Most likely repeat info - but the Russian connection is very interesting. The NARA database lists ~ 470 POWs from the 2nd Bomb Group: 130 POWs to Stalag Luft 4, 111 are unknown, 89 to Stalag Luft 1 and 75 to Stalag Luft 3 plus various others -- so near the end of the war, if you could share any info you might discover as to what camps or where they were - it would be most helpful.
Cheers
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Tail # 44-6697 B-17G 60 DL
(2nd BG, 429th BS) disabled by AAA Mar 22, 1945 on mission to Ruhland, Germany. Headed to Russian lines but shot down by Russian fighters. 6 crew survived.
MACR 13245
Mission 383
O-731101, 1Lt John W. Pierik, Pilot – KIA, Ohio
O-785002, 2Lt Robert W. Steele, Co-Pilot – KIA, Missoouri
O-669140 1Lt Harold A. Taylor, Navigator – KIA, Montana
O-929489 2Lt John P. Yatsco, 2Lt, Bombardier / Toggelier – KIA, West Virginia,
37566406 T/Sgt Richard H. Benjamin, Eng Top Turret - POW
31309769 T/Sgt Raymond J. Levesque, Radio Operator - POW
39216824 S/Sg Vernon T. Burger, Ball Turret - POW
39387823 S/Sg Tony Zevenbergen Jr., Waist Gunner – POW, Washington
39920100 S/Sg Charles L. Redford, Waist Gunner - POW
33670805 S/Sg Wilber W. Jaffke, Tail Gunner - POW
http://freepages.military.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~hfhm/Kirtland/Main%20class/Pierik.htm Post war statements:
T/S Richard Benjamin, Top Turret on Pierik's plane. "On March 22, 1945 our B-17 encountered flak over the target which disabled our A/C. We headed toward the Russian lines and were eventually escorted by three Russian A/C (P9's). Our bomb bay doors were open and we used our red flares. The Russian fighters were positioned, one on each wingtip and one on our tail. They next peeled off into the sun and attacked us, utilizing the 7 mm cannons and machine guns. Our gunners returned fire, the upper turret was hit, in which I was in and our bomb bay was filled with smoke. The cockpit was strafed and my feeling is that the four officers were killed at this time. An attempt was made to return to the cockpit area, however, it was impossible with the flames and smoke. The plane descended as if on automatic pilot. We, the six enlisted men, bailed out, were strafed in our chutes. Some holes punctured our chutes but none of us were hit. To the best of my knowledge this was near Salzbrun, Germany. We watched our plane descend. It went over a hill and that was the last view of it. All the enlisted men were POW's and eventually returned to the USA. I never heard any information regarding the officers again."