Commando 44-77637

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

USAAF SERIAL NUMBER (S/N): 44-77637

CURTISS CONSTRUCTION NUMBER (C/N): 33033

COMMANDO LINE NUMBER (L/N): CU1569

FATE: Written off

  January 1945 to March 1945

  44-77637 - USAAF (USA)

11 January 1945

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

10 February 1945

Assigned to the 8^th Air Force.

Departed the USA for Europe.

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-Q".

24 March 1945

Went missing over Germany during Operation Varsity (fatalities). [MACR 13424]

Crew:
2^nd Lt. Donald O. Shire, Pilot (KIA)
2^nd Lt. John D. Stroud, Copilot (KIA)
Sgt. Bernard Isenberg, Radio Operator (KIA)
T/Sgt. Norman E. Rhoads, Crew Chief (injured)

The Commando, flying as Chalk 45, was hit by flak near Wesel and its left wing caught fire. It was seen gliding down in a low turn around 1020 LT near the village of Bonninghardt, Germany, but when the left aileron got eaten up by fire its bank angle increased uncontrollably. The left wing hit the ground, then the nose and the right wing. The aircraft exploded and the tail section was thrown clear of the wreackage. Crew Chief Norman Rhoads was apparently in it at the time, and he escaped with only slight lacerations and contusions while the rest of the crew was killed. T/Sgt Rhoads was taken to a British aid station, and later transferred to a US Army hospital. He returned to duty on 29 March and made it back to his unit on 31 March 1945.

Condemned, missing in action.

Right: 44-77637's tail section, all what remained of the burning wreckage.
Photo credit: unknown