41-24026 Baby

media-15173.jpeg UPL 15173 B-24 Liberator #41-24026 'Baby' 344th BS, 98th BG, 9th AF. Flew on 1st Aug 43 Ploesti raid aborting before target.

Object Number - UPL 15173 - B-24 Liberator #41-24026 'Baby' 344th BS, 98th BG, 9th AF. Flew on 1st Aug 43 Ploesti raid aborting before target.

Flew on 1st Aug 43 Ploesti oil refinery raid piloted by Francis E Weisler, aborting before the target.

21st Aug 43 mission to Cancello, Italy marshaling rards, A/C dropped its bomb payload on target and was being attacked by numerous fighters and taking heavy damage. Lt Minnich and Lt Cook were still in the cockpit trying to level the plane, now in a spin, so the rest of the crew could bail out. Lt Minnich waved us all out with his right arm as he leveled the plane for a few moments. Only 3 survived the bail out. 8 KIA 3 POW. MACR 377.

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: Ninth Air Force
  • Service Numbers: 36427842
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: Ninth Air Force
  • Service Numbers: O-676754
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: Ninth Air Force
  • Service Numbers: 11095333
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: Ninth Air Force
  • Service Numbers: 18142958
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 344th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 15087605
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Gunner

Missions

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Survived Ploesti

Ploiești, Romania 1 August 1943 Flew on 1st Aug 43 Ploesti oil refinery raid piloted by Francis E Weisler, aborting before the target.

Other

Failed To Return FTR

Cancello CR, Italy 21 August 1943 21st Aug 43 mission to Cancello, Italy marshaling rards, A/C dropped its bomb payload on target and was being attacked by numerous fighters and taking heavy damage. Lt Minnich and Lt Cook were still in the cockpit trying to level the plane, now in a spin, so the rest of the crew could bail out. Lt Minnich waved us all out with his right arm as he leveled the plane for a few moments. Only 3 survived the bail out. 8 KIA 3 POW. MACR 377.

Assigned

Benghazi, Libya 344th BS, 98th BG, 9th AF.

Revisions

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Sources

Added connections to units as given here: http://www.b24bestweb.com/baby-v3-1.htm

41-24026: Gallery (1 items)