Allyson Newburg's Blog, page 4
May 2, 2020
The East Grinstead Museum
When Douglas Hicks was admitted to the specialized burn unit of the Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead in April 1945, he became the hospital's youngest 'Guinea Pig.'Archibald McIndoe and the other doctors in East Grinstead changed the history of the town, the hospital and the lives of the patients he treated.
Opened in 1995, the East Grinstead Museum hosts two permanent exhibitions, one displaying the history of the town, and the other, ‘Rebuilding Bodies and Souls’ pays tribute to the pioneering work at the hospital and the Guinea Pig Club.
May 1, 2020
The Harris Crew is available now! Well, sort of...
On January 8, 1945, the Harris Crew was assigned to 550 Squadron at North Killingholme, England. Though the Harris Crew’s tour would be a brief one, the crew would participate in some of the most controversial raids of World War II and go to battle against Germany’s top night fighter. Members of the crew would endure time as prisoners of war. For one, his injuries would lead him to become the youngest member of ‘The Guinea Pig Club’, a club airmen would hope never to join. For another member of the crew, his fate would be mired with a puzzling war crime.Weaving together letters written home by Flying Officer Robert Harris and first-hand accounts written by Sergeant Douglas Hicks along with Squadron records and historical archives, the author has created a riveting snapshot of the remarkable Harris Crew and their short but harrowing time with 550 Squadron.At long last, The Harris Crew is available to order online. Unfortunately, receiving a copy is a whole other matter. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis and the closure of many printing facilities, retailers may indicate they are temporarily out of stock, or they may only list used copies. Please check back frequently as this situation is changing daily.In the US via Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble
In Canada via Amazon.caIn Canada via Chapters/Indigo – coming soon!In the UK and Worldwide via BookDepository.comIf you are having difficulty ordering copies, please get in touch at theharriscrew550@gmail.com. I have some printed copies and can arrange to mail them out directly.
April 30, 2020
April 30, 1945 - Coffee and Doughnuts
The 14th Armored Division of the Third Army had finally arrived at Stalag Luft VIIA near Moosburg. With the camp now under American control, Gerard Kelleher and David Yemen had only to wait to be evacuated.
In the book In Enemy Hands: Canadian Prisoners of War 1939-1945 by Daniel G. Dancocks, a prisoner described, “But we were worse off now, under the Americans, than we were before. Because we were getting a little bit of rations from the Germans before we were liberated. But once we were liberated, we lost that, and the Americans didn’t have anything to feed us.”
American airman Bill Ethridge described some positive events for the day: "There has been a steady parade of American Jeeps and Army officers in and out of camp ostensibly for the purpose of organizing our evacuation. We were ordered not to leave the camp and to behave like gentlemen while we were waiting to leave. This was one order almost totally ignored, but made easier by the stream of food and clothing that continued to arrive. The center of attraction today was two Red Cross girls who arrived about noon with a ton of doughnuts and plenty of good coffee."
In the book In Enemy Hands: Canadian Prisoners of War 1939-1945 by Daniel G. Dancocks, a prisoner described, “But we were worse off now, under the Americans, than we were before. Because we were getting a little bit of rations from the Germans before we were liberated. But once we were liberated, we lost that, and the Americans didn’t have anything to feed us.”
American airman Bill Ethridge described some positive events for the day: "There has been a steady parade of American Jeeps and Army officers in and out of camp ostensibly for the purpose of organizing our evacuation. We were ordered not to leave the camp and to behave like gentlemen while we were waiting to leave. This was one order almost totally ignored, but made easier by the stream of food and clothing that continued to arrive. The center of attraction today was two Red Cross girls who arrived about noon with a ton of doughnuts and plenty of good coffee."
April 29, 2020
April 29, 1945 - 'Old Blood and Guts' and Operation Manna
After nine days at the horribly overcrowded Stalag Luft VIIA in Moosburg, Gerard Kelleher and David Yemen would finally get the news they were waiting for, when the camp was liberated by the 14th Armored Division of the Third Army.
