Commando 44-77645

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

USAAF SERIAL NUMBER (S/N): 44-77645

CURTISS CONSTRUCTION NUMBER (C/N): 33041

COMMANDO LINE NUMBER (L/N): CU1577

FATE: Written off

  January 1945 to March 1945

  44-77645 - USAAF (USA)

5 January 1945

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

26 January 1945

Assigned to the 8^th Air Force.

Early 1945

Assigned to the 9^th Air Force, 52^nd Troop Carrier Wing, 313^th Troop Carrier Group, 48^th Troop Carrier Squadron based at Grevillers-Achiet (B-54), France.

Marked "Z7-V".

24 March 1945

Shot down by flak over Germany during Operation Varsity (1 fatality).

Crew:
1^st Lt. Dudley B. Rose, Pilot (pictured)
2^nd Lt. Andrew Hobai, Copilot
S/Sgt. Glenn R. Williams, Radio Operator (injured)
T/Sgt. Clifford C. Kroll, Crew Chief

The Commando, flying as Chalk 44, was hit by flak near Wesel, Germany as it arrived over the drop zone. It made its run with both fuel tanks on fire, and all paratroopers managed to jump except one who refused for unknown reasons. As it made its turn back towards the west, the plane was hit by intense small arms fre coming from the town of Wesel. All four crew members bailed out before the airplane hit the ground and exploded.

Condemned, missing in action.