George W. Brannan

Brannan, George W., age 89, was born February 18, 1918 in Larned, KS to Earl and Effie Brannan. He has one brother, Chester Brannan, Aurora, CO, and two sisters, Maxine Foster of Pawnee Rock, KS and Edwina Hanshew, deceased. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Lee Brannan. He met Leonida Ruder while attending photography school in Kansas City. Lee took the train to Georges flight training base in California, and they were married on January 9, 1943. Lee currently resides at Catholic Care Center, 6550 E. 45th Street North, Apt. 118, Bel Aire, KS 67226. George went to school in Larned, Kansas, and joined the Army in 1942. He later volunteered to become a pilot in the Army Air Corp and flew B-17 Fighting Fortress Bombers into the European Theater with the 100th Bomber Group. His flight on March 6, 1944 was made famous by a painting “First Strike On Berlin” by artist Nicolas Trudgian. This painting depicts George piloting his B-17 “Lucky Lee” leading the first daylight bombing run into heavily defended Berlin. This day over 700 Allied bombers and fighters participated in the mission, but less than 2 dozen bombers were able to fight their way all the way to Berlin. The rest of the bombers were turned back by ferocious German fighter and anti-aircraft defenses. This historic mission was the first day bombs fell on Berlin during daylight hours and this demoralized a defeated enemy. The painting shows another B-17 bomber in the background called “Our Gal Sal” which was the only plane from the 100th Bomber Group that was able to make it back to England that day. George and his crew had to bail out of the burning “Lucky Lee”, at 30,000 feet, which exploded seconds later. George was captured by farmers and eventually wound up in Stalag Luft 1 POW Camp in Barth, Germany, near Berlin. Lt. Colonel Brannan was freed in 1945 by arriving Russian Soldiers, and hitch-hiked all the way back to Larned, KS where he reported in, to the surprised recruiter at the local Larned Army recruiting office, to collect his back pay. After the war, George became a professional photographer and opened Brannans Studio in Great Bend, KS. He took thousands of portraits, school photos, and over 7,000 weddings. His hobbies included ham radio and computers. He has one daughter, Jackie Gibson, Andover, KS, three sons, Dr. James E. Brannan, DDS, Las Vegas, NV, Stanley G. Brannan, Wichita, KS and Donald L. Brannan, Highland Ranch, CO; ten grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and three step great-grandchildren. Rosary at 1:00 P.M., Funeral Mass at 1:30 P.M. Saturday, both at St. Elizabeth Chapel, Catholic Care Center. A memorial has been established with Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, 313 S. Market, Wichita, KS 67202. Downing Lahey East Mortuary. Rosary preceding service at 1:00 P.M. St. Elizabeth Chapel