The Story of an Impossible Mission and a Lost Soldier Returned Home after 80 years.
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Join me on a journey through one of the most daring and dangerous missions of World War II. Discover the incredible bravery and sacrifice of the American airmen who risked everything to strike a decisive blow against the Axis powers.
Flying Through Hell
High above the clouds, amidst the steady hum of propellors, a large group of Consolidated B-24 Liberator bombers flew steadily in formation. Amongst them, Colonel Addison Baker and his co-pilot, Major John Jerstad, sat at the helm of the aircraft endearingly named “Hell’s Wench.” Their crew included navigator George Reuter, engineer Charles Bennett, radio operator John Carol, gunners Edgar Faith, George Allen, William Wood, and Morton Stafford, and bombardier Alfred Pezzella. They maintained formation with their lead craft, the Teggie Anne, flown by Pilot Colonel Keith Compton.
As they flew over the skies of Romania, tension hung heavy in the air. Their target: a collection of large oil refineries located in and around the city of Ploesti, Romania. These refineries were responsible for producing about a third of the petroleum used by the German war machine. It was August of 1943 at the height of World War II, and the United States Army Airforce had planned a daring mission to strike these oil refineries with a massive low-flying bombing raid, one of the first of its kind in air combat history. This mission was known as Operation TIDAL WAVE.
The Hell's Wench Crew
Yet not everything was going according to plan. Only moments ago, Colonel Compton, piloting the lead plane on the mission, made a fateful wrong turn south, approved by mission commander General Ent who was aboard his plane. He was now heading in the wrong direction, away from their target in the city of Ploesti, and instead heading toward the city of Bucharest which sat 35 miles south of their destination. The time to correct this mistake was short and this one wrong turn had the potential to derail the entire mission.
Colonel Baker and several other pilots attempted to contact Compton on the radio and inform him of his mistake. But the Colonel’s radio was turned off, following an order to maintain radio silence and by extension, the element of surprise. Compton's own navigator, Colonel Harold Wicklund, also attempted to inform him over their plane’s intercom. Nevertheless, their pleas went unheeded.
With determination and resolve, and realizing that Colonel Compton was not changing course, several aircraft, including Hell’s Wench, turned back towards Ploiești, leading others in the 93rd Bomb Group to their targets. Colonel Baker had made a promise to his crew that they would bomb Ploesti, and he intended on keeping that promise. But as they approached the refineries, disaster struck.
Baker could see large clouds of black and white smoke rising in the distance. The enemy forces had deployed smoke pots and set fire to barrels of oil in the fields surrounding the refineries. Dense plumes of smoke rose into the sky, doing their job to obscure the pilot’s view of their targets.
There were also enormous barrage balloons tethered with steel cables placed around the most important parts of the refineries. These steel cables could slice through the aluminum wings of the Liberators. In that moment, Baker grasped the chilling reality: the enemy was acutely aware of their impending assault.
Suddenly, a burst of flak tore through the wing of the bomber, sending sparks and shrapnel flying through the air. Hell’s Wench had taken two devastating flak hits. The plane lurched violently, its wings trembling as Baker fought to maintain control. The German’s had also bolstered their anti-aircraft defenses, setting up over 50 heavy anti-aircraft guns, along with hundreds of smaller caliber weapons.
Colonel Baker pressed on, his commitment to his crew unwavering. With both wings damaged, he ordered the bombs released.
"Bombs away!" the bombardier yelled, a moment of levity amidst the chaos, a reflection of Alfred's spirit in the face of adversity.
But their ordeal was far from over. Leaking fuel and engulfed in flames, Hell's Wench pressed on past the refineries, only a few hundred feet in the air. However, due to the wrong turn taken earlier, the 93rd and 376th bomb groups were off their planned flight path. As a result, fellow bombers targeting similar objectives were flying directly toward them. With quick thinking and nerves of steel, Baker pulled up, maneuvering the aircraft to avoid a mid-air collision with the crisscrossing B-24s, the faces of other crewmen visible through the passing windows.
Baker fought valiantly to keep the plane aloft, his hands gripping the controls with a fierce determination, hoping to give his crew a chance to bail out. But it was no use, the engines had stalled. With a final, agonizing groan, the B-24 Liberator turned belly-up and plummeted from the sky, its wings engulfed in flames as it hurtled towards the earth below.
