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�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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A name given to the resource
8 Ball Tails
Newsletter
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
8 Ball Tails Volume 4 - Issue 3: Spring 2002
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
<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 2002