-
Photo thanks to GWard (96 BG Historian)
-
Page 108 of the 401st Bomb Group unit history.
Many of the 8th Air Force Groups produced an unofficial unit history in the months after the war ended in Europe but before they were redeployed out of the ETO (European Theater of Operations).
Resembling a college yearbook, unit histories were an unofficial – and often tongue-in-cheek – record of the unit’s time based in the UK. They include photo montages showing different aspects of base life. Often the servicemen in the photos are unnamed. The American Air Museum hopes that by adding unit histories to the website as individual pages, the men in the photos will be identified and associated to their person entries. Many included lists of personnel and a mailing address, providing a means for servicemen to keep in contact with each other after the war. These lists are now incredibly useful records of where US airmen in England in 1945 called their home.
-
Page 109 of the 401st Bomb Group unit history.
Many of the 8th Air Force Groups produced an unofficial unit history in the months after the war ended in Europe but before they were redeployed out of the ETO (European Theater of Operations).
Resembling a college yearbook, unit histories were an unofficial – and often tongue-in-cheek – record of the unit’s time based in the UK. They include photo montages showing different aspects of base life. Often the servicemen in the photos are unnamed. The American Air Museum hopes that by adding unit histories to the website as individual pages, the men in the photos will be identified and associated to their person entries. Many included lists of personnel and a mailing address, providing a means for servicemen to keep in contact with each other after the war. These lists are now incredibly useful records of where US airmen in England in 1945 called their home.
-
Page 111 of the 401st Bomb Group unit history.
Many of the 8th Air Force Groups produced an unofficial unit history in the months after the war ended in Europe but before they were redeployed out of the ETO (European Theater of Operations).
Resembling a college yearbook, unit histories were an unofficial – and often tongue-in-cheek – record of the unit’s time based in the UK. They include photo montages showing different aspects of base life. Often the servicemen in the photos are unnamed. The American Air Museum hopes that by adding unit histories to the website as individual pages, the men in the photos will be identified and associated to their person entries. Many included lists of personnel and a mailing address, providing a means for servicemen to keep in contact with each other after the war. These lists are now incredibly useful records of where US airmen in England in 1945 called their home.
-
2nd Lieutenant Edward McGonagle
-
390th Bomb Group, 571st Bomb Squadron, CREW 70 . Personnel Log entry from my uncles journey ,
Official description
Not yet known
Description
The port areas at Bremen and Kiel, Germany are the primary targets for this mission. This is the first mission where more than 600 aircraft are despatched. This mission is comprised of 8 elements. The first element consists 182 B-17s from: 91BG (31); 303BG (40); 379BG (43); 381BG (30); 384BG (38); 482BG (4 PFF equipped). 171 aircraft of this contingent are effective at Bremen, Germany at 1159-1206hrs. 1 battle damaged aircraft makes a crash landing at Grafton Underwood and is declared to be Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR) but crew are OK 10RTD. 1 airmen is KIA and 3 others are Wounded in Action aboard aircraft that returned. 30 aircraft are damaged. The bomber gunners of this contingent make no claims on enemy aircraft.
The second element consists of 119 B-17s of 1st Bomb Division that included: 92G (28); 305BG (27); 306BG (22); 351BG (21);401BG (21); 482BG (4 PFF equipped); 106 aircraft are effective on the target at Keil, Germany. 1 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) 7KIA 3POW. No other casualties. 34 aircraft are damaged. The bomber gunners of this contingent from 1st Bomb Division claim 0-0-1 of attacking enemy aircraft.
The third element was a combined force of 119 B-24s from 2nd Bomb Division that included:(6 PFF equipped); 44BG (24); 93BG (27); 389BG (22); 392BG (25); and 445BG (15) despatched to bomb the port area of Keil, Germany. This is the first combat mission for 445BG. 99 aircraft are effective on the target at 1245-1247hrs. 1 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) 3KIA 7POW. No other casualties. 4 aircraft are damaged. The bomber gunners of this element claim 1-0-0 of attacking German aircraft.
