Louis V Trouve

Military

Took part in Operation Tidal Wave, the raid on Ploesti on 1 August 1943, flying B-24 Liberator 41-23936.



11 December 1943, on a mission to Emden, Germany, 'Nice 'N Naughty' B24 42-7476 piloted by Richard Comey got a direct hit on the nose above the navigator. He was wounded as he was knocked out of the plane. He was able to open his chute, landed in a bay and became a Prisoner of War (POW).

Connections

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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

41-23936

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Queen Anne Margurite
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 66th Bomb Squadron

42-7476

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Nice 'n Naughty
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 66th Bomb Squadron

Missions

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Prisoner of war

11 December 1943 POW (From Will Lundy's - Roll of Honor) There was one other casualty in the Group this day, that being a navigator, Louis V. Trouve, who became a POW. Not even the 66th Squadron reported the reason for this, nor in which aircraft he was flying. I located a Louis B. Trouve in the Long Island area, but got no response, unfortunately. TROUVE, LOUIS V - - Navigator 1st Lt. Hemstead, L.I., New York - - ASN 0-797427 - POW Capt. Joseph E. Flaherty, pilot, told me that, "I believe Trouve was a navigator on a replacement crew that came into the 66th Squadron about the time it went to Africa in September '43. I believe Trouve rejoined his old crew when the 44th BG returned to England in early October from Tunis. The pilot of that replacement crew was Richard Comey, and Louis was probably flying with him after the return to England. If so, then I am sure Comey would know the circumstances. I know that Louis flew with me on missions in Sept. '43."

Born

Long Island, New York

Revisions

Date
Contributorgeneral ira snapsorter
Changes
Sources

Ploesti Sortie Reports, 44th Bomb Group;
http://www.8thairforce.com/44thbg/search/crew_member_listing_for_missio…

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
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 and Hey, p. 515, 44th BG Roll of Honor and Casualties by Lundy, pp. 162-3