Odell F. Dobson (Michael’s father and the inspiration for the FOX ON THE RHINE character “Digger” Odell) was a waist gunner on a B-24 in World War II. His bomber, FORD’S FOLLY, was shot down on September 11, 1944. Two men survived to be captured by the Germans, treated in German hospitals, shipped to a POW camp in what is now Poland, and force-marched on the “Shoe Leather Express” before liberation.
This is his true story told in his own words. It was adapted for publication in a book, FOUR MEN WENT TO WAR, by Bruce Lewis (Leo G. Cooper in the UK, St. Martin’s Press in the US). As he prepared the dictaphone tapes, he spoke to Michael’s brother, then a sergeant in the Army in Germany. It has been set up in blog format, with each of four chapters serving as a separate entry.
