Hello To All
73 years ago today the 384th Bomb Group took off from Grafton Underwood UK
Station 106 on a mission to the Ball Bearing Factories at Schweinfurt
Germany. On this mission between the time of 13:54 and 13:57, 6 out of 7
B17's from the 384th Bomb Group, 545th Bomb Squadron were shot down. My
Uncle TSgt Joseph Rachunas was a Tailgunner on one of those planes and
became a POW at Stalag 17B for the rest of the War.This is Ben's story!!
An Aviation Masterpiece & The Story Behind It
I was very fortunate to become friends with Dewayne "Ben" Bennett. The
pilot of the only B17 from the 545th to make it back to base that day. Ben
had helped me with all the information about the day my Uncle was shot down.
He also pointed me in the direction of the 384th website. Where I have
become a member and, now enter combat crews from the original loading list
to the database. While speaking with Ben about this day he told me that he
wanted the memory of the men who lost their lives that day to be remembered.
I told him I would do that for him. He passed away in March of 2011. I am
Keeping my promise to him. I miss ya Ben!!!!! This is Ben's list of the men
that died that day!
Schweinfurt dead 4-13-09.jpg
Semper Fi
Phil
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