Lt. Col (Ret) Eddie Deerfield returns to Molesworth to talk about his experiences flying 30 missions in B-17's during WW2. This video features my dad. After viewing, PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT which I will pass along to my father. Thanks!
My father flew the B-17 Hells Angels plane in 1943. He survived his 26 missions but died in a plane crash in Japan on active duty when I was two. NEVER FORGET
My grandfather James was a Colonel and navigator on the B-17, The Floose, and one other I believe. He flew over 32 missions. He survived to the respectful age of 86 and was surrounded by family when he passed. For my sister’s wedding, her husband made our family a book of my grandfathers love letters to my grandmother, even pproposing to my grandmother in one of them. They ended up married for over 50 years, with many children and grandchildren. Love to all the families connected through this great victory.
Thanks for sharing this. My grandfather T/SGT Earl Hogue was a radio operator as well with the 303rd in Molesworth. He was shot down July 4th 1943 in France on the B17 "The Mugger" and became a POW with 4 other crew members (2 were KIA and the other 4 evaded capture) until he was liberated on April 16th 1945. I hope your father is still doing well!
Wow wish I could've been there. My great and wonderful friend George Morrison was there in 43-44. Lost his crew on the Jan 11 44 mission to Oschersleben Germany. George was wounded and still recovering and couldn't beg the Flight surgeon to clear him to fly that mission. Although he did everything short of pulling his pistol on the Doc(but he considered it) He told me that he wanted to go badly I asked why and he said these guys were my family and it killed me to lose them all. Hope Lt. Col Deerfield is doing well.
During WW II my dad Fortunato G. "Mike" Correale was assigned to the Hells Angels at Molesworth, and flew 14 missions as a bombardier navigator on B-17s. Very proud of him!
All the best to Lt. Col Eddie Deerfield. In memory of my uncle: 2Lt. Wilbur V. Gee, Jr., 303rd BG, Molesworth, KIA, 5/11/1944, Co-pilot, B-17 "BOW-UR-NECK STEVENS".
I've seen the Memphis Belle in Memphis, TN in about 1992, it was vandalized before being moved for restoration and is now on display in Dayton, Ohio, I believe. -- I have heard many times that the Hell's Angels was First to complete the 25 Mission requirement for the crews to return home. The requirement was soon raised to more than 25 Missions........ Why the Memphis Belle gets the credit, I do not know......... Okay, this video answers my question...........
There's another reason too. If you watch the film "Memphis Belle", you'll note that the PR people had already shot a lot of film of the Belle's crew! They weren't going to waste all that time and money. When the Belle was supposed to take off on her 25th mission, Bassingbourne got socked in with low cloud. Molesworth, being further north and on a hill, was clear. So, Hell's Angels was able to take off and complete the 25 missions. The crew of Hell's Angels did eventually get to go home on a War Bonds tour after another milestone mission, and they even took her to Hollywood! Incidentally, I'm a Brit who worked on the Base and sat in on Peter Parks' talks to various groups, so my knowledge of the history of the 303rd is pretty good!
I would like your dad for his contriubution defeating fascism on behalf of Yugoslavian people. My grand grand father was a Partisan fighter died in Dachau. I don’t like what USA become after world war II.
