8th Air Force 210

5 February 1944
media-33617.jpeg UPL 33617 "Smoke rises from exploding bombs which have hit their targets on an enemy airdrome in Avord, France, During a bombing raid by USAAF bombers on 5 Feb 1944."

Object Number - UPL 33617 - "Smoke rises from exploding bombs which have hit their targets on an enemy airdrome in Avord, France, During a bombing raid by USAAF bombers on 5 Feb...

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.

Mission Details

AVORD (Primary)

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: Second part of 1st Bomb Division force, 50 B-17s attack the airfield at Avord, France.

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
A pathfinder B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 44-8258) of the 401st Bomb Group. Image by Robert Astrella. Written on slide casing: '48258 14 A, Mount Farm.'
  • 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: 147.75
  • Aircraft sent: 50
  • Aircraft effective: 50
  • Aircraft damaged: 11

28200 Châteaudun, France

Description: AIRFIELD - CHATEAUDUN (last resort)

Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator

Notes: First mission for 453rd Bomb Group.

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
The insignia of the 44th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 261.25
  • People wounded in action: 4
  • Prisoners of war: 10
  • Aircraft sent: 103
  • Aircraft effective: 90
  • Aircraft missing in action: 1
  • Aircraft damaged: 31

28200 Châteaudun, France

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: Third part of 1st Bomb Division force, 61 B-17s attack Chateaudun AF

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 379th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 384th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 183.00
  • Aircraft sent: 61
  • Aircraft effective: 61

CHATEAUROUX/MARTINERE (Primary)

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: 1st Bomb Division is split between Chateauroux (P), Chateaudun (P), Avord (P) and Orelans/Bricy (P)

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
A pathfinder B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 44-8258) of the 401st Bomb Group. Image by Robert Astrella. Written on slide casing: '48258 14 A, Mount Farm.'
  • 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: 147.75
  • People killed in action: 1
  • People wounded in action: 10
  • Enemy aircrafts destroyed by bomber: 5
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by bomber: 5
  • Aircraft sent: 52
  • Aircraft effective: 50
  • Aircraft damaged: 12

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: One 3rd Bomb Division aircraft attacks this airfield as a target of last resort.

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 2.76
  • Aircraft sent: 1
  • Aircraft effective: 1

Aérodrome d'Orléans-Bricy, 45310 Bricy, France

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: Fourth part of 1st Bomb Division force, 60 B-17s attack Orleans/ Bricy AF

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 169.00
  • Aircraft sent: 60
  • Aircraft effective: 60

Description: AIRFIELD

Notes: 8 B-24s drop bombs on Tours/Parcay Meslay airfield.

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 24.00
  • People killed in action: 9
  • Prisoners of war: 1
  • Aircraft effective: 8
  • Aircraft missing in action: 1

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: This 1st Bomb Division aircraft as a last resort, joined 3rd Bomb Division force in attack on Villacoublay (S)

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 2.96
  • People returned to duty: 20
  • Aircraft sent: 2
  • Aircraft effective: 2
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 2

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: First mission for 452nd Bomb Group. 447th Bomb Group was late and aborted the mission just over the French coast.

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 452nd Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 367.21
  • Aircraft sent: 181
  • Aircraft effective: 133
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 2
  • Aircraft damaged: 26

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: 401st Bomb Group 615th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 6962724
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
  • 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: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 36703821
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Togglier, Waist 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: 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 35420401
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade)
  • Role/Job: Flight Engineer

Aircraft

  • 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
  • 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: Kayo
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 365th Bomb Squadron 546th Bomb Squadron 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Kathy Jane
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron 95th Bomb Group 336th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Wolf Pack
  • Unit: 94th Bomb Group 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

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

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 1-Feb-2016. Added Unit connections to Avord element and correct # AC damaged per "The Mighty Eight War Dairy", Roger A. Freman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 1-Feb-2016. Added Mission Narrative per "The Mighty Eighth War Diray", Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Sources

Moved the mission pin for Event 6, listed as 'ORLEANS/BRICE', to Orleans/Bricy, France.

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Sources

Moved the mission pin for Event 2, listed as 'CHATEAUDUN (last resort)', to Châteaudun Airfield, France.

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Sources

Moved the mission pin for Event 3, listed as 'CHATEAUDUN', to Châteaudun Airfield, France.

Date
Contributorgrandcharles
Changes
Sources

the name of the airport is orleans/bricy (not brice)

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 210: Gallery (12 items)