The crew had made the ultimate sacrifice, their lives given in service to their country. Not only had they fulfilled their mission, but they had also led a gallant charge, guiding a large group of bombers towards their targets, a testament to their bravery and sacrifice amidst the chaos of war.
Ploesti Pranged!
Uncle Al
Lost But Not Forgotten
Although the crew of Hell's Wench tragically perished on that fateful morning of August 1st, 1943, their deaths would not be officially declared until many years later, following the end of the war. Amidst the chaos of battle over Ploesti, Romania, and the subsequent efforts of Romanian authorities to clean up the aftermath, identifying the remains of the lost soldiers proved to be an extraordinary challenge. The Romanian government reported that they had recovered and buried 216 American soldiers, yet only 27 of them were identifiable.
Among those left unidentified was the then 27-year-old bombardier, and my great-great uncle, Alfred W. Pezzella, a member of the Hell’s Wench crew whose memory and sacrifice lingered on in the hearts and minds of his family for generations.
His story, like that of countless other airmen who participated in the Second World War, embodies the courage and selflessness that define the greatest generation. I intend to tell their story, and the story of Operation TIDAL WAVE, and hopefully through this effort, uphold their legacy, inspiring us to honor their memory and strive for a future worthy of their sacrifice.
I never knew Alfred Pezzella, but as a young boy growing up in an Italian American family, I heard stories of Alfred from my grandmother. I remember when I was only around 12 years old, I stood in the dining room of my grandparents’ house surveying the black and white photos framed on the side table pushed against the window. I recognized the faces well enough. My grandfather was there, although a younger version of him and my grandmother too, also much younger than she was at the time. Still, I could make out their features well enough. Glancing down the table, I saw one photo of my mother and her siblings; there were 6 of them in total, all posing nicely for the picture. But one photo stood out to me, a photo of someone I didn’t recognize: a young man smiling in his army uniform.
I questioned my mother about who this unfamiliar face was. She told me that he was her great uncle Al, and that he went missing while flying in World War II. I was immediately intrigued because, to my young mind, this sounded like a story out of a video game or a book. I was also unaware at the time that any of my close relatives fought in World War II.
The realization that a beloved relative had embarked on a perilous journey, never to return, sent shivers down my spine. It was as if I had uncovered a hidden chapter in our family saga. A story not unlike that of Amelia Earhart’s or something you’d hear on the History Channel regarding the Bermuda Triangle.
My grandmother, Betty, was one of my only direct relatives that knew Alfred when he was alive, albeit only for a few years when she was just a young girl. Still, she would always describe how great his sense of humor was and how much fun he was as an uncle. It is hard to believe how my older relatives, like my grandmother, had so many close relationships with people I could never meet. There were entire generations removed from me, yet they were still family to the people I felt so close to now. In a way, that thought has brought Alfred closer to me.
As I stared at Alfred, smiling back at me in the photograph, I couldn't help but wonder what his story was, or why he had never been found. I didn’t know it at the time, but there were many stories like Alfred’s. Lost soldiers whose remains had never been found and whose families lived on without any sort of fitting closure. This kind of immense loss was neither something I could comprehend at that young age, nor something the videogames or movies I enjoyed could accurately convey.
Now years later, and with more information at my disposal, I hope to shed light on these untold stories that lie buried within the confines of history. How many unsung heroes, like Alfred, had traversed the currents of war, their sacrifices left unnoticed by the average person, yet deeply rooted in the world we live in today? I intend to honor the legacy of Alfred and all of those who fought in World War II, many of which gave their lives for their country and their loved ones. Although these echoes of the past may fade with each passing generation, the legacy of those who came before us endures, serving as a timeless reminder of the courage, resilience, and sacrifice that define the human spirit.
Alfred was beloved by his family, and his loss effected them for generations. Betty, my grandmother, would often tell stories of Alfred and how he took her flying when she was younger. His loss effected her even at that young age and well into her adulthood, and his memory has survived for over 80 years in part thanks to her effort.
