8th Air Force 214
8 February 1944
Timothy Motz, from Pictorial History of the 447th Bombardment Group (H) https://www.americanairmuseum.com/media/41056
Object Number - UPL 44039 - 8th Air Force mission 214; Brunswick; February 8, 1944. 447th Bomb Group strike photo
Description
1st Bomb Division: The railroad marshalling yards at Frankfurt, Germany are the primary target for a combined force of 120 B-17s from: 92BG; 303BG; 305BG; 306BG; 379BG; 382BG; and 482BG. 51 aircraft are effective on the target and another 39 attack Targets of Opportunity (TOs) in the Frankfurt area. 9 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) - 24KIA 37POW 1DIC 29EVD. 78 aircraft were damaged. 4 airmen aboard returning aircraft were WIA. Claims on enemy aircraft were bundled for 1st and 3rd Bomb Divisions and weree 1-3-0 of attacking German aircraft.
3rd Bomb Division: The railroad marshalling yards at Frankfurt, Germany were the primary target for 116 B-17s despatched from 3rd Bomb Division: 94BG; 96BG; 385BG; 388BG; 447BG; 452BG. 37 are effective at Frankfurt and another 68 bomb Targets of Opportunity in the Frankfurt area. 4 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) - 2KIA 24POW 12EVD. 1 aircraft is Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR) when is crashed on take off - 10KIA. 1 airman is KIA in a returning aircraft.
2nd Bomb Division: V-Weapon sites near Siracourt and Watten, France are the primary targets of this mission. A combined force of 127 B-24s is desptached by 2nd Bomb Division: 44BG; 93BG; 392BG; 445BG; and 446BG. The attack is split between 2 elements: 53 of 54 aircraft are effective on the V-Weapon site at Siracourt, France. There are no aircraft losses or claims in this element, but 9 aircraft are damaged and 2 airmen are WIA in returning aircraft. The second element has 57 of 73 aircraft effective on the V-Weapon site at Watten, France. 32 aircraft are damaged and 3 airmen in returning aircraft are WIA. There are no other casualties or claims in this element.
Mission Details
Description: BOMB TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 97.03
- People killed in action: 6
- Prisoners of war: 3
- People returned to duty: 1
- Aircraft sent: 39
- Aircraft effective: 39
- Aircraft missing in action: 1
Description: BOMB TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- 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: 169.18
- People killed in action: 23
- People evaded: 12
- Prisoners of war: 24
- Aircraft sent: 68
- Aircraft effective: 68
Description: MARSHALLING YARDS
Notes: Blind bombing techniques used. One of the Missing in Action (MIA)s is Lt. Col. Herbert O. Wangeman, CO of the 452nd Bomb Group. He is replaced that same day by Lt. Col. Robert
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 92.06
- Aircraft sent: 48
- Aircraft effective: 37
- Aircraft missing in action: 4
- Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 1
- Aircraft damaged: 30
Description: MARSHALLING YARDS
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: Lead aircraft for the wing from 92nd Bomb Group indicated it was turning back, and the rest of the group followed. The entire formation was attacked by enemy aircraft and 3 were lost. Group reformed and returned to base.
- 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: 126.89
- People killed in action: 18
- People evaded: 28
- Prisoners of war: 34
- People died in captivity: 1
- Enemy aircrafts destroyed by bomber: 1
- Enemy aircrafts probably destroyed by bomber: 3
- Aircraft sent: 81
- Aircraft effective: 51
- Aircraft missing in action: 8
- Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 1
- Aircraft damaged: 78
Description: V-1 MISSILE SITES
Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
Notes: It has not been determined which Groups from 2nd Bomb Division attacked to this 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
- 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: 175.17
- Aircraft sent: 54
- Aircraft effective: 53
- Aircraft damaged: 41
Description: V-1 MISSILE SITES
Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
Notes: It has not been determined which Groups from 2nd Bomb Division attacked to this target
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 188.39
- Aircraft sent: 73
- Aircraft effective: 57
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: 452nd Bomb Group 731st Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 32252402 and O-753965
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
- 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: 379th Bomb Group 527th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 15084516
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Engineer
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 92nd Bomb Group 326th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 37234191
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 379th Bomb Group 527th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 15339963
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Knock-out Dropper
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Kathy Jane
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron 95th Bomb Group 336th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Mr Five by Five
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron 94th Bomb Group 92nd Bomb Group 326th Bomb Squadron
![Two airmen of the 303rd Bomb Group admire the nose art of a B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Iza Vailable". Printed caption removed from reverse. On reverse: Keystone Press Agency, 'Sacred' and U.S. Official Photograph O.W.I. [Stamps].](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-407619.jpg.webp?itok=aEyghgX9)
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Iza Vailable
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Queen Jeanie : Damn Yankee II
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron 306th Bomb Group 368th Bomb Squadron 423rd Bomb Squadron
Revisions
Lee Cunningham 4-Feb-2016. Added bomber gunner claims to 1BD Frankfurt element per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.
Lee Cunningham 4-Feb-2016. Added 1BD and 3BD mission summaries to Mission Narrative per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.
Lee Cunningham 4-Feb-2016. Added Mission Narrative per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.
Changed mission target from Watten in Scotland to Watten in France.
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'.
