AA34020 Consolidated B-24D Liberator - 41-11825 'Hail Columbia' - Col. John R. Kane

One of the lead pilots within a mighty force of 177 B-24 Liberator bombers sent to attack the oil production facilities at Ploiești, Col John ‘Killer’ Kane had recently requested the return of his personal aircraft ‘Hail Columbia’ in advance of this important mission. 

Having flown this aircraft many times on previous missions, he handed it over to other crews after promotion to command the USAAF 98th Bomb Group, however, as he was now to take part in this maximum effort raid, wanted his trusted Liberator back. 

The mission was so vital to the Allied war effort that it would need to be flown at low altitude both to avoid detection and to ensure bombing accuracy, however, a loss rate approaching 50 percent was anticipated by planners hoping to strike a decisive blow. 

‘Hail Columbia’ led the 98th BG to the Astra Românǎ refinery after the target had already been attacked by lead bombers, flying at rooftop height and straight into the flames and dense smoke of the devastation ahead. 

Kane released his bombs right over the target, but with his aircraft suffering significant damage, set a course over the Black Sea, across Turkey, and on to the British controlled Island of Cyprus, where he made an emergency landing.

Colonel John Riley ‘Killer’ Kane would be one of five ‘Operation Tidal Wave’ airmen to be awarded the Medal of Honor for displaying conspicuous gallantry in the face of the enemy.