42-94964

Ground personnel of the 389th Bomb Group attend to a B-24 Liberator that crashed on take off. Image stamped on reverse: 'Keystone Press.' [stamp], 'Not to be published 16 May 1944.' [stamp] and '320949.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'AT A LIBERATOR BASE IN THE ETO. These pictures are made at a Eighth Air Force Liberator Base commanded by Lt Col Robert B Miller of Clinton, Ill. The Squadron wears an army citation for the bombing of the Ploesti Oilfields and is expected to play a part when the S media-380332.jpg FRE 1527 Ground personnel of the 389th Bomb Group attend to a B-24 Liberator that crashed on take off. Image stamped on reverse: 'Keystone Press.' [stamp], 'Not to be published 16 May 1944.' [stamp] and '320949.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'AT A LIBERATOR BASE IN THE ETO. These pictures are made at a Eighth Air Force Liberator Base commanded by Lt Col Robert B Miller of Clinton, Ill. The Squadron wears an army citation for the bombing of the Ploesti Oilfields and is expected to play a part when the Second Front takes place as well as the pre-invasion bombing. US Pool/HB/Hel Keystone. Photo shows: A Liberator piloted by Lt Elwood N Whitbeck just after it crashed on attempted-take-off. The brake locked as the came down the runway, but Whitbeck was able to keep the ship straight through a fine bit of handling as the plane went off the field preventing a more serious crash. S/Sgt William Fletcher of 4660 Toledo, Avenue, Detroit, was pinned in the nose as it was folded in, but was released uninjured.' Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 1527 - Ground personnel of the 389th Bomb Group attend to a B-24 Liberator that crashed on take off. Image stamped on reverse: 'Keystone Press.' [stamp],...

42-94964 was a B-24H assigned to the 567th BS of the 398th BG. On the 11th of May 1944 it suffered a take off accident when piloted by Lt Elwood N Whitbeck The brake locked as the came down the runway, but Whitbeck was able to keep the ship straight through a fine bit of handling as the plane went off the field preventing a more serious crash. S/Sgt William Fletcher of 4660 Toledo, Avenue, Detroit, was pinned in the nose as it was folded in, but was released uninjured.'

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 389th Bomb Group.

389th Bomb Group

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

People

Elwood N Whitbeck

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant

Places

Revisions

Date
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Changes
Sources

Cross references from http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1942_5.html and https://www.aviationarchaeology.com/src/AARmonthly/May1944O.htm

42-94964: Gallery (1 items)

Ground personnel of the 389th Bomb Group attend to a B-24 Liberator that crashed on take off. Image stamped on reverse: 'Keystone Press.' [stamp], 'Not to be published 16 May 1944.' [stamp] and '320949.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'AT A LIBERATOR BASE IN THE ETO. These pictures are made at a Eighth Air Force Liberator Base commanded by Lt Col Robert B Miller of Clinton, Ill. The Squadron wears an army citation for the bombing of the Ploesti Oilfields and is expected to play a part when the S

Object number: FRE 1527 - Ground personnel of the 389th Bomb Group attend to...