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WWII Battle Diary

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:500.00 USD Estimated At:NA
WWII Battle Diary
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WWII handwritten ''Battle Journal'' of Bert Humphries, co-pilot of the B-17 ''The Heavyweight Annihilator'' who flew with the 322nd Bomb Squadron, 91st Bomb Group. With nearly 15 pages of content, the 1942-3 entries are highly detailed and paint a vivid picture of the European Theatre from the vantage point of a bomber pilot. The 322nd group's first mission was to Brest, France, on 7 November 1942, with a target of the Kriegsmarine submarine base. Humphries writes of this mission: ''…Target area reported to have heaviest anti-aircraft protection of any point in France…there were what seemed to be hundreds of fighters, swarming like a hive of bees, undoubtedly engaged in a gigantic dog-fight over the target. I can truthfully say that I was scared to death…the bombing run was extremely long…with the vari-colored (red-black-white) flak bursts…reports indicate that the U-boat pens were smashed…'' A 3 January 1943 entry details Humphries' B-17 being hit over St. Nazaire and barely surviving the raid with a forced landing: ''…we received a direct hit of 'heavy' flak in our right wing tearing a huge hole in it…I could hear the crashing of glass, the breaking of metal, and could see a spurt of flame in the cockpit…we had to land at St. Eval Aerodome, on the southern tip of England…I was a bit sad as I drove away…for I had fears she would never fly again…'' Also includes an original bomb pin from the 3 January 1943 St. Nazaire raid. Notebook measures 8'' x 10'', with minor toning, paperclip marks, small chips on page edges and wear to boards. Very good condition.