Eugene Beville the Sep 3, 1943 mission.

Eugene Beville notes on the Sep 3, 1943 mission.

I had hoped to hear some encouraging news about the fellows on the crew when I returned to the states, but I found only disappointment…  While a prisoner, I checked all available sources for information, but found nothing in regard to any of them…. (Editor's note: All the other crew members are listed as KIA.)

We had been attacked by a strong force of German fighters - Messerschmitt 109’s – off the Italian coast, near Pescara, on the Adriatic Sea.  We were crippled early in the flight, but fought on for approximately fifteen minutes with just one engine knocked out and then, a second, …

 At that time we realized that we could never make it back – or even to the coast, as we knew the ship would be entirely out of control and over on her back in a very short time.  I gave the signal to abandon the ship, which was acknowledged by everyone.  Walt waited until the others on the flight deck had cleared then waved to me and bailed out.  Several minutes after I had given the order to abandon, the plane began to roll over on one wingtip, going over on her back, so I jumped.  I had remained at the controls as long as possible in order to give everyone time to clear as it sometimes takes the tail gunner some time to get out of his position.

 I have never known a finer group of fellows than the boys of the crew.   We often mentioned how lucky we were to be together.   Considering the way in which the crews are thrown together, it was miraculous that each man of our crew should be so expert at his particular duty, cooperative with all of the others, and that all of us could be such fine and close friends as well as working mates.  We four officers, in particular, were very close.  Everything we did after first meeting was done together.  The only time we were ever separated was on our final leave before going overseas.  We all thought so much of Walt – he was such a splendid fellow in every respect.

376 ARCHIVES

The website 376bg.org is NOT our site nor is it our endowment fund.

At the 2017 reunion, the board approved the donation of our archives to the Briscoe Center for American History, located on the University of Texas - Austin campus.

Also, the board approved a $5,000 donation to add to Ed Clendenin's $20,000 donation in the memory of his father. Together, these funds begin an endowment for the preservation of the 376 archives.

Donate directly to the 376 Endowment

To read about other endowment donation options, click here.


My Trip to San Pancrazio

October 2019


Reunion

NOTE change in month !!!

DATES: Oct 26-29, 2023

CITY:Tucson, AZ

HOTEL: Double Tree Suites Airport hotel

7051 South Tucson Blvd., Tucson, AZ 85756

520-225-0800


Click here to read about the reunion details.

previous reunions


For Sale

The Other Doolittle Raid


The Broken Wings of Zlatibor


The Liberandos


Three Crawford Brothers


Liberando: Reflections of a Reluctant Warrior


376th Bomb Group Mission History


The Last Liberator


Full Circle


Shadows of Wings


Ten Men, A "Flying Boxcar," and A War


I Survived Ploesti


A Measure of Life


Shot Down In Yugoslavia


Stories of My Life


Attack


Born in Battle


Bombardier's Diary


Lost Airmen


Langdon Liberando