Description

German airfield in France are the targets for this mission. All three Bomb Divisions despatch aircraft. The combined bomber gunner's claims of all three Bomb Divisions were 5-0-5 (displayed with Chateauroux element of 1BD). Summary as follows:

1st Bomb Division: The B-17s of this Bomb Division are divided into two elements. The first element is a combinded force of 103 B-17s from: 91BG; 351BG; 381BG; and 401BG despatched to bomb the German airfields of Chateauroux/Martinerie and Avord. 50 aircraft are effective on Chateauroux/Martinerie and 1 aircraft bombs at Villacoublay as a Target of Last Resort. No aircraft are lost to enemy action but 1 is Damaged Beyond Repair in a crash landing upon return - 10RTD. 11 returning aircraft sustain battle damage. 1 airman aboard a returning aircraft is KIA and 10 others in returning aircraft are WIA. 50 aircraft are effective on the German airfield at Avord, France. There are no casualties or aircraft losses in this element, but 1 aircraft is damaged. Bomber gunner claims on enemy aircraft of 5-0-5 are displayed under this element.

The second element of 1st Bomb Division's despatch is a combined force of 121 B-17s from: 92BG; 303BG; 305BG; 306BG; 379BG and 384BG to bomb the German airfields at Chateaudun and Orleans/Bricy, France. 61 aircraft are effective on Chateaudun. There are no losses or claims in this element. 60 aircraft are effective on Orleans/Bricy. There are no losses or claims in this element, but 1 aircraft is damaged.

2nd Bomb Division: A combined force of 103 B-24s are despatched from: 44BG; 93BG; 392BG; 445BG; and 453BG to bomb the German airfield at Tours/Parcay Meslay, France. This is the first combat mission for 453BG. 90 are effective on Tours/Parcay Meslay and 8 are effective on Chateudun as a Target of Last Resort. 2 aircraft of the Tours contingent Failed to Return (FTR) - 9KIA 11POW. 14 aircraft are damaged. 4 airmen in returning aircraft are WIA.

8 aircraft bomb the airfield at Chateaudun as a Target of Last Resort. The are no losses or claims in this element but 17 aircraft are damaged.

3rd Bomb Division: A combined force of 182 B-17s are despatched from: 94BG; 95BG; 96BG; 100BG; 385BG; 388BG; 390BG; 447BG; and 452BG to bomb the German air depot at Romilly-sur-Seine, but the target was obscured by clouds so the formations attacked the German airfield at Villacoublay, France as their secondary target. This is the first combat mission for 452BG. 133 aircraft are effective on Villacoublay. There are no aircraft losses to enemy action, but 2 returning with battle damage make cracsh landings in England and are Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR) 20RTD. 26 other aircraft are damaged. 1 airman aboard a returning aircraft is WIA.