8th Air Force 556
16 August 1944
Original map now in the collection of the Museum of the US Air Force, Dayton, Ohio. 447th Bomb Group collection
Timothy Motz
Object Number - UPL 23991 - Map for 8th Air Force mission #556 to Rositz on August 16, 1944. From the estate of Harold Motz, navigator in the Westrope crew, 708th squadron,...
Description
Aircraft factories and oil refineries are the primary targets for this mission. A total of 1090 heavy bombers are despatched. See Mission Details for particulars.
1st Bomb Division- B-17s (91BG, 92BG, 305BG, 306BG, 351BG,379BG, 381BG, 384BG, 398BG, 401BG, 457BG; 303BG stands down) 425 B-17s are despatched to the following targets: Delitzsch; Schkeuditz; Halle; Bolen, Naumburg, Halberstadt and Other. Number effective: 379; Aircraft MIA 10; Aircraft Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR): 3; Aircraft damaged 234.
2nd Bomb Division- B-24s (44BG, 389BG, 445BG, 446BG, 453BG, 458BG, 466BG, 467BG, 489BG, 491 BG, 492BG) 366 B-24s are despatched to the following targets: Dessau; Kothen; Magdeburg-Neustadt; Magdeburg-Rothensee and Other. Number effective 326; Aircraft MIA 7; Aircraft DBR 1; Aircraft damaged 173.
3rd Bomb Division-B-17s (94BG, 95BG, 385BG, 388BG, 390BG, 447BG) 96BG, 100BG & 452BG stand down. 234 B-17s are despatched to the following targets: Rositz, Zeitz and Other. Number effective: 209; Aircraft MIA 6; Aircraft DBR 0; Aircraft damaged 88.
3rd Bomb Division - B-24s (34BG, 486BG, 491BG, 493BG). 65 B-24s are despatched to the following targets: Halberstadt, Quedlinburg and Other. Number effective 62; Aircraft MIA: 0, Aircraft DBR: 0; Aircraft damaged: 1.
The 8th Air Force dropped heavy bomb loads on Zeitz which would seriously damage the German oil supply and would eventually break down the entire German war machine. Very rough. Watched one plane go down. There were 15 in all shot down.
Mission Details
Quedlinburg, Germany
Description: BOMB TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY
Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
Notes: This target of opportunity bombed by a single B-24 from 3rd Bomb Division. The target of Quedlinburg was designated as a target of opportunity for this element, so it is presumed that this B-24 bombed an installation near that location.
![Three B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 94th Bomb Group are attacked by a Nazi Fighter aircraft during a mission. Printed caption on reverse of print: 'A-62641 USAF: Nazi fighter plane attacking Boeing B-17 "Flying Fortresses" during a bomb run over enemy installations somewhere in Europe, 10 September 1944. 100th[sic] Bomb Group, 3rd Bomb Division. U.S. Air Force Photo.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-408505.jpg.webp?itok=zJwHCUjh)
- Unit Hierarchy: Division
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Combat organisation
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 2.6 T
- Aircraft sent: 1
- Aircraft effective: 1
Delitzsch, Germany
Description: BOMB TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: These targets of opportunity were attacked by 9 B-17 aircraft from 1st Bomb Division. The targets of Delitzsch, Schkeuditz, Halle, Bolen were the primaries, so it is presumed that these aircraft bombed installations in and around these locations. ---- Airfield Attacked: The 384th Bombardment Group (H) provided all three groups of the 41st "B" Combat Bombardment Wing on today's mission. Good visibility in the target area contributed to good bombing of this large Luftaffe facility near Leipzig. Although the lead aircraft of the low group ran into propwash on the bomb run, which caused an upset to the bombsight, overall results for the 42st "B" wing were
- Unit Hierarchy: Division
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 20.1 T
- Aircraft sent: 9
- Aircraft effective: 9
Magdeburg, Germany
Description: BOMB TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY
Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
Notes: These targets of opportunity were bombed by 2 B-24s from 2nd Bomb Division. The primary targets for this element were Dessau, Kothen, Magdeburg-Nuestadt aircraft factory and Magdeburg-Rothensee oil refinery, so it is presumed that these targets were installations in and around these locations.
