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Enlisted men of the Both Crew R-44, from left to right...
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Theodore Tucci, gunner
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Allen Sabol, gunner
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John Paul Harper, gunner
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J L Graham, gunner
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Paul Duran, radio Operator
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Ira Guinn, gunner
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Both Crew R-44 (613) Summary
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The Both Replacement Crew R-44 arrived in North Pickenham during July. After a little in-house training they were assigned to the 856th BS, designated as Crew 613.
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Our initial count shows that they flew 4 missions. We think that the entire crew was on each of those missions.
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Their last mission was on 4 Aug 44. Their ship was hit by flak over the target area near Keil, Germany. They attempted to limp back, but soon after they got over the North Sea they lost two engines and began losing altitude rapidly. They were forced to turn around to Germany. The whole crew managed to survive the bail out and became POWs. 10 POW, MACR 7714.
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Tucci's leg had been severely wounded during the battle. His friend and comrade, Sgt Sabol, administered first aid and helped him bail out. The Germans picked him up and sent him to a hospital in Flensburg.
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The plane crashed in Germany just 50 meters from the village of Ladelund, which is about 8 kilometers north of Leck or 25 kilometers west of Flensburg.
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Allen Sabol made a tape recording of his war experiences for the Veterans History Project. They transcribed the recording into text. It is available online for anyone to read (see the link under Weblinks). We made an edited version for this website, broken down into six parts (see the links under Stories).
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Sabol's story is chilling! He describes in detail some of his experiences from the infamous death march forced upon the prisoners at Stalag Luft IV. But his story is also heartwarming, as he tells of the love and commitment shared during the war. His story is well worth reading and remembering.
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| Note . . . |
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Harold Both's name appears on the side of the Collings Foundation B-24 Liberator as a contributing participant of its restoration. See the second "Photos" link to the right.
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If anyone knows the whereabouts of the co-pilot, R S Carter, or anyone from his family, please contact us. Allen Sabol and his daughter, Laurie, are trying to find him. We'll certainly pass any information to them.
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More Info |
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Original Roster for
Both Crew R-44 (613)
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| Position |
Name |
Rank |
Serial # |
Notes |
Pilot
MOS 1024 |
Both, Harold Jr |
2nd Lt |
O-701876 |
POW, 4 Aug 44, MACR 7714, Stalag Luft III |
Co-Pilot
MOS 1024 |
Carter, R S |
2nd Lt |
O-706130 |
POW, 4 Aug 44, MACR 7714, Stalag Luft III |
Navigator
MOS 1034 |
Guidroz, Henry F Jr |
F/O |
T-125540 |
POW, 4 Aug 44, MACR 7714 |
Bombardier
MOS 1035 |
Johnson, Frank C |
2nd Lt |
O-717063 |
POW, 4 Aug 44, MACR 7714 |
Engineer
MOS 748 |
Graham, J L |
S/Sgt |
38106027 |
POW, 4 Aug 44, MACR 7714, Stalag Luft IV |
Radio
Operator
MOS 757 |
Duran, Paul W |
Sgt |
19105097 |
POW, 4 Aug 44, MACR 7714, Stalag Luft IV |
Gunner
MOS 611 |
Guinn, Ira C |
Cpl |
38563945 |
Promoted Sgt
POW, 4 Aug 44, MACR 7714 |
Gunner
MOS 611 |
Sabol, Allen S |
Cpl |
37622516 |
Promoted Sgt
POW, 4 Aug 44, MACR 7714, Stalag Luft IV |
Gunner
MOS 612 |
Harper, John Paul |
Sgt |
34651428 |
POW, 4 Aug 44, MACR 7714, Stalag Luft IV |
Gunner
MOS 612 |
Tucci, Theodore L |
Cpl |
12164839 |
Promoted Sgt
POW, 4 Aug 44, MACR 7714, Dulag Luft XII
WIA, treated in German hospital |
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Both Crew R-44 (613)
492nd BG Mission Record
856th Bomb Squadron
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Crew
Mission
Number |
Group
Mission
Number |
Group
Mission
Date |
Aircraft
Serial
Number |
Primary Target |
Mission Notes |
| 01 |
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29 Jul 44 |
44-40157 |
Oslebhausen, Germany |
Target: Oil refinery
A/C borrowed from 857th BS |
| 02 |
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31 Jul 44 |
42-50486 |
Ludwigshafen, Germany |
Target: Chemical plant |
| 03 |
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1 Aug 44 |
42-50486 |
Anizy, France |
Target: Railroad bridge |
| Abort |
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3 Aug 44 |
42-95272 |
Mery-sur-Oise, France |
Target: Crossbow (V-1 rockets)
Aborted, uncredited |
| 04 |
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4 Aug 44 |
44-40135 |
Kiel, Germany |
Target: Submarine base
Lost to flak
10 POW, MACR 7714 |
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