There are many tales of bravery, dedication and perseverance emanating from the Second World War – far too many to include here. But a small selection stand out, and for different reasons too. Many of these young men showed great courage and determination at a young age whilst facing considerable challenges; many died in their determination to succeed or save the lives of their crews. Some just simply survived to tell the tale.
If you know of someone’s story please let me know, it would be great to have it here for all to share.
Aviation Trails 
My brother-in-law, S/Sgt George F. Danehower, was the radio operator on The B-17, “Spirit of 44”, captained by 2nd Lt Merril T. Rish, when, on their 18th mission, they were shot down over Berlin on March 6, 1944 in the bloodiest day of the war for the Eighth Air Force. This B-17 was featured in the famous painting by Keith Ferris. When George described the mission to me he stated an event, which I was reluctant to believe until he produced a letter from the crew member after the war, thanking him for saving his life. George stated that after the plane was hit and going down, those who could were bailing out. He was about to jump when a crew member came to the hatch without his parachute which had been shot away. George told the crew member to hold on and they both went down on George’s chute. Four crew members were KIA, and six were taken POW. George was captured and taken to Stalag Luft IV. He remained there until February 6, 1945 when the Germans moved them, in the infamous “Black March,” to another camp ahead of the advancing Russian army. This 84 day march, in the middle of winter in the north of Germany, rivaled the equally infamous “Bataan Death March” in the Philippines. On May 2, 1945, George and his fellow POWs were sitting in a ditch next to the River Elbe near Lauenburg when the British arrived and liberated them. George survived the plane crash, over a year as a POW, an appendectomy at Stalag Luft IV, and an 84-day death march to return to his family. He led a productive life until dying in 2004 at the age of 82.
Christopher Moree
511 County Road 4024
Arley, AL 35541
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Hi Christopher, thank you so much for sharing your brother in law’s story, it’s a fascinating one and incredible that he survived each of those terrible events. It goes to show what can be achieved with determination and the will to survive. I’m glad he went on to have a productive life, he so deserved it. Thank you. Andy.
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