“Black Thursday” Day, 2003
By the Governor of the State of Alabama
A Proclamation
September 30, 2003

WHEREAS, on October 14,1943, the Eighth Army Air Force sent 291 B-17 bombers on “Mission 115” – an air raid to Schweinfurt, Germany, during which they were protected by friendly fighter escorts, that were forced to turn back about half way to the target; and

WHEREAS, the Allied Forces were in hopes that this mission would destroy the ball bearing plants in this city, thus shortening the length of the war; and

WHEREAS, during this great air battle, 60 heavy bombers and 600 airmen, some becoming prisoners of war, did not return to their air bases in England; and

WHEREAS, the heavy losses caused Mission 115 to be forever known as “Black Thursday” and caused military strategists to re-think day time bombing missions and escort tactics; and

WHEREAS, in 1979 surviving airmen of this mission decided to form an association, the Second Schweinfurt Memorial Association, Inc. (SSMA), to commemorate their fallen comrades and hold future meetings on the 14th day of October; and

WHEREAS, in 1996 these survivors met with their former German enemies and decided to jointly erect a memorial to all people who died on that day. This memorial which is situated on a former air raid bunker in Schweinfurt was dedicated in 1998 “by some who witnessed the tragedy of war and are now united in friendship”; and

WHEREAS, the members of SSMA will be convening in Seattle, Washington for the 60th Anniversary of “Black Thursday” with some of their former enemies, family members and friends; and

WHEREAS, the people of the Yellowhammer State should recognize, Roy C. McGinnis of Montgomery and Benjamin F. Roberts of Decatur, along with their fellow airmen, for the tremendous courage and bravery they exhibited in the act of serving our Nation:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Bob Riley, Governor of the State of Alabama, do hereby proclaim October 14, 2003, as “Black Thursday” Day in the State of Alabama and urge all citizens to join me in honoring these veterans of World War II.

GIVEN UNDER MY HAND and the Great Seal of the Governor’s Office at the State Capitol in the City of Montgomery on the 30th day of September 2003.

Bob Riley

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