George Mears served as a pilot with the 351st Bomb Group.



On 2 February 1944, on landing from a Group practice mission, the landing gear collapsed on B-17G #42-39834 'Cannon Ball'. He safely Returned to Duty (RTD).



Unable to land at Polebrook on the return from a mission to Bernburg, GR on 22 February 1944 in B-17G #42-31882, the crew baled out over Norfolk and the plane crashed into North Sea. Again, Mears survived and Returned to Duty (RTD).



On 18 March 1944, he was flying B-17G #42-37825 'Super Ball' when it was damaged by FW 190s after the bomb run on a mission to Landsberg am Lech, Germany. The aircraft broke from formation and landed in Switzerland. Mears was Interned (INT).



He tried to escape through France after Normandy invasion (29 September 1944) but was intercepted at the border. Sent without trial to Swiss prison camp at Wauwilermoos, commanded by a Nazi-sympathizer. Transferred to another punishment camp at Les Diablerets after 1 1/2 months. Finally escaped on 4 January 1945 through France, and transferred to 34d AF, 326th Bast unit at MacDill Field.