USAAF WORLD WAR II
Co-pilot 1st/Lt. James R. Billings KIA
Hometown: Guthrie Oklahoma
Squadron: 66th 44th Bomb Group
Service# O-676728
Awards: Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster
Pilot 1st/Lt. Donald J. Heskett
MACR #1752
Target: Ludwigshaven, Germany
Mission Date: 30-Dec-43
Serial Number: #
Aircraft Model B-24
Aircraft Letter:
Aircraft Name: BULL O' THE WOODS
Location: near Chavigny, north of Soisson
Cause: FW 190s. Crew of 10 1KIA 1POW 8Evadee, returned
The primary target there was the Chemical Works of I.G. Farben-industries which was bombed via PFF method through clouds. One aircraft did not return.
1st Lt. Donald J. Heskett was the pilot of this plane. The MACR included this account by Sgt. Elmer D. Risch, engineer "I knew this crew quite well due to a shortage of engineers and top turret gunners. I made two missions with them: one was Kjeller and then this mission to Ludwigshaven. Our load was fire bombs and both bomb bays were loaded full with the 80 or 90 pound type. Just before crossing the Channel, I pulled all the arming pins myself so the bombs were armed and ready to go off on contact.
"We were hit by enemy fighters at 3 o'clock, a little higher than level. I was in the top turret facing the rear. As they came in, they gave us the works, one behind the other. We were flying high and on the outside of the formation. Bullets were ricocheting because I was hit in the left leg twice and the left heel from the rear, or front of the plane. "The pilot soon gave orders to 'Prepare to bail out' on the interphone, so I left the turret and the interphone system. I opened the bomb bay doors and stood on the catwalk. When the radio operator (Symons) started to come to me, and I saw Lt. Heskett leave his seat, I went overboard. I never saw Lt. Billings, and I never saw anything in the waist of the plane. I never saw anyone of the crew or heard about them until I got back to England.
"When in France, I was told that two planes had crashed in that neighborhood. The name of the plane (I was on) was BULL O' THE WOODS with a large bull painted on the left front side, snorting smoke. I made a free fall in my chute and didn't pull the ripcord until I went through the clouds. Then, in a matter of seconds, I was on the ground. I did not see the plane crash..."
William A. Rendall, navigator, added to the story, "The original Heskett crew was assigned to the 66th Sq. on 14 August 1943. Don Heskett had been a Flight Officer, came up from the ranks, and was married. Ed Risch was flying as a replacement for Chocklett, who was otherwise scheduled that day. We had been assigned to do some GEE-Box training, but were called for briefing on very short notice. Sgt. Elmer D. Risch was flying as a replacement that day for our
engineer, who was being court marshalled that day for decking an MP in Norwich.
"As I recall, we were about 14 minutes across the coast in Abbeville Country when Heskett moved from the box to fill in an open spot on Coffin Corner, due to an abortion at the coast. He swung a little too wide and that was a signal for an attack from 3 o'clock by three FW 190s. Blitz was killed instantly on the first pass and Miller took a metal fragment through his elbow. Controls were damaged on the right side, and we started losing altitude in a slow turn.
"Heskett rang the bail out bell, and I was not able to get any answer on the interphone, so I started through the tunnel to go up on deck, but found that the bail-out dinghy in the passageway had snapped onto the pocket of my leather flying trousers. I finally got the other snap of the dinghy free from its ring, and went out the nose wheel door with the dinghy still attached to me. "It was a difficult free fall with that darn dinghy slapping around, and I had to open up higher than comfortable. When the chute opened, the pocket with the escape kit left along with the dinghy.
"Langcaskey, after getting Miller out of the plane, had one of the most amazing escape stories I have ever heard. But Langcaskey has since died of a coronary. Heskett walked out through Portugal. I went back to France in 1972, and back to the crash site to recover some of the pieces of BULL O' THE WOODS. I learned that Billing's body was recovered at the crash site, as was Blitz's, and they had been buried side by side by the French until they were moved to Epinal, at the American Cemetery.
