41-28779
IWM, Roger Freeman Collection
Object Number - FRE 9300 - A burning B-24 Liberator (KO-XA), believed to be (serial number 41-28779) of the 389th Bomb Group, captured by the Luftwaffe, that crashed on take...
Assigned to 564BS, 389BG, 8AF USAAF. This was a "pathfinder" aircraft equipped with Aps-15 radar.
Failed to Return (FTR) mission to Politz. Shortly after bombs away reported flak damage which had taken out 1 engine with a 2nd running rough, headed for Sweden. Flak had killed the co-pilot [at waist gun position] and left bombardier with damaged chute. Remaining crew baled out except bombardier and command pilot who force landed. 12 x POW, 1 x KIA.
MACR 6533.
The aircraft was repaired and flown by the Luftwaffe as KO+XA until it crashed on take off at Wackersleben on 13 April 1945, and was deliberately set alight by the Germans.
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 389th Bomb Group 453rd Bomb Group 564th Bomb Squadron 733rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 14094069 / O-688943
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 389th Bomb Group 564th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 14142050
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 448th Bomb Group 713th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 14009073 / O-406683
- Highest Rank: Colonel
- Role/Job: Pilot; Squadron Commander
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 389th Bomb Group 564th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 13145952
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 389th Bomb Group 564th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 37030573
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Other Forced landed |
20 June 1944 | Failed to Return (FTR) mission to Politz. Shortly after bombs away reported flak damage which had taken out 1 engine with a 2nd running rough, headed for Sweden. Flak had killed the co-pilot [at waist gun position] and left bombardier with damaged chute. Remaining crew baled out except bombardier and command pilot who forced landed. 12 x POW, 1 x KIA. MACR 6533. | |
|
Other Operated by Luftwaffe |
21 June 1944 - 13 April 1945 | A/C was repaired and flown by the Luftwaffe as KO+XA. | |
|
Crashed |
13 April 1945 | Crashed on take off at Wackersleben 13-Apr-45, and was deliberately set alight by the Germans. | |
|
Manufactured |
Built at Douglas. | ||
|
Delivered |
Delivered to USAAF. | ||
|
Other Assigned |
20 June 1944 | Assigned to 564BS, 389BG, 8AF USAAF. |
Revisions
The second image is that of a B-24G- NT abd should nit be associated with the Douglas H.
B24bestweb.com ID MATRIX .
Note the nose fairing is not that of a Douglas.
Phil Marchese Jan 06 2024
'This was a "pathfinder" aircraft equipped with Aps-15 radar.'
Information provided by Arthur R Suppona.
MACR 6533 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database
