Letters From War Wednesday: World War II – Bill Barnum.

Lt. Bill Barnum - 445th Bomb Group

Over the past week, we’ve logged multiple posts on Pete DeBrular and the Garveston Twelve, who served with the 492nd Bomb Group out of North Pickenham, England.  Just 25 miles to the southeast set the Tibenham Airfield, home to the 8th Air Force’s 445th Bomb Group.  In this edition of  Letters From War Wednesday, we feature a brief note home from B-24 bomber pilot, Lt. Bill Barnum, who fought with the 445th’s 702nd Bomb Squadron.

“I have just settled down to permanent quarters in England,” Barnum wrote in December 1943, upon his arrival. “‘Permanent’ is a bad word!

“…We don’t have anything to complain about here.  Quarters and mess are good, but it is a long, long way from home!”

Sadly, Lt. Bill Barnum and his entire crew perished when their bomber was downed over Gotha, Germany on February 24, 1944.

3 Responses to “Letters From War Wednesday: World War II – Bill Barnum”

1. Sarah says:

   November 25, 2014 at 10:07 pm

   Hi!

   My name is Sarah and I’m producing an educational interactive timeline of the Strategic Bombing Campaign for the American Battle Monuments Commission, the U.S. Government organization responsible for the American cemeteries overseas from World War I and II. I wanted to see if we could incorporate the photograph of Lt. Bill Barnum into the interactive as visual accompaniment to the history of the 445th Bombardment Group.

   Please let me know if you have any questions about our project.

   Thanks!

   Reply
   • mikemccoy says:

     December 3, 2014 at 10:55 pm

     Hi Sarah,

     Your project sounds both worthy, and very exciting! Yes, please feel free to use Lt. Barnum’s photograph. Please credit Everytown, USA if possible. But if not, you still have permission to use.

     I would love to learn more about your project.

     Reply
     • Sarah says:

       December 3, 2014 at 10:58 pm

       Hi Mike,

       Thank you for the permission. How about you email me at [email protected] and I can tell you a little more about the project.

       Thanks,

       Sarah