466th. BG Crew #555 Fate of Planes Flown

"TIMES A' WASTIN' ....AIRCRAFT SERIAL #42-50569

My research finds that this aircraft was lost after raid on marshalling yard at Celje, Yugoslavia on Feb. 14th. 1945....
have never seen records of missions there so might be some mis-information floating around?

My father with "DIXIE"......AIRCRAFT SERIAL #44-10499

Dixie's location was last noted at Walnut Ridge Arkansas in Jan. 1946 where she was likely scrapped.


"DAMIFINO" AIRCRAFT SERIAL # 42-50465
Appears the Damifino's life also ended at Walnut Ridge Arkansas in Jan. 1946

Pictured #555 crew members: seated on left, Allen D. Miller Engineer,

I have all the other crewmens names below but cannot quite tell who is who comparing my photographs......

Full crew Photo:

Standing Left to Right : Bridgeman, Paul W. "AKA Paul" (P) ; Porter, Elijah "AKA Porter" (R/O) ; Norton, Corodon "AKA Stud"(WG),

Gilbert, William E. "AKA Bill" (NG) ; Vawter, Wesley Rhodes, "AKA Wes" (CP) ; Smith, John W. "AKA Smitty" (N)

Kneeling Left to Right : Weckerly, Raymond E. "AKA Weck" (TG) ; Hallet, Tom D. "AKA Tom" (B) ;

Miller, Allen D. "AKA Al" (E/TT) ; Atterholt, James R. "AKA Att" (BTG/WG)


LET" ER RIP" .... AIRCRAFT SERIAL # 44-50548

NO PHOTOS YET FOUND......Following military serial number records also shows "Let Er Rip" ending up at Walnut Ridge January 17th, 1946.....likely had the same fate in the scrapyard

Dads last flight plan (Mel Westbrook , Pilot) from Goose Bay Labrador shows "B-24M AIRCRAFT # 0884" Have not yet been able to identify that aircraft.....

Attlebridge Airfield / Attlebridge Diaries

I believe John H. Woolnough was the official 8th. Army Air Force historian. He wrote a book entitled "The Attlebridge Diaries". I've been trying to find this book for a few years. I see it offered on "Amazon" but the paperback editions run from $149.00 to $190.00. I was aghast to see such a price on a paperback book! I was snooping around looking again and found a first edition hardback version for less than any paperback I've seen....The edition is also signed by the author. The book was found in a little out of the way bookstore in England. I am excited to see the book as it has dozens of photos in it.......Another book called "Attlebridge Arsenal" was also written but is even harder to find....the search will go on.......
UPDATE.....CONTACTED EARL WASSOM , THE AUTHOR OF "ATTLEBRIDGE ARSENAL"
AND BY CHANCE HE HAD A FEW COPIES IN HIS POSSESSION.....THE BOOK WILL BE
EN ROUTE SOON....

A few photos of Attlebridge.......

A Quonset hut which still survives......



Another relic still standing...........

The Airfeld

The flight line.

The Control Tower today........still standing.

The Control Tower in 1944.........

A portion of the Air Base Shown

Main Air Field