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Zamperini B-24 loss

Posted: Tue Jun 01, 2010 12:10 am
by Anthony J. Mireles
Looking for the AAF serial number for the B-24 that Louis Zamperini was flying aboard in May 1943 when he was forced to ditch in the Pacific. Need correct date and/or MACR.

I had a copy of Zamperini's book "Devil at my Heels" but through no fault of my own it was destroyed in a terrible accident (along with my notes concerning the loss of this B-24).

Need help. Looking for correct serial number, correct date of loss, complete crew list and fates of airmen, and what unit. Any help appreciated.

TonyM.

Re: Zamperini B-24 loss

Posted: Sun Jun 06, 2010 12:29 am
by Anthony J. Mireles
Was able to retrieve most of the infomation concerning this wreck.

Still looking for the AAF serial number for this B-24.

TonyM.

Re: Zamperini B-24 loss

Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2010 5:25 pm
by PF

Re: Zamperini B-24 loss

Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2010 5:29 pm
by PF

Re: Zamperini B-24 loss

Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2010 5:31 pm
by PF

Re: Zamperini B-24 loss

Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2010 5:46 pm
by PF

Re: Zamperini B-24 loss

Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 10:17 am
by Anthony J. Mireles
PF,

Thanks for the links.

An Update: I have a new copy of the book. I had checked both Wiki and pacificwrecks weeks ago and the thread on the aaf.com link was started by me.

None of these sources list the AC serial number, which is the info I am still looking for. Tried Baugher and BestB-24 but have not been able to get the AC serial number.

Thanks for the help.

TonyM.

Re: Zamperini B-24 loss

Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2010 11:45 am
by Anthony J. Mireles
Thanks Jesse.

I received a message from a historian at B-24BESTWEB, indicating that the plane was 42-40101.

On the other hand, some say that the B-24 in question is 41-24097, since Zamperini mentions leading the 372nd on a bomb mission in his book.

Thanks, I appreciate the help.

TonyM.

Re: Zamperini B-24 loss

Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2010 11:52 am
by Anthony J. Mireles
Anthony J. Mireles wrote:Thanks Jesse.

I received a message from a historian at B-24BESTWEB, indicating that the plane was 42-40101.

On the other hand, some say that the B-24 in question is 41-24097, since Zamperini mentions leading the 372nd on a bomb mission in his book.

Thanks, I appreciate the help.

TonyM.
I forgot to add:
Zamperini was apparently a member of the 307th BG, further bolstering the case for 41-24097 (also named Green Hornet and assigned to the 307th).

TM

Re: Zamperini B-24 loss

Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2010 3:29 pm
by Anthony J. Mireles
Yep, that is right, Zamp was with the Phillips crew.

And please don't get me wrong, I appreciate the help, but there is a contradiction and there is no AC serial number on that MACR.
And the guy who sent me the same serial number as you did is a pretty smart guy (and has never steared me wrong yet), so you are in great company.
All that aside, with help of good people like you, I am sure that I will find the truth.
Like I said in the previous posting, Jesse thanks for the help, I really appreciate it.

Jesse, you have a photo of this airplane? With the serial number visible? That would be great. There is a photo in Zamperini's book but no serial number.

TonyM.

Re: Zamperini B-24 loss

Posted: Sat Aug 28, 2010 11:50 pm
by Anthony J. Mireles
Jesse,

Thanks for posting that info, especially the titles of the works you are looking at.

TonyM.

Re: Zamperini B-24 loss

Posted: Tue Apr 09, 2013 3:33 pm
by Anthony J. Mireles
Still looking for this serial number.