2nd Lt. Bell headed a 91st BG replacement crew arriving in Prestwick 24th February 1944 and reporting at Bassingbourn on St Patrick's Day. They named their ship 'Superstitious Aloysius' and their first mission as a crew was a raid on Oldenburg 8th April. After bombs away heavy flak knocked out No 2 engine, holed every other part of the plane and wounded the navigator and bombardier. The radio operator managed to contact Air Sea Rescue in case the worst could happen but 'Superstitious Aloysius' did make it back to Bassingbourn, arriving only 45 minutes behind the main group but already designated - somewhat prematurely - MIA.