8th Air Force 178

7 January 1944
media-44034.jpeg UPL 44034 8th air force mission 178; 7/1/44; Ludwigshafen 447th Bomb Group collection

Timothy Motz, from Pictorial History of the 447th Bombardment Group (H) https://www.americanairmuseum.com/media/41056

Object Number - UPL 44034 - 8th air force mission 178; 7/1/44; Ludwigshafen

Description

The industrial areas of Ludwigshaven, Germany are the primary target for this mission. The formation has three elements. The bomber gunners of the entire force claim 30-6-17 of attacking German aircraft.

The first element is a combined force of 172 B-17s from 3rd Bomb Division: 94BG; 95BG; 96BG; 100BG; 358BG; 388BG; 390BG; and 447BG. 167 are effective on the target. 2 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) - 11 KIA 7POW 2EVD. 2 aircraft are Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR) of these, 1 crashes shortly after take-off at Wilby, UK but crew bale out safely - 10RTD; 1 with battle damage makes a crashlanding at Honington, UK - 10RTD. 18 aircraft are damaged. In addition to MIA aircraft casualties, 1 airman is KIA and 1 is WIA.

The second element is a combined force of 210 B-17s from 1st Bomb Division: 91BG; 92BG; 303BG; 305BG; 306BG; 351BG; 379BG; 381BG; 384BG; and 401BG. 184 are effective on the target. 3 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) - 10KIA 18POW. 1 aircraft is Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR) shortly after take-off when it is caught in the prop wash of others in the formation. The aircraft comes apart over Lutham Bridge, UK - 6 KIA 4 bale out RTD. Other casualties in returning aircraft include 6 airmen KIA and 7 WIA. 86 aircraft are damaged.

The third element is a combined force of 120 B-24s from 2nd Air Division: 93BG; 389BG; 392BG; 445BG; and 446BG. 69 are effective on the target. 7 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) - 28KIA 16POW 17EVD 10INT. 2 returning aircraft were Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR) 5KIA 10RTD. In addition, other casualties in returning aircraft were 4KIA and 5WIA. 18 aircraft were damaged.

Mission Details

LUDWIGSHAFEN (Primary)

Description: I.G. FARBEN PLANT. This element is composed of B-24s from 2nd Air Division.The bomber gunners of the entire formation of B-17s and B-24s claim 30-6-17 of attacking enemy aircraft.

Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator

Notes: One B-24 of this element dropped on a Target of Opportunity. The 44th Bomb Group and the 448th Bomb Group abandoned the mission at the Dutch coast after failing to reach altitude and were being out-distanced by the rest of the formation. The 445th Bomb Group was commanded by MAJ James Stewart, the Hollywood actor, on this mission.

The insignia of the 389th Bomb Group.

389th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 392nd Bomb Group.

392nd Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
A pathfinder B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-51681) of the 453rd Bomb Group flies in formation with a fellow Liberator of the 453rd and and a pathfinder Liberator of the 445th Bomb Group. Image via Alan Rowsell.

445th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
A flight of B-24 Liberators of the 446th Bomb Group fly in formation above the clouds.

446th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 93rd Bomb Group.

93rd Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 164.43
  • People killed in action: 32
  • People wounded in action: 5
  • People evaded: 17
  • Prisoners of war: 14
  • People interned: 10
  • People returned to duty: 5
  • Enemy aircrafts destroyed by bomber: 30
  • Enemy aircrafts probably destroyed by bomber: 6
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by bomber: 17
  • Aircraft sent: 120
  • Aircraft effective: 69
  • Aircraft missing in action: 7
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 2
  • Aircraft damaged: 18

LUDWIGSHAFEN(Primary)

Description: I.G. FARBEN PLANT. This is a combined formation of B-17s from 3rd Air Division.

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Three airmen of the 100th Bomb Group, Lieutenant Kenneth Menzie, Lieutenant Donald Strout and Lieutenant Norman Scott, plan the route they will take during the next mission in their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30380). Image stamped on reverse: 'Reviewed and passed U.S. Army 23 Aug 1943 Press Censor E.T.O. U.S.A.' [stamp]'. Passed for publication 23 August 1943 INTLD 16 General Section Press Censorship Bureau '[stamp], 'Associated Press' [stamp] and '280035.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reve

100th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 385th Bomb Group.

385th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 388th Bomb Group.

388th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 390th Bomb Group.

390th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 447th Bomb Group.

