Re: Thurman Haskel "Bud" Smith

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Comments:: : : : I need any information on the plane name, crew member names, division, POW camp. He is my great uncle. All I know is he was a Tail Gunner? for a B-17 during a raid on Black Thursday. His plane landed in the North Sea after it caught some flak. All members of the craft survived the landing in the sea. They were picked up by a U-Boat (which saved their life). The officers were split up. I believe he was taken to Stalag 17. All members survived POW camp. Any help is appreciated. : : : : : : Hi Scott, : : : Project Bits and Pieces shows that S/Sgt Thurman H. Smith was the tailgunner on 42-31078 WW R (no name indicated) of the 306th Bomb Group, 369th Squadron. This plane failed to return due to flak on 11 Dec 1943 and crashed at Emden, Germany. No mention of the North Sea, but there are many crash sites that are contradictory. MACR 1574 is available by contacting Lynn.Gamma@MAXWELL.AF.MIL : : : at no charge but expect a wait of several weeks. : : : Ctew list: : : : Lt John Noack (P) : : : 2Lt Robert A. Schoch (CP) : : : Lt Dudley H. Fay Jr (N) : : : Lt Hyman H. Bittman (B) : : : S/Sgt Frank J. Wesner (TT) : : : S/Sgt Michael J. Gallagher (RO) : : : S/Sgt Duncan J. Williams (BT) : : : S/Sgt Albert H. Sewald (LW) : : : S/Sgt Kenneth H. Smith (RW) : : : S/Sgt Thurman H. Smith (TG) : : : Vic : : : : Thanks Vic. Very informative. I am trying to put together a timeline of his career in the war for my family. Thanks again. : Hi Scott, : I was the pilot of "Bless 'Em All" - The B-17 in which you Great Uncle flew on that fateful day in December, 1943. If you have not, as yet, received all the information which you are seeking, please email me and I will try to provide what I know. : John

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