The B24 Liberator served as a heavy bomber, maritime patrol plane and as a transport plane. It was produced in greater numbers than any other American bomber, with some 18,000 being built. It served in all theatres. It replaced the B17 as the primary Heavy Bomber in the Pacific because of its greater range, but was itself pushed out of the limelight there by the massive B29 Superfortress. The B24 served in large numbers in Europe as well and played an important role in the bombing campaign on the continent. The B24 figured prominently in "Operation Soapsuds", one of the most famous bombing raids of the War. Despite the heavy losses endured in that raid, the B24 suffered an lower loss rate overall than its cousin the Fort.
