42-50606

B-24J serial 42-50606 was assigned to the 328th Bombardment Squadron, 93rd Bombardment Group, flying out of AAF Station 104 (Hardwick).

On 12 October 1944, the aircraft suffered a direct hit from anti-aircraft fire on the No. 3 engine over the target area at Osnabruck. The explosion tore a section of the engine apart and broke the propeller into several pieces. A section of the broken propeller struck the right side of the fuselage at the radio operator's position, tearing a hole approximately 4.5 feet long and 1 foot wide.

Within seconds the aircraft dropped out of formation, passed beneath a nearby ship, and headed downward out of sight. A subsequent 93rd BG report confirmed the aircraft was last sighted at Osnabruck at 1147 hours, altitude 22,700 feet, passing out of view in clouds and appearing to be out of control.

The aircraft came down at Wellmann near Osnabrueck-Schinkel. German records (Casualty No. KU 3184 / AV 1517) from Airbase Headquarters Achmer confirm the aircraft as a B-24 Liberator shot down by anti-aircraft fire. Eight crew members were killed and interred at the Prisoner of War Cemetery, Achmer, on 14 October 1944.