Pilot, Laux crew. 381st BG, 532nd BS, 8th AF. Damaged by fighters on the return from mission #67 to the marshalling yards at Franfurt am Main, GR. On 11 Feb 1944, B-17G #42-31099 'Tenabove' crashed near Poix-de-Picardie, FR after the crew bailed out. MACR 2431. Evaded (EVD). EE Report 521/522.

Lt Laux was assisted by multiple members of the French Underground and civilians. He had a few close calls with German soldiers. He was approached by a German motorcycle whose rider ordered him to halt. Lt Laux mistook the order for a salute and returned the Hitler salute which worked in his favor. He used this salute many times while being passed by truck loads of soldiers. They all returned his salute and left him alone. The closest call was when a German staff car full of military police stopped him in the road. The officer asked for directions which Lt Laux did not understand and played dumb. The officer switched to using hand signals. Lt Laux pointed in a random direction which satisfied the German officer and the staff car left.

Many of the crew were reunited while being hidden including Lt Wright and Sgt's Helfgott, Hamilton, Cutino and Glennan. Returned to England by 24 Mar 1944.

Pittsburgh, PA