- Unit Hierarchy: Division
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Combat organisation
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 3 T
- Aircraft sent: 2
- Aircraft effective: 2
Rositz, Germany / Zeitz, Germany
Description: BOMB TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: These targets of opportunity were bombed by 3 B-17s from 3rd Bomb Division. The primary targets for this element were the oil refineries at Rositz and Zeitz, Germany, so it is presumed that these installations were in and around those locations.
- Unit Hierarchy: Division
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Combat organisation
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 7.5 T
- Aircraft sent: 3
- Aircraft effective: 3
Böhlen, Germany
Description: OIL REFINERY
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: The oil refinery at Bolen, Germany is the primary target for this element. 88 of 425 B-17s from 1st Bomb Division were effective. Losses were: 305BG 1 and 306BG 2. Damaged beyond repair: 92BG 1 305BG 1
- Unit Hierarchy: Division
- 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: 206.7 T
- People killed in action: 11
- Prisoners of war: 16
- Aircraft effective: 88
- Aircraft missing in action: 3
- Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 2
DELITZSCH (Primary)
Description: AIR DEPOT
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: 1st Bomb Division was made up of 91st Bomb Group, 92nd BG, 305th BG, 306th BG, 351st BG,379th BG, 381st BG, 384th BG, 398th BG, 401st BG, 457th BG. 303rd Bomb Group stands down. The air depot at Delitzsch, Germany is one of four primaries designated for this element of 425 B-17s. 102 of 425 are effective on this target. No losses are recorded against this target.
- Unit Hierarchy: Division
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 259.8 T
- Aircraft effective: 102
DESSAU (Primary)
Description: AIRCRAFT FACTORY
Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
Notes: 2nd Bomb Division was made up of 44th BG, 389th BG, 445th BG, 446th BG, 453rd BG, 458th BG, 466th BG, 467th BG, 489th BG, 491 BG, 492nd BG. 99 of 366 B-24s are effective on the aircraft factory at Dessau, Germany. Losses: 389BG 1; 445BG 2. Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR) 493BG 1.
- Unit Hierarchy: Division
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Combat organisation
- 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: 233.4 T
- People killed in action: 26
- Prisoners of war: 2
- Aircraft effective: 99
- Aircraft missing in action: 3
- Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 1
HALBERSTADT (Opportunistic)
Description: AIRFIELD
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: The airfield at Halberstadt, Germany is bombed as a target of opportunity. 13 of 425 B-17s from 1 Bomb Division make the attack. There are no aircraft losses among this element.
- Unit Hierarchy: Division
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 27.5 T
- Aircraft effective: 13
HALBERSTADT (Primary)
Description: AIRFIELD
Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
Notes: 3rd Bomb Division was made up of B-24s is 34th BG, 486th BG, 491st Bomb Group, 493rd BG. The German airfield at Halberstadt is the primary target for this element 51 of 66 B-24s are effective on the target. There are no MIA aircraft in this element. 493BG 1 Damaged beyond repair (DBR)
- Unit Hierarchy: Division
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Combat organisation
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 117 T
- People returned to duty: 9
- Aircraft effective: 51
- Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 1
Halle (Saale), Germany
Description: AIRCRAFT FACTORIES
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: The German aircraft factory at Halle, Germany is the primary target for this element. 60 of 425 B-17s from 1st Bomb Division are effective on the target. Losses: 91BG 5. Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR) 91BG 1
- Unit Hierarchy: Division
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 148.3 T
- People killed in action: 31
- Prisoners of war: 25
- People returned to duty: 7
- Aircraft effective: 60
- Aircraft missing in action: 6
- Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 1
KOTHEN (Primary)
Description: AIRCRAFT FACTORY
Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
Notes: The aircraft factory at Kothen, Germany is the primary target for B-24s despatched by 2nd Bomb Division. 71 of 366 are effective on this target. There are no aircraft losses in this element
- Unit Hierarchy: Division
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Combat organisation
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 188.5 T
- Aircraft effective: 71
MAGDEBURG/NEUSTADT(Primary)
Description: AIRCRAFT FACTORY
Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
Notes: The German aircraft factory at Magdeburg/Neustadt is the primary target for this element of B-24s despatched by 2nd Bomb Division. 67 of 366 are effective. Aircraft Losses 448BG 1; 453BG 1.
