M. Paul Hildreth: Pilot, Crew Leader, and P.O.W.
Major Paul Hildreth – Military Career
Major Paul Hildreth, or simply ‘Paul’, was born September 21, 1921, at the family home in New Brockton, Alabama, on land that later was taken by the government for what is now the sprawling headquarters of Army aviation. During the Great Depression, the family moved to Brundidge, Alabama where Paul finished school. On February 7, 1942, he married his high school sweetheart, Annie Lester Crawley. Paul entered service as an Aviation Cadet on October 28, 1942. Throughout 1943, he undertook extensive flight training to gain his Wings and master the art of piloting the B-17 aircraft as first pilot. Second Lieutenant Hildreth was assigned a crew in late 1943 that quickly bonded and gained competencies as part of the 816th Squadron of the 483rd Bombardment Group (Heavy) of the 5th Bomb Wing, 15th Air Force. After piloting the B-17G across the Atlantic from Brazil, the crew eventually arrived at the base of operations in Italy. Starting April 12, 1944, Paul piloted 37 strategic bombing missions against the German war machine. On July 18, 1944, his plane was part of the unescorted Memmingen raid that resulted in one of the largest number of aircraft losses in the later stages of the European war. His entire 10-man crew survived parachuting out of the B-17 before it spiraled and disintegrated. He was the last man out. All crew members were captured and turned over to the German military as Prisoners of War. After about 10 months in P.O.W. camps, all crew members were repatriated to Allied control in France. First Lieutenant Hildreth returned to America by boat after 1 year, 3 months, and 18 days of foreign service. That service was combined with 11 months and 13 days of continental service as active military. This website is devoted to Major Paul Hildreth as a B-17 Pilot, Crew Leader, and P.O.W.
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About
Although this website is about the short but eventful war-time miliary career of Major Paul Hildreth, his life was that of an entrepreneur and business leader.
Pilot Training
In a relatively short period of time Paul advanced from an Aviation Cadet to a B-17 first pilot and respected flight crew leader.
Combat
Paul and his B-17G crew flying ‘The Old Bird’ faced perilous times over 37 combat missions.
Memmingen Mission
Paul piloted ‘The Old Bird’ in its last seconds by himself so he and all the crew could survive a slaughterous onslaught of enemy fighters on the unescorted Memmingen Raid.
P.O.W.
Captured and relegated to Stalag Luft 1 in ‘Barth on the Baltic,’ Paul survived P.O.W. life until liberation and return to the states for discharge from military service.
Crew
The Hildreth crew faced ever-present mechanical problems, flak, enemy fighters, and, eventually, having to parachute out of a destroyed B-17 only to become P.O.W.’s, yet lived to return home and enjoy a reunion after 40 years.
Contact
We welcome constructive comments and suggestions regarding this website. Crew member families are invited to provide more details and pictures of their hero. Also, we offer similar design and hosting services for others wanting to honor the miliary careers of family members.
Resources
Although most of this website relies upon the personal files of M.P. Hildreth reviewed after his death, other resources proved helpful.
“On July 18th, 1944 his crew … was shot down, and captured by a German civilian who turned them over to the German army.“
Updates and additions to the website may occur at any time so be sure to refresh the page you are viewing upon a return. The entire website is copyrighted, with all rights reserved. Written permission is required for any use or download of the materials, translations, and photos found on or linked to this website. All pages and all content copyrighted 2024 by The Hildreth Brothers.