Hartman , George B-17 Tail Gunner

George Hartman was raised in Michigan. Hartman was was drafted in 1943 and was sent to the Army Air Corps. His training began with basic training in Florida and gunnery school in Arizona. He was then sent to Tampa, Florida to be assigned to a crew and begin crew training. He was given the tail gunner position for crew #54, 570th squadron, 390th Bomb Group. In 1944 Hartman and his crew flew to Iceland, then to England to begin their tour. They were assigned to the air base at Framlingham, England. Hartman flew 22 combat missions. On his 23rd mission Hartman's plane was shot down and Hartman was taken as a prisoner of war by German forces. Hartman was liberated by British forces on May 2, 1945, days before the war in Europe was finished. During his interview, Hartman recounts his time spent as a POW in a German Stalag. He also provides a detailed description of taking part in a death march as the Germans began moving prisoners ahead of the advancing allies.