This update is provided to correct the record on S/Sgt Woodrow W. Belk. S/Sgt Belk, from Charlotte, North Carolina, was one of my mother's older brothers. S/Sgt Belk was married and he and his wife, Margaret, were expecting a child. His daughter was born after his death. Below is supporting information from the Missing Air Crew Report, the 446th Bomb Group History, and online resources.
David P. Hunter
Major, US Army (Retired)

Missing Air Crew Report 7248:
Para 14 – Summary of circumstances surrounding missing aircraft and crew.
“At 0815 hours at 51’50’ N – 03’30’ E this ship was heard on the radio by another aircraft in the formation. Pilot of missing ship [2nd Lt. Rex Muse] stated that he had a runaway propeller and would not attempt to catch 446th formation but would join another outfit, was not turning back, needed no help. Receiving pilot called this ship 10 minutes but received no answer.”

From The History of the 446th Bomb Group (H), 1943-1945
Muse’s aircraft was “several miles out the south Dutch coast” when he called 1st Lt. George A. Linko, “who advised Muse to use the feathering button to control the propeller” The Co-Pilot of 42-51257, 2nd Lt. John J. Bourque was captured.

From After- Action Reports for Schwere Flak-Abteilung 631 and Schwere Flak-Abteilung 903
These battalions were heavy Flak units, primarily armed with 88mm guns. The headquarters of the 631st Flak Battalion was located in Voelklingen, west of Saarbrucken. This battalion was part of Flak Regiment 169, FlakGruppe Saar- Lotharingen.
The battalion reports indicated that the batteries were alerted at 0935 hrs to a formation of 30 to 40 Liberator bombers flying southeast at an altitude of 6500 meters. This battalion fired 422 rounds of 88 mm shell at this formation; the 903rd Flak Battalion fired 354 rounds of 88mm shell. At 0945 hrs. a single aircraft was seen to crash 700 meters west of Langemuhle, 5 kilometers southwest of Pirmasens. The reports state the aircraft was on fire when it crashed and was 95 percent destroyed. 8 men were shown as killed and one man captured. The Germans listed the aircraft number as “251257”, which would match tail number 42-51257

From 446th Bomb Group Mission List for July 1944 (online at 446th Bomb Group website)
July 21: Munich
A bad day. Heavy clouds caused the target to be abandoned. Multiple targets of opportunity were hit, including bridges, railroads, and tunnels. 3 planes were lost in the intense flak. "Quivering Box" (42-100315) had 2 engines taken out by flak and went down, killing 8 men with 3 more taken prisoner. "Maximum Effort" (42-95188) was hit by flak and crashed, killing 2 with the remaining 8 taken prisoner. A third, unnamed plane (42-51257) suffered an engine failure, and was subsequently hit by flak. 9 crewmen were killed and one was taken prisoner.

From "Summary of Aircraft Currently on Assignment to this Squadron 7th June 1945" (online at Norfolk and Suffolk [UK] Aviation Museum website)
"Quivering Box" (42-100315) HN-C from 705th Bomb Sqdn. Listed as down near Halsteren, Holland.

"Maximum Effort" (42-95188) RT-Z from 706th Bomb Sqdn. Listed as down over Liebersbronn Germany (vicinity of Esslingen am Neckar, west of Stuttgart).

Unnamed plane (42-51257) HN-G, from 705th Bomb Sqdn, listed as lost over Langmuhle, Germany (second mission for this aircraft). This aircraft was lost over the Saar area.

Aircraft data: B24 J-1, aluminum finish, built at the Douglas Aircraft - Tulsa plant
No nickname or nose art
Tail Number 42-51257
Unit Codes HN – G
2 missions flown with this aircraft

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 7248 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database