WWII sailor, POW keep in contact
During World War II a U.S. aircraft carrier was patrolling the North Atlantic in search of German U-boats. This carrier was called the USS Bogue.
On July 23, 1943, south of the Azores, an Avenger pilot, Lt. Robert L. Stearns, from the Bogue, dropped four shallow-set depth charges. They straddled the U-boat (U-527) and blew open the pressure hull aft.
The boat sank instantly, leaving Kapt. Lt. Herbert Uhlig and a dozen other Germans in the water. There were 40 men lost and 13 survivors. The 13 were picked up by a destroyer, the USS Clemson. They were prisoners of war at Papago Park in Phoenix from 1943 to 1946.
On March 10, 2002, Arthur Luchan, one of the men who had served aboard the USS Bogue, received an e-mail from Willi Kibbat. He had been one of the German POWs who had survived the U-boat sinking. After 1946, Mr. Kibbat had moved to England and had married an English lady named Dorothy Calvert.
He had noticed Arthur’s USS Bogue Web site on the Internet. He was interested in getting in contact with men who served on the Bogue, exchange common history and experiences. As a result, there has been lively correspondence and friendly exchange, between many of the Bogue crew members and Willi Kibbat.
My husband, Omer Olson, had also served on the Bogue and is now in personal contact with Willi. Omer had received a telephone call on July 22 from him in England. Omer has been sending him a lot of information pertaining to Bogue shipmates, reunions and past history and Willi wished to thank him. Willi is 83 years old and states that there are only three of the 13 POWs still alive.
All these World War II veterans are in their 80s or older, but they are still reminiscing, having reunions and enjoying one another as long as they are able. They are like family to one another.
I wrote this poem in 2003, after first hearing news of Willi Kibbat, with his desire to exchange stories and become friends.
In memory of 40 lost submariners in U-527, July 23, 1943; shipmates: Lt. Robert L. Stearns – 1944; Arthur Luchan – Aug. 9, 2002
The Spirit of Man
The spirit, of man, is a wondrous thing, it can harbor ill feelings or happiness, bring
after sixty long years, since the Second World War – Something occurred,
which shoved hate out the door!
A man, Willi Kibbat, a German War vet contacted Art Luchan – his reasons, well met. He wished to make contact with men, from the Bogue, for personal reasons – he wasn’t a rogue!
His sub, five twenty-seven, was sunk, long ago
by our pilot, named Stearns – what havoc, below! There were thirteen survivors,
who were plucked from the sea,
among then was Willi, and grateful was he!
They were treated humanly as prisoners of war, so about these Bogue seamen,
Willi wished to know more. Art furnished addresses and names, of his mates, so began correspondence, of those men and their fates.
Where once there was blood shed and hatred full blown, there now is compassion, and friendships have grown. While grasping life’s meaning where-ever he can – a lesson’s been learned on this spirit of man!