Descriptive Summary |
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| Crearor: | Piech, Edward C., 1920-2011 |
| Title: | Diary of Captain Edward C. Piech (Rutgers College, Class 1949): Service in Army Air Corps in World War II |
| Dates: | February 16, 1942 - December 24, 1944 |
| Quantity: | .4 cubic feet (1 Manuscript Box) |
| Abstract: | The diary of Captain Edward C. Piech records the personal observations from February 16, 1942 - December 24, 1944. Entries include information about Piech’s enlistment, schooling; rosters of Squadron class persons, instructors, classes; military and leisure activities; weather conditions; people he met; personal ailments and social functions can be found; as well as his personal life, including enteries about meeting and marrying his wife, Jean Steel. |
| Collection No.: | R-MC 018 |
| Repository: | Rutgers University. Special Collections and University Archives |
Edward Piech was born May 26, 1920 in Sayerville, New Jersey. He is the son of Lawrence and Eva Wnek-Piech, both of whom were born in Poland. His father (August 1, 1886 - October 1969) worked as a operator/laborer at Sayerfisher and DuPont in Sayerville, New Jersey. His mother (December 12, 1893 - ?, 1986) was a housewife in Sayerville. His parents married in 1912, and had five children.
Edward’s oldest brother, Rudolph, born March 1, 1914, was a Captain in the U.S.A.A.F. as a Bomb Disposal, and graduated from Rutgers University in 1936 with a B.S. in Chemistry. Frank, born July 15, 1915 was in the Rutgers University class of 1938, and graduated with a B.S. in Chemistry. Emelia, born November 15, 1917, followed her siblings, and graduated from South River High School in 1935. Edward’s youngest sister, Irene, was born on January 27, 1925, and graduated from Douglas College for Women with a B.A. in 1946. Edward graduated from South River High School in 1937, and began working for DuPont in 1938. Piech entered Rutgers University in September 1941, but left R.U. to enlist in the U.S. Army Air Force in April 1942. He went back to Rutgers on the G.I. Bill in 1945, and graduated with a B.S. in Chemistry in 1949.
On February 16, 1942, Edward took his physical and mental examinations for the Army Air Corps in Trenton, New Jersey, and formally enlisted on April 11, 1942. As an aviation cadet, he trained with Squadron 82 on Williams Airfield, Arizona, and earned his wings as a bombardier (2nd Lieutenant) on January 2, 1943. By June 1943, Piech was in England with the 8th Air Force, 351st group, 509th Squadron, and was flying B-17's as the bombardier in July. His first mission was on July 26, 1943 into Hamburg. Four days later, Piech was part of the Flying Fortress over Kassel, during which his plane was struck, and he was lucky to have survived. On his fifth mission, which he flew with a full crew, he earned the Air Medal. Piech earned his first Oak Leaf Cluster on August 31, 1943 [Piech earned 3 additional Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Distinguished Flying Cross by 1944]. By November 1943, Piech was commissioned at a 1st Lieutenant, and was the lead bombardier for his group.
In January 1944, Piech was offered a position as the bombardier for Lt. General Ira C. Eaker’s [Chief of the 8th Air Force bomber offensive, 1942, North Africa] crew in North Africa, after completing 24 of his required 25 missions. He did indeed make his 25th mission that month upon flying to North Africa, and logged many flights into the Mediterranean area and back. Upon arriving back in England in February, Major General Anderson suggested to him that he return to the United States and take a position as a bombardier instructor for the men training home.
In April 1944, Piech set sail from Scotland to the United States. After a month of liberty, Piech was cleared for pilot training he had applied for in May. Since he unfortunately did not quite make the cut for final pilot training, he began his career as a Bombardier Instructor in July with the 2nd Air Force. Continuing to learn on the job, and taking pride in his students, Piech settled into his new job and the social life in McCook field, Nebraska. His “horrid” experiences of battle and disappointment with pilot training were overcome when he met Jean Steel on August 19, 1944, who became his wife on November 26, 1944. Piech was promoted to Captain on December 14, 1944.
After the war was over, Piech was discharged from the U.S.A.A.F. in September 1945, from which he re-entered Rutgers University. While in school, Edward and Jean became parents on May 5, 1947, when their first son Christopher John was born (who went on to graduate from Georgetown University with a B.A. in History in 1969). Edward graduated from Rutgers in 1949, and began working for Carter Products-Wallace Laboratories in North Brunswick, N.J. as a research chemist.
On April 16, 1952, the Piech’s second son, Mark, was born. (Mark graduated from Lafayette University in 1974 with a B.A. in Economics). Edward, in 1953, moved to Johnson and Johnson in New Brunswick, N.J., where he settled his career (as a research scientist until 1961, and then as a technical scientist until 1988 and through retirement).
