Dear Cheryl,
How wonderful to hear from you. The memories all started surging up; memories
of years together with Bob flashed back; England, France, Belgium, Germany and
the good times here in the States after the war. The missions flown and the
adventures shared are unforgettable. Paul and I always speak of Bob when we
get together, which lately is less often than we would both like.
I would like to talk to you about Bob since I think I have a lot to tell you. I
guess you have seen the photos of Bob on the web site. That shot of him at the
controls of Willie is how I will always remember him. Did you read "Bob's
Story" on the web site? That is a day which is forever in my dreams and even
now, 60 years later it is still with me. And I'm hit, I'm hit is also about
Bob.
We were stationed at Schleissheim in Germany very close to Dachau and those
visits were experiences never to be forgotten. After the war I often went to
Boston and Bob and I had dinner together. As you know he was very ill, and at
the end he was quite weak. We always ate near his apartment which was near Mass
General Hospital. I remember the last dinner we had together. When I returned
to New York the one thing I feared was a call about Bob. The call came. It was
his sister calling. I knew the worst had happened when I heard her voice.. It
was a call that I both expected and feared for at last a year. Bob was gone.
Both Paul and I cried together.
My mind flashes back to times when we were coming back from a mission in a pea
soup fog. Bob's skill on the radio compass brought us to the head of the runway
and safety. If not for Bob's skill we never would have made it.
You brought back wonderful memories of a brother in arms and a dear friend. A
memory which I will take with me to my last days. Thank you so much for your
warm letter. Please call on me at any time. I will always be available to you.
Warmest Regards,
Arthur
Arthur Kramer
344th BG 494th BS
England, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany
Visit my WW II B-26 website at:
http://www.coastcomp.com/artkramer