15th AF B-24 55th Bomber Wing ID

[kaki3152]

Can anyone identify this 15th AF, 55 BW B-24? The serial number looks to be 42-52xx. The upper rectangle clearly identifies this as a 55th Bomber Wing but the bottom half which would identify the group is hard to discern. It may be a 465BG B-24

[researcher111]

It could be any of the 55 BW BG's is very hard to tell , I may tell you more if the crash site location can be identified , based on the soldiers uniforms it could well be in Hungaria or Slovakia.

[HGabor]

I think this is 465 BG B-24H 42-52482, red 'I' at Fertoszentmiklos, Hungary, but have to check my notes. 2 pilots were KIA.
Gabor

[researcher111]

Gabor

Beyond any doubt you are right , the crew of Lt Godfrey were
on their leg back form Bad Voslau when hit by flak killing
the co pilot while attempting a forced landing the pilot
was also killed . I have no details on fate of rest of the crew.

Kaki thanks for the great shot !

[HGabor]

Thanks. The crash site is Sopronkovesd, Hungary, near the Austrian border.

Gabor

[kaki3152]

Thanks to all !

[kaki3152]

This happened on July 26,1944. The plane belonged to the 780th BS. The co-pilot was badly wounded and the pilot (Lt. Harry K. Godfrey) tried to crash land the plane after the crew had bailed out, but unfortunately hit a tree during the landing, killing himself and the wounded copilot (Lt. William J. Hooper)

[HGabor]

Yes.... The pilot's action was a one way ticket to Heaven. Just like Valerian Klein's on August 22, 1944 in his B-24J, 42-51300 (451 BG) who offered his parachute for somebody else, whose was damaged and then exploded midair when his crashlanding attempt failed. Amazing heroism and self-sacrifice.

"Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13)

[researcher111]

Gabro

Who offered parachute to whom on July 26,44 ? Do you have more details on Valerian Klein ?

Alex

[HGabor]

Not July 26, 1944, but August 22, 1944. Valerian E. Klein, pilot of B-24J 42-51300 gave order to his crew to leave their damaged plane, but one of his crewmember (Fight Engineer?) said he cannot bail out, because his chute is damaged. Klein then gave his own chute to him saying he'll try to crash land. The crew left the plane but Klein died when his B-24 suddenly exploded mid-air. It is a shame, that he still hasn't received the Medal of Honor while others, like Donald Dale Pucket at Ploesti had. BTW, Valerian Klein's photo is in B. Stenge Csaba's new book (Elfelejtett Hosok, new edition / 'Forgotten Heroes') on p. 189.

Gabor