A Fateful February

When I think of growing up in the 1950’s on Olsen Avenue in Shorewood, Wisconsin I cannot help but recall the vivid tales of World War II that my father would share with my older brother, John, and me.

Our friends liked to come over to our house. It was the perfect meeting place to play cards, touch football in the street, or whiffle ball baseball. Television was making a huge impact in the American home at that period of time. New sports heroes appeared to us every week on the tube in the likes of Arnold Palmer, Johnny Unitas, Paul Hornung, and Hank Aaron. We would laugh as a family while collectively watching the great comedians, Jack Benny, Milton Berle, Jackie Gleason, Bob Hope, George Burns and Gracie Allen.

My older brother and his friends would occasionally let me play ball with them which was extra special for an ‘annoying’ younger brother like me. Our house was special and my parents always made our friends feel that way.

Our father, in these his drinking days (he would later in his life abstain), would be coaxed by our friends to tell his stories about being a pilot in World War II. Typically he would say, “ No, no, fellas, it’s just not that interesting.” They would continue to egg him on and soon he was saying, “ We were flying at an elevation of 12,000 ft. and our goal that day was a bridge near the City of Bologna, Italy that the Krauts had a fast hold on. We were in formation when…..” and so forth as he went on for the next two hours with a grip-like hold on everyone’s attention. Jimmy Matchette could really spin a tale and I’m quite certain he added a little sugar each time he replayed the story.

The airplane that our father piloted was a B-25 Mitchell Bomber, named after General Billy Mitchell. Unlike the B-24 and B-17 Bombers that were used for larger targets, the B-25 was well suited as a tactical bomber for

smaller targets like bridges, railway yards, and specific buildings.

And so it was that friends and family would come to be entertained by the charismatic and loquacious James Matchette. His final story went something like this.

The month that he was shot down by the Germans was February, 1945. James F. Matchette had already flown 48 missions or sorties. The assignment that February day was to be his final one before he would be granted a well-earned lengthy leave that all airmen were afforded when they reached their 50th mission.

As a 1st Lieutenant in the Army-Air Force, James had graduated from their training schools in Lakeland, Florida ,Valdosta,

Figure 2: A young pilot awaits his orders overseas.

Figure 3: Future bride, June Ingh-ram Matchette.

Figure 1: Matchette and neighbor, Nate Tank, share a laugh.

Georgia, and Columbia, South Carolina before flying first to Brazil, next to Tunisia, and finally to the Island of Corsica off the Italian East Coast. Flying across the equator for the first time was known then as a “short snorter.” James was just 19 years old, but his military photos always showed someone whose mature and confident appearance belied his actual age. Like many young recruits of that time, James left behind a beautiful girl and eventual bride, June Inghram.

Corsica was the home of the 12th Air Force’s 340th Bomb Group, and specifically, the 489th Bomb Squadron. This group of battle-tested pilots, navigators, bombardiers, gunners, and support personnel had previous experience in North Africa, Southern

France, Pompei, Italy, and Corsica. Mt. Vesuvius erupted while the squadron was in Pompei causing extensive damage to their fleet of aircraft. A few months later their air base at Alesan Field in Corsica was attacked by the German Air Force resulting in the deaths of thirteen Air Force personnel and a serious amount of precious airplane inventory.

The first mission for Matchette upon his arrival in Corsica came in September, 1944. The Italian light cruiser, “Taranto”, was situated in the La Spezia harbor and was thoroughly destroyed by the 489th along with some smaller support vessels in the same area. There would be many other targets throughout Italy and Sicily that the 489th Squadron would address over the months to follow.

The morning of February 25, 1945 was a day that many of the 489th will not forget. The weather was reported clear in Bolzano, Italy so the plan to bomb a strategic railroad bridge was activated.

James was introduced to Co-Pilot Al Spann, a tall Texan with lots of flying experience. Immediately behind the cockpit would be Bombardier Jim Westra, the Midwest boy from Detroit whom Matchette had previously flown with. Maryland-born John Frisch was to be the Tail-Gunner for this mission. Matchette’s Radioman and Turret-Gunner Louis Beckwith of Bristol, New Hampshire would take his position topside as usual.. Rounding out Matchette’s crew was Joe Crescenzi, the mission’s Engineer/Gunner. The affable Crescenzi, whose smile could light up a room, grew up in Orange, New Jersey.

Not long after making his customary pre-flight inspection of the B-25, Matchette and his crew were off the ground at 11:01am, flying in formation together with fourteen other heavily-armed planes toward their target. Their destination would be a railroad bridge in Vipiteno, a small town close to the Austrian border. This was a part of the Brenner Pass, the region featured in the film, “Von Ryan’s Express.” Stopping the flow of arms and supplies from Germany and Austria to the German troops in Northern Italy would seriously hurt the Nazi’s war efforts in that area.

