VIII Air Support Command 4

26 July 1943

Description

18 B-26s from 323BG are despatched to attack the German airfield at St. Omer/Ft. Rouge, France but the target is obscured by clouds and the force attacks the German airfield Longuenesse at St.Omer instead. 15 of these aircraft are effective on the target. 4 are damaged. There are no losses or claims.

Mission Details

ST OMER/LONGUENESSE

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder

Notes: St. Omer/Ft. Rouge Air Depot was the primary but cloud cover prevented bombing. Force bombed the Longuenesse Air Field instead. A fighter sweep of the Rouen, France area supported this attack.

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.'

323rd Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 14.80
  • Aircraft sent: 16
  • Aircraft effective: 15
  • Aircraft damaged: 4

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 9-May-2015. Corrected mission date and added Mission Narrative based on "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.

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'.