41-23800 The Captain and the Kids

B-24D 41-23800, 44th Bomb Group, 68th Bomb Squadron was despatched in 15-Feb-43 to bomb the port area of Dunkirk, France. The aircraft lost one engine to flak, and another to enemy fighter attacks on the return. When nearing the Kent coast another engine quit and the pilot made a crash-landing on the beach of Sandwich Flats, Kent UK. 3KIA 7RTD. No MACR issued.



P Capt Thomas R. Cramer (RTD); CP 2Lt Charles E. Hughes (RTD)

N 1Lt William A. Poole (KIA); B 1Lt Robert K. Flynn (KIA)

E/TTG TSgt John W. Crump (KIA); RO TSgt Harry C. Hogan (RTD)

BTG Sgt James A. McCammond (RTD); WG Sgt Charles G. McMackin (RTD)

WG Sgt Gates (RTD); TG Sgt Lawson (RTD)

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 44th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
B-24 Liberators of the 44th Bomb Group line up for takeoff at Shipdham in 1943. The 'Flying Eight-Ball' emblem of the 68th Bomb Squadron is visible on the nose of the leading aircraft. Image stamped with field press censor, 1943. Press Agency photograph- original printed caption has been removed.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 68th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-23925
  • Highest Rank: Major
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 68th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 36318179
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Engineer/Top Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 68th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-727327
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 68th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 17020494
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 68th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 37009698
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Gunner; Radio Operator

Places

Missions

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 17-Feb-2015. Added nickname per data in another entry for Charles E. Hughes on B-24D 42-40777.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 29-Jan-2015. All added information per "Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces" Stan Bishop & John A. Hey MBE; formatted crew display.