Oral History
Richard Remembers WWII
Video Interview Series
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 300 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.
Episode 1
Drafted into the Army Air Corps
Episode 2
First Mission, Osnabruk, Germany 12/24/43
Episode 3
ME-109 Under the Bomber
Episode 4
Mission Durations
Episode 5
Dropping a Load Over Germany
Episode 6
Lucky Day for Tommy Garten to Wear His Parachute
Episode 7
Almost Hit by Flak
Episode 8
Shot Down on His 20th Mission
Episode 9
Escape Attempt After Being Shot Down, 4/12/44
Episode 10
Arriving at Stalag Luft IV & Life at Camp
Episode 11
Life at Stalag Luft IV & Evacuating Camp
Episode 12
Forced March from Poland to Germany, 2/6/45 to 5/2/45
Episode 13
Forced March Memories, Camp Pastimes, and POW Mementos
Episode 14
Hogan's Heroes, No Escape, and Camp Lucky Strike
Episode 15