Awesome find!

Ninja Piper · 11-19-2009, 01:51 PM

We have been looking for more information about my Grandfather's (George Demos) military service during WW2. I found the actual report from when he was shot down over Austria. It has two eyewitness reports of what happened and mentions him specifically. He was taken prisoner shortly after being shot down and spent the rest of the war in a POW camp. The report lists him as POW in handwritten notes. It was only a few years before he died that he found out that there was another survivor from his crew.

http://www.301bg.com/macr/macr7142.pdf

TACAV · 11-19-2009, 02:10 PM

wow very interesting I just read the whole thing.
What a situation to have been in Im glad he made it out ok.

Was your grandfather able to meet up with the other crew member? I know you said he found out that someone else had survived.

Ninja Piper · 11-20-2009, 01:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TACAV

wow very interesting I just read the whole thing.
What a situation to have been in Im glad he made it out ok.

Was your grandfather able to meet up with the other crew member? I know you said he found out that someone else had survived.

Yes, it wasn't until the late 70's or early 80's, but he did speak to him on New Years. My aunt has the article, but I can't remember the exact year. My Grandfather died in 1985, and Melvin Stark, the other crew member, died in 2006. From the stories that I have heard from my Dad, this was the third time his plane crashed. I believe the other two were crash landings, I can't remember if my Dad said he was shot down on those other two times. This makes him extremely lucky, or unlucky, depending on how you view it...

thrillbilly · 11-20-2009, 02:19 AM

I'd say lucky..."any landing you walk away from" and all that.

Ninja Piper · 11-20-2009, 02:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thrillbilly

I'd say lucky..."any landing you walk away from" and all that.

Especially since he was the ball turret gunner!

SKS NOOB · 11-20-2009, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ninja Piper

Especially since he was the ball turret gunner!

Top or bottom and what kind of plane?

captsquirrel · 11-20-2009, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SKS NOOB

Top or bottom and what kind of plane?

A ball turret gunner would be in the belly. Otherwise he would be called the top turret gunner. The report states it was a B-17G.

This is an interesting read. Thank you for posting it.

Ninja Piper · 11-21-2009, 01:57 AM

Thanks capt. I figured there may be a few of you guys on here that would appreciate a personal touch on history. By the way, is anyone watching the WWII in HD on the history channel? Amazing series of WWII videos in color.

Dookiebutt · 11-21-2009, 08:04 AM

Here is a link to my late uncle's information. You might find something helpful in your search. George Lesko - Former POW and WWII veteran

jtuck · 11-21-2009, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ninja Piper

Thanks capt. I figured there may be a few of you guys on here that would appreciate a personal touch on history. By the way, is anyone watching the WWII in HD on the history channel? Amazing series of WWII videos in color.

I have seen bits and pieces, but have not been able to sit down and watch all of it. I have it DVR'd, so I hope to catch up on it soon. What I've seen so far looks really neat.

That's really cool that you were able to learn about your family's history. I think it is very important to keep in touch with one's past.

Ninja Piper · 11-21-2009, 11:13 AM

Great link Dookie!Thanks!

11-19-2009, 01:51 PM	#1
Ninja Piper Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Watertown, WI Posts: 847	Awesome find! We have been looking for more information about my Grandfather's (George Demos) military service during WW2. I found the actual report from when he was shot down over Austria. It has two eyewitness reports of what happened and mentions him specifically. He was taken prisoner shortly after being shot down and spent the rest of the war in a POW camp. The report lists him as POW in handwritten notes. It was only a few years before he died that he found out that there was another survivor from his crew. http://www.301bg.com/macr/macr7142.pdf __________________ The "Safety Briefing" should NEVER be confused with the "Safety Dance"

11-19-2009, 02:10 PM	#2
TACAV Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 1,858	wow very interesting I just read the whole thing. What a situation to have been in Im glad he made it out ok. Was your grandfather able to meet up with the other crew member? I know you said he found out that someone else had survived. __________________ AR FS http://www.gunandgame.com/forums/firearms-listings/94532-ar15-target-rifle.html#post1113962

11-20-2009, 02:19 AM	#4
thrillbilly Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ozark Hill Country Posts: 3,182	I'd say lucky..."any landing you walk away from" and all that. __________________ *" I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on."* John Wayne

11-21-2009, 01:57 AM	#8
Ninja Piper Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Watertown, WI Posts: 847	Thanks capt. I figured there may be a few of you guys on here that would appreciate a personal touch on history. By the way, is anyone watching the WWII in HD on the history channel? Amazing series of WWII videos in color. __________________ The "Safety Briefing" should NEVER be confused with the "Safety Dance"

11-21-2009, 08:04 AM	#9
Dookiebutt Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: America's North Coast Posts: 2,161	Here is a link to my late uncle's information. You might find something helpful in your search. George Lesko - Former POW and WWII veteran __________________ The nerds will never understand the awesomeness of it.

11-21-2009, 11:13 AM	#11
Ninja Piper Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Watertown, WI Posts: 847	Great link Dookie!Thanks! __________________ The "Safety Briefing" should NEVER be confused with the "Safety Dance"