44-50838 Red Bow

media-12808.png UPL 12808 On 4th April, 1945, Liberators of the 2nd Air Division were attacked by Me-262 jet fighters. Aircraft from the 448th Bomb Group flying mission No.248 were to bomb jet airfields throughout Germany and forty-five aircraft from Seething attacked the secondary target at Wesendorf due to cloud cover over the primary target at Parchim.

Approximately fifty German jet and rocket fighter aircraft engaged the formation causing a total loss of eight B-24 Liberators, three of which were from the 448th BG, including 44-50838 (Red Bow, pictured). Also shot down were Trouble N Mind, a B-24H piloted by Captain John Ray, Jr [DETAILS of SHAFTER CREW NEEDED]

Although I have seen the damage attributed to flak in at least one publication the nature and scale of the damage would suggest that the aircraft was hit by an R4M rocket from an Me-262 jet.

(Thanks to donall for his contribution on the forums at armyairforces.com)

Uploaded

Object Number - UPL 12808 - On 4th April, 1945, Liberators of the 2nd Air Division were attacked by Me-262 jet fighters. Aircraft from the 448th Bomb Group flying mission No.248...

Assigned to 714BS, 448BG, 8AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) Wessendorf with Robert Mains crew 4-Apr-45; A/C downed by fighters, broke up in flight near Lauenburg 1 x POW, 9 x KIA MACR 13730



Only one of the crew, Charles Cupp, survived.

Connections

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

Units served with

The insignia of the 448th Bomb Group.

448th Bomb Group

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

People

George Spurlock Alexander

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 448th Bomb Group 714th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18116883 / O-869037
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Observer / Top Turret Gunner
714th Bomb Squadron crew outside a B-24

Harry Joseph Allen

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 448th Bomb Group 714th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 39621301
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner
714th Bomb Squadron crew outside a B-24

Charles Edward Cupp

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 448th Bomb Group 714th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 36854167
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
714th Bomb Squadron crew outside a B-24

Charles H Daman

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 448th Bomb Group 714th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Nose Gunner
714th Bomb Squadron crew outside a B-24

John Wallis Johnson

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 448th Bomb Group 714th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-776565
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier

Places

Missions

Events

Event Location Date Description

Crashed

Failed to Return (FTR)

29392 Wesendorf, Germany 4 April 1945 Failed to Return (FTR) Wessendorf with Robert Mains crew 4-Apr-45; A/C downed by fighters, broke up in flight near Lauenburg 1 x POW, 9 x KIA MACR 13730

Assigned

Seeting, UK Assigned to 714BS, 448BG, 8AF USAAF.

Revisions

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

https://www.fold3.com/image/29425553

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Sources

https://www.fold3.com/image/29425553

Date
Contributorbloodsweatflak
Changes
Sources

Photo taken by Harold Dorfman, 448th BG, shows Red Bow in a death-dive during 4th April '45 mission to bomb jet airfields in Germany.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

MACR 13730 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

44-50838: Gallery (1 items)

Object number: UPL 12808 - On 4th April, 1945, Liberators of the 2nd Air...