- ZIMMERMAN, Sheldon J., Pilot – KIA 4 April 1944 Garrison
- LAHR, SR., Paul A., Co-Pilot – Pow 4/4/44 Polink
- McDONALD, Duncan W., Navigator
- MURRAY, Gerald , Bombardier
- WINEINGER, Waldo A., Ft/Eng
- TURKIEWICZ, Mark R., Ball Gunner
- HOPPONSTODT, Elbert , Rt Waist
- PELLEGRINO, Thomas M, Lt Waist
- GOERLITZ, Robert E, Nose Turret
- SURVILLA, Andrew D., Tail Turret
719th Squadron
David Councill was the original C.O. from July ‘43 to 8 December ’43 when he and his crew were lost during the movement overseas. Most of the 719th officer and NCO staff were among the 14 men lost aboard Councill’s aircraft. This placed the 719th in dire straits in January ’44. Arthur B. Swan took over as C.O. and began sorting things out in January ’44. He served as the C. O. until he received a serious combat wound on 23 April ‘44. Charles E. Harton from the 717th Squadron was selected to be the acting commander until Art Swan could reassume the position. When Swan was promoted to higher echelon, Harton continued as the acting C.O. until July ‘44. Harold R. Loughran, a lead crew pilot from the 717th became the 719th C.O. in July ‘44 and remained through September ’44. In September ‘44, William Allen became the C.O. and remained so until May ‘45.
Hassan The Assassin
An original cadre ship that never saw combat with the 449th. While being flown overseas by Zimmerman’s crew, this aircraft was “bounced” off a mountain top on 12 December ’43 while making an instrument approach to Borinquen Air Field, Puerto Rico. As a result, the landing gear collapsed after completion of the landing roll! The crew was re-routed to Italy, and the ship remained at Borinquen for recycling and repair. This ship was re-worked and transferred to the 304th Bomb Wing, 459th Bomb Group, 757th Squadron. The 757th renamed the ship “Tamberlane II”.
Los Lobos
(Spanish for “The Wolves”). An original cadre ship acquired 25 October ’43 and assigned to Polink’s crew who flew her overseas in December ’43. The crew co-pilot, Ringle, painted the nose art. “Los Lobos” was flown on eight missions by Polink’s crew. On her ninth mission on 10 February ’44 with Zimmerman’s crew aboard, she was damaged severely on an early return when attempting a downwind landing with a load of fragmentation bombs aboard.
MACR 3879
42-7761
(Spanish for “The Wolves”). An original cadre ship acquired 25 October ‘43 and assigned to Polink’s crew who flew her overseas in December ‘43. The crew co-pilot, Ringle, painted the nose art. “Los Lobos” was flown on eight missions by Polink’s crew. On her ninth mission on 10 February ’44 with Zimmerman’s crew aboard, she was damaged severely on an early return when attempting a downwind landing with a load of fragmentation bombs aboard.
Pictures of Los Lobos
41-29237
An original cadre ship that never saw combat with the 449th. While being flown overseas by Zimmerman’s crew, this aircraft was “bounced” off a mountain top on 12 December ’43 while making an instrument approach to Borinquen Air Field, Puerto Rico. As a result, the landing gear collapsed after completion of the landing roll! The crew was re-routed to Italy, and the ship remained at Borinquen for recycling and repair. This ship was re-worked and transferred to the 304th Bomb Wing, 459th Bomb Group, 757th Squadron. The 757th renamed the ship “Tamberlane II”.
Pictures of Hassen The Assassin
