Much needed supplies wrapped in
Bundles pushed out the doors of C-47s and release para-packs gently
float down to the waiting 101st A/B. Bastogne, Belgium 23 Dec. 1944
National Archives / NWWIIGPA Collection
53rd Wing 434th Troop Carrier Group loaded with bundles and para-pack
(barely seen under the belly of the C-47s) heading for the drop zone to the West of the town of Bastogne.
National Archives / NWWIIGPA Collection
A Douglas C-47 of the 9th Troop Carrier Command drops supplies over Bastogne, Belgium 23 Dec. 1944
[This C-47 is proudly displaying the squadron code CN for the 434th TC Group, 73rd TC Squadron, 73d was Commanded by Maj. Terry G. Hutton]
National Archives / NWWIIGPA Collection
National Archives / NWWIIGPA Collection
National Archives / NWWIIGPA Collection
The crews had been briefed to expect some light flack and small arms fire,
and it was exactly this
type of fire that forced the crew on A/C #42-100870 to bail out of their burning ship at P-419590. (GSGS 3982). 1st Lt. Robert L. Anstey, the pilot on 870, made his way back to the squadron, returning at 2300 hours
on the 29th, looking like the character in the cartoon,
“Up Front With Mauldin.” Upon interrogation, it was learned that Lt. Anstey did not jump with the rest of the
crew, since he remained behind to adjust the controls of his flaming ship. He landed at P-510565, (GSGS 3982) and after refusing an invitation from some beckoning Germans, he was picked up by an American machine gun patrol
which came out to get him. After giving information to intelligence at divisional headquarters, and living through a hail of German artillery and strafing attacks,
Lt Anstey left Bastogne on the 27th, when the 4th Armed Division broke through. From Bastogne he made his way to Neufchateau and then to Paris and Chartres, from
where he made his way to A-41. It was Lt Anstey“s belief that the rest of the crew members on his ship were taken prisoners by the Germans, since they landed in German-held territory. The four, still missing in action are:
Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt Raymond G. Wiethorn
Crew Chief: T/Sgt Earl d. Purgettt
Asst Crew Chief: S/Sgt Joseph L. Smitrus
Radio Operator: S/Sgt Morris E. Parker
