8th Air Force
Eighth Air Force Bomber Command became the Eighth Air Force on February 1944, it oversaw bombardment of strategic targets in Europe until 1945.
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42-2973
B-17 Flying Fortress
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Two airmen of the 303rd Bomb Group admire the nose art of a B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Iza Vailable". Printed caption removed from reverse. On reverse: Keystone Press Agency, 'Sacred' and U.S. Official Photograph O.W.I. [Stamps].
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42-2973 Iza Vailable
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"Boeing B-17 crashing in channel near Fe Camp, France." - Top right B-17F 42-2973 'Iza Vailable' 360BS, 303BG, 8AF.
Assigned 360BS/303BG [PU-G] Presque Is 27/11/42; Molesworth 13/12/42; Returned to the USA 2/7/44; Reconstruction Finance Corporation (sold for scrap metal in USA) Arledge 22/11/44. IZA VAILABLE.
Service
Units
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303rd Bomb Group
Group
The 303rd Bombardment Group (Heavy) was activated on 3-Feb-1942 at Pendleton Field, Oregon. They assembled at Gowen Field, Idaho on 11-February 1942 where it conducted flight training until 12-Jun-1942. The Group then moved to Alamogordo Field, New... -
360th Bomb Squadron
Squadron
People
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Arthur Adams
Military | Captain | Pilot | 303rd Bomb Group
26-Jul-42 Assigned as Pilot of B-17F 41-24563 [PU-H] "Garbage", 303BG/360BS with crew at Alamogordo Field, Alamogordo, New Mexico with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. 16-Oct-42 Arrived at Molesworth, UK, aboard "Garbage". ... -
Robert Cogswell
Military | Major | Pilot | 303rd Bomb Group
Assigned to 360BS, 303BG, 8AF USAAF. Survived a ditching, emergency landing and finally a bale out. Medically grounded after aborting a mission on 26-Sep-43 due to back injuries during the bail-out. Transferred to Squadron/Group Operations. ... -
Harvie Collins
Military | Staff Sergeant | Right Waist Gunner, Waist Gunner | 303rd Bomb Group
23-Jun-42 Assigned as an Aerial Gunner on B-17F 41-24620 [PU-O],"Snap!, Crackle!" Pop!" 303BG/360BS at Alamogordo Field, Alamogordo, New Mexico but did not arrive at Molesworth with the rest of the crew. 303BG records do not indicate when he arrived at... -
Eddie Deerfield
Military | Technical Sergeant | Radio Operator | 303rd Bomb Group
Credited with 30 missions. First on 10-Jul-43 to Poux, France. Last on 11-May-44 to Saarbrucken, Germany. Flew most often with Captain Robert Cogswell at controls of B-17 Flying Fortress 'Iza Vailable'. ... -
Edward Durant
Military | Staff Sergeant | Right Waist Gunner | 303rd Bomb Group
26-Jul-42 Assigned as Aerial Gunner of B-17F 41-24563 [PU-H] "Garbage", 303BG/360BS at Alamogordo Field, Alamogordo, New Mexico. 16-Oct-42 Arrived at Molesworth, UK, aboard "Garbage". ... -
Kent Fitzsimmons
Military | Second Lieutenant | Co-Pilot | 303rd Bomb Group
24-Jul-42 Assigned to B-17F #42-24579 'Thumper" 303BG/360BS as a Co-Pilot during Group Advanced Training at Alamogordo, New Mexico. 16-Oct-42 Arrived with B-17F #42-24579 'Thumper" aircraft at Molesworth, UK. Flew as Co-Pilot on his missions #1 -5 on ... -
Milton Fonorow
Military | First Lieutenant | Bombardier | 303rd Bomb Group
23-Jun-42 Assigned as Navigator of B-17F 41-24620 [PU-O] "Snap! Crackle! Pop!, 303BG/360BS at Alamogordo, New Mexico. 15-Oct-42 Arrived at Molesworth, UK aboard B-17F 41-24620. Mission participation (UNDER CONSTRUCTION) See Biography events -
Jacob Fredericks
Military | Major | Pilot | 303rd Bomb Group
23-Jun-42 Assigned as Pilot of B-17F 41-24620 [PU-O] "Snap! Crackle! Pop!, 303BG/360BS with crew at Alamogordo Field, Alamogordo, New Mexico with the rank of Captain. 15-Oct-42 Arrived at Molesworth, UK aboard B-17F 41-24620. ... -
James Gordon
Military | Staff Sergeant | Tail Gunner | 303rd Bomb Group
26-Jul-42 Assigned as Aerial Gunner of B-17F 41-24563 [PU-H] "Garbage", 303BG/360BS at Alamogordo Field, Alamogordo, New Mexico. 16-Oct-42 Arrived at Molesworth, UK, aboard "Garbage". ... -
Dennis Hart
Military | Staff Sergeant | Engineer/Top Turret Gunner | 303rd Bomb Group
26-Jul-42 Asssigned as Engineer/Top Turret Gunner of B-17F 41-24563 [PU-H] "Garbage", 303BG/360BS at Alamogordo Field, Alamogordo, New Mexico. 16-Oct-42 Arrived at Molesworth, UK aboard "Garbage". ...
