Michael J Balazovich

Military
media-56726.png UPL 56726 B-24D 41-24225 "Flak Alley" in England, 1944. Crew, top row, L to R: George Helpiau, Bombardier, Robert C. Peterson, Navigator, Hollis R. Nichols, Co-Pilot, Robert J. Lehnhausen, Pilot. Kneeling, L to R: Douglas H. Ratledge, Assistant Engineer , William G. Morton, Engineer, Michael J. Balazovich, Assistant Radio Operator, Thomas A. Laskowski, Radio Operator, Charles M. Ross, Tail Gunner.

From 44th Bomb Group Association Journal, "8 Balls" Volume 9 Issue 1 Winter 2009

Object Number - UPL 56726 - B-24D 41-24225 "Flak Alley" in England, 1944. Crew, top row, L to R: George Helpiau, Bombardier, Robert C. Peterson, Navigator, Hollis R. Nichols,...

Joined Sqd 3/16/43.

WIA 5/14/43 (Keil).

DS/Bengahzi 6/26/43.

Took part in Operation Tidal Wave, the raid on Ploesti on 1 August 1943 in B-24 41-24225.

Returned to base 8/26/43.

DS/Tunis 9/16/43.

Returned to base 10/12/43.

Completed tour 6/29/44.

Trans/12 RCD 6/29/44.

Pilot: Alexander



Fw 190 Destroyed 5/14/43

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
B-24 Liberators of the 44th Bomb Group line up for takeoff at Shipdham in 1943. The 'Flying Eight-Ball' emblem of the 68th Bomb Squadron is visible on the nose of the leading aircraft. Image stamped with field press censor, 1943. Press Agency photograph- original printed caption has been removed.

68th Bomb Squadron

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

Aircraft

41-24225

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Flak Alley
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 68th Bomb Squadron

Missions

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Coaldale, Pennsylvania

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 / Webb Todd/ 'Ploesti' by Dugan & Stewart

Michael J Balazovich: Gallery (1 items)

Object number: UPL 56726 - B-24D 41-24225 "Flak Alley" in England, 1944. Crew...