John L Albers
Military ROLL OF HONOURShot down 6 October 1944 in B-17 #42-97275 'Rodger, the Dodger'. Died 10/7/44, Killed in Action (KIA). MACR 9522
The “B” Group, Flying High Group in the 4 “B” Combat Wing, peeled off to take its position for the bomb run. A minute later, at 1207 hours, enemy fighters attacked in mass formation from the rear and above, coming out of the clouds. The first attack reduced the Group to 2 aircraft. The fighters then returned and in another mass attack, using the same tactics, shot down the remaining two. No exact information of the attack is available because no aircraft of the group returned. Estimated is that a number from 25-70 enemy aircraft, either Me-109s or FW-190s attacked the group.
SSgt Albers’ left arm was shattered by 20mm explosives from the enemy aircraft. He managed to bail out. On the ground, he was beaten and shot in the right arm by civilians. He was taken to a hospital near Perleberg, where his left arm was amputated the same evening. The next day he was transported to Neurrupin Prison Hospital, but he died of blood loss on the trip.
Silver Star, Air Medal w/3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart, ACM, EAME w/campaign star
Connections
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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
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Sweet chariot
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Thorobred /satan’s mate
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: The Golden Goose
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group 549th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Roger the Dodger
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group 549th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Quittin Time
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group 548th Bomb Squadron
Places

- Site type: Airfield
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Born |
Plainville, Connecticut, USA | 25 December 1916 | |
Enlisted |
2 April 1943 | New York City, New York | |
Died |
7 October 1944 | Blood loss while en route to Nueruppin Hospital. | |
Buried |
16 October 1944 | Plot B, Row 25, Grave 16 Was originally buried in Nueruppin on the date given, but was moved sometime after the war. | |
Other Prisoner of War (POW) |
Germany | 6 October 1944 |
Revisions
Added to awards and bio section.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56356837/john-l-albers
Added a "-" to the A/C serial number in the "Summary biography" to aid clarity & consistency.
385th database. Wargraves database
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 9522 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database