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Allied and Soviet Air Forces Please use this forum to discuss the Air Forces of the Western Allies and the Soviet Union. |
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#1
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Re: B-24 lost on May 18, 1944?
A small addition , Markham was executed after numerous interrogations and severe torture by the Bulgarians who were convinced he was spying for OSS. In fact he bravely declined to identify his own crew members during the interrogation. An other pilot detained in Sofia was also executed on same grounds ( I wounder about the identity of the 2nd pilot ) . One of the problems was that Markham was arrested by a Fascist Militia during his train ride wearing civilian clothes claiming to be fighter pilot and later on was not able to produce his dog tag . In fact Gen Hall's mission later on in 1944 /45 was to put on trial those who tortured and murdered US airmen in Bulgaria. Last addition, the entire crew bailed out near Pleven (BUL) at or about an alt of 3'000 ft , the wreckage depicted above is of a Lib which executed a forced landing rather an aircraft ditched at the mentioned altitude , therefore it must belong to an other aircraft.
Alex K PS : The shot above could well be this of 42-78081 Last edited by researcher111; 13th March 2017 at 17:29. |
#2
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Re: B-24 lost on May 18, 1944?
There doesn't seem to be any National Markings on the side of the aircraft either.
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#3
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Re: B-24 lost on May 18, 1944?
Quote:
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#4
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Re: B-24 lost on May 18, 1944?
Dénes,
2nd Lt Thomas J Markham, O803340. I have him as "shot while escaping" which may just be what was officially reported. Enjoy! Frank.
__________________
Civilization is the most fragile ecology of all. |
#5
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Re: B-24 lost on May 18, 1944?
B-24 42-522253 made it back to Italy where had to be ditched ,as into the missing markings numerous Libs of the 15th AF which came back from Stage D maintainance and which immediately entered service did not carry any markings except reg.
Last edited by researcher111; 2nd March 2017 at 19:10. |
#6
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Re: B-24 lost on May 18, 1944?
After looking through the MACR's for this day, the aircraft involved must be 42-52253
German document KSU 1214 records that 6 crew bailed out and were captured in Seliski, near Tuzi, 18 km SE of Podgorica, in partisan territory. The other 4 crew were captured after the emergency landing at Podgorica Airport, 18th May, 1944 at 16:00 hours. The aircraft had made a belly landing but was in otherwise good condition. The landing gear was noted as damaged, the left outer propeller was broken (off) and a flak hit seen below the tail gun position. Markings and assignment numbers missing except on the left front fuselage below the cockpit: US Army B24 H-11 F. O. Air Force Serial No. 42-52253 Besides the number 90 389. |
#7
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Re: B-24 lost on May 18, 1944?
Hello all,
It is not Podgorica airfield for sure. First, the surroundings visible on the photo do not fit. Second, clothes worn by the civilians are not what they would look in Montenegro at the time. Third, there is no way any locals could walk around the airfield and take photos. Podgorica was in the midst of the 'Bandengebiet' and very well defended. Cheers, Boris |
#8
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Re: B-24 lost on May 18, 1944?
Sean it could well be the 52253 because the shot clearly indicating a belly landing , however and that's the big however the 52253 departed with clearly visible markings
the one in question did not carry any and seems to have come out of stage D checks from Napoli. Strangely on the original shot posted even the Army AF roundel vanished. Also,I must agree with Boris it does not seem close to any military airfield installation due to the crowd depicted on it, but I may be wrong .Btw the Nr 2 depicted on the rudder it shows past 376th BG affiliation however the diamond on top is missing . Alex Smart , NO WAY - the Lib you presumed of 460 BG was ditched while airborne, crashed and was consumed by post crash fire Last edited by researcher111; 13th March 2017 at 17:29. |
#9
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Re: B-24 lost on May 18, 1944?
These are the Libs lost on May 18,44 to/frm Ploesti mission
....however if the date provided by Theodor isn't correct we are looking for a needle on haystack . 42-29246 42-78081 42-52253 42-64347 42-52351 41-29576 42-52355 |
#10
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Re: B-24 lost on May 18, 1944?
Frank " shot while escaping " this what may have happened , do you have any records about this event ? The MACR has no many relevant details on the execution . While looking into Gen.Hall mission report who came to Bulgaria to trail the atrocities at Schumen as well a book written by Lt H.A. Walker "Leave us not be bitter " who was an ex POW at Schumen, I could not find any details as into Markham's execution .
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