Lester was a Staff Sargeant in the 369th Squadron of the 306th Army Air Forces Bomber Group, of the Mighty 8th Bomber Command.
He was the tail gunner. The B-17's tail gunner targeted enemy planes through a small window in the tail of the Flying Fortress.
His plane was shot down on Black Thursday, October 14, 1943, and he was taken prisoner along with the other survivors of the crew.
----------------------------
Here is a poem written by a another survivor of that day, flying a bomber called "Nine Little Yanks and a Jerk".
Poem by Robert L. Hughes
Bill Allen was a bombardier
Who served his country proud
The Fortress was his warring arm
His friend the fleecy cloud.
He was called to fly his final run
Flack and fighters long since stilled
Take-off was as smooth as silk, they said
And his log was completely filled.
His engines are all quiet now
In fact there was no sound
As he set his eyes upon a star
And reached for higher ground.
Saint Elmo lit his runway
Where Angel's feet now trod
And he's stood his final debriefing
At the sacred throne of God.
Lord, he had been a mighty warrior
For a hundred missions and more
Please take him home to rest in peace
Near the Fortress hanger door.
----------------------------------------------------------
Here is the roster of the crew Lester was assigned to, that day:
Boeing B-17F -120- BO Flying Fortress 42-30779 WW - U. No (aircraft nickname) name listed.
1st Lt. William H. Lockyear. Pilot - POW.
1st Lt. Craig S. Powell. Co-Pilot - POW.
2nd Lt. Paul N. Welton. Navigator - KIA.
1st Lt. Albert J. Nagy. Bombardier - KIA.
S/Sgt. Don C. Rich. Top Turret Gunner - POW.
S/Sgt. Bernie A. Swift. Radio Operator - POW.
S/Sgt. Alfred H. Weiland Jr. Ball Turret Gunner - KIA.
S/Sgt. John J. Regan. Left Waist Gunner - POW.
Sgt. Earnest J. Gilbert. Right Waist Gunner - POW.
S/Sgt. Lester J. Kurk. Tail Gunner - POW.
----------------
About Black Thursday, October 14, 1943:
8th United States Army Air Force who flew on Mission 115 - October 14, 1943 over Schweinfurt, Germany. This day is also known as "Black Thursday".
At dawn, on October 14, 1943, in foul weather, the 8th Army Air Force, also known as the Mighty 8th, dispatched 291
B-17 bombers to the town of Schweinfurt Germany, a flight of some 800 miles. Since this city was vital to the ball bearing industry, it was at the top of the list of strategic targets for the allied forces and had already received a first attack on August 17, 1943.
The bombers were initially protected by friendly fighter escort, which were forced to turn back about half way to the targets. Arriving at the target, the bombers were attacked by an estimated 1,100 enemy fighters firing cannon and large caliber rockets manned by the German Lufwaffenhelfer (LWH) or flak-helpers. The vicious attacks were continued and repulsed until the bombers reached the English Channel on the return flight to England.
The battle brought great loss to both sides. Sixty heavy bombers and 600 airmen perished. Many lost their lives in the burning, badly damaged, crashed planes. Many became prisoners of war. Fifteen additional aircraft were so damaged they could never fly again. On the ground, 276 people died and countless more were injured.
Consequently, October 14, 1943 - Mission 115, became known as "Black Thursday" in American military history and one of the greatest air battles of World War II.
He was the tail gunner. The B-17's tail gunner targeted enemy planes through a small window in the tail of the Flying Fortress.
His plane was shot down on Black Thursday, October 14, 1943, and he was taken prisoner along with the other survivors of the crew.
----------------------------
Here is a poem written by a another survivor of that day, flying a bomber called "Nine Little Yanks and a Jerk".
Poem by Robert L. Hughes
Bill Allen was a bombardier
Who served his country proud
The Fortress was his warring arm
His friend the fleecy cloud.
He was called to fly his final run
Flack and fighters long since stilled
Take-off was as smooth as silk, they said
And his log was completely filled.
His engines are all quiet now
In fact there was no sound
As he set his eyes upon a star
And reached for higher ground.
Saint Elmo lit his runway
Where Angel's feet now trod
And he's stood his final debriefing
At the sacred throne of God.
Lord, he had been a mighty warrior
For a hundred missions and more
Please take him home to rest in peace
Near the Fortress hanger door.
