History
The Ash has been a favourite for many years since its use by the United States Air Force during the campaigns of World War II and is still popular with frequent flyers due to its close proximity to Stansted Airport.
Below is some information about the pub’s connection with the US Air force and there are even some pictures of the airmen who frequented the Ash during the war years.
344TH BOMB GROUP ASSOCIATION
5747 DARNELL STREET • HOUSTON, TX 77096
713/774-3030
LAMBERT AUSTlN, SECRETARY TREASURER
The Freddie Dees. B-26 martin Marrauder, Medium Bomber flown by Lt. Harold Hanson and crew for more than half our 65 missions from Stansted Crew consisted of: Harold Hanson, pilot from Walnut, Iowa and now of 6602 Peach Tree, Las Vegas, NV (5th from left standing. Charles Carlley from Hazon, AR, Co-pilot and now of 5411 Harblehead. Dr., Jackson, HS (standing next to Hanson). Carl Christ from Florida Park, NY, Bombadier and now of Stony Brook NY (kneeling in center). Lambert Austin from Bath, NY, Top turret gunner and now of 5747 Darnell, Houlton, TX (on Carl’s right), Harland Ratliff from West Texas, Tail gunner and now of1414 A St. SE Auburn WA (2nd from left standing. Henry Janowski from Detroit, MI, Waist gunner and now of 8435 Westwood, Detroit, MI (last man on right standing). After the war Hank changed his name to Jay
All six members of the original crew formed at Lake Charles LA in the Fall of 1943 are still alive today, February 1996. Each one finished his tour of 65 missions and only Carl and I were wounded enough to receive Purple Hearts. We were in the 344th Bomb Group, 496th Squadron.
The 366t Bomb Group Association is still meeting in reunion each year and has nearly 650 active members on the roster and receiving the quarterly newsletter entitled “Milk Run”.
LAMBERT
