KASTAUFFER Posted February 1, 2014 Share #1 Posted February 1, 2014 This is a large POW group I just acquired that was about to be split up by the seller on Ebay. he posted the diary first, I won it and made an offer to buy the rest. The 306th Bomb Group was nicknamed " 1st Over Germany" and was one of the first B-17 units to fly from England during WWII. He was shot down April 5, 1943 on a mission to Antwerp while a crewman of a B-17 named L'il Abner . The entire crew made it out alive and most attempted to Evade. S/Sgt Sanders evaded for 3 months from April 1943 until July 1943 when the Gestapo picked him up in Paris. He spent a few weeks in a prison in Paris as a guest of the Gestapo and went from there to Stalag VIIA , XVIIB , and then to his permanent camp Stalag Luft 3 at Sagan. He was also Jewish and had changed his name from Solomon to Sanders before he went into the Army. His brothers group was posted on the forum a couple years ago. He was a Naval Aviator. I am going to post the highlights of the group and let the photos speak for themselves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted February 1, 2014 Author Share #2 Posted February 1, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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KASTAUFFER Posted February 1, 2014 Author Share #4 Posted February 1, 2014 In the photo of his ribbons above, you can clearly see a DFC and Purple Heart ribbon bar ( in addition to the Air Medal ). Based on my research, I can find the only decoration that he earned was the Air Medal with 3 OLC's . Two of the OLC's were for shooting down German Fighter planes . Not bad shooting . I think he must have self awarded the other decorations to himself. In 1989 he also applied for a set of medals including the POW medal, and the NPRC said he was entitled to the AM with 3OLCs , the POW medal, the campaign medals, and nothing else. So does a wartime era document. Both are pictured . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted February 1, 2014 Author Share #5 Posted February 1, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted February 1, 2014 Author Share #6 Posted February 1, 2014 The box for the Air Medal has the medal number written on the side . POW dogtag used as a bracelet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted February 1, 2014 Author Share #7 Posted February 1, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted February 1, 2014 Author Share #8 Posted February 1, 2014 The original transmittal letter for the Air Medal and the citations. The Medal # is also on the letter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted February 1, 2014 Author Share #9 Posted February 1, 2014 POW Barracks card from Stalag Luft 3 and his Personnel Card. Notice he listed his religion as "agnostic" . He was Jewish and had changed his name from Solomon to Sanders right before he went into the Army. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted February 1, 2014 Author Share #10 Posted February 1, 2014 Caterpillar Club certificate, card, letter and the envelope it came in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted February 1, 2014 Author Share #11 Posted February 1, 2014 His replacement set of medals from 1989. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted February 1, 2014 Author Share #12 Posted February 1, 2014 While he was evading from April 1943 to July 1943 he spent 1 month in the home of this member of the underground . Raymonde wrote this letter to the POW's parents in December 1944. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted February 1, 2014 Author Share #13 Posted February 1, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted February 1, 2014 Author Share #14 Posted February 1, 2014 This is an original poster that was tacked up to the barracks walls in Stalag Luft 3 after the " Great Escape ". It needs no explanation. This is a propaganda item he brought home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted February 1, 2014 Author Share #15 Posted February 1, 2014 This is my favorite part of the group. It is his original YMCA " A Wartime Log" diary he filled out in Stalag Luft 3 . Most of the diary is filled out with copies of all the letters he mailed home, but the other pages have artwork and poems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted February 1, 2014 Author Share #16 Posted February 1, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted February 1, 2014 Author Share #17 Posted February 1, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted February 1, 2014 Author Share #18 Posted February 1, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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KASTAUFFER Posted February 1, 2014 Author Share #22 Posted February 1, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted February 1, 2014 Author Share #23 Posted February 1, 2014 This is a fairly scarce book published in 1946 by Bob Neary. It is full of artwork ETC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted February 1, 2014 Author Share #24 Posted February 1, 2014 And finally... a POW group is not complete without a POW License plate. In memory of the men of the 306th Bomb Group..... FIRST OVER GERMANY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GIKyle Posted February 2, 2014 Share #25 Posted February 2, 2014 That is one heck of a grouping, Kurt! Thank goodness the seller was willing to work with you and sell you the complete group. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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