8th Air Force 174

4 January 1944

Description

The port area of Kiel, Germany and the railroad marshalling yards at Munster, Germany are the Primary targets of this Mission which is organised as two elements: one going to Kiel and the other to Munster. Roger A. Freeman begins to designate aircraft despatched by Bomb Division rather than by individual Bomb Groups as follows:



Kiel Element - Bomb Groups participating

1BD = 91BG, 92BG, 303BG, 305BG, 306BG, 351BG, 379BG, 381BG and 384BG

2BD = 44BG, 93BG, 389BG, 392BG, 445BG, 446BG and 448BG

3BD = 94BG, 95BG, 100BG, 385BG, 390BG and 447BG

Kiel Element - Aircraft despatched - total 569 despatched - 486 effective as follows:

1BD = 263 B-17s despatched - 205 effective

2BD = 176 B-24s despatched - 166 effective

3BD = 130 B-17s despatched - 115 effective



Munster Element - Bomb Groups participating

3BD = 96BG and 388BG

Munster Element -Aircraft despatched - total despatched 75 - 68 effective.



NOTE: Some sources claim that this was the last bombing mission flown under the VIII Bomber Command designation and some claim that it was the first mission flown by bombers under the 8th Air Force designation. The official designation of 8th Air Force as an autonomous unit of the of the United States Army Air Forces will come on 22-Feb-44, but mission designation as "8th Air Force" begins 1-Jan-44.

Mission Details

KIEL (Primary)

Description: PORT AREA

Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator

Notes: 34 B-24s drop on Targets of Opportunity around Kiel, Germany. Bomber Gunner claims are recorded on this entry for statistical purposes. The totals are combined for all Air Divisions that attacked Kiel on this date.

The insignia of the 389th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 392nd Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
A pathfinder B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-51681) of the 453rd Bomb Group flies in formation with a fellow Liberator of the 453rd and and a pathfinder Liberator of the 445th Bomb Group. Image via Alan Rowsell.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
A flight of B-24 Liberators of the 446th Bomb Group fly in formation above the clouds.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Fifteenth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 253.00
  • People killed in action: 41
  • People wounded in action: 13
  • People evaded: 4
  • Prisoners of war: 20
  • People returned to duty: 10
  • Enemy aircrafts destroyed by bomber: 4
  • Enemy aircrafts probably destroyed by bomber: 12
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by bomber: 4
  • Aircraft sent: 130
  • Aircraft effective: 115
  • Aircraft missing in action: 6
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 2
  • Aircraft damaged: 16

KIEL(Primary)

Description: BOMB TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Three airmen of the 100th Bomb Group, Lieutenant Kenneth Menzie, Lieutenant Donald Strout and Lieutenant Norman Scott, plan the route they will take during the next mission in their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30380). Image stamped on reverse: 'Reviewed and passed U.S. Army 23 Aug 1943 Press Censor E.T.O. U.S.A.' [stamp]'. Passed for publication 23 August 1943 INTLD 16 General Section Press Censorship Bureau '[stamp], 'Associated Press' [stamp] and '280035.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reve
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 385th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 390th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 447th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
A bomber crew of the 94th Bomb Group stand with their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30200) nicknamed "Slo Time Sally" and a bomb inscribed 'Special delivery to Hitler'. Inscription on bomb reads: 'Special delivery to Hitler, From Peggy of St. Louis.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 365.00
  • People killed in action: 15
  • People wounded in action: 6
  • Prisoners of war: 27
  • People returned to duty: 10
  • Aircraft sent: 176
  • Aircraft effective: 166
  • Aircraft missing in action: 4
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 1
  • Aircraft damaged: 29

KIEL(Primary)

Description: PORT AREA

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: 7 B-17s drop on Targets of Opportunity around Kiel, Germany.

Official emblem of the 303rd Bomb Group approved 7 November 1942.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
Unofficial emblem, 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.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 351st Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 379th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 451.00
  • People killed in action: 27
  • People wounded in action: 34
  • People evaded: 1
  • Prisoners of war: 38
  • People returned to duty: 8
  • Aircraft sent: 263
  • Aircraft effective: 205
  • Aircraft missing in action: 5
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 2
  • Aircraft damaged: 82

Münster, Germany

Description: MARSHALLING YARDS

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

The insignia of the 388th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 96th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 192.00
  • People killed in action: 17
  • People wounded in action: 1
  • Prisoners of war: 3
  • People returned to duty: 10
  • Aircraft sent: 75
  • Aircraft effective: 68
  • Aircraft missing in action: 2
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 1
  • Aircraft damaged: 35

Connections

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

People

Crew Photo B17G 43-37719 "Hellcat" 1943/1944
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 533rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-809475
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-735233
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator; Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 412th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18193418
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 532nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-811523
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 560th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 12159739
  • Highest Rank: Technician Third Grade
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: - Tarfu
  • Unit: 93rd Bomb Group 329th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: What's Cookin' Doc
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron 305th Bomb Group 422nd Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Little Audrey
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 384th Bomb Group Base Air Depot 1 368th Bomb Squadron 544th 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
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: The Duchess, Sure Stuff
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
A 365th Bomb Squadron, 305th Bomb Group B-17 Flying Fortress (XK-R, serial number 41-24578) taxiis to take off from Chelveston airbase. Passed for publication 30 Jun 1943. Handwritten caption on reverse: '124578, XK:R.' Printed caption on reverse: 'At A Fortress Station In Britain. From an American base in Britain the Flying Fortresses carry out operational activities which result in terrible blows against the German industrial war machine. This series of pictures shows scenes at a Flying Fortresses stati
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Problem Child : Old Reliable
  • Unit: Base Air Depot 1 547th Bomb Squadron 384th Bomb Group 305th Bomb Group 367th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 6-Jan-2016. Removed Note to Viewers and transferred it to 8th AF PHOTO RECCE operation of 2-Jan-44.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 6-Jan-2016. Removed Note to Viewers and transferred it to 8th AF PHOTO RECCE operation of 2-Jan-44.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 1-Dec-2015. Changed title to 8th AF mission, per "Losses of the 8th & 9th AIr Forces", Stan Bishop & John A. Hey, MBE.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 9-Feb-2015. Added Note referencing mission designation changes from VIII Bomber Command to 8th Air Force.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 9-Feb-2015. Completed entry and Bomber Gunner statistics based on "The Mighty 8th War Diary" Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 8-Feb-2015. Defined Kiel and Munster elements per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 8-Feb-2015. NOTE to VIEWERS added per Mr. Lee Cunningham.

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'.