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name
WINKLER, Raymond Willis - Date of
birth
8 November 1918 -
Age
25 - Place of
birth
Elmwood, Cass County, Nebraska -
Hometown
Cass County, Nebraska
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
37266559 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Left Waist Gunner -
Unit
323rd Bombardment Squadron,
91st Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
8 March 1944 - Place of
death
Einwinkel, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| K | 5 | 16 |
Immediate family
-
Members
George Winkler (father)
Louise (Julch) Winkler (mother)
Edward P. Winkler (brother)
Edna Winkler (sister)
Bertha Winkler (sister)
Clara Winkler (sister)
Wilma Winkler (sister)
Eldon Winkler (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-39892 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Erkner , Germany
Mission: Bombing of the Vereinigte Kugellagerfabriken (VKF) ball bearing plant
MACR: 3223
More information
The aircraft was hit by flak and the pilot aborted the mission due to engine trouble. Later it was attacked by 2 FW-190's, probably killing Sgt Rumble on the first attack. The plane exploded and crashed at Einwinkel, 7 miles west of Osterburg, Germany.Six crew members survived and were taken prisoner, four were killed.
There are some contradictions about the circumstances of S/Sgt Winkler's death. The IDPF contains documents in which surviving crew members stated that they saw him, slumped against his gun, when they bailed out. On the other hand a prisoner of war record exists. This document states that he was taken prisoner and was killed, trying to escape, probaby a day after the crash.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, MACR 3223, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.ancestry.com - Family Trees
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, H. Coenen/Andrew Winkler