B-24 crash in Italy, 1st October 1944
 

On 1 October 1944 the B-24J 42-51995 crashed near Mottola, Italy, killing (at least) the pilot, Norman Apking.

I would like to have more details about this crash, especially the names and fates of the other crew.

Thanks in advance

Laurent

Re: B-24 crash in Italy, 1st October 1944
 

Laurent,

On airforcehistoryindex.org the crew is mentioned as follows:

APKING, NORMAN E.; LESLIE, ROBERT T.; HERSHKOWITZ, MURRAY; GIBBS, JAMES E.; SHOREY, FORREST F.; CHAMBERLAIN, HARRY K.; LUND, CLAYTON J.; HUBERT, EARL B.; HORRIGAN, JOHN P.; ERVIN, LYLE H. (MOTTOLA ITALY) (45-10-1-

Regards,

Leendert

Re: B-24 crash in Italy, 1st October 1944
 

Laurent,

All men were killed. Three are buried in Italy according to the AMBC website (Gibbs, Chamberlain, Lyle). The others are also mentioned on wwiimemorial.com with DNB.

B-24 flew against mountain in zero visibilty at location you referred to.

Unit is unclear, but some men were assigned to HQ 15th AF.

Regards,

Leendert

Re: B-24 crash in Italy, 1st October 1944
 

Thanks a lot, Leendert, both for the reply at my question, but also for showing me a very intersesting website I didn't know so far (airforcehistoryindex.org).

Re: B-24 crash in Italy, 1st October 1944
 

Laurent
I presume the crew were from a USAAF sqdn based at Foggia ?

Anne

Re: B-24 crash in Italy, 1st October 1944
 

The B-24 was then attached to Air Transport Command, and one of the crew registered on the AMBC website is shown as belonging to Headquarters Squadron, Fifteenth Air Force.

At this stage of the war, there were no more moves from bomber units from USA to Italy. I believe that replacement aircraft were flown by ferry crew or by replacement crews, but were not allocated to a precise Group until they arrived in Foggia.

In this case, as there was a full ten-man crew aboard, I guess it was a replacement/reonforcement crew rather than a ferry crew flying this bomber.

Re: B-24 crash in Italy, 1st October 1944
 

Laurent,

Indeed, some of the killed crew had the rank of private or corporal while a regular crew had sergeants and lieutenants.

Aviationarchaeology.com also has AT as parent unit.

Regards,

Leendert