Description

This mission is the last heavy bomber operation of 1943. 1943 had been a very "tough" year for the 8th Air Force in the European Theater of Operations (ETO). 23365 B-17s had been despatched on missions and 881 had Failed to Return (FTR) for a loss percentage of 3.77%. This loss percentage equates to only a 38.26% chance that a B-17 bomber would complete a 25-mission tour. 3,026 B-24s had been despatched on ETO missions and 92 had Failed to Return (FTR) for a loss percentage of 3.04%. This loss percentage equates to a 46.21% chance that a B-24 would complete a 25-mission tour. These 25-mission survival rates were never given to the crews, but 8th AF command was certainly aware that you had to be "a lucky bastard" to complete 25 missions



The fact that fighter escort of the bombers was not widely used until the latter months of 1943 was certainly a contributing factor in the number of aircraft that were lost. Also, the B-17 Model F was not equipped with a chin turret and the Luftwaffe quickly learned that head-on attacks could take fatal advantage of this deficiency. With the coming of the P-51 Mustang, the change in fighter tactics implmented by LGEN Doolittle, the equipping of Bomb Groups with the B-17G and the losses by the Luftwaffe of experienced fighter pilots, the course of the air war in 1944 would be quite different for the bomber crews than 1943 and devestating to the Luftwaffe.



This mission is composed of 7 smaller formation elements directed mainly German airfields in France. The strategy seems to have been that multiple smaller bomber formations directed at dispersed targets would greatly frustrate Luftwaffe attempts to intercept the bomber streams.



The first element was a force of 73 B-17s from 1st Bomb Division that included: 91BG (32); 92BG (20);and 305BG (21 - did not drop) despatched to bomb the German airfield at Bordeaux-Merignac, France. 40 aircraft are effective on the target. 5 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) 8KIA 28POW 14EVD. 2 aircraft with battle damage made crash landings upon return to England 4KIA 16RTD. 4 airmen were KIA and another 10WIA aboard aircraft that returned. 29 aircraft were damaged. The bomber gunners in this element claimed 3-3-3 of attacking German aircraft.



The second element was a force of 102 B-17s also from 1st Bomb Division that included: 306BG (23); 351BG (31); 381BG (26); and 401BG (22) despatched to bomb the German airfield of Cognac-Chateubernard as the secondary target. 99 aircraft are effective on this target. 10 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) 30KIA 51POW 19EVD 2RTD (rescued by ASR). 4 airmen were KIA and another 19 WIA aborad returning aircraft. 5 aircraft with battle damage made crash landings in England upon return 1KIA 49RTD. 38 aircraft were damaged. The bomber gunners in this element claimed 6-1-10 of attacking German aircraft.



The third element was a force of 61 B-17 from 3rd Bomb Division that included: 94BG (21); 385BG (20); and 447BG (20) despatched to bomb the German airfield of Cognac-Chateaubernard, Fracne. ALL 61 were effective on the target, but 3 Failed to Return (FTR) 10KIA 14POW 7EVD. 1 airman was KIA and another 5 WIA aboard returning aircraft. 36 aircraft were damaged. The bomber gunners of this element claimed 8-9-14 of attacking German aircraft.



The fourth element was a force of 60 B-24s from 2nd Bomb Division that included: 93BG (17); 446BG (25); and 448BG (18) despatched to bombe the German airfied at La Rochelle, France, but weather forced to formation to attack the German airfields at Cognac-Chateaubernard and Landes-Bussac, France. 57 aircraft are effective on these targets. 5 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) 30KIA 17POW 2EVD. 2 aircraft make crash landings back in England 20RTD. 2 airmen are WIA in returning aircraft. 5 aircraft are damaged. There are no claims on enemy aircraft in this element.



The fifth element is a force of 57 B-17s from 1st Bomb Division that included: 303BG (20); 379BG (21); and 384BG (16) despatched to bomb a blockade runner at Gironde, France. The ship is not sighted and no bombs are dropped. 1 aircraft Failed to Return(FTR) and was ditched in the English Channel 10RTD (rescued by ASR). 2 battle damaged aircraft make crash landings upon return to England 20RTD. 2 airmen are KIA and 5 WIA in returning aircraft. 3 aircraft are damaged. There are no claims on enemy aircraft.



The sixth element is a force of 94 B-24s from 2nd Bomb Division that included: 44BG (20); 389BG (25); 392BG (27) and 445BG (22) despatched to bomb the German airfield at St.Jean D'Angely, France. 87 aircraft are effective on the target. 1 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) 9KIA 1POW. 2 aircraft make crashlandings upon return to England and are declared to be Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR) 20RTD. 5 aircraft are damaged. The bomber gunners of this element claim 9-1-1 of attacking German aircraft.



The seventh element is a force of 125 B-17s from 3rd Bomb Division that included: 95BG (21); 96BG (32); 100BG (21); 388BG (29); and 390BG (22) despatched to bomb the industrial areas of Paris-Ivry and Bois-Colombes, France. 120 aircraft are effective on their targets. 1 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) 10KIA. 1 battle damaged aircraft makes a crash landing upon return and is Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR) 10RTD. 2 airmen are WIA aboard returning aircraft. 49 aircraft are damaged. There are no claims against enemy aircraft in this element.