8th Air Force 216

10 February 1944
The wreck of a B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-100046) of the 389th Bomb Group, 2 October 1944. Official caption on image: "(GAD-2-7-61SC)(2-10-44)(A/C No. 2100046 - B-24)." Handwritten on reverse: '389BG. Taverham.' On reverse: John H. Woolnough [Stamp]. media-414027.jpg FRE 7942 The wreck of a B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-100046) of the 389th Bomb Group, 2 October 1944. Official caption on image: "(GAD-2-7-61SC)(2-10-44)(A/C No. 2100046 - B-24)." Handwritten on reverse: '389BG. Taverham.' On reverse: John H. Woolnough [Stamp]. Roger Freeman Collection

Connected photo with aircraft

Object Number - FRE 7942 - The wreck of a B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-100046) of the 389th Bomb Group, 2 October 1944. Official caption on image:...

Description

This mission is a despatch of two separate formations. One formation is a combined force of 169 B-17Fs from 3rd Bomb Division: 94BG; 95BG; 96BG; 100BG; 385BG; 388BG; 390BG; 447BG; and 482BG despatched to bomb the industrial areas of Brunswick, Germany. German fighter resistance is fierce and fighter escort is hampered by weather and missed rendevous. Heavy bomber losses are horrendous with the equivalent of an entire Bomb Group lost. 143 aircraft are effective on the target, 2 of these on Targets of Opportunity. 29 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) 99KIA 190POW 2EVD. 52 aircraft are damaged. 2 airmen are KIA and 3 others WIA in returing aircraft. The bomber gunners claim 42-30-61 of attacking German aircraft but the totals are probably exaggerated.



The second formation is a combined force of 81 B-24s from 2nd Bomb Division: 93BG; 389BG; 445BG; 446BG; 448BG; and 453BG are despatched to bomb the German airfield at Glize-Rijen, Holland. Dense contrails and smoke hamper bombing and only 27 aircraft are effective on the target. No aircraft are lost to enemy action but 4 aircraft are Damaged Beyone Repair (DBR) - 26KIA 15RTD. 1 of these caught fire and exploded, 1 crashed due to ising on the wings, 1 was believed to have had a mid-air collision with a P-47; and the other sustained a mechanical failure as crashed on return. 26 airmen wer KIA and 14 WIA in returning aircraft. The bomber gunners of this formation made no claims on enemy aircraft.

Mission Details

Description: BOMB TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 4.97
  • Aircraft sent: 2
  • Aircraft effective: 2

Brunswick, Germany

Description: INDUSTRIAL AREA

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: The formations came under heavy German fighter resistance and some of the planned fighter escort were not able to perform the escort. As a result the formations incurred devestating losses.

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: 350.10
  • People killed in action: 101
  • People wounded in action: 3
  • People evaded: 2
  • Prisoners of war: 190
  • Enemy aircrafts destroyed by bomber: 42
  • Enemy aircrafts probably destroyed by bomber: 30
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by bomber: 61
  • Aircraft sent: 169
  • Aircraft effective: 141
  • Aircraft missing in action: 29
  • Aircraft damaged: 52

GILZE-RIJEN (Primary)

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator

Notes: Dense contrails and frost keep most from attacking.

The insignia of the 389th 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
Colonel Larry Thomas of the 453rd Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Col Larry Thomas 453BG.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 71.00
  • People killed in action: 26
  • People wounded in action: 14
  • People returned to duty: 15
  • Aircraft sent: 81
  • Aircraft effective: 27
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 4

Connections

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People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 445th Bomb Group 700th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-681317
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 560th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 12159739
  • Highest Rank: Technician Third Grade
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 452nd Bomb Group 728th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 39037657
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 335th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 33206710
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 560th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-747209
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

A crumpled engine from a crashed B-24 Liberator of the 389th Bomb Group. Official caption printed on image: '(BAD-2-4-6ISC)(2-10-44)(A/C No 210004(-B.24.' Image via John H Woolnough. Handwritten caption on reverse: 389 BG Taverham.
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Patsy Ann
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group 565th Bomb Squadron
A formation B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 95th Bomb Group leave contrials behind during a mission. B-17 Flying Fortress (QW-L, serial number 42-30173) in in the foreground. Official caption on image: "35 Flying Forts Leaving Trails Over Brunswick, Germany. US AAF Photo 226-8."
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Gorgeous Hussy : Circe : All American
  • Unit: 94th Bomb Group 95th Bomb Group 335th Bomb Squadron 410th Bomb Squadron 412th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Darlin' Dolly
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 95th Bomb Group 335th Bomb Squadron 803rd Bomb Squadron
A bomber crew of the 390th Bomb Group return to base after a mission in their B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Flak Hack 8". Image stamped on reverse: ‘Fox.’ [stamp], ‘passed for publication 21 Oct 1943.’ [stamp] and ‘289357.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: ‘THE FORTRESSES GO OUT AGAIN. US bombers day raid on German works. A Brilliant series of pictures secured by our cameraman when the USAAF kept up the offensive from an English base against a factory in western Germany, they had a
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Eight Ball : 8 Ball : Flak Hack
  • Unit: 390th Bomb Group 570th Bomb Squadron 571st Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Pistol Packin' Mama
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 95th Bomb Group 335th Bomb Squadron 401st Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 6-Feb-2016. Added bomber gunner claims on enemy aircraft to Brunswick element statistics 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 6-Feb-2016. Added 2 B-17s attacking TOs to Mission Narrative per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A, Freeman

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 6-Feb-2016. Added Mission Narrative per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman

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'.

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