Larry, you are so funny! And that is separate from your being such a wonderful human being to do the kind of research that you do and the length of time required to help record history so it is not lost or forgotten!

Just this morning I wanted to look up something and instead of going to my volumes of notebooks - what did I do?

I went to Larry the Legend's summarized list of the 22 men that were buried at the Siegburg Cemetery. I got the answers I needed quickly.

I was looking to see if any of the men were from the 106th Div. I recalled I had spoken to someone some time in the past from the 106th - and recently, more will follow in the future, I spoke to another wonderful gentleman from the 106th.

Thanks to you I saw immediately the answer was - no one from the 106th was on that list.

Then I looked to see if there were any other Airmen on the list, other than Dryden. Again, thanks to you Larry, I could quickly see the answer was no!

I did happen to look more closely at the Marcus Abner entry and recalled that was the information I had first gotten - as far as the ship,etc. His file at the NARA in St. Louis actually had some documents in it that will clear up that misunderstanding that was in that other place in his records. It will not be right away, but I will get those off to you.

Larry, you are absolutely Amazing! And I can't wait to share some new news with you and Christoph - I want you to be impressed with my efforts too!

Now, how long should I make you wait?

Jean

Not Long - here I am!

You won't believe it, and today I absolutely have to go do the things I was supposed to already have done - but one War project - non Siegburg - after another kept rolling in.

So... the news - I joke that the homeless cat answers my switchboard when I get busy - and ....yes, I heard from another Siegburg Alumni! Another Jackpot! He was in many Camps.

I am trying to put my notes together - and I have many more questions for him! It all takes time - but just when you think the well is dry.....

This gentleman got issued a POW dog tag! Has his number on it ....

Has to have been done at Siegburg - I am so sure.

Larry, when you did all of that incredible research on Dale J. Welsh, I passed it along to another POW from Dale's outfit that passed through Siegburg too. Fortunately he lived and went on to many Camps. While they did not know one another the wound and capture and dates were all connected. The POW numbers were only a couple apart!

I have my request in at the Archives on Dale, and maybe next week I can get there to see what they have on him and the other records I requested this time.

That news from your incredible research on Dale solved more Siegburg questions and the gentleman I spoke to was so pleased to have the information you provided.

Thank You Larry,

Jean

From a quick look at the NARA POW records, it looks like alot of the 106th Inf Div went to Stalag IV B.

working on records of 4 definite & 1 probable air crew men from 2 separate bombers that were at the Military Hospital, Siegburg. All 5 survived & came home.

Fabulous Larry the Legend!

Thank You,

Jean

They were in Siegburg and then went to IV B near Halle, 400 km east of Siegburg? Normally Stalag IV H was the "hospital camp" for IV B.

Christoph

Christoph, Jean was asking if there were any men from the 106th Infantry Division at the hospital in Siegborg. The answer is no. We have not found anyone yet from the 106th or their regiments. By doing a NARA POW record seach just using parent Unit Number: 0106, the list shows alot of the enlisted men at camp: 006, Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13.

No doubt many of them must have passed through Bonn after being captured in the BOB.

I see! Thank you!

Christoph

The first 3 airmen that were at the Abby in Siegburg:

SSgt. Lester E. Hix

TSgt Frank C. Buettner

SSgt. John A. Potsklan

They were part of the crew on B-24H-15-FO, Serial Number: 42-52507, “MISS JUDY”

789th Bomb Sqdn, 467th Bomb Group, 2nd Air (Bombardment) Division, 8th Air Force.

Plane was shot down 14 October 1944, on a mission to Cologne, crew bailed out over the western font lines.

Apparantly all 3 went to transit camp Dulag Luft West then to Stalag Luft IV after leaving Siegburg.

MACR#9489

Group Mission No.119

14th October 1944

Target: Marshalling yards, Cologne, Ger.

Mission Narrative from the notes of Jim Pippenger, pilot in the 789th, along with observations from Sgt. James F. Brock, in charge of gunnery on Pippenger’s crew, and input from Phillip Day, pilot & group historian.

“Another mission made up of 1100 planes. Our bomb load was mixed. Sixteen 250 lb GP plus four 500 lb incendiaries. We had German fighters trying to be effective, but they had trouble getting into a position to be able to make a real effective pass. The flak was intense and we sustained considerable damage on 14 of our 32 planes. The most problematic [aspect] of this mission was to get the formation together. From take-off we flew in a continuous overcast to 20,000 ft in order to find some blue. Was much to long in the air just to get to Cologne. We MADE it.”

Details of Aircraft Loss B-24H-15-FO 42-52507 “MISS JUDY” 789th Sqdn

Ship suffered engine fire and severe vibration. Crew abandoned ship near the front-line in western Germany. Two crew received shot wounds. Pilot rumored to have been shot and killed while hanging from a tree in his parachute.

Remarks: Ship suffered engine fire and severe vibration. Crew abandoned ship near the front-line in western Germany. Two crew received shot wounds, Pilot rumoured to have been shot and killed while hanging from a tree in his parachute.Pilot was KIA, nine other crew made POW were, 2nd Lt. Ervin R. Estes (Co-pilot), 2nd Lt. Ben A. Bereskin (Navigator), T/Sgt. Frank C. Buettner (Eng.), S/Sgt. Elmer J. Barndt (Gunner), T/Sgt. Gerald L. Pucillo (Radio-oper.), S/Sgt. John A. Potsklan (Gunner), S/Sgt. Lester E. Hix (Nose-Gunner), Dominick J. Cerrito (Ball Turret Gunner), Cpl. Ralph C. Donovan (Tail Gunner).

Hi Guys!

I will slowly go through this information. And I must make new folders on each of the men that I have not done any research on. I am reviewing the Buettner file because I did get things on him from St. Louis.

So fascinating to read the details of their stories. If I knew how, I would put the list of missions and locations on here. I will try and probably get bounced off. Nothing happened.

Larry, Thank you for so much terrific research!

I can not keep up with you, the Legend!

Jean

Another quick note, Larry found the Guidry family, whose Dad escaped with mine.

I met with 2 descendants today - they were wonderful folks. Guidry would be so proud of his daughter and nephew.

Little bits of news came out - including that Guidry DID NOT swim. Separate from his not liking the water, he did not swim.

So if Dad and Guidry had to cross the River Sieg - then Dad had to use his Life Guard techniques to carry Guidry who was about 5'9" across. Christoph, you were right.

It was so exciting to meet them!

Thank you Larry for doing all of that research!

Jean

Oh, I forgot to say that the photo of Dad and Guidry was not kept on a book shelf in his office all of his life - it was on his desk all of his life!

Jean

List of Buettner`s missions

This is what a VI G POW number tag looks like

Larry,

This very recent POW that found me (that is my joke to them - because they contacted me - and should I become a pest well, then I can always remind them that they called me or wrote me first) just a few days ago said that he had his POW tag and it is 1/2 a tag.

I did not understand it but did not over question it - but with this photo I can. It appears it is only 1 layer thick and the dog tags had 2 sides to them?

Some guys did not remember even having a POW # , This will give me something to talk about - when I get lucky enough to again talk to one of them.

Larry the Legend, Thank You, As Always,

Jean

Christoph and Larry,

I should be pretty silent for a few days - what a relief?

I am hoping to go to St. Louis to see the last batch of records I requested - I am not hopeful that much is there based on what the researcher said. But just one part of a paper could provide a big clue to something.

Bye for the moment,

Jean