Little Patches
©1997 W.J. Lambert

Lt. Lewis Ellis, 104th BS, 91st BG, 8th AF, pilots "Little Patches" on a mission to Stendahl, Germany - January 1945

Having lost one engine and a lot of oil on the way in, over Holland, Ellis decided to press on to the target. Along the way, both the lead and deputy lead planes were shot down, leaving "Little Patches" as lead plane for the group. Attacked by large numbers of enemy fighters near the target area, Ellis' plane and crew sustained heavy damage and they were forced to shut down a second engine. "Little Patches" continued to lead the group to the target which was bombed to good effect. Again attacked by enemy fighters while leaving the target area, Ellis' plane sustained additional damage including fires, which were brought under control. Later, on the return leg of their mission, yet a third engine was lost due to a heavy oil leak caused by flak. Flying across the English Channel on one engine, "Little Patches" skimmed over the tree tops once it made land over Britain. Contrary to the pleas of his crew to crash-land, (further risking their lives,) Lt. Ellis pressed on for his home base at Bassingbourn. Landing with almost no fuel left in the tanks, the last remaining engine quit before "Little Patches" could taxi to its revetment. The aircraft was a "total write-off."

Neither Lt. Lewis Ellis nor his crew ever received any formal commendation for the actions of that day. Although, on the technicality that Ellis had led the group in combat three times, orders were drawn up to award him the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was never formally presented with the award. On Memorial Day, 1997, it was the artist's honor and pleasure to share in formally presenting this well-deserved award in the company of all his friends.

Art Gallery