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Finn Buch
9/3/2004 2:02:42 PM | For about 2 weeks ago a diver team and a wellreputed Danish aviation archaelogist recovered an unidentified B-17G from the bottom of the Baltic Sea, between Gedser and Rostock.
Last year the weather was to bad to recover the aircraft, but here in August 2004 the recovery of the aircraft was successful.
The wreck of the aircraft has been examined and identified to be #42-31369 (number found on aircraft) from 401st BG.
MACR 7887 6. Aug. 1944 B-17G 42-31369 401st BG 614th BS Triangle S IW-K
"Round Tripper"
10 POW
Flak lost Baltic Sea
Mission: Genshagen
Does anybody know the circumstances about the loss? Did the crew stay with the aircraft when it ditched in Baltic Sea, and then left it in dinghies, or did they all bale out before the ditch? The aircraft was in remarkable good condition when it was found first time for 5 years ago, laying on the back. But now the corrosion is in progress.
The Crew:
Pilot 2nd Lt J.J. Sauerwald POW
Copilot 2nd Lt J.L. Zimmerman POW
Navigator 2nd Lt F.E. Holmstrom POW
Bombardier 2nd Lt C.H. Meyer POW
Radio Operator Sgt B.L. Saville POW
Engr / Top Turret Sgt L.E. Dautrich POW
Ball Turret Gunner Cpl W. Spence POW
Tail Gunner Cpl R. Ruiz POW
Left Waist Gunner Cpl P.M. Pamilia POW
Right Waist Gunner Sgt G.G. Gardner POW
We are interested to create a contact with above airmen. Maybe you can have a knowledge about their 2004 status. We can offer them a small relic from their aircraft, and details about the recovery.
The future plan is to place parts of the aircraft on a Danish Museum.
We will be very grateful to receive a photo of the aircraft and crew.
Danish contact person:
Finn Buch
finn.buch@get2net.dk
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MARIE C. SAUERWALD
9/4/2004 12:48:58 PM | MY HUSBAND, JOHN SAUERWALD, WAS THE PILOT OF "ROUND TRIPPER". UNFORTUNATELY HE LEFT THIS WORLD FOR A BETTER PLACE AUGUST 22, 2002. HE OFTEN WONDERED IF HIS PLANE WOULD EVER BE FOUND. HE WAS ABLE TO LAND THE PLANE AND ALL THE CREW ESCAPED IN DINGYS. HE BECAME A POW IN STALAG 17 AND WAS INTERNED IN THE NORTH COMPOUND WITH A GROUP OF BRITISH MEN.I CAN SEND YOU A PICTURE OF THE PLANE AND THE CREW. I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN RECEIVING A SMALL RELIC OF THE IRCRAFT AND DETAILS OF THE RECOVERY. HOPING TO HEAR MORE FROM YOU--MARIE SAUERWALD
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John Sauerwald
9/4/2004 1:50:35 PM | Dear Mr. Buch,
My father, John J. Sauerwald, was the pilot of the "Round Tripper". You cannot imagine are surprise and delight to find out that it had been recovered. My father died two years ago on August 22nd, 2002. He had wondered if anyone had discovered his plane as he had heard that some search missions were ongoing.
As with many WWII veterans, my father spoke little of his exploits during the war. Over the years, however, we were able to piece together much of the story. Also, near the end of his life, he related much to a gentleman named Larry regarding the logistics of flying a B-17 and the events of the mission to Genshagen.
Quickly, my incomplete version of the ditching of the Round Tripper:
My father stated that after they were shot & disabled over Berlin, they were trying to reach friendly territory. I believe they were attempting to land in Denmark. This task was made more difficult by the fact that the navigator decided not to bring the charts for that area figuring that they would not need them that day. ( My dad laughed about this when relating the story but went on to state that at the time it was quite upsetting.) Obviously they did not make land. Once the plane touched down in the Baltic, they had little time to abandon ship before it sank. However, they all were able to get into life rafts or dinghies. My Dad said that the Baltic Sea is very inhospitable that time of year. Luckily, rescue came relatively quickly. Unfortunately it came in the form of a German U-Boat!! So, my father and the crew spent the remainder of the war on the Tour de Deutschland with German cuisine and Spam.
