303rd Bomb Group

Group
Official emblem of the 303rd Bomb Group approved 7 November 1942. media-395045.jpg FRE 5102 Official emblem of the 303rd Bomb Group approved 7 November 1942. Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 5102 - Official emblem of the 303rd Bomb Group approved 7 November 1942.

The 303rd Bombardment Group (Heavy) was activated on 3-Feb-1942 at Pendleton Field, Oregon. They assembled at Gowen Field, Idaho on 11-February 1942 where it conducted flight training until 12-Jun-1942. The Group then moved to Alamogordo Field, New Mexico for advanced flight training until 7-August-1942 when it moved to Biggs Field, Texas to prepare for deployment overseas. The ground echelon moved to Fort Dix, New Jersey on 24-August-1942 and sailed for the UK aboard the Queen Mary on 5-September-1942 arriving at Greenock, UK on 10-September-1942. The air echelon flew to Kellogg Field, Michigan and then on to Dow Field, Maine to begin deployment to England. The Group finally assembled at Molesworth and flew its first combat mission on 17-Nov-1942.



From 17-Nov-1942 until 25-April-1945 the Group flew 364 missions in 10,721 sorties and dropped 24,918 tons of bombs. The Group lost 165 aircraft MIA.

The "Hell's Angels" were named after the B-17 Flying Fortress 41-24577 of the same name, which was the first B-17 in the Eighth Air Force to complete 25 missions. The Group was based solely at Molesworth, Cambridgeshire, between 12 September 1942 and 11 June 1945, flying 364 missions in 10,721 sorties (more than any other B-17 Eighth Air Force Group) and dropped 24,918 tons of bombs (2nd highest in 8AF). Abundant information on this group may be researched at: http://www.303rdbg.com/ hosted by Mr. Gary Moncur. This is perhaps the most comprehensive website currently existing (11-Nov-2014) on any 8th AF Bomb Group.



CLAIMS TO FAME

B-17F 41-24577 'Hell's Angels' first B-17 aircraft to complete 25 missions

B-17F 41-24605 'Knock-Out Dropper' first B-17 aircraft to complete 50 and 75 missions

B-17G 42-38050 'Thunderbird' one of the few B-17s to fly more than 100 missions

First 8th Air Force Bomb Group to complete 300 missions

Flew more missions than any other 8th Air Force Bomb Group.

Commanding Officers

Lieutenant-Colonel Charles E. Marion, commanding officer of the 303rd Bomb Group. Passed as censored, but then cleared for publication 9 Apr 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'Here seen taking his cap from the rack at his British base Lt. Col. (Pilot) Charles E. Marion is commander of his group in the U.S. Air Force and has taken part in 11 raids on the Hun. Educated at Michigan University he has made the Army his career and at 32 years of age holds the Silver Star and Air Medal. His home is with his pare

Charles E Marion

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 1st Bomb Division 303rd Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: O-021505
  • Highest Rank: Colonel
  • Role/Job: Assistant Chief of Staff; Director of Operations; CO

James H Wallace

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron 360th Bomb Squadron 427th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-017490
  • Highest Rank: Colonel
  • Role/Job: Commanding Officer

Kermit Douglas Stevens

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: O-350379
  • Highest Rank: Colonel
  • Role/Job: Commanding Officer; Pilot
Colonel Maurice A. Preston talks to a bomber crew of the 379th Bomb Group, led by Major William C Sipes, after a mission in their B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Ragin' Red", 1 Jan 1944. Passed for publication 1 Jan 1944. Printed caption on reverse: 'Photo Shows:- Colonel Maurice A. Preston, of Tulare, California, C.O. of the bomb group, on left, greeting the leader of the group, Major William C. Sipes, of Tuscan, Arizona (third from right) and other members of his crew after the mission. On right, Major

William C Sipes

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 379th Bomb Group 526th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-661981
  • Highest Rank: Colonel
  • Role/Job: Operations Officer; Commanding Officer

William S Raper

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: O-421658
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Role/Job: Commanding Officer; Pilot

Connections

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

Unit stations

Station Location Date

Based

Molesworth 12 September 1942 - 11 June 1945

Encompassing

People

Cochren

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 444th Sub-Depot
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant

Cox

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 444th Sub-Depot
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant

Allman Tenney Culbertson

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot

Dahle

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 444th Sub-Depot
  • Highest Rank: Private First Class

Deadman

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Aircraft

Corporal Murray S. Pearl, of the 303rd Bomb Group, with a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 41-24565) nicknamed "Idaho Potato Peeler". Image stamped on reverse: ‘Copyright Current Affairs Ltd.’ [stamp], ‘Passed for Publication 28 Jan 1943. [stamp] and ‘245656.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'Cpl. Murray S. Pearl, serving with the U.S.A.A.F in a bomber squadron, appreciates the heavy fur-lined jerkin issued to him, for, in private life, he was a fur manufacturer at 222 West 28th Stre

