Recorded memoir of Stanley Albert Seger (MC 371/882/58)
Document Information


Recorded memoir of Stanley Albert Seger

1


MC 371/882/58


1 audio cassette

nd [c 1985]


492nd Bomb Group


S.A. Seger

Image Information

Description
[00:00-05:00] Summarizes his service as pilot (1st Lt) in the 856th Bomb Squadron, arriving England, 11 June [1944]. Names his crew: George Carter (co-pilot); Ralph Mack (navigator); Andrew Todaro (bombardier); Robert Marvel (engineer); John Craig (radio operator, until killed in action); Ralph Beaman (replacement radio operator) and Earl Wood, Stan Richardson, Leon Yates and Gordon Gillette (gunners). Comments on transfer of Richardson and Gillette to the 15th Air Force when the crew began flying 'Carpetbagger' missions [dropping supplies to the French underground and propaganda leaflets]. Describes first combat mission, marshalling yards, Saarbrucken, Germany, 16 July 1944. Describes second mission, ground support, Rouen, France, 18 July 1944: heavy flak; aeroplane engine problems; crew bailing out; Craig killed when parachute failed to open and Todaro injured. Comments on their third mission: 'Carpetbagger', delivering bundles to underground, La Roche, France, 31 August 1944. [05:00-10:00] Comments on 'Carpetbagger' mission numbers four to ten, delivering bundles to underground in France: near Belfort, 1 September; ?Birare, 5 September; ?Chatellerault, 7 September; Besancon, 8 and 11 September, including dropping agents, 'Joes'; Quarra, 12 September and Limoges, 15 September. [10:00-15:00] Describes trucking missions to France and Belgium carrying fuel supplies to General Patton's troops, 21-25 September 1944. Comments on 'Carpetbagger' mission numbers eleven to thirteen, dropping propaganda leaflets in Germany: ?Moulden, 8-9 Novrmbrt; Bonn and Cologne, 10-11 November. [15:00-20:00] Comments on 'Carpetbagger' mission numbers fourteen to twenty-two, dropping propaganda leaflets in Germany and the Netherlands, 13 November-1 December 1944, including Koblenz, 25-26 November and Amsterdam, 26 November. [20:00-25:00] Comments on 'Carpetbagger' mission numbers twenty-three to thirty-three dropping propaganda leaflets in Germany and the Netherlands, 2-31 December 1944, including Rotterdam and Amsterdam, nicknamed the 'Flying Dutchman,' 2, 12 and 29 December. [25:00-30:00] Comments on final two 'Carpetbagger' missions, 1-2 January 1945 and his discharge from active service. Recorded on side A only.