98th Bomber Group a/c

[Alex Smart]

Hello,

Am seeking the serial number of an a/c of the 98th Bomber Group.

Last three numbers were "818".
Time period June 1944

I came up with 17 "818"'s.
Anyone know which it was please ?

B24D's
41-11818
41-23818
42-40818
42-63818
42-72818

B24H
41-28818
42-94818

B24J
42-50818
42-51818
42-99818
42-109818
44-48818
44-49818

B24L
44-49818

B24M
44-41818
44-50818
44-51818

Anyone have details, even to be able to eliminate some from the search ?

Thanks
Alex

[HGabor]

Hi Alex,
I guess you need the June 6, 1944 mission. The plane was 98 BG, 415 BS B-24J-105-CO, S/N: 42-109818, red 'L'. AC was not lost, but one crewman was killed, five others bailed out. See attached list. Hope this helps.

Gabor

[vathra]

MACR 5892.
Available at Fold3, but in some heap of papers.

Is there any info on crew?
I have testimony on Vlachos' escape, but not on the others.
They were supposedly rescued by chetniks during Halyard mission.

Their Escape statements are not in archives of 98bg, nor 15AAF.

[Rottler]

The crew of B-24 J-105-CO 42-109818 on 6 June 1944:

Pilot 2nd Lt Lewis R. Kalb returned to duty
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Edward S. Dieringer returned to duty
Navigator 2nd Lt William M. Wade returned to duty
Bombardier 2nd Lt Robert N. Vlachos bailed out
Engr-Gunner T/Sgt Calhoun H. Mullen returned to duty
Radio-Gunner T/Sgt Charles H. Jackson returned to duty
Arm-Gunner S/Sgt Rueben P. Staub bailed out
Aer-Gunner S/Sgt Benedict V. Mazzara bailed out
Ass’t Engr-Gunner S/Sgt Glenn A. Mitchell bailed out
Aer-Gunner S/Sgt Richard A. Martin Jr. Bailed out
Ass’t Engr-Gunner S/Sgt Celestino H. Garcia Jr. killed.

Five men jumped and five parachutes were seen to open. On return one crew member was dead.
No search was made. Men bailed out over enemy territory.

Source: MACR 5892

Regards
Leo

[researcher111]

The 5 parachuted West of Danube river , cant find Lt Robert N. Vlachos on Romanian POW listings nor those of Shumen Bulgaria , any idea ?
did he join the Chetniks or Tito's Partizans ?

Alex K

[vathra]

Vlachos bailed on Romanian side of Danube, but with local help he was transferred to chetniks in Yugoslavia.
Others were probably also rescued by chetniks, they appear on some lists, but I dont have solid proof for them.

[Alex Smart]

Hello,
Thank you all for the replies.
I had read the MACR and do have the data file that you gave a link from Gabor, how/where did the 42-109 part show up ?
Is in the file on another page or do you have alternative references for it ?
In any event MANY THANKS to All
Alex

[researcher111]

If he joined the Chetniks any idea when he was airlifted to Bari because also
this listing at my end does not show Vlachos ?

[HGabor]

Hi Alex,
I got the plane list of the 98 BG from historian and only THIS '818' was marked with 'L'. (Serial no. is a perfect match for June, 1944 too.)
Cheers,
Gabor

[Alex Smart]

Thanks for confirmation Gabor, You made a great link with the serial number and a/c letter.
Many thanks.
Regards to airlifting evaders, some were also taken out by small ships I believe, some 200+ US airmen were airlifted I believe.
There is a website that has details of agents and evaders/escapes taken off by ship but cannot find it now.

Alex