41-24565

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: The Ramblin' Wreck : Idaho Potato Peeler
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron

41-24566

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Zombie
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
Sergeant Peter Soria of the 303rd Bomb Group swings the propellor of a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 41-24567) nicknamed "Beats Me!?". Image stamped on reverse: ‘Copyright Current Affairs Ltd.’ [stamp], ‘Passed for Publication 16 Dec 1942. [stamp] and ‘238766.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'Naturally most U.S. boys in Britain wish they were back home and Sergt. Peter Soria of the U.S. Air Corps is no exception. He sends a message to that effect to his home at 172 and Hoyne Aven

41-24567

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Beats Me
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron

41-24568

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Lady Fairweather
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
The tail of a B-17 Flying Fortress (GN-V, serial number 41-24569) nicknamed "Memphis Tot" of the 427th Bomb Squadron, 303rd Bomb Group, shot down near Zwolle. Handwritten caption on reverse: '124569. Memphis Tot. SD. 4/2/43. 427BS. Near Zwolle.'

41-24569

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

Mission

Revisions

Date
Contributorgeneral ira snapsorter
Changes
Sources

Information taken from the 303rd Bomb Group Unit History.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 8-Dec-2015. Correcting typo in date.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 8-Dec-2015. Corrected first combat mission date per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian: http://www.303rdbg.com/

Date
Contributorglm303
Changes
Sources

Gary L Moncur
303rdBG Historian
www.303rdBG.com

Date
Contributorglm303
Changes
Sources

Gary L. Moncur
303rd BG Historian
www.303rdBG.com

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Sources

Changed the name of the Group from 'Hells Angels' to 'Hell's Angels'.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 25-Nov-2014. Added early history and statistics per: http://www.usaaf.com/8thaf/bomber/303bg.HTM

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 11-Nov-2014. http://www.usaaf.com/8thaf/bomber/303bg.HTM; http://www.303rdbg.com/index.html

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database / The Mighty Eighth. A History of the Units, Men and Machines of the US 8th Air Force.' by Roger A. Freeman (1989). 'Air Force Combat Units of World War II' compiled by the Department of the US Air Force, edited by Maurice Maurer (1983). / Units in the UK from ETOUSA Station List, as transcribed by Lt. Col. Philip Grinton (US Army, Retired) and extracted by IWM; air division data from L.D. Underwood, based on the 8th Air Force Strength Report of 6th August 1944, as published in 'The 8th Air Force Yearbook' by Lt. Col. John H Woolnough (1980)

303rd Bomb Group: Gallery (567 items)

Sergeant Peter Varveris, a gunner of the 303rd Bomb Group, practices his shooting. Image stamped on reverse: ‘Copyright Current Affairs Ltd.’ [stamp], ‘Passed for Publication 16 Dec 1942. [stamp] and ‘238762.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: "YOU BUY THE BONDS - WE'LL KEEP 'EM FLYING". Peter Varveris spent the earlier part of his 22 years as a clerk in the Carnegie Ill. Steel Corporation. He is now a sergeant machine gunner in the Air Corps. The message he sends to his father, at 2249 E

Object number: FRE 1025 - Sergeant Peter Varveris, a gunner of the 303rd...

Sergeant Charles R. Lahey, a medic of the 303rd Bomb Group, does the laundry. Image stamped on reverse: ‘Copyright Current Affairs Ltd.’ [stamp], ‘Passed for Publication 16 Dec 1942. [stamp] and ‘238761.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: .'KEEP THE HOME FIRES BURNING. A note which is reminiscent of the last war is struck by Sgt. Charles R. Lahey, of 154 W. Marquette Road, Chicago. He is in the medical corps, which lands him all sorts of jobs. "Love to my parents and to all my friends bac

Object number: FRE 1026 - Sergeant Charles R. Lahey, a medic of the 303rd...

A Luftwaffe officer with a captured B-17 Flying Fortress, (serial number 41-24585) nicknamed "Wulfe Hound", formerly 303rd Bomb Group, painted in Luftwaffe markings. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'B-17 in Deelen, Holland, 1944.'

Object number: FRE 10266 - A Luftwaffe officer with a captured B-17 Flying...

Captain Maurice Wahl, of the 303rd Bomb Group, plays a game of chequers. Image stamped on reverse: ‘Copyright Current Affairs Ltd.’ [stamp], ‘Passed for Publication 28 Jan 1943. [stamp] and ‘245682.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'Capt Maurice Wahl, of 1, Bank Street, N.Y.C., finds a game of checkers relaxing after his job in the intelligence section, U.S. Army Air Corps. He is 42 years of age and his wife, Ruth, and 15-months-old son, Charles Edward, live at 120 Corbin Place, Manhatt

Object number: FRE 1029 - Captain Maurice Wahl, of the 303rd Bomb Group...

