Volume 14, No. 5 April 26, 2000
Think Spring! Think Spring Fling! A New President! Our Own Web Site! Bill Campbell is the new president of the Mass. Chapter of the 8th Air Force Historical Society. Bill was a tail gunner on a B-24 and was wounded on a raid into Nazi Germany. He returned to action after a hospital stay and completed 29 missions. President's Message Dear Friends, I am both honored and proud to be elected your president. I will do everything I can to keep up an active chapter devoted to fellowship, patriotism and preserving the memory of "THE MIGHTY EIGHTH". We have a fine group of dedicated officers and members exemplified by Al Audette, our retiring president. We are busy planning more day trips like our popular boat trip and are looking into trips to Bradley Field, Foxwood and other fun destinations. Meanwhile, let's have a large turnout for our luncheon on April 26. There's a reservation form in this issue. Thanks again, Bill Campbell AIR TRAFFIC ACE TO SPEAK AT SPRING FLING! Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Glenn W. Michael is to be the guest speaker at our famous Spring Fling. Colonel Michael is a University of New Hampshire graduate, entered the USAF in 1970, and served on active duty until 1975. He has been with the Federal Aviation Administration since 1977. Some of his credentials include FAA Advanced Avionics Flight Test Pilot and Chief Pilot, New England Region for FAA as Regional Quality Assurance Manager. He's going to tell us what all these impressive titles mean and maybe give us a few anecdotes from his experiences. We're looking forwad to hearing from him. A Sincere Thank-you! The Mass. Chapter of the Eighth Air Force Historical Society wishes to extend its sincere thanks to Flight Chief Paul Hardigan, Officers' Club Manager Jim Nichols and Karen Cardloos of Catering for their unfailing courtesy shown to us by furnishing quarters for our monthly meetings and high quality food and service at our spring and fall luncheons. 8th Vets Cheer Norwood McDonald's! Those who attend our mini-meeting the first Tuesday of the month at the Norwood McDonalds on Rte.1, No rth, want to express our deep appreciation. Denny Wright, owner -manager and his expert right-hand-man Mike Bancewicz could not be nicer to the aging 8th Air Force vets who land in on them the first Tuesday of each month at 10AM. Come to our mini-meetings. They are informal and help keep you aware of coming events. And when you are driving past McDonalds at 1600 Providence Hwy. Pop in and treat yourself to some of their many goodies. Members in the News Al Audette Steps down - Long time Eighth Air Force Historical Society President Albert Audette has stepped down after many years of devoted service. Here is his last letter to the membership as president. Dear Friends and Comrades: Allow me to thank the Society and its members for awarding a plaque to me for doing my duty as president. It has been a very educational experience for me to serve the Massachusetts Chapter of the Eighth Air Force Historical Society. 1999 was an outstanding year for the chapter. We dedicated our memorial plaque at State House ceremonies. We took our famous annual boat trip courtesy of so many kindly well-wishers all of whom were thanked by us. We marched in the Chinese Independence Day Parade and enjoyed the luncheon that followed. We also donated the propeller of a WW1 Waco to the Historical Museum in Savannah through the generosity of our irreplaceable Harold Miller. We must not forget our spring and fall luncheons at the Hanscom Air Base Officers' Club. They are not only well attended by our regular members but attract others who enjoy themselves so much they sign up to become members themselves. Our regular monthly meetings at Hanscom are the best way we can inform people about what is going on. Former Vice President Henry Oi was instrumental in starting a mini-meeting at McDonalds on Rte One in Walpole the first Tuesday of the month starting at 10AM. This makes it possible for members who cannot get to the regular third Thursday, 11AM meetings at Hanscom to keep up with activities. Finally, let us all work with our new president William Campbell and vice president Albert Dusey to continue our dedication to the Eighth Air Force Historical Society. MEMORIAL DAY Memorial Day, or Decoration Day as it is known in various parts of the country, will soon be upon us. It is a day when we remember our departed loved ones and especially those who fell in the service of the United States. This came in the mail signed simply �A survivor�. We feel it appropriate that we print it in this Spring edition. Here it is: Listen �Voices of the Mighty Eighth� (Of combat crews who never returned) No graves or markers in the ground to show or tell their tale. Yet I still hear them in the wind-their voices never fail. Blown to bits and pieces -scattered in the skies. They tell me�please do not forget, we live behind your eyes. And yes they do-I hear their call-their voices strong and clear. Each one is burned upon my soul-forever-year to year The debt we owe to all of them, we never can repay But listen�cherish peace and love and live them every day. Recent Deaths Valley, James J. Clinton, MA 3452 H Gladu, Francis 41 Pine Knoll Village, Lee, NH 035DV Boylan, James F. 98 Front St. Clinton, MA 2466H Cahill, David E. Jr. 27 Longmeadow St. Longmeadow, MA 2466H Dexter, Russell S. Salten Pt. Rd.X 4061 Barnstable, MA 1092H Foy, Charles R D. 451-A South St. Plainville, MA 0301H Greene, Joseph J. Box 2044, Brockton, MA 1306H Milnes, John S. 24 West Parkview Dr. So. Hadley, MA 3385H Hutchinson, John J. 116 Walnut St. Clinton, MA 