VIII Bomber Command 46

22 March 1943
media-23266.jpeg UPL 23266 Lt. Frank Robert Spitznagel and crew. 364th Squadron, 305th BG. Assembled June 18, 1943 in front of their B-17 #42-29633, nicknamed "SpitzFire"
(Personnel noted Back Row Left - Right; Front Row L-R)

Ds 6/30/2018

Object Number - UPL 23266 - Lt. Frank Robert Spitznagel and crew. 364th Squadron, 305th BG. Assembled June 18, 1943 in front of their B-17 #42-29633, nicknamed...

Description

The U-Boat pens and harbour facilities at Wilhelmshaven, Germany are the primary target for this mission. 76 B-17's are despatched: 91BG (21); 303BG (18); 305BG (18); and 306BG (19). These are joined by 26 B-24's: 44BG (12) and 93BG (14). Of this force of 102 aircraft, 84 are effective on the target. 1 B-17 and 2 B-24's are MIA. 22 aircraft are damaged. Flak is light to moderate with the main opposition being German fighters. The bomber gunners claim 29-9-9 on enemy aircraft.

Mission Details

WILHELMSHAVEN (Primary)

Description: NAVAL BASE

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: No fighter escort on this mission.

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 184.03
  • People killed in action: 11
  • People wounded in action: 7
  • Aircraft sent: 76
  • Aircraft effective: 69
  • Aircraft missing in action: 1
  • Aircraft damaged: 11

WILHELMSHAVEN (Primary)

Description: NAVAL BASE

Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 40.00
  • People killed in action: 19
  • People wounded in action: 11
  • Prisoners of war: 2
  • Aircraft sent: 26
  • Aircraft effective: 15
  • Aircraft missing in action: 2
  • Aircraft damaged: 10

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

People

Edward Albert Bradford

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13049248
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner

Carroll Dayle Briscoe

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 364th Fighter Group 1st Scouting Force 384th Fighter Squadron 857th Bomb Squadron Headquarters (1st Combat Bomb Wing)
  • Service Numbers: 18052358 / O-441827
  • Highest Rank: Colonel
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Glenn U Brooks

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 92nd Bomb Group 324th Bomb Squadron 327th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-437931
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot

John W Carroll

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 401st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-437927
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot

William E Clancy

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 323rd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Major
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

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

41-24609

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Holy Mackerel
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
Captain Albert W. Dieffenback, a bombardier of the 303rd Bomb Group, admires Bugs Bunny painted onto the nose of his B-17 Flying Fortress. Passed as censored 9 May 1943. Printed caption on reverse: '14. Captain Albert W. Dieffenbach, of Garrett Park, Md., and the bomber in which he flies as group bombardier.' On reverse: US Army Press Censor ETO [Stamp].

41-24619

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: S For Sugar
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
The nose art of a B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Fertile Myrtle" of the 323rd Bomb Squadron, 91st Bomb Group. Another 323rd Bomb Squadron B-17 Flying Fortress (OR-S, serial number 42-29520) is in the background.

42-29520

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Fertile Myrtle
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 323rd Bomb Squadron

42-29573

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Two Beauts
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
Ground crew of the 91st Bomb Group uncover the nose of a B-17 Flying Fortress at Bassingbourn. Image stamped on reverse: '’Reviewed and Passed U.S Army 24 Mar 1943 Press Censor No 21 E.T.O. U.S.A.' [stamp]. 'Passed for publication 24 MAR 1943 INTLD 32 Central Section Press Censorship Bureau' [stamp]. 'Associated Press' [stamp]. '254766' [Censor no]. Printed caption on reverse: 'FORTRESSES DAY RAID ON WILHELMSHAVEN The German naval base at Wilhelmshaven was successfully attacked in daylight March 22 by A

42-5070

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Invasion II
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 401st Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 27-Dec-2014. Description based on "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman.

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'.

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