- Collection:
- Veterans History Project: Oral History Interviews
- Title:
- Oral history interview of William A. McManus
- Creator:
- Bruckner, William Joseph, 1944-
McManus, William A., 1923-2018 - Publisher:
- Atlanta, Ga. : Kenan Research Center
- Date of Original:
- 2015-04-06
- Subject:
- World War, 1939-1945--Aerial operations, American
World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--Italy
World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American
B-24 (Bomber)
Norden bombsight
Mustang (Fighter plane)
United States. Army Air Forces. Bomb Group (H), 446th
United States. Army Air Forces. Air Force, 15th
University of Florida
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - People:
- Twining, Nathan F. (Nathan Farragut), 1897-1982
- Location:
- United States, Florida, Miami-Dade County, Miami, 25.77427, -80.19366
United States, Georgia, Fulton County, Atlanta, 33.749, -84.38798
United States, Nebraska, Lancaster County, Lincoln, 40.8, -96.66696 - Medium:
- oral histories (literary works)
- Type:
- Moving Image
- Format:
- video/mp4
- Description:
- In this interview, William McManus recalls his experiences serving in the United States Army Air Forces in Italy during World War II. He recalls hearing about the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and explains how he entered the Army Air Force and was assigned to a B-24 heavy bomber squadron. He remembers the patriotism evident in the people of the United States and their enthusiastic support for the war effort. He describes in detail his experiences flying the B-24 to Italy, including the sightseeing he and his crew did during a stopover in Tunis. He remembers the air field at which they were based in Italy and describes watching a B-24 safely land without flaps or landing gear soon after he arrived there. He recalls their living conditions, including the makeshift heaters they created and how difficult it was to stay clean. He remembers his first Christmas in Italy and how the men felt hearing Bing Crosby sing "I'll Be Home For Christmas." He describes their pre-flight briefings, their flight operations, their duties in the air, and several combat incidents, both amusing and harrowing. He recalls stopping at a Croatian island to refuel and describes the unique hand grenades used by the local teenagers there to fight the Germans. He remembers learning about the German surrender in May, 1945, and that none of the men felt any joy or relief because they were told they would immediately begin training for combat in the Pacific against the Japanese. He describes some of their equipment, including "survivor kits" that contained gold certificates, and the need to regularly check their oxygen supply while in flight. He remembers learning about the atomic bomb while at home on leave on his way to the Pacific and he describes his post-military education and family.
prop wash; flares; IP (initial point); bombardier; proximity fuse; chaff; feathered engine; street car; B-24 Liberator; P-51 (Fighter plane); UNC Chapel Hill; Apennines Range (Italy)
William McManus served in the United States Army Air Forces in Italy during World War II. - Metadata URL:
- http://album.atlantahistorycenter.com/cdm/ref/collection/VHPohr/id/801
- Additional Rights Information:
- This material is protected by copyright law. (Title 17, U.S. Code) Permission for use must be cleared through the Kenan Research Center at the Atlanta History Center. Licensing agreement may be required.
- Extent:
- 1:14:34
- Original Collection:
- Veterans History Project oral history recordings
Veterans History Project collection, MSS 1010, Kenan Research Center, Atlanta History Center - Holding Institution:
- Atlanta History Center
- Rights:
-
