The B-24D, 42-40994, Hell's Wench, was shot down and crashed, over Ploesti, Romania, on Operation Tidal Wave. All crewmen were Killed In Action - 10 KIA. Aug 1, 1943



Hell's Wench, was dispatched to North Africa with the 8th Air Force and the 93rd Bomb Group, to take part in Operation Tidal Wave in early 1943. Flown by Lt. Colonel Addison Baker and his copilot, Major John Jerstad on the mission, they were following their element lead aircraft, flown by Col. K.K. Compton, who was ordered by the Mission Commander, Gen. Uzal Ent, to turn south, heading for Bucharest at his first (wrong) IP, instead of turning north toward Ploesti ! Several pilots and Compton's own navigator, Col. Harold Wicklund, warned both Col. Keith Compton and the Mission Commander General Ent, on their airplane intercom, that they had made a disastrously wrong turn, but, when they failed to respond, Col. Baker and several other pilots broke formation from Compton and led a number of planes in their 93rd Bomb Group, who wanted to bomb their targets, back north and west, toward Ploesti.

On approach to the refinery areas, Hell's Wench, took two devastating direct flak hits. Baker immediately jettisoned his bombs, as both of his wings were hit. Their aircraft was leaking large amounts of fuel and quickly became engulfed in flames. Col. Baker and Major Jerstad stayed on course to the refineries as long as they could, but, finally tried desperately, to get some altitude so their crewmen could have some chance to bail out and live. Despite their attempts to gain altitude, the aircraft lost speed in the climb, stalled, rolled over, crashed, and exploded in flames, killing everyone aboard. 10 KIA. Aug 1, 1943.