42-7559 Kelly
On 2/13/44 the aircraft was on a mission to Bonnieres, France to bomb a V-1 launch site. Over the target the plane was hit by flak & seriously damaged. The pilot was able to return to England where it made a crash landing at RAF Manston without flaps or brakes & with 1 vertical stabilzer shot away. A damaged tire blew on landing & the aircraft veered off the runway into an airfield building. The crew escaped uninjured though the aircraft was a write-off.
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: 445th Bomb Group 703rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 14161481
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 445th Bomb Group 703rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 32534063
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Flight Engineer / Top Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 445th Bomb Group 703rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-658797
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 445th Bomb Group 703rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 16142943
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 445th Bomb Group 703rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 14164850
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Tivetshall
Revisions
Added some Punctuation to the A/C “Description” to aid readability.
AFHRA - Reels A0654 & B0556
Losses of the US 8th & 9th Air Forces - Vol 2
Battle Colors - Vol 1
Mike Simpson's 445th Bomb Group Website
Heavy Bombers of the Mighty 8th