VIII Air Support Command 56
11 September 1943Description
This mission is composed of two elements. The first element is composed of 20 B-26s from 322BG despatched to bomb the shipyards at Le Trait France. 19 are effective on the target. There are no losses or claims, but 14 aircraft are damaged and one airman is Wounded in Action (WIA)
The sesond element is composed of 35 B-26s from 323BG despatched to bomb the German airfield at Beaumont/Le Roger, France. 32 are effective on the target. 1 B-26 crashes with engine trouble at Bury St. Edmunds having been diverted there beacuse of weather conditions at its home field at Earls Colne. The aircraft is declared to be Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR)-4KOM 1RTD. No MACR issued.
Mission Details
BEAUMONT-LE-ROGER
Description: AIRFIELD
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.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380000.jpg.webp?itok=SSrEVQvb)
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Mission Statistics
- People killed in action: 4
- Aircraft sent: 35
- Aircraft effective: 32
- Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 1
ROUEN (Primary) / LE TRAIT (Secondary)
Description: POWER STATION/SHIP YARD
Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
Notes: Primary target Rouen is obscured by clouds. Le Trait is the secondary target.
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 67.05
- People wounded in action: 1
- Aircraft sent: 20
- Aircraft effective: 19
- Aircraft damaged: 14
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 323rd Bomb Group 453rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 14033874
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Engineer/Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 323rd Bomb Group 453rd Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 323rd Bomb Group 453rd Bomb Squadron 477th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-792462
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator/Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 323rd Bomb Group 453rd Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator/Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 323rd Bomb Group 453rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-791250
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
- Unit: 323rd Bomb Group 453rd Bomb Squadron
Revisions
Lee Cunningham 5-Jun-2015. Added Mission Narrative per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman,
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'.