8th Air Force 182
11 January 1944
William M Lindgren, 39274737, Staff Sergeant, 711th Bombardment Squadron (H), 447th Bombardment Group (H), Army Air Forces, Tail Gunner for B-17-G, “My Gal” #239882, United States Army. Awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in action against the enemy of the United States, 11 January 1944, while serving as a Ball Turret Gunner on a B-17 airplane on a combat mission over Germany.
Object Number - UPL 29948 - William M Lindgren, 39274737, Staff Sergeant, 711th Bombardment Squadron (H), 447th Bombardment Group (H), Army Air Forces, Tail Gunner for B-17-G,...
Description
Three aviation industry targets in Germany are bombed. The bomber force consists of 291 B-17s despatched from 1st Bomb Division in two elements, one element of 177 B-17s is despatched to Oschersleben, Germany as the primary target, the other 1BD element is composed of 114 B-17s despatched to Halberstadt, Germany as their primary target. These two elements are attacked by approximately 500 German fighters, the heaviest fighter resistance encountered since the 14-Oct-43 attack on Schweinfurt, Germany.
A combinded force of 234 B-17s also joins in the mission and are despatched from 3rd Bomb Division with the aircraft factories at Brunswick, Germany as their primary target.
138 B-24s from 2nd Bomb Division are also despatched to bomb the aircraft factories at Brunswick as their primary target.
The attacks are summarized below:
1st Bomb Division: 177 B-17's from: 91BG; 92BG; 303BG; 351BG; 379BG; 381BG; and 401BG are dispatched to Oschersleben, Germany as the primary target. 139 are effective on the target, 20 others hit targets of opportunity. 34 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) 122KIA 235POW 6EVD. The bomber gunners of this element claim 174-32-63 Luftwaffe aircraft (total probably exaggerated); 2 battle damaged aircraft make crashlandings upon return and are deemed to Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR) and are eventually salvaged but there are no casualties on these two; in addition another 3 aircraft sustain heavy damage but manage to return to England, 6KIA 4POW 1EVD 19RTD. A total of 83 aircraft are damaged with 3 airmen KIA and 11 WIA.
1st Bomb Division: 114 B-17's from: 305BG; 306BG, 384BG and 482BG are dispatched to Halberstadt, Germany as the primary target. 52 aircraft are effective on the primary and 55 others bomb targets of opportunity. 6 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) (Freeman claims 8, but MACR research confirms only 6 FTRs in this element) 50KIA 8POW 2EVD. 1 aircraft is Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR) but 10RTD. 43 aircraft return with battle damage and 1 airman if KIA and 18 are WIA aboard these aircraft. The bomber gunnerss of this element claim 35-11-19 Luftwaffe aircraft (probably exaggerated).
3rd Bomb Division: A combined force of 234 B-17s from 3rd Bomb Division: 94BG; 95BG; 96BG; 100BG; 385BG; 388BG; 390BG and 447BG are despatched to bomb the aircraft factories at Brunswick, Germany as the primary target. Only 47 aircraft are effective on the target. 114 bomb Osnabruck, Germany as a Target of Opportunity (TO); 25 bomb Bielefeld as a TO, 22 hit Piene as a TO; 10 hit Herford as a TO and 1 drops on Nienenburg as a TO. 16 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) 45KIA 103POW (2 of these died in captivity) 10 RTD (Rescued by ASR). Freeman claims one aircraft was a Category E (DBR loss) but no accident report confirms that claim. Stan Bishop's "Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces" has correctly identified this DBR loss as occuring on 12-Jan-44. 47 aircraft are damaged and 5 airmen aboard these aircraft were WIA. The bomber gunners from 3BD and 2BD (see below) claim a combined total of 19-17-16 of attacking German fighters.
2nd Bomb Division: A total of 138 B-24s from: 44BG; 93BG; 389BG; 392BG; 445BG; 446BG and 448BG are despatched to bomb the aircraft factories at Brunswick, German as the primary target. 4 B-24's of this element are PFF aircraft , this being the first time B-24's are used in this capacity. None of the aircraft managed tto bomb at Brunswick, but 58 strike at Meppen, Germany as a TO, 1 hits Lingen as a TO and 7 others bomb other Targets of Opportunity (TO). 2 aircraft Failed to Return 15KIA 5POW. Freeman claims 1 B-24 Damaged Beyond Repair but no report was found to confirm that claim. 7 aircraft were damaged but there were no other casualties.
(NOTE: The original description for this mission included the fighter escort statistics, but that information has been transferred and included under VIII Fighter Command 216)
HQ 96th Combat Bombardment Wing (Heavy) is activated at Horsham St Faith, England.
Mission Details
Description: BOMB TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: 20 aircraft from Bomb Groups included in 1st Element attacked this target but which aircraft from which Bomb Groups could not be determined from source data.