Note: For Stanley Langcaskey's story, see the 2nd Air Division Association's "News Letter" dated June 1975, page 3, story by William R. Robertie.
"We all landed within two miles of the crash site near Chavigny, north of Soisson. Don Heskett set a speed record for return to the base; but for me, I made the mistake of showing off my college French to the chief of the first Resistance Group that I contacted (and who was a Chief of Police). He then found me very useful in moving English and American airmen. On June 19th, 1944 the Gestapo got me in France..."
In another letter, Rendall noted: "We were hit by ME 109s as we moved to low, outside wing, 14 minutes over the French Coast, going in. The BULL O' THE WOODS crashed north of Soisson, near Chavigny, with Sgt. Blitz, waist gunner, and who was killed on first pass, and Lt. Billings (reason unknown) still aboard. Most of the parachutes fell within a two-mile radius of the plane.
"A French family helped me across the river at Soisson on New Year's Eve and I walked SE by night for ten days. After I made contact with an organized group of the French Resistance, I was active in an evacuation program for airmen and refugees until the Gestapo infiltrated on 19 June 1944. Then Chalons-Sur-Marne and Fersnes Prison in Paris before evacuation to Germany. Finally made a Military POW at Stalag Luft III (Sagan). It was over run by the Russian Front on 1/30/45. Then a long march to Moosburg and liberated by 14th Armored Division 30 April 1945."
Some details are available on the evasions of Cregger, Heskett, Langcaskey, Miller, and Risch. Risch was first in contact with the "Burgundy" escape line (reseau Bourgogne) and then was handed over to the "Shelburne" line (as was Sgt. Cregger). The former came out of France by boat on the night of March 19/20, 1944 (Operation Bonaparte IV) and the latter on the night of March 16/17, 1944 (Bonaparte III). Heskett was on the first Bonaparte Operation on the night of
January 28/29, 1944. Stan Langcaskey was a "Burgundy" evader too, but like most of the Allied airmen who made it back to England with his organization, he crossed the Pyrenees Mountains. Miller possibly was involved with "Burgundy" also, but this is not confirmed.
BULL O' THE WOODS Crew
1st/Lt. Donald J. Heskett Pilot Evadee, returned
1st/Lt. James R. Billings Co Pilot KIA
1st/Lt. William A Rendall Navigator Evadee, POW
1st/Lt. Adolph Zielenkiewicz Bombardier returned, POW
T/Sgt. Elmer D. Risch Engineer Evadee, returned 20 March 44
T/Sgt. Eugene Symons Radio Op.
S/Sgt. Stanley G. Langcaskey Gunner Evadee, returned
S/Sgt. Aulis L. Blitz KIA
S/Sgt. Charles W. Cregger Gunner Evadee, returned
S/Sgt. George R. Miller Gunner Evadee, returned 20 March 44
Co-pilot 1st/Lt. James R. Billings KIA
Hometown: Guthrie Oklahoma
Squadron: 66th 44th Bomb Group
Service# O-676728
Awards: Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster
Pilot 1st/Lt. Donald J. Heskett
MACR #1752
Target: Ludwigshaven, Germany
Mission Date: 30-Dec-43
Serial Number: #
Aircraft Model B-24
Aircraft Letter:
Aircraft Name: BULL O' THE WOODS
Location: near Chavigny, north of Soisson
Cause: FW 190s. Crew of 10 1KIA 1POW 8Evadee, returned
The primary target there was the Chemical Works of I.G. Farben-industries which was bombed via PFF method through clouds. One aircraft did not return.
1st Lt. Donald J. Heskett was the pilot of this plane. The MACR included this account by Sgt. Elmer D. Risch, engineer "I knew this crew quite well due to a shortage of engineers and top turret gunners. I made two missions with them: one was Kjeller and then this mission to Ludwigshaven. Our load was fire bombs and both bomb bays were loaded full with the 80 or 90 pound type. Just before crossing the Channel, I pulled all the arming pins myself so the bombs were armed and ready to go off on contact.
