A haunting image of a Liberator bomber, hit by German anti-aircraft fire. The B-24 Liberator bomber, nicknamed "Blue I" was shot down during a raid on the IG Farben chemical complex in the town of Blechhammer. The plant in Blechhammer was one of the most protected targets in Europe.
Blechhammer was the second-largest subcamp of Auschwitz concentration camp, part of the Blechhammer industrial area where several camps were located. The camp contained 25 barracks within 10 acres and was surrounded by a 4 m concrete wall. During its existence, 4,500 prisoners from fifteen countries passed through the camp.

The aircraft was flying lead for the 55th Bomb Wing of the 15th Air Force on November 20, 1944. Just before the bomb run, Lt. Col. Lokker’s plane received a direct hit between the no.2 engine and the fuselage. Left wing started falling off, the aircraft rolled over, and the bomber immediately burst in flames. That very moment had been captured on the heading photo. Five of the crew members managed to parachute safely but six were trapped and killed. [Based on research by Szymon Serwatka]

Original AP press print with typical retouch and traces of use. Two bombs were circled, the fire and smoke are enhanced. Text and credit stamps on the verso. Dated Dec 7 - 1944 with a red stamp.

Gelatine silver print ca. 19 x 23,3 cm

Very few wartime photos show the terror and violence of air war with such expression. The photo had been published in 1944 by most of the leading newspapers, and it remains one of the most well known WWII photos today.

Last image is a list of the airplane's crew, the real "Masters of the Air".