8th Air Force 208

4 February 1944
media-34095.jpeg UPL 34095 "SHATTERED CHATEAROUX---Typical extensive damage inflicted upon nine Nazi airfields in Northwestern France early in Feb 4 by 8th AF heavy bombers is revealed in these striking reconnaissance pictures of the shattered fighter training base at Chateauroux. Nine hangars, workshops and living quarters were destroyed or seriously damaged. Upper right of photo shows two large double hangars with damaged roofs, while in group of buildings at lower right can be seen ruins of four small hangars and large workshop, which is three quarters destroyed and large double hangar with one bay wiped out by direct hit. At lower right of photo one of the double hangars is 75% destroyed while others are severely damaged. This reconnaissance plane photo gives striking example of successful precision bombing attacks carried out by American heavy bombers on Nazi held airdromes."

Associated 4 February 1944 bombing mission

Object Number - UPL 34095 - "SHATTERED CHATEAROUX---Typical extensive damage inflicted upon nine Nazi airfields in Northwestern France early in Feb 4 by 8th AF heavy bombers is...

Description

The railroad marshalling yards at Frankfurt, Germany were focus of this mission, but other railroad marshalling yards in the area were attacked as well. Weather and navigational errors frustrate target acquisition.748 heavy bombers were despatched in a combined force from 1st, 2nd and 3rd Bomb Divisions. Mission summary follows:



1st Bomb Division: A combined force of 287 B-17s are despatched from: 91BG; 92BG; 305BG; 306BG; 351BG; 379BG; 381BG; 384BG; 401BG; and 482BG. 183 aircraft are effective on Frankfurt. 51 are effective on the railroad marshalling yards at Wiesbaden; Germany as a Target of Opportunity (TO); 1 bombs the railroad marshalling yards at Koblenz, Germany and 21 bomb other TOs. 11 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) - 29KIA 72POW 10EVD. 3 aircraft with battle damage make crash landings in England and are declared to be Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR) - 6KIA 25RTD. 16 airmen are WIA in returning aircraft. 138 aircraft are damaged (apportioned in statistics).



2nd Bomb Division: A combined force of 159 B-24s are despatched from: 44BG; 93BG; 389BG; 392BG; 446BG; 448BG; 492BG. The despatch from 14th Combat Wing (44BG; 392BG; 492BG) aborts the mission because it failed to join the Division because the PFF aircraft faield to take off. 27 aircraft are effective on Frankfurt. 17 bomb the railroad marshalling yards at Trier, Germany as a Target of Opportunity (TO); 15 bomb the railroad marshalling yards at Arloff, Germany as a TO; 2 bomb the railroad marshalling yards at Russellheim, Germany as a TO; 1 bombs at Grafenhausen, Germany as a TO; 1 bombs at Darmstadt, Germany as a TO; 1 bombs at Koblenz, Germany as a TO; and 26 others bomb other target of opportunity. 2 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) - 6KIA 14POW. 4 airmen aboard returning aircraft are WIA. 76 aircraft are damaged (apportioned in statistics)



3rd Bomb Division: A combined force of 302 B-17s are despatched from: 94BG; 95BG; 100BG; 385BG; 388BG; 390BG; and 447BG. 27 are effective on Frankfurt; 122 are effective on the railroad marshalling yards at Geissen, Germany as a Target of Opportunity (TO); 2 others bomb TOs. 7 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) - 18KIA 47POW 5EVD. 2 airmen in returning aircraft are KIA. 145 aircraft are damaged (apportioned in statistics).



The combined claims of the bomber gunners of all three Air Divisions are 4-0-1 (Statistic reflected in 1BD Frankfurt element)

Mission Details

Description: BOMB TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY

Notes: 1 BD Bomb Groups attacking has not been determined.

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 68.95
  • People wounded in action: 1
  • Aircraft sent: 21
  • Aircraft effective: 21
  • Aircraft damaged: 13

Description: BOMB TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 3.13
  • Aircraft sent: 2
  • Aircraft effective: 2

Description: BOMB TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY

Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 81.48
  • Aircraft sent: 26
  • Aircraft effective: 26
  • Aircraft damaged: 15

Description: INDUSTRIAL AREA

Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 47.01
  • Aircraft sent: 15
  • Aircraft effective: 15
  • Aircraft damaged: 9

DARMSTADT (Opportunistic)

Description: INDUSTRIAL AREA

Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 3.13
  • Aircraft sent: 1
  • Aircraft effective: 1

FRANKFURT (Secondary)

Description: MARSHALLING YARDS

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: Joined with 1st Bomb Division in attacking the marshalling yards at Frankfurt, Germany

