Robert W Besse
MilitaryRobert Besse was Co-Pilot of B-17 #42-30810 of 96th Bomb Group / 338th Bomb Squadron. Shot down by fighters on 18 March 1944 mission to Augsburg, Germany, in B-17F #42-30810. Crashed NE of Ditteshausen, Germany. Prisoner of War (POW). Missing Air Crew Report - MACR 3422.
POW
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 96th Bomb Group 338th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 12084275
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 96th Bomb Group 338th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 15334099
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 96th Bomb Group 338th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: T-061261
- Highest Rank: Flight Officer
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 96th Bomb Group 338th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 18131802
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 96th Bomb Group 338th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-668267
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Unit: 96th Bomb Group 338th Bomb Squadron
Missions
- Date: 18 March 1944
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Station 138
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Other Prisoner of War (POW) |
Germany | 18 March 1944 - 29 April 1945 | Interned at Stalag Luft 3 Sagan, Poland. Force-marched from there to Stalag 7A in Moosburg, Germany. Liberated by Gen. Patton's troops. |
Died |
Tucson, Arizona, United States | 27 April 1999 | |
Born |
Illinois, United States |
Revisions
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 3422 / MACR 3422, Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces; Snetterton Falcons, page 109 & 118 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database