately
20 other 44thers in
attending the 2nd ADA
reunion in Norwich,
England. The primary
reason for this big reunion
in Norwich was to attend
the many ceremonies in
connection with the Grand Opening of the new
American Room in the new Norwich Central
Library in their huge new $100,000,000 Forum
building. Needless to say, everything in connection
with it was super. The second big reason for
attending was to hear the announcement that our
Richard (Dick) Butler was now the Vice-President
of the 2nd ADA. Also, every one of us was given
the rare honor of "Freedom of the City" and we all
wore the pins to prove it. It is sad that more of you
members did not have these memorable experiences
with us.
The 2nd ADA space in this new Forum is double
that in the library that burned in 1994, and now it
is as modern and up to date in exhibits and in
equipment as possible. They now have several
computers set up for the public's use. So on the
last day's visit to "our" American Room, we found
our English rep, Steve Adams, installing a new CD
ROM furnished by Arlo Bartsch. So, immediately,
the public now have access to our Military
Heritage Database. We have been placing all
available sortie reports, bios, members names,
aircraft data and names, parts of my Roll of Honor
book, parts of our 67th Squadron History mission
summary pages, etc., into that CD, so it is
constantly growing. This might not sound that
great at first, but it does mean that the 44th BG is
the ONLY Bomber Group in the 8th Air Force to
accomplish this feat. Better than that, it also
means that any visitors to that American Room can
now have access to many details about every 44th
BG member listed on their newly upgraded Roll of
Honor Book. They can learn how each one of our
heroes lost his life whilefightingto preserve
freedom for the Allies. This has been my goal for
the past 25 years, but I doubted if it could ever happen.
33
We are not through yet - - not at all. Arlo has
upgraded his program to add the large number of
diaries and personal stories that all of you
members have so kindly provided. From these
diaries and stories, Arlo can and will abstract all
of the mission data from these diaries, stories and
facts, and attach them to the individual daily
missions that were involved. In so doing, persons
researching for, or simply browsing, through our
individual sortie reports can learn the personal
aspects of, or personal stories about, this plane,
this crew and this mission. This program can bring
to life much of what happened on those sorties, so
much more than the basic facts, bring in the
personal experiences. If all goes well and we make
enough progress, some of this progress could be
available for viewing by those who attend our next
reunion. Please try to attend our Omaha reunion
this October and view it for yourself. I HOPE
THAT YOU WILL LIKE IT.
When the reunion was over on November 9th,
one of our greatest supporters in England, Kevin
Watson, arranged to transport nine of us (five of
them, Dick Butler and family) drove us to
Eastbourne on the southeastern coast of England
on the English Channel. Kevin was the driving
force behind that cities' efforts to put in place the
Ruth-Less memorial located on the hill directly
behind that beautiful city. The Bolin crew is
memorialized there and is where they hold an
annual memorial ceremony. Kevin has managed to
get the full support of the Mayor and most of the
local citizens behind this memorial. He also
compiled and printed a book 'Ruth-Less' And Far
From Home covering the Bolin crew and their
plane named 'Ruth-Less.' Very well done.
From the time that we arrived in Eastbourne on
Friday evening until Monday morning, we got the
Royal Treatment from everyone. On Sunday their
annual event was sponsored by the Eastbourne
Combined Ex-Services Association, most of whom
are former military personnel. Wlten they learned
that a few of us American Veterans and families
would be visiting their city, they asked Kevin to
invite us to join with them in their Remembrance
Day activities. This we did on Sunday, Remembrance
Day, from the parade in the morning, to the RAFA
noon luncheon, the Ruth-Less Memorial that
afternoon,finishedthat evening at the Congress
�~>
r
Tlieatre. Each of those events was excellent, well
planned and professional in every way.
In the two prior events that day, I carried our
Stars and Stripes side by side with the British flag
bearer. Most of us are aware of how professional
the British are in their marching and their
ceremonies, and this was no exception, so I did my
best to keep in step at least. The evening event
turned out to be a rare event where the American
Flag was so prominent, I would like to describe
this event for you but with YOU being the flag
bearer, not me. These grand people were honoring
our Flag because of what all of you accomplished
here in helping secure the freedom they now
continue to enjoy.
This event, the Festival of Remembrance, held at
their Congress Theatre, is sponsored by the
Eastbourne Combined Ex-Services Association with
nearly every type of military unit being
represented. Each of them is quite proud of his
own banner, etc. so they were excited, and eager
to perform. The normal procedure was for each
one of them to have one representative. The
standard procedure was for he or she to march
into the building from the left side near the rear,
across to the left main aisle, turn left to go down to
the front, turn left again across thefrontof the
stage, up a flight of stairs, and march out to a
designated point on the stage. Each single flag
bearer was accompanied by strong, stirring
marching band music. As soon as that banner
carrier reached his position, the next one in line
would follow this same routine after being
announced. You, as the bearer of the Stars and
Stripes, would be the next from last in that long
lineup, so you then tried to observe each one of
those preceding you, learn how it should be done.
But all of those ahead of you appear to be
professionals at this exhibition, and you are now
wondering how well you can manage to carry that
long ten footflagstaffproperly, and try to keep in
step with that great music.
Soon it was nearly your turn, the stage was
nearly full now, the building was packed with over
1,000 viewers, and the program manager whispers
®
34
in your ear. You will be next, be sure to walk
slowly, be careful not to hit your flag on an
obstruction as you climb the stairs... Now it is
your turn! You step into the aisle, raise your flag
while the announcer asks the audience to stand
please. You are on your way. Slowly, per the
orders, you march into this huge building,findthe
aisle, turn into it, and make your way toward the
stage. You feel like raising theflaghigher, as you
are "walled in " by everyone standing on both sides
of you. However, with the great marching music,
each step gets a bit easier, and you relax, even
start to enjoy the show, buoyed considerably by
that music. Near thefront,you turn to your left,
over to the steps, and wobble a bit as you
maneuver the flag to miss the obstruction.
Now on stage, you continue to your assigned
position,frontand center. You turn to face the
audience, plant your feet solidly, and for the first
time you can get a full view of the audience.
Everyone was still standing, the music continued to
play, and those people were clapping, smiling and
looking at you and your Flag. BUT it didn Y stop
when the music did. Those people continued to
applaud and applaud, so you have the time to look
around, meet the eyes of many upfront.Then you
search for the rest of our 44thers who are seated in
the Honored Guest section close to the Mayor and
his family.
If you are like me, you probably have never
experienced such an ovation. So it is hard to
describe the emotions traveling through your body;
but it was wonderful. Sure, it was not for you
personally, but it was for your Country, and you
probably could never again be so proud to be
associated with it. It brought tears to my eyes...
Shortly thereafter, that portion of the program
ended, you marched off the stage, and soon joined
with the others in the seats adjoining the Mayor.
The rest of the evening proved quite invigorating
as much as the music and show continued to honor
we Americans. Wfiat a day!
Best of all, they all sincerely requested that we
return and bring more Americans with us. Would
you like to go?
�February, 2002
Prepared by:
CLARK, CHARLES F
14 August 1987
33205104
506th Squadron
S/St Charles Franklin Clark transferred to the 44th BG from the
489th BGon 16 November 1944, on the Louis C. Confer crew.
Flew nine missions, including 23 December 1944 mission to the
Battle
of the Bulge, Ahrweiller Road Choke Point, for the 44th B
*y+******
Drafted June, July or August of 1942. Aerial Gunnery School at
******* #
Tyndail Field, Florida, Class 43-13. U.S.A.F.F Technical Schoo
Gulfort, Mississippi September 1942 (748). Gowen Field, Boise,
Idaho (29th BG) to Wendover Field, Utah (489th BG) P.OE.
Camp Miles Standish, Boston, Massachusetts, on board U.S.S.
Wakefield on 13 April 1944. Docked on 21 April 1944 at
Liverpool, stationed at Halesworth until November 1944, when
transferred to Shipdham. The Confer crew had completed 27
APPENZELLAR, DAVID
Several years ago.
missions with the 489th BG prior to the period with the 44th BG.
506th Squadron
Served as Top Turret Gunner, (one mission), Nose Gunner and
This man is a bit of a mystery as he is not listed in Norm
(Toggler), on the Louis C. Confer crew in the 506th.
Kiefer's 506th Squadron History. Yet he is listed as a T/Sgt Bombardier
and
Served
in
the
2525 A.A.F.B.U. Squadron C, Liberal Air Base,
flew three rather widely spaced missions. He apparently
performed some other duty than as a gunner. Missions flown: Liberal, Kansas. Greatest event in life, married Luceille Irene
10 June 1944 Van Ess Crew, listed as "Other." 15 June 1944 Becker of Jefferson City, Missouri. Father to Mary Kathleen Clar
Hruby Crew, listed as "Unknown." 15 April 1945Jarvis Crew, (Danforth), Charles F Clark, Jr., and Ann Becker Clark
listed as Sgt. Observer. Art was informed that David folded his(Berkbigler). Grandfather to Victoria Danfort of Piano, Texas.
wings several years ago. He wrote an article about the Hruby Father-in-Law to Alan Danforth and Randy Birkbigler. Died in
Sherman, Texas. Interment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Aspen
crew that ditched successfully on 29 April 1944.
Hill, Maryland. This information was lovingly submitted by his
nephew, Christopher D. Clark.
ARCHER, FRANCIS.... 1997 Squadron Unknown
CLICK, THEODORES 11 December2001
BARTLEY, THOMAS L 2 August 1995 38274340
14200101
68th Squadron
506th Squadron
Ted
served
as
Tail Gunner on the William Dolan crew which
Gunner on the R.J. Hruby crew. Thomas was one of the Bartley
arrived in the 68th Squadron on 25 October 1944. He flew his fir
twins that were gunners for Lt. Hruby. He flew his first mission
mission on 4 November and completed his tour of 32 (or more)
on 20 April 1944. Nine days later, they made a very rare
successful ditching, where no member was seriously injured, on 18 April 1945. Mission April 4 through 7 are missing from the
and the airplane was almost undamaged. They managed to get Archives, so quite possible he flew one or more of them. He flew
both life rafts out, and all men were rescued within an hour. home
He with the Undsay crew on aircraft 41-10504 in late May, 1945
went on to complete 31 missions alongside his twin brother,
Fount. The last mission was dated 11 July 1944. He was 73 CURRIE, LEONARD L (Bruno) 24 November 2000
67th Squadron
years old when he passed away.
Sgt. Currie served as Tail Gunner for the John J. Mueller crew f
ten missions. His first was on 8 April 1944 and last was with the
BOWIE, DONALD 12 December 1942
J.J.
Mueller crew on 1 May 1944. A total of ten missions. It is
66th Squadron Joined the Capt. Adam's crew. Flew
seven missions with them; first on 12 December known why he left the crew. He was born on September 13, 1915
in Cross City, Florida. He graduated from the UofF in 1938. He
1942, and the last was 26 February 1943, when
entered the Army Air Corps in 1942, where he served with the
he was KIA, along with nine others.
35
�44th BG as a tail gunner on a B-24. He was discharged in 1945, crews until he completed his tour of duty on 30 December
1944. He was returned to the US on 29 January 1945 He
and was employed by The Texas Company in Tallahassee,
was
buried in the Arlington National Cemetery. He is survived by
Florida. He was transferred in 1947 to Jackson, Mississippi
his four children. Jake wrote and published at least two books.
where he worked as a Landman/District Landman for eight
years. In 1955, he was transferred to Texaco's Division office
FERRELL, THOMAS N 5 December 2001
located in New Orleans. Since 1980, he and wife Sue, have
traveled extensively. They were married on September 13, 1945 506th Squadron
on his birthday They have two children, a daughter and son, and Thomas was the Tail Gunner on the J.W. Docktor crew that
arrived in the 506th Squadron in late April 1944. After the pilot
four grandchildren.
Lt. Docktor flew his first mission as a co-pilot on 3 May, the enti
crew
began their tour on 7 May. Thomas flew all 32 of his
DAVIDO, FRANK. 27 December 2001
missions with this crew, including the first D-Day mission on 6
0-740007
68th Squadron Pilot
June.
They completed their tour on 3 August 1944.
Frank was a co-pilot on the Ben Gildart crew that arrived at
Shipdham on 19 June 1943. His first mission was on 13 August
GOODMAN, EARL E. 26 December 1942
when he flew as an observer on the Robert Lehnhausen crew.
66th Squadron
He was curious to learn what a real mission was like. After three
Earl's first of several missions was with Capt. McCoy's crew in
missions as co-pilot for Ben Gildart in September, he began
flying with new 1st pilots as an experienced pilot for training December, 1942. After McCoy was killed in a training accident,
Earl went on with other pilots, until his 26th, as a volunteer wit
purposes. After becoming a first pilot in late March 1994, he was
promoted to Operations Officer and received his Captaincy on 7 the Gentry crew, piloted by Lt. Gentry. He had completed his
tour, but elected to volunteer for this very important mission, a
May He continued to fly missions as a Command Pilot with
many new pilots and crews. His last two missions were flown was KIA, with only one survivor.
with PFF Lead crews, still as Command pilot. His last mission
was dated 17 October 1944, to complete a 27 mission tour in
GREGG, PAUL R 31 August 2001
more than 14 months of combat duty.
37540403
66th Squadron
Paul was a gunner on the T.H. Daily crew that joined the 66th
DOUGLAS, W. GORDON 9 December 2001
Squadron in late August 1944, after flying out of Bangor, Maine
1st Sgt of 14th CBW operations or details. However, Gordon on 8 August. Paul flew most of his missions as a waist gunner,
has been a long time member of the 44th BGVA.
but also was in the nose turret on occasion. The crew's first
mission was dated 30 September 1944. His last mission with Lt.
EDDINGS, ROBERT H 5 December 2001 14071665 67th
Daily was on 24 February, as the pilot. He returned home due to
Squadron Ground Crewman
death of his father. Paul then completed his tour of 34 missions
Bob was with the Ground Echelon that went to England on the
with the A.C. Graham crew. His last mission was dated 14
Queen Mary in early September 1942. He served briefly with theMarch. Paul was a member of the 44th BGVA for many years.
Baccash crew. In late June 1943, Bob was one of the many
ground support personnel that were placed on Temporary Duty
KETCHUM, JACK. 13 June 1945
with the 389th BG, which was sent to Africa in preparation for the
66th Squadron
Ploesti low-level mission. Upon his return to Shipdham in
Killed in an aircraft accident while on route back to the US. As
September, he joined with the W.J. Burress crew when it was the war in Europe ended officially on 8 May 1945. Jack Ketchum
formed, and continued there until victory in Europe in 1945. Inand his crew were never placed in the official Roll of Honour, as
1944, Bob met and married Kay, his Scottish girlfriend, life-long
listed in the American Room in the Norwich Library, England. It
love. They lived near the base. Bob was an active and a
seems proper that he and his crew should be listed in the Folded
generous supporter of the 44th BG organizations, and a dear
Wings records, if not KIA. On 13 June 1944, while in route home
close friend.
in a 93rd BG aircraft, having taken off from Prestwick, Scotland
to Iceland, possible mechanical problems arose, and while
ELIAS, JACOB T 12 November 2001
attempting to locate a temporary airfield in low clouds, crashed
13100737 68th Squadron
near Gairloch, western Scotland. Nine 66th Squadron crew
Jake'joined the 68th Squadron on 3 October 1943. He flew his members and six passengers were killed.
first mission on 26 April 1944 as a nose gunner. The next day he
Listing of 44thers:
flew his second mission, also as a nose gunner, was Ketchum, Jack B. - Pilot; Spencer, Jack N. - Co-pilot
4 ^
wounded by flak, and spent several days at the 231st Robak, Richard J. - Navigator; Gilies, Eldon L - Nose Gunner
ZJ Station Hospital. On May 31st, he joined the Joy M. Stammer, James C. - Radio Operator; Cheek, Hollbum L Smith crew to fly his third mission, and many more Engineer; Riefen, Herman - R W Gunner
during the summer. Later he flew missions with severalNatkin, Albert E. - LW Gunner; Davies, Raymond C. - Tail Gunne
®
36
�3,000 feet, but five men were injured in landing, including;_ ^
KOMASINSKI, BERNARD J
Unknown
0-700477
506th Squadron Pilot
Meyers. At the hospital, he learned he had fractures in
Lt Komasinski and his crew crossed the Atlantic in 'style' aboardhis spine, spent nine months recuperating in hospitals in
the Queen Elizabeth, along with 15,000 others. They arrived inEurope and back in the U.S.
the 506th Squadron on 21 July 1944, and quickly flew their first
combat mission on 29 July and five more until his last mission MULHOLLAND, WILLIAM J
10 July 2001 506th Squadron
on 8 August 1944. On this mission to Perth they were having
William flew his first of 29 missions on 24 February 1944 as
difficulty due to a runaway propeller, and could not keep up with
Hatch Gunner on the James Clement's crew, but not a regular
the formation. The entire crew bailed out successfully, with eight
crew member. It appears that he was utilized as a spare gunner,
of them, including Lt. Komasinski, managed to evade capture, seldom flying on the same crew for any period of time nor any
with the help of the Free French, and return to duty Lt.
one position. His 29 missions covered a long period, from
February 1944, with his last mission on 14 March 1945. He was
Komasinski stayed in the service, retired as a Lt. Col.
a member of the 44th BGVA.
KREISSIG, OSCAR 8 March 1943 67th Squadron
His first mission was on 15 February 1943 as a member of the PAGE, LeROYL 18 August 1980 66th Squadron
Damron crew. Unfortunately, his eighth and final mission was LeRoy
on
served as a gunner on the F W. Sanders crew which was
8 March 1943 with the Blaine crew. He was killed when they
assigned to the 66th Squadron on 30 January 1945. After the
pilot flew his first mission as a co-pilot on 25 February, the cre
crashed in France.
flew their first mission on 5 March. Their last mission took plac
on
25 April 1945, the last mission of the war in Europe. 13
KRUEGER, ROBERT
January 2001
•
missions completed are confirmed, and probably two more on
12044523
68th Squadron
the 3rd to 7th in April, for which the sortie reports are missing.
Aircraft Mechanic, ground crew. Robert was with the Ground
Echelon that went to England in early September 1942 on board This crew arrived at Bradley Field, Connecticut on 30 May 1945.
the Queen Mary. And like most of these men, worked the entire
period out on the "Line" until the end of the war in Europe. He RAWLINS, JOHN M 13 July 2001
was successful in obtaining an airplane ride home, A/C #42- 66th Squadron
95021. Robert was very active in the 68th Squadron
John was the Engineer on the N. V Engelhardt crew which had
organization, was the publisher of their newsletter. He also transferred into the 66th Sq. on 17 May 1944 from the 458* BG,
possessed a color film taken on the base during the war showing after having flown three missions with them. This crew was to fl
many of his friends in action on the job and on bicycles, etc. PFF aircraft to serve as a lead crew. They flew their first lead
mission on 29 May flying with the 446th BG. John flew his last
LYONS, JOHN VM April 2001
one from Shipdham on 29 June, 11 missions in all. In that period,
0-668714 67th Squadron
his crew had flown as lead or deputy lead for eight different
Jack' was the Bombardier on Harry L Orthman's crew that flew Groups, none for the 44th BG. Then his crew transferred to the
many missions with the 492nd BG prior to their transfer to the 466th BG. He is survived by his wife, Dolores, two sons, a
67th BS 13 August, 1944. Being an experience crew, they
brother, and two grandsons.
quickly flew their first mission with the 44th BG on 18 August On
many of their following missions, they were Lead crew. Jack flew
RUBY, ALBERT. 22 November 2001
three in August, two in September, four in October, four
Albert served with the 464th Sub-Depot unit that provided skilled
November and three in December. He finished his tour of duty personnel for major repair work on the 44th BG aircraft.
on 3 January 1945, 17 missions with the 44th BG. He was a
member of the 44th BGVA.
RUSSELL, GEORGE E 14 April 1996
15330700
66th Squadron
MEYERS, JOSEPH G 28 October 2001
George was the Engineer on the F M. Musgrave crew that
T-128326
66th Squadron
arrived in England in February, 1944, assigned to the 466th BG.
Joseph was the co-pilot on the J. V Derrick that arrived at They completed eight missions before being transferred to the
Shipdham on 15 December 1944, and assigned to the 66th BS. 389th BG for Pathfinder training (PFF). When training was
They flew their first mission on 7 January 1945. Then three morecompleted, they were transferred to the 66th Squadron on 5 May
in January and five in February, the last one being on the 25th. 1944. Three days later, on 8 May, while on a practice bombing
Target Aschaffenburg was bombed, but their aircraft was hit in run without gunners, was attacked, shot down near Great
Yarmouth, with two men KIA. George parachuted and was okay
one engine and the fuel cells were badly damaged. Meyers
He joined the Paulino Ugarte crew, flew several PFF missions.
stated that as they were close to an auxiliary field in
Belgium, they hoped to land there. But time ran out, and theyOn 18 September, he joined the M. M. Stevens crew. He
had no time to locate it. The entire crew bailed out at aboutcompleted his tour of 25 missions with them on 1 November 1944.
37
�r
A
Qyod' (Jd/<m C 4 ^ w
SPEARMAN, CHARLES G
5 September 2001
14104095
67th Squadron
T/Sgt Charles was Engineer on the L.M. Hansen crew that joined the
67th Squadron early in September 1943. Being an experienced crew, they
were involved in training others until called for their first mission on 13
November. Damaged on their flight to the target, they bombed their target,
but again were attacked over Holland. They made an amazing crash
landing with no one seriously injured. All crewmen were taken POW
immediately They survived 18 months in Stalag 77-6. A book was written
about this crew's time in service, author Jan J. Van der Veer (in Dutch).
Unfortunately, it was never printed in English. Charles passed away when
he was 80 years old. He is survived by his wife Dorothy, and two children,
and two grandchildren.
SPROWL, KENNETH W.... 4 October 2001
15389068
68th Squadron
Kenneth was the Radio Operator on the Joy Smith crew that joined the
68th Squadron on 26 April 1944. His first mission was dated 7 May 1944.
On 29 May, he and one of the gunners were wounded. Kenneth continued
to fly with the Smith crew until 6 August, then was on the S. Dobb crew,
and then several others. He completed his tour of 34 missions with the
W.G. Rittercrew.
TAYLOR, JOHNB 27 October 2001
0-812684
67th Squadron
John was the co-pilot on the J.J. Mueller's "Mizpah" crew that joined the
67th Squadron on 12 March 1944. His first mission was dated 8 April, one
of the toughest missions of the war due to the loss of so many aircraft and
crews. Four days later, his crew collided with the Mercer aircraft, but
luckily, both made it back to Shipdham. John also participated in the DDay invasion, flying both the first and third missions. On 25 July 1944,
John and the J.J. Mueller crew completed their tour of duty. He was 80
years old, is survived by his wife, Marion and one son.
WRIGHT, GEORGE D. Jr. 25 August 2000
0-703840 67th Squadron
1st. Lt Wright was a Navigator on the E. E. Gossett crew that transferred
from the 492nd BG on 13 August 1944. They had completed many
missions while in that Group and were an experienced Lead Crew. Their
first mission with the 44th BG was on 14 August, and their second the
following day. Apparently John had more missions to his credit, as he
was credited with only six missions before he completed his tour on 26
September 1944. Cap?. Gossett continued on with a total of ten missions
to complete his tour.
%
38
�I
The Truth About Ploesti
I had difficulty believing my eyes when reading the Philip Ardery article in the
July issue. Upon rereading this hatchet job on Colonel John Kane, and then Colonel
Leon Johnson, I can only assume this is a poor attempt to elevate the stature of Ted
Timberlake at the expense of those who flew and performed with gallantry on the
August 1, 1943, Ploesti mission.
The article, which includes a confidential letter from Timberlake, is fraught with
innuendo, half-truths and outright error and appears designed to mislead, and to
reshape the facts. As an avid student of the Ploesti low-level raid and a son-in-law of
Leon Johnson, I must, in good conscience, address a few of the most glaring problems
with this article.
Ardery states that along with General Leon Johnson, Maj. Gen. Ramsey Potts and
General Jacob Smart, he attended a postwar Ploesti symposium. Although invited, Lt.
Gen. Timberlake did not attend. He apparently wrote a letter to Ardery in which he
repeated a statement he had made to Ramsey Potts that he "couldn 't talk to some of
those people who really screwed up the mission, but yet pretend they did well. " Since
Smart was not on the mission and Potts was taken into Timberlake's confidence, only
Kane and Johnson remain as Timberlake's reasons for boycotting the symposium.
Timberlake goes on to say in his letter to Ardery that "Kane and Johnson decided
they were on the wrong route when they came to the Danube. They turned north on the
Danube, just far enough to alert the early warning system." In fact, the early warning
system had been alerted well before Kanes turn, and the German early warning radar
wasfirstalerted by the two leading groups when they climbed to 15,000 feet to avoid a
wall of clouds. Kane's and Johnson's groups later penetrated this same cloud
formation at a lower altitude behind thefirsttwo groups and could not have alerted the
early warning system. Also, winds at altitude further increased the separation between
thefirsttwo groups and the trailing three groups. Timberlake's claim that Kane and
Johnson "decided they were on the wrong route," which caused them to make a turn
that alerted the early warning system, is an outright falsehood.
Kane, upon punching through the weather, elevated he had moved in front of the
two lead groups, and he made a turn to the west. Realizing he was still behind the two
groups, he resumed his route to the target. His turn probably exacerbated the
separation mentioned above but had no bearing upon early detection.
The last two paragraphs in Timberlake's letter are petty and self-serving. I have
known the Timberlake family since childhood and always admired and respected them.
This letter by Ted Timberlake is out of character and must have been triggered by
latent jealousy or personal dislike.
The remainder of Ardery *s comments, in my view, are questionable suppositions
and personal conclusions. I feel that so-called "revelations" of this sort do a great
deal of damage to the truth and reputation of brave and selfless commanders who not
only put their lives on the line, but who performed their assigned missions with
unparalleled efficiency.
Maj. Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg (ret.) • Tuscon, Arizona
i
39
��
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�44 TH BOMB GROUP
VETERANS ASSOCIATION BOARD
2002
Official Journal of The
President: Gerald (Jerry) Folsom (506)
3582 East Dover Hill Road
Salt Lake City, U T 84121-5527
Phone (801) 733-7371 Fax: (801) 942•9988
e-mail: 44thbgva@xmission.com
Compiled, written and
Historian: C.W. "Will" Lundy (67)
2519 WestvilleTrl
Cool, C A 95614-2008
Phone/Fax: (530) 886-8636 (Winter)
e-mail: willundy@aol.com
P.O. Box 315, Bridgeport, C A 93517 (Summer)
Phone/Fax: (760) 932-7349
The 8 Ball Tails©
44th Bomb Group
Veterans Association,
Inc.©
published tri-yearly at
2041 Village Circle
Membership, Search: Art Hand (66)
East, York, PA, by Ruth
517 Elm Street
W
. Davis-Morse, Editor.
Paris, IL 61944-1417
Printed and mailed Bulk
Phone/Fax: (217) 463-5905
e-mail: k9hwp@comwares.net
Rate at Salt Lake City,
Secretary & 8 Ball Tails Editor:
Ruth W. Davis-Morse
U T under U S P S Permit
Director: Robert Lee Aston (67)
2041 Village Circle East
#6923. All original
830 Cardinal Drive
York, PA 17404
written material such
Phone (717) 846-8948 Fax:(717)846-6688
Elberton, G A 30635-2606
as letters, stories,
e-mail: leeaston@popoinetia.net
e-mail: rewdm@blazenet.net
excerpts from personal
Director: Robert Paul Kay (Paul) (68)
Treasurer: To be determined.
diaries or memoirs,
10411 Brook Lane S W
drawings and photos
Tacoma, W A 98499
Immediate Past President:
submitted to this
Phone: (253) 584-4420
Edw. K. "Mike" Mikoloski (66/67)
journal
will become the
626 Smithfield Road #702
Director: Richard Lynch (67)
property of the 44th
N. Providence, Rl 02904
Box 518
Phone/Fax: (401) 353-0144
Bomb Group Veterans
Conrad, IA 50621-0518
e-mail: EKMLIB44@msn.com
Association and will be
Phone: (515)366-2414
copyright
protected
e-mail: jeanjim@pockemnil.com
U.K. Representative: Steve Adams
except where noted.
28 Bassingham Rd.
Director: To be determined.
Norwich, England N R 3 2 Q T
The text and photos are
Phone/Fax: 011-44-1603-400221
otherwise reproduced
e-mail: s.p.adams@btinternet.com
from official U S A A F
and USAF documents
^
A S S O C I A T I O N MAILING A D D R E S S :
and photos which have
* \
44th BGVA
been released for
' ]
P.O. Box 712287
'/)]
Salt Lake City, UT 84171-2287
publication. Permission
is granted for the
'_3 v^^^^^
contents of this journal
to be reproduced
specifically for personal
. archives. Otherwise,
__.
_
copyright material herein may be reproduced by the journal of other incorporated non-profit veterans organizations so long as this
publication is properly credited and prior permission is granted by the editor.
First Vice President: Roy W. Owen (506)
6304 Meadowridge Drive
Santa Rosa, C A 95409-5839
Phone:(707)538-4726 Fax:(707)538-1212
e-mail: Rowen44bg@aol.com
j^lL
Visit our website @ www.44thbombgroup.Gom
Those submitting letters, stories and photos to the editor or historian must do so with the understanding that this material will most
likely be published in this journal as a matter of interest to the members/subscribers of the Association and this journal. While every
attempt will be made to answer all of the material received, there is no explicit or implied guarantee that an answer will be provided
or published. Except for specific requests for the return of original documents and photos, all material submitted will become the
property of the 44th Veterans Association, Inc., or its successors.
�506 & 67t& S<%uad>uM&
Dick Butler was 20 years old when
break from formation to avoid
he was sworn into the United
flying into the incendiaries,
States Air Force. WWII was only six
making them easy targets for the
weeks in progress, and Butler
German fighter planes. Five B-24's
knew exactly what he wanted to
were lost." (Ed. Note: The
do. He wanted to fly. He had
Luftwaffe also paid a price, 23
fighters fell to the guns of the
already gotten his license as a
Liberators.)
civilian pilot, and he promptly
signed up for aviation cadet
Along with the memories of flak
training. He had studied at San
and fighters, Butler remembers
Diego State College, University of
the difficulty of maintaining the
Southern California; then after
formation at a high altitude. The
induction, Williams Field,
Second
Lieutenant
Richard
D.
temperature
was 54-56 degrees
Arizona; Lindbergh Field, Merced
Butler. Photo taken January,
below zero, certainly a shock to a
AAF, San Diego; then Luke Field,
1943 in West Palm Beach,
young
m a n born and raised in
Arizona, where he received his
Florida.
California. The entire crew made
pilot rating and commission as a
it
back
safely,
and could revel in the fact that
Second Lieutenant. That same day, he
this dangerous mission earned the 44th B o m b
married his high school sweetheart, Ardith
Group a Presidential Unit Citation. This was
Lundy.
the first such award to a unit in World War II.
With all the enthusiasm of a young aviator,
Wiping out the sub pens was crucial to the
Second Lieutenant Butler arrived in England
war effort. At that time, the U-Boats were
as co-pilot on Earthquake McGoon, February
persistently causing damage to the supply
1943, flying via West Palm Beach, Puerto
lines that stretched across miles of ocean.
Rico, and Marrakech, French Morocco.
The Germans knew the importance of this
His skills were put to a test soon after arrival; operation, which is the reason they defended
it with such ferocity.
the mission -- May 14 at the Krupp Submarine
shipbuilding installations and German Navy
submarine pens at Kiel, Germany. That
memorable event was well documented by
Roy O w e n in the S u m m e r 1999 issue of the 8
Ball Tails. The plan had been for B-17s to drop
500 pound H D bombs; and Liberators were to
follow with 100 pound incendiary clusters.
"I remember the sky we were flying through
was full of junk," Butler remembers, "flak,
plane parts and the incendiaries that c a m e
apart immediately. On-coming pilots had to
®
Three days later, Liberators were off from
southern England to the U-Boat pens and
docks at Bordeaux, France. It was a twelve
hour mission, the longest yet out of England.
Flying low level over the Bay of Biscay, the
Group successfully bombed their target and
m a d e it safely back home. This was
considered to be a perfectly executed
mission, credited to the extreme secrecy of
the mission and the success in precisely
hitting the target. They climbed to a bombing
�devised seven months previously by President
altitude of 20,000 feet on approach to the
Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill at
French coast. (This was low level flying over
water, unlike the Ploesti mission which came later.)Casablanca.
North Africa
Word came that the group was to fly to North
Africa. W h e n they set off to Benghazi, the
Earthquake McGoon crew was sent first to an
airfield near London for wooden crates. It was
later learned that these crates contained
models of the Ploesti oil refineries.
While Generals Patton and Montgomery were
winding their way through south Sicily to
Messina, the 44th was bombing marshaling
yards in Italy; air dromes in Sicily and Foggia,
Italy; marshaling yards in Naples and Rome.
(Orders for bombing the Littoria Yards in
Rome were, "Don't hit the Vatican"). Keeping
the Germans on the defensive in Italy was
part of the grand plan which had been
Dick remembers life in Africa. It was no
picnic. The m e n dug their own trenches
around their tents. It was hot; there were
mosquitoes, flies, scorpions, huge locusts and
other insects. The blowing sand was an
unending problem, keeping it out of the
engines and the food. The surrounding desert
was littered with trashed equipment, a good
hiding place for snipers. Despite all
difficulties, low level flying was becoming a
practiced art in the desert of Libya, flying
over the models of the oil fields of Ploesti, in
preparation for OPERATION TIDAL WAVE.
The Ploesti Mission
Finally, Sunday, August 1st arrived. The
briefing was in an open air theater. The
importance of
this mission was
emphasized, in
that 'even if
every plane was
lost, but the
target was
destroyed, it
would be worth
it', truly a
sobering
statement. Col.
Leon Johnson
m a d e an offer,
"Anyone w h o
doesn't want to
go on this
mission can
back out now,
and there will
be no
recriminations.'
Nobody
accepted his
Earthquake McGoon crew
offer.
Back L to R: Henry R. Zwicker (Bombardier); Walter I Bunker (Pilot); Richard D. Butler (Co-Pilot);
William P. Newbold (Navigator)
Front L to R: Clement C. Boulanger (Tail Gunner); William Middlebrooks (Waist Gunner);
Gerald D. Mason (Radio Operator/Gunner); Loy L. Leeper (Engineer/Gunner);
Donald M. Chamberlain (Ass't Engineer/Gunner); Warren K. Kooken (Asst. Radio/Gunner).
