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41-23818

B-24 Liberator

  • B-24 Liberators of the 44th Bomb Group line up for take off at Shipdham in 1943. The B-24D Liberator, 41-23818, Texan II, formerly, Bela, piloted by Lt. John B. Long and Lt. John F. McCormick, 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 taxiing up to take off for the start of an operational patrol at their base

    B-24 Liberators of the 44th Bomb Group line up for take off at Shipdham in 1943. The B-24D Liberator, 41-23818, Texan II, formerly, Bela, piloted by Lt. John B. Long and Lt. John F. McCormick, 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 taxiing up to take off for the start of an operational patrol at their base "somewhere in England". And February 17th 1943 PN'

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  • Individual Deceased Personnel File (IDPF) for First Lieutenant J.B. 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, causes of death, and memorialization of the fallen airman.

    Individual Deceased Personnel File (IDPF) for First Lieutenant J.B. 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, causes of death, and memorialization of the fallen airman.

    Show caption About this image
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Note : The B-24D, 41-23818, named, Texan II, and flown by Lt. John McCormick. It was also, previously named, Marcie Ann, and, Bela. The plane was assigned to the 44th Bomb Group, and the 67th Bomb Squadron, TDY to the 9th Air Force, USAAF, in Benghazi, Libya, should not be confused with another B-24D, 41-23808, named, Texan, and also flown earlier by Lt. John McCormick and Lt. John Long. - See : "B-24, 41-23808, Named The, Texan."

In early 1943, the aircraft, 41-23818, Texan II, also piloted by Lt. John B. Long and Lt. John F. McCormick was dispatched again to bomb the U Boat pens at St. Nazaire, France. Shortly after leaving the English coast off Selsey Bill, Sussex, Texan II, sustained a mid air collision (MAC) with the B-24D, 42-50354, Snafu, also from the 44th Bomb Group and the 66th Bomb Squadron, flown close by, by it's Pilot Fred M. Billings. The two planes collided over the English Channel. Both aircraft came apart, exploded, crashed into the sea, and were lost. 20 crewman KIA. 16 Feb 1943. MACR 4697

B-24D Texan II Flight Crew :
Pilot 1st Lt. John B. Long - KIA
CoPilot 2nd Lt. John F. McCormick - KIA
Navigator 2nd Lt. Harold C. Cook - KIA
Bombardier 2nd Lt. Winthrop T. Frazee - KIA
Engineer/TopTurret Gunner Tech Sgt Raymond C. Stephens - KIA
Radio Operator Tech Sgt. Orna E. Cottington - KIA
BAE Staff Sgt. Stephen E. Parker, Jr. - KIA
AR SSgt Donald C. McGinnis - KIA
Bottom Turret Gunner Staff Sgt. William C. Crigger - KIA
Top Gunner Staff Sgt. Ralph C. Laurence - KIA

Service

Aircraft

  • 41-23818 - Texan II - Bela - Miss Marcie Ann

    B-24 Liberator
    Note : The B-24D, 41-23818, named, Texan II, and flown by Lt. John McCormick. It was also, previously named, Marcie Ann, and, Bela. The plane was assigned to the 44th Bomb Group, and the 67th Bomb Squadron, TDY to the 9th Air Force, USAAF, in...

  • 42-40354 / 40-2354 - Snafu

    B-24 Liberator
    The B-24D Liberator, Snafu, was first manufactured as a B-24D model with the serial number, 42-40354, but, later, was allocated and redesignated with the British Lend Lease RAF serial number, 40-2354, from a batch of unused serial numbers, initially...

  • 41-23808 - Texan

    B-24 Liberator
    ...

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Units

  • 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...

  • 67th Bomb Squadron

    67th Bomb Squadron

    Squadron

People

  • Henry Charletta

    Military | Master Sergeant | B-24 Bombardier/Togglier | 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs
    Master Sergeant Henry Charletta, the Bombardier - Togglier in the B-24D, 42-40354, Snafu, was killed in action, KIA, in a mid air collision with the B-24D, 41-23818, Texan II, also in Snafu's 44th Bomb Group and 67th Bomb Squadron, just of the coast...

  • Harold Cook

    Military | Second Lieutenant | B-24 Navigator | 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs
    Lt. Harold Cook, while serving as navigator, in the B-24D, 41-23818, Texan II, the aircraft sustained a mid-air collision with the B-24D, 42-40354, Snafu, from the 44th Bomb Group, the 66th Bomb Squadron, just after leaving the English coast off of...

