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B-24 Liberator
B-24 Liberators of the 44th Bomb Group line up for take off at Shipdham in 1943. A B-24 Liberator (serial number 41-23818) nicknamed "Bela" leads the lineup; one of her waist gunners is at his position. Image stamped on reverse: 'Passed for publication 16 FEB 1943 General Section Press & Censorship Bureau' and 'Reviewed and Passed U.S. Army 16 Feb 1943 Press Officer No. 21 E.T.O.' Printed caption on reverse: '21-25. Liberator bombers taxi-ing up to take off for the start of an operational patrol at their base "somewhere in England". And February 17th 1943 PN'
Individual Deceased Personnel File (IDPF) for First Lieutenant JB Long of the 44th Bomb Group researched by historian Bill Beigel. The file contains copies of primary documents that discuss the return of personal effects, circumstances and causes of death, and memorialisation of the fallen airman.
B-24F SN #41-23818, named, 'Texan II' and once named 'Bela' was assigned to the 8th Air Force, the 44th Bomb Group, and the 67th Bomb Squadron. The aircraft was dispatched to bomb the U-Boat pens at St. Nazaire, France. Shortly after leaving the English coast off of Selsey Bill, Sussex, the aircraft sustained a mid-air collision MAC with B-24D #42-50354, 'Snafu', also from the 44th Bomb Group and the 66th Bomb Squadron. Lost FRA - MACR 5095 - Pilot Fred M. Billings flying 'SNAFU' collided MAC over the English Channel with the B-24 'BELA', #41-23818. Both aircraft exploded and crashed into the sea. Both aircraft were lost, Feb 16 1943 - 10KIA MACR 4697
Pilot 1stLt. John B. Long (KIA); CoPilot 2ndLt. John F. McCormick (KIA)
Navigator 2ndLt. Harold C. Cook (KIA); Bombardier 2ndLt. Winthrop T. Frazee (KIA)
Engineer/TopTurret Gunner TSgt Raymond C. Stephens (KIA); Radio Operator TSgt. Orna E. Cottington (KIA)
BAE SSgt Stephen E. Parker, Jr. (KIA); AR SSft Donald C. McGinnis (KIA)
Bottom Turret Gunner SSgt William C. Crigger (KIA); Top Gunner SSgt Ralph C. Laurence (KIA)
B-24 Liberator
B-14D #42-40354, also had the serial number # 40-2354, "Snafu" from the 8th Air force, the 44th Bomb Group, and the 66th Bomb Squadron. It was one of the early B-24Ds funded with FY40 after the cancellation of the US purchase of several B-24A models,...
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...
Squadron
Military | Second Lieutenant | Navigator | 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs
On 16-February-1943 in B-24D 41-23818 'Texan II' while serving as Navigator the aircraft sustained a mid-air collision with B-24D 42-40354 'Sanfu' 44BG/66BS just after leaving the English coast off of Selsey Bill, Sussex. Both aircraft exploded. Killed...
Military | Technical Sergeant | Radio Operator | 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs
On 16-February-1943 in B-24D 41-23818 'Texan II' while serving as Radio Operator the aircraft sustained a mid-air-collision with B-24D 42-40354 'Snafu' 44BG/66BS just after leaving the English coast off of Selsey Bill, Sussex en-route to the target at...
Military | Staff Sergeant | Tail Gunner; Ball Turret Gunner | 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs
On January 3, 1943 B-24D 41-23808 'Texan' while serving as Tail Gunner the aircraft crash-landed in a field near Aberporth airfield, Cardiganshire, returning from target U/B yards (submarine) at St. Nazaire, France. Fuel shortage caused the crash. 11...
Military | Second Lieutenant | Bombardier | 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs
On January 3, 1943 while serving as Bombardier on B-24D 41-23808 'Texan' the aircraft crashed in field near Aberporth airfield, Cardiganshire, returning from target U/B yards (submarine) at St. Nazaire, France. Fuel shortage caused the crash. 11RTD No...
Military | Staff Sergeant | Waist Gunner; Tail Gunner | 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs
On January 3, 1943 B-24 #4123808 'Texan' crashed in field near Aberporth airfield, Cardiganshire, returning from target U/B yards (submarine) at St. Nazaire, France. Fuel shortage caused the crash. 11RTD No MACR issued.
...
Military | First Lieutenant | Pilot | 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs
On January 3, 1943 B-24D 41-23808 'Texan' while serving as Pilot he crash-landed the aircraft in field near Aberporth airfield, Cardiganshire, returning from target U/B yards (submarine) at St. Nazaire, France. Fuel shortage caused the crash. Lundy...
Military | Second Lieutenant | Co-Pilot | 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs
On January 3, 1943 while serving as Co-Pilot of B-24D 41-23808 'Texan' the aircraft crash-landed in a field near Aberporth airfield, Cardiganshire, out of fuel, upon returning from target U/B yards (submarine) at St. Nazaire, France. 11RTD No MACR
...
Military | Staff Sergeant | Waist Gunner | 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs
On January 3, 1943 in B-24D 41-23808 'Texan' while serving as Waist Gunner the aircraft crash-landed in a field near Aberporth airfield, Cardiganshire, returning from target U/B yards (submarine) at St. Nazaire, France. Fuel shortage caused the crash....
Military | Staff Sergeant | Waist Gunner | 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs
On 16-February-1943 in B-24D 41-23818 'Texan II' while serving as Waist Gunner the aircraft sustained a mid-air collision with B-24D 42-40354 'Snafu' 44BG/66BS just off the English coast at Selsey Bill, Sussex. Both aircraft exploded and crashed into...
Military | Technical Sergeant | Engineer/Top Turret Gunner | 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs
On 16-February-1943 in B-24D 41-23818 'Texan II' while serving as Engineer/Top Turret Gunner the aircraft sustained a mid-air collision with B-24D 42-40354 "Snafu" 44BG/66BS just of the English coast at Selsey Bill, Sussex en-route to the target at St....
16 February 1943
The port area and U-Boat pens at St. Nazaire, France are designated as the primary target of this mission of 71 B-17s and 18 B-24s. B-17s are from 91BG (18); 303BG (15); 305BG (18); 306BG (20) of these 59 are effective on the target and 6 are lost....
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...
| Event | Location | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Failed to Return (FTR) Over Water (OW) | English Channel | 16 February 1943 |
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Sustained a mid-air collision with B-24D 42-40354 "Snafu" fof 44th Bomb Group, 66th Bomb Squadron, shortly after leaving the English coast off Selsey Bill, Sussex, exploded and crashed into the sea. |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
|---|---|---|
| 03 February 2021 10:43:19 | Kickapoo | Changes to nicknames and description |
| Sources | ||
| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 30 January 2015 19:54:22 | Lee8thbuff | Changes to nicknames, markings, description, events, place associations and mission associations |
| Sources | ||
Lee Cunningham 30-Jan-2015. Added nickname, markings, FTR description and crafted Description per "Losses of the 8th & 9th AIr Forces" Stan Bishop & John A. Hey MBE; Made connections to Place and Mission within existing website data; Added crew position, rank, full proper name and disposition per MACR 4697; formatted crew display. |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 02 December 2014 16:37:49 | Superman | Changes to nicknames |
| Sources | ||
B24BestWeb |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 27 September 2014 18:40:01 | AAM | AAM ingest |
| Sources | ||
MACR 4697 & 3302 A / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database |
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