41-11819 - Raunchy

B-24D, 41-11819,  9th AF 98th BG 344th BS. Shot down over White IV. 1 Aug 43 UPL 13734 UPL 13734 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.

The Ploesti Raid - Through The Lens  -  Kickapoo

Object Number - UPL 13734 - The B-24D, Liberator, 41-11819, Raunchy, in the 344th Bombardment Squadron, in the 98th Bombardment Group, and the 9th Air Force. Crashed and...

The B-24D Liberator, Raunchy, 41-11819, was in the 344th Bomb Squadron, the 98th Bomb Group, and the 9th Air Force, based at Benghazi, Libya, North Africa, in early 1943.

Raunchy, was flown by Lt. Sam Robert Neeley in Flight 1, of the B-24Ds in the 98th Bomb Group's planes on Operation Tidal Wave, over Ploesti, Romania. Raunchy, was destroyed, and 8 of it's crew, including Pilot Lt. Sam Neeley and his copilot, Lt. Herman Henslee, were killed in action. 8 KIA, with 2 exceptions, the plane's radio operator, Sgt. William Schiffmacher and waist gunner, Nick Allen, both of whom survived the airplane's crash, though badly burned, and were captured - 2 WIA-POW. Operation Tidal Wave, the mission to destroy the German held oil refineries at Ploesti, Romania, was one of the most daring and desperate bombing missions of WW II. The 98th Bomb Group took nearly 67 percent casualties over their refinery targets. Lt. Neeley  was close friends with both Col. John Kane and Lt. John Young, who were flying the Element Lead B-24D, Hail Columbia, off to Neeley’s RH side in the center of Flight 1. Sam Neeley was one of the several hundred airmen wounded, killed, missing, or captured on the Ploesti mission. Raunchy failed to return (FTR.) 8 KIA - 2 WIA-POW. 1 Aug 1943

Lt. Neeley and his crew, flew in Flight 1, the 1st wave of the 98th Bomb Group's bombers attacking White IV. Command Pilot Lt. Neeley was flying at tree top level on the far left side of Flight 1. Lt. Neeley’s plane had already been heavily hit by the AA flak guns when the plane flew into a smoke column and hit a barrage balloon cable immediately after his bomb release. One of Raunchy's wings struck, but did not sever a barrage balloon cable, but it's wing  pulled down an explosive charge attached to the cable, setting off an  attached explosive charge, which detonated when it hit the wing, partially folding it and sending the bomber crashing down to the ground, instantly killing Lt. Neeley and most of his crew, except two, who survived the crash. Somehow, and by some kind of miracle, Sam Neeley’s radio operator, Lt. Bill Shiffmacher, and one of Neeley’s waist gunners, Sgt. Nick Allen, were badly burned in the fiery crash, but survived and were taken to a Romanian hospital  by Romanian soldiers to recover and become POWs at Ploesti until they were rescued months later by U.S. airmen. Most of the dead crew members' remains were never found, recovered, or identified because of the extensive fire having totally burned up the airplane, Raunchy, and the crewmen inside. Aircraft - FTR.  8 KIA. 2 WIA-POWs.  1 Aug 1943. MACR 169.
                                                                                                                              Neeley's B-24D, Raunchy - 41-11819 - was lost on the low level mission to Ploesti, Romania, and Failed To Return (FTR). Lt. Sam Neeley hit a barrage balloon cable over his target, White IV, and was impacted by an explosive charge attached to the balloon cable, which exploded and partially blew, Raunchy's, RH wing off, crashing the plane to the ground from an altitude of 150 feet. Raunchy, crashed into a field killing Lt. Neeley, Copilot Lt. Herman Henslee, and most of the rest of his crew in the resulting crash and fire, except two. The only two survivors of the crash were Radio Operator, SSgt. William W. Schiffmacher and Waist Gunner, SSgt. Nick Allen, who survived the crash and were taken prisoners. 2- WIA-POW. 1 Aug 43.




