Elmer J Bethke

Military ROLL OF HONOUR

Shot down and crashed near Charleroi, Belgium on return from a bombing mission to Aschersleben & Helmstedt, GR on 20 Feb 1944 in B-24J #42-64166 'Big Fat Butterfly'. Killed in Action (KIA).



Earlier 13-Nov-1943 on mission to Bremen in B-24 #41-29168, lost power systems and developed engine problems. Crash landed in a field in Norfolk. Navigator was pinned in the crashed a/c for 4 hours with a broken leg and all crew members suffered cuts and bruises. An RAF rescue crew had to tunnel under the a/c to release the navigator. Crew returned to duty.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 44th Bomb Group.

44th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
A B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-95260) nicknamed "Lili Marlene" of the 66th Bomb Squadron, 44th Bomb Group flies in formation with two comrades. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'B-24 H & B-24 J OF 44th B.G. 66th Sqdn'

66th Bomb Squadron

  • Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
B-24 Liberators of the 44th Bomb Group line up for takeoff at Shipdham in 1943. The 'Flying Eight-Ball' emblem of the 68th Bomb Squadron is visible on the nose of the leading aircraft. Image stamped with field press censor, 1943. Press Agency photograph- original printed caption has been removed.

68th Bomb Squadron

  • Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Aircraft

41-29168

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 66th Bomb Squadron

42-64166

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Big Fat Butterfly
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 66th Bomb Squadron

Events

Event Location Date Description

Died

20 February 1944

Born

Muscoda, Wisconsin

Buried

Zachary Taylor National Cemetery, Louisville, Kentucky

Revisions

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Contributorjmoore43
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Sources

Added S/N per MACR 2449 at Fold3.com see: https://www.fold3.com/image/28604053

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Contributorjmoore43
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Added connections to A/C #42-64166 & A/C #41-29168 listed in the "Summary biography".

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Contributorjmoore43
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Added a "-" to the A/C serial # in the "Summary biography" for clarity.

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Contributorjmoore43
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Added the words "Possible DUPLICATE" in the nickname field so an admin can check out this person.

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ContributorAAM
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Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 2449, Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces, Losses of 8th & 9th AFs Vol I by Bishop & Hey p. 371