42-40751 - Touch of Texas

media-15348.jpeg UPL 15348 B-24D Liberator, 42-40751, Touch of Texas, in the 8th Air force, the 389th Bomb Group (The Sky Scorpions), in the 567th Bomb Squadron, in the 8th Air Force, and crewmen.

The, Touch of Texas, flew on the Ploesti oil refinery mission, piloted by Lt. William J Denton, returning safely to Libya. 1 Aug 1943. Pictured Lt. William J. Denton and crew, photographed August 27, 1943.

Details added. - Kickapoo

Object Number - UPL 15348 - B-24D Liberator, 42-40751, Touch of Texas, in the 8th Air force, the 389th Bomb Group (The Sky Scorpions), in the 567th Bomb Squadron, in the 8th...

The B-24D Liberator, 42-40751, named, Touch of Texas, was in the 567th Bomb Squadron, the 389th Bomb Group, and the 8th Air Force. It was flown on the Ploesti oil refinery bombing mission, piloted by Lt. William J. Denton, returning safely to Libya. RTB. 1 Aug 1943.



1st Lt. Eldon Neil Colby flew, Touch of Texas, on his first mission as a command pilot, after serving as the copilot on his original aircraft, The Oklahoman, 42-40738. Lt. Colby  was flying the B-23D, Touch of Texas, alongside, The Oklahoman, with it's Pilot, Lt. Harley Mason, Mason's Copilot, Thomas Baum, and their crew, when, The Oklahoman, was hit by a direct burst of flak and exploded killing Lt. Mason's entire crew (9 KIA), who normally flew in the B-24D, Fightin' Sam, 42-40506. The flak explosion blew,The Oklahoman, completely apart. Yet, somehow, Lt. Mason survived the explosion and was thrown clear of the wrecked aircraft. He deployed his parachute, and was the sole survivor of the lost aircraft. 9-KIA.  1-POW.



Lt. Samual Blessing crashed, Touch of Texas, in a landing accident at Hethel / Sta 114,  on the return from a mission to bomb a V1 site at Siracourt, France. The airplane sustained Cat 5 damage, damaged beyond repair. Pilot Samuel E Blessing. There were no injuries to the crew.  A/C written off.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 389th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group 566th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Flight Officer
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group 564th Bomb Squadron 566th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group 567th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group 566th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-740749
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group 566th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-740760
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot

Places

Missions

Aircraft

An airman of the 389th Bomb Group with the nose art of a B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-40506) nicknamed "Fightin' Sam".
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: - Fightin Sam
  • Unit: VIII Bomber Command 389th Bomb Group 801st Bomb Group 566th Bomb Squadron 859th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: - The Oklahoman
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group 566th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: - Touch of Texas
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group 567th Bomb Squadron

Events

Event Location Date Description

Assigned

Bombing mission

Benghazi, Libya 8 January 1943 - 8 January 1943 567th BS, 389th BG, 8th AF. TDY 9th AF.  

Other

Survived Ploesti

Ploiești, Romania 1 August 1943 Flew on 1st Aug 43 Ploesti oil refinery mission piloted by Lt. William J. Denton, returning safely to Libya. 1 Aug 43.

Crashed

Hethel, Norwich, Norfolk NR14, UK 11 February 1944 Landing accident at Hethel/Sta 114 on return from mission to bomb V1 site at Siracourt, France, sustained Cat 5 damage, Pilot Samuel E Blessing.  11-Feb-44

Other

Written Off DBR

11 February 1944 Damaged beyond repair, A/C written off.

Revisions

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Best Web - 42-40751 - Touch Of Texas

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Best Web - 42-40751 - Touch Of Texas

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Details and connected names added. - Kickapoo

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Detail added. - Kickapoo

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Best Web - B-24 - 42-40751 - Touch of Texas

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Best Web - B-24 - 42-40751 - Touch Of Texas

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Punctuation. - Kickapoo

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Bets Web - B-24 - 42-40751 - 42-40738

42-40751: Gallery (7 items)