Mission

• Hover over the yellow column headings for abbreviation information
• Click Target names to open a new window with MAPS of the target area
• Use Back button to return to previous 8AF web page

MISSION DETAILS

Choose a Different Date or

Click button to view Mission record sections:

Mission Narrative Mission Reports Non-Combat Accidents Mission Statistics 

---

Narrative - Official Air Force Mission Description Mission 975: 401 B-17s are dispatched to drop food supplies in the Netherlands at Schipol (250) and Alkmaar (20) Airfields, Vogelenznag (40), Hilversum (20), Utrecht (59) and targets of opportunity (4); 4 B-17s are damaged by 20mm fire which ceases as soon as a green flare is fired; a total of 767.1 tons of food are dropped. Mission 976: 8 B-17s, escorted by 9 P-51s, drop leaflets in France, the Netherlands and Germany during daylight hours. Source: THE ARMY AIR FORCES IN WORLD WAR II: COMBAT CHRONOLOGY, 1941-1945 by Carter / Mueller, the Office of Air Force History, Mission Reports 34th BG Mission Report - Mission #172 Chowhound #2 source: 34th Bomb Group Mission List compiled by Gary L. Ferrell http://valortovictory.tripod.com Non-Combat Accident Reports Aircraft: B-17G (#43-37523). Organization: 560BS / 388BG of Knettishall, Suffolk. Pilot: Melehes, John A. Notes: mid air collision. Location: Sudbury/ nr England. Damage (0-5 increasing damage): 3 source: Aviation Archaeology http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/ Aircraft: B-17G (#43-37623). Organization: 413BS / 96BG of Snetterton Heath, Norfolk. Pilot: Patchen, Howard W. Notes: mid air collision. Location: Lowestoft/NW England. Damage (0-5 increasing damage): 3 source: Aviation Archaeology http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/ Aircraft: B-17G (#43-38301). Organization: 751BS / 457BG of Glatton, Huntingdonshire. Pilot: Koch, Lorenz M. Notes: landing accident. Location: Glatton, Huntingdonshire England. Damage (0-5 increasing damage): 3 source: Aviation Archaeology http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/ Aircraft: B-17G (#43-38684). Organization: 326BS / 92BG of Podington, Bedforshire. Pilot: Magnello, Fred (NMI). Notes: landing accident. Location: Podington, Bedforshire England. Damage (0-5 increasing damage): 3 source: Aviation Archaeology http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/ Aircraft: B-17G (#44-8589). Organization: 526BS / 379BG of Kimbolton, Huntingdonshire. Pilot: Grimwood, David C. Notes: taxiing accident. Location: Kimbolton, Huntingdonshire England. Damage (0-5 increasing damage): 3 source: Aviation Archaeology http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/ Aircraft: B-24H (#41-29386). Organization: 310FRS / 302TpW of Burtonwood, Lancashire. Pilot: Kellogg, William W. Notes: crash landing engine failure. Location: Strangford/ 3mi W Ireland. Damage (0-5 increasing damage): 4 source: Aviation Archaeology http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/ Aircraft: B-24J (#42-51939). Organization: 755BS / 458BG of Horsham St. Faith, Norfolk. Pilot: Dye, L A Jr. Notes: bailed out due to weather. Location: Oxford/ 12mi WNW England. Damage (0-5 increasing damage): 4 source: Aviation Archaeology http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/ Aircraft: C-64A (#43-35369). Organization: / 1SAD of Troston, Suffolk. Pilot: Bauer, George R. Notes: unknown. Location: Troston (Sta 595) England. Damage (0-5 increasing damage): 1 source: Aviation Archaeology http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/ Aircraft: P-47D (#42-74669W). Organization: 