8th Air Force 257
13 March 1944Description
V-Weapon sites in the Pas-de-Calaise area of France are the targets for this mission. All three Air Divisions despatch aircraft but the weather is so terrible that most could not bomb a target. Mission Summary follows:
1st Air Division: A combined force of 85 B-17s from: 351BG; 379BG; 401BG; and 457BG are despatched. Only 7 aircraft are effective on a Target of Oppostunity (TO) at Poix, France. 2 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) - 10KIA 10POW. 24 aircraft are damaged. 1 airman in a returning aircraft is WIA. There are no other losses, casualties or claims in this element.
3rd Air Division: 42 B-17s are despatched from 3rd AD Groups but weather prevents any from bombing and all are recalled. 37 aircraft are damaged. There are no other losses casualties or claims in this element.
2nd Air Division: 144 B-24s from: 93BG; 389BG; 445BG; 446BG; 448BG; and 453BG are despatched but weather prevents any from bombing. 1 aircraft is Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR) in a crash caused by Pilot enterin prop wash during assembly - 6KIA 4RTD (baled out). 13 aircraft are damaged. There are no other losses, casualties or claims.
Mission Details
PAS DE CALAIS (Primary)
Description: V-1 MISSILE SITES
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: Primary targets were V-weapon sites in the Pas de Calais area, but cloud cover prevented all but 7 from bombing. No claims on enemy fighter by the bomber gunners. 457th BG MISSION NO. 12 - VAC-QUERIETTE, GERMANY 13 MARCH, 1944 The Group flew its first of many No Ball missions to the French Coast. The name No Ball identified the target as being the launching pad of the V-i flying bombs, which would be launched against England. Twenty-one planes were dispatched. Captain Spencer was Air Commander and Lt. J. L. Smith, pilot. Heavy clouds prevented the bombing of the target. Some aircraft returned safely with their bomb load, while others bombed targets of opportunity. Damage was inflicted to eight aircraft by intense flak over the occupied territory of France near Abbeville. The field order for the mission was not received until 0445, and final mission data was not received until after the main briefing. Only the routes to and from the French Coast were set forth in the flight plan, leaving the course over France to the Wing and Group Commanders.
Mission Statistics
- Aircraft sent: 120
- Aircraft damaged: 61
Poix (Opportunistic)
Description: AIRFIELD
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: It has not been determined which Group attacked this target.
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 21.00
- People killed in action: 10
- Prisoners of war: 10
- Aircraft sent: 7
- Aircraft effective: 7
- Aircraft missing in action: 2
Poix (Opportunistic)
Description: AIRFIELD
Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
Notes: All Groups participating are part of 2nd Bomb Division.
Mission Statistics
- Aircraft sent: 144
- Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 1
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 379th Bomb Group 525th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-694353
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 379th Bomb Group 525th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 33233021
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 379th Bomb Group 524th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 38225387
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade)
- Role/Job: Flight Engineer / Top Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 379th Bomb Group 525th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 12159262
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 615th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Pride of New Mexico : Uncle
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 334th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Fancy Nancy IV
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Berlin Bessie
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 412th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 412th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Fire Ball Red
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 336th Bomb Squadron 412th Bomb Squadron
Revisions
Lee Cunningham 23-Feb-2016. Added Mission Narrative based on "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman and "Losses of the 8th & 9th AIr Forces:, Stan Bishop & John A. Hey MBE.
Mission detail added courtesy of Diane Reese - http://www.457thbombgroup.org/Narratives/ma12.html
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'.