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H.C. Hopkins Crew (AA125) - Assigned 753rd Squadron - May 11, 1944 |
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2Lt Herbert C. Hopkins, Jr Crew (L-R) |
Back Row: Leo Yashkas - RO, Will Gredicek - BTG, Dewey Belk - E/RWG, Edward Garcia - LWG, Mick Lauro - TG, Pat Kavanaugh - TTG
Front Row: Kent Kane - B, Arthur Willis - N, Charles Hamilton - CP, Herbert Hopkins - P
(Photo: Margaret Garcia Holt)
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Hopkins Crew - Interned in Switzerland July 12, 1944 (MACR #6928) |
| Name |
Pos |
Status |
Date |
Notes |
|
1Lt Herbert C. Hopkins, Jr. |
P |
INT |
12 Jul 1944 |
Last Mission: Munich |
|
F/O Charles H. Hamilton |
CP |
INT |
12 Jul 1944 |
Last Mission: Munich |
|
FlO Arthur W. Willis, Jr. |
N |
INT |
12 Jul 1944 |
Last Mission: Munich |
|
2Lt Kent K. Kane |
B |
INT |
12 Jul 1944 |
Last Mission: Munich |
|
S/Sgt Dewey L. Belk |
E/RWG |
INT |
12 Jul 1944 |
Last Mission: Munich |
|
S/Sgt Leo J. Yashkas |
RO |
INT |
12 Jul 1944 |
Last Mission: Munich |
|
Sgt Patrick H. Kavanaugh |
TTG |
TRSF |
7 Jul 1944 |
Transfer to 60th Sta Compl Sq |
|
S/Sgt Edward J. Garcia |
NTG |
INT |
12 Jul 1944 |
Last Mission: Munich |
|
Sgt William J. Gredicek |
BTG |
INT |
12 Jul 1944 |
Last Mission: Munich |
|
S/Sgt Michael-Angelo J. Lauro |
TG |
INT |
12 Jul 1944 |
Last Mission: Munich |
The Hopkins crew was able to get in 15 missions in their two months with the 754th Squadron. On their 15th, a mission to Munich, their aircraft, B-24H-25-FO 42-95096 BOMBS AWAY, apparently suffered excessive gas consumption. Near Metz, France, the crew was forced to feather #3 engine and turn for Switzerland. It was here that they remained until the war in Europe ended in May 1945.
Sgt Patrick H. Kavanaugh was not on the July 12th mission. His place as top turret gunner was taken by T/Sgt Clarence C. Connelly, an original member of the 754th Squadron from Crew 54 (pilot 2Lt Charles W. "Red" Stilson). Connelly was one of the survivors on Crew 54 when they were shot down near the base by German intruders, which had followed the 2nd Bombardment Division Liberators home on April 22, 1944. The ME-410s used the cover of darkness to slip in and wreak havoc among the bombers that letting down over Norfolk. Three of his fellow crewmembers were killed.
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Hopkins Crew Missions |
|
Date |
Target |
A/C Serial |
RCL |
SQDN |
A/C Name |
458th Sortie # |
Pilot Msn # |
Notes |
|
28-May-1944 |
ZEITZ |
42-95096 |
F |
Z5 |
BOMBS AWAY |
49 |
1 |
|
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29-May-1944 |
TUTOW A/F |
42-95096 |
F |
Z5 |
BOMBS AWAY |
50 |
2 |
|
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30-May-1944 |
ZWISCHENAHN A/F |
42-95096 |
F |
Z5 |
BOMBS AWAY |
51 |
3 |
|
|
2-Jun-1944 |
STELLA/PLAGE |
41-28682 |
I |
Z5 |
UNKNOWN (if any) |
53 |
4 |
|
|
4-Jun-1944 |
BOURGES A/F |
42-95096 |
F |
Z5 |
BOMBS AWAY |
54 |
5 |
|
|
6-Jun-1944 |
PONTAUBAULT |
42-95096 |
F |
Z5 |
BOMBS AWAY |
58 |
-- |
MISSION #3 - ABORT |
|
8-Jun-1944 |
PONTAUBAULT |
42-95096 |
F |
Z5 |
BOMBS AWAY |
60 |
6 |
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10-Jun-1944 |
CHATEAUDUN |
42-95096 |
F |
Z5 |
BOMBS AWAY |
61 |
7 |
|
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11-Jun-1944 |
BLOIS |
42-51196 |
Q |
Z5 |
xxxxxxxx QUEEN |
62 |
8 |
|
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12-Jun-1944 |
EVREUX/FAUVILLE |
42-95096 |
F |
Z5 |
BOMBS AWAY |
63 |
9 |
|
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14-Jun-1944 |
GUYANCOURT |
42-95096 |
F |
Z5 |
BOMBS AWAY |
65 |
10 |
|
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15-Jun-1944 |
BOHLEN |
42-95096 |
F |
Z5 |
BOMBS AWAY |
-- |
-- |
SCRUBBED |
|
24-Jun-1944 |
CONCHES A/F |
42-95108 |
M |
Z5 |
ENVY OF 'EM ALL II |
75 |
11 |
MISSION #1 |
|
25-Jun-1944 |
ST. OMER |
42-95096 |
U |
Z5 |
BOMBS AWAY |
78 |
12 |
|
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6-Jul-1944 |
KIEL |
42-95096 |
U |
Z5 |
BOMBS AWAY |
85 |
13 |
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12-Jul-1944 |
MUNICH |
42-95096 |
U |
Z5 |
BOMBS AWAY |
89 |
14 |
LANDED IN SWITZERLAND |
Compiled from 458th BG formation plans on which pilot's name appears (all missions may not be a credited sortie)
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B-25H-25-FO 42-95096 "Bombs Away" with ground crewmen (George Reynolds) |
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S/Sgt Edward J. Garcia (center) in Switzerland (Margaret Garcia Holt) |
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Victory Party (Margaret Garcia Holt) |
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