WWII BG352 Lucera Italy

Question

Hello, Looking for information on my dad Edward Charles Kersting. Was a waist gunner on B17G during WWII and was shot down on 19th mission MACR8621. PoW for 9 months Stalag Luft 4 to Wobbelin to Usedom  The plane S/N and crew were.  Records seem limited due to fire. Looking for pictures, more details about his service etc. and hope that some of the crew members extended families have something to share? Thank you

A/C: 44-6348

Date: 09/10/1944

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Kenneth Wisner Pilot
Dale Hanway Co-pilot
Andrew Hines Navigator
Bruce Armstrong Bombardier
Thomas Harris Engineer/Gunner
Norman Healy Radio Operator
E Kersting Waist Gunner
Leo Kessell Waist Gunner
James Fisher Ball Turret
Charles McClure Tail Gunner

Answer 1

If you are on Facebook, the private group “15th Army Air Force” is exceptionally helpful. Also, there are WW2 squadron and bomb group monthly unit history records available at the Air Force Historical Research Agency. You can search the unofficial database at airforcehistoryindex.com and then request electronic versions of relevant records by IRIS number (their in-house catalog system). You can also do research in person…they are located on Maxwell AFB in Montgomery AL. (This is the official archive of the USAF. They are not staffed or purposed to do look-ups. Read the guidance at the site above and on the AFHRA website: https://www.afhra.af.mil/ ) Recommend you start with the Facebook group.