VIII Bomber Command 63

13 June 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

German naval facilities and port areas at Bremen, Germany and Kiel, Germany are the primary targets for this mission. A formation of 151 B-17s despatched from: 91BG (21); 92BG (17); 303BG (27); 305BG (24); 306BG (28); 351BG (21); and 379BG (13) are to bomb the U-Boat pens and naval facilities at Bremen, Germany. 20 aircraft from this formation drop on targets of opportunity in the Bremen area. 122 of the 151 despatched are effective on a target. Flak and fighter opposition is moderate. 4 B-17s are MIA. Bomber gunners claim 2-2-1 of enemy aircraft. 

A second formation of 76 B-17s is despatched from: 94BG (26); 95BG (26); and 96BG (24) to bomb the naval facilities and port area of Kiel, Germany. 16 of these aircraft bomb targets of opportunity in the Kiel area. 60 of the 76 B-17s despatched are effective on a target. Flak and fighter opposition is fierce and 22 (28.9%) of the attacking force are MIA, the greatest loss for the 8th AF. The 95BG sustains the highest loss (10 MIA) of heavy bombers on a single mission thus far in the War. Brig Gen Nathan B. Forrest, Commanding Officer of 95BG is killed. The bomber gunners claim 39-5-14 of the enemy fighters. 

This mission was the first and the last time the 95BG used the "Forrest formation" where aircraft were lined up in flat formation, wing tip to wing tip, as opposed to the standard box formation used by the eighth air force during that period.

Mission Details

Description: BOMB TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 19.75
  • Aircraft effective: 16

Description: BOMB TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 50.50
  • Aircraft sent: 20
  • Aircraft effective: 20

Description: U-BOAT PENS

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: This mission experiences the heaviest fighter attacks to date. No fighter escort on this mission. The 95th Bomb Group loses the first General Killed in Action (KIA) in 8th Air Force, BRIG GEN Nathan B. Forrest. An observer aboard 42-30164.

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 253.75
  • People killed in action: 15
  • People wounded in action: 8
  • Prisoners of war: 16
  • People returned to duty: 8
  • Aircraft sent: 131
  • Aircraft effective: 102
  • Aircraft missing in action: 4
  • Aircraft damaged: 31

Description: U-BOAT PENS

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 99.75
  • People killed in action: 158
  • People wounded in action: 22
  • Prisoners of war: 61
  • People returned to duty: 28
  • Aircraft sent: 76
  • Aircraft effective: 44
  • Aircraft missing in action: 22
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 3
  • Aircraft damaged: 23

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: 91st Bomb Group 323rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18074396 / O-665314
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
An airman of the 303rd Bomb Group with his B-17 Flying Fortress. A printed caption was previously attached to the reverse, however this has been removed. Handwritten caption on reverse: '6-9-43 C.' On reverse: Associated Press [Stamp].
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 2nd Bomb Group 303rd Bomb Group 351st Bomb Group 379th Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-364599
  • Highest Rank: General
  • Role/Job: Commanding Officer
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 35304195
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 525th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 6997605
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 334th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 32285521
  • Highest Rank: Technician Third Grade
  • Role/Job: waist gunner

Aircraft

A B-17 Flying Fortress (WF-O, serial number 42-29807) nicknamed "Lady Liberty" of the 364th Bomb Squadron, 305th Bomb Group. Printed caption on reverse: 'A25722 AC made just a few seconds before the plane was hit by Nazi flak, this photo shows the Fortress "Lady Liberty," flying in formation over occupied Europe. The faces of the bomabrdier and navigator are plainly visible. A waist gunner can also be seen at his post. U.S Air Force Photo.'
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Lady liberty; Patsy Ann I
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 364th Bomb Squadron
42-29812
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Lucifer Jr
  • Unit: 509th Bomb Squadron 351st Bomb Group
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 324th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 95th Bomb Group 335th Bomb Squadron 365th Bomb Squadron
A B-17 Flying Fortress (TU-H, serial number 42-29831) of the 351st Bomb Group. Flim still from 'Combat America' (1943). Written on slide casing: 'TU-H, 229831? 510 BS/ 351 BG.'
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: The Invader

Revisions

Date
Contributoracbernstein1
Changes
Date
ContributorBobPitts
Changes
Sources

AAM

Date
ContributorMags
Changes
Sources

303rd BG Web Page

Date
Contributorsimaguire
Changes
Sources

B17s Over Berlin: Personal stories from the 95th bomb group.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 6-Jan-2015. 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'.

VIII Bomber Command 63: Gallery (2 items)