Alfred W. Pezzella
Alfred Pezzella's story begins in 1915 in Newton, Massachusetts, where he was born to Consiglia and Raffaele Pezzella. Growing up in Waltham, MA as the youngest of five siblings and the only boy, Alfred was surrounded by the love and care of his family. His four older sisters, Marianna, Annete, Clara, and Katherine were born in Italy, but Alfred was the only one born in the USA, several years after his next oldest sister.
The Pezzella family's journey to America was one of hope and opportunity, yet it was also marked by challenges. In Italy, the patriarch of the family, owned land and raised horses as a rancher, but Consiglia saw greater prospects for her daughters in America, hoping they would marry into wealthier families. However, upon arrival, they found themselves working in factories to make ends meet.
Alfred's childhood was marked by his struggles with weight, but as he reached his mid-teens, his fascination with airplanes ignited a passion within him. Determined to work closely with aircraft, he embarked on a journey of self-improvement, running and adopting healthier eating habits to meet the physical requirements of joining the US Air Corps.
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The 1940s in the United States were marked by a strong sense of patriotism and duty towards the war effort. War propaganda posters were a powerful tool used to encourage people to join the military, buy war bonds, and conserve resources. These posters were a constant reminder of the war's importance and the need for everyone to contribute.
Unable to afford flying lessons, Alfred saw enlisting in the Army as his only chance to work with planes. He was tired of the factory work him and his family engaged in, and desired something greater for his life and his career. There was only one problem: he stood just under the height requirement to enlist. Inspired by his desire to further his career, he was determined to join the air corps by any means. He ultimately overcame his short stature through an unorthodox approach: sleeping on the floor. In the weeks leading up to his enlistment he committed to this regimen, having read that it could help straighten out your back. Remarkably, his perseverance paid off, as he managed to gain the additional height required, barely scraping past the stringent requirements for enlistment.
Alfred's bond with his family, particularly his niece Francis, was evident in the joy and laughter they shared. Despite the challenges of wartime, he remained lighthearted and caring, always ready to lend a helping hand. When Francis faced missing her senior prom due to her fiancé's deployment, Alfred stepped in, escorting her in his military uniform and ensuring she didn't miss out on the experience. Alfred’s niece, Anne Ferry describes a fond memory she has of Alfred picking her up and spinning her around when she was only 2-3 years old. A memory that has lasted for over 80 years.
Described as handsome, charismatic, patriotic, and having a great sense of humor, Alfred Pezzella embodied the spirit of countless men who sacrificed their lives in service of their country during World War II. His story is a reminder of the bravery and selflessness of those who answered the call of duty, leaving behind a legacy of honor and sacrifice that continues to inspire generations.
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Operation Tidal Wave
Mission Briefing
During the early stages of World War II, petroleum production and distribution facilities emerged as critical targets for strategic bombing campaigns. Among these, Ploesti, Romania, stood out as a key hub, hosting a concentration of oil refineries which together were responsible for approximately one-third of Germany's liquid fuel needs. Situated deep within enemy territory, Ploesti presented one of the most heavily defended targets in Europe, defended by both Romanian and German Forces.
The Germans, as it turned out, knew the extraordinary importance these oil refineries held towards their continued war effort. As such, and following a smaller attack in June of 1942, they began to strengthen their defenses around Ploesti.
In January 1943, Allied leaders devised a plan to launch a bombing raid on the Ploesti oil fields. Colonel Jacob Smart took charge of planning the operation, proposing a low-level bombing raid targeting the nine most important refineries in Ploesti. The mission would involve five bomb groups, two from the 9th Air Force in North Africa and three from the 8th Air Force in England.
The bomb groups were composed of the 376th "Liberandos" led by Colonel Keith Compton, the 98th "Pyramiders" led by Colonel John "Killer" Kane, the 44th "Eight Ballers" led by Colonel Leon Johnson, the 93rd "Traveling Circus" led by Colonel Addison Baker, and the 389th "Sky Scorpions" led by Colonel Jack Wood. These 5 groups would soon fly through one of the deadliest air spaces in the war, but they didn't know it yet. All they could do was stick to the plan and have faith in their pilots, commanding officers, and fellow crewmen.
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Approximate flight route to Romania. The journey to the Ploesti oil fields was long and arduous. The pilots would have to fly 1200 miles from Benghazi, Libya over the Mediterranean sea and high mountains while maintaining formation.
