8th Air Force 178
7 January 1944
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.
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
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.
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
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 392nd Bomb Group
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 412th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 16140871
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 381st Bomb Group 534th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 35208958
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: waist gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 412th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 12141148
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Flight Engineer
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 412th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-685939
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Spook V
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 334th Bomb Squadron 336th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Lonesome Polecat : The Zoot Suiters
- Unit: 91st Bomb Group 95th Bomb Group 401st Bomb Squadron 412th Bomb Squadron
![A B-17 Flying Fortress (GD-M, serial number 42-3078) of the 534th Bomb Squadron, 381st Bomb Group in flight. Handwritten caption on reverse: '381st BG.' On reverse: George J. Letzter [Stamp].](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-413534.jpg.webp?itok=vO_dEsA8)
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Winsome Winn
- Unit: 2nd Strategic Air Depot 100th Bomb Group 381st Bomb Group 95th Bomb Group 334th Bomb Squadron 534th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Clean Cut
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron 95th Bomb Group 306th Bomb Group 367th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Peggy Ann
- Unit: 1st Strategic Air Depot 25th Bomb Group 802nd Reconnaissance Group (SP) 94th Bomb Group 95th Bomb Group Base Air Depot 2 412th Bomb Squadron
Revisions
Lee Cunningham 21-Dec-2015. Added 1st Air Division note to Event Details.
Lee Cunningham 21-Dec-2015. Added 3rd Air Division note to Event Details.
Lee Cunningham 21-Dec-2015. Added bomber gunner claims to Statistics per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.
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.
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'.