Herbert W Arens

Military
media-15181.jpeg UPL 15181 The B-24D Liberator, 41-11803, Rosie Wrecked 'Em, and crew from the 9th Air Force, the 98th Bomb Group, and the 344th Bomb Squadron. Rosie Wrecked 'Em, was flown by Lt. Herbert Arens on the mission to destroy the oil refineries at Ploesti, Romania, on the right wing of Col. John Kane in the lead ship, Hail Columbia. Lt. Arens had to abort and turn back to home base at Benghazi, Libya, because of mechanical problems. The copilot, Lt. Kittredge Hamlin - standing second from left. Pilot Capt. Herbert Arens is standing far left.

Aircraft, 41-11803, flew on the wing of Col. Kane on the Ploesti raid but had to return to base because of mechanical problems. Copilot Kittredge Hamlin is standing - second from left. He left North Africa for the states on or about Aug 8, 1943 after 45 missions. This photo was taken prior to that date. Pilot Capt. Herbert Arens is standing far left.

Removed associations which are not depicted in the image.

Object Number - UPL 15181 - The B-24D Liberator, 41-11803, Rosie Wrecked 'Em, and crew from the 9th Air Force, the 98th Bomb Group, and the 344th Bomb Squadron. Rosie Wrecked...

2nd Lt. Herbert W. Arens was a B-24D command pilot in the 9th Air Force, the 98th Bomb Group, and the 344th Bomb Squadron. He flew the B-24D Liberator bomber, 41-11803, named, Rosie Wrecked 'Em, on the mission to destroy the oil refineries at Ploesti, Romania. He flew in Flight One, the leading line abreast flights of the 98th Bomb Group between Col. Kane, on his left, and Lt. Royden LeBrecht on his right, after Robert Nespor crashed on takeoff in, Kickapoo. Lt. Arens and, Rosie Wrecked 'Em, turned back to Benghazi with mechanical problems. Aug 1,1943.

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Units served with

Three airmen of the 389th Bomb Group stand with a B-24 Liberator used as a Flight Assembly Ship. Image via Tim Bivens. Handwritten caption from Bivens: 'My friend remembers it being named "Bucksheesh Benny" that it was used to fly Jack Benny around USA shows. Says it flew in North Africa with Benny and was eventually assigned to 389th as a hack and later as a form-up ship. He thinks it was originally with another group (possibly 376th or 98th).' Handwritten caption on reverse: '389th BG Form-up ship.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Ninth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 344th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 344th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-661482
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 344th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 344th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-29680
  • Highest Rank: Colonel
  • Role/Job: Commanding Officer / Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 344th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: - Sleepy - The Squaw
  • Unit: 93rd Bomb Group 98th Bomb Group 343rd Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: - Rosie Wrecked Em
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 344th Bomb Squadron

Missions

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Survived Ploesti

Ploiești, Romania 1 August 1943 Pilot B-24 Liberator 41-11803 'Rosie Wrecked Em', 344th BS, 98th BG, 9th AF. Flew on 1st Aug 43 Ploesti oil refinery raid on the wing of Col. Kane, having to abort before the target because of mechanical problems.

Other

Assigned

Benghazi, Libya 344th BS, 98th BG, 9th AF.

Born

Enlisted

Enlisted

Revisions

Date
ContributorKickapoo
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Sources

Wording, word spacing. - Kickapoo

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ContributorKickapoo
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Black Sunday - Michael Hill

Date
ContributorKickapoo
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Spelling , details added. - Kickapoo

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ContributorKickapoo
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Best Web - B-24 - 41-11803

Date
ContributorKickapoo
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Sources

Best Web - B-24 - 41-11803

Date
Changes
Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes

Herbert W Arens: Gallery (1 items)