Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
Thought I would share this. Mr. Lash was a B-17 radio operator and was with my grandfather George Davis Jr. the day he was shot down. Mr. Lash was the bravest of the brave and belongs to a generation we will never see again. He is a true hero. Thought I would share the email my uncle sent me.
We have had another of the Greatest Generation leave us. Sgt. Robert Lash has passed away, July 26 2014 at the age of 93. Bob was the radio operator on a B 17 piloted by my brother F/O George W. Davis Jr. Bob was the last surviving crew member. I had the pleasure of spending several days with Bob and his wife Charlene. He was kind enough to tell me many stories of the crew training here in the states and also of their first and only mission.
That mission on August, 12 1943, was to bomb the Gelsenkirchen marshaling yards. Weather forced the selection of a target of opportunity at Bochum, where there was a large steel works. Crossing the enemy coast they came under intense fighter attack. Some of the electrical system was
damaged at this time.
Just after bombs away the plane was hit by AAF. Bob said after a quick assessment of damage, there was only one thing to do and that was bail out. Both wings were on fire and he said it was just moments after he jumped the plane exploded. He had no idea if all got out or not and only found out after the war they all made it. He landed 25 or so yards from a German gun emplacement and was taken prisoner right away. All became prisoners and all returned home after the war.
We have had another of the Greatest Generation leave us. Sgt. Robert Lash has passed away, July 26 2014 at the age of 93. Bob was the radio operator on a B 17 piloted by my brother F/O George W. Davis Jr. Bob was the last surviving crew member. I had the pleasure of spending several days with Bob and his wife Charlene. He was kind enough to tell me many stories of the crew training here in the states and also of their first and only mission.
That mission on August, 12 1943, was to bomb the Gelsenkirchen marshaling yards. Weather forced the selection of a target of opportunity at Bochum, where there was a large steel works. Crossing the enemy coast they came under intense fighter attack. Some of the electrical system was
damaged at this time.
Just after bombs away the plane was hit by AAF. Bob said after a quick assessment of damage, there was only one thing to do and that was bail out. Both wings were on fire and he said it was just moments after he jumped the plane exploded. He had no idea if all got out or not and only found out after the war they all made it. He landed 25 or so yards from a German gun emplacement and was taken prisoner right away. All became prisoners and all returned home after the war.
