So, where was I? Oh, and this is no malarkey…
The “Black Cat” was the last
American bomber shot down over Germany in WW2
Honored by a U.S. Postal service stamp in 2005, although the stamp makes no reference
to its significance.
In reality, this “Black Cat” looked a little more war
weary, and was flown by multiple crews
TP |
- |
M# |
SER |
- |
BLK |
- |
MF |
SERIAL # |
AF |
BG |
BS |
SC |
RCL/# |
V#-P |
|
BLACK CAT |
B |
- |
24 |
JSH |
- |
1 |
- |
FO |
42-95592 |
8 |
466 |
784 |
T9 |
U |
02-1 |
Port (Left) Side - Lost 21 Apr 45, GER - MACR 14182 - Pilot Richard Farrington, Jr.
Sorry about the table formatting- I couldn't figure out how to fix it.- Tuna
Around 0630 on 21 April 1945, 137 B-24 bombers from the 466th Bombardment Group left Attlebridge air base in Norfolk, England to bomb a railway bridge in Salzburg, Austria. Within the formation, Black Cat led the third squadron. However after reaching the target, the mission was abandoned due to bad weather covering the area. The lead aircraft flew a return course over Regensburg. This decision was queried by several navigators in the formation because Regensburg was a heavily bombed and defended city. At 20,000 feet above Regensburg, the formation received eight bursts of flak. Black Cat was the only casualty. It was struck by a shell on the left wing causing the aircraft to crash. Ten of the crew were killed. Only the bombardier, 2nd LT Chris Manners, and tail gunner, SSGT Albert Seraydarian survived and were liberated from German POW camps within a few weeks. Families of the crew were notified on 8 May 1945, the day Germany surrendered.
No more would squadron mates back at the bases in England
fill out reports like this:
The 466th Bomb Group completed 232 missions
(with lots of aircraft in each one) and lost 47 aircraft in combat, and 24 in
other losses. Each required a report
like the one above. Sucky job, every
time.
You really should take a minute and read this newspaper
account of the loss of the “Black Cat” and 10 of 12 of its crew.
Did you notice the crew’s mascot dog in the photo? Mascots in military units are a very old
tradition, probably summed up in the modern term “emotional support
animals.” You would not believe the
variety…. But that is a topic for another day.
The Black Cat was but a small part of the price our
military and families paid for one war.
We must heed the words of General of the Army Douglas MacArthur’s
farewell speech at West Point 12 May 1962:
“Yours is the profession of arms, the will to win, the sure knowledge that in war there is no substitute for victory, that if you lose, the Nation will be destroyed, that the very obsession of your public service must be Duty, Honor, Country.
…
This does not mean that you are warmongers. On the contrary, the soldier above all other people prays for peace, for he must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war. But always in our ears ring the ominous words of Plato, that wisest of all philosophers: "Only the dead have seen the end of war."
Excellent post and sources JB. The guy who posted on British airfields in WWII sure loved doing what he did. That last photo......too many white markers.......
ReplyDeleteSo many proclaim the end of war, and yet 4,000 years of Western Civilization later, we talk of nothing else. Good post for reflection, JB.
ReplyDeletePoignant.
ReplyDelete-Barry
"..wounds and scars..." Some aren't seen on the outside.
ReplyDeleteLots more at the "source" links above.
ReplyDeleteThe Black Cat's base at Attlebridge has an active restoration and history effort with UK and U.S. supporters, and a great Facebook page at:
https://www.facebook.com/466historian
John Blackshoe
To time after time climb into that ship, especially as one of the gunners, took an amount of fortitude that I can't imagine. I mention gunners because while they can shoot back they have no control. Granted, the guys in the front weren't supposed to break formation, and the last minute of the run were were committed to straight and level, but had at least the illusion that they could evade.
ReplyDeleteProbably the worst position would be the navigator and bombardier in the nose. Surrounded by plexiglass with an unimpeded view of a FW190 coming head on with cannons firing - "wings lit up like a neon sign".
DeleteThey clanked when they walked.
ReplyDeleteJames Stewart, the actor, flew Liberators and the PTSD he suffered from after the war has been credited with his excellent performance in "It's a Wonderful Life." The director purposely pushed Stewart on the bridge scene, almost breaking him. Which, probably, actually helped Stewart.
ReplyDeleteLiberators were faster and carried more than Fortresses, but were more fragile, especially the wings.
I am looking at my copy of Wings of Morning by Thomas Childers about that mission and crew.
ReplyDeleteCrusty Old TV Tech here. Appreciate the story Johhny B.
ReplyDeleteSalute to the men of the 466th BG who lost their lives in their 2 years of the war in Europe.
There is a book noted in the 466th's Wikipedia entry, "Childers, Thomas. Wings of Morning: The Story of the Last American Bomber Shot Down over Germany in World War II. Reading, Massachusetts: Addison-Wesley Pub. Co., 1995. ISBN 0-201-48310-6". Gonna have to look for that one.
Rest in peace Gentlemen. You did your duty and the world was a better place. Please provide guidance so we can do what it takes to do the same today.
ReplyDeletejuvat