1st Bomb Division
Division
The groups under the command of the 1st Bomb Wing came under the command of the 1st Bomb Division in August 1943. In December 1944, the Division was redesginated the 1st Air Division.
720
21 November 1944
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B - 17 (43-38725) John M. Flynn – Engineer Anthony R. Demarco – Radio Operator Charles R. Agnatovich – Ball Turret Gunner Douglas Aldrich - Waist Gunner John W. Lafferty Jr. – Waist Gunner Ralph B. Corning - Tail Gunner Charles O. Norris – Co-Pilot Raymond H. Buthe – Pilot Marvin L. Brawer – Navigator Curtis G. Chapman – Bombardier
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A crashed B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-101018) of the 398th Bomb Group. Image via K Sandford. Handwritten caption on reverse: '2101018 N7-U at Ursell, 1945.'
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Crew #664 Elmo Maiden Crew 466th BG - 786th BS Standing Left to Right: Bernard M. Atkins (TG), Vernon R. Hayden (WG), William R. Hoopes (B), Gustave J. Roussel (E), Guerino G. Petti (N), Herbert Rosenkoff (CP), William A. Thomason (TT), Elmo Maiden (P), Kenneth W. Chester (NG), Joseph R. Zebrowski (R/O) B-24J-5-DT #42-51532 Code: U8-W Photo taken on 27 December 1944 after crash landing at an airfield in Belgium.
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"Fuddy Duddy" 43-38147 N8-L was assigned to 600th Squadron, of the 398th Bomb Group, as a replacement aircraft. It was declared MIA on 21st November, when on its 19th mission to Merseburg, Germany. Crew on board: Pilot-Lt. Charles E. Howell (KIA) Co-pilot-2nd Lt. William M. Bryan (KIA) Navigator-Lt. John J. Leyden, Jnr. (KIA) Bombardier-2nd Lt. Robert T. Gaynor (KIA) Top Turret Gunner-S/Sgt. Ralph F. Glancy (KIA) Radio Observer-T/Sgt. John W. Bahling (POW) Ball Turret Gunner-S/Sgt. Brooks U. Atchinson (KIA) Left Waist Gunner-S/Sgt. William H. Landrie (POW) Right Waist Gunner- S/Sgt. Jose M. Echevarria (POW) Tail Gunner- S/Sgt. Fred W. Cole (KIA)
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STANDING: LEFT TO RIGHT John M. Flynn – Engineer Anthony R. Demarco – Radio Operator Charles R. Agnatovich – Ball Turret Gunner Douglas Aldrich - Waist Gunner John W. Lafferty Jr. – Waist Gunner Ralph B. Corning - Tail Gunner KNEELING Charles O. Norris – Co-Pilot Raymond H. Buthe – Pilot Marvin L. Brawer – Navigator Curtis G. Chapman – Bombardier
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Overall Missions Map for the 493rd BG - USAAF Station 152 -Debach, UK noting missions flown by the Lt Bernard E Vaughan Crew
Official description
Not yet known
Description
Not yet known
Mission details
1.
Description
BOMB TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY
Aircraft type
Not yet known
Notes
Not yet known
Mission Statistics
2.
Description
SCREENING MISSION
Aircraft type
Not yet known
Notes
Not yet known
Mission Statistics
3. APOLDA
Description
INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
Aircraft type
Not yet known
Notes
Not yet known
Mission Statistics
4. BIELEFELD
Description
MARSHALLING YARDS
Aircraft type
Not yet known
Notes
Not yet known
Mission Statistics
5. FRIEDBURG
Description
MARSHALLING YARDS
Aircraft type
B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes
457th BG MISSION NO. 149: FRIEDBERG, GERMANY : 21 NOVEMBER, 1944
Although Merseburg was the briefed target, unfavorable weather conditions caused the Group to abandon the original plan and attack a target of opportunity. Major Syptak, Air Commander of the 94th A Combat Wing, led the Group with Captain Seesenguth as pilot, flying seventh in the Division formation, as briefed. Division assembly was loose, but the Group assumed its approximate position.
At the Dutch Coast, a significant amount of flak made it necessary for the preceding groups to "S" on course. The 94th A Combat Wing continued on its briefed course and advanced in front of its briefed position, becoming fourth instead of seventh. The course over enemy territory was flown approximately as briefed. Approximately ten minutes before the IP, the Group encountered cloud conditions extending up to 30,000 feet. The Group leader decided to get below the clouds. At approximately 21,000 feet, another group of B-17s coming from about 45 degrees "shuffled the deck".
The leader believed that all aircraft were now separated. The PFF equipment was not functioning satisfactorily and the operator reported it would be difficult to make the briefed mn. It was then decided to reassemble. The low squadron was not too far distant and assembled successfully. The high squadron, being separated, continued on its course toward the target. Although the primary target area was visible, weather conditions were extremely bad. Bombs were released. Results were not observed.
