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.