[aaatripp]

After further research I must post a correction to my post of 26 November.

The letter from Col. Charles Stark to Bud's parents (informing them of Bud's death) indicates that Bud arrived at Dulag Luft Wetzlar in late December in "an extremely weakened condition." He was not there on 18 Nov...so, where was he?

Bud's location had been earlier reported as in a hospital between LeHavre & Caen, France. This can be confirmed up to 31 Aug 44 when he and other wounded were evacuated by the Germans due to the advance of British and French underground forces. This was reported by St. Louis bombardier, Fred Wolter, when he was repatriated by Allied forces. Wolter had occupied the bed next to Bud, but was left when the Germans rapidly evacuated the hospital. Most likely Bud remained under medical care for the next several months. Dulag Luft Wetzlar was a transit camp, so there is the possibility that he had been in nearby Dulag Luft Oberusel for interrogation, though his medical condition might have precluded that.

A NARA record of 12 March 45 reports Bud's camp as "Stalag 12A to 9B Limburg An Der Lahn, Hessen-Nassau, Prussia 50-08". This camp is approx. 25mi. SW of Wetzlar. The date of the report is nearly a month after Bud's death. Bud's death occurred as he was about to leave D-L Wetzlar bound for permanent hospital (according to Col. Charles W. Stark, USAAF the Senior Allied Officer at D-L Wetzlar) so perhaps Stalag 12A was an earlier location reported to the International Committee of the Red Cross (though, as an USAAF pilot, he should have been in a Stalag Luft). German documents already posted in this thread clearly show that Bud was in D-L Wetzlar at the time of his death. Can anyone explain the Stalag 12A confusion?

Does anyone have any additional info. on Bud's location from 31 Aug. to late December? Any assistance always appreciated.

Thank you.
Tripp