41-11886 - Lil Joe

media-14212.jpeg UPL 14212 B-24D - 41-11886 - Lil Joe - 345th BS - 98th BG - 9th AF, was lost on the Ploesti oil refinery mission. 6 crew bailed out. 2 survived descent. Lil Joe, exploded and crashed in a field. Pilot Lt. Hussey and his radioman were pulled from their wrecked B-24, badly burned and became POW's. 4 POW - 5 KIA. 1 August, 1943. MACR 222.

Black Sunday - Michael Hill

Object Number - UPL 14212 - B-24D - 41-11886 - Lil Joe - 345th BS - 98th BG - 9th AF, was lost on the Ploesti oil refinery mission. 6 crew bailed out. 2 survived...

The B-24D, named, Lil Joe, 41-11886, was flown by Pilot Lt. Lindley Hussey on Operation Tidal Wave to destroy the oil refineries at Ploesti, Romania. Lil Joe, was shot down and lost on the Ploesti mission. FTR. On approach to it's target, Lil Joe, was hit by flak in one of it's 400 gallon extra bomb bay gasoline tanks, and caught on fire from a large fuel leak. It's pilot, Lt. Hussey, pressed on and bombed his target with his burning airplane trailing flames from it's leaking gasoline tank. After dropping his bombs, Hussey pulled, Lil Joe, up into climb to enable a bail out for his crew. Six crewmen bailed out. But, only two survived their descent. SSgt Roy Carney, the tail gunner, was killed. KIA. Lil Joe, crashed in a field and exploded in flames. Lt. Hussey and his radioman were pulled from the wrecked aircraft badly burned, but survived their burns and became POW's. 4 POW. 5 KIA. A/C failed to return. FTR. 1 Aug, 1943. MACR 222.



Note : the B-24D, Lil Joe, 41-11886, lost over Ploesti, should not be confused with another B-24D in the MTO, named, similarly, Little Joe, with the serial number, 41-24195, which was also in the 9th Air Force, and the 98th Bomb Group, and flew on Operation Tidal Wave, returning safely to base. RTB. 1 Aug 43.

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Units served with

Three airmen of the 389th Bomb Group stand with a B-24 Liberator used as a Flight Assembly Ship. Image via Tim Bivens. Handwritten caption from Bivens: 'My friend remembers it being named "Bucksheesh Benny" that it was used to fly Jack Benny around USA shows. Says it flew in North Africa with Benny and was eventually assigned to 389th as a hack and later as a form-up ship. He thinks it was originally with another group (possibly 376th or 98th).' Handwritten caption on reverse: '389th BG Form-up ship.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Ninth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 345th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19114586
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 345th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: R-845712
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Flight Engineer/ Top Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: Ninth Air Force
  • Service Numbers: 16109522
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 345th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: Ninth Air Force
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co Pilot

Missions

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: - Lil Joe
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 345th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: - Little Joe
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 415th Bomb Squadron

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed To Return FTR

Ploiești, Romania 1 August 1943 B-24 #4111886 'Lil Joe' lost on 1st Aug 43 Ploesti oil refinery raid, A/C had large fuel leak in bomb bay prior to target, pressed on and bombed target with A/C bursting into flames from leaked fuel, pilot pulled aircraft into climb to enable bail out, 6 crew bailed, 2 survived descent, Lil Joe exploded and crashed in a field, pilot Lt Hussey and radioman pulled from wreck badly burnt and became POW's. 4 POW, 5 KIA. MACR 222.

Assigned

345th BS 98th BS, 9th AF.

Revisions

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Date
ContributorKickapoo
Changes
Sources

Black Sunday-Ploesti - Michael Hill

Date
ContributorKickapoo
Changes
Sources

Black Sunday-Ploesti - Michael Hill

Date
ContributorKickapoo
Changes
Sources

Black Sunday-Ploesti - Michael Hill

Date
ContributorKickapoo
Changes
Sources

Black Sunday-Ploesti - Michael Hill

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Date
ContributorKickapoo
Changes
Sources

Details added. - Kickapoo

Date
ContributorKickapoo
Changes
Sources

Best Web - B-24 - Lil Joe

Date
ContributorKickapoo
Changes
Sources

Best Web - B-24 - Lil Joe

Date
ContributorKickapoo
Changes
Sources

Roy Carney - FindAGrave

Date
ContributorKickapoo
Changes
Sources

Best Web - B-24 - 41-11886

Date
ContributorKickapoo
Changes
Sources

Best web - B-24 - 41-11886

Date
ContributorKickapoo
Changes
Sources

Best web - B-24 - 41-11886

Date
ContributorKickapoo
Changes
Sources

Best web - B-24 - 41-11886

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes

41-11886: Gallery (2 items)