----------------------------------------------------------
Here is the roster of the crew Lester was assigned to, that day:
Boeing B-17F -120- BO Flying Fortress 42-30779 WW - U. No (aircraft nickname) name listed.
1st Lt. William H. Lockyear. Pilot - POW.
1st Lt. Craig S. Powell. Co-Pilot - POW.
2nd Lt. Paul N. Welton. Navigator - KIA.
1st Lt. Albert J. Nagy. Bombardier - KIA.
S/Sgt. Don C. Rich. Top Turret Gunner - POW.
S/Sgt. Bernie A. Swift. Radio Operator - POW.
S/Sgt. Alfred H. Weiland Jr. Ball Turret Gunner - KIA.
S/Sgt. John J. Regan. Left Waist Gunner - POW.
Sgt. Earnest J. Gilbert. Right Waist Gunner - POW.
S/Sgt. Lester J. Kurk. Tail Gunner - POW.
----------------
About Black Thursday, October 14, 1943:
8th United States Army Air Force who flew on Mission 115 - October 14, 1943 over Schweinfurt, Germany. This day is also known as "Black Thursday".
At dawn, on October 14, 1943, in foul weather, the 8th Army Air Force, also known as the Mighty 8th, dispatched 291
B-17 bombers to the town of Schweinfurt Germany, a flight of some 800 miles. Since this city was vital to the ball bearing industry, it was at the top of the list of strategic targets for the allied forces and had already received a first attack on August 17, 1943.
The bombers were initially protected by friendly fighter escort, which were forced to turn back about half way to the targets. Arriving at the target, the bombers were attacked by an estimated 1,100 enemy fighters firing cannon and large caliber rockets manned by the German Lufwaffenhelfer (LWH) or flak-helpers. The vicious attacks were continued and repulsed until the bombers reached the English Channel on the return flight to England.
The battle brought great loss to both sides. Sixty heavy bombers and 600 airmen perished. Many lost their lives in the burning, badly damaged, crashed planes. Many became prisoners of war. Fifteen additional aircraft were so damaged they could never fly again. On the ground, 276 people died and countless more were injured.
Consequently, October 14, 1943 - Mission 115, became known as "Black Thursday" in American military history and one of the greatest air battles of World War II.
Lester was a Staff Sargeant in the 369th Squadron of the 306th Army Air Forces Bomber Group, of the Mighty 8th Bomber Command.
He was the tail gunner. The B-17's tail gunner targeted enemy planes through a small window in the tail of the Flying Fortress.
His plane was shot down on Black Thursday, October 14, 1943, and he was taken prisoner along with the other survivors of the crew.
----------------------------
Here is a poem written by a another survivor of that day, flying a bomber called "Nine Little Yanks and a Jerk".
Poem by Robert L. Hughes
Bill Allen was a bombardier
Who served his country proud
The Fortress was his warring arm
His friend the fleecy cloud.
He was called to fly his final run
Flack and fighters long since stilled
Take-off was as smooth as silk, they said
And his log was completely filled.
His engines are all quiet now
In fact there was no sound
As he set his eyes upon a star
And reached for higher ground.
Saint Elmo lit his runway
Where Angel's feet now trod
And he's stood his final debriefing
At the sacred throne of God.
Lord, he had been a mighty warrior
For a hundred missions and more
Please take him home to rest in peace
Near the Fortress hanger door.
----------------------------------------------------------
Here is the roster of the crew Lester was assigned to, that day:
Boeing B-17F -120- BO Flying Fortress 42-30779 WW - U. No (aircraft nickname) name listed.
1st Lt. William H. Lockyear. Pilot - POW.
1st Lt. Craig S. Powell. Co-Pilot - POW.
2nd Lt. Paul N. Welton. Navigator - KIA.
1st Lt. Albert J. Nagy. Bombardier - KIA.
S/Sgt. Don C. Rich. Top Turret Gunner - POW.
S/Sgt. Bernie A. Swift. Radio Operator - POW.
S/Sgt. Alfred H. Weiland Jr. Ball Turret Gunner - KIA.
S/Sgt. John J. Regan. Left Waist Gunner - POW.
Sgt. Earnest J. Gilbert. Right Waist Gunner - POW.
S/Sgt. Lester J. Kurk. Tail Gunner - POW.
----------------
About Black Thursday, October 14, 1943:
8th United States Army Air Force who flew on Mission 115 - October 14, 1943 over Schweinfurt, Germany. This day is also known as "Black Thursday".
