Credit Richard PRIME
I was involved for several years with groups following the Chemin de la Liberte WW2 Pyrenees escape route starting in St Girons, SW France. During this time, I wanted to enhance these trek events with personal stories that would tell of the experience of crossing the Pyrenees in wartime from a personal, human perspective. Happily, through an acquaintance, I was introduced to Gilles Collaveri and his wonderful team of aviation archaeologists and researchers. We quickly formed a bond, a meeting of minds. Together we began a journey that started as a search for aircraft pieces and became a project to piece together a human story that continues to this day.
What follows is our voyage into a turbulent period of the life of Capt. Paul Miller.
APRIL 2020
Information reaches our association: an American pilot crash-landed in 1944 in a field, in a small village in the Béarn department in the Southwest of France: Escos. The information is surprising and deserves further investigation. When we began our research, we never envisaged we would unveil such an amazing human story.
Information reaches our association: an American pilot crash-landed in 1944 in a field, in a small village in the Béarn department in the Southwest of France: Escos. The information is surprising and deserves further investigation. When we began our research, we never envisaged we would unveil such an amazing human story.
ON SITE
When I call the mayor of the village, he confirms: «I did hear about this plane, but I do not know much, you should call Leon in the village, he knows about aviation, and he will tell you more». I contact Leon and he gives me some details: «that’s right, a P-38 Lightning landed in a field on March 5, 1944, he went through 5 hedges, but the pilot was unhurt. He tried – unsuccessfully – to set fire to the aircraft and he ran off towards the Gave River. The inhabitants of the village advised him to avoid the village where the Germans were. He gave his helmet to one of them and he went to the Pyrenees.”
This story arouses my curiosity; I will now try to know more about this P-38 pilot.
When I call the mayor of the village, he confirms: «I did hear about this plane, but I do not know much, you should call Leon in the village, he knows about aviation, and he will tell you more». I contact Leon and he gives me some details: «that’s right, a P-38 Lightning landed in a field on March 5, 1944, he went through 5 hedges, but the pilot was unhurt. He tried – unsuccessfully – to set fire to the aircraft and he ran off towards the Gave River. The inhabitants of the village advised him to avoid the village where the Germans were. He gave his helmet to one of them and he went to the Pyrenees.”
This story arouses my curiosity; I will now try to know more about this P-38 pilot.
PAUL MILLER
The strength of Internet will always surprise me. A few questions on a forum, some research in the archives, and within a few weeks, the life of the pilot of this P-38 takes shape. Paul Miller graduated in 1940 from Pasadena City Jr College Aero engineering, he enlisted in February 1941 in the USAAF at March Field as a «cadet aviation». In July 1941 he won his wings, he then completed an eight-month internship at Stockton Field and he left for the Philippines in October 1941, within the 14th Bombing Group.
The strength of Internet will always surprise me. A few questions on a forum, some research in the archives, and within a few weeks, the life of the pilot of this P-38 takes shape. Paul Miller graduated in 1940 from Pasadena City Jr College Aero engineering, he enlisted in February 1941 in the USAAF at March Field as a «cadet aviation». In July 1941 he won his wings, he then completed an eight-month internship at Stockton Field and he left for the Philippines in October 1941, within the 14th Bombing Group.
ESCAPING THE JAPANESE IN EXTREMIS
In January 1942 he is in the Philippines at «del Monte airfield», in Mindanao. The situation is dramatic, the Japanese gain ground. In April, the airfield is surrounded. Paul Miller is one of those surrounded and B-17s attempt to evacuate as many personnel as possible;
During this evacuation an astonishing event occurs. A fully loaded B-17 is starting engines. Nex to the plane, one of the passengers, Herbert Wheatley talks with Paul Miller. Wheatley was a tail gunner on one of the B17’s that arrived in Hawaii during the attack on Pearl Harbor and landed on a golf course. He is ready to climb onto the B17 leaving Paul Miller behind. Wheatley asks Paul Miller: "But you’re a pilot?" Miller nods. Wheatley then says, “Take my seat, I’m only a gunner, we need pilots more than gunners.” Miller has grave reservations, but the relentless logic of war is clear. Wheatley is right. Paul Miller boards the B-17 and escapes the grip of the Japanese. Aboard are also two famous passengers: John D Bulkeley, the pilot of the "PT Boat", that had allowed Gen MacArthur and his family to escape from Corregidor on March 11, 1942, and Captain Jesus Villamor, who will become one of the most famous Filipino aces of the Second World War. The B17 takes off under Japanese bombardment reaching Australia 10 hours later flying on three engines.
