VIII Bomber Command 33

4 February 1943

Description

The marshalling yards at Hamm, Germany are again designated as the primary target for this mission follwing the abortive attempt of 2-Feb-43. However, weather and extreme cold frustrate this operation also. The main attacking force consists of 65 B-17s despatched from: 91BG (17); 303BG (13) 305BG (18) and 306BG (16). Cloud cover prevents bombing of the primary target at Hamm, Germany and the formation diverts to the target of last resort, the industrial area of Emden, Germany. Only 39 of the 65 despatched are effective on the target. Of the 18 despatched by 305BG, none are able to bomb. 5 B-17s are lost, one of these due to a mid-air collision with a German FW190. One B-17 from 91BG joins one B-24 from 44BG (both aborts) in dropping their bomb loads on a German ship convoy in the North Sea (results not determined).



Another formation of 21 B-24s is also despatched to attack the marshalling yards at Hamm, Germany: 44BG (15) and 93BG (6), but extreme cold (-40C) causes the formation to abort and turn back near the Dutch coast. There are no losses in this formation.



Mission Details

EMDEN (Last resort)

Description: PORT AREA

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

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
Unofficial emblem of the 91st Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 95.25
  • People killed in action: 25
  • People wounded in action: 17
  • Prisoners of war: 15
  • People died in captivity: 1
  • Enemy aircrafts destroyed by bomber: 25
  • Enemy aircrafts probably destroyed by bomber: 8
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by bomber: 6
  • Aircraft sent: 65
  • Aircraft effective: 39
  • Aircraft missing in action: 4

HAMM (Primary)

Description: MARSHALLING YARDS

Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator

Notes: Both the 44th Bomb Group and the 93rd Bomb Group turned back before reaching the Dutch coast due to extreme cold below -40C (limit of thermometers). But one B-24 from 44th Bomb Group and one B-17 from 91st Bomb Group managed to unload 22 X 500Gp on a German ship convoy. No fighter escort for any elements in this mission. None of the 18 B-17s of 305th Bomb Group were effective against the target. One B-17 from 305th Bomb Group serial number 42-5060 suffered a mid-air collision with an enemy Fw 190 - 10 Killed in Action (KIA). Heavy cloud cover at primary HAMM caused diversion to EMDEN at target of last resort. The is the first time the Germans have used twin engine fighters (Ju-88 and Me-110) against 8th Air Force bomber formations.

The insignia of the 44th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 93rd Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Aircraft sent: 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: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-791048
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 322nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 14049756 / O-437941
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18058462
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 323rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 15071592
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 323rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13028912 / O-789365
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Pennsylvania Polka
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 323rd Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Hunga Dunga
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
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
The tail of a B-17 Flying Fortress (GN-V, serial number 41-24569) nicknamed "Memphis Tot" of the 427th Bomb Squadron, 303rd Bomb Group, shot down near Zwolle. Handwritten caption on reverse: '124569. Memphis Tot. SD. 4/2/43. 427BS. Near Zwolle.'
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Memphis Tot
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 16-Feb-2015. Added Bomber Gunner claims on enemy aircraft to statistics on Emden per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 22-Dec-2014. Correction of typo in description.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 22-Dec-2014. Description based on "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman and "Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces" Stan Bishop and John A. Hey MBE.

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'.