In his book Time Out. A Remembrance of World War II by American airman Bill Ethridge described the events of the day:
"Daybreak brought the sound of shouting and gunfire at the front gate. From our barracks we could See German troops near that gate, and they were firing in! We were ordered to stay inside as the Germans began fighting each other. We found out later when bodies were being loaded onto a truck that the Gestapo had attempted to take the camp from the Wehrmacht. Little did we know at that time, but Hitler had issued an order to kill all of the prisoners in the camp. The Gestapo and the SS troops attempted to carry out that Order, and the German army had saved our lives. Almost on cue after the fighting stopped, American troops backed by one tank and one Jeep arrived at the front gate. The German army personnel surrendered immediately. The American flag was raised over Moosburg at 1240 hours, and it was a sight that brought tears to many eyes. At 1315, General Patton came through the gate, standing erect in his Jeep behind his driver. Another Jeep followed with four heavily armed soldiers. There, finally, was Old Blood and Guts in Person with those famous pistols on his hips."
In the book In Enemy Hands: Canadian Prisoners of War 1939-1945 by Daniel G. Dancocks, Allied Flying Officer Wilf Blewett, another prisoner at the camp was quoted: “General Patton came through and stood up on his tank with his pearl-handled revolvers and said, “Well, you’re brave men, you’ve made it. My troops will help you as much as they can, but we’ve got work to do.” Just like John Wayne, you know, and away he went.”
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Back at 550 Squadron, one-time crew Harris Crew members Albert Colin and William Towle joined their new crews for Operation Manna, delivering food to the starving population of the Netherlands.
In his book Time Out. A Remembrance of World War II by American airman Bill Ethridge described the events of the day:
"Daybreak brought the sound of shouting and gunfire at the front gate. From our barracks we could See German troops near that gate, and they were firing in! We were ordered to stay inside as the Germans began fighting each other. We found out later when bodies were being loaded onto a truck that the Gestapo had attempted to take the camp from the Wehrmacht. Little did we know at that time, but Hitler had issued an order to kill all of the prisoners in the camp. The Gestapo and the SS troops attempted to carry out that Order, and the German army had saved our lives. Almost on cue after the fighting stopped, American troops backed by one tank and one Jeep arrived at the front gate. The German army personnel surrendered immediately. The American flag was raised over Moosburg at 1240 hours, and it was a sight that brought tears to many eyes. At 1315, General Patton came through the gate, standing erect in his Jeep behind his driver. Another Jeep followed with four heavily armed soldiers. There, finally, was Old Blood and Guts in Person with those famous pistols on his hips."
In the book In Enemy Hands: Canadian Prisoners of War 1939-1945 by Daniel G. Dancocks, Allied Flying Officer Wilf Blewett, another prisoner at the camp was quoted: “General Patton came through and stood up on his tank with his pearl-handled revolvers and said, “Well, you’re brave men, you’ve made it. My troops will help you as much as they can, but we’ve got work to do.” Just like John Wayne, you know, and away he went.”
----
Back at 550 Squadron, one-time crew Harris Crew members Albert Colin and William Towle joined their new crews for Operation Manna, delivering food to the starving population of the Netherlands.
April 28, 2020
April 28, 1945 - A Camp in Disarray
On April 20, 1945, a large group of marchers from Stalag Luft XIIID, which may have included Kelleher and Yemen, arrived at Stalag Luft VIIA in Moosburg, 35 km outside of Munich.
In his book Time Out. A Remembrance of World War II by American airman Bill Ethridge described the camp in his journal for April 28, 1945:
"This camp is much worse than we had expected. Everything is pretty disorganized and the Germans are arrogant and edgy… Our beds are the typical triple bunks with mattresses filled with straw and all of the same little critters we have met before. My mattress was mysteriously wavy with what felt like steel rods supporting it about every two feet. I soon discovered the reason. Wood for cooking had been so scarce that someone had shaved the bed slats to obtain kindling, and the original three-inch-wide bed slats were down to about an inch and a half. I was surprised that they had not broken, but it seemed that they were made of a kind of tough hardwood."