�The Ploesti story has been documented in
many publications, but the valor of those w h o
flew into that fiery cauldron can never be
overstated. The m e n were up at 4:30 a.m.,
and took off at 7:30 from the dirt runway in a
dust storm.
Dick and his pilot, Lt. Walt Bunker, took turns
flying the thirteen hour mission, driving on
through thick clouds, high mountain ranges
and a thunderstorm; later encountering hay
stacks and box cars that camouflaged antiaircraft guns. Even a building that looked like
a hospital, with a Red Cross on the roof, was a
hidden gun emplacement. Despite all that,
flying with the force led by Lt. Col. Posey,
they plowed through and successfully bombed
the Blue Target, (later recognized to be the
fuel source for the Luftwaffe.).
The Blue target was the Creditul Minier
Refinery, the only refinery that produced
aviation gasoline. It was the only target on
the mission that was completely destroyed
and never re-built during the war. Its loss to
the Germans severely limited Luftwaffe
training and operation for the rest of the war.
(Note: Col. Johnson was on the White 5
target. Lt. Col. Posey, Deputy Group Guide,
led the force on the Blue Target.)
The planes flew at treetop level to maintain
secrecy and later, to avoid flak. However, the
Germans knew they were coming, and were
ready. "At one point w e were flying at an
altitude of 100 feet," Butler remembered,
"and a fighter flew straight at us. W e
expected him to rise to avoid a crash, but
instead, he went under us. I never thought he
could get through; but our tail gunner saw
him climb skyward, after passing under our
plane." Flying at the height of the cornfields
to avoid fighters and flak towers, the 44th
headed back to Benghazi. (It was later noted
that a B-24 was found to have a stalk of corn
in the bomb bay.)
"I could see that our #3 engine was knocked
out, but the pilot thought it was #4. I
®
feathered #3, and he pushed the feathering
button for #4. With both engines off on the
same side of the plane, the right wing went
down almost to the ground. I immediately
unfeathered #4, it started right up and w e
evened off. Our flight engineer, Loy Neeper
reported that our right wing came to within
20 feet of hitting the ground." Seeing that
they were operating with three engines, other
pilots slowed down and kept pace with the
Bunker plane until they got back to Benghazi.
Immediately upon landing, someone checked
Butler's dog tags; and since he had Type B
blood, they rushed him into the hospital to
give blood transfusions. By the time this was
finished, debriefing was completed, and he
didn't get to share the booze!!
Of the 178 planes dispatched that day, 163
m a d e it to the target area. 446 m e n were
killed or missing; 130 wounded; 108 became
P O W s and 79 were interned in Turkey. 88
returned to h o m e base. It was a thirteen hour
trip, with 2,300 miles to be covered. From
then on, all missions were measured against
Ploesti, the bloodiest mission in WWII. Col.
Leon Johnson was one of five w h o received
the Medal of Honor for leading the 44th. He
considered the medal to be the property of
the m e n w h o flew with him.
Given time to place his participation in
historical perspective, Butler stated that he
believes his greatest life contribution was
engaging in the destruction of the Blue
Target.
Although bombing the Rumanian oil fields was
reaching into the heart of Hitler's war
machine, there were more wasps' nests
waiting. After a few days of R&R, and twelve
days for the ground crew to repair the
damages of the anti-aircraft and German
fighters over Ploesti, Dick's crew's next
assignment was to a Messerschmidt plant in
Austria at Wiener-Neustadt, then Foggia, Italy.
5
�The 44th Bomb Group then returned to
Shipdham, its home base in England. The crew
was transferred from the 506th Squadron to
the 67th Squadron. Walt Bunker was promoted
to 67th Operation Officer and Dick became
pilot of the crew. After only about two weeks
back in England, the 44th B o m b Group was
ordered back to North Africa, this time to
Oudna Airfield near Tunis. The reason for this
return to North Africa was to support the
allied landing at Salerno, Italy. By the time
the Group arrived, however, its support of the
allied troops at Salerno was not needed.
Back to Wiener-Neustadt
Therefore, the Group was assigned to some
other bombing missions, the third of which
was back to the Messerschmidt Factory at
Wiener Neustadt, Austria. Flying Squadron
Deputy Lead in Miss Emma Lou, ft N-860, with
six planes in his formation, he saw his leader's
plane get hit and blow up. Soon all others
went down. He moved into #4 position in
another formation, a position he recognized
as extremely vulnerable. That formation
disintegrated, his #3 engine was hit, and he
was low on gas. Returning to Tunis was not
possible, so he m a d e an emergency landing at
the airfield near Catania, Sicily.
He had no hydraulic system, the right wing
was damaged, with a cable shot out; his right
flap went up, the left went down on the
approach to landing at about 100 feet of
altitude, causing the plane to skid. There
were B-25s on one side of the runway, gallon
drums of gasoline on the left, and at the end
was a Sicilian on a bike, w h o Dick thought
they were going to hit.
"With no brakes, we continued off the runway
into a sand bank and the nose wheel
collapsed," he continued. "I left the plane in
Sicily. One m e m b e r of m y crew was wounded
and placed in the hospital. On the second
night, in a tent used as a night club, I ran into
a high school friend. He was flying a C-47,
carrying 55 gallon drums of gas to Sicily from
North Africa."
Hitchhiking to Shipdham
The friend volunteered to take Dick's crew
back to Tunis. W h e n they arrived, they found
that the 44th BG had departed for England,
and no transportation was available for the
crew. Dick's friend, Jim McColl, then offered
to take the crew to Algiers to see if they
could catch the 44th. W h e n they got to
Algiers, there was no sign of the 44th or any
other possible airlift. Jim agreed to take the
crew to Oran. W h e n they got there, again no
sign of the 44th. Jim said he just could not
take them any farther, as he had been doing
this all on his own, and his group did not know
where he was. (Several years later, Jim McColl
served under Dick as a B-29 pilot.) After two
days at Oran, Dick got the crew a flight to
Marrakech. There the crew got a MATS flight
to Prestwich, Scotland, and then train rides
back to Norwich, then on the Liberty truck
back to Shipdham. Needless to say, everyone
was surprised to see the crew, thinking they
had been lost.
Explosion on a Training Mission
Flying with a n e w co-pilot on a test and
training mission back in England, an explosion
occurred in the #2 engine, and all other
engines quit when the plane was at 800 feet,
entering the traffic pattern. Dick had no
choice but to go straight ahead for a crashlanding. The plane went through a tree into a
Brussels sprout field, where it broke up and
started to burn. Dick went out the demolished
left side of the plane, and the co-pilot went
out the right. Eleven of the m e n aboard were
able to get out. Loy Neeper, Engineer, went
back into the burning wreck and brought out
the twelfth man, the bombardier. Dick and
the co-pilot were the most seriously injured.
General Johnson, w h o was in the control
tower, saw the crash. He immediately got into
his staff car and proceeded to the accident
scene, where he helped move Dick to an
ambulance. Dick had a broken left arm and
broken left ankle. Dick, the co-pilot Gerald
Grell, and the bombardier "Nick" Nickolson,
went to the hospital. Nick was OK and left in
a couple of days. Dick and Gerald returned to
�Shipdham after about two weeks, where it
was decided that they should be returned to
the States as hospital patients.
Back to California
After a series of stays in various hospitals,
they returned to the States on the ship, lie de
France. At Halloran General Hospital on
Staten Island they were placed on a hospital
train for the trip west. Dick eventually wound
up at Hoff General Hospital in Santa Barbara,
California. The General Hospital was close to
his h o m e in San Diego. There he was united
with his wife Ardith, received a leave and
preceded to San Diego for the first meeting
with his daughter, Emily Louise (Emmy Lou),
who had been born just prior to the Ploesti
Mission.
Force Base for three years, followed by three
years as Commander of a B-52 wing. His final
assignment, prior to retirement, was as Chief
of Staff of the Fifteenth Air Force.
Of the original crew of Earthquake McGoon,
one did not survive the war: Henry Zwicker,
Bombardier, w h o was flying with the Charles
Henderson crew at Wiener-Neustadt. Four
members of his crew are still alive: in
addition to Dick, William P. Newbold,
Navigator; Loy Neeper, Engineer; Warren K.
Kooken, Asst. Radio Operator/Gunner. All
four are Ploesti veterans, and are m e m b e r s
of the 44th BGVA and the Second Air
Division Association.
After his bones were healed, Dick was
assigned to Herrington AAF in Kansas, where
he started flying B-29s. W h e n the war ended,
he decided to stay in the Air Force, where he
spent the rest of his 30 year career in the
Strategic Air C o m m a n d . Besides the B-29, Dick
flew B-50s, B-47s and B-52s. He flew combat
missions in the Korean and Viet N a m wars.
Although extremely modest about his own
experiences, Col. Butler has m a d e major
contributions in seeing that the sacrifices of
the 44th BG and 2nd Air Division are not
forgotten. He has been a major player in the
support of the 2nd Air Division Memorial
Library in Norwich, England. In the past year,
he was elected Executive Vice President of
the 2nd Air Division, and will move into the
presidency later this year.
He was promoted to Colonel in April, 1957,
and had several very important assignments.
He served as Base Commander at March Air
Ardith and Dick have been married 59 years
(soon to be 60). They have six children, seven
grandchildren, and one great granddaughter.
Foreground: James Wright L to R: Dick Butler, Ardith Butler, Dan Butler. Theresa Butler,
Emily DeShazo, Kay Drake, Frank Drake, and Kevin Watson.
�GERALD W. FOLSOM, PRESIDENT OF 44TH BOMB GROUP
TREASURER
enthusiasm. At any reunion, you can
see both of them registering, selling,
managing, and now presiding. At
Barksdale, Jerry moved into the
presidential spotlight, succeeding
'Mike' Mikoloski, w h o stepped down
from the top position.
Pi
Air Academy, Blythe, California. He
never got used to the poor food and
temperatures of 130 every day, nor
the metal on the P T 19s which were
too hot to touch. Next he went to
Bakersfield, California, for basic
flight training; then to Stockton,
California for advanced training. He
graduated December '43, then flew
A T for Bombardier training for a
month, and then to Kingman,
Arizona, where he flew B-17
transition as co-pilot for Aerial
Gunnery. In February '44, he came to
Salt Lake where crews were made
up. O n March 6th, they went to El
When WWII broke out, Jerry was
managing a grocery store; but long
before that, he w a s reading about the
flying Aces of W W I . He knew he
needed two years of college to qualify
for the Corps Cadet Program, but
when they dropped that requirement
in July '42, he applied. Before he
could get to Manchester, N H to take
the test,
his draft
notice
came. O n
August
He never dreamed that his new
26, 1942,
assignment would explode into a full
he w a s
time occupation, leaving little time
sworn
for other things he likes to do into the
gardening, hunting and fishing, or
Air
helping the 8th Air Force develop the
Corps.
Hill Air
Six
Force
months
Museum.
later he
He
reported
married
to
Beverly
Crew Going Over
Manchester,
Front L to R: Nathan Woodruff, Carl Miller, Perry Morse, William Retham,
in 1997,
NH,at
Harold Maggard, William Uvanni. Back L to R: Paul Boensch, Willis Edgecomb,
who
Fort
Gerald Folsom, George Bieber.
jumped
Devens,
into the
Paso, Tex-Biggs Field for transition
Mass overnight; then C a m p Kilmer
Chores
In 1997, Jerry and Bev
and overnight by train to Nashville,
in B-24s.
of the
participated in tour of England
T
N
for
Classification.
After
four
A 4ju
and Europe with the 44th BGVA.
The Crew Gathers
.,
Pictured: Guy Cressant handing weeks of tests, he w a s approved for
Wltn
Lois Shaeffer Cianci the box
In Salt Lake City, the members of
pilot training and w a s on his w a y to
great
containing the Clair P. Shaeffer Santa Anna, California, for pre-flight
the George Bieber crew trained
dog tag.
together. Jerry w a s co-pilot. In May
schooling; then to Primary at Morten
Gerald Jerry' Folsom retired from
his accounting and system design
occupation to dedicate himself to
becoming a full time treasurer of the
44th Bomb Group. Contacting all
those buddies, working with Roy
O w e n to build the organization, w a s
more fun than saving companies from
bankruptcy or scandal. Enron w a s
not the first to carry out secret deals,
as Jerry rapidly learned when CEO's
appealed to him for help.
t
. f
�they arrived in Topeka, Kansas,
where they picked up a new plane. On
June 1, they proceeded to Bangor
Maine, Goose Bay Labrador, B W 1 ,
Greenland, then to Valley, Wales. "At
B W 1 Greenland, w e had to fly up a
fiord with mountains on each side.
The landing strip has a glacier at the
end, 10,000 feet high." he recalled,
"No going around. You take off the
opposite way from the landing. It w a s
there that I first thought more about
what might lay ahead than any other
time.
'June 6,1 went down to the mess
hall for breakfast, and off to one side
of the mess hall w a s an alcove where
lots of men were listening to a radio.
It was D-Day" and what I heard did
not sound good. Then over the Tanoy
P.A. System came, "All pilots, copilots, bombardiers and navigators
report to the briefing room at 12:00
hours." Jerry remembers the
questions that rose in his mind.
"They have 80 planes with crews
here. They are going to send us on
our way. I could imagine landing,
stopping on the taxi strip or other
such place, gassing up, loading up
with bombs and a m m o , dumping off
our baggage, and w e would be on our
way. Will w e be able to recognize a
German plane? A German ship? Will
they be flying formation like w e had
done in training?"
At the Briefing Room, he learned
that they just wanted officers to
check their planes for pilferage. The
wind w a s blowing 80 mph. Chained
on the wing tips of each plane, they
had big dump trucks loaded with
gravel.
When we got to Ireland for a
refresher class in aircraft and ship
identification, w e found out w e were
aircraft that day, probably from flak.
This mission w a s the only one in
which w e encountered enemy
fighters. It is our most memorable
mission—our first, and the most
enemy action of any of our 35
missions."
19 Missions flown.
Many in Consolidated Mess.
assigned to the 44th BG, and would
be flying out of Shipdham.
Meeting the Enemy
On July 9th the Bieber crew
boarded Consolidated Mess for
their first mission to an aircraft
and ball bearing factory in
Bernburg, Germany, the longest
mission the 8th had flown at that
time. "Here w e learned about flak.
Those black things - puffs - were
not clouds. W e soon came to
realize that when you could see the
red ball of fire in the exploding shell,
it w a s close... and it left one of those
black things... and it causes holes in
your plane.
"As we approached the target,
about 50 German M E 109s came at us
from 12:00 high. There were two
blinking lights on each wing, like
strobe lights. Immediately w e
realized those were cannons on the
wings, and they were shooting at us!
Well, they missed. That w a s our first
initiation of enemy fighters.
"As we turned to the left from the
target, I counted 13 planes going
down, one burning, and 97
parachutes. Was I scared?? M y
thoughts were - 'so this is combat.'
"Our plane had not been damaged.
It w a s still flying. No one w a s hurt.
However, our group did lose three
Fifty-eight years later, Jerry vividly
remembers being wakened at 3:00 or
4:00 A.M., washing in cold water,
eating powdered eggs, and going to
the briefing where the target w a s
unveiled, and a green string showed
8 Missions flown in Joplin Jalopy.
the pathway. Then by truck or jeep,
they went to their planes, checked the
equipment on the assigned plane,
(usually Consolidated Mess or Joplin'
Jalopy) and then climbed aboard. A
flare, generally red, w a s a signal to
start the engines. After an engine
check, a signal flare would tell the
pilots to prepare to taxi; at briefing
they had learned which plane they
were to follow.
"On take-off we held the plane with
brakes while the engines revved up.
W h e n airborne w e climbed to 7,000
feet, and then found the plane w e
were to form up on, that famous
yellow and black striped Lemon Drop.
If it were still dark, the formation
plane would fire red flares, similar to
R o m a n candles which are used for
4th of July celebrations. Lemon Drop
would fly in circles, waiting for the
�where you spread the formation out
and make a climbing 360-degree turn.
W h e n w e got up on top, about 26,000
feet, w e found ourselves alone! W e
circled for a while, still carrying a
"At this time we would climb to the load of bombs and with bomb bay
designated altitude, 22-24,000 feet,
doors opened, consuming a lot of gas.
then head for the enemy coast. At
No other planes showed up. W e
14,000 feet, w e put on our oxygen
spotted an open area and dropped our
masks. Without oxygen, at 16,000 feet bombs. W e did not know where w e
you would feel woozy; at 20,000 feet
were—just knew w e were in the
you would pass out in 30 seconds.
Munich area. (Only later did they
learn that the lead plane's bombsight
"The predictions of enemy action
had been destroyed by flak and his
were not always accurate. Sometimes
interphone was shot out, making it
a lot of action was predicted, and
impossible to tell the deputy lead
there would be very little. Other
bombardier to take over and drop the
times it w a s the opposite. Of course,
bombs.)
w e could see flak along the mission
route or in the target area. W e got
Willis Edgecomb, navigator,
nervous when they started
determined, 'If w e get flak in five
bracketing us in. W h e n the flak
minutes, we're here; in 15 minutes
started getting bad, gunners would
we're here; if no flak, I'll know where
throw chaff out the waist windows.
w e are.' Bill Uvanni, radio operator
Chaff were strips of paper that looked
got a radio 'fix' and w e headed home.
like tinfoil on one side. It came in
W e didn't get any flak, so w e kept on
bundles, about the diameter of a
our northwest heading, and after a
Campbells soup can. This was to foul
while, w e got out of the clouds. There
up the German radar they were using
w a s a cloudbank running diagonally
to measure our altitude."
from the northwest to
entire group to assemble in the
formation. At a given time, they
would head out for the mission on the
pre-planned route.
* I i.
southeast France. As a lone
plane, w e knew w e were not
safe, so w e skirted along the
cloudbank. If w e saw a plane,
which could be a German
fighter heading toward us, w e
slid over into the cloudbank.
This happened several times,
but none ever attacked. W h e n
w e got back to Shipdham, w e
had five minutes of gas in the
tank.
$4 %> .W'%
Gerald Folsom, Co-Pilot; Willis Edgecomb, Navigator;
Paul Boensch, Bombardier; and George Bieber,Pilot.
Although Bernburg was the most
unforgettable mission, the trip to
Munich had its frightening moments.
"We were ordered to make a frontal
penetration, and assemble on top of
the clouds. Afrontalpenetration is
"On another mission deep
into Germany with a heavy load, w e
were on our way home when our # 3
engine quit. Nathan Woodruff,
engineer, advised us that it had run
out of gas, and that the other engines
were low on gas; and furthermore, we
might not have enough gas to get
home. W e were at about 20-21,000
feet. I remembered a conversation I
had several months previously with a
cruise control engineer: 'You have a
real good engine, but if you ever need
to really save gas, you can use a
setting, (if m y memory serves me
correctly) around 200 R P M and a
manifold pressure of 2600. Keep the
cowling flaps closed, and if the
cylinder head temperature doesn't get
above 210 degrees, you will be OK.
Open the cowling flaps a little if it
goes too high. Keep the engines
running at this setting as long as
they will.'
"With the plane on descent attitude
and this setting, w e headed home.
Gas got so low, w e did not think w e
would make it, so w e alerted the
English rescue service, in case we
ditched in the English Channel. We
crossed the channel at 4-5000 feet
and made it to the base. Our crew
chief told us the next day, 'Good thing
you did not have to go around, or you
would not have made it.' W e came
back with an unexploded shell in the
wheel well. It turned out to be a dud."
Jerry remembers a mission where
there were over 230 holes in the
plane, and nobody was hurt. Bill
Uvanni, radio operator, had a piece of
flak miss his head by less than six
inches, and later he looked at the
quarter-size hole it made in the plane.
Some Sights Were Beautiful
Some Had Hidden Danger Lurking
"One of the nicest missions was a
flight down the Rhone River to Lyons,
France to an airfield. One could
readily see the Alps with the snow on
top. With the sun shining on them, it
w a s a beautiful sight, very
�picturesque. This w a s a mission in
which w e were briefed for fighter
activity. There w a s none, nor any flak.
there w a s a blown fuse and a spare
one. I put the spare in, and things
went operational again. What a
relief! If that little fuse had not
blown, w e would have cashed in our
chips. Of the many personnel 1 have
told about this, none had ever heard
of it.
Another time, heading home from a
mission, w e were approaching the
coast. It w a s a nice sun shiny day not a cloud in the sky. It w a s a very
relaxed atmosphere. All of a sudden
"When I think of our crew's narrow
w e lost power. It w a s like someone
escapes., Perry Morse, tail gunner,
had turned off the keys on your car.
whose can of Spam and orange
At that instant there were four big
bursts of shell fire - anti aircraft fire, exploded from flak, also cutting his
parachute harness; and Bill Uvanni's
and it w a s much bigger than
near miss, I can only believe in
anything w e had ever seen, and it
Divine intervention. Someone Else
was right there in front of us. It
w a s riding with us that w e couldn't
seemed as though w e could have
see. W e finished 35 missions with the
reached out and touched it. If w e had
same members w e started with,
not lost power, w e would have been
except for one originally assigned to
there. It w a s meant for us, and they
the ball turret, w a s later reassigned
had us zeroed in.
to another crew. At the time w e
Of course, we immediately dropped
finished, w e were told that w e were
out of formation. I believe w e were
the first crew to complete 35
leading the upper element that day.
missions and no one getting hurt.
W e could not imagine w h y w e lost
After the Missions
power on all engines. The engineer
had no idea - it had to be the
"I was offered the opportunity to go
supercharger, but why? I vaguely
into Intelligence - interpreting bomb
recalled in one of the engineering
strike photos. They made it really
sessions, something about a fuse for
appealing, promotion in a couple of
the supercharger. While the engineer
weeks. Major in a month. I asked
w a s checking the wiring, I went
'will I have to fly any more combat.
Oh yes, four missions a month. I had
orders in m y hand, taking m e off
combat. After completing 35 missions
with no problems, I thought it best to
decline." Jerry w a s awarded the Air
Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters and
the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Jerry and his tail gunner, Perry Morse at
the American Cemetery for Airmen at
Cambridge, England.
down to the supercharger under the
flight deck. There w a s a smaill
access cover. I slid it sideways and
From Shipdham, Jerry was sent to
the 61st troop carrier command, near
Grantham and Sherwood Forest, to
instruct pilots to fly B-24's that had
been fitted with a 500-gallon gas tank
in each bomb bay. The concept w a s to
ferry gas to Patton. But to his
knowledge, it w a s never used. Each
plane would have been a flying bomb,
if it w a s ever hit or crashed.
He left England in early January,
1945, on the ship Pasteur, originally
built for the Mediterranean. They
came home with no escort. The
Captain said he hoped he didn't zig
when he should zag. At that time,
they had four U-boats around them,
but the ship w a s fast enough to
outrun them.
He spent the next 6 months in
Victorville, California, flying
navigators and bombardiers in
training w h o were using the new top
secret experimental radar. He w a s
discharged August 25,1945,11 days
after the Japanese surrender.
Post WWII
Jerry attended the University of
Utah and received a degree in
Accounting and Business
Management. He spent about 40
years designing accounting systems
and resolving business problems,
both in accounting, financial and
credits policy. As a lover of fishing,
he became active in the Salt Lake
County Fish & G a m e Association,
serving as President for one year.
Was Secretary/Treasurer for many
years and a member since 1949, and
w a s presented with a Lifetime
Membership in 1991 of the Utah
Wildlife Federation. He became
Regional Director of the Utah Wildlife
Federation 1961-63, and Vice
President for two years. He w a s
presented life membership in 1991.
This group is an Affiliate of the
National Wildlife Federation.
After semi-retiring in 1985, he set out
to organize the Utah Chapter of the
Eighth Air Force Historical Society in
1992, and w a s Secretary/Treasurer
�r
until last year. He became Treasurer
of the 44th B G V A in 1995, and has
been influential in increasing
membership from 575 to over 1000 at
the present time. Ascending to the
Presidency last year, he is seriously
seeking a replacement for the
position of Treasurer. A m o n g his
many goals are to perpetuate the
44th's history through the Database,
and to entice the young family
members of veterans to pick up the
torch.
Memorable Moments
for Jerry
Right: Will Lundy and Roy
O w e n unveil the monument to
Miss Dianne at Viller-Escales.
Below Right: The 44th Bomb
Group Veterans were honored.
Jerry has three children, one son
and two daughters, five grandsons,
three granddaughters. The three
oldest grandchildren are in college.
After fifteen years of being single,
he met
sons and two daughters. Although
she has her own business as a
successful professional men's tailor,
she takes time to help out for our
44th B G V A Reunions. In the ballroom
at Reunions, they can frequently be
seen demonstrating they're freestyle
dancing techniques.
Besides Jerry, only four other
members of the Bieber Crew are still
living, Paul Boench, bombardier;
Harold Maggard, waist gunner;
Nathan Woodruff, and Perry Morse.
From
the Editor:
Where is your database'.' You write me letters (for which I am grateful), b
when I try to find you in the database, you are not there! Why? Your
database is the last thing you can fling into the future.
Your children and grandchildren are asking questions about
WWII. You have magnificent stories of an event that cannot
ever be replicated. Wliat will happen when you are not there to
answer the questions?
Do It Now!
12
�Very recently when I w a s at the bank making a
deposit, a young teller (in his mid twenties)
asked, "What is this 44th B o m b Group? I told him,
"The B o m b Group I flew with during WWII".
"What w a s that?" he asked. Further conversation
Just a few passing thoughts and comments, now
followed. He commented that he had never heard
that I have partially recovered from the 44th's
of any of this; didn't remember hearing of it in
European tour to France, Belgium, Germany and
school. This is just a recent instance of people not
England... Details will be in the next issue of the 8 knowing our past. Recently I spoke at a Memorial
Ball Tails.
Day service. I told them what it w a s like, flying on
missions; what w a s involved, etc. - nothing
It is with considerable appreciation that I
heroic. Several commented afterward—glad to
participated in ceremonies honoring our missing
hear m y recollections, never having heard these
men while in Europe. Those people, our European things before. T w o people involved with the
friends, are dedicated to placing markers and
planning of the service asked, "Why is it so hard
memorials at crash sites in recognition of the
to get one of you fellows to speak?" I a m no
sacrifice w e made to set them free.
speaker... I relate it as though I w a s telling a
hunting or fishing story. Most of you have done
One of my objectives and goals is to preserve our that, and could tell your story the same way.
history before it is too late. Before there w a s a
There is no need to enhance it like some fish
written language, the elders of the tribe passed
stories—the solid truth is powerful. (Do you
information to the next generation by storyknow when a fish grows the most? After it is
telling. You, as an individual, have lived and
caught!!!)
participated in a massive effort to free the world
of an evil force, unlike anything that has
It makes you feel good that it is appreciated,
happened before or since. You must become a
especially when they come up and say 'thank you,'
story-teller. Ancients preserved their history on
ask questions and want you to tell more.
stone tablets; the Indians, with petrographs on
canyon walls. With m o d e m technology, w e have a To go along with these thoughts, I remind you that
better w a y — b y computer in our Database on a
many of you—too m a n y — have not sent in your
CD. Already the letters and diaries which many
biographies. This is not just of your military
have sent are recorded and preserved in our
service. W e like to preserve a little information
Database. This is far better that stored in a box in about you - what you did before the service, and
some basement, attic or elsewhere. W e created
what you did after, and about you and your family;
this history Let's preserve it for the next
and of course, what you did during the war. This
generation, our children and their children.
will be preserved on a computer database disc
called a CD. Help us out.
As individuals, you can help preserve our memory
by telling your story or stories at local schools
Time is running out.
and other organization meetings. This is your
opportunity. They are looking for speakers.
People, all ages, are interested in this information
that they cannot get in a classroom.
/
13
�Will Sez
Slowly, but surely, much work continues to
be accomplished on completing our
Military Heritage Master Database. As
most of you know, it is my fondest dream
to put as much of our history as possible
into Arlo Bartsch's super program. For
many years, Art Hand, W e b b Todd, Norman Kiefer and I,
as squadron historians, did our best to obtain as much of
our respective squadron's records as possible. Much of it
came from the official microfilm rolls obtained from Maxwell
AFB. W e then built on these basic records by searching for
our long missing veterans to obtain more personal data
from the combat men themselves. Art Hand was very
important, as he did much of the searching for our "missing"
members. Many of you not only gave us your personal
recollections and experiences, but also your personal
diaries. From all of this, w e each produced our own
Squadron history book, but got no support from the leader
of the 44th B G H M G , and had to finance them ourselves.
As a consequence, w e could not afford to order more than
a minimum of books, so only a very limited number were
printed, and where soon were out of print.
When we reorganized in 1994, many conflicts and problems
were resolved, but w e had to begin anew. There was great
cooperation and resolve, much interest but no money. Our
previous leader disposed of nearly $35,000, but nothing
remained, not even equipment. Thanks to the leadership
and hard work by our new President, Roy O w e n , w e
quickly became solvent, and were getting many things
done. However, as the Squadron Historians job was done
so far as their books were concerned, interest moved on to
other events. However, as I had always been designated
Group Archivist, the keeper of our historical papers and
memorabilia, that job continued. Letters, diaries, stories,
articles, books, etc. continued to arrive and were filed away.
Tom Shepherd and I often discussed this continuing
growth of priceless material, hoping that it would be utilized
in some manner so that it could be made available to our
members and the public in some readily available manner.
Computer programs were investigated and found wanting.
However, one day Tom learned about Mr. Arlo Bartsch and
his self-designed and wonderful computer program. That
was the answer! Here was a way to reduce all of these
great stacks of papers to perhaps one C D disc! Not only
reduce it to that tiny space, but make it all AVAILABLE with
a few well-placed clicks of a mouse!
Yes, it was clearly possible to do all of this, but of course, it
would be expensive. H o w much? No one knew, not even
Arlo. Yes, Arlo had placed his own bomber group's sortie
reports and associated data, into his program but had done
it himself; for the most part, while he was refining his
programs. So w e had to learn by trial and error, give limited
work to Arlo to process as our funds could provide.
The 44th BGVA Board resisted the process of going to the
membership for additional funds, but eventually it was
inevitable. Happily, many of you members were most
generous and again there were funds available for
additional work beyond the entering of mission sortie
details. Tony Mastradone volunteered his time and efforts
to visit the Archives near D.C. hundreds of times to copy
over 8500 sorties and associated papers. Now, resources
are again low, but there is much work still sitting here near
my elbows. Much of this data is material not used in the
Squadron books or my Roll of Honor book, but certainly
related to our history. My R O H book was printed in 1987, as
were the Squadron History books in this same period.
However, there are so many new personal memories
related to those events in files here that should be utilized
by placing them into this database. This material cannot be
added to books, but it surely could be entered into our
database, wherever appropriate. W h e n added to the bare
sortie reports, it can bring to life the events that took place
on that plane or that formation. They should be added to an
existing diary and/or to a personal legacy portion. They
belong wherever the information can enhance existing
stories.
Why am I pushing for this expenditure so hard? Time is
growing short for our generation. O n e of these years, it will
be my time. I want to see these papers utilized to record
your history, your many efforts to win, your sacrifices to
become known, not forgotten. What about donating these
records to a College, a museum, a military base, or
whatever? Sure, better than into the paper shredder.
However, these facilities can do little more than place it all
into files where the public will never look. Only the
dedicated scholars or future historians will find it and then
make little use of it.
So, my plan is this: When we find it again necessary to ask
financial assistance to continue this data entry work,
could you again help us? Every little bit will help us
move that much closer to being the O N L Y bomber
group in the 8th Air Force to have accomplished a
near complete data based history.
�44th Bomb Group 2002 Reunion
Wing/Strat. Missile Wing
October 7, 8, 9, 10 & 11,2002
pMAHA
i HARE. WELLJ^^H
Holiday Inn, Omaha Central 1-80 - Omaha, Nebraska
Hotel Reservation Form ^pMaM&w
OMAHA CCMTRAL t-»Q
Reservations m a y only be m a d e by telephone directly with the Hotel's Reservation Department by
calling (402) 393-3950. To receive the contract rate, the attendees should identify themselves as being
with the 44th B o m b Group. All reservations should be m a d e by September 6, 2002. After this date, the
hotel will release the remainder of our room block. Additional reservation requests will be honored on a
space and room available basis.
Guaranteed Reservations. Rooms can be guaranteed for late arrival to an individual's credit card o
advance deposit equal to one night's room and tax at the time of reservation. The deposit will be credited to the attendee's account. Check in time is 4:00 p.m. on reserved date, or refunds will be m a d e only
if the reservation is cancelled 48 hours prior to the scheduled day of arrival. Guarantee m a y be m a d e by
check or credit card.
Guaranteed Group Rates: $90.00 tax included, Single or Double
Please fill out this information prior to making your reservation call. It will serve as your rec
will be given a confirmation number by the reservation person.
Confirmation #: Name:
Arrival Date:
Organization: 44th B o m b Group Veterans Association
Address:
City: State: Zip code:
Additional Person in Room: • Yes • No Name of additional person
Credit Cards: American Express, MasterCard, DiscoverCard, and VISA
Credit Card Number: Expiration Date:
Name of Credit Card:
Your account is due upon conclusion of your stay and must be reviewed
and paid at the front desk at departure.
�*74e Sunykea* How*
\ssv>e-
Veterans and Dignitaries at the Winbrin Memorial Site of the Finder Crash Foreground: Norman Powell; Front R o w L-R: Sydney Paul, Jack Schiffer, Russell
Huntley, Charles Hughes, Perry Morse, Lee Aston & the Mayor of Winbrin in 1944 (donor of the property for the memorial); Second Row: Bill Kelly, Will
Lundy, Louis DeBlasio; Jerry Folsom. Top Row: Peter Loncke, (Belgium Airman & Master of Ceremonies); Mayor's Representative of Houffalize.
Irene & Will Lundy meet Belgium friend Luc
Dewez, longtime admirer of WWII airmen. Luc, a
member of the 44th BGVA, is the author of Cruel
Skies, a well researched account of the air war.
Luc can be contacted at Lucdewez@skynet.be.
Louis DeBlasio's family met Peter w h o found the crash
site of Southern Comfort. L R Ann Natelli, Peter Loncke,
Louis DeBlasio, Carol & Frank Amato.
If the Queen is too busy to see you in
London, you can be photographed with her
at M a d a m e Toussaud's W a x Museum. The
red carpet is laid out for you.
Norman Powell and Bill Kelly. Bill undertook the assignment
of piloting Norman's wheelchair through most of Europe, up
stair steps and hills, around monuments and onto buses.
16
When the 44th went to Cologne to bomb the bridge across the R, they
were told, "If you hit the Cathedral, don't bother coming back." The
spires of the cathedral are still there, and a new bridge has been built.
