This is my first post on this forum. I'm looking for information on my Grandfather In-Law James R. Ehrsam, then of Hammond Indiana (now in AZ). He is the grandfather of my wife of 5 years and I've been slowly getting to know about his history after he started opening up to me about his experiences during WWII. I think I may have triggered this due to my nationality (British) and the close proximity of where I used to live to a base he was temporarily stationed at (Kings Lynn, Norfolk), while in the UK as well as his many trips to my home city (London). Recently he's agreed to allow the family to document his experiences in a series of interviews, however, Popie (as we all know him) is not in the best of health these days and although his memory has not gone, he does need a jump start on some things - so I thought I'd better get as much background on his story before I started in order to ask the right questions to help him through this. We aim to record his account & experiences onto Digital video media, and perhaps transcribe this onto paper for posting/publishing (I'm a writer of sorts). Starting from only knowing he flew in B-25's over Italy where he was shot down, I've gleaned some information on his Group (340th) and Squadron (489th) after quite some months of internet searching but there the trail runs slightly cold.

Here's what I know:
That he was shot down and captured in 1943 over Italy (50/50 on this)
That he was repatriated on 17th March 1945 (found POW data file on national archives - last report was 1st Nov '45)
His serial number
That he was a tail gunner in a B25 (he's told me)
He was in 489th from this Link: http://www.warwingsart.com/12thAirForce/personnel.html
That he was shot down and captured in 1943 over Italy (50/50 on location /date)
That he was repatriated on 17th March 1945 (found POW data file on national archives)
What I don't know/can't find is:
When he went down, his crew, plane no/name, MCAR report or enlistment records

If anyone can offer any help, it would be appreciated. If anyone knows Jim, please respond. Up to date, as far as I know popie hasn't been to a single reunion or been in contact with anyone from the 340thBG/489thBS since his release. We (the family) know that talking about this is hard for him due to his experiences, but I'm a firm believer in documenting these experiences for the young in order that we might learn from what people like Popie (indeed many on this site) went through, as espicially being British I and my countrymen owe Popie and men like him a great debt of gratitude.

Regards
Matt G.
Campbell CA

Matt - Important Info.
Date Shot Down
Pilots name
Mike

Will ask Popie when next we speak, is there anything else that I should ask in order to get background?
Thanks
Matt G.

Mat - all info is good. Check his awards and decorations.
Most of All - Please Tell him Thank you for his Service.
Mike

Took me a while but I found out the information requested.
MACR#13073
Pilot's Name Lt. C. C. Parker
Co-Pilots Name Lt L.E. Proffitt (not sure if spelling correct).

Shot down over San Michele (we think) marshalling yard 17th March 1945 (popie says that this was the target). We're pretty certain that this was the MACR number as Popies certain of the date and this was the only B25 that went down on that day from the 340th.
Turns out Popie still has his annual and the next time I get to see him I'll borrow it and get more info.

Here is what I have gleaned in the 340th Book project
 
March 17, 1945                                           489th BS
Ship 9P, B-25J-1 43-27489 “Oooh Brother,” was shot down over the Aldena Railroad Fill, Italy.  The entire crew bailed out without a scratch, with the exception of Lt. Bradely, who suffered a fractured ankle.  S/Sgt. MacEachlen and S/Sgt. Lower escaped with the aid of the Partisans, and the rest of the crew was taken prisoner and were taken to Bolonzo, Italy.  Lt. Parker was cruelly tortured by the SS about the SHORAN system, and was not seen by the rest of his crew after he was removed from his cell that night by two men.  He was reportedly shot by his captures. 
 
2nd Lt. Charles C. PARKER                              P
 
His grave was found in the town of Bolonzo in a civilian cemetery on July 5, 1945.  According to the gravestone, he was killed on March 19, 1945.  The rest of the crew members were liberated at the end of the war.  MACR 13073
 
I have this MACR if you want a copy email me.

The MACR includes a written debrief by your Grandfather-In Law about when he last saw Lt. Parker when they were being interogatted by the Germans.

Dear Matt,
 
With regard to your query about the March 17, 1945 B-25 from the 489th BS/340th BG being shot down over Aldena RR fill in the Brenner Pass, Italy with Lt. Charles Clark Parker as pilot, please see my deceased and mia website for the 489th squadron here:
 
http://www.warwingsart.com/12thAirForce/deceased.html
 
(it's best to wait until the page fully loads and then scroll-down to the bottom letter titled: "Lest We Forget.")  The Parker tragedy is infamous and war crimes convictions resulted I believe(?).  James Ehrsam was very lucky!
 
I am happy to see you already stumbled upon my 489th website. 
 
http://www.warwingsart.com/12thAirForce/page.html
 
Please check out all the links.  You will be surprised what you can find there.  His plane 9P is also pictured on my site(s).
 
Corsica