So priceless to find this interview, thank you. My father was a gunner in 456th Bomb Group, 15th Air Force. His B-24 was shot down over Hungary and he was taken as a POW with the other survivors and sent to Stalag Luft IV. The only thing I remember him telling me was that he and his buddies would always hope to get kitchen duty, just so they could take the potato peels to eat. He survived the Death March but never spoke much about it at all. These guys went through unspeakable horrific ordeals at the hands of the Nazis. Bless all the WWII veterans, the greatest generation.
I dated a girl one time and her dad had been shot down and taken prisoner in Germany in WWII. She had a small paperback book. It was a memoir of the march that had been written by one of her father’s prison mates. She let me take it home to read. I think it was called The Shoe Leather Express. I then returned it to her. She said her dad shot and killed himself sometime back in the 80’s or 90’s, I can’t remember exactly. Whether this experience had anything to do with his suicide, I don’t know. I remember her saying he did not like German Shepard’s because while in captivity, the Germans let the dogs on them one time in retribution for a recent air raid by the Allies that killed a lot of Germans.
Yes it is called the Shoe Leather Express. There are many stories. Here is noe. My father was a runner. he was in Poland and pretended to go to the bathroom behind a tree. The German guards would pass by and he would run to there nearest farm to trade cigarettes for food. One time he took a box he found behind a bard that was full go money. The farmer went to the column and asked the Germans to get his money back. They uncovered machine guns and threatened to kill them all. The Americans shook hands all around and agreed to rush the machine guns hoping to get one of them to shoot back. Then a fight erupted between the Lt and Seargant allowing my father to dump the box on the ground. Picture the Three stooges "Ooh look!" And there was the box on the ground after the fight. They covered the machine guns and the trucks drove away. BTW Big Stoops Head was brought back in a pail to the hill the column was resting on to prove to the men he was dead. My father had his wallet.
They were killing the German Shepards and eating them. Germans said for every dog you kill we kill one of you. They ate the dogs as they were starving anyway. You never walked into my fathers room without knocking if he was sleeping. They slept very light because of the German Shepards. A flashback and you would be in a very bad way.
@@raymondmcfalone26 I have the immense pleasure and honor to know a gentleman that also survived The March from Stalag Luft IV....having already suffered through Stalag Luft VI including Heydekrug Run. Recording and preserving their story for future generations to learn from is key.
It was Stalag 4B from what my father said. He was a runner for the column to trade cigarettes for food at Polish farms. He could speak the language. Many stories. They did kill "big stoop".
Keith Maine Turnham was at Stalag Luft IV as well. I bought his uniform from his niece and she told me he wrote a book about his experiences. His march was 87 days, as I recall. I think, from start to finish, his POW experiences are the worst I have ever seen. Uncharacteristically harsh treatment when captured. I wonder if Hartman here was with him.
Thanks for these great interviews. I will never forget these airmen and what they have given for our freedom. Without these interviews, I would have only known the Hollywood versions. “Lest we forget” ? No, never!
This was my second video of yours that I've seen and I enjoyed it very much also , my dad was in the Army Air Force during the war in the Pacific and these videos give me some insight into what he done . Thank you
That last bit with the Polish guy and the horse cart... I haven't read the book for a couple of years, but I think the same thing happened to Keith Turnham, and if I recall, he and one other decided to try for it when the Polish guy turned back, and he and one other man ran into the British on their own.
Thank you Lord Jesus for this precious man and keeping in him alive while enduring his imprisonment during his Service to our Country. The Greatest Generation! ❤️ 🙏🇺🇸
Big Stoops head was brought back to the hill the men were told to test on until the British tanks came for them. Four men were told to steal bicycles and kill Big Stoop. 8th Air Force Museum in Georgia has records Big Stoops head was brought back to the hill in a pail. My father has his wallet.
So priceless to find this interview, thank you. My father was a gunner in 456th Bomb Group, 15th Air Force. His B-24 was shot down over Hungary and he was taken as a POW with the other survivors and sent to Stalag Luft IV.
The only thing I remember him telling me was that he and his buddies would always hope to get kitchen duty, just so they could take the potato peels to eat. He survived the Death March but never spoke much about it at all. These guys went through unspeakable horrific ordeals at the hands of the Nazis. Bless all the WWII veterans, the greatest generation.