Missions
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VIII Bomber Command 27
30 December 1942
The U-Boat pens at Lorient, France are the target for this mission. A combined force of 77 B-17s are despatched by 91BG (19); 303BG (16); 305BG (13) and 306BG (18). Only 40 are effective on the target. All but 1 B-17 from the 18 despatched by 306BG is... -
VIII Bomber Command 29
13 January 1943
The primary target for this mission is the Atclier d'Hellemmes locomotive works, associated steel works and the railroad marshalling yards at Lille, France. The attacking force is composed of 72 B-17s from: 91BG (13); 303BG (19); 305BG (23) and 306BG ... -
VIII Bomber Command 34
14 February 1943
The marshalling yards at Hamm, Germany are once again slated at the primary target for this mission. A force of 74 B-17s are despatched: 91BG (20); 303BG (17); 305BG (17); 306BG (20), but weather once again forces the mission to be recalled before... -
VIII Bomber Command 35
15 February 1943
The port area of Dunkirk, France and any merchant vessels there are designated as the primary target of this mission. A total of 23 B-24s are despatched: 44BG (17) and 93BG (6). 21 are effective on the target, but 2 from 44BG are listed MIA and another... -
VIII Bomber Command 37
26 February 1943
After 10 days of weather related delays of the bomber offensive, a mission is organised with the port facilities of Emden, Germany as the primary target. However, Emden is obscured by cloud cover and all formations divert to attack the port facilities... -
VIII Bomber Command 38
27 February 1943
With weather and cloud cover continuing to frustrate bombing efforts against targets in Northern Germany, VIII Bomber Command decides to mount a raid against the harbour facilities at Brest, France. A total of 60 B-17s are destached: 91BG (18); 303BG ... -
VIII Bomber Command 40
6 March 1943
German U-boats continue to attack convoys headed fro Great Britain in the North Atlantic with good success. Many of the U-boat packs operate from St. Nazaire, Lorient and Brest, France, so destroying harbour facilities at these locations remain a... -
VIII Bomber Command 41
8 March 1943
The railroad marshalling yards at Rennes and Rouen, France are the primary targets for this mission. A formation comprised of 67 B-17s: 91BG (14); 303BG (19); 305BG (16) and 306BG (18) is despatched to bomb at Rennes. Conditions are good with no cloud... -
VIII Bomber Command 42
12 March 1943
The railroad marshalling yards at Rouen/Sotteville, France is the primary target for 72 B-17s. 91BG (18); 303BG (18) ; 305BG (17) and 306BG (19). Of this formation, 63 are effective on the target. There are no aircraft losses or claims on enemy... -
VIII Bomber Command 47
28 March 1943
The railroad marshalling yards at Rouen/Sotteville are the primary target. 79 B-17s are despatched: 91BG (22); 303BG (18); 305BG (19); 306BG (20). Of the 79 B-17's despatched 70 are effecrive on the target. One B-17 is MIA and 9 are damaged. The bomber...
Places
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Molesworth
Military site : airfield
Molesworth was one of the early stations used by the Eighth Air Force in the UK, first occupied by the 15th Bomb Squadron’s Douglas Bostons in June 1942. Built in 1940 and extended and improved in 1942, Molesworth is most associated with the 303rd... -
Presque Isle Army Airfield
Military site : airfield
Events
Not yet known
Revisions
| Date | Contributor | Update |
|---|---|---|
| 11 May 2020 19:53:37 | CastleBren | Changes to production block number, manufacturer, nicknames, markings, unit associations and mission associations |
| Sources | ||
303rd Bomb Group records |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 14 September 2017 19:21:52 | Al_Skiff | Changes to media associations |
| Sources | ||
Roger Freeman Photo. |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 19 December 2016 15:53:01 | Yorkshireman | Changes to nicknames |
| Sources | ||
Hutchinson & Cortright |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 27 September 2014 18:40:23 | AAM | AAM ingest |
| Sources | ||
Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log |
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