42-51233 Bigast Boid
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FRE 6480
Leon J Nowicki, and engineer of the 389th Bomb Group with the nose art of a B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-51233 nicknamed "The Bigast Boid". Image via LR Ades. Written on slide casing: 'Nov 1944 Leon J Nowicki.'
Roger Freeman Collection
Page 73, The Mighty Eighth in Color, Roger Freeman
B-24 Liberator "The Bigast Bird" (also know as "Bigast Boid"). It was a Douglas-Tulsa B-24J-1-DT Liberator (s/n 42-51233) from the 567th BS, 389th BG, 8th AF. On the April 14,1945 mission to bomb gun emplacements near Royan, France five Liberators from the 389th Bomb Group were hit by fragmentation bombs dropped by a higher flying B-17 group. This aircraft, and the other one in the photo, were lost. The Bush crew in "Bigast Bird" had 8 KIA/2 POW. MACR 13906.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- 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: 389th Bomb Group 567th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 389th Bomb Group 567th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 389th Bomb Group 567th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 389th Bomb Group 567th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier, Flight Engineer; Top Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 389th Bomb Group 567th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Bombardier, Enlisted, Nose Gunner
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Missions
- Date: 14 April 1945
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Crashed Failed to Return (FTR) |
Royan, France | 14 April 1945 | On the April 14,1945 mission to bomb gun emplacements near Royan, France five Liberators from the 389th Bomb Group were hit by fragmentation bombs dropped by a higher flying B-17 group. This aircraft, and the other one in the photo, were lost. The Bush crew in "Bigast Bird" had 8 KIA/2 POW. MACR 13906. |
Revisions
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources
MACR 13906 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database