3493H William P. "Bill" Maher took his final flight 2-20-2000 after a long illness. He was a contract manager at Raytheon and leaves his wife Jean, five daughters and two sons. He was a B17 pilot and flew with the 401st BGH. He was shot down raiding buzz bomb sites and spent 53 weeks in Stalag Luft III. Only one other member of his crew survived the downing. MORE NEWS: Your chapter has contributed $200 to a fund concerned with erecting an 8th Air Force memorial in Arlington National Cemetery. OUR NEW WEBPAGE!: Thank you for visiting our new webpage located on geocities.com! Bookmark this site, and come back often! www.geocities.com/eighthafhs/ Also, a special thank you to Patti Brennan of Alexandria, Va. for constructing this webpage for her dad and all of us. She reminds us that her dad wrote every story in this issue and even drew the cartoon! COLONEL TRIPP TIP TOP AT FALL FLING: Members and guests were both honored and delighted to have Colonel Robert E. Tripp, Senior Army Instructor with the Junior ROTC program at Brockton High School as a guest speaker. He joined the Brockton faculty after his retirement from active duty in August 1994. Tripp had enlisted in the Army in 1966, attended OCS at Fort Benning, Georgia in 1967. He did two combat tours in Vietnam. He has experience with the Regular Army, Army Reserve and Army National Guard. He also held highly responsible positions with the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations in Europe, at the Pentagon, and with the Seventh Army. Trip has been awarded the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with a "V", Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Army Staff Badge and was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry as an individual. We have it on good authority that Colonel Trip rarely receives any lip from any yet-to-learn Brockton High students. With Tripp's credentials, even the famous Brockton High graduate, the late heavyweight champ Rocky Marciano would have put his heels together and said "Yessir!". AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHER HONORED: Abington's Frank Tedesco had a nice write up in the Boston Sunday Globe when two of his photos won places on the Massachusetts Department of Food and Agriculture calendar for 2000. Frank was an Air Force pilot stationed in Italy during WW2. Frank, a former B-24 pilot, helped restore a B-24 for the Collings Foundation. He flew a B24 in WW2. He volunteers at Norwood and Plymouth airports when the two big bombers of WW2 fly in. Now if he could only persuade the B-24 owners to get rid of the new nose art that so many parents bringing their kids to see the bombers find offensive. Who wants to bring his 12 and 13 year olds to the exhibit and be confronted with that? WHAT THE HUMP COST From December 1, 1942 until November 16, 1945 there was 776,653 tons of war materials and supplies delivered over the Hump at a cost of 910 crewmen, 130 passengers, 594 planes lost and only 75 men rescued. A terrible price to pay but these men delivered! REMEMBER WHEN.... Remember when you were in Basic Training and being indoctrinated into the mystique of the old Army Air Corp and they insisted you learn these songs and sing them whenever you marched from one place to another even to the latrine? Remember? Into the air, Junior Birdmen Into the air, pilots green! Into the air, Junior Birdmen, Climb into that old machine! And when you hear that Franklin sputterin� And you get your wings of tin We will know the Junior Birdmen Have sent their boxtops in! Or I wouldn�t give a bag of beans For all your fancy pants Marines For I�m my Uncle Sammy�s Pride and joy! On all the posters that I read It says the Air Corp builds men So they�re tearing me down To build me over again Or (To the tune of �Stars and Stripes Forever") Be kind to your washed out cadet For he may be your aer-ee-al gunner! He sits all alone in the plane But you never hear him complain. Now you may think that he is afraid. Well, he is! And one of the printable verses to �I Wanted Wings!� I wanted wings Til I got the %$#@@% things Now I don�t want them any more! (just kidding. We know vets who still wear them on their nightshirts!) Veterans� Funeral Honors The Department of Defense announced Jan.1, 2000, that eligible veterans will be entitled to military honors at their funerals.Upon request two service members will fold and present the American flag to surviving family members and a bugler will sound �Taps� If a bugler is not available a high quality professionally recorded CD will be used.The recording will be that of the bugle playing on Memorial Day, 1999, at Arlington (VA) National Cemetery. It is not necessary for the families to contact the D.o.D.Simply inform the funeral director military honors are requested and the directors will go on from there. Those discharged under dishonorable conditions are not eligible. Computer owners may seek the website www.militaryfuneral honors.osd.mil. or call toll free 1-800-MIL-HONR. Mike Halle Remembers Mike Halle, 385th Bomb Group,549 Sqdrn. was a First Lieutenant in Chemical Warfare and supervised loading Fortresses with incendiary bombs. Mike, originally from Orient Heights in East Boston and now a resident of Norwood, is an MIT grad. He says the incendiary sticks were "perfectly safe" while being loaded but people were VERY careful anyway. After hostilities ceased Mike was in charge of Mustard Gas disposal. The bombs were loaded on freighters and the freighters taken out to see and scuttled. Mike's final duty was to supervise taking the bodies of fallen service people to the United States military cemetery at