24 March 1945, #43-15073 took part, among the 440th T.C.G., on her last mission in the European theatre of operations. The four squadrons of the group included 90 aircraft with serials A16 and A17 dropping men and gliders of the U.S. 17th Airborne Division around the town of Wesel, Germany, despite intense enemy anti-aircraft fire.
Two planes from the 440th T.C.G. were shot down and fourteen seriously damaged. Among them was 43-15073, which needed the right aileron replaced.

Following the leave of James P. Harper from the 95th TCS on February 25, 1945, the nickname of #43-15073 was changed. She is nicknamed now 'HOWDY STRANGER'





* Her crew during Operation VARSITY

PILOT

2nd Lieutenant George E. MORROW
O-769358
Colombus - Nebraska

CO-PILOT

2nd Lieutenant James F. HERPICK
O-817027
New-York - New-York

RADIO-OPERATOR

S/Sergeant Joseph R. BUCKNER
38411772

Baytown - Texas

CREW CHIEF

S/Sergeant Lafette J. NERREN
06249750

Houston - Texas

* CG-4A glider in tow
 

PILOT

2nd Lieutenant Donald R. NELSON
O-1999569

Adrian - Michigan

 

CO-PILOT

Flight Officer Henry B. SELMSER
T-136300

Coeur D'Alene - Idaho




Annex 2 to F.O. #5 - Air Movement Table - 22 March 1945
Annex 3 to F.O. #5 - Route Overlay - 22 March 1945
Annex 5 to F.O. #5 - Parking and Loading Plan - 22 March 1945
Glider tow Serial A-16 - 22 March 1945
Operation orders #83 - 95th T.C.S Combat crews - 24 March 1945
Combat operation - 24 March 1945
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