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-IffiAlLIL (O)IF IFilimE (ij1UAffi'IrlEffilL W ~ Newsletter of 93rd Bomb Group 2nd Air Division, 8th Air Force Hardwick, England Vol. 1, No. 1 Paul R. Steichen Group President Editor Summer, 1993 2227A Ruhland Avenue Redondo Beach, CA 90278 (310) 214-1618 RETURN OF THE LIBERATOR-WARTIME LOVE STORY by David Henshall The two men looked out of the pub across the small green to the cottages beyond. The big front window of the "Three Nags" afforded a panoramic view of the place. To the left, the road swung away in front of the church, sweeping down past the tiny school and on to the turnpike just over a mile away. Turn left there for Bungay and Halesworth, right for Norwich and Topcroft. Over to the right of the village, by the Chambers' little stores and the Browns' even smaller butcher's shop, a fork took Station Road along a neat row of small, well-kept homes washed in pretty pastel shades until it dipped into the shallow valley where once had run the single-track railway. A mile up the track, the line had once skirted Jordan's Field, a wartime USAAF base built in four months on a natural plateau of flat, almost treeless land. For nearly seven years Jordan's Field had been an exciting part of Bob Talbot's life. There were tantalizing glimpses of the base from the carriage windows when the "Flier," as the Yanks laughingly called her, steamed by, and longer close-ups at the weekends when all the local kids rode their bikes to the airfield to gasp at the giant Liberator bombers. Bob sometimes cycled there with a couple of school friends. But mostly he went with Alice, daughter of the local doctor and the most gorgeous girl he had ever seen, on or off the silver screen. The~ banked atffPlv and tho nome ~nc ... Allee lhone OUI The Ball of Fire Quarterly Express flies its first mission! As the editor, ft is my hope that she will bring good reading to our beloved 93rd Bomb Group and her cargo will be a credit to her name and to those who flew her. Many of us experienced the joy Qf seeing her 50 odd years ago as we emerged from thick clouds to find her waiting for us. My wish and goal is that somehow her readers will find that same feeling as she arrives on their doorstep four times a year -- PRS 1

She was 17, two years older than Bob, a happy, natural creature, boisterously full of fun and given to skinny-dipping with the boys on warm summer nights. There was no nonsense or any suggestion of it. She remained the purest thing in a world full of wickedness, and the boys all loved and protected her like brothers. Bob didn't love her like a brother. Every glimpse of those long, sun-browned legs as she slipped on and off her bicycle started a motor racing inside his body that he had never felt before. The things the Yanks called out to her as the pair of them stood watching the big ships being loaded or serviced made Bob angry, but she just laughed good-naturedly at these brash young men so full of life and, some of them as she knew, so near death. Death! Bob Talbot came back to the present with a-start_ J)n_the far side of the Yillage a wQIDan.....ruL longer young, was walking towards the "Three Nags." He turned to his companion, "That's her corning now." The American stood tall and straight for his 64 years and Bob Talbot marveled at how like his younger brother Torn Sears looked. There were even tinges of sandy hair mixed with the grey and the same smile lines playing round his mouth. It had been 50 years almost to the day since Lt. Johnny Sears died, but there was no doubt that the two were brothers. The two men watched the approaching woman intently. She was 67, Bob knew, but still stood straight and her grey hair shone as brightly in the crisp winter sun as it had in its golden years. "Where did they meet?" Tom Sears asked quietly. Bob knew exactly because just two weeks after Lt. Johnny Sears flew his Liberator into Jordan Field, Alice went right out of Bob's life. She still waved distantly, but there were no more cozy cycle rides or chats outside the village hall. Her ffilher invitea-a~1runehof'-th"'e----1rA-m=e .... ri-ca-n airmen over for a hot bath and a meal. Alice and Johnny took one look at each other and clicked. When he wasn't flying, they were never out of each other's company, dancing, walking, talking, always hand-in-hand--and always laughing the happy laughter that only love can bring. "Please come back," she would whisper as they parted, and he always answered the same way: "I'll be back for sure--however long it takes." And he had a charmed life, bringing his crew and his ship home without a scratch from the trips to hell. Then he changed the name of his aircraft from Devil Tiger to Princess Alice. The doctor's daughter screamed with delight at the nose art, but his crew hated the change. On her first mission just before 2 Christmas, Princess Alice blew up over Germany. Witnesses said nobody stood a chance of getting out. Alice was filled with grief and guilt over the name change but remained certain Johnny would come back. Her mouth sometimes smiled but, Bob told Tom Sears, her eyes never smiled again. Her soul went with Johnny's Alice never married. She did good works, organized the children's Christmas party just the way the Yanks did during the war and then suddenly, out of the blue, had recently paid for a memorial to the USAAF airmen in the village church, remembering especially Lt. Johnny Sears. Bob Talbot had discovered Tom Sears through a USAAF reunion magazine and, with Alice's permission, invited the American to the official nveilini o~memorial. He had arrived today and Alice was coming to meet him. She stopped abruptly and paled when she saw Tom Sears. The likeness startled her but she recovered quickly and soon they were talking like old friends. The unveiling went well. Alice seemed not quite herself and Tom sat with his arm around her, even after the others had left their pews. As the crowd left the church, the quiet of the afternoon was shattered by the sound of an aircraft, the note of the engines remarkably familiar. The Liberator banked steeply over the "Three Nags" and the name Princess Alice shone out clearly in the sunlight. "Impossible!" Bob cried. "There are no Liberators left flying this side of the world." And at that same moment, there was a cry from inside the church. Alice was dead. "She smiled, she laughed and she died, ti Tom said. "Fifty years--and he came back for her. ti -im:;TO~ID-93roANNUAL MEETING Friday, Nov. 5, will be devoted entirely to group activities at the 2nd A.O. Annual Convention. The 93rd will hold their annual meeting 9:30-11:30 am on that day. We hope that all those going to Hilton Head will attend. We will then have free time until the evening cocktail party. This will be followed by a private 93rd group dinner. A brief report on the morning business meeting will be given. No speeches; just good fun. Also available for wives and friends that day is a 2nd A.D.-sponsored cruise, lunch/shopping excursion. When Evelyn Coh~ sends you your registration confirmation she will include details regarding this option.

OSLO-KJELLER We are seeking veterans of the Nov. 18, 1943 U.S. bombing mission to Oslo-Kjeller, Norway from any of the four bomb groups that participated: the 93rd, 392nd, 389th and the 44th. If you participated in this mission, please contact Mr. Oscar Kaalstad, 700 Willow Run Road, Winter Springs, FL, or Forrest S. Clark, 703 Duffer Lane, Kissimmee, FL. Arrangements are being planned for a 50th reunion commemoration of this mission in Norway. Anyone who flew on this mission is invited to join this reunion and to participate in a memorial tribute to those who gave their lives on this mission. Plans are to have a return to Norway for a reunion ceremon . Ifinterested, telephone (813) 427-0371. :::._---I I I --TO HONOR THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OBSERVATION OF THIS FINE CREW On Oct. 1, 1993, Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery at St. Louis, MO will have a 50-year anniversary service to honor the dead crew of Jerks Natural. Jerks Natural was a B-24 bomber of the 328th bomber group shot down over Austria on Oct. 1, 1943 after completing its bombing mission of the Messerschmitt aircraft works at Wiener Neustadt, Austria. The remains of the nine men to be honored were buried three times: first by a farmer in the field where they crashed, next in a military ceremony in France by the U.S. Army in 1946, and finally at Jefferson Barracks. The collective remains were interred in 1950 in the Lemay Cemetery with full honors. The families of all the men were there, except for the family of gunner Adrian Hanri Smit, youngest of the crew. This service will have particular meaning for the Smit family who never fully accepted Adrian's death and treated him as Missing in Action because the notice of Adrian Hanri Smit's death misspelled his name as "Smith" and bore the wrong service number. This was corrected in 1991 and a service was subsequently held Oct. 1, 1991 at Jefferson Barracks. Mr. Adrian Smit, nephew, is still attempting to ensure that his uncle has received all service medals to which he is entitled, with little results. He has enlisted the help of Sen. Barbara Boxer, Congressman Joseph P. Kennedy of MA, and in January had appealed to President Clinton. Though Sen. Boxer has been helpful, Mr. Smit has had little 3 or no encouragement for his efforts. All interested parties of the 8th Air Corp Association are invited to attend the services. Any help in ensuring that all appropriate medals be received by all members of Jerks Natural would be appreciated. For further information, contact Adrian G. Hanri Smit, P.O. Box 294, Fairfax, CA 94978. DIG FOR BURIED RELICS Freeman Field, a pilot training base at Seymour, IN sent a good number of their graduates on to the 93rd and other B-24 outfits before being converted in 1944 to inspect and fly captured enemy aircraft and equipment, including a ME262 jet fighter. Recently, an Ohio firm has sought federal approval to excavate the field in search of enemy planes and equipment which they believe is buried there in crates. "In an effort to put to rest long-standing rumours, I believe we ought to either approve or disprove it," said the Secretary of Seymour Board of Aviation Commissioners, which runs the publicly-owned general aviation airport. The board approved a request by Cincinnati aviation historian, Lou Thole, Jr., to excavate sites on the 2,000-acre airport grounds where material is said to be buried. ' "Honestly, I can't tell what the dig may unearth," said David R. Berry, a Dayton, OH real estate agent who is a partner with Thole in the venture. Berry downplays the likelihood of finding much of value. "It actually could be rather underwhelming. I don't lay up at night dreaming about picking up an ME109," he says, referring to the standard Messerschmitt fighter plane used by the Luftwaffe. "More likely unglamorous things such as fuel tanks, bomb racks, parachutes and altimeters will turn up." Jack B. Hilliard, curator of the U.S. Air Force Museum in Dayton, said the Seymour excavation "can be a real exciting thing. There's reports of a lot of stuff that was still packed when buried. Some World War II military gear is extremely rare and valuable to museums and other collectors. For instance, only 10 Messerschmitt 109's remain from the 44,000 made." The dig must be approved by the FAA, according to the deed. Under an agreement with the Seymour Aviation board, Thole's firm, Freeman Field Historical Society, would give the board 30 % of the value of relics discovered. "We may be just digging up a bunch of mulch out there," Thole concluded.

TED'S TRAVELLING CIRCUS: AN UPDATE Cal Stewart's upcoming history of the 93rd is nearing completion and hopefully will soon go to press. Early portions have gone into production. The entire book has been drafted and is awaiting final updating and revisions. Cal has spent over three and a half years of work, work, work, and it is now time for those of us who have not yet ordered a copy or copies (a great gift for your children and grandchildren!) to do so. We of the 93rd owe a tribute to Cal far greater than the purchase of this brilliant story for his promotion of our famous organization throughout the years. All this effort was done without fanfare, recognition or personal profit. Ordering details are found below. BOOK REVIEW Cal sent me his manuscript for the 93rd history book for my review and comments; it is indeed outstanding. I did research at the Air and Space Museum Archives for photographs and found some material that Cal can use, but was disappointed with their laborious system for finding things. His manuscript covered our history well into 1944, and with very little additional work that much is now ready for the publisher. Toe book brought back many fond and, of course, sorrowful memories. Cal has included many personal experiences of our combat and ground crews which all will enjoy reading. Moreover, the history as a WWD bomb group has been professionally covered making the book useful fur the_study of WWII for generations to come. I know that each of our members will want Cal's book, and after reading it they will want to give one to each of their children and grandchildren. Furthermore, some will want to donate copies to their hometown high school and university libraries. Cal's book covers the history of the most colorful bomb group of WWII because of all the "firsts" we accomplished and the fact that we were selected to accomplish so many special missions, e.g., three trips to Africa and of course our participation in the famous PJoesti raid --Col. .Alfrtd Ash, 185 S. Gull LoJce Dr., Richland, Ml 49083 r--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------, Reservation Coupon We •uggest you m•k• • f•C$imil• for mailing To: Carroll (Cal) Stewart, 406 E. Adams~ P.O. Box 631, O'Neill, NE 68763-0631; res: 402/336-2144; bus: 402/464-5219, 402/466-8521. Ref: First United Bank, O'Neill. Box 370, 401/336-1370. Dear Sir: Please find [ J check, [ I cash, [ J cashier's check, I ] credit card (info lower left) in the amount of $ ____ . I understand my funds will b~ held in escrow until printer/publisher enters into production of handsome, hardcover, well-illustrated volume of Ted's Travelling Circus, 400-500 pages, large format. My money will be fully refunded if said book is not mailed to me parcel post on/before 12/31 /93. [ 1 Please reserve one copy to be forwarded to the undersigned at $48.00 per copy plus $2.50 for handling/postage for a total of $50.50. [ 1 Please reserve [ ) additional copies @ $43.00 per copy plus $2.50 per copy for handling/postage. Example: First copy, $50.50; one additional copy, $45.50, totaling $96.00 for two copies, etc. Credit card info: [ I VISA r I MasterCard [ l Other _________ _ No. ____________ _ Name __________________ _ Street Address or Box No. ________________ _ City ____________ State __ Zip __ Exp.____________ Signature _________________ _ L_________________________ --------------------- _______ , ----------- _____ J 4 ----

r PLOESI'I REMEMBRANCE DAY DAITON, omo Bill Doerner, tail gunner on Ready and Willing, August 1, 1943, is chairman of the 93rd's delegation to the 50th anniversary of the famous low-level attack on the Ploesti, Rumanian oil fields. Bill is working with the 44th Heritage Memorial Group who are holding their final reunion at Dayton, Ohio on Jul. 28-Aug. l. A full program agenda for the 44th affair has been sent by Bill through the courtesy of the 44th chairman, Joe Warth, to all those who flew this raid and are members of the 2nd Air Division and its satellite 93rd B.G. association. At this point several have signed up for the entire five-day program. There is a less expensive option geared toward Ploesti activities only. The smaller package is a two-night affair, Jul. 31 and Aug. 1, and consists of three sections: 1. Reception and dinner Saturday evening. 2. Entire memorial program 11 :00 am at the Air Force museum theatre and ground. 3. Gala Banquet & Dance Sunday night climaxed by candle! ight service and introduction of Medal of Honor winner, General Leon Johnson. If you wish to attend, please focus your attention below: 1. Hotel. We have a block of rooms at the Day's Inn South for $45 per night. Call them at (800) 325-2525 to make your reservation. Be sure to mention you are with the 93rd for the discounted price. 2. Payment. Send two checks to Bill Doerner, 620 W. Highland Rd., Sagamoie Hills, OH 44067: (1) $30 per person for Sunday night banquet and gala; (2) $18 per person for Saturday night social hour and dinner (part of which will be refunded if our costs are not that high). N.B. If you have already signed up for the 44th package you need to send only the check for Saturday night dinner. Unfortunately, our records do not sbow nor have we been able to secure the names of participating ground and support crews on the Ploesti mission. If you are in that category, any member or friend of the 93rd, you are cordially invited to attend. Please call Bill Doerner (216) 467-8726 with any questions. s "HELLO MILFOIL-THIS IS WEE WILLIE" The diary of Capt. Edward L. McGuire, Jr. 409th B.S., 93rd B.G. "Base to target is Uncle Sam's time. Target to base, you're on your own!" -Col. Therman Brown, 93rd C.O. When we left Langley Field and throughout the combat tour, my crew consisted of: Pilot: Capt. Edward L. McGuire, Jr. Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. Victor H. Hanf, Jr. Navigator: 2nd Lt. Charles D. Sill 0,-K. Bombardier: 2nd Lt. Joseph A. Dondero Nose Gunner: SSgt. Theodore F. Szajna Tail Gunner: SSgt. Barney C. Eller Waist Gunner: SSgt. William H. Gardner Flight Engineer: SSgt. Cornelius J. Leach Waist Gunner: SSgt. Edward S. Powell O,J<, Radio Operator: SSgt. Donald M. South In October, Sill and Dondero were transferred from the flight crew and appointed lead crew navigator and bombardier, respective! y. At the same time I was offered lead pilot but refused it. The rest of the crew remained as wing crew by choice. The flight engineer, Cornelius (Bill) Leach, joined the crew at Charleston as a replacement for another engineer who preferred to be reassigned to a dJfferent unit and had earlier told me of bis preference. Leach had been on the maintenance line at Charleston for a year and a half and knew every nut, bolt and rivet in the shop. He ultimately saved the crew on the nigh_t of Feb. 22, 1945, and, in my opinion, demonstrated extraordinary bravery and skill on the mission of Feb. 21 as well as unusual bravery on the mission of Oct. 12, 1944. On the bomb run, the engineer (Leach) moved down into the hatchway leading to the bombay, held the bomb doors open manually, checked that all the bombs had gone out, or, if they had hung up, attempted to get them out. The radio operator (Don South) manned the top turret on the bomb run (and if we were under enemy attack during the mission). Since the upper turret was located just above the heads of the pilot and co-pilot, the unbelievable vibration created by the firing of the twin 50 caliber machine guns was enough to make you feel you would "pop out" of your skin. The vibration pounded your bead with the force of some fierce giant beating a battery of intensely loud drums. . . . to be continued next issue

MRS.ALEXANDER Living at TOPCROFT and working for a baker at Bungay, Mrs. Alexander had to cycle to work. Rather than travel the long way around, she would take the road through Earsham to get there. She would have to travel through an area that had been turned into a vast outdoor bomb dump. This bomb dump supplied the airfields around the vicinity with bombs and ammunition. All this was brought to the dump by rail. The siding had concrete strips laid for the trucks to unload the bombs off the rail wagons, taking them into the camouflaged bays. These sidings at Earsham are now part of the Bungay bypass, and one of the concrete strips still exists by the side of the bypass, used mostly for storing sugar beets. Being a restricted area, Mrs. Alexander really needed a pass to travel through the dump area. She related, "I had been travelling along this way for quite some time and was not really going to let the lack of a pass stop me. The guards on the gate had gotten to know me quite well through my daily travels past them and would open the gate and let me through without any trouble." One particular morning arriving at the main gate she noticed a Jeep parked near the gatehouse. One of the usual guards came out informing Mrs. Alexander that there was an officer present and he thought she had better show something that looked like a pass. "I think it was my identity card that I showed him." The gate was opened and she passed through, continuing along the road. Near Earsham Hall she heard a Jeep behind her. The Jeep stopped and an officer got out, stopping her. Re asked if she would produce her pass. After explaining that she had no pass, the officer said, "Would you please get into the Jeep." Her cycle was loaded onto another Jeep and she was taken to face an officer seated at a large table in a marquee behind Earsham Hall. "I was very angry and said a lot of things that I should not have," she revealed. Explaining that she was on her way to work, the officer, after asking who bee employer was, phoned inquiring as to whether or not he knew her. His reply was that he certainly did know her and wanted to know why she was an hour late for work. Mrs. Alexander, after being given a lecture and told not to travel that way again, was loaded once again into the Jeep, her cycle in a second Jeep, and both taken as far as Earsham station. Upon finally arriving at work Mrs. Alexander's boss wanted to 6 know what all the fuss was about. Telling him, he laughingly said that had he known he would have told the officer on the phone that he had never heard of her. From then on she had to cycle around by the Ditchingham route. Mrs. Alexander's father worked at TOPCROFr village store, and part of his job was to take mail and daily newspapers to the airfield at HARDWICK, just a few miles from TOPCROFT. He referred to the American airmen there as his "boys." "He never told us just what went on up there or what he had seen," remarked Mrs. Alexander. "Sometimes he would arrive home in a despondent mood, telling us that some of his boys had not returned from a raid." Her mother kept hens and some of the fliers would come and buy eggs from her. Mrs. Alexander herself never went into the camp, but she observes, "We used to watch the Liberators go off in the mornings and count them. Then when they returned some time later from their raids we would count them again. Of course, most times there were not as many returning that had left in the morning." SW AN PUB-TOPCROFT Now a Private home. The pubUc.an, Bert, had privatii.ed mugs for all the regulars, especially those in nearby WAAF Sites 1 & 2 One of the runways at HARDWICK was quite close to her house, about half a mile away. She remembers one particular morning as the bombers were taking off. Her family had been issued an indoor Morrison shelter. This was a big metal-like box. which took up nearly the whole of one room and doubled up as a table. One bomber taking off crashed into Spring Wood opposite her house. She recalls, "I was coming down the stairs when it crashed. I had never been down those stairs so quickly in all my life. I dived into the shelter. Why, 1 don't know, because it would have been too

late anyway. I had never been in this shelter before. The bomber blew up as it was fully loaded with fuel and bombs. It was awfully dreadful. ti The night the American bombers were returning home from a raid in the dark and were caught by the German fighters that had followed them, Mrs. Alexander's husband, who was in the Army, was home for the weekend. She relates that they had been to see Mr. Alexander's mother and family. Returning home with his young six-year-old brother, watching the bombers he suddenly cried, ''That one is a Heinkel!" Mrs. Alexander continues, "Whether or not it was I don't know, but German it certainly was. As the German fighter started to shoot at the bombers, my husband threw us into a ditch and we watched the bombers crashing. It was awful. They were coming down all around us. ti Doodle Bugs are remembered by Mrs. Alexander. Her aunt who lived at Ellingham had some evacuees staying with her. These children were in a Sunday school play and were giving a show one evening. This particular evening there were quite a few Doodle Bugs flying over. She recaJls, "Those poor littJe children's faces when they heard them. They had been moved from London because of these, and the poor little things just froze." One Doodle Bug's engine stopped and a few seconds later they heard the thump as it came down. Her uncle said, tll should think that one came down somewhere near TOPCROFT. As this was where Mrs. Alexander lived, it did not please her very much. "When I arrived home the next day," she states, "that's just where it had come down. It had come down near to Topcroft Hall. As it had landed in a field, not much damage was done, just a few broken windows." The V-2 rockets comes into the picture again. Mrs. Alexander remembers one particular evening. This was the same one previously recalled by JOHN ARCHER, October 1, 1944. Unlike John, she was much nearer to the point of impact. She describes, "I was writing a letter to my husband. All was quiet and peaceful when suddenly there was a mighty explosion. The windows flew in and the door blew off and into the house." This was the V-2 that came down at Sycamore Farm, Bedingham, very close to Mrs. Alexander's home. She seems to think not much damage was done, maybe a cow killed, but she is not so sure. A teenager from the village, BOB FLINT, she seems to think, did suffer some effect from it, though. At one time it was thought he might lose his sight. It was not known just what had caused this 7 explosion until a couple of days after the incident. It was announced on the radio that the Germans had a new weapon, the V-2 rocket. "We went and had a look at the hole where it bad landed, but there was not much to see-just a hole in the field. It was one that the Germans wasted." All very frightening maybe, but Mrs. Alexander recalls that when the war first started she was working at Took's bakery at Beccles. An old cellar under the shop had been turned into an air raid shelter. She recalls, "Whenever the raid warning was sounded we had to go into this cellar. I hated it. It was damp and dank and you could hear the rats and other things scampering about. I was scared stiff. I would rather have taken my chances with the bombs or whatever." Nole: Those who have visited 1he base may know BOB FLINT. He opera/es 1he general store in TOPCROPT between WAAF Site I & 2 and 1he old FUGHT UN£. Also. JOHN ARCHER, a re.cogniz_ed historian of tlie B-24 air war in Europe and a grea1 friend of the 93rd, live$ at Earsham where MRS. ALEXANDER was la1cen lo accounl for her *misduds. • NEW MEMBERS Edgar J. Allen Seattle, WA Littleton, CO Decatur, MS Darlington, SC Irvine, CA Saratoga, CA Tucson, AZ Arlington, VA Dayton, OH Wilmer Landon Willard F. Nester N ~ J T? Lester Henke, A.M. Geoffrey Nese, A.M .. Virginia Hagopian, A.M. Edward Bates Myron G. Smith Valeria L. Chambers, A.M. FOLDED WINGS Herbert J. Oberle Ardie Hagopian Rex G. Roberson Russell G. Cottrell Fostoria, OH Dec. 23, 1992 Saratoga, CA Seneca, MD Apr. 1991 Salt Lake City, UT Feb. 1988

EXPRESS AIR MAIL DELIVERED BY B.O.F. Dear Paul, I want to tell you about my experiences in WWII. I went into the service Oct. 30, 1941 and did 13 weeks of basic training before being sent to Schreveport, LA bomber base and assigned to the 44th B.G., then transferred to 98th B.G. I was later transferred to the 409th squadron of the 93rd at Page Field, Ft. Myers, FL on submarine patrol after 1 graduated from Adria! Gunnery School Indian Springs, Las Vegas, NV in Mar. 1942. I was an all-round gunner on the B-24, mostly at the tail position. When I went to gunnery school I went in as a private and came out as a private. Most of the gunners were staff sergeants. In nine months I made buck sergeant, then I went to cadet school pilot training. The first week I washed out on radio, took a refresher course and stayed in the cadets and got wings on May 13, 1943. I had always wanted to be a fighter pilot, but since I was assigned to bombers I learned all jobs on the plane. My plane Tupelo Lass, sank two subs off of Florida. I served in the ETO and had instructions in advance gunnery by the British, graduated and was assigned to B-17 in the 344th squadron of the 100th B.G. ("Bloody 100th," as the Germans knew our group). Between B-17 and B-24's I had 17 missions flown, and then on Nov. 26, 1943 I was wounded and two-thirds of my body frozen. When I recovered I went to London on a pass and when I got back I was transferred to the B-24 again. I will never forget flying along with the Memphis Belle, the first crew completing 25 missions and will never forget Munster, Bremen (ball bearing factories), Hamburg and other targets in Germany and France. I was sent home on a hospital ship from the 2nd General Hospital ship then sent to fly C-48's and C-247's over the hump in China. J did, in ETO and CBI, 100 missions and was wounded five times and shot down twice. I still get flashbacks from WWil. I never got my decorations. I wrote Sgt. Robert Woolen of the 93rd HDQ. He answered my first letter but never answered my second letter. General James Doolittle cut out decorations May 2, 1951. I have proof of others who got their decorations since that date, but I cannot get mine. Yours in comradship, JAMES E. CONOLE 1529 Wyman Circle Kissimmee, FL 34744 8 Dear Paul, Forty-nine years ago, my uncle, 1st Lt Robert W. Marx was a member of the 409th Bomb Squadron, 93rd B.G. when they were located at Hardwick, Station #104, England. I am seeking information about him, bis crew, and his plane. I am particularly interested in stories about him during his final days. Bob was killed while leading bis squadron's mission at Hardwick on Dec. 19, 1944. Bob would have been 23 on Dec. 26, 1944. A recent visit to the American Cemetery at Cambridge was especially meaningful. I am currently serving with the U.S. Army in Germany and was partially motivated to join by my uncle's example and sacrifice. While visiting the cemetery, I noted that other squadron members are buried there as well. The following buried at Cambridge died Dec. 19, 1944: John D. Camp, 1st Lt: RtK. Locker, 2nd Lt; Feed D Pettigrew.._SSgt;Jlenr:y D. Fulmer, Jr., 1st Lt; Robert W. Max:_x_,_lst Lt.; William li Yo.y_ng, 1st Lt. Are these men all from the same crew as my uncle? M'f l/.st~/ 1 Al R()<S1 er Only four resident huts remain at Hardwick, 24-26, on Site 3. They are home to a growing 93rd museum. My father (my uncle's older brother by 13 months), mother, wife and I visited Hardwick airfield on Nov. 15. We spent time exploring the runways and then located four Nissen buts: one housed a museum for the 93rd B.G. The museum was locked and a sign announced that it was open the first Sunday afternoon of each month. We were there on the second Sunday. A tenant of a nearby house (formerly the radar station) told us to find the blue truck and the man who drives it in a nearby ,., __.,

r EXPRESS AIR MAIL DELIVERED BY B.O.F. cluster of buildings. We found the truck and its owner, David Woodrow, feeding his pigs. He gave us a tour of the complex. David showed us the monument erected to the 93rd B.G. David told us that under the base of the marker was a section of B-24. It was encased in the monument's concrete footer in memory of the 140 planes and crews that were lost. After the tour, we were invited to David's home for tea while David ate lunch. While he lunched, we looked at pictures and memorabilia. We hoped to see Bob in a picture, but didn't. Many were group photographs. He asked us to sign his guest book, and, with his permission, recorded the names of six group members. This is how I came to have your name. As we were leaving, David presented us with an aluminum piece of B-24 which he believes is from Bob's plane. The section under the monument was from the same B-24. Throughout the afternoon, David had been extremely reticent about the crash. As we returned to the former enlisted mess, he told us that he knew a local man who had witnessed the crash on Dec. 19, 1944. The weather that day was damp, cold and foggy. The plane was the first of the squadron to take off and it failed to clear a tall oak tree. The subsequent crash and explosion killed all 12 crew members. In addition to the local man, David had also talked with a returning veteran who was in the plane next in line for takeoff. After the crash, the mission was aborted. Apparently, David was trying to decide how to tell us about the crash. The men on the plane never had a chance because of the deadly combination of fuel and bombs. I plan to have a plaque made and return the piece to the museum. In the meantime, David promised to research the crash by finding a copy of the crash report and talking with the local man who was the first on the site after the crash. Do you know what was painted on the nose of his B-24? 1 would like to include the painting in the museum, if we can reconstruct it. Although many aircraft never came back, very few actually were destroyed at the airfield. I am anxious to know more about Hardwick and life in the Army Air Corps. Would you be willing to share some of your memories with me? I intend to write the association and ask for some additional history, but I would especially like to bear from someone who was there and can shed some 1 ight on the past. H you know of others who might be able 9 to help, please pass this request on to them. Sincerely, JOHN A. MARX, LTC U.S. Army Ed: Ship M<IS Beavu's Baby, S.N. 4250597 Dear Paul, In reading the "Open Letter to the 93rd" in the latest 2nd Air Division Newsletter, I saw where Col. Brown mentioned Col. Leland Fiegel saying he never knew exactly what happened to him. Evidently, he was a victim of an extremely unusual accident. As you may or may not know, Col. Fiegel was the pilot on Wendell Wilkie's Mission to Moscow. The co-pilot was Thomas J. Watson, Jr., the former Chairman of IBM and later Ambassador to Russia. One day, Mr. Watson was in a particular good mood and after ending a meeting with another lBMer and myself, we started "hangar flying." Mr. Watson, knowing that I had served in the 93rd under Col. Fiegel, told the story of their trip to Moscow, which was extremely interesting, followed by a visit of the whole crew to Col. Fiegel's home in Rochester upon their return from Moscow. Then he asked if 1 had heard what had happened to Col. Fiegel. I hadn't and was somewhat horrified to be told that a propeller had come off of an engine and decapitated the Colonel--what a horrible way to go after surviving the war! As an interesting sidelight, he related that Col. Fiegel's father, a person he admired, was in the real estate business. After the war, IBM was looking for a new plant site and Rochester was one of the three final cities in the running to get the plant. Mr. Watson stated that once he assured himself that any of the three cities would be equally satisfactory, he recommended that an IBM plant be put in Rochester with Mr. Fiegel handling the real estate. Dear Paul, COLIN N. JONES 5100 N. Ocean, #1717 Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33308 I have been informed that you are VP of the 93rd B.G. Association. I would like to find out more about this organization and am hoping that you can help me find some information about my father. My father was 2nd Lt. Elmer R. Morgan, a co-pilot of a B-24 Liberator and assigned to the 330th B.S. in England. On Sept. 21, 1944, while on a mission to

EXPRESS AIR MAIL DELIVERED BY B.O.F. Koblenz, Germany, his bomber collided with another of our aircraft, sustained damage and fell to earth. All crew members perished. I am interested in finding out more about my father's participation in WWII. Any assistance you can offer wiJJ be deeply appreciated. Sincerely, Dear Paul, RUSSELL L. MORGAN 8932 Amigo Avenue Northridge, CA 91324 l recently joined the 2nd Air Division and am really excited that such a large and important association so actively participates in living history. The reason I am writing you is that I have found that my grandfather (Robert) Dale Frost 0-693769 flew with the 328th B.S. of the 93rd B.G. at Hardwick Airfield from Mar. 16, 1944 until Jul. 21, 1944. He graduated from West Point in 1941 or 1942. He Lt. Robert D. Frost Crew LL Frost, top left was a pilot and his first mission was to Fredrichshaven and bis 31st was to Munich on Jul. 21, 1944. My grandfather survived the war but died at an early age. His records show that be flew in at least two different planes, Beaver's Baby and Liberty Bell. I would really like to get in touch with some of bis friends or crew members who flew with him. I do not have any names, but Dale Frost is top left in the picture. Thank you for your time! Dear Paul, GEOFFREY NESE 21 Galileo Irvine, CA 92715 Many thanks for your letter and the information. I've already sent for and received my membership card in the 2nd Air Division. I'm sure going to order Cal Stewart's new book. I have read his and Dugan's story of Ploesti. That was a great book explaining what happened on that raid. Like Cal said in the book, Gen. Ent had second thoughts even before it got started. Too many good guys were lost on that mission. I was at Barksdale Field when the 93rd was formed under Col. Ten Timberlake, a fine officer. I was just a member of ground personnel, ending up at Communications. My only claim to fame at Hardwick was when I pitched for the 93rd baseball team and we beat a B-17 outfit in a championship game 8 to 2 (I believe that was Sept. 6, 1943 when we were celebrating our first year in the ETO). The squadrons had a big beer blast after the game. I was teed off when I read your open letter about the possibility of Hardwick becoming a dump site. How could they come up with an idea like that? None of the old airfields there should be subjected to such a possibility. Too many memories are associated with the groups that occupied these bases. Your well written letter to the disposal inspector should go a long way in discouraging them from even thinking about Hardwick as a dump site. I feel proud to be a member of the old 93rd. Dear Paul, CHUCK CARROLL 198 Pine Island Tpk. Warwick, NY 10990 Thank you for your letter. My name must have reached you as a result of my joining the 8th Historical Society. For the record, I was a pilot in the 330th from about Aug. 1944 to Mar. 1945. I have not been in contact with any of my crew for many years. I hate to admit it but I have even forgotten some of their names. Are there any files that would help me refresh my memory? Also, are there any picture files from the 93rd anywhere? There were some pictures taken of a badly damaged plane that stopped 39 inches from a hangar when I landed with no brakes except for the pressure in the accumulator. The plane, I believe, was Miss Chief It had 276 holes in it. If there is a picture somewhere I would like to take a look. Thanks for advising me about the 2nd Air Division. ✓ H. ~. SLIP SLIPEJL (I) o 1 /{ Ro~ 1 er Ohio State University 140 W. 19th Ave. Columbus, OH 43210

r .J EXPRESS AIR MAIL DELIVERED BY B.O.F. Dear Paul, Thank you very much for taking the time and trouble to write to me at length concerning the 2nd Air Division and especially the 93rd B.G. Congratulations to you on taking the time and trouble to represent us in the Association. You may recall my mentioning 1 was a medic with the 93rd-mostly with the 330th. For a while, I was assigned to HQ doing legal work investigating auto cases, etc. When I ruled against a native worker who stuck his head in the path of a jeep, they sent me back to the 330th. I remember the group adjutant having to ask me what was meant by "proximate cause," showing that he did not undetstand my ruling. During the last six. months or so I received a battlefield commission as a 2nd Lt. in the Medical Administrative Corps and was transferred to Seething. Therefore, I am also an alumnus of the 448th. That duty was all right, but my fond memories are with the 330th. I will be attending the Mid-West reunion in Springfield, illinois, '!!;_3126-27. Perhaps you will be able to be there. t". ~~l f!J ~NI R_ My friendship ~tth Saµ) "Si" Biskind began at Hardwick when we learned that we were both lawyers. There was one other at the field who was with the laundry. Si was a talented man who was an MP and never a part of our group. I believe be was in Europe before be came to our field. I am interested in the new book by Cal Stewart. Thanks for caJling it to my attention. Dear Paul, BOB CALKINS 3900 N. Stable Ct. Peoria, IL 61616 My wife and I have done considerable research in the National Archives, the Air Forfe Historical Research Center and other places working mostly with the 389th B.G. As a member of the 2nd Air Division Association, l have had a number of requests for information about specific people, airplanes and missions. I was a co-pilot on a crew (Bill Nading) assigned for two weeks in the 93rd B.G. until we were transferred to the 389th B.G. when they arrived at Bethel in June 1943. I was made a pilot, Squadron Flight Commander and eventually Assistant Group Engineering Officer in the 389th B.G. where I served until Aug. 1944. The mechanics and crew chiefs belonging to the 389th B.G. were still on the Queen Mary at the time 11 we went to Africa. Our group was provided with a crew chief and a mechanic for each airplane (as far as I can determjne) from the 44th B.G. and the 93rd B.G. We happened to have two (Guy C. Pannell, Crew Chief, and Edgar V. Williams, Mechanic) from the 93rd B.G. assigned to our airplane. l keep in touch with Guy Pannell to this day. These men returned to their groups when we arrived back in England as the 389th ground personnel arrived while we were in Africa. Does your group organization know the names of any additional individuals who were assigned to the 389th for the two months, Jul. and Aug. 1943, we were deployed in Africa? I have an almost complete list of passengers including crew chiefs and mechanics on the airplanes during the return from Africa. It would be helpful to me if 1 could obtain a roster of the current enrolled members in your group. l obtained a roster of current enrolled members of the 44th B.G. and was able to identify from the passenger list a few who were assigned to the 389th B.G. It has been helpful to correspond with some of them. Enclosed is a copy of the passenger list. Any help in the identification of 93rd people will be appreciated. H. H. "CHRJS" QIRISTENS~ (VI R, 625 Valley View Drive Endwell, NY 13760 Ed: Our membership roster shows two ,iatnt'S on the palSenger /isl, Robert Boutain and Bob McKuver. G"'Y C. P(Jllflel/, mentioned above, is also a 93rd member. Dear Paul, I have a problem that possibly you can help me with. My family purchased one of the new type A2 jackets for me and rm in need of the patches that go with it-the 93rd B.G. 330th sqd., the 8th A.F. and the regular A.F. Do you have any idea where I may find these items? In the back issues of the 2nd Journal, Floyd Mabee mentioned having these patches. I'd greatly appreciate any help you may give in this matter. In the summer of 1943 when 1 went to the ETO they took my original A2 jacket at Herrington, KS and I never could get it replaced. Although this new jacket isn't like the originals, I'm very proud of it. Before I forget, l wish you the best in your new job ... just hope you don't regret it. J.L. MOSIER 403 Crane Street Flat River, MO Ed: We now have a good supply of palt:MS for all squadrons.

FISCAL UPDATE-Ball of Fire Quarterly Express The issue you are reading has been paid for from funds raised through the years by 93rd past presidents, Charles Weiss and Floyd Mabee. The 93rd has never had a dues structure and we receive no part of dues paid to our parent organization, the 2nd Air Division Association. We do not receive any nor expect any help from them as their dues are carefully and judiciously applied to the causes for which the organization was founded. We must live or die here at the Ball of Fire Quarterly Express through 93rd members' donations. If we can get donations of an average of $9.90 per year from each member that can afford to pay, we can put out a fine product, double our size next issue and provide a free copy to those who cannot afford extra expenses. If we don't get this support from the members we will reluctantly have to assume that there is not enough interest, fold up our tents and travel on! My bet is that our tents will stay secure, providing haven for the glorious history of the 93rd. Ed: Please make checks payable to the 1193rd Bomb Group" and mail to: Paul R. Steichen, 2227 Ruhland Ave., #A, Redondo Beach, CA 90278 Crewc;o[,.Leading Lady, 330 B.S. ~ )( 0 K Left to right standing: .Jimm; Barret: George'Riess, E. P., Ryan, M. L.'1-ioover, Bruno Dalmas, H. H. Bruss. Seated:Jimes Morels¥,, R. G. Roesing, Herb Borgman, Pilot, and Don Janss _ __o t< o ic UJ.J;J:lc.~Lft'l/l:.O ,Jut tiJ R<:JS/<::.o The Ball of Fire Quarter Express Paul R. Steichen, Editor 2227 A Ruhland A venue Redondo Beach, CA 90278-2401 93rd BOMB GROUP FIRST CLASS MAIL Ct'iLV IN DAV J DSON <Jmm .. 4897:3 PLA T'E RD OBERLIN OH 44074

·mAJLIL (Q)IF lFIIIU ~1IJ.&m'lrIEffiIL lY ~ Newsletter of 93rd Bomb Group 2nd Air Division, 8th Air Force Hardwick, England Vol. 1, No. 2 Fall, 1993 Paul R. Steichen Group President and Editor King George VI Tours Hardwick Superstition can't be pinned on Great Britain's King George VI. He made his first tour of a United States Army Air Force base on Friday the 13th, 1942, and it was his first closeup and inspection of a heavy bomber used by Americans. For the tour of the post with his host, Col. Edward J. Timberlake (right), he left the Royal Car behind and climbed into a Jeep. The driver is Sgt. Joseph M. Barkovitch, Q~troit, MI, HQs. The B-24, Teggie Ann, is in the background. Margaret Burke White~·:l),hotographer for Life Magazine, may be seen extreme right near a prop. SIDELIGHTS ON THE ROYAL VISIT Maj. Baker's amateur photo bug gave most everyone the jitters, while the King, generals, et al. were in Col. Timberlake's office. The major was perched atop a table-the best point of vantage be knew. Came the careful focusing. Then there was an "explosion" like the crack of a pistol. A faulty flashbulb bad blown out. The King (like everyone else) was perturbed momentarily, then he chuckled. Asked by Col. Timberlake if he cared for a cigarette ( extending an open package of an American brand), the King graciously replied, "I certainly will, thank you!" - Quite naturally the trip here would be ;:omplete without receiving copies of The Liberator. King George didn't take time out to read, but into a side pocket of his Royal uniform went three copies. The generals also availed themselves of the colonel's supply. All received copies of • A Soldier's Ten Commandments" recently prepared by Lt. James A. Burris, post chaplain, and distributed among the men. It was pure GI tea the distinguished party supped during the sojourn at Headquarters. A staff of enlisted men had it brewing before His Majesty's arrival. When Maj. Stehlin offered an apology for the tea and the made-to-stand-abuse mugs, the King wouldn't hear it. "Quite all right, I understand,• he said. The Royal Car-a Daimler-was abandoned by the King when be boarded a Jeep for the tour, but His Majesty's chauffeur and attendants carried on in the caravan. Newsreel, newspaper and official 1 2227A Ruhland Avenue Redondo Beach, CA 90278 (310) 214-1618 cameras were grinding and clicking throughout the visit. Next morning's London papers featured pictures. Lt. Attillio Verna, group photographic officer, was in charge. "Shooting" dignitaries is old stuff for him. Still fresh in his mind is official work done at the meeting of Roosevelt and Churchill at the drawing of the Atlantic charter. The King termed the names of the different ships "picturesque.• FIL C.G. Atherton, commanding officer of the Royal Air Force unit here, said it wa.c; the first time His Majesty had ever visited a 'drome at which be was stationed. It was the first glimpse of Royalty for nearly all of the Americans here. English workmen rebuilding runways and drives stood with amazement when they glimpsed the Royal Car entering the field, for it was all a complete surprise to them. They weren't spellbound long-cheers soon broke out. Nothing spoken by the King escaped the ears of The Liberator. Notes were taken by Lt. J.M. Maher of the public relations staff, and PFC Carroll "Cal" Stewart, The Liberator editor. Stewart was in the plane with the King, Col. Timberlake, and Maj. Compton. NEW MEMBERS Jack E. Bazer e K Arnegard, ND Sam BargamianO,K Tucson, AZ Virginia Borshoff, AM Pittsford, NY Gene S. Clark, AM Manchester, TN Morgan K. Harris Q.j(, Scottsdale, AZ JQfill C Hewitt""" (R Davenport, FL William J. O'Neil OK Deland, FL ~en Palestri N I Q Hackettstown,NJ John S. Lucas O. r;;, Greensboro, NC George M. Riess N I R. Largo, FL Mary W. Schaller, AM Burke, VA Frank L. Burkholder<>,i\'Naples, VA Tony Prins fl I R Three Rivers, CA

RELIBF AS RUBBISH TIP PLAN DUMPED DELIGHTED "RA TS" GET READY TO HA VE A BALL Corks popped and jubilant Norfolk villagers punched the air yesterday after learning officially that plans to build a giant rubbi.sh tip in their area had been turned down by a Cabinet minister. The rejection of proposals for Hardwick airfield, near Hempnall-reported in yesterday• s EDP-brought relief to people from 10 parishes who bad fought the plan for more than three years. Some of the villages would have seen an increase in traffic over 250% as 70,000 tons of rubbish were trundled in every year. And there were fears that homes would be ruined by the constant drum of heavy vehicles as well as by pollution carried in the air and io water. Norfolk County Council had wanted to develop the site, once a wartime American air base, to ceplace a rubbish tip at nearby Momingthorpe which was closed in 1990. "It has been like a big black cloud banging over use since 1990. Now it has lifted completely,• said Cherryl Jeffries of RATS (Residents Against the Tip Site). Although a core of workers had been tireless in their efforts to resist the county council's plans, hundreds of people bad supported their stand. "Even though they supported us, a lot of them never thought we could win,• she added. She said plans were in hand to have a more formal celebration next month when most people had returned from holiday. "There has already been talk about having a RATS ball in the old aircraft hangars oo the airfield.• Thanks for our help ... We lutd great joy to learn the good news that the Norfolk Council were overruled by the government and told: "NO TIP AT HARDWICK." We just couldn't believe our luck and everybody in the surrounding 10 villages were overjoyed to learn this. What a victory! Please, if you can, thank all of our American friends for sending their strong letters of condemnation against the planned tip. We feel they all gave us the extra backup we needed. We are sure that the •good Lord" saw it should not happen to this hallowed ground. We are all planning a celebration evening in the Hempnall Village ball in October, so you see sometimes things work 011t perfectly. David, Jean and Stuart Woodrow MEDAL SAME-RECOGNITION NOT by Robert Albrechl, Columbus Disparch To honor the memory of Ohioans who wo11 the Medal of Honor in World War Tl, The Dispatch is recoumitig each serviceman's hel'()ic exploits 50 years to the mo11th after the evem. The medal is the nati011's highest militarydisti11ctio11, given/or risking one's life in combat beyond the call of duty. The names of two of three Ohioans who, 50 years ago this weekend, died for their country are still in evidence in their hometowns and beyond, but public recognition of the third man 2 is much harder to find. A nationally known lyricist composed a song about the bravery of Pvt. Rodger Young of Clyde, Ohio. In Cleveland, a classroom, a road, an armory and a veterans group all carry the name of Pfc. Frank Petrarca. But in Akron, th.e only hint o 1 homage paid to Lt. Col. Addison E. Balcer is his name on a.. plaque of aJI Akron warriors who have won the Medal of Honor. The lack of more visible recognition still hurts the former schoolteacher who was left a widow after Baker, 37, led a bombing raid on Nazi-controlled oil fields in Romania on Aug. 1, 1943, ana never returned. "That's the thing that has griped me all these years,• said Frances Merryweather, Baker's widow, who is now 89 and living in a Florida retirement center. "There were p]enty of opportunities. There was a bridge being built at that time.• In the first months following Baker's act of heroism, his young widow paid her own tribute by promoting the sale of war bonds. Akron radio listeners rallied enthusiastically. According to an Akron newspaper, Merryweather's pleas to support the war effort brought enough response to pay for five planes like the B-24 Liberator bomber her lost flier rode Jown in flames. "He led his command, the 93rd Heavy Bombardment Group, on a daring, low-level attack against enemy oil refineries and installations at Ploesti, Romania,• according to Medal of Honor Recipiems 1863-1973, a book printed for Congress. • Approaching the target, his aircraft was hit by a large-caliber anti-aircraft shell, seriously damaged and set on fire. Ignoring the fact he was flying over terrain suitable for safe landing, he refused to jeopardize the mission by breaking up the lead formation and continued unswervingly to lead his group to the target upon which he dropped his bombs with devastating effect.• Minutes later, though, "his aircraft crashed in flames after his successful efforts to avoid other R.lanes in formation.• ~ lnqumes at the Akron public school offices, city hall, t\ ~ Akron Regional Development Board and at a couple of area" veterans groups turned up no references to honors for the local boy. In 1964, a building at Williams Air Force Base near Phoenix was to be named Baker Hall in honor of the Akron man, but a staff member who answered the phone there recently could not identify any such building. She also noted that the base is being shut down as part of the defense budget culbacks. Ed: Major ElliJ· I. Fullwiller, Ret., 3724 Darbyshire Dr., Hillard, OH 43026 has volunteered to contact our Ohio members attempti11g to remedy this situation. 11GREAT ESCAPE" SUBJECT DUG ms WAY TO FREEDOM Enterprise, AL - Jerry Sage, 75, the WW1l POW portrayed by Steve McQueen in lhe movie "The Great Escape,• is dead. During his captivity at Stalag Luft m in Sagan, Poland, Sage helped work for lS months on the huge, three-tunnel escape project that formed the plot for the movie and his book, Sage. Sage, a native of Victoria, British Columbia, said be earned the nickname "Cooler King" because he was placed in solitary confinement 15 times in the Nazi camp. "Each time I was placed in confinement I would report back to the Lord where I was," he said in a speech several years ago "By getting closer with the Lord, things got better and bett Each time I would try to escape T got further and further away. In the movie, McQueen whiled away time in solitary with a baseball glove and ball.

NETHERLANDS REVISITED Left to right: Jan van Burgland, who as an 11-year-old boy, witnessed the crash on Jan. 30, 1944 in a field near Nijerk, Netherlands. Jan leads Tail Gunner, Dutch Borcherding, and his wife, Delores, over a ditch leading to the crash site. The memory of the Americans who served in WWII lives on in the hearts of the people of the Netherlands. Duthie! (Dutch) Borcherding found this out when be and his wife, Delores, returned to the site of his crash landing Jan. 30, 1944. They were led to the site by Jan van Burgland who saw the plane crash. Jan watched the skies constantly when the war was being r-4'ougbt. and that day saw the B-24 bounce and scoot across the .:>untryside and canals. He was anxious to show the Borcherdings where the plane came to rest and pointed it out with his stick. His brother and father went out to the wreck, siphoned gas from it, and drained the oil which supplied them for months. The crew, led by 1st Lt. Harold J. Killian, were from the 328th and consisted of Henry V . Schultz, Edward L. James, Carl Guzilcowicz, Raymond A. Slomowicz, IJ!eodore S,, r4 \ R. Simmons, LeRoy Croy, George R. Haynie, Donald H. Crawford and Tail Gunner, Dutch Borcherding. Haynie, James, Guzikowicz and Borcherding were all captured the day of the crash in a woods near a garrison of2,000 German soldiers. The rest evaded capture for awhile but were caught, and escaped again when a P-47 dive-bombed the train taking them from the interrogation center to the POW camp. COL. ROLLIN C. REINECK, ORIGINAL 93RD: WHAT REALLY HAPPENED TO AMELIA EARHART by Elizabeth A. Palmer, Congllssional Quamriy Col. Rollin Reineck thinks he knows what really happened to famed aviator Amelia Earhart. And with a little help from his elected representatives, he hopes to get evidence to prove his thoory. Eaclier this year, the retired 73-year-old Air Force colonel ~revailed upon his senator, Daniel K. Inouye, Hawaii Democrat, to introduce a bill that would declassify any and aU government documents relating to the mysterious disappearance of Earhart and her navigator, Frederick J. Noonan, in 1937. Rep. Patsy T. Mink, Hawaii Democrat, introduced companion legislation in the 3 House. Just what happened on the fmal flight of Earhart has been a mystery for more than 56 years. Attempting a round-the-world trip near the equator, she took off from New Guinea for Howland Island in the Pacific, but lost radio contact with the people monitoring her flight on July 2, 1937. Col. Reineck believes the government documents will show that Earhart was really on a mission for the federal government, flying over the Marshall Islands in the Pacific to find out what Japanese forces were up to in the period preceding WWII. He says he and colleagues in the Amelia Earhart Society are convinced that Earhart and Noonan crashed on the Mili Atoll in the Marshall Islands, were captured and spent World War Il in a Japanese internment camp in China. After the war, he argues, she was repatriated to the United States under another name, lreoe Bolam. Miss Bolam died in 1982 in New Jersey. Earhart's sister, Muriel Earhart Morrissey, has denied this theory since the publication of a book called Amelia Earhart Lives in 1970, which propoundoo the same hypothesis. Several documents Col. Reineck and his friends obtained from the federal government pertaining lo Earhart were stamped "declassified,• leading him to believe that there an~ other files that are classified and unavailable to researchers. Ed: Col. Reineck is a member of rhe 2nd A.D. He lives at 1127 Lauloa St., Jfoilua, HI and was navig(llor 011 Jerk's Natural, coming over ro England with her September 6, 1942. Medal of Honor recipiem 1st Lt. John L. Jersrad, was rhe pilot. Also aboard were members Sam Del Cambre, radio opera/or, who now lives at 6()()6 Daspit Rd., New Jberia, LA 705fJO, and E11gineeri11g Officer Willard Babcock, 3016 Community Ce111er Dr., Venice, FL 34293. 2nd Lt. Thaddeus I. Hawkings Jr., Navigator on Ball of Fire 41-23667. KIA April 16, 1943 over Brest.

SHARING MEMORIES Tom Gilbert, 72, is Rockford's outstanding WWII hero. The B-24 bomber, radio operator and gunner with the 93rd Bomb Group received flak wounds in Aug., I, 1943 bombing raids over the strategically located oil fields of Ploesti, Romania. A month later Gilbert received third-degree face -and hand wounds when his plane was shot down over Paris. "Wben we were shot down we thought six in our plane bad been killed. It tums out only four were killed,• says Gilbert, who plans a reunion with surviving crew members in November. Tom and Dorothy Gilbert Picked up by French resistance forces, Gilbert was turned over to the Germans because the French thought be was going to die. His injuries left him unconscious for four weeks and blind for five. During bis convalescence and imprisonment at Stalag 17B, a prison camp made famous in the movie Stalag 17, his weight dropped from 168 to 86 pounds. He was tortured by the Nazis, but is grateful to German doctots for his medical treatment. Among decorations awarded to Gilbert were two Distinguished Flyhg Crosses; one Air Medal, two Purple Hearts and three theater ribbons. He is a former Loves Park alderman and a founder of Rockford's World War TI Combat Flyers. Ed: Taken from Rockford, Illinois Register Star. Tom flew Ploesti with the Earl C. Hurd crew 011 Tarfu. Records kept by Chaplain Burris of the Sept. 15 mission to Paris, show Pilot ( William lo~,JO?. Walter A. Meyers and Raymond L. Darnell were K.IA-:iobert W. Keller, Edward F. Miller, Thomas D. Gilbert and Joseph Walther were POW. Earl D. Warren and Haywood L. Glass, Jr. are 1101 accoumedfor in his records and are not listed in the 93rd Roll of Honor. Perhaps someone can \( help us out in this. y BITS AND PIECES OF PROP WASH Lo\)~\; fl\'( I "'-I Squhilron Emblem Patches have been a hot item at the BOF loading platform. We are sorry that many orders had to be back-ordered but they now have all been sent on their way. We have inventory on all four squadron patches as well as 93rd cap patches. Price is still $4.75 on squadron patches and $3.75 on cap patches, postage prepaid. Please send your check to 2227 A Ruhland Ave., Redondo Beach, CA 90278 ... 466th 2nd A.D. Vice President, Bill Nothstein, reports that there is a good real estate barg_ain at Attlebridge. The former 466th Headquarters property, most recently a bed and breakfast, can be purchased for $255,000 . . . Mrs. Nadine Vasquez, who, with her husband, Carlos of the 330th, worked hard and long on research for publication of an in-depth history of the 93rd, have held up this project for an indefinite period. Nadine writes that pictures sent to them have been returned except to three people whom 4 they have not been able to contact but are continuing their efforts to find them. In the meantime, if you are one of these donors, we suggest that you write them at 6341 Samoa Way, Carmichael, CA 95608 ... 13th Annual Southern California Dinner of the 2nd A.D. will be held al the El Toro Marine Corps Officers Club on Sat., Feb. 26, 1994. Co-chairmen will be Dick Baynef' of the 466th and Jay Jeffries of the 453rd. Djck can be reached--at (714) 552-3889 and Jay at (714) 846-1653. Full details will be in the Winte_r 2nd A.D. Journal. At last year's meeting about 350 attended this popular event from the states of Arizona, California and Nevada, of which only six were from the 93rd. We have about 130 members in these three states. A month earlier in Orlando for the Florida 2nd A.D. regional, the 93rd had a record 47 in attendance. Can we do better this year?? ALWAYS FIGHTING THE ENEMY. The great book by our own Col. Luther "Doc" Cox is set for a second printing. Full details will be in the Winter 2nd A.O. Journal. Price is $22.00, postage prepaid, to all members. You can order now by writing "Doc" at 4932 Oakbrooke Pl., Orlando, FL 32812 ... Hilton Head, as of this writing, still has space for the Nov. 4-7 meeting; 93rd annual meeting 9:30-1 J :30 a.m., Fri., Nov. 5. Hospitality room, number and hours of operation will be posted at convention registration desk. Suggest you call Evelyn Cohen at (215) 632-3992 if you wish to make a late reservation. FOLDED WINGS Herbert "PQP" Hosbing Al,R-Robert H. Harms, Sr. o te; -George H. Kelly ol( Nune Borshoff t> 1( Harry Magoon ~ I( Robert "Bob" Shaffer OK -Col. Robert Stoner <J ,:; William Sykes fl, R Robert "Pappy" Warner()}:::. -William P. Sineath ~k Dec. 1992 Dec. 1992 Evanston, IL Mar. 24, 1993 Pittsboro, NY Jan. 1993 Hartwell, GA Sept. 1992 Jan. 1993 Orlando, FL July 28, 1993 Centerville, OH May 1993 Aug. 1993 JUST PASSING THROUGH-HARDWICK by John W. Archer If you had lived in the village in the 1930's, most probably the following experiences would have been familiar to you. I recall the sight of frequent travelers passing through the village, roadsters (tramps). You would answer a knock on your door to find one of these characters, often ragged in appearance. Holding out an old billycan they requested boiling water. My family would fill the pot and offer a short-<:ake which was greatly appreciated. These days one rarely sees one of these characters, at least not in the fashion I recall. My last encounter was whilst exploring some old airfield building on Hardwick Airfield. These old haunts were sometimes a little scary to enter. 1 came used baked-bean tins and other items used by th~ one-time roadster! Memories of days long past! 1 ~ It was conurum knowledge that the "tramps• had afonn of code whereby they would leave a certain sign 011 gate posts of houses where they were likely to gel some fonn of food and drink.

TED'S TRAVELLING CIRCUS: NEW TARGET DATE WJLL BE HONORED by CarroU (CaO Stewart ,....... Prior to the 1992 Las Vegas reunion. I prepared a brochure er:alding the forthcoming book, Ted's Travelling Circus-a close-up accounl of the 93rd's illustrious history. It will be a 400 to 500 page volume. Like you, the printer-publisher is pressing that no further late testimony and pictures be included. However, since the brochure circulated and Col. Al Asch's kind words about the manuscript appeared in Vol. 1 , No. 1, Ball of Fire Quarterly Express, considerable new material has surfaced. The overall draft was completed earlier this year. The author is uncomfortable foreclosing on considerable late material that compels inclusion. While the year-end completion is still within reach, the author begs extra time to splice in new testimony, particularly that pertaining to the last eight months of WWII. Mar. 31, 1994 is the new target date. It will be honored. Anyone who advanced funds on the basis of the Dec. 31, 1993 completion date will be refunded upon written request. The prepaid, pre-publication reservation rates will apply through Mar. 31, 1994: one copy $48.00 plus $2.50 for postage/handling; additional copy/copies, $43.00 plus $2.50 (total $96.00 for two, etc.). The post-publication price will be $60.00 per copy plus $2.50 postage/handling. I have a Lincoln backup in the event l am incapacitated. Bill Lawrence bas been counseling as the work moves along and has suffered through all the drafts, revisions, etc. He has a handle on the project to date, and his encouragement and suggestions have been invaluable from the outset four years ago. I thank 93rd-ers for their interest and confidence. Please bear with the revised deadline and please understand that amending and fine-tuning could go on forever without fully reportmg the r 1man side-the focus of this effort-while treating 391 . ..iissions. GREAT LADY! POOR IDENTIFICATION SKILLS! Mrs. Daisy Elmar was publican of the Three Nags public house on the edge of Fritton Common just west of the Hardwick base. Her pub became second home to the 93rd. People used to say that the Three Nags was the real headquarters rather than the official headquarters a few miles away. Daisy became second mother to her customers and received visits and letters from them up until her death in 1983, at which time the pub was closed. Her charm and talents for drawing warm beer exceeded her knowledge of aircraft identification as evidenced by the painting below which decorated the wall of the Three Nags! • .,._.,._, ___ _....,ua .....,.., .. tn,a_ll!r.._ ... _ ______ ,.....,..,. ..... .. -· RUNWAY 19's FAVORITE LANDMARK: ST. "MARGARET'S CHURCH, TOPCROfT The croft, or enclosure, at the top is an easily found derivation for the name of this parish. _The church stands on one of the highest points in south Norfolk and the top of the tower has been used by the Ordnance Survey as a principal observation point. The greater part of the present-day population live in the little valley below the church and nearly a mile away. History: Under Edward, the Confessor, Goodwin appears as Lord of most of this parish. A part, later known as Hoo Manor, was held by th.e Abbot of St. Edmund's. The Domesday Survey names the Lord as Eudo, one of lhe conquering Nonna.ns. At this time Topcroft was evidently prominent among the eight parishes; it was assessed at l/7d a year for the Danegeld tax, while even Hempnall paid only 1.6d. It also supported two parish priests. Edward l granted the parish the privileges of holding an assize of bread and ale (some sort of price-fixing arrangement?) and a gallows. Under Edward 1II the Lordship bad passed to the Cliftons, who also held Hoo Manor. Other families to hold the Lordship were the Brews, Wiltons and Smylhs, whose memorials are in the church. John Tennison, who died in 1671 and is buried in the chancel, was Rector of the parish until he was turned out by the Parliamentarians, as were also the incumbents of Hardwick and Hempnall. His son later became Archbishop of Canterbury. Another Rector of Topcroft, Charles Dary, achieved modest literary fame. In 1787 he published two volumes of letters on literature, which included "Conjectural Observations on the origin and progress of Alphabetic Writing.• St. Margaret's Church has undergone considerable restoration over the centuries, but it still retains several features of interest and antiquity. The lofty tower ls a fascinating mixture of styles and additions. The base is round and dates from Normal Times. The next two stages are octagonal and were added during the Early English period of lhe 13th century. 15th century craftsmen added the belfry stage, also the embattled parapet with its frieze of fleurons and fine gargoyles. There are three bells, but only one of them is in use at the moment. Much of the rest of the nave and south aisle is 15th century Perpendicular. ln 1712, the church was greatly restored and the brick: chancel was added. Al a further restoration in 1861, the chancel was reseated and most of the windows were renewed. The chancel was restored in 1876. The then fashionable decoration with Biblical texts was done at this ti~. The interior has a 14th century arcade which leans outwards, and the south aisle has large and attractive early Perpendicular windows. rThe rood-loft stairs remain. The font dates from the 15th century. There is a trefoil-headed piscina at the east end of the south 11i~le, . Ml.ich indicates the former use of this aisle as a side chapel. The Royal Arms are those of King George Ill, and the banging wooden hatchments are those of the Smythe family of Topcroft Hall. Near the chancel arch 1s a small but attractive monumental inscription in Latin to Richard Wilton who died in 1637. A substantial program of repair, improvement and redecoration has been carried out since 1981. 5

PLOESTIREPORT-DAYTON Veterans met Sunday, Aug. 1, 1993 at the Air Force Museum for a celebration of the 50th anniversary of this famous low level flying mission. Following a brief but touching review of days gone by, conducted by C. Joseph Warth of the 44th B.G. for the large crowd assembled, we moved to our own 93rd Memorial for a service conducted for us by Father Allen Meier. Father Meier, chaplain of Notre~ Dame Academy of nearby Covington, KY, volunteered his services. And weU qualified he was, having flown as a gunner in the 44th before becoming a priest after the war. A wreath was laid in honor of all of our fallen comrades. The premier showing of Wing and a Prayer, Saga of Urah Man was held after our group dinner the previous night. Hope you will all get to see this video on public television soon. A stirring story of Ploesti, it prominenlly features many of our 93rd men who flew this mission. Capt. Walter T. Stewart of the 330th is an analyst of the action. -----. Those attending from the 93rd who flew the mission are listed below with name of aircraft and present home town. 0 t. Charles L. Roberts Queenie Warsaw, MD c:, ~ Leigh Clafton Dog Patch Raider North Weymouth, MA John B.rooks Flew with 389th - New Aygo, MI 01( Howard Hinchman Satan's Angel Ridgewood, NJ 01' Sam Zearfoss Death Dealer Anville, PA ¢( actwacd Sand Thunder Mug Flint, MI 61( Raymond J. Russell Valiant Virgin Cinaminson, NJ C!> I'( John R. Roche Ready & Willing N. Palm Beach, FL 6 K Hal E. Bilyeu Ready & Willing Shreveport, LA O ~ William F. Doerner Ready & Willing Sagamore Hills, OH 0 I< Carl Barthel Blasted Event Upperco, MD o ,(, Dr. Luther S. Bird Boomerang Bryan, TX e"' Floyd H. Mabee Shoot Luke Dover, NJ 0 K Harry A. Kelleher Queenie Hobe Sound, FL c> K Frank V. Durante Ready & Willing W. Orange, NJ Ed: Many thanks 10 Bill and Jo Doerner who organized this event. 6

"HELLO MILFOD..,-THIS IS WEE WILLIE" 'lhe diary of Cap1. Edward L McGuire, Jr. 409th B.S., 9Jrd B.G. r "Base to target is Uncle Sam•s time. Target to base, you're m your ovvn!" -Col. Therman Brown. 93rd C.O. conti11ued from Summer issue On Sept. 3, 1944, we departed Langley Field. Our flight schedule took us via Dow Field, Maine, then to Goose Bay, Labrador, BWI (b}uje west) Greenland, Iceland, and then finally landing at Valley, Wales on Sept. 19. The craft was then transferred to the care of Air Transport Command. We then boarded a train at Valley and rode as far as Stone, England, changed trains for our final destination, Hardwick, England (the codename for Hardwick was Milfoil). One Sept. 23, 1944, we officially joined the 93rd "Bomb Group (H), 20th Combat Wing, 2nd Air Division, 8th Air Force. We were assigned to the 409th squadron which carried the code name "th.rufare" on Sept. 25, 1944. Quite frankly, I remember little of what happened from Sept. 25 through Oct. 5 except for a considerable amount of confusion and waiting around. The thing that is crystal clear in my mind is that 1st Lt. George A. Dobbs and I arrived on the same day and under the same orders. One of the first things that happened was a briefing of the two of us by Lt. Col. Therman D. Brown, Commanding Officer of the 409th squadron. Col. Brown ~poke to Do_bbs along the lines that Dobbs might hope for promotion to Capt.am and to become lea<l crew, and discussed the specific duties which these changes would involve. To me, he said, "No one can be a combat pilot only and hope to advance beyond the rank of captain. Therefore, unless you acquire other duties, you cannot expect a promotion until your tour of duty is competed. The best you can expect is to be assigned as lead ~ew pilot. He followed these words with, what was sobering "~ just a bi~ scary, ins~ructj~ns. He continued, "In view of your flymg expenence, I will assign the war-weary planes to you in order to be able to permit the younger and less experienced pilots to have the better and more reliable planes. I remember this verbatim for two reasons: first I immediately replied to the Colonel: •That is all right with me, sir, and I agree with your th~nking. And I really meant those words. Secondly, what neither of us thought about was the increased probability of aborting with these war-weary ships. Long afterwards Lt. Col. Fant landed on me for excessive aborting, and I presume this was the basis for no recommendation for the D.F.C., which I honestly thought I bad earned three times: (1) for continuing combat over age, (2) getting 815 G back safely Feb. 21, 1945, and (3)_ flying the extra mission to finish up Lt. Smith's crew and my wa.tst gunner. Perhaps at this point I should explain what tile Colonel was referring to with the refemng to with the reference to "your experien~. • . At the time I joined the Group, my F onn 5 showed a total pilot tune of 993:SS hours, but more important were the types of flying I had done. I had graduated from the Instructor Pilot's School, Pratt & Whitney Engineer Officer's School, served as an Instructor Pilot, Engineering Officer for a year and as T~t Pilot for George Field, lL in the Spring of 1944. A lot of high-performance flying with some additional hazards over regular duty. I had survived several experiences and felt very competent to handle any emergency involving the airplane under MY control. I had not had ANY CROSS-COUNTRY or ,---.FORMATION flying to amount to anything, almost since I had rated Pilot in July 1942. And that brings me, with a mixture of eager anticipation and some fear or dread (believe it or not) to: Mission #1, Oct. 5, 1944. We called it "Paderbom Air Base,• but the record says 7 "Lippstadt. • It is not unusual for this difference in names, but I never found oul who made the changes or why. The 93rd bad a policy that the new pilot and his new crew were taken on their first mission by an old pilot, while the old co-pilot checked out as airplane commander by talcing the old crew and the new co-pilot on bis first mission. it was an excellent system since the old pilot could communicate better with the new pilot and the new pilot bad a chance to get help in whipping his new crew together, while the new co-pilot saw a seasoned crew work and got better instruction in his phase of the team effort. So Captain Kenneth Gilbert rode in the co-pilot's seat with me and my crew. Gilbert was on his 71st mission (I believe} and was very good. As an aside, it was not unusual in the 93rd for a pilot to fly more than the required number of missions. The tak~-<>ff, forming up and cl!mb out are gone from my memory, which means there was noth1ng unusual, although everything was totally confusing, for several missions, until you got the hang of it. We were flying in 168 •y," a B-24J of the 409th Squadron. ... 10 be cominued next issue LIBS GO IN LOW Hardwick Bulletin Botrd, Mar. 24, 1945 8th A.F. Liberators, famed for low-level feats at Ploesti and Am_hem in ~rlier stages of the war, were back in the buzzing busmess again Saturday. They swooped into tb.e Wesel sector at midday and dropped tons of vitally needed ammunition, food and medical supplies to the Allied airborne and ground forces who were frantically establishing a foothold on tile Rhine's vaunted eastern bank. The Libs' supply mission was a part of the biggest combined air-land operation since D-Day in Normandy. The role of the B-24's in Saturday's bold operation began to take form the day before as a security clamp was imposed on all bases in the 2nd Div. and weighted wicker baskets, with parachutes attached, were loaded into the bomb bays. Old-timers lD the 20th, who remember Ploesti and Arnhem, looked upon Wesel as another legalized buzz job. Flying as low as 50 feet, the 20th Wingers (together with the 2nd and 14th Wings) roared across the Rhine into a maze of gray-white smoke that bung over the battlefields. When the B-24's loosed their wicker loads, the sky was festooned with multicolored parachutes that settled gently to the ground, landing amid abandoned and broken gliders, dead cattle, and smoldering haystacks. Eight of nine 20th Wing squadrons dropped their catgos in assigned areas, close ~nougb for ~ed warriors to be of immediate aid. Despite harassing and sometimes deadly enemy fire, the Wings scooted for friend I y territory, reforming for the return in the Brussels area. Small arms and 20mm fire from German positions cost the 20th six aircraft, three from Seething and three from Bungay. The 448th Group's lead plane crashlanded in England, two men wounded; while the airmen aboar<l Lhe 448th 's deputy lead was f?rced to bail out over England. In the 93rd Group, 20mm fire pierced armor plating and struck the formation stick inside one plane,. but didn't harm the pilot or co-pilot. One Bungay man was killed; several of the Wmgs were wounded; considerable battle damage was reported. . LTCT~i,Uj~wA;~~ Bungay's Air Executive, was Wing Air _C_omman ~er. ?eout of 20 officers al 20th Wing Huqs. part1c1pated, mcludmg General Timberlake, who flew in an escort plane. Pr~s representatives, smelling something big, were _on the reception committee at all three bases, pencils and pads lll hand, when the bombers returned.

EXPRESS AIR MAIL DELIVERED BY B.O.F. Dear Paul, The Ball of Fire Quarterly Express newsletter of the 93rd is great and I commend you for your efforts. Am enclosing my check for $15.00 toward its upkeep. 1 further congratulate you on becoming our president of the Group. Tf I can be of any help, please let me know. As to my experience with the 93rd, I was assigned to the 93rd in Feb. 1944 to replace George Brown as the Deputy C. 0. of the Group. Lee Fiegel was the C.O. at that time. When he moved up to the Wing Headquarters about Aug. 1944 I was assigned as C.O. of the Group. A mighty "proud guy• for being chosen for that responsibiUty. I was all of 30 years of age. About the middle of Dec. 1944, I had an attack of pleurisy whlch the Flight Surgeon found to be caused by tuberculosis. Anyway I was sent to Fitzsimmons General Hospital, Denver, CO in Jan. 1945. 1n July 1946, I was retired for Physical Disability. I have cherished my memories of that year with the 93rd as that was the best and finest unit with which I ever served. After I was discharged from the hospital, fully recovered, I spent the next 35 years working for the airlines business. Finished up my airline career as president of a couple commuter carriers in Florida. I retired in 1980. My wife and I decided to move here to Pennsylvania last year to be near two of our four children. Paul, l Led the 2nd Div. about 6 or 7 times in the summer-fall of 1944. 1 have kept the formation sheets with all of our instructions for most of the raids in which I participated. Also, 1 have a few of the regional maps which we used on the raids. Question: Is there any organization that would be interested in these or copies of them? HARVEY P. BARNARD, JR. 458 Country Club Dr. Lansdale, PA 19446 P.S. Paul, I graduated in the class of 1938 from West Point and was in the class of 39C (August) at the flying school at Randolph and Kelly. Dear Paul, First of all, please forgive my delay in writing this. I'd been on a rather long trip around the country. Among the baskets of "held" mail I collected was your Quarterly Express, which was quite a surprise. My check for future copies is enclosed herewith, with many thanks. It looks like a worthy enterprise. Tbe 93rd holds a special place in my psyche, as it was the "baptism of fire" for our crew-even though our arrival at Hardwick was almost at the end of the European war. The crew that shared our quonset-who'd completed their tour and were waiting to come back to the States while we flew our missions-said that we had more excitement in our 14 than they'd had in their 35. In fact, none of my later flying, over Korea or 'Nam (or around Russia), ever approached those flights in 1945. Whatever, the best of luck with the future of the Express, and hope to meet you at Hilton Head in November. JOSEPH"DAN"ROURE 845 Fingerboard Rd. Grasmere, Staten Island New York, NY 10305 Dear Paul, Thanks for the note from Butterfield. I met with him in CA two years ago for the first time since we finished combat, Feb. 8 5, 1944. Enclosed is a picture of my original crew taken by me at Clovis, NM, Mar. 1943. In the waist window· Robert "Pappy" Warner, Bombardier, ~ Don Butterfield, Assistant Radio Operator. Standing: Charles Boyer, Engineer, Willard "Beau" Beaumont, Co-pilot, Wilfred "Killer• Koehn, Navigator, ~ Ziegenmey~ Assistant Engineer, Charles I,ao:,. Tailunner. Squatting: William Wanda, Gunner, and Robert Withers, Radio Operator. -- . j) e "t "'~.s A !? B c Lo ~ ~ 111/ R o s T Jf. R "Pappy" was killed this past May in an auto accident. "Beau,• riding as an observer on his first mission, Aug. 1, 1943 to Ploesli, was shot down and spent the rest of the war as a POW. "l<iller" missed one mission with us due to a cold. On his last mission, his plane received a direct hit apparently in the bomb bay and just vanished according to eyewitn~. Lang passed away due to natural causes. The rest are well and active. Chuck Boyer has been acting as crew adjutant and located al~ of the above except Withers. Ir'you have any knowledge of h, ./ whereabouts, I'd appreciate knowing it. Thank you for your interest. , Dear Paul, JOHN "JACK" B. WEISS f i./ Ra .. rt v 23339 Victory Rd. Spring Hill, KS 66083 I am trying to trace the whereabouts of an airman stationed at Hardwick Airfield with the 93rd Bomb Group. I was visiting the Memorial Library in Norwich and was given your name and address by one of the ladies there who told me that you might be able to help. The address to which we used to correspond was: ~Ck1t" _Mr:•11, • .No T /.N ~o.s7 £ R at , ame I believe before he came to England he kept a Cine Repair Shop. It would be lovely to find out ifhe is still around. Thank: you from myself and my family for what you and your fellow Americans did for us during the war years. We shall ever be grateful to you all. Dear Paul, MRS. M. CRUMMETT Fairstead Lane Hempnall, Norwich Norfolk, England NR15 2NF I was attached to the 93rd B.G. stationed at Hardwick Norfolk (Station 104) from Aug. 1942 ([ was at the drome before th~ 93rd actua1ly arrived) until June 1944, covering the period ofth Ploesti raid which I clearly recall. It may be remembered that the High Frequency Direction Finding station was initially manned by four RAP personnel, and I still possess my pass into camp signed by Lt. Col. Addison E.

EXPRESS AIR MAIL DELIVERED BY B.O.F. ~oi<-Baker, a Christmas card designed by Sgt. J.F. ~. and the "Order of Celebration Feb. 26, 1944" to mark the f""""'Distinguished Unit Citation award. Incidentally, the RAF bods were not included in that, and I have always been a bit peeved that I could not wear the blue ribbon whilst the other half of my watch, an American, could. I would love to be present at the Ploesti reunion, and have obtained the official enrollment form, but it is a very long way to go, would cost a fortune, and I probably would not know anybody, or be known. However, your address was given to me by the American Embassy here as part of my inquiries. The chances are not high of my coming, but it does allow me to wish you all well and the function every success. You will appreciate that since we operated and lived some 1/4 mile off the end of the main runway, we made a few "buddies.• O.t(One, ijjll Mercer by name, was a grounded W/Op and worked alongside us for a while until he flew back to the States on leave and got killed in a flying accident on the way. I stH1 keep contact with one of his sisters. The only other I can recall was NI (>Bill Jackson from Greenwich Village, NY, who shared a watch with me for quite a while. If he is still about, and a member, I would be pleased to hear from him. He got news that his brother was killed in Italy whilst I was with him and that made for a special feeling for him. My own brother was in Italy at that time. I have digressed, and apologies. My main purpose in writing was to send good wishes to old comrades, for I do not expect to hear of anything happening over here. Sorry I cannot send the customary stamped, self-address envelope, but I am not sure how to do it to the States! _. KEN J. SMITH 132 Furniss Ave. Sheffield, England S 17 3PQ Dear Paul, Your first edition was a winner-interesting and well written. I'm sure by now you've received enough "war stories" to carry you through the next couple editions. I came to Hardwick as a bombardier on & wew led by a great gentleman and pilot, one Russell J. Kapp, and our crew was assigned to 330th B.S. Russ, following the wishes of his crew, did not try to become a lead crew, and we flew 13 missions as a wing crew between July/Oct.1944, when I was transferred (not exactly in accordance with my desire) to the lead crew of Jimmy 0"-'J>owell, who strove to fly wing and division leads. C-onsequently, we did not fly too often and in Mar. 1945, after some grumbling by his crew members, he flew a group lead over Muenster on Mar. 23, 1945. We were hit on a bomb run and fell from 23,000 feet to approximately 4,000 feel before our ship expl~ Three out of 12 of the crew survived: Co-pilot Fred Ho¥e~ng, who was riding in the waist because the eve.r-popular Major Biggers, C.O. 330th B.S. was the Command Pilot that day; IQse Die~who i?t ~ ., flying his first mission as a pilotage navigator ,wlio somehow t •~ out of the nose turret, and myself. When our ship was hit, apparently my head hit the navigator's table and I was a little "woozy.• The silk from my chest pack parachute had burst open and was exposed. I managed to get one of the two buckles buckled before the plane went in a spin and I lost consciousness. ,.........\pparently after the-plane exploded the wind opened my exposed chute and I woke up on the ground with 8 or 9 German home guard soldiers pointing their rifles at me. 0 IC: I was told later that Bombardier Morton Zive, a bombardier flying in the bucket crew that day, who had planned on staying 9 for a second tour of duty, canceled his plans. I bad the good fortune to get a leave from the hospital in Oxford to attend the going-home party of the 93rd Bomb Group, seeing friends who did not know 1 had survived. I also had the good fortune to be released from the hospital on VE Day and being in London VE night. HopefuJly, nostalgic memories of the 93rd days by others like myself will help keep alive your activities of publishing the Ball of Fire Quanerly "Express for a few more years before a majority of us reach the •Folded Wings• stage. WALLACE J. SPENCER O,K. 7 45 Sum.mersea Ct. Lt 7 T i3 I;) Englewood, FL 34223 '\ Dear Paul, Thanks for sending me the first issue of the Ball of Fire Quarterly "Express. The newsletter fills a need at the group level as publications from division and higher levels are too impersonal. We were in England last summer and Phyllis DuBois arranged for the taxi to take us to Hardwick and tea with Mr. and Mrs. Woodrow. Dear Paul, JOE FULTON x 409 1 I 77 Cardenes S.E. AER 436, Villa South Albuquerque, NM 87108 Re Vol. 1, No. l BOFQE. l\,f AGNI FI CENT!!! Some years back Bill Robertie offered to reprint the whole of the Journal from the beginning and was testing for support. There was NOT enough out there. So the venture never got off the ground. Pathetic. What he ran into was "stultified Senior Brain Syndrome.• I trust and pray that you will not run into a similar situation. Time will tell. In order that you may Icicle the thing off and not do the El Flopo, here is my contribution of $10. Henshaw did a masterful work. My grading . . . either fact or fiction . . . would b5-A+ . 1 have an opinion as to your longevity for the pub ... but, let it roll. ERIC E. ERICSON 430 Florence St. Aurora, CO 80010 Ed: Eric's note proves: 1) He is very talemed with 1he wrinen word! 2) A s1ro11g suppor1er of the BOFQE and of the 93rd Bomb Group. But let us not deco rare Eric ye1 for his prowess i11 prophesy. I have co11fide11ce that enough of our members who did not respond 10 my plea for a $9.90 donation (75%) will see fit to increase our percentage of participaJio11 so as to co11ri11ue the flight of our aircraft. Dear Paul, The enclosed info may have reached you already, possibly by a more direct route, but, on the other hand, maybe not. In Mar. 1944, Bob Shaffer was sent to~~land for special training and during that time bis crew (RobertC:-McFetrick) was involved in the region• s worst air accident of the war, half a mile from here. I remember it well. Thirty-six were killed and 53 injured. Two of his crew survived. A colleague and I have researched and written up the account of this incident, although we are still unable to identify some personnel KIA who were from other units. Also unknown is his

EXPRESS AIR MAIL DELIVERED BY B.O.F. replacement bombardier on that day. My friend here, Gordon Reynolds, had corresponded with Bob but bas now received the press culling anonymously sent: Oceanside-One of Oceanside's premiere civic leaders died Tuesday, and current and former city officials remembered him as a decorated WWil veteran who was deeply devoted to bettering his community. J. Robert "Bob• Shaffer was 76 when he died at Tri-City Medical Center. A memorial service is scheduled for Monday. "He was a thoroughly decent, wonderful guy,• said Mayor Larry Bagley. The mayor said the first time he met Shaffer was in 1959 or 1960 when be bought a radio at Shaffer's downtown furniture and appliance store. For the past 27 years, Shaffer has worked with Crowell, Weedon & Co., a New York Stock Exchange firm, as a manager and broker. Shaffer was born Dec. 11, 1915, in Tyndall, SD. His family moved to Oceanside in 1934 after he graduated from high school. Once here, Shaffer graduated in the first class of the Oceanside-Carlsbad College (now Mira Costa College) with an Associate of Arts degree and then attended UCLA from 1937-39, majoring in business administration and finance. Throughout school, Shaffer excelled at basketball, held a state record in pole vaulting and was a champion debater. Shaffer also played the drums. He married Lorraine Fulton on April 21, 1940. At the time, Shaffer worked for Shell Oil Co., until enlisting in the Army Air Corps in 1942. He served as lead bombardier for the 93rd Bomb Group in the 2nd Air Division of the 8th Air Force. I will just say good luck and best wishes with the new responsibility of V .P. Can you include a secretary in expenses'? DOUGLAS HOWELD Highlands, Hill Road Wangford, Beccles Suffolk, NR3 48AR, England &I: Salary of sramps 011ly somewhat diminishes the auractiveness of the job, however, applicnms are being accepied! Dear Paul, A favour (or should that be a "favor•): I have heard from various sources that the 93rd is now producing a newsletter and I would be most grateful if you could add my name to the mailing list. I look forward to the postman wilh something from the States. It helps me keep in touch with my many 2nd A.'D. friends. I'm sorry to say that tlungs are not too good with me. I'm trying to live on government benefits, which is not very easy, and the consultant has recently told me that he can't do anything to cure my eyesight problems. Anyhow, I've got some good friends and I still try to keep involved with the library. Kind regards to all the 93rd, Dear Paul, TONY NORTH 62 Turner Rd. Norwich Norfolk NR2 4HB England Thank you for your letter, and we did enjoy visiting with you in Norwich. We talked about Murray Fant and I was sure he was a retired Major General USAF. Thus, I was most surprised when I got out my retired living general officer list and found that he was not on it! He was on the staff of the Logistics 10 School at Maxwell in 1951 when I attended. Our paths did not cross again, but I felt I had read about him. So I have let you down on this request ~ We had an exciting week driving in Scotland with family. Now we are back to the grind of a too-large house on a too-large lot. Cheers, MAJ. GEN. ANDY LOW 453rd B.G. Ed: tlu',.,~ Faul. the sometimes co11troversial 409 Squadron Commander, still nor located. Dear Paul, The BOFQE is beautifully written and edited, too. Every brother in the 93rd owes you a debt of gratitude. You've done a wonderful job of bringing back a lot of precious memories. The ugly memories of fear and war have aU but faded and the wonderful memories of the great and glorious men we flew with have been filtered out by time and remain. Ball of Fire is a first-class, sensitively-written and a proud effort to honor the men of the 93rd, and maintain and perpetuate its memory ... and theirs. They and the 93rd are part of one another. After I retired in 1985, I joined both the 8th AFHS and the 2nd Air Division Association and have gone to several reunions of both. Enclosing a check for $30.00 to help defray your cost. Our numbers must be getting smaller, so you'll have to plan on some attrition in readership as the years pass. If you have available an 8th A.F. shoulder patch suitable for mounting on an A~2jacket, let me know bow to get one. God's blessings on you and your new endeavor. Dear Paul, ED REILLY, ~ II( 409th B.S. 12 Chatham St. Kinderhook, NY 12106 Until reading your "Open Letter to the 93rd" in the Spring issue of the Journal, l bad not realized what bomb group flew from Hardwick, England Airfield. Your article also brought back a story told to me by a local about Hardwick Airfield that I hope you can substantiate. According to this local source, the airfield was supposed to have been built in the vicinity of Hardwick, but Brihsh Intelligence got the word lhat there were spies working in the area who knew exactly where the airfield was to be built. Knowing this and fearing that it would be blown up, they moved to the present site which is close to Shelton, England, a village my wife and I visit quite often. Shelton, England, with its St. Mary's Church and Shelton Hall, dating back to the 1400s, is ironically the place of both mine and my wife's Shelton ancestors. Of course when T wa.~ at Kettering Hall, l knew nothing about this. Any help you have to verify the information concerning the Hardwick Airfield would be appreciated. WILLIAM 0. SHELTON, JR. HDQ Headquarters, Second A.O. 562nd AAF Band, 8th A.F. Rt. 1, Box 88B Palmyra, VA 22963

EXPRESS A1R MAIL DELIVERED BY B.O.F. The SumrMr issue of BOFQE carried a letter from LTC John A. Marx, nephew of Lr. Rohen W. Marx, who was pilot of a B-24 named Beaver's Baby. The plaruJ crashed on takeoff Dec. 19, 1944 just beyond the end of the N. S. runway. All aboard this lead plane perished. rit was pt1r1 of a desperaJe attempt in exrr~Iy bad fog conditions to get off the ground ro help our ground troops in the Ba11le of the Julge. This letter has brought a deluge of letters. The next five letters and two pictures are related to this 011e i11cidem -Ed. Dear Paul, I feel very fortunate that 8 of our 9 man crew are living. We had crew reunions in 1989-91 and 1992. We are now planning our 50 year reunion in 1994. We are assigned to the 93rd B.G. from Aug. 30, 1944 to Mar. 21, 1945. I was very pleased to receive a copy of Vol. l, No. l 93rd B.G. newsletter. Enclosed is my check for $10.00 to cover first yea.r. I enjoyed the first 93rd newsletter but I think you are in error when on page 9 it states that the plane Jost on Dec. 19, 1944 (re: John A. Marx, LTC letter) was Bea1't!r's Baby. Our crew was assigned to Beaver's Baby and on our rrussion with the 93rd B.G. 328th Sq. to Hanau on Dec. 11, 1944 in BeaYer's Baby we sustained considerable damage including one engine out and about 50% power on another. We landed on a P47 field in Belgium. We left Bea'l-'t!r's Baby on the P47 field and on Dec. 16 flew a repaired B-24 to the repair depot in Englnnd. C. W. BARTON _ 5915 S. Marion Pl. LI:! TT£ ft' Tulsa, OK 74135-7813 Dear Paul, I was extremely impressed with the first volume of the Ball of Fire Quanerly &press. Enclosed is my check for $10.00. I hope you will be able to continue its publication. Needless to say, I really appreciate your publishing my letter about my uncle. Another of the letters also talked about my - cJe's plane, Bea~-er's Baby. I have written the author of that ...iter. I have received one response to my information request already. The reply was from Mr. Ed Allen, the pilot of the third aircraft scheduled to take off on the morning of Dec. 19, 1944. He described his decision to abort his takeoff when a red flare was fired signaling "cease all operations.• He decided to abort and was just able to slow enough to tum on the taxiway at the end of the runway. He says my uncle's aircraft was the second to take off, and the first plane, piloted by Lt. Bear made it. Lt. Bear was awarded the DFC for getting off the ground that day. The most rewarding aspect of all of the letters is the obvious smcenty and goodwill of all who have wntten. Thanks for your help. I look forward to the next issue. Dear Paul, JOHN A. MARX LTC, US Army CMR 467, Box 4576 APO AE 09096 I would like to congratulate you on ajoh well done. The Ball of Fire Quarterly Express is terrific! It hit home in a couple of places which I will go into later. We have needed this for a long time, and your effort and hard work are appreciated. Two of the tellers in the "Express Air Mail" came close to home. The letters from John A. Marx and Geoffrey Nese were of particular int..:rest beca~ l have a picture of my crew, after completion of 30 missions, standing by Bem-er 's Baby. It was interesting and also sad to learn the tragic end of Beaver's Baby. I always thought the plane was assigned to our 330th B.S., but from the letters, 1t must have been assi!,'lled to the 409th B.S. and 328th B.S. Maybe I never flew Beaver's Baby. I think what may have hap~ned was after oompletmg our 30 missions, we were looking for a B-24 to pose in front of and Beaver's Baby was the closest at hand. The photograph shows the name of the plane and part of a gal posing. Unfortunately, my crew obscures mo~1 of her. It appears she fl.:w 52 missions, shot down 2 Nazi planes as of Sept. 20, 1944, the approximate date the picture was taken . I never really bad a chance to see Hardwick or Norwich. I flew 16 nuss1ons in June 1944, 6 missions in July, 6 missions in Aug., and 2 missions ID Sept., with the last 12 as lead crew. The rest of the hme we were practicing and flying the Ball of Fire. Again, congratulations on u job well done. ARTHUR W. CABLE, SR. 20 Elm Rd. 330th B.S., 93rd B.G. Karonah, NY 10536 -la Beaver's Baby as she appeared Sept. 20, 1944 Front L-R: Fad ~, ~ U1ai11, ':t,bomas Tbommon. Harold.{k>hn!f, IJwcruce Stul'lS(.:U Rear L-R: Wes Cable, Pilot, John Brasch, Ed Gallant 11

EXPRESS AIR MAll, DELIVERED BY B.O.F. Dear Paul, Enclosed, find check in the amount of $10.00 in hopes that you may continue the Ball of Fire Express. Do you have John Marx's address? (in re article on LTC Robert Marx in the Summer issue of BOFQE). He was leading the group on that mission. I was flying deputy lead. Needless to say, I never got off the ground. We were taking off on instruments. It was so foggy that visibility was about 50 ft. 55 gal. drums were placed about 50 yds. down each side of the runway with something flammable burning in each one. You could just about see the first one from take off position. I had just released my brakes (as I was second to take off) and starting to proceed down the runway when a terrific explosion took place. The tower shouted, "Ship in takeoff position, hold your position!• J got craft stopped and then proceeded to taxi on down the runway and back to the hard stand. It was so foggy it was difficult to find your way back. We would never have attempted to fly a mission under those conditions, but it was to aid those stuck in the Battle of the Bulge. 1 got on my bicycle and rode down to about a quarter mile past the end of the runway to the crash site. There was nothing but pieces of both ship and bodies. HARRY H. GRUENER 333 Carlisle Ave. Pittsburg, PA 1S229 John Archer holding bomb bay door from doomed bomber Dear Paul, I received your publication about the 93rd Bomb Group (H). I really enjoyed the information it contained and read it all the() way through. l am a member of the original group who went overseas. I was attached to the 328th Sq. and crewed the aircraft known as Eager Beaver. After the aircraft got old and rickety, we were assigned another B-24 which became Beaver's BaJ,y. That airplane was never destroyed as was claimed in that letter. I was a passenger on that aircraft when it was flown back to the U.S. after the war in Germany. We landed in Connecticut and the aircraft was flown to a desert in Arizona where it probably still remains unless it was junked, as many were after years in the desert. I remember the crash of that aircraft on Dec. 19. We were waiting to cross the runway to get back to our barracks when it happened. I have a small picture of Beaver's Baby. It had a picture of a girl sitrotEt~a;; t~ir:_~;~~t <J ~ 9700 S. AlA Melbourne Beach, FL 32951 Dear Paul, Thanks much for your letter of July 16. I am pleased that you found the "Last Flight of Baggy Maggy" to be of some interest. 1 also appreciated your sending the photo taken at Sagan and the info about Luther Cox's book, which I have not read but will try to acquire. ln answer to your question about my f-atber-m-law, SJeorge N '' Bo:ant Woods, 1 can relate a little of his travels, some taken ~m discussions and some from his 201. After his service in WWI as a pilot, as a Flight Command/''"' with the 28th Pursuit Sq. in France, a few months as a PO'v-. after bemg shot down behind German lines, be finished Harvard, went into Wall Strut, spent some time also with Bell Aircraft in Buffalo, and then was asked by old Army Air Corps assoc1ates 12 to come back in to be available as an air intelligence officer that they were sure was going to be a need in the coming war. He was r-eeommiss1oned as a Major in 1940 and ordered Lo active duly at Wright Field in Feb. 1941. He Joined the 93rd at Ft. Myers in April 1942 and was with them wh\!n the 93rd sank a sub off the coast. His 201 shows a recommendation for promotion to LTC signed by Timberlake, which a subsequent endorsement turned down for lack of a table of organization aulhorizing the position. He went with the 93rd in Aug. to Alconbury, England. There he continued as Air Intelligence and is the Major Woods referred Lo as doing a briefing in the 93rd Group history book, Chapter 2. While he had not retained his pilot rating, he did become officially rated as a gunner and flew several missions there as well as subsequently.which he fell aided his air intelligence work. l do not know the background reasons but he was sent to North Africa about a month before the 93rd went to Tafaroui in Dec. 1942 and was assigned to the 320th Bomb Group (M), B-26's, as Group Air Intelligence for the invasion. He stayed with them until Feb. 1943 when he was promoted to LTC and assigned to the Staff of Air Chief Marshall Tedder for the air planning of the Sicily Invasion, and subsequently reassigned to Air Plans for Force 343 for the Sicily Invasion. For execution of the Sicily Plans he was made Assistant Chief of Staff A-2 ~ the 12th Air Support Command for both the Sicily and Saler, l invasions and the advance through Italy to Cassino. While he wandered away from the 93rd, his heart remained with it. I often heard him mention Keith Compton and, of

EXPRESS AJR MAIL DELIVERED BY B.0.F. course, Ted Timberlake. Also, his personal files have much more stuff about the 93rd and its personnel than any other assignment he had. r On return home he was first sent to Wright-Patterson where, because of his earlier civilian background, he was used in contract terminations as the war wound down-and it was there that l first met him and his daughter, now 44 years my wife. His promotion to full colonel caught up with him in 1946. After separation, he went back to Wall Street, was unhappy with it and subsequently became Special Assistant to Mr. Arthur Barrows, Undersecretary for Procurement under Secretary Symington. He died from an untimely heart attack in the early l950's. Dear Paul, LARRY M. HEWIN L £TT If R 59 Winster Fax Williamsburg, VA 23185 Thanks very much for the newsletter. I have wanted information of the 93rd for years. I do have addresses of several in the 329th Squadron Engineering Section. l have seen and visited with several of them the past few years. Frank Vogrim, Guy Pannell, Gamer Pennock-the four ofus are trying to get together this Sept. William Lamont and Charles Smith each have passed on. I have talked to Egar Williams and George Alexander by phone the past year and received letters updating their lives. Thanks again for the newsletter and hope more will come. KENDRICK WILLlAMS O I< P.O. Box 122 L 1577 E t1 ~ Cranberry, PA 16319 ear Paul, I am writing a book covering the 329th from its inception to Dec. 31, 1943. I have completed what I have so far but am still trying to contact any surviving originals. Perhaps you can help me via the BOFQE. The men I seek are Sgts. Jimmy Poe, [ask RQlj, Jack Stover, Nicholas Caruso, Garrett Billitter, ~alter E McBryan. l2h!i ~beJ, Qliyer C Qilbs:;rt Orlin Lunt, Edwin Reifschneider, Ralpli\Vard, l3ayd S WeJ!, Lloyd Adelsberger, and any family members of ,Merle P. Wolf and [ack LAA&: Also Lts. John P. O'Brien, F~. Reynold§.. Thomas F. Slack, Henry L. Newby, and any fami y members of l,t, Parkman Davis. It's quite a list and I appreciate any help you can give. I have letters that were returned, unopened from families of the deceased. Getting these names printed in your column might be the boost I need. I was tail gunner on Packer crew. Purpose of the book: Some things should not be forgotten. v WILLIAM). KOMAREK O '" Dear Paul, 267 Ct. Rt. 23 South L ,.. ~ -£'\ Franklin, NJ 07416 !:: I F H. I was very impressed with the Ball of Fire Quarterly Express, and I enjoyed reading every bit of it. The name of the newsletter is especially meaningful to me since I flew in the 93rd Ball of Fire many times when forming the group before missions. I was a lead navigator and the squadron navigator of the 330th. ,,-:.ttnclosed is my check for $20.00. Keep up the good work. MARLON SHIPLEY 6, /( 320 Jackson St. San Mateo, CA 94402 13 Dear Paul, Would you please add Herbert F. Hosching "Pop" to those listed in "Folded Wings" (330th). He died Dec. 7, 1992. He crewed the Duchess, which was flown by R. D. Potts. I Lalked to Col. Fiegel the day he crashed between Washington and Richmond. We walked from base ops at Bolling to the flight line and I gave him a hard time about flying tinker toys when I had a good B-25 ready for him to fly. The C-45's were grounded after that flight until a special fix was made on the props. I think I '6e~ as crew chief of the first flight the 93rd made. Lt. K. K. Compton talked LTC Timberlake into letting him take a B-24 C we inherited from the 348th squadron of the 98th B.G. on Mar. 25, 1992 to St. Joe, MO. Dear Paul, PERRY W. SCOTT O K 316 B Dover Pt. Rd. Dover, NH 03820 I am working on a document concerning the series of British and American raids from the period Feb. 20-25, 1944. J would like to know if there exists a chronicle about the missions of Lhe 93rd B.G. and whether the big week is mentioned. One mission of the 93rd is of special interest: Bomber number 42-100236 hit Gotha with fair results Feb. 24. I have been able to locate the site and even found an eyewitness to the fighter's battle with the bombers in Volkersleier-Main. The following report is from the Nazi office at Grafendorf, Maio-Franconia District: To: Regional Office of the NSDAP at Lohr Subject: Enemy Air Incursions The local region experienced several anxious hours during the terror attack by American and English bombers the noon hours of Feb. 24 and the subsequent night. We did not notice anything of the enemy air incursion at noon. The first thing we noticed was con trails in the sky. A short time later the attack began, which from here sounded like distant thunder. Enemy units flew over in squadrons on their return home and at this time there occurred an air fight between one of our fighter planes and an enemy bomber not far from Grafendorf in the Schondra River Valley. Over and over the fighter attacked its enemy. The bomber circled several times while the occupants bailed out with parachutes. We counted seven parachutes. After a final round of fire from the fighter, the enemy plane went down. Large clouds of smoke rose from the forest. Pieces of the plane were found about 3 km north of Grafeodorf and four bodies were recovered there. The bodies were buried in Grafendorf on Feb. 27. After the attack the sky was filled with thousands of leaflets and pieces of chaff. HERR CHRISTIAN LOOP Walddorferstra Ra 47 W2000 Hamburg 70, Germany Ed: Our source of information, the record kept by Chaplain Burris of the 93rd, is shown here. It indicates all were POW. 42-100236 was the only pfone we Jost that day. The German record confirms the plane number. None of the crew members is listed 011 1he Wall of the Missing, Roll of Honor, or as current members of the 93rd B.G. Association. Can anyone help? Rudolph (NMI) Case Charles W. Sheppherd Robert D. Allison Floyd M. Conover Robert E. Jakobe James H. Altizer John T. Taylor Roland L. Walker Kenneth W. Wolgemuth William A. Bland

EXPRESS AIR MAIL DELIVERED BY B.O.F. Dear Paul, First, [ just want to let everyone know that I served as a T/Sgt. in the radar repair shop from Jan. 1943 to June 1945 at Hardwick, England (93rd B.G.). Maj. Damm (Griffith Damm), was in charge of the radar repair shop. For those of you who may have known him, he was killed back in the '60's in a hunting accident in illinois. I was the guy who went around in a jeep from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. adjusting and repairing the radars for early-morning missions. There was one plane in particular (I think it was 4652) that had a high-altitude problem. It would break down at high altitude. I can't help but remember the pOor, frustrated radar navigator who tried to operate it and couldn't at high altitudes. His debriefing report was "Piss-on-a-rag and try that!" I must admit 1 don't think we ever did find the problem! There was one fellow in particular 1 would like to locate. His last name was Henderson-a tall, lanky guy who became a radio operator. He was a radar repairman and I used to tap out the Morse Code so be could get up to speed and qualify. He received a field commission of 2nd Lt. as a radio operator. Originally, I believe, he came from Saskatchewan, Canada. (I, loo, transferred from the RCAF as a radar mechanic to the US 8th A.F. and was assigned to the 93rd B.G.) There is another individual I would like to contact. His name was Kiesel (last name) and, I believe, originally from Oklahoma. He wd"in charge of the radar repair technicians. Another individual, last name Grant (T/Sgt), was in charge of electrical repair shops. 1 believe he originally came from the Ohio area. I would like very much to bear from these buddies and any other ones who worked in the radar repair shop. We have had 3 professors from the University of Norwich come to the University ofMaine as exchange professors and we have had wonderful chats about the 93rd Library in Norwich (om of the professors is on the board of the Library). I still correspond with him. 1 wonder how many of you remember that the radar repair shop was located near lbe end of one of the runways? And I wonder how many of you remember the actor Adolph Monjou visiting our base? Or do you remember taking the truck convoy into Norwich and the MP's coming around and making sure everybody bad their "PRO" kits?? And do you remember the final beer party we had at the 93rd B.G.? They took "umteen" barrels of beer aboard a B-24 and flew around at 20,000 feet so as to cool the beer, then brought it down to the air field for a real big party?! All I remember is drinking directly from the "Spigot"! How many of you remember the night of D Day? The lights were turned on all over the field and the squadrons were talcing off hourly for 2 days straight. No one slept much then. And as a ground crew personnel, I worked 48 hours non-stop to keep the radars operational. How I wish I had had a camera in those days to get prints of the beautiful logos on the front of the airplanes, such as a kangaroo with a pouch of bombs with a pained expression and his arm raised lo throw the bombs. rr anyone has any such pictures, I would gladly pay for reprints. I hope life bas been good to everyone and that you have accompUshed everything you hoped to. I can, fortunately, say l have. Should any of you come to the Maine area, we are only 4.9 miles offl-95 highway (exit 52). Would love lo see one and all! T/Sgt. OLIVER S. LAROUCHE West Old Town Maine, ME 04468 Dear Paul, In my capacity of president of the American Memorial Association of Saint Nilz:aire and Historian, I am preparing a ~ book regarding the serial missions performed over our town by i the 8th A.F. between 1942 and 1945. According to my information, the 93rd B.G. bad performed many missions over Saint Nazaire from Nov. 9, 1942 to May 1, 1943. Could you send me a report about these missions, order of battle information, formation leaders, mission facts, incidents, stories, list of aircraft (name, number, squadron) and crewmen MIA or POW (name, chrislian names, ranks, duties), photos, etc.? All of those particulars are necessary to make our generation and future ones aware of the 8th A.F. aviators' sacrifice to free France. MICHEL G. LUGEZ President and Historian Association du Memorial Americain (American Memorial Association) Ed: Five missions, 50 planes, I I damaged, 3 wounded Nov. 9, 194210 Feb. 14, 1943. Dear Paul, The only buddy I had an address on was Johnnie Brown, c/o Ladder Ranch, Hillsboro, NM. Of course, that was in 1942. He flew on Liberry Lad over Ploesti (pilot, McFarland). Seeing the layout of Hardwick Airfield that you included in your letter brought back to me a humorous situation that happened, I believe, in 1943. If you were there at that time you probably remember it. First of au, all our carbines bad been turned into the armament shop for modification. So what l}.appened one night • Air Raid Warning - Purple" came over ~ tannoy system, which meant paratroopers in the area. We we notified over the speaker system to report to the shops lo pick up our carbines. 14· So there we were, hundreds of Gl's marching single file along the hedgerows up to the flight line to get the carbines. Talking, smoking, flashlights shining all over the place as we went on our way. If the paratroopers had been around the field, the 93rd would have been wiped out. On top of that, we had to line up single file to get the carbines. Meanwhile, all the lights were on in the shops making us fine targets. Talk about "Custer's Last Stand"! This would have gone down in history as the "Hardwick Massacre.• It was all a mistake for the warning should have been "red" instead of "purple,• meaning enemy aircraft in the vicinity. As I look back on it, the guys didn't seem to be scared or nervous, as if we didn't believe it was happening. I guess that's the way it is when you 're young and maybe a bit stupid. I think, later, everyone had second thoughts about what could have happened. , CHUCK CARROLL C:,~ 128 Pine Island Tpk. Warwick, NY 10990

EXPRESS AIR MAIL DELIVERED BY B.O.F. Dear Paul, Thank you for your letter. The addresses that you needed are as foUows: Rex G. Roberson (dee. April 1991), 1829 Terrace (1i., Seneca, MO 64865; Russell Grant Cottrell (dee. Feb. -l988), Salt Lake City, UT. We recently heard from Cecil M. Trostle of the 328th Sq. 93rd B.G., 131 S. Euclid Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302, who sent us a picture of himself standing in front of a B-24, 329th Bomb Sq. Gp. in Lackland Air Base, TX. The picture was taken the Winter of 1993. Other members who were with me in England were Jack Beli.er, 328th Engineering Office (clerk), 615 Yellowstone Av., Belgrade, MT 59714 and John Kem, 928 Church St., Newcastle, IN 47362, who, by the way, was the first GI Airman (328th) to marry an English girl (from Norwich). Their picture appeared in Life Magazine at that time. Also Rufus Kent King (328th), 1619 S. Remo Av., Clearwater, FL 34616 and Joe Bergeron (328th), State Park Host Hwy. AIA, Melbourne Beach, FL 32951. Capt. Brown was the pilot's name in my crew. J was the crew chief on plane #456 and Rex Roberson was my assistant. My plane was unnamed. I received the Bronze Star for 86 missions with no abortions. The map of Hardwick Airfield was very interesting. We visited there in 1976, but I did not recognize anything. My wife was from London and we stayed at the Taylor's farm, southwest of the airfield. We hope this information will help to you. NELSON W. BIVENS o t< 312 Detroit St. Durand, Ml 48429 Dear Paul, ----t was a gunner in the 328th Sq. from Aug. 1943 unti!-npleting my 25th mission in Feb. 1944. My cap was a regu1ar issue hat and we used to call them "Fifty Mission Caps" and you shaped them by crushing in both sides. We used to kid about not making it and I used to tell my buddies that they were never going to get my hat because I was going to finish my .2S missions. We lost our pilot, T. W. Atkinson, after four missions when he took another crew back to England and left us in Benghasi, North Africa. On his first mission back in England be got shot up and bad to land in Sweden. When we got back we didn't have a pilot so we were a spare crew. When we were not on standby, I would get on my bicycle and ride down to the flight line to see how much gas they were putting in the planes. Then we would draw a circle on a map and figure out how far into Gennany the fuel would talce us. The next morning we would go down to the briefing room early, raise the curtain and move the string a long way into Germany. When the regular briefing started, we sat in the back of the room. When they raised the curtain, some of the gunners would get sick so we would volunteer to take their places. In this I was able to fly with eight differe~ilots. Besides, T. W. a J( Atkinson in Taifu, I went with T. @( Collins Lib '[J!1111essee Rambler, J.,. K~t in O-Carole-N-Chick, J. A. 'Bogan in &termina1or, ~~lnnsinJudithLynn, lu p. Langeoo Texas Rambler, R. R.-J.<uss ands;;.~. Ted Ford.on Ready Teddy. JOHN BUTLER ,,_ r . C> P. 0. Box 1436 L ~ I /::, f\ Destin, FL 32540 -Dear Paul, Enclosed is a check for the 93rd newsletter, which I found very interesting. Particularly, the Jetter from Hartzell C. "Slippery" Slider. He was a hut mate of ours .at Hardwick. I was "Qgg Ixe;G,; navigator and we tlew most of our missions in co1r1pany with Slippery's and Mike rel s crew (except for a 011e-month period when we were on etac ed service flying with the 448th B.G. out of Seething). Best of luck with your periodical. HARRY H. POWERS 12400 Oakleaf Ct. Auburn, CA 95603 Dear Paul, o ~ First I must thank you for sending me Ed Weir's address. I wrote him and in tum he called me. He plans to come to Tucson for a visit in the not-too-distant future! I The main purpose of my letter is to refer to an article on page 33 of the Journal, the 2nd Air Association Summer edition. It is a request from John Chapman, 116 Penny Park Cir., Hatboro, PA 19040-3559. One of the sinkings (sub) was made by then 1st Lt. Williams' crew of the 409th B.S. The only other officer J .recall is the Bombardier, 2nd Lt. Tunner. Other crew members I recall were good buddies Tail Gunner, V.O. McMahon; Top Turret, Elliot; and Radio Operator, Kirkpatrick. I hadn't recalled this until I read the article, but Lt. Williams' of Geronimo crew was on the reviewing stand as the rest of us passed in review while stationed at Ft. Myers, FL. The Navy took soundings in the Gulf where this sinking took place and confirmed the sinking! They stated at that time that it was the first sinking of a sub by a land-based bomber. Quite an honor!! l'm sure Ed Weir can recaU this, event at Ft. Myers, FL as well as my good friends, Dick Ryan and Joe Fort. l would like to thank you again for giving me Ed Weir's address. It's always great to contact former buddies of the 93rd. EDWARD M. BATES o I( 1135 W. Prince Rd. Tucson, AZ 85705 • Dear Paul, I am doing an extensive research project for the 8th A.F. Memorial Museum Foundation and I request your help in tilling in some holes. r need the full names, their ranks, their position in the aircraft, and the fate of the aircrews of the five following MIA aircraft of the 93rd B.G.: Oct. 09, 1942 41-23678 330 B.S. Alexander Simpson, Pilot Mar. 18, 1943 41-23666 330 B.S. H.E. Kleiosteuber, Pilot Mar. 31, 1943 41-24025 409 B.S. B.F. Williams, Pilot eu.ft,k_ Apr. 16, 1943 41-23874 328 B.S. Franklin D. Lowen, Pilot Apr. 16, 1943 41-23732 409 B.S. Frank R. Hodges, Pilot Your help in this research would be appreciated. WILLIAM H. ADAMS 10503 Huntley Pl. Silver Spring, MD 20902-371 l

REVISED FISCAL UPDATE-Ball of Fire Quarterly Express We must live or die here at the Ball of Fire Quarterly Express through 93rd members' donations. If we can get donations of an average of $9. 90 per year from each member that can afford to pay, we can put out a fine product, double our sii.e next issue and provide a free copy to those who cannot afford extra expenses. Ifwe don't get this support from the members we will reluctantly have to assume that there is not enough interest, fold up our tents and travel on! My bet is that our tents will stay secure, providing haven for th, glorious history of the 93rd. Above review is from the summer issue of the BOFQE. Two hundred ten of our members have made donations averaging $16.68 each, well above the $9.90 suggested figure. We have about 780 members: 25% made donations, 75% did not, which, no matter what way you look at it is not a very good percentage and, frankly, was not the kind of response expected. The publication was my idea and it appears that the idea needs a longer runway. As you read this, please check the address label and if you see a red slash mark to the right of your name it will indicate that this will be the last issue sent to you unless you make a donation of $9.90 or drop a note indicating that your present status precludes paying and in that case you will get a free mailing. Now for the good news! The response in the form of acceptance by 25 % was just phenomenal. Thank-you notes, long and newsy letters of so many interesting happenings at Hardwick, stories, articles, diary excerpts-you name it, we received it. Enough copy to supply at least 175 new items of interest. The next issue will be out in January 1994. Ed: Please make checks payable to the "93rd Bomb Group" and mail to: Paul R. Steichen, 2227 Ruhland Ave., #A, Redondo Beach, CA 90278 Victory Celebration at Topcroft for rubbish tip protesters The Ball of Fire Quarterly Express Paul R. Steichen, Editor 2227 A Ruhland A venue Redondo Beach, CA 90278-2401 93rd BOMB GROUP FIRST CLASS MAIL CALVIN DAVJDSOtJ 9:31-W 4B973 PLA·r E RD OllERLJN DH 44074 I STAMP

r THE "DUCHESS" IS QUEEN OF THE LIBS by Earl Mazo, Stars and Stripes Staff Writer England, Thurs., Feb. 10, 1944. Pop Hastings talks about his airplane Evelyn The Duchess with the kind of respect most people reserve for wives and mothers. "You see," he says, "she's a born leader with a character and personality that can't be whipped." The 93rd Bomb Group master sergeant from Moweagua, IL, Pop (Herbert F.) has been The Duchess crew chief since she began combat with the group 11 months ago. He has nursed her through 47 operations from bases in England and Africa. Moreover, The Duchess has never turned back from her objective -r°'r mechanical or any other reasons, and Pop's CO, who figures e Duchess holds some sort of non-abortion record, has .recommended the 34-year-old crew chief for the Legion of Merit. To date The Duchess' combat travels have carried her over practically every belligerent European country from Norway to Rumania-Germany, Italy, France, Holland, Belgium, Austria, Hungary, Poland. That's the way Pop explains away the fact that she isn't a particularly good-looking ship. She needs repainting, and the sheetmetal patches covering battle holes in her fuselage and wings make her appear more like a gun moll than a member of royalty. But Pop Hastings and this Liberator's air crew aren't worried about looks. Herbert (Pop) Hastings 1$.Aill.JL (())]F 1FilIRfil: ~1UAffi'TI"lmIL'lY ~ Newsletter of 93rd Bomb Group 2nd Air Division, 8th Air Force Hardwick, England Vol. 1, No. 3 President, Editor P•ul R. Steichen 2227A Ruhl•nd Ave. Redondo Buch, CA 90278 (310) 214-1618 VP, Membership Floyd H. M•bee 11524 Zimmerm•n Rd. Port Richey, FL 34668 (813) 862-2309 Winter, 1993 Chrmn, Hist Adv Brd Alfred Asch 6205 Mudow Ct. Rockville, MD 20852 "We figure we've got the best bomber in the ETO, • says the pilot, 1st Lt. Dave Thompson, of Salt Lake City. "She's old and looks battle-weary, but The Duchess has always made the grade, and I wouldn't trade her for the newest, sleekest plane in the world." Nobody has bothered to figure the tonnage of high explosives and incendiaries this ship has dropped on hapless targets, but the total began to pile up last March when the USAAF's "muscle men" went to Vegesack. It was The Duchess' first date and it was almost her last. Pop Hastings says she came back so tom up that other crew chiefs hung around like vultures looking for parts they could salvage for their own ships. Among other things, her hydraulic lines were shot away and one major wing spar was shattered by a 20mm shell. "I knew right then and there that my ship was worth a lot of pains," Pop recalls. "Boy, I started working on The Duchess then, and me and my boys haven't stopped yet.• Everyone who has ever been in 171e Duchess shares Pop's enthusiasm. A number of pilots have flown her. Brig. Gen. Ted Timberlake, of St. Augustine FL, has taken her up; so has Col. Leland G. Fiegel, of Rochester, MN, the Liberator group commander; Maj. John R. Roche, of Davenport, IA; and Lt. Col. George S. Brown, of Alpine, NJ, the group executive. Capt. Walter T. Stewart, of Salt Lake City, piloted The Duchess as a mercy ship aiding in the rescue of another Liberator crew stranded for 12 days in the Libyan desert. Three of the rescued men-1st Lt. Oscar R. Street, of San Rafael, CA; T/Sgt. Thomas E. McDermott, of Providence, RI; and S/Sgt. Royce Magee, of Tylertown, MS- are now crewmen on The Duchess. While several pilots have gone up in this ship, only a few have actually been assigned to her. First was Lt. Col. Ramsay D. Potts, of Memphis, TN. He took 171e Duchess to Ploesti, perhaps John S. Lucas Douglas C. Garner - David A. Adams ,._ John B. Hurd ... continued next page NEW l\1El\lBERS Father Marshall V. Minister Greensboro, NC Huntsville, AL Willoughby, OH Dublin, GA Belleville, NE Fairfield, TX Salem, OR Orchard Park. NY Jdf~r~on, LA - Rev. Donald F. Pruitt .,-- Roy Schulbach -Lawrence A. Yates Reinhardt W. Baehr

. . . continued from page one her roughest ride. She went in over the Rumanian oil center at housetop level and despite merciless fire from almost every conceivable ground defense weapon, blasted the target. During the target run a direct flak burst tore away the vertical stabilizer and another blast shattered the elevator control cables at one point. As the ship veered around almost out of control the engineer, T/Sgt. Herman C. Clay, of Hollywood, CA, spliced the tom cables with .50 cal. shelJ links. En route out of the refinery area the gunners shot up a lone gasoline storage unit and the tank with its contents of oil blew sky high. The Duchess was like a sieve when she returned from Ploesti. Pop Hastings figured she needed a new vertical stabilizer, repaired cables, and over 52 fist-sized holes in wings and fuselage. When Col. Potts went on to higher headquarters, Capt. Frank LleweJlyn Jr., of ~eaton, IL, look over the Lib. This pilot, the son of a WWI flier, contends The Duchess is the kind of ship th~t ~•t do wrong. On one mission to Italy, he recalls, the pnnc1pal target wasn't bombed because of weather so The Duchess' bombardier, Lt. Street, picked a target of op~rtunity-an airfield-and began his bomb run alone. Shortly before bombs were away he noted a string of German aircraft near the hangar area, and changed the course slightly, destroying the aircraft. "I thought we might need those hangar installations later • Street said. He was proved right by the invasion of Italy. ' After the Wiener-Neustadt raid, The Duchess, which was ~at~r~ about over the target and running short of fuel, landed in Sicily. As a result, the outstanding fact of the mission to the crew, was the wine they brought back to their African b~in eight-gallon jugs! Capt. Llewellyn soon was made hls squadron's operations officer, and The Duchess went to Dave Thompson, the present pilot._ Da~e•s. fi~t raid on 171e Duchess was the long haul to Danzig. It d1dn t take me long to appreciate what I bad " the pilot said. "Like Pop Hastings says, The Duchess is a n~tural leader, and since she was lead ship, my crew became lead crew.• The pilot was a w~lder. His co-pilot, 2nd Lt. Waldron Synder, of Boston, was a skilled steel worker, and the bombardier, Lt. Str~, ~ad a_ construction job. 1st Lt. Ralph McFerrin, of St. Louis, 1s navigator, and T/Sgt. Evert A. Ollie of Pittsburgh is radio operator. 171e Duchess' gunners are Sgt. Magee, t~; T/Sgt. Henry A. Clauser, Upper Darby, PA, engineer and top turret; S/Sgts. John D. Glues, Brooklyn and Baird Fox El.iz.abeth, NJ, waists; and Sgt. McDermott, iower gunner. ' . Since air crew personnel have changed, the only man to stick ~1th 7!1e Duchess from the outset has been Pop Hastings, and, like his B24, Pop has become a legend at Hardwick. A farmer who s~l goes to bed at nightfall when he can, Pop is only 34, and he 1s the_ type that men naturally call Pop. The story is that while Pop will move heaven and earth for his Liberator and his air crew, he refuses to fly. "I don't like it up there," be said. "When I made trips to and from Africa I just sat back in The Duchess and tried to sleep." Pop was assigned to his ship shortly after she was deHvered to his base. And be has lived with her ever since, even standing guard over her at night when necessary. A lot of things have happened to The Duchess and to Pop since last March. They have happened so fast that events of just a m_onth ago _sound_ like ~cient history now when Pop tells them. Like the time his asststant T/Sgt. Robert Wilson of Dallas jumped in Gen. Timberlake's car and ordered the driver to talc; him to tech supply for a part. 11 was 10 minutes before take-off on the Naples raid, and The Duchess was to lead the whole Liber:ator div_ision. When_ warming ~p the engines Pop found a leak m the 011 pressure line to the IDStruments. Wilson, in the 2 general's car, got the part and they installed it in time for talc~ off: Wil~on now is crew chief of another B24, and Pop's asststant lS Sgt. Arthur H. Walker, of Prim Ghar, Iowa. Others who work on The Duchess are Capls. Dominick Rigano, . or Mamaroneck, NY, and George Abbott, of Tumberville, VA, and Pvt. Glendon Hice, of Clarks Summitf ·, PA. This ground crew has seen nine engine changes on Tht.. Duchess and a lot of periodic inspections, some of which turned up. all sorts of troubles, but, as Capt. Llewellyn puts it, • A man builds up such confidence in the old lady that nothing can be w~~g enou~b t~ keep her on ~e ground. When she isn't flying DUSSl?OS she s either up checking the weather or just flying for exercise.• Sgt. Clay, who was The Duchess' flight engineer for a long ~e, add,s "good flying and good luck added to a good ship-that s The Duchess' story.• When the boys on the ground ~ the numerous rounds of Duchess tales they always tell of the time o~er Norway when both the leader and deputy leader in the fo~hon had troubles, and The Duchess took over, making a beautiful bomb pattern on the target. And then the incident of early January when the target was Kiel. Clouds completely covered the sky when other Liberator and Fortress formations "".ent over, but as The Duchess and her flock came up, the clouds disappeared and Lt. Street, the bombardier, bad a perfect bomb run. Naturally, there are many crew-hero stories about The Duchess' 47 operational rides, and one that Lt. Thompson tells concerns his tail gunner, Sgt. Magee. As The Duchess app~oached the target on the first Munster raid, Magee's heat equipment went out, and his feet froze. He stayed at his post, however, and not until hls ship was well on its way home did be report the trouble to the pilot. •1 dido 't want to bother you,• he told Thompson. Sgt. Ollie brought Mage.e to the radio flight deck, massaged the frozen feet, I.hen put them under hit arm pi·--~ When The Duchess landed, Magee's feet were almost back good shape. :r:io one knows ho:V The Duchess got her name; she was christened before delivery, but everybody seems satisfied wilh the merit of such a regal name. LAST FLfGHT OF THE DUCHESS by David W. Thompson On Feb. 25, 1944, my crew and I departed Hardwick Airfield England in The Duchess. The 93rd Bomb Group target for that day was the Furth . Airfield on the outskirts of Numberg, Ge~any. Colo_nel Fiegel, the Group Commanding Officer, was flying as fonnat10n commander and in the lead aircraft. We were assigned the Group Deputy Lead position and Capt. Miles League was occupying the co-pilot's seat as Deputy Formation Commander. On th~ way ~o the target, the supercharger on one engine became moperatJve. Later on, the propeller controls would not change the prop pitch on another engine. Since we were in the ~eputy Lead position, the reduced power on two of the engines did not preclude our lllllintaining our assigned position in the formation. We had some light fighter attacks before reaching the IP, but over the target the flak was heavy and accurate. After the bomb drop ':"e t~k a couple bursts of flak that hit in the top of the cockpit and m one of the two engines that were fully operatio11~l The ~g~e ran fo~ a short time but would not feather and beg to wmdnull and vibrate excessively. _ Wi~ our reduced power supply we could not keep up with the formanon and they were soon out of sight, The windmilling

engine finally froz.e up without throwing the prop blades or doing more damage. There was no hope of our catching our group and there were no clouds to use as cover for a dash to home. We determined our best chances were to try to intercept and join a 817 formation that was bombing a target further to the south or, as a last resort, try to get to Switi:etland. En route to the B17s, German fighters persistently attacked from all directions. Our gunners shot practically all of the ammunition on board at them and reported they downed four of the fighters. As we were entering the Bl 7 formation near Baden Baden one of the Germans set our left wing on fire and I had to give the bail-out order. All crew members reported leaving the ship before I bailed out through the bomb bay. After my parachute opened I counted parachutes above me for each crew member and saw a fireball on the ground which I believe was the end of The Duchess. Wa, and Peace • Communal Sile Headquarters of 93rd B.C. and a Field of Wheat r.,......,,..-=---------------FOLDED WINGS Carl Hall John Underwood Robert F. Kusal William O'Bannon John H. Finiti:er Joseph Gama Oct. 1993 June 1992 Dec. 17, 1993 Aug. 1993 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EL TORO REUNION FEATURESGLENN1fiLLERSTORY Still time to make reservations for the 13th Annual 2nd Air Division Southern California Reunion Dinner! Saturday, Feb. 26, 1994 at El Toro Marine Corps Officers Club. A great program is in store featuring the GLENN l\fiLLER STORY, brought to us by Alan Cass, curator of the Miller Museum at Colorado University. Steve Miller, Glenn Miller's son, and a loyal Associate Member of the 2nd Air Division, wiU introduce Alan Cass. If you Jive in the Southern California area, you should have already received information about reservations. lf you have not received a form, please contact either DICK BAYNES..(466) at (714) 552-3889 or JAY JEFFRIES (453) at (714) 846-1653. .,-....., Visitors or vacationers from offier parts of the country are r oordially welcome to attend. E1 Toro is located just off the San Diego Freeway (405) and half way between Los Angeles and San Diego. Please contact the editor at (310) 214-1618 if further information is desired. 3 BITS AND PJECES OF PROP WASH The Exceptional Service Awnrd has been awarded to the 9lrd by the 2nd Air Division. It marked the 50th anniversary of our participation in the famous raid upon the oil installations in Ploesti, Rumania on Aug. l, 1943. Presentation was made at the 2nd Air Division annual meeting at Hilton Head by John Conrad, president of the Division ... WiJliam H. Sykes, the only survivor among the crew of Jerks NaJural, has died m Orlando, FL. The storied ship went down over Weiner-Neustadt on Oct. 1, 1943, two months after her trip to Ploesti ... Cal Stewart's book Ted's Travelling Circus is in the final stages of production. Cal Davidson, who is a member of the 93rd Historical Board, advises that there is still lime to add names lo the book's group roster. Please send names and hometowns of all 93rd buddies. Cal wiU screen them against his present list and add the previously missing names. Cal's address is 48973 Plate Rd., Oberlin, OH 44074. Also needed by Cal Davidson is help in identifying crew members in adjoining picture. St.anding third from left is Rudy Baer, fourth from left Moose Ellison, far right Hood, sitting at right Casey. Can any of our readers help identify the others? . . . Forrest Clark, 44th asks: Was there a pilot in the 93rd by Lhe name of Krwnm? I believe he was killed on a mission. His widow sent a contribution to our Norway Memorial, but I lost her address. If you have. it, please send il to me. Can anyone help Forrest? His address is 703 Duffer Ln .. Kissimmee, FL 34759 ... lt may be a little late for this request, which comes from Art Lamontagne, 550 Saratoga Cr., #206, Naples, FL 33942. Art lost his list of missions, flown with 328th and 329th squadrons, in the Hardwick Officers mess JLL<;t before returning home in May 1945. Recovery would seem doubtful, but stranger things have happened . . . Thanks to the 8th Air Force Historical Society I Inc. Our lreasury received a $50 cash refund from their annual reunion held in Chicago in J 993 ... John Chapman, 116 Penny Pack Ctr., Hatboro, PA is writing a biography about Dr. Harold J. l\lann, an original member of the group assigned 10 the Extenninalor, piloted by Wah Stewart and Hugh Roper. John is rnterested in hearing from any who flew with Dr. Mann in the 329th squadron from May 1942-May 1943. Dr. Mann later had to bail out of a burning 829 over Japan in Aug. 1944 and finished out the war as a prisoner of the Japanese . . . A condensed version of E1•ader, An American Ain11an 's Eight Monlhs witl, the Dutch Underground ap~rs in the current (Jan. 1994) issue of Re(lder';.· DigeJI. Writkn by Harry A. Dolph of the 466th B.G. (Atth,:bndge), 1t reports the story of his lifo with the underground during his stay in Holland after bailing out in mid-Aug. 1944 until the war end. Eakin Press, P.O. Box 90159, Austin, TX 78709 ... Wunl-; Info on Alconbury Medicul Setup - I want to write about the medical setup at Alconbury during tht! war yt:ars, as there is nothing available on it. My husband, Dr. H Koefman, !>erved there for three years with Drs. Emrich, Konopka, Geyer, Kaplin,

Wasserman, Rappaport, Weisbord, Theriot, Campbell, and Prunty. 1 would lllce to hear from anyone having stories, photos, records or other infocmation. Jean I. Koefman, 17 Halton Close, Bransgore, Christchurch, Dorset BH23 8HZ, England, tel. 0425-72997 . . . The BOFQE is seeking an amateur volunteer computer-word processor operator, preferably from the greater Los Angeles area, but not re(Juired to be. Task will be to computerii.e names, addresses and donor status of all who receive the newsletter and keep them up lo date so as to simplify the mailing and accounting processes. If interested, please call Paul Steichen al (310) 214-1618. HILTON HEAD, 1993 Paul and Martha Hood, Los Angeles, join Harry Albright, (right) Ewen, Ml, in welcoming members to the 93rd hospitality suite at annual meeting of the 2nd Air Division. The suite was open three consecutive clays from noon until 6:00 p.m. Blessed by a bountiful supply of member-furnished memorabilia, snacks, beverages and lively discussions of interest, the cry of "Time, GeoUemen, Please" was repeatedly sounded by the acting pubkeeper every evening at 6:00. Our annual meeting was held on Friday morning and even a few of our ladies attended when they found that the scheduled scenic tours of the area were canceled because of rain. Showing of the video Wing and a Prayer: The Saga of a Utah Mm1, a documentary of the Aug. l, 1943 Ploesti Raid, was the feature attraction. Produced by PBS affiliate KBYU Salt Lake City, it prominently employs some of our members as cast, most especially Walter Stewart, who was pilot of Utah Man. Among the others were Bill Doerner and our friend Jacob E. Smart, the organi:zer of the Ploesti attack. The format of our meeting was a little different from previous ones, as it was basically turned over to the members, each one present being called upon to outline his duties at Hardwick and in later stages of his life. The interest in this presentation was keen, so much so that most of the time allotted to business affairs was used up. There was time, however, to re-elect Paul R. Steichen, a navigator from the 409th squadron, as president of the group. That evening we had our own private banquet with an attendance of about 135. A great evening of fun and good food. In our only business matter discussed, Al Asch, Chairman of our Historical Advisory Board, filled us in on his research of the feasibility of a permanent 93rd monument at the Air Force Academy. He asked for and received input from the floor and is now proceeding lo work out a program of aclion. He is being assisted by Ray Rhoades, past president of the group. A bit of levity concluded the program and the meeting when Tom Bamford, now a Dallas attorney, who, while at the meeting was doing a Jot of swimming in the hotel pool and visiting at the 4 hospits-lity suite, was called to the podium. It seems that some of those in attendance felt that Tom had been falling on hard times and a colJection for him bad been secretly taken. He was presented with an old, beat-up bat containing the "loot.• Tom looked into the hat and his quick appraisal showed it contained a handful or two of pennies and a few niclcels. Tom thanks al' present for their thoughtfulness and suggested that the coins b6.... sent back to the donors on a charter flight of the Ball of Fire Quarterly &press. Ed: We hope you can attend the 1994 211d Air Division Reunion in Kansas City, MO, May 27 to May 31. Full details are int~ Winter Journal. FROM ORPHANAGE TO B-24 LIBERATOR Story and photo by Bill Tam.alck To a 17-year-old, who bad grown up in an orphanage in New York state, life offered few prospects for success in the late 1930s. The county welfare system would have kept Andy Miller alive after leaving the orphanage-but little else. Miller's guardian, however, helped him tum a comer that would take him in a direction few of his peers would ever follow. The retired Air Corps colonel talked Miller into getting his high school diploma, got him a well-paying (then) job at a snack concession-and even helped him study for college equivalency exams. l:{e spent some time in the National Guard while his mentor helped him prepare for an exam that would allow Miller to become an Air Cadet. "Nobody was there but that • Air Force man,'• Miller recaJls the time he went from a ward of the welfare system to paid· worker, to flying cadet in 1939. He became a graduate of lbe Army's first class of enlisted Ryers. By the time he joined the war, Miller had also been to aerial gunnery school and engineering school. Overseas, he flew as twin engine B26 co-pilot and later as engineer/gunner aboard B24s. (Miller's class of enlisted flyers continued to be a small, essentially an experimental group. "The Army was very secretive that they even had us,• he remembers.) In North Africa, Miller flew with "Ted's Travelling Circus,• battering Rommel's troops, and later participating in the invasion of Italy "paving the way for Patton to beat Montgomery.• Miller was also part of Operation Tidal Wave, the bombing of the oil fields at Ploesti, aboard Lucky I. "We had quite a trip,• he recalls. Miller came out of the campaign with the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal and the Purple Heart. (He crashed one of three times during his flying career on Sicily in Aug. 1943. Staying in the service following the war, be also flew in Korea with the Korean Military Advisory Group, later flying in 829s with the 99th Bomb Wing. He followed his military career with another in the Civil Service. ~ How important a role did the military play in his life? "The f gave me a continuing education,• be explains, "and they gave me security .... The military," he says, "built up my initiative to progress.• Until then, hfa life had been quite different.• In the .,.

me. You fought for everything you got." If be hadn't gotten his chance in the military, Miller believes, "I would have wound up on welfare ... and on the street .... In the orphanage," he adds, •you couldn't trust anybody.• In the military, he found something more than education and opportunity-comradeship. r- Andy Miller's crew at Ploesti consisted ofHarold W. Kendall, Jot; John R. Colvin, Michael 0. Kennedy, William Fitzsimmons, Alfred Zielaskowski, George Hastings, Elmer W. Dawley, Donald H. Saltsman, James E. Goodion and William J. Krause. The crew chief was Charley Graves. Andy Miller now lives at 9221 Winona Ave., S.W., Tacoma, WA 98498. IN LOVING MEMORY OF R.J.D. JOHNSON Help is needed finding the history of this 93rd plane. One version tells that this wrecked and cannibalized B24 was totaled by a pilot who one day violated every rule in the book, landed down wind, threw the control tower red lights, etc. whereupon landing was grounded and shipped out. LAST CALL FOR "TRAVELLING CIRCUS" Those of you who have been waiting anxiously for the arrival of your copy of Ted's Travelling Circus need not wait much longer. Cal Stewart is confident the revised mailing date of Mar. 31, 1994 will be met. If you have not yet ordered your copy, it is time to do so. Address is: Cal Stewart, P. 0. Boll 631, O'Neill, NE 68763. Cost of one copy including postage is $50.50. Additional copies are $45.50 including postage. REPORT FROM CASTLE AIR MUSEUM by Dorothy B.iz.zioi, Chairman CAM FoW1dntion People often ask me, "What's going to happen to the museum?" While the base is scheduled for closure in 1995, there will be an interim lease agreement with the USAF. Upon closure, a public benefit transfer of the museum to the Joint Powers Authority will occur and a memorandum of agreement will be created to enable our foundation to operate the museum. Your directors are working diligently and we can say loud and clear: "It's staying!• Ed: Shady Lady, SN 441916, bearing RE marki11gs, sirs proudly on display at this final home of the 93rd Bombardmem Wing. She ,....., on loan from Air Force Museum, Dayton, OH. 11,e aircraft ,ite is dedicated to Fred H. Homniclc, who flew with the Russell DeM0121 crew on Ploesti and wem down 011 the Breme11 mission, Nov. 13, 1943. I 5 MISSION TO OSLO NORWAY - NOV. 16, 1943 by John E. O'Gnidy 409S 93BGD My crew, to the best of my knowledge, was the only crew of the 93rd B.G. to participate in the Oslo mission on Nov. 16, 1943. We were flying 810S, Tarfu, with the 329th Squadron. Tarfu survived the Ploesti mission and delivered bombs until she was lost on a Kiel raid, Jan. 4, 1944. We were later transferred to the 409th Squadron when the 329th was assigned to special training. The weather was doubtful that morning, Nov. 16, 1943, but that was par for the course in East Anglia that winter. The shortage of planes and the weather slowed us to a standstill as far as chalking up missions toward our, then, goal of 25. The numbers changed to 28 for our crew before we could finish. Tarfu lifted off and we climbed through the inevitable soup on instruments. It seemed as if we would never break out and when we finally did there wasn't a plane in sight. We flew between pillars of white, fluffy clouds searching for the group. After a frustrating period, difficult to estimate timewise, we were confronted by a solid wall of opaque whiteness reminiscent of the legendary •cloudcuckooland • in Aristophanes' The Birds. I felt compelled to fly through the bi1lowy barrier. Suddenly we were in a realm of unreality. I felt suspended in space though the four Pratt & Whitney engines augered into the mist. A few minutes or a lifetime passed before we exploded into a vast cylinder of clear sky. Three B24s were c1rcling in formation and as we headed toward the lone element we were the fourth plane in this private space. They were not 93rd planes but, at this point, we would have laLched on to anyone just for company. Another B24 popped out of the clouds to the left of the dement and it was apparent that he would rl!tlch the budding formation first. This plane was from a d1flerent group also. The crew was reporting many more B24s entering our space and each one headed for our destination. I eased the lone 93rd B.G. plane in on the right wing of the fourth plane to start the left element. It seemed to me that there were no two planes from the same group, but there had to be two or more of some groups involved. Tbe formation grew to six or more elements, which seemed rather small, but our leader decided to take us to Norway. The formation headed for Che deck and fovekd off so low that we could see the whitecaps in the English Channel. We were under the clouds bul it was sliU misty. We were on our way. The cold, moist air whistled through every tiny opening, particularly in the nose where Hal Moore, bombardier, and Paul Peloquin, navigator, tried to stem the mini snowstorm around the bomb sight. They l:ud their flak jackers in the nose but they did not stop a sizable snowdrift. It was bone-chilling cold and our sheep-lmetl leather flight suits failed to ward off the numbing temperature. Land ho! The coast of Norway loomed through the mist but the ground was socked in solid. Our primary target was supposed to be an airfield wbich was impossible to spot, so the formation headetl inland. Some minutes later we were heading down into a fjord. The glacially carved cliffs sped by and l became more aware of our sp~ as we were descending and heading for cliffs on our right. Bomb bay doors opened so I new our target was close. The leader eased into a smooth, fairly steep bank until the formauon was about parallel to the fjord's cliff and I was amazed to see the bombs released while we were in the tum. I had to get over my surprise quickly and give my undivided attention to holdmg my position as we leveled off and started to gain altitude. My first look at a fjord was fleeting, to say the least. Where was the enemy? Where was the flak and the fighters? What wa.<;

the target? I must have missed something at the briefing. We all speculated later that it must have been a heavy water plant or storage area. I may get some feedback to enlighten me. The only real sensation was the cold while everything else pertaining to this mission was otherworldly. The oddball formation fragmented over East Anglia as each plane headed for its home base. The Bungay buncher, our friendly Lorelei, lured us to wjthin sight of Hardwick. Tarfu squatted on the runway from a close-in approach and we taxied the old girl to her nest on the hardpan. The crew chief came running toward us and the expression on his face betrayed pleasurable surprise. It took several minutes for a truck to show up to take us to Operations. Could it be that we were not expected? The mission board had a big •x• through 810S. •Heyl They thought we went down!• One of the crew had articulated what we were all feeling as we stared, in disbelief, at the ominous "X •. This was to be the first of two occasions where we were assumed to be either MIA or KIA. The 93rd had been recalled due to the impossible conditions. T/Sgt. Weber, our radioman, claimed that atmospherics blocked the recall so we continued the quest iUld, luckily, it paid off. We were the only 329th plane of seven and possibly the only plane from the 93rd to make that mission. Correct me if I'm wrong. One Captain, in passing, congratulated us for making the mission. No other remarks, pro or con, were forthcoming. I thought it odd at the time. l would rather have been reprimanded for missing the recall than to be left in limbo. I soon forgot my chagrin. The rumor was that a general, who was to lead the aborted mission. was in the lead plane that day. He must have experienced atmospherics also. The B24s went back to Norway on Nov. 18 but I was not alerted for that one. It took a while to work our way up the waiting list. We drew 809N, Hel/sadroppin' II, for a raid on Bremen on Nov. 26. This crate later became You Cawri 'r Miss Tr in the 448th B.G. where it was used as the assembly ship. FOR GALLANTRY-THE SILVER STAR Nathaniel Glickman, Victorville 43-11 (Jul. 31, 1943) ASN: 0 751902, while flying with the 8th A.F., 44th B.G./66th Squadron, Captain Nathaniel "Bud" Gliclcman (then a 22-year-old 2nd Lieutenant), was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action in 1944, but did not ~ive his medal until 1986, 42 years later! Bombardier Glickman received the award for his actions while flying as pilotage navigator (in the B24's nose turret) Jun. 5, 1944 on his 11th combat mission. He normally flew as lead bombardier on a radar •mickey• crew. The regular crew bombardier, that day, made a visual bomb run against Nazi defenses on the northwest coast of France (a diversionary and prelude mission to D-Day) and came around for cpt. Nalhani• a1;o1cm-.,, a second run when the aircraft took a direct flak hit. The pilot was killed and the command pilot, Col. Leon Vance, Jr., was seriously injured. All four engines were knocked out, requiring feathering, and the aircraft was gliding at 23,000 ft. The navigator's charts and equipment were destroyed. Shrapnel ripped Capt. Glickman 's arm and head, blinding him with blood. He was also hit in the back, which temporarily paralyzed him from the waist down. He would limp for years afterward. 6 His next actions are best described in the citation accompanying the Silver Star: "As the bomber made a second run over (the target) with all four engines feathered, Lt. Glickman, despite his wounds, gave the command to drop the bombs and gave the co-pilot the correct bearings to return •, England.• Bud not only gave the order to drop the bom because either the bombsight or the bombardier's panel was knocked out and the regular bombardier could not release them, but be toggled the load using the release switch in the turret. Capt. Glickman then had to break his way out of the shattered nose turret, crawl lo the bomb bay, and bail out as 12,500 ft. over the English Channel. He writes, • At the time, in addition to my wounds, l did not know how to swim.• Although he had fears that his fate would be drowning, the wind blew him inland over the Dover cliffs, and he landed safely on the law.n of the Royal Marine Hospital at Deal. Glickman reports that the "Command Pilot, Col. Leon Vance, received the Medal of Honor for this flight, but before dying he recommended me for the Silver Star. One month later, I returned to flying status and flew 19 more lead missions.• These included one at treetop level to supply paratroopers trapped at Amheim, Holland, Sept. J 8, 1944. This relief mission was the basis for the movie A Bridge Too Far. Ed: Capt. Glickman flew 7 of his 30 missions with rhe 93rd and is a member of our association. He resides at 2870 Kerrisda/e Ridge Dr., Medford, OR 97504. ---Left lo Righi: l@nk Vogri.n,e, Kendrick Williams nd Lawrence Sedlack.,) From Sept. 1942-May 1945, these men served og eriii the 329th 8.S. They met again recently in the Rockford, IL home of Frank Vogrine. CELEBRATION NINETY·THIRD BOMBARDMENT GROUF (H) CEREMONIES -'26TH July, 1944 lntroduction-Lieutenant·Colonel Harvey F. Barnard, Jr. Addresses-Colonel Jack w. Wood Major-General James F. Hodges Lieutenant-General James H. Doolittle National Anthem-U.S. Army Band Troops Fass in Review • • • • •

"HELLO MILFOIL-THIS IS WEE WILLIE" The dJary of Capt. Edward L. McGuire, Jr. 4()9JJi B.S., 93rdJJ.G. r "Base to target is Uncle Sam's time. Target to base, you're ~ your own!• -Col. Therman Brown, 93rd C. 0. ... conri11ued from Fall issue We were loaded with incendiary bombs and flying on the leader's left (#3 position). All went find to the JP (initial point), where we turned onto the bomb nm. No flak, no fighters-a milk run! About 30 seconds from "bombs away,• I got caught i:n a tremendous prop wash and we were immedfately thrown upside down to the right. The B24 was a Ym heavy ship on the controls when loaded, as we were, and it took a few seconds for me to comprehend what had happened. I knew B24s were restricted from inverted flight. We had been told the wings would come off, and these thoughts raced through my mind. The nose was unbelievably heavy. 1n fact, using ALL my strength I could not hold the nose up, and the air speed was rising fast while the altimeter began to unwind. Time is amazing. In the space of time it bas taken to write this, all those thoughts bad gone through my mind. I reached up and rolled the elevator trim control forward desperately, and-thank God-the back pressure on the wheel was reduced and I could hold the nose above the horizon. Gilbert, who apparently had been frozen by the sudden disaster, came on the controls with me and together we roUed the ship to the left and back into its normal upright condition. Gilbert shouted: "Salvo the bombs-quick!" There was a litlle red "T"-shaped bandJe on the pedestal labeled something like "bomb salvo" and it was secured with safety wire. No one had ever said anything about how it worked, but I found out now. Y l reached over with one band and pulled up on the handle. It .as like trying to pull over the world with one hand. Nothing gave in any way. Gilbert was still shouting, "Salvo the bombs-quick!• I undid my seat belt, stood up and straddled the pedestal, put both hands on the "T" handle and pulled with all my strength. Suddenly, it gave and the bombs went out. We then closed the bomb bay doors and retrimmed the ship and began to regain the 3,000 ft. we had lost while slowly turning to the left and hoping to rejoin some formation. As we climbed in a slow tum to our left, with Gilbert flying the ship, I looked back and down. There, down below us and slightly astern now, miles away from the target, was a little bitty crossroads with a few buildings around the crossroads, and the damnedest fire you ever saw, right in the center of that crossroads-the only time I knew where my bombs had hit! When we got home, we found we were posted MlA. The group had written us off when they saw us flip over and start down and, of course, that was the last they had seen of us. It took a good hour to go around to various huts and recover our belongings amid heart-warming remarks like: "Hell, 1 needed a new jacket (or pants, or whatever)!" or "How come you jokers had to come back?" Mission #2: 6 Oct. 1944 - Hamburg The next day, the weather still perfect, why not go again? Really, no choice. This time it's me and my gang on our own. We've been once and we're supposed to be ready, right? Wrong! We've never been over the target and/or dtopped Q!'l the target, and that comes later. I was as nervous as a cat about prop ,•ash-really terrified of it-and very bad on formation flying 11yway. We got off all right, but when it came to forming up it was another story. Let me stop a moment and explain how we formed up. We had a "buncher• (that's British for a non-directional radio beacon) near the coast. If we were forming at 7 say 6,000 ft., we would take off, tum to a heading easterly (I forget the degree heading) climb out over the North Sea to one-half the forming altitude (in this case 3,000 ft.), make a climbing one needle 180 degree tum to the reciprocal of the outbound beading and climb back; theoretically arriving over the buncher at forming altitude, and that part was pretty easy. Meanwhile, an old B24 named Ball of Fire, with wild paint and lots of lights, was flying a race track course around the buncher. Now came the real fun. The object of the game was to intercept the loosely organized formation on one of the turns, so you could "cut the comer" and catch up. Easier said than done for the first few times! Anyway, this day, every time I tried to get into formation with old weary "R" Roger, I would hit a little prop wash and get NERVOUS and fall out of position, and this went on all the way to the IP! Somebody had said, "If you can't get into your own formation, get into any B24 formation. They're all going to the same place.• So, being utterly desperate by this time (a ship out of formation is a sitting duck for Kraut fighters was an article of faith by one and all), I decided to "cut the comer of the [P, which I did (the hell with trying to get with the 93rd) and got into formation-somehow-with the 446th Gp, which was just ahead of the 93rd in the Wing formation. Hallelujah! Safe at last! Open the bomb bay doors! Over the target we go. MY GOD! THE FLAK!! (they had briefed us for 500 guns, and sure enough they were all there). BOMBS AWAY! and everybody continues to fly straight and level. I didn't think of strike photos, only, What the h- are we doing hanging around in this stuff? Well, it isn't my outfit, so out of formation, skip the group rally, hit the wing rally and slide into formation with the 448th and off for home. Whew! The only thing was, my outfit hasn't seen me all day, so when we get home (ahead of the group, I must add), we're MIA again-and again it tal<es an hour or so to retrieve our gear! Mjssion #3: U Oct. 1944 - Osnabruck Marshalling Yards This was more like "real war.• We were carrying 100 lb. GPs in clusters. The flak was not so heavy but much more accurate. On the bomb run, the ship flying on my right wing took a hit at the left wing root. The left wing just slowly folded straight up, the ship dropped to its left toward me and l bad to pull up to clear it. Lower down, in a few seconds, the ship blew up in a big black cloud. We continued on the bomb run, of course, and about this time I became aware of a ruckus on the flight deck. Leach was yelling something, and when I asked what was the matter he answered, "South is on his knees praying and won't mllll the top turret!" I said, "Leave him alone. We need aU the hdp we can get! You man the top turret.• That took care of that. And mllybe it dad some good. Immediately after "bombs away• #3 engine packed up and we're ou1 of formation. No matter how many tlmes you practice, the first time you REALLY lose an engine it's different, believe me! We feathered #3 and trimmed lhe ship and headed home alone. Boy, do you ever foel alone! As we crossed the North Sea, I thought about my coming problem, which really wasn't a bad problem. I merely had to land on three eogmes-that were running perfectly all right. That was old stuff and not particularly worrisome to me. We had, however, lost quite a few ships that tried to "pull up and go around"; that 1s, where the pilot had misjudged his approach and decided to pull up, go around and try again. T decided that I would land on the first approach regardless, my theory being that it was better to run off the end of the runway a bit than chance stalling out on a go-round. So I called the crew and told them of my decision. ... to be cominued next issue

EXPRESS AIR MAIL DELIVERED BY B.O.F. Dear Paul, Enclosed is my check, and I am hoping the BOFQE "lives on.· You are doing a well-appreciated job and I am looking for.vard to the next issue. In the meantime, I have been looking for a list of the missions flown by the 93rd. 1 was assigned lo "The Circus" when I left radio school in Scott Field, IL. The group was then at Ft. Myers. J went to Alconbury with them, but missed the first few missions as we had a surplus of "radio operators.• Along with Sho.-ty Olezewski, Paul Johnston, Mario Bucci, we approached the CO and claimed to be gunners. I was then given the pleasure of flying with Lt. Alfred Asch for a few missions, one with Col. Ted and then Capt. Ramsay Potts. I kept an accurate diary of my 25 missions, but had the misfortune of losing it. If you know bow J can get that list, please let me know. If my 201 file has a copy, perhaps you can tell me how to get a copy of that. Keep up the fantastic wo 1 Dear Paul, OUISS c o . osenbloom 4740 S. Ocean Bl., 11508 Highland Beach, FL 33487 Attached, is my check for $10 for the BOFQE. If J could send more I would. I was radio op on J. W. Reid's crew in the 330th. We got there in Jul. 1944 and flew our 35. l stayed in England with a small outfit that was flying B24s after finishing the 35 in Feb. 1945. We were TOY every place we went. Imagine my consternation upon getting discharged at Santa Anna in Sept. 1945. My discharge says I was in the 44th (shame I wm never live down). Since I w~ "only a sergeant,• it is my privilege to bitch and gripe. Ergo, meaning therefore, please read further. How about fewer articlt!s on Col./Maj./Capt./Gen. and who is on whose staff and a few more articles about sergeants-who did most of the work-and the men they worked wilh. For example: The non-officers on Reid's crew were lucky. We had been assigned to live in a barracks occupied by the 330th ordinance section. Sgt. "Pop" Cloud was the bo~ and we lived by his rules. That barracks was spotless, oil heated, and when considering the fact that those 330th ordinance guys had b~n over there since about 20 minutes after Pearl Harbor, the morale was not bad. At Christmas time 1944 we had one of the king's trees decorated with chaff (window?) and various pistol shells, etc. etc. Several of the ldng's hares were felled by shots from carbjnes (the .45 pistols were useless for that purpose). One of the ordinance boys who had bad to do all the cooking on his family's farm, tumed out delicious cakes and pies in a home-made oven sitting on top of an oil-fired English charcoal stove. Somehow they also got a large keg of mild bitters, or something. The barracks was really decorated. Our crew flew the day of the feast. I can't remember if it was Dec. 24 or Dec. 25. However, I must make the point, the party did not start until we returned from the mission. The squadron CO attended the feast and 1 don't recall who all else. I do know our entire crew was there, and the vets of the 330th ordinance section made it possible for a Merry Christmas. Please start giving some space to the ground crews and to all the "Pop Clouds" that made it work. For 48 years ['ve carried a picture of our crew in front of a plane named Solid Comfon. It wasn't our plane but the picture does raise eyebrows. Our crew mostly flew 5691. Does anyone know what happened to Solid Com/on? 8 Dear Paul, BOBB. TREDWAY, R.C. (retired civilian) 438 W. 58th Terr. Kansas City, MO 64113 Over the past 30 years I have been an 8th A.F. enthusiast and during this time I have always had a particular interest in B24 Liberators. This interest has now led me to commission a local artist to produce a painting of this superb aircraft. I wish the aircraft to be as striking as possible and I have settled for a natural metal J or H model from the 93rd B.G., 329th B.S. circa late 1944. A P.F.F. aircraft carrying the codes R.E. and complete with a red nose, this leads me to my request for help through your group association. The painting will illustrate the aircraft in a 3/4 nose on view of the port side, and as I have no details of nose art, individual aircraft letter or serials of any red-nosed aircraft, I am hoping either yourself or any of your members may be able to supply tne the missing details. Photographs, drawings, sketches or colors of any aircraft with nose art on the port side, complete with associated serial numbers, individual aircraft letters and mission tallies, would be much appreciated and handled with extreme care, as well as any correspondence from 93rd B.G. members. Upon completion of the painting I will forward a photograph of the finished commission. If sufficient people are interested l may consider funding a small front run for your group members. Thank you in anticipation and T look forward to your reply as well as any contact from your group members. Dear Paul, CUFFORD M. CREANEY 15 Glendon Park Bloomfield Rtl. Bangor BT20-4UX CO Down, N. lrelaod Let me say that your first "mission" was a success as far as I am concerned. It answered a lot of questions that I had wondered about for a lbng time. • ~ • To set the stage, Jet me rust say that w (Brad ·ve_u crew) were part of the original 855 B.S., 49lst.G.inPueblo, CO. in early 1944 and flew to Metfield in May of that year. In late June, after 9 missions with the 855th, we were transferred to the 329th to be a lead G-H crew. After 7 missions with the 329th, we were assigned to the 409th where we picked up a bombardier, Joseph Dondero, in Nov. 1944. He was with us through the completion of our tour on Jan. 13, 1945. And as Mike Donohue said, "If ]'d realized there were 13 guys on that airplane on Jan. 13, I'd have gotten off." I'm looking forward to the rest of Ed McGuire's story. He lost a good bombardier. Here's tbe sad but ironic part. I'm referring to John Marx's lelter regarding his uncle's crash on take-off Dec. 19, 1944. That aircraft, 597-P, was assigned to us when we moved to the 409th B.S. and had been a good, trouble-free ship. When the crew list was posted Dec. 18 for those to fly on the 19th, we were listed. But when the CQ came through lhe buts waking the crews, the list had changed and we were not called to fly. So as anyone else would do, we rolled over and went back to sleep. Of course, when the plane crashed, the explosion woke us up. We had heard that sound before and knew what had happened' We also knew there was nothing we could do about it so we went back to sl~p. (Here I must apologiz.e to the crew members' families for sounding hard-heartt.:d, but that was all part of a combat crew's ltfe. Bad things happen, but the war goes on.)

