 NAME
|
TP | - | M# | SER | - | BLK | - | MF | SERIAL # |
AF |
BG |
BS |
SC | RCL/# | V#-P | PHOTO CREDITS |
THUNDER BAY BABE |
B |
- |
24 |
H | - |
1 | - |
FO | 42-7623 | 15 | 449 | 717 |
~ |
00-1 | N/A |
"ALPENIA, MICH." - Lost 24 Mar 44, AUT - MACR 3469 - Pilot Warren H. Ridgway
Contributor - William Desilets
Taken at her dedication ceremony at Phelps Collins
Air Field, Alpena, Michigan, 5 Sep 43. Shown with the original Ridgeway Crew
which flew the "Babe" overseas to Grottie Field, Italy. Lost 24 Mar 44 over
Mostar, Yugoslavia, when the ship took a direct hit from flak into the bomb bay
compartment. Six crewmembers KIA and four POW.
| Standing (L-R) Pilot - Warren Ridgeway (KIA) Co-Pilot - Joseph Whitlock (KIA) Navigator - John LaCastro (KIA) Bombardier - Joe Smith (KIA) |
Kneeling (L-R) Top Turret Gunner - John Colson (KIA) Left Waist Gunner - Raymond Rabent (POW) Right Waist Gunner - George Potts (KIA) Ball Turret Gunner - Leroy Tripp (POW) Tail Gunner - Frank Riggs (POW) Radio Operator - Jack B. Newman (POW) |
Info Contributor - Peter
Newman
The residents of Alpena, MI raised the money to build THUNDER
BAY BABE through the purchase of war bonds. The City of Alpena overlooks Lake
Huron's picturesque Thunder Bay. Captain Ridgeway's mother's name was Babe. My Father, Jack B. Newman (Radio Operator - kneeling far
right), later became a POW at Stalag 17 until he was liberated by General
Patton's 3rd Army.
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Best Web. Published on Veterans Day 11/11/97. Last
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11-Dec-2022