42-51112

media-51782.jpeg UPL 51782 B-24 42-51112, 733BS, 453BG

Object Number - UPL 51782 - B-24 42-51112, 733BS, 453BG

B-24 42-51112 was hit by a German Me262 jet soon after bombs away over Brunswick, Germany on 31-Mar-45. With one engine out, the Liberator had to leave formation over New Brunswick and lost altitude. With his Navigator badly wounded, the pilot asked if the crew wanted to bail out, but nobody did and all were in the ship when it crash-landed in a field between Tündern and Hamelin, 45km SW of Hannover, Germany. Navigator Murray D. Robinson and Top Turret Gunner Saul Katz were killed in the crash. 8 other crew members were made Prisoners of War (POWs) : Pilot Richard C. Bussell; Co-Pilot John C. Hubbard; Radio Operator Thomas D. Sherman; Nose Turret Gunner Dean P. Kern; Right Waist Gunner Ernest A. Flores; Left Waist Gunner Richard G. Burger; Tail Gunner Stephen L. Silvestro and Observer Robert M. Self. Missing Air Crew Report - MACR 13735.

Connections

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Units served with

Colonel Larry Thomas of the 453rd Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Col Larry Thomas 453BG.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 453rd Bomb Group 733rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 37574497
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 453rd Bomb Group 733rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18076336 at enlistment, then O-758532
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 453rd Bomb Group 733rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 39277648
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 453rd Bomb Group 733rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13063119 at enlistment, then O-2059523
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 453rd Bomb Group 733rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 38387437
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner

Places

Missions

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed To Return (FTR)

31 March 1945 Hit by German Me262 jet, crash-landed near Tündern, Germany

Revisions

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

Corrected Pilot's name : Bussell instead of Russell...

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

MACR 13735.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

MACR 13735 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

42-51112: Gallery (3 items)