42-40612 Euroclydon The Storm
Note : the RCL "K" on the RH vertical fin. 1943The B-24D Liberator bomber, 42-40612, named, Euroclydon The Storm, and most of it's crew, was lost on Operation Tidal Wave, the large bombing mission to Ploesti, Romania. The aircraft took a direct flak hit approaching it's target, igniting its two long range fuselage bomb bay tanks. The pilot, Lt. Enoch Porter, was observed attempting to climb to 300 feet to give his crew enough altitude to bail out . But, with the aircraft, now completely engulfed in fire, broke apart in mid air and crashed in flames on a school at Plopu, Romania. 1 Aug, 1943. - 8 KIA -
3 POW. - MACR 6465
B-24D, 42-40612, The Storm, B-24-75-CO, in Britain, originally in the 8th Air Force in the U.K. in the 93rd Bomb Group, and the 328th Bomb Squadron. With many other 8th Air Force planes, it was detached temporarily (TDY) to the 9th Air Force in North Africa, for Operation Tidal Wave. Failed To Return (FTR). 1 Aug 1943. Note : the RCL "K" on the RH vertical fin. 1943
Detail changes. - Kickapoo
The B-24D, Euroclydon The Storm, 42-40612, flew on Operation Tidal Wave, over the oil refineries at Ploesti, Romania, flown by Command Pilot Lt. Enoch M. Porter and Copilot Lt. Joe Boswell. Just after dropping it's bombs, Euroclydon The Storm, took two direct flak hits. The first one exploded the two extra 400 gallon long range bomb bay gasoline tanks. Then, they took a second explosive hit in the aircraft's nose area. The airplane exploded into a blowtorch of flames in the bomb bays. The two pilots, badly wounded by the second flak hit, were, possibly, unconscious or dead because the bombardier, "Red" Franks could not get any reaction from them by reaching back and pulling on their legs. Yet, the plane was seen pitching up, and climbing up to about 300 feet before it broke apart in mid air before crashing in flames into a school at Plopu, Romania. Two of the crew's gunners, SSgt. Charles Reed, SSgt. James Vest, and Navigator, Jesse "Jack" Warner, all survived bailing out of the burning plane and were taken prisoner. 3 POW. "Jack" Warner bailed out but was so badly wounded from hitting the ground with a partially opened parachute that a Romanian doctor had him placed, initially, with those already dead, or as good as dead. After "Red" Franks tried to get a response from the two pilots by pulling on their legs, he turned to Jack Warner and barely saved Warner's life by pushing his friend out of the nose gear hatch before he jumped out. "Red" was killed when his own chute failed to fully open before he hit the ground. 1 KIA. Lt."Red" Franks had given the edge he had on living, to his friend, Jack Warner, who was badly injured by hitting the ground with only a partly open chute, but survived. Two more gunners, probably the two waist gunners, were seen to jump, but were killed when their chutes failed to open in time. 8 KIA. 3 POW. 1 Aug 43. - MACR 6465
The Crew Of, Euroclydon The Storm, on Operation Tidal Wave :
1st Lt. Enoch M. Porter, Jr - Pilot - KIA
1st Lt. Howard Dickson - Gunnery Trainer/ Replacement Volunteer Gunner - KIA
1st Lt. Joe E. Boswell - Copilot - Intelligence Observer - KIA
1st Lt. Jesse D. "Red" Franks, Jr - Bombardier - KIA
1st Lt. Raymond "Jack" Warner - Navigator - POW
2nd Lt. John F. Minogue - Observer - Waist Gunner - KIA
TSgt. Frank C. Ferrell - Waist Gunner - KIA
TSgt. Bernard R. Lucas - Radio Operator - KIA
SSgt. Earl L. Frost - Gunner - POW
SSgt. Charles Reed - Waist Gunner - KIA
SSgt. James Vest - Tail Gunner - POW
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 93rd Bomb Group 328th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 93rd Bomb Group 328th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-344438
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Gunnery Instructor/Observer/Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 93rd Bomb Group 328th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 18075492
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 93rd Bomb Group 328th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-734444
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 93rd Bomb Group 328th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 32144768
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
Places
Missions
- Date: 1 August 1943
- Official Description:
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Other Failed to Return (FTR) |
Plopu 107405, Romania | 1 August 1943 | Took direct hit from AA prior to target igniting Tokyo tanks. A/C was seen attempting to climb to 300 Ft then broke in mid air before crashing in flames over a school at Plopu. Three of the crew were taken POW. Bombardier bailed out but parachute failed to open. Its believed that 2 gunners also jumped with failing chutes. 8 KIA 3 POW. |
Revisions
MACR 332 / MACR 6465 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database