484

20 July 1944
B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 351st Bomb Group, including (RQ-P, serial number 42-97193) and (serial number 43-37920) fly through flak bursts during a mission. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Thoison '557' took pic 20/7/44. Star Duster DS-L MIA 6/8/44.' media-380009.jpg FRE 1213 B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 351st Bomb Group, including (RQ-P, serial number 42-97193) and (serial number 43-37920) fly through flak bursts during a mission. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Thoison '557' took pic 20/7/44. Star Duster DS-L MIA 6/8/44.' Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 1213 - B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 351st Bomb Group, including (RQ-P, serial number 42-97193) and (serial number 43-37920) fly through flak bursts during...

Description

A rough one. Bombed an oil refinery near Leipzeig. Flak put several holes in the plane; ine in number 3 gas tank. Came back on 3 engines.

Mission Details

Description: BOMB TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 17.5 T

Description: BOMB TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 18 T

Description: BOMB TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 42.6 T

Description: INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 31.2 T

BAD SALZUNGEN (Opportunistic)

Description: INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 29.5 T

Description: INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 27 T

BITTERFELD (Opportunistic)

Description: INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 26.9 T

BOPPARD (Opportunistic)

Description: INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 18 T

DESSAU (Primary)

Description: INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX

Notes: OPERATION GOODWOOD undertaken by Lieutenant-General Sir Richard O'Conners VIII Corps ends unsuccessfully. The objective was to attack SSE of Caen and capture the bridge at Bourguebus. The area was heavily defended by German Panzer units The British armour, denied infantry support, was massacred by the 88mm guns of the German Tiger tanks. Over 400 British tanks were destroyed. However, the attack did shift the German's attention away from the St. Lo sector on the German left flank which will aid the American's OPERATION COBRA to be more successful. British GEN Montgomery, after the war, explained that it was always his plan for the British to draw German resistance in the Caen sector to enable the Americans to break out on the right. Also, all 8th Air Force flight crews will be reduced to 9-man crews for the remainder of the war. Some crews new to the theater will fly 10-man crews. The reduction is one waist gunner.

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: 253 T

ERFURT NORD (Primary)

Description: AIRFIELD

Notes: 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, 489th Bomb Group, 491 Bomb Group 492nd Bomb Group

A formation of B-24 Liberators of the 446th Bomb Group enroute to Europe. Printed caption on reverse: '71049 AC- A formation of Consolidated B-24 "Liberators" of the 2nd Bomb Division, roars over Europe en route to the target area. 24 November 1944. US Air Force photo.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Division
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Combat organisation

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 312.3 T

ERFURT/BINDERSLEBEN (Opportunistic)

Description: AIRFIELD

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 29 T

Description: INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 62 T

FULDA (Opportunistic)

Description: INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 50 T

GIESSEN (Opportunistic)

Description: AIRFIELD

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 21.7 T

GOTHA (Primary)

Description: AIRCRAFT FACTORY

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 197.3 T

HOMBURG (Opportunistic)

Description: MARSHALLING YARDS

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 27 T

IDSTEIN (Opportunistic)

Description: INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 35.5 T

KOBLENZ (Opportunistic)

Description: INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 17 T

KOLLEDA (Opportunistic)

Description: AIRFIELD

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 57.5 T

KOTHEN (Primary)

Description: INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 164.5 T

LEIPZIG (Primary)

Description: BALL BEARING PLANT

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 97.7 T

LEIPZIG/MOCKAU (Primary)

Description: OIL REFINERY

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 124.7 T

LUTZKENDORF (Primary)

Description: INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 129.5 T

MERSEBURG (Primary)

Description: INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX

Notes: 3rd Bomb Division was made up of B-17s is 94th Bomb Group, 95th Bomb Group, 100th Bomb Group, 385th Bomb Group, 388th Bomb Group, 390th Bomb Group, 447th Bomb Group, 452nd Bomb Group. 96th Bomb Group stands down.

Three B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 94th Bomb Group are attacked by a Nazi Fighter aircraft during a mission. Printed caption on reverse of print: 'A-62641 USAF: Nazi fighter plane attacking Boeing B-17 "Flying Fortresses" during a bomb run over enemy installations somewhere in Europe, 10 September 1944. 100th[sic] Bomb Group, 3rd Bomb Division. U.S. Air Force Photo.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Division
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Combat organisation

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 374 T

Description: AIRFIELD

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 90 T

RUDOLSTADT (Opportunistic)

Description: INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 23.1 T

Description: INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX

Notes: 3rd Bomb Division was made up of B-24s is 34th Bomb Group, 486th Bomb Group, 487th Bomb Group, 490th Bomb Group, 491st Bomb Group, 493rd Bomb Group. Number despatched, number successful and bomb tonnage not given in source data. Numbers listed are estimates by the author. Loss and DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR (DBR) data confirmed.

Three B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 94th Bomb Group are attacked by a Nazi Fighter aircraft during a mission. Printed caption on reverse of print: 'A-62641 USAF: Nazi fighter plane attacking Boeing B-17 "Flying Fortresses" during a bomb run over enemy installations somewhere in Europe, 10 September 1944. 100th[sic] Bomb Group, 3rd Bomb Division. U.S. Air Force Photo.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Division
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Combat organisation

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 250 T

SCHMALKALDEN (Opportunistic)

Description: INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 245.9 T

Description: INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 28 T

Description: INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 117 T

Connections

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

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 100th Bomb Group 418th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13081083 at enlistment, then O-814034
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 615th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 6962724
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 615th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
Air Force officer pinning award or ribbon on uniform of SSG Beeks
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 336th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 20441207
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 418th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-694318
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Aircraft

The nose art of a B-24 Liberator (4Z-V+) nicknamed "Wolves Inc." of the 791st Bomb Squadron, 467th Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: '467th B.G., 4Z-V+.'
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Wolves Inc.
  • Unit: 467th Bomb Group 789th Bomb Squadron 791st Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Unit: 392nd Bomb Group 578th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Rough Riders
  • Unit: 458th Bomb Group 755th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Diana Queen Of The Chase
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Dynamite John
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
Contributorcmckeever
Changes
Sources

Daughter - Carol Rollinger McKeever

Date
ContributorEmily
Changes
Sources

Associated Media based on images associated with missions in Freeman, The Mighty Eighth War Diary.

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'.

484: Gallery (7 items)