41-24558 Hunga Dunga

B-17F-25-BO 41-24558 [VK:F] "Hunga Dunga" was assigned to the 358BS/303BG [VK-F] at Bangor. Maine on 14-Oct-42; arrived at Molesworth, UK on 16-Oct-42; Missing in Action Vegasack 18-Mar-43 when it was attacked by enemy aircraft near Helgoland. Germany and flak near Wilhelmshaven, crashed on the flats on the Jadebusen (Jade Bight), near Wilhelmshaven, Germany on a mission to bomb the port facilities at Vegesack, Germany. The crew had been sent to the 303BG from the 92BG as a replacement crew. 5 KIA 5 POW Missing Air Crew Report 15149. The aircraft had participated in 18 Operations - 6 Aborted.



17-Nov-42 Mission #1 - U-Boat pens - St. Nazaire, France. Aborted (see Biography)

18-Nov-42 Mission #2 - U-Boat pens - St. Nazaire, France. (see Biography)

22-Nov-42 Failed to Take Off - Incomplete crew.

23-Nov-42 Mission #3 - U-Boat pens - St. Nazaire, France. (see Biography)

12-Dec-42 Mission #4 - Railroad marshalling yards, Rouen, France (see Biography)

20-Dec-42 Mission #5 - Air Depot - Romilly-sur-Seine, France (see Biography)

13-Jan-43 Mission #6 - Fives Company Locomotive Works, Lille, France (see Biography)

27-Jan-43 Mission #7 - Naval Base, Wilhelmshaven, Germany. Aborted (see Biography)

2-Feb-43 Mission #8 - Railroad marshalling yards, Hamm, Germany. Aborted (see Biography)

4-Feb-43 Mission #9 - Industrial Areas, Osnabruck, Germany - secondary. Aborted (see Biography) Guns frozen, BTG Jesse R Kinney's fingers are frozen.

14-Feb-43 Mission #10 - Industrial Areas, Hamm, Germany. Aborted (see Biography)

16-Feb-43 Mission #11 - Port Area St. Nazaire, France (see Biography)

26-Feb-43 Mission #12 - U-Boat pens at Wilhelmshaven, Germany - secondary - Aborted (see Biography)

27-Feb-43 Mission #13 - U-Boat pens at Brest, France (see Biography)

4-Mar-43 Mission #14 - Railroad marshalling yards, Rotterdam, Holland (see Biography)

8-Mar-43 Mission #15 - Railroad marshalling yards, Rennes, France (see Biography)

12-Mar-43 Mission #16 - Railroad marshalling yards, Rouen, France (see Biography)

13-Mar-43 Mission #17 - Railroad marshalling yards, Amiens/Longeau, France (see Biography)

18-Mar-43 - Mission #18 - LAST OPERATION - Port facilities - Vegesack, Germany (see Biography)

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Units served with

Official emblem of the 303rd Bomb Group approved 7 November 1942.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 92nd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-442766
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 39171219
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 92nd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-660322
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 92nd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 34211267
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 92nd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18084492
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner

Places

Missions

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Mission # 1 B-17F 41-24558, 303BG/358BS Aborted

Saint-Nazaire, France 17 November 1942 CREW P 1LT Joseph E. Haas (RTD); SP 2LT Robert S. O'Conner (RTD) N 2LT William J. Anderson (RTD); B 2LT Earl L. Steele (RTD) E/TTG TSGT Bernard H. Koenig (RTD); RO PVT Bernard A. Gergash (RTD) BTG SGT Sidney V. Hall (RTD); LWG SGT Jack Lucas (RTD) RWG SGT Jesse R. Kinney (RTD); TG SGT Jack Lucas (RTD)

Other

Mission #2 B-17F 41-24558, 303BG/358BS

Saint-Nazaire, France 18 November 1942 CREW P 1LT Joseph E. Haas (RTD): CP 2LT Robert S. O'Conner (RTD) N 2LT William J. Anderson (RTD) B 2LT Earl A. Steele (RTD) E/TTG TSGT Bernard H. Koenig (RTD): RO PVT Bernard A. Gergash (RTD) BTG SGT Sidney V. Hall (RTD); LWG SGT Thomas J. Reino (RTD) RWG SGT Jesse R. Kinney (RTD); TG SGT Frank L. Batterson (RTD)  

