3/4/45. Ulm, Germany. Recall at battle lines below Strasbourg as a result of impenetrable weather. Encountered meager but accurate flak at the lines. #44-8762 "Seven Six Two".

3/5/45. Fulda, Germany. Primary Target, Ruhland Oil Refinery. Deep penetration. Contrails dense and persistent to the extent entire sky became cloud covered. A long mission. Our squadron became separated from the group and temporarily lost. At one time we were over Prague. Flew over Brux flak defenses: bombed Fulda, target of opportunity on return trip. Bandits reported in the area of Dresden but none sighted...This was our 34th mission. One more to go! When we land back at Great Ashfield and pulled into our hardstand, the 549th Squadron Commander, Major Charlie Reid, came around to congratulate Jerry on finishing his 35 missions. Then he came to shake our hands. We said "Thanks but we have one more to go..." Major Reid said "No, No you're all finished with your pilot. You don't have to go anymore!" It was like a pardon from the Governor. We still couldn't believe it, but it was true. Hugs and handshakes all around...Now we could go home! #44-8762 "Seven Six Two".

This happy occasion prompts me to remember another paragraph about another crew of the 385th who were also very joyous in finishing their final mission. It tugs at the heartstrings.

"On the afternoon of 2/21/44, B-17s from Great Ashfield, coming home from Germany made landfall near Great Yarmouth and letting down through the weather when another B-17 emerged from cloud at 3,000 feet in a steep descent and smashed into the left wing of the flight leader. Both bombers plummeted down into the bleak Reedham marshes before anyone had a chance to escape. 21 men died instantly. Captain Hutchinson and crew in the lead fortress had just completed the 25th and last mission of their tour. Incidents such as this did more to sicken an airman's soul than any losses in combat..."

Now we had to get our bombardier and Navigator over the last hump. Officers had to do the full 35 missions with no exceptions. Don went to Hanover, and Joe went to the U-boat yards in Hamburg. The rest of the crew were there to greet them at the hardstand...We were a happy band of warriors...Crew #343 had done it!

Our Officers threw a party for their enlisted crew in London at the Savoy. It was a First Class affair with all the amenities...

We left Great Ashfield on 3/24/45. A memorable day. The sky was full of C-47s and Short Sterlings towing gliders east. It was the day of the allied airdrop across the Rhine. We pondered for a minute how fickle fate can really be. Here were thousands of airborne gliderman going in to combat to face wounds and death...and here we were...going home...

Abe had chosen to stay at Great Ashfield for awhile. He wouldn't be flying but would take a ground job, probably something in training. Or maybe in the squadron orderly room. The rest of us went to Bomber Bridge, a processing center. Shortly thereafter we boarded the Queen Elizabeth in the Firth of Clyde... she was going home as a hospital ship with casualties from our Infantry...It was not a gentle scene...many, many amputees. Very few were ambulatory. We were the "Go-Fers" for these men, and there was not one grumble from us Air Corps Types...We were more than happy to be of help in bringing their meals, etc. When you have TWO good legs, you don't mind using them...not at all!

After reaching New York and Camp Kilmer, we split to go our separate ways on furlough home...Who knew what the future held for us. The Pacific War was still on. In any case, our memories after starting out as crew #343 will always be with us.