Richard L Kruse
Military![Personnel of the 303rd Bomb Group play cards between raids. A censor has obscured the insignia on the airman's jacket. Image stamped on reverse: 'Copyright Current Affairs Ltd.' [stamp], Passed for publication 9 Apr 1943.' [stamp] and '257513.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'Standing on left watching a card game "somewhere in England", 2nd Lieut (Pilot) Richard L. Kruse, of 990 Clark Rd. Ypsilanti, Michigan, has a right to express his views on labour questions. Having won the Air Medal and two](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/wysiwyg_x2/public/freeman/media-378844.jpg.webp?itok=tqyLoesF)
Assocaited Freeman Collection image from caption information Richard L. Kruse.
Object Number - FRE 976 - Personnel of the 303rd Bomb Group play cards between raids. A censor has obscured the insignia on the airman's jacket. Image stamped on reverse:...
15-Sep-42 Assigned as Co-Pilot to B-17F #41-24539 [VK-K] "Jersey Bounce", 303BG/358BS at Kellogg Field, Battle Creek, Michigan. 10-Oct-42 moved with aircraft and crew to Dow Field, Bangor, Maine in preparation for deployment ovreseas. 16-Oct-42 Arrived at Molesworth, UK aboard "Jersey Bounce".
26-Jul-43 Completed 25-Mission tour.
Mission Participations (UNDER CONSTRUCTION) See Biography events.
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Jersey Bounce
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Hunga Dunga
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
![B-17 Flying Fortresses, including (VK-H, serial number 41-24606) nicknamed "Werewolf", of the 303rd Bomb Group. On reverse: US Army Examiner [Stamp].](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-407638.jpg.webp?itok=wKegK58S)
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Werewolf
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 401st Bomb Group 91st Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Two Beauts
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Jersey Bounce Jr
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
Missions
- Date: 31 March 1943
- Date: 28 March 1943
- Date: 22 March 1943
- Date: 13 March 1943
- Date: 12 March 1943
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Other Assigned to Aircraft |
Battle Creek, MI, USA | 15 September 1942 | Assigned as Co- Pilot to B-17F 41-24539 "Jersey Bounce", 303BG/358BS at Kellogg Field, Battle Creek, Michigan. |
|
Other Station Transfer |
Bangor, ME, USA | 10 October 1942 | Transferred with B-17F 41-24539 "Jersey Bounce", 303BG/358B to Dow Field, Bangor, Maine in preparation for deployment to the UK. |
|
Other Arrived in UK |
Molesworth, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE28, UK | 16 October 1942 | Arrived at Molesworth, UK as Co-Pilot aboard B-17F 41-24539 "Jersey Bounce", 303BG/358B |
|
Other Mission #1, 2LT Richard L. Kruse, w/B-17F 41-24539, 303BG/358BS |
Saint-Nazaire, France | 17 November 1942 | Served as Pilot of B-17F 41-24539 "Jersey Bounce", 303BG/358B on a mission to bomb the U-Boat pens at St. Nazaire, France. RTB OK. |
|
Other Mission #2, 2LT Richard L. Kruse, w/B-17F 41-24539, 303BG/358BS |
Lorient, France | 22 November 1942 | Served as Co-Pilot of B-17F 41-24539 "Jersey Bounce", 303BG/358B on a mission to bomb the U-Boat pens at Lorient, France. RTB OK. |
|
Other Mission #3, 2LT Richard L. Kruse, w/B-17F 41-24539, 303BG/358BS |
Lille, France | 6 December 1942 | Served as Co-Pilot of B-17F 41-24539 "Jersey Bounce", 303BG/358B on a mission to bomb the carriage and wagon works at Lille, France. RTB OK. |
|
Other Mission #4, 2LT Richard L. Kruse, w/B-17F 41-24539, 303BG/358BS |
