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].](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/freeman/media-414027.jpg)
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.

- 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: 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.

- 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: 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
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
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: Staff Sergeant (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

- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Nicknames: Patsy Ann
- Unit: 389th Bomb Group 565th Bomb Squadron

- 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: Irish Luck
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 412th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Hells Belles
- Unit: 388th Bomb Group 447th Bomb Group 562nd Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Hard To Get
- Unit: 452nd Bomb Group 728th Bomb Squadron
Revisions
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.
Lee Cunningham 6-Feb-2016. Added 2 B-17s attacking TOs to Mission Narrative per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A, Freeman
Lee Cunningham 6-Feb-2016. Added Mission Narrative per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman
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'.