Berlin attacked

On 6 March 1944, 68 years ago today, Berlin was attacked for the first time by the by the Allied forces in a maximum effort. The 8th Air Force lost 68 heavy bombers and crews. Among those lost was my brother and seven of his crewmates and three more that became POWs. The many crews that were lost that day were a testament to the German defense and the determination of our own purpose in bringing down the Nazi regime. My brother and all those who went out that day are not forgotten, whether they returned to their base or remained as KIAs or POWs. They are all heroes who deserve our utmost respect and honored for their dedication to preserving our freedom. Today is a good time to say a prayer of thanks for all they did to keep us free and to not lose sight of the fact that we could just as easily be speaking German today!!!
 
Vic Walzel
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Vic,
 
Beautifully written and thoughtful.  We are in their debt.
 
Bob

Nice thought, Vic. There willingness to risk it all shall be remembered!............Bill

As part, and in a way, representative of the latest generations; I would like to express the eternal gratitude and great admiration I feel towards the Greatest Generation, being aware of the tremendous sacrifices made by all of them to give us the opportunity to have fulfilling lives in a world free of oppression.
 
Vic Walzel, My deepest respects and admiration to your brother. May his soul rest in peace.
 
Erick M.

     Vic,
AMEN !! Over the years I have talked with crew men who were on the Berlin mission. They knew it would be a tough one, but morale was high as they were finally taking the fight to the heart of Germany. There were A/C going down everywhere and those who returned were solemn over their heavy losses. It was tougher than they expected and on following Berlin missions they knew there was a good chance they would not return yet they went back. That is the definition of courage and honor.
Thanks for keeping the memory of those who perished 6 March alive and those who perished on return missions to Berlin alive. Regards, Marc

Thanks for the good comments. There were so many really tough missions and also ones that didn't amount to much except to those who participated and didn't come back and they all had a particular part in the overall effort. We are truly blessed to have had such valiant men and women to fight those battles and to have the support of our nation to supply them with the things needed to win. The Lord answered many prayers during those years and we'll never know why some were not answered in the way we would have liked. He knows best and we accept His judgement It only takes a visit to one of the ABMC cemeteries to realize the cost of war and to recognize that those headstones represent only a small portion of the losses that were incurred by all the nations involved. Thanks to all for whatever part they played to keep us free.
 
 

Very nice Vic.
I did'nt know your brother, but I gave him and his battle comrades, air/land my heartfelt gratitude for making the supreme sacrifice as I walked the countless rows of the US GI  "Heros"  buried in the cemeteries in Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg, and France as my wife sat in each Chapel. A very humbling experience, one etched in my mind forever. You, Neale, et al have every right to be proud of your kin ( I know I am) and to foster their memory as long as you are able. 

 
Well said everyone.
My Uncle, the late Leroy Myers,  was in a crew dispatched from Horham Airfield on 3-4-1944. Their B17 was hit by flak and dropped out of formation. All the crew were captured and taken as POWs.