Robert R. Kirsch was born on October 13, 1919, in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. He was first married to Catherine Mann Kirsch and later to Marian C. Seymore Kirsch. He served in the 20th Bombardment Squadron, 2nd Bomber Group, as a Technical Sergeant and Radio Operator of B-17G #42-97159 nicknamed “Tail End Charlie” during World War II.

On August 29, 1944, the 15th Air Force launched Mission 263, a major raid against the Moravská Ostrava industrial complex in German-occupied Czechoslovakia. Flying from Amendola Air Base in Foggia, Italy, the 2nd Bomb Group took part in what became known as the Air Battle over the White Carpathians. During the attack, the formation was ambushed by nearly 90 German fighters, resulting in one of the group’s worst losses of the war. Within twenty minutes, eight of the nine B-17s from the 20th Bomb Squadron were shot down, crashing across Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Hungary. One of these aircraft was B-17G “Tail End Charlie” (42-97159), flying in the rear position of the formation where attacks were heaviest. After sustaining severe damage, the bomber fell from formation and crashed near Bojkovice or in the Přečkovice Woods in the Zlín region of Moravia. Two crewmen were killed, six were captured, and two evaded capture.

TSgt Kirsch was captured and held as a prisoner of war at Stalag 9C Bad Sulza, Saxe-Weimar. After the war, he worked as a draftsman for Westinghouse Waltz Mills until his retirement. He was a member of VFW Post 33, the Manor American Legion, and the Church of the Immaculate Conception. He was also an accomplished artist and member of the Norwin Art League. He died on May 22, 2012, and is now buried in the Union Cemetery, Irwin, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, b17flyingfortress.de