Other

Mission #3 B-17F 41-24558, 303BG/359BS

Saint-Nazaire, France 23 November 1942 CREW P 1LT Joseph E. Haas (RTD); CP 2LT Robert S. O'Conner (RTD) N 2LT William J. Anderson (RTD); B 2LT Earl A. Steele (RTD) E/TTG TSGT Bernard H. Koenig (RTD); RO PVT Bernard A. Gergash (RTD) BTG SGT Sidney V. Hall (RTD); LWG SGT Lawrence W. Isham (RTD) RWG SGT Frank L. Batterson (RTD); TG SGT Jack Lucas (RTD) NG SGT Samuel P. Maxwell (RTD)

Other

Mission #4 B-17F 41-24558, 303BG/358BS

Rouen, France 12 December 1942 CREW Command P MAJ Clemens K Wurzbach (RTD); CP 1LT Joseph E. Haas (RTD) N 2LT William J. Anderson (RTD); B 2LT Earl A. Steele (RTD) E/TTG TSGT Bernard H. Koenig (RTD); RO PVT Bernard A. Gergach (RTD) BTG SSGT Harry J. Brode (RTD); LWG SGT Lawrence W. Isham (RTD) RWG SGT Wilmer G. Raesley (RTD); TG SGT Frank L. Batterson (RTD)

Other

Mission #5 B-17F 41-24558, 303BG/358BS

Romilly-sur-Seine, France 20 December 1942 CREW P 1LT Joseph E. Haas (RTD); CP Robert S. O'Conner (RTD) N 2LT Donald L. Grant (RTD); B 2LT Earl A. Steele (RTD) E/TTG TSGT Bernard H. Koenig (RTD); RO PVT Bernard A. Gergash (RTD) BTG SGT Robert H. Smith (RTD) LWG SGT Wilmer G. Raesley (RTD) RWG SGT Lawrence W. Isham (RTD); TG SSGT Frank L. Batterson (RTD)

Other

Mission #6 B-17F 41-24558, 303BG/358BS

Lille, France 13 January 1943 CREW P Joseph E. Haas (RTD); 1LT Merle R. Hungerford, Jr. (RTD) N 2LT William J. Anderson (RTD); B 2LT Earl A. Steele (RTD) E/TTG TSGT Bernard H. Koenig (RTD); RO PVT Bernard H. Gergash (RTD) BTG SGT Robert H. Smith (RTD); LWG SGT Wilmer G. Raesley (RTD) RWG SGT Lawrence W. Isham (RTD); TG SGT Frank L. Batterson (RTD)

Other

Mission #7 B-17F 41-24558, 303BG/358BS AborteAborted

Wilhelmshaven, Germany 27 January 1943 CREW P 1LT James M. McDonald (RTD); CP 2LT Dave L. Rogan (RTD) N 1LT Richard W. Clement (RTD); B 1LT Robert O. Schieble (RTD) E/TTG TSGT David D. Fanning (RTD); RO SSGT Glenn S. Carpenter (RTD) BTG SSGT James E. Bruskotter (RTD); LWG SGT James C. Martin (RTD) RWG SGT Alvin A. Bridges (RTD); TG SSGT Robert W. Sterling (RTD)

Other

Mission #8 B-17F 41-24558, 303BG,358BS Aborted

Hamm, Germany 2 February 1943 CREW P 1LT Robert J. Nolan (RTD); CP 2LT Richard L. Kruse (RTD) N 1LT Anderson, William J (RTD) B 2LT Richard R. Hopper (RTD) E/TTG TSGT Roy J. Hively (RTD); RO SSGT Milton, Hamill (RTD) BTG SGT Jesse R. Kinney (RTD); LWG SGT Lawrence W. Isham (RTD) RWG TSGT Bernard H. Koenig (RTD); TG SGT Emile V. Bitter, Jr. (RTD)

Other

Mission #9 B-17F 42-24558, 303BG/360BS Aborted

Osnabrück, Germany 4 February 1943 CREW P Robert J. Nolan (RTD); CP 2LT Richard L. Kruse (RTD) N 1LT William J. Anderson (RTD); B 2LT Richard R. Hopper (RTD) E/TTG TSGT Roy J. Hively (RTD); RO SSGT Milton Hamill (RTD) BTG SGT Jesse R. Kinney (RTD)(INJ); LWG SGT James P. Goff (RTD) RWG SGT Theodore C. Heaps (RTD); TG SSGT Claude P. Taylor (RTD)

Other

Mission #10 B-17F 41-24558, 303BG/358BS Aborted

Hamm, Germany 14 February 1943 CREW P 1LT Charles N. Austin (RTD); CP 1LT Norbert B. Feldman (RTD) N 1LT Richard G. White (RTD); B 1LT Robert A. Coltrance (RTD) E/TTG SSGT Samuel O. Snipes (RTD); RO SSGT Charles B. Davis (RTD) BTG SGT Delbert Mikkelsen (RTD); LWG SGT Eugene W. Eckard (RTD) RWG SGT Fred O. Deal (RTD); TG SGT Alex LeBlanc (RTD)

