41-23771
B-24D 41-23771 assigned to 44th BG/66th BS, Thurleigh. Crashed 3-Jan-43 near Puncheston, UK, out of fuel, on return from a mission to St. Nazaire, France. The Co-Pilot, 2Lt Dale K. Canfield died on 8-Jan-43 from injuries received in the crash. Aircraft was too badly damaged to repair (DBR) and was salvaged. No MACR issued.
P 1Lt Ray L. Hilliard (RTD); CP 2Lt Dale K. Canfield (KOM)
N 2Lt William R. Auston (RTD); B 2Lt Louis A. Fries (RTD)
E/TTG TSgt Ralph Schweyer (RTD); RO TSgt Ralph C. Ernst (RTD)
AE Sgt Phillip H. Tritschler (RTD); ARO SSgt John A. Romero (RTD)
G Sgt Hugh J. Malone (RTD); TG Sgt James R. Young (RTD)
NOTE: Stan Bishop "The Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces" has this loss as documented on MACR 3301, which is an error, as that MACR is associated with B-24D 41-23711.
Connections
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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: 44th Bomb Group 66th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 19062276 / O-726975
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 44th Bomb Group 66th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-727170
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 44th Bomb Group 66th Bomb Squadron 68th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 6863975
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 44th Bomb Group 66th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-727329
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 44th Bomb Group 66th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-431193
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
Places
![A bomber crew of the 306th Bomb Group wave to Picture Post Girls in front of a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 41-24471) nicknamed "Four of a Kind" at Thurleigh in December 1942. Image stamped on reverse: '"Picture Post" [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 11 Dec 1942.' [stamp], '238038.' [Censor no.] Handwritten in censor's blue pencil on reverse: 'American Flying Fortress crew are introduced to the girls they will meet at Picture Post Xmas Party.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-379028.jpg.webp?itok=6Gc6iR0j)
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Bedford
Missions
- Date: 3 January 1943
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Other Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR) |
Puncheston, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire SA62, UK | 3 January 1943 | Aircraft crashed 3-Jan-43 near Pincheston, UK out of fuel on return from mission to St. Nazaire. CP 2Lt Dale K. Canfield died of injuries received in the crash on 8-Jan-43. Aircraft was too damaged to repair and was salvaged. |
Revisions
Lee Cunningham 15-Jan-2015. Added crew list per "Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces" Stan Bishop & John A Hey MBE.
Lee Cunningham 15-Jan-2015. Added AIrcraft ID letter "E" per Stephen Adams author of a book on the history of the 44th Bomb Group by contact through Facebook.
Lee Cunningham 14-Jan-2015. All information in entry based on "The Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces" Stan Bishop & John A. Hey MBE; Markings based on "The Mighty Eighth Warpaint & Heraldry" Roger A. Freeman.