  • Orna Cottington

    Military | Technical Sergeant | B-24 Radio Operator - Gunner | 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs
    On 16 Feb 1943 in the B-24D, 41-23818, Texan II, SSgt. Orna Cottington, while serving as radio operator the aircraft, sustained a midair collision with the B-24D, 42-40354, Snafu, in the 44th Bomb Group, the 66th Bomb Squadron just after leaving the...

  • William Crigger

    Military | Staff Sergeant | Tail Gunner; Ball Turret Gunner | 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs
    SSgt William C. Crigger served as tail gunner on the B-24D, 41-23808, named, Texan, piloted by Lt. John A. Long. On January 3,1943, the aircraft crash-landed in a field near Aberporth Airfield, Cardiganshire, UK, returning from a mission over the...

  • Winthrop Frazee

    Military | Second Lieutenant | B-24 Bombardier | 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs
    Lt. Winthrop T. Frazee served as the bombardier on the B-24D, 41-23808, Texan. The aircraft crash landed in a field near Aberporth Airfield, Cardiganshire, U.K. returning from it's target, the U Boat submarine pens at St. Nazaire, France. A fuel...

  • Amos Hutchison

    Military | First Lieutenant | B-24 Navigator | 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs
    Lt. Amos Hutchison, while serving as a volunteer navigator on the aircraft, 42-40354, Snafu, sustained a mid-air collision with the B-24D, 41-23818, Bela - Texan II, from the 44th Bomb Group, the 67th Bomb Squadron, just off the English coast near...

  • Ralph Laurence

    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. ...

  • John Long

    Military | First Lieutenant | B-24 Command Pilot | 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs
    1st Lieutenant J.B. Long was born March 11, 1920, and was the son of Ben and Goldena Long. His hometown was May, Oklahoma. ...

  • John McCormick

    Military | Second Lieutenant | Co-Pilot | 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs
    On January 3, 1943 while serving as Copilot of his B-24D, 41-23808, Texan. Lt. John F. McCormick crash landed in a field near Aberporth Airfield, Cardiganshire, England, out of fuel, upon returning from their target, the U Boat submarine pens at St....

  • Donald McGinnis

    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....

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Missions

  • VIII Bomber Command 36

    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....

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
Failed to Return - Over Water English Channel 16 February 1943

The aircraft, Texan II, sustained a mid air collision with the B-24D, 42-40354, Snafu, shortly after leaving the English coast off Selsey Bill, Sussex. Both planes exploded and crashed into the sea with all 10 crewmen MIA - KIA. 16 Feb 43. MACR 4697
Nicknames
- Texan II - Bela - Miss Marcie Ann
Production block number
B-24-D-5-CO Liberator
Manufacturer
Consolidated
Markings and paint scheme/livery

The B-24D, 41-23818, Texan II, formerly named, Bela, and, Miss Marcie Ann, was painted with the US Army's standard olive drab color, with the standard grey underbelly, according to the U.S Army Air Force's Painting Practices and Battle Colors, and Markings VIII Bomber Command. The airplane's national insignias were white stars on blue roundels. It's abbreviated serial number : 123818, and the aircraft's ID, "R" was painted on the outboard sides of it's vertical stabilizers. Unconfirmed required markings, not shown in a/c photos, were : Also : a Circle "A" = 2nd Bomb Division and 44th Bomb Group. It's RCL, Radio Call Letter : "NB": for the 67th Bomb Squadron.

Revisions

Date Contributor Update
06 June 2022 15:34:15 Kickapoo Changes to aircraft associations
Sources

Removed punctuation marks from around aircraft names, for clarity, uniformity, and readability. - Kickapoo
Date Contributor Update
06 June 2022 15:29:44 Kickapoo Changes to description
Sources

Removed punctuation marks from around aircraft names, for clarity, uniformity, and readability. - Kickapoo
Date Contributor Update
06 June 2022 15:13:58 Kickapoo Changes to production block number, markings and description
Sources

Black Sunday-Ploesti - Michael Hill
Date Contributor Update
23 February 2022 13:33:20 Kickapoo Changes to description
Sources

U.S Army Air Forces Painting Practices and Battle Colors -
---- Markings VIII Bomber Command
---- Best Web - B-24 - 41-23818 - Texan II
---- MACR 4697
---- "B-24, 41-23808, named the, Texan."
Date Contributor Update
23 February 2022 13:28:03 Kickapoo Changes to description and events
Sources