Planned paths of attack for each bomb group. The mission's success was predicated on the bombers maintaining formation and timing accurately in order to inflict maximum damage and overwhelm the defenses.
Romania was located beyond the reach of bombers stationed in Britain but was accessible from bases in North Africa. Still the long distance that needed to be covered from the North African Airfields to the middle of Romania would require a larger aircraft capable of carrying both extra fuel and a full load of bombs. For this reason, the choice in aircraft fell on the Consolidated B-24 Bomber, renowned for their long-range capabilities and ability to carry substantial bomb loads and fuel reserves necessary for the lengthy flight.
The five bomb groups were to take off from airfields near Benghazi, Libya and fly north across the mediterranean towards Greece. After reaching the island of Corfu off the coast of Albania, the bombers would have to climb to a higher altitude in order to make it over the high mountains. The bombers would stay in “loose formation” so that they would be more spread apart and reduce the risk of collisions.
After gaining altitude over the mountains the bomb groups would continue over farmland towards the city of Ploesti in Romania. During the last leg of the flight the bombers would drop to extremely low altitudes in order to avoid enemy radar and, hopefully, gain an advantage during their bombing runs.
Liberators practicing low level flying in the deserts near Benghazi. Mock buildings and targets were set up to mimic the layout of the refineries in Ploesti. Pilots had to learn to fly their B-24's at only 200-300 feet from the ground.
Enduring Uncertainty
Amidst the heart-wrenching aftermath of the Ploesti raid, Alfred Pezzella's family faced the agonizing uncertainty of his fate. Officially declared missing in action, there lingered a glimmer of hope that he might have somehow survived the crash or been taken as a prisoner of war. The US government communicated sporadically with his family, returning personal items but offering little concrete information about Alfred's status. Despite the deaths of other crew members being confirmed through recovered remains, Alfred's status remained elusive. His mother, Celia Pezzella, and his sisters, who aided her in correspondence due to her limited English proficiency, clung to the possibility that he might yet return home. However, the passing years only deepened their sense of loss and longing for closure.
The concept of ambiguous loss was coined by researcher Pauline Boss who studied the families of soldiers who went missing. Her research encapsulates the unique anguish experienced by families of missing soldiers like Alfred. Unlike the definitive grief of losing a loved one through death, ambiguous loss involves the uncertainty of whether a person is alive or dead. This uncertainty leaves families in a state of limbo, unable to fully mourn or move forward. The Pezzella family grappled with this profound ambiguity, oscillating between hope and despair as they awaited news of Alfred's fate.
It wasn't until January 1948, nearly five years after the raid, that the government officially declared Alfred Pezzella killed in action. This declaration came after exhaustive investigations by various agencies, including the Graves Registration Service, which sought to identify and account for missing service members. The delay in issuing a death certificate was due to various factors, including the challenge of identifying remains amid the devastation of war and a backlog of cases within government agencies. For the Pezzella family, this prolonged period of uncertainty and ambiguity only exacerbated their grief and longing for answers.
Actual government documents detailing Alfred's crash and the Pezzella's search for information.
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The Pezzellas’ persistent inquiries reflected their enduring hope in Alfred's survival. Clara and Mariana, Alfred's sisters, continued to seek information about his status and whether his remains had been found. Yet, the absence of tangible evidence made acceptance of his loss even more difficult. The family grappled with the emotional turmoil of not knowing Alfred's fate, clinging to memories and the hope of a miraculous reunion that never came.
The US government agencies tasked with recovering lost remains noted that it was extremely difficult to identify any missing persons without tooth remains or some other kind of personal identifying items. This further compounded the challenge of closure for families like the Pezzellas. The lack of remains or conclusive evidence left them suspended in a state of limbo, unable to fully process their grief or find solace in knowing Alfred's final resting place. Despite the passage of time, the pain of his absence endured. Alfred's sister Annette would maintain that he was still alive somewhere, perhaps out of denial, or perhaps to keep her mother Celia in high spirits. My grandmother Betty would joke that he didn't want to come home because he didn't want his sister's to bug him. These reactions are a testament to the impact of wartime loss on families and the various coping mechanisms used to accept and move on from a tragedy.
