VIII Bomber Command 31

27 January 1943
The crew of a B-24 Liberator (serial number 41-23778) nicknamed "Jenny", of the 44th Bomb Group, return to Shipdham following a raid on Germany, 29 January 1943. 

The insignia attached to the breast of several crew members jackets has been censored. 

Image stamped on reverse: 'Barratt's Photo Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 29 Jan 1943.' [stamp]. Printed caption on reverse: 'First American raid on Germany. Flying Fortresses and Liberators of the U.S. Army Air Corps Carried out their first r media-379072.jpg FRE 636 The crew of the B-24D Liberator, serial number 41-23778, named, Jenny, in the 44th Bomb Group, returns to Shipdham following a raid on Germany, 27 January 1943.

The insignia attached to the breast of several crew members jackets has been censored.

Image stamped on reverse: 'Barratt's Photo Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 29 Jan 1943.' [stamp].

Printed caption on reverse : 'First American raid on Germany. Flying Fortresses and Liberators of the U.S. Army Air Corps Carried out their first raid on Germany on Wednesday last. O.PS. The crew of the Liberator, Jenny, leaving after the U.S. raid on Germany. (Barratt's. 29/1/43).' Roger Freeman Collection

FindAGrave Memorial - Gola G Gibby

Object Number - FRE 636 - The crew of the B-24D Liberator, serial number 41-23778, named, Jenny, in the 44th Bomb Group, returns to Shipdham following a raid on Germany, 27...

Description

First successful attack by 8th Air Force into Germany. The 306th Bomb Group gets the distinction of being the first American Bomb Group to drop bombs on Germany. O Original target was Vegesack but clouded over. Col. Frank Armstrong lead the group. Two 91st Bomb Group B-17s attacked Emden as a target of opportunity (included in Strike and Bomb Tonnage totals). Sgt. Maynard S. "Snuffy" Smith 423BS/306th Bomb Group (Waist Gunner on B-17 42-29649) is awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for this action. This is the 2nd CMOH awarded to a member of the 8th Air Force but the first to an AF enlisted man. No fighter escort on this mission.

Mission Details

WILHELMSHAVEN (Last resort)

Description: NAVAL BASE

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: First successful attack by 8th Air Force into Germany. The 306th Bomb Group gets the distinction of being the first American Bomb Group to drop bombs on Germany. O Original target was Vegesack but clouded over. Col. Frank Armstrong lead the group. Two 91st Bomb Group B-17s attacked Emden as a target of opportunity (included in Strike and Bomb Tonnage totals). Sgt. Maynard S. "Snuffy" Smith 423BS/306th Bomb Group (Waist Gunner on B-17 42-29649) is awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for this action. This is the 2nd CMOH awarded to a member of the 8th Air Force but the first to an AF enlisted man. No fighter escort on this mission.

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 132.50
  • People killed in action: 5
  • People wounded in action: 1
  • Prisoners of war: 5
  • Enemy aircrafts destroyed by bomber: 10
  • Enemy aircrafts probably destroyed by bomber: 6
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by bomber: 7
  • Aircraft sent: 64
  • Aircraft effective: 53
  • Aircraft missing in action: 1
  • Aircraft damaged: 32

WILHELMSHAVEN (Primary)

Description: NAVAL BASE

Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator

Notes: B-24s unable to locate target due to weather and poor navigation.

Mission Statistics

  • People killed in action: 21
  • People wounded in action: 2
  • Prisoners of war: 1
  • Enemy aircrafts destroyed by bomber: 12
  • Enemy aircrafts probably destroyed by bomber: 8
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by bomber: 6
  • Aircraft sent: 27
  • Aircraft missing in action: 2
  • 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: 91st Bomb Group 322nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 36324682
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Aerial Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13049248
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 68th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-427211
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 68th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13046804
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron 360th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-728188
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Aircraft

A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 41-24559) nicknamed "Old Soljer" of the 303rd Bomb Group. Passed as censored 25 Jan 1943. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'B-17 "Old Soljer". 25 Jan 1943.' Printed caption attached: 'How The Boys Live And Work At Flying Fortress Station In England. Wide World Photo Shows:- Side view of Fortress. This one's been named "Old Soljer" by her crew, who have painted the name on the side of the fuselage, as shown here. WW/ALA. 26-1-43.' On reverse: Ministry of Information, As
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Ooold Soljer
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Sky Wolf
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
A B-17 Flying Fortress (VK-D, serial number 41-24577) nicknamed "Hell's Angel" of the 358th Bomb Squadron, 303rd Bomb Group in flight. Passed for publication 21 Aug 1943. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Hell's Angel. L1721/29.' Printed caption on reverse of print: 'A Flying Fortress wearing the new recognition symbol of the U.S.A.A.F. and fitted with toughened glass "windows" in the air.' On reverse: The Aeroplane Ltd, US Army Press Censor ETO and US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau [Stamps
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Hell's Angels
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Knock-out Dropper
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
Sergeant Vernon E. Carlson, of the 303rd Bomb Group, paints the nose art of a B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Holy Mackeral". Passed for publication 16 Dec 1942. Printed caption on reverse: '"Everything under control" is the optimistic message sent by Sgt. Vernon E. Carlson of the Air Corps, whose home is at 1431 N. Mayfield Ave, Chicago. He used to be with the Goetz Elevator Co. He is 29 and unmarried. O.P.S. shows him painting "Holy Mackerel" on a plane.' On reverse: Current Affairs Ltd, US Army Press C
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Holy Mackerel
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 15-Feb-2015. Added Bomber Gunner claims to statistics on 44BG 93BG Wilhelmshaven per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 15-Feb-2015. Added Bomber Gunner claims to statistics on 91BG-306BG Wilhelmshaven per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Sources

Associated James Howard O'Cain based on information in his Biography from the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum.

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 31: Gallery (2 items)