It was not just the stories but the camaraderie that 50 plus years had failed to erode. Two illustrious gentlemen of the 100th, Charles "Crankshaft" Cruikshank and John Brady were just one example. Both were pilots in the 418th Squadron and both were shot down on the Munster mission October 10, 1943. That day the 100th really earned its nickname "The Bloody Hundredth", 12 out of 13 planes were lost with only then Lt. Robert Rosenthal returning in "Royal Flush". John was flying lead with Major John Egan in the "Mile. Zig Zig" and Crankshaft was leading the second element of the lead Squadron in "Aw-R-Go". According to Lt. Cruikshank, the hardest part of the mission was not being shot down but watching his friend going down and not knowing his fate. Now fifty years later, they hang together at the reunion as if it were 1943 again, still best of friends, and still full of zest for life.
The reunion allowed for many round table discussions with the likes of Harry Crosby, Irv Waterbury, Ernie Warsaw (Navigator on "Pickle puss" crew that was supposedly involved in the wheels down legend that sprung from the Regensburg mission), Dick Johnson (Navigator on Hang the Expense), Crew Chief (351st Squadron) Dewy Christopher, Charlie "Hong Kong" Wilson (Pilot, 350th Squadron), Brady, Cruikshank, Frank Murphy (Navigator on Cruikshank crew), Owen "Cowboy" Roane (Pilot 349th Squadron) to name a few.
These discussions led to many interesting conversations concerning everything from life at Thorpe Abbots (Station 139) to the Commanding Officers, Squadron Commanders. Ground Crews, Lead Pilots, to eventually the missions themselves. The disasters have been well chronicled (Regensburg, Munster, Berlin) but it was the other missions Hamburg (Dec 31, 1944 - 12 planes lost), Ruhland (Sept 11, 1944 - 12 planes lost), Merseburg (July 29, 1944 - 8 planes lost) that somehow took on new interest from both historians and veterans. Each trying to get a better insight into the formations, the events, the survivors, the missing. The facts may be etched in the records, but the real stories are with the men who flew these missions. Men like pilot Lt. George Fory,(who flew 23 Leads) lead pilot on the Ruhland mission and Major Harry Cruver who led the Hamburg mission. To sit there and listen to each man tell his story is an event in itself. For that one brief moment they are giving you one of the most priceless gifts they have, a piece of their life and you hope you preserve it well.
One of the most intriguing interviews was with Ernie Warsaw (Navigator) who maintains that the wheels on his aircraft "Picklepuss" were down when he bailed out. It was this event, where a B-17 lowered it’s landing gear and opened fire on the Luftwaffe when they came in close that led to the speculation that the 100th was involved in this wheels down incident during the Regensburg mission. The legend goes that this caused the Luftwaffe to single out the Hundredth on future raids. Martin Middlebrook (in his book "The Schweinfurt - Regensburg Mission) fully explains this incident and credits the wheel down story to a 390th BG crew, not the 100th. Even though it may be credited with another crew and group, the Legend somehow ominously finds its way to the 100th.
One of the more touching moments of the reunion was a presentation to Jean Harvey on behalf of her late husband Mike. Mike was responsible for the idea and implementation of the restoration of the Thorpe Abbotts control Tower into a museum of the 100th BG. This museum is one of the finest testaments to the preservation of a Group history I have ever seen. If there is such a thing as hallowed ground, I have walked on it at Thorpe Abbotts with great reverence. It was a very touching moment to see Jean accept a plaque dedicated to Mike that will be placed on the Control Tower wall. Jean was accompanied by museum members Mike Nice and San Hurry, who as a boy, watched from that same control tower the lone survivor of the Munster mission "Royal Flush" return to Station 139.
There are too many high points to single out from the three days but receiving a personally autographed copy of "Cowboy" Roane’s privately published book "A Year in the Life of a Cowboy", talking shop with Harry Crosby and Charlie Beck (351st Radio Operator and Gunner), three hours video on the 100th rank high on the list. Sadly, Charlie passed away not long after the reunion, he was a good friend and an important element of the 100th, he will be sadly missed.
As the reunion drew to a close, I had the privilege to spend a few special days with history. Not the history found on the learning channel or in books, but the "flesh and blood" real human drama which was played out with men and machines at 25,000 feet. Where the difference between life and death was as small as a blocked oxygen valve. These were the stories that you don’t get to read about because they may not sound so glamorous, Hollywood leaves these stories on the cutting room floor, but it is precisely these stories that need to be preserved and retold to new generations so that no one forgets the sacrifice nor the real horrors of war. Each participant of that mighty armada called the Eighth Air Force has a story to tell if you take the time to listen, and endangered commodity these days. It would be a shame to lose so much valuable information as father time takes its toll. That is why I recommend to any historian or persons with a novice interest in the "8th" to attend one of the many Bomb Group reunions and see how even an outsider is welcomed with open arms. I attended the 100th Bomb Group Reunion with the hopes of capturing some elusive stories and insights. At the end of three days, the 100th had captured my imagination, and extended the warm hand of friendship. It was a great honor and privilege to get a glimpse of your memories; I hope I can do justice to them in the future.