Because no invasion could happen without air superiority, the first target was the Luftwaffe—the most powerful and battle-hardened air force in the world. To this end, the United States Army Air Forces joined with Great Britain’s already-engaged Royal Air Force to launch a strategic air campaign that ultimately brought the Luftwaffe to its knees. One of the standout units of this campaign was the legendary 303rd Bomb Group—Hell’s Angels.

This is the 303rd’s story, as told by the men who made it what it was. Taking their name from their B-17 of the same name, they became one of the most distinguished and important air combat units in history. The dramatic and terrible air battles they fought against Germany changed the course of the war. Available on Amazon.com.

The Molesworth Story - 303rd Bomb Group (H) Assn, Inc.
CD-ROM - 2000 (1st Edition) Editor Edgar C. Miller. 2002 (2nd Edition) Editor: Gary L. Moncur. © 303rd Bomb Group (H) Association, Inc. Over 5000 pages of historic 303rd Bomb Group (H) records and information. Includes: Mission Reports and crew lists for all 364 missions, personnel rosters, aircraft, crew photos, support unit information, support unit photos, POW information, KIAs, nose art photos, stories and much more.

Hell's Angels Newsletter - 303rd Bomb Group (H) Assn, Inc.
Currently published quarterly for 303rd BGA members. © 303rd Bomb Group (H) Association, Inc. Editors: Al E. Martel, Jr., Portland, ME (1 issue 6 pages - 4/76); Harry F. Jenkins, Grenada Hills, CA & Carson City, CA (12 issues 103 pages - 11/77-7/81); Wilbur "Bud" Klint, Fort Worth, TX (14 issues 110 pages - 1/82 - 5/85); Harold A. "Hal" Susskind, Austin, TX (46 issues 696 pages -12/85 - 5/98); Eddie Deerfield, Palm Harbor, FL (Quarterly 20 page issues from 11/98 to present time and current editor.)

The 303rd Bomb Group - World War II
2005 DVD, B&W & Color. TRT: 1 hour 44 minutes. Produced by Lars Andersen and Victory Film Productions. The rare films on the video include: October 1942, Kellogg Field, Battle Creek, MI - original 303rd B-17F's and crews departing the USA for the UK (20 min); 23 Jan 43 Lorient, France mission (15 min); 14 July 43 Paris, France mission (6 min); 16 Nov 43 50th mission of Knockout Dropper (10 min); 8th AF Review 1944 (18 min); Color outtakes 303BG (25 Min); V-E Day Molesworth parade & London (4 min); 1954 RAF Molesworth visit (6 min). Available through Wade Meyers Studios, 5418 Colony Way, Hoover, AL 35226. (205) 987-4083

Target for Today
2005 DVD, TRT: 1 hour 45 minutes. Produced by Lars Andersen and Victory Film Productions. Part One: Gen. Arnold - USAAF Commanding General Hap Arnold appears in a rare "message to the troops", which is his way of staying in contact with the AAF. This talk concentrates on the efforts at home and abroad. Nice footage of men and planes as well as factory scenes. [Sound. B/W] Part Two: "Target for Today" - Produced by the AAF's First Motion Picture Unit, this in-depth documentary "has no actors" and all footage was shot "on location". This is a nice look at all aspects (air and ground) of a typical Eighth Air Force mission. The airwar against Germany is outlined and explained. Then, a detailed look at VIII Bomber Command's target selection and Field Order dissemination process from the CG down to Divisions, Combat Wings, then the Groups. Proper fusing of bombs explained. Loads of gas and bombs based on aircraft type discussed. Maintenance scenes. Crew wakeups. Breakfast. Actual briefing scenes from the 303rd Bomb Group and others. Available through Wade Meyers Studios, 5418 Colony Way, Hoover, AL 35226. (205) 987-4083

