Unknown A/C B-24DAS , 480th ASG, 12AF
 

Hi!

Have done some research on all the B-24Ds' the AAFAC, (The Army Air Forces Antisubmarine Command)

I'm trying to find a ditched B-24, downed by 1-2 Fw 200 Condor. 1943-08-17


The B-24DAS "The Ark" from 480th Antisubmarine group, 12AF, North Africa, was among several other B-24's, protecting a convoy in the Atlantic against German submarines.
Long range Fw 200 Condor attacked a convoy and this particular B-24 got into a dogfight shot down one of the Fw 200, but was badly hit, and the pilot had to ditch/skid the aircraft. 7 Survived, 3KIA. Crew was rescued by the ships in convoy. No MACR. No clues either among several databases. fold3, aviation archeology etc.

Crew:
Pilot: Captain Hugh Durwood Maxwell Jr. ASN: O-40566
2 LT Joseph Alvin Gaudin Jr., Tulsa Oklahoma
FL O Kenneth Keith Hill, Sulphur, Oklahoma
S SGT Edwin H Bliss, Dedham, Massachusetts, ASN: 11027438
SGT James A Bartlett, Buffalo NY, ASN: 12029803
SGT Nicholas C Minko, Brooklyn ASN: 6559110
Tail Gunner S SGT Milton L Browne, Houston Texas ASN: 07002638

Secondary:
3KIA
Have no clues regarding these KIA airmen. It would be great if anyone know who these men where?


Found several articles but regarding the event described above. 1943-08-17 when searching on the crew names.

Newspaper.com
Evening_star_1943_10_19_2

Re: Unknown A/C B-24DAS , 480th ASG, 12AF
 

"skid the aircraft"? This term is unknown to me. Are you sure you have the right crew, and spellings? Your attempt to link to the newspaper article was unsuccessful.


Here is an article that may or may not be helpful.


https://www.smithsonianmag.com/air-s...ght-180954663/

Re: Unknown A/C B-24DAS , 480th ASG, 12AF
 

From your article:
At no time did I feel heroic or any of that kind of stuff,” he says. “Hell, I was scared. I didn’t want to die, but I had to do whatever I needed to do. The thing that sticks out in my mind the most was when I realized we were going to be crashing into the Atlantic Ocean, and I thought we were goners. But in a last-minute desperate effort to avoid catastrophe, I kicked in full right rudder and threw the plane into a skid, and sure enough, instead of our cartwheeling and breaking up and exploding, the water put the fire out, and the airplane broke in three pieces, but it didn’t explode or burn.” Seven of the 10 crew members survived.


Yes it is the correct crew!
Updated the link aswell to the article.


Had some luck and came across the Fleet Air Wing 15 (FAW-15) War History 1942-1945, same documents both in fold3 and NARA.
The 3 KIA was following:

• Corporal Gerald F. Dixon, 12030280
• TSGT James K Horner 32159261
• TSGT Herbert E. Hogg 17033794

https://catalog.archives.gov/id/77633102

Re: Unknown A/C B-24DAS , 480th ASG, 12AF
 

I don't think this is in Army camo., Olive Drab over White; looks more like Navy 3-colour Sea Blue / Intermediate Blue / Insignia White (Sea Blue on extreme tops) with OD left behind the data panel ( Spec. was Jan.5 '43). But if a PB4Y-1 don't know why was with 480ASG unless a transfer from a Navy Sqn. in England? FAW-15 in Port Lyautey (with 480th) had PBYs on 17 August.


Nick

Re: Unknown A/C B-24DAS , 480th ASG, 12AF
 

The USAAF 1st ASS was under operational control of USN FAW-15.
Names of crew appear e.g. in https://catalog.archives.gov/id/4833...ect-thumb--152 and https://catalog.archives.gov/id/4516...ect-thumb--136

Combat operations of 1st ASS in relevant period here, but unfortunately not yet online. See https://catalog.archives.gov/id/2898895
May mention s/n of B-24 if not solved elsewhere?

Leendert

Re: Unknown A/C B-24DAS , 480th ASG, 12AF
 

Thanks Leendert. Johan.....you may find this of interest for air encounters by 479 / 480 ASGs; from July 43 to Oct.43 including Maxwell on Aug. 17. Unfortunately no serials listed.


Nick


https://www.uboatarchive.net/AAF/AAF...yAppendix3.htm

Re: Unknown A/C B-24DAS , 480th ASG, 12AF
 

T/Sgt H E Hogg, T/Sgt J K Horner and T/Sgt W W Dick(?) all killed in 42-403331/L. Condor was from 2/KG 40 and 4 crew were POW. Credit for the B-24 (not PB4Y-1) went to Oblt Heinz Kuchenmeister. In my Fw 200 book page 189

Re: Unknown A/C B-24DAS , 480th ASG, 12AF
 

I may be wrong but I think the aircraft was -
B-24D-50-CO Liberator - 42-40333.
Don't believe that there was a 42-403331 ?

Then there was -
42-40337
480th ASG, 2nd ASS) shot down by Ju 88C-6 of KG 40/V 512 km W of Carnota, Spain Sep 18, 1943.
MACR 706. 10 KIA.

Re: Unknown A/C B-24DAS , 480th ASG, 12AF
 

Typo-40331 is correct (fat fingers strike again!). As to 18 Sep, I have no claims by V./KG 40 apart from the Horsa.