VIII Bomber Command 40

6 March 1943
The nose art of a B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Hell's Angels" of the 303rd Bomb Group. Passed for publication 24 Sep 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'American Public To See Veteran Raider. The famous Flying Fortress "Hell's Angels," which has raided enemy territory 41 times dropping 205,000 lbs of bombs and shooting down 16 enemy fighters, is to be flown to the United States where it will "tour" the country for inspection by the American public. Its targets include St. Nazaire (3 times), Wilhelmshave media-407591.jpg FRE 4209 The nose art of a B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Hell's Angels" of the 303rd Bomb Group. Passed for publication 24 Sep 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'American Public To See Veteran Raider. The famous Flying Fortress "Hell's Angels," which has raided enemy territory 41 times dropping 205,000 lbs of bombs and shooting down 16 enemy fighters, is to be flown to the United States where it will "tour" the country for inspection by the American public. Its targets include St. Nazaire (3 times), Wilhelmshaven (4 times), Paris (4 times), Hamm (twice), Lorient (4 times), Rouen (2), Lille (2), Rotterdam (2), Hamburg (2), Antwerp (2) and one raid on each on [each] Brest, Rennes, Amiens, Vegesack, Meanete, Kiel, Le Mans, Paix, Hanover, Abbeville, Schweinfurt,. Total combat time ... 207 hours, 25 minutes. Total flying time ... 531 hours, 20 minutes. ABS/F. Keystone.' Printed caption also attached: '(8). Major Kirk R. Mitchell from Oklahoma City, the Squadron Commander of the wing in which “Hell’s Angels” flies, tries the controls of the famous raider’s cockpit.' On reverse: US Army Press Censor ETO and US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau [Stamps]. Roger Freeman Collection

Roger Freeman Photo.

Object Number - FRE 4209 - The nose art of a B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Hell's Angels" of the 303rd Bomb Group. Passed for publication 24 Sep 1943. Printed caption on...

Description

German U-boats continue to attack convoys headed fro Great Britain in the North Atlantic with good success. Many of the U-boat packs operate from St. Nazaire, Lorient and Brest, France, so destroying harbour facilities at these locations remain a primary objective for American heavy bomber crews. On this date the U-Boat pens at Lorient, France are the primary target for the main formation of B-17s and in addition the harbour facilites at Brest, France become the primary target of for a formation of B-24s. The attack on Brest is considered a diversion for the main attack on Lorient.



71 B-17s are despatched to attack Lorient, France: 91BG (14); 303BG (18); 305BG (18), 306BG (21). 65 of these are effective on the target and 3 are MIA. The bomber gunners claim 7 enemy aircraft destroyed, 2 enemy aircraft probabaly destroyed; and 1 enemy aircraft damaged (7-2-1)



15 B-24s are despatched to attack the harbour facilities at Brest, France: 44BG (10) and 93BG (5) All 15 ar effective on the target and the bomber gunners claim 2-0-2 on enemy aircraft.

Mission Details

BREST (Primary)

Description: U-BOAT PENS

Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator

Notes: This is a diversionary raid to assist the Lorient raid.

The insignia of the 44th Bomb Group.

44th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 93rd Bomb Group.

93rd Bomb Group

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

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 44.50
  • Aircraft sent: 15
  • Aircraft effective: 15
  • Aircraft damaged: 3

LORIENT (Primary)

Description: POWER PLANT, BRIDGE, PORT AREA

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: There is no fighter escort for this mission.

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
Unofficial emblem of the 91st Bomb Group.

91st Bomb Group

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

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 162.50
  • People killed in action: 6
  • People evaded: 1
  • Prisoners of war: 22
  • People returned to duty: 1
  • Aircraft sent: 71
  • Aircraft effective: 65
  • Aircraft missing in action: 3
  • Aircraft damaged: 8

Connections

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

People

Charles N Austin

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 92nd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-442766
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Frank W Bartlett

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 15068650
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner

Bruce Dero Barton

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 322nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 14049756 / O-437941
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Glenn Adkins Blakemore

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 367th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 17032540
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator

Edward Albert Bradford

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13049248
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner

Aircraft

41-24539

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Jersey Bounce
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 41-24559) nicknamed "Old Soljer" of the 303rd Bomb Group. Passed as censored 25 Jan 1943. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'B-17 "Old Soljer". 25 Jan 1943.' Printed caption attached: 'How The Boys Live And Work At Flying Fortress Station In England. Wide World Photo Shows:- Side view of Fortress. This one's been named "Old Soljer" by her crew, who have painted the name on the side of the fuselage, as shown here. WW/ALA. 26-1-43.' On reverse: Ministry of Information, As

41-24559

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Ooold Soljer
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
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
A B-17 Flying Fortress (VK-D, serial number 41-24577) nicknamed "Hell's Angel" of the 358th Bomb Squadron, 303rd Bomb Group in flight. Passed for publication 21 Aug 1943. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Hell's Angel. L1721/29.' Printed caption on reverse of print: 'A Flying Fortress wearing the new recognition symbol of the U.S.A.A.F. and fitted with toughened glass "windows" in the air.' On reverse: The Aeroplane Ltd, US Army Press Censor ETO and US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau [Stamps

41-24577

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Hell's Angels
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron

41-24587

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

Revisions

Date
ContributorNordicFox
Changes
Sources

Corrected image from earlier upload

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 25-Dec-2014. Descriptions 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'.

VIII Bomber Command 40: Gallery (1 items)

The nose art of a B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Hell's Angels" of the 303rd Bomb Group. Passed for publication 24 Sep 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'American Public To See Veteran Raider. The famous Flying Fortress "Hell's Angels," which has raided enemy territory 41 times dropping 205,000 lbs of bombs and shooting down 16 enemy fighters, is to be flown to the United States where it will "tour" the country for inspection by the American public. Its targets include St. Nazaire (3 times), Wilhelmshave

Object number: FRE 4209 - The nose art of a B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed...