Michael J Balca

Military ROLL OF HONOUR

Shot down and crashed near Charleroi, Belgium on return from a bombing mission to Aschersleben & Helmstedt, GR on 20 Feb 1944 in B-24J #42-64166 'Big Fat Butterfly'. Killed in Action (KIA).







Earlier 13-Nov-1943 on mission to Bremen in B24#41-29168, lost power systems and developed engine problems. Crash landed in a field in Norfolk. Navigator was pinned in the crashed a/c for 4 hours with a broken leg and all crew members suffered cuts and bruises. An RAF rescue crew had to tunnel under the a/c to release the navigator. Crew returned to duty.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 44th Bomb Group.

44th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
A B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-95260) nicknamed "Lili Marlene" of the 66th Bomb Squadron, 44th Bomb Group flies in formation with two comrades. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'B-24 H & B-24 J OF 44th B.G. 66th Sqdn'

66th Bomb Squadron

  • Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
B-24 Liberators of the 44th Bomb Group line up for takeoff at Shipdham in 1943. The 'Flying Eight-Ball' emblem of the 68th Bomb Squadron is visible on the nose of the leading aircraft. Image stamped with field press censor, 1943. Press Agency photograph- original printed caption has been removed.

68th Bomb Squadron

  • Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Aircraft

42-64166

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Big Fat Butterfly
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 66th Bomb Squadron

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Killed in action

Charleroi, Belgium 20 February 1944

Born

Akron, OH, USA

Buried

Zachary Taylor National Cemetery, Louisville, Kentucky

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added S/N per MACR 2449 at Fold3.com - see: https://www.fold3.com/image/28604053

Date
Contributorgeneral ira snapsorter
Changes
Sources

Merged with duplicate entry to include details from :
MACR 2449 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 2449, Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces Vol 2, Losses of 8th & 9th AFs Vol I by Bishop & Hey p. 371