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 57.30
- Aircraft sent: 20
- Aircraft effective: 20
- Aircraft damaged: 8
Description: BOMB TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: 55 aircraft from Bomb Groups included in 2nd Element attacked this target but which aircraft from which Bomb Groups could not be determined from source data.
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 73.37
- Aircraft sent: 55
- Aircraft effective: 55
- Aircraft damaged: 23
Description: BOMB TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY
Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 21.00
- Aircraft sent: 7
- Aircraft effective: 7
BIELEFELD (Opportunistic)
Description: AIRCRAFT FACTORIES
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: 25 aircraft from Bomb Groups included in 3rd Element attacked this target but which aircraft from which Bomb Groups could not be determined from source data.
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 70.00
- People killed in action: 1
- Prisoners of war: 9
- Aircraft sent: 25
- Aircraft effective: 25
- Aircraft missing in action: 1
- Aircraft damaged: 5
Description: AIRCRAFT FACTORIES
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: Among the Pathfinder (PFF)-equipped aircraft are 4 B-24s, this is the first time that B-24s have been used in this capacity. The 94th Bomb Group is awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation (2nd of 2). The 379th Bomb Group is awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation (2nd of 2) Bomber gunner claims of 19-17-16 are stated here as the combined claims of both the B-17 element and the B-24 element that had Brunswick as thier primary target.
![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](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-378743.jpg.webp?itok=HBB0lqjl)
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 162.90
- People killed in action: 34
- People wounded in action: 5
- Prisoners of war: 77
- Enemy aircrafts destroyed by bomber: 19
- Enemy aircrafts probably destroyed by bomber: 17
- Enemy aircraft damaged by bomber: 16
- Aircraft sent: 56
- Aircraft effective: 47
- Aircraft missing in action: 11
- Aircraft damaged: 9
Brunswick, Germany (Primary Target)
Description: AIRCRAFT FACTORIES
Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
Notes: Cloud cover prevents bombing on the primary.
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 0.00
- People missing in action: 20
- Aircraft sent: 136
- Aircraft missing in action: 2
HALBERSTADT (Primary)
Description: AIRCRAFT FACTORIES
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: The 305th Bomb Group is awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation (2nd of 2). The 306th Bomb Group is awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation (1st of 2) All casualties from 2nd element bundled.
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 69.37
- People killed in action: 51
- People wounded in action: 18
- Prisoners of war: 10
- People returned to duty: 10
- Enemy aircrafts destroyed by bomber: 35
- Enemy aircrafts probably destroyed by bomber: 11
- Enemy aircraft damaged by bomber: 19
- Aircraft sent: 59
- Aircraft effective: 52
- Aircraft missing in action: 6
- Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 1
- Aircraft damaged: 19
HERFORD (Opportunistic)
Description: AIRCRAFT FACTORIES
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: 10 aircraft from Bomb Groups included in 3rd Element attacked this target but which aircraft from which Bomb Groups could not be determined from source data.
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 15.60
- Aircraft sent: 10
- Aircraft effective: 10
- Aircraft damaged: 1
LINGEN (Target of Opportunity)
Description: Railroad marshalling yard bombed as a Target of Opportunity
Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
Notes: Twenty-one B-24's of the 445th Bomb Group dropped a total of 210 500lb incendiary bundles on the target. Five aircraft of the 448th Bomb Group joined with the 445th and dropped 60 500lb General Purpose bombs on the target. The 389th Bomb Group provided 2 PFF aircraft that dropped 24 500lb General Purpose bombs with 4 smoke markers.
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 58.5
- Aircraft sent: 23
- Aircraft effective: 23
MEPPEN (Target of Opportunity)
Description: Targets of Opportunity - City center, railroad station, canal shipping, canal locks, and a factory.
Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
Notes: 44th Bomb Group (H) - 19 aircraft dropped 202 500lb GP; 11 bombed the canal and railroad station, 8 dropped on the canal locks. 392nd Bomb Group (H) - 11 aircraft dropped 121 500lb GP; 11 bombed the city center 448th Bomb Group (H) - 13 aircraft dropped 156 500lb GP; 6 bombed the city center, 6 bombed an unidentified factory near Zundberg, and 1 bombed an unknown target.
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 119.75
- People missing in action: 20
- Aircraft sent: 43
- Aircraft effective: 43
- Aircraft missing in action: 2
NIENBURG (Opportunistic)
Description: AIRCRAFT FACTORIES
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: 1 aircraft from Bomb Groups included in 3rd Element attacked this target but which aircraft from which Bomb Group could not be determined from source data.
