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Descending, barely under control, the
disabled plane began running into the parachutists still in the air that had
jumped from earlier planes.
Chute after chute was snagged on the
wings and tail section of the disabled plane as it plunged earthward, and
burst into flames upon impact.
The parachutists in the disabled plane
jumped safely. However, the aircraft crew of four died, and seven regimental
Headquarters Company paratroopers were killed in the air.
Unrelated to the aircraft accident,
but a great loss, Private Charles L Clemons (Hq1) was killed during the jump
when his main and reserve parachutes malfunctioned.
Additional replacements for Hq1 had
arrived from England and required orientation to prepare them for combat.
Accordingly, Hq1 implemented a vigorous training schedule. Concurrently,
new weapons were issued to replace those damaged or destroyed during the Ardennes
campaign.
On April 4, 1945, the 508th
PIR’s long attachment to the 82nd Airborne Division ended and the
regiment came under the direct control of the First Allied Airborne Army.
The 508th PIR was immediately
alerted to prepare to parachute near prisoner-of-war camps deep in Germany
to liberate allied prisoners.
The regiment moved to airfields near
Chartres, southwest of Paris to prepare for the mission.
Hq1 men had ample time to visit the
fabled city of Paris. A great opportunity, as many men had not had a
chance to visit the city and enjoy its culture (art museums, monuments, cathedrals,
etc.). Although their combat equipment was kept alongside their bunks
at the airfields, their Class A uniforms and shiny boots got the most wear.
After several weeks at the airfield
with countless alerts, briefings and cancelled missions, the war in Europe
ended on May 8, 1945. The world was not yet free from war – and many
Hq1 men were concerned with a “rumor” that the 508th PIR would
be sent to the Pacific to fight the Japanese.
The 508th PIR moved back
to the Sissonne tent camp and waited for an assignment. It came quickly.
General Dwight D. Eisenhower had selected
the 508th PIR for his security force and honor guards at his headquarters
in Frankfurt-am-Main. Big sighs! The Pacific seemed further away – but
so did home.
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