41-11921 Northern Star, Doc

media-14301.jpeg UPL 14301 Nose art of B-24 Liberator, 41-11921, Northern Star / Doc, in the 343rd Bomb Squadron, the 98th Bomb Group, in the 9th Air Force, flew on the Ploesti mission and returned safely to Benghazi, Libya. 1st Aug 43

Removed associations not depicted in the image.

Object Number - UPL 14301 - Nose art of B-24 Liberator, 41-11921, Northern Star / Doc, in the 343rd Bomb Squadron, the 98th Bomb Group, in the 9th Air Force, flew on the ...

This aircraft, 41-11921, was originally assigned to the 8th Air Force and the 376th Bomb Group in England, in 1942, and carried the name, Northern Star, and it's corresponding nose art on both sides of the nose. In the spring of 1943, Northern Star was temporarily detached to the 9th Air Force and flew to Benghazi, Libya, to train for the large bombing mission to Ploesti, Romania, in early 1943. In order to comply with a "Snow White Squadron" directive, the plane's name, Doc, and a picture of Walt Disney's Snow White character, "Doc", was painted on the left side of it's nose. Northern Star - Doc, was a participant in the low level Ploesti mission of Aug 1, 1943, flown by the Glen Underwood crew. It was (TDY) to the 9th Air Force, the 98th Bomb Group, and the 343rd Bomb Squadron, when it flew on the mission to destroy the Romanian oil refineries at Ploesti. The aircraft successfully bombed it's target and returned safely to Benghazi, Libya, despite being intercepted by enemy fighters over Bulgaria. August 1, 1943. The ship was operational until Nov 30, 1943.

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 344th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 11044165
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Flight Engineer / Top Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 343rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 06896401
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 343rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 34197435
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 343rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-?
  • Highest Rank: Major
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 343rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19005800 / O-?
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier

Missions

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Survived Ploesti raid

Benghazi, Libya 1 August 1943 B-24 Liberator 41-11921 Northern Star - Doc - 343 BS, 98 BG, 9 AF, flew on the 1st Aug 43 Ploesti raid. The aircraft successfully bombed the target and returned safely to Benghazi, Libya despite being intercepted by enemy fighters over Bulgaria.

Assigned

Libya 343th BS, 98th BG, 9th AF

Revisions

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

USAAF Photo.

Date
ContributorKickapoo
Changes
Sources

Best Web - B-24 - 41-11921 - Northern Star - Doc

Date
ContributorKickapoo
Changes
Sources

Best Web - B-24 - 41-11921 - Northern Star - Doc

Date
ContributorKickapoo
Changes
Sources

Black Sunday-Ploesti - Michael Hill

Date
ContributorKickapoo
Changes
Sources

Best Web - B-24 - 41-11924 - Northern star - Doc

Date
ContributorKickapoo
Changes
Sources

Best Web - B-24 - '41-11921' - 'NORTHERN STAR / 'DOC'

Date
ContributorKickapoo
Changes
Sources

Best Web - B-24 - '41-11921' - 'NORTHERN STAR / 'DOC'

Date
ContributorKickapoo
Changes
Sources

Best Web - B-24 - '41-11921' - 'NORTHERN STAR / 'DOC'

Date
ContributorKickapoo
Changes
Sources

Best Web - B-24 - '41-11921' - 'NORTHERN STAR / 'DOC'

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

USAAF Photo.

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

USAAF Photo.

41-11921: Gallery (3 items)