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Leonard Streitfeld
U.S. Army Aircorp, 8th Airforce
398th Bombardment Group
European Theater
About "Hell from Heaven" by Leonard Streitfeld
This book is a true story about one person's memories and experiences from the early 1920's to the end of World
War II in 1945. It embraces the time in my life when I was impressed by the events of World War I from my father's
stories about his exploits in that war and all my recollections about the changing scene in world events leading
to World War II.
It also includes the part I played in it as a B-17 Bombardier in the 8th Air Force. I kept a diary during my time
in the service and recorded, as much as possible, everything I experienced along with accounts of the 31 combat
missions I was on.
I have tried to reveal a variety of personal and unusual experiences, that should hold your interest from cover
to cover. It includes first hand accounts of what it was like to fly dangerous, exciting and many times tragic
combat missions over Germany from the time we were briefed about the target we were to bomb to the time we returned
to our base in Nuthampstead, England.
The final combat mission flown by the Eighth Air Force to Pilsen, Czechoslovakia on April 25,1945 is described
in detail which you will find fascinating, nerve racking and tragically sad for two crews in our Bomb Group only
two weeks before the War's end.
This book also will touch on unusual and unexplainable events that spared my life, which border on extra sensory
perception that may be hard to believe but nevertheless happened.
More About the Author, Leonard Streitfeld and "Hell from Heaven"
Dr. Leonard Streitfeld, the author of "Hell From Heaven" was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1922.
His memories are captured in this fascinating book from the time he was a child to the time he spent in the United
States Army Air Corps from 1942 to 1945. He kept a diary during his entire term of active duty and gives accurate
accounts of his thirty-one combat missions over Germany as a bombardier in a B-17. There are many intriguing and
dramatic stories from others who were sole survivors after their planes were shot down and became prisoners of
war.
First hand accounts are given of the panic within the plane as the plane tumbled from the skies and how they were
lucky enough to parachute out before the plane crashed and exploded. There are many unexplainable quirks of fate
that made survivors out of some and spelled death for the unlucky ones.
For those of you who want the thrill of going on a combat mission over Nazi Germany in a B-17 from start to finish
with all the dangers that occurred from being shot at by German fighter planes and anti-aircraft guns to fighting
the elements at 25,000 feet, this book is for you.
If you are interested in what life was like in the Eighth Air Force at an American Air Base in England during WWII
along with the experiences they had in towns around the base in Nuthampstead and London, England which includes
some romance, then this book is for you. If you are interested in psychic and unbelievable events that took place,
then for sure you will enjoy reading this book.
There are approximately 80 pictures and graphics in this book with some of the pictures being in color that have
been reproduced from motion pictures. Dr. Streitfeld O.D., presently resides in Hammonton, New Jersey with his
wife Mary. He has three children, Steve, Rick and Linda as well as four grandchildren.
He is active in the Eighth Air Force Historical Society, 398th Bomb Group Memorial Association, American Legion,
V.F.W., J.W.V., Associate Member of the Smithsonian Institute, Millville Army Air Field Museum, Hammonton Historical
Society and several other Organizations including being a director in the Greater Hammonton Chamber of Commerce.
Recently he was elected to the Hammonton Public School Board of Education and was voted Hammonton Citizen of the
Year in 1991. He has written many editorials for the local newspaper but this is his first attempt at writing a
book, and has already started another.
About the Video
Dr. Streitfeld took over 2000 Feet of motion picture films during his 31 combat missions over Nazi Germany in WWII
over 50 years ago. These films, in color as well as black and white, have been preserved and made available for
you to order today on video. Many of the persons mentioned in the book, "Hell From Heaven", come to life,
as well as actual footage of the combat missions from the book. All of the scenes have a written commentary by
Dr. Streitfeld OD.
Army airman misses bus, survives accident
by Katie Racette
A Chilling Encounter by Leonard Streitfeld
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