John F Cox

Military

Took part in Operation Tidal Wave, the raid on Ploesti on 1 August 1943, flying B-24 Liberator 42-40764.



11 October 1943 in B-24 42-40764 'Helen B'Happy', ac lost power after takeoff at Marrakech on return to UK. With all power lost, Irby made a wheels up landing. With a crew of 10 plus 3 passengers, only Lt. Saenger was lost when his parachute failed to open in time.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 44th Bomb Group.

44th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
A B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-95260) nicknamed "Lili Marlene" of the 66th Bomb Squadron, 44th Bomb Group flies in formation with two comrades. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'B-24 H & B-24 J OF 44th B.G. 66th Sqdn'

66th Bomb Squadron

  • Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Aircraft

42-40764

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Helen B Happy
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 66th Bomb Squadron

Missions

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Antioch, California

Revisions

Date
Contributorgeneral ira snapsorter
Changes
Sources

Ploesti Sortie Reports, 44th Bomb Group

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Ploesti by Dugna and Stewart, Losses of the 8th & 9th AFs Vol. I by Bishop & Hey p. 329 44th BG Roll of Honor and Casualties by Lundy pp. 241-2