Shot down 25 November 1944 in B-17 #42-97534 'Patches'. Prisoner of War (POW)



Eugene N. Krachenfels, 88, a retired police officer and court bailiff, Indianapolis, died December 26, 2001. Mr. Krachenfels worked 26 years for the Indianapolis Police Department, including seven years as a bailiff for Judge Ernie S. Burke, retiring in 1968.



He also was manager of the Robert E. Kennington American Legion Post for 15 years.



An Army Air Forces veteran of World War II, he was a radio operator on his first combat mission aboard a B-17 on November 25, 1944, when the plane was shot down over Oberkirchen, Germany. He was held prisoner of war at several German prison camps until being released April 29, 1945. He was awarded a Purple Heart.



Mr. Krachenfels was a forth-degree member of St. Pius X Knights of Columbus. He also was a member of the Disabled American Veterans and Retired Police Officers association. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery. Survivors include wife, Margaret M. Ellerkamp Krachenfels; daughters Paula Mello, Kristie Gill; brother Richard Krachenfels; four grandchildren.



Mr. and Mrs. Eugene N. Krachenfels of Indianapolis celebrated their 60 wedding anniversary with a Mass in Christ the King Catholic Church, followed by a family luncheon at Hollyhock Hill restaurant.



Mr. Krachenfels and the former Margaret Ellerkamp were married October 22, 1938, in SS Peter and Paul Cathedral.



He was a police officer, bailiff and sergeant 26 years before retiring from the Indianapolis Police Department in 1968.



An Army Air Forces veteran of World War II, he was a prisoner of war and the recipient of a Purple Heart.



For 15 years, he managed American Legion Post 34.



They are the parents of Paula Mello, Kristie Gill and the late Mark Krachenfels and have four grandchildren.



Have you ever wondered what it would be like one day to wake up in mid-air plummeting to earth?



Eugene Krachenfels, Indianapolis, experienced that dramatic sensation on November 25, 1944, when he was shot down over Oberkirchen, Germany, during his first combat mission. He was a radio operator aboard a B-17 on the fatal flight.



After striking an oil refinery, the plane headed for Brussels but got off course and ran into heavy anti-aircraft fire. Krachenfels only recollection is that the plane suddenly exploded.



When he came to, he was catapulting toward earth. Perhaps his experience as a member of the Indianapolis Police Department taught him quick reflex actions. Despite painful injuries, he was able to pull the ripcord and descend safely to the ground.



Krachenfels was captured and sat out the remainder of the war in several German prison camps�Staglag VI, Dulag-Luft, Stalag XIII, and Staglag VIIA. Some of the time was spent in the hospitals.



During his incarceration, Krachenfels kept a fairly copious diary on several sheets of heavy paper. He covered a broad range of topics, detailing his capture prison conditions, weather, religious services, and the decline in morale by German guards as the war neared the end.



His entry for Sunday, April 29 exclaimed: "DAY OF LIBERATION AT 1:00 a.m. TODAY THE AMERICAN FLAG WENT UP PLANES BUSSING ALL DAY ONE OF THE HAPPIEST DAYS OF MY LIFE."



By May 7 he was officially echoed the thoughts of many young Americans of that period: "Showered and all clean clothes. Hair cut and shaved. Had turkey for dinner. Left for La Harve at 2:30 p.m. in hospital car. Treated like a bunch of invalids and it sure is great. Slept like a bear."



Krachenfels returned to his old job with the Indianapolis Police Department. He never knew what became of his flight crew or plane.