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

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People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 68th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-727349
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 366th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 33119453
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
Personnel of the 303rd Bomb Group play cards between raids. A censor has obscured the insignia on the airman's jacket. Image stamped on reverse: 'Copyright Current Affairs Ltd.' [stamp], Passed for publication 9 Apr 1943.' [stamp] and '257513.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'Standing on left watching a card game "somewhere in England", 2nd Lieut (Pilot) Richard L. Kruse, of 990 Clark Rd. Ypsilanti, Michigan, has a right to express his views on labour questions. Having won the Air Medal and two
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 661496
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
An airman of the 303rd Bomb Group with his B-17 Flying Fortress. A printed caption was previously attached to the reverse, however this has been removed. Handwritten caption on reverse: '6-9-43 C.' On reverse: Associated Press [Stamp].
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 2nd Bomb Group 303rd Bomb Group 351st Bomb Group 379th Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-364599
  • Highest Rank: General
  • Role/Job: Commanding Officer
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 11012101
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner

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)