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| USAAF 5th AF 22nd BG 2nd BS
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Aircraft History Built by Consolidated. Constructors Number 3306. At the factory, this bomber was painted olive drab. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-24J-75-CO Liberator serial number 42-100157. In late December 1943, assigned to 2nd Lt. William A. Bauder and his crew at Topeka, Kansas to ferry the bomber cross country then overseas. On January 25, 1944 took off from Fairfield-Suisun Airfield piloted by 2nd Lt. William A. Bauder on a ferry flight via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Australia arriving February 2, 1944. Two days later, flown to Garbutt Field in Townsville for modifications by the 4th Air Depot. Wartime History On February 5, 1944 assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 22nd Bombardment Group (22nd BG) "Red Raiders", 2nd Bombardment Squadron (2nd BS). Nicknamed "Pleasure Bent" in capital letters with the nose art of a blonde woman wearing a black bra and stockings with one arm atop her knee. Tail letter A. This bomber was one of the original B-24J models assigned to the squadron. Below the cockpit was a scoreboard with bomb markings indicating missions flown. In total, this bomber flew at least 66 bombing missions (possibly as many as 98). On April 10, 1944 first mission piloted by Scott on a bombing Hansa Bay. On April 13, 1944 took off piloted by Hansen on a bombing But Airfield. On April 15, 1944 took off piloted by 2nd Lt. John J. Durkin on a bombing mission against Aitape. On April 16, 1944 took off piloted by 1st Lt. Brittain on a bombing mission against Hollandia and returned in bad weather with heavy clouds, violent storms and heavy rain with zero visibility and descended to only 100' to 150' above the sea before landing low on fuel at Saidor Airfield on what was dubbed Black Sunday. During September 1944, stripped to a bare a unpainted aluminum finish. Tail letter A was replaced with a a large 157 (last three digits of the serial number) on the tail inside a blue rectangle on both tails. Mission History On April 18, 1945 took off piloted by 2nd Lt. Robert K. Farst on a bombing mission against Toyohara with a secondary target of Tainan on Formosa (Taiwan). During the bomb run, the 2nd Bomb Squadron bombers were targeted by anti-aircraft fire and five B-24s sustain light damage, including this bomber. Returning, the no. 1 engine failed and another engine also failed, forcing the bomber to make an emergency landing at Laoag Airfield on Luzon. Afterwards, the bomber was left for repairs. On May 24, 1945 condemned. Ultimate fate unknown likely scrapped. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-24J-155-CO Liberator 42-100157 Revenge of the Red Raiders (2006) pages 239 (April 16, 1944), 307 (profile no. 25), 412 (May 19, 1945), 493 (2nd BS 42-100157), 530, 532 (photo), 534 (photo), 568-570 (profile no. 25 description), 573, 618 (index Pleasure Bent) Contribute
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