42-51112
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
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
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: 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
- Site type: Airfield
Missions
- Date: 31 March 1945
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Other Failed To Return (FTR) |
31 March 1945 | Hit by German Me262 jet, crash-landed near Tündern, Germany |