8th Air Force 554
15 August 1944
466th BG - 787th BS
Shot Down 15 August 1944
Corrected mission connections
Object Number - UPL 6600 - B-24H-15-DT #41-28932 Ramblin' Wreck Code: 6L-E 466th BG - 787th BS Shot Down 15 August 1944
Description
Airfields in NW Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium are the primary targets for this mission. 8th Air Force despatches a total of 932 aircraft. The raid is coordinated with 1,000 Royal Air Force (RAF) heavy bombers and Mosquitos attacking 9 airfields in the Netherlands and Belgium.
219 B-17s are despatched from 1st Bomb Division Bomb Groups i.e. 91BG, 92BG, 303BG, 306BG, 381BG and 398BG (exact number from each Group not available in source data). 108 bomb the German airfield of Ostheim at Cologne, Germany; 65 bomb the German airfield Eschborn at Frankfurt, Germany; 38 bomb the German airfield at Wiesbaden, Germany; and 3 hit other targets of opportunity in the area. 9 B-17s from 303BG are MIA in the attack on Wiesbaden. 1 B-17 from 303BG and 1 from 306BG are DBR and 86 B-17s are damaged
350 B-24s are despatched by 2nd Bomb Division Bomb Groups i.e. 44BG, 389BG, 445BG, 446BG, 453BG, 458BG, 466BG, 467BG, 489BG, 492BG (exact number from each Group not available in source data). All targets are airfields: 91 bomb Wittmundhaafen; 90 bomb Zwischenhahn; 67 bomb Vechta; 54 bomb Plantlunne; and 10 bomb Hopstein. 4 B-24s from 466BG are MIA and 6 are damaged. This force is joined by the 1000 bombers despatched by the RAF.
298 B-17s are despatched by 3rd Bomb Division Bomb Groups i.e. 94BG, 95BG, 96BG, 100BG, 385BG, 390BG, 447BG. 388BG & 452BG stand down. All targets are airfields. 109 bomb Handorf; 104 bomb Venlo; 75 bomb Twente/Enschade; and 3 bom other targets of opportunity. 2 B-17s from 398BG are MIA, 6 are damaged.
65 B-24s are despatched by 3rd Bomb Division Bomb Groups i.e. 4BG, 486BG, 491BG, 493BG. 59 bomb the German airfield Juzaine at Florennes, Belgium; 1 bombs a target of opportunity. 1 B-24 from 493BG is MIA on Florennes, 3 are damaged.
OTHER EVENTS on this date: OPERATION DRAGOON begins at 0415 hours as British and American paratroops are deployed near Le Muy, France. The invasion is carried out mainly by 7th US Army and Free French forces under the command of General Alexander Patch. They are up against the German 19th Army under the command of Lt. Gen. Friedrich Wiese. The naval bombardment immediately preceding the invasion causes great confusion among the Germans and resistance is light. The main objective of the invasion is the capture of the port city of Marseilles. Thereafter force will proceed up the Rhone River valley to Lyon also spreading east towards the Italian border. Once Lyon is captured, the forces will continue North up the Saone River to Dijon. Long range objective is to link up with Patton's 3rd Army to cut off German forces remaining in Western France. By the end of the day 94,000 troops and 11,000 vehicles are safely ashore.
Mission Details
Description: BOMB TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY
Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
Notes: These were targets of opportunity in the vicinity of Florennes, Belgium attacked by B-24s from 3rd Bomb Division. The Bomb Groups that participated in this element were from 4BG, 486BG, 491BG and 493BG but exactly which aircraft and from which Group that actually bombed this target has not been determined.
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 2.5 T
- Aircraft sent: 1
- Aircraft effective: 1
Description: BOMB TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: These targets of opportunity were all in the Frankfurt/Wiesbaden area and attacked by 3 B-17s from 1st Bomb Division the Groups that participated were 91BG, 92BG, 303BG, 306BG,381BG, 398BG. The exact aircraft that made these and their respective Bomb Groups has not been determined.
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 3 T
- Aircraft sent: 3
- Aircraft effective: 3
Description: BOMB TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: These targets of opportunity were all in the Handorf/Venlo/Enschede area of Holland. 3 B-17s of 3rd Bomb Division made the attacks. The Groups that participated were: 94BG, 95BG, 96BG, 100BG, 385BG, 390BG, 447BG, but which B-17s from which Groups actually made these attacks has not been determined.
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 7.5 T
- Aircraft sent: 3
- Aircraft effective: 3
COLOGNE/OSTHEIM (Primary)
Description: AIRFIELD
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: Ostheim airfield was bombed by a force of B-17s from 1st Bomb Division. 1BD despatched a total force of 219 B-17s of which 108 bombed this target. Exactly which Groups attacked this target has not been determined. Claims on enemy aircraft are based on Roger A. Freeman data but are listed under this target only for statistical purposes.
