MISSING 65 YEARS
I am honored and excited to share one of the truly unique stories that had occurred during World War II. I am honored because this is a true story in which my Father, Sergeant Lawrence O. Abbott played a role in. I am excited because this story was “lost” to our family for many years; it wasn’t until recently that we discovered that my Father had written a book that was never published. This has been an exciting experience for me to be able to review his manuscript and make it available in a published format for others to enjoy.
What makes this story so unique is the presence of 13 nurses, as American military women were not supposed to be in combat or behind enemy lines. I also found it interesting that of the 30 Americans, the 13 nurses were all Lieutenants and the 13 enlisted men were all Sergeants with the exception of one who was a Corporal. During their 62 day walk, it is interesting to see how well they worked together. Though they were men, and they may have thought they should lead the group, the men showed respect for the nurses whom were leading.
In publishing this story I have relied upon the typed-written manuscript that was prepared by a local newspaper writer, Allen Field Smith (Mr. Smith typed as my Father shared the story with him verbally and through my Father’s hand written account).
I also used Father’s hand written notes as a cross reference and was able to locate the actual names of the Albanian Partisans who helped them along with the actual names of the towns or villages they visited (the typed-written manuscript was produced in 1945 and used fictitious names and places for security purposes). I have also relied upon conversations I have had with some of those who were in the 807th MAES, whom are still living including: Agnes Jensen Mangerich, Harold Hayes, Jim Cruise, Willis Shumway, and Elna Schwant Krumm (Willis and Elna have recently passed away). Agnes Jensen Mangerich also wrote a book on this account in 1999 entitled, “Albanian Escape.” Her book provided valuable cross referencing.
The contrast between that book and my father’s book is that, “Albanian Escape” was written from a nurses’ perspective and highlights much of the nurses’ experience; whereas, my father’s book is written clearly from an enlisted man’s perspective and captures events, conversations, and thoughts that are not necessarily found in “Albanian Escape.” During their walk in Albania it wasn’t uncommon, upon approaching a village, to have the women billeted in one place while the men were taken to another nearby village for their overnight lodging. The two works truly compliment each other.
I did enjoy the format of “Albanian Escape” and have used a similar format in this book, such as: the date/time stamping at each location where possible, the similar use of maps, and some of the same photographs.
I put the story forward as my Father wrote it, with minor editing and supplying the actual names and locations that were not available before. I am producing this work with the idea of honoring my Father in finishing something he started so many years ago and to honor those who served with him as well as their surviving families.