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S/Sgt Stanton H Mesenbrink (shown on the right) was a Pathfinder with the 508th's 2nd Battalion team, which was led on D-Day by 2nd Lt Lloyd L Polette. I came to learn quite a bit about Mesenbrink when writing the Biography of his E Company buddy, George Shenkle. George told /1
me that Mesenbrink came over to their Company area at their camp in Wollaton Park (where the photo was taken) and told the guys that were there that he had volunteered for Pathfinder duty, and that George said "You're going to die". It gives some context to just how dangerous /2
even those in the Airborne perceived the job to be. Polette, who led the team, was a genuine badass, his exploits are covered in a number of books. Both George and Stanton knew him well, as George was with Polette when he was wounded during the Battle of the Bulge. Mesenbrink /3
was also wounded in the Battle of the Bulge, whilst the 2nd Battalion held a defensive position along a road called Pré Massines north of Erria on 2 Jan 1945. He returned to the 508th on 24 February.
On D-Day Stanton jumped from #42-93096, Chalk #17. This aircraft is, to my /4
On D-Day Stanton jumped from #42-93096, Chalk #17. This aircraft is, to my /4
knowledge, the only surviving Pathfinder aircraft, and is suspended from the ceiling of the National WWII Museum. Stanton is stood directly below the Chalk number. 2nd Lt Lloyd Polette is sat with one leg extended on the front row. A number of security personnel with this /5
stick were from the 504th PIR.
