Shot down 3 January 1943 in B-17F 42-5084 'Panhandle Doggie II' while serving as Navigator. Rescued from aircraft downed in the sea near Belle Ile-en-Mer, France and taken Prisoner of War (POW).



John Roten was navigator on Lt William Anderson's brand new B-17 'Panhandle Dogie' as on 3rd January 1943 the 91st headed to St Nazaire and the German submarine pens for the sixth time. The encontered heavy anit-aircraft fire and were then hit by German fighters and 'Panhandle Dogie' caught fire and exploded. Seven or eight of the crew managed to eject but German soldiers prevented local fishermen going to the rescue of the men who came down in the sea and three of the men drowned. Roten managed to steer his 'chute to the shore and landed on the roof of the house of a M and Mme. Pauvert. They were allowed to give him a hot drink before he was taken off into captivity. In the street outside some hundred people had gathered and sang the Marseillaise as he was led away.



Roten eventually landed up at Stalag Luft 11 Sagan and took part in the grim Long March to Mooseburg in April 1945. Many years later in September 1997 John Roten and his wife paid a visit to the town of Noirmoutier en L'ile at the invitation of the Mayor to unveil a plaque commemorating his landing on the roof of the house on Rue Beaulieu.