Bill’s blog archive: Daily Posts

P 47 Thunderbolt In Bomb Blast
P 47 Thunderbolt In Bomb Blast
P 47 Thunderbolt In Bomb Blast
P 47 Thunderbolt In Bomb Blast
P 47 Thunderbolt In Bomb Blast

“Hit By My Own Blast”

The target of the 353rd Fighter Group on June 6, 1944, was a grouping of German armored trucks and other vehicles, six miles south of Mortain, France. A P-47 Thunderbolt, piloted by Flight Officer Earl W. Green, dove towards the target. His flight leader, Captain James N. Poindexter (himself shot down and killed over Germany months later, on January 3, 1945) reported that: F/O Green, 23 years old, from Klamath Falls, Oregon, had been in the military just short of four years. He was...
WINDYCITY1 B24bestweb
WINDYCITY1 B24bestweb
WINDYCITY1 B24bestweb
WINDYCITY1 B24bestweb
WINDYCITY1 B24bestweb

Three Sprained Ankles

Luck played such a large role in it all.  For some, Lady Luck frowned, but for others, she gave her friendliest smile.  Such was the case for a crew with the 451st Bomb Group of the 15th Air Force, B-24 tail # 42-7757, nicknamed “Windy City”. On June 6, 1944, flying back to Italy from their target, the oil fields of Ploesti, Romania, “Windy City” was hit by German anti-aircraft.  The bombardier, 2nd LT Alex Chesbowitz, told what happened next: And the luck of the crew of...
AT-10-GF Wichita

Two Ships on the Final Approach

The greatest seaborne invasion in world history was taking place in France on June 6, 1944.  But for the Aviation Cadets at Ellington Field, Texas, it was just another day of training. Only a few minutes after midnight, at about 12:10 AM on the 6th, two AT-10 Wichita trainers were coming in to the runway at Ellington. Observers in the tower recognized that the two trainers were close - maybe too close.  A red light was given to the upper of the two planes, in warning.  Meanwhile, a...

Speaker Booking: The Final Ascent of “Ascend Charlie”

  Please see presentation and booking information below to schedule Bill Beigel for your next WWII...

Speaker Booking: “Return of the WWII Dead” presentation

Please see presentation and booking information below to schedule Bill Beigel for your next WWII...
LIFE Nov 3 1947 ReturnoftheDead 1

Bill Beigel presents “Return of the WWII Dead” to Thousand Oaks audience

Bill Beigel will present a lecture entitled "Return of the Dead of World War II" to the Conejo Valley Genealogical Society, July 15, 2014. The presentation will focus on "The Return of the World War II Dead Program," launched by the 80th United States Congress at the end of the war. The program involved a global search and identification of Americans who were killed overseas during the world's greatest conflict - and to give families the option of bringing their loved ones home for permanent...