\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 This post presents the three images showing the loss of B-24H 42-52096: <\/span>Marty the Rubble Maker.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 MACR 4836 includes eyewitness statements about the loss of the aircraft by two members of the 722nd Bomb Squadron: 1 Lt. Willoughby J. Hodge and S\/Sgt. Glenn K. Platt, the navigator and aerial gunner of B-24H 42-99805, \u201cMadame Shoo Shoo\u201d, Squadron Number 47 (otherwise known as \u201cTermite Chaser II\u201d). (1)<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Platt\u2019s account:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 On 12 May 1944, our group was on a mission to bomb the Harbor Installations at Port San Stefano, Italy.\u00a0 I was flying as tail gunner in ship #805 in #4 position in the lead box in the lead attack unit.\u00a0 Lieutenant Word was flying ship #096, leading the low left element of the lead attack unit.\u00a0 Approximately two minutes after target time Lieutenant Word was hit by flak which knocked off his left rudder.\u00a0 This caused the ship to go partially out of control.\u00a0 The ship then went into a dive.\u00a0 One man bailed out while it was in the dive.\u00a0 As the ship approached the sea, Lieutenant Word pulled the ship out of the dive which gave sufficient time for the remainder of the crew to bail out.\u00a0 I observed a total of nine chutes before the ship nosed into the sea.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Hodge\u2019s account:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 On May 12, 1944, our group was on a mission to bomb the Harbor Installations at Port San Stefano, Italy.\u00a0 I was flying as navigator in ship #805 in #4 position in the lead box in the lead attack unit.\u00a0 Lieutenant Word was flying ship #096, leading the low left element of the lead attack unit.\u00a0 As we came off the bomb run, a burst of flak blew the left rudder completely off of Lieutenant Word\u2019s ship.\u00a0 Lieutenant Word\u2019s ship maintained level flight for about four minutes.\u00a0 It then started to climb, as it turned back towards the target.\u00a0 The ship then rolled almost completely over on its back.\u00a0 As the ship partially righted itself, it went into a steep turning dive.\u00a0 I then saw nine chutes leave the ship.\u00a0 It crashed into the sea at 0906 hours.\u00a0 The Coordinates were 42 16 N, 11 08 E.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

____________________<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Where was the plane lost?
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Using the coordinates and the map within MACR 4836, GoogleMaps was used to generate maps \u2013 at successively larger scales \u2013 of area of the plane\u2019s loss.\u00a0 These are presented below.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Western Italian coast, Tyrrhenian Sea, and Corsica.\u00a0 Porto Santo Stefano is directly east from Corsica.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Zooming into the Tyrrhenian Sea, between Corsica and Porto Santo Stefano.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Porto Santo Stefano, with Giglio Island to the West, and Giannutri Island (unlabeled) to the south.\u00a0 Google Maps’ red position locator shows the loss location of Marty the Rubble Maker<\/em>, based on coordinates of 42 16 N, 11 08 E<\/span> reported by Lt. Hodge, and, shown in the map below, from MACR 4836.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a>____________________<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The photographs?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A review of photographs in the U.S. Air Force Pre-1954 Official Still Photography Collection at the United States National Archives reveals three images of the loss of Marty the Rubble Maker<\/em>, which are also shown at the 450th BG Website<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span>The original photographic prints are contained in \u201cBox 100\u201d of the World War II series in this photo collection. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The pictures are listed and described below.\u00a0 The \u201coriginal\u201d USAAF photographic print number is given first, followed by the the corresponding NASM (National Air and Space Museum) Videodisc Frame Number (the \u201c3A\u201d prefix).
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 62062AC \/ 3A-24479 – This image shows the B-24 in horizontal flight, seen from starboard rear, with the Italian coast in the distance.\u00a0 This is the image published in Log of the Liberators<\/em>.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 62063AC \/ 3A-24480 – This image shows the aircraft “standing” on its starboard wing and banking past vertical, before its recovery by Lieutenants Word and Bertling.\u00a0 Visually, the plane is \u201cframed\u201d between the port tail of a nearby Liberator, while to the right is Satan\u2019s Gal<\/em>, B-24G 42-78231, squadron number 5, of the 720th Bomb Squadron.\u00a0 A nice image of Satan’s Gal<\/em> appears at the website of the American Air Museum<\/a>, and another photograph – showing the aircraft in the 450th BG’s late-war “tiger-stripe” yellow and black tail markings – from the World War Photos gallery<\/a>, appears below.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 62064AC \/ 3A-24482 – This image shows the aircraft in a steep dive, flanked by the wing and tail of B-24s heading west, with the Italian coastline \u2013 southwest of Porto San Stefano \u2013 in the background.\u00a0 This is the image that appears in Fifteenth Air Force Story<\/em>. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 The three photographs were probably taken in the sequence listed above (62AC, then 63AC, then 64AC), which is consistent with the accounts given by Platt and Willoughby. <\/span><\/p>\n

