George W. Crittenden, Bombardier
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George W. Crittenden was initially assigned to the 344th B.G., 495th B.S. arriving in Stansted, England in August 1944. He was with that group until assigned to the 410th B.G., 644th B.S., in November 1944, to fly the night missions he has described for you (see his description). He was with the 410th until VE Day, after which he was re-assigned a couple of times. He was with the 344th when they relocated from England to France.
Bombardier, George W. Crittenden, in his office.
Crittenden’s tent in France
George W. Crittenden in his flight suit.
Using a helmet as a shaving basin.
Barracks in France
George W. Crittenden in the nose of a B-26
Ready for sightseeing in Paris.
Bombardier school yearbook portrait
George W. Crittenden stateside
Digging a foxhole in France
George W. Crittenden at Wichita home.
left to right: Edwin C. Aikens, pilot; John P. Ahlers, co-pilot; George W. Crittenden, bombardier (my dad); Robert F. Burton, turret gunner; “Bates- waist gunner”; “Blanchard-tail gunner”.
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…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Crittenden’s daughter, Connie, is in the process of trying to find out all she can about her father’s service and would love to make contact with anyone who knew him during the war. His diary mentions a number of fellows. Connie would like to find out if any of them are still living and, if so, where. Connie mentions one fellow who must have become a particularly good friend of Crittenden. His diary mentions him frequently; there is a note in the front of the diary to this fellow, instructing him as to what to do with his diary if my he didn’t make it. Connie knows that her Dad and this fellow continued to write each other after George was transferred to a different bomb group. They became friends while both serving in the 344th Bomb Group, 495th Bomb Squadron. Connie is not sure if his buddy was also in the 495th B.S., but he was in the 344th B.G. What makes this difficult to solve is that Crittenden never mentions this friend by his given name; he only refers to him as “Downwind.” It would probably take a miracle to figure out who “Downwind” is, but it would be an important finding for Connie. If anyone reading this has some idea, please contact the webmaster (Damonbok@hotmail.com).
George Crittenden and Shopworn Angel
