Kittredge Hamlin

Military
media-15181.jpeg UPL 15181 The B-24D Liberator, 41-11803, Rosie Wrecked 'Em, and crew from the 9th Air Force, the 98th Bomb Group, and the 344th Bomb Squadron. Rosie Wrecked 'Em, was flown by Lt. Herbert Arens on the mission to destroy the oil refineries at Ploesti, Romania, on the right wing of Col. John Kane in the lead ship, Hail Columbia. Lt. Arens had to abort and turn back to home base at Benghazi, Libya, because of mechanical problems. The copilot, Lt. Kittredge Hamlin - standing second from left. Pilot Capt. Herbert Arens is standing far left.

Aircraft, 41-11803, flew on the wing of Col. Kane on the Ploesti raid but had to return to base because of mechanical problems. Copilot Kittredge Hamlin is standing - second from left. He left North Africa for the states on or about Aug 8, 1943 after 45 missions. This photo was taken prior to that date. Pilot Capt. Herbert Arens is standing far left.

Removed associations which are not depicted in the image.

Object Number - UPL 15181 - The B-24D Liberator, 41-11803, Rosie Wrecked 'Em, and crew from the 9th Air Force, the 98th Bomb Group, and the 344th Bomb Squadron. Rosie Wrecked...

Lt. Kittredge "Kitt" Hamlin was assigned as CoPilot on the B-24D Liberator bomber, 41-11803, Rosie Wrecked 'Em, in the 344th BS, the 98th BG, and the 9th AF, "The Force For Freedom", in the MTO in North Africa. He flew on the Ploesti oil refinery bombing mission on the wing of his element leader, Col. John R. "Killer" Kane, but had to abort the mission with mechanical problems. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army Air Forces, with the final rank of Captain. He died on Jan. 26, 1993.



Awards: AM, WWII Victory, EAME.

Connections

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Units served with

Three airmen of the 389th Bomb Group stand with a B-24 Liberator used as a Flight Assembly Ship. Image via Tim Bivens. Handwritten caption from Bivens: 'My friend remembers it being named "Bucksheesh Benny" that it was used to fly Jack Benny around USA shows. Says it flew in North Africa with Benny and was eventually assigned to 389th as a hack and later as a form-up ship. He thinks it was originally with another group (possibly 376th or 98th).' Handwritten caption on reverse: '389th BG Form-up ship.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Ninth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 344th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-29680
  • Highest Rank: Colonel
  • Role/Job: Commanding Officer / Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 344th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: T-000195
  • Highest Rank: Flight Officer
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 344th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18065717 / O-725567
  • Highest Rank: Major
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: - Rosie Wrecked Em
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 344th Bomb Squadron

Missions

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Detroit, MI 2 February 1918 Son of Lot M. Hamlin.

Enlisted

Detroit, MI 3 February 1943 Detroit, Michigan

Other

Survived Ploesti

Ploiești, Romania 1 August 1943 Co Pilot B-24 Liberator, 41-11803, Rosie Wrecked 'Em, 344th BS, 98th BG, 9th AF. Flew on 1 Aug 43 Ploesti oil refinery raid on the wing of Col. Kane, having to abort before the target because of mechanical problems.

Died

Littleton, CO 26 January 1993

Buried

Fort Logan National Cemetery Denver, Denver County CO Fort Logan National Cemetery Denver, Denver County Colorado, USA.

Revisions

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ContributorKickapoo
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Punctuation removed. Details added. - Kickapoo

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ContributorKickapoo
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Best Web - B-24 - Rosie Wrecked 'Em

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ContributorKickapoo
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Details added. Spelling, spacing. - Kickapoo

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Contributoranniehamlin
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I am Kit's daughter, I updated the correct spelling of his nickname (Kit), and will upload the his picture with his crew. The picture there now isn't my dad

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ContributorAl_Skiff
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ContributorAl_Skiff
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Kittredge Hamlin: Gallery (2 items)