Albertson, William, I Flew With Hell's Angels
The air battle over Europe cost over 90,000 American casualties. A bomber crew's chances of surviving twenty-five missions-the original requirement-was only one in four. When the requirement was raised to thirty, and then thirty-five missions, the men's morale took a nosedive, but only temporarily. They just put on their leather flight jackets and climbed back into their B-17s, the "Flying Fortresses." Hell's Angels, as they were known, were the men of the 303rd Bombardment Group of the Eighth Air Force. Based in Molesworth, England, the 303rd drew young flyboys into its ranks with the allure of fame and excitement, and the chance to belong to the same bomber group as movie star Clark Gable. But it wasn't all glamour and glory. In between missions, the flyboys fought boredom, homesickness, bitter cold, the loss of their fellow airmen and the knowledge that every mission could be their last. Bill Albertson has reconstructed his father's experiences as a B-17 navigator with reports and photographs from the National Archives and from his father's wartime letters and memoirs. Bill's research, paired with the personal accounts of his dad's combat missions, is a tribute to the bravery of the men of the 303rd. Fly with Hell's Angels as they attack Dresden, Merseburg, Bremen, Berlin and other targets. Experience their fear, heroics and heart-pounding moments during the deadliest air campaign the world has ever witnessed. 2005, 5½x8½, 192 pp. ISBN: 078843506X. Published by Heritage Books, Inc. Customer Service: 1-800-876-6103.

Alex, Alexander, Lordy Lordy, Zingo!!,
Copyright 1989 by Alexander Alex. Privately printed, Published by American Writing & Publishing Co., Irvine, CA. 5 1/2" x 8 1/2", 128 pages, softbound, no photos, no ISBN number. [Autobiography by Author. Childhood, obtaining Commercial Pilot's License, in New Kensington, PA, USAAF Aviation Cadet enlistment 1942, flight training, becoming B-17 pilot, crew assignment, arrival 427th BS/303rd BG(H) Molesworth, England 9 Nov 1943, Only combat mission 20 Dec 1943, POW experiences, Life after WWII.]

Ballantine, Ian, The Aviation Art of Keith Ferris
New York, NY, Peacock Press/Bantam Books, © by Keith Ferris, May 1983 (3rd Edition), 11" x 9", 96 pages, Color reproductions and stories of many Keith Ferris paintings, paperback, ISBN 0-5653-34062-X (Contains color reproductions of Keith Ferris 303 d BG(H) paintings "Retirement Party for Old Thunderbird" (1966) and "Fortresses Under Fire" (1976)

Calenberg, Ray, Diary 35: Combat Mission of B-17 Crew on "Henn's Revenge" Over Germany WWII
Milwaukee, WI, Private printing by Raymond N. Calenberg, © Raymond N. Calenberg, 1998, 5 3/8" x 8 1/4", 120 pages, Illus., Paperback, ISBN none listed, L of C Catalog #92-60358. (Story of 35 missions from the diary of 358th BS Radio Operator on the 1Lt Richard H. Gmernicki Crew, October 9, 1944 to February 15, 1945)

Clark, Peter, Where the Hills Meet the Skies
Wooler, Northumberland, England, Glen Graphics, © Peter Clark, 1995, 5 3/4" x 8 1/4", 84 pages, B&W Illus., softbound, ISBN #1-900038-00-5. (A guide to wartime air crashes in the Cheviot Hills, England. Includes the 12/16/44 crash of 303 d BG(H) B-17 #44-5054, Lt Kyle Pilot)

Clarke, Kenneth, The Trip Back - World War II as seen from the Belly of a B-17
Austin, Texas, 1st World Library, Paperback, ISBN 0-9745624-2-4 Detailed descriptions of Sgt Kenneth Clarke's 32 combat missions as a Ball Turret Gunner on the 1Lt William C. Davis Crew from 11 May through 16 July 1944.

Crawford, William, Angels over the Reich - Combat with a B-17 Flight Crew
Privately printed and (© by William Crawford, 1996, 8 1/2" x 11", 375 pages, B&W photos and Illus, Spiral Bound. (Story of the Author's flight training and 35 combat missions as a Combat Crew Pilot from 5 July 44 to 11 Oct 44)

Crawford, William, Wiesbaden - 15 August 1944
Privately printed and © by William Crawford, 1997, 8 1/2" x 11", 48 pages, B&W photos and illus, Spiral bound. (Story of the 303rd BG(H) mission to Wiesbaden, Germany on 15 August 1944)

David, Clayton C., They Helped Me to Escape: From Amsterdam to Gibraltar in 1944
Manhattan, KN, Sunflower University Press, (© Clayton David, 1998 5 1/2" x 8 1/2", 160 pages, Illus., paperback, ISBN #0-89745-101-5. (303rd BG(H) CoPilot on the Capt John W. Watson Crew. Parachuted over enemy territory from his badly damaged B-17, evaded capture and returned to England in June 1944)

