8th Air Force 212
6 February 1944
BACK L-R: Robert Kilmer (CP), John Barkley (N), Donald Ogilvie (P), William Wilson (B).
FRONT L-R: Francis Sylvia (FG), Emmett Hood (TT), Louis Ratkiewicz (TG), William Martin (FG), James Murray (RO), James McKeon (BT)
Object Number - UPL 65989 - 384th Bomb Group Lead Crews / 28 July 1943/Kassel. BACK L-R: Robert Kilmer (CP), John Barkley (N), Donald Ogilvie (P), William Wilson (B). FRONT...
Description
German airfields and V-Weapon sites in France are the primary targets of this mission. A combined force total of 642 heavy bombers are depatched from 8th Air Force 1st, 2nd and 3rd Bomb Divisions. The primary targets of 1st Bomb Division were the German airfields at Nancy/Essay and Dijon/Longvic; the primary target for 2nd Bomb Division was the V-Weapon site at St.Pol/Siracourt; and the primary target for 3rd Bomb Division was the Germany airfield at Romilly-sur-Seine. Cloud cover caused the formations to break up and they then sought targets of opportunity. The claims of the bomber gunners of all Bomb Divisions were bundled in the source data as 3-3-0 and these have been displayed in the statistics of 3BD. Mission summary as follows:
3rd Bomb Division: 189 B-17s are despached from: 94BG; 95BG; 96BG; 100BG; 385BG; 388BG; 390BG; 447BG; and 452BG. 60 aircraft attacked the German airfield at St. Andre de L'eure, France and 40 aircraft bombed the German airfield at Evreux/Fauville. Both are Targets of Opportunity (TO). 3 aircraft Faield to Return (FTR) - 21KIA 9POW. 1 aircraft was Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR) upon return in a crash attributed to Pilot Error. 10RTD. 30 aircraft were damaged. There were no other casualties of losses.
1st Bomb Division: 303 B-17s are despatched from: 91BG; 92BG; 303BG; 305BG; 306BG; 351BG; 379BG; 381BG; 384BG and 401BG and bomb the German airfield at Caen/Carpiquet, France as a Target of Opportunity (TO) 1 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) 2KIA 8POW. 1 aircraft with battle damage is Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR) in a crash landing upon return. 3 airmen on this aircraft baled out over France and managed to evade capture. - 6RTD 3EVD. 13 aircraft are damaged. There are no other casualties or losses.
2nd Bomb Division: 150 B-24s from: 44BG; 389BG; 392BG; 445BG; 446BG; 448BG and 452BG are despatched. 37 bomb the German airfield at Chateaudun, France and 9 bomb the V-Weapon site at Eclimeux. Both are Targets of Opportunity (TO). 1 aircraft is Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR) in a crash on take off - 7KOM 3 INJ/RTD. 7 aircraft are damaged. There are no other casualties.
Mission Details
Description: AIRFIELD
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: It has not been determined which Groups from 1st Bomb Division diverted to this target. 60 bomb Caen/Carpiquet Airfield.
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 166.50
- People killed in action: 2
- Prisoners of war: 8
- Aircraft sent: 303
- Aircraft effective: 60
- Aircraft missing in action: 1
- Aircraft damaged: 13
Description: AIRFIELD
Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
Notes: It has not been determined which Groups from 2nd Bomb Division diverted to this target
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 93.00
- People killed in action: 8
- People returned to duty: 2
- Aircraft sent: 150
- Aircraft effective: 37
- Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 1
Description: AIRFIELD
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: Primary target for 1st Air Division was Dijon/Longvic. It was obscured by clouds so it was not attacked.
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 0.00
- People killed in action: 2
- Prisoners of war: 8
- Aircraft missing in action: 1
Description: V-1 MISSILE SITES
Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
Notes: It has not been determined which Groups from 2nd Bomb Division diverted to this target
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 25.25
- Aircraft sent: 9
- Aircraft effective: 9
Description: AIRFIELD
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: It has not been determined which Groups from 3rd Bomb Division diverted to this target
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 142.00
- People killed in action: 12
- Prisoners of war: 8
- Aircraft sent: 40
- Aircraft effective: 40
- Aircraft missing in action: 2
- Aircraft damaged: 10
/
Description: AIRFIELD
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: 303 B-17s from 1st Bomb Division are despatched. Weather and mechanical problems cause 243 from this formation to abort mission.
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 0.00
- People evaded: 3
- People returned to duty: 6
- Aircraft sent: 243
- Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 1
Description: AIRFIELD
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: 189 B-17s from 3rd Bomb Division are despatched. Weather and mechanical problems cause 89 from this formation to abort mission. Primary obscured by clouds, 100th Bomb Group hit targets of opportunity.
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 0.00
- People killed in action: 9
- Prisoners of war: 1
- People returned to duty: 10
- Aircraft sent: 89
- Aircraft missing in action: 1
- Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 1
Description: AIRFIELD
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: It has not been determined which Groups from 3rd Bomb Division diverted to this target
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 178.00
- People killed in action: 21
- Prisoners of war: 9
- Enemy aircrafts destroyed by bomber: 3
- Enemy aircrafts probably destroyed by bomber: 3
- Aircraft sent: 150
- Aircraft effective: 60
- Aircraft missing in action: 3
- Aircraft damaged: 20
Description: V-1 MISSILE SITES
Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
Notes: 150 B-24s from two Bomb Group are despatched. Weather and mechanical problems cause 107 from this group to abort mission. Primary St. Pol/ Siracourt obscured by clouds, 37 bomb Chateaudun Airfield and 9 bomb Eclimeuax V-weapon site.
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 0.00
- People killed in action: 8
- People returned to duty: 2
- Aircraft sent: 107
- Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 1
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: 381st Bomb Group 535th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-809511
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 33213036
- Highest Rank: Technician Third Grade
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 381st Bomb Group 535th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 18105856
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 336th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 32549894
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade)
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 336th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-809476
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
Aircraft
![Two airmen of the 303rd Bomb Group admire the nose art of a B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Iza Vailable". Printed caption removed from reverse. On reverse: Keystone Press Agency, 'Sacred' and U.S. Official Photograph O.W.I. [Stamps].](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-407619.jpg.webp?itok=aEyghgX9)
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Iza Vailable
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Queen Jeanie : Damn Yankee II
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron 306th Bomb Group 368th Bomb Squadron 423rd Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Battle Wagon
- Unit: 381st Bomb Group 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Destinys Tot : Angel Pumpkin
- Unit: 457th Bomb Group 95th Bomb Group Base Air Depot 2 336th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Olin's 69ers, Gremlin Gus II
- Unit: 388th Bomb Group 560th Bomb Squadron
Revisions
Lee Cunningham 4-Feb-2016. Made connections to participating units (bundled for 3rd BD) and added statisitics per "The Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces", Stan Bishop & John A. Hey MBE.
Lee Cunningham 4-Feb-2016. Added Note to Dijon element per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman.
Lee Cunningham 4-Feb-2016. Added Statistics to Chateaudun element per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.
Lee Cunningham 4-Feb-2016. Corrected statistics on Caen element per "Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces", Stan Bishop & John A. Hey MBE.
Lee Cunningham 4-Feb-2016. Added Mission Description per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.
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'.