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name
SLOMCZENSKI, Chester M "Slim" - Date of
birth
28 October 1924 -
Age
20 - Place of
birth
Hamtramck, Wayne County, Michigan -
Hometown
Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
36853603 -
Rank
Technical Sergeant -
Function
Engineer/Top Turret Gunner -
Unit
535th Bombardment Squadron,
381st Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
30 March 1945 - Place of
death
Syke, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 2 | 27 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Michael Slomczenski (father)
Lottie Slomczenski (mother)
Frank Slomczenski (brother)
Vincent Slomczenski (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-102590 -
Data
Nickname: In Like Errol
Type: B-17G
Destination: Bremen, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the port area
MACR: 13542
More information
After the war, the pilot, 2nd Lt Robert A. Bennett stated that after the bomb run, one engine was knocked out by flak. Dut to this damage, he was unable to keep up with the squadron and lagged slightly behind. They were attacked by an enemy fighter, believed to be a Me-262 which raked the whole left side and exploded #2 engine. This set the airplane on fire. After the hit the airplane also began to lose altitude fast. When he realized that making it to friendly territory was impossible, he gave the order to bail out.One of the crew members, S/Sgt Elbert H. Holt remembered that ricght before he beiled out, T/Sgt Slomczenski was standing next to him. He wasn't hurt at that time. Later he spoke to the navigator who set Slamczenski had left the airplane before him and made the jump allright.
Some other men of the crew said that several of the men were killed by civilians. One was knocked in the head with an axe. However, there is no evidence of these incidents.
Seven crew members were taken prisoner, three men were killed.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, Sheri (Manska) Slomczenski (niece), www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com, www.ancestry.com - U.S., Headstone and Interment Records for U.S. Military Cemeteries on Foreign soil, http://www.americanairmuseum.com/person/31177
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, http://www.americanairmuseum.com/person/31177