{"product_id":"original-u-s-wwii-aaf-prisoner-of-war-grouping-with-western-union-telegrams-unpublished-memoir-caterpillar-club-card-and-great-ephemera-staff-sergeant-james-i-quillin","title":"Original U.S. WWII AAF Prisoner of War Grouping with Western Union Telegrams, Unpublished Memoir, Caterpillar Club Card, and Great Ephemera - Staff Sergeant James I. Quillin","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Items. One-of-a-Kind Group. This is the outstanding ephemera grouping of Prisoner of War Staff Sergeant James Irving Quillin, 508th Bombardment Group, 351st Bombardment Group, whose B-17 Flying Fortress was shot down on October 9th, 1943. Quillin was taken as a German Prisoner of War, and spent very long in captivity at Stalag Luft 3. The grouping includes several Western Union telegrams and letters alerting his family of his capture and return to the military, as well as an outstanding unpublished memoir. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe grouping includes: \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Nine Western Union Telegrams dating from 1943-1945 alerting Quillin’s family of his plane being shot down, his capture, alerts from the International Red Cross, and his return to Military control. Three have their original envelopes. These would look amazing all framed together. \u003cbr\u003e- Letter from Illinois American Legion Commander asking if there’s anything they can do to help during this time.\u003cbr\u003e- Letter from Army Air Forces HQ in Washington alerting his father of his plane being shot down. \u003cbr\u003e- Quillin’s official Caterpillar Club membership card from Irving Air Chute Co.\u003cbr\u003e- Letter sent to Quillin from his parents on “Prisoner of War Post”. Also included is an empty unfilled out version.\u003cbr\u003e- Excerpt pages from Kriegie Memories by Ben H. Phelper, with many photos of time in captivity including ID Photo taken in interrogation center which appears to be of Quillin.\u003cbr\u003e- Two pages showing the four missions Quillin went on before being shot down on his fourth on October 9th, 1943. He is listed as Lower Waist Gunner.\u003cbr\u003e- Nine-page memoir \/ interview recorded by Amy Chapman for a class, the cover page of which notes that she got an “A” on the assignment. The interview discusses his time in service and in captivity and has some great information.\u003cbr\u003e- Printed Stalag XVIIB description and analysis compiled by Military Intelligence Service in July 1944. 8 pages. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJames Irving Quillin was born on June 4th, 1924 in Geneseo, Illinois. His father had been a World War I veteran, so he said it was just natural for him to want to do his part too. He volunteered for the war in August 1942. He’d wanted to join the Armored divisions, but his family convinced him to join the Army Air Forces. He was trained as a flight engineer and promoted to Staff Sergeant. He traveled overseas around August 1943, and on the way over one of his plane’s engines blew up. While in training he’d actually met Clark Gable who was in charge of training films for recruits.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe flew his first mission on October 2nd, 1943 and his second on October 8th, 1943. On their third mission, they were meant to draw fire from enemy fighters so other planes could hit their targets. They were hit by a German fighter and the engine was knocked out. Quillin’s foot had been partially blown up as well. As he was parachuting down out of the bomber, a German fighter passed so close that he could see the pilot’s expression. When he landed he hit on his back in a plowed field as to not further hurt his foot. Germans tended to his wound with no avail and many school children came to meet the American who they called “Luft Gangster”. The Germans were actually very humane to him. His foot wouldn’t fully heal until June of 1944.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe arrived at Stalag XVII B in December 1943, and he goes on to describe life there, rations given, etc. In April 1945, the Russians got within 10 miles of the camp, and the Germans marched the prisoners 250-300 miles to Braunau Austria. In May 1945 Patton’s Army finally came to liberate the men. In June 1945 he returned to the US and enjoyed a 60 day furlough. He was discharged on August 29th, 1945 after 38 months of service, 19 of which he was a POW. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQuillin lived a long life afterwards and passed away on September 18th, 2007 at the age of 83.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an outstanding grouping with some great material. Comes ready for further research and display.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44544936247365,"sku":"ONJR26JARS83","price":595.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONJR26JARS83__1B.jpg?v=1768655381","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-wwii-aaf-prisoner-of-war-grouping-with-western-union-telegrams-unpublished-memoir-caterpillar-club-card-and-great-ephemera-staff-sergeant-james-i-quillin","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}