EXPRESS AIR 1\-IAIL DELIVEIU:D BY B.O.F. Needless to say, it was one helluva shock to learn that OUR 597-p had crashed as we had originally been scheduled to fly it. It rwas also stran1:e to fly over the wreckage every time we took off m our mnaining 4 missions. Dear Paul, GEORGE E. McLEAN 6605 Gillen St. Metairie, LA 70003 Gene Hoffman and I flew many missions together, perhaps as many as 20. He bas come out to the coast on business many times in the past 15 years, and every time we managed to get together to talk about the "good old days.• I can't believe that it has been 49 years since we were in England. I flew my la.st mission Mar. 20, 1945. Later, J left England on a troop convoy of ships coming home on Jul. 12, 1945 and 1 was discharged from Beale Air Force Base. You mentioned the name Robert Andrino. On Aug. 13, 1944, on a bombing mission, Andrino was our left wing man. Over the target at Falaise, France, be was shot down. I caught a glimpse of bis plane going down m flames. I never knew what became of the crew. Did they have time to bail out? By the way, you finished your navigation school at San Marcus, same group as I was. Look in your "Departure Point" Journal. J was in 44-5-7 and you were in 44-5-4. Enclosed photo was taken prior to take-off on a mission to Kiel submarine pen in Germany on Mar. ll, 1945. The 93rd was wmg-lead that day. If anybody knows the whereabouts of any of these people, please drop me a line. I would sure appreciate it. FORREST LAM 308 Broadmoor Bl. San Leandro, CA 94577 Ed: See nar letter for more about Robert Andrino, KIA. Dear Paul, Shown below are the serial numbers for several of us: Robert J. Andrino 818803 William H. Bradford 822628 Stanley N. Andrino 818804 Richard S. Brantley 822629 Bradford and Brantley received commissions at Columbus, MS 1d were ordered to Westover Field where we were assigned to _rews with pilots named Andrino (brothen,;). Bill with Robert and me with Stan, simply because of our alphabetical names. On Bob's second mission to a French &1rfield \Jccupied hy Gennans, they suffered a direct hit in the bomb hay and wh1le several 9 bailed out successfully, Bob Andrino and Bill Bradford didn't make it. l'm sure you knew about this, but you might not have been aware how our crews were made up. The last lime I heard from Stan be was livmg in tbe Los Angeles area. Dear Paul, DICK BRANTLEY P.O. Box 813 Wendell, NC 27591 Received the first issue of BOFQE and found it to be enJoyable reading. I was sorry to hear of Col. Fiegel's untimely death (be was the CO of our group when I was there). Glad to hear that Col. ThernlaO Brown is still around. I read about lum in the Spring issue of the 2nd A. D. Assoc. Journal. Col. Brown was my CO at the 409th B.S. Our crew consistt:d of the following men; 2nd Lt. Irving Fruchter Pilot 2nd Lt. Harry Wbittford Co-pilot 2nd Lt. Alfred Thompson Navigator 2nd Lt. Sam Bargarruan Bombardier S/Sgt. Joseph A. Novak Engineer Cpl. James H. Edwards Nose Gunner S/Sgt. Henry G. Balzer Radio Operator Cpt. Joseph T. Doyle Belly Gunner Sgt. Paul S. Blatenc Waist Gunner Cpl. Harland D. Wilkinson Gunner On O-Day. 1 went on 3 missions. The fin;t was with my regular crew. Upon landing after the first mission, they pulled me off my crew and put me on another crew and told me I was their navigator. Finishing my second mission, they grabbed me again and put me on another crew and told me I was the second lead bombardier. l'm wondl!ring if anyone else flew 3 mission on D-Day'? Jun. 11, 1944, our mission was to bomb Beaumont Airdrome in Southwest France. While our group was fonning about 60 miles north of London, our #2 engine ran away. Lt. Fruchter tried to feather the prop but could not. The lc.:ft waist gunner told the pilot that the CO"-hng had come off the engine and that flamei. werc coming out. With the vibration from engine #2, 113 engine starttld to act up. That's when we in the nose thought we heard the hailoul bell. Looking back through the opening behind us Wt! could see that thc.:re wt!ren 't any foet on the rudder pedals so we in the nose bailed out. I injun:d my hack and hc.:cls upon landmg and Lt. Fruchter broke his ankle. 1 spent 10 days in a field hospital. I finished my tour flymg with the followmg pilots: Lis. Roohrs, Kelly. Grace, Gilbert, Miller, Prez.iose, Hall and Nemlic:n. Dc:.ir Paul, SAM BARGAMIAN 2302 E. Juanita St. Tucson. AZ 85719 Enclosed is my check for $10 for ,ubS<.:riphon lo BOFQE. I was the nav11?alor on Col. Joo Tate's B24O on the mission to Norway Nov. 18, 1943. Lt. Frank Kikheslo was the pilot and I was his original navigator. We had to force land in Swed,!n and were interned hy the SwcJes. Thc name of the plane was Ball uf Fire Ill on one side and on the other it was Wt1r B'1b\. Wc were one of lhl! first crews to land there! • WALTER H. Sil.LS 1101 N. Elm St .. #1108 Greenshoro, l'\C 27401

EXPRESS AIR MAIL DEEIVERED BY B.O.F. Dear PauJ, On Monday, Jun. 19, )944, a 8-24 Liberator of the 328th B.S., 93rd B.G. crashed near Bruges in Belgium after being hit by German tlak from Maldegem (15 km from Bruges). Three men died in the accident: 2nd Lt. Michael Pietruccioli, navigator, and T /Sgt. Kenneth V. Ehrhart, gunner, who baled out-both too lat~and the co-pilot, Isl Lt. Floyd R. Cook, who remained in the plane. The 7 remaining crew members bailed out safely but were taken prisoner by the Germans. 1st Lt. James F. Kavanaugh, bombardier, evaded capture for one night but was taken prisoner the next day. The remaining members of the crew were: 1st Lt. Robert W. Brown Pilot T/Sgt. Oliver J. Wood Engineer Sgt. Raymond F. PuJJey Radio Operator S/Sgt. John H. Wom:11 Gunner S/Sgt. Lilian E. Wolfe, Jr. Gunner S/SgL Robert R. Melti.er Gunner Lt. Floyd R. Cook and T/Sgt. Kenneth Ehrhart are buried io Epinal, France. We don't know where 2nd Lt. Michael Pietruccioli (KIA) is buried, perhaps in the United States. Next year will mark 50 years since all this happened, and for this occasion I will make a detailed study for publishing in the local newspaper. This study will probably be published in a booklet ifI can find sufficient material. It is also possible lhat the city of Bruges will have a ceremony and perhaps inaugurate a memorial plate. They are awaiting the results of my investigation before making a decjsion. 1 am applying to you because a friend of nune said you are involved in the history of the 93nl 8.G. Probably you also have a members magazine where my request for further information couJd be published. I am in search of the history of the survivors of this crew, the flight and what happened afterward. I would welcome a copy of your publication. Hoping you can help me in my search, 1 send you amicable greetings. Dear Paul, JACQUES WILLEMS Grauwwerkersstraat, 8/4 8000 Bruges, Belgium Enclosed is a check for $10 to join your club and lo receive the newsletter. I am glad you sent me a copy or I'd be left out in the "cold.• Also, enclosed is a copy of the last raid of the Night Raider from the Jun. 26, 1943 issue of Liberty magazine. Sure different from what "Cal" Stewart wrote up Night R;,ider Crew Men in the preview of Edward Bates, Elmer Dawley his new book. He printed that this happened on Jan. 27, 1943. The enclosed article is what actually occurred. Also in error 1s my being Jake Eptings "red ass" tail gunner. I was Jake's tail gunner up until the first raid in North Africa. I was wounded over Bii.erta (Dec. 13, 1942) and Ben Kuroki took over. I knew Ben before and after we left the States. When we went to town in those days (Ft. Myers) we always got in trouble because of his race. We never let him go to town alone. He wouldn't fight but 1 got numerous cuts and bruises sticking up for Ben. I used to have a real hot temper then. When I got wounded over Bizerta, I spent a couple of weeks l in a field hospital and was discharged-under protest from the medics-on Christmas Day. I am mentioning this because there is a humorous side to it all. The outfit headed east, while ground echelon was still in England. They told me to get back any way I could. If you want, I'll write about my trip back-hitchhiking was mentioned. Dear Paul, ELMER DAWLEY 4102 N. 85th Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85037 I was the navigator on Les Lltwiller's crew which was assigned to the 330th squadron when we arrived at Hardwick on Feb. 7, 1944. We flew 14 missions with the 93rd B.G. and then accepted a voluntary transfor to the 389th B.G. (Bethel) for pathfinder (PFF) lead crew training. Due to a shortage of H2X airborne radar equipment and technicians to maintain it, all PFF crews in the 2nd A.D. were then assigned to the 564th squadron al Hethel. We flew our remaining missions as lead or deputy lead of other groups in lbe division and often led the 93rd. On D-Day, our crew led the 446th B.G. (Bungay) which led the 8th A.F.-a significant highlight of our tour. We were either the first or second PFF crew in the 2nd A.D. to complete our missions. When we finished at the end of Jun. 1944, the CO of the 93rd B.G. asked Litwiller and me to return to Hardwick on a voluntary basis to train new lead PFF crews for 3 months. As H2X equipment and radar maintenance personnel became more available, the entire PFF operation was gradually deceotralii.ed during the period Jul.-Sept. 19~. We agreed and returned u Hardwick in Jul. 1944. Nancy and I visited England for 2 weeks in Sept. 1993 and also spent a week in Norwich staying at the Nelson. It is a nice place. We have stayed there each year since Nancy's mother died in 1988. l should have mentioned that my wife is from Norwich. Dear Paul, ROBERT A. JACOBS 203 eannister Ct. Hampton, VA 23669 Enjoyed my copy of the Express. 1 jomed the 93rd at Hardwick in Apr. 1943 and, as crew commander and pilot of The Valiam Virgin, flew 8 missions including Ploesti. We later were given a new •o• model 824 and I painted an Arizona wildcat on the nose with the U of Arizona fighting words "Bear Down.• We finished our 25th mission in Dec. 1943 and I was assigned to Operations at 2nd A.D. HQ. When Gen. Kepner replaced Gen. Hodges, he brought 3 stripped P38s, 3 P51s and 3 P4ls with hjm. The fighter liaison officer, L/C Hal Lund, checked me out in all 3 types of fighters and we tlc;w formation evaluations on the B24 groups. Except for a tour on the "Berlin Airlift," I commanded several fighter outfits in the Air Defense Command and retired Dec. 29, 1969. RUSSELL D. DE MONT 602 E. Fairway Dr. Litchfield Park, AZ 85340

EXPRESS AIR MAIL DELIVERED BY B.O.F. Dear Paul, I received your newsletter addressed to my father, Sgt. f Norbert "Bob" Kane. I was surprised because my father passed away in May 1992. However, I was pleased to be reminded of the stories he told endlessly about his part with the 93rd B.G. My father ran the mess hall. He said this position was usually reserved for an officer, but since he didn't have an education he could not be promoted above sergeant. He received a letter of commendation for his service and made sure I was well educated. He generally spoke of the crew men and his fear of making friends, afraid that they would not return from their next mission. I have a knife that was given to him by a pilot going out for his last mission before heading home. The pilot never came back. My father's great escape was when be was flying with a cargo of food to France. The plane was tail heavy and when it crash landed it broke in two. He seemed to remember his time in England fondly and even got his nickname "Bob" there, which he used until he died. I am happy to support your continued efforts to publish this newsletter. I plan on saving the copies with other war mementos so that I can share them with my sons when they are older. Dear Paul, LINDA KANE-HAHN 9 Knollwood Dr. Newtown, CT 06470 My brother, Carl G. Heskamp, was a co-pilot aboard a B24 Liberator bomber during wwn. On Jun. 20, 1944, he lost his life in an attempted landing at Malmo, Sweden. The ship had been badly damaged on a raid over Politz, Germany, now ..,--J>oland. In recent years I have been trying to find out anything l illl about his tour of duty, particularly his overseas duty. I would greatly appreciate any assistance you could provide me in this quest. Any historical evidence you could provide or reference to any information would be invaluable. I am able to provide the following information to assist you: Serial No.: 42-95030T Bomber: Take lt Easy Name: 2nd Lt. Carl G. Heskamp Serial No. 0-700929 93rd Bomb Group 328th Bomb Squadron GEORGE HESKAMP P.O. Box 474 Spearville, XS 67876 49-95030 Take It Easy Makn Impact Jun. 20, 1944 at Malmo, Sweden. Pilot Elwyn H. Shaw !KIA) Co-pilot Carl G. Heskamp (KIA) 11 Dear Paul, Hope this check will help in keeping BOFQE airborne. It's a great idea and thank you for getting it started. l read with interest Ed Bates' Jetter concerning the sinking of the submarine by Bill Williams' crew of the 409th. [ was crew chief on Geronimo from the very beginning until it was demolished in Oran, Norlh Africa. Bill stood it on its nose while trying to taxi it out of the mud. Remember the MUD? Did you know there was a second Geronimo? After being without a plane for several weeks, Lt. Williams was given a new one. It was the prettiest pink aircraft you'd ever want to see. We flew it back to England, painted it at Hardwick and named it Gero11imo II. Bill and his crew flew it until they were shot down over Holland Mar. 31, 1943. [ tried 10 find out from the National Archives tf there was a MACR on this crew but they had no record on it. An eyewitness account indicates they were going down under control with #2 engine on fire. Seems strange they were never heard from. They were flying Ser. 41-24025. Incidentally, this crew, while flying Sub-Patrol out of SI. Eval in Southern England on Nov. 22, 1942, shot down 2 German planes of the 5 that they encountered, a Hinkel and an Arado seaplane. Any information on this crew would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again for the newsletter and keep them coming. Dear Paul, KENNETH F. RIGGS 2204 Gracewood Dr. Greensboro, NC 27408 I appreciate that my inquiry is not strictly your department where the 2nd A.O. 1s concerned, but I hope you ought be able to offer some suggestions as to how I might pursue 11. I should begin by explaining that I am working on the history of the Anglo-Amencan strategic air power relationship in the years from 1945 lo 195 l. Esst!ntially, this is all about the return of your air force ta our country after the war was over, and the way in which the partnership was nmewed. There is an opportunity here to make a mode!.t contrabut1on to the record by depositing the manuscript research somewhere in the British pub)jc domain. Beyont.l that, there seems to be enough of the stuff of human intere:,t to be ahle 10 writi,. something which would appeal to a wider audience. Although this is a d1ft~rent story to tlull of the 8th A. F .• the continuity is represented by the pt:ople involved-those who went on to serve their country in peace time. I have come across a number of names which are alrem.ly familiar to me. The problem is tracking them or their relatives down. To make matters worse, the numbers involved here were comparatively !:imall. So, 1f you know of llnybody who continued their military service with the Strategic Air Command anti would like.: to make a contribution lo this project, I would be very pleased to hear from them. Of the bomb groups which formi:tl the 2ml A.D., I understand thal only the 93rd ESCAPED INACTIVATION AND IS UNIQUE IN THIS RESPECT. I would also a!ik whether it has an historian who hus taken an mter~~t m the perio<l m question. My letter would not be complete without saying that this has proved to be one: of the most mternsting and rewardmg proJecls I have worked on. This aspc:cl of our mutual history has yet to have the attention or the tr~lmenl it deserves. Any help you can give would be very much appreciated. PETER M. TERLE 72 Laburnum Rd. Sandy Bedfon.lshire SG 19 I HY United Kingdom

EXPRESS AIR MAIL DELIVERED BY B.O.F. Dear Paul, About 12 years ago, l came across an article in the Chicago Tribune that concerned a young woman who was interested in finding out information about her father, whom she had never known, as she was an infant when he died during the war. The story gave a list of government addresses that one could contact and perhaps receive information about a deceased loved one. What started out as a winter project for me snowballed into an incredible adventure. One source led to another and I am overwhelmed with all the information I have been able to gather. Our family had always been curious as to all the circumstances surrounding my uncle, Bill Lozowski's death on Feb. 3, 1945. Bill was co·pilot on a mission to Magdeburg, Germany with the 93rd B.G. My dad, Bill's brother, passed away knowing as much as he could about the situation, and this was a great source of comfort to me. Uncle Bill worked at Ampco Metal here in Milwaukee until he entt:red the service in 1942. He graduated as pilot at Blackland, TX. While stationed in Texas, he met Iris Thompson of Waco whom he dated for a year and married Jul. 9, 1944. I never le.new my uncle, but always felt as though 1 did through family recollections, photographs, home movies, personal belongings, etc. Top Left to Right: frank Glut (KIA), Bill Lozowski (KIA) Arthur Schleicher, Anthony Marulli (KIA) Bottom Left to Right: John Corradelti, Comilais Carter (KIA), Seymour Weisman, Paul Colby (KIA), Jamft Segar (KIA) In Aug. 1944, Bill and crew took off from Topeka, KS to Hardwick, England. On Feb. 3, 1945 (so near the end of the war!), they developed engine trouble while on their 30th mission. They had trouble feathering the engine and kept losing altitude, taking a hit from a flak batkry. They were ordered to bail out. Three managed to survive: Weisman, Schleicher and Corradetti (who became POWs until the end of the war). Lozowski, Glut and Marulli were found out of the plane wreckage, and Carter, Colby and Seger were found in the aft section of the plane. Corradetti died in the 1980s before I was able to contact him for his recollections, but I did get excellent reports from Weisman and Schleicher. Uncle Bill and the rest were temporarily buried near the town of Benthe, Germany and were later buried in Belgium and then their final resting place in the U.S. I bad the great fortune, through my investigation, of becoming acquainted with a man by the name of Volk.mar Wilckens, a German, who at the age of 15 worked the flak batteries! He is writing a book about the "other side of the war• and was researching downed American aircraft. He is also a pilot and took aerial photographs of the crash site, a plowed field, as well as ground-level pictures. He interviewed and photographed surviving witnesses to the crash. It was fascinating to get their 12 accounts of that day. One woman, 14 years old at the time, remembers being told that she and the other children were not to go near the B24. They waited until darlcness, stole the ammunition belts, opened the rounds and ignited the powder, cu( off parts of the tires to use for their shoes. A pair of baby shoes were also retrieved from the wreckage, and I found out later they had belonged to Pilot Frank Glut's son, Don (Fran.le took them along on missions for good luck). I am a close friend of Frank's widow, Julia, who resides in Chicago. Don Glut is an authority on dinosaurs and wrote the novel The Empire Strikes Back. Don lives in Burbank, CA. In addition to the eyewitness accounts, I have received a copy of the Missing Air Crew report, formation boxes of some of the missions my uncle was on, and a variety of other information that since have become declassified. I had no idea of the kind of meticulous records kept by the AAF in those days. l have a microfilm of dfaries maintained on the 93rd. Everything is included in those accounts, from the humorous to the gruesome. Bill and crew had just spent some time at a rest home, which was a mansion somewhere in England, and were treated royally while there. My uncle, though enjoying the experience, wrote to family members that he would just as soon get back to the base and finish his Il1!ssions so he could go home. He was very anxious about Lhe birth of his first child (a son, Bill Jr., born on Apr. 21, 1945, 2 months after his death). He would have been proud of his son, as he works for Indiana University as a research support scientific specialist making targets for a cyclotron. IL is so sad Lo think of all the men who never returned from the war to enjoy their families. The survivors don't remember having flown in a plane with a special name. They did fly in 42•50628F (the plane they went down in) on several missions. LeJt To Right: Gerri Robertson (Carol Gerard's Sister) Mickey Schleicher (Survivor Bombardier), Carol Gerard, Julia Glut (Pilot frank Glut's Widow), Bill Lozowski, Jr. (Co-pilot's Son) My husband Paul and l visited Hardwick about 7 years ago. Since then they have done something with the remaining building which I hope to get to see some day. When we were there it was in disrepair. It was raining, but that didn't stop me from walking around and totally disregarding the "NO TRESPASSING" SIGNS!!! It was a strange, eerie and emotional experience walking on the very ground that was the last ground to be walked on by so many men. Julia and Don Glut went for the ceremonies in 1987. Uncle 8111, to those who le.new him, will be 24 yea1 old-forever! CAROL GERARD 1212 S. 58th St. West Allis, WI 53214

' EXPRESS AIR,MAILDELIVERED BY B.O.F. Dear Paul, Congratulations on your taking the reins to • shape up• the .,--Q3.rd. Possibly you will remember me. We were together on the h A.F. Reunion in Sept. of 1976 in England. I recall that you .did your wife and daughter with you. I was very interested in the Fall newsletter as it cleared up an unknown that bas been with me since Mar. 23, 1945. Wallace Spencer had a story on the mission to Munster and what happened to the crew and Maj. Biggers. I was pilot on 837-X (Bodacious) flying off Powell and Biggers' left wing. When we were over the target, their plane was hit and parts flew in aU directions with the explosion. The formation held together and the rest of us made it back to Hardwick. Also, on this mission was McGuire who has the interesting continued article in the Express. I am sending a copy of the Pilot's Briefing form and a copy of all the positions flown on this mission to Wallace Spencer. Keep up the good work. Dear Paul, HOW ARD HALLGARTH 11414 Summitview Ext. Yakima, WA 98908 My navigator, Gerry Melmood, of Hollywood, FL, sent me the Fall 1993 issue of the BOFQE, and that was the first 1 really knew that the 93rd had an operational "association" and a newsletter. I certainly want to become part of it right away, and would be glad to receive whatever membership form is required for joining up. To identify myself, I was lead bombardier for the 93rd on the last operational mission of WWII (Apr. 25, 1945), when we r mbed the marshalling yards at Salzburg. And, lucky enough. .-ttually have a strike photo of the results of that nussion. Thank you fo.r the note about Mrs. Nadine Vasquez on page 4 (fall 1993 issue BOFQE). Several years ago I sent Carlos a big batch of material (including a copy of the strike photo mentioned above) and we carried on a brief correspondence. But whatever became of all of it and how much of it, if any, may have found its way into Ted's Travelling Circus, I have no way of knowing. So I wouJd like to ask if it is not too late for anything more to be considered for inclusion in the forthcoming history of the 93rd. I do recall Carlos saying that he especially enjoyed my sending him "The Last of the Bombardiers" and the strike photo (of the 93rd's last mission), and that he planned to include them in the history he was compiling. In the material I sent Carlos, I bad included a copy of my story "Pilot Error,• which is a factual account of our nussion on Nov. S, 1944, when 3 of our crew members (including my own co-pilot) were killed. It was, perhaps, too factual and too painful for diplomatic inclusion in a group history. However, if you would care to read it, I'd be glad to send you a copy. I've been back to England twice since the war, and regard two places as essential objects of pilgrimage: Cambridge (to visit my co-pilot's grave) and Hardwick. There waso 't much at Hardwick the first time (J 972), but the visit in 1990 was a wonderful surprise to see the splendid things Mr. Woodrow has done to memorialize the 93rd. I returned in 1990 to pay tribute to the RAF Few and the British on the 50th anniversary of Their Finest Hour. We were ,...-...rtunate enough to receive tickets to the Queen's celebration at ,estminster Abbey on Sept. 16, and as far as l could see I was the only American veteran present. It was all quite wonderful. It was also a specia] joy for me to receive the Archbishop of Canterbury's and Bishop of London's licenses to celebrate the 13 40th Jubilee of my ordination to the Priesthood (Sept. 29) by saying Mass at Saint Clement Danes, London, which is the official church of the Royal Air Force. There is an American Memorial at Saint Clement Danes, which lists all the dead of the 8th A.F., and I found my co-pilot's name duly included . I would like to mention that I am especially pleased that the garbage plan for Hardwick was finally scrapped. I am among those who wrote to the Norfolk County Council to protest any possible desecration of the hallowed land watered with our tears. And I must say that the responses I received from au of them were thoroughly courteous and respectful. I'm glad that's over. Forgive me for rambling on. I'm beginning to sound as long-winded as Ed McGuire whose account (the second in a series, I guess) I have enjoyed reading in tbeBOFQE. Ed's crew and ours went over together. George Dobbs, whom Ed mentions in his article, was my pilot, and curiously enough I flew back to the ZOJ with Ed al the end of the war when we ferried a brand new B24 back to the Colonies. I remember Ed well; no one could forget him (and l don't mean that "long-winded" harshly). Dear Paul, FATHER MARSHALL V. MINISTER Canon of Omaha L 704 Bellevue Boulevard North Bellevue, NE 68005-4042 Enclosed is a check for the 93rd newsletter. I find it very interesting and hope it will continue. I was flight engineer on Larry Hewin's crew. I was in a bike accident the day before they went on a mission to Holland and were shot down in Baggy Maggy. They were all taken POW except Bill Kerlin who was killed on the crash landing. Dear Paul, FRANK L. WATHEN 34321 Shaver Springs Road Auberry, CA 93602 I have searched for the crash site of a 824 bomber of the 93rd B.G., 328th B.S., lost on Feb. 4, 1944 near Trier. I also have wri[ten to Mr. Fields and am sending him a copy of the German Flak Report regarding this plane. I would ask, if it is possible, to gel more mformahon about this B24 and the crew. The story is very interesting. An eyewitness tells me that the mother of one of the crew members was born in a small village near the crash site. She marned an American soldier after WWI and returned to the United States with her husband. I am searching for more information and would appreciate ybur help. HANS J. HAUPRICH Bruchhaus Enstr. 15 0-5500 Trier l Germany Ed: The following named men were missing i11 actio11 from an operational mission over RusseU1eim Feb. 4, 1944. Kelly Riuer John J. Sarenel/i E. C. Miles Vince111 W. Baro11owski Edwin L. Whitefield Wayne W. Snelling Da11id W. Waldo Harry J. Mi1111i11g Hubert H. Waldrop Benjamin P. Fielt,is All but Edwi11 L. Whirejield (KIA) were POW. Be11jami11 P. Fields 1i11es ar P.O. Bo.r 167, Sr. Anne, TL 60964.

EXPRESS AIR I\IAlL DELIVERED BY B.O.F. De.ir PauJ, Keep up the good work on the BOFQE. T lost an uncle, Chari~ R. Starcher, a radioman on the 824 Flying Cock. I never knew him, as I was very young at that time. r would like to see an article on the plane and crew if anyone has any information. Sending you this money is a "small price" compared to the "high price" the fellows paid back then. Dear Paul, LEE WILDERMUTH 1369 Homer St. Logan, OH 43138 1 have just received the 93rd B.G. newsletter in which the death of my husband, William Palmer Sineath, was reported. r would like to add that he died in Wilmington, NC (at New Hanover Regional Medical Center) on Aug. 12, 1993. Bill always looked forward to receiving the 2nd A.D. Association, 8th A. F., Joumal, "devouring• it immediately. And he Joved the first issue of the BOFQE! He was so proud to be a member of the 93rd B.G. and the 2nd A.D. of the 8th A.F.! Bill and 1 attended the last reunion in Norwich, England and thoroughly enjoyed all of the festivities and meeting so many nice people. Bill bad his heart set on making the trip to Norwich again in 1994; but, unfortunately, this was not to be. He had sent in a deposit to Evelyn Cohen. After his death she was asked to use this money to purchase books for the Library at Norwich. In addition to being a proud veteran, Bill was also an avid reader and history buff, so books for the Norwich Library seem an appropriate memorial to him. Our family appreciated the sympathy card as well as the acknowledgement of the gift to the Library. Dear PauJ, CORNEILLE C. SINEATH P.O. Box 364 Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480 ljoined the 93rd as pilot along with my crew in Jul. 1943. We were replacement crews in anticipation of the Aug. l, 1943 Ploesti raid losses. We were in the 409th squadron. On my first mission I flew Col. Timberlake's 824, Teggie Arm. After about 10 missions I was assigned a new 824 that the gunners on the crew named Parches. At David Woodrow's museum at Hardwick Air Base, there's a picture of Patches and best as I could count the plane completed 63 missions. I put the fif!,1 18 trips on it and our crew finished 28 combat missions on Apr. 25, 1944. My navigator, M.L. Mickelson, and I were transferred to 2nd A.D. HQ Operations at Ketteringam Hall and we spent 11 months there until Apr. l, 1945. Dear Paul, HOW ARD B. NISBET 14206 Sand.field Houston, TX 77077 Regarding the "Folded Wings• listing in the Fall BOFQE newsletter, the name of Herbert "Pop• Hoshing should have read Herbert "Pop" Hastings. An article written by Perry W. Scott incorrectly spelled Hasting's name also. Perry W. Scott was my crew chief on Buck Fifty Job and Sweater Girl. "Pop" Hastings was our line chief. FELIX B. BRUGNONI 12 Van Riper Ave. Clifton, NJ 07011-1324 93rd B.G., 330th B.S. 14 Dear Paul, I rt!Cently received your newsletter which reminded me that I should have written when l got the first one. Congratulations on producing the best paper of the type that I have ever seen! I was in the 329th at the time George Boylan was the commander and Latrine Rumour Col. Fiegel was Group Commander. Our airplane was 118 J. for Junk and was aptly named Latrine Rumour. Attached is a picture of the subject. Dear Paul, Bob Touby 8923 Rustling Branches San Antonio, TX 78250 This is response to members that didn't agree with the information 1 provided to Ltc. Marx about plane #42-50597, Beavers Baby, in Vol. I, No. 2 of the BOFQE. Through my request for information in the 2d ADA Journal in 1989, I received five responses. One was from the 446th B.G. One was Kenneth F. Riggs, Crew Chief/Flight Chief 409th B.S., who checked bis records and relayed to me that plane #42-50597 was the number of the plane that crashed on take-off, Dec. 19, 1944. I have a copy of "Bits and Pieces,• put out by Paul M. Aodrewa, that lists all 2nd A.D. B24 numbers, with a separate listing of 93rd planes. Some of the numbered planes s~ names. B24 #42-50597's name is listed as Beaven Baby. 40 B.S. If the information incorrect, it's not my fault. The listing also shows that plane 19-12-44, CTO, SAL. NormalJy when I have asked for infonnation in the Jounial I haven't always received answers. Only one bad the plane number but no name. Some of you claim it couJdo't have been Beavers Baby. Then what was the name? I spent many hours -researching information through letters I have received requesting information about what happened, crew and plane numbers and names. In this case I received a letter asking about T/Sg1. Benjamin R. Wiegand in 1989, and in 1992 a request for informallon about 1st Lt. Robert W. Marx, pilot on #42-50597. Finally, I received a complete list of the crew names from W.F. Davenport, president of the 446th B.G. Association. He relayed to me that this crew was in training with the 93rd at that lime and was actually from the 446th B.G. Dear Paul, FLOYD H. MABEE Asst. Vice Pres. 93rd B.G. 2nd A.D. Assn. Reading lhe BOFQE brought back a lot of memories, but a lot of them are hazy. I was a member of the 846th Aviation Eng. Battalion. We bad built or maintained bomber bases in England a year and a half before D-day. We were very proud of our record, although we never see each other anymore. I shalJ never forget the first day our convoy pulled into the base (Ted's Flying Circus, we were told). There was a mis • taking off and we watched from our trucks. Suddenly, one of planes blew up on take-off. Our first duty, after we were given Gl blankets, was to gather the remains of the bodies and make equal piles for each crewman. The German bombers really kept us busy repairing bombed

EXPRESS AIR MAll.. DELIVERED BY .B.O.F. runways, before and after takeoffs. We also assisted in helping remove wounded or dead crew members returning from missions ~th red flares for priority in landing. I also have some pleasant memories of going up on sbak:e-..own runs in new planes that replaced ones that were lost. I don't remember the date we had to leave and depart for Normandy, France. It was not too long after D-day that we arrived i.o France and were transferred from •1le 8th A.F. to the 9th A.F. We then started to build fightea bases. We were stationed i.o Caan, Fnnce, and built our first fighter base. That did not last too long. As soon as the St. Lo breakthrough happened we packed up and followed the infantry and tanks (after that, some haziness), and before you knew it we were at Le Bourget Airfield and into Paris right after the Liberation_. I should have written a lot of our experiences 20 or 25 years ago before details and places became hazy. Dear Paul, JULES MANGANO 14323 Logan St. Hudson, FL 34667 Enclosed is an additional check, as mentioned in our conversation. Really enjoy the BOFQE. Your Fall edition was well received-apparently by one and all, as evidenced by the wonderful response. I try never to live in the past, however, my flying experiences (especially with the 8th) will never be forgotten. I bad the usual-somewhat unusual-experiences as do most fliers. As a cadet in Oklahoma. I had the opportunity to fly with Lawson Little. Got off a plane that crashed in Pennsylvania with all -,1ed. Was invited to fly East after the war, while stationed in bux Falls, and declined as I had a flight lined up to Oklahoma instead. This was the B25 that hit the Empire State Building. I also remember my first flight as deputy lead when the weather was so bad thal the entire group (pr.lctically) aborted. Two of us continued on by tagging along with another bomb group! Dventually, we split when the lead took us over Regensburg and most of the squadron was knocked down. At any rate, enough war stories. Keep up your great and grand effort. Dear Paul, ROBERT LORING 23956 Park Granada Calabasas Park, CA 91302 I was flight engineer for Capt. Robert "Obie" Oberschmid's crew in the 409th squadron and later lead crew in the 329th based at Hardwick. I recall after a rough mission to Coblenz, we came in with one engine out and the supercharger closed on #4. When we touched down the right tire was flat causing the right wing to dip. Obie grabbed the throttle and brought the #4 engine back up enough to bold the wing level until we got off the runway. All the brass came out to the plane and asked if Obie was trying to •steal the show. • Minutes later, another shlp landed near us and the crew started to leave their plane. One of the crew bad his brother 'On the mission (not registered, of course) and when the brother came off the plane he was wearing his Navy whites. All hell broke Loose when the brass saw this. r Please find my check enclosed for next year's issues of DFQE. Excellent job. Keep up the good work. FREDERICK M. JOHNSON 8332 Strawberry Point Dr. Charlotte, NC 28215 15 Dear Paul, In my Christmas note to Hal Bilyeu, I asked if he was receiving the BOFQE and mentioned lo him that 0::1 page 6 there was a photo of him on the Ploesti Report. Today, I received a note back from him that he was not familiar with the BOFQE and had not received any copies. Hal was the navigator on the 3 ships I flew with him that all eventually crash landed, Globe Trotter, 11tu11der Bird and Yard Bird (Leon C. Pa.cker, pilot). Hal retired as a LL CoL On page 3 is a picture of Lt. Hawkings, Jr. (KIA Apr. 16, 1943 over Brest). On page 13 was a letter from W.J. (Red) Komarek. Hal, Red and I were on this mission. Red and I spent 2 months at 2nd evac. hosp. healing our wounds. Red had broken his leg in our crash landing at a British aerodrome in Cornwall. The gist of all this is that I can relate to every paragraph printed in this publication. I wish to see the BOFQE keep flying so have enclosed a $50 donation to help it do so. Please send the first two issues as part of this plus a year's subscription to: Hal Bilyeu, 7309 Camelback Dr., Shreveport, LA 71105. E.C. "Bud'' Wurm 2005 Marcola Rd., #64 Springfield, OR 97477 John E. O'Grady Crl.'w Banqul.'t Hilton Hl.'ad ll.'ft to Righi: ll.'w Brown, Bob & Madl.'leinl.' Mc ICnVl.'r

l{iY OPERATING STATUS UPDATE-Ball of Fire Quarterly Express Your President's Report ... The BOFQE has reached desired altitude. A few scattered cumulus clouds below, turbulence is nil. Thanks to our high percentage of group participation in the donation program we have collections for fuel in the amount of $7,520. An unexpected problem has arisen, though, which has both good and bad ramifications. The facts are that our supply of input from the members in the form of letters, stories, pictures, etc. has greatly exceeded our ability to publish them within the confines of our 16 pages, four times a year newsletter' At this writing we have close to 600 stories and letters suitable for publication and can handle only about 52 of these items per issu; This means that it will take over 10 issues to get into print all the copy presently on hand. I apologize for this, but it is beyond my powe1 to change the situation. Floyd Mabee Returns to 93rd Floyd Mabee, who had served as Vice President of the 2nd A.D. in charge of the 93rd for 8 years, was named Executive V.P. of our parent organization, the 2nd A.D., at the Las Vegas convention of 1992. Precedent indicates that Floyd would have moved up to President of the 2nd A.D. at the Hilton Head meeting of Nov. 1993. He would have been the first 93rd person to occupy this office in approximately 20 years. In the interim time span the nominating committee did not see fit to name Floyd to the post at Hilton Head due to a heart problem contended with for a few months. All is not Jost, however, as he has agreed to an appointment as Assistant V.P. of the 2nd A.D. for the 93rd, in charge of membership services. I am extremely happy at this tum of events, as Floyd was responsible for the phenomenal increase in membership the group enjoyed during his 8 years at the helm. Great times ahead for the 93rd! e • ------------'! pt ------------~ ~ 2'3 .9 ---... Bieber Crew of O/e Mort, 93rd B.G., 328th B.S. Shot Down Over Harburg, Ce t'" y, Jan. 17, 194S Top Row: Leon Farrell, Tail Gunner; Claude Oliver, Nose Gunner; John Baker, Radio; Everett Martin, Engineer; John Schmidt, Upper Gunner; Charles Hopp, Ball Gunner Front Row: Jack Fields, Navigator; Robert Bieber, Pilot; Forrest McClain, Co-Pilot The Ball of Fire Quarterly Express Paul R. Steichen, Editor 2227 A Ruhland A venue Redondo Beach, CA 90278-2401 93rd BOMB GROUP FIRST CLASS MAIL fV1 r-. ckL J)#v1{)St?N t/ 3 1 7 $ fz fl-it:-(' 6 fyz_-L /IV/ o-1-..:...C fi-~<L 4 '/f 7 y·

BALL OF FIRE OVER VILLAGE OF HEMPNAU, TWO MILES NORTH OF RUNWAY 19 IB3AJLIL (Q)IF JFIIIfilE ~ID A.IRtirJEJEJL Y IE%JF>m.IE§§ Newsletter of the 93rd Bomb Group 2nd Air Division, 8th Air Force, Hardwick, England Vol. 2, No. 1 Spring, 1994 President, Editor Paul R. Steichen Vice President, Membership Floyd H. MabBB Chairman, Historical Board Alfred Asch 2227A Ruhland Avenue Redondo Beach, CA 90278 (310) 214-1618 28 Hillside Avenue Dover, NJ 07801 (201) 366-5916 6205 Meadow Court Rockville, MD 20852 RETURN TO HARDWICK by Ed Re.illy Returned to Hardwick in Jan. 1975. It was late in the afternoon, just before sundown. As I entered into the old briefing building I found it was being used to store farm equipment. Yellow sunlight struck a musty old door. It was covered with layers of grey-brown damp dust. Wiped it off; the words underneath: "93rd Bomb Group.• Our old insignia was visible through a translucent film of grit. Random memories flooded my mind. The smell of cigarette smoke wafted across the darkening ready room. The memory of coffee cups in the fingers of some who were drinking their last cup, the image of a chaplain clad in an A-2 jacket. (Can't remember his name. Maybe he'll read this and maybe he'll write!) A thin purple stole hung around his neck. One by one, crewmen sidled up to him to confess their sins in preparation for what could be a journey from which no soldier has returned. Hardwick had been converted into a potato farm. Several crop-duster biplanes were parked on what had once been a concrete tarmac. Found a man and a woman in their fifties in a trailer. It had been set up as a kind of a command post for a crop-dusting operation, deactivated for winter. The long runway had been bulldoz.ed. The other two were intact. Years of alternating freezing and hot weather, rain and sun, had left only crumbled cement and loose stones where once lumbering old Libs rolled up and down undulating ribbons of concrete. In a regression to adolescent fantasy, I raced a London-rented white Volkswagen down the sloggy runway upward of 60 mph. No lift off, but exciting memories of takeoffs in our "pregnant duck" almost a half century earlier; a nostalgic r reverie of time that can never be again. It was a moment of sadness, commingled with pride. In memory's ear, the roar of a thousand engines. In the radio shack where I punched in for duty, the stink of detonated gunpowder seeping through our oxygen masks as spent brass cartridges tinkled and clanged to the deck and cascaded over the radio table. Then there was the deafening sound of staccatoed thunder of 1050s vibrating in their bay mounts, and up in the turrets the jackhammer metallic vibration, rattling and shaking the deck below the Martin upper turret, behind the cockpit, aloft and forward of the bomb bays; the resonating ringing aluminum bulkheads that remained in our ears for days, sometimes weeks. And the white cake of snow transformed from exhaled CO2 coated the black radio transmitter and receiver and bonded to aluminum riveted bulkheads. It was like dwelling inside a small igloo-a claustrophic's worse hallucination. Noise, terror, confusion, cryogenic temperatures, and wondering were every crewman's constant companion. B24 radio operators' memories vector to the bird's center of gravity at a vantage point looking forward and upward into the faces of young gunners in tail turrets, a piece of panoply of long-winged Libs in lofty box formations. We hoped and trusted the resultant concentration of fire power from staggered echelons would make us invulnerable to fighters. It was a tradeoff that made us easy marks for the puffy stuff that resembled black ink blotches silhouetted against the sky. And so these events revisited me on my lone return to Hardwick where I stood in the old, darkened, cobwebbed ready room 30 years after the stuff from which memories are made. It was good for us old guys to remember and to share our memories with and of each other. We're the only ones who can really understand why we did what we did, then proudly proclaim to all who care; I'm glad I did it and know for sure I could not do it again. Technological advances have changed aerial warfare in ways that make what we did as forever preclusive of recurrence as Custer's charge again fob Stewart's cavalry at Gettysburg.

7 ANNUAL MEETING The Annual Meeting of the 93rd Bomb Group Association will be held on Sunday morning, May 29, 1994, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Kansas City, MO. This will be in conjunction with the 47th Annual Convention of the Second Air Division. Membership reports will be given and discussion will be open on any subject of interest Nominations will be open. on the floor for the Presidency of the Association for a one-year term. If you have not yet signed up for the 47th Convention May 27-31, please contact Evelyn Cohen, 06-410 Del.aire Landing Road, Philadelphia, PA 19114. Space as of this writing is still available. COLLISION OF TWO 93rd B.G. LIBERATORS AT INGLEMUNSTER, SEPT. 21, 1944 Report of Captaia R.A. Pelletier 466tll Air Liaison SecdoD 145tll W1111, RAF, Sept. 30, 1944 At approximately 13: 1S hours, Sept. 21, 1944, 2 American Liberators crashed in the region of Inglemunster, Belgium. They were completely destroyed. At 13:SSbours, Sept. 21, anAmerican2ndLieutenantcame to Intelligence 145th Wing RAF Courtrai, and handed me the attached message. I immediately telephoned for an M.O. and ambulance to report to me at Intelligence immediately. As soon as they arrived I got in my transport and had the ambulance follow me. We arrived at the scene of the first crash at approximately 14:30 hours. This had fallen on a farm owned by George Vanderougstraete of Krekelstrait, Inglemunster. I immediately questioned the civilians, who were gathered about in great numbers, concerning survivonr.Mr.DepraetmF De Landsheere, who seemed to have taken charge, informed me that be had given first aid to and sent one American Airman to the civilian hospital at Thielt. Be had collected another from a nearby barn. This airman was dead and had been taken to the civilian hospital at Inglemunster. Four others had been taken to the Chateau, Inglemunster; they were only slightly injured. Since there was nothing we could do for the other airman still in the crash, I sent the M.O. to collect all of the above-mentioned and take them to 145th Wing RAF for care, attention and information. I then turned my attention to the aircraft. I was advised by bystanders that 3 explosions had taken place. Since I believed that unexploded bombs must still remain, I had some Belgium volunteers send everyone away and mounted a guard around the field. I approached the aircraft and went to the body nearest the plane. It was still smoldering. I pulled it away hoping to save something for identification purposes, but the fire had destroyed all clothing and equipment. There was another body about 30 feet away and yet another about ISO away. This last one was in a ditch where it had been flung by the force of the crash. I had all those covered over with sacks. I dispatched someone for the RAF Police and a bomb disposal squad. While leaving the scene of this accident, I passed through the farm owner•s yard. His bam waa burning as a result of a piece of hot metal which bad fallen through the roof. I continued on my way to the civilian hospital at Inglemunster to see the body there. I wanted to prevent any tampering with equipment, etc. and find identification marks, if possible. On arriving there 1 found that the sisters in charge of the hospital had taken over the body and placed it in a place of security. I was shown the place where it was being kept. It was decapitated and otherwise badly smashed. An identification card on the body showed it to 2 be that of Sgt. Leroy Miller, #13034153. I ratheted the articles which were with the body. From there I went to the scene of the second crash. This was about 11h miles away on a field owned by Baeckeland & Sons, ofVulputstraeate, Inglemunster. This aircraft was still buminJ , fiercely. I could not get within less than 25 f cet of it. Many civilians were about. I could see the body of the front ,unncr, still in position, but completely burned. Later, I found 4 more bodies in the aircraft as well as 3 unexploded bombs still warm and large numbers of incendiaries scattered about. I had everyone sent away from the plane and posted a Belgian volunteer guard around the field with instructions to keep everyone at least 500 yards away. I then went to the farm owner's house. This house and barn were only about 30 yards away and bad been damaged by the bomb explosion. Three bombs bad rone off at intervals of approximately S, 10 and 1S minutes, respectively. I then went to another farmer's house in the vicinity, belonriog to George Vetbaest. It was here that Sgt. Miller had fallen. He had crashed th.rough the roof of the bam. I visited the barn and found an almost complete gun tutTet badly smashed u well as two .SO guns, one of which was #11877365. By this time the RAF guards sent for had arrived. I posted them and left for Courtrai in search of the nearest Army unit. There I contacted Maj. Smith, C.O., 84 Field Coy. R.B. He immediately agreed to mount a guard for 24 hours until the American authorities could take over. The survivors bad by now reached the 14Sth Wing where they had given what information they could. So far as I can now tell, the survivors are: 2nd Lts. B.B. Johnson and S.L. Mikelajesyk; and SSeta. J.P. Bradley and C.D. Johnson; all out of aircraft 949-1. To the best of my knowledge there are no survivors from the other aircraft. It , would appear-iliit-Sjt-: 1:eroy-Miller was part of the CttlW of this second aircraft, but as stated above he was killed when his parachute failed to open or else he wu thrown out of tho aircraft. The other crew members of this crash are Ill presumed to have been killed by fire. ln conclusion. I wish to mention Mr. Hil. Depraetere-De Landsbeere. Be is Secretary of the Local Red CJ'088. At. mentioned above, he was responsible for first aid and also sending wounded to the hospital, using his petrol. This precious commodity should be returned to him in kindness. Ed: The village of lnglenwnster, Belgium has arranged a reception for crew members and kin of crew members who plan to visit Inglonunster on Sept. 21, 1994, which u the 50th anniYersary of the sad day. As part of a week's vi.fit to the area the guests will be piclced up at tMir hotel, visit the City Hall for a reception uy the Mayor and the people of the area. A conferen~ wiU be held with eyewitnasn to the crashes. the doctor (now 88 years of age) who aamin«l the survivon, 2 neighbors who lived in proximity to the Jann where the first p'fane feU and the owner of the bam that urqy Miller /eU through, the man who pulled Miller out of the barn and to a waiting car, a farm hand where the second plane fell, and othen who spou to the survivon after tM crash. In addui.on, tbuing tM entire wttk's stay in the area, a broad program 'has been arranged for the American friends, such as a visil to KortriJk (iliformation availabk as hotel). Brugge is a very interesting historical town only 25 milu away. Yprtl Lr in the neighborhood and Bnunl, is only 71?) miles away. Reservaii.on., to tlwe cities plus longer journeys to-.... Paris and Amsterdam with guides are available. Planning to attend are 3 of the survivon with their wlva: Joe &: Peggy Bradley, C.D. &: Simone Johnson, Mia &: Dot

Mikolajczyk. Mrs. Elitabeth Johnson, widow of the fourth survivor may also attend. Her husband, pilot Everett Johnson, died in 1986. Mrs. Johnson is an .Associate Member of the 2nd Afr Division and 93rd Bomb Group .Association. \ Russell and Michael Morgan, sons of co-pilot Elmer R. 1Morgan, who lost his life that day along with the rest of his crew from the 330th, will attend. The others were: Clair F. MulUn, Marion Giusti, James R. Picard, Delmont W. Strait, Leroy L. Miller, Claude J. Johns, Milton V. Umul.erdahl, all listed in the 93rd •Roll of Honor. • 93rd-FINE SHOWJNG AT ORLANDO REGIONALt Another strong showing at the Florida Regional Reunion of the 2nd Air Division Association, Feb. 6, 1994 at the Clarion Hotel in Orlando! Two of our members, Bud Koomdyk and Gen. ]ohn Brooks were the featured speakers. We bad the second-largest attendance among the bomb groups, losing out to the 392nd by only 6 and having 3 of our members assigned to next year's Reunion Committee. They are: Ed Devon of Satellite Beach, and Bob Wright and Luther Cox of Orlando. Lawrence •oo • Gilbert of the 392nd again proved to be a gracious and effective host. The one-day format used seems to be a very good one and provides plenty of ti~ for socializing within that restricted amount of time. Registration was Sunday morning. The hotel ballroom opened up about 11:00 a.m. Tables were spaced around the room with very visible signs indicating where each group was gathering. In our case we had 4 very large tables marked for us. In the center of the room was a very long buffet setup laden with lots of good food, which was stocked from 11:00 am to r 4:00 pm, all included in the registration fee. A no host bar was _atao,vailable. A cocktail party from 6:00-7:00 pm, followed by a great dinner and program, capped the evening. Those in attendance from the 93rd were: -Bivens, Nelson & Nora Brooks, John Cadle, John Cox, Luther & Jeanene DeCoster, Arthur Devon, Edward & C.Onnie Ferraro, William & Anita Helwig, Glenn & Marjorie Hoffman, Eugene & Dolores Johnson, Cecil & Simone Kidd, Frederick & Marjorie King, Rufus & Marie :Koomdyk, Bud Lee, John & Elizabeth Mabee, Floyd & Dorothy Milliken, Warren & Betty Obici, Ioe & Clara Smelt, Walter Steichen., Paul & Marie Taylor, Owen & Anne Thodey, Joseph Woodson, W.D. Wright, Robert& Marguerite Zirk, Frederick & Edna EL TORO REUNION "A TRIBUTE TO MAJ, GLENN MILLER" OUR BIGGEST EVER 2nd A.D. REGIONAL REUNION FEB. 2', 1994 Glenn Miller's son, Steve, introduced the speaker, Alan Cass, Curator/ Archivist of the Glenn Miller Archives at the University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, Glenn Miller's alma r mater. Alan Cass is DiRctor of the University of Colorado's Coors Events/Conference Center. He is known as the •voice of the Golden Buffalo Football and Basketball teams.• Mr. Cass is also the stadium announcer for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League. 3 For the first time ever the entire Miller family gathered together as we paid tribute to the man who made our lives lighter during the sometimes dark days of WWII. They were: Miller, Steve (son of Maj. Glenn Miller) Soper, Jonnie (daugbterofMaj. Glenn Miller) Soper, Jill (granddaughter) Soper, Blair (grandson) Busch, Kurt & Alaina (granddaughter and husband) Stroscher, Wayne & Darlyne (granddaughter and husband) The 93rd had a very nice representation at the meeting as opposed to last year when only Lee & Blanche Stepp, Charley & Jean Knoedler, Marie and myself attended. This year, in addition were: Day, Jim & Nikki Foster, John Johnson, George Karnahan, George & Ruth Loring,Bob McMahon, James Regan, Edward & Ted (son) Scott, Tom (Scotty) & Letha Skeels, Jack & Helen Sparrevobn, Fred & Dorothy Todd, Carl & JoAnne Our group actively helped out in the proceedings. George K.amahan and Fred Sparrevohn participated in the candle ceremony. •0utch• Borcherding saw to it that we had plenty of 2nd A.D. magnets which were used as door prizes for the 34S guests attending, and Marie and I were in charge of the registration desk and welcoming the guests. TR.A VELING ABROAD-RETURN TO THE BASES IMPORTANT MEDICAL INFORMATION The Bureau of Consular Affairs at the U.S. Department of State reminds travelers that Social Security Medicare pro8f8D!.S do not provide for payment of hospital and medical services outside the United States. For travelers who become seriously ill or who are injured during a trip abroad, obtainina medical treatment and hospital care can be expensive. Beforo leaving the U.S. you may wish to check with your insurance company to make sure your medical and travel accident insurance policies provide adequate protection while traveling outside the U.S. If your health/medical insurance policy does provide coverage overseas, carry the insurance policy identity card with you. If it does not, you may want to consider obtaining supplemental coverage for the duration of your trip. Unless specified in the policy. most health care insurance policies do not pay for medical evacuations to the U.S. in cases of severe illness or injury. These services could cost in excess of $S0,000. It is a worthwhile precaution to have insurance that covers the cost of local burial or shipment of remain8 home to the U.S. The nearest U.S. Embassy or C.Onsulate will assist you if a loved one dies abroad. The U.S. Embassy in Paris can be reached at (33)(1) 42-96-12-02. If you require medication, be sure to take an ample supply in its original container and bring along a copy of tho doctor's prescription. It is good practice to pack the medication and extra eyeglasses in your band luggage so they will be available in case the rest of your bags are lost.

FORMER PRISONER OF WAR AT Sf A.LAG LmT m by Luther C. Cox •Doc,• ex-POW #US On Oct. 9, 1942, during an early-morning briefing, we had a word from our sterling commander, Col. Ted Timberlake, in which he stated, ·This is the day for which we have been waiting.• Giving further very important details we were to follow on this our first mission against the Nazis, he stated, •1 know that you Joes can do it.• Target for the Day ... Lille, France. This was to be the first 100-plane raid against the Nazis, combining 2 Bl7 outfits and the 93rd, the only B24 outfit in England. The crew of Capt. Simpson and Lt. Nick Cox received a direct hit in the bomb bay and the aircraft disintegrated in mid air. Upon landing back at Alconbury, our home base, during the debriefing it was the uniformed opinion that none had survived that in-flight explosion of Simpson's aircraft. His was the only B24 lost that day. After 10 missions on German targets, most of which were against the German submarine pens, the 328th and 409th B.S. were sent on TDY to North Africa to help knock out Rommel's supply lines. On om 11th mission, flown from North Africa-21 in all-our aircraft Double Trouble, flying on the Tunisian target of Sousse, was shot down by the combined efforts of the AAA and the ME-109s and FW-1908. With Capt. Benny Riggs as pilot and Lt. Frank Lewis as co-pilot, our aircraft-practically blown apart-crashed into the Mediterranean Sea. Only 2 of the crew of 10 survived that fateful day of Jan. 19, 1943. They were Lts. Luther C. Cox, navigator, and Gus Gray, bombardier. Both, after many days of trials and tribulations as POWs in Africa, were flown in a JU-S2 to Naples, Italy where they were shipped by rail to the German Luftwaffe Interrogation Center just north of the city of Frankfurt AM Meine. From there we were shipped by rail to O1lag XXI B at Schubin, Poland. From there, we were again shipped by rail to Stalag Luft m at Sagan, Germany, located approximately 90 miles southeast of Berlin. Our first day there we were, to our utter amaz.ement, greeted by Capt. Simpson and Lt. Nick Cox. Easter Monday 1943 proved to be a very exciting day for the 4 of ua 93rd flyers, for an incoming group (purge) of POWa contained Lts. Franlc Lown, Frank Hodaes, and Bob Hudsbeth, all from the 93rd B.G. What a homecoming session we had getting caught up on the news! We remained together over the years, including makinJ the infamous Death March from Stalag Luft m on Jan 27, 194S, le.aving the camp at 21:27 hours in a driving snow bliu.ard with the temperaturea around zero. After days and nights of marching in this terrible weather, without adequate food and clothing, we finished up the last 100 miles by box car tnina. We arrived at our new camp at Moosburg, Germany, Stalag VIIA. This camp was made up of POWs from all of the Allied Forces representinJ all branches of the services. Tbae were over 1S0,000 POWs in this God forsaken place. We were liberated by Geo. Patton's forces on Apr. 29, 194S after a brief battle with German SS troops trying to hold the camp. Within a few weeo after the liberation we weie transported to a German air base at Straubina, Germany to await the arrival of a tliafit of C47s (gooney birds). On May 7, 1945, VE Day, althouah the _planes didn't show up until the next day, we celebrated the end of the war in many diverse ways, individually and/or in small groups. We were flown to a Belgian air base in Liege and were transported by hospital train to a redistribution center for all American 'POWs located just east of the city and harbor of Le Havre, France. 4 On May 17, 1945, I (Cox) was assi,ned as Ship's Surgeon on the Liberty Ship the USS Jackson. There were over 200 POWa on board. After 10 days, most of which were in close convoy under blackout rule, we arrived in the harbor of New Yorlc City amidst cheers, bands playing and flaaa waving from many ~ small boats as they escorted us into the harbor. POW• from my outfit, 328th 8.&. {1-rl Capt. Simpson, Lts. N. Coll, F. Lown, L Cox. F. Hodgu, and Gue Orey In Stalag Luft UI All 6 of us made it back safely to the good old USA. However, due to the mass of POWs at Lucky Strike, we all got separated from each other. Ed: ~ book, Always Fighting the Enemy, wrilten by Lusher C. Cox, is in it.r second prinling. PrlC!t! i.f $22, postage prepaid, to all 93rd munbers. Ortkr now by writing •Doc• al 4932 Oakbrook PL. Orlando., FL 3281.2. ) SOBRIETY PLEDGE MADE PILOT A RUM RUNNER There are many wonderful stories about the battle apinst demon rum originating in Westerville, the bmhplace of the temperance movement ii! this country. Here's one of them: In 1932, Franklin D. Roosevelt promised to repeal Prohibition if elected Pmiident while the Anti--Saloon i.ea,ue in Westerville was fightin& to keep the nation dry. Howard Hyde Russell. the leader of the Anti--Saloon Leap, wu both a lawyer and a minister. Conducting one of his famoua trials before a large crowd in Westerville in Oct. 1932, he detailed the evils of drink. After the trial, aa was his custom, RW1Sell invited youna men to come fotward and take a pledge to never touch liquor to their lips. Carl Fritsche of Westerville took the pledae, becoming RUS8dl'a last convert because aoon afterward Roosevelt became President and eaded Prohibition. Fritsche, however, remained true to his pledge. During WWII, be was a pilot with the Flyina Tiaers in China. Most of the pilots were heavy drinkers, and whm they ran out of whiskey before the 1944 CbrilbOU party it wu a matter of JR&t importance to resupply. Gen. Claire Cbennanlt, lead« of the Tigers, decided the only penoa he could trust with a plane full of liquor was the pilot from the •dry capital of tho world.• Fritsche was thus sail on a •secret mission• to Calcutta to 611 a B24 bomber full of •hooch.• •The bomber at Calcutta wu parded with maund machl06 ~ guns,• Fritsche said. He opeaed the bomb bay and packed in ! 4,000 bottles. •with all gun turrets manned, t skimmed~ 500 miles of enemy tea::itory 80 that the Flyina Tjaen could have a happy hour,• he said. In all, Fritache made 3 whiaby

llights for the war effort in China. When he returned to Westerville, one of the first people he met was 90-year-old Howard Hyde Russell, who greeted his convert warmly. Fritsche told Russell of his combat flights, but never told him r that he was also the assigned •rum runner• between India and China! BITS AND PIECES OF PROP WASH Still time to attend 2nd Air Division 11th annual Midwest Region Conference at the Dayton Marriott Hotel, Dayton, OH, May 20-21, 1994. If interested, please write or call H.C. Eckelberry, 24 S. Township, Rd. 15, Tiffin, OH 44883, call (419) 447-9302 for details. Area covers the 9 Midwestern states of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ohio and Iowa . . . . Ed Wagner, 711 No. 3, Arkansas City, KS 67005 is seeking information about Bernard Edelman, bombardier on the Douglas Thompson crew. Bernard's serial number was 39082908 before he was commissioned a 2nd Lt. in 1944 ... 8th A.F. Historical Society annual meeting this year will be held Oct. 4-9 at Town & Country Resort, San Diego, CA, call (800) 833-1942 for information .... Orrille Myers, Rte. lB, Box 592, Panora, IA 50216, is trying to contact any crew members from the B24 Uberty Belle; also any members of The Travelling Circus has)ceO,sill team that WU ( runnec-up in the 8th Air Foice -tournament in 1944 ... A 3-hour 42-minute color video, background music, original photo-Tom Landry, 8th A.F. Co-Pilot graphy of bomb and Coach of Dallas CowboV9 damage, assessment, dedication cecemonies, memorial service, Royal Norwegian Air Force flyover of Kjeller airdrome in Norway, site of the Nov. 1943 mission by the 93rd available. Special price $39 to 93rd veterans. Send check to Forrest S. Clark, 703 Duffer Lane, Kissimee, FL 34759 ... Want to apologue for an error on page 6 Reunion Picture in the BOFQE Winter 1993 issue. Guy Pannell's (far left) name was omitted. Sorry! ... Also, please add zip code 19040-3559 to the name and address of John Chapman, 116 Penny Pack Cir., Hatboro, PA. This is on page 3 ... Page 9, also of the Winter issue, carried a letter and crew picture from Forrest Lam. Two crewmen on the bottom row were not identified. Gene Hoffman believes they are Lawrence Braham and W .D. Shufflebarger . . . A note from Mrs. Nadine Vasq~ who, with her husband Carlos, worked long, bard and skillfully in past years for the cause of the 93rd (see •aita and.Pieces of Prop Wash" BOFQE Fall 1993 issue), refers to the interesting letter from Father Marshall V. Minister (Winter 1993 issue). Nadine asb that we make clear the possible misconception that they hold any r originals of Father Minister's collection. She advises that only photocopies were received by them and documented by the sender in his accompanying list . . . From the 2nd Air Division's publication Target Victory, Apr. 25, 1945 issue, we gleaned thia accolade for accuracy at Salzburg R.R. Center. s Bombardiers: Minister, Marshall V. (Childress 43-6) and Dondero, Joseph A. (Childress 44-6): 93rd B.G. 95% in 2,000 ft; 87% in 1,000. [Ed. Note: Dondero was last known at his WWil home of record, 52 Tea St., Washington, DC] ... Sorry to report that 2nd Air Division Joumal Editor Bill Robertie was, as of Mar. 26, in the Veterans Administration Hospital in Manchester, NH. When tests are completed his wife, Hazel, expects he will be moved to the nursing home section of the hospital. Everyone from the 93rd wishee Bill a speedy recovery! LIB BOMERANG, AFI'ER S3 RAIDS, HEADS FOR U.S. A Liberator Base, Apr. S (AP). The Liberator Bomerang, a veteran of 53 missions over enemy territory, left th.is base yesterday with a doz.en American airmen for the U.S., where plane and fliers will tour plane factories in a labor morale--building program. The battered B24 was aiven a rousing sendoff before Capt .. Walter T. Stewart, 26, of Salt Lake City, took it into the air. "The crew and I are th.rilled to death over this trip back home,• said Stewart. -We hope to see you all back at home some day.• Brig. Gens. James P. Hodges of Washington, DC, Edward J. Timberlake, Jr. of St. Petersburg, FL, and Walter R. Peck of Lima, OH, paid homage to the fliers and to the Lio. The Air Force's public relations officers said Bomerang dropped nearly a third of a million pounds of explosives while operating from Britain, North Africa and the Middle East. The plane was credited with shooting down 12 enemy fighters. It made its first raid on Lille on Oct. 9, 1942 when Capt. John Stewart of Ambler, PA, the pilot, brought the Lib home with one engine out and another damaged. First scheduled for the junk heap, the plane was patched up in 6 days. Lt. Luther C. Bird flew Bomerang in the Ploesti raid Aug. 1, 1943 during which he took it so low it came back with com.stalks clinging to tlie bomb bay. Only 2 men have been wounded aboard Bomerang-none killed. Capt. Walter Stewart, a veteran of 32 missions md winner of the Silver Star, was a Mormon missionary in England before the war. Other airmen returning with the plane were: Lieutenant-9: John V. Kemp, Los Angeles, CA - Co-pilot George Everhard, Marysville, KS - Bombardier William N. Ford, Jersey City - Navigator Major Sergeants: Ground Crewman and Flight Chief for the trip Charles A. Chambers, Mechanicsburg, PA Georae C. Ewald, Norfolk, VA Gunner Sergeants: Edwin D. Kleine, Long Island City, NY Alfred Bergkamp, Cheney, KS Ralph L. Carroll, Northeast, PA William A. Apy, New Canaan, CT Enos H. Lee, Jarrettsville, MD Michael L. Sullivan, Detroit, MI

93rd VETERAN MEETS AN OLD BUDDY by Nick Lackeoa Kenneth O'Reilly Dessert, nickname K.O., will have a reunion of sorts tomorrow with an old friend-a 4-engine B24 Liberator bomber. A former bomber pilot and retired Air Force colonel, Col. Dessert flew B24 bombers in Europe and North Africa in WWII. "We were hunting Rommel,• he said, remembering bombing raids in North Africa. Th.e famollB German leader they were searching for was Field Marshall Erwin Rommel, commander of the Afrika , Koxps, whose clever tactics earned him Col. D•"•rt the nickname, "The Desert Fox.• "We liked Rommel-we respected him,• he said, shaking his head as he explained Rommel always seemed to know where the bombers would strike next and would not be there. "When they found out I used to be a B24 jock they asked me to be the organizer for the Montgomery stop,• said Col. Dessert, 77. The old war machine will be on display at Montgomery Aviation through Wednesday. After growing up in El Segundo, CA, Col. Dessert graduated from the United States Army Military Academy at West Point, NY in 1941. The next year he was stationed in England with the 93rd B.G., flying practice missions in B24s for a bombing raid on Ploesti, Romania. The pilots practiced in low-altitude formations over the English countryside since flying low would hopefully put them below the angle of fire of the anti-aircraft guns on hillsides they would pass en route to Ploesti. "We practiced flying 6 ships across down on the barns and cows and chickens. The farmers complained that their cows bad stopped giving milk and their chickens bad stopped laying eggs. • His outfit moved to North Africa and practiced low-level bomb runs over the desert. "We made the raid Aug. 1, 1943, • he said of Ploesti. "It was S oil refineries. We toot off before sunup early on a Sunday morning out of Benghazi, Libya." It would be a 2,SOO-mile round trip with 178 planes taking off. The B24s were carrying incendiary bombs and flying in formations of 6, 30 seconds apart. Each bomb group consisted of 34 planes spread among several 6-bomber fonnations per bomb group. Five bomb groups were on the mission-Operation Tidal Wave. He was a major and a squadron. commander, flying in the first group. Along with co-pilot, Capt. Jack Epting, Col. Dessert piloted the bomber Tupelo Lass. "The second group was about 15 minutes behind us. We crossed the Danube River at about 1,SOO feet. We were down pretty low. It was about noon. We could see people coming out of the church-the Rumaniens. • They continued their descent. •you could see haystacks opening up,• he said of German anti-aircraft gun emplacements. The German guns began firing. Shells were exploding at predetermined altitudes as the bombers flew into the flak and smoke, an occasional B24 catching fire and dropping out of follllalion. •My group commander was shot down right in front of me, Addison Baker. He didn't make it. He got the Congressional Medal of Honor. There were S Congressional Medal&-of Honor awarded from that raid.• "You could see the shells coming at you. There was so much of it, it was like flying into powder.• By the time they released their bombs they were down to about 75 feet. "The smoke~ stacks at the refinery went up about 75 feet and we were right on top of them, flying at 75-100 feet, 6 abreast across' the target .• 6 About 1,620 men reached the tarJet. "Forty-five planes were lost and 446 men were killed or MIA out of 1,620 men. There were 130 wounded and 790 interned-forced to land or crash-land in neutral countries like Turlcey and Malta. "I was Juclcy to be in one of the few planes that didn't get messed up.• Col. , Dessert. who was awarded the Silver Star for the P1oesti Raid, will be at Montgomery Aviation Mon. through Wed. to answer questions about the raid and tell what it was like to fly the B24. Ed: Col. Dessert left the 93rd in Feb. 1944 and was assigned as air advisor to Gen. Eisenhower. The Former CO of the 409th B.S. now Uves at 3627 McCurdy St., Montgomery, AL 36111 and is a member of the 93rd B. G. Association. TOLEDO, omo SET FOR TRIBUTE TO LT. COL. ADDISON BAKER, AUG. 21, 1994 The BOFO$ Fall 1993 issue carried a story "Medal Same-Recognition Not• which appeared in the Columbus, OH Dispa1ch. The story concerned a former Ohio resident who was awarded the Medal of Honor, gave his life for his country on the famous Aug. 1, 1943 Ploesti mission, but had never received any recognition from his home state. This person, aa most of us know, was former CO of the 93rd B.G., U. Col. Addison E. Baker. Lt. Col. AddlaOl'I E. BakM All this has now changed! On Aug. 21, 1944, a building and memorial will be dedicated at the base of the 112th Fighter Squadron at Toledo, OH. Balcer was a member of the Ohio National Guard, then 112th Observation Squadron and was mobili7.ed to active Group Commander Apr. 1943-Aug. 1. 1943 duty in 1941. The sponsors of the program are extremely hopeful that many of our .members will attend and that they can engage the services of a member who knew Col. Baker personally to be guest speaker at the dedication ceremonies. Letter from Brig. Oen. Gordon M. Campbell appears below: Dear Mr. Steichen: Many thanks for the wealth of information on the 93rd B.G. I forwarded the information to the 180th Fight.er Group (ll2thFii}ltu Squadron), the action office for tho Baker Memorial in Toledo, OH. U. Col. Baker tlew with the 112th Obs. Sqdn., Ohio National Guard, in the 1930s. Also, for your information, U. Col. Baker's widow passed away in a Florida retirement home Mar. 8. GORDON M. CAMPBEIL Brigadier General Asst. Adj. Gen. for Air Ed: Above infcmnatlon is great news and materialiled just as we an going to press. I plan to start work immedialely to ensure thas all support within our power and mmdmum ~ recognition be given to our former Group Commander. Suggestions from members are very welcome a.r are volunteen from the Ohio and elsewhere.

"BELLO MILFOIL-THJS IS WEE WILLIE" TM dw.r, of Capt. &/ward I- McGuln, Jr. 409th B.S., 93rd B.G. f' "Base to target is Uncle Sam's time. Target to base, you're on your own!" -Col. Theeman Brown, 93rd C.O. . . . conlinued from Winter issue Leach said, "No problem, Chief. rn put the gear down on the auxiliary source.• Now we had 3 ways to put down the landing gear. First, normal operation. Number 3 engine had a hydraulic pump that provided power for the gear, flaps and brakes, but #3 was ouL Second, for emergencies. In the bomb bay was an auxiliary motor and pump which activated the same system. Third, and last resort, there was a hand crank in the foxward bomb bay by which the main gear could be lowered or cranked down manUAJly. It took quite a bit of time and the crankers had to stand on the 8 inch wide main girder in the bomb bay (without parachutes-no room), with only those lousy weak bomb bay doors between them and eternity if they slipped or anything. Also on this system, after the main gear was down the nose wheel had to be pushed out manually, meaning somebody had to get down in the nose and exert super-human strength to push the nose wheel out. We landed from a circular pattern. not the square approach used in the States. As I app_roached the field from the east, I ordered the gear down, then called for landing clearance. The little gremlins were very busy that day. The auxiliary source wouldn't function and we were al.most to the field. I yelled at Leach, "Get cranking! rm landing whether the gear is down or sidewise.• So Leach, South and I think Szajna got down in the bomb bay and started cranking like mad. Just as the main gear flocked down, we touched down-on the main gear only. There .vas no time left to push out the nose wheel. We rolled down - the runway with the nose in the air and the tail dragging (later I found out the tail skid was ground off), and when the nose started getting pretty heavy I kicked a rudder and we veered off the runway onto the grass and the nose dropped with a slight thump ... and it gets REAL QUIET. For the third and last time we're posted MIA. This time our gear is easier to recover. We had attained the rank: of "bad peonies" and would always come back. And, as a matter of fact, no one on the crew ever was injured and we always came back. We were well known anyway. They patched old weary •L• Love up, but I don't remember flying her again. As a result of the landing of Oct. 12, they bad an accide.nt inquiry board on me. I have copies of the statements submitted by me and Engr. Leach with the date of Oct. 14, 1944, but the board couldn't have been the 14th as I was on another mission. I remember a couple of things about that board. I told them I had considered pulling up and going around, but, as aircraft commander, I thought it was an unnecessary risk and it was my decision to complete the landing once I had committed the ship and myself to it. They assessed me some forgotten amount of pilot error, ended the investigation, and then each member of the board complimented me on the execution of the landing, even though they disagreed with my decision not to go around. About a week later, 8th Air Force issued a directive to the effect that due to the losses from attempts to pull up and go around, completion of the landing was recommended as less r likely to result in c:asualties! Too late to help my record, though! Either the day of or the day after the board I was offered the opportunity to become a Lead Crew pilot. I turned this opportunity down because lead crews did not get as many missions and I wanted to finish the required tour as quickly as 7 possible. After that, I might be interested, but the opportunity never came up. We ran out of war! Lts. Sill and Dondero were separated from my crew and made Lead Navigator and Bombardier, respectively. Also about this time, an order came out that lead crews would be awarded the DFC automatically, as would wing crews who had completed some forgotten number of missions by some date in Sept., which we did not qualify under. All others had to be specifically recommended, which.had disastrous results for mE>-but that was in the future at this time. • Mi.won #4: 14 Oct. 1944 - Kaiserslauten No record of any incidents nor any memory of the mission. This is very good flying weather and we are getting better all the time. Still flying clunkers, though. This was the last mission with all of my crew, as Dondero and Sill were ordered to Lead Crew after this mission and transferred from the 409th B.S. After this mission we carried different navigators or bombardiers (one or the other, but not both). We were wing crew all through the combat tour and dropped our bombs when the lead dropped and we did not carry a bomb sight. Places like Kaiserslauten, Neunkirchen and Euskirchen had only a few anti.-aircraft guns, but they were 88s and extremely accurate. There would be a 4-gun battery or 2 of them. Each battery would fire in sequence, it seemed, as the burst would come w .. Wlfl• Enrout~ to ~ua-b•ra In • up lib 4 dots in a Hot Bolt of Deadly 88 Rak, 3/1 /46 line and in sequence (one after the other) in a row with each burst a little higher. Very often they burst so close you could see the red fire in the center and they were ALWAYS very, very black and CLOSE! One of the most difficult things about aerial warfare was that after surviving takeoff and getting up to altitude, you would be flying along in the sunshine under an intensely blue sky-everything so beautiful and peaceful. And without any warning, WHOOMPF! right beside you or just off your wing, or a ship would just disappear in a big black cloud and things would fall out of the cloud. There never was a way to get used to that, and it went on up to and including the last day. Mission #5: 17 Oct. 1944 Cologne My formation sheet indicates we were posted for ship 362 "J" Jigg, but we flew old •o• George. If I could remember what an amplidyn was, maybe I could remember what happened better. Anyway, we burned out 3 of them! We ca.cried a navigator/bombardier whose name I remember but will not give. To set the stage we were loaded with twelve 500 lb. bombs, and it was COLD! The weather was getting worse with each mission. The winter of 1944-45 was the only winter of the war where we bombed almost regardless of the weather. With H2X (airborne radar) we could bomb even if we could not see the targets, or anything else for that matter. Several times we took off carrying our shaving kits and a blanket, to be infonned after the target whether we would land in Scotland, France, ltaly (once), Russia (once), or wherever! . . . to be coruinued next issue

EXPRESS AIR. MAIL DELIVERED BY B.O.F. Dear Paul, I have been fascinated by abandoned airfields since I was a boy, and even at 40 my enthusiasm hasn't faltered! Much to my delight, I, with an equally enthusiastic colleague, am now involved in a countywide survey for the Norfolk Museum Services to plot and record all the WWil defense arrangements and structures for posterity. I am concentrating my research on airfields and radar sites and would request your help with a couple of aspects of airfield defense. One is a particular building, the Battle Headquarters, as it appeared to be termed by the USAAF, the Emergency Command Bunker. I have found them on both RAF and USAAF airfields. As to which ones bad them, it appears to have been picked at random. However, my more recent research shows that on USAAF airfields they were usually "grouped• in threes, one of each 3 bad a Battle HQ. I would be very grateful if you can shed light on the following points: • Why were the particular airfields chosen (Old Bll~keoham, Wendling, Hardwick, Halesworth and AtUebridge) to site the Battle HQ? • How was the Battle HQ intended to be used/operated in the event of attack? • How were the interiors equipped? Also, on airfield plans I see the term "Defense Site" quite often. What was a Defense Site intended for and how was it equipped and utilized? Dear Paul, SIMON PURCELL 21 Ipswicb Grove NOJ'Wich Norfolk, NR2 2LU, England Forgive me for writing to you out of the blue, but I noted you are the Group President of the 93rd Bomb Group and may be in a position to help me with an inquiry concerning an incident which occurred at Hardwick. Firstly, I should explain that I am an historian of another 2nd Air Division Bomb Group, the 467th, who were stationed at Rackheath. to the northeast of Norwich. My inquiry concerns one of the 467th's ships which crash-landed at Hardwick following its return from a mission to Munich on Jul. 11, 1944. The ship, called Ruth Marie, was extensively battle-damaged and critically short of fuel. Upon crossing the North Sea at their • ditching positions,• the pilot, 1st U. Edwin Lackens, attempted to land at the first airfield he chanced upon. On final approach to Hardwick (the base was receivine its own returning aircraft), the 3 remaining engines cut out-fuel starved-and the ship lurched to the right in danger of hitting the control tower. Over-<:mrective action resulted in the left wing dropping and making contact with the ground, sending the ship cartwheelin& past the control tower and into a building on the base. The engineer and a iiunner on Ruth Marie were killed in the crash and it is believed that 2, possibly 3, 3round personnel from Hardwick were also killed. Most of the crew were treated .in the Hardwick base hospital and were subsequently invalided back to the U.S. The pilot and navigator suffered the least serious injuries and subsequently returned to combat status back with the 467th at Rackheath. I am anxious to obtain any photographic record of the crashed 467th ship and possibly any eyewitness accounts. .ANDREW J. WILKSON 12 Hughes Road Hayes Middlesex UB3 3AN England 8 Dear Paul, Enclosed is my check for $20 to keep your good work going. The recent letter from Joseph Bergeron prompted me to action. , I was Assistant Engineerin3 Officer in the 330th B.S. when the 93rd went to England. I was Officer of the Guard on the trip over to Glasgow. The 330th set a world class record for seasicbless on that trip because of being bivouacked in the swimming pool. Shortly after the 93rd was transferred to Hardwick, I became Engineering Officer for the 328th B.S., replacing Bill Babcock when be was promoted to the Group Engineering position. It was my good fortune to stay with this great organization until mid 1945 when I was assigned to something called the Honey Project and transferred back to the U.S. on secret orders signed by Gen. H.H. Arnold. I was intriaued by the secret orders but reasoned that if the plumbing in the U.S. had deteriorated so badly as a result of the war that we needed honey buckets, it was probably desirable to keep it hidden from the Russians. I was very definitely not happy about leaving the engineering crews of the 328th. They were outstandin&, I do not know what the Honey Project was because after a month's leave I got in a paperwork foul-up in Denver and was made Executive Officer of the ~1 Squadron at Keesler Field, promoted and ,iven a discharge on points a few days later. I would like to know what the project was. Any ideas? In the late 19606, as a Director of one of Chevron's overseas companies that bad operationa in Libya, I visited Ben Ghazi, as well as the strip the 93rd used, a number of times. Each visit hurt. Keep up the good world THOMAS HARDY JACKSON JR 4722 O'Connor Ct. ~ lrvinJ, TX 75062 Dear Paul, I'm afraid I don't have any favorable memoriea of tho 93rd. I wu only in it for about 3 months, maybe 4 at mosl I had just been ticked out of the Bombsiaht School at Lowery and sent to England with no record of where I had been for 10 weeks. Actually, it was a whole platoon of us, and upon our arrival we were scattered throughout the 8th Air Force, my luck being the 93rd. I was assigned to the Armament Section of the 328th. The second day of duty I got sicker than a dog loading bombs in the old B24 with the •put-put• running. Guess I was too tall (6 ft. 6 in.). About 4 weeks after that I got ticked off KP after 2 days for eating too much. This was followed a couple of weeks later by a detail to dig a flower &ardea around my barracks, which took about 3 days. When I returned to the Amvnnent Section for duty, my Section Sgt. informed me that since I had ao much experieoce digging flower gardeoa that I should go to hia banacb and dig one around it. I explained to him nth.er loudly and with considerable profanity where he could put his Jarden. and barracks. Unfortunately, unknown to me, Maj. Martin, our XO or temporary co that day' WU standing behind me and heard the orders I had given the good sergeant. I was busted to private about S minutes later and detailed to shovel sand into the concrete mixers used to refinish the ninways for about S weeks while I waited for a transfer. The transfer wu to the 1596 Ordnance S&M Co. at Seething. About 2 months later they found out I had been trained as a bombsipt m,,chanic, so \ I was transfer.red to the 448th and worked as a bombsia}lt and 4 automatic pilot ow:haoic for the rest of the war. I often wonder about Maj. Martin and what he would thinlc of the fa.ct that I was made Major, too, before I got out of the

EXPR.ESS AIR MAil. DELIVERED BY B.O.F. Army. I don't remember who the sergeant was or any of the guys that worked with me at Hardwick. It seems funny now, but it wasn't then. The 93rd was a good outfit and I hope you can keep your project going without trouble. Dear Paul, VERYL •STRETCH" SNEATH 200 Millstone Dr. Palm Harbor, FL 34683 Don't know where I have been. but just heard about your outfit a few weeks ago and sent in my membership. I was tail gunner on Lt. Meehan's ship The Lady Jane, shot down Aug. 1, 1943 at Ploesti. Being the only survivor of the crash, I was taken prisoner. Hope to keep in touch with someone in the 93rd as I wasn't there long enough to get to know many people. I kept a diary of my experience in WWII and if anyone is interested I will send them a copy. I came overseas with 3 ships and all 3 went down at Ploesti. Dear Paul, LARRY YATES 13 Greeome.ado~ Dr. Orchard Park, NY 14127 Many thanks for publishini my letter in the BOFO$ and for the other infonnation. My investigation provided a lot of information that may be of interest to you and your readers. In my previous letter I assumed that the co-pilot of the B24 J Liberator, 1st Lt. Cook, remained in the plane, but that wu not true. During the war and even after, none of the crew knew exactly what had happened to the nose ,wmer, T. Sgt. Kenneth .,,--.. Elutwt. beooiae in the first German ieport they indicated be bad escaped, and only 1st Lt. Cook and 2nd Lt. Pietruccioli, - navigator, were mentioned u dead. I know that only 2 dead were found in the wreckage, those 2 bavin& bailed out too late. SSgt. Meltzer was present after the crash to identify the 2 bodies. It was a coincidence that I was present the day after the crash when soldiers who bad guarded the plane disco-vered a body Able Mabel inside the plane which had not been found the day before as the plane was on fire. At this moment the people and I thought that it was the co-pilot, but it was TSgt. Ehrhart who was reported as having eacapcd. All this I have verified thanks to the documents .,..._ received from the National Archives in Washington. f 1st Lt. Cook fell through the roof of the back put of a house 2nd Lt. Pietruccioli fell near a brook in a garden The nickname of the Liberator was Abk Mabel. I received -a photograph of the nose art from Mr. John Archer who lived 9 near the Hardwick Airfield during the war and is since a collector of everything to do with the 93rd B.G. I have the pleasure of enclosing a reproduction of this photograph. Dear Paul, JACQUES WILLEMS Grauwwerkersstraat, 8/4 8000 Brugge, Belgium I thoroughly enjoyed the last BOF(lE newsletter. We all appreciate the work you do to get it published. This is to tell the rest of the story about the Duchess. She came into the 93rd as we were returning from our first trip to North Africa. Her complete name was Ewlyn the Duchess, emblazoned in large yellow, cursory lettering reaching from the nose section to the wing cord. Then Col. Timberlake asked me if I wanted her rather than continuing to fly Wham Bam. I asked if we, my crew, could fly and check her out first, and we did. What a great B24! She handled great on takeoff, climb, cruise and landing. We hurried to the HQ to accept the airplane. I guess Col. Timberlake felt sorry for my crew as we were always flying someone else's airplane. We were given Wham Bam as the only airplane available to make the trip to North Africa. Wham Bam had belonged to Lt. Baker before being given to my crew. It had not been flown for a while. We worlced all night to get it ready for the African trip. As it turned out, it was a great flying airplane and easy on gas. We flew it about 20 missions from Africa without an abort. The Duchess was a late model B24, having a nose and belly turret and electronic controls for the superchargers, which made it great for flying high-altitude formation. We di8CU88ed changing her name but felt it would be bad luck to do 10. We never knew the origin of her name as she was delivered by a replacement crew, with the crew going to another group and the Duchess going to the 93rd. We flew the Duchess on 2 diversionary raids and then went on the big on&-Vejesack. We were worked over pretty good by the Luftwaffe and bad a bit of flak, but the Duchess aot us back. We flew the Duchess on 2 or 3 more missions and the tour limit of 25 sorties was announced. I had 28 and was soon on orders to return to the good old USA. The article in the BOFO$ takes it from there. Sgt. Hastings was affectionately called -Pop" because of his relatively old age, 32, while the crews were in the late teens and early 208. I saw Pop at our dedication ceremonies at the Air Foice Museum a few years ago. He had received his richly deaerved Legion of Merit. We had a great time reminiscing about the Duchess. Seeing Pop again was indeed the highlight of my attending the ceremonies. Dear Paul, ALFRED ASCH 6205 Meadow Ct. Rockville, MD 20852 Encloaed is a check for $15 to cover the cost of the next 4 issuea of BOFQ$ and de&ay the cost of the complimentary issue. I especially appreciated receiving the last issue with its articles about the Duchess. My husband, Robert L. •Pappy" Warner, was the bombardier on that last flight, so it meant a lot to me to see the story in prinL Sadly, he was lcilled in an auto accident in May 1993. I applaud your efforts to keep history alive through the many personal accounts related in your newsletter. MRS. ROBERT L. WARNER 7272 W. V ondette Cir. Centerville, OH 45459

EXPRESS AIR MAR, DELIVERED BY B.O.F. Dear Paul, Just sent mine and Dom Rigano's membership applications back to Floyd Mabee. Your BOFQE newsletter is great and Dominic couldn't believe be was actually reading about his old buddies and his true love, Duchess. He got out his photo album and showed me snapshots of them all Oots of •Pop• Hastings). BILL FRASER 1420 Harrison Ave. Mamaroneck, NY 10543 Ed: Our lead story in the BOFQE Winter 1993 issue, •The Duchess is Queen of the Libs• supplemented with •La.st FlighJ of the Duchess• proved to be our most popular effort to date. TM above letters from Al A.sch, Mary Ann Warner and Bill Fraser were among the many responses to those articla. Dear Paul, My grandfather, Melvin M.L. Morrison, flew combat as a waist gunner between Mar. and Sept. 1944. His ori&inal crew was Gomer Sneddon, Karl Anderson, John O'Brien (KIA), Stanley Jacobson (KIA), Salvatore Cambria (KIA), David Wright, Arthur DiPasquale, Gaylord Davis, Melvin Morrison and Martin Naberenzy. This crew was assigned to the 328th B.S. and was the one that crashed on takeoff on Mar. 3, 1944. The plane came to rest on the west side of the main runway near the bomb dump. The plane was a B24 J-55-CO, tail no. (4) 299939 and was completely destroyed by fire. I would liJce to find out what nose art was on this plane. I know from the serial number that the plane was equipped with an A6A nose turret, twin mast (D-1) pitot and static tubes with 2 additional supports, and was olive drab in color. The individual aircraft letter was E. Does anyone have a photo of this plane or recall the nose art on it? The members of the 93rd are my last hope since the Air Force, AF Museum, National Archives and Memorial library have no photo of this plane. After the crash, the crew was split up. Dave Wright and Karl Anderson were sent to other bases; Gomer Sneddon, Melvin , Morrison, Martin Naberenzy and Arthur DiPasquale flew their remaining missions with the 93rd, and Gaylord Davis remained with the 93rd but was removed from combat for medical reasons. My grandfather flew his last mission with a new crew on Sept. 26, Melvin Monwon, Beemer II◄') 1944 to Hamm. Per his recollections, this crew was later shot down, with some of the crew returning to the base via the underground and then sent home. If you know who this crew was I would like to find them. I am enclosing a photo of the area near my grandfather's resident but and one with the 328th B.S. emblem on it with Melvin and Beamer(?) loading coke. If anyone recalls where these locations were on the base I would appreciate knowing. After completing his missions, Melvin remained with the 93rd and work:ed in the supply depot until returning hoiM in the spring of 1945. Please call me collect if you or any of the members can assist me. 10 DONALD K. MORRISON 1375 W. Comet Rd. Clinton, OH 44216 (216) 882-2536 Ed: ChaplainJames Burris' report of the Mar. 3, 1944 crash: On Mar. 3, 1944, while taking off/or an operational mission to Oraninburg, a plane of the 328th B.S. crashed at 0900 hours due to a tire blowing ouJ causing the controls to lode. GasoUne and bombs exploded killing the following men who were unable to release themselves from the plane. (Buried in the American Ceme1ery, Cambridge) Dear Paul, 2nd Lt. John F. 0 'Brien 2nd Lt. Stanley (NM[) Jacobson Ssgt. Salvatore (NM]) Cambria The BOFQE is priceless. Every page brings back the memory of something we did, something we saw or someone we lost. Vol. 1, No. 3 issue bas 6 letters describing events I was involved in in one way or another. Is there some way you could publish more letters each issue? I understand your constraints, but this is real history and we are dropping out of formation fast. Good luck. You are doing your comrades an invaluable service. BOB OBERSCHMID 3136 Farnum Dr. Eagan, MN 55121 Dear Paul, , Regarding John o~Gtady's letter about the Noxway mission in the BOFQR Winter 1993 issue, the Nov. 16, 1943 mission was not recalled. According to a copy of our navigator's log, we took off at 0620 and returned across the Enalish coast at 1511. We lost the formation passina through a mountain of cumulus clouds but got together with 6 other B24s at 10,000 feet, then during the next 29 minutes picked up the formation. Also, I remember that \ve flew the whole mission. The log shows we bombed alternate target Rjulam since Kjeller was cloud covered. Pilot was J.H. McKamy and the navigator, Oene Alvord. l was radio operator. CARMEN J. FOX 5751 W. Smiley Rd. Shelby, OH 44875 P.S. On Nov. 18, 1943 we did bomb K;jeller. Dear Paul, On page 1 of the BOFQR Pall 1993 issue, you show that King George visited Hardwick inFeb. 1942. That should have read Feb. 1943. From McDill we went to Badtsdale in Jan. 1942 as the 44th, then we split into 2 groups. I went with the 93rd, then back to Florida (Ft. Myers). We arrived at Alconbury Sept. 1942. My ship, Liberty Lad, was sent to Boscombe Down for an experiment with the RAF. The weather and a malfunctioning bomb sight rendered it a failure, so I spent my time with my WAAF friend whom I later married. We then went to HODISley South to work with the Coastal Command. After that, off to Tafaroui in Dec. 1942 and ~ back to England in Feb. 1943. So I missed the King's visit. JOHN R. SWINDLER -6010 Marigny St. New Orleans, LA 70122

EXPRESS AIR MAIL DELIVERED BY B.O.F. Dear Paul, An accolade is due you for the 93rd BOFQE. I received my f first copy and it is excellent. I would like to order a 330th B.S. patch and a 93rd cap front patch and have enclosed a check for $25. The balance is intended to keep the BOFQ;E flying. I have told many friends that our air crew gained notoriety in England when Winston Churchill alluded to our poker playing ability by saying, ~Never has so few owed so much to so many.• Dear Paul, MARTIN A. RICE 1689b Flint Lane Coshocton, OH 43812 I was with the 409th (originally the 19th Recon) from its inception at Barksdale in May 1942 until Aug. 28, 1945 and crewed 3 aircraft for a total of 135 missions without an abort, for which I received 2 Bronze Stars. The first ship I crewed was piloted by Lt. Robbins and made only a few missions before receiving a direct hit over the Ruhr Valley. The second was 'I'M Flying Fool. The last 3 diiits of ,..--~ aerial no. was 191. The same lhing happened to it in the same area. The third was called The Flying House. The last 3 digits were 578R. One 678R crew finished up, went home, another crew took over, and after 4 or 5 missions the war ended and we flew her home. As you can see by the photograph, 578R chalked up 72 missions. Also note the flak hole in the window fairing. C. ARTHUR FERWERDA 12-32 Rosewood St. Fair Lawn, NJ 07410 P.S. How about in the future a roster of addresses and phone numbers of BOFQB members. This might generate some reunions! Dear Paul, 1b.ree small points, and I will make them brief as you must be pretty busy judging from all the letters published in the BOFQ;E. First, I have to tell you that I find the method of addressing you by your Christian name, which seems to be a common habit, somewhat rubs my old-fashioned British - upbringing. I do it since it seems to be the done thing, but at ,,....... the same time I feel I should apologiz.e for being unduly familiar! Secondly, I count myself extremely lucky to have made contact with you at the start of your quarterly publicationa. They are proving to be a very happy link with a rather special part of my life. Finally, to make sure the copy keeps coming, not to mention that I wish to pay my own way, 11 please find $10, which seems to be the donation requested of your members. All power to your elbow! KEN J. SMITH 132 Furniss Ave. Dore Sheffield S17 3QP England Ed: For Ken's connection with the 93rd, see page 8, BOFQE Fall 1993 issue. Mr. Edwin C. Range 3033 Colony Park Merced, CA 95340 Dear Mr. Range: Thank you for your Jetter dated Dec. 31. I hope you all had a happy Christmas and are in for a prosperous New Year. Your letter has prompted me to a quick reply as there are one or two things that seem to be happening, especially so the closing of the Castle Base and the fact that you didn't reafu.c the activities taking place here in the UK. The last paragraph of your letter brought me to think deeply about your loss of contact with the 93rd and I am relieved to know that a static display of aircraft will remain as a monumenL I also would like to express the fact that the 93rd B.G. will be honored here for many years to come, even when some of us "oldies" have gone to the "hangar in the sky.• At the 93rd B.G!s old Base at Hardwick, there are still several original buildings in evidence, including a set of nissen huts which are being slowly converted and used as a museum. There is a good collection of artifacts which include hundreds of items dug up on the base: toothpaste tubes, razors, coins, bottles, bullets, as well as a selection of large and small engine parts and equipment, instruments and uniforms, badges, and bits and pieces. At the HQ section, the CO's bungalow still stands though much repair work has been done on it. Alongside this is a beautiful Marble Memorial etched with the 93rd's achievements. By the Memorial is a flagpole which carries Old Glory at every opportunity. David M. Neale You will be pleased to note that two brothers in their thirties, one permanently in a wheelchair, the other with arthritic problems, have dedicated themselves to the 93rd B.G. and are responsible for the setting up of the whole thing with much, mucli more to come from their combined talents. The landowner, Mr. David Woodrow, took over the farmland in the

E~ AIR MAIL DELIVERED BY B.O.F. 1950s and bas been repairing and making some of the other buildings habitable for many of our social occasions, such as a 1940s night and get-togethers, barbecues, and just a place to relax and talk about the 93rd and many of its members, some of which visit now and again. The brothers mentioned are Nick and Paul Thrower, and I know that they would be highly honored if you were to write them and perhaps send some literature or pictures. I fear the population here is not that interested in the wartime exploits of the 8th AAF, although they are benefiting with the freedom that we now enjoy. Memories can be so short, can't they? Nick and Paul aren't always appreciated by all for what they do at the old base, but they persevere. Mr wife, Pearl, and I help them whenever we can with the refreshments on the Open Days and any advice or information we can give to visitors, but living as we do 2S miles away it's not always easy to get over there. My own interest in the 93rd began in the summer of 1942 when the field was being built. I lived and worlced on my uncle's small farm nearby. We saw the group come to the base, then leave for Africa and return later, and eventually we were accepted on the airfield whenever and wherever-sometimes as guests and other times to collect cattle that had escaped onto the grass areas between the runways. We got to know many of the airmen and g10und crews and taught them how to poach game. We were specialists at that in those days. We saw them one weelc and missed them the next. It was like that then. They visited our farm, brought us gifts of tinned fruit, meat and candy. We replied with eggs, milk and farm produce. Some often stayed to dinner. I can recall being picked up regularly by the Officer of the Day in his jeep and taken around the field on his nightly inspection, dropping me off at the hardstands or even. the mess halls and living quarters where we used to play a lot of cards and drinlc a lot of coffee. Over the years I have collected a good-med library of my own concem.ing the 8th AAF, particularly the 2nd AD, more so the 93rd. I have also gotten together a variety of videotapes. You may be acquainted with the American Military Cemetery at Madingley, near Cambridge? It is a vast and marvelous place. Pearl and I visit there every year for the wreath-laying ceremony which talces place in May each ye.er. We lay a wreath to honor the 93rd B.G. It was 2 years ago that we realiz.ed that no one was laying a wreath on their behalf, so we toolc it on as a permanent taslc. We hope Paul and Nick will talce over from us in due course. I have added your name, as well as the Castle Museum Directors, on our newsletter mailing list and will explain what we, The Friends of the 2nd Air Division Memorial, stand for and how we represent each airfield and also how we support the Memorial Room in the Central Library in Norwich City. DAVIDM. NEALE 131 Southtown Rd. Great Yarmouth Norfollc NR31 OLA England Ed: Edwin C. Range has just bun giVt!n the assignmenl of Acting Historian/or Castle Museum, Mered., CA, relinquishing his former w,lun1eer position as the newlelter photographer. David M. Neale's respect and loVt! for the 93rd is self-evidenl as -you reflect on the Leiter above. Dear Paul, I am in the process of writing a family history and would lilce to include my brother, who served in the 8th Air Force where be received severe bead wounds and after discharge committed 12 suicide. I understand you have records that may give my children a perspective of the heroic effort of the men of the 8th Air Force and specifically the experieocea of my brother (their uncle). He was Sgt. George D. (Dinty or Daley) Mocris, a tail gunner on the B24 Liberator in the 93rd B.G., 329th B.S. out of England. He received his first Purple Heart Oct. 9, 1943 after a bombing mission on the German submarine pens in Danzig, Poland. This information was given to me by Lt. Col. E.E. Weir USAF (retired) in 1979. H possible, I would lilce to obtain some specific information on the actual missions my brother went on, the names of his airplanes, and fellow crew members (perhaps someone's diary comments}-anything of a personal nature describing the heroic efforts of all the young men who flew against the Nazis. DR. DON M. MORRIS 2251 Shell Beach Rd., #12 Shell Beach, CA 93449 Ed: The 93rd senl 17 planes to Danzig U BoaJ Base, Oct 9, 1943. Thirteen reached target, 7 planes had jla1c or jighier damage, 21 men were MU and one man was wounded. 1wo of the planes were interned in Sweden. Dear Paul, Enjoyed your first edition of the BOFQ$ as well as your wDJDJents in the Journal. In the JounuzJ some names of ground crews involved in the Ploesti raid were listed and a n,quest was made aee.ldng names of other g10und personnel that were part of this raid. I was in the 409th as a Crew Chief and made this trip along with Ken Riggs, also a Crew Chief. Ray Weir, Line Chief, and Bob McKeever, another Crew Chief, were mentioned. I am sure there were.others from the 409th, but m memo,y is not as sharp as it was SO years a,o. Our aircraft returned from the Ploesti raid a day late, as it made a fuel stop in Sicily, so we were one of the fortunate ones to retum to England with our original aircraft and crew. It was necessary for us to stuff rags in the oil lines whenever we were in the process of changing an enp, as the desert sand was rough at ti.mc;a. A young man from Sudan guarded our plane at night (he was about 14 years old). He wore clothes from the British, Italian, German and Americans, as be had contact with all of these countries that bad fought in the desert at one time or another. I reclcon this youn& fellow was a aood diplomat. While on the subject of Africa and Ploesti, the first air raid on Rome was made shortly ~--before the Ploesti raid (or maybe after). Anyway, if you were there you may recall that this first Rome raid was touchy-politics. Some people were afraid that if we bombed • the marshalling yards in Rome a bomb would likely hit the Ln Chief Raymond Weir-Libya Vatican. To ease the people's minds, especially the worldwide Roman Catholics, that we had talcen extra precautions not to dama&e the Vatican we had • Catholic Priest aboard the lead bomber to verify to the world that when the bombs were dropped no damage was done to Vatican City. This was a successful raid. It seems lilce the Journal and to some degree the BOFQ£ concentrates on the flight crews. We need to encourage more stories from and about g10urui crews. Speakin& u a Crew Chief, all of the folb I was in contact with, from the Line

EXPRESS AIR MAIL DELIVERED BY B.O.F. Chief to the mechanics, were very concerned about their work and the safety of the crews. We all took prido in having our r-- planes in tip-top shape, even for going up on the test flights to .ensure the aireraft was ready for another mission. I believe this is one of the reasons the 93rd had more missions than any bomb rroup in the 8th with the least number of aircraft lost for mechanical reasons. I joined the 93rd at Barksdale and returned home after VE day with our group. We flew home via Iceland and Goose Bay to Windsor Locks, CT in 1945. CHARLIE GRAVES 1216 Pilleaux Rd. Knoxville, TN 37912 P.S. Was at Hardwick in March of this year. Dear Paul, I remember a crash off the end of the runway about 1/4 mile. It was Lt. Gtay from the 446th. Instrument takeoff of 93rd aircraft loaned for 446th lead. Unexploded bombs lay in crater 6 feet deep. Therman Brown, 409th C.O., arrived in Jun. 1944. He was a person I really looked up to. Well, this is "Throfare G. George.• Dear Paul, LEE SPENCER 1917 Isabella Ave. Monterey Park, CA 91754 Just got back from Florida. While I was there I saw and took pictures of the only flying B24 left. It gave me a chill when I got inside my gun turret. ll suro brought memories back. Even .,,........_ow I get double heartbeats. Anyway, here is $10 to cover the ;OFQE. Thanks for all your work: on same. If I have already paid, just add it. Dear Paul, HARRY AHLBORN 03S60 Starboard Ln. Bast Jordan, MI 49727 You have no idea how JDW:h your letter of Sept. 10 meant to me! My father, William J. Williams n, died aeveral months before I was born and my n10tber barely spoke of him to me. His 1088 was a shock she never quite recovered from, even though she did remarry in 1948. Consequently, I have only some newspaper clippings, officials letten, a few pbotoa and keepsalces to remember my father by. Now I am trying to fill in the pps and your information concemina his time in England prior to his death on Oct. 29, 1942 has been most helpful. I would be especially ,rueful to any of your organiDtion•s memben who remember my father, and who could send me any information, anecdotes, etc. I have 2 ch.ild.ttn who should know more about their grandfather, especially my son who is in his mid 20s and is fast approaching the age my father was whea he was killed. The older my aon gets the more he favors my father, if old photos do not lie. Enclosed, please find my application for associate membership in the 2nd Air Division Association as well as 2 checb: $25 for membership and $10 for the BOFQE. The ..-.latter waa moat interestin& and I'm passinJ a copy alon1 to a nend who is vastly interested in the wwn air co_rps history. MARY W. SCHALLER 584S Parakeet Dr. Burlce, VA 22015 P.S. Amona the "keepsakes" in my possession is a set of 6 keys of various shapes and sizes which were returned with my father's personal effects. The key ring is a metal disc, with badly chipped daric green paint on which is inscribed "B 24 D 23721 #516. • My husband and I thought they might have been keys used aboard the ai_rplane, though, as you can see, the numbers are not quite the same. You indicated that my father's plane was numbered #41-23712. Do you have any idea what it is I have? Thank you. Ed: A previous ktter received from Mr.r. Schaller's husband, Martin, gives added informa1ion beww: Capt. William J. Williams II, Air Corps US Army, Serial number 023443 was the pilot of B24D 23721, side number 516, which crashed into a mountain due to poor visibility while returning from a mission. He was killed about 41h months before my wife was bom, so she has no personal memories of him. In addition to her surname, which was not changed when her mother remarried about S years later, she has only some old snapshots, insipia, and identification papen as keepsakes. Her mother did not speak of my wife's father. Her grandparents told her enough about him to make her want to know more. As her mother died several years ago, we now believe there is little chance of embarrassina anyone else by obtaining information about him, as my wife is his surviving next of kin. Any information would be welcome, but we are eapecially interested in personal recollections of him, possible name of his aircraft, decoratiou, missioo.s. etc. F:d: We haw already suppUed the Schalkn with i,iformatlon that the name of the plaM war Ready Teddy and the crash occu"ed al Porlodc Bay while patrolUng off the coast of ao111heast England. Lt. Lynn Rei.u wa.r piwt and Capt. WlUJam.r Co-pilot. All aboard were KIA. except Herbm P. 'Ihorpe, SSgt. 330th. Dear Paul, Enclosed is a check for my first year's donation for the BOFQE. I enjoy it very much and look forward to future ones. I joined the 93rd at Ft. Myers and went to Enaland with them in Sept. 1942. I flew 2S missions out of Hardwick and North Afric. includinJ Ploesti. I was on the Richard L. WiJkiDIOD crew and our plane was Link Lady (Teggie .Ann). We were interned in Turkey after the raid and spent 41h months there, then back to Hardwick, retuminJ to the U.S. in Sept. 1944. Thanks you and keep up the 1ood world Dear Paul, GRANVILLE E. MESEKE 121S Ponce de Leon Las Vegas, NV 89123 In regard to the photo of the B24 with •rn Loving Memory of R.J.D. Johnson• painted on it, I can pus OD the ltory I heard when I arrived at Hardwick on Apr. 1S, 1944. Capt. Job.naon WU the 330th B.S. Ops. Officer, and 10me time earlier he bad run off the end of the runway upon landing and ended up in a ditch. The Squadron Commander, a buddy of 1ohnson'a, bad the sian painted OD the wrecked plane as a joke. He certainly wasn•t shipped out as a result of the accident because he wu still Ops. Officer for some time after my - arrival. 13 Another story aboutR.J.D. Johnson concerned a crash on the field at Hard.wick. He and the Squadron Commander, whose

EXPRESS AIR MAJL DELIVERED BY B.O.F. name escapes me, roomed together and they rushed out to the crashed plane to attempt to rescue crewmen. Johnson came back with his "pinks" ruined and the Squadron Commander was laughing at him until Johnson mentioned that he was wearing the Squadron Commander's pants. A couple of reunions ago in Norwich, I was talking to one of the locals (probably David Woodrow) and he described something I asked about as being •over by Johnson's ditch.• He had no idea where the name originated, but we speculated that it came from Johnson's accident. I suspect that I'm the only 93rd pilot who got DFCs 24 years apart. After the one at Hardwick, I picked up 2 more in Vietnam flying C130s. Dear Paul, TOM PARRY 27 Mt. Tom Ave. Holyoke, MA 01040 Your last issue of the BOFQE was delivered the same day I went in for multiple bypass surgery. After surgery I had 3 setbacks, so I am just now getting around to answering your question aboutR.J.D. Johnson's memorial (page 5 Winter 1993 issue). Once again, you've rung my bell. That happened to be the pilot of the crew I went overseas with and flew about 20 missions with. Some were killed, some wounded and some retired. I finished my tour with another crew. The crash mentioned, y~ I was aboard and the version you heard was not true. I was in the waist of the plane so I wasn't sure what had happened until the Radio Op. filled me in. We were coming in for a normal landing, and about the time our wheels touched down another plane somewhere behind us was shooting red flares, unknown to us. We had a navigator, a great friends of Johnson's, who always managed to wedge his big rear in the door to the pilots compartment, yacking his head off at the pilot. There we were rolling happily down the strip. Evidently, Johnson was more interested in the yacking than landing, when suddenly be realized the tower was giving him a red flare, not a light. Johnson automatically jammed the throttles wide open, intending to get us off the ground. We had picked up some speed when the co-pilot (Lt. Leigh Owens), who had been aware of the whole thing, reached over, closed the throttles and sat down on the brakes. WEIL!!! We skidded the remainder of the runway across the infield, blasted through the hedge row, jumps a ditch (which pretty well stripped our landing gear); then for an eternity we went slithering, screeching and grinding across that field. I thought we would never stop, expecting an explosion at any time. When we finally stopped, we all hit the ground running like jackrabbits. Not one soul was hurt in any way, but I firmly believe had not Lt. Owens acted when he did, very likely all of us would have been killed. I also believe the tower gave the flare too late, then also Johnson's reactions were wrong. He also should have ordered the navigator off the flight deck during the takeoff and landings. That's the way the radio op. told it to me. All I saw was what I thought was a late flare from the tower. So, Johnson was at fault but there was more than one mistake made that day. Johnson was not a pilot who confided very much with his crew, so I don't know what be reported to Operations. Don't be too quick to condemn him. He happened to be the same pilot who brought us back from Kiel with 2 engines shot out and the third with an uncontrollable prop and supetcharger. Every few minutes that B24 tried to spin out into that ioo-cold North Sea. I-and I'm sure the rest of the crew-thought we 14 were finished. But by pure brute strength Johnson and Owens brought that plane all the way baclc to Hardwick. and landed (in one piece). This also is the pilot of the lead plane on the first Berlin raid. He is the same pilot who, on a practice mission over England, made a complete fool of a Bl7 by flying circles around him on 2 engines. He played with him like a cat would a mouse. Then, still on 2 engines, ran off from him. I didn't much like him but he was the best pilot I ever flew with! Back to the crash. We had that plane only a short time. It was duly dubbed Fat Stuff. I'm sure the navigator named it after his wife who was pregnant. The name had not been painted on as yet. This accident was the first part of Dec. 1943. Names of the crew follow. rd be grateful if any of these men could be located. rve tried before and have found one: Michael Mullaney, 77, and pretty fuzzy about these things. Pilot R.J.D. Johnson, Co-Pilot Leigh Owens, Navigator I anman (first name unknown), Bombardier, Shmitz (first name unknown) Engineer TSgt. Tbchuk (KIA), Radio Op. TSgt. Stanley Jacewitz, T. Gun SSgt. ManuelBarroa, W. Gun. SSgt. Mike Mullaney, W. Gun SSgt. Jerry Klaus, N. Gun SS,t. John Mosier. Johnson had made Major when I left the ETO in Jul. 1944. Dear Paul, JOHN M. MOSIER 403 Crane St. Flat River, MO 63601 My cousin, Helen Louise McDonald Brannan, and her husband, •Chip• Charles, are both 93rd but are not members of the 2nd A.D., so I am sure that you did not have an address to send them a copy of the BOF(lE, so I am sending yo~ another donation and hope you will aead tbem a copy of a! issues and others as they are printed. I was the first American Red Cross girl at Hardwick in Mar. • 1943 and established the first club in that area. Helen Louise joined me in May 1943 and other girls followed, so that we had quite a staff to service the club. Helen and Chip were married in May 1944 in the chapel at Topcroft. Anyway, I am sure they will enjoy your excellent newsletter. Long may it go on! DOROTHY McDONALD HARRISON 817 Huntington Rd. Louisville, KY 40207 Ed: The Brannans ha11t: sent a dcnation and good wisha from an •old adjutant.• Their address is 1166 Crestwood Dr., RJe. 1, Fayetteville, AR 72701. Dear Paul, I would like your assistance in finding out more information about the 330th B.S., 93rd B.G.(H) and my father who was killed in Normandy on Jun 13, 1944. I have contacted several Veterans Affairs Offices without much success. In 1957, at the age of 17, I found out the name of my biological father after receiving my birth certificate. At that time, the only information I was able to obtain was that my father was lcilled in WWII. In 1991, my daughter started researching genealogical recorda looking for any information on my father. After 2 years of research she obtained his birth certificate. With this information she obtained his aerviCl""""""I.. number and enlistment information. In desperatioo afte 'l writing/calling numerous Veterans Affairs Offices, I contacted the American Cemeteries Overseas Office. They provided me with most of the information below:

EXPRESS AIR MAIL DELIVERED BY B.O.F. Name: DOB: r-1.ranch of Service: Jervice No.: William Earl Austin Aug. 22, 1909 U.S. Army 39019202 Date of Enlistment: Feb. 121942 Place of Enlistment: Ser. Unit 1959thRet., Cen. Rec. MacArthur, CA Service Unit: Awards: 330th Bomb Squadron 93rd Bomb Group - Heavy 3 Air Metals, Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart H you know of any books I might read or have any names, addresses or telephone numbers of people I might contact, it would be very helpful. Through my persistence and your assistance, I hope we can locate information prior to the 50th anniversary of his death. SKERRY L. COLLAR 279 Corvallis Rd. Corvallis, MT 59828 Ed: ChaplainJamu A. Burris' records,forareason unknown, listed 2 crews being lost as one on the Jun. 13, 1944 mission to Tulon, allfrom the 330th a.r shown below. Apparemly Cool, Rudy, Sornsin, Pelczar, Hines and Matloclcwere the survivors as all the other 13 are listed on the RoU of Honor at the 2nd A.D. Library in Norwich. We are happy to report that Dan Matlock is a member and livu at 1499 Lockwood, Stephenville, TX 76401. John Hines, according to Dan Matlock, survived and has been in touch with him,· also with Thomas Sornsin, who died in 1976. Does anyo-ne have any iriformation on Albert -<".ool, John Rudy or Mathew Pelcvu? Jt Lt. Albert B. Cool Sgt. Carl W. Lewis F/O 'lhe.odore (NM]) Juraschelc TSgt. John J. Merlino 2nd Lt. John F. Syke.s SSgt. Matthew R. Pelcyu 2nd Lt. T. V. McCorkk Sgt. John J. Bina 2nd Lt. David Mahoney Sgt. Glffln ...t. Creasey 2nd Lt. Vern C. Brown Sgt. Daniel V. Matloclc 2nd Lt. John R. Hoffman Sgt. Eldon B. Pickett SSgt. James F. Bundy SSgt. William C. Kraft SSgt. Thomas C. Sornsin Sgt. William E. Austin SSgt. John R. Rudy Dear Paul, Please continue to send the BOFQE to John Ker]er. John was one of the pilots who participated in •Libs Go In Low• on Mar. 24, 194S. AB a result of a cardiac ~ on Aug. 12, 1992, John suffers from a memoiy loss, but when he read that article in your last cpwtcdy regarding that mission his face lit up li1ce a Christmas t:fee, as all the old memories came ftooding baclc. Continued succesa on your endeavor. Dear Paul, MRS. JOHN KERI.ER 2308 Hale Dr. W. Burlingame, CA 94010 I'll be there for the first time in May at Kansas City. Where aie the other medics? I was in the 330th medical detachment. BOB CALKINS , 3900 N Stable Ct., ll2CYJ. Peoria, ll.. 61614 P.S. Had your shots? 15 Dear Paul, I new 9 missions, including Ploesti, on Euroclydon ('Ihe Storm). Lt. Enoch M. Porter Jr. was our pilot. He and crew members Joe Boswell, Jesse Franks, Frank Ferrel, Bernard Lucas and Earl Frost, along with an extra pilot, Howard Dickson and our gunnery officer John Minogue all were KIA on the famous Aug. 1, 1943 raid on the lhnnaoian oil refineries. Jamea Vest, Raymond Warner and myself bailed out and we all became POW. Jesse Franks bailed out also but his chute did not open. Dear Paul, CHARLES A. REED 76-34 268th St. New Hyde Park, NY 11040 According to my information, Bill Spong, who served one term in Congress as U.S. Senator from Virginia in the early 60s, is the person pointin& out the 30 missions on Miss Take. Below, see the farewell party at Hardwick meu ball of the 329th and possibly other groups. I would lib to hear from anyone who recopjzea himself. My job was radar technician. :' -. ? .,, ( Dear Paul, JOHN R. BROWN 7127 Gnmd Ave. Pittsburg, PA 15225-1039 -. •. ~ • ·~ ~ $ 1 ~· ., , ; .... .. : ! ; ' ,, ,.. I ,; t , I ~-It ,I" " -. " ' At the moment I am putting together a very special Glenn Miller display for the lmperi-1 War Museum at the Old Duxford Airfield near Cambridge. This display will be included in the American Air Museum when it is built. I have been trying to put together a photo collection of all the British concerts performed by Glenn Miller at all the bases in 1944. The one at Hardwick on Sept. 12, 1944 is one of the concerts that has never turned up. We do know it was in the north hangar, but nothing else has ever come to liJht. Please, can you and the Bomb Group help? We really would like to include Hardwick in the photo histoiy we are trying to piece together. CHRISTOPHER BERNARD WAY 406 Brockles Mead r Great Pamdon Harlow, Essex CM19 4QQ England

THE BENHAM ESrATE, BECCLES, SUFFOLK - USAAF TRAGEDY AT BENHAM, MAil. 29, 1944 The Henham Estate will mark: the 50th Anniversary ot this tragic loss of life. A short ceremony on Mac 29, 1994 at 10:30 am will dedicate a site in Henham Pack near the site where 2 B24s from the 93rd B.G. crashed. Later in the year a memorial stone will be unveiled on this site in the presence of USAAF veterans visiting this area. All those who remember this tragedy or who wish to~ pay respects will be welcomed by: Rev. Miles Copley, Mr. Gordon Reynolds, and Meriel Laverack (on behalf of Lord and Lad, Stradbroke). Please enter from the Beccles Road entrance, preferably before 10: 30 am, and follow the signs. Small bunches of English spring flowers from your garden would be a welcome and fitting tribute. Please relay this invitation to absent friends. ALL WELCOME Ed: Sixteen men from tlu! crews of Robert L. Fetrich and Chester D. Makinster lost tlu!ir lives that day. There were 2 survivors, James Scanlon and Alben Blood. The above notice was posted in local shops, villages and churcha. The ceremony was timed to span the exact time of the crash at 10:45 am at which time a moment of silence was observed. The organizers of this event, who are listed above, ask, "Please, if I know anyone from tlu! 93rd coming over this summer who might be persuaded to attend tlu! actual unveiling of the stone, please let us lu!ar from them so that we can establish a date later in the summer. We can help with accommodalion.r and hospitality. • The address is: Meriel Laverack, The Henham Estate, Beccles, Suffolk, NR34 BAN, England. Those lost that day besides LI. McFetrich and LI. Makinster were: ' , tlllil Name of Aircraft Unknown 2nd Lt. Harry (NMI) Cassell, Jr. 2nd Lt. William H. Lowery SSgt. Clifford E. White SSgt. Carl J. Mead Sgt. Orland J. Watson Sgt. William R. Bloom 2nd Lt. Robert M. Trask 2nd Lt. Robert J. Poe 2nd Lt. Earl L. Norris Ssgt. Hennan B. Larson Sgt. William J. Franke Sgt. Stephen (NMI) Remias Sgt. Steve T. Klovis SSgt. Thomas 0. Byrd (L-R Topi Glenn Meador, Pilot, Louisville, KY; Radar Operator (Unknown); Andy Lavender, Navigator, TX; Navigator (cannot recaU namel; Joe Dandero, Bombardier. Flint, Ml; Charles Loading, Co-Pilot, Ambridge. PA (L-R Bottom) Roger Saylore. Tail Gunner, Swayzee, IN; Dale NuH, Noae Gunner, Tulaa, OK; Robert Roeaiter, Engineer, Ottawa. IL; John Hurd, Waist Gunner, Dublin, OH; Radio Operator (Unknown) 1he Bal.l of Fire Quanerly Express Paul R. Steichen, Editor 2227 A Ruhland Avenue Redondo Beach, CA 90278-2401 93rd BOMB GROUP FIRST CLASS MAIL CALVTN DAVTDSON 93RD 4B973 Pl .ATE rm OBl:::RLIN OH 440/-4 ti

BALL OF FIRE OVER VILLAGE OF HEMPNALL. TWO MILES NORTH OF RUNWAY 19 IffilhlLlL (Q)IF lFIIffiJE ~ID.ihlRtlrJEJElL W lEIDFJEJE§§ Newsletter of the 93rd Bomb Group 2nd Air Division, 8th Air Force, Hardwick, England Vol. 2, No. 2 Summer, 1994 President, Editor Paul R. Steichen 2227A Ruhland Avenue Redondo Beach, CA 90278 (310) 214-1618 Vice President, Membership Floyd H. Mabee Chairman, Historical Board Alfred Asch 28 Hillside A venue Dover, NJ 07801 (201} 366-5916 6205 Meadow Court Rockville, MD 20852 CHILDREN WATCHED 93rd MAKE WAR by Tony Grey Back during our war (1941-45), we were, overall, quite 1 security conscious. A breach of security could invite (via air) ~ deadly intruders or result in concerted enemy action on a ( • sston 1f our destination (the target) was known beforehand. A combat crewmen had to pass through a security screen before gaining access to the briefing hut. And a curtain always covered the big mission route map from Hardwick airdrome to some point in Nazi-held Europe, covered until the moment crew briefing began. It was traditional, and perhaps also a point of etiquette, that ground crew members didn't ask fliers where they were going on a mission. The only wish of the ground crew was that the crew got thero-and back-safely. Then a ground man-most frequently the aircraft crew chief-might ask: "Where was it and how bad was it?" Still, intent as we all were in accomplishing individual ground and flying chores, as part of making war on Germany-and on the Luftwaffo-we were constantly being observed by others. By non-participants, that is. Not so much by adult English people: they were too polite, generally, to give us more than occasional brief glances. But we were often closely observed by the children. They were, seemingly, innocent enough of the magnitude of all that was transpiring around them. Thus, the children could, without embarrassment, gaze intently at ground activity for long minutes-and even hours-as work at making the air war proceeded day by day. Such observation was particularly easy during the very long daylight hours of summer in England. The children were out of school. The weather was mild, even (sometimes) quite balmy. We may have been unaware of it at the time, but most war airfields were built on what had been good farmland. A little w- this had been-for many productive centuries-crop and .:;&ture land. Whenever possible, while the airfields took operational shape, most of the people remained, without relocation. Some English citizens thus lived in extremely close 1 proximity to the 8th A.F. operations. Sometimes watching us was a simple matter of just looking over the backyard fence. From that vantage point, the local citizens could easily observe a variety of activities. These included seemingly never-ending maintenance work on aircraft, the loading of bombs at the dump and transport to the planes and much more. Contrary to what we, who were making the war, may have thought, the children watching us would retain indelible impressions of that time and they would have clear memories of what they remembered for upwards of half a century and more. All this is pointed up by a letter written in the summer of 1990 by an Englishman who had been a 15-year-old boy in 1944. He well remembers watching activities of the 93rd B.G. Today, John W. Archer lives inEarsham, Bungay, England. On a trip to the area several years ago, the 93rd's current president, Paul Steichen, met Archer. In later correspondence, Steichen supplied Archer with the address of the last 93rd (combat) commander, Theeman D. Brown. Now retired from the U.S. Air Force and living in Melbourne, FL, Brown, in due course, received a letter from Archer. Thus began an exchange of letters, and these form the basis for this article. Archer wrote that he had done all of his 1942-45 observations from "over the perimeter fence,• and added, "I have never forgotten those anxious days." He still rides his bicycle around what he calls the "old haunts. " He reflects that "you can still feel [in] the atmosphere that something very momentous took place within [these] fields and meadows." In his first (Jul. 1990) letter to Col. Brown, Archer noted that "several landmarks remain" and that "a fine memorial is erected in front of Col. Ted Timberlake's old living quarters." That, in time, became Col. Brown's residence when he moved up from 409th Squadron Commander to become 93rd Group Commander. As might be expected, nearly half a century later there have been a lot of changes at the one-time 93rd field and environs. Archer notes, for example, "chickens caclcle and

scratch in the oJd dining halls.• The interest in the 93rd which Archer acquired as a boy was destined to live on. Wrote be: "Over the years I have continued my keen interest in the history of the famed 93rd Bomb Group.• In later years, he began to put together what he calls a "memorial scrapbook.• This mainly includes "items relating lo the 93rd's stay at Hardwick.• In that connection, Archer asked Col. Brown for a small item relating to the 93rd. In response, Archer received from Col. Brown a large (20"x24") black & white aerial view-originally classified SECRET-of the Hardwick field as it looked in about 1944. Archer reported in a 1990 letter that he had been "trying to keep the spirit of the 93rd alive in these times" in the community which knew the role of the airfield in WWil. He noted that he had "made arrangements for the 93rd memorial (marker) to be manufactured and erected.• Archer said he was "very pleased and felt proud to be able to do this smal) service for the present day veterans of the group. • In response to Archer's initial letter, Col. Brown asked, "Were you ever tempted to hitch a ride on one of our trips over Germany?" Archer's answer contained a surprise: "No, I was never tempted. But I know of young lads like myself who did just that on training flights (or) slow timing engines, etc.• That somewhat unexpected admission raises a few questions: Could such "hitched" rides be done without the "cooperation" of ground crews and the men who flew the planes? Probably not, for in the case of all but low-level flights, there could be need for special clothing to ward off the cold (possibly even an electric suit). And if flights were to be at altitudes above 10,000 ft., the "hitch hiker• would need an oxygen mask tool Most probably the "hitched" rides were short, low-Jevel trips. We'll take Archer's word that Jocal civilian youths occasionally did get rides on non-combat flights. In the post "D • Day era, when -our invasion of.Europe was seeure and-we finally knew-for sure-we would win the war, non-combat flight operations at times became very routine. With _permission of the squadron (or group) commanding officer, a ground crew member was occasionally permitted to make a combat flight. Well remembered by this reporter is the single trip of one crew chief in the 409th B.S. This was in Jul. 1944 (while Col Brown was Squadron Commander). It was a lower level (13,000 ft.) strike with lots of close Luftwaffe flak. The B24 was hit by shrapnel a number of times. The crew chief, M/Sgt. Woodrow ("Woody") Haines, clearly much frightened by the experience, said, upon landing, "Never, never again!" The aerial view photo of the Hardwick airfield from Col. Brown was warmly received by Atcher. In a Sept. 1990 "thank you• letter to Col. Brown, Archer commented that the big photo had been subjected to a section-by-section magnifying glass study. Reported Archer, "[I] well remember the different sites and buildings and, indeed, the [entire] local area.• "Sadly,• Archer continued, "Jots of the trees have disappeared over the years.• He noted that the buildings in the commanding officer's compound were currently used to house farm implements and chickens. "The old squash court is now used for grain storage.• Archer concluded by again thanking Col. Brown for the aerial view of the Hardwick Airfield and wrote, "l will treasure it always.• Ed: This anic/.e is a re.sub of the collaboration between Col. Brown and Tony Grey, flight engineer on the Lt. Raymond 0. Schnell crew who flew a 31-mission tour Apr . .JuL 1944. Grey, a journalist since 1946, is now semi-retired and Uves in Dearborn, MI. Col. Brown was-in early 1994-named CO of the 409th B. S. Later, he became 93rd Group Command.er. Col. Brown retired from the Air Force in 1968. 2 DEDICATION "180th AIR NATIONAL GUARD, BAKER BUR,DING" TOLEDO, omo -AUG. 20-21, 1994 Those who served in the 93rd B.G. and Army Air Corps are cordially invited to Toledo, OH for dedication of the •u. Col. , Addison E. Baker Building" on Aug. 20-21, 1994. The Medal-of Honor recipient will be honored by the Ohio National Guard, from which he was mobilized to active duty in 1941, and the 93rd B.G. Assoc. which has been actively involved in promoting this all-important tribute to one of our own. Schedule of activities for the tribute to Lt. Col. Baker: Saturday, Aug. 20 • 8:00 pm to 1 :00 am Dancing Under th11 StBfS with the big band sound of the Johnny Knorr Orchestra at Centennial Terrace, the largest outdoor dance floor in the country. A spacial tribute will be paid to members of the Army Air Corpe in attendance. Spacial rates also apply: $8.00 per person. Sunday, Aug. 21 • 10:00 am Tribut11 to Addi$On Bahr end dedication of the building and the memorial display. Following the caramoniaa, veterans and VIPa will be invited to stay for a brunch and a tour of the Toledo Air National Guard Basa. Ohio Governor, George Voinovich, will attend and Brig. Gan. (rat) John Brooks has agreed to be the speaker. The 55th A.F. Band is also 1cheduled. Special arrangements have been made for accommodations at tho Fairfield Inn by Marriott, Holland, OH (800) 321·2211; Red Roof Inn, 1-475 & Airport Hwy. (800) 874-9000; Clarion Inn, Secor & 1-475 (419) 475-3324: and the Holiday Inn, Reynold• Rd., Toledo (800) 323-6708. Blocks of room, have bean reserved. Please mention the 180th Air National Guard Bsk11r Building. London Mitchell, Technical Sergeant, Public Affairs Office, 180th Fighter Group, Ohio National Guard, is putting together this special program and collecting personal tributes from those who knew Baker. He has received many from the 93rd inclwfurg-CoJ. fred Asch, Maj. Bilis Fullwiller, Dl":"t.S Bird, Capt. Lew Brown, Gen. John BrooJcs and Violes Flanu)\ all friends of the honoree. London has also assembled photostats of the affidavits filed by those who went on the Ploesti Mission, describing Lt. Col Baker's actions and supporting his nomination for the Medal of Honor. Anyone who cannot attend but would lilce a copy of the program should send a letter to London's home address: 3304 Darlington Rd., Toledo, OH 43606. Home phone: (419) 537-0390; Business phone (weekdays): (419) 248-3585. fr Lt. Col. Addillon E. Baker Conor-nional Medal of Honor Winner

93rd COMMITTEE LT. COL. ADDISON BAKER MEMORIAL Al Asch, Richland, Ml Coordinator (616) 629-4056 Tohn Brooks, Newaygo, MI Dedication Speaker (616) 652-6385 Valeria L. Chambers, A.M. Dayton, OH William Doerner Sagamore Hills, OH Richard Glauner N. Ridgeville, OH Cal Davidson Oberlin, OH Ellis Fullwiller Hilliard, OH Kurt Hams Bryan, OH LR. Hillebrand Toledo, OH Warren Long Defiance, OH Donald Morrison, A.M. Clinton, OH Victor Pegg Brighto~ MI George Tachuk, A.M. Rocky River, OH Robert Trapp Mayfield, OH Seymour Weissman Monroe, MI For additional information, we suggest you contact Sgt. London Mitchell, telephone listed above, or any of the 93rd members of committee. Phillip M. Fairchild Charles A. Gaudet Eugene A. Flint FOLDED WINGS Morgan K. Harm Jack G. Parrish EARLY HISI'ORY -BALL OF FIRE by Harold Secor Here are 2 photos of Ball of Fire, one taken at Manchester, NH just befoie we few the Atlantic. I'm the Sgt. next to the plane that flew only l mission and was so badly damaged that it was not used in combat after that. Our new plane was called Ball of Fire Jr., and that is the one that flew during the life time with the 328th B.S. This photo was taken in Jan. 1943 after we had flown. it 25 missions. I was taken prisoner at that time and spent over 2 years in some of BlllofRre Harold Seco, the best jails in Europe. The original ciew was Tate, pilot; Asch, co-pilot; Secor, radio operator; Moses, engineer; Hawkins, navigator; Hugh, bombardier; Booker and South, waist gunners; and Crandall, tail gunner. As far as I know , there are 4 of us left out of the original crew: Asch, Booker, 1tuff and myself. 3 NEW MEMBERS Fn:d E. Anderson Edwin B. Appleman Morton R. Ashton Leo B. Bates Clement S. Bertolino Valeria Collar, AM Keith R. Davidson, AM Geraldine Gama, AM Norman G. Gould Basil E. Guynn Bonnie F. Hall Samual F. Hall Norman C. Hansen Charles L. Hillman, AM H. Reid Johnston Ben Kuroki Dale E. Mclaughlin Wayne Moeller Desmond Mulligan Orville S. Myers Edward R. Perrin Dominic Rigano Ralph Sanderson George W. Scorey, A.M. Raymond A. Thon Mary Ann Warner, AM, Felice Zerella Pt. Charlotte, FL Tucson, AZ Corydon, IN Bay City, MI Belton, MO Corvalis, MT Grayson, GA San Jose, CA Hastings, MN Melbourne, FL Salisbury, NC Bethel Park. PA Needham, MA Harrisburg, PA Davidson,NC,FL Ojai, CA Minburn, IA Garretson, SD Upper Black Eddy, PA Panora, IA Newport Richey, FL Mamaroneck, NY Warsaw, IN Hixson, TN Kalispell, MT Centerville, OH Vineland, NJ The fellow on the barrel (below) is MSgt Alan Settle. He was a marvel at fixing up the old ship and patching holes in it until it was shot down Apr. 16, 1943 over B.rest, France. Some people can remember the 93rd. but it didn't make the news that Memphis &lk did. Most everyone th.at survived up until Apr. 1943 had finished 25 or more missions by then. IIMI of Rr• Jr. MSgt Alan Settle

,I:-HARDWICK AIRFIELD (Top left) Bomb Dump, (top right) Topcroft Village, home of •swan Pub.~ (Just below) and to the west. WAAF Site I & II, living quarters for flying offteers; (bottom right) Site I. To the Jeft of Site I is communal site, and just west is Side Quarters and M.T. yard, in that order. Just above Sick Quarters, turn to the right and you see the best preserved are1 of the base. It includes mess hall, the water-filled pool (with water still in it) into whkh crewmen finishing missions were thrown, the cottage of the Base Commander (now being remodeled by Stuart Woodrow, son of David It Jean Woodrow). The 93rd Memorial Stone is just in front of Stuart's new home. To re.Jcfl David & Jean's home, 90 south out of Topcroft Villlls,e, tum ,.ft at th# ,.,_..fld end and It's the first house on the '91t

93rd BOMB GROUP ANNUAL :MEETING KANSAS CITY, MO -MAY 29, 1994 Our annual meeting was held at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center as part of the activities at the 2nd A.D. ~~ convention May 28-30. Attendance th.is year at the_ DlVl~on meeting was down considerably due to many facto~ mclwling a conflict of scheduling, closeness to the 1993 HiUon Head meeting and to the 2nd A.D. Midwest Regional at Dayton, OH. The 535 who did attend agreed that facilities, progr:am. food, etc. were all first class. The 93rd contingent of 73 persons proved to be the highest representation from any group. Our hospitality suite, DWl!1ed by Vice President for Membership, Floyd Mabee, and his 2 talented veteran assistants, Joe Beach and Henry Betz, was constantly busy from early morning until late night. Most popular items were 2 copies of the shortly to be completed text of Ted's Travelling Circus. The author, Cal Stewart was on hand and encouraged all to review the text and make ~rrections and suggestions. We were all fascinated by the quality and depth of the material and photo content, and now anxiously await the time of printing. . Also of great interest was a 20"x23 • map of Hardwick base donated to the group a few weeks ago by our last Commanding Officer, Col. Therman D. Brown. We had it displayed on a large table where many could gather around and ~xchange ideas as to the various areas of the base, where they bved, and areas discovered after an absence of so many years (a reduced copy of this map is shown on page 4 of this issue). Our own Tommy Hernandez won Low Gross at the Division golf outing. Sorry to say that one of the 93rd golfers, George McNulty found the going a little tough, resulting in a heart attack in his hotel room the next mominai. He was taken to a (local hospital. Moe Gozonsky, one of George's crew mates, as .veil as other friends, kept track of his progress and reported to us that he was getting along fine but would have to stay in the hospital for a few more days. Dutch Borcherding not only spiced up the affair with an ample supply of his 2nd A.D .. magnets, but saw to it ~t thf: hospitality room was fitted wtth a case of the best M1ssoun wine available. Bob Calkins, now an attorney in Peoria, 1L, but at Hardwick a medic, had a crusade in progress to find another medic: to visit with while at the convention. It was a successful search as he ended up finding 2. Floyd Mabee, generously at the last minute, agreed to chair the . annual meeting as Bob &. Betty Calk1ne my ticker acted up a little that morning. Floyd, I am told, did an excellent job. Fred Strombom gave his report on the printed membership roster, Floyd filled us in on the status of present ~mbership figures (as you will see, elsewhere in this issue, we _ secured 27 new members since the last issue of the BOF(lE). A financial report was read and the latest word on the Addison Baker Memorial at Toledo, OH, Aug. 20, 1994 was presented. s All members who attended were called upon to introduce themselves. Cal Stewart gave us an up-to-date report on Ted's Travelling Circus. Last non event on the program was naming yours truly as President of the 93rd Association for the upcoming year, ending with the next annual meeting at Lexington, KY, Jul. 2-4, 1995. Those in attendance from the 93rd were: Beach, Joe Mabee, Floyd & Dot Belwood, Jim Macks, Morton Borcherding, Dutch Meyers, Paul & Janet Brown, Lew Moran, Homer & Dotty Brown, Bill & Virginia Nisbet, Howard & Jan Betz, Remy Orient, Bill Calkins, Bob & Betty Rhoades, Ray & Mary Davidson, Cal Roure, Dan &Hunt, Eileen Everhart, George & Gloria Scbwarzgruber, Joe Furst, Martin Scott, Scotty & Letha Faucette, John & Carol Secor, Harold & Erma Gozonsky, Mo & E. Spencer, Don & Marylou Harwood, Paul & Nora Steichen, Paul & Marie Hernandez, Tommy & Cathy Stewart, Cal & Peggy Hoffman, Chuck & Yonnie Strombom, Fred & Inez Hontz, Mark & Barbara Taylor, Owen & Anne Hood, Paul & Martha Thompson, Dave Hurd, Jack & Pat Trousdale, Dick & Patsy Ketler, Jade & Midge Watten, Norm Lenhart, Burt & Carol Weiss, John McKeever, Bob & Mike Wright, Bob & Marge McNulty, George THE HIGH SPOT - MAY 4, 1944 The high spot at a recent opening of an aero club in England came when Brig. Gen. Edward J. Timberlake (third from the right), commander of a Liberator combat ~g, ~rved the "first cup" of coffee to the station's top-sconng aenal gunner, SSgt James R. Kelley, credited with 2 ~ 109s. L;en~g a hand on the serving ~ are former movie star MaJ. Junmy Stewart (extreme right) and Lt. Col Ramsay D. Potts. • f \ . Th• High Spot. May 4, 1944

EPILOGUE by Josepb D. (Dan) Roare (93rd) By VE-Day our crew had credit for 14 missions plus an additional one (bis orientation flight) for Chris and Ed, who'd gone as spare gunner with another crew for a napalm attack on the Wehnnacht holdout pockets in the Bordeaux area. We "career gunners" (considered by some a contradiction in terms) were now all staff sergeants. At Sioux Falls (SD), I elected to remain with the 93rd who were reforming at Pratt Army Air Field (KS). We had just begun to train in B29s for the Pacific theater when the atomic bombs were dropped at Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the war was over. Before being discharged at Mitchell Field (NY), !joined the Enlisted Reserve. I didn't really trust our erstwhile allies, the Soviets, and wanted to ensure having at least that "rocker" on my sleeve should we have later difficulties with them. There were several reserve units in and near my native New Y orlc City and I remained fairly active with them in civilian life. After the Air Force became a separate service, they offered reserve commissions to wartime first-three-graders. I applied, managed to survive the exams, meetings with the board and other requirements and pinned on gold bars in Feb. 1950, 2 moo tbs after my 28th birthday. At about that time the reserve squadron I belonged to needed a replacement for their adjutant. I was quickly appointed and remained with them in that capacity. It was obvious the unit would soon be recalled to active duty for the Korean conflict. When we were finally activated, I tried to find a flying specialty I might qualify for. I'd enjoyed military flying, but the gunner's wings I was wearing no longer put me "on status• nor did they earn flight pay. Consulting the training prospectus, I learned that 271/l was the maximum age limit for all ffight ratings, with one exception-something called "Electronic Countermeasures Officer"-mentionedno age requirements. As soon as we went on active duty I submitted my application for ECM school and some months later entered the year-long course at Keesler AFB (Biloxi, MS). After completion I was assigned to Kimpo AB in Korea and spent the next year as a 30-year-old "second-john" (my bar turned to silver a few weeks before my 31st birthday in 1952), flying with the 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, trying to pinpoint North Korean radar sites. Returning to the States, I bad several assignments with Strategic Air Command bombardment and reconnaissance units. Incidentally, it might interest you former waist-pnners to learn that those strips of foil "chaff" we used to slip tbrou&h the "mail-slot" just at\ of the left window are still an important part of our defense against enemy radars-but using somewhat more sophisticated dispensing systems. One of those assignments found me in a partial-pressure suit at 65,000 ft. flying over the North and Black Seas, investigating the quite formidable array of Soviet radars. Later it was the newest ("H") model of the B52 and I was again with the 93rd (at Castle AFB, CA)! At first, as a student crew member, I. was only on temponuy duty, but a few years later I returned with a permanent assignment as instructor and wing electronic warfare officer. Two tours in Southeast Asia-an administrative assignment at Tan Son Nhut AB (outside Saigon), followed by a third and final combat tour-101 radar suppression missions out of Takhli (Tbailand)-completed my active Air Force career in 1970. The Air Force allowed me to retire in England where my wife had gone to be near her family. We bought a lovely little 6 cottage in a village called Warsash-near the mouth of the River Hamble between Southampton and Portsmouth-in lower Hampshire. A year or so after we'd settled there our original next-door neighbor moved out and the new occupant was a retired major general of the British army (I believe bis 1lllDHI was Gleadel). One evening, over drinb, our conversation drifted to the war and we began to compare notes. I bad noticed that he often wore a necktie with its background the same odd shade of maroon as the "red berets" wom by the British paratroopers and other airborne forces, and emblawned with miniatures of Pegasu&:-their badge. Of course I told the general that I had flown out of England, adding, almost apologetically, that it bad been toward the end of the European conflict and we'd had onl1 14 missions. "But,• I continued, "a couple of them had been quite interesting and exciting, such as being rammed by a German fighter plane and dropping supplies during the Rhine crossing.• At the latter reference be brightened perceptibly: "Oh, really'! I was in a glider that day-bloody pilot landed us in the wrong place.• It appeared we did have something in common after all. "The place where we dropped our load was near Wesel, • I went on. I couldn't recall the name of our exact drop zone. "Wesel? Good God, that's where we were! Finally got where we should've been.• BITS AND PIECES OF PROP WASH Lee Rath, 7567 Vogels Way, Springfield, VA 22153, is seeking information about his father, also Lee Rath, who was co-pilot on Liberty lAss flown by lhe Thayer crew. A picture of the crew appeared on the cover of Life magazine on Jul 26 either 1943 or 1944. Lee Jr. was also m Air Force figb,ler pilot. Phone (800) 497-2689 .. •. Reunion - 8th AFBS, Oct. S-8, San Diego, CA Contact: Edward Kreppers, Box 7215, St. Paul, MN 55107, phone (800) 833-1942 ... Squadron Emblem Patches are again avatlable for all 4 squadrons. We had an increase in price from the supplier but are keeping our same low price of$4.75, and $3.75 for cap patch. Please send check to 93rd Bomb Group, 2227A Ruhland Ave., Redondo Beach, CA 90278 ... for a Current Membership Roster please send $5.00 to Fred Strombom, Box 646, Ogema, WI 54459. NEW NAVIGATOR OBSERVER. ASSOCIATION The newest of the veteran flyer organu.ati01U1, the Air Force Navigator Observer Association(AFNOA), takes its first major step Oct. 14, 1994 when it convenes for the purpose of donating and installing a plaque at Dayton's Air Force Museum. The plaque will honor "those fully serving, those who have fully served, and those who have fully sacrificed,• according to AssociationP_resident Thomas A. Martin. AFNOA was formed Oct. 4, 1993 in San Antonio, TX from a nucleus of The Ellington (Field) Navigators/Observer Association membership. The plaque donation ceremony will be held at the AF Museum at Wright-Patterson AFB, Dayton, OH, Oct. 14, 1994, 1:30 pm. For information about the ceremony, contact Bob McFarland, 1155 1ohn Elwood Dr., Centerville, OH 45459, phone (513) 434-5519. For membership info, contact Pete Karnoski, 1588 Sandinista Dr., Las Vegas, NV 89123· 1402, phone (702) 361-4983. President Thomas A. Martin can be reached at P.O. Box 1228, Roswell, NM 88202.

SUPPLY DROP TO THE TROOFS cur OFF JN THE NJJMEGEN/ARNHEIM/ EINDHOVEN AREA lly Carroll A. Benaer (3l8da D.S.) Following the invasion and reconquering of Fraru:e, there were a series of daring and generally successful moves by the Allied forces. However o~the paratroop drop around Nijmegen in Holland-did encounter more than anticipated resistance. In fact they were surrounded by German forces sufficiently strong to keep them bottled up and steadily drain them of food and ammunition. It became apparent that unless their supplies were .replenished they would perish or be forced to surrender. A decision was made to use B24s of the 2nd A.D. to para-drop various supplies to the troops. The 93rd B.G. was to put up 18 planes and I was selected to be one of the 18 pilots. To lighten the planes we went without guns or ammunition, minimum fuel and a skeleton crew, We did take a supply specialist to supervise the para-drop. One low-level practice mission was flown over East Anglia at 50 to 200 ft. above the terrain to familiarize the pilots with the problems of maintaining formation at low altitudes. The plan for the actual mission was to fly SO ft. above the terrain to avoid detection and therefore German gun fire. This was our third mission, Sept. 18, 1944. The group proceeded toward th~ mainland while descending in altitude and were at approximately 75 ft. above terrain crossing the coast. Flying that low, formation became virtually impossible so we continued essentially as individuals, feeling comfortable if we could see 1 or 2 other B24s-3 was a bonus. Needless to say, we flew lower and lower-often at 25 ft., and rarely above 50 ft. Church steeples, power lines and tall trees did present a r very real concern. The Dutch citizens, mostly women and girls, came out in the yards and streets in their brightly colored clothing, waving kerchiefs or bare bands as we passed over. At that altitude it was easy to distinguish the beautiful from the good looking and the young from the old. I thought they aU looked great because they were obviously cheering us on. At one point my special supply man called on the intercom and in an emotional voice said, • A little round hole just open up behind my knees and another about face high in front of me. • I asked if he was hurt and when be said no, I said "good.• End of conversation. I heard later from another crew that one man was busy waving at the girls when he saw a lone man in the street and decided to also wave at him. He then realized that the man was wearing a lllliform and had a machine gun on his shoulder-pointingup! We did receive one more bullet hole but it did not pass between any knees. I will never understand how our navigators did it, but we reached the drop zone almost dead center. n was a rather open field, 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile in diameter. I pulled up to the designated drop altitude of 500 feet, and while the crew in back was pushing out the cartons I gazed at a picture of war bomber pilots rarely see. There before me was the biggest collection of wrecked military hardware I had ever seen: unnumbered airplanes, German and Allied; dozens of gliders, several C47s and C46s, ME109s and, I believe, StllJcM; an unbelievable number of tanks, German and Allied; also trucks and jeeps. The one that really impressed me was a P47 in a 3-point r position, "nose and main gear" but other than the unusual position it appeared to be undamaged. As soon as the supply man said "last chute is out,• we dropped down as low as we dared and still turn. Since it was a right tum I told the co-pilot to take it and keep bis eye on 7 that right wing tip and that I would look ahead for problems. We proceeded back toward England without incident, still waving at the populace. Near the coastline and over the Channel we began to regroup into something resembling a formation. Radio silence was surprisingly good-too good. Approaching England I became rather annoyed at our leader since he was taking us too far south. Although we had enjoyed the mission I did want to go home to a hot shower. After displaying what I considered to be a lot of patience, I peeled off and left the formation. One other plane also peeled off, tacked onto my wing and together we beaded for Hardwick and the 93rd. Upon landing, I learned it was my friend Lt. Barton. During debriefing, Lt. Barton and I related all the fun we bad and what a "milk run" it was. NOT EVERYBODY AGREED WITH US. Of the 18 planes that took part, 1 was mi88Ulg, 1 ditched in the Channel, and the remaindei: landed or crash. landed at Woodbridge, the long wide emergency field in Southem England. All had their radios shot out, most had hydraulics shot out, some bad wounded and some had real serious problems. AB best I can remember the crew consisted of: Bemer, Pilot; Hagerman, Co-Pilot; von Weyerhause:n, Navigator, Rowley, Radio; Pacdoe, Engineer; Greenless, Knapp and the supply man in the waist. LH R. Stepp Crew Back row 11-rl: LN R. Stepp, pilot; Jack P. Waldrop, co-pilot; W.P. Hemeletki, bombardier; Eli (Steve} Sch-•, navigator, Wdliem S. Ken, engln-•gunner. Front row (J..rl: Jack Kltk, bal turret guMer: Roben Cunla Juatlce, radio operator; Rlchwd E. Blehoff, tall gunner; Gretton J. Gearon, right waiat gunner. Joe S. Collier, left waltt gunner.

