Searching for Crew Member
 

Over on the AAF Forum , A Gal is looking for Info on Her Dad.
Sgt. Orville Ernest Johnson - Gunner
398th BG , 601st Sq.
B-17 Crashed or Crash landed Holland
Late 1944 / 1945
Any Help appreciated.
Mike

Re: Searching for Crew Member
 

There's a ton of information here http://www.398th.org/index.html .

She'll just have to sort it out and look for his name.

Re: Searching for Crew Member
 

Shooshoo, this looks like an easy one:
in the SGLO list is stated: 28th Oct. 1944 at 15.15hrs Crash at Grote Gelderse Waard (South of Zevenaar) 398BG 601 Sq Ser #44-8199
Capt. T.A.Scott.

Zevenaar is just on the dutch side of the border with Germany at the same latitude of Arnhem (roughly)

No more reported crashes from 398BG after this date in The Netherlands.
Thats all I can say, if helps
regards
Sealander

Re: Searching for Crew Member
 

Thanks Guys !
Appreciate your Help
Cheers,
Mike

Re: Searching for Crew Member
 

However the MACR doesn't list any Sgt. Orville Ernest Johnson


http://www.398th.org/PDF/History/MAC...028_Sheely.pdf

Re: Searching for Crew Member
 

OK Guys -
I wonder if he bailed and Pilot made it back?
Sgt. Johnson was in 601st Sq.
# 44 - 8517 3O J 601st Sq.
Crash Landed RAF Manston 4/10/45
?????????,
Mike

Re: Searching for Crew Member
 

Hello
He was not a crew member of this aircraft!
Another 398 BG a/c force landed between Hengelo and Zelhem,
the Netherlands: 26-11-1944 but he was not a member of this crew either! And a 398 BG B-17 crashed into the IJsselmeer 26-11-1944!
No crew member with this name in this aircraft!
Regards
Karl Lusink
ARGA

Re: Searching for Crew Member
 

Mike,
just a few thoughts:
on the AAF forum a ground crew picture with the armorers appeared, and it was suggested Sgt Johnson was one of them! Ground crew to airgunner? I thought they had a special training for airgunners. Was he really an airgunner? Or did he become an airgunner while in the UK? I have the impression that the airgunner training schools were in the US. I do not believe that they put a ground crew member in a gun turret on a mission without going through the formal airgunner training school. Would have been an additional hazard for the fighter cover.I wonder why he is not mentioned in any of the BG crew lists. At least I cannot find him.
Then it is also strange that he is not listed as a crewmember on any of the a/c from the group that came down in Holland. Was he really an airgunner?
gr
Sealander

Re: Searching for Crew Member
 

here is the thread from AAF forum,

it is the ladies Grand father and the 601st assignment may be taken to be his assignment at the time he left the airforce, not necessarily the unit at the time of the bale out.

http://forum.armyairforces.com/tm.as...5&high=orville

Re: Searching for Crew Member
 

To All -
Thanks for input!
This Gal says her Dad stated He Bailed out over Holland , landed on a Farm and
Farmer guarded him with a Pitchfork until an MP picked him up in a Jeep. Maybe
He was confused and came down in Belgium or France?
Her Posts are on AAF Forum , 398th BG Subforum.
Cheers,
Mike