LARRY , S INTERVIEWS

CHAPTER 8

The front lines were barely a mile in from the beach. Our Bivouac area was about a 1/4 mile off of the beach in an apple orchard just a few yards from what would become the first Allied airfield on the European continent. Our trucks were loaded with mesh metal landing mats that were used in construction of the airfield designated A1. We helped the engineers place the mats. The Bivouac area was strafed nightly for the first week we were there. We lived in two-man foxholes covered by two canvas shelter half laced together.”

Speaking about the mix up going behind enemy lines:

Alton Payne - “We were at Airfield A70, Laon France when Patton’s Army started its drive toward Berlin. Our unit was one of several in the area asked to help resupply fuel dumps along his route. The orders were passed down from command for us to resupply a dump near Nancy, France. We rolled into Nancy with five trucks loaded with fuel and ammunition. We received a very friendly greeting from the town’s people. We were told that we were the first Americans they had seen and then we were advised that the Germans were still in that area. We were 1/2 a mile behind enemy lines! They took us to meet an Allied spotter who was set up in an old barn. He had a radio and was able to contact Allied Command, and we were told that there had been a mix up and we were supposed to be at Nance, France not Nancy. We were shown the safest route back to Allied held territory and we wasted no time getting there!”

Speaking about Asch, Belgium, Airfield Y29 (The Mud Hole in the Pines):

Coy Shirley - “Our airfield at Asch, Belgium was located in the direct flight path for German buzz bombers headed for the port at Antwerp. The first few weeks we made nightly dashes from our tents to foxholes dug at the edge of a pine forest behind our tents. The rainy season was on us and the foxholes quickly filled with water. The rains stopped but winter temperatures quickly turned the water into ice. After that we just rode out the nightly raids in our tents. On January 1, 1945 our airfield was attacked by 60 German aircraft. A squadron of our fighters was in the air circling the field waiting on a second squadron to get air borne when dog fights began to break out right over our field. We were able watch the whole thing which took about 30 minutes from start to finish. We had no losses or casualties and were able to shoot down most of the attackers. A few days after the attack, our field was visited by Generals Spaatz and Doolittle. Our pilots received Distinguished Service Awards and all ground units received Letters of Commendation.”

Marvin W. Miller, Pilot 390th Fighter Squadron

– “The Germans’ last thrust came in December, 1944. The Battle of the Bulge. They got as far as the Nice River and our Airfield Y29 was only a 1/4 mile away. When our planes were taking off in that direction the Germans were firing at us from the ground.”

Robert Brulle, Pilot 391st Fighter Squadron – “The Germans were aware of our airfield at Asch, Belgium Y29, and looked upon it as a thorn in their plans. On December 26th, the Germans hit our field with serious night bombing and strafing. They made four separate attacks with anti-personnel bombs and canon fire strafing. The first attack took place at 1918 hours and the last at 2330 hours. They caused minor damage with only one ground personnel injured.”

Bob Balkam, Air Traffic Control – “If the Germans had made it to Antwerp we would have been totally cut off at Airfield Y29!”

Letter from Major George E. G. Prayer reads as follows:

Headquarters 366th Fighter Group

Office of The Intelligence Officer

APO 151 U S Army

1 January 1945 to 31 January 1945

Item (6) --- “New Year’s day found the Luftwaffe operating in large strength, making a grand scale attack on Allied Fields in France, Belgium, and Holland in an attempt to catch our planes on the ground and neutralize them.

Approximately 0920 hours site Y29 became the victim of this large scale attack when a force of 50 plus FW-190s and ME 109s attacked the field from the NE coming in on the deck. At the time of the attack, the 390th Fighter Squadron was airborne preparing to go on a mission. When the E/A were spotted, they, the 390th Fighter Squadron, jettisoned their bombs, and intercepted the enemy. The 390th held the E/A off the field long enough for the 487th Fighter Squadron, 352nd Fighter Group, who were at the end of the runway getting ready to take off on a mission to become airborne and join the fight. It was indeed a beautiful sight, the P-51s and 47s engaged in dog fights with the enemy. Team work and cooperation was the theme. Once in a while a FW-190 or ME-109 would get away from his opponent and make a strafing run over the field. The ground personnel, who were out where they could get a good view of the dog fights, would hit the dirt or a foxhole if near one. As soon as the plane had passed over them, they would come back out in the open again to watch the show. Of course when an E/A was knocked out of the sky a rousing cheer would originate from the audience. For the majority of the ground personnel, this was the first time they had ever witnessed a dog fight and it was a sight they will never forget. The fight lasted until about 0950 hours, the score being in our favor. Claims total between the 366th Fighter Group, 352nd Fighter Group, and the 784th AAA were 35-2-7.”

Alton Payne - “Following the attack on our field I along with other drivers were sent out to clean up enemy crash sites near the field. One German aircraft nosed in right at the end of our runway. We went to the sight and the