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Both Crew R-44 (613)
 Both Crew R-44
Enlisted men of the Both Crew R-44, from left to right...
Theodore Tucci, gunner
Allen Sabol, gunner
John Paul Harper, gunner
J L Graham, gunner
Paul Duran, radio Operator
Ira Guinn, gunner
Both Crew R-44 (613) Summary
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.
Our initial count shows that they flew 4 missions. We think that the entire crew was on each of those missions.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
Note . . .
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.
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.
More Info
2 pictures
Collings Foundation
by Harold Both
Sabol's Story...
1) 
2) 
3) 
4) 
5) 
6) 
44-40157
LUCKY LASS
42-50486
42-95272
PURSUIT OF
HAPPINESS
44-40135
DAISY MAE
Links to missions
flown by the
Both Crew R-44
are below in their
Mission Record
The Allen Sabol
Collection
Veterans History
Project
Original Roster for
Both Crew R-44 (613)
Position / MOS 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
Both Crew R-44 (613)
492nd BG Mission Record
856th Bomb Squadron
Crew
Mission
Number
Group
Mission
Number
Group
Mission
Date
Aircraft
Serial
Number
Primary Target Mission Notes
01
 Link to Mission 58 page 58
29 Jul 44 44-40157 Oslebhausen, Germany Target: Oil refinery
A/C borrowed from 857th BS
02
 Link to Mission 59 page 59
31 Jul 44 42-50486 Ludwigshafen, Germany Target: Chemical plant
03
 Link to Mission 60 page 60
1 Aug 44 42-50486 Anizy, France Target: Railroad bridge
Abort
 Link to Mission 61 page 61
3 Aug 44 42-95272 Mery-sur-Oise, France Target: Crossbow (V-1 rockets)
Aborted, uncredited
04
 Link to Mission 62 page 62
4 Aug 44 44-40135 Kiel, Germany Target: Submarine base
Lost to flak
10 POW, MACR 7714
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Page last modified Tuesday, October 4, 2011.