Has Anybody Heard Anything From Jules Horowitz

All the best Jules.
Der

Glad to hear the surgery went well! Hope the hip heals fast and enjoy the upcoming birthday:)

physical problems

To all my friends,

I thought I’d update my physical situation to alleviate your concerns. I had a successful eye surgery Aug 25, I have to see the surgeon again on Oct 13. The long interval is to allow time for the swelling to subside. At this time I think I will still have to wear glasses with a few prisms, but much improved then before.

As mentioned above, the books that I received were finally donated to a univercity library, with much thanks, that is close by. However, I stupidly lifted a heavy weight of books and strained a muscle in my thigh, and with an arthritic hip it resulted in intense pain. My orthopedist said that it would take 6 weeks to heal. It’s now 6 weeks and I still have quite a bit of pain, I now walk with a walker or a cane.

I just cancelled my reunion trip because of my need for glasses due to the surgery. One good thing that resulted from this mess, when I had to get clearance for surgery and saw my cardiologist, the doc said “I don’t know about the rest of your body, but your heart is good for another 15 years”

I have another birthday in 2 weeks and am still counting.

Jules in the flesh

I was following this thread from a general interest point of view when I looked at one of Jules’ replies and realized that he can’t live too far from me.

I sent him an e-mail and he phoned me the next morning. Turns out we live about 2 miles from each other! This morning, (Sunday), we sat down for a couple of cups of coffee together and I can certify that Jules is in relatively fine shape – he has his eye surgery coming up and he did something to a thigh muscle recently, but apart from that he gives every appearance of being healthy. His skills as a raconteur are certainly unaffected – he kept me entertained for a couple of hours and we will certainly be getting together again in the future.

Hornchurch,
Sorry that I didn’t reply to your query sooner, I havn’t seen the Corgi model.

Stormbridge,
I’ll relate the incident where my crew and I got an assist from the guy in the sky.
I was on a mission with 5 other planes, it was a sneak attack to take out German generals who were having a secret conferance. We were to fly at 300 feet over the water off the west coast of Italy, way up north. When we were to reach a a point we were to go up to 4000 feet and drop bombs, the target wasn’t too far inland. About an hour before the target area one of my engines caught fire, the other planes quickly left me fearing that I would blow up. I went through all the proper procedures but couldn’t put out the fire. My crew asked if they should bail out, I told them that we were to low for a parachute to open , and even if they got to the water they wern’t likely to be picked up, we were too far north. My suggestion to them was to do some praying. Of course I aborted the mission and headed back to base, I had about 3 hours to go, after some time the fire just burned itself out. When I landed at home base I saw that the horizontal stabilizer was quite charred. Ten guys praying must have reached the big guy, he helped us get home. I didn’t get credit for a mission.

It puts our sad little lives into perspective doesn’t it, I shall never complain about another planning form again.
Nice to see you on the ball Jules, good luck with your eye operation.

Hornchurch,
Sorry that I didn’t reply to your query sooner, I havn’t seen the Corgi model.

Stormbridge,
I’ll relate the incident where my crew and I got an assist from the guy in the sky.
I was on a mission with 5 other planes, it was a sneak attack to take out German generals who were having a secret conferance. We were to fly at 300 feet over the water off the west coast of Italy, way up north. When we were to reach a a point we were to go up to 4000 feet and drop bombs, the target wasn’t too far inland. About an hour before the target area one of my engines caught fire, the other planes quickly left me fearing that I would blow up. I went through all the proper procedures but couldn’t put out the fire. My crew asked if they should bail out, I told them that we were to low for a parachute to open , and even if they got to the water they wern’t likely to be picked up, we were too far north. My suggestion to them was to do some praying. Of course I aborted the mission and headed back to base, I had about 3 hours to go, after some time the fire just burned itself out. When I landed at home base I saw that the horizontal stabilizer was quite charred. Ten guys praying must have reached the big guy, he helped us get home. I didn’t get credit for a mission.

It is posts like this that make this forum. I am forever indebted to Vets like you sir. I hope you get better soon and my personal thanx to you.
Tony Dyer
Proud grandson of Wg Cdr F J French DFC AFC OBE

Hornchurch,
Sorry that I didn’t reply to your query sooner, I havn’t seen the Corgi model.