"We were hit by enemy fighters at 3 o'clock, a little higher than level. I was in the top turret facing the rear. As they came in, they gave us the works, one behind the other. We were flying high and on the outside of the formation. Bullets were ricocheting because I was hit in the left leg twice and the left heel from the rear, or front of the plane. "The pilot soon gave orders to 'Prepare to bail out' on the interphone, so I left the turret and the interphone system. I opened the bomb bay doors and stood on the catwalk. When the radio operator (Symons) started to come to me, and I saw Lt. Heskett leave his seat, I went overboard. I never saw Lt. Billings, and I never saw anything in the waist of the plane. I never saw anyone of the crew or heard about them until I got back to England.
"When in France, I was told that two planes had crashed in that neighborhood. The name of the plane (I was on) was BULL O' THE WOODS with a large bull painted on the left front side, snorting smoke. I made a free fall in my chute and didn't pull the ripcord until I went through the clouds. Then, in a matter of seconds, I was on the ground. I did not see the plane crash..."
William A. Rendall, navigator, added to the story, "The original Heskett crew was assigned to the 66th Sq. on 14 August 1943. Don Heskett had been a Flight Officer, came up from the ranks, and was married. Ed Risch was flying as a replacement for Chocklett, who was otherwise scheduled that day. We had been assigned to do some GEE-Box training, but were called for briefing on very short notice. Sgt. Elmer D. Risch was flying as a replacement that day for our
engineer, who was being court marshalled that day for decking an MP in Norwich.
"As I recall, we were about 14 minutes across the coast in Abbeville Country when Heskett moved from the box to fill in an open spot on Coffin Corner, due to an abortion at the coast. He swung a little too wide and that was a signal for an attack from 3 o'clock by three FW 190s. Blitz was killed instantly on the first pass and Miller took a metal fragment through his elbow. Controls were damaged on the right side, and we started losing altitude in a slow turn.
"Heskett rang the bail out bell, and I was not able to get any answer on the interphone, so I started through the tunnel to go up on deck, but found that the bail-out dinghy in the passageway had snapped onto the pocket of my leather flying trousers. I finally got the other snap of the dinghy free from its ring, and went out the nose wheel door with the dinghy still attached to me. "It was a difficult free fall with that darn dinghy slapping around, and I had to open up higher than comfortable. When the chute opened, the pocket with the escape kit left along with the dinghy.
"Langcaskey, after getting Miller out of the plane, had one of the most amazing escape stories I have ever heard. But Langcaskey has since died of a coronary. Heskett walked out through Portugal. I went back to France in 1972, and back to the crash site to recover some of the pieces of BULL O' THE WOODS. I learned that Billing's body was recovered at the crash site, as was Blitz's, and they had been buried side by side by the French until they were moved to Epinal, at the American Cemetery.
Note: For Stanley Langcaskey's story, see the 2nd Air Division Association's "News Letter" dated June 1975, page 3, story by William R. Robertie.
"We all landed within two miles of the crash site near Chavigny, north of Soisson. Don Heskett set a speed record for return to the base; but for me, I made the mistake of showing off my college French to the chief of the first Resistance Group that I contacted (and who was a Chief of Police). He then found me very useful in moving English and American airmen. On June 19th, 1944 the Gestapo got me in France..."
In another letter, Rendall noted: "We were hit by ME 109s as we moved to low, outside wing, 14 minutes over the French Coast, going in. The BULL O' THE WOODS crashed north of Soisson, near Chavigny, with Sgt. Blitz, waist gunner, and who was killed on first pass, and Lt. Billings (reason unknown) still aboard. Most of the parachutes fell within a two-mile radius of the plane.
