[Hubert Zemke oral history interview]

Details

IntervieweeZemke, Hub, 1914-1994InterviewerValencia, Eugene A.Florea, JohnDatecirca 1965-07LanguageEnglishDescriptionIn this nine-part oral history, Hubert “Hub” Zemke is interviewed about his military service with the U.S. Army Air Forces and U.S. Air Force.

In part one, he describes his wartime experiences as a fighter pilot during World War II, focusing in particular on his time as group commander of the 56th Fighter Group in England. He also touches on his time as a prisoner of war at Stalag Luft I (Germany). Other topics discussed include his personal and family background, his thoughts on the motivations and characteristics of fighter aces, and the competition between the 56th and 4th Fighter Groups.

In part two, he continues to discuss his wartime experiences in Europe during World War II. He also briefly mentions a postwar meeting between American and German fighter pilots, possibly the goodwill meeting between the American Fighter Aces Association and Luftwaffe Fighter Pilots’ Association take took place in 1961. Other topics discussed include the competition between 56th and 4th Fighter Groups and his thoughts on fellow group commander Donald Blakeslee.

In part three, he continues to discuss his wartime experiences in Europe during World War II, focusing in particular on his time as group commander of the 56th Fighter Group in England. Topics discussed include combat operations and logistics, the competition between 56th and 4th Fighter Groups, his interactions with generals and other officers, and stories about fellow servicemen.

In part four, he continues to discuss his wartime experiences in Europe during World War II, focusing in particular on his time as group commander of the 56th Fighter Group in England. He relates a number of stories about squadron commander Dave Schilling and other servicemen under his command and describes different missions carried out by the group, such as experimental bombing and strafing missions using a modified Lockheed P-38 Lightning known as the Droop Snoot. Other topics discussed include testing and modifications of the Lockheed P-47 Thunderbolt, interactions with servicewomen of the British Y Service and Women’s Royal Naval Service (Wrens), and leisure activities in England during the war.

In part five, he continues to discuss his wartime experiences in Europe during World War II, focusing in particular on his time as group commander of the 56th Fighter Group in England. The first half of the interview predominantly focuses on topics related to American military life in England, such as leisure activities, personnel issues, wartime relationships, visits from celebrities and journalists, and fads among fighter pilots. Afterwards, Zemke discusses aerial combat operations, including the development of specific tactics and points of conflict between him and generals of the Eighth and Ninth Air Force. The interview concludes with a story from his time as a prisoner of war, which continues in part 6.

In part six, he continues the story from part five about his time as a prisoner of war in Germany. The discussion then returns to his wartime experiences as a group commander in England, focusing mainly on his time with the 56th Fighter Group but also touching on his time with the 479th Fighter Group. Topics discussed include aircraft accidents and other mishaps, stories about fellow servicemen, the 56th’s role during D-Day, and other notable combat missions.

In part seven, he continues to discuss his wartime experiences during World War II. Most of the interview focuses on topics related to his time as a group commander in Europe, such as notable combat missions, aircraft capabilities and development, fighter and bomber tactics, and logistics of the European air war. He also briefly touches on then-current trends in aircraft development and aerial warfare. The final section of the interview covers Zemke’s time as an assistant military attaché in the Soviet Union, prior to the United States’ entry into the war.

In part eight, he continues to discuss his wartime experiences during World War II. A sizeable portion of the interview focuses on Zemke’s time as an assistant military attaché in the Soviet Union, prior to the United States’ entry into the war. He describes his initial journey to the Soviet Union by convoy, his experiences working with Russian and British service members, and his work as a flight instructor for lend-lease Curtiss P-40 Tomahawks. He also shares a number of stories related to his time with the 56th Fighter Group in England and comments on the development of fighter aircraft during World War II.

In part nine, he continues to discuss his wartime experiences during World War II. Much of the interview focuses on Zemke’s time as a prisoner of war at Stalag Luft I (Germany) and his running of the camp after German officials fled to avoid the advancing Soviet forces. He describes life at the camp, his relationship with other prisoners and with Commandant Von Warnstadt, and his role as a camp leader. He also briefly touches on a number of other topics related to his service, such as his bailout and capture by German troops, the British direction-finder system operated by the Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF), the circumstances behind his transfer to the 479th Fighter Group, and details about photo reconnaissance operations.Biographical NoteHubert “Hub” Zemke was born on March 14, 1919 in Missoula, Montana. He studied forestry at Montana State University but left school in 1936 to enlist as an Aviation Cadet with the U.S. Army Air Corps. After completing flight training in 1937, he served with the 8th Pursuit Group at Langley Field (Virginia). In 1940, Zemke deployed to England to serve as an air observer with the Royal Air Force. At the conclusion of that assignment, he then traveled to the Soviet Union as an assistant military attaché and served as a flight instructor to Soviet pilots, teaching them how to fly their lend-lease Curtiss P-40 Tomahawks.

Zemke returned to the United States in 1942 and was appointed group commander of the 56th Fighter Group, the first fighter group to be equipped with the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt. During its service in Europe, the 56th distinguished itself as a highly successful group, consistently receiving top scores in air-in-air kills during missions. The group came to be known as “Zemke’s Wolfpack,” in reference to Zemke’s firm but fair leadership style and his emphasis on aerial discipline and tactics.

In August 1944, Zemke took command of the 479th Fighter Group, helping the unit convert from the Lockheed P-38 Lightning to the North American P-51 Mustang. A few months later, in October, he was forced to bail out over enemy territory after his P-51 sustained severe damage in a storm front. Zemke was captured by German forces and imprisoned at Stalag Luft I (Germany), a prisoner-of-war camp housing Allied airmen. As the war neared its end, German officials turned control of the camp over to Zemke and the other prisoners and fled to avoid the advancing Soviet forces.

Following the end of World War II, Zemke continued his military career with the U.S. Air Force. His assignments included commanding the 36th Fighter Group during the Berlin Airlift, serving in administrative posts at the Pentagon, commanding the 4080th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing during the U-2 Program, and serving with the Military Assistance Advisory Group in Madrid, Spain. Zemke retired as a colonel in 1966 and established a second career in agriculture, managing an almond ranch. He passed away in 1994.

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