26 Feb Mission 1 – December 1, 1943
Thurleigh to the Ruhr Valley
Herman’s’ first bombing mission was on December 1, 1943. He flew with another B-17 crew whose bombardier had been grounded. Since he had arrived at Thurleigh barely ten days before, and his flying equipment hadn’t been issued yet, he had to “beg, borrow and steal” his outfit.
Their target was an industrial area in the Ruhr Valley in Germany … “Happy Valley” Herman called it in his diary, which he wrote as a letter to his brother Lou:
I flew with a damn good crew. Each man was best at his job. I can say no man alone brought us back, but each contributed his share, and that, with God at our wing tips, is in the main why I am here this evening to scribe these words. Twenty-four more to go.
Twenty-four more missions … I do not dare attempt a thought so far ahead, all I can do is to go on each, sublime in the faith of God, and know that each of you, Dad, Mom, Dora, Ace, and yourself are with me. Take care of yourself, Lou, and should it be that these words come to you via the War Department, know that wherever I am it’s
Always the Best, Brother
S/ Herman
No Comments