"A French family helped me across the river at Soisson on New Year's Eve and I walked SE by night for ten days. After I made contact with an organized group of the French Resistance, I was active in an evacuation program for airmen and refugees until the Gestapo infiltrated on 19 June 1944. Then Chalons-Sur-Marne and Fersnes Prison in Paris before evacuation to Germany. Finally made a Military POW at Stalag Luft III (Sagan). It was over run by the Russian Front on 1/30/45. Then a long march to Moosburg and liberated by 14th Armored Division 30 April 1945."
Some details are available on the evasions of Cregger, Heskett, Langcaskey, Miller, and Risch. Risch was first in contact with the "Burgundy" escape line (reseau Bourgogne) and then was handed over to the "Shelburne" line (as was Sgt. Cregger). The former came out of France by boat on the night of March 19/20, 1944 (Operation Bonaparte IV) and the latter on the night of March 16/17, 1944 (Bonaparte III). Heskett was on the first Bonaparte Operation on the night of
January 28/29, 1944. Stan Langcaskey was a "Burgundy" evader too, but like most of the Allied airmen who made it back to England with his organization, he crossed the Pyrenees Mountains. Miller possibly was involved with "Burgundy" also, but this is not confirmed.
BULL O' THE WOODS Crew
1st/Lt. Donald J. Heskett Pilot Evadee, returned
1st/Lt. James R. Billings Co Pilot KIA
1st/Lt. William A Rendall Navigator Evadee, POW
1st/Lt. Adolph Zielenkiewicz Bombardier returned, POW
T/Sgt. Elmer D. Risch Engineer Evadee, returned 20 March 44
T/Sgt. Eugene Symons Radio Op.
S/Sgt. Stanley G. Langcaskey Gunner Evadee, returned
S/Sgt. Aulis L. Blitz KIA
S/Sgt. Charles W. Cregger Gunner Evadee, returned
S/Sgt. George R. Miller Gunner Evadee, returned 20 March 44
USAAF WORLD WAR II
Co-pilot 1st/Lt. James R. Billings KIA
Hometown: Guthrie Oklahoma
Squadron: 66th 44th Bomb Group
Service# O-676728
Awards: Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster
Pilot 1st/Lt. Donald J. Heskett
MACR #1752
Target: Ludwigshaven, Germany
Mission Date: 30-Dec-43
Serial Number: #
Aircraft Model B-24
Aircraft Letter:
Aircraft Name: BULL O' THE WOODS
Location: near Chavigny, north of Soisson
Cause: FW 190s. Crew of 10 1KIA 1POW 8Evadee, returned
The primary target there was the Chemical Works of I.G. Farben-industries which was bombed via PFF method through clouds. One aircraft did not return.
1st Lt. Donald J. Heskett was the pilot of this plane. The MACR included this account by Sgt. Elmer D. Risch, engineer "I knew this crew quite well due to a shortage of engineers and top turret gunners. I made two missions with them: one was Kjeller and then this mission to Ludwigshaven. Our load was fire bombs and both bomb bays were loaded full with the 80 or 90 pound type. Just before crossing the Channel, I pulled all the arming pins myself so the bombs were armed and ready to go off on contact.
"We were hit by enemy fighters at 3 o'clock, a little higher than level. I was in the top turret facing the rear. As they came in, they gave us the works, one behind the other. We were flying high and on the outside of the formation. Bullets were ricocheting because I was hit in the left leg twice and the left heel from the rear, or front of the plane. "The pilot soon gave orders to 'Prepare to bail out' on the interphone, so I left the turret and the interphone system. I opened the bomb bay doors and stood on the catwalk. When the radio operator (Symons) started to come to me, and I saw Lt. Heskett leave his seat, I went overboard. I never saw Lt. Billings, and I never saw anything in the waist of the plane. I never saw anyone of the crew or heard about them until I got back to England.