Cambridge, England. The United States Strategic Bombing Survey Summary Report (European War) If you have access to a computer or have a pal who might print it up for you look for "The United States Strategic Bombing Survey Summary Report (European War)"on the Net. You will be surprised at the memories this government report recalls. I sat down at the computer monitor and positively lost myself reading its many brief chapters. Some of the chapter headings are "The German War Economy", "The First Daylight Operations", "The Ball Bearing Attack", and "The Attack on the Railways and Waterways". It was fascinating to read that the Germans made only very casual preparations for air raids for they believed Goering when he told them enemy bombers would not dare to venture into their heartland. After the devastating 1940 Hamburg raid the Germans made up for lost time by going on an all out air defense program. Huge concrete roofed bombproof shelters were constructed in the major cities. There was one in Berlin that accommodated 60,000 people! (Think of the capacity of Fenway Park or Foxboro Stadium)The survey says that those taking refuge in these bunkers had an excellent chance of survival while those who sought refuge in cellars and smaller shelters did not. A note of horror! The Survey says that the Germans had a rule that time and effort were not to be wasted on those trapped in the wreckage of buildings. The citizens thus entrapped were left to die. 1. TRY www.anesi.com/ussbs02.htm or look up "US Strategic Bombing Survey". We like http://www.google.com/ as a search engine. It's fast and no spam. 1 THE SWORD AND THE SHIELD, The Mitrokhin Archive and the secret history of the KGB." By Christopher Andrew and Vasili Mitrokhin Christopher Andrews, a history professor at Cambridge University in Cambridge and Vasili Mitrokhin, who worked for 30 years in the KGB intelligence archives, have collaborated on a fascinating history of Soviet espionage in the West, Mitrokhin, a man who could tell which way the wind was blowing, copied as much as he was able of the Soviet spy system's archives and smuggled them out of the country when the Soviet state collapsed. He first offered these invaluable files to the United States and was told we were not interested. He then went to the British who welcomed him and eventually gave Vasili and Professor Andrew permission to write "The Sword and the Shield". It is a big thick book but don't be frightened. If you don't want to read the whole thing use the index and look up spies like Alger Hiss and see what his Soviet employers have to say about him. The book is both fascinating and frightening. Here is a horrible example. After J.Edgar Hoover, arguably the best FBI Director in US history died, a rumor immediately spread that he was a cross-dressing homosexual, a lie that is now accepted by many as fact. This book traces the origins of that vicious rumor to a certain Susan Rosensteil, reportedly a convicted perjurer, as the one who promoted the lie. Hoover was dead and could not defend himself and those who would defend him found few places in the media to express their views. The authors say the KGB also went after Senator Henry "Scoop" Jackson of Washington with the same vicious garbage but he was able to strike down the rumors with ease. REMEMBER! Vet and Non-Vet are welcome to join the 8th Air Force Historical Society. Dues are $10 a year and you get "Vapor Trails" and our national quarterly"The 8th Air Force News" as well as a chance to take part in our events like parades, field trips and even boat trips! Click here to print out an application. VETERANS TAKE THEIR MEDICINE All honorably discharged veterans are entitled to obtain prescriptions through the Veterans Affairs prescription program. The cost is $2 for a month's supply and vets can continue receiving the medicine as long as they need it. Low income veterans receive prescriptions for no charge. It does not matter whether you have private health insurance or not. To enter the program, veterans should contact the nearest VA vacility. They will be required to take a routine physical, which includes x-rays and lab work if necessary. There is no charge to low income vets for the physical. Others may use their insurance to defray the cost. Prescriptions can be set to you by mail at no shipping charge to you. BOOK REVIEW BERLIN DIARY byWilliam L. Shirer William L. Shirer, one of the very first radio correspondents, broadcast from Nazi Germany from 1934 until December 1940. This is his diary as the title says and he brings to life those who strode across Europe in the third decade of the last century. They are all alive again in this fascinating book. Ambitious Hitler, cocksure Hermann Goering, the foul Nazi underlings, the weak-willed Allied leaders. We were especially fascinated how United States Ambassador William E. Dodd's daughter Martha lurks in the background in so many scenes. She was a Communist spy and kept the Soviets up to date on what the United States and its friends were planning. Eighth Air Force people will be fascinated by Shirer's accounts of the first air raids on Berlin. The Berliners, not imagining what the future would bring, paid scant attention to the meager British efforts and became even more complacent. Hermann had them convinced no bomb would fall on the Fatherland A RENDEZ-VOUS AGENDA and DIRECTIONS DIRECTIONS: TO REACH ONE CAMP ENTRANCE, TAKE ROUTE 2A OFF ROUTE 2 OR .128. TO REACH THE OTHER, TAKE ROUTE 4/225 OFF 128. You'll be checked off by the Air Police from a roster we will supply. Please refer to bottom of page for a reservation form to be filled out by you. Mail it back ASAP. Don't