- Unit Hierarchy: Division
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Combat organisation
- 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: 189.1 T
- People killed in action: 18
- Prisoners of war: 1
- Aircraft effective: 67
- Aircraft missing in action: 2
MAGDEBURG/ROTHENSEE (Primary)
Description: OIL REFINERY
Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
Notes: The Rothensee oil refinery at Magdeburg, Germany is the primary target for this element of B-24s despatched by 2nd Bomb Division. 87 of 366 are effective on this target. Aircraft losses: 467BG 1; 489BG 1.
- Unit Hierarchy: Division
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Combat organisation
- 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: 225 T
- People killed in action: 17
- Prisoners of war: 2
- Aircraft effective: 87
- Aircraft missing in action: 2
Naumburg, Germany
Description: INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: The industrial area of Naumburg, Germany is attacked as a target of opportunity by B-17s despatched from 1st Bomb Division. 15 of 425 are effective on this target. There are no aircraft losses in this element.
- Unit Hierarchy: Division
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 28.9 T
- Aircraft effective: 15
QUEDLINBURG (Opportunistic)
Description: AIRFIELD
Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
Notes: The German aircraft factory at Quedlinburg, Germany is bombed as a target of opportunity by 10 of 65 B-24s despatched by 3rd Bomb Division. There are no aircraft losses for this element.
- Unit Hierarchy: Division
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Combat organisation
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 30 T
- Aircraft effective: 10
ROSITZ (Primary)
Description: OIL REFINERY
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: 3rd Bomb Division was made up of B-17s is 94th BG, 95th Bomb Group, 385th BG, 388th BG, 390th BG, 447th BG. 96th Bomb Group, 100th Bomb Group & 452nd Bomb Group stand down. The oil refinery at Rositz, Germany is one of the primary targets for this element of B-17s from 3rd Bomb Division. 105 of 234 are effective on the target. No aircraft losses.
- Unit Hierarchy: Division
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Combat organisation
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 250.8 T
- Aircraft effective: 105
SCHKEUDITZ (Primary)
Description: AIRCRAFT FACTORIES
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: The German aircraft factory at Scheuditz, Germany is the primary target this element for 92 of 425 B-17s from 1st Bomb Division are effective on this target. Losses: 351BG 1.
- Unit Hierarchy: Division
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 217.4 T
- People killed in action: 3
- Prisoners of war: 6
- Aircraft effective: 92
- Aircraft missing in action: 1
ZEITZ (Primary)
Description: OIL REFINERY
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: The oil refinery at Zeitz, Germany is the primary target for this element of B-17s despatched from 3rd Bomb Division. 101 of 234 are effective on this target. Losses 95BG 6.
- Unit Hierarchy: Division
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Combat organisation
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 226.1 T
- People killed in action: 24
- Prisoners of war: 28
- Aircraft effective: 101
- Aircraft missing in action: 6
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: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-760521
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 615th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Engineer/Top Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 91st Bomb Group 324th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 11101530
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 91st Bomb Group 324th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-722981
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 336th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 12170026
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant (Technician Third Grade)
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Diana Queen Of The Chase
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Down N Go
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 614th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Dynamite John
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 336th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Spam-O-Liner
- Unit: 545th Bomb Squadron 384th Bomb Group
Revisions
466th BG Archives
Report on Mission No 107 - Magdeburg, Germany - 16 August 1944
NARA Research provided by Brad Sullivan
Personal list of 30 missions Lloyd C. Kenagy participated in with the 401st Bomb Group 613th Squadron between Aug 1, 1944 and April 11, 1945.
Daughter - Carol Rollinger McKeever
466th BG Archives - 786th BS Combat Crew Mission Record chart
Lee Cunningham 10-Dec-2014. The description of 8AF Mission 556 was made by Mr. Cunningham as a test of the difficulties attendant to adding all the links, descriptions, statistics, etc. within the website structure. The two primary sources are "The Mighty EIghth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman for participating units, targets, and overall statistics. "The Losses of the 8rh & 9th Air Forces" Stan Bishop & John A. Hey MBE is the primary source for identifying aircraft losses and DBRs for any given date. The Freeman data and the Bishop Hey data is verified from one source to the other. The final determinants are: the Missing Air Crew Reports (MACRS); the National Archives Records Administration (NARA) for POW and Escape & Evasion Reports; and the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) for burials in American Cemeteries in Europe. NO single source contains as comprehensive a record as that attempted by the American Air Museum in putting together the research efforts of many many dedicated researchers into a single source. Please, excuse the lengthy list of source citations as the website structure made the demands.
