War Correspondent Harold W.Kulik
 

Hello,

War Correspondent Harold W.Kulik, was killed on August 10, 1944, when a US bomber in which he had flown a mission over France, crashed while landing at an airfield near London... so the story goes.

Can anyone give me the facts on this incident?

Col.

Re: War Correspondent Harold W.Kulik
 

His name was Harold W Kulick and he worked as a photographer for Popular Science.
The story is he was killed when the B-26 he was in tried to land at/near the base after having been hit by flak on a mission to France (possibly near Paris). The pilot and co-pilot were also killed in the crash according to some newspaper reports at the time. This was Harold's second such mission. He is buried in Cambridge American Cemetery. (Note year of death is incorrect): https://abmc.gov/node/541034#.WdJtk49SzMo


Now trying to track down what plane that might have been is a little more difficult.

There was a B-26 from the 386th BG that crashed on 10 August 1944. (Some reports have the crash on 18 August, I believe in error). The pilot was Carol V Larson https://abmc.gov/node/541098#.WdJos49SzMo

and the co-pilot was Donald D Tanck: https://abmc.gov/node/544154#.WdJsp49SzMo

A little more detail on Larson's findagrave site, in particular a description of why the plane crash-landed (apparently out of gas):
https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/f...&GRid=56291618

Tanck:
https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/f...&GRid=56294835

Kulick:
https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/f...&GRid=56291523

The plane was 41-31832 ("Bad Penny 2nd"). Search for Tanck on this page: http://www.b26.com/guestbook/2011.htm

Note there was no mention of "Kulick" in the post above so.... was there another B-26 crash on 10 August in which the pilot and co-pilot were also killed? There is no MACR that mentions Kulick (and none for 41-31832 either). That may not be surprising as no crew were missing.

Re: War Correspondent Harold W.Kulik
 

RSwank,

Thanks. Just had a look at my original reference (I worked from scribbled notes), and Harold W. "KULICK" it is. The site I used (back in 2006), is now defunct, but it had no more to say than what I posted.

I thought there might have been mention of the incident in Vol.4 (July 1944-September 1944) Losses of the 8th and 9th Air Forces/Bishop & Hey.

Appreciate your efforts.

Col.

Re: War Correspondent Harold W.Kulik
 

Hello Col,
Nothing in vol 4 or 5.
Just this -
10-8-44
43-34188 - MACR 7789 - 1 Kia, 5 Pow.
A/c not lost - MACR 13531 - Crabtree, Jean E . ( Fold3 gives 42-96170) - 3 Pow,6Rtd.
386BG/554BS - 1Lt. Carol V. Larson (Pilot) - 2KOM, 4 RTD.(Pilot & CoPilot both killed).
41-31832 Salvaged , Battle Damage.
41-31946 Salvaged.
A20G - 43-10161 -410BG/647BS - crashed in France.
A20G - 43-9840 - 416BG/668BS crashed Castle Hedingham, Essex.
Just wondered about Roland's note re the ABMC date, could he have been killed on or around the 8/9th August 1944(year+a day ?).

Alex

Re: War Correspondent Harold W.Kulik
 

Alex/RSwank,

I think we can eliminate the A-20's. Here is one of the contemporary newspaper reports, note the date:

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article61940060

There is no doubt about the year of death.

Seems odd that 9th AF HQ could issue an edict, and no mention can be found in the loss records, particularly of a war correspondent.

He was definitely attached to the 386th Bomb Group - he is mentioned in their Honor Roll:

http://www.b26.com/historian/chester...bomb_group.pdf

see: pp.27-8 of 73.

The 10 August 1944 mission (# 250), was to the Fresnes RR Bridge (p.26 of 73)

Thanks,

Col.

Re: War Correspondent Harold W.Kulik
 

He would have an IDPF (Individual Deceased persons File) you could order. His name is on the Roster of War Dead


He had only arrived in the UK on 14th July 1944 on the SS Scythia

Re: War Correspondent Harold W.Kulik
 

Good find with Kulick on the 386th BG Honor Roll. I think the odds are very good that "Bad Penny 2nd" is the correct plane. (Right now, IDPFs requests take "forever".)

Re: War Correspondent Harold W.Kulik
 

Hello Roland,

Just a thought, I had often wondered about Passengers that perhaps had hitched a ride ,therefore not listed in the crew lists, would they have an IDPF if they were not being service personnel ? In which case would war correspondants be classified as service personnel or civilian passenger's and so would they have an IDPF ?

Alex

Re: War Correspondent Harold W.Kulik
 

Here is a link about "civilians" and IDPF files.

http://wwiiresearchandwritingcenter....civilian-idpf/

Since Kulick is buried in Cambridge American Cemetery, I would assume, based on the link, that he would have an IDPF file whether he was considered civilian or military.

Re: War Correspondent Harold W.Kulik
 

Hello,

Allied War Correspondents were officially accredited members of their respective countries military arms. They were accorded the same rights and privileges as service personnel. I have a head and shoulders shot of Kulick - he is dressed in military uniform - "US" badges are visible on his sidecap and his lapels.

Col.

