44-40171 Boomerang

Young man wearing leather Air Force flying gear with goggles resting on head, is looking directly at camera and smiling UPL 65386 UPL 65386 Uriel F. Robertson, Top Turret Gunner, Arnett Crew 717, 857th BS, 492nd BG. KIA 19 May 1944, Mission No. 358
492nd Bomb Group 857th Bomb Squadron 358 44-40171 North Pickenham Uriel Falex Robertson On

Object Number - UPL 65386 - Uriel F. Robertson, Top Turret Gunner, Arnett Crew 717, 857th BS, 492nd BG. KIA 19 May 1944, Mission No. 358

 

On May 19th, 1944, on a mission to Brunswick, the 492nd was attacked by a group of about 40 ME-109 Messerschmitts. Eight B-24's were lost that day, including the Boomerang. On two engines they managed to limp back just barely over the Dutch coast before loosing a third engine. Rapidly losing altitude, they returned to the coast and crash landed near the small town of Tuitjenhorn in Nazi occupied Holland. Top turret gunner Sgt Uriel Robertson was killed in the rough landing. Everyone else was quickly taken prisoner. 

1 KIA, 8 POW, MACR 5242.

Local German forces took photos of the Boomerang wreckage, which was not at all uncommon. What is unusual, though, is that these photos were soon stolen by members of the Dutch Resistance from a German soldier in a local pub. Fifty years later the photos were given to Charles Arnett, the pilot of the Boomerang.

This aircraft was replaced with 42-95023 LUCKY LASS II obtained from the replacement depot.

Connections

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Units served with

A Swedish Soldier guards a B-24 Liberator (serial number 44-40159) nicknamed "Boulder Buff" of the 492nd Bomb Group that has landed in Sweden.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 492nd Bomb Group 857th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 0-810985
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
Ten men in Air Force uniform posed in front of a military airplane. Four men standing in rear and six kneeling in front
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 492nd Bomb Group 857th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
Ten men in Air Force uniform posed in front of a military airplane. Four men standing in rear and six kneeling in front
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 492nd Bomb Group 857th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 492nd Bomb Group 857th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-700723
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 492nd Bomb Group 857th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner

Places

Missions

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

Germany 19 May 1944

Revisions

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

MACR 5242 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

44-40171: Gallery (5 items)