349TH Sqdn. Crew, as above, joined the 100th on 1 Dec 43.
MACR #2382, Microfiche #792, A/C #42-31265. Crew was on 7th mission at Brunswick

MISSIONS: (based on Bombardier Ellsworth Rains, Jr.'s recollections below. He remembers flying only 6 missions)

1.	20 DEC 43	BREMEN
2.	24 DEC 43	ST. JOSEPH AU BOIS (NOBALL)
3.	30 DEC 43	LUDWIGSHAFEN
4.	31 DEC 43	PARIS (BALL BEARINGS)
5.	24 JAN 44	FRANKFURT (RECALL)
6.	UNK	UNK
7.	10 FEB 44	BRUNSWICK (SHOT DOWN)

Notes of Farmer Ellsworth Rains, Jr., from letter to Jim Brown 1990

Arrived in England early December 1943

When questioned on our assignment and relating the 100th, the usual response was, "My God, what did you do to deserve that?" First mission was Bremenhaven. Ground crew failed to put bombsight in the plane. Second mission, I believe was Ludwigshafen and Mannheim. Recall coming back through the Ruhr Valley. Believe the third mission was a "Buzz Bomb" sight on the French coast. The fourth mission was a ball bearing plant on the Seine in Paris. Do remember this. The weather was supposed to be ideal. Our IP was south of Paris as a diversion. When we made our turn to go back to the target, the tail wind was estimated at 100 miles per hour....Only it was just the opposite, it was head wind of nearly 100 MPH and it seemed like we were on the bomb run for hours....Our next mission was scrub over Belgium and we dropped our bombs in the channel....Last run, February 10, 1944, target Brunswick... Had trouble all the way in starting at the enemy coast. Quite an air battle and near Hannover we lost two engines and finally the third on caught fire. We left our mark, the crew shot down 6 for sure and possible 7 enemy fighters.

Had to bail out near Hannover at about 18, 000 - 20, 000 feet. Crew was widely scattered. the co-pilot and myself landed near the little town of Springe. We were immediately surrounded and taken to the town jail and soon after to Heldsheim for the night. Transferred the next day to the interrogation center at Frankfurt. Following the interrogation, we were moved to a transient camp in the same city. Next day were loaded on a train headed to the POW camp at Barth....spend night in the marshaling yards in Berlin on the way. Arrived at Stalag Luft I on the 20th February 1944...were the first prisoners to occupy the North Compound.

