posted 02-22- 06:29 PM               

I am going to be interviewing the father of a colleague next week, most likely, who flew B-26's in the ETO.

He is an extremely nice man that I've known for almost 9 years now.

Every now and then, we bump into each other in the hallway, and it's always good for about a 20 minute chat about WWII aviation.

He knows I fly online, and that I have quite and interest in the subject.

He's an extremely intelligent, sincere man, who seems to enjoy talking about what he did, to someone who stands there in the hallway, hanging on to every word he says.

I started to think about the fact that we've all talked about before...that these folks aren't going to be around forever, and once they're not, for the rest of time, we'll have to rely on what historians tell us, vs. the type of "talking history" that writers like Studs Terkel use to help folks understand, in the words of the people who were there, just what they went through.

Well, long-story-short, about 2 weeks ago, after taking a couple shots of courage, I called him up at home, and asked him if he would ever consider getting together sometime, with myself and a tape recorder, and relating some of the things that he has told me over the years, plus a few things we never had a chance to talk about in our 20-minute hallway meetings.

He asked me what I would do with it, and I told him that basically, I would be sharing it with a lot of folks all over the world, through bulletin board systems, typing out our conversations, and sharing it with people who lived and breathed this type of flying in that time period, who were basically, and I don't think I quite said it this way, but that basically were WWII aviation junkies, and would be completely blown away by hearing someone, in their own words, relate what it was like to be there, and have done what he did.

He was I believe the pilot, and did a lot of stuff both pre-D-Day, during, and after, and so far has told me quite a lot of incredible stories.

Again, he is a kind man, and once he knew that I wasn't just sitting there in the hallway to be kind, but was totally engrossed in what he had to say...well...I think he thinks it's kind of cool that folks all over the world in this day and age, would care to read the words he had to say.

So, what I need help with, is guys, just what kind of questions, asked to a B-26 pilot who flew numerous missions, would you like to hear the answers to?

I thought I'd start off with the basics, i.e. where were you trained, in which planes do they train you in, how long did it take, when were you shipped to the ETO, what squadron etc. were you in, how many missions, what they were like, etc., etc., etc.

But I'm sure because I'm a little blown away by the responsibility of doing it in the first place, and my respect for the man, I'm going to be a little self-conscious, and I'm sure I'll "Monday morning Quarterback" syndrome, i.e, what I've done, what I SHOULD have done, and think, "Goddamit...why didn't I ask him (fill in blank here.)

So, just knowing you all certainly might have some really good questions I might pose to him during our conversation, which I plan on taping and then transcribing, I'd love to hear what you have to say, and what you think.

I'm going to post this on the BA forum, this forum obviously, Siggi's IL-2 page, the Aces High BB, and even our own squadrons UBB, so please don't be offended if you have to read the same thing four or five times in a row.

I can't be this artistic and prolific and change it all around for four different boards.

But seriously, any truly serious and intelligent inquiries will be seriously considered as questions to ask him, and I really would appreciate any input as to what you think might be good to ask and get a resonse on.

Again, he is a very nice, intelligent, and sincere man, and I think the only reason he has agreed to do it is that he has known me for almost 9 years now, and understands how much this would mean to me, and is probably a little flattered that folks all over the world would hang on almost any word he would have to say.

So gents, with the required aire of sensibility, please forward any questions you think would be of signifigance, and we'll see what I can do with them.

I'm thinking late next week.

Please, instead of just posting, feel free to e-mail me direct at mk10@home.com.

I'll try and give everyone a "got your e-mail message", to let you know I got your e-mail, but because the damn @home mail servers go down more often than...oh heck, was going to make a really off-color joke there, but this really isn't the time and the place, well, you know what I mean.

Your time, consideration, and thoughtful contributions are sincerely appreciated.

Thanks again for your help,

posted 02-23- 03:37 PM               

The beauty of hearing these stories, is that they are the things HE remembers. The impressions. We don't need facts and figures on B26 performance.

Would be nice to hear impressions on how the plane flew, but the real history these guys hold is the bit you can't model. It wasn't a game, and people were trying hard to kill each other. I hope I never have to do what they had to. And I hope the world never forgets how these people felt when it was happening

posted 02-23- 03:55 PM               

I am sure it will be a great read, and look forward to it...

posted 02-23- 04:32 PM               

I hope to sit down this weekend and pass on one of his experiences he shared with me.

He flew missions into Germany in 1944 before there was fighter cover able to fly across the German border.

When your done transcribing it, I'd love to have a copy of the tape. Let me know and I'll send you some money for a copy. What I would like to do is edit it and send it back to you as a set of MP3 files you can also post.

The intonation does mean a lot. The "Colonel" (his nickname) choked up and almost broke down at one point when we were talking- this is after 56 years, and telling it still affects him.

They don't think so, but, God those guys were brave.
------------------
"Where'd he GO!?!?"
thunk-thunk-thunk-zing-OUCH
That answered my question

posted 02-23- 04:56 PM            

Whatever you do, please try to interject as little as is practical. That's my request.

Werner

posted 02-23- 05:18 PM            

He had more than enough to say, and I really couldn't think of "the right questions". I basically tried to listen and let him share some of his memories.

I did ask one specific thing - What his first mission was like - It was something I felt would be a lead in to much more. Intrigingly it turned out that his first mission wasn't terribly exciting - but was likely far more typical than we realize. The bombadier passed out due to his oxygen mask failing - so they got about halfway to Holland and had to abort the mission.

We talked about other things including night flying and the way the Lancasters flew - unlike the daytime formations of B17s the lancs had a flight path and expected time to reach the target - they didn't fly in formation. The scary thing for the flight crews would be getting off the flight path and into flak areas.

Another interesting comment regarded the release of the payload and the surge in altitude that would follow as the plane was released from the weight burden. If you fly the lancaster in SDOE at 25000 feet (the typical altitude the planes flew at) you can feel this surge.