Deerfield, Eddie, LtCol, USA (Ret), Hell's Angels Newsletter - Silver Anniversary Collection - A World War II Retrospective. Covers 303rd BG(H) and 8th AF World War II aerial operations 1942-1945, personal narratives, postwar events, photos and bibliographical references. Orlando, FL., QUESTprint, Division of Brekel Group, Inc., 2002, 1,272 pages, 8 1/2" x 11", B&W & Color photos & Illus., Hardbound, Printed in two volumes - Fully indexed. Copyrighted 2002 by 303rd Bomb Group (H) Association, Inc. ISBN: 0-9718571-0-5 L of C Control Number: 2002090569

Deerfield, Eddie, The PsyWarriors (Korean Psychological Warfare)
1994 (1st printing), Salt Lake City, UT, Northwest Publishing Inc., © Eddie Deerfield, 1994 5" x 8", 240 pages, softbound, ISBN #1-56901-196-6. (Author flew 30 combat missions as a 303rd BG(H) Radio Operator. U.S. Army Reservists out of Harms Way story, caught in a deadly Korean trap - A story of Love, Lust, Treachery and War!).

de Jong, Ivo M., Bail Out Over Brummen - The End of a "Flying Fortress" Het einde van een "Vliegend Fort"
Harderwijk, Netherlands
Privately printed, © Ivo M. de Jong, 1955, 6" x 8 1/4", 60 pages, Illus., softbound, Printed in English and Dutch. (Flight of 359th BS B-17 #42-97781 Eight Ball Mk lll shot down on its 57th mission to Sterkrade, Germany, 02 Nov 1944, 1Lt Jack T. Davis Pilot)

de Jong, Ivo M., Mission 85, A Milk Run that Turned Sour - The United States Eighth Air Force and its mission on August 19,1943 over south-west Holland
Groesbeek, Netherlands, Liberation Museum 1944, © Ivo M. de Jong, 1998, Historical Edition No. 5 -1998, 8 1/4" x 11 13/16",152 pages Photos & Illus., softbound, ISBN #90-74212-05-0. (Extensively covers the battle of twenty 303rd BG(H) B-17s on August 19,1943, during which two B-17s, piloted by Lts James Nix and Lauren Quillen, were lost. Forward by Col Kermit D. Stevens, 303rd BG(H) Commanding Officer).

Ethell, Jeff, Cowboys and Indians
Alexandria, VA, © Graphically Speaking, 1977. 7" x 9", 16 pages, Illus, paperback, No ISBN Number. (Story of the Keith Ferris 25' x 75' NASM, Smithsonian Institution, mural. Lists all of the combat missions of the 303rd BG(H) B-17 #42-38050 Thunderbird, crewmen of the B-17s on the mural, mission causalities and how the mural was painted).

Freeny, William A., Sgt. (Editor), The First 300 - Hell's Angels
Molesworth, England, Public Relations Office, 303rd BG(H), under the supervision of Captain Walter R. Donnelly, Group Public Relations Officer, London, England, B.T. Batsford, Ltd., 1945, 8 1/2' x 11", 32 pages, B&W photos & Illus, paperbound. (Brief history of the 303rd BG(H) and its first 300 missions. Distributed to all 303rd BG(H) members at Molesworth in early 1945).

Fyler, Carl, D.D.S., Major (R)-AF, Staying Alive - A B-17 Pilot's Experiences Flying Unescorted Bomber Missions by 8th Air Force Elements During World War II
Leavenworth, KN, J.H. Johnson III, © Carl Fyler, D.D.S., 1995, 6" x 9", 144 pages, B&W photos, Hardbound, ISBN #0-9621374-9-9. (Author's combat missions, getting shot down on his 25th combat mission to Schweinfurt, Germany on October 14, 1943 and his POW experiences).

Giering, Edward J., Major U.S. Army (Ret), B-17 Bomber Crew Diary - A Story of the 8th Air Force in World War II
Manhattan, KS, Sunflower University Press, © Edward J. Giering, 1985, 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" 147 pages, illustrated, paperback, ISBN #0-89745-069-8. (A fictitious story partially based on the Author's crew and combat missions while serving as a Radio Operator in the 427th BS Lt Robert M. Wertz crew and being shot down and made a POW on 16 February 1945).

