Peter Kaššák, Published Author
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email: pkassak@yahoo.com
Website:
http://www.kaso.ahoj.sk/the_15th_usaaf
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The book "A One Crew War" is a story of one crew
of a 464th Bombardment Group B-24 Liberator bomber as told by three 464th Bombardment Group
crewmates — Neal Cobb, Claude H. Davis, Jr. and George O. Winberg.
Their story ranges from basic training, through assignment
to the 15th United States Army Air Force, to their final mission at Blechhammer on 7 July 1944,
to their return home after the war.
These 464th crewmen were shot down over Slovakia,
taken captive, where they then made their escape. They were rescued by the OSS. It
is their story that Peter presents in this book.
This is a unique tale of luck, loss, faith and friendship
from WWII.
This book was compiled and edited by Peter Kaššák.
Peter used historical notes and corrections to give the most accurate look at these
men's lives during those war torn days.
Author's Note:
Dear Reader,
During my research on the 15th USAAF operations over
Slovakia and questioning the crewmembers that were shot down over Slovakia in 1944 and 1945,
I was fortunate to locate and contact many of the survivors.
All the stories are very interesting and even breathtaking, as
the stories of survival, suffering and fear of war on one side, and pure friendship, help and
unselfishness on the other side can be.
But the fate of one of these crews somehow stuck to my heart.
The crash site was one of the first I have visited. Local people I
have interviewed were first witnesses to the last moments of the Liberator bomber at Dolny
Lieskov. And the airmen, whose story is being told here, were the first contacts on my long
journey in search of information.
Neal Cobb, Claude H. Davis, Jr. and George O. Winberg are
telling us about their first visit to Slovakia for which they did not volunteer. Most of the story
is from the pen of Claude H. Davis, Jr. George Winberg and Neal Cobb added short stories
and their memories became the background for my editor's notes.
I tried to put the story together in chronological order as it
happened, and took the liberty to edit a bit the stories by my own historical findings, based
on the study of archival materials and blended these with photos to make an already
interesting story more colorful.
I hope my effort will be crowned by success and you will be
able to move back in time to 1944, to Slovakia, this small country in the heart of Europe,
to find out about those times and about what these men went through.
And, of course, to give silent tribute to those who did not survive.
Peter Kaššák
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Peter Kaššák's book, "A One Crew War" (ISBN 978-8-0969-6388-1)
can be ordered by going to http://books.lulu.com/content/623500.
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![[Graphic] Snapshots from the 464th Bombardment Group.](images/flagd.jpg)