|
TP | - | M# | SER | - | BLK | - | MF | SERIAL # |
AF |
BG |
BS |
SC | RCL/# | V#-P | PHOTO CREDITS |
BABY SHOES |
B |
- |
24 |
J | - |
1 | - |
FO | 42-50555 | 8 | 458 | 753 | J4 | A | 02-5 |
N/A |
Port (Left) 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).
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Best Web. Published on Veterans Day 11/11/97. Last
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27-Mar-2021