8th Air Force 269

20 March 1944

Description

The industrial areas of Frankfurt and the railroad marshalling yards there are the targets for this mission. All three Air Disivisions despatch aircraft but high clouds frustrated bombing attempts and many formations abandoned the mission even after having penetrated nearly 200 miles into the Continent. Mission Summary follows:



3rd Air Division: A combined force of 122 B-17s from: 94BG; 96BG; 385BG; 388BG; 447BG and 452BG are despatched. 9 are effective on the secondary target of Frankfurt, Germany. 19 bomb the industrial areas at Bingen, Germany and 17 other bomb Targets of Opportunity (TOs). 2 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) - 2KIA 8POW 10RTD (rescued by ASR) 1 battle damaged aircraft is Damaged Beyond Repair in a crash landing upon return - 10RTD. 44 aircraft are damaged. 1 airman in a returning aircraft is KIA and 8 other are WIA. The bomber gunners claim 2-0-0 of attacking German aircraft. There are no other losses, casualties or claims.



1st Air Division: A combined force of 231 B-17s from: 91BG; 303BG; 305BG; 306BG; 351BG; 379BG; 381BG; 384BG; and 401BG are despatched. 42 are effective on the secondary target of Frankfurt, Germany; 54 bomb the industrial areas of Mannheim as a Target of Opportunity (TO); 5 other aircraft bomb TOs. 3 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) - 5KIA 20POW(1DIC) 1INT 1EVD. 4 aircraft with battle damage are Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR) in crash landings upon return - 1KIA 39RTD. 106 aircraft are damaged. There are no other losses, casualties or claims.



2nd Air Division: A combined force of 92 B-24s from: 93BG; 389BG; 445BG; 446BG; 448BG; and 453BG are despatched. Only 1 aircraft is effective on the German airfield of Bretuit. 2 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) - 3KIA 12POW. 15 aircraft are damaged. There are no other losses, casualties or claims.

Mission Details

Description: BOMB TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: It has not been determined which 3rd Bomb Division Groups attacked this target.

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 34.00
  • Aircraft sent: 17
  • Aircraft effective: 17

Description: INDUSTRIAL AREA

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: It has not been determined which 1st Bomb Division Groups attacked this target.

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 8.72
  • Aircraft sent: 5
  • Aircraft effective: 5

Description: INDUSTRIAL AREA

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: It has not been determined which 3rd Bomb Division Groups attacked this target.

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 38.00
  • Aircraft sent: 19
  • Aircraft effective: 19

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator

Notes: Groups participating are part of 2nd Bomb Division. Bombing frustrated by weather, many abort.

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
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
The insignia of the 93rd Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 2.5T HE
  • People killed in action: 9
  • Prisoners of war: 12
  • Aircraft sent: 91
  • Aircraft effective: 1
  • Aircraft missing in action: 2
  • Aircraft damaged: 15

FRANKFURT (Secondary)

Description: INDUSTRIAL AREA

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: It has not been determined which 1st Bomb Division Groups attacked this target.

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 73.21
  • Aircraft sent: 42
  • Aircraft effective: 42

FRANKFURT (Secondary)

Description: INDUSTRIAL AREA

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: High clouds and malfunction of the blind-bombing equipment cause many to abort. 457th BG MISSION NO 16 - FRANKFURT, GERMANY 20 MARCH 1944 Eighteen aircraft were dispatched to bomb the AlfredTreves plant at Frankfurt, Germany. This plant manufactured aircraft and submarine piston rings, and 75 percent of all theGermans’ hydraulic brakes. Major Fred A. Spencer was Air Commander and Lt. J. L. Smith was pilot. Weather conditions were unfavorable. Final assembly altitude was at 17,500 feet. The clouds continued to rise over France, until there was a solid undercastwith cloud tops up to 30,000 feet. The high squadron became separated from the formation. Shortly thereafter the 457th lost the Wing formation in the haze and clouds near Frankfurt, thePFF target. The mission was abandoned and the Group returned to England. All other combat wings likewise abandoned their missions. No fighter attacks were made on the formation. Flak was moderate and four aircraft suffered damage. In order to avoid a mid-air collision, Lt. Franklin J. Marra, copilot for Lt. Clarence E. Schuchmann, pulled back on the wheel, and, in doing so, stalled the airplane and went into a spin. After losing 16,000 feet in a matter of seconds, Lt. Schuchmann successfully brought the aircraft back undercontrol. Notification was received on 20 March, that the APO Number for Glatton was changed from 634 to 557

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 447th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 452nd Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
Unofficial emblem of the 457th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 28.00
  • People killed in action: 3
  • Prisoners of war: 8
  • People returned to duty: 49
  • Enemy aircrafts destroyed by bomber: 2
  • Aircraft sent: 86
  • Aircraft effective: 9
  • Aircraft missing in action: 2
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 4
  • Aircraft damaged: 106

MANNHEIM (Opportunistic)

Description: INDUSTRIAL AREA

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: High clouds and malfunction of the blind-bombing equipment cause more than 300 bomber to abort. The bombers also drop 900,000 leaflets. All Groups assigned to 1st Bomb Division participate. Losses bundled for all targets.

Official emblem of the 303rd Bomb Group approved 7 November 1942.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
Unofficial emblem, 305th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
Official insignia of the 306th Bomb Group, approved 6 January 1943, and updated 2 October 1951.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 351st Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 379th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 94.12
  • People killed in action: 6
  • People wounded in action: 8
  • People evaded: 3
  • Prisoners of war: 20
  • People died in captivity: 1
  • People interned: 1
  • People returned to duty: 10
  • Aircraft sent: 130
  • Aircraft effective: 54
  • Aircraft missing in action: 3
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 1
  • Aircraft damaged: 44

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: 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-798297
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: 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: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 36703821
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Togglier, Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-754991
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 615th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Olin's 69ers, Gremlin Gus II
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 560th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Son of a Blitz
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 613th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Tenny Belle
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 525th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Heaven Can Wait, Boche Buster
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
ContributorTennyBelle
Changes
Sources

8th AF Database

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 1-Mar-2016. Addedbomber gunner claims to 3AD Mission event statistics based on "The Mighty Eighth War Dairy", Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 1-Mar-2016. Added Mission Narrative based on "The Mighty Eighth War Dairy", Roger A. Freeman.

Date
Changes
Sources

Mission detail added courtesy of Diane Reese - http://www.457thbombgroup.org/Narratives/ma16.html

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'.