forget to state the number attending, their names and please enclose your cheque. Thank you! Don't forget to bring a gift for the RAFFLE TABLE! The receipts from the raffle, ($1.00 ea.) defray costs for this newsletter and help to pay other administrative costs. GLENN TESSMER REMEMBERS Glen Tessmer of Shrewsbury, a retired airline pilot recalls being shot down over Germany Glenn, who flew with the 93rd,sometimes flew in the left seat as first pilot and other times in the right seat as co-pilot. He recalls he was scheduled to be lead co-pilot with Lt.Whitman in command on a mission to Osnabrook but some hours prior to takeoff a Captain Mathison informed him he would take his place. This was fine with Glenn who was not particularly fond of flying lead on a raid, particularly in a Liberator which was not his favorite aircraft. Whitman's luck ran out on this mission. The 24 took a direct hit on the #3 engine which knocked it clear off the wing. The radio operator and a waist gunner were the only survivors. Glenn 's luck had held. He received a three-day pass and then resumed flying co-pilot with a Lt. Rosacher and his crew. He liked flying in the midst of the formation better than being in the lead position which some considered being a sitting duck. This was his 24th mission and, with the end of his tour just ahead, he wanted every little edge he could get. Target for the day was the German city of Dortmund. The 24 was just inside the I.P. when #1 prop ran away. It could not be feathered. The bomb load was dropped in the target area and the long, lonely trip out of Germany began. The runaway prop created a tremendous drag and Glenn's ship could not keep up with the bomber formation. They flew along heading for home dodging known heavy anti-aircraft areas. Their luck was destined to be tough. #1 engine was out and now #2 ran away also. With #1 and #2 out the pilots had to stand on the right rudder and rudder trim with both feet and push! The pilots aimed the 24 southward staying about five miles off the coastline. They knew they could not hope to cross the Channel with the plane in barely flyable condition but they began to hope they might make it to Allied occupied territory. Glenn says it was not to be. Crew members put on their chest packs and kept handy to the exits. The pilots, wearing seat packs, warned everyone that they might have to bail out before the plane lost so much altitude bailing out safely would be impossible. Number One engine then caught fire and #4 began to run away also. They were at 2000 feet over a place called Schowen Island. They did not realize it was still held by the Germans until the Germans began to shoot at them as they parachuted. Glenn says that as he descended he was amazed to see the abandoned 24 heading straight for him. It was in a diving left turn, probably the beginnings of a death spiral like the one that killed JFK JR. Fortunately with 1000 feet separating Tessmer and the stricken Lib it stalled, dove and crashed. Glenn, still descending, says his first thought as he saw the wreckage burn was "My hat's in there!" All were quickly captured and the Germans took delight in telling them that Canadian forces were but five miles away on the mainland. Tessler reports that all crew members survived the crash and the war. He and his comrades were taken by blacked-out speedboat, train and truck to Stalag XIII at Nurnburg. Glenn , who could handle high school German pretty well, remembers two odd events. A well dressed civilian came up to him with the guard's permission and asked "Are you a Christian?" Tessmer was later interrogated by a German officer who was unhappy that someone whose family roots were in Germany would be at war against it. "Why are you dropping bombs on your fatherland?" the puzzled officer inquired. Tesssmer didn't bother to answer. If that guy hadn't figured things out by that time nothing Tessmer would say would persuade him. One other event sticks in his mind or maybe his craw. As the crew was preparing to board for what was to be their last mission the aircraft crew chief came up and with a sour expression grumbled "I wish this airplane was in hell and I had a receipt for it!" Maybe Tessmer should. RESERVATIONS FOR THE 13TH SPRING RENDEZ-VOUS MASS. CHAPTER 8TH AF.H.S. Hanscom A. F. B. * OFFICERS Club * Wednesday, April 26, 2000 Names (s)_______________________________ 8AF Unit___________ Guests (s)_______________________________ Amount enclosed $20.00 x _________ Persons (s) = _________ Indicate number of meals by choice: ____________ Stuffed Filet of Sole ____________ N.E. Traditional Stuffed Breast of Chicken Deadline for reservations is before April 20, 2000. Make check payable to "MASS. CHAPTER 8th A.F.H.S." Please email us for more info! [email protected] No tickets(s) mailed to you -- be assured that if you mail the reservation it will be received and you and your guest (s) be listed on the attendance roster. The day's program starts with registration at 11:00 am. The PX will be open and there will be coffee while making new acquaintances or renew friendships. Dinner will be served at 12:00 noon accompanied by Belgian carrots, rolls and butter, coffee or tea , and for dessert, Boston Cream Pie. Vice President Alfred E. Ducey 447BG [email protected] AFHS President William Campbell Secretary John McKernan Treasurer Carl Wood [email protected] Editor of Vapor Trails John Brennan [email protected] For comments, send email to the Vapor Trails Editor at: [email protected] Last Update: April 1, 2000 Previous issues: October 1999 FastCounter by bCentral
Think Spring! Think Spring Fling! A New President! Our Own Web Site!
