Fisherman's Dream

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billrunnels

Distinguished Member
B-17 Bombardier
8AF, 303bg, 360bs
1,124
1,368
Oct 13, 2017
Minnesota, USA
Our crew brought a B-17 back to the good old U.S.A. from the UK following the end of WWII. Order #168 read, "proceed via the best available air route to Bradley Field, Windsor Locks, Connecticut thence to to Camp Miles Standish, Boston POE ( point of embarkation ). The load for B-17G #43-38560 consisted of ten crew members plus ten other base staff members. The Base Commander made a plane side appearance to wish us a safe journey. First stop was Valley, Wales. The second Meeks Field, Iceland where we spent the night. Then on to Blui-West #1, Greenland where we stopped to refuel and have lunch. The last person to exit the aircraft was the co-pilot. I couldn't believe my eyes, he was caring fishing gear. He spent the time fishing in the fjord while the rest of us had lunch. He didn't catch anything but experienced a dream come true I am sure. The rest of our journey was routine.
 
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A dream come true right after surving the bloodiest conflict the world has ever know. I imagine it must have been the most relaxing fishing of his life.

George McGovern, the 15th AF B-24 pilot that ran unsuccessfully for president against Nixon in the early 70s stated in his memoirs that his return to the ZOI was flawless until the B-24 touched ground... one of the worst landings in his AAF career but at that point nobody didn't mind as they were exhilarated to be home.
What a feeling it must have been to be home alive and full of hope for the future!
What did you do right after getting back Bill?

Cheers
 
The first thing I did after dropping out of the nose hatch was bend down and kiss the concrete then visit the welcome wagon that had pulled along the aircraft and downed two pint cartons of milk.
 
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