44-40171 Boomerang
On May 19th, 1944, on a mission to Brunswick, the 492nd was attacked by a group of about 40 ME-109 Messerschmitts. Eight B-24's were lost that day, including the Boomerang. On two engines they managed to limp back just barely over the Dutch coast before loosing a third engine. Rapidly losing altitude, they returned to the coast and crash landed near the small town of Tuitjenhorn in Nazi occupied Holland. Top turret gunner Sgt Uriel Robertson was killed in the rough landing. Everyone else was quickly taken prisoner. 1 KIA, 8 POW, MACR 5242. Local German forces took photos of the Boomerang wreckage, which was not at all uncommon. What is unusual, though, is that these photos were soon stolen by members of the Dutch Resistance from a German soldier in a local pub. Fifty years later the photos were given to Charles Arnett, the pilot of the Boomerang. This aircraft was replaced with 42-95023 LUCKY LASS II obtained from the replacement depot.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 492nd Bomb Group 857th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 0-810985
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 492nd Bomb Group 857th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 492nd Bomb Group 857th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 492nd Bomb Group 857th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-700723
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 492nd Bomb Group 857th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: waist gunner
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: North Pick
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Other Failed to Return (FTR) |
Germany | 19 May 1944 |
Revisions
MACR 5242 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database