The B-24 Liberator

"The B-24 Liberator was produced in greater quantities and flown in more theaters of war by the air forces of more countries than any other four engine bomber in World War II.  19,256 planes (in several versions) were produced by Consolidated Vultee, Ford Motor Company, Douglas Aircraft and North American Aircraft between the years of 1939 and 1945. Today there are only two flight-worthy B-24's in existence, and it's history and role in WW II is only dimly recalled except by those who flew in them." 

(From the B-24 Mailing List Introduction).

©1996-2005
Not for duplication without express written permission by the author. 

Jack Cook piloted the B-24 Liberator during World War II in the Pacific Theater.  His stories span from joining the Army Air Corps in March, 1943, through 1945 and a year of flying missions out of New Guinea and the Philippines.

1. Training Days
2. Training and Going Overseas
3. In the South Pacific
4. In the Philippines

B-24 Net contains historical research of the "Wendling Crusaders", the 392nd bomb group which was based in Wendling, England during WWII.

Dirk Spennemann researched the web and compiled a page of useful links regarding B-24 history.

Combat Chronology 1941-1945 -- a description of daily activities in each of the theaters of operation, These reports were published monthly by the Armed Forces for the duration of the war.

The American Battle Monuments Commission is charged with the care and oversight of US military cemeteries overseas. You can request a photo of a specific overseas gravesite from this agency, or arrange for flowers to be placed at a gravesite. 

Jim Thomas' dad flew B-24s in the 8th Air Force and has posted a diary his dad kept during World War II.

The Collings Foundation maintains a B-24 which is flown in local air shows. See their page for a tour schedule and other interesting links, including the B-24 Walkaround (photo library).