Posted By Vic Walzel on November 27, 2007 at 18:09:49:
In Reply to: Crew information or contacts on 493rd BG-863rd BS posted by Anne T Johnson Mesmer on November 27, 2007 at 13:57:27:
: Looking for information on other members of the crew of B-17 call sign Pillar plane #42-94958, Capt. William Holman Jr pilot, co-pilt Earl Burnham. My father s/sgt. Byron Johnson waist gunner along with the rest of the crew were listed as true Evaders by the 8th AAF. Shot down over Koblenz Germany evaded and escaped capture to return to the American lines in Sept 1944.Any information on the other crew members or their relatives would be appreciated.thanks Anne
Anne,
My reference doesn't show that seriial number for the plane your father was on when it went down on 19 Sept 1944 nor does it show the same information about the rest of the crew. This is the information listed in Project Bits and Pieces :
43-38298 G of the 493rd BG, 863rd Squadron failed to return due to flak and crashed at Prum,Germany or crashlanded in Belgium. The MACR 9494 covering this plane and crew is available by contacting Lynn.Gamma@MAXWELL.AF.MIL at no charge. There is also an Escape and Evasion Report 2293 but I can't tell you how to access it.
Crew list:
Capt William C. Holman Jr (P) RTD
2Lt Ransom C. Chamberlain (CP) POW
Lt John S. Stimek (N) RTD
Lt Raymond A. Lee (B) POW
T/Sgt Elmer A. E. Schulz (TT) POW
T/Sgt Albert N. Henna (RO) POW
S/Sgt Marcel C. Patemoster (BT) POW
S/Sgt Byron T. Johnson (WG) EVD
S/Sgt John W. Moffat (TG) POW
Is possible that your father was shot down twice and fortunate enough to evade both times?
Vic