Description

17 V-Wepons sites in France are the primary targets for this mission. The mission is divided into two separate forces: one force of B-24s from 2nd Bomb Division and one force of B-17s from 3rd Bomb Division. Mission summary follows:



2nd Bomb Division: A combined force of 192 B-24s from: 44BG; 93BG; 389BG; 392BG; 445BG; 446BG; 448BG, and 453BG are depatched to attack 5 V-Weapon sites in the Pas-de Calaise area of France. The sites are difficult to find and the bombers divert to bomb Maires Mins and German-occupied buldings as Targets of Opprotunity (TOs). 138 aircraft are effective on Maries Mine and 12 others are effective on German-occupied buildings. All aircraft managed to Return to Base (RTB), but 2 with battle damage are declared Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR) in crash landings - 20RTD. 57 aircraft are damaged. There are no claims on enemy aircraft in this force.



3rd Bomb Division: A combined force of 277 B-17s from: 94BG; 95BG; 96BG; 100BG; 385BG; 388BG; 390BG; and 447BG are despatched to bomb 12 V-Weapon sites in the Pas-de-Calaise area of France. 266 aircraft are effective on a target. 4 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) - 14KIA 11POW 15EVD. 2 aircraft with battle damage are declared Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR) in crash landings back in England - 1KIA 19RTD. 7 airmen in returning aircraft are KIA and 23 are WIA. 74 aircraft are damaged. The bomber gunners in this force claim 0-1-0 of attacking German aircraft.