Oral history interview with Richard Thieme, 2000.

ArchivalResource

Thieme, Richard G., 1924-. Oral history interview with Richard Thieme, 2000.

Oral history interview with Richard Thieme, 2000.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/84919951

Richard G. Thieme, a Sheboygan, Wisconsin native, discusses his World War II service as a fighter pilot in Europe with the 8th Air Force Fighter Command, 339th Fighter Group, 505th Squadron. He talks about enlisting in an Aviation Cadet program, basic training at Miami Beach (Florida), college training at the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville, pre-flight training at Maxwell Field (Alabama), flight training at an Embry-Riddle aeronautical flying school appropriated by the military in Arcadia (Florida), basic and advanced flight school in Alabama, and gunnery school at Eglin Field (Florida). Thieme evaluates the different types of aircraft on which he trained. Transferred to Fowlmere (England) as a replacement pilot, he comments on joining the 505th Squadron, 339th Fighter Group, training in a P-51 fighter, and problems his height caused. Thieme details missions escorting bombers and flying extremely low over German airfields to destroy planes on the ground. He comments on different types of enemy aircraft and teasing P-47 pilots for having a shorter range. Thieme describes his first air combat: forgetting to switch fuel tanks, seeing tracers shoot by the front of his plane, and shaking an enemy off his tail. He speaks of the importance of altitude and recalls "porpoising" when his airplane went too fast. Once after his plane was damaged, he reports doing an emergency landing in Belgium. Thieme talks about living conditions at his base camp, including living in Nissen huts, attending Red Cross dances, and giving gifts to the local English children. He touches upon his return home for R&R, being reassigned after V-E Day, and taking his discharge. Thieme mentions attending 339th Fighter Group reunions, staying in touch with friends from the service, and being a maintenance officer in the Reserves. He comments on being an inactive member of the VFW and his civilian career. Thieme speaks of revisiting the site of his base in England, talking to the farmer who converted the air strip back into fields, the creation of a memorial there, and continued interactions between the residents of Fowlmere and the 339th Fighter Group Association.

Sound recording : 1 sound cassette (ca. 50 min.) ; analog, 1 7/8 ips.Videorecording : 1 videocassette (ca. 50 min.) ; sd., col. ; 1/2 in.Master sound recording : 1 sound cassette (ca. 50 min.) ; analog, 1 7/8 ips.Transcript : 36 p.

Wisconsin Veterans Museum Research Center