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| USAAF 5th AF 43rd BG 65th BS   USAAF c1943 |
Pilot 1st Lt. Morris E. Petty (survived) Force Landed October 25, 1944 Aircraft History Built by Consolidated Aircraft Corporation in San Diego. Constructors Number 2292. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-24D-145-CO Liberator serial number 42-41215. This bomber was equipped with radar. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Australia arriving on October 2, 1943. Wartime History In early October 1943, assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 43rd Bombardment Group (43rd BG), 65th Bombardment Squadron (65th BS) Nicknamed "Two Bob Tillie". The term "two bob" was in reference to an Australian two shillings or a twenty cent coin, slang for worthless. Tillie was likely a reference to Tilly Devine who was a "lady of the night" (prostitute) and an organized crime boss in Syndey. The nickname was likely slang of the era for a prostitute whose price for services was two bob. The nose art was a nude blonde woman seated holding her hand up with two fingers raised. Assigned to pilot 2nd Lt. Thomas Tilbrook with crew chie MSgt Lewis H. Daws. On October 25, 1943 took off on a night reconnaissance mission over Rabaul and inbound spotted ships but had no bombs then encountered a storm and broke clear over the target and were caught in searchlight beams followed by anti-aircraft fire and two night fighters were observed climbing from below and entered clouds to escape. One of the night fighters followed the bomber for 300 miles. On October 26, 1943 at 7:30am landed safely. On January 23, 1944 took off piloted by 1st Lt. Vernon F. Gaston on a bombing mission against Wewak and approaching the target was hit by a burst of anti-aircraft fire near the cockpit that wounded co-pilot 2nd Lt. Thomas Tilbrook in the leg, shoulder and hand. Damaged, Gatson ordered the bombs salvoed and another burst of anti-aircraft fire hit the bomb bay damaging the doors and hydraulic system then was intercepted by Japanese fighters with two attacking from the front that hit the nose narrowly missing nose gunner SSgt William J. Conklin and bombardier 2nd Lt. James "Little" Brown. Other fighters caused more damage including a hit in the wing tank that did not explode. Damaged, the bomber left formation and escorting P-38s intercepted the fighters. Returning, three of the crew SSgt Robert W. White, TSgt Antonio Nieto and TSgt Marvin McRenolds had to manually crank down the landing gear before landing at Dobodura and without breaks stopped only 40' from trees at the end of the runway. The bomber had 200 holes and gunners claimed two probables shot down. Afterwards, the damage was repaired. Mission History On October 25, 1944 took off from Owi Airfield piloted by 1st Lt. Morris E. Petty armed with 1,000 pound bombs on a bombing mission against Japanese warships in the Mindanao Sea and made two bombing runs but missed and was damaged by anti-aircraft fire. While landing at Pitu Airfield on Morotai the left landing gear leg collapsed. Aboard, none of the crew were injured. Afterwards, the bomber was moved with a bulldozer off the runway to clear it for other bombers landing. Ultimate fate unknown likely scrapped at Morotai. References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Vernon F. Gaston USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-24D-145-CO Liberator 42-41215 Ken's Men Against The Empire Volume II (2019) pages 25 (photo), 68-69 (January 23, 1944), 172 (October 27, 1944), 375 (65th BS 42-41215), 388 (photo), 444 (index Daws), 456 (index Petty, Morris E.), 461 (index Two Bob Tillie), 446 (index Gaston) Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated August 21, 2026 |
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