Consolidated B-24M Liberator

thethrill820 · February 8, 2024, 11:38pm

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Consolidated B-24M Liberator

ROCAF / PLAAF

Background

Spoiler

The first B-24 heavy bomber was ordered by the United States in March 1939 and underwent successful testing before entering production. In 1941, it was supplied to the UK. Numerous modified versions of this aircraft were developed. During World War II, it played a crucial role in bombing Axis Forces and served as a primary bomber aircraft for the US. With a total production of 18,181 units, the B-24 became one of the most prolific military aircraft manufactured in the United States during the war.

In March 1943, the 308th Group of the 10th Air Force from the U.S. Army, which was stationed in India, was relocated to China. This relocation led to the establishment of the 14th Air Force. The Chinese-U.S. Mixed Wing unit collaborated in launching joint attacks on Japanese military bases in various regions including East China, South China, Hong Kong, and Vietnam. During the operations of the 308th Group from the U.S. Army’s 10th Air Force in China, the Chinese Air Force dispatched some pilots to serve as co-pilots in the group. This allowed them to gain experience in operating heavy bombers. Additionally, 30 crews consisting of 243 individuals were chosen to travel to the United States to receive training on the use of the B-24 aircraft. On March 1, 1945, the Aviation Commission restructured the 8th Group Headquarters in Pengshan, Sichuan. The 33rd-35th Squadrons were placed under the 8th group’s jurisdiction. In June, Chinese personnel who were flying the B-24 fleet went to India for further training. However, by the time the personal had independently mastered the B-24 and became capable of carrying out missions on their own, the Sino-Japanese War had already concluded. As a result, the entire unit returned to China in September 1945. The B-24’s were then transferred to the transportation brigade, stationed at Shanghai Jiangwan Airport, swiftly transformed its operations to support the upcoming civil war. Working in tandem with the 1st and 2nd airlift brigades, which were equipped with C-46s, they efficiently transported personnel and supplies to major cities.

PLAAF

Chinese communist forces successfully seized three ROCAF B-24Ms. One of these aircraft in mid-1946, while another defected in December 1948. Additionally, a B-24 based in Shanghai defected in February 1949. These captured aircraft were utilized by the PLAAF in combat for the remainder of the Civil War, primarily for bombing strategic positions and buildings where the nationalist leader, Chiang Kai-shek, was believed to be located. The last B-24M in communist service was retired around 1952.

During the War of Liberation, the 8th Battalion’s B-24Ms conducted numerous long-distance bombing missions. Between March and September 1947, they executed over 180 sorties, targeting the liberated areas in northern Shaanxi. Their objective was to collaborate with Hu Zongnan in launching aerial attacks on the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. During the period spanning from October 1949 to February 1950, the 8th Group actively engaged in a total of 26 aerial assaults on the city of Shanghai. On the night of May 11, 1950, Shanghai faced an aerial assault when two B-24Ms from the 8th Group launched an attack. However, their mission was abruptly halted as they were intercepted and brought down by Captain Zingalenko, a skilled pilot flying a MiG-15. Captain Zingalenko, a member of the Soviet Pakistan-based Mixed Air Defense Group, had been assisting Shanghai’s air defense efforts. As a result of this encounter, the B-24M aircraft belonging to the ROCAF decided to cease its cross-sea attack on the Shanghai region.