The 8th Air Force
I didn't know all that much about the 8th Air force, It was just another group of soldiersthat made up the army that had been sent across the sea to fight for freedom. After all,the war was over long before I was born.....it was just history.....something for the historybooks. It was after I started listening to my neighbor, as he reflected on his youthful days in battle over Europe, that I knew that the 8th was more than just another group of soldiers.I believe that my neighbor was a true American Hero, and I would like to tell you about him.
His name was William Nathan Rice, but everyone called him Bill.He was just a country boy from Francis, Oklahoma. He had only a sixth grade education.He grew up in the middle of the great depression. Most children only went to schoollong enough to learn to read, write, add and subtract. Education was not asimportant in those days. Working in order to help feed the family was the priority. He was barely old enough to be considered a man when he answered his country's call.After training, he was assigned to the 8th Air Force's 458th bomb group 752nd squadron . He was stationed at the Horsham-St.Faith's field which was not far from Norwich, England.He was a "waist gunner" on a B-24 Liberator.
click photo for full size imageImagine if you will the most horrible conditions. Flying over enemy territory in broad daylight in an unarmored bomber. It is freezing cold, about 30° below zero. Your lifeline is your flightsuit and your oxygen mask. If either fails, you have little time to react before losing conscienceness. The flight suit is much like an electric blanket, it is electrically heated.The oxygen of course is needed when flying above 10,000 feet.The bombers are flying in a tight box formation as a defense against Nazi fighter planes. There is danger of colliding with the other bombers, and the close formation makes an easier target for the Nazi "Flak" shells coming up from the ground. Now include dozens of Nazi fighters coming at you from all directions. As terrible as you might imagine it...........IT WAS MUCH WORSE!
click photo for full size imageThe name of their plane was "Patchie." They called her that because of all the patches and repairs that had to be made after each mission to keep her air worthy.
click photo for full size imagePatchie's Crew
L. M. Warner
R. I. Boose
R. L. Hiers
C. F. Ivory
J. B. Mason
Sgt. W.N.(Bill) Rice
R. S. Robertson
A. H.Schappert
L. A. Stemple
Not in Order, If anyone can identify or supply ranks, I will add.
Horsham St-Faith Field
click photo for full size image
200 Mission Map
Escape Photograph
The crew members carried many things with them in the event they had to abandon their aircraft over enemy territory. One important thing they carried with them was a set of photographs taken in civilian clothing. This helped in the event they needed forged documents and identification to escape from enemy territory. This is one of Bill's Escape Photos.
The DiaryThe command pilot L. M. Warner, (unknown rank) kept a diary of the missions, thanks to him you can have a little look into the past as a bomber full of teen aged heroes did their part to liberate Europe some fifty years ago. I am not censoring any of the text. The first page was missing and there were some unreadable words. This might be rated PG because of some personal thoughts and a few colorful words by the author. There are a few definitions located in the "updates" section below. This information will help you understand some of the terms used in the diary.Pilot's Diary for the B-24 Liberator named "Patchie"
The story doesn't end there. Patchie's Crew finished all of their missions, and were decorated for their service. Bill made it back home. He settled in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He and his wife Helen raised a fine family and were the kind of neighbors that every one would love to have. Bill departed this life a few years ago. He is very much missed!
If you have a comment, or further information about the crew, plane, squadron or bomb group, Please email me at:route66@cox.net
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Friends have visited this 8th Air Force Site©1996-2002 LJG
Updates
*Tim Erskine says that a "No Ball" target was a V-weapon site, such as the V-1 Buzz Bomb and the V-2 rocket. The name was derived from the Allied code word for the V-weapons........THANKS TIM!
**ArtFerwerda says that after installing a new engine [Ha-Ha, we never got new engines, only rebuilt ones] we were supposed to get about 8 hrs. slow time, which meant that you didn't push the engine, not even on take off and just flew the replaced engine at a lower R.P.M. until it was broken in.
Thanks to Al Blue, I learned the right way to spell Flak. :)
4-7-97 I received Patchie's photo along with a copy of "The 458th Bombardment Group (Heavy) III" from the author, Mr. George A. Reynolds. Thanks George!! If anyone wants to contact Mr. Reynolds, emailme and I will supply you with contact information.
8-2-97 It has been some time since my last update. I have received mail from many of you. Thanks for all of the help! Here area few of the changes and informational updates:Douglas Shepherd wrote to let us know that his father, 1st Lt. Franklin Shepherd (1917-1982) is in the crew picture. He went to fly another plane named "Blue Bonnett Sue." He is mentioned in the Pilot's diary as "Good Shepherd." He is in the top row, fourth person (wearing parachute harness and cap).Don Sabo sent a crew photo with the "wing walker" edited out.
Bill's son, Mike is now on the internet. If you would like to contact him, his email address is sawbug@flash.net.
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