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Two original World War II photographs of B-24H Liberator 41-28934, carrying painted tail number 128934 and nose number 526, associated with the 746th Bombardment Squadron, 456th Bombardment Group, Fifteenth Air Force.
This matched pair preserves two ground views of an identifiable American heavy bomber subsequently lost on a combat mission on 20 October 1944. Its final flight and ten-man crew are documented in Missing Air Crew Report 9214.
AIRCRAFT HISTORY
Aircraft 41-28934 was a B-24H-15-DT Liberator built by Douglas at Tulsa, Oklahoma. Its Douglas construction number was 16049, with Tulsa production number 526 corresponding to the number displayed on the nose.
The aircraft served with the 746th Bombardment Squadron of the 456th Bombardment Group, part of the 304th Bombardment Wing, Fifteenth Air Force. The group operated from Stornara Airfield near Cerignola in the Foggia area of southern Italy.
FINAL MISSION — 20 OCTOBER 1944
On 20 October 1944, 41-28934 was lost while returning from a bombing mission against Bad Aibling airfield in Germany. The published serial history records its crash east of Bergamo, Italy. The original missing-air-crew report lists the cause as unknown.
All ten crew members bailed out, survived, and became prisoners of war. They were released in 1945.
MACR 9214, prepared on 22 October 1944, identifies the following crew:
• 2nd Lt. Walter J. Hansen — Pilot
• 2nd Lt. George E. Caldwell Jr. — Co-pilot
• 2nd Lt. Harold Burg — Navigator
• Flight Officer Joseph M. Giuliano — Bombardier
• Sgt. Marcus P. Chatham — Left waist gunner
• Sgt. Lyle L. Brady — Right waist gunner
• S/Sgt. Granville R. Billingsley — Upper turret gunner
• Sgt. Charles B. Ferrell — Nose turret gunner
• Sgt. David Falkowitz — Ball turret gunner
• Sgt. John W. Bryant — Tail turret gunner
These names belong to the aircraft’s documented final-flight crew. The photographs show the aircraft on the ground before its loss; their exact exposure dates and photographer are unknown.
THE PHOTOGRAPHS
The first print shows the aircraft in profile, including its twin tail, diamond identification marking, national insignia, wing and landing gear.
The second offers a three-quarter view emphasizing the nose turret, number 526, engine nacelles, propellers and undercarriage.
The two prints came from the same album. Each measures approximately 3½ × 2½ inches; please use the ruler photographs as the measurement reference.
CONDITION
Both photographs show visible age and handling wear, including toning, fading, creasing, edge and corner wear, and small areas of surface loss. The profile photograph has a long crease across the upper image area. The reverses show discoloration and marks consistent with previous album storage or mounting.
Please examine all front, reverse and detail photographs closely.
A historically specific pair for collectors of the B-24 Liberator, 456th Bomb Group, Fifteenth Air Force and American POW history, with a documented aircraft loss and a named crew available for further research.
The sale includes the TWO ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTS shown. The presentation collage and enlarged details repeat views of those same two prints.
Type: Photograph
Unit of Sale: Lot
Number of Photographs: 2
Vintage: Yes
Period: World War II
Image Color: Black & White, age toned
Subject: B-24 Liberator; Military Aircraft; USAAF
Aircraft Model: B-24H-15-DT
Aircraft Serial Number: 41-28934
Painted Tail Number: 128934
Nose / Production Number: 526
Aircraft Manufacturer: Douglas, Tulsa
Squadron: 746th Bombardment Squadron
Group: 456th Bombardment Group
Wing: 304th Bombardment Wing
Air Force: Fifteenth Air Force
Associated Airfield: Stornara, Italy
Theater: Mediterranean / European
Aircraft Loss Date: October 20, 1944
Historical Report Reference: MACR 9214
Approximate Print Size: 3½ × 2½ inches each
Orientation: Landscape
Framing: Unframed
Photographer: Unknown
Theme: Militaria; Aviation; WWII
Condition: Used; visible age wear, creases, fading, surface losses and reverse marks
