RAF Bomber Command

29 June 1942

Official Description

Captain Charles C Kegelman, flying on a mission with 12 RAF Bostons against Hazebrouck marshaling yard, France, becomes the first member of the 8th Air Force drop bombs on enemy-occupied Europe.



The first pilot fatality of the 8th Air Force in the ETO is suffered when First Lieutenant Alfred W Giacomini of the 31st Fighter Group crashes a Spitfire while landing at Atcham, England.

Description

Bomber Command War Diaries:

12 Bostons bombed railway yards at Hazebrouck without loss. 1 of the Bostons was manned by Captain Kegelman and his all-American Crew, the First Americans of VIII Bomber Command to take part in a bomber operations. Their hosts were 226 Squadron at Swanton Morley.



12 Bostons assigned to RAF 226 Squadron were dispatched to bomb the railroad marshalling yard at Hazebrouck, France. One of the Bostons was flown by a Capt. Charles Kegelman and crew. This action was the first on any USAAF crew to bomb occupied Europe. Lt. Dorton was navigator or bombardier; Sgt Cunningham and Sgt. Golay were the other crew members.

Mission Details

HAZEBROUCK

Description: MARSHALLING YARDS

Aircraft Type: A-20 Havoc

Notes: No 2 Group, RAF 15th Bomb Squadron despatches one Boston (A-20) to bomb the Hazebrouk, Holland marshalling yards. RAF 226 Squadron dispatches 12 Bostons to also bomb this target. Captain Charles C. Kegelman and crew fly one of the Bostons to become the first USAAF crew to bomb Occupied Europe. No losses or casualties. Also, 1LT Alfred W. Giacomini, 31st Fighter Group becomes the first pilot fatality of the 8th Air Force in the European Theater of Operation (ETO) when his Spitfire crashes while landing at ATCHAM, England. The 31st Fighter Group did not participate in this raid.

A bomber crew of the 301st Bomb Group with their A-20 Havoc after being awarded medals. From left to right, they are Sergeant B.B. Cunningham of Tupelo, Missouri; Sergeant R.L. Golay of Fredonia, Kansas; Second Lieutenant M. Dorton of Long Beach; and Major Charles C. Kegelman. Image stamped on reverse: 'Passed for Publication 11 Jul 1942.' [stamp], 'Not to be published until 12/7/42.' [stamp], 'Keystone Press.' [stamp], 'USA (NIR)CCC.' [written annotation] and '209807.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on rev
  • Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Aircraft sent: 1
  • Aircraft effective: 1

Connections

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People

A bomber crew of the 301st Bomb Group with their A-20 Havoc after being awarded medals. Image stamped on reverse: ''Copyright London News Agency.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 13 Jul 1942.' [stamp], 'USA (NIR) CCC.' [written annotation] and '210047.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'U.S.A. Airmen Heroes decorated .The awards to the American airmenwho took part in the big raid on Germany and occupied countries [a censor has ammended this to say occupied Holland] recently were presented today (
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 301st Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: 14033694
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant (RAF)
  • Role/Job: Gunner
Second-Lieutenant Randall Dorton of the 301st Bomb Group smokes a cigarette after receiving the Dintinguished Flying Cross. Image stamped on reverse: 'Graphic Photo Union' [stamp] Printed caption on reverse: 'AMERICAN PILOTS DECORATED. Pilots of the American Army Air Corps, who celebrated American Independence Day (July 4th) by taking part with the RAF in a daylight bombing raid on German occupied territory in Europe, were today decorated at an aerodrome somewhere in England [censor has ammended this to r
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 301st Bomb Group
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 31st Fighter Group 308th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-421595
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
A bomber crew of the 301st Bomb Group with their A-20 Havoc after being awarded medals. Image stamped on reverse: ''Copyright London News Agency.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 13 Jul 1942.' [stamp], 'USA (NIR) CCC.' [written annotation] and '210047.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'U.S.A. Airmen Heroes decorated .The awards to the American airmenwho took part in the big raid on Germany and occupied countries [a censor has ammended this to say occupied Holland] recently were presented today (
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 301st Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: 07033184
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Flight engineer
A bomber crew of the 301st Bomb Group with their A-20 Havoc after being awarded medals. 

Image stamped on reverse: 'New York Times Photograph.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 12 July 1942.', 'USA(NIR)CCC.'[written annotation] and '209852.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'After receiving awards for U.S. Independence Day raid on Holland New York Times Photo shows: Major Charles C Kegelman (second from right) with his bomber crew after he had received the American D.S.C. for part he took in th
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 301st Bomb Group 15th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-22412
  • Highest Rank: Major
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Revisions

Date
ContributorEmily
Changes
Sources

Middlebrook and Everitt, Bomber Command War Diaries

Date
ContributorEmily
Changes
Sources

THE ARMY AIR FORCES IN WORLD WAR II: COMBAT CHRONOLOGY, 1941-1945 by Carter / Mueller, the Office of Air Force History,

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 8-Feb-2015. Added NOTE to VIEWERS by Mr. Lee Cunningham.

Date
ContributorEmily
Changes
Sources

Corrected Lt Dorton's role. According to J Tokaz (340th BG Association)- the aircraft only had a single pilot so he was likely Bombardier/ Navigator.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 17-Oct-2014. Roger A Freeman's "Mighty Eighth War Diary."

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'.