493rd BG(H) Debach
Stories of the Veterans
Jack Rude
Notes taken when Jack Rude talked to John Lovell (Archivist for the 493rd BG).
Jack enlisted in 1942 at the age of 18. He was a tail gunner on a
B17 and he joined Bud Harris' crew. He has made 19 visits back to
Debach since the time he served here.
Below are his memories of the living conditions at Debach.
Jack Rude 1944
“Living conditions during the winter of 44/45 were very harsh. The
nissen huts were not insulated, rough concrete floors, nearly always
covered in mud, only one small stove and only one bucket of coke was
the daily ration. Usually three enlisted crews, (non commissioned,
15 or 16 men) in each hut. Officers lived on the same site but on
the other side of the road. Two tier bunks were the normal with no
locker facilities for storing uniforms or personal items. Everything
on the floor, always damp and mice enjoyed this haven. The crews who
were not on a mission collected the fuel for the stove, but by the
time the mission crew returned, it was all gone. Anything that could
burn was stolen. To be in bed was the only place to try and keep warm.
As the ablution blocks were freezing, no hot water, it was not unheard
of to go to London on a 48 hour pass and spend most of the time in
the bath - if you could arrange enough coins to keep the meter going.
Keeping the same clothes on ‘day and night’ for 14 days was about
the ‘social limit’. Best uniforms were cleaned in ‘gasolene’ so travelling
in a train was dangerous if anyone smoked!
Life for flyers was tough on both counts – stay in bed or fly missions.
An English winter is not ideal, living in a damp hut or being shot
at in the sky at 26,000 ft is no option.
Jack Rude and Richard Taylor
Ed Borowy
S/Sgt Ed J Borowy, born in Chicago, flew 21 missions and was awarded
the Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters. He was a ball turret gunner
in both B24s and B17s.
After completing his initial training in the U.S. with the Lt Albert
L Tucker crew, Ed came over to the U.K. on the Queen Elizabeth and
eventually arrived in Debach on the 6th June 1944, where the crew
commenced their familiarisation training and flew several practice
missions before proceeding to enemy territory. 1 month after arriving,
the Tucker crew flew their first mission, on 7th July 1944, to France
and then went on to fly 2 further missions together. However, in late
July 1944 the ball turrets were removed from the B-24s and Ed reluctantly
left the crew and was detailed to work in the armoury, cleaning and
preparing the guns. He continued to be billeted with the enlisted
men of his original crew and also the men from 2 other crews he had
trained with.
When the 493rd BG changed over to flying B-17s, Ed remained in the
armoury and a “new” ball turret gunner was assigned to the Tucker
crew.
On 12th September, the crew was shot down on the raid over Magdeburg
and all but one of the men were killed (the radio operator, Floyd
Ford Jr, was made a P.O.W.). To make matters worse the other crew
who shared the Nissen hut with Ed was also lost.
Ed told us “That night sleeping, or rather lying awake, was his loneliest
night in the Army”.
The next morning he requested to be returned to flying duty and joined
the Lt Edward Glotfelty crew, as ball turret gunner and went on to
fly a further 18 missions.
When the Edward Glotfelty crew finished their 35th and final mission
on 24th December 1944, Ed had only completed 21 missions. Wondering
what he would do now he approached his Pilot, who assured him he was
part of the crew and would be going home with them. By some means,
Ed was able to stay with his new crew on the journey to Southampton
and sailed home to America with them on the SS Uruguay on 30th January
1945
Ed Borowy
Below is a copy of an email sent to us by Ed Borowy
To the Taylors
You asked me how I was able to run across some of these strange items.
Well for one thing I was always a pack rat so it came easy to hang
onto anything that I happened to accumulate. Will tell you a tale
on how I came across the Hitler’s mother’s medal that is now resting
in your museum. The second item is a 25 cal. Mauser Automatic german
revolver and the third item is a small copper medal in the shape of
the country of France and engraved on it is the year 1944 with the
French cross and also engraved is the words – welcome liberators.
Now we go on to how I came in possession of said items.
I was one of many crews that flew out of the 493rd at Debach. Our trail started in Muroc, California where we trained as a bomb group that were supposed to go to England as a complete bomb group. But due to the timing we were all split up and became replacement crews.
The trip to England was on the Queen Elizabeth landing in Scotland on the morning of D-Day. Then being herded onto a whistle tooting English train found our way down to Debach where we were told that we were the first replacement crews to come to the 493rd.
Now we became just one of the many who were there to just try to
get our missions in and with a lot of luck make it back home. Well,
my stars must have been lined up correctly as on Christmas Eve 1944
I flew my last mission.
As anyone in the Army knows things do not happen over nite and it
was about two weeks later, we received our shipping orders to go to
our embarkation point to leave for home from Southampton docks.
Arriving there to our dismay we were no longer heroes with privileges
of just lying around – we soon found our names on several work details.
Mine happened to be, eventually, to my benefit. It was a guard duty
post in a building that had all the barracks bags and B-4 that would
wind up in the ships hold. It was on my midnight to 4.00am shift that
I heard a knock at the door. Opening it there stood the most bedraggled
soldier that I’ve seen in my life. Asking him whats up – this poor
soul started to explain that he had just returned from the Battle
of the Bulge and he had nothing but the miserable clothes on his back
and asked if I could help him. Coming from Chicago, it did not bother
me to bend the rules a little – so I invited him in and closed the
door.
