42-40629 - The Scorpion
Lt. Caldwell was shot down by FW190 fighters near Orleans, France in the B-24D, 42-41013 named, "Trouble". Caldwell and his crew were killed in action (KIA). Jan 7, 1944.
Best Web - B-24 - TROUBLE
Object Number - UPL 15374 - B-24D Liberator, 42-40629, "The Scorpion", in the 8th Air Force, the 389th Bomb Group, and the 565th Bomb Squadron, with it's pilot, Capt. Kenneth M...
The B-24D Liberator, 42-40629, The Scorpion, in the 8th Air Force, the 389th Bombardment Group, and the 565th Bomb Squadron, flew on Operation Tidal Wave, the bombing mission on the oil refineries, piloted by Lt. Kenneth M. Caldwell and Col. Jack Wood observing, who successfully bombed their target, and returned safely to Benghazi, Libya. Both Lt. Caldwell and Col. Wood were awarded Distinguished Service Cross medals for their valor and determination in accomplishing their mission by finding and bombing their heavily defended target at Campina, Romania. August 1, 1943.
Connections
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Units served with
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 20th Combat Bomb Wing 389th Bomb Group 565th Bomb Squadron Headquarters (14th Combat Bomb Wing)
- Highest Rank: Major General
- Role/Job: Chief of the British-American Air Component, Supreme Headquarters, Allied Expeditionary Forces Mission to Franc
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 98th Bomb Group 344th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 18065717 / O-725567
- Highest Rank: Major
- Role/Job: Pilot
Places
Missions
Aircraft
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Other Survived Ploesti |
Ploiești, Romania | 1 August 1943 | Flew on 1st Aug 43 Ploesti oil refinery raid piloted by Capt Kenneth M Caldwell, returning safely to Libya. Flying in the Scorpion as navigator was Jack Wood, Commander of the 389th BG. As navigator he directed the whole group's formation to the target. |
|
Assigned |
Benghazi, Libya | 565th BS, 389th BG, 8th AF, TDY 9th AF. |
Revisions
Ploesti The Great Ground-Air Battle of 1 August 1943 - James Dugan & Carroll Stewart
Ploesti The Great Ground-Air Battle of 1 August 1943 - James Dugan & Carroll Stewart
John T. Correll, "Twenty-Seven Minutes Over Ploesti," Air Force Magazine, Feb. 2015, p. 77.