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 March 2011
Mission Update! News from the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum | |
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175 Bourne Ave
Pooler, GA 31322
912.748.8888
Open daily 9:00 a.m - 5:00 p.m.
(Closed New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving & Christmas) |
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Flag Retirement Ceremony
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Sunday March 13, 2011
West Chatham American Legion and the Marine Corps League will be holding a flag retirement ceremony at 2pm on Sunday March 13, across the street from the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum.
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Hello Darkee
by Earl Wassom
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Hello Darkee by Earl Wassom
This volume is a compilation of seventy inspirational messages that address major and minor aspects of the 8th Air Force's air war against Nazi Germany. Shop Online |
And the winner is......
| Miss Sophie's at the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum won Best of the West Chatham: Buffet 2010 Congratulations to Miss Sophie's Marketplace for winning Best: Salads, Sandwiches, Desserts, and Service!
 The Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum won best of West Chatham: Art Gallery 2010 by Savannah Morning News West Chatham Newspaper! |
Make your Donation Count!
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Would you like to make your donation to the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum work harder? If your company has a matching gift program, you can double the impact of your contribution. Matching your gift is simple; ask your human resources department if your company has a matching gift program. Most companies have a short form you need to complete and send in with your donation. That's all there is to it! The Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum will do the rest.
For a list of Matching Gift Companies |
Join Today!
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Become a member of one of the world's most powerful Museums.
If you are passionate about America, if you believe that preserving traditions, loyalty, democracy, and freedom is more important than ever, and if you appreciate the sacrifice of the men and women who continue to defend our freedom today, then you need to become a member of the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum today!
For more information and to join, please click on the link below
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Upcoming Features!
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Be sure to see our next edition of the "Mission Update!" online newsletter for the latest news, "What's New in the Archives", "World War II Memorial Updates", and much more.
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View past Newsletters!
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| Museum Gift Store |
 Begosh and Begorrah! St. Patrick's Day is just around the corner and that means Spring isn't far behind. After the winter we have had this is a welcome arrival.
We have a new selection of spring items that just arrived. For the garden we have military stepping stones for only $19.99. We have a great selection of wind chimes and bird feeders for your garden. Military garden flags will be arriving in a couple of weeks.
The Luck of the Irish is with you! All orders placed in the month of March will receive a 10% discount..... Happy Spring.
Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum Online Store
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Restoration Project Update
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The second year of the B-17's presence in the museum has transitioned from preparation for the restoration to actually restoring the aircraft. As part of this process, the crew is now reinstalling parts that were removed and installing warbird parts that were acquired during the last two years.
The goal of our restoration is to have the B-17, "City of Savannah" restored to its original factory condition. You can be a part of history and the Museum's B-17 Project. The Museum appreciates all financial gifts, and for $100 or more you will receive a certificate of participation, suitable for framing, which recognizes your part in this historic Museum event. Please make checks payable to "B-17 Project" and mail to:
Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum
P.O. Box 1992
Savannah, GA 31402
If you would like to make a donation by credit card, please call Tameka Ford at
912-748-8888 ext. 101.
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Museum Volunteer Dr. Charles Sitrin
by Heather Thies
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Dr. Charles Sitrin
 | | Charles Sitirin pictured with his Inaugural B-17 5K award |
Charles Sitrin was born and raised in Utica, New York and dreamed of being an aeronautical engineer. He later changed his mind, as children often do, and decided to become a veterinarian until he helped out his father's friend, a large animal vet, while he treated cows at a farm. Later while attending Utica College, Charles majored in physics and biology but after three years he decided to switch to premed at Syracuse Upstate Medical School. He interned in Detroit at Sinai Hospital and did his residency in radiology in Rochester, New York at Strong Memorial Hospital. From 1971-1973 he served in the Army in Augusta, Georgia and then practiced in Port Jefferson, New York on Long Island from 1974-2008. Charles moved to Savannah in October 2009 after his wife, Jackie, fell in love with the city and its islands. He first came to see the museum in November 2009. It was not a busy day and Paul Grassey, museum volunteer and WWII 8thAF veteran, gave him a personal tour. Charles was hooked. He volunteers at least once a week and joined the Birthplace Chapter of the 8th Air Force Historical Society. He is also a fisherman, hiker and runner. He participated in the museum's inaugural B-17 5K and placed first in his age division.
