42-7534 Good Nuff

On 12/20/43 the aircraft was hit by AA fire over the target (Bremen, Germany, 445th BG Mission # 3) & crashed in the North Sea while attempting to return to base. All 11 crew were KIA. The remains of the crew & aircraft wreckage were never found. MACR 6343. This was the first aircraft the 445th BG lost on a combat mission.

Connections

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

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.

445th Bomb Group

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

People

Lloyd W Bush

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 445th Bomb Group 700th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 38300826
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner

Robert F Carlson

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 445th Bomb Group 700th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-801358
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Frank M Cassero

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 445th Bomb Group 700th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 32677375
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier, Enlisted, Nose Gunner

Thomas E Christensen

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 445th Bomb Group 700th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-2043754
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier, Radar, Squadron Bombardier

Gerald B Gayford

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 445th Bomb Group 700th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 32580330
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

Germany 20 December 1943

Revisions

Date
ContributorUALDC8
Changes
Sources

Heavy Bombers of the Mighty Eighth
Battle Colors - Vol 1
Mike Simpson's 445thy Bomb Group Website
Losses of the US 8th & 9th Air Forces - Vol 1
MACR 6343

Date
ContributorUALDC8
Changes
Sources

Heavy Bombers of the Mighty Eighth
Battle Colors - Vol 1
Mike Simpson's 445th BG Website
Losses of the US 8th & 9th Air Forces - Vol 2
MACR 6343

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

MACR 6343 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database