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41-23778

B-24 Liberator

  • The B-24D Liberator, 41-23778, Jenny. Later, named, Lady Luck, it was assigned to the 66th Bomb Squadron, the 44th Bomb Group, and the 8th Air Force. Pilot Rocco Curelli and his crew flew on the, Ploesti oil refinery mission and returned safely to Libya. 1 Aug 43. - Later, aircraft, named, Lady Luck, was lost on the attack on Foggia airfields while on TDY to the 9th Air Force. Pilot Rocco A. Curelli. 9 (KIA ) - 1 (POW). MACR 2141 - 3150.

    The B-24D Liberator, 41-23778, Jenny. Later, named, Lady Luck, it was assigned to the 66th Bomb Squadron, the 44th Bomb Group, and the 8th Air Force. Pilot Rocco Curelli and his crew flew on the, Ploesti oil refinery mission and returned safely to Libya. 1 Aug 43. - Later, aircraft, named, Lady Luck, was lost on the attack on Foggia airfields while on TDY to the 9th Air Force. Pilot Rocco A. Curelli. 9 (KIA ) - 1 (POW). 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).'

    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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  • B-24D Liberator, 41-23778, Lady Luck from the 66th Bomb Squadron, 44th Bomb Group, and the 8th Air Force, flew on the Ploesti oil refinery raid, returned to Benghazi, Libya. 1 Aug 43. - Lost on attack on Foggia airfields whilst on TDY to the 9th Air Force. (FTR). Pilot Rocco A. Curelli. 9 KIA, 1 POW. MACR 2141 - 3150.

    B-24D Liberator, 41-23778, Lady Luck from the 66th Bomb Squadron, 44th Bomb Group, and the 8th Air Force, flew on the Ploesti oil refinery raid, returned to Benghazi, Libya. 1 Aug 43. - Lost on attack on Foggia airfields whilst on TDY to the 9th Air Force. (FTR). Pilot Rocco A. Curelli. 9 KIA, 1 POW. MACR 2141 - 3150.

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  • B-24D Liberator, 41-23778, Lady Luck, from the 66th Bomb Squadron, the 44th Bomb Group, and the 8th Air Force, flew on the 1st Aug 43 Ploesti oil refinery raid, returned to Libya. RTB - Later was lost on an attack on the Foggia airfields while on TDY to the 9th Air Force. Pilot Rocco A Curelli. 9 (KIA) - 1 (POW). MACR 2141 - 3150.

    B-24D Liberator, 41-23778, Lady Luck, from the 66th Bomb Squadron, the 44th Bomb Group, and the 8th Air Force, flew on the 1st Aug 43 Ploesti oil refinery raid, returned to Libya. RTB - Later was lost on an attack on the Foggia airfields while 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, 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.

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The B-24D Liberator bomber, 41-23778, renamed, Lady Luck, from, Jenny, - Survived Operation Tidal Wave over Ploesti Romania, August 1, 1943.

Jenny, was in the 8th Air Force, the 44th Bomb Group, and the 676th Bombing Squadron in Britain in 1942. It was, apparently, renamed, Lady Luck, later, after being temporarily detached (TDY) to the 9th Air Force for the August 1, 1943, Ploesti oil refinery raid, and returned to Benghazi, Libya, flown by Lt. Rocco Curelli and his crew.
Lady Luck, was shot down over Foggia, Italy, by enemy fighters near Ruoti, Italy. Aug 16, 1943. - ITA - MACR 3150

The AC Failed to Return (FTR) - Lost on bombing mission over the airfields at Foggia, Italy, while on TDY to the 9th Air Force - shot down by enemy fighters near Ruoti, Italy. Pilot Rocco A. Curelli. - 9 KIA, 1 POW. Aug 16, 1943. MACR 2141/3150.

Service

Units

  • 8th Air Force

    8th Air Force


    Eighth Air Force Bomber Command became the Eighth Air Force on February 1944, it oversaw bombardment of strategic targets in Europe until 1945. ...

  • 9th Air Force

    9th Air Force

  • 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs

    44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs

    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...

  • 66th Bomb Squadron

    66th Bomb Squadron

    Squadron

  • 676th Bomb Squadron

    676th Bomb Squadron

    Squadron

People

  • John Altman

    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.

  • John Barcus

    Military | Staff Sergeant | Waist Gunner | 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs
    Staff Sargent John Raymond Barcus was a waist gunner on the B-24D SN #41-23778 - 'Lady Luck' Assigned to the 66th Bomb Squadron, the 44th Bomb Group, and the 8th Air Force. He flew on the Ploesti raid as part of Lt. Felber's crew, on temporary...

  • James Corrigan

    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.

  • Rocco Curelli

    Military | Second Lieutenant | B-24 Command Pilot | 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs
    Pilot 2nd/Lt. Rocco A. Curelli, KIA ...

  • Deforest Ela

    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.

  • Robert Felber

    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.

  • Gola Gibby

    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. ...

  • John Grinde

    Military | Technical Sergeant | 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.

  • George Honeyman

    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.

  • John Hughes

    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

  • Operation Tidal Wave

    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

  • Shipdham

    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...

