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30 November 1943
![B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 385th Bomb Group fly in formation. Passed for publication 15 Nov 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'U.S. Flying Fortresses In Action. Here is a series of pictures taken of Flying Fortresses over enemy territoty[sic] during a recent raid. These four engined](https://www.americanairmuseum.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/freeman/media-413703.jpg?itok=a65IHvYP)
B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 385th Bomb Group fly in formation. Passed for publication 15 Nov 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'U.S. Flying Fortresses In Action. Here is a series of pictures taken of Flying Fortresses over enemy territoty[sic] during a recent raid. These four engined "giants" are doing a good job with their successful daylight operations, and every bomb dropped is helping to speed up the end of the war. Photo Shows:- Aerial scenes of Fortresses over enemy territory in formation and in flight. U.S. Pool/SG/HEL. Keystone.' Censor no: 292899. On reverse: Keystone Press Agency and US Army General Section Press & Cenorship Bureau [Stamps]. In the foreground, the "Liberty Belle" (#42-30096)
Not yet known
This mission is directed at a single target - the industrial areas of Solingen, Germany. The mission consists of three elements. The first element is a force of 221 B-17s from 1st Bomb Division that included: 91BG (24); 92BG (20); 303BG (20); 305BG (16); 306BG (22); 351BG (34); 379BG (22); 381BG (22); 384BG (20); and 401BG (21). Only 1 aircraft from 303BG is effective on the target because of thick could formations, the rest are recalled. 1 aircraft explodes over Heldon, UK on return. 10KIA. 3 aircraft are damaged. There are no bomber gunner claims from this element.
The second element is a combined force of 128 B-17s from 3rd Bomb Division that included 94BG (32); 95BG (20); 96BG (14); 100BG (18); 385BG (13); 388BG (12); and 390BG (19). 78 aircraft are effective on the target. 3 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) 7KIA 13POW 6RTD (rescued by ASR). 2 airmen are KIA and 10 are WIA in returning aircraft. 6 aircraft are damaged. The bomber gunners in this element claim 1-0-0 of attacking German fighters.
NOTE: the above formations were supported by 3 PFF equipped B-17s from 482BG. Only 1 was effective the other two were recalled.
The third element is a small force of 29 B-24s from 2nd Bomb Division that included: 44BG (24) and 389BG (5). Heavy cloud cover over the target prevented any bombing. Ther were no losses or claims in this element although 10 airmen were WIA in returning aircraft.
INDUSTRIAL AREA
B-17 Flying Fortress
Not yet known
Group
"The Bloody Hundredth", so-called because of a reputation for losing a high number aircraft and crews, flew B-17s from Thorpe Abbotts, Norfolk. Their losses were not the highest of any Eighth Air Force Group but on several occasions the Group lost many...
Group
The 385th Bomb Group, who took the nickname "Van's Valiants" after their first Commanding Officer Col. Elliot Vandevanter, flew B-17s from Great Ashfield, Suffolk. The Group led the famous attack on the Focke-Wolfe aircraft factory at Marienburg on 9...
Group
The 388th Bomb Group flew strategic bombing mission from Knettishall, Suffolk from June 1943 to the end of the war. During this time, though, detachments were sent to Fersfield, Norfolk to conduct Aphrodite missions. In these Aphrodite missions veteran...
Group
The 390th Bomb Group flew B-17 Flying Fortresses from Framlingham, Suffolk, between July 1943 and the end of the war in Europe. The Group was engaged in strategic missions until the invasion of Europe when its role became more of a tactical one. This...
Group
Activated 15 June 1942 at MacDill Field, Florida. Initial organization and training at Pendleton Field, Oregon on 29 June 1942. Primary flight training at Davis-Monthan Field in Arizona from 28 Aug. 42 to 31 Oct. 42; then at Biggs Field, El Paso, Texas...
Group
The 95th Bomb Group was the only Eighth Air Force Group to be awarded three Distinguished Unit Citations. The first, shared by all four Bomb Wing Groups, was for the bombing of an aircraft factory under intense enemy fire at Regensburg on 17 August...
Group
The 96th Bomb Group flew B-17 Flying Fortresses to targets across occupied Europe from May 1943 to April 1945.
...
| Tonnage dropped | 221.55 |
| Number of aircraft Sent | 128 |
| Number of aircraft Effective | 78 |
| Number of aircraft Missing In Action | 2 |
| Number of aircraft Damaged Beyond Repair | 1 |
| Number of aircraft Damaged | 6 |
| Number of people Killed In Action | 16 |
| Number of people Wounded in Action | 6 |
| Number of people Prisoners of War | 13 |
| Number of people Returned To Duty | 6 |
| Enemy aircraft claimed as Destroyed by Bomber Command | 1 |
INDUSTRIAL AREA
B-17 Flying Fortress
Includes 3 Pathfinder (PFF) B-17s. 270 B-17s and all the B-24s abort due to cloudiness that prevents assembly. One B-17 hits Welmerskirchen with 8 X 500Gp and 20 X 100 IB. Only 303rd Bomb Group hits the target with one aircraft.
