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.'

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

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Units served with

The insignia of the 34th Bomb Group

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?'

466th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 493rd Bomb Group.

493rd Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 7th Bomb Squadron, 34th Bomb Group.

7th Bomb Squadron

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

People

Thomas H Allison

  • 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

Billie G Arnold

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 785th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-2075620
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Robert Bluford

  • 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

Charles Conner

  • 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

Carl W Falk

  • 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).

Attlebridge

  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Attlebridge Arsenal, Station 120

Missions

683

  • 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
Sources

Attlebridge Arsenal, p 85

Valor to Victory

Date29 Dec 2016 03:22:06
Contributor466thHistorian
Sources

466th BG Archives - William Proppe Mission List

Date29 Dec 2014 02:39:06
Contributor466thHistorian
Sources

466th BG Historian

44-40454: Gallery (5 items)

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.'

Object number: FRE 5458 - A B-24 Liberator (serial number 44-40454)...

Object number: UPL 17809 - B24J-165-CO #44-40454 "Betta Duck" CodeL 2U-D...

Object number: UPL 17810 - Artist rendition of the nose art of B-24J-165-CO...

Object number: UPL 23326 - B-24J-165-CO #44-40454 "Betta Duck" 466th BG -...

Object number: UPL 7195 - B-24J-165-CO #44-40454 "Betta Duck" Code 2U-D...