Aircraft History
Built by Consolidated at San Diego between March 1-12, 1943. Constructors Number 1577. First flight on March 16. Accepted by the USAAF on March 18, 1943. Modified at Tucson on March 25, then to Topeka, KS on April 16. Had RCM ferret set installed.

Wartime History
Departing Hamilton Field on April 23 on a ferry flight overseas, arriving at Amberly Field near Brisbane on April 29, 1943. Assigned to the 5th Air Force, 380th Bombardment Group, 531st Bombardment Squadron based at Manbulloo Airfield. Nicknamed "Careless".

MIssion History
Took off from Manbulloo Airfield on its first combat mission over Koepang. After dropping their bombs, this B-24 was intercepted by enemy fighters and shot down over the Timor Sea. It was followed down by Lieutenant A.V. Connary in another bomber, but no trace of any survivors could be found. Reported to have exploded on impact with the sea.

Search
Three searches were made, two by the 380th Bomb Group and one by 18 N.E.I. Squadron. All searches proved negative results. In the opinion of the Commanding Officer 380th Bomb Group, the crew have lost their lives.

Memorials
Holohan is memorialized at Adelaide River War Cemetery on the Northern Territory Memorial, panel 10. The rest of the crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. All are memorialized on the tablets of the missing at Manila American Cemetery.

References
Australian National Archives - Sgt Joseph Holohan Casualty File
380th BG Association - B-24 42-40500 (photos and status card)
Other sources spell nickname as "Care Less"

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Last Updated
February 4, 2018