44-40874
This was a just delivered B-24 that Thomas Dilworth (680-P) had taken up for a "orientation flight" and to get checked out by the squadron operations officer. Attempting to land in a driving snow storm the aircraft was wrecked before it ever saw combat. 466th Bomb Group collection
466th BG Historian
Object Number - UPL 7148 - B-24J-165-CO #44-40874 no name Code: none This was a just delivered B-24 that Thomas Dilworth (680-P) had taken up for a "orientation flight" and...
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 466th Bomb Group 785th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-724583
- Highest Rank: Major
- Role/Job: Squadron Operations Officer
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 466th Bomb Group 786th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-719577
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot/Co-Pilot
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Attlebridge Arsenal, Station 120
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Crashed |
Attlebridge, Norwich, Norfolk NR9, UK | 5 January 1945 | "We were on an orientation flight. Five new first pilots were getting checked out by Major Lewis Beall, 785th BS Operations Officer. I took the plane off and we flew around getting familiar with various procedures and check points. The weather started getting bad so we decided to get back on the ground as soon as possible. A Lt. Colonel fresh from Training Command was at the controls and turning on final approach. He suddenly decided to relinquish control to me and we made a quick switch. I didn't even have a chance to get my seat belt on! When I got in the seat we were off course to the runway. I should have pulled up and gone around. Instead we hit the runway in a skid, with the plane not properly lined up , and result was the plane was totaled! A couple of things about this event stand out in my mind. The first being the fact that not getting my seat belt on saved my life. I ended up in the instrument panel, but the #2 propeller cut into the cockpit and chopped the pilot's seat in half. Secondly when Major Jacobowitz got on the seen he yelled "You son of a bitch, you ruined my plane!" This was my first introduction to "Jake." As a result of the accident I flew 5 or 6 missions as co-pilot on the Paul Evans Crew. His co-pilot, David Cahill took my crew on their first 5 or 6 missions. After Cahill completed his tour with those missions, I got my crew back and finished my tour with them." - Thomas M. Dilworth - Pilot |
