The first 3 airmen that were at the Abby in Siegburg:
SSgt. Lester E. Hix
TSgt Frank C. Buettner
SSgt. John A. Potsklan
They were part of the crew on B-24H-15-FO, Serial Number: 42-52507, “MISS JUDY”
789th Bomb Sqdn, 467th Bomb Group, 2nd Air (Bombardment) Division, 8th Air Force.
Plane was shot down 14 October 1944, on a mission to Cologne, crew bailed out over the western font lines.
Apparantly all 3 went to transit camp Dulag Luft West then to Stalag Luft IV after leaving Siegburg.
MACR#9489
Group Mission No.119
14th October 1944
Target: Marshalling yards, Cologne, Ger.
Mission Narrative from the notes of Jim Pippenger, pilot in the 789th, along with observations from Sgt. James F. Brock, in charge of gunnery on Pippenger’s crew, and input from Phillip Day, pilot & group historian.
“Another mission made up of 1100 planes. Our bomb load was mixed. Sixteen 250 lb GP plus four 500 lb incendiaries. We had German fighters trying to be effective, but they had trouble getting into a position to be able to make a real effective pass. The flak was intense and we sustained considerable damage on 14 of our 32 planes. The most problematic [aspect] of this mission was to get the formation together. From take-off we flew in a continuous overcast to 20,000 ft in order to find some blue. Was much to long in the air just to get to Cologne. We MADE it.”
Details of Aircraft Loss B-24H-15-FO 42-52507 “MISS JUDY” 789th Sqdn
Ship suffered engine fire and severe vibration. Crew abandoned ship near the front-line in western Germany. Two crew received shot wounds. Pilot rumored to have been shot and killed while hanging from a tree in his parachute.
Remarks: Ship suffered engine fire and severe vibration. Crew abandoned ship near the front-line in western Germany. Two crew received shot wounds, Pilot rumoured to have been shot and killed while hanging from a tree in his parachute.Pilot was KIA, nine other crew made POW were, 2nd Lt. Ervin R. Estes (Co-pilot), 2nd Lt. Ben A. Bereskin (Navigator), T/Sgt. Frank C. Buettner (Eng.), S/Sgt. Elmer J. Barndt (Gunner), T/Sgt. Gerald L. Pucillo (Radio-oper.), S/Sgt. John A. Potsklan (Gunner), S/Sgt. Lester E. Hix (Nose-Gunner), Dominick J. Cerrito (Ball Turret Gunner), Cpl. Ralph C. Donovan (Tail Gunner).
