Roman Robert Pajakowski
MilitaryPajakowski family archives
MACR (Missing Air Crew Report) 9401 reports that on 26-Sep-44, at 16:10 hours, the "Hurry Home" took a direct flak hit in the right wing just after bombs away.
Eyewitness statements in the MACR report as follows: "This aircraft flew #3 in the 2nd lead element squadron of the low group of 4A wing. This group bombed Bremerhaven as a last resort target. Aircraft #818 received a direct flak hit over target just after bombs away. At 1610 hours this aircraft was observed to be on fire with the entire right wing ablaze and part of #4 engine falling away. The aircraft went into a spin and then exploded and disintegrated. It was last seen a few miles north of the spot where it suffered initial damage. 2 to 3 chutes were seen before aircraft exploded."
MACR reports that 3 men were able to escape this aircraft:
1st Lt. Roman Pajakowski navigator
2nd Lt. George J. Dvorak pilot
T/Sgt. Galen E Miller Jr Top Turret
Pajakowski and Dvorak were taken POWs. T/Sgt. Galen E Miller Jr's body was recovered and was buried 3-Oct-44, at Garrison Cemetery Wesermuende-Geestemuende in Section II, Area G, Row 51, Grave #50.
This was part of mission #648 which originated from Rattlesden as part of the Eighth Air Force 447th Bomb Group, 709th bomb squadron operations in the bombing of Bremen.
The bombing of Bremerhaven resulted in damage to U-Boat #3509 which was being constructed at the Schichau Seebeckwerft facility.
The entire crew of the B-17 43-37818 "Hurry Home" was as follows:
1st Lt. Robert C. Calef Jr. Pilot
2nd Lt. George J. Dvorak Pilot
1st Lt. Roman R. Pajakowski Navigator
1st Lt. Donald N. Fenrenbach Bombardier
T Sgt. Paul R. Krubel Radio Operator
T. Sgt. Galen E. Miller Jr Top Turret
S. Sgt. Frank J. Martin Ball Turrett
S. Sgt. Wayne S. Thompson Tail Gunner
S. Sgt. John Karbowsky Waist Gunner
TSgt. Paul R. Krubel and SSgt. Wayne S. Thompson's bodies were recovered near Cuxhaven, Germany, prior to 3-Nov-44. They originally had interment at Brockeswald Cemetery Grave #96D and #97D.
On 26-Jun-49, Mrs Nora K. Hauptman, Paul's mother, applied for a headstone or marker via form 623 for her son TSgt. Paul R. Krubel, who had reinterment at Forest Glade Cemetery in Wakefield, MA. Veterans Section Plot #13.
Memorial to the crew of the Hurry Home:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=vcsr&GSvcid=652971
Roman R. Pajakowski died of cancer 22-May-75.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/68720166/roman-robert-pajakowski
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 447th Bomb Group 709th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-821216
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 447th Bomb Group 709th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-706042
- Highest Rank: Major
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 447th Bomb Group 709th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-756962
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 447th Bomb Group 709th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-816709
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 447th Bomb Group 709th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 33591618
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: waist gunner
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Hurry Home
- Unit: 447th Bomb Group 709th Bomb Squadron
Missions
- Date: 26 September 1944
Places
- Site type: Prisoner of war camp
- Known as: Dulag Luft Grosstychow Dulag 12
- Site type: Airfield
- Site type: Prisoner of war camp
- Known as: Stalag Luft III, Sagan, Germany
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Born |
South Bend, IN, USA | 31 May 1921 | Son of Stephan W and Helen [Kalamaja] Pajakowski. |
Other Baled out POW |
Bremerhaven, Germany | 26 September 1944 | Failed to Return (FTR) Bremerhaven in B-17 43-37818 "Hurry Home"; baled out POW MACR 9401 |
Other Prisoner of War (POW) |
Zagan, Poland | 26 September 1944 | Prisoner of War (POW). Stalag Luft III. |
Died |
South Bend, IN, USA | 22 May 1975 | |
Buried |
Saint Joseph Cemetery South Bend, St. Joseph County, IN | 25 May 1975 | Saint Joseph Cemetery South Bend, St. Joseph County, Indiana |
Based |
Rattlesden | 26 September 1944 | Assigned to 709BS, 447BG, 8AF USAAF. |
Revisions
Added a "#" to the A/C serial number in the "Summary biography" to aid clarity & consistency.
Merged with duplicate entry to include details from:
- the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia ;
- Unit History Roster as of 01 August 1945;
- MACR 9401
MACR 9401
Hurry Home Crew memorial:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=vcsr&GSvcid=652971
MACR 9401 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database