Hello, I´m new in this forum, but this site is great!


I am looking for information for a book/documentation.

On 29.05.1944 the 1.BD bombed targets in Poznan, Cottbus and Sorau.
In the area of Meseritz (today Miedzyrzecz) two B-17 were shot down:

29.05.1944
Meseritz B-17
42-102699     XK -
305 BG/365 BS
2Lt Hanson, Ward M.
10 POW MACR 5335

29.05.1944
Prittisch B-17
42-31475      WF -
305 BG/364 BS
2Lt Wilkinson, Robert G.
1 KIA - 9 POW MACR 5319

Probably this A/C were shot down by Jagdgruppe OST.
JGr Ost lost 8 planes in this area, probably they were shot down by escorting P-51.

I am looking for pictures/photos of the B-17 crews and the A/Cs, perhaps s.o. will be able to help me.

Where can I get from the mission-report, reports from witnesses (other crews) and other documents? 
I have some pages from the MACRs, but there are no photos and only one witness-account...
In the www I could'nt find anything.

Regards and thank You for Your help

Martin

Hello Martin,
 
Excited to hear about another book which includes the 305th.  It sounds like you have the MACRs.   There are log/history files for that day but they don't tend to be very informative unless the planes where part of the 422nd - the person doing their logs was very detail about events each day.  So, the Mission folders are located at NARA - national archives.  That would be your best bet.  If I was at home I could even tell you exactly where at NARA.  The Mission folders have all the crew lists, the route, hot news which includes people who saw other planes in trouble, enemy aircraft that might have been shot down and exit interviews for each crew that survived.  It also has an overall review of the mission which should include what might have happened to the crew.  Each mission folder is about 80 to 100 pages long and currently you would need someone to go to NARA and do the copying.  I have someone I use but NARA has a whole list of researcher online that can help.  If you are in the area or know someone who is, they could do it also.
 
Since the Hanson crew all were taken POW, you could write the 305th Historian or the 305th BGMA and find out if any of the crew are still alive.  That is a start.  Ian White or Bill Donald who both add information to this form are excellent resources for information about planes and crews.  I have a database of planes and crews but most of the information is from 1942 and 1943.  I have mission folders up to Jan of 1944 - sorry.
 
Best of everything and if you need more information about this whole NARA research then email me at chris_coffman_97223@yahoo.com or reply to this posting.
 
-Chris

So, the Mission folders are located at NARA - national archives.  That would be your best bet.

...crew lists, the route, hot news which includes people who saw other planes in trouble, enemy aircraft that might have been shot down and exit interviews for each crew that survived.

Hello Chris,

thank You for the answer.
That would be exatly what I am looking for.
I have some MACR-pages (thank you Mikefly), but no log or history files.

The problem is, that I live in Germany...
Perhaps someone could help me in getting this copies, we will see.

Yes, it would be interesting to know if some crew members are still alive.
Mr. Ian White posted me and he will try to help me, thanks a lot for that.

My father also wants to paint the scene with these two B-17. And thatfor these information are necessary, too.
Another 305BG-painting you can find HERE-click

Thanks for help

Martin

Log file for the 365th for that day - does not say too much

Attached Image(s)

Chris:
 
Do you have this kind of document for May 13, 1944?
 
Regards,
Mike AKA mikefly
 

Hello Mike,
 
I have all the log files for the 305th except some of the HQ ones.  So, the answer is yes.  Which Bomb Squad?

Chris,
 
Do you have these on CD form or just paper? 
 
Kevin
 

Chris:

Many thanks for quick reply.

I am going to write a book on the mission of May 13, 1944, so I am interested in log files for all Squadrons flying it.

Best Regards,
Mike

Kevin and Mike,
 
For Kevin, CD form....
For Mike, let me see what I can find but you would be best off getting the mission folder for that day.  I have a researching who could help out if you want.
 
-Chris

Chris:
 
Yes, I want.
Thank you.
 
