8th Air Force 282
27 March 1944
- Photo taken from 42-39936, per 452BG Formation Plan for 27 Mar 1944. Roger Freeman Collection
Roger Freeman Collection
https://www.fold3.com/image/49501990
Object Number - FRE 1834 - A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-31330) of the 452nd Bomb Group releases its bombs over an airdrome in Bordeaux. Printed caption on reverese:...
Description
This mission might be likened to a "shotgun blast" as a combined force 714 heavy bombers are despatched form all three Air Divisions to attack 11 different German airfields and air depots in France. Mission summary follows:
2nd Bomb Division: A combined force of 168 B-24s from: 44BG; 389BG; 392BG; 445BG; 453BG; 458BG; and 466BG are despatched. 72 are effective on the German airfield of Pau/Pont Long, France; 49 are effective on the German airfield at Biarritz, France; 47 are effective on the German airfield of Mont-de-Marsan, France. 3 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) - 17KIA 4POW 10INT (Spain). 4 aircraft are Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR), 2 of these are loss to a mid-air collision during assembly over Hoe, UK - 20KIA, the other two in crashlandings upon return - 10 RTD. 18 aircraft are damaged. 1 airman in a returning aircraft is WIA. There are no other losses, claims or casualties in this element.
3rd Air Division: A combined force of 256 B-17s from: 94BG; 95BG; 96BG; 100BG; 385BG; 388BG; 390BG; 447BG; and 452BG are despatched. 123 are effective on the German airfield of Bordeaux/Merginac, France; 118 are effective on the German airfield at Cayeux, France; 7 are effective on the German airfield at Chartres, France. 2 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) - 5KIA 10POW 4EVD. 51 aircraft are damaged. 11 airmen in returning aircraft are KIA nad another 2 are WIA. Thre are no other losses, casualties or claims in this element.
1st Air Division: A combined force of 290 B-17s from: 91BG; 303BG; 305BG; 306BG; 351BG; 279BG; 381BG; 384BG; 401BG; and 457BG are despatched. 55 are effective on the German airfield at St. Jean D'Angely, France; 59 are effective on the German airfield of La Leu at La Rochelle, France; 74 are effective at the German air depot of Parcay Meslay at Tours, France; 35 bomb the German air depot of Usine Liotard at Tours, France; 60 are effective on the German airfield at Chartres, France; and 2 bomb other Targets of Opportunity (TOs). 1 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) - 10POW. 1 aircraft is Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR) in a crash on take-off - 10KOM. 37 aircraft are damaged. 1 airman aboard a returning aircraft is WIA. There are no other losses, casualties or claims in this element.
Mission Details
Description: BOMB TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: It has not been determined which Groups from 1st Bomb Division attacked this target.
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 5.76
- Aircraft sent: 2
- Aircraft effective: 2
BIARRITZ (Primary)
Description: AIRFIELD
Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
Notes: It has not been determined which Groups from 2nd Bomb Division attacked this target.
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 128.53
- Aircraft sent: 49
- Aircraft effective: 49
BORDEAUX/MERIGNAC (Primary)
Description: AIRFIELD
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: No bomber gunner claims. Groups participating are part of 3rd Bomb Division.
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 288.93
- People killed in action: 16
- People wounded in action: 2
- People evaded: 4
- Prisoners of war: 10
- Aircraft sent: 131
- Aircraft effective: 123
- Aircraft missing in action: 2
- Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 1
- Aircraft damaged: 51
CAYEUX (Opportunistic)
Description: AIRFIELD
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: It has not been determined which Groups from 3rd Bomb Division attacked this target.
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 277.18
- Aircraft sent: 118
- Aircraft effective: 118
CHARTRES (Opportunistic)
Description: AIRFIELD
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: It has not been determined which Groups from 3rd Bomb Division attacked this target.
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 16.44
- Aircraft sent: 7
- Aircraft effective: 7
CHARTRES (Primary)
Description: AIRFIELD
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: 7 B-17s from 447th Bomb Group (3rd Bomb Division) failed to find their own group and joined the one Bomb Group in attacking Chartres. It has not been determined which Groups from 1st Bomb Division attacked this target.
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 172.00
- Prisoners of war: 10
- Aircraft sent: 60
- Aircraft effective: 60
- Aircraft damaged: 9
LA ROCHELLE/LALEU (Primary)
Description: AIRFIELD
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: It has not been determined which Groups from 1st Bomb Division attacked this target.
