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The B-24D Liberator, 41-23778, first named, Jenny, was assigned to the 66th Bomb Squadron, the 44th Bomb Group, in the 8th Air Force, in the U.K. detached (TDY) to the 9th Air Force in Benghazi, North Africa in 1943. It's Pilot Lt. Rocco Curelli and his crew, flew , Jenny, on the, Ploesti oil refinery mission and returned safely to Libya. 1 Aug 43. - After surviving the Ploesti mission, Lt. Curelli and the crew renamed, Jenny, to, Lady Luck.
The aircraft was lost on the attack on the German airfields at Foggia, Italy, while still on TDY to the 9th Air Force. Pilot Lt. Rocco A. Curelli and all of his crew, excepting his radio operator, were killed (KIA). The radio Operator was blown clear of, Lucky Lady's explosion and crash, and survived his bail out to become a POW before escaping and returning to duty (POW - RTD). 1 Aug 1943. 9 (KIA ) - 1 (POW-RTD). MACR 2141 -
3150.
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The crew of the B-24D Liberator, serial number 41-23778, named, Jenny, in the 44th Bomb Group, returns to Shipdham following a raid on Germany, 27 January 1943.
The insignia attached to the breast of several crew members jackets has been censored.
Image stamped on reverse: 'Barratt's Photo Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 29 Jan 1943.' [stamp].
Printed caption on reverse : 'First American raid on Germany. Flying Fortresses and Liberators of the U.S. Army Air Corps Carried out their first raid on Germany on Wednesday last. O.PS. The crew of the Liberator, Jenny, leaving after the U.S. raid on Germany. (Barratt's. 29/1/43).'
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The B-24D Liberator, 41-23778, Lady Luck (formerly Jenny) was from the 66th Bomb Squadron, the 44th Bomb Group, and the 8th Air Force. Lt. Rocco Curelli flew it on the Ploesti oil refinery mission and was renamed the plane, Lady Luck, after surviving the mission. The plane and all of it's crew returned to Benghazi, Libya. 10 RTB. 1 Aug 43.
The airplane was later lost on an attack on the German airfields at Foggia, Italy, while temporarily detached (TDY) to the 9th Air Force. (FTR). Pilot Rocco A. Curelli and all of his crew were killed in action, (KIA), at Foggia, excepting Curelli's Radio Operator, who bailed out and was captured, and later escaped and returned to duty 9 KIA, 1 POW-RTD. MACR 2141-3150.
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B-24D Liberator, 41-23778, Jenny, now renamed, Lady Luck, by Lt. Rocco Curelli and his crew from the 66th Bomb Squadron, the 44th Bomb Group, and the 8th Air Force, after they flew it on the Ploesti oil refinery mission and returned safe to Benghazi, Libya. RTB - 1 Aug 43 . Later, Lady Luck, was shot down and lost on an attack on the Foggia airfields while still on TDY to the 9th Air Force. Pilot Rocco A Curelli. 9 (KIA) - 1 (POW). MACR 2141 - 3150.
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The B-24D, first named, Jenny in Britain, was renamed, Lucky lady, after TDY to the 9th Air force and Benghazi, Libya. It's nose art of Lady luck was the picture of a scantily clad lady with an 8 Ball top, for the 44th Bomb Group, and a red bandana skirt, holding a wrench and a lucky four leaf shamrock. She was standing in front of a large green lucky shamrock with her name, Lady Luck, written on it in red letters.
The B-24D Liberator bomber, 41-23778, was, first, named, Jenny. when it was in the 8th Air Force, the 44th Bomb Group, and the 66th Bombing Squadron in Britain, in 1942. It was temporarily detached (TDY) to the 9th Air Force and sent to Benghazi, Libya, in North Africa, for Operation Tidal Wave, the August 1, 1943, Ploesti oil refinery mission. Lt. Rocco Curelli renamed, 41-23778, Lady Luck, after he and his crew flew it on Operation Tidal Wave over Ploesti, after Lt. Curelli and all of his crew returned safely to Benghazi, Libya. 10 RTB. 1 Aug 1943.
Sadly, on 16 Oct 43, after surviving the dangerous mission to Ploesti, Lt. Curelli and his crew flew, Lady Luck, on a mission, over the German airfields at Foggia, Italy, and were shot down by enemy fighters near Ruoti, Italy. Curelli and the aircraft Failed To Return (FTR) - Lost on the mission over the enemy airfields, at Foggia, while still on TDY to the 9th Air Force. Pilot Rocco A. Curelli, and all but one of his crew, his Radio Operator, Lt. Wesley Zimmerman, were killed in action (KIA), and the plane was lost on this mission. Lt. Wesley Zimmerman later escaped from captivity and returned to his Bomb Group. (POW-ITA-RTD). 9 KIA. 1 POW-ITA-RTD. 16 Oct 43. MACR 2141-3150.
Members of the Curelli crew on the B-24D, Lady Luck, 41-23778
2Lt. Rocco A. Curelli, Pilot, KIA.
2Lt. John Gust Papadopulos, Co-Pilot, KIA.
2Lt. Walter Rossi, Jr., Navigator, KIA.
Victor T. Torrou, Bombardier, KIA.
TSgt. John H. Grinde, Engineer, KIA.
SSgt. Wesley Lee Zimmerman, Radio Operator, POW.
SSgt. Deforest L. Ela, Radio Operator/Gunner, KIA.
