UPL 5490

IMAGE

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A Bomber crew of the 466th Bomb Group with their B-24 Liberator. Handwritten on image: 'RG Gordon 279-55.' The crew went down over Belgium on 20 February 1945. The control cable on B-24H-20-FO #42-50336 "Pale Ale" had snapped. "Pale Ale" was one of the oldest a/c flying with the 466th BG at that time having served for 9 months exactly at the time of her loss Top Row Left to Right: 2nd Lt Henry Wynia, Bombardier 2nd Lt Jack D Campbell, Co-pilot 2nd Lt Robert G Gordon, Pilot 2nd Lt Ferdinand M Kjar, Navigator Bottom row, left to right Richard R Przybylski, Engineer Harvey H Stamper Jr, Upper Turret Gunner Harold H Hendrickson, Nose Gunner Aloysius W McCloskey, Gunner Sam Kessler, Radio Operator Barney B Fisher, Tail Gunner Gordon had left his seat to bail out, then noticed that Kjar and Hendrickson were still in the nose of the plane. He returned to the pilot's controls to try to gain control of the a/c for those two men to bail out. It was to no avail as the men were trapped by centrifugal forces. All three (Gordon, Kjar and Hendrickson were tragically KIA.

Connections

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Units

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

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 786th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-699396
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 786th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18156111
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 786th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-776283
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 786th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16130535
  • Highest Rank: Technician Fourth Grade
  • Role/Job: Nose Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 786th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 32964834
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator/Gunner

Locations

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

Mission

  • Date: 20 February 1945

Revisions

Date:
Contributor466thHistorian
ChangesChanges to caption, unit associations, aircraft associations and mission associations
Sources

Attlebridge Arsenal - Brassfield & Wassom

Date:
Contributor466thHistorian
ChangesChanges to person associations
Sources

Attlebridge Arsenal - Brassfield & Wassom

Date:
Contributor466thHistorian
ChangesChanges to caption
Sources

466th BG Historian

Date:
Contributor466thHistorian
ChangesChanges to caption
Sources

466th BG Historian

Date:
Contributor466thHistorian
ChangesChanges to caption
Sources

466th BG Historian

Date:
Contributor466thHistorian
ChangesChanges to caption
Sources

466th BG Historian

Date:
Contributor466thHistorian
ChangesChanges to caption
Sources

466th BG Historian

Date:
ContributorEmily
ChangesCreated entry with caption, unit associations, person associations and place associations
Sources

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