The 492nd would go on to have the worst experiences of any bomb group in the ETO. They became the first and only heavy bomb group disbanded due to heavy losses. They were disbanded on August 7, 1944. Had only been in operations 89 days and had lost 55 liberator bombers, 270 airmen interned or Prisoner of War (POW)'s. and the worst of all-228 airmen Killed in Action (KIA). Through all of this loss and carnage, Crew 713, (flying their 'Irishman's Shanty' S/N 44-40166) persevered and became the first crew from this ill-fated bomb group to successfully complete a 30 mission combat tour. They flew their final and 30th mission on July 31, 1944. 7 days later the 492nd was no more. RTD 29 may 1944 B-24J #44-40173 'Ernie's Beavers'.