Gentlemen,

I have been researching USAAF Air Technical Intelligence in the ETO. One veteran interviewed in the UK traveled with the advancing US forces into Germany. He mentioned discovering a Junker bomber plant that the US Army swept past during their advance. This ATI veteran spoke with the director of the aircraft factory and ordered him to have his workers return to the plant and keep working on the Junker bomber production line.

The veteran stated that eventually, after the German surrender, many factories in Germany would be utilized to produce material for the war against Japan. Therefore, the Allies wanted German aircraft factories fully functioning for eventual conversion towards producing material in this effort.

The director of the Junker aircraft factory was instructed to have the factory workers return to work, and the US Army would pay their salary. The Allies wanted to keep thus particular aircraft factory production in force.

The American veteran, Ford Porter enlisted in the RCAF, transfered to the USAAF and flew Beaufighters with 415 Squadron in the MTO and later transfered to the 25th BG at Watton and flew de Havilland Mosquito aircraft with 653rd Squadron. At the end of the war, he again transfered to ATI to assist as US forces moved deeper into Germany. He died four years ago in the UK from lung cancer.

Norman Malayney