A year later, on a base in California, Paul Miller would meet Herbert Wheatley again by sheer chance. They embrace warmly. The latter explains how he escaped: «I was lucky, three days later, a B25 was able to take me». Wheatley will go on to be decorated with DFC and the «Silver star» with oak leaves.
In January 1942 he is in the Philippines at «del Monte airfield», in Mindanao. The situation is dramatic, the Japanese gain ground. In April, the airfield is surrounded. Paul Miller is one of those surrounded and B-17s attempt to evacuate as many personnel as possible;
During this evacuation an astonishing event occurs. A fully loaded B-17 is starting engines. Nex to the plane, one of the passengers, Herbert Wheatley talks with Paul Miller. Wheatley was a tail gunner on one of the B17’s that arrived in Hawaii during the attack on Pearl Harbor and landed on a golf course. He is ready to climb onto the B17 leaving Paul Miller behind. Wheatley asks Paul Miller: "But you’re a pilot?" Miller nods. Wheatley then says, “Take my seat, I’m only a gunner, we need pilots more than gunners.” Miller has grave reservations, but the relentless logic of war is clear. Wheatley is right. Paul Miller boards the B-17 and escapes the grip of the Japanese. Aboard are also two famous passengers: John D Bulkeley, the pilot of the "PT Boat", that had allowed Gen MacArthur and his family to escape from Corregidor on March 11, 1942, and Captain Jesus Villamor, who will become one of the most famous Filipino aces of the Second World War. The B17 takes off under Japanese bombardment reaching Australia 10 hours later flying on three engines.
A year later, on a base in California, Paul Miller would meet Herbert Wheatley again by sheer chance. They embrace warmly. The latter explains how he escaped: «I was lucky, three days later, a B25 was able to take me». Wheatley will go on to be decorated with DFC and the «Silver star» with oak leaves.
MORE THAN 90 MISSIONS IN THE PACIFIC
On the Pacific Front, Paul Miller continues his missions. He completes 92 in 1941 and 1942, flying 225 combat hours. He flies the P-39 Airacobra in Papua New Guinea, with the 35th and 36th Fighter Squadrons «the Black Panthers» until November 1942. He is based successively at 7 Mile Drome (near Port Moresby) and Milne Bay. He is involved in many dogfights against the Japanese. On 28 May 1942, for example, he faces 20 zeros over Port Moresby. On 1 June, with 13 Airacobras, he attacks 18 bombers escorted by 9 Zeros. On 22 July, he strafes Buna airfield, in New Guinea. During these aerial combats his aircraft was damaged twice, but on each occasion, he was able to return to base.
On the Pacific Front, Paul Miller continues his missions. He completes 92 in 1941 and 1942, flying 225 combat hours. He flies the P-39 Airacobra in Papua New Guinea, with the 35th and 36th Fighter Squadrons «the Black Panthers» until November 1942. He is based successively at 7 Mile Drome (near Port Moresby) and Milne Bay. He is involved in many dogfights against the Japanese. On 28 May 1942, for example, he faces 20 zeros over Port Moresby. On 1 June, with 13 Airacobras, he attacks 18 bombers escorted by 9 Zeros. On 22 July, he strafes Buna airfield, in New Guinea. During these aerial combats his aircraft was damaged twice, but on each occasion, he was able to return to base.
Credit Miller family
CONVERSION TO P-38 LIGHTNING
He leaves the Philippines in November 1942 and in early 1943 begins a P38 conversion and flight instrument course in Texas. Here many young American pilots learn to fly the advanced Lightning; it is intense and tiring training. A two-man flight in the P-38 is not unusual, for instruction or… to take one’s fiancée on an air experience flight! Paul Miller marries in January 1943 and his daughter is born in March 1944.
He leaves the Philippines in November 1942 and in early 1943 begins a P38 conversion and flight instrument course in Texas. Here many young American pilots learn to fly the advanced Lightning; it is intense and tiring training. A two-man flight in the P-38 is not unusual, for instruction or… to take one’s fiancée on an air experience flight! Paul Miller marries in January 1943 and his daughter is born in March 1944.
THE EUROPEAN FRONT
In February 1944, Paul Miller arrives in the European Theatre. During his third mission his luck abandons him; on 5 March 1944, he takes off from Honington in Suffolk, northeast of London. The 8th Air Force has just launched mission 248: 219 B-24 Liberators escorted by 34 P-38 lightnings and 185 P-47 Thunderbolts will attack Mont de Marsan and Bordeaux. But the Luftwaffe are prepared; FW190s of the JGr.Ost take off from their base. A furious fight takes place over southwest France. During this combat, an American pilot who will become famous finds himself hanging at his parachute: Chuck Yeager. The future General will emerge unscathed and will cross the Pyrenees in very difficult circumstances to continue an extraordinary career.
