42-51506

media-33776.jpeg UPL 33776 Letter sent to my father, Stanley Vitkavage (the pilot), from family of 2nd Lt. Lambert Koupal. James Kostel was Lambert Koupal's grandfather according to the original letter we have from my father, given to him by the Military. Stanley Vitkavage Collection

Original military records from my father's personal collection

Object Number - UPL 33776 - Letter sent to my father, Stanley Vitkavage (the pilot), from family of 2nd Lt. Lambert Koupal. James Kostel was Lambert Koupal's grandfather...

Over target area (Halle, Germany), pilot Stanley Vitkavage feathered one engine (mechanical malfunction?). A/C gradually fell back and was last seen over the Koblenz area. Near Freiburg/Breisgau the plane was hit and the crew bailed out. Crashed Betzenhausen, 1,5km Northwest of Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany. 2 men killed, 7 Prisoners of War. Missing Air Crew Report - MACR 12778.

Connections

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Units served with

A pathfinder B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-51681) of the 453rd Bomb Group flies in formation with a fellow Liberator of the 453rd and and a pathfinder Liberator of the 445th Bomb Group. Image via Alan Rowsell.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 445th Bomb Group 701st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 39911604
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Nose Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 445th Bomb Group 701st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 33728946
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 445th Bomb Group 701st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 35331002
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 445th Bomb Group 701st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-2072788
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator / Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 445th Bomb Group 701st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 36758482
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner

Places

Signal Squares on the airfield at Tibenham, B-24 Liberators of the 398th Bomb Group are visible in the background. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Tibenham Signal Squares.'
  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Tivetshall

Missions

  • Date: 27 February 1945

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

Germany 27 February 1945 crashed Betzenhausen, 1,5km NW of Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany

Revisions

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

MACR 12778

Date
ContributorKauko56
Changes
Sources

MACR 12778

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

MACR 12778 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

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