I'm a new user and I have been doing an oral history of my father's experiences during WWII. He was the chauffeur and bodyguard for General Doolittle in North Africa and went to Italy with him. From there he became the bodyguard/chauffeur for General Twining. He has some amazing stories that I am just now learning about. My interest was peaked when I saw the thread about the rescue of POW's in Bucharest through the combined efforts of Captain Canacuzene and Lt. Col. Gunn, III. I just visited with that last evening with my father.
Greetings 5 -4 have you had time to do any research on the grave mission by LW He 111 and Ju 88 bombers over Bari and the bombing of the chemical induced shipping while still docked in that rather bottlenecked harbor ? Erich ~
five4, Welcome Would love to hear some of your father's experiences... I find Doolittle's story, and contribution to WWII absolutely impressive. Enjoy your stay, and hopefully you stick around and contribute. all the best, Jem
Welcome to the forum 5-4. Any stories or information you can share will be greatly appreciated. First hand information is most welcomed.
Welcome! this thread really made my eyebrows raise, my grandfather was part of the 26th gen hosp, which was stationed part of the war in Bari, Italy.
My father has referred to General Doolittle as the most intelligent person he has ever been around. I had the privilege of visiting Arlington National Cemetery with my father, and he wanted to see the graves of Generals Doolittle and Twining. He said it didn't surprise him that Gen. Doolittle had a small white headstone like most of the others instead of the large granite headstones marking other 4 star generals. Doolittle never wanted special treatment.
My father was in Bari, Italy with General Twining at their headquarters when the Germans bombed the harbor and took out several US ships. The force knocked out all of the windows in their headquarters. My father drove General Twining to the dock to check on damages. Soldiers were jumping off their burning ships into the water, not knowing that it was covered with mustard gas. At that time, nobody knew mustard gas was on the ships. The mustard gas was causing the skin to peel off of the soldiers and the medics didn't know the cause. The British were suppose to be on watch on the western shore of Italy at that time, but unfortunately they were asleep at the wheel that night.
