BABY SHOES (V2) (PIC 3)

NAME

SER

BLK

SERIAL #

RCL/#

V#-P

PHOTO CREDITS

BABY SHOES

42-50555

458

753

02-3

N/A

Starboard (Right) Side - Transferred: 8/492/856 (5Z F) | 8/458/755 (J3 G) | 8/458/753 (J4 A)

Info Contributor - Tom Brittan
BABY SHOES was flown to England by the North Atlantic route from Grenier Field, Manchester, New Hampshire, under an ATC Operations Order dated 29 May 44, by a crew that was assigned after arrival in England to 453rd BG. After 8th AF modifications, the aircraft was assigned as a replacement ship to 492nd BG at North Pickenham, with which it flew 8 missions from 21 Jun 44. When 492nd BG was taken off daylight bombing operations in mid-Aug 44, went as a replacement ship to 458th BG at Horsham St. Faith, 755th BS as J3 G and transferred in Oct 44 to 753rd BS as J4 A. On 14 Mar 45, at Horsham St. Faith, a waist gunner preparing for a mission on board BABY SHOES, failed to check closely for ammunition in his gun before pulling the trigger. Several rounds went off, which ricocheted into the bomb bay and left wing tank of another B-24, igniting an incendiary bomb and gas tanks, setting that plane afire, exploding the bomb load and causing that plane's complete destruction. The explosion caused major damage to BABY SHOES and five other B-24s as well as minor damage to three others. Repaired and, after the end of the war in Europe, was re-deployed to the Zone of Interior (RZI).