B-17 Loss on or nar Twente Airfield 11 Jan 44

[Chris Goss]

My last B-17 query! 11 Jan 44 was a very busy day but does anyone have a B-17 landing or crashing at Twente airfield 1313 hrs after combat with fighters?

[Leendert]

Chris,

Closest one was 42-39758 of 92nd BG that came down near Almelo.
This town is in immediate vicinity of Twente airfield.
Regards,

Leendert

[Chris Goss]

Thanks again. Again, do you have crew details? This was possibly the victim of Uffz Walter Nikolaus of 1/SKG 10

[Alain57]

Hi Chris ,

42-39745 92BG-325BS NV pilot 2nd Lt Trynes Joseph E - 10 POW
MACR 1921

Alain
Belgium

[Leendert]

Some details about the 11 Jan 44 mission and the loss(es) of 92nd BG that day can be found on their website, of which some details:
"Unidentified B-17 was seen going down on fire after having been attacked by four e/a over 5210-1120E. At 1154 hours five other B-17 were seen to go down over target area. Ten chutes were seen to come from one B-17, seven chutes from another and five chutes from each of the other three a/c. Another B-17 was seen to straggle after being hit by flak at target. Seven chutes were seen from this a/c at 1238 hours while on heading of 270 true from 5237-0920E to 0850E. A/c 758 K from this group was seen to drop out of formation and dive through clouds at 6,000 feet with five e/a following at 1316 hours. This a/c reported over VHF that it was badly damaged and was calling for fighter support. A/c 175 M from this group was seen to explode at 11,000 feet at 1322 hours over 5232-0605E. Two chutes were seen. Fighter support, principally P-51s, was fair on way in to target. Only a few P-51s were seen just after target. These stayed in view for approximately 15 minutes."

Credit: http://www.92ndma.org/missions/44111oschersleben.htm

Alian, you probably meant mentioned a/c 758?

Regards,

Leendert

[karl lusink]

Originally Posted by Leendert

Chris,

Closest one was 42-39758 of 92nd BG that came down near Almelo.
This town is in immediate vicinity of Twente airfield.
Regards,

Leendert

Hello
THis aircraft crashed at Albergen( Hofmaatsweg) 13.45h
Crew captured
Some of the crew were wounded and send to the hospital at Almelo
Albergen is just a few miles East of Almelo!
regards
Karl Lusink
ARGA

[shameyboy9]

My Father was tailgunner SSgt John J Cramer on the B-17 that went down near Albergen. He landed in a barley field just north of town belonging to farmer Bernard Haarhuis (family still owns the land) severely wounded. The farmer hesitated before risking his life to bring my Dad to safety, but his wounds were so severe he required immediate medical attention, which only the Germans were capable of providing given the circumstances. He was taken to the cafe in Albergen before being transported to Dusseldorf, then to Stalag 17 for remainder of the war. My father passed away at age 90 June 24th of this year, surrounded my most of his family, even though he had deserted us many years ago due to PTSD. I visited Albergen on July 28 (Dad knew I was going to make the trip) and although no one was home at the two farmhouses now on the property, it started to pour rain once I got to the field, almost as if it was a sign. I have full list of crew/hometowns if interested. Shamey Cramer, Los Angeles, CA

[Icare9]

Hello and welcome shameyboy from a very cold UK!
Thanks for adding such a moving postscript to this thread. As you mentioned the farmer by name, it sounds as though you have done a lot of research into this crash.
What a pity no one was there, apart from your Dad in spirit.
Perhaps you were able to find the cafe in Albergen and have a toast to him and his crew, and all the others who never made it back.
I'm sure some of our Pals in Holland might be able to find out more for you.
Hope you can come back with some more memories to ease the sorrow of his declining years. Did you mean pre senile dementia or post traumatic stress disorder?