William R Brinkmier

Military

Shot down 18 April 1944 in B-17 42-37797 'Gin Mill Special'. Prisoner of War (POW).



Bill was with the 410 BS 94th BG for the raid over Berlin on 18th April 1944. He recalled that on the bomb run they were hit head on by a 'Wolf Pack' of some 50 FW 190's and ME109's. Their second pass knocked out No. 2 engine and cut the control cables as well as fatally injuring the co-pilot and navigator. The plane spun out of control and the survivors bailed out to become 'guests' of the German government for the next 13 months.

Connections

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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.'

94th Bomb Group

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

Aircraft

Combat and ground personnel attend to a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-37797) nicknamed "Wolverine II" of the 94th Bomb Group that has crash landed. Official caption printed on image:'1972 HON. 1-5-44 Aero Repair. B-17 G 42-37797 J.'

42-37797

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Panther, Ginmill Special, Wolverine II
  • Unit: 94th Bomb Group 410th Bomb Squadron

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Prisoner of war

18 April 1944

Born

St Petersbrg, Florida, USA

Revisions

Date
Contributorgeneral ira snapsorter
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia ;
MACR 4155

Date
Contributorgeneral ira snapsorter
Changes
Sources

"Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces", Bishop & Hey;
Biography completed by historian Helen Millgate. Information sourced from newsletters of the 94th Bomb Group related to the service of William Brinkmier.