Stalag XVII-B
Prisoner of war campLeft Waist Gunner
John Fouts Crew
466th BG - 786th BS
Shot down 8 April 1944.
466th BG Historian
Connections
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Detailed History
Allied aircrew shot down during World War II were incarcerated after interrogation in Air Force Prisoner of War camps run by the Luftwaffe, called Stalag Luft, short for Stammlager Luft or Permanent Camps for Airmen.
Stalag 17B was situated 100 meters northwest of the village of Gniekendorf. This village is located six kilometers northwest of Krems, Austria.
Air Corps NCO's were held at this camp and they regretted they were not in an Air Force camp. They considered that they were entitled to a special camp and the privileges of aviators.
Further detailed information, photographs and stories can be found at :
http://www.b24.net/pow/stalag17.htm
As the war was winding down, the Russians were advancing from the east and the POWs were forced marched west, across Austria, and ended up at Braunau Am Inn, on the Danube.
Any POW that couldn't walk faced either execution by the Germans or interment by the Russians.
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 305th Bomb Group 366th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 39839543
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 3rd Air Division 3rd Bomb Division 45th Combat Bomb Wing 96th Bomb Group 337th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 6 907 762
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner/Engineer
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 390th Bomb Group 570th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 32431156
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 418th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 31167092
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: waist gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 452nd Bomb Group 401st Bomb Squadron 731st Bomb Squadron 91st Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-736696
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier / Navigator
Missions
Revisions
My Grandfather was the Tail gunner for B-17 42-29663 and was a POW at this camp afterwards. His name was Ed Oscar Seabourne, he was the best man I've ever known.
Correction to basic details:
http://www.ww2pow.info/index.php?page=camps&cmp=Stalag+17b+Braunau+Gneik...
Correction to basic details:
http://www.ww2pow.info/index.php?page=camps&cmp=Stalag+17b+Braunau+Gnei…
Associated prisoners of the 457th Bomb Group from http://www.457thbombgroup.org/POW/POW.html
Associated prisoners of the 457th Bomb Group from http://www.457thbombgroup.org/POW/POW.html
Added details from : http://www.b24.net/pow/stalag17.htm