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B-24 Liberator
B-24D Liberator SN # 42-40354 - (also serial number #40-2354) - nicknamed "SNAFU" of the 44th Bomb Group.
B-24D - 'SNAFU' - SN # 40-2354 - ( also # 42-40354 ) of the 44th BG . One of the early B-24Ds funded with FY40 after the cancellation of the US purchase of several B-24A models. - Pilot Fred M. Billings collided with the B-24, 'BELA' - # 41-23818, and caught fire, exploded, and fell through a formation of B-17s into the English Channel off Selsey Bill, Sussex - Lost FRA - MACR 5095 - Mid-air collision with B-24D #41-23818 - ' Texan II ' - 'BELA' just off the English coast near Selsey Bill, Sussex. Both aircraft exploded crashed into the English Channel and both crews were killed. - Feb 16, 1943.
B-24D - 'SNAFU' - SN # 42-40354 and SN # 40-2354.
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, one of a batch of 20 B-24Ds with serials #40-2349/2368. - 'SNAFU' is shown, Sep 1, 1942, in England. The reason for the early serials, which are part of the B-24A serial run, is that 20 B-24As were exchanged with the British (which assigned serials AM910/AM929 to the ex-B-24As) and the AAF took 20 later B-24D and E planes.
Aircraft was lost on Feb 16,1943 - FRA - MACR 5095 - Pilot Lt. Fred M. Billings collided with the B-24 'BELA' #41-23818 over the English Channel - MAC. Aircraft caught fire, exploded and fell through a formation of B-17s into the English Channel off Selsey Bill, Sussex. was dispatched on Feb 16, 1943, to bomb the U-Boat pens at St. Nazaire, France. Shortly after leaving the English coast the aircraft sustained a mid-air collision with B-24D #41-23818 "Texan II" from the 44thBomb Group and the 67th Bomb Squadron off Selsey Bill, Sussex. Aircraft exploded and crashed into the sea. 10KIA MACR 5095.
Pilot 1st Lt. Fred M. Billings, Jr. (KIA); CoPilot 2nd Lt. Merwin K. McCloud (KIA)
Navigator 1st Lt. Amos M. Hutchinson, Jr. (KIA); Bombardier MSgt Henry Charletta (KIA)
Engineer/Top Turret Gunner SSgt John L. McArtor (KIA); Radio Operator TSgt Harold L. Aswell (KIA)
Bottom Turret Gunner Sgt. Andrew Maiko (KIA); Waist Gunner SSgt. Floyd H. Zimmer (KIA)
Waist Gunner Sgt Harold E. Jefson (KIA); Tail Gunner SSgt Carl S. Goldman (KIA)
B-24 Liberator
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...
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,...
Eighth Air Force Bomber Command became the Eighth Air Force on February 1944, it oversaw bombardment of strategic targets in Europe until 1945.
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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 | Technical Sergeant | Radio Operator | 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs
On 16-February-1943 in B-24D 42-40354 'Snafu' while serving as Radio Operator the aircraft sustained a mid-air collision with B-24D 41-23818 'Texan II' 44thBG/67BS off the English coast near Selsey Bill, Sussex en-route to the target at St. Nazaire,...
Military | Lieutenant | Pilot | 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs
On 16 February 1943, Pilot Lt. Fred M. Billings in the B-24D #42-40354 (#40-2354) 'SNAFU' sustained a mid-air collision with B-24D #41-23818 'Texan II' just off the English coast near Selsey Bill, Sussex. Both aircraft exploded crashed into the...
Military | Master Sergeant | Bombardier/Togglier | 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs
On 16-February-1943 in B-24D 42-40354 'Snafu' while serving as Bombardier/Togglier the aircraft sustained a mid-air collision with B-24D 41-23818 'Texan II' 44BG/67BS just of the coast near Selsey Bill, Sussex en-route to St. Nazaire, France. Both...
Military | Staff Sergeant | Tail Gunner | 303rd Bomb Group
When with 68th Squadron, he flew with Bellingham. Joined Squadron prior to November 1944.
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Military | First Lieutenant | Navigator | 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs
On 16-February-1943 in B-24D 42-40354 'Snafu' while serving as Navigator the aircraft sustained a mid-air collision with B-24D 41-23818 'Texan II' 44BG/67BS just off the English coast near Selsey Bill, Sussex en-route to the target at St. Nazaire,...
Military | Sergeant | Waist Gunner | 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs
In 16-February-1943 in B-24 #42-40354 'Snafu' while serving as Right Wiast Gunner the aircraft sustained a mid-air collision with B-24D 41-23818 "Texan II" of the English coast near Selsey Bill, Sussex en-route to the target at St. Nazaire, France....
Military | Sergeant | Ball Turret Gunner | 303rd Bomb Group
On 16-February-1943 in B-24D 42-40354 'Snafu' while serving as Ball Turret Gunner the aircraft sustained a mid-air collision with B-14D 41-23818 44BG/67BS off the English coast near Selsey Bill, Sussex. Both aircraft exploded and crashed into the...
Military | Staff Sergeant | Engineer/Top Turret Gunner | 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs
On 16-February-1943 in B-24D #42-40354 'Snafu' while serving and Radio Operator the aircraft sustained a mid-air collision with B-24F 41-23818 'Texan II' just off the English coast near Selsey Bill, Sussex en-route to the target at St. Nazaire, France....
Military | Second Lieutenant | Co-Pilot | 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs
On 16-February-1943 in B-24D 42-40354 'Snafu' while serving as Co-Pilot the aircraft sustained a mid-air collision with B-24D 41-23818 'Texan II' 44BG/67BS just of the English coast near Selsey Bill, Sussex en-route to the target at St. Nazaire France....
Military | Staff Sergeant | Left Waist Gunner, Waist Gunner | 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs
On 16-February-1943 in B-24D #42-40354 'Snafu' while serving as Left Waist Gunner the aircraft sustained a mid air collision with B-24D #41-23818 'Texan II' off the coast of England near Selsey Bill, Sussex en-route to the target at St. Nazaire, France...
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 41-23818 "Texan II" shortly after leaving the English coast off of Selsey Bill, Sussex. Aircraft exploded and crashed into the sea. |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
|---|---|---|
| 03 February 2021 11:13:59 | Kickapoo | Changes to description |
| Sources | ||
B-24 - Best Web - #42-40354 / #40-2354 - 'Snafu' |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 03 February 2021 11:08:39 | Kickapoo | Changes to aircraft associations and unit associations |
| Sources | ||
B-24 - Best Web - # 42-40354 - 'SNAFU' |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 03 February 2021 11:05:22 | Kickapoo | Changes to markings and description |
| Sources | ||
B-24 - Best Web - #42-40354 also had the serial number # 40-2354 - 'SNAFU' |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 03 February 2021 01:57:24 | Kickapoo | Changes to nicknames, description, aircraft associations and media associations |
| Sources | ||
| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 03 February 2021 01:13:39 | Kickapoo | Changes to description |
| Sources | ||
| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 30 January 2015 20:09:05 | Lee8thbuff | Changes to description |
| Sources | ||
Lee Cunningham 30-Jan-2015. Added crew display, see previous Source citation. |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 30 January 2015 20:03:22 | 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 5095; formatted crew display. |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 27 September 2014 18:40:52 | AAM | AAM ingest |
| Sources | ||
MACR 5095 & 3202 B / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database |
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