11th Combat Crew Replacement Center
Misc
VIII Bomber Command 24
6 December 1942
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A flight of B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 305th Bomb Group, in formation returning from Lille. Printed caption on reverse: 'Vapor trails made by Boeing B-17's returning from Lille, France. US Air Force Photo.' Handwritten caption on reverse: 'KY-A, 25085?. KY-B, 124591 "Rigor Mortis". KY-C, 25078. JJ-Q, 25060. JJ-R, 123614 "Snafu". XK-U "Wham Bam". XK-P "Flapper".
Official description
36 HBs attack Atelier d’Hellemmes locomotive works at Lille while a smaller group of aircraft bomb Abbeville/Drucat A/F.
Description
The German airfield of Drucat at Abbeville, France is the primary target for 19 B-24s despatched from 44th Bomb Group but are recalled. One squadron of 6 does not hear the recall and proceeds to the target, 1 B-24 MIA.
Also, a combined force of 86 B-17s despatched from 91BG (22); 303BG (20) and 305BG (24) are sent to bomb the Atelier d'Hellemmes locomotive works at Lille, France. 43 of these are effective on the target and only 4 of these are from 305BG. 1 B-17 MIA.
A combined force of 6 B-17s from 11th Combat Crew Replacement Center (Bovington) and 16 B-17s from 306BG are despatched on a diversion, but the 6 from 11th CCRC are recalled while in form-up over their base and the 16 from 306BG just fly a mock diversion.
Mission details
1. RECALLED
Description
DIVERSION
Aircraft type
B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes
11th Combat Crew Replacement Center (CCRC), Bovington. got recalled while still over their base during form-up.
Units
Mission Statistics
| Number of aircraft Sent | 6 |
2.
Description
MOCK DIVERSION
Aircraft type
B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes
Not yet known
Units
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306th Bomb Group The Reich Wreckers
Group
Constituted as 306th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 28 Jan 1942. Activated on 1 Mar 1942. Trained for combat with B-17's. Moved to England, Aug-Sep 1942, and assigned to Eighth AF Eighth Air Force in September 1942 Station 111 Thurleigh. During combat,...
Mission Statistics
| Number of aircraft Sent | 16 |
3. ABBEVILLE/ DRUCAT (Primary)
Description
AIRFIELD
Aircraft type
B-24 Liberator
Notes
44th Bomb Group was recalled but on BS did not get the message and continued to the target. There is no fighter escort for this element.
Units
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44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs
Group
The 44th Bombardment Group (Heavy) was activated 15-January-1942 at McDill Field, Florida and equipped with B-24Cs. The Group moved to Barksdale Field, Louisiana and acted as a training unit for the 90th 93rd and 98th Bomb Groups and flew anti...
Mission Statistics
| Tonnage dropped | 55.50 |
| Number of aircraft Sent | 19 |
| Number of aircraft Effective | 6 |
| Number of aircraft Missing In Action | 1 |
| Number of aircraft Damaged | 1 |
| Number of people Killed In Action | 10 |
| Number of people Wounded in Action | 3 |
| Enemy aircraft claimed as Probably Destroyed by Bomber Command | 3 |
| Enemy aircraft claimed as Damaged by Bomber Command | 1 |
4. LILLE (Primary)
Description
ATELIER D'HELLEMMES LOCOMOTIVE WORKS
Aircraft type
B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes
There is no fighter escort for this element.
Units
-
303rd Bomb Group
Group
The 303rd Bombardment Group (Heavy) was activated on 3-Feb-1942 at Pendleton Field, Oregon. They assembled at Gowen Field, Idaho on 11-February 1942 where it conducted flight training until 12-Jun-1942. The Group then moved to Alamogordo Field, New... -
305th Bomb Group Can Do
Group
The 305th Bombardment Group (Heavy), nicknamed "Can Do" was activated 1-March-1942 at Salt Lake City Air Base, Utah which was their primary training base until 11-Jun-1942 when they relocated to Geiger Field, Washington until 29-Jun-1942, then on to... -
91st Bomb Group The Ragged Irregulars
Group
The 91st Bombardment Group (Heavy) was activated at Harding Field, Louisiana on 15-April-1942 and went to MacDill Field, Florida for the first phase of training from 16-May-1942 to 25-June-1942. The Group was then assigned to 2nd Air Force at Walla...
