On December 16, 1943, the B-24 Liberator named "Avenger" was heavily damaged over Germany by a flack burst in the bomb bay area of the aircraft, knocking out the #3 and #4 engines and all communication with the crew in the rear half of the aircraft. After ordering the four crewmen in the front to bail out over Germany, the pilot attempted to fly the heavily damaged plane back to their base in England in an effort to save the crewmen in the rear of the plane. Once over England, he attempted to crash land on a beach south of Hull, England. Unfortunately, the pilot didn't know that the beach had been mined, and all aboard perished.
I did this painting for my brother-in-law because his father, Sgt. Alfonso Terwey, was the waist gunner on that ill-fated flight. It is also my tribute to all those brave men who made the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf.
Special thanks must go to Roger Fenton, the Historian for the 44th Bomb Group, who provided me with the historical information and aircraft markings for the "Avenger". This painting could not have been done without his help.
Original 20X28 oil on canvas - UNAVAILABLE - Private Collection