This kind of ambiguous loss can echo across generations, and I could see the effect it had even on my grandmother, years after the loss occurred. She displayed Alfred's picture in her dining room as a way to honor his memory, and the thought of his loss never left the family. This inherent commitment or obligation to honor our ancestors speaks to the enduring power of familial bonds and the profound impact of unresolved loss. Even years after Alfred's disappearance, his memory continued to shape the Pezzella family's collective identity, serving as a reminder of the sacrifices made in service to their country. Through the generations, his legacy lives on, a testament to the resilience and enduring spirit of those left behind in the wake of war's devastation.
From Mystery to Closure
Almost 80 years later, in 2022, my grandmother shared with my uncle some emails she had been receiving regarding DNA testing. Upon further investigation, they realized that these emails were genuine inquiries related to DNA testing for identifying remains of soldiers lost in past conflicts. With my uncle's assistance, my grandmother navigated through the process of obtaining her DNA sample and sending it in for testing.
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
The DPAA, stands as a beacon of hope for countless families who have long awaited answers about their missing loved ones. Established to locate and identify American service members lost in past conflicts, the DPAA embarked on a monumental task following World War II to bring closure to families of the fallen. Tasked with the recovery and identification of remains from the Ploesti raid, the agency faced significant challenges in the wake of the war's end.
The American Graves Registration Command (AGRC), formed by the War Department, spearheaded early recovery efforts in 1946, traveling to Ploesti to disinter remains from temporary gravesites. However, the lack of equipment and expertise hindered the identification process, compounded by the removal of identifying tags and personal items by Romanian authorities. Despite these obstacles, the AGRC managed to identify 140 airmen from Operation Tidal Wave. Yet, the fate of 80 airmen remained unknown, their remains deemed unidentifiable and laid to rest in Belgium's Ardennes American Cemetery.
Decades later, in 2015, the reorganized DPAA reignited efforts to identify the remaining missing soldiers from the Ploesti raid. Armed with historical records and forensic advancements, DPAA personnel meticulously combed through archival data, survivor statements, and recovery reports. Their exhaustive research allowed them to narrow down potential matches for the unknown remains recovered from Ploesti's Bolovan Cemetery. Using dental records, bone fragments, and physical descriptions, investigators created detailed profiles for each unidentified soldier, laying the groundwork for further forensic analysis.
The DPAA's request to disinter the remains marked a pivotal moment in the quest for closure. Once transferred to a US laboratory, the remains underwent meticulous DNA testing and analysis, bringing hope to families awaiting news of their missing loved ones.
And then, the confirmation arrived – Alfred’s remains had been identified. Something that had previously seemed a lost cause, had finally come to fruition. Betty’s DNA had been a 99% match to a small set of remains belonging to a fallen Ploesti airmen. For my grandmother, Betty, this moment held profound significance. The news was unfathomable and extremely emotional for my family as a whole. My grandmother in particular was shocked by the news. At the age of 93, her DNA was a driving factor in his remains being identified. It had been almost 80 years exactly since Alfred was shot down over Ploesti, and the family was faced with the choice of how they wanted to conduct the funeral to honor his life and sacrifice.
The Return Home
Alfred's extended relatives, along with hundreds of police, firefighters and other first responders, gathered at Logan airport to witness his return to his home state.
However, what they encountered surpassed their expectations in ways they couldn't have imagined. At the airport, the family was escorted onto the tarmac to view the casket as it was removed from the plane. One of Alfred’s ancestors, James Papia volunteered as part of the army escort. The scene that unfolded before them was nothing short of overwhelming. As the casket, draped in the American flag was removed from the airplane, military service men and women stood in line adjacent to the aircraft.
The honor guard stand at the ready to escort the casket.
Along the procession's route, lines of firetrucks, police vehicles, and other first responders stood in solemn tribute, their members saluting as the funeral convoy passed by. Police from every town were present. The sight of these dedicated servicemen and women paying their respects to a fallen comrade was deeply moving for Alfred's family.
Alfred's wake was visited not only by his extended family, but local veterans, and other military families.
For Alfred's family, this unexpected display of honor and remembrance was both humbling and heartening. It served as a reminder of the enduring gratitude and reverence held for those who have bravely served their country, even decades after their passing. Through this process, Alfred's legacy lives on, a testament to the unwavering dedication of individuals and organizations committed to honoring and supporting veterans, both past and present.
