44-40250

media-57465.jpeg UPL 57465 B-24-155-CO, 44-40250, 445th BG, 703rd BS, RN-O. Crashed at Tibenham while taking off in very poor weather 19 Dec 1944. The mission was attempted in weather conditions below the normal minimums to aid ground forces during the Battle of the Bulge.

NARA

Object Number - UPL 57465 - B-24-155-CO, 44-40250, 445th BG, 703rd BS, RN-O. Crashed at Tibenham while taking off in very poor weather 19 Dec 1944. The mission was attempted in...

44-40250, B-24J-155-CO, 703 BS, 445 BG, RN-O. The aircraft crashed while taking off in very poor weather conditions on 19 Dec 1944. In heavy fog the aircraft ran off the runway & hit a gun emplacement pit tearing off the left landing gear. The mission, attempted despite the weather conditions being far below the normal minimums, was a response to the desperate situation developing in the Ardennes during the Battle of the Bulge. The intended target was the marshaling yard at Ehrang, Germany.

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

People

Jesse F Crossley

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 445th Bomb Group 703rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 37358244
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant

Norman C Danger

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 445th Bomb Group 703rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 34446882
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Armorer/Gunner

Louis M Gersten

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 445th Bomb Group 703rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 12140752
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant

George S Roman

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 445th Bomb Group 703rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 33437050
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant

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

Date27 May 2022 18:09:57
ContributorUALDC8
ChangesCreated entry with serial number, aircraft type, production block number, manufacturer, markings, description, unit associations, person associations and place associations
Sources

Heavy Bombers of the Mighty Eighth
Battle Colors - Vol 1
Losses of the US 8th & 9th Air Forces - Vol 5
The Mighty Eighth War Diary
The Army Air Forces in World War II - Vol 3 - Argument to VE Day

44-40250: Gallery (1 items)