Emil L Grogg

Military

Emil Grogg was Engineer on B-24 “Pregnant Peg”, Serial 42-50328 (44th BG/506th BS), one of the Squadron’s 8 Liberators sent to bomb the La Perth airfield in Romilly, France on 8 August 1944. Just after take-off, the ship lost one of its engines. Pilot Jacobs decided to abort the mission and tried to return to the base. While flying the traffic pattern, the pilot attempted to get back to Shipdham but as a result of turning into the dead engine, it spun in and crashed with a full load of bombs and exploded at 11:55 hours alongside the road at Birds Corner, Yaxham near Dereham, Norfolk, 4km northeast of the base. The load comprised 46 x 100lb fragmentation bombs, half of which exploded in the crash and others in the ensuing fire. All 10 crew members lost their lives in the incident and are recorded as DOI (Died of Injuries).

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 44th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 506th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 11106940
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant (RAF)
  • Role/Job: waist gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 506th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 39917713
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant (RAF)
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 506th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 33408973
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 506th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19116466 at enlistment, then O-556125
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 506th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 17097564 at enlistment, then O-700615
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Pregnant Peg
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 506th Bomb Squadron

Missions

  • Date: 8 August 1944

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Enlisted

22 March 1943 Baltimore, Maryland

Other

Killed In Action

8 August 1944 Officially reported as Died Of Injuries (DOI) in the crash and explosion after take-off of B-24 # 42-50328 at Yaxham, England

Born

West Virginia
Dunmore, Pocahontas County, West Virginia

Buried

Emil Grogg rests in a common grave with Pilot Jacobs, Co-Pilot Harmon and Bombardier Ward at the Fort Scott National Cemetery in Kansas.

Revisions

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

NARA WWII Enlistment records
WWII Army and Air Corps Casualties
VA Gravesite Locator

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes