James Roy Akins

Military

James Akins was Co-Pilot of B-24 # 42-7544 of 44th Bomb Group / 67th Bomber Squadron when it was shot down by Flak and went low on fuel on return from the 1 December 1943 mission to Solingen. Missing Air Crew Report - MACR 1382. Akins initially managed to evade capture with the help of Belgian citizens and Underground members linked to the Belgian COMETE evasion network. Trapped with other evaders and helpers, he was arrested in Antwerp, Belgium on 25 March 1944. Interned at Stalag Luft 1 in Barth, Germany. Liberated May 1945. See his page at http://www.evasioncomete.be/fakinsjr.html

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
The 'semiofficial' insignia of the 44th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 67th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 37377434
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 67th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-676576
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 67th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 35318190
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Assistant Radio Operator/Ball Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 67th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-678629
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 67th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 33368743
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Seed of Satan II
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 67th Bomb Squadron

Missions

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Leonard, Texas, United States 21 March 1919

Enlisted

Los Angeles, California, United States 10 December 1941

Other

Evaded (EVD)

1 December 1943 - 25 March 1944 with the help of Belgian citizens and members of the Résistance

Other

Captured

25 March 1944 Antwerp railroad station, in a trap set by collaborators

Other

Prisoner of War (POW)

25 March 1944 Interned at Stalag Luft 1, Barth, Germany

Died

California, United States 23 August 1987
Haskell, Texas, United States

Revisions

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

MACR 1382
Personal research for his page at https://www.evasioncomete.be/fakinsjr.html
Updated website address in Bio

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources
Date
ContributorAAM
Changes