Editing Consolidated B-24 Liberator (section)

===="Carpetbaggers"====
[[File:B24-Cockpit USAF.jpg|thumb|B-24 cockpit]]
From August 1943 until the end of the war in Europe, specially modified B-24Ds were used in classified missions. In a joint venture between the Army Air Forces and the [[Office of Strategic Services]] (OSS) code-named [[Operation Carpetbagger]], pilots and crews flew specially modified B-24Ds painted with a glossy black anti-searchlight paint to supply friendly underground forces throughout German-occupied Europe. They also flew [[Douglas C-47 Skytrain|Douglas C-47s]], [[Douglas A-26 Invader]]s, and British [[de Havilland Mosquito]]s.

Carpetbagger aircraft flew spies called "Joes" and commando groups prior to the Allied invasion of Europe on D-Day and afterward, and retrieved over 5,000 officers and enlisted men who had escaped capture after being shot down. The low-altitude, nighttime operation was extremely dangerous and took its toll on these airmen. The first aircrews chosen for this operation came from the anti-submarine bomb groups because of their special training in low altitude flying and pinpoint navigation skills. Because of their special skills, they were called upon to fly fuel to [[George S. Patton|General George Patton]]'s army during the summer and early autumn of 1944 when it outran its fuel supply. When this mission was completed, it was recorded that 822,791 US gallons (3,114,264&nbsp;L) of 80 octane gasoline had been delivered to three different airfields in France and Belgium.<ref>Parnell 1993, pp. inside cover, p. 91.</ref>

The 859 BS was converted from day bombardment to these operations and then transferred to the 15th Air Force.