Walter T Prebis
MilitaryOn 13 Sep 1944, 1st Lt Prebis' B-17 was hit with flak, killing the waist gunner and ball turret gunner, and tearing a hole in the fuselage "you could drive a jeep through". The radio operator was blown from the aircraft, parachuted into enemy territory, and was taken as a POW by the German army. The return course severely altered, the B-17 limped back to England on an engine and a half, flying just over roofs and tree tops while still over land, straying as far as to partially pass over the border with the Czech Republic. A Czech farmer and his wife were outside when the aircraft flew just over their heads, and they recorded the tail number, thinking they might one day find out what happened to the American bomber. Their great grandson is currently writing a book on the impact the 2nd World War had on his town, using this story.
-Story as told by Col. Walter T. Prebis, USAF (ret)
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Unit: 92nd Bomb Group 327th Bomb Squadron
Missions
- Date: 13 September 1944
- Official Description:
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
Chicago, IL, USA |
Revisions
On 13 Sep 1944, 1st Lt Prebis' B-17 was hit with flak, killing the waist gunner and ball turret gunner, and tearing a whole in the fuselage "you could drive a jeep through.". The radio operator was blown from the aircraft, parachuted into enemy territory, and was taken as a POW by the German army. The return course severely altered, the B-17 limped back to England on and engine and a half, flying just over roofs and tree tops while still over land, straying as far as to partially pass over the border with the Czech Republic. A Czech farmer and his wife were outside when the aircraft flew just over their heads, and they record the tail number, thinking they might one day find out what happened to the American bomber. Their great grandson is currently writing a book on the impact the 2nd World War had on his town, using this story.
-Story as told by Col. Walter T. Prebis, USAF (ret)
MACR 8881 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database