John R Elder

Military

media-13065.jpeg UPL 13065 JOHN R. ELDER, T/Sgt., U.S.A.A.F.
Engineer / Top Turret Gunner ~ B-24 #42-7554 "Tail End Charlie"

A.L. DESTRO II

Object Number - UPL 13065 - JOHN R. ELDER, T/Sgt., U.S.A.A.F. Engineer / Top Turret Gunner ~ B-24 #42-7554 "Tail End Charlie"

B-24 - #42-7554 - 8th AF, 445th BG, 702nd BS - stationed in NOV 1943 at RAF Tibenham.

Crashed into the cemetery in Mirns, Friesland, the Netherlands on 22 DEC 1943, killing 7 of the 10 crew.

Story written about the crash in MAR 2015 by Mr. Jaap Halma

http://www.heritageleague.org/brian/54.pdf

11 NOV 2015 Commemoration ceremony photos:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/b-24_liberator_42-7554/albums

11 NOV 2015 YouTube video of event:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVpI3Tf-GWc

Connections

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

Units served with

2nd Combat Bomb Wing

Unit Hierarchy: Wing
Air Force: Eighth Air Force

A pathfinder B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-51681) of the 453rd Bomb Group flies in formation with a fellow Liberator of the 453rd and and a pathfinder Liberator of the 445th Bomb Group. Image via Alan Rowsell.

445th Bomb Group

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

702nd Bomb Squadron

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

People

John Harold Allen

Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
Nationality: American
Unit: 2nd Combat Bomb Wing 445th Bomb Group 702nd Bomb Squadron
Service Numbers: O-465407
Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
Role/Job: Pilot

Erwin Edwin James Bevins

Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
Nationality: American
Unit: 2nd Combat Bomb Wing 445th Bomb Group 702nd Bomb Squadron
Service Numbers: O-807665 / # 12035086
Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
Role/Job: Pilot

Anthony Louis Destro

Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
Nationality: American
Unit: 445th Bomb Group 702nd Bomb Squadron
Service Numbers: 14061673 / O-732613
Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
Role/Job: Bombardier

Joseph F Gill

Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
Nationality: American
Unit: 2nd Combat Bomb Wing 445th Bomb Group 702nd Bomb Squadron
Service Numbers: O-674179 / 129-07-0548
Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
Role/Job: Navigator

Harry Luther Henry

Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
Nationality: American
Unit: 445th Bomb Group 702nd Bomb Squadron
Service Numbers: 33325811
Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
Role/Job: Asst Engineer / Waist Gunner

Aircraft

42-7554

Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
Nicknames: Tail End Charlie
Unit: 445th Bomb Group 702nd Bomb Squadron

Missions

Technical Sergeant Edward Fee of the 91st Bomb Group enjoys a cup of coffee surrounded by his comrades at Bassingbourn after his final mission. Printed caption on reverse of print: 'A-27150 AC - HQ 8th AAF Photo Section, 20 Dec 1943. Ovation on Return. Congratulated on the completion of his tour of "Ops", T/Sgt. Edward Fee (holding cup), 30, of Charlestown, Mass., is surrounded by flying mates as he awaits interrogation. T/Sgt. Fee, holder of Air Medal and slated for the DFC, is aerial engineer of Fortres

VIII Bomber Command 161

Date: 22 December 1943

Places

Tibenham

Site type: Airfield
Known as: Tivetshall

Revisions

Date20 Nov 2021 18:37:29

Contributorjmoore43

ChangesChanges to service number and role

Sources

Removed extra characters from S/N and Role/job fields.

Date15 Feb 2016 18:37:37

Contributorusafdo

ChangesChanges to biography

Sources

A. L. DESTRO II

Date10 May 2015 19:34:33

Contributorusafdo