�*•* •*•* A m p 2002 Reunion
October 7-11
Holiday Inn • Omaha, Nebraska • Schedule of Activities
Monday, October 7
9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m
9:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m
1:00 p.m.- 3:00 p.m
12:00 noon - 5:00 p.m
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m
8:30 p.m.- 11:00 p.m
8:30 p.m.- ?
Registration
Board Meeting
Board Meeting
Guided Tour of O m a h a (Optional)
Hospitality Room Open
Reception (Finger Food & Cash Bar)
Hospitality R o o m Open
Hotel shuttle to Casino
Tuesday, October 8
7:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m Cornhusker Breakfast Buffet
9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m
Registration
11:00 a m
Tour Buses to Strategic Air C o m m a n d Museum,
Lunch on your own at Museum.
3:
°0 P-m
Buses return to hotel.
4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m
Hospitality Room Open
7:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m
Squadron Dinners
9:00 p.m.- 11:00 p.m
Hospitality Room Open
Wednesday, October 9
7:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m Cornhusker Buffet Breakfast
10:00 a.m
Bus leaves for Joslyn Art Museum and Old Market
Area (Bus will shuttle between the Market area and the Museum).
2:30/3:00 p.m
Buses return to hotel.
11:00 a.m
2 Buses leave for Offutt A F B (42 people each).
11:30 a.m
Bus #1 Group to O'Club for lunch.
11:30 a.m
Bus #2 Group to Strategic Command. Underground
C o m m a n d Center tour.
1;00 P-m
Bus #1 Group to Strategic Command. Underground
C o m m a n d Center tour.
1:00 p.m
Bus #2 Group to O'Club for lunch.
2:30 p.m
Buses leave for hotel.
3:00 p.m.- 5:00 p.m
Hospitality Room Open
6:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m
Cash Bar at Banquet
7:00 p.m.- 7:30 p.m
Post Colors; Pledge of Allegiance, Candle Lighting
& present Awards.
8:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m
Grand Banquet
9:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m
Dance, Visit & Have Fun.
7:00 p.m.- 9:00 a.m Cornhusker Breakfast Buffet
9:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m
General Membership Meeting
12:00 noon
Those not on tours, lunch on your own.
11:00 a.m
Bus #1 Group to O'Club for Lunch.
11:30 a.m
Bus #2 Group to Strategic C o m m a n d Ctr Tour
1:00 p.m
Hospitality Room Open
1:00 p.m
Bus #1 Group to Strategic C o m m a n d Ctr Tour.
1:00 p.m
Bus #2 Group to O'Club for Lunch.
2:30 p.m
Buses leave for hotel.
5:00 p.m
Hospitality Room Open
6:00 p.m
Cash Bar Cocktails
7:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m
Dinner, Entertainment & Dancing in Hotel.
TVe'U tee you,
tfaettf
Thursday, October 10
Friday, October 11
Check-Out, Farewell, Safe Journey Home, Be seeing you in 2003!
�44th Bomb Group 2002 Reunion
October 7-11, 2002
Holiday Inn • 3321 South 72nd Street • Omaha, Nebraska
Registration Form
Please print or type. All information must be completed.
Last Name:
First Name (Tag):
Spouse:
Squadron (Circle one): 66th 67th 68th 506th Hq or
Address:
City:
State:
Zip code:.
Phone: Fax: Email:
Guest(s) & Relation:
Number to attend Reunion @ $210.00/each Amount $
Tour #1: Monday, October 7 - Omaha Historical Tour $ 19.00 per person
Time: Bus leaves hotel at 1:00 p.m. An exciting and informative escorted historical tour of Omaha.
Number to attend Tour @ $19.00/each Amount $_
Tour #2: Tuesday, October 8 - Exit 426 Tour
$36.00 per person
Time: Buses leave hotel at 9:00 a.m. return at 3:00 p.m. First we will visit the Strategic Air and Space Museum. The newest and one of the larg
military museums in the U.S. We will have an included buffet lunch at Mahoney State Park Lodge, which overlooks the scenic Platte River After
lunch we will visit the Lee Simmons Wildlife Safari Park. We will see a variety of wild animals in natural habitats.
Number to attend Tour @ $36.00/each Amount $
Tour #3: Wednesday, October 9 - Omaha Heritage and Art Tour
$ 23.00 per person
Time: Buses leave hotel at 10:00 a.m. A look at Omaha's glorious past! We'll split our day between the Druham Western Heritage Museum,
former main terminal of the Union Pacific Railroad and then shuttle to the Grand Dame of Omaha's art galleries. You will have lunch on your own
in the Old Market District, center of the restored original city center. Buses return to the hotel at 2:30 - 3:00 p.m.
Number to attend Tour @ $23.00/each Amount $
Tours #4 and #5: Wednesday, October 9 and Thursday, October 10
$16 per person
Lunch at the Offutt AFB Officer's Club and tour of the Commander U.S. Strategic Forces Command Center.
Time: Both days, the buses will depart the hotel at 11:00 a.m. A rare opportunity to see where the planning for the application of our nuclear
forces takes pace and the command center which would direct and control them. Whether you go on Wednesday or Thursday will be dependent
on the earliest receipt of your Registration Form for the tour. The first 84 received go Wednesday and so on. See Reunion Schedule of Activities.
Number to attend Tour @ $l6.00/each Amount $
Total of Registration and Tours enclosed by Check: Amount $
v
18
Registration must be received by August 1, 2002. No registrations will be taken after that date.
Mail a copy of this Registration with your check to:
Roy W . O w e n • 6304 Meadowridge Drive • Santa Rosa, California 95409-5839
Phone (707) 538-4726 • Fax (707) 538-1212
BE PROMPT!
�On April 25, Steve Adams, our UK
Representative, called to inform us that our
dear, enduring friend, Phyllis DuBois had lost
her long battle with cancer and died the
previous evening at the private BUPA Hospital
in the suburbs of Norwich, England. We surely
will miss this wonderful woman who had long
displayed her particular love and devotion to
our 44th Bomb Group.
Phyllis first came to our attention when she
was hired as Staff Librarian in the 2nd Air
Division Memorial Wing of the Norwich
Library. From her beginnings at the Library,
she found a friend in Steve Adams who was
willing to assist in her need to learn her way
about the world of the 2nd Air Division B-24
Bomb Groups. She was an arduous student
and, along with her association with Steve,
became a fast friend of the 44th and the preeminent Research Librarian in the field of the
B-24 history in the World War II Air War over
Europe. When her employment contract was
finished with the Memorial Library, it was our
good fortune that Phyllis' family had left her
financially secure. This enabled her to remain
in herfieldas a Freelance Research Librarian,
continuing to live both in Norwich and work in
the area of history which she had come to love.
Among the many good deeds she selflessly
accomplished for the 44th, one surely stands
out in the minds of most 44th members. In the
aftermath of the disastrousfirewhich
destroyed the library, and particularly the 2nd
®
Air Division Memorial wing, it appeared that
all the historical holdings of the Memorial
Wing had been lost. Phyllis, assisting in the
recovery efforts to see what might have
survived, discovered the entire 2nd Air
Division Bomb Groups histories that had been
micro-filmed and which had survived the fire;
they were stored in the basement. All of the
groups were notified; but strangely, none
showed any interest in preserving this treasure
but the 44th. Through her good will and
friendship with the Library staff, she was
allowed to sequentially remove thefilm,which
she took to Steve Adams. He tirelessly
reviewed, carefully catalogued, indexed and
replaced in the new fireproof library archives.
Between the two, the 44th history in the 2nd
Air Division will be available to historians for
generations to come.
Phyllis' memory by the 44th will be embodied
in a beautiful wreath at her Memorial Service
at Horsham St. Faiths, England on May 8,
2002. It will say: To Phyllis, an Enduring
Friend of the 44th Bomb Group. We Will Miss
You. From Stephan and Janice Adams and The
Members of the 44th Bomb Group Veterans
Ass'n.
Additionally, the 44th BGVA will contribute
$100 to start a perpetual Phyllis DuBois Book
fund within the 2nd AD Memorial Wing of the
Library. Books purchased from the fund will
bear a donation plate in the name of the
Phyllis DuBois Memorial Fund. For anyone
caring to donate any amount to her fund,
please forward a check payable to the 44th
BGVA to the mailing address inside the
front cover of the 8 Ball Tails. Mark your
check Phyllis DuBois, and the amount
will be placed in her memorial
account. Please give her a
thought when you donate.
_y
19
�»>)
JOE MILLINER'S
MEMORY OF PLOESTI
AND THE GHOST OF
"LADY BE GOOD"
Ed. Note: In 1954, two oilmen found a
crashed B-24 in the desert in Libya. It
solved the mystery of the lost plane that
missed the airfield at Benina Main, and
continued south until it ran out of gas.
The bones of the last crew member of
"Lady Be Good" were found in I960.
Almost immediately, w e began to train at
low altitudes, but w e had no idea why.
The aircraft assigned to us had many
problems. The reaction to the controls on
turns to the right w a s slow, but left
turns were okay. Always tailend Charlie.
W e all knew that most tailend Charlie's
didn't return, especially against fighters.
had been minimal. Most raids had been
very successful. The biggest problem
that w a s causing a lot of engine failure
w a s the reddish sand that blew all the
time. You ate this sand, drank this sand,
and expelled sandy feces.
A shortage of flyable aircraft was
becoming a big problem, with the flyable
Joseph Milliner read an article in a small
After a short training period, orders came ones going to experienced crews. Poker,
California publication about the Lady Be
through on moving the group to North
swimming naked in the Mediterranean
Good and questioned the date of the
Africa. Our crew got as far as Southern
Sea, and a little boozing at the Officer's
plane's loss. He assumed it w a s merely
England.
W
e
had
to
land
at
a
very
small
Club (tent) occupied a lot of time. W e
an editorial error. Just recently he bought
air base. Due to engine problems, the Bwatched the sky everyday for new
a copy of "The Lady's Men," and the
same date 'jumped off the page like a
2 4 w a s grounded. A few days later a Carrivals, having been assured w e were
shooting star.' The first magazine w a s
54 came in, picked us up and carried us
next in line.
correct! Years later, he still puzzles the
to Marrakech, French West Africa.
At this time a target was being set up in
difference in date, according to his
Again
we
were
delayed.
the desert south of the airbase, which
personal recollections:
w a s known as Benina Main. Planes
I hitched a ride on a French Army Truck
"Our crew was assigned B-17's and sent
taking off to bomb this target formed at
to
Casablanca.
W
o
w
!
What
a
town.
I
the northern route to England. Upon
low altitudes and made the bomb run at
arrival in Scotland, our B 17s disappeared. stopped briefly at a local watering hole
an even lower altitude. No one except
for a drink. Everyone in the place w a s
Getting new orders, all the crews were
command knew what was going on.
dressed in white robes and turbans, with
relegated to travel by train to Bovington,
Everyone had his opinion, but no one
a long curved knife sticking from a sash
a location just outside London, for
knew for sure. Various rumors cropped
of various colors. The looks I got were
reassignment. At Bovington the orders
up and circulated around the base. One
more chilling than the drink in m y hand.
were misplaced, and m y crew ended up
rumor mentioned the oil refineries in
as forgotten. W e resided in a Quonset
Romania. This one turned out to be true.
Finally we moved on to Benghazi in
hut for about four weeks. The other
Libya. Rommel had just departed rather
Ploesti
crews were getting their orders daily and
hastily and left tri-motored aircraft, plus
moving on. When the orders came, w e
Ploesti was where some of Hitler's
a lot of junk everywhere. The skeletal
reasoned that maybe w e could finish
largest oil producing refineries were
remains of the Italian Air Force littered
their missions and go home.
the horizon for miles.
located. A low flying aircraft could lob
bombs into the well-protected cracking
We soon realized chances of finishing
We pitched tents and tried to settle in, plant, boiler houses, stiles and pumping
twenty-five missions was about as
hoping to give Mussolini a little hell from
stations.
remote as swimming the English Channel.
the air. Everyone w a s gung ho. Losses
It could be done, but it w a s not probable.
�The briefing started.
Because of the lack of aircraft, my crew
had been left out. Changes in crew
members were taking place every day.
Members of m y crew were distributed to
other crews.
I found little to do during this period
other than bartering for eggs from the
Arab tribes that passed through the area.
Three cartons of cigarettes were too
damn much for a dozen eggs. The Arabs
always tried to barter for the blue duffel
bags with drawstrings. They wore them
as trousers. This had something to do
with their religious belief that the next
Christ would be born of man. From then
on, I gave each of these m e n wearing a
duffel bag a questionable look, but never
questioned anyone's belief.
Early one morning in June 1943,1 was
outside the corner of m y tent trying to
start a fire with camel chips and
anything else that would burn. The
desert contains very few trees and fuel
is scarce. I had just traded for two dozen
eggs from one of the many Arabs that
traveled through the area with their
families. The m e n usually ride a small
donkey, with the wife and kids following
closely behind. The m a n always had his
hand out. Buchees-a\ms.
After finally getting a fire started and
placing the Jerry can over the fire, I w a s
about to go back inside the tent when an
Army truck (deuce and a half) pulled up
in front of the tent. Nine men, in various
military dress, were all riding atop duffel
bags and other paraphernalia of the
traveling Airman.
they had landed at the wrong airfield and
wanted to know the location of the
376th B o m b Group, to which he had
been assigned.
seemed odd that they went south
instead of west. I did not linger very long
pondering these questions. I would
probably never know. So what?
Since my crew was in line to receive the
next replacement aircraft, I w a s hoping
that maybe he w a s at the right base. So
I asked him the name of his aircraft and
he said it w a s "Lady Be Good." I planned
to keep this name in mind in case he
might be reassigned. I liked the name.
Over a month later, some time in July, I
heard that a Lt. William Hatton, his crew
and "Lady Be Good" had been shot down
over Naples. I just assumed the date w a s
recent and didn't inquire about the loss
date or time. All I knew was, this w a s
the crew that had visited m y tent in June.
The 376th Bomb Group had recently
moved from a base at Soluch, south of
Benina Main, to a base west of our
location near Benghazi. I pointed out the
direction he had to take to reach the
376th B o m b Group.
So goes the war. The British and the
Americans had kicked Rommel out of
North Africa; but the war w a s actually
just beginning for the Army Air Force.
After exchanging a couple of 'good
lucks', he climbed aboard the vehicle and
said, "Let's go."
I don't recall him giving the driver any
directions. In fact, after they left, I don't
remember seeing a driver. Besides, if the
truck w a s sent from the motor pool,
surely all the drivers would know the
location of the five B o m b Groups in that
The truck and crew members continued
to the end of the row of tents, then
made a 90° turn to the left. This put
them on a straight line south. This w a s
in the direction of Soluch, the former
location of the 376th B o m b Group. They
just kept going south until they
disappeared in a cloud of dust over the
horizon.
Just what was happening here? They
never deviated from the southern course
toward the former location of the 376th.
The Mystery Began Here
Had they misunderstood the directions?
The ranking officer, a 1st Lieutenant, slidDid they have sand in their ears?
Something seemed amiss here, but
off the vehicle from just behind the cab.
what? I did not see or hear a plane in
W e shook hands as he introduced himself
that vicinity all morning. Maybe he had
as Bill Hatton, then continued to
landed at the 389th group airfield. It just
introduce his crew members. He said
A couple of days before the Ploesti raid
w a s scheduled, a friend of mine came by
m y tent and asked m e if I would
accompany him on this raid as his copilot. His o w n co-pilot had such a severe
case of dysentery that the furthest he
could get from the latrine barrels was about
fifty feet.
This raid was estimated at about 2,400
miles. The plane commander, Charlie P.
Henderson, got a positive YES. I w a s off
for briefing in the nearby Quonset hut. It
w a s a little late to absorb the
information being passed on, especially
reading the m a p provided by Charlie.
August 1,1943, was a day some called
Black Sunday. Others called it a Sunday
in hell. People began to stir as early as
2:00 a.m. S o m e had not slept a wink. A
few had walked part of the night, in Tshirt and boots, between tent and latrine
barrels. (They had a war going on with
dysentery). However, they still made the
raid.
I awoke about 2:30 a.m., dressed and
headed to the mess hall, which w a s
already half full. I cannot recall if the
breakfast consisted of eggs over sand or
sand over eggs. It could have been S O S
mixed with sand on toast. It didn't
�matter. Most ate quietly and seemed
well aware that this might be their last
breakfast. I ate slowly and tried to
observe the veterans at the meal. A lot
of these guys had been at Alamogordo,
Clovis, and Lincoln. Most of them had a
few missions under their belt. Somehow
I felt that a lot of these men would not
return.
The final briefing ended. A very solemn
group of men headed for their respective
aircraft. I had flown with this crew
before and knew all the crew members.
After a brief inspection, all boarded and
took their post. They checked and
rechecked their equipment. I had gone
over the checklist so many times that I
knew it by heart. I had never failed to
kick an engine in very quickly. A small
puff of smoke from each engine and all
four were buzzing, and checking all the
gauges, everything read GO.
Charlie, the plane commander, better
known as "Punchy" w a s a big rawboned
man in his middle twenties. An
outstanding football player at a western
Texas college, he muscled the B-24 like a
piper cub into the blue sky. Before w e
had reached 1000 feet, w e passed over a
B-24 burning fiercely on the ground.
Later it w a s learned that two crew
members survived that crash.
Forming at about 7000 feet, the 44th
was off. It was too late to chicken out
now. Out over the Mediterranean
everyone was more relaxed. Some even
tried to make jokes. Others tried to sleep.
The formation w a s not very tight. Charlie
and I took turns flying the big aircraft,
which seemed to be a bit tail heavy and
maybe somewhat sluggish. Maybe this
was due to the throttle setting, having
never flown a B-24 with this kind of
load. However, w e were able to maintain
our position in the formation without any
trouble.
Everything seemed to be going fine until
the Isle of Corfu. A B-24, from the front
of the lead group, went sliding to the
right in a steep dive and hit the water,
exploding instantly in a huge puff of
black smoke. The plane had no sooner hit
the water than another plane slid by.
This B-24 also came from the same area
of the formation, but did not seem to be
in trouble. It disappeared to the rear and
w e could no longer see what happened.
No one, except the lead group, knew that
these two planes carried the Mission
Navigator, the person responsible to lead
these crews to the target. The second
plane carried the Deputy Navigator.
Clouds were beginning to form and
everyone w a s getting a bit upset.
Formation flying in clouds w a s not m y
bag, especially over mountain terrain. So
Charlie took over.
Breaking from an opening in the clouds,
w e saw a flat land of farms and small
villages. This must have been a banner
year. All the fields had yielded an
abundance of corn, hay and wheat. Fat
cattle were observed in the green
pastures. This w a s a land of plenty. Their
mode of travel w a s a bit behind, horses
and wagons or two wheel carts. Our
group had dropped to a lower altitude to
keep from alerting the German radar
system. So far this seemed to be
working, as not a fighter w a s spotted.
Target White
Across the countryside, the B-24s drove
ever closer to their targets. For m y
group, the target had been designated
White V. By now the map of the target
area and the last IP w a s beginning to
clear in m y mind and I began trying to
read the area in the distance with m y
binoculars.
Suddenly, huge columns of dense black
smoke began to rise into the sky.
Sighting the railroad leading into these
explosions, I knew immediately that this
w a s our target. I leaned over and pointed
this out to Charlie.
Charlie maybe set his jaw a bit firmer,
but otherwise he never changed
expression. He made m e put on the
entire armor, the flak jacket, steel helmet
and a pair of goggles that appeared out
of nowhere. He explained that in case he
got hit, I should grab the yoke
immediately. I felt a bit silly being
dressed in this monkey suit, but I realized
it would help save m y life. The final IP
(identifying point) w a s Floresti, northeast
of Ploesti, meaning the bomb run would
be down the railroad track in a
southwesterly run. The fighters had not
shown up and the flak w a s non-existing.
Than all hell broke loose. The doors of
the freight cars parked on the tracks
opened, revealing a variety of arms. They
lit up the area with a display of firepower
that w a s very accurate and devastating.
What a baptism of lead! You could see it
coming, leaving circles of smoke in its
wake. It w a s at that instant that I
realized those bastards were trying to kill
me. I w a s frightened, then angry. The
battle lasted about two minutes.
Suddenly I became very serious and
calmer. I had regained m y composure. It
w a s a very w a r m day, but cold sweat
w a s running down m y back when w e
engaged the now burning tanks. Smoke
had n o w reached about 10,000 feet and
more tanks were blowing up. The target
w a s totally obliterated by the smoke.
The leader, Col. Leon Johnson never
hesitated plunging into the burning
inferno, black as night. I thought the
leader had to be nuts. I wondered if
Charlie w a s going to follow. Follow he
did.
Passing over a burning oil tank with
bomb bay doors open, the heat rushing
from the burning tanks threw the B-24
�into a much higher altitude. This didn't
phase Charlie. Unable to see the ground,
he pushed the nose down, then leveled
off. What courage!
Reaching a clear area, we could see we
were under another ship. The nose of our
aircraft was almost in the bomb bay. If
he dropped his bombs, there would be no
way he would miss us.
Thinking that Charlie needed help, I
grabbed the control and kicked the right
rudder, moving us from under the leader
to our #2 position. At this point, w e
were clearing the smoke and Charlie
slapped my hands off the yoke. W e were
over our target.
What a mess. All this had lasted less
than four minutes. It seemed like hours.
All w a s not over. Taking a deep breath, I
became aware of someone over m y left
shoulder. Turning to take a look, there
stood the bombardier. At a first glance,
the bloody bandage on his right hand
looked like he was holding his intestines
to keep them from falling out. At this
time of day, if there were any cookies
left in m y stomach, this would be the
time to toss them. Turning away and
regaining my wits, I looked back and w a s
relieved to see it w a s a bloody bandage.
Things were quieting down, but the race
was still on. At this point, saving fuel
w a s of great importance and the flight
engineer went to check ours. When he
came back, Charlie and the engineer put
their heads together and decided the gas
and the injured were the #1 priority. The
hospital at Malta had much better
facilities than the base at Benina Main.
Besides, what w e had seen of the many
battered aircraft, there had to be lots of
wounded.
The trip over the Mediterranean was
uneventful. Everyone relaxed. Soon,
The battle was still going on and plenty
Malta was giving Charlie the okay to
of fighters, especially what looked like
land. An ambulance was waiting to take
ME210s, were firing at aircraft ahead of
the wounded to the hospital. Some of
ours. A B-24 flying at the same level
I hardly had time to look out and see the
the crew members kissed the ground, in
about 200 yards ahead of Charlie, w a s
fighters approaching at one o'clock at
this case solid rock. Malta w a s nothing
burning fiercely from the bomb bay. At
the same level. Their wings lit up like
but a huge boulder sticking out of the
this point, I came out of m y semi-shock
Christmas. Their aim w a s deadly. They
sea. One of the crew members kept
and started calling the number on the
were so close that the smoke from the
walking around the aircraft, observing
aircraft, urging them to pull up, which
bullets was hitting the aircraft. There
the hundreds of holes and muttering,
they did. The pilot hung the plane on the
was a sudden explosion and m y pant legs
"We've had it." He must have repeated
four props and pulling up to about 1,000
this at least 50 times. M y legs felt weak
flew up past m y knees. This scared the
feet, the big bomber flattened out. T w o
hell out of me. Looking down I did not
and I headed for the officer's club
men came out of the waist windows.
immediately. After a couple of jiggers of
see any blood. The 2 0 m m blew a large
Both chutes opened. The B-24 then fell
good bourbon and some food, I visited
hole in the plane's nose and the rush of
over on its left wing and started back to
the wounded men in the hospital. They
air was what hit m y pant legs. When I
earth.
had been taken care of and seemed in
looked up, an 8 8 m m w a s pointed directly
at the aircraft on the same level. Charlie
As it neared the ground, my heart jumped real good spirits."
had to pull up to avoid hitting it. The
into m y throat. The bomber w a s headed
The Enigma
8 8 m m had to be out of order because
straight for us! It hit the ground not over
the Germans in the tower seemed to be
a hundred feet away and burst into
Years later, in the fall of 1960, Milliner
working on it.
flames. I wrote down the number of the
saw a picture on the cover of a magazine
aircraft and watched as others plowed
which caught his eye, a B-24 with the
Meeting the 98th
into the ground. Above, a M E 2 1 0 apname "Lady Be Good" painted on the
peared
to
be
dropping
something
on
the
nose. "A chill developed in m y spine. I
If an aircraft ever needed air brakes, this
wildly
scrambling
aircraft.
All
of
us
quickly opened the magazine to the story
was one of those times. On leaving the
surmised
that
what
w
e
saw
were
pieces
and became more and more interested as
target, Charlie encountered at least
falling
off
the
fighter,
reflecting
in
the
I read about what had happened to
twelve aircraft, all pink (Col. Kanes'
sunlight
as
it
fell
to
the
ground.
It
w
a
s
William Hatton, his crew and the plane
outfit from the 98th Bomb Group),
taking
a
pounding
from
the
fifty
caliber
"Lady Be Good." What a fascinating
crossing directly in front of us at the
machine
guns.
It
didn't
take
long
for
it
to
story.
This w a s the crew that had
same ground zero altitudes. It w a s a
pull
up
and
wing
over
out
of
range.
A
stopped at my tent in June, 1943,
beautiful job of kicking the big plane
waist
gunner
reported
that
it
crashed
in
looking for the 376th Bomb Group.
around to miss them. Again, Charlie w a s
a
cornfield.
a hell of a pilot.
�As I reread the story, I realized the dates
seemed different. The date to the story
was over two months earlier than when
the crew had been at my tent in 1943
asking for directions. April 4 was the
date "Lady Be Good" went missing. I
wasn't even in North Africa at that time!
H o w could this be? There had to be two
William Hatton crews. This was slowly
blowing my mind. I reread the story very
slowly trying to match the dates in the
story with the dates in my memory.
Nothing matched. Maybe I needed a rest
and then things might begin to match up.
That has not happened to this day.
Many unanswered questions concerning
what happened that day in June, 1943,
remain unanswered. Why did the truck
carrying the crew of the "Lady Be Good"
head south when I clearly stated the
base they were looking for was west?
Why did the "Lady" go so far off course
over Italy, winding up over the East
Coast near the heel of the boot? Naples
is on the West Coast. W a s the navigator
inebriated, confused in charting the
course, incompetent? W h y wasn't he
able to contact anyone at the tower at
Benina Main? H o w did they come to be
440 miles south of Benina Main, buried
in a sea of sand?
that I get when the name "Lady Be
Good" is mentioned.
The question remains who, or what, was
the crew that visited my tent that day in
June of 1943 looking for the 376th
Bomb Group and flying an aircraft named
"Lady Be Good?"
Ed. Note: Joseph Milliner is the author o
"The Angel and The Eagle," a description
of his personal experiences in WWII. On
August 16, 1944, on a mission to the
Just recently I read the book "Lady's airfields and Marshalling Yards at Foggia,
Italy, Milliner was copilot on Buzzin'
Men." There were no answers there.
Bear.
Flak was heavy and fighters were
"Lady's Men" just verified the dates and
persistent. The plane went down. Four
other data concerning the loss.
members were KIA; two escaped and
I've tried to put this out of mind or treat
returned to England; four, Milliner
it as a dream, but I can't shake the chill
included, were POWs for nearly two years.
44th BOMB GROUP VETERANS ASSOCIATION
44th B o m b Group
Veterans Association
R0. Box 712287
Salt Lake City, Utah 84171-2287
n Yes, Count m e In!
a Annual Membership Dues for year 2002 $20.00
~l Life Membership Dues 60 and over $125.00
n Life Membership Dues 40 to 59 $150.00
Join u s n o w s o you don't m i s s t h e next 8>-f3ali Tails.
Name
Spouse
Address
City
Tele: I
State
)
_Z'P.
Fax: (
E-Mail Address:
Group:
Friend
Donation:
Squadron:
Crew of:
Relative of:
Thank you for joining usl
Did you know that the 44th BGVA is not closed to veterans and wives? Any member or interested person may join as an Associate
Member. Family members regularly request information about brothers, uncles, fathers or cousins. Any of these people are eligible to join
and share the benefits of reunions, publications and camaraderie with WWII airmen
whose awesome stories continue to unfold with each gathering.
24
�THE FLAK HOUSES
It has been said that when a crew had been on a number of heavy missions, they became 'flak
happy.' The treatment was to send them to a 'Flak Shack'for Rest and Rehabilitation.
These houses were really military bases with a Commanding Officer, Adjutant and
enlisted men. The Red Cross girls established the social events, trying to make it as
home-like as they possibly could. (Ed. Note: After polling several veterans who went
to a 'Flak Shack,' I learned that none remembered being 'flak happy,' but they
certainly remembered the joy of being away from the War.)
These houses were run as a joint effort of the Army and Red Cross, and were
renowned for the therapeutic benefits they could offer to the all-male-world of combat
airmen. One of the most memorable ivas Roke Manor, a beautiful estate situated in a picturesque
countryside. Many men from the 44th remember the luxurious clean white sheets, tasty food and
plenty of soap and water. Former owners had decorated it in breathtakingly beautiful and
comfortable furnishing, and only a bicycle ride away was The Dukes Head, a favorite 'watering
hole'.
The activities offered at Roke Manor were myriad: golf at nearby Southampton, horseback
riding through the beautiful countryside, Softball, tennis, archery and much more. Railway
service to London and other parts of England was easily available. Nicest of all, there were girls.
The Red Cross workers planned special events, and young ladies who lived nearby came to the
Manor to attend dances, play volleyball, tennis and golf
Typical of the Red Cross worker was Betty jane Thomas, (now living in York, Pennsylvania). A
28-year-old college graduate from Seattle, Washington. Betty saw the Red Cross as her
opportunity to get into the War. The criteria for this assignment was to be over 25 years of age, in
good health and with the maturity to take responsibility. Betty spent only a short time in
England; and like everyone involved in the war, she accepted any assignment.
She flew across the Atlantic on Christmas Day, 1943, and stayed until the war was over. She
served donuts and coffee from her ' Clubmobile', greeting the young men as they climbed off the
troop ships, ready to go to war. This was during the biuld-up for D-Day, and as Captain of the
Clubmobile, she served in Ireland, England and Scotland. When General Patton moved across the
Channel, her unit was close by. They entered the Continent at Utah Beach, and followed the
Third Army all the way to Aachen, Germany. When Patton ran out offuel, so did the
Clubmobile.
The 44th BG remembers the frustration ofBastogne, in that the weather was too
©
prohibitive forflying.Betty Jane remembers it in Paris, where a flood of wounded soldiers
filled the corridors of the American Hospital. She clearly remembers reaching Dachau,
where the young girls were advised not to go look at the scene of death. However, she saw
the starving survivors who were able to walk past the truck; and to this day, she can never
erase them from her mind.
Just as the veterans cannot ever forget the War, neither can the Red Cross
Workers, whose job was to make life a little easier for those who liad the job of doing the fighting.
�SGT. DALE V. LEE
POW,
ESCAPEE
"I was flight engineer and left waist gunner on
the Horace W . Austin crew - B-24 F - Southern
Comfort. I trained at Mechanic School, Keisler
Field, Mississippi; B-24 School at Consolidated
Aircraft plant. San Diego, California; Gunnery
School at what is n o w know as Nellis Air Base, Las
Vegas, Nevada. Crew training with Lt. Austin was
at Tucson, Arizona; then Flight School at
Almogordo and Clovis, N e w Mexico."
Lee flew 111/2 missions, each different, but
each a solemn experience. " O n one flight the #1
cylinder on our #2 engine was hit. Our instruments
were reading okay, and w e still had plenty of
power; but w e were losing oil like crazy. Although
w e were extremely concerned, the #2 engine was
feathered, and w e flew back on the other three. W e
came home late, but w e made it back.
"The low level flight to Ploesti still stands out
clearly in m y mind. W e had a super group
commander and a great crew. I've always felt proud
that our group hit our target, in spite of all the
obstacles as w e flew in. There was lots offireand
smoke, and airplanes on all sides being hit and
going down. I distinctly recall one plane going d o w n
in the mass of black smoke. The wounded plane
pulled straight up. Before stalling out, two airmen
bailed out. Their chutes were so strikingly white in
all that dark, black smoke. T w o German fighters
came in and got those guys. I could see their bodies
slump in their chutes, a sight I'll never forget.
"During this flight, I saw a German Sergeant. He
had three rows of troops lined up in formation. I
just wanted to even the score, with them having
wiped out so many of m y good buddies. In m y
anger and frustration, I opened m y 50 caliper gun
and m o w e d right down their lines. That experience
has come back to haunt m e many times in m y later
years, but at that time it seemed so justifiable and
right.
26
During the flight, our right wing was very low
to the ground. The pilots had the control wheel
against the stops, and the wing just stayed down.
( W e could have been in the slip stream of the lead
aircraft.) A n d r e w Fabiny, co-pilot, reached over
and got just a little bit more power out of #4 engine.
The wing quivered and came up ever so slowly. It
appeared to have had zero clearance between the
wing and the ground. After our return to base, the
first thing the three of us did was to go out and
examine that wing. W e hadn't previously voiced our
anxiety, but when w e had a chance to examine it,
w e just stood and looked at each other in amazement
that the paint was not rubbed off.
"We had two boxes of incendiaries, and as we
came over the oil tanks, w e poured them out. I tried
to pour a steady stream out m y left waist window.
Glenn Hickerson, tail gunner, kept shouting, 'You
got another one. Y o u got another one.' About that
time, a big concussion from a large gun knocked
T h o m a s Purcell on his butt. (He was manning the
right waist window.) H e spilled his box of
incendiaries all over the floor of the plane. I made a
m a d scramble to pick them up and toss them out in a
hurry.
"Another colorful event was this old lady that
stood right out in the middle of this commotion. She
was calmly pumping water into a bucket; and if
there is any humor in all of this, it would have been
this scene. (Ed. Question: Was she thinking she
could put out thefireat Ploesti?) At the end of the
mission run was a cornfield.There were a number
of high, two wheel carts pulled by a team of oxen.
Carts were all over that cornfield, as those poor
oxen were just going berserk. The excited farmers
were in hot pursuit, trying to bring them under
control.
"When we got back to home base, Col. Johnsonjnet
us at the
Interrogation
Shack. H e
shook m y
hand and
said. 'One
of those is
enough in
anybody's
lifetime.'
' Ploesti Veterans - General Johnson and Dale Lee
�Each mission had different problems. Most German
fighters would attack from above and behind. Lt.
Austin would carry two degree flaps on our ship.
W h e n the fighters came in, Glen Hickerson would
yell, 'move', and Lt. Austin would pull theflapsup.
The plane would drop about 20 feet, and the
fighter's 2 0 m m s would burst overhead. In m y
position ( L W ) , I could not see thefightersas they
flew by so fast, but Hickerson would shoot his guns,
and a half second after his guns stopped, I would lay
on mine as the fighters came flying through and
underneath. W e got a lot of 'hits' using this sort of
team work.
Our last trip was the Foggia mission, and this
was probably the most successful mission you could
ever want. There were three groups of us. N u m b e r
One group got thefirstthird of the airfield; N u m b e r
T w o picked up where thefirstleft off and wiped out
the second third. Our group, N u m b e r Three, picked
up the last third of thefield-missionaccomplished.'
On our way out, we could see flashes of ack-ack
guns, and just knew that a 'beast' was on its way.
Approximatelyfifteenminutes after releasing our
bombs, our group was covered by 50-150 fighters
from Goering's Pet Squadron. W e had a b o m b hangup, and I was trying frantically to pry it loose.
About that time, our ship gave a big shudder. I
finally managed to release the b o m b by disconnecting
the whole shackle. Then I could get the b o m b bay
doors closed. I looked out m y window and saw a
hole more than three feet long in the top side of the
wing outboard #1 engine. It looked like a giant low
torch. I marveled then, as I do now, w h y that wing
did not fold. The fire was following the transfer
hoses into the airplane, and it was one big inferno.
The left rudder was completely shot off. Holes
appeared in the fuselage. It looked like a newspaper
with holes poked through with a pencil. O n e thing
still puzzles m e . O n the curvature of the fuselage,
over m y head, there was split approximately 1/2
inch wide and a l l / 2 feet long, and this split
followed the curvature. Not only was the skin split,
but the stringers as well. I thought, ' N O W h o w can
they shoot like that?' B y this time, 5 0 % of m y
clothes were burned off. Our communications
system was gone, so there was no way of knowing
what was going on up front, but I knew it was time
to do something. I poked Charles J. Warth, hatch
gunner, and pointed to Hickerson in the tail."
With schrapnel wounds on his legs and clothes
onfire,Lee bailed out the left waist window. " W e
were at approximately 25,000 feet, and the cold air
felt good-so good. I free-fell as far as I thought I
should. About that time, I fell through a bunch of
Germanfighters.Remembering the image of the two
airmen shot in their chutes at Ploesti, I delayed
opening m y chute. I rememberfloatingon m y back
in what seemed a slow turn, watching our burning
plane go down. Although it still seemed a long way
to the ground, I finally pulled m y rip cord. I hit the
ground very hard, severely injuring m y back. Next,
eight or ten angry civilians attacked m e , beating m e
on the head, shoulders, back and legs with guns,
clubs and even pitch forks."
From there, he was placed in a civilian jail with
at least six inches of human excrement on the floor.
The next day, with eight other prisoners tied
together with ropes, he was led d o w n the street with
civilians beating them, spitting and pelting them with
rocks. "They had absolutely no compassion for the
guys with broken bones, severe burns and wounds.
S o m e had eyes so badly swollen and bruised, they
couldn't see."
The captives were held in a jail at Bari, then
moved to a railroad station, which was being
bombed by the British. From there they were moved
into a crowded railroad boxcar, moved to a prison
where 2,500 British prisoners were being held. Food
consisted to two half-inch-long macaronis in two
cups of water, once a day.
Several of the prisoners managed to break a hole
in a brick wall with a bed post and escape. They
crawled through high tension wires and barbed wire
entanglement. (Ed. Note: It is unfortunate that this
group could not know that the Italian military was
sick of the war, had arrested Mussolini, and had
begun opening doors for prisoners to escape.)
Along with six other escapees, Lee walked more
than 300 miles, hiding from the Germans, sleeping
in the m u d and on frozen ground. They had no food,
clothes or water; and day and night were hunted by
the Germans, w h o droppedflaresand used search
dogs to find them. Only two of the six escapees were
capable of making decisions. The others followed
along in shock.
�"Heavily armed Nazi soldiers walked so close to
our hiding place, I could have spit on their boots,"
Lee recalled. "At one point, w e planned to hide in
an olive grove, only to discover it to be a large
camouflaged German armored group camp. W e
reported this to the 47th Fighter Group, w h o did not
believe it. However, they dropped a b o m b and all
hell broke loose. Then they went back and totally
wiped it out.
"When we got back to Africa, we couldn't
convince anyone of w h o w e were, as w e had no
uniforms, no dog-tags or any kind of identification."
The war still had a long way to go. When the
group got back to Washington, D.C., they were
given Secret Orders, stating that they could reveal
nothing to anybody about their experience, except
the Commanding General or G-2. This restriction
imposed an ongoing stress on Lee that has never
completely gone away. In time, he found peace by
buying dairy farms in Washington state and
producing prize Holsteins.
Forty years later, with his wife Alice, Lee
returned to the area where he had been imprisoned.
H e measured the distance the group had run the first
night they escaped - approximately eighteen
kilometers, and had climbed about 4,000 feet.
Very little has been written about the activities of
nurses in W W I I , but the survival of many
American's wounded can be attributed to their
efforts. Only in the last years of her life, was Alice
able to tell her story of working in a Field or
General Hospital—the long, brutal hours, donating
her o w n blood for transfusions, and bandaging the
bloody and infected wounds of m e n w h o had lain for
hours, unattended. M a n y of the m e n w h o were
brought from the Nazi prison camps arrived so
weak, they had to be spoon-fed. Mostly, she
provided hope that they would not die, that they
would recover and go home; unfortunately, many
didn't.
Two members were lost on that fateful mission:
Paul Singer, (Navigator) had a ripped chute, and
did not survive. Sheldon Finder, Bombardier, was
killed in the plane. The rest of the crew all made it
to the ground. Lt. Austin; Lt. Fabiny; Sgt. Joseph
Jett, Engineer, Sgt. Ray Whitby, radio operator;
Sgt. Thomas Purcell; Sgt. Charles Warth; Sgt.
Glenn Hickerson and Dale Lee all became P O W ,
and later Escapees.
A farm girl from Nebraska, Alice always wanted
to be a nurse. She received her education at the
Lutheran Deaconess School of Nursing in Chicago.
After graduation, at age 20, she enlisted in the Army
Nurse Corp. She crossed the Atlantic on the U.S.S.
Westpoint, along with 13,000 troops. They had no
escort, and twice had a Submarine Alert. They slept
fully clothed, life jackets in hand, and no lights
allowed.
When his wartime wounds became too
oppressive, Lee sold his farms and is n o w in
retirement. In the past year, he lost his wife Alice.
Alice was a Registered Nurse whose war experience
gave her an understanding of the physical and mental
pain of the events that Lee had undergone. She, too,
had black memories. (Ed. Note: Lee has documented
the experiences of the six Escapees. More details
will appear in a later issue.)
In Liverpool, England, October 13, 1944,
church services were continuous in a room so
packed, they had to wait until somebody left before
others could enter. "I watched the young boys, so
solemn, heads bowed in prayer and often tears
streaming d o w n their faces," she recorded. "I knew
many would never return; or if they did, possibly
physically or mentally maimed."
From Liverpool, the nurses traveled by troop
train to Southampton, where they boarded an
�English ship to cross the English Channel, arriving
at O m a h a Beach. Wearing dress uniforms, they
descended the rope ladders onto landing crafts,
which took them to the Beach. Next they were
loaded into open military trucks, each truck guarded
by four soldiers. "As w e traveled along the road, w e
saw battle weary soldiers coming out of the woods,
all shouting, 'American girls! Nurses!' They were so
eager to talk to someone from back home, especially
women, they were almost frantic."
The nursing team set up the 179th General
Hospital in the badly bombed city of Rouen, France.
In addition to mothers and little ragged children
begging for food or scrounging in garbage cans, the
endless supply of wounded were a heart breaking
story. Over the next several months, she moved to
several different hospital units, a Station Hospital
and a Field Hospital. In Daggendorf Germany, she
helped set up an Occupational Hospital.
Alice and Dale celebrated their 51st wedding
anniversary. They have five children. She passed
away in the past year.
Dale and Alice's daughter, Kathy, R.N.,
realized the long-term effects of the war on those
w h o could not or would not describe their feelings.
She has done considerable research on Post
Traumatic Stress Syndrome, a disorder that is only
recently receiving serious attention in the medical
community.
Ed. Note: It has been said that it takes 100 years for
a country to get over a war. For Dale and Alice Lee,
fifty-seven was not enough. Both have been loyal
members of the 44th BGVA, happy to be with other
veterans whose lives were carved by the war. Like so
many nurses, Alice's story has never been recorded.
However, her contribution to our fighting men was
of immeasurable value.
She remained in the service until March 22,1946.
W h e n she returned home, her family knew, and she
knew, that the farm girl from Nebraska could never
be the same.
Alice looks at her old dress apparel,
now in a museum.
�THERE HE
WAS...
Lt. James Tomblin, 66th
Sq. documented his war
experiences in a book which
he dedicated to the 150,000
allied airmen killed in the air
war over Europe. 45,000
airmen were taken prisoner
during that time. Because so
many dramatic stories
started out, There I was...
"my guns jammed," or "I had
three 109s on my tail", etc.,
he named his book, "THERE I
WAS, Story No. 45,001."
me). Both the bombardier's
parachute and mine lay there
together. These were snap-on
chest packs with two heavy
metal rings that snapped into
place on the parachute
harness we always wore. The
chest packs were too bulky
for either the bombardier or
myself to wear during flight.
We were flying on the
wing of the leader of the
high squadron. Lt. Rasmessen
was the pilot leading that
squadron - but he was at the
same altitude of the group
leader, not the required 100
to hit the silks today." The
feet above. W e often
pilot was Arthur Ledford.
wondered if this lower
W a s I getting his final puffs
altitude of the high squadron
on his cigar before take-off?
caused our plane to be shot
I always wondered how he
down. (The A A F employed
could smoke something so
strong so early in the morning. pattern bombing at this time,
which meant that one
Inspired by a Jimmy
squadron would fly 100 feet
It
takes
a
long
time
to
get
Stewart appeal in 1942, the
above the lead squadron and
20 bombers off the ground
seventeen year old Tomblin
the other squadron 100 feet
at
30
second
intervals
while
found the concept of
lower. Bombardiers in each
it's still dark and somewhat
becoming a commission
plane would release their
foggy. Then the constant
officer, silver wings and
bombs when the lead plane
climbing and assembling until
flight pay too irresistible to
released theirs. This caused
the whole wing of three
pass by. He entered the
a
wide "pattern" of bombs
groups are together.
Aviation Cadet program.
being dropped.)
As we ascended out over
Tomblin's book has many
the Channel to our bombing
dramatic scenes, but none
more so than October 30
altitude of 22,000 feet,
SATURDAY,
when, as Navigator on the
bombardier Dick Pascal and I
SEPTEMBER 30th
Arthur Ledford crew, they
crawled through our little 10
T O T (Time over the
set out to bomb the
foot long tunnel up to the
target)
was 1:25. W e
Marshalling Yards in Hamm,
nose. Dick got into the nose
Germany. Tomblin recalls how
turret, his regular post, and I received three direct hits in
the tail, bomb bay and the
that day began.
closed the access door,
nose, 30 seconds before the
locking him in. I spread his
"Meeting at the plane,
target.
W e fell out of
flak suit on the floor (he
climbing aboard with our
formation. The No. 1 engine
couldn't wear it while in the
was completely disabled, the
gear, there was very little
turret of the plane between
No. 2 engine losing power, the
conversation. An unusually
the two large .50 caliber
No. 3 was on fire, and No. 4
glum tail gunner, Hank Starr, ammo cases on each side of
was
OK. The hydraulics were
muttered "we're going to have
30
�knocked out also and the
bomb bay doors would not
close. Had I occupied m y
usual position between the
ammunition cases in the nose
as I had on all previous
missions, a piece of flak
would have undoubtedly
struck me.
As it was, I had decided
to stand up on this mission
for some reason, and I got
the compass heading before
we went over the target,
instead of afterwards. I was
standing when flak came
through the nose and went
between my legs and into an
oxygen bottle under the
navigator's table. I started to
call the pilot about it, but
decided there was too much
excitement, anyhow.
The bombardier called up
all the crew members. All of
them answered but the tail
gunner. H e called the tail
gunner three times, and then
told the waist gunners to go
back there and see about
him. At first they balked
because they were so afraid.
They were scared stiff, but
Dick then ordered both
Weiner and Bertollio back to
the tail. Then they reported
back the situation: "Hank's
done for," came the voice of
Bertollio over the intercom.
"Yeah, there's a big hole in
his head," said Weiner.
The pilot came back on the
intercom - he had been on
command, trying to contact
some fighters, without avail and told the waist gunners to
get Hank out of the turret-
put a static line on his rip
cord and throw him out the
camera hatch. They told him
they couldn't get him out, but
he ordered them and made
them get him out. Hank was
taken out of his turret.
The pilot called me and
asked for an E T A (estimated
time of arrival) to the Rhine
River. Once across the Rhine,
we would be over Allied held
territory. I computed an ETA
of 2:00 p.m., using the air
speed and wind we had over
the target. Since our air
speed had dropped, I thought
I should add 5 minutes more
to the time. Instead I
subtracted the 5 minutes and
gave Ledford an ETA of 1:55.
I'll never know why I did this
silly thing. Ledford said later
he would have given the order
to bail out sooner, had he
known.
It was just then that the
pilot ordered everyone to bail
out. Of course, neither Pascal
nor I heard the order.
Pascal got out of the
turret, and he had closed the
turret doors and was just
closing the back hatch doors
when all four engines quit and
the intercom went dead. The
hydraulics were already gone;
we lost them over the target.
It became absolutely quiet.
Pascal didn't know the
engines had quit. I tapped
him on the shoulder and
pointed to our parachutes,
the snap-on chest packs
laying under the navigator's
table. H e crouched down and
I looked under the table back
toward the bomb bay, and
saw fire back there.
We decided we ought to
leave. H e still didn't know the
The pilot then gave the order engines were out. H e handed
m e up my parachute and got
to prepare to bail out, and I
his. I put mine on and looked
took off my flak suit. The
up
above the navigator's table
upper turret, Sharp, asked if
to the pilot's rudder pedals
he ought to get out of his
and
saw the cockpit, which
turret, and Ledford said
was
empty. A big tongue of
"yes." (He had forgotten
flame went across it while I
about him.) So Dick Pascal
was
looking. I made up my
said he thought he had
mind to leave the airplane
better get out of his nose
then,
and crouched down just
turret. It was now about 15
behind the bombardier. Just
minutes to 2:00 o'clock.
as Dick reached for the
Pascal unplugged his
emergency release handles,
intercom, preparing to leave
which were supposed to
the turret. While I was
jettison the nose wheel
helping him (it's very cramped
doors, the flames came up
into the nose and both of us
in the nose and two doors
must be opened and closed to
were enveloped in flames.
Then I saw Dick pull the
get anyone out of the
release handles and saw one
turret), I accidently
door disappear. The second
unplugged my own intercom.
�door did not release. Dick
crawled out, laid on the door
and began pounding it with his
hand. So I sat back and
waited (eyes closed) until I
thought Dick had time to get
out. I was in the fire all this
time, and I could feel myself
burning. Then, just as I
started to move toward the
door opening, I thought
something had come between
m e and the fire because I
was no longer on fire. I
thought that it was the
navigator's table, and that I
was going to have to move it
to get to the possible escape
opening under the nose wheel.
Two seconds later, I
found myself out in the air.
Just as I left the ship, I felt
my parachute leave me. I
could not find it at first.
Then I heard something
flapping above my head and I
looked up, and there it was,
still attached. The static
lines had been tacked on with
thread to the parachute
harness, and the thread had
burned through, leaving the
chest pack about 8 feet
above my head. So I pulled it
down to m e and pulled the rip
cord. The parachute opened.
Looking across the way, I saw
Dick in the air at the same
level I was, and a part of a
wing came fluttering by. Then
I looked down below m e and
saw a large tree. Then I was
on the ground, landing in a
small ditch next to a barbed
wire fence. I remembered to
clear my ears on the way
down. I also remember
holding the rip cord in my
hand, wondering if I dropped
it, if it might injure
somebody. Strange thought!
A rip cord is a 1/4" diameter
steel rod curved to form a
handle. It is pretty heavy.
The plane obviously had
exploded, but I heard nothing
and felt nothing. Both Pascal
and myself were badly
burned, and Dick's left hand
was broken by some flying
object. Strangely enough, m y
left hand was very badly
burned, but the rayon glove I
had on my right hand wasn't
even singed.
I got out of my parachute
harness and got out of the
ditch. Over the fence, I saw
a civilian farmer. H e started
talking to m e in German. I
could not understand him. So
then he said, "Parlez vous,
France?" Thinking I might be
talking to a member of the
underground, I got very
excited. Remembering I had
just completed two years of
high school French, I said:
"Mais oui.J' etude pour deux
ans dans I'ecole." H e
responded immediately,
correcting my French, just
like my French teacher. "Non,
Non, Non!. beuxans, beuxans!
(duzan - as though one word).
Then he said "Avez-vous le
bon-bon?" Hoping he might
help m e evade capture, I gave
him my escape kit containing
maps, money, and
concentrated food, some of
which was chocolate. I think
he may have heard of escape
kits before. Then he walked
away. This was probably the
most bizarre thing that ever
happened to m e during the war.
Then a truck full of
soldiers pulled up on a dirt
road about 100 feet away.
The leader of the group had a
sub-machine gun. He gave me
an order three times, without
my understanding him. He
then pointed the gun directly
at me. That is scary, looking
down that gun barrel. A
soldier indicated that he
wanted my parachute.
Another soldier helped me
get my parachute
disentangled from the
branches and I was taken to
a haystack about two blocks
away. The road I walked on
was lined with women and
children staring at us. The
children didn't seem to be
afraid, and I knew I looked
pretty terrible with my face
and hair so burned.
When I got to the
haystack, I saw Pascal sitting
there. The Germans had
already captured him. He
stood up and shook hands
with me. W e sat around the
haystack, with a lot of
civilians around us, who
thought it was an interesting
sight. Ledford came up about
15 minutes later. Just before
Ledford came, a staff
sergeant from a B-17 was
brought to the same
haystack. H e had a flak
wound on his left arm. W e
also saw another parachute at
about 10,000 feet in the air.
One of the German
soldiers put salve on Dick and
myself - face, ears, my left
�hand, and ankles. W e
were the enemy, had
just bombed one of
Germany's large cities,
and this soldier was
showing compassion!
Dick had had on his
helmet, but I had been
bareheaded.
About 4 o'clock
they moved us to a
little old jail about
8x10 feet. W e were
put there for the
night. There were
seven of us from two
different crews, four
of us injured. Ledford
tried to talk a doctor
into letting him go to
the plane, which had
crashed close by, and
The Ledford Crew
get a first aid kit for
Top Row L-R: Arthur Ledford, Pilot; Harold Armstrong, Co-pilot;
some morphine, and
James Tomblin, Navigator; Richard Pascal, Bombardier.
also to get his fighter
(service cap). They
Bottom Row L-R: Johnny Bertolio, Waist Gunner: Bruce Starr, Ball
wouldn't let him. About
Turret Gunner; Henry Starr, Tail Gunner; William Wright,
6 o'clock that evening,
Engineer; F. Weiner, Waist Gunner; Eddie Shanx, Radio Operator.
a doctor came in and
gave us some
morphine. Dick slept
building to tell these men we
Munster, about 45 kilometers
all night, but I woke up at 10, away. The town we were
were OK.
12, 2, 4, 6 and 8 - every two
captured in was Nordwilde,
We went on to the
hours. I drank some water
about 300 population. W e got
hospital. There, someone
during the night, but threw it
to Munster and stopped at an
bandaged
my hand with a cloth
right up.
airport. The three ablethat
felt
somewhat
wooden,
bodied men took one dog tag
About 9 o'clock the next
as though it had wood
from each of us, and took
morning (Sunday), the
particles in it. A gauze cloth
them inside a building at the
Germans came in with some
was put on my face. W e were
field. Ledford saw some men
kind of sandwich and a cup of
taken to a room with a couple
walking away he identified as
coffee. M y eyes were swollen
of other guys in it. W e were
members of our crew:
shut, I couldn't see; but I
put to bed, and stayed in that
Armstrong (co-pilot), Wright
took a bite from the sandwich
room for about seven days.
(engineer), Weiner (waist
and drank a sip of coffee
gunner), and he believed
Tomblin's book, "There I
because it was liquid. They
Sharp
(radio
operator)
he
Was" provides a vivid
took us out and put us on a
was not sure. H e told the men
description of life as a badly
truck and started us towards
who were going into the
burned and blinded veteran,
�traveling by train w h e n Allied
planes w e r e bombing, eating
the m e a g e r foods t h e
G e r m a n s supplied and m a n y
other discomforting events.
M o r e of his story will appear
in a later issue.
1st. Lt. Ledford remembered
four hits with flak. "Number 1
engine went out immediately, and
#3 was hit, but still producing
some power. However, it was
burning, and burned through the
side of the fuselage. W e also took
a hit around the waist and one
near the tail, which got our tail
gunner, Henry P. Starr.
"After being hit, we lost
power and speed, rapidly dropped
behind the formation. W e were
able to hold to approximately 300
feet per minute descent, and
when w e reached 17,000 feet, I
told the waist gunners to go to
the tail and check on Starr to see
if he was alive. When they
reported that the top of his head
had been blown away, w e
decided to leave him with the
plane.
"Approximately 35 minutes
off the target, the fire burned
into the plane, and everybody
left, except the bombardier Lt.
Pascal, navigator Tomblin, and
myself. Those two could not get
out due to a malfunction of one
of the nose wheel doors. When
the plane eventually blew up,
they were standing on the doors
and were blown out into the air,
where they pulled their cords and
landed OK."
The 44th Bomb Group's PX
Flying 8 Ball Patches $14 + $2 Postage
Back issues of 8 Ball Tails $5
Write 44th BGVA, P.O. Box 712287, Salt Lake City, U T 84171-2287
Flying 8 Ball Shirts $25 + $3 Postage
Flying 8 Ball Caps $15 + $2 Postage
Pins (Specify Squadron) $5 + $1 Postage
Write Sam Misceli, 6398 Dawson Blvd., Mentor, O H 44060-3648
Kevin Watson's book Ruth-Less and Far From Home is the story of
the tragic crash of the A/C #41-24282, 506th Sq. It is available
through Amazon.com; signed copies can be obtained through
hometown.aol.com/kpwats7. The cost is $20. His book is a tribute to
the James Bolin crew of Ruthless. Y o u m a y contact Kevin at 29
D o w n s Valley Road, Eastbourne B N 2 0 9 Q G , UK.
44th BOMB CROUP, The Flying Eightballs, a 115 page
documentary of the 44th B G is available for $55 from Turner
Publishing Company, 412 Broadway, P.O. Box 3101, Paducah, KY
42002-3101. This hard-bound 9 x 1 1 book has 128 pages of
historical material, and biographies of m a n y veterans. A good
reference book for new members seeking information.
THE WILD BLUE YONDER is a chronology of the James N. Williams
crew, (66th BS) as recorded by Warren F. McPherson. McPherson's
detailed repon tells the story from induction to his last mission,
concluded by a kiss on solid soil. The Tail Gunner who later became
a minister presents a lively and accurate account of the life as an
N C O in the maelstrom of war. Cost $10 for a soft cover, 32 page
ringed book. Write 1016 E. Rockwood Street, Springfield, M O
65807-5092.
PURSUIT IN THE PYRENEES, by Archie Barlow, Jr., is an account of
a three month effort of evading the e n e m y in German-occupied
France, 1944. The price is $20. Write L. B. Wright, 3911 Black
Locust Drive, Houston, TX 77088-6904. Telephone: (281) 931-1932.
Email: Wright@juno.com.
THE ANGEL AND THE EAGLE by Joseph E. Milliner is a personal
story, written in 3rd person, of his experiences as a pilot, a family
m a n and a distraught father whose son, a helicopter pilot, tragically
disappeared in Laos during the Vietnam War. Milliner describes the
fury of the Ploesti Raid, target White V in dramatic detail. Then there
was Foggia, where Buzzin Bear crashed, and four of the crew were
lost. According to Joe, his ever faithful Guardian Angel JOSEPH
saved him from parachuting into the flaming plane. Milliner's signed
hardcover book is available for $11.95, (postage incl) Write 281
Fincastle W a y , Shepherdsville, K Y 40165.
Email: Mackie0126@aol.com
�FOLDED
WIN!
May, 2002
Prepared by:
ALEXANDER, DAVID W
09/15/85
0-376286
68th Sq. Pilot
Lt. Alexander was one of the two first
replacement crews to join the 68th Squadron
in April, 1943. They had trained in B-17s,
but the 44th as replacements; obviously
because there were no new B-24 crews
available. Lt. Alexander flew his first mission
on March 31st as a co-pilot for R.B. Houston
crew. He flew both the Ploesti and second
Weiner-Neustadt raids from Africa. On 10
August 1944, he completed his tour of duty
with 26 missions. Then he transferred to the
93 C B W effective 28 April 1944.
BARTLEY, FOUNT BOYD 03/20/02
38274336
506th Sq.
Sgt. Bartley, along with his twin brother,
served with the R. J. Hruby crew. Time
period was from mid April 1944 to 12 July
44, while completing 30 missions. Both
brothers were aboard when Lt. Hruby was
forced to ditch in the North Sea on 29 April,
their fifth mission. All of the crew survived
with no serious injuries. Fount lived only a
few months after Art Hand had located him,
and received his records and much data.
BERGMANN
HAROLD F.
2001?
67th Sq.
Sgt. Bergmann
served as the Engineer
on the Lt. W . D. Carter
crew that arrived in the
67th Squadron in June
1 944. This crew completed
30 missions during the
summer of that year, ending
their tour of 30 missions by the
end of August.
CLARK, CLETUS C 02/09/02
17157054
506th Sq.
Sgt. Clark was the Engineer on the R. J.
Hruby crew, the same crew as Fount B.
Bartley (listed previously). Both served the
same missions and the same experiences in
that most amazing ditching on 29 April
1944. Both completed their tour of 30
missions on 12 July 1944.
DABNEY, WILLIAM C. Jr 03/1 7/02
0-2044418
67th Sq.
Lt. Dabney joined the 67th Sq. in early April
1 943, a transfer from the RAF, and was
assigned to 1st Lt. W . R. Cameron's crew as
co-pilot. He flew his first mission on 4 May,
as co-pilot to Capt. Phillips, but with Lt.
Cameron's crew. After two more missions
from Shipdham, the 44th BG was placed on
Detached Service in North Africa in
preparation for the famous low-level Ploesti
mission. He flew ten missions from Africa,
including Ploesti with 1st Lt. Cameron's
crew, and one final mission with Lt.
Carpenter's crew on 13 August 1943. He
was then transferred back to the U.S.
IDEN, DONALD B No date
0-767814
506th Sq.
Co-pilot for Lt. W.S. Salfen. This crew flew
their first mission on 24 August 1944; then
two more on consecutive days. They were on
their unlucky 13th mission, 7 October,
when, near the target, they were hit by two
�r flak bursts, and had to abandon
ship. Lt. Iden
and seven others from his crew parachuted
successfully to became P O W s .
KERR, JESS L 07/6/90
0-699073
Lt. Kerr was the Bombardier on the W . D.
Carter crew, that joined the 67th Squadron
27 May 1944. Their initial mission w a s
flown on 6 June, "D-Day;" with their 30th
and final mission completed on 30 August
1944. Tragedy nearly occurred on 27 June,
when their aircraft was severely damaged;
their co-pilot lost three fingers to flak; and
one main landing gear tire punctured by flak.
With great skill, the pilot made an excellent
and safe landing in "Glory Bee. " Lt. Kerr w a s
awarded the D.F.C. and Air Medal with three
Oak Leaf Clusters.
NOWAKJOHNC 12/01/01
The only information found for John is that
he served with the 18th Weather Station.
Time served is unknown.
SEEVER, ROBERT G 01/25/02
0-700554
1
67th Sq.
Captain Seever w a s a pilot in the 68th Sq.
Lt. Seever and crew arrived at Shipdham on
15 August 1944, and he quickly completed
his first mission on the 25th, as a co-pilot
with T.C. Kay crew. He completed his tour of
duty with 30 missions on 24 March 1945.
Lt. Seever flew his first four missions in
succession to get off to a very fast start. He
and his crew also flew both of the 44ths two
low-level supply missions. The second of
which was also his 30th and final mission.
His crew was also promoted to lead crew
status; flew their first PFF lead on 28
December 1944, as well as all of their
remaining missions. Capt. Seever w a s
awarded a D.F.C. and Air Medal with four
Oak Leaf Clusters. On a personal note, Bob
loaned all of his personal COLOR
photos to us to copy for our records.
Jo my knowledge these are the only
color photos found for our 44th BG.
Extremely rare.
36
STIEFEL, MAX A.
06/01
0-801102
66th Sq.
Lt. M a x A. Stiefel w a s the Navigator on the
R. W . Bridges crew. They joined the 66th
Squadron in Africa, too late for the Ploesti
mission. M a x flew his first mission as
Navigator on the R.E. Felber crew for the first
attack on Weiner Neustadt, Austria.
Following that, he rejoined his regular crew
and quickly flew several more missions, first
from Africa and then from Shipdham.
Returning to North Africa in mid-September,
he completed three more in Sept. On
October 1st, the Group returned to Weiner
Neustadt, but this time against fierce
opposition. The R. W . Bridges crew was shot
d o w n near the target, with Lt. Stiefel being
captured and a P O W while on his ninth
mission.
THOM, GEORGE J. 07/12/01
0-742628
67th Sq.
Lt. Thorn w a s a pilot in the 67th Squadron,
after he and his crew joined that Sq., in
January 1944. He and his crew flew their
first attempt for a mission on 3 February, but
it w a s recalled. The first mission, then, was
6 February to Siracourt, France. Among the
very tough missions were those to
Helmstadt, Gotha, and Furth during "Big
W e e k " in February, plus two more to Berlin.
His 17th, and last mission, was to
Langenhagen, Germany on 8 April. The 44th
B G lost 11 aircraft and crews that included
Lt. Thorn's. All ten crewmen survived to
become P O W s , but it w a s a miracle that Lt.
Thorn lived. For reason still unknown, Lt.
Thorn w a s not wearing a parachute when he
left his airplane. He explained that he was
most fortunate to come d o w n into a large
tree that broke his fall, and also broke many
of the bones in his body, including his back.
He was, and is, a large man. Several years
ago, at a reunion, he told his story, but never
followed up with his offer to get it into print.
At the time that he retired from Service, he
w a s a Colonel, and had worked in the
Pentagon for many years.
�(3D
^
mm, ® S-J&AI
Mrs. Charlotte
Paterson, owner of
the Shipdham Aero
Club was a m e m b e r
of the RAF during
WWII. She worked on
Catalinas, which were
used for submarine
surveillance.
(3D
From Julian Ertz, 44th BG representative
to the 2nd Air Division Association: The
location of the 2nd A D A Convention,
August 28 - September 3, 2002, has been
changed to the Hyatt Harbor Hotel in
Baltimore, Maryland is not finished, due
to construction problems. Ed Note: The
44th's own Dick Butler will be moving
into the presidency of this esteemed
organization. Let's all show our support
by coming to honor him in this
prestigious post.
From the Embassy of France: Any veteran
who served on French territory, in French
territorial waters or French air space from
June 6,1944 to May 8,1945 is eligible to
receive a "Thank-You-America Certificate"
from the French government. Along with
your application, include copies of
documents, showing you served during
that period. Applications can be obtained
at your local VA. If that is not accessible,
contact your Editor, Ruth Davis Morse or
George Insley, 865 Little Valley Road,
Roseburg, O R 97470, and w e will m a k e
one available.
General John Gibson recently
celebrated his 92nd birthday. He is
recovering from a series of health
problems; but with grit, is going forward.
He would appreciate a card from his
friends: 7008 Gateridge Drive, Dallas, TX
75254.
A m o n g the unexpected surprises at the 2
A D Reunion in Norwich, coupled with the
Grand Opening of the Memorial Library,
was a beautiful medallion. On one side
was the image of the Forum, h o m e of the
Library; on the reverse side was a B-24.
These mementos were the gift of Bud
and Mike Chamberlain (489 BG) and the
Butlers, Dick and Ardith.
Reginald Carpenter, Pilot of Horsefly,
remembers his engineer, the late
Vincent Huenerberg:
"Vincent and I had a very special
relationship, both friendly and technical.
He was well mannered and friendly, a
marvelous Engineer w h o always did his
best to see that the aircraft was kept in
tip top condition. O n the low level Ploesti
mission, August 1, 1943, when w e were
forced to ditch in the Mediterranean Sea,
Vincent was the first crewman to go out
the top hatch. The aircraft's tail was torn
off, and it was sinking nose down very
rapidly. Vincent s w a m to the left dingy
hatch, which was now under water, and
attempted to deploy it; but the door was
jammed, and he could not open it.
Rapidly, he s w a m over to the right dingy
hatch; and fortunately he was able to
open it and deploy the dingy. W h e n I
finally got free off the cockpit and c a m e
to the surface, the first thing I saw was
Vincent standing in our one and only
dingy, pulling all the survivors into it. If it
were not for his strength and
�determination to deploy that remaining
dingy, w e would have all perished. All
who survived owe their lives to Vincent,
the best engineer a pilot could have.
She acquired his picture from a negative
he gave her long ago. She is also
inquiring about Lt. Ackerman's younger
brother Arthur. Does anybody have any
knowledge of him?
Regrettable, S/Sgts. Walter Brown and
Edward Durrand were crushed on the
flight deck when the top turret tore loose
from the fuselage, and they were unable
to escape.
Among her treasures is this picture of the
Lt. Charles C o n n o r crew, which she
wants to share. Perhaps someone can
identity s o m e of these m e n :
I have very happy
memories about m y
association with Vincent,
and they shall go with
m e forever."
Top row L-R : (Name not recognized), copilot; Lt. Edward J. Ackerman, navigator;
Hansen, tail gunner, w h o later became
P O W ; Lt. Charles Connor, pilot.
From England: Elizabeth
Mills of Southampton
would like to know the
whereabouts of Lt.
Jack Holtzman, a
longtime friend of
her sweetheart, the
late Lt. Edward J.
Ackerman.
Ackerman was the
Navigator on the
Ruthless #4124282 Bar Y, which
crashed in
Eastbourne,
England.
Elizabeth's mother
frequently shared
the family h o m e
with both Holtzman
and Ackerman.
W h e n the Ruthless
crashed, it was a
severe loss to
Elizabeth and her brother William, w h o
still frequently climb Butts Brow to visit
the Memorial site.
