Paul R Schulz
MilitaryI added his person record and linked him to this photo. In the caption you will see that he is the middle member of this photo.
Lieutenant Paul Schulz from Detroit, Michigan was a radio operator of the 385th Bomb Group. As radio operator, he was responsible for communicating with other aircraft and bases. On 24 August 1943, Schulz and his crew were returning to their base at Great Ashfield in Suffolk from North Africa in their B-17 “Lulu Belle” after a mission over Regensburg.
Already damaged from Regensburg, “Lulu Belle” sustained further damaged flying over Bordeaux to attack submarine pens and was forced to ditch in the Atlantic Ocean 40 miles from the coast of Padstow, Cornwall.
Captain John A Dewey and three other members of the crew were either washed away immediately or during the first night. The surviving members clung to a sole lifeboat. Schulz swam 100 yards to rescue emergency radio equipment that the crew had jettisoned prior to crashing, in order to contact the RAF Air Sea Rescue service. The stranded airmen were saved near Torquay after 21 hours on the waves.
Schulz would be promoted to lead navigator in October 1943, aged 24. He went on to serve 30 years in the Air Force.
He died June 22 1985 as the result of an air accident.
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: 385th Bomb Group 551st Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 19036033 on enlistment, O-735978
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Group Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Lulu Belle
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group 551st Bomb Squadron
Missions
- Date: 17 August 1943
- Official Description:
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Other Crashed into the Sea |
Padstow, Cornwall, UK | 24 August 1943 |
Revisions
The Might Eighth Reunion Group Newsletter, p. 3, 358th BG Association, http://www.385thbga.com/wp-content/uploads/Newsletter-Aug.-1978.pdf
D Osborne, Fortlog', p. 200
Lt Col M S Leonard, eds, 'History of the 385th Bombardment Group (Heavy)'