Mustaleski Crew
| Summer, 1944 |
RTU, Avon Park, FL |
| 12/44 |
In Transit (by air) |
| 12/44 |
709th Squadron, Rattlesden, UK |
| Missions flown: |
32 |
| Assigned Aircraft: |
Blue Hen Chick |
Standing, L-R: Farley, ENG,
John Kirkwood, Togglier, Alex Staples, ROG; Armando Cioccke, WG; Clarence
Walker,TG; William Grove, BTG
Kneeling, L-R: Everett Dyson, NAV James Grewe, CP; Thomas Mustaleski, P
Mustaleski crew, 709th
Rattlesden, Apr 4, 1945
Standing L-R:
Lt Thomas Mustaleski
Lt James Grewe
Lt George Szewczyk
Sgt Armando Cioccke
Sgt Alex Staples
Sgt John Kirkwood
Kneeling L-R:
Pfc. Ullrich (Radio monitor)
Sgt P.I. Farley
Sgt Clarence Walker
Sgt Carlos Cordova (crew chief)
Sgt William Grove
Leingang (Krug crew), Walker,
Cioccke, Kirkwood and Staples
| |
NO. |
DATE |
TARGET |
AIRCRAFT |
COMMENTS |
| 1 |
202 |
1/15/45 |
AUGSBURG |
43-38230 Wolf Wagon |
1st Pilot on this mission was
Cohen |
| 2 |
204 |
1/20/45 |
HEILBRONN |
42-97624 Devil's Mate II |
|
| 3 |
205 |
1/21/45 |
MANNHEIM |
42-97976 A Bit O' Lace |
|
| 4 |
206 |
1/29/45 |
KASSEL |
42-31188 Dead Man's Hand |
|
| 5 |
207 |
2/1/45 |
WESSEL |
42-97836 Bugs Bunny Jr. |
|
| 6 |
210 |
2/9/45 |
WEIMAR |
43-37667 |
|
| 7 |
214 |
2/14/45 |
WESEL |
43-37873 Nazdrowie |
|
| 8 |
214 |
2/16/45 |
WESEL |
42-97976 A Bit O' Lace |
|
| 9 |
214 |
2/19/45 |
WESEL |
43-38605 The BigAss Bird |
|
| 10 |
217 |
2/23/45 |
CRAILSHEIM |
43-38768 |
|
| 11 |
218 |
2/24/45 |
BREMEN |
43-38605 The BigAss Bird |
|
| 12 |
219 |
2/25/45 |
NEUBERG |
43-37795 |
|
| 13 |
220 |
2/26/45 |
BERLIN |
43-37795 |
|
| 14 |
221 |
2/27/45 |
LEIPZIG |
43-38849 |
|
| 15 |
222 |
3/1/45 |
ULM |
43-38719 Blue Hen Chick |
|
| 16 |
223 |
3/2/45 |
DRESDEN |
43-38719 Blue Hen Chick |
|
| 17 |
225 |
3/7/45 |
DATTELN |
43-37873 Nazdrowie |
|
| 18 |
226 |
3/8/45 |
FRANKFURT |
43-38719 Blue Hen Chick |
Dyson leaves for retraining,
Kirkwood
becomes navigator |
| 19 |
228 |
3/10/45 |
DORTMUND |
43-38719 Blue Hen Chick |
|
| 20 |
230 |
3/12/45 |
MARBURG |
43-38605 The BigAss Bird |
|
| 21 |
232 |
3/15/45 |
ORANIENBURG |
43-38719 Blue Hen Chick |
|
| 22 |
239 |
3/23/45 |
HOLZWICKEDE |
43-38605 The BigAss Bird |
|
| 23 |
240 |
3/24/45 |
VARRELBUSCH A/F |
43-38719 Blue Hen Chick |
|
| 24 |
241 |
3/28/45 |
HANOVER |
43-38719 Blue Hen Chick |
|
| 25 |
242 |
3/30/45 |
HAMBURG |
43-38719 Blue Hen Chick |
|
| 26 |
243 |
3/31/45 |
BRANDENBURG |
43-38719 Blue Hen Chick |
|
| 27 |
245 |
4/4/45 |
KIEL |
42-97976 A Bit O' Lace |
Rtn w/o left stabilizer
see 42-97976 |
| 28 |
248 |
4/8/45 |
PLAUEN |
43-38719 Blue Hen Chick |
|
| 29 |
252 |
4/14/45 |
ROYAN AREA |
43-38719 Blue Hen Chick |
|
| 30 |
253 |
4/15/45 |
ROYAN AREA |
43-38719 Blue Hen Chick |
|
| 31 |
254 |
4/16/45 |
ROYAN AREA |
43-38719 Blue Hen Chick |
|
| 32 |
256 |
4/19/45 |
DRESDEN |
43-38719 Blue Hen Chick |
|
Photos and details courtesy
of Mr. Rob Kirkwood
John Kirkwood in the nose
Mr. Kirkwood took the photos included below
Lined up on the perimeter track, waiting for
take-off
Probably February 19, 1945 mission to Wessel
Forming up -- Group assembly over the field. The
lead aircraft
is trailing smoke as a visual marker for other pilots.
March 8, 1945 -- heading to Frankfurt over a solid
cloud cover.
Aircraft is Pathfinder 44-8365 Z
Plauen Raid, April 8, 1945
