The commonality of such pictures, regardless of the conflict, country, or activity, is that by their nature the great majority of such images \u2013 especially those from the early and mid-twentieth century \u2013 capture action and events occurring outside<\/em> of the aircraft or platform from which the photographer is situated.\u00a0 That aspect of aerial photography is so natural and taken-for-granted that it hardly bears mentioning.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n That is, until one comes across the opposite:\u00a0 A picture of activity within<\/em> a military airplane during a combat mission.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Such an image is the subject of this discussion.<\/span><\/p>\n In an earlier blog post, photographic images were presented of a P-51D Mustang fighter (\u201cChicago\u2019s Own\u201d, of the 354th Fighter Group) which was crash-landed near Niederkirchen, Germany, on December 1, 1944 by Captain Gordon T. McEachron.\u00a0 These images are found in German Luftgaukommado Report \u201cJ 2525\u201d, at the United States National Archives, in College Park, Maryland.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n That post included two \u201cMeldung \u00fcber den Abschuss eines US-amerikanischen Flugzeuges\u201d (Notification About the Shooting Down of a U.S. Aircraft) <\/em>forms, showing how the German armed forces recorded information about downed American military aircraft, and, their crews.\u00a0 One of the two forms, in J 2525, is an example of how single-seat fighter aircraft were documented.<\/span><\/p>\n The other from, from Luftgaukommando Report KU 3493 (KU being an acronym for Kampfflugzeug Unterlagen<\/em> \u2013 \u201ccombat aircraft documentation\u201d) covers a B-17G Flying Fortress, and shows how multi-crew aircraft were documented.\u00a0 The crew list in KU 3493 appears below, and will bring us to the photograph that is the topic of this post.<\/span><\/p>\n Crew list in translated KU Report, as seen in MACR 11368<\/span><\/p>\n KU 3493 was filed for B-17G Flying Fortress 42-97215 (erroneously listed in MACR 11368 as \u201c43-97215\u201d), “BG * J<\/em>“, of the 334th Bomb Squadron, 95th Bomb Group, which was piloted by 2 Lt. Stewart D. Reed, and shot down during a mission to Hamburg on December 31, 1944.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n MACR 11368 notes that there were no direct witnesses to the plane\u2019s loss, but presents the following account, derived from S-2 files, for the incident:\u00a0 \u201cB-17G 43-97215 [sic] piloted by 2 Lt. Reed was seen to be hit by enemy fighters from 6 to 8 minutes after \u201cbombs away\u201d.\u00a0 The attack was made from 5 to 7 o\u2019clock high and out of the sun.\u00a0 The aircraft was hit on the first pass on the #3 engine causing it to catch fire.\u00a0 The pilot endeavored to put out the fire but failed to do so.\u00a0 The aircraft went in a slow spiral under fairly good control.\u00a0 One chute was seen before the aircraft was lost from sight at 53-20 N, 09-30 E at 1153 hours.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n KU 3493 gives no information specifying where the individual crewmen were actually captured or recovered.\u00a0 However, the document gives four place names \u2013 all generally similar \u2013 denoting the area where the plane crash-landed, and, the general locality of all events relevant to the loss of 42-97215.\u00a0 These are \u201cLauenbrueck near Hanover\u201d, \u201cLauenbrueck 15 km [from] Rothenburg\u201d, \u201cLauenbrueck-Hollege-Vahlde bei Rotenburg\u201d, and \u201cLauenbruch (Lauen bridge) on Reichstrasse, Hamburg \/ Bremen\u201d. Besides Lt. Reed, the other eight men in the plane\u2019s crew were:<\/span><\/p>\n Co-Pilot<\/strong>:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2 Lt. Harold Joseph Rensch<\/span> Four of these men \u2013 Heafey, Marnik, Saalfeld, and Spencer \u2013 did not survive the mission.\u00a0 The others were captured and imprisoned, returning to the United States after the war\u2019s end.<\/span><\/p>\n A review of postwar accounts by the survivors reveals that Carrier, Doughty, Marnik, Raab (wounded in the arm by flak), Rensch, and Saafeld bailed out, while Lt. Reed crash-landed the plane with Heafey and Spencer still aboard.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Heafey was instantly killed by a direct hit on the ball turret.\u00a0 Spencer, severely wounded, died shortly after landing.\u00a0 Carrier suggested that he could have been saved had he received immediate medical attention.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The fates of Marnik and Saalfeld present a mystery.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Saalfeld, after bailing out, was seen alive, in mid-air, by Rensch.\u00a0 His name (along with those of Heafey and Spencer, and the surviving crew members) does appear in the crew list recorded in KU 3493.\u00a0 Rensch suggested that he, \u201cMay have been captured by radical civilians & slain\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n Marnik was not seen after the crew bailed out, and his fate was still under investigation in August of 1945, indicated in a statement filed by Doughty with the Adjutant General\u2019s Office.\u00a0 Therein, Doughty reported, \u201cPlane hit by fighters.\u00a0 The plane immediately went into a flat spin.\u00a0 I saw Marnik jump from the plane.\u00a0 After he jumped he was never heard of again.\u00a0 I believe that Marnik might have become unconscious from lack of oxygen after he bailed out at over 22,000 ft and there by not open [sic] his chute.\u00a0 He has not been heard of since.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Document \u201c131615\u201d within KU 3493 states that Marnik was \u201crecovered dead\u201d at Burg \/ Sittensen – almost six north-northwest of Lauenbrueck – on December 31, at 12:15, about twenty minutes after 42-97215 was shot down.\u00a0 Though this document gives his serial number and name, neither his rank nor any other information is listed.\u00a0 Oddly, his date of burial \u2013 at Gross-Sittensen \u2013 is noted as having occurred nearly two weeks later: On February 12, 1945.\u00a0 This explains the absence of Marnik’s name from KU 3493, which was filed on January 18, 1945.<\/span><\/p>\n Given the limited and cryptic information in the MACR, more information about what actually befell Saalfeld and Marnik might be found in the IDPFs (Individual Deceased Personnel Files) for these men.\u00a0 If possible war crimes had been investigated, then Case Files for these men may exist within the records of the Office of the Judge Advocate General (NARA Records Group 153).<\/span><\/p>\n But about <\/em>the men of 42-97215\u2026\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Like many (but certainly not all) MACRs filed for crews of multi-place aircraft, MACR 11368 gives the names and addresses of the crew\u2019s next of kin.\u00a0 These are:<\/span><\/p>\n Those, Who Survived<\/em><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Pilot<\/strong>: 2 Lt. Stewart Dean Reed (POW, Stalag Luft I) <\/span> Co-Pilot<\/strong>: 2 Lt. Harold Joseph Rensch (POW, Stalag Luft III)<\/span> Nose Gunner<\/strong> (Togglier?): <\/span> Flight Engineer<\/strong>: <\/span> Radio Operator<\/strong>: Sgt. George LeRoy Carrier (POW, camp unknown)<\/span> Those, Who Gave All<\/em><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Navigator<\/strong>: F\/O Anthony A. Marnik, Jr. (Born 8\/18\/20)<\/span> ____________________<\/p>\n Ball Turret Gunner<\/strong>: Sgt. Morgan Joseph Heafey (Born 8\/23\/22) \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span> Waist Gunner<\/strong>: Sgt. Richard G. Saalfeld (Born 5\/3\/24)<\/span> Tail Gunner<\/strong>: Sgt. Hyrum Lamar Spencer (Born 10\/28\/19)<\/span> A Captured Moment, Captured<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n Now, the subject of this post:\u00a0 One photograph.<\/span><\/p>\n The image is rather small: about two by three inches.<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s not entirely in focus.<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s overexposed.<\/span><\/p>\n There is no information recorded upon it \u2013 whether on the print itself, or its reverse side.\u00a0 It\u2019s \u201canonymous\u201d.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n There is no information about it within KU 3493.\u00a0 It\u2019s simply present among the documents contained in the report.<\/span><\/p>\n But, precisely because it\u2019s not a \u201cprofessional\u201d image, it has an aura of mystery (well, a small mystery) that evoke questions about its origins:\u00a0 Who was the photographer?\u00a0 When was it taken?\u00a0 What kind of camera was used?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Some observations:<\/span><\/p>\n The picture was taken by someone immediately behind the pilot and co-pilot, probably situated in the space between the B-17’s dorsal turret and pilots\u2019 seats.<\/span><\/p>\n The pilot\u2019s right hand rests on the throttles.\u00a0 His head slightly is turned to the right, while the co-pilot\u2019s head is slightly turned to the left.\u00a0 Details of the top of the instrument panel, the ceiling mounted instruments, ceiling light, and wiring between the upper windows, are clearly visible.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Both men are wearing external radio headsets over their flight helmets; especially evident for the pilot. \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n From the pattern of light and shadow on the pilot\u2019s left arm, and especially the glare upon the right windshield and obscuring the co-pilot\u2019s face, it seems that the plane is flying towards the sun.