Stormbridge,
I’ll relate the incident where my crew and I got an assist from the guy in the sky.
I was on a mission with 5 other planes, it was a sneak attack to take out German generals who were having a secret conferance. We were to fly at 300 feet over the water off the west coast of Italy, way up north. When we were to reach a a point we were to go up to 4000 feet and drop bombs, the target wasn’t too far inland. About an hour before the target area one of my engines caught fire, the other planes quickly left me fearing that I would blow up. I went through all the proper procedures but couldn’t put out the fire. My crew asked if they should bail out, I told them that we were to low for a parachute to open , and even if they got to the water they wern’t likely to be picked up, we were too far north. My suggestion to them was to do some praying. Of course I aborted the mission and headed back to base, I had about 3 hours to go, after some time the fire just burned itself out. When I landed at home base I saw that the horizontal stabilizer was quite charred. Ten guys praying must have reached the big guy, he helped us get home. I didn’t get credit for a mission.

Mr. Horowitz.

I am an Englishman, 47 years of age and have held a lifelong interest in military history. The more I speak to Veterans the more I realise they, like yourself, have no real idea of how important their service was. You all think that what you endured, what you achieved, was nothing out of the ordinary. Believe me Sir, the outpouring of affection towards men and women of your generation is genuine and heartfelt. If we can’t thank you all now then another few years will sadly mean it is too late.

Nothing that I have ever done or will ever do can match the intensity of those years between 1939 and 1945, but it is thanks to you that I have lived in relative peace and safety and have been allowed to live my life pretty much as I would choose. I have been allowed to make my own mistakes and have my own little triumphs. That is purely down to what happened all those years ago.

I suspect now, that like so many of your generation, there is a need to rekindle the comradeship and fellowship that carried you through those terrible years, maybe even a need to unburden yourself of memories which you only now feel can be relived, re-experienced, internalised and lived with. This is not only true of yourself but of all Veterans. There is no time, and what is more there is no need, to feel the guilt that some of today’s apologists would have you all feel. Someone started a war – YOU finished it. And made the world a better and safer place.

To you personally Mr. Horowitz, I would just like to offer you my respect and my heartfelt gratitude for all that you did. For enduring and conquering your fears, for your skill, for your courage and now, not least of all, your humility.

I can only wish you peace and happiness for your remaining years.

Kind Regards,

Kevin Mears

I’ll second that! 🙂

Thank you for your service, Mr Horowitz.
And, to all those others who also served, on land, sea or in the air – Thank you.

Don

Jules
Glad to hear you are still with us.

Came across an video recollection you did with the EAA some time back about some of your flying experiences. Thought I would share the link with the forumites. Several other interviews with aviation recollections there as well.

http://www.brightcove.tv/title.jsp?title=1308022947&channel=627008079

Mr. Horowitz.

I am an Englishman, 47 years of age and have held a lifelong interest in military history. The more I speak to Veterans the more I realise they, like yourself, have no real idea of how important their service was. You all think that what you endured, what you achieved, was nothing out of the ordinary. Believe me Sir, the outpouring of affection towards men and women of your generation is genuine and heartfelt. If we can’t thank you all now then another few years will sadly mean it is too late.

Nothing that I have ever done or will ever do can match the intensity of those years between 1939 and 1945, but it is thanks to you that I have lived in relative peace and safety and have been allowed to live my life pretty much as I would choose. I have been allowed to make my own mistakes and have my own little triumphs. That is purely down to what happened all those years ago.

I suspect now, that like so many of your generation, there is a need to rekindle the comradeship and fellowship that carried you through those terrible years, maybe even a need to unburden yourself of memories which you only now feel can be relived, re-experienced, internalised and lived with. This is not only true of yourself but of all Veterans. There is no time, and what is more there is no need, to feel the guilt that some of today’s apologists would have you all feel. Someone started a war – YOU finished it. And made the world a better and safer place.

To you personally Mr. Horowitz, I would just like to offer you my respect and my heartfelt gratitude for all that you did. For enduring and conquering your fears, for your skill, for your courage and now, not least of all, your humility.

I can only wish you peace and happiness for your remaining years.

Kind Regards,

Kevin Mears

All my good friends

It’s really heartwarming to read all your messages, and good thoughts.

Re: WW2— I just did my bit as thousands of others did. I loved flying especially the B17,
I got sort of a break because other then once, I never saw enemy fighters because I was busy keeping my plane in tight formation, my crew got credit for 6 enemy shot down. What scared me the most was seeing the heavy flak when we approached the target area.

Early this Oct I’m going to my group reunion at Dayton, Ohio. I think it will be the last one because there aren’t too many dinasaurs left that can travel, I’ll make the effort.

