Irvin Litman

Military

2nd Lt. Irwin Litman was the Co-pilot of Crew 5 in the 712th Bomb Squadron, 448th Bomb Group. In December 1943 Crew 5 flew B-24H-5-FO (42-7733) “LAKI-NUKI” via the southern route from Florida to Seething, England. During the flight to England from Marrakech, North Africa on 12 Dec 1943, bad weather and Germans jamming radio communication led to an attempt to land at a German-held airfield in the Brest Peninsula of France. The aircraft received severe damage from enemy flak and 2nd Lt. Litman was hit by enemy fire. S/Sergeant Boula applied first aid after 2nd Lt. Litman put out the cockpit fire and he is taken to the radio area for further treatment. Pilot 2nd Lt. Ayrest and the crew were able to land the aircraft at Preddannack, Cornwall. “LAKI-NUKI” caught fire after landing and was destroyed.

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Units served with

The insignia of the 448th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: “laki-nuki”
  • Unit: 448th Bomb Group 712th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

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Updated biography.

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Added photos.

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Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / SO#150, 6th Heavy Bomb.Proc HQ, Herington, Kansas 5 Nov 43,  Losses of the 8th & 9th AFs Vol. I, p. 418