B-24D Raunchy's Crew Over Ploesti:

1st Lt. Samuel R. Neeley -  Pilot - KIA
2nd Lt. Herman H. Henslee - Copilot - KIA
1st Lt. Joel I. Corn - Navigator - KIA
2nd Lt. Eugene L. Rodgen - Bombardier - KIA
TSgt. Earl T. Edelen - Engineer/Top Turret Gunner - KIA
SSgt. Robert P. Schultz - Gunner - KIA
SSgt. William W. Schiffmacher - Radio Operator - WIA-POW
SSgt. Alfred D. Cason - Gunner - KIA
Sgt. Nick A. Allen - Gunner - WIA-POW

- Note : The airmen surviving the Ploesti mission became prisoners in Romania and were rescued by U.S. Army and U.S. Army Air Corps personnel and were flown out of Romania, and back to safety, some months later, in a special operation, Operation Gunn, by U.S. Army Air Force B-17s sent to rescue them from the approaching Russian army. 31 Aug 1944.

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Units served with

Three airmen of the 389th Bomb Group stand with a B-24 Liberator used as a Flight Assembly Ship. Image via Tim Bivens. Handwritten caption from Bivens: 'My friend remembers it being named "Bucksheesh Benny" that it was used to fly Jack Benny around USA shows. Says it flew in North Africa with Benny and was eventually assigned to 389th as a hack and later as a form-up ship. He thinks it was originally with another group (possibly 376th or 98th).' Handwritten caption on reverse: '389th BG Form-up ship.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Ninth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 344th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 14028237
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade)
  • Role/Job: Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 344th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-661482
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 344th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 344th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-29680
  • Highest Rank: Colonel
  • Role/Job: Commanding Officer / Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 344th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16023226 / O-54160
  • Highest Rank: Colonel
  • Role/Job: Bombardier

Places

  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Soluch Airfield

Missions

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: - Kickapoo
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 344th Bomb Squadron
B-24D, 41-11819,  9th AF 98th BG 344th BS. Shot down over White IV. 1 Aug 43
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: - Raunchy
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 344th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: - Hail Columbia - Little Chief Big Dog - Grumpy
  • Unit: 376th Bomb Group 98th Bomb Group 344th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: - Hadley's Harem
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 344th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: - The Scorpion
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group 565th Bomb Squadron

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

FTR Failed To Return

1 August 1943 - 8 January 1943 Lost on the Ploesti oil refinery bombing mission. Immediately after bomb release the A/C struck an AA barrage balloon cable with an attached explosive device, which, upon detonation, heavily damaged one of it's wings. 8 KIA, including Sam Neeley. 2 POW. The radio operator and a gunner survived the crash and became prisoners. 2 POW. Pilot Samuel R. Neeley KIA Ploesti. 1 Aug 43. MACR 169.

Assigned

In the 344th Bomb Squadron, the 98th Bomb Group, "The Pyramiders", in the 9th Air Force, "The Force For Freedom".

Revisions

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ContributorKickapoo
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--      Black Sunday-Ploesti  -  Michael Hill                                                                                ---      USAAF AIRCRAFT MARKINGS  AND CAMOUFLAGE 1941 - 1947.  The History of USAAF Aircraft Markings, Insignia, and Colors.   Robert D. Archer & Victor G. Archer

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ContributorKickapoo
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--      Black Sunday-Ploesti  -  Michael Hill                                                                                ---      USAAF AIRCRAFT MARKINGS  AND CAMOUFLAGE 1941 - 1947.  The History of USAAF Aircraft Markings, Insignia, and Colors.   Robert D. Archer & Victor G. Archer

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ContributorKickapoo
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Black Sunday-Ploesti  -  Michael Hill

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ContributorLtCol Tom
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ContributorKickapoo
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Black Sunday-Ploesti  -  Michael Hill

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ContributorKickapoo
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Black Sunday-Ploesti  -  Michael Hill    -   Kickapoo   -   Name spelling changes for Lt. Neeley for accuracy.   -   Kickapoo

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ContributorKickapoo
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Black Sunday-Ploesti  -  Michael Hill    -   Kickapoo   -   Name spelling changes for Lt. Sam Neeley for accuracy.   -   Kickapoo

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ContributorKickapoo
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The Ploesti Raid - Through The Lens  -  Roger A. Freeman  -  Kickapoo

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ContributorKickapoo
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The Ploesti Raid - Through The Lens - Roger A. Freeman  -  Kickapoo

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ContributorKickapoo
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Changed name spelling errors (mine) to correct spelling.   -   Kickapoo

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Black Sunday-Ploesti  -  Michael Hill describes the crash of Lt. Sam Neeley and his crew in his B-24D, Raunchy, over White IV.                                                                                  Minor wording and spelling changes for clarity and accuracy.   -   Personal Archives    -    KickapooJoyJuice

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ContributorAl_Skiff
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AAM Database.

