PESEK, Edwin (b. 1917) | Oral History

PESEK, Edwin (b. 1917)

Oral Histories

Accountant. His experiences as a B-26 pilot in the European Theater during World War II. Enlistment in the Army Air Forces, 1942; pre-flight training, Kelly Field, San Antonio, Texas, 1942; primary flight training, Uvalde, Texas, 1942; basic flight training, Randolph Field, San Antonio, Texas, 1942-43; advanced flight training, Ellington Field, Houston, Texas, 1943; bomber transition training, Barksdale Field, Shreveport, Louisiana, 1943; flying characteristics of the B-26; crew assignments and the description of persons in his crew; his flight overseas to Sardinia, 1944; assignment to the 320th Bomb Group at Decimomannu, Sardinia, 1944; living conditions at “Decimo”; his first mission, March, 1944, to the marshalling yards at Rome; bombing of the abbey of Monte Cassino, March 14, 1944; Operation STRANGLE, April-May, 1944; bridge-busting tactics; enemy flak and fighter opposition; battle stress; Operation DRAGOON and the invasion of southern France; the bombing of Toulon, August 10, 1944; transfer to Corsica, September, 1944; mission, November, 1944; reassignment to the States and mustering out of the service.
Date of Interview: March 5, 2001

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