42-95209 Sabrina III

media-48887.jpeg UPL 48887 Sabrina III 42-95209

Grandfather

Object Number - UPL 48887 - Sabrina III 42-95209

Sabrina III, #42-95209, 506 Sq. was built at the Ford Willow Run plant and first flown in combat by the Richard Hruby crew. Her 106 missions were an amazing record for any B-24 at a time when 15 missions were about average.

Brad Wallingford, nephew of the Bartley twins, has done considerable research on his uncles' craft. Quoting from the diary of 'Doc' Blanchard, Radio Operator, Wallingford wrote that on a mission to an airfield at Laon, France, (23 June 1945) the hydraulic system was shot out by flak, and had no brakes for landing. The two waist gunners tied their chutes to the waist guns,

to aid in stopping the plane.

Four days later the Fred Stones crew flew the plane to the marshalling yards at Creil, France. Flak hit the #3 booster pump connection to #3 gas tank, causing fuel to pour out into the slip stream. Believing the spray to be smoke, Sgt. William Strange, RW Gunner, jumped out, parachuted safely to the ground, then was captured and was a POW until May 1st.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 44th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 506th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 506th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 7284340
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 506th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13052080 on enlisting
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot

Missions

  • Date: 13 August 1944

Revisions

Date
ContributorAdam Bartley
Changes
Sources

8th airforce

Date
Changes
Sources

Information from the 44th Bomb Group Loading Lists at Rootsweb via William Mulholland.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

MACR 6743 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

42-95209: Gallery (2 items)