41-24234 Mr 5 X 5
Object Number - UPL 14561 - B-24 Liberator #4124234 'Mr 5 X 5' a 1st Aug 43 Ploesti survivor returning to Benghazi, Libya, seemingly after a nose wheel collapse.
Took part in Operation Tidal Wave, the raid on Ploesti on 1 August 1943. 2nd Lt Alexander Trolese, pilot of 41-24234 (MR. 5 X 5), was flying close formation with the plane flown by 1st Lt J. G. Cary (42-7501). Apparently, MR. 5 X 5 was caught in the propwash of the planes ahead and was forced up into a collision with 42-7501 ("Bing's Big Box") . The propellers cut and sheared off the entire tail section of MR. 5 X 5 causing it to crash, apparently into the sea. Six parachutes were observed coming out of MR. 5 X 5 on its descent, but no one survived. MACR 1501. “Bing’s Big Box” recovered from a subsequent spin and returned to base without injuries. “I have always felt that the other aircraft had lost its place in the formation and was trying to tuck itself back into the squadron some place. It slid out from underneath us and came up on the right side of our plane bringing its tail into contact with our #4 engine. It immediately went down out of our sight” -2nd Lt. Robert L. Lee, Co-Pilot of “Bing’s Big Box”.
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs 66th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 15087738
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs 506th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-406217
- Highest Rank: Colonel
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs 506th Bomb Squadron 66th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 34174154
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs 66th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-663253
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs 66th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-681402
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
Missions
- Date: 26 November 1943
- Date: 1 August 1943
- Official Description: 177 B-24’s, of IX Bomber Command (including Heavy Bombers on loan from Eighth AF) are dispatched to bomb oil refineries at Ploesti and nearby Campina. The operation (TIDALWAVE) is costly, 54 planes and 532 airmen being lost, but damage to the targets...
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Other Failed to Return (FTR) |
Germany | 26 November 1943 | 2nd Lt Alexander Trolese, pilot of 41-24234 (MR. 5 X 5), was flying close formation with the plane flown by 1st Lt J. G. Cary (42-7501). Apparently, MR. 5 X 5 was caught in the propwash of the planes ahead and was forced up into a collision with 42-7501. The propellers cut and sheared off the entire tail section of MR. 5 X 5 causing it to crash, apparently into the sea. Six parachutes were observed coming out of MR. 5 X 5 on its descent, but no one survived. MACR 1501. |
Revisions
http://www.aviationarchaeology.com / MACR 1501
"Roll of Honor and Casualties." 44th Bomb Group - - World War II. Web. 1 July 2015.
http://www.aviationarchaeology.com / MACR 1501
http://www.aviationarchaeology.com / MACR 1501
MACR 1501 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database