Captain Edward C. Piech, a recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, a bombardier in war, a member of General Ira Eaker’s personal crew, a Bombardier Instructor in the U.S., a Rutgers University Alumnus, a professional Chemist, a father of two, and a loving husband, brought his personal diary to the Rutgers University Special Collections and University Archives in 1996. It is from this source that we have been fortunate to learn more about the experience of World War II, and life in the 1940's. This diary is a supplement to the Rutgers University Oral History Archives of World War II, sponsored by the Class of 1942. Further information about this project can be obtained in Special Collections, or through the History Department in Van Dyck Hall on College Avenue Campus, or by contacting the head of the project, Mr. Kurt Pielher.
The diary of Edward C. Piech spans most of his career in the United States Army Air Force from 1942 - 1944. It contains basic entries of Piech’s daily activities (i.e. meals he ate, movies seen, people met, magazines/book read, games played), military duties (i.e. flights/missions, travel depots), and personal insights (i.e. opinions, feelings, or family events). There are a few entries of Piech’s awards, but not all of them are noted (i.e. dates he earned the Distinguished Flying Cross or 3 of 4 Oak Leaf Clusters). Towards the end of 1944, Piech’s entries dwindled to “no time to write” statements, which is nonetheless useful when constructing Piech’s experiences during the war. His experiences were noted within the context of the chronology of World War II in order to best reflect Piech’s position as a participant, and to provide a broad sense of Piech’s actions during the war. It is also a means of marking the most significant points in the war in relation to the military’s (in this case the U.S.A.A.F.) operations.
Such source provides valuable information about the experiences of a bombardier in World War II, and the extent of a tour of duty. Although each individual’s experiences are different, Piech’s diary acts as a stepping stone to how those who served lived through the war’s darker sides. In addition, it is unique to note that Piech, despite being in the middle of war, managed to notice the stars at night, the number of letters he received/wrote, buddies whom he met or lost, what he thought of movies he had seen or books he read. Although Piech was part of the largest war the world had ever experienced, he nevertheless made the best of the situation, which earned him several awards and promotions, and even brought him into love.
This information is not only valuable to historians of the war, but to anyone intrigued with the social, psychological, political, cultural, economic, and military aspects of war life. Additional information to complement Piech’s diary can be found in the Oral History Archives of World War II. Additional collections about World War II can also be found throughout the Rutgers University Libraries, in the Center for Historical Studies on College Avenue Campus, and Special Collections and University Archives in Alexander Library.
An Interview with Edward C. Piech for the Rutgers Oral History Archives of World War II is available online: Interview with Edward C. Piech
Transcribed and annotated copy of Captain Edward C. Piech's diary is available online: Diary of Edward C. Piech
Diary of Captain Edward C. Piech (Rutgers College, Class 1949): Service in Army Air Corps in World War II (R-MC 018), Special Collections and University Archives, Rutgers University Libraries.
This section provides descriptions of the materials found within each series. Each series description is followed by a container list, which gives the titles of the "containers" (for example, folders, volumes, or cassettes) and their locations in the numbered boxes that comprise the collection. The availability of any digital items from a container is indicated with a hyperlink.
| Diary of Captain Edward C. Piech, February 16, 1942 - December 24, 1944 | |||||||||||
| Box | Folder | ||||||||||
| 1 | 1 | February 16, 1942 - December 31, 1942 | |||||||||
| “Diary of Army Career” begins when Edward Piech takes the mental and physical examinations in Trenton, New Jersey for the Army. Entries of Piech’s enlistment, schooling; rosters of Squadron class persons, instructors, classes; military and leisure activities; weather conditions; people he met; personal ailments and social functions can be found. | |||||||||||
| 2 | January 1, 1943 - February 10, 1943 | ||||||||||
| Graduating from flight school, Piech earns his wings. Brief entries of his flights to various Airfields throughout the United States, additional classes attended, day-to-day routines, and Army Air Force training problems (i.e. crash in Fran Field). | |||||||||||
| 3 | February 11, 1943 - March 31, 1943 | ||||||||||
| Continued logs of daily activities. Other entries of Air Force training crashes and personal ailments (here, an ear infection) grounds Piech from flight until his gunnery mission on March 26th. | |||||||||||
| 4 | April 1, 1943 - May 10, 1943 | ||||||||||
| Other A.F. crashes mentioned. Logs of Piech’s daily activities, recreational functions, and people with whom he socialized mentioned. Piech took his first cross-country flight on May 2nd. | |||||||||||
| 5 | May 11, 1943 - June 30, 1943 | ||||||||||
| Accidents, daily activities, flights around the countries to various air fields logged. Piech, after going on leave from May 21-26th, remained in the United States until June 3rd, when he flew to Newfoundland on his way to England. From England, Piech began his bombardier air missions and additional combat classes. | |||||||||||
