VIII Bomber Command 74

17 July 1943
The damaged wing of a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-29886) of the 379th Bomb Group. Printed caption on reverse: '71689 AC - The wing of the Boeing B-17 "Flying Fortress" (A/C No. 229886) was badly damaged during a mission over enemy territory on 17 July 1943. 379th Bomb Group, England. U.S. Air Force Photo.' media-413502.jpg FRE 4818 The damaged wing of a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-29886) of the 379th Bomb Group. Printed caption on reverse: '71689 AC - The wing of the Boeing B-17 "Flying Fortress" (A/C No. 229886) was badly damaged during a mission over enemy territory on 17 July 1943. 379th Bomb Group, England. U.S. Air Force Photo.'

Lt Kermit Wooldridge was pilot on this mission over Hanover. Germany. It was his 2nd mission and his plane also lost a gas tank, the #2 engine, the elevator and control cables It had over four hundred bullet holes. Wooldridge would fly this ship, 42-29886 on a total of nine missions. He lost both his Navigator and Bombardier on this mission, Both bailed out over the North Sea. The account of his mission from his WWII diary is at https://sites.google.com/site/ww2pilotsdiary/home/raid-2 Roger Freeman Collection

Frances Wooldridge Bekafigo, daughter of Lt Kermit Wooldridge. Mission account from his WWII Diary.

Object Number - FRE 4818 - The damaged wing of a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-29886) of the 379th Bomb Group. Printed caption on reverse: '71689 AC - The wing of the...

Description

The railroad industry at Hannover, Germany and the aircraft industry at Hamburg, Germany were the intended targets for this mission but weather caused the mission to be cancelled. The element sent to Hannover was a combined force of 207 B-17s from: 91BG (25); 303BG (27), 351BG (28); 381BG (30); 92BG (18); 305BG (26); 306BG (28); and 379BG (25). Only 91BG; 351BG and 381BG (33 total) were able to bomb targets of opportunity. One B-17 from 351BG was shot down by anti-aircraft fire while leaving the coast upon return, ditched into the sea, and crew rescued by ASR - 1KIA 9RTD. The compliment from 92BG included 2 YB-40 gunships.The bomber gunners were able claimed 32-7-3 of attacking enemy aircraft.

The element originally designated to attack at Hamburg, Germany was a combined force of 125 B-17s, but weather caused a recall of this formation also. However 84 B-17s from: 94BG (18); 95BG (23); 96BG (21); and 100BG (22) sighted a German ship convoy on the return. Only 1 B-17 from 96BG managed to drop on the convoy. Another segment of this formation: 385BG (21) and 388BG (20) attempted to bomb the Fokker aircraft factory at Amsterdam, Holland. A total of 22 aircraft attempted the bombing, but the results were highly scattered and 150 civilians were killed. 1 B-17 from 94BG was shot down by enemy aircraft near Helgoland, Island, Germany - 10KIA

Mission Details

AMSTERDAM (Primary)

Description: FOKKER AIRCRAFT PLANT

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: Target obscured - all bombs miss and 150 civilians reported killed. This element receives fighter escort. The 388th BG started its war on 17 July 1943 with its first mission - a milk run to Amsterdam. Unfortunately for some citizens of Amsterdam, the aim was not very good. However Anne Frank could hear the bombing of this mission in her hideout and recorded it in her famous diary. The death of innocent civilians was terrible but it gave her hope of an eventual rescue of Amsterdam and the rest of Europe.

The insignia of the 385th Bomb Group.

385th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 388th Bomb Group.

388th Bomb Group

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

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 51.50
  • Aircraft sent: 41
  • Aircraft effective: 21
  • Aircraft damaged: 11

HAMBURG (Primary)

Description: AIRCRAFT FACTORY

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: Aircraft factory obscured. Only one aircraft from 96th Bomb Group is able to drop its bomb load (Convoy).

The wreckage of a B-24 Liberator (GO-K) of the 328th Bomb Squadron, 93rd Bomb Group that has crash landed. A B-17 Flying Fortress of the 100th Bomb Group is in the background.

