Albert Dobsa

Military
Second Lieutenant A.C. Dobsa of the 91st Bomb Group, on his return to Bassingbourn after the Antwerp raid, 6 April 1943. Passed for publication 6 Apr 1943. Printed caption on reverse of print: 'Photo Shows - 2nd Lieut. A.C. Dobsa of New York City (Bombardier) with a dirty face but smiling happily on his return from the Antwerp raid. He also took part in Sunday's raid on Paris. And April 6th 1943 PN. On reverse: Planet News Ltd and US Army Press Censorship Bureau [Stamps]. Print No: 256835. Press caption f media-408142.jpg FRE 3563 Second Lieutenant A.C. Dobsa of the 91st Bomb Group, on his return to Bassingbourn after the Antwerp raid, 6 April 1943. Passed for publication 6 Apr 1943. Printed caption on reverse of print: 'Photo Shows - 2nd Lieut. A.C. Dobsa of New York City (Bombardier) with a dirty face but smiling happily on his return from the Antwerp raid. He also took part in Sunday's raid on Paris. And April 6th 1943 PN. On reverse: Planet News Ltd and US Army Press Censorship Bureau [Stamps]. Print No: 256835. Press caption for image series: ‘EXCLUSIVE PICTURES AS CREWS RETURN FROM RAID. Night and Day air blitz of enemy continues. “Forts” smash Axis factories at Antwerp. Raid carried out by crews who took part in Paris raid previous day. The greatest air offensive in history is being carried out by the Anglo-American air forces. For 72 hours bombs have been crashing down on Hitler’s Europe in the West almost nonstop. Axis Factories, ports and shipping have felt the weight of allied bombs. On Sunday American Fortresses raided the Renault works at Billancourt, near Paris with telling effect. . On Monday the same crews took part in a smashing attacked on the Erla plane engine works at Antwerp, where Minerva car engines used to be made. In addition to the great damage inflicted by the heavy weight of the bombs a number of German Fighters were shot down by the bombers. One of the American Fortresses piloted by 1st Lieut Harold H Beasley of Andalusia, Alabama shot down four German fighters in the Paris raid and another one during the Antwerp Raid. NOTE TO CENSOR: This is the general story for the series of pictures herewith. Each of which bears its individual descriptive caption. Planet News. USAF Facility Visit. 6 Apr 1943.’ Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 3563 - Second Lieutenant A.C. Dobsa of the 91st Bomb Group, on his return to Bassingbourn after the Antwerp raid, 6 April 1943. Passed for publication 6 Apr...

Shot down 17 April 1943 in B-17 #425337 'Short Snorter III. ' Target was Bremen, but a/c was attacked by fighters and flak. Plane ditched in North Sea. 2 survivors were picked up 11 miles north-west of the German island of Norderney. Prisoner of War (POW) in Stalag Luft 1.



POW

Connections

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Units served with

Unofficial emblem of the 91st Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 401st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 37114199
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 401st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 35274442
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 401st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-729640
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 401st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 31112002
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 401st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 31074431
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Short Snorter III
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 401st Bomb Squadron

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Captured

Norderney, Germany 17 April 1943 After Dobsa's aircraft ditched into the North Sea, he was picked up 11 miles north-west of the German island of Norderney.

Born

New York State

Revisions

Date
ContributorHacking
Changes
Sources

Hans

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Sources

Associated Dobsa to Bassingbourn where the 91st Bomb Group were based in the UK.
Associated FRE 3563 to Dobsa.

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Sources

Added the ditching as an Event in Dobsa's entry.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 16090, Losses of the 8th and 9th Air Forces Vol. 1 p. 105 by Bishop and Hey, The Ragged Irregulars of Bassingborn p. 38 by Havelaar, NARA

Albert Dobsa: Gallery (1 items)