"HELLO MILFOIL-TlllS IS WEE WILLIE" TM diary of Capt. Edward l. McGvln, Jr. 4090t B.S., 93nl B.G. "Base to target is Uncle Sam's time. Target to base, you're on your own!" -Col. Therman Brown, 93rd C.O. . . . continued from Spring issue Nervousness (or fear) affects men differently. Many are afflicted with a tremendous output of urine. I was a urinator first class! After briefing, ALWAYS a bowel movement in the latrine near the briefing room, where there was always a long line. No constipation among combat crews. Then the drying room where we dressed out for the mission before the trucks took us out to the hardstand. First urinate, th.en check the ship, then urinate, then wait, then urinate, then start engines. On the climb to forming altitude, 2 or 3 trips to the bomb bay were normal, sometimes more (as today). We were dressed so clumsily that the only place the flight deck personnel could urinate was on the bomb bay doors. On this particular trip, it was very cold and I was extremely active until we were well out over the North Sea en route to Cologne. F_inally I ran dry. We turned the IP and the lead opened its doors which was our signal to do the same. This day, however, our doors wouldn't open-frozen shut! The navigator started arguing that we would have to carry the bombs home because he couldn't get the doors open. I turned the ship over to Jr. (the co-pilot), drew my .45 pistol and cocked it and aimed it down towards the navigator. Over the intercom I yelled, "Yous- of ab-, I'll give you a slow count of 3 to drop those bombs through the doors or I'll shoot you and throw you ow with them!• Pause-utter quiet on the intercom-ONE! (pause) TWO! (pauae)-BARROOMI and the bombs went out right through the doors and, of couree, tore the doors loose in the process. I put the safety back on my pistol and rebolstered it and took over the ship again. A little while later, the lead called us and asked, "Gee, George, what happened to your bomb bay doors?• Before I could think of a suitable reply, my co-pilot mashed the button and blurted out, "The skipper pissed on the bomb bay doors and froze them shut!• Needless to say, when we got back: there was hell to pay. I was oalled up before the Squadron CO and the Engineering Office and took a real blistering. I said, "I'm sorry I've caused additional worlc. My crew and I will worlc with you and your men all night if necessary to make repairs, but I am not going to get over the target-after all the efforts and sacrifices of all those people that made it possibl1>-just to haul the bombs back because it might cause a little more work!• That was the end of that, but I went to Sqdn. Ops and told them, 'Don't you EVER post that man to fly with me again!" and they never did. Now, long years later, I think back to this and realize the extreme danger in which I placed my crew, ship and myself, but that was long ago and I was tough enough to do my duty as I saw it-and I did not tolerate reluctance on the part of my crew. When I said "GO,• they had better be moving. I am certainly thankful that the navigator carried out his orders: 3 more seconds he would have been dead and I court martialed! My Form 5 shows 3- and 4-hour flights on the 25th, 28th and 29th-probably recalls or aborts. At least one of these was scrubbed-the target, Frankfurt-and my comment oo the mission handout sheet was "should have been 116 11Crubbed, Thank God,• which conveys the general feelina. With worsening weather and flying the war wearies (remember the Colonel's remark), I bad to abort quite a few times. Sometimes the mission would be "scrubbed,• and this invariably happened g just after the wheels were tucked away after takeoff. This meant flying around for an hour or so, burning up gasoline to lighten the ship enough to land-very a1¥favating. So Leach, Jr. and I put our heads together and evolved a plan. These ships wero equipped with a gasoline transfer pump which was used to transfer gasolino from bomb bay tanks to the main , tanks. We bad no bomb bay tanks, of course, but we did have the transfer pump. Between us we fiaured out how to reverse the connections to pump gas from the main tanb-overboardl-through a 3 • or 4 • flexible hose. Just crack the bomb bay doors, stick the hose out a little ways, turn on the pump and. boy, did we ever get rid of gasoline! Also, at this ti.me, I began thinking about the drag created by wmdroiUing propellers. To make a long story short, on some recall or abort late that month or early next, we experimented with the pump first. It worked and after maybe half an hour we approached. the field to land. Of course the tower instructed, "Remain airborne until you have used more gas.• I just turned the radio off and landed. Again, all hell broke loose! I said to the Ops Officer, "Before you say too much, let's get the bowser and ace what she takes.• Sure enough, I had less gas than I woul.d have _bad after flying 2 hours. After we bad done this a few times, they would mutter, but that was all. I don't remember anyone being impressed by what we bad learned. Everybody else went on churning around for a couple of hours. Then I drilled Jr. and Leach on my slowing down idea. There came a day-and with a bit of trepidation-as soon as the main gear was fi.rmly on the runway I yelled, • All engines, idle cutoffl • The results were amazing: That ship slowed down like it had an anchor behind it. By cutting off aasoline to the engines we bad all propellers windmilling and bad a draJ area equal to the area of all four propellers. The real trick turned out to be putting all four engines back into full rich before they slowed too much, because it wa necessary to apply power to ~ clear the runway at the mid-point! All the rest of the group I continued. to roll the whole length of the runway, and bad. to stand on the brakes eyeo then in order to slow down to a controllable speed. It helped that, from Engineering and test flying, I firmly believed in touching down within 100 feet of the beginning of the runway-and very often with the tail turret still over the grass-10 that I didn't waste any runway. "Nothing is more worthle.ss than altitude over you or runway behind youI • Going back to Col. Brown's remade about having me fly the wearies. This caused me to have to abort quite a bit more than would be nonnally expected. Col. Brown moved up to Group C.O. and Lt. Col. Fant became Squadron C.O. He had not made the remade and probably didn't know about it but, naturally, the system went on and he aot irked about my aborting. So one day he called me in and told me that the next time I aborted he would court martial me. As luck would have it, tho very next day we took off and before we reached forming altitude, the waist called, "#3 is covered with foaming oil all over it• Sure enough, the engine was about twice its normal si.7.e. We imnwliately feathered. #3, turned on the transfer pump, returned to Milfoil and landed shortly after the last ship bad taken off. We taxied to the hardstand, shut off the engines and sat in the •horror hole" (coclcpit) and waited. Pretty soon, here come the jeeps, one after the other-Group Ops., Sqdn. Ops. and Sqdn. Eng. Bach one drove up, took one look and left. It turned out 113 propeller shaft was cracked two-thirds through . . . just a few seconds more might have taken the prop off and the engine, too, if we weren't on our toes. No more remarks about abortina-ever. ... to be continued nat iss~

EXPRESS AIR MAIL DELIVERED BY ».O.F. Dear Paul, Congratulations on the ereat job you and Floyd Mabee have done and are doing for the 93rd. In the 2 ADA Summer '93 ,,....... Journal you requested names of any ADA members whose names might have been omitted from the list of Ploesti participants. This is to advise that I was a member of the 328th B.S, 93rd B.G. and flew as co-pilot with pilot Rll88ell Longnecker on the Ploesti low-level raid of Aug. 1, 1943. It would be a great thrill to hear from any members of our crew with whom we shared that memorable day in B24 1hundennug. Keep up the good world Dear Paul, DONALD K. JONES 108 W. Harris St. Savannah, GA 31401 I wonder if you have seen the commercial debacle recemly shown on the boob-tube, •Memphis Belle?• I have the war-time VCR cassette, which was a no-nonsense documentary. But the Hollywood depravity was pure disgrace. From WWII, the troops were made out to be clowns and goof-balls, but happy-g~lucky in their work, which didn't faze me at the time, but in maturity with current discipline bein& a museum piece and knowing now of the numbers of the 8th men who paid the Big Price, I am between swearing and speechless at the garbage they put out as the Memphis Belk experience, the B17 type notwithstanding. I feel very sorry for the real Memphis Belle crew who must have cringed if they saw it. I have never beard of any 8th criticism publicly, but if I had my druthers I would wish all the WWII AAF associations would decry that uncalled £or and inadequate display. The indecency of it all just &rinds ,,.---. my guts. r Dear Paul, EDDIE RANGE 3033 Colony Parle Dr. Merced, CA 9S340 Enclosed is my contribution for the newsletter. The story and picture of the •King's Visit to Alconbury• brought back memories of the early days. The King may not have been upset, but from the story I heard, which may have been embellished, the Scotland Yard men rushed in with their guns drawn. I am an original member of the 93rd. I joined the Group at Barlcsdale in Mar. 1942 as Sqdrn. Armament Officer for the 328th. We enjoyed{?) the IIUDlJDet weather at Ft. Myers and the move to Camp Kilmer, NJ and the subsequent voyage on. the Queen Mary to Brenock, Scotland. The train ride down to Alconbury was eventful, with the train having to stop several times as the Jerries were out doing their thing. I particularly remember the mud at Alconbury, with 4 buckle overshoes being the uniform of the day. We moved to Hardwick that winter while the Air Echelon was in North Africa for 10 days of detached service, which turned into 3 months when they were transferred over to the desert to bomb targets in Italy. In 1944 I was transferred to the 491st as part of the group making up their ground echelon. I finished up the war in Europe with them and rel\lmed to the States in Jul. 1945 on Queen Elizabeth, alona with about 12,000 other guys. You are doine a good job with the newsletter and I hope there is enough mpport to keep it going. DONWIDTED 4117 E. 64th St. Tulsa, OK 64136 9 Dear Paul, I was on Jack Reynolds' crew, and on our first mission to Kiel, Jan. 4, 1944, we were hit by flak just after leaving the target. Only 3 of us were able to &et out and lived. One body was found near the plane with chute unopened. We think it was the radio operator. Tho crew chief Tom Adams, Jack Reynolds and I ]anded away from the plane and were picked up at once by German. soldiers. We took the usual trip to Frankfurt and Ihm to Stalag Luft l,at Barth by train. The rest of the crew was killed on the plane, from what the Germans told us. Dear Paul, ELDRED L. McELRATH 2904A Fowler Rd. Ceres, CA 9S307 Enclosed is my check for the BOFQ,£. It brings back: many memories. I was in the Armament Section of the 33th B.S. and with the 93rd from Barksdale Field until we came home on the planes in 1945. I was also on all 3 trips from England to North Africa and the M'tddle East as a skeleton ground crew team. Dear Paul, WILFORD (BUSTER} DUFOUR Box 397 Lakeside, MT S9922 I was a member of the 328th B.S., 93rd B.G. I went to radio school al Barksdale Field and then to Ft. Myers where I was assigned to the control tower and then to Alconbury, England, and finally to Hardwick until the end of WWII. I enjoy the writeup& in your BOFQ,£ and it brinas many memories back: to me from being there. Dear Paul, HAROLD E. WILLIAMS 119 E. 1st Ave. Everett, PA 1S537 Thank you for sending me the name of John Kelleher, who was in the 409th and made Ploesti with Lew Brown. I called him while in Hobe Sound, FL and went to dinner with him and his wife. John brought along another friend from the 409th, Fran Bousquet, and his wife. Both Harry and Fran were in Armament, Fran being head man there. Kelleher was not a gunner but somehow made the raid with Lew Brown. Madeleine enjoyed them very much and it was a great evening. Both Kelleher and Bousquet mentioned what a great job you are doing with the 93rd and l concurred. Dear Paul, BOB McKEBVER 329 Rosewood Winnetka. IL 60093 Just to thank you for sending me the newsletter of the 93rd. I read it and want to tell you that I wish our or1anization, the 56th Fighter Group, had something like it. We have a flyer which informs us of reunions and special events, but no stories like you put in your newsletter or what goea in the 2nd A.D. Journal. Bill Robertie did a Jteat job. Paul, all the best to you. MARTY STANTON 83 Humphrey Ave. Bayonne, NJ 07002

EXPRESS AIR MAll, DELIVERED BY B.O.F. Dear Paul, Enclosed is a list of some crew chiefs and mechanics of the 409th engineering section. The 5 marked names may not have current addresses, but the rest are current I have been sending Christmas cards for the past 47 years. It has been great hearing from them once a year, but it is getting very sad for the past few years, as so many of us are folding our wings. I was on detached service with the 389th as line chief along with Capt. Cecil Cogburn, who was acting engineering officer on that second trip to Africa and Benghazi for the Ploesti raid. I have enjoyed the 2nd A.D. Joumal throughout the years and believe I still have every issue. I am very excited about the BOFQE and wish you all the luck in your undertaking. I tallced to Bob McKeever on the phone the other day and he mentioned your acqUAintance. Enclosed is another donation to help keep the BOFQE airborne. ROBERT E. TRAPP 1239 E. Miner Rd. Mayfield Heights, OH 44124 CREW CHIEFS AND MECHANICS 409th B.S. Atkison, James 2135 Mower St. Newberry, SC 29108 Baranek, Joseph 4560 S. Regal Dr. New Berlin, WI 53151 Cogburn, Cecil 282 California Blvd. Fayetteville, AR 72701 Corrado, Frank l Minetta St. New York, NY 10012 Fox, George 40 White Oak Ln. Wayne, NJ 07470 Ferwerda, Art 12-32 Rosewood St. Fair Lawn, NJ 07410 Feichter, Harold 3218 Crescent Ave. Ft. Wayne, IN 46805 Garafalo, Matthew 1314 Hampton St. Scranton, PA 18504 Guynn, Basil 2820 Forest Run Dr. Melbourne, FL 32935 Giordano, Joe 8110 E. Williams Dr. Scottsdale, AZ 85255 Halker, Thomas 70 Ingrid Pl. Oldsmar, FL 34677 Kreidt, Eric 520 Waddill St. Henderson, NC 27536 McKeever, Robert 329 Rosewood Ave. Winnetka., IL 60093 Riggs, Kenneth 2204 Gracewood Dr. Greensboro, NC 27408 Schneider, Carl 2432 19th St. Rock Island, IL 61201 Swindler, John 6010 Marigny St. New Orleans, LA 70122 St. Jacques, Roy 5526 Nolda St. Houston, TX 77007 Trimble, Bernard 399 E. Bluemont St. Grafton, WV 26354 • 10 Tussey, Norman Wier, Raymond Woody, Carl Zearfoss, Sam S08 W. Cherry Enid, OK 73701 16 Woodfield Rd. Wellesley, MA 02181 372 Stinup Rd. Victoria, TX 77905 122 N. Railroad St. Annville, PA 17003 7.ak:, Joseph Dear Paul, 235 Webster Dr. Pittsburgh, PA 15235 Thank you for the Fall 1993 issue of the BOF(lE. I debated what the newsletter had to offer me. I have all I can do to keep up with the 2nd A.D. newsletter, DAV, VFW, 8th AFHS newsletter, EX-POW, Am. Legion, plus about 21 other publications. My sojourn with the 93rd B.G. lasted from early Jul. to Sept. 18, 1944 when I was a member of Larry Hewin's crew on Baggy Maggy. On our 6th mission we were shot down on "Operation Market Garden.• To learn about our mission I went to the books at the library. From the 2nd A.O. newsletter I did bear from others about this •fiasco.• I didn't have much time at Hardwick to get to know anyone except the Chaplain and Maj. Brown, C.O. 409th. Reading through this last issue I found a little insight as to the before and after the 93rd B. 0.; also of interest was the bit on Jerry Saa-e. I had the ple.asure of meeting Col. Sage at a POW gathering Jul. 1985 in Milwaukee. I have an autographed copy of his book, Sage. In Spring 1944, Sage, then. a major and a paratrooper, arrived at Stalag Luft 3 in Sagan, Poland. Since Sage came in with a group of airmen, no one suspected that be actually worked fo Bill Donovan's O.S.S. behind Rommel's lines in North Africa. We came to lcnow this big, rowdy football-playing Phi Beta Kappa from Washington State so well, played by Steve McQueen in the movie 1he Great Escape. I was a POW in Stalag VIll-C next to Luft 3. We were 5 airmen and 11 paratr09pers in with a couple of thousand British First Airborne from Arnhem (A Bridge Too Far). You will find that I have enclosed my check so that I may continue to .receive the BOFQ,E. Keep the camels out of your tents and follow the slip stream. Dear Paul, EUGENE H. SHABATURA 2833 Lake Ave., S Duluth, MN 55802 I received the BOFQE the other day and I must say I enjoy reading it and looking at the pictures. It brought back great memories. My wife and I and another couple went to England about 5 years ago. Through arrangements made by the 2nd A.O. with Tony North and David and Jean Woodrow, we were able to see the airfield. Their kindness and caring is something we will never forget. We are glad we went when we did, as our health never would have permitted it otherwise. I have been pretty much grounded since then, but we correspond with David and Jean. Our son joined as an Associate member. I hope things will be better and I will be able to put some things together about my experience with the 328th B.S. I served with Supply at HQ. ED STEPHENS 3 Main Terr. Perry, NY 14530

EXPRESS AIR MAIL DELIVERED BY B.O.F. Dear Paul, I just read your newsletter. Two subjects I know quite a bit r- abo~t: I flew on Ball of Fin o~ as a substitute for their engmeer; Frank: Lown was the pilot and it was Ball of Fire J.R. #4123874. It went down Apr. 16, 1943 over Brest along with 3 of our other planes: Liberty Lass, Frame Hodges, Pilot; Missouri s~, Beattie Fleener, Pilot; and Yartlbird, Lt. Packer Pilot. ' Most of my missioos-19 in all-were with Capt. Baker. Before him was Capt. George S. Brown. AB you know, he w~t all the way to the stars and beyond. Sgt. Komarek, our tail iunner, wu recommended for an Air Medal 3 times md fD.F.C. Don't know ifhe got them or not. I went overseas in Blasted E~nt with Brown, Sept. 6, 1942. I w~ one of the eogin~ that checlced out so many ,uya to be cngmeem at Badc.sdale Field before going overseas. My last mission was Apr. 16, 1943, the same one that Lt. Thad Hawkins went down on going to Brest. We went out over the North Sea a ways, then back again until we reached an altitude of 22,000 ft. I thought it was too low for us, but I had no say. Everyone said it was a milk run. We ran quiet for a Iona time, then we were hit by flak on the right wing behind #3 and she promptly ran away. We left formation only to be caught by MB-109s. We toolc a direct hit on wing behind #4 and took another on left win1 tip. The tail gunnec wu wounded badly as well as belly ,wmer, Bud Wurm. The bombs bad already been dropped before we left formation. About 6 Folke Wolfes pounced on us and jhot the hell out of our ahip. Suddenly they all left 118 at once. We were headed out to sea falling fast. I went back to give fint aid to Komarek: and Wurm. I gave each_ a shot of morphine to ease the pain, then I saw Sgt. Wolf with blood on his neck, but he said to look after the au as it wu pourina back into the waist. I went to see what I could do. One_fuel line was cut open, so I aot a 50 g~on ei:nP~Y and stuck m the rubber pipe, then. used bomb wue to tie it off. The battle over the Channel was awful. We shot down 3 fighters for certain and probably 4. We came acrou the ~aliab cout on a wina and a prayer, crash-landed at St. Eval, slid all the way acrou the field and hit portable runway (by the ,' way, we had no flaps, ailerons or rudder!) We all recommmded Packer for the D.F.C. A B17 came and picked WI up after leaving Sat. Komarek, Bud Wurm, and Sat. Wolf at the hospital there. A 20mm shell was found in bomb bay #37190946. I can still hear 113 run away! 11 HARRY L. AHLBORN 03560 Starboard I..n. B. Jordan, MI 49727 Ed: Capt. ~orge S. Brown, nwuioned above, closed hi.r brilliant career a.r Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Sta.ff, under 3 U.S. Presidents: Nix.on, Forti and Caner. Dear Paul, I received a letter from Ed. Wagner in Arkansas City, KS, enclosing an article fromHerr Christian Loop, Walddorferstra Ra 47, W2000 Hamburg 70, Germany to his Reaional Office, NSDAP at Lohr. Subject: Enemy Air Incursions. He jives details of a B24 42-100236 which hit Gotba Feb. 24, 1944. I take it you have corresponded with Herr Loop. ~ source of info~on is the record kept by Chaplain Bums of the 93rd, which states that only 1 plane was missing that day and it lists the whole crew, including myself. It also states that the whole crew is not listed on the Wall of the Missing, nor the Roll of Honor, nor do any belona to the 93rd B.G. Association. I was on another crew and took Ed Wagner's place that day when we were shot down. Aa I n,call, we were flyina tail end Charlie and I took the nose turret because U. Case did not like the ball turret to be down. We barely made it off the runway. In fact, U. Taylor, Bombardier, looked at me and said, "We're oot aoini to make it.• Everything was going fine for WI until we hit hea~y flak. I think we were probably hit as our plane was. bouncmg up and down. We continued with the rroup, making our tum at the IP and were still in formation when we dropped our bombs. It was then that everythina hit the fan. Taylor told me Jatec that flak had bunt ri,ht in the middle of our frag bombs just u they cleared the bomb bay, and p11~ces came baclc: up and hit our plane. When the group made their tum for home, our controls were aone and we could only go straight. Then a fighter came in on our tail and the tail gunner, Bland, was wounded. The fighter made another pass and our_waist gunner, Donover, wu shot up pretty bad. We were gomg down at about a 45 degree angle, with no control over the plane, but we did not 10 into a spin. Case gave the order to prepare to ba.iJ out and Taylor helped me from the nose tu.cm. I at down in the oose wheel door and waited for him to tell me to jump because be was on intercom and I wasn't. He motioned for me to 10 and I jumped with Taylor following. The Germana captured me u 800D u I hit the ground and took me to a amall mountain village where Taylor was later brou&ht in. Just before duk they took 118 out and down the street which wu only a few blocks lona. We turned the comer and headed for a group of trees about half a mile distant. About half way there Taylor looked at me and said, "If you haven't made your peace with God, you'd better do it now. We don't have long to live.• My reply was, •1 already have,• as we bad both come to the same conclusion. You can imagine our relief when we got to the trees and found a truck hidden there. We were taken to a camp of Polish laborers and placed in a room together. The next morning we were aaain loaded into a truck and taken to another camp. There, we were placed in 10litary confinement f~r 3 or 4 days. The aecond day there, someone came to my Window, which wu placed ao you could not see out, and talked to me. I had the impression that he must've been a German chaplain by the way he talked. He had some !>OOlcs sent to me and also some coolciea. The last day there, he informed. me that I would be moved that ni&ht but did not know where they were takina us. About 9:00 or 10:00 that night a

EXPRESS AIR MAR, DELIVERED BY B.O.F. guard came to my door and motioned for me to follow. Lt. Taylor was waiting for me in what seemed to be an office. It was bitter cold and they walked us about two miles to the railway station and placed us on a regular train with 2 guards. The people on the train kept calling us "bandits• and "gangsters,• but the guards kept them from bothering us. The next morning we came to Frankfurt where we boarded a trolley and were taken to the Interrogation Center for Airmen, calJed Dulag Luft, about 20 miles outside of Frankfurt. We were again separated and placed in solitary confinement. About 6 days later, 1 was taken to a community restroom and upon return to my cell a German chaplain wallc:ed up just before they closed the door. In very good English be said, "You are an American, no doubt.• I replied, "Yes sir.• • Are you a Christian?" be asked, smiling. I again replied, "Yes.• His words were very soft and be continued to smile. "Good, that will help lo sustain you for whatever is in store for you.• At this point, I blurted out, "Why are they starving me to death?" "How long have you been in here?" be asked, with some concern on his face. I answered, "Seven days.• "Man, they must have forgotten about you. This is Saturday and they don't work today, but I will see to it that you are out of here Monday. I will also see if I can get you a little extra food for tonight.• I thanked him and he walked away. True to his word, I got an extra ration of bread that night, and Monday morning I was taken to the courtyard where I again ran into Lt. Taylor. Taylor came over and said, "l won't be seeing you again, so good luck.• "Same to you,• I said. We pressed each other's hand warmly, feeling a bond w_as oow being severed. I never saw or beard of Lt. Taylor again except second band. From DuLag Luft, I was taken back into Frankfurt with a group of gunners, walking right down main street. People jeered and shook their fists at us. We could understand the words "gangster" and "bandit" again. It was roughly 2 miles' walk to a prison camp right next to a big LG. Farbeo Chemical Works building. Here, we were processed by an American colonel and our names were supposed to have gone to Geneva and our parents notified within 48 hours that we were POWs. My mother did not know that I was a POW until she got my first letter 3 months later. I went down on Feb. 24 and she received a telegram from the Adjutant General on Mar. 17 that 1 was missing. On Jun. 7 she got another wire from the AG stating that I was a POW and about a month later she received my first Jetter. She also received a letter from Chaplain Burris. From the camp in Frankfurt, I was taken, along with a whole train load, to Heydekrug, Lithuania. The train ride took about 7 days and from there we were loade.d into half a box car where we had to Jay hip to hip with our legs intertwined. At Heydekrug, I ran into 2 of the crew. I believe it was Woglemuth and one other, but time bas erased my memory. It was my understanding from Wogelmulh that Bland and Conover, both wounded, were in a hospital and that all bad gotten out of the plane. 1 don't remember any details, but possibly Woglemuth just thought all got out. The plane was damaged so badly that the bombardier and I were the only ones on intercom. It was my understanding that the crew in back were standing in about 3 inches of gas and by a miracle the plane did not blow up. From Stalag Luft 6 in Heydekrug, we were taken to IGefeheide, Poland by ship and rail. We boarded a ship in Memel and were taken off in Stettin, Germany, where we were handcuffed together in twos for Kiefebeide. From Keifeheide station we were run 2. 7 miles to the camp which turned out to be Stalag Luft 4. Many were bayonetted that could not make '12 the run to camp. By the grace of God I made it, and so did the guy I was handcuffed to. On Jan. 28, we left Kiefeheide, Stalag Luft 4 and walked for 97 days in O degree weather, sleeping in barns at night and ; sometimes out in the open. It was on this 3-monlh march that so many of our guys died, mostly from dysentery and pneumoniL It bas been reported in the POW .magazine that up to 50 percent died on this march, so it is quite possible that most of the guys did not make it back. We walked from Kiefeheide, Poland to just outside Hamburg, Germany, where we turned around and retraced our steps. When we were liberated, we were somewhere 40 miles south of Luebeclc. Another incident, I forgot to mention, happene.d at the first little village where I was captured. After going to the bathroom, a lady bumped into me and placed 2 small apples in my hand which I bent over and slipped into my knee pocket. When someone who spoke English arrived, I asked that they extend my apologies to the lady in question. His reply was, "Oh! That's the Cnmmandaot's wife.• I have always wished that I could contact the 3 people who showed a little kindness and tell them how much it meant to me to be the recipient of such k:indne.ss. For me, and partly for Lt. Taylor, that is what happened on this mission, to my first-band knowledge. I would like to hear from anyone interested in this mission or who has any knowledge of what happened to the rest of the crew and get their stories, which should prove to be very interesting. As far as I am concerned, our guardian angels were with us all the way . . . and should any of our crew have failed to make it back, we will see you in heaven one of these days. Dear Paul, ROLAND L. WALKER 2133 Bunker Hill Cir. Plano, TX 75075 Just finished reading my copy of the BOFQE. I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to receiving future issues. EncJosed is my check to cover the next couple of years. If costs go up, let me know. l spent several years researching my Uncle's B24, Bomerang, the first 8th A.F. B24 to complete 50 missions. He was bombardier on this plane in the Ploesti raid, Aug. 1, 1943. I have everything for a very interesting story, but Jack receipt of information (diary) from John Stauffacher'& widow. John was the pilot of the third assigned crew of Bomerang. I've been after her for 21h years, and last time I contacted her she said she would get me some information, but I've just about Jiven up hope. I peas I should go ahead and write a condensed version of the story with what information I have, although I bad originalJy planned to write a detailed account of to-e plane and its missions. My uncle, Lt. Jack H. Roach, was JOA Dec. 22, 1943 on a mission to Osnabruch, Germany, along with 2 of his crew. The rest of the crew survive.d the war as POWs. I've met all of the sw:viving crew: Roy Martin, Luther Bird, Robert Sparks, Herschel Dodd aod George Kelly. I have commissioned a painting of Bomerang and hope to have it by the end of the year. The painting will show BoTMrang over Ploesti, along with 1 or 2 other B24s. Keep up the good work. I'll keep you posted on the Bomerang story and painting. KENT JAQUITH, A.M. 760 Knight Hill Rd. Zillah, WA 98903

EXPRESS AIR MAIL DELIVERED BY B.O.F. Dear Paul, I apoloaiz.e for the loo& delay in answering your Jan. letter. r I bad several excuses in mind, such as old age (76), and lack of motivation, visiting relatives from out-of-state, etc. Mainly, however, we were in the process of selling our home and a new address was forthcoming. What we did not expect was the difficulty of coping wilh 24 years of accumulation_ and down-sizing for a move into the temporary quarters of a condo. Now that my sanity is aomewhat recovered, I hasten to reply. Enclosed is my check for the BOQFE which I know I will enjoy. Already 2 names come to the fore, and I do not mention them here because l plan to swprise lb.em with a visit. I was pleased that you included pictures of your daughter and your 2 grandchildren. You are my .kind of people, lhe kind I want my nation to be. My granddaughter, Lauren Cooney, was bom in Redondo Beach. Her brother, J.B., is my naroesak!"-a real delight for old Grandpa. If you are ever in this area, please st.op by. If you play golf, bring your clubs. My wife, Shige, and I chase that round thing for our retirement laughs. Dear Paul, BENKUROKI 411 S. Signal St. Ojai, CA 93023 Enclosed check is to cover my membership in lhe 93rd B.O. organization. During my years of service I was in the 93rd B.O., 330th B.S. from Barksdale Field to Hardwick. I left Hardwick in May 194S. Just got back from England. Visited what was left of the military facilities, lhe memorial marlrer, met Mr. Woodrow, and spent part of Sept. 28th wilh John Archer and bis wife. Spent part of the 27th at the Norwich library and met Mn. ( DuBois. Everyone was very helpful. Had the occasion to meet ✓ Mn. Edith Navigante, a British war bride. Her husband was in the 329th. She returned to Norwich from America after her husband died. The point of interest was she managed 2 Carvel Stands in Bay Shore which is about 20 miles from where I reside. Thanks for the BOFQe. Dear Paul, DOMINICK E. PESCE 2528 Rockville Centre Pwy. Oceanside, NY 11572 You have my vote of confidence. I say thanks for a job well done! I was a ground man at Hardwick Aircraft Sheet Metal and helped keep them Dying. I wanted to be a gunner, but Capt. Coughbum, my engineering officer, needed me to patch them up. However, I was permitted to fly so.me missions over Germany as just an observer. I wouldn't have missed it for the world. I used to dig out all the Oak for the fly boys. It was a great bomb group. Dear Paul, WILLIAM 0. HlNRICH 2343 SE Glover St. Pt. St. Lucie, FL 34984 I really enjoy the issues of your BOF(le. Hope I don't miss any issues. I was surprised by the Fall issue. l see that our r pilot and leader during our training and 25 missiom wrote you -rletter and sent a picture of our crew taken in Clovis. He took the picture, but be should have been in it! He was the best looking one of the bunch! 13 I realize that luck was the biggest factor in completing a tour, when the average life of a crew was 4 or S missions. Two other important factors were a well trained crew and a good pilot and leader. We bad a real close-knit crew and the ~t pilot and leader in Iack Weiss. Also, a lot of credit should go to the ground crew that kept those Pratt & Whitneys purring. We had a &ood one- "Doc" Owens and crew. We flew most of our missions in a B24D with a painting of Donald Duck on the nose, Big Noise. About 2 years ago I met Ralph Tissot, who was also in the 93rd (330th B.S.). He lives about 10 miles from here in Lakewood, CO. We have played quite a bit of tennis and have lunch together often. Dear Paul, CHUCK BOYER 308 East St. Golden, CO 80403 Thank you for sending your group newsletter, Vol. 1, No. 3. Norma and I both enjoy it very much. I was particularly interested in. the letter on pg 11 from George Heskamp. My crew went into Malmo, Sweden on Jun. 20, 1944, subsequent to a raid over Politz, Germany. Our ship had lost 2 engines and we were spewing gasoline. What a day! I witnessed the crash described in Heskamp's letter, which was unbelievable! To my knowledge, only l man escaped the crash because he was thrown out of the plane on impact. He landed in a hedge row and I'm told he had a hard time convincing authorities that he had been in that B24. Enclosing my check for the BOQFE. Keep it coming! BILL BEASLEY 1S25 S. Garfield St. Denver, CO 80219 Ed: BiU Beasley is V.P. 2nd A.D. for Affairs of the 492nd B.G., and Editor of their newsktter, The Happy Warrior. Many thanks to the .Beasleys for this information about Take it Easy and for Supporting the BOFQB. Dear Paul, . Thank you for all the good information provided in the BOFQE. I was in the 328th from Feb. 1 to June 24, 1944. Lt. Col. Roy G. Martin was our commander. Ed Devon and I slept in the same Boulton Paul but in the WAAF site at Hardwick. At night, we discussed the merits and demerits of our cohorts. He was the best 4-engine pilot I ever knew, and if there is any nicer person it is probably his wife, Connie. He is the only person I ever knew who soloed a B24-twie&-once when his co-pilot, Ole Olsen, bailed out on him, and once when I went wilh him to start the put-put (on a test hop), pull up the gear and let down the flaps. In 1958, while stationed at Lyon, France, we revisited Hardwick. Later on, in Wiesbaden, Germany, Ed Devon joined the group l was in and we both received our last promotions the same day. MORTON ASHTON 454 S. Capitol Ave. Corydon, IN 47112

EXPRESS A1R MAIL DELIVERED BY B.O.F. HEADQUARTERS 20th COMBAT BOMB WING (H) Office of the Commanding General LEAD CREW CERTIFICATE OF COMMENDATION C.pt. James E. Rl.ltherford, Pilot TSgt. Oon•ld J. Schwartz. Engineer 1/Lt. Theodore Guzik, Copilot TSgt. GeorgeE. Morris, Radio Operator F/O John T. Sloan, Navigator SSgt. Oougl■a C. Gamer, Gunner lilt. Robert H. Brooka. Bombardier SSgt. AUen E. Reuech, Gunner 2/Lt. Paul A. Freeman. Navigator SSgt. John P. Curran, GUN1ar SSgt. John Dinapoli. Gunner MEMBERS OF THE 13-24 LIBERATOR CREW WHICH LED THE 93rd BOMBARDMENT GROUP IN THE SUCCESSFUL BOMBING ATTACK ON OTTENBERGEN. GERMANY. on FEBRUARY 22nd. 1946 Dear Paul, The BOFQE is great, and I commend you for your effort. Am enclosing my check to help defray costs. As to my experience with the 93rd, I was assigned to the 409th B.S. of the 93rd B.G. in Sept. 1944 as a tail gunner. My first pilot's name was George A. Dobbs. I would really appreciate any information on his whereabouts. My first mission was Oct. 6, 1944 to Hamburg, Gennany, and my 30th mission was completed Apr. 7, 1945 (Duneberg). After several missions were completed, Capt. Dobbs was reassigned as operations officer under the command of Lt. Col. Therman D. Brown. My crew was assigned a new pilot and, after some training, the crew was reassigned to the 329th B.S. as a lead crew. Three of my original crew members were killed on 1 mission-the new pilot, co-pilot and one gunner. (Sorry, it's been so long I can't remember their names.) Am enclosing a lead crew certificate of commendation that was awarded for the successful bombing attaclr: on Ottbergen Germany, Feb. 22, 1945. This certificate lists all of the crew members [see above]. I would really appreciate any information about any of those listed. I am also enclosing a picture of the lead crew that participated on that mission [see above]. I can only identify 2 14 of the crew members because of a fading memory. Front row, first left .is myself, and second row, second from the left is Capt. James E. Rutherford, First Pilot. I would like to comment on ao article in BOFQE, Vol. 1, No. 2 titled "Libs Go in I.ow" from the Hardwick bulletin board, Mar. 24, 1945. The story of that mission rekindled a lot of precious memories as well as ugly memories of fe.ar and war. I participated on that mission and it will never be forgotten. I would like to say, while awaiting my Stateside orders to return to the U.S., I flew one time on the Ball of Fire. It was some experience! Dear Paul, DOUGLASC.GARNER 3606 Fay St. Huntsville, AL 35810 Just a note to say thank you for the wonderful job you are doing as President and Editor of the BOFQE. It was good to know Floyd H. Mabee is able to help you as Vice President, Membership. Also sure that Al Asch will do a good job as Chairman of the Historical Board. How wonderful it is to know that Col. Baker will soon receive some of the recognition long overdue him. He is one of the strongest personalities I have ever encountered. I have a photo of him in my room, so I am reminded of him most every day. On one of our trips to Wright-Patterson, my wife and I were looking at the monument to the 8th A.F.-the one with the propeller. On one side of this monument were the names of the men in the 8th A.F. who had won the C.M.H. When I saw the name Balcer, I could not believe what I was seeing. It was Earl A. Baker, not Addison E. Baker. ~ the men I have talked to from the 93rd are like myself, they never knew Col. Bater by any name other than Addison E. Baker. I cannot believe that the officials at W.P. would make this kind of mistake! Perhaps his true name is Earl Addison Baker. Maybe I was dreaming when I saw what I thought I saw. The Eager Beaver crew plans to have our reunion close to where I live this ye.ar so I can be with them. Keep up the good work. VIOLES FLANARY Box 125 Dryden, VA 24243 Ed: In regard to tM wrong name being used on IM Wrlglat-Patterson monument, Violes does not need 10 make a visit to his eye doctor. Addison E. Baker is indud rorrea and NOT Earl .A. Baker. The Public Affairs offi~ of tM Ohio Air Na1ional Guard is handling t1w situa1ion.. They also haw informaJion fhmonofficialdocumenu, C.M.H. winnerJohnL. Jerstedwas listed as Pilot and Addison Baker was listed as Co-pilot, and thlll Baker's award wa.r net made until a year after Jersted's. De.ar Paul, My husband, Maj. Willard E. Babcock, was group engineering officer at the 93rd from its inception in the U.S. until the end of the war. He and his crews were responsible for keeping the old bombers in the air. I was a Red Cross girl on the Hardwick base. We were married there as well as were Cal Stewart and Peggy O'Mara, also a Red Crosa &irl. RACHAEL (Homer) BABCOCK 3016 Community Center Dr. V eoice, FL 34293

EXPRESS A.JR MAIL DELIVERED BY B.O.F. Dear Paul, Enclosed, please find my check for the BOF(lE. I really ,.-enjoy reading about the places and the people with whom I erved all those many years ago. I especially enjoyed the letter --from Nelson Blevin, as I was a member of the 328th B.S. working the flight line, assigned in Mar. 1942. I left in Aug. 1945, reporting back to Sioux Falls, SD. Since I was part of the 328th, the names of the people and the airplanes brought back many fond memories. After 1 was discharged in Sept. 1945, I returned to work with the Air Force as a civilian in the aircraft maintenance field. I retired from Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque, NM in the early 1970s. Living in New . Mexico has given me the opportunity to hike and explore the many mountain tnils. Some of my B17 Crnh Sita - Manzana M,.. Howard Thompaon Sitting on W111g adventures have included exploring old abandoned mines, Indian ruins and even some crash sites of airplanes high in the mountains. Enclosed is a picture of myself and the wreckage of r- B17, which crashed in the early 1940's in the Mam:ana v.!0110tains (these mountains are just southeast of the .. Albuquerque area). Dear Paul, HOW ARD E. THOMPSON 11S24 Love Ave., NE Albuquerque,NM 87112 I am sorry I didn't get money to you sooner for theBOF(lE, but rve been out of town for the last 4 months and just got to read the first issue. I wrote a Jetter to William. J. Komarek on bow to reach Oliver C. Gilbert, a dear friend of mine. He lives at 1611 Melview Rd., Quincy, IL 62301. After the Ploesti Mission, Oliver couldn't fly anymore so be was given to me to work on the line as a radio mechanic. He also married an English girl named Olive Rice from Norwich. 1 joined the 93rd from radio school i.n Aug. 1942 at Ft. Myers. 1 sailed to England on the Queen Eliztlbeth. It was hard for me to take Morse Code, u my inner ear was off, so I could only copy from memory at 12 words a minute. I could not march or stand at attention because my balance was off. I was a radio mechanic throughout the war and staff sergeant at war's end. I was called back in the service in the Spring of 1951 and sent to the 55th Weather Sqdm. at McClellan AFB. 1 worked on B29s and ended up a radio line chief just 3 months after being called back to active duty. I was then sent to the 31st Air ,,..--Rescue Sqd.m. at Clark Field. 1 volunteered to go TDY to the '\4th Air Rescue Sqdm. stationed in Okinawa, as they were oaving problems with their KB50s (resemble B29s). It took me a year to get housing at Clark Field in the Philippines, so I stayed there for 2 years more after my wife and 4 children 15. arrived by plane just 2 days before Christmas. 1 was then sent to Limestone, MB to work: on B52s at Loring AFB. There I was promot.ed to TSgt and stayed for 3 years. Since 1 couldn't go to the NCO Academy as I was unab]e to march or stand at attention, I stayed a TSgt for 12 years. 1 worked on F104 fighters at George AFB and was also stationed at Nellis AFB, NV twice. In 1963 I went to Danang, Vietnam as a quality control inspector. 1 served from Oct 6, 1963 to Oct. 5, 1964. 1 was then sent to Wurtzsmith AFB, Oscoda, MI to work on BS2s again. I then went to school on the Flll at Denver, CO. After 16 weeks I graduated and was sent to Nellis AFB. Since we bad no airplanes for a year 1 was put in charge of all classified material for the wing until 1 retired at the end of Jan. 1968. During my service years, I was an Honorary Girl Scout, Cub Master, Scout Master, Commissioner and Superintendent of Sunday Schools at 4 military bases. Dear Paul, CARL J. TANNER, JR. 31S W. 8th St. Traverse City, MI 49684 I appreciate what you do to keep us informed and want to know if you can help me find some of my old crew mates. I was a tail gunner on Ralph Schneck's crew. We trained with the 445th - 702nd and after 6 missions our plane, Sin Ship was lost when another crew was flying it. We were transferred Feb. 17, 1944 to the 329th. Our radio operator, Albert Urbanik, kept in contact till his death in Jun. 1991, but I have not heard from any other crew nor have 1 seen any of their names. They are: Ralph Schneck, Howard Van liom, S.A. Capobianco, Joseph Flynn, Jack Feingold, Archie Sloman, and Joseph Obici. Dear Paul, DAVID W. ROBISON Rd. #5 Box 239 Valley Rd. New Castle, PA 16105 Enclosed is a check for the BOF(lE, which I think is great. I never got to know many men of the 93rd because our crew was shot down on our second mission over Berlin. I am very proud to have been part of the famous 93rd. Dear Paul, BILL FERRARO 11 Del Place Hauppauge, NY 11788 Thanks for checking out lhe situation about my not being listed as participati.na in the Ploesti mission. AB you found out, I was known by 2 names: Weir (which was not my real name) and Wiercisi.ewski (which was my name on offioial matters). They would not allow me to change my name while overseas. It would have been easier to use the first 4 letters, "Wier,• but I had to wait until I got home after the war. I flew with Maj. K.O. Dessert, the leader of the 409th element: Jake Epstein was co-pilot, I was engineer. and Ben Kuroki was the top turret gunner. Ben was the Japaneso-American who was sent back to the States after Ploesti to take part in a bond sales drive. I am very happy that I am now shown as having flown Ploesti. RAYMOND WIER 16 Wooffield Rd. Wellesley, MA 02181 "---'

OPERATIONS UPDATE - BAIL OF FIRE QUARTERLY EXPRESS Just a little over a year ago our newsletter, Ball of Fire Quarterly Express, made its first flight, visiting all those from the 93rd B.G. who belong to the 2nd A.D. Association. Included in the manifest on this test flight was what I called a kind of statement of goals directed toward enhancing the memories of our famous group and perpetuating the glory of those we left behind. In my opinion, we have succeeded in reaching this goal, based upon the response of the members, both financially and with a great flood of articles, letters, pictures, etc. It is fully apparent that you feel the same way; 640 of our 760 members have made donations I thank you very much for this great support. Now it is time to replenish our treasury so that we can continue our series with 4 more issues, beginning with this issue you have just received. I realize that some of you have recently joined the Association and have already made a recent donation. Others have made either large donations already or have sent additional donations during the past year. And there are others who, on request due to finances being a little tough, were sent complimentary copies. All this is understood and there is no obligation for a donation. You know who you are that fall into this category. SUGGESTED DONATION IS $9.90 ... MORE IF YOU WISH Please mail your check to: 93rd Bomb Group Association 2227 A Ruhland A venue Redondo Beach, CA 90278 Ed: I again apologize for not yet having published so many of the letters, stories and pictures you have sent me. All I can say is that I am doing the best I know how to do and thank you very much for your patience. Office Staff, 93rd B.G. Headquartel'9 IL-R Topi Fitzpatrick, Joe Malick, Pete Ververie, Joe Saba, Egger, Paul Hemerly, John Finitzer. IL-R Bottom) Col. Beurneyer, fourth from left; MeiHI, far right The Ball of Fire Quanerly Express Paul R. Steichen, Editor 2227 A Ruhland A venue Redondo Beach, CA 90278-2401 93rd BOMB GROUP ARST CLASS MAIL CALVlN DAVIDSON •;:-mo 4B973 PLA rE rm OHL.I~! l ~l UH 44074 ~-----STAMP

BALL OF FIRE OVER VILLAGE OF HEMPNALL, TWO MILES NORTH OF RUNWAY 19 IB3AJLIL (Q) IF IFIIImE ~1U AJltirlEmIL W JEIDJDmJE§§ Newsletter of the 93rd Bomb Group 2nd Air Division, 8th Air Force, Hardwick, England Vol. 2, No. 3 Paul R. Steichen Group President Editor 2227A Ruhland Avenue Redondo Beach, CA 90278 (310) 214-1618 Floyd H. Mabee Vies President Membership Fall, 1994 11524 Zimmerman Rd. Port Richey, FL 34668 (813) 862-2309 2ND A.D. MEMORIAL LIBRARY AND NORWICH CENTRAL LIBRARY :-,......._----.. DESTROYED BY FIRE =:::::::::::: :::::::: Aug. 1, a fire broke out in the Norwich Central Library. --.....:__::_ -.___ The Library and the 2nd A.D. Memorial are NO MORE. -"""'-----..... What 2nd A.D. archive material has been lost or saved is =------=----.. not known at this time. Meanwhile, a temporary office -- ......... ____ has been open enabling the 2nd A.D. to retain a presence LHt Postmark from Memorial Room in the city for returning American Veterans. Temporary addraH: Novarra Houaa lfirat floor) John Archer: Just a note to enclose newspaper clippings Theater Streat, Norwich, on the recent Norwich Memorial Library fire. For such a Norfolk, NR2 1RH, England tragic thing to happen here has laid people low. I was Much has already been written in our Journal about this disastrous event, Aug. 1, 1994. Here are some reactions from English friends received by the BOF(lE: Jean Woodrow: I wonder if you have heard that the Norwich library suffered a terrible fire started in the American Room. It was devastating-everything lost, burned completely, the American Room gutted. The main library was also burned out and there was a third story of which some was salvaged; also some steel-lined room was undamaged, but I am told that all the old history of Norwich with most of the old manuscripts have all been lost. As far as we know an electrical problem in the American Room was the cause of the fire. Then there was an explosion when the cleaners turned on a switch when they came to clean. The only good thing was that the library was empty. As you can imagine with all that paper, it didn't take long to become an inferno. All those who looked to and were involved with the Library are just lost for words, upset, and most of all sad for the veterans who are to come to England next year. There is hope that the Library will be rebuilt, but it will be a long time, I guess. Also, for the Americans many things are irreplace-able. Yet, who knows, God works miracles in his wondrous ways. All we can do is hope that time will salvage more than we know. Andy Wilkimon: I am not sure that you have heard the terrible news from Norwich. During the early morning of 1 with Tony North yesterday outside the building. It all started in the Memorial Room. I understand a cleaner flipped on a light switch and the strip lighting exploded over the bookcase. How could the lot go up so fast? The fire station is just across the road from the Library. All the money and effort put in by the Veterans over the years have been lost. I still can't believe it happened. Smoke from the fire could be seen all the way from Bungay. Soiled ramaina of the vaat collection of book• and archivH dHtroyad by fire, Aug. 1, 1994

DEDICATION CEREMONIES OF THE ADDISON E. BAKER. BUILDING AUG. 21, 1994 180th Fighter Group Ohio Air National Guard 2660 South Eber Road Swanton, Ohio 43S58 Addison E. Baker: "Heroism Beyond the CaJJ or Duty. 11 On Aug. 1, 1943, Lt. Col. Addison Baker flew into history. On this date, he led his command, the 93rd. Heavy Bombardment Group, on a daring low-level attack against enemy oil refineries at Ploesti, Romania. Approaching the target, his aircraft was hit by a large caliber anti-aircraft shell, seriously damaged and set on fire. Ignoring the fact be was flying over terrain suitable for safe landing, he refused to jeopardim the mission by breaking the lead formation and continued unswervingly to lead his grollp to the target. "Col. Baker did not leave the formation to land in the flat fields in front of us, but showing a brand of courage that I have never seen before or since, continued to lead us the last 2 or 3 miles to the target,• wrote Capt. Raymond Walker, Asst. Ops. Officer of the 93rd, who was flying on Baker's right wing. In an affidavit sent to the War Department, Walker said, "The fire in Colonel Baker's ship became progressively more intense. He did not swerve but continued on until we dropped our bombs.• Capt. Carl Barthel, Group Navigator, was flying in the deputy lead ship of Baker's Flying Circus. He saw Baker's aircraft, Hell's Wench, receive the first hit. "When first hit, Lt. Col. Baker made the most heroic decision that any man bas been called upon to make. He chose to lead his force into the target even though he knew that such action would result in certain destruction. He also knew the alternative was a comparatively safe landing in the fields. Such action and decision shows exceptional devotion to duty, far and above the call of duty or carrying out of orders. Such courage and decision is more than is asked of any man, but was necessary for the attack to be a success.• According to Lt. Col. George Brown, the 93rd's Deputy Force Commander, because the attack was made on a different heading than the one the crews had been briefed on, bad Baker not continued flying to the target "the formation would have broken up at the critical point on the bomb run.• Lt. Col. Brown's description of the events reinforces Baker's heroic action. "In the face of certain death and exhibiting heroism beyond all call of duty, Lt. Col. Baker, in order to accomplish bis assigned mission, continued to lead his force on the bombing nm after his aircraft had been fatally bit and was, in fact, a raging inferno. He could have elected to mush to a belly landing with open fields in front of the target or pull up in an effort to abandon ship, but he did neither.• The citation accompanying the Medal of Honor reflects these testimonies: By extraordinary flying skills, gallant leader-ship and intrepidity, Lt. Col. Baker rendered outstanding distinguished, and valoro~ service to our nation. Addison Earl Baker was born in Chicago in 1907 and enlisted in the Air Corps in 1929. He was commissioned a 2nd Lt. in 1930 after bis graduation from flying school. Baker served a year with the 94th Pursuit Squadron at Selfridge Field before going to inactive status. 1n 1940 be joined the 112th Observation Squadron of the Ohio National Guard at Cleveland. (The present 112th Fighter Squadron and 180th Fighter Group are descended from the 112th Observation Squadron.) The unit was activated for federal status and Baker was transferred to the 98thB.G. Within a year he was assigned to the 93rd B.G. 88 a squadron commander. Baker received the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1943 for bis leadership in a bombing strike at La Goulette, Tunis. Later that year he assumed command of the 93rd. The plan for the attack against the Ploesti oil refineries called for the 93rd to strike Concordia Vega refinery. To avoit'"' German defenses, the attackers were to fly and bomb at ve low altitude-SO feel Baker elected to fly the Jead flagship, Hell's Wench, with Maj. John "Jerk" Jerstad as bis co-pilot. On the morning of the attack, Baker stood in the briefing tent looking at the faces of bis comrades. He realized that many of them bad completed the required number of missions to return stateside, but had chosen to fly with him on this mission. "We're going on one of the biggest jobs of the war,• he said. "If we hit it good, we might cut six months off the war.• According to Air Force accounts, one of the navigators asked, "What if you and Jerk don't make the target?" Baker replied, "Nothing like that will happen. I'm going to take you to this one if my plane falls apart.• When the briefing was over, Baker bad made it clear that the idea was to take the bombs exactly to the aiming points; coming back was secondary. The Crew of 4240994-D - Hell's Wench AU Killed in Action, Aug. 1, 1943 Addison E. Baker John L. Jersta.d George Reuter Alfred W. Pezzela George P. Allen Charles E. Bennet John H. Carrol Morton 0. Stafford -Edgar C. Faith William 0. Wood Pilot Co-pilot Navigator Bombardier GUDJ1er Top Turret Radio Operator Gunner Gunner GUIIDCC FOLDED WINGS Charles Agee Joseph Beach Brent B. Caldwell S.A. Capobianco Gordon W. Culham Benjamin Fields John Finitzer Theodore Guzlk Donald K. Jones M. D. Larson Harry McGoon Perry W. Scott Fred Wrablik EL TORO REUNION - SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Early news tells us that the 14th Annual 2nd A.D. Reunion will be held at the Bl Toro Marine Corps Officers Club on Sat., Feb. 25, 1995. If you live in the Southern California area, information will be mailed to you. Outside the area, please call co-chairman Dick Baynes, 466th B.G. (714) 552-3889, or Jay Jeffries, 453th B.G. (714) 846-1653. They will send the pertinent data to you. Guest speaker is to be Brigadier General Robin Olds, Ret. 2 • NEW MEMBERS Lee Burkhalter James B. Grace Clarence R. Gross B. Joseph Troisi Carson, CA Houston, TX Grand Rapids, MI Somerset, NJ

RETURN TO NORMANDY/HARDWICK - D-DAY +so by MIIJTll1 D, Friedman My wife, Nancy, and I traveled to England and France from ~ay 25-Jun. 10, 1994 for the pw:pose of visiting the old base, -ying our respects to the 8th A.F. Cemetery at Cambridge and then.joining a tour group for the big reunion in Normandy. The trip was not casually called a vacation. although the people who stayed at the same hotel in Caen and also shared tour bus accommodations were super .friendly and exactly what one would have hoped for. More on Nonnandy later. Evelyn •commented• that we should not have attended. D-Day festivities since we bad nothing but a milk 1\111 th.at day in 1944. Since I was used to such •milJc nms• to Berlin, Kiel. Munich and Politz, etc., I thought I might learn something by going to Normandy for the reunion-I was not disappointed. After touring London for S days, we traveled. by train to Norwich. (If anyone is inteiested in arranging details of a trip to Norwich or Normandy they may get in touch with us.) The 2nd A.D. Library in Norwich is something to be proud of. Our contributions have really paid off. We are so well represented by Phyllis DuBois; she is so very charming and helpful. We were impressed. by the DUJiiber of English people moving in and out of the 2nd A.D. Memorial. Phyllis arranged for us to travel to Hardwick with Rupert Aubrey-Cound, a wonderful host. Can you imagine how I felt going down the same roads we traveled on in 1944? When we arrived. at the base, Rupert drove to the end of the long nmway and suggested. that I might want to get out alone. I hadn't reali1.ed it, but it certainly was the thing to do. As corny as it sounds now that rm back in York, PA, I stood at the end of the runway where I could •1iear the engines, bear the crew and, above all, retum. to the activities of the 1944 ys. • Rupert and other crew people I taUced. to said that they all bad the same feelings but never expressed them before. I truly retrieved some of that •liOmething• th.at I left over there. David Woodrow, who owns the "farm; is a wonderful caretaker of our heritage at Hardwick. He told WI that when he bought the farm in 1947 he knew that members of the 93rd would retum for visits and he charged himself with maintainin& as much of the old base a possible. It was truly a thrill to rewm although somewhat difficult to recall the exact makeup of the base. The runwaya are still identifiable, although much narrower, as are the taxiways. David is restoring some of the structures and is creating a mini-museum dedicated. to the 93rd. One of the thrills was to raise the American flag in front of the restored Group Commanders quarters. And the song lin1ers OD c•we are poor little lambs who have gone astray baa, baa, baa . . . •) The next day we went to the cemetery at Cambridge and, very frankly, I lost it. The same old question over and over again, -why them? Why not me lying here?• I can't possibly describe the sceoo or my emotions. You have to be there persooally to have it make any aense. M far u the Normandy trip and the people we traveled with, we were a mixed up kind of group with one tbniad of similarity of some sort on D-Day 1944 running throup our brief acquaintance. Believe it or not, of the 3S men and women on the bus we hear from some of them several times a week.. They were from Alaska to California to Florida to New Jersey. We took. almost 600 pictures, video and an audiotape recorded each night of our stay. There seems to be a lot of interest in WWII in central Pennsylvania, probably due to the media coverage, and I've been asked to speak to 6 groups about our trip. To quote a high-ranking official of Normandy at the Brittany-American Cemetery: •we must never let the youn1 1eneration or the geaeratioos who follow forget the sacrifices made by the youog boys buried here or the veteranB who liberated our country and the world.• Apel 1M6 llcll Row lAft to Right Eugene Flint Daniel McC.rthy Pilot 824 NevfQatof 824 93nS 8.G. 93rd B.G. 409th Sq. 409th Sq. Fiont Row, left to fight: Don Zllllara Wllllam Glffon• Pilot 817 PIiot 817 91st 8.G. Room 7, lanaolca • - •ui.o Luft I, North Compound I - lerth, O.nnany Clyde McCellurn PIiot 817 91st 8.G. Herold Bonney Bombardier 824 446th 8.G. I.Alwt. Wlcken• P47 PIiot 373nl Gp R•lph Burckee PIiot 824 487th 8.G. Robert Thompeon PIiot 817 91et 8.0. 3 • CleudWhlw PIiot 824 389th 8.0. .J-e GallegMt Navigator 824 389th 8.G. Ollwr KIiner N•vtvetor 824 446th 8 G w•tred Conlon Bombudler 817 91st 8.G. Donald Shea Nevlg lltDf 81 7 91at 8.G. Robert Hanllh PIiot 817 3711th 8.G. Marlon S•lfeU Bombardier 824 934d 8.G.-409th Sq.

:FLORIDA REGIONAL REUNION - FEB 12, 199S Plans are underway to convene the third "Florida Reunion of the 2nd A.D. • It will again be a full one-day reunion in Orlando, at the Clarion Plau Hotel The hotel has agreed to offer us an attractive room rate for the night of Feb. 12, as well as for the 3 nights preceding and 3 nights after that date. This is provide those who so desire an opportunity to attend the reunion activities and also leisurely take in the many world-renown tourist attractions in the Orlando area. Luther C. Cox, 93rd B.G., chairman of this year's event, hopes that this early alert will encourage many to mark their calendars and plan to be in Florida for the meeting. Florida members will receive full details by mail. Members living outside Florida can receive full details by writing to Luther at 4932 Oakbrooke Pl., Orlando, FL 32812, (407) 277-4271. We hope to have a great representation from the 93rd. Besides Luther Cox as chairman, we have Ed Devon of Satellite Beach and Bob Wright of Orlando as members. This venue has proved to be "Old Home Week" for the 93rd. We have Jed attendance among the Groups the 2 previous years of the Orlando get-together. HELP FOLLOW UP ON "OPERATION MARKET GARDEN" by Carroll A. Denier As a result of publication of my story about the Supply Drop to the Troops in the Summer 1994 BOFQE, I received a letter from Maj. "Dusty" Worthen who had reported on the same mission several years ago. We have been corresponding ever since and agree that it would be great if we could cont.act at least one member from each of the 18 93rd B.G. crews that took part in that operation. Therefore, this is a call for HELP! to all members of the 93rd. If you took part in that operation or know of someone who did, please contact one of us. Although every tnis&_on was unique in one way or another, this one was significant in that this type of mission did not occur very often and the whole operation, including both the ground and flying forces, had a special impact on the war effort. Also, it was a major morale booster for the people of the occupied countries. Paraphrasing from an article by Ted Parker (491st) Mar. 1980, • A group in Holland led by Father lhwing prepared a history of the operation as seen from their point of view.• HOW do we get a copy? This operation earned a Jot of attention, as demonstrated by the fact that both a book and a film, • A Bridge Too Far,• were generated to describe it. The date was Sept. 18, 1944. The target for the 93rd was the Nijmegan, Groesbeck, Eindhoven area, with Arnhem and the bridge over the Rhine being the main objective. We bad one and possibly 2 practice missions over England learning what it was like to fly formation at very low altitude. The mission itself was supposed to be flown at 50 feet above the terrain, but in actuality it was flown at about 25 feet. This is a plea to all who were involved. Let's bear from you and, if possible, send your written or taped version of that mission. We will acknowledge all responses and possibly compile a booklet of some kind. Each respondent would receive a copy. WE NEBD YOUR HELP! Please cont.act: Canoll A. Bemer F.D. "Dusty" Worthen 4806 Whippoorwill Ln. or Major USAF (Retired) Bonita, CA 91902-1724 1211 N. Fairview St. Phone (619) 479-7028 Burbank, CA 91505-2330 Phone (818) 842-2315 4 A BOMBER PILOT IN WWil: FROM FARM BOY TO PILOT by Walter F. Bupea, 93 B.G. The book opens when the author, a farm boy just out of Santa Barbara, California High School, reaches Pre-flight Santa Ana; Primary at Thunderbird #2; Basic at Minter Field, Bakersfield, Advanced at Marfa, TX; transitioning at Kirkland Field before meeting bis crew at Hammer Field, Fresno and becoming Crew #C-34 at March Field. Finally, on to Ireland and England joining the 93rd. The book contains an interesting review of the crew's 35 missions from a navigator report secured from Louis Windsor and Form S (Daily Flight Record) which emerged intact from the disastrous fire in the St. Louis Records Center. It describes life in and around the group and in and around England. Concludes with the boat trip home. Ed: In my opinion, this is a •no put down book, • espedally for anyone who was at Hardwick. The details are so tlwrough thm it is hard to believe it was wri11en in 1994 and not 1944. Contains 100 pages, 38 B&W pictures, 9 iUustraJions, 35 navigator reports. Send $12 per CCf7Y to: Walter F. Hughu, 33681 Cuenca Ct., Fremont, CA 94536. MISS TAKE'N IDENTITY I I I \..,, 111 l ::c MJ.• Tllk•XIII Top Row (1-r): Edward A. Wickman and Gerald E. Morrow C.mar: Known only by the nickname •Alabama• Bottom Row 11-rl: Jama P. O'Comor and the ,-/Bill Spong Page 15 of the Spring 1994 BOF(lE earned a photo of B24 Miss Take XIII. The person admiring the artwork wu identified as Bill Spong of the Mickey Radar section at 93rd Hq., who, in later years, became a United States Senator from the Commonwealth of Virginia. This was a case of Mis-taken identity. It was not Bill Spong, but actually Tom Bamford, a friend of Bill's, also in the radar section. In order to partially atone for the Mis-take, please refer to the above photo. "

BOOZE BENDERS BANQUET lly Eric E. Eriaoa Ed: Eric E. Ericson's story is a continuaJion of •Angel Gou ome, •which appeared inseriu Mar.1986andFall199J 2nd A.D. Journal The crew was shot down on mis.Jion to pre-war Poland and was picked up by tM Russian Anny. Catlk, Faullaier, Lewis, F~aro, Youree, DeCosterandErlcson came bade in this fashion. Other crew members, Ke.rskr, Veteto and Kidd, took another route. ~id-morning found me plying the soldier's favorite pastime, resting comfortably on a down-filled sack, just dozing off. This sweet reverie was rudely disturbed by an NKVD Russian 3rd ~oga) lie:uteoant. He laid I should follow him. By this time m our Russian saga we had come to a rather intense disliking for Uncle Joe's secret police. They were purely political and ~t~hed to _ev~ry_thlng in the Soviet military. This 3rd Lt. Junior spy dido t like me and the feeling was more intense from me. Actually, I figured he was vastly over l'llllked. We entered an immaculate farmhouse and waited a few minutes until the NKVD said it was time to enter. Seated in what apparently wu a drawing room was the most immaculately dressed officer I had ever &een: darlc-blue tunic, royal blue putees with red stripe, and the boots of which were out of tbia world-pristine white kid up to hiJ knees. He was a Y~ Brenner type, shaved head, very pleasant demeanor, and on his shoulders were the most jumbo of jumbo stars-hu1e-in gold. I walked in and reported in a spic & span manner formal and salutin1, before assuming the at~ stance. J ~ed the ~eo.tleman was ~ general. My NKVD •buddy" said nothing to mdicate otherwise, so I was informed that the aeneral wu going to try out his En&lisb on mo. He was a very soft-spoken. man and I missed the beginning entirely; asking for a repeat it came throuib okay and that was the En1lisb-no more, no less . . . okay. This called for diplomacy, 10 I told my bird doa that he ~hould te_ll the General that with this saying there was no place m .~nca be could not be understood. The old boy, still snuling broadly, asked what bomber I was in. I replied, "Everything,• via the bird doe, "The 824. • The General feigned • cough, turning his he.ad slightly and said • Ab yes the Liberator.• It was absolutely perfect Englishl!t'we ~ ~ fe~ moro pl~triea and the bird dog indicated the mterv1ew was finished. I came to the attention, took a step back, saluted and turned to my right towards the door. I could see that the General wu intrigued at how deftly I performed in my floppy flying boots. Outside, I told the bird do1 I'd find my way "home• okay and that was the last I saw of him thankfully: Approaching me was a Mongolian Sergeant, and ~ the most immaculate German he said "So you have been talking with the Marshal.• [ answered, '•yes~ and we toolc an ins~ liking to each _other and we just ~dered about, talk10g about small things. I asked if he bad been to the Institute to ~earn ~tsch, He lau&hed loudly, sayin1, "Me? No, not me. I complimented him on the beauty and excellence of his Gernw1, and he just smiled. He spoke as fluently as any of my learned 1:1rofcsson1. With that, we parted ways and I knew he was without a doubt a first-class intellect. He may have been an officer, though from his actions it seemed improbable. Anyway, he had the bird do1 beat all to hades. . The_ following_ day at our quarters, a package arrived for me. Nicolai (our gwde/guard) indicated it was for me. It was wrapped in an issue of some pages from 1ime magazine ~g it, I wu. amaz.ed to find exactly fifty 41h Madu~ c1,ars. It seems as tf the Germans had liberated a warehouse of Tudci~ to~. made it into ci1ars and back to the front they weot, Just m time to be retaken by the Russians. They beat anything I had ever bad from Cuba. I figured that at 2 per day I had almost a month's worth of delightful partaking of the real weed. Apparently, the Marshal knew I wu no dum-dum and enjoyed the finer things of life. Incidently, the Marshal was none other than Rokossovsky, who was the General who cleaned out Warsaw of the "Nemitz"-• hated word for Germans. Stalin was to pleased with his work in taking Warsaw that he elevated him to Marshal and placed rum at the head of the table in drafting plans for the capture of Berlin. The next day our Sit. guides indicated we'd eo for a walk. Into Poman it was. It was a most beautiful city and thoup the wreckage from t&nkB, mortars, artillery and such did massive damage, the buildings were so sturdy-of early 20th century and late 19th. century constroction-they were repairable as near as we could tell. We walked some S miles. Hobbled though I was, I kept the pace, ankle fractures notwithstanding. We soon came to the 2 factories that were undamaged. Tho one was the Poman Pride Pickle Wodc.s; the other looked like a standard fuel tank farm. The tanb held a supreme product of the Victory Vodka Distillery. The Russkies had thrown up ladders, chopped holes in the roof and drank the aging vodka, full of rotten wheat germ and potato peelings. Our guides cleared a ladder, took 7-liter bottles they had confiscated and filled them to the brim. Oddly enough, they had corks 10 we could tote them back to quarters. The sce.ne was a real riot. Russian soldiers would dip shoes, hats, cup their hands and drink till they were fallin&-down drunk. The tanks were some 20 feet tall, so it was quite a fall. Nonetheless, down they would plummet, staggerin& away unhurt. One character had about a 2½ gallon pail. He missed a run1 coming down and fell some ~S feet. We thought ~ly he'd be broken up badly, but he spilled only about a third of the pa.ii, 1ot up and staggered away blissfully as though be was in heaven, abaolutely unhurtlll It was quite a circus. We all laughed . Back at the barracks every one of our crew refused to ~ of the stuff but ono--me. Our picb wouldn't partake e1th~. That iB what civilization does: makes you too dam partJcular. I have never ever had vodka so delicious as that Victory Vodka. (The next day we repeated our trek to those wonderful storage tanks.) After our lunch of borscht and one square inch of pia fat for meat, we_ went outside where a fighter pilot captain was trying to•~ his B~ I-cylinder motorbilce. It just wouldn't 10, so the ~ captain unscrewed the 2-liter gu cap and saw he wu nmmng on full empty. He took a bottle of old Victory, sloshed it in the tanlc and resumed his seat. I told Cadle to get away from the rear of the cycle. When the captain kicked the star1er poor old Cadle jumped 6 feet backwards u that gorp,~ alcohol exhaust shot back about 8 feet. John uttered a grudging "Thanks." A few days later, 7 Russian officers and their leader-a major-threw a banquet for us. Someone had shot a small European deer and bad it spit roasted. There w13n, tons of good schwartz.e brot (black bread-man was it ever ,ood!), green beam and eobs of mashed potatoes plus fresh-churned creamery butter! This wu the first REAL food we had seen since the States. Al each place setting was a 12-ounce tumbler of fresh, clear water. Well, at least we thou1ht it was water. It t1;tmed ~ut to be just pure, clean vodka! The major asked me to sit by him. Cadle wu by me. Next thing I knew was old John sayin&, "These dirty b---ds all know English.• I told John to let politics fly and just eat. After a few vodkas, Cadle calmed down somewhat, but was still extremely auspicioua of our hosts. Gradually their boys and ours headed for the sack. When it s .

got down to Cadle, myself and the major, John left. The major a.od I were having one helluva time speaking in German and drinking. I made sure I had my stomach greased with that good creamery butter and black bread. I could tell the major was beginning to be a poor drinking buddy, so I suggested we drink our toasts standing. His eyes lit up and we drank a few toasts. Then I noticed the major had a peculiar look in his eyes and he slowly sank to the edge of his chair, falling to the floor saying, "Erich, you goot maan. • SOB! Cadle, the suspicious, was right. They knew English. That made me mad. I finished half my water glass, looked down upon the major and said, "Major, you are a disgrace to your country and your uniform.• With that I bapti:r.ed him with a good ba]f glass of vodka. His eyes were in the baclc of his head. He was dead drunk. The serving gals-pretty blond, blue-eyed Ukrainians-were laughing softly. I went upstairs, hit the sack and dreamed about a firing squad. The next day was 100% peaceful. Never again did I see the major and his drinking weaklings. However, word got to me through one of the gals that I was to be cut off from the sauce. As she put it, "The big American Swede is not to be drinking with .• One positive result of the banquet was that the NKVD suddenly stopped interrogating us. My hunch is that Marshal Rokossovsk.y had bis benevolent hand in the matter and he was a favorite of Uncle Joe. Whatever, I slept weU and we had a measure of freedom and bad pretty much the run of the country, which irritated the lesser lights, but things got to the point where the Russkies wanted us to fly with them and that was infinitely more treacherous than having the Nemitz shoot at us. The one thing that lingers in my mind are Cadle's famous words: "I still don't trust these SOBs" Even today, John has yet to be proven wrong. But there, again, time will tell. I'm with Cadle on this observation. Unfortunately, our greatest enemies are in Washington, D.C.-then es now. RETURN AND LANDING WITHOUT FUEL by Cam>U A. Bemer, 93rd B.G., 328th Sqd. Mission #31. Target Steinau. Feb. 23, 1944. AB we started forming, the #3 tank began syphoning fuel overboard. I ordered No Smoking and No Unnecessary Electrical Switching and switched fuel valves so that all engines fed from #3 tank. After that, it was continue forming and wait for the siphoning to stop, which it eventually did. There was no way of knowing for sure how much fuel was lost, but it was a lot. It turned out to be a difficult mission, not from enemy action, but from the weather. The formation climbed and descended several times, using far more fuel than normal, and I bad even less than the rest of the formation. After leaving the target area, my engineer informed me that we were dangerously low on fuel. So as soon as we weie over the Channel I left the formation and began a slow descent through the clouds heading directly toward Great Yarmouth. At approximately 200 feet we broke into semi-clear visibility and shortly after saw that the coastal cliffs were in the clouds. No choice but to climb up for more low-altitude instrument flying, knowing that the inland terrain was lower than the coast. By this time my engineer had informed me at least twice that we were out of fuel. My navigator told me when it was safe to descend and what heading to follow. From then on they alternated-the engineer saying we were out of gas and the navigator correcting headings. We did get low enough so that we could seo the ground below us and a little ahead. It soon became apparent that we had missed Hardwick and 6 home. Then I saw a black and yellow checkered mobile that was always at the impact end of the runway. I made a sharp right tum while yelling for aear and 0aps, and approached the nmway at an angle of approximately 4S degrees. I saw another B24 coming straight in and a Bl 7 opposite me and also at about~ a 45 degree angle. A quick estimate convinced me that I could beat both of them-and I did! Things looked a little stranae wbiJe rolling down the runway. We bad landed at Bungay; same Wing but different group. Upon accurate around check, I was told we still had 10-12 minutes of fuel remaining. Had I gone around even one time I probably would not be relating this story. :BITS AND PIECES OF PROP WASH Squadron Emblem Patches are now available. Cap patches are all sold out. Please specify squadron when ordering. Price is $4.7S, postage prepaid ... Sat., Jul. 30, 1994 was an upbeat occasion at the Communal Site Hardwick (where, in our time, the base commander lived) when the Frienm of the 2nd A.D. Memorial gathered for a bubeque fundraiser under the stars. Price was a modest 3 pounds 50 and included beverages and food. Little did our English friends know that just 36 hours later the memocial room would be devastated by fire ... Night of the lntnukrs by Jan Mcl.achlan, $37.9S, 224 pages, 120 B&W illustrations, eight 14"x8" hardbound. This dramatic account details USAAF mission 311 to Hamm on Apr. 22, 1944, when American bombers suffered their highest ever l088eS to German intruders. Meticulously researched and vividly written, this book described the ferocious action over Europe, and the carnage and confusion over England revealina the facts behind what went wrong. Includes many previously untold eyewitness accounts. Many references to 93rd. including a half-page picture of the Ball of Fire in flight, mention of Albert B. Cool, W.C. Everhart, Tom Pvry and Oen. Timberlake. Order toll-free (800) 826-6600, 729 Prospect Avenue, P.O. 1, Osceola, WI 54020 ... Pa.ae S, Summer 1994 issue BOFQE listed names of those who attended 2nd A.D. Reunion in Kansas City. My good friends Bill & Lee Brown of Omaha were incorrectly listed as Bill & Virginia. Very sorry! ... Back page, Summer 1994 BOFQE featured a picture of Headquarters Office staff. Everyone in the top row and 2 on the bottom row were identified by the sender of the picture, Mrs. John .Finitzer. Letters from Carmen Fox and Eugene Hoffman have revealed this additional information: Bottom, first on left: Maj. Fred (T-Bone) Miller, Communications Officer. Second: Group Navigator, name not remembered. Third: Johnson. Seventh: Gene Hoffman, Group Briefing Officer ... Can anyone supply information about Dan R. Pugh, a 409th bombardier from Jul. 1943 until early 1944? If so, please contact John Abajian, 240S Country Club Rd., Walla Walla, WA 99362 ... Ed Wagner, 711 N. 3, Arkansu City, KS 6700S, advises that he bas about 100 lapel buttons lettered: 2nd A.D. (squadron number), Hardwick 93rd B.G., (white with blue lettering). Price: $1.25 each. If you wish to order, specify squadron number. The BOFQE has received 10 donations of $10 each from Ed over the past year and a haJf u a result of his devotion to the 93rd . . . E.W. (Bill) Dawley and General George S. Brown, both of the 93rd, had a hard time 1etting away from each other, one war to another. In Dec. 1942, then Maj. Brown, m:ommended Dawley for the SiJVC{ Star. Many years later during the TET OfTemive, he received the Bronze Star Award. Decoration was signed by then 4 Star General Brown, USAF Commander.

TED'S TRA VELLJNG CIRCUS - UPDATE Carroll (Cal) Stewart, a retired Nebraska newspaperman, says he's embarrassed because Ted's Travelling Circus, a human interest record of all 391 missions, has been delayed. It was to have been completed a year ago. In a discussion with the BOFQE editor, Cal poked fun at Denver: •we'll hav~ ~e book i.n the mail to pre-paid purchasers before the $3 b1lhon Denver International Airport opens." Cal said 269 pictures (various crews, targets, personnel) are positioned in 24 (268 pgs) of 45 chapters. The first 24 chapte~ (1942-1943) are press-ready, containing hundreds of names m text and footnotes. The manuscript is finished on the remaining 21 chapters (1944-1945). Lacking is crew data on planes piloted by: Lts. Frank KilchesJci (Kjeller Mission, Nov. 18, 1943; headed for Sweden?); Robert W. Marks (Ahrweiler, Dec. 19, 1944, 11 KIA); Maddocks-Hoffman (Nuremberg, Feb. 21, 1945); Larry Leatherman (Feb. 25?, 1945); Reed-Beez (down over East Anglia Mar. 6, 1945); Tucker (who spun in at Halesworth, Mar. 31, 1945, 9 KIA). Leatherman may have been with Maddocks-Hoffman. If anyone can shed details, please contact Stewart (402) 336-2144 or (402) 464-5~19. . Calvin Davidson of Oberlin, OH, a 409th Sq. radfo op, as compiling the roster and index. The appendix also _incl~des. a roll of honor (669 confirmed KIA), and graves reg1s~tton m overseas American cemeteries. Floyd Mabee has compiled the honor roll. Stewart and his wife, the former Peggy O'Mara (Hardwick ARC 1944), have exhausted Maxwell AF~ arcbi_val material. Deciphering old microfilm records is often 1mposs1ble. Another official source is the National Archives at Suitland, MD, where minimum delays of 12 weeks are encountered on inquiries, and results not always helpful. When a crew is MIA in text, a footnote at the bottom of the column describes the action. The footnote lists crewmen and slatus (KIA, POW, evadee, etc.). Captioned pictures and maps accompany relevant text. '"It would have been easier to gang MIA crew listings in the appendix and lump photos into a ~d-section, • Stewart explained. Some at the 1994 Kansas Caty reunion examined the work. These included Bob McKeever (who read it all), Martin Furst, Fred Strombom, Homer Moran, Morton Macks, Harold Secor, Donald Spencer, Bob Wright. Joe Beach, the BOFQJ: editor, and others. Macks' summary: "Fine, let's go to press!" "No smal1 problem has been late testimony worthy of being spliced in,• Stewart said. "Each issue of the BOFQE stirs new testimony. We no longer can insert into 1942-1943 and the first quarter of 1944, except for missing crew reports. Several later chapters are finaliT.ed. The 93rd "family" shrinks daily. Cal's work is intended as a measure of historic justice to those with folded wings and all Circus veterans. The content will hold special interest for siblings. The 93rd was the most colorful outfit in military history. Most agree an accounting, complete as possible, is overdue. The story is told in context of the broad sweep of events a half-century ago. To place a pre-publication order, send check to Ted's Travelling Circus, 406 E. Adams St., P.O. Box 631, O'Neill, NB 68763-0631. A single copy is $48 plus $2.50 post.age/handliQg, total $SO.SO. Additional copies are $43 plus $2.50 ($45.S0). Let's hope the author, publisher and Denver lnternalional encounter no further delays. P.S.: owrs opening is now set for Feb. 28, 1995. 1 • NOVEMBER BANQUET for the lead Crews of the 93rd Bombardment Group (HI Monday. 20th November, 1944 Combat Officers' Mess Combat Officers· Club 1830 RECEPTION Cocktails and Hors d'Oeuvres Combat Officers' Me11 1930 DINNER Introduction: Col. Harvey P. Barnard, Jr. Address: Brig. Gen. Edward J. Timberlake, Jr. MENU Chicken Soup with Croutons Grilled Kansas City Steak French Fried Potatoes Stringless Green Beans w/Bacon Norfolk Green Salad Stuffed Celery STAFF 20th Combat Wing Lease-Lend Bread Butter Coffee Assorted Cakes Hardwick Ice Cream Macaroons Brig. Gen. Edward J. Timberlake, Jr., Commanding Col. Leland G. Fiegel, Chief of Staff 93rd Bombardment Group (HI Col. Harvey P. Barnard, Jr., Commanding Lt. Col. Gibson E. Sisco, Jr., Air Executive Lt. Col. John R. Philpott, Ground Executive Maj. Wayne M. Beumeler, Operations Maj. Charles F. Brannan, Adjutant Capt. Harry J. Russell, Intelligence Maj. Willard E. Babcock, Engineering Maj. John R. Oowswell, Squadron Commander Maj. John W. Floore, Squadron Commander Maj. Arthur P. Hurr, Squadron Commander Lt. Col. Therman 0. Brown, Squadron Commander Lead Crew Section Capt. Robert J. D.· Johnson, Training Capt. Ross E. Baker, Officer in Charge Capt. Henry W. Brandt, Asst. Officer in Charge 1st/Lt. Robert A. Jacobs, Navigator Capt. Whitfield G. Brookes, GH Navigator 1st/Lt. Raymond J. Schultz, Asst. GH Navigator 1st/Lt. John V. Conlon, H2X Navigator Capt. Griffith E. Damm, Radar D.F.C. SOCIBTY The Distinguished Flying Cross Society was formed in 1994 with members who have been awarded the DFC for deeds accomplished during aerial flight. The Society_'s ~ _is to publicize the meaning of the award and to honor ,ts rec1p1ents. The organization will a.rran1e reunions to reunite holders of the DFC, conduct tours and present a forum for patriotic, historical, eocial and recreational activities. A newsletter will be published to inform members of aviation activities and to present first-person accounts. The Society is a non-profit, tax-free organization sanctioned by th~ California Socf'Cta:'Y of S~te and the IRS. For further information and membership applica-tion, contact: Alexander D. Ciurcm, Founder, 34552 Camino Capistrano, Capistrano Beach, CA 92624, (714) 493-7165.

"HELLO MaFOlL-TfflS IS WEE WR.LIE" TIii d/4ry of Capt. Edward L. McGuJrt, Jr. 409th B.S., 93rd B.G. "Base to target is Uncle Sam's time. Target to base, you're on your own!" -Col Therman Brown, 93rd C.O. . . . con1inued from Summer isslll Mmion #6: 30 Oct. 1944 - Bamburg This was the first of 3 missions to Hamburg. Each time we were briefed for 500 guns and I will certify they were all there. We turned the IP and started the bomb nm. I looked ahead to the target area, mashed the button and said to Jr., "We weren't briefed for thunderstonns today!• "Hell, Slcip, that's no thunderstorm. That's flak!• The flak was coming up so heavy it had formed a great big black cloud over the target! The bomb run had been briefed for 10 minutes, as I remember. I looked at that black cloud and all I could think was, "My God! In JO minutes I will be dead.• I really believed that. For about lO minutes, I flew the plane, holding formation, stealing a loolc ahead and then at my wrist watch, and thought: "In 8 minutes I' 11 be dead; in 6 minutes it will all be over; in 4 minutes we'll all be gone; in 2 minutes, it will all be gone and forgotten.• Suddenly, it seemed, we peeled off in a tum into the Oroup Rally, then into the Wing Rally and away, and we were still alive and didn't have a hole in the ship! What an extraordinary feeling of awe and bumble gratitude. I've faced what I thought were pretty good chances of dying, both before and since, but that was quite a feeling . . . never to be forgotten. Form S shows Nov. 2; 1:30 hrs. flight, probably an abort with the new technique. Mismon #7: 4 Nov. 1944- Merseburg (ac.cording to the Mis.goo Credit) My mission handout sheet shows 117, bombed oil refinery at Hannover, never saw so many ships. Flak was very heavy and very accurate! This was another of those days when I saw the red in the ce,nter of the bursts! I have a feeling that this was the last mission I bad trouble .flying formation. I think it was on this trip that I overran the formation on the turn into the target. God! What a sensation! I bad to dog leg out and back in to let the Squadron get up to and ahead of me. Sitting out there all alone. That was the last time that I ever again had trouble flying formation. In fact, later I got too good, but that's another incident or two. Nov. 5, 1944, another abort or recall, 1:25 hrs. ~on #8: 9 Nov. 1944 - Ft L' Asine 6:00 hrs.+ :JO min This was the worst mission out of 36! Flying 362 "J" Jigg again (a B24H) in the Hi-Right Squadron. My handout says, "#8, hit Fort L'Asine 4 miles in front. of Patton's 3rd Anny. Tachometer on #2 engine began to fail over target. I thought I was losing the engine. We broke formation dp.ring return. Hit heavy ice, rain and snow squall. Finally landed at Framingham B17 base, came home later, no flak. What happened was when we turned the IP and the Lead opened his bomb bay doors, he bad a faulty release. That means something electrical failed and his bombs went out before they should have. We thought it was an early release. You never know. We could have turned onto the bomb run late or something. We were under FLAT ORDERS. "When the lead opens bis doors, you open yours. When the lead drops his bombs, you drop yo11t11. No maybe's about it.• So we did. Right on a regiment of U.S. troops sitting in truclcs waiting to go in after we had bombed the fort. You never saw a more miserable group of airmen than we were that night when we learned what bad happened. It really hurt. Long years afterwards, I happened to be shooting the breeze 8 somewhere with someone and mentioned this incident. It turned out he bad been on one of those trucks. He said they'd have killed us that night if they could, but later reallied or were told what had happened. But it brought back: that terrible feeling again. Indeed, writing this today, Mar. 29, 1980, and I still C&JJ feel so sad about it. The worst mission in memory. Nov. 11 and 20, 2 more recalls or aborts. Mmion #9: 21 Nov. 1944 - Hamburg (again) Handout says: Hamburg, 2nd time, d- tough. Every ship in the low Left but me got flak damage. Did I ever leave that target areal Nothing unUBU8l occun:ed on this mission, ex.cept nothing unusual. The flak over Hamburg the first trip bad been barrage; i.e., they threw it up and you drove into it. This time it was predicted; i.e., they aimed it at you. It makes a lot of difference. We came under tire shortly after twnin& the IP. Barney Ellers, my tail gunner, was a good, steady man from Alabama and always talked in a soft, easy manner when reporting information to me. Barney called mo in a few minutes, "Flak at 6 o'clock, sir,• in a real steady matter-of-fact voice. "Never mind the 'sir.' Where is the flak?" • A good ways back and low.• "Olcay, keep me posted.• Then, "Flak at 6 o'clock, sir," voice rising and more rapid speech. "Never mind the 'sir.' Where the h- is the flak?" "Still behind and below, but closer. Ithinkthey'retraclc:ingus.• "Olcay, keep me posted.• Then a shrill, excited, "Flak at 6 o'clock, sir!" •\\-'here, Barney?" "Directly back and below.• I called out to Jr., "Half flaps,• and shoved the throttles and applied a touch of right rudder. We went up like an elevator 500 feet, as quick as it takes to read this. PHOOMPI PHOOMPI PHOOMPI PHOOMP! right through our formation position. I gave bet a touch of left rudder and eased back on the throttles as Jr. pulled up the flaps. Down like a rock, right baclc into our position and the last 4 bursts went off up over our beads PHOOMPI PHOOMP! PHOOMPI PHOOMPI The only time I really felt I did something that really saved us from .flak. I felt I earned my pay that day-so did my whole crew. During the withdrawal, we watched a B24 that may have been a cripple. He was out of formation and all alone and got too close to Beligoland, and they really shot at him. Nothing we could do to help; just sit there and keep flying and sweat the poor b-- out. Mmion #10: 25 Nov. 1944- Bingerbruck Bingerbruck on the Mission Credit, but Bingen to us, and a marshalling yard. A real milk nm, and we missed the taraet, but Division hit. We flew high right on the 448th lead. In other word.st we were reinforcing the 448th. Our ahip was 334 •K, • better known as OJd Patchu, from all the patches over flak damage. It took several inc)les more manifold pre88Ufe to keep up because of the additional dra& from all those patches. I let Jr. fly most of this one. In fact, it was the only time I let him fly the bomb run, as I remember. I also remember that I drove him crazy because I kept trying to remember that poem about •Bingen, Fair Binaen. on the Rhine.• Mis.9on #11: 26 NoT. 1944- Bielef'eld A viaduct, widely and well known as a milk: nm. This may have been the mission on which I neglected to plug my electric pants into my electric jacket! It wu COLD! I turned my thermostat up to the limit, and from the waist up I roasted while from the waist down I was practically fro.zen solid. I think my voice was 2 octaves higher for an hour or 2 after we ,......_ landed. Oieclc:ing the plug in my electric suit was NEVER done carelessly again, I &SS11fC you. . . . to be continua next issue

EXPRESS AIR MAIL DELIVERED BY B.O.F. Dear Paul, Thanks for editing the BOF(}Jf.. Fifty years have passed since r we and our colleagues performed our missions of the day. (Pilot of Sug~146ofthe 328th,Jun. 1944-May 1945]. Special remembrance goes to those who persisted even unto death for the success of the missions. It is easy to let the memories fade away whe.n so much times bas passed. It takes personal tales of individual performances and photoil'llphs of events to provoke our memories of the feelings that we had during those years. Enclosed is my check in appreciation of being on the mailing list and having an effective link back to that treacherous, but memorable, era. I wanted to go into battle and just hoped that I could live through it. To fail to go, in that hour of threat to our country, would have been an intolerable sign of cowardice. Yet, it took repeated reassurances of conviction to master the human reluctance to hit the line for our country and our families. We need to jointly honor those who lost their lives as they battled alongside of us. We, who survived, have a responsibility to memorialize our airmen brethren whom fate unfortunately took from our crews, squadrons, groups and divisions of tho 8th A.F. May we continue to servo our responsibility with an honor befitting them. Dear Paul, MYRON G. SMITH USAIDBox4 American Embassy APO 96520-8135 Keep up the good work on the BOF(}Jf.. It brings back many frightening and fond memories concerning the time that I was ,-,---... with the 93rd and who wu commander. [I was there from OcL 1943 until late Mar. 1944. Col. Fiegel was commander, but I didn't know him personally as I was a 1st and 2nd Lt. at the time.] Col. Barnard stated that ho had joined the 93rd in Feb. 1944 to replace George Brown as Deputy C.O. of the Group. I left the next month, so I was not that familiar with Bamard. However, George Brown and I bocamc very close since be became Deputy C.O. of the 5th A.F. in Korea when I was the base commander at Kimpo AFB. As you know, George Brown became Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff until his untimely death in 1980. The incident about the lead crew crashing on takeoff on Doc. 19, 1944, I was in the U.S. for a 30-day leave at that time, returning to the 466th in mid Jan. 1945. We met with our navigator, Norman Hanson, at Pawleys Island, SC in November. He was on all 26 of our missions flying Reddy Teddy as part of the 328th Sq,. finishina up late Mar. 1944. When he reads all the interesting items, I am SUie be will contribute to your worthwhile effort. I hopo you are enjoying your new home in California. When you gel back to Indiana, pvo us a call. Dear Paul, B.G. KENNETHE. KEENE, Ret. 811 Ellenberger Pwy. Indianapolis, IN 46219 Just a belated tbanlc you for sending the address of Jacewitz. I have searched for SO years and now have finally located 2 of my original crew, waist gunner Mullaney and radio op Jacewitz. Tbanlcs again. Jacewitz bas verified that our crew, R.J.D. Johnsons, 93rd Op. 330th Sq. did lead the 2nd Div. an the first daylight raid on Berlin, Mar. 6, 1944. So the penon who claimed that honor, in the Journal, bas made a mistake or is tryina to pull our lea. Jacewitz doesn't remember the name 9 of the Col. Command Pilot who was wounded over the tasget, either. He bad been recently transferred from the Pacific to the E. T.O. After that day I lost track of the Col. He had a serioua wound in the chest, but be surely survived. I think my dues are paid up, but rm not so sure about next year. After the operation I will need to cut a lot of comers. I guess ti.nae will tell. That BOFQE is a fine paper. Seems I can aet more info out of it than I can out of the Journal. Ha!I Dear Paul, J.L. MOSIBR 403 Crane St. Parle Hills, MO 63601 Being a member of the 93rd from its inception at BarksdaJe Field to its return to the St.ates in 1945, I was delighted to receive BOF(}Jf.. I was an airp]ane mechanic with the 93rd until Spring 1943, then went to Flying Control as Transit Alert Mechanic and maintenance of RAF equipment. I am working OD a reply to the historian putting to1ether the data OD the crash of the 367th B.G. ship, RI.uh Marie, Jul. 11, 1944. It just missed the 93rd control tower and then slid into a supply buildin&, I was on top of the control tower when it happened and saw it all. Dear Paul, PAUL R. DILLON Rt 1 Box 210 Selmer, TN 38375 On Aug. 27, 1993, I reported to you and your membership that we had secured fundinJ for the 8th A.F. Heritage Center through. Chatham County's willinaness to sell revenue bonds. In the interim I'm pleased to report that we have selected Maltbie Associates of Mt. Laurel, NJ to be our interior design contractor and J. T. Turner Construction and Scott Barnard Assoc., both of Savannah, GA, to be our builder and architect, respectively. We are in the process of 6Dalizing desian work so that construction may begin this summer. We are also developing the "story line" for the museum portion of The Heritage Center. In a previous letter, I alerted you and your memher$hip to identify materials, memo.rabilia, artifacts and archives that migb.t be made available to the Center for display and presentation of 8th A.F. history. We now need to know as soon as possib/.e what your members are willini to make available. The information is vitally important u we develop the overall Heritage Center program. We are also seekint 8th A.F. vintage aircraft: Bl 7, B24, B26, P38, P47 and PSl. Docs any individual or group want to sponsor one of the&e aircraft'? We will put the aircraft in its wartime and iroup colors to honor the unit that sponsors one of these aircraft. Please contact our Museum Director, Gary Miller, at (800) 421-9428 if you have any material or want to become a sponsor. Again, I extend my best wishes to you and your membership and express my sincere appreciation for your continuina support of your 8th A.F. Heritage Center. LT. GEN. E.G. SHULER, JR., USAF, RET. Chairman and CEO The Mighty 8th A.F. Heritage Center P.O. Box 1992 Savannah, GA 31402-1992

EXPRESS AIR MAIL DELIVERED BY B.O.F. Dear Paul, In the BOFQE regarding a letter asking about members of the 93rd basketball team that was 8th A.F. Runner-Up in 1944, I was a member of that team. Sure brings back memories. Dear Paul, BILLIE J. HOLMES 1223 Willow Springs Blvd. Brownsburg, IN 46112-1858 Thank you very much for getting a copy made of the aerial photo of Hardwick that Col. Brown gave you. It will be great to have a photo of the base when my grandfather was there. The one 1 have was ta.ken before the addition of the aircraft parking areas. I have enclosed a check for the picture and a check for the newsletter. I went to the National Archive in WasbingtonD.C. last week and copied 21 mission reports from 3/2/44 through 9/28/44. 1 copied the formation sheets, routes to the target, and the Usts showing the aircraft loacling for that mission. I am compiling a Ust for Cal Davidson of the members of the 93rd that do not show up on bis list for the book. I am also recording their serial number "when available" on the list to help locate them through the VA. 1 will get with you and Floyd Mabee about locating the missing 93rd B.G. members. I have included a copy of the prints for the base that 1 got from the Imperial War Museum in England. Dear Paul, DONALD K.. MORRISON 1375 W. Comet Rd. Clinton, OH 44216 I sure enjoy BOFQE and hope the enclosed check will keep my name on the mailing list a while longer. I have tried to correct misinformation on who flew Bomerang (722) on the Aug. 1, 1943 Ploesti Mission. The Spring 1994 B0FQE (pg 5) and an article in Air Classics (Mar. 1944, pg 63) indicated a Lt. Luther C. Bird flew Bomerang on the mission. In fact, 1st Lt. Roy G. Martin was pilot and Lt. Luther S. Bird was copilot. Lt. D.R. Dahl, a newly arrived pilot, made the mission with us. A point of interest: •Bits and Pieces of the Mighty Eight• (Paul M. Andrews, etc.) lists 15 8th A.F. heavy bombers named Boomerang. Only one heavy bomber was named Bomerang. This was B24D 123722 of our 328th Sq. Thus, the misspelling separated the 328th Bomerang from the others. Dear Paul, LUTHER S. BIRD 729 Shady Ln. Bryan, TX 77802 It is with great sorrow that I inform you that Donald K. Jones, co-pilot of B24 Thun.dermug on the Ploesti raid, died after a long illness on Aug. 1, the 51st anniversary of the Aug. 1, 1943 low-level raid over Ploesti. Every day he remembered that day, as if it happened yesterday, detail by detail. We feel it was his sincere and immense love and devotion for this country that gave him the determination to hold on until Aug. 1. My father is flying up there again now, only this time it is beautiful. God bless. MARION JONES {daughter) 108 W. Harris St. Savannah, GA 31401 • 10 De.arPaul, I believe my dues for the BOFQE are due soon, so enclosed is my check now. l do look forward to reading it. You do such a nice job of putting it all together. I am sure it is very time consuming, so thanks again. lt was nice to see you at Kansas City and hope to see you again in Lexington, KY next year. My crew member, George McNulty, who had a slight heart attack at Kansas City, is doing okay now and is back homo in Florida. I would like to say a few words about my former pilot, John Kerler, who got us through 35 missions over the skies of Nazi, Germany. We started our tour of duty in Nov. 1944 and finished our last mission Apr. 1945. This man was very courteous to the crew and showed respect to each one of us. He believed in us and what our duty was on the plane. He was a helluva pilot and I tbanlc him for seeing us through those hellish days. Dear Paul, RICHARD R. TROUSDALE 601 N. Hayden, Sp. 107 Scottsdale, AZ 85257 1 am sorry about the delay in getting my dues to you. I rea'ly don't have an excuse--just too many golf games! As a former 330th B.S. member, I enjoy reading about other Ois. I have gotten together with Dick BlakJock: and Harry Albright a few times. They were also in the 330th. Dear Paul, LEONARD AVONA 16 Pinewood Ave. Queensbury, NY 12804 The article •Return to Hardwick" By Ed Reilly really brought back memories. My wife, Katie, and I visited the old base in 1976. Congratulations to Ed on such a fine story. I was almost to tears as I recalled that 1976 visiL PAUL 0. PELOQUIN 808 Quincy St. N.E. Albuquerque, NM 87110 PhyUla DuBois, Memorial Room Ubrllllen, end LM Burkheher, 409th, chatting outside the mini mu..um et Site 3, Hardwick Airfield

EXPRESS AIR MAIL DELIVERED BY B.O.F. Dear Paul, Enclosed is my donation to keep the BOFQE flying. In the r-- past few months I have participated in the D-Day commemor-ations in Normandy, visited Norwich and Hardwick, and tmisferred from Germany to Washington, DC. Keep up the good work. Dear Paul, JOHN A. MARX, LTC, USA 9219 Claytonia Ln. Annandale, VA 22003 I was with you at the 93rd reunion in Orlando and the Ploesti dedication at Dayton, OH. Four of our crew were there: Packey Roche, Hal Bil you and Bill Doemer. Bill called me a few weeks ago and told me he is going to the Orlando meeting on Feb. 12, 1995. Heard from Chuck Boyer of the 330th who was in town. He gave me Ralph Tissot's address. The BOFQE is great. Keep sending it. Dear Paul, FRANK V. DURANTE 53 Brookside Rd. West Orange, NJ 07052 4f: Sgt. Durante ie decorated by Brig. Gen. Edward J. Timberlake Enclosed is my contribution for the BOFQ,E. What a great story by Tony Grey. He is the first person from my 2 crews I've heard from in over 50 years. I was bis co-pilot on our first 8 missions. We first met in Salt Lake City and did B24 training at Clovis, NM and Langley Field, VA. We went ov~ together via the southern route. Since his article in the BOFQE, we have been in contact by phone and letter. I did 27 missions with my second crew as first pilot. We bad a brand new silver color B24 named Thunderbird. My greatest regret is that I did not keep track of their names and add~. Only Richard Pomeroy's name comes to mind. He was our bombardier. Perhaps through your efforts someone will say, "I flew with Bill Seward Apr.-Jul. 1944. • Dear Paul, WILLIAMS. SEWARD 6328 Dorchester Rd. Lockport, NY 14094 Enclosed is my check to help support the BOFQE. I enjoy your newsletter more than any other A.F. material I receive. It brings back great memories. I flew over as navigator on Col. David W. Thompson's crew. We flew about 10 missions together before Dave was transferred over as lead crew pilot on 11 The Dudu!ss. Just recently Dave wrote to let me know that you were able to locate l..any Markes, our co-pilot. I intend to write to Larry and, of course, keep in touch with Dave. We had some great times together and, hopefully, we can ,et together again. Please keep up the good work and keep those old memories going. Dear Paul, SAM PARISI 495 Exmoor Terr. Dunedin, FL 34698 On a topic related to the next trip to England for the V.E. Day festivities in May, 1995, the English people have always been very generous in their praise of the 8th A.F. efforts in WWII. We know, however, that without the extreme courage and determination of the British civilian population we would not have bad a base to fly from! Has the 2nd A.D. Assoc. ever done anything in a public way to acknowledge the heroes of East Anglia? If not, celebrating the anniversary of the end of the war and probably our last organized trip to England may be a jood time to do so. It is just a thought, but I wonder if it is something you might want to suggest to the Executive Committee. Even something like a full-page ad in the Norwich paper or a taped testimonial video for the library might be appropriate. Dear Paul, DON SPENCER 858 E. Wheeler Rd. Midland, MI 48640 Enclosed is my check for another year of your wonderful BOFQE. I'm sure this is a labor of love for you, and I lcoow it must be universally appreciated by all veterans of the 93rd. I didn't know many who served in the 93rd, even in my 329th Sq., because I arrived in early Jun. 1943 and was shot down on my 8th mission on Dec. 1, 1943. I was the co-pilot on Dick Ketchum's crew. We missed the P)oesti raid because, as the newest-asaigned crew, our navigator was picked up to go with an.other crew, leaving the rest of us at Hardwick when they went to Bengazi. We did go to Bengaz.i right after Ploesti and flew a couple of missions out of there. Then back to England, returned to Tunis for targets in Italy and Wiener Nuestadt, and back to England again. We were shot down near our target of Solingen in the Ruhr. The rest of the war was spent at Stalag Luft 1 at Barth. Over the years l bad lost touch with all of our old crew, except for Ketchum, who visited here with me 3 years ago. Unfortunately, he passed away a few months ago at his home in Baton Rouge, LA. Keep up the good work! Dear Paul, CLINT·BucK·GRUBER 14900 NW Northumbria Beaverton, OR 97006 Sorry I didn't respond earlier. Here's my check for your good cause. Haven't forgotten. about my charts for the raids that I led in 1944. Am preparing them and making copies and will send them along soon. You're doina a great job. Keep up the good work:. If I can be of any help, let me know. HARVEY P. BARNARD, JR. 4S8 Country Club Dr. J.ansdale, PA 19446 Ed: Harvey wa.r C.O. of 93rd B.G. Sq,l. 27, 1944-Dec. 5, 1944.

EXPRESS AIR MA1L DELIVERED BY B.O.F. Dear Paul, I'm enclosing a check to cover another year for myself and Tony North. I really like the format of the BOFQE. It gives so many of us old codgers a chance to tell our stories. Thanks for the map of Hardwick showing WAAF Site II and especially locating the guard gate. Maybe you recall the night we got a •Red Alert• as a V-1 Buzz Bomb was beading ouc way. Every-one in the huts came out to watch it go over and were all standing there looking up as it approached. Suddenly it went "put, put"-"put• once more and then silence. Everyone beaded for the bomb Bomb Shelter shelter. The finrt man down the entrance stairs was suddenly in water up to his knees and tried to stop, but no dice! Those following hit him in the back and he went sprawling into the cold, dark, stagnant water. There were so many trying to get into the shelter I knew I'd never make it, so I dashed back into Hul 13 just as the Buzz Bomb exploded. I believe it landed near the guard gate which was demolished, along with a couple of guards. That was the story anyway. Above is the actual bomb shelter as it appeared in 1976. At that time it was the only trace of wartime activity at WAAF Site II, with the exception of the 2 buildings at front (latrine and bathhouse), which still stand. The bomb shelter is gone. The lower picture shows 3 occupants of Hut 11 who made it into the bomb shelter that night ahead of me and consequently suffered intro-duction into the "dark, stagnant, cold water.• (l-r): Claudius (Gus) Hodges, co-pilot; David Searles, pilot; and Paul Steiche.n, naviga-tor, all from the Searles crew. Three Occupants of Hut 11 I just received a new roster from Fred Strombom and searched in vain for names of anyone on my crew {Bill MacFarland crew). I have a picture of our crew at Topeka, KS just before we left with our new B24 for the trip to England via Goose Bay and Meeks, Iceland. I'll have a copy made and send it along shortly. HOW ARD CLEVELAND 1504 Miller Farms Rd. Germantown, TN 38138 12 Dear Paul, Keep up the great work you are doing! As one of Ted Ti.mberlake's "boys,• you are giving me new life and are bringing baclc all sorts of memories. Dear Paul, GIL FREEMAN 7 Pond Ct. Middletown, NJ 07748 I was a gunner on Harry Gruener's lead crew, 329th B.S. We were shot up leading the 8th A.F. into Hamburg on Jan. 17, 1945. We landed in Malmo, Sweden with a dying co-pilot, John Harrington who lived for another 3 days at a hospital. John was buried the same day he died along with several others. Several ye.ars after the war he was reburied in Boston, MA. All of the graves are gone from Malmo now except for 2, and years later the American Legation was reminded thal they were still there. The rest of us spent 2 months skiing and then worked repairing the B24 and B17s that were left there. We were released in Jul. 1945 and went home on a freighter that took 21 days to dock at Mobile, AL. Dear Paul, HOWARD BUSSE P.O. Box 135 Forest Hill, MD 21050 This is from memory of 50 years ago. Tho Battle of the Bulge was on and the weather did not allow the 8th A.P. to take off for days. It finally broke on Dec. 26, 1944 and a maximum effort was called for. Every 4-aigine bomber that could get off the ground was used for this mission. The area around Bastogne was sectioned off l.ib a checkerboard, with each squadron assigned a square as a drop area. Each bomber was loaded with 2S pound aoti-pereonnel bombs set to go off 15 feet above the ground. The bomb racks reminded me of firecrackers connected together. The trip across the Channel was just black with bombers as far as the eye could see. Over 3,000 8th A.F. planes took part. There was no mention of this raid in the Battle of the Bulge movie, although it was the largest .raid in the history of tho mighty 8th A.F. Dear Paul, HARRY M. GLOSS 256 River Rd. Wmthrop, MA 02152 Just happened to catch the film Wing and a Prayer, the saga of Utah Man, shown on TV. We now have the tape. John Connolly, engineer on the Ploesti raid, was the very first buddy I made in tho Army Air Corps. He was killed later on his last mission with Utah Man. We bad a great reunion in Colorado in Feb. Rufus King is doing well and Joe Bergeron is better since last we heard. Dear Paul, NELSON & NORA BIVEN 31 Detroit St. Durand, MI 48429 I am sending a check for another year of the BOFQE. I enjoy the news about things that happened in the 93rd many ...--,. years ago. Many things come to mind. If possible, I would like l • more letters from ground personnel. Keep up the aood work. GEORGE N. ALEXANDER 825W. 3rd Lane, KS 66042

~ AIR MAIL DELIVERED BY B.O.F. Dear Paul, I was a ground man with the 330th Sq.-Bombsight and r Auto Pilot Maintenance. Got to fly with a lot of the pilots hecking and adjusting the auto pilots. Always loved flying. Also flew back to the States in a B24 shortly after the war ended. Really enjoy reading the BOF(l£. Found a lost buddy from your listing of new members. Dear Paul, ROBERT H. VENECK 2620 Linda St. Omaha, NE 68147 Here is my check for continuation of the BOF(l£. It is a great newsletter and brings back many memories. I was gunner in the 329th B.S. and my pilot was Bob Oberschmid. We flew 30 missions. Our crew of 11 is now down to 9. We meet each year or so for a 3-day gab fesL We take our wives. The next one is May 27-29, 1995 in Minneapolis-St. Paul. Keep up the good worlc on the BOFQE. JAMES DUPREY 103 Orchard Dr. E. W. Syracuse, NY 13212 Mr. Adrian G. Smit P.O. Box 294 Fairfax, CA 94978 Dear Mr. Smit We have made arrangements for a ceremony. The plan is to ,..,,-. _recognize your uncle, Adrian Hanri Smit, at a POW /MIA ceremony scheduled for Sept. 16, 1994. You will be a guest of honor and will receive your uncle's Distinguished Flying Cross. Our Special Projects Office is conducting the ceremony and they will contact you. I assure you the ceremony is honorable. It is a day when our nation recognizes all POW I MIAs. On this day your uncle will receive special recognition. The narrator of the ceremony will read the courageous story of your uncle and the Jerk's Natural crew to the audience. The Wing Command& will also provide a few comments referencing this ceremony. Dear Paul, Sincerely, FLOYD M. ST ALL JR., Lt Col, USAF Director of Wing Staff Sorry for the del.ay in sending my check. Old age, certainly not a lack of interest in the BOFQEI Finished my military stint at AFTAC, Orlando, in Oct. 1945. While there was provided a nice, shiny B24 for a •family day affair• at the Consolidated Vultee plant in Miami. While there, saw a picture of old Bomerang, taken when she arrived from England. When the PR man was told I was from the very group she came from, be called the photo lab and I eoon had an 8x10 glossy of plane and crew. If you think you or the 2nd A.D. Journal could use same, let me know. JOHN K. NEAST 1006 Center Ave. Jim Thorpe, PA 18229 13 Phil Bufflnton Crew, 329th Front row (kl: Bern•d Heinsler, ball gunner, Buffalo, NY Mike Koury, top gunner, Lorain, OH Vito Palazzolo, radio operator, Brooklyn, NY John Mangels, arm1Wnent gunner, Long t•land, NY Roland Roberts, tall gunner, Holyoke, MA Fred Young, fDght engineer, Charleston, WV. Top row 0-rl: Freeman, radar navigator; Ted Thoma, co-pilot, Cincinnati, OH George Gorman, bombardier, Albany, NY Phll Bufflnton, pilot, Williamstown, MA Henry Clark, navigator, Chicago, IL. Dear Paul, I recently visited Norwich and, thanb to Mr. David Woodrow, the remains of the base at Hardwick. I found your address in a copy of the 2nd A.O. Journal, which was given me by the librarian of the Memorial Library in Norwich. I was a navigator/radar observer first in the 409th then the 329th in 1944 and 1945, returning to the States with the group in 194S. I would appreciate it very much if you can provide information about the 93rd Association. I had not known that such an assooiation existed. Like many othen, I b.adn•t had time to pursue the matter until I finally joined the ranlcs of the retired. I am a member of the Castle Air Museum Foundation and have mentioned to some of the people there that I would like to see the tail markings on their B24 repainted to the yellow outer surfaces with vertical black stripe. It presently bu the •circle B· and aircraft letter on the tail, with squadron code (RE) for the 329th on the fuselage. My research indicates that this was correct only for a abort period from Feb. 1944 until the color-painted outer surfaces were adapted in Apr. 1944. The aircraft is also painted (OD & gray) which it would not have been as it is a B24MCO. I presume that is because of corrosion problems. Thanks for any information you can provide. CHARLES D. SILL 808 Femridge Ct. Modesto, CA 953S1-4469

EXPRESS AIR MAIL DELIVERED BY B.O.F. George Kamahan 10617 Elgers St. Bellflower, CA 90706-7129 Dear George, A brief note of thanks for your letter concernin& the crash of the 467th B.G. ship Ruth Marie at Hardwick Airfield on Jul. 11, 1944. You are only the second veteran from the 93rd B.G. who has written about the crash incident that happened over SO years ago. The first was from an aircraft mechanic of the 329th B.S. who witnessed the accident. I'm a little WlBW'e of the purpose of the building that was struck by the fuel-starved aircraft. In one account I've heard it described as a chemical building, another as the propeller shop, and your account as the tech-supply building. I recently obtained a photo of the crash scene from an English sourco and agree it is unbelievable that there were 8 survivors from the twisted and buckled remains. Six of the surviving crew were invalided back to the U.S. The pilot and navigator were put back on combat status just 8 wee.kB later. U. Edwin Lackeos (pilot) finally completed his missions early in Jan. 1945. A strange incident occurred to the surviving navigator when flying with another 467th crew durine Oct. 1944. Shortly after reaching the IP on a mission to Cologne, he fell out the nose wheel door! He was subsequently taken POW. This certainJy was an odd incident. It was later found out that the navigator was extremely apprehensive about the day's mission and was probably still traumatiz.ed by the crash at Hardwick. Comments from other crew indicate that he deliberately •jumped.• In those days the subject of post traumatic stress was litUe understood. A week in a "flak-shack" for R&R was the best one could expect! Dear Paul, ANDY WILKINSON 467th B.G. Historian 12 Hughes Rd. Hayes; Middlesex UB3-3AN England It is with a great deal of interest that I read the different accounts of the crash of Beavt!r'a Baby at the end of the runway on Dec. 19, 1944, especially the account by Harry Gruener. My recollection of the incident is so different. I wonder if there were 2 different but similar crashes? Here is my recollection of the traeedy. I was the co-pilot on Francis Jordak's crew. I went through the checklist twice as we were taxiing, just like 1 always did. I think we were flying Ma's Wony. As we came up to number one takeoff position, I noted the visibility was not very good, but not nearly as bad as that noted by Harry Gruenei. I could see the plane taking off just ahead of us. As she got a few feet off the runway she then lost altitude and smashed down to the ground. We bad already started to roll forward, and when we saw the accident up ahead we slammed on the brakes and with all engines running we waited for instructions. I think I remember seeing one person nmning to my right away from the wreck. I distinctly remember the control tower was toward my left. It wasn't long before we could see a trickle of flame coming from the wreck, and then came a terrific explosion. We were ordered to cut our engines and we got out of the plane. Somebody in a jeep went down the runway to pick up fragments on the runway. Now the orders came to restart the engines and take off. We began to wonder if another bomb would go off just when we were over the wreck. A.a we rolled forward we noticed that we weie slow in picking up takeoff: speed. As we got closer and closer to the wreck my attitude changed from scared to terrified. At the last moment Jordak and I pulled back on the stick and we barely got off the ground. Immediately, I noticed an intense vibration that made me forget about another bomb going off below us. I looked out the window and behold-the cowl flaps were open! I slammed down on the toggle switches that shut the cowl flaps and then we were able to increase our air speed and the vibration stopped. Then I remembered. When we were in number 1 takeoff position with engines running waiting for instructions I noticed the cylinder head temperatures beginning to climb, so I opened the cowl flaps. When we started to roll for tho second time, I thought there was no use going through the checklist again. I had forgotten that I had opened the cowl flaps! As careful and meticulous as I was, this one little mistake nearly 81lllffed out the lives of 9 men. We had several narrow escapes in our 33 combat missions, but only the bombardier and radio operator were KIA. The resl of the crew made it safely back to the U.S. I'm retired now but still help my son with bis farming-feeding cattle, driving tractors, fixing fences, etc. If any of you pass through Southeastern South Dakota, please stop in and say "hello.• Dear Paul, FREDE. SHUBECK 408 7th Sl North Beresford, SD 57004 It was good to receive your letter and really appreciate th&i enclosures. Loma and I have been t.ujoying our time at the new --library contact office in Noiwich. We have just about pbotostated and cleaned all the material worth saving. There is always that "burning amen• with everything left. You will be pleased to learn the 93rd BOFQP newsletters are saved and in good order. Books arrive daily. Phyllis went over to Cliff Bishop's bookshop and -brought back. quite a number. Spent 3 hours up at David's a few weeks back. They are busy building a set of toilets near the meeting room. He's been really renovating somo of the old buildings this summer. We bad lots of rain the week I visited, in fact, 511.t inches overnight. David lost 300 hens to floodina. He pointed out aeveral black bags holding dead chicbna-worth around £1,000, he said. I have been. able to assist a Belgian man in relation to a project a group was doinJ in Brugges concemina the crash of Baggy Maggy. They had somo of the crew return to the crash site. I was able to get a roll of film taken at the old field so the people could see how and what is left at Hardwick: today. We have a new grandson, born Sept. 17. Bradley, James-everyone doing fine. JOHN & LORNA ARCHER 29 Station Rd. Earsbam, Bungay Suffolk. NR3S 2TS England Ed: This is an updale to IM Archer letter in page 1 story which givu initial reactiom to tM •great fire. • At you haw read, things are settling down. The David referred to abo~ is, of course, David Woodrow, owner and keeper of IM old Hardwick Base. 14 •

EXPRESS AIR MAIL DELIVERED BY B.O.F. '--..5=~ Dear Paul, ,e;) ~ '· /,/ ~ ~ ., I wonder bow many officers recall the series of murals painted on the wall of the meu ball on the left as you went in, similar to the one I am eoclosin& (above). I remember one that depicted a naviaator walking ashore from the Channel with water pouring from rµs briefcase. I made a freehand copy of the first ono, depicting the 4 crew officers (above). H anyone else made copies of the others, 'd suro like to see them. TOM PARRY 27 Mt. Tom Ave. Holyoke, MA 01040 Dear Paul, I understand from a note on the back cover of one the latest issues of BOFQE that you have more than enough material to fill the BOFQE for the next 12 yea.rs. Therefore, I am NOT sendins you my crew's picture (they all look alike to me anyway ... ). But I tbouaht you mi&ht be interested in these drawinaa. They were murals in the mess ball at Hardwick, and on Sat., Jul. 15, 1944, with nothina better to do, I sat down and copied them, from afar, as accurately u I could. They might recall memories for the hundreds of airmen who ate in that facility. CARL GREENSTEIN 6112Mamea. Citnia Heights, CA 95621 15 ..

GATHERING OF 409th - MID 1944 ( f { This unique photo shows maintenance, armorers, office people and air crews. Ken Riggs, flight chief a•/iheifime, supplies this picture and is shown second row center, capless with scarf. Line chief Ray Wier, itl'\ b;J~bfl cap, stands just above Ken's right shoulder. Big question at the time (according to Ken) was: How.,••"fail 1hl'M ground people get A2 jackets? / ( ..., 1he Ball of Fire Quarterly Express Paul R. Steichen, Editor 2227 A Ruhland A venue Redondo Beach, CA 90278-2401 93rd BOMB GROUP FIRST CLASS MAIL CALVIN DAVLDSON 9:3f~D 48973 PLATE RD Dl3I:RL IN OH 44074 1111 • I . ~ i, • I \ . I I I

BALL OF FIRE OVER VILLAGE OF HEMPNALL. TWO MILES NORTH OF RUNWAY 19 IBAJLIL (0) JF JFIImIE ~ID AIFtmEm.IL ¥ lE:IDFmJE§§ Newsletter of the 93rd Bomb Group 2nd Air Division, 8th Air Force, Hardwick, England Vol. 2. No. 4 Paul R. Steichen Group President Editor 2227A Ruhland Avenue Redondo Beach, CA 90278 (310} 214-1618 Floyd H. Mab88 Vice President Membership Winter. 1995 7 7 524 Zimm«m11n Rd. Port Richey, FL 34668 (813} 862-2309 A MISSION OF CLOSURE by Gregg Jones From the Diary of 93rd B.G. Chaplain James H. Burris On Oct. 1, 1943, while on an operational mission to Wiener Neustadt, the following members of the 328th B.S. crew were reported missing in action: - Phillip G. Bedwell William A. Staats Lester J. Eby William F. Stein Jack W. Kasparian William W. Sykes John H. McDonough L.H. White Adrian H. Smit George B. Willcinson For as long as I can remember, my mother has kept a tattered snapshot of a WWII bomber crew on her dresser mirror. At the back left of this old photograph stands a tall, handsome fellow with silver pilot's wings on his chest. He was the crew's commander, lstLt. WilliamF. SteinofNaugatuck, CT. Kneeling below Stein is a slight, expressionless man, Tech. Sgt. L.H. White; he was the Stein crew's radio operator. He was also my mother's oldest brother. Just a few days before the photograph was taken, the Stein crew had survived one of the war's most savage battles-Ploesti, the stunning, smokestack-level air raid on Hitler's Romanian oil fields, a mission that claimed the lives of more than 300 young Americans in a few nightmarish ~utes. . Sixty-one days later, on October 1, 1943, Lt. Stem and his 9 men took off in a B24 Liberator from a base outside the North African city of Tunis. They were one of about 75 American crews assigned to bomb a German fighter-plane factory south of Vienna, in the industrial suburb of Wiener Neustadt, Austria. The government never told the families of the Stein crew much about what happened to their sons that day, beyond the fact that German fighters had swarmed the bomber over the target and the plane was never seen again. The c~e~'s £ navigator, a Pennsylvania coal-miner surveyor named Wilham Warren Sykes, had managed to bail out before the bomber fell into a nose-first spin. He spent the remainder of the war in a German prison camp. In the great drama that was WWII, the disappearance of the Stein crew was just another obscure event. Yet, for 10 American families, it was the war's defining moment, a tragedy that shattered their lives. I started tracking down the families of the Stein crew in 1990, hoping to fulfill a boyhood dream to someday tell the story of these silent young men in my mother's snapshot. I was astonished to discover that several surviving sisters still harbored faint hopes that their missing brothers would someday miraculously tum up. For years after the war, my eldest aunt would stop whenever she would see a young man in uniform off in the distance. She would linger until she was satisfied that it wasn't her missing brother, finally returning from the war. Loved ones still broke into tears when they discussed their long-dead brothers or friends. The family mem~rs left beID.?d had married raised children, and forged lives of quiet achievement in the 50 years that had elapsed. But their wounds had never entirely healed. The Stein crew was, in many respects, a cross section of America in 1943. The hometowns of these 10 mens were scattered across the continent. Three were first-generation Americans whose parents had arrived on these shores in the years preceding the war. They were the sons of a Connecticut shoe-factory foreman, an upstate New York banker, a w~lthy Manhattan businessman, an itinerant New Jersey house pamter, an Indiana utility lineman, a Missouri cotton farmer, a Pennsylvania coal-mine electrician, a San Francisco Bay pharmacist, and a Southern California grocer. They were thrown together by chance and flew into combat in the summer of 1943, the deadliest period of the war for heavy bomber crews. It was a critical moment, a time when American commanders were intent on proving that U.S. bombers could strike targets deep within Europe without fighter escorts. It was a flawed strategy that cost the lives of thousands of young American airmen, including Lt. Stein and his men. For months-even years-after the first missing-in-action telegrams arrived in Nov. 1943, the families of the Stein crew . . . continued page 3

MYSTERY OF MISSING MURAL, WAAF SITE I BAR Many of us will remember the Flying Officers Bar at WAAF Site I, located just next to the Boulton-Paul Residence Hall. tt. And some will ~ even recall that , the mural: shown here in the picture graced the wall behind the bartender. Still ~ others may aJso ' know that this • mural of Ted's Flying Circus :ct'to·s r~ Cl~,, tu_rn~d ~p (\l~~'! •••••. ~_l '-1 .. , mus1ng94~n ~~ ~)1-T'J· c_-2',.. ..., .. Sept. 1 • ~ ~ . , Few know,· ~.: ;.!, <I.J...,-::,-; ,.. however, that .. "' ... ~- .. in late Oct. -~ ~ '4'- • ,. ., I 1944 this!-) a ~ historical piece .., ~ ~ ~ arrived at the Pennsylvania , home of the wife of Fred I...akner, co-pilot on the Dave Kimberly and Gene Maddocks crews. Shown in the picture are Fred Lakner (right) and Milton Watters, both of Altoona, PA, the occasion being a Vetenm Day feature article in an Altoona, PA newspaper. H anyone is interested in a copy of this mural, please let Fred Lakner know and he will come up with a price. He can be R&Cbed at: 1950 Bellmead Drive, Altoona, PA 16602. PLANNING A VISIT TO NORWICH? Pflyllia DIBoia Nonrre Bowe (lat Floor) n-tre Street, Norwicla, Norfolk NIUlltKEacl-d-Tel (01603) 219650 • Fas (01603) llffl6 This is to remind everyone that if you are thinking about a return visit to East Anglia, please, PLEASE write to me here in the Memorial Library at an early stage in your planning. Even if you are in touch with English friends or relations, ~r if you plan to make arrangemea_ts through a travel agent, or tf you are on a guided tour-you should still write to the Memorial Library as a first priority. We can make your visit rewardi.ne, inexpensive and worry-free. We are here Mon-Sat 9-5, and after ~urs we have an answerini mac~. We know some of the nicest places to stay and we get discotm.ts. We make arrangements with (free) •base experts.• We have a list of SO dedicated volunteers (retired Rotarians, ex-RAF. etc.) who will drive you out to your base. We will be glad to aend you informatioo about Norwich, train schedules, etc. H you are considering making a once-in-a-lifetime return 2 visit, it is important to do it right. Don't just bop on a train in London and tum up here with only an hour to spare before you have to get back on the train. Don't hire a car and try to drive up here. Get in touch with us FIRST. We will take good care----. of you. Ed: Location of library staff has changed, but their super service to visitors remains Triple A. FOLDED WINGS Carl H. Markover Eugene H. Shabatunl NEW MEMBERS Joseph Belate Aloysius G. Cunningham John K. Emmons Irving Fruchter William H. Gregg George S. Goss Leslie E. Hagan James R. Kendrick Edward D. KJewin Robert R. Lamoureux Emmett P. Monroe David W. Robison Charles D. Sill Lester Steves Stephen C. Urban James E. Wilson Patchogue, NY Oreland, PA Switz.etland Philadelphia, PA Tigard, OR Perry. MO Louisville, KY Little Rock, AR Milton, FL Woonsocket, RI Cuyahoga Falls, OR New Castle, PA Modesto, CA Alliance, OH Drexel Hill, PA Panama City, FL ______________ , TED'S TRA VELLJNG CJRCUS GOES TO PR1NTER FEBRUARY28 In the last issue of BOF(lE, it was stated the awaited historical book on the 93rd Bombardment Group, titled Ted's Travelling Circus, would be completed on/about February 28, 1995. Carroll (Cal) Stewart, the author, facetiously stated in that issue his work would appear simultaneously with the long-delayed opening of the Denver International Airport. Stewart reported, as this issue of the BOFQ,E goes to the printer, "although Denver Irrational Airport's baptismal date is still a bit murky, the Circus picture is clearer. The book will be in the printing and binding process February 28. Production will be completed in a month or so.• Stewart said the folks at the Lincoln publishing house, Nebraska Printing Center, •are weary of the interminable additions, revisions, alterations, changes and corrections, and will be relieved to have all the camera-ready copy in hand by the time members of the 93rd. alumni have in their hands the Winter issue of the BOF(lE. • The author apologizes for the several delays, adding, "one oould spend another 5 years on the project and double the page count; still, all events and accounts of valor, heroism and human interest bits would not be adequately treated. I might have shut down months ago, but have been unwilling to compromise in important areas.• Appendix sections (7) will include the Roll of Honor," identities of the fallen and their grave locations in ov~ U.S. military cemeteries, index, roster, and more. Stewart continues, "Cooperation has been gratifying. It's hurtful that some late testimony, much inspired by succeeding i8SUC8 of BOF(lE could not be worked in after appropriate chapters had

been cloeed, paiinated and indexed. Paul, you urg~ me to button it up 17 months a10. For better or worse, l resisted your advice. I sincerely hope you and the lona-sufferen who have waited will understand after the product is in band.• f Ed: No more crack.r aboUI fractures, crumb/a and busted luggage at DWI. Let's get tM Circus story in IM maiL ... Diary colllinued from page 1 were certain that their eons were alive. They wrote each other to offer eocouraaemeot and to solicit news. In desperation, they contacted aovernment officials, friends, acquaintances-anyone who might po88C88 eome shred of information. The day after the first anniversary of the plane's diJappearance, the War Department pronounced U. Stein and bis 8 misaina mea as •Jcilied in action. • But in the abeence of any physical evidence or eyewitness testimony, most of the families refused to believe that these beloved sona were aone forever. In May 1945, the repatriation of 2nd U. William W. Sykes, the 26-year-old coal mine &WVeyor who bad dodaed death by jumping from the Stein crew's crippled bomber-, dashed most of those hopes. Somo of the families traveled to eastern Pennsylvania to bear Sykes' tale in person. The othe~ relayed their questions in telephone calls and letters. The navigator, a painfully shy man, insisted that the rest of the Stein cr~w was never comina home. Austrian farmecs bad shown him the watches and rinas of his comrades, which they had recovered from the 9 bodies in the wreckage of an American bomber, be said. Frustrated by the War Department's silence, the families pleaded with the military to eliminate their agonizing doubts by ( 'inding their 8008' bodies. •Pteaae let me have the full ~ regarding the procedures and the steps I must take to realize the comfort of knowing I can al least have what is left of my boy,• Sart:is Kasparian. an Armenian immiarant whoi:e youngest eon bad been Bill Stein's top tum:t gunner, wrote 10 Sept. 1945. . .. Eventually, the Army discovered the remams of the nuSS1Dg men in a village cemetery in southern Austria. Stein and his men wero identified, placed in a single casket, and returned by ship to the United States in early 1950. On Mar. 13, 1950, the families aathered at Jefferson Barocks National Cemetery in St. Louis to bury their sons. But their doubts and hopes never entirely died. In early Oct. 1991, a brown envelope arrived in the mail from Germany. I bad written Austrian newspapers a few months earlier, hoping that someone would still reme!D-ber the crash of an American bomber near the sleepy village of Heilbnmn. My heart raced and fingers trembled as I slit open the package. Inside was a letter and an old blaclc.-and-wbite snapshot of a youn1 boy standing on a hillside in front of the twisted wreckage of what obviously had been an airplane. Manfred Pecbmaun, the little boy in the photograph, had grown up in eouthem Austria. In Oct. 1943, bis father, a municipal police chief, had taken him to a meadow outside Heilbrunn to witness a sight be would never forget. To record the occasion, Manfred's father had taken bis photograph alongside the wreckage of Bill Stein's bomber. Erich Mauetbofer, a retired schoolmaster in Heilbrunn, said ,-- the American bomber bad at.tempted an emergency landing in If Heilbnmn. 1be Stein crew's lone survivor had been talc.en to an inn in Heilbrunn run by the Uoterberger family. It was there that I hoped to find answers to at least some of my questions. My wife AJi, and I boarded a southbound train in Vienna as light mo'w fell from a slate sky a few days before Christmas 3 1991. We broke out of the gloom into brilliant IW>sbine .nd blue skies u we reached the suburb of Wiener Neuatadt, location of the German fiahter factory the Stein crew had been bombing that day. It WU, I hoped, & good 0~ . Heilbnmn is a tiny village tucked away m the mountams north of the old fortress city of Gru, in southeastern Austria. We reached the Unterberger inn early the next momin1, and were met al the ancieot-loolcingwooden door by a short, stocky gentleman in bis late fifties. He bad big, roup-bewn hands and a lcind face. Be wore knee-length rubber boots and smelled strongly of the barnyard, where, u it turned out, be had spent much of the mornina with a birthing row. "Herr Unterberger?• I inquired. "Ja ja. • W;rdlessly, I handed him the pbotopapb of bis childhood friend Manfred Pechmann, standing before the wreckage of the ~can bomber in Oct. 1943. Joan stared intently at the image. After a few seconds, it all came back to him. • Ahbhbh.l Der Neffe! Der Neffe! fI'ba, nephew! The nephew!] He began excitedly explaining to family members _and patrons that I was the n~bew of one. of the 9 Amencan Fliegersoldaten who had died when their plane had crashed nearby back in 1943. With a great flourish, he welcomed us into the rustic inn and seated us at a table. The crash of this American bomber and the death of its 9 occupants had achieved mythic status in this peaceful little village, I soon discovered. Lt. Stein's B24 had~ the ~t American plane to crash in the entire eastern Austrian provmce of Styria. Every detail, it seemed, bad been carefully preserved, passed down from father to son. Johann Unterberger Sr., the father of the man who greeted us, had died a few years earlier, but his sons and grandsons were still using the winch be had recoveffll from the wreckage of the Stein crew's plane. The winch bad once hoisted bombs into the weapons bay of the American ~mber. For the past 4_8 years the Unterbergers had used it to lift bales of bay to tbeu barn loft. . After his wife and daughter served us a hearty Austnan lunch Johann offered to take us to the meadow where the Stein crew had met its death. His father had done the same thing for 2 American women who-had knocked on the door of hit inn in 1971. When they arrived at the place, the women cried and knelt in prayer. They laid flowers to honor their fallen loved one, then left. The U.nterbergers never knew their names, and they never beard from the women again. The air was cold and brisk as Johann guided us through foot-deep snow toward the crash site, along the same_ trail that bis father had led the grieving women 21 years earlier. The path clung to the side of a steep ridge. Much of the ridge flank that rose above us had been under cultivation by farmers in the 1940s. Now, a forest of pine and latch cloaked the hillside. The old Weissenbacber farm, where Stein bad attempted to land, lay several hundred yards ahead in a little cove_~ the confluence of the ridge and one of the tallest mountams 10 the area, a 3,500-foot peak known as Pommesberg. Loolcing lilce a postcard character in his Tiro~ean bat, lederbosen and biking books, Johann chatted anuably, as though we were long-lost friends. He was a man of great enecgy and aood cheer. AJong the way, he tauaht us German words and pointed out iot.erestin& sites. •Pommesberg, • he said, pointing to the majestic landmark. "Pom-mes-berg. • At a lovely clearing buried beneath a blanket of sno~, Johann began acting out the events that had brought us to this beautiful place. Lt. Stein had somehow recovered from the spin that had sent his bo~ hurtling toward the ground. Now, Johann mimicked the high-pitched whine of the distressed

bomber as it flew toward the southwest, past Heilbnmn, then back toward thc village. Stein was worlcing his way along thc ridge that overlooked the newly harvested fields of the Weissenbacher farm, which were illuminated by a sliver of sunlight that day. The plane was angling toward the clearing in those final seconds. Diapamming the disaster in the snow, Johann drew an X to mark the approximate spot where thc bomber had struck thc top of a tall Jareb tree on its way down the ridge. The impact tore off a chunk of one of the tail rudders. Stein was attempting a treacherous downhill handing with both starboard engines dead and a chunk of one rudder missing. They neatly made it. Standing on the hillside, surrounded by the serenity of the snowy clearing and the still forest, I visualized the happy ending that all these families had prayed for all these years. I could almost _picture Stein and his copilot wrestling with the wounded bomber, struggling to ease back on the controls, the plane's metal belly scraping earth, now skidding across the clearing and lurching to a stop amid the wild cheers of men who have just cheated death. In Feb. 1992, my wife and I returned to Heilbrunn and took a room at the Unterberger's inn. We spent hours talking with Johann and all bis children and grandchildren. His 20-year-old son. Josef, recalled hearing his grandfather tallcing about the historic events that occurred in Heilbrunn that first weekend of Oct. 1943. When the village men would start their storytelling over big steins of dadc beer, the tales would sometimes get embellished. The children loved it. The crash site had become a mystical place for village lads such as Josef. I began to leam how dearly the people of this little village had suffered in WWII. My family's loss and the others whose loved ones died in the bomber crash suddenly seemed modest in a village of 900 that had lost 60 sons on the battlefields of France, North Africa, Sicily, Italy, Russia and Norway. The terrible losses suffered by the _people of Heilbnmn made all the more remarkable the kindness they had shown the crew's survivor and the reverence with which they had treated the 9 American airmen who they had buried alongside their ancestors. One night, after the last guests had retired and the bar was closed. Johann Unterberger, his wife, and their oldest son, Johann m, sat with me for a long discussion on what had transpired during the war. Their most urgent concern was the fate of the Stein crew's lone survivor (Sykes would later recall that the Unterberger family had treated him "like a long-lost relative•). The Unterbergers had tried to find out what had happened to him after he was taken from their inn by police and soldiers late on the afternoon of Oct. 1, 1943. There had been talk around Heilbrunn that the fellow had died in a hospital in Graz. The Unterbergers were already in enough trouble for having shown such kindness to an enemy soldier, so they stopped asking questions. They were happy to hear that Sykes had survived and that after the war he bad married and raised S children. The people of Heilbrunn wanted to know about the other men as well. Were any of them married? Did they have children? How bad their families fared? They listened reverently as I told them all I knew. Theresia Derler, an 87-year-old villager who had lost her husband in the war, recalled a haunting memory of the dead American airmen as they lay scattered about the Weissenbacher's meadow: She had been astonished to see one of the men wearing beautiful silk gloves, the color of freshly fallen snow. She didn't know that airmen wore the gloves under their heavy leather mittens to ward off frostbite at high altitudes. What struck her was the incongruity of those 4 beautiful white gloves, the striking irna1e of purity and innocence amid the terrible SCaJe of blood and death. On my last day in Heilbrunn, several villagers and I walked to the meadow in a lovely snowfall as the diminutive Peter Weissenbacher, a retired utility lineman, vividly recalled the --.... terrible events of that Oct. day in 1943. As be recotmted the final moments of Lt. Stein and his crew, Peter's eyes fixed on a larch tree midway up the ridge, about 100 yards away. The tree grew straight and tall for perhaps 30 feet. Three or four feet from the crown the tree suddenly turned outward at an odd, 45 degree angle. That big larch, Peter declared, was the first tree the bomber struck as it roared down thc hill to its destruction. It had survived to see the meadow regain its beauty and tranquility. That week in Hcilbrunn was an epiphany for me in my search for the truth about this loog-dead bombe.r crew and their shattered families. I was showered with friendship and kindness by these strangers. That the people of this simple Austrian village cared at all, let alooe deeply, for these young Americans who had come to inflict destruction, and who instead fell to their deaths in this tranquil comer of the world, was astonishing to me. By the end of my visit, I understood why. The people of Heilbnmn had lived all the agonies of that war. They had known too well the suffering of these American families who had lost their sons in a foreign land. The 9 young Americans who had died in their village had become enduring symbols of a terrible war. Even after all these years, in this place so deeply scarred by that conflict, the war's shattering legacy for 9 American families still struck a powerful chord with the people of Heilbrunn. Ed: Gregg Jo~ is an Associate Member of the 2nd A.D. and 93rd B. G. Association. He has coverd. rhe ongoing story of th"-. •Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trial" for the Dallas Morning New&, author of Red Revolution.: Inside the Philippine Guerilla Movement. As many of ,u already know, Stein's aew war aboard fabled Jerk's Natural this day. Just a few weeks earlier, Aug. 1, 1943, William Stein had piloted Jerk's Natural over Ploesti. With him as well were Sykes, McDonough, Kasparian, White and Bedwell. Only survivor of Wiener Neustad was William Sykes, a prisoher of war. He did. July 26, 1993 in his Florida heme. FINAL CALL - EL TORO - 1995 STILL TIME TO ATTEND 2nd A.O. Reunion El Toro Marine Corps Officers Club Sat., February 25. Call Dick Baynes, 466th B.G. (714) 552-3889. Speaker: Retired Gen. Robin Olds, a top F-4 Phantom Pilot, Vietnam.

BOMERANG Kent Jaquitht A.M., 760 Knight Hill Road, Zillah, WA 98953, bas compiled an in-depth story of the histo_ry of Bomerang, the famed 93rd B.G. liberator, Serial No. 41-23722. &merang was the first Slh A.F. plane to complete 50 missions. Floyd Mabee and fl hope to combine facilities of the 2nd A.D. Journal and Ball of Fire Quarterly Express to provide space in our next issues to bring , good portion of copy and pictures of this famous 328th squadron plane to our readers. In the meantime, you may want to contact Kent at the above address. Bomerang'• 2nd Combat Crew (L-R Standing) 2nd Lt. Jall'IM W. Reid, navigator; 1at Lt. Roy G. Martin, pilot; 2nd Lt. Jack H. Roach, bombardier; 2nd Lt. Luther S. Bird, co-pilot. fl-A l<neellngl /"'- T/Sgt. Harry Strand, enginNr; S/Sgt. Francis SuUivan. radio op.; S/Sgt. Ctiwe Molina, ... t. eng. top gunner; I S/Sgt. Herechel Dodd, waie1 9unner; S/Sgt. Robert 0. Spanke, tail 1unner: 6/Sgt. Geo, .. H. Kelly, waiet tu_, AN UNEXPECTED VISIT TO HARDWICK JUNE 13, 1944 The467thB.G. 'sRuthMarie, basedatRackheath lies melded into lhe buildingoccupied by 885th Chemical Company Air Operations building, a stone's throw away from the Hardwick Tower. Medics and crash truck personnel already at work trying to save 2 lrapped crew men. In the following stories we hear from Ruth Marie's pilot, Edwin Lackens, and O.J. Mora, company cleric of 885th Chemical. s

THE RUTH MARIE by Edwin B, Lackt111 3701 Oakmoat Dr., Rio Rucbo, NM 87U4 We suffered battle damage over Munich at bombs away and loss of one engine. The Ruth Marie lost a second engine due to mechanical failure en route home to Rackheath, England as we dropped position out of the bomber train. Upon sighting the coast of England, we were at approximately 1,000 ft. altitude due to loss of power to hold altitude. An airfield appeared in sight as we neared the coast of England. It was Hardwick (unbeknownst to us). Their mission aircraft were landing south to north and we were north of the airfield Losing altitude and with no choice, with loss of power and low altitude, but to go in emergency downwind. As we turned final, we lost all power of the remaining 2 engines due to now empty fuel tanks on all engines. We missed the airfield control tower (remember troops bailing out over the rail around the balcony), but crashed into and through an airfield hangar. Crew members S/Sgt. A.D. Price, engineer, and Sgt. J. Mikulin, waist gunner, were killed in the crash. Other than myself and 2/Lt. Robert J. Curran, navigator, all other members of the crew were seriously injured and in time released from duty and retumed to the States. I was told during hospitalimtion that several military personnel working in the hangar were injured and/or killed due to this crash, but I had no way at the time to verify this information. Second Lt. Curran and I, after hospitaliution, were returned to flight crew duty with the 790th B.S. Lt. Curran was returned to crew duty before I was and was assigned to another crew. His thirteenth bombing mission was flown on Fri., Oct. 13, 1944 from which he did not return. The mission was flown over an undercast of clouds over the target. Aircrews of other B24s in the formation reported during debriefing at Rackheath they had observed an object fall from the nose of the aircraft, on which Lt. Curran was navigator, when over target and the plane disappeared into the undercast without parachutes being seen. I am not sure my memory serves me correctly, but believe the target was the city of Cologne, Germany. Some months later I received a postcard-type communication from Lt. Curran, POW, Stalag Luft m, but have never heard from him since then. 885th CHEMICAL by O.J. Mora 1507 Mora Lane, La Marque, TX 77568 I was the company clerk: of the 885th Chemical Company Air Operations, a service company attached to the 93rd B.G. Our company HQ was in a building-shared with the 2031st Engineering A VN Platoon. The building was about 14 ft. deep and 40 ft. wide, Located just off the perimeter track or taxiway. The building was divided by a center partition wall. The 885th was in the right side and the 2031st was in the left half. On the afternoon of 11 Jul. 1944, the group was returning from a mission and, as usual, 1 was watching the returning planes from the front door of our office, and our supply sergeant and company first sergeant were in the supply room. As I watched the landings, one of the planes in the landing pattern approaching the main runway was shooting red flares from their very pistol. He was no doubt cleared to land. The plane in question did not land where expected. I would say he was 25 or 30 ft. high when it appeared he was going to go around as he banked to the left. As he turned he was still very low. As he banked to the left he was approaching the control tower. He was too low to clear the tower. The pilot, no doubt 6 seeing this also, picked up his right wing. He was so low that when his right wing was raised, his left wing tipped the ground and the plane cartwheeled across the field. At this time I could tell a crash was imminent. I ran back into the building and shouted for the 2 men to run. The suppl-.._ sergeant ran out a left door to the right of the building. The 1 Sgt. got under a table. As the supply Sergeant ran past, h'e shouted for me to follow. I felt as though I wanted to run to the right, but my feet would not carry me. The next thing I knew I was getting off of a concrete sidewalk in front of our building from a prone position. It appeared that I had tried to scratch through the concrete as my fingernails were bent back and my fingertips were bleeding. The plane stopped on its belly after nosing into the right half of the building. When I finally realized what had happened, the medics and crash trucks were already there. There was no fire. Realizing that the good Lord had his band on my shoulder, l immediately ran to the base chapel and said a few prayers in thanksgiving. On returning to the scene, the crash trucks and ambulances had already left. I did learn that there were no deaths oo the ground, however, one man from the 2031st Engineers be. was hospitalized for a short period of time. The 885th Chemical Company's function was to maintain the war gas and incendiary bomb dump. We also filled the smoke bombs used by the bombardiers. 1248 MILITARY POLICE COMPANY (A VN) HARDWICK AAF STATION 104 SUMMARY OF EVENTS DECEMBER 1944 1. 1st Lt. Lucke to TD to Cambridge, Romford and Clemsford on investigation. S/Sgt. Ryan, Cpl. Rosenthal, Cpl. Hammett, Pvt. Baney and Pvt. Shadeck leave on 7-d· ~ furlough. S/Sgt. Herndon TD 2912 DTC to deliver prisonc.. Batesel. Cpl. Smilek and Pvt. LaFitte return. from DS Hartfordbridge. 2. 1st Lt. Lucke returns from his investigation tour. Pfc. Beck married. 3. S/Sgt. Herndon frpm TD at 2912 DTC to duty, after safely delivering prisoner Batesel. 4-5. No unusual happenings with station security and guard duty continued. 6. Cpl. William H. Phillips from duty to sick in quarters. 7. B24 crashes into Earsham bomb dump approximately 2 miles from station at approximately 2130. Capt. Edebum and 1st Lt. William F. Lucke went to scene. Aircraft completely destroyed by fire. All members but one killed. One was taken from aircraft yet alive, but was burned severely and not expected to live. Number of personnel in aircraft not known. No guard was posted from this station. 8. S/Sgt. Ryan, Cpl. Rosenthall, Cpl. Hammett, Pvt. Baney, Pvt. Shadeck all return from furlough. Plans initiated for organil.ational party to be held in the month of January. 9. Sgt. Brackett and Pfc. Taylor depart on 7-day furlough. 10. No unusual happenings in station security and guard duty continued. 11. Pfc. Fair departs on 7--day furlough. ~ 12. One aircraft blew out a tire on takeoff. Pulled off runway to enable other aircraft to take off. Guard posted on aircraft. One aircraft ran off runway at north end of drome.

Cause of mishap was due to no hydraulic system and one motor out. Guard on first aircraft was relieved after aircraft was removed. Guard posted on second aircraft. Usual station security and guard duty (Identification Parade). 14. S/Sgt's Dover and Fiala transferred to Det •A• 1248th M.P. Co. (Avn). Pvt. Allen transferred to organization from Det. • A" 1248th M.P. Co. (Avn). 15. Cpl. Phillips and Cpl. Stnilek to sick in quarters. 16. Usual station security and guard duty. 17. Cpl. Phillips and Pvt. Max Martin return from sick in quarters. 18. Pfc. William Fair returns from 7-day furlough. 19. 1324 crashes one mile south of drome. Bomb-laden aircraft explodes upon crashing. Aircraft was demolished and strewn over approximately a mile. All membeIS of crew killed. Few bodies of the crew intact. Medics picked up all parts of bodies they could find. Only 4 bombs were found among wreckage. One motor of plane was approximately a mile from rest of wreckage. Aside from the seriousness of the accident, the 2 guards posted at wreckage were unable to hold their meal. All members of guard at wreckage were none too anxious to eat, even Capt. Edebum, who only consumed. one hamburger upon his return. One radio tube found a ways from the wreckage had survived the concussion of the crash and explosion. Damage also included a farmhouse and barn nearby. Pvt. Jones transferred to Det. of Patients 4209 United States Army Hospital Plant. Looks as if he may get home after all. Pfc. r"' Mullin leaves on 7-day furlough. .tO. Farmer Goose called and reported a part of a body was on bis barn (head). Medics notified. 21. Identification parade held at Station Guard House 1340 hrs. Twelve enlisted men were paraded before a Mr. Brooks, and Maisie and Phyllis Brightwell. Mr. Brooks picked a man by the name of Bonniduchi while the 2 girls picked Pvt. Angelo DiRieozo as the assailant. Pvt. Angelo DiRienz.o was taken to HQ 2nd Bomb Div. for questioning. CID agents took Pvt. DiRienzo to Div. HQ for questioning today after the girls picked him as their assailant. Office.rs party on Base. Jeep accident reported to guard house at approximately 2230 hrs. Commander of Guard investigates but cannot find driver. Maj. Doswell called and reported it was his jeep. The Major requested that we locate Capt. Goodfriend and see if he was driving the jeep at the time of the accident. Capt. Goodfriend was located and said he wasn't the driver. Maj. Fant called and reported his jeep bad been taken. Motor-cycles dispatched and jeep recovered at Ground Officers Club. Convoy Officer falls from truck, injuring his bead. 22. Pvt. DiRieo.zo accompanied by Lt. Nolan of 2nd Div. and 2 investigators returned to this station. After questioning of other personnel, Pvt. DiRienzo was released and told he could return to bis work at the barber shop. To be sure, Pvt. DiRienzo was happy for be sounded like an Indian after leaving the guard house. Tee 5 Mehalik from duty to f TD 2912 Disciplinary Training Center. 23. Usual station security and guard duty. Tee 5 Mehalik from duty to TD 2912 Disciplinary Training Center to duty 2230. 24. Usual station security and guard duty. S/Sgt. Shull from 7 duty to furlough as of 22nd for 7 days. 25. Xmas Day in E.T.O. with station security and guard duty carrying on. 26. Pfc. Mullin returns from 7-day furlough. 27. Usual station security and guard duty. 28. S/Sgt. Shull and Pfc. DeFouw return to duty after 7 days' rest. 29. Usual station security and guard duty. NAUGHI'Y NAN SURVIVORS AND FAMILY'S RETURN TO: BELGIUM by Cecil Job.uoa Hotel Couteren - lngelmurwter, Belgium September 'L7, 1994 IL~ Standing): EverettJohnaon, Jr.: Mr. & Mre. MlchHI MOfgan: Mr. & Mra. C.D. Johnaon: Merle Mikolajczyk: Mr. &.Mre. Sten Mikolejczyk; Joeeph Bradley: RueHII Morgan IL~ Sitting): Mra. Everett Johnaon, Jr.; Mre. Everett Johnson. Sr.; Mr•. Joseph Bradley; Mre. Carol Timmon• (daughter of Mre. E. John.on, Sr.I; Mra. Runell MOl'gan -It is difficult to express in words the kind of reception we were given during our visit to lngelmunster, Belgium. We were treated like royalty. We bad a press conference and articles appeared in 5 news-papers. fNe have copies of them, but all are in Flemish. Three of the articles were translated for us by a 20-year-old student who served as interpreter.) There was a parade in our honor, a reception at city ball with mayor and dignitaries, invitations to private homes, a day at Henri-Chapelle cemetery and Bastogne, a Elmer MOfgan loet Sept. 21, 1944 over lngelmunater, Belgium visit to Brugges, a trip to the site of the crash and where I landed after bail-out, a visit to the hospital where 1 was treated (told them I was there for my SO-year checkup!). It was one SUiprise after another. One of the highlights was the presentation of a sculptured piece of the wing of our plane, the Naughty Nan. A farmer had kept this in his barn all these years and gave it up when he heard of our visit. To summarize, it was an unbelievable welcome and new developments every day-a return to Belgium we can never forget! Great people!

