42-40071 - Margaret Ann II

media-14868.jpeg UPL 14868 B-24 Liberator, 42-40071, named, Margaret Ann II, in the 68th Bomb Squadron, the 44th Bomb Group, and the 8th Air Force. Flown by Lt. Coleman Whitaker on the Ploesti raid, returning to Benghazi, Libya. 1 Aug, 43. Left in Tunis when the 44th Bomb Group returned to Shipdham, Britain, and transferred to the MTO where it was recorded in the 716th Bomb Squadron, the 449th Bomb Group, and the 15th Air Force, on 12 Nov 44, as war weary.

Added details to biography. - Kickapoo

Object Number - UPL 14868 - B-24 Liberator, 42-40071, named, Margaret Ann II, in the 68th Bomb Squadron, the 44th Bomb Group, and the 8th Air Force. Flown by Lt. Coleman...

The B-24D Liberator, 42-40071, named, Margaret Ann II, was assigned to the 8th Air Force, and temporarily detached (TDY) to the 98th Bomb Group in North Africa, the 44th Bomb Group, and the 68th Bomb Squadron, flown by Lt. Coleman Whitaker on the Ploesti mission, returning to Benghazi, Libya. RTB. Aug 1, 1943.



After returning to Shipdam, U.K. with the 8th Air Force, after Operation Tidal Wave, to Ploesti, Romania, Lt. Whitaker was killed in action (KIA) on a mission to Weiner Neustadt, Germany, flying the B-24D, 41-23816, Black Jack. His plane was hit by flak in his bomb bay shortly after leaving target area. Lt. Whitaker peeled off, quickly losing altitude as the fire enveloped his bomb bay and fuselage. The plane broke apart and crashed close to the target area. 5 KIA. 5 POW. Aircraft failed to return. FTR. 1 Oct 43. Pilot Coleman S. Whitaker. KIA. MACR 3312



Margaret Ann II, was left in Tunis, Tunisia, when the 44th Bomb Group returned to Shipdham, Great Britain, and was transferred to the MTO where it was recorded in the 716th Bomb Squadron, the 449th Bomb Group, of the 15th Air Force, on Nov 12, 1944, declared as war weary.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 44th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
B-24 Liberators of the 44th Bomb Group line up for takeoff at Shipdham in 1943. The 'Flying Eight-Ball' emblem of the 68th Bomb Squadron is visible on the nose of the leading aircraft. Image stamped with field press censor, 1943. Press Agency photograph- original printed caption has been removed.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 68th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 39020115
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 68th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 6273409
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 68th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 14035289
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 68th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 15018435
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Engineer
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 68th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-727998
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Places

  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Bengazi Airfield, Wheelus Airbase

Missions

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: - Black Jack
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 68th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: - Margaret Ann II
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 68th Bomb Squadron

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Survived Ploesti

Ploiești, Romania 1 August 1943 Flew on 1st Aug 43 Ploesti raid returning to Libya.

Assigned

Benghazi, Libya 68th BS, 44th BG, 8th AF. TDY 9th AF.

Assigned

Benghazi, Libya 716th BS, 449th BG, 15th AF.

Revisions

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Black Sunday-Ploesti - Michael Hill

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Black Sunday-Ploesti - Michael Hill

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Best Web - B-24 - 42-40071 - Margaret Ann II - 41-23816 - Black Jack

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Best Web - B-24 - 42-40071 - Margaret Ann II

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Best Web - B-24 - 42-40071 - Margaret Ann II

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Best Web - B-24 - 42-40071 - Margaret Ann II

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Best Web - B-24 - 42-40071 - Margaret Ann II

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Details added. - Kickapoo

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Places. - Kickapoo

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Best Web - B-24 - 42-40071 - Margaret Ann II

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Punctuation. - Kickapoo

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Best Web - B-24 - 42-40771 - 'Margaret Ann II'

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Best Web - B-24 - 42-40771 - 'Margaret Ann II'

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42-40071: Gallery (3 items)