8th Air Force 248

5 March 1944
media-31873.png UPL 31873 42-100414 flight crew after crash landing in La Croix-Comtesse, France

Object Number - UPL 31873 - 42-100414 flight crew after crash landing in La Croix-Comtesse, France

Description

The German airfields at Mont-de-Marsan, Cayeux and Bordeaux/Merginac, France were the primary targets for this mission. Weather and clouds frustrate bombing attempts and formations bomb other secondary targets and targets of last resort. Mission Summary follows:



2nd Air Division: A combined force of 219 B-24s from: 44BG; 93BG; 389BG; 392BG; 445BG; 446BG; 453BG; and 458BG are despatched. 63 are effective on the German airfields at Bergerac, France (Secondary); 60 are effective on the German airfield Cognac/Chateau-Bernard, France (Last Resort); 41 are effective on the German airfield at Landes-de-Bussac, France (Secondary an Last Resort); and 1 bombs the German airfield at La Roche, France. 4 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) - 4KIA 4POW(1 DIC) 8EVD 6RTD (rescued by ASR). 1 aircraft is Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR) in a crash on take off - 11RTD. 23 aircraft are damaged. 1 airman aboard a returning aircraft is WIA. The bomber gunners claim 14-2-5 of attacking German aircraft. There are no other losses or casualties.

Mission Details

BERGERAC (Secondary)

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator

Notes: It has not been determined exactly which 2nd Bomb Division Groups bombed this target so the entire 2nd Air Division participating units are included here as well as the bomber gunner claims.

The insignia of the 389th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
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

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 148.18
  • Enemy aircrafts destroyed by bomber: 13
  • Enemy aircrafts probably destroyed by bomber: 2
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by bomber: 5
  • Aircraft sent: 62
  • Aircraft effective: 62

BORDEAUX/MERIGNAC (Primary)

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator

CAYEUX (Primary)

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator

Notes: It has not been determined which 2nd Bomb Division Groups bombed this target.

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 143.40
  • Aircraft sent: 60
  • Aircraft effective: 60

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator

Notes: It has not been determined which 2nd Bomb Division aircraft bombed this target.

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 2.39
  • Aircraft sent: 1
  • Aircraft effective: 1

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator

Notes: It has not been determined which 2nd Bomb Division Groups bombed this target.

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 98.00
  • Aircraft sent: 41
  • Aircraft effective: 41

MONT DE MARSAN (Primary)

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator

Notes: Bad weather forces mission to change targets and many abort. These raids on Luftwaffe airfields are the beginnings of assuring that the Allies will have air supremacy for the D-Day invasion. Groups participating are those in 2nd Bomb Division.

The insignia of the 389th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
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
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

  • People killed in action: 4
  • People wounded in action: 1
  • People evaded: 8
  • Prisoners of war: 4
  • People died in captivity: 1
  • People returned to duty: 17
  • Aircraft sent: 55
  • Aircraft missing in action: 4
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 1
  • Aircraft damaged: 2

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

People

media-55442.pdf (709.09 KB) Document 55442 SSgt William ("Bill") G. Barlow, US Army (retired)

Personal picture of SSgt Bill Barlow, 446th Bomb Group

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 446th Bomb Group
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade)
  • Role/Job: Crew 302-514: Aerial Armorer Gunner; Tail Gunner; Ball Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 93rd Bomb Group 328th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-752975 T42 43 A
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Navigator, bombardier, nose gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 2nd Bomb Division 20th Combat Bomb Wing 448th Bomb Group 712th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-809318
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 2nd Bomb Division 20th Combat Bomb Wing 448th Bomb Group 712th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19055027
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 2nd Bomb Division 20th Combat Bomb Wing 448th Bomb Group 712th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16008632
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner, Second Engineer

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Jayhawker
  • Unit: 458th Bomb Group 752nd Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Unit: 458th Bomb Group 753rd Bomb Squadron
A B-24H Liberator (J3-M, serial number 41-28678) of the 755th Bomb Squadron, 458th Bomb Group lands at Horsham St. Faith , March 1944. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'B-24H of 458th Bomb Group landing at Horsham St. Faith, Norfolk in late March 1944. 6 Foot Dix.' Second handwritten on reverse: '458 B.G., 8th Air Force.' Printed caption on reverse: '81779 AC - Consolidated B-24 of 458th Bomb Group arrives at air base somewhere in England after completing 200th mission, 1944. U.S. Air Force Photo.'
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Unit: 458th Bomb Group 755th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Unit: 458th Bomb Group 754th Bomb Squadron
A B-24 Liberators including, (serial number 44-40066) nicknamed "S.O.L", of the 458th Bomb Group fly in formation with a flight assembly ship. Written on slide casing: 'SOL, Azon a/c.'
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Spotted Ass Ape : Dixie Belle II : Wonder Bread
  • Unit: 458th Bomb Group 754th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 18-Feb-2016. Added statistics to Bergerac element based on "The Mighty Eighth War Dairy" and "Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces", Stan Bishop & John A. Hey MBE.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 18-Feb-2016. Added Mission Narrative per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.

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 248: Gallery (3 items)