8th Air Force 195

28 January 1944

Description

54 B-24s of 2nd Bomb Division from: 93BG and 446BG are despatched to bomb V-Weapons sites at Bonnieres, France. 2 PFF equipped aircraft lead each Group. 31 aircraft are effective on the target. 12 others of the 446BG were instructed to follow the lead of the 93BG formation and bomb the same target. However, the leader of one section from 446BG accidently dropped 4 minutes prior to the primary target and 11 others unloaded also. 1 aircraft was damaged when it was struck by a marker flare from a PFF aircraft. There were no losses or claims.

Mission Details

Description: BOMB TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY

Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator

Notes: Due to technical difficulties the second group was ordered to follow the first group. 4 minutes before the target the leader of one section released and the 11 other following did the same. Gee-H is more accurate than H2X but is only usable when target is within 200 miles of the beacon.

A flight of B-24 Liberators of the 446th Bomb Group fly in formation above the clouds.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 93rd Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 32.00
  • Aircraft sent: 12
  • Aircraft effective: 12

Bonnières, France

Description: V-1 MISSILE SITES

Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator

Notes: 2 Gee-H-equipped B-24s accompany the mission, each leading a group of 27.

A flight of B-24 Liberators of the 446th Bomb Group fly in formation above the clouds.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 93rd Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 90.50
  • People returned to duty: 10
  • Aircraft sent: 42
  • Aircraft effective: 31
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 1
  • Aircraft damaged: 1

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

People

media-55442.pdf (709.09 KB) Document 55442 SSgt William ("Bill") G. Barlow, US Army (retired)

Personal picture of SSgt Bill Barlow, 446th Bomb Group

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 446th Bomb Group
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade)
  • Role/Job: Crew 302-514: Aerial Armorer Gunner; Tail Gunner; Ball Turret Gunner

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 13-Jan-2106. Added Mission Narrative per "The Mighty Eight War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.

Date
Contributorjdossetter
Changes
Sources

updated location

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'.