Charles E Cunningham

Military

Wounded on mission to France in B-24 41-23788 'Avenger' flown by pilot Algene Key.



13-Nov-1943 on mission to Bremen in B24 41-29168, lost power systems and developed engine problems. Crash landed in a field in Norfolk. Navigator was pinned in the crashed a/c for 4 hours with a broken leg and all crew members suffered cuts and bruises. An RAF rescue crew had to tunnel under the a/c to release the navigator. Crew returned to duty.



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Units served with

The insignia of the 44th Bomb Group.

44th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
A B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-95260) nicknamed "Lili Marlene" of the 66th Bomb Squadron, 44th Bomb Group flies in formation with two comrades. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'B-24 H & B-24 J OF 44th B.G. 66th Sqdn'

66th Bomb Squadron

  • Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Aircraft

First Lieutenant Robert C. Peterson of the 44th Bomb Group in the cockpit of a B-24 Liberator (serial number 41-23788) with the aircraft's dog mascot: Pilot-Officer "Rusty". A printed caption was previously attached to the reverse, however this has been removed. Handwritten caption on reverse of print: '44BG B-24 Liberator Avenger showing 19 fighter claims and 18 bomb markings including Ploesti. 123788 I.' On reverse: Associated Press [Stamp]. Associated News Story: 'Pilot Officer "Rusty" - dog of many mi

41-23788

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: - Avenger
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 68th Bomb Squadron

41-29168

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 66th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

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Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Losses of the 8th & 9th AFs Vol. I by Bishop & Hey p, 495