Near Savanna Georgia, along interstate 95 is a museum dedicated to the 8th Air Force, the men who carried the air war to Germany in WWII. I don't think any of us today can appreciate the sacrifices these men made, flying missions with a 10 to 15% chance of being shot down.
They crew's where required to fly 25 missions before they would be rotated home. In the early years of 1942 to 1944 very few crews made it to that magical number.
This was the organization made famous in the movie 12 O'Clock High, starring Gregory Peck, as well as a slew of others like The War Lover, starring Steve McQueen.
Just outside the museum is a memorial garden dedicated to the men and organizations of the 8th. There is a replica of a typical English church these men would have seen outside their bases. The church has some remarkable stained glass windows I would like to share.
Inside the museum is some fine artwork, reflecting the times they were in, as well as aircraft, in various stages of restoration, they flew.
 |
| A Navigator in his office |
I have a very hard time understanding the scope of this force and when I see the information on where they were located I am stuck by the sheer magnitude of our effort. US Army Air Forces Air Fields in East England.
For what it is worth if you look at the map I was stationed at base #1 RAF Alconbury, just 50 years after the men who made the real sacrifices.
3 comments:
*****5 stars to those who served*****
...and those who remember them, too! I have been reading reviews of E.B. Sledge's "With the Old Breed" about the war in the Pacific. We dare not forget their dedication, bravery and sacrifice nor neglect the lessons we can learn from their experiences.
They are worthy of a great deal of respect.
Post a Comment