"When in France, I was told that two planes had crashed in that neighborhood. The name of the plane (I was on) was BULL O' THE WOODS with a large bull painted on the left front side, snorting smoke. I made a free fall in my chute and didn't pull the ripcord until I went through the clouds. Then, in a matter of seconds, I was on the ground. I did not see the plane crash..."
William A. Rendall, navigator, added to the story, "The original Heskett crew was assigned to the 66th Sq. on 14 August 1943. Don Heskett had been a Flight Officer, came up from the ranks, and was married. Ed Risch was flying as a replacement for Chocklett, who was otherwise scheduled that day. We had been assigned to do some GEE-Box training, but were called for briefing on very short notice. Sgt. Elmer D. Risch was flying as a replacement that day for our
engineer, who was being court marshalled that day for decking an MP in Norwich.
"As I recall, we were about 14 minutes across the coast in Abbeville Country when Heskett moved from the box to fill in an open spot on Coffin Corner, due to an abortion at the coast. He swung a little too wide and that was a signal for an attack from 3 o'clock by three FW 190s. Blitz was killed instantly on the first pass and Miller took a metal fragment through his elbow. Controls were damaged on the right side, and we started losing altitude in a slow turn.
"Heskett rang the bail out bell, and I was not able to get any answer on the interphone, so I started through the tunnel to go up on deck, but found that the bail-out dinghy in the passageway had snapped onto the pocket of my leather flying trousers. I finally got the other snap of the dinghy free from its ring, and went out the nose wheel door with the dinghy still attached to me. "It was a difficult free fall with that darn dinghy slapping around, and I had to open up higher than comfortable. When the chute opened, the pocket with the escape kit left along with the dinghy.
"Langcaskey, after getting Miller out of the plane, had one of the most amazing escape stories I have ever heard. But Langcaskey has since died of a coronary. Heskett walked out through Portugal. I went back to France in 1972, and back to the crash site to recover some of the pieces of BULL O' THE WOODS. I learned that Billing's body was recovered at the crash site, as was Blitz's, and they had been buried side by side by the French until they were moved to Epinal, at the American Cemetery.
Note: For Stanley Langcaskey's story, see the 2nd Air Division Association's "News Letter" dated June 1975, page 3, story by William R. Robertie.
"We all landed within two miles of the crash site near Chavigny, north of Soisson. Don Heskett set a speed record for return to the base; but for me, I made the mistake of showing off my college French to the chief of the first Resistance Group that I contacted (and who was a Chief of Police). He then found me very useful in moving English and American airmen. On June 19th, 1944 the Gestapo got me in France..."
In another letter, Rendall noted: "We were hit by ME 109s as we moved to low, outside wing, 14 minutes over the French Coast, going in. The BULL O' THE WOODS crashed north of Soisson, near Chavigny, with Sgt. Blitz, waist gunner, and who was killed on first pass, and Lt. Billings (reason unknown) still aboard. Most of the parachutes fell within a two-mile radius of the plane.
"A French family helped me across the river at Soisson on New Year's Eve and I walked SE by night for ten days. After I made contact with an organized group of the French Resistance, I was active in an evacuation program for airmen and refugees until the Gestapo infiltrated on 19 June 1944. Then Chalons-Sur-Marne and Fersnes Prison in Paris before evacuation to Germany. Finally made a Military POW at Stalag Luft III (Sagan). It was over run by the Russian Front on 1/30/45. Then a long march to Moosburg and liberated by 14th Armored Division 30 April 1945."
Some details are available on the evasions of Cregger, Heskett, Langcaskey, Miller, and Risch. Risch was first in contact with the "Burgundy" escape line (reseau Bourgogne) and then was handed over to the "Shelburne" line (as was Sgt. Cregger). The former came out of France by boat on the night of March 19/20, 1944 (Operation Bonaparte IV) and the latter on the night of March 16/17, 1944 (Bonaparte III). Heskett was on the first Bonaparte Operation on the night of
January 28/29, 1944. Stan Langcaskey was a "Burgundy" evader too, but like most of the Allied airmen who made it back to England with his organization, he crossed the Pyrenees Mountains. Miller possibly was involved with "Burgundy" also, but this is not confirmed.
