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B-24J Liberator 44-40211 SEPTEMBER POPS
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| Manufacturing Data |
| Serial Number |
44-40211 |
| Model |
B-24J |
| Manufacturer |
Consolidated - San Diego, California |
| Production Block |
B-24J-150-CO |
| Color |
Silver aka NMF (Natural Metal Finish) |
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| Group Data |
| Date Assigned to 492nd |
Original aircraft for the 859th BS |
| Obtained From |
Consolidated |
| Flyover Pilot |
1st Lt Herschel Smith Crew 906 |
| Total Missions w/492nd |
22 |
| Total WWII Missions |
80 |
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| Notes |
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On the Smith Crew 906, four of the crew's wives owere expecting a baby in September. Since they were to become pops in September they named their ship SEPTEMBER POPS. The nose art sported two storks, one with a baby and the other with a bomb.
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859th Squadron Code: X4
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Tail Code: V+
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After the Smith Crew 906 was lost on 12 Jul 44 flying another plane, this plane was renamed OUR TEAM.
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Transferred to the 467th BG, 788th BS
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Returned to USA in 1945
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Mission Record
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Documented Missions with the 492nd BG, 859th BS
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| Date |
Mission |
Mission # |
Pilot |
Crew |
Notes |
| 11 May 44 |
Mulhouse, France |
|
Smith |
906 |
Target: Marshalling yard |
| 19 May 44 |
Brunswick, Germany |
|
Smith |
906 |
Target: Marshalling yard |
| 27 May 44 |
Saarbrucken, Germany |
|
Smith |
906 |
Target: Marshalling yard |
| 28 May 44 |
Zeitz, Germany |
|
Smith |
906 |
Target: Oil refinery |
| 30 May 44 |
Rotenburg, Germany |
|
Smith |
906 |
Target: Air depot |
| 2 Jun 44 |
Burck-sur-Mer, France |
|
Smith |
906 |
Target: Tactical |
| 4 Jun 44 |
Avord, France |
|
Smith |
906 |
Target: Airfield |
| 6 Jun 44 |
invasion coast, France |
|
Smith |
906 |
Target: Tactical |
| 8 Jun 44 |
Angers, France |
|
Smith |
906 |
Target: Tactical |
| 14 Jun 44 |
Emmerich, Germany |
|
Smith |
906 |
Target: Oil refinery |
| 20 Jun 44 |
Politz, Germany |
|
Smith |
906 |
Target: Oil refineries
Bombed with another group |
| 28 Jun 44 |
Saarbrucken, Germany |
|
Smith |
906 |
Target: Marshalling yard
Lead Ship
Damaged by flak |
| 24 Jul 44 |
St Lo area, France |
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Prytulak |
907 |
Target: Tactical |
| 25 Jul 44 |
St Lo area, France |
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Roseborough |
R-18 |
Target: Tactical |
| 29 Jul 44 |
Oslebshausen, Germany |
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Roseborough |
R-18 |
Target: Oil refinery |
| 31 Jul 44 |
Ludwigshafen, Germany |
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Roseborough |
R-18 |
Target: Chemical plant |
| 1 Aug 44 |
Anizy, France |
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Koltun |
R-10 |
Target: Railroad bridge
Lent to the 857th BS |
| 3 Aug 44 |
Mery-sur-Oise, France |
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Roseborough |
R-18 |
Target: Crossbow (V-1 rockets)
Damaged by flak |
| 6 Aug 44 |
Hamburg, Germany |
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Roseborough |
R-18 |
Target: Oil refinery |
| 7 Aug 44 |
Ostend, Belgium |
|
Leister |
R-36 |
Target: Oil dump |
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