ELMER ANTHONY LOEFFLER
Elmer Anthony Loeffler was born 8-Jan 1920 in St Peters Missouri. His parents were Anton Caspar Loeffler (1890–1957) and Mary Helen Ell (1889–1976). Elmer had two brothers: Maurice, Clarence and four sisters Delores, Bernice, Virginia, and Mae. Elmer attended All Saints Grammar school and All Saints High School for two years in St. Peters. Mo.
He registered for the draft 1-Jul 1941. When Elmer registered for the draft, he lists his employer as Fraser-Bruce Engineering Company in Weldon Springs MO, doing “carpenter work.” He later worked for Curtiss Wright. At Curtiss Wright in Robertson MO, for 1 ½ years served as sheet metal worker, fitting and fastening parts to aircraft fuselage. Used electric drill, air gun and hand tools.
His Enlisted (Military) Record and Report of Separation Honorable Discharge indicates Elmer attended Aircraft Sheet Metal for 4 weeks, National Defense School for 30 hours per week in St Charles MO 1941.
Elmer enlisted on 15-Dec 1942 at Jefferson Barracks in St. Louis Mo. His service number was 37403869. He had two years of high school. His Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) was Aerial Engineer 2750. Elmer was sent to St. Petersburg and Clearwater Florida for basic training. He was then assigned duty with the 3rd Ferrying Division at Romulus Michigan as an airplane and engine mechanic. Elmer was able to come home on leave at least once from Romulus. Soon, Elmer was transferred to Homestead Florida and assigned in March 1944 to the 1st Air Transport Bomber Squadron (ATS).
Flying “The Hump”
Few people know much about the China Burma India Campaign. Elmer was assigned as Crew Chief to C-46 #992 and flew with it the entire time as an Aerial Engineer on approximately 30 “Hump” missions in addition to numerous bases in the CBI area.
The assigned aircraft consisted of twenty C-46 transport type and they proved to be very successful aircraft for this kind of work. The Curtiss C-46 Commando was considered the workhorse for flying over the “Hump.” It was sturdy and could carry nearly double the cargo of a Douglas C-47 Skytrain. However, as a two-engine plane, if one failed, it lost 50% of its power, earning it the nickname “Ol’ Dumbo.” Only a skilled pilot could complete their mission under these circumstances over one of WWII’s most treacherous flight paths. Generally, aircraft of the day were not well suited to handle this extreme environment.
Flights over the hump commenced in mid-May 1944. The squad started flying the hump at the worst time of the year as far as weather was concerned. It was in the spring, which is the middle of the monsoon season. During this period severe winds and icing conditions with solid overcast were encountered most of the flight. This type of flying was a real test of skill of the pilots. Fear was with the crew on each flight. Not just the fear of crashing into the world’s highest mountain peaks or bailing out into the world’s densest jungle, but also fear of the fierce weather.
For more of Elmer’s story, click on the pdf below.