Her last knowledge of Holtzman, former
native of Chicago, is that he flew 30
missions, the last being May 9th, 1944
Bottom Row: The only one she could
identify is (center) J a m e s Bales,
engineer/top turret gunner, who later
crashed in Eastbourne. Can anyone fill in
the missing names? Or the name of the
plane?
From Frank Stegbauer, Navigator, 67th
Sq.: " W e were flying to England on a B17, Kansas to Labrador, then across to
Scotland. The b o m b bay was loaded with
�cigarettes, gifts for our fighting men. It
was December and the weather was bad
in Goose Bay, so w e were delayed
several days. Then over the North
Atlantic, five planes were lost,
supposedly due to ice on the wings.
history is available through Computer
Generated Data Ltd. at a price of $150.
Send check to:
"When we got to Scotland, the pilot
contacted the Tower, and they told him to
go around. He said, I can't. I'm too low on
fuel.' He m a d e a right turn and landed.
W h e n he hit the hard runway, the engine
quit. W e got out and kissed the ground.
Then w e went to the B-24s.
"The death of my tail gunner, Charles
Ray, m a d e m e think again of our times
together, during and after the War. Ray
got shot twice when he was overseas.
Then he went quail hunting with a friend,
and the fellow accidentally shot him. I
don't know why he was so unlucky, he
kept getting shot!!!" In his southern
vernacular, Frank remembered his friend
as a 'good ole boy.' Ed. Note: Frank
became a Captain on his 20th birthday,
the youngest Captain over there at the
time. My conversation with him led to a
great gift which he presented to me: a
copy of Will Lundy's book. The History of
the 67th Squadron. This is a true treasure
that is scarcer than Tom Dewey orAlf
Landon badges!!!
•A
Check the Web Sites
Check out:
http://www.44thbombgroup.com.
W e are asking veterans to check your
boxes of photos and albums for pictures
of planes, old diaries, and any
information which can expand the
available knowledge of the 44th's history.
Have you checked out the Military
Heritage Database?
Find: EighthAirForce.com.
This site is undergoing m a n y changes.
Check it out! A disc for the available
44th BGVA
P.O. Box 718277
Salt Lake City, UT 84171-2287
One third of the purchase price will go
into the 44th BG Treasury.
A Moment of Glory General Theodore
R. Milton, USAF (Ret) wrote this: "We
didn't know it then, but w e were living at
the peak m o m e n t of America's glory.
There was no questioning the Tightness
of what w e were doing, no hostile media
types nosing around for a story. The
reporters w h o did visit us were almost
wistfully eager to be helpful, and so were
the occasional visiting politicians w h o
asked nothing more than a picture, taken
with some of the boys. As w e look back
from this great distance, those seem
splendid days. The m u d and the cold are
scarcely remembered, and our lost
comrades remain forever young, their
faces unchanged, unlike the rest of us.
We have all learned long since, you can
never go back. ...there will never again
be such a group, united in purpose,
young and free of the plagues that mark
much of today's society.
��
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Newsletter
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Text
�44 TH
BOMB GROUP
VETERANS ASSOCIATION BOARD
2002
Official Journal of The
President Emeritus: B/Gen. John H. Gibson
(Ret)
7008 Gateridge Drive
Dallas, T X 75254
Phone (972) 239-0559
U.K. Representative: Steve A d a m s
28 Bassingham Rd.
Norwich, England N R 3 2 Q T
Phone/Fax: 011-44-1603-400221
e-mail: s.p.adams@btinternet.com
Compiled, written and
President: Gerald (Jerry) Folsom (506)
3582 East Dover Hill Road
Salt Lake City, U T 84121-5527
Phone (801) 733-7371 Fax: (801) 942-9988
e-mail: 44thbgva@xmission.com
Historian: Roger Fenton
4311 East Sunrise Drive
Phoenix, A Z 85044-1010
Phone: (480) 893-3761
e-mail: lomadanger@aol.com
First Vice President: Roy W. Owen (506)
6304 Meadowridge Drive
Santa Rosa, C A 95409-5839
Phone: (707) 538-4726 Fax: (707) 538-1212
e-mail: Rowen44bg@aol.com
Secretary & 8 Ball Tails Editor:
Ruth W . Davis-Morse
2041 Village Circle East
York, PA 17404
Phone (717) 846-8948 Fax: (717) 846-6688
e-mail: rewdm@blazenet.net
Treasurer: Richard Lynch (67)
Box 518
Conrad, IA 50621-0518
Phone: (641)366-2414
e-mail: r_blynch@netins.net
Immediate Past President:
Edw. K. "Mike" Mikoloski (66/67)
626 Smithfield Road #702
N. Providence, Rl 02904
Phone/Fax: (401) 353-0144
e-mail: E K M L I B 4 4 @ m s n . c o m
The 8 Ball Tails©
44th Bomb Group
Veterans Association,
Inc.©
published tri-yearly at
2041 Village Circle
East, York, PA, by Ruth
W. Davis-Morse, Editor.
Printed and mailed Bulk
Archivist: C.W. "Will" Lundy (67)
Rate at Salt Lake City,
2519 WestvilleTrl
UT under USPS Permit
Cool, C A 95614-2008
#6923. All original
Phone/Fax: (530) 886-8636 (Winter)
e-mail: willundy@aol.com
written material such
P.O. Box 315, Bridgeport, C A 93517 (Summer) as letters, stories,
Phone/Fax: (760) 932-7349
excerpts from personal
diaries or memoirs,
Membership, Search: Art Hand (66)
drawings and photos
517 Elm Street
Paris, IL 61944-1417
submitted to this
Phone/Fax: (217) 463-5905
journal will become the
e-mail: k9hwp@comwares.net
property of the 44th
Bomb Group Veterans
Director: Robert Lee Aston (67)
Association
and will be
830 Cardinal Drive
Elberton, G A 30635-2606
copyright protected
Phone/Fax: (706) 283-1337
except where noted.
e-mail: leeaston@negia.net
The text and photos are
otherwise reproduced
Director: Robert Paul Kay (Paul) (68)
10411 Brook Lane S W
from official USAAF
Tacoma, W A 98499
and USAF documents
Phone: (253) 584-4420
and photos which have
ASSOCIATION MAILING ADDRESS: been released for
publication. Permission
44th B G V A
is granted for the
P.O. Box 712287
Salt Lake City, U T 84171-2287
contents of this journal
to be reproduced
specifically for personal
archives. Otherwise,
Visit our website @ www.44thbombgroup.com
j
copyright material herein may be reproduced by the journal of other incorporated non-profit veterans organizations so long as this
publication is properly credited and prior permission is granted by the editor.
Those submitting letters, stories and photos to the editor or historian must do so with the understanding that this
most likely be published in this journal as a matter of interest to the members/subscribers of the Association and this journal. While
every attempt will be made to answer all of the material received, there is no explicit or implied guarantee that an answer will be
provided or published. Except for specific requests for the return of original documents and photos, all material submitted will
become the property of the 44th Veterans Association, Inc., or its successors.
�r
Another took At Europe
There W A S time to \&u$h; * time to crvj,
A time to be inspired A time to remember.
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Kneeling: Larry Herpel. First Row (standing): Left to Right: Sidney Paul, Elizabeth Paul; Jack Schiffer, Delores Shipley, Jackie Roberts,
Mary Aston, Marie Hughes, Ruth Morse, Ann Natilli, Louis DeBlasio, Carole Amato, Frank Amato. Back Row: Jerry Folsom, Bill Kelly,
Norman Powell, Beverly Folsom, Charlotte Huntley, Lee Aston, Russell Huntley, Perry Morse, Lois Cianci, Tony Cianci, Charlie Hughes,
Will Lundy, Irene Lundy, Rose Maglione, Larry Maglione, Lowell Roberts.
Larry Herpel is probably one of the great optimists
of this century. Imagine trying to put another trip
together after the cancellation on Nine-Eleven!
Grounded in N e w Orleans for four days, he had to
cancel the first trip by phone, begging those he
could contact to notify others. H e managed hotel
and guide cancellations, sent refunds; and then
worked on the next adventure. In late M a y the
entourage reassembled and Paris was waiting.
Walking steps d o w n the Eiffel Tower is a bit
laborious, but there is lots of trivia to be learned
along the way. The French flag was taken d o w n in
June, 1940, when France fell. Lucien Sarniquet
carried it back up August 25, 1944, when Paris
was liberated, but at his o w n peril. A lingering
German shot at him. (Until then, the Germans
were loving Paris. They hated to give it back to
the French.)
The City of Lights was celebrating Liberation Day
with a ceremony at the Arch of Triumph and a
parade of well groomed horses and riders in stately
uniforms. W e couldn't get near the Arch, as
dignitaries were everywhere.
The Castle at Versailles was breathtakingly
beautiful, but its beauty was overshadowed by bad
weather. T o see the rail car where the Treaty of
Versailles was signed, and where Hitler danced in
triumph when France fell, required a longer
journey. We'll see that on the next trip.
j
3
�Jackie Roberts and the
Administrator at
Normandy.
At Normandy, Jackie Roberts found her father's
n a m e on the Wall of Honor; and w h e n the
Administrator learned that the daughter of a
missing airman was present, he hurriedly grabbed
wet sand and highlighted Jack Ostenson's name, so
it photographed clearly. Although most of us have
been to Normandy previously, and had seen the
monument and endless rows of graves; it is no less
awesome on a return trip. It truly is hallowed
ground.
Our Belgium friend, Peter Loncke, led us to the
monument at Winbrin, honoring the Pinder crew.
O n hand for a beautiful ceremony were Joseph
Lafalize, the Burgomaster and his wife, Marleen,
w h o donated the land for the monument. It is
located only about 100 yards from the crash site of
A C #42-7547 X-Bar. This gentleman was mayor at
the time of the crash. M a n y of the local people
came to the event. S o m e remember January 29,
1944, w h e n the plane went down; and many have
a very clear m e m o r y of G e r m a n occupation. A
representative of the current mayor delivered a
stirring speech of appreciation to Americans. Peter
read his p o e m of gratitude (printed on Page 6),
and called for a m o m e n t of silence, in memory of
those w h o perished at that site.
Along with the plaque naming the crew, is a
smaller plaque inspired by Forrest S. Clark, in
honor of his friend A b e Sofferman. Wishing to
complete his tour, Sofferman flew that mission in
place of Clark, forfeiting his life for this decision.
Sidney Paul
at
Normandy.
Peter Loncke, Jerry Folsom, Joseph Hofalize and a dignitary from the local villag
honored the members of the Pinder Crew.
�The next day, Peter led the bus to the T o w n Hall
at Hamminkeln, Germany. Here a mayor's
representative and a capable interpreter honored
the members of the Crandell and Chandler crews;
w h o crashed in nearby Wesel. While enjoying tea,
coffee, soft drinks and snacks, 44th B G members
listened to declarations of gratitude for peace
between our countries. In the audience was Peter
Emmerich, the anti-aircraft gunner whose careful
aim brought d o w n K-Bar from the 67th Squadron;
and Southern Comfort from the 506 Squadron; and
according to the records, two from another group.
Bastogne stands as one of the most ferocious
battles in Europe, and it took place in the coldest
winter that the Continent had ever known. Called
'Hitler's Last Gamble,' it was the Fuhrer's last
ditch effort to turn back the tide of Allied soldiers
that were painfully but steadily advancing toward
the Fatherland. A well preserved Sherman Tank
sits in the T o w n Square, and the M u s e u m tells the
story of the grit and determination of Americans to
prevail. A look-out tower, shaped like a five point
star, provides a view of the distant town.
The names of all the 48 states are listed, all
credited for contributing to the victory which
Americans call "The Battle of the Bulge."
Europeans call it "The Ardennes Battle." General
George Patton was assigned to bring relief to
General McAuliffe's beleaguered troops.
In his earthy way, General Patton sized up
the situation. H e said, "This time the
Kraut has stuck his head in a meat
grinder; and this time I've got the
handle." W h e n Patton arrived and when
the skies cleared, the planes unleashed
furor on the enemy and supplies to our
soldiers. Hitler's last gamble was a loser.
Division. Doubleday's efforts to preserve and
enhance the complex were very apparent. W e
wandered through the old buildings, trying to
imagine their uses 57 years ago. It is a farm again,
but the land shows traces of its glorious history.
Our British friend John Page accompanied us to
the Control Tower, n o w tragically dilapidated. Its
owner sells construction cranes all over the world.
From the tower, you can look across at the Aero
Club. There are lines of light green amid the dark
green plantings. Those are traces of the 44ths
runways. The asphalt was removed years ago, but
still shows evidence of past glory. The members of
Shipdham Aero Club prepared a reception and
dinner for the group that was magnificent. Mike
Artherton, Vice Chairman, had told m e on the
previous night, that they were planning a festive
event. It was truly delightful, climaxed by inviting
Jerry Folsom to cut the ribbon to a beautiful
newly-constructed deck.
Mike gave Jerry and me a tour of the changes
which have been made, and his aspirations for the
future. The Club is eager for an on-going
relationship between their members and the
families of the 44th; and they have m u c h to offer
When we crossed the Channel and saw
that historically welcome sight, the White
Cliffs of Dover, w e remembered the song,
and w e sang it. In Norwich, Steve A d a m s
joined us at the 2nd Air Division
Memorial Library. For those w h o had not
seen it before, it was absolutely
captivating. N o matter h o w long anybody
stays there, it is never long enough.
Andrew Doubleday, his wife Debbie, neighbors
and friends joined together in hosting a spacious
setting of delightful treats in the complex where
B/Gen. Leon Johnson commanded the 14th Air
Will Lundy climbed to the top of the tower he worked so valiantly
to preserve. Unfortunately, time and circumstances have brought
the tower to almost complete ruin.
�for the arrangement. They plan to expand
the M u s e u m and strengthen the sixty year
old structures which were hurriedly
constructed to meet the immediate needs of
the War. Mike is in charge of the grounds,
and envisions a Memorial Garden. (Editors
Note: Do you have any ideas of how the
Club should be preserved? What should go
into the Memorial Garden ? They would
like to hear from the 44th. Do you have a
child or grandchild who is interested in
flying? The Aero Club would like an
exchange program with American and
British children. What a fantastic
arrangement that could be.)
Lois Cianci, Charlie Hughes and Lee
Aston took advantage of the invitation to
fly. Lois rode in a glider, and was given
the opportunity to sit at the controls. What
a joy for her, looking d o w n on the same
runways her father had looked upon long
ago. The Aero Club has 75 members w h o
fly, plus their families and 30 social
members. Currently there are fourteen
planes and five gliders based there. Are
you interested in a contact? Mike Atherton
can be reached at M.Artherton@Netcom.co.uk
The history of the 44th is tied to the
Shipdham Aero Club. All of the members,
plus Mrs. Paterson, owner, want to
maintain an on-going contact with
Americans. It is a relationship that w e
cannot allow to wither. The planes at
Duxford, the graves at Cambridge, the
monuments in London are all part of our
history and our psyche. W e know it, and
so do the English people.
When we were ready to go home, Beverly
Folsom summed up the trip very succinctly.
She said, " W e thought the 1997 trip could
never be equaled, but w e were wrong. This
one was just as amazing."
To all Aircrew of the United States
A r m y Air Force who flew in WWII.
By Peter Loncke
Sgt. Belgium Air Force
Boys of then,
w h o are m e n today,
turned in their civvies
to free m y land.
volunteers they were,
these aircrew chaps,
w h o gave the Hun
no place of fun.
Belgian people in those days
would listen carefully to their voice,
the voice of their engine
w h o night and day boasted their morale
in a magnificent way.
No one else
as those involved,
will ever understand
the meaning of it all.
A song of freedom high above,
w h o would bring relief
for the people
I so dearly love.
My father and mother,
and many more,
have prayed for you
to win the war.
We think of them,
these magnificent m e n
of the united States Air Force,
w h o served and died to free m y land.
�Vhoto Album
44* B G V A ~ Trip of Europe 2002
In Belgium: At the Wall of Honor, Jackie Roberts and Lois
Cianci pay tribute to T/Sgt. Clair P. Schaeffer, Lois's
father, whose plane piloted by Frank Sobotka, was lost
January 21,1944.
1
In Shipdham: John Page, longtime friend of the 44th
BGVA, and Peter Bovell, Chairman of the Shipdham Aero
Club, discuss the Club's future.
Steve and Jan Adams. Steve has made
major contributions to preservation of the
history of the 44th, both at the Aero Club
and in the Memorial Library of the 2nd Air
Division in Norwich.
The bus driver w a s able to wind his way to the little village of Gratenoix
and to the wooded area w e had visited in 1997. The scenery at
Beaussault looked different. Trees had been cut and the dirt road was
widened. Nevertheless, w e found it, the monument to the crash site of
the Sobotka Crew. It had been recently painted; and to Lois's delight, she
saw that the townspeople had placed a fresh bouquet of flowers on the
monument. It reminded us that the tragedy of the Sobatka Crew was not
forgotten. Lois posted a tiny flag into the bouquet, honoring her father
and letting the local people know w e had been there.
®
�r
Jerry Folsom and Mike Atherton look over the
area where a Memorial Garden is proposed.
Mike's enthusiasm spills over when he
discusses his plans for developing the
Shipdham Aero Club into a functional, living
monument to the 44th Bomb Group.
Larry Herpel stands at the entrance to the 506
Squadron Headquarters, honoring his uncle, 1st Lt.
Virgil R. Fouts. Fouts was pilot of the A/C Cactus,
which went down off the coast of Holland. There
were no survivors. It was the crew'sfirstmission
and the 506 Squadron'sfirstloss. Virgil Fouts is
recognized on the Wall of Missing at Cambridge.
It is not possible to walk into the area, as noisy dogs
provided a secure barricade. However, in the interest
of protecting against the epidemic of animal
infections, a posted sign requested that nobody enter
without carefully de-contaminating their shoes.
Andrew Doubleday points to old buildings which he is
working to preserve on his historic farm, former
headquarters of the 14th Combat Wing.
Brian Peel and Perry
Morse renew an old
friendship that started
57 years ago.
*e V*M
�In Germany: Peter Loncke, Louis DeBlasio and Jerry Folsom listen attentively to the moving ceremony in the Mayor's
office in Hamminkeln, Germany. The hospitality w a s truly gracious. Orchestrated by Peter, the Mayor's representative
delivered a beautiful statement of gratitude for peace. A piece of art depicting B 24s at nearby Wesel, painted by a
Belgium artist, hangs on the wall of the Mayor's office, a reminder of a time when the skies were less peaceful.
The restoration staff at
the air m u s e u m at
Duxford, England are
optimistic that they will
find the necessary parts
to rebuild a very old, very
dilapidated B 24.
Ready to debark from
the Rhine cruise are
Lois Cianci, Jerry
Folsom, Tony Cianci,
Larry Herpel and
Beverly Folsom.
�Shipdham. H e is irreplaceable, a
real treasure himself. Thank G o d
his work is being saved."
"Thank you for calling on me for
this most worthy cause, Will
Lundy's valuable and dedicated
work. It is very important that it
be preserved. I would like to
think that historians will look
back 200 years from n o w and
find our story of the Greatest
Generation."
"Thank you for the decal and
trying to preserve this collection
of stories. Please accept m y
donation in m e m o r y of m y Dad."
"Sending this donation in memory
of m y Uncle."
The 2,500 letters which were sent
out several months ago brought in
a sizable donations in the amount
of $13,400.00, which will be used
to record volumes of information
about our W a r experience onto
our database. Thankfully, it also
brought 40-45 new members w h o
never before belonged to the 44th
B o m b Group Veterans
Association.
Unfortunately, some letters came
back stamped "Deceased." Those
m e n were once with us, and n o w
they are gone, along with their
recollections of the War.
Many of the responses came from
widows and children of members
of the 44th. Their messages were
so gratifying, I feel that I should
share some with our readers:
"Thank God for Will Lundy!! He
answered m y plea for help in
locating m yfirsthusband's
military records and his time at
"Pleased to send this donation in
m e m o r y of m y beloved husband,
w h o gave his all."
"Sending this donation; wish I
could do more."
"Donating my first month's pay."
There are many letters written in
this vein. I wish I had saved some
of thefirst,but I never expected
such a flow of memorial letters. It
does tell m e that W W I I is still
very much a part of the awareness
of the families w h o still want to
know about those w h o fought.
The Military Heritage Database
will have true value, long after all
of us are gone.
I want to personally thank all
w h o supported this project
Gerald Folsom, President
Introducing...
Roger Fenton
44th Bomb Group Veterans
Association Board Historian
With the approval of the Board I
have, with his assent, appointed
Roger Fenton tofillthe vacancy
of our Historian left when our
long serving, beloved W i U
L u n d y stepped d o w n in order to
direct his attention to entering
the remaining archives into the
Military Heritage Database, and
update and add to his Roll of
Honor and Casualties book.
Roger began as a researcher for
families seeking information
about the 44th B G V A . H e works
with the Internet, database, and
frequent discussions with Will
Lundy, Archivist par excellent,
researching for relatives seeking
information of someone that was
in the 44th. At last count, Roger
has responded to over 200 requests.
Roger is a Member of the
Association. His father, Milton
Feinstein (Fenton)flewtwo
complete tours with the 44th B G .
Milton passed away in 1991.
(Editors Note: Getting help from
the offspring of a veteran is a
blessing to the 44th. Our history
is so complex, and technology is
so challenging, the value of
Fenton's help cannot be overstated.)
�Operation Varsity Revisited
"They told us it w a s a 'milk
run'/' Louis DeBlasio stated,
recalling March 24, 1945. It was
a low level drop of supplies for
the British Paratroopers w h o
had established a bridgehead
across the Rhine River, 2-1/2
miles W N W of the little town
of Wesel. DeBlasio had been
R W Gunner of the Chandler
crew. The recollections of Sgts.
DeBlasio and Robert Vance,
Tail Gunner, were documented
in Vol. 1, Issue 7 Winter, 1998 of
the 8 Ball Tails. Returning to
Wesel on the recent trip to
Europe sparked n e w interest in
the details of that crash.
Fourteen of the nineteen
bombers dispatched by the 2nd
Air Division did not return.
The 506 Squadron, 44th B o m b
Group led the 14th Wing on the
mission. O n the previous night
there was a leaflet-dropping
operation by other B-24 Units
and British Mosquitoes. O n the
24th, sixty-nine tons of supplies
were loaded onto the B-24's,
with each plane carrying 2-1/2
tons of over 20 bundles. Twelve
bundles were stashed in the
b o m b bay, six around the
Sperry ball turret aperture and
three in the emergency hatch in
the Tail, displacing Vance from
his tail position. This m a d e the
plane tail heavy; so to compensate,
the guns and ammunition were
removed from the aft section of
the plane.
scattered about were abandoned
parachutes left by the
advancing paratroopers. The
planes dropped to 300 feet as
they crossed the Rhine to
assure pinpoint accuracy. The
bell rang, and the two gunners
shoved out the supply bundles.
In the recent trip to Wesel,
DeBlasio was amazed to learn
that w h e n the plane stopped
burning, a teenage boy entered
the wreckage, and he was able
to fire one of the guns stowed
in the front of the plane. Crew
members had been told they
dared not to fire them, for fear
of hitting their allies.
Then, looking out the waist
window, to their horror, they
saw a m a n fall from the aircraft
flying alongside, and watched
as he hit the ground. H e had
become entangled in some
parachute shrouds, and was
pulled from the aircraft with
the supply drop. (This was Sgt.
Anibal Diaz, L W Gunner, on
Lt. Leonard Pyle's crew.)
Most of the crew had not
bothered taking their 'flak'
suits; but Vance and DeBlasio
decided to prepare for the
worst. Their decision to take
the suits saved their lives. This
was the 8th mission for the
Chandler Crew on the Southern
Comfort IV,
Sitting at an anti-aircraft gun
was a Peter Emmerich, age 16.
Peter was doing as he w a s
told-shooting at American
planes. H e shot d o w n four. Just
as the Southern Comfort was
pulling from the drop zone
and banking to the left,
Emmerich's ammunition
struck the plane, causing it to
Leading the formation, the 506 stall momentarily and shudder.
crossed the North Sea at 1,000
Sgt. T h o m a s Clark, L W
feet, and w h e n they reached the Gunner, w h o was in the waist
coast of Holland, they descended
with DeBlasio and Vance,
to 500 feet. The progress of the
helped them open the
war was apparent as the planes
bulkhead door to the b o m b
plowed eastward. Cologne and
bay; but they had to close it
other cities, bridges and docks
immediately. N u m b e r three
were almost completely
engine was afire.
destroyed. A s they approached
Wesel, they could see Allied
DeBlasio and Vance assumed
gliders on the fields, some
ditching positions; the plane
smashed into each other, and
went d o w n , then bounced
�upward. It flew another 100
feet, went d o w n again, circled
and split. DeBlasio and Vance
rolled out. Clark stumbled to
the split; but the plane
exploded before he could exit,
and he died with Chandler;
H u g h O'Donnell, Co-pilot;
Robert Dantsler, Navigator;
T h o m a s Cordes, Bombardier;
Eugene Elliott, Radio
Operator; and Sarkice Nedder,
Engineer and Top Turret Gunner.
J
9
J\
m B 1
l""i
•« igSr'v^
Sgt. Robert Vance returning to Shipdham after
his crash and P O W experience.
A member of Leslie Lee's
Crew, flying
second only to Ploesti in
as nose
losses for a low level
gunner,
mission.
Richard
Lynch,
Meeting the man who
watched the
shot him d o w n w a s an
destruction
awesome experience for
of both
Louis DeBlasio and his
Crandell's
family. Peter Emmerich
and
explained that he was 16
Chandler's
years old w h e n he w a s
planes.
pulled from
Nineteen
school and
Thomas Cordes, Bombardier on
m e n to the
taught to
Southern Comfort KIA at Wesel.
44th died on
shoot the
that mission.
anti-aircraft
DeBlasio and Vance survived
gun. With Peter
and were rescued ten days later
Loncke
by the advancing 2nd U.S.
interpreting,
Armored Division, along with
Peter talked
John Delaney, a P-47 pilot w h o
eagerly to Louis;
crashed after diving at the A A
and later,
guns and dropping white
presented him
phosphorus.
with a gift of a
Through Internet activities of
Peter Loncke, Thomas Cordes's
family has recently become
interested in this crash. It was
awesome for them to learn that
this task force supply drop
suffered all of the B-24 losses. A
total of 22 A / C went d o w n ,
was long gone. Contrary to the
assumption that the plane's
wing had been caught on a
tree, he learned that an electric
power pole had caused it to
circle and split at the fuselage.
That m a d e it possible for the
two gunners to roll to safety,
just minutes before the plane
burst into flames. With Peter
Loncke interpreting, Peter
Emmerich eagerly told his
story; and even w h e n there
w a s no interpreter, he
continued explaining his
experiences in W W I I .
Living in the area is an elderly
gentleman w h o also watched
the plane go down; but being
in ill health, he could not be
present. His wife and several of
the townspeople came to meet
us; and through their gestures,
w e felt their goodwill and
friendship.
hand-carved
wooden
cannon. The
Peter Emmerich and Louis DeBlasio
crash site did
meet 57 years after their
first encounter.
not look
familiar to
Louis—the rows of corn were
replaced with hay; the w a g o n
he and Robert Vance hid under
From a film m a d e
by Ursel Harvel,
Loncke was able
to locate the crash
site and then find
Emmerich and
others w h o had
been present in
1945. A s it
happened, the
negative had been
turned upside
down; so by
watching the
screen in the
mirror, he was
able to locate the
site.
�Russell Huntley's Games With
The Romanian Guards
good tunnel
going, but then
there w a s a big
rainstorm. Our
tunnel collapsed.
The guards
started checking
out our tunnels;
and each time
they sent a m a n
in, he c a m e back
saying that it
ended in dirt.
They just couldn't
figure out w h y
w e did that."
If the German
and Romanian
guards of the
Ploesti P O W s
spend any time
reminiscing
about prisoners
w h o were a
'pain in the
neck', I'll bet
Russell Huntley at Bern Castle.
they can't forget
Russell Huntley,
"At one point, the Romanians asked us if
67th BS. He laughs w h e n he describes his
any of us would like to work for them, in
six escape antics, all of which brought him
exchange for better food, more freedom, etc.
back to interrogations, solitary confinement
W e would be asked to sign a paper that w e
and considerable discomfort.
would not try to escape. I don't k n o w
"As prisoners, we were allowed to play
baseball, and sometimes the ball would go
over the fence. A guard with a gun would
permit one of us to climb the fence and
retrieve it, so the g a m e could go on. Once I
climbed the fence, and the group created
great excitement so the guard wouldn't
notice that I ran away. They soon caught
me, and a very polite German officer said,
'We won't punish you if you tell m e h o w you
did it.' Of course, I w a s not able to tell the
truth, so I told him I escaped through a drain
pipe. They sent a m a n through the rusty
pipe, and it broke. The officer accused m e of
lying, so I reminded him that they sent a
heavier man. He must have believed m e , as I
didn't get punished that time."
"Another time, a group of us started digging.
W e dug and dug and dug. After a long time,
w e realized that effort w a s hopeless. W e
were just tunneling up and d o w n under a big
mountain. Another time, w e had a pretty
®
whether any Americans would have
accepted; but w e would have threatened
anyone w h o might have considered it. W h y
should w e help our enemies win the war?"
Operation Tidal Wave, which targeted
Ploesti, w a s Sgt. Russell Huntley's 7th
mission. The crew of 1st Lt. Elmer H.
Reinhart, A/C 42-40371 G named G. I. Gal,
w a s following Lt. Col. Posey to Target Blue,
the Nazi's source for aviation fuel. It w a s
totally destroyed.
G.L Gal was the last ship away from Blue
Target. With part of a wing shot off, the
plane emerged into criss-cross ships, and the
pilot w a s unable to catch up with his
formation, making him an easy target for the
M E 109's. They shot a w a y most of the tail
turret, but, miraculously, George Van Son
crawled away alive. Waist gunners Alfred A.
M a s h and Robert Wolfe were injured; radio
operator Huntley gave them first aid.
j
13
�Engineer Frank Garrett reported, "Gas w a s
pouring out of a hole near #3 engine; the
tunnel w a s a wreck; the tail turret hanging
by a thread. The left vertical and horizontal
stabilizers were almost shot off; the left
ailron w a s practically gone, and there w a s a
big hole under the #1 engine with oil
streaming out."
Reinhart tried to gain altitude. The crew put
on their parachutes as the plane heaved and
quivered from nose to tail. At 3,600 feet, he
turned on the automatic pilot and hit the bail
out button. Gerald Totten, Navigator;
Richard Pendleton, Bombardier; and Charles
Starr, Co-pilot, joined the rest of the crew in
the d o w n w a r d plunge. Apparently Starr's
chute did not open properly; and it w a s later
reported that in his misery, he asked to be
shot. He w a s listed as KIA.
Huntley was interned for thirteen months at
Timis de Just, 17 k m south of Brasov, North
Romania. A m o n g his interesting recollections
w a s on August 1, 1944, a group of soldiers
c a m e with wine and cheese, celebrating the
happy event of 'defeating the American Air
Force.' Circumstance rapidly refuted their
dubious celebration. Only about a month
later, the Germans were evicted from the
area, and the Americans were set free.
Flying in a B-17 decorated with American
flags, they were transported to Bari, Italy.
Huntley's post-POW experience was no less
dramatic. He w a s sent to Atlantic City for
redistribution, and w a s hoping to become a
cadet, and ultimately a pilot. A psychiatrist
politely told him 'that he w a s proud of him;
but after his combat and P O W experience,
he needed R & R, and w a s to be sent to
Florida for 120 days. Immediately thereafter,
Huntley had another physical, and twenty
minutes later sat before the s a m e
psychiatrist. This time he w a s declared in fit
condition, and w a s to be sent to the Pacific,
flying in a B-29. Huntley called the m a n
s o m e unpleasant names, and did not go to
the Pacific.
Next he w a s told that he would become a
Master Sergeant, and w a s about to be sent
to Almagordo, N e w Mexico, as a Gunnery
Instructor. "I told them the only thing I knew
about guns w a s h o w to shoot a 50 caliber
out the nose of a B-24. They assured m e I
would do fine; and all I had to do w a s pass
this test. I took the test; and every answer
that I knew, I deliberately answered
incorrectly. Those that I didn't know, I left
blank. The next day I w a s congratulated for
doing so well on m y test!!!"
Huntley got out of that assignment by
signing up for Radar School. He w a s
assigned to a c a m p in Truax, Wisconsin,
along with a group of combat crew
returnees. The first morning a corporal c a m e
in and ordered them, all sergeants, to m o p
the floor and clean the barracks. A n uproar
ensued; the corporal ran off to report their
disobedience, and a kindly major from W W I
c a m e in and alleviated the situation. The
travails of being a returnee and e x - P O W
continued; and finally Huntley got
discharged.
He gave himself time to think it over, and
decided to re-enlist. He attended O C S ,
became a Second Lieutenant, and worked
his w a y up to Major, specializing in
electronics. His last position w a s head of
Communications for the S A C Headquarters
in O m a h a , Nebraska. After his discharge in
1965, he started a business selling Blue
Gold, a non-hazardous cleaning substance.
His customers are Pratt Whitney, Rolls
Royce and other notable corporations.
Russell's wife Charlotte started a business,
selling vitamins and herbal substances. They
retired recently, and are traveling to all the
reunions that they missed by keeping their
noses to the grindstone.
(Editors Note: It would be interesting to
know what the Romanian guards talk about,
when they remember the War. I wonder if
they still think Americans dug useless
tunnels for recreation!)
�Sgt. Dale Lee's Saga of
Evasion
(continued)...
Sgt. Dale Lee (506 Sq.) survived the Ploesti Raid, but
his plane, Southern Comfort, went down after a
successful mission to Foggia. Captured and harassed
by civilians, along with six other detainees, Lee broke
from the Italian stronghold and set forth on a harrowing
trip back to Africa, then England, then home.
The day before they managed to break out, the
Germans planned to move the prisoners into Germany.
A commotion among the guards gave the prisoners the
opportunity to use their crude tools, smash through a
brick wall, and make their escape.
"We ran like hell, as far as w e could that first night," he
recorded. "When w e could run no more, w e slid off the slope
of a steep mountain road." Straddling trees or any kind of
brush, they leaned against the mountain and took a brief rest.
Years later, with his wife Alice, Lee retraced his escape route,
and learned that they had run 18 k m that first day; and had
climbed 4,000 feet up the mountain.
They headed for Italy's high mountains, resting and
planning by day; walking at night, using the North Star as their
guide. They headed for the boot of Italy, figuring the allied
invasion would come from that direction.