Figure 4: B-25 Michell Bomber.

Figure 5: Lt. Al Spann (Center Row-Far Right).

Figure 6: Lt. J.P. Westra (Top Row-2nd from Right)

It was customary for each B-25 in the 489th to have the number 9 along with a letter of the alphabet painted clearly on the tail of the airplane for identification purposes. In addition, each airplane had its own crew chief. Besides caring for their plane’s maintenance these men customized their respective airplanes with artwork and slogans that set each one apart.

Jerry was waiting for the American’s of the 489th on February 25, 1945. Their formation encountered heavy anti-aircraft shelling as they approached an entrenched gun placement at the railroad bridge in Vipiteno.

Captain Jack Casper wrote in his sorte report that the bombing of the bridge was “heavy, intense, accurate.” But his observations also noted that three airplanes had been either destroyed or lost. Further aircraft sustained damages from the attack as well as injuries.Scott Herrin and John Butler were flying 9X and took a direct hit to their loaded bombay compartment which blew up, instantly killing both men and four other crew members.

Matchette’s best buddy and roommate, Gayle Gearheart, was flying B-25 9G that day. Gearheart’s plane was also hit by German fire and was last seen under control but heading toward the Swiss border. (Gearheart and his crew survived but were captured and imprisoned).

The plane that James Matchette and his crew flew that day was 9L. The nickname painted by its crew chief was “Prop Wash” featuring a pretty girl like many B-25’s of the 489th did at that time. Shortly after releasing their bombs on the bomb run, their aircraft was hit by German anti-aircraft flak. Captain Casper wrote, “ It was under control 2000’ below formation with left engine feathered and turret on fire. Shortly after the right engine cut out and right landing gear dropped out. Last seen going down at (V-9505).”

Inside his B-25, fire had broken out throughout the plane. Matchette gave orders to evacuate but no one responded. He asked Lt. Spann, also a skilled 1st seat pilot in previous sorties, for assistance. Spann stayed motionless so Matchette shook him. He was dead, mortally wounded by the shrapnel that had hit their aircraft. The plane was in distress with the left engine out and fire rapidly spreading throughout. Jimmy Westra was able to release the plane’s bombs before his plexiglass front nose position exploded from shrapnel, likely the same shrapnel that killed Lt. Spann. Lt. Matchette called out to him but still there was no answer.

The fire had begun to take its toll on Matchette. Smoke made it hard to see or breathe. The flames were burning away at Matchette’s face and arms and he was beginning to weaken.

Prop Wash was no longer controllable and was initiating its final plunge

Figure 7: Lt. Scott Herrin (Top Left), Lt. James Matchette (Top Right).

Figure 8: The ill-fated “Prop Wash.”

Figure 9: Sgt. L.F. Beckwith (2nd Row from Bottom-Center Photo).

into a mountainside in the Alps.

After issuing another order to evacuate Matchette managed to parachute out of the plane himself. The mechanism that was supposed to release the cockpit hatch failed to deploy. Matchette’s only choice was to wriggle his way out of the side window in order to escape the burning aircraft. The force of his parachute opening allowed James to find his way out of the small opening, past the idle left engine, and into a vast afternoon sky.

9L crashed into the mountainside shortly afterward as Matchette descended into a clump of trees in the Italian Alps.

Only Louis Beckwith and Johnny Frisch made it out of the B-25 safely along with Matchette that fateful day. None of them would know the others were alive until after the war.

Matchette’s parachute became tangled in a clump of trees when he landed. It was mid-afternoon and descending to the ground now in the middle of enemy territory was ill-advised, he thought. James decided to remain where he was until darkness came so as not to draw any attention. Hours later he managed to free himself from the parachute and get to the ground. There was an old barn nearby which would serve as a warm and safe refuge for that evening. The next morning he would make plans for his escape to neutral Switzerland but tonight he would rest. The pain from his burns grew worse as he settled into his new bed. Sleep came easy nevertheless.

In the morning Matchette found an egg from a chicken that was on the small farm. Raw egg or not, it was food and he was hungry.

The month of February always brought with it a massive amount of deep snow and freezing temperatures in this part of the Alps. Using his compass, Matchette trudged his way up into the mountains in the direction of Switzerland. The pain from his burns dominated the pain from the sub-zero weather. It would be nice to get to a hospital in Switzerland and heal the wounds, reflected the Lieutenant.

The flak jacket that Matchette had on provided some comfort against the harsh weather conditions. Checking his bearings once again he felt confident that he would reach neutral Switzerland in a day, perhaps two days at worst.

