Anthony Loera

Military

Connections

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Units served with

Three little girls hold up a balloon celebrating the 100th mission of the 466th Bomb Group in front of a B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-95592) nicknamed "Black Cat". Handwritten caption on reverse: 'On our 100 Mission party Day- 18 Aug 1944, Attlebridge, 466th- wouldn't it be something if we could identify these girls? How could I do it?'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 786th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 786th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 786th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-698455
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 786th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

The nose art of a B-24 Liberator nicknamed "Laden Maid" of the 466th Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'I beleive this is 560M parked in revetment #6- last mission- # 118 11 Sept 44. My records show 521K moved in and took her place- this one called "Laden Maid Again"- but no insignia painted on nose- I have a picture of 521K that shows it as a silver bird- no paint. What do you have different than this? Oh Yes 521K (44-10521)- also occupied Rev # 6- with first mission on # 120 (5 Oct 44).'
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Laden Maid
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 786th Bomb Squadron

Places

Aerial photograph of Attlebridge airfield, looking north, the fuel store and a T2 hangar are in the upper centre, 31 January 1946. Photograph taken by No. 90 Squadron, sortie number RAF/3G/TUD/UK/51. English Heritage (RAF Photography).
  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Attlebridge Arsenal, Station 120

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Oakland, California 24 July 1922

Enlisted

San Francisco, California 19 January 1943

Other

466th BG Combat Tour

RAF Attlebridge, Norfolk, UK 23 March 1944 - 8 July 1944 "On one of our missions, I don't recall which one, our radio operator, Anthony Loera, reached down to pick up his flak helmet from the floor as the flak was getting pretty heavy. He found that it had been shot full of holes. It saved his life." - Russell McNair, Crew #614 Navigator
Alameda County, California
Roseville, California

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Removed an extraneous character from the "Summary biography".

Date
ContributorLeftcoast3CE
Changes
Sources

Painting of U8-M Laden Maid at Attleborough Visitors' Center listing the names of the original crew on a plaque

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Unit roster in the book ATTLEBRIDGE ARSENAL by Wassom & Brassfield, page 347