Looking for 305th BG 366th BS pictures.

[davidbray]

Hey all, I've been a lurker here for quite a while and recently found out that a relative of mine served with the 366th BS. I was wondering if anyone had some pictures from mid to late '43ish.

His plane was shot down and he was taken prisoner on Oct. 14, 1943 on the raid to Schweinfurt.

Any pictures would be awesome.

Thanks!

[Misterg97]

Not sure how much of a reply you might receive here. There is another also very good site much like this one only it is pretty much geared to Army Air Forces of WWII. They have a large number participating pertaining to the 305th BG ..... Also, I met a number of them last year as the 305th held their reunion in Fairborn, OH and visited the AF Museum.

I just recently embroidered a hat with the 366th BS logo and have it placed on Ebay.

here's where you might try www.armyairforces.com

Good Luck

[Mike Bates]

Whats the name of the relative? Plane name or serial number? I have some stuff (pictures & MACR's) I've found on the 305th.

Mike

[davidbray]

the relatives name is Loren Fink. He was a replacement gunner, not sure on the plane he was on. I've found 4 planes that the 366th lost on that day: 42-3195, 42-3549, 42-30814, 42-37750. those are according to j. baugher's site.

[Mike Bates]

He was on B-17F 42-3195. I haven't found any info if the plane had a name. The MACR is 916.

Will do some more checking.

Mike

[Swiss Mustangs]

Lt. Verl Fisher crew shot down on Black Thursday, 10/14/43, near Wildenrath, Germany. 4 KIA, 6 POW

B-17F-35-DL 42-3195 KY-O (no known nickname)



you might want to organize a copy of "Wrong Place! Wrong Time !": The 305th Bomb Group & the 2nd Schweinfurt Raid October 14, 1943 (Schiffer Military Aviation History)

Martin

[davidbray]

wow, thanks so much guys. yeah my birthday is this next week so i was going to add that to my amazon wishlist with lots of hinting towards my family. I really appreciate all the help.

[ssg keay]

There is a rumor going around this B-17 carried the nick "Chaos", but I am still trying to confirm this. Danny

[Old SAR pilot]

Some pics and data here:

http://www.americanairmuseum.com/unit/953

here:

http://www.worldwarphotos.info/gallery/ ... -squadron/

and here:

http://www.worldwarphotos.info/gallery/ ... quadron-2/

[ssg keay]

davidbray, I am also in contact with the niece of the navigator, LT Carl Booth. Do you know if SSG Fink ever wrote down his memoirs of that day? Danny

[ssg keay]

On Friday the 4th of September, we had a memorial unveiling ceremony for the crew of B-17F 42-3195. She belonged to the 305th BG and went down at Waldenrath on 14 October 1943, during the second Schweinfurt Raid.
The Fisher crew was shot down by enemy fighters and 4 men perished. Of those, LT Carl Booth Jr. is still listed MIA. His three nieces visited Margraten cemetery on Thursday and wanted to visit the crash-site on Friday.
What they did not know is that I was able with the help of Pat Doyle, my Airforce, buddy and some of the locals from Waldenrath, to arrange for a memorial to be erected overlooking the crash-site.
The stone was donated by a local gravel pit, they even delivered it!
The plaque was paid for by the Airforce's Top 3 Association and the wreath was paid for by the 305th Air Mobility Wing, the unit that spawned out of the 305th Bomb Group.
The Waldenrath St. Josef nursing home provided a corner overlooking the crash-site for the stone, plus provided refreshments.
The Protestant NATO chaplain read the eulogy and did the invocation, while the Airforce's Honor Guard provided the color guard.
Over 80 people attended including senior members of the local government and many eye-witnesses who are actually residing at the nursing home.
Attached is a link with a few photos and the German link to a newspaper report.
I hope you enjoy the photos.
https://www.facebook.com/WhispersOfFall ... 0904726640
http://www.aachener-zeitung.de/lokales/ ... -1.1173581

Danny



Danny I.P. Keay
Founder
Missing Aviators Research and Recovery Team
Author
"Roscoe Red Three is Missing"