P.O.W.: The Aftermath
During World War II, over fifty thousand United States airmen were shot down over parts of Germany and Poland. Jack Blacker, 8th Air Force, was one of these men.
(Picture of Dulag Luft Prison)
During his last mission, Blacker’s plane, the “Ball of Fire”, received severe damage, which forced the crew to abandon the B-17 Superfortress. Although Blacker parachuted to the ground, his adventure had just begun. Upon landing, Blacker’s leg was severely broken and he was separated from the rest of his crew. Eventually, German patrols captured Blacker and made him march to the nearest holding facility. However painful the trip to the facility was, Blacker’s pain and anxiety further increased when he arrived. The Germans had already managed to hang five of the members of the “Ball of Fire.” After this introduction to the prisoner of war lifestyle, Blacker knew he was in for troubling times. These troubling times eventually changed his life dramatically, in many aspects including his psychological development and changed lifestyle habits.
Followng several days in solitary confinement, Blacker’s interrogation began. “They knew his mother’s address and where his father worked. They threatened to kill them if Jack did not tell them what they wanted to hear,” Joan Blacker, Jack’s wife, later explained. However, Blacker remained steadfast and only divulged his name, rank, and Air Force serial number. As punishment, the Germans placed his five dead crewmates in the same cell for intimidation purposes. Ultimately, Blacker was moved to the notorious Dulag Luft prison.
Blacker spent the majority of his time at Dulag Luft cramped into a small room with forty other men. According to the Geneva Convention, the Red Cross was entitled 
(Captured American Airmen at Dulag Luft)
to have an international representative, to monitor the treatment of prisoners, to see if their captors were adhering to the rules (Geneva). Unfortunately for Blacker, the captors at Dulag Luft did not abide by the Geneva Convention. In his autobiography, Blacker comments by stating, “It seemed the Germans made their own rules and threw the rule book away. O well, in spite of all that we still held together 100% as a team.” However, the Red Cross was able to alleviate some of the prisoner’s pain by sending toothpaste, combs, and needles and threads.
Mainly, meals consisted of ergots, a hot liquid that was brewed from burnt ground up barley, and a loaf of bread that was shared between six men (Blacker). These sparse meals caused Blacker to lose over one hundred pounds during his fourteen-month episode at Dulag Luft. Also, he suffered from extreme forms of dysentery. Many times, his cramps became so unbearable he was unable to walk.
However, the war did not just impact Blacker’s physical health. His mental consciousness was also dramatically affected. After various consolations with specialized veteran doctors, Blacker was diagnosed with Post traumatic Stress Disorder. Post traumatic Stress Disorder is a psychiatric disorder that can occur following the experience or witnessing of life-threatening events such as military combat (Luftwaffe). Blacker showed signs of this disease by his constant nightmares and flashback experiences. Also, Blacker oftentimes became detached from the rest of the world, only to totally recover within the week. “Living with Jack meant living with his past. The kids and I just learned to live with it,” Joan Blacker said, “We understood what he went through and how we needed to help him deal with his issues. It is like he defended us, so now we can defend him.”
Eventually, the Russian Army rescued Blacker and the rest of the airmen from Dulag Luft (Blacker). “The Russians didn’t let the doctors or engineers go home because they needed them in Russia. Luckily, Jack was just a truck driver, so he was able to go back to the States,” Joan Blacker stated. On June 13, 1945, Blacker finally arrived back in the United States in New York Harbor. “Jack said that once he saw the Statue of Liberty, it made it all worth while. He just felt free I guess,” Joan Blacker said. Ultimately, Blacker received $75.00 in back pay and another extra fifty percent for flying (Blacker). The next few days were a slice of heaven for Blacker and his buddies considering this new found freedom and money. In his autobiography Blacker states, “The first place we hit was an army surplus store, where we bought new sun tans and pinned our ribbons we were issued, on our shirts above the chest pocket, and were off to do the town. We have a pocket full of money and we are ready to spend it.”
After his trip to the Big Apple, Blacker received a sixty-day furlough where he caught up with his family, friends, and his soon to be fiancée. Following his break, Blacker was ordered to report to Santa Monica California, where he was quartered in a hotel on the beach. Afterward, Blacker traveled to Santa Anna Air Force Base where he was discharged from the service.
On October 6, 1945 Blacker received his discharge papers and became a civilian (Blacker). After another three months of courtship, he proposed to his wife, Joan Blacker. Nearing the end of his life, Blacker wrote about his wife, “One doesn’t realize how important a companion is in later life until the thought of losing one. God bless her, she is as beautiful as ever.”
At the end of his autobiography, Blacker concluded what the entire war experience was to him,
“As I look back on this autobiography of my life in the service and having been a prisoner of war, I can’t help but believe my experiences during this time were the driving factors in my love and appreciation of life. Perhaps it has been a blessing that I can’t forget. I have had many experiences with P.T.S.D. (Post traumatic Stress Disorder) but my higher power is always there to take care of me. I thank him again and forever.”
Jack Blacker died shortly after completing this autobiography; however, his memory still 
(Prisoners at Dulag Luft)
lives on with the people that love him. His presence is still felt today throughout Brownsburg, Indiana and his local parish, St. Malachy. But most importantly, the love of his wife still endures. “I still love him and wish he was here to do this interview with you,” Joan Blacker said. Jack Blacker was a shining example of the “Greatest Generation” and his story should never be forgotten.
Works Cited
1. Asch, Alfred. "Air Force and World War II Memorials." Ball of Fire Quarterly Express 2003: 2-5.
2. Blacker, Jack. Memories of an Aerial Gunner and Former P.O.W. #2272. 1997.
3. Blacker, Joan. Personal Interview. 19 April 2006.
4. "The Luftwaffe Interrogators." World War II - Prisoners of War - Stalag Luft I . 20 April 2006 http://www.merkki.com/new_page_2.htm .
5. Maurer , Maurer . Overview of Air Force Combat Units of World War II .USAF, 1986.
By: Sean Kelley