Lloyd G Fretwell

Military

Took part in Operation Tidal Wave, the raid on Ploesti on 1 August 1943, flying in B-24 Liberator 41-24201.



On August 16, 1943, landed in Malta in 'Baldy and His Brood' ac # 42-24201 on the mission to Foggia, IT while temporarily assigned to the 9th AAC. After about 20 attacks by German aircraft and the crew shooting down at least 3 German aircraft, pilot Strong headed to Malta knowing the British hospital could tend to his wounded men.

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

People

William Homer Strong

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 506th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-?
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

41-24201

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Baldy and his Brood
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 801st Bomb Group Base Air Depot 1 506th Bomb Squadron

Missions

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Portland, Oregon

Revisions

Date
Contributorgeneral ira snapsorter
Changes
Sources

Ploesti Sortie Reports, 44th Bomb Group

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

'Ploesti' by Dugan & Stewart, 44th Bomb Group Roll of Honor and Casualties by Will Lundy pp.120-121 / Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia