-
B-24J-CO 42-110107, 491st BG
PROJECY NO. 92532.
WHAM! BAM! "THANK YOU, MAM"
Assigned to 854BS, 491BG, 8AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) Hanover mission; downed by flak over Russelheim, Germany, on 24-Aug-44. 3 x POW, 6 x KIA. MACR 8296
Crew: 2Lt Norman Rogers, 2Lt John Sekul, F/O Haigus Tufenkjian, Sgt William Dumont
Sgt Thomas Williams, Sgt Elmore Austin (6 x KIA), S/Sgt Forrest Brininstool, Sgt William M Adams, Sgt Sidney E Brown (3 x POW).
The crew, with the exception of S/Sgt Brininstool, were subject to a severe beating at the hands of a civilian mob in Russelheim. Sgt's Adams and Brown, having been left for dead, escaped for four days before becoming POW's.
Service
Units
-
Group
The 491st Bomb Group flew B-24 Liberators in bombing missions over northern France and Germany from June 1944 until April 1945. Missions over Germany included bombing the headquarters of the German General Staff at Zossen. The Group was awarded a DUC...
-
People
-
Military | Sergeant | Togglier / Nose Gunner | 491st Bomb Group
Assigned to 854BS, 491BG, 8AF USAAF. 1 x combat mission.
...
-
Military | Sergeant | Left Waist Gunner | 491st Bomb Group
Assigned to 854BS, 491BG, 8AF USAAF. 1 x combat missions. Failed to Return (FTR) Hanover in B-24 42-110107 "Wham Bam Thank You Ma'm" 24-Aug-44; bailed out of A/C, captured and held overnight at Munster A/D.
...
-
Military | Staff Sergeant | Top Turret Gunner | 491st Bomb Group
Assigned to 854BS, 491BG, 8AF USAAF. 1 x combat mission.
...
-
Military | Sergeant | Tail Gunner | 491st Bomb Group
Assigned to 854BS, 491BG, 8AF USAAF. 1 x combat mission.
...
-
Military | Sergeant | Ball Turret Gunner | 491st Bomb Group
Assigned to 854BS, 491BG, 8AF USAAF. 1 x combat missions.
...
-
Military | Second Lieutenant | Pilot | 491st Bomb Group
Assigned to 854BS, 491BG, 8AF USAAF. 2 x combat missions.
...
-
Military | Second Lieutenant | Co-Pilot | 491st Bomb Group
Assigned to 854BS, 491BG, 8AF USAAF. 2 x combat missions.
...
-
Military | Flight Officer | Navigator | 491st Bomb Group
Assigned to 854BS, 491BG, 8AF USAAF. 13 x combat missions.
...
-
Military | Sergeant | Radio Operator | 491st Bomb Group
Assigned to 854BS, 491BG, 8AF USAAF. 1 x combat missions.
...
Places
-
Military site : airfield
Built during 1942-43 as an Eighth Air Force bomber base, Metfield had three concrete runways, 39 pan plus 15 loop hardstandings, and two dispersed T2 hangars. It was first occupied by the 353rd Fighter Group, equipped with P-47s, from August 1943 to...
-
Military site : airfield
Built comparatively late during 1943-44 as an Eighth Air Force bomber base, North Pickenham was rather cramped as an airfield site so the main runway was shorter than typical. It had three concrete runways, 50 loop hardstandings and two dispersed T2...
Events
Event |
Location |
Date |
Manufactured |
San Diego, CA |
1943 |
Built at Consolidated.
|
Assigned |
North Pickenham, UK |
1944 |
Assigned to 854BS, 491BG, 8AF USAAF.
|
Crashed |
Russelheim, Germany |
24 August 1944 |
Failed to Return (FTR) Hanover mission; downed over Russelheim, Germany, on 24-Aug-44. 3 x POW, 6 x KIA. MACR 8296
|