93rdPILOT-WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN Charley Knoedler of the 330th B.S. finished his missions o.n Jun. 4, 1944. He had started out as co-pilot on Robert G. Stahl's crew and later became a 1st pilot after being checked out by Jerome Stedman. After Twlnwood Farm Control To-finishing up he Still Standing, 1995 was sent to the A.T.G., first going to Bovington. There he flew all kinds of missions including transfening various supplies, goods as well as wounded to the big hospital near Wanta,e in Berkshire, where he became a regular at The Queens Arm Public House. Heston Airfield, near what is now Heathrow, was headquarters for A. T.G., and from there on Dec. lS, 1944 he flew 2 turnaround trips to deliver tires for B26 bombers to Brussels, Belgium. He returned to base and was filling out his reports when Capt. Hubble, Operations Officer at Beston, called out to him that he had a great flight for him still that day. •Go up to Twinwoods, pick up Glenn Miller and take him to Paris. You will get to stay all night in Paris!• "Normally,• Charlie said, "I would have jumped at the chance, but for some reason not this day. • He told Hubble that he was just too tired and instead be was going to the Officers Club, have a few drinks, dinner and go to bed. Next morning, be got up and went to breakfast only to find that the high wing single-engine conventional gear plane did not reach Paris and was missing, apparently at sea. Charley wonders if he had taken the flight if things would have been different, Ed: Charley Knoedler lives in Palos Verdes, CA and is active in the oil business. He is a regular attendee of the monthly luncheon meeting of the 2nd A.D. Debriefing Team. BITS AND PIECES OF PROP WASH ~O AIR Otv. c,O U.S.A.A.F. "~ (..(} 44th 93rd 389111 392nd ~ (/j 445th 446th 448111 453rd ~ 458/h 466th 467/h 489th 491st 492nd ~~ 1942 1945 4th 56th 355th 419th 361st Ed Wagner (P.O. Box 1026, Arkansas City, KS 67005) writes: •oot a letter from George Kamahan. Hadn't heard from him in some time. But that was my fault-if you don't 8 write, you don't Jet! Had a hard time since Oct. 23. My wife was in the hospital and she is now down here in a rest home. But the good thing about this is that it is only a mile away. I heard from Tun McMahon and lloyd Mabee and a few others, including the guy that got shot down in my place, Feb. 24, 1944. Enclosed is a 31h inch button. Cost is $2.S0 and I pay postage.• . . . Jim Guddal (4465 Vicksburg Lane, Plymouth, MN 55446), is searching for crew members of his uncle, lloyd Cook, co-pilotonAb«l Mabel, lost Jun. 19, 1944 near Brugges, Belgium. There were 6 survivors . . . Mrs. Marion A. Jones is searching for members of her father, Donald K. Jones', crew that took Thundennug on the Ploesti raid. They are listed below: Stanley Valci.k Pasadena,TX Leonard J. Dougal Detroit, MI Aloysios G. Cunningham Philadelphia, PA Bernard St:nnd Chicago, IL William Schrampe Plainfield, NJ Russell D. Longnecker Bow, WA J.C. Pinson Pw-cell, OK If anyone can help, please contact Marion (4135 Bryan Dr., Acworth, GA 30102) . . . Fred E. Shubeck (408 7th St., North Beresford, SD 57004), co-pilot on Francis Jordak's crew on Ma's Worry, is trying to locate Jordak. Last known address is 305 Eastmoor Ave., Milwaukee, WI. Jordak was an accom-plished musician and very talented in classical and dance band. Anyone with any leads as to bis whereabouts, please notify Fred . . . Received a letter from Phyllis DuBois advising that two issues of the BOF(lE were l_<>st in the Memorial Room fire. She asked that we supply copies of Vol. 1 No. 3 and Vol. 2 No. 3, which we have done . . . , SEARCH FOR NOAH'S ARK by Im f1etcber I am a book. editor for a Christian publishing company. In doing research for a book we are publishing this year, I obtained your organization's address from a book, U.S. Anny Veterans' Associations, courtesy of the Pentagon. A recent book called Winged Vi dory chronicles the story of the USAAF in WWII and these 2 publications enabled me to locate units operational in the Mediterranean. I'm after something a little unusual. Our book project involves the search for Noah's Ark on Turkey's Mt. Ararat. In Nov., I spoke with a former pilot (with the Signal Jnstallation Battalion) who says be saw the Arie during a flight in 1944. He says it was known by some Allied pilots in the area that the Ark-or a large, barge-like ship-sat high on Mt. Ararat. The pilot he flew with that day knew right where the Ark. was, but my source can't remember his name. I am looking for other pilots who had similar experiences. Also, several other veterans have reported that an article ran in Stars and SrriJ)U, featuring sightings of the Ark by pilots. No Ark researcher that I know of bas ever seen the article. This leads some to speculate that it was a hoax, but too many veterans swear they saw it. I'm looking for eyewitness sightings and/or a copy of the Stars and Stripes article and I'd appreciate your help. Our toll-free number is (800) 643-9S35. By the way, Winged Victory, by Geoffrey Perret, is a great, great book. Write or call: New Leaf Press, P.O. Box 311, Green Forest, AR 72638.

OPERATION MARKET GARDEN lAtur IO Carroll A. lh""r '81U Whlppoorwlll laM, Boll/Ja, CA 9090'J.17U r I read your request for information regarding "Operation Mark.et Garden" in the Fall issue of BOFQE and, in my opinion, a booklet about the operation is an excellent goal. As a member of the 330th B.S., I flew with the lead squadron that day in the low left position of the lead aircraft. Listed below arc the 23 pilots who participated in that operation (which includes you and Lt. Rosacker, F.D. Worthen's pilot). The 330th B.S. was the only squadron to drop supplies in the approximate area of the briefed drop zone near the German border and the Dutch town of Groesbeelc. The 328th B.S. dropped several miles short (their chutes landed on both sides of the Maas River near the town of Mook, between 3 and 4 miles west of the briefed drop mne). The 409th B.S. was unable to locate any of the markers or signals designating the drop zone, so returned with their load. I have a print (14 "x21 ½ ") of a water color painting of the supply drop which depicts 4 gliders on the ground and U.S. Anny troops unloading a glider, while 4 B24s fly overhead. It was painted by Flt. Officer Dale Oliver (a glider pilot) who participated in the glider landings. He painted it from memory in 1949. At my request, Dale painted the tail markings of the 93rd B.G. (H) on the aircraft in my print (#400). Dale was a cartoonist for Walt Disney prior to becoming a gHder pilot. After the war, he returned to the Disney studios. What is coincidental in all of this is thatl took all the same training that Dale did and became a glider pilot prior to becoming a regular power pilot. This necessitated that I retake the cadet exa.im and that I go through training again. I could have been in those r gliders if it had not been for a quirk of fate-a long story that ': am cutting short! H you like, I can provide you with more factual details about "Operation Market Garden.• Bomb Squadron 328th 329th 330th 409th Everett E. Johnson Francis E. Adams, Jr. Carroll A. Bemer Joseph J. Rosacker Paul L. Mathison Elmer C. Aver William C. Davis Robert E. Oberschmidt Joseph W. Clement Boyd A. Smith Theodore J. Gourley John H. Geer Arthur W. Cable Ernest L. Shelton Frederick A. Beckett Thomas H. Stringer Carlos V asque:z; Bruno Bigolio Eldon C. Frobish William H. Engel Olav A. Aaker Charles B. Evans Larry M. Hewin CARLOS VASQUEZ 6341 Samoa Way Carmichael, CA 95603 9 ,JrdROSTER Don Morrison and I visited the Archives in Suitland, MD to research loading lists from Feb. 1944 to the end of the war to help fill out the 93rd roster that I am worlci.og on for Cal Stewart's hook. The roster now numbers almost 6,000 names. I forgot the old adaae of never vohm.teerin1, but all in all I have really enjoyed worlcin1 on this project, especially knowing that it will help bring the publishing date of the Circus closer to reality. Names like Warren G. Harding, Robert E. Lee, and John L. Sullivan keep the project intere6ting. Many of the names on the loading lists are f.aroiliar as being current membets of the 93rd. Even the name Paul Steichen appears a few times. I intend to bring a copy of these to the reunion in Lexington so that anyone who might want to make a copy of their own may do so. Don and I visited the new Archives Building in College Park, MD and Don found a film entitled Weary Willie that turned out to be a film of the 200th mission celebration in Jul., 1944. Unfortunately, the only one I recopiz.ed was a very short glimpse of Tommy Hernandez, our tail gunner. We also spent an evening with Charlie Weiss and his wife in Waldrop, MD. We did do some research for Cal while in Suitland and were able to help on 4 of his inquiries from the Fall BOFQE. Cl-ll~ISTmAS Gl?[[T\rlGS Cal Davidson 48973 Plate Road Oberlin, OH 44074 KtO.OIIOollttOI• t.,6>4a • TEO S F"L.VIIIJ G CIRCUS WISH YOU A // ✓ ~!: / r-J~~ ~ . • • (J ~ ISTmRS In THE.

EXPRESS AIR MAIL DELIVERED BY B.O.F. Dear Paul, Enclosed is my contribution for the BOFQE. I was on Bill Lozowski's crew in the 328th B.S. Our plane was shot down Feb. 3, 1945. There were 3 of us that swvived: Mickey ScbJeicher, bombardier; John Corradetti, nose gunner; and myself, flt. eng. I landed in a muddy field near Hanover, Germany and was captured as soon as I landed. We were taken to the Anti Aircraft Base and questioned, and then taken under 2 armed guards to Frankfort Germany for further questioning. We finally ended up in Numberg where we spent a couple of months and started our march to Mosberg. On the first day of the march we were attacked by a P38 who strafed us and dropped a bomb aimed at a railroad bridge which I was under. I am glad that he missed, otherwise I would not be typing this letter. lam sure there were other men from our group on this march. I would be happy to hear from them. Dear Paul, SEYMOUR WEISMAN 157 Macomb Ct. Monroe, MI 84161 First of all, enclosed is my check for continuance of BOFQE. Great job! They just get better with each issue. Tbanlcs for Sam Bargamian's address. We've corresponded and plan to keep in touch, which will be nice. What I found most interesting was your friendship and flying with Irv Fruchter. We had similar experiences. He did like to fly low. I don't think be missed a boat of any siz.e in the Caribbean when we flew the southern route. He got such a kick out of giving everybody a "buzz.• He was a lot of fun. We could have a long conversation about him . . . did you ever play in any of his crazy poker 1ames? I think: be made them up as be went along. No, I didn't make any of the missions you flew on with "Irv" as I was Stateside by then-a physical training instructor at Lowry Field, which was quite a change, but good duty. Fifty years seems like a long time, yet it's so short when we reach this time in our lives and wonder where did it go. Did all this really happen? We know it did. Hope it never does again. War is such a waste. Dear Paul, PAUL S. BLATERIC 1662 S. Utica Denver, CO 80219-4438 I was up at Hardwick yesterday and saw David. I had visitors from Belgium-Chuck Merrill's daughter, husband and 2 children. They wanted to see where Dad and Granddad were stationed during the war. They bad traveled over from Sheaf, Belgium where Grace's husband is stationed, a Lt. Col. in the USAF. There was 3 inches of snow on the ground and the children played snowballs on the lawn and even made a snowman. They bad funl After hot soup and sandwiches, I took the family up to the old Hardwick field where they enjoyed seeing the remains of the 93rd airlield. A few weeks prevfous, I bad the pleasure of meeting Glenn Tessmer again, after about 20 years. We met in Norwich, took a tour of the Hardwick sites and returned for tea before taking him back to the Hotel Nelson. John Marx was here again for the memorial dedication. Dec. 18 saw a gathering of around 100 people at Hardwick in the old building-now refurbished-for a 2-()()urse meal, wine and musical entertainment. As you can see by the newspaper clipping (above), the 93rd memorial. erected at Henham, has been taking place. Keith RaclcbBm, the stone mason, got in touch with me earlier seeking the markings of the B24s at the time of the collision. He wanted to put an imprint on the stone. I see he bas done just that. I felt most pleased to assist and was honored to have been asked. Dear Paul, JOHN & LORNA ARCHER 29 Station Rd. Earsham, Bungay Suffolk, England NR 352 T.S. Looking for true stories to put in the BOFQE! Here's one. After a briefing on May 23, 1944, our assigned mission was the bombing of Orleans Bricy. This was our second mission in Willies Worry, our ship for the tour. At the time our crew took off, everything was fine except for the flak. Still no problems as we arrived over the target and dropped our bombs off the lead plane. But when we turned for home and I checked to see if the bomb bay doors were closed, to my surprise two 500 pounders were hung up in the bomb bay. I quickly notified the pilot and bombardier. Upon reaching the Channel, the J?ilOt received permission to break formation and try to unload the 2 bombs into the Channel as we passed over. The bombardier went through his routine again and only succeeded in dislodging one of the bombs. No matter what he did be could not shake the second bomb loose. Shortly thereafter, the bombardier and navigator removed the detonators, took them up to the nose of the plane and wrapped them in their sheepskin jackets. We then set course for the base. AB we came in for a landing, everything went smoothly until the wheels touched the ground. Suddenly, the bomb became dislodged and ripped off the bomb bay doors, falling and turning end over end, damaging the underside of the plane. At the time, we did not realize what could have happened, but 15 minutes later, "WOW!!" ED KLEWIN 7857 Siesta Cove Milton, FL 32583

r EXPRESS AIR MAH, DELIVERED BY B.O.F. Dear Paul, The Eager Beaver crew had our reunion th.is year at the Ramada Motel at Duffield, VA. Four of the original crew were there, Frank: Rinehart, Bill Gros, Bob Lent and myself. Rasco Grisham, due to health conditions, could not be with us. He is on oxygen 24 hoW"S a day. We miss him. P38 in beckground IL-RI: Viole• Ranery, Frank Rineh•rt, Bob Lsnt, Bi11 Gros While they were here we made a trip to Middlesboro, KY to see the P38F that had been extracted from 264 ft. of ice in Greenland. There is an article about th.is in the July 1994 Reader's Digut. We all enjoyed seeing the P38F being renovated. About 2 months after these planes were Jost we were on our way to England. Guess we were lucky to lose only one plane. Middlesboro is only about 50 miles from where I live, so hope to visit the P38F from time to time as it is being renovated. The same people who renovated the B24 All American are doing th.is woJ"k. Dear Paul, VIOLES FLANARY P.O. Box 125 Dryden, VA 24243 The BOF(lE is like a tonic. It brings back so many good memories (funny how you can forget the scary parts). I was with the 330th from May 1943 to SepL 1944. Our crew (what was left of them) finished 30 missions a week before D-Day. Our original pilot's name was Larsen. I can't remember his first name. He died of hepatitis while we were in Bengali practicing for Ploesti. Back in Hardwick we {the enlisted men) were reassigned to squadron leader and it seemed we only flew the tuffies. Can anybody help me locate Charley Morrison, tail gunner; Eddy Nelson, Art Johnson, Waist; and Julie Osborne, Hewett, radio operator? I deeply regret not keeping in touch all these years, but better late than never. Dear Paul, HERB BORNSTEIN 921 Grand Blvd. Westbury, NY 11590 I was with the 93rd from the start. Al Asch was our pilot and I was the •tost• navigatoJ". Our co-pilot was Del Hall. I survived the crash of the Kary Bug, and if il was not for the 11 great piloting of Al Asch, I would not be here today-S2 years later. The BOF(lE should, by all means, continue-great copy and most interesting to read. Keep publishing and keep punching-most enjoyable! Maybe I can get to see Al on the way to Florida this year. Good luck. Dear Paul, OSCAR KREBS 9 Peabody Ct. Teaneck, NJ 07666 I got your name and address from 2 members of the 93rd B.G. Association, Col. Franklin D. Lown and Harold Secor (328th B.S.). They both felt you could help me in my research. We, of Histoire & Collections, are a group of WWil history buffs and collectors who try to preserve the memory of the events that took place in our area (Department of Finistere, western tip of the Brittany Peninsula, France) during the war. The chairman of our organiz.ation and I are researching USAAF and RAF losses in Brittany from 1940 to 1944. Our aim is to collect as much information as we can get on the aircraft and crews for a boolc and museum project. Last month we had an exhibition in the small town of Guilers, near Brest. This exhibition was devoted to the 29th U.S. Infantry Division, the outfit that liberated Guilers at the end of Aug. 1944, but it also included a display on the ill-fated Apr. 16, 1943 mission to Brest and the three 93rd B.G. B24s, Ball of Fire Junior, Liberty Lass and Missouri Sue, that were shot down over Brittany on that day. Ball of Fire Junior crashed near a school at Guilers. Luckily, there were no civilian casualties. Survivor, bombardier Orval D. Huff, was hidden for about 10 days by local people before being banded over to the French Resistance. He was to run out of luck when he was captured by the Germans near the Spanish border on May 31, 1943. Three members of the crew, 2nd Lt. Thad Hawkins (navigator), T/Sgt. Herb Daly (flt. eng.) and 1st Lt. Harold J. Tannenbaum (cameraman), were buried in the churchyard. The remainder were wounded and captured. I am inclu-ding a few photos showing displays commemor-ating the Apr. 16, 1943 mis-sion. We are indebted to Mrs. Orval Mickels 011, Col. Franklin D. Lown, Harold Secor and Orval D. Huff for their help in the making of this exhi-bition. The exhibition included photos, docu-ments and 8th A.F. bomber pilot jacltet, par•chuta •nd •le a u th en t i c radio Ht on di•pl•y •t Gullen, France exhibition WWII USAAF uniforms and flying gear. As a result of this

EXPRESS AIR MAIL DELIVERED BY B.O.F. exhibition, we were able to collect additional information on the crash of Ball of Fire Junior. We also got in touch with the family of one of Orval D. Huff's helpers and we gave them his address. Incidentally, the story in G11ilers since WWII has been that he made it back to England safely! The people of Guilers have not forgotten; the crash of Ball of Fire Junior has become part of their local history. We hope that one day the story of the Apr. 16, 1943 mission to Brest will be on permanent display in our museum. We need the help of the 93rd B.G. Association to complete our coverage of the 3 aircraft Jost over Brest on that day and their crews. Information and photos of Ball of Fire Junior, Liberty Lass and Kissouri Sue would be most welcome. Who chose the names, the nose art? How many missions did these aircraft fly before Apr. 16, 1943? We would also like to know more about the 20 93rd B.G. flyers who were killed on Apr. 16, 1943. From Ball of Fire Junior. 2nd Lt. Thad Hawkins (navigator), T/Sgt. Herb Daly {engineer), 1st Lt. Harold J. Tannenbaum (cameraman). From Liberty Lass: 1st Lt. Keo Baughman (navigator), 1st Lt. Bob Grant (bombardier), S/SgL Paul F. Logan {top), Sgt. Don Bonnom (tunnel}, S/Sgt. Walt Race (left), T/Sgt. James J. Barnes (engineer), S/Sgt. Paul Kirlcen (tail). From Missouri Sue: Capt. BeaUie H. Fleenor (pilot), 1st Lt. Jim Leary (co-pilot), 1st U. Jim Hardin (navigator), 1st Lt. Georges A. Pinner (bombardier), T/Sgt. Arch M. Crump (engineer), S/Sgt. Richard L. Guess (radio), S/Sgt. Ron Nelson (tunnel), S/Sgt. Stephen L. Hegedus (right), S/Sgt. T.J. Kilmer (left), S/Sgt. Jim Roberts (tail). If you recognize any of the names, we would appreciate information about: age, family background, education or profession, marital status, future plans once the war was over, what kind of man he was, bow be performed in combat, and any anecdotes you may recall about him. If you have any photoppbs which you think would be of interest to us, we would greatly appreciate your lending them to us for copying (be assured that all photoaraphs will be returned to you. undamaged or copy costs will be reimbursed if you prefer not to send the originals}. We have photographs of the grave madcers of 1st Lt. Thad Hawkins, T/Sgt. Herb Daly, 1st Lt. Ken Baughman and S/Sgt. Walt Race at the U.S. Military Cemetery Saint-James near Avranches, and I would be happy to send copies to those who are interested. Your recollections about your own experiences of the Apr. 16, 1943 mission to Brest and the other missions flown by the 93rd on targets in Brittany would also be greatly appreciated; i.e., Brest (Nov. 7, 1943, Feb. 27 and Mar. 6, 1943); Saint-Naz.aire (Nov. 7, 14, 17 and 23, 1943); I.orient (Nov. 18 and 22, 1942). I hope your members will be interested in our research and projects to pay tribute to the Allied flyers who fouaht and died for our liberty in the skies of Brittany. Thank you and yow members very much for your assistance. Dear Paul, CLAUDE HELIAS Histoire & Collections Ty-Ar-Oroas 29700 Plomelin FRANCE As an original 93rd, 409th (19th recon) and taking 15 months to complete 25 missions (last one was Dec. l, 1943 -Soleogen), I was transferred in Feb. 1944 to the 703rd B.S. 445th B.G. Why? Who knows. Anyway, to get my flying time in, I flew in the 445th "Formatting Aircraft. • This was the last B24 I flew in the 8th A.F. - SN 41-24215 Lucky. Now hear this!! I flew this "bird" for 11 missions, includingPloesti, with 12 the 409th B.S., Hap Kendall as my pilot, my second assigned crew. The aircraft was the same Lucky that went to the 445th B.G. My original crew was with Jake Epting as T.G. I was'~ wounded over Bi:r.erte, N. Africa Dec. 13, 1942. Ben Kuroki took over my position then. Some of the missions I flew were with fill-in missions. I was one of those "all round gunners• who flew any time, any position, anywhere to complete our tours. Dear Paul, BlLLDAWLEY 4102 N. 85th Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85037 I did not know such a newsletter of the 93rd existed! I thoroughly enjoy it and know bow much work goes into getting il out. Enclosed is my check and I look forward to niceiving future issues of BOFQE. 1 appreciate my bombardier, Lee Burkhalter, asking you to put me on the mailing list. Lee was truly a fine officer and friend, going on many of our 31 bombing missions over Germany and France. I was a lead pilot in the 409th, sharing anxious hours of combat, including coming back on a wing and a prayer with 2 engines out and 140 flak holes. Our ship was War Goddess, SN 42-109816. But, we who lived through those dangerous days find ourselves feeling that those who didn't make it deserve all the honor and praise we can give them. I feel that your good work in publishing the BOFQE iB a very excellent memorial to those who gave their all to help win a victory for us all! Dear Paul, REV. JAMES BOYCE, M. DIV. Minister of Visitation Trinity Presbyterian Church Charlotte, NC 28211 This story is perhaps a more accurate version of the "Buzz Bomb• incident as described by Howard Cleveland. Time does dim the memory a little, but I remember the whole episode like it was yesterday, as ·3 of us Flying Control Air Traffic Controllers were on duty when it happened. Me, Joe Cabral and Jim Brooks were all winners in an all-night poker game and were continuing to play amongst ourselves sinco it was other people's money, not ours. Around 0500 we received a telephone alert from the anti-aircraft personnel on the coast that a Buzz Bomb was beading in our direction. We began to plot the course on our map as they gave us the various coordinates. Indeed, it was beading directly towards Hardwick. We kept hoping that it would crash before reaching us. But when it became apparent that it was going to reach us, I got on the "Tannoy • and alerted the base about the imminent danger. By now, we could hear the engine. As it was now daylight, we opened the blackout curtains to watch it go over the field at just a few hundred ft. of altitude. It eventually crashed in a field a few miles west of us. What a way to end that poker game! Keep up the good work. I'm sure we all welcome all of the news about the 93rd. PAUL C. LONDON 5600 E. Mexico Ave. Denver, CO 80224 ~

EXPRESS A1R MAIL DELIVERED BY B.O.F. Dear Paul, Great newsletter of the old outfit and a very fitting name. I I~ many flip.ts in the Ball of Fire between missions, as radio operator. A member of the late Roger Skjei's crew, 409th B.S.-posaibly one of the finest crews ever IIB8elDbledll Sljei was an outstanding pilot and probably the greatest •womani:zer" in the E.T.O. Yeah, ours was a great crew, unfortunately, now dwindling down to a precious few!! I I look forward to many issues of the BOFQE. Meanwhile, keep well. r Dear Paul, HARRY L. TOWER, JR. 46 Broadview Terr. Chatham. NJ 07928 Enclosed is my annual donation. When I read my first issue of BOF(lE l was ecstatic. I was very proud to have served as an armorer gunner on a B24. Until 21h years ago I had lost all tract of my crew, and all I had were my own memories of my tour with the 93rd. In the spring of 1992, Stan1ey Berriman of my crew called me after a 2-year search and introduced me to the 2nd A.D.A., an association that I didn't know existed. I joined and at the Las Vegas convention our crew was represented by George McNulty, Stan Berriman, Dick Trousdale, Mo Go.zonsky and myself. We had a grand reunion. At the Hilton Head convention I saw my pilot John "Jack" Ketler for the first time in 48 years. What a thrill! Your BOFQE has brought me closer to the past and I thank you dearly for its creation and your effort. Dear Paul, PAULE. MEYERS May 15 to Oct. 15: 15 Ln. 880 Snow Lake Fremont, IN 46737 Oct. 15 to May 15: 5830 Midnight Pass Rd., #109 Sarasota, FL 34242 In the Fall 1994 issue of the BOFQE, I found my name listed on page 7 as one of those who attended the Lead Crew Banquet on Mon., Nov. 20, 1944, at the Combat Officer's Mess. After looting at the scrumptious menu, I found it difficult to believe that I could have forgotten the occasion. As you know, steak, French fries and ice cream were not items served frequently in the mess. The problem was resolved quickly by checking my diary which indicated that I was on a 3-day pass (probably would have postponed it had I been aware of the dinner menu). Am enclosing my account of a recent event that might be of interest to members. Well-earned kudos for your continuing fine worlc in putting out the BOFQE. Schweinfurt, 1944. Nancy and I recently participated in a canal boat cruise from Cologne, Germany, to Vienna, Austria. The Rhine, Main, and Danube rivers ate now connected by a series of canals and locks that enable canal boats to travel from Holland to the Black Sea. Our ship, the Swiss Pearl, was 363 ft. long and quite luxurious, with a spacious lounge, dining room, and first-class bar. We boarded her on Sept. 22 and arrived in Vienna on Oct. 4, 1994. En route, we enjoyed the beautiful country-side while stopping at many places to be taken on guided tours of towns and cities whose names brought back memories of the past. Among them were Cologne, Frankfurt, Numburg, Munich, Regensburg and Schweinfurt. The last 2 names recall a black day in the 13 history of the 8th A.F. On Aug. 17, 1943, Bl7s of the 1st and 4th Bomb Wmgs attacked targets in Schweinfurt and Regensburg. Of the 376 bombers launched, 60 were lost plus 3 P47s. On Tuesday, Sept. 22, 1994, our ship made a brief stop at Schweinfurt (trans: pig crossing) for about 11h hours. This gave us an opportunity to see some of the town which, according to our guide, was completely destroyed during the war except for the city hall. As we walked around, I heard a male voice say, •1 came back here to gloat.• He was one of our group from the Swiss Pearl, so I asked if he had been in the 8th A.F. To my swprise, he was from the 409th B.S. of the 93rd B.G., a bombardier named George Sadler. He was shot down on his 6th mission. the attempt to drop supplies to the British paratroops at Arnhem on Sept. 18, 1944, and was a POW. As you may imagine, we had a long chat exchanging war stories. We each thought how unusual it was for 2 former members of the 93rd B.G. to meet in Schweinfurt in 1994. After returning home, I checked my diary entry for 18 Sept. 1944. Part of the entry reads as follows: "Our group went out to drop supplies to the Airborne Army in Holland today. We Jost 2 ships, Geer of the 330th and Hewin of the 409th. • Hewin wu the pilot of George Sadler's crew. ROBERT A. JACOBS 203 Cannister Ct. Hampton, VA 23669 1 Landing the B-24 Type Aircraft Dear Paul, One of my drawings (above). Used to while away my time and capture an occasional experience during my stay with the 328th in 1944-45. Dear Paul, EMMETT P. MONROE, M.D. 3041 Oakridge Dr. Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44224 I write a chronicle about the air war in Bavaria and hope you can help me. My questions: (I) The 93rd B.G. lost ooe bomber on Jul. 21, 1944 during an attack on Munich. Can you send me a copy from the casualty report of th.is bomber? (2) I am searching for a photo of this bomber or another bomber from the 93rd B.G. for my chronicle. Please tell me the cost. RUDIPENK.ER Postfach 1716 85317 F reising Germany

EXPRESS AIR MAIL DELIVERED BY B.O.F. Dear Paul, Thaolc you so much for the BOFQ£. I was sure sorry to read about the bia fire in Norwich. I wu in the 93rd B.G. 409th B.S. from May-Jul. 1944, flying a tour of 32 missions u fli&ht engineer in a period of78 days. We sure didn't waste any time; it seems we were flying all the time. With the invasion comine along and lots of planes put in the air, I am proud to have been a part of the 93rd. Dear Paul, SIDNEY D. WHITMAN 1255 Isla Stepbeosville, TX 76401 Got your letter today and it wu like a letter from home. I think it'a amazing that my letter to you triggered an 11880Ciation between our air crewa. Yea, my pilot wu Buck Sanders from Berryville, AR. Our co-pilot wu out with appendicitis, so we got a substitute co-pilot each time. I am sorry to aay that I do not remember Don Peterson u our co-pilot that day. In my notes I have a Donald Petenon, with an address of 2433 Carmel Ave., Racine, WI (u of 1944 and as a fellow POW member). I do not recogniz.c the picture of Don Peterson in your crew photo. >J a matter of fact, I really do not remember the Donald Peterson I have in my notes. You mentioned in your letter that your Don Peterson had a premonition of death, so I assume that be did not survive our crash. I did not recopue any of your crew from the picture. On our mission to Coblem Oct. 9, 1944, we hit our target all ri&bt, but ran into heavy flak. We lost 3 engines and Buck put the plane into a atecp dive to put oul cnJine flames. When we leveled out we all began to liabten the aircraft of anything that was looee. I do not know at what altitude Bock aave the order to bale out and I am not sure who bailed out. Buck bad said if we stayed up Jong enouah we could get back to our lines ao I did not bale out with the others, choosing to stay and jwni: out when Buck did. At some time later, Buck said we had better jump. Buck put the plane on auto-pilot, and he and I and a third penon who I thought wu Weisler, our bombardier (a close friend to Buck:)-but it could have been the co-pilot Petet&OD-&ot down by the bomb bay doors. As soon u we &ot by the doors the plane went into a Oat spin. >J I wu openina the doors and we would &et on the other side of the flat spin, the doors would cloee aaain (u I was boldin& onto the opening handle). After 3 or 4 Oat spin.a with no one at the controls, for some reason the plane leveled out and I wu able to open the doors. The third pereoojumped out. then !jumped out and then Buck jumped out. I ~ countina the time _I thou,bt needed before pullina the np cord, and when I did nolhina happened (all 3 of us were wearing the loose pack chutes). I am suro thinp wea.t fast, but to me I methodically thought I cannot reach behind to 1008ell the pack, but I atilt have my rip cord in my band 80 I should just puU it again. When I did, the chute blosaomed opened just a very short time before I hit the ground. I still wu not sure if we bad gotten back into our lines u yet. There WU • farmer plowina the field where I landed, but he paid no attention to me. I remembered that I was auppoaed to hide my puachute and clear the area. I ~ ?n my rear in a aittin, position and my left foot wu lying on its side flat on the ground. I took my right foot to straiJbten up the left and it fell Oat the other way. I remembec thinking, "Gosh, I won't bo able to hide my chute now.• Eventually, the Germana came to pick me up, loading me into a motorcycle side car broken bones and all. The only one of my crew I saw in camp' wu Bill Bensinaer, who shared a hospital room with 14 me for a while. I have since heard that Charles Coury and Robert Bembenilc survived and I aw navigator Richard Boyd in Culver City. CA. One day after we were home, I did go fl Buclc's home town, but was unable to find his wife. I did leav&-notes at his folk:s' house. PAUL 0. BERGMAN 23606 S.E. Filbert Eagle, Creek, OR 97022 Ed: Donald Peterson, regular co-pilot on Searles' er~, Buck Sanders and Charles Coury were KU and are on the 2nd A.D. Roll of Honor. Dear Paul, Thanks for the BOFQ£. I know what a tremendous job it is to keep this going, and I for one am very thankful that someone would take on this task. I don't mean to be critical, but the photo on the laat page of the Fall i88UC "Gathering of the 409th" mid 1944 is not exactly correct. If you will look closely I can identify 5 members of the 330th B.S. If you will look on the left side about center, #1 is M/Sgt. Fred Anderson, Crew Chief of the Big Dealer, which wu lost Jan. 10, 1943; 112 Pack Roach, Pilot; /13 John "Babe" Emmons, pilot; 114 Len Ko:zarek (me), bombardier; #5 Jones Oi1lespic, navigator. We were all 1st Lieutenants at this time, 80 the picture bad to be taken sometime around the latter part of Mar. 1943. KENKOZAREK 4602 Woodland Ave. Duluth, MN 55803 Dear Paul, Thank you for all the aood. information and in the BOF~ , I am in contact with Mr. Mabee in Florida and may ,et down to see hlm in January. Jack Weiss ia doiq well in Kansas and I would like make contact with him sometime in 1995. Glad to get to know you and some of the others of the 93rd B.G. I hope to be in the USA in Jan. 1995 for some days. Keep up the good work. San Diego was great! JOHN K. EMMONS Wild Slrasse 10 8193 Egligau Switz.erland Ed: John K. is a pilot for Swiss Air. Hi., father, John W. was pilot on Big Noise at Ploesti. Jade Weiss was • extra officer• on Big Noise thal Aug. I day in 1943. We welcome John K. tu a member of the 2nd A.D. and 93rd B. G. Associallon. Dear Paul, l'm very interested in WWII aviation history concerning the Schleswig-Holstein area in North Germany. I'm trying to locate aircraft crashes of all nationalitiea to make a historical overview of the region to include the varioua unill and the fates of the crews who went down here. I discovered an 8-picture series ofB-24s shot down on Nov. 13 1943 near Husum. AB you know, the 93rd B.G. hid 4 casualties that day. _I would appreciate the serials and crew names. and ~y ~ informa-tion you might have about the crew. Such information would assist me in further research. I would be very grateful for any help. If you are interested, I will aeod you a reproduction of the photos (taken by a local farmer). Please let me know. , THOMAS HAMPEL Beethovenstrasse 19 24568 Kaltenkirchen Germany

EXPRESS AIR MA1L DELIVERED BY B.O.F. r )ear Paul, r-Enclosed is an artist proof of Bill Phillips' Among the Columns of1Jwr. We wanted to thank: you for all your efforts inhelpina us locate K.. 0. Dessert and Ed Baker to counteISign this print. The signing went extremely well, and our dealers and sales staff are ecstatic about having K.O. and Ed on the print. Those two men are truly incredible individuals who impressed everyone who met them. I know I was. To see them reunited after not seein& ,a<:h other for almost SO years was a very gratifying momeal ft,r us. They were like 2 school boys, full of miscblef and ~- Without your support, the reunion would not have beea~~ble, nor would the print have been as SQCCeSSfuI. We~ you will enjoy this beautiful print. There ia some ?}.Jteu that went into it. If we can ever be of assistance or you would like to have some more sell sheets for Among the Columns of 1hor, let me know. I will certainly do what I can. 'Thank you again for all your help. WILLIAM C. HILDRETH Ed: The 2 LiberaJors in the photo are 204-1 a-,,d W-Wee Willie-{i()(). The Greenwich Workshop, Inc. generously donated aprinl to the 93rd and I have had ii framed and it is available for viewing at group meetings. Inquiries as to purchase should be directed to: Greenwich Workshop, 1 Greenwich Place, Shellon, CT 06484, phone (8()0) 243-4246. Many thanks to K. 0. Dessert and Ed Baker for the energy and time they donated to help enhance the memory of the famous 93rd. Dear Paul, Thanks for the follow-up on the Flight Surgeons School project. The man from Maxwell did call me after your fax to him. He couldn't give me any positive information, sorry to say. Maybe later. If we get some names to check out we could 15 work with medical directories or the AMAJ There's one part of the 93rd history I hope Cal Stewart has covered. That's the flour mission to the captured airfield near Orleans, France. Our planes took sacks of flour rather than bombs to the field where they were trucked to Paris (probably in late 1944). There was a ground echelon-me and a doctor-at the Orleans field. We did first aid, etc. At the U.S. tent hospital across the road-there was a lad from Peoria I knew. That's where Dinah Shore came for a fine gig one afternoon. Tell Cal, fly right!! Dear Paul, BOB CALKINS 3900 N. Stable Ct., l/202 Peoria, IL 61614 Enclosed is remittance for the 93rd BOFQE newsletter. I find it very interesting and nostalgic to read about the old bomb group days. In my opinion, your newsletter is 1000% better than the 2nd A.D. publication. It seems that there is a Jot of-kissing with the British organi7.ation. We certainly appreciate the British for letting a few Americans die over there! I never found them that friendly toward G.Ls during the war, and we spent a long time getting shot at over Germany. Keep up the good wotk:, and when you need a few good war stories we will send you some. Perhaps we will see you at the next convention. SAM BAIN 383 Lander Dr. Henderson. NV 89014

I! ' . ... g ... ■ FOND REMEMBRANCE Brig. Gen. John Brooks Ill delivers the keynote address as a building at the Toledo Air National Guard Base is dedicated in the name of Addison Baker, A WWII Medal of Honor recipient from Akron who was a member of what eventually became the Toledo unit. Mr. Baker received the Medal of Honor posthumously for his heroism in the 1943 bombing of the oil fields at Ploesti, Romania. Standing in front of Gen. Brooks during dedication ceremonies were other members of the 93rd B.G. (L-R): Ed Sands, Marvin Dountz, Luther Bird, Bill Doerner, Cal Davidson and Joe Thortey, who were also recognized at the guard base. ~ 1he Ball of Fire Quarterly Express Paul R. Steichen, Editor 2227 A Ruhland Avenue Redondo Beach, CA 90278-2401 93rd BOMB GROUP ..... FIRST CLASS MAIL .,,. ,.,r " CALV[N DAV DSUN 9::i1m 4H9 7::-l Pl A 11 RD OHi RI IN Ill-I 440/4 • • ... .. • ... ..

r Vol. 3, No. 1 Paul R. Steichen Group President Editor BAU OF FIRE OVER VIUAGE OF HEMPNAU. TWO MILES NORTH OF RUNWAY 19 IB3AJLIL (Q)JF JFJimIB: (ijlUJhlRtITIEffiILY IEIDFmJE§§ Newsletter of the 93rd Bomb Group 2nd Air Division, 8th Air Force, Hardwick, England 2227A Ruhland Avenue Redondo Beach, CA 90278 (310) 214-1618 TRAGEDY OVER HENHAM by Gordon Reynolds & Douglas lloweld Floyd H. Mabs. Vice President Membership Spring, 1995 28 Hills/de Avenue Dover, NJ 05801 (201) 366-5914 On Wed., Mar. 29, 1944, the region's worst loss of life resulting from a WWil aircraft crash occurred at Henham, Suffolk. In the cloudy sky of that morning, 77 B24 Liberator ~mbers of 20th Combat Wing assembled for missions to the German V Weapons site at Watten and the recently-reinforced submarine pens at St. Nazaire situated at the mouth of the River Loire. The force was made up of 30 planes from the 93rd B.G. based at AAF Station 104 Hardwick, others from 446th B.G. of AAF Station 125 Bungay, and others from 448th B.G. of AAF Station 146 Seething. 2 separate cloud layers towards the ground. Blood recalls coming down just in the sea and releasing his parachute harness immediately before contact with the water. In fact, he landed on the tidal mud flats at Blythburgh, just south of the turnoff for Southwold from the Al2. Acceptable weather conditions enabled groups to form up over their own bases and avoid using the allocated overcast assembly areas off the coast between Lowestoft and Winterton. One of the planes from the 330th B.S. 93rd B.G. was B24 H 41-28590 (hereafter referred lo as 590). It is reported that this craft suddenly dropped out of formation and collided with B24 J 42-110033 (hereafter referred to as 033) from the 328th B.S. 93rd B.G., cutting its tail section from the fuselage. The time was 1045 hrs. The sound of tearing metal could be heard above the drone of engines by those working below in various parts of Lord Stradbroke's estate, and a great deal of debris began to fall around them. The bomb load of 033 was three 2,000 lb. and two 1,000 lb. bombs. 590 carried four 2,000 lb. bombs. All were fitted with M103 nose fuse with 1/10 second delay and M102 Al tail fuse with a .025 second delay. This type of bomb was designed to penetrate the very thick reinforced concrete protective covers over both targets. They were normally armed when the formation passed out to sea. Among the first items to fall were 2 bombs, which exploded in front of Henham Hall, breaking nearly all the glass in windows and greenhouses. The fuselage of 033 came down in r•rees on the east side of the Al45 about 50 yds. from the oadside. It caught fire and burned out. The tail section landed on the opposite side of the road in a pine tree plantation and remained intact. A most remarkable escape was made from the tail section by Jim Scanlon, the tail gunner, followed by Albert Blood, one of the waist gunners. They both parachuted through After wading ashore, Blood was met by a local wildfowler who directed him to the nearby road where a policeman in a black Ford Prefect took him to Holton AFB. Details of Albert Blood's safe landing are not yet available. They were the only survivors from this plane and, remarkably, both were thought to be alive and well in Aug. 1992. They have not met each other since 1945. One crew member fell with unopened parachute quite near to Mr. Wilfred Jackson, who was working with a horse-drawn plow in Gravel Pit Field, which is next to the wood where the tail section landed. Also working in this field, broadcasting artificial manure by hand, were William "Wimp" Smith, Jimmy Wigg and Fred Gissing. Another of the crew was caught up in an oak tree by his parachute and was thought to have been struck by the plane. Two other workers, Rowland Keable and Lennie Wythe, were spreading kale for cattle feed from a cart near the Hall and lay under the cart for shelter when debris began to fall from above. However, when the first bomb exploded, the horses bolted with the cart and left them exposed. Lord Stradbroke's diary for this day lists 2 propellers falling at The Clamps, 2 more and an engine in Dunwich Wood, a wing below Side Hill, a Bomb Board at High Lodge, a bomb in Dunwich Wood (leaving a 12-ft. deep crater), and a further bomb exploding near the cottage of Jack Dade, the gamekeeper at The Clamps. The regular bombardier of 033, J. Robert Shaffer, had been taken off the crew for special pathfinders training in Scotland. He was immediately recalled to inform the crew's next of kin but did not know the full details of the incident at the time. Meanwhile, the otha plane, 590, landed on parkland at the east side of a narrow bdt of trees beside the Al 45. This location is almost opposite the Timberyard houses, about 100 yards from the road. One of its bombs exploded either on impact or

immediately after, just as Gordon Reynolds and Alan Wade, who worked in Henham Hall gardens, were running the short distance to the site of the crashed plane. They lay as low as possible on the grass while wreckage and earth was blasted in all directions. Afterwards, they found a scene of total devastation and returned to work as the rescue, medical and firefighting units arrived form Holton AFB, 4 miles away. This base was AAF Station 365 Halesworth, the home of 56 FG who were scheduled to transfer to Boxted within the next 3 weeks. Other civilian personnel arrived, including local police officers, the Southwold Ambulance in the care of Misses M. Cole and M. Moore, Southwold NFS, Southwold Civil Defense, and several other local inhabitants. The police had just cleared non-essential persons from the immediate area when at 1130 hrs. a massive explosion occurred within the wreckage. Nineteen USAF personnel were killed and 38 injured. The fire engines and ambulance were badly damaged, and several civilian helpers were injured. Took's bread van from Halesworth was parked on the road, and when the rear end was damaged from the blast, the driver, George Barber, found many of his loaves scattered across the road. Other people who were blown over by the blast were Bob Harris, landlord of the Wangford White Lion Hotel, Victor Howeld, village undertaker and fire service member, Lennie Everson, carpenter from the Timberyard who was blown through a hedge on to a meadow, and a lady thought to have been Mrs. Shimmons who was blown off her bicycle onto a roadside bank. At 1630 hrs., the RAF Bomb Disposal Flight No. 6218 from Coltishall attended and found there was only one unexploded bomb lying unburied on open ground. This was taken to be put in the bomb dump at Holton Airfield. There was one survivor from 590, the radio operator, Sgt. Kenneth Guerney, but details of his escape are not known. The A145 road from Blythburgb to Brampton was closed until 1300 hrs. that day. Further details came to light when J.L. Mosier, a tail gunner in the RJD Johnson crew, described bow he witnessed the collision. His story is quoted as follows: •. . . We were climbing through the clouds to find our formation. At about 12,000 ft. we were told to go on oxygen, so I climbed in the tail turret and, looking down, was connecting my equipment. We were just beginning to break through the tops of the clouds, skipping in and out, when I glanced up and saw another B24 break out of the clouds VERY close on our tail. I grabbed for my mike button to warn our pilot, but before I could press the button, another B24 flashed by going in the opposite direction .... He couldn't have missed our tail by more than inches. To my horror, he hit the plane behind us almost dead center. For the next few seconds it seemed like time stood still. I'll never forget the sight: there were landing gear, wheels, turrets, engines with props still spinning like crazy; there were bombs and wings; the sky was filled with wieckage. I don't remember seeing anything that looked like a body. I must have sat there several seconds, speechless, waiting for the explosion which would have taken our plane also. Suddenly, it was aU gone, back through the clouds, leaving the sky ever so clear, ever so innocent, as though it never happened. I inquired about the accident when we returned that evening, but couldn't find out a thing. Why would they keep a thing like that so secret? I had no idea what happened after those 2 planes fell back through the clouds. I saw far too many planes get shot down, but that was the only time I had a collision right in my lap. Only a miracle 2 prevented an explosion that would have taken us all down. I had no idea that so many men were killed on the ground . Now, in 1994, some trees still bear marks of damage from, explosions, and pieces of debris can still be found. It conclusion, the writers would like to point out that while every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of facts, there are discrepancies in the information obtained from different sources of official records. Serial numbers and spelling of names vary occasionally and it can only be hoped that if a few minor errors occur it will not affect the basic outline of the account. (Please turn to page 3 for casualty and injury list.) FOLDED WINGS Nicholas Caruso William M. Culin John Eifert Edward J. Gilday Howard Mesnard Fred Paine David B. Reed Adrian G. Smit Ernest Somes 2/95 1/95 6/94 6/94 1/95 2/95 10/94 NEW MEMBERS Frederick A. Beckett Frank G. Blaz.eck Joseph Davis K.O. Dessert Duvem E. Higgins William S. Farnsworth Donald R. Gaston Charles Greenlee James R. Hogan James R. Kendrick Richard Petko Bernard Tousey WiUiam Wanda Lillian Wrablik Grand Rapids, Ml Victorville, CA St. Louis, MO Montgomery, AL , Snohomish, WA Cincinnati, OH Ottawa, IL Fairview Parle, OH Houston, TX Little Rocle, AR Buffalo, NY Bowler, WI West Allis, WI Dwight, IL THE ALL AMERICAN: SOMETHING NEW HAS BEEN ADDED!! The Collings Foundation has announced that Schlitz Beer/Stroh Brewing Co. has become a corporate sponsor for the "1995 Salute to Veterans Tour.• The B24 carries the WWll nose art of the Schlitz Golden Girl. As one of the most popular beers during WWII and a major supplier of beer to the military, Schlitz proudly salutes WWII veterans through its sponsorship of this tour, as well as through the Schlitz Commemorative Can, which will be reproduced nationally from May-Sept. 1995. In stores nationwide, you'll soon see the B24 pack with a B24 aircraft and the Schliri, Golde11 Girl artwork. As we travel around the country, Schlitz will be advertising the tour on billboards, point-of-sale placards, on posters and on thei~ information hotline (800) G-B24-99.

AlRCRASH - WED. MAR. 29, 1994, 1045 HRS. - BENHAM P~ SUFFOLK r B24 J 42-110033 of 328th B.S. 93rd B.G. from AAF Station 104 Hardwick, England Pilot 2nd Lt. Robert L. McFetrick from Warren OH KIA Co Pilot 2nd Lt. Harry Cassel Jr. from Dayton OH KIA Navigator 2nd Lt. William H. Lowry from Chattanooga TN KIA Bombardier Unknown replacement Radio Op S/Sgt. Carl J. Mead from Adamson OK KIA Fl Eng S/Sgt Clifford E. White from Pataskala OH KIA Gunner Sgt Orland J. Watson from Dallas rx KIA Gunner Sgt William R. Bloom from Mebalen OR KIA Gunner Sgt Albert A. Blood Survivor Gunner Sgt James E. Scanlon Survivor B24 H 41-28590 of 330th B.G. from AAF Station 104, Hardwick, England Pilot 2nd Lt Chester D. Makinster from Roseville CA KIA Co Pilot 2nd Lt Robert M. Trask from Cottage Grove OR KIA Bombardier 2nd Lt Robert J. Poe from Clarksburg WV KIA Navigator 2nd Lt Earl J. Morris KIA Fl Engr S/Sgt Herman B. Larson from DuJuth MN KIA Gunner S/Sgt Thomas 0. Byrd from Connersville IN KIA Gunner Sgt William J. Franke from BrookJyn NY KIA Gunner Sgt Stephen Reinias from Little Falls NY KIA Gunner Sgt Steve T. Clovis from Youngstown OH KIA Radio Op Sgt Kenneth L. Guemey Injured survivor The regular bombardier of 033 was J. Robert Shaffer, but be had been sent to Scotland for special training. to the crew's NOK. He lived in Oceanside, CA and died in 1992. He was recalled to write Casualties of personnel who attended from AAF Station 365 Halesworth, four miles from the site of the incident. Capt Stanley B. Morrill Cpl Benny Cata PFC Huett Cpl Pyszynski Sgt Pollard Capt Engle Capt Levy 1st Lt Cotner Sgt Kleinschmidt Sgt Tremblay Unknown Unknown 62FS 56FG 62FS 56FG 63FS 56FG HQ Medical Detachment HQ MedicaJ Detachment Sq Cdr Adj Total USAAF casualties above from Holton Airfield units: 33rd Service Group to 23 lsl Stn Hosp 33rd Service Group to 231st Stn Hosp 33rd Service Group to 231st Stn Hosp 33rd Service Group to 231st Stn Hosp 33rd Service Group to 231st Stn Hosp 2010 Engineers Fire Fighters 15th Station Complement Sq Killed 19 Injured 38 Other casualties. Minor injuries and/or shock requiring treatment. 2 Nurses with Southwold Ambulance 4 British Policemen l Royal Navy Serviceman 1 RAF Serviceman 2 Soutbwold CD 4 Southwold NFS rrtiose casualties taken to Southwold Hospital were 5 USAAF and 2 civilian KIA Injured Final Casualty Total 3 36 53 89 = Killed Killed Injured Injured Injured Injured Injured Injured Injured Died 0830 Practically wiped out Many casualties

The BOFQE receives many inquiries requesting suggestions on how best to BALL OF FIRE INQUIRIES donate various memorabilia, flight , jackets, uniforms, etc. Clarence W. Barton wrote asking for such information and we referred him to: Phyllis DuBois, Trust Librarian, The Memorial Library, Temporary Central Lending Library, Old Glasswells Building, 71 Ber Street, Norwich, NRl 3AD. Tel: (01603) 215206; Fax: (01603) 215205. Clarence wrote Phyllis and told her that be bad an original brown hardback copy of a flight manual for B24D that was given to him by the asst. flt. engr. in 1991 during a crew reunion in Tu]sa. It had his name engraved in go]d. He also had a green jacket and pink pants with insignia, wings, rank and ribbons that he had outgrown many years ago. He received an immediate reply from Phyllis providing him with all the detai]s CLARENCE W. BARTON CREW of how to mail them over to England. L-R: (top rowl: R.F. Paleetrl. Navigator (NJI; C.W. Barton, Pilot (WVI; H.W. Bludworth, Co PIiot Clarence sent them with this cover note: (TX); R.J. Hogan. Bombardier (MO) "The uniforms and B24 flight manua] (bottom row): O.V. Codling, Nose Turret (IA); Louia Meuana. Flt EngrfTop Turret (NY); R.S. have been mailed. Please advise when Zimmerman. Rad Op/Waste Gunner (WI); J.F. Bisson. Asst Flt Engr/Waist Gunner (NJ); W.J. you receive the package. I hope they will Farnsworth, Tail Turret IOHI arrive in good condition. About the uniform: I was married in it 49 years ago last January. Except for the jacket, most of the clothes I wore during 1946-49, while in college, were from my USAF uniforms. I am very happy the uniform can be used by the 2nd A.O. memorial!" --------------------------------------, THE TRA VELLlNG CIRCUS - Lt.Col. Brown, Commanding Celebrates V-E and 391 Bombing Missions (tops in the ETO) on May 18 and 19, 1945 Friday, May 18 Saturday. May 19 1000 hours TRACK AND FIELD 1000 hours INFORMAL GAME COMPETITION 1600 hours 1800 hours ALL POST OFFICERS 1800 hours 1900 hours 2000 hours Station Track and Field Meet SKEET Hq. 2nd A.O. vs. 93rd B.G. SOFTBALL 479th Fighter Group vs. 93rd B.G. 446th B.G. vs. 93rd B.G. BASEBALL 827th Engineers vs. 93rd B.G. STAGE SHOW - "In the Groove" - USO OFFICERS' DANCE Music by the 2nd A.D. Swing Band 1300 hours 1300 hours 1400 hours 1600 hours 1800 hours 1900 hours 2000 hours Unit Sports Beer served 011 the Athletic Field 50 36-gallon barrels (bring your cup) MUSIC CONCERT Athletic Field - 2nd A.D. Band MATINEE -And Now Tomorrow (A. Ladd & L. Young) CIRCUS Big Show - Big Attractions - 2nd Performance MOVIE - And Now Tomorrow CIRCUS - Big Show - Big Attractions - 3rd Performance G.I. SKIT -"Big Deal Cooking ' ' DONATIONS TO BOFQE URGENTLY NEEDED • This issue has been mailed to all m~mber~ of the 93rd B.G. who belo~g ~o the 2nd A.O. as weU as members of the 93rd who for one reason or another are not members of the 2nd, as well as to a list of non members, many of them complimeh-: tary; Those include editors of companion publications and people from England, Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, France and Germany who have been very helpful in providing information for articles, etc., etc. We have some funds left in our bank account, but not enough for the Summer issue. If we can get donations of $9 each fr.om all who can afford it, we can publish 4 more issues. I will be able to put aside my job as fund raiser for the next year and exert my entire energies to sending you a product that you enjoy reading and be proud of the recognition I will trv to gain for our famous and beloved 93rd Bomb Group. ~ -Paul Steichen Ed: I reaiize a Jot of you, especially new members, have already donated, and I do noi 'expect any additional donation from. you; Piease send checks to: 93rd Bomb Group, 2227A Ruhland Avenue, Redondo Beach, CA 90278. 4

r-r SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EL TORO REUNION FEATURES GENERAL ROBIN OLDS The 14th Annual Reunion Dinner of the 2nd A.D. of Southern California was held Feb. 25 (always the last Sat. in Feb.) at the Marine Air Station, El Toro Officers Club. This is the 10th year that the dinner has been held at the excellent facilities of the El Toro Officers Club, and we wiU continue to hold them there as long as the Air Station remains open. 290 members, wives, children, friends and representatives from fighter groups attended the dinner. The theme of this year's program was • A Tribute to Our Little Friends,• and the speaker was Brig. Gen. Robin Olds, a 2nd A.D. fia,hter ace with the 479th Fighter Group. Gen. Olds had a distinguished Air Force career and just missed being a double ace, as be shot down 4 enemy aircraft while flying 107 missions as Commander of the famous 8th Tactical Fighter Wing during the Viet Nam War. He then became Commandant of Cadets at the USAF Academy. All enjoyed Gen. Olds' remarks about some of his experiences in the 8th A.F., Viet Nam and his Air Force career. C.N. "Bud" Chamberlain, 489th Past National 2nd ADA President, served as Master of Ceremonies. The program opened with the golden voice of Maria Gunnarsson, wife of Frank Grew (448th) singing the National Anthem, followed by the traditional lighting of 8 Candles of Remembrance. Members of all bomb groups and fighter groups were represented in the candle--ligbting ceremony. Roy Guy (466th) gave the invocation. Our Marine Corps Host, Col. James P. Chessum, Inspector, USMC, welcomed all to the Marine Corps Air Station and the Officers Club. Following dinner, officers of the 2nd A.D. were recognjzed: Past President J. Fred Thomas (392nd), Past Executive Vice President E.W. "Bill" Clarey (492nd), Vice Presidents Paul Steichen (93rd) and Wilbur Clingen (453rd). Fighter Groups were well represented, including Walter H. Gier, Area Vice President of the Association of the 4th Fighter Group, George M. Epperson, 65th Fighter Wing, and President of the Gen. Curtis E. LeMay Chapter of the 8th A.F. Historical Society, Richard E. Wilsie, 82nd Fighter Group, President of the P38 National Association. Members of Gen. Olds' 479th Fighter Group were well represented. Co-chairman Dick Baynes (466th), offered a toast in tribute to "Our Little Friends,• all those who served in the fighter units. Exhibits for the dinner were The International B24 Liberator Club and Marie Hoage, who displayed 4 tables of his extensive 8th A.F. collection, highlighting the Fighter Units this year. Mark your calendar for next year. We will meet again Feb. 24, the last Saturday in Feb., at the same place, the El Toro Officers Club. Ed: Our group was representM by Charles &: Jean Knoedler, Sam Bain, George &: Rutham1a Karnahan, Paul & Marie Steichen, Carroll&: June Berner, George Joh11so11, Frederick •Dusty• Worthen, Lee & Marian Sper1cer, Lee &: Blanche Stepp, Jack & He~n Skeels, Albert &: Martha Alves, Don & Mary Weisert. Brigadier General Robin Olds Robin Olds was born Jul. 14, 1922 in Honolulu, HI. His ( father was Maj. Gen. Robert Olds, a flight instructor in France during WWII, an aide to Billy Mitchell, and a pioneer in heavy bombers in the mid-1930s. Robin graduated from the Military Academy at West Point in 1943. He was captain of the football team and an All-s American tackle. The West Point yearbook: was prophetic: "Rob was born to lead and taJces athletics, flying and academic, in his stride. Soft-spoken, calmly efficient, but certainly not lacking in punch, he is destined to go far.• Upon graduation from West Point, Olds went immediately into flight training, and took his training in P38s in Torrance, CA at the Lomita Airstrip, now Zamperini Field. He first saw action in the summer of 1944, flying the P38 with the 434th Sq., 479th F.G., 2nd A.O., 8th A.F. He downed 5 enemy aircraft while flying the P38, making him the top-scoring P38 pilot of the war. His unit converted to P5 ls and Olds added 3 more aerial victories, ending the war with 107 combat mismons and a total of 12 air-to-air victories and l l aircraft destroyed on the ground. After the war, Olds continued to excel as a flyer. He was co-founder and team member of the Air Force's first jet aerobatics team. Flying the P80, he placed second in the Thompson Trophy race in Cleveland in 1946. Also in 1946, be participated in the first round-trip transcontinental flight completed in one day. He became the first American to command a regular Royal Air Force Squadron when he took the helm of the famous No. I Squadron at Tangmere, England in 1948, flying the RAF's first operational jet fighter, the Glosrer Meteor. Olds continued through various command and staff positions while serving in England, Germany and Libya, as weU as bases in the U.S. He graduated form the National War College in 1963, and served a tour at the Pentagon. In October of 1966, he was named Commander of the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing assigned to Ubon Royal Afr Force Base in northeastern Thailand. In the cockpit of an F4 Phantom D aircraft, Olds flew 152 combat missions, of which 105 were over North Vietnam. He was credited with downing 4 MIG aircraft over North Vietnam. Olds was promoted to Brigadier General and, upon returning from his tour in Vietnam, he was named Commandant of Cadets at the Air Force Academy. In a press release announcing his appointment, press photographs showed him in combat uniform wearing a big mustache. Rumor had it that top Pentagon officials ordered rum to shave his mustache before reporting to the Academy. At any rate Olds showed up clean shaven, but on the first tlay in his new capacity reviewing the cadet wing, every cadet was wearing a big black false mustache. His last active duty assignment brought him back to Southern California where he served as Director of Aerospace Safety at Norton AFB. He currently resides in Steamboat Springs, CO with his wife, Mary Jo. l\flDWESI' 2nd A.D. REUNION SEPT. 19-21, 1995 The 12th Annual Midwest Area 8th A.F., 2nd A.O. Reunion will be held in Springfield, IL at the Holiday Inn East on Sept. 19-21, 1995. There will be tours of Abraham Lincoln sites and other attractions. Two rooms will be reserved for pictures and memorabilia for everyone to enjoy, and it is requested that those who would like bring pictures, books and other interesting remembrances for display. These items will be returned on the final day. There will be a Western style buffet dinner on the 20th and a banquet on the 21st with a noted speaker. One hundred rooms have been blocked off: $59.00 single and $64.00 double per day. Meals and tours are $65.00. Contact Bill Kirkton, #1 County Road, Chaham, IL 62629 for details.

LEST WE FORGET ST A TION 104, HARDWICK DEC. 18, 1994 CEREMONY AT HQ SITE HARDWICK FOR LT. ROBERT W. MARX and CREW 50 years on, a very special memorial service was conducted for Lt. Robert W. Marx and his crew whose Liberator bomber crashed after takeoff at the southern end of the N/S runway. A large number of folk gathered at the old HQ site at Hardwick on the morning of Sunday, Dec. 18, 1994, among whom were Lt. Col. John A. Marx and bis uncle, Lt. Robert Marx's brother. It was a dreadfuJ morning when we arrived-wind, rain and cold-but about 20 minutes before the ceremony was due to begin, the heavy cloud cover dispersed and the sun shone through. The assembled people moved out of the HQ site and made their way to the crash site about a mile away. Then, with full ceremonial honors, placed a beautiful mahogany cross with a finely etched and worded brass plaque at its center. The cross was positioned inside a field by the roadside where anyone can pay their respects. Lt. Robert Marx's aircraft, although second in line for takeoff, was to have led the mission on that fateful Dec. 19, 1944 to , tactical targets in the Ehrang and Koblenz area for the purpose of impeding the German counter offense launched in the Ardennes on Dec. 16. This mission was deemed to be of such great importance that all efforts possible were used in order to get the planes airborne. The weather was so bad at Hardwick-thick fog, visibility only about 40 yards-that 50 gallon drums were placed on either side of the runway 50 yards apart, filled with petrol and oil and set alight-to no avail. After the crash, the tower ordered the mission scrubbed and the shocked crews struggled back blindly to their hardstands. Lt. Robert Marx and his valiant crew died there in that field that day. Now, 50 years on, they are remembered and honored for all time. Lt. Col. John Marx and bis l!Dcle, and those of us present were deeply touched by the service and the ceremony beautifuUy conducted by the Reverend Conal Mahony, and felt honored to be present to share their sadness and loss of Lt. Marx and his crew 50 years ago. 93rd Bomb Group 6

r SEQUEL AND mANKS TO 93rd FOR YOUR HOSPITALITY DURING RUTH MARIE'S VISIT, JUN. 13, 1944 by EdwiD B. Lackeos 3701 Oakmoot DT., Rio Raocbo, NM 87124 Upon receiving the Winter 1995 Bo_F_Q,E and r~ding the article on pages 5~, • An Unexpected V1S1t to Hardwick-Jun. 13 1944 • I would like to correct the date (page 5) from Jun. 13: 1944 to Jul. 11, 1944. The S-11 mission to Munich, Germany for me as 1st pilot on my B24 crew was my ?th combat mission on tour. My flight record records the nuss1on as flown Jul. 11, 1944, 8:30 flight time (crash-out of fuel) -B24 ale #41-28695 Ruth Marie - 467th Bomb Wing (H) AAF Station 145 - 790th Bomb Sq., Rackheatb Air Base, Norwich, England. My total 1st pilot time as of Jul. 11, 1944 was: I st pilot 202:30 hours and total pilot time 564:25 hours. I found your report to be quite interesting, although there are minor discrepancies-no fault of yours-in the writeup. I assume your source material was from our mutual friend, Andrew J. Wilkinson, who bas done a lot of research for the 2nd A.O., 8th A.F. His information to you was, I assume, extracted from the data I furnished him in previous correspondence. Therefore, if there is fault, it is mine! My last letter to him was May 25, 1994. Ashamedly, I have not answered except for a Christmas card. He sent me a copy of a letter dated May 1, 1994 from George Alexander, aircraft mechanic, 329th Sq., 93rd B.G. I would be very grateful to you if you passed my sincere tha_nks to George Alexand~r for both bis letter and the snapshot picture of the crash remains of my B24 aircraft. I saw nothing of the remains of my 824 nor was I able to talk to anyone in the hospital or on the base prior to leavina. I had a 10"x61h" blow-up made of the snapshot. When I was discharged from the base hospital, I was entrenched in a flak shack (rest home) in Oxford, England, about 60 miles west of London, for recuperation. I then flew back to Rackheath in a B17-my one and only Bl7 ride ever! (Compared to the B24, it was like riding in a Aeronaco Cub.) Upon return to flying duty, I was originally given a raunchy crew made up from base misfits removed from their original crews for reasons unknown to me. I flew them for 3 practice missions and then offered my 790th B.S. op. officer and Cmdr. Maj. Fred Holdredge my pilot wings in place of further missions. I then spent the remainder of my tour flying crews that had Jost their 1st pilots (mostly fired by Col. Albert J. Shower, Commander 467th Bomb Wing). I flew as replacement 1st pilot to 3 different crews. Each finished their 35th mission and I finished my own 35th mission with the assigned third crew. During this period, I continued flying for the 790th as checkout instructor pilot for new crews arriving from the States and as engineering test pilot for a/c coming out of scheduled maintenance. I returned to the States in Apr. 1945 and got married. (In Apr. 1995, we celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary.) Thank you again for your newsletter. God bless the 93rd B.G., 2nd A.O., 8th A.F. and to all those surviving and alive who assisted in recovering my B24 air crew from the crash at Hardwick, England, Jul. 11, 1944!!! FIEGEL-ZEMKE P47 DUO Slan & Slrlpu - Tues., Apr. 2S, 1944 Col. Leland G. Fiegel often flew a P47 Thunderbolt around Hardwick, but never in combat. He had piloted pursuits for a year after bis graduation in 1937 from KelJy Field, TX. Fiegel bad an opportunity to fly the P47 over Germany with Col. Hub 7 Zemke's crack fighter outfit. It was the Apr. 22 mission to Hamm that late Sat. return in darkness. It was no more than an ob~rvation flight. While the Zemke group was nearing the enemy coast on the return flight to Britain, a distress call from some of the 817s and B24s, which had attacked the German railway marshalling yards at Hamm, sent Fiegel and Zemke tearing back for combat. However, the enemy fighters broke off the chase and Fiegel came back lo his base without firing his guns. • Anyone with 150 gallons of g:is, follow m~! • Zemke. said over the radio when the bombers SOS came to. Only Fiegel had the gas. Together they peeled off to scour the sky in a fruitless search for the attaclcing Germans. Only words of praise for the fighter pilots and the P47 itself were spoken by Fiegel. "I'll admit, I wasn't too eager for a scrap,• he said, "But Zemke's boys literally com~ the sky hunting for a fight. I've never seen such aggressive combat spirit. I certainly take my hat off to them.• TALE OF TWO SUCCESSIVE MISSIONS Enough 10 caus~ ont 10 sttk somt othtr occupaJIDn, whkh was, Ill this cas~. 11/slwtg Sl.alag Lleft I Dec. 1, 1943, the 93rd dispatched 21 planes to Solingen, 17 of which were effective. Horace R. Ketchum's crew (329th) lllld Joseph M. Wurzer's crew (409th) failed to return, and William Krause's crew crash landed at Tilbury near a dock on the Thames River. Everyone on the Ketchum crew was POW except Harry E. Byerman, KIA. Included on this crew were present members of the 2nd A.D., Clinton A. Gruber and Guy P. Cheney. Wurzer's crew was not so lucky, as Wun.er, Thomas Parker, Archibald Hambright, George H. McCray, Leonard N. Gallaway and Toddy Stamper were KIA. Russell L. Hulsey, another 2nd A.D. member, was one of 4 POWs. Russell S. Unangst, 2nd A.D. member and bombardier on .Krause's crew, relates the troubles they encountered on their forced landing at Tilbury on the Thames: "The co-pilot, Carter, was badly wounded and bad to be pulled from his seat and attended to.• Unangst found 2 bombs hung up and released them first. Then be gof into the co-pilot's seat for the landing and helped Krause get the flaps down and pull the wheels back. Unangst was awarded a DFC for bis actions. All of the c~ but Unangst, who didn't have a scratch, went to the hospital. He never saw any of them again! Anxious to get on with it, Unangst (who bad been married just before leaving the States), found a place on the next 93rd mission Dec. 22, 1943, on Harry Daywalt's crew on a supposed milk run to Osnabruck. The bomb run turned into a fiasco and they lost an engine over the target. "The flak was heavy and I told the pilot to get into the clouds. We kept falling back and soon 2 JU88s came after us. I do not know how I got out of the plane, as I passed out. When I woke up 1 was lying on the ground with the red release handle stiU in my hands. I was on the Freisan Islands on sand dunes, and a little boy and girl were talking to me. Pilot Harry Daywalt lost bis life that day, as did Robert E. McFadden, Darrell V. Parrott and Robert D. Bogan. My next home was Stalag Luft I, Barth, Germany, where I visited until May 1945. • A married couple were driving along not speaking to each other after a disagreement. As they passed a barnyard. they saw a mule standing outside the barn. The man pointed to the mule and said, •isn't that one of your relatives standing over therer . .. ·Yes,• said the woman. •by marriage/"

IT'S NOT SUCH A WONDERFUL LIFE FOR PROPOSED JIMMY STEW ART MUSEUM by KeADeth R. Clark - Chicago Tribwie Indiana, PA-George Bailey, embattled protagonist of the Christmas classic, "It's a Wonderful Life,• was rescued in his hour of despair by a guardian angel named Clarence. Lilce the savings and loan institution threatened with bankruptcy in the 1946 Frank Capra film starring this western PA city's most famous native son, a museum long planned in honor of Jimmy Stewart is woefully short of funds. "We need $250,000 and we have far less than that,• says Rubin, chairman of the James M. Stewart Museum Foundation. Rubin and hls fellow fundraisers had hoped to open the museum on May 20, the ailing actor's 86th birthday, but failed to meet the necessary financial goal. Now, Rubin says, he has another "wish date" in Dec. to coincide with the town's annual "It's a Wonderful Life" festival, when, for a few days Indiana becomes the fictional Bedford Falls of the film. The site of the proposed museum, on a floor above the town library, could pass for Bailey's savings and Joan. A bank now occupies the spot where the Stewart family's hardware store once stood, across the street. Stewart's life is not likely to have the happy ending so joyously caroled in "Wonderful Life.• Gloria Stewart, his wife of 44 years, died in Jan., and Bill Moorhead, 91, Stewart's lifelong friend and the only one of his childhood contemporaries still alive here, says the actor is devastated. • After she was gone, be just went down, down, down, and I can't get him out of it,• says Moorhead, who grew up just a few houses away from the stately Stewart mansion on a high hill overlooking the town. • I get a letter off every wei:k and try to cheer him up. I send him lots of clippings about things here and he told his daughter that's what is keeping him alive.• The drive for funds to commemorate Stewart has been conducted strictly at the local level and Moore-Mack says locals are about tapped out. "The coal industry used to be king here and we've been severely hurt by the closing of a lot of coal mines. This museum could have a strong economic impact because it could bring people in who might not ordinarily spend an evening at one of our local motels or hotels.• Once up and running, the museum will occupy a 4,500 sq. ft. space on the library's 3rd floor. It will include 2 theaters, one for showing Stewart's movies and another for a slide show covering his life in Indiana. Stewart has agreed to donate most of his memorabilia, including his Oscar for lifetime achievement {the one for "The Philadelphia Story" stays with his stepson and twin daughters), and to license his name for ite~ in the museum gift shop. Rubin estimates the museum would draw 10,000 tourists annually. Stewart delighted his hometown in 1983 when he returned to Indiana on his 75th birthday with several members of the original "It's a Wonderful Life" cast for the dedication of a statue. "He's just Jim," Moorhead says, fondly. "He'd be a friend to you just Like he is to me; no high~hat or anything with him. It's been a wonderful relationship, and I certainly feel honored to be one of his friends. But we need the museum because I think it's almost time for both of us to go." Ed: 93rd member Arthur J. Decoster feels that the ellfire 2nd A.D. could a11d should do somerhing about rhis, especially rhe 453rd and 445th. Jimmy Stewart achieved world acclaim, but none of this compares or matches the role he played as a member of the 2nd A.D. Can we make an effort to vitalize the Stewart Museum by co111ributi11g to this project? Would appreciare any i11pu1 011 this suggestion. 8 BITS AND PIECES OF PROP WASH Have received requests regarding the book Blade Sunday Ploesri. For information, call Dave Johnson, Military Memories, at (800) 898-2124 or (615) 871-9598 ... Blaine ., Duxbury, 524 Weston Hills Ct., Eagan, MN 55123, writes to ask for help on a project he's been interested in for a long time. Hell's We11ch is probably one of the most famous planes in the rich history of the 93rd. Ten fine men went down with her that day in 1943. Addison Baker and John Jerstad were awarded posthumous Congressional Medals of Honor. Unfortunately, history bas left no record of what the plane looked lilce in terms of the nose art and markings. Blaine feels it's important to try and document the plane, and would greatly appreciate contact from anyone who might have been associated with the plane in any way. He would be happy to contribute an article with the material be gathers . . . Those attending the 2nd A.D. Annual Meeting at Lexington, KY are urged to bring their photo/scrap books to the reunion. Don K. Morrison, our very helpful Associate Member, has come up with some important 93rd findings in recent months and is looking fmward to reviewing other material ... Will the member who sent the 11Military Police11 summary for Dec. 1944 please write or call the Editor (page 6 of the Winter 1995 BOFQE). We regret that we misplaced the name of the sender ... One of our members tells ofan outfit that helps locate veterans ofWWil: M.I.H. Publishing, P.O. Box 5143 N. Burlington, NC 27216 -(800) 937-2133 ... Our apologies to 2 of our staunch members, Luther Bird and Luther Cox. Photo, page 16, Winter 1995 BOFQE, incorrectly identified the person 4th from left as Luther Bird, who was on the Ploesti Raid. In fact, this was Luther Cox, who headed up the very successful 2nd A.O. Florida Reunion at Orlando thls year ... Edward M. Dobson, an attorney in Bozeman, MT and an Associate Member of the ' 2nd A.D., is seeking information from anyone who knew John T. Dee, who lost his life at Ploesti. Dee was flying as tail gunner on Extenni11a1or, piloted by Hugh Roper. Does anyone know if Dee was a regular member of the Roper crew or if he was with them only for this mission? Dee's wartime address was 18 3rd Street, Charleroi, PA. If you have such information, please calJ_Dobson at (800) 587-2492, access code 2492. Ed Dobson's father was KIA Nov. 18, 1943 on a mission to Kjeller Airdrome near Oslo, Norway. He was a pilot in the 44th B.G .... Serenade to the Blue Lady is the story of 8th A.F. bomber pilot turned fighter pilot Bert Stiles' life and subsequent death on Nov. 26, 1944 while providing cover for mission to Hanover. Great reading! Author: Robert Floyd Cooper, Cypress House, 155 Cypress St., Ft. Bragg, CA 95437. ORLANDO REUNION BIG SUCCESS 93RD AGAIN LEADS ATTENDANCE by Luther C. Cox, 93rd B.G. I have been quite busy wrapping up the fine details of our 2nd A.D. Reunion in Orlando this past Feb. 12, 1995. From the reaction of many of the attendees and members who ran the one last year, all seemed to go well. Col. Lawrence Gilbert (392nd) told me to give myself five stars. We had good attendance. There were 215 sit-down members (with their guests) at the banquet. The Clarion Hotel provides, great support. I am reasonably satisfied that my committee, and , my wife and 1 did just about all that we could. The main things that MUST be avoided, if possible, is getting a committee that is spread all over central Florida, as mine was. For

expediency, this placed an inordinate amount of work on my wife and myself. But we all survived, even if my bursitis in the right shoulder did act up from doing so much typing (letters, registration, name tags, dinner tickets and many letters to ,,--.. answer, etc.). Committee members are as follows: Luther C. Cox & Jeanene Chairman (Coordinator) (93rd) Jerry & Mary Mejeur Registration Ed & Connie Devon Brkfst/Lunch Coordinators (93rd) Ralph & Virginia Belward Registration and Raffle Robert Wright Head Food Helper, Brkfst/Lunch & Logistics (93rd) Teddy Egan Chief Cook, Food Buyer & Main Stay over Brkfst/Lunch Th.e guest speaker, a fellow POW, Joe Consolmagno, really held the gang quiet as a mouse, with an exception here and there when his wit showed through. He did an absolutely great job! After all of these years, he was THE PERFECT SPEAKER for this auspicious occasion. Surprise entertainment, in the form of The Young • Andrew Sisters,• were three absolutely charming and perfect rendition of the Andrews Sisters, down to the uniforms and the old 40's music ... Glenn Miller type. The crowd ate this up and, as I promised, IT TOOK THEM BACK!!! As to which bomb group won by shear numbers showing up ... why the Great 93rd B.O., of course! The 392nd B.G. was a rather distant second (93rd: 67 attendees - 392nd: 32). Gen. Johnny Brooks was present and said a few words to the gang. 93rd Bomb Group Members Alfred Asch Floyd Mabee John Brooks Charles McKee Richard Cadel James McMahon · r John Cadle Bud Milliken Fred Collins Emmett Monroe Luther Cox Bill Neumann Michael Day Neil Park Edward Devon William Seward William Ferraro Walter Smelt John Fridell Walter Smelt, Jr. Leo Hebert Stanley Smelt Glenn Helwig Don Spencer Howard Hinchman Bob Taylor Mark Hontz Owen Taylor Cecil Johnson Joseph Thorley Frederick Johnson Hearol Veteto Frederick Kidd Jerry Wilson Arthur LaMontagne Robert Wright John Lee EARLY REPORTS ON 93rd VISIT TO NORWICH FOR V.E. DAY 50th ANNIVERSARY ALFRED & NAOMI ASCH Al •poke for the 93rd at Henham Dedication 9 It's getting to be a habit! The 93rd again was top in attendance, this time at the Norwich V.E. Day Reunion; total of 68. 93rd - Hotel Norwich Peter & Elizabeth Allatt Alfred & Naomi Asch Lew Brown/ Becky Brown Estes Harold Burks Bill & Lillian Carpenter Bill & Anita Ferraro Ellis & Hildred Fullwiler Charles & Jane Graves Mark & Barbara Hontz John & Pat Hurd George Johnson Ed & Helen Logan Bob & Madeleine McKeever George McNulty Paul & Janet Meyers John & Jean O'Grady Tom & Sally Parry Russ, Lorraine & Dennis Philpott Ray & Mary Rhoades/Debby Rhoades Smith Ron Roure & Eileen Hunt Ray Schneiderrrim & Karen Schneider Crain Joe Schwarzgruber Walt Smelt & Serena Patterson/ Mike& Peggy Ann Smelt Day Don & Marylou Spencer Paul Steichen/Paul, Jr. & Mike McGinty Fred & Inez Strombom Vernon & Verna Swaim Hearol & Maxine Veteto Norm Watteo & Joyce Dagle Lawrence & Theresa Williams Bob & Marge Wright TRIBUTE TO THE WOODROW'S 93RD BOMBARDMENT GROUP GREATEST GRATITUDE AWARD Presented to DAVID ANO JEAN WOODROW On This Day of Remembrance of the End of World War II in Europe We Thank Them for the Lovin_g Care They Have Given This Hallowed Ground We Thank Them for the Unlimited Devotion And Hospitality to the Airmen and Their Families Who Have Visited Here Through the Years Given This Day May 6, 1995 T opcroft, England •

THE 50th ANNIVERSARY OF V.E. DAY, MAY 1995 WHEN YOU CAME BACK TO US ONCE MORE ... by David llastinp Just how can we in Norfolk ever thank you all in the 2nd A.D. USAAF Asso. enough for coming back to join us for the V.E. Day celebrations? And, as always, you have returned home leaving us with wonderful memories that will stay with us and our children for the rest of our lives. Toe excitement began Fri. morning, May 6, when a team of Couriers from the Memorial Trust met you at 2 London auports. It was so good to see all your faces again. Then on Sat., May 6, it was wonderful to have the rededication of your uniqu~ and living 2!1d A.D. Memorial Library in the temporary Norwich Central Library at Glasswells Old Building in Ber St. and to see that you were so delighted with the hard work put in by the Library Team and the Trust. As before, your room is friendly, welcoming and a place of peace, still living up to the original words of Gen. Kepner. Sun., May 7, was of course the highlight of the week-the reenactment of the 1945 Parade. What a day it turned out to be! Toe sun shone from a clear, blue sky as the 950 British and American Veterans assembled in front of the burned out shell of the Library. The band from the Royal AF College Cranwell played for the enjoyment of the huge crowd already assembled. Then at exactly 1000, the 41st Sq. of the Royal AF provided the fly-past in tribute to the veterans (the only city in the UK to n:ceive such a privilege). This was followed by the very movmg address from the Lord Mayor of Norwich and then we were on our way. No one who marched that day will ever forget the warmth of the crowds lining the route all the way to the Cathedral. I have never seen such cheering and applause. At the Cathedral we entered through the Parade of Standards includin& the RAF Bomber Command Standard, which w~ paraded especially in your honor, and exactly at 1320 the Lord Bishop of Norwich greeted the Queen's representative. Toe Two National Standards were laid on the altar and the fanfare sounded. What a combination with the magnificent organ and the Salvation.Army band. The service itself was very moving, and once agam your "Fanfare to the 2nd A.D.," composed by Ken Mea.zey, had us all in tears (Ken bas kindly arranged for this to be recorded and I will shortly be sending Bud Koomdyk the master for use in the US). Toe day ended with the "We'll Meet Again" show, by Bob Brister, at the Norwich Theatre Royal where we relived the scenes and sounds of the 40s. Mon. was ~~ Day full of programs arranged by the Group VPs and their village contacts. Tuesday was Touring Day. Toe Broads Tour bad 3 ships and it was great to go down river to Homing Village. On Wed., you had your own very moving private service at the American Cemetery at Madingley near Cambridge, a chance to say farewell and pay tribute to those 6700 members of the 2nd A.D. who gave their lives to the cause of freedom. Tbanlc you for allowing us as Couriers to join you on that day. On the ~inal day, Tours., many of you so kindly gave up your morrung to go and talk to 23 Norfolk schools, which was deeply appreciated. In the evening was your Farewell Banquet at the Norwich Sport Village. Once again, Evelyn outdid herself with superb organization. Toe Jonathan Wyatt Big Band played •Gtenn Miller" style music and we were aU proud to see you receive a telegram of greeting from Her Majesty the Queen. I doubt if any other USAF Asso. had that honor. At 1015 it was all over. It was truly a unique week. Let's hope that many of us will meet again at the opening of the New Norwich Library. WE'LL MEET AGAIN ... LIGHTER SIDE Preflight Inspection 1. Approach the aircraft in a reckless, devil-may-care manner, as this makes a big impression on bystanders. Ask the nearest ~ small boy what type of aircraft this is, just to make sure. 2. Check all fuel tanks with a match to see if all the air bas been removed therefrom. Be sure to lc.ick the tires vigorously. When you come to a complicated part of the aircraft, stare at it seriously for a few seconds. This creates a favorable impression on your crew-chief. 3. When you have finished the preflight, ask another bystander what aircraft this is. Then proceed rapidly to your assigned aircraft and repeat steps 1 and 2. 4. To enter the aircraft, approach from the left side and duck under the bomb bay doors to leap lightly onto the catwalk with-out looking. Then pick yourself up off the ground in a casual manner and after locating the catwalk climb slowly onto it. P.S. To control acrophobia, don't look down from the catwalk. Airman's Unabridged Dictionary Buzz Job: Chocks: Crab: Flat Hat: Gadget: Gross Weight: Landing Flap: Pitch; Propeller: Slow Flight: S.O.S.: To fly low. Final maneuver practiced by many pilots no longer with us. Pieces of wood the crew chief slips in front of the wheels when you're not looking. A crew chief whose aircraft was returned full of flak holes and missing 2 engines. To stunt, show off, grand stand. Derived from the old custom of levelina the headgear of groundpounders. Aviation Cadet. Usually found in a position of aggravated brace. According to upper ) classmen, something lower than a snake's belly. A 250 lb. pilot plus 2 B4 bags, 3 cases of bourbon, 4 rifles, 4 sleeping bap, a box of groceries and a golf bag. A 4,000 ft. landing on a 3,500 ft. runway. Subslance that keeps the feathers in place so that the prop wash will not spill out. Fan that keeps the pilot cool. Tum it off and watch him sweat. One that lasts beyond the bladder's limits. Polite form - •stop on a shingle•; chipped beef on toast, usually served on a momin& when you have a hangover/queasy stomach. Remember those Sunday-night gourmet meals? Grapefruit juice, cold cuts, cheese sliced a half-inch thick, bard crusty bread, limp celery and fruit cocktail. Why do we drive on parkways and park on driveways'? Why does a slight tax increase cost you $200 and a substantial tax cut save you only 30 cents? Signs Found in a Hotel in England 1. Guests are advised that all fruits served in this hotel have been washed in water passed by the management. " 2. If you wish to have breakfast served in your room, lift the telephone and our waitress will arrive. This will be enough to bring your food up.

EXPRESS AIR MAH. DELIVERED BY B.O.F. Dear Paul. Thanb for the address correction. You were right. We ~dn't blame the post office this time. lt all comes to roost ~ my desk. You are also correct about the BOFQE. I am sure everyone enjoys it and looks forward to getting it as much as I do. It is more successful than I ever dreamed it could be. The work that goes into it must be phenomenal. You can be proud. Dear Paul, THERMAN D. BROWN S06 Harland Ave. Melbourne Beach, FL 32951 Surely you need more money from me for the BOFQ,e. which has been coming steadily since my initial payment when I teamed of the publication. I can't find an annual rate listed and 2 mild strokes have left my memory a little hazy on what I sent you originally. So I'm sending you a check for $12 and hope that is nearly right for another year. I really enjoy it-so many shlpa and men mentioned are familiar. I keep in touch with my cousin, Helen MacDonald Brannan. She, too, had a stroke and has some problems walking. but we love to share memories of our Red Cross years at Hardwick. Keep up your excellent work. Dear Paul, DOROTHY M. HARRISON 817 Huntington Rd. Louisville, KY 40207 Enclosed is an urgent communication for all Carpetbagger crews. I do not have the address of the carpetbagger ,,- Association, so I would urge you to print this and contact the :arpetbagger Association for their action. This gathering will be a one&-in-a-lifetime honor for the men involved. All crew members taking part in these clandestine flights should contact Torbjorn Olausson immediately, at Toresjovagen 33. 13547 Tyreso, Sweden. Torbjom Olausson is an executive of the state-owned Swedish Television. He has been an 8th A.F. historian of note and bas written several books concerning U.S. Airmen interned in Sweden and bas organized several American Internee events over the past several years. He is an Honorary Life Member of our organization. Dear Paul. JAMES H. McMAHON P.O. Box 4954 Santa Rosa, CA 95402 After all your help, our visit to the Woodrow's was an unfortunate result of not being able to get in touch for 2-3 days before our planned arrival and an overambitious route of travel. We arrived late and no one was home. We took videos of their lovely gardens and scoured the area until, with the help of a genial local, we found the WAAF site memorial huts. (1 think David may have been working in a distant field, but I hated to interrupt him and we were already behind schedule to get to that night's lodgings.) A planned stop at the Norwich Library was also forfeited. On the other hand, a visit to Knights-Hayes Court rest home was a resoundina success. Armed with a colored enlargement of me carrying a shotgun and a box of shells on the way to ( moot trap, and with a beautiful shot of the castle in the background (which I donated to their archives), we received royal treatment from the head man. It is now a National Treasure. Photography and video (the latter my all-consuming passion and the reason I'm a lousy correspondent) are not 11 permitted inside the building. which abounds with beautiful decor and great paintings. I was given dispensation, however, to video as I wished. Each room Mary and I entered had a docent stationed for both information and security. They were genuinely glad to welcome and talk to someone who had spent his rest leave there. Dear Paul, DONWEISERT 1640 Olympus Loop Dr. Vista. CA 92083 I received the latest issue of BOFQE this morning. Among the listing of new members I saw the name Leslie B. Hagan, Louisville, KY. Before WWII. he and his brother. Larry, worked with my brother in Louisville. At Hardwick. Les was a flight engineer in the 328th Sq. When our 824 was shot down on Jun. 24. 1944, Les got word to my wife and sons that I was MIA before the War Dept. did. Norman A. Roggenlcamp was our pilot. He was KIA along with John Boyle, Eugene Mlot. Lowell Arnold and Lt. Col. Clarence R. Porter. Dear Paul, MORTON R. ASHTON 454 S. capitol Corydon, IN 47112 This past Sept. 18 I was among S Americans who met in Holland with a group of Hollanders. (They don't like to be called Dutch. It sounds too much like German to them.) They make up sort of a history club. One of their projects is the study of the crash of the Baggy Maggy, Sepl. 18, 1944. I was the bombardier on that ship that day. We were assigned to the 409th B.S. of the 93rd B.G. Larry Hewin, the pilot, has written a detailed account of our meeting in Holland. The main purpose of this letter is this: Our Holland friends asked me to try to fmd Henry Greenberg, the only crew member not yet located. He was our navigator that day and I believe it was his first mission. During the war years Hank's hometown was Chicago, but my investigation indicates that be no longer lives there. I heard that be had moved to California. If I remember correctly, after the crash Hanle ended up a prisoner in Stalag Luft I. If anyone can help me get in touch with this particular Henry Greenberg. I would be most grateful. Dear Paul. GEORGE W. SADLER 514 S. Gaskins Rd. Richmond, VA 23233 I found the article • Naughty Nan• (pg. 6, Winter 1995 BOFQE) to be very interesting. Jim •Mac" McKamy•s crew, on which I was R/O, arrived Hardwick Sept. 1943 aboard 2-40990-L, On the Ball, and were assigned to the 328th B.S. On Jan. 7. 1944, this aircraft went down with another crew. After about 4 more missions we were assigned to 2-99949-1, Naughty Nan, on which we finished our tour, except for one mission. We flew Naughty Na11 on her 13th mission and our 20th to Berlin, Mar. 6, 1944. The "Liberator Album.• by Tony North and Mike Bailey, shows a picture of 949-1 (pg. 23) on the Friedrichshafen mission with our crew aboard. I have the photo lab picture like the one in the above publication as well as a picture of the nose art and will gladly send copies to any of the survivors if they are interested. CARMENJ.FOX S751 W. Smiley Rd. Shelby, OH 44875

EXPRESS AIR f\fAIL DELIVERED BY B.O.F. Dear Paul, I thank you for the recent issue of the BOFQE. 1 was very interested in the article by Eric Ericson about his Russian visit oo a Berlin raid in early 1945. Our crew had a similar experience, as did Wes Bartelt (453rd B.G.), which I thought you would be interested in. Thus, I brought copies to Lexington for you. They were both published several years ago in the Journal. I didn't meet Wes until a recent 2nd ADA convention. We may have crossed paths in 1945 in those "Russian excursions,• but my approach then was to trust no one, as we didn't know who were the "good guys,• and who may have been spies (and there were plenty of those around, including those working for "Uncle Joe!"). Meanwhile, I've had some correspondence with Eric, and he sent me the stories of the balance of his experiences on that mission. Thanks again for the BOFQE. It's well done and great reading! DAVE PATTERSON Ed: Dave is the dedicated a11d proficie/11 lo11g-1ime Secrerary a11d Dire£1or of Admi11istrarive Services for the 2nd A.D. He lives in Alamo, CA Dear Paul, Enclosed is my check to help support the BOFQE. Barbara Finitzer located me just the other day. I was a good friend of John Finitzer during our days with the 93rd. Arrived Alconbury Sept. 6, 1942 and moved to Hardwick Dec. 31, 1942. Didn't leave (Alconbury) until Aug. 1945. I married Helena Peacock, St. Mary's Church, Huntingdon, Mar. 27, 1943. This coming March will be our 52nd anniversary. Dear Paul, DUVERN E. HIGGINS 1504 Park St. Snohomish, WA 98290-1827 We were transferred with about 50 other crews to Pueblo, CO to join a squadron that was just beginning third phase training to the newly formed 491st B.G. Had to go through third phase again; had lost my bombardier and was assigned another and he had to drop all his required practice bombs. Didn•t mind flying for him to get his bombs dropped for he was one of the best. Also got a replacement for my co-pilot. The one replaced was a qualified Bl7 pilot and he wanted no part of the B24, especially as a co-pilot. My replacement co-pilot was fresh out of single engine training at Eagle Pass, TX and just had his 18th birthday-a kid who dreamed of flying fighters and being assigned to a B24 crew. [ was 27 years old at the time and seemed like a father to many of the crew members. Had a diversified group of personalities that got along well and did their job to the best of their ability. (I'm partial, but I think we were a pretty good crew.) About May 1, 1944, we began deploying overseas in our new aircraft. Left Pueblo for Herrington, KS to pick up some of the aircraft's equipment and crew clothing, weapons, etc. From there to West Palm Beach, FL for final check of the crew and aircraft. Flew via the Southern Route to Puerto Rico, Trinidad, Belem, Fortalaza, Dakar, Marrakech, Lands End and on to Metfield, England, arriving there May 11, 1944. On Jun. 2, 1944, the 491st made its first combat mission and I was on that mission. Twelve days and 9 missions later, I got a 3-day pass and went to London in time to experience a very heavy buzz bomb attack on the city. Didn't know what was taking place till the next morning when the morning paper had a good picture of a buzz bomb below the cloud cover and a report of heavy damage to the city. Came back to the 491st B.G. (H) 12 base from the pass to find orders transferring my crew to the 93rd B.G. at Hardwick (orders stated, "for a period of approx. 5 days"). It was a Jong "5 days,• for 1 completed my 30tl ·~ mission on Dec. 25, 1944 and was held over to assist i1 training replacement GH crews. Cleared the base (Hardwick) on Jan 31, 1945 and didn't leave for the States (by boat) until Mar. l, 1945, arriving back in the good ol' US of A on Mar. 12, 1945. At the 93rd, we trained in GH bombing procedures and was made a lead crew where we flew 21 lead missions with the 93rd B.G. unit as well as leading other units in the 2nd A.O. When we checked in at the 93rd there was not space for us in the air crew quarters, so the base put us up in quarters with non-flyers or permanent parties with the understanding we could transfer to the crew quarters when space was available. We had good, quiet quarters, a good mess, and an officer's club that was seldom crowded. HQ and Ops knew how to get in touch with us quickly, so we never requested to be transferred. That kept us from getting to know other flight persoMel very well, which I regret. That's life and it caon.ot be lived over. Dear Paul, WILLARD F. NESTER 8617 Decatur Conehauan Rd. Decatur, MS 39327 I was surprised to see in my letter that War Goddess had been inserted as the plane I flew (BOFQE Winter 1995). I do not remember War Goddess. I recently received a letter from Tom Hernandez, 5033 February St., San Diego, CA 92110, stating that he was a member of the crew of War Goddess and~ did not remember me flying any missions with them. Ht further stated that War Goddess eventually crashed in Sweden. Please check this out for me. I don't want to appear to be saying I flew a plane that I did not fly. Thanks for your good work in getting out the BOFQE. REV. JAMES BOYCE, M. DIV. Minister of Visitation Trin.ity Presbyterian Church Charlotte, NC 28211 Ed: My error! Lee Burkhalter, who supplied me with i11fonnatio11,flew with both the crew of War Goddess and with the Boyce Crew. Dear Paul, I apologize for not being active in 93rd B.G. affairs of the past, as I settled down in the slow lane raising a family and providing for their future. This provided plenty of reason for not looking back at the past! My job was as a gunner on Jerk's Narural for 30 missions, flying from Oct. 9, 1942 lo Apr. S, 1943. John Jerstad was my first pilot and Donald Sims the second. My crew was relieved at the start of Mission 31. We were on the runway with engines all revved up for takeoff. I never knew the crew that replaced us, as I was transferred out soon after. As you know, Jerk's Natural was shot down shortly after the Ploesti raid. BOFQE is the best publication I ever read. Thanks a million. SAMUEL J. DE CAMBRE 6606 Daspit ~ New Iberia, LA 70560

EXPRESS AIR MAIL DELIVERED BY B.O.F. Dear Paul, _.._ Thanks for the copies of letters from the fellow in Belgium who wrote to you in 1993 requesting information about my Uncle Floyd Cook's B24, the Abk Mabel (328th), lost Jun. 19, 1944. It bas meant a great deal to me and the surviving sisters to find out some of the facts surrounding his death. I will correspond with that gentleman soon. For me personally, reading the letters in the BOFQE has had a real impact. With both my father (KIA Belgium, May 1945, Army) and Uncle Floyd not around while I was growing up, I nev~ really kne~ about how ~gs were over in Europe. The stones are appreciated and I smcerely hope they will continue. Thanlcs again for being so helpfu1! Keep up the great job! JIM GUDDAL Dear Paul, 446S Vicksburg Ln. Plymouth, MN 55446 On Jan. 31, 194S, the 93rd B.G. was "tail-end Charlie" on a mission to bomb industrial targets in the Brunswick area of the Rhue Valley. It was my 31st mission and I was training a new crew. The weather in England and Europe left much to be desired, but we were proceeding as planned. About 10 minutes from the target we were directed to abort the mission and retum home as soon as possible. This new crew was quite upset; but, personally, I didn't feel too bad about avoiding another visit to this industrial complex. We soon learned that the problem was extreme weather conditions throughout England, and East Anglia was socked in. As we passed over the North Sea, I directed the bombardier to jettison /'"'- our bombs. Since it was his first mission, he wanted to save diem for his next mission. After being threatened with a court martial, he reluctantly complied with this order. As we approached East Anglia, it was apparent that none of the bases in the area were open and a number of us were directed to an RAF diversionary base in northern Kent, known as Camaby. We later learned that this was the last remaining ~ still open and ~ere told that the last 2 planes couldn't get 1D and the 2 crews mvolved had bailed out successfully near this base. Under these conditions we were aU anxious to land as soon as possible. Without landing procedures, the spacing downwind and on the final approach was probably about 20 seconds between planes. There was only 500 ft. at the end of the runwar without snow and slush, and as each plane touched down 1t was necessary to immediately hit the brakes to avoid a rear-en:d collision. We couldn't avoid a crash, however, but at the nght moment our right wheel avoided ice and the traction caused us to skid to the right and around the plane directly in front of us. This skid apparently broke the safety lock on the left strut, and as we taxied to the parking area the left strut collapsed and the 2 propellers on the left side spun off. The new c~ew was stunned by this development, and after they were renunded about the fire hazard they quickly joined me in ~bandoning the plane. The next day we flew back to our base with one of the other crews in our squadron. The technical information was included in an accident report ~covered by a young man in Ohio seeking information about r his grandfather's military career. His recent call to me was truly a surprise and, again, I was reminded of how fortunate some _of us were to have survived our tour of duty. The pilot for this crew was Lt. Edmund P. Simpson, and it's likely they didn't finish their tour before the end of the war. The names of his crew that day are listed on the accident report (below). 13 I would be interested in learning more about this particular mission. Since our group was "tail-end Charlie,• did any of our other squadrons confront the same difficulty the 409th B.S. confronted? Does anyone have access to the records that might confirm whether or not the last 2 planes were able to land at Carnaby that day? DICK BRANTLEY Box 813 WendetJ, NC 27591 Accident Report 1. B24H #42-94971, piloted by 2Lt. E.P. Simpson, was recalled from an operational mission to Germany and diverted to Camaby, an RAF diversionary base. A normal landing was effected under conditions of low visibility and slush-covered runw~y. After touching down, 2 planes ahead were partially blocking the runway. Braking caused plane to skid in ice and snow, and resulted in ~mage and collapse of the left landing gear before end of landing roll. None of the crew were injured. Damage to aircraft was as follows: Actuating cylinder broken from side drag strut at lever arm connection. Left outer wing panel damaged. Skin, bulkheads, and stringers damaged from station 6.0 to 7.1. Catwalk and rear bomb bay were damaged. Number 1 and no. 2 engines and propellers were damaged. Crew Edmund P. Simpson Richard Brantley Harry M. Gloss, Jr. George T. Larson, Jr. Edward J. Sczesny James W. Rinker George E. Green, Jr. John P. Van Parys Adolph H. Fischer George Black Leo F. Bates Pilot Co-Pilot Navigator Bombardier Engineer Radio Operator Waist Gunner Wing Gunner NT Tail Gunner RCM Ed: The young man who secured the Accident Repon is Donald Mo"ison, 1375 W. Com,er, Clinton, OH 44216. Four crew members are now members of the 2nd A.D. They are: Dick Bra111ley, Harry M. Gloss Jr., George Black and Leo Bates. Dear Paul, I am writing on behalf of my father, William Polymeros. If it's possible, he would like to locate some of the men he served with. Although he remembers some names, we were hoping you could supply the rest, along with addresses. I was given your name and address by Ed Kepers, affiliated with the 8th A.F. Historical Society. Here is the infonnation I have: Left Ft. Dix in Aug. to NY. on the Queen Elizabeth to Alcoobury, then to Hardwick in De<::. 1942. He was in the Motor Pool for the duration, transporting pilots and working in Ordinance. He was in the 93rd B.G., 330th B._S. Col. Timberlake w3:5 the_ C. 0., Col. Potterled many raids. Other names, mamly an Motor Pool: Sgt. Baird, Sgt. Greenhill, Cpl. Edwards, Joe Gadis, someone named Kreks and Cisorelli (the spelling on all names is questionable). Flew out of Hardwick about May 1945 on a plane piloted by 2Lt. Bert Higgins. Any additional names and addresses plus the addresses and status of those mentioned would be greatly appreciated. DEAN POL YMEROS (proud son of William G. Polymeros) 610 Tyler St. Anoka, MN 55303-2307

EXPRESS AIR MAil, DELIVERED BY B.O.F. Dear Paul, As of now, my wife and I, along with C.D. Johnson and wife, and Stan Mikolajczyk and wife will be attending the convention next Jul. m Lexington, KY. Still hearing thmgs from Belgium. I received a book yesterday from the Ingelmunster Historical Society that gave details of our visit last Sept. It has photos, reports, etc.-some narration in English, some Flemish-very interesting. Dear Paul, JOE BRADLEY 17S Courtshire Dr. Brick, NJ 08723 Thank you for Howard Teague's address! l have written him and I hope to hear from him soon. I have not heard from any of the other crew members as of yet (besides Ed Sand), but I am not giving up hope. I met with Mary Beth Barnard last month in Savannah and saw what they are putting together for the museum at The Mighty Eighth Air Force Heritage Center. It really is going to be fascinating. Although Mary Beth and her co-workers have a huge amount of information, there is still research to be done. One thing she mentioned to me is her need for flight formaJion sheets of various missions. If you can be of any help in this search, it would be greatly appreciated! This information can be sent to: Mary Beth Barnard, Dir. History & Archives The Mighty Eighth Air Force Heritage Center P.O. Box 1992 Savannah, GA 31402-1992 Thank you for the newsletter. I truly enjoy reading it and can't wait for the next one! Thank you also for your continued help in my effort to locate my father's crew on Thu11dermug. As soon as I hear from Mr. Teague or anyone else, I'll share the information with you. MARION A. JONES 413S Bryan Dr. Acworth, GA 30102 P.S. My mother, Alice Jones, and I donated my father's pilot log to the museum. Mary Beth wrote me saying that a copy would be sent to Norwich, England and the original will be, from time to time, on display at the museum. Ed: Marion A. Jones is a daughter of Donald K. Jones, co-pilot on Thundermug on the Ploesti Raid. loneaome Polecat 14 Dear Paul, Enclosed is a check for the BOFQE. We were put in touch with your organization by Don Morrison. Les bad a stroke '1 years ago and was admitted to a nursing home last Nov. after a 28-day stay at our VA Hospital. I hope Les understands all we tell him, so if anyone has any messages for him or about him, please write. Don Morrison sent us lots of information and we really appreciate all of his efforts. Thanks and best wishes to all. Dear Paul, LESLIE & BOBBIE HAGAN 7421 Candace Wy., #1 Louisville, KY 40214 I am truly sorry that you took a lot of heat about the unfortunate misidentification of the 93rd and 44th listing of the Roll of Honor in tbe 2nd A.D. history book. We knew about it before Lexington. As soon as I found out about it I posted Mabee, who was handling the ROH details for you. I have bad 2 letters from 93rd personnel, and a phone call to each clarified the matter for each with great relief that their loved one was listed, however, incorrectly by group. We are taking steps to prepa.re a notification for all 93rd and 44th personnel who have received the book or who will receive it. Meanwhile I have just arranged with Hilary Hammond who visited here last week to correct the identification in the temporary ROH i.n Norwich. More important than anything else, the latest 700-name list from Mabee agrees to the last name with our permanent record. When the replacement ROH is made, it will be accurate. Dear Paul, JORDAN UTT AL 7824 Meadow Park Dr., #101 Dallas, TX 7S230 I want to thank you for the wonderful BOFQE. l believe I'm enclosing a second check since I didn't see a red check by my name, but what the heck, it can go to some of the guys that can't afford it. The paper is one of the things we have needed for a long time and imagine that it takes a fair amount of work to put it out. So my thanks go out to you. I have wonderful memories of the 328th and the 93rd. My crew is all gone except for Carmen Fox, radio op., Jim Marchione, asst. engineer, and myself, but we kept track of each other as Jong as we could. I saw where Bob Coleman died and was reminded about his tale about the end of the war and being told to get rid of all the glorious pictures taken of the group, so he destroyed some and put the rest in a footlocker and shipped them home. I guess these are the only official pictures left, if there are any, because he kept giving thelJl away. I joined the group back in Jun. or Jul. 1943, just before the Ploesti raid. Finished one tour in Mar. 1944 and a second one in Sept., I think. Went to both the 100 and the 200 mission parties-don't remember if there was a 300. GENE P. ALVORD 4902 N. McBride Tacoma, WA 94807

EXPRESS AIR MAH, DELIVERED BY B.O.F. Dear Paul, f Please check the 93rd Roll of Honor for me as I want to nake sure a radio operator friend of mine is included. His -name was Price from Indiana. His pilot was Neely from Houston, TX and engineer was Baldwin. Price died when an 88 shell fuse exploded in him. I, BOB TREDWAY 438 W. 58th Terr. Kansas City, MO 64113 Ed: Willard H. Price is listed in the 93rd Roll of Honor. OPEN LEITER TO THE NORTHERN NEV ADA NEWS MEDIA CO~GRATULATIONS! to all of you for winning the "DUMMY AWARD"-an award you richly deserve for your lack of coverage of the historical visit of the WWII Bombers the weekend of May 20-22. The only B24 (All American) and Bl7 (Nine O Nine) restored, flyable heavy bombers arrived at Reno Cannon International Airport Friday afternoon. I called various media and the only one seemingly interested was Channel 8 (ABC). I was told that there would be coverage on •John Tyson's Journal" at 6:30 p.m., Tues., the 24th. To my great sadness there was no mention of the B24. The only thing featured was the •Hollywood Bomber,• the B17. Shame on you, John Tyson! To set the record straight here and now, I submit the following facts regarding the B24 bomber; 1. The B24 carried more bomb tonnage than any other aircraft in WWII. 2. The B24 had a greater range than the B 17. 3. The B24 sttved"in ALL theaters of operation; the Bl7 did noL 4. B24s were flying missions over Japan before the Enola Gay dropped the Big Cherry bomb. 5. There were over 18,000 B24s built by Douglas, North America, Ford and Consolidated; there were less than 12,0001U1-Mil~ 6. The B24 modf:taatlon }>ecame the C87 transport and the CI07 tanker. • ' 7. The B24 flew subpatroJ\in the North Atlantic, raising havoc with Nazi U-Boa(i;i 8. Some B24s were modified-with Central Fire Control so as to train aerial gunners fd',: B29 duty. 9. Until ~tly, the Navy Single Tail version of the B24 were used as Borate,..Bombers. IO. B24s were the planes used on the famous Ploesti Refinery Raid. Of 172 starting the mission 54 were lost due to enemy ground fire and fighters, accounting for the loss of 532 men. 11. There were 5 Congressional Medals of Honor awarded for the Polesti Raid, the most ever awarded for a single action on a single day. Two of these were awarded to the C.O. and pilot, Addison Baker, and John Jerstad, co-pilot from the 93rd B.G. I could go on, but I hope you've got the picture. I flew in the 93rd B.G. as flt. engr. and top turret gunner on Miss Take, so I have a little background. No, thank God! I didn't go on the Ploesti Raid. HARRY M. ADIE P.O. Box 1884 Gardnerville, NV 89410 15 Dear Paul, My wife and I arrived home safely following our wonderful reunion in Norwich. We both had a great time. If you have a list of all the fellows who attended our celebration in Norwich (especially the 93rd), I would appreciate receiving a copy, as well as Jean and David Woodrow's address (stamped, self-addressed envelope enclosed). We enjoyed meeting you and chatting with you in England. Tbanlc you for all your contributions to this memorable affair. l know we shall never forget it! Enclosed is my check for the BOFQE. Dear Paul, LA WREN CE & THERESA WILLIAMS 49 Cottage St. Fedronia, NY 14063-1201 In July, I am going to Phoenix for a reunion with crewmates, Ed "Master• Bates, who left with us on Jalce Epting's crew; and Elmer Dawley, who later became our tail gunner and was hit over Bizerte and in tum was replaced by Ben Kuroki. I later became a POW and never saw these guys again. July in Phoenix looks great to me! RICHARD G. RYAN 37 Allen Ln. Ipswich, MA 01368 The Right Honourable Sixth Earl and Countess of Stradbroke nMOUNT FYANS" RSD DARLINGTON VICTORIA 3271, AUS'.1RALIA Phones: 055-901-294 055-901-298 Dear Paul, Nice talking to you. I have faxed Tim Fairs, my right-hand man in the U.K., to ask him to pull out all the stops to try and have the names of those in the 93rd B.G. who lost their lives over Henham and those injured on the ground engraved on a plate by Nov. 5, 1995. Please accept my apology for not having bad this done before. Events overtook me for a while. Also, please tell your gttys that a very warm welcome awaits them at Henham, Suffolk, England. Nothing is too much trouble for us! Please also tell them to come and stay a few days in one of our cottages at "Mount Fyans" when they visit Australia. Aussie is a bit like America . . . large open spaces and Jots of freedom. All the best, now - regards, Keith Mount Fyans

FRIDAY'S CAT 41-23713 - FIRST 93RD CASUALTY, SEPT. 1942 Photo courtesy Violes L. Flanary, P.O. Box 125, Dryden, VA 24243 The entire crew of the plane piloted by Captain Frank Hinshaw failed to arrive in England on the flight from America. The plane left the first week in Sept. 1942. When last heard from the plane was about 400 miles west of Scotland, flying in a storm on 2 motors, and being forced down to the sea. No trace was ever found of the ship or its occupants. (Front Row, left to right) Robert L. Brooks, SSgt, Asst. R/O; Munford Kennon, TSgt, Bmbrdr and B.S.M.; Jacob A. Bruinishols, Jr., SSgt, Asst. Engr.; Clyde K. Boaze, SSgt, Gnr; John G. VanDervort, TSgt, Aerial Engr; Harry J. Heim, ll.it• R/O. rF (Back Row, left to right) ■ John B. Crisp, 2Lt, Nav.; Jose E. Moya, 1st Lt., Bmbrdr.; Cleland G. Marriott, 2Lt., Co-pit.; Frank T. Hinshaw, Ht., Pit. The Ball of Fire Quarterly Express Paul R. Steichen, Editor 2227 A Ruhland A venue Redondo Beach, CA 90278-2401 93rd BOMB GROUP FIRST CLASS MAIL CAI VIN DAVIDSON 93RIJ 4!397::.~ PLA IE:. rrn ()Bl RL IN OH 440/4

r Vol. 3, No. 2 Bal of Fn. Editor Paul R. Steichtwa 22912 Nadine Cirde TorralC8, CA 90505 (310) 530-9636 BALL OF FIRE OVER VILLAGE OF HEMPNALL, TWO MILES NORTH OF RUNWAY 19 IIBAILIL (Q)IF IFIITruE ~llJA.IPtJTIEifilL Y JElKIFIR?JE§§ Newsletter of the 93rd Bomb Group 2nd Air Division, 8th Air Force, Hardwick, England Vice President. 2ADA Alfred Asch 6205 Meadow Court Rockvine, MD 20852 1301) 881-1376 A DAUGHTER'S VISIT TO "V.E. DAY PLUS 50" FESTIVITIES IN NORWICH by Debby Rhoades Smith Summer, 1995 Vice President Membership Floyd H. Mabee 28 Hinside Avenue Dover, NJ 05801 1201 I 366-5916 I, f Ed: Debby, a school teacher living in Michigan, accompanied I her parents, Ray and Mary Rhoades, and 64 other 93rd people on this historic visit. Her diary provides an interesting story of what a great time was had by all! headed back to the hotel. Had dinner of omelettes and baked potato with cheese and beans in the hotel pub. Met Barbara and Mark Hontz from Florida. Very nice. Mark was also a navigator and has an 8th A.F. ring like Dad's. Slept very soundly that night and seemed to be over most of the jet lag. It helped to take a 2-hour nap when we arrived then to bed at 9:30 that night for a full night's rest. Hotel Noiwicb is very lovely - newer and more modem than I expected. The staff is mostly young girls, all very pleasant, gracious and most accommodating. If you call down for something (for me it was an adapter and hot curlers), one of the reception girls cheerfully brings it up to the door. A full English breakfast is provided daily in the restaurant and is included with your stay: first, a cold buffet line consisting of figs, prunes, grapes, fruit sections, yogurt and many large crockery bowls of dry cereal, ham, cheeses and juices; then a bot breakfast is provided from a menu selection at your table. Toast is amply served in traditional English toast servers, diagonally cut and dry. Their wonderful tea is served, too, at meals and in your room-milk in your cup first, then hot tea made with 4 bags to the pot. The English love to eat and do so often and graciously! We caught #11 East Anglia Counties bus to the Castlemeadow stop in the City Centre and tramped around at a good clip stopping to have lager and BL Ts at the Bell Hotel. We visited Noiwich Cathedral, Castle Museum, and Dad's beloved Sampson & Hercules dance halls aka "The Muscle Palace" (now it's a club called Ritzy's). The statues out front have been sent out for repair and will be placed in a museum. Replicas will be put in their place. Found Colman's mustard shop and bought a tin of the dry. Stopped at a piano/jazz type pub next to the cathedral for a lager as we were parched / (Breslin's, I think). It bad a piano keyboard painted on the front of the bar. Being a warm, sunny afternoon, out front patio tables complete with umbrellas were full of young people here and at many of the pubs. We got cold drinks and ice cream, etc. at the news agent in front of the # 11 bus stop then Sunday, May 7, was the parade in downtown Norwich from the Guildhall to the Nocwich cathedral. It started with the Lord Mayor's address and flyover by British fighters sharply at 10:00 a.m. Awesome! Quite a thrill to see your old dad marching proudly with the others for something he so fiercely believes in. He wore his SO mission crush hat (with the "perfect crush• and his beloved new bomber leather jacket embroidered with Hardwick, England - 93rd B.G. 1944). You'd think he was a movie star for all the attention he got in it. He just beamed ... and sure enough, his and Al Asch's picture were i,i the Norwich paper yesterday! The boys are going to love it and I can't wait to show it off. Beautiful shot of them silhouetted from the rear entering the arch of the cathedral with the cobblestones nicely highlighted. At the cathedral was a lovely and very moving memorial service. We sat in the south off the nave. The 2nd A.O. fanfare had recordings of the B24 engines taking off and there wasn't a dry eye in the house. The ladies around us at the service were all English and so friendly and fun; 2 were with the Civil Defense dressed in green uniforms and berets. One had tired feet and took her shoes off for the service. Another lovely lady told us how her husband had served at Dunkirk. Now gone, she said he was great fun and would've loved this service and celebration. Following, we all walked to nearby St. Andrews Hall for a reception and remarks by the Lord Mayor. All very gracious, well planned, yet there was an easy informality or naturalness .Pl-

about it. On the way out, we were treated to an impromptu dance and "sing-song" by Ethel, an English woman friend of Evelyn Cohen's (the trip director) who'd served in the ATC (I think it's called)-a real character who we later saw at the Norwich Theatre Royal that night. We stopped in the pub before boarding our coach and had an "Old Speckled Hen" .. . nice brew. Sunday evening we saw, "We'll Meet Again" at 8:00 at the Theatre Royal, a sentimental musical with all the war songs but also a great chronology of events leading to and during the war. All waved flags at the end. Kind usher gave me 21 Union Jacks for the boys and first graders. Who'd have ever . thought-least of all me-that I'd be writing from out of the country and across the Atlantic, but here I am in Norwich the day after the glorious and emotional celebration of the 50th anniversary of VE Day. My mind is swimming with all the events, details and stories of the celebrations and vets' recollections. Dad is in heaven and all the Yanks who've returned are exactly like him. Yesterday at Hardwick we visited the base. We then took the coach to Topcroft for a memorial service at St. Margarets Church. We then had a lovely lunch at the base in the rec room/building built there by Dave Woodrow, a great friend and supporter of the 2nd A.O. He owns the land and farms where the base was located, but has preserved and continues to restore the Hardwick: base. He feels a great sense of gratitude and appreciation for the Y arucs who served there in the war during the 1940s. After lunch, which was made and served by the vilJagers, we drove to the village of Hempnall for a brief parade, welcome, Glenn Miller music and street party. Once again, more lovely and delicious homemade food-lots of it served by school-age children who had the day off school (state schools) due to the "bank holiday" for VE Day. During this whole trip people have come up to Dad and the other vets to shake their hands, thank them, and hug and kiss them for saving the Brits 50 years ago. The young children had programs and commemorative books they brought out with pens and asked the vets to sign. Dad's been deeply touched by all of this, as I have too. After this we returned to the base for a memorial service at the flagpole and more food. Dad, Mom and I and 7 or so others rode in the back of an army truck (lorry) to the site of Dad's Officers Club, latrine and bomb shelter after dinner. It was quite a feeling for all of us. We also visited the airstrips and a museum they've started on the base. Lots of old memorabilia and wreckage donated and dug up at the site. I now have a much better feel for what Dad's life was like then and perhaps a bit of what he may have gone through. So much comraderie and pride among the vets. After the lorry ride, a beacon was lit in one of the fields and a 2-minute moment of silence was observed at 8:38 p.m. shared all over England. After the beacon, a lovely fireworks display was put oo for us. Dave then bad planned a "sing-sing" for us in the rec room to conclude the full and wonderful day. Learned more great phrases today: "Crazier than a mouse's hair.• The "blood wagon" (ambulance). The English have a great way with the language and I look forward to hearing from that nice man I visited with. A most kind man, one of the organizers, cut off2 of the VE commemorative little flags from the jeep for the boys as a souvenir. They can't seem to do enough for us. Also loved the piper who played on our arrival and throughout the day. He often stood up in the passenger side of the jeep through an opening in the top and played as they drove and led our coach to and from places throughout the day. On Tuesday, May 9, Mom and I took the bus downtown to shop in the AM. Got more mustard, army hats for the boys in 2 the market a.rea and stamps at the post office. Had lunch at the hotel (sandwiches, cold rice/veg. salad, rolls, coffee, water and dessert of chocolate cake), then took a coach with the group to Blickling Hall. Rode with Al and Naomi Asch. The ball was very large and old situated on large formal grounds (a bit like " Henry Ford's estate with grander grounds and exterior). However, this is considered to be a country home-not a grand,.___ home-by English standards. You could've fooled me! Today, we're regular tourists for the first time since arriving. Dinner that night was in the hotel dining room with the Asch's and Glenda & Dean Peterson from Glendale, CA (English beef-very nice). Met John & Jane Brooks (a general who flew B24s and Spitfires). A very interesting but late night . The war was refought again tonight. Wednesday, May 10, the weather is still cool with periods of sun. Wind is down today, which helps. Left at 9:00 for Madingly Cemetery. Lovely memorial service and taps. Pretty rows of white marble crosses on a bill something like Arlington, but smaller. Chapel has huge wall map of all the campaigns and invasions of WWII. Also, big stone statues of 4 Armed Services soldiers on the wall of lost soldiers. This was lined with many and beautiful floral wreaths laid this week by various visiting military groups, including one put by V .P. Al Gore. We bad a bag lunch on the coach (big sandwicbes-4 halves, each wjth a different filling-cheese crisps, cookies, apple and fruit juice), then sat for an hour in the hot bus before going to Cambridge. A guide named Elva took us to Queen's College and King's College and chapel for an all-too-short one-hour visit. This was the only disappointment of the trip thus far, as I wanted (and needed) much more time in Cambridge. All that hjstory, culture, architecture, curriculum, etc. can't be explored in one short hour. Cambridge is located on the Cam River and is named for the first bridge built over that river: ..........._ Cam+ bridge. There are 30 separate colleges in Cambridge \ University. Prince Charles went to Trinity College. That night we took a cab to Woolpark, then dinner of fish 'n chips al the Bell Hotel. Cabbies are very friendly. Next day, Thurs., May 11, Dad went to St. Mary's School in Great Yarmouth lo speak to 23 students, aged 11-14. The car was too full since there were 2 speakers (Norm Watten from CA), so Mom and I couldn't go after all. Dad took the WWII flag from KenGrook and found the children to be extremely polite, quiet and knowledgeable. He had a wonderful time and then went to the Henham crash site for a memorial. Said the area was beautiful with rolling grounds, big trees and more sheep. Then he bad a final trip to Hardwick, another jeep ride and visit to the runways where be got the locations, tower and all straight in his head. On the way to Great Yarmouth he said he saw the coast. It was rugged and beautiful. Then it was time to pack up at the hotel-always a big chore, but got it done in time to get ready for the banquet at 6:00 at Norwich Sport Village. We took my beautiful pink arrangement from Ron and the boys (it arrived Weds as a "Mum's Day" surprise) to the banquet where it sat in front of the speakers podium. Each of the 60+ tables had floral center pieces in red, white and blue. Afterwards, I gave it to the girls at the reception who bad been so lovely to us. The banquet began with a candle lighting ceremony. Dad lit the one for the Rhineland campaign of which he was part. Dinner was delicious and expansive, as we've come to expect here. Roast beef with 2 kinds of potatoes, broccoli, rolls, wines, cream puffs and chocolate sauc.e, cheese and crackers. , The hors d'oeuvre was smoked salmon ... all very tasty. Jordan Udall was emcee and did a nice job. Several jokes. Lord Mayor Brenda Farris spoke again as did several others, including Tom Eaton who'd been in a Japanese POW camp for

3 years. He's British and in charge of the 2nd AD Memorial. Glenn Miller music was provided by the Jonathan Wyatt Band and was excellent. It was home early for a 5:30 wake-up call in time for our 7:00 a.m. departure by coach for Heathrow. ~y last English breakfast was grapefruit, o.j., porridge (very .eavy and rich)-good for this chill morning-bacon, dry brown toast and tea. I'm going to miss all this and the good Norwich people. Old Buckenbam High School Robert Lomu Streetwood House Lower Street Salhouse Norwich Reference: Veteran's talk to students about WWII experiences, Thurs., May 11, 1995 This letter is to express my thanks for inviting me to talk to your wonderful students on my visit to England to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of V .E. Day. It was a great pleasure to meet and talk: to such a fine group. My thanks to Mr. Clayton for taking us and returning us to the Hotel Norwich. I hope he was not late for his next class as he did take a few minutes to explain our drive out to the school and back. I am enclosing some pictures I took while there. I'm unable to identify the follcs as we moved along pretty fast. Hope to see you all again. r r Best regards, Walter Edward Smelt 1040 Forest Court West Palm Beach, FL 33405 6Wer_J OLD BUCKENHAM HNMI SCHOOL EnJo,1'JIIITvllllt ◄ ENQUIRIES L to R: Wa-ter E. Smelt, Lew Brown and P.J.D. Allatt Speakera from 93rd at Old Buckenham H.S. FOLDED WINGS Edward L. Anderson Oliver Gilbert Anthony Grey (7/95) George A. Gross Worthy A. Long (5/95) 3 NEW MEMBERS Frederick Beckett Robert Bembenek Clifford B. Collins Joseph A. Davis K. James Guddal Marion A. Jones Louis Messana Sidney Stein DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE HEADQUARTERS UNITED SfATES Am FORCE 2 June 1995 Mr. Joseph M. Pruzw Board of Directors Castle Air Museum 45 W. Central Avenue Morgan Hill, CA 95037 Dear Mr. Pruzw HQ USAF/HO 70 Luke Ave Suite 400 Bolling AFB DC 20332-5113 On behalf of the Secretary of the Air Force, who has asked me to answer your letter, I want to thank you for your inquiry about the B24 aircraft on display at the Castle Air Museum. Please be assured that this artifact never was-and is not now-being considered for relocation. Any rumor to the contrary was, and is, utterly without foundation. The Department of Defense and the U.S. Air Force are keenly aware of the many thousands of hours Castle volunteers have poured into restoring an artifact which arrived crated, disassembled, and derelict. Without cost to the federal govemmenl, the Merced and Atwater communities have not only restored a priceless national heirloom, but one which is intimately associated with the history of Castle Air Force Base and the surrounding region. Again, on behalf of Secretary Widnall, let me congratulate the Castle Air Museum on this achievement and again assure you that the B24 is entirely secure in its present location. Sincerely, Richard P. Hallion, SES Air Force Historian 8•24 Shady Lady 441916 WIii Stay at Castle Air Muaeum Final Homa of 93rd Bombardment Wing

MESSAGE FROM NEW 2AD VP, ALFRED ASCH This is my first opportunity to write a BOFQE column since I became 2AD VP during the June reunion at Lexington. Paul Steich and Floyd Mabee have admirably served during the past years; I shall try to do as well. Paul continues to serve as President of the 93rd B.G. and Floyd as Assistant VP 2AD. We will share the responsibilities and work. There are 3 important areas that have developed which involve all of us. These are: providing curios and memorabilia for display space we, the 93rd, have at the Mighty 8th AF Heritage Museum; the donation of a number of our history books, Ted's Travelling Circus, to selected organi:zations; and the writing of our personal WWII experiences. Each of these are discussed as follows: 1. The Mighty 8th AF Heritage Museum Display. Maj. Gen. Ramsay Potts has received a commitment for the 93rd B.G. to provide items for a display case dedicated to us at the Museum. The case will be 10 to 12 feet wide and 8 to 9 feet high with a glass facing and overhead lighting. General Potts bas asked me to become active in this important endeavor. We are on a very short deadline (Oct. 15, 1995) to describe and package our items for display. The Museum has a great program with financing to move forward with a dedication date of May 16, 1996. Chatham County has provided $2.5 million and the Museum is well on its way to acquiring $LS million as its share. The Museum location is near Savannah, GA. The 93rd has a great story to tell. We were the first B24 group to fly combat from England and we got the name Ted's Travelling Circus for our flexibility in operating from North Africa and the Middle East on 2 occasions, the second one for the famous low altitude raid on Ploesti. We need your help to tell our story at the Museum, including ideas and memorabilia from you. I have listed a few items to get us started: a. Flying clothing, especially a full suit worn by our waist gunners inc]uding head gear, blue electric flying suit, fleece-linedjacket and trousers, boots and gloves. A-2 leather jacket. b. Aviation items used on the B24, such as an altimeter and other flight and navigation instruments; also engine instruments. c. Model of a B24 with 93rd B.G. markings. d. Photographs that tell our story; e.g., living conditions in England and Africa, bomb and ammunilion loading, formation flying, bomb strike photos, recreation activities, briefing for a combat mission, activities in the desert, enemy activity against our formations, maintenance activities, etc. e. POW activities. These are just a few ideas and I solicit more from you. The Museum has asked me to collect the items from you, catalogue and deliver them. A telephone conversation with the Museum leads me to believe that floor space may also be made available ifwe can, e.g., display a mannequin dressed in a flying suit. Please send your items to AJfred Asch, 185 S. Gull Lake Dr., Richland, MI 49083 - (616) 629-4056 prior to Oct. 10 and after Oct. 10 to 6205 Meadow Ct., Rockville, MD 20852 -{301) 881-1376. Be certain that you describe the items, time date them and their significance. Also, include your address and telephone number. We need your help and ideas. 2. Donating our History Book, Ted's Travelling Circus. At our Lexington meeting, the members there voted to donate our history book to several significant organii.ations such as the Services Academies, Air Force and Norwich American Libraries, 8th AF Heritage Museum, and several other possible organizations. There is no money to purchase the books from Cal Stewart, the author and ship them. The cost for purchase 4 and shipping will be between $65 and $70 each. Cal has informed me that the book is in production for publication. This means we should receive our copies within a few weeks. Send your donations to me at my Michigan address (above) making the checks payable to 93rd Bomb Group. °" 3. WWl1 stories. These will be your personal stories o, your WWII experiences. The 8th AF Heritage Museum plans to catalogue and make them available to the public as does the 2ADA American Library in Norwich, England. AJso, I will ask the organizations receiving our history books if they will accept your stories for library use. The important thing now is to get them written. I will provide you with guidance for their structure, covers, etc. when I learn more from receiving organizations. These storie.s are not only important to leave for your family, but they provide a legacy for future generations. I know that each of you has a significant story to tell; no only the air crew but the ground support personnel as well. As you can all see, we have a "full plate" and your support is needed for these activitie.s. It is very important that we get going on the Museum project. We may never have another opportunity to tell the story of the 93rd for visitors at a Museum. A museum is a l_asting edifice for history. If you have not already done so, I encourage you to join the Mighty 8th AP Heritage Museum. The address is: P.O. Box 1992, Savannah, GA 31402-1992. The annual fee is $20.00 for one person, $30.00 for family and $200.00 for life membership. TH£ Tl!.t.VEcltN.., Cllh.11, ? 3rd B i:>"'b G,o P ¼ THE ROAD TO THE CllAMP!OrlSHIP • STOP CONSIDER GO 1 o S~~-:mti Cfm, ,h~ 93rd nn rn V11.:wn· C J7 Mhlehc Off,~ Wf AIM AT SATISFACTION Z8[) B,,i.11,,,11 Sch~ 1,,1., 19H I~•~ Ill II

"MISSION TO KOBLENZ" "MACR 9348 - B24 AAF 42-95-168" by Paul O. Beraman r Shortly after May 23, 1994, I received a letter from Paul Steichen, President of 93rd B.G., informing me that his Co-pilot Donald Peterson flew as our Co-pilot the day we were shot down (Oct. 9, 1944) after bombing our target "Koblenz. • Enclosed in this letter was a letter from Horst Weber representing t "The History Club of " • B • th C t Paul Bergman, Aviation Cadet 1 u r g o u n y, M 1943 Germany" written Dec. •Y 31, 1993 with information of the crash of our aircraft. Also enclosed was a map showing our crash site and noting that our aircraft bad circled several times before crashing. We bad a crew of 10 (3 officers and 7 enlisted men) and the only person I had seen was Bill Bensinger for a short time in a German hospital. The only other crew member I knew about was our Pilot Buck Sanders whose wife sent me a newspaper article in 1945 saying only that Buck was KIA. I wrote Horst Weber letting him know that I was on that aircraft. Horst bas sent me the 40-page file MACR 9348 United States file including statements I and other crew members bad made to our War Department in 1945. From this file and eye witnesses ( at the crash site, I have been able to find out what happened to each of our crew members after a SO-year lapse. Pilot Walter W. (Buck) Sanders Stayed with A/C - KIA- Buried at Keinerscheid District, Luxembourg Co-pilot Donald Peterson Bailed out after me - Chute did not open - KIA -buried in St. Avoid, France Bombardier Warren Weisler - Chute did not open - KIA -buried in St. Avoid, France Engineer Bethal Parks KIA - Buried in Kentucky, USA Gunner Charles Coury KIS - Buried in St. Avoid, France Radio Paul Bergman POW - Lives in Oregon Gunner Bill Bensinger POW - Lives in Michigan Gunner Robert Bembenek POW - Lives in Colorado Armorer Paul Kartman - SN34055066 POW - Have not located him Radar Dean Tatum - SN37450617 POW - Have not located him After re-reading the newspaper article from Mrs. Sanders written in 1945, I noticed that Buck had worked as a Linotype operator for his local newspaper. I wrote a "Letter to the r-- Editor" stating that I bad information about Buck Sanders that Mrs. Sanders, son Walter and daughter Kathy might not know (putting my address and phone number in the letter). In 10 days I received a phone call from Mrs. Sanders. This led to great communications with son Walter, daughter Kathy, Buck's sister s Virginia and Buck's brother Bruce. It seems I had information about our experience they did not know. They all were very grateful to me and I told them that it was doing me as much good as it was them. It was good to find someone that I could talk openly to. Using the phone disk in my computer, I began looking for the other 4 survivors. In the file that Horst had sent me were the addresses of each member when they came into the service. Using that as a starting point, I was able to find 2 of the crew members with only 3 phone calls. The first call was to Michigan and a crew member, Bill Bensinger, answered the phone. You can imagine that it was a very emotional phone conversation. Bill was the crew member I saw for a very short time in a prison hospital. The second call was to Iowa. A lady answered the phone and I asked for Robert Bembenek and told her who I was and why I was looking for him. I offered to leave my name, address and phone so that be could contact me. It turned out that she was Robert's sister and would gladly give me his address and phone number. She asked for my phone number in case I was unable to reach him. Robert was living in Colorado. I called and bad a fine conversation with Robert. The 2 crew members or their families I have yet to contact are Paul Edward Kartman of Miami Shores, FL and Deane Haviland Tatum of Oakland, CA. I know that they returned to the States from prison camp, as they filled out reports for the War Department, the same as I did. It has been very fulfilling for me to get this information about a period of my life that bad many unanswered questions. INTERESTING VERSION OF 93rd's FIRST LOSS, FRlDAY'S CAT by Wall Sltwart Lt. Hugh Roper and [ were flying Exterminator on that night in Feb. 1942 from Gander, Newfoundland to Prestwich, Scotland. At about midnight. Roper said, "Take over, Stew, and I'll get a little shuteye.• - We were on a heading of about 90 degrees and were possibly just about south of Iceland. Having been a Boy Scout several years before, I had learned to watch for the North Star by lining up the Big Dipper outer edge of the cup and using those precious Lieut. Hugh R. Roper end Manha Raye 2 stars as pointers. After a couple of minutes, I discovered that we were heading directly toward the North Star, even though our compass read about "nine zero.• I called Lt. John Brown White, our navigator, who said, •Wbaddaya know, the co-pilot is on course for once," in his joking way. I replied, "Just take a look out of your astro dome and see what I see.• "Holy smoke," be shouted, "Tum to 180 degrees at once.• This put the North Star on our left wing and we were again on our way to Scotland. Upon searching the flight information he discovered a note that said, when you are near Iceland, the compass is not reliable. After a while, the compass returned to normal and we went into Prestwich okay, but not until after we bad discovered serious icing aod were able to cut it down with the de-icers and anti-icers. Lt. Marriott, co-pilot on Friday's Cat, was a classmate of

mine in 42D at Victorville, CA. I've wondered for all these years if it was that compass gyration that caused that tragic loss. Ed: See Floyd Mabee's account o/Friday's Cat in the Summer 1995 2nd Air Division Journal. BITS AND PIECES OF PROP WASH Copies of • A Bomber Pilot in WWII from Farm Boy to Pilot• by Walter F. Hughes, 93rd, are still available. Contains 100 pages, 38 B&W pictures, 9 illustrations, 35 navigator reports. Send $12 per copy to Walter at 33681 Cuenca Ct., Fremont, CA 94536 ... Florida Regional Reunion IV Feb. 3, 1996, Clarion Plaz.a Hotel, Orlando, FL. Hotel will offer special rates for 3 nights preceding and 3 nights following meeting date. Make this special commemorative and fellowship gathering that will indeed be a super one. Contact: Lawrence Gilbert, Chairman, 1482 GranvilJe Dr., Winter Park, FL 32789, phone (407) 647-2623 ... Spring 1995 "Bits and Pieces of Prop Wash" contained a request by Edward M. Dobson for anyone who knew John T. Dee who lost his life on the Ploesti raid flying on Extemiinator piloted by Hugh Roper. The telephone number for Ed was wrong. Anyone with information of interest, please call him at (800) 587-2492, access code 44 . . . Christine Snowden, a valued member of the staff at the 2nd A.D. Memorial Room in Norwich, writ.es to ask if someone from the 93rd lost a button while staying at the Hotel Norwich at the time of the VE Day-SO Reunion. The button is quite unusual as it says, "Great Seal of the State of Oklahoma.• If so, please let me know and it will be returned to its owner ... To the 93rd Bomb Group, we the pilots of the Phoenix Model Flying Club would like to extend a welcome to the WWII 93rd B.G. on their reunion to Hardwick, England, May 8, 1995. We wish your visit to be a memorable one. Signed: Peter Watts, John Rix, Phil Wyld, Tom Taylor, David Rudder, Colin Legget, Peter Madden ... Here is a log of missions and memories of World War II A first-hand look at the 329th B24 Bomb Squadron from March 1942 to December 1943 "ALL THE BEST" A Toast to the 329th B24 Bomb Squadron by W. J. "Red" Komarek (original 329th crew member) To Order Your Copy Send $25.00 plus $3.95 shipping/handling to: W. J. Komarek P. 0. Box 367 Hewitt, NJ 07421 (be sure to include your name and address) EXCERPTS - ASSOCIATED PRESS REPORTS ON 93rd FIRST MISSION LILLE, FRANCE - OCT. 9, 1942 Sgt. R. V. "Buck" Fetrow of Lafayette, IN, Liberty Lass tail guMer, got a Foclce-Wulfwith a solid 3-second burst, and Sgt. H.H. Leist of St. Joseph, MO, waist gunner, knocked down another. Sgt. Coin Fogleman of lndianapolis, tail gunner on Liberty Lad, told how 2 Nazi fighters "were coming in at me.• "One 6 of them peeled off, but the other kept coming on. I got him.• This was confirmed by Tech. Sgt. William Pescosolido of Newton, MA, waist gunner, who said that when the fighter came into view of his turret it was pouring smoke. Gave Him a Burst , "I gave him a burst that bit, but it didn't matter,• be said. "He was going down anyway.• Others in Keefer's crew were Lt. Howard Young, Berkeley, CA; Lt. Joe E. Walker, Birmingham, AL; Lt. Phil Zeigler, Milwaukee; Tech. Sgt. A.L. Lee, Little Rock, AK; Ssgt. Ralph Harms, Dubuque, IA; Sgt. John Osborne, Indianapolis; and Sgt. John Bazar, Amegaard, ND. "Our ship was hit,• said Lt. Owen L. Kunze of Alpena, SD, cmmdr of the bomber Big Dealer. "I think we must have had a rabbit's foot along.• His crew was credited with a ME-109 and a Focke-Wulf, one by Sgt. Jim Anderson, top gunner of New Jersey, and one by tail gunner W.A. Moss of Rocky Mount, NC. Four Focke-Wulf fighters attacked. Co-pilot Alfred Asch, 22, of Beaverton, Ml, also was rated a hero by his mates for his quick action in taking over control of the ship when Lt. Tate passed out from lack of oxygen. • Asch took over the controls and at the same time fed me oxygen from a bailout bottle,• Lt. Tate said. Meanwhile, in the nose of the plane, Lt. Hawkins was performing a similar service for Lt. Huff, who bad lost consciousness when the oxygen lines were hit. "Hawkins took over all 3 guns and gave Huff a spare mask,• Lt. Tate said. But Huff was too weak to put on the mask, so between talcing shots at the attacking enemy Hawkins had to kick him back into consciousness with the help of the mask.• Lt. Tate brought the stricken plane down on a fighter field both tires punctured and there was a momentary danger of crashing into a group of grounded Spitfires. But quick action by Lt. Asch locked one of the wheels, causing the plane to swerve. Members of the excited Polish ground crew dashed to the assistance of the plane, ' speaking Polish as they ran. "1 was just foggy enough to think for a moment that I bad landed in Germany.• Lt. Tate said, "it was a relief to find out these fellows were Poles.• Ssgt. Cleiboum Booker of Augusta, GA, engineer, and Sgt. Gorbett Wright of Indianola, MS, radio man, made up the remainder of the crew. None was hurt. Gunner's Hands Frozen Sgt. Ernest Kish of Duquesne, PA, who manned the tail gun in the bomber called Peggie Ann, piloted by Sqdn Commdr. Col. E. J. Timberlake, Jr., of San Antonio, on the Lille raid today was nursing hands which froze when be shed his gloves to repair a jammed gun. He put the gun back into action quickly enough to send bullets crashing into the belly of a Nazi fighter. "I saw tracers bit the fuselage, but I didn't bring him down,• Kish said. Holding 2 wing positions behind Timberlake, who, at 33, is reputed to be the youngest full colonel in the U.S. Army. were Lt. WiUiam Keefer, 23 of Los Angeles, commanding Liberty Lad, and Lt. David S. Thayer, 23, of Houston, TX, flying Liberty Lass. • And both ofus came back without a hole in our plane,• reported Thayer.

