Shot down 14 October 1943 in B-17 #42-3436. Prisoner of War (POW).



Dennis McDarby was born March 30th 1923, graduated from Auburn High School in 1942 and from the University of St. Louis in St. Louis. Mr. McDarby was a U.S. Army Air Corps veteran, serving as a lieutenant and a pilot during World War II. He was a member of the 305 Bomb Group.



He fractured his ankle while baling out on October 14. 1943 (MACR 1034).

Mrs Marilyn Walton: “Dennis McDarby was one of my father’s roommates at Stalag Luft III – South Compound, Barracks 128, room 15.” From an interview with Mr McDarby Mrs Walton learned that he went to Mass before every mission, and that a French priest (Father Goudreau from Quebec) in camp had Mass when he was there and on Holy Days. He also told Mrs Walton that in the POW camp, they had two bridge tables always going. He said my father - Mr Jeffers - was not good at bridge. Also poker was played a lot.”



Mr McDarby was liberated at Stalag VII-A near Moosburg, but spent most of his POW days at Stalag Luft III in Sagan, Germany.



He was one of the many US pilots who force marched 52-miles in January 1945 to Spremberg, Germany, and loaded onto overcrowded, filthy, boxcars. From there the Americans were taken to Stalag VII A in Moosburg, Germany, where he and many other POWs were liberated on April 29. 1945.



He was a life member of the American Legion and 8th Air Force Historical Society and died May 22nd 2006 in Morristown - Shelby County, Indiana. He is buried at Asbury Cemetery.



More see http://home.kpn.nl/slang075/breeden-crew-members-42-3436.html