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306th Bomb Group Historical Association
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January 27, 1943 – 8th Air Force Bombs Germany for the First Time Back
The 8th Air Force dispatches bombers from their bases in England to fly the first American bombing raid against the German homeland in World War II. 53 B-17s hit the the port of Wilhelmshaven, Germany between 11:10 and 11:13 hours local dropping 137.5 tons of bombs.
VIII Bomber Command Mission 31 was led by the 306th Bomb Group, nicknamed the “Reich Wreckers”, based at Thurleigh, England. Thus the 306th’s motto thereafter became “First Over Germany” because it was the first bomb group to hit a target in Germany.
The lead pilot of the attack was the 306th’s Commanding Officer Frank Armstrong who became the inspiration for the character of Brigadier General Frank Savage in Beirne Lay’s book Twelve O’Clock High and played by Gregory Peck in the movie. The fictitious 918 Bomb Group in the story was derived by multiplying the 306th times 3.
Armstrong’s bombardier was Frank Yaussi so he was the “first U.S. airman over Germany”.
