B-17 (42-31060) 'Pogue Ma Hone' Crash Marker
Details:
Just off the side of the road on the east side. Marker
A concrete monument with an inscribed marble site in center with a tile roof topping the structure; two propellers are placed in the ground on the sides of the memorial.
The memorial remembers the crew who were killed in action while serving on B-17 (42-31060) 'Pogue Ma Hone' of the 427th Bomber Squadron, 303rd Bomber Group which crashed here on February 9, 1945 just before "bombs away" on mission # 313 Lutzkendorf, Germany. (Pogue ma Hone in Gaelic mean "Kiss My A..."). B-17 'Pogue Ma Hone' piloted by 1Lt Alfred K. Nemer and B-17G 43-39149 (No name) piloted by 2Lt Robert J. Barrat collided just after the Nemer's B-17 was hit by flak. The right wing of 42-31060 hit the tail of 43-39149. Pilot and crew of "Pogue Ma Hone" struggled to reach Soviet lines after the collision and lost control due to wing icing. Several of the crew survived with the help of Soviet Forces.
The crew and status of B-17 'Pogue Ma Hone' included:
1Lt Alfred K. Nemer, Pilot, KIA
F/O Odus C. Litzelfelner, KIA
2Lt Harry H. Schulz, Navigator, Returned to Duty (RTD)
T/Sgt Howard H. Ganson, Bombardier, RTD
Sgt Floyd S. Bohrer, E, POW
Sgt Peter M. Volpini, Radio Operator, KIA
Sgt Marion L. Canfield, Ball Turret, KIA
Sgt Paul L. Kerr, Waist Gunner, RTD
Sgt Floyd C. Doherty, Jr., Tail Gunner, KIA
All but one of B-17 (43-39149) were KIA when it crashed near Gera, Germany.
This memorial, dedicated in 1991, remembers the dead of "Pogue Ma Hone"
Source:
Missing Aircraft Report (MACR)12229 & 12245
Monument Text:
The text on the memorial is written in Polish. The transaction in English is:
THE AMERICAN BOMBER
CRASH DISASTER
9 FEBRUARY 1945
THE DEAD
1Lt Alfred K. Nemer, Born March 14, 1917, Married
F/O Odus C. Litzelfelner, Born, December 29, 1918, Married
Sgt Peter M. Volpini, Born July 23, 1925, Single
Sgt Floyd C. Doherty, Jr., Born January 8, 1925, Single
Sgt Marion L. Canfield, Born June 14, 1924, Single
Commemorates:
People:
Odus 'Odie' Charles Litzelfelner
Units:
303rd Bomber Group
427th Bomber Squadron, 303rd Bomb Group, Heavy
8th Air Force
Wars:
WWII
Other images :
