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| USAAF 5th AF 43rd BG 63rd BS  Lawrence Grimm c1944  USAAF c1944  USN c1945 |
Pilot 1st Lt. Laurence H. Grimm, O-762046 (survived) Force Landed October 30, 1944 MACR none Aircraft History Built by Consolidated in San Diego. Constructors Number 1763. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-24D-85-CO Liberator 42-40686. Afterwards, converted to an XB-24D Liberator. This bomber was ferried via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA). Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 43rd Bombardment Group (43rd BG), 63rd Bombardment Squadron (63rd BS). Nicknamed "Liberty Belle" with a female figure on the side of the cockpit. Mission History On October 30, 1944 took off piloted by 1st Lt. Laurence H. Grimm on a night bombing mission over Bacuit Bay on Palawan. Over the target area, spotted a Japanese task force of cruisers and destroyers and hit by anti-aircraft fire in one engine. Damaged, this B-24 turned eastward towardsLeyte and while enroute a second engien failed. Nearing Tacloban Airfield, the area was under Japanese air attack and U.S. anti-aircraft guns were firing at them. This B-24 attempted a force landing with only two engines, but obstructions forced him to abort. During the second landing attempt, a white phosphorous bomb burst on the runway. He applied the breaks causing the nose wheel blew out. But, the bomber landed without injury to the crew. Afterwards, Grimm earned the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for his actions this mission. This bomber was officially written off November 13, 1944. Wreckage Afterwards, this B-24 was abandoned at Tacloban Airfield in a swampy area at the north-western end of the airfield. One of the tail fins was removed and propellers. Relatives Gary Grimm (son) References USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-24D-85-CO Liberator 42-40686 "40686 in accident Nov 13, 1944" Fifth Air Force Statistical Summary October-November 1944 Bombers "Oct 28 [sic 30] B-24D 42-40686 / org (?) / crash landed. Enemy action / C.L." Thanks to Gary Grimm for additional information Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated
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