WW2 silk escape map spotlights the service of a Westport US army air force gunner

Russell Manchester at Honolulu Dec 25 1940

Donation of WW2 silk escape map spotlights the service of a Westport US army air force gunner

Russell S. Manchester grew up at Westport Point and graduated from Westport High School in 1938. By the age of 23, he had flown 50 missions with the 15th Army Air Force over Nazi-held territory. He carried with him four maps, known as silk escape maps, precious possessions that have recently been donated to the Westport Historical Society by Norma (Russell Manchester’s niece) and Walter Elwell.

“The Westport Historical Society is honored to preserve and interpret this fascinating and perhaps lesser-known military artifact,” said Jenny O’Neill, Westport Historical Society Executive Director. “It offers us an opportunity to reflect on the courage shown and risks faced by young Westporters during the Second World War as well as the ingenuity behind these maps.”

The four maps depict Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland, and “General government Poland” (term used for German zone of occupation). Even today, the maps offer stunning details and vibrant colors, showing locations of roads, railways, lighthouses, churches, and former and present frontiers. The maps are printed on both sides of the silk-like fabric known as rayon acetate which was lightweight, waterproof, tear resistant, and easily concealed in boots or coat linings. Silk escape maps were instrumental in helping Allied servicemen evade capture and return to safety.

The maps had a secondary use to identify nationality. An American flag is sewn in the corner of each map. The following instructions appear alongside the flag:

1. Learn by heart the Russian phrase “Ya Amerikanets” (means “I am American” and is pronounced as spelt)
2. Carry this folder and contents in left breast pocket.
3. If you have time before contact with the Russian troops, take out the folder and attach it (flag side outwards) to front of pocket.
4. When spotted by Russian troops put up your hands holding the flag in one of them and call out this phrase “Ya Amerikanets.”

Entering the army in July 1940, Russell Manchester trained at various posts and was later sent to Hawaii where he witnessed the attack on Pearl Harbor. In 1943 he began his combat flying as an engineer and gunner on a B-17 Flying Fortress.

Bertha Jeanne (Beaulieu) Manchester and Russell Stowell Manchester

Russell Manchester recalled that his 47^th mission, the raid on Innsbruck, Austria on December 19, was the toughest one: “the bomb run was complete and as the bomb bay doors were closed, fighters attacked from all points of the compass… shells penetrated the gas tank, draining all but about 40 gallons.”

“The dead engine vibrated so badly that the pilot couldn’t read the instruments. Orders were given to bail out, but the prop settled down. When we landed, the prop flew off and rolled to a stop on the landing mat.”

Russell Manchester married Bertha J. Beaulieu. He died in 1994 and is buried in Beech Grove Cemetery.