42-100766 Lilly Bell II
IWM, Roger Freeman Collection
Object Number - FRE 3382 - A C-47 Skytrain (4U-D, serial number 42-100766) nicknamed "Lilly Bell II" of the 89th Troop Carrier Squadron, 438th Troop Carrier Group, at Greenham...
Assigned to 89TCS, 438TCG, 9AF USAAF. Participated in the invasion of South France[Op Dragoon] initially dropping paratroopers and then towing reinforcements in gliders.
Participated in Op Market Garden, dropping paratroopers on Eindhoven.
On mission to Denain / Pouvry, France went into an inverted dive and crashed into the ground at Jacobs Well, Guildford. It seemed the 5,000lb of cargo had shifted, disrupting the aircraft's Centre of Gravity. 25-Oct-44. 4 x Killed in Action (KIA).
Crew: pilot 1st Lt Mercer Wilson Avent, co-pilot F/O John Edmund Wright; CC/engineer, T/Sgt John R Hillmer, radio S/Sgt Dale E Dellinger.
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 438th Troop Carrier Group 89th Troop Carrier Squadron
- Service Numbers: 34116979 / O-680153
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 438th Troop Carrier Group 89th Troop Carrier Squadron
- Service Numbers: 38350916
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 438th Troop Carrier Group 89th Troop Carrier Squadron
- Service Numbers: 16151259
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Crew Chief / Engineer
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 434th Troop Carrier Group 438th Troop Carrier Group 89th Troop Carrier Squadron
- Service Numbers: 32254948 / T-124304
- Highest Rank: Flight Officer
- Role/Job: Waco Glider Co-pilot / Acting C-47 Co-pilot
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Crashed |
Jacobs Well, Guildford, UK | 25 October 1944 | On mission to Valenciennes, France went into an inverted dive and crashed into the ground. It appeared the cargo had shifted, disrupting the aircraft's Centre of Gravity. 25-Oct-44. 4 x Killed in Action (KIA). |
|
Manufactured |
Long Beach, CA, USA | Built at Douglas. | |
|
Delivered |
Beale AFB, CA, USA | Delivered to USAAF. | |
|
Assigned |
Greenham, Thatcham RG19 6HN, UK | Assigned to 89TCS, 438TCG, 9AF USAAF. |
Revisions
Into Fields of Fire: The Story of the 438th Troop Carrier Group During World ... By W. L. George Collins
https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19441025-6
http://www.guildford-dragon.com/2012/04/20/the-wwii-crash-of-c47-lilly-…
Into Fields of Fire: The Story of the 438th Troop Carrier Group During World ... By W. L. George Collins
https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19441025-6
http://www.guildford-dragon.com/2012/04/20/the-wwii-crash-of-c47-lilly-…