"468" (PIC 2)

NAME	TP	-	M#	SER	-	BLK	-	MF	SERIAL #	AF	BG	BS	SC	RCL/#	V#-P	PHOTO CREDITS
"468"	B	-	24	M	-	5	-	FO	44-50468	15	455	740	~	7	00-2	LEO MERCER

Contributor - Al Blue
Photo was taken by Leo Mercer, a Tail Gunner in the 455th BG who witnessed the crash. It was sent to me in 1997 after I ran a piece about the accident in "Briefing", the newsletter of the International B-24 Liberator Club.

Info Contributor - James A. Leddy
"Italy 4/19/45 <press release date> -- U.S. B-24 in freak accident -- This 15th USAAF B-24 Liberator stands balanced on its nose after a freak accident in taking off. six men in the nose of the plane met instant death when the ship. leaving on a mission, nosed over. An accidental application of brakes is thought to be the cause of the mishap. At the time that this photo was taken, rescue crews had not been able to reach the bodies of the crew members. -- approved by appropriate military authority."

Info Contributor - Terence Geary
Date of Crash - 12 Apr 45
IARC Data -- 44-50468:B-24M Proj# 91072R: Acc:12/30/44 Del:1/4/45 to Tulsa Mod Ctr Topeka ATC;2/4/45; Greiner dep US 2/18/45 OHAM 15AF condemned crashed 4/12/45
Note: This entry may be an error... "RFC Kingman 10/24/45"