Second Lieut. Robert Burch, a B-26 Marauder pilot who has been listed as missing over Italy since Aug 9. is now a German prisoner of war, according to word received by his wife, Mrs. Marjorie Burch, 1018 West Seventeenth street. The telegram also stated that he had been wounded.
Based in Sardinia, Lieut. Burch was on this 10th bombing mission. Other members of the squadron who witnessed his plane's destruction by enemy flak said the right engine was completely knocked out. All members of the crew, however, were reported to have parachuted form the ship before it crashed. The extent of Burch's injuries, or whether they occurred before he bailed out are unknown.
He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. D.W. Burch, 406 Whitaker building. Entering the army on March 22, 1943, he was commissioned at Ellington field, Texas, last January. Lieut. Burch flew his first bombing mission on July 6. He was a former engineering student at Iowa State college.
Source: The Quad City Times, September 11, 1944 (photo included)
German Broadcast Describers Injury of Lt. Robt. Burch
Mrs. Marjorie Burch, 1018 West Seventeenth street, has received a telegram from the U.S. provost marshall general given the substance of a radio broadcast intercepted from Germany, in which the details of the condition of her husband, Lt. Robert W. Burch wounded prisoner of Germany, are given. The telegram states: "The following enemy propaganda broadcast from Germany has been intercepted: 'Left arm broken above elbow. Healing process satisfactory. Functional follow-up treatment being given to Second Lt. Robert W. Burch.
This information concurs with brief letters from Lt. Burch in which he stated that he had suffered a badly broken arm and was in a German prisoner of war hospital, where he was receiving good care at the hands of British doctors, also prisoners. He further stated that his arm had been X-rayed and set and would be healed in six or eight months.
Lt. Burch, pilot of a B-26 Martin Marauder, shot down over northern Italy Aug 9. was first reported missing on that date but information received through the Red Cross in September, told of his being held prisoner. Letters from him have been dated from the convalescent prisoner of war hospital, No. 9-C which is believed to be situated about 100 miles form Cologne.
Lt. Burch is the son of Mr. and Mrs. D.W. Burch, 406 Whitaker building.
Source: The Daily Times, March 6, 1945
Robert Winfred Burch was born Dec. 9, 1922 to David Winfred and Lurenia Emily Lane Burch. He died Feb. 5, 1991 and is buried in Allison Cemetery, Allison, IA.
Source: ancestry.com
