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George LaMar

WWII | Multiple Units

In the early days of the war, George LaMar was an engineer/gunner who was assigned to deliver British bombers to Chiang Kai-shek's forces who were battling the Japanese invaders in China. The two man crews followed a long tortuous route which included a refueling stop in an extremely remote location. Part 1 of 4. (This interview made possible with the support of ANDREW DESMARAIS.) (5:50)
It was just the pilot and him when a storm hit the plane they were ferrying to India. George LaMar, who was the flight engineer, wound up bailing out and landing in utter darkness in shallow water. With his flashlight, all he could see around him was water. Part 2 of 4. (This interview made possible with the support of ANDREW DESMARAIS.) (7:04)
George LaMar was one of two aviators stranded after bailing out near the coast of India. They found some local officials but their sign language left something to be desired. Eventually, they got organized and he stayed behind to search for the downed plane. Part 3 of 4. (This interview made possible with the support of ANDREW DESMARAIS.) (4:36)
While searching for his plane in the Indian desert, downed aviator George LaMar, was fascinated by the local camel races. He asked if he could give it a try. Part 4 of 4. (This interview made possible with the support of ANDREW DESMARAIS.) (4:12)
As an engineer/gunner on a B-25, George LaMar monitored instruments during takeoffs and landings. His squadron was based in India, with targets mostly in Burma. The Japanese were moving a lot of war material north into China. (This interview made possible with the support of ANDREW DESMARAIS.) (4:53)
His first bombing mission was memorable because of the anti-aircraft shells bursting around the plane. As the engineer/gunner on a B-25, George LaMar inspected the plane after every mission and what he found in the front wheel well was alarming. (This interview made possible with the support of ANDREW DESMARAIS.) (4:14)
The B-25 squadron had crossed into Burma when it was jumped by 25 enemy fighters. George LaMar was in the upper turret furiously raking them with fire, when the lead plane was hit and fell back. They watched as the Japanese planes pounced on the crippled bomber. Suddenly, the crew bailed out. (This interview made possible with the support of ANDREW DESMARAIS.) (6:50)
Their B-25 had developed engine trouble so they made an emergency landing at a small British air strip near the Burmese border. As the engineer, it was George LaMar's job to stay with the plane until it was repaired. It took several weeks, during which he learned that the British were great singers and that there was some dangerous wildlife around. (This interview made possible with the support of ANDREW DESMARAIS.) (4:52)
After flying fifty missions, you got to go home. George LaMar explains the truth about the flight medals they all got and he recalls the ill feelings of the men when they heard a famous flyer speak. (This interview made possible with the support of ANDREW DESMARAIS.) (3:39)
What was his state of mind when he parachuted into the darkness and landed in the shallow ocean on the coast of India? George LaMar answers that by invoking the state of mind of the entire nation during the early days of the war. Despite all that, he was ready for it to end when it did. (This interview made possible with the support of ANDREW DESMARAIS.) (3:39)