VIII Bomber Command 59

19 May 1943

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 German naval bases at Kiel and Flensburg, Germany are the two primary targets for this mission. A force of 123 B-17s is despatched from: 91BG (19); 92BG (10); 303BG (27); 305BG (22); 306BG (24) and 351BG (21) to bomb the naval facilities at Kiel, Germany. Dense flak and fierce fighter opposition is encountered. This has the two-fold strategic objective of drawing up the Luftwaffe for destruction of their fighters and attaking the port facilities supporting the German U-Boat offensive. 101 of 103 of the B-17s despatched are effective on the primary at Kiel. One B-17 from 351st BG drops on the secondary target for this formation, the port facilities at Flensburg, Germany and another drops on a target of last resort the Kreigsmarinewerft dock yards. 6 B-17s are MIA. The bomber gunners claim 48-7-21 on the attacking fighters.

A second formation of 64 B-17s are depatched from: 94BG (26); 95BG (15) and 96BG (23) to bomb the naval yards at Flensburg, Germany. Anti-aircraft fire and fighter opposition is also stiff aginst this formation but NO B-17s are lost and 9 are damaged. The bomber gunners claim 12-4-14 on the enemy fighters.

The 379th Bomb Group despatches 24 B-17s on a diversion for the bombers attacking at Kiel and Felnsburg. This is their first operation. They will fly their first bombing operation on 29-May-43. This diversion is escorted by 117 P-47s despatched from 4FG, 56FG and 78FG. Therer are no losses or claims in the bomber formation or among the escorting fighters.

Mission Details

FLENSBURG (Primary)

Description: NAVAL YARD

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

A bomber crew of the 94th Bomb Group stand with their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30200) nicknamed "Slo Time Sally" and a bomb inscribed 'Special delivery to Hitler'. Inscription on bomb reads: 'Special delivery to Hitler, From Peggy of St. Louis.'

94th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 95th Bomb Group.

95th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 96th Bomb Group.

96th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 134.00
  • People killed in action: 2
  • People wounded in action: 4
  • Aircraft sent: 64
  • Aircraft effective: 55
  • Aircraft damaged: 9

KIEL (Primary)

Description: U-BOAT PENS

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: A British civilian news correspondent was killed on a 91st Bomb Group aircraft that was Missing in Action (MIA). One B-17 from 351st Bomb Group drops on Flensberg and another from 315th Bomb Group drops on Kriegmarinewerft docks. Each drop 10 X 500GP bombs (included in Kiel totals). No fighter escort on this mission.

Official emblem of the 303rd Bomb Group approved 7 November 1942.

303rd Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
Unofficial emblem, 305th Bomb Group.

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.

306th Bomb Group

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

91st Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 92nd Bomb Group.

92nd Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 236.95
  • People killed in action: 36
  • People wounded in action: 7
  • People evaded: 1
  • Prisoners of war: 26
  • Aircraft sent: 123
  • Aircraft effective: 103
  • Aircraft missing in action: 6
  • Aircraft damaged: 28

Description: DIVERSION

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: 24 B-17s despatched from 379BG fly a diversion for the attacks on Kiel and Flensburg, German as their first operation.

Mission Statistics

  • Aircraft sent: 24

Connections

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

People

Don C Bader

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 322nd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Bruce Dero Barton

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 322nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 14049756 / O-437941
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Claude W Campbell

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18057056 / O-724591
  • Highest Rank: Colonel
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Porter Dudley Clemens

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 324th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19122414
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
Staff Sergeant Donald W. Crossley, a tail gunner of the 95th Bomb Group in position inside a B-17 Flying Fortress. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp] Handwritten caption on reverse: '21/9/43.' A printed caption was previously attached to the reverse of print, this has been lost, however considering the publication date, press agency and subject matter this was likely to have read: 'AWARDS TO THE HIGH-SCORING GUNNER. The Distinguished Flying Cross and an oak leaf cluster- the equivalent

Donald William Crossley

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 334th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 15107390
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant (Technician Third Grade)
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner

Aircraft

41-24483

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Spirit of Alcohol
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 322nd Bomb Squadron
Lieutenant-General Jacob L. Devers adresses a bomber crew of the 91st Bomb Group in front of their B-17 Flying Fortress (DF-A, serial number 41-24485) nicknamed "Memphis Belle". Passed for publication 10 Jun 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'Not For Publication Before 00.30 June 10th. Flying Fortress Returns To U.S.A. After 25 Operations. June 1943. At an 8th Army Air Station somewhere in England, Lt.-Gen. Jacob L. Devers, and Major-General Ira. C. Eaker, bidded fare-well to the Flying Fortress "Memphis

41-24485

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Memphis Belle
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 324th Bomb Squadron
Ground crew work of the 303rd Bomb Group work on the engines of a B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "The Duchess". Passed for publication 20 Jan 1944. Printed caption on reverse: 'Famous Fortresses. Associated Press Photo Shows:- Ground crewmen at work on the Fortress "Duchess", which has already been on 50 missions over enemy territory. They are (left to right, lower): Sgt. Clyde L. Dewald, of 200 E Union St., Schnykill Haven, Penn.; and Sgt. James C. Hicks, of Rowtob, Henderson, K.Y.; (Upper) Cpl. Charles

41-24561

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: The Duchess, Sure Stuff
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron

41-24587

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Bad Check
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron

41-24605

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Knock-out Dropper
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date15 Jan 2016 19:10:39
ContributorMags
ChangesChanges to aircraft associations
Sources

303rd BG Web Page

Date4 Jan 2015 19:10:35
ContributorLee8thbuff
ChangesChanges to description
Sources

Lee Cunningham 4-Jan-2015. Corrected typo in description.

Date4 Jan 2015 19:09:01
ContributorLee8thbuff
ChangesChanges to description
Sources

Lee Cunningham 4-Jan-2015. Added description based on "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman.

Date4 Jan 2015 18:47:50
ContributorLee8thbuff
ChangesCreated event
Sources

Lee Cunningham 4-Jan-2015. Added Diversion event and description per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman.

Date27 Sep 2014 18:43:17
ContributorAAM
ChangesAAM ingest
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 59: Gallery (1 items)

Object number: UPL 23266 - Lt. Frank Robert Spitznagel and crew. 364th...