G. Allen Crew – Assigned 755th Squadron – August 15, 1944

Gerald Allen and crew were assigned to the 458th in August 1944.  They flew four missions prior to the group coming off of combat operations in mid-September in order to fly resupply missions to Patton’s army in France.  Allen and crew flew three of these “Truckin’ Missions”.  The group went back to flying bombing missions in October, and Allen’s crew participated in nine missions during this month and November.  They were selected for lead crew duties and underwent training in late November.

As a lead crew, the men flew less often than the “wing” crews, thus extending their tour chronologically, but reducing the number of missions required from 35 to 30.  As a lead they were required to have a command pilot in charge of the formation on each mission.  This man generally occupied the co-pilot’s seat.  As a result, the crew’s co-pilot, Eugene O’Donnell was transferred to the 753rd Squadron.  While his mission record is not available, he is shown on one load list flying with the crew of William Patak on February 22, 1945. It is believed that he finished or nearly finished his combat tour by war’s end.  Lt Hage Barnard, the crew’s bombardier, may have flown with other lead crews.  He is photographed with the Bowers crew in what appears to be a post mission picture.

Allen and crew flew four missions in January, four in February and five in March, their last taking place on the 30th to the marshaling yards of Brunswick, Germany.

B-24J-65-CF 44-10602 J3 A  Ten Gun Dottie

Allen’s crew flew this Liberator on seven of their thirty missions.