VIII Bomber Command 46
22 March 1943
(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
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People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 487th Bomb Group
- Service Numbers: 13011194
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Flight Engineer / Top Turret Gunner / Observer
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 17020247 / O-728212
- Highest Rank: Major
- Role/Job: Navigator
![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](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-378844.jpg.webp?itok=4YkHobFO)
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 661496
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 39604255
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Aerial Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-435877
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Pilot
Aircraft
Revisions
Lee Cunningham 27-Dec-2014. Description based on "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman.
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'.