W.Op: Jig Wood
Eng'er: Ted Frier
MidGun: JHW Scott
Center: PILOT (Austrailian) Noel McDermot.
Navigator Gordon Bailue
Bomb. John Johnstone
Rear Gun. Edwin Stevens
Being a WWII British veteran (RAF) now an octogenarian (80+), I wonder what my fellow Vets (Brits & American), think about all the counseling that the modern forces receive after being involved in any skirmish.
I do not remember in my youth (aged 18) as a WWII aircrew when I was flying in Bombers (Lancaster) receiving any consideration in that way.
It still sticks in my mind in March 1944, we were briefed to bomb Nuremburg, where Hitler held his famous NAZI rallies.
Everything was against us, including the weather. Instead of clouds, so the A.A. Guns or the German fighters could not detect us, the clouds cleared and they gave us hell, we lost 90 Lancaster's plus 630 British and Commonwealth airmen.
We flew for 10 hours breathing foul tasting Oxygen at night. One's mouth was like a Parrot's cage. The women of the WAAF, BLESS EM! did serve us with a NAAFI mug-full of Navy Rum. After which we were interrogated by Intelligence Officer,(but in spite of the Trauma we did not receive the type of counseling troops receive today.)
Edwin Stevens
From Dave Engler
As an 82 year old WWII U.S. Marine vet of the Pacific area (Bougainville, Guam, Iwo Jima) I have had many thoughts similar to those expressed in your note. Two or three years away from home in overseas combat areas was rather common during that period of time and casualties. During the first few hours of an island "landing" often surpassed those accrued over weeks and/or months of the current conflict. In addition, no e-mail, no cell 'phones, etc. This is NOT intended to "put down" the efforts of our young service men and women currently in harms way! It's a different time, a different world, and a different war! Rather, it is an attempt to put into some sort of perspective what I suspect is an effort by members of the media to demean our attempt to bring order and freedom to a country of oppressed people. Oh yeah, can you imagine U.S. or British newspersons taking pictures over the shoulders of the German AA batteries trying to knock you out of the sky? I appreciate what we are doing over there and have nothing but admiration for those who are doing what you and I and so many of our generation, and later, volunteered to do when called upon to do so.
By the way, that's a great picture of you, your crewmates and your 'plane! I hope you have been able to stay in touch with some of them.
From J.P.
I flew in RAF in N. Africa and Sterlings from England. Transferred to USAAF , 8th AF and flew B-17s. I left the service in 1945 and rejoined in 1951 and went to Korea for a tour in F-86 with 4th Fighter Wing.
With the above resume you would surmise someone should have noticed I had a lose tail wheel, rudder, malfunctioning altimeter or just plain out of my mind. Maybe all of the above.
No one offered any help and I didn't suspect I needed any at the time. I'm sure a shrink would have come in handy. Or the other hand maybe that is why I made it all the way. Perhaps it is not too late.
Adios Mi Amigo.................Old Tiger
Looking for WW II Vet
From Sensabaugh
Does anyone know how to find information on Vets who served in WWII around
1943-44?
I am looking for a soldier who painted a portrait on my mother from a photograph. He was apparently a friend of my father. My father died the day I was born so I have no way of asking him and my mother is suffering from Alzheimer’s. I have his name from the portrait - Any suggestions. Many thanks.
From Bernie
This would be most difficult. For starters, can you find out the name of the unit he was in during WWII? If you can get that information, then go to “google” for further research. Or go to St. Louis records section for Army or Randolph Field, Texas for Air Corps. Good luck.
Helping People
From Milton Long
We that were a part of the WWII generation grew up with people helping people. I recently had a friend that had a son that was going to war and she worried about him.
My words to her were that if she did her job, she doesn’t have a thing to worry about. The military offers the chance to help those that you may come in contact with.
My dad told me to watch for the young soldier that was homesick and depressed and reach out to them. I did this and found that I could help and in turn, help myself adjust to Army life.
You can see it in the eyes of the troops fighting in Iraq. They are dedicated to the mission we are trying to accomplish.
When you are in the service, you build a band of brothers that can kill the enemy and build schools to help the children. What a great bunch of Americans we have sent to do a job that needs to be done.
“Tattoo”
A military term dating to 1664; and refers to a signal on bugle or drum for soldiers to retire to their quarters for the evening. (Go to shelter, retire, etc.)
Published U.S. Legacies January 2005
- Log in to post comments