IWM catalogue record
This contains information written on the back of the original print and some of it may be inaccurate.
The burning wreck of a B-24 Liberator (serial number 44-40085) nicknamed "Z-Bar" of the 389th Bomb Group after crash landing at Hethel, after being damaged by British flak, 22 April 1944 Official caption on image: "A-52292 A.C." Handwritten caption on reverse: '22/4/44 B, 218. 218/RFWD225. 389BG Crash landing at base after returning from mission - all crewmen escaped.' Printed caption on reverse: 'A-52292 AC - Consolidated B-24 "Z-Bar" hit by flak over Hamm, Germany, limped home after dark in the midst of an enemy air raid. Her hydraulic system was shot out by British flak, and attempting to land at her base, which was completely blacked out, she crashed into a radar building and was consumed by fire. No crew member was hurt. Conslidated B-24 "Z-Bar" explodes into flames as all crew members get out.'
Connections
Units
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Group
The 389th Bomb Group, known in more familiar terms as "the Sky Scorpions", flew strategic bombing missions in B-24 Liberators from Hethel, England. They also sent detachments to join bases in North Africa at Benghazi No. 10, Libya, between 3 July 1943...
Aircraft
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B-24 Liberator
On return from mission, crash-landed into radar building at Hethel
Locations
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Military site : airfield
Construction of Hethel airfield began in 1941, and was finished in late 1942. The number of hardstandings was increased from the planned 36 to 50 in 1942, in order to accommodate a full heavy bomb group. The 320th Bomb Group occupied the base for ten...