B-24 "Lakanooki" of the 374th Bomb Squadron, 308th Bomb Group.
On July 15, 1944 took off from Mokerang Airfield on Los Negros Island on a bombing mission against Yap Island. The weather was good with scattered cumulus clouds. After bombing the target at 12:10 pm, the Liberators turned towards base and slowed as one bomber had an engine feathered and the entire formation slowed to keep pace.
At approximately 1:40 pm the no. 4 engine stopped working and the propeller was feathered. Next at 3:00pm the no. 1 engine stopped and the propeller was feathered. Aboard, the crew jettisoned all loose equipment to lighten the bomber. Next, the no. 2 engine started to experience problems and the crew prepared to ditch.
At 4:16 pm, this B-24 ditched with only the pilot, co-pilot and radio operator in the cockpit with the rest of the crew bracing in the tail. After ditching, the nose started to sink. On impact, McNab sustained a facial injury and was bleeding badly.
This B-24 was seen to ditch into the sea at 4:16 pm at roughly Lat 1° 50' N Long 144° 16' E to the northwest of the Admiralty Islands and was deemed loss due to an early fuel transfer. When this bomber failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA).
You can see the Pacific Wrecks report at:
https://pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/b-24/42-40857.html
No comments:
Post a Comment