8th Air Force 187

21 January 1944

Description

This mission is directed at 36 V-Weapon sites (34 in the Pas-de-Calaise area and 2 in the Chrebourg area of France) 24 of these are bombed successfully. All three Bomb Divisions participate in the attacks and the bomber gunners claimed 5-1-2 of attacking aircraft (statisitics included with 2BD element). 10 aircraft (B-17s) from 1BD, 9 aircraft (B-24s) from 2BD and 5 aircraft (B-17s) from 3BD attacked targets of opportunity which included 2 further V-Weapon sites and 3 airfields. Some of the B-24s of 2BD stayed in the target area too long and a a result their fighter escort was forced to abandon them because of low fuel. 1 target required 10 runs before it was succesfully attacked. 4 airmen aboard a B-24 from 448BG, the lead aircraft, baled out over the English Channel thinking the aircraft was on fire and these were lost in the sea. The despatch was as follows:



1st Bomb Division: A combined force of 306 B-17s were despatched from: 91BG; 92BG; 303BG; 305BG; 306BG; 351BG; 379BG; 381BG; 384BG and 401BG. Those from 401BG were forced to abort the mission due to weather. 156 aircraft were successful on a target. There were no aircraft losses in this element but 74 aircraft were damaged primarily by AA-fire. 8 airmen in returing aircraft were WIA.



2nd Bomb Division: A combined force of 198 B-24s were despatched from: 44BG; 93BG; 389BG; 392BG; 445BG, 446BG and 448BG. Weather and difficulty to locating sites frustrated bombing attempts with only 77 of this element successfully bombing a target. These groups tarried too long over the target area and their fighter escort was forced to abandon them. As a result 5 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) - 32KIA 10POW 11EVD. In addition 4 airmen were KIA when they baled out over the English Channel. 2 other airment in retuning aircraft were KIA along with 18WIA. 2 battle damaged aircraft made crash landings upon return 2KIA 17RTD, 3 airment in one of these aircraft baled out over France and were captured - 3POW.



3rd Bomb Division: A combined force of 291 B-17s were despatched from: 94BG; 95BG; 96BG; 100BG; 385BG; 388BG; 390BG and 447BG. 161 of these aircraft were effective on a target. 1 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) - 4KIA 6POW. 1 aircraft with battle damage made a crash landing near Detling, UK and was considered Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR) - 10RTD. 29 other aircraft in this element were damaged and 7 airment in returning aircraft were wounded.

Mission Details

Description: BOMB TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: 10 aircraft from 1st Bomb Division and 5 aircraft from 3rd Bomb Division bomb targets of opportunity two V-Weapons sites and 3 airfields

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 43.44
  • Aircraft sent: 15
  • Aircraft effective: 15

Description: BOMB TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY

Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator

Notes: 9 B-24s bomb targets of opportunity two V-Weapons sites and 3 airfields

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 26.06
  • Aircraft sent: 9
  • Aircraft effective: 9

Cherbourg, France

Description: V-1 MISSILE SITES

Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator

Notes: Four crewmen of the lead B-24 from 44th Bomb Group bailed out when a smoke marker ignited in the bay thinking that the aircraft was on fire. These 4 were lost in the English Channel. Two BD B-24s stayed too long in the target area and the escorting P-38s ran low on fuel and had to terminate their escort. This gave opportunity to the German fighters which downed 5 B-24s. All 2nd Bomb Division casualties bundled. Bomber gunner claims for all aircraft that participated in the operation are stated here.

The insignia of the 389th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 392nd Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
A pathfinder B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-51681) of the 453rd Bomb Group flies in formation with a fellow Liberator of the 453rd and and a pathfinder Liberator of the 445th Bomb Group. Image via Alan Rowsell.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
A flight of B-24 Liberators of the 446th Bomb Group fly in formation above the clouds.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 448th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 196.23
  • People killed in action: 39
  • People wounded in action: 16
  • People evaded: 11
  • Prisoners of war: 14
  • People returned to duty: 17
  • Enemy aircrafts destroyed by bomber: 5
  • Enemy aircrafts probably destroyed by bomber: 1
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by bomber: 2
  • Aircraft sent: 198
  • Aircraft effective: 68
  • Aircraft missing in action: 5
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 2
  • Aircraft damaged: 41

PAS DE CALAIS (Primary)

Description: V-1 MISSILE SITES

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: Aircraft are all part of 3rd Bomb Division.

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 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
The insignia of the 390th 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

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 451.78
  • People killed in action: 6
  • Prisoners of war: 4
  • People returned to duty: 10
  • Aircraft sent: 291
  • Aircraft effective: 156
  • Aircraft missing in action: 1
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 1

PAS DE CALAIS (Primary)

Description: V-1 MISSILE SITES

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: 34 V-Weapon sites are targeted. 401st Bomb Group aborted the mission because of weather. Aircraft are all part of 1sr Bomb Division.

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
The insignia of the 351st Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 379th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 422.82
  • Aircraft sent: 306
  • Aircraft effective: 146
  • Aircraft damaged: 74

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: 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-798297
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 446th Bomb Group 93rd Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: O-434690
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot / Operations Officer
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 534th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18042331
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 68th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 14151313
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Engineer/Top Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 412th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18193418
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Victory Ship
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 68th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Little Audrey
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 384th Bomb Group Base Air Depot 1 368th Bomb Squadron 544th Bomb Squadron
A 365th Bomb Squadron, 305th Bomb Group B-17 Flying Fortress (XK-R, serial number 41-24578) taxiis to take off from Chelveston airbase. Passed for publication 30 Jun 1943. Handwritten caption on reverse: '124578, XK:R.' Printed caption on reverse: 'At A Fortress Station In Britain. From an American base in Britain the Flying Fortresses carry out operational activities which result in terrible blows against the German industrial war machine. This series of pictures shows scenes at a Flying Fortresses stati
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Problem Child : Old Reliable
  • Unit: Base Air Depot 1 547th Bomb Squadron 384th Bomb Group 305th Bomb Group 367th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Maryland, My Maryland : Billie
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron 306th Bomb Group 367th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: The Vanishing Virgin | X-Virgin
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 384th Bomb Group Base Air Depot 1 364th Bomb Squadron 546th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 10-Jan-2016. Added Bomber gunner claims on enemy aircraft to the statistics of 2nd BD per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 10-Jan-2016. Added Mission Narrative per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman and "Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces", Stan Bishop & John A. Hey MBE.

Date
Contributorjdossetter
Changes
Sources

updated location

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'.