42-51098

Collided above Zerbst, Germany, with B-24 #42-52447 of the same Squadron. Crashed near Mosigkau, 7km SW of Dessau, Germany, about 200m from the crash location of 447. All nine men on board Killed In Action (KIA): Pilot Joe Guestella (Died of wounds after capture - DOW); Co-Pilot Hal F. Linder; Bombardier/Nose Turret gunner Kelly Crabtree; Navigator Norman A. Harris; Radio Operator Peter J. Calzonetti; Top Turret gunner Howard Cohen; Right Waist gunner Frank W. Tatum; Left Waist gunner Gilbert E. Matthews; Tail gunner John C. Ruppert. Missing Air Crew Report - MACR 8432.

Connections

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Units served with

A pathfinder B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-51681) of the 453rd Bomb Group flies in formation with a fellow Liberator of the 453rd and and a pathfinder Liberator of the 445th Bomb Group. Image via Alan Rowsell.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 445th Bomb Group 703rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 32078302
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 445th Bomb Group 703rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 32887236
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 445th Bomb Group 703rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 34451524
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier, Nose Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 445th Bomb Group 703rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-818860
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 445th Bomb Group 703rd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Places

Signal Squares on the airfield at Tibenham, B-24 Liberators of the 398th Bomb Group are visible in the background. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Tibenham Signal Squares.'
  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Tivetshall

Missions

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

Mosigkau, Germany 16 August 1944 mid-air collision with B-24 #42-52447, crashed near Mosigkau, 7km SW of Dessau, Germany

Revisions

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

MACR 8432

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

MACR 8432

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

MACR 8432 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database