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 274 T
- Enemy aircrafts destroyed by bomber: 4
- Enemy aircrafts probably destroyed by bomber: 2
- Aircraft sent: 219
- Aircraft effective: 108
FLORENNES/JUZAINE (Primary)
Description: AIRFIELD
Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
Notes: 3rd Bomb Division was made up of B-24s is 34th BG, 486th BG, 491st BG, 493rd BG. 65 B-24s were despatched in this force and all had Florennes as the target. 59 were effective and 1 hit a Target of Opportunity in the area.
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
![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.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-408505.jpg.webp?itok=zJwHCUjh)
- Unit Hierarchy: Division
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Combat organisation
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 146.3 T
- People evaded: 6
- Prisoners of war: 3
- Aircraft sent: 65
- Aircraft effective: 59
- Aircraft missing in action: 1
FRANKFURT/ESCHBORN (Primary)
Description: Eschborn airfield at Frankfurt, Germany is the target.
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: 1st Bomb Division despatches at total force of 219 B-17s against three airfield targets at: Cologne/Ostheim; Frankfurt/Eschborn; and Wiesbaden. 65 are effective on Frankfurt. 91BG, 92BG, 303BG, 306BG, 381BG, 398BG participated but exactly which Group(s) bombed this target has not yet been determined.
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 187.5 T
- Aircraft sent: 219
- Aircraft effective: 65
Handorf, Germany
Description: AIRFIELD
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: 3rd Bomb Division despatches 298 B-17s against 1 airfield in Germany and 2 airfields in Holland: Handorf, Germany; Venlo, Holland and Twente/Enschade, Holland. 94th BG, 95th BG, 96th BG, 100th BG, 385th BG, 390th BG, and 447th BG participated. Exactly which Group(s) attacked which targets has not been fully determined. 109 of the force despatched are effective on Handorf. The "Pictorial History of the 447th BG" shows a reproduction of the Operational Chart that says 41 B-17s from this Group went to Handorf and 41 were effective
![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](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-378743.jpg.webp?itok=HBB0lqjl)
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Division
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Combat organisation
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 274 T
- Prisoners of war: 10
- Aircraft sent: 298
- Aircraft effective: 109
- Aircraft missing in action: 1
Description: NAVAL BASE
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: This is an APHRODITE Project mission. B-17 42-30039 "Liberty Belle" 388BG/APH was packed with high-explosives and employed as a radio-controlled flying bomb.
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Mission Statistics
- Aircraft sent: 1
- Aircraft effective: 1
- Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 1
Description: AIRFIELD
Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
Notes: The airfield at Hopstein was bombed as a target of opportunity by 10 of 350 B-24s despatched by 2nd Bomb Division. The exact Group that bombed this target has yet to be documented.
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 28.5 T
- Aircraft sent: 350
- Aircraft effective: 10
Description: AIRFIELD
Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
Notes: The airfield at Plantlunne, Germany was bombed by 54 of 350 B-24s despatched by 2nd Bomb Division. The exact Group(s) that attacked this target has not yet been documented.
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 132.2 T
- Aircraft sent: 350
- Aircraft effective: 54
Description: AIRFIELD
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: The airfield at Twente/Enschade, Holland is bombed by 75 of 298 B-17s despatched by 3rd Bomb Division. The exact Group(s) that made the attack has yet to be documented here.
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 177.T T
- Aircraft sent: 298
- Aircraft effective: 75
VECHTA (Primary)
Description: AIRFIELD
Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
Notes: The airfield at Vechta, Germany is bombed by 67 of 350 B-24s despatched by 2nd Bomb Division. The exact Group(s) that attacked this target has yet to be documented.
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 190.7 T
- People killed in action: 18
- People wounded in action: 1
- People evaded: 7
- Prisoners of war: 15
- Aircraft sent: 350
- Aircraft effective: 67
- Aircraft missing in action: 4
- Aircraft damaged: 6
VENLO (Primary)
Description: AIRFIELD
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: The airfield at Venlo, Holland is bombed by 104 of 298 B-17s despatched by 3rd Bomb Division. The exact Group(s) that made the attack have not yet been documented here, but 1 B-17 from 385th BG is MIA.
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 207 T
- People evaded: 1
- Prisoners of war: 8
- Aircraft sent: 298
- Aircraft effective: 104
- Aircraft missing in action: 1
WIESBADEN (Primary)
Description: AIRFIELD
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: 1st Bomb Division despatched a force of 219 B-17s. Of the 219 that were despatched to bomb the airfield at Wiesbaden, Germany 38 were effective and 37 of those were from 303BG. 91BG, 92BG, 303BG, 306BG, 381BG and 398BG participated in the force. 303BG despatched a total of 39 B-17s that day, 37 hit the target but 9 were MIA.
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 108 T
- People killed in action: 29
- People wounded in action: 8
- People evaded: 11
- Prisoners of war: 46
- People died in captivity: 1
- People returned to duty: 13
- Aircraft sent: 219
- Aircraft effective: 38
- Aircraft missing in action: 9
- Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 2
Description: AIRFIELD
Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
Notes: 2nd Bomb Division despatches a force of 350 B-24s against 5 airfields in Germany (number effective in parentheses: Wittmundhafen (91); Zwischenhahn (90);Vechta (67); Plantlunne (54); Hopstein (10). 44th BG, 389th BG, 445th BG, 446th BG, 453rd BG, 458th BG, 466th BG, 467th BG, 489th BG, and 492nd BG participated. Exactly what Group(s) attacked which targets has not yet been determined. This mission is also accompanied by 1000 RAF bombers. No data on targets hit, losses, etc. of RAF force. 491st Bomb Group performs move on this date. Bomber Gunner claims are based on Roger A. Freeman data and are listed on this mission for statistical purposes.
