8th Air Force 259

15 March 1944
media-35345.png UPL 35345 Statement of F/O Steven Gerick (from MACR 3052)

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.

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: O-741509
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 390th Bomb Group 568th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 37418829
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
Harold C. Harpootlian
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 94th Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: 32353239
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 390th Bomb Group 568th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-804659
  • Highest Rank: Major
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group 566th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 15338788
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 412th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: - Ill Be Around aka The Skillet
  • Unit: 390th Bomb Group 570th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Ol Dog
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 334th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Spook Six
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 336th Bomb Squadron 412th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 336th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 24-Feb-2016. Added bomber gunner claims on enemy aircraft to 3AD statistics per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

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.

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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