Commando 44-77317

VARIANT: Curtiss C-46D-5-CU Commando

USAAF SERIAL NUMBER (S/N): 44-77317

CURTISS CONSTRUCTION NUMBER (C/N): 32713

COMMANDO LINE NUMBER (L/N): CU1249

FATE: Written off

  October 1944 to September 1945

  44-77317 - USAAF (USA)

26 October 1944

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

Late October

Assigned to the 2^nd Combat Cargo Group, 5^th Combat Cargo Squadron based at Baer Field, IN.

5 January 1945

Ferried through Brisbane Eagle Farm, Queensland, Australia.

Mid-January 1945

Arrived at Biak AAF, Papua, Dutch East Indies with the 5^th Combat Cargo Squadron.

Involved in the transport of supplies and troops to American and Filipino forces in the Philippines.

May 1945

Moved to Dulag Field, Philippines with the 5^th Combat Cargo Squadron.

Operated flights to Australia, New Guinea, and within the Philippines, and transported personnel and supplies to the Ryukyus, evacuating casualties on the return flights.

August 1945

Moved to Bolo Point, Okinawa, Japan with the 5^th Combat Cargo Squadron.

Operated flights carrying occupation forces personnel and equipment to Japan, and ferrying liberated prisoners of war to the Philippines.

Unknown date

Assigned to Nichols Field, Philippines.

30 September 1945

Damaged beyond repair near Finschhafen Dreger Field, New Guinea in a ditching (no fatalities).

The Commando took off from Finschhafen airfield. Thirty minutes after airborne, it suffered an engine failure. While attempting to return to the field, the second engine failed, forcing the crew to ditch into the sea close to shore. All aboard were rescued by an amphibious DUKW and returned safely to shore.

Condemned for salvage, accident, non-combat.