41-23810 - Tarfu
Details added. - Kickapoo
The B-24D, 41-23810, named, Tarfu, flew on Operation Tidal Wave, the bombing mission to destroy the oil refineries at Ploesti, Romania, in Aug 1943. The B-24D, Tarfu, was flown on the mission by Command Pilot Lt. Earl C. Hurd, and returned safely to Benghazi, Libya. 1 Aug 43.
Later, Tarfu, was shot down and lost on a mission over Kiel, Germany. It was hit by flak splinters, severing the flight controls, causing a complete loss of control of the aircraft. Tarfu, crashed southwest of Süderschmedeby, south of Frensburg, Germany. 4 Jan 44. 6 KIA. 4 POW. MACR 8342
Statement from TSgt. Thomas J. Adams :
"Our plane, Tarfu, crashed after the control cables had been severed by AAA flak explosive rounds. The plane immediately stalled, pitched down and went into an uncontrollable spin. There was not much time to get out. Therefore, those of us in good condition could not help the wounded men that could not help themselves. The aircraft crashed 2 KM southwest of Suderschmedeby, south of Flensburg, Germany. 4 Jan 44. MACR 8342
B-24 Targets : Targets of Opportunity - Kiel, Germany.
Missing Air Crew Report Details : USAAF MACR 8342 :
Date Lost : 4 Jan 44
Serial Number : 41-23810
Aircraft Model : B-24D
Aircraft Letter : S
Aircraft Name : Tarfu
Cause Of Loss : Aircraft hit by flak - crashed - 6 KIA. 4 POW.
Note : The B-24D's assignment on this mission was to bomb targets of opportunity, while the B-17s attacked the Kiel port area. The 93rd Bomb Group lists 1 ship lost and failed to return on this date. The crew consisted of:
B-24D, 41-23810, Tarfu, was piloted by Lt. Earl C. Hurd, with a different crew, on Operation Tidal Wave, over Ploesti, Romania. 1 Aug 43. Crew for Operation Tidal Wave on B-24D - 41-23810 - Tarfu:
Connections
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Units served with
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 93rd Bomb Group 329th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 93rd Bomb Group 329th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 13124793
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 93rd Bomb Group 329th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 17038482 / O-?
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot / Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 93rd Bomb Group 329th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 17031466
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 93rd Bomb Group 409th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 19179996
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
Places
Missions
Aircraft
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Other Survived Ploesti |
1 August 1943 | Flew on 1st Aug 43 Ploesti oil refinery raid, returned safely to Libya. | |
Other Failed to Return (FTR) |
4 January 1944 | Aircraft shot down and lost on the Jan 4, 1944, mission to Kiel, Germany. A/C hit by flak, damaging controls, causing loss of control. A/C crashed 2 Km southwest of Süderschmedeby, Germany, south of Frensburg, Germany. 4 Jan 44. 6 KIA - 4 POW. MACR 8342 | |
Assigned |
329th BS, 93rd BG, 8th AF. TDY 9th AF. |
Revisions
Corrected the crew list for the Ploesti Mission (my father was on that mission) and the crew list from when the plane was shot down per MACR-8342 (https://catalog.archives.gov/id/91052194?objectPage=39). Added a few photos from my father as well.
MACR 8342 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database