---- " U.S Army Air Forces Painting Practices and Battle Colors " ---- " Markings VIII Bomber Command " ---- Best Web - B-24 - 41-23818 - Texan II ----- MACR 4697
Date Contributor Update
23 February 2022 13:08:17 Kickapoo Changes to markings
Sources

U.S Army Air Forces Painting Practices and Battle Colors, - Markings VIII Bomber Command.
---- Best web - B-24 - 41-23818 - Texan II
---- " B-24, 41-23808, Named the Texan "
---- MACR 4697
Date Contributor Update
23 February 2022 12:52:03 Kickapoo Changes to markings and description
Sources

Best Web - B-24 - 41-23818 - Texan II ---- MACR 4697
Date Contributor Update
21 February 2022 20:03:57 Kickapoo Changes to description
Sources

MACR 4697
Date Contributor Update
21 February 2022 18:40:31 Kickapoo Changes to nicknames and description
Sources

MACR 4697
Date Contributor Update
21 February 2022 17:56:21 Kickapoo Changes to markings
Sources

Best Web - B-24 - 42-40354 - Snafu - 41-23808 - Texan II - Bela - Marcie Ann
Date Contributor Update
17 February 2022 05:23:46 Kickapoo Changes to nicknames and description
Sources

Best Web - Texan ll - B-24 - 41-23818 - Bela - Marcie Ann
Date Contributor Update
03 September 2021 15:50:03 Kickapoo Changes to unit associations
Sources

Air Force change, 9th to 8th Air Force. - Kickapoo
Date Contributor Update
27 August 2021 12:21:22 Kickapoo Changes to markings and description
Sources

Punctuation. - Kickapoo
Date Contributor Update
25 August 2021 11:36:08 Kickapoo Changes to nicknames, markings, aircraft associations and unit associations
Sources

Best Web - B-24 - 41-23818 - Texan II
Date Contributor Update
25 August 2021 01:51:22 Kickapoo Changes to markings and description
Sources

Punctuation. - Kickapoo
Date Contributor Update
24 August 2021 11:11:55 Kickapoo Changes to markings
Sources

Changed basic painting details, painting and markings per USAAF specs. - Kickapoo
Date Contributor Update
24 August 2021 09:53:07 Kickapoo Changes to description
Sources

Letter space. - Kickapoo
Date Contributor Update
24 August 2021 09:51:51 Kickapoo Changes to markings
Sources

Abbreviated serial number change. - Kickapoo
Date Contributor Update
24 August 2021 09:50:18 Kickapoo Changes to nicknames
Sources

Punctuation, letter spacing. - Kickapoo
Date Contributor Update
24 August 2021 09:49:22 Kickapoo Changes to description
Sources

Spelling, capitals, punctuation changes. - Kickapoo
Date Contributor Update
17 August 2021 13:21:05 Emily Changes to nicknames, markings and description
Sources

Changed all instances of aircraft name into sentence case to as per best practice for accessibility.
Date Contributor Update
22 July 2021 21:14:24 Kickapoo Changes to description
Sources

Best Web - B-24 - 41-23818 - BELA - TEXAN II
Date Contributor Update
22 July 2021 21:12:48 Kickapoo Changes to description
Sources

Best Web - B-24 - 41-23818 - BELA - TEXAN II
Date Contributor Update
22 July 2021 21:11:43 Kickapoo Changes to description
Sources

Best Web - B-24 - 41-23818 - BELA - TEXAN II
Date Contributor Update
22 July 2021 21:09:42 Kickapoo Changes to nicknames, markings and description
Sources

Best Web - B-24 - 41-23818 - BELA - TEXAN II
Date Contributor Update
22 July 2021 20:48:56 Kickapoo Changes to nicknames and description
Sources

Best Web - B-24 - 41-23818 - BELA - TEXAN II
Date Contributor Update
03 June 2021 16:11:34 Emily Changes to nicknames
Sources

Reformatted aircraft nickname to remove unnecessary punctuation and quotation marks
Date Contributor Update
03 February 2021 10:43:19 Kickapoo Changes to nicknames and description
Sources

www.b24bestweb.com/snafu-v2-1.htm
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.
Date Contributor Update
02 December 2014 16:37:49 Superman Changes to nicknames
Sources

B24BestWeb
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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