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Here is a photo of one crew my Dad flew with, and their Marauder. It was taken in late 1943 in either North Africa or Sardinia. Left to right, back row: Unknown ; Neil Lidicker ; Lt. Koontz ; Sgt. George Apgar : Lt. Hendricks. Front row : Unknown ; William Griner (my Dad!). They were with the 320th Bomb Group, 441st Squadron. Click the picture to see a larger image (47K.jpg).

WWII Memoirs

Clyde D. Willis

Clyde D. Willis


To my Grandchildren so they may know how and where they’re Grand Dad became a POW or KRIEGIE and to all else who may want to read this. I have stated the best that I can of the things that come to my mind. As you know there are some things that the mind may not bring out. At times I get a glimpse of the hidden thoughts that are blocked in my mind. For the past few months there has been bad things that come to the surface that makes me cry and I can't help it. As of January 1997 I have been going to a doctor, Dr. Raul Rafols at the VA Clinic to see if I can make these things stay blocked out. The mind is a wonderful thing. It can srore everything one has seen, heard, smelt and felt. One may not be able to recall most of these things but they are there and that is what is so bad as some times things are remembered that one does not want to remember. I have asked my God why he has been so good to me. That is to take care of this body when it goes through all the bad things. He did promise us that he would not place more burdens on us than we can carry. The places and locations are recorded to the best of my memory. A few sayings I may not spell right but I did not learn the German Language. A few phrases we got to know.

Feel free to contact me if you have questions or comments. Also, if you know someone who may have been in the same places I have mentioned. If anyone reading this has more detailed of corrected information I would appreciate your comments.

I would also like to thank my fellow airmen for allowing me to used their stories. See Buddies Stories.


                                               T/SGT CLYDE  D. WILLIS    Radio / Gunner

                                               452 ND. BOMB SQUADRON
                                               322 ND.   BOMB   GROUP
                                               BURRY ST. EDMONDS,
                                               ENGLAND

I WAS A KRIEGSGEFANGENE OF GERMANY


ONE OF GOD'S CHILDREN

Written by Clyde D. Willis an ExKriggie


WE WERE DUMPED FROM OUR PLANES, NOT KNOWING JUST WHERE
WE KNEW NOT WHAT WAS HERE OR WHAT WE WOULD BARE ?
LITTLE DID WE REALIZE THE TORTURE THAT LAY AHEAD,
NEVER DID WE DREAM, WHERE WE WOULD SHARE A BED.

WE SLEPT IN THE DIRT, THE KRIGIE FLEAS, THE LICE AND COLD
YES WE WERE STRONG, AS WE LAY IN THE BUNKS OF MOLD.
SO HUNGRY WERE WE, OUR STOMACHS WOULD PAIN
AS WE LAY IN THE BUNKS OF THE MOLD, SOME TO BECOME LAME.

WE CRIED OUT OUR PAIN IN THE SILENCE AT NIGHT
WONDERING WHAT WAS GOING TO BECOME OUR PLIGHT.
FRIGHTENED THOUGH WE WERE, ALL FROM THE DAY ONE
BUT NEVER A DOUBT FOR US THIS WAR WOULD BE WON.

GOD GIVE US THE WILL TO BUILD OUR INNER STRENGTH,
BUT WHO WAS TO KNOW OUR POWERS IN LENGTH.
WE WILL TELL YOU ABOUT THE THINGS WE HAD
LITTLE WAS GOOD BUT " O " SO MUCH WAS BAD.

WE CAME AWAY FROM THERE A GRIEF STRICKEN SORE,
LET US HOPE OUR STORIES WON'T BE A BORE.
WE COULD GO ON FOREVER TELLING OUR TALE,
AS WE CRIED IN OUR BARRACKS, ALWAYS NO MAIL.

WE WANTED TO SCREAM OUT - COME GET US PLEASE FRIEND,
FOR FEAR THAT TODAY, MIGHT BE OUR VERY END.
WE ARE ALL MUCH OLDER NOW, BUT DON'T YOU NEVER FORGET
THAT WE ARE ONE OF GOD'S CHILDREN," HE DIDN'T FORGET "

NOW YOU CAN SEE WE ARE HERE, YES YOU AND ME,
WRITING OUR MEMOIRS UNDER OUR OLD FAVORITE TREE
THIS HAS BEEN A QUESTION OH LORD I ASK THEE
OUT OF THIS TERRIBLE TIME . A LIFE WAS SAVED, WHY ME ?


Read about my First Mission


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