B-24’s 858 BS 492 BG 14 and 15/04/1945

[Luc Vervoort]

Hi,
The history of the 858TH BS (492 BG) for April 1945 mentions for

14 April 1945 :
8 aircraft and crews departed on operational mission to Neuruppin, Germany – 3 aborted – 1 aircraft crash-landed at A-93 France (additional information not available) – 1 diverted to Woodbridge England – 1 diverted to A-96 France. Success of mission undetermined.

15 April 1945 :
8 aircraft went on high altitude bombing mission to Lichfield, Germany – 1 aircraft diverted to Brussels, Belgium.

(source : AFHRA reel A0667 p.1064)

For the crash landed aircraft at A-93 (= Bierset airfield, Belgium) 44-49297 is mentioned by another source, but others mention that this plane crashed on 14/04/1945 in Norway. Which information is correct ?

Which was the serial of the plane that diverted to Brussel on 15/04/1945 ?

Many thanks and best regards

Luc

[RSwank]

The operations log for the unit is available online:

http://www.801492.org/Air%20Crew/NuLog.html

The plane that "crash" landed at A-93 is given as 44-49297 with the Norman Crew.

The plane that crashed in Norway (on the 19th) was 41-28910 with the Shaw Crew (all killed). MACR is 14191.
The old Carpetbagger site (no longer maintained) is here: http://www.801492.org/MainMenu.htm

The MACR is on this page: http://www.801492.org/Air%20Crew/Shaw/Shaw%20Crew.html

[Luc Vervoort]

Hi,

Many thanks for the info and the link.

This gives as result for 44-49297 :

Crash-landed during an operational mission to Neuruppin, Germany, on a wet runway at A-93 (Bierset airfield), due to mechanical problems with engine nr.3. The entire crew was safe : 1Lt. Norman L.I’Lone (O-680061, pilot), 2Lt. George J.Hoerter (O-713443, co-pilot, born on 14/10/1920 at Louisville, Kentucky; returned from USAF in 1974; + 19/08/2013 at Lebanon, Kentucky; grave : Saint Augustine Church Cemetery, Lebanon, Kentucky), 2Lt. Robert M.Archer (O-722804, navigator), 2Lt.William F. Wilson, jr. (O-769330, bombardier), T/Sgt. Douglas V.Bartley (36462183, flight engineer, born in 1924, enlisted on 16/04/1943 at Kalamazoo, Michigan), S/Sgt. William F.Allen (19149936, radio operator, born in 1918, enlisted on 5/10/1942 at Sacramento County, California), S/Sgt. John Joseph Zhotohoski (33609666, gunner, born on 6/04/1919 at Benton, Illinois; enlisted on 10/08/1943 at Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania); 1Lt. Clayton P.Scott (O-673740, mickey operator, born on 20/05/1916), S/Sgt. Huey P.Coltharp (38493126, tailgunner). A passenger (? , flight surgeon) was also unharmed.

Best regards

Luc