EXPRESS AJR 'MAIL DELIVERED BY B.O.F. Dear Paul, I am sorry that we did not have a chance to chat at the ---. dedication at Heoham Estates on May 11, 1995. Things were a little hectic after the dedication. Speaking to Gordon Reynolds, the one thing that still sticks in my mind is the 1324 tail assembly from the waist windows back atop the big oak tree with the guns pointing to the ground. I was sent out with the base photographers the next day. We both lost good friends that day. Dear Paul, BILL BILLINGS 102 Stoney Brook Rd. Columbia, NJ 07832-2625 The open letter on B24 by Harry Adie was g.reat. He was an excellent flt. engr.-I know, I was on the same crew with him. We later went our separate ways when I went on to the Pacific on B29s. Believe me, it was a shock to fly in swim trunks on a 29 compared to the bundling up that we did on 24s. A couple of things: After finishing school on the GI bill, I went to work for a French company in France and a number of other overseas locations. The Frenchmen I worked with were mostly engineers and tec.hnical guys who were in France during the occupation. I expected a great deal of animosity toward the Germans but found none. Their only comments were that the Germans made sure that the trains ran on time, the mail was delivered promptly, the streets were clean and th.at the rations were fair. When I questioned them about the French Resistance, they just smiled and commented: •someone made a lot of dollars out of that.• Generally, I found that the French r' liked the Gennans more than they did the English. So much for getting involved in European affairs again. By the way, something that Harry forgot to mention. I believe that our plane was the first to shoot down a jet. He inadvertently flew into the nose gunner's path of fire and there was just a big brown puff. We were quizzed about it for hours after the flight. InteUigence knew as little about them as we did, apparently. Dear Paul, LEE HALL Montezuma Ranch Route 2 Box 150A Alleyton, TX 78935 Any ground pounder that was in the 330th B.S. 93rd B.G. would surely want to say a few words about Line Chief MSgt. Raymond, a career airman who was the backbone of the 330th maintenance program from Barksdale to Hardwick. Dear Paul, LLOYD E. ANDERSON 717 Kentucky S.E. Albuquerque, NM 87108 I'm writing to let you know how completely I believe that Cal Stewart's history of the 93rd is worth the long wait. Cal has done me the honor of allowing me to peruse Ted's Travelling Circus (all but the last chapter, which is about to be finished), and I am more than thrilled by the scope and elegance of his work. I ,,-..... I was always proud of belonging to the 93rd and regarded ( myself as extremely lucky to have been assigned to the most illustrious group in the 8th A.F., which, as we all know. was the cream of the Army Air Corps. But in reading Cal's account and learning so much more about the 93rd than 1 knew before, 7. I have been made even more aware of bow lucky I really was and of bow splendid were my group's accomplishments. I am sure that his book is a history matchless beyond anything about any other group in WWII. It is my understanding that the press work for the book will be finished in June and that it will then be ready for binding. I look forward with total relish to having in band so fine a record of "The Circus.• It will truly be worth the wait. Dear Paul, FATHER MARSHALL V. MINISTER Canon of Omaha 1704 Bellevue Boulevard North Bellevue, NE 68005-4042 I recently received my first copy of the BOFQE. Thank you. My pilot, Harry Gruener told me about it and I am enclosing the requested check. There is something I have always wanted to get off my chest. Before going overseas we were bombarded with propa-ganda about how the bomber crews were given the best of everything since we were the ones to risk our lives on every mission. I wasn't long at Hardwick before I realiz.ed that the permanent base personnel had everything set up for their comfort and convenience, and the hell with the combat crews. True, the pilots were in comfortable buildings and had reasonable food, but the bombardiers and navigators were in nissen huts and ate lousy food in long chow lines. When SOS was our best breakfast, you know what I mean. I can still taste those powdered eggs that were never thoroughly mixed. Another thing I can remember is stealing coal for that miserable little stove. All in all, I have no fond memories of the 93rd B.G. itself. My fond memories are of our crew, John Harrington, our only loss, and our pilot, Harry Gruener, who got a badly damaged B24 (rapidly losing altitude) down and stopped on a wire mesh fighter strip in France close to the front lines and another one on that round field in Sweden, plus stopping another with a blown tire on landing with 52 bombs on board. Thank you for letting me finally air that gripe. I realize that I have no records for holding a grudge, but I love to hang on to that one. RAYMONDE. WHITE 7224 E. Tropical Wy. Plantation, FL 33317 Original Ball of Fire. Aug. 1942 L-R: J.S. Tate .h. and C.V. Booker

EXPRESS AIR MAIL DELIVERED BY B.O.F. Dear Paul, I am a 28-year-old graduate student at the University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond. I am writing to you regarding a Masters thesis paper I am researching on the 8th A.F. 's fighter operations from 1942 to 1945. You may ask yourself why I would want to write to·somebody who served in the 8th A.F. in a bomb group. The reason is that I need to better understand what the men in the bomb groups were doing in regard to missions and overaJI strategy. This information will enable me to better understand what the fighters were doing. I am writing to establish corresPondence with you and members of the 93rd B.G. This will serve a dual purpose: (1) enable me to better understand the role of the escort fighters; (2) I plan to continue my education and earn a Ph.D. My doctoral thesis must be on a related topic to my Masters thesis. Hence, I must continue my research on the 8th A.F. and most likely concentrate on bomb group operations. Finally, [ would like to gather humorous stories for the purpose of writing a paper or book. Thank you very much for your assistance. SCOTT RICHARDSON 4103 W. Main, Apt. A Norman, OK 73072 ( 405) 360-6518 L to R: Bill Bail•Y• Einer Ahlman, Mike OeBrino Hardwick - June 1943, 329th ~quadron Dear Paul, Enjoy the quarterly issues of the BOFQE very much. Find enclosed a check to use as needed. I served in the 409th B.S. as engine mechanic (MOS747) and remember the crash of the Ruth Marie. We were working in a hangar near the control tower. Some guys ran for the bomb shelter, some of us to the scene of the crash. Out of fuel on final approach, but there was some mention of petrol in the "Tokyo tanks"? Fond memories of Naughty Nan. Beautiful artwork partly covered by armor plate. Have a snapshot standing by the nose wheel holding a 100 lb. G.P.-I bad often wondered what bad happened to her. Dear Paul, SAM C. DUNN 5549 Kanailcui St. Honolulu, HI 96821 I am in the process of writing a book of my memoirs while serving with the 846th Aviation Engineer Battalion. After building bomber bases from scratch in England, we were transferred Lo the operational base with Ted's Travelling 8 Circus. I regret never taking any notes or keeping a diary or camera handy. As a result, my mind is quite rusty after 50 years. A very sad and tragic accident that will never leave my , mind marks the date of our arrival at the base. A bombing mission was taking off and as one plane raced down the runway, a tire blew and the plane exploded on takeoff. The name of the plane was Big Fat BUJte,fly. Our first duty, following the tragic incident, was to search for and form equal piles of flesh on G.L blankets for each crew member. I have contacted Floyd Mabee, who lives near me during the winter months, for the date of the incident. Upon a quick check of his records he believes the date was Mar. 3, 1944. If you have any knowledge of that incident I would be happy to know if that date is correct. Dear Paul, JULES R. MANGANO 14323 Logan St. Hudson, FL 34667 We had a good time in Lexington. Sorry you missed it. Thanks for the advance notice of the Woodrows being there. We had several nice talks with them. Of note is the news that the area al Hardwick where the medics were located and worked-the "sick quarters"-was an ancient field known as "Paradise. • The reason for this name was since the land was too poor for farming it was a great area for small game-rabbits, pheasants, etc.!! Pictures of us and the Woodrows are enclosed plus one of Betty and Evelyn. Hope to see you at Milwaukee next year. Floyd did a great job of taking care of us 93rd boys and gals in the Lexington Hospitality Room. ""' BOB CALKINS Dear Paul, 3900 N. Stable Ct., #202 Peoria, IL 61614 Remember last May 1994? I wrote you about how to go about getting the DFC that I was supposed to receive in Mar. 1945? At that time I completed all my missions as lead crew. At your suggestion. I wrote (1) Maj. Brauman, the group former adjutant, (2) Air Force Personnel Center Randolf AFB, (3) of course to our great leader Col. Therman Brown. Col. Brown was very kind to take time to assist me. He put in a recommendation to the Air Force for my DFC. When I read his recommendation I felt IO feet tall. Col. Brown says he remembered me well, especially since I was the only Chinese officer in the group. We turned in all the necessary paperwork Oct. 1994 and in May 1995 I received a Jetter from the Secretary of the Air Force notifying me a DFC has been awarded to me. The award ceremony will take place Aug. 25 at Travis AFB. Indeed, this is a great honor to receive this prestigious decoration. 1 have waited 50 years for this. No question about it, I am extremely delighted. A great thanks to you and Col. Brown, too. Dear Paul, FORREST H. LAM 308 Broadmoor Blvd. San Leandro, CA 94577 J read with great interest the story of the mid-air crash of~ 033 over Henham and the subsequent arrival of Albert Blood, waist gunner, from that ship. Sgt. Albert Blood was one of the first airmen l came in contact with when I arrived in the 93rd B.G. 's 328th B.S. as a replacement with Capt. Ross Baker's

EXPRESS AIR MAIL DELIVERED BY B.O.F. r crew. Sgt. Blood bad already survived 3 crash landings and 3 bailouts, and he only bad in 4 missions. These were acquired between phase training and the 4 combat missions. He finally got 6 missions in but unfortunately they were very hard to come by in the Spring of 1944. It was extremely tough on him to show up every day in the briefing room only to find no one had room for him. As the days wore on, he seemed to try harder to look ready and fit by wearing full gear, which if anything, worked against him. You have to admire his great courage in (the last I beard) getting 6 missions and an air medal to his credit. I wish him well wherever he is. Dear Paul, JOSEPH TROISI 8 Johnson Rd. Somerset, NJ 08873 The photo (below) was taken about Dec. 1, 1944. Bade Paul V ~ (NI; WIiiard F. ~ter (Pl; William NL fferto,■■ (Bl; Roben E. 6&.ta!,•ha.ce,.(CPI Front: Louie J. ~~ (WG); Curvin J . .Ji.an-ITG); Francis H...Ju:bulte-(El; Elmond W. 11&;1.ampra IRI: John l. ~tter, Jr. (WGI; lovell l. ~ (BG) I trained and served with the 491st until transferred to the 93rd. While assigned to the 93rd, I was in the 328th B.G. as a lead crew, flying GH missions. Flew the Metz mission on Nov. 9, 1944 to bomb the gun emplacements there and believe that we did a very good job of destroying the site. We were in the lead and got lucky as the cloud cover over the target opened up and my bombardier got a good look and dropped the bombs using the bomb sight. Observed a good hit but don't know if any plane took a picture because of the cloud cover. I would appreciate your help in getting as much information as possible about the mission, such as number of planes participating, bomb loads, squadrons, Gps, wing, and their leaders, route in and out, planes returning, and any other r--- information to tell the complete story. I am of the impression that these guns were never captured or destroyed during WWI[, but were sunounded and their effectiveness more or less neutralized. I think this was a crucial target and J'm happy to have taken a small part in the success of the mission. I have a letter endorsed by Maj. John W. Floore, Cmdr., 329th B.S., listing the crews that participated in this mission, but only the last names. Can you furnish full names and squadrons and Gp to which they were assigned? They were apparently the GH leaders: Dear Paul, Capt. Elliott Lt. Jenning Lt. Oberschmid Lt. Dauber Lt. Richey Lt. McCullough Lt. Kendzie Lt. Aaker Capt. Nester WILLARD F. NESTER 8617 Decatur Conehatta Decatur, MS 39327 Thanlcs for sending the patches to Dottie Riebold. I am sure she will write and thank you. Her husband was our co-pilot and died several years ago. They were at the Colorado Springs Reunion. It was a grand reunion in England. We had a lot of fun, but those reunions are always touched with a bit of sadness. Every time I return to England, I have to wonder if it will be the last time. Even though the 50th anniversary of VE-Day seems Jike a nice high note to end the 2nd A.O. 's formal reunions in England, I hope it isn't. The English are so damned nice to us that I would keep returning as long as I can totter. The copy that you handed out in England about the division of labor for the 93rd sounds good. You are all good men, so whatever you see as the best way to divide things up is fine with me. I will support you in any way I can. Dear Paul, HAROLD BURKS 1 Loxey Ct. Philadephia, PA 19106 I enjoy all the info you put in the BOFQE, especially the picture of the Ball of Fire. If possible, I would like to have an enlarged print of that picture. I flew as co-pilot with the Col. on several of the mission formation flights before the mission in which our crew was shot down on Jan. 4, 1944 on the Kiel raid. I have tried to contact Jack Reynolds several times when we were passing through Malta, MT, his home town, but to no avail. According to people who know him, he has been living in Mexico for some years. Our grandson is now stationed in England in A.F. security, not far from Oxford. My wife Jane (a former Anny nurse) and I hope to go to England to visit him in 1996 and will go to the old 93rd base and the museum at Hardwick. I was in the 93rd for such a short time my memory is little hazy about the lay of the land and the towns around there. It should be an interesting trip, as both of our ancestors are from England; some left in 1632 and others in the early 1700s. Dear Paul, ELDRID L. McELRA TH 2904 A. Fowler Rd. Ceres, CA 95307 Here are my dues and a little more. Keep up the good work. The BOFQE is fantastic. I crewed 3 ships in the 409th. 248 U. Robbins, blew up over target - never had a name; 991 The Flying Fool was lost over target; 578R finished 72 missions with no aborts and I flew home with her. ART FERWERDA 12-32 Rosewood St. Fair Lawn, NJ 07410

EXPRESS AIR MAIL DELIVERED BY 8.0.F. Dear Paul, Enclosed is my check. I really enjoy your newsletter. From time to time I see names I can still remember. I was a member of the 93rd, 330th B.S. and flew my first mission on Aug. 8, 1944, finishing my 35th mission on Feb. 6, 1945. Also, in Sept. 1944 we flew 2 or 3 flour and beans missions to Orleans, France. Russell Kapp was the pilot of our crew. George Wise, co-pilot; Wallace Spencer, bombardier; Lawrence Peabody, flt. engr.; Bobby Dillon radio op.; Merlin Flood, tail gunner; Paul Coughlin and Bill Bickers, waist gunners; and J was the navigator. I have forgotten the nose turret gunner's name. Thanks again and lceep up the good work. Dear Paul: HAROLD REID JOHNSTON P.O. Box 727 Davidson, NC 28036 Enclosed is a little help on the BOFQE. Sorry I won't be able to come lO the Kentucky convention as l have State VFW Con.vention here. At the same time we're putting up a plaque at Kingsley Field in Klamath Falls for a member of my old B17 squadron. He was a M.O.H. holder. Work on Evelyn and see ifwe can't get a convention here in the western part of the U.S.! Dear Paul, HENRY BETZ 1120 Easy St. Brookings, OR 97415 We want to tell you what a wonderful time we had in Norwich, Hempnall and Hardwick. You all did such a great job of arranging for all the activities-so many details, and it went so beautifully. Thank you all who planned so well. My experience of going to the Bishop Sandcroft High School was a very rewarding one. My wife was able to go with us and took some interesting vide.o which we have shown a number of times to friends who were interested in hearing about our trip. Dear Paul, HELEN AND ED LOGAN 4482 Doe Run Ct. Beavercreek, OH 45440 Enclosed is a check for renewal of the BOFQE. I don't want to miss any of them. I've learned more from the newsletter than from my husband. He always wrote, "Can't tell you what we are doing, it will have to wait till l get home." He never told me much of anything. I've found 2 of my husband's fellow workers in operations headquarters. They both have signed up for the 2AD and BOFQE. They are Paul Hemerly of Pennsylvania and Duverne Higgins of Washington State. Dear Paul, Enclosed is my check for 1995 subscription to the BOFQE and to cover any other expenses to keep this publication going. This is a great magazine and I eagerly look forward to every edition. I was a SSgt Waist Gunner/Radio Operator with the 328th B.S. from Aug. 1943 to Apr. 1944 (N. Africa and England) and have visited Hardwick on several occasions in the past few years. Keep up the good work. CHARLESS.CORNELL 1708 Forrest Ave. Baltimore, MD 21234-6116 10 Dear Paul, As 1 am sure you are aware, I am beginning an update of my 1981 &h Air Force Bibliography for the 8AF Memorial , Museum Foundation. This is a request to seek your help in finding items that should be included. Io brief, I would like the titles of books and articles about the 93rd B.G. Of particular interest are privately printed memoirs and journals. Your help would be greatly appreciated. Dear Paul, KENNETHP.WERRELL Professor of History Radford University Radford, VA 24142 Again, our 6-man crew (gunners had gone home with 15 missions) were asked to fly to a mosquito base and bring back Glen Miller's band. We landed on a steel mat runway for the first time. Boy, what a shock that was! The instrument panel shook so you couldn't read it! We waited for some time but the band never did show up. We then headed to an experimental runway which was made, in part, of chopped rubber. Normally, the radio operator will be at his desk on takeoff, but this time he (John D. Foster) said to me, "I'm going to ride the tail turret on takeoff to see what it's like.• With no bomb load or load of any kind, I had no objection. However, I did not tell him that the tail gunner always rode the waist on takeoff. Now as we taxied onto the runway, it was amazing how smooth it was. I was standing in the usual place behind the pilot and co-pilot (J. Elliot and D. Sttong), and down the runway we went. We reach take.off speed (115-120) and I remember looking out the little window over the bench on the port side at the oleo strut fully extended with no vibration, as though we were ~ airborne. At that instant, Pappy hit the brakes to stop the wheels prior to retract. But we were still on the runway! Man, did that nose come down! Almost threw me on the console. Pappy got off the brakes instantly realizing what had happened, regained airspeed and finally got airborne. We were all jabbering away about it when a hand grabbed my shoulder and turning, here was Foster with blood gushing down his nose. He said, •1 wouldn't ride I.bat turret for love or money.• Being about 60 ft. back, that sudden nose down threw him up into the sight cradle, cutting a nice gash on the bridge of his nose. When we landed at the base, both main tires had to be changed. They were as flat as though someone had sliced tread off with a knife. The ground crew was not too pleased. Dear Paul, BILL OLMSTED 935 Church St. Cortland, NY 13045 I was co-pilot on Frank Eiben's crew and finished 35 missions by May 1945. Flew an old, war-weary plane back to Ft. Dix. The pilot, bombardier, navigator, waist gunner and I met in Las Vegas at the 1992 2nd A.D. Convention. Made runs on Kiel Canal, Berlin (2), Brunswick, Austria, Dortmund. Lost a lot of planes on the Dortmund raid. Flak was intense; my right wing plane got a direct hit and exploded. The lead plane blew up in front of us, and we just missed getting taken out by exploding parts. I enjoy reading about things we were too busy to remember and pinpoint while experiencing crew life. VERN HARRIMAN 121 Balbach Dr. Buffalo, NY 74225

-EXPRESS AIR MAD., DEJ..IVERED BY B.O.F. Dear Paul, After having lenses replaced in both eyes, things are looking ~tter. Still gold mining in Nevada, but government, State, J'A have shut us down so will quit this summer. Found the rest ofE.P. Monroe's crew and will have a meeting this fall. Dear Paul, EDWARD M. SMITH 131 Rock Hill Church Rd. St. Clair, MO 63077 Got a oioe letter from Howard Teague, the first contact I have had from anyone of my original crew on the Thundennug # 13. l am trying to get my records up to date and hope you can give me some advice. My combat flight record, my relief from operational flying and my citation for an Oakleaf Cluster are enclosed. Lacking from my records are a fourth Oakleaf Cluster to my Air Medal and my Presidential Unit Citation. Whom do I contact from the 93rd to get my records up t.o date or am I too late'? I am trying to finish up a family history for my children and grandchildren. Would you believe it, my father brought a camera and projector back: from France in WWI and I have movies of my dad's wedding plus all of my cousins, parents and grandparents (both sides), all taken from 1918 to 1929. It's all on VCR now, in black & white, of course. Dear Paul, EDWARD SAND 813 N. Chevrolet Flint, MI 48504 Thank you for the BOFQE. I enjoy it greatly. / I was a member of a replacement crew assigned to the 330th d.S., 93rd B.G. in Apr. 1943. While on detached service with the group at Bengbasi, Libya, I was hospitalized for polio and left the group in Sept. 1943. I was the navigator on the crew of O.W. •Judd• Larson. Larson died in Libya of a spinal disease. Dear Paul, J. W. STATON 14 Pepper Tree Ln. Topeka, KS 66611 Enclosed is a contribution to BOFQE. Thank you very much for keeping the paper rolling, for I know it takes a lot of work: to put it out. I enjoy it very much and read it from cover to cover. You can be proud for what you are doing and surely hope it can be continued. I was with the 93rd B.G. from May to last of July 1944, flying 32 missions during a period when plenty of planes were being put in the air. With the passage of all these years, it almost seems like a dream now. Our crew made it through olc:ay, even though there were some shaky times. Thanks again. Dear Paul, SIDNEY D. WHITMAN 1255 Isla Stephenville, TX 76401 On Feb. 10, 1995, the remains of a P47 Thunderbolt fighter plane was discovered in the Zuider Zee, HolJand. The pilot was ~lso found in this plane, naturally in skeletal form, still _,,,trapped in the cockpit of his plane. Identification was made through dogtags, dental records and serial number of the plane/engine/machine guns. The pilot was F/O Frank Donavan Gallion (#T-190742), who 11 was with the 4th F/G, 334 FIS 8th AF. Gallion was on a bomber escort mission to Wilhelmshaven, Germany on Nov. 3, 1943 when he and his group encountered e/ac. Gallion was listed as MIA until this year. Whal is interesting about this is the fact that Frank Gallion was my uncle; I was named aft.er him. But what is more interesting is that for 20 years now I have exhausted the archives of the U.S., Dutch, and RCAF files on information about his last mission of Nov. 3, 1943. I have become involved with various pilot associations who have helped provide me with information, and I have personally met the squadronmates with whom he flew. With as many documents that I have collected in my research, there are a few questions that remain in this seemingly never-ending project, and I ask your help. Accordi.ng to the book. The Mighty Eighth, by Roger Freeman, your group participated on this Nov. 3, 1943 mission. I would like to know how I could obtain the mission summary for this event as well as pilots' names, plane ID Ifs, etc. and if you could supply that information. All in all, there were almost 1,000 planes that day on the raid to Wilhelmshaven. Prior to the discovery of Gallion's plane, I had written to about 50 Dutch and German newspapers asking for coverage. Thanks for your help. Dear Paul, FRANKLIN GALLION 1482 Secrest Rd. Wooster, OH 44691 It seems like 50 years have slipped by awfully fast (V-J Day plus 50)! I suspect that thjs will be the last hurrah for the veterans of WWlI, but that does not stop me from reminiscing about events that happened in England while we were trying to survive to complete 35. All was not "shot and shell.• OccasjonaUy, something happened to break the monotony of those 0330 wakeup calls and the breakfasts of powdered eggs a la stewed apricot juice. That's what this is about. As you may remember, the huts of the 330th and 409th of the 93rd B.G. were sitl!ated along a barbed wire fence of our good English neighbor. You may also remember that the winter of 1944 was pretty cold and our quota of coke to heat the but was pretty skimpy. As a result, about every 2 weeks we raided the huge fenced-in pile of colc:e located in the middle of WAAF Site l1 and stored what we could in the closet near the door of Hut 13. Starting a fire in the pot-bellied stove was another problem. We had plenty of paper, but kindling wood was very scarce. Our English neighbor's fence posts solved that problem. We systematically split the fence posts with a machete until the posts were so small that the staples holding the barbed wire went all the way through the post and stuck out the other side. One day in late Dec. after our return from a mission, we found that the coke pile had been removed to a remote area across the base. From that day on we had to make do with what they gave us, which was just about enough to keep the light bulbs from freezing! I can afford to feel guilty about the fence posts now, but at that time "survival• was the word. In case the farmer or one of his survivors hears about this, I'd be very happy to come over and replace the posts! H.R. Cleveland 1504 Miller Fanns Rd. Germantown, TN 38138-2031

OPERATIONS UPDATE - BAIL OF FIRE QUARTERLY EXPRESS Sorry for the delayed delivery of the Summer edition of the BOFQE, but promise an early arrival of the upcoming Fall issue. Pl~ check page one for our new mailing addr~ and telephone number and the winter address of 2nd AD VP, Al Asch. Floyd Mabee's • winter address will be 11524 Zimmennan Road, Port Richey, FL 34668. Great news to offer: Cal Stewart's Ted's Travelling Circus has gone to the printer and you should receive your copy soon. If you have not already ordered a copy, please contact Cal at P.0 Box 631, O'Neill, NE 68763 - (402) 366-2144. Thanks to all of our loyal supporters, the BOFQE continues to be airborne with an adequate fuel supply. Your letters and contributions have made my task as editor a pleasant one. "- I: GORDAN W. CULHAM CREW (L-R Standing): Gordan W. Culham, Pilot; Brent B. Caldwell, Co-Pilot; Carl R. Greenstein, Navigator; Lawrence A. Williams, Bombardier; (L-R kneeling): Frederick F. Liscoe, Engineer; William D. Reagen, Radio Operator; Derwood R. Treadwell, Upper Turret Gunner; Louis J. Townsend, Ball Turret Gunner; Albert J. Lonzinski, Nose Gunner; George R. Shaw, Tail Gunner The Ball of Fire Quarterly Express Paul R. Steichen, Editor 22912 Nadine Circle Torrance, CA 90505 93rd BOMB GROUP : FIRST CLASS MAIL Cl}-L- -Pe--v1 ~ > c9N t1 ~113 pl,~~ f.-1> {j) ~ £(L L I ;\JJ t) II V l/ D I If ■ • . . -1'i! ~ J ■-.. I • --■ ----T\ !-· ......... , .. ---.... i· • . j I l

r. BALL OF FIRE OVER VILLAGE OF HEMPNALL. TWO MILES NORTH OF RUNWAY 19 IB3AILJL ({))lF lFIDE.IE ~ill'AIRtirJEffiIL 1f JEIDlDffilE§§ Vol. 3. No. 3 Ball of Fn. Editor Paul R. Steichen 22912 Nad"ine Circle Torrance, CA 90505 (310) 530-9636 Newsletter of the 93rd Bomb Group 2nd Air Division, 8th Air Force, Hardwick, England Vice President. 2ADA Alfred Asch 6205 Meadow Ccut Rockville, MD 20852 (301) 881-1376 Fall, 1995 Vice President Membership Aoyd H. Mabee 11524 ZinvnennSI Road Port Richey, FL 34668 (813) 862-2309 93rd's WALTER STEW ART PRESENTED "DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS," NATION'S SECOND-IDGHEST MILITARY MEDAL, FOR PLOESTI DARING by ChNtopher Smitb Tht Sall Lake CiJy Tribunt ( Checkered with more bullet holes than rivets and leaking fuel ov,ei_ the Mediterranean, 1 of the 4 engines on the lonely B24 bomber Utah Ma11 started coughing, signaling the inevitable death drop into the sea. Pilot Walter Stewart giggled, "Fooled ya!" into the cabin radio microphone, readjusted the fuel mixture to resurrect the engine, and laughed while the crew exhaled with relief. • All the way home, we were making jokes,• Stewart says now, more than 50 years after leading the most decorated American mission of any war. • Anything to remind us to stay alive.• This 77-year-old Utah County farmer is proof that sheer terror begets the world's great optimists. This week the almost-forgotten WWII hero will finally receive the nation's second-highest military medal, the Distinguished Service Cross. Not that Stewart has been carping at Uncle Sam to give him another medal. He actually is a little embarrassed by the University of Utah's gala ceremony planned for Saturday to award him the congressional citation, 52 years after the bombing raid on Romania's Ploesti oil fields, the most heavily defended Nazi target in Europe. "T didn't even know I had earned this until a few years ago when they made that movie,• says the retired Army Air Corps lieutenant, who was the subject of the 1993 Mike Sanches documentary film "Wing and a Prayer,• produced by KBYU. "The greatest reward for what I went through was to get out alive.• The parchment com stalks and green alfalfa fields Stewart tends today are not unlike the fields in Romania he flew over ,on Aug. l, 1943 on the way to bomb Ploesti. Perhaps the only difference is the haystacks and chicken coops around Benjamin are not hiding German anti-aircraft artillery. Critical to Nazis. Oil refineries in the Balkan republic of Romania were the best in Europe and critical to the Nazi war 1 machine. Some 1,700 airmen aboard 178 B24 "Liberators" (a plodding, submarine-shaped aircraft) had taken off on a Sunday morning from Benghazi, Libya for the 2,400-mile round trip to attack Ploesti. At least they hoped it would be a round trip. "It was a long-r an g e, low-level mission and you knew your chances were very thin,• says Stewart. "Everyone· was scared to death. A mere 25 years old, Stewart had been named the Deputy Force Commander the night before the raid. He was already a veteran of 30 bombing missions, 5 more than required for a full tour in a duty that considered more than 8 missions "borrowed time. • He had joined the Air Corps after watching big 817s fly overhead while grooming U.S. Army horses at a training camp in Fort Ord, CA. Stewart figured he would have a better Walter Stewst Holcl9 DSC Citation chance of surviving the war in the air. His crew had persuaded him to delay his trip home after his 25th mission and, besides,

Ploesti was to be one of the most daring missions of the war. Seven forces of bomber waves were to swoop in at treetop level to evade radar, attacking 20 square miles of oil refineries and storage tanks. But trouble plagued the mission from takeoff, when one of the heavily loaded B24s crashed on the runway. Others had mechanical trouble and crashed or turned back. The remaining forces were separated by clouds and mountains at the Greek border, with much of the force falling hopelessly behind the lead group, foiling the plan to have all bombers attack at the same time. Aboard the 824 Utah Ma11, which Stewart had named for his U. of U. alma mater, was a group of 10 young men from rural outposts like Soupbone, SD and West Dundee, MS. Strict orders for radio silence were obeyed, even when Stewart's crew realized the original attack leader, Col. Addison Baker, had made a navigational error and turned too soon. Instead of heading for the refineries, they were set to bomb civilians in Bucharest. Too late, the leader realiz.ed the mistake. The only route into Ploesti would be to tum directly through the heaviest defenses. "We were on the wrong course, but it would be terrible to get this close and go back without delivering your bombs,• Stewart says. "The colonel turned and led us in.• Easy Targets. There were a mere 22 Liberators now conducting Operation Tidal Wave, with the remainder of 150 bombers tardy in arriving. The first planes flew "on deck,• swerving to dodge smokestacks but making easy targets for the bristling German gunnery emplacements. The B24s were dreadfully slow at low level, allowing a locomotive puJling artillery cars to keep pace with the advancing bombers. An 88mm gun fired a 3-inch shell through one of Utah Man's twin tails. My tailgunner, Hal J. Terry, yelled, 'Don't do that!'" says Stewart. "I just yelled, 'Shoot like mad!'" Pom-pom and ack-ack guns popped up from hidden bunkers, ripping more than 360 boles in the plane, its nose adorned with a Ute Indian tossing bombs like footballs. All around, B24s were belly landing or burning midair. "Somebody yelled to look at the Colonel and he was on fire but still on the bombing path,• says Stewart. "He could have pulled up, but he took it right down and crashed into a big building. They gave their lives.• With the carefully orchestrated bombing run in disarray, Stewart took command and looked for any target to drop his payload on. Scraping over a refinery structure, Utah Man dropped the first bombs on Ploesti, nearly shearing a wing on a radio tower. The bomber pulled up and turned for home as the late-arriving B24s swooped into the chaos. "In the air, ii was a mess, with planes flying right at each other, through smoke and into the teeth of the guns,• says Geoff Panos, a Salt Lake City writer and military historian. "But the Germans on the ground must have thought they were watching an extraordinary ballet of perfectly timed bombers coming from different directions.• Fuel Leak. As Utah Man began limping away from the flames and black smoke, the crew realized a bullet had pierced the fuel tank of an engine and gasoline was streaming down tile right side of the plane. Stewart yelled for no one to fire a gun and ordered the crew to assume crash positions for a belly landing in enemy territory. Just as the plane was coming in, however, a crew member shouted that the plane still had more bombs on board. "The co-pilot and I nearly broke each other's arms trying to yank that throttle to get up again,• says Stewart. "You don't land with an incendiary bomb in your open bomb bay.• The bomb release had been damaged and the crew worked to manually drop the bombs in a field as Utah Man lifted to clear hedges. Stewart would later collect tree branches from the bomb bay doors. 2 Miraculously, the gas leak stopped and Stewart aimed the crippled bomber toward the coast and took a vote whether to continue or ditch. The crew has no idea how much fuel bad been Jost and it was still more than 1,000 miles over water to -.._ their base. "We came out over the Mediterranean and my sergeant, Richard Bartlett of Troy, MT, said into the radio, 'You call this an ocean? We've got rivers in Montana wider than that!'" smiles Stewart. "Well, the decision was made.• Crew members tossed everything out of the plane they could while Stewart put the big craft "on the step,• climbing to 1,500 feet and putting Utah Man in a slow glide to conserve every drop of fuel. "Nobody walks around, you stand still, you don't touch that stick or throttle, and you fly as carefully as you can, praying all the way,• he says. Tuning into the BBC for a 4:00 p.m. ball game, the crew heard a woman singing "On a Wing and a Prayer,• a song that fit their predicament. When Benghazi airstrip in Libya finally appeared, Stewart didn't even bother to circle and Land upwind. "We just set it straight in because we had tested Providence long enough,• be says. A tire blew out on landing, but the plane shuddered to a stop as the crew jumped out and kissed the ground. "It was the ugliest piece of real estate, but to us that was the most beautiful place on Earth." Heavy Toll. Fifty-four B24s never returned, 185 airmen were taken prisoner, 150 were wounded and 310 died on the Ploesti raid. The bombing cut Ploesti's oil production by 50%. Stewart stuck around for one more mission, then went home. Two missions later. Utah Man was hit over Germany, falling 5 miles to earth, killing most of the crew that had survived Ploesti. In the hoopla after the Ploesti mission, another pilot, co-pilot Loren J. Koon, was mistakenly declared the one who assembled the strike force after Col. Baker's death to lead the-. attack. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross th~ should have been given to Stewart. But Stewart is not bitter for the slight, "When be got the medal, he had to be a better-than-average man to say 'I don't deserve this, it should go to Walt Stewart,•• Stewart says. "Heck, I never wear medals anyway. My wife made a bracelet out of my other medals.• But don't expect the belated Distinguished Service Cross to wind up in Ruth Stewart's jewelry box. U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch will present the medal to Stewart in a 10:30 a.m. ceremony Sat. prior to an honorary military bomber flyover for the U. of U. vs. Air Force football kickoff in Salt Lake City. "I say with the greatest of pride and honor that Walter exemplifies the American qualities of courage, sacrifice and faith,• says the Utah senator, whose 18-year-old brother, Jess, died when his Liberator was shot down over Austria in 1945. It's a lot of attention for Stewart, who prefers to hunlcer underneath a greasy John Deere at the farm his grandfather pioneered than have medals pinned on his chest. But he can't help smiling, "I've loved this farm all my life and it was so nice to come home to it,• he says. "Ploesti made me a great optimist. That's a requirement when you're a farmer.• NEW MEMBERS Nelson A. Crawford Richard Harwood, AM John J. McKeon FOLDED WINGS Glen Holder

r. THE MISSION THAT WASN,T SUPPOSED TO BE (FOR US f) by Luther "Dae" Cox, 93nl B.G. It didn't take very long sitting out there in the Libyan desert, day after day, mission after mission, to begin to savor the idea of a day of R&R in Egypt at our American army air base, complete with showers, a real dining hall with all of the food you wanted to eat, a soft bed, etc.-truly an oasis compared to our tent city base in the desert. There, a canteen of water was our daily ration to shave in, wash, clean your teeth and, of course, drink. Everything we ate reminded us of the ever-present sand by its gritty presence day and night. After 4 missions within 7 days, with an average flight time of 11 hours each, we were indeed ready for our promised R&R! Jan. 19, 1943 was to be our big R&R day. The night of the 18th, we all hit the sack with nothing but thoughts of those wonderful things in Egypt, at a real air base. Suddenly, in the pitch black of the desert night a very loud voice and a very bright flashlight rudely awakened us to the unexpected "breakfast call in. 10 minutes." Instinctively, we hurriedly dressed and headed for the chow tent. The cold stillness of the desert air was broken by frequent shouts and curses as crew members blindly made their way through the maze of tents and those devilish tent pegs over which everyone bad fallen at sometime or another on their way to the base operations tent. As we walked we were muttering, "How come they awakened us?" This was to be our big day to fly to Egypt for our R&R. We had packed the night before and wanted to get an early start, but not this early! Upon reaching the tent, we were told that we were a standby crew. Later, at our plane Double Trouble, we found that the crews had bombed her, placed all necessary ammo at each gun station, and had put on a max fuel load. The target for today: the harbor of Sousse, Tunisia, N.A., one of Rommel's major supply lines. As we each sat at our stations in the plane we began to sweat it out, as the other planes began to start their engines. Each stubborn engine had us on edge, but all seemed well until the aircraft across from us began having trouble getting its fourth engine started. Before long, we were notified that we were "go" and to be lead of the fourth element ... (tail end Charley), the worst spot in the formation. This position caught most of the flak and was more vulnerable to enemy fighter attacks. Estimated flight time to target: 5 hrs, 34 min. As we flew on towards Tunisia, several of our planes aborted and headed home. This left the last 2 elements, now only made up of 2 planes each. Over the coast of Tunisia we beaded for our I. P. Just minutes away from the l.P., our remaining wing man left us and joined the formation in front of us, leaving us sticking out there like a sore thumb. On the bomb run, Benny, our pilot, tries to pull us up tight into the rear of the element in front of us. However, we have now entered the infamous German AAA box barrage that is always there. We are already taking hits from their deadly 88mm and 105mm AAA. At almost the instant Gus drops our load on the target, we are hit by 3 bursts of flak. I am knocked to my knees. They have scored numerous hits on us. Number 3 engine has just about been blown out of the wing. There is very little left of it. Clearing the target, we assess our battle damage. 1t became immediately obvious that we would not be able to keep up with the group since other engines were also in bad shape. 1n fact, it is very doubtful that we will even keep her airborne much longer. No sooner was the rest of the formation out of range to give us some fire power help when the German fighters, FW -190s and ME-109s attacked us like a swarm of very angry 3 hornets. Their stings proved much more deadly as they raked us from end to end. Gus and l were firing our three 50s as fast as we could, knowing that there would be no tomorrow, so there was no need to try to protect our gun barrels from burning out. By this time we were about 20 miles out over the sea. The fighters are rapidly finishing off this already mortally wounded bird. Our intercom system has been shot out and I have no way of knowing the condition of the other crew members. However, I can feel the vibrations as some of our 50s are still firing. Riggs has sounded the bail-out bell. We are very rapidly losing altitude and are down to 15,000 feet. Gus goes to the nose wheel escape hatch and pulls the release pin and the doors fall away. He sits down at the opening and, looking back over his shoulder, shouts: • Are you coming?" l decided to remain at my guns as our plane is diving somewhat towards land. Gus is gone. Suddenly our plane lurches into a violent vertical dive. We are losing altitude so fast that I can't keep up with it. We must be diving near 400 mph. l struggle to reach the escape hatch by the nose wheel and manage lo throw myself out head first. I am tumbling so rapidly that I cannot see the water. I wait a short time to clear the ship, but realize that I don't have much time left. I pull my rip cord and it felt like a truck hit me. My chest buckle scraped up my neck, breaking my teeth, smashing my nose and finally stopping across my eyes. I swung upward violently, and on the back swing while I was upside down, I hit the water and immediately sank like a rock, pulling my chute down with me. 1 am entangled in the shrouds of my chute as though a giant octopus has me. I quickly unbuckled both my leg and chest harness, as I was still sinking. However, I couldn't unfasten the cloth waist belt of my back chute. I finally managed to slip it down over my legs and feet. Free of my harness 1 desperately started swimming to the surface and free of those strangling shrouds. lt seemed like forever to get free, but somehow I found the surface with my lungs about to burst. My head finally broke the surface of the sea, as I simultaneously gulped for air I also pulled in a lot of sea water. I had pulled the CO2 release to my Mae West, however, it must have been damaged, for it just barely kept my nose above the sea. I searched the sea for Gus and any other members of our plane who may have· gotten out. All I could hear was the swishing sound of the sea as the waves broke over my head. I am badly injured and wounded and find that my left leg won't work, thus I kept swimming in a circle. 1 immediately knew that I could never reach land. I looked around and on the horiwn saw the upper part of a sail. Like grasping for straws, I started swimming for it, stopping to gather some strength and to call for Gus. That was the last thing I remembered until coming to on a beach in Africa and finding my head supported in Gus's lap. Still mostly out of it, I coukln 't compreh1md. Several years after the war and after Gus had died, his son sent me a copy of that portion of his diary which explained the terrible void in my memory. I Gerald (Gus) Gray was picked out of the sea by Arabs in a fishing boat. I fell onto the bottom of the boat and lay there until all of a sudden they were kicking me and excitedly pointing to something in the sea. Upon pulling myself up to the side of the boat, I saw Cox floating there, face down. I picked up an oar and touched him with it, but got no response. He was about gone. I made motions to the Arabs and then leaped overboard and swam to Cox, holding his head out of the water. When the Arabs came around, I pushed Cox up so they could reach him and pull him in. They then, in tum, pulled in my anguished body and proceeded to head lo shore, over my protest and offer of gold to take us to our Allied Forces.

They graphically explained to me that German fighters would strafe them. Upon reaching shore, I climbed out of the boat and reached in to help Cox gel out. He had, on the trip in, vomited tons of sea water several times. Upon grasping him, I didn't realize he had no use of his legs. All he could do was stare with blank eyes al me. He nearly fell back into the boat, but I was able to pull him out and onto the beach. We were both freezing so I talked the Arabs into building a fire. By this time. l was somewhat aware of my location and I saw a half dozen soldiers, in flank order, approaching us over a sand dune with their weapons cocked and pointing at us. Shortly, they were followed by another squad. They placed us in a jeep, having to carry me bodily. They drove through a band of Arabs to what appeared to be their C.Q. They carried me and placed me in a bed, then offered us food and drink. However, I was so sick and beaten up that I was unable to take any. Shortly after that, one entered carrying a chicken. They made me some broth of which I managed to get a little down. Exhausted, I fell asleep. Gus was truly a combat hero in every sense of the word. He had leaped into the sea, even though he himself was in very bad shape, not knowing whether the Arabs would bring the boat back and pick us up. He held my head out of the water, as I was unconscious. We never talked of this fateful day, even though we were roommates for several years as POWs, for the trauma was simply too great. We had lost 8 of our fellow crew members, our comrades and friends. After finding out all of this information from Gus's son, l wrote to just about all levels of the Pentagon trying to get Gus a medal for this very heroic deed carried out while in action during WWII, all to no avail. Both his congressman and mine supported this all the way to the Secretary of the Air Force, but no luck. Just pounds of letters and official correspondence that said very little, but stopped my and the congressman's efforts to properly recognize this real hero. Ed: Luther Cox's book, Always Fighting the Enemy, is in its second printing and is priced to members at $20 plus $2 posrage a11d handling. Co11tac1 Luther at 4932 Oakbrooke Place, Orlando, FL 32812, tel (407) 277-4271. He was the eighth 93rd ma1110 be a prisoner of war. His story of2½ years at Stalag Luft Ill as Doctor Cox is a great one! MESSAGE FROM ALFRED ASCH V.P. 2nd A.D., 93rd B.G. Nov. 12, 1995 The summer is over and this finds me at our Rockville, MD address. It has been a busy summer trying to get material together and organized for our display case at The Mighty Eighth Air Force Heritage Museum being built at Savannah, GA (announced in the summer issue of BOFQE.) Although the response from our 93rd members for providing items for the museum was disappointing, we have enough to fill the case for a good showing. The display will be divided into 3 parts: The Beginning, which includes our early time period and first trip to Africa; Operation Tidalwave, which emphasizes the low-altitude Ploesti Mission; and Operation Pointblank, the code name for the air effort to defeat the Luftwaffe prior to D-Day. 1 am receiving outstanding support from Maj. Gen. Ramsay Potts here in the Washington, D.C. area on the museum project. The Heritage Museum needs financial help. Although they still plan to open in May 1996, there has been a cutback on some of the displays for lade of funds. For example, our group 4 and one other will be the only ones to have a display at the opening; the Museum had planned several more. There are several ways we can support the Museum with financing. A transfer of negotiable securities to the Museum's brokerage account may be made. At least 2 individuals I lc:oow are doing this with appreciated common stock. You may deliver the certificates to the nearest Museum's brokerage firm for transfer to the Museum's account. Furthermore, if you have your certificates in street name at a brokerage house, any official authorization to your broker will effect the transfer from your account to the Museum's. Another way to provide support is through your credit card and, of course, cash is always welcome. Simply send it to: The Mighty Eighth Air Force Heritage Museum, P.O. Box 1992, Savannah, GA 31402-I 992. If you wish to transfer negotiable securities or use your credit card, call Mr. Mock or Ms. Debra Smith at (800) 421-9428 or (912) 748-8888 for further instructions. The Museum has assured me that they will give the donors the proper receipt for income tax deduction purposes. All securities may be deductible at the fair marlcet value at the time of the donation. I understand $20 or more will automatically make you a member of the Heritage Museum. When you make your donation, please inform the Museum that you are a member of the 93rd B.G. so the 93rd will get credit as well as yourself. As mentioned earlier, l have enough items to fill our display case. However, I am trying to get enough winter flying clothing to dress up a mannequin as a waist gunner with a .50 calibre machine gun. I believe I have located the gun, flying helmet and oxygen mask, but I need a fleece-lined flying suit, boots and gloves. Someone out there must have these items or if you know of someone who has, let me know: 6205 Meadow Court, Rockville, MD 20852, tel. (301) 881-1376. We have ordered twelve 93rd history books from Cal Stewart, the author, for gifts to selected Air Force and other organizations. As soon as Cal sends me the books, I will ship them with an appropriate letter. Cal has indicated that the preparation for the press will be completed by Nov. 15, 1995, then printing and binding will be accomplished. There will be 582 pages plus 8 pages of Foreword, Table of Contents, etc. for a total of 590 pages. I have read the complete manuscript and I assure you the book is outstanding, certainly the best of its kind I have read. To order books write: Ted's Travelling Circus, P. 0. Box 631, O'Neill, NE 68763. Cal is providing us with many negatives of photographs that will appear in his book for display in our case at the museum. Having his manuscript with happenings, dates, pictures, etc. was extremely helpful to me in making up our museum display. We all owe him a debt of gratitude. This time of the year I always think back to the Christmases spent while in the 93rd. Many of us were in the Libyan desert flying combat to push Rommel's African Corps out of Africa. On the Dec. 21, 1942, we flew a night mission against the harbor at Tunis and then another one Dec. 26 against the same target. Both were 11 hours in length. We would have flown on Christmas day except for a severe 3-day sandstorm. Cal Stewart sums it up best in his book: "There was no Christmas observance, not even a special menu. As usual, there was dust and sand, C-ratioos, Spam, beans and dehydrated cabbage cooked in alkali water.• We sometimes had trouble finding the mess tent to partake of these goodies. I have a special remembrance at Christmas for those we lost during the war, almost 700 valiant young men for our group. Let's all say a special prayer for those who paid the ultimate price with their lives for victory in WWII. We indeed owe them a great debt of gratitude.

r r r 2nd A.D. SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EL TORO REUNION SET FOR SAT., FEB. 24, 1996 The 15th Annual Reunion will be held again at the El Toro Marine Corps Officers Club. If you live in California, Arizona or Nevada, you will receive information through the mail. If you live in any other state and wish to attend, please call Dick Baynes, 466th B.G., tel: (714) 552-3889 or Jay Jeffries, 453rd B.G., tel: (717) 846-1653. You will then be mailed pertinent data including hotel arrangements, if needed. The program has not been firmed up as of this writing, however, there is a very good chance that screen, T.V. and stage super star Walter Mathau will be involved. Walter was one of us in the 2nd A.O. He was with the 453rd B.G. at Old Buckingham assigned to Parachute Operations. 93rd SEEKS FOURTH STRAIGHT ATIENDANCE CROWN AT ORLANDO 2ND A.D. REGIONAL REUNION Florida Regional Reunion IV, Feb. 3, 1996, Clarion Plax.a Hotel, Orlando, FL. Hotel will offer special rates for 3 nights preceding and 3 nights following meeting date. Make this special commemorative and fellowship gathering that will indeed be a super one. Contact: Lawrence Gilbert, Chairman, 1482 Granville Dr., Winter Park, FL 32789, tel. (407) 647-2623. Since this popular event was first held in 1992, the 93rd has outnumbered all other groups in attendance. This has fortified our position as the greatest group of them all. Plan to attend! 93rd Bomb Group Museum - Hardwick, Norfolk Display of WWil Memorabilia including many items of Aviation Technology Open 3rd Sunday of each month May-October 10 a.m. to S p.m. Adrnwion Free - Refreshments Available SOURCES OF INFORMATION ON FRIENDS WE LOSI' TRACK OF IN WWII American Battle Monument Commission 20 Massachusetts Avenue Washington, DC 20314 Tel: (202) 761-0537 Another service is: U.S. Total Anny Personnel Command Attn: T APC-PED-F 2461 Eisenhower Avenue Alexandria, VA 22331-0482 Tel: (703) 325-5300 s BITS AND PIECES OF PROP WASH Sorry, the name of the writer of column 1, page 10, Letter to Editor, Summer 1994 BOFQE was Mrs. John Finitzer, 122 Burlington Pl., Lima, OH 45803. This letter told of 2 new members, Paul Hemerly and Duverne Higgins . . . page 9 letter from Willard F. Nester in same issue reporting on Metz mission, Nov. 9, 1944 should tell that the Metz gun emplacements bombed that day were never captured or destroyed in WWI, not WWII ... Winter 1995 issue of BOFQE carried an article on page 6, •Military Police Company Summary of Events Dec. 1944. • Will the person who supplied this article please send his name and address to the editor . . . Antal ya, Turkey - The remains of 2 U.S. airmen whose bomber went down in the Mediterranean in WWII were headed back to the United States on Saturday. Parts of the B24 Liberator were brought to the surface last month. The skeletons of the 2 were handed over to a U.S. Air Force attache at a military ceremony Friday. The plane, which took off from the coast of Libya, was hit by anti-aircraft fire in Aug. 1943 after taking part in a mission to bomb Romanian oil refineries at Ploesti. Seven members of the 10-man crew members were rescued by villagers. Fifty-four bombers failed to return from the mission. Sf. MARGARET'S CHURCH TOPCROFI' IDSTORY The croft, or enclosure, at the top is an easily found derivation for the name of this parish. The church stands on one of the highest points in south Norfolk and the top of the tower has been used by the Ordnance Survey as a principal observation point. The greater part of the present-day population live in the little valley below the church and nearly a mile away. Under Edward, the Confessor, Goodwin appears as Lord of most of this parish. A part, later known as Hoo Manor, was held by the Abbot of St. Edmund's. The Domesday Survey names the Lord as Eudo, one of the conquering Normans. At this time Topcroft was evidently prominent among the 8 parishes; it was assessed at 1. 7d a year for the Danegeld tax, while even Hempnall paid only 1.6d. It also supported 2 parish priests. Edward I granted the parish the privileges of holding an assize of bread and ale (some sort of price-fixing arrangement?) and a gallows. Under Edward III, the Lordship had passed to the Cliftons, who also held Hoo Manor. Other families to hold the Lordship were the Brews, Wiltons and Smyths, whose memorials are in the church. John Tennison, who died in 167l, and is buried in the chancel, was Rector of the parish until be was turned out by the Parliamentarians, as were also the incumbents of Hardwick and Hempnall. His son later became Archbishop of Canterbury. Another Rector of Topcroft, Charles Dary, achieved modest literary fame. In 1787 he published 2 volumes of letters on literature, which included •conjectyral Observations on the Origin and Progress of Alphabetic Writing.• The Royal Arms are those of King George III, and the hanging wooden hatchments are those of the Smythe family of Topcroft Hall. Near the chancel arch is a small but attractive monumental inscription in Latin to Richard Wilton, who died in 1637. A substantial program of repair, improvement and redecoration has been carried out since 1981.

Moulsford Manor, Moulsford on Thames, Oxfordshire shown here in May 1995, was a R&R home visited by many 93rd-ers during WWTI. Converted to a medical training school after the war, it was returned to a private home 2 years ago. Before being used for R&R, Winston Churchill, in 1942-43, often stayed overnight on his trips back and forth from his home at #10 Downing Street, London to his ancestral home and birth place, Blenham Palace, a few miles north of Oxford. A room in the Moulsford Manor is still designated as the Churchill Room. COAT OF ARMS AND MOTTO floyd fl. Mabee This is something that baffled me for several years. I often wondered how and who came up with the 93rd B.G. emblem that I first saw on the Certificate of Bombing Missions that I received while stationed at Westover Field, MA, 1944-45. I found the following information in a copy of The Liberator, Vol. l, No. 1, dated Mon., Oct. 19, 1942: The coat of arms of the heavy bombard-ment group making its first appearance today on the mask of the Liberator, has been adopted as the group insignia, though not officially approved in Washington. Story of the coat of arms and motto as described by Maj. G.B. Woods, NY City, group intelligence officer who conceived the following: They . . . symbolize the lightning fast and powerful striking force of this heavy bombardment group in order that the torch of Liberty may be held high. The forward inclined position of the torch, with flame swept back by 6 the wing, indicates that Liberty will be carried swiftly forward and upward on strong, sure wings. The heavy outline of the lightning bolt indicates the powerful bombing of which our planes are capable. The fact that the lightning is striking at the exact lower center of the shield symbolizes the extreme bombing accuracy which may be expected. The motto, •Ferite Pro Libertate• may be literally translated, •strike for Liberty,• but avoids the unfavorable connotation of the English word •strike.· The original sketch, drawn by Maj. Woods, was forwarded by Col. E.J. Timberlake, post commandant, to Washington. The drawing on the mask, blended with the lettering of the Liberator, is the artwork of PDC. Byron A. Smith, Kansas City, MO, a radio op. in Squadron D. Len Avona and Friend Nick poH with Bomer•ng just prior to her journey back to States to participate in War Bond Promotion. 93rd MEMBERSHIP CARD --u 0 11) V, :::l'. DJ Q.> :::, n Q.> 3 -0 ~-CIC ::J No11n,mdy Northern Fr.111ce

r r r EXPRESS AIR MAIL DELIVERED BY B.O.F. Dear Paul, Have been meaning to tbanJc you for your so welcome efforts pulling out the BOFQE. I've particularly enjoyed seeing a few familiar names and remembering several trips in the old yellow and red Lib. I was a member of Roger Skjei's (Sky) crew and have wondered why no one seems to remember him. We were one of the first "Pathfinder" crews, a lead crew (Sept. 1943-May 1944) and at the time were pretty well known. But now, no one I've been in contact with seems to remember. I'm hoping someone who reads this will have some recollection of one of the best pilots of the 8th AF. Our crew consisted of Roger Skjei, pilot; Fred Weisbrod, co-pilot; Herm Mathees, navigator; Bill Mabes, bombardier; Joseph Sullivan, engineer; Harry Tower, radio; Gordon Kiefert and Dick Galvin, waist gun; and me, tail turret. Also, Frank Lattrell and Fred Hayes as waist gun after we got the "Js" with nose and ball turrets. Kiefert rode the nose often and ball sometimes when we had one. I flew the ball once and hated it. I've tried for years to find Sullivan and Mabes, with no success. "Sully" was from Enid, OK and Mabes from Eagle Pass, TX, I think. There are only 4 of us left that I know of: Kiefert, Galvin, Tower and me; don't know about Hayes. He was from TN, hut have found no trace. Kiefert and I were together for 2 years including after we returned to the States, and we still keep in touch. I was able to get to the Oshkosh Air Show and was able to see Kiefert and Galvin who both live in Wisconsin. If anyone reading this recalls "Skjei 's Hellcats• or any of the aforementioned, I'd sure enjoy hearing from them. Meanwhile, Paul, lceep up the excellent worlc with the BOFQE and hope the small contribution enclosed will help keep it going. The picture was P.R. and Kudos for the early pathfinder effort. HOW ARD JONES 115 Tasker Drive Summerville, SC 29485 !#' .... ~- ..J Gen. Doolit1le, far right; Air Marahal Trenchard talking to Skjei crew: L-R: Jones, Lattrell, Tower, Galvin, Kisfert, Sullivan, Mabes, substitute navigator, Weisbrod, Skjei. Dear Paul, Appreciated your publication of "Return to Hardwick:.• Was delighted to read Paul Peloquin's very kind and thoughtful letter in response to my article. Paul is the kind of guy who makes one proud to have been a part of the 93rd. He always wears his uniform at every 8th A.F. Historic Society Convention. There aren't many of us who can still wear the many sizes smaller fit of 50 years ago. The BOFQE means a lot to us old guys who smelled the smoke of those big 50s that tumbled down on the flight deck in those old flying igloos. The Lord has gifted you and you are using that gift to its fullest. For every guy who writes to give you thanks, there are hundreds who postpone good intentions as much as I have. 7 When the 2nd A.D. yearbook came out recently, one of the names mentioned as a former member of the 93rd was Tony Prins. Then, just a few days ago I found his name in a back issue of BOFQE. My pilot's name was Theunis Prins. We all called him "Tuny. • Can't help wondering if Tony is Tuny. Been trying to locate him for years. Search him out at every 8th AFHS Convention, but lo no avail. We stayed in touch for about 20 years, then one Christmas in the early 60s my card came back, "No forwarding address.• At the time of our last contact, he was living in Redlands, CA. He had married and had several daughters, and maybe a son. Tuny originally came from Grand Rapids. Prins is not a very common name, although he said it was not uncommon among his Dutch ancestors in upper Michigan. "Theunis" was even less common, so he was sometimes mistakenly called "Tony• by people who didn't know him well. As you well know, strong bonds of friendship were formed among crewmen who did what we did together. Combat flying isn't like anything civilians do together. There has never been anything in my civilian life to compare it to, and friendships forged during those trying times were built to last. When we finished our tour in England, the war had ended. We came home in late May or early June of 1945. We both expected to be shipped to the Pacific after leave time at home. He asked me to sign on with him again. We both expected to be assigned to the 20th in the Pacific. I was deeply honored and flattered since I was the only guy on the crew he had asked to ship over for another tour of combat. As an old combat veteran yourself, you understand bow I must have felt. We were the same age and the 2 oldest guys on the crew. Tuny was a born bomber pilot, much more mature than most guys of his age. Had a deep sense of responsibility and was serious about his job. Conscientious and dedicated to doing the job well, he was the kind of guy you would trust wilh your life and never give it a second thought. He had the same kind of trust in me. Most of my life since the war was spent in corporate America, pretty much a dog-eat-dog existence. The enemy is often the enemy within in the civilian jungle. This was not so among us in the Mighty 8th. We had a common enemy and it was never one of our own crewmen. While I would not like to experience war again, it was a wonderful experience in terms of human relationships. Friendships were formed that could never be duplicated in civilian life. That's what makes the BOFQE so important. It's what makes what you're doing so worthwhile. lf you become discouraged-and sometimes you must-just remember, there are lots of us out there who appreciate who you are and what you stand for. If you have a way of checking out "Tony" Prins from your mailing list, let me know if he is Theunis Prins of the 409th B.S. He would have served in the 93rd between late Fed. and early Jun 1945. To my knowledge, he was the only Prins in the squadron and probably the only Theunis in the group. He would be about 72 now. There's no way l can thank you for helping us link up after a half century. Tony Prins is Tuny Paul. I had a long talk on the phone on Sunday evening. Our memories were in remarkable sync after all those years. Expect we will do some catching up in whatever years remain for both of us. rt's wonderful to know there are people like you who care enough to extend yourself as you have to keep the old 93rd alive. While war is an ugly experience, there were valuable

EXPRESS AIR MAH, DELIVERED BY B.O.F. friendships formed that shape.d us into whatever we became in the years that followed. One of the most basic lessons I learned from our experience in those cold, gray slues over Germany was the importance of character among both those who lead and those who followed. It shape.d our values and gave us a basis for the assessment of those with whom we would work in civilian life. War brought out both the best and the worst in each ofus. Tuny was one of those guys who brought out the best in his crew. Character is a quality that is often shunted aside these days. Our elected officials are often chosen on the basis of 30-second sound bites. Leadership is too often determined by charm, amiability, glibness and flashy appearance. What we learned together during the war was that character is bedrock. Any crewman who thought of himself first, or just too often, could not remain on a crew very long. Those qualities of character seemed to have slowly drained out of our nation's leadership, both in business and politics,in later years when life became affluent and too many began to thin.le and behave as though making money or getting to the top is all that Life is about. There was little or none of that attitude among those of us who did what we had lo do to bring our country to victory. I encourage you to continue doing what you're doing. It is very much appreciated. Dear Paul, ED REILLY 12 Chatham Street, Box 413 Kinderhook, NY 12106 Sure enjoy the BOFQE. The date, Feb. 1942, mentioned in the first paragraph of Walt Stewart's article on page 5 of the Summer BOFQE, could not have been correct, because the 93rd wasn't formed yet. Sure it wasn't late Aug. or early Sept.? I am still banging in at 76 and still very active-gardens, golf, etc. Had a great flight as engineer on the All American. My name, bomb group, squadron and Ready & Willing is on the side of aircraft. Haven't beard from Floyd Mabee in some time. Say hello to him for me. HOW ARD MACREADING 83 Darrow Street Warwick, RI 02868 Dear Floyd (Mabee), I enjoy reading your "Open Letter to the 93rd" in the 2nd A.O. News. I joined the 409th B.S., 93rd B.G. at Hardwick in late Jan. 1945. I was a radio operator on Jim Threlkeld's crew and had flown 12 missions when the war ended. I flew 4 or 5 of the 12 missions in a B24 named Gambling Lady. I am enclosing a photo of a model I recently completed with as much of the detail about this ship that [ can remember and from photographs I have. Gambling lady I am wondering when this ship was first put into service and who named her? I thought maybe someone reading your column might be able to give me some details about the history 8 of this ship. From the bomb markings on the pilot side of the plane in the photos I have, it bad to have flown in excess of 6~ missions. Enclosing a check to keep the BOFQE going. Looking forward to receiving the next issue. Thank you very much for your efforts on behalf of the 93rd. Dear Paul, ARTHUR QUINN 2225 Coventry Road Lancaster, PA 17601 Chalk it up to getting older (82)-anyway, it was my goof. A check for the BOFQE is enclosed this time! Called Therm.an Brown the other day and we are going to meet for luncheon in another week. Wonder if we will recognize one another; Dec. 1944 was the last time I saw him. Can't believe it! Will try to get to Orlando for the reunion in Feb. Thanks for the great job you're doing to keep up the 93rd esprit de corps. HARVEY B. BARNARD, JR. 1694 Independence Avenue Melbourne, FL 32940 Ed: Col. Barnard and Col. Brown, both past commanders of the 93rd, are now living in Melbourne and Melbourne Beach. Dear Paul, For the past few years, I have enjoyed every issue of the BOFQE and look forward to every upcoming issue. Since retiring, I spend winters in Florida and summers back in Massachusetts. Because of this moving back and forth, ~ miss an issue every so often. A neighbor of mine just this wee found some mail of mine she had been holding for about a year. In that mail was the Spring 1994 issue of BOFQE. Hungrily, I read through it and came across an item written by Alfred Asch. I don't know if he will remember me. I was a reserve radio operator without a crew. When then U. Asch was lucky enough to get his new plane, the Duchess Evelyn and needed a gunner, I applied for the job. I knew nothing about gunnery, but was anxious to belong to a crew. Luckily, I got the job. My new crew seemed great and they were all happy about being with Lt. Asch. If the Lt. remembers, I was given the tunnel gun. Our plane was a 240 and did not yet have a ball turret. In fact, on my first mission (a diversionary raid), I passed out; my oxygen mask froze. The engineer, who I believe was Ben Hall, put a fresh mask on me and I came around. I guess he saved my life. When Lt. Asch left for the States, we won Maj. Ramsay Potts. We hated losing Lt. Asch, but soon learned to appreciate Maj. Potts. We were made Lead Crew. I believe we made it through Ploesti because of him. On the Ploesti raid we installed twin 50s in the nose. Thanks and keep the BOFQE coming. Dear Paul, LOUIS SMITH 4740 S. Ocean Blvd., #508 Highland Beach, FL 33487-5353 Enclosed is a small donation to help replenish the treasury of BOFQE to keep up the great work you have been doing. T~ enjoy each issue. Ann and I were pleased to read about tht. plaque that was presented to David and Jean Woodrow. I know that all who have experienced their generous hospitality feel the same. The Castle Air Museum recently repainted their B-24. While

EXPRESS AIR MAIL DELIVERED BY B.O.F. the repainting was in progress, I asked if they would consider .r •ISing the later (yellow with vertical black stripe) markings and ave them a couple of pictures of a 329th aircraft for an --example. When I returned a week later, the tail markings had been painted the same as previously (white circle with B and aircraft letter on the tail). They are exhibiting it as a B24M and the tail number is correct for a B24M-CO. I pointed out to them that an M model would not have arrived in England before Jan. 1945 at the earliest, so would never have had the markings they used. Had I known in advance when they were going to repaint it I would have asked you if the Association bad any feelings as to what markings should be displayed. It displays the squadron code for the 329th, "RE.• It's possible they might consider repainting the markings if the Association expressed a strong opinion. My own feeling is that the aircraft should have the markings that that model would have had in 1945. Their B17G carried the full late-war (1945) markings of the 91st B.G. I was told that the aircraft they have was found in Bolivia and restored at Castle, though it belongs to the A.F. Museum. That's possible because in the late 1940s and early 1950s a company called Aerovias Fascett, SA used some converted 24s to fly into tin mines in the Andes. They wanted them because of the turbos and the large fuselage, and they bought them cheap. Keep up the good work and hope to join you at the next Southern California meeting in Feb. /""")ear Paul, CHARLES D. SILL 808 Fem Ridge Court Modesto, CA 95351 David and I would like you to convey our thanks for the help and kindness that the 93rd veterans bestowed upon us at the Lexington Convention, making our stay a most memorable occasion. We will remember it forever. Evelyn Cohen had offered us hospitality bedrooms. We bad prepared our budget to cover the rest of the bill (banquet, barbecue, breakfasts, etc.), but when it came time to settle we found the David & Jean Woodrow bill had at Lexington already been paid. We were so taken aback at the generous gesture that we could hardly speak. We just couldn't believe that this generous, generous gesture could be true. We haven't ,-.... been able to find out as yet who paid our bill, so haven't been tble to thank anybody. All we feel we can do to repay this gesture of great kindness is to continue to do what we can at the Hardwick Base. The hotel was very good; all the veterans and their wives were so friendly and kind to us. Floyd and Dot were lovely to 9 be with and made sure we joined their table. Jordan Utall was his charming self and the food was excellent. We enjoyed everything and filled our days talking to everyone. Many thanks for the enclosed photos. It's taken a Little while to get photos sorted and we had hoped to get a video done as well, but it was disappointing as the quality wasn't good enough to tr.wsfer to your system. We have been so busy here; harvest was soon over this year because we have had such a good summer. Then the men were busy plowing and are now drilling the com. In between, the village twinned with Melle, a town in Normandy, so we had 54 French arrive to stay in Topcroft for 4 days. We had 2 young 30-year-old boys stay with us. They spoke no English so my "school-girl" French had to see us through. However, we had a great time and partied for 4 days. They arrived with a marching band and it was all great fun. You would have been very impressed with their drinking capabilities ... never seen girls drink so many pints of ale! Now David, Stuart and I will go to visit Melle in 2 weeks with 50 other people from the village, which we are looking forward to. Hope the Channel will be nice and calm. Soon it will be time for the service of remembrance at the church in Topcroft, to remember both the sadness of the loss of so many lives in war and to be thankful for all those who survived. This year we are honored to have the Bishop Peter Knott from Norwich Cathedral, so it will be a big service. We will have the laying of wreaths at the memorial and then the Bishop will stay for lunch. He drove tanks in the war, so David is going to arrange for an army lorry to take him up to the farm. So, it will be very special this year. Love & best wishes. DAVID, JEAN & STUART WOODROW Airfield Farm Topcroft Bungay Suffolk, England Ed: lde11Jities of the •phamom hosts" at Lexington have been sem on to David & Jean. They were the 93rd people who attended VE+ 50 in England. and partook of the Woodrow hospitality, and those from the 93rd who greeted them aJ the lexi11gto11 Reunion. • Dear Paul, Thank you for sending me the next 2 issues of the "Hello Milfoil" diary. l remember Ed McGuire, but he was on the other shift and we rarely flew on the same day. Ed was a character and he wrote just like be talked. The letter from Vern Harriman, in the summer issue of BOFQE, was interesting. Vero was co-pilot on my crew. The survivors of my crew are going to get together at Wright Patterson on Nov. 3-5 as part of an 8th A.F. reunion. The Bosnian-Serb Peace TalJcs are taJcing place in the same hotel we are staying at in Dayton. We will see what happens! Since you Lived in Hut 11, WAAF Site II, you may remember the occasion when we in Hut 9 strung the guts of 2 dozen flares on a string and used a tall pole to drop the load down the chimney of Hut 12 one night. We had barricaded their door with snow and had a huge pile of snowballs ready for the occupants of 11 when they came out of the windows! Needless to say, they got even! FRANK EIBEN 1703 Grange Court Cincinnati, OH 45230

EXPRESS AIR MAIL DELIVERED BY B.O.F. Dear Paul, l am an old farmer who can't sleep after 4:00 a.m. Well, somehow I considered getting back to sleep but after reading the article about the loss of 2 B24s on Mar 29, 1944, it was just too sad. It brought back too many memories-I cried. Would you send the BOFQE to a dear friend from the 328th B.S.? He may remember some of the names of those KIA at that time: Raymond Sedlacek, Route #1 Box 56, Cornell, WI 54732. Dear Paul, PAUL C. PELOQUIN 808 Quincy Street, NE AJbuquerque, NM 87110 It was nice to finally meet you as well as once again seeing Bob McKeever, Madeline and others at our VE-Day reunion in Norwich the first part of May. This get-together was both heart wanning and emotional. It was kind of like "coming home,• as both Bob and I spent 3 years there. The warm welcome we received from the kind people of Norwich, Hardwick, Topcroft and Hempnall was something to remember always. I suppose the highlight was Sun., May 7, when we all marched together to the Norwich Cathedral. When the taped sound of bombers ta1cing off and the 2nd AD fanfare played by a British band and finally the AF song, "Off We Go into the Wild Blue, etc. was played, I must confess a large Jump lodged in my throat. I was truly proud to be an American and to be part of this history. CHARLIE GRAYES 1216 Pilleax Road Knoxville, TN 37912 Dear Clarence Barton, Thought you'd Jike to know that we did display your uniform during the 2nd ADA VE-Day visit. I borrowed a mannequin from the control tower museum at Seething, but it proved to be too fat for your jacket, so we then borrowed a thinner mannequin from a Norwich museum. So, you were certainly there in spirit for the whole week and will probably see the uniform in some of the pictures taken during the week. Thank you for all of the information on your crew and yourself. I will take the crew photo to a local photographer and have a copy made so 1 can return the original to you. It did not rain on the VE-Day parade. In fact, it was a very hot day. The parade was a wonderful occasion. The 2nd AD looked really good as they marched across the front of the City Hall and down through Norwich to the cathedral. Some of the men wore their uniforms. Col. Shower took the salute with the Lord Mayor and other dignitaries. We then attended a very moving service in the cathedral. I am sending you a copy of the service sheet. Afterwards, there was a reception in St. Andrew's Hall. I think that Sunday was the highlight of the week. PHYLLIS DU BOIS, Trust Librarian The Memorial Library, Temporary Central Lending Library, Old Glasswells Building 71 Ber Street Norwich NRl 3AD, England Ed: Please see Spring 1995 BOFQE, page 4. It will clarify the transaction of sending rhis uniform to Phyllis as well as supplying options to those of us who are looking for ways to donate our memorabilia. 10 Dear Paul, Thank you for writing to me. The name "Steichen" is 1~ nobility in Luxembourg, since your bearded ancestor Edwa1 Steichen, the master of photography, donated his wonderful collection to our government. As the Secretary ofDEBA, I very seldom get in contact with USAF. I know there were bomb groups and fighter groups. I know a representative of the 365th "Hell's Hawks" fighter group. One of them lives in Oceanside, California, H. Russell Dentz. [ consider all of you men as super men and as heroes. We owe you our freedom and liberty, and you never gave us the occasion to thank you. Please publish in the BOFQE that anyone from the 93rd B.G. is most welcome to come to Luxembourg. We, of the CEBA staff, will show you around the Bulge area, which most of you saw only from above when you flew over on the way to Germany. I have lots of friends in England and they took me to Duxford and other Royal War museums. Believe me, I enjoy the BOFQE from beginning to end and read about the Henham tragedy. Aren't we having tragedies nowadays? You might have to come back. People haven't learned from history. Love from Luxembourg. Dear Paul, MME. TILLY KIMMES Secretary, CEBA 29, rue de Hunsdorf L-7324 Steinsel, Luxembourg Please accept my donation for the BOFQE. My brother reads them also, even though he was in a P38 fighter group. He wishes his unit had a newsletter as fine as the BOFQE. Ho·" you continue to publish this great newsletter. Dear Pau], BOB ZEMAN 5148 S. Nordica Chicago, IL 60638 I was a member of the 93rd B.G. 328th B.S. from 1943 to 1945. Last week I learned of the 2nd ADA and applied for membership. I had forgotten the name of "the hospital ship,• so the BOFQE brought back memories. I'm sure your newsletter will continue to be a sought-after success. Dear Paul, JOHN J. McKEON P.O. Box 73 Monmouth Jct., NJ 08852-0073 Floyd Mabee wrote in the Fall 1995 Joumal (2nd AD) that Attilio Verna wrote the story of the 93rd B.G. Can you or he tell me if there are copies !.till available and from whom? I knew Attilio well and would be very interested in what be wrote. I could not find Floyd's address in the Journal to ask him directly. Dear Paul, DOROTHY M. HARRISON 817 Huntington Road Louisville, KY 40207 The BOFQE must be a labor of love - you surely aren~ getting rich! You are doing a wonderful job and I, and other. surely enjoy the product of your efforts. Thanks! PAUL J. ALLEN (328th) Rte. 4 Box 187 Conover, NC 28613

EXPRESS AIR MAIL DELIVERED BY B.O.F. Dear Paul, 1 Enclosing a copy of an Oct. 16, 1995 news article from the ,alt Lake Tribune about Senator Orrin Hatch awarding the --Distinguished Service Cross to Wall Stewart (see cover story). I feel this award was way overdue and fully deserved by Walt. I also believe all of his friends in the 93rd B.G. feel the same and would like to learn of the presentation. Walt Stewart and I grew up in the Salt Lake City area. At one point in time, about the third grade, we lived only a half mile apart. However, be was a grade ahead of me in school so I didn't get to know him until I was assigned to the 330th B.S. just after the Ploesti Mission. Some 6 months later, I was shot down. That happened shortly before Walt was selected to fly Bomera11g back: to the States for a bond selling tour. Walt gathered up my personal belongings and during his stop in Salt Lake he delivered them to my mother and father. My parents and the rest of my family were very appreciative of his consideration. 1, of course, was most pleased to learn of his kindness when I returned home from the prison camp. Dear Paul: DAVID W. THOMPSON 6471 Woodridge Road Alexandria, VA 22312 Thank you for the copy of the BOFQE (Vol. 3, No. 2) where Debby Rhoades Smith describes her experiences and feelings during the VE-Day 50 reunion in Norwich. I have always held high admiration for you members of the 93rd. You were the first B.G. of B24s in England and your group always attends reunions in good numbers. r- DEAN PETERSON (448th) P.O. Box 956 Temple City, CA 91780 Dear Paul, Keep them coming. I enjoy all the letters and stories, even though I think some of them may be a little bit embellished or exaggerated. I flew with Lew Brown's crew and made the Ploesti Mission with him on Queenie. Ended my career on a mission to Austria, Aug. 13, 1943. I celebrated my 79th birthday on Sept. 27 and am still active here in beautiful "Lake of the Or.ark's" and spend winters in Las Vegas. Dear Paul, CHUCK ROBERTS RR 1 Box 228A Warsaw, MO 65355 Many thanks for the BOFQE-oostalgia most welcomed. I have been back to England so many times. You see, I married a lovely English girl from Norwich baclc in Aug. 5, 1944. Funny thing, I'm still married to her. I was attached to the 409th B.S. 93rd B.G. Hardwick, arriving from the southern route by B24H. We arrived at Newquay, Wales approximately Oct. 15, 1943. We spent sometime in various bases before permanently settling down at Hardwick, Nov. 1943. I flew with the original crew for 7 missions before they were tragically killed forming over England, Mar. 13, 1944. All of the commissioned officers .,,,.- were killed including the first engineer as follows: Chamberlain, pilot; McKethan, co-pilot; Petrofsky, navigator; Talley, bombardier; and Brewer, 1st engineer. The reason for the crash, as told by the remaining crew members, was that the pilot flew too close in the formation and unfortunately was sucked into the prop wash. To overcome this situation he 11 pulled the ship straight up when compressibility occurred and the B24 went down. The remaining crew members bailed out and landed in the trees with many scratches and bruises, but survived: Belcher, radio operator; Decker, waist gunner, Schweisaw, waist gunner. I left myself out of this, as I was doing squadron punishment for trying to get to Norwich using a fictitious man's pass and the C.O. made me build a picket fence around headquarters. The fact remains that had I gone on the mission I would have also been a statistic. The gunner, Sgt. Jones, who took my place also bailed out as he was with the other crew members in the waist gunners area so had access to the open bomb bay to bail out. I would have been in the tail turret with no chance of getting out due to the centrifugal force. So God was with me then and hopefully is still with me to this day. Enclosed is my check to ease the financial burden required to mail the truly wonderful and explicit accounts of our many unsung B24 and B 17 heroes. EDWARD F. GALIOTO 60-21 Marathon Pwy. Little Neclc, NY 11362 Ed: Records show that Chari.es O'Brien al.ro went down with this plane. Dear Paul, Thank you for the letter from Wagner and your brief note. That map Ed Wagner sent you brings back some vivid memories. That was our third mission. We broke a rocker arm in the #3 engine beading across the Channel. Being gung-ho, we decided to stay with the group till we reached Brunswick. Little did we know we would have to make 3 runs over the target on only 3 engines. On the third pass, all hell broke loose. We were attacked-head on-by ME-109s flying in pairs. The tail gunne.r and I both shot at one and we nailed him. He was the last to fire, so be got credit for the kill. We were the last to get back to the base after we threw everything that was loose overboard. At the end of the runway we ran out of gas. There were so many radio ops sending SOS's that the British tofd us we had to wait in line. I screwed down my key and got ready to ditch, but we were lucky and made it back without any casualties. GEORGE KARNAHAN 10617 Elgers Street Bellflower, CA 90706 93rd DRJNKING SONG SUNG TO THE TUNE OF "TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME" I wanna go home, I wanna go home The bombs they whistle, the engines they roar, I don't want to fly missions no more Take me back o'er the sea, Where the Jerry's they won't shoot al me, Oh Mom, I'm too young to die, I just want to go home Here's to the dead already, And here's to the next one to die.

93rd OVER PLOESTI - BOMERANG AND EXTERMINATOR Painting by aviation artist, Bob Hill. For copy information, write or call Kent Jaquith, 760 Knight Hill Road Zillah, WA 98953, tel: (509) 865·2481 The Ball of Fire Quanerly Express Paul R. Steichen, Editor 22912 Nadine Circle Torrance, CA 90505 93rd BOMB GROUP FIRST CLASS MAIL CALVlN DAVIDSON 9:"::lRD 48'1 /J PLATE RD ClLlEf~I IN DH 44074 l" ~ • ( P"' ~ 1: r,t'"''-.. :l~J \} ~ ~ . -f I\ I I\ I\ I I 11 l, I, I,,, l, l,, I, , , 111 --------------...

IffiAJLIL (Q)IF IFJimJE ~llJ Am.mEIRliL Y IEID!DmJE§§ Newsletter of the 93rd Bomb Group 2nd Air Division, 8th Air Force, Hardwick, England Vol. 3, No. 4 Winter, 1995 &ltor. Group President Pail R. Steichm Vtee ar.esiclent. 2ADA Alfred Asch Yict ar.pldent Membs@wli;, Floyd H_ Mabee 28.-.....Av ... 22912 N8llne Circle Torrance, CA 90505 (3101 530-9636 62.05 Meadow Court Rockvlle. MD 20852 {3011881-1376 Dov•. NJ 05801 {2011366-5916 93rd's COL. FREDERIC SPARREVOBN ONLY LIVING AMERICAN HAVING A.F.S. BASE NAMED IN HIS HONOR Air Force Times, Sept. 18, 1968 Ed: CoL Frederic Sparrevohn and his wife, Dorothy, live in ,v,ng Beach, CA. A member of the 329th, he reached Hardwick Jept. 1943 as co-pi/ct/or Waller Dagget's crew. Later on, he got his own crew and a brand new B24. He went out to the hardstand to lcok her over and the crew duej asked what he wamed to name the new prize. Fred replied: •Thal 's a 64 dollar question. I will have to let you know. • 1he next morning the crew reached the aircraft and found the artfully embla;zoned new name. Of course, it was That's a 64 Dollar Question. Fred finished his missions, Jun. 1944. Sparrevohn, APS, Alaska sits on a mountaintop 165 air miles due west of Anchorage. It has a 2-lane bowling alley, 2 libraries and a steam room. It can be reached only by air and, sometimes in winter, not at all. It is one of several remote aircraft control and warning stations of Alaskan Air Command. Most Americans have never heard of it. 1f Spam,vohn makes the news, it may mean that the •opposition• has challenged U.S. defenses. The fact that it has remained almost anonymous for it 16-year history means that Sparrevohn and other defense forces in Alaska have been doing their job. If Spa.rrevohn is scarcely a household word to most American, it is to the 150 men there and to their families in the "lower 48. • For one year, the remote AF station is base, duty site, recreation area and "home" to 9 officers, 130 airmen and 11 civilians. Dependents are not authorized. Leave is not granted. Visits to other installations are rare. Visitors consist of weekly commercial or military air crews, inspectors and infrequent USO troupes. The name was taken from an early visitor, now Col. rFrederic Sparrevohn, pilot on the survey flight which selected the sit.e. If the mission were not vital, Sparrevohn would not have been selected to fill the key gap in the defense net. It would not have been scraped from the Alaskan mountainside in 1952 and maintained continuously ever since. Pilots would not 1 have airlifted in every piece of building material, heavy vehicles, radar gear and power plants. The radar facilities are linked with the warning net and ultimately with NORAD headquarters in Colorado. For all its isolation and austerity, though, Sparrevohn boasts surprisingly high morale. This is probably because its mission is vital and every man assigned is part of it. The station is manned • one Cal. Fftdeno -.,_vom deep.• There are no overages and virtually no cross-training. PhysicalJy, Spa.rrevohn is an Air Force base in miniature. By nature and nec~ty, it is almost 2 complete bases, each a mirror image of the other. Buildings, facilities and personnel are divided almost equally between 2 complexes which are linked by a tramway, which is the direct route up the mountain, and a road. Winter is not just a season at Spam,vohn. It shapes the life of the station. Heavy snow covers everything and high winds challenge the structures and occasionally teu pieces off. Vehicles must be heated before they will start. Banks of high-powered lights shine in the radar domes to prevent frost from forming on the antennae. The "book value" of Sparrevohn is over $11 million. For that price, the U.S. may have bought only a few minutes more warning time of some future threat to its safety. But it could be worth much more.

NEW MEMBERS Elden R. Appel Bruce G. Craig Richard D. Davis Michael Koury Dorothy H. Matlock (AM) John W. Miceli Wanda Murphy (AM) Harold E. Rudy John w. Scott N.J. Wilson, M.D. FOLDED WINGS Ralph Finnicum Ralph J. Glenn Oscar Krebs Dan V. Matlock Roland Shank JOURNEY'S END by Eric E. Eriaoa - !>3rd B.G. 'Ed: This is an excerpt from rlu! final chapter of ".Angel Goes Home," which appeared in series Mar. 1986 and Fall 1991, 2nd AD Journal; and Fall 1994, BOFQE, pg 5. Cadk Crew was shot down in Poland and picked up by tlu! Russian Army. Following our "boou, bash, • our guardians took us for a rather long walk and we wound up discovering an FW-190 wing assembly plant. Workmanship was superb and it was apparent that other subassembly plants were in the forested area, but we saw none. The following morning, we were roused and herded on a most plush C47 that was apparently for U.S. airline use. As usual, we took off and assumed we were ultimately going to Moscow, which was not to be the case. The navigator on board was Col. Sergei Danilin, who navigated the Anlonov 25 from Moscow to San Jacinto ... CA in.!uly J937. Danilin asked me if I had any chewinlci (chewing gum). He was very sad to find out we had none. Our destination was Brest-Litovsk, where the peace treaty between Russia and Germany was signed during WWI. Upon landing, we hit a mud hole and came to a very abrupt stop. A Dodge weapons carrier hauled us to a radio shack where 2 Russian officers were busily trying to get word what to do with us. They directed us to a field that had about 200 Nazi aircraft in impeccable condition of every type in the GAF-Luftwaffo-including jets. The quick overrun of Marshal Rokosovski from Warsaw netted them all. I was still smoking my Turkish cigars the Ukrainian leader of the 1st Army gave me. Within a few hours we were on a GI 4x4 on our way to a railroad station where we had a special car to ourselves and a friendly female engineer and fire'man' soon got us underway. For 2 days we went through the breadbasket of Europe, the Ukraine, which was as flat and fertile as Kansas. Our first stop was Kharkov. I met a Jewish refugee from Germany who went through Czechoslovakia, Austria, Hungary, Yugoslavia, then the USSR. He was about my age, 22 or so, and was on the constant run. He ultimately made the civilian section of the secret police, the NKVD as it was known to them. We had been about 36 hours without food by then. Our next stop was Kiev where Nickolai took John and me through town and to a barber ship which was nm by 2 charmingly beefy gals who gave us superb cuts, giggling all the while. Back to the train, we had picked up a Russian Yak pilot with a broken arm. Within 10 minutes, he was accompanied by a flower of the Soviets and away we went. That night a howl ensued and we figured out the Yak Major and gal got a bit frisky. He told us that in the Russian Air Force, if you cracked up a plane, you had to go back to the factory and get another. Later on, the train stopped and be and his companion got off. Apparently, they were headed to the plant for an.other Yak, what else!? Later that evening we rolled into Poltava and were ushered into the Russian Colonel's office for a final briefing, when in ---..., burst an American Major who told the Colonel, if he ever found him on the U.S. side of the field, he'd kill him. The climate was very thin as a result of the Soviets allowing the Germans to wipe out a shuttle bombing armada. We were given strictly GI clothing. Ultimately, the Mar. 15 Berlin raid strained facilities for us at Poltava. We had over 200 combat crewmen and a base complement of a few men over 200. Things were really tight, but at least we ate well. President Roosevelt died and the Russian band turned out in full force about 7:00 a.m. and we were all in the chapel-Russians and Americans-a few hours later. We sat on one side, they on the other. Give them credit: they attended the services with good grace. Apparently, the Ruskies knew we were about to get the boot from Stalin and they threw a party for us at the O club. I had never seen the T<nalsb except in movies, but a loaded pilot Lt. did it and we cleared the floor for him. He was probably in show biz. It was a monumental effort. When done, he picked up his mix. of Iranian Peach/Cherry/Brandy and drank a full cup. He was a good man! What a dance to see! A few days later an American C47 picked us up and we were homeward bound. We flew over the Caspian Sea and on into Tehran. Cadle and I bought a handfuJ of Swiss wristwatches, all via sign language, and knocked the price down from 10000 Piasters to 100. As we later found out, they had unjeweled movements, but they ran well. We were told to stay out of the native quarter and that is precisely where we wound up. The next day we were on our way again by C47, our destin-~ -ation -cairo, Egypt. We diirget to-see Terusalem, Bethlehem and the solitary RAF pipeline as well as the majestic mosque in Baghdad. Crossing the Suez, we had a 2-day stay in Cairo at the first class Shepherd Hotel. The young lovelies of Cairo offered themselves in honorable marriage and subsequent divorce for $5,000. A warm-hearted U.S. Army Lt. Col. took us in his command car ~ see the sights of the desert, Cheops and the Sphinx-all truly marvelous. Later, we went to the famous chocolate fairyland of Groppies and it was truly fantastic-SO yards of different delicacies. At that time, Cairo had Paris beat all to Hades. 2 Then on to Athens. We only had an hour, so we got no closer than our eyeballs took us, but that was a real eolid treat . . . you might say, the cradle of civilization and the learning of the ages we still study. Then we headed to Naples where we learned the power of a pack of American cigarettes. We got a carriage tour of Naples for 1 pack. We felt sorry for the guy, so when our time was up we gave him a bonus pack and tears came to his eyes. We were billeted in an Italian monastery full of mosaic work-really beautiful. The next day we were up and away to Marseilles. Actually, I became 23 years old in Italy. After an hour in Marseilles we went to Paris. I was told we couldn't get off, but I said to hell with it and told the first bugle to go to hell and made it to Orly's gate where a friendly Staff Sgt. pulled me aboard. He looked at my orders and said I could get any hotel I wanted, gratis, as our orders were Secret. I milled around Paris for 3 days, befriended by 2 dozen F/O glider, pilots. These lads all had 5 missions and were pretty weU spent. They gave me shoes, cigarettes and stuff to trade off at the black :marlc:et run by a Brooklyn guy who stayed there after WWI was over. So I had money and was deeply touched by

these unsung heroes' fellowship. The MPs knew I was loose and always addressed me as •sir.• After 3 days, I was broke and called Orly saying I'd take the London flight in the afternoon. When I got to the check-in desk, the gals-who were all gorgeous and all married to (fighter pilots-took up a bunch of gifts for me and told me I finally put the first bugle in his place. The Col. told him I could go and do as I damned well pleased and he told him to stop bothering the gals. It was as ifl bad liberated them! I said if any were unmarried, I was ready, but, alas! they were all hitched. Handshakes and kisses ensued and I was off to London. The escape officer told me to stay as long as I liked, which I did, and finally wound up at Hardwick. In a few weeks I was navigating a B24 back to the States via Iceland; Goose Bay, Labrador; and Bradley Field, Connecticut. I got R,R&R at Atlantic City. I missed my buddies then ... and still do. True, I have priceless memories, but live pals are even more precious. So ends the mission: Berlin 26 Feb. 1945. 2nd A.D. ASSOCIATION 49th ANNUAL CONVENTION - JUNE 13-16, 1996 HYATT REGENCY HOTEL, MILWAUKEE, WI Schedule of Events Wednesday. June 12 Registration & Early Bird Party Cash Bar & Complimentary Hors D'Oeuvres Thursday, June 13 Registration • Golf Tournament Cocktail Party • Buffet Dinner • Awards Ceremony Friday. June 14 Registration • Buffet Breakfast • Tours· Cocktail Party • Group Dinners Saturday, June lS Buffet Breakfast • Business Meeting Ladies' Luncheon• Men's Luncheon Cocktail Party • Banquet & Dance Sunday. June 16 Buffet Breakfast • Departure The 93rd Hospitality Suite will be manned by Al Asch, Floyd Mabee and Paul Steichen-open Thurs., Fri. and Sat., with snacks and cash bar. Our Annual Meeting will be held in conjunction with our group dinner Friday evening after the 2nd AD Cocktail Party. It is not too late to attend. Call or write Evelyn Cohen, 06-410 Delaire Landing Road, Philadelphia, PA 19114 • (215) 632-3992. Please don•t use the excuse that you don•t know anyone who will be there, as you soon will on your first visit to the Hospitality Suite. Bring memorabilia to the Suite if you wish, but if you don't you will find a good supply already there. 93rd FRIENDS David Woodrow, Airfield Farm Topcroft, Norfolk, NR35 2BA. Tel: (01508) 482263 r John Harvey, •L11w-so-NII, • Church Lane, Poatwick, Norwich, NR 13 5HM. Tel: (01603) 33529 Paul Thrower, 12 St. Davida Close Long Stratton, Norfolk. NR15 2PP. Tel: (01508) 31405 3 RECORD ATTENDANCE AT SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EL TORO REUNION The 15th Annual Southern California Regional Reunion Dinner on Feb. 24 (always the last Sat. in Feb.) was a sellout. This was the 11th year we have held the event at the Marine Corps Air Station, El Toro, Officers' Club, and the meal was up to their usual excellent standards. C.N. "Bud" Chamberlain, 489th, Past National 2nd ADA President, served as Master of Ceremonies. The program was opened with the lovely Maria Gunnarsson, wife of Frank Crew, 448th, leading us in the National Anthem. The traditional lighting of 8 Candles or Remembrance followed, with members of our Bomb Groups, Fighters, and Heritage League participating. Malcolm "Mac" Dike, 466th, gave the invocation, followed by a welcome from our Marine Corps Host, Colonel Stephen Mugg, Assistant Chief of Starr, G-4. While the excellent meal was being served, Beth Ertz, daughter or Julian Ertz, 44th, played World War Il-era music on the piano for our enjoyment. Joe Moore, 466th, provided the sound system for our speakers and the music. Following dinner, special guests were introduced: Dr. James Lodge and Mrs. Jane LeMay Lodge; and Ann Mann, wife or our speaker, Delbert Mann, 467th & 491st. Charles "Chuck" Walker, 445th, immediate Past President of the 2nd ADA, read a letter of greetings from our current President, Geoffrey Gregory. Our speaker, Academy Award Winning Director, Delbert Mann, 467th & 491st, was introduced by Julian Ertz, 44th. Delbert Mann, one of our own, gave a most inspiring talk about his experiences in WWII and his moment of decision, while flying in the 467th B.G., to pursue a career in the Theater when the war was over. After earning his Masters degree from the Yale School of Drama, he soon became involved in the •oolden Age of Television,• directing live TV in New Yorlr: City. Hollywood beckoned and he won the Academy Award for the first film he directed, •Marty.• He went on to eam numerous awards for his directing and bas served the industry in many important positions such as President of the Directors Guild of America, Board of Governors of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, etc. Del told us about his direction of various films relating to the military; especially •Gathering of Eagles,• the story of the Strategic Air Command, and the cooperation that he received from the military during the filming. His fasci-nating and interesting stories were rewarded with a standing ovation. Co-chairmen Dick Baynes, 466th, and Jay Jeffries, 453rd, thanked Delbert Mann on behalf of all present and gave him a plaque in recognition of his excellent presentation. Jay Jeffries then introduced the other Dinner Committee members: Fred :Sromm, 445th; Bud Chamberlain, 489th; Julian Ertz, 44th; Doug Leavenworth, 453rd; Joe Moore, 466th; Dan Reading, 453rd; John Rowe, 448th; Paul Steichen, 93rd. Ed: 'Ihe 93rd was represented by a total of 26: Carroll &: June Berner Bernie Regan &: Ted Regan Paul &: Cleo Cote Joseph Schwarz.gruber Ed & Pattie Cote John&: Janet Severson Russell &: Babette Demont Ch.arks &: Ann Sill John &: Lorraine Foster Jack &: Helen Skeels Paul&: Martha Hood John&: Lucille Foley George Johnson (Col/Ret) Paul &: Marie Steichen Charles &: Jean Knoedler. who have aJtended the past 5 reunions, had to sil this one 0111, along with others who were too late in registering for this so1"-o111 affair of 320.

TED'S TRA YELLING CIRCUS BECOMES IDSI'ORICAL REALITY The book? It's on schedule for release Apr. 1, 1996, several years after publication scrubbings due to recurring delays. BOFQE readers will recall Te.d's Traveling Circus was to have appeared in 1993, then 1994 or 1995. At one time, the author facetiously declared the work would he in print before the opening of the smitten Denver Airport. The author, 93rd's Carroll (Cal) Stewart, attributes tardiness to a perceived need to •tamper, tune, revise and insert-a process that might have gone on for years. • The virtually complete manuscript was reviewed by some Circus veterans during the 1995 annual 2nd AD reunion in Lexington and the Feb. 1996 mini-reunion in Orlando. The book-592 pages covering 396 missioos--includes 400 pictures. Available detail on each crew that went MIA from 194245 is treated with footnotes in chronological order. The Appendix includes the 93rd's Roll of Honor (KIA-MIA), grave sites and marlcers in American overseas military cemeteries, index, and wartime group roster (6,000 ruunes, some hometowns). Comments appearing on the back cover: Aurhor Stewart has captured the spirit of a generation of exceptional young men of 'gung ho' courage and taknt . . . taking us from the earliest days in 1942 through one bitter campaign after another, evoking many vivid and poignant memories. One of the most detailed and interesting unit histories of World War II. -Ramsay D. Potts, Maj. General, USAF (ret.) A labor of wve on the cow,ful, gwbe-busting Circus ... surely a history matchless beyond anything about any other WWII group . . . the scope and elegan~ are monumental. -The Rev. Marshall V. Minister, Episcopal Diocese of Nebraska, Canon of Omaha (a 93rd lead bombardier, 194445). Monu,rumtal ... the 93rd's assignments, exploits and, yes, setbacks. The author dedicated retirement years researching and crafting this e:zdtingly detailed and wvingly composed tribute. The narrative will tug at your deep emotions as weU as build respect for and pride in those aerial warriors of yesteryear. -Dale Griffing, retired Sunday editor, Lincoln Journal-Star (wartime GI copy editor, Stars & StriJH!S, Paris edition). An inJimate anecdotal account of men, a half-worldfrom home, delivering high explosives against Nazi and Fascist targets. They flew aerial platforms at dizzying heights in the /,ethal skies of Western Europe, North Africa and the Mediterranean. Cal Stewan has dredged mind-boggling details many years after the fact. In stirring prose, he fits the courageous deeds of Circus combatants into historic content. One reading won't cur it. -William W. Lawrence, historian Financial realities have limited the publisher's print order. Prepaid purchasers will receive their copies by mail during April. Pre-publication single-copy orders will he honored through Mar. 1996 at $48 plus $2.50 postage and handling ($50.50 per copy); additional pre-publication copies, $45 plus $2.50 ($47 .50 per copy). The cost of post-publication orders (received after Apr. 1, 1~6) is $60 per copy plus $3 postage and handling ($63). Checks only. Credit card orders unacceptable. Allow 3 weeks for processing on a first-come, first-served basis. 4 Mail checks made payable to: Ted's Travelling Circus, c/o Carroll (Cal) Stewart, 406 E. Adams Street, Box 631, O'Neill, NE 68763-0631. Telephone: (402) 336-2144; (402) 464-5219; ( 402) 466-8521. ----------------------~ 93rd OUT-DUEL'S 392nd FOR ORLANDO 2nd AD ATIENDANCE HONORS The BOFQE has received the following letter from Lawrence Gilbert, 392nd, the able founder of the Florida Regional Reunion: Following is a list of attendees at the Florida 2nd AD Reunion, Feb. 3. The delay in getting the list back to you was due to our gal checking the list printed several days before Feb. 3 with our records of who actually "showed." It pains me a little to tell you, as you can plainly see, that the 93rd led the pack in total attendane&-something over 50. We recounted and recounted, but the 392nd was unable to change the final result. Just wait till next year! Alfred & Naomi Asch Floyd & Dorothy Mabee Nelson & Nora Bivens Larry & Julie Markes John Cadle "Bud• & Betty Milliken Luther & Jeanene Cox Girard & Therese Nefcy Calvin Davidson Sam & Frances Parisi William & Anita Ferraro Walter Smelt Frederick & Frances Gilbert Don & Marylou Spencer Sam & Shirley Harris V emon Swaim Glenn & Marjorie Helwig Owen & Anne Taylor Cecil & Simone Johnson David Thompson Rufus & Marie King Elmer & Nellie Vangsness Ed & Helen Logan Hearol & Maxine Veteto John & Helen McGowan Jerry & Betty Wilson ~ Chades & Thelma McKee Kohen & Marguerite Wright Jim McMahon John E. Gilmore lleftl: Jeck O'Neil (right) , enjoy their firat mHtlng 1lnce being 1hot down over Friedrichchafon Mar. 18, 1944. Current 93rd members, Lea1k Hermann and Wayne Moeller were allo along on th!. trip with the Secer Harris crew. All were POW or interneH.

WINTER 1995 HARDWICK SOCIAL CALENDAR by Mr. D. Neale Sun., Nov. 12, 1995. You are invited to attend the r Remembrance Service to be held at the 93rd BO's Memorial at Hardwick Airfield at 12:00 noon following a service at Topcroft Church at 11:00 a.m. More details of this important event may be obtained by phoning Mr. D. Woodrow, who hosts this event with his wife, or myself. On this day we honor the whole of the 2nd AD and remember those who perished and, of course, the veterans whom we regard as our true friends. Thurs., Nov. 23, 1995, at 7:30 for 8:00 p.m. The Thanksgiving Dinner will be held at the Hotel Norwich this year. Tickets available for the dinner on request to Mrs. P. Neale, Gt Yarmouth (01493) 659379. There will be a Tom Bola with many fine prizes. AB most of you lcnow, this is always a very popular event and well attended. Sat., Dec. 16, 1995. A Christmas Party is to be held at Hardwick: Airfield courtesy of David and Jean Woodrow. Those of you who have not attended these marvelous "do's" don't lcnow what you're missing! The atmosphere is always great and we find that this is another way to honor the boys who died flying from the base. BITS AND PlECES OF PROP WASH PLEASE HELP! The mission reports are missing from the National An:hive for the period May 25, 1944-July 13, 1944. I am looking for anything that pertains to any mission during this period, especially loading lists, maps, information sheets, or any document that shows pilot names and plane numbers. If ,vou have anything that pertains to these missions, please write or call me collect. Thank you very much for your help. Don Morrison, 1375 W. Comet Road, Clinton, OH 44216 • (216) 882-2536 ... You know, I thought I would be satisfied when I found out about each of the crew members-and yes, I am-but I would like to ask if you might have lcnown our regular Navigator Richard Boyd, who did not fly with us on that particular day. I ran into him by accident in a restaurant in Culver City, CA about 20 years ago and unfortunately did no more than ask how he was. I have checked my computer phone disk, but there are so many Richard Boyds in the U.S. it would be lilce looking for a needle in a haystack. None of the other crew members have kept in touch with him. Thanks for any r help you can offer ... Paul Bergman, P.O. Box 237, Eagle Creek, OR 97022 ... Walter Stewart points out an error in the page 1 stocy of the Fall 1995 issue of BOFQE relating the circumstances of his award of the "Distinguished Service Cross.• It wasn't Loren J. Koon who got the D.S.C., it was another pilot. Koon received the "Distinguished Flying Cross" at Ploesti . . . 2nd ADA reunions. How about getting a reunion back out on the West Coast in the near future? CA or even the Pacific Northwest would be a good place; say, Seattle, Salt Lake, San Francisco, S40 Diego?? Kent Jaquith, 760 Knight Hill Road, Zillan, WA 98953. 2nd AD RADIO AMATEUR NET by Charlie Wei.u, 93rd/329th , First, a bit on the history. I started the 2AD net in 1980 and it grew to about 30 amateurs belonging to the Association. It got off to a good start, but after about a few years it finally petered out-not for lack: of interest, but at that time quite a lot of the members were still working for a living, and eating was more important than the Net. There were a few memben1, who, along with me, stayed until the bitter end (about 5 years). They were Dan Boyle (K4KS) 389th BGp FL, Art Hand (K9HWP) 44th BGp IL, W. "Bud" Lawrence (W AOFVX) 44th BGp KS, Pat Bums (W6GUE) [ deceased] CA, and Dave Patterson (KB6UU) 445th BGp CA. Some of us continued contacts after • the Net's demise, but not as a net operation. The current Net began by a stroke of coincidence. Bill Holmes (G4TWI), a Britisher, who assisted in the preparations of one of our 2ADA reunions in Norwich, England, was in communication with a friend of his (WOMKY-Earl Nissen) in Waverly, IA; on one occasion, they happened to mention something about a reunion of the 2ADA (amateur communications can be heard around the world by anyone who has the proper nadio receivec and is tuned into the same frequency). It wu in these circumstance8 that an amateur by the name of Ed Schwarm (NX1 V) of Marstons Mills, MA, 44th BGp, just happened to be listening in on the conversation (this is not "eavesdropping"; it's part of amateur nadio) when his attention was aroused by the mention of the 2ADA. He the:n "broke" into the conversation (this is a routine procedure also), and one thing led to another and the 2ADA Radio Net was "bom again.• I passed on to •Ed" all the names from our earlier efforts, and some, as noted above, are active again. Ed and Bill have bee:n the driving forces in establishing and keeping active the 2nd ADA Radio Net. The Net meets on every Tues. at 0930-1040 a.m. ET (summer & winter) on 7 .227 MHz (SSB). This frequency is in the 40 meter ham band, and generally permits communications between stations no more than 1000 miles distant; i.e., stations all along the Eastern States, from FL to MB and u far as IA and KS to the West. Our point, which is considered the center of this imaginary circle of 1000 miles, is located in MA, the location of Ed's station; be is our Net Control Station (NCS). Now, you might be wondering about those members who are beyond the 1000 mile nidius such as 2ADA members who live in CA, and the British (Bill, the Net Control on this frequency) in England. This brings us to the second phase of our Tues. "On-the-Air Meetings.• At 1045-1145 BT, we change frequencies to 14.339 MHz (SSB). This is in the 20 meter amateur band, which ~ts us to communicate with all States and also with England -(for that matter, deperuling upon the atmospherics, all around the world!). AB of this writing, we are experiencing relatively poor conditions for long-distance contacts. It has to do with solar flares and, at the moment (10-year cycle), we have just passed the low point. Communications will begin to get better and better as time passes. Below is a table of frequencies and times: Every Tuesday a.m. 7.227 MHz 14.39 MHz Winter & summer 0930-1040 ET 1045-1145 ET Winter 1430-1540 UTC 1545-1645 UTC Summer 1330-1440 UTC 1445-1545 UTC* *Universal Time (used to be called GMT) AB of Sepl 5, 1995, we have 39 members. Groups represented are: 44th BPp (7), 93rd BGp (3); 94th (1), 389th BGp (4), 392nd (1), 445th BGp (2), 448th BGp (1), 453rd BGp (6), 458th BGp (2), 466th (1), 467th (1), 4th FGp (1), 56th FGp (1), Friends of the 2ADA (6), Bl 7 pilot (1) (we let anyone in!) Air Force Flyers Radio Net (1). If any readers have a •ham" friend (moniker by which we amateurs are lcnown), please give him the particulars, as noted above, and tell him/her they would be welcome to join us. It could be a way to keep abreast of all the goings-on of the 2nd ADA without waiting for the Journal to come out!

NEWS ITEMS Al Freel Axil, VP-llld A.D. Naomi and I delivered the 93rd items with Accession Work Sheets for each to the Mighty Eighth Air Force Heritage Museum in Savannah, GA on Feb. 2, 1996. We were well :received and, insofar as we know, the 93rd display will be structured as we had planned with the items arranged to tell the story of our prestigious group, Ted's Travelling Circus. We were given a personal tour of the building and grounds, and good progress is being made towards its construction, but there remains a lot of work to be done. Gen. Shuler has a fine staff of qualified people dedicated to malcing the museum a great success. At the moment, they are operating from a rented home located a short distance from the museum site. It is very crowded with itemB collected for the museum. It was a lot of work to develop our display (but worth doing), and it may be that we will be one of only 2 or 3 groups with a display at the time of the museum opening. We owe the museum 3 items to complete our display: the 93rd history book by Cal Stewart, the Congressional Medal of Honor for Lt. Col. Baker and Maj. Jerstad, and a base and flag staff for the 4-star flag of Gen. George Brown given to us by Mrs. Brown. Cal has promised me a book weeks before the May 13 museum opening date. The Air Force is working to deliver the medal ·in time, but they have to get one from the Army as we were in the Army Air Force during WWII. Gen. Shuler wrote a letter to the Air Force indicating his strong support and assistance in getting the medal. The General's group at the Pentagon is working to give us the base and staff for Gen. Bro-wn•s flag. Walter Smelt gave mo an American. flag which he carried at Norwich during the 50th Anniversary celebration of the ending of WWII. His flag will be hung next to Gen. Brown's. We also have a copy of Gen. Brown's portrait painting_to frame and post next to the flags. Many of you original members of the 93rd will remember "George• as a lieutenant during WWII. He received the "Distinguished Service Cross" for the low-altitude Ploesti refinery raid Aug. 1, 1943, which we are also featuring in the display. Mrs. Brown parted with the Cross believing it important to leave as a legacy. Gen. Brown, a West Point Academy graduate, rose through the ranks to become the Chairman of the Joint Staff, serving under 3 Presidents. Building the museum is the most important project that we have. Every person who served in the 8th AF should become a member and provide strong support for its success. If you have WWII items you would like to donate, let me know and I will send you Accession Work Sheets and information about sending them to the museum. From the museum, Naomi and I went to Orlando, FL to attend the 2ADA mini reunion. Gen. John Brooks gave a short tallc at the banquet, saying exactly the right things about our WWII activity. He again was outstanding in making a few remarks at the Orlando Airport during a dedication ceremony where the 2ADA received a plaque signed by the Mayor of Orlando. The B24 All American., a B17 and an FSl served as an ideal background. Our group was well represented at the reunion, with the most people of all the groups attending. It was indeed a pleasure to see our 93rd members. However, in talking with them, some were unaware that we had been given a display case by the 8th AF Museum and that I was working to furnish it. It was disappointing to hear this as I had requested support in the BOFQ,E, e.g., items and ideas. The selection of the items and their display was, therefore, left to Maj. Gen. Ramsay Potts and me. I did receive very useful items and support from 6 Walter Smelt, Mrs. George Brown, Maj. Gen. Ramsay Potts, Gerald Melmood, Cal Stewart, Floyd Mabee, Charlie Weiss, Paul Steichen and Rollin Reineck. Dana Bell, a WWII history buff of the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum, painted the words •1ne Duchess" and our tail markings on a unique B24 model Ramsay Potts gave for the display. Ramsay and I were most appreciative of this as it gave us the opportunity to feature MSgt. Pop Hastings, crew chief of The Duchus, and quoted in the Stan and Stripes, Feb. 10, 1944 remarking, •Toe 'Duchess' is Queen of the Libs.• She bad flown 47 missions without an abort before finally being shot down on her 54th mission piloted by U Dave Thompson. Most of Dave's crew became POWs. We certainly are looking forward to seeing our display when the museum opens on May 13, 1996 and hope to see all of you there. As you know, our annual reunion with the 2ADA will be held in Milwaukee, WI this June. Wisconsin is beautiful and pleasant in June, so let's make it a big turnout. We will have important business items to settle: the continuation of the BOFQ,E, the 93rd Vice President election, and the building up of the 93rd museum at Hardwick. Paul Thrower aent us a note at Christmastime asking that we help build up the Hardwick museum by Sffl.ding him items of interest. I plan to do this as I kept copies of most of the items I delivered to the 8th AF Museum. We would all appreciate anything you could provide. He reports that the museum work is coming along nicely. I know that David and Jean Woodrow are working very bard on this as well. The continuation of the BOF(}P concerns me. Paul Steichen informs me that he will only be able to do one more issue after this one. We will need volunteers to take over this important activity. Concerning the Vice President's job, I am appointing a nominating committee of former 93rd Presidents: Ray Rhoades., Charlie Weiss and Floyd Mabee. I ~ requesting your recommendations for nominees. Please write to me (or call) at the address at the bead of this newsletter or to another committee member. We ltope to see you at the museum opening and at our annual reunion at Milwaukee. Top to Bottom: Smith In •w• W• W.W., Howard Hallgarth flying 837X BodM:Jou.. Allen B. Oaaton • J" and Powal on "K" flying to Bertin area. Picture taken by William H. Williama of the 330th. Met. 1946. Howard Hallgarth. who aupplled thle photo, talk• about the old 24D Bodlldouil: "There ware no .. rvo-booatar tab• or other refine• manta of the J'•· The pHot ... ta were the old atyla type that Ht up high and had arm rNta (better than the coffin ... ta on later modela.l The nou twnt waa Rghter, cauelng the plane to rHpond quicker on the controla. •

EXPRESS AIR MAIL DELIVERED BY B.O.F. Dear Paul, Enclosed is $10 for the last 2 flights of the BOFQ£. You 1have done a super job and it will be missed by many. Thank you for bringing back memories of the 93rd. Lots of luck. Dear Paul, GOMER J. SNEDDON 24 Cedar Street Rock Springs, WY 82901 Thank you for the great job on the BOFQ£. On Sept. 10, 1995, the E.P. Monroe crew met in Dayton, OH. All 9 of us are still alive; 8 of us attended-first time in 50 years! Sure was a great experience. We had a great time just getting reacquainted. Going through the Wright Patte~n. Museum was very interesting. When a crew bas flown 35 1D1SS1ons together, it bas a very binding effect. As our co-pilot said, our physiological changes were pretty extensive, but our speech and mannerisms haven't changed. My trip there was somewhat sad, though. My wife had just been killed in an auto accident_ on Aug. 26,. but I still was very happy that I attended. Here 1s a list of our crew: Pilot: Co-Pilot: Navigator: Bombardier: Engineer: Radio Op.: Waist Gunner: Tail Gunner: E.P. Monroe Frank Loos Walter Briss Jerry Wilson Ed. M. Smith Guy Woodard Byron McCombas Kenneth Hutchinson 1 am sure that Emmet is on your mailing list. That was his r""'irawing on page 13 of the Winter editionoftheBOFQ£ 1995. }lease send the ones that are not on your mailing list a copy of your great little newsletter. Dear Paul, BERT KARELS Route 1, Box 39K Henderson. MN 56044 In Sept., I had the privilege of spending 2 weeks in Belgium, France and Germany. Our first stop was Brugge, Belgium where Able Mabel was shot down on June 19, 1944. I met Jacques Willems whom you had put me in touch with earlier in 1995. He was the 16-year-old who, in 1944, saw the plane hit and has done a lot of research on it. Jacques presented me with a 30-page, well-documented booklet about the Able Mabel's mission on the fateful day of the crash. And what fine work he has done! Thank you for remembering that he had written you some months before and for passing on his name to me. He answered a lot of questions for the family and we are grateful. We also paid a visit to the cemeteries in Luxemburg (General Patton's resting place) and Epinal, France, where my uncle Floyd Cook and his navigator, Kenneth Ehrhart, are buried. What a fine job those folks do of caring for the memorials. It is gratifying to know our guys have a peaceful resting place. We even had a personal guide take us to the grave sites, and they prepared a complete packet on the cemetery along with a pictute of Floyd's cross. I am still searching for survivors Robert Brown, Robert .,--.... Meltzer and Oliver Wood. Would appreciate a call at (612) 559-0014 (daytime) from anyone knowing of their whereabouts. JIM GUDDAL 3025 N. Harbor Lane, Suite 346 Plymouth, MN 55447 7 Dear Paul, I was engineer on the Robert Oberschmid crew (lead) in ~e 329th B.S. We have been meeting the past 10 or 11 years with 9 of our members and wives, but sadly we lost our bombardier, Elwood (Al) Faulhaber and co-pilot Art Antonio bas Alzheimer's disease. Please keep up the good work. Dear Paul, r am a member of the 8th A.F. Historical Society and am aviation historian and author. I am a shirt tail relative of Col. Joseph S. Tate, 328th B.S. He was a member of the unit when it left Grenier Field for England in Sept. 1942. He won the Silver Star for the FREDERICK M. JOHNSON 602 Klickety Klak Lane Valrico, FL 33594 Ploesti Raid in Captain J.E. Stawart and Mal, J.a. Ta._, .h. Aug. 1943 and tt.rdwlck, Aprtl 1943 was lost in action over Germany in Dec. 23, 1943. I became heir to many of his artifacts about 20 years aao and became fascinated by his diary, wb.i.ch provides extensive details of his service time up to about a month before his death. In the diary he recorded names of several people he flew with. I have contemplated publishing the diary and I w~d ~ to try to add contributions from people who knew him, either photos or written accounts. I am told there was some published wartime history on the 93rd B.G. I have never seen any of this material. If there is a veterans association and newsletter for the 93rd, I would be very interested in joining if it is possible. 1 would also be interested in back issues of the newsletter, any published material-new or old-and having ~ to ~e membership roster for the purpose of co~g with anyone who knew Joe Tate. I have some photos from his estate, some letters and his diary which comprise approximately 300 pages. Col. Tate was a class of 1941 graduate of West Point. I would be willing to share this material with anyone who is interested. I thank you in advance for any help you can give me. JOHN CONWAY 4143 Holly Kansas City, MO 64111 Ed: John Conway, now an Associate Member, was famished with dala enabling him to p11rsue his search and now plans to publish Tale's diary. He welcomes additional informationfrom a,ry who knew Joe Tale.

EXPRESS AIR MAIL DELIVERED :BY B.O.F. Dear Paul, Thank you for all the notes and letter from John Archer. My friend Harold Williams has a lot of picture&-600-800-ofnose art on B24 aircraft, crashes, personnel and others. If pictures are needed at the library at NoIWich or the museum in Savannah, 1et me know which of the above you want and we will arrange for delivery. My son and I went to Hardwick in Sept. We had a very pleasant visit with David and Jean. I was somewhat surprised and saddened at the condition of the old base. Most of all, I was sorry to see the control tower gone, as I had spent a lot of time there as a traffic controller from the summer of 1943 to the end of 1945. David and Jean are such nice and delightful people. I want to go back someday and spend more time, maybe when the library and museum opens. Keep up the good work so our grandchildren may remember the history we were involved with. Dear Paul, JOHN A. CLONINGER 2042 Courtney Road York, SC 29745 Just returned from a 3-week: sojourn to GA and FL. I stopped in Savannah and had a nice visit with my co-pilot, John Fitzpatrick. I also took time to visit the construction site of the new 8th A.F. Museum and the temporary offices nearby. I visited with Mary Beth Barnard whom I bad met at the Lexington reunion. She is in charge of Archives and Library at the Museum and is looking for original 93rd Squadron patches. I happened to have an old original (slightly moth-eaten around the edges) of the 409th which I sent to her along with the old 93rd History. She bad one other original patch, but I don't remember which Squadron it was from. My next stop was the Orlando Regional Reunion where once again the 93rd won the attendance crown for the fourth straight year. I had a great time visiting with Floyd Mabee, Al Asch, Luther Cox and many other 93rd members. I then spent a week in Ft. Myers with my sister trying to soak up enough sunshine and warmth to get me through the rest of our Ohio winter. After arriving home, I received some good news from Cal Stewart. His new History of the •Circus• is now being printed and he has promised me a copy by Apr. 1. I know that anyone who purchasea this book will be as enthusiastic about its content as those who have already had a chance to look at or read the manuscript in its entirety. Cal deserves kudos from everyone for the long hours, bard work and anxiety over the complement of this history. I believe he has adhered to the old adage: • A job worth doing is worth doing well.• Cal also told me that you bad not been in the best of health and were going to have to give up doing the BOFQE. If this is true, your expertise in publishing this remarkable newsletter will be sorely missed. I enjoy the newsletter more than the Journal because of content and association with the 93rd. I hope you can find someone to carry on this great venture of keeping the memories alive. Dear Paul, CAL DAVIDSON 48973 Plate Road Oberlin, OH 44074 Thank you for your letters with regard to Moulsford Manor. What has drawn my interest to these rest homes is that I lived in the area for 20 years, having moved from Essex in 1959. When Iris and I got married in 1960, we lived in a small 8 apartment in Cholsey. We would have driven passed Moulsford Manor every day!! The Beetle and Wedge is well known to us; it has always been expensive for food!! We still have many ........,. friends in the area and last year I called in to Moulsford Manor and met Pandora Maxwell and took some pictures. I plan a visit in 1996 and also to Buckland House, Cholsey and Pangbourne House. Did you take any photos during your visit in January 1946? If so, would you let me copy them? I would return the originals to you. I want to make an exact comparison some 50 years later and also interview local people who remember your visits, interesting stories, etc. With regard to Tiverton Manor, thanks for the information. Any more stories like that'? I would greatly appreciate any photos and reminiscences of visits to rest homes that anyone in your group would care to share. All photos would be copied and originals returned. Again, many thanks for your help. Iris and I hope to see you at the 2AD convention in Milwaukee in 1996. KEITH THOMAS Cannella Farm Bow St., G7 Ellingham, Attleborough, Norfolk NR171JA, England Ed: Keith 1homas recently retired as Presukn1 of Friends of the 2nd AD Memorial. See pg. 6 of the Fall 1995 BOFQEfor picture and story of Moulsford Manor. TM Beetle and Wedge Pub was a watering hole for rest home guests. Dear Paul, I, along with other members of the 93rd, had a very interesting return to the States from England in Aug. 1944. ~ After waiting for the.fog to clear in Preswiclc for several days, l we finally took off for Iceland. At some time during the flight to Iceland we lost an engine, so after arriving we were delayed a few days while the engine was repaired or replaced. During this time I happened to meet in the mess hall an air crew just arriving from Andrews Air Base, outside Washington, DC. During our conversation I found that they were in my younger brother's group and tlw he was still at Andrews, but would be leaving very shortly for the UK. Because we were destined for Maguire in the New York area, I had no thought of meeting him. We left Iceland and proceeded to Gander and after a short stay in Gander we departed for Maguire. After flying to within a few miles of New York we found that the whole area was fogged in. We then proceeded to fly all the way back to Presque Isle, ME, but realiz.ed then that all of New England was socked in. We then flew south to Washington National Airport where we landed with all gauges showing almost empty. This foul-up allowed me to take a taxi to Andrews and meet my brother at 10 p.m. He took off the next morning at S a.m. for the UK. (My brother completed his 25 missions with the 389th B.G. The only 93rd name I can remember on this flight was MSgt Berlitz. I believe he was in group headquarters. It would be interesting to bear from him. FRAN BOUSQUET 13033 S.E. Cog Hill G Robe Sound, FL 33455

EXPRESS AIR MAIL DELIVERED BY B.O.F. Dear Paul, l thoroughly enjoyed the Summer 199S edition of the r'BOFQE. It is so unfortunate that l bad to miss the "V.E. Day Plus SO" reunion in Norwich. Having a joumal to bring an almost life-like series of personal experiences almost made it possible to experience the occasion in person. Tbanlcs for the great job in editing that edition. I am in Indonesia again. This time I am a dependent spouse. It was such a self-satisfying experience to return here 2 years ago and see the development progress this country has made since 1970-73, when I was stationed here. I was Chief of all U.S. Agency for International Assistance (USAID) agriculture support to this country during that period. It has been such a satisfying experience to have been one of the leaders in this development. I am now retired, but still do some consulting work for the U.S. My much-younger wife, of Vietnamese origin, is now the U.S. employee and is the Executive Assistant to the Director of the local office of USAID. This experience is quite removed from our mutual experience as B24 pilots with the 93rd BG, a unique experience in a normal lifetime affording the opportunity to participate in one of the major wars of recent history to defend our nation. The odds of winning that war were against us and our victory was gained through huge sacrifices in lives, many of them in the 8th A.F. The 8th's challenge was to subdue the Luftwaffe, which bad years of war experience compared to none for us. We young men bad the exciting opportunity to learn to fly-an unimaginable dream to most of us. And we flew the largest bombers of the era against a most formidable enemy. We were just ex-teenagers, or in early manhood ... imagine! With good ,-.Jeadership at home and in the field, we eventually prevailed. ~o wonder there is so much pride and comradery amongst the air crews of the 8th and especially the 2nd AD. I don't intend to elaborate on the interim since that era, and on the 27 yea.rs of fabulous experience overseas in agricultural development on 2 continents. The tale is too long. Thanks so much, Paul, for all you have done for us. MYRON G. SMITH USAIDBox 4 APO-AP 96S20-8135 Ed: Myron G. Smith was a pilot in the 32&h and recipienl of an air medal with 6 Oak uaf Clusters, Purple Heart and D.F. C. His civilian honors include •Who's Who in America,• "Mo's Who in the South and Sowhwest," and "Who's Who in the World.• Dear Paul, It is sad to learn that the BOFQE is near its final flight. But you have guaranteed that future generations can read the story of what really happened in the European air war, especially the 93rd's contribution. It occurs to me that all ofus who kept our copies might donate them to a city or college library. I thank you for creating this fine joumal. My copies will go to Wayne State College in Wayne, NE where I taught for 28 years. The college library will appreciate getting this historical treasure. Perhaps other 93rd people who have kept their copies would do the same if you suggested it. I was co-pilot on the Arthur Bear crew. GEORGE R. MANLEY 2314 Ridgewood Omaha, NE 68124 9 Dear Paul, You are doing a very good job. I enjoy reading each and every issue. My good friend Guy G. Pannell (329th B.S.) was the crew chief on the rendez-voUB plane Barber Pole and ab Ball of Fire. He and bis wife have visited us here in Michigan twice and we have spent several days in Toccoa, GA. Pannell will be 78 on bis next birthday and I will be 77. Seems like these birthdays arc only 6 months apart anymore! Dear Paul, GARNER A. PENNOCK 6415 Purdy Drive Battle Creek, MI 49017 I really enjoy the BOFQE. I was only a P .F. C. aircraft sheet metal man on the field, keeping all the B24s patched up so you fellows could keep flying them. l wanted to become a gunner, but never made it. Capt. Gougbum, our engineering officer, kept me too busy. I did fly 6 missions just as an observer. I would not have missed the experience for the world. I loved being a part of the 93rd B.G. and I loved Hardwick. Dear Paul, WILLIAM HINRICH 2343 S.E. Glover Street Port St. Lucie, FL 34984 Here's a small check to help with the BOFQE. You are doing a great job. As Earl Hines said in his recording of St. Louis Blue's: "Don't quit now, Jacki" Someone in your last issue questioned when the 93rd was formed. I was in Feb. or Mar. of 1942 at Barksdale. The 98th, 44th, 93rd and the "Halpro• were all formed there about the same time. The 93rd went from there in Mar. or Apr. to Paige Field in Ft. Myers, FL to fly subpatrol over the Gulf. Tbe.n on to Alconbury, UK. I still have memories of Christmas 1942 in Bungay with the 329th and "moling missions.• Dear Paul, MICHAEL CORCORAN, JR. 9 Ridge Hill Road Scituate, MA 02066 Just got the pictures from Don Spencer which were taken as the 93rd, being entertained in the royal manner by the Woodrows, were being led into the town which was having its street party by the piper of the Black Watch. To me, this is real factual evidence of how gracious the Woodrows are to any of us visiting the Hardwick field at Topcroft. It must have taken some planning to have the streets of the village blocked off so that when our busses (furnished by the Woodrows) came we could proceed into town and mingle with the folks of Hempnall and join them in a feast set up on tables right in the street. We're getting ready to have our 4th FL 93rd reunion in Feb. here in Orlando and are looking for a great turnout. Ret. Col. Larry Gilbert is handling the details, therefore, it will be a real event to remember. Waiting for word from Evelyn for the details of the convention in Milwaukee and will look forward to seeing you there. In the meantime, here is a little help to keep the BOFQE coming. I surely wouldn't want to see it stop!! BOB WRIGHT 20 Madiera Drive Orlando, FL 32825

EXPRESS AIR MAIL DELIVERED BY B.O.F. Dear Paul, There have been a number of items sent to you concerning the return to the U.S. of the B24 Bomerang to participate in Bond Rallies there. As it happened, the Bomerang crew visited my hometown, Torrington, CT, on one of their tour stops. My parents and 'family were pleasantly surprised to learn that the air crew were 93rd B.G. personnel and were acquainted with me. Believe me, it made their day! But, then, the 93rd would visit Torrington again on Jun. 6, 1945. We were stacked up trying to land at Bradley Field on our return to the States. I told the pilot, U. Charles E. Martin, from St. Joseph, MO, that my hometown was only 5 minutes away and he headed that way. Torrington is in a north-south ronning valley. The pilot set the plane on the deck and roared through town. It was 5:00 p.m. and most people were on their way home from work. My fiance was walking home from the office where she worked and she recognized the airplane markings. She hurried home to sit by the phone. My mother was peeling potatoes for dinner. She looked up and wondered, *What's that damned fool doing?" My father was performing his last duty for the day, taking down the flag at the local factory where he worked. He, too, recognized the plane's markings, put the flag under his arm, bought a case of beer and went home to sit near the phone. I called that evening and was home 3 days later. Torrington still talks about the day we buZ7.ed the town. Thanks to your wonderful publication, I was able to spend some time with Charlie Graves and his lovely wife, Jane, recently. Hadn't seen Charlie since leaving Blightly in 1945. By the way, did you notice that the pilot of Bomerang was none other than our Utah Man, Walter Stewart? Dear Paul, KEN RIGGS 2204 Gracewood Drive Greensboro, NC 27408 Your last issue, Fall 1995 BOFQE, with the photo of Bomerang brought back many memories of the *old bird.• Also, the photo of Skjei's crew being inspected by Lord Trenchard and Gen. Doolittle. As 328th Squadron Commander, I was Lord Trenchard's escort on the day of the visit. Col. Fiegel is also in the photo. ROY G. MARTIN P.O. Box 525 Cotulla, TX 78014 Ed: Roy knew the "old bird• well! He was her pilot at Ploesti. Dear Paul, As you may know, we were transferred to the 93rd at the end of Jul. to train for lead crew in OH bombing. At that base, sometime in late summer, we were assigned to fly a Gen. Leon Johnson to, I believe, Orleans, France. At that time, I knew nothing of his background (Ploesti). As air crews know, there is a lot of interphone banter when leisure flying. Now, on this flight, the General is on the flight deck, Rubin is in the nose and I (engineer) am in the waist. All was routine till a voice says, "Navigator, what is our position?• Rubin comes back with, "Ah, we are somewhere over France.• I knew he thought it was me asking. Al] was quiet for a spell when again the same voice asks, *Navigator, what is our approximate position and our ETA?" Rubin retorts, "Keep your shirt on, bub, we will be there shortly.• It's all quiet again and I make a bee-line for the nose. When I open the crawl-way door, Rubin is looking at me with eyes like saucers saying, "That wasn't you just now on the phone?" "Ob, no,• I answered, jabbing my 10 thumb upwards. Rubin says, "Oh, my God!* When we land, I get out fast to see what is going to happen. Out comes Rubin with a face as red as a beet. The General comes out of the bomb bay and Rubin starts with, "Sir, I am so sorry ... • But the General cuts him off with a wave of the hand saying, "Forget it, I undeI'Stand. • It was not till after the war that I read all about Geo. Johnson in the war journals of the 8th AF. I know that anyone surviving Ploesti must be very forgiving. Normally, you didn't tell a General to keep his shirt on and get away with it. Flight crews had a bond of their own, however, and a lot of things were overlooked. Some time back, John Foster sent me a subscription to BOFQE and I really enjoy it. Dear Paul, BILL (DALE) OLMSTEAD 953 Church Street Courtland, NY 13045 The BOFQE brings back many memories and I surely enjoy every issue. I was a navigator with the 328th for 34 missions from Oct. 1944 until May 1945 and returned to the States with a war-weary B24D. We had about 20 souls aboard including our crew of 9. The Christmas 19.44 season included a mission to the Ahrweiller area the day before Christmaa on the 24th. The Battle of the Bulge had started, I believe, about on December 18 and the weather had been lousy for about a week. What a way to spend Christmas Eve 51 years ago! Dear Paul, ART CORBIN 2555 Pricer Ridge S. Salem, OR 45681 I always enjoy readint the BOF(J}:. Here is my donation plus a little more to make up for those who can't or won't. I would miss it very much. Maybe getting old has its problems, but it makes up for it in appreciations for that that was. Dear Paul, GENE ALVORD 4902 N. McBride Tacoma, WA 98407 I didn't reali7.e that the time is here for another contribution to keep the props turning. You really put out an excellent newsletter and I'm sure that all of us appreciate your efforts. Also, I've always wondered where all of the Flying Control people are today. The only one I am in contact with is Harold Williams. Perhaps some of the others will see this note and drop me a line. PAULC. LONDON 5600 E. Mexico Avenue Denver, CO 80224-2141 STATION DANCES - 1943 (2000-Z300) American Red Cro•• Aero Club Gym.na■lu.m •tooting Van.b" & ",H9ing Ube• will funwth the Mmualc Refre•hmente Sened at the Aero Club Beer Se.rved at EM MeN Hall Floor Show and Special Attraction• during both Dance• WAC'•, WRNS, WAAF•, ATS, WI.A. NFS, and your own date have been tn-.tted.

EXP.RESS AIR MAil, DELlVERED BY B.O.F. Dear Paul, I hope the enclosed donation helps a bit. I would hate to see ,,....--~e BOFQE disappear, as my wife and I enjoy every issue. I m another of those fortunate to have found and married a wonderful girl from Norwich. She was Elizabeth Stannard and we met the night of my first mission, Apr. 10, 1944, after a milk run to Bourges. My co-pilot, Eugene Bradley from McKeesport, PA, and I took the truck from Hardwick in to Norwich that afternoon and, after a movie, a cabbie informed us there was a dance going on at the Lido and agreed to deposit us there. She was there with a group of girls and I asked her for a dance. The rest of my life developed from there. I brought her to the USA in Mar. 1946, where we were married. Elizabeth lived only a quarter mile off the end of the main runway at Horsham St. Faiths, and she and her parents often watched the 458th Liberators take off on missions, counting them out and in. They were always low enough that she could clearly see the gunners who often waved back from the waist window. On one occasion, she was at work and her parents were in the back garden tidying up when the B24s began taking off. After a few had passed by, her mother went into the house and proceeded up the stairs stopping at the landing looking out toward the planes. The next one to take off apparently lost an engine and, failing to gain sufficient altitude to clear the houses, went through the roof of the house next door, passed, with gear still partially extended, through their back garden, talci.og out their greenhouse and some fruit trees before crashing into a bungalow at the rear. All the crew perished, but fortunately no lives were lost in the bungalow. Elizabeth's mother thought he.r father was still in the garden, but he had followed her into the house, staying out of harm's way. r' Teedless to say, she and I often reminisce about those days and Ne go back for visits as often as we are able. She enjoys reading the BOFQE ~ much as I, so keep up the good work. If there are other wives out there from Norwich, please drop us a line. We would like to hear from you. r Dear Paul: JIM & ELIZABETH BELWOOD 15516 Marty Street Overland Parle, KS 66223 The Museum is coming along nicely at the moment, although the very cold weather we are getting at present has stopped work proceeding. We have put all the 93rd material and nose arts altogether now in the canteen section of the second nissen but which we are about to finish. I have enclosed a photo (see below) to give you a better idea of what it looks like and I hope you will be over to visit us again. PAUL THROWER 12 St. Davids Close Long Stratton, Norwich Norfolk NR15 2PP England 11 John & Loma Archer Report from Hardwick, Nov-Jan Dear Paul, It was good to hear from you a few weeks back and to learn you are doing very well despite the setbacks over the last few months. 1hank you for your letter and the "Bits and Pieces" which were indeed of great mterest. It was a great writeup your son Paul did on the reunion here and the report in the Bayer Co. newsletter. Great pictures of Al Gore and wife; somebody got closeups! I recently had the pleasure of meeting John K. Emmom. His father flew with the 93rd. We enjoyed a long exchange of views in the 2nd A.D. Memorial Room. He flies with a Swiss airline and lives in Switzerland. I have been getting a lot of phone calls and exchanges with this Belgium man researching into the death of his parents during a bombing raid. He found out Ted Gourley was in the crew which released the bombs late and has already met him and they seem to have a lot in common. Next year, Ted's son (m the U.S. Army) is being posted to Germany and the Belgian wants me to meet him durina his tour. I think they will come over to Hardwick to see where Ted flew from during the war. Many thao1cs for your seasons greetings. We had a quiet time visiting family and friends. Loma sang in a special Christmas Cantata at USAF Lakeoheath while I ushered in over 450 people into the chapel on base. Just as well, the fire marshall wasn't on hand as we were full up to standing in the aisles. Paul, I wondered if you would please kindly put a few lines in a forthcoming issue concerning a mystery I have lived with for many years. It concerns my early days at Hardwick, peering over the perimeter fence. I particularly remember one of the first B24s, must have been a D model, bearing the nickname Hell.rapoppin '. The nose art included a clown tossing into the air juggling skittles. I have never seen this aircraft mentioned in any 93rd B.G. material published over the years. It may have been lost very soon after it arrived at Hardwick. Perhaps someone out there recalls the aircraft in question and, hopefully, may give me some details, serial number, etc. All good wishes for this new year to you both and let's hope it will tum out to be kind to you in every way. JOHN & LORNA ARCHER 22 Station Road .Earsham, Bungay Suffolk. England NR3S 2TS Hardwick Site 3, Hut 24 Far Northeast of Communal Sita

Debriefing • First Mis•ion of BM/ of Fir-. _ Front Row (L to RI Top Row (L to Rl -2nd Lt Thaddeus I. Hawkins, Jr. $Sgt E.W. Eichmann, Observer -2Lt Orval O. Huff Ssgt Wright, Radio Operator (Secor.was ill) 2Lt Alfred Asch Segt Claiborn U. Booker -llt Joseph S. Tata Segt Jamee T. South -Two debriefing offican1, unknown TSgt Aaron F. Moses SSgt Arthur L. Crandall Unknown The Ball of Fire Quarterly Express Paul R. Steichen, Editor 22912 Nadine Circle Torrance, CA 90505 93rd BOMB GROUP ARST CLASS MAIL --------:..__ - ---- -STAMP

BALL OF FIRE IffiAILJL (Q)JF ~ ~lU AIRtJTIEIRilL W JEIDFmlffi§ Newsletter of the 93rd Bomb Group 2nd Air Division, 8th Air Force, Hardwick, England Vol. 4, No. 1 Spring. 1996 Editor. Group President Paul R. Steichen Vice President 2ADA Alfred Asch Vice President Merobeahip Floyd H. ~bee 22912 Nadine Circle Torrance, CA 90505 (310) 530-9636 6205 Meadow Court Rockville, MD 20852 (301) 881-1376 28 Hillside Avenue Dover, NJ 07801 (201) 366-5916 WE WILL. REMEMBER THEM by Dand Neale, Editor, Frllnds of 2nd AD Mtmorl4l Topcroft Church was full for the Remembrance Day Service 1996 where the Reverend Cooa1 Mahoney •preached well,• in rthe words of the Bishop of Norwich who was present at the service. Bishop Peter continued, "It is a real treat to listen to someone else preach for a change,• and added that Remembrance Sunday in Norfolk is always a major festival, this year especially because of the 50th anniversary of the end of the war. He also mentioned that links with the armed forces are strong in the region. After the service, the congregation was invited up to the old airfield, Hardwiclc, home of the 93rd B.G. •Ted's Travelling Circus. • This service is held every year at the Memorial to honor the U.S. airmen who perished while based here. During the service, a Tiger Moth flew over and dropped poppies. Topcroft has recently been twinned with Melle, a small village in Brittany where some weeks ago villagers visited and, by chance, found graves of 10 members of a 93rd B.G. Liberator. The ship, Missouri S,u, had been shot down after a mission to the U-boat pens at Brest on Apr. 16, 1943. The 10 were named during the silence: Capt. Beattle H. FIMnor, PIiot 1 Lt Jim Leary. Co-pilot 1 Lt Jim Hanlin, N1vl111tor 1 Lt GeorgH A. Plnnar, Bombanller TSgt An:h M. Ct-ump, Engineer WB wn.L REMEMBER THEM. SSgt Richard L. Guell, Radio SSgt Ron Nel■on, Tunnel Gunner SSgt Stephen S. Heged111, R Waist GunNlf SSgt T.J. KIimer. L Weist Gunner SSgt Jim Roberta, Tai Gunner. At the completion of the service the congregation retired to the old ablutions hut, restored and furnished by David Woodrow for just such occasions, for refreshments and recapturing old friends and old memories. There present were r---representatives from the Friends of the 2nd AD Memorial, the ~ Association, the Liberator Club and many villagers from around the various 2nd AD airfields and, of course, the 93rd B.G. 1 The Rev. Conal Mahoney and Bishop Peter joined us there and melded nicely with those present. The Remembrance Service at Topcroft Church and at Hardwick Airfield are very well attended and are looked foiward to by all in order to show their undyinJ memories of those from all the 2AD units who died while serving from the Nodolk: and North Suffolk bases and to maintain fond thou&hts of the veterans residing in the U.S. I know that many vet.erana would dearly love to attend the Remembrance Services held at the old air base; indeed. they would be more than welcome. None are forgotten nor ever will be. PROUD AND HAPPY 93RDERS HAVE WB.COMED TtE ARRIVAL ON THEIR DOORSTEPS OF TED'S TRAVEUIVQ CIRCUS, CAL STEWART'S 682-PAGE HISTORY BOOK OF THE FAMOUS 93RD 8.G. PRIDE AND-YES-TEARS HAVE FLOWN AND FALLEN AS READERS REALIZE THAT THIS 18 OUR OWN STORY OF DAYS GONE BY, A TIME WHEN WE WERE YOUNG. CAL HAS SPENT YEAR& BRINGING THIS MASTERPIECE TO FRUITION. HE HAS TOlD OUR STORY AND rT IS NOW TIME FOR US TO TB.L rT TO OTHERS. ON PAGE 11 IS A SHORT RMEW OF "THE BOOK" TOGETHER WITH A MAIL COUPON FORM POSITIONED WHERE IT CAN BE CUT OUT WITHOUT DISTURBING ANY COPY MATERIAL ON PAGE 12. THE BOFQE URGENTLY REQUESTS THAT YOU ORDER YOUR COPY AND ADDITIONAL COPIES FOR FAMILY, FRJENDS, HOLIDAY GIFTS, LOCAL LIBRARIES OR SCHOOLS. CAL AND PEGGY STEWART HAVE DONE A WONDERFUL JOB IN PROVIDING THE AMMUNITION TO GAIN DUE RECOGNITION FOR THE 93RD'S UNRIVALED PART IN WWII. NOW IT IS UP TO US TO CARRY THE TORCH! -EDITOR

NEW MEMBERS Leslie L. Giles Ira P. Hatch John A. Julian James L. Schrock Sidney Stein Guin B. Ellison Jack Schmidt Joe A. Buland George Shaw William S. Bryant FOLDED WINGS Ross Baker Therman D. Brown John V. Conlon Leon R. Glick Oliver S. Larouche Robert Roten Truit B. Thompson Roman. Zimmerman •1FLYJNG CIRCUS" GOES TO TOWN World B,hlnd th, H,adl/Jul • 9115/43 Flying Fortress men looked with disdain on the B24 Consolidated Liberators' squat silhouettes and called the big-bellied bombers "Flying Cows. • There is a good deal of friendly rivalry between the men who fly the Forts and the Libs, each group thinking its type of plane better. Yet, even the most prejudiced Fort man. will readily admit that one Liberator outfit, "Timberlake's Flying Circus,• is second to none in the 8th U.S. AF in England. In the first lS months of its existence, the "Circus" flew over 300,000 miles, 37,000 of which were on bombing missions. It dropped over 2.25 million pounds of high explosives on the enemy, knocked down 30 Axis fighters, 2S probables and damaged 38 more. When it comes to medals, the "Circus" is second to none. The crew of one bomber, Shoot Luke, won 5 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 3 Distinguished Service Crosses, 7 Purple Hearts and a hatful of Air Medals. It is probably the most decorated crew in the 8th AF. The "Travelling Circus" hunted subs with the 3rd U.S. AF in the Caribbean, bombed U-boat pens in occupied France with the 8th AF from England, tangled with Focke-Wulfs over North Africa as part of the 12th AF, and plastered Naples and Messina with the 9th AF of the Middle East. The 3 squadrons of the "Circus" made the first mass-formation flight over the North Atlantic in Sept 1942. They flew through clouds so thick that they saw the stars only once during the entire crossing. Lille, I.orient, Antwerp, Wilhelmsbaven, Rouen, Sousse, Sfax, St. Nazaire, Naples, Bizerte, Vegesack and points between have felt the fierce impact of the calling cards dropped by the "Circus.• In its last publicized raid, Aug. 16, the "Circus" flew 2,100 miles from bases in North Africa to bomb the German aircraft works at Wiener Neustadt, 30 miles south of Vienna, Austria. Skipper, organizer and guiding spirit of the •circus,• Col. Edward J. Timbe.rlake, Jr., 34, of San Antonio, Texas (West Point '31) has a small office in a comer of the somberly-camouflaged HQ building. No carpets on the floor; 2 chairs, a desk and an iron stove make up the room's furnishings. Files are kept in battered aasoline cans salvaaed from the Libyan desert during last winter's campaign there. Ordered to Africa early in Dec., the "Circus" went to town-Bizerte. It bombed Bizerte twice from Oran, then shifted to a new base south of Tobnik. After a few night missions to Tunis and Bizerte, the group switched over to daylight bombings, visited Tunis, Sousse, Sfax and Tripoli every other day with a full load of bombs until the end of Jan. when Naples and Messina became the prime targets. On Feb. 25, the 2 "Circus• returned to England for 10 days of rest before joining the Flying Forts in the air offensive there aaain Hitler's European Fortress. Many veterans of the "Circus" are being replaced; new faces appear constantly as pilots and crew members reach the number of missions and operational hours flight sur1eona aan,e are all .-._ they should have at one dose. But the stories told in and about the "Circus" continue: Like the time when they took aeveral crates of oranges over Naples and dropped them-orange by orange-after their bombs because they looked lib tracer bullets going down . . . Or when one of the pilots stowed a motorcycle on his plane in Africa and flew it back to Bnaland because he wanted to take English aifls for rides in the country. Those are the kinds of stories pilots like to tell. Few "Circus• veterans care to recall their flight back to England from North Africa, though. They were supposed to land at Oran to refuel but ran into zero-zero weather and no other airport open. Even Col. Timberlake thought the entire flight would crack up. Fortunately, a couple of Army transport pilots saved the day. They heard he "Circus" on the radio, flew up in their DC-3 transport plane to meet the formation and led the entire flight to a safe landing. Col. Timberlak.e's men swear by him because be can outswear, outwrestle, outstare, outfly any man in the group. SPAMLAND SHAVJNGS Slarr & Slrlpn - 3/29/45 "I want to be where I'm most needed,• said 39-year-old !Sgt Clifton B. Devoe, a 93rd B.G. topkick from Bogota, NJ. Though 8 years beyond the age limit usually preacribed for infantry OCS candidates, Devoe's application for officer's .......__ training with the ground forcea has been approved. An ex-captain in the New Jersey State Guard, he entered the Army in Feb. 1943 and came overseas in Dec., 1943 as a bomb-loader with the Liberator outfit. Devoe roee swiftly from a private to first sergeant. Medical officers said that the 200-pound, 6 ft. sergeant's physical condition. compared favorably with that of the averago· man of 25. Devoe, who has flown 6 missions as a Lib gunner, holds the Air Medal. He has also been awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious achievement u a topkick. The 93rd B.G., a Lib outfit, became the first 8th A.P. B.G. to complete 300 combat missions. In more than 2 years, the 93rd has dropped 13,637 tons of bombs, havin1 flown ita initial mission against targets at Lille, France, Oct. 9, 1942. The 93rd 8.0. u .. mbly ehlp s./1 of Rte, • veteran B24D-1CO (41-238871. Painted In gaudy yellow, black and white evfpN, this aircraft was ueed to ... 11t formation bulldupa In ... ,mbly areN.