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ContributorKickapoo
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Valor : Operation Gunn - Air Force Magazine

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ContributorKickapoo
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Valor : Operation Gunn - Air Force Magazine

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ContributorKickapoo
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Into The Fire - Duane Schultz - p. 151, 152, 225.

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ContributorKickapoo
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Into The Fire - Duane Schultz - p. 151, 152, 225.

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ContributorKickapoo
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Into The Fire-Ploesti - Duane Schultz ----- Black Sunday-Ploesti - Michael Hill

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ContributorKickapoo
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Details added, spelling, word spacing changes. - Kickapoo

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ContributorKickapoo
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Best Web - B-24 - Raunchy

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ContributorKickapoo
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Added details. - Kickapoo

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ContributorKickapoo
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Revised "Markings". - Kickapoo

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ContributorKickapoo
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The Great Ground-Air Battle Of 1 August, 1943 - James Dugan & Carroll Stewart

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ContributorKickapoo
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Details and wording additions. - Kickapoo

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ContributorKickapoo
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Word changes and additions. - Kickapoo

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ContributorKickapoo
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Word additions and changes. - Kickapoo

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ContributorKickapoo
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Spelling, word spacing. - Kickapoo

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ContributorEmily
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Changed all instances of aircraft name into sentence case to as per best practice for accessibility.

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ContributorKickapoo
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Detail, wording, and spacing changes for clarity and accuracy - Kickapoo

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ContributorKickapoo
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Details, wording, and spelling changes. - Kickapoo

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ContributorKickapoo
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Wording changes for clarity - John S Young Jr

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ContributorKickapoo
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Spelling corrected in biography - John S Young Jr

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ContributorKickapoo
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Punctuation changed for clarity - John S Young Jr

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ContributorKickapoo
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Wording and punctuation altered for clarity - John S Young Jr

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ContributorKickapoo
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Puctuation for clarity.

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ContributorKickapoo
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American Air museum In Britain

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ContributorKickapoo
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Best Web - B-24 - 'Raunchy'

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ContributorKickapoo
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Black Sunday - Michael Hill The Great Ground-Air battle Of 1 August 1943 - James Dugan & Carroll Stewart Best Web - B-24 - 'Raunchy'

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Contributorjmoore43
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Added punctuation in the "Summary biography" to aid clarity.

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ContributorKickapoo
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Into The Fire - Duane Schultz

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ContributorKickapoo
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The Great Ground-Air Battle Of 1 August 1943 - James Dugan & Carroll Stewart

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ContributorKickapoo
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The Great Ground-Air Battle Of 1 August 1943 - James Dugan & Carroll Stewart ---- Black Sunday - Michael Hill

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ContributorKickapoo
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The Great Ground-Air Battle Of 1 August 1943 - James Dugan & Carroll Stewart

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ContributorKickapoo
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The Great Ground-Air Battle Of 1 August 1943 - James Dugan & Carroll Stewart

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ContributorKickapoo
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Black Sunday - Michael Hill

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ContributorKickapoo
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Black Sunday - Michael Hill

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ContributorKickapoo
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Black Sunday - Michael Hill

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ContributorKickapoo
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Black Sunday - Michael Hill

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ContributorKickapoo
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Ploesti The Great Air-Ground Battle of 1 August 1943 - James Dugan & Carroll Stewart

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ContributorKickapoo
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Black Sunday -- Michael Hill ---- Into The Fire -- Duane Schultz

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ContributorKickapoo
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Black Sunday -- Michael Hill ---- Into The Fire -- Duane Schultz

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ContributorKickapoo
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Black Sunday -- Michael Hill ---- Into The Fire -- Duane Schultz

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Contributor466thHistorian
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ContributorAl_Skiff
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Sources

AAM Database.

41-11819: Gallery (4 items)