Commando 44-77525

VARIANT: Curtiss C-46D-10-CU Commando

USAAF SERIAL NUMBER (S/N): 44-77525

CURTISS CONSTRUCTION NUMBER (C/N): 32921

COMMANDO LINE NUMBER (L/N): CU1457

FATE: Written off

  December 1944 to March 1945

  44-77525 - USAAF (USA)

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5 December 1944

Delivered from the Curtiss-Wright factory in Buffalo, NY.

25 January 1945

Assigned to the 8^th Air Force.

February 1945

Assigned to the 9^th Air Force, 52^nd Troop Carrier Wing, 313^th Troop Carrier Group, 49^th Troop Carrier Squadron based at Grevillers-Achiet (B-54), France.

24 March 1945

Went missing over Germany during Operation Varsity (2/34 fatalities). [MACR 13426]

Crew:
Capt. Charles F. Cochran, Pilot (killed, pictured right)
2^nd Lt. Phil H. Fortie, Copilot (killed)
1^st Lt. William R. Pully, Navigator (bailed out & evaded capture)
Cpl. Viviano J. Barney, Crew Chief (wounded, bailed out & evaded capture)
S/Sgt. Kingdon Taylor, Radio Operator (survived, probably bailed out & evaded capture)

The Commando was carrying 29 paratroopers as part of Operation Varsity, flying as Chalk 2 with five crew members on board. It was shot down by flak 2 km northwest of Wesel, Germany. The two pilots were killed while the other occupants bailed out (possibly just before reaching the target, which was 4 km northwest of Wesel).

Condemned, missing in action.