Walter W Jungbluth

Military

Shot down by fighters and crashed near Meppen, GR on return from a mission to Brunswick on 10 Feb 1944 in B-17G #42-37960. Three of the crew were killed in the attack and the rest baled out before the crash. Prisoner of War (POW).

POW

Connections

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Units served with

452nd Bomb Group

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

728th Bomb Squadron

Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
Air Force: Eighth Air Force
Type Category: Bombardment

Aircraft

42-37960

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Nicknames: Delta girl
Unit: 452nd Bomb Group 728th Bomb Squadron

Events

Event	Location	Date	Description
Born	St Louis, Missouri, USA	24 May 1916 - 25 May 1997
Other Recollections of My Service		5 May 1942 - 31 December 1952	On July 5, 1942 Olga Vragassy and I were married in St. Lucas Lutheran Church in St. Louis, MO. Having previously obtained a Private Pitot’s license and enjoying flying I applied for Aviation Cadet training in the Army Air Corps in February 1942. After comprehensive physical and mental tests, I was sworn in to the enlisted reserve on May 5, 1942 and finally to active duty in the Cadet program the following October. After two months training in each of the five phases of the pilot program: classification, pre-flight and primary, basic, and advanced flight training I was commissioned a Second Lieutenant and received my Pilot Wings on August 30, 1943. I was immediately assigned to the 452nd Bomb Group which was being formed. After 4 months of training in high altitude bombing and formation flying in our B-17s and assembling our crews our group was assigned to a new Bomber Base in Deopham Green, England. In a matter of days, we were flying bombing missions to occupied Europe. On February 10, 1944 our Bomb Group was assigned a mission to bomb a military target in Brunswick, Germany. One thousand planes were committed, sixty were lost. This was to be the Allies first attempt to gain air superiority over Germany. After dropping our bombs on the target and while still flying over Germany our formation was attacked by a group of German ME-109 fighter planes. Repeated head on passes by the enemy fighters bombed out our two outboard engines. Shortly afterward a 2O-millimeter shell struck the top turret. Moments later the right inboard engine was struck and set fire. We could no longer maintain altitude and with fuel tanks located in back of the inboard engines we had no choice but to abandon the plane. Consequently, as we approached 20,000 ft. in our involuntary descent, I issued the order to bail out. The two waist gunners, the tail gunner, and the radio operator all had been killed in the attack and three other crew members were wounded. The ball turret gunner, the Bombardier and I were the only crew members spared. In my parachute descent I drifted over a small town situated in the center of a large farming area. I landed in the back yard of a house located at the edge of the town. I was immediately surrounded by local residents and was told the town was Lingen, Germany. Shortly thereafter an armed member of the German Home Guard arrived and took me prisoner. Later I was transported under guard to the Dulag Luft interrogation center. The interrogations varied in intensity, but we were all under Air Corps orders to give only our name, rank, and serial number. It was very disconcerting to have the interrogator show me a copy of the orders transferring my crew to England from the U.S. Several days in solitary confinement also gave an introduction to the meals we would receive during the remainder of our incarceration at the Stalag Luft I camp where I spent 15 months. The meals were quite simple: for breakfast two slices of the German "war bread” and one cup of synthetic coffee; for lunch one bowl of cabbage soup consisting of a bowl of hot water and one cabbage leaf; for dinner two slices of German "war bread" with a small dab of German “war je11y,” and a cup of synthetic coffee. With this diet it did not take long for us to start losing weight. I still have vivid recollections of how my room-mates looked after several months of this diet. There was a feeling among some POWs that the German military believed week prisoners of war would not be able to effect an escape. Several did try by tunneling under the barbed wire fences but were intercepted and shot by the guards. Another was shot and killed because he was not in his barracks when an air raid alarm sounded. He was running back to his barracks from the latrine when the alarm was sounded. We were housed 14 to a room which measured approximately 20x25 feet, heated by a small coal-burning stove. Coal was very scarce. our bedding consisted of a straw mattress and one thin blanket. For the first several months we had our "meals" in a mess hall, but then one night it mysteriously burned down. From that time on we cooked, ate, and slept in our rooms. Fortunately, Red Cross parcels containing food to supplement our meager diets started to arrive at this time. Although the parcels did not arrive on a regular schedule and then only augmented our German food, we 1ooked forward to their arrival. Clothing was becoming a problem as were the shoes which were wearing out. Inasmuch as our camp was located in the northern part of Germany (very close to the Baltic Sea) the winter weather was quite cold. A number of the American POWs had to resort to pieces of tin (from the Red Cross ration cans) in their shoes because the soles had worn completely through. Needless to say, tin soles were not conducive to warm feet when standing formation in the snow. We eventually started to receive clothing and shoes through the Red Cross. I was appointed the Group Clothing officer for our entire compound - 1000 men. Each barracks was designated a squadron and I appointed a squadron clothing officer in each, instructing them to learn