Memories of the bloody 100th

Air Classics, Jan 2002 by Bowman, Martin W

THE HISTORIC AIRFIELD

AT THORPE ABBOTTS

IS COMING BACK

TO LIFE

The story of the project to restore the control tower at Thorpe Abbotts near Diss, Norfolk, and open it as a Memorial Museum began in September 1977 when a number of 100th Bomb Group Association veterans returned to Station 139 - as it was designated during World War Two. The tower, like most of the remaining buildings, was in al derelict state. As group personnel posed oil the balcony for photographs doubt was expressed as to the safety of the structure! The possibility of restoring the building was mentioned and, during the following weeks, a small group Of enthusiasts gathered to consider the idea. The Owner of the tower, Sir Rupert Mann, gave permission for the building to be surveyed and, having proved that the structure was still sound, the group negotiated a 999-year lease and the long task of clearing the site and restoring the tower to its original condition got underway. From then on, the group received help froma great number of local firms and individuals. Film shows, raffles, and other money raising activities provided much needed income.

The 100th BG Association in the United States donated generoulsy from their funds and provided the interest and contacts, without which the project could not have succeeded. By May 1981 restoretion work was complete and a plaque set in the wall near the main entrance. Major Horace Varian, secretary of the 100th BG Association and former Group Adjutant, unveiled the plaque at a ceremony of dedication on 25 May.

From that date, work has never stopped to create a museum which tells the story of the 100th Bomb Group during their stay at Thorpe Abbotts. Many men stationed here dUring the war contributed uniforms, equipment, decorations, photographs and combat records.

Thorpe Abbotts airfield was was built during 1942-early 1943 by John Laing and Sons as the main contractors. It was intended for use by the RAF as a satellite airfield to Horham but the rapid buildup of the 8th Air Force resulted in both airfields being handed over to the Americans. The construction work was barely finished when the 100th BG arrived on 9 June 1943 and the first mission was flown on 25 June. Three B-17s and 30 men failed to return. Few Could have imagined that much worse was to follow.

On 17 August 1943, a deep penetration was made into Germany, well beyond escort fighter range. The plan involved the 1st BW attacking, Schweinfurt while Col. Curtis E. LeMay led the 4th BW to Regensburg. To minimize attacks from enemy fighters, the 100th - and the rest of LeMay's B-17s - would fly on to North Africa after hitting the target. The 1st BW, meanwhile, would fly a parallel course to Schweinfurt to further confuse the enemy defenses at ind return to England after the raid. Four P-47 groups were scheduled to escort the Regensburg force but only one group rendezroused with the bombers as scheduled.

The overburdened Thunderbolts could not possibly hope to protect all seven groups in the 4th BW. The long, straggling formation stretched for 15 miles and the Fortresses in the 100th BG at the rear Of the formation were left unprotected. Fw 190s of JG1 and JG26 began their attacks 30 kilometers east of Brussels. The 100th was attacked Continuously by German fighters and they lost nine Fortresses. One of them was Picklepuss, flown by Capt. Robert Knox. As Knox approached the target, other crews reported that the Fort's landing gear was lowered as sign of sur render and the German fighters held their fire. However, as the fighters flew alongside, the gunners on Picklepuss opened fire on the enemy fighters. This prompted a further attack by the German fighters and Picklepuss went down (Hpon. Von Bonin, Kommander II, and leading a vic of three Bf 110s is credited with the destruction of Picklepuss, which crashed with the loss of six of the crew). This incident is reputed to have so angered, the Lufwaffe that thereafter the 100th BCG was singled out "for special attention" by Lufwaffe Gruppes..

The story spread and the 100th BG became known throughout the 8th AF as the "Bloody HUndredth." In September the "hard-luck" group became a part of the "unlucky" 13th Combat Wing.

On 8 October, the 100th BG lost seven B-17s and 72 men on the mission to Bremen Salvo Sal. Our Baby, flown by Lt. Bernard Se Marco with Major Gale "Bucky" Cleven CO, 350th BS, and Capt. Thomas Murphy, another original pilot, flying Piccadilly Lily, his 42th mission, failed to return. The lead aircraft, Just a Snappin' flown by Capt. Everett E. Blakely and Kaj. John B. Kidd, the command pilot, was hit repeatedly and lost 3000 feet begore Blakely and Kidd regained control. Just a Snappin' made it to England and crashed at Ludham, Norfork. The four surviving B-17s owed their survival to the 39th BG leader, Maj. Robert O. Good, who encouraged them to move in tightly behind his 20 B17's after histting the target.

Two days later, on the mission to Munster the 100th BG was again mauled severly by the Lufwaffe. At 1453 hours, just nine minutes form the target, the fighter attacks began. First to attack were the single-engined fighters, which paused only when the flak opened Lip at the approach to the target. They resumed their attacks again after the Zerstoren waded in with rocket attacks to add to the carnagee. The Luftwaffe concentrated on the 100th BG. It took them just seven minutes to tear the Bloody Hundredth fromation apart. Eleven Forts were shot down before the target was reached. Only Capt. Keith Harris in the 390th BG, who was flying in Stork Club in the 100th BG formation, Lt. Robert Rosenthal, and Lt. John Justice's Pasalena Nena, reached the target (Justice was shot down on the homeward leg). Royal Flush, which was flown by Robert Rosenthal because Rosie's Riveters, his usual aircraft, was still under repair following Rosie's debut on the disastrous mission to Bremen, lost two engines over Munster and a rocket shell tore through the right wing leaving, a large hole. Despite this, Rosenthal completed the bomb run and instigated a series of violent maneuvers to throw the aim of the flak guns. It was a black day tor the 13th CBW, which lost 25 of the 29 3rd BD B17s lost. Worst of all, the 100th BG had lost twelve bombers. This brought its total losses to 19 in three days. New crews replaced those lost and were subjected to the usual hahazing process.. A new crew arriving at Thorpe Abbotts heard shoutof "fresh meat" and "meat on the tahle" coming from the combat barracks.