Please click here for more information, there is also plenty to explore in our online archive.
The American Air Museum is a charity - Find out how you can support us
21 June 1944
B-17 42-102622 Borrowed Time
Colonel Blakeslee at briefing. Colonel Don Blakeslee, CO of 4th Fighter Group, briefing his pilots for the first Britain-to-Russia shuttle mission. Original caption by Grover Hall says: "Col. Blakeslee briefing for first Britain-to-Russia mission, which the 4th was chosen to spearhead. Picture was highly secret at one time."
Reported destroyed on the ground by German bombers at Poltava, Ukraine the night of June 21-22, 1944.
Destroyed B-17s litter the field at Poltava, Ukraine after an unopposed German air strike the night of June 21-22, 1944.
Colonel Don Blakeslee, CO of the 4th Fighter Group, upon return from the much heralded first Russian Shuttle Mission.
First Lieutenant Ralph "Kidd" Hofer, 4th Fighter Group, talking with his I.O. Lieutenant Charles Ashcraft before the first Russia Shuttle mission. Official caption on back: "Lt. Ralph K. Hover (sic), Salem, Mo., gets last minute instruction from his intelligence officer, Lt. Charles Ashcraft, of Pittsburgh, Pa., for the 21 June 44 long range fighter escort mission with bomber of the 8th Air Force which attacked targets in central Germany and then flew on to land in Russia. Lt. Hofer, the former Golden Gloves boxing champion, was recently forced down in France. He landed on the Normandy beachhead and then flew back to England, bringing with him a German helmet and a copy of Hitler’s "Mein Kampf" as souvenirs. Lt. Hover (sic) has a total of 19 ½ enemy aircraft destroyed, 16 ½ in the air and 13 on the ground." (This caption has misspelled Hofer's name as 'Hover' twice.)
4th Fighter Group pilot Captain Howard "Deacon" Hivlley about to embark on the first historic Britain to Russia Shuttle Mission. Note that his nickname "Deacon" is stencilled on his flying helmet and is just visable. Also note that it is still the dark of early dawn in the background, denoting when the group took off. Offical caption on back: "ENGLAND-Preparing for the take off on the first Britain to Russia Shuttle Mission-Capt. Howard Hively, of Ward, W. Va., taxis his 8th Fighter Command North American P-51 Mustang out to escort heavy bombers which attacked targets in central Germany and then land in Russia."
Colonel Don Blakeslee (left) and Major General Kepner (right) after the return home of Blakeslee and his Mustangs from the first Russia Shuttle Mission. Official caption on back: "Col. Don Blakeslee, 26, of Fairport Harbor, Ohio, (left) alights from his North American P-51 Mustang in England upon His return from Russia, Hungry, Rumania, Italy and France, and it met by Maj. Gen. William E. Kepner, 8th Fighter Command Chief. Gen. Kepner chose Blakeslee, former Eagle Squadron Commander, to lead that 8th AAF Mustang Squadrons from Russian and Italian bases, Blakeslee led the fighters as the bombers attacked targets in Rumania, Hungary and Southern France. He shot down a ME-109 over Budapest, his 15th in combat (6 more on the ground)."
Captain Sam E Brown (right) pictured with his brother Lt Bill Brown (left).
B-17 numbered 42-102662 (#662
The Eighth begins shuttle bombing missions (FRANTIC) between UK and bases in USSR. P-47’s (2 groups) escort the Heavy Bombers from just off German coast to Stendal where a P-51 group continues escort to, and suppprt over, the target (synthetic oil plant at Ruhland). 123 B-17’s bomb primary target, 21 bomb Elsterwerda, and a lone B-17 bombs Riesa due to a bomb rack malfunction. After the attack, the supporting P-51 group is relieved 50 miles south east of Poznan by 65 other P-51’s which are to accompany the Heavy Bombers to USSR. 50 miles south east of Brest Litovsk 20 to 30 fighters attack the force. In the resulting battle 1 US and 6 German fightersare destroyed. A single B-17 is lost (to unknown causes) on the flight. 144 Heavy Bombers land in USSR, 73 at Poltava, and the rest at Mirgorod. The 64 remaining P-51’s land at Piryatin. The shuttle run is made in conjunction with a large-scale effort against targets in Berlin area.
935 Heavy Bombers attack city areas, motor industries, and targets of opportunity in and near Berlin, Genshagen, Basdorf, Rangsdorf, Trebbin, Belzig, Potsdam, Stendal, and surrounding areas. 19 Heavy Bombers are lost. Fighters fly 902 sorties in supprt of this mission, claiming 18 fighters destroyed, with a loss of 6.
