Preserving The Oral HistorIES of Combat Veterans
6:19 | Long after the war had ended, Erling Kindem remembers taking a trip to Europe to see some of the gravesites of his friends. Seeing the concentration camps was a very powerful reminder for him about why he fought for what he did.
Keywords : graveyard visiting Europe remembering German Hitler Air Force GI remembrance Italy concentration camp Memorial
Erling Kindem recounts the circumstances that led to his parents migrating from Norway to a small farm in Minnesota. Growing up with a big family during the war meant that he and his brothers went off to enlist soon after it started.
Just before his 18th birthday, Erling Kindem enlists in the Army Air Corps. He remembers some of the physical challenges that he found as he headed to Missouri for basic training. After thinking that he would
Erling Kindem remembers some special treatment he had the fortune of getting while stationed for training in Sioux Falls. After his time there, he transitioned to the hot deserts of Arizona for gunnery school.
Erling Kindem remembers his eventful trip across the Atlantic. Upon arrival in Italy, he saw the extreme poverty of war through the Italian townspeople before the cold of winter hit Italy.
In order to avoid civilian casualties during air raids over Italy, Erling Kindem's squadron had specific targets to cause maximum damage to infrastructure with minimal casualties. After operations like these, they underwent extensive briefing to assess how much damage was really done.
During long flights at high altitudes, Kindem and his squadron had to go to extra lengths to preserve oxygen. One particular mission, a group of Germans with an old American plane tried to join Kindem's formation and faced the consequences.
During missions, flak was a constant worry for Erling Kindem and his squadron. Once he transitioned into being a radio jammer, Kindem saw some very memorable sights while flying.
Through the many missions that Kindem faced, one in particular stands out where a crash landing seemed to be the only option for his plane.
Crossing back across the Atlantic from Europe was a journey for Kindem and his squadron. Upon coming home, he was greeted by his brothers who had also been discharged who had some stories to tell.
Transitioning into civilian life after the war was relatively seamless for Erling Kindem. Life in small-town Minnesota was easygoing for him and his wife.
The pains of war are still faintly with Erling Kindem, as he reminisces on the things he saw. He cannot emphasize enough the importance of serving your country however you can.
