Yesterday I walked with my walking companion Ted..a cocker spaniel, up to the control tower and around the airfield and surrounding beautiful countryside at the Framlingham base.Very misty and cold, it gave an added atmosphere to what already is an extraordinary place .Hardly a second passed by without these brave men/boys in my thoughts. Raymond you too were in my thoughts and your daughter, for the great contribution you both have made in keeping these heroes experiences very much alive. Thank you so much.
Excellent interview, so interesting and what a nice man! His story confirms the experiences of William Pace, Ball Turret Gunner in the same plane, the Asterick it was called I believe. A totally different ending of the POW-life though. William was put on a forced travel to the West, in awful circumstances, while Custis stayed where he was, waiting on the Russians. I suppose because he was in an officers camp?
This chap is sharp, great memory and great detail. Not finished yet - but this is a star interview. He also sounds really good company. There is wit, a quick mind, no stumbling trailing away. These great interviews sadden me more - because I actually mourn not being able to visit and get to know him and his stories. Once again, I really wish they all got a bonus couple of decades, at least. They earned it and most of us are reflecting that we lost so many chances to beg stories from people now gone I remember searching for a chap - the only person alive who had flown as crew with a navigator, left alive. I had 2 states to search. Time went on, everywhere a dead end. Then I spoke to one chap who said, I thought he died in the war... So I checked records. He had been killed in the war, about a year after my navigator. I realised nobody who had flown with him was alive. I had just taken the suggestion of a fellow squadron member, who somehow forgot the other chap's death. I learnt then, to never 100% believe assurances. Always check records, no matter what you are told. It never hurts to double check.
Superb interview!! Have you considered editing the description and linking this video with Bill Pace's interview since they were crew mates on the same B17? Just a thought. Thank you for recording these glimpses back in time of the extraordinary individuals that fought in WWII🙏!! I bet these guys were something else in person, eh? Though I've only completed a hand full of your interviews, each gentleman's recollection is uncanny and surely is a reflection of their generation's dignity. Thank you, from Texas!!👍 👍
OMD! Just at the point of the plane exploding! This is UTTERLY thrilling! If anyone wants another extraordinary story about another plane exploding, have a search for Joe Hermann and John Vivash. I think you will agree it actually tops this story - but only because of it's rarity. Joe could have had a pretty normal story of having to bale out with parachute - but Joe was tall and thin and bony and sitting on his parachute was uncomfortable. So when Joe's plane is badly hit, Joe has to crawl to his parachute... What happened next is a matter of military history and an extraordinary story of the war...
If you are checking comments before listening, this was top notch.
Such a likable man. Still sharp and intelligent - and a great personal story.
I was just thinking how great this interview was. I appreciate all of the men who served and the interviews but this one was great as you said
Yesterday I walked with my walking companion Ted..a cocker spaniel, up to the control tower and around the airfield and surrounding beautiful countryside at the Framlingham base.Very misty and cold, it gave an added atmosphere to what already is an extraordinary place .Hardly a second passed by without these brave men/boys in my thoughts. Raymond you too were in my thoughts and your daughter, for the great contribution you both have made in keeping these heroes experiences very much alive. Thank you so much.
You've described a wonderful peaceful morning. Thank you for sharing this with us. Raymond
Wow what a great Man, to experience what he went through and survive. He like so many who went to war and was able to have a good life afterwards.
All these interviews are amazing. Thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it!
They were the best of the best and very brave young men.
This of all from this series,in my opinion was remarkable.The depth of his description of time as POW and career after war over was at the top.
Another amazing interview Raymond. You have provided an awesome service to the memory of our fighters for freedom, otherwise lost to time. Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for watching.
Excellent interview! Thanks for posting.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks for another amazing interview. It was amazing this airman survived and returned home.
What a great guy.
Excellent interview, so interesting and what a nice man! His story confirms the experiences of William Pace, Ball Turret Gunner in the same plane, the Asterick it was called I believe. A totally different ending of the POW-life though. William was put on a forced travel to the West, in awful circumstances, while Custis stayed where he was, waiting on the Russians. I suppose because he was in an officers camp?
This chap is sharp, great memory and great detail. Not finished yet - but this is a star interview.
He also sounds really good company. There is wit, a quick mind, no stumbling trailing away.
These great interviews sadden me more - because I actually mourn not being able to visit and get to know him and his stories.
Once again, I really wish they all got a bonus couple of decades, at least. They earned it and most of us are reflecting that we lost so many chances to beg stories from people now gone
I remember searching for a chap - the only person alive who had flown as crew with a navigator, left alive. I had 2 states to search. Time went on, everywhere a dead end. Then I spoke to one chap who said, I thought he died in the war...
So I checked records. He had been killed in the war, about a year after my navigator. I realised nobody who had flown with him was alive. I had just taken the suggestion of a fellow squadron member, who somehow forgot the other chap's death. I learnt then, to never 100% believe assurances. Always check records, no matter what you are told. It never hurts to double check.
Superb interview!! Have you considered editing the description and linking this video with Bill Pace's interview since they were crew mates on the same B17?
Just a thought. Thank you for recording these glimpses back in time of the extraordinary individuals that fought in WWII🙏!! I bet these guys were something else in person, eh? Though I've only completed a hand full of your interviews, each gentleman's recollection is uncanny and surely is a reflection of their generation's dignity. Thank you, from Texas!!👍 👍
As always,thankful for unwavering service,USA
Anyone have this guy as a vocal teacher in Portland?
OMD! Just at the point of the plane exploding! This is UTTERLY thrilling!
If anyone wants another extraordinary story about another plane exploding, have a search for Joe Hermann and John Vivash.
I think you will agree it actually tops this story - but only because of it's rarity. Joe could have had a pretty normal story of having to bale out with parachute - but Joe was tall and thin and bony and sitting on his parachute was uncomfortable. So when Joe's plane is badly hit, Joe has to crawl to his parachute...
What happened next is a matter of military history and an extraordinary story of the war...
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