2nd A.D. VICE PRESIDENT ALFRED ASCH ELECTED FOR SECOND TERM REPORTS ON PAST YEAR AND FUTURE PLANS FOR 93RD , We had a great 2nd A.D. reunion at Milwaukee. As usual, 'Svelyn Cohen's arrangements were very well done as was registration by Dot Mabee. We awarded Dot a Certificate of Appreciation at our 93rd banquet for her outstanding work. Forty-two of our 93rd members and 34 wives and other family attended the reunion; the wives and family members add a large element to the success of our reunions. Our hospitality room, so ably nm by Floyd Mabee, was attended by all. Everyone was pleased to see Kenny (K.O.) Dessert, who attended the reunion for the first time. Kenny, one of the originals-a Squadron Commander of the 409th-led his squadron on the low-level Ploesti raid, Aug. 1, 1943. Our attendance was relatively small against the 93rd membership of approximately 700, however, we were at the top against other group attendance. Our next reunion will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 2nd A.D. at Irvine, CA, Memorial Day weekend, 1997. Let's make this an even better reunion-mark your calendars now. At the 2ADA Executive Committee meeting, Evelyn Cohen announced that the 93rd leads the way in finding new members-33 thus far this year. We can thank Floyd Mabee for this. To get your latest membership roster, write to: Frederick & Inez Strombom, Box 646, Ogema, WI 54459. The cost is $5.00 for the full publication (which includes the geographical location of our members), and $3.00 for names and addresses only. Let's all help Floyd find new members by providing referrals. At our 93rd business meeting, we elected a new editor for our BOFQE newsletter, Calvin (Cal} Davidson, who has , u:cept.ed the editorial position. All items pertainina to the BOFQE should now be sent to him at 48973 Plate Rd., Oberlin, OH 44074. I appointed a committee to review BOFQE funding and it recornmeode4 " subscription cbarJe of $15.00 per year to continue quarterly publications. Paul Steichen, as Group Treasurer, will collect the money and pay for the BOFQE publications, 22912 Nadine Cir., Tommce, CA 9050S. Please make checlcs payable to: 93RD BOMB GROUP. There is a need to build up a reserve of funds for the Vice President and others to cover expenses as they are incurred for the benefit of the 93rd, such as costs for mailing our history book to selected organiutions. Several of us felt that a $5.00 per year membership charge would be reasonable. This would be separate from the $15.00 annual fee we pay for membership in the 2ADA. Included on the back cover of this edition is a form for your convenience to subscribe to the BOFQE and to submit your membership fee. Another committee recommendation was to find a better way to make tax-deductible donations to our group. Donations of property such a common stocks and bonds were mentioned. The committee suggested that I appoint another committee to study this. Since there were no volunteers at the meeting, I promised to handle it by mail. As a start, I will develop a set of bylaws which I know we will need and send draft co_pies to other members for review. Following this, I believe we will have to incorporate in one of our states to satisfy the requirement of the IRS to make us eligible as a tax-free organiZJltion. As Vice President, I soon teamed there is no /formal or authorized way to make major decisions for the 93rd oetween reunions. This was a handicap when we were asked to build up a display case for the 8th AF Museum. We need legal help to incorporate and get IRS approval. I know we have a few members with legal backgrounds; your help will be 3 appreciated by all. My address is: 6205 Meadow Ct., Rockville, MD 20852 - telephone: (301} 881-1376. If not at this number, I will be at my Michigan address: 185 S. Gull La1ce Dr., Richland, MI 49083 - telephone: (616) 629-4056. We owe a debt of gratitude to Paul Steichen for havm, the foresight to start the BOFQE and doing such as outstandinajob as its editor for the past 31/2 years. Paul, we pray your health improves. Our history book Ted's Travelling Cimu has been published and a large itumber distributed. It's a Jreat book! General Shuler, CEO of the Mighty Eighth Air Force Heritage Museum, had this to say: 1his splendid history of a highly courageous and distinguished Bomb Groll]) of WWII will always be available in the Museum library for ow visitors to learn of the heroic deeds and deep sacrlfica of the men of the 93rd. Cal Stewart did a magniji~nl job in detailing the entire unit history and pulling together the fascinating individual stories of so many unil members. I could hardly put the book down last night as I fell compelled to just keep on reading. I have sent other copies to selected orpnizations; e.g., the 2AD Memorial Library, AF Academy. Montaomery and Bolling AFB historical libraries and the AF Museum at Dayton, Ohio. Be sure to get your copy. We all owe Cal a debt of gratitude for this outstanding history book. The 93rd display for the 8th AF Museum could not be completed in time for the openina, May 13. 1996. Naomi and I were at the opening ceremonies and. althoueh diaappoint.ed, were impressed by what Gen. Shuler and his staff had accomplished in other areas. The Museum will be unique in telling the story of the Mipty Eiehth. Gen. Shuler has personally informed me that they will be worlcina on our display case in the near future. I will be on call to provide direct input, as needed. Naomi and I hope to see everyone at Irvine, CA next year. 93rd BOMB GROUP ATTENDEES - MILWAUKEE, WI Jim & Dot A~ Barry & Mary Albright & Sally McGuire Al & Naomi Asch Sam & Josephine Bargamian Joe & Peggy Bradley Bill & Lee Brown Jim & Alice Cooley Arthur & Nancy Decoster Cal Davidson K.O. Dessert Bill & Jo Doerner Bill & Nina Ferraro Paul & Carol Gerard Mo & Eileen Gozonsky Paul & Nora Harwood Tommy & Cathy Hernandez Mark & Barbara Hontz Jack & Pat Hurd C.D. & Simone Johnson George Johnson Jack & Midge Kerner Burt & Carol Lenhart Ed & Helen Loaan Bob & Madeleine McKeever George McNulty Floyd & Dot Mabee Paul & Janet Meyers Mike & Dot Mikolajczyk Don Morrison Henry & Bea Nykamp Bill Orient Ray & Mary Rhoades & Debby Smith Richard Ryan Joe Schwarzgniber Harold & Erma Secor Don & Mary Lou Speocer Paul & Marie Steichen Cal Stewart &Peggy O'Mara Fred & Inez Strombom John & Bee Sullivan Dick & Jon Trousdale Bob & Jean Veneck

AJNEH, 1996 APPRECIATION FOR DOROTHY (DOl) MABEE Thia II to expi-.,. our appredatlon for Iha work you have done on behalf of all Iha member1ol lbe 93rd B.G. Aun. over Iha put years. Each year at our reunlol'II and othar meetings, you have brought tDgether aD Iha Information needed for member reglatrallan and -~ the principal one to gJMt and check us In at Iha registration duk. You clwerfully helped 1.1.1 by pl'Ovldlng 1.1.1 with the needed Information about our reunion, accountad for our arrival, and iNu.d the neouary J1UN1 for our atay. Thia pleuant and hqnul Nrvice WM ., Important 1D 1.1.1, u - - usually anMng tired aft.er a long day'• journey. You have worked to well with Iha 2nd A.O. Aun. penonnel that It baa mada everyone'• job ...i.r and m«e effective. I know that each of our member,, their famllla and &Jenda extend !hair thank, and appreciation few Iha outllandlng work you have doM for 1.1.1. We aD look forward 1D -ins you at Iha check-In duk for an future reunlolu. - Alfred Atch, Colonel USAF (Rel) VP, 2nd Air Division 93rd Bomb Group RED AIR FOB.CE DELEGATION PRAISES AMERICAN "DETAIL" .,,. Mike McGowa - Sarr_, &rt,a 93rd B.G., Apr. 15 - Tho Red Air Force major aeneral puffed on his native cigarette (the equivalent of an American king size) and aestured in his well-padded overcoaL To him, American Air Force staff worlc aeemed "extremely well organiz.ed. • A Russian major, listening to an explanation on the fimdamentals of U.S. macbin&-iWL cameras, figured that looking through the gunsight was •pretty much like Coney Is1and. • The occaaion was the first viait by Red Air Force officials to an 8th AF bombec hue, and from Maj. Gen. Sharopov, deputy head of the Soviet Military Aviation Mission, down, they eeemed favorably impressed after watching a typical 8th AF worlc day. From early morning briefing to late afternoon interrogation they observed GI ,wmens at school, inspected fliera' protective equipment, looked through the bombed-up innards of a B24, and hobnobbed with mechanics and command pilots on the flying line. When questioned about their briefing arrangements compared to the AAF'a, Sharopov remarbd that the RllSSian system "is not so detailed during very intensive baUles. • His companions were unanimous in their opinion that our pre-mission preparations were • complete to the smallest detail.• •Russian women pilots fly in separate squadrons,• continued Sharopov, el.aboratin& on the much-discussed Soviet airwomen. "They usually fipt only u interceptor pilots, but have been taking night-flying training recently.• Samarin, gazing at the group's libs circlin& into formation, explained; •0ur principal bombers are twin-engined ain:raft, but our armament is practically the same as yours. We use .SO cal. machine guns, only displaced differently. We never use the tricycle landing gear.• Oldest bomber group in the ETO, U. Col. Thennan D. Brown's 93rd, has completed over 380 miasions, including the historic low-level atuck on Ploesti. Ed: Francis E. Heffner Uves a1 2529 Bin Brook Drive, 1roy, M/48084. 4 MESSAGE FROM RUSSIANS TO RUSSIANS Fastening an American flag annbend on the •IHw of 1Lt. Francie E. Heffner In CIH of a forced landing behind Ria.Ian linu, Col. Faatovachut (left) and Lt. Col. Rudol, of the Soviet Military MiHion for Aviation, wleh the Ub navigator "good flyfng. • WHAT DID THEY DO WITH THEM ALL! Ever wonder what happened to all the Allied aircraft were shot down over Axis territory during the war? The Germana repaired what was possible and tested our plane& to find out how they bandied and how to shoot them down better. Planes that were beyond repair were picked up and 11C111t to a acnp yard and recycled for aluminum to be made into DtJW German aircraft. Tho main scrap yard was in Nanterre, France, just outside of Paris. In just one month in 1943, the Gcrmaaa sent over 308,000 lbs. of aluminum ingots back to Germany. Another scrap yard was ;n Utrecht, Holland. Utrecht was responsible for both Allied and Axis planes. All other items such as electrical parts, radios, oxygen bottles and even tagine8 were salvaged or repaired and put into warehouses for later use. So~ aircraft landed completely intact or needed onl) ........._ minor repairs and were flown by the Luftwaffe complete with German marlcings against Allied aircraft. These planea included several B17s, several B24, a B26, a P39 and a P47. Living Quarten at RAF Alconbury, the 93rd'• f"irat Home In England DO I WORRY? Do I worry when the briefing is long? Do I worry if the Jarma1ion 's wrong? 'When I start across the sea do I give a bag of belJM? Does it ever bother me when the bombers blow to smithereens? Am I frantic, when the sky is black? Is there panic when I see deadly j1alc? "' And when Focu-Wulft start to hum, Do I wish I hadn't COIM wiJh thu tnw? Do I worry? You know G-damn well I dot (to tune)

THE LIBERATOR - HARDWICK, ENGLAND MONDAY, JAN. 4, 1943 NEW YEAR'S EVE "QUIET" T1D1le - Jangle - T1D1le After a Convenient Payday Helps Start 1943 Off Right f OPPICBRS ENJOY DANCB Dawnine of 1943 was auspicioua from only one angle as far as the Yan.ks hereabouts were concerned. They had dough that would jinglo-jan,lo-jinale, for moet timely and very, very convenient was payday-Dec. 31st. Otherwiae, it was the same old story: Those lucky enou&h to wan1le passes had a whale of a time at parties, dance8 and other eotertainmmt in London and other cities, and in private homea in nearby towns and villaees. But, generally speaking, •trungs were quiet.• Practically every GI wu hopeful-and expectant-that 194.l will be a year of victory-Q)Olplete victory-for the U.N. There was merrymaking aplenty at the officers' dance where ladies from a nearby city were transported a-la-01. Some, but not all, thirst was quenched before the affair broke up in the wee hours. "Like Saturday N'11bt" The quiet that reigned throughout Squadron C wu likened to •an orduwy Saturday ni&fit in the States.• Group HQ and base auxiliary units danced at the &YJDD&Sium on New Year's night. Even thoup the band wu aomewbat tardy, it didn't dampen the party, for the guys and gals filled in with an impromptu 110Dgfest. Knox ls Confident News from the U.S. bore he&rte.nin& messaecs from leaders. "Despite 10me initial defeats in the year,• said Secretary of War He.nry L. St:im&on. • America bu now aet its feet on the way to victory ... We are fipting enemies who are strooe r and determined to fieht to the end.• Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox stated, "1943 will be better than 1942, • and while we must expect more revenes before the power of the enemy is broken, •beyond the sbadowa ia certain victory.• President Roosevelt declared: "The United NatioDB are passing from the defensive to the offensive . . . . they must continue their common effort after the war.• There were more ahoppine and spa,din, this season than ever before in American history. The national income, higher than it has tJVer been, resulted in luxury sales in New York City that were half as bi& aeain u last year, itaelf a record year. The possibility of clothee rationin& bu eent millions of women on Large-«:ale shoppin& expeditions. Photo (courtny of Sherm Martini WN taken during 1he fl,.t appearance of 1he 93rd I.Q. Rhythm aub &wing land, organized In Hrty 1944 by 1he pl.,_t end drummer. Al 1he Instruments were obt■ln■ d by &pedal hMON from othel' pou,- In 1he 20th Wing. RehearHI HNione, equipmentatorage end bookings -an■nged by the Publlo Relatlone Office. 93rd Bomb Ofoup • Rhythm Club Swing Bend s BITS AND PIECES OF .PROP WASH ... We all remember the days of the Big Bands. One of the most popular on radio the country over and in penoo at the famed Aragon and Trianon Ball Room, in Chicago wu Ted Weam. Ted's brother Raymond L. Weems, a 93rd pilot, finished his tour in Apr. 1944 and wu ceremonially thrown into the reservoir holding water for firefi&hting . . . The 489th B.G., whose home base durin& WWII wu at Balesworth. has lost use of their old facilities due to Animal Rights activista' harassment of the present commercial occupants. To the reacue was David & Jean Woodrow who have provided a still-standing hut at Hardwick Site 3 for their use, one of the 5 remaining huta in the area (2 of which ue occupied by Paul Thrower's Museum, well known by many viaitine memben). Tony ~n, from Halesworth. wu at the 2nd A.D. meeting in Milwaukee and filled us in on this information . . . We have discontinued carryioa a supply of poup and squadron patches because of dwindlinademand Our suppliCI', Troutdale Aerodrome, P.O. Box 595, Troutdale, OR 97060, may be able to supply them oo an individual buia ... We were very pleased to learn that the 93rd's own Bmton R. Lenhart, 5270 Irish Rd., Lockport, NY 14094, bu been named "baclcup" for Treasurer of the 2nd A.D., E. (Bill) Nothstein. Bill lives in Spencerport, NY and ia a memhei-of the 466th. We can count on a ,real job by theee two ... California, here we come! A contract bu been Biped with the Hyatt Regency Irrine to hold our 50th Coo.entioa tb«e during May 23-25, 1997. This is a beautiful hotel located 5 minutes from modem John Wayne Airport in the heart of Orange County. Upon arrival at the airport you will be able to register, drop luggage and pick up room bys before leavin, the airport. Things to do and eee abound, with Knott'• Beny Farm. Disneyland and aboppine at famous Newport Beach'• Fashion Island a stone's throw away. Mark JOm' calenclan now! ... 93rd •Ev■deN• IL-RI Eugene Flint, Danl■f McCar1hy and Merion Saffel Shown on balcony of hideout home near Towe, France Member• of Albert Au.tin'• crew ■hot down Feb. 6, 1944. Luck w• not to last, however. They ended up at St■l■I Luft 11 for 1he duration. COL. THERMAN D. BROWN WITH REGRET I REPORT THE PASSING OF THE LAST COMMANDING OFFICER OF THE 93RD IN ENGLAND. INTERMENT WAS AT THE •ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY- ON THURS., JUL. 18, 1998. COL. BROWN'S OUTSTANDING COMBAT CAREER STARTED EARLY IN THE WAR WITH THE HALPRO BOMBING MISSION AGAINST THE GREAT ASTRO ROMANA REFINERY ON JUN. 11, 1942 WITH ONLY 13 B24S. THESE WERE THE FIRST AMERICAN BOMBS TO BE DROPPED ON GERMAN TARGETS OF WWII. HIS WIDOW DOROTHY LIVES AT 508 HARLAND AVE., MELBOURNE BEACH, FL 32961. FURTHER DETAILS IN NEXT ISSUE. • EditOf

"HELLO MILFOIL-THIS IS WEE WILLIE" 11w diary o/ Oq,t. Edwartl L. McGulrr, Jr. 409'JI B.S., 93rd B.G. "Base to target is Uncle sam•s time. Target to base, you•re on your own!" -Col. Therman Brown, 93rd C.0. . . . continued from Fall 1994 issue Mmion #12: 30 Nov. 1944- Neunkirchen My handout sheet says Saarbruclcen marshalling yards, "Milk run. Saw ship explode. D- long flight.• The form S says S:45 1st pilot day 1:00 P-AI. So the reference d- long flight does not refer to clock hours, but to the strain. The ship exploding was probably when the bombs dropped. Sometimes they would slap together just as they fell free and, if armed, they would explode. Of course, they all exploded in this type action, and the ship and all would just disappear in a big black cloud. The bombs had a nose fuse and a tail fuse. There were little propellers on the fuses, restrained from turning by arming wires fastened at one end to the bomb rack and through a hole in the fuse shaft at the other end. Sometimes, these arming wires WQuld slide out of the hole through the fuse shaft. When this happened, any wind current could spin the propellers and after 80 many turns the props would fall off. Then the bombs were armed, any sharp blow would explode them. This loose propeller was not common, but real bad when it happened. I remember one day when it happened to us, and Leach, South, Powell and Gardner were all down in the bomb bay at the same time, trying to hold the propellers on while somebody put the arming wires back in and gave the wire a little bend to hold them. A real nasty few minutes. I saw at least 2 ships blow up during my tour and I was quite sure this was the cause. Dec. 4, 1944 should have been #13-abort.ed-forgot target. #1 turbo surging (running away); #3 losing oil badly; #3 gas tank sprung a leak. Ship 814 "G" George 1:40 hrs. Notes on handout. Gives you some idea of the ship's condition, and I flew "G" many times until 21 Feb. 1945. ~on #13: 28 Dec. 1944 - Kaiserslautem 0640 hrs. Handout sheets says: "Flak heavy and accurate. Holed for first time. Lost #1 at target. 13 holes in ship. • Another trip home on 3 engines! In all, I landed in England 9 times on less than 4 engines. The return of Feb. 21, 1945 was the worst of these. Targets like today's were the most dangerous because the flak was predicted fire; i.e., they AIMED AT YOU. These 88s were extremely accurate and very often hit the lead or deputy lead with their first bursts. We used to kid that they practiced on our tanks all day and when we came along they had gotten the hang of it. Misdon #14: 31 Dec. 1944 - Euoorchen 0545 hrs Handout sheet shows I flew "G" as Hi ship of the Hi Right. This was my favorite position, although many did not like it. You were the most exposed ship to fighter attack from the right side of the formation and bad to contend with. flak more than· fighters. But in this position I could slide out a bit and increase the space for flak to miss through. We flew almost line abreast, so you could slide in and out without falling behind. Mission sheet also says: "Lost #2 on the way home. Very little flak. Dog fight under us. • Since we were the end of the division column, those Kraut anti-aircraft batteries were probably having other troubles by the time we got there. My form S shows 3 flights in Dec. other than these 2 missions, Dec. 2, 4 and 6. Probably recalls, but I have no notes on them. This was very bad weather. We were grounded by weather all through the Battle of the Bulge. As I remember, 6 we were on standby every day through this period, hoping for some chance to get up and over to help our buddies in the Bulge. Mission #15: 3 Jan. 1945 - HamblJl'I This was the last of 3 trips to Hamburg and they still had 500 guns there, but this time I didn•t see the stuff. This time ~ there was a front lying to the west of and over the target area, including to the east of Hamburg-and COLD! We were flying in the soup plus heavy contrails. I couldn't see more than 4 or S planes most of the time, and over the target I could only see the ship I was Oying on and the ono on my right wing. We were pulling full power with 10 degrees of flaps down, at 30,000 ft. altitude, just barely above a stall. NO flak up where we were at all. In openings I saw some way down below us, and how my wingman stayed there I do not know. My remarks on the mission handout were: • #6 went to Hamburg, up to 30,000 ft., -42 degrees C. Salvoed bombs S min. Approx. W. of Hamburg. Rough weather - heavy persistent contrails.• I believe I was in error about west of Hamburg-more likely north. Often, we were not sure of where we were and the route may have been changed from that which was briefed. I do remember asking the bombagator several times, "Where the h-is Hamburg? When do we get rid of the bombs?• When everybody finally agreed we had left Hamburg, I ordered the bombs dropped. It was very important to lighten the ship and everything under us was enemy. We bad been pulling excessive power for a long time and might nm low on gas, and only God knew what weather we might face over Enaland to land in. I always felt that 3 trips to Hamburg should have counted as one tour by themselves. Mission #16: S Jan. 194S - Neunkircheo w/44th Grp. Handout sheet says: "Bombed Neunkirchen w/44th. Only 11 ships; we we.re llth. Saw FW109 just after target. It started a _ pass at us but didn't press home.• The formation sheet also --... shows I flew a 330th B.S. ship as a spare to tho 93rd Lead Sqdm. Normally, the spare returns to base if not needed. I think we (the whole crew) agreed we would just join some outfit and help "cru.sb. the Hun.• Anyway, we found this 11-ship outfit all by itself and I flew #2 position in the left flight. Right after the bomb drop, we saw this FW109 way out ahead of us and crossing our path from the right. I tightened up on the leader of the left flight 80 much that his right waist gunner was cringing away from the window! The pilot also gave way to his left which separated the fliaht from the rest of the squadron, but made our 3-ship element awfully close to each other. All turrets were trained on the Kraut, of course, and I guess he got the idea because I saw his left win& drop as he started a pass, but immediately he broke away to his right and disappeared. MUCH relief in 12 ships, I assure youl 10 Jan. 1945: Mission handout shows: • Aborted. Lost all instruments at 21,000 ft. Finally got down, instruments thawed, went back to 22,000 ft .. Landed in a snowstorm, 4 hrs. instrument, 4:40 total flight.• This handout also indicates forming up over Beachey Head in the south of England, as the weather was too bad over East Anglia. The weather was really filthy by now and we made over a dozen instrument take-offs during this period, say from late Dec. through early Feb. Have taken off several times where I could not see my outboard engines or over 30 ft. ahead. We would taxi VERY slowly and carefully, one ship after the other, from our hardstands. A ship would move out onto the runway and disappear completely ......... from view. He would line up on th.e center line and on the compass heading of the runway. On ALL combat takeoffs we were under strict radio silence. . . . to be continued

EXPRESS AIR MAIL DELIVERED BY B.O.F. Dear Paul, I am enclosing my check to help defray expenses of your fine publication. My only suggestion would be that there be a -. notice in each issue reeanling dues. Last July, I had the time of my life by revisiting Norwich with my wife, our 2 children and their spouses. We want to publicly thank Phyllis DuBois of the 2nd A.D. Library for her help in putting our trip to Norwich together. She was terrific. We also want to thank Paul Thrower for ~rting us and showing us the good work he is doing with the Museum; he is truly dedicated. We want to thank David and Jean Woodrow for the hospitality shown us in our visit to the Memorial Building and invitation to their home for tea. We also want to thank John Gibson, a friend of Phyllis, who gave up his wedding anniversary day to help escort our party. In looking back on our trip, my only regret is not having spent enough time in Norwich. which perhaps I can correct one day. I was a bombardier on Ralph Sch.neck's crew in the 329th from Jan.-Aug. 1944. If anyone bas information about him, I would greatly appreciate it. One final note, Phyllis DuBois is very anxious to receive 2nd A.D. memorabilia such as records, pictures, etc. for the library and Paul Thrower is equally anxious to get items for the museum. Dear Paul, /)ACK FEINGOLD 1,/ 4838 Fountains Dr., #303 Lake Worth, FL 33467 Am enclosing a photograph taken at the last 2nd A.D. I reunion in Orlando in Feb. We were part of the 93rd B.G. that attended the reunion and it was our first time together in almost 53 years. What a great feeling that was and what a great time we had. r Dave was our pilot for our first 13 missions, from our first mission to Danng on Oct. 9, 1943 to the IL-RI: Lany MarkH. C01>Dot; Dave 13th mission 00 Dec. Thompaon. Pilot; 8am Parial. Navigator 24, 1943. We flew our plane across the Atlantic to our base at Hardwick and our crew consisted of Dave Thompson (pilot), Larry Markes (co-pilot), Sam Parisi (navigator) and Uoyd Haynes (bombardier), and the enlisted men-Ray Owens, John Preprera, Fred Schnabalk, Syl Korpol, Ed 2'.ahw:ak, and Don Soracca-a great crew. Originally, our plane was named The Urgin Virgin. Larry Markes painted a beautiful, sexy, nude woman next to the title. However, it was painted over and later our plane was renamed Bear Down. It was after our 13th mission that Dave was assigned as 1st pilot on The Duchl!ss, where he flew the remainder of his missions. Our crew was assigned other pilots for the remainder of our tour of combat duty. However, after training, flying across and 13 missions together with Dave and Larry, we became like family. When Dave was transferred, it was never 7 the same. But we were fortunate enough to continue with Larry Markes. You may remember that it wu through the BOFQE that we were able to locate Larry Marbs. Many thanb from all ofus. ~AM PARISI ./ 495 Exmoor Terr. Dunedin, FL 34698 Dear Paul, I hope you'll be tick.led to bear that Charlie Sill ad I have been trying to get the Museum powers-that-be at Castle Air Museum to paint the correct tail markings on our B24 to properly .reflect the yellow and the black stripe of the 93rd. And the word is now that IT SHALL BE DONE! No one knows the when of it, but at least half the battle ia won. You can be sure I will be shootin.a elidee after the fact and you can count on receiving same from me. Need.leas to say, with the new fuselage paint job, the tail will be a regular beacon for onlookers. I wish they hadn't painted the belly of the fuselage in blue or &raY, or whatever it is. In the 15th, the ships were either O.D. or clear metal; nothina on the pt-side. With radar, belly camouflage didn't make any aeme, anyway. ..EDDIB RANGE ✓ 3033 Colony Park Dr. Merced, CA 695340 Dear Paul, When Chuck Walker was VP of the 445th he asbd for o:xm, humorous stories about tours in the ETO than the usual heroics submitted by various crew members. I didn't know Chuck personally, as he entered the 445th after I bad completed my tour. I sent him a couple of stories, one of which he published in the 2AD Journal a few years back. I'm sure you're familiar with the Kassel fiasco-that's what the article wu about. You will note I mentioned Gen. Ted Timberlake. He wu my boss at 2CRW Hq. when I first went there followina my tour. Ted was a great guy and a former football star at West Point. Consequently, before dinner each cvming we would play aome touch football in the lounge while at the same time downini a few shots of brandy, or whatever, from the 2CBW bar. He was replaced by a Gen. Milt Arnold-stiff, cold-and, unlike Ted, did not apparently enjoy the fun things we tried to generate during the cold winter of 1944. Did you know Col. Raamy Potts? I believe he wu a1ao a 93rd guy from Ploesti. He became the Executive Officer for the 2CRW-one of the most brilliant guys I've ever known, a full bird at the age of 26. Also, a Bill Hall, our wing navigator, became a very close friend of mine. We were almost killed trying to crash-land a Norseman just outside Dieppe one night during the Ardennes offensive. That also is a story in itself-happened just a few days prior to Christmas when we were dispatched on a special mission to Paris-foa and low fuel led to the disaster. We crashed into a steel alider obstacle and were pulled from the wreckage by BOme Scottish troops guarding a POW camp outside Dieppe. Bill Hall was naviaator on Joseph Avandong's crew on the Ploesti raid ftYina l)og Patch Rau/er. I enjoy your newsletter. Give my regards to our mutual friend Dr. •Took• Soltero. /ROBERT H. O'ITMAN 304 Cardinal Cir. Altus, OK 73S21

EXPRESS AIR MAIL DELIVERED BY B.O.F. Dear Paul, - :\1\_ ... ~ I have often ,,_ • wondered what happened to Duration Baby. We flew her over from Topeka and flew her in most of our first 15 missioos until we became a lead crew and never saw her again. Anybody knowing anything about her, please let me know. Duradon Baby Our Mickey operator, John V. Conlin died in mid December. Ross Baker was our pilot. WARREN BOERNER ✓ 1308 3rd Avenue N.E. Buffalo, MN 55313 Dear Paul, Spring is breaking at last here; it's been a long winter. I took a bike ride earlier today around the old base. The crops are looking nice and green around the old sites. No doubt in the near future visiton from the States will again be appearing in the area. It's surprising how many family members are coming over now, interested in seeing where history was made in the great air-war over Europe. I already have 4 different parties lined up for visits in May. Then there will be the annual Memorial Day ceremonies at the Cambridge Military Cemetery, May 19. I have some Dutch friends returning in July for a second visit to Hardwick. Loma and I usually call the Memorial Library in Norwich once a week to keep up with all the latest developments within the 2nd A.D. Assn. They have built up a very good selection of boob again after the terrible fire. They are rather cramped for space at the moment, but the 3 ladies do a fine job in keeping the room ticking over. You are most probably aware of the airfields of the 8th's 'Ihen and Now book. The same people are doing another in the serie&-Glenn Miller-then and Now. The editor contacted me about the concert at Hardwick. They want to use a photograph of the concert (Miller played at selected 8th AF locations during the war) and also take photographs of the location as it is today. I don't have any photographs of Miller's visit to Hardwick, so I hope the editor found one to use from some source. I gave him the location (in the north hangar, long gone), but will use a present-day photo to show the exact spoL Dear Paul, JOHN & LORNA ARCHER J 22 Station Road Earsham, Bungay Suffolk NR35 2TS, ENGLAND If you attended the 2nd ADA Convention in Milwaukee, you probably heard that I have decided to resign as Memorial Trust Librarian as of Aua. 31. I have resigned but have not retired. I will return to my previous life as a free.lance librarian/ researcher. My first task will be to revise the 2nd A.D. archive inventory, making it more user-friendly, correcting errors and adding in the 300 deposits we have received since this inventory was made in 1992. Could you please put a note in the BOF(}Jl urging your 8 members who may be considering sending copies of their wartime memorabilia to the Memorial Library archive collection to get this material in the mail to me in the next few months so I can list these papers in the revised inventory? We only want paper items: photographs, diariea, memoin, orden, ~ formation sheets, information on base activities (celebrations, sporting events, etc.). Send copia (not originals) of papers and, if possible, laser prints of photos. Wartime papers and wartime photos do not last forever, especially if they are in the possession of family members or private collectors who do not store them in proper archival ~ conditions. If you deposit copies of these docummt with us you can be sure that your descendants, researehen and local Norfolk people will know about what you accomplished in WWII. Please send material to me at the library addresa or to my home: 22 Hungate Street, Aylsham, Norwich, NRl l 6AA, England. The 2nd A.D. has been part of my life for the past 8 years. I would like to keep in touch. Please let me know if it would be possible for me to subscribe to the BOFQE as a "private citi.ren. • Dear Paul, PHYWS DU BOIS Arust Librarian The Memorial Library emporary Central Le:ndin1 Library Old Glasswells Building, 71 Ber Street Norwich NRl 3AD, ENGLAND I want to thank you greatly for sending Fred Gilbert's address. He is the wonderful person who was my navigator on my tour with the 93rd from Jul S, 1944-May 1945. Fred returned from the A.F. in 1969 as a Lt. Col. and eamed , , Masters degree in Creative Writing from Florida State. He it. currently teaching at TaJlabassee•11 Community College. He wrote a book of poems also. He may be able to help you sometime with material for the BOF(}Jl. Keep up the good work. Dear Paul, ✓JOE MITCHELL 2401 W. Southern Ave. Tempe, AZ 85282 I recently read a notice in the &tired Officer magazine. It stated that a group at Goxhill Airfield, Lincolnshire, England were trying to restore the wartime activities and historical events that took place at Goxhill and would be ,rateful for any mementos, etc. I had been looking through eome of my wartime papers and such, and noticed that I had an Officer's Club chit book for Goxhill Airfield. It had my name and a date (Jan. 10, 1945) on the cover. I suddenly remembered where and when I got it. So I sent them the chit book and told them about the snowstorms over England when we returned from a mission to Weweler. Germany, and how we happened to land at Goxhill that day. In return, I received a very nice letter from Mr. David Copley thanking me for the chit book and my story. I suppose this story should end here, but it doesn't. Lyina in my bed a few nights ago and unable to sleep, I suddenly remembered a postcard I received from you in which you stated that you had lost your crew in a mid~air collision at Bungay. I couldn't wait;~ I bad to get up and locate that post.card. Sure enough, there i\ was and the date was Jan. 10, 1945, same as on the chit book. So that little chit book stirred up a lot of memoriea! Following

EXPRESS AIR MAIL DELIVERED BY B.O.F. r is the letter I sent to Mr. Copley: Dear Mr. D. Copley: I recently read the article you submitted to the Retired Officer magazine concerning Gomill Airfield and it triggered a memory I had all but forgotten. First, let me explain. During WWll I was a navigator on a B24 liberator, 93rd B.G. stationed at Hardwick, Norfolk during the winter of 1944-45. On Jan. 10, 1945 we flew a mission to Weweler, Germany. It was dart and &loomy when we took off early in the morning. On our return in the afternoon it was still dart and 1Ioomy. We had let down over the North Sea and when we arrived at the coast of England we were at about S,000 ft. and still in formation. Without any wamina we ran bead-on into a blinding snowstorm. Unable to clearly see the other planes in the formation, the pilot •peeled off" to the left to avoid a mid-air collision. We were veey fortunate! We continued to fly north along the coast, in and out of the mow. Wbm we spotted Oomill Airfield, there was DO hesitation, we landed. That night we slept in the l)'DJDaSium along with several other crews who had followed our lead to Gomill. However, we did visit the Officen Club before we turned in for the night, u you will see from the enclosed chit book, and we did have a pint or two. I estimate the remaining chits would buy me a teaspoon of ale at today's prices. Please accept the book as my donation to your project. Incidentally, we did return to our base the next day and I subsequently flew 8 more missions to Germany and completed my 35 missions on the Feb. 25, 1945. Dear Paul, HOWARD R. CLEVELAND ✓1504 Miller Farms Rd. Germantown, TN 38138 Please don't cease production of the BOFQe. It's the best of all the rest! Your letter to me wu much appreciated. The articles of mine got me an exchange with Ed Allen (329th) who sent me an eyewitness account of Mar. 23, 1945 over Munster. His navigator was Earl Heffner. Also heard from Howard Hallgarth ( 409th) who lives in Yakima, WA. We are all getting old, but here I am 73 and ran for School Board &Jain. , / ART CORBIN V 2555 Pricer Ridge Rd. S. Salem, OH 45681 Dear Paul, I feel very sad today, not because it's still snowing, but upon reading the recent issue of BOFQe I read where only one more issue will be forthcoming. Paul, you have done a super, super job and it will be a gift from the Lord to find someone who can try to accomplish what you have done so expertly. I have saved every issue and DOW they mean much more to me than just another issue. I recently heard from Walt Stewart. He has had a most interesting life-other than flying-back on the 135-year-old family farm, 5 children and 23 grandchildren. Walt is sending me a tape of •Saga of Utah Man.• I had some copies made of Utah Man taken the day after the Ploesti mission plus one taken long before Ploesti, and one of Bomerang. Walt flew Bomerang r home Apr. 4, 1944 and landed at Westover AB, 90 miles from my home, and then after touring the U.S. he ilew her to Hillfield, Utah and then took her to the pveyard in Arimna. Walt went on a mission for the Mormon church to build a chapel in Norwich. England and in Flensbure, Germany where 9 Utah Man went down, Nov. 13, 1943. I read where the 93rd has a model B24 at the Museum, ~ Duchu:r. I also have a laqe model B24D-you aueued it-named Ready and Willing; shed a few teas when they pve it to the 466th B.G. for their asaembly plane. I aee Andy Low at our 8th A.F. R.I. chapter meetinp. They received our Wham Bam 453th B.G. assembly plane and be flew it before be went down on his 17th mission. Paul, I do hope your health will improve and you will be 100 % well in a short time. We will be praying for you. I thank you again for your great work in producine the BOFQe. Dear Paul, HOWARD MACRBADING z/ 93 Darrow Drive Warwick, RI 02886 I would like very much to become a member of the 2nd A.D. Asso. 8th A.F., although I am not certain whether or not I am eligible to join. You see, my late father, Lt. Col. Andrew W. Hricko was a bombardier with the 8th A.F. 93rd B.G. I wish to join because I have always been intri,ued about thia aspect of my father's life. Like many soldien, he eeldom discussed his war experimccs. Wbm be did tell ltoriea, it was always about the men who didn't mako it home. Tbei.r namee are forever embedded in my memory and now, as an adult. I understand completely what my father was doinl. At 32, I may be the youngest member of your group, but I feel it is important to be involved in this Ol'lanization. Encloaed is my membership fee. I look forward to bearing from you. Thank you. l.i v~•~ARY HRICKO Dear Paul, 1215 Aberdeen Youngstown, OH 45502 Mr. I.an Hawkins gave me your addreu md eenda bu beet wishes to you, Bud Martel and Faith Sabel. My intaest in writing to you, early in 1944 I had a 93rd B.G. B24 crash near my home at that time. 'I]lere were about 6 lcilled. The pilot, I understand, was a LL Guttman. He wu IUDOJl& the dead. The plan fell on an Army training ,round near Hawlcinp Airfield near Folkestone, Kent. I wand« if any of die survivon me members of your .Association? 'The B24, I think, wu on return from France and had battle damap. It maybe wu trying to crash land, but cartwheeled and burst inlo flamea. I can't uy if the survivon bailed out or were thrown cleer in the crash. AJC No. 42-63972, Mar. 20, 1944. I would lib to bear from any survivors, if~'ble. AL BROWN 10 Laurel Avenue Graves End. Kent DA12 SQP, BNGLAND P.S. I visited the crash site a few yean ago and there wu still much evidence of exploded S0's still there. Maybe a crew will want a souvenir! Dear Paul, I very much enjoy and thank you for the BOFQE. P.a.cloeed is a check to help defray the cost of publishiq this 011tst,odin1 and most interesting newsletter. I was assigned to the 329th B.S. in the 93rd B.O. from Aug. 1944-May 1945. I was on Lt. Euee-.ne Justen's crew and flew 23 missions, 8 as a lead navigator. I loet total contact with LL Justen and all other memben of the crew, which include Harry Shippon, co-pilot; Bill Ebersviller, bombardier; and crew

EXPRESS AIR MAIL DELIVERED :BY B.O.F. members Lou Z.Ontini, Joe Nowak and Bill Richardson. I would very much like to communicate with Lt. Justen and any of our other crew members and would greatly appreciate any information you may have on their whereabouts. My tour in the 93rd was a high point in my life and military service. After my tour, I remained in the A.F. and retired in May 1972. In 1990, I visited Hardwick A.B. I was very touched by the memorial to the 93rd B.G. and immensely proud to have been a member of the group. Thanks again. Dear Paul, ERNEST PEREZ V Lt. Col., USAF (Ret) 3508 Telegraph Dr. San Jose, CA 9S132 Our crew was in the 330th. D.S. and lived in Hut #13. We still try to meet somewhere every year. Two members of the crew are deceased, and one of the members, Tony Ryan, bas not been found. Dick Roesin&, co-pilot; Don Janss, navigator; Moms Hoover, Tail iUJlller; George Riess, waist iUJlller; Jim Barrett, radio operator and upper turret operator; and myself are the only ones left. We will meet in St. Louis this Sept. We bad one mission we returned from where God and luck were definitely with us. This mission was to the German port of Kiel, where subs were under cement-like tunnels. Flak was as bad as I've seen it. We dropped our bombs and headed for home when flak cut the rudder cable just ahead of the tail section and the plane headed straight down toward the North Sea. George Riess alertly noticed the cut cable and with assistance from Bruno Dal.mas (now deceased) grabbed the 2 ends of cable to where we sl~wly came out of the dive just short of the water. Riess, Dal.mas and Jaoss (navigator) used a cable clamp to splice the cable. Soon after this we were hit again, leaving a huge bole in the right wing, knocking out the hydraulic system and one engine. I contacted base and was told to tum at Yarmouth and proceed to Ipswich for an emergency landing. The wheels bad to be cranked down by band. We rolled the entire length of the emergency nmway, but we were fortunate we bad no casualties and landed on English soil. We foUDd pieces of shrapnel behind both the pilot and co-pilot seats. Hardwich sent a B24 to take us back to base. Because I bad the best crew I could have bad, a little luck and God's help rm here today to relate this incident. ✓HERBERT C. BORGMANN 4013 Belford Ft. Worth, TX 76103 (L-R): Ri11BB, Janas, Borgmann, Barratt, Hoov11r 10 Dear Paul, I was only at Hardwick for about 6 weeb at the end of the war. I know very little about the 93rd, but did fly 30 missions~ with the 453rd-Old Buck. When they took the 453rd off combat in Apr. 194S for deployment back to the States, in their infinite wisdom they sent all crews with more than 15 missions to other 2nd A.D. groups. rm a 1092 pilot and applaud your efforts with your newsletter. Good luck! Dear Paul, AIUGH H. HOYT V 1106 La Avenida Dallas, TX 75248 It gives me a warm feeling to be reunited, at least in spirit, with my former B.G. and comrades. I have visited what is left of the airfield in Hardwick. I managed to get a photo of what appeared to be the guard hut at one of the eotrances to the field. The rest has been returned to farmland. I bad hoped that the old control tower bad survived, but waa unable to find any trace of it. Unfortunately, I haven't retained any coo.nectioos with former crew members of the 2 B24s in which I flew as a rear gunner. I flew a tour with a crew whoee first pilot wu Lt. Gordon Culham. When the tour was finished there was a shortage of rear gunners and several aircraft were grounded. I volunteered to fly another tour and joined a crew wboee RG was killed on their 7th mission. The first pilot was Lt. Dixon Benster. They were excellent pilots and I thought highly of them. I would be most happy to make contact with them. It was very thoughtful of you to send me Carl Greenstein'& , address. He was the navigator (Gordon Culham was pilot). It was a testament to Carl's skill that he always aot ua back to Hardwick more or less in one piece. Navi1aton can be very useful. I enjoyed a lengthy conversation with him after a 52-year hiatus. Yours is a formidable task, but rm sure that you and others realiz.e that you're making it poasible for a host of happy warriors to relive the past and share the preaeat. For those of us who survi'ied, it was a aood war with memories that warm our hearts on cold evenings. I rnoum for those of our comrades whom we left behind. Dear Paul, GEORGE SHAW V 61 Bethune Wy. Kanata, Ontario CANADA KZK TC4 Just a note to express my sincere thanks for forwarding the letter from my tail gunner, George Shaw. It was my first contact with any of the EMs on my crew since Aug. 1944 and I was just thrilled! George and I have since spoken by phone and will soon be writing each other. You've done a eood thine, Paul. How can you give it up now'l? /CARL GREENSTEIN 6112 Mame Ct. Citrus Heights, CA 95621 Dear Paul, By the sound of several letters in the recent BOFQ,E, l certainly hope this is not the last issue. It is my favorite publication of all timea. I have reservatiODB, so looking forward to seeing you in Milwaukee. ✓HARRY ALBRIGHT P.O. Box 162 Ewen, MI 49925

" • • • the scope and elegance are monumental." "A labor of love." Ted's Travelling Circus • • t' . . . now 1n pr1n . A close-up account of the pioneer 8-24 outfit-the 93rd Bombardment Group-at war 1942-45. 396 missions-the most of any of the 63 USAAF heavy bomber groups on that side of the world; the most traveled, most colorful and, arguably, most efficient fighting machine of World War II. Mostly in the words of those who fought start-to-finish in the greatest human conflict of all time. 42 maps, charts & sketches 592 pages 1 Appendices Include: 8½"x11" archival-quality paper; weighs 4 lbs. * Roll of Honor (670), KIA and MIA declared KIA 506 photos * Burial locations in U.S. overseas military cemeteries some sparkle, others unavoidably faded * Roster of some 6,000 who served in the 93rd Testimonials "Cal Stewart has captured the spirit and "gung ho" courage and talent of excep-tional young men. Without question one of the most detailed and interesting unit histories ... evoking many vivid and poignant memories. " Ramsay D. Potts Major General USAF (ret.) Order todayl • Umlted quantity • Shipment via parcel poet • Checks only • Allow 3 weeks mlmlmum for delivery NEBRASKANS: Add $4.09 sales tax, total $67.09 per book. Info: 402/336-2144 "Excitingly detailed and lovingly composed tribute. The narrative will tug at your deep emotions. " Dale Griffing Retired Sunday Editor • Llncoln Journal-Star Wartime GI Copy Editor Stars & Stripes, Paris edition ''.A labor of love. Surely a history matchless beyond anything about any other WIWI group. The scope and elegance are monumental. " The Rev. Marshall V. Minister Episcopal Diocese of Nebraska Canon of Omaha - a 93rd lead bombardier 1944-45 r----MAIL ORDER COUPON ------Ted's Travelling Circus Carroll (Cal) Stewart 406 E. Adams St. / P.O. Box 631 O'Neill, NE 68763-0631 Please find ( ) check ( ) cashier check in the amount of $63 (includes $3 for postage.) Please forward copy of Ted's Travelling Circus to: Address __________________ _ City ___________ State __ Zip, ___ _ Date ______ Signature __________ _

Retiring Bal of Finl Ou.rtwly Exp,..• Founder & Edhor, Paul R. Steichen and wife Marla enjoy • relaxing afternoon 111 the paddock of Hollywood Race Track 1he BaU of Fire Quarterly F.xpress Paul R. Steichen, Editor 22912 Nadine Circle Torrance, CA 90505 93rd BOMB GROUP C;+-2,,, ,J iN BOFOE SUBSCRIPTION FORM NAME: _________________ _ ADDRESS: ________________ _ BOF<lE Subacription @ $ 1 5.00 per annum •------Annual 93rd Membership @ $5.00 $ _____ _ Donation •------TOTAL ·------/II.EASE MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: 93RD BOMB GROUP SEND CHECKS TO: PAUL STECHEN 22912 NADINE CIRCLE• TORRANCE. CA 90606 CALVIN (CAL)DAVIDSON, asnotcdin2ndADVP AIAsch's article on page 3, is the new editor of the BOFQE, effective next issue. Please note the revised subscription policy above, changed from the donation method previously in use. Quick response on the part of 93rd members and friends will be very belpfuJ in impJe. menting-this transition. Al also mentioned, all tdiuJritJ ,rwteritJ shoMld now be sent to OJ: 48973 Plate Road. Oberlin, OH 44074 -telephone (216) nS-1787. If you have received a copy of Ted's Tr.iw/Jing Ciraa, plca,c tum to pages 516-517 for a p.iaurc of our new editor at his work desk. L/f!o/73 fL4-rr-€_ (!}J !E,J? L Jtv O /t , I ARST CLASS MAIL

r r r (iY BALL OF FIRE QUARTERLY E)\(jPRESS NEWSLETTER OF THE 93RD BOMBARDMENT GROUP 2ND AIR DMSION 8TH AIR FORCE, HARDWICK, ENGLAND VoL 4,No. 2 Summer, 1996 Group President Paul R. Stekben 22912 Nad.ine Circle Torrance, CA 90505 (310) 530-9636 Vice President. 2ADA Alfred Asch Vice president Membenbip Floyd H. Mabee 6205 Meadow Court Rockville, MD 20852 (301) 881-1376 28 Hillside Avenue Dover, NJ 05801 (201) 366-5916 Early links to Norfolk County The links between America and Norfolk began in the 17th Century with the early settlers leaving the county to find a new life in America. Four hundred years later, this flow of people reversed as the young men of the USAAF 8th Air Force came to this country to help the allied war effort. Early Links To Norfolk County Robert Lincoln, the first knov.n ancestor of President Lincoln, was church warden in Swanton Morley. Thomas Paine, born in Thetford, had his works banned and his effigy burned in many towns. A statue of Paine now stands outside Kings House in Thetford. Simon Huntington and wife, Margaret, left Norwich and helped found Windham and Norwich in Connecticut. Their descendent signed the Declaration of Independence on behalf of that State. Samuel Whiting, rector of St Margarets, of King's Lynn, emigrated to New England and Lynn, Mass. is named in his honor. Captain John Smith left his apprenticeship in Lynn and signed on a Virginia-bound voyage. George Vancouver of King's Lynn served under Captain Cook and surveyed the Pacific coast from California to Vancouver Island. John Rolfe of Heacbam was baptized in the font, still in use in the church, and married Pocohontas. Thomas Rolfe, son of John and Pocohontas, was brought up at Heacham Hall by his Uncle Henry, and left for Virginia at age 25. Norfolk: The American Connection The Airfields The majority of the 18 airfields in Norfolk were in the southern half of the county and all had a similar layout. Within the limitations of the local topography, each Class A airfield had three concrete jntersecting runways, all a standard 50 yards wide. These were aligned to the prevailing wind and connected by a 50 feet wide and three and a half mile long perimeter track, with looped or pan hardstandings for the aircraft. Each base was designed to be self-sufficient~ with associated buildings including quarters for approximately 3,000 USAAF airmen and their machines .. Hardwick Occupied in late 1942 by the 310th BG flying B-25 Mitchells, and after that by the 93rd BG with B-24s. There is a small piece of runway still visible from the road near Burlingham Lodge Fann, but few buildings remain. The Memorial is near the Base Commander's Quarters and the Museum is situated in a Nissen hut. The people The effect of the establishment of a fully manned base on relatively small rural communities is hard to imagine today. However, in those less mobile days-

it was one of the first opportunities for the two nations to get to know each other, and to discover that although, in theory they had a language in common; local accents, differences in meanings, strange foods and different lifestyles, often led to misunderstandings. At dawn the morning chorus began, aero engines nol birdsong. Quiet villages echoed to the sound of huge bomber engines as 300-400 planes filled the sl-y circling ever higher, assembling for a mission. Seven to eleven hours later, the silence was broken again as the battered, battle-weary machines and crews returned home. On the domestic side, many local people have fond memories of American hospitality. The children's parties and other social events held on the base resulted in many personal links being forged There were also opportunities for Americans to relax "off base·• at the American Red Cross club in the Bishops Palace, or at the various dance halls in Norwich. The Samson and Hercules, now Ritzys, was a popular favorite. Some of the old haunts remain unchanged, and some have disappeared completely. However traces of many airfields still exist, and some are still operational, for example Horsham St. Faith is now Nomich Airport On others, abandoned long ago, some traces remain, an old Nissen hut or control tower, overgrown sections of runway or perimeter track, not much to look at but the importance of the role they played and their effect on the lives of the local inhabitants should not be forgotten. &J:Pariial reprifll of NorfolkC01111ty Co,mcll leajlet / 942-92 ...... ----2 They Served the Libs You have to be part of a ground ere\" to know what it is to lose a ship. To some it merely means a different plane and a new crew-"too bad, they were nice guys." But to many the loss is greater than that. They may have worked on the bomber for months . . ' smce 1t came off the assembly line. lt"s reasonable to believe that men became attached to planes as well as dogs and women. . One of the biggest jobs done by ground crews m the war was that of the men who serviced the Liberators in Brig. Gen. Ted Timberlake's Travelling Circus while it was m Africa. And the general made it plain that their mission would have flopped if it wasn't for the mechanics '•ingenuity;• as he tmned it-but there must be a better word than that. The Circus fliers Dew their ground crews from Britain lo Africa a year ago. It was to be a "ten day mission;' but it turned into a campaign of three ~ths, hammering away at Rommel's rear guards, pavmg the way for the Eighth Army's gallop to Tunisia, then opening the door for the Sicilian invasion by attacking enemy airfields across the Mediterranean. The gTOWld crews had taken along only the equipment needed for the "ten day mission," but somehow made it stretch for three months. As far as medals go they are few and far between for ground aews. Thal is, unless they apply for and are accepted for combat duty and become gunners. Many of them have left the ground but you always find them with the old gang ----

r r r r Folded Wings Ralph Carroll Charles P. Conley Violes L. Flanary Clarence R. Gross George V Halapy Willard Babcock Joseph J Rosacker New Members Richard D. Davis Dorothy H. Matlock John W. Scon Francis J. Kelly Donald H. White Report from Alf red Asch 2ADA Vice President I ha,·c been infonncd that work has begun on our display at the Mighty 8th Air Force Heritage Museum at Savannah. Ga. Our 16' display case has been picked up at Atlanta, Ga.. and il is being assembled by the museum staff at Savannah. A0er assembly. the items we ha\'e given the museum will be mounted in the case for our bomb group r expect there \\ill be close coordination until the displa) 1s completed. John Conrad sent me a nicely bound blue colored book containing a complete Roll of Honor for all organizations that sa"\'ed in the Second Air Di\'ision during WWU. A copy will be sent to our Memorial Library al Norfolk. England. for display and another one gi,·en to the 8th Air Force Museum. also for display in the Second Air Division area Jordan Uta! has worked hard to bring the Roll of Honor up lo date and he resolved the name problems between our group and the 44th. The book is impressi\'e. I am contemplating sending the copy I ha\'e to Da\'e Woodro\, for our museum at Hardv.ick. I ha,·c no knowledge of the progress being made at the 8th Air Force Museum for displa~ing items for the Second Air Di\'ision. There arc still a fev. of our history books, 1'ed~~ Travelling Circus. in my im·entory lo be given to selected organi:r.ations. I divide my time between Michigan and MaJ)·land during the summer months and it has been difficult lo pull things together. Paul Steichen infonned me that he rcceh-cd pa)tnenl for the subscription to the HOF from only I 11 members and our cash balance is ooh $4.465.07. This rs indeed disappointing, Mo~I e,·eryone reports the need for the BOF and ho\\ ii tends to hold us together. I certainly enjoy reading it. We are sending copies to all kno,,n members ,, ith this publication. but we will have to decide 3 about subsequent issues if the response docs not improve. If anyone cannot afford the$ I 5 per ~-car. let me know. address: 6205 Mcado\\ Court. Rochille. MD 20852 We ccrtamly don't "ant to lose members who can't afford the cost. A form is on the back page of the last issue of the BOF to simpli(v subscribing. We recehcd ackno,,lcdgment from Phyllis DuBois. Trust L1branan. of 2ADA Memorial Library of ha\'ing rccciYcd lwo of our history books. Ted'.\' Traw/ling < 'm:us. Each of our books will ha,·e a book plate as shown belo\\ ackno" !edging the gift from the 93rd. (/,ener on JJ0!{t> I I) In Phyllis's lcltcr. she expects to spend lime organi,.mg our archt\'es al the Mcmonal Libra~ after she retires. This is a \'Cry worthwtulc cause. making certain that our wartime documents \\ill be in good order for the future They will be a\'ailable for future generations to conduct research and learn about our hlSlory of WWI I. If you ha,·e documents for lhe archfrcs. send them now to the 2nd Air USAAF Memorial Room. Old Glasswclls Building. 71 Ber Street. Nomich. NRJ 3AD. England. We all were \'cry apprec1ati\'e of Floyd Mabee for doing a great job organi ✓.ing and operating our hospitality room al our last reunion m Mil\\aukee. Also. Don Morrison was of great assistance to Floyd in the operations. The hospitality room is more than one person can do I will be working with Flo~·d on future reunions to make the \\Ork a little easier. Presented to the 2nd Air Oi\'ision (USAAF) Memorial Room Nor.vich Central Library by The 93rd Bomb Group Assoc1at1on In memo~· of those who paid the ullimate pncc \\ith their ll\·cs to prescn·c democracy and freedom

"Hello Milf oil This is Wee Willie" The diary of Capt. Edward L. McGuire 409th B.S. 93rdB.G. '·Base to target is Uncle Sam's time. Target to base, you're on your O\om!" - Col. Thennan Brown, 93rd C.O. Unless some supreme emergency happened, we were under radio silence for the entire mission. We wouJd hear the increase in his engines as power was applied and he began to roll. The next pilot would note the minute of that ship's take-off roll as he moved out to line up. At about 30 seconds, you pushed your throttles forward to half power, then at about 45 or 50 seconds you pushed your throttles to full power and when the second hand hit 60 seconds-off the brakes and rolling (and sweating). We used a directional gyro tum indicator for direction, and if you deviated over one degree left or n~t you would go off the runway and die! In my ~hip, I watched the directional gyro, flight mstruments and air speed, Jr. had his window open and looked down (hoping he'd see the edge of the runway in time if T veered his way) and Leach tightened the throttle brake and watched the engine instruments until I lifted us off the runway, when Jr. took over the engine instruments. It was quite a baJJe., There was no room for error! One day near the end of our tour, Leach confided to me that he watched my jaws on instrument take-offs. He said I chewed gum (which I did when instrwnent flying) and my chewing went faster and faster as we went down the runway until I lifted the ship off. He said I immediately started chewing very_ slowly at that point and he would pull up the landing gear the second my chewing slowed and didn't wait for the order, "Gear up." Needless t~ say, ~c pad quite a discussion about using my jaws instead of orders. The odd thing was, I was completely unaware of my speeded up chewing, maybe I was concentrating. Getting back to the 10th of January, I believe it was this ilight when we missed the Church steeple. I can't remember losing the instruments, but the notes wntten the day it happened and I'm sure that if it was humanly possible, 1 wouJd keep trying to Oy the mission. 1 do remember the church steeple! We were trying to get home, right down on the deck of course, heading for home on the Gee Box, and flying through snow squalls. Sgt. Szajna (pronounced Cheena) was in the nose turret as usual. We called him Snafoo. Snafoo was a regular army man and as cool and steady as any man I ever knew. I couldn't see ad-thing excq>t once in a whiJe out sideways or toward 4 the rear, nothing forward. We were "hauling the mai!" just over the trees. we hoped Suddenly Sgt ~.taJna _let out a strangled squawk, just as l got an unpr~s100 that we passed cJosc by something, just a qmck lDlpression. I called Snaf on the intercom and it took a while before be answered in a rather sbak-y ,·oice, ·'I'm all right, but did you see them." "See what?" The steeple. We passed nght through the steeple! After we landed, I was able to get the whole story. It seems we passed over one of those square bell towers with little spires on the four corners. And further, it seems, we passed between two of those caner spires and barely over the steeple, and only $7,ajna saw it, right up close! The Form 5 shows flights on the 20th, 21st and 25th, two or lhree hours each, probably aborts mavbe due to weather. • Mission #17 31 January 1945, Brunswick M1ss1on sheet says "Berlin-Dresden recaJied". My guess is that there was a weather problem and two alternate missions were set up and, for some long forgotten reason, we hit Brunswick finally. I have no notes and remember nothing about this one. This was very grim flying weather. In fact, it really was not flying weather at all, we just flew in it. 1 remember on one instrument take-off, when I finally broke out of the murk at three or seven thousand feet, I saw three pillars of bJack smoke rising from three different fields at the same time where ships had ccashcd on take-off. and of course: aJI hands lost with each slup. It was in tlus period also that another incident happened that I "got away" with, but might not have. I had become convinced, in my mind, that a B-24 (properly handled) could outfly a P-51 ! Now, that's a wild thought, I admit, and probably I was wrong, but properly handled, now that's something else. Remember, I bad more c:.ngineering and testing than piloting. The B-24 had a Davis wing and Fowler flaps (hydraulically operated), quite a lot of power and very fast respooses 10 certrun ways, particularly in the action of the tlaps. When you put the Oap cootroJ lever in the up or do-v.n position, those flaps moved very quickly and the reaction was almost instantaneous. So, one "fine" day we got upstairs through the murk all loaded up with twelve 500 pounders and no place to go (mission recalled) and what do you know? There's one of our Little Friends! So I waggled (or tried to) my wings and tw:nect to~ard him. In a few minutes we're really gomg at 1t. He, being extremely maneuverable wouJd start a "pursuit curve" toward me. When h; got just about that distance ·where I figured his ..........

r r r r r firing would begin, it was "Down half flaps". I'd close throttles a bit and we'd jump five hundred feet up faster than l can write this and practically stop in the air. He'd be under us and gone before he could correct. Then ''Up flaps," power on and we'd lose five hundred feet while picking up speed. Next time I'd ease the flaps down while he was gaining posi-tion, then when he turned it was "Up .flaps", we'd drop like a rock five hundred feet and he'd miss going over. We were having a great time although [ remember the ship felt a little "heavy" on the controls. lf he had been a Kraut, the outcome might not have been too good ultimately, but we had two factors on our side that this test did not check. Each time he missed he was d- close and two of my turrets were prepared and really ready and they were manned by experienced gunners. How long this game might have gone on, l can't say, but it ended when Leach said, "Skip, those cl-bomb shackles are bending:" In the joy of the game, I'd totally forgotten the bomb load. That was the end of that, but I never again feared to be the "Jone ship." Missions #18-19 February 3 and 14 Magdeburg, both times. Flight time six hours, 40 minutes. I don't have the mission sheets for the first trip. All I remember is that the "old hands" in the Group would not say aloud the word "Magdeburg." It seems the Group went there some time before and had a very rough and costly mission. We all sweat blood worrying. There was bitter flak and no fighters. On the 14th apparently I was considered seasoned enough to take a new pilot (Blanchard) on his first mission. No real problems, but the notes say, "Jost # l on way out from target, intercooler baffle collapsed into induction passage." Ho hum! Another three-engine return and landing. 1 think we even stayed in formation (probably to impress the new boy) and I goth- from Lt. Col. Fant for turning into the dead engine. I thought that idea had been buried two years before. and told the C. 0. so in plain American. Nothing like winning friends! Mission #20 16 February, 1945, Osnabrock. AH my notes say is "not bad," flying old "Queen", another weary. Mission #21: 19 February, 1945, Siegen marsh-alling yards My notes only say "Prop wash was terrific," no flak. This was probably a trip where I had to cut engines on one side or the other to keep us from flipping. Also, both Jr. and I would push with both feet on either the right or left rudder bar to maintain level flight! And this would go on for an awful long time. Talk about physical labor! Mission #22 21 February 1945, Nuremberg.-5 The mission record says Nuremberg, 8:hours. I remember it as the last mission in 814 "G" George and I will remember it forever. [ do not have the mission handouts. They were lost as you can imagine when you fmish the story of these two days. We started out all right. l seem to remember we formed over Beachey Head or else we went down there for the penetration. Instead of Jr., I had a young co-pilot who had flown only one mission on which he and his crew were shot down by the British. They had received battle damage, were returning alone, and tried to enter over the British flak belt. I've forgotten bis name, but it would be in the Squadron or Group records. Anyway, 1 was tired, seven missions in eleven days, so 1 Jet him fly formation for a while. Crossing the Channel, my wingman called up and said, "Your #4 is losing oil." I already knew it and acknowledged the call. The co-pilot would not keep up in the nearly line abreast formation we used, in spite of repeated correcting, admonishing and showing. Finally, it happened. Over a small hole in the c1ouds, three 88s went off right under us and I mean close! The shrapnel cut the hydraulic lines, but not the control cables. Leach checked carefully and reported our condition. I determined to complete the mission. Finally, over the target, "Bombs away." Immediately #4 packed up and almost immediately #2 started running so rough 1 thought the left wing would come off. Now in the Group Rally, #2 and #4 feathered, no flaps; we've got a problem! No 8-24 will maintain altitude with only two engines, and no flaps and we start down like a well rounded boulder. The Group, et al, disappear and we are a lone cripple. All this started at about 20 to 21,000 feet,ournormal bombing altitude. We head for the American lines 150 to 200 miles away, but we're still flymg, ship trimmed, losing altitude more slowly perhaps, but still losing it. There were ground vector stations called Haystack or Sweepstakes, behind our lines that controlled and directed the fighter sweeps and we had "call signs for the day," etc. We had a VHF push button radio that had four buttons and I would push one button and make the call, no answer, then the next button, no answer. Finally, after quite a bit of this (and to this day I don't know what channel I was on) I decided the h-with the oode words and just yelled, "If some SOB doesn't give us a hand pretty g- d-quick, we're d- well going to buy the farm." Immediately a GI voice came back and said, "What's the matter, Mac?" So 1 told this forever unknown blessed voice what our situation was, altitude and heading. To be continued

PROP WASH Floyd Mabee reports the Hospitality room at Milwaukee was the best ever, both for convenience and donations. Vern Swain's name should be added to the attendee list at Milwaukee as he checked in late. Mary Beth Bernard from the 8th Air Force Museum reports our 93rd BG plaque is being reworded to read Ted's Travelling Circus instead of The Travelling Circus. She has also promised me photo's of our exhibitors case as soon as it's ready. The 93rd BG had one volunteer at the grand opening of the 8th Air Force Museum in May, my crews copilot, John J. Fitzpatrick, who lives in Savannah. CIRCUS PROP WASH Excerpts from letters relating to the Circus To Colonel Asch: I could hardly put the book down as I felt compelled to just keep on reading. Cal Stewart did a magnificent job in detailing the entire unit history and pulling together the fascinating individual stories of so many unit members. This splendid history will always be available in the Museum Library for our visitors to learn of the heroic deeds and deep sacrifices of the men of the 93rd.- Lt. Gen. E. G. Shuler, Chairman and CEO. The Mighty Eighth Air Force Heritage Museum, near Savannah, Georgia. To Cal Stewart: You followed my "instructions" to the letter. I said take your time and do it right. You did it right. You even finished it in my lifetime. For a while I was beginning to have doubts. The wait was worth it. First, I looked at the pictures for people I might recognize. Then I went to the index and read references to people I was close to. I have seen histories of the 376th, 98th and 453rd. Yours is the best of all. We all owe you our gratitude. -Tberman D. Brown, Melbourne Beach, Florida, 409th Squadron CO and last wartime 93rd CO. (Editor's note: Retired Colonel Brown, in his 80's, died within hours after reading the book.) To Cal Stewart: Well done! The 93rd is most fortunate to have one of its own do a first rate job. Many reactions but one clearly dominates: How damned lucky I swvived. - Ben Kuroki, Camarillo, California, 409th BS gunner 1942-43. To Colonel Asch: We find the CIRCUS book most exciting. It is filled with wonderful harrowing stories of those air crews who sacrificed so much to preserve freedom. The book is hard to·put down 6 once you have begun looking at the pictures and reading the text. The author bas presented the history of the 93rd in such a way that anyone looking for the real story of flying B-24's during World War ll will want to get this book. It is a great addition and will help preserve the memory of those who gave so much for our country. Thank you for remembering the Museum. - Richard L. Uppstrom, Director, USAF Museum, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. Dear Paul, Hope all goes well for you. See enclosed photo of Pearl and l with the wreath we laid at Madingley Military Cemetery this year, just to assure all 93rder's that they are not forgotten. We shall be staying in Norfolk, Va., in October. Are there any 93rd members in that area we could visit with news of the old base and of English friends and the County of Norfolk? Thank all concerned for the BOFQE. J always look out for names that I might recall from the war days. David, Jean and Stuart are okay and working hard as always. A busy old base is Hardwick. Things there happen regularly and are enjoyed by all. Pearl and David Neale 131 Southtown Rd. Great Y annouth, Norfolk NR3 OLA, England

r Dear Mr. Steichen: Enclosed is my check for $20 to cover the cost of the newsletter and the cost of the unit patches that you sent to me. Thank you very much for the patches. I have been looking all over for the 328th shoulder patch, which I will have sewn on my leather jacket. My father still has his old A2 jacket with all the original patches, bombing missions, and the 2 ½ German planes that he shot down. If possible could you send me another set of patches for my wife's jacket? May increase the amount of this check to cover that cost. My dad has a great deal of "stuff' from the war, original orders, manuals, books, etc, etc. I recently purchased a set of three books from the military book club about the 8th AAF during WWil which my dad is currently reading and correcting. Let me know if there is anything that I can do to further the 2nd ADA. I believe that it is very important to keep this alive as long as possible. I am a Vietnam vet, Fleet Marine Force Hospital Corpsman, and just wish that America was with us as they were with your generation Once again, thanks for everything and let me know ifthere is anything I can do to help out. Gene S. Clark ✓ 1107 Shady Lane Manchester, TN 37355 Ed: A story of The Duchess and Pop Hastings appeared in the winter 1993 is.sue of BOFQE. At Left Pappy Warner. 7 Dear Paul, The current issue of the BOFQE has a letter from Howard Mcreading. He talks about the retirement of Ready and Willing, when she became an assembly plane for the 453 BG. Having had the good fonune of flying some of my missions in the Duchess, Ready and Willing and Big Noise. I found some old photos of the famed B- 24s. I had them restored and they came out great. Looking back, I regret not having the foresight of dating them. The time period is from May 1943 to January 1944. 1 hope the crews who are familiar with these beauties enjoy seeing them again. The personnel shown in the photos are identified on the back. Also enclosed is my dues and subscription charges for a terrific newsletter. We wish you good health and continued success. Herb Bornst.ein \/ 921 Grand Blvd. Westbury, NY 11590 Ed:Read.y and Willing UR An Johnson <md Herb Bomsteh1 Ed: Big Noise with 330th logo. UR Charlie Morrison and Herb Bornstein

.Dear Paul: I am writing to see if you could run an article about the Wall of Valor in an issue of your newsletter. The Memorial Gardens project bas really taken off and all concerned with it are very excited. They will be installing the first four sections of the wall next week and more orders are coming in every day. In addition, the reflecting pool bas been installed and some of the brick walks are in place. Landscaping goes forward. I have taken the liberty of enclosing a short article which you can use as well as a copy of our brochure which includes the order form. I appreciate your consideration of this request. Please let me know if you need any other information. Again, thank you for any assistance you can render in this regard. Judge Ben Smith"' Chairman, Memorial Gardens DID YOU SERVE IN THE SAF? Join the company of valiant 8AF'ERS whose names are inscribed on the Wall of Valor of the Memorial Gardens at the Mighty 8th Air Force Museum in Savannah, Georgia. Your Memorial is 4 x 12" on handsome indestructible granite. Send rank, full name, squadron, and bomber or fighter Group ( or other unit) of 8AF. Costis $100 for 24 letters. Add $1 for each extra letter. EXAMPLE: TSGT CLIFF BACHMAN 360 SQ 303BG Quickest way is to use Mastercard or Visa. Call 1-800-544-8878 between the hours of 8 am and 5 pm or send check to Wall of Valor, Mighty 8th Air Force Museum, P.O. Box 1992, Savannah, GA 31402. There are also larger Memorials and/or crew Memorials available. For info call us. Your donation is helping to create the beautiful Memorial Garden and preserve it forever. Join your 8AF buddies in this great undertaking. It is our Memorial. Dear Paul, Several years ago I purchased a print of "The Circus Outbound'' that was done by Keith Ferris. The print has been on loan for display at the Texas A&M Unjversity Corps Hall of Fame since 1993. The two aircraft in the forefront of the painting are 8 Bomerang and Shoot Luke. Last October Roy Martin and his wife came for a visit and to see a football game. We visited the Hall of Fame to pay our respects to the print It is interesting how Aggjes (A&M graduates) were involved in the painting as weU as crew members from these two planes. Pilot Roy G. Martin's crew with Luther S. Bird as copilot became the second crew assigned to Bomerang. The Martin crew flew Bomerang on missions to Sicily, Italy, Romania, Austria, Germany and Poland This included the famous low level August I, 1943 mission to the Ploesti oil refineries. Franklin D. Lown, Jr was copilot of the crew flying the second ship Shoot Luke. Lown was pilot in Shoot Luke on the mission to Vegesack, Germany March 18, 1943. All are Texas A&M graduates. Keith Ferris, Morris Plains, NJ Class of 1950 Roy A. Martin Cotulla, TX Class of 1940 Luther S. Bird, Bryan,TX Class of 1950 Franklin Lown, Bryan, TX Class of 1941 Dear Paul, Luther Bird 729 Shady Lane Bryan, TX 77802 Ed: L\R the Birds and Martins I am certainly enjoying your issues of the Bail of Fire Quarterly &press. I was a public relations specialist working with Cal Stewart. When Cal went to the 20th Wing my officer was George Cutler. I was with the 93rd for the full overseas tour. Sid Schapiro's story on Gilbert is a good piece. Little bas been published about the pilot. Perhaps you are unaware that Gilbert returned to the 93rd and then was transferred to the 9th Air Force. Shenn Martin ✓ 10354 Hendrix N.E. Albuquerque, NM 87111

r r r Dear Paul, Thoroughly enjoy the BOFQE. Keep up the good work. Here is a small contribution to help defray expenses. I was an original member of the 328th Squadron. Assigned to the crew of Lt. John Jerstad-Darrell Sims, Jerk's Nah1ral. We were one of the first crews to finish our 25 missions on 5 April 1943. Lots of memories. / Rollin Reineck 1127 Lauloa St Kailua, HJ 96734 Dear Cal, I am writing to see if you have a current address for David W. Brandfass. Bit by bit I am trying to get through Ted's Travelling Circus, what a marvelous volume. Certainly a tremendous undertaking on all your parts to assemble all the data and put it in an organized and readable form. I haven't met Cal Stewart, but putting together the information shows, bis position at the 93rd, along with his pre- and post-war activities, a very talented person. Anyway, page 426 and 427 describes Brandfass' adventure. It notes that he was from West Virginia. My partner in practice for the first 10 years was Carl Brandfass, who was in the Coast Guard. He had a brother who flew, but neither knew David, who must be related to them. Consequently, any lead on present status or address would be appreciated. Since I last wrote, our crew had a very successful reunion last September at the Air Force Museum at Wright-Patterson. It made an ideal spot and all but one could come. At that point all of our crew were still alive. Although since then, J~ Wilson, the one you thought you had met, had a stroke that was almost fatal. He is home now, but can't talk and activity is limited. We felt at the time we'd better get together then, as time was running out on everybody still being around. I haven't gotten around to looking up Sherry Lee as yet, but getting out your letter might be a stimulus for me to do so. Hope all is well with you. Emmett Monroe r:/ 3041 Oakridge Drive Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44224 Ed: Monroe crew reunion picture on last page. Dear Floyd, Thank you for your welcome letter to me as a new member of the 2ADA. I also received the 1996 Spring Journal. Sure takes me back. 9 I went overseas in January, 1944 on the Queen Mal')With the gunner complement of our crew and did not become operational until May, 1944, due lo the rest of the crew getting weathered in al Greenland and Iceland. I flew 7 missions with this crew and then took a dead reckoning course, "G-Box" training and then flew as BIN with ... vhatever crew I was assigned, for 14 more missions. I might mention that out of 21 missions flown, we returned six times with one engine out and once with two out. I was wounded on July 21, 1944 over Munich in the left knee and after long hospitalization I was retired for disability on 13 June 1945. Thanks again for your promptness in processing my membership application and I look forward to receiving the Journal and Ball of Fire Quarterly. Elden R Appel ,,-, 50 l E. Liberty St. Chambersburg, PA 17201-2615 War Goddess A B-24J serial number 42-109816 came to the 409th Squadron sometime in late winter of 1944. Archive records show your editor's crew first flew her on 3-20-44 and many times afterward. On 4-8-44 we were diverted to Wallbridge after sustaining heavy flak damage. Following information from James McMahon: On 6-21-44 over Berlin damaged by flak, with Pilot Martin Barkan wounded, she landed at Bultofta Fighter Air Base near Malmo, Sweden. Her crew was interned and repatriated the endofNovember, 1944. War Goddess was repaired and returned to Englapd July 2, 1945. Ed· The model for the War Goddess nose art is thought to be j,'om an Esquire magazine drawing by Alberto Vargas of a nameless, petite, redhead, whose pin-up picture popularity rhlaled thaJ of the famous Betty Grable pin-up Lhat adomed many a Nissen hut including yours tmly.

93rd MEMBER RESCUES Another in desert Dear Cal, Congratulations on being the new editor of the BOFQE. Last month I had an experience that happened to me that just has to be told, so here is the story. Hope that you can use it in the BOFQE. Call it providence, intuition, luck or one chance in a million, 93rd member and ex-tail gunner Latenser came to my amazing rescue in the middJe of a desert. I was flying at zero altitude at 70mph in my B-77 (1977 Buick) in the hot Eastern Washington desert about 70 miles from Spokane. Suddenly my temperature light came on and l turned off the air conditioner and throttled-back. A moment later the engine poured out great plwnes of oily black smoke. I pulled over immediately and landed on the shoulder of the road, amidst a badJy smoking engine. As I came to a halt, a new Chev pick-up drove up in front of me and stopped. A distinguished looking gentleman exited the truck and approached me, saying, "It looks like you've got problems." Problems was an understatement, as I was to learn that I had blown the right side head gasket. I had just replaced the left side a week before. I should have replaced the right side at the same time, but I didn't. As I stood there contemplating my dilemma, Paul introduced himself and said when I passed him he thought I looked familiar, but realized. now that l wasn't who be thought I was. I remarked to him that he vaguely reminded me of a friend, mentioning that my friend was in the Air Force during WWil, and flew bombers. Paul asked, "Did be fly B-24s or B-17s?" I said that he flew B-24s. "I was in B-24s too," Paul remarked, "I was a tail gunner." I asked him what Air Force he was in, and he said the Eighth. Then I quickly asked him what bomb group and Paul said the 93rd, I just couldn't believe my ears. I said my friend was in the 93rd, and my uncle was the bombardier on his B-24, called Bomerang, and was the first 8th AF B-24 to complete 50 missions and that it was on the low-level Ploesti mission. l then exclaimed that 1 was also a 93rd member (an associate member) and have been for several years. Then I asked Paul if be was a member of the Second Air Division Association, where upon he produced his 2nd ADA membership card, and I showed him mine. I then found out that we both also subscribed to the 93rd BOFQE newsletter. Then I asked ifbe bad read Cal Stewart's new book Ted's Travelling Circus. Paul said he had, and was 10 over half way through it. Well, about an hour later, after swapping stories about the 93rd, B-24s, Ted's Travelling Circus, and the BOFQE, my Buick cooled down enough, to limp into Moses Lake about ~ l 0 miles away. Without any water, the engine heated up again, but I was able to get it off the highway and into tov.'Tl -where I parked it. Paul was then kind enough to drive me into Spokane and deliver me right to the door of my planned destination. What do you suppose the odds are of something like that ever happening? There I was, an avid B-24 enthusiast and a devoted 93rd BG member, stranded on 1-90 where thousands of cars were traveling, only to be rescued by another member of the 93rd. Well, whatever the odds, I believe it was meant to be that two 93rders were to meet on that hot stretch of highway. I had missed my ETA by a couple of hours, but those two hours couldn't have been more pleasantly spent than with Paul Latenser, truly another one of my heroes of the 93rd. Kent Jaquith 760 Knight Hill Rd. Zillah, WA 98953 Ed: It is a small world after all. For more proof. read leller from Guin Ellison. Hold the congratulations until I have proven the BOFQE will retain the ve,y high standards set by it's founder and first editor! Dear Paul, l wanted to tell you how much I enjoy your publication , Ball Of Fire Quaneriy &press. l have finished my L-4J Cub project in Norfolk, which I painted up in living tribute to my Dad's plane Big Noise. A 93rd BG, 330th Squdron, plane be flew on August l, 1943. I hope the detail is correct and this effort meets with your approval. I have enclosed some photo copyies and a letter I wrote to Floyd Mabee, with some questions that it is possible that you may have some answers to. If you have any thoughts I would appreciate this. Jack Emmons Salomon Landoltweg 36 8193 Eglisau Switzerland

Dear Cal, I must apologiz.e for not writing weeks ago. I received your letter and the copy of Jeffries letter you sent and you will never know how much I appreciate it. I got in touch with Jeffries, by phone, a couple of days after receiving your letter. He was leaving the next day for his summer home in Tennessee. We expect to get together this fall. We had not been in touch with each other since 1944. What a thrill it was to talk with him; it brought back lots of memones. I was not aware of the 2ADA until a couple of months ago. I met John Al.friend who was in the 330th Squadron. And he gave me some old copies of the BOFQE. I have now joined the Association. Also, I have been in touch with Cal Stewart and ordered the Circus. 1 am really looking forward to receiving it. Cal, I think T do remember your crew moving into our hut and your filling in for our tail gunner on the first scheduled Berlin mission. We completed our last mission on March 31, 1944. Again, I want to thank you for your letter and the copy of Jeffries letter. I Guin B (Moose) Ellison 1406 Berkshire Court Brandon, FL 33511 Ed: What are lhe odds after 50 years of finding JIOUr fonner pilot (at winter home) Jiving less than 50 miles away, and reunited by a fellow hut mate, whose 11ame was probably Jongforgotten? Robert T. Rice 3414 Whitehall Dr. Montgomery, AL 3610 Dear Robert, Thanks for your $15 donation in memory of your crew member, Clarence Gross, who passed away. I have smt the check to Paul Steichen, our treasurer, for deposit The money will be used for publishing the BOFQE and other needs for our organization. It was very thoughtful of you to donate something in his memory. I note you live in Montgomery, AL, where the Air Force Historical Library is located. Our group gave a 93rd history book to the library, which was acknowledged by them. It would be of interest if you could visit there sometime and Jet me know how it was catalogued and if it is being used. Alfred Asch v VP,2ADA Alfred Asch 6205 Meadow Court Rockville, MD 20852 Dear Mr. Asch, The copies of Ted's Travelling Circus arrived yesterday. Of course we -and everyone else- have been waiting for this book for several years, but it was certainly worth the wait! My assistant and I immediately sat down and looked through the books. They have been sent to the cataloging department for "rush" treatment so that our readers will be able to borrow the books. We are most grateful to you and the 93rd Banbardmeot Group Association for sending these wonderful books to us. Certainly this is the best "unit history" I have ever seen, absolutely packed with information and interesting photographs. It is well written and well designed. The roster and indexes at the back of the book are invaluable. As you know, the Memorial Library includes an archive collection of photographs, diaries, orders and other wartime material. I have been adding unit histories to this collectiOit as they will be essential for future research. I know that our specialist dealer, East Anglia Books, will be stocking this book and I plan to order another copy from them for our archive collection. Many thanks to you and your 93rd Bombardment Group colleagues for this splendid gift for the Central Library in Norwich and the branch library collection at Long Stratton. Phyllis DuBois ./ The Memorial Library 71 Ber Street Norwich NRl 3AD, England 2ADA MEMORIAL ROOM - SPECTAL CONTRIBUTIONS FOR BOOKS PROJECT, For some time now, the required contribution for a book in honor of a specific person or unit has been $25.00. Recent conversations with Norwich have indicated that the average cost per book purchased has risen to £20.00. This requires an increase, therefore, to $30.00. Those Groups that publish a newsletter are requested to include this informtion and.advise that all such donations be directed to Jordan R Uttal, 7924 Meadow Park Drive, #101, Dallax, Texas 75230-4939. Make checks to "2nd Air Division Association". 11

Emmett Monroe crew reunion at Air Force Museum, UR- Guy Woodard, radio-op; Walter Britt, navigator; Ed Smilh, engineer; Jeny Wilson,bombardier; Monroe.pilot; Frank Loos,co-pilot; Byran McComas,gunner; Albert Karels,gunner Calvin Davidson, Editor 48973 Plate Rd. Oberlin, OH 44074 Phone 216-775-1787 93rd BOMBARDMENT GROUP FIRST CLASS MAIL

BaU of Fire BALL OF FIRE QUARTERLY EXPRESS Newsletter or the 93rd Bombardment Group 2nd Air Divilion, 8th Air Force. Hardwick, England Vol.4, No.3 Fall ,1996 GrogPneHcnt PMIR.Steiellen 22912 Nadine Clrde Tornaee,CA90SOS (318)~9636 Yke Pmldeat, 1ADA A..-edAteJa Ylcc pmJdcot Mwbmlat, .Floycl H. M.-r 6205 Meadow Coart lloe~ MD 208S2 (301) 881-1376 28 HJlllde Avenae Dover, NJ es801 (201) 366- S916 John Foley was short in stature. five feet four and 110 pounds, but kmg oo detamination when he mlistcd ni the Army Air Corp after being called up by bis draft board in November, 1941. He was in basic training at Sheppard Field when Pearl Harbor occuned. Along with 34 other Gl's, all just over five feet in height, John was transferred to a B26 outfit at Muroc Dry Lake, arriving Christmas day 1942. The next day at roll call the First Sergeant was picking ten men for KP. John moved behind another GI tcying to hide and found himself picked as the tc:nth man. He spent the entire time at Muroc on KP convinced he was doomed to be a cook. A short time lata' be was deployed to Australia as part of the 22nd BG of the 5th AF. The trip by ship took 26 days and John spent them talking to others about bow he could become a member of a combat crew. With no training of any kind he was repeatedly told it would be impossible. After arriving in Brisbane with the 19th Squadron John was told to try for an assignment to the armament shop and possibly work his way up from thete. Much to his surprise he was picked for this duty and set to work cleaning cosmoline from machine guns. One day his sergeant, Pappy .Robinson, sent him down to clean the guns on a B26 called the Kansas Comet. The 19th squadron was still in Brisbane flying practice missions, including firing the guns. After some instruction John was given the job of armorer to clean the guns of the Comet. Unbeknownst to him the pilot, Walter Krell, was keeping an eye on him as he worked. Some time later ooe of Krell's gunners had an eye injured and was grounded. So Krell went to see Pappy Robinson and asked for that little kid, who

had been cleaning his gwis, to be his gunner. Pappy replied, "This kid has never flown and is so green he wouJdn 't know which end of the gun to shoot out of." Krell said, "I'll leave it up to Foley." The next day they took John up on a pr~ mission with 200 rounds of ammunition. After insb'uctioo on how to use the intercom and operate the tunet, Krell told John he was going to call out little puffy white clouds using the clock system and John was to fire at them. The reticle in the gamfight bolheted John so he dimmed it and used the tracers to adjust his aim. After they returned to base Krell walked back to John shook hands and said, "Foley you're my gunner.'' The four Sqwdons of the 22nd Bombardment Group were based at four separate airfields near Townsville, on the northeast coast of Australia. They would load their bombs here and then fly to Seven-mile airdrome near Port Moresby, New Guinea. Because of the distance to Japanese targets they would refuel at Seven-mile airdrome, both going to the target and on the return trip. Foley's baptism came on May 13, 1942 during an attack against Japanese shipping near Rabaul. The small formation of B26's was attacked by a group of Zero's. During interrogation upon their return, his pilot Krell was asked if anyone had knocked down any of the enemy fighters. Krell answen:d they had n~ but another crew nearby cut in and said they had seen a Zero go down from the fire of the top tuJTet. Krell asked Foley if he had downed a fighter and he replied he thought be had. All of John's subsequent victories were confirmed by crew members of other B26's in bis formation. Since John had never been taught how to use the reticle on bis gunfight, he depended on bis tracers for aiming and had no way of estimating range. He milted to missing a lot of planes, so he had two buddies measure off 600 yards and hold a tree limb 36 feet long in the air. Sighting through the glau of his gun sight he made two black marks at each end of the limb, which was the length of a 'kro 's wingspan. When a Zcro' s wing tilled this space between tbe two man.s he could begin firing. John took care of his own guns and loaded bis own anununition belts using tracers every dlird round. John said he ncve,-had a gun malfunction even with the extra tracers. On June 6, 1942 in a raid. on the Japanese fight.er base at Lac, New Guinea, which was heavily defended by some of Japan• s top fighter aces, Foley was a-edited with two more Zero's. At this time an International News SCJ'\-'ke War Correspondent by the name of Pat Robinson became interested. He did 2 some news staim on Foley and dubbed him Johnny Zero. The name Johnny Zero caught the attention of two song writers who were looking for inspiration for words to a tune that one of them, Vee Lawnhurst, had written. Mack David the lyricist, \\ho also wrote Coming in on a Wing and a Prayer, worked out the words for the song, Johnny Zero. This song was recorded on the Decca label by a group of singers called the Song Spinners. It became one of the popular wartime songs that helped morale during this period. Foley survived three airplane crashes during bis tour in the Pacific. The first of the three crashes occurred after the Kansas Comer had received considerable battle damage. Limping back to base the acw was unaware that one of the main landing gear had been shredded. After touching dcMn the plane veered off the runway and bit a tn'le. The plane broke apart and burst into flames. All the crew except the co-pilot who was pinned in the plane survived. The pilot, Krell, waving the rest of the a-ew away tried unsuccessfully to free the co-pilot and was burned in the lower parts of his body. IMing Krclls hospitalization his crew was split up among the other crews. John• s sewnd crash occurred, while making a second nm over an antiairaaft gun emplacement, because of a bcmb reJease failure. While pulling off the target. the whole tail of his plane was shot off, the plane crashing into a small hill. John, the only survivor, wmi thrown clear into some tall grass, but did sustain a head injury. Fortunately, some natives found him before the Japanese did. After three wedal of traveling by night and biding by day they reached an infantry field station that had a small tent hospital. After being supplied with a new pair of pants and shoes John sneaked out of the hospital and made his way back to lhc airbase at Seven-mile. His squadrm had alrt.ad}r gone back to Australia, so he bummed a ride on another B26 and rejoined his buddies. They of course thought he was dead and had to return his belongings, which they had divided amongst themselves. Foley went oo to canpletc 32 missions with the 22nd Bombardment Group. He wu ~ted with sevm oonfirmed Zero's aod eight probables. Due to the news releases of Pat Robinson and the song Johnny Zero he had become quite a celebrity in the states. Suffering from malaria as most of his buddies were, John was returned to the states for reassignment. But first John, aloog with several other cmd>at rc:tumces was sent on a speaking tour of defense plants. In a 30 day period he delivered

some 60 speeches to workers in munitions factories, aircraft plants and shipbuilding yards. Johns next assignment was gunnery instructor at Ft Myers, Florida. One day he was telling the class bow he learned to fire the machine guns using tracers. After class a Captain ,who had been sitting in the class, told John, ''We're teaching them one thing and you 're telling them something else. "John replied, "I don't want to be an instructor." The Captain sent him to the Squadron Commander to arrange a ll'ansfer. When asked what he wanted to do, he said be wanted to go back into combat. Foley was sent to Peterson Field, Colorado, where he joined a B24 unit that was in its last stages of training. He was assigned nose gunner and after completion of training his crew flew a new B24 to England via the South Atlantic route. They were then assigned to the 409th Squadron of the 93Id Bombardment Group. John flew most of his missions as a member of William Seward's crew in Thunderbird His first mission was to Brunswick on May 19, 1944. John flew the first early morning mission oo DOay. While putting his parachute and gear away after returning from the first raid, a Lt. Doyle told John he needed another gunner, so like many others he flew a second mission that day. It was two years earlier on June 6, 1942 that John had shot down lhe two Zero's over Lae, New Guinea. 3 John's first love being the B26, happened to find a former co-pilot flying A20s based in France. When he asked about a transfer, he was told he could transfer as soon as he finished his tour and took a 30 day leave in the states. He then volwiteercd to fly with other crews when his own wasn't scheduled. From mid July till the end of the month, be flew almost every day. He completed a 31 mission tour in just 70 days. His worst missions were over Munich because of the heavy flak. John was denied the chance to fly a third combat tour when his orders were rescinded and he was sent to Walla Walla, WA where he remained until the end of the war. John's exploits are recorded at the Air Force Museum in Daytoo, Ohio. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame section of the museum and there is a display dedicated to him. In a glass case are reminders of his wartime service which include his uniform, medals, ribbons, wings, patches, pbctographs of him and his acws and a copy of the record and song sheet of the song , Johnny Zero. Ed: John Foley never mentioned his record as Joboay Zero to any of his 409th crew. Sam Hall who fkw with John Foley but never knew him a.s lolumy Zero umil a/mo.,t 50yean /a/er, brought this story to my atuntion. Pichlred below is the exhibit at the Air Force Museum, Dayton, OH. Note the prominent diaplay of the 8th AF and 409th squadron patches.

"Hello Milfoil This is Wee Willie" The Diary of Capt. Edward L. McGuire 409th B.S. 93rd B.O. "Base to target is Uncle Sam's time. Target to~ you're on your own!" - Col. Thennan Brown 93rd C.O. heading. A bit Inter he said, correct five degrees right to(?) degrees. We had recently been warned that in situations like this the Krauts would get on the frequency and gradually change the unwary pilot's heading until he was headed back into Geonany and this popped into my mind. I said, the h- ~ith that junk, we're getting behind the lines right now. The voice immediately said, okay okay, maintain your present heading. We were now down to 5000 feet and in pure desperation, I decided to try #2 again, and what doyoo know #2 fired and ran as nice as you please. We immediately stopped losing altitude, though we couldn't gain any and things became much more civilized. We passed from one vector station to the next until we were almost to the Channel. Big decision, do we lry to cross the water or not? If #2 packed up again oc anything, we might not make it. We've got a perfectly legitimate excuse to land on the continent. Finally I asked everybody, "How much money have you got?" Would you believe, the nine characters all together only had four pounds and a little. No sense hitting the continent broke, so we opt for England. After an eternity, we're over England and over Manston, which was a special field for battle damaged air craft and had, as I remember, an extra wide 10,000 feet runway. During all this long trip Leach had gotten down in the bomb bay with no parachute, and plugged hydraulic lines with 50 cal. bullets held with !ape and he tells me be thinks l can get some flaps. We crank down the landing gear while circling the end of the runway and I start down. At 500 feet or so above the runway and two thirds of a tum from lining up, # 1 starts acting up.With #4 still feathered and #2 lost and regained so for, I closed all throttles. Then I put her on her ear in a turn and dove for the end of the runway. Rolling out just off the runway, called for flaps, got a little and plugs blew out of the hydraulic lines. Were just off the ground, going pretty d- fast, 1 'm kicking rudder left and right to slow down or spill lift and finally we touch down. When that nose wheel touched I locked the brakes and cut the switches and we slipped down the runway and finally stopped, about 10 or so feet short of the end of that nice long runway, with old George at a slighl angle to the left and it got real quiet. 4 Everybody bailed out onto the runway. Some kissed the ground I was shaking so much I couldn't light a cigarette. Leach lit one and gave it to me. Some characters came up in jeeps, looked the ship over and asked, what the h- did you bring that back for? We can't fix it. We stayed at Manston overnight. Next day Captain Dobbs came down from Hardwick in old war weary 0-0boe. Over my protests, he ferried me and my acw to Bury St. Edmonds, where he picked up a brand new ship and I was ordered to fly Oboe back to Hardwick. We made an instrument takeoff very late in the afternoon in a pouring rain and headed for home. I bad flown one flight of 1 :25 hours night in F.ngland, but this time I flew 30 min. day, 45 min. night and 30 min. P-AI. I remembered the light system for night landings, which con-sisted of a circle of hooded lights around the field. If you got at the risht height and distance you could sec the lights and sort of fly formation on them. They would lead you around to a final approach and then you picked up three vertical lights like a traffic light, Qmberyou're too high, green you're okay, red you're too low. I was terribly tired, completely drained and I knew it, so I called Leach and the co-pilot and said, 11m too tired for good judgement. I intend to fly the orange path, J can always lose altitude and speed, but 1 doo't WBDt to take unnecessary chances. What color is that light? They both replied, orange, so I settled down to land. The landing lights wouldn't oome oo, we flew through what I thought was some bushes or brush off the eod of the runway. I applied power to carry us over and onto the field, then reduced power again and we settled, hit with a bump which shook the landing lights on. The first thing I saw was a great big ditch right in front of us. Mv impression was l.S or 20 feet across and 10 feet deep. Instantly I applied full power, Leach turned up full turbo and we lifted or bounced over not just one, but a total of four of those d- ditches. I bad touched down a good half mile short of the field. Naturally, we didn't wind up on the runway but off to one side and hit a big pile of shm Jogs with the left strut and #2 engine. That prop was throwing l~ all over the place. Suddenly we stopped, all switches cut, old 0.()boe listing to pen and everybody getting the h- out through any bole available and it got real quiet. I walked back to my quarters, dug out the bottle and had a couple of 180 proof drinks. For all this, I was grounded for 30 days. Old G-George end O-Oboe were finished, and I nearly was, too. 21 March 1945 Hespe AID

r r Yesterday I flew 2 hours, probably a check flight to tenninate the 30 day grounding. Starting today, l flew 600 W-Wtllie, a brand new ship that never gave a moment's trouble. ln spite of some moments of fear <X' stress, this was the best flying time l had. Wee Wt/lie had boosters on the rudders, no more both feet on one ruddec bar. It was unpainted which meant more speed with less power. From here on to the end, there were no aborts, no battle damage, no mechanical troubles.just good flying. [ went th.rough four co-pilots during this period also. The missions were generally longer and I was too old for canbat. In fact, I just ate, slept, flew and was in bed quite early each night. As I remember, before 9:30 p.m. I would take off, form up, fly the bomb run through the rally and land. The rest of the time the co-pilot worked. I flew missions on March 2L, 22, 23, 24. March 30, 31. April 4,S. April 14, 15, 16, 17. April 20, 21. The mission sheets tell little and I only have a few for this period. I remember certain missions pretty clearly. #27, Wdhelmsbaven, 30 March a very long bomb run and we went in over a canal apparently filled with barges loaded with 88's. The flak was very noticeable. #l8, Brunswick, 31 Ma.rch shows 3:00 co-pilot ( error again?) Maybe I let the co-pilot make some 1st pilot time. No memory of it however. #30 Bay~uth 5 April 194! We fonned over Charleroi in really stinking weather. Could hardly see anything. A B-24 spun in. On July 10, 1977, I received a letter from Paul Steichem who flew on this mission with me. AU I really remember is coming dm\-n the Rhine River right on the deck. As the land rose on each bank, the wing ships were f oroed to fall back and ref omi until we were in javelin formation. Then just before Bonn or Cologne, we left the river and re-fonned almost line abreast, going full throttle, right on the deck in that terrible murk. Suddenly, just ahead was a big gray shape in the murk Barrage balloons, I threw the ship into a vertical bank to the right, then when I tried to bring her back. I over-controlled into a vertical bank to the left. Then I brought the ship back level, When I looked at Jr., he bad a funny look on his face. I asked, "What the h- bothers you?" He said, "Did you see the second balloon?" I hadn't. I had dodged one by quick reflexes, but the other was just Irish luck. I heard we lost one or two ships in this incident, but I never really checked, too tired probably. #31 Lacoubre 14 April #32 Royan 15 April These two go together. Some Gennan troops had been by-passed and were on an island in the Gironde Estuary. The first day we went in with five 1,000 pound bombs each ship. This was the only trip carrying this size. Just a very long hard trip, I 0 hours.The second day we carried eight napalm bombs, the only time for this type, thank God. The weather wasn't particularly bad. In fact, the second day was real nice, but a B24 normally carried a whiff of eau de petrol about it all the time. Leaking gasoline was to a degree at least normal. We briefed to bomb from 15,000 feet, but when we got to about 10,000 feet, that jellied gasoline began to expand and ooze from those drop tank containers, talk about a riot. We all went on straight oxygen, ctacked the bomb bay doors and the smart leader decided to bomb from either 8 or 10,000 feet, I forget which, but that was okay with us. What become pure h- was trying to stay in f onnation in the most wicked propwash l ever experienced and I may say, I experienced a bit more than average. How we stayed right side up and didn\ collide with one another rn never know. After the drop, the trip home was great. We flew over St. Michel, London and just bad a real touristy trip in the swtshine. London from chimney top height was great. #33 April 16 Landshut #34 April 17 Kroceblauy #3~ April 20 Muhldorf Three real Jong missions for the last three required for my tour. I really remember nothing about them except when we got back from #35 technically f was through with combat operations and my crew was also. Sgt. Gardner, originally our ball turret gunner and oo this tour the second waist gunner, had somehow fallen one mission behind the rest of the crew. Probably grounded with a cold some time or other. Anyway, everybody is very joyful except Shorty. When I learned the situation I said, "Shorty, remember I said I'd get you here and I'd get you back. You and I will make one more, if we have to go alone." He really perxed up, and I went into operations and said, "Post me for the mission tomorrow, which they did." Now it seems another pilot and co-pilot had finished one mission ahead of their crew and said flatly, the b- with i1 We've done all we're required to do. So the nexl day, April 21, 1945, I, a co-pilot, Lt. Smith's crc\\ and Shorty Gardner took off in Wee Willie for one last time. For the life of me, I can't remember the beginning. I do remember being over France, there was a recall. To he continued

Season's Greetings from Al Asch, V. P. 2ADA We received disconcerting news from Paul Steichen about the p~ing away of his wife, Marie. Naomi and ( met Marie for the first time al the 2ADA reunion at Hilton Head. Naomi summed it up best by commenting that Marie was indeed a very gracious and attractive lady and obviously had a very productive and happy life. Marie indeed made a major contribution through her university work during her lifetime. We all give our heartfelt condolences to you, Paul, and to your family and friends. May God bless you. You may have noticed that 1 did not get our article "Open Letter" in the winter 2ADA Journal. There was no news to report from my article in the last BOF which all of you received. Frankly, quarterly publications just don't generate that much new news and those deadlines come all too swiftly. Since my last report in the BOF, I received a long Jetter from General Shuler, Chainnan and CEO of The Mighty Eighth Air Force Heritage Museum He gave me an update of the progress being madQ to complete their work. As you know. initial emphams was on the B-17 and other displays. Let me quote from his letter: ''Your letter of 5 October was vay much appm:iated and particularly the thoughts and ideas concerning the 93rd Bomb Group display. Let me kind of walk you through where we are concerning the entire gallery entitled "Honoring The Eighth." First of all the area has been redesigned and will be expanded to accommodate noe unit display cases to include the 93rd. The Second Air Division wall will be moved to a permanent location on the wall to the right as you enter this gallery. This will open up the area to permit the addition of unit display cases to include, in sequence, the 7th Photo, 379th BG. 491st BG, Scouting Force, Norway Flyers, 56th FG, 100th BG, 93rd BG and the 94th BG. Other unit display cases will have to wait until we expand the building. Additionally, we will construct a mini theater in the gallery like the Battle of Britain theater, that will feature a wrap up presentation of the WWJI Eighth Air Force action. Al$o, in this area a video monitor will be added, that will tell the Second Air Division story. This reconfigured gallery will bring an exponential dimension to the musetem. In addition to the above, we are redesigning the POW and Escape & Evasion exhibits to provide more substance to these particular elements of the Eighth Air Force story. As you can see, we have a full plate". Indeed the museum staff has a full plate. Naomi and 1 were impressed with the quality of work completed thus far when we attended the opening last May. I know that General Shuler will not make compromises in this quality in the rush to ac:oomrnodate unit displays. This is as it should be. Please note from the above that two B24 groups and the 2ADA display will be all that will feature the 824 activity of the 8th Air Force. It must be done well, I know it will! He has only two curators on his staff with a lot of work remaining but their quality is without question. General Shuler also pointed out the need for funds. All of us should be members of the Museum. Making a direct contribution makes you an active member and you receive the Museum news letter. Naomi and I have becane lifetime members and we are making our two sons members. The museum address is: The Mighty Eighth Air Force Heritage Museum P.O.1992 Savannah, Ga 31402-1992 It would be great if the 93rd would achieve 100% membership! I have asked Ca I Davidson, our editor, to send this Christmas issue of the BOF to all members of the 93rd, even to those who have not made a contributim. The BOF tends to bold us togedler as a group and provides most interesting reading. Cal has placed a form on the back cover for your use in making a contribution if you have not already done so. Raima}' Potts ftlld I are investigating the possibility of planting a tree and installing a plaque for the 93rd at the Arlington National Cemetery as a living ll1elIDial to those who lost their lives in the air war over Europe during WWD. I was the project offica-for the 455th Bomb Group of the 15th Air Force to complete such a project. The memorial was dedicated the 271h of September of this year. It was indeed a IIICID(Di)le occasion and the memorial will remain at the cemetery for generations to come as a reminder that many of our young men made the supreme sacrifice with their lives during WWII to preserve our freedoms. I will keep you advised on this activity. Many happy returns for the Holiday Season and God bless you all! Ed: The proposed Memorial at Arlington National C emelery has my entJ11111itutic .Jupport.

--Folded Wings Hollis H. Hunt Walter Smelt Ubrary Donation by Paul Steichen A copy oftbe book plate for a 145 book collection donated to the Dwight Illinois Public Library, the home town of Pau1 and Marie, appears below. &J: Poul has found an ideal way to make sure that his library of books. which Included Ted's Travelling Circus. can be read by generations of young people. 1hey will learn of the hardships and sacrifices of the men who served in WWII. Group President's Report During our annual meeting, held at the 1996 2nd Air Division Meeting in Milwaukee: We voted to change the method of raising money for financing both the Ball of Ftre Quarterly 'Express and other activities and proj~, from asking for donations .from our members and friends, to setting an annual fee of $15 for the BOFQE, $5 for membership dues plus a donation that any member might want to make. . ? Response to this change has not been very successful. From a list of 515 members who made donations the past year only 205 have returned the subsaiptioo form with an average of $22.50 per form. The other 310 have sent nothing as of this November 17th date of the writing of this article. Turning to the brighter side we can tell you that our new editor, Cal Davidson, has done a fine job in keeping up the quarterly schedule and the content of the Ball oF Fire Quarterly Express. With his expertise in modem technology and other production aides he bas been oble to implement a reduction in printing costs. We have been able to not only stay afloat but have initiated a policy of sending free copies of the BOFQE to known 93rd members who up to now have not felt that our services would be W<l1h the price being asked. This policy started with Volume 4, Number 1. Copies oftheBOFQ,E will still be sent to a list of about l 00 other non-members who we feel are promoting the intercst of the famous 93rd Bomb Group. It would be very gratifying if the 310 who have not sent in their subscription form would make an effort to do so. Paul Steichen Group President From the Editors Desk: I also received the sad news of the passing of Marie Steichen on October 2, 1996. Our deepest sympathy is extended to Paul and his family. Aft« publishing the last newsletter I now have a better understanding ·of Paul and Marie's work in creating the BOFQE. The task of mailing alone is quite an undertaking, eve.ri with the new stick on stamps and computerized mailing labels .. 1 did not realize how hard it was going to be to fill 12 pages with articles and pictures that would be of interest to all. More input is now needed from all the BOFQE subscribers in order to keep the newsletter interesting. There has to be hundreds of incidents that occurred in the span of the 93rd's stay in England and Africa that have never been told. If you have previously sent in an interesting article that was never printed, please resubmit it. In the transfer of hundreds of letters and documents from Paul I may have overlooked some unused articles. Your help is needed in keeping the newsletter interesting to all. I hope lo see an overflowing mailbox in response to my request for more letters, pictures and stories. Cal Davidson Editor

2ADA Regional Reunion at Orlando, FL WILL 93rd REIGN AGAIN Florida Regional Reunion V, will be held at the Clarion Plaza Hotel Saturday, February 22, 1997. The 93rd has won the attendance crown four straight years. Help us make it five in a row! Deadline for hotel and banquet reservations, January 31, 1997. Special room rates available for 2ADA members from February 20-26. Contact: La,,.,Tence Gilbert, Chairman, 1482 Granville Dr., Winter Park, FL 32789, Tel. 407-647-2623 Dear Paul, F.nclosed find two pictures, one for possible use in the BOFQE. This is a picture of me presenting a copy of Cal Stewart's book to James Hill Jim is the editor of the 8th Air Force Historical Magazine. He will place the book in the 8th Air Force Historical Library at the Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA. Jim is also the keeper of the archives. The other picture is my wife, our grand-daughter and I viewing the B24 All American in August, 1996. I was a pilot with the 93rd. served in the 330th and 329th squadrons. I flew 29 missions before leaving a B24 in Northeastern Polder of the Zuider ae. Fred Lakner J 1950 Bellemeade Dr. Altoona, PA 16602 FA: LIR James Hill, Fred Lakner Dear Cal, This is a letter one hopes they will never have Lo write. Joseph J. Rosacker passed away on September 11, 1996. Ironically several copies of our just completed book, Against All Odds, was lo arrive by express mail at his home on the 11th. We so wished that be would be able to sec the final product. We were '"ith the 328th and 329th Bomb Squadrons of the 93rd. Joe was our pilot and Chuck Conley who was named in the Folded Wings column of the last BOFQE was our tail gunner. They are the first to go on our crew; it's very sad Cal, I for one want to thank you very much for taking over the editing of the BOFQE. Jt is my favorite of all the many newsletters I receive. Fred '"Dusty" Worthen J L21 l N. Fairview St. Burbank, CA 91505 Book Review .Again4tAIIOcU Ten young men from all over the United States came together to form the Rosacker crew in the 93rd Bombardment Group. They flew 24 missions together during the closing months of wwn. On their last mission they were shot down over Holland~ enemy rifles fired upon them as they parachuted down; their captas took them, out back, where they thought they would be shot; the German people reviled them as they were led on a forced march through Bavaria from one POW camp to another. Nevertheless, all ten fliers somehow survived to tell the tale. Ed: Against AU Odds is an excellent story of the Rosacker crew adventure 's. A factual and unembellished account, written by Frederick "Dusty" Worthen, with testimony from nine of the crew throughout the-book 1 recomm€nd Against All Odds as a worthy addition to your library. Please send me _ OOplCS of Against All Odds Name Address City/State/ Zip ---------,--,--:--exp: __ MCNisa number aud expim1ion date Price:$12.95. Please add $2.50 per order for shipping. California resideo~ add $ l .00 sales tax per book. Include payment (check or credit card number) with order. Return to : Fithian Press Box 1525 Santa Barbara. CA 93102

Dear Paul Steichen, Very many thanks for the latest issue of BOFQE. Please find enclosed $20 for the publication and. hopefully membership. 1 was fortunate enough to make contact just in time for the first issue of BOFQE. I have answered the call for funds as requested. and would like to continue receipt if possible, please. As for membership ... ? The qualifications are not mentione.d and therefore, I may not qualify. J was not a member of the 93rd, not even a member of the AAF and worse not even an American! But l did spend from 14 Aug 1942 to 27 June 1944 in the RAF at Hardwick. I still have my pass signed by Lt. Col Addison E Baker, and my diary indicates, amongst other things, that I spent 21 hrs airborne in Wham Bam on 14 Aug 1943. If that does not qualify me for Hoou-my membership then you had better transfer the $15 to the donation section, and somebody can tell me where I stand in the matter so that next year's funds are correct. Very many thanks and my best wishes to you all. J Keo J Smith Dear Cal, 132 Furniss Ave Sheffield S 17 3QP England Just received the BOFQE and as usual it is great. Thanks for the great job! Please refer to Herb Bomstein's note on Page 7 relative to my plane Ready and Willing and be advised it was transferred to the 466th BG as an assembly plane, not the 453rd BG. Our plane Wham Bam was sent to the 453rd BG and my fonner squadron Commanding Oftker Ramsay Potts became their C.O. Also General Andy Low, who lives nearby, and I see each other at our Rhode Island Chapter of the 8th Air Force. He Oew Wham Bam in assembly duty before becoming a P. O.W. on his 17th mission. The following is a listing of the remainder of our B24-D's that were transferred as assembly aircraft to the following groups. Eager Beaver to the 446th Hel/sadroppin to the 448th Luck Gordon to the 445th Of course the Ball of Fire remained with the 93rd. Also on page 7 Big Noise, Charlie Ballard's plane, went to Switzerland and Pop Hastings' Duchess fmally went down after a great record. Thar She Blows, another 93rd plane, was sent to the 458th BG and renamed First Sargeant. I had a great time Sunday October 6th on the 9 All American again. As a DFC member my name, 93rdBG, 330th BS, and Ready and Willing are on the All American. My last flight was in September 1992 and it bad not been in Rhode Island since then. I do hope you will correct Herb's letter in the next BOFQE. Pte.se keep up the super job. Dear Paul, Howard Macrcading ✓ 93 Darrow Dr. Warwick, RI 02886 I hope the enclosed check helps the budget a little bit. Ed Allen's crew did pretty well in the spring BOFQE. Someone decided to print the old picture of me with the Russians on page 4. Allen is in that picture, but you only see the top of his cap behind the Russian. The band picture on page 5 has our engineer, George Baker, seated front center with a clarinet. Art Corbin's letter oo page 9 gives a plug for one of Ed's mission essays. Earl Heffuer ./ Dear Floyd. 2529 Binbrooke Dr. Troy, Ml 48084 I must confess that I don't recall what our dues are for the Quarterly Express or when 1 last paid mine. On the assumption they are due I am enclosing $15, which I hope is adequate. I was greatly saddened to hear from Colooel Brown's wife about his sudden death. My wife and I were fortunate enough to have visited with Colonel Brown only last year. It was a wooderful time to reminisce about our experiences at Hardwick. I had nothing but the highest regard for hint I wrote his widow that I felt he was the finest, bravest man I knew. Dear Cal, Gene Hoffman ✓ 163 Yacht Harbor Dr. Osprey, FL 34229 The summer edition of the BOFQE arrived yesterday and has been read with relish, l was happy to see that you continued the Hello Ml/foil series as I was one of McOuires contemporaries. Please accept my check for $30 to continue my subscription. You guys are doing great work and it is apprecaated. My copy was inco.rrectly addressed; please address it to Frllllk Eiben with correct zip of 45230. That brings up another point.

Never in my life was 1 known as Francis except foc the nwi who taught first grade at St. Eliubeth • s in Norwood. OH. Somehow I blame you for this transposition. Everyone knows that Francis is a girls name and I had a few fights to prove it! 1 suspect you were a history or anthropology professor at Oberlin who researched all Ohio natives who were members of the 93rd. But how on earth did you ever enCOWlter my first grade teacher? Frank J. Eibeuv 1703 Grandle Ct. Cincinnati, OH 45230 Ed: In my reply to Frank I told him I had several cousins who had ltved in Norwood and my wife was Maid of Honor at one of their weddings, but I never had met his first grade teacher. He was listed as Frank on several AF archive loading ltsts I have, so I put the blame on Fred Strombom 's 93rd directory which lists him as Francis. Dear Paul, Thanks for printing my letter in the BOFQE spring issue. J did receive a call from a young fellow whose grandfather was in the 93rd. (Folded Wings) We talked for half an hour or more. He is really interested in gathering information on the 93rd. I am glad that some young people are picking up on wwn, otherwise it will SOOll be forgotten. He told me to send him serial numbers or any other available information and he would go to the ardtlves in Washington DC and research it for me. I haven't heard from him yet, but I am sure that I will. Thanks foc all the great work you have done for our organization. It's a good thing that there are fellows like you. Enclosed is my check for $20 for the BOFQE subscription and $5 for dues. Dear Cal, Warren K. Boerner ( 1308 3rd Ave. NE l Buffalo, MN 55313 Many thanks for the summer issue of the BOFQE. l especially enjoyed the historical part of our spot in jolly old England. Most of our people are not aware of a coincidence in my life regarding Norwich, and I thought some may be interested in it. As a member of the Latter-Day Saints Chmcb, we are often asked to perf cmi a mission, voluntarily, in almost any part of the world In 1962 my family and I were called to go on a building mission. It would last three years. We accepted and. to our absolute amaz.ement, were 10 assigned to build a huge chapel in Norwich, England In April, 1962, just 18 years from the week I took off from Hardwick in Bomerang for a tour of the USA for the State Department, we arrived in Eaton Village, Norwich to be greeted by many whom I knew in 1942-1944. For 35 months we lived there and built the beautiful church. My children went to school there. We visited the old Hardwick and Hethel airbases where on<:e I flew with the 329th and 330th Bomb Squadrons from September 1942 to April 4, 1944. At the completion of that Mission, we were asked if we would be able to go on a second one to build a smaller church in Germany. I said, "I guess I may have knocked down a few churches there in the war, I re.ally owe them ooe''. Thereupon we went to Flensburg, in Nort.bem Germany for 19 months, and built a smaller chapel. Dear Paul, Walter Stewart 7923 S. 4000 W. Benjamin, UT 84660 I just finished reading the Ball of Fire Quarterly and really enjoy the articles in it. They bring back memories of a time I was much younger. I wm in the 328th squadron from July, 1944 to March, 1945. The crew I trained with flew a shiny new B24 to Valley, Wales where they took the plane and broke our crew up. Three of us coded up at the 93rd. We were all replacements and flew with different crews until our sixth mission, when we wae assigned to Lt Silvers crew. Our first time out we were hit by flak, knocking out number three engine and hitting co-pilot Myron Smith and pilot Lt. Silvers. The bombardier helped the pilot land at Lewes, an English Spitfire base. I flew one more mission as radio operator and then flew six trucking missions in August, 1944 hauling supplies to Orleans, France. The last part of August I was sent to a Radar Counter Measure School near London. The rest of my tour was flown as an R. C. M. operator. I was assigned to aircraft with this equipment on board and flew with whatever crew was taking it that day. 1 flew with aJI four squadrons and 24 of 30 missions with different crews, some oo their last mission and one on their first. I flew with Lt. Siebers crew two weeks before he went down. What all of this is leading up to is the picture of Emmett Monroe's crew reunion picture in the last BOFQE. I believe he is one of the pilots I flew three

r missials with. Is there some way I can get in touch with him? The three miaioos we flew together were all on the same plane, 095R Sleepy 1ime Gal. Back in an 1988 issue of Briefing #38, there was an article about a B24 that crashed in S<X>tland on its way back to the states after the war. The plane's history stated that a B24H 42-95095 was assigned to the 328th squadron from April, 1944 until April, 1945. It was in this span of time I flew my missions. If it is the same plane, I flew 13 missions on it as an R.C.M. operator. We never got to know the crews we flew with as we were not on the intercom with them, but plugged into the radar listening to the bleeps. All I wrote in my personal log was the pilots name, squadron, plane and target. I have had an inquiry about a grandparent who was stationed with me. One pilot fian the 330th found my name oo an accident report where the plane skidded on landing and tipped up damaging a wing and two eogioes. He was on his 27th mission and the crew was on their first. 1 told him I was on my 22nd and didn't know the crew. If you can get me in truch with F.mmett Monroe I would appreciate it. Thanks for everything. Leo F. Bates v 4564 Gilkey Rd. Bay City, MJ 48706 Ed: Leo wrote Paul again, that after rereading Emmett', letter, he Jaw hiJ address. All letters will contain the addn!n of the writer in ca.re ,omeone would Ii/re to correspond with him. Dear Cal, Thanks for continuing my name on your mailing list for the Ball of Fire Quarterly Express. I thoroughly enjoy reading it. Enclosed is a small cootributioo to help with your publishing costs. Dear Cal, David Patterson .J Secretmy2ADA 28 Squire Ct. Alamo, CA 94507 Thanks for taking over the editorship of the Ball of Fire. The summer edition was excellent. I was the Deputy C.O. of the 93rd during the spring and summer of 1944 and was promoted to Commanding officer during the fall and winter of that year. After experiencing a severe cold in December of 1944, the Flight Surgeon took me to the hospital. I was found to have tuberculosis and sent home in January of 1945. After a year and a half in the hospital in Denver I was retired. 11 The pwpose of my Jetter to you is to relate one ~of mine. On June 18, 1944 our group led the 2nd Division to an airfield southeast of Hamburg. As we were crossing the channel near Belgiwn the weather ship infmned me that there was a heavy ovc:rcast over the target an:a. Bombing by radar would not be effective. In view of this I announced that we would bomb our secondary target which was Hamburg. The groans over the radio were tremendous! As we turned south over Denmark and headed toward Hamburg we could ,cc the Bl 7's flying from west to east bombing Hamburg. They were at 30,000 feet al we MR at 22,000. The flak around the Forts was like a dcosc cloud. At the I.P. when we turned the ship over to the Bombardier, the last of the Forts were leaving Hamburg. The German guns were turned oo us as we approached the target. The Oak was at the right altitude, but just ahead of our formation. We bad many boles in our ship and bad the electric knocked out. I sat there during the nm from 1.P. to the target reciting to myself the 23rd Psalm. I have said this many times since then, remembering those few minutes of hell and thanking God for bringing us back to England that day. Best to you and thanks again for keeping our newsletter alive. Dear Paul, Harvey Barnard J J 694 Independence Ave. Melbourne, FL 32940 Thanks for the .Ball of Fire newBletter. It brought baclcmemmes. It wm quite a colorful sight with its candy cane striping. Do you remember how it used to fly up to forming altitude and then fire flares with the Very pistol? Were you there when someone got the bright idea to rig up an electrical system to fire the flares out of the tail? Whoever was flying the Ball of Fire, after the tlare system was installed, decided to test it on take-off. He pressed the switch to release a flare out of the tail, the system shorted out, and fired all the flares. The Ball of Fire looked like a missile taking offl I don't remember the date that it happened. It was between June, 1944 and May, 1995, the time I was at Hardwick. Enclosed my check for $20 to keep the Ball of Fire newsletter flying and my membership in the 93rd Bomb. Group. / Francis J. Kelly 884 67th St. Brooklyn, NY 11220

,-----• Seward':, crew: I.JR Top-Prentiss Seig, CP; Richard Pomeroy, B; William Seward, P; Thomas Collins, N; bottom• McCormick, JA(:k Skeels, R; John Foley, NT; Sam Hall. TG; Decker, Daniel O'Connor, WO: regular crew members John Aseltine, WG and Frank Wi¼2& E not in picture :J/ie /Jaff of :Jwe Quarter/g Gxpret>j 93rd BOMBARDMENT GROUP Calvin Davidson, Editor 48973 Plate Rd. Obertln, OH 4407 4 Phone 216-775-1787 BOFQESUBSCRIPTIONFORM Name: ___________ _ Address: ___________ _ BOFQE Subscription@#! 5.00 per annum$ __ _ Annual 93rd Membership@ $5.00 $ __ _ Don.atioo $ __ _ Total $ __ _ Please make checks payable to : 93rd Bomb. Groap Send checks to: Paul Steichen 22912 Nadine Circle Torrance,CA 90505 FIRST CLASS MAIL

r BALL OF FIRE QUARTERLY EXPRESS Newsletter of the 93rd Bombardment Group 2nd Air Division, 8th Air Force, Hardwick, EngJand Vol. 4, No. 4 Winter, 96-97 Groyp President PauJ R. Steichen 22912 Nadine Circle Torrance. CA 90505 (310) 530-9636 Vice President. 2ADA Alfred Asch V. President Membership Floyd H. Mabee 6205 Meadow Court Rockville, MD 20852 (301) 881-1376 28 Hillside A venue Dover, NJ 05801 (201) 366- 5916 The Metz Mission 9 November 1944 by Willard F. Nester There have been many individuals who have asked me, "'What was it like to flv a combat mission?" Well, there were good missions and bad missions. No two were ever alike and no two individuals remember the same details. For me personally, the Metz mission was both good and bad. I was a B24 bomber pilot with a combat crew, assigned to the 329th Bomb. Sqdn., 93rd Bomb. Gp. (H), stationed at Hardwick, East Anglia, U.K., that was part of the 2nd Air Division, 8th Anny Air Force in Europe, during WWll. We had been trained in instrument bombing procedures, known as GH or Gee H, that pennitted release of bombs on targets obscured by cloud cover or otherwise not visible. This placed GH crews in formation lead positions. My story is about the mission my crew was on to bomb gun emplacements in the area near Metz, France, during wwn. Webster's Dictionarv identifies a gun emplacement as a "fortress, a larg~ and permanent fortification.,, These fixed emplacements were built in strategic locations in the mountains, concealed and protected by a bomb-proof chamber of steel and concrete, with an embrasure in the wall which would allow a cannon or artillery piece to be fired. Note: I've been told, true or not, that these forts were never captured or destroyed during WWI. They were neutralized by encirclement. This mission was flown on 9 November 1944, and the target was Fort L'Asine Target #27, located southwest of Metz. The situation at the time was: The U.S. Third Army, commanded by Lt. Gen. George S. Patton, Jr., was approaching the German border where they began to encounter heavy resistance from German artillery, coming from gun emplacements located in the area near Metz. The U.S. Third Army requested heavy bomber attacks against the forts to silence their guns during passage of the U.S. Armored Forces, seeldng more favorable positions for the eventual reduction of these fortifications. lt was determined that approximately 1300 heavy bombers would be required to produce the desired results. The U.S. Eighth Army Air Force could provide the required bombers from its three Bombardment Divisions. The First and Third Divisions flew the BI 7 aircraft and they dispatched 904 B 17s. The Second Division flew the B24 aircraft and they dispatched 40 I B24s, for a grand total of 1305 heavy bombers to attack the Metz targets. An additional l O B 17 aircraft were used to dispense their cargo of chaff over the entire target areas, prior to arrival of the bombers, to disrupt sightings on the enemy antiaircraft guns. The B 17 aircraft groups attacked five targets, three in the Metz area and two in the Thionville area. The B24 groups attacked four targets identified as Fort Nos. 17, 18, 23 and 27 (L'Asine). The remainder ofmy story will focus

on the 2nd Air Division's B24 aircraft units. The mission began on 9 November 1944 at 0300 hours, when we were awakened and told to prepare for a mission that day. We dressed hurriedly, but made sure that we wore the wannest clothing we had, leaving room only for heavy flying suits to be put on later. We stopped by the Mess for breakfast, knowing that our next meal would be at least 10-12 hours away. Our next stop was the equipment room in Operations, to finish dressing in our flight gear and pick up any equipment and supply items that would be needed on the flight. Briefing was at 0400 hours, and that's when we found out where we were going and the target. The big map of Europe, mounted on the wall, was unveiled with colored strings marking the route in and out of the target area. The color of the strings indicated the different units involved. Briefings were very thorough. Weather conditions were explained in detail and covered from take off, fonning, route in and over the target area to return home, incJuding forecast landing conditions. The briefing officers briefed us on such things as the possibility of encountering enemy aircraft, areas of heavy flak, jamming of COOD11unications, and many other things to disrupt our Jrti.ssion. Also, where we would pick up our fighters, and the use of chaff to disrupt their anti-aircraft gun sights. To name them all is almost impossible, but it was just about everything that a crew needed.Jo k:nmx,. __ On some of our missions we were dropping our-bombs only two or three miles in front of friendly forces, and doing that through cloud cover. This mission was the initial operational use of warning lines defined by SCS 51 localizer transmitters, and the use of friendly anti-aircraft bursts to mark the front lines. It was very important to know when we had passed friendly forces lines and not drop bombs prematurely. The transmitters were set up to give yellow indication on the approach to the warning lines and blue indication after crossing the line. The friendly anti .. aircraft bursts were spaced 500 yards apart for one mile on each side of the transmitters, firing IO minutes before arrival of the bombers and continuing until 10 minutes after the attack was scheduled to end. The bursts we.re at about 17,000 feet altitude and weU below the bomber fonnations. After the briefing, we were taken in the familiar G.I. trucks to our assigned aircraft to prepare for the flight. The first inspection item was a thorough walk-around of the aircraft, a status briefing by the plane's crew chief, a look-around inside the plane before settling into your crew position and making your first radio contact with the control tower. Next 2 was a check of the aircraft's status fonns, fuel load, radio and navigational equipment and intercom check with each crew member. Our crew consisted of the regular crew of ten men. On this mission an air commander and a pilotage navigator were assigned for a crew of twelve. We carried 2500 galloos of fuel, two 2000 lb. high explosive bombs and two smoke bombs. All other B24 aircraft in the formation, except the GH lead cre\\'-s, carried three 2000 lb. high explosive bombs and no smoke bombs. We took off at 0700 and, as soon as we were clear above the clouds, proceeded to the northern assembly area near Seething to join with the 448th Bomb. Gp (H). Weather prevented forming at the briefed altitude of 14,000 ft., and we bad to move up to 18,000 ft. to form. That's where we took the GH lead of wing "A," consisting of 448th and 93rd Bomb Gps (H). Wing "B," consisting of 489th and 446th Bomb Gps (H),joined Wing '1A" to complete the 20th Combat Wing fonnation. As leader of 448th Bomb Gp (H), we left the English Coast at the assigned check point of Dungeness at 0909, at 18,400 feet. Enemy coast at 0917, at 20,000 feet. Forecasted weather from the enemy coast to target area was briefly: Tops 12-14,000 ft., low clouds 5-8/J0 coverage at target with occasional large breaks, tops 8-12,000 ft. Medium clouds formed rapidly, 6-9/10 coverage, tops 16-18,000 fl., then becoming nil to 3/10 at target. Nil high clouds eiittre-route:-\lisibilit)um[e~ aloft. The Wing held a good f ormaiion and at approximately 0940, three Groups of P5 l fighters picked us up and proyided fighter cover the rest of the way to IP-Target, rally point and back to the point where they first picked us up. What a beautiful sight to a bomber formation to see those little friends in their familiar figure 118'1 pattern about 2,000 ft. above our bombers. The P51 's never looked better. Prior to reaching the IP, we received a ccxied message that instructed all GH-Jed units to drop their bombs using GH procedures if at all possible. At the IP we made our turn on course, receiving a strong Gee signal, and quickly established our course to the target area. About five minutes on the bomb run, the navigator reported the Gee signals were fading badly and was concerned that be might not be able to use GH procedures for the bomb reJease. Shortly he reported back that the signals had strengthened and were stable enough for use on the bomb run. He kept us on course until the bombardier reported that he could see the target Weather conditions had improved over the

' r ...... target area to 3-5/10 broken cloud cover and downward visibility was unlimited. The bombardier, by use of the bomb sight, took us over what he bad determined to be the target. Since we had been instructed to use GH procedures, and the navigator was confident he, too, was on course, the navigator released the bombs. After impact, the bombardier hurried from his position in the nose of the aircraft onto the flight deck and with great excitement told me, "I got a good look at the target and we knocked hell out of it." We made a smooth right turn, making sure to keep our fonnation in close and at the same time losing some altitude to be at the rally point at 20,000 feet. At this point the leader of the 93rd BG, after making a sharper turn to the rally point, was ahead of our formation off to the right and kept this lead back to our home bases. Weather conditions permitted the returning formations to slowly lose altitude, leaving the enemy coast at 1201 at 9000 ft. altitude and over the British coast at 1219 at 7,500 ft. altitude. Weather conditions upon arrival at home bases were: 10/ 10 sweJling cumuJus and cumulonimbus, base 7-1200 ft., with rain and snow showers, tops unobserved. Visibility 3-5 miles except 1-3 miles in precipitation. Surface winds WNW-NNW, 20-25 mph with gusts to 35 mph. Since we were preparing for an instrument letdown and landing at Hardwick, our home base, I'm assuming that the 448th BG was led by the deputy leader to their base at Seething for a similar type landing. No problem landing and we were home after a six-hour thirty-five minutes mission. After debriefing the offi<:a's on my crew, by staff personnel, the mission was at last complete If Paul Harvey, the noted news commentator and story teller, was telling this story, he wouJd probably precede bis remarks with "AND NOW FOR THE REST OF THE STORY." Except for the problems encountered while forming, caused by weather conditions, the mission had been a routine one until we were about halfway on the ten minute bomb run, when strange things began to happen. First were the fading Gee signals, then moments later the signals strengthened to a degree of reliability and stability that could be used to maintain our course. Then the navigator began asking for course corrections, such as 2° right, 2° right, 3° right, 2° right, so close together that it was almost as if in a steady tum. We were on auto-pilot and those corrections were made with precision. About the time the course corrections had been made, the bombardier reported that he could see the target and engaged the Norden bomb sight on what 3 he had determined to be the gun emplacement target. Both he and the navigator were confident that they were on course to the target. Bombs were released by the navigator on GH backed by the boolbardier and his bcmb sight, the ideal bomb run. Their skills by training, experience and dedication could not be questioned. for they, in my view, were at or near the top in their specialty This was the crew's 13th GH lead mission 5 Sqdn, 4 Group, 3 Wing and J Division. We all thought at the time that we had bit our target with good results. This mission bad been on my mind for a long, long time as being the best of the thirty combat missions my crew flew during WWII. I felt that on this mission we did the most good to help our ground forces in reducing casualties and saving American lives, while bringing closer the end of wwn. I was coaxed into writing my account of this mission, knowing that I was not capable to do this story properly. It was not until this year, January 1996, while getting research data from the AF Archives at the Air University, Maxwell AFB, AL, and National Archives at College Park, MD, that I foamed that lhe target we destroyed was a smal) town or village, Goin, France, located approximately 2 miles southwest of the MPL main point of impact, for our assigned target No. 27. Other GH lead navigators in the Wing also reported fading Gee signals, and one Group complc1ely lost their Gee signals and was forced to bomb targets in the Thionville area visually. We missed our target badly, and as Wing leader, caused other units dropping on our smoke bomb to miss also. I deeply regret the very big error we made, but now you know "THE REST OF THE STORY." On 19 November 1944, Lt. Gen. George S. Patton, Jr., wrote a personal letter to his friend, Lt. Gen. Carl A. Spaatz, Hq. U.S. Strategic AF Europe, to express bis thanks for the heavy bomber support in the Metz area and advise him of the results when he inspected the forts. A copy of his letter was endorsed through channels to the Commander, 329th Bomb Sqdn, 93rd Bomb Gp (H) for all concerned personnel who were GH leaders on the Metz mission, of 9 November 1944. A copy of his letter, with endorsement, is attached to my story. Of the 40 I B24 aircraft dispatched from the 2nd Air Division to bomb four targets in the Metz area, 340 aircraft with GH leaders attacked the assigned targets, while sixteen aircraft were forced to visually bomb targets in the Th ion ville area. On

the four Metz tarsets, the B24 units dropped a total of2,139,000 lbs. (1069.5 tons) of high explosives, almost exclusively of the 2000 lb. HE type. We encountered no enemy fighters, flak was nil to meager and inaccurate, going in, over the target area and out, with only five aircraft reporting light damages. All aircraft returned safely and the 2nd Combat Wing reported the only fatality (killed) of approximately 3700 B-24 air crew members on this mission. Fighter protection was very good, and so were weather forecasts. Warning line devices (friendly flak and localizer transmitters) worked extremely well. forming had a few problems due to weather conditions and at the rally point, one group got ahead of the wing leader and kept that position for the remainder of the mission. No official reports gave any indication that transmission signals (GH) had been altered (jammed) during this mission, but several navigators reported Gee signals very \\--eak and some were unreliable. ,.,.-The official report of the mission stated that "not only did the aerial bombardment lower the morale of enemy troops, but it afforded an excellent morale stimulant for our forces." This was a "good" mission. Attachmeut: U .Gen. Patton, Ltr. Dated 19 Nov 1944 w/ eodorsements HEADQUARTERS TillRD UNITED ST A TES ARMY Lt. Gen. Carl A. Spatz Office of the Commanding General Hq. U.S. Strategic AF Europe APO 633, U.S. Anny DearTooey: APO 403 19 November 1944 This morning. I was in the Vemygroup of forts which, as you remember, was the No. l Priority in the bombing attack which you put over on the 9th. One of the forts WA.'1 completely removed. I have never seen so many large chunks of concrete in my life. Another fort, which we are now occupying as a Command Post for the 5th Division, was not hit but the people were so badly 9Cllred lhat they left, because we occupied it without firing a shot. AJso, the No. 2 Priority fort, northeast of No. I. received direct bits and was occupied without firing. I would appreciate very much if you would transmit this infonnation to Jimmy Doolittle, and tell him also bow much the 3rd Anny appreciates the magnificent support rendered. We are now in Metz. About half the forts have been taken or found unoccupied; the other half are conu.ined. There is a limited amount of street fighting now ta.king place. With renewed good wishes, I am, as ever Devotedly yow-s, /sf George ------------------------------------------- G. S. PATTON.z.1R ________ ·-------------------------HEADQUARTERS 2D BOMBARDMENT DIVISION AAF 147 APO 558 6 December 1944 SUBJECT: Letter from C',eneral Patton. TO : All Combat Bombardment Wings, 2d Bombardment Division. All Combat Bombardment Groups, 2d Bombardment Division. Commanding General, 65th Fighter Wing. APO 558. The Commanding General desires the following letter from Lieutenant General George S. Patton. Jr., be brought to the personal attention of all members of your command. By command of Major General KEPNER: FRANCIS H. GRISWOLD, ------------------------------------ ______________ Bri_gadier GeneraL US, Chief of Staff. _________ _ 329th BOMBARDMENT SQUADRON (H)AAF, APO 558, U.S. Anny. 16 December 1944. TO: A1J Personnel Concemed. The following crews pwicipated in the MelZ Bombing of9/l 1/44. Capt. Nester's Crew Capt. Elliott's Crew Lt. Jennings' Crew Lt. McCullough's Crew Lt. Oberschmid's Crew Lt. Kendzie's Crew Lt. Dauber's Crew Lt. Aaker's Crew ,-, Lt. Richey's Crew JOHN W. FLOORE. Major. Air Corps, Commanding 4

r r 93rd BOMBARDMENT GROUP (Heavy) ALCONBURY AND HARDWICK, ENGLAND NORTH AFRICA: THREE TOURS WWII STRATEGIC BOMBING 1942-1945 8-24 J,18£UATOR second Air Division ,~ H~HOHY UV 1HUSE WUU HADE Tll~ SUPREME SACRlftCE IN THE S~l£5 OVER EUROPE DURING WORLD WAH 11 TO PRESERVE OUR FREEDOMS. DEDICATED TO ALL WHO SERVED CROUP COMBAT MISSIONS: 396 AIRMEN ~TLLED IN ACTTO~ ANO/OR HISSING: 670 LOIi ALTlTIJ/lE l!AID AGAINST PLOESTI OIL PRODUCTION: I AUG 1943 A!HHEN DECORATIONS FOR PLOESTf: TWO MEDALS Of HONOR AND FOOR DlSTINGUJSIIElo SERVICE CROSSES DISTINGUlSUED UNlT CITATIONS: TWO BATTLE CAMPAIGNS: ElGUTEEN SQUADRONS: JZBLh, 32'1th, '130th AND 409th DEDICAn:o 1997 Footnote: Since I sent my article to Cal Davidson for the BOFQE, we have received approval from the Superintendent of the Arlington National Cemetery for planting a tree with our plaque, pictured above, as a living memorial to those who lost their lives during WWIJ. The approved location is a short distance from the entrance way to the Kennedy grave. The plaque will be 14 "x 18" made of bronze and mounted on a granite pedestal. The tree will have to be planted this spring to survive and the dedication ceremonies will be in October. The cost will be between $2,000 and $2,500. The principal source of funds will have to be by donations from all of us. There will be more about this in the next BOFQE and we will discuss the project at our forthcoming reunion in May at Irvine, CA. I hope we can have a large attendance at the ceremonies this fall. Al Asch Sam Bain John F. Keilt Folded Wings William A Martin Gilbert R. Freeman Don Janss Editors Desk: Mailing your newsletter with first class postage insures forwarding and makes prompt delivery of your newsletter possible. However our readers still seem to be constantly on the move. It will help me and your post office if you apprise me of any move or mistakes in your address, especially those who move to wanner climates in the winter. Some of you are unsure whether or not you have paid your subscription dues. I have inserted a "P" in the right hand comer of your mailing label for those who have paid the new subscription rate 5 ofS15. When the "P" disappears it will be time for you to renew your subscription. Starting with this issue, the last page will have a nose art picture fran different planes of the 93rd. It would be interesting to hear from those of you who have flo'Ml in them. The pictures appear courtesy of Don Morrison, grandson of 93rd member Melvin Morrison, who has accumulated about 100 of these. Just after the last issue of BOFQE went to press I received a copy of a letter from David and Pearl Woodrow to Al Asch thanking him for the copy of Ted 's Travelling Circus that Al bad sent for the museum at Hardwick. The 93rd owes a tremendous debt of gratitude to the Woodrows for their loving are of the oJd airfield and the hospitality they have shown to all it's visit.crs. subscription dues. inserted The final episode of He/Jo Mi/foil This ls Wee Willie will be in the next issue. Ca I Davidson:&titor

Dear Cal, I'm writing in hopes that someone out there might solve this mystery. An eastern publication, The Washingtonian, published a narrative on the Big No;se, the airplane I did most of my missions in during late 1943. According to the story, it was shot down March 16th, 1944 and the co-pilot, Jack Elliott, joined the French underground and eventually escaped. However, a friend of mine in Switzerland sent me a document from the Swiss archives showing a picture of Big Noise at a Swiss airport, Dubendolt with no damage, and enough fuel to return to England. The article is quite lengthy, so I have skipped all but the salient points. If you wish, I can send you the whole article. The I st pilot is listed as Richard Pettit. If any of your readers can shed any light on this, I would be sincerely appreciative. I have enclosed a few papers that might be of interest. One shows the assignment of 969 to my crew. My engineer, Charles Boyer was instrumental in designing and applying the Big Noise logo. The BOFQE is great. Please keep it going. J.B. Weiss✓ 23339 Victory Rd .. Spring Hill, KS 66083 Ed. The aforementioned story of Jack Elliott appears in the December J 992 issue of the Washingtonian. Experienced Top Turret Gunner Desires Work Send inquiries to: Michael J. Donahue 390 I Wintergreen Midland, Ml 48640 6 Dear Cal, Your efforts as editor merit a very sincere welJ done. Col. Barnard's letter in the Fall 1996 issue of the BOFQE about his mission to Hamburg on 18 June 1944 rang some bells. My diary entry on that date confirmed that be flew with our crew as Command Pilot. He may recall that the aircraft was equipped with H2X radar and that it came from Hethel. The name LIBERTY RUN was painted on its nose. Arriving from Cheddington in early February 1944, Lt. Litwiller's aew was assigned to the 330th squadron. In April )944, the crew was selected for assignment to the 564th Pathfinder squadron of the 389th Bomb Group. At the time, H2X radars and radar maintenance technicians were in short supply. Accordingly, 2nd Air Division concentrated the equipment, maintenance personnel and PFF crews in the 564th squadron at Hethel. After a two week training period we became an operational PFF crew flying mainly with the 93rd but with other groups on occasion. My diary entry for 18 June 1944 indicated that it was our 28th mission and the roughest to that date. We found out later that flak had hit an inverter junction box and caused an electrical fire that was extinguished by our radio operator, T/S Barnes. Because of this the fluxgate compass system was rendered inoperative and I was forced to use the pilot's gyro-<:ompass to navigate back to Hardwick. I was the DR navigator. When we completed our tour, Litwiller and I returned to Hardwiclc for the purpose of training new PFF crews. By July 1944, H2X radars and maintenance technicians were being assigned directly to ea(:h Bomb Group since the shortage of Mickey equipment and radar maintenance personnel no longer existed. Capt. Litwiller went home when his three mooths were completed and was replaced by Capt. Ross Baker. During the three month period, I met my wife to be and volunteered to remain at Hardwick indefinitely. We recently celebrated our fifty-first anniversary. Robert A. Jacobs .J 203 Cannister Ct. Hampton, VA 23669 Dear Cal, I thought I had sent in dues long ago but can't fmd a record, so l have included them. J have a comment on the fall 1996 cover story about Johnny "'Zero" Foley. Lt. Col. Walter Krell,

the pilot, who selected John Foley as his gunner, was a life long friend of mine. He died in 1994 in Etna, California. We met as members of the first class of the U of C Veterinary School at Davis, California in J 948. Walt told horror stories of the early days in the Air Force in the South Pacific when Group officers stayed comfortable in southern Australia, leaving operational squ.adroos in northern Australia and the islands leaderless and without logistics for food, men cc planes. I have a ropy of his story, including that of Johnny l.ero Foley. recorded on video in the months before be died. Dear PauJ, Walter F. Hughes ✓ 36681 Cuenca Ct Fremont, CA 94536 Yesterday I received the BOFQE and was pleased to see the picture of my crew on the back page. I have been in contact with Jack Skeels, John Foley, Sam Hall and Dan O'Connor. This all started when Skeels saw my name in the newsletter as a result of a story by Tony Grey back in mid 1944. Jack wrote to me and gave me the names of two crew members. He thought John Foley had passed away but instead he had moved. Ed Wagner of Arkansas City, KS wrote to me and wanted to know if I was the pilot that John Foley flew with. Wagner had Foley's address and Jack and John got reacquainted. I had made brief notes of my missions and I sent copies to Tony Grey. After several edits and phone calls he put together a nice printout which I sent to the fellows. Jack recalls the one where we came down out of the overcast to find four Fl 09 yellow bellies on our wing tip. Right back up in the clouds and back to England we went. William Seward ✓ 6328 Dorchester Rd. Lockport, NY 14094 Ed: John Foley recalls the incident with the Fl 09s as the only fighters he sow while in the 93rd. John ts going to attend the 2ADA Reunion at Irvine, CA. Why not make It a Seward crew reunion? To 93rd BG Association Second Air Division Dear Sirs: I want to congratulate Mr. Luther Bird of the 93rd BG for his very fine article on page 38 of the latest issue of the 2ADA Journal. 7 . I want him to know that he is invited, as is the entire93rd BG, to join us in our memorial at Oslo-Kjeller, Norway , honoring the men lost on the J 8 November 1943 bombing raid. We have fanned a memorial group to erect this memorial to the 62 airmen lost on that mission. It was dedicated May 8, l 9<J5, in Norway. We had another dedication I 8 November 19% at the 8th AF Heritage Museum in Savannah, Ga. to the men of the Kjeller mission. The 93rd BG was one of the four groups on that missioo, the others being the 392nd, 389th and the 44th. We are seeking help in establishing a trust fund for an annual memorial at the bronze memorial in Kjeller. Forrest S. Clark.,, 703 Duffer Lane Kissimmee, FL 34759-4114 Ed: Any interested 93rd members should contact Forrest Clark Dear Cal, I want to make sure my dues are paid because J would hate to miss a single issue. I was tail gunner on the Ralph Schneck crew in the 329th sqdn. We were shot up on some missions and had milk runs on others. The most important mission was our last. We were leading the group June 20,1944 with the target a V-bomb site near Abbieville, France. The flak was very accurate and we had a lot of boles in the plane. Number four engine caught on tire and it took awhile to get it out. With prayer and hOJtC we made it back to base to finish our 30th and last mission. Dear Cal, David W. Robison / RR5 Box239 New Castle, PA 16105 I just received the fall copy of the BOFQE. l am another of the 93rd members who doesn't know if he is paid up or not. Enclosed find my check in the sum of $25, the extra five being the penalty for having the disease C.R.S. "Can't remembers-. " By the way, I had the experience of flying on a weather mission in the Ball of Fire about February 1945. I was in the 329th and am lucky today that I get to visit on occasion with three or four other ex• 329ers. Jack Naifeh ✓ 624 South Denver-Room 20 l Tulsa, OK 74119

Dear Cal, Thanks for the article oo the Joseph J. Rosacker crew and our book Against All Odds in the last BOFQE. I was the navigator on this crew. The eight of us who are left are very close and get together at least once a year, with our wives, and have a ball. F.nclosed are my dues and let me know if I owe more. Lets keep the Ball of Fire flying. John E. Pace J 7206 Wild Valley Dallas, TX 75231 Dear Paul, I recently wrote to you inquiring about a pilot, named Woods, who flew a couple of missions with me. Please disregard my request as I have found him and here's how. Just befcxe I wrote to you I ordered the recently published book Against All Odds by Dusty Worthen, a member of Joe Rosacker's crew. It came on Monday the 21st of October and in only seconds after opening the book the name, Bill Woods, practically popped out at me. I've talked with Dusty and with Bill's wife, he was out, and r have indeed found the right Woods. How about that! By the way, I've told Dusty that l think his book is outstanding with a very accurate description of flying missions. I plan to send you a copy of the story involving Bill Woods. Looking forward to the next issue of BOFOE, it's great. Dear Paul, Ed Allen'✓ 16636 6th Ave SW Seattle, WA 98166-3504 It's been a while since I've been in touch with you. I hope you are well. I noticed that you gave up editing the Ball of Fire Quarterly. I know it must have been a tremendous amount of work and you did it admirably well. Speaking of BOFQE, I've been meaning to send you a check for that for some time. I'm finally getting around to it. My wife and I have had a rather eventful year. We celebrated our 10th anniversary in June and my gift to my wife, really both of us, was a lrip to Great Britain. We went during the Wimbledon fortnight and got to watch the matches on three days. We also saw alJ the sights of London and had a memorable trip to Norwich and Hardwick, where we saw the old field you guys, including my lost uncle and his crew, inhabited during the war. David Woodrow was a super guy. It was a moYing experience, . 8 You might recall that I've been doing extensive research oo my uncle's 93rd BG crew. My uncle, to refresh your memory, was a radio operator, T/Sgt. L.H. Larry White~ his pilot was William F. Stein and their aircraft was the renowned Jerk's Natural. In any event, I made three trips in 1991-93 to the village in southern Austria, about 30 miles north of Graz, where the plane went down after bombing Wiener Neustadt, Austria, on Oct. l. 1943. I interviewed eyewitnesses to the crash and others who witnessed the crew's burial. Then, in the spring of 19'15, we guided the sister of one of the gunners and ha-husband to the village. During that trip, my wife and I started talking about putting up a permanent memorial to the crew at the crash site. The sister that we took to the village was all for it. So were most of the other relatives of the lost crewmen I bad found since starting this quest in 1990. We raised money from these families, seven of the nine with whom rm in touch contributed, and had a bronze plaque made listing the names of the nine men who died and the one who parachuted to safety nearby, and thanking the people of Heilbnmn, in English and German, for the concern and respect with which they treated both the survivor and our deceased loved ones. The villagers enthusiastically threw their support behind the project and they provided a large natural stone, about the size of a refrigerator, on which the plaque was mounted. I had been in touch with the U. S. Embassy in Vienna to get the plaque into the counuy without having to pay duties and so they wanted to send a representative to the dedication ceremony, which we planned for late September 1996. Of course, an early baby waylaid my plans to attend! But a lovely ceremony was held to dedicate the plaque on Sept. 28. It was attended by mayors from two villages, the landowner, a real live baron, the U. S. Embassy's Air Force attache from Vienna, two relatives of the crew members, the sole surviving eyewitness to the crash and nearly I 00 other local folks. It was wonderfully done. And through the magic of video cameras, I was able to watch the ~emony in my home a week later. So now, a handsome memorial marks the spot where these nine 93rd veterans died in an out-of-the-way meadow in southern Austria's Alpine foothills. Between my research on the crew, which J'm trying to tum into a book about the men and what happened to their families, the memorial project, my work as the .energy writer for The Dallas Morning News and now fatherhood, I've got all that 1 can handle. But I've thoroughly enjoyed every minute of

my research and the opportunity to join organizations like the 2nd Air Division Association and to make the acquaintance of people like yourself, David Woodrow, the villagers of Heilbrunn, Austria, and so many others. It's been a real living history lesson, one that I'll always treasure. fve taken up a lot of your time. Above aU, I just wanted to say hello, thanks for your work with BOFQE and thanks for your work during the war. Gregg Jones 1 Dear Cal, 4210 Shady Hill Dr. Dallas, TX 75229 On March 2, 1944, while on a mission to Frankfurt, the navigator of one of the 328th 's planes fell or bailed out just south of the Luxembourg border in France. His name was Andrew J, Logan, serial nwnber 0682200, from Philadelphia. He was picked up by the Germans and became a prisoner of war. Recently l received a call from an American who had been searching that area, found Logan's dog tags and wants to contact him. Would you ask our readers if anyone knows what. crew Logan was flying with or infonnation on his whereabouts ifhe is still ln•ing? Dear Cal, PauJ Steichen ,.; 22912 Nadine Circle Torrance, CA 90505 Congratulations on your accq:>tance of the editorship of the BOFQE. As a former pilot with the 328 Sqdn and 93 BG, I find the publication of unique interest. It is impressive how many articles • continue to be submitted. There seems to be no end, fortunately. Cal, when I left the 8th, I returned for my final year at the U. of Minnesota and graduated in 1946. After working in numerous agricultural positions in Ohio and Illinois for 16 years, I joined the U.S. Agency For International Development (AID) as an Agricultural Development Officer. AID implemented the United States funded economic development assistance programs to former colonies which were liberated by their developers, such as England, France, Belgium etc. after WW II. I spent 24 years at 3 countries in Asia and 3 in Africa assisting local governments at the national level improve food production. In some cases we were able to increase productivity I 00%. Both adoptioo of highly ~ed technology, principally 9 from int.emational research organizations such as the International Rice Research Institute in the Philippmes, for rice obviously, and CIMMYT in Mexico for com and wheat, as well as improved management of programs, based principally on U.S. experience, were the primary factors influencing yields and profitability I have moved from one country to another 13 times. In this process, part of our personal effects are stored in the U.S. Some loss, both of quality as well as personal articles, seems to be inherent in this process. AU of my articles associated with my pilot b'aining experiences have unfortunately been amongst the items lost. I would like to have the following article printed in the BOFQE: Former 93rd BG pilot, wbo has worked for the U. S government overseas for 24 years with the Agency For International Development, has lost all of his memoirs from pilot b'aining in the process of transfer and storage of his personal effects. He would appreciate borrowing any Class Books from Primary, Basic and Advanc.ed Training with the class of 43G in the Western Training command. Also, would like to borrow any class publication from B17 transitional training at Hobbs, N.M. from September-November 43.Will return documents as soon as they are photocopied and will pay for all packaging and postage costs. Will sincerely appreciate any assistance in recovering the memories of these unusual experiences. M}TOn G. Smith✓ 309 N. Manchester St. Arlinst?t VA. 22203. Telephone 703-522-2092. Dear Mr. Steichen, I am an aviation researcher and a conb'ibuting author for some Polish aviation magazines. Among them, Skrzydlata Polska, the oldest and most popular in Poland. I have formed a group of Polish researchers, amateurs like myself, looking for infonnation about combat planes that crashed or force landed in Poland during WWil. We call it Aircraft MIA Prqect. Poland was visited by both the 8th and 15th Air Forces during the war. We have found several black and white pictures of these planes after the event and located some parts oftbe planes. We have also collected several Polish ey~witness and ere\, member reports. Accading to Ray Bowden 's, Tales to Noses over Berlin, the 93rd Bomb Group lost a Liberator over Soviet held territory on February 26, 1945. It

was a B24, #41-29456. UnfatunateJy, I don't know if it landed in Poland. I'm interested in any additional information concerning this plane. Especially, a list of crew members and their fate in Soviet hands. I'm looking for pictures of the crew and plane. Could you help me with this? Michat Mucha ti Al, Wielkopolska 43 60-603 Poman, Poland Ed: Paul 1Jent all info available fi'Om Cal Stewart's book Dear Mr. Davidson, First may I say how pleased I am to receive the BOFQE. You are doing a fme job in Paul's footsteps. Many thanks for furnishing past editions. As you may know I have been an associate member of the 93rd BGA for years. I am proud to be a part of the organization. I was looking thru some reading material recently and came across a reference relating to Col. Leland Fiegel, before he came to Hardwick. I have compiled a short version of this story which I trust wiJI be of interest to the newsletter readers. Would you kindly consider it worthy of publication? John W. Archer .J 22 Station Rd. Earsham, Bungay Suffolk NR35 2TS Colonel Leland G. Fiegel Colonel Fiegel was already a seasoned combat pilot before be arrived at Hardwick to join the 93rd. Before he took over as Commander of the 93rd Col. Fiegel had been Deputy Commander of the 381st BG, a 817 outfit stationed at Ridgewell, &sex. Col.· Fiegel, a very quiet man, took command of the 93rd on August 9, 1943, until handing the 93rd to Lt. Col. Harvey P. Barnard on Sept. 27, 1944. Chaplain James Good Brown in his exceJJent book, The Mighty Men of the 381 st: Heroes All. outlines Col. Fiegel's outstanding leadership. He regarded him as one of the best flyers in the Army Air Force. When the United States first entered the war, Col. Fiegel was chosen to fly some lop generals around the world. He looked so young, 2 7 years of age. He believed in living the scientific life. His attention to order, precision and discipline made him a greatly respected man around the 3 81 st base. Chaplain Brown sunnned up the feelings of the 381st on Col. Fiegel's departure to take command of the 93rd. "You are leaving us to take your own group. We shall greatly miss you. You have given 10 us so much, not only by way of instructions but by what you are." On his arrival at Hardwick it was not long before the new Commander took to the air. On August 13, 1943 he sat in the co-pilot's seat with Lt. 1ohn Roche to lead the mission to Wiener Neustadt. When Col. Barnard took over the 93rd Col. Fiegel was promoted to 20th Wing as Chief of Staff. Dear Cal, The Fall, 1996 edition of the BOFQE arrived yesterday, another excellent publication. Here is another story you might want to print. My nephew, Capt. Bob Hebeman, flew FISC fighters during the GuJf War. One of his jobs was to provide cover for the 93rd Bomb Wing B52's flying out of Diego Garcia. Neither of us made the connection until we had the opportunity to swap war stories at a family reunion. Quite a coincidence! J Frank Eiben Dear PauJ: 1703 Grandle Ct. Cincinnati, OH 45230 Enclosed are my dues for 1997. I have sent my dues in for 2ADA and 8AFHS, so that means that dues for the 93rd are due. I am enclosing a letter and a MACR #21 fl I report of an aircraft that was shot down February 4, 1944 that I received from Horst Weber, seeking any infonnation we might have about a 93rd BG, 328th BS member, 1st Lt. Edwin L. Whitefield. I have checked the 2ADA Roster for any of the nine surviving crew members that might have joined the organization and found none. The German report says that Lt. Whitefield died because his parachute failed to open. Is it possible that he was killed by the policeman who was later prosecuted for the crime? Arry help you can give me would be greatly appreciated. I have just recently concluded a task in an aircraft crash from the 303rd BG, 358 BS. I went thru my US Senator using the Freedom of lnfo.nnation Act to acquire Court Transcipts of a trial of four Gennan civilians who murdered an American Airman after he had safely parachuted to the ground. Jt turned out that this was the first trial of the American War Commission. The sentence handed down and carried out was death by hanging of three of the defendants and five year imprisonment for the fourth defendant. . I received this information, 434 legal s1z.e pages

imprisonment for the fourth defendant 1 received this information, 434 legal size pages within ooe month of my request to my US Senator. Three weeks after I had received the infonnation I got a letter from the Department of the Army telling me that they received my request and worked on a first in first out basis and I should hear from them in approxiamately 12 months. That shows you what power can do. Paul Bergman✓ P.O. Box237 Eagle Creek, OR 97022-0237 Paul 0. Bergman P.O. Box 237 Eagle Creek, OR 97022-0237 Dear Paul Well, [ have another case now. lo 1944 the local Idenheim policeman guarded an American flyer to the Bitburg jailhouse. The ainnen had surrendered after he ran through the vincinity for several days. Now this policeman should bring him to Bitburg. On the way, the man tried to escape and the police nan shot and wounded him deadly. When WWll was over, a trial about this event took place m Dachau or Landsberg, Bavaria. The policeman was accused and received some years imprisonment.. I still don't know the name of the American airmen, but the research indicates probably one name. It is 1st Lt Edwin L. Whitefield 0-797431, 93rd BG, 328th BS. He was hit bv flak near Frankfurt and crashed near Hofweiler, 14 km southeast of Bitburg. He was found exactly at the same place near Scharfbillig, 5km south of Bitburg, where the policeman shot at the airman. But 1 don't have the certainty that the victim was Lt. Whitefield. Can you help me? For sure, it's easily possible, Lt. Whitefield died, because his chute failed to open, as German reports explain it. But the other version is also possible. The name of the ldenhcim policeman was Fritz Scheilz and was born in 1892. Horst Weber Burgstrasse 9 54634 Niederstedem,Gennany Ed: Whitefield is shown as KJA, but story line in Stewart's book says bombadier saw Whitefield's parachute open. Dear Paul: Enclosed find my check to cover my dues and the fifteen dollar subscription for the BOFQE plus - 11 a small donation. I'm sorry but I didn't know there was a dues to belong to the 93rd Bomb Group Organization. I really enjoy reading the quarterly editions of the newsletter. I joined the 409th squadron in January of 1945 as a radio operator on Jim Threlkeld's crew and the many stories and articles about what went on at Hardwick at that time brings back many memories. 1n particular I am enjoying reading the exploits of Captain McGuire in his article entitled Hello Mtlfoil this is Wee Willie. [' 11 be particularly interested in reading the next installment in the spring addition. I'll be writing you further at that time. Dear Cal, Arthur J. Quinn / 403 V alleybrook Dr. Lancaster, PA 17601 Enclosed picture of a Memorial Plaque my kids and Adrian Acosta placed in a Memorial Garden at Fresno City College. Any veteran of any war of the United States living or dead can have a plaque placed there. Anyone living in or near Fresno may visit this Memorial Garden. The plaques are different sizes, so don ·1 know how much they cost. If anyone is interested they can contact Adrian Acosta, 1101 E. University Ave., Fresno, CA 93711. Tom Scott✓ P.O. Box 17555 Munds Park. AZ 86017 ·.;,;-. • I -:...-;:1 ·wwit WOAlf!D'/1$, i~~ll 4281>11,,lil' ~!ill', t•-.. ;.l \~A/4 04 ftBU\~• ' ·h~~•n,s, ·:.