During 21/22 June the 73 B-17’s which earlier landed at Poltava are attacked for 2 hours by an estimated 75 German bombers led by airplanes dropping flares. 47 Heavy Bombers are destroyed and most of the remainder severely damaged. Heavy damage is also suffered by stores of fuel and ammo.
Ruhland, Germany - The target, south of Berlin, bombed by 114 fortresses with an escort of 70 Mustangs went off as planned but not before the Germans destroyed 43 B-17's and damaged 26. Landed in Russia.
BOMB TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY
Not yet known
Not yet known
| Tonnage dropped | 10 T |
BOMB TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY
Not yet known
Not yet known
| Tonnage dropped | 17 T |
BOMB TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY
Not yet known
Not yet known
| Tonnage dropped | 30 T |
INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
Not yet known
Not yet known
Group
The 452nd Bomb Group flew B-17 Flying Fortresses from Deopham Green, Norfolk, from January 1944. The air crews hit strategic sites in Germany but also supported the movement of ground forces across Europe after D-Day. On 6 June 1944 itself, the Group...
| Tonnage dropped | 181 T |
INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
Not yet known
Not yet known
| Tonnage dropped | 3 T |
INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
B-17 Flying Fortress
1st Bomb Division was made up of 91st Bomb Group, 92nd Bomb Group, 303rd Bomb Group, 305th Bomb Group, 306th Bomb Group,351st Bomb Group, 379th Bomb Group, 381st Bomb Group, 384th Bomb Group, 389th Bomb Group, 401st Bomb Group, 457th Bomb Group.
457th BG - MISSION NO. 73 - BERLIN, GERMANY
21 JUNE, 1944
The plans called for the greatest aerial assault in history. Although the effort was reduced by more than half before take off, the operation as carried out remained the largest to date. One thousand bombers from Italy were scheduled to fly north, while 900 RAF Lancaster bombers were to follow the Eighth Air Force to the center of Berlin for their first daylight raid into Germany. These two operations were scrubbed and only the Eighth attacked.
In the first deep penetration of Germany since D Day, the 457th dispatched 42 planes for the mission, composing the entire 94th B Combat Wing except for twelve craft in the high box. In addition one squadron was supplied for a composite box. Major Leroy Watson was Air Commander of the lead B box, with Captain Russell M. Selwyn as pilot. Capt. Richard E. Hoelzer was Commander of the low B box, with Lt. Vinton H. Mays as pilot. Major Fred A. Spencer was Commander of the high composite box, with Lt. Harry Stafford as pilot.
Three ships aborted from the lead box reducing its strength to fifteen craft. Bombing was by PFF and results were described as fair. At least six distinct bomb patterns were made over a very large area of Berlin.
The aircraft piloted by Lt. Robert M. Krumm, a veteran of twenty-nine missions, developed engine trouble en route to the target, began lagging behind the formation, jettisoned its bombs and landed in Sweden.
Upon leaving the target, the plane piloted by Lt. Hershel Wilson received a direct hit from flak, which knocked out one engine. It caught fire and the ship exploded. Only four of the crew survived.
The craft piloted by Lt. Edward J. Reppa, flying his last mission, was hit just after bombs away by flak, which knocked out engines Number 2 and 3. He left the formation and started back to England alone. Over the North Sea all expendable equipment was thrown out to lighten the weight. Flying barely fast enough to maintain flying speed, he was able to land the craft, using all the runway before coming to a coasting stop at the end of the runway.
Twenty-four of the returning planes sustained damage. For the day the Eighth Air Force dispatched 1177 aircraft to Berlin and the Berlin area. In addition, 163 B-17s were dispatched to the Ruhland synthetic oil refinery, southeast of Berlin, and then continued on to Russia.
The following crews were lost on this date:
Lt Hershel Wilson
Lt Robert M. Krumm
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.
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 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 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 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...
