Alwin B Kocher

Military

Upon landing on return from a combat mission that was recalled on 9 Feb 1944, the right landing gear failed on B17F #42-3109. RTD. Attacked by fighters on a mission to Augsburg/Ulm, GR on 16 Mar 1944, B-17G #42-31546 'Old Sarge' fell out of formation and crashed NNW of Fussen/Allgau, GR after nine of the crew baled out. Prisoner of War (POW). He was on his 18th mission, bailed out. Was at Stalag Luft 1. Liberated by Patton's army in April 1945.



POW

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Units served with

A bomber crew of the 94th Bomb Group stand with their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30200) nicknamed "Slo Time Sally" and a bomb inscribed 'Special delivery to Hitler'. Inscription on bomb reads: 'Special delivery to Hitler, From Peggy of St. Louis.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Aircraft

An airman of the 94th Bomb Group with his B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-3109) nicknamed "Stud Duck". Handwritten caption on image: "94th BG #23109."
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Stud Duck
  • Unit: 94th Bomb Group 332nd Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: The Old Sarge
  • Unit: 94th Bomb Group 332nd Bomb Squadron

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Died

25 February 1994

Born

Ardmore, Pennsylvania, USA

Buried

York, Pennsylvania

Other

Prisoner of War (POW)

Germany 16 March 1944

Revisions

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 3227 / MACR 3227,sons, Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database