The B-24D, Liberator, 41-11819, Raunchy, in the 344th Bombardment Squadron, in the 98th Bombardment Group, and the 9th Air Force. Crashed and was lost on the low level bombing mission to Ploesti, Romania. The airplane was hit by several flak explosions and damaged over it's target, The Astra Romano refinery complex,. Already hit and damaged by flak, it was downed by an explosive charge attached to an anti aircraft barrage balloon cable, which contacted, Raunchy's, wing and blew it off of the plane, which crashed into the ground flames from an altitude of only 150 feet. Pilot Lt. Sam Neely and seven crewmen were killed in the crash. 8 KIA. 2 WIA-POW. 1 Aug 1943.