Martin J Kaufmann

Military ROLL OF HONOUR

Martin Kaufmann was Tail Gunner on B-24 #42-95240 on a supply mission to aid the 17th US Airborne during Operation Varsity on 24 March 1945 (American and British forces crossing the Rhine). The plane was flying at 300ft when it was hit by ground fire shortly after dropping the supplies in the Wesel area, Germany. After being hit, the B-24 nosed straight down into the ground and exploded. Kaufmann and the eight other crew members on board were killed instantly.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 389th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group 564th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18159921 at enlistment, then O-2005728
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group 564th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19181308
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Nose Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group 564th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18025633 at enlistment, then O-2000262
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group 564th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 36560983
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Flight Engineer / Top Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group 364th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-777766
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: The Old Veteran
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group 564th Bomb Squadron

Missions

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Buffalo, New York 8 April 1925

Enlisted

20 December 1943 Buffalo, New York

Died

24 March 1945 in the crash of B-24 #42-95240, near Wesel, Germany
Buffalo, Erie County, New York

Buried

Martin Kaufmann rests at the Saint Vincent's Cemetery, Springbrook, Erie County, New York

Revisions

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

NARA WWII Enlistment records
MACR 13543

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Sources

MACR 13543

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / brother/taffy williams website