Woman Shocked To Find Late Husband's WWII Plane Discovered

JCFalkenbergIII · #1 (**permalink**) February 21st, 2008, 05:58 AM

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

Tomcat · #2 (**permalink**) February 21st, 2008, 06:37 AM

wow thats pretty cool where do you get this stuff?

Skipper · #3 (**permalink**) February 21st, 2008, 08:12 AM

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.

bigfun · #4 (**permalink**) February 22nd, 2008, 05:23 PM

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

Skipper · #5 (**permalink**) February 22nd, 2008, 07:55 PM

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

TA152 · #6 (**permalink**) February 22nd, 2008, 09:45 PM

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 !

Skipper · #7 (**permalink**) February 23rd, 2008, 08:22 AM

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!

complo · #8 (**permalink**) May 25th, 2009, 01:00 AM

Hello, All,
New member here. Will fill out profile ASAP. I have been reading posts on the Forum for a while as a non-registered observer. I registered to respond to this post. I was recently in Merville, Normandy, France, and spotted the SNAFU Special! I remembered reading this post and thought I would let everyone interested know that SNAFU is living well and has been restored to a very presentable condition. It is a centerpiece of the Museum at Merville and is prominently nestled in front of one of the German Gun Casements. Yes that's me in cockpit and I am a pilot with DC-3 (C-47) time!
Its my first post and I hope I did it right and photos come thru.
Anyone may contact me for photos or information about my visit to Normandy.
~Tony C.

formerjughead · #9 (**permalink**) May 25th, 2009, 02:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by complo

Hello, All,
....Its my first post and I hope I did it right and photos come thru.
....~Tony C.

Ya done good.......welcome aboard!

wokelly · #10 (**permalink**) May 25th, 2009, 04:58 PM

Anyone else get a big grin when they read the name of the plane?

AndyPants · #11 (**permalink**) May 25th, 2009, 05:07 PM

I too say her, just last month - great looking plane.....and interesting history to say the least

i did'nt get to go in the cockpit though!!