Other

Mission #11 B-17F 41-24558, 303BG/358BS

Saint-Nazaire, France 16 February 1943 CREW P 1LT Charles N. Austin (RTD); CP 1LT Norbert B. Feldman (RTD) N 1LT Richard G. White (RTD); B 1LT Robert A. Coltrance (RTD) E/TTG SSGT Samuel O. Snipes (RTD); RO SSGT Charles B. Davis (RTD) BTG SGT Delbert Mikkelsen (RTD); LWG SGT Eugene W. Eckard (RTD) RWG SGT Alex LeBlanc (RTD); TG SGT Fred O. Deal (RTD)

Other

Mission #12 B-17F 41-24558, 303BG/358BS - Aborted

Wilhelmshaven, Germany 26 February 1943 CREW P 1LT Charles N. Austin (RTD); CP 1LT Norbert B. Feldman (RTD) N 1LT Richard G. White (RTD); B 1LT Robert A. Coltrane (RTD) E/TTG SSGT Samuel O. Snipes (RTD); RO SGT Bernard Gergash (RTD) BTG SGT Alex LeBlanc (RTD); LWG SGT Delbert Mikkelson (RTD) RWG SGT Eugene W. Eckard (RTD); TG SGT Fred O. Deal (RTD). Mission aborted when the Bombardier 1LT Coltrane's oxygen mask malfunction and he developed altitude sickness.

Other

Mission #13 B-17F 41-24558, 303BG/358BS

Brest, France 27 February 1943 CREW P 1LT Charles N. Austin (RTD); CP 1LT Norbert B. Feldman (RTD) N 1LT Richard G. White (RTD); B 1LT Robert A. Coltrane (RTD) E/TTG SSGT Samuel O. Snipes (RTD); RO SGT Bernard Gergash (RTD) BTG SGT Alex LeBlanc (RTD); LWG SGT Delbert Mikkelson (RTD) RWG SGT Eugene W. Eckard (RTD); TG SGT Fred O. Deal (RTD).

Other

Mission #14 B-17F 41-24558, 303BG/358BS

Rotterdam, Netherlands 4 March 1943 CREW P 1LT Charles N. Austin (RTD); CP 1LT Norbert B. Feldman (RTD) N 1LT Richard G. White (RTD); B 1LT Robert A. Coltrane (RTD) E/TTG SSGT Samuel O. Snipes (RTD); RO SGT Bernard Gergash (RTD) BTG SGT Alex LeBlanc (RTD); LWG SGT Delbert Mikkelson (RTD) RWG SGT Eugene W. Eckard (RTD); TG SGT Fred O. Deal (RTD).

Other

Mission #15 B-17F 41-24558, 303BG/358BS

Rennes, France 8 March 1943 CREW P 1LT Charles N. Austin (RTD); CP 1LT Norbert B. Feldman (RTD) N 1LT Richard G. White (RTD); B 1LT Robert A. Coltrane (RTD) E/TTG SSGT Samuel O. Snipes (RTD); RO SGT Bernard Gergash (RTD) BTG SGT Alex LeBlanc (RTD); LWG SGT Delbert Mikkelson (RTD) RWG SGT Eugene W. Eckard (RTD); TG SGT Fred O. Deal (RTD).

Other

Mission #16 B-17F 41-24558, 303BG/358BS - Aborted

Rouen, France 12 March 1943 CREW P 1LT Robert J. Nolan (RTD); CP 2LT Richard L. Kruse (RTD) N 2LT William J. Anderson (RTD); B 2LT Richard R. Hopper (RTD) E/TTG TSGT Roy J. Hively (RTD); RO TSGT Milton Hamill (RTD) BTG TSGT Roy J. Hively (RTD); LWG SGT James P. Goff (RTD) RWG Lawrence W. Isham (RTD); TG SGT Emile V. Bitter, Jr. (RTD) Mission aborted when the left side of the flexible oxygen line was cut off by the ball turret mechanism. The aircraft lost all oxygen.

Other

Mission #17 B-17F 41-24558, 303BG/358BS

Amiens, France 13 March 1943 P 1LT Charles N. Austin (RTD); CP 1LT Norbert B. Feldman (RTD) N 1LT Richard G. White (RTD); B 1LT Robert A. Coltrane (RTD) E/TTG SSGT Samuel O. Snipes (RTD); RO SGT Bernard Gergash (RTD) BTG SGT Alex LeBlanc (RTD); LWG SGT Delbert Mikkelson (RTD) RWG SGT Eugene W. Eckard (RTD); TG SGT Fred O. Deal (RTD).