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A Waterproof Silk Escape Map's Story
by Dr. Vivian Rogers-Price
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Within a week after D-Day 79th Fighter Squadron Commander Jack Ilfrey told his P-38 pilots that from now on he believed "if anyone was shot down in France, the best thing to do would be to lie low and try to find a hiding place with some French family until the allies moved into their section or to possibly work up toward the front lines. Ilfrey and his pilots dive bombed the railroad bridge over the Loire River at LaPossiniere, and then he turned his attention to a nearby locomotive. Firing at the engine, Ilfrey saw tracer bullets, and his P-38's right engine burst into flames. Ilfrey bailed out and landed in a farmyard. Watched by three children and a farmer holding a pitch fork, Ilfrey wadded up his parachute, threw off his flight helmet, oxygen mask, goggles, life jacket, and flight boots. He asked the way north; the man pointed to the route through the woods. Grabbing his escape and first-aid kits, Ilfrey ran. When too exhausted to go any farther, Ilfrey rested and took out his rubberized waterproof silk map. He was now about ten miles northwest of Angers in German-held territory. At dusk he started walking on a country road and soon two boys riding bicycles caught up with him. One, named Jean Voileau, asked if Ilfrey was the American "aviateur" who had bailed out of a P-38 earlier that day. Ilfrey acknowledged that he was. Voileau then invited Ilfrey to come with them to Andigne where they lived, and they would find a way to hide him. Sometime after dark all three arrived at the outskirts of Andigne. Ilfrey hid at the side of the road while the boys, Voileau and Robert Charvau went to make arrangements. It was decided that Ilfrey would stay with Charvau and his family. Ilfrey hid with them for a few days and then decided to try to reach allied lines. He memorized the route on his map and started on his journey leaving his escape map behind with Voileau. After successfully reaching British forces, Ilfrey flew back to England and was allowed to continue flying combat missions although normally evaders were sent stateside for further duty.
Nearly four decades later in August 1983, Ilfrey returned to France and a reunion with his helpers. Voileau still had the waterproof silk map and other items Ilfrey had left that day in 1944. In the years after World War II, Ilfrey also joined the Air Forces Escape and Evasion Society which meets annually bringing helpers to their meeting. Helpers are those who aided downed allied airmen to escape to allied lines during World War II. At an AFEES reunion in Mesa, Arizona several years ago, Jack Ilfrey and Jean Voileau attended and placed the escape map from 1944 as one of the items in the auction held to raise money to bring helpers to their reunion. Another evader, George Starks attended this reunion. Starks, the pilot of a 92nd Bomb Group, 407th Bomb Squadron, B-17 had to bail out after being attacked by a FW-190 on 16 March 1944 near Bitry-le-Francois in occupied France. He then walked through France using his escape map and compass and finally arrived in Switzerland. When Starks escaped from Switzerland, he left both the map and compass with an escape friend who promised to send them to him when he was released from Switzerland. Starks never received the map and compass. At the AFEES reunion, Starks outbid everyone for Ilfrey's map and in February 2011 donated it to the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum.
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| Feature Exhibit |
The Start of WWII in Europe
In September 1938, representatives of Germany, Great Britain, France, and Italy
met in Munich to discuss Hitler's territorial demands in Czechoslovakia. Nobody
from the Czechoslovakian government was invited to the conference. By signing the Munich Pact the "western powers" agreed to Nazi annexation of the Czech Sudetenland areas, inhabited primarily by ethnic Germans. The Sudetenland had been strategically critical to Czechoslovakia because the country's formidable border defenses were located there, as were many of its banks. Nevertheless, all were immediately handed over to German troops.
By March, despite his promise of an end to demands for territorial expansion,
Hitler's threats of war intimidated leaders of the remaining Czech and Slovak
portions of the country into becoming Nazi "protectorates". Czechoslovakia was
now completely absorbed into the German Reich.
As Hitler's war machine approached readiness, he began to threaten his next
target - Poland. In an attempt to deter Hitler, England and France signed treaties
with Poland, guaranteeing its defense if attacked. Hitler was less concerned about
England and France than he was with Soviet Russia, which he feared might join
them (as it did in WWI), forcing him into a war on two fronts. He then shocked
the world by disregarding years of animosity with the Communists, and signed a
non-aggression treaty with Stalin's Soviet government. This slick act of diplomacy
gave Hitler the assurance he needed to invade Poland on September 1, 1939 - the
official beginning of WWII. Two days later, after separately issuing deadlines to
Hitler for the withdrawal of Germany's troops - which were unanswered - England
and France declared war on Germany.
Three TV monitors in the exhibit area show excerpts from a Nazi documentary
film, The Campaign in Poland. Pictured are scenes of Panzer tanks, mechanized
infantry, artillery and the Luftwaffe in a highly coordinated attack made at great
speed. The Germans called this "Lightning War" - or "Blitzkreig". It was, in fact,
a new form of warfare that contrasted dramatically with the static trench warfare
that bogged down troops during WWI. The Polish army and air force fought
bravely, but were overwhelmed by numerical and technological superiority and forced to surrender in 26 days. The French and British mobilized their armies but were in no position to assist. The Soviets, however, did march into Poland from the West - not to aid but to conquer. The Nazi-Soviet non-aggression treaty had contained a secret provision that promised Stalin the western half
of Poland in exchange for Soviet acquiescence to Nazi aggression. By October, Poland was under German and Soviet occupation, Europe was at war, and Hitler had created one of the most devastating military powers in the world.
