44064.htm
Go home - Catalog - Overview - Index - Photo Index - Personal Accounts
James W. Taylor's WWII Experiences
Donor Original Source PIMA ID Donor ID Category
Richard P. Ellinger James W. Taylor NA RPE-44064 OCR-DA-P

Germany had surrendered. it was premature and caused by a news leak. Even though it was not authorized, we wanted to believe it and it warmed our hearts. We were to leave that evening on that same "luxury" accommodations that had brought us to Paris---the famous 40 and 8. We pulled out of Paris about dusk. The city had already started to celebrate. Through the open box car door, we could see fireworks being set off throughout the city. The next morning we were back in Belgium at our base surrounded by those who had flown with us on those missions. Dick continued to write one more page for his record.

V.E. Day May 8, 1945
At the Base, Belgium
No Altitude No Bomb Load.

Today is a great day for us guys. One we will never forget I am putting this to my combat experience as it means a lot to me. At the present I am commemorating this short mission to the following dead comrades of mine.

Crew #3
2nd Lt. Walter H. Hedstrom
2nd Lt. John Q. Gersting
2nd Lt. Quinn L. Smith
Cpl. George I). Burton
Cpl. Henry F. Cavaveste
Cpl. Bernell B. Barney

Crew #6
2nd Lt. Arthur M. Williamson
2nd Lt. Henry F. Smith
F.O. William A. Orthberg
Cpl. Gelgo J. Lauteri
Cpl. Robert A. Greenwood
Cpl. Albert P. Elliot Jr.

They died quick but didn't receive the Purple Heart either. One is still alive but we cant find out who. May Clod save him. I am sorry for all of them Its all over and I thanked God for sparing my life.
The end of the E.T.O. warfare.
V.E. Day.

AMEN James W. Taylor

W63-65 P.64
The next day there in Belgium, Dick< went into Charleroi and bought a Belgian newspaper, the Journal DE Charleroi special edition. The headlines in huge letters were VICTOIREI IE (3RD) REICH A CAPTURE SANS CONDITIONS It is too bad I can no longer read French to get a local slant on things.

Page 64
To go to next page of this account click here

Go directly to:
Combat: - 51 - 52 - 53 - 54 - 55 - 56 - 57 - 58 - 59 - 60
VE Day: - 61 - 62 - 63 - 64 - 65 - 66 - 66A - Army of Occupation: - 66B - 67 - 68 - 69