Paul Miller also faces the FW190’s and he is slightly injured; he has pieces of plexiglass in the neck. On the return, near Angoulême, he realizes that his left tank has been hit, and that he no longer has enough fuel to return to England. With the reluctant agreement of his squadron leader, Mark Shipman, he turns away from “home” towards neutral Spain. He knows that if he can make the border he will eventually be repatriated to England. Still pursued by FW190s for what seems an eternity, finally he finds himself flying alone, flying south for about 25 minutes.
In February 1944, Paul Miller arrives in the European Theatre. During his third mission his luck abandons him; on 5 March 1944, he takes off from Honington in Suffolk, northeast of London. The 8th Air Force has just launched mission 248: 219 B-24 Liberators escorted by 34 P-38 lightnings and 185 P-47 Thunderbolts will attack Mont de Marsan and Bordeaux. But the Luftwaffe are prepared; FW190s of the JGr.Ost take off from their base. A furious fight takes place over southwest France. During this combat, an American pilot who will become famous finds himself hanging at his parachute: Chuck Yeager. The future General will emerge unscathed and will cross the Pyrenees in very difficult circumstances to continue an extraordinary career.
Paul Miller also faces the FW190’s and he is slightly injured; he has pieces of plexiglass in the neck. On the return, near Angoulême, he realizes that his left tank has been hit, and that he no longer has enough fuel to return to England. With the reluctant agreement of his squadron leader, Mark Shipman, he turns away from “home” towards neutral Spain. He knows that if he can make the border he will eventually be repatriated to England. Still pursued by FW190s for what seems an eternity, finally he finds himself flying alone, flying south for about 25 minutes.
Credit Richard PRIME
FORCED LANDING IN THE BASQUE COUNTRY
He has almost reached his goal – he can see the Pyrenees mountains ahead – when his engines stop. He is out of fuel and must land urgently. Landing gear up, he lands in a flat field, crashing through five hedges and fences. His aircraft comes to rest tail-up, sitting on its nose before slowly returning to the horizontal. Paul Miller is safe, for a moment. He destroys the IFF (Identification Friend of Foe) system and tries unsuccessfully to set fire to his P-38. He runs away along a track through trees that lead to the nearby river. At the same time, villagers quickly arrive to see this extraordinary plane that has just landed in their midst.
He has almost reached his goal – he can see the Pyrenees mountains ahead – when his engines stop. He is out of fuel and must land urgently. Landing gear up, he lands in a flat field, crashing through five hedges and fences. His aircraft comes to rest tail-up, sitting on its nose before slowly returning to the horizontal. Paul Miller is safe, for a moment. He destroys the IFF (Identification Friend of Foe) system and tries unsuccessfully to set fire to his P-38. He runs away along a track through trees that lead to the nearby river. At the same time, villagers quickly arrive to see this extraordinary plane that has just landed in their midst.
At this point, his exact journey can be reconstructed thanks to a crosscheck between the official reports he made upon his return and local witness testimonies, particularly the story of the “passeur” (local guides who helped refugees to cross the Pyrénées mountains).
While the German patrols actively search for him, Paul will carefully pass through the countryside, hidden, sheltered, and fed by brave local inhabitants.
5 days after landing, he manages to cross the Pyrenees in extreme conditions. With Martin Gaztanaga, his young “passeur”, their final moments of crossing the border are extremely perilous, cold, deep snow and blizzards making their progress very slow and difficult. After the border is crossed Paul is left in a snow hole, more dead than alive. Fortunately, a doctor is living nearby. Suffering from frostbite and fatigue, Paul spends many days at “Chez Lorenzo” recovering. He is safe. He had given his watch to Martin, the young Basque who had risked all to guide him to freedom. They were not to meet again.
Paul Miller finally arrives back in England on April 18, 1944.
While the German patrols actively search for him, Paul will carefully pass through the countryside, hidden, sheltered, and fed by brave local inhabitants.
5 days after landing, he manages to cross the Pyrenees in extreme conditions. With Martin Gaztanaga, his young “passeur”, their final moments of crossing the border are extremely perilous, cold, deep snow and blizzards making their progress very slow and difficult. After the border is crossed Paul is left in a snow hole, more dead than alive. Fortunately, a doctor is living nearby. Suffering from frostbite and fatigue, Paul spends many days at “Chez Lorenzo” recovering. He is safe. He had given his watch to Martin, the young Basque who had risked all to guide him to freedom. They were not to meet again.