Bill Campbell is the new president of the Mass. Chapter of the 8th Air Force Historical Society. Bill was a tail gunner on a B-24 and was wounded on a raid into Nazi Germany. He returned to action after a hospital stay and completed 29 missions.
President's Message Dear Friends, I am both honored and proud to be elected your president. I will do everything I can to keep up an active chapter devoted to fellowship, patriotism and preserving the memory of "THE MIGHTY EIGHTH".
We have a fine group of dedicated officers and members exemplified by Al Audette, our retiring president. We are busy planning more day trips like our popular boat trip and are looking into trips to Bradley Field, Foxwood and other fun destinations. Meanwhile, let's have a large turnout for our luncheon on April 26. There's a reservation form in this issue.
Thanks again,
Bill Campbell
AIR TRAFFIC ACE TO SPEAK AT SPRING FLING! Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Glenn W. Michael is to be the guest speaker at our famous Spring Fling. Colonel Michael is a University of New Hampshire graduate, entered the USAF in 1970, and served on active duty until 1975. He has been with the Federal Aviation Administration since 1977.
Some of his credentials include FAA Advanced Avionics Flight Test Pilot and Chief Pilot, New England Region for FAA as Regional Quality Assurance Manager. He's going to tell us what all these impressive titles mean and maybe give us a few anecdotes from his experiences. We're looking forwad to hearing from him.
A Sincere Thank-you! The Mass. Chapter of the Eighth Air Force Historical Society wishes to extend its sincere thanks to Flight Chief Paul Hardigan, Officers' Club Manager Jim Nichols and Karen Cardloos of Catering for their unfailing courtesy shown to us by furnishing quarters for our monthly meetings and high quality food and service at our spring and fall luncheons.
8th Vets Cheer Norwood McDonald's! Those who attend our mini-meeting the first Tuesday of the month at the Norwood McDonalds on Rte.1, No rth, want to express our deep appreciation. Denny Wright, owner -manager and his expert right-hand-man Mike Bancewicz could not be nicer to the aging 8th Air Force vets who land in on them the first Tuesday of each month at 10AM. Come to our mini-meetings. They are informal and help keep you aware of coming events. And when you are driving past McDonalds at 1600 Providence Hwy. Pop in and treat yourself to some of their many goodies.
Al Audette Steps down - Long time Eighth Air Force Historical Society President Albert Audette has stepped down after many years of devoted service. Here is his last letter to the membership as president.
Dear Friends and Comrades:
Allow me to thank the Society and its members for awarding a plaque to me for doing my duty as president. It has been a very educational experience for me to serve the Massachusetts Chapter of the Eighth Air Force Historical Society.
1999 was an outstanding year for the chapter. We dedicated our memorial plaque at State House ceremonies. We took our famous annual boat trip courtesy of so many kindly well-wishers all of whom were thanked by us. We marched in the Chinese Independence Day Parade and enjoyed the luncheon that followed. We also donated the propeller of a WW1 Waco to the Historical Museum in Savannah through the generosity of our irreplaceable Harold Miller.
We must not forget our spring and fall luncheons at the Hanscom Air Base Officers' Club. They are not only well attended by our regular members but attract others who enjoy themselves so much they sign up to become members themselves. Our regular monthly meetings at Hanscom are the best way we can inform people about what is going on.
Former Vice President Henry Oi was instrumental in starting a mini-meeting at McDonalds on Rte One in Walpole the first Tuesday of the month starting at 10AM. This makes it possible for members who cannot get to the regular third Thursday, 11AM meetings at Hanscom to keep up with activities.
Finally, let us all work with our new president William Campbell and vice president Albert Dusey to continue our dedication to the Eighth Air Force Historical Society.
