Veteran Airmen return home Sept. 11

A painting titled "The 'Bloody 100th' - Yesterday and Today" is on display at the museum at Thorpe Abbotts, a former Royal Air Force airfield during World War II, which was home to the 100th Bomb Group. That bomb group moved to RAF Mildenhall and is now the 100th Air Refueling Wing. The KC-135 Stratotankers at RAF Mildenhall are still painted using the legendary Bloody 100th tail flashes. The painting, which was reproduced from the original by Ronald T.K. Wong April 1993, was given to the 100th ARW and depicts a ghost of the B-17 of the World War II era flying beside a 100th ARW KC-135. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Kevin Wallace)

Veteran Airmen return home Sept. 11

Capt. (ret.) Robert Wolff, former 100th Bomb Group prisoner of war, and his wife, Barbara, pose for a photo in front of a museum display depicting the current operations at RAF Mildenhall, England, during a tour of Thorpe Abbotts, Sept. 11, 2010. Captain Wolff was stationed at RAF Thorpe Abbotts during World War II. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Kevin Wallace)

Veteran Airmen return home Sept. 11

Capt. (ret.) Robert Shoens, pilot of the B-17 'Our Gal Sal,' Ron Batley, Thorpe Abbotts museum curator, and Robert Shoens Jr., discuss the way the airfield has changed over the years, Sept. 11, 2010. Mr. Batley and Captain Shoens were able to enlighten each other on various aspects. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Kevin Wallace)

Veteran Airmen return home Sept. 11

Published Sept. 11, 2010
By Tech. Sgt. Kevin Wallace
100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

RAF MILDENHALL, England -- Two World War II veteran Airmen and their guests visited former 100th Bombardment Group airfield, Thorpe Abbotts in Norfolk, England, Sept. 11.

Retired Capts. Robert Shoens, pilot of the B-17 'Our Gal Sal,' and Robert Wolff, former 100th Bomb Group prisoner of war, were accompanied by Robert Shoens Jr., son, and Barbara Wolff, wife.

Though this was his fifth return to Thorpe Abbotts since being discharged from the Army Air Force in 1945, Captain Shoens said, "I always feel like I'm coming home when I come back here."

The 100th Bomb Group mission was a drastic one, explained the former pilot, which is why the group was coined 'the Bloody 100th.' Captain Shoens recalls many days where they lost dozens of aircraft in single missions.

As a POW, Captain Wolff's experience during the war was much different than Captain Shoens'. Perhaps no one knows that more intimately than his wife of 65 years, who was engaged to him throughout the Great War.

Thinking about the thousands of wives, fiancés and girl friends today, who have their own loved ones serving downrange in Afghanistan and other theaters of conflict, Mrs. Wolff offered the following advice:

"Don't lose encouragement girls," she said. "Stay busy, mentally and physically. Someday all of this will be over and things will look much better for you."

Knowing that many spouses lost their loved ones in the Great War, recent conflicts and all of those battles between, many parents, children and significant others have continued to sacrifice and suffer. Mrs. Wolff said she keeps all those people in her daily thoughts.

In addition to visiting Thorpe Abbotts, the distinguished visitors toured current operation units on RAF Mildenhall, visited static KC-135 Stratotanker displays and flight simulators, stopped over to Madingley American Cemetery near Cambridge, and celebrated the Air Force Ball with RAF Mildenhall and Lakenheath Airmen.

The 100th Bomb Group and its subordinate 351st Bomb Squadron have direct lineage to the 100th Air Refueling Wing and subordinate 351st Air Refueling Squadron, operating out of RAF Mildenhall, today.