We commenced looking through the B-4 bags and ofcourse the officers
had the best underwear so that was number one. Then finding a Corporal
bag we fitted him with a shirt, pants and blouse. Shoes were a little
harder to find but eventually this was also taken care of. Even found
some candy and cookies. Now before me stood a happy soldier.
He then told me he would like to return the favor and that is when
he gave me the Hitler’s Mother’s Medal … the German Mouser automatic
and the French medal.
Was a little hesitant smuggling the Mouser home but made it OK… So
now you know the complete story. Hope you have enjoyed it.
Love Stef and Ed.
The 'Hitler's Mothers Medal' can be viewed in "Veteran's Corner" within the Nissen Hut Museum.
A TRIP TO DEBACH
Over the past few years my children have encouraged me to make a trip back to the air field that took me on 28 missions on a B-24 named Baby Doll and a B-17 named Baby Doll II. My son had made a trip to Debach in 1997 and brought back pictures of a sad dilapidated control tower and overgrown air field. In 2000, me and my son made a European trip stopping at Debach to spend a little time taking photos and witnessing first hand the crumbling control tower. Again, in 2004, Clay and I made a second trip to Europe, but did not get a chance to visit Debach as we were on our way to Normandie, France for the 60th reunion of D-Day. My daughter, Nancy has made several trips to Europe, but never had the chance to stop at Debach. In 2009, we discussed a trip, but plans never developed. This year Nancy did not give up, she felt that it was important that we make a trip to Debach. On June 4th we (Clay, Nancy and I) left for London on our way to the 66th D-Day reunion and open house at Debach. Nancy had e-mailed Prilly Taylor that we would be there for the celebration. However, our e-mails were lost in cyberspace and Nancy did not receive Prilly’s response---offering to meet us in Ipswich.
We arrived in London on June 5th planning to go to the farm for the dance that night; however Clay became ill we were unable to go. When Prilly did not received a response to her e-mail and we did not show up at the dance, they assumed that we did not make the trip. When we arrived at the farm on June 6th you can’t imagine the surprise---both for us and for the Taylor’s. We were greeted like Royalty and everyone was so excited that we made the trip. That morning was foggy, cool, with a fine mist of rain in the air, perfect English weather to greet a 493rd veteran back to his air base. We were assigned a special host/guide for the day, a Mr. Brian Ward. Brian was 16 years old during WWII and spent considerable time at the 493rd . He was a local kid who loved airplanes and the 493rd “adopted” him and he even managed to find his way onto a B17 and received 6 or 7 rides. He has remained loyal to the 493rd and works tirelessly on all the projects and feels as close to this airfield as any airman who served there. We were awestruck at the renovation that have been made and I could hardly recognize the control tower and all that has been done to transform it into a wonderful museum honoring the men of the 493rd. There were several 100 people in attendance that day—all there to honor the young Americans that flew from their countryside. The people of Debach and the surrounding countryside have a great attachment to this airfield and feel very strongly that is a vital part of their heritage and sense of community. They spoke openly of the gratitude they feel toward the American airmen who sacrificed their life and limb to fight against the Nazi death grip. Most of those in attendance were not even born until well after WWII had ended and had no first hand experience of this airfield, but this has no effect on their loyalty and commitment to preserve and maintain this history. These people give a whole new meaning to the word Volunteerism. They have given 100’s of hours of their time, energy and resources to see that these buildings are renovated and are even building new structures to resemble those that were standing during wartime. All this is being done without 1 cent of Government money, grants, or any subsidy; they are doing this with personal funds so as to maintain 100% control over all decisions as to how this living memorial shall be utilized. School children still make fieldtrips to the farm and spent the day learning of the 493rd and all the accomplishments of the “Mighty Eighth”. There are plans to construct as many buildings as possible that will bring this airfield closer to her original appearance. The perimeter road is still there, as is part of the main runway. The road from the control tower to the main air strip is still there as well. The parachute building still stands as does the Norden bombsight hut. We were greeted with some very special entertainment—a local gent owns a P-51 and he buzzed the airfield for at least 10 minutes----what memories returned when I heard the engine produce that high pitch whine when he made a sharp banking turn---it was a special treat to a perfect day to see this war bird again.
Prilly is working hard to develop the museum and hopes that she can secure memorabilia to make the museum more “personal” to the 493rd. She has extended a wish to all 493rd veterans; to have pictures of crews, pictures of daily life at the base, and memorabilia that can be generously shared for permanent display within the museum.
Richard, Prilly, Brian and all the people of Debach were the perfect hosts for this most special day. Their single focus is on the veterans and on this day, their focus was on me and my family who had made this most personal pilgrimage. I stood on top of the control tower with my children and looked out on the run way where 66 years ago on that day, I flew my first mission. If possible, make this trip and take with you someone to share the memories-------- there are still plenty to experience.
William “Bill” Toombs
861st SQ.
Flight Engineer May-Oct1944