· RUEL SK

134 CRUEL SKY
tube implanted inside for drug injections. They cut and shaved my head so the burn blisters
wouldn't become infected. The burns were the most painful and I felt like I was on fIre. I
thought it would kill me. I saw one Jewish airman from our group who had a burned face
from his oxygen mask flash back from a shell. I saw several others with broken legs and
many others all shot up like me. What mercy war has."
Howard Boldt: "I did not remember waking until he arrived at Obermassfeld. They
must have given me more shots although I did not remember getting them. I had been on a
train and was being carried on a stretcher by British soldiers. I did not know if they were
actually British or not. I had heard that the Germans used all sorts of ploys and I was
suspicious of everyone. They wanted to know the latest news but I would not say anything.
"I was taken into this building which turned out to be the main orthopedic hospital,
Stalag IX-C. I was left in a very small room and a British officer came in. He asked me if I
had a watch, ring or anything of value. When I nodded yes, he told me to let him have
them as I would be searched by soldiers in a moment. I gave them to him as I felt that he
could have taken them if he had wanted. He had no sooner put it in his pocket than two
German soldiers came in and the fIrst thing they looked for was my watch. They were
disappointed that I did not have one and after a quick search, left the room.
"This officer then gave my watch, wedding ring, and a gold identifIcation bracelet
back and told me that I could put them back on as I would not be searched again. I really
became suspicious as I thought that he was an imposter and had gone through that to gain
my confIdence. He also wanted to know the latest news, but I told him that I could not
remember what had happened, especially the day that I was shot down. I really could not
have told too much anyway as everything becomes very hazy.
"I was waiting outside the operating room when a doctor came to me. "I am Captain
Barling. Mister, it looks like we will have to amputate your left leg to save your life, is that
OK?"
"I told him to do whatever he had to. It did not sound like I had much of a choice.
They did not amputate but after the operation I was placed in a room with another fellow.
They left an orderly with us and told him to let them know when we died. I woke up and
told him that I was thirsty. He bribed a German guard and got me several bottles of beer. I
never was much of a drinker but he said that I drank them one after the other. I found out