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 170.00
- Aircraft sent: 59
- Aircraft effective: 59
- Aircraft damaged: 8
MONT DE MARSAN (Primary)
Description: AIRFIELD
Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
Notes: It has not been determined which Groups from 2nd Bomb Division attacked this target.
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 123.28
- Aircraft sent: 47
- Aircraft effective: 47
PAU/PONT LONG (Primary)
Description: AIRFIELD
Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
Notes: No bomber gunner claims. Groups participating are part of 2nd Bomb Division.
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 196.73
- People killed in action: 37
- Prisoners of war: 4
- People returned to duty: 20
- Aircraft sent: 72
- Aircraft effective: 75
- Aircraft missing in action: 3
- Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 4
- Aircraft damaged: 18
Description: AIRFIELD
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: No bomber gunner claims. All Groups from 1st Bomb Division participate except 92nd Bomb Group which stands down.
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 158.46
- Aircraft sent: 60
- Aircraft effective: 55
- Aircraft damaged: 13
Description: AIR DEPOT
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: 457th BG MISSION NO. 21 - TOURS, FRANCE 27 MARCH 1944 The target was the Aircraft Repair Works of Usine Liotard, under the control of the Nazi War Machine since thefall of France. This facility accounted for the repair of a large percentage of the German fighter planes, principally the FW 190s. Eighteen aircraft were dispatched as the 94th B Combat Wing. In addition, six craft were dispatched with the 94th A Wing to attack the GM airfield three miles north of Tours. Cot. Luper was Air Commander and Lt. Vinton H. Mays as pilot, led the 94th Combat Wing over the Channel. The No. 1 engine on the lead ship began running away and had to be feathered. The lead was turned over to the Deputy Lead, Major Spencer. The lead ship circled the Le Havre area looking for a target of opportunity and finally dropped bombs on the Caen Airdrome. The main formation continued on the assigned course to the IP. The target was visible. Just before bombs away, it was discovered the bomb bay doors of the lead ship had failed to open. A 180 degree turn was made to get in position for a second run. Bombing problems developed with the lead aircraft and the bomb results were poor. Enemy fighter opposition was light and no flak was encountered. There were no personnel casualties, and all aircraft returned safely.
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 213.19
- Aircraft sent: 74
- Aircraft effective: 74
- Aircraft missing in action: 1
- Aircraft damaged: 17
Description: AIR DEPOT
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: It has not been determined which Groups from 1st Bomb Division attacked this target.
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 100.84
- Aircraft sent: 35
- Aircraft effective: 35
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: 91st Bomb Group 322nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 684142
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 466th Bomb Group 2nd Scouting Force 787th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-403886
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
- Role/Job: Squadron Commander - Pilot - Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 466th Bomb Group 784th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 18040993
- Highest Rank: Technician Fourth Grade
- Role/Job: waist gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 334th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-693852
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 92nd Bomb Group 327th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 14161785
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
Aircraft
![A bomber crew of the 95th Bomb Group return to Horham following a raid in their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-31320) nicknamed "I'll Be Around". Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], '809571 [Censor no], 'Passed for publication 5 Mar 1944' [stamp] and 'USA(BRI)CCC' [ written annotation]. Printed caption on reverse: 'WRITE NEW CHAPTER IN BERLIN DIARY, FORTRESSES RAID GERMAN CAPITAL FOR FIRST TIME. Flying Fortresses battling their way through snow and a temperature of nearly "60 be](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-379273.jpg.webp?itok=-vg9js87)
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: I'll Be Around
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 412th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Shack Rabbit
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Bomber's Angel
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 336th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Rum Pot II
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: West End
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron
Revisions
711th Bombardment Squadron (H), 447th Bombardment Group (H)
B-17-G #42-39882, “My Gal” Crew
Top Left to Right: August E. Herlth, Eugene G. D'Albero, Larry S. Hatfield, Martin J. Gruber
Bottom Left to Right: William M. Lindgren, Bailey E. Swadley, Raymond L. Hayes, William H. Stoyer, Rocco J. LoCarro, Louis L. Jenkins
Lee Cunningham 9-Mar-2016. Added Mission Summary based on "The Mighty Eighth War Dairy", Roger A. Freeman; "Losses of the 8th & 9th AIr Forces", Stan Bishop & John A. Hey MBE and MACRS.
Mission detail added courtesy of Diane Reese - http://www.457thbombgroup.org/Narratives/ma21.html
Associated Media based on images associated with missions in Freeman, The Mighty Eighth War Diary.
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'.