Rouen, France | 12 December 1942 | Served as Co-Pilot of B-17F 41-24539 "Jersey Bounce", 303BG/358B on a mission to bomb the railroad marsahlling yeards at Roeun, France. RTB OK. |
|
Other Mission #5, 2LT Richard L. Kruse, w/B-17F 41-24606, 303BG/358BS |
Saint-Nazaire, France | 3 January 1943 | Served as Co-Pilot of B-17F 41-24606 "Werewolf", 303BG/358B on a mission to bomb the U-Boat pens at St. Nazaire, France. RTB OK. |
|
Other Mission #6, 2LT Richard L. Kruse, w/B-17F 41-24539, 303BG/358BS |
Wilhelmshaven, Germany | 27 January 1943 | Served as Co-Pilot of B-17F 41-24539 "Jersey Bounce", 303BG/358B on a mission to bomb the naval facilities and U-Boat pens at Wilhelmshaven, Germany. RTB OK. |
|
Other Mission #7, 2LT Richard L. Kruse, w/B-17F 41-24558, 303BG/358BS - Aborted |
Hamm, Germany | 2 February 1943 | Served as Co-Pilot of B-17F 41-24558 "Hunga Dunga", 303BG/358B on a mission to bomb the railroad marshalling yards at Hamm, Germany, but mechanical failures forced the pilot to abort the sortie. RTB OK. |
|
Other Mission #8, 2LT Richard L. Kruse, w/B-17F 41-24558, 303BG/358BS - Aborted |
Osnabrück, Germany | 4 February 1943 | Served as Co-Pilot of B-17F 41-24558 "Hunga Dunga", 303BG/358B on a mission to bomb the industrial areas of Osnabruck, Germany, but mechanical failures forced him to abort the sortie. RTB OK. |
|
Other Mission #9, 2LT Richard L. Kruse, w/B-17F 41-24539, 303BG/358BS |
Brest, France | 27 February 1943 | Served as Co-Pilot of B-17F 41-24539 "Jersey Bounce", 303BG/358B on a mission to bomb the U-Boat pens at Brest, France. RTB OK |
|
Other Mission #10, 2LT Richard L. Kruse, w/B-17F 41-24539, 303BG/358BS |
Rotterdam, Netherlands | 4 March 1943 | Served as Co-Pilot of B-17F 41-24539 "Jersey Bounce", 303BG/358B on a mission to bomb the railroad marshalling yards at Rotterdam, Holland. RTB OK. |
|
Other Mission #11, 2LT Richard L. Kruse, w/B-17F 41-24539, 303BG/358BS |
Lorient, France | 6 March 1943 | Served as Co-Pilot of B-17F 41-24539 "Jersey Bounce", 303BG/358B on a mission to bomb the U-Boat pens at Lorient, France. RTB OK. |
|
Other Mission #12, 2LT Richard L. Kruse, w/B-17F 41-24539, 303BG/358BS |
Rennes, France | 8 March 1943 | Served as Co-Pilot of B-17F 41-24539 "Jersey Bounce", 303BG/358B on a mission to bomb the railroad marshalling yards at Rennes, France. RTB OK. |
|
Other Mission #13, 2LT Richard L. Kruse, w/B-17F 41-24558, 303BG/358BS - Aborted |
Rouen, France | 12 March 1943 | Served as Co-Pilot of B-17F 41-24558 "Hunga Dunga", 303BG/358B on a mission to bomb the railroad marshalling yards at Rouen, France. RTB OK. |
|
Other Mission #14, 2LT Richard L. Kruse, w/B-17F 42-5432, 303BG/358BS |
Amiens, France | 13 March 1943 | Served as Co-Pilot of B-17F 42-5432 "The Hunting Club", 303BG/358B on a mission to bomb the railroad marshalling yards at Amiens, France. RTB OK. |
|
Other Mission #15, 2LT Richard L. Kruse, w/B-17F 42-29573, 303BG/358BS |
Wilhelmshaven, Germany | 22 March 1943 | Served as Co-Pilot of B-17F 42-29573 "Two Beauts", 303BG/358B on a mission to bomb the U-Boat construction yards at Wilhelmshaven, Germany. RTB OK. |
|
Other Mission #16, 2LT Richard L. Kruse, w/B-17F 42-29573, 303BG/358BS |
Rouen, France | 28 March 1943 | Served as Co-Pilot of B-17F 42-29573 "Two Beauts", 303BG/358B on a mission to bomb the railroad marshalling yards at Rouen, France. RTB OK. |
|
Other Mission #16, 2LT Richard L. Kruse, w/B-17F 42-29664, 303BG/358BS |
Rotterdam, Netherlands | 31 March 1943 | Served as Co-Pilot of B-17F 42-29664 "Jersey Bounce, Jr.", 303BG/358B on a mission to bomb the shipyards at Rotterdam, Holland. RTB OK. |
Revisions
Added a "#" to the A/C serial number in the "Summary biography" to aid clarity.