Alfred's return to his home state of Massachusetts marked a poignant moment for his extended family, who sought to honor his sacrifice with full military honors. As his remains were escorted on a passenger plane into Logan Airport in Boston, Massachusetts, and then conveyed to a funeral home in Newton, the family readied themselves for a solemn occasion.
The transportation of a veterans remains is an important and symbolic act. The military has trained personnel whose job it is to ensure the remains are escorted properly and safely to their destination.
As they stood on the tarmac, surrounded by the symbols of military service and sacrifice, Alfred’s ancestors were reminded of the profound impact Alfred had made through his selfless devotion to duty. On that rainy early morning in Boston and amongst the solemn ranks of servicemen and women, they found solace in the knowledge that Alfred's sacrifice would be forever honored and remembered.
The funeral procession gets underway for a trip from Waltham, MA all the way to Bourne, MA. The highway entrances and exits were shut down while the procession drove by.
At the funeral home in Waltham, the family anticipated that only close relatives would gather to pay their respects. Yet, they were overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from the community. Hundreds of individuals, representing various walks of life, came to offer their condolences and express gratitude for Alfred's service and sacrifice. Among them were veteran groups, whose presence underscored the profound impact Alfred had made not only in his family's life but also in the wider community.
Alfred's burial in Bourne was a solemn and honorable event, fitting his immense sacrifice fighting for his country and to keep his home safe.
An interview with Clare and Annette, two of Betty's daughters and Alfred's great nieces.
In memory of Alfred Pezzella, my great, great uncle, and Betty and Jim Papia, my wonderful grandparents.
Also thank you to my family, aunts, and uncles for their support and all the information they provided throughout this project. Especially my Uncle Vinny for initiating the whole process and helping to bring Alfred home.
Resources:
Chan, Amy. “What Went Wrong in WWII’s Operation Tidal Wave? | HistoryNet.” HistoryNet, https://www.facebook.com/HistoryNet, 3 Aug. 2020, https://www.historynet.com/operation-tidal-wave/.
Dawsey, Jason. “Over the Cauldron of Ploesti: The American Air War in Romania | The National WWII Museum | New Orleans.” The National WWII Museum | New Orleans, The National World War II Museum, 11 Aug. 2019, https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/over-cauldron-ploesti-american-air-war-romania.
“Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA).” Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), https://www.dpaa.mil/. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Kalu, Micheal Chimaobi. “Black Sunday - The Disastrous Ploesti Raid in Photos and Video | War History Online.” Warhistoryonline, 12 Sept. 2018, https://www.warhistoryonline.com/instant-articles/black-sunday-ploesti-raid.html.
Lupiano, Vincent. Operation Tidal Wave. Rowman & Littlefield, 2020.
Miller, Roger. “1943 - Operation Tidalwave, the Low-Level Bombing of the Ploesti Oil Refineries, 1 August 1943 > Air Force Historical Support Division > Fact Sheets.” Air Force Historical Support Division, https://www.afhistory.af.mil/FAQs/Fact-Sheets/Article/459003/1943-operation-tidalwave-the-low-level-bombing-of-the-ploesti-oil-refineries-1/. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
mohmuseum. “Bloody Sunday: The Raid on Ploesti and the Medal of Honor - National Medal of Honor Museum.” National Medal of Honor Museum, 23 June 2022, https://mohmuseum.org/ploesti/.
Pruitt, Sarah. “One of the Most Daring WWII Air Raids Targeted Hitler’s Critical ‘Gas Station’ | HISTORY.” HISTORY, https://www.history.com/news/operation-tidal-wave-hitler-gas-station. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Rosenfield, Michael. “Remains of Newton Lieutenant Brought Back to Mass., 80 Years after Plane Shot down in WWII – NBC Boston.” NBC Boston, NBC Boston, 21 Oct. 2023, https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/remains-of-newton-lieutenant-brought-back-to-mass-80-years-after-plane-shot-down-in-wwii/3166901/.
*Archived video taken from British Pathe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_e7rBuYcNo&t=80s
*Thank you to the photographer, Maia Kennedy, who photographed the funeral and interment process.
*Huge thank you to any other sources I used but failed to mention. If something needs to be taken down, let me know.