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.

In March of 1944 my father would complete his first mission and by the time he received the DFC (Distinguished Flying Cross) in late June 1944 they had just completed their 25th, a No-Ball (V-1 & V-2 rocket installations hidden in the forest along the French coast) mission over France.

Every year around this time I think of my dad as he began combat flying over Europe in March of 1944. By late August of 1944 my father and crew awaited the day they would complete their last and final 35th mission. The cards laid out for that mission on August 26th, 1944 took a very uncertain last minute diversion.

The full story you can read here:

The front page of The Stars and Stripes Newspaper dated June 2nd, 1944 reported the previous days 8th Air Force bombing missions over Southwestern France. Other operations in Italy and in the Pacific Theater are featured in front page stories.

The headline reads:
Yanks Sight Rome, 13 Miles Off; Bypass Enemy in Velletri
Americans Encircle Lanuvio As British Gain Near Ardea;
Nazis Reported Manning Another Defense Line
Raids Isolate North From Southern France
Allies Say Most Transport Links Are Out; RAF Batters Rail Targets

Lt. Erickson and crew were on leave June 1st, but would return to Horham to complete their 19th Mission on June 2nd over Paris, France (Acheres) flying the B-17 'Paisano' (42-102450).

Below a photograph of Lt. Erickson standing in front of his father Frank Gustaf Severin Erickson's car with his daughter, Dian Marcella Erickson as they pose with their game after a pheasant hunt. They had just returned from along the Missouri River near Bismarck, North Dakota in the Spring of 1945. Lt. Erickson was on leave visiting his family before returning to duty as a flight instructor. He had complected his 35 missions of combat flying the previous year.