VIII Bomber Command 4

21 August 1942

Official Description

At Gen Arnold’s request, Gen Eisenhower gives Gen Spaatz additional duties as Air Officer for ETOUSA and head of the air section of its staff, thus assuring active participation by Eighth AF in theater planning. 12 airplanes are dispatched to bomb shipyards at Rotterdam, but mission is aborted due to attack by 25 Me-109’s and FW-190’s. Lack of proper coordination with Spitfire escort is major factor in failure of mission.

Description

97BG despatches 12 B-17s on a mission to bomb the shipyards and harbour facilities at Rotterdam, Holland. The mission is aborted when attacked by approximately 25 Bf-109 and Fw-190 fighter aircraft. Spitfire aircraft were despatched by 31FG as escorts for the bombers, but aborted because the bombers were 16 minutes late for rendezvous. 8th Air Force sustains the first KIA of an airman in the ETO.

Mission Details

Description: AIR-SEA RESCUE

Aircraft Type: Spitfire

Notes: Despatched on an Air Sea Rescue (ASR) mission.

Mission Statistics

  • Aircraft sent: 11

Description: FIGHTER DIVERSION

Aircraft Type: Spitfire

Notes: A diversion for the B-17s attacking Rotterdam.

Mission Statistics

  • Aircraft sent: 11

PATROL DUTCH COAST

Description: FIGHTER PATROL

Aircraft Type: Spitfire

Notes: Patrol off the Dutch coast.

Mission Statistics

  • Aircraft sent: 11

ROTTERDAM

Description: SHIP YARD

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: Mission is aborted due to an attack by 25 Bf 109s and Fw-190s. Fighter escort was planned for this mission but coordination with Spitfire escorts didn't happen because bombers were 16 minutes late. 8th Air Force suffers its first loss of an airman in combat. The co-pilot two LT Donald A. Walter, O-437895 of 41-9089 JOHNNEY REB is killed by a Luftwaffe fighter attack. The pilot and bombardier are wounded.

Ground personnel of the 97th Bomb Group reservice a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 41-9023) nicknamed "Yankee Doodle", following the raid on Rouen. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 18 Aug 1942.' [stamp], 'Air=SER (Boeing).' [written annotation] and '216112.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'U.S FLYING FORTRESSES RAID ROUEN IN DAYLIGHT. Associated Press Photo Shows: No sooner had one of the huge Fortresses landed after the raid than ground crew im
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: None
  • People killed in action: 1
  • People wounded in action: 5
  • People returned to duty: 9
  • Enemy aircrafts destroyed by bomber: 2
  • Enemy aircrafts probably destroyed by bomber: 5
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by bomber: 6
  • Aircraft sent: 12
  • Aircraft damaged: 1

Connections

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People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 97th Bomb Group 414th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 15067557
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 97th Bomb Group 414th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-724720
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 97th Bomb Group 414th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19038492 at enlistment, then O-659022
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 97th Bomb Group 414th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 15048241 and O-431059
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 97th Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: O-437895
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot

Aircraft

A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 41-9089) nicknamed "Johnny Reb" of the 92nd Bomb Group, formerly of the 97th Bomb Group takes off. Image stamped on reverse: 'New York Times Photo.' [stamp], 'Air (Boeing) FLY.' [annotation] and '219847.'[Censor no.] A printed caption was previously attached the the reverse however this has been lost. Handwritten caption on reverse: '4/9/42, marsh ground. Johnny Reb.'
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Johnny Reb
  • Unit: 97th Bomb Group 414th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
ContributorEmily
Changes
Sources

Air Force Combat Chronology

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 15-Feb-2015. Added Bomber Gunner claims to statistics on Rotterdam per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 25-Oct-2014. Mission description based on "Mighty Eighth War Diary" 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'.