the clothing and show sizes for each of their men and also to determine the condition of the various articles of dress. This turned out to be a full-time job but I was glad to have it because it gave me no time to sit and brood and feel sorry for myself (as many of the others did). One morning in May 1945 we awoke to find the look-out towers empty. The guards with their machine guns had departed during the night. Several days later the advance elements of the Russian army arrived. It was an extremely rag-tag lot - few dressed in military uniforms and traveling on every conceivable mode of transportation, i.e., bicycles, autos, motor cycles, horses, farm equipment and wagons pulled by horses or cattle. About one week later our senior American POW officer told us the Air Corps would be sending B-17s to fly us back to American control: The Germans had surrendered. We were flown over Berlin and several other large cities all of which had been heavily bombed. We landed at an air field near Le Havre, France and transported to Camp Lucky Strike by bus. It was there we learned Hitler had given orders for all prisoners of war to be executed. Fortunately, his generals refused to follow his orders. After 4-5 weeks at Camp Lucky Strike where all we did was eat and sleep, we boarded a ship and returned to the USA. We had been furnished new uniforms and shoes in order to be presentable on our return to the States. At Camp Lucky Strike we went through a de-briefing process and physical examinations. German POWs, who were obviously well-fed, served our food and there was much grumbling among our people about the very small amount we were served. However, we soon learned they were only following the orders of the American doctors - most of us were scarcely able to finish what we considered a very meager meal. The doctors then explained to us that our stomachs had shrunk considerably during our incarceration and as a result those diminutive portions filled us. Upon our return to the states, we were placed on a 2-month recuperation leave. I arrived in St. Louis on July 4, 1945 just in time for my wife and me to celebrate our 3rd. wedding anniversary - our first one together. At the time of our return the war with Japan was still going on. In France we had been told that upon the end of our leave we would be given our assignments as to where we should report for the war in the Pacific. Even though the war had ended when I reported back to duty, I was told I could stay in the service, receive an immediate promotion and f1y any aircraft I wished or I could receive an Honorable discharge and leave the service. I chose the latter and was separated on November 29, 1945. Flying was in my blood, however so I joined the Active Reserve to resume flying. Then the Korean War came along and my unit was activated on May 1, 1951. I was sent to Mather Air Force Base at Sacramento, California where I flew B-25s converted to service as training classes for student Radar Navigation and Bombing. I was appointed Squadron Security Officer and shortly thereafter sent to Lowry AFB to the Intelligence Officers Schoo1. After 3 months of 6-day a week schooling I graduated with an Outstanding Rating and was sent immediately after my return to Mather to Headquarters Far East Air Forces in Tokyo, Japan. Being once again separated from my wife and also our two children who were born between wars, I availed myself of the first opportunity to return home and leave the service. I was separated in December 1952. I returned to my position in the Post Office where, after a series of promotions I attained the rank of Sectional Center Manager and Postmaster of St. Charles, Mo. I retired on May 30, 1980. My most vivid recollection of my service: the attack on our B-17 by the German ME-109 fighter planes. The head-on attacks with the machine guns and 20-millimeter cannon firing at us are still clearly etched in my memory. At the time I enlisted in the Army Air Corps I truly felt I was performing a patriotic duty and that the German and Japanese atrocities needed to be stopped. My feelings have remained the same to this day. Unfortunately, more than 50 years after the end of World War II some present-day self-styled historians are endeavoring to place some of the blame on America for the war, condemning the use of atomic bombs on Japan and also destroying German cities. They give no credence to the reports of our military leaders of that time that dropping the atomic bombs on Japan saved many thousands of 1ives, both American and Japanese. Bombing Germany and destroying her ability to wage war was also imperative. In the United States there are numerous ex-prisoners of war Chapters. I belong to one here in St. Louis and had served a term of Vice Commander. There was a state convention held at the Lake of the Ozarks on April 19 and 20 this year. My wife and I attended. The meetings of our local Chapter are quite beneficial. New members are asked to stand and relate the stories of their capture. Associating with men who had experienced POW life makes it much easier to tell our own stories. At the convention, however, there were Service 0fficers who were ex-P0Ws and also there were Veteran Administration leaders who all addressed the convention and told what help was available to those ex-P0Ws who needed it. It was very informative. I have very strong feelings about what meaning World War II should have on history. The deaths, havoc and destruction caused by the war were totally unbelievable. Weapons of war have now improved to the point that WWII would pale by comparison in a future war. If the world leaders do not learn from the WWII experience as recorded in books and other publications of that time any future war might well be the end of life on the planet.   May 3, 1996   Walter W. Jungbluth A0-7 54014 former Captain, USAF 11616 Doverhill Drive St. Louis, Mo. 63128
Prisoner of war Prisoner of War (POW)	Germany	10 February 1944 - 30 May 1945

