VIII Air Support Command 12A

2 August 1943

Description

34 B-26s from 323BG are despatched to bomb the airfield at Merville, France. 31 are effective on the target. No losses or claims although 15 sustain damage from anti-aircraft fire. One, B-26C 41-34706, 323BG/454BS makes a crashlanding at RAF Manston and the aircraft is declared Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR). All 6 crewmen are wounded but not seriously and all Return to Duty-6RTD.

Mission Details

MERVILLE

Description: MERVILLE AIRFIELD, France

Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder

Private First Class Barbara O'Brien of the Womens Army Corps, paints the nose of a B-26 Marauder (YU-Y. serial number 41-34982) nicknamed "Jolly Roger" of the 323rd Bomb Group. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publcation 4 Dec 1943.' [stamp] and '295589.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'W.A.C.S. on duty at a Bomber Station. Associated Press Photo shows:- Pfc: Barbara O'Brien painting the Jolly Roger on the nose of a Marauder with the crew looking on.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 36.75
  • People wounded in action: 6
  • Aircraft sent: 34
  • Aircraft effective: 31
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 1
  • Aircraft damaged: 15

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 13-May-2015. Edited Mission Narrative to add WIA disposition to crew per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" ROger A> Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 13-May-2015. Added target to Mission Details per "The Mighty EIghth War Diary" ROger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 13-May-2015. Added Mission Narrative based on "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", ROger A, Freeman; DBR per "Loses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces", Sant Bishop & John A. Hey, MBE.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham, 8th Air Force missions research database / Stan Bishop's 'Losses of the US 8th and 9th Air Forces', the Combat Chronology of the US Army Air Forces and the work of Roger Freeman including the 'Mighty Eighth War Diary'.