Group
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...
Group
The 305th Bombardment Group (Heavy), nicknamed "Can Do" was activated 1-March-1942 at Salt Lake City Air Base, Utah which was their primary training base until 11-Jun-1942 when they relocated to Geiger Field, Washington until 29-Jun-1942, then on to...
Group
Constituted as 306th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 28 Jan 1942. Activated on 1 Mar 1942. Trained for combat with B-17's. Moved to England, Aug-Sep 1942, and assigned to Eighth AF Eighth Air Force in September 1942 Station 111 Thurleigh. During combat,...
Group
The 351st Bomb Group flew strategic bombing missions from their base at Polebrook, Northamptonshire from April 1943 to June 1945. The Group's most famous member was Hollywood actor Clark Gable, who flew four/ five missions with them as an observer...
Group
The 379th Bomb Group (H) (heavy), based at Kimbolton, flew more sorties than any other Bomb Group in the Eighth Air Force and dropped a greater bomb tonnage than any other Group. The B-17 Flying Fortress Group was awarded two Distinguished Unit...
Group
The 381st Bomb Group flew B-17 Flying Fortresses from Ridgewell, Essex between June 1943 and April 1945. The Group was awarded two Distinguished Unit Citations, the first for bombing shipyards at Bremen, whilst under heavy attack, on 8 October 1943 and...
Group
The 384th Bomb Group flew B-17s from Grafton Underwood, Northamptonshire, between May 1943 and June 1945. They were engaged in daylight bombing missions over Germany as part of the Allies' efforts to destroy the effectiveness of the Luftwaffe by...
Group
The 401st Bomb Group flew B-17 Flying Fortresses from Deenethorpe, Northamptonshire, from November 1943 to June 1945. Starting their missions at that time meant the focus was very much on the coming invasion attempt of France planned for the following...
Group
The 482nd Bomb Group was a Pathfinder Group, which using radar-equipped aircraft to support bombing missions until March 1944. Aircraft from this Group went ahead of other Bombers and sent information back about the best routes to take and the extent...
Group
The 91st Bombardment Group (Heavy) was activated at Harding Field, Louisiana on 15-April-1942 and went to MacDill Field, Florida for the first phase of training from 16-May-1942 to 25-June-1942. The Group was then assigned to 2nd Air Force at Walla...
Group
Activated 15 June 1942 at MacDill Field, Florida. Initial organization and training at Pendleton Field, Oregon on 29 June 1942. Primary flight training at Davis-Monthan Field in Arizona from 28 Aug. 42 to 31 Oct. 42; then at Biggs Field, El Paso, Texas...
| Tonnage dropped | 2.80 |
| Number of aircraft Sent | 224 |
| Number of aircraft Effective | 2 |
| Number of aircraft Damaged Beyond Repair | 1 |
| Number of aircraft Damaged | 3 |
| Number of people Killed In Action | 10 |
INDUSTRIAL AREA
B-24 Liberator
Unable to assemble properly, mission scrubbed.
Group
The 389th Bomb Group, known in more familiar terms as "the Sky Scorpions", flew strategic bombing missions in B-24 Liberators from Hethel, England. They also sent detachments to join bases in North Africa at Benghazi No. 10, Libya, between 3 July 1943...
Group
The 44th Bombardment Group (Heavy) was activated 15-January-1942 at McDill Field, Florida and equipped with B-24Cs. The Group moved to Barksdale Field, Louisiana and acted as a training unit for the 90th 93rd and 98th Bomb Groups and flew anti...
| Tonnage dropped | 0.00 |
| Number of aircraft Sent | 29 |
Military | Staff Sergeant (Technician Third Grade) | Radio Operator | 388th Bomb Group
Military | Sergeant (Technician Fourth Grade) | Waist Gunner | 388th Bomb Group
Shot down 20 December 1943 in B-17 #42-31084, Killed in Action (KIA).
AM w/ 2 Oak Leaf Cluster
Military | Master Sergeant | Flight Engineer/Waist Gunner | 95th Bomb Group
Assigned to 335BS, 95BG, 8AF USAAF. ETD
Awards: DFC, AM (3OLC), WWII Victory, EAME.