Gobrecht, Harry D., LtCol, USAF(Ret), Might in Flight - Daily Diary of the Eighth Air Force's Hell's Angels - 303rd Bombardment Group (H)
1993 (1st Edition), 1997 (2nd Edition), San Clemente, CA, © 303rd Bombardment Group (H) Association, 1997, Printed by The Old Army Press, Ft. Collins, CO, Limited printing of 1,530 copies, 8 1/2" x 11", B&W photos and Color Illus, 928 pages, Hardbound, fully indexed, ISBN #0-9636155-1-3. (Extensive 303rd BG(H) history taken from USAAF archive mission reports and other historical data, interviews, etc.). OUT OF PRINT - NO COPIES ARE AVAILABLE

Hand, Robert A., Capt., USAF (Ret), Last Raid
Bob Hand Design, 300 Meridale Drive, Johnson City, TN 37601, © Robert A. Hand, 1995, 8 1/2" x 11", 86 pages, B&W photos, drawings & Illus, softbound, No ISBN number. (From the original diary entries of Captain Bob Hand, 359th BS Bombardier and his personal account of the 303rd Bomb Group participation in the thousand plane raid on Berlin, 03 February, 1945 ... and other stories).

Howell, Forrest W., Whispers of Death - Yankee Kriegies - By losing freedom they learn what it means to be free
1985, Moore Haven, FL, Rainbow Books, © Forrest W. Howell, 5 1/2" x 8 1/2", 170 pages, fold out map of POW camps, softbound ISBN #0-935834-48-6 (303rd BG(H) Radio Operator on the 1Lt H.S. Cook Crew, assigned to 427 BS on 22 June 1944, POW 15 August 1944 on his 17th combat mission)

Johnson, Charles P. (with Dr Robert Charlton), Memoirs of a Navigator WW II
Pittsburgh, PA, Rosedog Books, 2003, 189 pps, 6" x 9", B&W photos, softbound, ISBN: 0-8059-9219-7. Story of 2Lt Charles P. Johnson, Navigator on 358th BS 2Lt Francis R. Taub Crew. Shot down and became a POW on his 19th combat mission 20 March 1945 to Hamburg, Germany. Book recounts Lt Johnson's induction and training days, downing of his B-17, his capture, prison camp life, liberation and march to freedom Compiled from his personal memoirs by Author. Book also available on an E-Book edition.

Johnson, Richard R., Twenty-Five Milk Runs and a Few Others Victoria, BC, Canada, Trafford Publishing, 2004, 292 pages, Perfect Binding, ISBN #1-4120-2501-x, Catagogue #04-0329 Life story of Author from 1922: Includes his growing up during the Great Depression as a son of migrant farm workers; early interest in aviation; military career as a 427th BS/303rd BG(H) B-17 CoPilot and Pilot between 15 May and 8 September 1944; post war experiences as a private and commercial pilot flying advertising banners.

Milich, Melissa, Homer's Luck, (The story of the Dog that Flew)
Bretton, Peterborough, England, GMS Enterprises, 2000, 5 7/8" x 8 1/4", 24 pages, B&W Photos & Illus., Color Cover Keith Hill Painting "Any Gum Chum", Illustrations by Arthur Crawford, Softbound, No ISBN Number, (Story of Homer who flew five combat missions in 1945 with the 358t BS Capt Lawrence Poole Crew and was awarded the Air Medal)

Morris, Rob, Untold Valor: Hidden History of the Air War Over Europe in World War II
http://www.untoldvalor.com/ - Philadelphia, PA, Xlibris Corporation - Random House Ventures - www.xlibris.com, 2005, 5 1/2" x 8 1/2", 294 pages, B&W photos. ISBN: 1-4134-7278-8 (Hardcover), 1-4134-7277-X (Softcover), Copyright: Rob Morris. 303rd BG(H) related chapters include: Chapter Three - Memphis Belle & Hell's Angels: First to Finish; Chapter Nine - Goering Bombs Germany. Book credits: Harry D. Gobrecht, Werner Goering and Jack Rencher. Contact Author: geriamor@msn.com; Orders: https://www2.xlibris.com/bookstore/search.asp - Hardbound - $28.79, softbound - $18.69 plus S&H.

Morton, Alvin L, A Noble Spirit
Pittsburgh, PA., Dorrance Publishing, Inc., © Alvin L. Morton, 1999, 8 1/2" x 11", 229 pages, B&W photos and illustrations, Hardbound, ISBN #0-8059-4463-X. (Illustrated story of the 359th BS/303rd BG(H)

Norlin, Ann and Webb, Karl, 11-11: The Carl Fyler Story
Booklocker.com, Inc. (June 30, 2012), ISBN 978-1621417125 11-11: The Carl Fyler Story is the biography of a respected World War II bomber pilot who spent 510 days in a German POW camp. However, 11-11 is more than just a biography, more than just a war story. It is an appealing drama that tells the story of America through the life of one man and his ancestors, from the time the first colonists set foot on this shore until today. A real page-turner! Available on Amazon.com.