At dawn, on October 14, 1943, in foul weather, the 8th Army Air Force, also known as the Mighty 8th, dispatched 291
B-17 bombers to the town of Schweinfurt Germany, a flight of some 800 miles. Since this city was vital to the ball bearing industry, it was at the top of the list of strategic targets for the allied forces and had already received a first attack on August 17, 1943.
The bombers were initially protected by friendly fighter escort, which were forced to turn back about half way to the targets. Arriving at the target, the bombers were attacked by an estimated 1,100 enemy fighters firing cannon and large caliber rockets manned by the German Lufwaffenhelfer (LWH) or flak-helpers. The vicious attacks were continued and repulsed until the bombers reached the English Channel on the return flight to England.
The battle brought great loss to both sides. Sixty heavy bombers and 600 airmen perished. Many lost their lives in the burning, badly damaged, crashed planes. Many became prisoners of war. Fifteen additional aircraft were so damaged they could never fly again. On the ground, 276 people died and countless more were injured.
Consequently, October 14, 1943 - Mission 115, became known as "Black Thursday" in American military history and one of the greatest air battles of World War II.
He was the tail gunner. The B-17's tail gunner targeted enemy planes through a small window in the tail of the Flying Fortress.
His plane was shot down on Black Thursday, October 14, 1943, and he was taken prisoner along with the other survivors of the crew.
----------------------------
Here is a poem written by a another survivor of that day, flying a bomber called "Nine Little Yanks and a Jerk".
Poem by Robert L. Hughes
Bill Allen was a bombardier
Who served his country proud
The Fortress was his warring arm
His friend the fleecy cloud.
He was called to fly his final run
Flack and fighters long since stilled
Take-off was as smooth as silk, they said
And his log was completely filled.
His engines are all quiet now
In fact there was no sound
As he set his eyes upon a star
And reached for higher ground.
Saint Elmo lit his runway
Where Angel's feet now trod
And he's stood his final debriefing
At the sacred throne of God.
Lord, he had been a mighty warrior
For a hundred missions and more
Please take him home to rest in peace
Near the Fortress hanger door.
----------------------------------------------------------
Here is the roster of the crew Lester was assigned to, that day:
Boeing B-17F -120- BO Flying Fortress 42-30779 WW - U. No (aircraft nickname) name listed.
1st Lt. William H. Lockyear. Pilot - POW.
1st Lt. Craig S. Powell. Co-Pilot - POW.
2nd Lt. Paul N. Welton. Navigator - KIA.
1st Lt. Albert J. Nagy. Bombardier - KIA.
S/Sgt. Don C. Rich. Top Turret Gunner - POW.
S/Sgt. Bernie A. Swift. Radio Operator - POW.
S/Sgt. Alfred H. Weiland Jr. Ball Turret Gunner - KIA.
S/Sgt. John J. Regan. Left Waist Gunner - POW.
Sgt. Earnest J. Gilbert. Right Waist Gunner - POW.
S/Sgt. Lester J. Kurk. Tail Gunner - POW.
----------------
About Black Thursday, October 14, 1943:
8th United States Army Air Force who flew on Mission 115 - October 14, 1943 over Schweinfurt, Germany. This day is also known as "Black Thursday".
At dawn, on October 14, 1943, in foul weather, the 8th Army Air Force, also known as the Mighty 8th, dispatched 291
B-17 bombers to the town of Schweinfurt Germany, a flight of some 800 miles. Since this city was vital to the ball bearing industry, it was at the top of the list of strategic targets for the allied forces and had already received a first attack on August 17, 1943.
The bombers were initially protected by friendly fighter escort, which were forced to turn back about half way to the targets. Arriving at the target, the bombers were attacked by an estimated 1,100 enemy fighters firing cannon and large caliber rockets manned by the German Lufwaffenhelfer (LWH) or flak-helpers. The vicious attacks were continued and repulsed until the bombers reached the English Channel on the return flight to England.
The battle brought great loss to both sides. Sixty heavy bombers and 600 airmen perished. Many lost their lives in the burning, badly damaged, crashed planes. Many became prisoners of war. Fifteen additional aircraft were so damaged they could never fly again. On the ground, 276 people died and countless more were injured.
Consequently, October 14, 1943 - Mission 115, became known as "Black Thursday" in American military history and one of the greatest air battles of World War II.
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