42-31394 Aphrodite

Delivered Cheyenne 28/10/43; Assigned 526BS/379BG [LF-D] Kimbolton 20/1/44; transferred AFSC with Azon/Aphrodite (388BG) Knettishall 7/6/44; Missing in Action v-sites Watten, Fr; 6/8/44 with Lt J. Sollars & T/Sgt H. Graves (2 Returned to Duty); lost control and crashed off Suffolk coast.

'Mother' ship B-24J 44-40066.

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Units served with

The insignia of the 379th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 388th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 524th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 39232411 / O-?
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 524th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-366943
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Role/Job: Group Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 524th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 35650353
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 524th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 12046746 / O-791578
  • Highest Rank: Major
  • Role/Job: Group Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 525th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 33233021
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner

Places

Missions

  • Date: 6 August 1944

Aircraft

A B-24 Liberators including, (serial number 44-40066) nicknamed "S.O.L", of the 458th Bomb Group fly in formation with a flight assembly ship. Written on slide casing: 'SOL, Azon a/c.'
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: S.O.L.
  • Unit: 458th Bomb Group 753rd Bomb Squadron 858th Bomb Squadron 492nd Bomb Group

Events

Event Location Date Description

Crashed

Honington, Bury Saint Edmunds, Suffolk IP31, UK 6 July 1944 Taxiing accident Honington/Sta 375 Cat 3 damage, Pilot Capt John A Sollars, 6-Jul-44.

Crashed

OffSuffolk Coast, UK 6 August 1944 Aphrodite mission to V1 missile site Watten, France. Command crew Lt John A Sollars & T/Sgt Hazen S Graves baled out successfully over UK. A/C lost control and crashed off Suffolk coast.

Revisions

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

AAM DB Entry.
Liberator: The Consolidated B-24 by Graham Simons.
http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/src/dbasn.asp?SN=42-31394

Date
ContributorTennyBelle
Changes
Sources

block number sourced from multiple on-line databases.

Date
ContributorTennyBelle
Changes
Sources

379th BG database

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

AAM DB Entry.
Liberator: The Consolidated B-24 by Graham Simons.
http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/src/dbasn.asp?SN=42-31394

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

AAM DB Entry.
Liberator: The Consolidated B-24 by Graham Simons.
http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/src/dbasn.asp?SN=42-31394

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

AAM DB Entry.
Liberator: The Consolidated B-24 by Graham Simons.
http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/src/dbasn.asp?SN=42-31394

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log