Graham C Beachum

Barbara, (57th Bomb Wing Historical Researcher)  25 April, 2011 from his son Graham.   I knew the newly appointed Sq. Cmdr. was on the flight that day and was a survivor of the crash on Sardinia, but nothing more.  I think the German command moved all American and British pilots and officers from the eastern POW camps to Stalag Luft VII which was a larger camp and considered safe from the approaching Russian Army.  The Germans were concerned the Russians would liberate the prisoners and send them back to the allies to fly and bomb again.  Evidently the march of the 20K POW's from Sagan to Mooseberg was the most difficult part of my Dad's time as a POW.  It was the middle of winter and many of the POWs were in a weakened stat from having been prisoners for much longer than my Dad.  Stalag VII was where most of the US pilots flying out of North Africa, Italy, etc. ended up by the end of the war and was one of the last POW camps liberated.  I have aerial photos of both camps.  In 1954 my father met an a German gentleman who had served as an anti-aircraft gunner in Sardinia   Dad arrived in the North Africa theater of operation as a 2nd Lt and co-pilot.  He was promoted to Lt. and made a pilot after about 15 missions.  He committed / signed up for at least five more flights under the condition that he would be promoted to Capt. on the 30th mission.  That is why the Sq. Cmdr was with him on that flight, which was his 29th mission.   This is is the story I know and is supported by several documents that I believe you already have.  I will get a picture of dad scanned and sent to you...we have several of him in North Africa and his German POW ID book & photo.  There will be more to come as we dscover Graham's Journey.... from his proud son Graham. PRINCESSBARBI_B25@msn.com