1944 crash of B24 44-40210

[Robert L.]

Hello everybody,

After 2 years of lurking and enjoying all the topics on this forum I decided to add something myself. After seeing the thread of Jack Cook about B24s going down I thought I contribute the picture below since after a search on the forum I did not find it discussed before.



And a close-up:



The pictures shows the last second of B24 44-40210 of the 491st Bombardment Group, 854th Squadron shot down on a supply drop during operation market garden in 1944. When I first came across this picture as a kid reading about the battle for my home town it made a lasting impression on me. However not knowing the registration number it proved difficult to determine the cause and the fate of the crew. Recently however I came across the website below which describes the full story of 44-40210.
http://www.coulthart.com/jkhunter.html

Sobering thought that literally seconds after this picture was taken from a circling plane overhead 9 of the 10 people aboard would be dead… Only waist gunner Frank DiPalma survived the ensuing explosion, being blown clear of the wreckage.

All heroes in my opinion, may they rest in peace.
Best regards,
Robert

[Holedigger]

Astounding photo, though indeed sobering. This was supposed to be a "milk run" and instead it ended up being the costliest mission for the squadron. Arnhem was indeed "A Bridge Too Far". Lack of good intel and underestimating the enemy was and still is a dangerous business! It gets people killed.
Thanks for posting. I've never seen that pic. though it tells a terrible story.

[Chicoartist]

Thanks so much for posting that, Robert! I'm familiar with that photo, but have never seen it in such detail.

The small versions of this pic in books were a little confusing as to what exactly was going on - was it really the second the plane crashed as the captions said? Yes, now I know it was. It's good to now know the backstory as well. I believe this is the only 8th AF heavy bomber crash pic I've ever seen taken at the moment of 'contact'. And yes, it's also very sobering to realize the fate of the crew literally seconds later save one very lucky (as the site mentions) young man. Glad he lived to be 70 with a wife and three kids.

Don't be a stranger - you make a h-e-l-l of a first impression!

Wade

[Ztex]

Wow!

I have also seen this photo before but I have never heard the story behind it.

Great stuff!

Thanks...and welcome to WIX!

[Django]

That's one heck of a photo.

welcome aboard.

[Swiss Mustangs]

high resolution is available on footnote:

http://www.footnote.com/image/49112587/ ... /#49112587

http://www.footnote.com/image/49112587/ ... /#49112611

Martin