61FS / 56FG of Boxted, Essex. Pilot: Hard, Walter J. Notes: crash belly landing due to mechanical failure. Location: RAF Bradwell Bay England. Damage (0-5 increasing damage): 3 source: Aviation Archaeology http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/ Aircraft: P-47M (#44-21210). Organization: 62FS / 56FG of Boxted, Essex. Pilot: Geren, Lloyd F. Notes: taxiing accident. Location: Boxted, Essex England. Damage (0-5 increasing damage): 3 source: Aviation Archaeology http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/ Aircraft: P-47M (#44-21228). Organization: 62FS / 56FG of Boxted, Essex. Pilot: Jones, Robert B Jr. Notes: taxiing accident. Location: Boxted, Essex England. Damage (0-5 increasing damage): 3 source: Aviation Archaeology http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/ Aircraft: P-51C (#42-103363). Organization: 352FS / 353FG of Raydon, Suffolk. Pilot: Pletz, LeRoy O. Notes: crash landing engine failure. Location: Radleigh/ 1 1/2mi NE England. Damage (0-5 increasing damage): 4 source: Aviation Archaeology http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/ Aircraft: P-51D15 (#44-15011). Organization: 361FS / 356FG of Martlesham Heath, Suffolk. Pilot: Cochran, Paul H Jr. Notes: ground loop due to engine failure. Location: Martlesham Heath, Suffolk England. Damage (0-5 increasing damage): 4 source: Aviation Archaeology http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/ Mission Stats (Targets, Aircraft, Casualties, etc.) Mission "8th AF 975" Supply Mission May 02, 1945 Primary source for mission statistics: Mighty Eighth War Diary by Roger A. Freeman   Aircraft Sent Aircraft Effective Bomb Tonnage Enemy Aircraft X-P-D Enemy Aircraft (on gnd) X-P-D USAAF Aircraft X-E-D USAAF Personnel KIA-WIA-MIA Notes 401 393 0.0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-4 0-0-0 767.1 tons of food 4x 385BG aircraft damaged by ground fire   Mission Targets Click blue links for maps, photos and other documents. This will open a new tab in your browser AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS Schiphol Airfield 250 A/C photos (1) documents (0) VOGELENZANG, NETHERLANDS Supply 40 A/C BERGEN, NETHERLANDS Alkmaar Airfield 20 A/C HILVERSUM, NETHERLANDS Supply 20 A/C UTRECHT, NETHERLANDS Supply 59 A/C Aircraft Groups Click blue links for info on the group. This will open a new tab in your browser. 1ST AIR DIVISION 2ND AIR DIVISION 3RD AIR DIVISION 100BG 34BG 385BG 388BG 390BG 452BG 490BG 493BG 95BG 96BG OTHER (IX AF, HQ, etc) Aircraft Losses Click blue links for info on the MIA aircraft (if known). This will open a new tab in your browser. 1ST AIR DIVISION 2ND AIR DIVISION 3RD AIR DIVISION OTHER (IX AF, HQ, etc) Aircraft Sent Aircraft Effective Bomb Tonnage Enemy Aircraft X-P-D Enemy Aircraft (on gnd) X-P-D USAAF Aircraft X-E-D USAAF Personnel KIA-WIA-MIA Notes 12 12 0.0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0   Mission Targets Click blue links for maps, photos and other documents. This will open a new tab in your browser CZECHOSLOVAKIA Reconnaissance Skywave 1 A/C CONTINENT / UK Reconnaissance weather 4 A/C AZORES/ATLANTIC/UK Reconnaissance weather 4 A/C Air Sea Rescue 3 A/C Aircraft Groups Click blue links for info on the group. This will open a new tab in your browser. 1ST AIR DIVISION 25BG 2ND AIR DIVISION 3RD AIR DIVISION OTHER (IX AF, HQ, etc) 5th Emergency Rescue Squadron Aircraft Losses Click blue links for info on the MIA aircraft (if known). This will open a new tab in your browser. 1ST AIR DIVISION 2ND AIR DIVISION 3RD AIR DIVISION OTHER (IX AF, HQ, etc)