Moultrie Observer

Veterans Project

May 29, 2010

Moultrian flew 10 missions before Germany surrendered

MOULTRIE — From the preface of “Air War Over Europe: My Experiences with the 459th Bomb Group, 15th Air Force, World War II” by Howard Hall Jr., published Oct. 10, 1994.



We were at 20,000 feet; a foot long icicle hung from my oxygen mask, and black flowers of flak were opening around us. Just ahead lay Prague, Czechoslovakia, and the Herman Goering ball bearing factory. The date was March 25, 1945. After the mission ended, we discovered how lucky we had been. There was only one hole from German anti-aircraft in our B-24; it happened to   be three feet behind my seat.

I was a 20 year old second lieutenant on my first combat mission. Home was a tent on a muddy field in rural Cerignola, Italy. We had been briefed on our target in the predawn hours in the old winery which served as headquarters for the 459th bomb group.

I had joined the Army Air Corps at age 17, to be called for active duty after my 18th birthday. When I was called to active duty, I was a third quarter freshman at North Georgia College in Dahlonega, Georgia.

On August 4, 1944, I received my pilot’s wings at Altus, Oklahoma. I had received my training at San Antonio and Cuero, Texas; and Enid and Altus, Oklahoma. From there, it was combat training with a B-24 crew in Pueblo, Colorado. We then picked up a shiny brand new B-24 bomber at Topeka, Kansas, which we flew to Cerignola, Italy. A veteran crew immediately claimed the new aircraft, and we were given one of the old war-weary “clunkers.”

Living conditions and food at Cerignola were semi-primitive. The menu was dried food and spam, relieved only by the occasional fresh egg bought from the villagers. Our lighting system consisted of candles. We moved   into a tent which had been used by a crew which had been recently lost in combat; we had to remove their toothpaste and other personal items which had not been shipped home to their parents or wives. The floor of our tent was made of boards from bomb crates, under which lived several families of European rats who made midnight raids to steal our socks for their nesting material.

By the time the war ended on May 8, 1945, I had flown my 10th combat mission. The 459th Bomb Group really celebrated. I think another fellow and I were the only sober ones in the entire outfit. The colonel was under the table and our squadron c.o. was throwing bottles at the mess hall. All in all, I wrote my brother Jack, it was “quite a gala event.”

Text Only
Veterans Project
  • on the homefront.jpg Video project focuses on the homefront

    “Where were you on Sept. 11, 2001?” is a phrase that brings an immediate reaction in people and they can tell you right where they were. But before that, another phrase brought a similar reaction — “Where were you on Dec. 7, 1941?” — the day the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor.

    April 16, 2011 1 Photo

  • Ubertacci2.JPG World War II battle changed Ubertacci's life

    If you know where to look, you can see Bill Ubertacci’s medals when he opens the front door of his Southwest Moultrie home. They’re displayed in a handsome frame along with a World War II-era photo of him in his Marine Corps uniform and other memorabilia of his time in the Corps.

    November 10, 2012 1 Photo

  • 5:29.Memorial Day Flags.JO.jpg Moultrie volunteer tapped for DAR's top award

    A longtime volunteer for veterans causes is being recognized with the highest honor of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
    Col. Hoyt Holland of Moultrie has received the DAR Medal of Honor, the most prestigious honor awarded by the National Society DAR, according to the John Benning Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution — the Moultrie chapter of the organization.

    March 3, 2012 2 Photos

  • 5:29.Memorial Day Flags.JO.jpg Veterans groups work together on veterans bus

    So what happens when you get all the veterans groups in Colquitt County together? Well, they take you for a ride … literally.
    Representatives of all of the county’s American Legion posts plus the Veterans of Foreign Wars post work together on the Veterans Activities Committee, whose biggest project is the veterans bus.

    March 3, 2012 1 Photo

  • On the Homefront Video

    June 1, 2011

  • 0305 Turk Turner 2.jpg Moultrie native receives Purple Heart for WW II service

    It has been well over half a century since Japan surrendered and Turk Turner left the Japanese prison camp that was his home for 3 1/2 years.

    March 5, 2011 2 Photos

  • Frank Montgomery.jpg We Salute Our Veterans

    November 10, 2010 24 Photos

  • VIDEO: Veterans Interview Project 2010

    November 9, 2010

  • online MEMDAY Floyd Crosby.jpg Floyd W. Crosby Jr., Vietnam, 1968

    May 29, 2010 1 Photo

  • online MEMDAY Chapman 1.jpg David Chapman, Vietnam, 1970

    May 29, 2010 2 Photos

Business Marquee
Facebook
AP Video
James Gandolfini Dies at Age 51 Fmr. TWA Flight 800 Investigators Want New Probe Raw: Heat, Spurs Back on Court Ahead of Game 7 Dolce and Gabbana Convicted of Tax Evasion Paris, Prince Depositions Used in Jackson Trial Coiffed Cattle Get Their Close-up In Berlin, Obama Channels Cold War Activism Police at Patriots Tight End's Home for 2nd Day Fed Suggests Bond Purchases Could Slow AP: DOJ Broke Own Rules Seizing Phone Records Raw: Baby White Rhino Debuts at Australian Zoo Time Lapse: Rebuilding Bridge Post-collapse Ohio Woman Accuses 3 of Holding Her Captive Hunt for Ex-Teamster Boss Hoffa's Remains Ends
House Ads
Hyperlocal Search
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
More
weatherradar
Seasonal Content
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
Poll

Should the Boy Scouts accept gay members and/or leaders?

No. Homosexuality goes against Scouting's moral foundation.
Allowing youth members is OK, but not leaders.
Yes. Stop discriminating and allow both.
     View Results