Commando 44-77472

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

USAAF SERIAL NUMBER (S/N): 44-77472

CURTISS CONSTRUCTION NUMBER (C/N): 32868

COMMANDO LINE NUMBER (L/N): CU1404

FATE: Written off

  November 1944 to March 1945

  44-77472 - USAAF (USA)

28 November 1944

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

8 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.

Markd "H2-U"

24 March 1945

Went missing over Germany during Operation Varsity (6 fatalities). [MACR 13509]

Pilot: Lt. Col. William A. Filer (Group Commanding Officer, killed, pictured right)

The Commando was carrying paratroopers of the 17^th Airborne Division as part of Operation Varsity, flying as Chalk 1. It was shot down by flak. The wreckage was found 2 km west of Wesel, Germany, east of the Rhine.

26 March 1945

Condemned, missing in action.