Other

Mission #18 B-17F 41-24558, 303BG/358BS Failed to Return (FTR)

Jade Bight, Germany 18 March 1943 CREW P 1LT Charles N. Austin (POW); CP 1LT Norbert B. Feldman (KIA) N 1LT Richard G. White (POW); B 1LT Robert A. Coltrane (KIA) E/TTG SSGT Samuel O. Snipes (POW); RO SGT Bernard A. Gergash (POW) BTG SSGT Alex Le Blanc (KIA); LWG SGT Eugene W. Eckard (POW) RWG SSGT Delbert Mikkelsen (KIA); TG SGT Fred O. Deal (KIA) Shot down by AA fire and fighters and crashed on the Jadebusen flats (Jade Bight) near Wilhelmshaven on a mission to bomb the submarine construction yards at Vegesack, Germany.

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added association to the 358BS listed in the description section for A/C #41-24558.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 15-Aug-2015. Added Mission #17 event crew data per 303BG website Mission Report of 13-Mar-43, Gary Moncur, Historian: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/023.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 15-Aug-2015 Added Mission #16 event crew data per 303BG website Mission Report of 12-Mar-43, Gary Moncur, Historian: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/022.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 15-Aug-2015. Added Mission #15 event crew data per 303BG website Mission Report of 8-Mar-43, Gary Moncur, Historian: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/021.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 15-Aug-2015. Added Mission #14 event crew data per 303BG website Mission Report of 4-Mar-43, Gary Moncur, Historian: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/019.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 15-Aug-2015. Added Mission #14 event crew date per 303BG website Mission Report of 27-Feb-43, Gary Moncur, Historian: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/018.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 15-Aug-2015. Added Mission #12 event per 303BG website Mission Report of 26-Feb-43, Gary Moncur, Historian: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/017.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 15-Aug-2015 Added Mission #12 event crew data per 303BG website Mission Report of 26-Feb-43, Garu Moncur, Historian: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/017.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 16-Aug-2015. Added Mission # 12 thru #17 to Description per 303BG website Mission Reports, Gary Moncur, Historian: http://www.303rdbg.com/missions.html

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 5-Aug-2015. Added Mission #11 to Descruption and Mission #11 Biography event crew data per 303BG website Mission Report of 16-Feb-43, Gary Moncur, HIstorian: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/016.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 5-Aug-43 Added Mission #10 to Description and Mission #10 Biography event with crew data per 303BG website Mission Reports, Gary Moncur, Historian: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/015.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 5-Aug-43, Added Mission #9 to Decription and Mission #9 Event crew data per 303BG website Mission Report, Gary Moncur, Historian: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/014.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 5-Aug-2015. Added Mission #8 to Description and Mission #8 Event crew data per 303BG website Mission Reports, Gary Moncur, Historian: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/013.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 4-Aug-2015. Added Mission #7 to Description and Mission #7 crew data to Biography per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunnningham 4-Aug-2015. Added Mission #6 to Description and Mission #6 crew details to Biography per 303BG website, Mission Report od 13-Jan-43, Gary Moncur, Historian: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/010.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 3-Aug-2015 Added Mission #5 to Description and Mission #5 crew data to Biography per 303BG website, Mission Report of 20-Dec-42, Gary Moncur, Historian: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/006.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 3-Aug-43. Added Mission #4 to Description and Mission #4 crew data to Biogrpahy per 303BG website, Mission Report of 12-Dec-42, Gary Moncyr, Historian: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/006.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 3-Aug-43. Added Mission 3# to Description and Mission #3 crew data to Biography per 303 BG website, Mission Repoert of 23 Nov-42, Gary Moncur, Historian: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/004.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 3-Aug-2015. Added Mission #2 to Description and Mission #2 crew to Biography per 303BG website, Mission Report of 18-Nov-42, Gary Moncur, Historian: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/002.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 3-Aug-2015. Added 17-Nov-43 Mission #1 and Biography Mission #1 crew list per 303BG website Mission Report of 17-Nov-43, Gary Moncur, Historian: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/001.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 3-Aug-2015. Added nickname, markings, edited Description, converting dates to military-style signification, and loaa and Mission details per "Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces", Stan Bishop & John A. Hey MBE; made connection to Place within existing website data; Made connections to all mission participation based on 303rd Bomb Group Mission Reports 303BG website, Gray Moncur, Historian: http://www.303rdbg.com/missions.html; Added FTR event note per MACR 15149; Added crew position, rank, full proper name and disposition of crew members for 18-Mar-43 Mission and formatted crew display per MACR 15149.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 15149 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database