____________________<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The photographs, in sequence…<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The three photographs are presented below.\u00a0 The first and last images include GoogleEarth 3-D virtual views best conforming to the location and perspective of the photograph, and, a Google Map matching the locality of<\/em> that 3-D virtual view.\u00a0 (The “second” image of the sequence – 62063AC \/ 3A-24480 – does not include Google Map or 3-D virtual views.)
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 62062AC \/ 3A-24479 \u2013 Precisely because of the clarity of this photograph, with the aircraft silhouetted against the sea, and the coast of Italy not far off in the distance \u2013 but alas, still too<\/em> far – this is the most evocative and haunting of the three photographs.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 It evokes two words, “If only…”<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 This is a 2400 dpi enlargement from the original NARA photographic print, enhanced to bring out details.\u00a0 All four engines are undamaged, while the ball turret, with its guns pointed downward, has probably been vacated.\u00a0 The almost completely missing port tail is strikingly evident, suggesting that the flak burst exploded very close to S\/Sgt. Whitley\u2019s tail turret.\u00a0 Though probably not visible in your web browser, the aircraft has a two digit tail number, which appears to be 45 <\/em>or 46<\/em>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Due to the subtlety of the coastline, atmospheric haze, and the angle of view, generating a 3-D view matching this image was challenging.\u00a0 However, this 3-D view of the coast of Italy appears to be the “best fit” for the geographic features seen in the above photo.\u00a0 This section of the Italian coastline encompasses a view of Tarquinia, Civitavecchia, and Santa Marinella.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A vertical view of the same area.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A map view of Tarquinia, Civitavecchia, and Santa Marinella.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 62063AC \/ 3A-24480 \u2013 This image is testimony to the flying skill of Lieutenants Word and Bertling.\u00a0 The plane has banked well past<\/em> vertical, and yet they still made a recovery\u2026\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 This image is a 3200 dpi enlargement from 3A-24480.\u00a0 No new details have emerged, but the picture does stand out more clearly.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 62064AC \/ 3A-24482 – The last of the three pictures, with the diving Liberator silhouetted against the western coast of Italy.\u00a0 In Lt. Hodge’s words, “It then started to climb, as it turned back towards the target.\u00a0 The ship then rolled almost completely over on its back.\u00a0 As the ship partially righted itself, it went into a steep turning dive.<\/em>”\u00a0 This photograph was probably taken just at that moment.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A 3200 dpi enlargement from the above image.\u00a0 Obvious is just how closely to the tail position the anti-aircraft shell exploded; virtually nothing remains of the port empennage.\u00a0 It appears – from the bright glint of sunlight off the starboard fin – that the plane’s de-icer boots have been removed, similar to the wing of the Liberator in the left side of the photograph.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A 3-D view of the coast and nearby area in \u00a062064AC \/ 3A-24482<\/span>.\u00a0 <\/span> The geographic features in the image (coastline, roads, farmland, forested areas, and a lake paralleling the coastline) are identical to those visible in the photograph.\u00a0 In the original image, Marty the Rubble Maker<\/em> is visually superimposed against forested area just to the left (northwest) of Sgrillozzo. The image shows the Italian coastline with Spacco della Regina to the northwest, Capabio Scalo in the center, and Lago di Burano just inland from shore. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Assuming the accuracy of the location reported in the MACR, the crew parachuted over the Tyrrhenian Sea just over one mile northeast of the island of Giannutri.\u00a0 However, going by this image – alone – it appears that the crew parachuted and the aircraft crashed closer to the Italian mainland.\u00a0 This discrepancy may actually be due to the perspective from which the photograph was taken.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A vertical view of the area seen above.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A map view of Spacco della Regina, Capabio Scalo in the center, and Lago di Burano.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

