Ploesti Air Combat Photo?

[Rob Romero]

There was a spectacular photo of a B-24 flaming out of formation (with its wing coming off?) that had been shot down by a Luftwaffe Bf-109 during the famous 1 Aug 43 strike on Ploesti. This was one of the few Luftwaffe victories in that disastrous stike –most of 55 losses due to Flak. Does anyone know who the victor/victims were? Can anyone post or put up a link?

Thanks,

Rob Romero

[John Beaman]

Are you talking about Eager Eagles, flown by Lt. Lloyd Hughes of the 398th BG? This a/c bombed its target in spite of being hit in the wing tanks by flak (not fighters) and having flames trailing. After coming off target Hughes put it down in a dry creek bed but ground-looped and exploded. In site of this 3 people survived. There is a series of photos in Black Sunday: Ploesti, an excellant history of the mission.

[FalkeEins]

Originally Posted by Rob Romero

This was one of the few Luftwaffe victories in that disastrous strike –most of 55 losses due to Flak.

Rob,

...according to the JG 4 history, I./JG 4 made at least a dozen claims, IV./JG 27 four claims and another twelve or so claims were filed by Rumanian and Bulgarian pilots..

http://members.aol.com/falkeeins

(updated today)

[Rob Romero]

John,

No, IIRC the B-24 was shot out of formation over the sea. The photo was published in Ploesti Raid Book -don't remember which one.



FalkeEins,

OK. one of the relatively few Luftwaffe victories that day -the preponderance were still brought down by flak.

Thanks,

Rob

[John Beaman]

Originally Posted by Rob Romero

John,

No, IIRC the B-24 was shot out of formation over the sea. The photo was published in Ploesti Raid Book -don't remember which one.

Rob

Well, it would have to be on the return part of the mission as no German fighters were encountered over the sea on the ingress. Looking at claims for IV./JG 27, they claimed 5 x B-24s that day over the seas west of Greece and the Balkans on the egress. According to one source that exactly how many B-24s went down over the sea in fighter attacks. BTW, the Gruppe lost 2 x 109s that day in this combat.

If you can reference the photo we might be able to ID the ship. The references I have, have no photos that match your description.

[Rob Romero]

John,

Sorry, the only thing I can say is that the photo was in what I imagine was one of the earlier books on Ploest -perhaps 60s-70s. I saw it in a school library in the late 80s IIRC.

Thanks,

Rob

[fsbofk]

I think this might be the photo you're looking for. It is in Ploesti - The Great Ground-Air Battle of 1 August 1943 by Dugan and Stewart, the classic account of Tidal Wave, first published in 1962.

[shooshoobaby]

Rob - sounds like: 6 /16 / 44 Mission to Apollo Oil Refinery.
376th BG B-24 collided with ME - 109 . B - 24s right wing torn off , ball of fire , then exploded. ???????
Mike

[Driver1928]

You may be talking about this photo:
www.rajordan.com/pete/images/19430801-02.JPG
and this one:
www.rajordan.com/pete/images/19430801-03.JPG
You may have to click on the image to make it bigger depending on your browser.

These photos were taken by Earl Zimmerman. The plane was flown by my uncle, 2nd Lt. Lloyd Herbert Hughes, known to family and friends as Pete. His widow received Pete's Medal of Honor for what he went through that day. Information has come to light only fairly recently saying that the plane he flew was really nicknamed "Ole Kickapoo," tail fin number 40753J. There is even a photo of the wreckage clearly showing the tail fin:
www.rajordan.com/pete/images/19430815--1.jpg

Feel free to peruse my uncle's memorial website with the timeline of his short life - he was just over 22 years old when he died on 1 Aug 1943 - with photos and scans of various documents:
www.rajordan.com/pete

[Driver1928]

Oh, and in the Ploesti; The Great Ground-Air Battle of 1 August 1943 book by James Dugan and Carroll Stewart, Lloyd Herbert Hughes is erroneously referred to as "Lloyd D. Hughes."
Hughes' Statement of Military Service:
www.rajordan.com/pete/19590529-service.html
and his grave marker:
www.rajordan.com/pete/images/19500412-05.jpg