100th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
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: 2.50
  • People killed in action: 11
  • People wounded in action: 3
  • Enemy aircrafts destroyed by bomber: 28
  • Enemy aircrafts probably destroyed by bomber: 9
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by bomber: 33
  • Aircraft sent: 84
  • Aircraft effective: 1
  • Aircraft missing in action: 1
  • Aircraft damaged: 30

HANNOVER (Primary) T/Os

Description: RAIL YARDS

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: This is the first mission for the 388th and 385th Bomb Group. Rail Yards obscured. Targets of Opportunity bombed. No fighter escort for this mission. 92nd Bomb Group despatch included two YB-40s.

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
The insignia of the 351st Bomb Group.

351st Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 381st Bomb Group.

381st Bomb Group

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

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 80.50
  • People killed in action: 4
  • People wounded in action: 9
  • People returned to duty: 9
  • Enemy aircrafts destroyed by bomber: 32
  • Enemy aircrafts probably destroyed by bomber: 7
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by bomber: 3
  • Aircraft sent: 207
  • Aircraft effective: 33
  • Aircraft missing in action: 1
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 1
  • Aircraft damaged: 50

Connections

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

People

A bomber crew of the 388th Bomb Group with their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30207) nicknamed "Big Red.' Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Bailey Crew.'

Richard Harding Bailey

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 561st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-793713
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Ronald S Barstow

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel

Robert Eugene Bellora

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 335th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13057861
  • Highest Rank: Master Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Flight Engineer/Waist Gunner

William Anthony Benecki

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 322nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 36324682
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Aerial Gunner
A bomber crew of the 388th Bomb Group with their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30177) nicknamed "Charlene". Printed caption on reverse: '61552 AC- Crew of the 562nd Bomb Squadron, 388th Bomb Group, beside the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress "Charlene". England. 30 August 1943. Standing left to right are: 2nd Lt John N Harlan, Boise, Idaho; 1st Lt Charles Bliss, Los Angeles, California; 2nd Lt Vernon D Dunkin, Columbus, Ohio; 2nd Lt Bernard J Quenneville, Hadley, Mass. Kneeling left to right: S/Sgt Ro

Charles Cushman Bliss

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 562nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-52478
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

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
Two airmen of the 303rd Bomb Group admire the nose art of a B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Iza Vailable". Printed caption removed from reverse. On reverse: Keystone Press Agency, 'Sacred' and U.S. Official Photograph O.W.I. [Stamps].

42-2973

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Iza vailable
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
A B-17 Flying Fortress (YB-G, serial number 42-29858) of the 508th Bomb Squadron, 351st Bomb Group taxying at Polebrook. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Pre-Aug '44. Visiting B-17 waits to t/o. 508BS, YB-G, 351st BG. Polebrook. Source - Ed Hedrick (195A).'

42-29858

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Murder Incorporated, then Censored
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 508th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date8 May 2015 17:45:38
ContributorLee8thbuff
ChangesChanges to event
Sources

Lee Cunningham 8-May-2015. Added bomber gunner claims of enemy aircraft to statistics for Hannover element per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.

Date8 May 2015 17:43:21
ContributorLee8thbuff
ChangesChanges to event
Sources

Lee Cunningham 8-May-2015. Added bomber gunner claims to statistics for the Amsterdam/Convoy element per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.

Date8 May 2015 17:39:39
ContributorLee8thbuff
ChangesChanges to description
Sources

Lee Cunningham 8-May-2015. Added Mission Description based on "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.

Date4 Mar 2015 16:30:36
Contributorgeneral ira snapsorter
ChangesChanges to event
Sources

Information sent by Dick Read relating to Arthur M. Read and the 388th Bomb Group.

Date11 Dec 2014 10:40:48
ContributorEmily
ChangesChanges to event
Sources

Moved pins from South Africa to Amsterdam, Netherlands and Hamburg, Germany

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 74: Gallery (1 items)