41-23788 - Avenger

First Lieutenant Robert C. Peterson of the 44th Bomb Group in the cockpit of a B-24 Liberator (serial number 41-23788) with the aircraft's dog mascot: Pilot-Officer "Rusty". A printed caption was previously attached to the reverse, however this has been removed. Handwritten caption on reverse of print: '44BG B-24 Liberator Avenger showing 19 fighter claims and 18 bomb markings including Ploesti. 123788 I.' On reverse: Associated Press [Stamp]. Associated News Story: 'Pilot Officer "Rusty" - dog of many mi media-407960.jpg FRE 3455 First Lieutenant Robert C. Peterson in the cockpit of the B-24D Liberator bomber, 41-23788, Avenger, with the aircraft's dog mascot : Pilot Officer Rusty. 'Printed caption on reverse : 'Pilot Officer "Rusty" - dog of many missions. Pilot Officer "Rusty" - mascot of a Liberator operating from this country, was flown to England from the U.S. He has taken part in numerous bombing raids including that on the oilfields at Ploesti.' Associated Press Photo Shows : 'Rusty' with his owner, 1st. Lt. Robert. C. Peterson, of Ogden, Utah, navigator of the Liberator. TET 261673/4/5 251043Y Handwritten caption on reverse of print : '44 BG B-24 Liberator, Avenger, showing 19 fighter claims and 18 bomb markings including Ploesti. 123788 I.' On reverse : Associated Press [Stamp]. Associated News Story : 'Pilot Officer "Rusty" - dog of many missions. Pilot Officer "Rusty" - mascot of a Liberator operating from this country, was flown to England from the U.S. He has "taken part" in numerous bombing raids including that made on the oilfields at Ploesti.' Roger Freeman Collection

Black Sunday-Ploesti - Michael Hill

Object Number - FRE 3455 - First Lieutenant Robert C. Peterson in the cockpit of the B-24D Liberator bomber, 41-23788, Avenger, with the aircraft's dog mascot : Pilot Officer...

The B-24D named, Avenger, flew on the bombing mission to Ploesti, Romania, and returned safely to Benghazi, Libya. RTB. 1 Aug 1943.



Later, after returning to the U.K. with most of the 8th Air Force, Pilot Parker H. Jones was flying, Avenger, back to England after sustaining flak damage on a mission over Bremen, Germany, and crash landed on the first open space he found available. The plane exploded and burned upon landing in a minefield on the beach at the mouth of the river, Humber, off Skeffling, East Riding, Yorkshire, U.K. 4 POW - 6 KIA. 16 Dec 1943. MACR 4709.



- The wrecked airplane was salvaged. 29-30 Dec 43.

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: 38194491
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 68th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-669980
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 68th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 11012152
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 66th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 39826843
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Gunner; Assistant Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 66th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator / Gunner

Places

Missions

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Survived Ploesti

Ploiești, Romania 1 August 1943 A/C flew on the Ploesti mission, returned safely to Libya. 1 Aug 43.

Manufactured

Skeffling, Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire HU12, UK 16 December 1943 Pilot Parker H. Jones coaxed the damaged A/C back to England, Belly landed on first open space available, exploded, and burned. 16 Dec 43 in a minefield on the beach in the mouth of the river Humber, off Skeffling, East Riding, Yorkshire, after a mission to Bremen. 4 POW 6 KIA. MACR 4709.

Assigned

Benghazi, Libya 68th Bomb Squadron, 44th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force. TDY 9th Air Force in North Africa, for Operation Tidal Wave.

Revisions

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ContributorAl_Skiff
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ContributorKickapoo
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Details, word spacing, added. - Kickapoo

Date
ContributorKickapoo
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Sources

Added details - Kickapoo

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
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ContributorAl_Skiff
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ContributorAl_Skiff
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41-23788: Gallery (6 items)