Headquarters (379th Bomb Group)

Headquarters
media-20500.jpeg UPL 20500 B-17 42-107213 "Rubble Rouser"

She had just returned from the mission to Neuss, Germany 23 Jan 1945. They were having difficulties from some battle damage, you may notice that engine #1 is feathered and eventually they had only one engine working during this landing attempt. Kimbolton her home air field was locked in and all 379th Aircraft were diverted to Wendling Air Base .

Lt Hathaway attempted to land on the remaining three engines but when he came out of the haze he saw that he was too far right of the runway. He attempted a full power go around but engine #2 blew out a cylinder causing the aircraft to lose more altitude. Lt Hathaway then put her into a bank in order to miss two water towers but he also clipped the roof of the link trainer building. He straightened her out but then lost engine #3. Luckily for him and the crew there was a parade field just ahead. The plane skidded off the icy end of the Parade Field striking a truck carrying spare parts for the link trainers. All personnel survived the incident and the "Rubble Rouser" was sent to the 2nd BAD where they scavenged her for parts,

This incident is often confused with the Take off incident of Aircraft #42-31592 "No Body's Baby" earlier that morning at Kimbolton. She stalled around 30 feet in the air and then made a hard turn and crashing into the 525th BS - Head Quarters Area killing Nine Airmen. It was a bad day for the 379th because only five aircraft got Airborne and flew the mission to Nuess. Upon return none could land at Kimbolton because the weather had actually gotten worse. All returning aircraft were diverted to other airbases. The 379th BG suffered a great loss that morning culminating into this incident that afternoon.

379th BG Records and the personal remembrances of Lt Carl Hathaway.

Object Number - UPL 20500 - B-17 42-107213 "Rubble Rouser" She had just returned from the mission to Neuss, Germany 23 Jan 1945. They were having difficulties from some...

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Unit stations

Station Location Date

Based

Kimbolton

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group Headquarters (379th Bomb Group)
  • Highest Rank: Master Sergeant
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group Headquarters (379th Bomb Group)
  • Service Numbers: 857005
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Group Weather Officer
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group Headquarters (379th Bomb Group)
  • Service Numbers: 856177
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Photographic Laboratory Officer
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 42nd Station Complement Squadron Headquarters (379th Bomb Group) Detachment A (203rd Finance Section)
  • Service Numbers: 562498
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Dentist, Station Finance Officer
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group Headquarters (379th Bomb Group)
  • Service Numbers: 580542
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Assistant Statistical & S-1 Officer

Revisions

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / 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)

Headquarters (379th Bomb Group): Gallery (5 items)