In the meantime, the other two squadrons began a search for a target of opportunity and deviated considerably from the briefed course. Bombs were released on Fnedberg, making an indistinguishable pattern 2,000 feet east of the marshalling yard located there.
Although flak had been encountered at the target, it was meager and inaccurate and no aircraft were lost. Flak was encountered at Cromer on the return to England; however, it caused no damage
Units
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457th Bomb Group
Group
The 457th Bomb Group began combat operations during the Big Week of 20-25 February when American bombers carried out concentrated raids against German aircraft bases, factories and assembly plants. The air crews' targets on that first mission were...
Mission Statistics
6. GIESSEN
Description
MARSHALLING YARDS
Aircraft type
Not yet known
Notes
Not yet known
Mission Statistics
7. HAMBURG
Description
INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
Aircraft type
Not yet known
Notes
Not yet known
Mission Statistics
8. HAMBURG/DPAG
Description
OIL REFINERY
Aircraft type
Not yet known
Notes
A mix of 177 P-47 and P-51s provide escort. Mix not given in available data.
Mission Statistics
9. HAMBURG/RHENANIA
Description
OIL REFINERY
Aircraft type
Not yet known
Notes
Not yet known
Mission Statistics
10. HERSFELD
Description
AUTOBAHN
Aircraft type
Not yet known
Notes
Not yet known
Mission Statistics
11. HERSFELD
Description
MARSHALLING YARDS
Aircraft type
Not yet known
Notes
Not yet known
Mission Statistics
12. HUNDFELD
Description
MARSHALLING YARDS
Aircraft type
Not yet known
Notes
Not yet known
Mission Statistics
13. KOBLENZ
Description
MARSHALLING YARDS
Aircraft type
Not yet known
Notes
Not yet known
Mission Statistics
14. LEEUWARDEN
Description
AIRFIELD
Aircraft type
Not yet known
Notes
Not yet known
Mission Statistics
15. LENDORF
Description
INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
Aircraft type
Not yet known
Notes
Not yet known
Mission Statistics
16. LINGEN
Description
MARSHALLING YARDS
Aircraft type
Not yet known
Notes
Not yet known
Mission Statistics
17. MEPPIN
Description
MARSHALLING YARDS
Aircraft type
Not yet known
Notes
Not yet known
Mission Statistics
18. MERSEBURG
Description
FLAK GUN BATTERIES
Aircraft type
Not yet known
Notes
Not yet known
Mission Statistics
19. MERSEBURG/LEUNA
Description
OIL REFINERY
Aircraft type
Not yet known
Notes
Not yet known
Mission Statistics
20. QUAKENBRUCK
Description
BOMB TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY
Aircraft type
Not yet known
Notes
Not yet known
Mission Statistics
21. STERKRADE
Description
INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
Aircraft type
Not yet known
Notes
Cloud cover prevents bombing of these targets
Mission Statistics
22. WETZLAR
Description
MARSHALLING YARDS
Aircraft type
Not yet known
Notes
Not yet known
Mission Statistics
Service
People
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Charles Aiken
Military | First Lieutenant | Pilot | 401st Bomb Group
Assigned to 612BS, 401BG, 8AF USAAF. 35 x combat missions. ETD Awards: DFC, AM (5OLC), WWII Victory, EAME (3 x Battle Stars). -
Ora Akins
Military | Staff Sergeant | Tail Gunner | 401st Bomb Group
Assigned to 615BS, 401BG, 8AF USAAF. 37 x Combat missions. Carl Djernes crew. ETD Awards: AM (5OLC), WWII Victory, EAME (3 x Battle Stars). -
Gail Anderson
Military | Staff Sergeant | Tail Gunner | 385th Bomb Group
S/Sgt Gail E. Anderson Jr was Tail Gunner on board 43-38566 on the 21 November 1944 mission. That plane was involved in a mid-air collision with another 550th Squadron aircraft, 43-38270. Anderson and 6 others of the 9-man crew on 43-38566 returned to... -
Arnold Asheim
Military | Staff Sergeant | Ball Turret Gunner | 401st Bomb Group
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Howard Ayers
Military | Technical Sergeant | Radio Operator | 398th Bomb Group
KIS Attended Brackenridge High School in San Antonio. Was a carrier (newspaper boy) for his local newspaper. Buried in the Fort Sam Houston Military Cemetery in San Antonio. -
George Bachman
Military | Technical Sergeant | B17 Engineer | 96th Bomb Group
Parents: George and Pauline (Matthias) Bachman they were married in March 1911 ... -
Johnnie Bevilacqua
Military | Staff Sergeant | Waist Gunner | 385th Bomb Group
Johnnie Bevilacqua was on board 43-38566 on the 21 November 1944 mission. That plane was involved in a mid-air collision with another 550th Squadron aircraft, 43-38270. Johnnie Bevilacqua and 6 others of the 9-man crew on 43-38566 returned to base, but... -
Jackie Bishop
Military | First Lieutenant | Bombardier | 466th Bomb Group
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Donald Bourlier
Military | Technical Sergeant | Top Turret Gunner | 303rd Bomb Group
Assigned to 427BS, 303BG, 8AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) mission to Merseburg, aboard B-17G 43-38705 murdered by German civilians near Frankleben, according Swiss Red Cross report. Killed in Action (KIA) MACR 11199. Awards: AM (2OLC), PH. -
Donald Bremer
Military | Second Lieutenant | Co-Pilot | 389th Bomb Group
Assigned to 566BS, 389BG, 8AF USAAF. Fatal mid-air collision with B-24 44-10513 during formation assembly near Carleton Rode, 21-Nov-44. Killed in Action (KIA) Awards: PH.
