Mighty 8th Army Air Forces Birthday Celebration

On February 1, 2014, several members along with family members of the Georgia Chapter of the Mighty 8th Air Force Historical Society from Atlanta, GA, were present for the 72 birthday celebration of founding of the Mighty 8th Army Air Force.

The Eighth Bomber Command (Re-designated 8th AF in February 1944) was activated as part of the United States Army Air Forces January 28, 1942, at Hunter Field in Savannah, Georgia. Brigadier General Ira C. Eaker took the headquarters to England the next month to prepare for its mission of conducting aerial bombardment missions against Nazi-occupied Europe. During World War II, under the leadership of such Generals as Eaker and Jimmy Doolittle, the 8th AF became the greatest air armada in history. By mid-1944, the 8th AF had reached a total strength of more than 200,000 people (it is estimated that more than 350,000 Americans served in 8th AF during the war in Europe). At its peak, the 8th AF could dispatch more than 2,000 four-engine bombers and 1,000 fighters on a single mission. For these reasons, the 8th AF became known as the "Mighty Eighth".

Lighting of the Candles

Lighting of the Candles has become a tradition conducted each and every year around the country celebrating this momentous occasion. It is with honor that we share this year's Lighting of the Candles at the birthplace of the Mighty Eighth Bomber Command.

The Vintage Vocals

Celebrating with us was Atlanta's own Vintage Vocals. Here is their 30 minutes show.

Visit www.theVintageVocals.com

Please come back to this page as we will be adding pictures.

If you were at this event and took pictures, please do send them on to us... and comment below.

The B-24 Liberator - A Dedication

The Consolidated B-24 Liberator was an American heavy bomber, designed by Consolidated Aircraft of San Diego, California. It was known within the company as the Model 32, and a small number of early models were sold under the name LB-30, for Land Bomber. The B-24 was used in World War II by several Allied Air Forces and Navies, and by every branch of the American Armed Forces during the war, attaining a distinguished war record with its operations in the Western European, Pacific, Mediterranean, and China-Burma-India Theaters.

The present day Collings Foundation's 6B-24J seen in this video is the only restored flying B-24J in the world. Initially, restored in 1989, it honored the 15th A.F. in Italy with the selection of the ALL AMERICAN - a very distinguished A/C with a record of having shot down 14 enemy fighters on a single mission (only two B-24's came back out of a squadron of 19).

The B24 is seen here with seldom viewed archive footage of maintenance and combat operations. Lots of furious machine gun action! (Some B-17 in here too.) This unique material is combined with video of the restored B-24 which has the names printed on her side of the contributors who helped with making her restoration possible, one of which was my uncle, S/Sgt Lloyd D. Hubbard, Gunner with the 853rd Squadron, 491st Bombardment Group (H) located near Norfolk, England.

50th Anniversary Celebration of the 8th AF

You will find written on the History page of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, the beginning history of the Mighty 8th AF.

The Eighth Bomber Command (Re-designated 8th AF in February 1944) was activated as part of the United States Army Air Forces January 28, 1942, at Hunter Field in Savannah, Georgia. Brigadier General Ira C. Eaker took the headquarters to England the next month to prepare for its mission of conducting aerial bombardment missions against Nazi-occupied Europe. During World War II, under the leadership of such Generals as Eaker and Jimmy Doolittle, the 8th AF became the greatest air armada in history. By mid-1944, the 8th AF had reached a total strength of more than 200,000 people (it is estimated that more than 350,000 Americans served in 8th AF during the war in Europe). At its peak, the 8th AF could dispatch more than 2,000 four-engine bombers and 1,000 fighters on a single mission. For these reasons, the 8th AF became known as the "Mighty Eighth".

The 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Eighth Air Force took place in Savannah, Georgia between 27 January - 1 February, 1992. This is an abbreviated version of videos taken during this momentous event.

Henry Hughey at Silver Wings - June 19, 2013

During WWII, Henry Hughey was a B17 Ball Turret Gunner assigned to the 487th Bomb Group which was stationed in Lavenham, England. Colonel Brent Bracewell introduced Henry Hughey who was guest of honor and the speaker at the Silver Wings Luncheon on June 19, 2013.

            

         

Burt Richard Sadler - British Royal Marines

Burt Richard Sadler, born on February 19, 1925 was a stoker in the British Royal Marines. Richard, as all his friends know him by, remembers his attachment to the Warden’s Post as a member of the Boys Brigade at age 14 during the firebombing of London. As a stoker in the Royal Marines, Richard relates events leading to D-Day, his participation in the assault on Juno Beach and funeral services on D-Day plus one. He also recounts the rough passage home and his reassignment to combat in Germany.

Harold Mauldin - Tech Sergeant Army Air Corps

Mr. Harold M. Mauld in was born May 31, 1923, in Elbert County, Georgia. He was a Tech Sergeant in the Army Air Corp, serving as a radio operator/gunner on a B-17 in the 8th Air Force, 1st Division.

Mr. Mauldin flew out of England on high altitude missions over Germany. Two significant raids that he recalls were the bombing of Dresden and the bombing of Berlin. Harold Mauldin recalls having to toss out his gear to make it across the English Channel, bombing out Hitler’s troops in his B-17 plane and other events in his interview.

Veteran's History Project Interviews

I spoke with Rachel Telford from the Veteran's History Project about interviewing veterans, especially our WWII vets here in Atlanta. In the event I am unable to find a local person to conduct the interview, I am looking for videographers who will volunteer their time to interview our WWII veterans, and any veteran wishing to have their story told.

The following is a copy of the email she sent in regards to setting up interviews.

Good Morning Mr. Swartz,

Thank you for your interest in the Veterans History Project. The Veterans History Project (VHP) collects and preserves the remembrances of American veterans. These collections of first-hand accounts are archived in the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress for use by researchers and to serve as an inspiration for generations to come. VHP relies on volunteers throughout the nation to collect veterans’ stories on behalf of the Library of Congress. These stories are made available to researchers and the general public, both at the Library in Washington, D.C., and via the VHP website: www.loc.gov/vets/.

There are several ways to participate in the Project, including recording oral histories via video or audio media, as well as compilations of original materials such as photographs, letters, memoirs and diaries. This short (15 min.) video explains the process: www.loc.gov/vets/rams/vhp-fieldkit.ram. With over 85,000 veterans personal recollections this important archive is reliant upon people like you to ensure better representation of the 17 million living American veterans.

Please note that all interviews must be at least 30 minutes in length, should be accompanied by a Biographical Data Form, a Veteran's Release Form, an Interviewer's Release Form, and an Audio and Video Recording Log. All necessary forms are available at the following web address: www.loc.gov/vets/kitmenu.html.

Additionally, please note that our U.S. Postal Service mail is subject to security screening procedures which may damage your submission. We recommend that you send recorded interviews and collection materials to us through commercial services such as Fed Ex, UPS, or DHL, or deliver them in person if you live nearby. Standard delivery is all that is necessary, so there is no need for donors to pay extra for overnight or expedited delivery.

Thanks again for your interest in the Veterans History Project. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,
Rachel Telford
Processing Specialist
Veterans History Project
Library of Congress
rtelford@loc.gov