In his book Time Out. A Remembrance of World War II by American airman Bill Ethridge described the camp in his journal for April 28, 1945:
"This camp is much worse than we had expected. Everything is pretty disorganized and the Germans are arrogant and edgy… Our beds are the typical triple bunks with mattresses filled with straw and all of the same little critters we have met before. My mattress was mysteriously wavy with what felt like steel rods supporting it about every two feet. I soon discovered the reason. Wood for cooking had been so scarce that someone had shaved the bed slats to obtain kindling, and the original three-inch-wide bed slats were down to about an inch and a half. I was surprised that they had not broken, but it seemed that they were made of a kind of tough hardwood."
April 27, 2020
April 26, 2020
Lancaster at War Documentary
Another thrilling documentary about the Lancaster bomber and the crews who flew them. Through a mix of historic footage and recreations, this 45-minute film features the history of the Lancaster throughout World War II and viewpoints of each of the crew members' positions aboard the aircraft.
April 25, 2020
The Success of 550 Squadron
550 Squadron’s last raid took place on April 25, 1945 targeting Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest at Berchtesgaden. With the end of operations in Europe, 550 Squadron moved its focus to Operation Manna, dropping food to the Dutch and Operation Exodus, repatriating troops from Europe.
In the two years it operated at North Killingholme air field, 550 Squadron could claim many achievements:
Participation in 194 raids3,485 take-offs3,175 successful sorties19,259 operational hours flown (14,271 hours at night)16,195 tons of bombs dropped
550 Squadron officially disbanded and the North Killingholme airfield was closed on October 31, 1945. The airfield is now a large industrial estate. A memorial to 550 Squadron is located at the main entrance on the road between South Killingholme and East Halton.
The RAF 550 Squadron and North Killingholme Association formed in 1991 and continues to hold annual reunions at North Killingholme for veterans and their friends and families. A small, but growing museum to 550 Squadron can be found in the North Killingholme village hall.
April 24, 2020
The book that started this whole project... Fly Boy by Eric Walters
My interest in World War II goes back many years, inspired by stories written by my Great Uncle Doug Hicks published online through the Ex-Air Gunners Association. But aside from a couple of stories, I knew little else about Doug’s experiences in the war aside from his role as a Lancaster rear air gunner.After a mom-son road trip which included a stop at the Bomber Command Museum of Canada in Nanton, Alberta, I picked up a copy of Fly Boy by author Eric Walters for my son.
From the author: Robbie's father is a Spitfire pilot who was shot down during World War II and is now a POW. At only seventeen, Robbie lies about his identity to enlist in the Royal Canadian Air Force under the guise of going to a boarding school so that his mother doesn't find out... Robbie is soon on his way to England, where he completes his training on missions bombing German targets in enemy territory. It is during one of these missions that his Lancaster is fired upon and the pilot and many of the crew are shot. It's up to Robbie and his limited piloting experience to save the crew...and himself.
Well, after reading that, my son began flooding me with questions about his Great, Great Uncle Doug’s experiences in the war. After replying "I don’t know” too many times, I set out to find out more. What started out as a modest bit of research to learn more about Doug’s missions and time in a POW camp, turned into a huge research mission, a blog and a book.
April 23, 2020
Don't Miss the Bomber Boys!
If you can spare an hour and a half, do not miss the documentary The Bomber Boys, featuring brothers Ewan and Colin McGregor. This film focuses on the young men who fought and died in the skies above occupied Europe and the history and controversies surrounding Bomber Command. Colin McGregor, himself an RAF pilot, gets the opportunity to take the controls of one of only two remaining airworthy Lancaster bombers.
