Liberator shot down over Belgium

I know an eye witness to the shooting down of a Liberator by two German fighters. It was some time June-August 1944 over Burnontige. He believes the wreckage was at Werbomont. He saw 2 or 3 parachutes. Have you any details of this event?

[Alex Smart]

Hi Nonny,

Just this for you.

vague date makes it not so easy.

Could it have been earlier? if so then -

466 BG, 787 BS
42-52584
Shot down by Fw190's some 30 m Sof Brussels , is that near ?
a/c letter " F "
name "Worry Bird II"
MACR 4803

Pilot : Lt. Warren M. Allender
Copilot: 2Lt. Horace F. Hall

Four crew POW; six crew KIA

Then there was -

458BG, 752 BS
42-100365
Shot down on 12th July 44
Crashed at Harveng (?)
name "Battlin Betty" or "Battlin Baby"
Pilot: Lt.Charles W. Quirk
5 evd; 4 POW

And also -

801 BG, 788 BS
42-50584
On the 6th August , went down over Belgium but crashed in Holland ?
Pilot: Lt. Robert C. McLaughlin
crew of ten, no MACR

That should start you off on your search.

night

Alex

I know that a book was written that referred to the 2 or 3 parachute survivors of the crash who were hidden by the Belgians and escaped.

[Jaap Woortman]

Originally Posted by Alex Smart

And also -

801 BG, 788 BS
42-50584
On the 6th August , went down over Belgium but crashed in Holland ?
Pilot: Lt. Robert C. McLaughlin
crew of ten, no MACR

Alex

Alex,

Do you know where this B-24 has made it's crashlanding in th Netherlands?

At the forum of the website "B-24/PB4Y Research Team" it is stated at August 15th, 2004 that 42-50584 Star Duster made his crashlanding at 06/08/44 nr Wiheries/Dour Belgium. The original question was from Luc Vervoort.


Jaap

[Alex Smart]

Hi Jaap,


From Mighty 8th Chronology -

All it has is "RFO-CL" and "SAL 7 Aug 44"

From Mighty 8th Chronology Supplement -

Just has crews names , as follows -

P - Lt. Robert C. McLaughlin
CP - Lt. Leo O. Arlin
CP - Lt. Daniel G. Olenych
B - Lt. Bertram D. Knapp
TT - T/Sgt. John Y. Bear
RO - T/Sgt. Donald C. Adamson
TG - S/Sgt. Warren H. Lee
PS - Lt. William F. Reagan
DP. S/Sgt. Fred W. Heath
PS = passenger;DP= Despatcher.

Heavy Bombers of the Mighty 8th has -

06 08 44 FTR 07 08 44 SAL

The bit about Holland did I am sure come from the B24 Best web pages . cannot recall if it was on the new or old forum though.

Alex

[Mifletz]

It was B-24H 42-52651 of the 487th Bomb Group, which was lost on May 28, 1944 and crashed near Xhoris. Four members of the crew escaped.
Detailed in Ivo de Jong's book 'Mission 376, battle over the Reich' www.hikokiwarplanes.com/376.htm