8th Air Force 210
5 February 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.
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.
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
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)
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.
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: 379th Bomb Group 527th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 0 800 898
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner; Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 334th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-803103
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-802209
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 305th Bomb Group 365th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 33 350 953
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Airplane Armorer / Gunner
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Roarin Bill
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 335th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Mairsy Doats
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron 546th Bomb Squadron 547th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Shade Ruff
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 614th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Wabbit Twacks
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Fools Luck III
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron
Revisions
Lee Cunningham 1-Feb-2016 Added Bomber Gunner claims on enemy aircraft to Chateauroux element per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman
Lee Cunningham 1-Feb-2016. Added Unit connections to Avord element and correct # AC damaged per "The Mighty Eight War Dairy", Roger A. Freman.
Lee Cunningham 1-Feb-2016. Added Mission Narrative per "The Mighty Eighth War Diray", Roger A. Freeman.
Moved the mission pin for Event 6, listed as 'ORLEANS/BRICE', to Orleans/Bricy, France.
Moved the mission pin for Event 2, listed as 'CHATEAUDUN (last resort)', to Châteaudun Airfield, France.
Moved the mission pin for Event 3, listed as 'CHATEAUDUN', to Châteaudun Airfield, France.
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'.