Skip to main content
Edit entry 

41-11776

B-24 Liberator

  •  
  •  

Aircraft was lost on the low level Ploesti mission 1 Aug 43, flown by the John L McGraw crew who were on loan to the 98th BG from the 389th BG. 6 KIA, 3 POW. MACR 171.

1st Lt. John L. McGraw - Pilot (KIA), 2nd Lt. Charles D. Cavit - CoPilot (POW)
2nd Lt. Robert J. Senff - Navigator (KIA), 2nd Lt. George P. Giblin - Bombardier (KIA)
T/Sgt. Warren T. Townley - Engineer/Gun (KIA), T/Sgt. Albert M. Wilmes - Radio Op (KIA)
S/Sgt. James A. Usley - Gunner (KIA), S/Sgt. Julius A. Kich - Gunner (KIA)
S/Sgt. William P. Sheridan - Gunner (KIA), S/Sgt. John R. Ross - Gunner (POW)

Service

Units

  • 389th Bomb Group

    389th Bomb Group

    Group
    The 389th Bomb Group, known in more familiar terms as "the Sky Scorpions", flew strategic bombing missions in B-24 Liberators from Hethel, England. They also sent detachments to join bases in North Africa at Benghazi No. 10, Libya, between 3 July 1943...

People

  • Charles Cavit

    Military | Captain | Co-Pilot | 389th Bomb Group
    Assigned to 567BS, 389BG, 8AF USAAF. TDY to 9AF for Ploesti mission. Failed to Return (FTR) Ploesti in B-24 41-1776 'Bashful' 1-Aug-43; A/C set afire over target, crashed south of Ploesti Prisoner of War (POW) MACR 171 ...

  • George Giblin

    Military | Second Lieutenant | Bombardier | 389th Bomb Group
    Assigned to 567BS, 389BG, 8AF USAAF. TDY to 9AF for Ploesti mission. Failed to Return (FTR) Ploesti in B-24 41-1776 'Bashful' 1-Aug-43; set afire over target, crashed south of Ploesti Killed in Action (KIA) MACR 171 Awards: DFC, PH.

  • John McGraw

    Military | First Lieutenant | Pilot | 389th Bomb Group
    Assigned to 567BS, 389BG, 8AF USAAF. TDY to 9AF for Ploesti mission. Failed to Return (FTR) Ploesti in B-24 41-1776 'Bashful' 1-Aug-43; A/C set afire over target, crashed south of Ploesti Killed in Action (KIA) MACR 171 Awards: DFC, PH.

  • John Ross

    Military | Sergeant | Gunner | 389th Bomb Group
    Prisoner of War (POW) while on TDY to 9thAF for Ploesti raid on 8/1/43 in B-24 'Bashful' #4111776. Prisoner in Romania.

  • Robert Senff

    Military | Second Lieutenant | Navigator | 389th Bomb Group
    Assigned to 567BS, 389BG, 8AF USAAF. TDY to 9AF for Ploesti mission. Failed to Return (FTR) Ploesti in B-24 41-1776 'Bashful' 1-Aug-43; set afire over target, crashed south of Ploesti Killed in Action (KIA) MACR 171 Awards: DFC, PH.

  • William Sheridan

    Military | Sergeant | Tail Gunner | 389th Bomb Group
    Assigned to 567BS, 389BG, 8AF USAAF. TDY to 9AF for Ploesti mission. Failed to Return (FTR) Ploesti in B-24 41-1776 'Bashful' 1-Aug-43; set afire over target, crashed south of Ploesti Killed in Action (KIA) MACR 171 Awards: DFC, PH.

  • Warren Townley

    Military | Sergeant | Top Turret Gunner | 389th Bomb Group
    Assigned to 567BS, 389BG, 8AF USAAF. TDY to 9AF for Ploesti mission. Failed to Return (FTR) Ploesti in B-24 41-1776 'Bashful' 1-Aug-43; set afire over target, crashed south of Ploesti Killed in Action (KIA) MACR 171 Awards: DFC, PH.

  • James Utley

    Military | Sergeant | Gunner | 389th Bomb Group
    Assigned to 567BS, 389BG, 8AF USAAF. TDY to 9AF for Ploesti mission. Failed to Return (FTR) Ploesti in B-24 41-1776 'Bashful' 1-Aug-43; set afire over target, crashed south of Ploesti Killed in Action (KIA) MACR 171 Awards: DFC, PH.

  • Albert Wilmes

    Military | Sergeant | Radio Operator | 389th Bomb Group
    Assigned to 567BS, 389BG, 8AF USAAF. TDY to 9AF for Ploesti mission. Failed to Return (FTR) Ploesti in B-24 41-1776 'Bashful' 1-Aug-43; set afire over target, crashed south of Ploesti Killed in Action (KIA) MACR 171 Awards: DFC, PH.

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...

Events

Event Location Date
Failed To Return FTR Ploiești, Romania 1 August 1943

Aircraft was lost on the low level Ploesti mission 1 Aug 43, flown by the John L McGraw crew who were on loan to the 98th BG from the 389th BG. 6 KIA, 3 POW. MACR 171.
Nicknames
'Bashful' 'Jersey Jerks'
Production block number
B-24D-CO
Manufacturer
Consolidated
Markings and paint scheme/livery

'Jersey Jackass' on starboard nose 'Jersey Jerks' on port side replaced by 'Bashful'.

Revisions

Date Contributor Update
16 March 2015 12:41:00 Al_Skiff Changes to description and events
Sources

AAM Database / MACR 171.
Date Contributor Update
16 March 2015 12:36:31 Al_Skiff Created entry with serial number, aircraft type, production block number, manufacturer, nicknames, markings, description, unit associations, person associations and mission associations
Sources

AAM Database.

Share