42-110155 Heavenly Body

media-20968.jpeg UPL 20968 B-24J-140-CO #42-110155 "Heavenly Body"
491st BG - 852nd BS

Object Number - UPL 20968 - B-24J-140-CO #42-110155 "Heavenly Body" 491st BG - 852nd BS

".. HEAVENLY BODY (42-110155), had been losing altitude constantly on the trip home with an engine out. Ditching finally became inevitable, and the radio operator sent out the word. An Air-Sea Rescue unit was standing by when the plane hit, but the icy North Sea waters took a heavy toll. Only two men were saved." - http://www.491st.org/491hist5.html

Connections

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Units served with

A Pathfinder B-24 Liberator (V2-P+, serial number 42-51691) of the 491st Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: '491 BG supplying troops at Arnhem, Sept 1944.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 491st Bomb Group 852nd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 491st Bomb Group 852nd Bomb Squadron
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 491st Bomb Group 852nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 35813911
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 491st Bomb Group 852nd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Civilian
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 491st Bomb Group 852nd Bomb Squadron

Missions

Events

Event Location Date Description

Crashed

North Sea 30 March 1945 "Robert H. Siek, flying the venerable HEAVENLY BODY (42-110155), had been losing altitude constantly on the trip home with an engine out. Ditching finally became inevitable, and the radio operator sent out the word. An Air-Sea Rescue unit was standing by when the plane hit, but the icy North Sea waters took a heavy toll. Only two men were saved." - http://www.491st.org/491hist5.html

Revisions

Date
Contributor466thHistorian
Changes
Sources

Chris Brassfield

Date
Changes
Sources

Created from:
- MACR 16234 - http://www.fold3.com/image/30087456/;
- "Ringmasters - A History of the 491st Bombardment Group (H)" - By Allan G. Blue (Summer, 1964) - http://www.491st.org/491hist5.html

42-110155: Gallery (1 items)