CREW #32 LED THE 10 OCT 43 MISSION AND MAJ JOHN C. EGAN, THE 418TH CO, FLEW IN THE CO-PILOT'S SEAT. NEAR THE I.P. "MLLE ZIG ZIG" (A/C #42-30830; THEY WERE NOT FLYING "SKIPPER" THIS MISSION) WAS HIT BY FLAK KILLING SGT CLANTON AND BADLY WOUNDING
HOWARD HAMILTON AND ROLAND GANGWER. THE SURVIVING CREW MEMBERS SUCCEEDED IN BAILING OUT AND WERE TAKEN PRISONER. HAMILTON AND GANGWER SPENT A LONG TIME IN THE HOSPITAL.
The great Bolshevik offensive has now crossed the frontiers of Germany. The men in the Moscow Kremlin believe the way is open for the conquest of the Western World. This will certainly be the decisive battle for us, but it will also be the decisive battle for England, for the United States, and for the maintenance of Western civilization. Or whatever today, remains of it.
The events in the Baltic States, in Poland, Hungary and Greece are proof enough for all to see the real program behind the mask of Moscow's so-called " limited national aims" and reveals to us how Moscow interprets democratic principals both for the countries she has conquered and also for
Germany and your countries as well.
It is also clear enough today that the issue at stake is not merely the destruction of Germany and the extermination of the German race. The fate of your country too is at stake. This means the fate of your wives, of your children, your home, it also means everything that makes life
livable, lovable and honorable for you.
Each of you who has watched the development of Bolshevism throughout this war knows in his innermost heart the truth about Bolshevism. Therefore we are now addressing you as white men to other white men. This is not an appeal.
At least we feel there is no alternative for any of us, who feels himself a citizen of our continent and our civilization, but to stop the red flood here and now. Extraordinary events demand extraordinary measures and decisions. One of these
decisions is now put to you. We address ourselves to you regardless of your rank or of your nationality.
Soldiers ! We are sure there are some amongst you who have recognized the danger of Bolshevik-Communism for his country. We are sure that many of you have seen clearly what this war is now leading to. We are sure that many of you see what the
consequences of the destruction of Europe - not just Germany, but of Europe - will mean to your own country. Therefore we want to make the following proposal to you.
We think that our fight has also became your fight. If there are some amongst you who are willing to take consequences and who are willing to join the ranks of the German soldiers who fight in this battle which will decide both the fate of Germany and the fate of your countries we should like to know it.
We invite you to join our ranks and the tens of thousands of volunteers from the communist crushed and conquered nations of eastern Europe, which have had to choose between submission under a most brutal Asiatic rule - or a national existence in the future under European ideas, many of
which, of course are your own ideas.
Whether you are willing to fight in the front-line or in the service corps: we make you this solemn promise: Whoever as a soldier of his own nation is willing to join the common front for the common cause, will be freed immediately after victory of the present offensive and return to his
own country via Switzerland.
All that we have to ask from you is the word of the gentlemen not to fight directly or indirectly for the cause of Bolshivik Communism so long as this war continues.
At this moment we do not ask you to think about Germany. We ask you to think about your own country, we ask you just to measure the choices which you and your people aty home would have to, in case the Bolshivik - Communism onslaught should
overpower Europe. We must and we will put and end to Bolshevism and we will achieve this under all circumstances. Please inform the convoy officer of your decision and you will receive the privileges of
our own men for we expect you to share their duty. This is something which surpasses all national boundaries. The world today is confronted by the fight of the east against the west. We ask you to think it over.
The following newspaper articles courtesy of Robert R. Hanley (March 2003)
THE VICTOR HERALD Friday September 24, 1943
John D. Brady Has Been Made Captain
News comes to the Herald from somewhere overseas, that John D. Brady, son of Mr. and Mrs. John J. Brady, has been promoted to the rank of captain.
John Jr. wants to read his hometown newspaper while far from home, and has filed a written request in that effect with the Herald. Here's hoping that every issue goes through to him promptly.
THE VICTOR HERALD Friday October 22, 1943
Flying Cross Won By John Brady In Africa Capt. John D. Brady, son of Mr. and Mrs. John J. Brady, has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for bravery in the African raid. John, who is stationed somewhere in England, kept very quiet about the distinction he had attained, and the news
came to his parents through a letter from the wife of his bombardier.
THE VICTOR HERALD Friday October 29, 1943
Capt. John Brady Is Reported As Missing In Action
Notification that their eldest son, Captain John D. Brady, has been missing in action over Europe since October 10, came to Mr. and Mrs. John J. Brady of Maple Avenue, Victor, last Friday afternoon, through a telegram from the War Department.