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 1.90
- Aircraft sent: 1
- Aircraft effective: 1
OSCHERSLEBEN (Primary)
Description: AIRCRAFT FACTORIES
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: Fierce fighter opposition encountered as more than 500 attack. Heaviest fighter attack since the 14-Oct-43 attack on Schweinfurt. The 91st Bomb Group is awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation (2nd of 2). The 92nd Bomb Group is awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation (1st of 1). The 303rd Bomb Group is awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation (1st of 1). The 381st Bomb Group is awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation (2nd of 2). The 401st Bomb Group is awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation (1st of 2). All casualties from 1st Element bundled.
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 398.82
- People killed in action: 120
- People wounded in action: 11
- People evaded: 6
- Prisoners of war: 247
- People returned to duty: 39
- Enemy aircrafts destroyed by bomber: 174
- Enemy aircrafts probably destroyed by bomber: 32
- Enemy aircraft damaged by bomber: 63
- Aircraft sent: 157
- Aircraft effective: 139
- Aircraft missing in action: 36
- Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 4
- Aircraft damaged: 76
OSNABRUCK (Opportunistic)
Description: AIRCRAFT FACTORIES
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: 114 aircraft from Bomb Groups included in 3rd Element attacked this target but which aircraft from which Bomb Groups could not be determined from source data.
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 250.02
- People killed in action: 18
- Prisoners of war: 19
- People returned to duty: 10
- Aircraft sent: 114
- Aircraft effective: 114
- Aircraft missing in action: 4
- Aircraft damaged: 28
PEINE (Opportunistic)
Description: AIRCRAFT FACTORIES
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: 22 aircraft from Bomb Groups included in 3rd Element attacked this target but which aircraft from which Bomb Groups could not be determined from source data.
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 42.30
- Aircraft sent: 22
- Aircraft effective: 22
- Aircraft damaged: 4
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: 381st Bomb Group 533rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-809475
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-735233
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator / Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 446th Bomb Group 93rd Bomb Group
- Service Numbers: O-434690
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Pilot / Operations Officer
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 94th Bomb Group 333rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 36000091 / O-744349
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 33213036
- Highest Rank: Technician Third Grade
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: The Duchess, Sure Stuff
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Sky Wolf
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Bad Check
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Knock-out Dropper
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: The 401st Hack, Agony Wagon, Gravy Train
- Unit: 390th Bomb Group 401st Bomb Group 91st Bomb Group 97th Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron 613th Bomb Squadron
Revisions
711th Bombardment Squadron (H), 447th Bombardment Group (H)
B-17-G #42-39882, “My Gal” Crew
Top Left to Right: August E. Herlth, Eugene G. D'Albero, Larry S. Hatfield, Martin J. Gruber
Bottom Left to Right: William M. Lindgren, Bailey E. Swadley, Raymond L. Hayes, William H. Stoyer, Rocco J. LoCarro, Louis L. Jenkins
Lee Cunningham 6-Jan-2016. Added the combined bomber gunner claims of both the B-17 and B-24 elements that had Brunswick as their primary target per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.
Lee Cunningham 6-Jan-2016. Added bomber gunner claims to statistics of Halberstadt element per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.
Lee Cunningham 6-Jan-2016. Added bomber gunner claims on enemy aircraft to Oschersleben element per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.
Lee Cunningham 6-Jan-2016. Moved fighter Mission Description to VIII Fighter Command 216.
Lee Cunningham 6-Jan-2016. Edited Mission title and Mission Description with correct losses based on MACR documentation and "Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces", Stan Bishop & John A. Hey, MBE.
Source document: 2nd Air Division Mission Report obtained from the Air Force Historical Research Agency, Maxwell AFB, AL.
Source document: 2nd Air Division Mission Report obtained from the Air Force Historical Research Agency, Maxwell AFB, AL.
Source document: 2nd Air Division Mission Report obtained from the Air Force Historical Research Agency, Maxwell AFB, AL.
Source document: 2nd Air Division Mission Report obtained from the Air Force Historical Research Agency, Maxwell AFB, AL.
Source document: 2nd Air Division Mission Report obtained from the Air Force Historical Research Agency, Maxwell AFB, AL.
Source document: 2nd Air Division Mission Report obtained from the Air Force Historical Research Agency, Maxwell AFB, AL.
Source document: 2nd Air Division Mission Report obtained from the Air Force Historical Research Agency, Maxwell AFB, AL.
Source document: 2nd Air Division Mission Report obtained from the Air Force Historical Research Agency, Maxwell AFB, AL.
Second Air Division Mission Report, 2AD F.O. #180; obtained from Air Force Historical Research Agency, Maxwell AFB, AL.
Second Air Division Tactical Mission Report for 11/01/44 , 2AD Field Order No. 180 (Obtained from the Air Force Historical Research Agency, Maxwell AFB, AL)
Associated B-17 42-39775 "Frenesi" as it was on this mission that this aircraft of the 94th Bomb Group suffered battle damage.
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'.
