Description:

DON ECHOLS (458TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP, 8TH AIR FORCE)
A fine grouping of memorabilia from and concerning DON ECHOLS of the 458th Bombardment Group, 8th Air Force. It is unknown how the Army missed it, but for a time Don and his twin brother, John, both served as gunners on the same B-24, the ‘Rough Riders'. Don was wounded on his 14th mission while serving on the ‘Rough Riders' with his brother on Aug. 25, 1944. They were on a short mission to Belgium, but were unaware the Germans had moved some of their heavy anti-aircraft railway guns to their entry point into the country and were hit hard by a burst of flak. Don and another member of the crew were seriously injured, but the men finished their bombing mission concluding with an impressive landing of the plane despite its damage. Following this mission and three months of recovery, Don received the Purple Heart Medal, was returned to the States, and served as a gunnery instructor. Offered here is the book: ‘The Air War in Europe' (New Jersey: Time Life Books Inc.), 1981. 208 pp. large 4to., containing a lengthy annotation by Don Echols on the second flyleaf, in which he explains his involvement with the mission flown by the crew featured in the image on the cover. In part: ‘This picture on cover was taken on 8/11/44 at Horsham St. Faith Army Air Base...the crew flew with the 458th Bomb Group 8th Air Force...This crew finished their 30 missions Sept. '44 – our crew flew through winter to complete its tour – I was wounded on August 25 '44, spent nearly 3 months in hospitals and returned to duty as gunner instructor on B-29s. I flew as gunner in nose turret shown for 14 missions...'; WITH his personal copy of ‘Get That Fighter' A.A.F. handbook, dated Nov. 1, 1943. Accompanied by a card stating in part: ‘...a basic manual issued to aerial gunnery students when they first attend the 6 week course. I attended the Las Vegas, Nevada school in Dec '43 and graduated in early Feb. '44. This booklet was mine – It was surprising how effective the schools were as we came out very proficient – or at least we thought so...'. The booklet has come loose from the cover, but otherwise is very good and contains several illustrations and diagrams. This lot is sold with a copy of a press release photo showing the Echols twins posing in front of the ‘Rough Riders', two 4 x 6 in. modern print color photos of the two leaning out of a plane, a photocopy of a wartime letter from John to his grandparents, and a few articles on ‘The man who loves liberators'. Very nice collection of an American hero for the A.A.F. enthusiast.

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April 26, 2024 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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