42-40751 - Touch of Texas
The, Touch of Texas, flew on the Ploesti oil refinery mission, piloted by Lt. William J Denton, returning safely to Libya. 1 Aug 1943. Pictured Lt. William J. Denton and crew, photographed August 27, 1943.
Details added. - Kickapoo
The B-24D Liberator, 42-40751, named, Touch of Texas, was in the 567th Bomb Squadron, the 389th Bomb Group, and the 8th Air Force. It was flown on the Ploesti oil refinery bombing mission, piloted by Lt. William J. Denton, returning safely to Libya. RTB. 1 Aug 1943.
1st Lt. Eldon Neil Colby flew, Touch of Texas, on his first mission as a command pilot, after serving as the copilot on his original aircraft, The Oklahoman, 42-40738. Lt. Colby was flying the B-23D, Touch of Texas, alongside, The Oklahoman, with it's Pilot, Lt. Harley Mason, Mason's Copilot, Thomas Baum, and their crew, when, The Oklahoman, was hit by a direct burst of flak and exploded killing Lt. Mason's entire crew (9 KIA), who normally flew in the B-24D, Fightin' Sam, 42-40506. The flak explosion blew,The Oklahoman, completely apart. Yet, somehow, Lt. Mason survived the explosion and was thrown clear of the wrecked aircraft. He deployed his parachute, and was the sole survivor of the lost aircraft. 9-KIA. 1-POW.
Lt. Samual Blessing crashed, Touch of Texas, in a landing accident at Hethel / Sta 114, on the return from a mission to bomb a V1 site at Siracourt, France. The airplane sustained Cat 5 damage, damaged beyond repair. Pilot Samuel E Blessing. There were no injuries to the crew. A/C written off.
Connections
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Units served with
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 389th Bomb Group 567th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 381st Bomb Group 389th Bomb Group 534th Bomb Squadron 567th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-670755
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 389th Bomb Group 567th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 389th Bomb Group 567th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Flight Engineer; Top Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 389th Bomb Group 566th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
Places
Missions
Aircraft
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Assigned Bombing mission |
Benghazi, Libya | 8 January 1943 - 8 January 1943 | 567th BS, 389th BG, 8th AF. TDY 9th AF. |
Other Survived Ploesti |
Ploiești, Romania | 1 August 1943 | Flew on 1st Aug 43 Ploesti oil refinery mission piloted by Lt. William J. Denton, returning safely to Libya. 1 Aug 43. |
Crashed |
Hethel, Norwich, Norfolk NR14, UK | 11 February 1944 | Landing accident at Hethel/Sta 114 on return from mission to bomb V1 site at Siracourt, France, sustained Cat 5 damage, Pilot Samuel E Blessing. 11-Feb-44 |
Other Written Off DBR |
11 February 1944 | Damaged beyond repair, A/C written off. |