First Lieutenant Phillip W. Haberman Jr., of the 303rd Bomb Group, plays darts. Image stamped on reverse: ‘Copyright Current Affairs Ltd.’ [stamp], ‘Passed for Publication 28 Jan 1943. [stamp] and ‘245681.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'Reckoning his score during a game of darts, popular British pastime, 1st Lt. Phillip W. Haberman Jr., of a U.S. Bombardment Wing, is an attorney in cililian life, with offices at 40 Wall Street, New York City. He is a former Associate-Counsel Rapp-Cou

Object number: FRE 1030 - First Lieutenant Phillip W. Haberman Jr., of the...

Lieutenant Roger A. Prior, of the 303rd Bomb Group, plays a game. Image stamped on reverse: ‘Copyright Current Affairs Ltd.’ [stamp], ‘Passed for Publication 16 Dec 1942. [stamp] and ‘238757.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: '" It's a bit rougher at times than appears in this picture" Lt. Roger A. Prior, of 1005 E 60th Street, Chicago, sends word to his mother in Cedar Fall, Iowa, "but I'm alright". Lt. Prior, who is unmarried, is 32, and was formerly an instructor at the University of

Object number: FRE 1032 - Lieutenant Roger A. Prior, of the 303rd Bomb Group...

Private First Class Simon F. Lundy, an engineer of the 303rd Bomb Group, at work. Image stamped on reverse: ‘Copyright Current Affairs Ltd.’ [stamp], ‘Passed for Publication 28 Jan 1943. [stamp] and ‘245661.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'Before the War, SIMON F. LUNDY, of 578, East 37 Street, Brooklyn. N.Y. was an unemployed newspaper sports-writer. Now the U.S. Army Engineers, in which he is a P.F.C., are giving him plenty of tough work. Lundy, who is 32 and single, was educated at

Object number: FRE 1033 - Private First Class Simon F. Lundy, an engineer of...

Corporal Waldemar J. Theefs, of the 303rd Bomb Group, fuses a bomb in front of a B-17 Flying Fortress. Image stamped on reverse: ‘Copyright Current Affairs Ltd.’ [stamp], ‘Passed for Publication 16 Dec 1942. [stamp] and ‘238770.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'It is quite a change from being an accountant with General Electric Co., Chicago, to fusing up a bomb with the U.S.A Army Air Corps in England, but 34 year old Corporal Waldemar J. Theefs, of Hamilton Avenue, Chicago, makes the

Object number: FRE 1034 - Corporal Waldemar J. Theefs, of the 303rd Bomb...

Private First Class Roy J. Buis, of the 303rd Bomb Group, writes a letter to home on a Jeep. Image stamped on reverse: ‘Copyright Current Affairs Ltd.’ [stamp], ‘Passed for Publication 16 Dec 1942. [stamp] and ‘238745.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'P.F.C. Roy J. Buis, of 4035 N. Kenmere Ave. Chicago, writes home "Sure am enjoying myself. Also getting used to drinking tea". Note the tea cup! Private Buis, aged 25, is married and worked for the Pyramids Metals Coy, of Chicago. His par

Object number: FRE 1036 - Private First Class Roy J. Buis, of the 303rd Bomb...

Three ladies with the tail of a B-17 Flying Fortress (BN-A, serial number 43-38619) of the 359th Bomb Squadron, 303rd Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'C/L Ghent 303BG- SAL 14/2/45.'

Object number: FRE 1037 - Three women, wrapped up in coats, gloves and...

First Lieutenant Richard E. Von Holdt, of the 303rd Bomb Group, enjoys a Coca Cola and a nap. Image stamped on reverse: ‘Copyright Current Affairs Ltd.’ [stamp], ‘Passed for Publication 16 Dec 1942. [stamp] and ‘238759.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'Even the CHICAGO RAPID TRANSIT COMPANY cannot compete for speed with the U.S. Air Coprs in which its former ticket agent Richard E. von Holdt is now serving as a First Lieutenant. Holdt, who is in Britain , formerly lived with his parent

Object number: FRE 1038 - First Lieutenant Richard E. Von Holdt, of the...

Second Lieutenant Robert L. Mays and Captain William N. Frost, both of the 303rd Bomb Group, play a game in the officers club. Image stamped on reverse: ‘Copyright Current Affairs Ltd.’ [stamp], ‘Passed for Publication 16 Dec 1942. [stamp] and ‘238752.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: '35A and 35A. Playing shove ha'penny in the officers club at the British airfield where they are stationed are (standing) 2nd Lt. Robert L. Mays (2nd Pilot) AND (stooping) Captain William N. Fleet (pilot).

Object number: FRE 1039 - Second Lieutenant Robert L. Mays and Captain...