458th Bombardment Group (H)

Bomb Totin’ Mama

B-24H-10-CF 41-29295 Z5 K

Bomb Totin’ Mama early 1944. “Walt” Raiter’s name under pilot’s window

(Photo: Hulon Cornette)

Shot down April 9, 1944 – MACR 3836

Bomb Totin’ Mama was an original 458th bomb group ship, assigned to the 754BS. Flown to the ETO by Walt Raiter and Crew 56, they flew six completed combat missions in “their” ship and were on their 12 mission (7th in Bomb Totin’ Mama) when they were shot down by fighters near Hamburg.

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)

(Courtesy: Anthony Gaster)

Disposition

B-24H-10 CF 41-29295 BOMB TOTIN’ MAMA
OD
RCL: K Z5 (754)

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

(Info Courtesy: Tom Brittan)