VIII Air Support Command 47

4 September 1943

Description

Marshalling yards in France are the targets for this four element mission. The first element is a formation of 36 B-26s from 387BG despatched to bomb the railroad marsalling yards at Coutrai, France. 33 are effective on the target. Therer are no losses or claims.



The second element is a formation of 36 B-26s from 386BG despatched to bomb the railroad marshalling yards at Lille/Deliverance, France. 33 are effective on the target. There are no losses or claims.



The third elemenet is a formation of 36 B-26s from 323BG despatched to bomb the railroad marshalling yards at Hazebrouck, France. 34 are effective on the target, There are no losses or claims.



The fourth element is a fomration of 36 B-17s from 322BG despatched to bomb the railroad marshalling yards at St. Pol, France. 23 are effective on the target, There are no losses or claims.

Mission Details

COURTRAI

Description: MARSHALLING YARDS

Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder

387th Bomb Group

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

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 195.50
  • Aircraft sent: 36
  • Aircraft effective: 33
  • Aircraft damaged: 5

HAZEBROUCK

Description: MARSHALLING YARDS

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.'

323rd Bomb Group

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

Mission Statistics

  • Aircraft sent: 36
  • Aircraft effective: 34
  • Aircraft damaged: 6

LILLE-DELIVERANCE

Description: MARSHALLING YARDS

Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder

Lieutenant James T. Wilson and Lieutenant Robert J. Owen of the 386th Bomb Group in the cockpit of their B-26 Marauder. Image stamped on reverse: 'Not to be published.' [stamp], 'Ministry of Information 19 Aug 1943.' [stamp] nand '279545.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'AT THE US MARAUDERS BASE. The B-26 Marauders, American super medium bombers are operating now from bases in Britain. This series of pictures shows various scenes at the airfield where the ground crew and the fliers work together

386th Bomb Group

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

Mission Statistics

  • Aircraft sent: 36
  • Aircraft effective: 33
  • Aircraft damaged: 5

SAINT POL

Description: MARSHALLING YARDS

Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder

322nd Bomb Group

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

Mission Statistics

  • Aircraft sent: 36
  • Aircraft effective: 23
  • Aircraft damaged: 6

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 31-May-2015. Added Mission Narrative based on "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 31-May-2015. Corrected target designation for Lille/Deliverance per "The Mighty Eighth War Dairy", 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'.