Harold W Schwab

Military ROLL OF HONOUR

Took part in Operation Tidal Wave, the raid on Ploesti on 1-Aug-43, flying in B-24 Liberator 42-40370.



Bombardier - Crashed into hillside due to poor visibility near Eastbourne, whilst trying to land at Friston ELG on return from mission to Watten, France on 2-Feb-44 in B-24D 41-24282 'Ruth-less'. Killed in Action (KIA). MACR 6385.



Schwab, Harold W., 1st LT, 506th Bomb Squadron, 44th Bomb Group, died 2-Feb-44 at St. Marks Hospital, England, after crash at Eastbourne, Sussex, England, on return from operational mission occurring the same day, aircraft (“Ruth-Less”) received battle damage over Watten, France, ring from Fordham University in his possessions (Bronx, NY)

Connections

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

Units served with

The insignia of the 44th Bomb Group.

44th Bomb Group

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

Aircraft

41-24282

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Ruth-Less
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 506th Bomb Squadron
A close up of the nose-art of the specially-decorated B-24 Liberator nicknamed "Pete the Pom Inspector" used as a monitor ship by the 467th Bomb Group.

42-40370

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Heaven Can Wait Pete the Pom Inspector
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 467th Bomb Group 506th Bomb Squadron 789th Bomb Squadron 790th Bomb Squadron

Missions

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Died

Eastbourne, East Sussex, UK 2 February 1944 Bombardier - Crashed into hillside due to poor visibility near Eastbourne, whilst trying to land at Friston ELG on return from mission to Watten, France on 2 Feb 44 in B-24D 41-24282 'Ruth-less'. Killed in Action (KIA). MACR 6385.

Born

Bronx, New York Son of Irene Marie [Dwyer] Schwab.

Buried

Old Saint Raymonds Cemetery Bronx, Bronx County NY Old Saint Raymonds Cemetery Bronx, Bronx County New York, USA.

Based

Shipdham 2 February 1944 Assigned to 506BS, 44BG, 8AF USAAF.

Revisions

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/133873618/harold-w-schwab

Date
Contributorgeneral ira snapsorter
Changes
Sources

Ploesti Sortie Reports, 44th Bomb Group

Date
ContributorWW2 Researcher Bill Beigel
Changes
Sources

IDPF and/or crash report researched by Bill Beigel. IDPF donated to American Air Museum by Bill Beigel. For more information about this flyer, you may contact http://ww2research.com.

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

http://www.findagrave.com

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Combat Chronology Supplement p. 223-224, 44th Bomb Group Roll of Honor and Casualties, pp. 202-203, 8th AF Losses / Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia