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Bill writes about: Short Stories

Jan22
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Motgrand

The Last Tight Mountain Turn

by Bill Beigel The jeep sped around the last of the tight mountain turns, and soon was making great time along the road that crossed the alluvial fan at the base of Monte della Torraccia.  He’d probably be back in time for dinner in the mess tent. He looked forward to some good strong black coffee. Everything looked the same to Staff Sergeant Keyes as he passed the Brazilian field artillery battalion and the Canadian aid station. He slowed down the vehicle to make the final turn...
Jan16
4 LIKES
Pebbles In Water1

Simmons’ Creek

by Bill Beigel Walking the beach at dawn is a habit. There are many places where I can find a crescent ring of tiny shells. The shells are embedded and enmeshed in a tangled mass of sea grass and feathers and dark, coarse sand. They are nearly hidden. But when the sun is just right, the shells shine out to me. I have picked up many handfuls, but usually end up tossing them back into the ocean. I enjoy the small splash they cause, and the ripples that tickle the surface for a few...

  • Incoming Message: Classified, Ruth-less

    Great to hear about you sharing this with your class. I have the official crash report for the loss of "Ruth-Less", as well as the specific file for SSGT Maloy (hometown address was Hacoda, AL). I researched the entire crew some years ago; quite an extensive project. Via Dropbox, I will send you his file shortly. Best, Bill

  • Incoming Message: Classified, Ruth-less

    I am Aubrey Maloy's cousin. My mother talked about him often. I would be interested in any information that you may have on him. I am sharing this with my class today and talking about the great men on this flight. Thank you for sharing this with us. I hope to someday visit the memorial.

  • Wee Willie and the photo that started it all

    My grandfather, S/Sgt M.E. Cisney BT gunner with the 322, 91st... flew in this plane approximately a month before, wrote in his journal “today we went up in Wee Willie, an old plane with 104 missions...” The photograph is completely and utterly disturbing to think that could have been him and I wouldn’t be here... He kept a detailed journal of all his missions, date, time, plane, payload, temperature, target, bombs away, flak density.... There’s some lines in his journal that just blow me away... “I was in the ball for 9 1/2 hours” “flak knocked out No. 2 and No. 4 engines we dropped out of formation and flew back, it was a very lonesome feeling, thankfully we didn’t see any fighters, we would have been sitting ducks...” “the target area was ablaze, it was the most fire I’ve ever seen in one place (Dresden)” In my opinion not enough credit and publicity is given to the men of the 8th, they destroyed Hitler’s war machine from the inside out...

  • Women in WWII: Cornelia Clark Fort

    Hi Steve: the files is silent on the fate of F/O Stamm. I do know that he survived the War. Best, Bill

  • Women in WWII: Cornelia Clark Fort

    Hi Ed: I don't know. I expect that perhaps he was able to talk to some witnesses or perhaps the officers that prepared the crash report. I do have that crash report in my archives. Best regards, Bill

  • Women in WWII: Cornelia Clark Fort

    Where did Chaplain Pastor Jeff get his details on the mid-air collision?
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