The Unending Quest For Food
For food, they stole figs, grapes and garden vegetables.
One man traded his jacket for cheese that was absolutely
delicious. Unfortunately, when morning came, they saw what
was in the cheese--T)ig fat worms." " W e ate it anyway," he
recalled, "flicking the worms aside when they crawled out."
Having been told that garlic was a good blood purifier, Lee
ate three big cloves, hoping it would clear up the infected
shrapnel wounds in his legs. Its biggest effect was to give him
bad breath. Their search for food was unending and generally
unsuccessful. Every sound was threatening-even a falling leaf.
Finally, two Canadians from the British 8th Army arrived in a
4 wheel drive vehicle; and out-running Germans, w h o lobbed
shells at them, they arrived with joy at a British camp, where
food and hot coffee awaited them. Later the driver of the jeep
drove them through a rainstorm to a Red Cross station where
they enjoyed the luxury of sleeping on dry cots. From there
they made their way to the 47th Fighter Group (P-40's), who
helped them to the next camp, the 101st Airborne.
Lee's most vivid recollection of that brief encounter was a
rollicking battle with an Italian P O W over his right to have
second portions of the dinner. The m e n of the 101st cheered
Left to Right: General Jimmy Doolittle, Joe Jett, Tom Pursell, Dale Lee.
(Editors Note: Years later Doolittle autographed this picture right under his
nose, but the writing could not be picked up photographically.)
him on, as pots and pans clattered around from the skirmish.
The m e n of the 101st are forever endeared in his memory, for
supporting his right to more food.
Getting Back Into The System
After that, they got a flight to Africa, near Tunis. By then they
looked so totally disreputable, nobody could believe they were
American airmen. Only when the major at the base found their
names on the list of those who were to receive the DFCs, by
virtue of their mission to Ploesti, did he believe they were
telling the truth. They were finally back in the system.
The D F C medals were pinned on them by none other than
General Jimmy Doolittle, who was genuinely interested in
their experiences at Ploesti, and also their experiences as
escapees. H e gave them secret orders for their return to
England.
Frustrating moments continued, and tolerance was in short
supply with these escapees. At the air base near Tunis, a
mess sergeant refused to feed them because they didn't have
a mess kit. They went to the Supply Sergeant, who upbraided
them for losing their mess kits. Finally, Joe Jett, normally a
quiet, gentlemanly sort, grabbed the Supply Sergeant by the
throat and pounded his head against the wall, shouting, "When
I bailed out of that G-- D - plane on fire, the last thing I
thought about was m y mess kit." Immediately there was no
further arguing about mess kits.
The 8th Air Force in London interrogated the group, then
sent them to various camps to speak to the troops about their
experiences behind enemy lines. In time for Christmas, 1943,
they m a d e it home.
�This cartoon from the collection of Lt. James Tomblin (66th Squadron) from his account
"There I was, Story #45,001"
�Will Sez
It seems appropriate at this time to advise
everyone that earlier this year I found it absolutely
necessary to ask that I be dropped from the job of
44th B G Historian as it w a s taking nearly all of m y
available time. For years I have been attempting
to correct, update and add to m y Roll of Honor
and Casualties book as the first edition w a s
printed in 1987. Since that time I've learned of
many errors in it that needed corrections. M a n y
more events have been located that should be
added to that text to better describe what took
place in m a n y of these incidents.
The Board acted on this request, dropped me
from that position and put Roger Fenton into it.
Roger accepted the offer and n o w is busy doing a
great job of responding to the m a n y people
asking for data about our m e n w h o served during
WWII. I a m sure that he will perform with
excellence. Perhaps this will start a trend to have
more, younger people to step in, take over to
lead our Croup into the future.
Another younger man, Jim Hamilton, became
acquainted with the 44th B G w h e n he was
researching for his book. T h e Writing 69th, (now
in print). H e kindly offered to re-design m y book,
and then to m a k e the actual corrections and
additions into that book. Photos will be added, as
well, but due to all of this, it will be necessary to
produce two books. The first is nearing
completion and will cover the time period from
mid 1942 through 31 D e c e m b e r 1943. T h e
second, of course, will span the period of 1 Jan
1944 to June, 1945. If possible, w e will have a
manuscript available at our reunion in O m a h a for
examination by you that attend.
M y hope is that as soon as this change in
Historian permits, I will be able to m o v e along
more quickly with the book revision. As soon as
the text is completed, it can be transferred into
the Master Data Base. Also it can help m a k e
progress in moving more of our archival material
into the Master Data Base.
Arlo Bartsch is now well underway in his plans to
place more emphasis on our Roll of Honor, m a k e
it more prominent in his program. Jerry Folsom is
relaying m u c h of this material to his secretary,
Brenda, w h o processes it, makes it ready for data
entry.
Of course we are limited in the extent of this
work depending upon these costs. But m y hopes
are that s o m e h o w , someway, s o m e o n e will locate
donors w h o see that it is needed for the future
generations to learn. It seems very important to
m e that w e d o our best to keep the deeds
performed by our C o m b a t M e n forever readily
available. These deeds against terrible odds
managed to hold the advances of Hitler's might
away from England until others arrived to help us
take the war back to Germany.
The Military Heritage Database
To help your children and grandchildren
I when they ask questions about WWII, we
have an opportunity to make sure you are
- always there to answer them, and they are
learning YOUR version of the story
Order your Military Heritage Database disk now Make sure
you and all of your comrades of WWII have included their
contribution to the history of the 44th Bomb Group. \bu ha
Wliat will happen when you are not there to answer the
questions?
For more information regarding biographies, please
contact Jerry Folsom @ P.O. Box 712287, Salt
Lake City, Utah 84171-2287. H e has the necessary
forms to be submitted for this database. H e also
has details for ordering your very o w n disk. E-mail:
44thbgva@xmission.com
Do It Now!
§
17
�COMMEMORATIVE AIR FORCE SPONSORS SEMINAR ON "PLOESTI" WITH
44TH BOMB GROUP VETERANS ASSOCIATION PARTICIPATION.
The names of Colonel William R. Cameron and
T o m Holmes, Jr., will long be remembered in
Midland, Texas, where these two distinguished
members of the 44th B o m b Group Veterans
Association captivated the 150-200 members and
guests of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF)
attending the P L O E S T I Seminar sponsored by that
organization and the American Air Power Heritage
M u s e u m on Saturday, June 15, 2002. (Editors
Note: The Commemorative Air Force was formerly
known as The Confederate Air Force of Midland,
Texas.)
These two veterans of the daring low-level raid
on the oil fields in Ploesti, Romania, related their
personal experiences and observations of this
dangerous but vital mission in their typical low
key, sensitive but thorough, accurate and nonjudgmental manner. Both, Colonel Cameron and
T o m m y Holmes, had completed their combat
experience and leadership on this hazardous
mission. Colonel Cameron, as pilot of "Buzzin
Bear," led the six plane element on General
Johnson's wing serving as the Deputy Group
Leader. Their target was the Colombia Aquila
(White V ) target that was already ablaze having
been mistakenly bombed earlier by aircraft of the
93rd B o m b Group, w h o following the mission
leading 376th B o m b Group, turned at the wrong IP
(Initial Point), missing their assigned targets and
selecting "targets of opportunity." " T o m m y "
Holmes, as pilot of "A Wing and a Prayer," flew
in a separate 21 plane formation led by Colonel
James Posey against the Creditul Minier at Brazi,
(Blue Target) which they destroyed completely.
The focused, attentive and appreciative
audience responded to the presentations with long
and loud applause followed by an animated
"Question and Answer" session that reflected their
intense interest, respect and appreciation.
Also attending were Colonel Edward K.
Mikoloski, Nida Holmes and Fritzi Selasky.
18
Bill Coombes, the S E M I N A R M O D E R A T O R ,
opened the program by introducing and
acknowledging "Fritzi" Selasky as the person most
responsible for bringing this seminar to fruition.
H e stated that it was Mrs. Selasky w h o wrote him
several months ago when she heard of the monthly
seminar programs the C A F were conducting, and
suggested that they consider sponsoring one of the
"greatest air battles of all times," PLOESTI. After
several exchanges of letters and numerous
telephone calls, the program became a reality.
Among others invited, but unable to attend
were the following veterans of PLOESTI: Lt. Gen.
K.K. Compton, 376th B G and Mission
Commander, M / G e n William H . Brandon, Group
Ops 44th B G and Pilot of "SUZY Q", Colonel
Richard Butler, Reginald Philips, Robert
Lehnhausen, Henry Lasco, Charles Hughes,
William Dabney and Colonel Dexter Hodge.
Bill Coombes, in his letters to us, referred to
the affair as "...a G R E A T seminar series
program!" and also the following, "The many,
many regular attendees of these programs came to
m e and said that it was an outstanding event." Mr.
Coombes also expressed his thanks to the
participants for the unique L O N D O N C L O C K
presented to him and his wife, which they will
place in a position of honor in Bill's office with an
inscribed placard listing the 44th B G V A and
names of the donors.
Members of the 44th BGVA have a standing
invitation from the C A F to visit their Museum,
Memorial Gardens, Annual Air Show and Seminar
Programs.
(Editors Note: This report was written by the
44th 's Immediate Past President, "Mike"
Mikoloski. In his customary modesty, he failed to
mention that he was also the principle speaker at
this event. His topic was a glowing history of the
44th Bomb Group.)
�LT. ROCKFOKD C. GRIFFITH'S AMAZING FEAT
As preserved in a yellowed, updated
newspaper from the collection of
Dale Lee:
"While the parachutes of their crew
dotted the horizon, the pilot and copilot landed a "junk heap" Liberator
bomber at 150 miles an hour-saving
the life of the wounded ball turret
gunner w h o could not bail out.
"A crowd of 500 airmen and ground
crews gathered to greet returning
raiders, w h o watched in awed
silence, and broke into thunderous
cheers when the landing w a s
completed.
"The pilot w a s Second Lieutenant
Rockford C. Griffith, a twenty-three
year old farm boy from Oklahoma.
Damaged controls forced Griffith,
with the aid of his co-pilot, Second
Lieutenant Lawrence W Grono, to
hit the runway with only one wheel.
The bomber roared along on the
wheel; then one wing touched the
ground, and the Liberator s w u n g
around, skidded backwards 300
yards of the runway, and came to
rest, right side up.
Floating all around the airfield were
seven members of the crew ordered
to jump because the plane w a s
unmanageable. All landed safely.
Twice on the w a y home from Norway,
Griffith's bomber fought off attacks by
F W 190's and Ju 88's, which raked
the bomber from nose to tail with
cannon and machine-gun fire. This
knocked out two engines, destroyed
the hydraulic system and reduced the
plane to a flying junk heap. "I k n e w I
had to bring her in because of the ball
turret gunner. H e couldn't get out."
(Editors Note: The date was
November 18,1943. Can anybody
name the turret gunner whose life
was saved byLt's. Griffith and
Grono's courage and expertise?)
44th BOMB GROUP VETERANS ASSOCIATION
44th B o m b Group
Veterans Association
P.O. Box 712287
Salt Lake City, Utah 84171-2287
•
•
•
n Yes, Count me In!
Annual Membership Dues for year 2003 $25.00
Life Membership Dues 60 and over
$125.00
Life Membership Dues 40 to 59
$150.00
Join u s now eo y o u don't m i s s the next cVBall Tails.
Name
Spouse
Address
City
State
Tele:
Fax:
Zip.
E-Mail Address:
Group:
Associate:
Donation;
Crew of:
Squadron:
Relative of:
Thank you for joining usl
Due to increased costs, the Board of Directors at the annual meeting, authorized an increase of dues
to $25.00. T h e last increase w a s five years ago. Membership in the 44th B o m b Group Veterans's
Association is still a bargain in today's world.
19
�Lt. David Saylor
44ther
Discovered in
British
Columbia
This past July
Photo Identification Needed!
who served from October '43 to
November '44. He completed his 35
missions with his crew piloted by Lt.
David Saylor. AMAZING! to run into
a fellow 44ther on holiday in Canada.
Warren said he had had no contact
with his former crew members and
didn't know about our 44th BGVA.
28, Mary and
Lee Aston had
He would like to know if any of them
an amazing
are still alive. C A N A N Y OF YOU A L L
chance meeting
H E L P HIM FIND HIS C R E W
with a lost 44th
M E M B E R S ? If anyone can, write
Bomb Group air
Warren Rohrer at 1321 Cherry St.,
crewman,
Wellington, Kansas 67152; or
Warren Rohrer,
telephone at (620) 325-3222.
in the Butchart
Gardens, Victoria, B.C., while both
were touring the Pacific Coast of
Are you a Veteran who flew the low
Canada and Alaska. While walking
level mission to Ploesti?
the gardens, Lee stopped to rest on a
bench and puff on his pipe as Mary
From Luc Dewez, our Belgian friend:
went to the gift shop. Lee turned to
"For years I have been collecting
see a man that was sitting on a bench
memories of the veterans who flew
behind. Lee could hardly believe his
the low level mission to Ploesti.
eyes. The man was wearing a blue,
Recently I have been working with an
baseball-style cap with lettering that
editor, a 100th B G Veteran; and w e
read "44" Bomb Group."
are now seeking a publisher. I would
be so grateful to hear from 44th B G
veterans who were on that mission,
and who would share their
experiences, anecdotes, official
documents, photographs -- any
information that would describe the
awesome event."
•;,- -:.- -.'.- -.'.- -.'.- -.'.- •:: -.'.- -;.- -;.- -;,- •.'.- -:.- •/.- -/.- •;.- -,*.- -.'.--:,--.•.- •;.- -:.- * * *
From Steve Adams, another Ursel
Harvel's photograph: Can anyone
identify any of these men, believed to
be the cooks for the 68th Squadron?
.'..•..<.-•..<-.•..•- .•..-..'. .•..
Arthur V Cullen Crew!
Tim Mackey,
nephew of 2nd Lt.
John L. Mackey,
67th Squadron, is
hoping to find
someone who
remembers his
uncle. Lt. Mackey,
Navigator on the
John L. Mackey
Arthur V Cullen
crew He was killed on his 5th
mission to Dunkirk, France, February
15,1943. A/C #41-23783 Betty Anne/
Gallopin Ghost was brought down by
enemy fighters. Seven airmen were
killed, including Donald MacDonald,
Command Pilot.
Tim Mackey can be reached at 80
Hollow Woods Drive, Pequea, PA
17565; telephone: (717) 284-4414.
Warren Rohrer, 506 Squadron, and Lee
Aston meet in Victoria, British Columbia.
Luc is making a serious effort to
inform young people in his country,
Lee immediately moved over to sit bythe awesome experience of WWII. He
is the author of Cruel Skies, a studied
the man and introduce himself.
account of the air war in Europe. Luc
Pointing to his own 44th B G V A cap
can be contacted at 8 Paul Pastur
with the 8 Ball logo, Lee gave his
Street, 5190 Han-sur-San, Belgium.
name and discovered Warren Rohrer,
a B-24 gunner from the 506 Squadron E-mail: luc.dewez@skynet.be
•k-k
�FOLDED
MINOS
September,
2002
BURKE, RICHARD
M. Date unknown.
31170058 68th Sq.
He joined the
Squadron on 1 9 June
1943 and flew his first
mission on 13 August as a
Waist Gunner on the R. J.
Lehnhausen crew. His next one was with B.
H. Gildart on 1 October and most of his total
of 31 with that crew. He completed his tour
on 22 April 1944.
Prepared by:
*******
AYERS, EDWARD
1 May 2002. Not in 44th
BG. Was brother of man KIA only.
BILLMAN, ROBERT J. 23 March 2002 68th
Sq. 37137220. Joined the Squadron on 5
March 1942, arrived in England on 2 October as
an Engineer for the R.E. Erwin crew. He flew
five missions, the first being 7 Nov. 1942 with
M.V. Sullivan; and the fifth on 13 March 1943
flew with M. C. Howell. Possibly transferred to
the 389th BG later.
BLAINE, HAROLD E. Date unknown.
31110213. Harold first served with the 806th
Chemical, later transferred to the 67th Sq.
where he worked in Tech Supply.
BOLGER, JAMES M.
June, 2002. 506th Sq.
Flight Engineer with the James Clement's crew
for many of his missions. He arrived in England
in January 1943. He flew his first mission on 18
October, 1943 with the Bunce crew and his
third with J. Clements. He was on his second
tour at end of war when he completed his 38th
mission dated 18 April 1945. He was
discharged in September, 1945. DFC medal.
BRUMM, HAROLD J. 29 June 2001 506th Sq.
Harold was a Flight Engineer, flew his first
mission on 25 May 1944 as a member of the J.
C. Titter crew. He completed his tour of 35
missions on 9 August 1944, apparently all of
them with the J. C. Titter crew.
CANNETTI, DOMINICK Date Unknown
32626523 He joined the 68th Sq. on 14 April
1944 as a member of the C. D Peretti crew.
They flew their first mission on 22 April
1944, he as a Tail Gunner. Their last of 31
missions was completed on 2 October 1944.
The crew transferred to the 70 RCD on 9
October for assignment back to the U.S.
CARPENTER, WILLIAM W. 18 January 2000 T
129133 67th Sq. He flew his first mission on 6
November 1944 as Navigator on the J. M.
Bledsoe crew. This crew flew their last mission
of the war on 25 April 1945, with Lt. Carpenter
finishing with 30 missions or more. They
returned to the U.S. flying A/C #42-50741.
CLAESSEN, KENNETH 5 March 2001 67th Sq.
Cannot identify any data.
CLARK, CLETUS C. 9 February 2002 17157054
506th Sq. He served as Aerial Engineer on the R.
J. Hruby crew. Their first mission was dated 20
April 1944. On their sixth, 29 April, the crew
made an amazing safe ditching in the North Sea
with no injuries. They completed their 32nd and
last mission on 12 July 1944.
CLIFT, REESE R. 4 Sept. 1999 14071610
68th Sq. Aircraft Mechanic. Like most of the
ground personnel in the Engineering Sections,
Reese made both trips, to England and return, on
the Queen Mary. The "cruise" over in early
September 1942 and the return in late June, 1945.
COINER, MAYO L Date Unknown 0-678688
67th Sq. Lt. Coiner, Navigator, flew his first
mission on 21 September 1943 with the W . S.
Aldridge crew and most of his 33 missions. His
last few were flown with different PFF crews
serving as Navigator-GEE. His final mission of his
tour was with the T. L. Harrocks crew.
j
21
�COSTELLO, GEORGE B. Date Unknown
36216016 506th Sq. Aerial Engineer. George
was a regular member of the J. S. Gurman
crew, flew his first mission on 19 May 1944.
But on their fifth mission, 28 May, their aircraft
was shot down, and the entire crew became
Waist for H. W . Moore on 17 May, and Tail
Gunner on E. R. Mitchell on 29 May 1943.
His tour ended when he was Interned in
Switzerland on 18 March 1943, Tail Gunner for
R. J. Lacombe.
POWs.
GARRISON, EDWIN 13 February 2002. Cannot
identify at this time.
f
CURRIE, THOMAS
10/17/01. 12175210 67th
Sq. Thomas served as Aerial Engineer on the C.
C. Spagnola crew which completed their first
mission on 26 August 1944. He completed his
35th and last mission on 6 February 1945.
DAMBACHER, ALBERT N. July, 1995. 67th
Sq. Al was a replacement Waist Gunner on the
John J. Mueller crew. This crew started their
tour on 1 April 1944, while Al completed his
first mission on 24 February 1944 with the G.
W . Johnson crew as a Gunner. His next few
were with various pilots until his 9th when he
joined the Mueller crew on 19 April. He
completed his tolr on 25 July 1944 serving as a
Waist Gunner.
DELACY, GEORGE W. June, 2002. 66th Sq.
George was onepof the original and oldest of the
66th Sq. combat gunners at Barksdale Field. He
was the Tail Gunner on the aircraft Jenny/Lady
Luck on the first^missions flown by the 44th BG.
Unfortunately, he suffered severe frostbite on
12 December 1942 that ended his combat
career. He was 97 years old at the time of his
passing.
DOWD, JOHN Fi 2/11/01 2011 3596 68th Sq.
John was a Gunner on the D. F. Tofte crew that
joined the 68th Sq. on 8 July 1944. Their first
mission was flown on 18 July, second on 19th,
and last on 21st|July. Badly damaged by flak,
they crashlanded in Switzerland, and all of crew
were Interned. John escaped twice, was badly
treated, and finally was repatriated back to the U.S.
GILSENAN, HOWARD STEVE 3 May 2001 68th
Sq. (Difference in spelling) Gunner for the E. K.
Kohler crew that joined the Sq. in early July
1944. They flew their first mission on 16 July
most of them with the aircraft "Corky." They
spent a week in Scotland at a Rest Home, for R
& R, (3 to 10 Sept.) and continued their
missions through to 30 November 1944,
completing 34 missions for Gilsenan. On 13
December they rotated to 70th RCD to return to
the U.S.
GRALEY, BRUCE 16 April 2002 506th
Squadron Ordnance. No further data located yet.
GRAY, ARNOLD 12 June 2001 506th Sq.
Arnold was a Navigator, flew his first three
missions with different crews. His first one was
9 September 1943 with the L. S. Davenport
crew; second with H.J. Laudig on 21
September; and his third on 24 September with
J. A. Bunce. Apparently, he was assigned to the
W . M. Maynor crew, as his last four were with
this crew. They were: 5 November, 18
November, 26 November and his 11th mission
came on 20 December 1943 when they were
shot down, became POWs.
HADDOCH, SAMMY W. 1993. 14181734 66th
Sq. Sammy was a Ball Turret gunner on the D.
R. Talbott crew that flew their first mission on
30 January 1944. On 20 February, this crew
made a rough crashlanding. Then on 15 March,
on their 10th mission, they were attacked and
forced to bail out over Holland. Sammy became
a POW.
FINK, ROBERT D. 31 July 2001. Served in 44th
Headquarters.
HICKMAN, F. JACKSON October 1996 67th Sq.
Ground Crew. "Jack" was an Aircraft Mechanic.
FLISTER, HENRY ODELL Date Unknown
He was a member of Ground Echelon that went
36232737 67th Sq. He flew his first
mission as Tail Gunner for the newly
to England on the Queen Mary in early
arrived W . A. Roach crew on 1 May 43.
September, 1942. He first served on the M.
v£ In succession he then flew as Tail
Bagley crew, but later, he became an Assistant
Crew Chief on the R. D. Davis crew. He returned
Ul ^ r c Gunner for R. I. Brown on 4 May, Left
22
�to the States in May, 1945 with orders for a
month furlough and then return to duty.
However, orders were changed, most of the
men had too many "points' for further overseas
duty, so were assigned to bases near home.
HOBSON, THOMAS B. 11 July 2002. 506th
Sq. 0-791426.?Tom was one of the original
506th Sq. pilots that joined the 44th BG in
England in late February, 1943. He served as
Co-pilot for G. Rebich on their first mission on
31 March and on until after Ploesti. On 21
September 1943, he flew his first mission as 1st
Pilot after he and his crew were transferred to
the 66th Sq. His plane was damaged badly by
fighters, most If crew bailed out, and he was
captured to become a P O W on 1 Oct 1943. That
was his 21st mission. Tom was recalled into the
Army during the Korean War. He then retired as
an Army Colonel.
HUGHES, WILLIAM D. 1987 0-727993 68th Sq.
Pilot. Joined the 68th Sq. on 8 March 1942. He
arrived in England on 2 October 1942 with the
68th Sq. Air Echelon. He was co-pilot for Lt.
Cramer; then became a 1st Pilot on D S to Africa,
flew both tough missions to Ploesti and Weiner
Neustadt. Completed his tour of 25 on 18 Nov. 1943.
HURLEY, DAVID G. Date Unknown 35330744
68th Sq. Aircraft Mechanic. W a s a passenger on
A/C #42-109805 on 25 May 1945 upon return
to the U.S.
JACOBS, L. G. Date Unknown 67th Sq,
16146649. Radio Operator for the J. A. Struthers
crew. He flew his first and all 37 of his missions
with this crewlMission #1 dated 18 August
1944 and mission #37 dated 23 February 1945.
Crew returned jo the U.S. on 19 April 1945.
JOHNSON, NORMAN B. Date unknown.
39454377 68th Sq. Gunner on the H. C. Palmer
crew. Flew his first mission on 3 March 1944
and his 14th and last on 9 April 1944. Crew
was force to land in Sweden on 3 March. He
was released on 16 October 1944 and returned
to base.
JONES, CLARENCE R. 9 February 2002
12096377 68th Sq. He joined the
Squadron on 8 July 1944 as an Aerial
Engineer on the D. F. Tofte crew.
They flew their 1st mission on 18 July and
their 31st on 21 July 1944. On this last
mission they were force to land in Sweden and
Interned. Later, on 19 October, they returned to base.
KRYSZCZUK, CHESTER J. May, 1998. 506th
Sq. Chester was the nose turret gunner on the
A. R. Rockman crew that flew their 1st mission
on 1 November 1944. They completed their tour
of 30 missions plus on 11 April 1945.
KIRMSE, ROBERTS Sept. 2000 68th Sq. 0699530. Bombardier on the A. V. Larson crew,
when on their first mission dated 21 May 1944.
Then he flew missions with several different
crews. From 16 August, he was assigned to the
S. L. Dobbs crew, a PFF crew. He completed his
tour of 33 missions on 15 October 1944.
MILLER, ALLEN W. 18 May 2002 67th Sq. "Bill"
served as a Gunner on the Roger S. Markle crew
from February to May, 1945. He flew his first
mission on 12 March and his last on 18 April
1945. He is credited with at least nine missions,
but could have flown more during early April. He
is survived by his wife, Marcella and two sons.
McFARLANE, ROBERTS 30 November 2001 0
885100 68th Sq. Served as Assistant Armament
Officer in the 68th Squadron.
NELSON, OD/S E. (Curly) 23 January 2002
18085241 67th Sq. "Curly" was an Aerial
Engineer for the Capt. Howard W . Moore crew,
one of the first crews in the 67th Sq. On 5
October 1942 they departed from Gander Lake,
destination England. He flew five combat
missions with this crew from 6 Dec. 42 to 16
Feb. 43, but was "grounded" due to severe ear
problems. Reassigned to Crew Chief, he soon
established exceptional records of missions
flown without an "abort" or early return due to
mechanical problem. He and his assistant, Carl
Hall, crewed Old Iron Corset, recorded at least
129 missions with no early returns. It completed
the war, and I was proud to have flown back to
the States with these two mechanics. On the
last leg of the flights. Old Iron Corset took off
45th from Greenland and was first over the base
in Connecticut. Old and war-worn, but still one
of the fastest and best. Curly was exceptionally
popular and one of the best!
23
�NUTTER, KENT 30 May 2002. 13071509 68th
Sq. Kent joined the 68th Sq. on 26 Oct. 44 as a
Tail Gunner on the H. M. Garbade crew. Their
first mission was dated 29 November 1944.
Their last of 26 or more was dated 18 April
1945. (PossibJy flew one or more in early April,
reports missing) They returned to the U.S. flying
A/C #44-40276 ih late May, 1945.
O'BRIEN, JAMES
1ES E. 2002, 0-435700 68th Sq.
Pilot. Jim flew his first mission and first for the
44th BG on 7 November 1942. His second was
on 9 November. On 14 May 1943 he was flying
as Major and 68th Sq. Commanding Officer.
They were shot down and Jim became a P O W .
Jim was very active, attended reunions and
wrote several very good recollections of his
wartime experiences.
REED, JOHN y.|l6 May 2002 0-660004 66th
Sq. Pilot Lt. Reed flew his first mission on 12
December 1942 as a co-pilot for R. J. Abernethy.
Following that, he continued to serve as co-pilot
for several pilots, including Bill McCoy, T. E.
Scrivner, and RJE. Miller. On 4 April 1943 he
flew his first mission as a 1st Pilot. He took part
in the difficult 14 May raid on Kiel, and then on
to North Africa. Wohn completed his tour of 25
missions on 21 August 1943 in Africa.
PARTRIDGE, WILLIAM R. February, 2002 0
685953 66th and 68th Squadrons. Lt. Partridge
was a Navigatorlon the W . 0. Peterson crew
that had transferred into the 44th from the 446
BG. They had already completed ten missions
with that Group. He flew his first mission in the
44 BG as a Radar Navigator for the W . 0.
Peterson crew on 5 June 1944. On 10 October
he was transferred to the 68th Sq. and
completed his tour as a Radar Navigator on 22
February 1945 with the H.M. Garbade crew.
RAY, CHARLES W. May 2001. 14170302 67th
Sq. He was a Gunner, flew his first mission with
the D. H. Dines crew on 24 February 1944 as a
Waist Gunner. His second one was with the W .
E. Wahler crew, also as a Waist Gunner. Then
he served with several other crews . He finished
his 29th mission with the E. C. Holmer crew
on 30 December 1944.
24
ROSENGREN, ROBERT E. 19 March 2002
506th Sq. Robert was a Gunner. He flew his
first mission as Waist Gunner with the G. S.
Stevens crew. His second was with the J.
Clements crew, Belly Gunner on 30 November.
His third and fourth were as a Hatch Gunner for
the N. Purdy crew on 11 January and 14
January 44. He then joined the L. Waine crew,
flew two missions with them. Then, the entire
crew was transferred to the 15th A.F. in Italy
where they completed their tour total of 50.
SMITH, FREDERICK J. 26 January 1991
3031080 68th Sq. Sheet Metal worker. He was
a member of the Ground Echelon, Engineering
Section, that went to England in early
September 1942 and returned to the States
with them in late June, 1945. He also was one
of the men who was on D.S. to Africa in the
middle of 1943 to attack Ploesti, Weiner
Neustadt and many other targets.
SNYDER, BETHEL A. Date unknown. Service
data also unknown.
STIEFEL, MAX A. 1 June 2002 0-801102 66th
Sq. Max was a Navigator on the R. E. Felber
crew when he flew his first mission on 13
August 1943. He then transferred to the R. W .
Bridges crew, flew with them on 16 and 19
August; then 7 and 15 September. On his ninth
mission, 1 October 1943, the Bridges crew was
shot down and he became a P O W .
TAYLOR, WILLIAM Date Unknown. Cannot
locate him in our records.
THOMPSON, MOODY E. 29 June 2001
18085261 67th Sq. Moody was a member of
the 67th Ground Echelon that went to England
in early September 1942. He served there until
June 1945, when he returned back to the
States on the same Queen Mary. His job
classification cannot be located at this time.
TITKEMEYER, CHARLES W. 1 7 July 2002 0796626 66th Sq. Lt. Titkemeyer was the
Navigator on the R. E. Felber crew that joined
the 66th Squadron in June, 1943 and very soon
assigned to D.S. in North Africa. His first
mission was to the Oil Fields of Ploesti, 1
August 1943, by far the toughest. With but two
exceptions, he continued to fly as Navigator
with the Felber crew until late December, when
�they became a Lead crew. As a Lead Navigator,
he occasionally flew with other crews, until he
finished his tour of 28 missions on 12 March
1944. Charles kept a fine, detailed log of his
missions that he donated for our history.
TUREK, BENJAMIN J. 1988 67th Sq. Ground
Personnel, Engineering Section. Ben served as
Aircraft Inspector during 1943, later he was
promoted to T/Sgt. in charge of Tech. Supply.
He returned to the U.S. on board the Queen
Mary in late June, 1945.
TODD, MARK or MACK 13 March 2002 68th
Sq. Cannot identify
lent
VILLEMEZ, LAWRENCE
R. May, 1999
\WI
18062086 68th Crew Chief. Lawrence was one
of the Ground Echelon personnel w h o sailed to
England in ear[y September, 1942. He served in
that capacity until he returned to the U.S. by
flying home on A/C #44-49397, piloted by 1st
Lt. T. R. Williams. He also served in N. Africa on
D.S. in September and early October, 1943.
WAGNER, CHARLES H. Date Unknown
13029488 68th Sq. Aircraft Mechanic He, too,
was a member of the Ground Echelon that went
to England on board the Queen Mary in early
September 1942. But he returned to the U.S. in
late May 1945 as a passenger on A/C #4295021.
WHITWORTH, JOHN L. 2 January 2002
34448789 68th Sq. John served as Left Waist
Gunner on the W . H. Barry crew that was shot
down on its very first mission, 8 April 1944.
John kindly supplied his recollections of that
mission and how the crew parachuted to
become POWs.
WOOD, FRANCIS M. 1 8 May 2002 341 3301 2
68th Sq. M/Sgt. Crew Chief. He was a member
of the Ground Echelon that sailed to England in
early September, 1943. He also served in Africa
on the two Detached Service assignments in
1943. He flew back to the U. S. on 26 May,
1945 on his aircraft number 42-50806 E,
Louisiana Belle, piloted by R. G. Erikson.
ZEE, WALTER J. (Zubowicz) 7 August 2002
67th Sq. Sgt. Zee flew his first mission on 24
February 1944 as a crewmen on the R.C.
Griffith crew. He also flew as Gunner on the G.
J. Thorn crew. Later, he joined the Charles H.
Mercer crew that flew their first mission on 21
March 1944. His last of 30 missions was flown
on 6 June 1944, D-Day. Awarded the DFC medal.
DUBOIS, PHYLIS 24 April 2002 Phylis, our
great friend and former supervisor of the
American Room in the main library of Norwich,
has folded her wings. She has been a faithful
worker for that library and for our 44th BG as
well. Even after being relieved of her duties in
that American Room some years ago, she
continued her efforts to assist us in every way
possible. She was particularly concerned with
the official Roll of Honour and attempted to help
all of us to get it as accurate as possible. W e
miss her and owe her a great debt of gratitude.
Bless you, Phylis.
The 44th B o m b Group's PX
Making friends is as easy as
pointing at your cap!
"The man was wearing a blue, baseball-style cap with
lettering that read "44" Bomb Group."
Flying 8 Ball Patches $15 + $1 Postage
(Indicate Squadron: 66th, 67th, 68th, 506th w/
nose color of squadron. Also available
headquarters service squadron, all colors.)
Blue Liberator Shirts $30 + $3 Postage
Flying 8 Ball Shirts $25 + $3 Postage
Flying 8 Ball Caps $15 + $2 Postage
Pins (Specify Squadron) $5 + $1 Postage
Write: Sam Miceli
6398 Dawson Blvd.
Mentor, O H 44060-3648
WILTERDINK DONALD J. No date. No
records can be located for this man.
25
�» » «
(
^
mm
® s-jtAft
B-24 Plaque at Hill Air Field
on 8th Air Force Memorial.
From Jerry Folsom:
A Plaque with 44th B o m b Group Markings has been
installed on the 8>th Air Force Memorial near the Hill
Field Aero Space Museum at Hill Field, Roy, Utah.
