41-28932 Ramblin Wreck

media-6600.jpeg UPL 6600 B-24H-15-DT #41-28932 Ramblin' Wreck Code: 6L-E
466th BG - 787th BS

Shot Down 15 August 1944

Corrected mission connections

Object Number - UPL 6600 - B-24H-15-DT #41-28932 Ramblin' Wreck Code: 6L-E 466th BG - 787th BS Shot Down 15 August 1944

This aircraft's last mission was on August 15, 1944, when it was flown by a makeshift crew led by pilot Robert W. Harrington from Attlebridge air base. The target was a Luftwaffe airfield in Vechta, near Bremen, Germany. The target was successfully hit, but on the way back to the base the group was attacked by German Me-109 fighters. Four B-24s were shot down, including Ramblin' Wreck, over the Dutch town of Steenwijk. Crewmembers Tice Jones, Chester Zyb and William Julian were killed. The remaining crew parachuted to safety, and all but Harrington and Bob Borst were quickly captured. The latter two successfully (and separately) evaded, with Harrington rescued by Dutch resistance and sheltered in Steenwijk until the town was liberated by Canadian forces in April 1945.

Connections

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

Units served with

Three little girls hold up a balloon celebrating the 100th mission of the 466th Bomb Group in front of a B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-95592) nicknamed "Black Cat". Handwritten caption on reverse: 'On our 100 Mission party Day- 18 Aug 1944, Attlebridge, 466th- wouldn't it be something if we could identify these girls? How could I do it?'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 787th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-716705
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 787th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-817669
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 787th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18194593
  • Highest Rank: Technician Third Grade
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 787th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 14160074
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 787th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 33530252
  • Highest Rank: Technician Third Grade
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner

Places

Aerial photograph of Attlebridge airfield, looking north, the fuel store and a T2 hangar are in the upper centre, 31 January 1946. Photograph taken by No. 90 Squadron, sortie number RAF/3G/TUD/UK/51. English Heritage (RAF Photography).
  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Attlebridge Arsenal, Station 120

Missions

  • Date: 7 August 1944

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

First 466th BG Combat Mission

50260 Sottevast, France 5 May 1944

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

Steenwijk, Netherlands 15 August 1944 Shot Down by German fighters.

Revisions

Date
Contributor466thHistorian
Changes
Sources

http://www.8thafhs.com/get_one_acgroup.php?acgroup_id=53
Attlebridge Diaries - John Woolnough, page 204 & 213

Date
ContributorClark B
Changes
Sources

As told to Clark Beyer by Bob Harrington, August 2004.

Date
Contributor466thHistorian
Changes
Sources

Attlebridge Arsenal - Brassfield & Wassom

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

MACR 8430 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

41-28932: Gallery (4 items)