Wings Clipped

[farseer93]

I found his story very interesting, thanks! :)

[1236bigcat]

I must look at the people who rate this video anything less than awesome and just shake my head in sad disappointment of wonder.

They obviously care little for freedom or compassion. My Dad and also my Great Uncle volunteered to fly as gunners in B-24 Liberators in WW2, both dropping tons of fight upon those who occupied France and disregarded Liberty. Odds were 1 in 3 they would not make it through alive in 25. My Great-Uncle Charles Spencer Hawkins was shot down, then MIA-POW. Critics=cowards

[Fridomfry]

Thanks for this excellent, moving, human document!

It makes me thinks of an anecdote, told by my grandmother. In 1942, she was called by the village's grocer: "Madame L., as you speak foreign [!], could you help us?' The grocer had found a US pilot downed after a raid on le Creusot. She belonged to a group who helped pilots escape and, the next day, they headed through the vineyards toward the demarcation line. A German car drove by, on the road some 200 meters from there.

[Fridomfry]

Thanks for this excellent, moving, human document!

It makes me thinks of an anecdote, told by my grandmother. In 1942, she was called by the village's grocer: "Madame L., as you speak foreign [!], could you help us?' The grocer had found a US pilot downed after a raid on le Creusot. She belonged to a group who helped pilots escape and, the next day, they headed through the vineyards toward the demarcation line. A German car drove by, on the road some 200 meters from there.

[Fridomfry]

Thrill, dive for cover, resume walk. At night, the escaping pilots were in the 'free zone'. Yet my grandma was much annoyed, since she had recognized in the car the German lieutenant who was stationed in our house. The next day, she was ironing, absorbed in somber thoughts about her imprudence. Someone knocked at the door. It was the lieutenant: "Matame L., next time you... take a valk in de fineyart, please stay farther from de road!!!"

We were very lucky, as this guy was an anti-nazi Austrian.

[currawongee]

if anybody ever wanted to think about american fortitude

this video should say something i'd think

[okcmikeict]

For those interested in the 448th, "The 1,000 Day Battle" by James Hoseason follows the group from the time they trained at Herrington, KS through the end of the war. The group lost 3 airplanes just flying from the US to Seething! I was given my copy by BGen Hubert S. Judy (retired and now deceased). He was the groups S-3 (Operations Officer). I don't know if it is still in print, but I just Googled it and there are some available.

[heat000]

My dad lived very near Seething in Norfolk, he was about 12 and he always tells me about the americans and how very charming they were to the english people, he used to see the planes take off, so low sometimes, he could almost see the pilots, deepest thanks to allthose that didn't come home and also to those that did.

[OlSoldier]

LOVE that bugle salute at the end! really moves the heart!

[puppetbuilder]

Hello Ol Soldier,

Yes, it's a great piece of music. A WW I variation of taps, titled "Last Post".

Best to you,

Rob

[puppetbuilder]

Hello Rob,

I am very happy to find you on the Net! I prepare a book on the mission of December 31, 1943 in the south-west of France. I have made research on the crews of 8th AF for 25 years.

In this book I will evoke the B 24 your grandfather on March 5, 1944.

I saw Wings Clipped, it is an extraordinary document.

Regards.

Bernard Ballanger - Pessac near Bordeaux - France

[juliegrau]

Rob - I enjoyed this video. What a fantastic legacy for your daughter and the story of her namesake. She'll be the hit of show and tell one day! So happy to see you are making your dreams come true. -- Julie

[RainyMarch]

Wonderful video and heartwrenching story. My father was also a crewman w/the 459th Bomb Group serving on B-24s. Unfortunately, he was killed when his plane crash landed in the Adriatic Sea on July 7, 1944 coming back from a bombing raid over Germany. I never knew him. Thanks for posting your wonderful video. Best wishes to you and your family.

[puppetbuilder]

Thank you very much. Doing this film has inspired me to help other families document their histories. We're on number eight since last year. The people have amazing stories and we can't afford to let them be forgotten. I wish you luck in piecing yours together.

Best Regards.

Rob

[HerrDoktorTer]

Nice film Rob. Thanks for sharing it. Highly recommended.

[rdemeyere]

Bravo! Really well done. The use of the log book at the end to scroll the credits was a nice touch.

My father was a B-24 crewman in the 448th BG and many of the incidents related in this video are similar to his.

[puppetbuilder]

Thanks. Do you know when your father was stationed overseas. Did he go over when the group formed in Dec. '43, or did he arrive later?

Rob

[puppetbuilder]

Sorry, I just noticed your message.

My grandfather Rudy went over in Dec. '43 (Crew# 53, Yuengert as Pilot). 12/28/43 he got flak in his left leg, and his crew took a replacement on 12/30. They were lost on the way to Kiel Canal.

After a month in the base hospital, he met up with members of Crew# 51, who needed a permanent replacement.

They flew together until being shot down on 3/5/44. The rest of the story is recounted in the film.

What is your connection to the 448th?

Thanks,

Rob

[spevsy]

Nice little film, good work.