Captured Allied aircraft B 24 H Stolen Moments

[CloudCraft]

Sharon, All,

Yes, this site has become quite a resource! I'm happy to report that I spent (Tail Gunner) Leonard Lincoln's birthday with him on 28 August 2009. He lives in a wonderful home with a lovely wife and although he's had more than his share of struggles, has had a full and successful and fulfilling life on all accounts.

I played a tape recording my father made for me 14 years ago describing the day their aircraft was shot down. Leonard gave me a copy of his self-published (and illustrated) booklet that describes their ill-fated flight and POW experiences and we reminisced together about every member of the crew; he from his memories and experiences and I from my father's stories.

Thanks to all of you for your contributions to this history, in each and every way.

Keith S. Gordon
Jules W. Gordon's son

[PF]

Try Query at 12 O Clock High at http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/forumdisplay.php?f=8
Note this is the Luftwaffe Section {Must register to place query} Perhaps German Record can be found

[kimo90808]

Sorry to report the loss of Fred B. Foltz, co-pilot, my father, on 7-3-10. 94 years of age, sharp as a tack, but lost the battle with cancer.

[Aquarock]

Hey guys, my grandfather (Chris Christensen - turning 92yrs young this December!) flew in the 8th Air Force, 453rd BG, 735 Sqd out of Old Buck and was shot down on 9/5/1944 by Adolf Glunz. Do you know of any place I can find a complete list of all the planes, serial numbers, and names, and crew members of the aircraft in the 735 BS by chance?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

[seasidesue2]

Don't know if anyone looks at this thread anymore - but it's nice to connect with families connected to this history. I am Susan Thompson and my father was Robert Thompson - part of Bill Banias's crew. He lost a battle with cancer in 1993, but lived a great life up to that point. I was grateful to my cousin Tim for putting me in touch with Leonard Lincoln a few years ago. I believe he is still living in California (sending a card this week - haven't spoken to him in a while). We live on opposite sides of the country but I had a wonderful phone conversation with him. My father didn't speak much of his war experiences, preferring to just forget and move on, I guess. Mr. Lincoln's story was very eye opening and I was grateful for the connection. My father always referred to someone he "should have stayed in touch with because they shared everything they had to help keep each other alive" - I now am sure that man was Leonard Lincoln.

Would be very appreciative of any further information, thanks.

Susan Thompson

[tmatheis]

My father is Richard Matheis. He just celebrated his 89th birthday and last year wrote a book about his experiences as a prisoner of war.

[CloudCraft]

I would like to read your father's book. Any chance of getting a copy? By the way, are you aware of the 453rd Bomb Group (H) Memorial Association - "Old Buc" page on FaceBook? Lots of Stolen Moments references there. https://www.facebook.com/groups/453BG/

[Snautzer05]

Mike Murphy on the LEMB board said:
"The following photos are from AVIONS nr 75 July 1999. A B-24H of the 735th Squadron, 453rd Bomber Group serial 42-52627 piloted by Lt. Bill Banias, was hit by flak in two engines during a mission to Munich on July 12, 1944. The pilot decided to fly the damaged aircraft to Switzerland, however the navigator, 2nd Lt. Richard Matheis made an error in navigation. The B-24 made an emergency landing about 20 kilometres from the border on the plains of Alsace.

The aircraft was subsequently captured by the Germans and received Luftwaffe markings. However, before the aircraft could be flown to German base, it was found by an American P-38, strafed and destroyed."

[soonerrick]

My uncle was Bill Hileman... Right Waist Gunner...would love to communicate with other family members of the crew.

[RBH1950]

Sorry to report the loss of Fred B. Foltz, co-pilot, my father, on 7-3-10. 94 years of age, sharp as a tack, but lost the battle with cancer.

Condolences to you on your father's passing. A memorial page was made to honor him. I am posting the link...

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/582 ... ster-foltz

I came across this site in researching Bill Banias, the father of my Citadel 1972 classmate, Bruce Banias. ~ Rev. Richard B. Hodges (Maj., USAF-Ret.)

[CloudCraft]

Rev. Hodges, if you do find Bruce Banias, both I and Jim Foltz have been trying to contact him. Please pass on my contact info: [email protected]

Thanks,
Keith S Gordon
Son of Jules W Gordon, B24 radio operator

[chelseabanias]

Hello! This thread is from so long ago that I'm not sure if anyone will see this, but my husband is the grandson of Bill Banias. For his birthday I'm putting together some things to hang about his grandfather and the amazing journey he had crashing and evading capture. Because of how old the post is, a lot of the images no longer open. If anyone has anything visible they might be able to re-attach here I would so greatly appreciate it!! The photo of the whole crew is so great!!!

And, his wife was named Bunny, she just passed a few years ago at the age of 95 and kept so many of his stories alive! That little tidbit about the plane name change and Bunny being included made me so happy!

Thank you all for any help you can provide!!

Chelsea

[chelseabanias]

I Have The Following Documents all reference this B-24 I sent them to Jim.

1. Extracts 8th Air Force War Diary
2. Aircraft Record Card
3. Crew Photos
4. Extracts from in Search of Peace
5. Kriege by Leonard Lincoln Waist gunner on Stolen moments
6. Extracts from The Liberator Men of Old Buck
7. Extracts from The Mighty Eight War Manual
8. My aunts Notification of Her Son Bob Robert Thompson Being Shot down
9. Air force record of Loss
10. Escape And Evasion Report of Bill Banias and Fred B. Foltz
11. Excerpts from KG 200 regarding capture of 42-52627
12. Liberator by Lloyd
13. Missing Air Crew Report 24 Pages
14. Operational Diary for July 12, 1944
15. The Strange story of Charles Boungart.

Also there is mention in Strangers in a Strange Land vol. 1 & 2 by Hans-Henri Stapfer.
Leonard Lincoln and John Staetler are Still Alive. as far as I know.

Anyone have any pics? other than the ones I posted on the 453rd BG 733 & 735 Bomb Group?

I want to build a model of this Bird.

Cheers
Tim

Hi Tim,

This post is from so long ago that I'm not sure if you will ever read this, but my husband is the grandson of Bill Banias. I am putting together a little gift about this story for his birthday. Because the photos are so old, they no longer attach. Any chance you have any of this documents still? I would love so much to see them! It's a long shot, so if not, no problem at all! I am just so impressed with what you were able to find and I know he would love it so much! Thank you!

Chelsea Banias

[LAstry2]

from website B-24 On the web reference only
http://www.b24bestweb.com/Pics-S-STO-STQ.html