Identity B-24 victory claim 20 km. NW Berlin on 6.3.1944?

[Nick Beale]

Price and Ethell in "Target Berlin" (Jane's, 1981) give 42-7586 as "God Bless Our Ship."

[Martin Gleeson]

Theo,

Stan Bishop and John Hey in 'LOSSES of the US 8th and 9th AIR FORCES, Vol. 2' give the location as " at 1345 hours, in a meadow, 1,100 yards NNW of Wall, District Ruppin, near Schoenwalde'. I presume this location came from the MACR 2960 which they mention. They do not give any reason for the landing, but note the name as 'God Bless our Ship' with 'Q+' on the lower part of the fins.
There are two photos in the book showing this B-24 after it landed. Unfortunately neither show the nose art or they are too grainy in quality.

Regards,

Martin Gleeson.

[Heuser]

Originally Posted by Nick Beale

Price and Ethell in "Target Berlin" (Jane's, 1981) give 42-7586 as "God Bless Our Ship."

'Losses of the US 8th & 9th Air Forces' Vol. 2 by Bishop/Hey also give "God Bless Our Ship" and contains a photo from Wall.

The KU-Report states that this a/c was "forced to an emergency landing by AA and fighter" and had bullet holes in the tail, but the damage was classified with only 15%.

Regards

Alexander

[edwest]

Hello Theo,



Scroll down to entry 2960 and you will see "Little Milo/God Bless our Ship." I can't explain this. Can anyone say if an aircraft name change like this was somewhat common?


http://www.445bg.org/macr-summary.html




Best,
Ed

[udf_00]

http://www.b24bestweb.com/godblessourship.htm
http://www.b24bestweb.com/littlemilo.htm
http://www.americanairmuseum.com/media/1576
There are 2 lines written under the co-pilot window, possibly "God Bless Our Ship". It's also possible that "Little Milo" was on the (usual) port side of the nose.

[Theo Boiten]

Thanks a lot guys for these additional details. It is indeed peculiar that the ship apparently had two nicknames.

Cheers, Theo

[John Beaman]

Originally Posted by Theo Boiten

Thanks a lot guys for these additional details. It is indeed peculiar that the ship apparently had two nicknames.

Cheers, Theo

It was not uncommon for USAAF a/c to have two names or symbols. The pilot would put his stamp on the left side and the crew chief of the a/c would put his on the right side. Maj. George Preddy's well known "Cripes 'A Mighty 3rd" was such an example. It had, on the right side a barber's pole as the crew chief was the squadron barber.

[Theo Boiten]

Thanks a lot for explaining John, much appreciated! Cheers, Theo