Received a haunting audio today.

[squatting dog]

My dad passed away in 2004. During WWII, he flew B-26 Marauders as a navigator and bombardier.
He never once talked about his time there, or the medals he received while serving.
Today, I got an audio interview he did for the Imperial War Museum in London. Listening to it, I gained a whole new respect for him as he spoke of multiple bombing runs he made as lead bombardier. (73 over Germany and the Normandy invasion).
Gave me chills to hear him talk about the heavy flak they flew into and how they watched the right side wingman's plane get shot to pieces right beside them and then go crashing down to earth with no sign of the 6 parachutes.
I think I finally understand his reluctance to talk about that awful time.

 

[OneEyedDiva]

You say you "got it". How did you come by it...was it given to you or sent to you or did you find it amongst his things? Either way, that recording of your father is something to be treasured, especially since it has helped you understand why he didn't talk about his time in the war. BTW my mother died in 2004 too. Yesterday (Oct 27th) was the 20th anniversary of her passing.

 

[squatting dog]

You say you "got it". How did you come by it...was it given to you or sent to you or did you find it amongst his things? Either way, that recording of your father is something to be treasured, especially since it has helped you understand why he didn't talk about his time in the war. BTW my mother died in 2004 too. Yesterday (Oct 27th) was the 20th anniversary of her passing.

I'm sorry to hear about your mom. The audio was sent to me from a long unknown relative. So I guess it's a twofer. I get to hear my dad again and I now connect with some of the British side of our family.

 

[OneEyedDiva]

I'm sorry to hear about your mom. The audio was sent to me from a long unknown relative. So I guess it's a twofer. I get to hear my dad again and I now connect with some of the British side of our family.

That's awesome SD. And thank you.

 

[Jules]

That’s a special memory you’ve received, Dog. It’s brought you closer to him.

 

[Pinky]

It's never too late to connect with our loved ones who have passed on.

 

[rbtvgo]

thank you for sharing

 

[squatting dog]

It just gets better. In the mail today, I got a snap shot of the nose bubble that my dad flew in. Imagine, leading a fleet of bombers and sitting in a plexiglass nose looking out at all the flak and tracers coming at you. Working the front machine guns until it was time to site the bombs.
Amazing. I'll try to upload the picture.

 

[Born_To_Lose]

I learned not too long ago that kids in school today know very little of WWII. It’s barely mentioned in history books and I find it almost disrespectful. My dad fought under Patton receiving bronze and silver stars and the DSC for entering Germany after the battles of Normandy.

My brother made a beautiful cedar box that was buried with dad in Arlington. The only thing dad spoke about was how he was able to take the Luger pistol he had off of a German soldier.

 

[squatting dog]

Finally uploaded the picture my relative sent me of a B-26 Marauder they have in a museum over in England.
Hard to imagine what he was thinking while flying 73 missions over Germany.

 

[Born_To_Lose]

Finally uploaded the picture my relative sent me of a B-26 Marauder they have in a museum over in England.
Hard to imagine what he was thinking while flying 73 missions over Germany.


View attachment 380866

I think I saw one at an air show about 5 years ago somewhere in the Midwest.

 

[hollydolly]

Finally uploaded the picture my relative sent me of a B-26 Marauder they have in a museum over in England.
Hard to imagine what he was thinking while flying 73 missions over Germany.


View attachment 380866

Near where I live..... BOXTED AIRFIELD - B-26 Marauder Collection

Boxted Airfield Museum | Visit East of England