44-48854 Unnamed

Ground personnel of the 100th Bomb Group extinguish the burning wreckage of a B-24 Liberator of the 445th Bomb Group that has crashed at Thorpe Abbotts. Written on slide casing: '445 BG Co Thorpe Abbotts, 6/4/45.' media-395385.jpg FRE 6567 Ground personnel of the 100th Bomb Group extinguish the burning wreckage of a B-24 Liberator of the 445th Bomb Group that has crashed at Thorpe Abbotts. Written on slide casing: '445 BG Co Thorpe Abbotts, 6/4/45.' The plane is # 44-48854 of 701st Bomb Squadron. Pilot : William O. Shank. Roger Freeman Collection

FRE 6566 : http://www.americanairmuseum.com/media/3161 is a DUPLICATE

Object Number - FRE 6567 - Ground personnel of the 100th Bomb Group extinguish the burning wreckage of a B-24 Liberator of the 445th Bomb Group that has crashed at Thorpe...

Connections

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

Units served with

A pathfinder B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-51681) of the 453rd Bomb Group flies in formation with a fellow Liberator of the 453rd and and a pathfinder Liberator of the 445th Bomb Group. Image via Alan Rowsell.

445th Bomb Group

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

People

Ground personnel of the 100th Bomb Group extinguish the burning wreckage of a B-24 Liberator of the 445th Bomb Group that has crashed at Thorpe Abbotts. Written on slide casing: '445 BG Co Thorpe Abbotts, 6/4/45.'

William O Shank

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 445th Bomb Group 701st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-830986
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Assigned

Failed to Return (FTR)

RAF Tibenham 19 February 1945 - 6 April 1945

Other

Training Accident

Thorpe Abbotts, 100th Bomb Group Airfield 6 April 1945 While on a radar training mission in IFR weather conditions, #1 engine failed at altitude causing the loss of flight instruments. Aircraft entered a spin and recovered after falling 16,000 ft. Lost the left vertical stabilizer and left half of the rear elevator control surfaces. Attempted to land at Thorpe Abbotts airfield but had to abort initial attempt. Pilot William O. Shank turned into the dead engine to avoid over-flying Thorpe Abbotts, stalled and spun in, killing 3.

Revisions

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

Link to Pilot William O. Shank.
Link to Media FRE 6565 and FRE 6566
FRE 6567 = DUPLICATE with FRE 6566 :

Date
ContributorB24Mike
Changes
Sources

Aircraft Record card and mission load list data from the National Archives.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

MACR 15371 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

44-48854: Gallery (2 items)

An ambulance of the 100th Bomb Group attends to crew of a burning B-24 Liberator of the 445th that crashed whilst attempting to land at Thorpe Abbotts. Written on slide casing: 'Crash at Thorpe Abbotts, 6/4/45.'

Object number: FRE 6565 - An ambulance of the 100th Bomb Group attends to...

Ground personnel of the 100th Bomb Group extinguish the burning wreckage of a B-24 Liberator of the 445th Bomb Group that has crashed at Thorpe Abbotts. Written on slide casing: '445 BG Co Thorpe Abbotts, 6/4/45.'

Object number: FRE 6567 - Ground personnel of the 100th Bomb Group...