Norman L. Sisson Interview (2007)
World War II Oral Histories
Details
Collection:LPB
Genre: Interview
Place Covered: England, Germany
Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority
Date Issued: 2007-10-11
Duration: 00:32:51
Subjects: Sisson, Norman L. | World War II | Military | Veterans | United States. Army. Air Corps | World War, 1939-1945 -- Campaigns -- Europe | B-17 bomber | PILOTS | World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal narratives
Contributors:
- Sisson, Norman L. Interviewee
- Lefebvre, Marian Interviewer
Description
An oral history interview conducted on October 11, 2007, with Norman L. Sisson, a B-17 pilot with the 614th Squadron of the 401st Bombardment Group of the 8th Air Force during World War II. Sisson flew 35 combat missions over Germany at age 20. He discusses: enlisting in the Army Air Corps; his training; flying to Europe in a B-17; his first mission; the difficulties posed by anti-aircraft fire; flying his most difficult mission over the Politz engine manufacturing plant near Berlin, Germany; his missions over the synthetic oil manufacturing plant in Meersburg, Germany; how the crew made ice cream on the base; their flying uniforms; the experience of the German fighter pilots; befriending an English family in Cheddar; and his life after the war.