FRE 4646
IMAGEA member of the ground crew of the 456th Bomb Squadron, 323rd Bomb Group,on the nose of B-26 Marauder (WT-U, serial number 41-31810) nicknamed "Klassie Lassie". Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Could be WT-G 131944? 456/323BG. AFM.' This photograph likely was taken at Earls Colne Airfield. On June 29, 1944, the 323rd attacked the Diguelleville Gun Battery. Due to weather, the bomb run was forced down to 3,000 feet. "Klassie Lassie" was on her 100th mission. She took a flak hit dead on and exploded. No chutes were seen. The pilot, 1st Lt. Oscard J. Boothe was on his 81st combat mission - 16 beyond the supposed 65 mission tour of duty. Among the MIA were Staff Sergeant Adolf C. Hothausen. The other crew members have not been confirmed. There is a memorial at the crash site in Frnace. (Note: Aircraft 41-31944 is WT-G "Kactus Kid".)
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Units
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
- Nicknames: Klassie Lassie
- Unit: 323rd Bomb Group 456th Bomb Squadron