BULL O' THE WOODS Crew
1st/Lt. Donald J. Heskett Pilot Evadee, returned
1st/Lt. James R. Billings Co Pilot KIA
1st/Lt. William A Rendall Navigator Evadee, POW
1st/Lt. Adolph Zielenkiewicz Bombardier returned, POW
T/Sgt. Elmer D. Risch Engineer Evadee, returned 20 March 44
T/Sgt. Eugene Symons Radio Op.
S/Sgt. Stanley G. Langcaskey Gunner Evadee, returned
S/Sgt. Aulis L. Blitz KIA
S/Sgt. Charles W. Cregger Gunner Evadee, returned
S/Sgt. George R. Miller Gunner Evadee, returned 20 March 44
Co-pilot 1st/Lt. James R. Billings KIA
Hometown: Guthrie Oklahoma
Squadron: 66th 44th Bomb Group
Service# O-676728
Awards: Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster
Pilot 1st/Lt. Donald J. Heskett
MACR #1752
Target: Ludwigshaven, Germany
Mission Date: 30-Dec-43
Serial Number: #
Aircraft Model B-24
Aircraft Letter:
Aircraft Name: BULL O' THE WOODS
Location: near Chavigny, north of Soisson
Cause: FW 190s. Crew of 10 1KIA 1POW 8Evadee, returned
The primary target there was the Chemical Works of I.G. Farben-industries which was bombed via PFF method through clouds. One aircraft did not return.
1st Lt. Donald J. Heskett was the pilot of this plane. The MACR included this account by Sgt. Elmer D. Risch, engineer "I knew this crew quite well due to a shortage of engineers and top turret gunners. I made two missions with them: one was Kjeller and then this mission to Ludwigshaven. Our load was fire bombs and both bomb bays were loaded full with the 80 or 90 pound type. Just before crossing the Channel, I pulled all the arming pins myself so the bombs were armed and ready to go off on contact.
"We were hit by enemy fighters at 3 o'clock, a little higher than level. I was in the top turret facing the rear. As they came in, they gave us the works, one behind the other. We were flying high and on the outside of the formation. Bullets were ricocheting because I was hit in the left leg twice and the left heel from the rear, or front of the plane. "The pilot soon gave orders to 'Prepare to bail out' on the interphone, so I left the turret and the interphone system. I opened the bomb bay doors and stood on the catwalk. When the radio operator (Symons) started to come to me, and I saw Lt. Heskett leave his seat, I went overboard. I never saw Lt. Billings, and I never saw anything in the waist of the plane. I never saw anyone of the crew or heard about them until I got back to England.
"When in France, I was told that two planes had crashed in that neighborhood. The name of the plane (I was on) was BULL O' THE WOODS with a large bull painted on the left front side, snorting smoke. I made a free fall in my chute and didn't pull the ripcord until I went through the clouds. Then, in a matter of seconds, I was on the ground. I did not see the plane crash..."
William A. Rendall, navigator, added to the story, "The original Heskett crew was assigned to the 66th Sq. on 14 August 1943. Don Heskett had been a Flight Officer, came up from the ranks, and was married. Ed Risch was flying as a replacement for Chocklett, who was otherwise scheduled that day. We had been assigned to do some GEE-Box training, but were called for briefing on very short notice. Sgt. Elmer D. Risch was flying as a replacement that day for our
engineer, who was being court marshalled that day for decking an MP in Norwich.
"As I recall, we were about 14 minutes across the coast in Abbeville Country when Heskett moved from the box to fill in an open spot on Coffin Corner, due to an abortion at the coast. He swung a little too wide and that was a signal for an attack from 3 o'clock by three FW 190s. Blitz was killed instantly on the first pass and Miller took a metal fragment through his elbow. Controls were damaged on the right side, and we started losing altitude in a slow turn.