Mission Statistics
| Tonnage dropped | 100.00 |
| Number of aircraft Sent | 66 |
| Number of aircraft Effective | 37 |
| Number of aircraft Missing In Action | 1 |
| Number of aircraft Damaged | 9 |
| Number of people Killed In Action | 10 |
| Number of people Wounded in Action | 2 |
| Number of people Prisoners of War | 1 |
| Enemy aircraft claimed as Destroyed by Bomber Command | 4 |
| Enemy aircraft claimed as Probably Destroyed by Bomber Command | 5 |
| Enemy aircraft claimed as Damaged by Bomber Command | 5 |
Service
People
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Samuel Anderson
Military | Captain | Lead Navigator | 303rd Bomb Group
17-Feb-42 Assigned as Navigator of B-17F 41-24579 [PU-F] at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho. 16-Oct-42 Arrived at Molesworth UK. He was despatched on 26 Operations - 25 credited. Served as a Lead Navigator on 23 of those missions. Completed a 25-Mission tour... -
Clayton Balcombe
Military | Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade) | Radio Operator | 303rd Bomb Group
06-Mar-42 Assigned as Radio Operator on B-17F 41-24559 [PU-C] "Ooold Soljer", 303BG/360BS at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho. 16-Oct-42 Arrived at Molesworth, UK aboard "Ooold Soljer" ... -
Dante Barron
Military | Staff Sergeant | Waist Gunner | 303rd Bomb Group
24-Jul-42 Assigned as an Aerial Gunner with 303BG/427BS at Alamogordo Field, Alamogordo, New Mexico. 303BG records do not record the exact date that he arrived in the UK, but probably in Oct-42. 303BG records do not indicate that he had a permanent... -
Jack Belk
Military | Sergeant | Waist Gunner | 303rd Bomb Group
1-May-42 Assigned as an Aerial Gunner to 303BG/427BS at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho, with the rank of Sergeant. 303BG personnel record does not indicate that he was assigned to any particular crew at that time and does not indicate when he arrived at... -
Paul Beverly
Military | Staff Sergeant | Ball Turret Gunner | 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs
Joined crew 3 August 1942. Shot down 6 December 1942 in B-24 41-23786 while serving as Ball Turret Gunner. Plane crashed into Channel. Killed in Action (KIA). First loss for the 44th BG. -
Irwin Blankenship
Military | Staff Sergeant | Radio Operator, Radio Operator Gunner | 303rd Bomb Group
1-May-1942 Assigned as and Aerial Gunner of B-17F 41-24619 [GN-S] "S-for-Sugar", 303BG/427BS at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho. 25-Oct-42 Arrived at Molesworth, UK aboard "S-for-Sugar". Apparently he and the crew were re-assigned to B-17F 41-24607 [GN-W] ... -
Edward Blount
Military | Staff Sergeant | Waist Gunner | 305th Bomb Group Can Do
Shot down 6 December 1942 in B-17 41-24553 'Cherry' while serving as Waist Gunner. Killed in Action (KIA). -
Edward Bradford
Military | Staff Sergeant | Left Waist Gunner | 303rd Bomb Group
6-Mar-42 Assigned as an Aerial Gunner on B-17F 41-24559 [PU-C], "Ooold Soljer:, 303BG 360BS at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho. 16-Oct-42 Arrived at Molesworth, UK aboard "Ooold Soljer." ... -
Merel Bradley
Military | Sergeant | Tail Gunner | 303rd Bomb Group
10-Jul-42 Assigned as the Tail Gunner of B-17F 41-24619 [GN-S] "S-for-Sugar", 303BG/427BS at Alamogordo Field, Alamogordo, New Mexico. Arrived in the UK with the crew of 41-24619 aboard B-17F 42-2966, 303BG/427BS on 28-Oct-43. B-17F 41-24619 was... -
Dale Brandfas
Military | Technical Sergeant | Radio Operator | 303rd Bomb Group
1-May-42 Assigned as Radio Operator of B-17F 41-24619 [GN-S] "S-for-Sugar", 303BG/427BS at Gowen Field, Bosie, Idaho. 12-Oct-42 Re-assigend to B-17F 41-24569 [GN-V], "Memphis Tot" 303BG/427BS at Dow Field, Bangor, Maine. 22-Oct-42 Arrived at Molesworth...
