Chapter 19: On borrowed time
In Chapter 19, Oscar comes home on leave before being sent overseas.
1. Oscar and George were both home on leave at the same time in July of 1944. Even then, George would not or could not say much about what he was doing in the service.
2. The names of the men in Oscar's crew are as remembered by Oscar Koski.
3. The conversation between Oscar and his roommates on the survival odds is fictionalized, but serves to highlight the grim future that awaited bomber crews during the early years of the war. The loss rate dropped significantly later in the war as the German Air Force was decimated and as long-range fighter planes were able to accompany the bombers all the way to the target and back.
4. The Web site of the Dyersburg Army Air Base Memorial Association.
5. Links to an air show held at Dyersburg, Tennessee.
Media and Web links:
1. Figure 19-2 Video: The crew of the Memphis Belle was the first crew to successfully complete their combat missions.
Copyright 2007 by Dan Oja