Commando 44-77525
Aircraft Identification
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
Operational Record
December 1944 to March 1945
44-77525 - USAAF (USA)
5 December 1944
Delivered from the Curtiss-Wright factory in Buffalo, NY.
25 January 1945
Assigned to the 8th Air Force.
February 1945
Assigned to the 9th Air Force, 52nd Troop Carrier Wing, 313th Troop Carrier Group, 49th 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)
2nd Lt. Phil H. Fortie, Copilot (killed)
1st 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.
Last edited: 24/01/2024