Events

Event Location Date
Manufactured willow run, Ypsilanti, ME 1943

Built at Consolidated.
Assigned Benghzi, Libya 1 August 1943

Temporary attachment to 9th AF for Ploesti oil refinery raid, returned to Libya.
Failed to Return (FTR) 85056 Ruoti PZ, Italy 16 August 1943

Failed to Return - Lost on attack on Foggia airfields whilst on TDY to the 9th AF. Pilot Rocco A Curelli. 9 KIA, 1 POW, A/C shot down by enemy fighters near Ruoti, Italy, Aug. 16, 1943. MACR 2141/3150.
Nicknames
Jenny - Lady Luck
Production block number
B-24-D-5-CO
Manufacturer
Consolidated
Markings and paint scheme/livery

The B-24, 41-23778, was painted olive drab with it's national insignias in early 1943, white stars in blue roundels with yellow, and later, red surrounds. It was first named, Jenny, when it was in the 44th Bomb Group, and the 8th Air Force in Britain. When it was named, Jenny, the name, Jenny, was painted in block letters on the RH forward side of the nose with no known nose art.
Later, after being sent (TDY) to the 9th Air force, in Benghazi, Libya, the airplane was, apparently, renamed, Lady Luck. After being renamed, Lady Luck, the nose art became a painting of a scantily clad lady with red hair, holding a wrench in one hand and and a lucky four leaf shamrock in the other, with an 8 ball halter, for the 44th Bomb Group, and a red bandana for a skirt. The lucky lady was standing in front of a large green lucky four leaf clover, all of this, on the aircraft's RH forward nose section.

Revisions

Date Contributor Update
21 August 2021 04:20:34 Kickapoo Changes to unit associations
Sources

Bomb Squadron - Kickapoo
Date Contributor Update
21 August 2021 04:16:14 Kickapoo Changes to unit associations and place associations
Sources

Places change. - Kickapoo
Date Contributor Update
21 August 2021 04:13:20 Kickapoo Changes to unit associations, person associations and place associations
Sources

Places addition - Kickapoo
Date Contributor Update
21 August 2021 04:10:02 Kickapoo Changes to description
Sources

Bomb Squadron number change. - Kickapoo
Date Contributor Update
21 August 2021 03:51:00 Kickapoo Changes to markings
Sources

Best Web - B-24 - 41-23778 - Jenny - Lucky Lady
Date Contributor Update
21 August 2021 03:44:58 Kickapoo Changes to markings
Sources

Best Web - B-24 - 41-23778 - Jenny - Lucky lady
Date Contributor Update
21 August 2021 03:37:38 Kickapoo Changes to markings and description
Sources

Best Web - B-24 - 41-23778 - Jenny - Lucky Lady
Date Contributor Update
21 August 2021 03:09:45 Kickapoo Changes to nicknames and markings
Sources

Best Web - B-24 - 41-23778 - Jenny - Lady Luck
Date Contributor Update
20 August 2021 16:54:51 Kickapoo Changes to markings and description
Sources

Name spelling - Kickapoo
Date Contributor Update
20 August 2021 16:43:45 Kickapoo Changes to nicknames, markings and description
Sources

Best Web - B-24 - Lady Luck
Date Contributor Update
03 March 2021 20:40:06 Kickapoo Changes to production block number, nicknames, markings and description
Sources

B-24 - Best Web - #41-23778 - 'Jenny' - 'Lady Luck'
Date Contributor Update
22 February 2021 01:53:47 Kickapoo Changes to description
Sources

B-24 - Best Web - 'Lady luck' - SN # 41-23778
Date Contributor Update
22 February 2021 01:10:12 Kickapoo Changes to nicknames and description
Sources

B-24 - Best Web - 'Lady luck' - SN # 41-23778
Date Contributor Update
22 February 2021 01:04:03 Kickapoo Changes to description
Sources

B-24 - Best Web - 'Lady luck' - SN # 41-23778
Date Contributor Update
22 December 2020 09:42:49 Al_Skiff Changes to description and events
Sources

http://www.amervets.com/replacement/tidal.htm
http://www.greenharbor.com/ROHPDF/ROH.pdf
Date Contributor Update
09 December 2020 12:16:30 Kickapoo Changes to markings
Sources

44th Bomb Group Roll of Honor and Casualties
Date Contributor Update
09 December 2020 12:12:52 Kickapoo Changes to markings
Sources

44th Bomb Group Roll of Honor and Casualties
Date Contributor Update
09 December 2020 12:04:03 Kickapoo Changes to description
Sources

44th Bomb Group Roll of Honor and Casualties
Date Contributor Update
12 February 2020 15:06:43 general ira snapsorter Changes to description
Sources

Ploesti Sortie Reports, 44th Bomb Group
Date Contributor Update
22 March 2015 17:03:41 Al_Skiff Changes to description and events
Sources

http://www.findagrave.com
Date Contributor Update
22 March 2015 16:58:47 Al_Skiff Changes to production block number, nicknames, description, events, unit associations, person associations and mission associations
Sources

AAM Database / http://www.aviationarchaeology.com / http://www.b24bestweb.com
Date Contributor Update
27 September 2014 18:40:01 AAM AAM ingest
Sources

MACR 3150 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

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