The veterans sat in the MAPS hangar, talking with one another, comparing experiences, and reliving the days of their youths. Some were in wheel chairs, some were on oxygen, some were being helped by relatives. They were veterans, as described by newsman Tom Brokaw, as "The greatest generation." They were the veterans of World War II who had taken on the combined might of Germany, Japan and Italy.
Now they sat waiting to see old friends. Then in the distance a loud rumbling was heard. Their eyes and ears perked up and they strained to see the approaching planes. Gradually they appeared, the first a massive four-engined bomber with twin tails, the consolidated B-24 ‘Liberator.” Next came the the "Queen of the Skies," the Boeing B-17 "Flying Fortress.” Following them was the famous North American P-51 "Mustang,” one of the "Little Friends" as they were fondly called by the bomber crewman as the little fighters escorted them to targets over Europe and Asia.
These planes were from the Collings Foundation which each years flies their World War II aircraft on hundreds of flights at air shows all over America. They pay tribute to the men and planes that took on the combined might of the Axis and protected our country.
On Friday MAPS organized a special program for the World War II veterans. All these veterans and their families were admitted for free to see the planes that they had served on. A special photo opportunity was also held with the veterans standing in front of the B-17. it was a way for MAPS to show their thanks and appreciation.
Don Polen from Canton was a B-17 gunner who flew 30 missions over Germany in 1945 with the 457th Bomb group (BG) of the 749th Bomb Squadron (BS) of the 8th Air Force.
“I always remember one mission to Berlin,” he said. “There were 4000 flak (anti-aircraft) guns that threw up a tremendous barrage. We were hit and our navigator was seriously wounded. Our last mission was against Germans holding out in Bordeaux, France. We had a 1000-pound bomb hang up in the bomb bay and I had to get it loose. That was interesting, to say the least. Most of our missions were against railroads, transportation centers and oil facilities. We disrupted the Germans’ supply lines so their troops could not get fuel and ammunition. Now, seeing these planes makes me homesick - I will never forget the smells of gunpowder and sounds of those engines.”
Clyde Brechbuhler from Canton was a navigator on a B-24 with the 17th Anti-Sub Squadron.
“I started off as a radio operator and gunner flying out of Havana, then went into cadet training. Our job was to patrol out over the ocean to look for German submarines. We sank at least one,” he said. “We had an excellent crew. Our cadet training was very good. I wish the young men today would take it to learn about respect, honor, self reliance and self disciplne."
Walt Scheider from North Canton was a flight engineer on a B-17 from the 99th BG, 347th BS in the 12th and 15th Air Forces in North Africa and Italy.
“On one mission we were shot down and crashed in North Africa. I spent some time in the hospital. On another mission I had to put a fire out in the bomb bay. I forgot my parachute and later wondered just what I was doing! Seeing these old planes brings back a lot of memories. The B-17 was a good plane and could take a beating. A few years ago I took a ride in one. It brought back a lot of memories, but it was really unusual not to see any other planes around us. We use to fly with the sky full of planes.”
Bill Riegler from Canton was a B-17 pilot with the 401st BG, 613th BS of the 8th Air force.
“I flew 39 missions,” he said. "We were the lead crew. My most memorable mission was one against an FW-190 fighter factory. We saw two FW-190s attack almost head on and watched the twinkle of cannon and machine gun fire from their noses and wings. They got the plane to our right and were so close I saw the pilots face and his oxygen mask. We also flew the lead mission over Normandy on D-Day.”
John Collett of Green, a B-17 gunner, remembers one mission to Berlin.
“I had to kick a bomb loose in the bomb bay and looked down and saw a ME-262 jet fighter fly under us several times. That was really scary. Later came back home to help train Chinese crews.”
Ralph Lynn from Perry was a B-24 pilot with the 466th BG, 784th BS of the 8th Air Force.
“I remember one mission that lasted 10 hours and 5 minutes to Berlin. There were planes as far as you could see in front of us and behind us. At the very ends they were the size of pin heads. On my fourth mission we took several 20mm cannon hits on our fuselage, windshield and the number three engine. Our navigator was wounded by one 20mm shell. The engine kept working and eventually got us home. I really loved those Pratt and Whitney engines!”
