[BALL OF FIRE OVER VILLAGE OF HEMPNALL, TWO MILES NORTH OF RUNWAY 19 BALL OF FIRE QUARTERLY EXPRESS Newsletter of the 93rd Bomb Group 2nd Air Division, 8th Air Forc Hardwick, England Vol. 2, No. 1 Spring, 1994 Presidemt, Editor Vico President, Membership Chairman, Historical Board Paul R. Steichen Floyd H. Meboo Alfced Asch 227A Rubland Avenue 28 Hillside Avenue 6205 Meadow Court Redondo Beach, CA 90278 Dover, NJ 07801 Rockville, MD 20852 (310) 214-1618 (201) 366.5916 RETURN TO HARDWICK by a Reilly Retumed 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 « musty old door. It was covered with layers of grey-brown damp dust. Wiped it off; the words undemeath: "93rd Bomb Group.” Our old insignia was visible through a translucent film of grt. 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, ‘erewmen sidled up to him to confess their sins in preparation for what could be a joumey from which no soldier has returned. Hardwick bad been converted into @ 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 @ kind of a command post for a crop-dusting operation, deactivated for winter. ‘The long runway had been bulldozed. 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; nostalgic reverie of time that can never be again. It was a moment of sadness, commingled with pride. In memory's ear, the roer of ‘ 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 metalic ‘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 cars 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, eryogenic 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 ong-winged Libs in lofty box formations. We hoped and ‘rusted 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 retum to ‘Hardwick where I stood in the old, darkened, cobwebbed ready room 30 years afier 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 Tcould not do it again. Technological advances have changed serial warfare in ways that make what we did as forever reclusive of recurrence as Custer’s charge again Jeb Stewart's cavalry at Gettysburg.ANNUAL MEETING ‘The Annual Meeting of the 931d Bomb Group Assotiation will be held on Sunday morning, May 29, 1994, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Kansas City, MO. This willbe in conjunction withthe 47th Annual Convention of the Second Air Di 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 Delaire Landing Road, Philadelphia, PA 19114. Space as of writing is still available, COLLISION OF TWO 93rd B.G. LIBERATORS ‘AT INGLEMUNSTER, SEPT. 21, 1944 Report of Captain R.A. Peltor 46 Ais Lisizon Setion 145th Wing, RAF, Sept. 30, 1944 ‘At approximately 13:15 hours, Sept. 21, 1944, 2 American Liberators crashed in the region of Inglemunster, Belgium. ‘They were completely destroyed. ‘AL 13:55 hours, Sept. 21, an American 2nd Lieutenant came 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 4s 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 Vanderougstracte of Krekelstrat, Inglemunster. 1 immediately questioned the civilians, who were gathered sbout in great numbers, concerning survivors. Mr. Depractere- De Landsheere, who seemed to have taken charge, informed sme that he had given first aid to and sent one American Airman to the civilian hospital at Thielt. He had collected another from ‘nearby bam. 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, T sent the M.O. to collect all of the above- mentioned and take them to 145th Wing RAF for care, attention and information. [ 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 stil remain, I had some Belgium volunteers send everyone away and mounted a guard around the field. I approached the aircraft and weat 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 150 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 barn was burning as a result of a piece of hot metal which had fallen through the roof. T continued on ‘my way to the civilian hospital at Inglemunster to see the body there. I wanted to prevent any tampering with equipment, ete. and find identification marks, if possible. On arriving there I 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 ‘be that of Sgt. Leroy Miller, #13034153. I gathered the articles which were with the body. ‘From there I went to the scene of the second crash. This was about 1% miles away on a field owned by Baeckeland & Sons, of Vulpulstracate, Inglemunster. This aircraft was still burning fiercely. I could not get within less than 25 feet of it. Many civilians were about. I could see the body of the front gunner, still in position, but completely bumed. 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 seat away from the plane and posted « Belgian volunteer guard around the field with instructions to keep ‘everyone at least 500 yards away. T then went to the farm owner's house. This house and barn were only about 30 yards away and had been damaged by the ‘bomb explosion. Three bombs had gone off at intervals of approximately 5, 10 and 15 minutes, respectively. I then went to another farmer's house in the vicinity, belonging to George Verhaest. It was here that Sgt. Miller had fallen. He had crashed through the roof of the bam. I visited the bam and found an almost complete gun turret badly smashed as well as two .50 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. RE. He immediately agreed to mount 'a guard for 24 hours until the ‘American authorities could take over. The survivors had by now reached the 145th Wing where they hed given what information they could. ‘So far as I can now tell, the survivors are: 2nd Lis. B. Johnson and S.L. Mikelajesyk; and SSgts. J.F. Bradley and C.D. Johnson; all out of aircraft 949-1. To the