VIII Bomber Command 95

15 September 1943

Description

This mission is composed of three elements. The first element is a formation of 93 B-17s from: (1BG (19); 305BG (18); 306BG (18); 351BG (19); and 381BG (19) despatched to bomb the German air deport at Romilly-sur-Seine, France. 87 aircraft are effective on the target. There are no losses or claims but 2 aircraft make crashlandings upon return and the aircraft are declared Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR)-10RTD, 7 other aircraft are damaged and 3 airmen are Wounded in Action (WIA). This element receives fighter escort. 

The second element is composed of 152 B-17s from: 95BG (23); 100BG (20); 390BG (23); 94BG (21); 96BG (23); 385BG (22); and 388BG (20) despatched to bomb the industrial areas of Paris and the aircraft industry there. 40 aircraft are effective on the Caudron-Renault works; 21 aircraft are effective on the Billancourt-Renault works; and 77 aircraft bomb the Hiapano-Suiza aircraft factoried at Paris. 5 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR)-39KIA 4POW 8EVD; 33 other aircraft are damaged; and 2 airmen are Wounded in Action (WIA) The bomber gunners in these formations claim 12-2-4 of attacking German aircraft. 

The third element is a formation of 63 B-24s from: 44BG (22); 93BG (21); and 389BG (20) despatched to bomb the German airfield at Chartres, France. 47 aircraft are effective on the target; 1 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR)-4KIA 5POW 1EVD. The bomber ginners in the element claim 3-0-0 of attacking enemy aircraft.

Mission Details

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator

Notes: This is the last mission for these Groups before being transferred to North Africa on temporary assignment.

The insignia of the 389th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
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

  • Tonnage Dropped: 141.00
  • People missing in action: 10
  • Aircraft sent: 63
  • Aircraft effective: 47
  • Aircraft missing in action: 1

Description: PARIS BILLANCOURT-RENAULT FACTORIES

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

The insignia of the 390th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 63.00
  • People killed in action: 1
  • People wounded in action: 1
  • People evaded: 7
  • Prisoners of war: 2
  • Aircraft sent: 23
  • Aircraft effective: 21

Description: PARIS CAUDRON-RENAULT FACTORIES

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Three airmen of the 100th Bomb Group, Lieutenant Kenneth Menzie, Lieutenant Donald Strout and Lieutenant Norman Scott, plan the route they will take during the next mission in their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30380). Image stamped on reverse: 'Reviewed and passed U.S. Army 23 Aug 1943 Press Censor E.T.O. U.S.A.' [stamp]'. Passed for publication 23 August 1943 INTLD 16 General Section Press Censorship Bureau '[stamp], 'Associated Press' [stamp] and '280035.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reve
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 95th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 118.75
  • People killed in action: 10
  • People wounded in action: 1
  • Aircraft sent: 43
  • Aircraft effective: 40
  • Aircraft missing in action: 2
  • Aircraft damaged: 33

Description: PARIS HISPANO-SUIZA AIRCRAFT ENGINE WORKS

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

The insignia of the 385th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 388th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
A bomber crew of the 94th Bomb Group stand with their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30200) nicknamed "Slo Time Sally" and a bomb inscribed 'Special delivery to Hitler'. Inscription on bomb reads: 'Special delivery to Hitler, From Peggy of St. Louis.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 96th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 229.00
  • People killed in action: 18
  • People evaded: 1
  • Prisoners of war: 2
  • Aircraft sent: 86
  • Aircraft effective: 79
  • Aircraft missing in action: 3

Description: AIR DEPOT

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: Some aircraft carried 1000GP bombs on external racks.

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
The insignia of the 351st Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 381st Bomb Group.
  • 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: 267.55
  • People wounded in action: 3
  • People returned to duty: 20
  • Aircraft sent: 93
  • Aircraft effective: 87
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 2
  • Aircraft damaged: 7

Connections

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

People

Argentos, James 18108164 T/Sgt. 367th BS 306th BG Air Corps
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 367th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18108164
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade)
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 560th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16066310 / O-735023
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 561st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 37111609
  • Highest Rank: Technician Fourth Grade
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 510th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 32478396
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 100th Bomb Group 418th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Role/Job: Pilot / Commanding Officer

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Spitball
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 511th Bomb Squadron
Crew of the Piccadilly Commando
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Piccadilly Commando
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 509th Bomb Squadron
42-29812
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Lucifer Jr
  • Unit: 509th Bomb Squadron 351st Bomb Group
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Meat ball / major ball
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 511th Bomb Squadron
42-29850
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Gremlin's Castle

Revisions

Date
Contributoracbernstein1
Changes
Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 6-Jun-2015. Added Mission Narrative based on "The 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'.