B-24D - 41-11897 - Laconia Incident and crash Gaza

[Leendert]

B-24D 41-11897 (343rd BS/98th BG) is mentioned as the US bomber involved in the Laconia incident of mid-September 1942 (ample info about that incident elsewhere on the web).
The B-24D was on its way to the Mid East, but had returned to Ascension Island due to mechanical problems and so was available in this history.

However, Joe Baugher and BAAA say that this B-24D crashlanded at Gaza, Palestine on 4 Aug 1942.
I also found the date of 18 Oct 1942 for reportedly the same 'Ascension' B-24, which seems more likely (Air University Review, March-April 1964)

Question therefore is if 4 Aug 1942 is correct for #897?
If #897 indeed did crash in Aug. 1942, then what B-24 was in the Laconia Incident in mid-Sept. 1942? Pilot was Lt James D. Harden.

Thanks for info.

Regards,
Leendert