447th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 397.96
  • People killed in action: 12
  • People wounded in action: 1
  • People evaded: 2
  • Prisoners of war: 7
  • People returned to duty: 20
  • Aircraft sent: 172
  • Aircraft effective: 167
  • Aircraft missing in action: 2
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 2
  • Aircraft damaged: 18

LUDWIGSHAFEN(Primary)

Description: I.G. FARBEN PLANT. This is a combined formation of B-17s from 1st Air Division.

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: Two B-17s of this element bombed Targets of Opportunity.

Official emblem of the 303rd Bomb Group approved 7 November 1942.

303rd Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
Unofficial emblem, 305th Bomb Group.

305th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
Official insignia of the 306th Bomb Group, approved 6 January 1943, and updated 2 October 1951.

306th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 351st Bomb Group.

351st Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 379th Bomb Group.

379th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 438.47
  • People killed in action: 21
  • People wounded in action: 7
  • People evaded: 2
  • Prisoners of war: 22
  • People returned to duty: 4
  • Aircraft sent: 210
  • Aircraft effective: 184
  • Aircraft missing in action: 3
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 2
  • Aircraft damaged: 86

Connections

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

People

Athen Anagnos

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 533rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-809475
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Irvine J Balsam

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group 567th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 12183535
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner

Frank Martin Bessemer

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 412th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18193418
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
Eleven men in Air Force uniform posed in front of a military airplane. Six men standing to the rear, five men kneeling in front. A bundle of cold-weather flying gear is laying in front of kneeling men

Doyle Herman Blankenship

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 33213036
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant (Technician Third Grade)
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner

Bernard Brooks

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 560th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 12159739
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant (Technician Third Grade)
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner

Aircraft

41-24525

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: What's Cookin' Doc
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron 305th Bomb Group 422nd Bomb Squadron
Ground crew work of the 303rd Bomb Group work on the engines of a B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "The Duchess". Passed for publication 20 Jan 1944. Printed caption on reverse: 'Famous Fortresses. Associated Press Photo Shows:- Ground crewmen at work on the Fortress "Duchess", which has already been on 50 missions over enemy territory. They are (left to right, lower): Sgt. Clyde L. Dewald, of 200 E Union St., Schnykill Haven, Penn.; and Sgt. James C. Hicks, of Rowtob, Henderson, K.Y.; (Upper) Cpl. Charles

41-24561

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: The Duchess, Sure Stuff
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
A 365th Bomb Squadron, 305th Bomb Group B-17 Flying Fortress (XK-R, serial number 41-24578) taxiis to take off from Chelveston airbase. Passed for publication 30 Jun 1943. Handwritten caption on reverse: '124578, XK:R.' Printed caption on reverse: 'At A Fortress Station In Britain. From an American base in Britain the Flying Fortresses carry out operational activities which result in terrible blows against the German industrial war machine. This series of pictures shows scenes at a Flying Fortresses stati

41-24578

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Problem Child : Old Reliable
  • Unit: Base Air Depot 1 547th Bomb Squadron 384th Bomb Group 305th Bomb Group 367th Bomb Squadron

41-24587

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Bad Check
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron

42-29632

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Cased Ace
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron 305th Bomb Group 422nd Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
ChangesChanges to event. Changes to Media. Changes to Media
Sources

Lee Cunningham 21-Dec-2015. Added 1st Air Division note to Event Details.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
ChangesChanges to event
Sources

Lee Cunningham 21-Dec-2015. Added 3rd Air Division note to Event Details.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
ChangesChanges to event
Sources

Lee Cunningham 21-Dec-2015. Added 2nd BD to Event Description.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
ChangesChanges to event
Sources

Lee Cunningham 21-Dec-2015. Added bomber gunner claims to Statistics per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
ChangesChanges to name and description
Sources

Lee Cunningham 21-Dec-2015. Added Mission Narrative based on "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman; casualties summed from MACRs and "Losses of the 8th & 9th AIr Forces", Stan Bishop & John A. Hey, MBE.

Date
ContributorAAM
ChangesAAM ingest
Sources

Lee Cunningham, 8th Air Force missions research database / Stan Bishop's 'Losses of the US 8th and 9th Air Forces', the Combat Chronology of the US Army Air Forces and the work of Roger Freeman including the 'Mighty Eighth War Diary'.

8th Air Force 178: Gallery (2 items)