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 [stamp], 'Not to be published 16 May 1944.'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