Posted By Vic Walzel on July 31, 2006 at 21:24:41:
In Reply to: evasion of Sergeant Watkins 613 BS 401 BG posted by Jelle Reitsma on July 31, 2006 at 15:49:35:
: Sgt Watkins was a member of the Butterfoss crew, 613 BS 401 BG. April 29th, 1944, returning from an attack on the Berlin Friedrichstrasse Railway station, he and the rest of the crew had to bail out over Woeste Hoeve, near Apeldoorn, the Netherlands. Their plane crashed in Lieren (Veldweg 25) around 1500 hrs local time (MACR 4345). The Dutch resistance took care of the crew; however, all of them except sgt Watkins were taken POW between April 29th - May 3rd 1944. By now I know most details about the crash, the other crew members, their experiences in German POW camps, and so on. Sgt Watkins evaded, but until now I have no other information than 'Sgt W.E. Watkins, serial nr 39281632, waist gunner, evaded'. I could not trace his enlistment record and I dont' have the faintest idea how he evaded, where he was liberated, returned to active duty or not, and so on. The information is needed to complete the story of the Butterfoss crew in a local book '55 names at Heidehof' about Allied airmen who had to crashland or to bail out in the vicinity of Apeldoorn. 55 of them lost their lives and are buried at the Heidehof cemetery.
: Who can help me out?
: Jelle Reitsma
: Zwarte Kijkerweg 25a
: NL-7313 GC APELDOORN
: The Netherlands
:
:
: Jelle,
In Project Bits and Pieces, Sgt W.E. Watkins is listed as being from Fullerton, CA. The NARA database lists 18 William E. Watkins with one being in the AC. His serial number is 19303134. The serial number you give is not listed so possibly it is a typo. Did it come from the MACR?
Even if it did, still no guarantee of accuracy. Try getting some information from the 401st BG historian. There should be one listed at www.armyairforces.com/dbgroups.asp?Group=222. Look for a post about Association, Website and Reunions. It may be the top post or down the list.
Vic