VIII Bomber Command 156

16 December 1943
A crashed B-17 Flying Fortress of the 384th Bomb Group , Cottishall, December 1943. Handwritten caption on reverse: '798, CH. Crash, Cottishall, 12/43.' media-413577.jpg FRE 4893 A crashed B-17 Flying Fortress of the 384th Bomb Group , Crashed at Coltishall, UK, 16 December 1943. 42-29733 SU-D, LOUISIANA PRUCHASE Battle damage, crash-landed (overshot) at RAF Coltishall due to battle damage. Two crewmembers were injured and the aircraft was a total loss. Handwritten caption on reverse: '798, CH. Crash, Cottishall, 12/43.' Roger Freeman Collection

384thbombgroup.com

Object Number - FRE 4893 - A crashed B-17 Flying Fortress of the 384th Bomb Group , Crashed at Coltishall, UK, 16 December 1943. 42-29733 SU-D, LOUISIANA PRUCHASE Battle...

Description

This is a massive mission of 631 heavy bombers directed at the port area of Bremen, Germany. The force of 631 included 1 PFF-equipped B-17s from 482BG dispersed among the attacking formations. The mission is composed of three elements. The first element is a formation of 239 B-17s from 3rd Bomb Division that included: 94BG (39); 95BG (40); 96BG (36); 100BG (24); 385BG (21); 388BG (39); and 390BG (40). 219 aircraft are effective on the target. This element encounters the brunt of fighter attacks. 9 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) 71KIA 19POW. The 96BG loses 7 aircraft. 5 aircraft are lost to mid-air collisions. 1 aircraft returning with battle damaged is abandodned by the crew over Silver Fox Farm, Norfolk, UK 10RTD. 70 aircraft are damaged. 5 airmen in returning aircraft are Wounded in Action (WIA). The bomber gunners in this formation claim 17-11-11 of attacking German aircraft.



The second element is a force of 141 B-24s of 2nd Bomb Division that included: 44BG (22); 93BG (26); 389BG (28); 392BG (17); 445BG (24); and 446BG (24). This is the first combat mission for 446BG. 133 aircraft are effective on the target. There are NO combat losses in thie formation but 2 retuning aircraft are Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR) in crashlandings 6KOM in the crash 4POW and 10RTD. 22 aircraft are damaged. 3 airmen in returing aircraft are Wounded in Action (WIA). There are no claims on enemy aircraft from the bomber gunners of this element.



The third element is a force of 240 B-17s of 1st Bomb Division that included: 91BG (27); 92BG (20); 303BG (19); 305BG (23); 306BG (20); 351BG (35); 379BG (23); 381BG (31); 384BG (22); and 4O1BG (20). 173 aircraft are effective on the target. Only 1 aircraft of this element Failed to Return (FTR) 6KIA 2POW 2EVD. 1 aircraft sustained battle damage and crash landed at RAF Colitshall 10RTD but aircraft was declared Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR). 52 aircraft are damaged. There are no other casualties. The bomber gunners of this element claim 1-0-0 of attacking German aircraft.



This mission was supported by fighters including 39 P-51s. Fighter escort is beginning to make a big difference in heavy bomber losses as only 10 of the 631 Failed to return and 5 of these were due to mid-air collisions for a loss rate of 1.584%. The tide is turning and the Luftwaffe is being decimated, but there is still a significant fight ahead.

Mission Details

Bremen, Germany

Description: SHIP YARDS

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Three airmen of the 100th Bomb Group, Lieutenant Kenneth Menzie, Lieutenant Donald Strout and Lieutenant Norman Scott, plan the route they will take during the next mission in their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30380). Image stamped on reverse: 'Reviewed and passed U.S. Army 23 Aug 1943 Press Censor E.T.O. U.S.A.' [stamp]'. Passed for publication 23 August 1943 INTLD 16 General Section Press Censorship Bureau '[stamp], 'Associated Press' [stamp] and '280035.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reve
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
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 390th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
A bomber crew of the 94th Bomb Group stand with their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30200) nicknamed "Slo Time Sally" and a bomb inscribed 'Special delivery to Hitler'. Inscription on bomb reads: 'Special delivery to Hitler, From Peggy of St. Louis.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 520.13
  • People killed in action: 72
  • Prisoners of war: 19
  • People returned to duty: 10
  • Enemy aircrafts destroyed by bomber: 17
  • Enemy aircrafts probably destroyed by bomber: 11
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by bomber: 11
  • Aircraft sent: 238
  • Aircraft effective: 219
  • Aircraft missing in action: 9
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 1
  • Aircraft damaged: 67

Bremen, Germany

Description: SHIP YARDS

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: 5 B-17s and two B-24s drop 56 X 500GP and 132 X 100 IB on Targets of Opportunity. (not included in totals). 351st Bomb Group and 401st Bomb Group do not have any aircraft effective on the target.

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: 434.63
  • People killed in action: 6
  • People evaded: 2
  • Prisoners of war: 2
  • People returned to duty: 10
  • Enemy aircrafts probably destroyed by bomber: 1
  • Aircraft sent: 251
  • Aircraft effective: 183
  • Aircraft missing in action: 1
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 1
  • Aircraft damaged: 61

Bremen, Germany (2AD Primary Target)

Description: SHIP YARDS

Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator

Notes: 446th Bomb Group flies its first mission.

The insignia of the 389th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 392nd 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
A flight of B-24 Liberators of the 446th Bomb Group fly in formation above the clouds.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 44th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 367.5
  • People killed in action: 5
  • People wounded in action: 8
  • Aircraft sent: 141
  • Aircraft effective: 131
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 1
  • Aircraft damaged: 21

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: 381st Bomb Group 534th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18042331
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 561st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 37111609
  • Highest Rank: Technician Fourth Grade
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 412th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18193418
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 562nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 15382852
  • Highest Rank: Technician Third Grade
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: What's Cookin' Doc
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron 305th Bomb Group 422nd Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Little Audrey
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 384th Bomb Group Base Air Depot 1 368th Bomb Squadron 544th Bomb Squadron
A 365th Bomb Squadron, 305th Bomb Group B-17 Flying Fortress (XK-R, serial number 41-24578) taxiis to take off from Chelveston airbase. Passed for publication 30 Jun 1943. Handwritten caption on reverse: '124578, XK:R.' Printed caption on reverse: 'At A Fortress Station In Britain. From an American base in Britain the Flying Fortresses carry out operational activities which result in terrible blows against the German industrial war machine. This series of pictures shows scenes at a Flying Fortresses stati
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Problem Child : Old Reliable
  • Unit: Base Air Depot 1 547th Bomb Squadron 384th Bomb Group 305th Bomb Group 367th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Kayo
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 365th Bomb Squadron 546th Bomb Squadron 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Louisiana Purchase
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron 305th Bomb Group 422nd Bomb Squadron 94th Bomb Group 331st Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 25-Jul-2015. Added bomber gunner claims to 1BD statistics per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 25-Jul-2015. Added bomber gunner claims to 3BD statistics per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 25-Jul-2015. Added Mission Narrative based on "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorB24Mike
Changes
Sources

Source document: Eighth Air Force Combat Chronology
Source document: 2nd Air Division Mission Report obtained from the Air Force Historical Research Agency, Maxwell AFB, AL.

Date
ContributorB24Mike
Changes
Sources

Source document: 2nd Air Division Mission Report obtained from the Air Force Historical Research Agency, Maxwell AFB, AL.

Date
ContributorAnonymous
Changes
Sources

Son

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'.

VIII Bomber Command 156: Gallery (4 items)