Posted By Vic Walzel on March 17, 2006 at 20:16:45:
In Reply to: Re: George Taylor posted by Vic Walzel on March 17, 2006 at 20:07:11:
: : My uncle, George Taylor, flew 25 missions in Joho's Jokers of 388th BG based at Knettishall. He was killed (not in Joho Jokers but another unnamed aircraft) returning from a mission to Posen on 29 May 1944. His plane came down over Rostock. Six weeks before his death he had married an Englishwoman, my aunt (still alive and living near Manchester, England.
: : I would be very grateful for any information about him.
: : Michael Stephenson
: Hi Michael,
: This is not to dispute the date of your uncle's death but to maybe correct a mistake in my reference, Project Bits and Pieces. This reference shows that Pvt George W. Taylor was the LW gunner on 42-97255 when it failed to return due to German fighters and crashed at Rostock, Germany on 11 April 1944. The pilot was 2Lt William J. Osterkamp and the MACR 3777 covers this plane and crew. It is available at no charge by contacting Lynn.Gamma@MAXWELL.AF.MIL. The entire crew of 10 were KIA. Are you absolutely sure of the date? I have found other mistakes and this may be another one.
: If he was KIA on his 25th mission, it would have possibly completed his tour requirement. There is some controversy about when the requirement was raised to 30 but it was very close to this time. My brother was also KIA on his 25th on 6 March 1944.
: Vic
Michael,
I did see the 388th BG plane that went down on 29 May 1944 had S/Sgt Grant S. Taylor as the BT gunner. He became a POW. Possibly there is a mixup in my reference on the two Taylors.
Vic