G. Vince Howell Papers

1943-1944
Manuscript Collection #213
Creator(s)
Howell, G. Vince
Physical description
0.073 Cubic Feet, 1 volume , diary.
Preferred Citation
G. Vince Howell Papers (#213), East Carolina Manuscript Collection, J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA.
Repository
ECU Manuscript Collection
Access
Access to audiovisual and digital media is restricted. Please contact Special Collections for more information.

Collection contains a World War II diary (1943-1944) kept by a member of the U.S. Army Air Corps while participating in bombing missions over Germany.


Biographical/historical information

G. Vince Howell, Jr. was born in Waynesville, N.C., and attended N.C. State University. He was inducted into the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1942 and was trained at various stateside bases before being sent to England in 1943. After participating in twenty-three successful bombing missions over Germany, his plane was shot down on April 29, 1944. Howell was captured by German forces and imprisoned at Stalag 17-B, where he remained until liberated a year later.


Scope and arrangement

The collection consists of a diary kept by Sgt. Howell while serving in the Army Air Force in Europe during World War II. The diary begins November 10, 1943, when Howell was preparing to go overseas, and ends April 26, 1944, three days prior to his capture by the Germans.

At the beginning of the diary is a listing and brief description of the twenty-three missions Sgt. Howell flew over Europe. Such information as the dates and destinations of the missions is provided along with the many technical problems encountered, the amount of enemy resistance, and the number of casualties sustained in each raid. Of particular interest is the number of missions in which no bombs were dropped and the many technical problems encountered during the flights, such as "blow-outs" in the oxygen and hydraulic systems and failures with the gun turrets.

The daily citations begin with Sgt. Howell leaving Herrington A.A.B., Kansas, and follows his flight to England by way of South America and Africa. The diary reflects Howell's daily routine of classes, off-duty relaxation, and preparations for flying. Of interest are the numerous occasions on which Howell was briefed and prepared to fly his mission only to be canceled. The diary concludes with a list of names and addresses and a short note to Sgt. Howell's mother, telling her who to notify in case of his missing in action.


Administrative information
Custodial History

September 15, 1972, 1 volume; World War II diary (1943-1944). Deposited by Mr. Howell, Greenville, N.C.

Source of acquisition

Gift of Mr. Howell

Processing information

Processed by D. Lennon, February 1975

Encoded by Apex Data Services

Copyright notice

Literary rights to specific documents are retained by the authors or their descendants in accordance with U.S. copyright law.


Related material

G. Vince Howell Oral History Interview (OH0020) East Carolina Manuscript Collection, J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA


Key terms
Personal Names
Howell, G. Vince
Corporate Names
United States. Army. Air Corps--Military life
Topical
Soldiers--United States--Diaries
World War, 1939-1945--Aerial operations
World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--Europe
World War, 1939-1945--Casualties--Statistics