VIII Bomber Command 140
29 November 1943Description
This is another massive raid on Bremen, Germany by a force of 360 B-17s. The mission is composed of two elements. The first element is a combined force of 182 B-17s from 1st Bomb Division that included: 94BG (40); 95BG (20); 96BG (41); 100BG (20); 385BG (20); 388BG (20); and 390BG (21). High clouds frustrate bombing efforts and only 104 aircraft are effective on the target. 9 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) 60KIA 27POW 3RTD (rescued by ASR). 1 aircraft crash lands on return at RAF Beccles and is declared to be Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR) 10RTD. 32 aircraft are damaged. 1 airman is KIA and 11 other are WIA in returning aircraft. The bomber gunners in this element claim 8-10-8 of attacking German fighters.
The second element is a combined force of 178 B-17 from 1st Bomb Division that included: 91BG (21); 92BG (18); 303BG (20); 395BG (9); 306BG 27); 351BG (19); 379BG (19); 381BG (22); 384BG (19); and 482BG (5). 50 aircraft are effective on the target. Weather and clouds hamper bombing efforts. 4 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) 18KIA 23POW 1DIC. 1 aircraft sustained a landing gear failure on return and belly landed aircraft DBR. 10RTD. The bomber gunners in this element claim 6-1-2 of attacking German aircraft.
Mission Details
Bremen, Germany
Description: SHIP YARDS
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: Cloud conditions (Tops at 29,000 ft.) and malfunction of Pathfinder (PFF) equipment causes problems. 390th Bomb Group is unable to make the drop.
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 308.50
- People killed in action: 61
- People wounded in action: 2
- Prisoners of war: 27
- People returned to duty: 3
- Enemy aircrafts probably destroyed by bomber: 8
- Enemy aircraft damaged by bomber: 10
- Enemy aircraft destroyed by fighter: 8
- Aircraft sent: 162
- Aircraft effective: 104
- Aircraft missing in action: 9
- Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 1
- Aircraft damaged: 32
Bremen, Germany
Description: SHIP YARDS
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: Despatch from 91st Bomb Group, 92nd Bomb Group, 305th Bomb Group, 306th Bomb Group, 351st Bomb Group and 381st Bomb Group unable to drop.
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 148.50
- People killed in action: 21
- People evaded: 1
- Prisoners of war: 20
- People died in captivity: 1
- People returned to duty: 20
- Enemy aircrafts destroyed by bomber: 6
- Enemy aircrafts probably destroyed by bomber: 1
- Enemy aircraft damaged by bomber: 2
- Aircraft sent: 178
- Aircraft effective: 50
- Aircraft missing in action: 4
- Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 1
- Aircraft damaged: 11
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: 388th Bomb Group 563rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 32517860
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade)
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-682175
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 334th Bomb Squadron 335th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 12046545 / O-797311
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 12079615
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: waist gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 36297122
- Highest Rank: Technician Third Grade
- 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
- Nicknames: Old 66 / Lady Margaret
- Unit: 388th Bomb Group 561st Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Devil's Daughter ll
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 336th 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: Hells Belles
- Unit: 388th Bomb Group 447th Bomb Group 562nd Bomb Squadron
Revisions
Lee Cunningham 14-Jul-2015. Added bomber gunner claims to 1st BD element statistics per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.
Lee Cunningham 14-Jul-2015. Added bomber gunner claims on enemy aircraft to 3rd BD element statistics per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.
Lee Cunningham 14-Jul-2015. Added Mission Narrative based on "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'.