8th Air Force Airmen POW Experiences at the November 12, 2005 Oregon Chapter Eighth Air Force Historical Society Quarterly Meeting
Two 8th AF members, who were POWs at Luftwaffe camps during World War II, will discuss their Prisoner Of War camp experiences at the next quarterly meeting.
(PRWEB) October 15, 2005 -- On Saturday November 12th, the day after Veterans Day (originally known as Armistice Day denoting the end of World War I) the Oregon Chapter of the Eighth Air Force Historical Society will hold its quarterly meeting at the Beaverton Elks Lodge starting at 10:30 A.M.
There is no cost to attend the meeting and it is open to the public.
The subject of this meeting will be a question and answer panel discussion with Ramsey Fendall and Clint Gruber. These two airmen were shot down and captured during World War II.
"For you the war is over."
Ramsey's B-17 was shot down in January 1945, just 3 1/2 months before the war ended. He was so near the allied lines in Holland that two Canadian foot soldiers were captured along with his crew.
He never was sent to a Stalag (Luftwaffe controlled POW camps were known as Stalag Luft I, II, III etc.) but went to work camps after his interrogation in Frankfurt. His stories of captivity and eventual liberation by Patton himself are riveting.
Over 32,000 Allied airmen ended up as POWs during the Second World War during the European campaign at one time or another.
The meeting doors open at 10:00 and the meeting adjourns at 2 PM. Social hour starts at 10:30. Call to order of the meeting starts at 11:30. Lunch starts at Noon and the panel discussion starts at 1 PM.
Lunch is available at the Elks Lodge and costs $9.50 per person. Lunch consists of sandwiches, rolls, condiments and coffee or tea. You Must contact Tom Philo at 503-350-3744 and tell him the number of people who plan to eat at the meeting. You can also notify him via e-mail at secretary @ 8thafhsoregon.com.
The Beaverton Elks Lodge address is:
3500 SW 104th Avenue
Beaverton, Oregon 97005-1941
Elks Lodge web site: http://www.teleport.com/~elks1989
The 8th AFHS main web site is at: http://www.8thafhs.org
The chapter started its own web site in September which is at: http://www.8thafhsoregon.com/
Meetings are held on the first Saturday of the first full week of February, May, August, & November.
The "Mighty Eighth" is the United States Army Air Forces Bomber and Fighter Command that flew strategic daylight bombing missions against Germany in World War II from July 4, 1942 until May 8, 1945 - VE Day - in Europe.
People interested in learning more about the 8th Air Force, or to pass on what they know to others concerning the 8th AF contribution and other aviation unit histories that brought victory to the Allies in the European theatre of war (ETO) or other world locations, are encouraged to join the Oregon Chapter. Please fill out a membership form at the meeting. The annual dues is $10. In addition, you have to join the national organization whose dues are $25 a year. The national chapter puts out a quarterly magazine while the Oregon chapter puts out a quarterly newsletter.
The Oregon Chapter of the Eighth Air Force Historical Society is a registered non-profit corporation in the State of Oregon. Money contributed above the annual dues is normally tax-deductible.
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