857th Bomb Squadron, 492nd Bomb Group
The 492nd Group became operational on 11 May 1944. Flying out of North Pickenham as a member of the 14th Bomb Wing, the 492nd became a favorite target for the Germans who knocked down eight 492nd B-24s on 19 May, fourteen on the 20 June mission to Politz and twelve on 7 July. In less than three months, in fact, 492nd losses had reached a startling total of nearly 60 aircraft -- a rate that could not be continued.
The ill-fated 492nd was taken off operations and, in reality, broken up. The designation 492nd was assumed by a provisional group, the 801st, which continued to operate as a special unit engaged in night operations over Europe -- the so-called CARPETBAGGER missions.
Corporal Phillip S Brinkman of the 486th Bomb Group painted the nose art of a B-24 Liberator 42-52693 "Aries" of 857th Bomb Sqdn, 492nd BG.
This time in color
A memorial for the 492nd Bomb Group, at Duerne. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Main Carpetbagger Memorial At Duerne (Rhone).
French civillians inspect the wreckage of a B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-50386) of the 492nd Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: '42-50386 crashed at Le Petit Marais, Autruy Sur Juine (Loiret) France in the night of 4-5 July 1944.'
A memorial to the 492nd Bomb Group at Saint Cyr De Valorges. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Carpetbagger memorial at St Cyr De Valorges (Rhone) 28/4/1944.'