Looking for Information on Staff Sgt. Henry J. Montagne

For my wife's family, I'm looking for information on Staff Sgt. Henry J. Montagne. He was with the 546th Bombardment Squardron Heavy. The B-17 he was in was shot down and he was a POW. He did not talk alot about his time with the squardron or about his time as a POW.
Thank you in advance for any information.
 

I have found some information that was on the 384thbombgroup.com web sight. His last name was misspelled on the sight, so that is why I was not able to find any information. The B17G's number is 42-31375. Still if you know any other info. please let me know.

Well, here is a starting point.  Attached are two pages from the Missing Air Crew Report providing a list of the crew and a brief description of what happened that day.  Aircraft was hit by flak blowing the plexiglass nose off.  Geographic coordinates are given so you can check a map and see exactly where this happened.  This report is posted on footnote.com and runs some 50 pages.  Unfortunately the first page is of poor quality and difficult to read but if you download it you should be able to enlarge the image on your computer and read most of it.

Left click on the thumbnails to enlarge the images then right click to download or print them.

Hal

Attached Image(s)

In Project Bits and Pieces, Henry J. Montagne is listed as having been the RO on 42-37725 BK of the 546th Squadron when it failed to return and ditched in the North Sea on 31 Dec 1943. All ten crewmen returned to duty. No MACR generated.
On 11 April 1944, he was the RO on 42-31375 BK S when it failed to return due to flak and crashed at Berlin, Germany. The MACR 3820 covers this and is available by contacting Lynn.Gamma@MAXWELL.AF.MIL at no charge but may be of no better quality than the one appearing on www.footnote.com  that has already been cited. There were 2 KIA and 8 POWs. The pilot was Lt John Rich, Jr, who was also the pilot on the earlier incident.
Crew list:
Lt John Rich Jr   (P) POW
2Lt George E. Wehry (CP) POW
2Lt John A Indest (N) KIA
2Lt William V. Marvin (B) KIA
T/Sgt Howard J. Eklund (TT) POW
T/Sgt Henry J. Montagne (RO) POW
S/Sgt Norman H. Henken (BT) POW
S/Sgt Prescillano S. Herrara (LW) POW
S/Sgt Julius Zee (RW) POW
Sgt Nelson M. Bishop (TG) POW
 
Vic
 
 

Vic Walzel, brother of 1st Lt Leland H. Walzel, bombardier with the 93rd Bomb Group, 330th Squadron. KIA 6 March 1944 on his 25th mission.
www.lelandwalzel.150m.com

Lucky Partners, thank you for the MACR info!
Vic-513, thank you for the information on 42-37725 BK, we had no idea about that one.
In just one day, I have been able to find out so much, the information "snow balls".
Thanks to all.

I have updated the database to correct the assignment of Montagne to the 11 April 1944 crew, per the MACR (also available on the 384th website).

f3

Fred Preller
Fate, Texas, USA
http://Mighty8thAF.Preller.US/
http://384thBombGroup.com/