Knowledge there are no survivors from the other aircraft. i 8 we ‘would appear that Sgt. Leroy Miller was part of the crew of this second aircraft, but as stated above he was killed when his parachute failed to open or else he was thrown out of the siroraft. The other crew members of this crash are all presumed to have been killed by fire. Tn conclusion, I wish to mention Mr. Hil. Depractere-De Landsheere. He is Secretary of the Local Red Cross. As ‘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 Inglemunster, Belgium has arranged a reception for crew members and kin of crew members who plan 10 visit Inglemunster on Sept. 21, 1994, which is the 50th ‘anniversary of the sad day. As part of a week's visit to the area the guests will be picked up at their hotel, visit the City Hall ‘for a reception by the Mayor and the people of the area. A conference will be held with eyewitnesses to the crashes, the doctor (now 88 years of age) who examined the survivors, 2 neighbors who lived in proximity to the farm where the first lane fell and the owner of the barn that Leroy Miller fell through, the man who pulled Miller out of the barn and 10 a waiting ‘car, a farm hand where the second plane fell, and ‘others who spoke to the survivors after the crash. In addition, during the entire week's stay in the area, a broad program has been arranged for the American friends, such as a visit 1o Kortrijk (information available at hotel). Brugge is a very interesting historical town only 25 miles ‘away. Ypres is in the neighborhood and Brussels is only 70 miles away. Reservations to these cities plus longer journeys to Paris and Amsterdam with guides are available. ‘Planning to attend are 3 of the survivors with their wives: Joe & Pegey Bradley, C.D. & Simone Johnson, Mike & DotMikolajcayk. Mrs. Elizabeth Johnson, widow of the fourth survivor may also attend. Her husband, pilot Everett Johnson, ddied in 1986, Mrs. Johnson is an Associate Member of the 2nd Air Division and 93rd Bomb Group Association. /-\, Russell and Michael Morgan, sons of co-pilot Elmer R. YMorgan, who last his life that day along with the rest of his ‘crew from the 330th, will attend. The others were: Clair F. Mullin, Marion Giusti, James R. Picard, Delmont W. Strait, Leroy L.. Miller, Claude J. Johns, Milion V. Unnderdahl, alt listed in the 93rd “Roll of Honor.” 93rd—FINE SHOWING AT ORLANDO REGIONAL! ‘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 Koorndyk and Gen. John Brooks were the featured speakers. We had 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 "Gil" Gilbert of the 392nd agnin proved to be « gracious and effective host. The one-day format used seems to be a very good one and provides plenty of time 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 ‘uthering. In our case we had 4 very large tables marked for us. lin 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 “4:00 pm, all included in the registration fee. A no host bar was alsoravailable. ‘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 Koomdyk, Bud Brooks, John Lee, John & Elizabeth Cadle, John. Mabee, Floyd & Dorothy Cox, Luther & Jeanene DeCoster, Arthur Devon, Edward & Connie Ferraro, William & Anita Helwig, Glenn & Marjorie Hoffman, Eugene & Dolores Johnson, Cecil & Simone Kidd, Frederick & Marjorie King, Rufus & Marie Milliken, Warren & Betty Obici, Joe & Clara Smelt, Walter Steichen, Paul & Marie Taylor, Owen & Anne ‘Thorley, Joseph Woodson, W.D. ‘Wright, Robert & Marguerite Zirk, Frederick & Edoa EL TORO REUNION "A TRIBUTE TO MAJ. GLENN MILLER" OUR BIGGEST EVER 2nd A.D. REGIONAL REUNION FEB. 26, 1994 Glenn Millet’s son, Steve, introduced the speaker, Alan (Cass, Curator/Archivist of the Glenn Miller Archives’ at the University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, Glean Miller's alma /-~ mater, Alan Cass is Director 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. 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 (Gaughter of Maj. Glenn Miller) Soper, Jill (granddaughter) ‘Soper, Blair (grandson) Busch, Kurt & Alaina (granddaughter and husband) Stoscher, Wayne & Dariyne (granddaughter and husband) ‘The 93rd had a very nice 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 Regan, Edward & Ted (son) Foster, John Scott, Tom (Scotty) & Letha Johnson, George Skeels, Jack & Helen Kamahan, George & Ruth Sparrevohn, Fred & Dorothy Loring, Bob Todd, Carl & JoAnne ‘McMahon, James ‘Our group actively helped out in the proceedings. George Karnahan and Fred Sparrevohn in the candle ‘ceremony. "Dutch" Borcherding saw to it that we had plenty of 2nd A.D. magnets which were used as door prizes for the 345 guests attending, and Marie and I were in charge of the registration desk and welcoming the guests. ‘TRAVELING 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 programs 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, obtaining medical treatment and hospital care can be expensive. Before 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 tion 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 ‘ot pay for medical evacuations to the U.S. in cases of severe illness or injury. These services could cost in excess of $50,000. It is a worthwhile precaution to have insurance that covers the cost of local burial or shipment of remains home to the U.S. The nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate will assist you if 1 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 1 copy of the doctor's prescription. It is good practice to pack the medication and extra eyeglasses in your hand luggage so they will be available in case the rest of your bags are lost.