This month, November 2014, marks the 70 year anniversary that my Maternal Grandfather, John F. Waters, began his tour of duty in England as part of the 379th Bomb Group, 527th Squadron, APO 557. He wrote a journal that to account his 30 missions. I would like to share this with everyone to honor him and all of the incredible men and women who fought a great evil in World War II. Never forget. I will attempt to transcribe his diary verbatim, but it will lack the side notes, the newspaper clippings and photos. Remember that he was 23 years old when he wrote this. With the permission of my family, I will post each mission on its 70 year anniversary, beginning now and ending in February. 379th B.G. 527th Sqdn, A.P.O. 557- John F. Waters This is a book which is dedicated to whom it may intrest- those at home whom I love and want so much to see once again. November 8, 1944! # ONE! 805 Carol Dawn- B-17F Well, I guess this is it at last. To-day, I made my first mission into Germany itself. We bombed oil factories in Merseburg. Theres no use in my lying about it, I was plenty scared. They woke us at 3am and told us to be ready to taxi by 0520. We climbed to altitude and by that time we were well on our way into the continent. Oxygen wasnt any fun for the eight and one half hours we had to use it. I had never seen any flak before, boy, when I saw that wall of flak over Meresberg, I nearly fainted. We had a little trouble getting the bombs to release, but I think they did some of their intended purpose. Our little friends were Mustangs (P-51s) and they were all around us all the way. As soon as bombs away came, we made our turn and was I glad. Mike, in the waist, asked if it would be OK to to take off his flak suit- the pilot said no, and it was a wise decision; as we flew into a small opening in the sky and gave the Germans a visual shot at our group. Our plane was hit three times but no one was injured. We managed to get out of range in a few seconds and we never saw a sign of a bandit- guess the Mustangs scared them off, and its a good thing too because Tommys ball turret guns wouldnt fire a round. Maybe Ill get used to it but right at this moment I feel like staying away from there for a while. Anyway- Ive only got 34 more to go! This is the Carol Dawn
Posted on: Wed, 12 Nov 2014 20:30:36 +0000
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