Event

Location

Date

Description

Born

St Louis, Missouri, USA

24 May 1916 - 25 May 1997

Other

Recollections of My Service

5 May 1942 - 31 December 1952

On July 5, 1942 Olga Vragassy and I were married in St. Lucas Lutheran Church in St. Louis, MO. Having previously obtained a Private Pitot’s license and enjoying flying I applied for Aviation Cadet training in the Army Air Corps in February 1942. After comprehensive physical and mental tests, I was sworn in to the enlisted reserve on May 5, 1942 and finally to active duty in the Cadet program the following October. After two months training in each of the five phases of the pilot program: classification, pre-flight and primary, basic, and advanced flight training I was commissioned a Second Lieutenant and received my Pilot Wings on August 30, 1943. I was immediately assigned to the 452nd Bomb Group which was being formed. After 4 months of training in high altitude bombing and formation flying in our B-17s and assembling our crews our group was assigned to a new Bomber Base in Deopham Green, England. In a matter of days, we were flying bombing missions to occupied Europe. On February 10, 1944 our Bomb Group was assigned a mission to bomb a military target in Brunswick, Germany. One thousand planes were committed, sixty were lost. This was to be the Allies first attempt to gain air superiority over Germany. After dropping our bombs on the target and while still flying over Germany our formation was attacked by a group of German ME-109 fighter planes. Repeated head on passes by the enemy fighters bombed out our two outboard engines. Shortly afterward a 2O-millimeter shell struck the top turret. Moments later the right inboard engine was struck and set fire. We could no longer maintain altitude and with fuel tanks located in back of the inboard engines we had no choice but to abandon the plane. Consequently, as we approached 20,000 ft. in our involuntary descent, I issued the order to bail out. The two waist gunners, the tail gunner, and the radio operator all had been killed in the attack and three other crew members were wounded. The ball turret gunner, the Bombardier and I were the only crew members spared. In my parachute descent I drifted over a small town situated in the center of a large farming area. I landed in the back yard of a house located at the edge of the town. I was immediately surrounded by local residents and was told the town was Lingen, Germany. Shortly thereafter an armed member of the German Home Guard arrived and took me prisoner. Later I was transported under guard to the Dulag Luft interrogation center. The interrogations varied in intensity, but we were all under Air Corps orders to give only our name, rank, and serial number. It was very disconcerting to have the interrogator show me a copy of the orders transferring my crew to England from the U.S. Several days in solitary confinement also gave an introduction to the meals we would receive during the remainder of our incarceration at the Stalag Luft I camp where I spent 15 months. The meals were quite simple: for breakfast two slices of the German "war bread” and one cup of synthetic coffee; for lunch one bowl of cabbage soup consisting of a bowl of hot water and one cabbage leaf; for dinner two slices of German "war bread" with a small dab of German “war je11y,” and a cup of synthetic coffee. With this diet it did not take long for us to start losing weight. I still have vivid recollections of how my room-mates looked after several months of this diet. There was a feeling among some POWs that the German military believed week prisoners of war would not be able to effect an escape. Several did try by tunneling under the barbed wire fences but were intercepted and shot by the guards. Another was shot and killed because he was not in his barracks when an air raid alarm sounded. He was running back to his barracks from the latrine when the alarm was sounded. We were housed 14 to a room which measured approximately 20x25 feet, heated by a small coal-burning stove. Coal was very scarce. our bedding consisted of a straw mattress and one thin blanket. For the first several months we had our "meals" in a mess hall, but then one night it mysteriously burned down. From that time on we cooked, ate, and slept in our rooms. Fortunately, Red Cross parcels containing food to supplement our meager diets started to arrive at this time. Although the parcels did not arrive on a regular schedule and then only augmented our German food, we 1ooked forward to their arrival. Clothing was becoming a problem as were the shoes which were wearing out. Inasmuch as our camp was located in the northern part of Germany (very close to the Baltic Sea) the winter weather was quite cold. A number of the American POWs had to resort to pieces of tin (from the Red Cross ration cans) in their shoes because the soles had worn completely through. Needless to say, tin soles were not conducive to warm feet when standing formation in the snow. We eventually started to receive clothing and shoes through the Red Cross. I was appointed the Group Clothing officer for our entire compound - 1000 men. Each barracks was designated a squadron and I appointed a squadron clothing officer in each, instructing them to learn the clothing and show sizes for each of their men and also to determine the condition of the various articles of dress. This turned out to be a full-time job but I was glad to have it because it gave me no time to sit and brood and feel sorry for myself (as many of the others did). One morning in May 1945 we awoke to find the look-out towers empty. The guards with their machine guns had departed during the night. Several days later the advance elements of the Russian army arrived. It was an extremely rag-tag lot - few dressed in military uniforms and traveling