42-94812 - Little warrior
The B-24H, 42-94812, named, Little Warrior, was assigned to the 850th Bomb Squadron, the 490th Bomb Group, in the 8th Air Force USAAF. It was transferred to the 862nd Bomb Squadron, the 493rd Bomb Group, in the 8th Air Force USAAF in Britain. The airplane was shot down by a direct flak hit to it's gas tanks and failed to return (FTR) from a mission to bomb the aircraft manufacturing plant near Fallersleben in Wolfsberg, Germany. The direct flak hit holed the airplane's fuel tanks and fuel lines causing an explosion of flames from just behind the cockpit to rear of bomb bay. All of the crew were killed in action. 10-KIA. 29 Jun 44. MACR 6721
Crew :
2 Lt. John W. Hansen, 0-693976, Pilot, New York, N.Y.
2 Lt. Jerome Levy, 0-703639, Navigator, Camden, N.J.
2 Lt. Sidney A. Benson, 0-818558, CoPilot, Marblehead, MA.
2 Lt. Malcolm M. Stich, 0-697746, Bombardier, Brooklyn, N.Y.
T/Sgt. Vernon J. Polzin, 38367667, Flight Engineer, Taylor, TX.
S/Sgt. Cyrus R. Aidala, 32707915, Ball Turret Gunner, Brooklyn, N.Y.
S/Sgt. John E. "Sandy" Sanders, 18191467, “Top Turret Gunner”, Goose Creek, TX.
S/Sgt. Walter A. Boykowski, 13171280, Tail Gunner, Pittock, Pa.
Sgt. Ramos, Radio Operator - Not in crew during mission of June 29)
S/Sgt. Sylvanus G. Haksell, 39297646, Nose Gunner, El Centro, CA.
S/Sgt. Billy B. Gomillion, 38424702, Radio Operator, Wichita Falls, Tx.
1 x POW/KIA - 9 x KIA.
Missing Air Crew Report :
"Aircraft No. 812 flying in the Number 3 position in A group received a direct Flak hit near #3 Engine at 09:39 hours in the target area just after bombs away. It was enveloped in flames from the nose to the rear of the bomb bays. It fell out of formation and disintegrated at about 10,000 feet."
"Eight of the crew were found dead on the ground by German authorities that morning, a ninth body was found later**. The tenth crew member's body was discovered in a field, badly burned on 11 July 1944, and buried with the rest of the crew of, Little Warrior."
**Copilot Benson was ejected from the aircraft with his chute by the fuel explosion. Having landed unharmed, he surrendered to a flak gun crew and was placed in the charge of Hitler youth leader Helmut Lippman, who, riding a bike, shepherded him to be handed over to local authorities. Enroute, Lippman shot Benson in the back 3 times with a small caliber handgun. Upon arrival in the local town, Lippman left 2Lt. Benson with air raid wardens while he went off to phone the local police, whereupon 2ndLt Benson was beaten to death by the wardens. Post war, Lippman and the wardens were brought to trial for the murder of a POW. Lippman was sentenced to death by hanging, commuted to life imprisonment. - MACR 6721
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: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- 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: 493rd Bomb Group 862nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 32707915
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 493rd Bomb Group 862nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 11082314 / O-818558
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 493rd Bomb Group 862nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 13171280
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 493rd Bomb Group 862nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 38424702
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 493rd Bomb Group 862nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-693976
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Marsworth
- Site type: Airfield
Missions
- Date: 29 June 1944
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Crashed Failed to Return (FTR) |
Fallersleben, Germany | 29 June 1944 | Failed to Return (FTR) mission to Fallersleben. Flak hit holed fuel tanks and lines causing conflagration, flames from cockpit to rear of bomb bay. 10-KIA. MACR 6721 |
Manufactured |
Ypsilanti, MI | Built at Consolidated. | |
Assigned |
Cheddington, UK | Assigned to 850BS, 490BG, 8AF USAAF. | |
Assigned |
Debach, UK | Transferred to 862BS, 493BG, 8AF USAAF. | |
Other Ferried |
Lt John J. Oling and his crew flew, Little Warrior, across to the ETO in Britain.. |
Revisions
B24BestWeb - http://www.b24bestweb.com › littlewarrior3 - Added aircraft marking details for accuracy. - Kickapoo
https://www.fold3.com/image/29099870
http://www.b24bestweb.com/littlewarrior1.htm
http://www.b24bestweb.com/littlewarrior2.htm
http://www.b24bestweb.com/littlewarrior3.htm
Helton's Hellcats: A Pictorial History of the 493rd Bomb Group By Martin W. Bowman
B-24 Liberator - LITTLE WARRIOR - History At Random - June 29, 1944
B-24 Liberator - LITTLE WARRIOR - History At Random - June 29, 1944
B-24 Liberator - LITTLE WARRIOR - History At Random - June 29, 1944
https://www.fold3.com/image/29099870
http://www.b24bestweb.com/littlewarrior1.htm
http://www.b24bestweb.com/littlewarrior2.htm
http://www.b24bestweb.com/littlewarrior3.htm
Helton's Hellcats: A Pictorial History of the 493rd Bomb Group By Martin W. Bowman
MACR 6721 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database