42-37835 Channel Express
Rear L-R: 1Lt Louis J Majewski, 1Lt Stuart E Smith, 1Lt Victor S Reese, 1Lt Stanislaw R Chmura.
Front L-R: Sgt Harry C Parker, S/Sgt Harry W Hopkins, S/Sgt William B Flynn, S/Sgt Fred E McCawley.
** The plane crashed near the town of Washingley, Huntingtonshire.
Delivered Long Beach 16/9/43; Gt Falls 21/9/43; Scott 24/10/43; Assigned 612BS/401BG [SC-J] Deenethorpe 5/11/43; on return from Osnabruck was hit by bomb from above and abandoned 22/12/43 with Stuart Smith, Co-pilot: Stan Chmuro, Navigator: Vic Reese, Bombardier: Lewis Majewski, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Bill Flynn, Radio Operator: Fred McCawley, Ball turret gunner: L.F. Davis, Waist gunner: Frank Scicchihano, Waist gunner: Calvin Hopkins,Tail gunner: Harry Parker (10 Returned to Duty); crashed Washingley, Northamptonshire, UK; sal 2 SAD. CHANNEL EXPRESS.
While over the target "Channel Express" was struck by a bomb dropped from another group, causing considerable damage to the controls. The pilot, Lt Stuart E. Smith, managed to bring the aircraft back to Deenethorpe where the crew bailed out before heading it for Germany on authomatic pilot. The plane in fact didn't go all that many miles from base, crashing near Washingley, Huntingdonshire (about two miles due east of the 1st Air Division airfield).
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 16035651
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Engineer/Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-685687
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 613th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 32506396
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 16046687
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 32076946
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: waist gunner
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Benefield
Missions
- Date: 22 December 1943
- Date: 20 December 1943
- Date: 13 December 1943
- Date: 11 December 1943
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Delivered |
Long Beach, CA | 16 September 1943 | Delivered Long Beach 16-Sep-43. |
Assigned |
Deenethorpe, UK | 5 November 1943 | Assigned 612BS, 401BG, 8AF USAAF. |
Crashed |
Washingley, Northamptonshire | 22 December 1943 | On return from Osnabruck was hit by bomb from above and crew abandoned A/C 22-Dec-43; crashed Washingley, Northamptonshire. |