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Given that the picture is entirely undamaged and unmarked, I assume that it was confiscated by the Germans from Lt. Reed himself, Rensch, Doughty, Raab, or Carrier, after their capture.\u00a0 If I were to venture a guess, I would suggest it was taken by Sgt. Charles O. Doughty.\u00a0 (But, that is only a guess.)<\/span><\/p>\n This photo is strikingly reminiscent of a depiction of a B-17 pilot at the controls of his bomber that appeared in John Muirhead\u2019s 1986 book Those Who Fall<\/em>. Published by Random House in 1986, his book merits very high praise.\u00a0 The quality of writing is excellent, equaled by the depth of the author\u2019s observations about the complexities of human nature; relationships between and among his crewmen, comrades, commanders, and Italian civilians; the seeming randomness of human fate during war; history, human nature, and \u201clife\u201d in general.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Some of the names in the book may <\/em>be pseudonyms, some characters may be \u201ccomposites\u201d of different personalities, and the accounts of some combat missions may be based on a combination of memory, anecdote, and personal impressions, along with historical records.\u00a0 No matter.\u00a0 These qualities do not detract from the book\u2019s literary and historical worth.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Fifteen sketches by Susan Coons<\/a>, in pencil or charcoal, are interspersed throughout the book, and depict personalities, combat, and life at 301st\u2019s Italian base at Lucera.\u00a0 These have no captions, the reader being left to infer such from nearby or related text.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n One sketch image is particularly compelling, and is a fitting counterpart to KU 3493\u2019s anonymous photo: It depicts a B-17 pilot, right hand resting on the throttles of his aircraft, as sunlight reflects off his windshield. <\/span> Like the crew of aircraft B-17G #215, he is flying into history.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n As are we all – whether earthbound, airborne, or between – each in our own quiet way. References<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n Books<\/span><\/p>\n Freeman, Roger A., and Osborne, David, The B-17 Flying Fortress Story<\/em>, Arms & Armour Press, London, England, 1998.<\/span><\/p>\n Muirhead, John, Those Who Fall<\/em>, Random House, 1986, New York, NY.<\/span><\/p>\n Rust, Ken C., Fifteenth Air Force Story<\/em>, 1976, Historical Aviation Album, Temple City, Ca.<\/span><\/p>\n Biographical Information<\/span><\/p>\n Heafey, Morgan J., biographical information by Loren Bender, at http:\/\/www.findagrave.com\/<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Marnik, Anthony A., Jr., information and photograph from DePaulian 1938<\/em> (De Paul University Yearbook), accessed through Ancestry.com.<\/span><\/p>\n Marnik, Anthony A., Jr., biographical information by \u201cRuss C.\u201d; photograph of tombstone by Mary Arvidson, at http:\/\/www.findagrave.com\/<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Raab, Sgt. William A., Rochester Times Union<\/em>, May 29, 1945, accessed via Fulton History website, at ![\"43-38215-crew-list-ku-3493-360\"](\"http:\/\/thepastpresented.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/43-38215-crew-list-KU-3493-360.jpg\")
<\/a>Crew list in “original” KU Report<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\n<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a>Google map of Hamburg, Rotenburg, and nearby localities.
\n<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/a>Google map of Lauenbr\u00fc<\/span>ck<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\n Navigator<\/strong>:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 F\/O Anthony A. Marnik, Jr.<\/span>
\n Nose Gunner<\/strong> (Togglier<\/strong>?):\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sgt. Charles Oscar Doughty<\/span>
\n Flight Engineer<\/strong>:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 S\/Sgt. William Andrew Raab<\/span>
\n Radio Operator<\/strong>:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sgt. George LeRoy Carrier<\/span>
\n Ball Turret Gunner<\/strong>:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sgt. Morgan Joseph Heafey<\/span>
\n Waist Gunner<\/strong>:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sgt. Richard G. Saalfeld<\/span>
\n Tail Gunner<\/strong>:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sgt. Hyrum Lamar Spencer<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a>Google map of area of Sittensen, Lauenbr\u00fc<\/span>ck, <\/span>and nearby localities.
