An American Glider Pilot’s Story

Merriam Press World War 2 Memoir SeriesThis is the story of one American glider pilot in World War II. After enlisting in the Army in May 1941, Gale Ammerman went through basic training and was then sent to Chanute Field where he began training to become an airplane mechanic, eventually becoming an airplane crew chief.Later, in July 1942, Gale volunteered for glider pilot training, learning first to fly powered light planes at Spencer, Iowa, then going to South Plains Army Flying School at Lubbock, Texas, in August 1942 to begin glider training as a member of Class 42-19A.Then in April 1943 Gale arrived at Bowman Field for additional flight training; he also received training in ground combat since glider pilots might be required to fight as infantry after a combat landing.In July 1943 Gale joined the 81st Troop Carrier Squadron of the 436th Troop Carrier Group and after more training, the unit set off for England on 24 December 1943.Gale then flew gliders into combat during the Normandy invasion, Holland, and Rhine crossing operations, and his accounts of these episodes are detailed and riveting.This is not just a book about flying and fighting, as Gale includes accounts of his family and civilian acquaintances on the home front.You will not soon forget the story of a young man who went off to war as a member of one of the most dangerous occupations of any combat arm.ContentsEarly OnEnlistmentAirplane Mechanics School, Chanute FieldThe Crew ChiefFlying Power PlanesGlider Pilot TrainingLearning to be a FighterAssigned to the 436th TCG, 81st TCSOn to North CarolinaJane and Gale Tie the KnotFlying a Crippled CG-4A GliderCompleting Flight Training in the U.S.Transfer to Baer FieldOff to WarD-Day at LastHollandThe Rhine CrossingThe End in EuropeHomeThe 81st TCS AssociationThe ETO Re-Visited26 photos, 40 documentsReview by Meredith Knox DiversMy father, Ralph Knox, was a Glider Pilot in World War II. I have just finished Mr. Ammerman's book and I can't tell you how grateful I am to Mr. Ammerman for sharing his recollections. My father followed almost exactly the same course in the military as Mr. Ammerman. He trained at some of the same bases, went to Europe on the Queen Mary, was stationed at Membury, participated in D-Day (flying a Horsa), Market Garden and Varsity. Daddy always spoke fondly of his time in Membury and England, but would never talk much about the war. The only thing he ever said about D-Day was that when he got out of the glider, he kept his rifle trained on what he thought was a German soldier. As dawn broke, the German soldier turned out to be a stump. I have always wondered what the war was like for the Glider Pilots and now thanks to Mr. Ammerman I have a little inkling as to what they went through. After Daddy died I began to correspond with some of his war buddies and have learned quite a bit through them. They are an outstanding bunch. One of them, Buck Buchanan, gave me this book which was autographed by Mr. Ammerman for my birthday. He had just returned from the Troop Carrier Group reunion in Chattanooga and I guess Mr. Ammerman was there. I have encouraged Buck to write his memoirs as well. Thank you so much for publishing this. It is something that I will treasure and pass on to my son so that he fully appreciates what his Grandfather and others like him did for their country.