8th Air Force 259
15 March 1944
MACR 3052
Object Number - UPL 35345 - Statement of F/O Steven Gerick (from MACR 3052)
Description
The industrial areas of the secondary target of Brunswick, Germany. A combined force of 344 heavy bombers from 2nd and 3rd Air Divisions are despatched. Mission Summary follows:
3rd Air Division: 187 B-17 from: 94BG; 95BG; 96BG; 100BG; 385BG; 388BG, 390BG; 447BG; and 452BG are despatched. 185 are effective on the the industrial area of Brunswick, Germany. 1 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) - 7KIA 3POW. 31 aircraft are damaged. 1 airman is KIA and 1 airman WIA in returning aircraft. The bomber gunners claim 0-0-1 of attacking German aricraft. There are no other losses, casualties or claims.
2nd Air Division: A combined force of 157 B-24s from: 44BG; 389BG; 392BG; 445BG; 453BG; and 458BG are despatched to bomb the industrial areas of Brunswick Germany. 145 are effective on the target. 1 aircraft bombs Wolenbuttel, Germany as a Target of Opportunity (TO); and 1 bombs Hildesheim as a TO. 2 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) - 12KIA 8POW. 15 aircraft are damaged. 3 airmen in returning aircraft are WIA. There are no other losses, casualties or claims.
Mission Details
Brunswick, Germany
Description: INDUSTRIAL AREA
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: All Groups participating are from 3rd Bomb Division.
- 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: 562.00
- People killed in action: 7
- Prisoners of war: 3
- Enemy aircraft damaged by fighter: 1
- Aircraft sent: 187
- Aircraft effective: 185
- Aircraft missing in action: 1
- Aircraft damaged: 31
Brunswick, Germany
Description: INDUSTRIAL AREA
Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
Notes: 1 B-24 dropped on Wolfenbuttel as a T/O and another B-24 dropped on Brunswick as a secondary target and Hildeshime as a T/O. All Groups participating are part of 2nd Bomb Division.
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 183.00
- People killed in action: 12
- Prisoners of war: 8
- Aircraft sent: 157
- Aircraft effective: 145
- Aircraft missing in action: 2
Connections
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People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 390th Bomb Group 568th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 32363766
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade)
- Role/Job: Flight Engineer
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 390th Bomb Group 568th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 18187769
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 447th Bomb Group 708th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 11 115 478
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Airplane Mechanic Gunner 748 - Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 390th Bomb Group 568th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 37544827
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 390th Bomb Group 570th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-2071574
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
Aircraft
![A bomber crew of the 95th Bomb Group return to Horham following a raid in their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-31320) nicknamed "I'll Be Around". Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], '809571 [Censor no], 'Passed for publication 5 Mar 1944' [stamp] and 'USA(BRI)CCC' [ written annotation]. Printed caption on reverse: 'WRITE NEW CHAPTER IN BERLIN DIARY, FORTRESSES RAID GERMAN CAPITAL FOR FIRST TIME. Flying Fortresses battling their way through snow and a temperature of nearly "60 be](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-379273.jpg.webp?itok=-vg9js87)
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: I'll Be Around
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 412th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Berlin Bessie : I Dood It
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 336th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Roarin Bill
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 335th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Pride of New Mexico : Uncle
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 334th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Berlin Bessie
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 412th Bomb Squadron
Revisions
Lee Cunningham 24-Feb-2016. Added bomber gunner claims on enemy aircraft to 3AD statistics per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.
Lee Cunningham 24-Feb-2016. Added Mission Narrative based on "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman and "Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces" Stan Bishop & John A. Hey MBE.
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'.