Page 161 of the 401st Bomb Group unit history. Many of the 8th Air Force Groups produced an unofficial unit history in the months after the war ended in Europe but before they were redeployed out of the ETO (European Theater of Operations). Resembling a college yearbook, unit histories were an unofficial – and often tongue-in-cheek – record of the unit’s time based in the UK. They include photo montages showing different aspects of base life. Often the servicemen in the photos are unnamed. The American Air Museum hopes that by adding unit histories to the website as individual pages, the men in the photos will be identified and associated to their person entries. Many included lists of personnel and a mailing address, providing a means for servicemen to keep in contact with each other after the war. These lists are now incredibly useful records of where US airmen in England in 1945 called their home.

The first crew of the 401st Bomb Group to return to the home base in England after a raid on Berlin, Germany, pose beside their plane - the Boeing B-17 'Fool's Luck'. They are, (Left To Right) Back Row: F/Sgt. Jesse H. Lehr, Radio Operator, S/Sgt. Pete D. Henderson waist gunner, 1Lt Donald M Anderson Bombardier, Capt Jere Maupin co-pilot, Capt James J Goodman pilot, 1Lt Robert J Ramsey tail gunner. Front Row: T/Sgt John O Farmer ball turret gunner, S/Sgt Burton A Markle waist gunner, T/Sgt Foster E Dewees top turret gunner and 2Lt Frank P Fraoli navigator. 6th March 1944.

401st Bomb Group, Mission No. 12, 5 Jan 1944, Tours, France. All aircraft returned from mission by 1452 hours. Colonel Rogner expressed his pleasure with the way the crews kept close formation to and from the target.

401st Bomb Group, Mission No. 14, 11 Jan 1944, Oschersleben, Germany. This was one of the greatest air battles of World War II. The Group put up the most aircraft to date as part of a maximum effort. German resistance was fierce, involving heavy flak, dozens of fighters and balloon mines. The Group shot down a number of Luftwaffe fighters. It was on this mission that Major James Howard, a P-51 pilot, remained after all other U.S. fighters had left and engaged a swarm of Luftwaffe fighters attacking the 401st, for which he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. Aircraft piloted by Lt. S.G. Nason ("Pee-Tey-Kuh" #42-31033), Lt. H. J. Chapman ("Carolina Queen #42-37809), Capt. J. H. Foster (#42-39969) and Lt. D.C. Sprecher (#42-39893)were shot down by either fighters or flak. Due to bad weather on return, all aircraft were diverted to a number of other bases

401st Bomb Group, Mission No. 16, 21 Jan 1944, Pas De Calais. 23 operational aircraft were off by 1230. All planes returned safely by 1554 hours. This short mission was to the French rocket coast. It was a successful mission, with no enemy opposition.

401st Bomb Group, Mission No. 17, 29 Jan 1944, Frankfurt, Germany. 35 aircraft were airborne by 0849 but five aborted the mission and returned. Air Raid warning sounded. The Group encountered heavy flak and fighters, resulting in the loss of four aircraft and crews, while three aircraft landed at Deenethorpe with wounded aboard. The crews lost were those of Lt. J. Tannahill (#42-31486),Lt. D. T. Nicklawsky (#42-40057), Capt. R. W. Beers ("Little Boots" #42-31193) and Lt. L. G. Van Syckle (#42-38012).

401st Bomb Group, Mission No. 18, 30 Jan 1944, Brunswick, Germany. All aircraft returned by 1547 except # 856, shot down over the target. Lt. Col. Rogner and the 401st led the Combat Wing on this mission, which culminated 72 hours of the greatest bombing assault ever staged over Europe. Over 800 U. S. heavy bombers were engaged the operation, and 1,800 tons of bombs were dropped. Aircraft "Fancy Nancy III" (42-37856)piloted by Lt. R. R. Rohner,was shot down over the target by an FW-190.

401st Bomb Group, Mission No. 19, 3 Feb 1944, Wilhelmshaven, Germany. Over 1,100 fighters and bombers participated in the attack on the great port and fighter base at Wilhelmshaven. The 401st emerged unscathed, and the results of bombing were good. This was the first Group lead for "Hi Ho" Silver, who later became Deputy Commanding Officer of the 401st. All aircraft down safely by 1540 hours.

401st Bomb Group, Mission No. 20, 4 Feb 1944, Frankfurt, Germany. 31 aircraft off on operations by 0901 hours. All but one of the operational aircraft had landed by 1614 hours. In spite of intense flak, the Group ploughed through a heavy overcast in 45 degree below zero weather to successfully bomb the target. Lt. Frank J. Zitkovic's crew, flying "Nobody's Baby" (#42-31036), was hit by flak and went down. None of the crew survived.

401st Bomb Group, Mission No. 21, 5 Feb 1944, Chateauroux, France. The results of bombing Chateauroux Airfield were excellent. Pictures of 401st bombs striking the target appeared in Stars and Stripes and in London newspapers. They showed the target completely demolished. One aircraft, "Nasty Habit", was landed safely on three engines by its co-pilot, Lt. George Hellmuth, and engineer, Sgt. James Bailey, both of whom were wounded, after the pilot, Lt. Harry Piper, was severely wounded. Hellmuth and Bailey both passed out after landing the aircraft. Upon return all aircraft were accounted for by 1439 hours--23 at Deenthorpe, one at Gravesend with three wounded, and one at Abingdon with one dead (Sgt. Fatcia) and two seriously wounded (Sgts. Minor and Moneybaker).