Paul R Schulz

Military
Lieutenant Paul Shulz, head navigator of the 385th Bomb Group plots a route with two bombardiers before a mission. Image stamped on reverse; ‘Keystone Press.’ [stamp], ‘Passed for Publication 10 Oct 1943.’ [stamp] and ‘287576.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'SERIES OF PICTURES OF THE INTELLEGENCE SECTION OF A FORTRESS GROUP BEFORE A RAID. Picture shows: Before briefing the course is studied by leaders of mission. L to R- Lt Paul Shulz, Detroit, lead navigator; Capt Orville Ross, Pea media-380137.jpg FRE 1383 Lieutenant Paul Shulz, head navigator of the 385th Bomb Group plots a route with two bombardiers before a mission. Image stamped on reverse; ‘Keystone Press.’ [stamp], ‘Passed for Publication 10 Oct 1943.’ [stamp] and ‘287576.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'SERIES OF PICTURES OF THE INTELLEGENCE SECTION OF A FORTRESS GROUP BEFORE A RAID. Picture shows: Before briefing the course is studied by leaders of mission. L to R- Lt Paul Shulz, Detroit, lead navigator; Capt Orville Ross, Peadbody, Kansas, group bombardier and Lt Louis Dantoni, Los Angeles, California, lead bombardier. US Pool/SG/H/Keystone. (NOTE THE FAKE MAP WHICH HAS BEEN ESPECIALLY ARRANGED FOR THE PHOTOGRAPHER'S BENEFIT).' Roger Freeman Collection

I added his person record and linked him to this photo. In the caption you will see that he is the middle member of this photo.

Object Number - FRE 1383 - Lieutenant Paul Shulz, head navigator of the 385th Bomb Group plots a route with two bombardiers before a mission. Image stamped on reverse;...

Lieutenant Paul Schulz from Detroit, Michigan was a radio operator of the 385th Bomb Group. As radio operator, he was responsible for communicating with other aircraft and bases. On 24 August 1943, Schulz and his crew were returning to their base at Great Ashfield in Suffolk from North Africa in their B-17 “Lulu Belle” after a mission over Regensburg.

Already damaged from Regensburg, “Lulu Belle” sustained further damaged flying over Bordeaux to attack submarine pens and was forced to ditch in the Atlantic Ocean 40 miles from the coast of Padstow, Cornwall.

Captain John A Dewey and three other members of the crew were either washed away immediately or during the first night. The surviving members clung to a sole lifeboat. Schulz swam 100 yards to rescue emergency radio equipment that the crew had jettisoned prior to crashing, in order to contact the RAF Air Sea Rescue service. The stranded airmen were saved near Torquay after 21 hours on the waves.

Schulz would be promoted to lead navigator in October 1943, aged 24. He went on to serve 30 years in the Air Force.

He died June 22 1985 as the result of an air accident.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 385th Bomb Group.

385th Bomb Group

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

People

First Lieutenant Louis A. Dentoni of the 385th Bomb Group checks the bomb load of his B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Lulu Belle" before a mission. Passed for publication 25 Sep 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'Youth Of The Flying Fortresses. USP/224I-49. A Flying Fortress hero - the leading bombadier[sic] of this Flying Fortress group who is only 24 years of age. He is 1/Lt. Louis A. Dentoni, here seen in the bomb bay of his Fort, checking the load before the take-off on another mission in the "Lulu Be

Louis Aldo Dentoni

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 551st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19036033 on enlistment, O-735978
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Group Bombardier
Lieutenant Paul Shulz, head navigator of the 385th Bomb Group plots a route with two bombardiers before a mission. Image stamped on reverse; ‘Keystone Press.’ [stamp], ‘Passed for Publication 10 Oct 1943.’ [stamp] and ‘287576.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'SERIES OF PICTURES OF THE INTELLEGENCE SECTION OF A FORTRESS GROUP BEFORE A RAID. Picture shows: Before briefing the course is studied by leaders of mission. L to R- Lt Paul Shulz, Detroit, lead navigator; Capt Orville Ross, Pea

Orville Bergier Ross

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel

Aircraft

42-30187

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Lulu Belle
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 551st Bomb Squadron

Missions

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Crashed into the Sea

Padstow, Cornwall, UK 24 August 1943

Revisions

Date
ContributorHelen
Changes
Sources

385thBG newsletter July 1985

Date
Contributorpschulz0707
Changes
Sources

Patricia Schulz, daughter of Paul R Schulz

Date
ContributorEmily
Changes
Sources

Ammended spelling error.

Date
ContributorEmily
Changes
Sources

The Might Eighth Reunion Group Newsletter, p. 3, 358th BG Association, http://www.385thbga.com/wp-content/uploads/Newsletter-Aug.-1978.pdf

D Osborne, Fortlog', p. 200

Lt Col M S Leonard, eds, 'History of the 385th Bombardment Group (Heavy)'

Paul R Schulz: Gallery (2 items)

Lieutenant Paul Shulz, head navigator of the 385th Bomb Group plots a route with two bombardiers before a mission. Image stamped on reverse; ‘Keystone Press.’ [stamp], ‘Passed for Publication 10 Oct 1943.’ [stamp] and ‘287576.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'SERIES OF PICTURES OF THE INTELLEGENCE SECTION OF A FORTRESS GROUP BEFORE A RAID. Picture shows: Before briefing the course is studied by leaders of mission. L to R- Lt Paul Shulz, Detroit, lead navigator; Capt Orville Ross, Pea

Object number: FRE 1383 - Lieutenant Paul Shulz, head navigator of the 385th...

Lieutenant Paul Schulz, lead navigator of the 385th Bomb Group plots a route with two bombardiers before a mission. Passed for publication 10 Oct 1944. Printed caption on reverse: 'Series Of Pictures Of The Intelligence Section Of A Fortress Group Before A Raid. Photo Shows:- Before briefing the course is studied by leaders of mission. L to R:- Lt. Paul Schulz, Detroit, lead navigator, Lt. Louis Dentoni, Los Angeles, California, lead bombadier; Capt. Orville Ross, Peabody, Kansas, group bombadier and Lt.

Object number: FRE 4954 - Lieutenant Paul Schulz, lead navigator of the...