The fourth element consists of 121 B-17s of 3rd Bomb Division that included: 482BG (2 PFF equipped); 94BG (41); 100BG (19); 385BG (21) and 388BG (40) despatched to bomb the port areas of Keil, Germany. 112 aircraft are effective on the target at 1306-1317hrs. There are no aircraft losses, but 67 aircraft are damaged. 1 airman is KIA and 4 others aboard returning aircraft are Wounded in Action (WIA). The bomber gunners in this element claim 6-3-11 of attacking German aircraft.
The fifth element is a composite force of 21 B-17s from 94BG & 385BG despatched to Keil, Germany. 18 aircraft are effective on the target. 1 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) 1KIA 9POW. Therer are no other casualties. The bomber gunners of this element calim 0-0-2 of attacking German aircraft.
The sixth element is a composite force of 19 B-17s from 100BG & 390BG depsatched to Keil, Germany. 17 are affective on the target. There are no losses or claims.
The seventh element is a combined force of 81 B-17s from 95BG (43) and 96BG (38) despateche to bomb Keil but heavy frosting and poor visiblity frustrate the attack and this element drops on Hamburg as a target of opportunity at 1300-1305hrs. 2 Aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) 2KIA 17POW. 1 aircraft with battle damage crash lands at Snetterton Heath, aircraft declared to be Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR) 4KIA 6RTD. 4 airmen in returning aircraft are Wounded in Action (WIA). 28 aircraft are damaged. The bomber gunners claim 0-0-2 of attacking German aircraft.
The eighth element is a compositie force of 21 B-17s from 96BG & 388BG and 21 B-17 from 390BG. (Force includes 2 PFF equipped B-17 from 483BG). 36 aircraft are effective on the target. There are no aircraft losses but 7 are damaged. 3 airmen are KIA and 8 others Wounded in Action (WIA) aboard returning aircraft. There are no claims on enemy aircraft.
Mission details
1. Bremen, Germany
Description
INDUSTRIAL AREA
Aircraft type
B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes
This raid and the one on Kiel is the first time that more than 600 bombers have been despatched.
Units
-
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 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 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...
Mission Statistics
Tonnage dropped |
457.10 |
Number of aircraft Sent |
186 |
Number of aircraft Effective |
175 |
Number of aircraft Damaged Beyond Repair |
1 |
Number of aircraft Damaged |
30 |
Number of people Returned To Duty |
10 |
2. HAMBURG (Opportunistic)
Description
INDUSTRIAL AREA
Aircraft type
B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes
Composite group with Hamburg element.
Units
-
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 96th Bomb Group flew B-17 Flying Fortresses to targets across occupied Europe from May 1943 to April 1945.
...
Mission Statistics
Tonnage dropped |
63.58 |
Number of aircraft Sent |
42 |
Number of aircraft Effective |
36 |
Number of aircraft Damaged |
7 |
Number of people Killed In Action |
3 |
Number of people Wounded in Action |
8 |
3. HAMBURG (Opportunistic)
Description
INDUSTRIAL AREA
Aircraft type
B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes
This element contained one composite group made up of 388th Bomb Group and 96th Bomb Group despatching 42 aircraft.
Units
-
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.
...
Mission Statistics
Tonnage dropped |
137.75 |
Number of aircraft Sent |
81 |
Number of aircraft Effective |
78 |
Number of aircraft Missing In Action |
2 |
Number of aircraft Damaged Beyond Repair |
1 |
Number of aircraft Damaged |
28 |
Number of people Killed In Action |
7 |
Number of people Wounded in Action |
6 |
Number of people Prisoners of War |
17 |
Number of people Returned To Duty |
6 |
Enemy aircraft claimed as Damaged by Bomber Command |
2 |
4. KIEL (Primary)
Description
SHIP YARD
Aircraft type
B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes
482nd Bomb Group (B-24) contributed 6 Pathfinder (PFF) equipped aircraft to this element.
Units
-
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
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...
