42-97666   LUCKY LADY


MACR 11234

MISSION #183

TARGET: HAMBURG OIL REFINERY
Crew on December 31, 1944
F/O
JOHN F KOSTUCH
PILOT
KIA
12 MISSIONS
2LT
ROBERT McCUTCHEN
COPILOT
POW
7 MISSIONS
F/O
WILLIAM R SILWAY
NAVIGATOR
POW
12 MISSIONS
SSGT
JAMES R ALLEN
TOGOLIER
POW
9 MISSIONS
TSGT
WILLIAM R WILLARD
RADIOMAN
POW
12 MISSIONS
SSGT
CHARLES L BUATTE
BT GUNNER
POW
12 MISSIONS
TSGT
GEORGE W ZIMMER
ENGINEER
POW
12 MISSIONS
SSGT
NICK MORAMARCO
TAIL GUNNER
POW
12 MISSIONS
SSGT
LEON L ROBERTS
W GUNNER
POW
12 MISSIONS
While in the vicinity of the Rally Point, the formation was attacked by 15-20 German
FW-190's at @ 12:05 hours. 42-97666 tokk a hit by enemy aircraft in the #2 engine and
wing; both were on fire. The plane followed the formation for several minutes, lagging
behind. It then went into a steep spiral and was last seen at @ 12:13 hours. It crashed
at Hellwege, 10km west of Rosenburg, Germany.
Additional note: While doing research on this plane, I found the same A/C
#42-97666 assigned to the 388th BG/562nd BS with the name WOLF WAGON. My
best guess is the Wolf Wagon completed 28 missions with the 388th, with it's
last mission on November 6, 1944, then was transferred to the 452nd and
renamed Lucky Lady. If anyone can help on this, it would be greatly
appreciated.