VIII Bomber Command 130

13 November 1943
media-51666.png UPL 51666 2Lt. Robert E Geiss - KIA in the B-24D, BIRMINGHAM BLITZKRIEG. Shot down by an ME-110 fighter plane after a bombing mission to Bremen, Germany, Nov 13 1944

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Object Number - UPL 51666 - 2Lt. Robert E Geiss - KIA in the B-24D, BIRMINGHAM BLITZKRIEG. Shot down by an ME-110 fighter plane after a bombing mission to Bremen, Germany, ...

Description

The port area of Bremen, Germany is the focus of this mission composed of three elements. The first element is a combined force of 154 B0-17 of 1st Bomb Division including 94BG (16); 385BG (17); 95BG (21); 100BG (18); 390BG (21); 96BG (40); and 388BG (21). 60 aircraft of this element were effective on the port area; 1 aircraft from 91BG, 9 from 385BG and 7 from 390BG drop on targets of opportunity. 3 aircraft from this element Failed to Return (FTR) 13KIA, 9POW, 8RTD (rescued by ASR). 1 aircraft crashed on take off and was destroyed but all 10 crew RTD. 9 aircraft returned damaged wit 2 airmen Wounded in Action (WIA). The bomber gunners in this element claim 9-6-11 of attacking German aircraft.



The second element was scheduled to be a large formation from 1st Bomb Division but weather hampered assembly. The final dispatch was one formation of 5 aircraft: 305BG (2); 306BG (2) and 381BG (1). 2 of these aircraft were effective on the port area at Bremen, Germany. 1 aircraft returned too damaged to repair (DBR) 10RTD and 2 others were damaged. 8 airmen were KIA in returning aircraft. The bomber gunners of this element claimed 0-1-0 of attacking German aircraft.



NOTE: 4-B-17s from 482BG equipped with PFF equipment were dispersed among the formations, 1 aborted.



The third element was composed of 109 B-24s of 2nd Bomb Division including: 93BG (25); 389BG (27); 44BG (33) and 392BG (24). 53 were effective at Bremen and 7 from 93BG attack Helgoland Island as a target of opportunity. 13 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) 93KIA 36POW 3EVD. 3 aircraft crashed on landing and were Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR) 2KIA 18RTD. 4 aircraft returned damaged with 22 Wounded in Action (WIA). The bomber gunners in this element claimed 11-7-2 of attacking enemy aircraft.

Mission Details

Bremen, Germany

Description: HARBOUR INSTALLATION

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

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

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 31.80
  • People killed in action: 8
  • Prisoners of war: 2
  • Enemy aircrafts probably destroyed by bomber: 1
  • Aircraft sent: 5
  • Aircraft effective: 2
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 1
  • Aircraft damaged: 2

Bremen, Germany

Description: SHIP YARDS

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: Includes 3 of 4 482nd Bomb Group B-17s equipped with Pathfinder (PFF). More than 100 aircraft abort due to weather. 95th Bomb Group, 385th Bomb Group and 39Bomb Group attacked Targets of Opportunity.

Three airmen of the 100th Bomb Group, Lieutenant Kenneth Menzie, Lieutenant Donald Strout and Lieutenant Norman Scott, plan the route they will take during the next mission in their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30380). Image stamped on reverse: 'Reviewed and passed U.S. Army 23 Aug 1943 Press Censor E.T.O. U.S.A.' [stamp]'. Passed for publication 23 August 1943 INTLD 16 General Section Press Censorship Bureau '[stamp], 'Associated Press' [stamp] and '280035.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reve
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 385th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 388th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
Lieutenant John C "Red" Morgan of the 482nd Bomb Group with a B-17 Flying Fortress. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Lt Red Morgan, Cong, Med of Hon.'
  • 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.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 297.50
  • People killed in action: 32
  • People wounded in action: 4
  • Prisoners of war: 17
  • People returned to duty: 11
  • Enemy aircrafts destroyed by bomber: 19
  • Enemy aircrafts probably destroyed by bomber: 6
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by bomber: 11
  • Aircraft sent: 163
  • Aircraft effective: 64
  • Aircraft missing in action: 3
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 3
  • Aircraft damaged: 12

Bremen, Germany

Description: SHIP YARDS

Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator

Notes: 8 aircraft from 93rd Bomb Group made a visual attack on Heligoland as a Target of Opportunity. B-24s dropped 520,00 0 leaflets on Bremen. The B-24s flew 12 aircraft section formations for the first time.

The insignia of the 389th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 392nd Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 44th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 93rd Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: Not determined
  • People killed in action: 97
  • People wounded in action: 22
  • People evaded: 3
  • Prisoners of war: 36
  • People returned to duty: 28
  • Enemy aircrafts destroyed by bomber: 11
  • Enemy aircrafts probably destroyed by bomber: 7
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by bomber: 2
  • Aircraft sent: 109
  • Aircraft effective: 61
  • Aircraft missing in action: 13
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 3
  • Aircraft damaged: 10

Connections

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

People

The insignia of the 544th Bomb Squadron, 384th Bomb Group.
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-747074
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
Argentos, James 18108164 T/Sgt. 367th BS 306th BG Air Corps
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 367th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18108164
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade)
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16154459
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner, Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 560th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16066310 / O-735023
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 561st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 37111609
  • Highest Rank: Technician Fourth Grade
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner

Aircraft

A B-24 Liberator ( serial number 41-24226) nicknamed "Joisey Bounce" of the 93rd Bomb Group in flight.
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: - Joisey Bounce - Utah Man
  • Unit: 93rd Bomb Group 330th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Sunrise Serenader
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 384th Bomb Group 365th Bomb Squadron 544th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Maryland, My Maryland : Billie
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron 306th Bomb Group 367th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Cased Ace
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron 305th Bomb Group 422nd Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Winsome Winn II
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 95th Bomb Group 334th Bomb Squadron 547th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
Contributorwilliam henry
Changes
Sources

Correct typos

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 10-Jul-2015. Added bomber gunner claims to statisitics of 2nd Bomb Division element per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 10-Jul-2015. Added bomber gunner claims to statistics of 3rd Bomb Division per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", ROger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 10-Jul-2015. Added Mission Narrative 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'.

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