Liberty Belle’s Last Flight
A survival story for heroes in October 1944.
Balikpapan. A Japanese stronghold in the earlier part of the Pacific war. At the time, it was heavily defended by some of Japan’s best pilots, and the Allies hoped to change that soon. General George C. Kenney in particular felt that if Fifth Air Force was to destroy the oil refineries on the island, it would be a huge setback in Japan’s attempt to hold onto its position in the southwest Pacific. Over the summer, Kenney directed the 380th Bomb Group to bomb several refineries in the area, with little success, though they were a factor in some fuel shortages. By September, he was eager to send his forces back to Balikpapan. There were a few missions flown by the Thirteenth Air Force and the 90th Bomb Group, however, approximately 40% of the planes flown on these mission were either lost or too damaged to be put back in service…
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Posted on March 19, 2017, in Uncategorized, WWII and tagged aviation, History, Military, Military History, Pacific War, Research, WW2, WWII. Bookmark the permalink. 53 Comments.
Thank you once again for the wonderful tribute to the greatest generation. The deserve the very best.
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You said a mouthful, Hollie! Isn’t it great that their memory and interest in that era is picking up !?!
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It is and rightfully so…the greatest generation must receive all the honor they deserve. Of course that goes for all all our military and their families.
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I just said something very similar to a former Marine today while I was at the gym!!
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It saddens me to imagine that we are reaching the end of the great generation, may they live forever in history an in the hearts of those who benefit everyday from their sacrifice.
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It’s as though you read my mind!
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🙂
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Gorgeous story and good information to understood it.
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I’m very glad you are interested here, Mary Lou.
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The Beetle Bailey cartoons bring back memories of reading them in the Sunday paper when I was a child.
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He continues to be quite the hoot!! Thanks for coming by, Sheryl!!
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Another amazing story, GP! I am glad the men returned the favor to the natives with gifts they could use.
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That was my favorite part too. Always good to hear when people show their appreciation!!
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Great story, especially with the extra of the gifts of thanks to the islanders.
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That was a great finale to the story, I agree!
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A nice little slice of the history of the war in the Pacific. Thanks for re-blogging this!
You might enjoy this story of a restored B-29:
http://mortefontainevillage.pagesperso-orange.fr/marcbrecy/b29.html
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It is amazing to see the planes!! Thank you very much for bringing me the video on “Doc”! To see the old pilots and Connie the riveter – and then the B-29 taking flight – you can add my tears to that take-off!!
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Just viewed that video. Got chills! Noted (hadn’t recalled) that the Superfort’s bomb bay had to be modified to accommodate Fat Man.

Perhaps you might recall the German Heinkel 177; it had coupled engines, rather then four separate nacelles, and suffered the same engine overheating and fires as did the B-29. These were also never fully overcome, and limited its usefulness.
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I’ll get to this video a bit later – I’m not all that “up” on ETO data and I’m interested – thank you for bringing it here.
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Would appreciate your opinion on a rather chilling technological advance in rifles.
(Please e-mail me on this)
http://www.documentarytube.com/videos/the-gun-that-aims-itself
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I don’t mind giving you my opinion right here. I don’t think anything mightier than a pistol or simple hunting rifle is necessary for anyone not on an operation in the military and that includes magazines that hold bucket loads of ammo. Automatic weapons, and smart guns of any type, smart bullets – IMO they should be illegal except for current military. Just how bad a shot does a person have to be to want this weapon?
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Very much appreciate your feedback. I was astonished that this had been developed four years ago; I had never heard of it, not seen anything in the “news” about it.
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IMO, the news of its development should not have been announced at all. The stealth bomber was kept secret for 10 years. But in this day and age, I guess it’s hard to keep any secrets!
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I found myself zooming off to Google for another geography lesson, G. So your blogs offer both history and geography lessons. Thanks. –Curt
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When I cause even one person to go research on their own, Curt, I consider it a success. The IHRA are a very thorough group and I’m happy their post caused your Zoom !!!!
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I love research, G, like I am sure you do. There are times when I think I could have been quite happy being an historian. –Curt
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Although my education was always science orientated, my father did instill a love of history in me!! I agree with you!
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Smart father! 🙂 I minored in history. –C
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Smart Curt!
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A great story and piece of history. Thanks for sharing, GP, and have a great week.
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Great story. Makes me feel proud.
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I’m very happy about that!
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Thanks!
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Thanks for bringing us this. Quite incredible that they survived all that with only the pilot suffering any damage!
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My pleasure!! You can’t go wrong with an IHRA article!!
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Wow! An amazing, we-need-to-hear story! Thank you for sharing it, GP!
Oh, I wanted to tell you…recently I saw a movie called “Anthropoid”. It is very interesting and very sad. (sad because of all the innocent people who are killed by the Nazis) It is based on the extraordinary true story of Operation Anthropoid, the WWII mission to assassinate SS General Reinhard Heydrich (the man behind the Final Solution and the Reich’s third in command after Hitler and Himmler).
HUGS and Happy Whee-kend!!! 🙂
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I’m thrilled by your interest in history and continuing to look into it off-line.
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Amazing! Had my hair standing on end.
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The researchers at IHRA are always doing a fantastic post! You should see their books!! As large as textbooks, but far more detailed, filled with photos and far-far more interesting!!!
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Thanks fr sharing this. I will be checking out more of IHRA’s stories.
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I am very glad to hear that!
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When you share I learn.
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All the better!! They are an outstanding group of researchers!!
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A little piece of history that might have been forgotten, but isn’t. Thank you.
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The IHRA has so many stories, I could reblog everyone of them!! They do an outstanding job!
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There’s a beautiful, old, wooden yacht (and I do mean yacht) named “Liberty Belle” that’s berthed at a yacht club where I work. Now, I’m wondering about the name. I intend to find out whether it’s a feminization of “Liberty Bell,” or whether there might be some connection to the war.
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Please let us know what you find out, Linda – you’ve got my curiosity up!
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Off the Subject, but here is a Wonderful Article on the USS Washington I thought the readers might enjoy GP (I am not affiliated with the site “War is Boring” by the way, just an avid WW2 Historian like the rest of you!)
https://warisboring.com/uss-washington-wrecked-a-japanese-battleship-at-point-blank-range-abca83d8ee35?mc_cid=e8977bd45a&mc_eid=1149a36069#.12xdspcrw
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Yes, a very good story, Steven. Thank you. She sure is a beauty!!
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Great story, GP. And so nice that they sent the seeds and things to thank the friendly natives.
Best wishes, Pete.
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It’s always good to see a good deed receive recognition and appreciation, eh?! Thank you for reading today, Pete.
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An amazing story, GP. Have a wonder-filled new week. Hugs!
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And you as well!!
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