My father Lt. Ernest Anders Erickson kept many things from his years in the Air Corps. It's a truly amazing collection of photographs, documents, equipment and hundreds of letters and postcards. He often sent home things to his folks in Bismarck, North Dakota between 1942 and 1945, his years in the Air Corps. In late 1943 through 1945 he piloted various planes and after his combat flying became a flight instructor.

From February through October 1944 Ernest Anders piloted B-17s out of Horham Airfield in England with the 95th Bomb Group (Heavy) on thirty five missions over German occupied Europe.

His parents Clara and Frank Erickson kept everything safe and sound that they received for decades. My dad retrieved much of the collection and I certainly enjoyed seeing the photographs whenever I had the opportunity. After my father passed in 2013 I began to seriously delve into this incredible archive. Much of it I have already posted here on this site.

Along the way of archiving my father's collection I came across a thick envelope of 'The Stars and Stripes' newspapers that contained thirty copies dating from March 29th through August 28th, 1944. These dates coincide with Ernest Anders thirty five missions that he and crew accomplished between March 27th and their final and 35th mission on August 26th, 1944.

The front page of The Stars and Stripes Newspaper dated May 16th, 1944 reported the previous days Allied activity in and along the French coast and north of Naples, Italy.

The headline reads:
Allied Blitz Thunders On Unopposed
Not a Fighter Rises To Meet Attacks On Atlantic Wall
French Units Punch Hole in Gustav Line, Near Key Strongpoint
Yanks Seize Town Controlling Road From Cassino

Lt. Erickson and crew were on leave during this time, but would return to combat flying to complete their 15th Mission on May 24th over Berlin, Germany flying the B-17 'Ten Aces' (42-38178).

Also featured below is a photograph of Lt Erickson at Foggia Airfield in Italy standing in front of an abandoned Luftwaffe JU-88 bomber, while a farmer in the background goes about his work tilling his field. Remarkable times they were.