I met a man today at the marina.  He asked about my boat "Lost Airmen".   I told him my Great Uncle's crew were all KIA on March 23, 1944 in the North Sea, returning from Brunswick.  His eyes opened wide and he said, "I flew B17s.  I lost 8 of my crew on a Brunswick mission in March of '44.
His first name was Paul.  His plane was heavily damaged with 2 engines out.  He dove for theundercast as fighters attacked.  It sounded like a chaotic scene where someone bailed out, others thought they missed the order.  Before it was over, everyone bailed over Holland except Paul and his copilot.  They made it back.  The crew became POWs.
Can someone add details to this story?

Thanks,
Andy Mays in Maine

Andy,

I made a bold assumption that indivdual you met was from 452d BG.  If indivdual is not from 452d BG, recommend you move post to a differenct forum.  Below is what I have from 452d BG that somewhat matches the discription of what you describe:  23 March 1944:  40 German fighters attached the formation just before the IP.  Part of the left wing tips were shot away and No 1 and 2 engines knocked out.  Right waist gunner injured.  Bombardier injured by falk helping the waist gunner.  Due to damage to aircraft pilot could not fly the plane with out assistance.  Crew given order to bail out  and landed in Eindhoven, Netherlands.  All captured and taken as POW.  Pilot and Co-Pilot landed plane in meadow in England.  A/C was repaired and lost on 21 June 1944 mission to Poltava, Russia where it was attacked by Luftwaffe while on the ground.   A/C serial number is 42-38157 MACR 3550.  I can provide details on crew, but no one listed with first name of Paul.  Please advise.  Hwoard 

Howard Keller (LTC, USA, Ret)

Howard,
He was from the 452nd.  There was a small group of people and I may have got his name wrong or he may have been introduced to me incorrectly.  The group was trying to take him, I was trying to keep him and he was trying to stay.  He said he keeps in regular touch with his navigator who , I think, lives in Idaho. 
We were both trying to overcome our shock that we were linked by the same event in history, more than 60 years ago.

Please provide more info.

Thanks,
Andy

Howard,

His name is not Paul.  He's John J. Pesch, USAF Major General (RET).
I hope to visit with him again before he heads South for the winter.

Andy

Andy -
The John Pesch Crew 
B - 17 # 42 - 38157
3/23/44 Pilot and Copilot 2Lt. J.C. Anley Returned to Base.
8 Crew Bailed - POWS
MACR # 3550 
Mike

Andy,

Sent you a PM requesting your email address.  I will research the crew and put together a mission / crew list, load list & any other supporting data on PDF send your way. 

Edit:  Original crew was on 10th mission when damage to aircraft resulted in them being told to bail out of aircraft.  Pesch and Amley were back in the air on 18 April 1944 and retained the original crew number of 55.  By 19 May 1944 Pesch had been promoted to Captain and he and his men were now a Lead Crew. 

Howard

Howard Keller (LTC, USA, Ret)