Lee Cunningham 11-Mar-2016. Added Mission #17 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 31-Mar-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/027.pdf
Lee Cunningham 11-Mar-2016. Added Mission #16 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 28-Mar-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/026.pdf
Lee Cunningham 11-Mar-2016. Added Mission #15 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 22-Mar-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/025.pdf
Lee Cunningham 11-Mar-2016. Added Mission #14 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 13-Mar-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/023.pdf
Lee Cunningham 11-Mar-2016. Added Mission #13 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 12-Mar-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/022.pdf
Lee Cunningham 11-Mar-2016. Added Mission #12 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 8-Mar-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/021.pdf
Lee Cunningham 11-Mar-2016. Added Mission #11 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 6-Mar-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/020.pdf
Lee Cunningham 11-Mar-2016. Added Mission #10 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 4-Mar-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/019.pdf
Lee Cunningham 11-Mar-2016. Added Mission #9 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 27-Feb-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/018.pdf
Lee Cunningham 11-Mar-2016. Added Mission #8 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 4-Feb-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/014.pdf
Lee Cunningham 11-Mar-2016. Added Mission #7 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 2-Feb-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/013.pdf
Lee Cunningham 11-Mar-2016. Added Mission #6 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 27-Jan-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/012.pdf
Lee Cunningham 11-Mar-2016. Added Mission #5 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 3-Jan-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/009.pdf
Lee Cunningham 11-Mar-2016. Added Mission #4 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 12-Dec-42: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/006.pdf
Lee Cunningham 11-Mar-2016. Added Mission #3 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 6-Dec-42: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/005.pdf
Lee Cunningham 11-Mar-2016. Added Mission #2 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 22-Nov-42: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/003.pdf
Lee Cunningham 11-Mar-2016. Added Mission #1 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 17-Nov-42: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/001.pdf
Lee Cunningham 11-Mar-2016. Added Arrived in UK event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Robert J. Nolan crew page: http://www.303rdbg.com/c-358-nolan.html
Lee Cunningham 11-Mar-2016. Added Station Transfer event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Robert J. Nolan crew page: http://www.303rdbg.com/c-358-nolan.html
Lee Cunningham 11-Mar-2016. Added Assigned to Aircraft event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Robert J. Nolan crew page: http://www.303rdbg.com/c-358-nolan.html
Lee Cunningham 11-Mar-2016. Added initial assignment, arrival in UK, 25-Mission completion statement nad Missions pariticpation statement to Summary Biography; Made connections to Place and Missions from 17-No-42 through 31-Mar-43 per 303BG website, Gary Moncur., Historian, Robert J.Nolan crew page: http://www.303rdbg.com/c-358-nolan.html
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / http://www.303rdbg.com/358kruse.html
![Personnel of the 303rd Bomb Group play cards between raids. A censor has obscured the insignia on the airman's jacket. Image stamped on reverse: 'Copyright Current Affairs Ltd.' [stamp], Passed for publication 9 Apr 1943.' [stamp] and '257513.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'Standing on left watching a card game "somewhere in England", 2nd Lieut (Pilot) Richard L. Kruse, of 990 Clark Rd. Ypsilanti, Michigan, has a right to express his views on labour questions. Having won the Air Medal and two](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-378844.jpg.webp?itok=4YkHobFO)
