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These photos offer a fascinating glimpse into my father's service during World War II.
The two pictures showcase Lieutenant Hofstetter alongside other soldiers in front of a B-26 bomber. Notably, the enlisted men wear patches for the 3rd Army Judge Advocate General (JAG) corps. I believe they were likely taking an orientation flight to understand the risks faced by bomber crews. This theory is further supported by the lack of mission markings on the aircraft, suggesting it wasn't actively engaged in combat missions.
One of the attached photos reveals valuable information about the aircraft itself. It's a B-26G-5-MA model, identified as serial number 43-34216. This specific B-26, coded X2-A, belonged to the 397th Bombardment Group and the 596th Bombardment Squadron, entering combat in September 1944. This timeframe aligns perfectly with the absence of mission markings, suggesting the photos were indeed taken around that time.
Intriguingly, my father's story goes beyond the photographs. Initially deployed with a Tank Destroyer Battalion, he transitioned to the infantry after its disbandment. Assigned to a replacement depot, he volunteered his legal expertise, leading him to be recruited by the 3rd Army JAG. This resulted in him investigating war crimes committed against American airmen who had been shot down or crash-landed, the notorious "People's Justice" that German civilians subjected captured Allied pilots to. It's noteworthy that many of his colleagues in the JAG unit, despite holding prestigious law degrees, were serving as enlisted personnel. Following the war, my father continued his legal work through the War Crimes Commission, even participating in the Dachau trials.
These photos and my father's story offer a powerful testament to the diverse roles individuals played during the war, highlighting not just combat but also the critical contributions of support personnel like legal professionals.
Thanks -- Fred Hofstetter, son of Fred Hofstetter, the Lt in the photos.
Left to right: 1) unknown 2) unknown 3) unknown 4) unknown 5) Lt. Fred M. Hofstetter 6) unknown 7) Tech 4 Edwin Fuller