Events Worth Remembering as POW
by Ellsworth Rains

APR 11, 1944 - 8th AAF again hit Rostock area. Felt and heard bombs hit...Both B-17s and B-24s plainly seen.
MAY 02. 1944 - R.A.F. Mosquitoes strafe Barth Airfield. Heavy black smoke seen after attack.
MAY 13, 1944 - 8th AAF over in great strength. Fighters herald their coming. Estimated 800 to 1000 bombers throughout northeast Germany. P-51s strafe Barth Airfield on return trip. Our neighboring flak battery tossed in a few bursts after they had left.
May 16, 1944 - R.A.F. Mosquitoes east of camp. Surprise a FW and shoot it down. Strafe town..leave two columns of smoke.
May 19, 1944 - 8th AAF over in unknown strength
May 21, 1944 - 8th AAF over - overcast limited view..P-51s strafe Rail Junction south of camp
June 05, 1944 - US 5th Army captures Rome. About time.
June 06, 1944 - Allied Invasion of Continent. .Began this morning near Cherbourg Peninsula.. COME ON IKE....
June 20, 1944 - 8th AAF bomb oil target in Barth area.. Five P-51s strafe target southwest of camp. Large fires. Two B-24s crippled and heading toward Sweden. Fires to the east and northeast of camp
JUN 22, 1944 - Russians open great offensive on North Central Front...Fourth anniversary of German invasion of Russia. Drive aimed at Poland and East Prussia
JUN 24, 1944 - 8th AAF heavy bombers shuttle from England to Russia for tactical support of Soviets.. Hit Berlin on way over
JUL 18, 1944 - 8th AAF over Barth area coming in easterly direction. Overcast limits view. good show on return - B-17s and B-24s in moderate strength escorted by P-38s and P-51s. Targets were east to southeast of camp. Fourteen separate bomb salvoes heard. Target believed to have been Settlin. P-38s mix it up in a Luftberry directly overhead. One ME-109 crashed southwest of camp
JUL 20, 1944 - German Radio announces attempt on Hitler's life
JUL 21, 1944 - Hitler spoke to the German people at 1300 hours to indicate he was OK..
JUL 23, 1944 - German Radio announces general uprising in the Government.. Many Army Officers are shot
AUG 02, 1944 - Field Marshall Irwin Rommel injured in strafing attack by Allied fighters.
AUG 04, 1944 - 8th AAF over today in great strength - Excellent fighter cover.. Hit areas south southeast of camp..P-51s give good show on return trip by strafing Barth Airfield.. One B-17 hit by flak and seen to crash on fire...Six chutes seen to open.
AUG 15, 1944 - First birthday in Kregieland
AUG 16, 1944 - R.A.F. over in force to-night. Hit Rostock and Stettin. Bomb flashes seen and heard. looked like the Fourth of July.
AUG 24, 1944 - Paris and Marseilles fall into the hands of French Patriots. Coup De Etat' gives Romanian Government over to King
Michael's Loyalists. New Allied landings at Biarrito.
AUG 25, 1944 - 8th AAF over in great force. We watched the show from the mess hall while our barracks were being fumigated AGAIN. Seemed to be Division going south and another to targets over Stettin area. One B-17 seen to explode and burn with four chutes seen to open.
AUG 26, 1944 - Our first night raid since we've had our shutters open at night. RAF evidently striking Southwest of here...Flashes seen --Jerry night fighters heard.
AUG 27, 1944 - 8th AAF out today, but not in our area. alerted but saw only fighter contrails.
SEP 13, 1944 - Alerted for Air Raid -- Saw Group of fighters south of camp, visible by their contrails.
SEP 18, 1944 - 8th AAF over to our North, headed toward the Eastern Front.
SEP 25, 1944 - Two of the Jerry "Buzz Boys" cracked up west of camp
OCT 06, 1944 - 8th AAF over in moderate strength. Reported to have bombed Stralsund, 30 miles from here.
OCT 07, 1944 - 8th AAF over again to same target. Ground rockets used, one plane hit by flak but OK. Very good escort and hardly any opposition.
OCT 17, 1944 - A lone RAF Mosquito strafed Barth Airport and was plainly seen from the camp.
JAN 17, 1945 - Warsaw finally falls, whole Eastern Front on the move. Russians are really moving, COME ON JOE!
FEB 08, 1945 - RAF over tonight for about three hours. Bomb flashes observed over Stettin area.
FEB 10, 1945 - First year completed. No longer Freshmen !!
FEB 15, 1945 - News received that Budapest had officially fallen.
FEB 17, 1945 - News received of U.S. Navy shelling Jap mainland.
FEB 24, 1945 - No lights for past two weeks. Water turned on about two hours in last four days.
MAR 04,1945 - Saw first examples of Volksturm units today. Average ages 60 to 70, a pitiful sight but also had its humorous aspect.
MAR 06, 1945 - Food conditions becoming critical. One bowl of watered stew a day, everyone losing weight. Activity at Barth Airfield; Mosquito clobbered a Jerry night fighter attempting to land.
MAR 07, 1945 - Bradley's American 1st Army crosses the Rhine at Remagen, 20 miles south of Cologne.
MAR 12, 1945 - 8th AAF over in greatest strength to date. Two thousand heavies hit Schweinmunde seventy miles east northeast.
MAR 24, 1945 - Two American prisoners shot during an air raid on the pretext of disobeying orders.
MAR 27, 1945 - American Parcels arrived today after two month of near starvation rations.
APR 01, 1945 - Whole Western Front in rout, won't be long now! More food in camp than ever before.
APR 02, 1945 - RAF Mosquito attacked Barth Airfield at 0300 hours this morning. He really gave it the works.
APR 03, 1945 - Max Schmeling, ex-heavyweight champ visited camp today on a good will tour for the German       Government. Heard artillery today for the second time, this was no mistake.
APR 04, 1945 - Our mess hall burned to the ground this morning at 0540 hours. Quite a blaze while it lasted.
APR 12, 1945 - RAF Mosquito attacked Barth Airfield last night. Seems to be a lot of activity there now.
APR 13, 1945 - Received news of our President's death on April 12, 1945. Sad news indeed.
APR 14, 1945 - RAF Heavies hit Stralsund for about an hour and a half. Huge blaze lit entire eastern sky, Rostock area also seen on fire.
APR 18, 1945 - Spring boxing started today with four preliminary bouts and one main with Col Zemke and Major Mannierre. Col Zemke won. Also of great importance was the arrival of 3000 personnel parcels.
APR 20, 1945 - Was awakened this morning by the sound of long range guns. Our lights have been off for the last several nights and water is off more than it is on. LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE HAD IT AGAIN.
APR 27, 1945 - Numerous air raids last night, bomb flashes observed with explosions heard. Four air raids this morning before noon.
APR 28, 1945 - Heard artillery this evening for a short time.
APR 30, 1945 - It won't be long now!! WE dug our fox holes today. German Soldiers, Civilians, both Russian and French have been moving out all day. Demolition work has been going on all day in camp, at the nearby flak school, Airfield and in Barth. Allied air activity has been especially heavy all day. The latest rumor is that the Russians are fifteen miles away. All personnel parcels that were left have been passed out uncensored. We believe that this afternoon we had our last roll call by the Germans. We went on detail to the flak school to carry back Red Cross Parcels we had stored there. Soldiers and civilians began looting the place last night. About two thirds of the parcels were missing. The crowd around the place was a sight to see. It consisted of Poles, French, larger number of German women and children. I do not care to see this again. The entire camp is in a fever of excitement and nervous tension. The demolition work is continuing and getting heavier by the hour. The last blast took out a few more of our windows.
MAY 01, 1945 - The time we have waited for has finally arrived. the camp was turned over to the Senior Allied Officer. All Germans have left, our MPs have taken over the guard and the white flag now flies over camp, also Col Spicer was released from the cooler. Everything is running smoothly according to previous plans. Demolition work continued all last night, many flashes were seen with constant firing all night. (name censored and five German interrupters have remained in camp. Things are moving thick and fast.  1140 hours May 1st, Russian tanks a kilometer from Barth. Russian liaison officer in conference with Col. Zemke. Word received that Berlin has fallen. Russian forces have penetrated westward to a point south of Rostock, and fifty miles east of Lubeck. BBC has furnished our morning music. So far today we have had two BBC news casts. The Bugermeister of Barth surrendered the city to the Senior Allied Officer at 1200 hours today. Water has been off all day, repairs are being made so we should have water at any time. Had a big supper tonight, the first time I have really felt full since captured. It was disheartening this afternoon to learn this morning news concerning the Russians was not true. But tonight news (BBC) has made us feel anew by the announcement that they have reached Stransund which is 18 miles from here. Light and water are working for the first time today. 

