Edward Appel as a Lt in 1944.

Juliann (daughter of Edward) and Tim Pendolino were on the trail for 8 days and then spent 2 days and 3 nights in Neuburg, covering about 150 miles. They were in contact with another military historian Hans Wohlmuth, who took them to the site where Edward most definitely cross the Danube. " I am so grateful for all the help from the German people and the support of friends and family. It was truly an amazing experience!" Juliann Pendolino

Nose art, the Latrine Rumor

History book from Surbough France, where the B24 of Edward Appel's crew crashed. The crash was observed by then 8 year old Joseph Scharrenberger of Subourg. Joseph retold the story to Edward's children in Nov, 2014. Marie Fassel, 9 years at the time, was also an eyewitness at the crash. She talk about retrieving the parachutes and making dresses out of them. The meeting was arranged by Gerard Ober, historian of Hochfelden.

Louis and Marie Wencker. On Sept 8 1944, Edward approach this couple as they were harvesting in their field near Hochfelden, France. He war cold and hungry. The quickly told him to hide in their wagon and brought him to their house. He hid in their hayloft until November 23, 1944 with their son, Georges, who had been forced into the German army, became wounded and then AWOL. Edward wanted to leave several times, but was convinced by the French Resistance it was to dangerous.

Thanksgiving Day, 2014. Same background as the picture from Thanksgiving Day 1944. David Appel (Edward's son), Edouard Wencker(Georges' Son), Juliann (Appel) Pendolino (Edward's daughter), Marie France (Wencker) Pitre (Georges' daughter).

Liberation Day 23rd Nov 1944 in Hochfelden France. Picture of townspeople, French Resistance/Underground, Edward Appel, Georges and Louis Wencker, It was Thanksgiving Day.

French Resistance, Lucie Grasser on left, Edward in middle, and daughter, Frances Wencker. Frances wrote very good English and stayed in contact with Edward until the 1950's after the war. Other people who helped out in 1944 and spoke English were Father Zirn and Madame Haag.

Outside of the Wencker home in 2015. Juliann Pendolino and David Appel, children of Edward Appel, visited this home on Thanksgiving Day November 27, 2015 and was able to meet the descendants of the French family that helped Edward Appel evade and escape in 1944.

Hiding place of Edward Appel in Hochfelden France. He hid here with the son of the family, Georges Wencker, from Sept 8 to November 23, 1944. Edward stayed in contact with the family for a few years after the war, and Georges later named his son, Edouard after Edward Appel, the American pilot that hid with him in the barn.