John Harold Allen
Military ROLL OF HONOUR
Here is an interview from eye witnesses who saw his B-24 crash: http://www.heritageleague.org/brian/54.pdf
Made the association with John H Allen's entry.
Object Number - UPL 7149 - 1LT John Harold Allen was KIA on 22 DEC 1943 when his B-24, #42-7554, nick named; "Tail End Charlie" crashed into a cemetery in the Dutch village of...
B-24 - #42-7554 - 8th AF, 445th BG, 702nd BS - stationed in NOV 1943 at RAF Tibenham.
Crashed into the cemetery in Mirns, Friesland, the Netherlands on 22 DEC 1943, killing 7 of the 10 crew.
Story written about the crash in MAR 2015 by Mr. Jaap Halma
http://www.heritageleague.org/brian/54.pdf
11 NOV 2015 Commemoration ceremony photos:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/b-24_liberator_42-7554/albums
11 NOV 2015 YouTube video of event:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVpI3Tf-GWc
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with

- Unit Hierarchy: Wing
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force

- 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: 2nd Combat Bomb Wing 445th Bomb Group 702nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-807665 / # 12035086
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot

- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 445th Bomb Group 702nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 14061673 / O-732613
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier

- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 2nd Combat Bomb Wing 445th Bomb Group 702nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 38188018
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Engineer / Top Turret Gunner

- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 2nd Air Division 2nd Combat Bomb Wing 445th Bomb Group 702nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: # O-797495
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot

- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 2nd Combat Bomb Wing 445th Bomb Group 702nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-674179 / 129-07-0548
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
Aircraft

- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Nicknames: Tail End Charlie
- Unit: 445th Bomb Group 702nd Bomb Squadron
Missions

- Date: 22 December 1943
Places

- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Tivetshall
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Born |
Dallas, TX, USA | 4 June 1920 | |
Died |
8573 Mirns, Netherlands | 22 December 1943 | US Army Air Corps Pilot John Harold Allen, 1LT died in the plane crash of B-24, #42-7554, nick named; "Tail End Charlie" on 22 DEC 1943. Here is the eye witness report of crash: http://www.heritageleague.org/brian/54.pdf |
Revisions
A.L. DESTRO II
Family & research posted by nephew of the late 2nd LT Anthony L. Destro, Bombardier who was onboard and flying under pilot 1LT John H. Allen,
Upon returning from this MSN, the B-24 was hit by a German fighter. Both 2LT Destro & 1LT Allen were killed in the plane crash on 22 DEC 1943. This is the story from eye witnesses interviewed in this story of the crash:
Posted by the nephew of the late fellow aircrew member 2nd LT Anthony L. Destro who was the bombardier on that flight. Source is from a published interview as seen by eye witness of the plane crash. Story written by Mr. Jaap Halma in March 2014.
Posted by Anthony L. Destro, II (my uncle, Anthony L. Destro & J.H. Allen were killed in this ACFT while returning from a bombing assignment.
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / History of the 445th Bomb Group by Rudolph Birsic