MEMORIAL DAY
Memorial Day, or Decoration Day as it is known in various parts of the country, will soon be upon us. It is a day when we remember our departed loved ones and especially those who fell in the service of the United States. This came in the mail signed simply �A survivor�. We feel it appropriate that we print it in this Spring edition. Here it is:
Listen �Voices of the Mighty Eighth� (Of combat crews who never returned)
No graves or markers in the ground to show or tell their tale.
Yet I still hear them in the wind-their voices never fail.
Blown to bits and pieces -scattered in the skies.
They tell me�please do not forget, we live behind your eyes.
And yes they do-I hear their call-their voices strong and clear.
Each one is burned upon my soul-forever-year to year
The debt we owe to all of them, we never can repay
But listen�cherish peace and love and live them every day.
Recent Deaths
Valley, James J. Clinton, MA 3452 H
Gladu, Francis 41 Pine Knoll Village, Lee, NH 035DV
Boylan, James F. 98 Front St. Clinton, MA 2466H
Cahill, David E. Jr. 27 Longmeadow St. Longmeadow, MA 2466H
Dexter, Russell S. Salten Pt. Rd.X 4061 Barnstable, MA 1092H
Foy, Charles R D. 451-A South St. Plainville, MA 0301H
Greene, Joseph J. Box 2044, Brockton, MA 1306H
Milnes, John S. 24 West Parkview Dr. So. Hadley, MA 3385H
Hutchinson, John J. 116 Walnut St. Clinton, MA 3493H
William P. "Bill" Maher took his final flight 2-20-2000 after a long illness. He was a contract manager at Raytheon and leaves his wife Jean, five daughters and two sons. He was a B17 pilot and flew with the 401st BGH. He was shot down raiding buzz bomb sites and spent 53 weeks in Stalag Luft III. Only one other member of his crew survived the downing.
MORE NEWS: Your chapter has contributed $200 to a fund concerned with erecting an 8th Air Force memorial in Arlington National Cemetery.
OUR NEW WEBPAGE!: Thank you for visiting our new webpage located on geocities.com! Bookmark this site, and come back often!
Also, a special thank you to Patti Brennan of Alexandria, Va. for constructing this webpage for her dad and all of us. She reminds us that her dad wrote every story in this issue and even drew the cartoon!
COLONEL TRIPP TIP TOP AT FALL FLING: Members and guests were both honored and delighted to have Colonel Robert E. Tripp, Senior Army Instructor with the Junior ROTC program at Brockton High School as a guest speaker. He joined the Brockton faculty after his retirement from active duty in August 1994. Tripp had enlisted in the Army in 1966, attended OCS at Fort Benning, Georgia in 1967. He did two combat tours in Vietnam. He has experience with the Regular Army, Army Reserve and Army National Guard. He also held highly responsible positions with the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations in Europe, at the Pentagon, and with the Seventh Army. Trip has been awarded the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with a "V", Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Army Staff Badge and was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry as an individual.
We have it on good authority that Colonel Trip rarely receives any lip from any yet-to-learn Brockton High students. With Tripp's credentials, even the famous Brockton High graduate, the late heavyweight champ Rocky Marciano would have put his heels together and said "Yessir!". AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHER HONORED: Abington's Frank Tedesco had a nice write up in the Boston Sunday Globe when two of his photos won places on the Massachusetts Department of Food and Agriculture calendar for 2000. Frank was an Air Force pilot stationed in Italy during WW2. Frank, a former B-24 pilot, helped restore a B-24 for the Collings Foundation. He flew a B24 in WW2. He volunteers at Norwood and Plymouth airports when the two big bombers of WW2 fly in. Now if he could only persuade the B-24 owners to get rid of the new nose art that so many parents bringing their kids to see the bombers find offensive. Who wants to bring his 12 and 13 year olds to the exhibit and be confronted with that?
WHAT THE HUMP COST From December 1, 1942 until November 16, 1945 there was 776,653 tons of war materials and supplies delivered over the Hump at a cost of 910 crewmen, 130 passengers, 594 planes lost and only 75 men rescued. A terrible price to pay but these men delivered!
REMEMBER WHEN....
Remember when you were in Basic Training and being indoctrinated into the mystique of the old Army Air Corp and they insisted you learn these songs and sing them whenever you marched from one place to another even to the latrine?
Remember?
Into the air, Junior Birdmen Into the air, pilots green! Into the air, Junior Birdmen, Climb into that old machine! And when you hear that Franklin sputterin� And you get your wings of tin We will know the Junior Birdmen Have sent their boxtops in!
Or
I wouldn�t give a bag of beans For all your fancy pants Marines For I�m my Uncle Sammy�s Pride and joy! On all the posters that I read It says the Air Corp builds men So they�re tearing me down To build me over again Or
(To the tune of �Stars and Stripes Forever")
Be kind to your washed out cadet For he may be your aer-ee-al gunner! He sits all alone in the plane But you never hear him complain. Now you may think that he is afraid. Well, he is! And one of the printable verses to �I Wanted Wings!�
I wanted wings Til I got the %$#@@% things Now I don�t want them any more! (just kidding. We know vets who still wear them on their nightshirts!)
