458th Bombardment Group (H)

  Honoring those who served with the 458th BG during World War II

B-24H-10-CF 41-29295  Z5  K  Bomb Totin' Mama

Bomb Totin' Mama early 1944.  "Walt" Raiter's name under pilot's window

(Photo: Hulon Cornette)

(Courtesy: Anthony Gaster)

Missions

Date  Target  Pilot  458th Msn  Pilot Msn RCL Sqdn  A/C Msn  Comments
16-Mar-44 FRIEDRICHSHAFEN RAITER 8 6 K Z5 1  
21-Mar-44 WATTEN, near ST. OMER RAITER 10 7 K Z5 2  
22-Mar-44 BERLIN RAITER 11 8 K Z5 3  
23-Mar-44 OSNABRUCK GOLDSMITH 12 4 K Z5 4  
24-Mar-44 ST. DIZIER RAITER 13 9 K Z5 5  
26-Mar-44 BONNIERES RAITER 14 10 K Z5 6  
27-Mar-44 BIARRITZ RAITER 15 11   Z5 7  
05-Apr-44 ST. POL-SIRACOURT WATSON 16 8 K Z5 8  
08-Apr-44 BRUNSWICK/WAGGUM DAVIS 17 8 K Z5 9  
09-Apr-44 TUTOW A/F RAITER 18 FTR K Z5 10 SHOT DOWN NEAR HAMBURG

Consolidated Fort Worth - 1943

In the foreground, brand new off the assembly line is 41-29295

England - Early 1944

Bomb Totin' Mama on early formation flight(s), most likely in February of 1944 when the group was nearing combat readiness.  These two images were most likely taken on the same flight from a different perspective.  Note the lack of the group's "Circle-K" identifier on the tail of Bomb Totin' Mama in both photos, and no insignia is visible on upper right wing in photo on the right.  She is the third aircraft from the left in the right photo. 

(Click on either picture for a closer look)


(Courtesy: Kelsey McMillan)

Disposition

B-24H-10 CF 41-29295               K          Z5 (754)            BOMB TOTIN' MAMA

             OD

Original aircraft. One of 30 B-24s listed on Movement Orders dated 30 Dec 43.

Landed at Rackheath on 16 Mar 44 mission.

Lost 9 Apr 44. (Tutow)  MACR 3836


(Courtesy: Tom Brittan)