War vet is an escape artist
By Dan Gordon
Remembering war heroes is the order of the week, as the county gears up for a World War II commemoration this Friday. Some people though, such as Herman E. Molen, have a bit more to reflect on than most.
After all, Molen is the only man to lead two escapes from the Stalag 17 prison camp, a fact which helped inspire a movie.
Molen, an 83-year-old Mabank resident, is an Air Force veteran. Though he only saw combat in World War II, he was active in three major wars, flying reconnaissance missions in the Korean and Vietnam Wars for a total of 27 years in the armed forces.
He was born in Hunt County to Claude and Myrtie Molen on Aug. 14, 1923 and raised on a farm near Merit with a brother and four sisters. He married Beverly Molander on April 28, 1943 and did not see her again until after the war. Afterward, the couple would raise four daughters.
Molen enlisted for WWII at the age of 19 and graduated from a gunnery school in Harlingen; thereafter, he served as a ball turret gunner in the 305th Bomb Group. His division, the 364th Bombardment Squadron, suffered a staggering 97 percent casualty rate -- greater than that of the Marines.
"There's nowhere to run up there," Molen said. "When you're flying, you've just got to stand and face it."
Molen received both the Purple Heart and the Distinguished Flying Cross for his role in a July 4, 1943 bombing raid on a German submarine pen. Molen brought down between three to five German fighters, with the contested two being considered "probable" kills. In the course of the attack Molen was shot in the face and head, removing him from combat for about a month. He later resumed his regular duties before his wounds had fully healed.
The plane was scrapped, having been damaged beyond worthwhile repair in the raid. One of the wings had been ruined, Molen said -- a fact he didn't learn until after landing.
"The wing was almost totally destroyed. A good jolt would've taken it off," Molen said. "Our fuel tanks were in the wings, so it's really a miracle we made it back."
Despite his heroism in the ball turret, Molen's exploits as a prisoner of war are probably better known. He was the only man to lead two escapes from the Stalag 17-B prison camp, a story which served as the basis for the 1953 movie "Stalag 17."
Stalag 17-B, located near Krems, Austria, was a camp designated for captured Air Force personnel. Molen describes it in his memoirs as a run-down holdover from World War I which was "never good at its best," with dirty, cramped living conditions and scarce plumbing. Temperatures at the camp sometimes fell below zero, and the prisoners were fed meager, spoiled rations.
Molen, along with most of his crew, was first brought to the camp on Oct. 14, 1943 after their plane was brought down in German territory. They suffered stints in solitary confinement and, on one occasion, a forced march through the Austrian wilderness.
Molen escaped the first time with a French POW on Easter Sunday in 1944 by breaking through the perimeter fence with a wagon hinge.
"We knew that cutting fences was a great way to get shot," Molen said. "We were just counting on the guards not expecting anyone to try it."
Molen's plan succeeded, and the two managed to leave without incident. The environment worked against them, however, and they were recaptured after five days.
"It was very cold," he said. "The snow east of camp was about a foot high."
His second escape occurred on Jan. 3, 1945, when he and five other prisoners bribed the camp guards and left. The second escape was a bit more successful, and Molen was able to evade recapture for two months. After numerous close calls -- at one point, he was surrounded by German forces in the Austrian Alps -- Molen was turned in by civilians.
Molen and the others were finally liberated on May 5 during a 200-kilometer forced march across the Austrian countryside. Many of the prisoners had died of exposure and starvation during the march, and Molen himself had been suffering from dysentery. He was shipped back to America from La Havre, France on June 1. He retired from the Air Force for good in 1969.
"The most exciting day of my life was when I heard that the Japanese surrendered," he said.
Molen has worked extensively with veterans' groups since leaving the military. He is a current member and a former national commander of the American Ex-Prisoners of War, as well as a member of the VFW, American Legion, Military Order of the Purple Heart, and Disabled American Veterans, among other organizations. Additionally, he has lobbied the state and federal governments to expand the rights of veterans.
Molen says he's pleased with the state's plans to recognize the veterans, especially considering their advancing age.
"I think the old-timers will really appreciate it," he said. "You could probably say that this is going to be a last celebration for World War II veterans. There's not too many of us left."
"I'd also like to see the civilians on the homefront recognized for their sacrifices," he added. "Every American pitched in during that war."
The Henderson County WWII Commemoration will be held at the Henderson County Courthouse Friday, Sept. 2 at 9 a.m. Molen is scheduled to be among the guest speakers. For more information contact the Henderson County Historical Commission at (903) 675-6199.
e-mail dgordon@athensreview.com