Military | Staff Sergeant | Radio Operator | 388th Bomb Group
30 November 1943 in B-17 #42-5905 'Just AG' returned from mission to Solingen and was unable to stop before the end of the runway at Polebrook. 10 RTD. Pilot was Paul J. Kelly.
Military | Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade) | Radio Operator | 388th Bomb Group
On a mission to Klein Machnow, Berlin on 6 Mar 1944, another B-17 from the 388th went out of control after being attacked by fighters and collided with B-17G #42-40054 which exploded and crashed SE of Emmen, Holland. Killed in Action (KIA). Died of...
Military | Staff Sergeant (Technician Third Grade) | Tail Gunner | 388th Bomb Group
On the return from a mission to Klein Machnow, Berlin on 6 Mar 1944, B-17G #42-37886 'Blitzing' Betsy' was severely damaged by attacks from several FW190s causing it to collide with another 388th B-17, exploding in mid-air and crashing near Emmen,...
Military | Technical Sergeant | Waist Gunner | 388th Bomb Group
30 November 1943 in B-17 #42-5905 "Just AG", returned from mission to Solingen and was unable to stop before the end of the runway at Polebrook. 10 RTD. Pilot was Paul J. Kelly.
Military | First Lieutenant | Pilot | 95th Bomb Group
On return from mission to Ludwigshaven on 7 Jan 1944, B-17G #42-39838 crashed near Wilby, Suffolk, England. Only two engines were operating at time of crash. RTD. Shot down by fighters near Haselunne on a mission to Klein Machnow, Belin on 6 Mar 1944...
Military | First Lieutenant | Co-Pilot | 388th Bomb Group
30 November 1943 in B-17 #42-5905 "Just AG" returned from mission to Solingen and was unable to stop before the end of the runway at Polebrook. 10 RTD. CP to Pilot Paul J. Kelly.
Military | Sergeant | Waist Gunner | 388th Bomb Group
30 November 1943 in B-17 #42-5905 "Just AG" returned from mission to Solingen and was unable to stop before the end of the runway at Polebrook. 10 RTD. Pilot was Paul J. Kelly.
B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Cheyenne 1/4/43; Sioux City 13/4/43; Kearney 4/5/43; Bangor 20/4/43; Assigned 534BS/381BG as BATTLE WAGON but not to UK; transferred 546BS/384BG [BK-J] 29/5/43; Returned to the USA 13/7/43; 4100 BU Patterson 31/7/43; 4000 BU Patterson 5/12/43...
B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Cheyenne 24/4/43; Gore Fd 27/4/43; Cheyenne 2/5/43; Sioux City 13/5/43; Smoky Hill 11/6/43; Dow Fd 16/6/43; Assigned 562BS/388BG Knettishall 23/6/43 as CHARLENE; 15m transferred RCM 803BS Sculthorpe 19/1/44; Oulton 16/5/44; 36BS Cheddington...
B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Cheyenne 24/9/43; Gr Island 7/10/43; Romulus 10/10/43; Assigned 560BS/388BG Knettishall 15/10/43; Missing in Action Augsburg 13/4/44 with Art Nelson, Co-pilot: Art Livermore, Navigator: Maurice White, Bombardier: Bill Matuszewski, Flight...
B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Denver 6 May 1943; Dow Field 30 May 1943; assigned 384th BG Grafton Underwood 10 June 1943; transferred to 412th BS/95th BG [QW-Y/V] Horham 28 June 1943; 23missions. Missing in Action Solingen 30 November 1943 with Pilot Arthur C. Hensler Jr;...
B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Long Beach 5/9/43; Gr Island 12/10/43; Assigned 560BS/388BG Knettishall 15/10/43; sal 1SAD 18/4/44; (?Ret US, force landed Newfoundland with Dave Schmidt 27/6/44?);
B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Long Beach 30/5/43; Kearney 10/6/43; Dow Fd 7/7/43; Assigned 562BS/388BG Knettishall 11/7/43; Returned to the USA 30/3/44. Salvaged 4/1/46. MR YANK II.
| Date | Contributor | Update |
|---|---|---|
| 20 September 2016 23:33:08 | hermanns | Changes to media associations |
| Sources | ||
Liberty Belle (42-30096) crashed while returning from this mission |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 14 July 2015 21:52:29 | Lee8thbuff | Changes to event |
| Sources | ||
Lee Cunningham 14-Jul-2015. Added bomber gunner claims to 3BD element statistics per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman. |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 14 July 2015 21:51:00 | Lee8thbuff | Changes to description |
| Sources | ||
Lee Cunningham 14-Jul-2015. Added Mission Narrative based on "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman. |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 27 September 2014 18:43:16 | AAM | AAM 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'. |
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