Two years ago, the 44th B G V A board allocated the
money for this distinction.
The Hill Field Aero Space Museum is unique in that
it has a B-24 that was salvaged from an Aleutian
Island, being restored. Completion is expected in the
next couple months.
They have on display a 4000 pound piece of rock
from the White Cliffs of Dover with a emulated
emergency landing field that was on top of the cliff.
This is nostalgic to many crews who flew from
England.
July 31-August 1, 2 0 0 3 . The Ploesti stories are so
awesome, a new generation of B-24 buffs are eager
to meet the men who flew that mission.
&
Setting the Record Straight:
From Ed Mazer, Radio Operator and Gunner on the
Lt. William Wahler Crew, 67th Squadron: "The
bombardier who helped Tail Gunner Joseph Meskinis
was Lt. Tom Murray. The mission was to the
Langenhagen Airdrome in Germany. Wahler was able
to bring Judy's Buggy safely across the Channel
before crashing. Murray placed Meskinis in his
parachute from his turret and placed him in his
parachute harness, only to learn later that
Meskinis's chute did not open. All other members of
the crew balled out and survived. Besides Wahler,
Murray, and Mazer, the following crew members were
on that fateful mission, April b, 1944: Pietro Pino,
Co-Pilot; Grover C. Trumbo, Navigator; Clyde Bickel,
Engineer; Carl Hager, Radio Operator; Charles
Harmeyer, Ball Turret Gunner; Charles Ray, Waist
Gunner; and James Warren, Waist Gunner. (An
error in Lt. Murray9s name wae In Vol. 4, Issue #3,
Spring 2002 issue of the & Ball Tails.)
In a telephone call, I learned why Ed Mazer did not
fly with his crew on that mission. April 8,1944, was
Passover, a Jewish holiday. "A Catholic Chaplain
came to our barracks that morning. Because I was
Jewish, he gave m e a pass to London" Carl Wager
flew in his place.
Mazer read Frank Stegbauer's account in the 3
Ball Tails about his friend, the late Charles Kay,
According to Stegbauer, Ray was shot twice while
overseas; then 'shot by a friend while quail hunting.'
Mazer said, "I was a friend, but I didn't shoot him. I
shot past him at a bird, and just missed his head.
It almost scared me to death, that I came that
close."
(Editors Note: it had to be rather sobering for
Charles Kay, also.)
Attn: Ploesti Participants and Buffs: Flans are
underway for a 60th Anniversary Celebration of the
Ploesti Mission in Salt Lake City, Utah. The date is
�From Marge
Beiber, widow
of the late
George Beiber.
July 14th is Bastille Day in France, ending centuries
of rule by monarchy. July 21st is Independence Day
in Belgium. Do you know the country from which they
were liberated?
Answer: Holland.
&
From Forrest 5. Clark:
I enjoyed the
article about
Georges co-pilot, 'Jerry' Folsom. Unfortunately,
George's last name was not spelled correctly in the
article. (Editor acknowledges error). Beiber was the
beloved pilot on the Consolidated Mess and
sometimes on Joplin Jalopy, and his crew can never
praise him too highly.
George Beiber
Paul Boench, Bombardier, describes him as a man
with great concern for his crew, a good listener, and
a man with a great sense of responsibility. Boench's
happiest memory with Beiber was returning home on
the S S Brazil. "We played checkers the whole way
home," he recalled, "using a pocket-size set we had
gotten from the Red Cross."
Waist Gunner Harold Maggard considered beiber
the best pilot in the 6th Air Force; and his
reputation must have resounded through the 5 0 6
Squadron. Many unassigned airmen, needing a few
more missions to complete their tour, wanted to fly
with him. Tail Gunner Perry Morse remembers him
fondly for many reasons, including that Beiber
loaned him his officer's jacket. Navigator Willis
Edgecomb loaned his to Harold Maggard. They used
it for entry into the Officers Club to watch the
performance of their Bombardier Paul Boensch, a
member of the 44th B o m b Group Band. Lt. George
Beiber passed away M a y 23,1995.
&
From Dick Butler:
The name of the pilot who had to abandon a beloved
plane, Earthquake McGoon, in Bari, Italy, after a
harrowing scene at Wiener Neustadt, was William S.
Aid ridge.
"I was the radio operator on a B-24 of the 44th
BG. W e had dropped our bomb load and were
heading as fast as we could for home base. A s we
did so, the formation loosened up considerably. It
usually did. It was a scramble to "get the hell out of
there" W e were deep over Nazi Germany.
"I recall suddenly looking up from the top turret;
and there, to m y surprised eyes was another B-24,
bomb bay doors open and bombs clearly visible. It
looked like it was only 100 feet above us, but I know
it must have been more.
"Someone on our crew blasted over the
intercom, "Watch out, B-24 above us." Immediately
the pilot dove down and out of the way, leaving In a
hurry. A few minutes later the B-24 peeled away
and dropped out of our sights. If those bombs had
gone, we would have been blown to bits.
"Was it an intruder that had Infiltrated our
loose formation or was it an illusion? W e had been
briefed that the Germans were employing captured
American bombers to infiltrate our formations, and
in a suicide mission, try to collide with or drop
bombs.
"When we got back at Interrogation, the officers
told us they had reports of captured B-24's
intruding into our formations. Then the question
follows: Were there any German pilots trained to fly
B-24's? Answer: There were"
(Editors Note: Clark is trying to contact the
members of the K.C. Griffith crew, (67th Squadron)
including Lt. Bob Weatherwax; Co-Pilot Bill Tinsman
and Bombardier, Lt. David Edonds. Any information
about experiences with this crew would be
appreciated. Write 703 Duffer Lane, Kissimmee, FL
34759-4114; telephone (363) 427-0371; e-mail
B24vet@aoi.com).
��
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Newsletter
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�44 TH
BOMB GROUP
VETERANS ASSOCIATION BOARD
2003
Official Journal of The
President Emeritus: Gen. John H. Gibson (Ret)
7008 Gateridge Drive
Dallas, T X 75254
Phone (972) 239-0559
President: Gerald (Jerry) Folsom (506)
Compiled, written and
3582 East Dover Hill Road
Salt Lake City, U T 84121-5527
Phone (801) 733-7371 Fax: (801) 942-9988
e-mail: 44thbgva@xmission.com
Archivist: C.W. "Will" Lundy (67)
2519 Westville Tri
Cool, C A 95614-2008
Phone/Fax: (530) 886-8636 (Winter)
e-mail: willundy@aol.com
P.O. Box 315, Bridgeport, C A 93517 (Summer)
Phone/Fax: (760) 932-7349
The 8 Ball Tails©
44th Bomb Group
Veterans Association,
Inc.©
published tri-yearly at
2041 Village Circle
Historian: Roger D. Fenton
4311 E. Sunrise Drive
East, York, PA, by Ruth
Phoenix, A Z 85044-1010
W . Davis-Morse, Editor.
Phone: (480) 893.3761
First Vice President: Roy W. Owen (506)
Printed and mailed Bulk
Email: lomadanger@aol.com
6304 Meadowridge Drive
Rate at Salt Lake City,
Santa Rosa, C A 95409-5839
Membership
Search:
Art
Hand
(66)
U T under U S P S Permit
Phone: (707) 538-4726 Fax: (707) 538-1212
517 Elm Street
e-mail: Rowen44bg@aol.com
#6923. All original
Paris, IL 61944-1417
written material such
Phone/Fax: (217)463-5905
Secretary & 8 Ball Tails Editor:
as letters, stories,
e-mail: k9hwp@comwares.net
Ruth W. Davis-Morse
excerpts
from personal
2041 Village Circle East
diaries
or
memoirs,
Director: Robert Lee Aston (67)
York, PA 17404
830
Cardinal
Drive
Phone (717) 846-8948 Fax: (717) 846-6688
drawings and photos
Elberton, G A 30635-2606
e-mail: rewdm@blazenet.net
submitted to this
e-mail: leeaston@negia.net
journal will become the
Treasurer: Richard (Dick) Lynch (67)
property of the 44th
Director: Robert Paul Kay (Paul) (68)
Box 518
10411
Brook
Lane
S
W
B o m b Group Veterans
Conrad, IA 50621-0518
Tacoma, W A 98499
Phone:(641)366-2414
Association and will be
Phone: (253) 584-4420
e-mail: r_blynch@netins.net
copyright protected
except where noted.
Director: To be determined.
Immediate Past President:
s==s
The text and photos are
Edw. K. "Mike" Mikoloski (66/67)
'
/4?
otherwise reproduced
626 Smithfield Road #702
// „J
:
N. Providence, Rl 02904
i(r^f^
from official U S A A F
Phone/Fax: (401) 353-0144
l»CT^[
and U S A F documents
e-mail: EKMLIB44@msn.com
(JF J
ASSOCIATION MAILING
and photos which have
~^===s^
ADDRESS:
been released for
U.K. Representative: Steve Adams
44th B G V A
publication. Permission
28 Bassingham Rd.
P.O. Box 712287
Norwich, England N R 3 2 Q T
is granted for the
Salt Lake City, U T 84171-2287
Phone/Fax: 011-44-1603-400221
contents of this journal
e-mail: s.p.adams@btinternet.com
to be reproduced
specifically for personal
archives. Otherwise,
copyright material herein may be reproduced by the journal of other incorporated non-profit veterans organizations so long as this
publication is properly credited and prior permission is granted by the editor.
Visit our website @ www.44thbombgroup.com
Those submitting letters, stories and photos to the editor or historian must do so with the understanding that this material will
most likely be published in this journal as a matter of interest to the members/subscribers of the Association and this journal. While
every attempt will be made to answer all of the material received, there is no explicit or implied guarantee that an answer will be
provided or published. Except for specific requests for the return of original documents and photos, all material submitted will
become the property of the 44th Veterans Association, Inc., or its successors.
�(Continued from cover page.)
Then, having become acquainted with the
determined lady described in the Richard Watts
Eastern Daily Press article, at our Remembrance
day luncheon, I had the good fortune to see and
visit with the fashionable, gracious (same smile)
and pretty transformation from the determined
cattlewoman I had heretofore known.
I was also privileged to meet and become
acquainted with her daughter Rebecca and
son-in-law Ken Proctor, Eileen's
partner in the Holstein herd.
Rebecca was pleased to
learn that I had been
acquainted with her father
and had attended some of the
parties he had hosted for the
men of the 44th at The Grange
during the War. They enjoyed
the irony of me telling when the
boys went to one of the parties,
there always seemed be a five
gallon jerry can of petrol along to
ensure that Mr. P's ration remained
at a reasonable level.
During this, longest ever, visit
with Eileen and the Proctors, it
occurred to me, the only acquaintance our
membership would have with Eileen and her
family would be through the follow up stories in
the 8-Ball Tails by one of us that had been to
Shipdham or an individual or a Group tour or
Reunion. When Rebecca provided me with a
copy of the Eastern Daily Press article, the B24 photo and article scheduled for this issue
cover was put on hold for later. Thus, for
those members not acquainted with our
gracious and beloved Landlady, meet and
remember her. She is so dear to us for the
same determination to perpetuate the
affection her husband had for the 44th Bomb
Group and Shipdham Airfield as she has her
family, her farm and those of us left who
share this wonderful bond of friendship.
Our Working
Landlady
�<Z%ea&/tsosu/cZlm€4i
EILEEN P A T E R S O N
(Information gathered from Eastern Daily Press, Sunday issue.)
Paterson: "I remember going to the bull sale
While mechanics in the 44th Bomb
in Norwich. On the way back on the bus a
Group were repairing and maintaining
Liberators, Eileen Paterson was servicing woman proudly said she went to Norwich
to buy a pair of shoes. ...I said I bought
the engines in Catalina Flying Boats.
a bull. " She frequently bought bulls and
Most of the English men had gone to war,
developed an enviable herd, which is still
so the farm girl from Reymerston moved
flourishing today. Eileen dealt
into an occupation rarely filled by
.. successfully with the technicalities
women. It gave her an opportunity to
m.of growing, harvesting and
fly and to verify that engine repairs J/*
m marketing sugar beets, corn and
were satisfactory. Eileen had grown 4
K 'hard hay', in addition to caring
up on herfather'sfarm, andthe skills j
& for her prize herd of cattle.
she developed in childhood helped 1
her during the War and when it was £\
Forced to learn to drive,
over.
she bought a Mercedes, and
used it to conduct her city
She married Robert Paterson,
business. She still has it, stored in
who lived at Grange Farm in
one of outlying farm buildings.
Shipdham; a piece of land that was
Daughter Rebecca, now an adult,
converted into an American airfield,
is married to Ken Proctor, and is
and became the home of the 44th ™
Bomb Group. It is currently the site of the able to help her mother with the paperwork
required for such a large operation.
Shipdham Aero Club.
After the War, the land and runway were When the War was over, members of the
returned to the Paterson family. Just when 44th Bomb Group returned to civilian life,
life should have gotten easy, Robert
spreading to all parts of the USA. All
Paterson died, leaving Eileen with a five
remember the Shipdham Airfield as
year old daughter, Rebecca, a team of
hallowed ground. The generosity of its
twelve men and a large farm to run. Again,
owner, Eileen Paterson, will never be
skills that were unusual for a woman
forgotten. With the growth and development
emerged. She already had a herd of
of the Shipdham Aero Club, the name of this
pedigreed Friesian cattle, and she set out modest lady will be perpetuated in both
to improve it. Richard Watts, a Norfolk
English and American history.
journalist elicited this memory from Mrs.
�CHARLIE S. HUGHES
FLOSSIE FLIRT, MYRTLE THE FERTILE TURTLE,
BIG FAT BUTTERFLY AND OTHER GREAT B-24s
In March, 1943, while in route to England, Lt.
Charles Hughes contracted a case of the measles.
He was held over in Florida and separated from
his crew. W h e n he finally arrived in England, he
learned that he had been b u m p e d from B-17s to
B-24s. H e arrived in Shipdham just in time to
join the raid to the Krups Submarine Works in
Kiel. Three days later he joined the low level
mission to Bordeau wiping out Docks and Sub
Pens. These two blows were at the heart of the
project to weaken the grip of C o m m o d o r e Karl
Donitz and his U-Boats, so merchant and troop
ships could make it safely to England.
Major Charles Hughes, May \ 945.
Hunn, co-pilot) 'the fuselage looked like a sieve.'
Pursued by a Germanfighter,they looked for a
bomber to tack onto, but it was shot down. They
picked another, and it went down. Then a fighter
got on their tail, to his o w n demise. They saw
him crash. Hughes moved into the sanctuary of a
cloud and took stock of their situation. There was
not enough fuel to return to Libya, there were
holes in each of the wings, a real control cable
was hanging by a few strands. Both Waist
Gunners, Sgts. Stanley G . Nalipa and Robert L.
Albine were wounded. So the pilots m a d e the
decision to take Flossie Flirt and her crew to the
neutral country of Turkey
and
internment.
Krups Sub Base
While plans for Ploesti were being formulated,
Lt. Hughes and his crew were flying into Naples,
Rome and the Airdromes and Communication
Centers in Sicily, all in preparation for the
onslaught of Generals George Patton and
Bernard Montgomery.
Then there was Ploesti. It was Hughes' 10th
mission. H e was part of the last wave of planes
consisting of four airplanes bombing at 4 0 0 feet
on 'White Five', following Col. Leon ]ohnson.
Flossie Flirt, A C 4 2 4 0 7 7 , m a d e it safely across
the target only to be riddled with rifles, machine
guns and pistols, so (to quote Lt. Spencer S.
Six weeks later, with the help of a local AAF
Attaache', Hughes and three of his fellow
captives managed to escape, two by train, two by
boat to Izmir. (They couldn't run off during the
day as they were on parole duty, and had signed
a paper, promising not to use that opportunity to
escape). A t that time, the British were recruiting
young Greeks for help infightingthe Germans.
Working for the British, the captain of an Italian
fishing vessel was in the business of transporting
volunteers in groups of eight to Cyprus. So,
passing themselves off as recent recruits, the four
airmen sailed across the Mediterranean, along
with four Greek enlistees. O n c e an Italian officer
boarded to search the boat. Eight m e n hid in the
�tour of duty, was
C o m m a n d e r of the
Air Force Satellite
Test Center in
Sunnyvale,
California, which was
the C o m m a n d
Control of all Air
Force Satellites. H e
was the part of the
team that developed
the technique for
recovering the Space
Capsule. M u c h of
the work in which he
was involved is only
now being declassified.
bottom of the boat, escaping detection. T w o
months later, the Americans were back in England
with a new crew.
Big Fat Butterfly took Captain Hughes to Pas de
Calais; My Sad Ass carried Major Hughes to
Weimar, Brunswick and Passau. H e flew in Queen
Marlene, Myrtle, the Fertile Turtle, and m a n y
more. H e became Assistant A-3 in the 95th
Combat Wing, a temporary assignment as the
Wing was disbanded after their commander Col.
Frederick Dent was seriously wounded. Next he
went to the 44th Group Operators and then to
the 66th Squadron and shortly thereafter
assumed c o m m a n d . His last mission was April
18, 1945. H e came h o m e from England in a
new B-24 M , which had never flown in combat,
then turned it in at Bradley Field, Conn., to go to
the scrap pile.
Returning to the States in May, 1945, Hughes
flew B-29s in Mexico. W h e n the Pacific W a r was
over, he took advantage of the G.I. Bill, going to
Stanford to complete his education. While there,
he returned to active duty in the regular A r m y as
a Major onflyingstatus. After graduation, he was
assigned to the Research and Development Board
in the Pentagon. This was followed byfiveyears
in California, involved in the Development of
Ballistic Missiles, followed byfiveyears of RstD
at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland. His last
ON THE JOB
Betty Lynch, Edith & Sam Miceli kept
business going at the Registration and
Sales Desk at the Omaha Reunion.
Charles Hughes at 14th
Combat Wing
Headquarters in Shipdham,
Charlie Hughes
retired as a Colonel
in 1 9 7 1 . H e and his
wife Maria reside in California. H e has one living
daughter (having lost one daughter), and three
grandsons.
Decorations include: Silver Star, Distinguished
Flying Cross, Air Medal w / 6 O L C s , E T O Ribbon
w / 9 Battle Stars, Air Force Commendation
Medal, Legion of Merit w / O L C .
THE 44TH PX
Flying 8 Ball Shirts
$25.00 + $3 Postage
Flying 8 Ball Pins (Specify Squadron)
$ 5.00 + $1 Postage
Flying 8 Ball Caps (Specify Squadron)
$ 15.00 + $2 Postage
44th BGVA Bumper Stickers
$ 2.00 (Postage Included)
Flying 8 Ball Patches (All Squadrons including Hdqtrs).
Indicate Squadron
$15.00 + $1 Postage
Blue Liberator Shirts
$30.00 + $3 Postage
TO ORDER WRITE:
Sam Miceli
6398 Dawson Blvd.
Mentor, Ohio 44060-3648
�SHIPDHAM REVISITED
By Vice President Roy Owen
Responding to an invitation from the officers of
the Shipdham Aero Club (SAC) and the civic
leaders of Shipdham, our wartime home, to join in
the Remembrance Day ceremonies of 2002, our
two Past Presidents, Roy Owen and Ed "Mike"
Mikoloski packed up and departed for London on
November 6. After a couple of evenings of London
theatre, the two trained to Norwich, where they
were received by our UK Representative Steve
Adams and his talented pal/driver Paul Wilson.
That evening 'Mike' Mikoloski hosted a dinner at
the Rama da Jarvis Hotel in Norwich for Mike
Artherton, Vice Chairman of the Shipdham Aero
Club, Steve and Janice Adams, Paul Wilson and
Roy Owen. This enjoyable occasion afforded an
opportunity to lay out a schedule for the Saturday
Remembrance Day ceremony at the Shipdham
Church, followed by Sherry and a canape'
reception, then a visit to the Aidield.
Saturday an early start and pick up by Paul and
Steve gave us time to visit the new Memorial
Library (my first visit since before the fire) and a
very pleasant welcome and tour by the 2nd Air
Division Library Staff Director, Derek Hill.
The entire Library is awesome, and particularly
impressive is the 2nd Air Division wing, so
obviously popular by the number of patrons present
doing research. I was so impressed, in fact, I
delayed my return to London by a day, to afford
time for some research associated with my
writings on our own Bomb Group wartime history.
Now I am convinced we should mount another 44th
BGVA UK reunion, while we are still able, to afford
those members who have not taken the opportunity for
that "One Last Look" trip, to see the wonderful things
that are going on at our old Aidield; also to visit the
wondrous resurrection of the Memorial Library.
Rainy weather was no deterrent to the ceremony of honoring the fallen heroes of WWII. Col. Edward
"Mike" Mikoloski and Col. Roy Owen (ctr) walk away from the wreath they placed under the cross in
the yard of the Shipdham Episcopal Church, honoring the 44th Bomb Group.
�While the weather on Saturday was rainy, the
spirit of Remembrance Day was indeed not
dampened by the downpour. The Church
Service, prayers, laying of the floral wreath by
the British Legion, a wreath by each Roy and
Mike, which, of course, was provided by Steve
Adams, all contributed to the solemnity of the
memorable day. The warm reception given us
by our Shipdham friends, along with repeated
thanks for our travel from the USA to provide a
44th Bomb Group presence to this most
honored annual tribute by the English people
to their own and our men and women war
dead, made the trip worthwhile.
Col. Roy Owen and Col. Edward Mikoloski present a lithograph of
the Shipdham Control Tower to Eileen Paterson, owner of the land
on which the Shipdham Aero Club is located. Mrs. Paterson's 60
year loyalty to the 44th BG is legendary.
Finally for Mike and me, the highlight of our
Airfield visit was sharing the dinner and having the
opportunity to chat and visit with our gracious
"Landlady," Eileen Paterson.
Gathering at the Shipdham Aero Club for a festive
celebration are Steve Adams, U.K. Board Member of the
44th BGVA; Col. Roy Owen, 1st VP; Paul Wilson, overseas member; and Col. Edward Mikoloski, Immediate
Past President.
Fortunately by the time we reached the Airfield
and the SAC Pub, the weather had lightened, and
we were able to properly tour the Aero Club
facility, both inside and outdoors.
One purpose of the Airfield visit was the invitation
to a sumptuous, sit down Norfolk Turkey dinner
prepared by the Aero Club's Chef, Miss Carli
Whitside. She was assisted by her mother, Jean
Bonnick. It was hosted by Peter Bodle, Chairman;
Michael Artherton, Vice Chairman and Barry Cator,
Treasurer of the SAC. The other purpose was the
Director's desire for us to review the Club plan for
construction of a 44th Bomb Group Memorial
Garden with a flagpole which would have a yardarm
to bear both our American flag and a 44th Bomb
Group Flying 8 Ball flag. It was clearly explained
that, while they desire our approval, they intend
this memorial project to be the financial
responsibility of the Flying Club as their tribute to
the 44th BG wartime service to England.
8
She was accompanied by (and our first meeting
with) her daughter, Rebecca, and son-in-law. Ken
Proctor. Bless her heart, she still possesses the
sweetest smile and pleasant personality in all of
England. She is always the same Lady, whether
dressed fashionably, as she was that day, or in a
housedress and her "Wellies" tending to the
chores of her fine Pedigree Friesian dairy herd,
alongside her partner, son-in-law Ron.
I returned home with the October 26, 2002 issue of
the Eastern Daily Press Rebecca proudly gave me
featuring Eileen in an article written by Staff
Writer Richard Watts. I wish to share this article
with our members as the feature (Cover Story) of
this issue. Mr. Watts has contributed a real tribute
to a determined Lady who has vowed that the
portion of her farm occupied by the wartime
airfield AAF Station 115 will remain so to the
memory of the 44th Bomb Group.
She is our "Landlady.»
�2nd AIR DIVISION REUNION
5tf// glowing in the joy of achievement, the 2nd Air
Divisions 55th Reunion met at the Hyatt Regency in
Baltimore. The incomparable Grand Opening of the Memorial
Library in Norwich England was still foremost in everyone's
mind, reinforced by a video of the momentous event. Walter
Mundy, President of the Association presented awards;
among them, recognition to Dlch Butler for his outstanding
creation of the beautiful medallions which members wore
throughout the UK celebration.
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***
The following evening DicH stepped into the presidency of
this distinguished organization, the first member of the
44th to move into this office in 20 years. (BUI Robertle and
Pete Henry had previously held this honor.) Happy with the
successes of the past, and reminded that today's work is
tomorrow's memories,' DicH set new goals for the upcoming
year. He promised continued efficiency in administrative
activities-preserving the glorious history of the 2 AD,
support of the Memorial Library; and ongoing efforts to
recruit membership in the Heritage League.
Dick Butler, newly installed President of the
O„J A n
A u- -i A J *u c .
David Hastings, Chairman of the Memorial Trust, presented
2ndLady
Air Division
and his
wife, of
Ardith,
" '
'H
and staunch
supporter
the First
an endearing expression of gratitude to the 2nd Air
organization.
Division for their contributions to his country. Formerly a
pilot in the RAF, he spohe Hnowledgeably about the
sacrifices America had made for his country. He thanked
the men for coming to England's aid in her darkest hour, for creating the Memorial Library, for
providing Fulbright Scholars for library service, and for coming to England after 9/11 despite
the horror which had recently transpired. He reminded the 2 AD that the 6,700 airmen, all
volunteers, who gave their lives flying from England, would never be forgotten. Hastings
accepted a check for $50,000 from the 2 AD Treasurer for continued maintenance and
development of the Library.
One speaker reminded us of the reality of American life in a poem: "It's not the reporter who
gives you freedom of the press. It's the soldier. It's not the politician that gives you freedom to
demonstrate. It's the soldier. It's not the preacher that gives you freedom of religion. It's the
soldier. (How true.)
Julian Ertz, 44th representative to the 2 AD, brought a special prize to the evening's unplanned
entertainment-his daughter Beth. Every wonderful old tune that we could name she strummed out
on the piano; and on - or - off key, we sang. Voices from other groups couldn't resist joining,
many of whom even remembered all the words. It truly closed the evening on a high note. The
next gathering will be in Chicago, the birthplace of the 2 AD.
�afef* Wifek.
il
jhM]
Mb. 1
LA .
*y 'WAldevU'&
The most personal experiences
of men of the 44th B o m b Group
are moving onto the W e b Pages
and the Database. They are
listed under legacy Pages' in
the Database. Long ago Will
Lundy had the foresight to begin
collecting and filing personal
stories and diaries in a room
that eventually resembled a
warehouse. Currently, his Roll of
Honor, the listing of plane
crashes and casualties, is being
updated and revised. That
information will soon be entered
into our Database. This
information is an integral part of
our history. Because of Lundy's
lifetime effort, the 44th B o m b
Group is ahead of all other
veteran organizations in
preserving our history for future
generations. Unfortunately, not
every member of the 44th is on
file because his information has
never been submitted.
10
You may have noticed a change
in the line up of the Board of
Directors page in this issue as
well as the Winter issue. I must
apologize for m y oversight in
acknowledging a very important
thing. Since m y inauguration to
the Presidency, for lack of a
volunteer to replace m e in the
Treasures job, I have been
wearing both hats. While I was
not complaining, I must
confess, with both jobs, I was
trying to keep many balls in the
air. At the O m a h a Reunion, the
Board addressed the problem
If you have a personal diary,
photograph or story that has not and to m y great pleasure, our,
ever willing to help, Board
been submitted, or if you know
Member, Dick Lynch,
an event that your husband,
volunteered to take the
dad, brother or other relative
told, send it in. It's not too late. Treasurer's job effective January
1, 2003. The transition is now
Don't wait for someone else to
do it, as it may not get done. W e complete, Dick (and Betty) is in
need these personal accounts to charge of our money, and I have
more time to devote to the
make W W I I meaningful to
Presidency. To Dick and Betty,
people w h o will read them long
you have m y heart felt thanks
after w e are gone.
and admiration for taking that
one step forward when our
Have you sent in your
Association needed you.
Biography? These are essential
to completing our history. W e
are the Greatest Generation that
J/\<i^c£^
undertook the most daunting
assignment in history, and w e
prevailed. Future generations
should know that W W I I was
won by ordinary people w h o did
extraordinary service when it
Request bio forms at:
was needed. Send us your life
44th B o m b Group Veterans
history and your war
Association
experiences before it is too late.
P.O. Box 712287
Do you need a Bio form? Let us
Salt Lake City, U T 84171-2297
know, and w e will promptly mail
E-mail: 44thbgva@ xmission.com
one to you.
Become Part of the Future!!
S o m e time ago w e sent out a
request for donations for this
valuable but expensive
endeavor. The generosity of our
members and their families has
been of tremendous value in
advancing the project; and along
with the gifts came new
memberships. In some instances
w e received bad news that a
veteran had passed away. That
meant that his war experiences
may not have made it into the
Database. That is very sad.
*
�AN INVITATION TO WASHINGTON, DC
FOR THE 2003 REUNION
( P R E S E N T E D B Y T H E A R M E D F O R C E S REUNIONS, INC.)
Come join your comrades in beautiful Washington, DC
October 9-13, 2 0 0 3
for the 44th B o m b Group Association Reunion.
We will be staying at the Doubletree Hotel in Crystal City Virginia. The hotel is convenientl
located near the Reagan National Airport, with complimentary shuttle service. For those
driving, there is on-site parking with reduced fees for our group. The Metro station, the
Pentagon, the Pentagon Fashion Mall and many fine restaurants are all a pleasant walk from
the hotel.
The Doubletree is just over the bridge from DC, with many rooms providing views of the
skyline. Possible pre-arranged tours Include the Virginia Hunt Country (a nearby escape from the
bustle of the city) and a city tour with a knowledgeable guide to describe all the historic sights.
After the tours, take some time on your own to be Inspired by the American spirit throughout
the nation's capital with visits to the museums, monuments and other sights, using readily
available public transportation. Complete reunion Information, including a detailed program,
activity registration form, hotel reservation form and travel Information will be published in the
next issue of the & Ball Tails.
�SCOUTING OUT WASHINGTON, D.C.
FOR THE 44th BGVA WITH THE DFC
there—the words of Cicero,
engaging. O n e pilot in the
Eager members of the
the Trojan Horse, Hannibal's
Pacific
Theater,
w
h
o
flew
from
Distinguished Flying Cross
majestic
trek across the Alps
met at the Doubletree Hotel in Samoa, described the attrition
are all featured. Also, the story
rate as he saw it. " W e would
Crystal City, the site of the
of the 'Man W h o Never Was'
get
a
very
young
pilot
from
upcoming Reunion of the 44th
and the rubber tanks in
the States, send him out on his
BGVA. The A r m e d Forces
Scotland before D-Day,
first mission, watch his plane
Reunion Inc. orchestrated the
featuring General Patton
go over the horizon; and w e
event, as they will ours in
strutting about—all to confuse
2003. They were truly efficient. would never see him again.
Hitler about the landing site.
That happened so frequently,
The DFC's current goal, in
Gadgets used by the CIA or
w e had to steel ourselves to
addition to swelling the
K G B during the Cold War are
membership list, is to support get used to it." (Thanks to our
great researchers in the 44th, on exhibit. It was worth the
the soon-to-be Aerospace
wait.
Museum, an extension of the
we know what happened to
Smithsonian. It will be
those who did not return.)
An ideal way to see the sights
alongside Dulles Airport,
in Washington is by the Trolley
south of Washington.
A pilot from the 15th Air Force
Tours. They will drop you
thought he figured out the
Entertainment included a bus problem of the August 1st,
anywhere you want to go, and
tour of the city by a very
pick you up for your next
1943 mission to Ploesti. H e
knowledgeable guide and a
destination — The T o m b of the
explained that 'the planes
boat tour of the Potomac.
Unknown Soldier, the
didn't go down because of
(Scratch that event. You are
Smithsonian, Vietnam Wall,
small arms fire; the problem
looking at warehouses and
was that they flew too
Korean Memorial (Don't miss
listening to lousy music.)
low'!!!!!!!! Nothing that Perry
that), the Capitol, the still
or I could say convinced him
unfinished W W I I Memorial,
The Aerospace Museum was
flying low was the plan. (We
and m a n y other sights that are
awesome. I asked to see
hope the gentleman goes to the near and dear to Americans.
Algene Key's original plane,
60th Anniversary Celebration Phillips Flagship Restaurant
Ole Miss. Our ever-eager guide next year to get straightened was a part of our tour. If you
rushed to show it, along with
out. We couldn't do it.)
are a seafood lover, you can't
the Spirit of St. Louis and floors
beat it.
of other planes that are familiar Being true to our code of
to any airman. W e would have
exercising, Perry and I walked Perry and I go to Washington
enjoyed a longer stay, but time
through an open area (sniper
from time to time, living only
marched on, as always.
be darned) to get to the Mall
100 miles away. I never stop
and to the Metro, an
reminding myself that this is
The Banquet Speaker was
underground rail. That m o d e
the greatest, most powerful
General John R. Dailey, U S M C
of transportation is splendid.
city in the world. The
(Ret), Director of the
W e went to the Spy M u s e u m
m e m b e r s of the 44th B G V A
Smithsonian National Air &
where w e stood 1-1/2 hours to
will love being there.
Space Museum. The
get in. The history of spying
conversations later were
and deception is on parade
�CELEBRATING IN OMAHA
AT THE 2002 44th BGVA REUNION
Roy and Lolly O w e n laid out a blazing schedule
of events that provided camaraderie, sobering
moments and an education of the Air Force
History at the O m a h a Reunion. T h e long
corridors of the Holiday Inn w e r e challenging,
giving 44thers the opportunity to get s o m e
daily exercise, along with an opportunity to
share the m e m o r i e s of cold showers in
Shipdham, and
colder adventures
while traveling to
Berlin, Cologne
and other colorful
55th Wing provides worldwide reconnaissance,
c o m m a n d and control, presidential support,
treaty verification and airlift missions. Despite
these heavy responsibilities, they permit
scheduled tours, with uniformed guides
surrounding the groups.
It is reputed that General
Curtis LeMay's fist was the
model for this symbol. (Those
who knew him remember his
iron clad policies.)
places.
Sitting in the
Strategic
Command
Underground
Roy and Lolly Owen
C o m m a n d Center at
Offutt AFB was a powerful experience. It was in
the inner sanctum of American power. O n
September 11,2001, President George W. Bush
had occupied that same room. From that room,
Lunch at the Officer's club w a s delicious and
healthful... sans dessert, to the dismay of a few
w h o yearned for m o r e calories.