Mission Statistics
Tonnage dropped |
203.24 |
Number of aircraft Sent |
161 |
Number of aircraft Effective |
147 |
Number of aircraft Missing In Action |
1 |
Number of aircraft Damaged |
67 |
Number of people Killed In Action |
1 |
Number of people Prisoners of War |
9 |
Enemy aircraft claimed as Destroyed by Bomber Command |
6 |
Enemy aircraft claimed as Probably Destroyed by Bomber Command |
3 |
Enemy aircraft claimed as Damaged by Bomber Command |
11 |
5. KIEL (Primary)
Description
SHIP YARD
Aircraft type
B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes
Composite group with 44th Bomb Group in Kiel 3rd wave element.
Units
-
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 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...
Mission Statistics
Tonnage dropped |
30.85 |
Number of aircraft Sent |
19 |
Number of aircraft Effective |
17 |
6. KIEL (Primary)
Description
SHIP YARD
Aircraft type
B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes
Kiel obscured, targets of opportunity bombed in and around Hamburg. Totals include: 12 of 12 Pathfinder (PFF)-equipped B-17s and 6 of 6 Pathfinder (PFF)-equipped B-24s. The 445th Bomb Group flies its first mission.
Units
-
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 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 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...
Mission Statistics
Tonnage dropped |
192.35 |
Number of aircraft Sent |
119 |
Number of aircraft Effective |
106 |
Number of aircraft Missing In Action |
1 |
Number of aircraft Damaged |
34 |
Number of people Killed In Action |
7 |
Number of people Prisoners of War |
3 |
Enemy aircraft claimed as Damaged by Bomber Command |
1 |
7. KIEL (Primary)
Description
SHIP YARD
Aircraft type
B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes
Composite group with 44th Bomb Group in Kiel 3rd wave element.
Units
-
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
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...
Mission Statistics
Tonnage dropped |
32.66 |
Number of aircraft Sent |
21 |
Number of aircraft Effective |
18 |
Enemy aircraft claimed as Damaged by Bomber Command |
2 |
8. KIEL (Primary)
Description
Ship yard and submarine pens
Aircraft type
B-24 Liberator
Notes
445th Bomb Group first mission. This element also included two composite groups: 94th Bomb Group and 385th Bomb Group dispatch 21; 100th Bomb Group and 390th Bomb Group dispatch 19.
Units
-
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 392nd Bomb Group flew B-24 Liberators out of Wendling, Norfolk from August 1943 until April 1945. They were the first Group allocated B-24H Liberators, the first B-24 series fitted with a nose turret on the production line. The adaptation increased...
-
Group
The 445th Bomb Group flew B-24 Liberators from Tibenham, Norfolk. The crews' first mission was bombing U-boat installations at Kiel on 13 December 1943. The Group continued to hit strategic targets in Germany, including the aircraft components factory...
-
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...
-
Group
93rd Bombardment Group (Heavy) was activated 1-March-1942 at Barksdale Field, Louisiana. On 15-May-1942 the Group moved to Ft. Myers, Florida to continue advanced flight training and also to fly anti-submarine patrols over the Gulf of Mexico; they...
Mission Statistics
Tonnage dropped |
274.60 |
Number of aircraft Sent |
113 |
Number of aircraft Effective |
99 |
Number of aircraft Missing In Action |
1 |
Number of aircraft Damaged |
2 |
Number of people Killed In Action |
3 |
Number of people Missing In Action |
10 |
Number of people Prisoners of War |
7 |
Enemy aircraft claimed as Destroyed by Bomber Command |
1 |
Service
People
-
Military | Second Lieutenant | Bombardier | 95th Bomb Group
Damaged by fighter attacks on the return from a mission to Klein Machow, Berlin on 6 Mar 1944, B-17G #42-31299 'Junior' maintained formation until finally crashing NW of Beilen, Holland after the crew baled out. Prisoner of War (POW).
POW
-
Military | Sergeant | Ball Turret Gunner | 381st Bomb Group
BTG, Perot crew. 381st BG, 533rd BS, 8th AF. Lost 11 January 1944 on mission #59 to the aircraft factories at Oschersleben, Germany. B-17F #42-5878 'Yankee Eagle' was rammed by an FW 190 between the #1 and #2 engines, knocking off the wing. The ship...
