42-7627 B.T.O. (Big Time Operator)

A B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-7627) nicknamed "BTO" of the 445th Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'WV:4, "BTO", 445 BG.' media-418539.jpg FRE 8883 A B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-7627) nicknamed "BTO" of the 445th Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'WV:4, "BTO", 445 BG.'

This aircraft diverted to Sweden after a mission to Tutow, Germany on Easter Sunday, April 9th, 1944. One engine was shot out by German fighters which started an oil fire. After pulling the extinguisher, the pilot had to put the plane into a dive to blow the fire out. Separated from the main formation and badly damaged ( #1 feathered and #4 throwing oil), the crew decided to head for Sweden which was only 100 miles away. As they got over the Baltic Sea, the bombsight and excess gear (weapons & ammunition) were thrown over the side. A Swedish fighter came up and signaled them to land. Unable to lower the landing gear, they crash-landed on a small island just offshore from Sweden. For the crew of 'BTO' their war was over. Roger Freeman Collection

NARA Records of the 445th Unit Historian

Object Number - FRE 8883 - A B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-7627) nicknamed "BTO" of the 445th Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'WV:4, "BTO", 445 BG.' This...

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.

445th Bomb Group

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

People

Jedediah D Folker

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 445th Bomb Group 702nd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner

Vernon Goedeke

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 445th Bomb Group 702nd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner

George R Kahn

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 445th Bomb Group 702nd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator / Gunner

Herman G Maier

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 445th Bomb Group 702nd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner

Samuel Mastrogiacomo

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 445th Bomb Group 702nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13153313
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner

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.'

Tibenham

  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Tivetshall

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR) Over Water (OW)

North Sea 9 April 1944

Revisions

Date
ContributorUALDC8
Changes
Sources

Heavy Bombers of the Mighty Eighth
Battle Colors - Vol 1

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

MACR 3943 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

42-7627: Gallery (1 items)

A B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-7627) nicknamed "BTO" of the 445th Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'WV:4, "BTO", 445 BG.'

Object number: FRE 8883 - A B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-7627) nicknamed...