Tag: Jimmy Stewart

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Audrey Hepburn & Queen Wilhelmina

I grew up in the Netherlands during the 1960s when Queen Juliana was the reigning monarch of The Kingdom of the Netherlands. (Commonly referred to in English as “The Netherlands,” or “Holland.”) She was the daughter of the former queen, Wilhelmina, who abdicated in 1948 for health reasons. I can vaguely remember my parents and others talking about the former queen and some of her perceived eccentricities. Other than that slight exposure to her, I have only followed the Dutch royal family since Queen Juliana and her daughter, Beatrix.

The Dutch royal family on the palace balcony immediately after Queen Wilhelmina’s abdication. Queen Julianna (left) and her husband, Prince Bernard (right) flank the former queen. Photo by Willem van de Poll (4 September 1948). Nationaal Archief NL. PD-CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication. Wikimedia Commons.
The Dutch royal family on the palace balcony immediately after Queen Wilhelmina’s abdication. Queen Julianna (left) and her husband, Prince Bernard (right) flank the former queen. Photo by Willem van de Poll (4 September 1948). Nationaal Archief NL. PD-CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication. Wikimedia Commons.

Fast forward to 2020 when I got my hands on Robert Matzen’s book, Dutch Girl (see below in the recommended reading section). I really enjoyed his book on Jimmy Stewart (Mission: Jimmy Stewart and the Fight for Europe) so I thought I’d take a chance on reading about one of my favorite actors, Audrey Hepburn. One of the things I learned was the role Queen Wilhelmina played during World War II and how much Hitler hated her and the royal family. He despised them so much that orders were given to round up anyone who were friends, cronies, or political friends of Wilhelmina and her family and hold them as hostages for possible execution in retaliation for attacks on German soldiers. This is where Audrey Hepburn comes into our story. Oh, I also learned the one secret Audrey tried to hide for her entire life. Read More Audrey Hepburn & Queen Wilhelmina

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Hot Stuff

Arguably, the greatest combat contribution of any Hollywood celebrity during World War II was Jimmy Stewart (as opposed to Clark Gable and his photo ops). Stewart entered the United States Army Air Force (USAAF) as a private immediately following Pearl Harbor. Already a licensed pilot, Stewart demanded to be treated as any other enlisted man and by 1943, he was a pilot in the 445th Bombardment Group. In November of that year, the 445th was assigned to RAF Tibenham air base in England. Stewart flew twenty-five missions as a commander of a bomb squadron of B-24s and twenty uncredited missions before being sent home. He was promoted to major in January 1944 and was a full-bird colonel after his service was up. Jimmy Stewart was awarded the Croix de Guerre by Gen. de Gaulle as well as two Distinguished Flying Crosses. Stewart went into the Air Force Reserves and was promoted to brigadier general (one star). On 23 May 1985, President Reagan honored Stewart with the Presidential Medal of Freedom and promoted him to major general (two stars).

Maj. James Stewart confers with a B-24 crew member. Photo by anonymous (c. 1943). PD-U.S. Government. Wikimedia Commons.
Maj. James Stewart confers with a B-24 crew member. Photo by anonymous (c. 1943). PD-U.S. Government. Wikimedia Commons.
Memorial to USAAF Tibenham. Photo by Keith Evans (18 July 2008). PD-CCA 2.0 Generic. Wikimedia Commons.
Memorial to USAAF Tibenham. Photo by Keith Evans (18 July 2008). PD-CCA 2.0 Generic. Wikimedia Commons.

Today’s blog isn’t about Jimmy Stewart. It’s about the heavy bomber he flew: the B-24, or “Liberator.” We will highlight one plane known by its nose art as “Hot Stuff.” This blog also has a special meaning for my family. My paternal grandmother was a “Rosie the Riveter” during the war. She lived in San Diego and worked at the Consolidated Aircraft factory where B-24s were manufactured. Elsie Ross was assigned to the production line that built the wings for the B-24s. It is very likely she worked on the wings of the B-24 that would eventually be named Hot Stuff.

Women working on a fuselage component for the B-24 at Consolidated Aircraft. Photo by Howard R. Hollem (c. October 1942). PD-U.S. Government. Wikimedia Commons.
Women working on a fuselage component for the B-24 at Consolidated Aircraft. Photo by Howard R. Hollem (c. October 1942). PD-U.S. Government. Wikimedia Commons.

Read More Hot Stuff