Recently a friend passed away who was an UK B17 crewman and was also a POW. His lady friend asked if I wanted his memorabilia since his family weren’t interested. I have about 60 books, dvd’s etc weighing over 50 pounds, I am now looking for a home or a museum for this stuff since parts of this treasure trove is irreplaceable.

To all of you–I’m still hanging in with all the aches and pains that go with the territory. Hopefully by the end of Aug I’ll get rid of my Strabisimus (double vision)

Hornchurch–You keep on fighting, hopefully the Good Lord will give you a helping hand. Another time I’ll tell you of a mission I was on where the Big Boy definately gave my crew and I a great assist.

Bonza Jule’s mate! 😀

REMEMBER this forum want’s to bottle you, and keep ya pickled here for ever mate! :rolleyes:

But of course we all do know and accept that even of great WW2 Heroe’s just can not live for ever 🙁

I have thought a lot about you just recently Jule’s mate, I scored a ripper book from the local Op shop for $10 Aussie dollar’s!!!:cool:

It’s called.

B-17 FORTRESS

B-29 SUPERFORTRESS

_________AT WAR__________

ROGER A FREEMAN DAVID A ANDERTON

ISBN 1 85648 356 8

1996 Edition…………MINTwith mint dust cover too :diablo:

Lot of Mega awesome picture’s of both Aircraft, and LOT’S of info on WW2 mission’s.

I would have to go back through the book again Jule’s mate’.

But it mention’s your mob over Africa and Wop land, with picture’s and interview’s with varous crew member’s, Pilot, Co pilot, Gunner’s, the lot.

Same with the 29! 😎

Picture’s of the open cockpit 17’s aswell, good detail, Great Job hey :rolleyes:,

Flying a great big bomb!! then have to bail out of the open cockpit 😮 and try and miss tail and other bit on the way past to mother earth.

Now from memory, One made a very big hole in little old England, one just flew off out to Sea, and was it the same type that JFK’s brother went west!! :confused:

Or am I thinking of the radio controlled 17’s that went west :rolleyes:

Never mind Jule’s I’ve just checked again, but no you don’t seem to appear in the photo’s, BUT your 17 maybe in the formation shot’s 😉

And again like other’s here, great ta know ya are still kicking Jule’s mate.

The MS is slowing me down just a little more now after 16 year’s of it, maybe moving on to a different stage o the disease,

Oh well IT HAPPEN’S

The sciatica’s a right pain constantly :mad:, and celiac’s aright pain n the Gut and Butt :rolleyes:

But the Mongrel Cornish Pirate blood, and Mad German Blood, throw in a Kiwi, and MAD as a Cut Snake Aussie :dev2: to just top of the superior mix I have running through me :p

Mean’s it’s NO retreat No Surrender for me with my differnet problem’s

Fight em all till then end, and go down fighting too 😉

Oooooo Rooooo all and Jule’s Catch ya’s late

I must Crash ” Gut Nacht ” or Good Moaning 😀

Welcome back Jules – As you can see, you were missed.

Moggy 🙂

Absolutely !!!!!!!!!

Would love to ask Jules (assuming he’ll still read this thread ?) about his opinion on the die-cast metal model that Corgi released… of their 99th Bomb-Group, (15th Air-Force) B.17-G “2nd Patches”.

I’m aware that it’s Jules (99th) Bomb-Group, but not the same squadron.. although he may have re-collection of that particular aircraft ?

Even if not, would like to know Jules thoughts on the model, anyhow.

I bought mine the other week & thought that it’s an excellent model & the pictures don’t really do it justice, as it looks SO MUCH nicer in the flesh !!!!!

The “Olive Drab” top-surface looks way too dark; esp’ as the Italian/Mediterrainian sun would have bleached the upper-surface paintwork in no time at all, probably sending it more like ‘Tan’ :diablo:
When I opened the box, the (Olive) colour looked more suited to British-Armour, than an Italian-based B.17

IT DOESN’T LOOK AS DARK IN THE PIX, AS IT DOES IN REAL-LIFE, because for the benefit of the pictures, it’s photograped under exceptionally bright light(s), giving the (false) impression, it’s a lighter shade of green.

I’ll try & post a ‘Link’

http://www.tricatus.co.uk/AA33305.htm

Take a look Jules & see what ya think of the model ?

Makes a change to see a 15th Air-Force B.17 (model), instead of an 8th.

V.Glad to hear you’re keeping fine & like the other guys, I missed having you around, on here !!!!!!!!!

