Abilene WWII Veteran Reunited With Lost Plane
Posted By Staff
newsweb@everythinglubbock.comABILENE, TX -- An Abilene World War II veteran is reunited with a piece of the aircraft he was flying when it was shot down over France 70 years ago.
In January of 1944, Lieutenant Charles Screws was flying his P-47 Thunderbolt over France while escorting a bomber. After being struck by German fire, he was forced to crash land his plane in a field.
"I dug in there and waited until night time," Lt. Charles Screws said. "I buried myself into some brush and everything."
With the help of a French family, Screws managed to escape German occupied France and survived the war.
70 years later, a now 93-years-old Screws found a piece of his P-47 left behind in France arriving to his doorstep in Abilene.
Over the years, the tail end of the plane had managed to fall into the hands of World War Two historian, Michael Fuller.
"It actually showed up in an online auction in Europe," Fuller said.
Fuller donated the tail section of the plane to the Texas Air Museum in Slaton, just outside of Lubbock.
It was during one of Fuller's conversations with the museum director, Malcom Laing, that it was discovered the plane's pilot was still alive and living in Abilene.
"I spoke to Malcolm, I said, 'Malcolm, you know there is this P-47 tail that I found and I want to bring it home, it needs to be home but, it's got this serial number, I'm doing some research, and it says Charley,'" Fuller said.
"Charley, I know Charley, Ive known him for 30 years!" Laing, said.
It was a reunion meant to be.
Fuller and Laing met with Screws in Abilene on their way to Lubbock while transporting the tail section of the plane. During the reunion, Screws was given the opportunity to leave his mark on the plane one last time by signing his name.
The tail section of the plane, as well as Lt. Screws' harrowing tale of escape, now have permanent homes at the Texas Air Museum.
Posted:
http://www.everythinglubbock.com/story/ ... 7HiYzBIXpg
Login
Register
FAQ
Search
