44-40454 Betta Duck

A B-24 Liberator (serial number 44-40454) nicknamed "Betta Duck" lands at Mount Farm. Image by Robert Astrella, 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group. Written on slide casing: 'Betta Duck, landing Mount Farm.' media-387809.jpg FRE 5458 A B-24 Liberator (serial number 44-40454) nicknamed "Betta Duck" lands at Mount Farm. Image by Robert Astrella, 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group. Written on slide casing: 'Betta Duck, landing Mount Farm.' Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 5458 - A B-24 Liberator (serial number 44-40454) nicknamed "Betta Duck" lands at Mount Farm. Image by Robert Astrella, 7th Photographic Reconnaissance...

Originally assigned to 493rd Bomb Group. Transferred to the 34th Bomb Group in early June 1944 and completed missoins from 12 June 1944 to 24 August 1944. Later transferred to the 466th Bomb Group, and eventually flown back to the US by Carl W Falk and his crew in June 1945. Later salvaged at Altus Oklahoma

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 34th Bomb Group
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
Three little girls hold up a balloon celebrating the 100th mission of the 466th Bomb Group in front of a B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-95592) nicknamed "Black Cat". Handwritten caption on reverse: 'On our 100 Mission party Day- 18 Aug 1944, Attlebridge, 466th- wouldn't it be something if we could identify these girls? How could I do it?'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 493rd Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 7th Bomb Squadron, 34th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 784th Bomb Squadron 785th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 39465984
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade)
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 785th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-2075620
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 784th Bomb Squadron 785th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-832085
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 784th Bomb Squadron 785th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade)
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 785th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-928523
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Places

Aerial photograph of Attlebridge airfield, looking north, the fuel store and a T2 hangar are in the upper centre, 31 January 1946. Photograph taken by No. 90 Squadron, sortie number RAF/3G/TUD/UK/51. English Heritage (RAF Photography).
  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Attlebridge Arsenal, Station 120

Missions

  • Date: 19 October 1944

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Combat Mission

Essen, Germany 21 March 1945 Bill Proppe Crew - Crew #588 Military Airfield

Other

Returned to USA

Revisions

Date6 Jan 2020 15:59:38
ContributorEmily
ChangesChanges to description, events, unit associations and mission associations
Sources

Attlebridge Arsenal, p 85

Valor to Victory

Date29 Dec 2016 03:22:06
Contributor466thHistorian
ChangesChanges to events
Sources

466th BG Archives - William Proppe Mission List

Date29 Dec 2014 02:39:06
Contributor466thHistorian
ChangesCreated entry with serial number, aircraft type, production block number, manufacturer, nicknames, markings, unit associations, place associations and media associations
Sources

466th BG Historian

44-40454: Gallery (5 items)