This is a video interview series about the experiences of Richard F. Hanson during World War II.

He served as a Radio Operator aboard a B-24 Liberator bomber flying out of Tibenham, England. His plane was shot down on April 12, 1944 during his 20th mission, giving him the opportunity to join the Caterpillar Club, coming down in a farmer's field in Huy, Belgium. He attempted an escape with the help of Belgian citizens but that was short lived.

He ended up in Stalag Luft IV, near Gross Tychow (pronounced two-hoe), Poland (which was renamed Tychowo (pronounced two-hoe-voe) after the war), spending approximately seven months there before the camp was evacuated in February 1945 as the Russians were advancing from the east. The next three months he spent on a forced march back into Germany with a group of about 300 fellow prisoners, trekking over 250 miles across northern Poland into Germany.

His group was liberated by the British on May 2, 1945 after which he ended up at Camp Lucky Strike to recuperate from his captivity.

Richard Remembers - WWII: Drafted into the Army Air Corps (#1)

Richard Remembers - WWII: First mission, Osnabruk, Germany 12/24/43 (#2)

Richard Remembers - WWII: ME-109 under the bomber (#3)

Richard Remembers - WWII: Mission Durations (#4)

Richard Remembers - WWII: Dropping a load over Germany (#5)

Richard Remembers - WWII: Lucky day for Tommy Garten to wear his parachute (#6)

Richard Remembers - WWII: Almost hit by flak (#7)

Richard Remembers - WWII: Shot down on his 20th mission (#8)

Richard Remembers - WWII: Escape attempt after being shot down, 4/12/44 (#9)

Richard Remembers - WWII: Arriving at Stalag Luft IV & life at camp (#10)

Richard Remembers - WWII: Life at Stalag Luft IV & evacuating camp (#11)

Richard Remembers - WWII: Forced march from Poland to Germany, 2/6/45 to 5/2/45 (#12)

Richard Remembers - WWII: Forced march memories, camp pastimes, and POW mementos (#13)

Richard Remembers - WWII: Hogan's Heroes, no escape, and Camp Lucky Strike (#14)

Richard Remembers - WWII: Miscellaneous stories of life at Stalag Luft IV (#15)