VIII Air Support Command 23

17 August 1943

Description

This mission was planned as a diversion in support of the in-bound Schweinfurt element B-17s. 36 B-26s from 386BG were despatched to attack the German airfield at Bryas (Sud), France, which they did at 1051hrs that morning. Roger A. Freeman's "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" includes a despatch of 36 B-26s from 387BG but these were recalled by the RAF fighter escort. 29 of the 36 from 386BG were effective on the target. There were no losses or claims, although 2 were damaged by anti-aircraft fire. The RAF provided Spitfires as escort fighters.

Mission Details

BRYAS SUD

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder

Notes: RAF provides fighter support.

Lieutenant James T. Wilson and Lieutenant Robert J. Owen of the 386th Bomb Group in the cockpit of their B-26 Marauder. Image stamped on reverse: 'Not to be published.' [stamp], 'Ministry of Information 19 Aug 1943.' [stamp] nand '279545.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'AT THE US MARAUDERS BASE. The B-26 Marauders, American super medium bombers are operating now from bases in Britain. This series of pictures shows various scenes at the airfield where the ground crew and the fliers work together
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Ninth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 34.80
  • Aircraft sent: 36
  • Aircraft effective: 29
  • Aircraft damaged: 2

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 18-May-2015. Added attack time to Mission Narrative per "The Mighty EIghth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 18-May-2015. Added Mission Narrative based on "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'.