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100th Bomb
Group Chowhound
Missions
"Food Away"
Photo courtesy of Phil
Robbs
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| Date |
Target |
| 5/1/1945 |
VALKENBURG, HAGUE-CHOWHOUND |
| 5/2/1945 |
SCHIPHOL AF/ALKMAAR HOLLAND CHOWHOUND |
| 5/3/1945 |
BERGEN, HILVERSUM-CHOWHOUND |
| 5/5/1945 |
BERGEN, AF, HILVERSUM, BAARN, CHOWHOUND |
| 5/6/1945 |
BERGEN, HILVERSUM-CHOWHOUND |
| 5/7/1945 |
SHIPHOL AF HOLLAND-CHOWHOUND |
While the sight of big four engine bombers with their
bomb bay doors open had previously spread fear and
destruction across Fortress Europe, starting May 1, 1945
it meant only manna from heaven was coming to the Dutch
people. Facing starvation and in need of immediate
assistance while the final details of the surrender of
the German forces could be worked out, the Mighty Eighth
came to the rescue of the Dutch. The B-17G Flying
Fortresses of the 100th Bomb Group dropped tons of food
and supplies to the needy of Holland and in doing so,
helped save the lives of many. As the children waved and
hoped for candy and gum, the mothers and fathers hoped
the parcels floating down carried the food they needed
to feed their hungry families. Flying a preset course
arranged between the Allies and Germans occupying the
territory, the Forts came in low and vulnerable (some as
low as 200 feet). Even on mercy missions the prospect of
mechanical failure at such a low level or overzealous
German gunners could not stop losses from happening.
Thankfully, the 100th BG did not experience any of these
losses, but our sister group, the 95th did.
Many who flew these missions will never forget them and
recall them being some of the proudest moments they
experienced during the war. We open this section with
thanks to all those who helped bring HOPE back to a war
torn Europe, and to the people of Holland for never
forgetting. We also want to thank Jack O’Leary for
sharing many items for display here from his archives. |
Mike Faley
100th Bomb Group Historian
100th Bomb Group Photo Archives |
Cindy Goodman
100th Bomb Group Webmaster
Editor, Splasher Six Newsletter |
Jack O'Leary
100th Message Board Administrator |
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