42-78483

B-24 Liberator (MK-A+_, serial number 42-78483) of the 445th Bomb Group flies with a fellow Liberator. media-380562.jpg FRE 1740 My Dad's B-24 Liberator (MK-A+_, serial number 42-78483) of the 445th Bomb Group flies with a fellow Liberator. You Can See The ID # On The Tail Roger Freeman Collection

see my entries to John Kanyak and Vance H Murphy

Object Number - FRE 1740 - My Dad's B-24 Liberator (MK-A+_, serial number 42-78483) of the 445th Bomb Group flies with a fellow Liberator. You Can See The ID # On The Tail

On August 9, 1944, the aircraft was on a mission, presumably to bomb targets in Saarbrücken, Germany. Hit by flak, it crashed near St. Avold, Lorraine, France. Several crew members survived, others perished, but at least two survivors were subsequently killed by German Gestapo in a brutal act of murder.

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

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.

445th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

George M Avdek

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 445th Bomb Group 701st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16088997
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Gunner, waist gunner

Bernard E Gordy

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 445th Bomb Group 701st Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner

William L Howell

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 445th Bomb Group 701st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-761102
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
B-24 Liberator (MK-A+_, serial number 42-78483) of the 445th Bomb Group flies with a fellow Liberator.

John Kanyak

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 445th Bomb Group 701st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13060299
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner

Michael E Mikrut

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 445th Bomb Group 701st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-712459
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Events

Event Location Date Description

Crashed

Failed to Return (FTR)

57500 Saint-Avold, Lorraine, France 9 August 1944 - 9 August 1944 Airplane was on a mission, presumably to bomb targets in Saarbrücken, Germany, on 9 August 1944. Hit by flak, it crashed near St. Avold, Lorraine, France.

Revisions

Date
ContributorN9547v
Changes
Sources

see previous

Date
ContributorN9547v
Changes
Sources

see my remarks on crew members Kanyak and Murphy

Date
ContributorN9547v
Changes
Sources

see previous remarks

Date
ContributorN9547v
Changes
Sources

see my remarks to John Kanyak and Vance Murphy

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

MACR 7385 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

42-78483: Gallery (1 items)

B-24 Liberator (MK-A+_, serial number 42-78483) of the 445th Bomb Group flies with a fellow Liberator.

Object number: FRE 1740 - My Dad's B-24 Liberator (MK-A+_, serial number 42...