\n<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
\n Born October 11, 1921<\/span>
\n Margaret C. Reed (wife), 1402 Dodson St., San Pedro, Ca.<\/span>
\n Dr. Claude L. and Mildred Reed (parents), Wakefield, Ks.<\/span>
\n Stewart Reed died on July 12, 2009, as reported in the San Francisco Chronicle<\/em> of July 15 of that year.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n Elizabeth D. Rensch (mother), Makoti, N.D.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n Sgt. Charles Oscar Doughty (POW, Stalag Luft III)<\/span>
\n Agnes M. Doughty (mother), 30 Baker St., Norwalk, Oh.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n S\/Sgt. William Andrew Raab (POW, Stalag Luft III)<\/span>
\n William L. and Catherine Raab (parents), 59 Seyle Terrace, Rochester, N.Y.<\/span>
\n Sgt. William Raab in the Rochester Times Union, <\/em>May 29, 1945.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a>Sgt. William Raab in the Rochester Times Union, <\/em>May 29, 1945.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n
\n Lola M. Carrier (wife), 806 North Gordy St., Eldorado, Ks.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n Anton and Sophie (Eltman) Marnik (parents), Jean and Raymond (sister and brother)<\/span>
\n 4138 North Lavergne Ave., Chicago, Il.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>
\n Place of Burial: Saint Adalbert Catholic Cemetery, Niles, Il.; Section 52, Block A, Lot 3.
\n<\/strong>Buried September 7, 1949, as reported in Chicago Tribune<\/em> of September 1.<\/span>
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/a>Anthony A. Marnik, Jr., in the DePaulian<\/em> (De Paul University yearbook) for Class of 1938.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n
\n John C. and Helen Cecelia (Gillespie) Heafey (parents)<\/span>
\n 3825 South 25th St., Omaha, Ne.<\/span>
\n John C. Heafey, Helen C. (Heafey) Kinnear, Thomas E. Heafey (brothers and sister)<\/span>
\n Place of Burial: Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Omaha, Ne.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a>____________________<\/p>\n
\n Herman H. and Lillian F. Saalfeld (parents), Harold C. and Herman A. Saalfeld (brothers)<\/span>
\n 2302 G St., Ohama, Ne.<\/span>
\n Place of Burial: Saint Mary\u2019s Cemetery, Omaha, Ne.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a>____________________<\/p>\n
\n Glenda (Winget) Spencer [later Smith] (wife), Ronald H. Spencer (1941-1943) and Kenneth Austin Spencer (sons)<\/span>
\n Box 157, Monroe, Ut.<\/span>
\n Austin Jabez and Hannah Elizabeth (Price) Spencer (parents); Nine siblings (four sisters and six brothers)<\/span>
\n Place of Burial: Aurora Cemetery, Aurora, Ut.; Block 7, Grave 5; Buried June, 1949<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a>____________________<\/p>\n<\/a>Somewhere over Europe, seventy-two years ago.<\/span><\/span>
\n<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a>The book (cover by Eric Joyner<\/a>) is a memoir of Muirhead\u2019s experiences as a Flying Fortress in the 32nd Bomb Squadron of the 301st Bomb Group, a Bomb Group assigned to the 15th Air Force\u2019s 5th Bomb Wing.\u00a0 It encompasses the time from his arrival at the 301st\u2019s base at Lucera, Italy, in February of 1944, through June 23, 1944, when his plane and crew were shot down on a mission to Ploesti (covered in MACR 16203), and concludes with his liberation from Bulgarian captivity in September of that year.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a>Like the pilots in the photo \u2013 seen at an unknown time and unknown place somewhere<\/em> over Europe (or perhaps even earlier, over the continental United States?) – the pilot in Susan Coons\u2019 sketch is piloting his aircraft into the sun, towards an unknown destination.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/span><\/p>\n