SSgt. Raymond Clifford Shafer, Engineer/Gunner, KIA.
SSgt. John R. Hughes, Waist Gunner, KIA.
SSgt. Harper Filer Zoller, Jr. Tail Gunner, KIA.
Service
Aircraft
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B-24 Liberator
Note - This B-24H, 41-29128, was in the 8th Air Force, the 446th Bomb Group, and the 704th Bomb Squadron, in the U.K. in 1944, and should not be mistaken for another older B-24D Liberator bomber, 41-23778, also named, Lady Luck, also in the 8th Air...
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B-24 Liberator
The B-24J, 42-110070, was assigned to the 754th Bomb Squadron, the 458th Bomb Group, in the 8th Air Force, USAAF. The airplane crashed or was force landed on the European Continent. 10 Jan 45. Salvaged 13 Mar 45.
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Units
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Group
The 44th Bombardment Group (Heavy) was activated 15-January-1942 at McDill Field, Florida and equipped with B-24Cs. The Group moved to Barksdale Field, Louisiana and acted as a training unit for the 90th 93rd and 98th Bomb Groups and flew anti...
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People
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Military | Technical Sergeant | Radio Operator;Top Turret Gunner | 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs
Assigned to 66BS, 44BG, 8AF USAAF. Took part in Operation Tidal Wave, the raid on Ploesti on 1-Aug-43, flying B-24 Liberator 41-23778. 29 x combat missions. ETD.
Awards: AM, WWII Victory, EAME.
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Military | Staff Sergeant | B-24 Waist Gunner | 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs
Assigned to the 66th Bomb Squadron, the 44th Bomb Group (the Flying 8 Balls), in the 8th Air Force, USAAF. Shot down over Foggia, Italy 16-Aug-43 in the B-24D, 41-23778, Lady Luck.
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Military | Staff Sergeant | Radio Operator; Gunner | 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs
Took part in Operation Tidal Wave, the raid on Ploesti on 1 August 1943, flying B-24 Liberator 41-23778.
Completed 28 missions.
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Military | Second Lieutenant | B-24 Command Pilot | 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs
Pilot 2ndLt. Rocco A. Curelli - KIA - Foggia, Italy
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Military | Staff Sergeant | Radio Operator | 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs
Assigned to 66BS, 44BG, 8AF USAAF. Attack on Foggia airfields under TDY to the 9th AAF. KIA in 41-23778 'Lady Luck' Killed in Action (KIA). MACR 2141/3150
Awards: AM,PH.
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Military | Lieutenant Colonel | Pilot | 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs
Assigned to 66BS, 44BG, 8AF USAAF. Took part in Operation Tidal Wave, the raid on Ploesti on 1-Aug-43, flying B-24 Liberator 41-23778 'Lady Luck'. 25 x combat missions. Moved up to Group Operations. ETD.
Awards: DFC, AM (3OLC), WWII Victory, EAME.
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Military | Staff Sergeant | Flight Engineer - Top Turret Gunner | 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs
SSgt. Gola G. Gibby took part in Operation Tidal Wave, the raid on Ploesti on 1-Aug-43, as engineer and top turret gunner on the B-24, 41-24229, named, Buzzin' Bear. 1-Aug-43.
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Military | Technical Sergeant | Flight Engineer | 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs
Assigned to 66BS, 44BG, 8AF USAAF. Attack on Foggia airfields under TDY to the 9th AAF. KIA in 41-23778 'Lady Luck' Killed in Action (KIA). MACR 2141/3150
Awards: PH.
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Military | Technical Sergeant | Engineer | 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs
Assigned to 66BS, 44BG, 8AF USAAF. Took part in Operation Tidal Wave, the raid on Ploesti on 1 August 1943, flying B-24 Liberator 41-23778. 10 x combat missions.
Awards: AM, WWII Victory, EAME, UN and Korean medals.
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Military | Staff Sergeant | Tail Gunner | 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs
Assigned to 66BS, 44BG, 8AF USAAF. Attack on Foggia airfields under TDY to the 9th AAF. POW in 41-23778 'Lady Luck' Killed in Action (KIA). MACR 2141/3150
Awards: PH.
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Missions
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1 August 1943
Operation TIDAL WAVE. B-24D Liberators attack the oil refineries at Ploesti, Romania. The bombers flew low to avoid radar detection and dropped time delayed bombs. Out of the 177 B-24s that took part in the raid 167 managed to attack their targets. 57...
Places
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Military site : airfield
Shipdham was built in 1941-1942, the first US heavy bomber airfield in the English county of Norfolk. It was a standard design, with T2-type hangars and a domestic site dispersed to the south east. Improvements were carried out to increase the number...
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Events
Event |
Location |
Date |
Manufactured |
willow run, Ypsilanti, ME |
1943 |
Built by Consolidated.
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Assigned |
Benghzi, Libya |
1 August 1943 |
Temporary detached to the 9th Air Force for the Ploesti oil refinery mission. Returned safely to Libya. RTB. Renamed, Lady Luck. 1 Aug 43.
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Failed to Return (FTR) |
85056 Ruoti PZ, Italy |
16 August 1943 |
Failed to Return - Lost on attack on Foggia airfields while on TDY to the 9th Air Force. Pilot Rocco A. Curelli and all but one crewmen were KIA. 9 KIA, 1 POW-RTS. A/C shot down by enemy fighters near Ruoti, Italy, 16 Aug 1943. MACR 2141-3150.
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