391st BOMB GROUP: Loadlist Aircraft information for serial number: 43-34201
Aircraft Details for serial number: 43-34201 - Note: Squadron and Codes shown are the most frequent non-blank values
Taxi Code Squadron Serial Code Missions
201-K143-34201IH-K2

Aircraft history for serial number: 43-34201 (kindly provided by Paul Clouting).
Built at the Glenn L Martin factory at Baltimore, Maryland as a B-26G-1-MA. Accepted by the Army Air Force on 29/5/44. Then flown by New Castle (2nd Ferry Group), Wilmington, Deleware (from 20/6/44), to the 3rd AF staging area at Hunter Field, Savannah, Georgia (from 20/6/44). Then went to Dow Field, Bangor, Maine (from 28/6/44), from where the aircraft was flown overseas to the UK via the Northern Ferry Route (Listed as North Atlantic Wing), departing the USA on 28/6/44. The aircraft record card then lists, GLUE 9AF A (Europe - 9th AF) from 28/6/44, and GLUE 9AF G (Europe - 9th AF) from 8/7/44. Flown overseas by 1st Lt. Gerald W Shirey and crew as an unassigned 9th AF replacement aircraft, picked up from Dow Field, Bangor, Maine (We have a copy of the original shipment order). Entered combat with the 1st Pathfinder Squadron on 20/8/44. Hit by flak in the left engine on the run in to the target on 22/1/45. They managed to release on target, and limped back to base with the left engine cutting out. When they reached A-72 Peronne, they could not land due to a snow storm and were directed to A-74 airfield by radio. About 5 miles North North East of the airfield both engines quit and the pilot 1st Lt. Joseph M BuBois attempted to put the aircraft down in a field, but on descent noticed a concrete telegraph pole in the middle of the field, so he hauled back on the control collumn, missing the pole but slammed down into the ground beyond it, sliding into trees in the Boise de Buire. The aircraft hit an Oak tree which tore off a wing, spraying out fuel and broke the fuselage. The navigator, Lt. Robbins and Engineer, Sgt. Glass were killed when the OBOE equipment broke loose crushing them to death in the radio compartment. The pilot and co-pilot, Lt. Britanik managed to drag out all the crew before the aircraft caught fire and were awarded the Silver Star for their actions. The final entry on the aircraft record card lists, GLUE 9AF CON SAL NBD on 23/1/45.

Loadlist Taxi Sheet listing for serial number: 43-34201
Mission Date Station Box Flight Position Pilot A/C Squadron Hardstand Taxi Code Serial Status
19330 Nov 1944A-73111DuBois, J. M.1201-K43-34201pathfinder
20113 Dec 1944A-73111DuBois, J. M.1201-K43-34201pathfinder