Gents : On Tuesday I will be interviewing local 353rd fighter group pilot D.E. Harris. Del flew withn then fighter group from it's start in 43 through the fall months chasing down 2 Bf 110G-2's in aerial combat, then flew numerous air protection flights for US bombers as well as strafing raids on corssroads and German airfields. He and his wingman were shot down on their last strafing runs over the Normandy area in June of 44, where Del became a POW. I am going to have a lengthy interview which may take several days, and am opeing this up to the forum members if they would like to ask any questions through me to him.....? He flew a P-47D Razorback during his career and while in June the unit received the newer bubble top machines Del kept his older one. E
I for one have never interviewed anyone who was an American POW in Europe. Personally, that would be of most interest to me....conditions, daily routine, the opinions or feelings he had towards his captors, if they got things from home, etc. Also, how or why did he become a fighter pilot? Did it live up to his expectations? How old was he then, and how are his thoughts different now that he's 70s, 80s, or whatever? What were his feelings towards the enemy...just a target to shoot down, a respected air-comrade, a filthy piece of crap that deserved to die (I've never gotten that answer, just an example). I'd imagine the warbird buffs might love to hear opinions on the performance of aircraft, specs, etc. I'd stay with as much personal stuff as possible though....that usually opens the floodgates better than "how fast did yer airplane go" type stuff.
Doc, I'll add these to my list. To be honest he is a pretty level headed guy and will talk straight from the hip. I've interviewd at least 5 other POW's.....bomber crewmen, and truthfully it pains them to talk of their experiences in the Stalag. any other questions gents ? E
It's nice to know you've done this before! I really feel strongly about getting vet info! My (great) uncle has a buddy that he knew before the war. They even bumped into eachother in England during hte war, and are friends to this day. Anyway, the guy flew a p-47 and got shot down in late June I believe from AA fire. It was during Normanday but I think he was a quite a bit further behind allied lines. French farmers hid him for a while, but he was eventually captured and a POW for the rest of the war. He has told me every little bit of his entire service, up to the Germans finding him. I've known him for years and he still won't bring it up. It's rough trying to find a comfortable position that's not too intrusive. I don't like to bring back pain, but think this has got to be known. Well, much luck on your interview!
Thats GREAT Erich--and I have a few that ill post here for you if you havent thought of them yet. 1)Ask him what kind of processing that he went through when he first became a POW. 2)How has he transported to his camp and how long was the journey? 3)How was his treatment by the soldiers guarding him? 4)Did he speak to any of his guards? and if so, what did he talk about? 5)What was his general opinion of his captors? Many thanks my friend--and hope the darn package is there by now--Carl.
Hello Erich, I just can´t help myself here: Ya know the story of the POW trying to escape piece by piece...thought so! Anyway, my questions are about how the war in air changed with time. Did the German planes get worse or the pilots with time? Did he find tricks to use on the Germans that would work in "usual" battles or just in the hard place? There are stories on enemies like " the pilot with white scarf " Any of those on mind?Did he find out who it was?
Intersting questions gents ! Keep em coming. By the way he is an internet user, maybe I can subtely lure him in and get him to make some posts eh..... ? Kai, he missed all the summer of 44 and fall air battles and of course all of 45 so hence he probably wouldn;t know just how things went after Normandy. In any case I can tell you through enough conferences the genr of Luftwaffe pilot fell off except for the really good aces who somehow were able to keep themselves alive and many came through with some terrible scars, mental and physical. The a/c seemed to be upgraded, especially the Bf 109 and Fw 190 but still were not on par with elevated US and RAF a/c types. The level of pilot skill of the Allied airmen increased but for the Luftwaffe flying and fighting without rest it seemed.....the quality of personell decreased, plus really no time to log on any man hours before being sent to the front. Case in point a relative of mine that flew in 5./JG 301. In Luftschule for maybe 2 months then shipped off, basic training on a Fw 190A-9.....2 days if that and then in two missions, the second one shot down and killed. E
Indeed, Erich! It would be very, very awesome if we could bring more vets to the forum. I am trying that my Opa learns how to use the computer so he can share his experiences and met other veterans... He could use my old PC...
That'd be cool. I've actually never met a vet. Everyone in my direct family was killed in WWII except for one my Great Uncles. He was a marksman. Which is pretty cool, considering the fact that the U.S.A. didn't have very good snipers. He was a prankster. I think he came home from the war after he broke his leg while fooling around with a tank. Let me give you some advice, if you see a tank, don't mess with it!!! He died before I was born.
Only just noticed this thread! Am I too late? If I am not; I am interested in Standard Operating Procedures that they learned in teh US and put into practice when they came over to England. And what adjustments did they make to improve their performance/tactics. I have read that infantry men have said that what they were taught was thrown out of the window the moment they entered combat. I wonder how the USAAF fighter/bomber boys adjusted to actually flying combat. Also interested in the emotional reaction; what ruled; excitement, fear, eagerness, etc. What did they prefer; Flying escort or attacking ground-targets? How would they describe combat?
Stevin : I am still wating for a phone call from the son who lives about 12 miles to the west up in the rugged hills outside of town. He wants to be there as well since he has never been part of an interview of his dad. Hopefully very soon, like this week ! E
