VIII Bomber Command 53

1 May 1943

Description

The U-boat pens at St. Nazaire, France are the primary target. 78 B-17s are despatched: 91BG (20); 303BG (19); 305BG (21); 306BG (18). Poor weather frustrates the bombing effort and only 29 of the 78 despatched are effective on the target. The ordnance used is the 2,000 lb. general purpose bomb, the heaviest that could be carried in the B-17 bomb rack. 7 B-17s are MIA and 1 B-17 from 306th BG is Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR). This aircraft is B-17F 42-29649 aboard which is Ball Turret Gunner, Sgt Maynard "Snuffy" H. Smith who is awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions this day. The citation may be viewed at: http://www.cmohs.org/recipient-detail/3004/smith-maynard-h.php. The bomber gunners claim 18-6-8 against enemy aircraft.



The main B-17 force is supported by 24 B-24s: 44BG (18) and 93BG (6) despatched to fly a diversion along the Brittany coast. No losses or claims.

Mission Details

Description: DIVERSION

Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator

Notes: Diversion for St. Nazaire mission.

The insignia of the 44th Bomb Group.
  • 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

  • Aircraft sent: 24
  • Aircraft effective: 24

SAINT-NAZAIRE

Description: U-BOAT PENS

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: Bad weather over target. Groups trying 2000lb "Block Busters". Sgt. Maynard S. "Snuffy" Smith 423BS/306th Bomb Group (Waist Gunner on B-17 42-29649) is awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for this action. This is the 2nd CMOH awarded to a member of the 8th Air Force but the first AF enlisted man in history to win the award.

Official emblem of the 303rd Bomb Group approved 7 November 1942.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
Unofficial emblem, 305th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
Official insignia of the 306th Bomb Group, approved 6 January 1943, and updated 2 October 1951.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
Unofficial emblem of the 91st Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 57.00
  • People killed in action: 57
  • People wounded in action: 17
  • People missing in action: 3
  • People evaded: 1
  • Prisoners of war: 15
  • People returned to duty: 7
  • Aircraft sent: 78
  • Aircraft effective: 29
  • Aircraft missing in action: 7
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 1
  • Aircraft damaged: 20

Connections

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People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 423rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19061810
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 322nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 36324682
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Aerial Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 323rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-728815
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 364th Fighter Group 1st Scouting Force 384th Fighter Squadron 857th Bomb Squadron Headquarters (1st Combat Bomb Wing)
  • Service Numbers: 18052358 / O-441827
  • Highest Rank: Colonel
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 322nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 791278
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

Lieutenant Fort W. Lipe of the 303rd Bomb Group, signals 'V for Victory' from the cockpit of his B-17 Flying Fortress (GN-T, serial number 41-24610 ) nicknamed "Joe Btfsplk II". Passed for publication 16 Dec 1942. Printed caption on reverse: 'Lt. Fort W. Lipe, of the Air Corps, of Irving, Illinois was with the Owens-Illinois Glass Co. He is 23 and is engaged to Miss Edith Kesinger, of 314 North-St., Normal, Illinois. His greeting is silent, optimistic and emphatic. As O.P.S. he sends it in the V sign.' On
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Joe Btfsplk II
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 423rd Bomb Squadron
The crew of a B-17 Flying Fortress (OR-T, serial number 42-5077) nicknamed "Delta Rebel No II" at Bassingbourn. Image stamped on reverse: ’Reviewed and Passed U.S Army 24 Mar 1943 Press Censor No 21 E.T.O. U.S.A.' [stamp]. 'Passed for publication 24 MAR 1943 INTLD 32 Central Section Press Censorship Bureau' [stamp on appendage]. 'Associated Press' [stamp]. '254760' [Censor no]. Printed caption on reverse: 'FORTRESSES DAY RAID ON WILHELMSHAVEN The German naval base at Wilhelmshaven was successfully attac
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Delta Rebel No. 2
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 323rd Bomb Squadron
A B-17 Flying Fortress (BN-U, serial number 42-5177) nicknamed "Fast Woman (Fast Worker II)". Image via Pete Bowens.
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Fast Woman : Fast Worker MK II
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Shades Of Stricnine aka Son
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 31-Dec-2014. Description based on "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman. Maynard information from "Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces" Stan Bishop & John A. Hey and Congressional Medal of Honor Society. http://www.cmohs.org/recipient-detail/3004/smith-maynard-h.php

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'.