Oral history interview with Virgil O. Bartels [sound recording], 2001.

ArchivalResource

Bartels, Virgil O., 1923-. Oral history interview with Virgil O. Bartels [sound recording], 2001.

Oral history interview with Virgil O. Bartels [sound recording], 2001.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/53186716

Virgil Bartels, a Steuben, Wisconsin native, relates his World War II experiences as a member of the Army Air Corps with the 365th Bomb Squadron and as a prisoner of war in Germany. Bartels discusses his basic training at Keesler Field (Mississippi), Armorer School in Colorado where he learned how to load bombs and bomb racks, aircraft gunner training in Texas, meeting the crew of his B-17 bomber in St. Louis (Missouri), and assignment to an airbase in Sheldon, England. He mentions information about the daily concerns of Air Corps members such as equipment, anti-aircraft fire (flak), and air-sickness. Bartels describes his three successful missions over France and his role as a tail gunner. While he was in the hospital for a torn knee cartilage, he states his original crew was shot down. He talks about his assignment to a new plane and crew. Bartels details a bombing mission to destroy a German aircraft plant in Brunswick, Germany where his plane was hit by flak and he was wounded and taken prisoner of war. He details being picked up by a German Home Guard and kept in jail for a week. He provides a sketch of POW life including the trip to Stalag Luft III and daily life there. Bartels states he felt he got treated better because he lived in the officer section. He recalls an escape attempt in the British compound, which the movie "The Great Escape" is based on. He discusses his role as a mess orderly, food rations at the prison, Red Cross parcels, and trading with German guards. Bartels describes recreational activities such as building a model boat, making a theater, and getting one letter from home per month. He tells of the prisoners being forced to walk through the German countryside until they were stopped outside Munich because Patton's troops were approaching. He details his rescue by Patton's troops, leaving Germany for France, and returning to Wisconsin. Bartels touches upon his participation in the American Legion and VFW, his return to truck driving, his family, and trouble sleeping at night.

Sound recording : 1 sound cassette (ca. 90 min.) : analog, 1 7/8 ips.Videorecording : 1 videocassette (ca. 90 min.) ; sd., col. ; 1/2 in.Master sound recording : 1 sound cassette (ca. 90 min.) : analog, 1 7/8 ips.Transcript : 64 p.

Wisconsin Veterans Museum Research Center