Les Schrenk and Casey Bukowski already share a particular bond as World Conflict II veterans. In spite of everything, not many from the Biggest Era are nonetheless alive.
However when Schrenk, 102, and Bukowski, 101, met for the primary time to have a good time Schrenk’s birthday in November, the veterans realized they shared far more in frequent than merely serving in WWII.
- Each males have been employees sergeants
- Each have been gunners on B17 bombers
- Each have been shot down by enemy forces on the identical day – Feb. 22, 1944
- Each have been captured and frolicked in the identical jail of conflict camp
Schrenk instructed CBS News Minnesota that he’s corresponded with many POWs from World Conflict II by means of the years, however “each one in all them is gone for a very good variety of years now.”
He was a bit shocked to seek out out about Bukowski, that he was nonetheless alive, and that they shared so many wartime experiences.
Planning the Particular Assembly
Getting these two veterans collectively took some work. Schrenk lives in Bloomington, Minnesota, whereas Bukowski’s house is close to Buffalo, New York. However their associates, Mike Johnson and Jared Cummins, one other veteran, began corresponding and after they realized about their close to equivalent tales, they knew they have to organize a gathering. They chose a date and time and selected the St. Paul Air Drive Museum because the place.
Bukowski admitted to feeling considerably apprehensive concerning the assembly, particularly sharing recollections with one other POW, however as soon as he met Schrenk, he felt relaxed.
“Truly, unbelievable. As a result of I had doubts about what would happen and the way to strategy this factor,” Bukowski stated.
For Schrenk, the rendezvous was a pleasing method to have a good time birthday No. 102.
So Near Every Different
When Bukowski and Schrenk hopped into the cockpits of their B17s on Feb. 22, 1944, they didn’t understand their lives would quickly change.
Bukowski suffered accidents when his airplane was shot down.
“I misplaced my eye at the moment and had a shrapnel wound, and I used to be knocked out,” Bukowski stated.
Each pilots bailed out, deploying parachutes. The Germans grabbed Schrenk in Denmark, and Bukowski was captured in Germany.
“That’s wonderful. We have been virtually shaking palms, and but, we didn’t know one another,” Bukowski stated.
They have been despatched to the identical POW camp and subjected to the identical deplorable circumstances. Compelled in opposition to their will, they have been even subjected to an 86-day dying march. Lots of their comrades didn’t survive.
“All of us had very extreme dysentery, fleas, lice, and mattress bugs. And, after all, the chilly,” Schrenk stated.
To make the scenario worse, the march got here in the course of the notorious winter of 1944-45.
“Truly, they instructed us that it was the worst winter in a few years. The coldest winter,” Bukowski stated.
Lastly Saved, Finish of the Conflict
After greater than a 12 months in captivity, the veterans’ prayers have been lastly answered. Liberation day.
American troops liberated Burkowski concerning the time British troopers freed Schrenk.
“Lastly, for us, the conflict was over, and we have been ready to think about going residence,” Bukowski stated.
Each veterans have been possible inside earshot of one another as POWs and on the dying march, but greater than eight many years handed earlier than they might finally meet.
As they began speaking and swapping tales, previous photographs have been handed round. That’s after they seen one other odd coincidence. Posing in flight crew photographs, they’re positioned in the identical spot – again row, second from left.
“We every introduced our personal recollections again to one another,” Bukowski stated. “We have been collectively however did not even comprehend it.”
Whereas a lot time has handed for the reason that days of 1944 and 1945, each Schrenk and Bukowski are in comparatively sturdy well being, bodily and mentally.
“We’re each fairly cell and may clearly keep in mind what occurred even 80-some years in the past,” Schrenk stated.
Extra lately, Schrenk flew again to Europe to go to a number of the World Conflict II battle websites. He instructed WBZ News in Boston that he’s traveled abroad earlier than, which helped him heal and make amends with former enemies.
“After the conflict, truly monitoring down the German pilot that shot me down, going to go to him, and turning into associates,” Schrenk stated.
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