Hi
Hi there. I am trying to find out any details on the loss of 390th (571st Squadron) B-17 Serial No. 297821 "Chaff Wagon" lost on a mission to Mainz on 8 September 1944. My understanding is that aircraft was in collision with other aircraft and crashed over Idstein. If anyone can help me with crew details and any photos of "Chaff Wagon" and her crew I would be very grateful. I am already in touch with three of "Chaff Wagons" usual crew (not flying her on day of loss) - Sidney Cohn (Radio Operator), Silvester Koehler (Tail Gunner) and Oliver Johnson (Bombardier). All three are still alive and in good health. Hoping someone out there can help me in my quest. I am completing research for a book on the story of Chaff Wagon and her crew. Do please email me direct if you have any information that may be of assistance. I am a resident of Perth in Western Australia and a Curator at the Army Museum of Western Australia. I would be delighted to hear from any veterans who may have known Sidney Cohn or any of the other Chaff Wagon Crewr or anyone who saw Chaff Wagon explode as she apparently did. I do not have full crew list for her on the day of loss but have unsubstantiated data that one crew member was seen to jump with parachute on fire and two other crew managed to parachute successfully and were taken POW. I would LOVE to make contact with them if they are still around. Do please email me on cghawkins@iinet.net.au or telephone +61 8 9354 2231 if you have any information to share. Best wishes to you all. Chris Hawkins.