Klein Crew – Assigned 754th Squadron – August 8, 1944

2Lt Edward E. Klein and crew arrived at Horsham St. Faith on August 8, 1944 and were assigned to the 754th Squadron.  After a period of indoctrination into the ETO, the crew flew their first combat mission on August 24th.

The 458th was one of the groups chose to participate in Operation Truckin’, the transportation of gasoline to Gen. Patton’s army in France.  After flying six missions in August and September, Klein and crew flew nine gas hauls to Clastres and Lille, France.  The 458th went back on combat operations in October, and Klein flew five missions to round out the month.

While records are not entirely accurate or complete, Klein is shown participating in a total of 37 credited Sorties, their last on March 3, 1945.  At the point that the crew arrived in the ETO, the minimum requirement on missions for each crew member was 35. It is notable that this crew did not have one single abort during their eight months of combat flying.

Records show that Lt Virgil Fisher, the crew’s navigator, was assigned to a lead crew of Capt Harold B. Dane at some point during his combat tour.  Fisher went to Attlebridge in January 1945 for G-H Training.   He most probably completed his tour as a lead navigator with Dane.  He was transferred to the 96th Combat Bombardment Wing (HQ at Horsham St Faith) in April.

The rest of the crew went on their mid-tour Rest Home leave on December 10, 1944.  The officers were off to Knightshayes Court in Devonshire, while the enlisted men went to The Palace Hotel in Lancashire.  After this period, there is no mention in group or squadron records of any crew members, except for Sgt Carmi J. Steele.  He is shown being transferred to the 755th Squadron on May 17, 1945.  Most of the enlisted men were most likely promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant, at some point after December.

It is unknown if members of this crew received the Distinguished Flying Cross for completing their combat tour.

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The Klein Crew were involved in a landing accident in the States during their combat crew training.

Accident Report 44-05-19-16

NARRATIVE of ACCIDENT
On 19 May 1944, at approximately 1745 NWT, the pilot of a B-24J type aircraft, Serial No. 42-64163, came in for an emergency landing with his #1 engine feathered. His return to the area of the field with one motor out was normal as was his traffic pattern. However, he did not start to get his gear down until he had rolled onto his base leg. The main wheels came down and locked, but the nose wheel, although it had started down, stopped when the nose wheel strut was partially extended. The tower advised the pilot that the nose wheel was not down and for him to go around. However, the pilot could not accomplish this and, as he could neither gain altitude nor maintain a straight course, he decided to land; making a crash landing to the left of the runway, damaging the lower part of the nose section of the airplane and the skin of the lower rear of the fuselage.

In Biloxi, MS during training in 1943, and pictured (right) with an unidentified friend.

S/Sgt Abernathy, Odus, participated in a heavy bombardment sortie at AAF Sta 123 on the following dates.

No comment as to soldier being favorable or unfavorable considered for Good Conduct Medal at time of transfer.

See original list

Courtesy: Ronnie Abernathy

1Lt Virgil L. Fisher

Bill Edkins – Navigator; Virgil Fisher – Navigator; Charles Pool – Co-Pilot; Harold McMorris – Bombardier; Harold Dane – Pilot

Virgil Fisher’s A-2 flight jacket

Practice bomb – Crew 67

Fisher found this piece of flak lying by his foot in the aircraft – a close call!

(Courtesy: Steve & Gary Fisher)