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
The insignia of the 447th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 510.52
  • People killed in action: 18
  • People wounded in action: 4
  • People evaded: 5
  • Prisoners of war: 47
  • Enemy aircrafts destroyed by bomber: 4
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by bomber: 1
  • Aircraft sent: 183
  • Aircraft effective: 183
  • Aircraft missing in action: 11
  • Aircraft damaged: 138

FRANKFURT (Secondary)

Description: MARSHALLING YARDS

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: Weather and navigation problems frustrate target acquisition. This is part of the campaign to destroy transportation assets in preparation for the D-Day invasion. 359 aircraft are damaged (apportionment approximated)

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
The insignia of the 381st Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 573.52
  • People killed in action: 40
  • People wounded in action: 12
  • People evaded: 10
  • Prisoners of war: 72
  • People returned to duty: 25
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by bomber: 1
  • Aircraft sent: 214
  • Aircraft effective: 183
  • Aircraft missing in action: 11
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 3
  • Aircraft damaged: 105

FRANKFURT (Secondary)

Description: MARSHALLING YARDS

Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator

Notes: 44th Bomb Group and 392nd Bomb Group failed to join the Division and abandoned the mission because the Pathfinder (PFF) aircraft had failed to take-off.

The insignia of the 389th Bomb Group.
  • 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
The insignia of the 93rd Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 64.62
  • People killed in action: 3
  • Prisoners of war: 9
  • Aircraft sent: 96
  • Aircraft effective: 27
  • Aircraft missing in action: 1
  • Aircraft damaged: 16

GIESSEN (Opportunistic)

Description: INDUSTRIAL AREA

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: 3rd Bomb Division Bomb Groups attacking has not been determined.

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 382,35
  • Aircraft sent: 122
  • Aircraft effective: 122
  • Aircraft damaged: 69

GRAFENHAUSEN

Description: INDUSTRIAL AREA

Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 3.13
  • Aircraft sent: 1
  • Aircraft effective: 1

KOBLENZ (Opportunistic)

Description: INDUSTRIAL AREA

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: 3rd Bomb Division Bomb Groups attacking has not been determined.

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 3.13
  • Aircraft sent: 1
  • Aircraft effective: 1

KOBLENZ (Opportunistic)

Description: INDUSTRIAL AREA

Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 3.13
  • Aircraft sent: 1
  • Aircraft effective: 1

Description: INDUSTRIAL AREA

Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 6.27
  • People killed in action: 5
  • Prisoners of war: 5
  • Aircraft sent: 2
  • Aircraft effective: 2
  • Aircraft missing in action: 1

TRIER (Opportunistic)

Description: INDUSTRIAL AREA

Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 53.41
  • Aircraft sent: 17
  • Aircraft effective: 17
  • Aircraft damaged: 10

Wiesbaden, Germany

Description: MARSHALLING YARDS

Notes: 1 BD Bomb Groups attacking has not been determined.

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 159.83
  • People wounded in action: 3
  • Aircraft sent: 51
  • Aircraft effective: 51
  • Aircraft damaged: 29

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 547th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16006483
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 615th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 31037975 / O-681515
  • Highest Rank: Major
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 92nd Bomb Group 407th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13070999 at enlistment, then O-735248
  • Highest Rank: Major
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 336th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-809476
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 562nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 15382852
  • Highest Rank: Technician Third Grade
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner

Aircraft

Ground crew work of the 303rd Bomb Group work on the engines of a B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "The Duchess". Passed for publication 20 Jan 1944. Printed caption on reverse: 'Famous Fortresses. Associated Press Photo Shows:- Ground crewmen at work on the Fortress "Duchess", which has already been on 50 missions over enemy territory. They are (left to right, lower): Sgt. Clyde L. Dewald, of 200 E Union St., Schnykill Haven, Penn.; and Sgt. James C. Hicks, of Rowtob, Henderson, K.Y.; (Upper) Cpl. Charles
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: The Duchess, Sure Stuff
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Knock-out Dropper
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th 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: Cased Ace
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron 305th Bomb Group 422nd 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 Cunnigham 1-Feb-2016. Corrected Mission Title.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 1-Feb-2016. Added combined claims of bomber gunners on enemy aircraft to Mission even 6 1BG attack on Frankfurt per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 1-Feb 2016. Added Bomber gunner claims on enemy aircraft to Mission Narrative per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 1-Feb-2016. Corrected number of aircraft despatched on Mission Event #2 per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", ROger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 1-Feb-2016. Corrected number of aircraft despatched on event #1 per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 1-Feb-2016. Added Mission Narrative based on "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman analysis of Missing Air Crew Reports (MACRs) and Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces" Stan Bishop & John A. Hey MBE.

Date
Contributorjdossetter
Changes
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'.

8th Air Force 208: Gallery (6 items)