KNOX, Robert M

Plot B, Row 12, Grave 18

Shot down by enemy fighters, the aircraft crashed at "Herbesthal-Linzen 500 meters west of Schmalgraf." The six dead were interred at the Cemetary of Honor, Eupen in section 16, graves #218, #219,# 220, #221, #222 and #232. This is the aircraft that was linked up to the "gear down"incident and one of the 100th Bomb Groups most famous legends. Supposly the lowering of the gear signaled surrender, but when fighters approached the aircraft to lead it to a landing they were fired on. Thus the Luftwaffe singled out the square D aircraft and attacked them with greater intensity than other Groups. This never occured in regard to "Picklepuss." Martin Middlebrook had traced a wheel down incident to another Group B-17 on the Regensburg mission. He has intervieuwd the German fighter pilots who shot down the "Picklepuss"and they refute the gear down theme.