Previously allocated to 492nd BG, 858th and then 857th Squadron. There is some doubt on whether there may have been a second B24 similarly named and carrying the serial number 44-48829. "Bangin Lulu" returned to Willow Run after hostilities and the photo we have indicates that it was in remarkably good condition for a veteran aircraft that had seen a full year's combat including a crash landing at Metfield which ended its career with 492BG. Unfortunately, we have never seen a photo which displays both the nose art on the right side and the tail fin number confirming which serial number is correct. If anyone can provide such a photo, definite evidence or a list of mission dates for #091 or #829 whilst deployed with 446BG I would greatly appreciate the clarification.

Known Mission List

Date	Pilot	Target	Notes
27 May 1944	Landry	Saarbrucken
28 May 1944	Frantz	Zeitz
29 May 1944	Frantz	Politz
30 May 1944	Platinsky	Rotenburg
2 Jun 1944	Frantz	Berck-sur-Mer
4 Jun 1944	Platinsky	Avord
6 Jun 1944	Frantz	Coastal
6 Jun 1944	Monroe	Vire
20 Jun 1944	D L Taylor	Politz
22 Jun 1944	Skorupan	St Cur
25 Jun 1944	Frantz	Roye
27 Jun 1944	Frantz	Creil
28 Jun 1944	Simon	Saarbrucken
29 Jun 1944	Koltun	Magdeburg
6 Jul 1944	Nelson	Kiel
8 Jul 1944	Rasmussen	Alost
11 Jul 1944	Flanagan	Munich
12 Jul 1944	Cravens	Munich
16 Jul 1944	Flanagan	Saarbrucken
18 Jul 1944	Thompson	Troarns
20 Jul 1944	Perry	Erfurt
24 Jul 1944	Flanagan	St Lo
25 Jul 1944	Flanagan	St Lo
31 Jul 1944	Skorupan	Ludwigshafen
4 Aug 1944	Skorupan	Kiel
5 Aug 1944	Skorupan	Brunswick
6 Aug 1944	Flanagan	Hamburg	CRASHLANDED @ Metfield after severe flak damage . 1 WIA Repaired and transferred to 446BG

 

© Ray Bowden 2 December 2023