B-17F 42-30140 "KING MALFUNCTION II"

Hello,

I am particulary interested in the fate of the crew of the B-17F nicknamed "KING MALFUNCTION 2". The plane crashed on August 17th, 1943 near Bad Münstereifel in the vicinity of the small village of Esch (Germany) located in the South Eifel region. Except for Pilot Jack B. PAINTER, the whole crew bailed out, while PAINTER was KIA during the crash. Almost the entire crew was taken prisoner, but three are listed as EVD. Their names are:

2nd Lt. Robert E. NELSON
S/SGT   Raymond A. GENZ
S/SGT James C. MIZELL

NELSON and GENZ were the first (!) american airmen, who were shot down over enemy territory and then made it back to their own lines. After hiding through the woods and with the support of local resistance organizations located in Luxembourg and France they finally arrived in the UK safely and without a scratch.

I am trying to put the puzzle together so that it will take shape ... I would appreciate every information, concerning the crash of "KING MALFUNCTION 2", the crewmembers or other helpful links, that you are willing to provide. Can you help ?

Sincerly,

Erny T. KOHN
Luxembourg

Erny-
# 42 - 30140 VE V  " King Malfunction II "
11 man Crew with Observer on Board.
1 KIA  3 Evaded   7 POW
MACR # 379
For Free Copy of MACR Contact Lynn Gamma at Archives
lynn.gamma@maxwell.af.mil
2 Escape and Evasion Reports Filed:
# 170 , # 171
Mike

Contact me via e-mail   my Uncle was S/Sgt Norman G. Whitman - left waist on "KMII"  I a\have 10 yrs worth of research to share!

Cheers

Chris Lewis

kingmalfunction2@hotmail.com

Raymond Genz was my great-grandfather - I don't know a lot about the crash - I grew up being told about it, but I know about as much as you do.  I can tell you about his later life after the war ended!!!

Let me know -

pastorleanne@yahoo.com