Aircraft
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42-102393 Diana Queen Of The Chase
B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Cheyenne 27/2/44; Hunter 22/3/44; Grenier 2/4/44; Assigned 612BS/401BG [SC-R] Deenethorpe 16/4/44; 111m, Returned to the USA Bradley 8/6/45; 4168 Base Unit, South Plains, Texas 12/6/45; Reconstruction Finance Corporation (sold for scrap metal... -
42-102398 Dynamite John
B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Cheyenne 29/2/44; Gr Island 22/3/44; Grenier 20/4/44; Assigned 612BS/401BG [SC-H] Deenethorpe 13/5/44; Returned to the USA Bradley 6/6/45; 4168 Base Unit, South Plains, Texas 8/6/45; Reconstruction Finance Corporation (sold for scrap metal in... -
42-102468 'Farmer's Daughter'
B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Cheyenne 5/3/44; Hunter 7/4/44; Dow Fd 29/4/44; Assigned 615BS/401BG [IY-C] Deenethorpe 3/5/44; 614BS [IW-S]; 106m, Returned to the USA Bradley 7/6/45; 4168 Base Unit, South Plains, Texas 14/6/45; Reconstruction Finance Corporation (sold for... -
42-102659 'Hard Seventeen', 'Hard Luck'
B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Cheyenne 23/3/44; Kearney 13/4/44; Grenier 15/5/44; Assigned 447BG Rattlesden 16/5/44; transferred 614BS/401BG [IW-J] Deenethorpe 30/5/44; Salvaged 10/1/45. ... -
42-102947 D-Day Dottie
B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Cheyenne 21/4/44; Kearney 2/5/44; Grenier 26/5/44; Assigned 613BS/401BG [IN-S] 27/5/44; Returned to the USA Bradley 8/6/45; 4168 Base Unit, South Plains, Texas 12/6/45; Reconstruction Finance Corporation (sold for scrap metal in USA) Kingman... -
42-107047 The Doodle Bug
B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Tulsa 6/2/44; Grenier 3/3/44; Assigned 334BS/95BG [BG-M] Horham 17/3/44; with R.V. Mercer force landed Framlingham AFB 25/12/44 with engine failure; battle damaged Berlin 3/2/45 with H. Palmer; force landed Charleroi, Bel; 97m, repaired & ret... -
42-107113 'Miss Aldaflak' 'Section 8'
B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Tulsa 24/2/44; Gr Island 7/3/44; Grenier 5/4/44; Assigned 615BS/401BG [IY-J] Deenethorpe 2/5/44; 612BS [SC-O]; Returned to the USA Bradley 6/6/45; 4168 Base Unit, South Plains, Texas 21/10/45; Reconstruction Finance Corporation (sold for... -
42-107151 Cover Girl
B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Tulsa 7/3/44; Kearney 22/3/44; Grenier 7/4/44; Assigned 614BS/401BG [IW-B] Deenethorpe 15/4/44; Returned to the USA Bradley 8/6/45; 4168 Base Unit, South Plains, Texas 12/6/45; Reconstruction Finance Corporation (sold for scrap metal in USA)... -
42-31072 Betty J.
B-17 Flying Fortress
This was the only original aircraft of the 401st BG to return to the USA after the war. The aircraft was named after Lt. Bryan Shotts' Wife "Betty Jean Shotts". ... -
42-31582 Ol' Scrapiron
B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Cheyenne 26/11/43; Paine Fd 28/11/43; Toledo 1/12/43; Felts Fd 4/12/43; Gt falls 5/12/43; Cheyenne 7/12/43; Kearney 19/12/43; Detroit 8/1/44; Montreal 10/1/44; Presque 12/1/44; Assigned 711BS/447BG Rattlesden 23/1/44. ...
Revisions
| Date | Contributor | Update |
|---|---|---|
| 19 June 2018 13:53:02 | Richard412 | Changes to media associations |
| Sources | ||
Denise "Flynn" Frohm - John's daughter |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 29 April 2015 10:21:50 | general ira snapsorter | Changes to event |
| Sources | ||
Mission details added courtesy of Diane Elizabeth Reese from 457th Bomb Group Mission Documents. http://www.457thbombgroup.org/ |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 27 September 2014 18:43:08 | 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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