42-7585 Hell Cat

A B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-7585) of the 445th Bomb Group in flight with landing gear down. Handwritten caption on reverse: '36.' media-414290.jpg FRE 8109 A B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-7585) of the 445th Bomb Group in flight with landing gear down. Handwritten caption on reverse: '36.'
This was an original 445th aircraft assigned to the 703rd Bomb Squadron, making the Southern Atlantic crossing flown by 2nd Lt Emmett O. Watson, arriving on 20 Dec 43. Upon arrival this plane was transferred to the 93rd Bomb Group. She later returned to the 445th and went back to the 703rd Bomb Squadron as RN-A. She flew her first 445th mission on 08 Mar 44. Roger Freeman Collection

NARA records of the 445th Unit Historian

Object Number - FRE 8109 - A B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-7585) of the 445th Bomb Group in flight with landing gear down. Handwritten caption on reverse: '36.' This was an...

Initially assigned to the 703rd BS, 445th BG (RN-O), flown to England by 2/Lt. Emmett O. Watson & crew (Crew 70) via the southern route. Upon arrival in England it was almost immediately transferred to the 409th BS, 93rd BG (YM-A). Later transferred back to the 703rd BS, 445th BG (RN-A) where it flew 50 missions. Returned to the US & salvaged at Altus, OK on 25 Sep 1945.

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.

445th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 93rd Bomb Group.

93rd Bomb Group

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

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.'

Tibenham

  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Tivetshall

Revisions

Date
ContributorUALDC8
Changes
Sources

Heavy Bombers of the Mighty Eighth
Battle Colors - Vol 1
Mike Simpson's 445th Bomb Group Website
Special Order # 279

Date
ContributorUALDC8
Changes
Sources

Heavy Bombers of the Mighty Eighth
Battle Colors - Vol 1
Mike Simpson's 445th Bomb Group Website

Date
ContributorUALDC8
Changes
Sources

Heavy Bombers of the Mighty Eighth
Battle Colors Vol 1
Mike Simpson's 445th Bomb Group Website

42-7585: Gallery (1 items)

A B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-7585) of the 445th Bomb Group in flight with landing gear down. Handwritten caption on reverse: '36.'

Object number: FRE 8109 - A B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-7585) of the...