"Heskett rang the bail out bell, and I was not able to get any answer on the interphone, so I started through the tunnel to go up on deck, but found that the bail-out dinghy in the passageway had snapped onto the pocket of my leather flying trousers. I finally got the other snap of the dinghy free from its ring, and went out the nose wheel door with the dinghy still attached to me. "It was a difficult free fall with that darn dinghy slapping around, and I had to open up higher than comfortable. When the chute opened, the pocket with the escape kit left along with the dinghy.
"Langcaskey, after getting Miller out of the plane, had one of the most amazing escape stories I have ever heard. But Langcaskey has since died of a coronary. Heskett walked out through Portugal. I went back to France in 1972, and back to the crash site to recover some of the pieces of BULL O' THE WOODS. I learned that Billing's body was recovered at the crash site, as was Blitz's, and they had been buried side by side by the French until they were moved to Epinal, at the American Cemetery.
Note: For Stanley Langcaskey's story, see the 2nd Air Division Association's "News Letter" dated June 1975, page 3, story by William R. Robertie.
"We all landed within two miles of the crash site near Chavigny, north of Soisson. Don Heskett set a speed record for return to the base; but for me, I made the mistake of showing off my college French to the chief of the first Resistance Group that I contacted (and who was a Chief of Police). He then found me very useful in moving English and American airmen. On June 19th, 1944 the Gestapo got me in France..."
In another letter, Rendall noted: "We were hit by ME 109s as we moved to low, outside wing, 14 minutes over the French Coast, going in. The BULL O' THE WOODS crashed north of Soisson, near Chavigny, with Sgt. Blitz, waist gunner, and who was killed on first pass, and Lt. Billings (reason unknown) still aboard. Most of the parachutes fell within a two-mile radius of the plane.
"A French family helped me across the river at Soisson on New Year's Eve and I walked SE by night for ten days. After I made contact with an organized group of the French Resistance, I was active in an evacuation program for airmen and refugees until the Gestapo infiltrated on 19 June 1944. Then Chalons-Sur-Marne and Fersnes Prison in Paris before evacuation to Germany. Finally made a Military POW at Stalag Luft III (Sagan). It was over run by the Russian Front on 1/30/45. Then a long march to Moosburg and liberated by 14th Armored Division 30 April 1945."
Some details are available on the evasions of Cregger, Heskett, Langcaskey, Miller, and Risch. Risch was first in contact with the "Burgundy" escape line (reseau Bourgogne) and then was handed over to the "Shelburne" line (as was Sgt. Cregger). The former came out of France by boat on the night of March 19/20, 1944 (Operation Bonaparte IV) and the latter on the night of March 16/17, 1944 (Bonaparte III). Heskett was on the first Bonaparte Operation on the night of
January 28/29, 1944. Stan Langcaskey was a "Burgundy" evader too, but like most of the Allied airmen who made it back to England with his organization, he crossed the Pyrenees Mountains. Miller possibly was involved with "Burgundy" also, but this is not confirmed.
BULL O' THE WOODS Crew
1st/Lt. Donald J. Heskett Pilot Evadee, returned
1st/Lt. James R. Billings Co Pilot KIA
1st/Lt. William A Rendall Navigator Evadee, POW
1st/Lt. Adolph Zielenkiewicz Bombardier returned, POW
T/Sgt. Elmer D. Risch Engineer Evadee, returned 20 March 44
T/Sgt. Eugene Symons Radio Op.
S/Sgt. Stanley G. Langcaskey Gunner Evadee, returned
S/Sgt. Aulis L. Blitz KIA
S/Sgt. Charles W. Cregger Gunner Evadee, returned
S/Sgt. George R. Miller Gunner Evadee, returned 20 March 44
Gravesite Details
Entered the Service from Oklahoma.
Family Members
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