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This Month in 8th Air Force History
| March, 1942: General Eaker named to command VII Bomber Command, establishes HQ at High Wycombe.
~The first briefing for the bombing of Berlin was on November 23, 1943, but that mission was scrubbed. It was tried again on March 4, 1944, but only 30 B-17s of the 3rd BD made it to the target. It was not until March 6, 1944, that Berlin felt the full brunt of the 8th Air Force. Primary targets on the date were industrial areas in Berlin Suburbs. Roger Freeman stated "when the Wurzburg radars gathered echoes from a large number of aircraft over East Anglia at the dawning of March 6, the Luftwaffe had ample time to concentrate its forces to defend the capital. As the Fortress and Liberators set course to fly the direct route to Berlin, the Luftwaffe deployed its forces and set the scene for the most costly mission the Eighth was ever to fly." 730 bombers failed to return after pounding the targets with 1,648 tons bombs. Bomber gunners claimed 97 enemy aircraft destroyed. Over 800 fighters (86 P-38s, 615 P-47s and 100 P-51s) flew escort and destroyed 81 enemy aircraft, losing 11. German fighter controllers cleverly exploited unescorted bomb groups in the middle of the 3rd BD stream, away from the escorted lead and tail groups. The 95th and 100th BGs caught the brunt of the attacks, the former losing 8 and the later 15, the highest loss for a single group, and for a squadron, the 350th with 10. According to Roger Freeman, "Spaatz and Doolittle apparently remained unshaken, for a little over 36 hours after the last bomber had returned to bases on the 6th, B-17s and B-24s were again prepared for take-off to Berlin. It says much for the support echelons of the 8th that it could launch 600 heavies so soon after such a costly mission." 539 heavies hot several targets, mostly the Erkener bearing plant, 16 miles southeast of Berlin, with 75 direct hots, wrecking the plant. In all 1,059 tons were dropped on all targets. 37 heavies were lost, 23 over Erkener. 63 enemy aircraft were claimed. 891 fighters, included 174 P-51s, escorted and shot down 79 enemy aircraft with 18 US fighters missing in action. Again, like the first mission on Berlin two days earlier, it was a very costly mission. However, the enemy could not tolerate his losses to the extent the Allies could theirs. The tide begins to turn!
March, 1945: 8th AF attacks on Germany reach a crashing crescendo, flying major missions on all but five days of the month.
Dates and articles are taken from WWII 8th Air Force veteran Craig Harris' A Time-line History of the Mighty 8th Air Force |
Family Night at the Mighty Eighth
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On June 10, 2011 you and your family could learn what it would have been like to be a member of the Eighth Air Force during World War II. A mission briefing and dinner will kick off the night.... Click here for more information Family Night Info |
Loss of a Dear Friend
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It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Dr. Walter Brown.
 Walt fought a long and valiant fight against cancer but lost that battle on February 23rd. He died peacefully at his home in Spring Hill, Tennessee, surrounded by his family. He was laid to rest at Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah on February 27th.
Originally from Savannah, Walt attended Savannah High School and went on to graduate from the University of Georgia. In 1964 he received his Doctor of Medicine diploma from the Medical College of Georgia. After completing a Residency program in North Carolina he served in the United States Air Force - European Command - as a specialty physician stationed at USAF Hospital in Wiesbaden, Germany. He attained the rank of Major before separating from active duty in 1971.
Upon his return to the States, Dr. Brown established Middle Tennessee Emergency Physicians in Nashville, Tennessee. He was active in statewide affairs as a member of the Tennessee Medical Association and Nashville Academy of Medicine. He was past-president of the Tennessee Chapter of the American College of Emergency Medicine.
Walt served as a member of the school of Medical Alumni Association of the Medical College of Georgia for over twenty-five years and was past-president of that organization. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Medical College of Georgia Foundation and spearheaded the effort on the Historical Renovation project of the old Medical College of Georgia Building in Augusta. In 2007, the Medical College of Georgia School of Medicine recognized Walt by presenting him with the Distinguished Alumnus Award.
Walt served as Chief of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Baptist Hospital in Nashville and on the Medical Staff Advisory Council. All totaled, Walt devoted thirty-five years of his life in the practice of emergency medicine at Baptist Hospital, Walt was also a team member of Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) to whom the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded in 1999.
Dr. Brown's interest in United States Air Force affairs led him to assist in the founding of the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum where he served on the Board of Trustees. He was a lifetime member and officer of the 8th Air Force Historical Society. He served as editor of the 8th Air Force Historical Society news magazine, The 8th AF News, as well as the Mighty Eighth Air Force News for twelve years. Walt was Vice President of the Museum Board and eventually served as the President and CEO of the 8th Air Force Museum.
Walt is survived by his wife, Alice Buchanan Brown; sons, Kerry Bertelle Brown and Kirk Buchanan Brown; sister, Sharon Brown and four nieces and one nephew.
Dr. Brown was an amazing man and will be missed by all who knew him.
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