Jeanie B
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Shot down 24, April, 1944, B-17, 306th BG, 369th Thurleigh, England to Oberpfaffenhofen,
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06/10/2008 11:16:31 AM
I know this is very short notice, but I just found this site today. I’ve been asked to speak about my father’s time as a POW during WWII this Friday, June 13th at a POW/MIA vigil and I thought I should start with information about the plane he was in being shot down. I don’t have a lot on info to start, but here is what I have.
My father was Staff Sgt. Carl L. Potter. He was a waist gunner in the 306th Bomb Group, 369th Squadron. On April 24, 1944 he was flying from Thurleigh, England to Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany. My oldest brother tells me that the engine was hit and gas was streaming inside the plane by our father. The pilot had the navigator chart a new course to Switzerland. They were hit again and the pilot told them all to jump, and they did. We think the pilot may have been David Ramsey. My mother thought the name sounded familiar. His pilot, who lived in CA, sent my parents a Christmas card with a snazzy sports car on it every year till he passed many years ago.
Any other info or clarification/correction would be greatly appreciated.
Jeanie
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shooshoobaby
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RE: Shot down 24, April, 1944, B-17, 306th BG, 369th Thurleigh, England to Oberpfaffenhof
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06/10/2008 11:32:08 AM
Jeanie - Their B - 17 was # 42 - 30730 " Dearly Beloved " Pilot - Lt. David B. Ramsey 10 Crew POW Missing Air Crew Report MACR # 4278 You should be able to get the MACR On Line at www.footnote.com Fighters Damaged 2 Engines , Gas was siphoning into the A/C. Fires in Both Wings Bombardier Lt. Sterling Strange wounded in both Legs. Lt. Ramsey's Crew was just completing their 3d Week in Combat. Mike
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Jeanie B
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RE: Shot down 24, April, 1944, B-17, 306th BG, 369th Thurleigh, England to Oberpfaffenhof
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06/10/2008 11:35:56 AM
Thank you so much for that info. I knew my father said something about one of the men breaking both of his legs. I really appreciate this!!
You are the best!
Jeanie
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shooshoobaby
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RE: Shot down 24, April, 1944, B-17, 306th BG, 369th Thurleigh, England to Oberpfaffenhof
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06/10/2008 11:50:47 AM
Jeanie -
Glad to help. Your Dad and his Crew were all True Heros !
Forgot to mention:
The Info is from Book: First Over Germany , 306th BG by Russell Strong.
One Paragraph on Page # 236
Mike
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LUCKY PARTNERS
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RE: Shot down 24, April, 1944, B-17, 306th BG, 369th Thurleigh, England to Oberpfaffenhof
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06/10/2008 11:57:23 AM
Jeanie, Unfortunately the MACR as posted on Footnote.com has very little to offer. Attached is the first page. There are only two other pages posted and they offer nothing beyond what Mike has already given us. When you have the time you may wish to request a copy of the MACR through official sources but a reply will take several months. Hal [image]local://12384/06E7C1D946BF409BB043F94EE74EF309.JPG[/image]
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Jeanie B
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RE: Shot down 24, April, 1944, B-17, 306th BG, 369th Thurleigh, England to Oberpfaffenhof
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06/10/2008 12:02:37 PM
Thanks Hal,
I really appreciate it.
Jeanie
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LUCKY PARTNERS
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RE: Shot down 24, April, 1944, B-17, 306th BG, 369th Thurleigh, England to Oberpfaffenhof
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06/10/2008 12:20:30 PM
Jeanie, One more thing, in case you haven't seen it, here is a link to your fathers POW listing at the National Archives. It's a long link, just click on it. Hal http://aad.archives.gov/aad/record-detail.jsp?dt=466&mtch=2&cat=GP24&tf=F&sc=11675,11660,11679,11667,11669,11676,11672,11673&bc=sl,fd&txt_11660=potter+carl&op_11660=0&nfo_11660=V,24,1900&rpp=10&pg=1&rid=104585&rlst=104585,104586
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Jeanie B
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RE: Shot down 24, April, 1944, B-17, 306th BG, 369th Thurleigh, England to Oberpfaffenhof
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06/10/2008 01:21:51 PM
I can't tell you how much I appreciate your help. Just a few weeks after my oldest brother's 5th birthday our father was inducted into the Army Air Forces. They didn't get to see each other again until a month and a half before my brother's 8th birthday. I plan on putting all my research for my talk together for my brother in a binder for his 71st birthday this summer.
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shooshoobaby
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RE: Shot down 24, April, 1944, B-17, 306th BG, 369th Thurleigh, England to Oberpfaffenhof
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06/10/2008 01:35:09 PM
Jeanie -
If you would like to learn more about the the Evacuation of Luft III
and the Forced Winter Marches of POWs -
Excellent Book: The Last Escape by John Nichol
Got mine through Barnes and Noble.
Mike
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Jeanie B
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RE: Shot down 24, April, 1944, B-17, 306th BG, 369th Thurleigh, England to Oberpfaffenhof
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06/10/2008 02:41:50 PM
Mike,
I will check it out. Thanks so very much for all of your help/guidance with this project.
Jeanie
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Cavok
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RE: Shot down 24, April, 1944, B-17, 306th BG, 369th Thurleigh, England to Oberpfaffenhof
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06/13/2008 10:55:45 AM
Hi Jeanie
As I said in my mail I amtrying to find this one.
I have the feeling it may have turned South West upon leaving the formation.
Will get back on this one for you.
There were 3 that came down around Neuburg but I have to do some deep digging .
Steve
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Jeanie B
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RE: Shot down 24, April, 1944, B-17, 306th BG, 369th Thurleigh, England to Oberpfaffenhof
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06/20/2008 02:59:42 PM
Thanks to everyone for all of your help. I spoke for about 10 minutes and didn't cry, my voice wavered a lot, but I didn't cry. One of my daughters recorded it so we can send it to my siblings.
Thanks again, I really appreciate the help.
Jeanie
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