Name: Robert “Bob” Londo
First Name(s): Robert “Bob”
Last Name: Londo
Place of birth: Michigan, Kent Cnty, Grand Rapids
Rank: T/Sgt Crew Chief
ASN: 36423562
Company: 96th T Car Sqdrn
Unit: 440th Troop Carrier Grp 9th USAAF
Reported as: MIA ► RTD
Date of incident: 27-12-1944
Place of incident: Bastogne area
His story: On December 27, 1944, Maeder crew took off with Douglas SKYTRAIN C-47A-75-DL, #42-100916 from the airstrip at Châteaudun, France.
After dropping the glider into the Landing Zone (LZ) the airplane of Pilot 1 Lt Alan J Maeder was hit by FLAK. It was struck by a shell, which exploded in the fire extinguisher box between Lt Maeder and Co-Pilot 2 Lt Lee W Dahman. Bullets pierced the fuselage behind the pilot and a fire had erupted. Together with both pilots, Radio Operator Cpl Robert L Holste they didn’t manage to escape from the plane before it crashed in flames.
It was only Crew Chief T/Sgt Robert Londo who managed to bail out safely.
MACR: 11325
Operation: REPULSE
Destination: Bastogne, Belgium
Mission: Glider Tow
Unit history of 440th Troop Carrier Group
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