VIII Air Support Command 42

2 September 1943

Description

72 B-26s from: 322BG (36) and 323BG (36) are despatched to bomb the fuel dump at Hesdin, France. 69 are effective on the target. There are no losses or claims.

Mission Details

62140 Hesdin, France

Description: AIRFIELD/PORT AREA

Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder

Notes: Lille/Nord clouded over, 387th Bomb Group can't bomb. 386th Bomb Group drops on Mazingarbe port area as a secondary target.

322nd Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
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: 99.86
  • Prisoners of war: 3
  • Aircraft sent: 72
  • Aircraft effective: 69

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 29-May-2015. Corrected target and statistics per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman and "USAAF Combat Chronology", Jack McKillop

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 29-May-2015. Added Mission Narrative based on "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman and "USAAF Combat Chronology" Jack McKillop

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'.