Crew info B-24, serial 41-29310, "Dorothy K", 454 BG, 738 BS s/d at Pilstanj - Slovenia on 19.3.1944

Hello!

Here is a SCAN of two US pilots that were captured by the Germans on 19.3.1944. They all were s/d on 19.3.1944 (including German pilot). Author of the picture was JOZEF UMEK. Picture was taken in the small village of DOBLEZICE, here in Slovenia, Europe in ww2 (at that time Yugoslavia). Can anyone help me who the both US pilots might be. Also 3 or 4 dead bodies were seen at the cemetery in the village of PILSTANJ (German name of this village was: PEILENSTEIN) by the children, which were on the way to the school. US pilots were later burried at that cemetery. After the end of the ww2 they were exhumated by the US military authorities.

I am also looking which US airplane that could be (maybe MACR).

About the German pilot as far as I could find out is that, that day was s/d Uffz Gollasch, Paul, Bf 109G-6, Yellow 10, 3./JG77, 162212.

Can someone confirm me that on the picture is Gollasch Paul?

On the other forum I have received this information by the forum member FrankieS:

The following aircraft was lost at Pilstanj that day.
MACR 3466
B-24, serial 41-29310, "Dorothy K", 454 Bomb Group 738 Bomb Squadron
crash at Pilstanj, 2 of the lost crew KIA: COATES ROY F JR and PESKIN HAROLD

Does anyone know anything about this crew destiny (who were the other crew members, anyone survived ww2). I am searching also for the MACR 3466.

Thanks in advance!

M.

 

Hi, it might be worth trying here.....

B24-PB4Y &#9827WebBoard - Home

Predominately an American B-24 forum

 

Hope what I just posted helps both of you. Some of the info is the same as posted. When I found the photo of the 2 American and German Pilot who was also shot down, the info you had on this was the same as I found.

 

Anyone out there have a photo of this aircraft. I'm doing research on the 15th USAAF 454th BG 378th BS. I have a list if planes and going down it compiling any photos and info because there's so little out there!
Thank You, Randy Morgan

 

Randy, I too am looking for info on this plane SSgt Gnr John Bystrak was my uncle. He is the only brother on my father's side not to make it home. I have a picture of him in his skull cap/helmet, goggles, and jacket, but not from the back. I would love to know 1)Did they have a logo on their jackets? 2)Is there a crew photo available anywhere? 3)What nose art was on the plane? 4)Who was Dorothy K? If you have come up with any info that you would share, I would love copies. Likewise, if I find anything, I would share with you. Thanks for your help, Steve Bystrak

 

M, My uncle John Bystrak was one of the men buried in Pilstanj. His body was exhumed after WWII and returned home to Binghamton, NY, where he is now interred in the Slovak Lutheran Church Cemetery. I have been desperately trying to find more information on the Dorothy K. I do have some copies of eyewitness reports on the crash, if I can find them I will share them with you. If you know of any photos or pieces of the aircraft wreckage that may still exist, I would love to see them! Thanks, Steve Bystrak

 

Hope the above helps!!!!!!

 

Revised Page 2

 

Randy, Thanks. I had most of the info but I did not know he was the upper turret gunner. I have his citations for three previous shoot downs, I guess it might be nice to think he shot that one down too. In the morning I will try to find the eye witness reports I found. I seem to remember that they stated that only one chute was seen, and that the survivor was shot by police while trying to escape.

 

I went by the crew positions on the MACR. It had him in position 6 which if correct by the B-24 diagram I have is Eng./Top turret gunner.
MACR 3466is attached as well. I am trying to compile info as I did Dorothy K , Tuff Nut Tess/Miss Polly ect. of each of the 454th Bg 738th BS. Maxwell AFB in Montgomery Alabama has some of the records of this BG/BS. It's only 60 miles from me.I have been invited to go and search the micro film they have. That's on my bucket list. Once I get all this compiled, i'd love to do a book. If something prevents me from doing so, I'm going to post what I find at a later date and let someone else finish what I started.
Tuff Nut Tessie and Miss Polly are one in the same aircraft a B-24 H Serial #41-29246. An elderly friend Jack D. Gray was the tail gunner on it and was from here in Opelika Alabama. I have also come in contact with the Pilot David A. Millington's son who verified what Mr. Jack told me and he helped fill in the missing blanks. That's what start me researching this.