After a few rigorous hours of seemingly slow motion travel, James suddenly heard the command “Halt”. He turned to find a German soldier on skis pointing a rifle at him. Matchette put his hands in the air while the soldier approached him. The German bellowed something else and Matchette motioned to his Red Cross parcel that he had with him. The soldier gave him an okay gesture saying something in German, gun still aiming at him... He reached inside to take out a chocolate bar and gave it to his captor. After taking his cigarettes as well the soldier brought his prisoner to a nearby cabin where he and his fellow soldiers were staying.

There waiting were six members of the notorious SS who were taking a few days of rest from the war. Matchette was brought there as a POW and was met in the entry room by members of the group. British and American pilots had wreaked havoc on their Fatherland Germany during the past year. The war effort was going against them and they knew it. Now would be a choice moment to issue some payback.

Figure 11: Wounded and ban-daged, Matchette enters Moos-burg prison camp.

One soldier began to beat up Matchette while the others gleefully looked on. Before the scene became too ugly another man entered the room and asked what was happening. The soldier wore the uniform of an officer. He was just finishing shaving when all this raucous occurred.

After an exchange of words among the group, the officer turned to Matchette and in English said, “You outrank me (he was a 2nd Lieutenant) and therefore, I will respect your position.” Matchette was released and taken to another room where he was allowed to rest. Whew! Twice in a 24 hour period Matchette’s life was spared!

The next day Matchette was taken on a march toward a town miles away from the retreat cabin. Along the way his small group grew larger when other German soldiers joined his cadre as they slowly descended the steep Alpine hillsides. The sun was shining and felt magical against his body, dampening the impact of the burns he had sustained two days before. Some of the German soldiers began to sing as they continued on their way down the mountain. Matchette had a musical background, having been raised in Milwaukee, a typical Midwest City with plenty of folks of German heritage. He recognized many of the songs and joined in on a few. He was lucky to be alive and he knew it. He couldn’t hide his gratitude and singing felt good for his soul.

When they arrived in the local town Matchette was put on a transport truck and sent to Bolzano, a larger Italian city. There he was subjected to further interrogation along with a large number of other allied prisoners. While there, James encountered an American prisoner of war who was from

Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, a suburb of Milwaukee. It turned out that he had played football against him when he was a Right Guard for Shorewood High School and the other fellow played for Wauwatosa High School.

The POW’s were loaded onto boxcars on another freight train headed for Austria, and finally, to Munich, Germany. Many British pilots joined their group after having met similar fates as Matchette. In Munich, more train exchanges were made and a large contingent of POW’s, including Matchette, were shipped northwest to a prison camp in the small town of Moosburg, Germany. Moosburg was located about midway between Stuttgart, Germany and Strasbourg, France. The prison camp was originally constructed in 1939 to hold 10,000 prisoners but ended up housing 80,000 POW’s by 1945. Nearly half the camp’s inhabitants were French. The next largest group was the Russians followed by the Americans, British, and prisoners from 13 other countries.

Upon their arrival in Moosburg the POW’s were told that they would have to march on foot the remaining miles to the camp. Many of the POW’s had been seriously injured and were barely hanging onto their lives. As they marched along their way their acting chain of command was headed by an English Colonel who had worked for the British Government in espionage for the past six years. The Colonel was a tall, lean man with a pencil-thin mustache, handsome face, and a typically stoical, confident, and resolute manner that was reminiscent of a prototypical British officer. Somehow this devil-may-care officer had allowed himself to be captured four times by the Germans only to escape later and relate his invaluable information to his superiors in London. Here he was again for a fifth go at it.

The Colonel would ignore warnings from the German guards and was constantly reassuring the allied POW’s that all would be fine if they stuck together as a group. On the march toward the camp one American soldier was gravely ill and kept falling down. The German guards used German Sheppard dogs to control the POW’s. One vicious dog attacked the fallen GI and the guards simply watched as the attack worsened. The

Figure 12: Paperwork compliments of the Third Reich.

Colonel saw this and personally confronted the dog by grabbing the animal by the throat with his right hand and choking it until it no longer breathed.

The guards and the other POW’s stood by either stunned or amazed at what they had just seen. The Colonel was not reprimanded due to his rank and instant idol status with the pow’s.

It would be a long stretch before Matchette would be liberated from the Moosburg Prison Camp. During that time his weight would fall below 100 pounds. While in prison, James met Colonel Charles Jones of Jackson, Mississippi and a member of the 489th. The Colonel had been shot down in March, 1944 and spent over a year in prison camp.