Veterans� Funeral Honors
The Department of Defense announced Jan.1, 2000, that eligible veterans will be entitled to military honors at their funerals.Upon request two service members will fold and present the American flag to surviving family members and a bugler will sound �Taps� If a bugler is not available a high quality professionally recorded CD will be used.The recording will be that of the bugle playing on Memorial Day, 1999, at Arlington (VA) National Cemetery. It is not necessary for the families to contact the D.o.D.Simply inform the funeral director military honors are requested and the directors will go on from there.
Those discharged under dishonorable conditions are not eligible. Computer owners may seek the website www.militaryfuneral honors.osd.mil. or call toll free 1-800-MIL-HONR.
Mike Halle Remembers
Mike Halle, 385th Bomb Group,549 Sqdrn. was a First Lieutenant in Chemical Warfare and supervised loading Fortresses with incendiary bombs. Mike, originally from Orient Heights in East Boston and now a resident of Norwood, is an MIT grad. He says the incendiary sticks were "perfectly safe" while being loaded but people were VERY careful anyway. After hostilities ceased Mike was in charge of Mustard Gas disposal. The bombs were loaded on freighters and the freighters taken out to see and scuttled. Mike's final duty was to supervise taking the bodies of fallen service people to the United States military cemetery at Cambridge, England.
If you have access to a computer or have a pal who might print it up for you look for "The United States Strategic Bombing Survey Summary Report (European War)"on the Net. You will be surprised at the memories this government report recalls. I sat down at the computer monitor and positively lost myself reading its many brief chapters.
Some of the chapter headings are "The German War Economy", "The First Daylight Operations", "The Ball Bearing Attack", and "The Attack on the Railways and Waterways". It was fascinating to read that the Germans made only very casual preparations for air raids for they believed Goering when he told them enemy bombers would not dare to venture into their heartland.
After the devastating 1940 Hamburg raid the Germans made up for lost time by going on an all out air defense program. Huge concrete roofed bombproof shelters were constructed in the major cities. There was one in Berlin that accommodated 60,000 people! (Think of the capacity of Fenway Park or Foxboro Stadium)The survey says that those taking refuge in these bunkers had an excellent chance of survival while those who sought refuge in cellars and smaller shelters did not. A note of horror! The Survey says that the Germans had a rule that time and effort were not to be wasted on those trapped in the wreckage of buildings. The citizens thus entrapped were left to die.
1. TRY www.anesi.com/ussbs02.htm or look up "US Strategic Bombing Survey". We like http://www.google.com/ as a search engine. It's fast and no spam.
1 THE SWORD AND THE SHIELD, The Mitrokhin Archive and the secret history of the KGB." By Christopher Andrew and Vasili Mitrokhin Christopher Andrews, a history professor at Cambridge University in Cambridge and Vasili Mitrokhin, who worked for 30 years in the KGB intelligence archives, have collaborated on a fascinating history of Soviet espionage in the West,
Mitrokhin, a man who could tell which way the wind was blowing, copied as much as he was able of the Soviet spy system's archives and smuggled them out of the country when the Soviet state collapsed. He first offered these invaluable files to the United States and was told we were not interested. He then went to the British who welcomed him and eventually gave Vasili and Professor Andrew permission to write "The Sword and the Shield".
It is a big thick book but don't be frightened. If you don't want to read the whole thing use the index and look up spies like Alger Hiss and see what his Soviet employers have to say about him. The book is both fascinating and frightening.
Here is a horrible example. After J.Edgar Hoover, arguably the best FBI Director in US history died, a rumor immediately spread that he was a cross-dressing homosexual, a lie that is now accepted by many as fact. This book traces the origins of that vicious rumor to a certain Susan Rosensteil, reportedly a convicted perjurer, as the one who promoted the lie. Hoover was dead and could not defend himself and those who would defend him found few places in the media to express their views. The authors say the KGB also went after Senator Henry "Scoop" Jackson of Washington with the same vicious garbage but he was able to strike down the rumors with ease.
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BOOK REVIEW
BERLIN DIARY byWilliam L. Shirer
William L. Shirer, one of the very first radio correspondents, broadcast from Nazi Germany from 1934 until December 1940. This is his diary as the title says and he brings to life those who strode across Europe in the third decade of the last century.
They are all alive again in this fascinating book. Ambitious Hitler, cocksure Hermann Goering, the foul Nazi underlings, the weak-willed Allied leaders. We were especially fascinated how United States Ambassador William E. Dodd's daughter Martha lurks in the background in so many scenes. She was a Communist spy and kept the Soviets up to date on what the United States and its friends were planning.