Lee Cunningham 101-Dec-2014. Added Unit associations, Description and 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 10-Dec-2014. Corrected typo in Jothen description.
Lee Cunningham 10-Dec-2014. Added Description and Statistics per "The Mighty 8th War Diary" Roger A. Freeman and "Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces" Stan Bishop & john A. Hey MBE.
Lee Cunningham 10-Dec-2014. Edited overall Mission Description adding statistics to elements per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman.
Lee Cunningham 10-Dec-2014. Added description, unit association and 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 10-Dec-2014. Added aircraft type, DBR statistics per "The Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces" Stan Bishop & john A. Hey MBE.
Lee Cunningham 10-Dec-2014. Added Description and Map Association per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary"; added statistics per "Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces" Stan Bishop & John A. Hey MBE.
Lee Cunningham 10-Dec-2014. Added Description, map location and Statistics per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman.
Lee Cunningham 10-DEc-2014. Corrected map association.
Lee Cunningham 10-Dec-2014. Attempt to straighten out map association on Bohlen, Germany.
Lee Cunningham 9-Dec-2014. Added 1 loss for Scheuditz event and Statistics per "Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces" Stan Bishop & John A. Hey MBE.
Lee Cunningham 9-Dec-2014. Added description, Unit association and Statistics to the Scheuditz event 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 9-Dec-2014. Corrected Statistics on Halle event per 'Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces" Stan Bishop & John A. Hey MBE. Roger A Freeman's MIA count was in error in his "The Mighty Eighth War Diary."
Lee Cunningham 9-Dec-2014. Added description, unit association and Statistics to 3BD Quedinburg event 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 9-Dec-2014. Corrected map association, added description, Unit associations and Statistics to Halle event 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 9-Dec-2014. Added description, unit association and Statistics to 3BD Halberstadt primary per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman and "Losses of the 8rh & 9th Air Forces" Stan Bishop & John A. Hey MBE.
Lee Cunningham 9-Dec-2014. Correction of typo in Halberstadt description.
Lee Cunningham 9-Dec-2014. Added Unit Associations, description and Statistics to Halberstadt event per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman, "Losses of the 8ht & 9th Air Forces" Stan Bishop & John A. Hey MBE.
Lee Cunningham 9-Dec-2014. Added Unit associations and Statistics to Dessau event per "Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces" Stan Bishop & John A. Hey.
Lee Cunningham 9-Dec-2014 Added DBR count from 92BG and 305BG and added 92BG to Unit Associations per "Lossed of the 8th & 9th Air Forces" Stan Bishop & John A. Hey MBE.
Lee Cunningham 9-Dec-2014 Added Unit associations to Mission Event 5
Lee Cunningham 9-Dec-2014 Added Unit association to Mission Event 4.
Lee Cunningham 9-Dec-2014. Added connection of 2BD for Mission Event 4.
Lee Cunningham 9-Dec-2104. Added Units to Mission Event 2
Lee Cunningham 9-Dec-2014 Added Units to Mission Event 1.
Lee Cunningham 9-Dec-2014. Added Notes and aircraft type to Mission Event 6 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 9-Dec-2014, Added aircraft type to Mission Event 5.
Lee Cunningham 9-Dec-2014. Added aircraft type and map locations to Mission Event 4.
Lee Cunningham 9-Dec-2014. Added aircraft type to ME 3.
Lee Cunningham 9-Dec-2014. Mission details on Bolen, 1BD B-17s per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" and "Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces" Stan Bishop & John A. Hey MBE.
Lee Cunningham 9-Dec-2014. Edited description of TO hit by a B-24 from 3rd Bomb Division per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman.
Lee Cunningham 9-Dec-2014 Detail of TO's for 3BD B-17s per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman
Lee Cunningham 9-Dec-2014. Detail of TOs for 2BD per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman.
Lee Cunningham 9-Dec-2014. "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman.
Lee Cunningham 9-Dec-2014. Minor edit to Mission Narrative.
Lee Cunningham 9-Dec-2014. "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman.
Lee Cunningham 9-Dec-2014. Primary Mission Narrative based on "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman and "USAAF Combat Chronology" Jack McKillop.
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'.