The pow’s were served mostly potato soup that had been watered down. As James put it, “the only protein we got from the Krauts were the bugs that made their way into the pot of soup.” Conditions were awful. Barracks were overcrowded, sanitation deplorable, proper clothing scarce, and healthcare supplies at a minimum. Matchette recalled waking up one night to find a large brown rat on his chest. Those who survived their ordeal in camp welcomed the allied troops who took control of their camp in the late spring of 1945.

Back home, Matchette’s family and girlfriend worried over the fate of their son/fiancé. They had received notification that his plane had been shot down and he was reported missing in action.

Good news was to come shortly.

Eleven days after Matchette was shot down another member of the 489th, Bombardier Lt. Hal Lynch, had to parachute out of a distressed B-25 on another mission. Lynch was captured and sent to prison camp where he engineered a daring escape. Prior to his escape, Lynch encountered James Matchette as thousands of prisoners were being routed to various POW camps in and around Munich. After his escape, Lynch wrote to Matchette’s girlfriend, June Inghram, to inform her that her future husband was still alive.

When he finally arrived home a local newspaper asked James about his particular experience in the war. In his usual style, Matchette replied, “ I always felt that bomb had my name on it, but that it was misspelled.”

On October 11, 1945 James F. Matchette was given an honorable discharge from the Army/Air Force at Camp McCoy, Wisconsin. For his courage and resolve in maintaining control of his airplane on February 25, 1945, Lt. Matchette was awarded the Silver Star. A Purple Heart was also awarded for wounds received when his plane was shot down.

Flying remained a part of Matchette’s life long after the war. James and his two brothers, Richard and John went into business together. For years the three brothers shared a Company Beechcraft Bonanza airplane at Timmerman Field in Milwaukee. John became a pilot for Pan Am and flew overseas while Richard was busy winning a Wisconsin state amateur golf title after the war. The brothers remained close until James’ death in February, 1991 and Richard’s death in 2001. June Inghram

Figure 13: Lt. J. F. Matchette, Silver Star recipient.

Figure 14: Copy of Presidential Citation.

Matchette died in 1997. Older brother John lives in Florida with his wife, Margaret.

Their grandson, James Darlson, has carried on the family flying tradition as a Captain flying A-10 Warthogs with the “Assam Draggins” of the 25th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Wing. John and Margaret’s son, Dan (James’s nephew) also served his country proudly as a Sergeant and Captain of a river boat (“PBR” Patrol Boat River). Dan was a member of the 458th Transportation Company attached to the 18th Military and was assigned to Cat Lai on the Dong Nai within the Mekong Delta. .

The families and friends of the 489th are forever grateful for the gallant efforts they gave on behalf of their squadron and their country. Our father’s tale is just one of many stories that were born out of a time of world conflict.

A generation of young Americans returned after the war to live productive lives during a period of unprecedented economic and social growth in America. Many carried with them recurring memories of the horrors of war throughout their lives. Images of brave, ill-fated men such as Al Spann, Jimmy Westra, and Joe Crescenzi forever walked the halls of their thought paths. Yet this generation of survivors managed somehow to get through the pain just as they did during their days together at war.

Good times were in store for the men and women of the 489th. Some would marry and have families, others would embark on fulfilling long awaited careers, and still others would reap the benefits of the bounty of material and/or spiritual gains that followed after the war.

All of them, though, would always remember the special camaraderie and mutual respect they shared as members of the 489th Bomb Squadron, 340th Bomb Group, and 12th Air Force.

By, Jeffrey G. Matchette, Son of Lt. James F. Matchette and June Inghram Matchette. Special thanks to the following people for their contribution to this story: Donald Kaiser, Author/Creator of this special website for the 489th Bombardment Squadron (http://www.warwingsart.com/12thAirForce/57thoncorsica.html), Sgt. Quentin C. Kaiser, Advisor and member of the 489th, Captain Jack A. Casper & Captain Ver Keljik, Co-Editors of the “489th Bomb Squadron Yearbook” for their photographs and flight detail information, Copyright 1947, B-25 photo courtesy of www.vg-photo.com/articles/b25flight.html, John I. Matchette, Advisor & eldest son of James F. Matchette, Dan Matchette, Inspiration for writing this article and nephew of James F. Matchette, Scott & Aimee Matchette, Advisors and grandchildren of James F. Matchette, Nicole Matchette, Graphic Assistant & grandaughter of James F. Matchette, John A. Matchette, Advisor and brother of James F. Matchette, Capt. James Darlson, United States Air Force, and to the German officer who spared my father’s life while in captivity.

Figure 15: T/Sgt. J.D. Crescenzi (Cen-ter, Bottom Row, 2nd from Lft).

Figure 16: Sgt. J. C. Frisch (2nd R Down, 2nd from right).