42-96168 Lassie Come Home

On 3 August 1944 42-96168 took off from Rivenhall to bomb railway installation at Courtalain, near Chateaudun in France.



The pilot, Captain Garretson was in flying in the lead position of the second box (group of four aircraft) of the formation. The formation encountered bad weather and while trying to avoid clouds Marauder 42-96169 struck the tail of 42-96168 sending the aircraft into a spin from which it could not recover.



The aircraft crashed on the railway tracks south east of Tuffe, killing all on board. The crash was so devastating it was impossible to identify the fallen individually, so they received a group burial.

Connections

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Units served with

A B-26 Marauder (serial number 42-96191) nicknamed "The Milk Run Special" of the 397th Bomb Group at Steeple Morden, 1945. Image by Alexander "Cal" Sloan. Written on slide casing: '296191, 397 BG.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Ninth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 397th Bomb Group 599th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 397th Bomb Group 599th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 397th Bomb Group 599th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 397th Bomb Group 599th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 397th Bomb Group 599th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator

Places

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Unit: 397th Bomb Group 599th Bomb Squadron

Events

Event Location Date Description

Crashed

Tuffe, France. 3 August 1944

Revisions

Date
Changes
Sources

"Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces", Bishop & Hey.