WIDMER, Robert J., Sr. (b. 1921) | Oral History

WIDMER, Robert J., Sr. (b. 1921)

Oral Histories

His experiences as a B-24 pilot in the European theater during World War II; also his experiences as a prisoner-of-war of the Germans. His youth during the Great Depression in Toledo, Ohio; college at the University of Toledo and Columbia University; his decision to enlist in the Aviation Cadets, December, 1941; basic training, Santa Ana, California, August, 1942; primary flight training, Oxnard, California, September, 1942; basic flight training, Taft, California, January, 1943; advanced flight training, Stockton, California, March, 1943; B-25 training, Mathers Field, Sacramento, California, June, 1943; B-17 training, Hobbs, New Mexico, July, 1943; B-24 training, Tucson, Arizona, August, 1943; B-24 crew training, McCook, Nebraska, fall, 1943; assignment to Italy, December, 1943; reminiscences about various missions; his bomber being shot down on a mission to Budapest, Hungary; Stalag Luft III, Sagan, Germany; evacuation and forced march to Moosburg, Germany; liberation by General George S. Patton’s troops.
Date of Interview: June 11, 2004

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