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MaryAlice
4/12/2010 2:07:09 PM | Just wanted to give you guys a book update. As some of you know, I finished Masters of the Air, and it was a fantastic book!!! Since I finished it up, I have been chomping at the bit to read another book, and in doing so, with some help, was directed to Mission 376:Battle over the Reich 28 May 1944. I picked this book as my next read, for a couple reasons, one of which, I know my Grandpa flew on that day, #2 was told that it is a very good read, and #3, the author Ivo Jong has some good readings. And, since the book came highly recommended by our dedicated members here on board, decided we are good to go!!!
I placed teh order over teh weekend, and got confirmation that it should be here on April 15th...can't wait! Will let you guys know how it turns out....
Derrick Morris, Grandson of S/Sgt Engr/Top Turret William "Dale" Sartor, 615th BS 401st BG, "Mary Alice"
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donaldbyers
4/12/2010 6:29:23 PM | Another friend of mine Erik Dyreborg wrote a book called The Luck One's http://www.amazon.com/Lucky-Ones-Airmen-Mighty-Eighth/dp/0595249906/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1271118242&sr=1-14 and is also on Amazon.
It's 401st related also.
Don
Sgt. Donald C. Byers, 613th Bomb Squadron, Togglier, 42-97344 Carrie B II, KIA 08/24/1944.
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MaryAlice
4/15/2010 7:58:16 AM | "donaldbyers":
Another friend of mine Erik Dyreborg wrote a book called The Luck One's http://www.amazon.com/Lucky-Ones-Airmen-Mighty-Eighth/dp/0595249906/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1271118242&sr=1-14 and is also on Amazon.
It's 401st related also.
Don
Hey, thanks Don! Will take a looksie.
Update:
Book (Mission 376) SHOULD be here today!
Also Don, I got my "newsletter", Poop From Group few days/week ago. Like it, like it!
Derrick Morris, Grandson of S/Sgt Engr/Top Turret William "Dale" Sartor, 615th BS 401st BG, "Mary Alice"
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MaryAlice
4/16/2010 7:50:51 AM | OK, got my book yesterday, and I did not have time to really sit down and start it yet, but i DID thumb through it, and of course, teh book fell RIGHT OPEN TO Mr. Dan Knight's "page". It's a page that has his recount of that particular day (May 28, 1944). That page had his picture at bottom, and I stopped to read caption, and what do you know, Dan KNight, Mary Alice...so i am like, WOW!!!!!!
So, I scanned that page, and saw that it had his recount on it, so I decided to read that page. So, i did. All i can say is that I read it, got shook up about it, my wife looked at me, asked me what was wrong. So, ITRIED to read it to her, and when I got to "...but I kept wondering how it was going to feel to be killed", my emotions got teh better of me, and I got choked up and started to cry. So, she had to finish that page and she read it aloud. A little while later, I THOUGHT I could call my Mom and TRY and read it it to her. This time, I didn't make it as far, I got to ".....We were eighteen bombers against teh whole Luftwaffe looked like. There was no way that I could imagine that any of us could survive with odds stacked against us like that."
I got there and got choekd up again, and had to stop and tell her I would call her later.
You know guys, I keep saying this, and will say it again...With the more I learn, the more I get closer to REALLY understanding what you guys in our Military go through. Now, of course, since I have neever BEEN in action, or gone through teh training, and been "in the trenches", so I KNOW I will NEVER EVER possibly FULLY understand what you guys go/went through, but I am doing everything I can to TRY and place me there with you, to TRY and relive the hardness of battle.
These are the things that my Grandpa NEVER talked about, the hardships of it. he was to modest, to humble. So, to read about it from someone that was there, with my Grandpa onthat day (and many others I might add) make me REALLY appreciate how blessed i am that my family is even here today. That 20MM shell that landed on teh floor INSIDE the Mary Alice, and did not detonate, was not only a gift from God to teh crew of Mary Alice that day, it was a gift from God for my entire family.
Wow, I am just really taken aback by all of this. It sends a numbness through your body that is hard to explain. You just want to take a deep breath and exhale, but even that does not "fix" it. Loss of words....
Derrick Morris, Grandson of S/Sgt Engr/Top Turret William "Dale" Sartor, 615th BS 401st BG, "Mary Alice"
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Phoenix
4/16/2010 3:13:04 PM | Derrick,
A statement of great eloqeunce. I have two points to make 1) That is why we do what we do so these wonderful people from whichever arm are not forgotten and 2) having been on active service myself I understand fully your grandfathers reluctance to speak of his experiences. You are a real man amonsgt men for making the staement you have shared with us, God bless you fella.
Dale
improvise, adapt, overcome
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MaryAlice
4/18/2010 1:44:19 PM | Thank you Dale. I am glad that my words found home with you, and I hope it does with many others.
Update:
Started book night before last, and on page 70 now, and up to this point, WOW, VERY graphic details/descriptions...VERY informative. Highly recommend this book. If you want a book dedicated to more of a description about WWII and the airwar we fought/Eighth Air Force, then Masters of the Air is your book. If you are looking for a book that goes into GREAT detail about a particular event, and whathappened THAT day, including on teh enemy side of things, THIS is your book. This book is able to describe teh German fighters and what they did withOUT showing bias (like another book I picked up, that I don't recommend).
Anyways, VERY good read, VERY informative...
Again, Dale, MANY THANKS for what you did/do for us/our country, GReATLY appreciated!
Derrick Morris, Grandson of S/Sgt Engr/Top Turret William "Dale" Sartor, 615th BS 401st BG, "Mary Alice"
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