Bernard Elmer Leimbach

Military
media-32245.jpeg UPL 32245 First Lieutenant Bernard "Bernie" Elmer Leimbach, served as a B-24D navigator in the MTO starting in 1942. He was killed in action (KIA) when his B-24 Liberator bomber, #42-40364, 'The Pink Elephant' / 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs', was shot down after bombing the German held oil refineries at Ploesti, Romania. August 1, 1943

For his skill and his sacrifice on the Ploesti Mission, Lt. Leimbach was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Purple Heart medals.

Removed associations not depicted in the image. Associations to be made in the GROUPS record.

Object Number - UPL 32245 - First Lieutenant Bernard "Bernie" Elmer Leimbach, served as a B-24D navigator in the MTO starting in 1942. He was killed in action (KIA) when his...

First Lieutenant Bernard "Bernie" Elmer Leimbach flew on the mission to Ploesti, Romania, and served as the Navigator on the B-24D Liberator bomber, 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs', SN #42-40364 Y. He was Killed in Action (KIA) on the Ploesti Raid when his B-24D was shot down by German fighter planes near the Bulgarian/Yugoslavian border close to where the B-24D, 'The Witch', made a forced landing after also having been shot up by fighters in the same area. August 1, 1943.



Lt. Leimbach served in combat with the 98th Bomb Group, 343rd Bomb Squadron and flew thirty three missions in the area of responsibility. Thirty one of those missions were flown with Capt. James A. Gunn Jr. at the helm. His first mission was on 24 Feb 1943 and his last was the 1 Aug 1943 Ploesti raid. He was never assigned to the 389th Bomb Group as noted in so many books, which are in error. His movement orders for an overseas destination, dated January 27, 1943 for Crew 67-19, lists him as primary navigator with Capt. Gunn from the beginning.



Awards: DFC (1OLC), PH, AM (4OLC), ACM, EAME Campaign Medal (2 bronze service stars)

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 343rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 11037168 / O-791098
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: - The Witch
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 343rd Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: - The Pink Elephant - Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 343rd Bomb Squadron

Missions

Places

  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Soluch Airfield

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 16 October 1921 There is one document from the family that states he was born in 1922, but the government states he was born in 1921, so seeking accuracy on birth date.

Enlisted

28 January 1942 Enlisted as Aviation Cadet in Cleveland, Ohio.

Died

Macedonia (FYROM) 1 August 1943

Buried

12 July 1949 Grave 107, Section 15

Revisions

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Contributordecwriter
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Official correspondence for Lt. Leimbach from his date of entry until last government correspondence to his family in 1952.

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ContributorKickapoo
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Letters, capitals, punctuation for clarity and accuracy. - Kickapoo

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ContributorKickapoo
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Best Web - B-24 - #42-40364

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ContributorKickapoo
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Best Web - B-24 - #42-40364

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Contributordecwriter
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Official records list middle name.

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Contributordecwriter
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Capt James A. Gunn, Jr. was aircraft commander of B-24 #42-40364 Y during the 1 August 1943 Ploesti mission.

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Contributordecwriter
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NARA file verified entry date and place of enlistment. Personal records verified birth date.

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Contributordecwriter
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Flew missions from Benina Main LG 159 and Lete.

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Contributordecwriter
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Lt Leimbach flew from 23 Feb 1943 to 1 August 1943 in the EAME Campaign under Air Combat and Sicily Campaigns.

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Contributordecwriter
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NARA file verified ASN upon entry into service.

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Contributordecwriter
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Updated mission connection.

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Contributordecwriter
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Updated biography information.

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Contributordecwriter
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His nickname was Bernie according to the letters from his mother.

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Contributordecwriter
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Lt. Leimbach received these awards as a result of his service from 26 September 1942 until his death on 1 Aug 1943.

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Sources

Re-checked MACR 165: https://www.fold3.com/image/1/29417957
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/49246458/bernard-e-leimbach

Correspondence with Randolph J Wells CMSgt USAF
"Is there any way the data could be changed on the American Air Museum in Britain to reflect the Capt. James A. Gunn, Jr. crew was only part of the 98th Bomb Group? I have specific movement orders which has this crew traveling from the US to Benina Main, Libya (now Benina International Airport) to solely serve with the 98th BG. They were never in England, hence couldn't be detached from the 389th BG. I have a ton of documents from Bernard E. Leimbach's family and he was the Navigator on Capt Gunn's crew."

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ContributorAAM
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Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 165

Bernard Elmer Leimbach: Gallery (4 items)