Bomber Pilot

Born: 18 February 1920, Cernauti

Units:

• late 1943 - October 1944: 2nd Bomber Group
• October 1944 - 21 April 1945: 1st Bomber Group

Combat missions: 35

Victories: -

Decorations:

• Virtutea Aeronautica Gold Cross class with one bar

War episode:

On 21 April 1945, the JRS-79B1 no. 224 flown by lt. av. Eusebie Hladiuc was part of a formation 9 aircraft of the 1st Bomber Group, which had to bomb the railway station and marshalling yards at Uhersky-Brod. Around Trenchin, the airplane experienced some engine problems and the on-board commander, cpt. av. Lucian Gheorghiu (observer), decided to turn back to base. But they didn't get there. Lt. av. Hladiuc spotted a small airfield at Banovce and attempted to land the bomber. The crash, however, was very violent and resulted in the death of serg. Petre Udatu (machine-gunner/mechanic) and the injury of the rest of the crew. Fortunately for them a VVS medical unit was stationed on that airfield and they were rescued immediately.

Lt. av. Eusebie Hladiuc

Lt. av. Eusebie Hladiuc with his JRS-79B1 no 218.

Lt. av. Eusebie Hladiuc in the cockpit of a Savoia.