- Unit Hierarchy: Division
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Combat organisation
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 204.7 T
- Enemy aircrafts destroyed by bomber: 9
- Enemy aircrafts probably destroyed by bomber: 1
- Enemy aircraft damaged by bomber: 2
- Aircraft sent: 350
- Aircraft effective: 91
Bad Zwischenahn, Germany
Description: AIRFIELD
Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
Notes: The airfield at Zwischenahn (Bad Zwischenahn) is bombed by 90 of 350 B-24s despatched by 2nd Bomb Division. The exact Group(s) that made the attack has not yet been documented.
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 233.6 T
- Aircraft sent: 350
- Aircraft effective: 90
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: 458th Bomb Group 752nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-717-025
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier/Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 466th Bomb Group 786th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-809346
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 336th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 36688087
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 466th Bomb Group 786th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-767974
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot/Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 36800318
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Nicknames: Ramblin Wreck
- Unit: 466th Bomb Group 787th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Nicknames: Screw Ball
- Unit: 467th Bomb Group 788th Bomb Squadron 789th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Nicknames: True Love
- Unit: 466th Bomb Group 786th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 336th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Paisano
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 96th Bomb Group 335th Bomb Squadron 336th Bomb Squadron
Revisions
466th BG Archives - 786th BS Combat Crew Mission Record chart
Lee Cunningham 8-Feb-2015. Corrected typos in overall Mission Description.
Lee Cunningham 8-Feb-2015. Corrected typo in Mission description for Mission event #1.
Lee Cunningham 8-Feb-2015. Deleted 303rd Bomb Group from those participating at Cologne as 303rf BR Mission Report states that all 39 aircraft despatched by 303rd were destined for Wiesbaden. Only 37 of the 303rd compliments was effective on Wiesbaden.
Lee Cunningham 7-Feb-2015. Added Aircraft type, Mission notes and Statistics per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman.
Lee Cunningham 7-Feb-2015. Added Aircraft type, Mission notes and Statistics to Venlo event per MACR 7907.
Lee Cunningham 7-Feb-2015. Added Aircraft type, added Mission Notes and Statistics to Venlo event per MACR 7907.
Lee Cunningham 7-Feb-2015. Added Statistics to Florennes event per MACR 7819.
Lee Cunningham 7-Feb-2015. Added Aircraft type, Mission notes and Statistics to the Bad Zwischenahn event. Sources are the same as those cited in other entries.
Lee Cunningham 7-Feb-2015. Added Aircraft type, Mission Notes and Statistics to Vechta event. See previous sources cited.
Lee Cunningham 7-Feb-2015. Added Aircraft type, Edited Mission Notes and Statistics. See prior sources cited.
Lee Cunningham 7-Fev-2015. Added Aircraft type, Mission notes and Statistics to Hopstein event.
Lee Cunningham 7-Feb-2015. Added Aircraft type; Edited Notes and Statistics per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman.
Lee Cunningham 7-Feb-2015. Added Bomber Gunner claims on enemy aircraft based on "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman.
Lee Cunningham 7-Feb-2015. Added Aircraft type, Mission notes and Statistics to Wiesbaden event. "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman; 303rd BG Mission Report for 14-Aug-44.
Lee Cunningham 7-Feb-2015. Added Aircraft type and Note to Heligoland event per "The B-17 Flying Fortress Story" Roger A. Freeman with David Osborne.
Lee Cunningham 7-Feb-2015. Added BGs participating Aircraft type, Mission notes and Statistics to Handorf event.
Lee Cunningham 7-Feb-2015. Added Aircraft type, Mission notes and Statistics to Frankfurt mission event. See previous sources cited.
Lee Cunningham 7-Feb-2015. Added AIrcraft type, Mission notes and Statistics to Florennes Event. See source information previously cited on this entry.
Lee Cunningham 7-Feb-2015. Added noted and Mission statistics to Mission Event #5. See previous entries for sources cited.
Lee Cunningham 7-Feb-2015. Moved note from Mission Event #4 to OTHER EVENTS in overall description, added Aircraft type attacking.
Lee Cunningham 6-Feb-2015. Edited Noted on Mission event #3 and statistics per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman.
Lee Cunningham 6-Feb-2015. Edited Statistics on Mission Event #1.
Lee Cunningham 6-Feb-2015. Edited Mission Event 2 per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman.
Lee Cunningham 6-Feb-2015. Edited Mission event 1 based on "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman.
Lee Cunningham 6-Feb-2015. Corrected map location for Zwischenahn to Bad Zwisschenahn
Lee Cunningham 6-Feb-2015. Detail Description of Mission Narrative based on "USAAF Combat Chronology" Jack McKillop and "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman.
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'.
