41-23737 Eager Beaver / Fearless Freddie
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FRE 774
Ground crew of the 93rd Bomb Group prepare to load bombs into a B-24 Liberator (serial number 41-23737) nicknamed "Eager Beaver" at Alconbury. Image stamped on reverse: 'Passed for publication 30 Oct 1942' [stamp].' 229840' [Censor no]. Printed caption on reverse: .'FIRST PICTURES OF THE "LIBERATOR" IN ACTION Oct 1942. First photograph of the giant "Liberator" American bomber to be taken at a US Army Air Corps Station in England. Already famous as being the craft in which Mr Churchill flew to Russia and the Near East, and which for months has been patrolling the Atlantic against U-Boats, this fine type gained laurels when, flying with "Forts" to the daylight arrack on Lille, 107 hun planes were destroyed or damaged without loss to the bombers. The picture shows American-made 1,000-pounders at their Station in England. These bombs had previously not been photographed.'
Roger Freeman Collection
IWM, Roger Freeman Collection
Assigned to 328BS, 93BG, 8AF USAAF named 'Eager Beaver'. Transferred to 704BS, 446th BG, 8AF USAAF. Became 446th Group's first assembly ship and was re-named 'Fearless Freddie'. It cracked up in Oct 44.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 93rd Bomb Group
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 546th Bomb Squadron 384th Bomb Group
- Service Numbers: 37653481
- Highest Rank: Sergeant (RAF)
- Role/Job: Armorer
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 93rd Bomb Group 328th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 389th Bomb Group 564th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 15086367 / O-728849
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 93rd Bomb Group
Places
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Crashed |
Bircham Newton, King's Lynn PE31, UK | 24 July 1943 | Landing Accident RAF Bircham Newton Cat 4 damage Lt Thomas B Rell, 24-Jul-43. 328BS 93BG 8AF |
Other Assembly Ship |
Flixton, Bungay NR35, UK | 24 February 1944 | Became 446th Group's first assembly ship and was re-named 'Fearless Freddie'. |
Crashed |
Warton, Preston PR4, UK | 16 June 1945 | Taxiing Accident Warton/Sta 582 Cat 3 damage Lt Howard E Day, 16-Jun-45. BAD2 8AF |
Manufactured |
San Diego, TX 78384, USA | Built at Consolidated. | |
Delivered |
Texas, USA | Delivered to USAAF. | |
Other Assigned |
Alconbury, Huntingdon PE28, UK | Assigned to 328BS, 93BG, 8AF USAAF | |
Other Transferred |
Flixton, Bungay NR35, UK | Transferred to 704BS, 446th BG, 8AF USAAF. |
Revisions
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes