Woman Shocked To Find Late Husband's WWII Plane Discovered


POSTED: 10:39 pm EST February 20, 2008
UPDATED: 12:03 am EST February 21, 2008


WEIRTON, W.Va. -- A Weirton woman got the surprise of lifetime after she got a call that brought her late husband’s war history to life.

Barbara Smaltz recently received a phone call that a plane her husband flew in World War II had been found and was to be restored.

“You just couldn't believe it,” said Barbara Smaltz. “It was something you could never imagine."

Smaltz told NEWS9 she was still in shock to watch everything unfold.

Her husband Don Smaltz, a World War II veteran, used to show her pictures of the plane he flew, the Douglas-C47 named the "SNAFU Special," years ago, but she knew very little about his experience.

That’s until recently, when a woman named Beatrice Guillaume called Smaltz to tell her the plane that flew many U.S. combat troops into Normandy, France on D-day had been found.

"I thought this has to be a scam,” said Smaltz. “Until she said to me, ‘well the plane's name is SNAFU Special,’ and I knew then that was the plane my husband had flown."

Guillaume is the mayor of a small village in Normandy, and she decided months ago to try and track down the historic plane.

"We discovered that she took part in the main battles for the Freedom of France,” said Guillaume.

After months of searching, Guillaume tracked the battle plane to Bosnia, where she said its fate would've been reduced to scrap metal.

"We couldn't imagine this great plane, who took part in all these great battles, so important for us, could finish with scraps,” said Guillaume.

Volunteers transported the 'SNAFU Special' to Normandy, where it's set to become part of the town's historic museum this June, and Barbara Smaltz is one of many veterans' family members who will be there.

"I think it's wonderful,” said Smaltz. “And I think it'll be wonderful for the young people of the world. Maybe they'll learn a little about the hardships people went through."

Woman Shocked To Find Late Husband's WWII Plane Discovered - News Story - WTOV Steubenville

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For the first time I have seen "History" at close quarters,and I know that its actual process is very different from what is presented to Posterity. - WWI General Max Hoffman

wow thats pretty cool where do you get this stuff?

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They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We shall remember them. Lest We Forget

Yes this is a nice story. I have been following this story on another thread a few monts ago. The airplane was found by Frenchmen in Sarajevo it was almost going to sent to a scrap yard! It had been tagged by kids and one could read "maybe tomorrow airlaines" on the rusted fuselage. During the Bosnia war it almost burned. It was about time it got salvaged. So now they have found the pilot who is still alive! This is great.

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I remember that thread Skipper, it's nice to see how this is turning out! What a great story!!

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Members of the Dutch Resistance with 101st AB, Eindhoven. Operation Market Garden.

Scott

Yes and will be one of the lucky ones who might it one day. (I hope)

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In the 80's and early 90's there were alot of C-46's and C-47's still working in Texas and in Central and South America but since the price of aviation gas went up most have been scrapped or abandoned at out of the way airports.

Most of the DC-6's and DC-7's were used up as drug runners.

Anouther great story JC !

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Work Harder ! Millions on welfare are depending on you.

Not only hav ehte C-47s become very rare but this one participated at D-Day which makes it very special. besides the skipper is still around!

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