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
The 92nd Group sometime after arrivial in the UK converted to the role of in-theater combat crew indocrination and training. For this role, the Group traded its B-17F complement and obtained the B-17E, mostly from the 97th BG which was departing for...
| Tonnage dropped | 1081 T |
INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
Not yet known
3rd Bomb Division was made up of B-17s is 94th Bomb Group, 385th Bomb Group, 390th Bomb Group, 447th Bomb Group, 452nd Bomb Group, 486th Bomb Group, 487th Bomb Group
Division
The 3rd Bomb Division was Constituted in August 1943. In December 1944, the Division was redesginated the 3rd Air Division.
| Tonnage dropped | 254 T |
INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
Not yet known
Not yet known
| Tonnage dropped | 115 T |
INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
Not yet known
Not yet known
INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
Not yet known
Not yet known
| Tonnage dropped | 56 T |
INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
Not yet known
2nd Bomb Division was made up of 44th Bomb Group, 93rd Bomb Group, 389th Bomb Group, 392nd Bomb Group, 445th Bomb Group, 446th Bomb Group, 448th Bomb Group, 453rd Bomb Group, 458th Bomb Group, 466th Bomb Group, 467th Bomb Group, 491st Bomb Group, 492nd Bomb Group
Division
The groups under the command of the 2nd Bomb Wing came under the command of the 2nd Bomb Division in August 1943. In December 1944, the Division was redesginated the 2nd Air Division.
| Tonnage dropped | 171 T |
INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
Not yet known
Not yet known
| Tonnage dropped | 118 T |
INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
Not yet known
Not yet known
| Tonnage dropped | 71 T |
ENEMY GROUND ATTACK
Not yet known
During the night of 21/22 June 1944 the 73 B-17s that earlier landed at Poltava were attacked on the ground for 2 hours by an estimated 75 German bombers led by aircraft dropping flares. 47 B-17s are destroyed and most of the remainder severely damaged. Heavy damage is also suffered to stores of fuel and ammunition. These were Operation FRANTIC aircraft shuttled to Russia in conjunction with a large-scale effort against targets in the Berlin area. See next entry.
| Tonnage dropped | NA |
INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
Not yet known
Not yet known
| Tonnage dropped | 103 T |
INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
Not yet known
Not yet known
| Tonnage dropped | 40 T |
INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
Not yet known
Not yet known
OIL REFINERY
Not yet known
145 of 163 B-17s begin shuttle bombing missions. (Operation FRANTIC - shuttle bombing mission between bases in the UK and Russia). Bombers attack the oil refinery at Ruhland, Germany. 144 B-17s land in the USSR, 73 at Poltava and the rest at Mirgorod.
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 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
The 452nd Bomb Group flew B-17 Flying Fortresses from Deopham Green, Norfolk, from January 1944. The air crews hit strategic sites in Germany but also supported the movement of ground forces across Europe after D-Day. On 6 June 1944 itself, the Group...
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.
...
INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
Not yet known
Not yet known
| Tonnage dropped | 20 T |
INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
Not yet known
Not yet known
| Tonnage dropped | 20 T |
INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
Not yet known
Not yet known
| Tonnage dropped | 25 T |
Military | Staff Sergeant | Crew Chief
Assigned to 334FS, 4FG, 8AF USAAF. S/Sgt Allen was a talented artist, who was kept busy with nose art requests from pilots of the 334th Fighter Squadron.
Awards: AM, WWII Victory, EAME (6 Battle stars), Good Conduct Medal.
Military | First Lieutenant | Pilot | 94th Bomb Group
Flew 26 missions on 'Mission Bell', was wounded on 26th mission.
Purple Heart, 4 Air Medals
Military | Lieutenant | Pilot | 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs
Joined squad 2 June 1944. Damaged by flak on 21 July 1944 (Oberpfaffenhofen) and landed in Switzerland. Plane was B-24 Mary Harriet #42110049. Interned Switzerland. Returned to base 15 February 1945. Returned to ZOI 15 March 1945.
Military | Technical Sergeant | Crew Chief
Assigned to 334FS, 4FG, 8AF USAAF. One-time crew chief for Colonel Louis 'Red Dog'Norley. Assigned to participate in Op FRANTIC II, the Russia Shuttle mission. The B-17 he was assigned to was involved in a taxi accident, heading to the runway and was...
Military | Captain | Bombardier | 303rd Bomb Group
Assigned to 358BS, 303BG, 8AF USAAF. 33 x combat missions. ETD
Awards: WWII Victory, EAME.
Military | Staff Sergeant | Top Turret Gunner | 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs
Damaged by flak on 21 July 1944 (Oberpfaffenhofen) and landed in Switzerland. Pilot: Anderson, J. Plane was B-24 Mary Harriet #42110049. Interned Switzerland.
