27 Jan On this Day: January 27th
Posted at 15:00h
in 8th Air Force, B-17, B-24, bombers, D-Day, D-Day Memorial, GI Jive, Lunchbox Lecture, Uncategorized, Valentine's Day
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Hello All!
Just a few friendly reminders…
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| Author, John Ross |
If you will be in the Bedford area this coming Thursday, January 29th, then you must join the Memorial for the first installment of our Lecture Series: “The Forecast for D-Day” with author John Ross! The lecture will add depth and insight into the overall experience and history of the D-Day Invasion. And it will prove how human interaction is not the only force that can change the course of history, but also the will or force of nature. Join us at the Bedford Welcome Center Community Room, 12 PM to 1 PM. Free admission
The D-Day Foundation has only 9 tickets left for the GI Jive event on Valentine’s Day, so make sure to purchase your tickets as soon as possible if you wish to attend!!! You won’t want to miss out on a fabulous dinner, fancy footwork, wonderful music, and warm company. It will be a night for you and your Valentine to remember. Tickets are $75 per individual and $150 per couple. Call us at (540) 586-3329 to purchase your tickets today!
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DID YOU KNOW?
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| 8th Air Force bombing Wilhelmshaven Port, 1943 |
On this day, January 27, in 1943, the US deployed it first bombing raid against Germany. The 8th Air Force bombers flew out from England, under the command of Brig. General Newton Longfellow, with orders to target the Wilhelmshaven Port. Fifty-three of sixty-four plans reached their targets, mostly warehouses and factories producing war materials, while simultaneously taking down twenty-two enemy planes in the process. Only three US planes were lost on the return flight. Overall, the mission was a successful first attack against Germany.
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| The ‘Memphis Bell’ B-17 Bomber and crew. |
Heavy bombing raids were new to warfare during World War II. In fact, the 8thAir Force had only been activated just one year before, in January 1942. Within months, the US Army Air Force was able to establish three separate command units: the VIII Bomber Command, 19 January 1942, who used strategic bombardment with four engine planes; the VIII Fighter Command, who provided fighter planes alongside the bombers; and the VIII Air Support Command, 24 April 1942, who supplied scouting, transportation, and tactical bombing with two-engine planes. For the first mission, the 8th Air Force used the B-17 Flying Fortress and the B-24 Liberators as their bombers of choice. Both planes could withstand heavy artillery and were equipped with long-range bombers, perfect for precise attacks. ‘Memphis Belle’ is probably the most well known B-17 Flying Fortress bomber because her crew was the first to complete 25 successful missions over the course of the war.
Take Care,
Elizabeth
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