O'Neill, Brian D., Half a Wing, Three Engines and a Prayer
New York, NY., © McGraw-Hill, 1999 (Special Revised Edition), 6" x 9", 455 pages, Illus, numerous combat crew and B-17 photos, fully indexed, softbound, ISBN #0-07-134145-5. (Cover Graphic © McGraw-Hill, Inc. 1999, used with permission.) (One of the very best 8th AF books. Fascinating reading. Story of the 303rd BG(H) Robert J. Huller Crew missions of 15 Aug 1943 to 10 Feb 44)

O'Neill, Brian D. (Author), Styling, Mark (Illustrator), 303rd Bombardment Group
(Osprey Aviation Elite No. 11), 2003, Oxford, England, Osprey Publishing, 7 1/4" X 9 3/4", 128 pages, 130 B&W and Color photos with commentaries, 40 color 303rd BG(H) B-17 aircraft profiles and nose art drawings with aircraft historical highlights, paperback, ISBN: 1841765376. Book details the history of the 303rd BG(H) from February 1942 through April 1945 with many new historical facts, stories and photos uncovered by Brian O'Neill's research. USA cost $19.95

Rawlings, Barney, Off We Went (Into the Wild Blue Yonder)
Washington, DC, Morgan Printers, Inc, © Barney Rawlings, 1994, 5 1/2" x 8 1/2", 260 pages, B&W photos, Softbound, No ISBN number. (Story of Lt Rawlings, CoPilot, 1Lt J.F. Fowler Crew, MIA 26 Jan 44 to Frankfurt, Germany in B-17 #42-39786, G.I. Sheets, (1 KIA, 6 POW, 3 Evadees). Lt Rawlings evaded capture from France, via the Pyrennes, into Spain and returned to the 303rd BG(H) at Molesworth, England on 25 May 1944)

Smart, Valerie, The Original Hell's Angels: 303rd Bombardment Group of WWII
Charleston, SC, Arcadia Publishing, an imprint of Tempus Publishing, Inc., www.arcadiapublishing.com, © Valerie Smart, 2001, 6 1/2" by 9 1/4", 128 pages, B & W photos, paperback, ISBN # 0-7385-0910-8. A pictorial history of the crew of the B-17 "Hell's Angels" including pictures of other crews in the 303rd and members of the 8th Army Air Force.

Smith, Ben, Jr., Chick's Crew - A Tale of the Eighth Air Force
Waycross, GA, Private Published, © Ben Smith, Jr., Printed by Rose Printing Co., Inc, Tallahassee, FL, 1983 B&W photos, Illustrations by Author, Hardbound, No ISBN number. (303rd BG(H) Radio Operator, Lt Anthony (Chick) Cecchini's Crew, Assigned 427th BS on 2 April 1944. Story of his training, combat missions and life at Molesworth, England)

Smith, Graham, Cambridgeshire Airfields in the Second World War
Newbury, Berkshire, England, Countryside Books, 1999 (Reprinted with revisions), 5 7/8" x 5 '/4" 288 pages, B&W Photos and Illus, Softbound, ISBN #1-85306-456-4 (Story of the 303rd BG(H) Molesworth Airfield on pages 166-183, Also stories on Eighth Air Force Airfields at Alconbury (92rd BG), Bassingbourn (91stBG), Bottisham (361st FG), Duxford (781th FG), Fowlmere (339th FG), Glatton (457th BG), Kimbolton (379th BG), Stepple Morden (355th FG) plus several RAF Squadrons.)

Smith, John N., Air Field Focus - 40: Molesworth
2000, 5 1/4" x 8 1/4", 34 pages, B&W photos and maps, softbound ISBN #1-870384-77-6. (Story of the Molesworth Airfield including occupancy by the 15th BS(L), 303rd BG(H), 303rd Tactical Missile Wing and Joint Analysis Center USEUCOM. Contributions by LtCol Harry D. Gobrecht and Might in Flight book and Brian McGuire of Joint Analysis Center)

Spencer, Jeanne, The Journey
2005, 8 1/2" x 11", 113 pages, Beautifully and simply written story of the fascinating life of Distinguished Service Cross awardee Charles W. Spencer, told by his wife Jeanne. ISBN: 0-9742014-6-4. $12.00.