42-50334 Black Jack

Wrong image.

Connections

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

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 445th Bomb Group 702nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-742416
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 445th Bomb Group 702nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-685932
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 445th Bomb Group 534th Bomb Squadron 702nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-1703112
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 445th Bomb Group 702nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 32579664
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 445th Bomb Group 702nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 38136014
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner

Places

Signal Squares on the airfield at Tibenham, B-24 Liberators of the 398th Bomb Group are visible in the background. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Tibenham Signal Squares.'
  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Tivetshall

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

11 July 1944 Squadron #334. This aircraft departed Tibenham, UK for an operational bombing mission to Munich, Germany. Over the target, ship was hit by anti-aircraft fire, resulting in loss of one engine. "Blackjack" was unable to keep up with its formation and dropped behind, picking up a friendly fighter escort. It was last seen at 1354 hours in the vicinity of Stuttgart, Germany. Other members of the squadron believed that pilot Fry intended to make for Switzerland. The crash site, and resting places of the crew, are unknown.

Revisions

Date
Contributorphil marchese
Changes
Sources

The image which was assoiciated was a 9th AF, North Africa B-24D unrelated to th B-24H Black Jack.

Phil Marchese

1 Jan 2024

Date
ContributorMissingMarines
Changes
Sources

Information from:
Missing Air Crew Report (MACR) 6942.
Individual Deceased Personnel Files of Fry, Gordon, Hanson, Kritz, McAnally, Pohl, Sedlak, Wigley, and Wilcox.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

MACR 6942 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database