41-23737 Eager Beaver / Fearless Freddie

Ground crew of the 93rd Bomb Group prepare to load bombs into a B-24 Liberator (serial number 41-23737) nicknamed "Eager Beaver" at Alconbury. Image stamped on reverse: 'Passed for publication 30 Oct 1942' [stamp].' 229840' [Censor no]. Printed caption on reverse: .'FIRST PICTURES OF THE "LIBERATOR" IN ACTION Oct 1942. First photograph of the giant "Liberator" American bomber to be taken at a US Army Air Corps Station in England. Already famous as being the craft in which Mr Churchill flew to Russia and t media-379211.jpg FRE 774 Ground crew of the 93rd Bomb Group prepare to load bombs into a B-24 Liberator (serial number 41-23737) nicknamed "Eager Beaver" at Alconbury. Image stamped on reverse: 'Passed for publication 30 Oct 1942' [stamp].' 229840' [Censor no]. Printed caption on reverse: .'FIRST PICTURES OF THE "LIBERATOR" IN ACTION Oct 1942. First photograph of the giant "Liberator" American bomber to be taken at a US Army Air Corps Station in England. Already famous as being the craft in which Mr Churchill flew to Russia and the Near East, and which for months has been patrolling the Atlantic against U-Boats, this fine type gained laurels when, flying with "Forts" to the daylight arrack on Lille, 107 hun planes were destroyed or damaged without loss to the bombers. The picture shows American-made 1,000-pounders at their Station in England. These bombs had previously not been photographed.' Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 774 - Ground crew of the 93rd Bomb Group prepare to load bombs into a B-24 Liberator (serial number 41-23737) nicknamed "Eager Beaver" at Alconbury. Image...

Assigned to 328BS, 93BG, 8AF USAAF named 'Eager Beaver'. Transferred to 704BS, 446th BG, 8AF USAAF. Became 446th Group's first assembly ship and was re-named 'Fearless Freddie'. It cracked up in Oct 44.

Connections

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

Units served with

The insignia of the 389th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
A flight of B-24 Liberators of the 446th Bomb Group fly in formation above the clouds.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 93rd Bomb Group
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 546th Bomb Squadron 384th Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: 37653481
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant (RAF)
  • Role/Job: Armorer
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 93rd Bomb Group 328th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group 564th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 15086367 / O-728849
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 93rd Bomb Group

Places

Aerial photograph of Bungay (Flixton) airfield, looking south, the technical site- with T2 hangar- and control tower are to the right, where the main airfield gate is also situated, 16 October 1945. Photograph taken by No. 541 Squadron, sortie number RAF/106G/UK/930. English Heritage (RAF Photography).
  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Flixton
Aerial photograph of Warton airfield looking north, the Ribble Estuary is on the left, 22 June 1949. Photograph taken by No. 58 Squadron, sortie number RAF/58/255. English Heritage (RAF Photography).
  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: BAD-2

Events

Event Location Date Description

Crashed

Bircham Newton, King's Lynn PE31, UK 24 July 1943 Landing Accident RAF Bircham Newton Cat 4 damage Lt Thomas B Rell, 24-Jul-43. 328BS 93BG 8AF

Other

Assembly Ship

Flixton, Bungay NR35, UK 24 February 1944 Became 446th Group's first assembly ship and was re-named 'Fearless Freddie'.

Crashed

Warton, Preston PR4, UK 16 June 1945 Taxiing Accident Warton/Sta 582 Cat 3 damage Lt Howard E Day, 16-Jun-45. BAD2 8AF

Manufactured

San Diego, TX 78384, USA Built at Consolidated.

Delivered

Texas, USA Delivered to USAAF.

Other

Assigned

Alconbury, Huntingdon PE28, UK Assigned to 328BS, 93BG, 8AF USAAF

Other

Transferred

Flixton, Bungay NR35, UK Transferred to 704BS, 446th BG, 8AF USAAF.

Revisions

Date
Changes
Sources
Date
ContributorDieterle
Changes
Sources

389th Bomb Group (H) Aircraft Roster

41-23737: Gallery (2 items)