The B-24D, 41-23810, named, Tarfu, flew on Operation Tidal Wave, the bombing mission to destroy the oil refineries at Ploesti, Romania, in Aug 1943. The B-24D, Tarfu, was flown on the mission by Command Pilot Lt. Earl C. Hurd, and returned safely to Benghazi, Libya. 1 Aug 43. 

Later, Tarfu, was shot down and lost on a mission over Kiel, Germany. It was hit by flak splinters, severing the flight controls, causing a complete loss of control of the aircraft. Tarfu, crashed southwest of Süderschmedeby, south of Frensburg, Germany. 4 Jan 44. 6 KIA. 4 POW. MACR 8342 

Statement from TSgt. Thomas J. Adams : 
"Our plane, Tarfu, crashed after the control cables had been severed by AAA flak explosive rounds. The plane immediately stalled, pitched down and went into an uncontrollable spin. There was not much time to get out. Therefore, those of us in good condition could not help the wounded men that could not help themselves. The aircraft crashed 2 KM southwest of Suderschmedeby, south of Flensburg, Germany. 4 Jan 44. MACR 8342 

B-24 Targets : Targets of Opportunity - Kiel, Germany. 
Missing Air Crew Report Details : USAAF MACR 8342 : 
Date Lost : 4 Jan 44 
Serial Number : 41-23810 
Aircraft Model : B-24D 
Aircraft Letter : S 
Aircraft Name : Tarfu 
Cause Of Loss : Aircraft hit by flak - crashed - 6 KIA. 4 POW. 
Note : The B-24D's assignment on this mission was to bomb targets of opportunity, while the B-17s attacked the Kiel port area. The 93rd Bomb Group lists 1 ship lost and failed to return on this date. The crew consisted of:

• Pilot 2nd Lt Andrew Reynolds
• Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Eldred McElrath
• Navigator 2nd Lt. Allan F. Rabinovitz 
• Bombardier 2nd Lt. Rex S. Walker 
• Engineer SSgt. Thomas J. Adams
• Radio Operator SSgt. Charles K. Gordoni 
• Waist Gunner Sgt. Frank E. Perkins, Jr 
• Waist Gunner Sgt John M Larsen
• Tail Gunner Sgt. Cornelius Pas 
  
  B-24D, 41-23810, Tarfu, was piloted by Lt. Earl C. Hurd, with a different crew, on Operation Tidal Wave, over Ploesti, Romania. 1 Aug 43. Crew for Operation Tidal Wave on B-24D - 41-23810 - Tarfu:
• Pilot Lt Earl Hurd
• Co-Pilot Lt Joseph Clements
• Navigator Lt James Steeg
• Bombardier Lt Thomas Dick
• Waist Gunner SSgt Thomas Gilbert
• Waist Gunner SSgt Roy Davis
• Tail Gunner SSgt Merrill Demas
• Engineer TSgt Raymond Wolf
• Radio Operator TSgt Jack Lang
• Top Turret TSgt Gerald Sullivan