Peter Gerlich, the captured gunner-radio operator from a downed German Junkers Ju.88 bomber ashore from an escort ship of the US Navy at a port in North Africa.
The bomber of Peter Gerlich was one of two aircraft that sank the American “Lansdale” destroyer (USS Lansdale DD-426 – 49 sailors killed, 119 saved) in the Mediterranean Sea on April 20, 1944; after that, the plane was shot down by anti-aircraft artillery fire.
In the photo from left to right: Coast Guard Commander Russell J. Roberts; Coast Guard Lieutenant Commander Frank M. McCabe; Peter Gerlich.
Peter Gerlich photo made by PhoM 1/c Arthur Green, USCGR.
Location: North Africa
Photo date: April 21-22, 1944
Photo by: Arthur Green