8th Air Force 198

29 January 1944
A B-17 Flying Fortress (QJ-Q, serial number 42-31023) nicknamed "Skyball" of the 339th Bomb Squadron, 96th Bomb Group that has crash-landed at Honington. Official caption on image: "2138. 1-29-44. Hon. B-17F. 42-31028. M. F.S.A.D." media-408603.jpg FRE 3958 A B-17 Flying Fortress (QJ-Q, serial number 42-31023) nicknamed "Skyball" of the 339th Bomb Squadron, 96th Bomb Group that has crash-landed at Honington. Official caption on image: "2138. 1-29-44. Hon. B-17F. 42-31028. M. F.S.A.D."
12 1944-01-27 Aircraft: B-17G (#42-31023).
Organization: 339BS / 96BG of Snetterton Heath, Norfolk.
......Pilot: Lemanski, Richard F.........
Notes: crash landing.
Location: Troston, Suffolk England.
Damage (0-5 increasing damage): 4
source: Aviation Archaeology http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/ Roger Freeman Collection

Valerie Lemanski Holley Collection

Object Number - FRE 3958 - A B-17 Flying Fortress (QJ-Q, serial number 42-31023) nicknamed "Skyball" of the 339th Bomb Squadron, 96th Bomb Group that has crash-landed at...

Description

The primary target for this mission was the railroad marshalling yards and industrial areas of Frankfurt, Germany. A combined force of 863 heavy bombers were despatched in three elements to make the attack. The combined bomber gunner claims on enemy aircraft were 75-27-48 and are listed under 3BD totals. Mission Summary as follows:

3rd Bomb Division: A combined force 309 B-17s are despatched from: 94BG; 95BG; 96BG, 100BG; 385BG; 388BG; 390BG and 447BG. 291 are effective on the target. One formation in this element bombed at Ludwigshaven, Germany, due to an error in navigation with the loss of 11 aircraft because it lacked the fighter protection assigned to the main force. One group also failed to see the PFF flares and dropped 11 minutes late. 11 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) - 48KIA 51POW 11EVD. 1 aircraft crashed on take-off - 7KOM 3 INJ. 1 aircraft was originally thought to be Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR) but it was eventually repaired 2KIA 8RTD. 34 aircraft were damaged. 6 airmen were WIA aboard returning aircraft.

1st Bomb Division: A combined force of 366 B-17s are despatched from: 91BG; 92BG; 303BG; 305BG; 306BG; 351BG; 379BG; 381BG; 401BG and 482BG. The contingent from 482BG (5 aircraft) dropped 2,600,000 leaflets on Frankfurt. 345 aircraft were effective on the target. 13 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) - 56KIA 59POW 15EVD. 1 Aircraft with battle damage crash landed at Bredgar, UK and listed as Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR) - 1KIA 9RTD. 82 aircraft were damaged. 4 other airmen were KIA and 12 were WIA aboard returning aircraft.

2nd Bomb Division: A combined force of 188 B-24s were despatched from: 44BG; 93BG; 389BG; 392BG; 445BG; 446BG; and 448BG. 170 aircraft were effective on the target. 5 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) 23KIA 21POW 6EVD. 1 battle damaged aircraft crashlanded at RAF Detling and was listed as Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR) - 10RTD. 2 other aircraft sustained a mid-air collision with eachother during assembly - 17KOM 4RTD. 19 aircraft were damaged. 6 airmen were KIA and 14WIA aboard returning aircraft.

Mission Details

Frankfurt, Germany

Description: INDUSTRIAL AREA

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: This is the 3rd Bomb Division complement despatched to attack Frankfurt, Germany

The wreckage of a B-24 Liberator (GO-K) of the 328th Bomb Squadron, 93rd Bomb Group that has crash landed. A B-17 Flying Fortress of the 100th Bomb Group is in the background.

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: 576.24
  • People killed in action: 57
  • People wounded in action: 6
  • People evaded: 11
  • Prisoners of war: 51
  • Enemy aircrafts destroyed by bomber: 75
  • Enemy aircrafts probably destroyed by bomber: 27
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by bomber: 48
  • Aircraft sent: 309
  • Aircraft effective: 291
  • Aircraft missing in action: 11
  • Aircraft damaged: 34

Frankfurt, Germany

Description: INDUSTRIAL AREA

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: This is the 1st Bomb Division complement despatched to attack Frankfurt, Germany. This is the first 8th Air Force mission to dispatch more than 800 aircraft.

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: 811.44
  • People killed in action: 57
  • People wounded in action: 12
  • People evaded: 15
  • Prisoners of war: 59
  • People returned to duty: 9
  • Aircraft sent: 366
  • Aircraft effective: 345
  • Aircraft missing in action: 13
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 1
  • Aircraft damaged: 82

Frankfurt, Germany

Description: INDUSTRIAL AREA

Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator

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
The insignia of the 448th Bomb Group.

448th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 44th Bomb Group.

44th Bomb Group

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

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 388.84
  • People killed in action: 40
  • People wounded in action: 14
  • People evaded: 6
  • Prisoners of war: 21
  • People returned to duty: 14
  • Aircraft sent: 188
  • Aircraft effective: 170
  • Aircraft missing in action: 5
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 3
  • Aircraft damaged: 19

LUDWIGSHAFEN (Opportunistic)

Description: INDUSTRIAL AREA

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

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 95th Bomb Group.

95th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 96th Bomb Group.

96th Bomb Group

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

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 108.19
  • People killed in action: 48
  • Prisoners of war: 51
  • People returned to duty: 11
  • Aircraft sent: 46
  • Aircraft effective: 46
  • Aircraft missing in action: 11

Connections

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

People

Elroy Andrew Altendorf

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16006483
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner

Arthur H Aull

  • 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

Clifford Eugene Barker

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 613th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 35368934
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant (Technician Fourth Grade)
  • Role/Job: waist gunner

Francis Joseph Boyle

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 336th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-809476
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator

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

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

41-24605

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Knock-out Dropper
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron

42-29554

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Maryland, My Maryland : Billie
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron 306th Bomb Group 367th 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

42-29688

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Kayo
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 365th Bomb Squadron 546th Bomb Squadron 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date14 Jan 2016 23:58:51
ContributorLee8thbuff
ChangesChanges to description
Sources

Lee Cunningham 14-Jan-2016. Added # aircraft damaged to the Detailed Description of all three Air Divisions per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman

Date14 Jan 2016 00:57:58
ContributorLee8thbuff
ChangesChanges to event
Sources

Lee Cunningham 13-Jan-2016. Corrected statistics per "Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces", Stan Bishop & John A. Hey MBE.

Date14 Jan 2016 00:55:53
ContributorLee8thbuff
ChangesChanges to event
Sources

Lee Cunningham 13-Jan-2016. Corrected statistics per "Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces", Stan Bishop & John A. Hey MBE.

Date14 Jan 2016 00:53:02
ContributorLee8thbuff
ChangesChanges to event
Sources

Lee Cunningham 13-Jan-2016. Corrected statistics per "Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces", Stan Bishop & John A. Hey MBE.

Date14 Jan 2016 00:46:06
ContributorLee8thbuff
ChangesChanges to name and description
Sources

Lee Cunningham 13-Jan-2016. Added Mission Narrative per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman; casualty totals based on MACR information and "Losses fo the 8th & 9th Air Forces", Stan Bishop & John A. Hey MBE.

Date27 Sep 2014 18:43:17
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 198: Gallery (7 items)