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“The day we got hit by flak we had just crossed the coast of Yugoslavia, had just gone on oxygen when we were hit in the nose and one engine. We were at just over 10,000 feet and the Germans had moved in ack-ack on railroad cars. We lost altitude immediately and tried to stay aloft by tossing out anything that was loose, the bombs, bomb bay doors, and try to fly back. Hit the Adriatic Sea and still falling. Turned back inland and Lazewski (pilot) ordered everyone to jump.
Bonham came up to the flight deck and said Halberstadt (Navigator) was too wounded to jump. George Dancisak went down to the navigation, bombardier station to attend to Halberstadt. Meanwhile, I started jumping the crew. After Abner, Thompson, Fischler, Dement, and Bonham jumped we were quite low and almost steady.
I talked with Laszewski and we knew the plane, although not losing much altittude, would not make it to Italy. When I jumped, the plane stopped falling. With my 200 lbs. And gear, that was enough. Lazewski turned about and headed west. I hardly had my chute open when I hit the ground, hid the chute, when the plane flew over my head, headed for Italy, and open waters for sea rescue if necessary.
Some of us were taken by truck to a farm house, put in an underground cellar and locked up. I asked for water and the farmer, I’am guessing, took me to a water pump, and when I drank I could see out from under my blindfold. I saw Thompson sitting down. He too was blindfolded and I called out his name to let him know I was there. Wham, no more water. Next day the entire crew was in a prison in Belgrade. Not together but as we used the facilities we saw each other. Never again, until Camp Lucky Strike when Fischler was riding past in a truck and spotted me. Then I learned that all the crew had made it through the war. What a wonderful relief.”