Post by lizardgirl on Feb 5, 2014 21:43:23 GMT -5
I am new to this forum & quite unsure of how to do this.
My husbands grandfather was S.Sgt. Joe H. Smith who served in the 827th as a top gunner & a POW.
Recently we were shown a photograph of him & his crew in front of their plane. On the back he had written the names & position of his crew members; also a stamp (484 BOMB GROUP {H} PHOTO Feb 19,1944). I copied the info & began doing some research on Joe finding some records & personal items the family had kept. Until this point very little was truly known about his service "he was a gunner shot down over Germany & held as a POW."
In the photo he lists
Lt. Stanley F. Essman; Pilot Lt. Z.B. Kincheloe; Co-Pilot W.P. White; Bombadier Navigator Not Shown
Sgt. James F. Sherry; Bottom Gunner Sgt. Louis C. Fleury; Tail Gunner Sgt. B.B. McWhirter; Radio Operator S.Sgt. Joe H Smith; Top Gunner
Sgt. James F. Bradley; Nose Gunner Sgt. Marvin L. Ivie; Engineer
The date on the photo means it was taken in Nebraska a month before heading to Dakkar, Africa, Tunisia & Italy. His plane was a B-24 (serial# 41-29513)
On May 10, 1944
On a mission to Austria his plane was struck by flack & crashed near Rust, Austria killing all aboard but 2, himself & a Lt. Hanson. (whom had recently joined their crew)
Fatalities listed by Joe are...
Lt. Stanley Essman; Pilot Lt. Z.B. Kincheloe; Co-Pilot "UNKNOWN" Bombadier
Sgt. James F. Sherry; Bottom Gunner Louis C. Fleury; Tail Gunner Sgt. B.B. McWhirter; Radio Operator
Sgt. James F. Bradley; Nose Gunner Sgt. Marvin L.Ivie; Engineer
They were immediately captured & separated. Joe spent from May 10- July 5, 1944 secured in a 40'x8' box car with about 99 other POWs.
On July 5, 1944 He arrived at Stalag Luft #4.
On March 1, 1945 He as many did took part in the "Black March".
On May 2, 1945 He was released to the British & returned home to Texas.
I'm writing all of this because Joe kept a notebook during his imprisonment, names of POWs he came across. Most of the names are out of Texas (being a Texan himself), 8 pages.
He also lists room mates & pals at Stalag #4.
Little by little I will keep posting the names & hometowns they listed... maybe it will help someone fill in a piece of their history.
If anyone can give me any further info or a piece that I don't have please let me know.
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