The United States ground forces had increased their pressure and were pushing into Germany at Aachen during November of 1944. The 467th went over to tactical bombing to aid the advance of the U.S. wound forces on the 16th of November. Our crew was awakened for this mission but did not attend the 03:00 briefing, since we were not a lead crew.


We took twenty 260 pound fragmentation bombs on the 16th to target Echweiler near Aachen. Eschweiler was. an area ahead of our ground forces. On this mission, that was only the third for our crew, the technique of tactical bombing was extremely well worked out. Special radio aids were installed and used to show when the formations had passed the front lines, and it was clear to drop the bombs since timing was of the essence. Visual aids such as red flak and balloons were utilized to prevent the dropping on our own troops. The results were good despite the bad weather and the necessity of dropping by instruments.


Rackheath and most of England was not visible at the time of our return. This mission took 7 hours and 15 minutes, and due to darkness and fog Rackheath was closed. All airplanes of the 467th were diverted inland about 100 miles to a Royal Air Force base at Lindholme. Our crew had met the enemy three times in battle, and now we were introduced to out ally for the first time; We were treated like royalty by the the RAF, and they took me on a tour of their bomber that was called the Lancaster. They asked me many questions since I was a Navigator, Bombardier, and nose gunner. They were grateful that the Yanks were helping them save their country. Since the RAF bombed at night, we were afforded the beds that were vacated by the airmen who were on a mission, and their return was not expected until the next day. The next morning I was awakened by a slight shake and asked by a beautiful lady (a member of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force) who said, "Sir would you have some tea?" I looked up and saw what I thought was an angel. I was sure that I had been shot down and gone to heaven. This could never happen in our freezing Nissen hut at Rackheath.