on every conceivable mode of transportation, i.e., bicycles, autos, motor cycles, horses, farm equipment and wagons pulled by horses or cattle. About one week later our senior American POW officer told us the Air Corps would be sending B-17s to fly us back to American control: The Germans had surrendered. We were flown over Berlin and several other large cities all of which had been heavily bombed. We landed at an air field near Le Havre, France and transported to Camp Lucky Strike by bus. It was there we learned Hitler had given orders for all prisoners of war to be executed. Fortunately, his generals refused to follow his orders. After 4-5 weeks at Camp Lucky Strike where all we did was eat and sleep, we boarded a ship and returned to the USA. We had been furnished new uniforms and shoes in order to be presentable on our return to the States. At Camp Lucky Strike we went through a de-briefing process and physical examinations. German POWs, who were obviously well-fed, served our food and there was much grumbling among our people about the very small amount we were served. However, we soon learned they were only following the orders of the American doctors - most of us were scarcely able to finish what we considered a very meager meal. The doctors then explained to us that our stomachs had shrunk considerably during our incarceration and as a result those diminutive portions filled us. Upon our return to the states, we were placed on a 2-month recuperation leave. I arrived in St. Louis on July 4, 1945 just in time for my wife and me to celebrate our 3rd. wedding anniversary - our first one together. At the time of our return the war with Japan was still going on. In France we had been told that upon the end of our leave we would be given our assignments as to where we should report for the war in the Pacific. Even though the war had ended when I reported back to duty, I was told I could stay in the service, receive an immediate promotion and f1y any aircraft I wished or I could receive an Honorable discharge and leave the service. I chose the latter and was separated on November 29, 1945. Flying was in my blood, however so I joined the Active Reserve to resume flying. Then the Korean War came along and my unit was activated on May 1, 1951. I was sent to Mather Air Force Base at Sacramento, California where I flew B-25s converted to service as training classes for student Radar Navigation and Bombing. I was appointed Squadron Security Officer and shortly thereafter sent to Lowry AFB to the Intelligence Officers Schoo1. After 3 months of 6-day a week schooling I graduated with an Outstanding Rating and was sent immediately after my return to Mather to Headquarters Far East Air Forces in Tokyo, Japan. Being once again separated from my wife and also our two children who were born between wars, I availed myself of the first opportunity to return home and leave the service. I was separated in December 1952. I returned to my position in the Post Office where, after a series of promotions I attained the rank of Sectional Center Manager and Postmaster of St. Charles, Mo. I retired on May 30, 1980. My most vivid recollection of my service: the attack on our B-17 by the German ME-109 fighter planes. The head-on attacks with the machine guns and 20-millimeter cannon firing at us are still clearly etched in my memory. At the time I enlisted in the Army Air Corps I truly felt I was performing a patriotic duty and that the German and Japanese atrocities needed to be stopped. My feelings have remained the same to this day. Unfortunately, more than 50 years after the end of World War II some present-day self-styled historians are endeavoring to place some of the blame on America for the war, condemning the use of atomic bombs on Japan and also destroying German cities. They give no credence to the reports of our military leaders of that time that dropping the atomic bombs on Japan saved many thousands of 1ives, both American and Japanese. Bombing Germany and destroying her ability to wage war was also imperative. In the United States there are numerous ex-prisoners of war Chapters. I belong to one here in St. Louis and had served a term of Vice Commander. There was a state convention held at the Lake of the Ozarks on April 19 and 20 this year. My wife and I attended. The meetings of our local Chapter are quite beneficial. New members are asked to stand and relate the stories of their capture. Associating with men who had experienced POW life makes it much easier to tell our own stories. At the convention, however, there were Service 0fficers who were ex-P0Ws and also there were Veteran Administration leaders who all addressed the convention and told what help was available to those ex-P0Ws who needed it. It was very informative. I have very strong feelings about what meaning World War II should have on history. The deaths, havoc and destruction caused by the war were totally unbelievable. Weapons of war have now improved to the point that WWII would pale by comparison in a future war. If the world leaders do not learn from the WWII experience as recorded in books and other publications of that time any future war might well be the end of life on the planet.   May 3, 1996   Walter W. Jungbluth A0-7 54014 former Captain, USAF 11616 Doverhill Drive St. Louis, Mo. 63128

Prisoner of war

Prisoner of War (POW)

Germany

10 February 1944 - 30 May 1945

Revisions

Date23 Jan 2023 00:24:26

ContributorSRJungbluth

Changes

Sources

Walter Jungbluth was born in St. Louis, Missouri. Dates of birth and death from his death certificate. He wrote "Recollections of My Service" dated May 3, 1996.

Date27 Sep 2014 18:27:02

ContributorAAM

Changes

Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 2539 / MACR 2539, Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database