1031 : THE BIG MOMENT - THE RUSSIANS REACHED BARTH - GREAT REJOICING THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE CAMP.

1051 : THE GERMAN RADIO ANNOUNCES THE DEATH OF HITLER!!!

MAY 02, 1945 - A big day indeed. Russians occupied all of Barth and vicinity with many more of them moving west. Russian Colonel quite mad because we are still in camp. He had Col. Zemke let us out of camp to go to town and roam the country side. There is much rejoicing and hand shaking. The German people are much afraid of the Russians and from their looks with good reason. None of the wild stories we have heard about Russian occupation have been seen here. It was much more orderly than was expected. One of the men was killed yesterday evening by a German land mine. Much care is being taken; all in all a quite a wild day. Don and I spent most of the afternoon in town. The Russians were going to move us by foot to the Allied lines but were talked out of it by our officers and we await Allied orders.
MAY 03, 1945 - Russians have declared a state of Martial Law. I have spent all morning making passes for those going into town. Word has been definitely received that we are to be moved from here by air. CAN HARDLY WAIT!!
MAY 04, 1945 - General Eisenhower's message to all POWS released in Northern Germany, quote, " Standby, " unquote. Our doctors and Polish nurses have taken charge at the Concentration camp near the Airfield. Conditions there are very bad, indescribable. The Airfield is being cleared of mines and will be ready for operations at noon tomorrow. Allied headquarters have now been contacted and plans are now in preparation for our moving. (2015 hours) Just received word that the airport is now open and operations may start at any time. A Russian DC-3 is expected at any time now with officials. Moscow announced last night that Barth, Germany had fallen. In a BBC news flash last night we learned that the German Army in North West Germany had surrendered effective at 0800 hours,
MAY 05, 1945 - Allied Camp Officers have been in conference with Russian Generals all day. This afternoon a Major, Captain and two G.I.s arrived by jeep. Their news was that preparations are being completed for out evacuations, which is to be soon. Field Marshall Montgomery is expected anytime. Had first piece of steak today and it certainly tasted delicious. Getting more anxious to move everyday.
Many men have already started walking for the Allied lines, officers of all ranks included.
MAY 06, 1945 - No news of any importance today. We do have lights and water, thanks to the Russians. They are also bring in meat and fresh bread. Many of our personnel are still leaving on foot.
MAY 07, 1945 - British Colonel and American Sgts arrived this afternoon. Plans are definitely in action for our evacuation. The Russians put on a stage show for us, very good, sorry I could not understand the language.
MAY 08, 1945 - (German Surrender at Rheims, France) The cease firing order became effective at 0900 hours this morning. Scattered fighting in some parts of Germany. Two Majors from the Medical Corps arrived yesterday to inspect conditions in the camp. Still no word on when we start leaving, more than a little impatient. Visited the airport yesterday.
MAY 09, 1945 - THE WAR WAS OFFICIALLY OVER AT 0001 HOURS THIS MORNING. EVERYONE IN CAMP CELEBRATED LAST NIGHT. FENCES AND BLACKOUT SHUTTERS WERE BURNED IN A HUGE FIRE. THERE WAS ALSO A BATTLE WITH FLARE GUNS UNTIL THE RUSSIANS PUT AN END TO IT.
MAY 11, 1945 - News this evening that ships will start coming in tomorrow or Sunday. It is the best possible news.
MAY 12, 1945 - Evacuations start this afternoon. B-17s supposed to be the first to arrive… we will probably load tomorrow morning.