8th Air Force 200

30 January 1944
media-19499.jpeg UPL 19499 'Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 91st Bomb Group, 8th AF, are part of a formation en route towards target at Brunswick, Germany. 30 Jan. 1944. (Altitude 22,000 Feet)'.
NARA Ref 342-FH-3A19628-61046AC

30 January 1944: Two 91st BG crews start a turn enroute to Brunswick. 1st Lt Ken Sutherland is flying a ship borrowed from the 324th Bomb Sq, B-17G 42-39967 "Mary K" (left), hanging onto the wing of Capt Dave Bramble in B-17F 42-29739 "The Village Flirt" (coded OR-M). Both crews are assigned to the 323rd Bomb Sq.

Object Number - UPL 19499 - 'Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 91st Bomb Group, 8th AF, are part of a formation en route towards target at Brunswick, Germany. 30 Jan. 1944....

Description

This mission has the aviation industry at Brunswick, Germany as the primary target. The mission is composed of a combined force pf 777 heavy bomber aircraft despatched in three elements: 1st Bomb Division; 2nd Bomb Division and 3rd Bomb Division. The bomber gunner claims of all Bomb Divisions, 51-7-27, were combined in the source data and are reflected in the statistics of the 1BD element. Mission summary as follows:



1st Bomb Division: The element is composed of a combined force of 349 B-17s despatched from: 91BG; 92BG; 303BG; 305BG; 306BG; 351BG; 379BG; 381BG; 384BG; 401BG; and 482BG. 331 aircraft are effective on this target and 2 bombed nearby Targets of Opportunity. Fighter opposition and anti-aircraft batteries provide heavy opposition. 15 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) - 74KIA 76POW. 3 aircraft with battle damage made crashlandings in England - 6POW 24RTD. In addition, 1 airman was KIA and 14 were WIA in returning aircraft. 95 aircraft sustain battle damage. Combined bomber gunner claims on enemy aircraft from all Air Divisions were 51-7-27.



3rd Bomb Division: This element is composed of a combined force of 274 B-17s despatched from: 94BG; 95BG; 100BG; 385BG; 388BG; 390BG; and 447BG. 3 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) -11KIA 19POW. 1 aircraft with battle damage made a belly landing at Honington, UK as was declared Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR) - 10RTD. 9 other aircraft sustained battle damage. In addition, 1 airman aboard a retutning aircraft was KIA.



2nd Bomb Division: This element was composed of a combined force of 154 B-24s despatched from: 93BG; 389BG; 392BG; 445BG; 446BG; and 448BG. Brunswick, Germany was the primary target, but cloud cover, heavy smoke and contrails forced the formations to attack Hannover and nearby Targets of Opportunity. 104 were effective on Hannover and 39 on TOs. 2 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR)- 12KIA 8POW. 11 aircraft sustained battle damage. In addition 2 airmen were KIA aboard returning aircraft.

Mission Details

Description: BOMB TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY

Notes: 39 B-24s bomb other targets of opportunity around Hannover, Germany

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 91.88
  • Aircraft sent: 39
  • Aircraft effective: 39

Description: BOMB TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: 2 B-17s of 1st Bomb Division bombed Targets of Opportunity.

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 4.71
  • Aircraft sent: 2
  • Aircraft effective: 2

Brunswick, Germany

Description: AIRCRAFT FACTORIES

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: Aircraft factories at Braunsweig, Germany were the primary targets but cloud cover prevents visual bombing. The city was bombed instead

Brunswick, Germany

Description: INDUSTRIAL AREA

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: 274 B-17s of 3rd Bomb Division attack industrial areas in and around Brunswick, Germany. 2 aircraft attack Targets of Opportunity (TO).

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
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 385th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 388th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 390th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 447th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 626.70
  • People killed in action: 12
  • Prisoners of war: 19
  • People returned to duty: 10
  • Aircraft sent: 274
  • Aircraft effective: 266
  • Aircraft missing in action: 3
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 1
  • Aircraft damaged: 9

Brunswick, Germany

Description: INDUSTRIAL AREA

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: 349 B-17s from 1st Bomb Division attack the aviation industries at Brunswick, Germany.

Official emblem of the 303rd Bomb Group approved 7 November 1942.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
Unofficial emblem, 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.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 351st Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 379th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 779.84
  • People killed in action: 75
  • People wounded in action: 14
  • Prisoners of war: 76
  • People returned to duty: 27
  • Enemy aircrafts destroyed by bomber: 51
  • Enemy aircrafts probably destroyed by bomber: 7
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by bomber: 27
  • Aircraft sent: 349
  • Aircraft effective: 331
  • Aircraft missing in action: 15
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 3
  • Aircraft damaged: 95

HANNOVER (Opportunistic)

Description: INDUSTRIAL AREA

Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator

Notes: Aircraft factories at Braunsweig were the primary but dense smoke and contrails from B-17 attack prevents visual bombing. Hannover is struck as a Target of Opportunity.

The insignia of the 389th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 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.
  • 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.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 448th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 245.02
  • People killed in action: 14
  • Prisoners of war: 8
  • Aircraft sent: 115
  • Aircraft effective: 104
  • Aircraft missing in action: 2
  • Aircraft damaged: 11

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: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16006483
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 535th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-735735
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 533rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-685365
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 613th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 35368934
  • Highest Rank: Technician Fourth Grade
  • Role/Job: waist gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 39096585
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Engineer/Top Turret Gunner

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Little Audrey
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 384th Bomb Group Base Air Depot 1 368th Bomb Squadron 544th 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Knock-out Dropper
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Suitch's Bitch
  • Unit: 445th Bomb Group 700th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 17-Jan-2016 Corrected statistics for 2BD element per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman and "Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces", Stan Bishop & John A. Hey MBE.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 17-Jan-2016 Corrected statistics of 1BD element and added bomber gunner claims for ALL Air Divisions per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman and "Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces", Stan Bishop & John A. Hey MBE.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 17-Jan-2016 Corrected statistics for 3BD element per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman and "Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces", Stan Bishop & John A. Hey MBE.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 17-Jan-2016. This event is erroneous, but couldn't be deleted.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 17-Jan-2016. Correcting typo in Mission Description.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 17-Jan-2016. Added Mission Narrative per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman; casualties based on MACR documentation and "Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces", Stan Bishop & John A. Hey MBE.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
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 200: Gallery (5 items)