Aircraft
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41-23786
B-24 Liberator
B-24D 41-23786 was assigned to 44th Bomb Group, 68th Bomb Squadron at Shipdham. Shot down by German fighters 6-December-1942 on a mission to bomb the German airfield Drucat at Abbeville, France. 10KIA. First loss for 44th Bomb Group. MACR 2920. ... -
41-24517 Kali
B-17 Flying Fortress
B-17F 41-24517 [GN-O] 'Kali' 303BG/427BS assigned with crew on 1-May-42 at Alamogordo Field, Almogordo, New Mexico. Sent with crew to Dow Field, Bangor, Maine for deployment 5-Oct-42. Arrived at Molesworth, UK 24-Oct-42 ... -
41-24541 Spook
B-17 Flying Fortress
B-17F 41-24541 "Spook" was assigned 358BS/303BG [VK-G] Kellogg Fd 14-Sep-42; Molesworth 16-Sep-42;The aircraft participated in 12 Operations - 4 Aborted (See Biography events) ... -
41-24553 Cherry
B-17 Flying Fortress
B-17F 41-24553 'Cherry' was assigned to Syracuse 16-Sep-42;Presque Isle 19-Oct-42; Grafton Underwood 25-Oct-42; Missing in Action, 6-Dec-42 on a mission to bomb the Atclier d'Hellemmes locomotive factory at Lille, France. Shot down by Uffz Schnell (3... -
41-24559 Ooold Soljer
B-17 Flying Fortress
B-17F 41-24559 'Ooold Soljer' was assigned 360BS/303BG [PU-C] Bangor 14-Oct-42; Molesworth 16-Oct-42. ... -
41-24569 Memphis Tot
B-17 Flying Fortress
B-17F 41-24569 "Memphis Tot: [GN:V] was assigned 427BS/303BG [GN-W] Bangor 5-Oct-42; Molesworth 22-Oct-42. ... -
41-24579 Thumper
B-17 Flying Fortress
B-17F 41-24579 "Thumper" was assigned 360BS/303BG [PU-F] 17-Feb-42 Gowen Field, Idaho; Bangor 14-Oct-42; Molesworth 16-Oct-42; Aircraft damaged by AA fire and enemy fighters on mission to Lorient, France on 23-Jan-43. 11 man crew. Belly-landed at... -
41-24580 Hellcat Agnes & No Monkey Business
B-17 Flying Fortress
B-17F 41-24580 "Hellcat Agnes" was assigned 358BS/303BG [VK-C] Bangor 11-Oct-42; Molesworth 16-Oct-62. Participated in 6 Operations - 2 Aborts (See Biography events) ... -
41-24584 Susfu
B-17 Flying Fortress
B-17F 41-24584 "Susfu" was assigned 427BS/303BG [GN-Q] Bangor 5-Oct-42; Molesworth 22-Oct-42; Missing in Action 23-Jan-43 while on a mission to bomb the port area and U-Boat pens at Lorient, France. Attacked by German FW-190 fighters and crashed at... -
41-24603 The Green Hornet
B-17 Flying Fortress
B-17F 41-24603 "Green Hornet" [BN-Y], 303BG/359BS was assigned with a combat crew on 10-Sep-42 at Biggs Field, El Paso, Texas then moved to Dow Field, Bangor, Maine 9-Oct-42; Arrived at Molesworth, UK on 22-Oct-42. ...
Revisions
| Date | Contributor | Update |
|---|---|---|
| 24 September 2019 14:00:30 | Emily | Changes to official description |
| Sources | ||
Air Force Combat Chronology |
||
| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 15 February 2015 19:35:10 | Lee8thbuff | Changes to event |
| Sources | ||
Lee Cunningham 15-Feb-2015. Added Bomber Gunner claims to statistics on Lille per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman. |
||
| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 15 February 2015 19:33:48 | Lee8thbuff | Changes to event |
| Sources | ||
Lee Cunningham 15-Feb-2015. Added Bomber Gunner claims to statistics on Abbeville per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman. |
||
| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 13 November 2014 10:58:33 | Emily | Changes to media associations |
| Sources | ||
Associated media based on images associated with mission in Freeman, Mighty Eighth War Diary |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 08 November 2014 18:28:15 | Lee8thbuff | Changes to event |
| Sources | ||
Lee Cunningham 8-Nov-2014. Associations for 11th CCRC. |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 08 November 2014 18:24:40 | Lee8thbuff | Changes to event |
| Sources | ||
Lee Cunningham 8-Nov-2014. Place connections. |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 08 November 2014 18:19:29 | Lee8thbuff | Changes to event |
| Sources | ||
Lee Cunningham 8-Nov-2014. Edit to mission detail. |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 08 November 2014 18:17:42 | Lee8thbuff | Changes to description |
| Sources | ||
Lee Cunningham 8-Nov-2014, Description based on "USAAF Combat Chronology" Jack McKillop. |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 27 September 2014 18:43:17 | AAM | AAM ingest |
| 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'. |
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