397th B26s on 23.12.44

[digiartist]

Hi there, I'm hoping someone on the forum could please help with a little research I'm doing.

Specifically, I'm looking for information regarding individual B-26s of the 397BG that took part in the raid on the Elder Bridge 23rd December 1944.

I've seen details on the aircraft shot down this day, but not on the particular aircraft that made it back.
If anyone could help with information\photographs regarding these aircraft I would be most grateful.
Finally, in Relation to this question, I'm also interested to know if the well known 'Big Hairy Bird' took part too.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks for your time!

[Horst Weber]

Originally Posted by digiartist

Hi there, I'm hoping someone on the forum could please help with a little research I'm doing.

Specifically, I'm looking for information regarding individual B-26s of the 397BG that took part in the raid on the Elder Bridge 23rd December 1944.

I've seen details on the aircraft shot down this day, but not on the particular aircraft that made it back.
If anyone could help with information\photographs regarding these aircraft I would be most grateful.
Finally, in Relation to this question, I'm also interested to know if the well known 'Big Hairy Bird' took part too.

Any help would be much appreciated.


Thanks for your time!

Can provide a s/n # for B-26 "Big Hairy Bird"


Thank you

[digiartist]

Hi Horst,

Big Hairy Bird's serial was

42-96165

I forgot to mention the other aircraft I'm interested in is 'The Joker'. It's serial was 42-96153

I appreciate your response.

Cheers

Gareth

[Horst Weber]

Originally Posted by digiartist

Hi Horst,

Big Hairy Bird's serial was

42-96165

I forgot to mention the other aircraft I'm interested in is 'The Joker'. It's serial was 42-96153

I appreciate your response.

Cheers

Gareth

Good evening Gareth !

By my database, both a/c didn't participated to the ELLER Bridge mission in the morning of December 23rd, 1944.

Best wishes !

Horst Weber

[digiartist]

Hi Horst,

Thanks for taking the time to look up that information. Much appreciated.

I'm actually researching a prospective painting featuring the events of that day, so I'm really looking for a candidate to use as my lead Marauder in the composition.
If you don't mind me asking another question, is there another aircraft in your records that survived the mission that might be suitable?
Ideally one that has been photographed (port nose view)

Anyway, I'm very grateful for your feedback regarding 'Big Hairy Bird' and 'The Joker'

Best Regards

Gareth

[Horst Weber]

Hi Gareth

Is your point of interest only 397th BG or any other BG of 9th AF that day ?.

Horst Weber

[Alex Smart]

hello,
33 aircraft( usual would have been 36 a/c but see the link below) of the 397th BG took part in the mission.
here is the list of the eleven 397th BG losses on the 23rd December 1944.

MACR - 11483 - 42-96144 - 596 BS - Estes.
MACR - 11487 - 42-96182 - 599 BD - Sewart.
MACR - 11349 - 42-96280 - 597 BS - Marshall.
MACR - 10877 - 42-96309 - 387 BG/557 BS - Stith.( was this a/c or crew on loan to the 397th BG - ?)
MACR - 11985 - 43-34430 - 599 BS - Cook.
MACR - 11490 - 43-34434 - 599 BS - Stephensen.
MACR - 13039 - 43-34136 - 599 BS - Eiden.
MACR - 11986 - 43-34139 - 599 BS - McCarthy.
MACR - 11897 - 43-34159 - 599 BS - Dryden.
MACR - 11898 - 43-34185 - 598 BS - Burns.
MACR - 11549 - 43-34221 - 598 BS - Stangle.

Perhaps there is someone out there who may be able to give you serial numbers of the other 22 a/c that returned safely to Base or other landing ground in allied territory.

http://www.battleofthebulgememories....e-mission.html

Alex

[digiartist]

Thanks Horst and Alex,

Horst, I would probably prefer a natural metal finish. Although ideally it would be one of those half and half schemes with OD top surfaces and natural metal everywhere else. I find those a particularly attractive scheme.

Alex, thanks for those serials. It was certainly a bad day for the 397th and the other B-26 units.

Cheers

Gareth

[Horst Weber]

Good evening Gareth

An historical correct participated B-26 aircraft with an atractive noseart which flew that Dec. 23rd 1944 by 397th BG would be B-26B-55-MA, AAF-s/n
42-96191 (The Milk Run Special). This a/c flew that day in position Box I, Flight B, No. 5.

There are profiles of the a/c in the book "B-26 Marauder Units of the Eight and Ninth Air Forces" by Jerry Scutts (page # 61. The same a/c was photographed in colour in spring 1945 still with washed invasion-stripes which is shown in the book "The Ninth Air Force in Colour" by Roger Freeman on page # 120.

Best wishes !

Horst Weber

[digiartist]

Thank you Horst for your help with this, that sounds just the ticket!

Best Regards,

Garet