B-17 Gunner: Charles M. Eyer, Survivor of 59 Combat Missions and a Year in Nazi Captivity

In 1979, I transferred my Pennsylvania Army National Guard service to a unit in Hamburg, Pennsylvania. Of course, the two full time sergeants, Mike Werley and Craig Kleinsmith, were instrumental in convincing me to transfer from an armor unit in Johnstown to the Hamburg military police unit. While I was doing the paperwork, etc., I met the armory maintenance man, Charlie Eyer. He was certainly a friendly guy and in passing he stated he was a World War II veteran. I made small talk with him and we discussed that my father was also a World War II veteran, but we did not go into much specifics. Over the next three years, I served as a part time soldier at the unit and I saw Charlie many times. He was a great guy. In 1982, I transferred on to other opportunities, thus my connection with Charlie was gone, but I did keep in touch with Mike and Craig, both outstanding soldiers in their own right.When my military time was over in 1999 (retirement), I became a high school American History teacher. My specialty was the period 1600 to 1865, but I did from time to time study World Wars I and II. In 2015, I uncovered in the attic of my home my own father’s military medals, papers, etc. that had been given to me upon his death in 1987. I was certainly amazed at my father’s wartime career when he was 19 and discovered that he and my Aunt’s then boyfriend (Bill Howard), later husband, had tried to enlist together into the USAAF in 1943. Bill was accepted, Dad was rejected, later drafted and trained as a surveyor. Like Charlie, Bill was an enlisted airman and flew combat missions from England to Germany. I don’t know much about Bill’s service during the war, but I do know his plane was shot down over Germany, he was almost hanged by German civilians, and was in a POW camp and like Charlie survived the horrible death march. Like Charlie he talked little about the war, but he died at a very young age.Craig’s book is excellent. I was especially intrigued by the way he told the history in Charlie’s story. Of particular interest to me was the horrors of the ball gunner position and of his 80-day march. I agree with Craig that Charlie was probably the bravest man I too ever met, although I never knew it. I am so glad he found peace after the war at his home in Hamburg, Pennsylvania. I do not teach any more (retired 2017), but I would certainly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the history of the brave airmen who fought in Europe during World War II. Great job Craig!

I only gave this a 4 star rating because the airborne battle part of the story is lean, the story focuses mainly on his march out of the prison camp. I had heard of this march before but never in this kind of detail. You can easily call it the Bataan Death March of Europe. There are also several parts in the story that skip around so you feel like perhaps you missed something or why did the writer jump ahead or back a few months. But all in all, an incredible story of survival under harsh conditions. This was not Hogan's Heroes Luft Stalag or even some of the other tamer films that have been made about POW camps. This was a camp as brutal as any.

I was thrilled to see a book written about the B17 crew that my father was a part of. My dad was Bueford Lippolt, the tail Gunner in the plane. The book was captivating from begrinning to end. I had heard this story from my dad but not in this detail before. Charlie's time as a POW was horrifying. All the men who survived were heros. Thank you for writing about it so we will never forget their bravery. Barbara Lippolt Omelian

I was amazed at the terrible conditions that the POW's of WWII went through in captivity by the Germans. this is an excellent book that was Witten by reviewing a journal kept by SSG Eyer during his captivity, talks with the Author and videos that he made with his family about his military service before his death. once I started reading this book I couldn't put it down. Once again I proves that the Men that served In WWII were truly The Greatest Generation . I was proud and honored to have known Mr Eyer but never knew about his POW service until Mr Kleinsmith Brought his story to print.

This is a very well written book about the wartime experiences of a very special man. What makes it even better is the fact that it was written by not only a very knowlegable war historian but also a very close friend of the family. Thanks to Craig for the great job telling our fathers story!

This is a heartwrenching true account of survival. Mr. Eyer's suffering during the Black Death march tore my heart out. Great read!

There is nothing like reading these first hand accounts of war experiences. Although I have thought myself to be somewhat knowledgeable about military things, including WWII, I was really taken aback to read about "The March." It makes perfect sense that it unfolded the way it did, but the author is right that this terrible but compelling chapter of the war in Europe is not that well known. When I grew up in the 60s, my father had a helper who worked on all kinds of projects with him. He was short, quiet, and absolutely dependable rain or shine, snow or ice. He abhorred having to spend time indoors. I later learned that these "peculiarities arose from his experience as a POW, also shot down over Europe. Now, in retrospect, I can see he most likely experienced so much more than I ever realised. Given his size, who knows maybe he was a ball turret gunner. Anyway, great research and presentation of this story, thank you!