Subject: 21 November 2009
From: Gary Moncur <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:16:09 -0700

N E W S   U P D A T E
The Latest News From the 303rd Bomb Group

21 November 2009

www.303rdBG.com

Memorial Tablet Honoring Local War Casualties Dedicated in Borgsweer, The Netherlands

The Unveiling of a Memorial Tablet in Borgsweer --  courtesy of Jan Köller

At the end of the Second World War, in the early morning hours of 30 April 1945, tragedy struck Borgsweer, The Netherlands.  During a heavy artillery fight between the Canadians and the retrieving Germans, a stray missile landed directly upon an underground shelter and exploded.  There were about twenty people in the shelter.  Four were killed.

Two years earlier, on the 25th of June 1943,  the 303rd Bomb Group's B-17F #42-5390 The Avenger, crashed near Borgsweer after being hit by German fire.  The pilot was 1Lt Joseph F. Palmer and seven of the eleven crewmen were killed.

These incidents were very upsetting to the people of peaceful Borgsweer, located near the German border, but they remained united  and strong through the hard times of the war.

Now, 64 years after the end of the Second World War, some residents of Borgsweer, on the initiative of Jan Köller, united again to place a Memorial Tablet in remembrance of those eleven people who lost their lives in Borgsweer during the War.

The Memorial Tablet is located near the entrance of the local Dutch Reformed Church.  The unveiling took place on the 12th of September 2009.   Preceding  the unveiling, Mr. Köller spoke to the group gathered at the church.  In his dedicatory speech, he stressed his hope that this Memorial Tablet would inspire more peace and tolerance in the world,  because they are so badly needed.

The daughter of Rikste Groenhagen-Melinga and Hijbo Groenhagen was present at the unveiling.  As a 2-year old girl she lost both parents and her grandmother, Elizabeth Melinga-van der Werf.  Also attending was the daughter of Aries Landman.  She placed a beautiful bouquet of flowers on the Memorial Tablet.

The 303rd Bomb Group's Mission #44, 25 June 1943, targeted the Shipyards and Submarine buildings at Hamburg, Germany.  The Avenger, piloted by 1Lt Joseph F. Palmer, was lost to fighter action and crashed at Borgsweer.  1Lt Palmer, 2Lt  Robert M. Sheldon (CP), S/Sgt Elmer E. Duffey (E), T/Sgt Edmund Gullage (R), S/Sgt Burl M. Owen (BT), S/Sgt Samuel A. Holder (WG) and S/Sgt Norman E. Hornbacher (WG) were killed.  They are all buried in The Netherlands American Cemetery at Martgraten.  The others on the crew, 2Lt Claude M. Kieffer (N), Sgt Leonard C. Applequist (B), S/Sgt  Alva E. Hodges (TG) and Sgt James L. Stringer (PHO) were captured and taken as Prisoners of War.  See the Palmer Crew page at: http://www.303rdbg.com/360palmer.html

We are deeply grateful to Mr. Jan Köller and the residents of Borgsweer for honoring our comrades who died there.  It is our hope as well that the Memorial Tablet will serve as a reminder of the sacrifices made by the Palmer Crew, and many others, in the quest for a peaceful world.

Veterans Day - 11 November 2009
Below, Colonel William E. Eisenhart still looks sharp in his uniform at a Veterans Day program in Baypines, Virginia, while 3,700 miles away, Suzanne Poole, daughter of Ed and Jill Miller, placed flowers at the 303rd Memorial at RAF Molesworth.  Also on this day, two 303rd Bomb Group veterans, both very active in the 303rd Bomb Group Association, passed away.  Obituaries for Dr. Carl Fyler and Ralph Brehl follow under TAPS.

TAPS

Dr. Carl J. Fyler, a former prisoner of war and a longtime Topeka dentist, died on Veterans Day. He died in the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month of the year. He spent more than 500 days in a German Nazi POW camp. He was a successful dentist for more than 40 years in Topeka. Carl was 88 years old.

Major Fyler was captured by the Germans in November 1943 when the B-17 bomber he was piloting was shot down over Europe. It was his 25th mission as a pilot in the 8th Air Force. He described his war memories in his 144-page book, "Staying Alive."

He was a supporter of the Combat Air Museum in Topeka. He also fought for veterans to receive military medals and benefits they were entitled to for their service to our country. He even went to Congress to get the job done.  But one mission was left undone. Even in his last days alive, Major Fyler said he wanted S/Sgt. Joseph Sawicki to receive the Medal of Honor for his bravery and heroism in saving two crew members before their plane went down.

On Aug. 19, 2009, Fyler gave his final public appearance, providing a lecture about his war experiences at McCrite Plaza. He started his talk with the following words, “War is hell.” Despite declining health, he stood at a lectern, gave his speech and handed out photos of German POW war camps.  Staff at McCrite placed his military jacket next to his bed on Veterans Day. His wife, Marguerite, remained by his side to the very end. His last words to her were, "Goodnight, I love you. I will see you soon."

Ralph C. Brehl, Jr. Jan. 29, 1926 ~ Nov. 11, 2009 Resident of Oakland Ralph C. Brehl, Jr. passed away peacefully on Veteran's Day 2009. Born in Corte Madera, CA and raised in Alameda, he was drafted into the Army Air Corps while still a senior in Alameda High School. Out of Molesworth, Ralph flew eight B-17 missions over Germany as the Ball Turret Gunner in the 303rd Bomb Group. He received numerous service medals including the Purple Heart, and celebrated VE Day at Trafalger Square.

Following WWII Ralph joined the Air Force Reserves, retiring as a Lt. Colonel in 1977. Ralph's life long love of aviation started early by boarding and witnessing the takeoff of the inaugural China Clipper flight. He piloted post war B-17's to disposition in San Antonio, achieved several pilot licenses, including Learjet's, and owned three Straight Tail Bonanza A-36's. While still a young man, Ralph was hired by Blue Cross of Northern California. After a 29 year career he retired as Corporate Treasurer in 1981.

Ralph loved life and lived every minute. He especially enjoyed his home in Montclair, anything patriotic, 303rd reunions, golf, bridge, gardening, chess, playing volleyball, cooking, listening to jazz, e-mail, garage sales and his morning visits to the Colonial Coffee Shop in Montclair. Ralph is survived by his daughter, Kim D. Myers of Antioch, his son, Blake R. Brehl of Morgan Hill, his brother, Edmund K. "Deak" Brehl of Bidwell, his companion, Janice Madding of Pleasanton and many good friends. Ralph was truly a member of the greatest generation. He is being laid to rest in the VA National Cemetery in Dixon, CA.

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Keeping the Legacy Alive,
Gary

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Gary L. Moncur

303rd Bomb Group Historian
[email-masked]
www.303rdBG.com