Thanks for sharing your family story and thanks for watching.
This whole series is amazing, such a window to the past. Thanks to all who made it and to the veterans who lived it.
And thanks for watching.
How wonderful of a story
I loved this interview. The ending is precious. Thank you sir!
Another priceless legacy recorded for history. Nice work Ray McFalone!
God bless you for sharing,we will remember
I dated a girl one time and her dad had been shot down and taken prisoner in Germany in WWII.
She had a small paperback book. It was a memoir of the march that had been written by one of her father’s prison mates.
She let me take it home to read.
I think it was called The Shoe Leather Express.
I then returned it to her.
She said her dad shot and killed himself sometime back in the 80’s or 90’s, I can’t remember exactly.
Whether this experience had anything to do with his suicide, I don’t know.
I remember her saying he did not like German Shepard’s because while in captivity, the Germans let the dogs on them one time in retribution for a recent air raid by the Allies that killed a lot of Germans.
Thank you Chris for your story.
Yes it is called the Shoe Leather Express. There are many stories. Here is noe. My father was a runner. he was in Poland and pretended to go to the bathroom behind a tree. The German guards would pass by and he would run to there nearest farm to trade cigarettes for food. One time he took a box he found behind a bard that was full go money. The farmer went to the column and asked the Germans to get his money back. They uncovered machine guns and threatened to kill them all. The Americans shook hands all around and agreed to rush the machine guns hoping to get one of them to shoot back. Then a fight erupted between the Lt and Seargant allowing my father to dump the box on the ground. Picture the Three stooges "Ooh look!" And there was the box on the ground after the fight. They covered the machine guns and the trucks drove away. BTW Big Stoops Head was brought back in a pail to the hill the column was resting on to prove to the men he was dead. My father had his wallet.
They were killing the German Shepards and eating them. Germans said for every dog you kill we kill one of you. They ate the dogs as they were starving anyway. You never walked into my fathers room without knocking if he was sleeping. They slept very light because of the German Shepards. A flashback and you would be in a very bad way.
Thank you for recording this history.
You're welcome and thanks for watching.
@@raymondmcfalone26 I have the immense pleasure and honor to know a gentleman that also survived The March from Stalag Luft IV....having already suffered through Stalag Luft VI including Heydekrug Run.
Recording and preserving their story for future generations to learn from is key.
He remembered being a pow like it happened yesterday.Great man,great story.Thanks for posting.
It was Stalag 4B from what my father said. He was a runner for the column to trade cigarettes for food at Polish farms. He could speak the language. Many stories. They did kill "big stoop".
My grandpa was in 4c
Keith Maine Turnham was at Stalag Luft IV as well. I bought his uniform from his niece and she told me he wrote a book about his experiences. His march was 87 days, as I recall. I think, from start to finish, his POW experiences are the worst I have ever seen. Uncharacteristically harsh treatment when captured. I wonder if Hartman here was with him.
Thanks for these great interviews. I will never forget these airmen and what they have given for our freedom. Without these interviews, I would have only known the Hollywood versions. “Lest we forget” ? No, never!
This was my second video of yours that I've seen and I enjoyed it very much also , my dad was in the Army Air Force during the war in the Pacific and these videos give me some insight into what he done . Thank you
Thanks for watching.
That last bit with the Polish guy and the horse cart... I haven't read the book for a couple of years, but I think the same thing happened to Keith Turnham, and if I recall, he and one other decided to try for it when the Polish guy turned back, and he and one other man ran into the British on their own.
Lest We Forget...We repeat the horrible history, we forget how great we were...Lest We Forget.
Thanks for this !
My pleasure!
Thank you Lord Jesus for this precious man and keeping in him alive while enduring his imprisonment during his Service to our Country.
The Greatest Generation!
❤️ 🙏🇺🇸
Veterans who served to preserve our DEMOCRACY didn't in vain.
My uncle was on that march.
Why wasn't this interview started with the usual opening and history leading up to his capture?
If you would like to watch the complete interview, here is the link: ruclips.net/video/_IsCdCZjt5w/видео.html
Big Stoops head was brought back to the hill the men were told to test on until the British tanks came for them. Four men were told to steal bicycles and kill Big Stoop. 8th Air Force Museum in Georgia has records Big Stoops head was brought back to the hill in a pail. My father has his wallet.