41-23817 - Suzy Q

media-14854.jpeg UPL 14854 B-24D Liberator, 41-23817, named, 'Suzy Q'.
It flew on the Ploesti mission, commanded by Col. Leon Johnson, returning to Benghazi, Libya. 1 Aug 43.

'Suzy Q', was shot down and lost on16 Aug 43 with Pilot Walter R. Bateman.
MACR 2445 -

Best Web - B-24 - 41-23817 - Suzy Q

Object Number - UPL 14854 - B-24D Liberator, 41-23817, named, 'Suzy Q'. It flew on the Ploesti mission, commanded by Col. Leon Johnson, returning to Benghazi, Libya. 1 Aug...

The B-24D, named, Suzy Q, 41-24229, was based at Shipdham, Britain, in the 8th Air Force. It was flown by it's pilot Lt. Robert I.Brown and commanded by Col. Leon Johnson, as the 44th Bomb Group's lead bomber for Operation Tidal Wave, the large bombing mission to Ploesti, Romania, in 1943.  And it became the most famous ship of the 67th Bomb Squadron. The plane and everyone on board survived the mission and returned to Benghazi, Libya (RTB). 1 Aug 43.                                                                                                                                                                                                            Later in August, 1943, Suzy Q was shot down and lost, along with the bomber, Buzzin' Bear, with all of Suzy Q's crewmen killed in action, (KIA) on a disastrous mission to the German held airfields at Foggia, Italy. Both planes were intercepted and shot down by ME-109 fighters. Suzy Q was last seen burning on the Italian beach believed to be Capo Stilo. 16 Aug 1943. 10 KIA.   MACR 2361 -  2445

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
The 'semiofficial' insignia of the 44th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 67th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: AR
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 67th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 67th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 12031414
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 2nd Air Division 44th Bomb Group 67th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-404078
  • Highest Rank: Major
  • Role/Job: Pilot - Controller
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 67th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Engineer

Places

  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Soluch Airfield

Missions

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: - Seeds of Satan - Miss Delores - Buzzin' Bear
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 67th Bomb Squadron

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Survived Ploesti

Ploiești, Romania 1 August 1943 Suzy Q, was the most famous ship of the 44th Bomb Group's 67th Bombing Squadron, led by Col. Leon Johnson, on the Ploesti raid. Returned to Libya.  1 Aug 43.

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

Punta Stilo, Italy 16 August 1943 The plane was lost on 16 Aug 43 on a mission to the north airfield at Foggia, Italy. The plane intercepted by ME-109 fighters and was last seen burning on the Italian beach believed to be Capo Stilo. 10 KIA. MACR 2361/2445

Assigned

Benghazi, Libya 67th BS, 44th BG, 8th AF. TDY 9th AF.

Revisions

Date
ContributorKickapoo
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Sources

Minor word and spelling changes.   -   Kickapoo

Date
ContributorKickapoo
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USAAF AIRCRAFT MARKINGS AND CAMOUFLAGE 1941  -  1947. -  Robert D. Archer & Victor G. Archer.  p. 103

Date
ContributorKickapoo
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USAAF AIRCRAFT MARKINGS AND CAMOUFLAGE 1941  -  1947. -  Robert D. Archer & Victor G. Archer.  p. 103

Date
ContributorKickapoo
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USAAF AICRAFT MARKINGS AND COMOUFLAGE 1941 - 1947.  p. 103

Date
ContributorEmily
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Removed hyphen from nickname

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ContributorAl_Skiff
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ContributorKickapoo
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Personal Archives - Kickapoo

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ContributorKickapoo
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Personal Archives - Kickapoo

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ContributorAl_Skiff
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ContributorKickapoo
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Best Web - B-24 - Suzy Q

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ContributorKickapoo
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Best Web - B-24 - Suzy Q

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ContributorKickapoo
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B- 24 - Best Web - Suzy Q - 41-23817

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ContributorKickapoo
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Best Web - B24 - 41-23817

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ContributorKickapoo
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Best Web - B-24 - 'Suzy Q'

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ContributorKickapoo
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Best Web - B-24 - 'Suzy Q'

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ContributorKickapoo
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Best Web - B-24 - 'Suzy Q'

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ContributorKickapoo
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Best Web - B-24 - 'Suzy Q'

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ContributorKickapoo
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Black Sunday - Michael Hill

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ContributorAl_Skiff
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ContributorSuperman
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From book about B-24s.

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ContributorAAM
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MACR 2361 / MACR 2445 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

41-23817: Gallery (8 items)