Paul Miller finally arrives back in England on April 18, 1944.
KOREA
After the Second World War, Miller continues his career in the US Air Force. He completes further pilot training («Weather Off Course» at Chanute Air Force Base»). In 1950, he flies the F-80 in Korea and participated in attacks on North Korean ground convoys. On 27 June 1950, for example, Paul Miller is part of a group of 4 F-80s taking off from Itazuke that "attacked trucks and tanks camouflaged on the side of the road. A tank and 6 trucks are estimated destroyed. An F80 receives small arms fire in the right wing, making the pitot tube inoperative, no indication of speed, the F80 touched down on a base other than Itazuké."(quote from the mission report)
He spends time in Alaska between 1953 and 1955. At the end of his career, he is involved in special programs, including guided missiles, but the archives only provide limited information, possibly intentionally, on this period of his career.
Finally, Miller serves in Japan between 1961 and 1964 and retires in 1965. He dies in Hawaii in 1995. He attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
After the Second World War, Miller continues his career in the US Air Force. He completes further pilot training («Weather Off Course» at Chanute Air Force Base»). In 1950, he flies the F-80 in Korea and participated in attacks on North Korean ground convoys. On 27 June 1950, for example, Paul Miller is part of a group of 4 F-80s taking off from Itazuke that "attacked trucks and tanks camouflaged on the side of the road. A tank and 6 trucks are estimated destroyed. An F80 receives small arms fire in the right wing, making the pitot tube inoperative, no indication of speed, the F80 touched down on a base other than Itazuké."(quote from the mission report)
He spends time in Alaska between 1953 and 1955. At the end of his career, he is involved in special programs, including guided missiles, but the archives only provide limited information, possibly intentionally, on this period of his career.
Finally, Miller serves in Japan between 1961 and 1964 and retires in 1965. He dies in Hawaii in 1995. He attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
Credit Richard PRIME
IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF HIS FATHER
When his family are contacted in 2020, an intense correspondence develops and I ask them, "What do you know about your father’s career?" The answer is unanimous: «almost nothing, our father did not tell us anything concerning his career». Therefore, it is our association which unveils to them the details of their father’s journey. They are amazed and the exchanges are full of emotion and are very rewarding.
One of his sons, John, decides to visit where his father landed and escaped. He begins his journey in England, visiting Honington where Paul Miller took off in his P-38 on March 5, 1944. Next a visit to the Imperial War Museum Duxford allows him to sense the atmosphere of an Allied base of the Second World War.
In France, John Miller is welcomed by Léon who explains to him how the presence of Paul Miller’s P-38 first lit his passion for aviation, himself becoming a Mirage pilot. John then saw the field where his father landed. He then listens to witnesses aged over 90 who explain how, one evening, Paul Miller knocked on their door, shivering with cold, in civilian clothes that were too short, and how he was sheltered and hidden. Finally, he is welcomed by the family of Martin Gaztanaga. 79 years later, the passeur’s nephew shows John the precise path his father took to Spain in 1944.
An emotional pilgrimage that brings to life a forgotten history. A fine example of the work and ethos of Aérocherche; remembering the history of aviation through detailed research, recreating events, and keeping alive the memory of aviators.
Written by Gilles Collaveri & Richard Prime aerocherche.fr/
When his family are contacted in 2020, an intense correspondence develops and I ask them, "What do you know about your father’s career?" The answer is unanimous: «almost nothing, our father did not tell us anything concerning his career». Therefore, it is our association which unveils to them the details of their father’s journey. They are amazed and the exchanges are full of emotion and are very rewarding.
One of his sons, John, decides to visit where his father landed and escaped. He begins his journey in England, visiting Honington where Paul Miller took off in his P-38 on March 5, 1944. Next a visit to the Imperial War Museum Duxford allows him to sense the atmosphere of an Allied base of the Second World War.
In France, John Miller is welcomed by Léon who explains to him how the presence of Paul Miller’s P-38 first lit his passion for aviation, himself becoming a Mirage pilot. John then saw the field where his father landed. He then listens to witnesses aged over 90 who explain how, one evening, Paul Miller knocked on their door, shivering with cold, in civilian clothes that were too short, and how he was sheltered and hidden. Finally, he is welcomed by the family of Martin Gaztanaga. 79 years later, the passeur’s nephew shows John the precise path his father took to Spain in 1944.
An emotional pilgrimage that brings to life a forgotten history. A fine example of the work and ethos of Aérocherche; remembering the history of aviation through detailed research, recreating events, and keeping alive the memory of aviators.
Written by Gilles Collaveri & Richard Prime aerocherche.fr/
