Roger Winfred Birkman

Military

Shot down 27 May 1944 in B-17 #42-38055. Evaded with the help of Belgian citizens and Résistance members. Sheltered in various places in northern Belgium, lastly in Sint-Niklaas. Liberated there by Allied troops at the beginning of September 1944. Back in England on 12 September 1944. See his page at http://www.evasioncomete.be/fbirkmarw.html

Connections

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Units served with

Unofficial emblem of the 457th Bomb Group.

457th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

Errol Bailey

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 457th Bomb Group 748th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner

John Buechel

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 457th Bomb Group 748th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner

James Madison Cochran

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 457th Bomb Group 748th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-752653/O-752633
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier

James Carey Jones

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 457th Bomb Group 748th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner

Andrew Kafka

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 457th Bomb Group 748th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator

Aircraft

42-38055

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 457th Bomb Group 748th Bomb Squadron

Missions

Places

The mission board of the 457th Bomb Group. Official caption printed on image: '(GM-299-2-457)(16/5/45)(Op's Board's).'

Glatton

  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Connington

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Houston, Texas, USA 1 February 1919

Enlisted

25 September 1941 Houston, Texas

Other

Bailed out

27 May 1944 over Belgium from the B-17 (42-38055) he was piloting

Other

evaded capture

27 May 1944 Helped by Belgian citizens and Résistance members and sheltered in various places in Belgium, lastly in Sint-Niklaas. Liberated there by Allied troops at the beginning of September 1944. Back in England on 12 September 1944.

Died

26 March 2014 Houston, Texas

Enlisted

Revisions

Date1 Jul 2021 12:47:24
ContributorED-BB
Sources

Updated website address in Bio

Date4 Nov 2018 15:26:14
ContributorED-BB
Sources

NARA WWII Enlistment records
MACR 5298
Escape & Evasion report E&E 2088
Own research for his page and those of the other crew members for website www.evasioncomete.org

Date4 Nov 2018 14:17:52
ContributorED-BB
Sources

NARA WWII Enlistment records
MACR 5298
Escape & Evasion report E&E 2088
Own research for his page and those of the other crew members for website www.evasioncomete.org

Date27 Sep 2014 18:24:23
ContributorAAM
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 5298 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database