In the Rotunda of the Strategic Air Command
M u s e u m h u n g the SR-71, a plane which R o y
O w e n had the pleasure of flying. Below it, cast
in metal w a s his n a m e and those w h o shared
that honor.
any skirmish in the planet could be viewed
with intensity. W a s the Base safe from an atomic
explosion? "Not at all," reported the guide. " W e
don't even keep food here. If a B o m b came,
we'd be gone." Despite that single weakness,
w e viewed the great communication system
and dramatic photographs; and listened to
carefully worded descriptions of the Base's
activities. The telephones in the deep chamber
connect to the White House, the Pentagon,
Donald Rumsfield and other important places;
and w e were told, "If the phone rings, do not
answer it. It is not for you."
Once known as the Strategic Air Command, it
has taken on many more activities, and is now
known as the Strategic C o m m a n d Center. The
Lee Aston's photographic skills were on display at the Command
Center. He snapped this picture upon the crew's return from a
mission. L-R: Lt. Curt Silverthorne, Bombardier; S/Sgt. George
Chigaris, (Deceased), Waist Gunner; 1st. Lt. Chris C. Spagnola,
first pilot; Driver unknown.
�Lunch at the M a h o n e y State Park L o d g e o n the
Platte River w a s delightful, and except for a few
unfortunate ones w h o h a d to hitch-hike to the
next attraction, it w a s uneventful. T h e Lee
S i m m o n s Wildlife Safari Park w a s an adventure.
W h o o p i n g cranes really w h o o p e d , and a pride
of lions lay casually about. Wolves were not shy
to c o m e view us, from behind a fence, of
course. T h e big m o m e n t c a m e w h e n the bus
refused to continue. There w e were-stuck 'out
where the buffalo roam'. Lowell Roberts and
the driver concocted a s c h e m e to get us to the
trading post and safety.
President Folsom officiated at the Grand
Banquet, and Immediate Past President 'Mike'
Mikoloski with great solemnity, conducted the
Candle Lighting Ceremony. President 'Jerry' lit
the source candle. Representing each group,
the following m e m b e r s lit each successive
candle: G e o r g e Insley (66th), Walter Sorenson
(67th), Robert S w a g e (68th), J a m e s H a g e n
(506th) William W i c k h a m (Hq., Mntee,
Ordinances, C o m m ) , Dale Lee (POWs), W o r d e n
Weaver (Ploesti), Arthur Aronoff (Kiel),
Jacqueline Roberts (Pentagon, World Trade Ctr.,
Penna).
The 2002 44th BGVA's Meritorious Medallions
were presented to: Beverly Folsom, Lolly O w e n ,
Irene Lundy, Edith Miceli, 'Fritzi' Selasky, Lois
Hand (accepted by her son, Charles A. Hand),
Betty Lynch, Estelle Voelker, Beth Ertz, Perry
M o r s e and Ruth Dobbs.
Will Lundy
presented Peter
Frizell a
monogrammed
clock in
recognition of
the contribution
he has made in
preserving the
history of the
44th by acquiring valuable photographs.
The Leon Johnson Meritorious Service Award was
presented to Arthur A. Hand (66th Sq.) by General
Johnson's grandson, Leon Johnson Abbott. Art has
dedicated his life to locating members of the 44th
B o m b Group, and bringing many of them into
membership.
The evening ended with a
presentation of W W I I songs
by a group of five, called The
Avi8ors. They sang Don't Sit
Under the Apple Tree, Der
Fuehrer's Face and, of course,
Coming In On A Wing And a
Prayer... all the great songs
that w e simply can't ever
forget. N o b o d y could resist
tapping their feet a n d singing
along. It w a s fantastic.
Above: Everybody joined
the Avi8or in singing the
Air Corps Song.
Left: Perry Morse and
Richard Lynch served up
beverages and snacks.
2
Right: Ann and Nick
Garza at the
506 Sguadron
Dinner
Left: Pete Frizell accepts a special award
from Will Lundy. IPP 'Mike' Mikoloski
officiated at the Awards Program.
Right: Lois Cianci looks at her 'Happy
Birthday' video, recorded by her husband,
Tony.
�<^§K^>^Kf>^Kt>^K|>^K|>^
A CORRECTION TO THE REPORT
OF THE SEMINAR HELD BY THE
COMMEMORATIVE AIR FORCE
From
the Editor:
The missing half of a sentence in the
report of the Ploesti Mission must be
noted, to give full credit to the heroism
of Col. William R. C a m e r o n and T h o m a s
Holmes, Jr.
t
t
t
Immediate Past President 'Mike'
Mikoloski had written, "Both Colonel
Cameron and T o m m y Holmes had
completed their combat tours, but
volunteered to add their experience and
leadership on this dangerous mission."
Only when it is recognized that this was
a mission they made by choice, can
anyone appreciate their courage and
determination.
The war experiences of both of these
pilots are forever imprinted in the
history of the 44th, just as Ploesti is the
mission against which all other missions
are measured.
t!
i
THE 2nd AIR DIVISION
REUNION
June 4-8, 2 0 0 3
The 2003 Reunion of the 2 AD will he at the
Hyatt Regency Hotel in O a k Brook, Illinois. A n
Early Bird party will be the evening of .lime 4.
Evenings of -lime 5 & <> will he Group Nights. The
Banquet will he the evening of June 7, with
departure on June K.
This is an opportunity for many groups to
meet and participate in the organizational skills
and bargaining power of the larger organization.
It is also an opportunity for the 44th
members to come and honor one of our own-Col.
Richard (Dick) Butler. Dick lias made major
contributions to the 2 A D , as well as the 44th
B G V A , besides the help he has extended to
individuals w h o have served under his command.
H e is deserving of our support.
PLOESTI 60th
ANNIVERSARY REUNION
July 30 - August 3,2003
From: Blaine Duxbury
Associate 44th Member
All 44th Tidal Wave veterans are invited to attend
the 60th Anniversary Reunion to commemorate the
low level bombing raid on the Ploesti oil refineries
on August 1,1943. The Reunion will encompass all
five bomb groups that participated in the raid.
The Reunion will be held at the Best Western Salt
Lake Plaza Hotel, Salt Lake City, Utah. The Reunion
schedule is as follows:
July 30 - Early Arrivals.
Registration: Display/Hospitality Room Open, First
night get together Buffet.
<ci>
s
i
f<i>
i
i
July 31 - Registration. The day will consist of
^^^^
symposiums and lectures by historians and archivists, ^ r
Tidal Wave vets will be invited to participate.
S \
Hospitality & memorabilia rooms will be open. B u f f e ^ ^ v i
Dinner. Evening—visit the Mormon Tabernacle for a
practice session with the Choir.
August I - Visit to Hill Air Force Base to view a
recently restored B-24D. A Memorial service at the
base chapel. Lunch in the Officers Club. A banquet
that evening with a special program to
commemorate this historic day.
August 2 - Additional forums. Opportunities for
social events; hospitality & memorabilia rooms o p e n ^ ^ ^ V
Aug 3 - Say good-bye to comrades and head home.
In addition to Tidal Wave combat crews, ground
crews and relatives of participants are invited. The
Low Level P O W organization will be meeting also. An
informational packet including registration will be
mailed out soon.
for further information, contact
Blaine Duxbury
524 Weston Hills Court
Eagan, MN 5SI23
Phone: 651-456-5372.
E-mail: bdux@aol.com
t
z
<|>^K|>^K|>^K|>^K^>^K^>^
15
�The General Leon W. Johnson Distinguished Service Award
rw*y» f\^t XJM^
All 44th BGVA Members,
Just a few words to let you know how
proud I a m to have received the General
Leon W. Johnson Distinguished Service
Award. What
made it special was having
General ]ohnson's grandson, Leon
Johnson Abbott present it to me. I was
surprised, shocked and speechless.
I search for former bomb group members
hoping to get old friends or crew members
together. I like a challenge and it has
been one. When
I find someone that has
requested information about a friend that
was in the 44th, it makes me feel very
good. When
I find a widow or relative of
Art Hand (right) and son Charles.
a deceased member, it makes me feel bad.
One I remember is a widow I called and asked if I could speak to her husband
and she replied no. H e passed away yesterday and will be buried tomorrow.
What
can one say except I am very sorry to hear of him passing and wish we
could have located him sooner.
If there are any requests about any former members, I will do rrvy best to locate
him or them for you. Thanks to all 44th Bomb
Group members that have
helped me in the past.
s&
16
®
�THERE HE WAS'
THE CONTINUED SAGA OF LT. JAMES TOMBLIN
Lt. James Tomblin called his book, There I
Was, Story N o . 45,001, in recognition that
45,000 equally imposing accounts of W W I I had
been written. In a previous issue he describes
his mission on October 30, 1943, w h e n as
Navigator on the Arthur Ledford crew, 66th
Sq., they were in the group leading the 14th
Combat Wing and the 2nd Air Division to the
Marshalling Yards in H a m m , Germany.
A/C # 44-10531, unofficially named My Sad
Ass, exploded after four bursts of flak set the
plane ablaze. Trapped behind one of the nose
wheel doors, Tomblin and Lt. Richard Pascal,
Bombardier, were caught in the flames, but
escaped w h e n the plane blew up, tossing them
free. They pulled their rip cords and floated
into the waiting arms of the Germans. They
shared the hospital experience with their pilot,
Lt. Ledford. There were some acts of
compassion from their captors. A German
soldier put salve on Tomblin's burns; a
physician gave him a shot of morphine. Both
Tomblin and Pascal were blinded by their facial
burns. It took about a month for the swelling to
go d o w n so they could see.
Tomblin kept notes on the hospital diet.
Breakfast at the hospital consisted of two slices
of white bread and one or two of black bread,
usually with honey, and coffee. N o o n was
boiled potatoes, as m a n y as they could eat.
Twice a week they had a little piece of meat.
Sometimes they had soup, sometimes spinach.
They had fruit for dessert about four times per
week. In the evening they had more bread with
cheese or baloney (sic) on it. Those 'good'
meals were short lived.
On October 19th a nun packed them a lunch,
gave them an apple and sent them off to a
train, and ultimately to jail. Here, cold, hungry
and lonely, Tomblin survived on bread that
was sometimes moldy. Gratefully, he once
received a Red Cross care package with two
packs of cigarettes, a tooth brush, tooth
powder, two handkerchiefs, a razor, shaving
stick and a towel.
In time he was permitted a shower, and then
something good happened. H e met the
American C o m m a n d i n g Officer of the camp, a
Col. Stark. H e provided quiet reassurance that
helped the captives through the stressful times.
That night they were fed a good meal. S o m e of
the m e n ate so much, after a long deprivation,
they threw it back up. Tomblin managed a
little better; he just felt bad. The International
Red Cross supplied food parcels that m a d e life
quite bearable. In time Tomblin, Pascal and
Ledford were placed in the same room.
Fortunately, somebody smuggled a short-wave
radio into the camp, so each day a fellow
prisoner (called a Kriegie by the Germans)
would come to their room, close the door and
provide the war news broadcast from BBC.
Like all Americans, they hoped the War would
be over by Christmas; so w h e n they heard the
news of Bastogne, it was truly depressing. Sad,
too, was the knowledge that Glenn Miller w a s
killed.
In March 1944, eighty prisoners escaped
through a 30' x 300' tunnel they had dug.
Seventy-seven were recaptured, fifty were
shot, and three got back to England. That story
was later m a d e into a movie, The Great Escape.
A reasonable level of comfort was always
temporary. They were m o v e d by box car to
Sagan, Stalag Luft III, a three day trip. They
had to sleep in shifts, taking turns with seats
and one m a n on the floor. After that there were
frequent moves, m a n y times within hearing
distance of the battle, and frequently b o m b s
�were falling in their vicinity. They were
marched through bitter cold weather,
frequently through snow, and sometimes with
only a slice of bread to eat in a day. It has been
written that Hitler demanded that imprisoned
airmen be kept from the hands of the invaders,
as he planned to use them for bargaining chips.
His officers were following his command.
On May 1st, General Patton strode through
their tent, followed by a 2-Star General, two 1Star Generals, a full Colonel, and a British
Group Commander. The Yankees had arrived!
Eight days later they were moved by truck to
an airport, loaded into C-47s and flown to
C a m p Lucky Strike. W h e n a ship was
available, they sailed to Southampton,
England, then home.
Tomblin's detailed account of his War and
P O W experience was created at the urging of
his mother, whose secretarial skills made the
undertaking m u c h easier. His mother had an
amazing w a y of dealing with his travails,
beyond ESP. Every day that she walked to
work, she looked to see a bird fly between her
and the corner. If she saw it, it meant that Jim
wasflyingthat day. Once it flew into a bush,
and she interpreted it to mean that 'something
happened.' W h e n she got to work, she looked
at his picture and saw a purple heart. She
interpreted it to mean he was injured, but alive.
Her intuition was accurate.
Unlike many POWs whose treatment was so
vile they cannot forget. Lt. James Tomblin looks
back on instances where a nun and a German
guard extended unexpected kindness, and
when a prisoner extended kind consideration
to a guard. Years later he visited a German
cemetery. H e wrote this poem, in recognition
that there must be an innate spirit that unites
all mankind, regardless of their role in life:
T W O GRAVEYARDS
One lies there in regal splendor, an eternal flame there burns.
With grass and trees minutely trimmed, imposing sculpture everywhere.
Brick pathways lead a visitor throughout the gorgeous plot.
It takes your breath, it numbs your mind, so beautiful it is.
Ten thousand graves, each marked with plaques, to help locate a loved one there.
We call them heroes, 'cause we won; and Victors write the history books.
Just four hundred kilos distant rest ten thousand other souls.
A lonely cross marks each four graves, with lawn and trees untrimmed. .
No sculpture here, no constant flame; just weeds and rock strewn paths.
No heroes either, 'cause they lost, and Victors write the history books.
J
�BERLIN-My Third Mission
By George R. Insley
It was a dark October night when they ousted m e out of
my bed. I looked at my watch to find it was just 0200 hours.
I hadn't expected to be called for a mission, so I had been
reading an interesting book till 2300 hours. Only 3 hours of
sleep.
I quickly dressed and wondered where the mission was
headed this morning. I went over to the mess hall and had
breakfast of scrambled powdered eggs. I caught transportation
down to the briefing room. W e sweated out the time till the
briefing started. The curtain was withdrawn that covered the
map and m y heart skipped a beat as my eyes traced the red
course line to Berlin! Berlin!!! Right into the center of all
those FLAK guns. The Weather Officer said there was freezing
rain falling over all of Europe. Everything would be coated
with a layer of ice.
I looked at the formation chart to see what position I
would be flying and was surprised to find that I was in
position 3 of the lead squadron, flying off the lead ships left
wing. In the lead element; but this was only m y 3rd mission!
My first mission had been longer and I remembered how
scared I was when I saw the flak and fighters on that mission
to Danzig, Poland. The 44th B o m b Group had never flown to
Berlin before. Berlin, I was scared. Berlin! Why, the Germans
would have every plane they could muster against us and flak
guns! W e had heard of all the flak installations around the city.
I don't remember everything that was said, but the m a p
was speckled with red blotches indicating where the flak
installations were located along the route, as well as at the
target. They reported the expected fighters concentrations. The
good news was that on this cold October day of 1943, a
FREEZING RAIN was falling over all of Europe and that the
fighters would not be able to get off of the ground nor fly
without having de-icing equipment. That was all well and good,
but I was still SCARED. They could still shoot the
flak cannons even with freezing rain. Much more
was said, but all I could think of was the fear,
the overwhelming fear, I felt.
After the briefing, I went out by myself and fell on m y
knees and talked to God w h o m I knew about, but I was not
intimately connected with Him. Sure I went to Sunday school,
some of the time, even to Church. I believed in Him. Did I
love Him? Did I follow His teachings? Some! As I talked to
Him, laying my fear burden before Him, the fright slowly
melted away and I had peace. I went to check out m y
parachute and other items I took on my flights. I had peace
about this flight. God gave m e peace, a peace that continued
as I flew my two tours of combat. Yes, the fright disappeared.
I was calm as I went to my plane and waited with my crew.
As we waited, a jeep drove up and said that the flight was
scrubbed. PRAISE GOD!
As I reflect back over the past 60 years, I dedicated m y
life to serve as a missionary pilot for the Wycliffe Bible
Translators from 1951 to 1990 serving in Peru and Brazil. I
gave m y life to God that morning. I had a need, I came
seeking help and I was helped; now I have helped others to
find Christ.
As you can see from the story, this mission was scrubbed,
but it was the most important mission of my life. After that
experience, I do not fear for what life might bring, nor in death.
George R. Insley
(Ed. Note: George Insley, 66 Sq. signed on for a second tour,
completing a total of 49 missions, and rising to the rank of Captain.
He flew as Lead Crew on his last mission, the Rothensee Oil Refinery
in Magdeburg, Germany, February IS, 1945.)
�Will Sez
(Q\
In my last message to you, I tried to outline the procedures \ ^^ J
w e were following to replace my old book, "Roll of Honor \.
£
>
and Casualties." So now I would like to bring you up to date » - i m t ^
on our progress with the project.
I have reviewed and forwarded all of your stories to Brenda Phillips, our new
secretarial support, to type and scan, and she has been and will be sending all
of your data to Jim Hamilton to 'cut and paste' in the new book format. So w e
are closing in on the possibility of printing out the first book, now measured in
months.
For you who do not know the background of my first Roll Book, I should tell you
that it attempted to identify all aircraft that w e lost during the war - over 150 of
them. Also, a definite effort to tell what happened to cause the loss of each
plane and your personal accounts telling what happened to you and the other
crewmen on board. The text is written in each man's own words as nearly as
possible. S o m e evasion action have been included, but limited. Most evasion
stories were entered into a Legacy Section of the cd rom.
It would help us a great deal to get a rough estimate of just how many of you
members might be interested in purchasing these new books. Our numbers are
dwindling, of course, so there is a distinct possibility that there might not be
enough of a demand to get them published. So, before w e move along too far,
it would help a great deal to learn approximately how many members might be
interested. If w e go to a printing, it will require two books of course. So take
that into consideration. No price is available, but w e will make it as reasonable
as possible. Could I ask those of you who might be interested to drop m e a card?
�FOLDED
WINGS
PREPARED BY:
BARTEET, WILLIAM S.
12 October 2002
35153446 66th Squadron
"Bill" Barteet was a m e m b e r of the 66th
Squadron ground echelon that sailed to
England on board the Queen Mary on 6
September 1942. He served with the
66th Squadron and returned to the U.S.
on 16 June 1945 at the close of the war
in Europe. He was 82 at the time of his
death, was the owner of the Barteet
Plastic Pipe company. His wife, Mable,
survives him.
BUCHNER, KENNETH
Date Unknown
Headquarters
Sgt. Buchner has been a long-time
m e m b e r of the 2nd ADA. Although he
has had two residences -- in Ft.
Lauderdale and the other in Akron, NY,
little is known about his service with us.
Nothing has been located at this time.
CIESIELSKI,
R A Y M O N D J.
Date Unknown
0-686989
506th Squadron - Pilot
Lt. Ciesielski and his crew
were assigned to the 506th
Squadron on 11 August 1944.
This was a very unusual day as
the base was celebrating their
200 mission party, with beer
flowing freely. He flew his first
mission as a co-pilot for combat
experience on 18 August, and then the
first crew mission was dated 24 August
1944. For many of their 35 missions,
they flew "Clean Sweep" (42-51351). A
break in their missions occurred on 16
November when they were sent to
Knightshayes for one week of R&R. For
many of their later missions, they flew
as a lead crew. Their tour of duty (35
missions) ended on 16 February 1945. On
the 28th of this same month, they were
transferred to the 70th Replacement
Depot for assignment back in the U.S.
After the war, Lt. Ciesielski changed his
name to Chelsea.
HAUSE, MAURICE E.
11 September 2002
66th Squadron - Bombardier
"Mike" was one of the first replacement
crews to join the 66th in April 1943. As a
m e m b e r of the Hughes crew, he had
trained in B-17S, but was assigned to B24s upon arrival in England. He was
interned in Turkey after the Ploesti Raid.
He eventually returned to England and
finished his tour. He left the Republic
Steel Company, and became an expert
in hunting and fishing. According to his
pilot, Major Charles Hughes, he also
became
his
exploits
expert
in all
at of
telling
the above.
tall tales about
�PECK, JOHN W
Date unknown
506th squadron - Navigator
Lt. Peck flew his first combat mission as
a m e m b e r of the Confer crew on 26
November 1944. The next day he was
with the Lt. Zifzman crew. After a
transfer to the Scherzberg crew, he
flew his third mission on 12 December
1944 and many more with them. On 16
April 1945, he became a 1st Lt. and flew
his last two missions with that rank on
that day and 20 April. Twenty-one
missions in alii
SANNES, CARL A.
18 October 2002
0-816716
67th Squadron - Co-Pilot
Carl sannes was the co-pilot for the N. E.
Bartlett crew. This crew was assigned on
29 June 1944 and flew their first mission
on 7 July. They completed their tour of
32 missions on 12 December 1944. After
a short period of temporary duty
assignments, they were transferred to
the 70th Replacement Depot for
c. to the U.S. Carl was
assignment
TODD, W E B Bback
born on 8 August 1916, was 86 years old,
2002
survived
18047021 by his wife, Dora.
68th Squadron - Aircraft Mechanic
W e b b joined the 68th Squadron on 6
August 1942 at Will Rogers Field,
Oklahoma, three weeks before the 44th
BG was assigned to overseas duty. After
processing at Ft. Dix, NJ, the 44th BG
ground echelon boarded the HMS
Queen Mary in N e w York Harbor on 5
September. The next day, he was with
16,000 others on their way to Scotland
and ultimately to Cheddington,
22
England. Then to Shipdham on 10
October 1942. As most of the ground
personnel, the assignment in England
was for the duration of hostilities, so he
spent the next 31 months at Shipdham.
W e b b served in the 68th Squadron
Engineering Section working on many B24s. in so doing, these m e n built up
close relationships with each other that
carried over into peacetime. W e b b and
Robert O. Krueger were very active in
the 68th Squadron non-commissioned
organization. For many years they had
annual reunions and published a
newsletter. Then the organization
expanded to include all 68th Squadron
personnel. They joined the 44th BCHMC
that was organized in 1980, and
reorganized in 1994. W e b b compiled
and published a fine history of the 68th
Squadron, was active in the early 44th
BCHMB as the 68th Squadron Historian,
and later in the 44th BGVA in the same
capacity. He is respected and admired
by us all.
~9>
�:•:•:•:•:•:
From Joe and Barbara Crandell:
^
"Enclosed is the picture
of fifteen year old Peter
Emmerich, a m e m b e r
of the gun crew that
brought down m y
brother, Lt. Leonard
Crandell, pilot on the
From the Editor: I've been challenged to
Kay Bar. The plane
print this by an anonymous author:
went down on
Varsity, the
"The Journal is full of wonderful articles, and Operation
I
low
level
mission
to Wesel, Germany."
keep looking for an exciting story from a
ground pounder; but have just realized that
there is no way they will admit to the soft life
they had in England.
i M 9f I-m&OIL
"You say the fly boys had it good. They had
fresh eggs for breakfast. With m y own eyes I
saw one wrench jockey devour a six egg
(fresh) omelet with fresh peppers, English
cheddar cheese, chopped onions and English
Bacon. Ain't no fat in English bacon. Fresh
cocoa off the charcoal heated stove, kept red
hot at all times. That stove could boil a
helmet full of water in three minutes flat. To
continue, toast from fresh bread, English
butter with strawberry jam. They traded
three jars of orange marmalade for one
strawberry. All this action takes place when
the fly boys are over the flak guns of St.
Nazaire. It would be a pleasure to return to
Ploesti with a belly full of that grub."
Editor's Question: Are we all talking about
the same War?
From Monica Loman:
"My husband, the artist who decorated the
walls at the 14th Combat Wing in Shipdham
is delighted that his work is being preserved.
At age 85, Jack (Loman) is still painting,
despite a stroke!" The Lomans were married
in 1943 at St. Gregory's church. They have
two sons, four grandchildren and three great
grandchildren. They would love to hear from
their friends in the 44th. Address: 1527
Kronborg Drive, Salvang, C A 93463. E-mail:
MJSYV@aol.com
The Crandell family -Joe, Barbara and
daughter, Connie Moss, stand at the crash
site of A/C # 42-100314 G + . Grass has not
covered the wound in the earth caused by
the crash near Hamminkeln, Germany.
From Fred Browning, a bombsight
mechanic with the 67th:
This picture showing the cartoon on K-Bar is
Chester Pearson, who worked with m e . I
think he was in the 66th. I took this picture
with an old folding camera, and developed
m y photos in the Bombsight Maintenance
Bldg., which is still standing. Steve A d a m s is
a fine and dedicated gentleman, whose
research was correct regarding K-Bar."
(Ed. Note: Lt. Crandell's
plane, K-Bar went down
on the Wesel Mission. All
crew members were
KIA.)
�&
From Brigadier General Robert
Cardenas:
The National Air and Space Museum,
Smithsonian Institute, Washington, D C
provides three residential fellowships to
support research in aerospace history. The
application deadline for the academic year
2002-2003 was January 15, 2003. Further
information can be found on the M u s e u m
website @ http://www.nasm.edu/nasm/
joinnasm/fellow/fellow.htm. For information
regarding fellowships, check http://
weblsi.edu/ofg/. Information about the
Charles A. Lindbergh, Chair in Aerospace
History, check mike.neufeldKginasm.si.edu.
For contact to the NASA History office,
check the NASA History Page @
http://histoTy.nasa.gov.
Tommy
Shepherd
wants to know:
Why they don't make the whole plane out of
the s a m e material used for the indestructible
black box? W h y do they call the airport the
Terminal' if flying is really safe? W h y sheep
don't shrink w h e n it rains?
Cartoon submitted by Frank Schaeffer:
&
Board
News
Because of added expenses of postage and
administrative cost the Board has voted a
dues increase of $5. Yearly dues is now
$25, still a bargain in today's world.
An Appeal From the Board:
Will Lundy is making a monumental effort to
m o v e the diaries and correspondence from
his bedroom library to the Database, which
requires much secretarial help. W e also need
an Editorial Board to oversee that this
information which the secretary has typed is
technically correct. Only a person w h o has
flown in a B-24 or maintained or repaired one
would know these particulars.
Can you give us a hand? Call or write
President Gerald Folsom, 3582 East Dover
Hill Road, Salt Lake City, UT 84121-5527Phone (801) 733-7471;
e-mail: 44thbgva@xmission.com. W E NEED
YOUR EXPERTISE.
&
FYI:
Bob Norsen, Jackie Roberts and Charlotte
Huntley are all experts on Alternative
Medicine. Any of the three are eager to advise
you on your health concerns.
24
From
Yves
Vercoutter:
I am a 32 year old Frenchman, extremely
keen on anything about the WWII history, and
mainly the Landing in Normandy on June 6,
1944. I try to go every year to Normandy, to
pay h o m a g e to our Liberators, and for m e to
collect m y thoughts about graves in the
O m a h a Beach Cemetery.
If the Americans had not c o m e in 1944,
liberating a land and people that they didn't
know, I certainly would not be here. I owe
these m e n m y liberty, and I take a pride in
writing them to express m y gratitude, and
especially for the sacrifice of those who
didn't return home.
Please publish m y e-mail address, and
ask your m e m b e r s to contact m e , so I can
individually thank them.
vercoutter.pascale@wanadoo.fr
�Steve Adams
has questions:
An eBay purchase by Steve Adams - two
original pictures of planes from the 68th
Squadron. Can anybody identify the
mechanic of The Little Dutchman? W h o flew
in it? W h o flew in Shortleg?
Answering the Editor's question of
"Who was the Ball Turret Gunner
whose
life was saved by the skill of the Crash
Landing made by Rockford C. Griffith
and Lawrence W. Grone:
Forrest S. Clark remembers the details of
that return from the Kjeller Mission. "When
the bail out bell rang, I rolled out of the tail
turret and Kuban was hit by enemy fire from
German fighters. He went down and I rolled
on top of him. He had come out of the ball
turret to bring some a m m o belts back to me.
...We struggled back for about two hours, just
over the sea, and finally had to jump when
w e had passed over the English coast..."
William T. Kuban sustained head and body
wounds. After recovering, he flew four more
missions, the last being March 3, 1944.
�COL CLAYTON ROBERTS
AND HIS STRANGE ENCOUNTERS
The Allies had just seized the R e m a g a n Bridge over the Rhine River w h e n Lt. Clayton Roberts went
on his first mission into Betzdorf and Frankfurt. The world w a s changing fast. Defending their h o m e
turf, the fighting w a s increasingly fierce. By the time Roberts m a d e his fourth mission to Berlin, the
United States had a new President, Harry S. Truman. Franklin D. Roosevelt died on March 12.
Nine missions later, after bombing the Marshalling Yards at Passau, Germany, Roberts learned that
the Russians were storming Berlin. April 18, 1945 w a s his last mission. Less than a month later, (May
8th), he was celebrating Victory Day in Europe.
His adventures as a pilot took a new turn when he decided to stay in the service. He recently
described s o m e unusual happenings W h e n these events took place, he w a s a Colonel:
Background: When I was an airplane driver in SAC (Strategic Air Command), we had to practice
bombing on R B S (Radar B o m b Scoring) sites. By electronic m e a n s the speed and altitude of the
airplane, along with the known trajectory of the type of b o m b simulated, the point of impact for a
given target in the R B S area could be accurately determined, thus providing a m e a n s of evaluating
the effectiveness of bombardiers without the use of live ordinance. At the time of m y two encounters,
I was with the 371st BS, 307th B G at MacDill A F B , Tampa, Fla.
First Encounter: One night on Tampa RBS, we were flying a race track pattern at 25000. We had
been flying the race track pattern for over an hour when m y left scanner (left waist gunner) reported a
brilliant light at 8 o'clock and that it had been following us for several minutes. I banked left and saw
what looked like a large landing light over m y left wing. It w a s at our altitude and followed m e in the
turn onto the downwind leg of the racetrack. I had been informed at briefing that I would be the only
aircraft on Tampa R B S . Since the light continued to follow m e in the race track pattern and remained
at the 8 o'clock position "it had to be another plane." I called T a m p a R B S and w a s informed that I was
the only aircraft over Tampa at that time. I w a s the only aircraft on R B S radar. I don't remember how
much longer the light continued to follow m e but it did not follow as I descended.
Second encounter: Again at 25000 feet, daylight, heading on a northerly course from Tampa into the
Georgia/Alabama/Mississippi area (don't remember the exact mission but generally all missions were
combination "long range navigation, cruise control, RBS") m y right scanner called and reported a
brilliant ball at the 5 o'clock position. H e could not identify what it w a s but knew it w a s not an airplane.
H e said it was so bright that it w a s like looking into the sun. After a few minutes, m y left scanner
reported a similar object at the 8 o'clock position. Both objects were at the s a m e altitude as w e were
and both maintained the s a m e distance from us. I don't remember the time lapse, but finally both
brilliant spheres flashed by the cockpit on their respective sides of the airplane at an unbelievable
rate of speed. As I watched, both spheres turned to our two o'clock position, climbed at an
unbelievable rate and merged with a larger sphere that had appeared at a m u c h higher altitude
moving at a rate of speed I had never seen before or since. Knowing the speed of m y airplane the
speed of the spheres had to be in the thousands of miles per hour.
Do I believe in UFOs? You bet!!
Clay
�f
This poem found in the
personal mementos of Dale
Ruland, a name I cannot
find in our Database.
THE FLYING EIGHT BALL
At the break of early dawn
You can hear the engines song
The eight-ball's rid in' high
It's the 44th you know
And wherever you may go
You may see her in the sky.
Chorus
With her mighty bombers soaring
On their way to Germany
Hear those engines roaring
Their song of victory.
They are flying over there
And they'll get in Jerry's hair
They're the wings of Uncle Sam
The Eight Ball is their sign
The 44th is on the line
And Berlin will soon be damned.
*\
FORSflLE
Kevin Watson's book Ruth-Less and Far From H o m e is the story
of the tragic crash of the A/C #41-24282, 506 Sq. It is available
through Amazon.com; signed copies can be obtained through hometown KEVwats@aol.com. The cost is $20. His book is a tribute to the
James Bolin crew of Ruthless.
The 44th Tour Group in 1997 will remember Kevin for graciously traveling with the group through France and Belgium and
shopping for amenities to make the members more comfortable on the
bus. Watson arranged for an awesome ceremony on Butts Brow, the
hillside crash site of the Ruthless; and later, the meeting at the
Eastbourne Courthouse with Mayoress Beryl Healy. More recently, he
arranged a Remembrance Day tour for 44th members after the 2 A D
meeting in Norwich.
44th B O M B GROUP, The Flying Eightballs, a 115 page documentary of
the 44th BG is available for $55 from Turner Publishing Company, 412
Broadway, P.O. Box 3101, Paducah, KY 42002-3101. This hardbound 9
x 11 book has 128 pages of historical material, and biographies of
many veterans. A good reference book for new members seeking information.
THE WILD BLUE Y O N D E R is a chronology of the James N. Williams
crew, (66th BS) as recorded by Warren F. McPherson. McPherson's
detailed report tells the story from induction to his last mission, concluded by a kiss on solid soil. The Tail Gunner, who later became a
minister, presents a lively and accurate account of the life of an N C O in
the maelstrom of war. Cost $10 for a soft cover, 32 page ringed book.
Write 1016 E. Rockwood Street, Springfield, M O 65807-5092.
PURSUIT IN THE PYRENEES, by Archie Barlow, Jr., is an account of a
three month effort of evading the enemy in German-occupied France,
1944. The price is $20. Write L. B. Wright, 3911 Black Locust Drive,
Houston, TX 77088-6904. Tel. 281-931-1932. E-mail Wright@juno.com.
The Angel and the Eagle by Joseph E. Milliner is a personal story,
written in 3rd person, of his experiences as a pilot, a family m a n and a
distraught father whose son, a helicopter pilot, tragically disappeared in
Laos during the Vietnam War. Milliner describes the fury of the Ploesti
Raid, target White V, in dramatic detail. Then there was Foggia, where
Buzzin Bear crashed, and four of the crew were lost. According to Joe,
his ever faithful Guardian Angel JOSEPH saved him from parachuting
into the flaming plane. Milliner's signed hardcover book is available for
$11.95, (postage incl.). Write 281 Fincastle Way, Shepherdsville, KY
40165. E-mail Mackie0126@aol.com
��
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Title
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8 Ball Tails
Newsletter
Dublin Core
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Title
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8 Ball Tails Volume 4 - Issue 6: Spring 2003
Source
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<span>44th Bomb Group Veteran's Association Website (<a class="in-cell-link" target="_blank" href="http://www.8thairforce.com/44thbg" rel="noreferrer noopener">Now Inactive</a>)</span>
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
Spring 2003