Warbirds...
While I am relatively new as far as personal involvement... LSFM 2001 and every local CAF unit since...
My Dad, Wm. M. Price III, flew B17s out of Grafton-Underwood with the 384th BG from the first Schweinfort raid until Feb. 44.
Pictured is the English gentleman who fished him and his crew out of the English Channel after ditching from the 9/16/43 raid to Nantes.
They gave him the silver cup he is holding for rowing out with his son to fish them out of the Channel. Their raft was too shot up to float.
My Dad is first standing - top row left.
His logbook names the plane as "Ruthless". Another picture we have shows it being "Ruthless II"... Only the fishes know for sure NOW!
He "lost" three B17s completing his 25 missions.
"Ruthless" and "Windy City Avenger" won him memberships in the Goldfish Club and the Caterpiller Club and a third ship was so damaged it never flew again. Memorabilia can be seen at West Houston Squadron's CAF Museum, including some aluminum shards from WCA, which he bailed out of over England after returning from the 2nd Schweinfort raid..
He was used up by the time Dale Smith took over the 384th. Dad had nothing but good things to say about Bud Peaslee, the CO during most of his combat time.
Thought I should call out both CO's names LEST WE FORGET.
SPANNER
Login
Register
FAQ
Search
