B-24J The Flying Cloud

[Olsavsky]

I am seeking any information on the B-24J named The Flying Cloud from WW2. The planes S/N number was 42-73324. I am doing research for my mother who is 92. Her cousin was the navigator on this plane, and she knew him as a little girl before he went to war. The plane took off for a mission from Chengkung airfield in China on June 24th, 1944, and never returned. Attached is the MACR's report on the plane's loss. This plane was enroute to the rally point for a bombing mission, but never made it there. There were no sightings from any other planes that day as to what happened to it, but it did not make it to the rally point.

I have done extensive research on this plane and the airfield, but have not found much other than the MACR's report.

If anyone know anything about what happened to this plane, I would like to pass it on to my mother before she passes on.

Thank you.

[Lynn Kelley]

I don't have information on the plane's loss, but I did find the attached photo in my grandfather's things. He was a navigator on the Escalator III, but he may have been on the Floogie that day. He was very close with the bombardier Maddox who was on the Flying Cloud.

[Olsavsky]

Thank you for the photo. I will forward it on to my mother who is now 92. Do you have any information on what the target was for that days mission, or where the rally point was? My suspicion is that the plane went down in the mountains of eastern China, which would explain why no one saw it or that the wreckage was never found.