In a post last June, my uncle's plane "Tailwind" (368BS/306BG) was mentioned as perhaps the crippled B-17 being protected by Lt Ellison's fighter on Sept 12, 1944, when the latter was killed.  The MACR and a survivor's report does not mention the incident, and I was hoping someone could shed some light.  My aunt put a book together for the family, which includes some of his letters from England and as a POW, an account by a surviving crew member, and letters from fellow POW's.  When Tailwind crashed, five were KIA (Lts Carlino, McStay and Banta, Sgts Carroll and Wilson), and four wounded and POW (Lt Sasser, Sgts Revolti, Mitchelson and Schultz).  John Sasser was most seriously injured, and was sent to Obermassfeld prison hospital, where he was treated for leg and facial injuries.  Other US prisoners at Obermassfeld, and their branch, if known, included  Lt John P. Hutchins, California;  Lt Orlyn D. Chunat (AC) Wauzeka, WS; Lt Billy G. Ray, CO?; Cpt James McCrory, Columbia, SC; Cpt Renatof Spadola, (Inf); Lt Oppenheim; Lt Robt. W. Burch, Davenport, IA; Cpt (Chaplain) Tildon S. Mcgee (101st Airborne), SC or MS; Lt Oliver B. Patton (Inf), Huntsville, Al; Lt Donald S. Brumbaugh (AC) Shiloh, KY; Lt Louis Cerkas, WS; Cpt Ben H. Emmert (AC) Erwin, TN.  Apparently my uncle, from Raleigh, NC, lead the ongoing verbal battles among the wounded officers of the North and South, and Air Corps and Infantry.   He died during an operation for ear infections on March 20, 1945, two weeks before the camp was liberated.  Any additional information about Lt Sasser, his crew or plane would be appreciated.  Thanks to Lt Ellison and to all of you WWII vets for your service!   Phillip Sasser, Jr.

psass

PS -
Lt. John Ellison was in the 355th FG.
KIA - 9/12/44   MACR # 8801
You could check his MACR for info
MACRs are Online at www.footnote.com
There is a narrative of Sasser Crew when shot down ,
they were Leading High Group. No mention of Fighter.
Book: First Over Germany by Russell Strong
Mike

My grandfather is Sgt Revolti.  I have a group photo from the pow camp in Germany if it helps.

John Ellison was a flight leader in the Yellow Flight of the 354FS, spotted an Fw 190 at approx 1135hrs over Eberswalde/Untersee area. He attacked it as it was attacking a B-17.  He closed to 150 yads scoring heavily and the 190 dove for the deck.  Ellison chased him into the cloud deck.
 
Ellison's body was found about 400 yards from a crashed Fw 190 and between two B-17 crashes close to Untersee.  He was buried in the Eberswalde Cemetary with four (or five) other KIA, I think from two separate B-17 crews
 
He was killed flying 43-7142 WR-Y 
 
Hope this helps.

Thanks for that information.  The Tailwind MACR (8834) has the last sighting at 5240N-1340E, which is just South of Eberswalde.  It was already damaged, by what a crewmember later said was flak and fighters.  The plane flew on to the Freyenstein area before going down, at 1147hrs.  Seems to fit.  Thanks again. 

psass

dc303--Thanks for the picture.  After the war, Sgt Revolti provided our family with some details of the mission and the crash.

psass