Eighth Air Force people will be fascinated by Shirer's accounts of the first air raids on Berlin. The Berliners, not imagining what the future would bring, paid scant attention to the meager British efforts and became even more complacent. Hermann had them convinced no bomb would fall on the Fatherland
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GLENN TESSMER REMEMBERS
Glen Tessmer of Shrewsbury, a retired airline pilot recalls being shot down over Germany
Glenn, who flew with the 93rd,sometimes flew in the left seat as first pilot and other times in the right seat as co-pilot. He recalls he was scheduled to be lead co-pilot with Lt.Whitman in command on a mission to Osnabrook but some hours prior to takeoff a Captain Mathison informed him he would take his place. This was fine with Glenn who was not particularly fond of flying lead on a raid, particularly in a Liberator which was not his favorite aircraft.
Whitman's luck ran out on this mission. The 24 took a direct hit on the #3 engine which knocked it clear off the wing. The radio operator and a waist gunner were the only survivors. Glenn 's luck had held.
He received a three-day pass and then resumed flying co-pilot with a Lt. Rosacher and his crew. He liked flying in the midst of the formation better than being in the lead position which some considered being a sitting duck. This was his 24th mission and, with the end of his tour just ahead, he wanted every little edge he could get.
Target for the day was the German city of Dortmund. The 24 was just inside the I.P. when #1 prop ran away. It could not be feathered. The bomb load was dropped in the target area and the long, lonely trip out of Germany began. The runaway prop created a tremendous drag and Glenn's ship could not keep up with the bomber formation.
They flew along heading for home dodging known heavy anti-aircraft areas.
Their luck was destined to be tough. #1 engine was out and now #2 ran away also.
With #1 and #2 out the pilots had to stand on the right rudder and rudder trim with both feet and push!
The pilots aimed the 24 southward staying about five miles off the coastline. They knew they could not hope to cross the Channel with the plane in barely flyable condition but they began to hope they might make it to Allied occupied territory.
Glenn says it was not to be. Crew members put on their chest packs and kept handy to the exits. The pilots, wearing seat packs, warned everyone that they might have to bail out before the plane lost so much altitude bailing out safely would be impossible.
Number One engine then caught fire and #4 began to run away also. They were at 2000 feet over a place called Schowen Island. They did not realize it was still held by the Germans until the Germans began to shoot at them as they parachuted. Glenn says that as he descended he was amazed to see the abandoned 24 heading straight for him. It was in a diving left turn, probably the beginnings of a death spiral like the one that killed JFK JR.
Fortunately with 1000 feet separating Tessmer and the stricken Lib it stalled, dove and crashed. Glenn, still descending, says his first thought as he saw the wreckage burn was "My hat's in there!" All were quickly captured and the Germans took delight in telling them that Canadian forces were but five miles away on the mainland.
Tessler reports that all crew members survived the crash and the war. He and his comrades were taken by blacked-out speedboat, train and truck to Stalag XIII at Nurnburg. Glenn , who could handle high school German pretty well, remembers two odd events. A well dressed civilian came up to him with the guard's permission and asked "Are you a Christian?" Tessmer was later interrogated by a German officer who was unhappy that someone whose family roots were in Germany would be at war against it. "Why are you dropping bombs on your fatherland?" the puzzled officer inquired. Tesssmer didn't bother to answer. If that guy hadn't figured things out by that time nothing Tessmer would say would persuade him.
One other event sticks in his mind or maybe his craw. As the crew was preparing to board for what was to be their last mission the aircraft crew chief came up and with a sour expression grumbled "I wish this airplane was in hell and I had a receipt for it!" Maybe Tessmer should.
RESERVATIONS FOR THE 13TH SPRING RENDEZ-VOUS MASS. CHAPTER 8TH AF.H.S. Hanscom A. F. B. * OFFICERS Club * Wednesday, April 26, 2000
Names (s)_______________________________ 8AF Unit___________ Guests (s)_______________________________ Amount enclosed $20.00 x _________ Persons (s) = _________ Indicate number of meals by choice: ____________ Stuffed Filet of Sole ____________ N.E. Traditional Stuffed Breast of Chicken
Deadline for reservations is before April 20, 2000. Make check payable to "MASS. CHAPTER 8th A.F.H.S." Please email us for more info! [email protected] No tickets(s) mailed to you -- be assured that if you mail the reservation it will be received and you and your guest (s) be listed on the attendance roster.
The day's program starts with registration at 11:00 am. The PX will be open and there will be coffee while making new acquaintances or renew friendships. Dinner will be served at 12:00 noon accompanied by Belgian carrots, rolls and butter, coffee or tea , and for dessert, Boston Cream Pie.
Vice President Alfred E. Ducey 447BG [email protected]
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