B-24J "California Rocket" #42-51714 was assigned to 757th BS, 459th BG, 15th AF. On 18th December 1944 it took part in the bombing raid against chemical plant in Dwory near Oswiecim, Poland. The plane was damaged by flak before reaching the target area. After dropping its load on fields near Pszczyna, the pilot turned the bomber towards soviet-controlled territory. In order to avoid heavy flak concentration around Krakow, 2Lt T. Dejewski set the course south from the city. South-east off town of Limanowa, heavily damaged bomber with only one engine running, was spotted by three German fighters. Due to aggressive maneuver of bomber's pilot, German planes flew away. Soon after, the last engine lost its power and the crew decided to bail out. They were soon picked up by the soldiers of 4th Battalion, 1st Podhalan Rilfes Rgt, (Polish Home Army). The only casualty was a pilot, 2nd Lt William J Beimbrink, who's body was never recovered. After couple of months, the rest of the crew returned to their unit in Italy.