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](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/wysiwyg_x2/public/freeman/media-379072.jpg.webp?itok=olJdXBg2)
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: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-435877
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 37146257
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 96th Bomb Group 338th Bomb Squadron 358th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 12012003 / O-435698
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
- Role/Job: Commanding Officer
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group Headquarters Squadron (303rd Bomb Group)
- Service Numbers: O-563943
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Intelligence Officer
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 91st Bomb Group 401st Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-430613
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Bomber pilot
Aircraft
Revisions
Lee Cunningham 15-Feb-2015. Added Bomber Gunner claims to statistics on 44BG 93BG Wilhelmshaven per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman.
Lee Cunningham 15-Feb-2015. Added Bomber Gunner claims to statistics on 91BG-306BG Wilhelmshaven per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman.
Associated James Howard O'Cain based on information in his Biography from the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum.
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'.