Robert B Blackburn
MilitaryRobert Blackburn was Ball Turret Gunner on B-17 #42-30810 of 96th Bomb Group / 338th Bomb Squadron. Shot down by fighters on 18 March 1944 mission to Augsburg, Germany, in B-17F #42-30810. Crashed NE of Ditteshausen, Germany. Prisoner of War (POW). Missing Air Crew Report - MACR 3422.
Robert Blackburn was my father. Born Aug. 19th, 1920, died Dec. 29th, 2003. I would like to update the info on his page:
He always told us throughout the years that he was a tail gunner. He said that when the plane was hit and started to go down, it was spinning out of control and there was no way he could climb out of the tail section turret and tunnel. As they got closer to the ground, the plane broke apart and he fell out. He pulled the chute but was too close to the ground and landed very hard. Damaged is knees and couldn't stand up - was captured in minutes.
After hospitalization, he was sent to Stalag Luft 3 (where the "great escape" had occurred a couple months before) and 3 or 4 months later was shipped to Stalag 17B. They were then marched out in the winter of 1945 to escape the Russians until finally abandoned the Germans.
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
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 96th Bomb Group 338th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-693602
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 96th Bomb Group 338th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 15334099
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 96th Bomb Group 338th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: T-061261
- Highest Rank: Flight Officer
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 96th Bomb Group 338th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 18131802
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 96th Bomb Group 338th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-668267
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Unit: 96th Bomb Group 338th Bomb Squadron
Missions
- Date: 18 March 1944
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Station 138
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
New York State, United States | 19 August 1920 - 29 December 2003 | |
|
Other Prisoner of War (POW) |
Braunau, Austria | 18 March 1944 | Interned at Stalag 17B Braunau-Gneikendorf, Austria. |
|
Died |
Sea Cliff, New York, United States | 29 December 2003 |
Revisions
Robert Blackburn was my father. Born Aug. 19th, 1920, died Dec. 29th, 2003. I would like to update the info on his page:
He always told us throughout the years that he was a tail gunner. He said that when the plane was hit and started to go down, it was spinning out of control and there was no way he could climb out of the tail section turret and tunnel. As they got closer to the ground, the plane broke apart and he fell out. He pulled the chute but was too close to the ground and landed very hard. Damaged is knees and couldn't stand up - was captured in minutes.
After hospitalization, he was sent to Stalag Luft 3 (where the "great escape" had occurred a couple months before) and 3 or 4 months later was shipped to Stalag 17B. They were then marched out in the winter of 1945 to escape the Russians until finally abandoned the Germans.
NIckname and date of death added to personal info.
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 3422 / MACR 3422, Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces; Snetterton Falcons, page 109, 118 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database