-
Military | Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade) | Flight Engineer | 384th Bomb Group
B-17F #42-29717 'Mr. Five By Five' was last seen with one engine feathered and heading towards Switzerland on a mission to Stuttgart, GR on 25 Feb 1944. Prisoner of War (POW).
POW
-
Military | Staff Sergeant | Left Waist Gunner, Waist Gunner | 305th Bomb Group Can Do
Shot down 5 January 1944 in B-17 #4230724. Prisoner of War (POW).
POW
-
Military | Captain | Pilot | 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 | Technical Sergeant | Radio Operator | 95th Bomb Group
-
Military | Second Lieutenant | Navigator | 388th Bomb Group
Shot down in a frontal attack by fighters on the return from a mission to Klein Machnow, Berlin on 6 Mar 1944, B-17G #42-31135 'Suzy Sagtitz' crashed near Schoonebekerveld, Holland. Prisoner of War (POW).
POW
-
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 | Captain | Pilot | 94th Bomb Group
Shot down 5 January 1944 in B-17 #42-30200 "Slo-Time Sally". Prisoner of War (POW).
Show more
Aircraft
-
B-17 Flying Fortress
Assigned 422BS/305BG [JJ-O] Presque Is 22/9/10/42; Grafton Underwood 25/9/42; transferred 547BS/384BG [SO-Y] Grafton Underwood 14/10/43; Missing in Action Ludwigshafen 7/1/44 with Walter Ernest Garner, Co-pilot: Philip Bern, Bombardier: James Daigle,...
-
B-17 Flying Fortress
Assigned to the 359BS/303BG [BN-R] Bangor 22-Sep-42; Molesworth 22-Oct-42; First 8th Air Force aircraft to complete 50, then 75 missions- 27-Mar-44; with M/Sgt Buford Pafford as crew chief; 1 Base Air Depot, Burtonwood 5-Jun-44; Reconstruction Finance...
-
B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Cheyenne 1/4/43; Pueblo 8/4/43; Smoky Hill 6/5/43; Dow Fd 19/5/43; Assigned 423BS/381BG [VE-L] Ridgewell 24/5/43 with Capt Joe Alexander, Co-pilot: Bill Crowley, Navigator: Jack Wemmer, Bombardier: Jim Nance, Flight engineer/top turret gunner...
-
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 29/4/43; Sioux City 14/5/43; Smoky Hill 11/6/43; Dow Fd 16/6/43; Assigned 562BS/388BG Knettishall 17/6/43; transferred Aphrodite project, Missing in Action V-sites, Watten 6/8/44 with Lt Joeseph P Andrecheck & T/Sgt Raymond Healy (2...
-
B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Cheyenne 24/5/43; Gore 25/5/43; Kearney 5/6/43; Dalhart 27/6/43; Gr Isle 26/7/43; with Gordon Crozier force landed Geiger 29/7/43; Patterson 8/8/43; Gr Isle 11/8/43; Presque Is 16/8/43; Assigned 365BS/305BG [XK-B] Chelveston 3/9/43;...
-
B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Cheyenne 26/6/43; Smoky Hill 13/7/43; Kearney 16/7/43; Dow Fd 19/7/43; Assigned 560BS/388BG Knettishall 20/7/43; (34m) transferred Aphrodite project as OLIN'S 69'ERS; when War Weary, fuselage cut down and vehicle windshield fitted before open...
-
B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Cheyenne 15/9/43;
...
-
B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Cheyenne 16/9/43; Assigned 561BS/388BG Knettishall 9/10/43; Missing in Action Bremen 20/12/43 with Ken Eccleston, Co-pilot: Pete Schou, Navigator: John Dorsett, Bombardier: Tom Tollin, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Joe Molinari, Radio...
-
B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Cheyenne 21/9/43; Gr Island 6/10/43; Assigned 562BS/388BG Knettishall 25/10/43; Missing in Action Brunswick 10/2/44 with Jim Feeney - not found till 25/2/44, Radio Operator: Norman Kajut, Waist gunner: Marion Forbis, Tail gunner: Lou LeFevre ...
Show more