Solid Comfort, Serial No. 250501 "M," AG-330th Sqdn., Assigned overseu July 1944, Retired Kingman, AZ 1945 :J/w Baff o/ ~ire Quarte,•/g Gxpf'e6J 93rd BOMBARDMENT GROUP Calvin Davidson, Editor 48973 Plate Rd. Obertin, OH 44074 Phone 216-775-1787 BOFQE SUBSCRIPTION FORM Name: ___________ _ Address: ___________ _ BOFQE Subscription@#l5.00 per annum$ __ _ Annual 93rd Membership@$5.00 S __ _ Donation $ __ _ Total S __ _ Please: make c~ks payable to : 93rd Bomb. Gro11p Send checks to: Paul Steichen 22912 Nadine Circle TotTancc,CA 90505 FIRST CLASS MAIL

BAlLJ"" OF IF'IlRE Q1UARTERK..1Y EXPRESS Newsletter of the 93rd Bombardment Group 2nd Air Division, 8th Air Force, Hardwick, England Vol.5, No.I Spring, 1997 Groun President Paul R. Steichen Vice President. 2ADA Alfred Asch V. President Membershit, Floyd H. Mabee 1785 Shuey Ave. #105 Walnut Creek, CA 94596 (510) 939-3440 6205 Meadow Court Rockville, MD 20852 (301) 881-1376 28 Hillside A venue Dover, NJ 05801 (201) 366- 5916 BOF News From A 1 Asch am happy to report that Cal Davidson is recovering from open heart by-pass surgery. He left the hospital Feb 25, 1997 and reports that he is starting to feel good and hopes to start driving his car early April. His problem accounts for the fact that my news item did not appear in the last BOF except for the plaque design for the 93rd Bomb Group for dedication at the Arlington National Cemetery this October. Cal, we arc all pulling for you. Living Memorial at the Arlington National Cemetery: The project is moving forward for our 93rd memorial plaque at the Arlington National Cemetery. I am working with the Cemeterv Horticulturist, Mr. Dihle, for the selection of th~ tree to be planted in April and the plaque design has been approved by the Superintendent, Mr. Metzler. Contracting for its manufacture will be accomplished during April. Its design was published in the latest Ball of Fire publication. Let's plan on holding dedication ceremonies on the I 0th of October of this year: this is a Friday. I will ask for Air Force support with at least an honor group and bugler. Out-of-tov.ners will be invited to stay at one hotel/motel yet to be selected. Bus transportation will be provided with a tour of the cemetery following the ceremonies ( L0:00 AM) and lunch at the Ft. Meyers Officers Club. We can have dinner together at the hotel that evening and simply entertain ourselves. Attendees will be free for the weekend to visit Washington, DC, travel. or as you choose. You will be required to make your own room reservations and make pa}ment to the hotel. Paul Steichen and I will arrange for bus service. lunch at the Officer's Club and the banquet dinner The next BOF will include a form for your use to attend the ceremonies. This will be discussed at the forthcoming 2ADA reunion al Irvine, California in May. ll would be very helpful if you will give me your intentions now for attending the dedication ceremonies; my address is: Alfred Asch, 6205 Meadow Court, Rockville, Md 20852. Telephone 301 881-1376. lf you call and I am not al home, please leave a message on my answering machine. 93rd Business Meeting at the 2ADA Reunion: Evelyn Cohen is providing us with a conference room for our business meeting at 0300 P.M. on Saturday, 24 May at the Irvine reunion hotel. The room number and suggested agenda ,vill be handed out at registration. Se,·eral items to discuss, e.g.. our organization, dedication ceremonies al the Arlington National Cemetery. the 8th Air Force Museum. and election of our officers. namely the 2ADA Vice President for the forthcoming year. Evelyn has also provided us "ith an excellent hospitalit} room. Remember to bring

your pictures and memorabilia from the 93rd to exhibit in the hospitality room. 8th Air Force Heritage Museum: According to the latest new releases by General Shuler, the Museum is coming of age. Almost 40,000 people visited the museum during the first eight months of its operation. The objective is to build up the number of visitors lo 500 per day. Membership is almost 5,000 now but there should be many more when one considers the thousands of 8th Air Force veterans and interested citizens and students who should become members. The museum has a great program for their Memorial Gardens, i.e., Wall of Valor and individual memorial plaques. Cal Davidson suggested to me that we start thinking about having names of some of our notables on the Wall of Valor or an individual plaque. Generals Timberlake and George Bro,11,n immediately come lO mind We have others of distinction: hvo pilots received the Congressional Medal of Honor and four the Distinguished Service Cross. This will be an agenda item al the Irvine reunion. The museum is starting other programs such as archives where one can have historical information stored for later retrieval. The library is functional and the cafeteria and gift shop are operating. The staff 1s planning its first anmversary celebration al the museum May 15-18. I 997. Our. the 93rd, display case is to be completed by then As I ha,·e done in the past. I encourage you to join the museum if you have not already done so. The address is P. 0. Box 1992. Savannah, Ga Ted's Travelling Circus: Some of you have called me about ways and means of getting our history book authored by C,:a1 Stewart Yes. he and Peg have moved; their new address: Carroll Stewart, Apartment 323, 7150 Holmes Park Rd., Lincoln. Nebraska 68506. Tele: 402 484-6046. 2 ADA Semi-Annual Executive Committee Meeting: Paul Steichen covered the semi-annual Executive Committee meeling for me in February. He reports it was a good one. He was also highly complimentary about the speech given by Walter Ste\\ art aboul the famous Io," altitude Ploesti raid. Walter was the mam speaker at the 2ADA Western Regional Reunion held in February. Thanks, Paull The Jerstad Family: I received a telephone call on March 14 from a Lee Jcrstad of Racine, Wl. He is a distant relallve of Major John L. Jerstad, one of our early pilots, who received the Congressional Medal of Honor, posthumous. on August 1, 1943 for the low altitude raid against the oil industry in and around Ploesti. Through Lee, [ located Jerstad's sister in Humbird, WI. Mrs Mary Jacobs. She has Jerstad's Medal of Honor and is trying Lo decide what to do with it so that it will have a permanent home. We have a section al the 8th Air Force Museum where the Ploesti raid is featured with pictures of Addison Baker and Jerstad and an exact copy of the Medal of Honor the Air gave us. Jerstad's sister infonned me that a school in Wisconsin is either named or going to be named after Jerstad and I understand they wiJI have some memorabilia about him. I am sending her copies of the material r have for ber use with tile scliool. Did you know? I received a letter from Earl Zimmerman of the 389th reporting that he received a jigsaw puzzle from his daughter. She bought it in Houston and it turned out to be a 93rd airplane, probably a "J" model. coming in orcr the coast of England on the way home. The name of the 824 was Saje Haven The puzzle was purchased at a W a!J Mart store. Do any of you have any information about Safe Haven') If so. send it to me and I ,,.;u include it in subsequent issues of the Journal and BOF. Forthcoming Reunion: Remember. the 2ADA 50th Annual Convention (Reunion) will be held this May 23-26 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Irvine, California. It's lhe 50th anniversary for the 2ADA. Make your arrangements with Evelyn Cohen. Hope to see all of you there. God bless you all! Alfred Asch 6205 Meadow Court Rockville, MD 20852 Folded Wings John J. Houlihan Harold E Mahaffey Guin B Ellison Chaplain Joseph B Murphy

r "HeUo Milfoil This is Wee Willie" The Diary o/Capt. l£dwardL. A.JcG11il'e 409th B.S. 93rd B.G. ··u:ise to target is Uncle S!IID 's time. Target 10 base you· re on your ow11!'' • Col. Thennan Bro\l\>1193rd C.O. Final Episode I turned the radio off and headed into Germany alone. After a while, way off there were some specks. Them or ours? Thank God, a B24 Group going in all alone. r moved in to about 500 yards out and made the full formal radio caJI. We had been alerted some time before that the Krauts were salvaging parts from wrecks, building up ships which would join a formation and all of a sudden shoot dov.n a fev.: and leave, so I was careful of mv entry. After a bit, the lead said. '"Throughfare, We~ Willie, we're glad to have you with us.'' I replied, "I'm d- glad to be with you all.'' Just a few minutes more and we passed over a hole in the clouds under us and the first 88 burst blew the lead ship up. The high right squadron promptly made a 360 to the right losing altitude and joined the low left squadron, just as it passed over the hole in the clouds and again. the first burst blew up the lead ship As best J remember, we went on a short ·while and finally turned back. r don't remember what we did with the bombs. dropped them in the sea I think, because it was difficult to know where our O'\\n troops were at any moment by this time. l finally landed at Milfoil. So on April 21, 1945 it was over. Both Shorty Gardner and I were thrown into the water tank by the rest of the crew. which was Lhe nonnal celebration for the completion of a tour. Then I went into Sqdn Ops. soaking. dripping wet. First I got h- for joyriding, then for not returning on the recall and only got mission credit afier lhe Squadron Operations officer. Major Gray, telephoned the other group and they verified that I had been ,vith them, we had been under enemy frrc and had sustained losses. So much for rewarding the eager! 11 was a curious feeling, being finished. No more missions, no more duties; a let do\\.11. a lost and relic\'cd mixture. J passed up taking part in the trolley missions, low level aerial guided tours for the ground personnel to see what their efforts bad contributed to. Instead I got seven days sick leave starting the 25th and ~•andered off all alone down to Pl) mouth where I was the only guest in a Red Cross Club on the Hoe and lhe ladies, havmg onJy me m '3 the club, harassed me ,vith attention. Next morning I left and returned to London and back lo the Base. All was utter confusion. I requested a rail ticket lo Leeds for the next day, but when I went into Sqdn. Hdqs. the next morning for the Lickel. the First Sgt. said, "I'm sorry, Captain. but everybody is restricted to the base." 'The b-you say. what for?" "It's VE Day!'''· Well Sgt I'm going to London and if l'm needed I'll be at the Reindeer Club;· and I walked out, passed off the Base between MP posts, walked through the fields down to a railroad station and joined a couple of hundred Gl's doing the same thing. I would guess we wound up with 400 Gl's all going AWOL for at least a day. The compartment 1 entered held about six sergeants and one corporal. Everybody acted real nervous about me until I said, "·Relax, men. l'm doing the same thing you are.·· Great relief all around and we enjoyed our ride Lo London, but before we got there it dawned on somebody that they probably would have MP's there to tum us right around. I said, "Let's try something. When ""e get into tbe station, the corporal can try gel1ing up the stairs and into the station. rf they don't bother him, we're in. If they stop him, all of you unload on the platform, I'll fonn you into columns and march you in as reinforcements. in case of trouble." Everybody is holding his breath including me as we roll in. The train stops. one compartment door opens, and a solitary Corporal gets out. waJks the length of the boarding platform, up those long stairs and the-two MP's, who were always at the head of the stairs, kept on chatting with each other and paid no attention to him whatsoever. In about say five minutes, over 400 AWOL GJ's and me arc out of the train and up the stairs into London. I went to the Reindeer Club and signed in immediately. There was a Lt Kelly from our group just about to return to Base and I talked him into staying over, AWOL or not. T knew no one at the Base would be sober enough to know if we were there or not, even if they felt in our beds. Besides, the lady in charge of the Reindeer Club and her nice assistant invited Kelly and me to her apartment in Maida Vale for supper. Real home cooked foocl wow! J had acquired a pinch bottle of Haig & Haig and the lady in charge had a magnum of champagne. Kelly and I fmally found the place and the ladies served up a delightful meal, after which we went up on the roof It was a flat roofed apartment building with a parapet wall aJJ around. and we all sat down m the utter darkness of the black-out and proceeded lo tap the bottles. After a while. one of the anti-aircraft search lights which

completely ringed London came on shining straight up. Then one after another the rest came on and formed a solid picket fence-like of search lights pointing straight up. After so long in utter darkness it had become sort of normal, but to see those lights shining for the whole world to see was a terrific emotional experience .. 1 doubt there was a dry eye in London, there certainly wasn't on that roof. Everyone is quiet, just looking at this miracle of light and thinking of many things and many buddies we hoped had lived to see it too. Before midnight Kelly and I left. 1 Jost Kelly immediately and all J can remember is wandering out into the middle of a road. One of those taxis came along with at least a dozen AF types, Na\-y men, RAF, you name it, all pleasantly drunk and headed for town. The cab would drop one or two, go a ways, and do it again. Until only the cabbie and I are left. We're on Bond Street. I check my money and what do you know, I've got a handful of coins including ha'pennies. They total two bob or twenty pence, that's all. At probably two o'clock in the morning, I'm in the only cab we've seen in a couple of hours. So 1 say, ''How much do you want. Cabbic?" The meter never ran in these situations. The cabbie, figuring I'm a bit sloshed, and in fact 1 was feeling no pain, but l'm al.ert to what's going on, says. ''Two bob will do it, Captain.•· I say. --Here's where 1 get off·• He stops and I put a real handfuJ of every coin in the realm in his hand, ge1 out of the cab and start legging it. The cabbie finally counts all the coins and realizes he's got two bob and no tip, and you could hear him a long ways as he cursed the Yanks! Next day Kelly and l went back to the Base and, just as 1 expected, no one had been aware we weren't there all the time. All that had happened at the base was Kelly and I missed buying liquor at six pence a fifth and I never saw my crew or Wee Willie again. l was sent on May 13, 1945 to Casual Pool Station, which I think was halfway between Chorley and Preston. There a dismal wait. Then to Station 592 Warton where we drew our plane for the flight home, B24M #4451 J 07. This was about the last model B-24 and this one was brand new! "W'' Willie had boosters on the rudder controls v.hich had been a terrific help but this one had boosters on the rudders, elevators and ailerons. Boosters were a system whereby, when you moved the flight control. a small area or lab of the flight surface moved in the opposite direction and the air force moved the big surface instead of your muscles doing it Only thing, nobody told me of the change and J remember actually lifting off in front of the 4 control tower and d- near slow rolled on takeoff, but aside from the shock, nobody complained. We were on our way! We went by way of Warton, Valley, Meeks, to BWI Greenland, then to Dow nonstop from Greenland, from Dow to Windsor Locks, Bradley, Conn. Our old friend the iceberg was right at the end of the runway at BW-1 where we had first dodged him going over in September 1944. That sure was a long night from BW-1 to Dow, manual aJl the way, and Gus Hodges my co-pilot again, did a yeoman job keeping me company and awake by talking almost continuously of his mother's cooking and what he would get to eat when he got home. We crossed the Maine border at a very welcome swmse. Dow was a short stop, food and a little rest, and on to Windsor Locks. On the way, I buzz.ed my home, first and only time I ever saw it from the air. Dropped a message streamer to the folks. which they got and l still have. Then on to land at Windsor Locks, last landing with a B-24. A lot of confusing customs shake downs or something: immediately on a train to Camp Miles Standish, which l had never heard of but which turned out to be in my home town of Taunton. They told us we were restricted to the base! I went lo the Provost Officer or somebody and said something like. "This is my home town. l know every blueberry bush around here. J'd like a short pass to visit my folks a few hours, but if you can't give me one. you'd better get a lol of help to hold me in." Whoever it was turned out to be reasonable and l got a pass, phoned my Dad and had a few hours ,vilh my folks. Next day, on to a troop train for Camp Shelby, Miss. All I remember of this trip was in Richmond, Va., I think. Some trainman let me get a helmet of hot water to shave. It was pretty hot in June. in OD woolens and it took three or four days sitting up on those old bench scats, it pushed into a siding for every load of fruit headed north. Dirty, stinking and uncomfortable and nobody griped. We got into Camp Shelby 5 o'clock in the morning and sat on the steps and platform of a warehouse until it was broad daylight. In the processing, a Sgt. and l were taken aside and told we could separate right then. We both had way over enough points. The Sgt and I looked at each other totally shocked. I woke up first and said, "I joined for the duration and the war is not over yet.'' The Sgt. said, "Those are my sentiments exactly.'· I was processed for 30 days RR leave at Miami Beach starting July 13. Mary Evelyn was waiting at the Monte Leone

r Hotel in New Orleans and I got there by Army bus. Wouldn't you know, when J got to the room, she was out shopping or something, so I stripped to my filthy shorts, lathered up to shave, and there she was. A real romantic get together, like you dream of. standing there in my dirty shorts, unshaven for two or three days and my face all covered up with lather! I was canceled out of Miami by returning POWs so J never did get any lush return, except all that counted, Mary Evelyn and Ned. 1t was like being born again, or permitted to visit heaven, to be with Mary E\'el:rn and Ned again, no other way to put it. Hd: A fitting end to an excellent story. This picture was taken as the 93rd lined up to take-off/or the good old USA in J Y-15 Richard Glauner wants to know ~(anyone c:an 1denti/j1 the above personne/'1 5

Editors Desk: My annual trip to Georgia and Florida to visit a son, a sister, and to attend the Orlando Reunion, was canceled due to an unscheduled trip to the Cleveland Clinic. They gave· me two new by-passes to replace two of four that were done originally in 1980. As 1 write this it has been five weeks from date of surgery and l feel great. My only complaint comes from having cabin fever. The number of replies to the nose art picture of Southern Comfort was greater than expected and are included in the letters to the editor. The Ball (>/Fire in color for the first time in the newsletter may raise some questions about the proper color of the formation plane. What colors do you remember? Hope to see you all in Irvine in May! Cal Davidson: Editor Dear Paul, If you are in contact with the editor of the BOFQEyou may want to pass on the following for his use. As [ recall, not many hours passed during a spell of duty at Hardwick without our providing a QOM, direction to fly, to some aircraft or other. Reading the exploits in the BOFQE I find myself wondering what part the Hardwick high frequency direction finding cabin played in these events. Typical is the story told by Ralph Jacobs in the last issue. He had navigating problems during a mission on June 1, 1944. Did he call Hardv,ick station to confirm his course? My diary for that day does not record such detail. It was not thought wise as walls have ears and all that stuff r did record that I spent some time on watch that day and would have been pleased to know that we helped in some small way. There is one other point that readers might assist me with. Cal Stewart's book has a great picture of the Hardwick airfield but 1t stops just short of including the HF /OF radio cabin situated about 300 yards due north of the main runway. If there is anyone with a photograph that includes the cabin I would greatly appreciate a copy. Dear Paul. Ken J. Smith l 132 Furniss Ave. Sheffield S 17 3QP England The enclosed check is for a gift subscription for Bert Lincoln Pear, M D .. 260 S. High St., Denver, CO 80208. He was with the 93rd BG in 328th or 329th Bomb. Sqdn. He did not know of the 93rd 6 BG membership nor of the publication BOFQE. This is a surprise gift for him. If there is anyway to let him know that he is now a member of the 93rd BG it would be appreciated. His memories of Hardwick and life with the 93rd BG are being relived. J discovered Bert by chance and he was interested in knowing about other 93rd members. Thank you for any courtesy extended to Bert. Ralph Tissot J Dear Paul: 2405 Garrison St. Lakewood, CO 80215 I am honored by Ralph Tissot's gift of my membership in the 93rd Bomb Group Association. I will see Ralph on February 21st at a meeting of the 8th Air Force and thank him personally. I entered the Service out of undergraduate school at George Washington University on June I 7, 194 l and was sent from my home in Washington, DC, surprisingly to of all places the 4th Cavalry at Fort Meade, SD. I received an Aviation Cadet appointment November 7th, 1941, and was al Kelly Field, on the hill, now Lackland, on Pearl Harbor Day. l was inept and washed out of primary flight training at Thunderbird Field. Arizona, and was sent to Lowry Field, Colorado. where I became an Armament Bombsight officer on June 13, 1942. I joined the 328th Squadron of the 93rd in December 1943 and served at Hardwick until we ground officers returned on the Queen Mary's first homebound trip after VE day. I was discharged as a Captain on December 22. 194 5, and entered <Jeorge Washington Medical School in 1946. 1 am now retired from the practice of radiology, but remain Clinical Professor of Radiology al the University of Colorado Health Sciences School. Dear CaJ, Bert L. Pear J 260 South High Street Denver, CO 80209-2628. Like most of us fading "warriors" l too have many stories to tell about life at Hardwick. First, to identify myself, 1 was a bombardier and most times a DR navigator with the 328th BS. Most missions, and I flew 31, I flew in a no name Liberator identified as 456J. When the time came for me to head home, I was presented with a framed document whtch identified each mission. the mission number and the date. I was very proud of the document and hung it in my family room. Last year, my wife and J decided to re-frame the

certificate since the woodwork, and I, were showing signs of age. We took it to a local framing shop, selected an appropriate frame and began to leave for the car. AH of a sudden I remembered that in older works of art some note or other identifier was left in the rear of the framed commodity! Back into the frame shop we charged, told the proprietor of my guess and he, very carefully, slit the rear of the framed document. What a surprise! Lo and behold there was a hand written document of details of every mission I flew. I took the liberty of enclosing a photograph of the re-framed documents. And so my friends of the 93rd, take a look behind the certificate, which I'm sure you received on your last day al Hardwick, and see if you too are surprised with the same finding. Keep up the good work with the BOFQE. Please advise me if anyone discovered the same finding . Murray Friedman ✓ 1000 Detwiler Dr. York, PA 17404 Dear Cal, Thanks for keeping the BOFQE flying. It is and has been the best of all the 8th Air Force publications [ have seen. Paul can now rest on his laurels. l 'm sending him a check to help insure that it continues to survive. I was the navigator on the Bill Macfarland crew in the 330th B.S. We arrived in England early in August, J 944, and bad flmvn six or seven missions in September when we were stood down to ferry supplies to the Paris area. On our first trip to what J believe was Orly airport, we landed and taxied to the unloading area only to find that we were last in a line of about twelve or fourteen planes waiting to be unloaded. Faced with a long wait, some of our crew plus some others walked about a quarter of a mile across the field to a hangar that bore all the earmarks of war. We walked into the hangar and just inside of the door was a cluster of German incendiary bombs that had been broken open. The individual stick-like bombs were scattered over the floor. Being curious, we took several of them out on the ramp, held them by their tail fins, swung them around and around and let them fly up into the air, Of course they came down and exploded into a balJ of white bot fire and continued to burn with great brilliance and a lot of smoke. We had about a half dozen fires burning when we noticed a Jeep coming across the field and while 7 it was several hundred feel away we could hear the roar of a very angry Anny Bird Colonel. You couldn't print what he said but it ended up with the expression "You damn fly boys get back to your birds and don't leave them." Properly chastised we did just what he said. We finally got unJoaded and flew back to Hardwick. But what we took back with us as a souvenir is another story. I'll tell you about it sometime. Dear Paul, Howard Cleveland 1504 Miller Farms Rd. Germantown, IN 38138-2031 Today I came across my fall edition of the BOFQE. I realized that perhaps J am one of the no reply people. Pure forgetfulness. I met you at the Milwaukee Reunion, in fact we had lmtch together along with Floyd Mabee and Cal Stewart. I am getting a new leather flight jacket and would like to have the group patch along with the 409th Ready Teddy. Floyd had some at one time and perhaps he still has one banging around. J flew with Jake Epting on Red Ass and crewed a few times with Killer Kane and Timberlake. [ am proud to be able to say that. Dear Cal: Richard G. Ryan v 37 Allen Lane I PS\'VlCh, MA 0 193 8 You certainly deserve a vote of thanks for devoting so much time and effort to edit the BOFQE. The Quarterly is a window on our little world of Hardwick vets, and bridges the gap between the resounding forties and the present. I look forward lo receiving my copy. I'm enclosing a few of the photos l took when l visited the old Base at Hardwick in September. David Woodrow deserves all the credit that we can bestow on him for the wonderful job he has done to preserve the buildings on his property. ll gave me a warm feeling to walk around the place and project my thoughts back to when we were flying out of Hardwick. Two friends from my days at Hardwick, Cmdr Mark Cheyne RN Ret. and his lovely wife Nada Haggard Cheyne, put me up for several days. and drove me out to the Base. Dave Woodrow was pleased to see us and received us cordially. He took obvious pride in showing us around the buildmgs, pointing out the brick veneer facing on the building, the line of ninety three trees be planted along the

entrance road, the granite monument etc. He's a remarkable feUow. I plan to go back this summer. I recommend it to any of the Hardwick vets who can make it. Keep up the good work. George Shaw I 61 Bethune Way Dear Cal Kanata, Ontario, Canada K2K IC4 I was given your address to see if you could help me out. My great uncle was a member of the 409th Bomb Sqdn., 93rd Bomb. Group. His name was Lt. Robert W. Sager, serial number 0-716897. As of November 4, 1944 he has been missing in action. His plane went do\.\'n over Wilhelmshaven. Germany at about 12 noon that day. At least that is the last time the plane was seen. All of the crew but one went down with the plane. l have the name of others who were killed: 1st Lt. Elden Frobish pilot. 2nd Lt. Edward W. Spedding co-pilot. 2nd Lt. Frederick E. McKanna Jr. T/Sgl. Lupe H. Lara navigator. S/Sgt. Donald A. McArthur gunner. and S/Sgt Richard C.Nurlburt. The last names may be spelled \\Tong as the copy that I hm·e is Yery unclear. The name of the survivor 1s unkno,,,, to us ( Ed: I.one sw1,1vor was /,/oytl Colc:ut ) But if we were able to fmd him it would be wonderful. The onl~ thing that l know about him is that he jumped from the plane and later "as captured and was a POW. Later he returned to the USA Three of the bodies were found but the others they say had drowned. Robert was a Comet player m the band and played for other soldiers in England. He received the Purple Heart medal one year after he was announced as being dead. The award was given to his family This is about all the information that I have for nov, lfyou can help me in any way, with literature, files. photographs or what e,·er would be greatly appreciated Thank you for your time. Julie Lafferty v 247 CuJyer Rd. Apt# I Rochester. NY 14607 Ed. I sen/ Julie all information avoilahle from ( 'al Stc\\art"s hook. I also located Lloyd Calcut"s 1111dm1 in Herron. Mic:h1gan. Mrs. Calcut sent me a c:opy of a letter fi·om McKanna ·s mother tellinx about a young man re/urning Bob Sager·s 1mmpef ,o his father in Wi.,consm afier the war. ( 'an any of our readers help .Ju/ii! with information on Robert Sager'' Dear Mr. Steichen, I am in the process of compiling my father's WWIJ history and would like your assistance if possible in locating the following men who were his crew mates in the 409th Squadron. James H. Waters. co-pilot; Clement M. Simmons, engineer: Bernard E. Rideout, ass"t engineer; JD Jimison, Radio: Norman C. Call. gunner: Clare E. Hall. gunner: I am also very much interested in finding out information about Louis A. Mazure who was my father· s best friend and pilot Also if anyone knew my father, Andrew W. Hricko. bombardier, please contact me. Mary Hricko J 2618 Lydia S.W. Warren, OH 44481 Dear Mr Mabee, Enclosed is $15.00 for my membership in the Second Air Division Association. I am trying to locate anyone who either flew with or knew my dad. who died in 1961. My dad, Emilio N ... Stretch" Fantasia. spent all or most of his time with the 328th Squadron, 93rd Bomb Group. He \Vas a nose and waist gunner. maml) on the B24 Mo ·s Worry in 1943 and 1944 He was transferred lo the 491 st Bomb Group on July 8. 1944. Was the 491st part of the Second Air Division'! Where ma~ I obtain information on the breakdown of the different Bomb Groups') Thanks for your help. Mi.ke Fantasia/ 3222 Mountain View Ave Los Angeles. CA 90066 Ed. J,7oyd sent him mjo on Bomb Groups. I sent him a copy of a loading list showing his crew's names and gave him Fred Shubeck 's address as he was listed as the co-pilot on this crew HQUSAFA/CC 2304 Cadet DriYc. Suite 342 USAF Academy CO 80840-5001 Colonel Alfred Asch. USAF. Rel. 6205 Meadow Court Rockville MD 20852 Dear Colonel Asch. Thank you for the book. Ted's travelling C1rrns, ,.,,luch pro,·ides a history of the 93rd Bombardment Group Your turung 1s remarkable as we near our 50th Anni,·ersary celebration

We donated your book to the cadet library where our cadets can benefit from its contents as they remember those who contributed dearly toward democracy and freedom. We appreciate the interest in your United States Air Force Academy. Dear Paul, Paul E. Stein ✓ Lieutenant General, USAF Superintendent My wife and I visited the 8th Air Force Heritage Museum on opening day and enjoyed it very much We met Lanier and Schneider and their wives whom I had not seen since May, 194 5 when we left England. Guy Pannel and his wife were there also. When I returned home my book Ted's Travelling Circus was here. It is excellent and 1 could hardly put it down until I had finished it. I e~joy the BOFQE, please keep it coming. Money for subscription and dues enclosed. Dear Cal Kendrick Williams ,./ P.O. Box 122 Cranberry, PA 16319 Great idea, the photo of a plane and asking for comments. One minor suggestion, include the plane number. I didn't record the nose art on all the planes I flew, but I did record the plane numbers. For instance, Solid Comfort was 501- M. We flew 5 missions in her. She was a good ship, although we did lose an engine to flak on one of the missions. My Navigator, Lou Windsor, had the following comments (Mission 6, Oct 5, 1944, item 36) under Condition of Ship, "Best Yet." I am including Lou's abbreviated report of the 5 missions in Solid Comfort. Amazing amount of information about course and target. Similar information for each of our missions is found in my book,''A Bomber Pilot in WW 11." Thanks for taking on BOFQE and turning out a great paper. If anyone knows what happened to Co-Pilot Douglas A Schetter, home town Beacon NY, I would very much like to hear. / Walter F. Hughes Dear Cal. 36681 Cuenca Ct Fremont, CA 94536-2906 Received the winter issue of BOFQE and was VCI)' pleased to see the picture of Solid Comfort on the back page. As a member of Don Tyger's crew (Navigator), we flew the bulk of our missions (35) 9 in this aircraft, October 1944 to March 194 5. We were strictly a wing crew, not "lead" of any kind. I have no idea who designated this airplane as Solid Comfort nor who painted the provocative young lady on the nose. Enjoy your publication very much and am happy to find the letter "P" on the right upper corner of my address label. Harry Powers v' 330th B. S. Dear Cal, 12400 Oak Leaf Court Auburn, CA 95603 How I spent my 23rd birthday in Solid Comfort.The last page of the winter, 96-97 issue of the Quarterly Express was a pleasant surprise that brought back a flood of memories. August 8, 1944, my 23rd birthday, started the same as many other days. An early breakfast, briefing and a 6 X 6 ride out to our assigned plane. No. 250501, Solid Comfort. I remarked to some of our crew members that this nearly brand new ship was my birthday present. M/Sgt. Allen "Red" Adams, our Bombardier-Navigator, claimed that ii was his going home present, as this was bis last mission. h was, and he got to take the customary swim in the fire pond. Previous to this mission we had lost, at various times, our co-pilot, Tom Condon; our nose-gunner, John Mosier: tail-gunner, Fred Whiteside: and Radio-Operator, Syl Korpal, who Hew his last mission the day before. r wouJd love to hear from any-one who filled in rhese positions. The only men left of our original crew were our Pilot, Frank Titus: "Red" Adams~ Waist-Gunners Stan KeUer and John Graham and myself as Engineer-Top Gunner. Cal Stewart's book, TED'S TRAVELLING CIRCUS has a very good account of this mission to Clastres. Thank you for doing a wonderful job on our newsletter. Dear Cal, Harry J. Albright Jr.✓ P.O. Box 162 Ewen, Michigan 49925 Last week the winter edition of BOFQE arrived in our mailbox. The first thing to catch my eye was the blow-up picture of Solid Comfort. Wow! What a surpnse. Our tour began on 25 Aug 44 and was completed on 26 Feb 45. Our first few missions were flown in a new unmarked airplane. which was

disabled or destroyed with another crew aboard. It was then we were assigned Solid Comfort. the lady with a rivet. in her navel. We flew most of our missions in this B24. As I recall, I landed this airplane at Watton or Woodbridge with major battle damage following a mission. 1 was then assigned a replacement named The Joker with a playing card painted as a Logo on its nose. l.t1cidentally. The Joker was the only hot wing (manifold deicers) in our squadron. I have no knowledge of the origin of the artwork on either B24. I have a few pictures and a lot of memories of these two planes taken by Richard Petko, our engineer. My sincere thanks for the memories. Dear Cal, Frederick A. Beckett Pilot 330th Sqdn. 93rd B.G. 2054 Valley Forge N.W. Grand Rapids, Ml 49504 I was looJ...·fog over the last issue of the Ball of Fire Express and saw the picture of Solid Comfort on the back cover. It brought back memories of long ago. I was a gunner on Capt. Harry Gruener·s crew in the 330th B.S. and was told that Solid Comfort was to be our ship. We went ahead and had our names painted on aJl of the crew positions and had our pictures taken around the plane. To make a long story short, I do not think we ever flew a mission in this bird. In fact we never flew the same plane nvice in my 26 missions. Dear Sir. Howard C. Busse u 7534 Westfield Rd. Baltimore. MD 21222 You may recall our meeting at Uberal. KS hvo or three years ago. You, Jim Reid my pilot, Ray Choades our navigator, Brummett our bombardier and me, the wireless operator, had a long chat. J mentioned that after finishing 35 missions with the 330th, J requested to stay in England and was assigned lo a strange outfit with black 824's called 496th Fighter Traming Group al Halesworth. and subsequently TDY at a couple or other bases. We were al the 44th on VE Day and Lo my everlasting embarrassment my discharge papers say I was in the 44th. 1t • s too late and probably unpossible to correct this error To the point: The picture of Sobd ( 'om fort on the back page of Vol. 4 #4. HOFQE. rm sure e"ery ere\\ m the 93rd had their picture taken in front or those pillows. Reid's crew did, with our engineer looking out the pilot's left window and the rest of us hunkered down for the usual crew picture. Wel~ since 1944 1 have carried a picture of our crC\v taken in front of Solid Comfort, and it is in my billfold at this moment and has been for over 50 years. Solid Comfort was not usually assigned to Reid's crew but J believe we did fly in it once or twice. Our usual plane was 19 l H and occassionally 5691 from the 330th Sqdn. We also flew a couple in that icebox C for Charlie. In January 1996 I was a camp host at Pilot Knob, CA about JO miles west of Yuma, AZ. They announced an open house at the Marine Air Base in Ywna, so J went out to see it. In 1943 it was Yuma Anny Air Force Gunnery School and I trained there. At the open house they showed Harrier Jets etc. and it is the Top Gun School for Marines. A taJl and. I might add, handsome TV Gal reporter was there with a camera man. We talked for well over an hour and I showed them my picture of Solid Comfort. The cameraman took a very close up shot of my picture and it appeared that evening on the 6pm nev.·s for about one nanosecond. l tried to ca.II you in Nebraska about a year ago and couldn ·t reach you. Have you moved? 1 • m about out of air space so enough for no\.\. My best Lo the entire staff of the BOFQE. Bob Tredway.I 438 W. 58th Terrace Kansas City. MO 64 l 13 Ed: Although this Jetter was addressed to th<! editor I beheve he ,rzust he referring to a meeting with Cal Stewart in Liberal. KS Dear Cal, Once again so many thanks for your kindness in getting the new edition of BOFQE to me and for using my piece oo Colonel Fiegel. l thought the enclosed newspaper write-up on the opening of the new American Air Museum at Duxford would be of interest to you and your group. No doubt there will be many veterans of the 8th over here at the time. lt would be nice to sec some from the famed 93rd on opening day. Trust this new year has started well for you. John W. Archer ,1 22 Station Rd Earsham, Bungay Suffolk. England NR35 2TS

HM The Queen to open Duxford's American Air Museum Her MaJesty The Queen wdl officially open the American Air Museum in Britain al Lhe Imperial War Museum, Duxford near Cambridge on Friday I August. Her Majest) will be accompanied by His Roval Highness the Duke of Edinburgh. Design~ by Sir Noonan Fosler, the American Air Museum is a remarkable 70,000 sq. fl exhibition budding designed to house Europe's finest collecllon of historic American combat aircraft and is the largest precast concrete structure in Europe. Aircraft on show range from a First World War biplane to the giant B52 jet bomber and a number arc dramatically suspended from the ceiling as if in flight. "The American Air Museum will be an international attraction and we are delighted Her Majesty has agreed to open it,·· says Ted Inman, Director of Duxford. It is an outstanding example of contemporary British architecture and will sel ne" standards in the museum world. Duxford"s \ 151tors already enjoy a very high quality experience and lhe opening of the American Air museum will assure Duxford's position as the premfor museum of its kind m Europe The£ 11 million American Air Museum will use aircraft and other supporting exhibits lo explain the significance of American air power and its part m twentieth century history Video and computer displays \\111 complement traditional ctisplays of smaller personal items such as uniforms, which will off er a human perspective to the technology on ctisplay. Among the themes explored will be First and Second World Wars, Korea, Vietnam and the Cold War and the Gulf War. Britain and America· s air forces haye a history of collaboration and East Anglia in particular has had a huge U S. air presence during and since the Second World War. The American Air Museum in Britain wiU not only stand as a testimonial lo AngloAmencan co-operauon but also as a memorial to the 30.000 U.S. airmen who lost thetr lives while 0ying from British bases, including Duxford. during WWII. It is because of this unique alliance that the American aircrafi collection at Duxford is itself part of Bntam • s history. Active fund raising for the Museum pr~ject began in 1989 and has been particularly successful in the Uruted States where. to date. 60,000 members have made donations Many founding members. among them veterans. who flew from British bases during WWII. are expected to attend the opening 11 Duxford is just south of Cambridge on the M I 1 and is open daily from 1 O:OOam. Ed: The above article is reprinted from rhe "The American•· an excellent newspaper pub/Jshed for Americans living in En~land. Dear Cal. I have Just recetved word from the states that a well respected member of the 93rd B.G. had passed away. Many will remember Father Joseph B Murphy, the catholic chaplain at Hardwick for most of the year of 1943. l have compiled a write-up on Chaplain Murphy, hopefully you v.111 find it of interest and worthy of a place in a forthcoming Ball of Fire Quarterly Express. Thanks for your considerations in the past John W. Archer Chaplain Joseph B. Murphy Father Murphy passed away January 12.1997. The cathoHc chaplain served with three 2nd Air OiV1sion units during WWil. He was in his nmelleth vear and was laid to rest in the cemetel') next to th~ church m Hemet, CA Man) of the 93rd B.G. men of the catholic faith will remember this kind and understanding man. He sen ed beside Protestant Chaplain James A. Burns in the early days of Hardwick. He came from the 56th Fighter Group at Horsham St. Faith in January 1943. Father Murphy took part in man) ceremonies al Hardwick inclucting the Easter Sunnse Sen;ce on the Athletic Field on April 25. 1943 A similar service took place on S.Cptcmber 6, l 943 before an anniversan party. When· the 446th B.G. arrived in No\'embcr 1943 Chaplain Murphy traveled the short ctistancc to Flixton to be this Group ·s Catholic Chaplain until hostilities ceased in April 1945 After the war physical examinations sho,,ed a severe loss of hearing while in the service. He spent three months in a an Army hospital and retired wilh the rank of Major. Two operations in ci,•i)jan life brought partial restoration of hearing In 1993 Father Murphy suffered a bad fall shortly after finishing the Memorial Sen·ice al the 446th B.G A. in Denver. CO. Recoyery from broken ribs and a hip operation was a long process I had the pleasure of meeting Father Murphy in Tucson in 1990. I will never forget this \'cry quiet and kindly man. He had finished his address m the Chapel at Da,;s-Monthan Air Force Base \\'Ith these words "Mav we all meet again some day in a perfect world at a ~curuon that "ill last fore,·er ••

Flying Wolves: Serial number 272872 ".F", AG-JJOtb Sqdn., Assigned oversea11 Oct., 1943, Salnged May 25, 1945 :JJ.e Baff of Jire Quarler4 GxpreJJ 93rd BOMBARDMENT GROUP Calvin Davidson, Editor 48973 Plate Rd. Oberlin, OH 4407 4 Phone 216-775-1787 BOFQE SUBSCRIPTION FORM Nam~--------------Addrcss: --------------BOfQE Subscription 1a #15.()() per rumwn $ __ _ Annual 9Jrd Membership ,ii $5.00 $ __ _ Oonabon $ __ _ Total $ __ _ Please make ched.~ pavat-,Je to 93rd Bomb. Group Send checks to Paul Steichen 1785 Shue~ A"c # 1()5 Walnut Creek, CA 945% FIRST CLASS MAIL

r BALL OF FIRE QUARTERLY EXPRESS Newsletter of the 93rd Bombardment Group 2nd Air Division, 8th Air Force, Hardwick, England Vol. 5, No. 2 Summer, 199J Group President Paul R. Steichen Vice President, 2ADA Alfred Asch V. President Membership Floyd H. Mabee 1725 Shuey Ave. #105 Walnut Creek, CA 94596 (510) 939-3440 6205 Meadow Court Rockville, MD 20852 (301) 881-1376 28 Hillside A venue Dover, NJ 05801 (201) 366- 5916 Major John L. Jerstad Recipient Congressional Medal of Honor By Rollin Reineck When I graduated from the Kelly Field navigation School in June of 1942, my orders read to report to the 93rd Bomb Group at Fort Myers, Florida. It was by some tum of fate that I was further assigned to the 328th Bomb Squadron and to the 824 crew commanded by Lt. John L. Jerstad. As I look back some 45 years to that day in 1942, I recall Lt. Jerstad as though it were yesterday. He was a good two inches shorter than I was, with a slight build. He had a pleasant but serious face and a mild manner. The conversation at our first meeting was mostly about our mission and what he expected of me and others on the crew. I said very little, mostly "Yes Sir." Lt Jerstad, known affectionately as Jerk to his contemporaries, was my hero from that very first day. Although he was only a little over two years older than me, born 12 February 1918, he seemed to have that certain dimensional presence of maturity that made him a leader. A leadership quality which I could not understand then and I am unable to adequately define now. He had a God gifted talent in an unique facet of life. A leader among his contemporaries and a flyer that even the birds would envy. Not only did his contemporaries recognize this talent, but his superiors and subordinates as well. There simply aren't the adjectives to adequately describe this human personality. John L. Jerstad was one of a kind. You say I'm biased? I plead guilty. How do I know all of this? Well, fortunately I flew with him on training missions, on boondoggles, and until I finished my combat tour of 25 missions, 5 April 43. I also helped him in the planning phase of missions when he would be called to Group Operations to provide assistance. I got to know Lt Jerstad not as well as I would have liked, but a lot better than most. Our friendship lasted a little over a year. My admiration will last forever. In a one on one conversation with Jerk and there weren't many, I gleaned a little insight when

I asked one day if he had ever worried about getting through flying school, He replied that he had never even considered it. Flying was easy for him he said, and it was the least of his worries. His physical stature was his real concern. He was only 5' 6½" tall, but he had convinced everyone that he was 5'7 ½" going on 5' 10". He probably didn't weigh more than 125 pounds. Why he didn't go into fighters upon graduation remains one of the mysteries that Air Corps personnel wouldn't give up. In training whiJc in Florida, we flew out over the Gulf of Mexico. We'd maintain 500 to 1000 feet of altitude and criss-cross the gulf for 8 to 10 hours. Sometimes we wouldn't see land until we were ready to return to base. If I missed our JandfalJ by more than a couple of miles, and this was without radio aids, Jerk would tell me quite seriously that he expected a little better next time. I wouJd respond with a "Yes Sir." Our mission was submarine patrol. Although I never spotted a submarine, Jerk did one day while I was TDY. He made his run and dropped the depth charges just as the boat went under. Shortly after the tell-tale debris appeared on the surface. Photos confirmed one German sub sunk. Jerk later received the Silver Star for that operation. In mid August we received our new B24D's at Grenjer Field, New Hampshire. Jerk was somewhere in the chain of events where he was able to nab the one with the tail number 123 7 l J. He immediately dubbed it Jerk 's Nah,ral. It was a beautiful airplane and it got more than its share of TLC. From Grenier we went to Newfoundland, and as a group crossed the Atlantic to Prestwick, Scotland. Had l made the trip under the same conditions ten years later, I would have been scared stiff. However, at that time I thought it was a great adventure. Shortly after takeoff we ran into unbelievably bad weather. For almost seven hours we were in moderate to severe turbulence with lightning, freezing rain, ice and Saint Elmo's fire. Only a couple of times during the entire flight was I able lo get a relestial observation. Those that 1 did obtain told me we were about 120 miles north of course. With a correction to the right and a strong radio beacon, we made it safely to Prestwick. However, we lost one airplane and crew from our squadron that night. Jerk somehow believed he was indestructible. In many ways his attitude was like that of McArthur and Patton. On one occasion he said to me, "We'll never get shot down while I'm at the controls." I felt that this was a rather strange type of thing to say but nevertheless very reassuring for me and I wasn't about Lo be too pragmatic. He was the type that always wanted to be in the planning and running of things.-Ahead of the rest: first. While in England, before our sojourn in Africa, he was always al group Headquarters when the Field Order, Army for Operations Order, came down from higher headquarters. He would send one of the enlisted troops from group to come to the Nissen hut where 1 bunked and bring me back to help plan the mission. This generally was about one or two AM. We would figure routes, takeoff, rendezvous points, briefing and breakfast times. Often he would lead the mission and I was the navigator. When he did fly the lead be sat in the left seat regardless of who was with him. He was always convinced that each mission would be a major factor in winning the war. He would tell me, "Some day 1 want to be the Group Operations Officer." I believed he could do it even though al that time he was a First Lieutenant and I was a Second Lieutenant. I recall one mission we flew from our base in Africa. The field we operated from was known as LG 139, LG standing for Landing Ground. There were no runways or taxiways, nothing but scraped desert. We had gone to Africa for 10 days and stayed almost three months. We lived in Gennan tents, we wore British unifonns, ate C rations out of the can, and took a bath every thirty days. But that is another story. On this particular mission the group commander, Col. Timberlake, was the co-pilot. First Lieutenant Jerstad was in the left seat as usual. I was the lead navigator. The mission was a success. We splattered the primary target. However, we retwned to our base after dark and, as mentioned earlier, there were no runway or approach lights or perimeter fi_eld lights. It was black and as we approached the field, a green flare was seen dead ahead. I said, 'Thank God, we found it again." We circled the field and very faint lights appeared at the approach end. We made our downwind, base, then on to final. Jerk had it locked but for some reason Col. Timberlake was unhappy. I was standing between Jerk and the Colonel. When were about 300 feet high and a half of mile out, Colonel Timberlake said, "Take it around, take it around," Jerk kept straight on. He said quietly, "It's Okay Colonel." Timberlake repeated, "Take it around, take it around." Closer and closer we approached, Jerk wasn't going to give in. Just as the wheels touched, Timberlake pushed the throttles forward

r r and said, "Take it around." The airspeed increased and we were airborne once again. We did the circuit and touched down about four minutes later, Nothing much was said but it was clear that Jerk was miffed He said, "l had it, I could see" and that ended it. Two strong personalities, one a First Lieutenant, the other a Colonel, had nothing more to say. I wasn't with him on that fateful day in August 1943. I had finished my tour, but I was still in England in a staff position with the 2d Air Division. Jerk had finished his tour, too. But I know that he thoroughly believed that only he could adequately lead the 93rd group to success at Ploesti. He had briefed the crews that he would take them over the target regardless of what happened. He would lead, they were to follow. l still can see him in my mind's eye, trailing the 376th group as they turned al the ,wong initial point. I know the thoughts that raced through his mind as he helplessly followed the lead group toward Bucharest knowing full well they were \\Tong. He followed as long as he could. Then he had to do what was right in his mind, regardless of the rules. He lowered the left wing, added a little left rudder, and headed directly for the Ploesti oil refineries. The rest of the 93rd was closely following in fonnation. Straight on now for the target area. Altitude is 200 feet and descending. Airspeed is 210 MPH Everyone is in tight on his wing. Things look good, then suddenly, Jerk's pJane struck a balloon cable. The cable gave and the plane went on, they still had a chance, but not for long. An 88 blew out the nose. Then three more shells hit the wing root and the cockpit. The wing tanks and the Tokyo tank burst into flame. They were still two to three minutes from the target. Others in fonnation say they could have mushed into an open field, but they kept going, aiming for a target between two large refinery stacks, Just before the target they took another direct hit, The right wing began to droop, but they kept going, straight for the target. Somehow, the ship started a gentle climb to about three hundred feet. Three or four men bailed out. Then the ship fell off on its right wing and crashed in flames, There were no sunrivors, but the objective had been achieved, The 93rd Bomb Group was over the target at the Ploesti oil refinery. The citat.ion for the Congressional Medal of Honor, awarded posthumously to Major John L. 3 Jerstad reads as follows: "GO No. 72, 28 October 1943."' "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty. On 1 August 1943, he served as pilot of the lead aircraft in his group in a daring low-level attack against enemy oil refineries and installations at Ploesti, Rumania. Although he had completed more than his share of missions and was no longer connected with this group, so high was his conception of duty that be volunteered to lead the formation in the correct belief that his participation would contribute materially to success in this attack. Major Jerstad led the fonnation into attack with full realization of the extreme hazards involved and despite withering fire from heavy and light antiaircraft guns. Three miles from the target his airplane was hit, badly damaged and set on fire. Ignoring the fact that he was flying over a field suitable for a forced landing, he kept on the course. After the bombs of his aircraft were released on the target, the fire in his ship became so intense as to make further progress impossible and he crashed into the target area. By his voluntary acceptance of a mission he knew was extremely hazardous, and his assumption of an intrepid course of action at the risk of life over and above the call of duty, Major Jerstad set an example of heroism which ·will be an inspiration lo the U.S. Armed Forces.·, Editors Comments My apologies to Paul Steichen and his postman for getting his new address wrong. Please note his correct street address is: 1725 Shuey Ave. #105 not 1785. Paul reports that the California 2ADA Regional meeting in February was weU attended and everyone enjoyed the 93rd 's Walt Stewart as the main speaker. Regarding the comments received on the colors of the formation plane Bali of Fire, please refer to Roger Freeman's letter printed in this issue. At the Irvine reunion Henry Betz infonned me that he was one of many handed a brush and helped to paint the Ball of Fire and the colors were black, white and yellow. The 93rd Bomb Group had the best representation at Irvine with over eighty people in attendance including women. Floyd Mabee, who is not feeling well, and wife Dorothy were sorely missed this year and we hope he is feeling better.

At our Group meeting in Irvine it was proposed that we honor Gen. "Ted" Timberlake and possibly others by having their names placed on the Wall of Honor or on a plaque in the Memorial Garden at the 8th AAF Museum, in Savannah. A committee of three people, Cal Stewart, Henry Nykamp and Cal Davidson were appointed to resolve this proposal as to whose names should be included The committee would like the membership to send us their recommendations on this project. If you will send your thoughts or recommendations on this proposal to me I will see that the rest of the committee receives a copy. The pictures shown on page 5 of the last issue have been identified, even the two dogs! See Don Porter's and Ted Smith's letters. George Loutsch called to identify the two men holding the dogs as being from his original crew. They are from L/R Sid Biggs, copilot and Ollie Aaker, pilot. Dear Cal, Enclosed is my check for $15 covering the BOFQE subscription. Your idea of placing the "p'· on the mailing label worked well for me. I am also enclosing a check for $5 for the 93rd dues. 1 was not sure where each check should go but I am confident you will ta.lee care of it for me. I have enclosed a picture of MissChiefin which I flew several missions. S/Sgt. Leo Francesconi sent me the picture after he read about my connection with MissChief two or three years ago. However r am still hoping to find a picture ·without the cockpit cover and perhaps containing the entire plane, or at least more of it Also I read in the BOFQE frequently about plane numbers th at crews flew, but I do not appear to have a record of the planes my crew flew on various missions. I have a list of our missions with the date and I have pilot time recorded on my individual flight record, but J do not have a list of the planes or plane numbers. Am I missing something? Please change the name on my mailing label to read H.C''.Slip" Slider. Slip is the short version of Slippery which came out of an enlisted mens crew meeting at Hardwick in 1944. They needed something to call me besides Lieutenant. Keep up the good work and 1 hope to meel you at the reunion in Irvine, CA in May. H.C. "Slip" Slider 2013 Willow Glen lane Columbus, OH 43229 4 Ted's Travelling Circus A closeup account of the 93rd Bomb. Group -the pioneer B-24 outfit in the Mighty Eighth, 1942-45. 396 missions, the most of any heavy group. Full range of taxgets: Berlin, Magdeburg, Bremen, Danzig, (you name it in NW Europe), also Ploesti (low level), Wiener Neustadl (outside Vienna), Rome, Pisa, etc. The most traveled, most colorful and arguably most efficient group (lowest aircraft and personnel loss ratios in the Eighth). From review in Air Power History, quarterly journal of the U.S. Air Force Foundation: "This book of U.S. military aviation rewards the reader mentaUy and visually, and like its combat namesake, Ted's Travelling Circus, sets the highest standards in the genre." 592 pages 8 / x 11, hardbound 506 photos, maps, charts Limited quantity-a collector's item! Authored by a 93rd original and careerist Nebraska newspaper editor- publisher (ret.) $60.00 plus $3.00 postage (checks only) Carroll (Cal) Stewart) 7150 Holmes Park Road #323 Lincoln, NE 68506 Info: 402/484-6046 Stewart collaborated with James Dugan in the 1962 Random House release: PLOESTJ: The Great Ground-air Battle of I August 1943, reappearing now in bookstores through Brassey's, Inc., 1997 Editors Note: You will find I have left the four center pages of this issue unnumbered. These four pages give you full information on the upcoming 93rd Memorial Dedication at Arlington Cemetery in October. You can remove these pages to use for travel directions and still have a complete issue for saving in a binder if you so desire.

Dear Cal, On Monday May 26 we had the usual Memorial Day Services in Peoria. There l was minding my own business as usual and the next day our paper, the Peoria Journal-Star. featured a 93rd alumnus on the front page. Please note the 330th insignia and the 93rd shoulder patch with medic armband. Sorry I missed the Irvine convention but Betty is stiU grounded with 24 hour care here at home. Robert S. Calkins 3900 N. Stable Ct. #202 Peoria, IL 61614 -~·· Bob Calkins bows during invocation at Memorial Day Services at the Civic Center. Ed: Attention H B. Unknown rnnning from cold dunking ritual I 5 Ed: Can you identify the four above? Ed: From UR L. Kukla. unknown. G. Davis. unknown. Can anyone identify the two unknowns? Dear CaJ, The Spring issue of your wonderful BOFQE is in hand and Jo and h$lhold a Richard Glauner has sent you pictures for identification: This long retired international banker can help. The picture on the right is of a young B24 pilot by the name of Donald Lindsay Porter. I ought to know for he was I! I recognized him instantly for, until yesterday I thought I still resembled that young man: Yesterday I got my latest passport photo. Ob. the ravages of time! The picture in the middle must be my great good friend, Theodore R. Smith DFC, with whom I had the pleasure of flying copilot on many an ever exciting mission. As for the picture on the left, I am afraid that memory partially lets me do"'n: But I recognize the dogs known to me as Huey Long's Big Job and Little Job. Now how about all of that? By the way. previous issues of the BOFQE caused renewed contact with Ted Smith. Ed Weisert, and Gene Hoffman: would that I could bring that list to include Huey. Big Job and Little

Job but l am afraid that is not to be. Keep up the good work! Dear Cal, Donald Porter v 36 CouJt Lane Old Lyme, CT 06371 ln the Spring '97 issue of the BOFQE on page five, you want to know if anyone can identify the people in the three pictures printed thereon. I was a pilot in the 409th of the 93rd, and can positively identify two of the four men, and both the puppies. I can t.entatively identify one of the other men, but draw a blank on the fourth one. The handsome dude, smiling into the camera, is Don Porter. He was my co-pilot, and a finer one you couldn't ask for. Looking back to those days in combat, I realize how much I depended on him. And be always came through, doing the right thing at the right time. He was an excellent pilot, and our crew was very lucky to have him with us. The guy with no bat and the rumpled hair in the cent.er picture is me. Regarding the picture of the two men holding the two puppies: I think the dark haired one is Sid Biggs. As I remember, Sid was from El Paso. He'd flown a full combat tour as a co-pilot, and had chosen to stay on in the squadron, to try to put together a crew in which he'd be first pilot. In the meantime he flew as a pick up co-pilot, and had racked up quite a number of missions on a second tour. Sid was quite a gun mechanic. Although r never saw him fire it, he claimed he had modified his .45 automatic so it would fue a full magazine with one squeeze of the trigger. I haven't a name for the other man with Sid. J do remember that the two of them were good friends, and that one or both of them usually wore his cap with the bill turned up. The two puppies, in the picture, lived in our hut. Where they came from, or what ever became of them, I can't remember. We named them Big Job and Little Job, and they lived with us for quite a while. Don Gastoos co-pilot, John, Huey Long, who lived in our hut, taught Little Job to jump to him off the roof on the entrance shed, at the end of our hut. That dog really loved Huey. We used to kid Huey that he had an almost supernatural attraction for stray dogs and stray women. Thus endeth the identification of the myst.ery pictures. You're doing a great job with the BOFQE. Ted R. Smith J #3 Sagunto Lane Hot Springs Village, AR 71909 6 Dear Calvin, Sorry for the delay in response but l have been swamped with work this past month. Have just put together a book which includes ·all known, I hope, 8th Air Force Group and Squadron insignia in color. Something of a nightmare job but one I felt should be done before some of these emblems are lost for ever. In fact J had some trouble with the 93rd BG as two squadrons changed their emblems at some time dwing hostilities. You certainly have my permission to reproduce Ball of Fire in color but make sure you use the illustration from a recent edition of mEMIGHTr EIGHTH and not from the orimual. The reason is that the colors shown in the early editions are wrong. Instead of yellow, white and black, the true colors were red and whit.e with part of the whit.e overlaying another stripe making it appear grey. Recent editions of the book have the illustration with the correct colors. When I was researching THE MIGHTY EIGHTH I checked with many veterans as to the correct colors of the first assembly ship and everyone said yellow and white stripes. They must have been con.fused with the second assembly ship which did have broad yellow stripes. It was not until I saw a color movie which had a brief glimpse of Ball of Fire that the error was revealed. All good wishes. Roger Freeman J May's Barn Dedham, Colchester CO7 6EW, England &i.: Does anyone remember seeing both assembly ships in the color schemes Roger mentions ? Dear Mr. Davidson, Thank you for your continuing outstanding work on the BOFQE. l am always delighted to receive each issue. The use of color on the Ball of Fire masthead is an excellent improvement. Several years ago, when I was researching the circwnstances of my uncle's death, ILT. Robert W. Marx, the BOFQE was very helpful in contacting organization members with some knowledge of the accident. As I have researched UncJe Bob's death, I have been privileged to correspond with many members of the 93rd and 446th Bomb Groups. I have visited Hardwick and Bungay and met many of the Friends of the 2nd Air Division Association in England. Our family dedicated a cross in memory of the crew at Hardwick on 18 December 94, in commem-

oration of the 50th Anniversary of their deaths. My uncle, Gene Marx, a younger brother, and I flew to England especially to attend the dedication and place a wreath on my Uncle's grave at Cambridge. The "Did You Know?" article on page 2 was intriguing. I didn't know that WalMart sold a puzzle, but I do know something about the painting titled, Safe Haven. Last year, I purchased a limited edition print from a local art gallery who ordered the print from The Military Gallery. I have enclosed a copy of the certificate of authenticity. The print shows six Liberators approaching the coast. The .first airplane is marked with the 93rd's colors and a large "Z" in the black bar. The print is signed by four men in addition to the artist: Major General Phillip Audrey, Brigadier General John Brooks, Colonel William Cameron, and Colonel Albert Shower. I called Alfred Asch and he said he knew Brig Gen. Brooks. The bottom of the print has the following citation: SAFE HAVEN by Nicolas Trudgian Shadows lengthen on an autumn afternoon in 1944, as B24J Liberators, returning from a raid, safely cross the English coast above a tranquil Suffolk estuary. Beneath them, an air-sea rescue amphibian prepares to disembark a fortunate airman, rescued earlier following ditching in the North Sea. Safe Haven is the second 93rd prinl [ have purchased. The first is titled Among the Columns of Thor by Wil1iam S. Phillips. I have also enclosed a copy of its certificate of authenticity. The print is also signed by four men in addition to the artist: Edwin C. Baker, Clinton Dewitt Burdick, KO. Dessert, and Donald J. Strait. The letters in the tail markings are "W" and "I". The print has the following citation: AMONG THE COLUMNS OF THOR by William S. Phillips B24's from the 409th Bomb Squadron, 93rd Bomb Group. fly in column formation among the storm clouds of Thor, Norse god of thunder and war, as they return from a mission deep in Germany. P51 's from the 361st Fighter Squadron, 356th Fighter Group, fly cover. I don't know if either of the prints arc still available. 1 have them hanging side by side in my study next to the framed photograph of Cambridge American Military Cemetery with llJ1 inset of my uncle's marker. They are a constant reminder of Iris ultimate sacrifice and the price of freedom. I hope this information is helpful. Thanks again 7 for your work on the BOFQE. Col. John A. Marx ✓ 5405 Woodlawn Dr. Fort Belvoir, VA 22060 Dear Cal, Regarding the colors of the Ball of Fire, the 93rd's forming plane. 1 remember them as being very dark brown, white and yellow. This is as shown in Roger Freeman's book, "The Mighty Eighth". I suspect you will get about 100 responses from your question in the spring 1997 issue, page 6. The fun of this for you will be seeing how many answers you get and how many color schemes. Cal, again I want to compliment you on continuing this very good newsletter. I thank you too for the article aboul our crews book, "Against all Odds-Surviving World War II", in the falJ issue of the BOFQE. 1 am glad to know how well you are doing after your by-pass operation. My wife Connie wenl through this in November 1995, after the left descending artery broke during an angioplasty procedure. If you are coming to Irvine in May, we will see you there. / Dusty Worthen Dear Cal, 1211 N. Fairview St. Burbank, CA 91505 The spring 1997 issue arrived today. The Ball of Fire looked real good in color even if they were not the correct colors. I ~ave loaned a lot of pictures and books over the years and now the picture 1 remember seems to be missing. However on 77 of the book Log of the Liberators by Steve Birdsall I found this text next to a picture of the ship. Striped in white, black and yellow, old Ball of Fire became the formation assembly ship for the 93rd Bomb Group at Hardwick. I just remembered that I received the picture in the l 970's from an English writer with several questions. I did not know the answers so 1 mailed them on to General Timberlake. Hope this information may be of some help. Dear Cal, Gerald Morrow ✓ PO Box 116 Maplecrest, NY 12454-0.116 I am writing in response to the coloring of the Ba/J of Fire. According to my diary on Dec. 27, 1943 I was temporarily assigned to this aircraft but

it lasted nearly five months. In my diary I noted that the aircraft had red, white and yellow stripes with a lot of red lights to draw attention for assembly of aircraft of the 93rd BG. I hope I have been of some help lo you. Dear Cal, George Alexander v 825 W. 3rd St. Lane, KS 66042-2110 I'm a great fan of yours, I look forward to each issue and I'm rarely disappointed in the contents. But a letter you printed from H. J. Albright caught my attention and made me wonder if I was _in the same 93rd as he was. My original crew was piloted by LT. George Larson. We flew to England in an un-named B24 and were assigned to the 93BG, 330 BS; no sooner did we unpack and make our beds we were told to pack up our khakis, the 93rd is going to Benghazi. I remember being uncomfortable in the heat and bored with being confined to the tent when we ,,veren 't flying. Nobody was aware of a place called Ploesti. Just before lhe purpose of the lransf er could be explained our pilot, co-pilot and navigator came do\\11 \\~th hepatitis. Unfortunately our pilot died and the others went on to a slow recovery The rest of us became supemumaries and flev,· as replacements, seldom with the same crew. We returned to HardV\~ck in late September, 43 At that time 25 missions was a completed tour. It was at my 21st mission when Gen. Doolittle raised the tour to 30 I finally completed my tour June 2nd 1944. Unlike Mr. Albright I didn ·t know we had a ritual pond to celebrate in. ln fact r can't remember when it was warm enough to even think about a dunking. The Squadron C. 0. recognized our achievements by assigning us to perimeter guard duty, KP and wake up details under the O.D. until shipping orders were cut to send us to Scotland. which came mid JULY, 1944. l never thought of keeping a diary and I regret it. A few years ago I wrote to the Military Personnel records in St. Louis and they told me a fire destroyed thousands of individual records. Does anyone know of another source I could address to get the missions, name and targets I participated in? Herb Bornstein J Dear Cal, 921 Grand Bh'd. Westbury. NY 11590 Thanks for your speedy reply and double thanks for the loading list you enclosed. I do remember receiving a form certifying missions _flo,tvn. I believe it was called an 113 2. We were also told not to lose it as it couldn't be duplicated . Alas I left all my papers with my parents and went to work overseas. Somehow my papers were lost when my parents moved. But now the dark clouds have parte~ thanks to you for informing me about the loading lists that J never knew existed. My shipping orders to Scotland were dated July 6, 44. The orders were for assignment to the Casual Pool, 12th replacement depot. rt was used as a loading area for a cruise to the USA on a Luxury Liberty Ship. Personally if I knew any better I would have volunteered for another tour. The closest r was to a ship that size was in a rowboat in Bronx Park. The first two days on the bounding main were pure hell It must have been the same guardian angel who saw me thru the tour. for on the third day l found my sea legs and my appetite and filled a beJiy I had thought was turned inside out As for Mr. Albright 1 will write him lo apologize for my doubling him about the ritual dunking. My Ye1y best to you Cal. Please feel free lo call on me if there is an~thing I can assist you with Herb Bornstein ✓ 921 Grand Blvd. Westbury. NY l l 590 Dear Cal, You printed my letter in spring 1997 issue in which I discussed pictu.res of Solid Comfort . I do apologize as I was ~ferring to a chat with Cal Stewart at the Liberal. KS Ploesti meeting. No I was not on that mission thank God, but as a result of your printing my letter I got a call from George Everhart who was on it. I plan to meet with him soon. I also correspond with Michael Mucha the Polish Aviation Author. Bob Treadway/ Dear Cal, 438 W. 58th Ter. Kansas City. MO 641 J 3 In the Spring ·97 issue of the BOFQE you pictured Flying Wolves 872 Fon the back cover. The numbers struck a note of memory and it bcrng a B24D model got my attention. I checked my records and found that my crew flew it on July 24. 1944 on our 13th mission. This mission was the first one to St. Lo, the one we didn't drop our bombs because of cloud cover.

r The 330th Operations Officer called me into the office the day before and asked if I would fly 872 Fon ifs 50th mission as it had never aborted a combat mission. Our crew too had never aborted, so maybe that's why we were chosen. I saw no reason not to fly her; the only major difference from the H and J models was the nose and turbo super chargers. The D's had the hydraulic controlled super chargers which would fluctuate the manifold pressure if oil congealed. We were assigned to fly lead of the high right element of our squadron. It was a good position as my co-pilot Paul Joseph was kept busy most of the mission trying to keep the manifold pressure even. I recall we were about 13,000 ft. and about the time Oak appeared the leader made a rather tight 180 that forced me to move over directly above the lead squadron and the 88's were bursting right over our nose. My wingman hung right in there with me. We carried our anti-personnel bombs home only to take them back the next day July 25. The second day I flew my B24H 969C which later crashed with the Mullin's crew Sept. 21, 1944 near Inglemuster, Belgium. I'm sure many crC\vs flew 872F and it had super service and maintenance. The maintenance was the best ever over there in combat. We never saw a combat plane on a red diagonal compared to here in the states where we rarely saw them otherwise. You showed 872Fwas salvaged May 25, 1945 J assume it made it home. I often wondered if we flew it on it's last combat mission. Cal, I too think you are doing the best of all the 8th' s publications, likewise to Paul before you. /' Joseph R Mitchell Dear Cal, 2401W. Southern Ave. #392 Tempe, AZ 85282 I received my BOFQE yesterday and to my swprise, I was looking at the plane that I flew 13 of my 26 missions on. We had the Flying Wolves painted on our leather jackets. Our pilot was Lt. Frank and he was older than most of the pilots. He was called the "Old Man.,, On one flight when we returned to base the engineer said we're out of gas. The way the pilot banked the plane around and slipped ii side ways to hit the runway showed he was really scared. The Commander came out in a Jeep and said, "I thought both pilots had been killed and one of the gunners was landing the plane." It wasn't too many flights later before they sent him back to the states, 9 because he became so jumpy. They started loaning F1ying Wolves to other crews once too often and we lost it. This new crew took it up over England and bailed out as they said it had no electrical system. Two Spitfires were sent up to shoot it down. After my 26th mission l was sent over to the 448th Bomb Group as a gunnery insbUctor. On my first day there our planes were coming back after dark and German fighters followed them in shooting at our planes as they tried to land. During my travels I have kept a diary of all my flights traced out on maps, with comments on what happened. A scrap book with pictures of crews by their planes, that were later shot down. A pi.cture of twelve instructors who led the group on D-Day. We were given the name ''Ted's All American Crew'' as Ted was the name of the pilot who was in charge of all the instructors. Dear Cal, Robert Muirhead Y 105 S.W. Davis Ave. College Place, WA 99324 Saw Julie Lafferty's letter in the last issue, so J sent her some infonnation and thought you might like to know. Thanks for your efforts. LarryHewin ✓ Dear Julie, 9 Winster fax Williamsburg, VA 23 185 I saw your letter in the Spring edition of the BOF Quarterly Expr~ss asking about Bob Sager and thought I might possibly add a little information. 1 was pilot of a crew that went through B24 training at Colorado Springs at the same time as Lt. Frobish's crew, and then both crews went on to join the 93rd Bomb Group in the 409th Squadron. While at Colorado Springs, several members of my crew became friends with members of the Frobish crew. My bombardier, George Sadler was, I think, a pretty close friend of Bob Sager who was, as I am sure you already know, the bombardier on the Frobish crew. I played a clarinet at that time, albeit poorly, and Bob and 1 enjoyed sitting around in the BOQ rendering our version of jazz duets on some of the old standards. I remember that we had a pretty good thing going (we thought) on "Blue Sides". If my memory doesn't play tricks on me, I think we even sat in a bit with groups playing at the officers club on occasion.

Bob, George Sadler and 1 also jointly purchased an old "A" Model Ford to run around the Springs in, which we kept until just before leaving for staging overseas and then sold. 1 enclose some copies of photos that include that Ford. One shows Bob holding his ears in expectation that the tires, being ceremonially kicked by George, are going to blow out. A comment on the condition resulting from the absolute unavailability of tires in those days of wartime rationing. Gas also was severely rationed; we sometimes overcame that by "borrowing" some l 00 octane aviation fuel from the B24's. That fuel was of course far too "hot" for the ''A", but we fixed that by blending it with unrationed kerosene. Another of the photos includes Bob's girlfriend, taken during a visit by her to Colorado Springs. Memory weakens after 53 years, but it seems to me her name was Helen (can't remember the last n'ame) and that she and Bob were engaged. [ do remember that she was a very attractive and very nice person. The other picture is Bob with his mother whom the back of the picture notes is Mrs. E.E. Sager; the picture was take in Appleton, WI during Bob's furlough in April of 1944. I presume you know that Frobish, Spedding and Sager are listed on the memorial wall at The American Cemetery The Netherlands (between Aachen and Maastricht). Some of my crew "isited there on the 50th anniversary of our being shot down when Hollanders hosted and honored our crew and held a memorial for our radio operator, Bill Kirlin who was killed on that occasion. l very much liked and respected Bob; he was a warm and generous person with a quiet but great sense of humor. For me, in a very personal way, Bob and Bill Kirlin have both poignantly symboli.led the brave young men who risked and ultimately gave their lives to fight for freedom. But the Joss is great; what Bob and others might have done had they lived, and what influences they mighl have had on others, is incalculable but, I suspect, substantial. I hope thal this adds in a small way to your store of information about Bob. I also would like to say that I admire your having the interest to pursue the information; unfortunately the efforts and sacrifice of those like Bob are often too soon forgotten. My best to you, and if I can be of any additional help. please contact me. Sincerely, Larry M. Hewin 10 Fly plan protested Residents at Denton are fighting a nearby farmer's plans to fly vintage wartime aircraft from part of a former US Air Force base. They fear David Woodrow's project would mean aging planes making dangerous maneuvers over their neighborhoods. They are also worried about added noise if the ex-Raf pilot gains permission to store five aircraft in a hangar at Airfield Farm, Topcroft, which already houses two. The fifty residents are opposing the scheme under the name Denton and Neighborhood Group for Environmental Responsibility or Danger. Group member Alan SquireU said: "Background noise here is extremely low and the intrusion of aircraft is a serious problem." "We have nothing against Mr. Woodrow having a single aircraft, but five is getting a bit unreasonable." The 200 acre site, bought by Mr. Woodrow in 1953, is part of the old Hardwick Airfield, home to the 93rd Bomber Group. Mr. Woodrow, 72, has since restored original buildings and opened a museum. The complex also includes a memorial erected by the 93rd Group veterans. He said: ··we stage reunions and Rememberance Day Ceremonies here, and it would be lovely to have another warbird." He already keeps a Laser light plane and fully restored Harvard trainer on the site. "l'm not likely to have more than three planes, but r ve asked for consent for five so we can work on others if we want." He said aircraft taking off and landing would not fly over homes, the nearest of which are a half mile away. He also stressed that while he bad applied for consent for 365 flights a year, it would not be a case of one a day. Tony Fielder, South Norfolk Council planning officer, said about 20 objections to the scheme had been received, mainly from Denton residents. Letters of support have arrived from as far as Norwich, North Walsham and Needham Market, including ex-Raf veterans. The planning committee will make a decision later this year. Ed: Reprinted from the Friday, March 28,1997 issue of the Beccles and Bungay Journal. Charlie Weiss reports that on a recent trip to Hardwick, David Woodrow reported he had already met with the committee and worked out a one year agreement.

2ADA Midwest and East Regional Reunion COMMEMORATING THE 53RD ANNIVERSARY oftbe KASSEL MISSION SEPTEMBER 27, 1944 SEPTEMBER 27, 1997 Welcome to the 2nd Air Division, 8th Air Force Midwest and East Regional Reunion plus all points border-to-border and coast-to-coast at the Harrisburg Marriott. September 25th to September 28th, 1997. We are having an "Early Bird Special" for folks arriving Wednesday, September 24th. The Special is a bus trip to Gettysburg National Park on Thursday, September 25th. This will be limited to the first 4 7 people who make reservations and includes the Visitors Center Cyclorama and Battlefield tour. The cost for the bus trip, gratuity, driver and guide is US $14.00 per person. Lunch and admission where charged is on your ovm. Checks received for this trip above the 4 7 person limit •Nill be returned at registration. Thursday September 25th 10:00AM to 9:00PM is registration. You have your choice of the Friday tours: Friday September 26th we will have bus trips to Lancaster County, Amish tours, Amish Village and Strasburg Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. Lunch and admission where charged is on your own. Friday, September 26th we will also have bus trips to Gettysburg National Park, the Visitors Center, Cyclorama and Battlefield tour. Lunch and admission where charged is on your own. Saturday September 27th we offer bus trips to Hershey Chocolate World and other Hershey attractions. Lunch and admission where charged is onyourow11. Sunday departure is after breakfast and by 12:00 noon Cut off day for registration is July 25, 1997. Cost per person is US $145.00. Make cbedcs payable to Midwest and East Regional Reunion and mail to: Ray F. Souders, Jr., 431 Lewisberry Rd., New Cumberland, PA 17070 along with the 11 bottom portion of the next page. Your canceled check will serve as your registration fee receipt Make your hotel reservations at the Harrisburg Marriott. Phone: 1-800-343-5982. Be sure to specify that you are with the 2nd Air Division, 8th Air Force when you make your hotel reservations. If you have any questions call 1-717-774-3560. Since this is a non-profit organization we ·will answer phone calls but cannot return calls left on the answering machine. Than.ks for your thoughtfulness. CanceJlations will be accepted until August 25th, 1997. After that date only a 50% refund will be returned. All busses are 47 passenger, top-of-the-line with air conditioning and are rest room equipped. The following are included in the cost-per-person: * Snacks - Thursday evening * Breakfast buffet - Friday, Saturday and Sunday * Dinner - Friday and Saturday evening * Bus trip on Friday to either Lancaster County or Gettysburg National Park * Bus trip on Saturday to Hershey Not included: * Cash bar and dinner Thursday evening * Cash bar Friday and Saturday evening The United States -Air Force Band from Washington D.C. will be our Saturday evening after-dinner musical entertainment. Because of monetary constraints we are unable to contact all members on our list-please pass this information on to interested parties. Please include your first name, Mi, last name, home state, Group, Squadron No., number of persons attending and which Friday Tour you want to take - Lancaster or Gettysburg. If you are interested in the Thursday "Early Bird Special" trip to Gettysburg please indicate the number of persons going and include a separate check of US $14.00 per person made payable to: Midwest and East Regional Reunion and send to Ray F. Souders, Jr., 431 Lewisberry Rd., New Cumberland, PA 17070

... , _,. ,_, ,·_ ...... ,. \i Sterile Errol: Serial No. 27641 "F" G0-328tb Sqdn. :J/w Baff o/ Jire Quarlerly Gxpre:u 93rd BOMBARDMENT GROUP Calvin Davidson, Editor 48973 Plate Rd. Oberlin, OH 44074 Phone 216-775-1787 BOFQE SUBSCRIPTION FORM Name: -------------Address: ____________ _ BOFQE Subscription@#15.00 per annum$ __ _ Annual93rdMcmbcIShip@$5.00 $ __ _ Donation $ __ _ To1al $ __ _ Please make checks payable to : 93rd Bomb. Group Send c~ks to: Paul Steichen 1725 Shuey Ave. #105 Walnut Creek, CA 94596 FIRST CLASS MAIL

DIRECTIONS FROM THEW ALTER REED GA TE TO MOLOGNE HOUSE HOTEL: Make a right tum immectiately at the gate and stay on the perimeter ,,,--.... , left tum at a parking garage, go to end and turn right until you get ,-.. ...ie Chapel and a stop street T1rr0 left here, go through a parking lot and al the end, tum left up a little hill to the hotel. There is a large hotel sign on your left. The hotel bas a canopy and there should be parking around the entrance area. These are all short distances; see map attached. DIRECTIONS The Walter Reed Army Medical Center is a short distance south of Silver Spring. Maryland; with the ma.in entrance off Georgia Avenue. Coming south toward Washington, DC from Silver Spring, always enter through the f11st wrought iron gate on the right side of the street along Georgia Avenue. This is the main gate. The guard may require identification after 5:00 P. M. and on weekends. A driver's license is acceptable. Tell the guard you are with the 93rd Bomb Group at the Mologne House DIRECTIONS COMING FROM THE NORTH BY CAR: From Interstate 95, intersect the Beltway (495) and take the right exit, the sign will show "Silver Spring". Take 495 to Colesville Road, cloverleaf and head south west on Colesville. Stay on Colesville until it intersects C'100rgia Avenue. Tum left here and go south to Walter Reed. see next item for further directions. From Interstate 270 and getting close lo Washington. DC. stay 011 270 Wltil it intersects 495. Do not take the right lanes going to Virginia. so stay left until you intersect the Beltway, i. e., 495. You will then be 1rhe inner loop of the Capital Beltway heading east. Proceed lo rgia A venue and turn right at first turn-off to go south on Georgia Avenue. Stay on Georgia to Walter Reed, watch for the sign and a wrought iron fence on your right; go through the first wronght iron gate at Elder Street. Walter Reed is 2.7 miles south of 495 whether departing at Georgia Avenue or Colesville Road. Land marks on Georgia include the World Building with sign "WGA Y" on left, an underpass at Sligo Avenue and just before arriving at Walter Reed. a Pizza Hut on the left. DIRECDONS COMING FROM THE SOUTH AND WEST BY CAR: If coming in on either Interstate 95 or 66, intersect the Beltway (495) and bypass Washington by going west of the city. The signs will indicate Rock-ville when leaving 95 or 66. Stay on. the Beltway until the Georgia Avenue tum-off and take the first exit to go south on Georgia. See items above to arrive at Walter Reed. METRO TRAIN FROM WASHINGTON NATIONAL AIRPORT: Take Yellow Line to Gallery Place, then take the Red Line lo Silver Spring. Take a cab to Walter Reed {Barwood, blue, telephone 301 9841900). You can also catch the Walter Reed shuttle service from the Takoma Metro station on the Red Line; see attached for shuttle service. The hotel bas two vans that may be called on (202) 726 8700 from either Metro station. There are very good shuttle buses at Washington National that run every 5 minutes that will take you to the Metro Station at the airport. A cab from the airport to Walter Reed will be $25.00 to $35.00. If you take a cab, make certain it has a trip meter. ,-..e is a shuttle service from the Baltimore International Airport and can get transportation from Dulles at a reasonable cost. I have personally used the Metro and Barwood Cab to get from Washington National to my home in Rockville (about the same distance as Walter Reed) and found this mode to be quite satisfactory and at a very reasonable cost. Don't be afraid lo carry a little baggage on the Metro. ff:l"f $Tltlrt IITNAH TOMI.I CDITmt,_ ____ l@:::JI CCUIITS(D~ ~ r t----➔-----"'! ,11110 -PIIHIII 'HOUH ---· Hal ILOO 1 ll AIUMS ' HALL r.t oiLAMO HALL ouc•T .... ... Lia IOUCATtOH lftH.I •~ C11Krt11' ii.ii" eLt• iltl euo.n• G CIPIIN 8TIIHT Q WAL TM MED IM/fTlE SCHIIDULE (JIORNING RUSH HOUR$) f«wtGlen WRAMC ILDCWI01 TAJ(QMA BLDG"2 TAKOMA LV .AR I LV AR. I LV AR I LV .0530 0546 0550 0605 0610 0625 0930 .oc,oo 0615 0620 0635 0640 0655 0700 ·0650 0705 0710 0725 0730 0745 0750 ·0720 0735 07..0 0155 oeoo 0815 0820 ·0910 0825 0830 OMS 0850 0906 0910 ,0840 ~ 09,s 0920 0935 ()9,o4() (REGULAR HOUltS) BLDG1'101 TAKOMA 8LDG#2 TAKOMA ILDIII ITllllU I ! C: .. F/Gk BLOG 101 AR 0645 0715 ~ 0835 0925 0955 BLDG 101 LV .AR / LV AR / LV AR / LV Al 0930 09A5 OG50 1005 1010 1025 1030 1045 1oeo 1106 1110 1125 1130 11-45 1150 1205 1210 1225 1230 1245 1250 1305 1310 1325 • 1330 1345 1350 1..0S 1<410 1425 1<430 1445, 1450 1505 1510 1525 1530 15-45 1550 1605 ~ "USH HOURS) ~101 TAKOMA BLDGl2 TAKOMA BLDG101 LV AR f LV AR / LV AR I LV AA 1530 15,40 1545 1600 1605 1820 1625 1640 .1e10 1625 1630 1&45 1650 1705 1710 1725 1&45 1700 1705 1720 1725 1740 17-45 1800 1730 17-45 1750 1605 1610 1825 18-30 f&45 1805 1820;1f1825 HMO 1&45 1900 1905 1920 1850 1905 ·1910 1925 1930 1945 19!50 2005 1925 11iMO 1945 2000 2005 2020 2025 2030

EVENT: DATE: TIME: PLACE: Living Memorial Dedication, 93rd Bombardment Group 10 October 1997 1000 hours Arlington National Cemetery SEQUENCE OF EVENTS Opening Remarks: Narrator, Col Alfred Asch Invocation: USAF Chaplain Remarks: Col. John R.Roche, Flight Leader, Squadron CO Remarks: Col. Kenneth 0. Dessert, CO 409th Squadron Dedication Remarks: (Maj. Gen. Ramsay Potts, CO 330th Squadron-Group Operations Officer) Troop the Colors (USAF Color Group) MemoriaJ Unveiling (To be selected later) Color Group Pass In Review Benediction (USAF Chaplain) Taps (USAF Bugler) Present Memorial to Arlington NationaJ Cemetery Col. Alfred Asch Acceptance of MemoriaJ (Mr. Thomas Sherlock, Historian) Present History Book to Mr Sherlock for Library (Paul Steichen, President 93rd Bomb Group; Carroll Stewart, Author of Ted's Travelling Circus) Departure of USAF Personnel Cemetery Tour and Lunch at Ft. Meyer Officers Oub Load buses at hotel Depart Hotel Dedication ceremonies Tour Cemetery Lunch Return to hotel Reception Banquel dinner 08:45 09:00 10:00 11 :00 12:00 JS:00 (3:00 PM) 18:00 (6:00 PM) 19:00 (7:00 PM)

REGISTRATION FORM 93RD BOMB GROUP ASSOCIATION NOTE: We must have prior reservations and fees from all who will attend the 93rd Memorial Dedication and the activities listed below. Please mail this reservation form and fees NOT LATER THAN l September 1997 to Alfred Asch, 6.205 Meadow Court, Rockville, Md .2085.2, Telephone: 301 881 1376. Mail earlier if possible, it wilJ help this tired old man have things ready. Please make reservations for the following persons; number of rooms required: Double __ _ Executive ( l BR and LR with pullout couch) ___ . Please print the following information. Rank First Name MI Last Name Telephone First Name MI Last Name Address: ______________________________ _ OONA TION for memorial costs (tree and plaque) $ REG1STRA TION: Number Amount Member & Spouse/ Guests ........... _____ persons, $5.00 ea = TRANSPORTATION FOR: DEDICATION OF MEMORlAL & OTHER ACTfVITIES: Friday, JO October.. ...... _____ persons, $12.00 ea= LUNCHEON AT FORT MEYER OFFICERS CLUB: Friday, l O October Baked Sahnon .................. _____ persons, $14.00 ea= Yankee Pot Roast... ........ ____ _ persons, $14.00 ea= MEMORIAL BANQUET DINNER: Friday 10 October: Prime Rib of Beef... ....... _____ persons, $32.00 ea= Chicken Florentine ........... _____ persons, $27.00 ea= TOTAL AMOUNT of Registration Fees Enclosed = $ --------(Please double check your figures) Make check payable to: 93rd Bomb Group Mail check and this form to: Alfred Asch at above address.

To: All Members and Others Interested in the 93rd Bomb Group Association and its Activities Subject: 93rd Bomb Group Memorial Dedication Ceremony on October 10, 1997 at the Arlington National Cemetery. YOU AND OTHERS ARE INVITED: We hope that you and many others will share in the special honor of dedicating lhe permanent 93rd Bomb Group Memorial this October 10, 1997. The memorial tree and granite pedestal with a bronze plaque will have good visibility being located on the comer of Grant Drive and Roosevelt Drive, a short distance from President Kennedy's gravesite. Tourists walk on Roosevelt Drive to see the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and other attractions. ROOM RESERVATIONS: We have a block of rooms reserved at The Mologne House Hotel at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Th.is is a new, 200 room structure which opened in April of this year. Naomi and I inspected the hotel; it is gorgeous. Room rates range from $62.00 per night for a double (two queen size beds, TV, refrigerator) to $70 for an executive suite and no room taxes. These rates will hold beyond the 11th if you choose to stay. The hotel has a restaurant, meeting and banquet facilities and state-of-the-art security. Walter Reed is five minutes from the Takoma Metro Station (Red Line) with shuttle service provided and 15 minutes to downtown Washington. The hotel also has two vans that may be called for pick-up from either the Takoma Metro Station or Silver Spring Metro. Complete directions are attached. Please make your own room reservations direct by calling (202) 726 8700, fax. (202) 762 8707, or address The Mologne House Hotel, One Main Drive, Washington, DC 20307-5001 by 10 September 1997. Give the hotel your confirmation number at arrival. Be certain to tell the hotel staff that you are ¼ith the 93rd Bomb Group. You arrange payment with the hotel for your room(s). All major credit cards are acceptable. ARRIVING ON 9 OCTOBER 1997: There will be a modest reception for aH of us from 1800 hrs to 1900 hrs at the hotel v'"""' pay-as-you-go bar. Following this, the hotel will serve us dinner, also pay for your own selection from the dinner Menu. Abrams House is across the road from the hotel which serves food and drink; we will be welcome there. TRANSPORTATION: We will travel by bus to the MemoriaJ Dedication Ceremonies, followed by a short cemetery sight seeing tour, with luncheon at the Fort Meyer Officers Club and return to the hotel. This will be on l 0 October, 1997 please see the attached schedule. I NEED HELP in determining how many busses to reserve. [f you believe you will attend the memorial dedication, I would appreciate a note mailed to me BY AUGUST J 5th. Please state how many will be attending. I realire that you may not be sure you will attend but your thinking is better than my flat out guess. BREAKFAST 10 OCTOBER: There will be a BREAKFAST served at the hotel prior to boarding the buss(s) We will each pay for the food we order. BANQUET 10 OCTOBER: There will be a banquet dinner at the hotel for us with a pay-as-you-go bar. The bar will open at 6:00 PM and dinner served at 7:00 PM. The dinner will be paid from a part of your reservations package. MEMORIAL COSTS: The tree has been planted al a cost of $275.00. The bronze plaque and granite base wilJ cost between $1,700.00 and $2,000.00. Donations are needed to pay these costs. A donation from all members is needed whether or not you attend the ceremonies. A line item has been provided on the registration form for submitting your donation. Please use the form whether or not you attend. Thank you! SPEOAL MESSAGE: I live a short distance(lO mi) from Walter Reed so call me if you have problems. My telephone is: 301 881 1376, Address: 6205 Meadow Court, RockviUe, Md 20852. The person to c 11 at the hotel to solve problems is: Ms Rosemarie Roberts, (~ 782 7377. You may direct correspondence to Director of Marketing, 6825 16th St NW, Bldg 11, Suite J 96, Washington, DC 20307-_ for further information about the hotel and services. Sincerely, Alfred Asch

r Jf BALL OF FIRE QUARTERLY EXPRESS Newsletter of the 93rd Bombardment Group 2nd Air Division, 8th Air Force, Hardwick, England Vol. 5, No.3 FaU,1997 Grogp President Paul R. Steichen Vice President. 2ADA Alfred Asch v. President Membership Floyd ff. Mabee 1725 Shuey Ave. #105 Walnut Creek, CA 94596 (510) 939-3440 6205 Meadow Court Rockville, MD 20852 (301) 881-1376 28 Hillside A venue Dover, NJ 05801 (201) 366- 5916 October 10 Dedication Ceremonies. At Arlington Cemetery Important Message from Al Asch There is still time to send in your registration form for the dedication ceremonies to be held at the Arlington National Cemetery IO October for the dedication of a tree and plaque. Fellows, this may well be the last activity of the 93rd Bomb Group to honor those we lost during WW II. Let's have a good showing. This updates the instructions included in the last BOF travel. The new terminal at the Washington National Airport has opened. There is a very convenient overhead walkway between the airline counters and the Washington Metro. I know as I used it last week on one of my trips from Michigan. Take the Metro if you can from National Airport to the Walter Reid Medical Center to stay at the Mologne House Hotel. The Metro will cost between $2.00 and $3.00. Buy the ticket through the machine at the Metro terminal; have dollar bills and silver coins ready. You will see a fare sign below the attendant's window for the cost to either Takoma or Silver Spring stations. The Metro entrance gate accepts your ticket, opens the gate and returns the ticket on the top of the turnstile. Take the ticket as you will need it when you leave Metro. Take the Yellow Line from the airport as far as Gallery Place, then the Red Line that goes to Wheaton. The first car on the Metro will have a color code above the operator's compartment. It is easy to travel these routes, I do it every month on my trips between Michigan and Rockville, Md. If you stop at the Takoma station, Walter Reed provides a shuttle service, or a cab is reasonable from the Silver Spring station. I would personally prefer that option. Mologne House Hotel has pick up service on call at 202 726 8700. David W. Thompson will check you in at the Mologne House Hotel and provide you with schedules and other information. His phone number is 703 354 1952. Martin Furst has agreed to be there as well. If you need help at the airport, Richard Preziose has agreed tp provide assistance. His telephone number"is 703 569 1513. The important thing is, let's make a good showing. The dedication activities will be published in subsequent BOF newsletters and I plan to have this infonnation placed on the internet web page sponsored by the Memorial Library in Norwich. The Mighty Eighth Air Force Heritage Museum I received a copy of a letter Lt. Gen. E. G. Shuler (Buck) sent to Mrs. George S. Brown about the display of General George Brown's 4-star flag in the museum. General Brown was one of the original members of the 93rd; he was Squadron Commander of the 329th. Many of you will remember him, perhaps flew with him in our old D-model B-24's. He became Chief of Staff of the Air Force and was Chainnan of the Joint Chiefs

under three Presidents. The following two paragraphs are quoted from GeneraJ Sbuler's letter: Colonel Alfred Asch has been in contact with the musewn for some time working with our staff to ensure the inclusion of the 93rd Bomb Group display case. As work on the case progressed il became obvious that the flag, due to space constraints, could not be included. The flag was placed in our artifacts department until such time as a suitable display area could be found. In the last several months we have expanded our Honoring The Eighth area to include even more cases, and now that we have the extra space we feel the flag belongs in this galJery. I wish to thank you for this wonderful donation and appreciate your help in making the 93rd Bomb Group display a wonderful success. Sincerely, Lt. Gen. E.G. Shuler, USAF, Ret. Chairman and CEO Judge Ben Smith is assisting the 8th Air Force Museum at Savannah, GA to build a display to commemorate the low altitude raid against the oil refineries at Ploesti on August I, I 943. He asked me to send him pictures, artifacts, etc. suitable for display. Ben's address is P.O. Box, Waycross, GA 31502: Tele: 912 285 8040. If you have items, please contact Judge Smith direct. The Opening of the American Air Museum in Duxford Major General Ramsay Potts sent me a copy of dedication remarks he made at the Museum opening on I August 1997. He was invited to speak on behalf of the veterans. Many of you will remember Ramsay as one of the original members of the 93rd having been the Squadron Commander of the 330th and later the Group Operations Officer before going to higher headquarters. M.Gen. Potts's speech: ''Your Majesty, Your Royal Highnesses, Your Excellencies, My Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen: It is indeed a signal honor for me to have been invited to speak on behalf of all the veterans here today, especially those who served in England. In 1942 I came to England as a Pilot with the 93rd Bomb Group, the first B-24 Liberator Group based in England with the 8th Air Force. Later in 1944, I commanded Bomber Groups at bases in Norfolk not far from here; and then later still 2 became Director of Bomber Operations for the 8th Air Force, commanded by General Jimmy Doolittle. We thank you, Your Majesty, for opening the American Air Museum in Britain, and we thank OUT British friends, especially those who brought this Museum to fruition. Throughout World War II, American airmen received warm and generous support from the English people in the towns and villages near our bases. More importantly, your Majesty, your Father and Mother, King George and Queen Elizabeth, took a particular interest in us and visited many of our bases, including my own, thereby enhancing the morale of all ranks. We Americans seem to have center stage here today but I should like to pay a special tribute to the Royal Air Force. The American Air Forces could not have accomplished what they did without unstinting support from the RAF. The RAF gave us our bases and protected them, provided us with communications, furnished us with intelligence about the enemy, and even fished us out of the North Sea when we were forced to crash land in the water. This was a wartime manifestation of that special relationship between our two countries, which we veterans are determined to strengthen and preserve. As Secretary Widnall said; " This American Air Museum has attracted widespread support in the United States and especially among those who served in Britain in World War TI." On behalf of alJ qf those veterans, those who are here today, and those who could not join us but wish they were here, I predict a long and flourishing life for OUT Magnificent Museum. Thank you, and God bless you, each and every one." Summary History for the 93rd. The Air Force Association is sponsoring an Air Force Fifty History Book to be published by the Turner Publishing Company. This stems from the Air Force reunion held April 22-26 in Las Vegas, Nevada to celebrate our 50th anniversary. I have been in contact with the publisher of Turner and be requests I send him two double spaced pages and two pictures to summarize our history. Cal Stewart has authorized our use of Ted's Travelling Circw; for summary material. Cal is also sending me two

pictures for the article. The materiaJ I ~rite will appear in a subsequent issue of the BOFQE. My deadline is 15 September 1997. USAFA B-24 "Liberator" Memorial Neal Sorensen of the Executive Committee of the Second Air Division is acting as the project person to coordinate efforts to have a bronze monument V6 the size of the B-24 sculpted and installed at the Air Force Academy. It will be by the famed aviation sculptor, Robert Henderson, who has already sculptured and installed the P-52, P-47, P-40, P-38 and, yes, the B-17 for the Academy. The cost will be about $175,00. However, the wood mock-up used in the process will be quality grade for installing at a museum; about $25,000 of the total cost. We should support this project. As you know, the B-17 continues to receive most of the credit and publicity about WWII. especially about the air war over Europe. It isn't fair to those who flew the B-24, especially those who lost their lives, to be forgotten. The B-24 per se is not important, but the airmen who flew them are! We of the 2ADA are the only ones left to correct this and we don't have much time left to do it. An article in the August 14, 1997 Wall Street Journal caught my attention. The article was impressions by the author, Mark Yost, about the American Air Museum in Britain which opened August I and I quote from his article: "Although dwarfed when next to the B-52, one of the priz.e pieces is a fully restored B- l 7G Flying Fortress, the workhorse bomber in Europe during WWII. Also on display is a North American P-5 l Mustang, the "Cadillac of the skies." Together these two aircraft broke Hitler's back" end of quote. His only mention of the B-24 quote: "Other aircraft on display include a B-25J Mitchell, a P-47O Thunderbolt and the forward section of a B-24 Liberator" end of quote. This is totally unacceptable! You will recall when the 8th Air Force Museum opened in Savannah, GA a year ago last May, the B-17 was featured and very little about the B-24. General Shuler is correcting this. I believe he has done so well in doing this because of the urging by fonner B-24 flyers. Doing the project at the Air Force Academy is another part of correcting the misconception that the B-24 did not play an important role in the war, especially the aircrews who flew them and, yes, those who gave their lives in combat to defeat the Axis Powers. Let's support this effort, it is worth doing. The 3 Monwnental Bronz.e B-24 will be studied for years to come by the Cadet Corps as well as viewed by the many tourists who visit the Academy, thus becoming aware of the role of that lovable old bird and it's crews during WWII. Please send me your comments. Memorial Library Web Page (Internet) I have interfaced with our librarian at the Memorial Library to participate in the Web Page program for the 93rd. More work is needed, I will keep you advised. Our B-24 "Hells Wench" This is the airplane that Lt. Col. Addison Baker and Major John Jerstad used to lead the 93rd over Ploesti on l August 1943. The Air National Guard here in Washington has commissioned Mr. Roy Grinnell, a well known aviation artist, to paint a portrait of this airplane leaving the Ploesti target. He asked me for a picture of the nose section to gel an exact likeness of the name for the picture. I don't have a picture nor do I remember the airplane. None of the 93rd members I called have anything other than the serial number. 1 don't believe it was one of the original B-24's, perhaps a replacement. If you have a picture of this B-24 or know how the 93rd came by it, please let me know. I understand the painting will be hwig in the Pentagon as Col. Baker received the Congressional Medal of Honor and was a member of the Air National Guard prior to joining the 93rd. John .Jerstad also received the Congressional Medal of Honor for the Ploesti raid. As a matter of interest, I have had several contacts with the Jerstad family in the last year as has Rollin Reineck. We may see them at the forthcoming dedication ceremonies. Ending Comments As you can see, we have a full plate remaining of things to do. You can support me most by attending our dedication ceremonies al the Arlington National Cemetery on IO October. Al least those of us who live in the Washington. D.C. Area and the close-by states of Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Maryland can and should attend. Remember, it is probably our last function of this nature to pay tribute to those we lost in combat. If you need additional application fonns, please contact Cal Davidson our newsletter editor. His address and phone number are on the last page.

93rd Operations Group Lineage and History Unease Constituted 93rd Bombardment Group (H) Activated Redesignated 93rd Bomb. Group (VH) Redesignated 93rd Bomb. Group (M) Inactivated Redesignated and Activated 93rd Operations Group Inactivated Activated Assipments Air Force Combat Command m Bomber Command l st Bombardment Wing 20th Combat Bombardment Wing (later, 20th Bombardment Wing) Second Air Force Strategic Air Command Fifteenth Air Force 93rd Bombardmen1 Wing (later. 93rd Bombardment Wing, Medium) attached to Far East Air Forces. May-Aug 93rd Wing (later. 93rd Bomb Wing) 93rd Air Control Wing Stations Barksdale Field. Louisiana Fort Myers, Florida Alconbury, England Hardwick. England Sioux Falls Army Air Field. Smith Dakota Pratt AAFld. Kansas Clovis AAFld, New Mexico Castle Field (later Air Force Base). Cal. Castle AFB. California Robins AFB. Georgia Aircraft B-24 B-29 8-50 KB-29 KC-97 B-47 B-52 KC-135 E-8C 28 Jan 1942 I Mar 1942 Jul 1945 May 1948 16 Jun 1952 1 Sep 1991 30Sep 1995 29 Jan 1996 lMar 1942 6 Mar 1942 6 Sep 1942 13 Sep 1943 26 Jun 1945 21 Mar 1946 31 Mar 1946 15 Aug 1947 1948 I Sep 1991 29 Jan 1996 11 Mar 1942 5 May 1942 7 Sep 1942 6 Dec 1942 Jun 1945 24 Jul 1945 13 Dec 1945 21 Jun 1946 Sep 1991 29 Jan 1996 1942-1945 1946-1949 1949-)952 1950-1953 1953-1957 1954-1956 1955-1991 1957-1991 19%-93rd Bomb Group Operations The unit was activated on 1 March 1942 a1 Barksdale Field. Louisiana. as the 93rd Bombardment Group (Heavy), and trained for combat with B-24s. The 93rd transferred to Fort Myers, Florida_ on 15 May 1942, and engaged in antisubmarine opera~ over the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea from May witil Jnly. The 93rd then moved to Alconbury, England, over August and September 1942. The group entered combat on 9 October 1942 b) attacking steel and engineering works at Lille, France. Until December 1942. the 93rd operated primarily 4 against submarine pens in the Bay of Biscay. The 93rd. sent a large detachment to North Africa from December 1942 through February 1943. With inadequate supplies and under the most difficult desert conditions. the 93rd struck heavy blows at enemy shipping and communications, earning for the group a Distinguished Unit Citation (DUC). The detachment returned to England, in March 1943, and until the eod of June bombed engine repair works, harbors, power plants, and other targets in France, the Low Cowitries, and Germany. The 93rd sent another detachment to the Mediterranean theater in June 1943 to support the invasion of Sicily, and to participate in the famous low-level attack on enemy oil instaUations at Ploesti, Romania. On I August 1943, having followed another element of the formation along the wrong course to Ploesti, the 93rd bit targets that had been assigned to other groups, but it carried out its bombing of the vital oil installations despite heavy losses inflicted by attacks from the fully-alerted enemy and was awarded a DUC for the operation. The detachment returned to England briefly in August 1943. bat after only two missions, was sent back lo the Mediterranean to support Fifth Army a1 Salerno during the invasion of Italy in September 1943. The detachment rejoined the group in October 1943. and until April I 945 the 93rd bombarded strategic targets such as marshaling yards, aircraft factories. oil refineries, chemical plants, and cities in Germany. The unit took part in many operations including bombing gun emplacements, choke points. and bridges near Cherbow-g during the Normandy invasion in June 1944; attacking troop concentrations in northern France during the St Lo breakthrough in July; transporting food. gasoline, water, and other supplies to the Allies advancing across France, from August through September; dropping supplies to airborne troops in Holland on 18 September (Operation Muket Garden); striking enemy transportation and other targets during the Battle of the Bulge, December I 944 through January 1945; and flying two missions on 24 March 1945 during the airborne assault across the Rhine, dropping supplies to troops near Wesel and bombing a night-fighter base at Stormede. The unit ceased operations in April 1945. and returned to the U.S. in June 1945. During the post-war period, the 93rd Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) was moved to Castle Field (later, Castle AFB), California, reequipped with B-29 bombers, and in March l 946 became part of Strategic Air Command (SAC). On l 5 August 1947 the group was assigned to the newly established 93rd Bombardment Wing. The group deployed to Okinawa in 1948 becoming the first SAC bomb group to deploy in full strength to the Far East The group converted lo B-50 aircraft in 1949, and deployed to England from December 1951 through March 1952. On returning home, the group was inactivated, effective 16 June 1952. The group was redesignated and activated at Castle AFB as the 93rd Operations Group on I September J 99 J, as part of the Air Force restructuring program. and oversaw the 93rd Bomb Wing's aerial operations. The unit was inactivated on 30 September 1995, as part of the closure of Castle AFB. The retirement was short however, as the group was activated again on 29 Janllal)' 1996, al Robins AFB, Georgia. The group again oversees flight operations, this time for the 93rd Air Control Wing.

r 93rd reactivated as the 93rd Air Control Wing AT ROBINS AFB, GA 93d Air Control Wing Lineage and History Uneaze Established 93d Bombardment Wing, Very Heavy Organized Discontinued Redesignated 93d Bombardment Wing, Medium Activated Redesignated 93d Bombardment Wing, Heavy Redesignated 93d Wing Redesignated 93d Bomb Wing Inactivated Redesignated 93d Air Control Wing Activated Assignments Fifteenth Air Force Fifteenth Air Force (attached to 7th Air Division) 28 Jul 1947 15 Aug 1947 12 Jul 1948 12 Jul 1948 12 Jul 1948 12 Jul 1948 I Feb 1955 L Sep 1991 1 Jun 1992 30 Sep 1995 29 Jan 1996 15 Aug 1947 47th Air Division (later. 47th Strategic Aerospace Division: 6 Dec 1948 I JuJ 1959 Aircraft 4 7th Air Division) Second Air Force Fifteenth Air Force 14th Air Division 12th Air Division Fifteenth Air Force Twelfth Air Force Ninth Air Force B-29 B-50 KB-29 KC-97 B-47 B-52 KC-135 E-8C 30 Jun 1971 15 Feb 1973 I Oct 1976 I Oct 1985 15 Jul 1988 I Jun 1992 29 Jan 1996 1947-1949 1949-1954 1950-1953 1953-1957 1954-1956 1955-1991 1957-1991 1996-93rd Bomb Wing Operations Maintamed combat readiness for global strategic bombardment, Aug 1947-Feb 1956. The 93rd Bombardment Group deployed lo Okinawa in 1948 becoming the first SAC bomb group to deploy in full strength to the Far East. The Wing began aerial refueling operations in Oct 1950. Deployed its tactical force, augmented by support personnel, to England, Jul 1950-Jan 195 L Deployed the entire 93rd Wing to England, Dec 1951-Mar 1952. Provided aerial refueling and navigational 5 assistance for the July l 952 movement of the 31st Fighter-Escort Wing from the United States to Japan, the first jet fighter crossing of the Pacific Ocean. First SAC Wing to convert to B-52 aircraft, 1955-1956. Became SAC's primary B-52 aircrew training organization, incorporating KC-135 aircrew training in mid-1956. Notable operations include nonstop B-52 flights of some 16,000 miles around North America and to the North Pole in Nov

1956; the first jet aircraft nonstop flight around the world in Jan 1957, with wing B-52s flying 23,574 miles in 45: 19 hours: and a nonstop, unrefueled KC-135 flight from Yokota AB Japan to Washington DC, in 13:58 hours in Apr 1958. Although most of its components were used for aircrew training, after 1956 the wing often maintained one or more of its units in a tactical role with operational commitments. From Apr 1968 to Apr 1974, operated a special B-52 replacement training unit to support SACs B-52 operation in Southeast Asia. Won the SAC Bombing and Navigation Competition and the Fairchild Trophy in 1949, 1952, and 1970 and won the Omaha Trophy as the outstanding wing in SAC for 1970. Continued B-52 and KC-135 aircrew training along with supplying numerous refueling missions. In Aug 19'JO the wing operated an aerial port of embarkation for personnel and equipment deploying to Southw-est Asia. In addition to performing aerial refueling, tankers ferried personnel and equipment to forward operating locations, while wing B-52s deployed to worldwide strategic locations including Saudi Arabia. Bombed the Iraqi Republican Guard and targeted Iraqi infrastructures such as chemical weapons, nuclear, and industrial plants, Jan-Feb 1991. Relieved of its air refueling and KC-l35 aircrew training missions in 1992, the wing was mactivated on 30 September 1995, and was redesignated and activated as the 93rd Air Control Wing at Robins AFB, Georgia, on 29 January 1996. The wing was equipped V\rith E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (JSTARS) aircraft. 93d Air Control Wing/HO 555 Borghese Drive Robins AFB, GA 31098-2700 Mr. Davidson Thank you for your kind letter and the issues of the 93rd BG newsletter. I've talked with our Public Affairs folks and we are going to be sending you copies of our monthly newsletter The Razor's Edge. You rrught find some of the articles useful to your needs As the historian for the 93d AlT Control Wing it is my responsibility to document our daily activities, and report these events every six months to higher headquarters. Additionally, I provide historical research services for the wing. Most of the data I provide the vving is used for planning purposes, or to validate operations and programs. 6 When time permits, I also research World War 11 activities, but unfortunately that is not a priority. You could help me with a research project I have on-going. I have received a request for a drawing of the 93rd BG World Warn patch. In your newsletter you have a small picture of the patch, unfortunately it is too small to see the details. I would greatly appreciate it if you could send me a larger copy of the patch drawing, with the colors written down. Enclosed with this letter are lineage and honors statements for the units currently assigned to the 93ACW. You will notice right away that the 328th, 329th and 330th Squadrons are not included. I must sadly report these units are currently inactivated. The 93rd BG however, Jives on in the guise of the 93d Operations Group, and continues to build on the proud traditions established by men such as yourself. If you have a computer, you can find more information on the wing at WWW.JST ARS.AF.MIL on the world wide web Finally, if you do get down this way, please give us a call and we will show you the kind of reception that \\rill make you proud of your organiz.alional descendants. On 15 August we arc dedicating the wing theater building to Colonel Lee B. Coats, the first 93d Bombardment Wing commander, and we are also celebrating the 50th Anniversary of both the Wing and the Air Force. If you are down this way, we would be more than happy to have you stop in. Sincerely. Robert E. Lee. T/Sgt USAF Wing Historian Ed: I sent Sgt. Lee a color copy of the 93rd BG patch. I have included the early history of the 93rd for some of our readers who are notfamiliarwith this period of our history. Starting in 1947 the history of the 93rd Bomb Wing. redesignated 93rd Air Control Wing, should he of interest to all. We are indebted to Capt Ed '"Tank'. McKinzie and T /Sgt Robert E. Lee for sending all the material and adding me to their maWng list of the 93rd ACW's Razor's Edge. Folded Wings Barry M. Adie Roscoe S. Grisham Stanley C. Keller Joseph P. Obici' Gomer J. Sneddon Joseph Buland Max L. Huffman Olga J. Mora W. Donald Reilly Edward L.Stephans

Dear Mr. Steichen: Enclosed is a check for a subscription to the Ball of Fire Quarterly Fxpress for myself and a gift subscription for my mother. My father, Charles D. Lee, Jr., was a 93rd Bomb Group pilot from September 1942 until March 1943. He flew with the 97th Bomb Group (B-I 7's) from July-September 1942 and was transferred to the 93rd when it arrived at Alconbury. He stayed with the 93rd through its first North Africa deployment (December 1942-February 1943) and was transferred to 8th Air Force Headquarters in approximately March 1943. In April 1944 he was shot down over Hamm, Germany while flying as combat wing leader for the 91st Bomb Group and was a POW until April 1945. He died in 1983. I would like to ask for a favor. I am attempting to learn details about an operational mission my father flew out of Gambut to --suSA'' on February 24, 1943. AL the time he was assigned to the 93rd. His records show the flight time was I 0:45 hours. Carroll Stewart's book Ted ·s Traveling Circus and the other resources I have consulted indicate that the 93rd left North Africa for England on the evening of February 23-24, 1943, and do not show any operational missions on February 24, 1943. My father· s records indicate he returned from North Africa to England, via Tafaraoui and Gibraltar, on February 25-26, 1943. If any of your readers know anything about this mission, I would like to bear from them. Dear Cal, Charles Dixon Lee, ill 152 Duck Point Lane Chapin, SC 29036 I received my first issue of BOFQE , thanks to Al Asch for giving me your address. I was also able to get the book Ted's Travelling Circus. Now I have both that book and the book Black Sunday. I've been trying for the last 4 years to find something on my brother. I'm hoping some of your readers may remember and recognize him. Could this info and picture be put in the next issue of "BOF" His name was Sgt. John T. Dee. He was the tail-gunner on the Ploesti mission flying with pilot Capt. Hugh Roper in Exterminator. John was also stationed at Mac Dil.l AFB in Tampa in the 44th BG. He trained at Barksdale Field in Louisiana in 1942 and then Ft. Myers, FL where he was put in the 330th BS of the 93rd BG. John and the crews of Exterminator and 7 ut Her Rip are buried together in a common grave at the Jefferson Barracks Cemetery in Missouri. [ am enclosing the picture of John and some of the men. As I said, 'Tm hoping someone will recognize someone in it and get in touch with me. John is in the front row kneeling right in the middle. This picture was taken somewhere in England. I would like to thank all the men on the Ploesti mission and the many missions that followed, for you were truly all heroes. Dear Cal, Donald D. Dee P.O. Box 1017 San Antonio, FL 33576 l believe 1 can identify two of the four people in the top picture on Pg. 5 of the summer issue. I believe they are Capt. Edward McGuire on the right and, second from left, Lt. Joseph Dondero. Joe Dondero came to the 93rd as bombardier on McGuire's crew. He was soon selected as a lead bombardier and flew with Capt. Dolliver's crew which was cited at least twice for outstanding bombing. Of course, everyone who has read the BOFQE or Cal Stewart's book has read about McGuire. Socry, but the other two in the picture did not stir any memories. As to the Ball of Fire colors question, I don't know about the first one, but I do remember well the second Ball of Fire. The description of it in Roger Freeman's, The Mighty Eighth, is accurate--yellow nose ahead of the cockpit, broad yellow band aft of the wing, outer 15 feet of the wings yellow and 10-ft. wide diagonal yellow band extending from the wing root. IL bad the normal 93rd yellow and black tail and was marked YM-D. 1 flew in it a number of times with Lt. (later Capt.) William Engel, an excellent pilot who often volunteered to fly it, especially on "utility'· missions around

England. I have a model of it based on some photos which 1 can no longer locate after several months. My compliments to you on the continuing excellence of the newsletter, as well as to Paul who also did a great job. Charles D. Sill 808 Fernridge Court Modesto, CA 95351-4469 Do you know anything about CPL John A. Boersma who served with the 93rd from early January 1945 until March 5, 1945 when he was MIA? John was a waist gunner and was lost (missing in action) when his B-24 bad to ditch in the North Sea. The plane broke apart at the rear of the bomb bay when it hit the water. There were two survivors, the pilot William Beez, and Gerald P. Turner. engineer. If you have any information about John A. Boersma please contact the following· Robert Boersma (brother to John) 739 SE 130th Ave. Portland, OR 97233-1611 503-253-6330 or Edward l.obac Associate Member 2ADA, 445th BG 22 ll Foxboro Drive Ft. Wayne, IN 468 18-1800 219-497-0029 . Thank you in advance for any help you can give. Ed: This notice was posted in the hospitality room at the Irvine convention. Friend Cal, Couple of weeks ago I was all set to write a few words about the pictW'e of the Flying Wolves but after reading the comments in the summer issue of the Ball of Fire I hesitate to add mv two cents worth. • The picture enclosed is Lt. Carter and crew. The picture was made by the photo lab just before we took off for the Flying Wolves fiftieth non abort mission. The pictW'e was taken because I heard we were scheduled to fly the plane back to the States for a bond tour. Nothing was done about the tour if it was true I guess it was scrubbed. We flew tha~ plane three or four missions and on al least one of those our pilot (Lt.Carter) forgot his oxygen mask. He was also suffering combat fatigue. We aborted that mission. could ha\'e been the mission in 8 question I'm a little fuzzy on that. NO FAULT OF THE PLANE. Pilot error!!! One of our crew members, Harry Albright, may be able to clear this up. One thing I do know, this picture was made in May or June. Was this gallant old Lady salvaged in the States? Or is it true that it was shot down over England by Spitfires? That would have been a very tragic demise for such a grand old Lady who bad given so much to the war effort. J. L. MOSIER 403 Crane St. Park Hills, MO 6360 l --Ed:from /Ir lop row Albright, Carter, Condon, Adams, Whiteside: bonom row Graham, Keller, Mosier. Korpal Dear Cal, I thought you and others in the group would be interested to learn that some of our old pilots are still flying as pilots. On July 19, 1997, the Washington National Airport had a grand opening of its new tenninal. Three vintage aircraft were flown in for static display and walk-thru purposes. One of the old timers, a Martin 404, was piloted by Jack Weiss, a WWII veteran of the 93rd Bomb Group. Jack and I were both assigned as pilots to the 330th Bomb Squadron and flew our combat missions during the late 1943 and early 1944 time period Jack went on the Ploesti mission with Babe Emmons in Big Noise, whfoh be inherited and flew on the rest of his missions. I flew Big Noise on one mission to Bremen in December 1943, when be was not available. Big Noise was still flying when I was shot down so I'm sure there are others who also flew it on missions. Later, it became interned in Switzerland. After the war, Jack began flying with TWA and spent the last eleven years of bis airline career as a Captain in 747s on international flights. Although he is retired from the airlines, he still

r keeps current as a pilot by flying the 404 to various exhibitions. He was able to spend two nights at our house and it was great talking over old times with him. I wonder how many of the 93rd BG WWII pilots are still active pilots. Any guess? Cal, you are doing a very fine job on the BOFQE. It is a superb publication. Many thanks for all your efforts. Dear Cal, Dave Thompson 64 71 Woodbridge Road Alexandria, VA 22312 It is too bad that my husband, Joe A. Buland, did not live quite long enough to see the back cover of the summer issue of BOFQE. The photograph of Sterile Errol would have brought a smile to his face. Joe was not the first one to pilot this airplane, but he was the last one. Joe and his crew were shot down over The Netherlands on their way home from Missfon #13 on April 8, 1944. I have forgotten just which mission this was, but I'm sure that someone knows. Joe was in the 330th Bomb Squadron, 0ying out of Norwich, England. Unfortunately, my dear husband died on May I 0, 1997. Anyway. thanks for the memory. Dear Floyd, Geraldine Brown Buland 8555 S. Lewis, #21-A Tulsa, OK 74137 I hope this letter finds you in good health. I hope you don't mind me writing to you and taking up your time, but I'm hoping you can assist me in unraveling a slight mystery concerning 93rd Bomb Group Radar-equipped Lead Ships late in the War. I know that you flew with the group during its early combat months, but various letters of yours I've read in the 2nd A.O. Journal over the years, lead me to believe that you have done quite a bit of research into the group's planes throughout hostilities. I'm now in the process of checking out the page-proofs of the forthcoming Hand-Bound Edition of Liberator Album and one of the photos in the book is of a Radar-Lead Ship Unexpected VI taxiing on the perimeter track. The plane in question has a checkerboard nose section, the Squadron codes are out of the photo--you are most probably familiar with the photos. Roger Freeman has always insisted that the nose color is red and black checks, but I have my 9 doubts because on the black and white point, the shade of the checks matches exactly the shade of the yellow and black Tail of a "Lib" in the background also the lighter shade of the nose color matches the yellow stripe on the lower bomb doors. ['m well aware that Radar-Lead Ships were concentrated within the 329th Squadron most of the time and they had their noses painted red, but in early 1945 other Squadrons within the Group were equipped with Radar-Lead Ships and I'm almost certain, although I can't prove it, that their noses were painted in other colors than red. l have a black and white picture of a 328th Squadron Lead-Ship, a B24J-60-CF (44-10508) with the nose-turret removed and an experimentaJ clear-visioo nose similar to a B24O, but with a B26 tail gun uriit mounted below the bomb-arming panel. This plane also has a checkered nose section which could be yellow and black or even white and black, but certainly not red and black. John Archer has also just sent me a photo of a crew standing in front of a B24L nose. This plane carries the 328th insignia under the cockpit side window, is named Ail American and has a checkerboard nose section which looks to me to be Yellow and Black. Unfortunately, the print is a double-e,...-posure, which makes photo color interpretation most uncertain. This whole subject has caused me no end of frustration over the last couple of weeks or so as I'm most anxious to get accurate captions to the photos in the book and if you could throw any light on this matter and help me clarity things, I would be most grateful. Mike Bailey Dear Cal, Many thanks for your letter of July 14th concerning checkerboard nose sections. I was interested to learn that you remember some B24's with black and white checks as l have a photo of B24J-60-CF 44-10508 of the 328th Squadron, a field modified plane with a special clear vision nose section similar to a B24D's, but with less framework and a Bell power-boost turret in the lower nose. This plane has what appears to be black and white checks on the nose. (Picture appeared in Roger Freeman's Liberator at War) I have a sneaking suspicion that the nose of Unexpected VI was also yellow and black but I can't prove it. Thank you for your offer to run my letter in the BOF although I guess I wouldn't get any answers before Liberator Album goes to press. It would be

interesting to hear if anyone remembers the color of the checkerboard noses. Many thanks, Cal. Dear Cal: Mike Bailey 91 Waterworks Road Norwich, Norfolk England NR2 4BD I had written Paul Steichen last fall (my letter published in the winter 96/97 edition of the BOFQE) that l enjoyed the series , Hello Milfoil this is Wee Willie, and that he would hear further from me after the final installment published in the spring 1997 edition. That was the 36th mission for Captain McGuire and my 1 J th. I had flown ten mission as radio operator on Jim Threlkeld's crew. I was awakened at two A.M. that morning and told to report to operations. There I was told that I had volunteered to fly a make-up mission as radio operator on Captain McGuire's crew. I never knew until I read rus story fifty two years later, bow he ever got credit for that mission. According to my diary, my story differs somewhat from Captain McGuire's. I am hopeful that if Captain McGuire sees this that he will contact me at the address above. Thank you and keep up the good work I look forward to each new edition, getting old I guess. Dear Cal. Arthur J. Quinn 403 Valleybrook Dr. Lancaster, PA 1760 I On May 20, 1997, the four (known) remaining members of Preziose's crew (crew #94 fonned at Davis-Monthan in Aug. 1943) met m Chambersburg, PA, for a day of great reminiscing of our training days and combat tour with the 409th Squadron, 93rd B. G; the last time the four of us were together. The enclosed reunion photo shows, L to R: Elden R. Appel, bombardier, 1st Lt. USAF Ret.; John G. Fish, left waist gunner; Richard J. Preziose, pilot, Lt Col USAF Ret; and Donald E. Lance, right waist gunner. Preziose drove from Springfield, VA, Lance from Hendersonville, NC; and Fish from Lancaster, PA. The enclosed photo of our complete crew was in the period May - July 1944. L to R, back row are: Staff Sgt Thomas Destasio, tail gunner (deceased); 1st Lt Richard J. Preziose, pilot; 2nd Lt William Parker, navigator; 2nd Lt Elden R. Appel, bombardier: 2nd Lt Frank Wernlien, co-pilot. L to R, front row are: Staff Sgt Victor Cervantez, nose gunner,; Staff Sgt John G. Fish, left waist gunner; Staff Sgt Donald E. Lance, right waist gunner; Tech Sgt Joseph Kwaitkowski, flight engineer and topturret gunner; Tech Sgt William Pugh, radio operator. (Note: 2nd Lt Jimmy Fluhr was our navigator throughout our training phases; however, upon our becoming operational in the 8th, he was assigned to a radar crew, inasmuch as be bad received radar navigational training at Langley, our last duty station stateside.) Your publicaticn of my previous letter to you in the 1996 Spring issue of the BOFQE led to our reunion. Thank you! Dear Cal, Elden R. Appel 820 Menno Village Chambersburg, PA 1720 l--4034 Joe Mitchell's letter in the summer edition of the BOFQE in regards to 872F the Flying Wolves sent me to my dusty old coUection of records. I too flew the old B24D on July 21st on what was it's 49th mission and my crew also never aborted. In fact we never aborted in our 27 missions and I credit that to the ground crew. We had the finest maintenance in the ETO and like Joe said,'We did not have that in the states."

r-. We lost as many crews and ships, due to maintenance, at Westover Field as we did m combat. However, never aborting did not to my knowledge enter in to being assigned to 872F. As I recall it was a maximum effort mission as was the St. Lo mission. They only brought old Flying Wolves out of moth balls when orders came from 2nd Division to put all available aircraft into the air. Ifl'm not mistaken we did not realize that 872F had the old oil controlled super-chargers until we got out to the plane. We weren't happy to see them since it was going to be an 8 hour mission and I'll wager it was the longest of it's 50 missions As Joe pointed out the old oil controlled super-chargers could give you trouble, and they kept your co-pilot busy trying to maintain manifold pressure. My co-pilot John Harrington did an excellent job but on a mission of that length problems develop. Several minutes before the I.P. we lost the manifold pressure on the #4 engine, and shortly after that it began to detonate and set up a rough vibration in the right wing. We managed to maintain our position in the formation until bombs away at which Lime it became necessary to feather #4 resulting in our leaving the formation. Being aware of fighters in the area, we knew that we would be a sitting duck. Fortunately there was a solid undercast at around 18,00 ft. We dropped down into it and our navigator Ray White gave me a heading for England. Once more he was right on the money and after flying in the soup on instruments for three hours we broke out around the English Channel. We did encounter flak somewhere in Gennany, we couldn't see it, but we could hear and feel it. Speaking of my co-pilot, we lost John on our 27th mission. The target was the Hamburg oil refmery. The 93rd led the division that day and we were briefed that there were 480 AA guns at the target. (Since the war it was verified there were 500) We were flying deputy lead on that mission and due to a malfunction of the lead ship's auto pilot we took over lead prior to the I.P. Being the first ship we saw no Ack Ack puffs as it was a clear day with not a cloud in the sky. But about four minutes from the target all hell broke loose. Red puffs all around us and flack tearing through the ship like rain on the roof. My radar navigator Charles Kline said I'm hit and about that time my co-pilot's flak helmet flew off and he fell over towards me. The reason for telling this is that in my opinion he might have survived had he not worn the helmet. The piece of flak entered in under the helmet and ricocheted around doing unbelievable 11 damage to the top of his head. Without the helmet he might have received a superficial wound of the head. I won't go into detail on the rest of the mission as that's another story. Cal, as Paul before you, you do a great job. This is the best of all publications. Keep up the good work. You know none of us are getting any younger and it was good to see that Mitchell is still among us. I also heard somewhere that Fred Baccate is still kicking. J know that Vasques is alive in Cal. and I just wonder where the others are from what we called The Big Pilot Hut. Thanks for Mitchell's address. I'm going to drop him a line. Harry Gruener 333 Carlisle Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15229-1620 Editors Comments Regarding the picture in the upper right hand comer on page 5 of the last issue: this picture did not show up as well as expected. The correct identification from left to right are as follows: Dave Searles-pilot, Dick Glauner-Bombardier, Paul Steichen-Navigator, Don Peterson-co-pilot. Please note my new telephone area code on the back page. You will also note a fax number that can be used between the hours of 12:00PM and 8:00PM. For those of you who have computers and are on line and using E-mail I can be reached at K8QGC@aol.com . There is still time for many of you who are within driving distance to make reservations for the Arlington Ceremony. This would be a good time for you to visit the new Air Force Archive building which is located in nearby Silver Springs and do some research. The picture below is five members of Jack Kerler' screw who have attended several of the last reunions. UR KerJer, George McNulty, Dick Truesdale, Mo Goronsky, Paul Meyers

Patches: Serial Number 2100334 from the 409th BS ~he Baff o/ Ji,.e Quarfe,.fy Gxp,•eJJ 93rd BOMBARDMENT GROUP Calvin Davidson, Editor 48973 Plate Rd. Ob<.Tlin. Oil 4407 4 Phone 440 -77 5-1787 Fax 440 -774-2338 BOFQE SUBSCRIPTION FORM Name: _____________ _ Address: ____________ _ BOFQE Subscription@ 1115.00 per annum$ __ _ Annual 93rd Membership (g> $5.00 $. __ _ Donation $. __ _ Total $ __ _ Please make checks payable to : 93rd Bomb. Group Se11d checks to. Paul SteichCJ.1 1725 Shuey Ave. #105 Wa!Jlut Creek. CA 94596 FIRST CLASS MAIL

r 11 BAlLlL OF' lFURJE QUAIRl'Jrl8:JRl"Y lEXPlRE§§ Newsletter of the 93rd Bombardment Group 2nd Air Division, 8th Air Force, Hardwick, England Vol. 5, No. 4 Winter, 1997 Group President Paul R. Steichen Vice President, 2ADA Alfred Asch Y, PresidentMembership Floyd H. Mabee 1725 Shuey Ave. #105 Walnut Creek, CA 94596 (510) 939-3440 6205 Meadow Court Rockville, MD 20852 (301) 881-1376 28 Hillside Avenue Dover, NJ 05801 (201) 366- 5916 B-24 MODEL FOR THE USAF ACADEMY The Executive Committee approved the B24 Model project for the USAF Academy at their meeting the first of October. The cost will be approximately $175,000. I have been working with Neal Sorensen, past President of the 2ADA, who is spearheading the effort, and have been told that I will be on his committee for this project. We are trying to identify the source of funds, e. g., contacting corporations such as Ford, Pratt & Whitney, pledges from other Air Forces and the 2ADA members. We believe we have identified $125,000 through pledges from all sources. Some bomb groups have pledged $25,000, others over $15,000.00; the 93rd. only $4,200.00. We must do better! The last $50,000.00 will probably be the most difficult to acquire. We are going forward with this important project and expect the donations to be tax deductible. To start the process, I personally pledged shares of common stock. This is a painless way to donate the market value as a tax deduction as opposed to the cost basis. In setting up an account with a brokerage house, the stock certificates can be transferred from broker to broker within just a few hours. Others have pledged $1, 000 and a rather large number $450.00. Pledges can be less if one cannot afford these amounts. It will all help! I have enclosed literature about the model. The mold will be of high quality lumber and suitable for showing in the Mighty Eighth Air Force Heritage Museum at Savannah, Ga. Neal Sorensen attended the unveiling ceremonies of the B-17 al Colorado Springs in August. He made a fine report, some of which l am including here: "Lt. Gen Tad J. Oelstrom, the Academy Superintendent, gave the acceptance speech. The General, himself an Academy graduate, stressed the value of the various replicas and busts of aviation pioneers in teaching values to our future Jet-Age cadets. Each replica and bust displayed throughout the Academy is completely described and detailed in the cadet's handbook, which each incoming cadet is required to memorize and be able to repeat to any questioning upperclassman at any time. Thus, an appreciation for these now obsolete machines and the men who flew in them teaches cadets of the role they played in turning back one of the great threats to mankind since the dark ages." Neal also included: "The Colorado Springs Tourist Bureau states that at least six million visitors are expected in 1998, a large majority of which will likely visit the attractions at the Academy. The interesting thing about these visitors is that these are families that do not usually visit

museums, but there are many young families with future Space and Air Force leaders in tow! Many of these visitors will take an escorted tour, which will point out the significant points of interest; including the WWII airplane replicas, and the important aviation pioneer and heroes of yesterday ... our day in the sun!" We must go forward with this project. The B24 was most important in all theatres of operation during WWII. There were more of them built ( over 18,000) during WWII than any other aircraft during the war or since. I have enclosed a form for your use in making your pledge. Remember, the pledge does not legally require you to give the asset at such time funds are needed if you experience financial problems, but it will serve as a measure of the amount of money we can plan on to move the project forward. Send your pledge to me and I will see that it gets processed: 6205 Meadow Court, Rockville, Md 120852. Let's do this one more project. It is extremely important. I expect to work closely with Neal and others to get it done. There will be more about the project in a forthcoming 2ADA Journal and the BOFQE, to include information about the tax exempt gift. B-24 MODEL/SCULPTURE PLEDGE FORM Mail To: Alfred Asch, 6205 Meadow Court, Rockville, Md 20852 COUNT ME 1N ~ Check an item: One thousand dollars Five hundred dollars Securities, e. g., common stock. estimated value Other, enter the amount Signature. ______________________ Group _____ _ Print Name _____________________________ _ Print Address -----------------------------If others in your party wish to participate, you may make copies of this form. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT 2

w P-4O WARHAWK MEMORIAL 1994 Gift of the P-40 Warhawk Pilots Association ) _,., ,. P-47 JUG MEMORIAL 1993 Gift of the P-47 Thunderbolt Pilots Association ) A (Above) B-17 FLYING FORTRESS MEMORIAL 1997 Gift of the 305th BG Memorial Association with assistance from the 91 "', 100th, and 398"' BG (H)MA's (Right) ► P-38 LIGHTNING MEMORIAL 1992 Gift of the P-38 National Association •2"" bronze P-38 given to March AFB, Spring 1996 J \, ' . )l. - ---· °' I ' ~ • . ~ ; •. ·.~;~~\~\ ·:.· • ~ ', ' ' \ -~· • .• ,·:. ~\.\.\.\.' -... ,~:,~ ft-,✓~~•:.,_ .... ~~-... -~:~ ~ ..... "' ♦4 • ~ .. - ....... , '-~~~~··t~ ... "·f, -.it , J , •'I.:-' .r• :•,~;;:':~j;ff~•§;;f · : · : · U: ... ~.3 ,0-,• -: ~:, ~, . • . I ':1.> .. • ~ • .... .-J••:" .---. ~ ~ ' •. c.-~~-~ ~ ____ ._,.,,.. .. ~: ··< ·. - • , ~-·sr .... ~,t;: \. ;_ .. ~ 'J,

The program for the dedication ceremonies has been included here for those of you who could not attend. The participants did very well in their presentations and we received excellent support from the Air Force with the color team, bugler and chaplain. We had more than l 00 people attend including three generations and representatives from the three services: Army, Navy and Air Force. even a small one. l could no1 have done it without the help of Dave Thompson. He was with me all the way, e.g., getting the tree and plaque, arranging for the hotel and food and doing the large amount of paper work required Dave managed the check-in al the hotel and took care of things there, leaving me free for everything else. For example, Dave got himself a room at the hotel at his own expense to handle things there even though his home is only a few miles away in Alexandria, Virginia. Martin Furst was also a big help to us helping out at the hotel. We were all pleasantly surprised at the interest shown by the younger generation in the air war of World War 11. The donations were generous and I collected enough Lo pay all bills. Thanks! lt requires a lot of work to arrange a reunion, ISQUIIICI or IY&■TI Ope•i•• ■-ar•• (■arrator, Col Alfred Asch) Iayocatioa (USAP Chaplain) ■a-rk• (Col Job• a. Roche, Pli1bt Leeder, Squadron CO) ••••r•• (Col lenuetb O. De11ert, CO 409th Squadron) us&r Color~••• Pa•• la •••i•• »••tcatloa ae■ark• (!t■j Gen aa■••Y Pott■, CO 330th Squadron/ Group Operation• Officer) ••aerlel vaweili■I (LTC David V. Tho■p■nn, Pilot of The Duch••• and Calvin Davideoa, ~,itor of th• lall of Jira) le•••lctio■ (USAF Chaplain) ~•P• (USAP lualer) Preee■t •• ■oriel to Arli■1tea ■■tle■al Ca-terr (Col Alfred Aech) ace•tt••c• of ■o■orl■l (Mr. Tho ■■• Sherlock, Ri■torian) Pr••••t aletorr ••o• t■ ■r •••rlock for Ll~rarr (Paul ~t■icben, Pr■eid■at 93rd aoab Group; Carroll Stewert, Author of Tad'• Tr•v■lliog Circua) 8:30 8:45 9:50 l0:00 10:30 10:50 11 :20 12:U 12:30 01:30 02:)0 06100 07t00 Jot■r Dep■ rt■r• ef UIAF Per■e■■el co■-terr T••r ••• L-c• at rt ... ,er Officer• Cl•~ AM Load bu• at Nelo10• Hou,■ Hotel Depart Hotel Arrive Grant Drive, Arlia1tou Jatioaal Ce■etery Dedication Cere■oaJ Bue P••••oa•r• ■troll to aad fro■ ~fl arave■ita lu• depart• Graat Drive for To■b of the Unkoova1 ••• depart• Toab of the Oakaowne for Chaff•• Parkia1 to vieit curtia-Lee !taaeion la■ depart■ c-L•• ■aaaioo for Fort Byer Officer• Club Luocb a ■ Port KJ■ r Officer■ Club ■ awelll ■ 1 of tleeotl &tr l■ttlo tal■tl•I te ■eaor Lt. Col. &d•i••• I. laker (Air Netioaal Cu■rd taa■) Dapert rort NJ•r Officer■ Club for Holo1•• Hou•• Hotel Cocktail■ prior to baa4aat at Noloaao Bou•• Hotel laaquat at Nolo1aa Bovee Hotel Laaeb ta tho Abraha■e•Cbaff•• roo■. 4

r r Remarks by Colonel Alfred Asch Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Arlington National Cemetery. (introduction of the special guests and make note of the Air Force contingent.) I wiU act as monitor throughout today's ceremony. You will be given cues to rise and be seated at the appropriate times. As a reminder, military members should salute when the colors pass and the sounding of taps. Civilians should place their right band over their heart and men wearing hats should remove them. Remarks by Colonel John R. Roche Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. I take great pleasure in joining you in the dedication of this Jiving memorial for the 93rd Bombardment Group here at the Arlington National Cemetery. Some of us have been here before to bid farewell to our dear friends and buddies. It is sad that our lost friends and comrades cannot be here with us today for the presentation of this 93rd Bomb Group living memorial. Our Group we so fondly remember was the greatest air combat organization of aU heavy bombardment groups of World War Tl because of the largest number of missions accompJished to help end that terrible and devastating war which took the lives of millions of innocent people. The leadership under our Group Commander, General Ted Timberlake, was so inspirational that even after his departure from the Group, we maintained that same CAN DO spirit. One never forgets a person like General Ted. Another great person we all admire, and who General Ted thought a great deal of, is here with us today. That person is Major General Ramsay Potts. He was my first flight leader and became my squadron commander. I bad the privilege of replacing him in both positions when he assumed other higher command responsibilities. He was difficult to replace. I am indeed privileged lo be a part of these ceremonies in memory of all the airmen who lost their lives during World War 11 to preserve our freedoms. Thank you ladies and gentlemen; God bless you! Home Was With the Squadrons by Colonel Kenneth 0. Dessert Ladies and Gentlemen. The squadrons of the 5 93rd Bomb Group became close-knit organizations especially when we started flying combat. Ther; were many close friends made by both officers and enlisted men. The squadrons accomplished the work to house and feed the people who flew and maintained our airplanes. We were self-sufficient and likened to small villages. The character of the squadrons started developing at Fort Meyers, Florida during the summer of 1942. By-and-large, all personnel were inducted into the Arrny Air Force a few months prior to arriving at Fort Meyers and our staging at Manchester, New Hampshire. Those who had some training and experience were placed in charge of similar activities and bad the responsibility to train others. Many of our fine officers and enlisted men had civilian experience which became useful in the administration, supply, maintenance and other logistical support of combat flying. Our flight surgeons had experience from civilian medical practice and were sorely needed to take care of the wounded from combat, as were our chaplains. It was in our squadrons where the lost airmen were missed the most Their memories lingered long after they were gone. Everyone was saddened in taking care of their personal effects, notifying the next of kin and getting as much information as possible associated with the loss to notify their loved ones. Because of our early entry into the air war, we did not have replacements of aircraft and crews until the squadrons were getting depleted but our airmen never quit. New crews started to come in as replacements and we_grurnbled they would never be like the old boys; our squadrons are shot. Then we discovered they were the same American boys wanting to be accepted, willing to share, eager to do their part and we soon were sweating out the return of our new friends from combat missions in just the same manner that we did the guys who bad left. It is to all those who served in the air war over Europe during World War II, especially those who made the supreme sacrifice with their lives, that we dedicate this living memorial. Let it remain here for generations to come in their memory. Thank you ladies and gentlemen! Dedication Remarks by Major General Ramsay Potts Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Today, we pay special tribute to the members of the 93rd Bombardment Group who served in the Second

World War, and in particular lo those who gave their lives to preserve our freedoms. Our generation had a rendezvous witli destiny. We were engaged in a life-and-death struggle against tyrannical forces that threatened to extinguish the light of freedom, not only for our country but for others as well. Mere words alone cannot express the significance of dedicating this living memorial in memory of those airmen who lost their lives. Jt bas special meaning to all of us. I lost many airmen from my squadron and many close friends to enemy action as many of you did from your crews and from your squadron friends. The family members and friends so well represented here today share our feelings for those who served so well, many of whom gave their lives for their country. Some of them lie at rest here at our Arlington National Cemetery. Many others of our downed airmen became prisoners of war and suffered extreme hardships of Nazi POW camps. So, it is to all airmen who lost their lives or have since died that we pay special ttibute and dedicate this American Holly tree and plaque as a living memorial. The tree was planted May 2, 1997 and the plaque will be unveiled during this ceremony. f vividly remember, as many of you do, our first mission briefing by our Group Commander, Colonel Edward J. (Ted) Timberlake, who said to us, "This is the day we've been waiting for; I know you Joes can do it." His personal courage and leadership qualities and his puckish sense of humor endeared him to the men of his command and the aircrews were never reluctant to follow him into combat. Our Group became known as "Ted's Travelling Circus'' because of the three trips made to North Africa to support the war effort by bombing Nazi supply shipping in Mediterranean Sea Ports, and by bombing airfields and other strategic targets in Southern Europe, North Africa and the Balkan Stales. We had many other intrepid and exemplruy leaders in our Group, among them Addison Baker, Ken Cool, George Brown, Lee Fiegel, Joe Tate, Bob Shannon. John Jerstad and M/Sgt Herbert (Pop) Hastings. Their courage was symbolic of that of ~ll the aircrews and other members in the 93rd. The 93rd. Bomb Group, made up of four squadrons, the 328th. 329th, 330th and the 409th, flew more combat missions than any other heavy 6 bombardment group during WWII, whether it be the B 17, B24 or B29. We were-the first B24 group to arrive in England and pioneered many high altitude bombing and combat teclmiques that set the standards for those arriving later during the war. Weoperatedfromseveralbases from 1942 to 1945: Alconbury, Hardwick and Holmsley South in England and four different bases on our three tours in North Africa. We flew 396 combat missions and lost 670 airmen, either killed or missing in action. Two of our airmen received the Medal of Honor, posthumously, and four the Distinguished Service Cross for the historic low-altitude raid against the Ploesti, Rumania oil refineries on l August 1943. A total of3 l0 airmen were kiUed on that raid, one in five of approximately 1,620 men attaining the target area from the five groups that participated. Some of you flew that operational mission known as Tidal Wave. Our Group received two Distinguished Unit Citations and participated in eighteen Battle Campaigns. Let this living manorial remain for generations to come as a reminder that the preservation of our freedoms required hardships and sacrifices by all who served during World War fl. Thank you ladies and gentlemen. We will now have the unveiling of the memorial plaque by Lt. Col. David W. Thompson, pilot of the Duchess, and Calvin Davidson, our fine editor of our news letter, the Ball of Fire. Presentation of Memorial to the Arlington National Cemetery by Colonel Alfred Asch On behalf of all the members of the 93rd Bombardment Group, this living memorial is now presented to the Arlington National Cemetery for safe keeping and care. Mr. Thomas Sherlock, Historian for the Cemetery, will formally accept the memorial. We are all proud of our 93rd Bombardment Group and of all who served, with special ttibute to those who gave their lives to preserve our freedoms. This American Holly tree with the bronz.e plaque will serve as a living memorial for those who have passed on, and as a constant reminder to all that through their lives we have a life of freedom and democracy. Mr. Sherlock, it is our privilege to present this memorial to the Arlington National Cemetery. We know you will take good care of it.

r Gift of 93rd Bombardment Group History Book "Ted's Travelling Circus" to the Arlington National Cemetery library by Paul B. Steichen and CarroU Stewart Today we recall a time when our Nation and its allies were fighting a bitter air war over Europe to defeat the Axis Powers who were enslaving and murdering innocent people and were bent upon ruling the world. We pay special tribute to those men who fought in the air war of World War ll and honor those who paid the supreme sacrifice with their lives to preserve freedom throughout the world. This history book of the 93rd Bombardment Group captures the spirit of these men, and takes us from the earliest days of our group at Barksdale Air Force Base in 1942 through one bitter campaign after another until the end of World War n in Europe in May, 1945. It describes the many hardships and sacrifices that were endured and the close and lasting friendships that existed. On behalf of the members of the 93rd Bombardment Group, this book is given to you for the library of our Arl.ington National Cemetery in memory of those who lost their lives in the air war over Europe during WorJd War Il. It will serve as a legacy f cr future generations to study and learn that our freedoms required many sacrifices by past generations and will continue to be required to preserve them. Mr. John C. Metzler, Jr. Superintendent Arlington National Cemetery Arlington, Va 22211-5003 Dear Mr. Metzler, This history book of the World War IT 93rd Bombardment Group (Heavy) is a gift to the Arlington National Cemetery Library by the members of our group. The 93rd became known as "Ted's Travelling Circus" after our Group Commander, Edward J. (Ted) Timberlake, because of its three WW 11 deployments into North Africa from England and for speciaJ missions and short-term detached service of ooe of the squadrons. The author, CarroU "Cal., Stewart, captured the spirit of the men who served in our group in his extraordinary narrative chronicle which covers the history from the earliest days of our group al Barksdale Field in 1942 through one bitter campaign a.ficr another unlil the end of the war in Europe in May 1945. 7 Today, members and friends of our group dedicated a tree and bronz.e plaque along Grant Drive in memcxy of those who served in the air war over Europe during WW ll, with special tribute to those who lost their lives to preserve our freedoms. This book will serve as a legacy to those who use the library for research and the pleasure of reading history of WW Il bomb groups. We appreciate the opportunity of placing a memorial in our national cemetery. Please express our appreciation to your Mr. Erik Dible, Horticulturist, for his assistance in selecting and planting a tree, the placement of the memorial plaque, and to Mr. Thomas Sherlock, Historian, and his staff for providing logistical support for the cermonies. Mr. Sherlock also participated m the ceremonial activities. Sincerely, Alfred Asch, Colonel USAF (Rel) Vice President, Second Air Division 93rd Bombardment Group (Heavy) ATTENTJON!f!I!! At the 93rd Bomb Group meeting in Irvme, a motion was made and passed that our Group erect a plaque ccmrnemorl-ltiog our heroes of the 93rd BG on the Wall of Valor al the Mighty Eighth Air Force History Museum in Savannah, GA. lf you have a hero who served in the BEST Banb Group in the 8th A.AF., please submit his or her name and a short summary as to why they should be included oo the plaque. All names submi_tted will be considered be they Ground Personnel, or Flying Personnel, Enlisted Men or Officers. Some names already suggested include both. Send to Cal Davidson at 48973 Plate Rd., Oberlin, Ohio 44074 for the committee's consideration. DON'T PUT IT OFF. DO IT NOW!!!!!! For those of our readers \\<ith computers and online check out these web sites if you haven't done so. http://www.macb3ww.com/B24/ http://www.ccn.eo.uk/memorial/ httpJ/www.gacoast.com/navigator/mighty8af html http://www.jstars.af/miVframel.html http:/ /home.att.net/~govemmentdrone/theoldman http://www.siscom.net/-467thbg http://www.wpatb.af.mil/museurn/ I need help in creating a web page for the 93rd BG. Please contact me if you are interested!

