WW2 USAAF B-24 LUCKY PENNY METFIELD SUFFOLK ORIGINAL PRESS TYPE PHOTO | eBay
Consolidated B-24J-140-CO (491st BG, 853rd BS, *Lucky Penny*) lost #1 engine on takeoff from Metfield, UK June 8, 1944 and crashed on the Metfield airfield while attempting to land after returning. All 9 aboard killed.
UPL 13551 | American Air Museum in Britain
42-110169 Lucky Penny, 491st Group, 853rd Squadron
Standing (L-R)
1st Lt. Fletcher E. Sharp - Pilot
2nd Lt. Sammy Rowan - Co-Pilot
2nd Lt. William L. Reese - Navigator
2nd Lt. Edwin W. Foster - Bombardier
Kneeling (L-R)
Sgt. Warren H. Rudolph - Waist Gunner
Sgt. Grover L. Buchanan - Engineer
Sgt. Carl W. Frack - Waist Gunner
Sgt. Rudolph C. Schopa - Radio Operator
Sgt. Clyde V. Jones - Ball Gunner
On 8 June 1944, the entire crew, except for Navigator 2nd Lt. William L. Reese who had been "borrowed" to fly on the 853rd Squadron lead plane, were all killed returning to their airbase at Metfield, England. They had aborted their mission with a feathered No. 1 engine and after returning to the airbase, circled the field three times with a full load of fuel and bombs, lost control as they attempted to land and crashed on the field. SSgt. Lester J. Datthyn (Tail Gunner) was not in the crew photo, but was also killed in the crash. William L. Reese was killed 26 Nov 1944 on the raid over Misberg.