Robert M Wertz
Military
Object Number - UPL 23346
Flew 24 missions before being shot down over Germany on 2/16/45.
Prisoner of War (POW) crashed near Kleve on 16 February 1945 in B-17 #43-39081. After bypassing the primary target Langendreer (due to smog), crew was ordered to proceed to bomb secondary target - Munster railhead. This plane, after all others (37) suffered battle damage or released bombs early, was in the lead and was shot down with 3 crew KIA.
Wertz was interned at Duisberg, Wetzlar, Oberusel transition camps before settling in at Stalag VIIA POW Camp in Moosberg, Germany.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 17169885
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 6575542
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: waist gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-927606
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 11102375
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 39216299
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
Missions
- Date: 16 February 1945
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
Belleville, NJ, USA | 2 January 1920 - 16 May 2013 | Laid back in high school and later on in life. Initially tried to join Navy to fly single engine planes. Decided to go 4 engine bombers instead. Became flight instructor, prior to deployment to ETO. Family man, Married the love of his life; had three children; 5 grandchildren. With his wife Margaret, co-founder Republican party in Central Louisiana. Very involved in childrens sports. Avid duck/dove hunter. Emjoyed playing tennis with friends. |
|
Other Prisoner of War (POW) |
85368 Moosburg, Germany | 16 February 1945 - 8 May 1945 |
Revisions
Brought in information from duplicate record. Sources:
John Wertz (son). Also, from his Radio Operator TSgt. Ed Giering's book "B17 Bomber Crew Diary".
http://www.303rdbg.com/MACR/12439.pdf
http://www.303rdbg.com/427wertz.html
MACR 12439 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Mighty Eighth Air Force Heritage Museum Membership List, July 2000 MACR 12378, Edward Giering letter Jan. 2009