Welcome back Jules – As you can see, you were missed.

Moggy 🙂

B17 pilot

You people are just unbelievable with your offers to pay my way, to try to get me on a flight etc. I must refuse your kind offers because I’m scheduled for eye surgery the last week of August, I have to keep going back to the surgeon several times prior to the event. It’s not paticularly dangerous, it’s to correct double vision which would eliminate too many prisms that are ground into my glasses. About 10 years ago I helped clean up a decrepit B17, when it was in pristene condition the owner invited me to go on a 2 hour flight. He had me sit in the copilots seat and I had about 15 minutes stick time, I was out of this world.

Now that I have your attention I’ll tell you of an experience that I had 5 years ago—–
I monitor Armyairforces.com, sometimes I’m able to answer a question asked by 2nd and 3rd geraration relatives. Summer of 5 yrs ago, a man from Italy was looking for an airman who bombed his city (Reggio Emilia) on Jan 5,1943, I among others bombed and destroyed a German Aircraft factory in the city. Over the next several months we became fast friends, which continues to this day. About Dec he asked if I would like to come to Italy as a guest of their Historical Society, they were going to celebrate the anniversary of the bombing. The Pres of the country was going to be present and they would like me to come also. I told him that Jan was too cold for me, he then asked about June, I decided to go for 1 week, all expenses paid. I had a fantastic experience, I won the whole war by myself. I have avatar on the AAF site, he made about 200 copies and I kept autographing them. My host had a lot of clout, he was a retired CEO of a water and gas utility that had 300K+ accounts

I have read with interest the WW 2 tales related by Jules, i hope he feels well enough to make Duxford. With a potential 3 airworthy B17’s to drool over, the scene would not be complete without a vet like him to view the aircraft, possibly even fly in one, and certainly i hope to comment maybe briefly on the PA system on his service memories!. I have no contact details for him, for those who do and may wish to pass this on. I would be honoured to fund his trip across the pond and associated accomodation requirements. Its not a spur of the moment offer, but a real wish to give a man like him the pleasure once again of seeing his former mounts and to share in the excitement and spectacle that only Legends offers. The clock is ticking, its people like Jules who secured the freedom we enjoy today, their appearance at Flying Legends is part of the “Legend”. We need to assist and get as many of them to the show before we regret not having made the effort. Happy to help, i’am lucky to have time on my side,the Proctor restorations are progressing fine and if it means completing them 3 months later then planned for the pleasure of Jules being with us,so what.

TC, what a fantastic offer, it’s not hard to contact him, I have his personal web site but won’t publish it on here, I’m quite prepared to drive the old boy about and show him a few sites, but I get the impression it might be too much for him.
Pete.

Jules – Duxford

I have read with interest the WW 2 tales related by Jules, i hope he feels well enough to make Duxford. With a potential 3 airworthy B17’s to drool over, the scene would not be complete without a vet like him to view the aircraft, possibly even fly in one, and certainly i hope to comment maybe briefly on the PA system on his service memories!. I have no contact details for him, for those who do and may wish to pass this on. I would be honoured to fund his trip across the pond and associated accomodation requirements. Its not a spur of the moment offer, but a real wish to give a man like him the pleasure once again of seeing his former mounts and to share in the excitement and spectacle that only Legends offers. The clock is ticking, its people like Jules who secured the freedom we enjoy today, their appearance at Flying Legends is part of the “Legend”. We need to assist and get as many of them to the show before we regret not having made the effort. Happy to help, i’am lucky to have time on my side,the Proctor restorations are progressing fine and if it means completing them 3 months later then planned for the pleasure of Jules being with us,so what.

Nice to know he’s still kicking. I’m sure I speak for the rest of us when I say wish him all the best from us.

We need to get him to DX! With 3 B-17’s, I’m sure someone can arrange something with one of the 3?

Have received an E-mail from Jules Horowitz, I’ve been very naughty and haven’t checked my mail for a week, any way this is what it says.

Hi Pete
Very nice of you to check up on me, I’m still around, but getting more decrepit as time marches on. My memory of WW2 flying is still pretty good. If anyone has any questions pertaining to B-17 I will try to answer.
I would love to go over on the Liberty Belle but— noone has invited me, and if I asked I think it would be a little too much for me.
About 12-15 years ago, I had a ride in a restored B-17, the owner gave me about 15mins stick time, it was an unbeleivable experience.
I hope that the airshow at Duxford is a great experience for the attendees.

Best wishes
Jules Horowitz.

What more can you say!!