This site is dedicated to the memory of an American Hero from the Greatest Generation -- WWII -- He was my Great Uncle Charles L. Gempel. This is a tribute to him and his story. He was KIA on OCT 30, 1944 at the hands of the Nazi's over Hamburg, Ge doing his duty to protect our freedom. He was a 1st LT and a Pilot in the 8th AF, 44th BG, 506th BS out of Shipdham, UK. He received a Distinguished Flying Cross and a Purple heart for trying to save his ship and crew. B24J-44-10523 Macr 10139.
Chapter 4 Our B-24 A Poem By Douglas R. Gempel 10/30/2010
From Fields and Pastures Called Willow Run, A Brick and Mortar Factory Sends Hell to the Huns, A Liberator for Sure, A Plan for a Cure, Henry Ford Builds an Aircraft That Brings Hell To the Luftwaffe, Our B-24 Was Given to the Corps, To Save the World And settle a score.
IV As I was preparing my research into the B-24 aircraft and its designers and manufacturers, I was discussing my research with my dad and he mentioned to me that Henry Ford had opened a factory that produced this aircraft by a government contract authorized by primary manufacturer Consolidated Aircraft Company of California. From Consolidated Plans Henry Ford and his team designed and built a factory near Detroit, Dearborn, and Other Famous plant sites near The Motor City. His factory was built on a large farm he owned south and west of Detroit near the town of Ypsilanti, Michigan about 40 miles north of Toledo, Ohio, another significant city in our historical discussion of Lt. Gempel and his beginnings. Willow Run was the name of this farm and Henry Ford actually lived on it for a time and decided he needed to use the property for his newest venture during the early stages of World War II. The most significant aspect of this plant site is the famous turn he designed into the factory so it would not cross county lines and go into a higher taxing district of Wayne County, Michigan. His Plan actually required the nearly 100 foot long and 120 foot wide plane to make a ninety degree turn in the middle of the plant so the factory would not creep into higher tax district.
Chapter 4
ReplyDeleteOur B-24
A Poem By Douglas R. Gempel
10/30/2010
From Fields and Pastures
Called Willow Run,
A Brick and Mortar Factory
Sends Hell to the Huns,
A Liberator for Sure,
A Plan for a Cure,
Henry Ford
Builds an Aircraft
That
Brings Hell
To the
Luftwaffe,
Our B-24
Was Given to the Corps,
To Save the World
And settle a score.
IV
As I was preparing my research into the B-24 aircraft and its designers and manufacturers, I was discussing my research with my dad and he mentioned to me that Henry Ford had opened a factory that produced this aircraft by a government contract authorized by primary manufacturer Consolidated Aircraft Company of California.
From Consolidated Plans Henry Ford and his team designed and built a factory near Detroit, Dearborn, and Other Famous plant sites near The Motor City. His factory was built on a large farm he owned south and west of Detroit near the town of Ypsilanti, Michigan about 40 miles north of Toledo, Ohio, another significant city in our historical discussion of Lt. Gempel and his beginnings.
Willow Run was the name of this farm and Henry Ford actually lived on it for a time and decided he needed to use the property for his newest venture during the early stages of World War II. The most significant aspect of this plant site is the famous turn he designed into the factory so it would not cross county lines and go into a higher taxing district of Wayne County, Michigan. His Plan actually required the nearly 100 foot long and 120 foot wide plane to make a ninety degree turn in the middle of the plant so the factory would not creep into higher tax district.