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-   -   B-25C - 42-32491 - Yugoslavia 18 Dec 1944 (http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=49910)

Leendert 7th December 2017 17:20

B-25C - 42-32491 - Yugoslavia 18 Dec 1944
 
B-25C 42-32491 was lost over Yugoslavia on 18 Dec 1944, I believe while on a mission to drop agents. One of fatalities reportedly Capt. Justin McGowan, 2677th Reg't, Office of Strategic Services (OSS).

Joe Baugher gives "ACR" as unit (?) for the B-25, but what is that the abbreviation of?

Thanks for info.

Regards,

Leendert

Frank Olynyk 7th December 2017 17:36

Re: B-25C - 42-32491 - Yugoslavia 18 Dec 1944
 
Air Crew Rescue Unit. An OSS unit that built a landing strip in Yugoslavia.

Enjoy!

Frank.

Leendert 7th December 2017 17:55

Re: B-25C - 42-32491 - Yugoslavia 18 Dec 1944
 
Thanks for quick anwswer, Frank. Something to find more about...

Regards,

leendert

vathra 8th December 2017 12:37

Re: B-25C - 42-32491 - Yugoslavia 18 Dec 1944
 
Just a few corrections:
- ACRU was subortinated to 15 AAF. It did had OSS agents for work on the field, and sent some reports to OSS.
- ACRU mainly used air strips that were previously built for allied missions, and in few cases prepared local fields. They were not prepared for building air strips, because in one case they, with local help, prepared air strip which was inadequate.

- B25 were used to drop supplies during bad weather. This plane was lost on such mission.
Agents were usually sent in with C-47, which rescued Airmen.

Main task of ACRU was to help extract downed airmen. More specific from chetnik territory in Yugoslavia because Allies have severed ties with them, so ordinary mission was not an option. ACRU rescued some 423 allied personnel from chetnik territory, and several dozens from partizan. On partisan territory there were allied mission and airstrip with every partisan corps HQ, and they helped with evasion of most of 2000 airmen.

Rottler 8th December 2017 14:10

Re: B-25C - 42-32491 - Yugoslavia 18 Dec 1944
 
Hello Leendert,

the MACR 10787 (loss of B-25 C-15 42-32491, nickname “Durmitor“) concerned the following personnel:

Pilot 1st Lt John Sullivan, O-747518, 1st Ftr. Gp.
Co-pilot 1st Lt Franc P. Larson, O-699429, 454th B. Gp.
Navigator 1st Lt Richard B. Knight, O-704010, 98th B- Gp.
Aerial Engineer S/Sgt Samuel B. Andrews, 19006069, 465th B. Gp.
Radio Operator S/Sgt Leo P. Flowers, 19039114, 451st B. Gp.
Observer Capt Justin J. McGowan, O-1166133, OSS Washington D.C., attached Co. B 2677 Regt, OSS.

Regards
Leo

researcher111 9th December 2017 21:43

Re: B-25C - 42-32491 - Yugoslavia 18 Dec 1944
 
Got two Q on this topic

- Actually the 855th Sqd was an airborne platform for the covert OSS Ops ,was
not aware they also operated B-25's

- Rather a puzzle is the composition of the crew, pilot an ex P-38 pilot
while rest from various Libs 15th AF BG's rather an 855 Sqd or OSS
designed task force crew


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