Re: War Correspondent Harold W.Kulik
 

Hello,
Thanks for the answer to my question, it makes it quite clear re their status.
Alex

Re: War Correspondent Harold W.Kulik
 

I have the IDPF for a civilian contractor of Lockheed Overseas Corporation who was washed off rocks on the west coast of Ireland in Jan 1944. Body never recovered. You would probably be surprised for whom you could get an IDPF and just a pity it such a slow process.

http://www.ww2irishaviation.com/krouskop.htm

Re: War Correspondent Harold W.Kulik
 

Did you check this ?
http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/archiv...p?t-31730.html

If you can contact Chester Paul Klier, the historian of 386th BG according to the webpage below, he could maybe help on this case:
http://www.b26.com/historian/chester_klier.htm

Re: War Correspondent Harold W.Kulik
 

Definitely B-26 Marauder

Obit: Popular Science Nov 1944

Commander Pays Tribute to Photographer Harold Kulick
IT Is with deep regret that I have been informed of the death of Mr. Harold W. Kulick, war correspondent and photographer representing POPULAR SCIENCE magazine. Mr. Kulick was killed when an aircraft of this command in which he was flying as a photographer-observer crashed near its home base after returning in a damaged condition from an operational mission over enemy territory. To secure pictorial coverage of B-28 air-planes in action, Mr. Kulick willingly shared the risks of combat crewmen. His courage and devotion to professional duty in face of danger are a tribute to himself and his profession. His loss is felt keenly by all person-nel of this command who had come to know him.—Samuel E. Anderson, Brigadier General, USA, Commanding IX Bomber Command.
Readers of this magazine will remember many examples of the high artistic quality of Harold Kulick's work. Associated with writer Hickman Powell on the POPULAR SCIENCE war-front reporting team, he illustrated such outstanding articles as "The Rite That Smashed Berlin" (Mar. '44), "Chasing Echoes on a Destroyer Escort" (April '44), "What It Takes to Be a Thunderbolt Ace" (May '44), "A Fortress Lives to Fight Again" (June '44), and "Fighting at 425 Miles tin Hour" (Aug. '44).—Ed.

Also


Chester Times Newspaper Archives

September 12, 1944 - Page 13
KILLED IN CRASH London Ninth Air Force announced today that Harold W Kulick war correspondent and photographer representing the magazine Popular Science was killed when Marauder crashed at a British base

Re: War Correspondent Harold W.Kulik
 

His full. name was

Harold William Kulick
He was aged 28 when he died (Born 1917)
Born In New York

Also Google books has a reference to (to muddy the waters)


KULICK, Harold W., 28, photographer for Popular Science Monthly; Aug. 25, 1944, killed in the crash of an American bomber in England.

I must admit I originally had an issue where it takes over a month for his death to be announced officially (after NoK) but I found out that

First Lieut. Donald D. Tanck, husband of Dorothy B. Tanck, Las Vegas. death was announced by Washington only on October 28th 1944

Re: War Correspondent Harold W.Kulik
 

Here is how Kulick's death announcement first appeared. This was an AP story, based on information from his widow, first released on August 25, 1944. Many newspapers in the country picked up versions of this report.

"August 26, 1944
War Photographer Dies in Air Crash


New York- AP- Harold W Kulick, 28, specialist in airplane photography, who was covering the European war theater for Popular Science Monthly has been killed in the crash of a B-26 in England, his widow, Mrs Margaret W Kulick , announced yesterday.

Kulick was on his second mission over Paris when the bomber was hit by anti-aircraft fire. The plane managed to return to England, but crashed at its base, killing Kulick, the pilot and the co-pilot, Mrs. Kulick said."

Also on August 25 there appeared in the Daily Argus-Leader, Sioux Falls (where Tanck's mother lived) the obit of Donald D Tanck. The article was rather garbled (saying he was the pilot of a B-24, for example).

On September 1, 1944 The Daily Argus-Leader of Sioux Falls, (home down of Larson) carried the obit of Carol V Larson based on information received by his father from the War Department. Both the obits of Larson and Tanck mention that the men had recently returned to England after a 30 day leave. (Neither obit mentioned the other man.)


On September 11, another AP story about Kulick appeared in many newspapers, based on a press release from the 9th Air Force. This version did not have the details about it being his second mission or that the pilot and co-pilot were also killed. The mission was said to be over France and the damaged plane was said to crash at its "home port".

In the November issue of Popular Science the Obit appeared as in post #14.

Re: War Correspondent Harold W.Kulik
 

Fellas,

Thanks for your help so far on this one. It would appear that Kulick was possibly aboard 554BS/386BG Marauder 41-31832. I certainly know a lot more about Kulick than I did before.

Re:Post #5 - Should read: 19 August, 1944 Mission (# 250) was to the Fismes R/R Bridge, not the Fresnes R/R Bridge.

To all, thanks once again.

Col.

Re: War Correspondent Harold W.Kulik
 

On this link is a write-up about Samuel H Schmerler, who was R/O - gunner on the final flight (note Schmerler was mentioned in Larson's findagrave link as being on the crew).

He relates a few more details of the mission. It was to Fismes R/R Bridge. Kulick (referred to as a photographer from Popular Science) sat in Schmerler's R/O chair while Schmerler manned his gun. The plane's hydraulics were shot out and the bomb bay doors were jammed. In the crash landing the pilot, co-pilot and photographer were killed with Schmerler saying that if he would have been in his "normal" position, he would have been killed.


https://books.google.com/books?id=_6...france&f=false

Re: War Correspondent Harold W.Kulik
 

Vol 4 Losses of 8 and 9 Air Forces does not ID the plane but does list the rest of the crew

1st Lt Carol V Larson killed
1st Lt Donald D Tanck killed
S.Sgt Harry J Bevan
S.Sgt Sam H Schwerler
S.Sgt Leonard Zuckerman
Pvt Youngblood