 

454th Bomb Group Emblem 15th USAAF Patch

 

Sgt John Bystrak (1922 - 1944) - Find A Grave Memorial

 

Yes, that is his marker. My Grandparents are there too as well as my other uncle Rudy and his first wife Olga. My father (Paul) and mother (Amelia) are interred in Arlington Nat'l Cem. He passed away in June 2010 about two months short of his 90th birthday and she in January 2012. My father was in the First Division.

 

Randy, I have to figure out how to load the jpg's I have of the documents I have. I can't upload the files because they are too large, and it won't let me post a .doc either.

 

Randy, I found this on some other site years ago. I don't remember where, or when but I copied it to a word document.


"Hello friends
A friend of mine, Mr. Giancarlo Borgioli, live in Florence, and often walk trough the American War Cemetery. He ask me information about a burial, and I’ve found almost all about last mission of Sgt. Roy F. Coates, Jr, Service number 11081764, belonging to the 738th Bomber Squadron, 454th Bomber Group.
Sgt. Coates (from Madford, Massachusetts) died in the mission of march 19 1944, over Klagenfurt Airdrome.
Mr. Borgioli would have a photo of Sgt. Coates, anyone of 454th BG site can help us? many thanks in advance

Michele Becchi





Michele,

Mention of your SGT Roy F. Coates, Jr. appears in the following website:


http://www.accident-report.com/Crew_Names/NAME44C.html


USAF Incident and Accident Personnel List - 1944


COATES, ROY F JR


There may possibly be a photograph of him there - but I seriously doubt it - and at approximately $30 to get the accident report sent to you, I would not recommend that you pursue it.

I wish I had been able to find more information for your friend and you, but that is all I was able to locate.

Andy





Thanks Airevie, Mr. Borgioli always will be happy, he often put flower on Coates burial





Micky,Tell Mr.Biorgili we thank
him for his kindness. I have a
friend whose remains are among
the unknown at the "Florence'
cemetery.

Yunch





Michele,

Your written "American" is excellent, but I wonder if our SGT Coates came from Medford, not Madford, Massachusetts? I cannot find a town named Madford but have located a Medford.

Assuming our SGT Coates came from Medford, I will attempt to locate any of his relatives who may still live there with the hope of obtaining a photograph.

I'm a genealogist too so searching for people is nothing out of the ordinary for me.

I'll pass anything I find from my search, either positive or negative, on to you.

As Yunch did, I thank both you and Mr. Biorgili for caring, both physically and emotionally, for our SGT Coates.

Andy Revie





Andy, Being a"Damn Yankee" living in
North Carolina with VERY CLOSE ties
to Mass. I picked up the Medford
error right away. You have the
expertise in family research, I think
it’s a safe bet to go for it. I use to stay over in Marblehead, Mass., with family, when doing business at Medford.

Yunch





Andy and Yunch, many thanks for YOUR help, I’ll tell to Mr. Borgioli what you are doing. Sorry also about "Madford" mistake!!
The history of American aviators over Italy, in WWII, is not well known in my country, despite the efforts of few good researchers. I try to do my little contribute, and helping who would know more about these brave guys. But without the help of peoples from this and other forums, my efforts would be very little, so thanks to you and all the 15th and 12th veterans!!





Michele,

by my information, which I got from 454Bg association and MACR, Sgt. Roy F. Coates was a crew member of B24 H 41-29310 " Dorothy K ", which was shot down in combat with Bf109's over Slovenia. Exact location is some 30km south east of Celje. I found exact crash location and also talked with local people who still remembers that day and found out that only one crew member bailed out from the bomber and was later killed by German police. All crew members were first buried in the village Pilstanj.
Also I found out that at the same time at almost same place Bf109 was shot down ( there are still some remains of aircraft ) which I assume can be credited to the crew of " Dorothy K ".
I am trying to find a picture of airplane but by now there wasn't any luck.

Tomaz





Thank Tomaz, I’ll forward your message to Mr. Borgioli, think he will be pleased for your message, thanks again

Michele"

 

My email is randy_morgan48@yahoo.com if you wish to try and send it that way Steve. The first document is a copy of the original MACR I sent you. We'll keep plugging away and maybe successfully find more info.

 

Do you have the complete file or just the first page of the MACR? The other documents that I was referring to where the entire folder (including the front cover 19 pages) would you like this or do you already have it?

 

The other items I have are 12 JPG's of all of the documents I have. For example.......