491st Bomb Group

Group
A Pathfinder B-24 Liberator (V2-P+, serial number 42-51691) of the 491st Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: '491 BG supplying troops at Arnhem, Sept 1944.' media-380930.jpg FRE 2125 A Pathfinder B-24 Liberator (V2-P+, serial number 42-51691) of the 491st Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: '491 BG supplying troops at Arnhem, Sept 1944.' However, the 491st flew to drop zones north of Eindhoven on 18 September 1944, not Arnhem. This B-24 (SN 42-51691) is not on the Fuel Consumption Report that lists the 41 aircraft that participated in that mission. Roger Freeman Collection

Robert Baumgardner, Austin, TX.

Object Number - FRE 2125 - A Pathfinder B-24 Liberator (V2-P+, serial number 42-51691) of the 491st Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: '491 BG supplying troops at...

The 491st Bomb Group flew B-24 Liberators in bombing missions over northern France and Germany from June 1944 until April 1945. Missions over Germany included bombing the headquarters of the German General Staff at Zossen. The Group was awarded a DUC for persevering with a raid on an oil refinery at Misburg on 26 November 1944, despite half of its bombers being destroyed by enemy aircraft.



Browse 491st Bomb Group photographs and other documents in the 2nd Air Division Memorial Library digital archive here: www.2ndair.org.uk/digitalarchive/Dashboard/Index/48

Connections

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Unit stations

Station Location Date

Based

Metfield 25 April 1944 - 15 August 1944

Based

North Pickenham 15 August 1944 - 4 July 1945

Encompassing

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 491st Bomb Group 852nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 38536139
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant (RAF)
  • Role/Job: Aerial Gunner/MOS611
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 491st Bomb Group 854th Bomb Squadron
  • Role/Job: waist gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 491st Bomb Group 855th Bomb Squadron
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 491st Bomb Group 853rd Bomb Squadron
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 491st Bomb Group
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

Co-Pilot is Jim Weicker (not Wyker). Bombardier is Roland Weirback (not Weirbank).
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Hare Power
  • Unit: 491st Bomb Group 852nd Bomb Squadron
"Movement of Unit Flight Echelon, 491st Bomb Gp (H), dd 14 Mar 44 & amendments thereto dd 18 Unr 44 & 22 Mar 44 & 2nd AF Memo 35-2, dd 11 Apr 44• This is a TEMPORARY change of station.
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Unit: 491st Bomb Group 855th Bomb Squadron
"Movement of Unit Flight Echelon, 491st Bomb Gp (H), dd 14 Mar 44 & amendments thereto dd 18 Unr 44 & 22 Mar 44 & 2nd AF Memo 35-2, dd 11 Apr 44• This is a TEMPORARY change of station.
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Pappy's Persuader
  • Unit: 491st Bomb Group 852nd Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Hot Rocks
  • Unit: 491st Bomb Group 855th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Lambsy Divey
  • Unit: 491st Bomb Group 853rd Bomb Squadron

Mission

Revisions

Date
Contributorhardway1
Changes
Sources

Kurt Knutsen

Date
Changes
Sources

2nd Air Division Memorial Library

Date
ContributorCebby
Changes
Sources

Key Image Chosen

Date
ContributorTimothy McKeown
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Sources

C. Timothy McKeown

Date
Contributorjmchristel
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Sources

Added unit type and aircraft type

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database / The Mighty Eighth. A History of the Units, Men and Machines of the US 8th Air Force.' by Roger A. Freeman (1989). 'Air Force Combat Units of World War II' compiled by the Department of the US Air Force, edited by Maurice Maurer (1983). / Units in the UK from ETOUSA Station List, as transcribed by Lt. Col. Philip Grinton (US Army, Retired) and extracted by IWM; air division data from L.D. Underwood, based on the 8th Air Force Strength Report of 6th August 1944, as published in 'The 8th Air Force Yearbook' by Lt. Col. John H Woolnough (1980)

491st Bomb Group: Gallery (337 items)