| 6 | July 1, 1943 - August 10, 1943 | ||||||||||
| Piech finishes school and is assigned to the 351 group, 509th Squadron. He mentions his meeting Clark Gable, and attendance to USO rallies with Bob Hope. Several missions were scrubbed before his first one began (July 26). The entry for July 30th details his fourth mission, during which he was hit with anti-air flak, causing problems to his plane. | |||||||||||
| 7 | August 11, 1943 - September 31, 1943 | ||||||||||
| In addition to daily activities/routines, Piech logs many airfields to which he traveled in his missions. Among them are Schweinfurt (Nazi ball bearing factory), which he describes as “some alloy metal factory that produces 85% of German needs.” Many of the missions (5th - 18th) are several hours long; one which earns him the Air Medal, and another for which he receives his first Oak Leaf Cluster. Piech also makes notes of those killed in battle, the pay loads of bombs on his plane, and Italy’s surrender. However, he also notices the night sky’s stars, his nephew’s birth, magazines read and RUOL from Rutgers University. | |||||||||||
| 8 | October 1, 1943 - November 10, 1943 | ||||||||||
| Earning his Navigator’s Certificate, and being commissioned as 1st Lieutenant, Piech continues his missions (19th - 20th) into Germany. He also notes an U.S.A.A.F. movie shown to the men, “Victory Through Air Power.” | |||||||||||
| 9 | November 11, 1943 - December 31, 1943 | ||||||||||
| Daily activities/routines, personal ailments and snow (“What a pleasant surprise”) are experienced. Additional bombing missions into Germany and France are noted. Piech notes receiving the October Rutgers University Alumni Monthly, and details his flight time for 1943. | |||||||||||
| 10 | January 1, 1944 - February 10, 1944 | ||||||||||
| Piech was offered a position on Lt. General Eaker’s crew in Africa, and leaves England. He completes his required 25 missions, and has an option to go home or re-enlist for another tour. Flying around Arabic countries to Italy and back, Piech chauffeured Lt. Gen. Eaker’s crew, and was away from the “horrid experiences and battles in the air.” | |||||||||||
| 11 | February 11, 1944 - March 31, 1944 | ||||||||||
| Continuing his flights throughout the Middle East and Mediterranean, Piech received a cable to return to England, where he experiences the Blitz that had been ravaging the country. He was offered a position as a bombardier instructor back in the United States by Major General Fred Anderson, which he decides to accept. | |||||||||||
| 12 | April 1, 1944 - May 10, 1944 | ||||||||||
| Piech traveled to Scotland to set sail for the United States. The rough seas and dangerous sail still did not deter him from reading and playing cards with his shipmates. The ship ported in New York Harbor on April 13th, and Piech began his liberty at home in Sayerville, New Jersey. “Oh God what a year’s journey!!” While at home, he applied for pilot training with the U.S.A.A.F. | |||||||||||
| 13 | May 11, 1944 - June 30, 1944 | ||||||||||
| Passing his preliminary exam for training, Piech left for the 2nd Air Force (“Hell”). On his 24th birthday, he was cleared for pilot training, and started to become busy enough to forget to enter his activities for a few days. On June 6th, Piech notes the D-Day invasion, and prays for those who were involved. While he traveled throughout the U.S. (Nebraska, Texas, Colorado) with the Air Force, he notes his boredom and anticipation for the pilot training (which he did not qualify for in the end). Piech also notes his introduction to the B-29, which he states is a combination of a B17 and C54. | |||||||||||
| 14 | July 1, 1944 - August 10, 1944 | ||||||||||
| Continuing through his daily activities, Piech finally lands in McCook, Nebraska, where he began his position as Bombardier Instructor. He took his first flight in a B-29. Piech continued to take classes while he taught in order to be “ahead” of his students. On the first anniversary of his first mission, Piech gave a rally speech to civilians on McCook Air Force Base. | |||||||||||
| 15 | August 11, 1944 - September 30, 1944 | ||||||||||
| Piech began his “masterpiece” of Bombardier Instructor’s notes. He attended several social functions, including USO shows, one in which he met Jean Steel. By the end of September, he had written home about Ms. Steel, and described his relationship with her that had developed. The diary began to take on a new theme away from the war and his teaching duties, to one focused on Jean. | |||||||||||
| 16 | October 1, 1944 - November 10, 1944 | ||||||||||
| Continuing his flights with his bombardier students and attendance to USO shows, Piech proposed to Jean on her birthday, and began looking for an apartment with her. They settled to marry on November 26th. He also notes that election returns were in (for the Presidential vote), but does not elaborate [FDR won his fourth term]. Also, a B29 crashed on McCook base in November. | |||||||||||
| 17 | November 11, 1944 - December 24, 1944 | ||||||||||
| This folder is full of blank pages, indicating Piech was much too busy getting ready for his wedding, and settling into a home with Jean. They married on November 26th, and honeymooned in Denver, Colorado. As happy as a newly wed couple could be, Piech notes his elation with his life with Jean when he remembered to write in his diary. He was promoted to Captain in December, and unknowingly earned the nickname “Chalky No. 1" by his students, for which he did not know why. | |||||||||||