Military | Captain | Pilot | 388th Bomb Group
newly assigned May 1944
Military | First Lieutenant | Pilot | 95th Bomb Group
Military | Sergeant | Ball turret gunner | 305th Bomb Group Can Do
Assigned to 384th Bomb Group on 16 May 1944, completed 16 Missions with 384th Bomb Group before transferring to 305th Bomb Group on 26 June 1944.
Military | Staff Sergeant (Technician Third Grade) | Tail Gunner | 95th Bomb Group
B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Cheyenne 5/2/44; Kearney 24/2/44; Presque Is 11/3/44; Assigned 336BS/95BG [ET-O] Horham 11/3/44; with G.M. Jackman force landed B-53 Merville, Belg., 10/5/45; with Lt Henderson force landed A-70 Laon, France 20/5/45; 114m Returned to the USA...
B-24 Liberator
Assigned to 735BS, 453BG, 8AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) mission to Berlin attacked by E/A setting two engines alight, crashed at Mangelsdorf, crew baled out 21-Jun-44. 10 x POW. MACR 5933.
B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Cheyenne 10/3/44; Gr Island 30/3/44; Dow Fd 8/4/44; Assigned 729BS/452BG [M3- ] Deopham Green 11/4/44; destroyed by enemy aircraft at Poltava, with Jim Nelson Rus 21/6/44; Salvaged 2/7/44.
B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Cheyenne 15/3/44; Gr Island 1/4/44; Dow Fd 28/4/44; Assigned 338BS/96BG [BX-T] Snetterton 30/4/44; destroyed by enemy aircraft at Poltava with Sigmund Swansberg 21/6/44; Salvaged.
B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Cheyenne 18/3/44; Hunter 8/4/44; Dow Fd 29/4/44; Assigned 339BS/96BG [QJ-B] Snetterton 1/5/44; damaged by enemy aircraft at Poltava 21/6/44; Sal; malfunction at Prestwick, Scot, with Harry Faber 12/5/45; Returned to the USA Bradley 11/7/45;...
B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Cheyenne 19/3/44; Hunter 9/4/44; Dow Fd 29/4/44; Assigned 338BS/96BG Snetterton 1/5/55; transferred 337BS [AW-B]; destroyed by enemy aircraft at Poltava with Ken Bope 21/6/44; Salvaged 1/7/44. ALL AMERICAN GIRL.
B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Cheyenne 22/3/44; Hunter 7/4/44; Dow Fd 20/4/44; Assigned 339BS/96BG [QJ-K] Snetterton 22/4/44; destroyed by enemy aircraft at Poltava with Lee Seeman 21/6/44; Salvaged 1/7/44.
B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Cheyenne 23/3/44; Kearney 14/4/44; Grenier 27/4/44; Assigned 339BS/96BG [QJ-A] Snetterton 1/5/44; destroyed by enemy aircraft at Poltava with Tom Barton 21/6/44; Salvaged 1/7/44.
B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Cheyenne 24/3/44; Hunter 11/4/44; Grenier 29/4/44; Assigned 338BS/96BG [BX-Q] Snetterton 3/5/44; destroyed by enemy aircraft at Poltava with Bob Wighaman 21/6/44; Salvaged 1/7/44.
B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Cheyenne 26 March 1944; Kearney 13 April 1944; Grenier 29 April 1944. Assigned 339BS/96BG [QJ-M] Snetterton Heath 3 May 1944. Had been assigned to Pilot Jack L. Hodson and was destroyed by enemy aircraft on the ground at Poltava, in the...
| Date | Contributor | Update |
|---|---|---|
| 29 July 2019 11:24:17 | Emily | Changes to official description |
| Sources | ||
USAAF Combat Chronology |
||
| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 21 September 2017 10:52:51 | Lucy May | Changes to event |
| Sources | ||
| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 24 January 2017 02:25:20 | cmckeever | Changes to description and person associations |
| Sources | ||
Daughter - Carol Rollinger McKeever |
||
| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 27 May 2015 12:00:20 | 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/ |
||
| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 18 March 2015 10:08:57 | general ira snapsorter | Changes to event |
| Sources | ||
Associated Bomb Groups of 1st Bomb Division. |
||
| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 18 March 2015 10:06:58 | general ira snapsorter | Changes to event |
| Sources | ||
Removed erroneous associations. |
||
| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 18 March 2015 10:03:28 | general ira snapsorter | Changes to event |
| Sources | ||
Associated Bomb Groups of 1st Bomb Division. |
||
| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 27 September 2014 18:43:07 | 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'. |
||
