Front spice and intro pages from Pilot Class Book Class 44-C, Garner Field, Uvalde, Texas.
The above class book photograph shows Robert B. Klemola while in Primary Training at Uvalde, Texas.
The lower photograph (left) shows him in Class 44-C while under Basic Training at Waco.
The lower photograph (right) shows him while in Class 44-C, Advanced Training, Moore Field.
404 Fighter Group / 506 Fighter Squadron
1Lt Robert B. KLEMOLA.
From Evanston, Illinois.
Killed in a post war flying accident while flying P-47D / #44-20221 / 4K-'Z'.
He took off from Y-86 airfield near Fritzlar and crashed one mile north-east near Muehlhausen, Germany (see map below).
1Lt Klemola is buried at Margraten Cemetery, A-1-7. Also see https://www.fieldsofhonor-database.com/index.php/en/american-war-cemetery-margraten-k/47118-klemola-robert-b
61 Troop Carrier Group / 15 Squadron
2Lt Edward E. FITZGERALD Jr.
From Perry, Iowa.
Missing in Action on 23rd November 1944 as co-pilot of V-47A / #42-23332 / 'Stormy' / MACR 10529.
this aircraft took off from A-42 Villacoublay airfield in France for a cargo flight to the UK. Lost over the English Channel in low cloud and rain conditions. 2 bodies eventually washed ashore. 2 MIA / 2 KIA.
2Lt Fitzgerald is commemorated on the Henri Chapelle Cemetery Tablets of the Missing.
The above Class Book photographs are respectively from 44-B Garner Field (right) and 44-C Blackland, Texas.
466 Bomb Group / 787 Bomb Squadron
1Lt Richard J. FARRINGTON.
From St. Louis, Missouri.
Killed in action 21st April 1945 as pilot of B-24J / #42-95592 / T9-'U' / 'Black Cat'.
MACR 14182. Target: Regensburg, Germany. Hit by flak in the bomb bay the left wing tore off and the aircraft disintegrated. Two chutes were seen. The B-24 crashed near Regensburg. 9 KIA / 2 POW.
The above class books photographs were sourced from Pilot Class books 44-C Waco and 44-C Blackland, Texas.
The above group crew photograph plus caption were sourced from the American Air Museum in Britain (UPL 14519).
'Black Cat' #42-95592 nose art. (AAMIB / UPL6517).
Artist impression of T9-'U' (via website 'Greeks in foreign cockpits').
The above illustration was sourced via www.b24bestweb.com
A sad statistical fact: #42-95592 was the last B-24 to be lost in the war....