Martin B-26 Marauder 41-17858 "Coughin' Coffin" was one of the
original 17th Bomb Group Marauders in service from November 18th 1942. It belonged to 34th Bomb Squadron, well known as
The Thunderbirds. "Coughin' Coffin" flew 50 missions, and was shot up on a mission July 11th 1943 to Trapani-Milo Airdrome on Sicily. The flak was heavy, and wounded seventeen 34th BS crewmen, of which three died. Fifteen planes from 34th BS were damaged, of these eight seriously damaged, and two were irrepairable.
"Coughin Coffin" had it's left engine knocked out, and pilot Fred Mehner landed the a/c at the 319th BG field with only left landing gear and nose wheel down. It was repaired and returned to U.S. on Bond Tour October 29th 1943.
Regarding George V. Lane; according to 34th BS WWII history he flew 42 missions with "The Thunderbird". He joined the 34th BS on 22 April 1943 in Telergma, Algeria, and flew his first mission on May 6th 1943.
If he flew the "Coffin" on some missions that must have been between this date and July 7th 1943. On July 11th mission to Trapani-Milo AD he flew another plane, which he belly landed at Mateur, Tunisia, after being shot up. According to 34th BS this must have been 41-18211. 34th BS today:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellsworth_AFB
<message edited by deefeater on 11/08/2006 02:39:16 AM >