As far as we know, there is only one remaining crew member alive at this time. His name is John Zimmerman, the co-pilot. We will contact him and hopefully, he will be able to fill in more of the gaps. Also, my mother has pictures of the plane and crew and we will forward them to Mr. Buch.
Sincerely,
John W. Sauerwald
jpsauerwald@comcast.net
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Larry A. Waimon
9/4/2004 3:16:04 PM | Just sent a comment with some photos re: this extra-ordinary story. If you find it & pictures were posted, you'll see my award winning bomber bike tribute to the 401st. along with my flight jacket/nose art accentuatingmy regards, specifically to the pilot of "Round Tripper"-Lt. John Sauerwald. He told me of that day he was shot down in great detail and if you write me, I'll send photos and one
features the crew in front of the plane: write me at
waiview@adelphia.net . Briefly, it was his 3rd. mission and after flak shot out his engines, they bellied into the Baltic with no injuries except for one member who was sticking his head out of the top turret and whacked his head upon impact, (evidently the bubble was missing from damage)..John recounted that they were able to step out into the raft without anyone "getting wet"! They were furious that someone had pilfered all the rescue supplies to sell on the black market and they had virtually no provisions. It didn't matter as a German ship showed up within short time and took them all into control. John was a POW for a year till Gen Paton emancipated them. He told me of the treatment he received by a not too nice fellow who had the same last name, exclaiming that he should have been fighting for the Germans! Hope this abridged version is of some value; Feel free to write me at the e-address and I'll send back photos. God Bless You ALL! Larry Waimon
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Finn Buch
9/4/2004 4:16:51 PM | I just want to say thank you very much for the replies from:
Mrs. Marie Sauerwald
Mr. John W. Sauerwald
Mr. Larry Waimon
You will recieve my reply with details via John W. Sauerwald.
Yours Sincerely,
Finn Buch
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Jean Zimmerman
9/7/2004 5:24:55 PM | This is a reply from John L. Zimmerman--co-pilot of this plane. John is alive and well --he just has an aversion to computers.John will do a search and see if he can find any photos of the plane and /or crew!
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Finn Buch
9/8/2004 5:46:43 PM | Many thanks for your kind reply. You can contact me on the above e-mail address for more details.
Regards
Finn Buch
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Col Bill Saavedra, USAF (Ret)
9/17/2004 10:47:50 AM | FROM: AF History Office, Bolling AFB
Contact in Denmark advised the following: Parts of aircraft recovered from the Baltic Sea midway between the Danish towns of Gedser and Rostock - parts were a wing with an engine and a propeller, one loose engine, and two landing gear. Contact is sending me a CD with pictures of the wreckage and the position were it was found. Have had recent phone discussion with wife of deceased Radio Operator Buford L. Saville. Reference MACR 7887.
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Larry Spence
9/24/2005 9:03:29 AM | My name is Larry Spence. My father is Warren Spence the Ball Turret Gunner on The "Round Tripper". Unfortunatly Warren died of illness at the young age 59. My father has four children( Norman 54, Warren 50, Karren 48, & Larry 44. He is also survived by his wife Frances 82.
My Dad never talked of his time in Germany very much. I know little details. I do have a paperback book that I believe all the POW's received that I could share with you. I also have several pictures of my father and another crew member from the plane.
I just became aware of the honor being bestowed on the "Round Tripper" and the crew. I have interest in following the story of the plane's future. I also would like to know if any of the crew are still alive. I would love to talk to one of them.
Please contact me by email above or at the address or phone number below.
Thank You.
Larry Spence
141 Pondview Dr.
Centerville, Ma. 02632
508 771 0828
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mary lou
8/9/2006 11:49:06 AM | thanks a bunch
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