Helno-Gal: A Survivor's Story of World War II and the Infamous Stalag 17

by Walter F Ram

On the morning of June 13, 1943, a B-17 “Flying Fortress” known as the HELNO-GAL departed England on a large raid sent to destroy Nazi submarine pens at Kiel, on Germany’s Baltic coast. Ambushed by German fighters, the HELNO-GAL was shot down; six of its ten-man crew perished with the aircraft, four were captured after parachuting inside Germany.

This is the incredible story of Walter Ram, the HELNO-GAL’s radio operator and one of the four who were captured. Walter spent the rest of the war as a POW in the infamous Nazi prison camp, Stalag 17, where he suffered cold, hunger, and the constant threat of being shot by guards.

This is also the story of Walter’s recovery from the anguish of his POW memories, and how he finally revealed them to therapists and his family 35 years after the war ended. Slowly shedding his PTSD, Walter began to open up to news reporters and, whenever possible, audiences old and young. Doing so allowed him to find a path to being grateful for having survived. “A coin,” he writes here, “has two sides”; in this book, Walter describes both of them.

Genres: History

130 pages, Paperback

Published May 30, 2021

Reviews

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of course you get 5 stars Mr Ram! You share your stories in this book and also every Monday at the 390 Memorial Museum ( located in the Pima AZ Air Museum.) I'm sure it wasn't always easy for you to remember and relive but we all benefit from your memories, so Thank You!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the privilege of meeting this wonderful gentleman at the Pima Air Museum. Fascinating man, I could listen to his stories for hours. Walter snuck into the military at a young age and was a B-17 airmen who got shot down over Germany during WWII He describes his efforts to survive the POW experience. It is a look behind the barbed wire of a POW camp that we don't often get to see from a first person perspective. It will make you appreciate even more what these young men went through for our freedoms that we take so much for granted. Last I heard is Mr. Ram was recovering from heart surgery. I wish him the best and thank him for sharing his experiences.

[Bethany Pendleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

After meeting Walter at the 390th museum attached to Pima Air and Space Museum, I knew I wanted to read this.

Hearing his story and reading his book it is amazing what he survived. Thank you MSgt Ram for telling your stories and keeping the history alive around WWII. People need to read these stories and listen.

[Leonard · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story of a nineteen year old survivor of the eighth air force during WWII. It is a short book, easy to read with smuggled pictures of the infamous POW camp, Stalag 17B, which is a remarkable story about how the pictures came about. Ram was the radio operator/gunner on his aircraft and flew five missions before being shot down. He survived 19 months as a POW. Good story.

[Lisa Gorhum · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating read made all the more so because the author is still alive. Turning 100 thus month, he makes weekly appearances at the Pima Air and Space Museum where he signs copies of his books and talks to people.

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was lucky to hear Walter talk at the Pima Air and Space Museum in February 2023. He was very interesting to listen to and I’m glad he’s sharing his story!

[Peter Nielsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent and thought provoking look at the life and experiences of a veteran and POW from WWII and how it affected his life.

[Alicia Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was neat reading the story of a WWII veteran that I actually got to meet.

[Raymond rau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had the opportunity to meet Walter and talk with him. This book tells his story

[Doug · Rating 5 out of 5]

I became aware of Mr. Ram because his daughter-in-law was my daughter's teacher. I also briefly met him at the University of Arizona Festival of Books. Quite a hero! I enjoyed his book immensely.