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| USAAF FEAF 7th BG 11th BS
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Aircraft History Built by Consolidated Aircraft Corporation in San Diego for the Royal Air Force (RAF) as Liberator II serial number AL609. At the start of the Pacific War, requisitioned by the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as LB-30 and never had a serial number assigned and instead retained RAF serial number AL515. Wartime History After the United States entered World War II, assigned to the 7th Bombardment Group (7th BG), 11th Bombardment Squadron (11th BS) as one of fifteen requisitioned LB-30s assigned to the "Straubel Echelon" under the command of Captain Austin A. Straubel and prepared for a ferry flight overseas. In preparation, modified at Tuscon, Arizona by Consolidated employees working under the direction of a USAAF officer. Once completed, flown to Dayton, Ohio for additional alterations. No known nickname or nose art. On December 27, 1941 flown by Captain Austin A. Straubel from Dayton to MacDill Field to stage for the ferry flight overseas with the bombers crewed by personnel from 11th Bombardment Squadron (11th BS) plus some personnel from the 9th Bombardment Squadron (9th BS) and 88th Reconnaissance Squadron (88th RS). On December 28, 1941 at midnight took off from MacDill Field piloted by Captain Austin A. Straubel leading a flight of three LB-30s on the first leg of the ferry flight via the "Africa route" bound for "Plum" but enroute were diverted to the Netherlands East Indies (NEI). The crew included co-pilot 2nd Lt. Richard T. Hernlund, navigator Lt. Robert A. Trenkle, bombardier 2nd Lt. Raymond O. Carr, radio operator S/Sgt Richard P. Yenney, assistant engineer Sgt. Marvin L. Damaske and assistant radio operator Cpl Leo T. Ranta. The formation of three LB-30s flew from MacDill Field via Piarco, Trinidad next Belém in Brazil then to Natal in Brazil then across the Atlantic Ocean to Accra, Gold Coast (Ghana) then onward to Khartoum, next to Aden then to Karachi Airfield in India (today Pakistan) then to Bangalore Airfield in India then to Bandoeng Airfield (Bandung) on Java. On January 11, 1942 flown to Singosari Airfield (Malang) on eastern Java their final destination and was assigned to the Far East Air Force (FEAF). On February 5, 1942 redesignated 5th Air Force (5th AF). On January 16, 1942 Straubel led a flight of five bombers including three LB-30s (likely including this bomber) and two B-17s that took off from Singosari Airfield (Malang). and landed at Kendari Airfield to refuel then took off again on a bombing mission against Celebes (Sulawesi) with the LB-30s bombing Langoan Airfield and the B-17s bombing Manado Harbor. Over the target, the bombers were intercepted by Zeros and returning LB-30 AL567 crash landed at Makassar Airfield and the other LB-30 crash landed on a small island offshore. The two B-17s returned to Kendari Airfield then flew back to Singosari Airfield (Malang) with one of the B-17s written off from damage. For his role on this mission, Straubel earned the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). Fate Later, this LB-30 was damaged while taxing at Yogyakarta Airfield (Jogjakarta) on Java. Afterwards, used as a "Christmas Tree" and stripped of usable parts. On March 1, 1942 destroyed by strafing. Ultimate fate unknown, likely scrapped or otherwise disappeared. References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Raymond O. Carr NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Richard P. Yenney NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Leo T. Ranta RAF Aircraft Serial Numbers - Liberator II AL609 Liberator II for the RAF/LB-30 "AL609 requisitioned by USAAF. Destroyed in strafing attack Mar 1, 1942." Under The Southern Cross (1998) Appendix Four: Fates of LB-30s Associated with the Java Campaign Austin A Straubel Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army Air Corps by John A. Dodds November 4, 2013 page 20-22 (LB-30 609) Thanks to John Dodds and Edward Rogers for additional information and analysis Contribute
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