Captain Brady, bomber pilot, 25 years old, recently received the Distinguished Flying Cross for his achievements in North Africa. The date given in the telegram indicates that his plane was forced down while he was participating in a mass raid over Germany. His parents received a letter
from him on September 27.
Captain Brady's musical talent had brought him into touch with a wide circle of friends and acquaintances who join with his family in eagerly awaiting good news concerning him. After attending school in Victor and being graduated from St. Mary's parochial school in Canandaigua, he became a
student in Canandaigua Academy, and was a member of the Academy band when that organization won first place in a national music contest. He played the saxophone and clarinet.
Continuing his study of music at Ithaca College, he was graduated in 1941 with the degree of Bachelor of Science and was a member of Piu Mu Aplha, national music fraternity. With the beginning of the next school year, he became music instructor in the Guilford, N Y., school, but resigned
that position in December 1941, to enlist in the Army Air Corps. A younger brother, Pfc. Paul Eugene, is a member of the Air Force Band at Lincoln, Nebraska.
The young aviator won his wings at Spruce Field, Moultrie, Ga., August 5, 1942, and was then transferred to Hendricks Field, Sebring, Florida. Early this year, at Sioux City, Iowa, he became a first lieutenant, and later earned the rank of captain. He left Kearney, Nebraska, in May for
overseas duty, and has participated with skill and valor in various important missions. He is the first Victor man reported missing in action.
THE VICTOR HERALD Friday November 19, 1943
Capt. John D. Brady A German Government Prisoner of War
News that Capt. John D. Brady, missing in action over Europe since October 10, had been found to be a prisoner of war of the German Government, came to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John J. Brady, last Saturday, lifting a burden of anxiety from not only the family, but from the entire
community. Although it was known here that the mission from which Capt. John's plane failed to return had proved to be one of the most dangerous of the war, the conviction that he still lived persisted among his relatives and townspeople, and has now been happily justified.
The longed for information came in the form of a telegram from the War Department in Washington, D.C., which reads,
Report received through the International Red Cross, your son, Capt. John D. Brady, is a prisoner of war of the German Government. Letter of information follows.
Mrs. Brady has received letters from the mothers of two members of John's crew, both of whom have been found to be prisoners of war, and it is hoped that the entire crew may have landed safely and will soon be located.
Born in Victor, Captain Brady attended the Victor schools as a young boy and then became a student in Canandaigua from which he graduated. Later, attending Canandaigua Academy, he was a member of the Academy band when that organization won first place in a national music contest. He played
the saxophone and clarinet.
Continuing his study of music at Ithaca College, he was graduated in 1941 with a degree of Bachelor of Science and was a member of Piu Mu Alpha, national music fraternity. With the beginning of the next school year, he became music instructor in the Guilford, NY school, but resigned that
position in December, 1941, to enlist in the Army Air Corps.
The young aviator won his wings at Spruce Field, Moultrie, Ga., August 5, 1942, and was then transferred to Hendricks Field, Sebring, Fla. Early this year, at Sioux City, Iowa, he became a first lieutenant and later, by his skill and valor in combat, earned the rank of Captain.
Many friends in Victor and Canandaigua rejoice in the news that he is safe, but will appreciate his disappointment that he is grounded, perhaps for the remainder of the conflict.
THE VICTOR HERALD Friday June 9, 1944 Front Page COL 5
Two Brady Cousins Prisoners of War In German Camps
Second Lieut. John Edward Brady of Rochester, reported missing in action since May 7, has been located as a prisoner of war in Germany, according to a telegram received by his relatives in Rochester, Wednesday, June 7.
The news came to Victor Wednesday evening, when Mrs. Mary Brady of Churchlea Place, Rochester, talked over the telephone to Mrs. John J. Brady of Maple Avenue, whose son, Capt. John D. Brady, is also a war prisoner in Germany.
Lieut. Brady, an AAF co-pilot, is a cousin of Capt. Brady, his father, Edward Brady, who died quite a number of years ago, having been a brother of the late John J. Brady of Maple Avenue. Mrs. Genevieve Benn Brady, wife of Lt. Brady, lives in Rochester.
More detailed news of Capt.. Brady than can be given in his letters is hoped for in the near future, as a fellow prisoner in Germany, was scheduled for return to this country for hospitalization. He is believed to have been among the passengers brought into New York Harbor on the Gripsholm
on Tuesday.
A letter from Mrs. John J. Brady awaits him at Walter Reed Hospital, where he is scheduled to receive treatment. Advance information of the fellow prisoner's return to the United States came to Mrs. Brady in a letter from her son, Capt. Brady.
