crash B-24 on 29.11.1944

[manniw]

Who can help me?

On November 29, 1944, at around 2:00 p.m., a B-24 crashed near Grevenbroich, Germany. According to German records, five people were captured and one was fatally injured.
I have not yet been able to locate this aircraft. Can anyone provide more detailed information?

Thank you and best regards
Manni

[Buckeye30]

Hi Manni. This was B-24J 42-50472 (445BG) the only B-24 lost on Mission 729 to the Bielefeld / Altenbeken rail viaducts; pilot 1/Lt. Stan Morley. 2 engines out possibly to Flak.
MACR 11215.

Regards
Nick

[manniw]

Hi Nick,
Thanks for the quick reply. But I have slight doubts as to whether this is the machine I'm looking for. The German documents I have mention a B-17 that crashed on November 29, 1944, at 2:00 p.m. near Pütz/Harff, close to Grevenbroich. However, the German anti-aircraft records refer to a “LIBERATOR” shot down near Pütz.
There are also two KU numbers (KU-3505 and KU-3490) which, in my opinion, refer to the same crash. However, it is not clear whether this was a B-17 or a B-24. And according to the USAF daily report on the attacks of November 29, 1944, no loss of a B-17 is recorded...so I'll have to dig a little deeper.
Thanks and best regards
Manni

[Revi16]

Both KU's refer to a Fortress.

KU-3490 https://catalog.archives.gov/id/147910419?objectPage=2
KU-3505 https://catalog.archives.gov/id/147910822

[manniw]

Thanks Revi,
I am familiar with both KU reports and have them on file.
Thanks and best regards,
Manni

[Revi16]

In KU-3505, page 2, indicates the engines (Motore) were built by Studebaker. Studebaker was licensed to build the Wright R-1820 during WWII. This is marked on the engine Data Plate.
https://usautoindustryworldwartwo.com/studebaker.htm

Studebaker built the R-1820 (9 cyl.) used on the B-17, but did not build the R-1830 (14 cyl.) used on the B-24. Perhaps the Flak guys may have gotten it wrong.

I'm curious why they only found 6 people total whether B-17 or B-24?

[Buckeye30]

The 2- RAF RCM squadrons (214 Fortress and 223 Liberator) were operating on "Window" and Jamming on nights, 28/29 and 29/30 Nov. but no losses.

Regards
Nick
(The KUs give the time as 1400 as Manni noted).

[FrankieS]

maybe not important, but at least this page:
http://www.archiv-oberaussem.com/web...bombenabwuerfe

states that there were bombings in this region (10 km E of Pütz at Niederaussem) on 29.11.1944

http://www.archiv-oberaussem.com/web...bombenabwuerfe

[Buckeye30]

Hi Frankie. This must have been a "target of opportunity" as only 10 bombs; a long way from the Primary targets on the 29th. (1st. Div. B-17s to Misburg-Hanover, 3rd. Div. B-17s to Hamm); and Grevenbroich is NW of Cologne not far from Niederaussem.
This is the Grevenbroich web-site; go to "Table of Contents" and p.129 "1944 beware low-flying aircraft". There may be something there but I can't view it.
(The B-24 lost came down 20M. NW of Paderborn at 12.57 but it looks like it was a B-17 whatever the date).


Nick


https://portal-dnb-de.translate.goog...n&_x_tr_pto=sc

[FrankieS]

Hi all,
I assume the looked for a/c crashed one day later as:

441130 B-17 42-38133 AW-O Reluctant Dragon 96 337 Towle, Frederick A KIA 6, POW 3 41515 Grevenbroich-Elfgen D


bye,
FrankieS