____________________<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What happened?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Nine parachutes emerged from an aircraft carrying ten men.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 None returned. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The tenth man?\u00a0 He could have been the tail gunner, S\/Sgt, Whitley, perhaps mortally wounded or killed by anti-aircraft fire.\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He could have been Lieutenant Word, who remained behind to give his crew a chance to escape. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The tenth man could – in actuality – have been any of the other eight men aboard the aircraft (except for Sgt. Beightol, whose body was eventually recovered and returned to the United States).\u00a0 (2)
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Lt. Hodge\u2019s account suggests that Lt. Word, realizing the predicament of his plane and crew, may have been attempting to reach the Italian mainland to allow a bail-out over land.\u00a0 They bailed out when the plane when out of control.\u00a0 They landed at sea, somewhere between the Italian mainland and Giannutri Island.\u00a0 They were almost certainly within sight of both as they descended in their parachutes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A distance of about ten miles separates the western coast of Italy from Giannutri.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ten miles is not far \u2013 \u201cas the crow flies\u201d.\u00a0 <\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ten miles is a short distance – on a map.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 But, a clearer impression of the nature of their situation can be seen in this remarkable photograph showing Giannutri Island, with Porto Santo Stefano and the Italian coastline in the distance.\u00a0 The image, from Bernard Lafond’s flickr Phostream<\/a> was taken in 2009, and gives a striking impression of this section of the Tyrrhenian Sea and western Italian coast.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The crew parachuted close to land, but not close enough<\/em> to land.\u00a0 Without immediate rescue, in water at a temperature of around 60 degrees, burdened by heavy flying equipment, with only a Mae West for flotation, ten miles of water might as well have been one hundred.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

____________________<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 As Sergeant Beightol wrote five days before his final – and 50th – mission, “I haven’t done so much, but in a sense of the word I can say I have done a little something for my country.\u00a0 I hope to be able to do more.\u00a0 Perhaps I’ll get the chance.”<\/em> \u00a0 It is more than ironic – but then again, life in general is often ironic – that he did far more than he could ever have imagined.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 His name, and the name of his nine fellow crewmen, would become part of the total of over 407,300 American war dead of the Second World War, and would pass into history.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Perhaps the best we can do, in turn, is remember. \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

____________________<\/p>\n

(1) A photo of Hodge, Platt, and their crew standing before the 450th BG B-24 Termite Chaser I <\/em>can be found here<\/a>.\u00a0 That aircraft was ditched in Naples Harbor by 2 Lt. Layman E. Shain (ironically, an original crewman of Marty the Rubble Maker<\/em>) on May 19, Shain losing his life in that incident.\u00a0 Superb in-flight photos of \u201cMadame Shoo Shoo\u201d – from which they witnessed the loss of Marty the Rubble Maker<\/em> – can be found at this 450th Bomb Group web page<\/a>.<\/span><\/span>
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

(2) More information about this can probably be found in his IDPF, which might clarify similar questions about Lt. Bertling.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 This post presents the three images showing the loss of B-24H 42-52096: Marty the Rubble Maker. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 MACR 4836 includes eyewitness statements about the loss of the aircraft by two members of the 722nd Bomb Squadron: 1 Lt. Willoughby J. Hodge and S\/Sgt. Glenn K. Platt, the navigator and aerial gunner of B-24H 42-99805, … Continue reading Far Away, So Close: The Fall of a B-24 Liberator off the Coast of Italy – II<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,60],"tags":[149,148,140,143,141,145,146,142,139,144,147,151],"class_list":["post-765","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-aviation","category-military-history","tag-2-lt-edward-f-garrett","tag-2-lt-j-c-word","tag-450th-bomb-group","tag-722nd-bomb-squadron","tag-b-24h-42-52096","tag-fifteenth-air-force-story","tag-log-of-the-liberators","tag-macr-4836","tag-marty-the-rubble-maker","tag-porto-santo-stefano","tag-ssgt-harry-m-beightol","tag-ssgt-paul-d-boaz"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/thepastpresented.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/765","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/thepastpresented.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/thepastpresented.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thepastpresented.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thepastpresented.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=765"}],"version-history":[{"count":34,"href":"http:\/\/thepastpresented.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/765\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4684,"href":"http:\/\/thepastpresented.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/765\/revisions\/4684"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/thepastpresented.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=765"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thepastpresented.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=765"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thepastpresented.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=765"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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