b787tech
3/11/2012 10:52:15 AM | I'd been in personal contact with Don Byers several years ago. So, first of all...HELLO BROTHER DON! I apologize for my absence.
My uncle, 2nd LT. Leslie Hauss and Don's uncle were KIA on the same mission on 24 Aug 1944. Thanks to Don, other associates of this forum and the folks at the American Air Museum in the UK, the knowledge of my families heritage as been expanded. In fact, several ears ago I was put in contact with a surviving crew member from my uncles aircraft. Warren Smith was the Top Turret Gunner/Engineer on the assigned aircraft of that fateful day, Jill's Jalopy.
It's funny how fate intervenes in ones life. In April of 2010, I retired after 30 years of service as an aircraft mechanic with US Airways. In a single year and only 53 years of age...I thought I was gonna' die...of BOREDOM! Thankfully, this is were fate saved my sanity!
Out of the blue and in a nutshell, I was contacted by a 'headhunter" acting on behalf of my new employer and now enjoy my new career as a tech on the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The new employment provided opportunities to due some time overseas. As of this writing,I've just returned from a visit to the UK and was able to visit and wander Deenethorpe to my hearts content. (With permission of the local constable of course) Although the extensive collection herein of the groups photographs, to be able to reach out and touch the hollowed grounds was a very moving and yes, even tearful. These men, members of our own families, lived, fought and gave their lives to make this world a safe place for all.
(I will not use this forum to expand on the last sentence and the present state of affairs...thank you very much)
My plans during the visit was to also visit the final resting place in Belgium of my uncle and Don's uncle. Unfortunately and foolishly, I suppose, and armed with documentation and GPS coordinates found on the web of where Jill's Jalopy came to rest near Wiemar Germany, we "attempted" to locate the location...and can't say whether or not I actually did of not. What we DID do to locate and freely roam the area might have been just slightly out of the ordinary though.
Decades ago I befriended a ham radio operator in Germany. Gus and I have met on the amateur radio airwaves on a regular schedule and in fact ONLY by CW! (Morse Code) The first time I'd actually spoken to Gus was when he and his family had an extensive visit to my home area in Orlando,FL. For the sake of brevity, lets just say that Gus had quite vacation itinerary in Central Florida. In addition to my career at US Airways we ALSO were a musician for Walt Disney World. Suffice to say when I FINALLY got to Germany, Gus really OVER compensated...if that is indeed possible...and treated me like a king. His knowledge of not only history and his country and especially how it pertained to WW II...led to extensive up-close encounters with Germans who also fought...and flew...in the war. I will speak to Don ASAP to somehow tell the stories of my encounters with these special and at times people who still do not think highly of those who defended the free world...and FINALLY had one who they could vent their angry and frustration. I will say at this time I feel Blessed that my own father and mother taught me tolerance and appreciation and to keep my mouth shut in the face of adversity. I can assure you that was THE test of a lifetime.
In the end folks, the extension of the well spent time spent with Gus and his family required that Belgium become my FIRST destination when I return during the summer months of 2012. Although I truly regret the fact I couldn't attend to I suppose what should have been priority at my uncle's grave site, the extraordinary experiences and insight from the survivors from what was nothing short of the enemy...is virtually indescribable. If any of you could imagine being introduced to an ex-Luftwaffe FW-190 pilot, extending your hand to shake his...and being denied the handshake because of the aforementioned...that's reality double-barrel.
And I would never deny a warrior in his 90's to hold a grudge...
...or his wanton desire to talk about it.
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win-win
3/11/2012 6:09:42 PM | Hi b787tech
I hope your remarkable 'discovery search' continues and yields much more for you. Don has probably assisted all of our 'searches', in one way or another.
For your upcoming trip to visit your Uncle's (and Don's?) gravesite(s) in the 'Low Countries', may I suggest you (soon) connect with Andy Swinnen ('Swinny') through his Website www.remember-our-heroes.n (and E-mail). He not only knows the U.S. Casualty burial locations throughout the region, but is a self-appointed 'care-taker', so he may be able to help make visit there more rewarding. 'Swinny's helped a lot of us in the 40ast, and would probably be glad to meet you, too.
Win Bryson
for the 613Sq AJ Nelson Crew
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donaldbyers
3/11/2012 7:39:32 PM | Ah glad your back with us and active on the Forum again. Am glad that you had a good trip and were able to visit the air field. I have been quite busy with the web site with data entry. Many plans in the old noggin! While I was stationed in Germany just before I retired I was on my last exercise with V Corps as an Intelligence Analyst and was near where my uncle was buried until he was removed an later repatriated back to the US and buried at the National Cemetery located in Indiana. And I visited his grave site there a few years ago.
Tks Don
Sgt. Donald C. Byers, 613th Bomb Squadron, Togglier, 42-97344 Carrie B II, KIA 08/24/1944.
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