Hello from Poland - American bomber which landed on Ławica
 

Hi! I`m Wojtek from Poznań in Poland. History of WWII aviation is my hobby. I live next to one of the most important place in Polish Air Force history. It was a big Zeppelin hangar and airfield. It was captured by Polish troops in the Greater Poland Uprising of 1918–1919 with a lot of aircrafts, fuel and equipment. It was one of the most importing equipment in teh beginng of the PAF. Have a look: http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/8537/zeppelin3.jpg or http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/5218/zeppelin4.jpg. It was destroyed in WWII and only a small wall remains. I`m here because I need help. In 1945 my family live in house next to Ławica airfield. The Soviet Red Army took our house and used it for their officers for a few months. Probably on 19 march 1945 my grandfather ( He was 14 years old) saw an American bomber with landed on Ławica. It was probably B17-G #43-38929 form 96BG under comand of Capt. E.Perils. My grandfather remember that he saw 11 US pilots and Capt. Perils crewd was 11. The pilots were took by Russians to my old famili house. One of the pilot gave him a chocalate - it was something wonderfull for a child after a hard times of war. Unfortuantli the NKWD officer took away my grandfather chocalate like all the other gifts. The russians organised a big party for US pilots and after that, they were send to England. The B 17 was lighty damaged and probably was used by Soviet Air Force. I`m here to look for as many informacion as I can find about thoes US pilots I hope thet someone will help me:)

Re: Hello from Poland - American bomber which landed on Ławica
 

Welcome, Wojtek!

Please check you Private Message (PM) box where you will find some information.

L.

Re: Hello from Poland - American bomber which landed on Ławica
 

Hellow!
Thanks Larry. I have send You a PM.

Re: Hello from Poland - American bomber which landed on Ławica
 

Hi Wojtek!

I have found this ship on an official list of American planes captured by Soviets.

Regards,
Michal
mikefly@poczta.onet.pl

Re: Hello from Poland - American bomber which landed on Ławica
 

Wojtek!

As far as I know there were 11 airmen of #43-38929, but 3 pilots only. Capt. Perlis (Pilot), Lt. Coon (Co-pilot), and Capt. Lloyd (Squadron Lead Pilot).

Regards,
Michal