Top left: Honor Guard: top riglu • <.iuard being dismissed with view of crowd and speakers: Left center: M/Gen. Ramsay Potts giving dedication remark!-: Right center: Presenting our history book Ted's Travelling Circus to Mr. Thomas Sherlock. Historian for the Arlington National Cemetery Library. 1/r Mr. Sherlock. Al Asch. Paul Steichen and CarroU "Car Stewart: Bottom left: unveiling by Cal Davidson and Dave Thompson: Bottom right: Dave TbompsoJl pn---senting cover to Mrs. Mary Schaller 8

I op. I nil nc" or th.: mcmonal plaqm.:: Right Partial , 11!\\ of pl1q11e and tn.:e \\ ,th Mrs Mar) Schaller holding cover pre5¢0ted earlier during the 1.:eremony lh:r father. Capt. William J. Williams. \\BS killed on Oct. 29. 1942 \\hilc on ,rubnurinc patrol o,er the Ba) ofD1.SCay

~ID~[Q) IBl©!MOO @~©[!.JJIP !M~!M©~O£!\ll [Q)~[Q)O~~ irO©lM ~ TI~lMIQ)~~$ Jacobs, Scott Somes, Michael E. Asch, Alfred Johnson, George Somes, Timothy *Baker, Edwin *League, Miles R. Somes, James Blaisiman, Claudia League, Ora G. Somes, Pam ( Switzerland) Lee,Al Somes, Philip Boswell, Naomi M. Lenhart, Burton H. Schloesser, Jayne Brantley, Richard W. Lenhart, Carrol L. Schloesser, Lyon Brantley, Peggy E. Lenhart, Wayne Smelt, Walter E. Bridgeman, George Lenhart, Cindy Steichen, Paul R. Burks, Harold A Lenhart, Erika Stewart, Carroll J. (Cal) Cable, Arthur W. Lenhart, Briana Stewart, Margaret (Peggy) Cable, Margaret Lenhart, Gary Thompson, David W. Churley, Michael Lenhart, Carrie Thompson, Jeffrey Churley, Mary Lenhart, Kelly Thorp, Mrs. Kathy Collins, Clifford B. Lotsch, Charles R. Thorp, David Collins, Patricia Lotsch, Doris E. Thorp, Linda Cox, Luther C. Marx, John A Thorp, Betty Cox, Jeannee H. Marx, Rayann Thorp, Taylor Davidson, Calvin K Manley, George R Tisdale, Sandra Day, Peggy Smelt Manley, Marian G Warner, Mary Ann *Dessert, Kenneth 0. (K.O.) *Merrill,Charles . Weiss, Charles J. *Doerner, William F. Merrill, June Weiss, Peg Doerner,Josephine Mikolajezyk, Stanley L. . Weiss, Rod Erickson, Peggy Mikolajezyk, Dorothy A *Wilkinson, Rfohard L. Feichter, Harold W. Neumaannn, Clarence W. Wyatt, Toni Feichter, Marilyn A. Nykamp, Henry J. Wyatt, Gregory Frey, Doris Nykamp, Beatrice V. Frey, Judith Oliphant, Robert W. * Indicates Ploesti Mission Furst, Martin D. Ollestad, Christopher Gibbs, Tyrus C. *Potts, Ramsay Air National Guard Attending Gibbs, AnnK Preziose, Richard J. Giles, Leslie L. Rhoades, Ray S. 8/Gen Paul A. Weaver Glauner, Richard J. Rhoades, Mary B. B/Gen John H. Smith Hogan, William P. Ringwald, Barbara Col Harry W. Frucht Hogan, Maureen E. *Roche, John R. Sgt Shannon Scherer Holmes, Robert P. Roche, Patricia A. Dr. Charles J. Gross Jacobs, Mary Jerstad Schaller, Mary Garry Gault Jacobs, Paul Schaller, Martin M/Sgt Bob Haskell Jacobs, Beth Smith, Myron G. Mrs. Haskell 10

r Following the memorial dedication, we had lunch at the Fort Myer Officers Club with members from the USAF Air National Guard (ANG). The names of the staff headed by 8/Gen Paul A. Weaver appear with the roster of attendees. General Wea.ver has been selected by the Secretary of the Air Force to become the next Director of the ANG. B/Gen Smith is the commanding general of the Ohio ANG and Colone] Frucht the commanding officer of the 180th Fighter Wing, Ohio. I hasten to add that the ANG commissioned a commercial artist to do a painting of the 93rd's lead airplane Hells Wench that took our group over the target on the famous low altitude raid against the Ploesti oil refineries on 1 Augui,11943. It was all done in honor and memory of Lt. Col. Addison E. Baker, an ANG Officer, who was the command pilot of Hells Wench. Col Baker received the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously for valor. The airplane was badly damaged before arriving at the target and the pilots of Hells Wench could probably have landed in a large field and saved their lives and the crew; they chose to continue on to keep the formation together to destroy the target, knowing that their burning airplane would soon explode and result in certain death. Colonel Baker was sent to the Army Air Force from the Ohio ANG to join the 93rd ln 1942 at Barksdale Field, Louisiana. It was brought out that Major John Jersted, the pilot of Hells Wench, also received the Medal of Honor, posthumously. Colonel Baker was my first Squadron Commander at Barksdale, starting April 1942. I made a few remarks about his outstanding leadership qualities. This was Lieutenant Colonel Addison E. Baker POSTHUMOUS CONGRESSIONAL followed by WGen. Ramsay Potts, a Ploesti veteran, giving us an excellent summary of the reason for the Ploesti mission and the high losses incurred by the five groops that participated. All the Ploesti veterans present were introdnoed (the names on the attendee roster with an (•) were the Ploesti veterans present). General Weaver of the ANG gave an outstanding short speech about his father having worked on the Norden bomb sight and the significance of the World War II air war and the hardships and sacrifices made by the veterans. The unveiling done by Generals Weaver and Smith was indeed impressive. The painting is the best of its kind I have seen. The audience rushed to the front of the ro<m around the painting to enjoy it. Pictures were taken of the eight Ploesti veterans and Generals Weaver and Smith grouped around the painting. As a final gesture, General Weaver asked that the Ploesti vetc:ans give their signatures to appear later on prints of the painting. My fina] comments were an observation on the changes to the ANG over ~e years. For a long period of time following WW II, the ANG was given worn out equipment and obsolete weapons for their use. This has all changed. They now have modern equipment, well trained personnel and they are constantly in various parts of the globe assisting the Air Force to carry out its mission. I wish every member of the 93rd could have attended the dedication ceremonies and the unveiling. It is something l shall never forget. God Bless you all and Best Wishes for the Holiday Season. Al Asch ---7 Major John L. Jerstad POSTHUMOUS MEDAL OF HONOR These pictures appear in the 93rd display case at the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum, Savannah, GA. The MedaJ of Honor hangs below their pictures a,t the museum. 11

Tribute to Col. Addison Baker by M/Sgt. Bob Haskell, National Guard Bureau The National Guard and a brotherhood of aging World War ll aviators honored ooe of their own in quiet dignity among Arling1ou National Cemetery's host of heroes on a sultry Friday in October. Lt. Col. Addison Oaker, posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor after crashing his blazing bomber into a heavily defended enemy oil refinery in 1943, was the focus of a tribute to the 93rd Bombardment Group that Baker led during the low-level raid at Ploesti, Rumania. Baker was an Ohio Natiooal Guardsman. His twin-tailed 8-24, Hell's Wench. flying over the burning oil field is depicted in the 52nd National Guard Heritage Painting unveiled on Oct. IO, more than 54 years after the daring and costly raid. Eight veterans of that raid, Air National Guard leaders from the Pentagon and Ohio, and 100 others attended the full day of tributes. Among them were Brig. Geo. John Smith, Ohio's Air Guard commander, and Col. Harry "'A.J:· Frueh!, commander of the state's 180th Fighter Wing that includes Baker's former squadron among its lineage. A living memorial of a br'Olue plaque and a six-foot American holly tree honoring the 93rd Group's sacrifices during the deadly air war over Europe was dedicated that morning at Arlington. The painting by Arizona artist Roy Grinnell was unveiled at the neighboring Fort Myer officers club by Brig. Gen. Paul Weaver Jr., deputy director of the Air National Guard, during a mid-day ceremony. "These awards do nothing for what we owe you. You brought honor to these wings that we wear. This country owes you more than you can ever receive," Weaver told the decorated Army Air Corps veterans who recalled details of the PJoesti raid on Aug. I , 194 3. as vividly as if they had flown it last August. "The smoke stacks we,TC 125 feel high I was flying so low l had to look up to see the tops of them,., said retired Col. John "Packy" Roche. "There were high tension power lines at the end of the refinery," Roche continued. "One of my engines was on fire over the target I didn't have time lo climb above those wires. so I flew the plane uuder them:' Retired Maj. Geo. Ramsay Potts made no bones about how be survived that raid. "Both of my wingmen were shot down. They shielded me from getting shot down," he reflected. "I was just one of the lucky ones." Many were not so lucL.'Y-Fifty-four of the 177 bombers sent to destroy the Ploesti refineries that supplied the German war machine with two-thirds of il<i gas and oil product'! were 1os1 dunng that daylight nud. The operation code-named Tidalwave resulted in 532 dead. missing and captured 12 ainnen from the 1,726 who began the 2, 100-milc round-trip ordeal. Baker, 36, was a Chicago native who entered the Army Air Corps in 1929, earned his wings the next year, and joined the Natiooa.l Gw-d in Michigan in 1936. He moved to Akron, Ohio, and transferred to the Buckeye State's I 12th Observation Squadron before it was called into federal service in I 940. He was in the lead plane as his 93rd Bombardment Group, 1he Traveling Circu.,, flew from North Africa to Ploesti on Aug. I, 1943, under radio silence. An antiaircraft shell genously damaged his plane and set it on fire as be approached the target, aQCOrding to his Medal of I lonor citation. Baker refused to land and jeopardize his group that approached the refinery from the south instead of the west as planned. He led his formation to the target and dropped his bombs before attempting to climb high enough so his crewruembers could bail out It was too late, witnesses reported. The crippled B24 crashed in flames after avoiding other planes in the formation. All IO men perished. Maj. John Jerstad, Baker's copilot, also received the Medal of Honor that is presented to warriors who cannot be faulted if they do not pcrfonn the deed that earns them this coootry's h.ighest military tribute. "CoJooel Baker did DOl leave the formation to land in the flat fields in front of u.<,, but showing a brand of courage that I have never seen before or since, continued to lead us the last two or three miles to the target." ~Tote Capt. Raymond Walker. "Lt. Col. Baker continued to lead his force on the bombing run after his aircraft had been fatally h.it and was, in fact. araging Ulfemo," reported Lt. Col. George Brown who lived to become chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. "Otherwise, the formation would have broken up at the critical point oo the bomb run:' Brown added. "Addi'!ou Baker bad a total disregard for his own life. Every one ofus would have followed him through hell," said retired Arr Force Col. Alfred Asch who coordmated the October tribute. Asch was a young lieutenant fresh out of flight school when he served with Baker before the Ploesti raid. The seasoned pilot o.ooe turned on his bomber's blue formation lights so Asch could follow him into a strange airfield in Algeria in the dead of night, Asch explained. "Any German night fighters would have gone after Baker, because he had his lights on." Asch added. Therefore, it made perfectly good sense to Asch to honor the National Guard pilot from Ohio who sacrificed his plane, his crew and hiniself so that others could fly into the hell over Plocsti and complete the mission. "It was my privilege lo fly with two great National Guard officers during that war Addison Baker was one of them." Asch concluded. "They brought more to the Air Corps than the other way around " ~

~ .... ...__......., -~-~--,f_· ""'-.. . -· • ' --- - -· Top left: 8/Gen. PauJ A. Weaver Jr. Deputy Director of the USAF Air National Guard views lbe painting of He/1 's Wench Top right: B/Gen. John H. Smith and Col. Harry W. Frucht of the Ohio National Guard admiring painting. Bottom left: Ploesti Warriors 1/r Capt Richard L. Wilkinson, DFC; Maj. Ed'\\w Baker, DFC; Col. Charles P. Merrill, Silver Star: Col. Kenneth 0. "KO" Dessert, Silver Star; M/Gen. Ramsay Potts, DSC: Col. John R. ''Packy'· Roche, DSC; William F Doerner, DFC; Col. Miles R League, DFC. Bottom right: Mary Jerstad Jacob standing beside painting with daughter Beth and sons Scott and Paul, the Jacobs traveled from Humbird, WI in memory of Mary· s brother Maj. John Jen.1ad. Dear Colonel Asch, Thank you so very much for arranging the beautiful 93rd BG MemoriaJ Dedication and luncheon this past Friday. The ceremony was very moving and everything was executed with such a quiet grace and dignity. I am most particularly grateful for the singular honor which you paid to me in memory ofmy father Capt. William J. Williams The blue woolen drape will be cherished for years to come. They say that you will know a man by the company he keeps. I never knew the man my father was, but after meeting Gen. Potts, Colonels Roche, Dessert, Merrill and yourself, I am pleased that my father spent his last days among the very best companions and comrades-in-arms. Once more, thank you for all your bard work, 13 for the beautiful dedication and for your gracious hopitality. Most Sincerely, Mary Williams Schaller Dear Al, Almost a week has passed and I'm still telling people about the super dedication ceremony al Arlington. rm sure it took a lot of hard work but the results surely were appreciated by aU in attendance. "Good Show." I stayed over Saturday and enjoyed the Air Force / Navy game with friends. All in all it was a very rewarding trip. As I told you, Hell ·s Wench, was the B24 we brought to the 93rd BG. Though we did not get to fly her much there is a sentimental attachment. Therefore l would sure appreciate if you could put

me on your list for a copy. Looking forward to seeing you again. C.W. "Bill" Neumann Al: Bill attended all the functions coming all the way from Portsmouth, NH. He flew Hell's Wench to England and loaned her for the Ploesti raid. I hope BiJI will teU us more in a forthcoming issue of the BOFI Thanks for coming, Bill! Dear Al, It was great seeing you again and being with the other feUows of the 93rd. I was very impressed and emtionally deeply impacted by the Arlington Ceremony of the memorial for "All of our guys who didn't make it back." This became very personal to me for to the most part, this was a memorium to those eight great guys on Double Trouble who were killed in action on that fateful mission over Sousse, N.A., Tunisia on 19 January 1943. Not only were they killed in action, they'll forever be MIAs. Eight out of ten ·were very bad odds. Guss Gray our bombardier and myself were spared that day. We kept those fifties firing as fast as we could put ammo in them. There was no reason to worry about the gun barrels overheating and burning out for we aU knew that we were going down so we just threw lead at those fighters. I am sure we knocked some of them down and even more so made them a tittle cautious on the attack. Benny and Frank Lewis stayed at the wheel and kept that plane under control, I am sure, by super human strength and super human dedication in order to make it easier for some of the boys to bail out. With all of the trouble I had in the sea, down so deep and stllL attached to my chute, I wouldn't be surprised if every man who bailed out must have been wounded. For this reason I can see very easily that each drowned, being so far from the coast of Africa and each quite incapacitated by their wounds and the cold Sea. Gus and I were quite lucky having an Arab fishing boat come across us there floating in our Mae Wests, coupled with their stopping to pull us out of the sea. I was never aware of Gus's role in pulling me out until quite a number of years after the war and even after Gus Gray died. His son sent me the part of Gus's diary which detailed that time frame. Gus was quite a hero and I tried all of the way up the line of command, through congressmen, who were very supportive, to the Chief of Staff USAF, to get Gus awarded some ttigh meda] for saving me, at the risk of his own life. If you have 14 my book, it is al 1 detailed in there. 1 believe every crew member should have received the DFC, especially Benny and Frank for: their tremendous job. It's a shame that those guys and others on other crews, likewise never ever got recognized posthumously. The government (USAAF) owed their folks as much. Look at Colooel Baker. Here be was the 93rd Group Connnander, a fuU Colonel's slot, bis heroics during the battle and yet no one saw fit to promote him posthumously to full Colo~el. I blame General Ted Timberlake for that. I am astounded in that as close as those two were that Ted Timberlake didn't do that right off the bat. Can you explain that one to me? It was being done time after time throughout the other Bomb and Fighter Groups. I am enclosing pictures I took at Arlington and some from the 8th AF Museum in Ga. I took a number of shots of our display, some of them segmentally in order to get close up shots so you could see the details better. You asked for others to take pictures of the Ploesti folks alone with the B-24 art work, which is beautiful. I don't know who they all are, but perhaps you can get some pictures to them. Take whichever of the Arlington pictures that you want. The tree and bronze plaque are terrific, and their location right along one of the main streets down from President Kennedy, as well as The Unknown Soldiers. A job very wen done and my congratulations and gratitude go out to you and those who worked and kept on top of this. You deserve a lot of credit for all you have done and are still doing for the 93rd. My hat is off to you and you have my heartfelt thanks on behalf of for my eight crew members in particular who were KIA/MlA GIVING TIIEIRALL FOR THEIR COUNTRY, as well as for me. It mean't so much to me, Al, beyond my being able to adequately explain. I look forward to getting pictures from the ANG. I am enclosing also, a copy of an article that was run in The Akron Beacon Journal, dated 25 Novemember 1943 which gives a very authentic account of Colonel Baker's ship going down, as witnessed by Tate and Brown. It is quite vivid. T alee good care of yourself, Al. Luther and Jeanne Cox Al: We lost Ben Riggs' crew on January 19, 1943. I was flying on bis wing when he went down. We aU knew Benny's fine crew in the Libyan desert and it was a tough loss to take. Only Lou Cox and Guss Gray survived. They were POW's until May, 1945. Lou was an outstanding leader in bis POW camp in getting better treatment for AJJied POWs and

medical supplies to help the sick and wounded. He authored the book Always Fighting the Enemy about POW life which I have read. When 1 completed the book, I turned to Naomi and said, "This should be required reading for every school child in America." Thanks for coming, Lou and Jeanne. Dear Col. Asch, I want to thank you again for the fine job you did in arranging the 93rd Bomb Group memorial dedication ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery on IO October. The ceremonies were very well done, and I felt privileged to be able to attend them. I especially enjoyed meeting and talking to you and some of the other members of the 93rd with whom mv Uncle Cal served. I am proud of him, and I am proud of all his fellow airmen who prosecuted the air war so diligently and \lllfelentingly during WWII. I would love to have a copy of one of the photographs of the Ploesti raid painting with the eight veterans of the raid who were in attendance, whenever they are available, and I'd be happy to cover your expenses for it. Please pass on my thanks to Dave Thompson if you speak to him, as I don't have his address. Sincerely, Robert W. Oliphant Al: Cal Davidson is the uncle of this fine young man who traveled all the way from Massachusetts to attend our memorial ceremonies. Thanks for coming! FLORIDA CHAPTER OF SECOND AlR DIVISION ASSOCIATION, 8TH AlR FORCE WWII Fort Myers, Florida, November 1, 1997 The annual Reunion of the Florida Chapter of the Second Air Division Association, 8th Air Force Veterans of WWII, will be held in Fort Myers, Florida on March: 26 - 29, 1998. The host hotel is the Sheraton Harbor Place on the Caloosahatchee River in downtown Fort Myers. During the Reunion there will be a Hospitality Room where Veterans can meet with their comrades to view mementos and video tapes of combat missions over Ploesti, France and Gennany. Also offered is an optional Prime Rib Dinner Cruise with music and dancing to bring back old memories. The Saturday night banquet will have a most interesting program (including speeches by U.S. Senator Connie Mack and Carlos Rainwater, 15 Florida Director of Veterans' Affairs.) Springtime in Southwest Florida is a very beautiful time of the year with an average daily temperature of 7 4° in late March. The golf courses are lush and inviting and the Gulf of Mexico's beaches of wann sand and surf, a welcome sight after the cold November months. You can extend your stay into a vacation for fishing, boating or for whatever leisure activity your heart desires, at the same low rate granted by the host hotel. For registration or information contact: Dear Paul, Fred K. McConnell, P.O. Box482 Cape Coral, Fl. 33910 941549 2747 I feh great deal of pride when I saw the picture of my old plane Patches on the back of the Fall edition of the BOFQE. It brought back some fond memories, both of the plane and of the men who helped keep it airworthy. 1 was with the 93rd at Barksdale Field, LA; Fort Myers, FL; Alconbury, England; Hardwick, England and Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where I was discharged following the end of the war in the Pacific. I enjoy receiving the quarterly very much! Sincerely, Basil Guynn 2820 Forest Run Drive, Melbourne, Fl. 32935 7 Editors Comments: The letters of appreciation to AJ Asch for the Arlington Ceremony are representative of the mail he has received, more in the next issue. To quote an old adage, "you missed the boat" by not attending the excellent dedication ceremony! I would like to add my thanks to AJ for including me in the program and my appreciation to him and his helper Dave Thompson for there outstanding work in bringing to fruition this project. My mail from the last issue has been just three letters. Please keep writing as your letters are most important in keeping the newsletter alive and interesting. No one answered Mike Bailey's question on the colors of the checkerboard B24 nose art. Someone out there must remember those checkerboard noses. Don Gaston of Illinois called to thank me for the picture of Patches in the last issue and to say he had flown 27 missions in Patches and then while he was on R&R she was lost.

Painting of Hel/ 's Wench over Ploesti by Arizona artist Roy Grinnell :J/ie /Jaff of Jire Qua,•ferlg G~preJJ 93rd BOMBARDMENT GROUP Calvin Davidson. Editor 48973 Plate Rd. Oberlin, OH 44074 Phone 440 -77 5-1787 Fax 440 -774-2338 FIRST CLASS MAIL BOFQE SUBSCRIYl10N FORM Name: _____________ _ Address:. ____________ _ BOFQE Subscription @ #15.00 per annwn $ __ _ Annual 93rd Membership (q) $5.00 $ __ _ Donation Total Please make checks payable lo . 93rd Bomb. Group Send checks to. Paul Steichen 1725 Shuey Ave. #105 Walnut Creek. CA 94596 $ __ _ $ __ _

r ~BALL OF FIRE QUARTERLY EXPRESS Newsletter of the 93rd Bombardment Group 2nd Air Division, 8th Air Force, Hardwick, England Vol. 6, No. 1 Spring, 1998 Group President Paul R. Steichen Vice President, 2ADA Alfred Asch V. PresidentMembership Floyd H. Mabee 1725 Shuey Ave. 1#105 Walnut Creek, CA 94596 (510) 939-3440 6205 Meadow Court Rockville, MD 20852 (301) 881-1376 28 Hillside A venue Dover, NJ 05801 (201) 366- 5916 "Who Dares Wins" , Any one episode in the military service of World War II soldier Henry Betz would qualify for a modem screenplay. Blood and guts, terror and suspense, bombs and bullets, bravery in the face of certain death, and even a wartime romance, these were the mainstays of his existence. Hollywood would have no trouble casting Henry as its hero, but it's doubtful that he would play along. At home on East Street in Brookings, Oregon these days, Henry is 76, retired and dabbling in watercolors. His small study contains an easel with a half-finished canvas surrounded by scrapbooks and framed crtatJ.ons, certificates and rows of military medals attesting to his brave deeds. But still, to his way of thinking, he remains just an ordinary soldier who served his country; a most reluctant hero. "Everything we did brought the war closer to an end," he says, pointing out one of his six Croix De Guerre medals, three from France and three from Belgiwn. "I don't think of myself as a hero," he adds. "I just consider the operations and all that we did was our main job to shorten the war. We wanted to come home, too." Perhaps the motto that governed much of Henry Betz' s military ventures says it all: "Who Dares, Wins." It was the credo of the Special Air Service (SAS) Regiment, the military unit Henry eventually joined. A precursor to the Green Berets, the SAS routinely penetrated enemy territory, seeking out and destroying all signs of intelligence. Henry Betz grew up in Oakland, California, where friendships with children of immigrant parents taught him foreign language skills that would come in handy later on secret military tnlSSIOllS. His family later moved to Oregon where he joined the Oregon National Guard in 1939. He had been discharged for only 15 days when Pearl Harbor was bombed. As a trained ham radio operator, Henry then was sent overseas with the U.S. Anny Air Corps' first heavy bomber group.

2 "The planes were like that model up there," he says, dusting off a plastic B-170. "You could put that whole plane in the bomb bays of a modem bomber," he says, laughing. "It was hazardous to our health, I'll tell you that." "One member of our crew was Paul Tibbets," he says, the pilot who later dropped the A-bomb en Hiroshima. He flew 15 missions with the 97th Bomb Group. Most were flown with Tibbets as pilot. Henry requested a transfer when the 97th was going to Aft:ica and was sent to the 329th squadron of the 93rd BG at Alconbury in October of 1942. The 329th BS did not have a place for Henry so he was transferred to the 357 Service Department. He worked in the base engineering motor pool as a mechanic, later on heavy equipment and crash vehicles at the tower. While Henry was based in England, he met and married his wife, Gwendolyne, one of the surviving members of the Admiral Nelson family. "All I could think of was getting it over, getting out of there," he says. "But my wife couldn't leave because they wouldn't transport wives home until after the war was over." For something to do, I requested and was granted a transfer to the ground troops as a radio operator. Henry was sent to the Special Air Services, British Paratroopers, as radio operator to the 8th Air Force. He stayed with this group until the end of the war and then was reassigned back to the 8th Air Force and then home. While in the Special Air Service Henry went into territory where no other troops dared venture. He was part of the First SAS Regiment sent out to destroy enemy communication. After the landings at DDay, while the troops were still pinned on the beach, we penetrated behind the enemy lines. We ruined check points such as crossroads, bridges, trains, armored units, anything that got in the road. Well, there's no other way of putting it, •'we wasted them.'' Getting to his target took ingenuity, cunning and Life-or-death acting skills; missing a cue would have meant certain execution. Taking boots and SS unifonns from Nazi soldiers aloog·the way, he and others in his unit commanded enemy soldiers to give them passwords, keys, directions, whatever they needed to blow up a checkpoint. "Oh, I used to be quite :fluent in German," Henry says. Sometimes they traveled by jeep, sometimes they dropped into enemy territory from the air. Many of his missions were so hush-hush that Henry wasn't privy to his own records and commendations until more than 20 or 30 years after the war ended. One of his more unusual personal citations is dated 1965, signed by the deposed King of Yugoslavia from Monaco, the king's residence-in-exile. Besides destroying checkpoints, Henry's SAS regiment was responsible for liberating prisooers of war. One of his commendations lauds his "conspicuous acts of bravery" for rescuing three operators from a firing squad, eliminating the gun squad with a Sten gun, a British made unwieldy automatic pistol, commandeering a staff car and driving more that 15 kilometers through enemy territory. The operators were women~ one French, one Belgian and one English. All the other members of his rescue crew were killed. Henry's survival throughout the war is somewhat of a wonder, even to Henry. He was never seriously injured. "You won't believe this, but everytenth casualty ofWorld Warn came out of the 8th Air Force." Flying, 10 men to a plane, bang, bang, bang, you lose 30 planes. That's 300 men. Some of them lost the whole group. They were there one minute and then the 'ack ack.' They were gone. It was homble. The average was five missions and you were down or taken prisoner," he says. "If you did 25 missions, you did have a channed life." "Heroes are not born," he says. "You just do wh~ you have to do in the situation. You do it without thinking." In the final accounting Henry came home to an engineering job designing the first rockets for the space program under President Kennedy. Henry and Gwendolyne Betz's two children grew up and produced five offspring, who visit their grand.father whenever they can. Gwendolyne settled into a rewarding career restoring classic paintings. She died in 1983, but her artistic influence motivated Henry to sta;rt painting. Back in his study, a watercolor mallard migrates west on his half-finished canvas, like a B-17 headed home. Once a reluctant hero, Henry Betz is now a reluctant artist. "It keeps me out of trouble," he says. Ed: Frann Grossman of the Brookings paper wrote this interesting article. I did add some i~formation aboul his time in B-l 7's and his subsequent transfer to the 93rd and then to the SAS 1 have had many conversations with Henry at pas/ reunions but never really knew much about his extraordinary story until l.ast year at Irvine!

r r By Al Asch We have the opportunity to find our missing B-24 by placing a 19 foot bronze replica in The Honor Court of the Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs. This will be along side of other vintage aircraft replicas, the B-17, P-51, P-38, P-47 and P-40, which are already there. Our tax exempt corporation is operating with four officers and I am one of them. We have a contract with Sculptor Robert Henderson who sculptured the other vintage aircraft. The B-24 wood model needed for the bronze molds is nearing completioo and mold taking started in December, 1997. We are planning dedication ceremonies for September 25, 1998; keep that date open. We need funds! Thus far, the 93rd Bomb Group members have been slow in carrying our share of the costs. In our last BOFQE, I did not fully explain the feature of having one's name appear on a 21 "x50" bronze plaque to be mounted on the pedestal of the model with a donation of $450.00 or more. With a lesser amount, names will appear on the Honor Roll in the Book of Remembrance to remain at the Academy for years to come as will the B-24 Memorial. One can donate securities by a simple transfer to a Merrill Lynch brokerage account number, 673-04K02, which we have opened in our corporation name, B-24 Groups Memorial Inc. of the Army Air Forces. Some have used this account by donating appreciated common stock; this system is working well. If you use this method, be sure to notify Neal Sorensen giving your name and address to receive credit. All donations are tax deductible. We encourage the wives and family members to donate in honor or memory of our B-24 veterans. My wife, Naomi, did this for me and placed a copy of the contribution form in her Christmas card to me. It was a great moment for my family and me when I opened the card. I am the principal interface with Sculptor Henderson and have taken on the responsibility of some design aspects of the project. This includes the design of the two plaques to be attached to the pedestal, the larger 21" x 50" with the names and the smaJler one 16"x16" to give information about the B-24. I plan to use a theme that in WWil B-24's operated in all theaters of operation as well 3 as other important information. I plan to make special note of Ploesti veterans and those who received the Medal of Honor. All who qualify under the ground rules will appear on both the plaque and the Book of Remembrance. The contribution form is oo the insert for your convenience in making your donation. Make certain you accurately list the name (s) as you want them to appear on the Plaque/Book of Remembrance. For example: My name will appear: ASCH, ALFRED COL USAF RET. A Ploesti veteran's name will appear as: *DESSERT, KENNETH O COL USAF RET. I lost a crew member and by making a donation, his name will appear: MD..LER, DAVID C T/SGT. These and others will be listed under the 93rd Bomb Group heading. This is our last opportunity to leave a memorial as distinct as this will become, where not only our beloved B-24 will be memorialized but the names of those who flew her. The Colorado Springs Tourist Bureau regularly anticipates an annual visitation of several million persons, a large majority of whom will visit the Air Force Academy. Families of future Air Force leaders will be among the visitors. Many will take the escorted tour which points out significant points of interest, including airplane replicas and important aviation pioneers and heroes of yesterday, our day if you will! 93rd BOMB GROUP MUSEUM Station l 04 Har(Jwick Naomi and I received Christmas greetings from Paul and Joy Thrower. They took this opportunity to thank me for sending a large photo of Wham Bam which they have framed and is now hanging in the 93rd Bomb Group Museum at Station 104, Hardwick. Tue photo was from a print of Wham Bam taking off at Hardwick and appeared in the London News October 16, 1943. A little history about this airplane; it was first crewed and named by Ed Baker's crew. They were given another B-24 and Wham Bam was given to me just before our first trip to North Africa. h had problems with at least one engine which were corrected in time to make the North Africa trip. My crew flew Wham Bam on more than 20 missions, and were given The Duchess after returning to F.ngland. Various crews flew Wham Bam until its retirement and I understand it was used for

4 medical evacuation and eventually as a rendezvous airplane. [twas a sweet flying B-24, easy on gas and it responded to our needs on many an occasion. I have sent Paul information on the material we used to build our display case at the Mighty Eighth Air Force Heritage Museum at Savannah, Georgia. I have copies of much of the material that is available to Paul for his use. He also asked that 93rd members complete an in.formaticn fonn to add to his data base of people who served in the 93rd. Also, please mail Paul anything you have that would be suitable for display at the Hardwick Museum. His address is: Paul Thrower, 12 St Davids Close, Long Statioo, Norwich, NRl5 2PP, England. We owe Paul Thrower and David Woodrow a vote of thanks for their constant efforts to improve the museum and keep it open for the public. I know they would appreciate hearing from all of us. Dear Cal, I recently received a telephone call from a local farmer's wife concerning the location ofa WW II Nissen hut on their farm. Knowing of my interest in the 93rd BG she wondered if I was interested in seeing the hut, which had been taken down piece by piece, and re-erected on the farm close by the old air field at Hardwick. On the inside of the former living quarters are several Murals painted on the rough corrugated sheets. There may be a clue as to which squadron the hut was assigned, 409th, as a Panda bear is painted in cne scene. This is certainly a Little bit of history from the 93rc1 at Hardwick. Would you kindly reprint one or two of the enclosed prints in the BOFQE. Thank you Cal for your past interest. We try to keep the spirit of the 93rd alive after all these years. John Archer Did you live in this but ? c9-, --/Jl .... ' =-::Jl' t~--- t ~l:.::~ ........ d ... -r .. - •. .1· .,,, ,c; -.../ - ... • Ed: Robert Purdie called me from England and Jhe following e-mail correspondence look place. Hi Mr. Davidson, I hope this reaches you OK. Nice to talk with you last night. As I said my Mom, Mary Goldrick, knew Jack Lang, Merle Wolf, Earnest Wurm and Red Komarak from the time, April 1943, they were crew mates on"Yardbird" from the 329BS. The boys would come down to London from Hardwick and used the pub she worked in. I believe it was the Finsbury Park Tavern. We knew Jack Lang and Merle Wolf were lost on the 13 Nov 43 mission to 8remen with the crew listed below. Our family often visits the American Cemetery at Madingley near Cambridge. h is only about a 30 minute ride from where we live in Ramsey, England. It is a really beautiful place and now I know the full crew of the Urgin Virgin. We always say hello to them on the Wall of the Missing. I had some trouble figuring out why Irwin Slate was listed in Ted's Travelling Circus as a crew member on that mission, but was not listed in the 93BG Roll of Honor. I finally found out he was a photographer from 8th AF HQ. That was a bit of tough luck. By the way, the names of all the fallen are now also on special walls in the new American Air Museum at RAF Duxford which opened this summer. If you have pbotos of the two crews it would be a great gift for my Mom's 80th birthday. Also if you have any details on Red's book that would be fantastic. lf I can be of any assistance to you, please don't hesit.ate to ask. Take care and all the Best as the Brits like to say. My address is: Bob Purdie PSC 4 7 Box 285 APO AE09470 Ed:J wrote Wurm and Komarak then sent their addresses to Purdie and received this reply. Dear Cal, Thanks a million. Yesterday I received a package with photocopied pictures and a letter from Bud Wurm and then a package from Red Komarek with a copy of his book "All the Best." Today I received a letter from Red and

r more photocopies of pictures. They both remembered my Mom and they got in touch with each other immediately upon receipt ofmy letter. The birthday party is Saturday night and she will be thrilled to see their pictures. I will write back to them afterwards. l thought Red's book to be fascinating and it brought back to lire the men whose names I have seen on the Wall of the Missing. No one can thank them enough or the rest of the men who served our country during that time. I thank you personally for both. Best wishes and Cheers. Bob Purdie Ed: The following three stories about Gen. Edward J. "Ted" Timberlake came to me from one of the ham radio operators that check into our 2ADA net. 1. Some ti.me ago I said that I would give you a little of what I knew about your WWII commander Gen. Timberlake. Before Dec 7 while we were still not involved in the war, the 44th BG was stationed at McDill field in Tampa, Fla. In peace time everything was tranquil and on Saturdays we usually had a little close quarter drill and inspection in the morning, then the rest of the weekend was off except guard duty and necessary fatigue. One Saturday afternoon Major Timberlake, who was commander of my squadron, the 66th of the 44th Group, came into our barracks dressed as anyone who might have been working in their garden or lawn. He had oo sneakers, t-shirt and old trousers. We were just lying arowtd taking it easy but we all jumped to attention and he said to relax because all he wanted was some GI' s to make up a basketbaU team. The local college, University of Tampa, had called the base and asked if there were some boys who would like to play against a group from the college. Major Timberlake took up the chaUenge, recruited a team, went to the college and played the game. I do not know the results but I am sure that even if Major Timberlake's team lost, which I am sure that they did, they did cement some good fullowship between McDill Field and the University ofTampa. 2. While at Barksdale Field, Col. Timberlake was still CO of the 66th Squadron and the 93rd was not fully formed. We were what they called an operational training unit, pulling submarine patrol over the Gulf of Mexico and on the job training for 5 new assignees from Tech Schools. Then after about 6 weeks, the 44th took about half of the new personnel and half of the older people and made another group, the 93rd. But that is not the story. We had a Squadron painter who was quite small in stature and very likeable. He was a Corporal and joined the NCO club. He and John Barleycorn were the best of pals. The NCO club was off base in a rather remote area. All of the members that frequented the club knew him and where he lived on base. He would get very drunk and would climb into any automobile that was available. Since he was well liked and well known because of his activities at the club, the auto owner would just take him to his area and see that he was OK. The very next morning he would be one of the first ones to report for duty and was in excellent shape coosidering the night before. Anyway, Col. Timberlake liked him like a son and was well aware ofhis activities. This young Corporals duty never suffered at all This Corporal went home on a short leave and continued his participation with John Barleycorn but the local police did not appreciate this and put him in their jail for 30 days. Of course Col. Timberlake was informed because his jail time exceeded his furlough ti.me. The Col. wrote to the police department wherever that was, and stated that we were scheduled to soon depart for overseas duty and would they be kind enough to release this lad so that he could be pan of his organizatioo to soon depart. Well, the police would not release him so what did Col. Timberlake do? He put this lad on a 30 day furlough so that he would not be AWOL. Of course the whole squadron learned of this and Col. Timberlake's stock went sky high, but it was very high anyway. 3. On page 9 of the Journal that arrived a couple of days ago is a photo of Colonel J. (Ted) Timberlake and others. I have a large Squadron sized photo taken at McDill Field on Aug 16, 1941. TheCommanderofthe66th Sq., 44th BG was E. J. Timberlake, Commander. So I guess 'Ted' was a nickname. But he was the same person no matter what name or initials he went by. h seemed like no matter where he tu.med up, he always had a little plane to fly aro\Dld in. This is not the story that I intended to send but it just came to my mind about the little planes that were his trademark of sorts. When

6 we departed McDill for Barksdale Field, we left a little plane sitting on the ramp because the PAPER WORK had been LOST and we were not accountable for it. We knew that we were not going to return and just abandoned it. I often wonder what happened to it. h was Timberlake's toy. Now to this last story. As you perhaps know, I was an Airborne Radio operator. We did not have crews assigned until we went overseas. I flew many flights with Timberlake as his radio operator and at that time we were a small well knit Squadron. I was one of his ranking NCO's, so he knew me quite well as did the other NCO's. Flight crews were made up in advance from the group of radio operators, aerial engineers and only the minimum of personnel to complete the flight. During the Korean Conflict, I was assigned to the 5th Commurucations Group which supplied ground communications for the Group. We went over to Korea during the Puson Perimeter. We got to Seoul and then the Chinese chased us out so back to Puson I went. Finally after several moves, I was sent back to Seoul to reclaim some of our buildings that we had used before. Ed. Timberlake was then at least a 2 star General and commanded the 5th Air Force from Japan. Another G.I. and myself with a civilian carpenter were working in a vacant room in this large building setting up a radio repair shop. You probably have felt the sensation that someone is near you. I had that sensation so I turned around and in the doorway was my Commanding Officer and a General. It was Gen. Timberlake and as I looked at them, Gen Timberlake looked at me as though at some time or other he might have known me. So I walked over to my Commander and Gen. Timberlake and introduced myself and we had a little chat about McDill Field, etc. After they departed, my G .I. buddy almost had a heart attack. His blood pressure must have climbed sky high because it looked like be was having a heart attack. He later told several of our group that , "Sgt. Harvey walked right up to a two star General and shook bis band and talked to him." Well, my buddy did not know Ted Timberlake like I did, and that he got to where be was by being the kind of gentleman that he was. A true leader who got the respect of those that he commanded. Wayne Harvey 8 Woodlawn Ave. Dallas, PA 18612 Postscript to the Arlington Ceremony A unifonned Marine Captain arrived during the waning moments of the solemn 40 minute ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery on October 10. Unveiling of the bronze plaque, memorializing the 93rd Bombardment Group's 670 World War U fallen had cmcluded. As taps sounded the quiet Marine, identity unknown, made bis way to stand reverently before the marker mounted oo a granite pedestal. He admired the nearby seedling American Holly tree, a living memorial reflecting summer growth. The very proper young man in rapt attention was Christopher Timberlake, a grandson of the late Lieutenant General Edward J, (Ted) Timberlake, the 93rd's first commander. Christopher is the son of Edward J. Timberlake m, who resides in the long time family borne, 11 West Beach Lagoon Rd., Hilton Head Island, NC 29928. The Marine lingered as 93rd veterans, who bad converged from afar oo the nation's most hallowed ground for the special rite, boarded transports for h.mch at Ft. Myer Officer's Club. He went bis own way. The young captain's appearance was learned by Carroll (Cal) Stewart in correspondence with Gen Ted's only son who ordered three copies of Stewart's book, Ted's Travelling Circus. "Like many Marines, Christopher only cooveys bis thoughts clearly and concisely," the father explained, indicating his son was humble and awed in the presence of his grandfather's storied troops. "He dido 'task for time, choosing to remain silent." At his grandfather's knee and from scrapbooks, Christopher learned to know Circus personalities, living and dead, only by deed. Ted 1H was sorry be couldn't attend the Arlington event. ''I'll plan for the 1998 reunion in Chicago with one or both of my sans," he said. Stewart reports the Circus inventory is dwindling but orders are being filled each week. Book stores featuring the I 996 release include the gift: shop at the Mighty Eighth Air Force Heritage Museum, Savannah; Paul Gaudette Books, Tucson, Aeroplane Books, Williamsburg, Va.; Mid-America Air Museum, Murucrpal Airport, Sioux City, 1A; East Anglia Books, Bishop's Stortford, Herts, England.

Stewart said re-release of Ploesti: The Great Ground Air Battle of August 1, 1943, is imminent after delays attributed to physical expansion of the publishing house, Brassey's, Inc., Herndon, VA. (800-775-2518) Co-Author was the late James Dugan. Ploesti was a 1962 Random House best-seller, soon reprinted in England, France, Italy, Brazil and Israel. Brassey's reprint is a 6½ x 9½ paperback scheduled for late December distribution. Brassey' s, specializing in military and aviation works, has international reprint rights assigned 35 years after the work first appeared. Ploesti copyright is owned by Cal and his wife Peggy, who was a 1944 American Red Cross "Girl" at Hardwick. Stewart will fill mail orcJers for the Circus ($63) and Ploesti ($25) . Checks only. Address: Carroll Stewart 7150 Holmes Park Road #323 Lincoln, NE 68506-4685 Tel. 402-484-6046 George Bridgeman On Jan. 6, 1945 George Bridgeman flew his 35th mission as pilot with the 409th Squadron and was awarded the DFC by Gen. Ted Timberlake. I met George at the Arlington Cemetery ceremony and had a most interesting conversation with him. h seems that on George's last mission he was still a teenager at the tender age of 19 years. His 20th birthday would be celebrated on Feb. 15, 1945. I doubt very much if any other pilot can match or beat this feat. It would be most interesting to hear from our readers if they or anyone they flew with can come close to George's accomplishment? George is pictured below receiving his DFC from Gen. Timberlake. 7 Dear Cal: I don't know if you have seen a picture of the Memorial Stone at the crash site of the two 93rd Bomb Group B-24's that collided above the overcast on March 29, 1944, so I'm sending this 5x7 photo to you. The picture is for you to keep. Three of us of the 5~ FG and our wives attended the ceremony at the crash site May, 1995, when the Stone was dedicated. To clarify the statement about the 19 persoonel of the 56th FG who died at the site; they were 5~ FG men from Holton Airfield, the air base known to us as Halesworth Air Base located in the town of Hohon. My experience on the day of this incident was as follows. I had just finished my pre-flight on my P-47 Thunderbolt getting it ready for the mission for that day. I was looking up at heavy overcast when I heard an explosive sound above the overcast. Soon after I saw debris coming down through the overcast, and then a tail section of a B-24 came spiraling down. Some time later, I heard another explosion, this time on the ground some distance away. That is when we lost the men from the 56°' FG. We, at our base, were fortunate that the debris and bombs didn't land oo our base proper, or we may have had more casualties and maybe some of our aircraft destroyed. WeU that is it for now. Hope you like the picture. Cheers, K2CWD &i: K2CWD is Frank Guyidik, another ham radio operator from our Tuesday moming net and P-47 pilot of the 5(/' FG. Some of you may remember him from the talk he gave at our 2ADA reunion tn Hihon Head.

8 Dear Cal I read with amused interest the Fall 1997 issue of the BOFQE in which I was the first person listed in the Folded Wings column. At the time the fall issue came out my wife and I were managing a campground in the San Bernardino Mts. of California. This was also the reasoo I could not attend the rewtion at the El Toro Marine Base. I have been meaning to contact the BOFQE about a photo of our ship that we almost dunked in the North Atlantic on our way home. Blown engine! I can't seem to find the original issue. It shows a picture of Bill Spong pointing at MissTake m. I was flight engineer and top turret gunner on her and have the dubious distinction of having painted the picture. Harry Adie 3470 EI Toro Dr. Lake Havasu City, AZ, 86403 Ed: My apologies to Harry; I received the incorrect information on Harry's demise.from a 2ADA listing. Dear Cal, I received the enclosed from Luther Bird about Bub Womble passing away. It is always sad to lose our war time buddies. Both Bub and Luther are Ploesti veterans. Bub crashed landed his crippled airplane at the target .. Bub most have been a good pilot as his crew survived and they all became POWs in Romania. There is a great story about POWs getting out of Romania before the Russians arrived in 1944. There was a Lt Col "Pappy" Gunn of the 454th Bomb Group in the 15th Air Force who was a POW from a high altitude raid over Ploesti flown from Italy in May or June, 1944. The 454th and 455th, my group, shared an airbase a short distance from Cherignola, Italy. When the Gennans left the Ploesti area, Colonel Gunn coovinced a Romanian pilot to fly him to our base. They flew an ME-109 with Pappy in the baggage compartment. The ME-109 came in at tree top level to avoid the radar. We were all surprised when it landed. The pilot climbed from the cockpit and said: "I have a present for you". At that, he opened the baggage compartment door and all we could see were Pappy's flying boots. Needless to say, we were surprised to see him wiggle to the ground. Pappy convinced General Twining, the CG of the 15th Air Force, to send B-l 7's to Ploesti to rescue over l,000 POWs. They flew without parachutes to save space and weight, escorted by our P-51 's. Pappy went back a day or two before to round up our mem. Bub Womble and his crew were part of the POWs that returned in the B-l 7's. Had this rescue not occured, our POW's may have fallen into the hands of the advancing Russians. Their track record in returning American and English POWs was not very good. Bub lost a foot in the crash from a cable. He was fortunate to receive medical attention; probably treated by a Romanian doctor. We believed doctors were Pro-American as were many of the Romanian citizens. Al Asch WHAT'S NEW AT THE MIGHTY EIGHTH AIR FORCE HERITAGE MUSEUM??? Since The Mighty Eighth Air Force Heritage Museum opened in May J 996 artifacts, exhibits and shows have been added at a steady pace. That pace bas quickened in the past three months. "h's amazing what's been added since we were here just three months ago," said Jim and Jay Oberman of Normal, Illinois. "There were only two or three unit exhibit cases in the Honoring The Eighth Gallery and now there are 14 individual unit exhibit cases." The Obermans were especially interested in the Honoring the Eighth Gallery because it has a new exhibit featuring the 94th Bomb Group in which Jim served during World War ll. By chance during their visit the Obennans met old friends Bill and Mary Carleton of South Bend, Indiana. Bill is a former president of the 100th Bomb Group Association which also is featured in a new exhibit. Centerpiece of the exhibit is a

r large lighted stained glass replica of the group insignia made and donated to the 100th by members of the French Underground who worked with the 100th during World War II. In addition to the 94th and 100th exhibits, the Heritage Museum has built individual unit exhibits featuring the 93rd Bomb Group, the 95th Bomb Group, 303rd Bomb Group, 379th Bomb Group, 491st Bomb Group, 56th Fighter Group, 352nd Fighter Group, 359th Fighter Group, 7th Photo Reconnaissance Group, Scouting Force and Norway Flyers. The new Mighty Eighth Theater is showing a new film that features some of the best B-24 Liberator color combat film footage in the world. It was shot by Colonel Jim Mahoney, a 467th Bomb Group deputy commander from Hamilton, New York, using newly developed color film and cameras sent to him by his wife who worked at Eastman Kodak in Rochester, New York, during World War II. Other recent additions to the Heritage Museum incJude the new and expanded 2nd Air Division exhibit that highlights the great contributions of the division in which the B-24 Liberator bombers were concentrated during World War II. The huge 35 foot by 15 foot high exhibit on a curved wall has all the unit aircraft markings, paintings, models, and photographs including several of actor Jimmy Stewart who was a B-24 pilot in the 445th Bomb Group of the 2nd Air Division. "We've added so much to the Heritage Museum recently," said Lt. Gen. E. G. Shuler, Jr., museum CEO, "that we are now suggesting to visitors that they allow themselves at least four hours to get around the museum and take a good look." Ed: In a recent visit to the Museum I concur that much more attention has been given to the B-24 and :r' Air Division. Editors Comments: I have started the process of putting your subscription renewal date on your address labels. (1/1/99) It would make keeping our records easier if everyone would renew their subscription at the beginning of each year. Judy Wiskoff was kind enough to send me the copies of the short-snorter bill, page 11. after contacting her. Does anyone still have a short-snorter? Al Asch bas asked me to accept the responsibility in regards to our bank account until we have our annual meeting in Chicago. In the interim please mail your dues to me. 9 Paul R. Steichen Paul, 79, became a folded wing on January 28 and was laid to rest in his hometown of Dwight, IL. • After becoming president of our 93rd BG Association, with a great deal of foresight, he saw the need for a way to keep it's members aware of past and current events. On his own initiative in the summer of 1993 be started the Bail of Fire Quarterly Express asking for contributions to help sustain it's publicatioo. It was an immediate success, heralded by many as the finest newsletter of its kind. h bas aided many members in regaining contact with each other, friends and relatives learning about lost loved ones and keeping everyone current on 93rd BG news. Paul was a friend to all, a tireless worker for the 93rd and will be sorely missed. FOLDED WINGS Edward W. Appel Roger J. Dumonl James A. Ennis Edward E. Kromer John E. O'Grady Paul R. Steichen Hubert H. Womble

Hi Cal, Sure was great talking to you on the telephone not too long ago. Most of our cooversation was about S/Sgt Sheldon Sheinfine, a mutual buddy in the 409"' Squadron. WeU wait until you read this amazing story out of a New York newspaper. It was sent to me by our engineer Sid Whitman. As you read the story remember that Sheldon and I had swapped crews in Puerto Rico. He had the flu and our plane had a bad gas leak so, rather than hold two planes, they sent me on with Lt. Schreiner' s crew as their radio-op. So when the short snorter was made out for Sheldon my crews names appear on it. Also it looks like a couple of his original crew members names appear. They may have signed later as Sheldon and I swapped back to our original crews at Stone, England. The part that puzzles me is Lucille Depolo. Apparently her brother was someone else as John Daito, Sheldon and three others were killed in the crash of Schreiner's plane on take-off May 1, 1944. Anyway I think the whole thing is fascinating and I thought you would too. Whitman and I speculated as to who owned the bill and who spent it. I doubt if Sheldon's parents are still living and I know he was not married. I do recall him telling me his father owned a drug store in Brooklyn. It's possible he may have had a brother or sister. George Kamahan l 0617 Elgers St. BelJflower, CA 90706 Short Snorter appears after 53 years When she saw the writing on a doJJar bill, Judy Wiskoff thought it was a chain letter kind of thing, where you add your name and pass it on. On closer look, it was a silver certificate, an old bilJ of the type replaced in 1963 by Federal Reserve notes.The writing set off a search that crossed the country and spanned 53 years. On the back was written .. Short Snorter, Natal To Dakar, 3-17- 44." Below it was a signature, $/Sgt. Sheldon Sheinfine. Another name, Harold B. Loucks, was in the left margin. She turned it over to find more signatures that were stiJl legible. Wisk.off, a Sheepshead Bay High School counselor, is the daughter of a World War II veteran and mother of two sons in the service, Evan, 20 in the Marines at Quantico, VA and Ian, 21, in the Anny at Fort Benning, GA. With Veterans Day near, Wiskoff knew somebody must hjve spent the bill by mistake and would want it back. "I feel an obligation to this bill," said Wiskoff. "I like to think these were a bunch of young guys who had gone through hell and signed it in a life-affinning moment." She wasn't far off. When they signed the bill, they hadn't gone through hell yet. The bill sent your columnist to the VFW, American Legion, Pentagon historians and an Alabama Air Force base before reaching a retired officer in Texas who has built a new career finding anybody who is or ever was in the military. Lt. Col. Richard Johnson runs Military Infonnation Enterprises with clients ranging from news networks to reunion-seeking veterans. Aftertwo hours, he called back to say the signers were in the 409th Squadron, 93rd Bomb Group, 8th Air Force. He found Sidney Whitman in Stephm.ville, Tex. Whitman, now 80 and a semi-retired electrician, was flight engineer and gunner on a B-24 that flew across the Atlantic from Natal in northeast Brazil to Dakar in Senegal on that St. Patrick's Day in 1944. The crew, which would go on to fly 32 bombing runs in 78 days over France, Germany and Belgium, had taken off three weeks earlier from Long Island's Mitchel Field with stops in Florida, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and British Guiana before reaching Brazil. From Dakar. it was up to Marrakesh in French Morocco before landing in Norwich, England. Its first bombing TWl was on May 6, 1944. "We were just awful fortunate to get through 32 missions without someone getting hurt or killed," said Whitman. "It seemed like we were in the air all the time." Some of the names jumped across the years to Whitman. The pilot was Harvey Charlebois, called Charlie Boys, from upstate New York. The co-pilot was Clarence Miller, Lynn the navigator, Terbrack a gunner and Perkins the tail gunner. Maxwell, a gunner, and bombardier Wilson Eldridge didn't know they lived 5 miles from each other in Phoenix until Whitman and a radioman , who keeps track of the crew told them. But Whitman didn't know or remember other names. Lt. Col. Johnson had a lead on Dalto,

r whose last address before he died in 1975 was on Williamsburg's north side. Dalto's sister Lucille Dopolo said he was an infantryman in the invasion of Sicily and Italy who wrote letters home about finding their mother's relatives still in the old country. "He was a good soldier who was proud of his country," Dopolo said of her brother. But she dido 't know anything about the bill to which be had signed his name. In the end, the bill hints at bow war is lived soldier by soldier, ainnan by airman, who draw strength from camaraderie in a scary world. But it's hard to believe it was in circulation very long. Somebody likely spent it near where Wiskoff got it in change. She'd like to know who lost it ? Ed: This article by Bob Liff reprinted from the NY Daily News. Sheldon Sheinfine was undoubtedly the owner of this bil/ and was bi 1/eted in the bunk next to mine. Oddly enough 1 flew as replacement radio-op for George Kamaban on May 9, 1944 with Charlebois crew. All signatures identified in next column. 11 From Scbreiner's original crew Albert Schreiner Pilot Paul Sabin Bombardier Monnie M. Bradshaw Engineer Harold Loucks Waist Gunner John Daito Gunner Sheldon Shein.fine Radio From Charlebois original crew Haivey Charlebois Pilot Clarence Miller Co-pilot Harold Lynn Navigator Wilson Eldridge Bombardier Sidney Whitman Engineer Jack Terbrack Waist Gunner Don Perkins Tail Gunner Alvin Maxwell Nose Gunner The following five signatures are also visible. Gilmer Summey Navigator Elias Desanto Waist Gunner Alistair Mc Taggart Waist Gunner Karow Davenpon ? William Nichols ?

Thar She Blows "Again" From the 328th Squadron Ser. No. 240127 :J/ie Batt of Jire Quarler4, GxpreJj 93rd BOMBARDMENT GROUP Calvin Davidson, Editor 48973 Plate Rd. Oberlin, OH 44074 -9619 Phone 440-775-1787 Fax 440-774-2338 BOFQE SUBSCRIPTION FORM Name: ___________ _ Address: __________ _ BOFQE Subscription@#J5.00 per annum $ __ _ Annual 93rd Memben;hip@ $5.00 Donatioo Total Please make checks payable to : 93nl Boinll. Group Send checb to: Calvin Davidson 48973 Plate Rd. Oberlin, OH 44074-9619 $ __ _ s __ _ $ __ _ FIRST CLASS MAIL

r Newsletter of the 93rd Bombardment Group 2nd Air Division, 8th Air Force, Hardwick, England Yol. 6, No. 2 Vice President, 2ADA Alfred Asch 6205 Meadow Court Rockville, MD 20852 (301) 881-1376 I u. s. AIR FORCE' The above pictured E-8C aircraft is now operational and being flown by the 93n1 Air Control Wing. It is a modified version of a commercial 707-300 series from the Northrop Grumman Corporation. An official version of its capabilities reads as follows: "Real time battle management information is provided to operators inside the Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (JST ARS) aircraft. Using a powerful surveillance and target acquisition radar system with high-speed data processors capable of performing over 600 million operations per second, up to 17 Army and Air Force operators can distinguish moving or Summer, 1998 V. President Membership Floyd H. Mabee 28 Hillside A venue Dover, NJ 05801 (201) 366- 5916 ·-WR fixed targets from other types of objects on the ground and quickly relay that infonnation to other airborne or ground commanders for action." E-8 Development The Joint STARS program traces its ancestry back to the Army's Stand-off Target Acquisition System and the Air Forces Pave Mover programs from the early l 970's. These projects were attempts to locate and target hostile assets, both fixed and mobile, from loog range. Tests conducted with these systems, the anny using UH-I helicopters transmitting to mobile groW1d stations

2 and the Air Force using F-111 fighters led to the eventual combined effort known as Joint Stars. Created in May 1982, the Anny Communications Electronics Command at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, oversaw the development of the Joint Stars system. The E-8C is equipped with phased array radar, signal and data processing equipment, and operations and control subsystems. The 24 foot phased array antenna is housed in a 40 foot, canoe like, faired radome, mounted ventrally just aft of the nose landing gear. The canoe provides the aircraft's most distinguishing feature. The radar can operate in a wide area mode, a moving target indicator mode or a synthetic aperture radar mode. The aircraft has 18 operator work stations. Each station is equipped with an advanced digital display processor. Communications systems include highly secure, jam resistant Surveillance and Control Data Link for transmission to Army ground station modules. Furthennore, the aircraft also carries two Joint Tactical Distribution System terminals. Although a new weapons system, Joint STARS bas already been proven in combat. During operation DESERT STORM, two prototype E-8A's participated in the battle of Khafji. The Joint STARS aircraft provided real-time pictures of Iraqi movements, allowing air strikes to disrupt Iraqi formations and coalition forces to recapture the town. The E-SA's flew 49 operational missions during that deployment. During operation Joint Endeavor, an E-8A and an E-SC were deployed to Germany to assist NATO forces entering Bosnia-Herzegovina to monitor the Dayton Peace Accords. Based at Rhein-Main Air Base. Germany the 4500th Joint Stars Squadron (Provisional) flew 95 missions supporting Implementation Force's troops. In addition to monitoring indigenous forces in Bosnia, the E-SC's were used to monitor suspected mass grave sites to support war crimes investigations. E-8C Performance The Boein.g 707-300 series aircraft have a maximum takeoff weight of 336,000 pounds. The maximum in-flight gross weight is 331,000 pounds and maximum takeoff fuel load is 146,000 pounds. The optimum air refueling altitude is 20,000 to 26,000 ft. The time to climb (sea level to initial cruise altitude) and time from takeoff to "Ops Nonnal" is usually 45 minutes. The initial cruising altitude is normally 31,000 ft. with an optimum radar operating altitude of 34,000-42,000 ft. Optimum orbit speed is 390-510 KTS (ground speed) with most of our operations at 31,000 ft. The interior of the auplane is divided into five pressurized compartments on two decks. The flight deck and mission crew compartment on the main deck contain all crew stations. A crew rest area is provided in the mission crew compartment Runway requirements depend upon aircraft operating gross weight, airfield elevation, pressure altitude and airfield temperature. Ideally the E-8C needs a I 0,000 ft or greater runway, however it can operate from an 8,000 ft runway, but mission endurance is severely restricted unless tanker support is available. Motorola, NMthrop Grumman, and SAIC, are teamed to pursue the U.S. Army's Joint STARS Common Ground Station (COS) proeram. The CGS Is the latest system In the Army"s ground station evolution. Using secure data finks, the system Is In constant communication with the Joint STARS airborne platform and provides real-time survelllanc:e, ta,cettnc, reeonnal• aance Information, and lm-cery to battleflekl commanders. &i: A planned visit with my son and family in Georgia last December coincided with an invitation from T/Sgt Lee, 93rd Historian, to visit Robins Air Base and attend the Initial Operating Ceremony of the 93ACW My son and I were both given a tour of the airbase, by T/Sgt Lee, and attended the Ceremony. T/Sgt Lee was an exceptional host and introduced my son and I to many of the Officers and enlisted personnel. My A-2 flight Jacket with 8"' AAF, 93rd BG and 40/)11' Sq. patches drew marry comments and questions about WWIJ. We were also able to walk through this exceptional aircraft. This pressurized aircraft with all its advantages gave me the feeling that our generation may have been born some 50+ years too early.

r Joint STARS No other system exists. even as a prototype. that can begin to match the ground surveillance and battle management capabilities of the Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System - Joint STARS. The demonstrated performance of Joint STARS meets or exceeds the requirements of both the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Army. The shared situational awareness possible with Joint STARS allows air and ground commanders to achieve the powerful synergies that are essential for effective joint operations in peace and war. The unprecedented and unique surveillance and baule manage-ment capabilities possessed by the Joint STARS system are derived from the performance of the U.S. Air Force's E-8C aircraft - with its Radar. Operation!, & Control and Communications Subsystems - and the U.S. Army's Ground Station Modules. Operators at workstations on board the E-BC aircraft. Exploiting its open architecture design, the capability of the production E-8C aircraft has been dramatically improved since the Gulf War. The E-8C possesses eight more operator workstations for a total of 18 and the processing speed of these workstations is 200 times faster. \ Computer memory has grown from three to 60 gigabytes. Radar resolution is much better as is post-mission data exploitation.

4 The 0.24 Memorial Model for the Air Force Academy The work of building the B-24 model is on schedule. The wood model for the 467th Bomb Group (first used for the Academy Bronze molds) has been completed and will soon be delivered to the Mighty Eighth Air Force Heritage Museum at Savannah, GA for display. The design for both plaques for the bronze model have been completed and approved. The large plaque, 20"X 45" will have 17 organi7.ational and over 290 individual names. The print for this plaque will be no smaller than 18 point. We have exceeded our $150,000 pledge by a substantial amount. The 93rc1 played a major role in this, as we have 58 names on the plaque, more than any other group, and a total of 75 names in the Book of Remembrance. At least six of our members sponsored others for the plaque and our Association spoosored three. We as a group raised over $25,000 for this project. I shall always remember this and thank you for your support. It was a lot of work but worth doing; we will finaUy see our B-24 taking its place in the annals of history. 1 owe Dave Thompsoo a vote of thanks for all of the help he has given me on the B-24 Memorial Project. There is no way I could have done everything without his help. We have the BQok of Remembrance to complete in time for the dedication ceremonies. We are trying to make it something that one will want to keep and give to others. lt will have background material, a short history of the B-24 and the academy and a listing of all the names of those who cootributed. Sponsors of others will also be shown. The dedication ceremonies will be held at 10:00 AM on September 25 at the Air Force Academy. I suggest you arrive the day before. Bus transportation will be furnished from our hotels to the Academy on the day of the dedication. We are planning a luncheon at the Academy Officers Club and a dinner that night at the hotel. There are blocks of rooms reserved at several hotels, the principal being the Radisson, telephone 719-598-5770, Fax 719-598-3434. Ask for Holly Robb.ins and inform her you will be with the B-24 group. Expect room rates to be between $70.00 and $75.00. There wilJ be a registration sheet in the forthcoming Journal. soon to be published. I expect a large attendance. Al Asch Folded Wings John B. Hurd Edward L. Stephens Lee R. Stepp Milton R. Watters Adam J. Hastak Herbert M. Hape Dale E. McLaughlin Forest Lam Lester J. LitwiUwer Editors Comments Cal Stewart is recovering from open heart surgery and doing fine according to Peg. [t seems like old father time is catching up with us. News of interest to fill your newsletter is becoming harder and harder to find. Several members have said they would write and send an article of interest for the BOFQE. If you are one of those please do it now. ff your address label has no date on it (1/1/99) please send subscription dues. Please bring your photo albums, diaries and memorabilia to be put in the Hospitality suite at Oak Brook Hills for all to enjoy. Dear Mr. Alfred Asch, 22 Feb 1998 I am writing to you from France in the frame work of a research on the air war in central France. My project is-to install a commemorative stone marker to express our Recognition for the Sacrifice of the Allied Airmen for our Liberty. This marker will be placed near Blois at La Chaussee St. Victor. Blois is located between Tours and Orleans, on the river Loire, near the remains of a bridge that was destroyed by the 8th AF. I need your help for my research. You wrote to me on 23 August I 996 giving me the mail order coupon for the book of your Bomb Group. r am searching for informatioo in America and f ranee about a B-24 from the 93rd Bomb Group, 409th Bomb Sqdn. This bomber crashed near the French city of Vendome in France on 5 February 1944. Three aviators were captured by the Germans trying to escape. A French police officer organized another escape but from a denunciation six French resistance people died in Nazi death camps. Mr. Dujardin, one of the French chiefs of the local resistance is still living and I would appreciate corresponding with any survivors of this aircrew or members of their family: Albert Austin, Eugene Flint, Marioo Saffel, Daniel McCarthy, Alfred Maury, J. W. Choate, Hall Il

Pace, Woodrow R. Collins, Kenneth M. Sexton and Francis T. Pepin, would help me very much. Is there any comrade of this crew that would agree to relate the story of this mission? In 1974, Mr. Dujardin was invited to the USA bythe American organization, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and has many awards regarding his bravery. I am sending you two photo's taken by Mr. Dujardin, one of Captain Austin and one of three ainnen, McCarthy, Flint and Saffel hidden at Rahart, near Vendome. Please, would you be so kind to give us the authorization to publish an article about this event or try to help us obtain the information? I am a Second Air Force, 8th Air Force and 9th Air Force associate member. I am 34 years old and a professor of History and Geography in a College. Your reply would be much appreciated by the American Air Force enthusiast that I shall always be. Thanking you in anticipation. I Sincerely Yours, M. Philippe Canonne 2, rue Assolant 41 000 Blois France McCarthy, Flint, Saftle Captain Austin 5 Ed: These E-mail messages were taken from a B-24 message board web site and reproduced here as written If anyone can help these people and do not have World Wide Web online capability, let me know and l can have them contact you by phone or regular mail. I have been able to help a few o.f these people but I'm sure they would like to hear from others. What a site! I signed the guest book at the end of my first message with the wrong E-mail address my E-mail address is <Boone5440@aol.com>. J am seeking in.formation, photo's etc. about the 330 Squadron of the 93rd. My father Lloyd W. Boone was a B-24 pilot. I would be grateful for any infonnation/ pies/ etc. My Dad, Rupert C. Colcord was a B-24 pilot in WWII. He was with the 44th and later 93rd BG from their start in Fl. through North Africa and after Ploesti on 08/01/43. he later wentto B-29s in the Pacific. I would like to hear from anyone that might remember him. thanks. Great site. Chuck Colcord <colcord@net-magic.net> Fernandina Bch, FL USA My Great Uncle, Lt. George (Bud) Reuter was with the 93rd BG, and died in the first raid on Ploesti (Aug. I 43 "Operation Tidal Wave.") He flew with Col. Addison Baker's Traveling Circus and was the navigator on Baker's B-24 "Hell's Wench." I would like to get in contact with anyone who knew my Uncle, any of the crew on the aircraft in which he died, pictures ... anytbing. He was listed a MIA (later KIA). His body was never recovered, and that has been a source of great sorrow to my Grandmother (his sister) for all these years. They were close. I'm a former combat veteran who fought in Desert Storm, and I currently live in Germany. I plan a trip to Ploesti as soon as I've gathered enough info on that mission, obtain good maps, get the Travelling Circus last know course into Ploesti, and the area of the crash if possible. I would great appreciate any help that can be rendered. Thank you. Duncan W. Stewart <duncan.stewart@t-ooline.de> Germany-Thursday, March 19, 1998 at 02:20:46 <csn I was the librarian at the 2nd AD Memorial Library in Norwich for many years. [ am an American living in beautiful Norfolk. Any 8th AF veterans, relatives, friends coming to East Anglia:

6 I should be gJad to help you. I can send train schedules, suggest places to stay, put you in touch with station COQtacts. Phyllis DuBois <dubois@netmatters.co. uk> Norwich, UK, USA- Sunday, March 15, 1998 at 11 :38:28 (CST) This past Friday, we planted the main "specimen tree," a 40' red oak, in the Garden of Remembrance that we are building here in Seattle. The Garden is part of a new$] 10 mill Seattle Symphony Hall, and across Second Ave from the new Seattle Art Museum. Patsy, our leading benefactor, lost her fiancee, ILT Larry Norman, in WWII. Larry was the bombardier on "Satan's Angels," 328th BS, 93rd BG. The crew survived Ploesti, but was shot down on their 35th mission, returning from Onsnabruck on December 22, 1943. The Garden will have all the names ofWashington State wwn, Korea, and Vietnam casualties carved in granite, and small water falls and reflecting pools. Patsy placed her own WWII red cross dog tags and other personal memorabilia at the roots of the oak in the moving planting ceremony. If you served yourself, or lost a loved one, I would like to invite you to our main dedicatioo of the Garden on July 4th. Dave Barber <barberd@msn.com> Seattle, WA USA - Sunday, March 15, 1998 at 08:05:03 (CST) Just found your wonderful site. Have plowed through about half of it, and will finish soon as possible to see if any info from me would be helpful to anyone else. r was co-pilot on Ketchum crew, 329th Sq 93rd BG, from June '43 until shot down and captured on Solingen raid 1 Dec 1943. Anybody from Hardwick remember me? If any others from my crew are still around, would love to hear from you. Or, anyone from South Compound, Block 3 of Stalag Luft One? Thanks for this opportunity. Clint "Buck Gruber <cags@intemetcds.com> Beaverton 97006, OR USA My father Edward Klewin of Connecticut, now living in Florida at 7857 Siesta Cove, Milton, Florida 32583 is interested in having contact with men of the 93rd Bomb Group 328th Squadron, 2nd Air Division who flew out of Hardwick Airfield, England. He was a side gunner on a B-24 named "Willies Worry". I have seen many pictures that he has, and the flight record which incJudes two missioos over Nonnandy on D-Day. I met the pilot of his plane in 1972. His name was Willy Stahl of North Tonawanda, New York. If anyooe knows of the following please ccatact ff!e or my father, I know be would appreciate it. Thomas C Long-Alabama, Victor Pegg-Mi, Dave Couti(u)-11, Ken Alexander- Ca, Glen Holland, Buck Buchannan, Joe Carbone-Ny, Bermy Benevides. My father never talked much about the war, so I only know what I have seen in the scrape books. I understand him not saying much as I also don't talk to my own kids about my time in the Vietnam War. Douglas Klewin <dgk597@yahoo.com> Morrisville, Pa USA- Saturday, March 07, 1998 at 20: l 0: 13 (CSn Looking for information about the crew ofB-24D, LibertyLass(41-23732)from 9300,409 Sq. Shot down in France 16 April 43 (?). The father of ooe of my students helped a crew member (T/Sgt Forrest S. Hughes) and would like to contact him if possible. T/Sgt Hughes was in Stalag 178. lLt Frank Hodges (pilot) and I Lt Orval H. Mickelson (co-pilot) also survived and went to Stalag Luft 3. Any information you can e-mail, I will pass on to the student. Lynne Verastegui <elvi@txdirect.net> San Antonio, TX USA- Wednesday, February 18, 1998 at 19:31 :43 (CST) I was the navigator on Gordon W. Culham's crew in the 93rd BG, 409th BS, out of Hardwick, England, fromtheendofMaytomid-August 1944. We got our 30 missions in, more or less safely. Culham, and our co-pilot, Brent B. Caldwell, have since 'folded their wings'. I'm anxious to learn what became of the rest of the crew: Fred Liscoe, Bill Regan, George Shaw, Al Loo.zinski, Mike Treadwell, Larry Williams. If any of you are out there reading this, drop me a note. We've got memories to share, and not a helluva lot of time left to share them in. CARL R. GREENSTEIN <heleng@pacbell.net> Citrus Heights,, CA USA -I am trying to find any informatioo on my uncle, Tech Sgt. PAUL RNEST who flew in 330th Sqdm, 93rd BG - 8th AF. He was top gunner/flight engineer on a B-24. I have a picture of him sitting oo a bomb load with his crewmates in froot of a B-24 with nose art of an Andy Panda character running with a bomb (same pat.ch on jackets). He flew from Aug. '43 to at least April 1944. Any information on him, his plane or his squadron

7 would be treasured by myself and my son. George E. Hwiter, 902 North Hwitington Blvd., Pomona, CA 91768 (909) 623-1821 (H), (714) 470-7974) George E. Hunter <hugh65@ix.netcom.com> Pomona, CA USA -I'm looking for any info on the 453th BG and the 93rd BG. Specifically info on tail # 41-23738 ''Wham Bam". l'ma crew chief on B-52's and I am trying to bring the nose art back on my plane. Any crew members, crew chiefs or others that have any war stories or other significant events, names, dates, ANYTHING! Please contact me ASAP. John F Freund <balls37@bellsouth.net> LA USA-My father was a ball turret gunner in both the 392nd and 93rd BGs. His order to report for induction is dated 9/24/42. Carol in Oregon Carol Erbe <erbec@concentric.net> Springfield, OOR USA-My wicle's name was Jim Crumley. He was killed 8/1/43 in the first low-level Ploesti raid. The name of his aircraft was the "Joisee Bounce". My understanding is that a portion of the crew survived and was interned. Any information would be appreciated. Jim Crumley <jcrwnley@prodigy.net> Johnson City , TN USA -Great page. My wife's father, Capt William J. Williams Il was pilot of a Liberator that crashed on the return to England from a Bay of Biscay antisubmarine patrol in October 1942. He was in the 330th Bomb Squadron, 93rd Bomb Group. Does anyone recall him or have any information on him? He is said to have been awarded an Air Medal in June 1942 for attacking a U-boat off Fort Myers, FL. Does anyone have information related to that? We had a great experience earlier this week. We actually were able to tour the "All American", last flying Lib when it visited Cwnberland, MD! They look big, but are really snug aircraft. Real war birds! This site is well organized and satisfies a need to exchange information. I look forward to many future visits. Marty Schaller <martin.n.scballer@cpmx.saic.com> Burke, VA USA - Wednesday, October 22, 1997 at 12:25:54 (CDT) Dear Cal, I enjoy reading the BOFQE and think you are doing a great job. I have enclosed a copy of a Jetter I sent to J.B. Weiss thinking it might interest you. I have been in contact with all my crew except Forrester who died and Julius Rosenfeld, whom we have been unable to locate. I would also like to hear from the three fellows who were caught at the border S/Sgt James R. Stanley, S/Sgt Peter Boruta and Sgt Joseph A. D'Atri. Leask Hermann 1090 I Roundup Dr. Dewey, AZ 86327-5412 Dear Mr. Weiss, In response to your request for information on the crew of Big Noise, I have enclosed two pages from the book Haven, Heaven, and Hell by Roy J. Thomas. I was waist gunner on the crew of Secar Harris from the 3301n Sqdn of the 93rd Group and we were on the raid oo Friedrichshafeo oo March 16, 1944. We bailed out and eight of the crew came down in Gennany and were POW's. The navigator J. Rosenfeld and I landed in Switzerland and were interned. I became acquainted with the crew of Lt. Pettit even though I hadn't known them before because we had been in the group only a short time. This was my sixth missiai. I lost track of the officers because the Swiss moved them to another camp. However, the last day of November of that year, Sgts Boruta, Stanley, and D'Atri joined the party ofnoo-coms I was escaping with. Most ofus got into France and thm back to England but those three were caught at the border by the Swiss border patrol and I don't know what happened to them. I hope this answers some of your questions. Leask Hennann Dear Cal, I recently heard from my buddy, Gene Hoffman, about the passing of Forrest Lam of the 93rd BG, 409th Squadron. Forrest was a member of Joe Dignam's crew and later flew with us oo Bill Engel's crew. He was belatedly awarded the DFC on 25 August 1995 at Travis AFB. Forrest died suddenly, shortly after Christmas. In fact he sent me a note dated 12n2/97, with his Christmas card and a photo of him at the Retreat Ceremony at Travis AFB. Forrest and I trained together at Ellington Field, San Marcos and Casper, Wyoming. Our crews, Engel's and Dignam's, made the North Atlantic crossing from Topeka, Maine, Goose Bay,

8 Meeks, Iceland and Stone, Wales at the same time, arriving at Stone on 3 July 1944. We were held over in sunny Iceland for several days waiting for favorable weather. Subsequently we all reported to the 93rd on 30 July 1944, and flew our 30 missions, many as lead crews. Time keeps marching on, and our numbers are diminishing. 1 note with sadness that another good friend, Paul Steichen has also folded wings. We were also in training together at San Marcos, Class 44-5, and served with the 93rd about the same ttme. J was there 30 July 1944 to 17 April 1945 and Paul served September 1944 to April 1945 at Hardwick. Paul will always be fondly remembered for his creation of the Ball of Fire Quarterly Express, which is undoubtedly the greatest newsletter of its kind. May Forrest Lam and Paul Steichen rest with the knowledge that they both made significant contributions to the legacy of the 93rd, and we all thank them. Charles F. Lotsch 46 Skyline Drive Audubon, PA l 9403-2062 Forest Lam at retreat Ceremony Travis AFB Dear Cal, Frank Guyidik's story about the Heobam tragedy with a photo of the tombstone, urged me to pass on a story of one of the survivors, Sgt. James Scanlon. Jim was riding the severed tail down. He bailed out over the ocean, swam in and got a ride back to Hardwick. With onJy 4 missions at the time, he flew with 18 other crews in order to complete his tour. Dauntless .Jim is how I think of him. This is his story. Immediately after the waist and tail sections were severed from B24H, number 42-11-110033 over Henham, England, March 29, 1944, I experienced a condition of complete chaos. It was as if I were a slice of carrot being stirred by the chef in a giant beef stew Then a few seconds later there was reasonable calm and I could see the blue sky directly above me. Al Blood noticed it too. Watson was shuffling around apparently searching for his chest pack. Without further hesitation I started climbing up the ribs of the airplane which now served as steps. As I reached the open space and was ready to let myself out into space I noticed a hand by my left foot, Al Blood was following. Watson was still stirring around looking for something. I lurched out into space, pulled the ripcord on my back pack and left my companions. Minutes later I landed in the sea, loosened my parachute harness and swan for shore. [ was taken back to 328 BS of the 93rd Bomb Group intact with 4 missions completed and believe me ONE LUCKY AIRMAN. By flying with 18 different crews in the 4 squadrons of the 93rd [ finally completed my tour of 35 missions. Jim Scanlon contacted me from his home in Cape Cod, Mass. to find out if I'd heard from Al Blood Cal, I hope you can find space to publish Jim's story. Joseph Troisi 8 Johnson Rd. Somerset, NJ 08873-2930 Dear Cal Here's another story about the kind of person Gen. Timberlake was. By the time we were transferred to the 93 rd for G-H lead crew training, he was no longer with the 93rd. I was going into Norwich on foot and hitch-hiking my way t!tere and passed some fruit trees hanging over the fence so I helped myself to some fruit. I was standing on the side of the road with the fruit in one hand and the thumb on the other extended for a ride from the approaching car. When I saw it was a military vehicle with a star on the license I knew I was in for a good chewing out for hitch-hiking, as you have guessed it was the General who picked me up and took me into Norwich. Instead of a chewing out, he asked how things were going for 'me combat wise and about life in the ETO in general. From my brief encounter with him, I can understand why those who knew him better admire him as they do. George McLean P.O. Box 73675 Metairie, LA 70033-3675 Dear Sir, I have been given your address by George Reynolds author of the 458th Bomb Group History with regard to information on the 93rd Bomb

r Group. I am interested in the 8th Air Force and collect Unit Hi~ories, personal narratives and uniform insignia etc. I have a special interest in the 93rd and have recently started collecting leather Group insignias of all Bomber and Fighter Groups. I am interested in finding out the origin and significance of the 93rd's Group insignia. I know some 8th Groups insignias were designed by the C.O. of that particular Group and in some cases personnel designed squadron insignia etc. Do you know if this was the case for the 93rd? I have also noticed that the 330th Squadron insignia on the Hardwick Memorial is different to what I have tn several books. The insignia on the Memorial is of a fork-tailed devil riding a bomb whereas in my books it is a flying whale with a lightning bolt emitting from a cloud. I know the Group flew anti-sub patrols over the Gulf of Mexico in 1942 and wondered if this whale design bad any connection with that? Did some of the squadrons have official and un-official insignia? I would be most grateful if you could help me with this quest. Would it be possible for me to place an ad in the 93rd Newsletter? I would like to know if anyone has photos of 93rd aircraft, especially the first assembly ship Ball of Fire which I may be able to get a copy of, and if anyone would like to write to me as regards their service with the 93rd, I would be only too pleased to hear from them. I look forward to bearing from you and thank you very much for your help in this matter. Dear Cal, David M. Turner U.S. 8th AAF Historian 16 Bramley Way, Blossom Hill Bewdley, Worcestershire DY12 2PU England In response to your inquiry in the Spring 98 issue of the BOFQE, 1 still have my short snorter dated 9/13/43. For some reason I had attached some foreign money to it and have a few signatures on the added bills. There is a ten shiUing note, ten krona note, ten Franc from France, five Franc Banque De L' Afrique OccidentaJe, one Mark DeutschJaod and a five cent military payment certificate. The original dollar has signatures from our crew, McKamy, and Cooedera's crew in our hut. A few names of guys I can't remember and a coupJe you know, Paul Harwood and Bill Orient. Some of the other signatures are probably from Paul and Bill's crew. Dear Cal, Carmen Fox 5751 W. Smiley Rd. Shelby, OH 44875 9 It is with some interest I read your piece in the last issue of the BOFQE about the short snorter bill. I'm sending you a copy of mine, which for some reason survived the war. I was radio-op on Joe Tates crew and Al Asch was co-pilot. On our flight from Gander to Prestwick 9/9/42 the RAF men who had flown the Atlantic non-stop had this club called short snorter. You had to get two men who had flown across before you to sign your new membership bill, at a cost of two drinks. I had two RAF men at Prestwick sign mine for the traditional two drinks. This bill came from a crap game at Gander's NCO club, so it is a Canadian bill. The reason the biU is in such sad shape is because it became sort of a good luck charm for me. I concealed it even when I was shot down 4/16/43. So it has a lot of wear and tear on it. Most of the men's names are from the 328th, some from RAF and prison. Maybe with some cleaning you could get a list of them. Dear Cal, Ha.rold Secor· P.O. Box 248 Savannah, NY 13 146 My name is Vicky Muse and for the past three years I have been doing extensive research on my grandfathers career during WWII. His name is Robert W. Depke and he served in the 33()1h BS, 93rd BG at Hardwick. He was a pilot of B-24D, Dotty Boid #124104, which he crash landed on returning from a mission over Bremen on Dec. 20, 1943 with two engines shot out. He flew with the 93rd from Oct. 1943 to Mar. 1944. I believe he also hunted U-boats in the Atlantic some time before October 1943. I was wondering if you could send me any infonnatioo you might have on how to contact members of the 93rd, still living, who might remember my grandrnther. This project is very important to me, as is the whole field of aviation, and any infonnation you might have would be extremely appreciated Vicky Muse 20509 Entradero Ave. Torrance, CA 90503

Dear Mr Asch, Rest Homes/Flack Douses I wonder if you could assist me through the medium of your Journal in my research regarding the above. Little is known of these Rest Homes and the Red Cross girls who staffed them, other than that they existed. My interest in this is because I am writing a series of articles on each Rest Home that the 2nd Air Division used over the period 194 3-194 5. Any information received will also be useful to the Memoerial Library in Norwich for their records. I particularly require wartime photographs of these Rest Homes, all photographs will be copied and returned, plus any comments from personnel who stayed at this type of accomodation. Questions such as: What did you do during your R&R, what towns did you visit, the names of any Pubs you regularly visited or any stories regarding local English people you may have met? Anything along this line would make interesting reading. These Rest Homes were run mainly by Red Cross girls, who did a great job, and I feel they should be acknowledged. Please send any infonnations and photographs to: Mr. Keith Thomas Dear Members, Cannells Farm, Bow Street Great Ellingham, Attleborough Norfolk, NR 17 1J A, England My grandfather, Melvin Morrisoo was a gunner in the 328th BS 93rd BG. I am trying to collect as many aircraft and nose art photos as I can find. My goal is to find a photo of the approximately 400 B-24's that flew with the 93rd. If any members have any photos that would have 93 rd aircraft in them l would very much like to see them. If original photos are sent, I will make a negative and a print, then return the original promptly. To help correlate the nose art and serial # any personal notes or diary entries are greatly beneficial. Diaries and personal notes can be a Xerox. For instance: your diary states that you flew on "Naughty Nan" on 4/24/44 but does not show a serial#. l then Jook at the mission loading list for your name on 4/24/44 and then I have a serial#. There are several nose art pictures where the aircraft # is unknown. I hope to identify them. No bit of information is to small to help piece history back together. At the present time, l have over 100 aircraft and nose art photos. lfyou are looking for a photo of your plane please call or write me. The reason I am collecting them is for the members of the 93rd and future generations. I am also looking for photos of the airbase (aerial, housing area and technical sites). I have 2 high altitude shots and about 40 low altitude. Of course, I will reimburse any copying and shipping cost. Just let me know how much. Please help me preserve the history of the 93rd Bomb Group. Don Morrison Dear Cal, 1375 W. Comet Rd Clinton, OH 44216 There were some interesting developments in connection with the death ofBub Womble. A copy of the note Mrs. Womble sent me is enclosed: Mr. Bird, 'Thank you so very much for the gift you gave to the Baptist Church in memory of Bub on behalf of the 93rd BG. We truly appreciate your thoughtfulness. 'The day before Bub 's death we received a phone call from a man in Seattle. He asked if we had a picture, on the ground, of Bub 's crashed plane. He knew of someone who did and said he would have him send us one. It arrived to late for Bub to see it. but he was pleased to know there was one. If you are interested I will send you a copy with a few more details. Nada Womble I figured the picture she mentiooed would be the same as the one in the Dugan-Stewart book but I asked for a copy anyway. They are different and close up as you can read the name Honky Tonk Gal and the serial number 240285. These could be pictures only a few 93rd people have seen and may be of interest to others. Luther Bird Taken by a Romanian soldier after the crash and was given to Benedict Yedlin a few years ago. He was a member of the crew of Buzzer and has visited Romania a couple of times in recent years

r r WWD Hero receives Right medal at 77 After S5 years Al Lee has his medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross, that fonnally recognizes his heroism m World War Il Whale tame erased his bitterness over not receiving the medal and even made hun reluctant to talk about the war, the honor now brings tears to his eyes ·'J cry hke a baby when I talk about rt.," he said dunng an mterview at his northwest-side home last week. "It is part of you. It is the greatest thing that ever happened to me in my life. I take a great deal of pnde 10 what I did. I love my country." Former Army Air Forces T/Sgt A1 L. Lee completed 27 bombing missions to earn the medal. Fliers became eligible for the honor after complettng 25 rrussaons The DFC 1s awarded for heroism or extraordmary achievement in flight Lee, who was a flight engineer and gunner on B-24 Liberators, learned he had earned the Cross in 1943, but he only received it two weeks ago dunng an emotional ceremony at his daughter's Oro Valley home. His old squadron commander, K 0. Dessert, came to Tucson from Alabama to present the medal. The medal now decorates Lee· s living room along with other WWI I memorabilia, including an artist's rendrt.1011 of bombers flying through antt-a1rcraft fire and German Luftwaffe fighter attacks The DFC is ma glass-topped case next to an Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters and other 1 I medals and service ribbons. Lee's old leather flight jacket bangs in another protective case. Written on the back of the Jacket is "Ted's Travelling Circus," a reference to Col. Ted Tunberlake's 93rd bomb group and I,;berty Lad the name of a B-24 m which Lee fired SO caliber machine guns at enemy fighters. The Jacket also has drawmgs of27 bombs representmg the number of missions that he ~ew from Hardwick to targets 10 France, N. Africa, Germany, the Middle East and other areas. ln each case, Lee said, "I never expected to survive The worst feeling m the world was to see all those empty cots when you got back. If I was a betting man I would have bet that I wouldn't have made , rt " Lee who enltsted m the Army Atr Corps after ' graduating from Little Rock High School m Arkansas, remembers each of his 27 missions vtvtdly and has them recorded in a log he kept lt 1s part of a thick notebook of yellowed newspaper clippings, WWII photos, letters and other correspondecce His first mission on Oct. 9, 1942 was Lalle, France. But the 4-bour, 45-minute flight was a bust. Because of cloud cover, the bombardier couldn't see the industrial target and the B-24 returned home Lee, a tail gwiner, said hts worst expenence was oo lus last m1ss1on March 22, 1943 Dawn was breaking as 18 Liberators took off and headed for targets in Wtlhemshaven, Germany Lee fired a test round from his machine guns, the only burst be would fire that day as German fighters swarmed around them with guns blazing. "They hit our electrical system and I couldn't fire my guns anymore I cranked them around manually to make the fighters thmk I could still fire, but I couldn't fool them," he said. They dropped there bombs and returned to base where the ground crew counted over 300 bullet holes m the plane More than I 00 fighters chased the bombers back to England. Several planes didn't make it back Lee, who was never wounded, also discovered that the seat of his heavily insulated flying suit had been shot out, the resuh of a sheU exploding below his turret. After bis stint m England he returned to the states and became a mthtary mstructor before being discharged in 194S. He doesn't know why 1t took so long for the military to award him the medal. "My squadron commander told me I fell m a crack that I never got out of," Lee satd. Ed: From the Arizona Daily Star by Edward Cook Photo by Sergey Shayevich

Nancy Lee: Named after Norman Roggenkamp's daughter 42-100329 [Tk, afali ff'!?Tve, ~ ~, 93rd BOMBARDMENT GROUP Calvin Davidson. Editor -18973 Plate Rd. Oberlin, OH -14074 Phone 440-775-/787 Fax -140-77-1-2338 E-mail ' k8qgdii>pol. com BOFQE SUBSCRIPTION FORM Name: ____________ _ Address:. ___________ _ BOFQE Subscription ~• #IS. ()0 per onnwn $ __ _ Annual 93rd Mem~rship 1{f, $5.(l(l $ Donation $ __ Tow! $ Please make checks payahle to 93rd Bomb. Group Send cliecks to: Calvin Davidson 48973 Plate Rd. Oberlin_ OH 44074-% 19 FIRST CLASS MAIL

BALL OF FIRE QUARTERLY EXPRESS Newsletter of the 93rd Bombardment Group 2nd Air Division, 8th Air Force, Hardwick, England Vol. 6, No. 3 Bomerang Story by Kent Jaquith On, July 23rd, 1942, B-24 D-1 serial number 41-23722 was received by the Anny Air Force. Built by Consolidated Air Craft at their San Diego California plant, under order #W-535-AC-4DA at a cost of $289,276.00, this B-24 was to become one famous Liberator. Assigned to the 8th Air Force, 93rd Bomb Group, 328th Bomb Squadron, this B-24 was given the name Bomerang, and was distinguished by being the first 8th Air Force B-24 to complete 50 missions. Bomerang was given its name by its original crew when they picked it up at Greiner Field, New Hampshire. The name was painted on at that time by a woman sign painter, who accidently misspelled Boomerang. Bomerang's original crew were: Lt John E. Stewart, Pilot; Lt. George W. Bailey, Co-Pilot; Lt. Gerald F. Cunningham, Navigator; Lt. Benjamin B. Close, Bombardier; T/Sgt. Herbert M. Hape, Radio operator; T/Sgt. Herbert Daly, Engineer-Gunner; S/Sgt. Robert. D. Scott, Waist Gunner; S/Sgt Joe M. Cuellar, Gunner; S/Sgt. Maurice P. Cotter, Waist Gunner; and S/Sgt. Homer O.Sheetz, Tail Gunner. In the early evening of September 9th I 942, Bomerang, along with 35 other 93rd BG Liberators took off from Gander, New Foundland, headed for Prestwick, Scotland. This was the first transatlantic fonnation flight in history. The next day the group ended up at Alconbury England, the first base for the 93rd On October 9th, 1942 Bomerang flew its first combat mission to the Cie de Fives-Lille Steel Works in France. The 93rd contributed 24 aircraft for their first mission, but less than half were able Fall, 1998 to bomb. This was nearly Bomerang's last mission, as it led the last element in the group, and got shot up rather badly. This is what George Bailey said about it. "Bomerang returned with heavy flak, cannon and machine gun damage. No. 2 engine was shot out by a Nazi cannon shell, and No. 3 engine was damaged by flak. The electrical and hydraulic systems were shot out, and the crew had to hand crank the wheels down and pump down the flaps. Abbott, Cotter and Hape were hit, but not seriously." Air Force officials ruled that it should be junked, but Sgt. Charles Chambers, Bomerang's crew chief fought desperately to have it saved. He won his argument, and he and his crew had Bomerang ready for its second mission within six days. They even had to rivet a piece of boiler plate over a hole in the wing. S\Sgt. Charles Chambers was Bomerang's first crew chief, who was succeeded by M/Sgt George Ewald, when Chambers became flight chief. October 21st found Bomerang on its 2nd mission to the submarine pens at Lorient, France. It turned back over the channel when the left gun in the tail turret failed to fire. The remainder of the group turned back due to bad weather over the target. Bomerang missed the raid to Brest France due to radio trouble but made the mission to St. Nazaire on Nov. 9th. Due to gun trouble again, Bomerang was forced back on Nov. 14th, and due to cloud cover the rest of the group went on to the secondary target, St. Nazaire. Bomerang flew two more missions, Nov. 22nd, to Lorient, but the group aborted due to a 10/10 overcast over the target, and Nov. 23rd to St Nazaire, where it returned with 15 flak holes. On December 7th, 1942, Bomerang took off at 8:30 AM and headed to Africa, flying south off

2 the French Coast, down to Portugal, turning inland across Spain, crossing the Mediterranean and making landfall in Spanish Morocco. While at a point about opposite Brest, about three JU-88's started playing around, but none cf them made a serious attack with only the tail gunner, Sheetz, getting off a few shots at one of them. The group flew along the coast of Africa to Oran and landed at Tafaroui, their new base. On December 13th and 14th. Bomerang raided Biz:erte Africa, with minimal flak and enemy fighters on the 13th, but with about fifteen enemy fighters on the 14th. Major Addison Baker flew as co-pilot on the 14th. At 2:30 AM on December 171\ Bomerang and the cxher 93rd planes took off from Tamroui and flew out into the Mediterranean Sea to the island of Malta. They turned southeast and flew over the Libyan coast just west of Tacra. Then they headed across Lybia about 30 miles southeast of Tobruck to Gambut, their new field. George Bailey described the trip across Lybia as very interesting, "with thousands of men and trucks cramming the roads, the desert full of abandoned tan.ks, ruined airplanes and other equipment." He then describes their new facilities. "Our field here is nothing more than a smooth place scratched in the desert. There is absolutely nothing here, not one building. Everything and everyone is in tents. This is the most barren desolate country I have ever seen. It is as flat as a table top as far as the eye can see in every directioo." On December 18th at 4:00 AM Bomerang took off from Gambut and flew about 300 miles east to Fayid, about 18 miles from Suez. lt was there for two days to have a bomb bay tank installed. so it could go on long raids. Fayid was a wonderful field, with a beautiful officers club, bar and mess hall, with verynice barracks. On Sllllday, December 20th Bomerang flew back to Gambut and the following day went on a raid to Sousse. The mission was uneventful due to 10/ 10 overcast, and most of the planes came back with their bombs. On December 22nd Stewart and the crew took Bomerang on a mission to Tunis. Bailey didn't go, as he had been sick for the last couple of days, and spent the day hiking in the desert looking for German souvenirs. December 27th was Bailey's birthday and be was returned to flying status. He and the crew flew Bomerang on it's Longest mission, ten and a half hours to Sousse. It was a good raid with good weather' and the 12 planes unloaded 60,000 lbs. of bombs on the harbor, resulting in the sinking of several ships and destroying some of the phosphate sheds near the docks. On the last day of 1942 the crew took Bomerang on its 12th mission. Benny Klose, the bombardier, celebrated his birthday by dropping 5,000 pounds of bombs on Sfax from 16,500 ft. in clear weather. There were no fighters, but there was flak, and Bomerang received some holes. The planned January 2nd mission to Tunis was called off due to a severe dust and sand stonn. 30 MPH winds blew dust and sand into everything, visibility was only a few yards. The wind finally blew down the officers mess tent, resulting in Bailey and company having some C rations wanned over a little kerosene tent stove. On January 3rd, just before taking off to Tunis, the mission was scrubbed due to bad weather over the target. The following day resulted in another sand storm. January 5th found Bomerang on a mission to Tunis, but heavy cloud cover resulted in a trip down the coast to Sousse, the secondary target. There were no fighters, but again the plane received some flak damage resulting in cracking the glass just above pilot John Stewarts head. On Thursday, January 7th, the next operational mission for the 93rd was to Palermo, Sicily where they sent up 12 planes along with 24 planes from the 98th and the Halpro group. The 93rd was to meet up with the 24 other planes, but somewhere along the route, the 24 turned back due to poor weather and the 93rd, not knowing, continued with the mission, now with only I 0 planes, as 2 others turned back. Bornerang and the other nine crossed the Toe of Italy, feinted north towards Naples then west and south towards Palermo. It was solid overcast most of the way in but there was a break in the clouds over the target, situated in such a manner that the bomb run was made directly into the sun, making it difficult to see and hold a good formation. Consequently the bombing wasn't as accurate as it could have been and observation of the bombing was obscured by cloud cover. There were no fighters over the target, and flak was light. Flying along the north shore of Sicily towards Italy, the 93rd turned out over the Mediterranean and at that point received some flak which was low and inaccurate. One fighter plane appeared at that point, paralleling the group and then turned into them. Several B-24s cut loose at it and the fighter headed out of range. To be continued

B-24 BRONZE MEMORIAL FOR THE AIR FORCE ACADEMY The planning for the dedication ceremonies for September 25, 1998 are on schedule. We have over 200 registered to attend and expect more to come in. The Book of Remembrance will be 88 pages and I have reviewed the final proofs for its publication The book covers a background of the B-24 model project, a brief history of the Air Force Academy with a few pictures, and over 30 pages with a generous use of pictures to tell the history of the B-24 from the time it first flew on 29 December 1939 until they were sold for scrap follOW1Dg World War II in 1945. There were 19 257 built , , more than any other US aircraft. It flew combat in all theaters, not only by the US Army Air Forces but by the US Navy, Royal Air Force, Royal Canadian Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force and Other Allies. Names of aU honorees and sponsors are shown on one consoltdated listing in a chapter of the book. We have collected $207,000 against a target of $150,000. There are 633 names that are listed as hoooree, including several crews and names of airplanes. Many of the honorees sponsored themselves, but we bad a great number of people who spoosored others. This included wives, family members, close associations during the war and several bomb groups spoosored a number of people. There are 43 organizations that participated. Toe 93rd indeed made a good showing with l 00 names and was seoond highest of aU the groups m the amount of funds contributed. Sixty one of our names appear on the large plaque affixed to the base of the B-24 model. Two are shown as having received the Medal of Honor and 26 who flew on the Ploesti raid on I August 1943. Thanks, fellows, it made my job a lot easier! ( hope to see many of you at the dedication ceremonies at the Air Force Academy on 24 and 25 September. ERECTING A 93RD MEMORIAL AT THE sm AIR FORCE HERITAGE MUSEUM. This project has been approved by the 93rd members for some time now but we have been slow in getting it started. I have discussed this with Cal Davidson and your President, Fred Strombom Their addresses and telephone numbers are on the last page of this BOFQE. Fred bas been asked to puU things together Cll this one so send your views 3 to him, including the amount we want to spend, design. timing, etc. I wiU do background work such as making interface with the Museum and work oo program activities. Let's either get this started now or abandon the idea. Some of us are getting up in years. THE SAC MUSEUM Ray Rhoades sent me a letter resulting from his visit with his wife, Mary, to the new SAC museum at Offit Air Force Base Omaha , ' Nebraska. They have a fine building and the making of an interesting museum. Ray tells me they have a B-17 being restored for display but nothing on the B-24. This has the makings of a rather important museum and something about the B-24 should be included. You will recall that we built up a display case for the 93rd Bomb Group which is oo display at the 8th Air Force Museum. With everyone's help, we could do something like that for the SAC museum. Let me bear from you with your views, whether you have items for display and sl\ouJd we spend the money. The display at the 8th cost over $3,000. My address and telephone number are shown on the cover page. Thank you Ray for bringing this to our attentioo Al Asch Folded Wings Norris J. Wilson Anthony J. Salerno Richard Glauber . WiUiam B. Gregg Editor's Column Dean Polymeros is still looking for any ground support people who served in the 330th BS. I will miss the periodic visits from Dick Glauner. ( attended his funeral and met his f..uni.ly, three who are in the military, one grandson a C-130 pilot. Henry Nykamp donated $50.00 that he won in our golf tournament at Oak Brook Hills to our 93"' treasury. Many of our members now have E-mail addresses and I wouJd like to compile and insert a list of these in our newsletter, so please advise me if you do have E-mail. We are working on a Web Site for the 93rd Bombardment Group with full mformation about the group, including pictures, and hope to have it up and running sooo.

4 1948 1998 The 50th 2ADA reunion at Oak Brook Hills was well attended by the 93rd BG members. We had 86 people present including 19 from the Paul Meyers family. The following pictures are representative of the great time had by all. Janet and Paul Meyers with a model B-24J presented to him by his family. Dick Trousdale is In the background talking to two of Paul's family. The 17 members of the Meyer'sfamily. George Shaw on left and Lawrence A. Williams Crew members Shaw, Tail Gunner, andWilliams, Bombardier, were unexpectedly reunited for the first time in 54 years at Oak Brook Hills when Shaw sat down at the same table with Williams and recognition occurred as names were exchanged. They served from April to September 1944 in the 409th Sq. Dear Cal, In reference to the photo you sent me, pictured above, the names are as follows from left to right: Hearol Veteto, Bombardier; Art DeCoster, Waist gunner; Bill Ferraro, Radio operator;, John Cadle, Jr., Pilot. My wife, Maxine, and I have just returned from a tour of Europe as well as Russia. Our tour was routed from Amsterdam through Hamburg, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Helsinki, Russia, Poland, Gennany and on back home. In February of 1997, 1 noted a letter to the editor in the Ball of Fire from Michael Mucha of Poman, Poland requesting information about the crew of a 93rd BG B-24 which crashed due to battle damage in a raid to Berlin on 26 February 1945. Ours was the (ll)y plane lost from the 93rd OD that raid, so I wrote to Mike and we have corresponded some over the years. He must have corresponded with Paul Steichen and may have with Eric Ericson, navigator on our crew. Early on he sent me an article from a local Poman newspaper about "Americans at Poman". It was written in Polish, of course. but in the article there was a picture of two of our crew members, Chuck Youree, Tail gunner and Radio operator, Bill Ferraro walking down the street as if they did not have a care in the world. He is a member of an interest group known in Poland as "NUN' which searches out, locates, and gathers artifacts of downed WWII aircraft. I knew that we would pass through and stop in Poznan for a short time, but was at loss OD how to contact Mike for a meeting. Our tour director suggested writing Mike from Copenhagen, giving our Warsaw hotel name and when and where we would pass through Poznan.

Upon arrival in Warsaw, I had a Fax from him telling me he would meet us at Stary Rynek where we were to stop in Poman. I still didn't know what "Stary Rynek" was, but it turned out to be a reasonable sized plaza right in the middle of Poznan. We made perfect camections and met just as the billy goats on the town clock tower were butting heads for high noon. He took Maxine and me to a quiet coffee shop where he produced the picture of Chuck and BilJ and said, "Right here is where the picture was taken." And there it was! Just rubble, but recognizable a.s the place where we were now standing. I am enclosing a copy of the article (looks like Chuck and Bill are chasing those girls, but maybe not). We spent two memorable hours talking. CaJ, I live ooly about a I 00 miles from Austin and one of our boys is just a few miles from there. When you start planning for '99, if I can do some leg work for you, let me know. By the way, thanks for the picture and I will see that the three others have a copy as well. Dear Cal, Hearol Veteto 412 Chaparral Pleasanton, TX 78064 The names and crew position in our picture, above, are as follows, from L/R: Sam Harris, Bomb; Jack McGowan, Nav; Gerry Nefcy, Co-P with trophy, Elmer Vangsness, Pilot. ( Notice the B-24 ice sculpture in center of picture) The history behind our crew retlllion traveling trophy started in the early 1980's. I sent Seasons Greetings to gwmer Sgt Bill Skinner and included the home towns of all of our crew, Bill at the time was a consultant at the Lackland AF Base. By January 1983 he had contacted all but one of our crew. In August of 1983 co-pilot Nefcy invited us for a reunion in Bloomfield, MI. Seven members 5 and five wives attended, with most not having seen each other for 38 years. Since then eleven reunions have been held with four to seven participating plus WJves. Nefcy assembled the traveling trophy which resides with the host of the last reunioo and is presently with Sam Harris from Arlington Heights, IL. The four officers have hosted seven reunions and the enlisted men four with navigator McGowan planning the next ooe for the spring of 1999 at the Savannah 8th AF Museum. The four officers, radio operator James Dunn and gunner Skinner remain having lost George Hasty, Walter Smelt, Joe Pranis and Gerald Heade, all folded wings. The perils of combat has forged a lifelong bond of appreciation for survival magnified through these reunions. Elmer Vangsness 1014 N 10th St. Fargo, ND 58102 Dear Cal, Elmer Vangsness sent me a copy of his notes to yott about his crew's reunion meetings. He said you might like to add a P. S. about the traveling trophy's origin. When Gerry Nefcy, co-pilot retired from Ford Motor Company Truck Engineering in 1984 his associates wanted to give him a going-away gift. They could probably have given him a truck shaped trophy, however ooe of his frimds went into the Ford archives and procured a newspaper clipping of the B -24 bomber. This bomber was build by Ford at its Willow Run plant during WW Il. They annealed the picture onto a metal plate and mounted it as a beautiful trophy. Gerry had hosted the first crew reunion in 1983. When he went to Fargo N D in 1985 for the second gathering, he decided that the crew should share the trophy. He replaced the plaque with crew identificatioo. Each subsequent year the host kept the trophy at his home in the host city and had that date, year and place engraved oo the base. Standing on a coffee table it inspires a lot of conversation and encourages well-earned pride. Elmer probably plans to dcnate it somewhere in the near future. I hope so. We certainly enjoyed the Chicago Conventioo and are looking forward to visiting the Savannah museum next spring. Thank you for all your work through the years. Mrs. Girard Nefcy 5030 Brookdale Rd. Bloomfieild Hills, MI 48304

6 Dear Cal, Help!! Some while ago I appealed via the BOFQE for contact with any H/F D/F ex-Hardwick wireless operators and somebody kindly put a Robert E. Hempy of Minnesota in touch with me. We have corresponded a couple of times with much useful exchange of memories and photographs but I have lost his address and he failed to put it on bis last letter to me. May I make a fresh appeal and while I'm at it ask once again if anybody has news of a Bill Jackson of Greenwich Village who shared watches with me in the radio cabin at Hardwick? Many thanks. K. J. Smith Dear Cal, 132 Furniss Ave., Dore, Sheffield England, S 17 3QP I was an original member of the 330th squadron from 3/1/42 until Aug. 1945. After reading the latest issue of the BOFQE I thought the following would be interesting. In reference to the letter from Vicky Muse regarding Doity Boid, she is correct. That plane crashed on 12/20/43 after a mission to Bremen. I have some snapshots of Doity Boid, one of our original B-24D's, taken at Alconbury and Babe Emmons was the pilot then. In reference to the query about Wham Bam, another original 330th B-24D, Charlie Ballard was crew chief of this great plane. I have a number of pictures of this plane. It was sent to the 453n1 BG for use as an assembly plane and I believe renamed You Can't Miss It. Gen. Andy Low attends our local 8th Air Force Chapter. He and Jimmy Stewart flew her as an assembly plane. Andy had Wham Bam put on his B-36. It's a small world as Andy's Group C.O. was Gen Ramsay Potts who was my 1st 330th Sq. C.O. I talk to Ramsay a few times a year on the phone. He is recovering from an Achilles tendon injury. Finally in reference to the article from George McLean on Gen. Timberlake. I have a number of great letters from the Gen. which I treasure. We often talked by phone about our home life, golf: gardening, which he hated and the war years. I was so glad to have had the chance to visit with him about a year before he passed away. I loved his stories about Gen. LeMay. Gen. Timberlake became a Brig. Gen. one mooth before LeMay and he was really P. 0. LeMay railroaded Timberlake out of Washington and sent him to Europe. Yes, Gen. Timberlake was a great and wonderful individual. He was a very understanding man and thought the world of his boys. He said, "a great group of men, there were none better." I guess I've rambled on long enough, so will close and thank you for the great work you' r doing. Dear Cal, Howard Macreading 93 Darrow Dr. Warwick, RI 02886-7403 I received my first issue of the BOFQE and it was very interesting. I had a friend U. Roy Hanns who flew Hells Angel and was killed in the Aug. l, Ploesti raid. Jack Reed was the only survivor and taken prisoner. All that was found of Roy was his two dog tags. His family was never told what happened that day. In 19861 decided to try and find out what happened. It took me ten years but I finally located the families of the entire crew, but they knew nothing either. Roy was in the 329th BS and I never found anyone who knew him. When I joined the association the first fellow I talked to, Al Asch, told me he knew Roy in flight school. So if anyone reading this knew Roy I would appreciate his writing me. The Rose Hanns Post #355, American Legion, recently sent a $450.00 contribution to the B-24 model, being dedicated at the Air Force Academy, in Roy's tgemory. Dear Burton, LeRoy Paulin 565 Washington St. Grafton, WI 53024 In going thru a closet the other day I came across an oxygen mask storage case with the name TIS B.H. Lenhart on it. I'm not sure how I got it. I was a gunner and went on several missions with other crews. It may have been switched on a flight as we put our equipment back in their cases, I saw your name in the 2ADA membership and thought I would write and if you would like the case I would send it to you. Waher Smelt 1040 Forest Ct. W. Pahn Beach, FL 33405 Ed: Burt Lenhart brought the case to the 2ADA reunion at Oak Brook and it looked like it had just come from its original box.

Dear Cal, lo reference to your query in the spring 1998 issue of BOFQE, l searched a footlocker etc. and found my short snorter dated 26 Jan. 43, Wow, what memories! I started mine at Hondo, TX when I got my 2nd Lt. bars. I added to it currency of other countries visited or flown over during WWII It is still in good shape with names very legible It now rests in my safe deposit box at 1he local bank. A rare treasure and memento of WWII. C. W. Newnann 47 Mariette Dr. Portsmouth, NH 03801-6068 Ed: 1 did not attempt lo identify all signatures on this short snorter, but C.O. Col. Fiegel and several vets of the Ploe.sti raid are clearly visible. 7 Dear Cal, Dido 't want to mess up the short snorter in the spring issue, hope check keeps me up to date. Great story on the short snorter, more amazing is the clarity of the signatures. I'll bet more show up as the guy's start checking old trunks etc. Sorry to read of Paul Steichen' s passing. He and I shared a few stories as he flew with the pilot l went over with. All of us have to be indebted to Paul for starting the BOFQE and his dedication to the 93rd. Paul Blateric Dear Cal, 1662 S. Utica St. Denver, CO 80219 I have just returned from a brief vtsrt to the Norwich area and thought I'd send you a little

8 report. John Archer took me out to Hardwick, which I hadn't seen since 1982. It looks great. The Woodrows are in the middle of shoring up the outer walls of the sergeants' mess with bricks, they have already done this to most of the officers' club. The CO's house has been refurbished for Stuart to live in, although he hasn't moved in it yet. A really interesting addition to the 93rd area is an old RAF hangar that they brought in and reassembled. It houses four classic aircraft (sorry, the names escape me) and a 1941 Jeep. The planes and the hangar are beautiful. They even built a screened-in kitchen in the hangar. A P-51 Mustang, I think that's right, aircraft are not my area as I said, is in the pipeline. They or someone else are currently restoring it. The Woodrows seem well and were gracious as usual. I gave them a copy of my Dad's letters from Hardwick (Sept. 1944 to April 1945) which they seemed glad to get. As it happened, the Frimds of the Second Air Divisioo Memorial library were meeting that night, and David Woodrow offered to pick me up in Norwich if I were interested in attending. I was, and quite enjoyed the meeting and being introduced to some of the members. The Friends, if you don't know, are a group of people in England, mostly English, with a few ex-patriots, who are interested in the 2nd AD era in East Anglia and in keeping the memory of this time alive. They enjoy interacting with any veterans and their families. Currently they are involved in raising money in England for the rebuilding the of the Memorial Library. One project they are undertaking is selling some beautiful metal pins/badges with their logo and the buyer's name. I don't think anyone would be disappointed if they purchased one, so if you have the opportunity, I encourage you to do so. I was alone on this trip, but next year some of my siblings and I are hoping to congregate in Norwich as a tribute to my parents, who both ioved England so much. Sincerely, Anne Steichen Pancella Dear Cal, The picture ofNonnan Roggenkamp's B-24 in your latest issue aroused my curiosity. Norman and I enlisted the same day, April 4, 1942, at Bowman field, KY. He went to pilot training and I was sent to gunnery and navigator's school. After school our crew was sent to the 328th Sq. in April 1944. I was assigned to Nonnan's crew and flew with them until June 24, 1944 when we were shot down near Dreux, France. Of the eleven men aboard, six ofus survived and Norman was one of the five KIA. I still stay in touch with members of his family as they live just sixteen miles from us. Dear Cal, Morton R. Ashton 454 S. Capitol Corydon, IN 47112 Last week my son Jeff and I visited the 93rd Bomb Group Memorial at the Arlington National Cemetery, While there, it occurred to us that members of our bomb group may weU like a short update on the condition of the memorial as it bas been almost a year since the Dedication Ceremony. The plaque is in perfect shape. The tree has a lot of new growth and appears to be in excellent condition. It has a lot of berries and the ground's keeper has trimmed it into a nice shape. Jeff took a couple pictures of the memorial and l am enclosing one for your use. The BOFQE continues to be a very tine publication. Many thanks for your efforts .I hope to see you in September at the Air Force Academy. Dear Cal, David W. Thompson 6471 Woodridge Rd. Alexandria, VA 22312 I have enclosed a check to take care of subscription, dues and a little extra. Thanks for all you do for the 93n1 memory. Jt was a great group and I was fortunate to be one of those who was chosen to be a part of it. I was saddened to learn of the deaths of Forrest Lam and Paul Steichen. They each wrote to

me after I wrote an article for the winter 1988 Journal. We kept in touch until the end. Paul was helping me with some emblems to go on the plaque for Savannah and I last heard from him late last year. Our crew has kept in touch and had reunions since 1945. Seven of us, of the original nine, got together in Scottsdale from which I wrote the piece for the Journal. Pauly had died and Bland could not make it. Since then our pilot, Hunt and engineer Allen have died. Our Navigator Betlini is very ill. The remaining four ofus got together at the 8th Air Museum in Savannah in April. Our copilot Clausen had a plaque made and we got to see it while there. It is and possibly may be already out on the wall there. We had a great time at this wonderful museum. I was in Dayton a week before but the 8th museum bad more meaning. While there I purchased the book "Ted's Travelling Circus" and wouldn't take ten times what I paid for it. Several of our crew kept diaries while in England and I was able to trace and remember all of our missions and marked each in the book. Our pilot Hollis Hunt is mentioned three times. I found the fate of a number of crews who went down and discovered some who lived who I thought had died. This is a great book and I am happy to share it with some of my B-17 friends. No one who has read the book has ever seen one with such detail. The price scares some people but they could never buy anything so valuable for so little. I look forward to the BOFQE I bad a number of hours on the Ball of Fire and shot many flares from her. Enclosed are a couple of photos that you may keep. John Keever 4109 4th St., Court N.W. Hickory, NC 28601 Vr: John Keever R.O., Roger Bishop W.G., Bert Clausen Co-P, Ray Osterman T.G. 9 The two pictures below came from Betty Mahaffey with no identificatioo. Does anyone recognize the crew or the ones in the Red Cross Club? The Mi&)lty Eighth Air Force Heritage Museum P.O. Box 1992 Savannah, Georgia 31402-1992 News release: . Now well into its third year open to the public the Mighty Eighth Air Force Heritage Museum continues to steadily add more and more new artifacts and exhibits to help visitors better understand the role the Eighth Air Force has played in America's defense since it was created in Savannah in 1942. "We are doing what any successful museum must do to grow and get better, "said Heritage Museum curator DerreU Westberry. "We are adding new artifacts and exhibits that will better tell the Eighth Air Force story to new visitors and will make it new and fresh for return visitors who come back to the museum again and again." Westberry pointed to a dozen new exhibits that he, archivist John Edwards, and collecti~ manager Jeffrey Bilderback have recently completed and another dozen that are being created. 'We have just finished the walJ exhibits for photo reconnaissance and special operations,

two vital activities that you don't bear as much about as others. We have just hung the 1/6 scale mcdels of the B-24 and B-17 done by sculptor Robert Henderson of Canon City, Colorado. And we now have on public display new exhibits about several specific World War Il Eighth Air Force units: the 1st Strategic Air Depot, the 18th Weather Squadron, the 34th Bomb Group, and the 452nd Bomb Group. We are averaging 1-2 new exhibits each month." The Heritage Museum also expanded and reworked the prisoner of war exhibit originally donated by Stalag Luft 3 Association, and completed the Escape and Evasion area that depicts stories about downed airmen who were rescued and returned safely. During the next few months Westberry, Edwards and Bilderback will spend much of their working days building the exhibits in the post-World War 11 area of the museum. 'We plan to tell the story of the Eighth Air Force's 46 years of service in the Strategic Air Command, its role in the Cold War, and its role in the Gulf War, the Vietnam War, the Korean War, and Panama," said Westberry. "Until now the area bas been primarily a photo gallery but soon we will have real exhibits there. We plan to use some new exhibit techniques and technology there to create a very special area." The Heritage Museum will also receive, restore and display a B-4 7 Stratojet bomber aircraft from Florence, S. C. "The tail assembly, engines and other parts are already here," Westberry explained. "The fuselage and wings will arrive in a few weeks and there will be· an official dedication ceremony in the fall to welcome home one of the aircraft that dominated the Savannah skies flying from H\Ulter Air Force Base during the l 950's and l 960's." Also on the horizoo are exhibits about the Polish Air Force, the Berlin missions, and a diarama that will dramatically portray the Ploesti oil field missions. "By the time we finish these we will have another list of exhibits to start on and that is what will keep the museum new and interesting," Westberry said, "We hope everybody will come by for a visit this summer. There's always something new to see." The Heritage Museum was built to honor the more than one million men and women who have served in the Eighth Air Force since 1942. It opened in May 1996 and has since had more than 150,000 visitors. In addition to the exhibits the museum bas four theaters, a library and archives, a snack bar, a gift shop and a large memorial gardens. It is located at the intersection of U.S. Highway 80 and 1-95 west of Savannah at 175 Bourne Avenue in Pooler, Georgia. The museum is open every day 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week closing only on New Years Day, Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. For more information pJease call the Heritage Museum at 1-800-421-9428, ext.102, or (912) 748-8888, ext. 102. Contact: Wayne Corbett Top: 93rd Display case; bottom, Memorial Garden at 811, Air Force Museum, Savannah, GA Engineer who saved WWII pilot's Lives Chances are you've never heard of William Kulesz, nor your parents or your parents' parents. But hundreds, if not thousands, ofWWD pilots and airplane rescue crews may owe their lives in a small but significant way to the Greensburg native. As an Anny Air Forces researcher at the Aero Medic.aJ Laboratory at Wright Field in Dayton, Ohio, the Mine Safety Appliances Co. Engineer helped figure out a way to modify high altitude oxygen equipment for widerwater use. When planes were shot down or crashed in the water, the jury rigged scuba diving apparatus provided

oxygen until the survivors resurfaced. Mr Kulesz's efforts were noted in several national publications, including The New York Times and Look magazine, where he was featured in its "Quiz of the Week." "My dad felt it would work and took it into the officers' pool and showed it would work," said his daughter. By Steve Massey Dear Cal, This article, reprinted above in part, appeared on the Obituary page of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Having spent 8 months in the 93rd Bomb Group as both wing and lead crew pilot, I never heard of this man or his jury rigged scuba diving apparatus. T also find it hard to believe that it saved that many lives of pilots or crew that were shot down over water. In my opinioo if he had a way of modifying our oxygen equipment each individual would have to carry his own oxygen tank which wasn't the case. There was, as you remember, a walk around oxygen bottle available to get from one end of the aircraft: to the other. However in no way was it to be used as scuba gear. I can see how rescue crews could use such equipment when jumping in the water to save someone. But modify high altitude oxygen equipment for underwater use?? I thought maybe someone else would have a comment on this. Harry Gruener 333 Carlisle Ave Pittsburgh, PA 15229 Would You Buy a Used Jet from this Mechanic? Herc are some actual maintenance complaints submitted by US Air Force pilots and the replies from the maintenance crews. "Squawks" are problem listings that pilots generally leave for maintenance crews. Problem: "Left inside main tire almost needs replacement." Solution: "Almost replaced left inside main tire." Problem· "Test flight OK, except autoland very rough." Solution: "Autoland not installed on this aircraft." Problem: "#2 Propeller seeping prop fluid." Solution: "#2 Propeller seepage normal." Problem: "#I, J, 4 propellers lack normal seepage.'' Solution: "Signed off: "lT OOES NOW." Problem: "Something loose in cockpit." Solution: "Something tightened in cockpit." 11 Problem: "Evidence of hydraulic leak on right main landing gear." Solution: "Evidence removed." Problem: "DME volume unbelievably loud." Solution: "Volume set to more believable level." Problem: "Dead bugs on windshield." Solution: "Live bugs on order." Problem: "Autopilot in altitude hold mode produces a 200 fpm descent." Solution: "Cannot reproduce problem on ground." Problem: "IFF inoperative." Solution: "IFF inoperative in OFF mode." Problem: "Friction locks cause throttle levers to stick." Solution: "That's what they're there for." Problem: "Number three engine missing." Solution: "Engine found on 'right wing after brief search." Poem from the album of S/SGT Lloyd 8. Coen Jr. My little Girl Here I'm sitting a wondering When I'll see my little girl, For my wife just wrote and told me She's as rare as any pearl. With her smile that spreads like sunshine On her head a tiny curl Oh I can not help but wonder When I'll see my little girl I would sit down by the fireside and l'd count her little toes Hold each precious little finger Touch her tiny turned up nose Yet rtght now, I know it's useless just to sit with thoughts awhirl yet I can not help but wonder When I'll see my little girl. When someday across the water I'll sail beneath the blue skies and in my heart, as well as in my dreams the image of her lies. Two chubby legs and dimpled knees two gleaming dark brown ~yes. I cannot help but wonder When I'll see my little girl

False Alarm: Ser. No. 42-110086 aircraft letter K attached to the 330 BS salvaged about 6-16-1944 T/4CA/le{f~Q~~ 93rd BOMBARDMENT GROUP Pres. 2ADA ............. .................... Al Asch 6205 Meadow Court: Rockville, MD 20852 Tel. 301 881-l 376 Pres, 93rd BG ................ : .. Fred Strombom P.O. Box 646. Ogema, WI 54459 Tel. 715 767 5461 Co-Membership .................... L. L. Brown 220 Clardy Street, Malvern, AR 72104 Tel. 5013323125 Co-Membership ........ Robert B. McKeever 329 Rosewood Ave. Winnetka, ll., 60093 Tel.847 446 0205 Newsletter Editor ............. Calvin Davidson 48973 Plate Rd Oberlin. OH 44074 Tel. 440 775 1787 93rd Historian ..................... Carroll Stewart 7150 Holmes Park Rd. Suite 323 Lincoln, NE 68506-4603 Tel. 402 484 6046 First Class Mail

Vol. 6, No. 4 BALL OF FIRE QUARTERLY EXPRESS Newsletter of the 93rd Bombardment Group 2nd Air Division, 8th Air Force, Hardwick, England Winter, 1998

2 Pres. 2ADA ...................... .. Al Asch 6205 Meadow Court. Rockville, MD 20852 Tel. 301 881-1376 Pres. 93rd BG ......... Fred Strombom P.O. Box 646. Ogema, WI 54459 Tel. 715 767 5461 Membership ............... L. L. Brown 220 Cla,·dy Street, Malvern, AR 72104 Tel. 501 332 3125 Membership .... Robert B. McKeever 329 Rosewood Ave. Winnetka. IL 60093 Tel.847 446 0205 93"' Historian ....... Carroll Stc!wart 7150 Holmes Park Rd. Suite 323 li11col11, tv'E 68506-4603 Tel. 402 484 6046 Newsletter Editor .. Calvin Davidson 48973 Plate Rd Oberlin. OH 44074 Tel. 440 775 1787 Folded Wings Joe Draisker Richard Glauner Joseph Sassano Stanley Rowson--Bernard Trimble Top: The Audience; Center: The Unveiling; Bottom; Al Asch at the Podium

B-24 BRONZE MEMORIAL DEDICATION By Al Asch Much of thjs artide was taken from the tine report to the Executive Committee of the Second Air Division Association by Neal Sorensen and the outstanding article by Ralph Davis in the December, 1998 issue of "Poop from Group,467." God's golden sunshine bathed the more than 500 8-24 brown shoe veterans, wives, children, grandchildren and Academy personnel assembled in the Honor Court for the September 25, 1998 dedication of our bronze B-24 sculpture. The magnificent setting of the majestic mountains outlining the awe inspiring Academy Cadet chapel will forever be etched in the memories of those present. Retired Lt. CoL Neal Sorensen acted as Master of Ceremonies. The audience arose in respect for the arrival of the Official Party consisting of Lt. Gen. Tad J. .Oelstrom, Superintendent of the Academy; Ray Pytel, Secretary of the B-24 Groups; Robert Henderson, Sculptor; Alfred Asch, B-24 Groups Vice President; and Brigadier General Jahn Brooks, m. The audience remained standing while the color guard from the Academy posted the colors and the National Anthem was sung by 2nd Lt. Holley M. Vandehei, also from the Academy. The invocation was given by Captain (Chaplain) Scott A Ofsdahl. Neal recalled the comfort of our Chaplain's prayers prior to each combat mission in his introduction of Captain Ofsdahl. Neal made a few remarks on how funding for the memorial was accomplished through the 8-24 Groups Memorial, Inc. There were over 600 individual and organizational contributions to the fund. Every group of the Second Air Division Association (2ADA) contributed and there were approximately 150 individuals and organizations outside the 2AD A that made donations. There were over 200 individuals and organizations that sponsored others to appear on the commemorative plaque and in the Book Of Remembrance. The 8-24 Memorial was draped with a parachute and was unveiled by the Sculptor, Robert Henderson, and 9 members of the 2ADA who played a part in the fund raising. The B-24 was finally at home in the Honor Court of our Afr Force Academy. It is located at the top of the stairs to the Honor Court making it the first memorial that the cadets will see when walking west from the cadet quadrangle and chapel. The memorial portrays a B-241 in a climbing left tum with a moderate bank; a very nice pose. The other bomber of WWI1 is located directly west of our B-24 and is flying "straight and level", making it 3 rather difficult to see from a clistance. Further, our 8-24 model is next to the P-51 which gave us so much protection from the German Luftwaffe during WWII. Acting for the more than 600 donors, Neal presented the sculpture to the Academy. General Oelstrom accepted the gift with deep gratitude. In his acceptance talk, he said that as a kid his perception of WWil had always been portrayed by the 8-24 Liberator. He thought it was the slickest thing with wings, "until J saw a fighter". He remarked that the Liberator was the plane that carried the air war to Gennany. He was reminded after seeing a memorial to"The Lady Be Good" at the old Wheelus Air Base, Libya about 30 years ago that a lot of men gave their blood for freedom over places like Ploesti and a hundred other targets. The Superintendent also mentioned that he would remember the memorial dedication for all time due partly to a single incident. The memorial had been completed the Tuesday before the Friday dedication. As the General was leaving Hannon Hall, he noticed a "Doolie" (Freshman akin to Plebe at West Point) come running up the stairs with his weapon at port arms, stop, execute a right face on the marble square and recite his "cadet knowledge" of the B-24. The General continued that there will be a lot more cadets like that one reciting his knowledge of the B-24 as long as there is a United States and a US Air Force. The remarks from the General were excellent and befitting to the occasion. Ray R. Pytel and Robert Henderson gave the memorial credits. Ray related the genesis of our organization and its acbievements. Mr. Henderson, the Sculptor, described how he was "volunteered" to do many of the sculptures on the Honor Court. He is an excellent sculptor and has done many of the sculptures in the Honor Court, including the P-38, P-40, P-51, B-17 and the B-24. Al Asch, who wrote a 8-24 Liberator History, encapsulated the WWll achievements of the B-24 in all theaters of war. Salted with comments of the Uberator's superiority in speed, bomb load and range, Al noted that the B-17 flew slower and carried a lighter bomb load due to the presence of a Public Relations Officer being added to each crew to make certain there was always publicity. His tongue in cheek humor was wannly appreciated by the audience. General Jobn Brooks presented a brief history of the Scouting Force which led bombers to the target (or secondary) to avoid bad weather and achieve better bombing results. John's recollections of the bravery of lost comrades brought tears to all eyes as he concluded his comments with a eulogy to the fallen.

4 Following a moment of silence, an original composition written by Larry Anderson, was freely sung by him as a tribute to the occasion. Larry's composition, "Flying into the Morning Light" coocluded in reverent silence which erupted into warm applause for bis gift to us. Chaplain Scott Ofsdahl concluded our dedication with a Benediction: LORD GUARD AND GUIDE THE MEN WHO FLY Lord guard and guide the men who fly Through the great spaces of the sky~ Be with them traversing the air In darkening stonns or sunshine fair. You who support with tender rmght The balanced birds in all their flight; Lord of the tempered winds be near Th.at having you, they know no fear. Control their minds with instinct fit When'er adventuring they quit; The firm security of Jand Grant steadfast eye and skillful hand. Aloft in solitudes of space Uphotd-them with saving-grace;- --O'God protect the men who fly Through lonely ways beneath the sky. Amen! The ceremonies lasted about 45 minutes. The people stayed long after that and visited friends a1.1d admired the B-24 and took pictures. There was press coverage. Luncheon was over subscribed at the Academy Officer's Club. The evening banquet was also well attended. DE.LAYS lN COMPLETING OUR MEMORIAL LIBRARY Al Asch News from Norwich is that our Memorial Library completion will be delayed but the British Board of Governors have pledged to ao everything possible to expedite the completion by the end of the year 2000. It seems there was not an allocation of funds from the English-lottery that had been planned to support construction of the library. There is a need to raise $200,000 of .which. the 2ADA bas pledged to give $100,000. We have given $50,000. from existing funds and have pledged to give another $50,000 next year. The 467th Bomb Group has donated $5,000 to help meet the pledge. The 467th and other groups developed programs years ago to build up cash reserves which gives them flexibility for accomplishing and supporting worthwhile projects. Our treasury funds will barely meet our needs for publishing the BOFQE. THE B-24 MODEL AT THE 8TH AF HERITAGE MUSEUM Al Asch The wood model of the B-24 provided by the 467th Bomb Group now hangs in the Heritage Museum. You may recall, this model was used to make the molds for our bronze B-24 which now stands in the Honor Court of our Air Force Academy. I have sent the Museum two copies of the Book of Remembrance, one for their library and the other to be placed on display near the B-24 model along with literature provided by the 467th. HOSTS AT THE 8TH AfR FORCE HERITAGE MUSEUM Al Asch The 93rd has been asked by, our 2ADA Executive VP, F. C. "Hap" Chandler, to provide hosting support to the Heritage Museum at Savannah, Ga duringthemonthofFebru.ary, 1999. Perhaps-some-ot'.-yoo--gemg--eA~to-Fl-0.Fida could stop for a few days during this time to help out. Also, those of you who Live near the museum should consider serving. Please let me know if you can help out and I will provide hotel/motel infonnation and give you an outline of infom1ation you can use while meeting the museum guests. My address: 6205 Meadow Court, Rockville, Md 20852; Tele: 30 I 881 1376. Dear Cal, Hope everyone had a wonderful Holiday Season. Also a reminder that our 93rd Bomb Group Association has approved a Memorial to be placed at the 8th Air Force Heritage Museum near Savannah, GA. I have only received one proposal for the Memorial and have talked to AJ Asch. Please send your suggestions to me on what type of design you would like for this Memorial. We are going to need the cooperation of all our members in approving a design and also in the financing of this project. The 8-24 Bronze memorial at the Air Force Academy is now complete. With a little effort and thought we should be able to decide on the Heritage Museum Memorial at our next annual meeting. Fred Strombom Ed: Fred's address is on page 2

Bomerang Story: Continued By Kent Jaquith It flew along awhile longer and started in again. Once again he was surrounded by tracers, and he flipped over on his back and went straight down into the clouds. It was just getting dark, and the weather on the way back was terrible with hail and rain. Over Libya the weather cleared and the group landed about 9:30 PM. On the way home Bomerang's crew listened to a speech by President Roosevelt. January 10th, ll:00 AM, fowid Bomerang and crew taking off on a mission to Bizerte, leading the 3rd element. Strong headwinds en route to the target made it a six and a half hour trip, only to find it covered with clouds. The group flew around for a good part of an hour and found a small break in the clouds over Twris and dropped their bombs. Bombardier Klose didn't have a good rw1 on the target, so th,e results were poor. On returning to base, all planes were low on gas and Bailey was fearful of running out of fuel. There was difficulty in finding the field at night and one plane of the 330th squadron ran out of gas about 30 minutes from the field and crashed, losing four crew members in the accident. Right after lunch on January 11th Bomerang went off to Fayid to have some work done to it, while the crew spent the next four days visiting Ismailia, Cairo, including the Pyramids and Sphinx. On January 17th, 1943, Bomerang was flying number two in the second element in a mission to Tripoli. Strong headwinds made it a 5 hour trip to the target. The purpose was to sink several German ships in the harbor before they could plug the harbor entrance with them. The bombing was poor with only part of one element's bombs out of four elements hitting the harbor. Flak over Tripoli was the thickest of any place since the group was operating in Africa. Some ME-109s, came up after leaving the target, made a pass at the lead element coming directly owr Bomerang. They made it across the whole formation without being shot down. The group returned in bright moonlight and landed at 9:00PM. On January 19th Bomerang led the 3rd element to Sousse Harbor. The target was a large ship tied up at the docks. Just after the bomb drop the group was hit by six ME-l09s. Bomerang got one hole through the top turret, while the others took more of a beating. The flak wasn't too bad. The Gennan ship wasn't hit, but the docks were set on fire. Bomerang returned at 6:00PM with four fighters claimed by the tail and waist gunners. Bomerang took off at 5 :OOAM on January 21st and headed for Tripoli. About an hour from the target 5 the group was told to return to base as Tripoli was now in allied hands. Bomerang returned with the rest of the planes in its element, but some planes in other elements didn't hear the recall and three of them bombed the city. Naples was the target on January 26th, and Bomerang was leading the second element. h had become too dark to make a good bomb run, so Messina, Sicily was bombed at dusk, and the group returned at 10:30PM. So it went for about the first third of Bomerang's missions, as chronicled by George Bailey in his diary. Unfortunately George didn't keep it up, but he and John Stewart kept flying Bomerang until the end of May, accumulating 32 missions before turning it over to its second assigned crew. John Stewart did fly it to Naples a couple of times before he flew it on the V egasack, Germany mission on March 18th. Joe Tate was pilot on a diversion mission before that, as well as Wilhelmshaven on the 22nd. Frank Rinehart followed with missions to Rouen on March 28th and Rotterdam on Mardi 31st. George Bailey was command pilot on April 15th to Brest, while Stewart took over again on May 1st. Joe Tate took command again on May 17th to Bordeaux. John Stewart flew Bomerang for the last time oo mission 32 to Lapallice oo May 29th. About this time, Bomerang's soon to be assigned second crew was ferrying a B-17 from the States to England, landing at Wharton on May 29th. From May 31st through June 11th, Roy Martin and crew went to B-17 tactical training school. On June 12th they boarded a train and headed for Norwich. From there trucks carried them to Hardwick, borne of the 93rd, and were assigned to the 328th BS. The next ten days the crew was indoctrinated to England and the 93rd. On June 24th Martin's crew was preparing for a trip and were assigned Bomerang as their plane. June 25th the group took off for Portreath, southwest England. The following day they were off to Africa, landing at La Senia, a few miles south of Oran. On June 27th the group headed fur Benghazi, landing at site #7, Sni De Temia. The base was primitive to say the least. Runways, taxi ways and tent area were raw soil where the desert shrubs bad been scraped away. One corrugated meta] building served as base headquarters. Everything else was regular anny issue tents. The desert Ghibli winds blew sand and beat from the Sahara in the south and blew down tents and tarps covering B-24 engines. The wooden crates that the bombs came in were quickly requisitioned to make furniture and flooring for tents. Regular nms by trucks were made to the beach for bathing and swimming, as well as bartering for fresh eggs and fruits with the local Arabs. Occasional trips were

6 made into Benghazi for a fonnal shower and a visit to the local restaurants. Having been told in England to take winter uniforms and flying suits, the crew left summer clothing behind. Consequently, the daily attire was a combination of clothing acquired from the local British quartermaster depot and what few items were brought along. On July 2nd, 1963, Bomerang's second assigned crew flew their first mission to San PanCrazio, Italy, a total distance of 1323 miles. This crew called themselves Martin's Red Caps.1st Lt. RoyG. Mart.in, Pilot; 2nd Lt. Luther S. Bird, Copilot; 2nd Lt. James W. Reid, Navigator; 2nd Lt. Jack H. Roach, Bombardier; T/Sgt. Harry Strand, Engineer; T/Sgt. Francis Sullivan, Radio Op; S/Sgt. Herschel Dodd, W. Gunner; S/Sgt. Charles Molina, Top Gunner; S/Sgt. George H. Kelly W/Gunner; S/Sgt. Robert 0. Sparks, Tail Gunner. On July 7th, Bomerang took its crew on a 1,044. mile mission to Gerbini Italy making two runs oo the target. There was heavy inaccurate flak and no :fighters. The mission lasted seven and a half hours. Two days later, Bomerang stood by as a spare ship and eventually replaced one that returned. They went to bomb an airdrome in Sicily hit the wrong one, but destroyed it. Over the target the crew viewed the invasion fleets heading for the Southwestem-shore-ofS-ieily:--'Fhe-gr-oup-r«urned from the 8 hour flight at 11 :30PM. On July 12th, Bomerang went to San Giovanni, only to abort and return 3 ½ hours later due to engine trouble. The next day engine problems made Bomerang unable to get off the ground. Again on July 15th on the mission to Foggia, Italy, Bomerang had to abort due to further engine trouble. On Monday July 19th the mission was to the eternal city of Rome. The crew as a unit didn't go, but the pilots were Roy Martin and William. Stein. The rest of July the 93rd spent the days practicing low level flights over the desert by day and watching movies at night. Some of those movies were "Boys from Syracuse", "Mr. V", "Jackass Mail", "Mexican Spitfire" and a USO show on the 24th, followed by more movies "Gallant Lady", "It happened In Flatbush" and "Hearts of the Golden West". Prior to the August 1st mission to Ploesti, crew chief M/Sgt. George Ewald decided that Bomerang wasn't going to abort any more missions due to engine problems. After he and several of the mechanics under his supervision removed the engines from Bomerang they made a midnight requisition to their favorite sub depot. They acquired four new engines, placing the used engines back into the crates where they got the new ones. Luther Bird attributes the new engines as one of the reasons Bomerang performed so well on the August 1st mission. Jim Reid writes a brief comment in his diary about the mission on Aug. 1st " Breakfast 0530 hrs. Took off 0756 hrs. mission to Ru.mania oil :fields. Plane crashed into the sea and burst in flames in route. Went west of Corfu into Albania, Greece, Bulgaria. Crossed the Danube into Rumania and hit the Ploest Oil Refineries at low level, 200 feet and under. Saw several planes go down. Heavy anti-aircraft fire. Circled town and began our return. Notice other groups just entering target area. Crossed Yugoslavia, Greece and hit the southern tip of Corfu. Checked alternate airfields but decided to return to home base. Hit a little bad weather over mountains and two of our aircraft collided ahead of us, de-tailing one of the planes. In all saw about 4 to 8 fighters. We returned by ourselves and sweated gas all the way back. Landed okay at 2040 hrs, being the 15th plane out of 33 to land. Our crew Chief M/Sgt. Ewald greeted us with a face plainly showing relief. Distance 2106 miles by flight plan. One of our greatest losses was losing our commanding officer Lt. Col. Addison Baker the first over the target." Luther Bird recalls several moments of the mission. "On the evening of July 3 P1 all planes were taxied into take off position. The next morning with full crew on board, engines were started, cllecked-out-and---stq>ped.-...Oas fueling crews topped off every tank to overflow. This made a difference to whether some planes made it bac~, including Bomerang. Engines were started on a time sequence and the planes took off. We maintained sight of the head group but lost sight of the trailing groups. East of the Yugoslavia mainland the day was bright and clear. We lost altitude rapidly and took up low level flying. We crossed the brown Danube and circled, hoping the trailing groups would catch up. Crossing a river we saw groups of bathers who ran when they saw our planes. Shortly after the wrong tum our group made a left turn and headed for the target. Col. Baker's ship was hit and on fire. He jettisoned his bombs to maintain speed. The left waist gunner jumped out, but was on the ground before his parachute fully opened. This was also witnessed by gunners Herschel Dodd and Robert Sparks, who saw Baker make it to the marshaling yard, where his right wing dropped to the ground and .the plane cartwheeled into the refinery. Jack Roach the bombardier released Bomerang's two l,000 lb bombs into the cracking towers of White 5, one of the first ships to drop bombs on Ploesti. There was almost instant fire and black smoke 10 the target area. You could feel the effect from an exploding storage tank, the top of which sailed into the air like a paper plate. To Be Continued. ............. .

Dear Cal Our trip to jolly ole England was in behalf of our daughter's invitation to sing a concert in Cambridgeshire. It was in connection with the Arts Festival there. I deserve a medal for driving 1100 odd miles without an accident. We once measured the combined width of our car and the average width of the cars hurtling at us at great speed and it was greater than the width of the road. At least rt seemed so! As always, once in the UK, one must make a pilgrimage to the ole Aerodrome Hardwick, and to visit the W oodrows. Here is a run-down on my visit to Hardwick Aerodrome, Station 104 during October. We arrived on site just after noon and folllld Jean at home and Dave in one of the fields gathering mushrooms. Needless to say they, as always, roUed out the red carpet and gave us a warm welcome. Both Dave and Jean never seem to age. They a're always exuberant and glad to see us. Peg and Carol (our daughter) stayed and talked to Jean at the house, while Rod (son) and I went to look over the old stomping grounds. For those of our bunch (you older guys) who haven't had the opportunity to visit the old base l'U try to make a vivid report on the site. Proceeding from the farm house down the old concrete road, past three 329th quonset huts (more on these later) and passing the two trees (the Floyd Mabee and the Charles Weiss Tree) right at the center of the 329th area, which are still Uving and growing. The old Squash court, which now hpuses Dave's fertilizer mixers, is still intact. Just around the comer is the magnificent Officer's Club building (at least that is what I thought it to be in 1942). One side of the Officers club (the lounge) houses some of Dave's tractors and other fann equipment. On my first visit in the 60's I asked Dave about the mess hall. He said that it is stiJJ a part of the Officer's Club and that it reaJJy hadn't changed in aU those years. It houses at least a hundred littJe pigs. Dave has a project of bricking the exterior walls of all of the buildings, leaving the original existing walls, wruch have somewhat eroded over the years. Not only will the new brick preserve the buildings in their original design, it also adds to the insulation qualities. Next is the 93d Memorial (l'U cover that later) Just past the Memorial is the Commanding Officers Quarters (Ted Timberlake's "mansion"). We visited with Stuart (Dave's son) who is taking over the function of running the fann. He is renovating the building, leaving the configuration of the building just as it was during WWII, but is modenuzing the inside in a high-tech way, new kitchen, new bathroom, washer and dryer, when he is finished it will be a real nice place to live. I think 7 one day there may be two living there? Next stop is by the old water tank, where many a crew member was tossed in after finishing his missions. Next to the Enlisted Mess Hall, it now bas about 9000 chickens laying eggs with gusto. Dave, in keeping with his policy of trying to keep things as they were, still bas the original spider webs hanging from the ceiling. They are now coated with years of dust, a sight ooe has to see to appreciate. Just behind the mess is a building, I think it was the ablutions house, which now .houses many artifacts and photographs of 93rd guys in action. This long room also contains tables and chairs where Dave holds functions such as on anniversaries, memorial day, etc. A modest fee is charged for such occasions and when costs are covered the rest, if any is left over, is divided between the local church (where our memorial plaque is located) and a fund for the 93rd upkeep of the memorial garden and the 93rd buildings. Dave works very hard so the memory of the 93rd won't be forgotten. A little further on just about where the first hangar was located is now an old RAF fighter hangar. Dave acquired it somewhere in southern England and by a tremendous amount of work sand-blasted all the parts, painted them and reconstructed it. They did such a superb job that it looks as if it is a brand new hangar. Entering the hangar one is overwhelmed by what it contains. There is a beautifully maintained Harvard (A T-6 to us), a Cessna 180, also in prime condition, a small aerobatic plane and a spotter plane (similar to our L4 or L-5) from the same squadron that Dave flew as an aerial spottei:.. All are in perfect operating and flying condition. Last year on my visjt to Hardwick the owner of these aircraft, a Mr Morris Hammond, took me on a flight around East Anglia, not only that he let me get in.about 30 minutes of "stick-time" We flew over his factory facilities at Eye, Norfolk, where he is restoring a Mustang known also as the famous P-51 fighter. You might be wondering how these aircraft came to be hangared in Dave's hangar, trucked in or what? Just on the other side of a Large Lelandi cyprus hedge is a half mile long grass strip runway that Dave has made! In fact a few weeks before my visit a P-51 landed on the grass strip and didn't take all the TWiway for landing or take-off. Getting permission to have a flying field was no easy matter, County council bearings, included some near-by residents with protests, who said it would be too noisy and ruin the peacefuJ decor of the neighborhood. In any event Dave won a provisional one-year pennit. There were stringent requirements that bad to be followed, such as no

8 more than 285 take-offs and landings, no major maintenance on site, etc. But all in all it is better than nothing. The provisional year was just over and another hearing ensued. Only one complaint was forthcoming this time, I think from one of the original protesters, but the Council renewed Dave's permit this time for a 5 year period. Still with many caveats attached, but which can be lived with. Oh yes the runways, about 90% of the runways have been removed and ground into bits for use in highway construction. There is however, a small strip at the South end of the airfield. All of us should be so very pleased that our interests in perpetuating the memory of the famous 93rd is carried on by Dave and friends. "Stu", his son, also has a good feeling for what his dad is doing and I know he will keep it going in the years to come. The three Quonset huts mentioned earlier are full of WWII artifacts which have been gleaned from the surrounding area, crash sites etc. I noticed a couple of turrets, a few propellers, turbo superchargers, and lots more. Some things are contained in one of the other quonset huts and belong to another 2nd Air Division Group. Inasmuch as they had no buildings on their own site, Dave graciously lent them the building. Toe museum is maintained by members of a local club who meal enthusiasts of WWII flying. -There are a few other buildings just off Dave's property which used to be the old W AF site (combat crew quarters), but I'm not sure that they have been kept up as Dave has done with those buildings, etc., which are on bis property. I'm not sure if they still exist, since I only saw them in the late 60's on my first visit to Hardwick, and I didn't remember to ask Dave about them. Oh yes, there still exists one of the Bomb shehers, which were scattered around the base, in which we sought refuge whenever a Buzz Bomb would put-put by. It is still intact ahhough trees are growing around and in it. Dave said when he gets some free time (he doesn't have much of that stuff) he plans to restore it. That is about it, I think I've covered just about everything. I can't praise Dave and friends enough for the dedicated effort he is making to keep our memory alive. The Memorial we dedicated a few years back is still kept in exceUe,nt condition including the garden which surrounds it. Old Glory still flies daily weather permitting from the flag pole. When any of you make a safari to Hardwick you can count on one thing. You will be welcomed graciously by Dave, Jean and Stu as if they have know you since 1942. Charles Weiss 2272 Moran Drive Waldorf, MD 20601· Editor - Ball of Fire In the fall Issue of the Ball Of Fire Quarterly Express in your column you mentioned that Dean Polymeros is still looking for any ground support people who served in the 330th BS. Would you be kind enough to forward this letter to him? I was the 330th Supply Officer during 1942-43. RamseyPottswasmyC.O. and Sgt. Mahaffey was my head Sgt. A Sgt. Morrow, [ believe, was our Technical Sgt. who operated the technical part. It seems so long ago but I do vaguely remember the name Dean Polymeros. Our Group Commander was Col. E. J. Timberlake. I was transferred to the 491st B. G. then to the 492nd. I was in England about three years and six months. Best wishes and thanks for forwarding this letter. Dear Cal, Nevin H. Gibson 771 Woodyard Road Clinton, MD 20735 Just a note to let you know I received the letter you forwarded. It is the first reply I have ever received but the names mentioned in the letter were not remembered by dad. I have written to both Gibson and Morrow with more information. I would like to mention that Sgt Baird Fox and Johnny Dee, who were truck drivers in the 330th became gwmers after the Ploesti raid and l believe both were lost on a mission That's about all for now, thanks again for the letter. Dean Polymeros 610 Tyler St. NW Anoka, MN 55303-2307 Dear Cal, Don't know what my dues status is but here's a few bucks to keep me on the list. I surely do appreciate your efforts on our behalf. I used to fly the Ball of Fire quite often, especially after becoming a group and wing lead. The Ball of Fire was so light that it was actually fun to fly and on the way back to Hardwick after form up we would have a go. Seems there was always a B17, 824 or RAF type willing to play a little ·and they were combat equipped, turrets etc. We couldn't outrun a Lancaster or Halifax but I did enjoy feathering #2 engine and pull away from a B 17 for a little while at least. Our crew is now down to eight from the original lead crew of eleven and one of the eight is quite ill. The seven of us, our wives and two of the widows are having our tenth reunion this winter. No way to describe the way we feel about one another but then you know. Bob Oberschmid N 8930 Island Lake Rd. Spooner, WI 54801-7845

Mr. Clarence W. Barton 5915 S. Marion Place Tulsa, OK 74135-7813 Sir Y OUI projected visit has raised quite a bit of interest here. Do you have any photographs of your crew and aircraft during WWII? Did your aircraft have a name? If you can let me know what you would like to see while you are here, we can arrange for a tour of the 93rd's facilities. We may no longer be a bombardment unit, but I think the men and women assigned to the Wing today would make you proud. I'm not sure if you are aware of this, but on 19 and 20 September 1998 Robins AFB will be holding it's annual Open House. There will be static displays of our current aircraft, the E-8c. as well as many other types. Our Public Affairs office is also interested in your visit. Master Sergeant Shirley Glaze is a good point of contact for specific information on what is available here on base. We'd like to "put on the dog" for you if you have the time, so please let us know. T/Sgt Robert E. Lee 93ACW Historian Dear Cal, Our crew reunion in Savannah and the 93rd Air Control Wing at Robins AFB Georgia was a great success. All attendees had a great time. Anyone who gets close to Savannah, Georgia should visjt The AF Heritage Museum. It is an excellent museum, well organized and covers all phases of the 8th Air Force. We visited The 93rd Air Control Wing on September 17th just two days before their annual open house on Saturday & Sunday for Robins AFB. They really rolled out the red carpet for us. Colonel Wills & group gave us a briefing about the E-8C Aircraft and how it performed their mission followed by a video. We also visited the training room with 2 I computers same as in the aircraft followed by a visit through the aircraft. Then they presented us a unit scarf, shoulder patches and a 93rd ACW medallion. They had asked for some crew pictures and I bad sent them one before and after our tour with the 93rd BG. They enlarged and framed both and had us hang them on the wall of honor m the headquarters building. We then met about 10 of their new young airmen. As an added bonus we were able to see the Blue Angels make 9 several fly overs while preparing for the open house. All in alJ it was a wonderful afternoon. M/Sgt. Glaze picked us up at the parking area and drove us to the 93rd ACW' in a bus and to all the areas we visited. T /Sgt. Lee was with us also. We enjoyed visiting with them and all the other personnel involved with our visit. Clarence W. Barton 1/r: Bludworth. CP; Hogan. Bomb; Barton, P Vr: T/Sgt. Lee. Clarence Barton. Betty Barton. Capt Michel C. Escudie. M/Sgt. Shirley Glace. Wally Bludworth. Dorothy Hogan. Dick Hogan Dear Cal, Relauve to your inquiry of the air crew shown on page 9 of the Fall Edition of the Ball of Fire Quarterly Express, the picture shows the B-24D "Georgia Peach" piloted by Lieutenant Omar A. Tumer. Lo the back row, third from right, is S/Sgt. Robert R. Hagey, a dear friend and buddy, who I served with throughout our combat crew training and combat tour. I was flying in the nose turret of the plane directly behind him, and witnessed his plane being blown in half by a direct flak burst. Unfortunately,

the flak burst bit in the waist section, where Jo~ was standing as a waist gunner. Reference to this incident can be found on page 280, February 11th, note #68, of the book "Ted's Travelling Circus" listing the names of the crew members. Surely, this was a sad day in the lives of two 19-year old buddies. Incidentally, I have the original picture in my album. Dear Cal, Charles S Cornell 1708 Forrest Ave. Baltimore, MD 21234-61 l 6 I really enjoy the BOFQE so I thought it was about time I renewed my subscription. Before I went to visit Mary Beth Barnard last November I purchased a copy of the program that they are using to build up their data base of Air Force information. This was my third trip to the Heritage Museum. I worked with Mary Beth for ten days. We figured out a way for me to record 2AD data on my computer and send it over to her to go straight into her files. The main concern at the museum is to record the names of men who served with the 8th AF, including some additional informa1ion (seria1 nunil5er, poslfionJMOs; dales or service, etc) that could aid future researchers. Of course this is a huge job but at least one can make a start. So I am doing my best to see that 2nd AD names are recorded in Savannah. Since about 70,000 mes served in the 2nd Ad froml942-1945 that project should keep me busy for a while. I am also doing research for people who are tracing combat crashes, accidents, missions. etc. Lt was good to see how much has been done in the Museum since it opened in May I 996. I liked the 93rd exhibit and the new 2nd Air Division display. I will probably go to Savannah again later this year. Possibly when the 441h is holding their reunion. With kind regards to you and all the 93"1 members. Phyllis Dubois Dear Cal 22 Hungate Street Aylsham, Norwich England NRll 6AA I read your plea in the last issue of the BOFQEfor anyone who has a story to tell so ram sending th.ts experience that I had in ApriJ, 1945 for your consideration. I enjoy reading each issue of the BOJ,T]E from cover to cover and trust you can get the guys who have stories to tell them as there is not much time left. I was assigned as a radio/gunner on Jim Threlkeld's crew in September of I 944. We flew a brand new B-24M from Mitchell Field, New York to Hardwick, Norwich, England via the northern route. We arrived in mid-January, I 945 and were assigned as a crew to the 409th B.S., 93rd Bomb Group. I flew my first ten missions with my own crew. I was awakened at 2AM on the morning of Saturday, April 21, 1945 and told to report to Operations immediately. When l got there I was told that I had volunteered to fly as replacement radio operator on Cl1arles McGuue's crew. I was told then that McGuire had volunteered to fly an extra mission to finish up his crew. l was twenty years old, I was scared enough flying with my own crew but here I was. on my own, alone, not knowing any of the other crew members. We took off at 0700 hours, the target was Sais burg. Instead of fanning up over England with the rest of the formation McGuire took off on his own directly out over the North Sea. When we reached landfall, I think the coast of France, he ordered me to man the Martin Upper Turret TlllS position asy-ou know belonged to the-engineer but he wanted him in the cockpit with him. I had to shut down my Liason set and crawled up into the Martin Upper. After what seemed like hours there was no sight of the rest of our group. He then ordered _me to get back on the radio and find out what was going on. When I did I found out that there was a recall. "The helJ with that," he said,"I want credit forth is mission"and he headed for Gennany on his own Again, after what seemed like hours we spotted several other groups high above us. He climbed to their altitude and one of the group leaders let him join up l11ey put us in the "bucket" position and no sooner had we settled in when the ship ahead of us was hit and blew up. "The hell with this," he said and we dropped out on our own again. After flying around on our own for the longest time he asked the navigator where we were. The navigator was in the same position as I, a replacement crew member. "I'm not sure was," his reply and he asked me if I could get him a "fix". I had several emergency frequencies in my "flimsy" and was able to make contact with one of them and got a location fix and heading back to the base. At this point he ordered the navigator to drop the bomb load. We returned to the base

without further incident. I consider myself very lucky that this all happened at the time in the war when it did as there was little or no fighter opposition or we would have been sitting ducks. You published Captain McGuire's Diary in several previous issues of the BOFQE under the title "Hello Mi!foil, this is Wee Willie." lt was Wee Willie we flew on this mission. You can also read Captain McGuire's version of this mission starting on page 5 of the fall 1996 issue of the BOFQE and concluding in the winter issue. In Cal Stewart's book, "Ted's Travellinf!, Circus" he describes McGuire as a bit of a rascal and radical and that is the same impression I had of him. I never saw or heard of him again but l read that he had died in 1983 in Cal Stewart's book. It was an experience I'm glad I was a part of, but I'd never want to do it again. lt took me fifty years to learn that he got credit for that mission because the leader of the group that we had joined up with for the brief time vouched for him. Dear Cal, Arthur J. Quinn 403 Valleybrook Dr. Lancaster, PA 17601-4641 J hope you are in good health as I put ink to paper to try and catch up with correspondence this end. There are plenty of tlu bugs going around at this moment and 50% of the population of Norfolk seem to have it to some degree, so I hope it's not the same in the states. I have received back 49 questionaires to date but there must be quite a few more veterans around who have not responded. I have in my possession the original guitar that the 93rd boys played while in the Nags Head Pub on Fritton Common close to the old air base and left behind when most returned to the states. TI1ere are several names and jottings scratched into it of which one reads; Dick Palka known as Ding Dong. We would like to find out if any veterans can remember the guitar and I have taken some photos of it and will send copies to you ASAP. J don't know if you have had the chance to copy any photos that are sent to you for use in the BOFQE . r have tried to copy some from the newsletter but they came out terrible. Copies of any photos relating to the 93rd for use in the museum are always gratefully received. [ guess you have discovered that photos copied on a laser color ..... 1 I copier come out superb and most machines wilJ cope with thin card which results in near photo appearance, also several photos can be done on one sheet or you can often enlarge very small shots. The cost is minimal and veterans don't have to part company with their originals which J know has caused concern. If any veterans have a large amount of photos we can always assist with the cost this end. Any way l will send another letter when I get the photos developed of the guitar. Best Wishes to all, Paul Thrower 12 St. Davids Close Long Stratton, Norwich, Norfolk NR IS 2PP England Editor's Comments My apologies to the family of Richard Glauner for misspelling his name in the Folded Wings column of the last issue of the BOFQE. I delayed having this issue printed to get away from the Christmas mailing period. Over the past year I have had several newsletters returned for lack of a forwarding address. Please notify me whenever your address changes if you want to continue receiving the newsletter. Although the Postal Service has increased the first class postage to .33¢ they decreased the cost of the next additional ounce so our mailing costs will remain the same at .55¢. K reminder that subscription renewals are now due for most of you and your address label will show the new date 1/1/00 after J have received your renewal As I write this, Jan 3, northern Ohio is in the throes of old man winter with a combination of snow, rain, sleet and fender benders galore. So J am looking forward to my usual trip to Georgia and Florida this coming February to find a warmer climate for a few weeks. I intend to stop at the glh Air force Heritage Museum and will try and get some good pictures of some of the other Bomb Group Memorials to bring to the next reunion at Austin, TX in May. This may help the group in deciding on a design for our proposed Memorial as mentioned in Fred Stromborn's letter. Several of the 2ADA Bomb groups already have Memorials in the Museums beautiful Memorial Garden. Wishing all a Happy and Healthy New Year, Calvin Davidson

Miss America: 42 I 00294 T/4~~f~Q~~ 93rd BOMBARDMENT GROUP Calvin Davidson, Editor 48973 Plate Rd. Oberlin, OH .J-107.J Phone 4./.0 -775-1787 BOFQE SUBSCRIPTION FORM Name· ____________ _ Address: ___________ _ BOFQE Subscription (ii) # 15 00 per annum $ __ _ Annual 93rd Membership@ $5.00 Donation Total Please make checks payable to : 93rd Bomb. Group Send checks to: Calvin Davidson 48973 Plate Rd. Oberlin, OJ 1 44074-9619 $ __ _ $ __ _ $ __ _ Fl RST CLASS MAIL