Mike
 

Hello,

64 years later I tried to locate the crash site of 2Lt Hanson's B-17. I couldn't find the exact place, but it must be in this vicinity on the picture.

I also have sent a letter to AFHRA,  we will see their answer...

Regards


[image]local://15839/E1064BB90070475AB4F3DF58EBD695BD.JPG[/image]

Attached Image(s)

Pilot05:
 
Good Luck!
 
Mike
 

Hello again,

can s.o. tell me, where 2nd Lt. Ezra Shapiro, co pilot in Wilkinsons B 17, is buried?

@Chrislcoffman:  do you have a log file for 364th BS for that day?

Thanks a lot

Martin

Hi Martin. Apologies for the belated reply to your request and PM.
This may be a repeat of previous help from others, but here goes.
42-31475 364^th Sqn Fuselage code WF-B. Nickname nose art JERSEY BELLE.
A/C arrived with group 28^th December 1943. Arrived painted in camoflage OD42 Upper, Aircraft grey beneath waist line.
 
Lost on mission to Cottbus 29^th May 1944. A/C crashed Prittisch, Germany. MACR is 5339 (I dont have a copy of this).
Pilot – Robert G. Wilkinson
Copilot – Ezra Shaprio
Navigator – George M. Cooley
Bombardier- Lawrence W. Singleton
Flight Eng – John C. Deckard
Radio Op – Joseph T. Kobierecki
Ball Turret – Marvin J. Beasley
Right Waist – Earl E. Ketchledge
Left Waist – Harry W. Arfman Jr
Tail Gunner – Verner C. Batholomew
 1 KIA, 9 PoWs.
 
42-102699 365^th Sqn Fuselae code XK-F. * No known nose art or name attributed.
A/C originally from the 379^th BG Kimbolton. Assigned from the 379^th to 305^th BG 25^th May 1944.
Lost on mission to Cottbus just 4 days later, 29^th May 1944. A/C reported to have crashed Messerik, Germany. MACR is 5335, I dont have a copy of this.
Pilot – Ward M. Hanson
Copilot – Jacob N. Shearer
Navigator – Philip E. Vooz
Bombadier – Michael A. Benedict
Flight Eng – L. P. Tindell
Radio Op – Walter W. Overstreet
Ball Turret – Russell M.  Ray
Right Waist – Ralph M. Finney
Left Waist – Robert M. Mergen
Tail Gunner – Harold W. Bailey*
10 PoWs.
*If Harold Bailey is the one I’m thinking of, then I know him quite well, he attends most stateside reunions often. However, on each occassion he has not spokn about his experiences. He’s a very reserved man indeed.
 
You asked whether these aircraft were painted in camoflage of unpainted. Well the Wilkinson B-17 I can confirm was pinted. The Hanson B-17 I’m not so sure on. My guess is that this to as painted, however, suggest more searching perhaps to the379th to see whether A.) The plane ever hd a name given to it whilst at Kimbolton? And B.) When the 379^th took delivery, if it was unpainted or painted. Some ‘G’ models were arriving unpainted, but were then covered in OD camoflage ‘in the field’ at the SAD before onward delivery to the groups.
 
Hope this helps you.
Ian

Ian White - 305th BGMA Hon. Life Associate, UK Contact and Organiser of next years 40th Combat Wing UK Reunion - May 21st-31st 2009

Hello Ian,
thank You very much for these information! There are some new facts, they are very helpful.
I suggest, You have a photo of the Wilkinson B-17. Could You send it please on my e-mail? pilot05(at)op.pl   
Look at this photo http://forum.armyairforces.com/thumb.axd/640_9394/asppg_Dy803281105.jpg
The B-17 in the background is coded XK-F, perhaps it's Hanson's a/c. That would mean, the plane was unpainted... But I'll try to ask some eyewitnesses, probably they will remember.
Please contact me on my e-mail.

Regards
Martin