Wrong Place, Wrong Time: The 305th Bomb Group & the 2nd Schweinfurt Raid (Schiffer Military Aviation History)

This is true story of the second raid on Schweinfurt, Germany, by the 8th Air Force 1st and 3rd Bombardment Divisions on October 14, 1943. Many refer to it as the greatest one-day air battle of WWII. 

On this day, the 8th Air Force lost air superiority to the German Luftwaffe in a continuous air battle that lasted over three hours.

Wrong Place, Wrong Time is a study of the 1st Bombardment Division and specifically the 305th Bomb Group on that fateful day. Record numbers of German fighters swarmed over the unescorted B-17s and their crews.

Compelling new evidence never before published indicates that mistakes and poor leadership by several air commanders within the 1st Division caused unnecessary losses for a number of bombers and their crews.

This, together with major new revelations by crew members of the 305th who flew the mission, shed light on why the 1st Division lost 45 out of 60 B-17s that day.

Information for this book comes from the National Archives, the US Air Force Historical Research Center, overseas sources, and 53 surviving 305th crew members who flew this mission.

George C. Kuhl was a pilot in the 305th Bomb Group during World War II.